bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
International Experience of Income Taxation of Individuals and Directions of Improvement of the Tax System of the Russian Federation
Authors: Chan Phuong Thinh , Staroverova O.
Published: March 2024

The article examines the international experience of personal income taxation in developed countries such as the United States of America (USA), the United Kingdom, Japan, China, Australia, Canada, and Germany. The study was conducted using general scientific methods of cognition, including observation, comparison, data collection and analysis, deduction, and induction. The sources of information for the study were regulatory and legislative acts, as well as electronic resources. The main findings include reform of the personal income tax (PIT), aimed at increasing revenues, but not too heavy a tax burden for taxpayers and ensuring fairness, is a matter of concern at present. The study of tax systems in other countries allows us to identify effective approaches to the development and implementation of tax reforms, as well as to avoid mistakes made in other states.
Anxiety disorders as predictors of suicidality in people with type 2 diabetes mellitus: Findings of a study in six European countries
Authors: Gondek Tomasz M. , Kiejna Andrzej , Cichoń Ewelina , Kokoszka Andrzej , Bobrov Alexey , de Girolamo Giovanni , Lecic-Tosevski Dusica , Mankovsky Boris , Müssig Karsten , Wölwer Wolfgang , Lloyd Cathy E. , Sartorius Norman , Nouwen Arie
Published: March 2024

Cel pracy

Zaburzenia lękowe są istotnymi czynnikami predykcyjnymi samobójczości i uważa się je za niezależne czynniki ryzyka prób samobójczych. Występują one często u osób z cukrzycą typu 2 (T2DM) i wiążą się z dłuższym czasem trwania cukrzycy oraz gorszymi wynikami leczenia. Celem pracy było zbadanie związków między zaburzeniami lękowymi a myślami i zachowaniami samobójczymi u osób z T2DM, ocena częstości występowania samobójczości wśród osób z T2DM w wybranych europejskich krajach oraz określenie, czy zaburzenia lękowe były predyktorami aktualnych objawów samobójczości w tej populacji, przy wykorzystaniu danych z międzynarodowego badania International Prevalence and Treatment of Diabetes and Depression study (INTERPRET-DD).

Metoda

Próba badawcza obejmowała 1063 osoby dorosłe z T2DM z 6 europejskich krajów. Obecność zaburzeń lękowych i samobójczości oceniano za pomocą MINI International Neuropsychiatric Interview. Grupę uczestników z aktualnym ryzykiem samobójczym porównano z grupą uczestników bez ryzyka samobójczego.

Wyniki

Uczestnicy z Niemiec częściej deklarowali objawy samobójczości niż osoby z innych krajów, natomiast osoby z Serbii i Ukrainy zgłaszały je rzadziej. Depresja i zaburzenia lękowe znacząco wpłynęły na częstsze występowanie samobójczości u osób z T2DM. Agorafobia była istotnym predyktorem samobójczości przy kontrolowaniu depresji. Osoby z T2DM i współchorobowością agorafobii mieli 4,86 razy większe szanse wystąpienia objawów samobójczości niż osoby bez agorafobii.

Wnioski

Agorafobia była istotnym czynnikiem predykcyjnym samobójczości u osób z T2DM.
Indirect trauma exposure and secondary traumatic stress among professionals: Mediating role of empathy and cognitive trauma processing
Authors: Ogińska-Bulik Nina , Michalska Paulina
Published: March 2024

Cel pracy

Celem pracy było ustalenie związku między pośrednią ekspozycją na traumę, empatią, poznawczym przetwarzaniem traumy a objawami wtórnego stresu traumatycznego (Secondary Traumatic Stress - STS) u kobiet – zawodowo pomagających osobom po doświadczeniu przemocy.

Metoda

Analizie poddano wyniki uzyskane od 154 uczestniczek reprezentujących trzy grupy zawodowe (terapeutki, pracownice socjalne i kuratorki sądowe). Wiek badanych mieścił się w przedziale 26-67 lat. Zastosowano Inwentarz Wtórnego Stresu Traumatycznego, Skalę Wrażliwości Empatycznej oraz Skalę Poznawczego Przetwarzania Traumy. Dodatkowo opracowano ankietę zawierającą pytania dotyczące wskaźników ekspozycji na wtórną traumę: staż pracy, liczba godzin w tygodniu poświęconych na pracę z osobami po doświadczeniu traumy przemocy, nakład pracy.

Wyniki

Badania wykazały, że objawy STS są pozytywnie powiązane ze wskaźnikami ekspozycji na traumę, empatią i poznawczymi strategiami radzenia sobie. Ponadto poznawcze strategie pośredniczą w związku między wtórną ekspozycją na traumę a objawami STS.

Wnioski

W celu zmniejszenia objawów STS wskazane może być częstsze praktykowanie technik samoopieki oraz zmiana stosowanych poznawczych strategii radzenia sobie z negatywnych na pozytywne.
Burden in family caregivers: The psychometric properties of Polish version of the Zarit Burden Interview
Authors: Szatkowska Karolina , Basińska Małgorzata Anna
Published: March 2024

Cel pracy

Celem prezentowanego badania była ocena rzetelności, trafności i struktury wewnętrznej polskiej wersji skali Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI).

Metoda

W badaniu wzięło udział 504 pełnoletnich polskich opiekunów rodzinnych (małżonków, rodziców, dzieci i innych członków rodziny) osób przewlekle chorych.

Wyniki

Polska wersja Zarit Burden Interview wykazała dobre właściwości psychometryczne. Konfirmacyjna analiza czynnikowa potwierdziła obecność struktury trójczynnikowej II rzędu, model okazał się dość dobrze dopasowany do danych (CFI = 0.941, TLI = 0.931, SRMR = 0.045, RMSEA = 0.061). Wyniki analizy trafności teoretycznej z wykorzystaniem wersji Skali Wypalenia dla opiekunów (SWS) oraz Kwestionariusza Oceny Odporności (KOP-26) również okazały się satysfakcjonujące. Współczynnik α Cronbacha dla wyniku ogólnego obciążenia opieką wyniósł 0.91; dla poszczególnych podskal - Negatywny obraz pacjenta 0.85; Frustracje 0.82 i Straty 0.85.

Wnioski

Polska wersja skali Zarit Burden Interview może być wykorzystana jako rzetelne i trafne narzędzie diagnostyczne do pomiaru obciążenia wśród opiekunów osób przewlekle chorych. Analiza jakościowa treści odpowiedzi pozwala również zidentyfikować obszary wymagające realizacji działań z zakresu wsparcia psychologicznego dla badanych opiekunów.
Psychological well-being of Ukrainian students three months after the emerge of full-scale war
Authors: Pinchuk Irina , Solonskyi Andrii , Yachnik Yuliia , Kopchak Oksana , Klasa Katarzyna , Sobański Jerzy A. , Odintsova Tetiana
Published: March 2024

Cel pracy

przedstawienie ogólnego stanu psychicznego dużej grupy studentów różnych uniwersytetów w Ukrainie w trzy miesiące po wybuchu wojny na pełną skalę.

Metoda

1142 uczestników zostało poproszonych o określenie stanu swojego dobrostanu psychicznego na skali od 0 do 10 przed, i po rozpoczęciu się wojny na pełną skalę. Objawy zaburzeń zdrowia psychicznego zostały zmierzone przy pomocy kwestionariuszy dotyczących depresji (PHQ-9), lęku (GAD-7), problemów ze snem (ISI), zaburzeń odżywiania (SCOFF), nadużywania alkoholu (CAGE) i stresu pourazowego (PC-PTSD-5). Do oceny związków między zmiennymi wykorzystano test χ2. Moc związków między zmiennymi określono przy pomocy współczynników Phi and V Cramera. Dodatkowo, wykorzystując metody uczenia maszynowego (model regresji XGBoost) utworzono model predykcyjny objawów depresyjnych

Wyniki

66% badanych zgłosiło występowanie objawów PTSD, 45% - umiarkowanych lub ciężkich objawów lękowych, 47% - umiarkowanych lub ciężkich objawów depresyjnych. Ponadto 19% studentów miało objawy umiarkowanej lub ciężkiej bezsenności, 15% zgłosiło nadużywanie alkoholu, a 31% zaburzenia odżywiania. Nasilenie badanych zaburzeń różniło się w zależności od m.in. płci, roku studiów, statusu społecznego. Zgodnie z modelem predykcyjnym, niższy początkowy poziom dobrostanu psychicznego, płeć żeńska, młodszy wiek, początkowe lata studiów i przeżycie jakiegokolwiek doświadczenia traumatycznego, w tym traumy złożonej, prowadziły do wyższych wyników w zakresie depresyjności. Powrót do poprzedniego miejsca zamieszkania po relokacji był czynnikiem protekcyjnym.

Wnioski

Badanie wykazało wysokie rozpowszechnienie objawów zaburzeń psychicznych wśród studentów w Ukrainie podczas pierwszych miesięcy wojny na pełną skalę. Najsilniejszym predyktorem objawów depresyjnych w uzyskanym modelu predykcyjnym był poziom dobrostanu psychicznego przed wojną.
The Meaning of Sincerity in Transformational Leadership at The Islamic Boarding School Educational Institution
Authors: Rahmatika Nuniek
Published: March 2024

Sincerity is defined as hope only in Allah SWT. A leader can find the meaning of his members' sincerity so that they have better work enthusiasm. The purpose of this research is to determine transformational leadership behavior that interprets the sincerity of its members and the form of meaning of sincerity in transformational leadership that can realize innovation in Islamic boarding school educational institutions. This research approach uses phenomenology. Data collection used triangulation methods, namely observation and interviews. Data validity techniques are carried out using triangulation methods, member checking, and auditing. The results of this research found that the meaning of Ikhlas in transformational leadership is that sincerity is analogous to the spirit while charity is the body so that Ikhlas can create a conducive climate and can develop creativity and innovation in Islamic boarding school educational institutions.
Training in Logistics Management and Social Media Marketing for Small, Micro and Medium Enterprises in Bekasi Regency
Authors: Richard Jokhu Jean , Rahmiati Filda , Hanafiah Hally , Daniela Lerissa , Lampatar Jonathan , Hariri Bakri Mohammed , Prayoga Tasya Zahwa
Published: March 2024

Background: The community service held in Cikarang district was to develop local small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Cikarang District and to develop ambidextrous skills in social media literacy and logistic management. The recent disruption called the COVID-19 pandemic swallowed all business in Indonesia. Many small businesses have to survive in the post-pandemic era. Conventional transactions are no longer viable in the new 4.0 industry. 
Contribution: Training is necessary to improve the small and medium enterprises adopting the new industry revolution. Social media and logistics are two types of skills that are crucial for all SMEs if they want to survive with the current system. We provide the integration in understanding the logistics and social media as both production and marketing tools.
Method: Based on the short survey, this workshop is very important to help local SMEs. We provide the participant with material, in-house training, and more in the workshop. We also provide a WhatsApp group for free consultation for further questions like permits, logistic analysis, and SME events. 
Results: Based on the feedback and the participant's responses in the workshop, They hope to have another training to develop their business into a more efficient and agile business for competition.
Conclusion: Logistics and social media prowess are the two most important skills SMEs need to improve their business locally before going into a bigger pond.
Empowering Ciung Wanara Tourism Site Food Stall Owners with Digital Marketing Expertise and Business Licencing
Authors: Saefullah Aep , Fahri Fahri , Hidayatullah Syarif
Published: March 2024

Background: In the neighborhood of Ciung Wanara tourist area in the Ciamis district, 25 food stall owners have been selling for more than 10 years. They trade manually without having good entrepreneurial skills, do not use digital technology in marketing products, and do not have a formal business license.

Contribution: This activity aims to provide understanding and knowledge of food stall owners about digital marketing and strengthen business legality permits.

Method: The method applied uses a pattern of observation, training, socialization, direct face-to-face discussion (offline), as well as the direct practice of creating social media accounts and making business legality permits.

Results: The output of this service produces two aspects for shop owners. First, in the digital marketing aspect, business actors already have social media accounts including Google business, Facebook marketplace, Instagram, and WhatsApp business. In addition, they can understand and operate these social media tools for their business activities. Second, the formal legal aspects of the business. Business actors already have a business license in the form of a firm recognition Number (NIB).

Conclusion: This activity is very beneficial directly for business actors. Having social media can increase sales turnover. And having NIB, they can develop their business, support the security and comfort of doing business and get legal certainty in enterprises.
Could a long-term and joined up approach in renal services improve patients' quality of life and mortality?
Authors: Withers William
Published: March 2024

William Withers, a patient representative, outlines what matters to patients and how quality of life outcomes for the patient can be improved
Internet of Things platform as support for the digitization of enterprises on the example of the "Lingaro IoT Cloud Platform" project
Authors: Such-Pyrgiel Małgorzata , Rosińska-Wielec Edyta
Published: March 2024

Cel pracy

Celem artykułu jest pokazanie możliwości jakie niesie za sobą wdrożenie platformy Internet of Things do procesów produkcyjnych. Za przykład posłużyła aplikacja przygotowana przez polskie przedsiębiorstwo branży IT Lingaro Sp. z o.o.

Materiał i metody

Materiał powstał w ramach projektu „RPMA.01.02.00-14-9403/17 „Platforma Internetu Rzeczy-LINGARO IoT Cloud Platform” współfinansowanego przez Unię Europejską ze środków Europejskiego Funduszu Rozwoju Regionalnego w ramach Regionalnego Programu Operacyjnego Województwa Mazowieckiego na lata 2014-2020 Oś Priorytetowa RPO WM I Wykorzystanie działalności badawczo-rozwojowej w gospodarce Działanie w ramach Osi Priorytetowej RPO WM 2014 - 2020 1.2 Działalność badawczo - rozwojowa przedsiębiorstw.

Wyniki

Badania pozwoliły na opracowanie aplikacji mającej szerokie spektrum korzyści i zastosowań, w tym między innymi: konsolidacja różnych form internetowego transferu danych, integracja różnych interfejsów i systemów IT, możliwość zarządzania scenariuszami zdarzeń nie zaś pojedynczymi atrybutami, zapis danych na serwerze zewnętrznym platformy, punktowy przekaz danych z i do urządzeń monitujących i sterujących, bieżące zapisywanie interesujących użytkownika procesów produkcyjnych.

Wnioski

W społeczeństwie cyfrowym wyraźnie widoczny jest rozwój technologii cyfrowych, sztucznej inteligencji, przetwarzania danych. Do najważniejszych jego cech można zaliczyć: szerokie wykorzystanie technologii mobilnych i smartfonów oraz dostęp do nowych cyfrowych produktów i usług, a także e-medycyna, nowe modele biznesowe, wykorzystanie mechanizmów przetwarzania danych do predykcji procesów i zjawisk społecznych. Powyższe technologie stanowią substrat społeczeństwa cyfrowego, co zostało zobrazowane na przykładzie realizowanego i opisanego tu po krótce, projektu badawczego firmy Lingaro.
The Hot Autumn of '23 – Can Gen. Robert Spalding be Right? Analysis of Key Political Events Affecting Global Security
Authors: Sikorski Szymon Krzysztof , Sikorski Aleksander Piotr
Published: March 2024

Opracowanie niniejsze ma na celu analizę globalnych wydarzeń gospodarczych, społecznych i politycznych w kontekście ich oddziaływania na sytuację w Europie i w Polsce. Materiał źródłowy opracowania stanowią informacje zaczerpnięte z publikowanych w internecie artykułów i doniesień prasowych oraz opracowań instytucji gospodarczych i politycznych poruszających zagadnienia będące w spektrum zainteresowania autorów. Za wyborem kanału informacji, przemawia fakt, że Internet mobilny stanowi obecnie najsilniejszą przestrzeń oddziaływania, gdyż wykorzystuje go 4,6 mld ludzi, zaś w Polsce w 2020 r. korzystało z niego ponad 90% ludzi młodych. W tym celu przeprowadzono obszerne, przesiewowe przeszukanie zasobów internetowych koncentrując się na treściach/publikacjach zawierających przynajmniej jedno spośród 6 zdefiniowanych słów kluczowych (keywords).
Istotne wydaje się także zaangażowanie Chin w proces osłabiania potencjału USA, nie tylko na polu militarnym (wiele teatrów działań wojennych) lecz i ekonomicznym podejmowanym na polu odejścia od USD w transakcjach za węglowodory, czy broń.
Jako wniosek należy wskazać, że obecne działania zainicjowano dużo wcześniej, lecz ich symptomy były konsekwentnie lekceważone.
The teacher in the changing social and educational reality
Authors: Gaweł-Luty Elżbieta Krystyna , Bartkowiak Grażyna , Piekarski Grzegorz
Published: March 2024

Cel pracy

Celem artykułu jest analiza funkcjonowania nauczyciela we współczesnej rzeczywistości społecznej i edukacyjnej.

Materiał i metody

Metoda analiza piśmiennictwa

Wyniki

Autorzy wskazywali na teorie analizy struktury społecznej, roli społecznej nauczyciela, tożsamości zawodowej, kompetencji, stosunku do polityki edukacyjnej. Autorzy zwrócili również uwagę na wybrane przyczyny braku poczucia bezpieczeństwa nauczycieli w kreowaniu swojej roli zawodowej.

Wnioski

Współczesna oświata napotyka zarówno na problemy związane z jej usytuowaniem w ramach zmieniającej się struktury społecznej, jak również w zakresie określenia roli społecznej nauczyciela, poczucia jego tożsamości zawodowej, kompetencji czy też stosunku do polityki edukacyjnej. Stąd za ważny uznać należy postulat prowadzenia w sposób ciągły badań obejmujących funkcjonowanie środowiska edukacyjnego zwłaszcza w zakresie:
- właściwego zarządzania zmianami oświatowymi;
- analizy społecznych skutków wprowadzania zmian w systemie kształcenia;
- prognozowania pożądanych kierunków kształcenia w powiązaniu z potrzebami rynku pracy;
- diagnozowania źródeł braku poczucia bezpieczeństwa pracy nauczyciela;
- optymalizacji działań w kreowaniu systemu edukacji poprzez analizę zgłaszanych potrzeb przez nauczycieli, uczniów, ich rodziców i innych interesariuszy.
The Mystery of “Passe”
Authors: Benvenuto Sergio
Published: March 2024

Abstract: This article analyzes how the philosopher Alain Badiou describes a process invented by Lacan, la passe , the pass—a procedure for deciding whether or not to admit to his student analysands about to complete their analysis. By deconstructing Badiou’s text, the author shows how the philosopher ascribes a sacramental presupposition to the pass, understood as a Catholic sacrament or mystical mystery. The author criticises a kind of dogmatic worship of psychoanalysis into which many philosophers fall, and shows how this uncritical belief in the sacramental effectiveness of psychoanalysis—and the cult of Freud’s work as a Revelation—fails to help psychoanalysis to improve in any way, but rather shuts it down in a narcissistic self-satisfaction. Instead, psychoanalysis lives of its own deconstruction.
Language, Soil, and “Jewish” Alienation in Levinas and Adorno
Authors: Chapman Edmund
Published: March 2024

Abstract: Emmanuel Levinas and Theodor Adorno are both post-Shoah philosophers who experienced refugeedom. In different contexts, both discuss the question of a linkage between language and soil, and ultimately show that the distinction between the native and the foreign is untenable. I suggest that Levinas’s evocation of linguistic soil illustrates his understanding of Jewishness as defined by a ceding of ground, thus showing that Levinas’s thought relies on a conception of ground in order to then reject it. Adorno, in evoking a “language without soil,” argues for a conception of language that rejects organicism, seeing both loanwords and Jews as examples of difference without foreignness.
Monolithic integrated chip of AWG and PD for an FBG interrogation system
Authors: Li Ting , Yuan Pei , Li Shufeng , Xu Ran , Li Bingxiang , Yang Yiyao , Zhu Lianqing
Published: March 2024

To advance the development of a compact and highly integrated fiber Bragg grating (FBG) interrogation system, to the best of our knowledge, this paper is the first to present the design and fabrication of a monolithic integration chip based on silicon-on-insulator (SOI), which is specifically intended for application in fiber grating sensing interrogation systems. By considering the impact of coupling structure dimensions on coupling efficiency as well as the effect of the photodetector (PD) parameters on the optical absorption efficiency of the device, we refine the structure of the monolithic integrated chip for arrayed waveguide grating (AWG) and PD. The test results reveal that the coupling loss between AWG and PD is -2.4 dB. The monolithic integrated interrogation chip achieves an interrogation accuracy of approximately 6.79 pm within a dynamic range of 1.56 nm, accompanied by a wavelength resolution of 1 pm. This exceptional performance highlights the potential of the monolithic integrated chip to enhance the integration of AWG-based fiber grating interrogation systems.
Facility for spectral radiance calibration at low light level
Authors: Wu Zhifeng , Wang Qiming , Dai Caihong , Li Ling , Sun Ruoduan , Wang Yanfei , He Sijie , Guo Qing
Published: March 2024

The spectral radiance measurement at daytime level can be realized with high accuracy, while it’s difficult when the spectral radiance is at nighttime level. We design a spectral radiance calibration facility which has the characteristics of completely unchanged spectrum over 3 orders of magnitude and approximately unchanged spectrum for about 6 orders of magnitude. It combines a spectral radiance light source, a precision aperture and a white diffuser together, make it easy to reproduce the spectral radiance at 380 nm from 4 × 10−9 W/(m2·sr·nm) to 4 × 10−3 W/(m2·sr·nm). The facility can be easily used to calibrate a spectroradiometer at nighttime level. When the spectral radiance from 380 nm to 780 nm is around 1 × 10−7W/(m2·sr·nm), the calibration uncertainty of the spectroradiometer is 0.87%∼1.0% (k = 1).
What influences stroke survivors with physical disabilities to be physically active? A qualitative study informed by the Theoretical Domains Framework
Authors: Kwah L. K. , Doshi K. , De Silva D. A. , Ng W. M. , Thilarajah S.
Published: March 2024

Background

Although the benefits of regular physical activity (PA) after stroke are well established, many stroke survivors do not achieve recommended PA levels. To date, studies exploring determinants to PA have not used a behaviour change theory and focused on stroke survivors with physical disabilities. As a precursor to an intervention development study, we aimed to use the Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF) to identify factors influencing PA in stroke survivors with physical disabilities in Singapore.

Methods

Between November 2021 and January 2022, we conducted interviews with 19 community-dwelling stroke survivors with a weak arm and/or leg. An interview guide based on the TDF was developed. We analysed the data deductively by coding interview transcripts into the theoretical domains of the TDF, and then inductively by generating themes and belief statements. To identify relevant TDF domains, we prioritised the domains based on the frequencies of the belief statements, presence of conflicting belief statements and evidence of strong belief statements.

Results

Eight of the 14 TDF domains were relevant, and included environmental context and resources, knowledge, social influences, emotion, reinforcement, behavioural regulation, skills and beliefs about capabilities. The lack of access, suitable equipment and skilled help often limited PA participation at public fitness spaces such as parks, gyms and swimming pools (environmental context and resources). While a few stroke survivors expressed that they had the skills to engage in regular PA, most expressed not knowing how much and how hard to work, which exercises to do, which equipment to use and how to adapt exercises and equipment (knowledge and skills). This often left them feeling afraid to try new activities or venture out to new places for fear of the unknown or adverse events (e.g., falls) (emotion). For some, doing the activities in a group encourage them to get out and engage in PA (social influences).

Conclusions

In stroke survivors with physical disabilities, environmental context and resources had a significant influence on PA participation, and this often had a spill over effect into other domains. Our results inform a complex behaviour change intervention to improve PA after stroke, and has implications for intervention design for people with physical disabilities.
A modified particle swarm optimization rat search algorithm and its engineering application
Authors: Singla Manish Kumar , Gupta Jyoti , Alsharif Mohammed H. , Kim Mun-Kyeom
Published: March 2024

Solar energy generation requires photovoltaic (PV) systems to be optimised, regulated, and simulated with efficiency. The performance of PV systems is greatly impacted by the fluctuation and occasionally restricted accessibility of model parameters, which makes it difficult to identify these characteristics over time. To extract the features of solar modules and build highly accurate models for PV system modelling, control, and optimisation, current-voltage data collecting is essential. To overcome these difficulties, the modified particle swarm optimization rat search algorithm is presented in this manuscript. The modified rat search algorithm is incorporated to increase the PSO algorithm’s accuracy and efficiency, which leads to better outcomes. The RSA mechanism increases both the population’s diversity and the quality of exploration. For triple diode model of both monocrystalline and polycrystalline, PSORSA has showed exceptional performance in comparison to other algorithm i.e. RMSE for monocrystalline is 3.21E-11 and for polycrystalline is 1.86E-11. Similar performance can be observed from the PSORSA for four diode model i.e. RMSE for monocrystalline is 4.14E-09 and for polycrystalline is 4.72E-09. The findings show that PSORSA outperforms the most advanced techniques in terms of output, accuracy, and dependability. As a result, PSORSA proves to be a trustworthy instrument for assessing solar cell and PV module data.
A two-step Bayesian network approach to identify key SNPs associated to multiple phenotypic traits in four purebred laying hen lines
Authors: Bouba Ismalia , A. Videla Rodriguez Emiliano , Smith V. Anne , Brand Henry van den , Rodenburg T. Bas , Visser Bram
Published: March 2024

When purebred laying hen chicks hatch, they remain at a rearing farm until approximately 17 weeks of age, after which they are transferred to a laying farm. Chicks or pullets are removed from the flocks during these 17 weeks if they display any rearing abnormality. The aim of this study was to investigate associations between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and rearing success of 4 purebred White Leghorns layer lines by implementing a Bayesian network approach. Phenotypic traits and SNPs of four purebred genetic White Leghorn layer lines were available for 23,000 rearing batches obtained between 2010 and 2020. Associations between incubation traits (clutch size, embryo mortality), rearing traits (genetic line, first week mortality, rearing abnormalities, natural death, rearing success, pullet flock age, and season) and SNPs were analyzed, using a two-step Bayesian Network (BN) approach. Furthermore, the SNPs were connected to their corresponding genes, which were further explored in bioinformatics databases. BN analysis revealed a total of 28 SNPs associated with some of the traits: ten SNPs were associated with clutch size, another 10 with rearing abnormalities, a single SNP with natural death, and seven SNPs with first week mortality. Exploration via bioinformatics databases showed that one of the SNPs (ENAH) had a protein predicted network composed of 11 other proteins. The major hub of this SNP was CDC42 protein, which has a role in egg production and reproduction. The results highlight the power of BNs in knowledge discovery and how their application in complex biological systems can help getting a deeper understanding of functionality underlying genetic variation of rearing success in laying hens. Improved welfare and production might result from the identified SNPs. Selecting for these SNPs through breeding could reduce stress and increase livability during rearing.
Qbnb: An innovative C2B2C2B2C e-commerce mode for integrated on-demand services
Authors: Wei Yaoyao , yao Cuiyin , Chen Wei-fan , Xie Tian , Yang Jinzhao
Published: March 2024

The traditional supply-side-driven e-commerce modes provide consumers with massive amounts of structured information about goods and services. Due to the lack of a tailor-made ability to describe, explain, and accurately understand unstructured service demands, existing technologies and service modes still struggle to fully explore, articulate, and meet the personalized, high-quality, and urgent service demands of the disadvantaged groups in e-commerce. This paper innovatively proposes the concept of "integrated services on demand" and develops its C2B2C2B2C-based "Qbnb" e-commerce mode, operation mechanism and intermediary platform architecture. After conducting exploratory operation training, it demonstrates that the Qbnb mode can effectively achieve centralized allocation of idle social surplus service capacity to cater to the needs of disadvantaged groups in e-commerce. Compared to the traditional e-commerce service mode, Qbnb will significantly expand service demand and capacity, achieve higher service efficiency, and create a broader service consumption market, resulting in many more job opportunities.
17β-Estradiol promotes metastasis in triple-negative breast cancer through the Calpain/YAP/β-catenin signaling axis
Authors: Niu Xuemei , Wang Jianan , Liu Jinguang , Yu Qinglong , Ci Mingwei
Published: March 2024

β-catenin is an important regulator of malignant progression. 17β-Estradiol (E2), an important sex hormone in women, promotes the growth and metastasis of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). However, whether β-catenin is involved in E2-induced metastasis of TNBC remains unknown. In this study, we show that E2 induces the proliferation, migration, invasion, and metastasis of TNBC cells. E2 induces β-catenin protein expression and nuclear translocation, thereby regulating the expression of target genes such as Cyclin D1 and MMP-9. The inhibition of β-catenin reversed the E2-induced cell malignant behaviors. Additionally, E2 activated Calpain by increasing intracellular Ca2+ levels and reducing calpastatin levels. When Calpain was inhibited, E2 did not induce the proliferation, migration, invasion, or metastasis of TNBC cells. In addition, E2 promoted translocation of YAP into the nucleus by inhibiting its phosphorylation. Calpain inhibition reversed the E2-induced YAP dephosphorylation. Inhibition of YAP transcriptional activity reversed the effects of E2 on the proliferation, migration, invasion, and β-catenin of TNBC cells. In conclusion, we demonstrated that E2 induced metastasis-related behaviors in TNBC cells and this effect was mediated through the Calpain/YAP/β-catenin signaling pathway.
Transcriptome-wide analysis of the differences between MCF7 cells cultured in DMEM or αMEM
Authors: Jiao Yang , Zhao Hongbo , Lu Lin , Zhao Xiangyu , Wang Yanchun , Zheng Bingrong
Published: March 2024

MCF7 cells have been used as an experimental model for breast cancer for decades. Typically, a culture medium is designed to supply cells with the nutrients essential for their continuous proliferation. Each medium has a specific nutritional composition. Therefore, cells cultured in different media may exhibit differences in their metabolism. However, only a few studies have investigated the effects of media on cells. In this study, we compared the effects of Dulbecco’s modified Eagle medium (DMEM) and minimum essential medium alpha modification (αMEM) on MCF7 cells. The two media differentially affected the morphology, cell cycle, and proliferation of MCF7 cells, but had no effect on cell death. Replacement of DMEM with αMEM led to a decrease in ATP production and an increase in reactive oxygen species production, but did not affect the cell viability. RNA-sequencing and bioinformatic analyses revealed 721 significantly upregulated and 1247 downregulated genes in cells cultured in αMEM for 48 h compared with that in cells cultured in DMEM. The enriched gene ontology terms were related to mitosis and cell proliferation. Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes analysis revealed cell cycle and DNA replication as the top two significant pathways. MCF7 cells were hypoxic when cultured in αMEM. These results show that the culture medium considerably affects cultured cells. Thus, the stability of the culture system in a study is very important to obtain reliable results.
Perceptions of 3R implementation in European animal research: A systematic review, meta-analysis, and meta-synthesis of barriers and facilitators
Authors: Louis-Maerten Edwin , Milford Aoife , Shaw David M. , Geneviève Lester D. , Elger Bernice S.
Published: March 2024

Objectives

The purpose of this systematic review was to examine how the scientific community in Europe that is involved with research with animals perceives and experiences the implementation of 3R (Replace, Reduce, Refine).

Methods

A systematic search of the literature published in the past ten years was performed in PubMed, Web of Science and Scopus. Publications were screened for eligibility usinga prioriinclusion criteria, and only empirical evidence (quantitative, qualitative, or mixed methodologies) was retained. Quantitative survey items were investigated by conducting a meta-analysis, and the qualitative data was summarized using an inductive meta-synthetic approach. Included publications were assessed using the Quality Assessment for Diverse Studies tool.

Results

17 publications were included (eight quantitative, seven qualitative, two mixed-methods). The meta-analysis revealed that scientists are skeptical about achieving replacement, even if they believe that 3R improve the quality of experimental results. They are optimistic concerning the impact of 3R on research costs and innovation, and see education as highly valuable for the implementation of 3R. The meta-synthesis revealed four barriers (systemic dynamics, reification process, practical issues, insufficient knowledge) and four facilitators (efficient use of animals, caring for animals, regulatory uptake, supportive workplace environment).

Conclusion

These findings show actionable levers at the local and systemic levels, and may inform regulators and institutions in their 3R policies.

Trial registration

The protocol was registered into the PROSPERO database under the numberCRD42023395769.
Lymph node volume predicts survival in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma treated with neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy and surgery
Authors: Pao Tzu-Hui , Chen Ying-Yuan , Chang Wei-Lun , Wu Shang-Yin , Lai Wu-Wei , Tseng Yau-Lin , Chung Ta-Jung , Lin Forn-Chia
Published: March 2024

Large primary tumor volume has been identified as a poor prognostic factor of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) treated with definitive concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT). However, when neoadjuvant CCRT and surgery are adopted, the prognostic impact of primary tumor and lymph node (LN) volume on clinical outcomes in ESCC remains to be elucidated. This study included 107 patients who received neoadjuvant CCRT and surgery for ESCC. The volume of the primary tumor and LN was measured using radiotherapy planning computed tomography scans, and was correlated with overall survival (OS), disease-free survival (DFS), and cancer failure pattern. The median OS was 24.2 months (IQR, 11.1–93.9) after a median follow-up of 18.4 months (IQR, 8.1–40.7). The patients with a baseline LN volume > 7.7 ml had a significantly worse median OS compared to those with smaller LN volume (18.8 vs. 46.9 months, p = 0.049), as did those with tumor regression grade (TRG) 3–5 after CCRT (13.9 vs. 86.7 months, p < 0.001). However, there was no association between OS and esophageal tumor volume (p = 0.363). Multivariate analysis indicated that large LN volume (HR 1.753, 95% CI 1.015–3.029, p = 0.044) and high TRG (HR 3.276, 95% CI 1.556–6.898, p = 0.002) were negative prognostic factors for OS. Furthermore, large LN volume was linked to increased locoregional failure (p = 0.033) and decreased DFS (p = 0.041). In conclusion, this study demonstrated that large LN volume is correlated with poor OS, DFS, and locoregional control in ESCC treated with neoadjuvant CCRT and esophagectomy.
Victim identifiability, number of victims, and unit asking in charitable giving
Authors: Moche Hajdi , Karlsson Hulda , Västfjäll Daniel
Published: March 2024

This study examines the identifiable victim effect (being more willing to help an identified victim than an unidentified), the singularity effect (i.e., being more willing to help a single identified victim than a group of identified victims), and unit asking (first asking donors for their willingness to donate for one unit and then asking for donations for multiple units) in charitable giving. In five studies (N = 7996), we vary the level of identifiability, singularity, and group size. We find that unit asking is making people more sensitive to the number of people in need. Further, while the level of identifiability influences affective reactions, this effect does not extend to donations and, thus, is not affected by unit asking. We do, however, find an “emotion asking effect” where asking donors to rate their affect before donating increase donation levels (compared to donors asked to rate affect after). Emotion asking was attenuated when combined with unit asking.
Cohort profile: The FarmMERGE project—Merging human and animal databases to investigate the relationship between farmer and livestock health and welfare. The HUNT Study
Authors: Torske Magnhild Oust , Steen Natalie , Ursin Jonil Tau , Krokstad Steinar , Nørstebø Håvard , Muri Karianne
Published: March 2024

Stockmanship is an important determinant for good animal welfare and health. The goal of the FarmMERGE project is to investigate the associations between farmer health and work environment, and the health, productivity and welfare of their livestock. We merged several livestock industry databases with a major total population-based health study in Norway (The Trøndelag Health Study 2017–2019 (HUNT4)). This paper describes the project’s collection and merging of data, and the cohort of farmers and farms that were identified as a result of our registry merge. There were 56,042 participants of HUNT4 (Nord-Trøndelag County participants only, participation rate: 54.0%). We merged a list of HUNT4 participants whose self-reported main occupation was “farmer” (n = 2,407) with agricultural databases containing production and health data from sheep, swine, dairy and beef cattle from 2017–2020. The Central Coordinating Register for Legal Entities was used as an intermediary step to achieve a link between the farmer and farming enterprise data. We identified 816 farmers (89.5% male, mean age 51.3 years) who had roles in 771 farming enterprises with documented animal production. The cohort included 675 unique farmer-farm combinations in cattle production, 139 in sheep, and 125 in swine. We linked at least one HUNT4 participant to approximately 63% of the dairy farms, 53% of the beef cattle farms, 30% of the sheep farms, and 38% of the swine farms in Nord-Trøndelag County in the 2017–2019 period. Using existing databases may be an efficient way of collecting large amounts of data for research, and using total population-based human health surveys may decrease response bias. However, the quality of the resulting research data will depend on the quality of the databases used, and thorough knowledge of the databases is required.
Distribution and analysis of subacromial spurs and the relationship with acromial classification and angle in healthy individuals
Authors: Dong Weichong , Du Kezheng , Shi Bo , Wang Tianci , Lu Bo , Hou Zhiyong , Zhang Yingze , Guo Jialiang
Published: March 2024

Background

Subacromial spurs are considered the one of the pathology underlying shoulder impingement syndrome. Furthermore, few studies have focused on the morphology of the subacromial spurs in normal Chinese people. This study aimed to study the spur distribution and to illustrate the morphology of spurs, which may help guide the extent of acromioplasty.

Methods

A total of 93 normal individuals were enrolled, and both shoulders of all enrolled individuals were analyzed. The subjects were divided and classified into three different groups by ages: group I = 18–40 years, group II = 41–60 years, and group III ≥ 61 years. The osteophyte distribution, osteophyte area, subacromial surface area and osteophyte area/subacromial surface area ratio were measured and illustrated using Mimics and 3-matic software. The shape of the acromion was classified according to the Bigliani and Morrison classification system. The acromial angle was also classified. Then, the relationship between osteophytes, acromial classification and acromial angle was analyzed.

Results

Type II (curved shape) was the most common type of acromion, and the hooked shape was a rare form. A significant increase in the left subacromial surface area in males was observed in group III compared with group I (P < 0.001) and group II (P = 0.004). The total spur/subacromial area ratio was significantly higher in group II than I. An obvious increase in the right subacromial area was observed in group III compared with group I (P = 0.004). Furthermore, there was a significant increase in the right spur area (P = 0.021) and total spur/subacromial area ratio (P = 0.006) in females in group II compared with group I. Fewer spurs were observed on the left than on the right side (p = 0.0482). One spur was most common among type II acromions (29/36) (80.56%) on the left side and the right side (34/52, 65.38%).

Conclusions

Spurs osteophytes are mainly distributed with an irregular shape and mostly run through the medial and lateral sides of the subacromial surface in normal subjects. The characteristics of subacromial spurs are so diverse that a surgeon must conduct subacromial decompression completely based on the morphology of individual spurs.
Piperine alleviates nonalcoholic steatohepatitis by inhibiting NF-κB-mediated hepatocyte pyroptosis
Authors: Ran Suye , Song Lingyu , Yang Hong , Yu Jiangnan , Zhen Yunhuan , Liu Qi
Published: March 2024

Purpose

Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is the progressive form of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), which has a high risk of cirrhosis, liver failure, and hepatocellular carcinoma. Piperine (Pip) is an extract of plants with powerful anti-inflammatory effects, however, the function of Pip in NASH remains elusive. Here, we aim to explore the role of Pip in NASH and to find the possible mechanisms.

Methods

Methionine and choline-deficient (MCD) diets were used to induce steatohepatitis, methionine- and choline-sufficient (MCS) diets were used as the control. After Pip treatment, H&E staining, Oil Red O staining, hepatic triglyceride (TG) content and F4/80 expression were performed to analysis liver steatosis and inflammation; Masson’s staining, COL1A1 and α-SMA were detected liver fibrosis. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) -treated AML12 cells were used to as the cell model to induce pyroptosis. Then, pyroptosis-related proteins, IL-1β and LDH release were detected in vivo and in vitro. Finally, NF-κB inhibitor, BAY11-7082, was used to further demonstrate the mechanism of Pip in NASH.

Results

The study found that Pip alleviated liver steatosis, inflammation, hepatocyte injury, and fibrosis in mice fed with MCD diets. Moreover, the pyroptosis markers (NLRP3, ASC, caspase-1 p20, and GSDMD), IL-1β and LDH release were decreased by Pip treatment. NF-κB activation was suppressed by Pip treatment and pyroptosis-related proteins were down regulated by BAY11-7082.

Conclusion

Pip ameliorates NASH progression, and the therapeutical effect was associated with inhibition of hepatocyte pyroptosis induced by NF-κB.
OXIDATIVE study: A pilot prospective observational cohort study protocol examining the influence of peri-reperfusion hyperoxemia and immune dysregulation on early allograft dysfunction after orthotopic liver transplantation
Authors: Wilson Elizabeth A. , Woodbury Anna , Williams Kirsten M. , Coopersmith Craig M.
Published: March 2024

Early allograft dysfunction (EAD) is a functional hepatic insufficiency within a week of orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) and is associated with morbidity and mortality. The etiology of EAD is multifactorial and largely driven by ischemia reperfusion injury (IRI), a phenomenon characterized by oxygen scarcity followed by paradoxical oxidative stress and inflammation. With the expanded use of marginal allografts more susceptible to IRI, the incidence of EAD may be increasing. This necessitates an in-depth understanding of the innate molecular mechanisms underlying EAD and interventions to mitigate its impact. Our central hypothesis is peri-reperfusion hyperoxemia and immune dysregulation exacerbate IRI and increase the risk of EAD. We will perform a pilot prospective single-center observational cohort study of 40 patients. The aims are to determine (1) the association between peri-reperfusion hyperoxemia and EAD and (2) whether peri-reperfusion perturbed cytokine, protein, and hypoxia inducible factor-1 alpha (HIF-1α) levels correlate with EAD after OLT. Inclusion criteria include age ≥ 18 years, liver failure, and donation after brain or circulatory death. Exclusion criteria include living donor donation, repeat OLT within a week of transplantation, multiple organ transplantation, and pregnancy. Partial pressure of arterial oxygen (PaO2) as the study measure allows for the examination of oxygen exposure within the confines of existing variability in anesthesiologist-administered fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO2) and the inclusion of patients with intrapulmonary shunting. The Olthoff et al. definition of EAD is the primary outcome. Secondary outcomes include postoperative acute kidney injury, pulmonary and biliary complications, surgical wound dehiscence and infection, and mortality. The goal of this study protocol is to identify EAD contributors that could be targeted to attenuate its impact and improve OLT outcomes. If validated, peri-reperfusion hyperoxemia and immune perturbations could be targeted via FiO2 titration to a goal PaO2 and/or administration of an immunomodulatory agent by the anesthesiologist intraoperatively.
Can green funds improve corporate environmental, social, and governance performance? Evidence from Chinese-listed companies
Authors: Wang Fangjun , Zhou Xinmiao , Gan Tian
Published: March 2024

Green funds play pivotal roles in driving corporate sustainable development. Utilizing data from Chinese publicly listed companies from 2010 to 2021, we examine the impact of green funds on corporate environmental, social, and governance (ESG) performance and the underlying mechanisms. The research findings claim that green funds positively affect corporate ESG performance. Mechanism analysis systematically demonstrates that green funds contribute to elevated corporate ESG performance by alleviating financial constraints, enhancing managerial efficiency, and fostering green innovation. Heterogeneity analysis further underscores that the effect of green funds is particularly potent in companies with high external attention. Furthermore, green funds also play significant roles in production capabilities and economic value. This research enriches the micro-level evidence on the development of green funds and furnishes substantial implications for sustainable development.