bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hydroxyl-terminated triazine dendrimers mediated pH-dependent solubility enhancement of glipizide across dendritic generations: A comparative investigation
Authors: Malek Mohammedabrar H.
Published: April 2024

A huge challenge for the pharmaceutical industry is hydrophobic compounds, which affect aqueous solubility, an important measure of a medicine’s efficacy. Several approaches have been used; dendrimers are particularly noteworthy because of their long-term viability, nanoscale size, large payload capacity, and adaptable end functional groups. The unique architecture of dendrimers allows for modified medication delivery and solubility profiles, making them a powerful tool for improving the solubility of hydrophobic drugs. This marks the beginning of a new era in pharmaceutical formulations. A new era in drug formulations has begun with this. As part of this study, we synthesized third-generation hydroxyl-terminated triazine-based dendrimers by meticulously reducing chlorine groups following Michael’s addition. We intend to methodically examine the effects of various concentrations of these dendrimers on the solubility behavior of glipizide, a pharmaceutical agent with intrinsic hydrophobicity, across the first, second, and third generations (the full generation). A stimulating tale of solubility improvement emerged from our research. Glipizide’s solubility was positively correlated with the concentration and generational progression of the dendrimers. The solubility of hydrophobic drugs in water can be dramatically altered by dendrimers based on hydroxyl-terminated triazine. This field of study benefits from adding new dendrimers with each generation.
Features of bone destruction in rabbits with experimental metabolic syndrome
Authors: Mavlonov Anvar , Saidov Saidamir , Mirsultanov Jakhongir , Boboeva Rano
Published: April 2024

There is now evidence that abdominal obesity and metabolic syndrome in general are associated with a decrease in bone mineral density, which in turn leads to an increased risk of fractures. A high incidence of osteoporosis and vertebral fractures in patients with MS has been proven. Thus, MS can be considered a new risk factor for osteoporosis. We studied biochemical parameters in rabbits with experimental metabolic syndrome, accompanied by bone destruction, as well as in models of metabolic syndrome (MS) and osteoporosis. The level of glucose and c-peptide indicates the development of insulin resistance in animals with MS and MS, accompanied by bone destruction. It has been shown that with metabolic syndrome associated with bone destruction, rabbits exhibit more profound disorders of lipid metabolism than with MS, the level of which differs slightly from each other. The study of bone remodeling indicators in a model of MS accompanied by bone destruction showed individual and gender differences in the content of bone remodeling markers in blood serum. It has been shown that in most experimental animals there is a decrease in osteocalcin, which is a marker of osteosynthesis, and an increase in the level of type I collagen C-telopeptide, which indicates increased destruction of bone collagen. Moreover, the level of bone destruction was more pronounced in males than in females. A study of biomarkers of cartilage tissue degradation showed that the level of change in COMP and hyaluronic acid was higher in females than in males, and the deviation of aggrecan levels from the reference value was higher in males. From our results we can conclude that in male rabbits with MS, bone tissue damage predominated, while in females the degree of cartilage tissue damage was higher.
Assessing the role of EDTA and SA in mustard under Cd and Pb stress
Authors: Kumar Ajay , Arya Sunder S. , Yadav Neha , Sawariya Mamta , Kumar Naveen , Mehra Himanshu , Kumar Sunil
Published: April 2024

Phytoextraction is an economically viable and environmentally sustainable method for approaching heavy metal-polluted soils. Pollen grains are notably more susceptible to pollutants compared to other parts of the plant. However, in polluted environments, certain metals like lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) may have limited bioavailability, posing significant challenges to the phytoextraction process. One way to overcome this limitation is by employing chelators. The experiment was conducted in a randomized block design to investigate the effects of two chelators, EDTA and salicylic acid (SA), in enhancing the plant water status, biochemicals and reproductive parameters of Brassica juncea seedlings. These seedlings were sown in pots and subjected to various treatments of Cd and Pb of concentrations 10 and 20 mM, either alone or in combination with 0.5 mM EDTA and SA. The toxicity induced by Pb and Cd in B. juncea was recorded through decreased levels of osmotic potential in leaves and roots and decreased leaf chlorophyll content. Additionally, various reproductive parameters, including pollen viability, pollen germination, and in-vitro pollen germination, were highly affected by stress. Conversely, the supplementation of EDTA and SA to Cd, and Pb-treated plants effectively mitigated the negative impact of heavy metal stress by increasing osmotic potential, chlorophyll content, and reproductive parameters. Notably, EDTA and SA also significantly increased Pb and Cd accumulation. The result demonstrates the potential of EDTA and SA in improving plant reproductive biology.
Does Higher Price Transparency Imply Lower Prices and Less Price Dispersion in Healthcare Markets? An Empirical Analysis of the Effects of Compliance with the Hospital Price Transparency Final Rule in the Greater Los Angeles Area
Authors: van Baal Sebastian , Strang Jordan M.
Published: April 2024

The Hospital Price Transparency Final Rule aims at reducing the cost of healthcare in the United States by making information about the prices of medical services more readily available to market participants. The economic rationale is that higher price transparency should reduce the level and the dispersion of prices by disincentivizing hospitals from charging higher prices than possible. Using data on 3789 prices for three diagnostic imaging procedures and on the compliance with the rule for 86 acute care hospitals in the Greater Los Angeles area, we test the hypothesis that price levels and price dispersion are lower among hospitals that are more compliant. We do not reject this hypothesis, although we do not observe strictly decreasing relationships in all analyses. Prices are lower at hospitals with high or medium compliance than at hospitals with low compliance, but there is not a clear difference between hospitals with high and hospitals with medium compliance. Prices are less dispersed among hospitals with high compliance than among hospitals with low compliance, but the evidence for hospitals with medium compliance is less clear. We conclude that high compliance with the Hospital Price Transparency Final Rule implies lower prices and less price dispersion among hospitals.
Fungsi Instagram sebagai Sarana Komunikasi Politik Raden Muhammad Khalil Prasetyo
Authors: Nasution Dinda Faridha , Rambe Uqbatul Khoir , Damanik Agusman
Published: April 2024

Among the politicians who utilize social media to communicate about politics is Raden Muhammad Khalil Prasetyo. This political message is intended at his supporters, the residents of Medan City. Political players can draw in voters, engage in direct communication with the public, and have private discussions with them using social media. This study attempts to identify the political communication patterns on Instagram of Raden Muhammad Khalil Prasetyo and the advantages that he derives from using the platform. Using descriptive qualitative research techniques, this study looks at how to use the data collected to address current issues. This essay presents, examines, interprets, and conducts direct interviews with informants as the key data source for the author. The study's findings demonstrate that a politician must talk gently and courteously while interacting with the general populace. The people will view the politician favorably as a result of this. You need Instagram management abilities to make a favorable impression, such publishing videos of engaging activities rather than dull ones. He needs to make the most of Instagram's features to grow his following and make it easier for others to communicate with him.
Rules of the Game and Efficacy of Public Microcredit Schemes: Evidence from Selected Borrowers in Malawi
Authors: Zidana Richard , Nkhoma Bryson , Kasulo Victor
Published: April 2024

This paper contributes to the scholarly debates that question the efficacy of microcredit schemes in development programming. Dominant political economy debates posit that microcredit schemes have failed to achieve the envisaged financial inclusion and small-scale enterprise development outcomes because the nature of the intervention itself is an imposition by neoliberal promoters on global south economies. It is also argued that local political elites use microcredit programmes as a tool for advancing patronage. Motivated by this foregoing school of thought, we contend in this paper that informal credit management rules that dominate the administration of these schemes, at the expense of clearly spelt-out formal rules made known in the public domain, also contribute to this mission drift. Thus, our aim was to assess how prevailing microcredit-lending rules contribute to non-achievement of development outcomes. Guided by Douglas North’s conceptualisation of rules of the game as our analytical framework, we employed Q methodology to generate key themes that emerged from primary qualitative data collected through in-depth interviews with purposively recruited microcredit clients of the National Economic Empowerment Fund, a public microcredit scheme in Malawi. Findings revealed that microcredit schemes were dominated by informal rules regarding turnaround time, credit appraisal processes, political interference, and misplaced borrower perceptions about the objectives of microcredit schemes. These rules were misaligned to what was promised to potential microcredit borrowers as reflected in the public microcredit’s credit management procedures. We concluded that unless the apparent pervasion of these substitutive informal rules that distort outcomes is curtailed, public microcredit schemes risk becoming an irrelevant strategy for driving small-scale enterprise development agenda in countries like Malawi.
Participation of citizens and associations of citizens in public administration of environmental sector in context of digitalization
Authors: Заславская Н.М.
Published: April 2024

Публичность экологических интересов, сопряженная с организационными и иными сложностями, в течение длительного времени обосновывала исключительную государственную монополию на фактическое осуществление экологического управления, в то время как законодательством в области охраны окружающей среды было закреплено право граждан и их объединений на участие в принятии значимых экологических решений. Цифровизация государственного экологического управления открывает реальные перспективы для участия граждан в этой работе.

Digitalization of public administration in sphere of ecology gives citizens a real op- portunity to take part in the process of administration. The public nature of ecological interests coupled with institutional issues and other complex issues have been long- standing justifications for the state monopoly on administration of ecological sector although legislation on protection of environment stipulates the right of citizens and their associations to take part in the decision-making process.
Hybrid legal nature of grid connection agreements
Authors: Крассов Е.О.
Published: April 2024

Договор об осуществлении технологического присоединения к объектам электросетевого хозяйства по своей правовой природе является смешанным, возмездным, двусторонним, консенсуальным; он законодательно признается обязательным для заключения публичным договором. В настоящей статье подробно рассматривается первая из указанных характеристик этого договора.

By its legal nature grid connection agreements are hybrid, non-gratuitous, bilateral and consensual; it is a binding legal contract. The paper discusses the hybrid nature of grid connection agreements.
On various approaches to evaluation of and criteria of sufficiency of evidence at pre-trial stages of criminal proceedings
Authors: Кобзарев Ф.М. , Юдина Э.И.
Published: April 2024

Авторы отмечают расхождения в оценке достаточности доказательств в досудебном производстве. Констатируется наличие разных подходов к пониманию и применению данного свойства доказательств при принятии определенного процессуального решения в зависимости от его значимости и стадии, на которой оно принимается. Одновременно обосновывается возможность выделения и установления критериев достаточности доказательств, имеющих правовой и организационный характер.

The paper considers problems of evaluation of evidence sufficiency at pre-trial stages. The authors identify various approaches to the concept of evidence sufficiency and varying evaluation of evidence sufficiency depending on a specific procedural step, the significance of the decision taken at that step and the significance of the procedural stage per se. At the same time the author analyzes possibilities for setting out criteria of evidence sufficiency which would reflect the procedural and organizational aspects.
The Effect of Liquidity, Leverage, Efficiency, and Inflation on Financial Performance
Authors: Febriyanti Giany , Simon Zainal Zawir , Oktavia Dinda
Published: April 2024

This research investigates the influence of liquidity, leverage, total asset turnover ratio, and inflation on the financial performance of food and beverage companies listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange from 2018 to 2022. Using a quantitative research method with secondary data and a purposive sampling method, 19 companies were selected for analysis. The research employed panel data analysis combining time series and cross-sectional data. The findings reveal that collectively, variables such as current ratio, debt to equity ratio, total asset turnover ratio, debt to total asset ratio, and inflation significantly impact financial performance. However, when examined individually, the current ratio and debt to total asset ratio show a negative and insignificant influence, while the debt to equity ratio displays a positive yet insignificant effect. Conversely, the total asset turnover ratio and inflation demonstrate a positive and significant impact on financial performance. This research underscores the managerial implications concerning the importance of monitoring specific financial ratios in decision-making processes, particularly in managing liquidity and asset efficiency. Managers are advised to consider inflation factors in financial planning and decision-making to optimize financial performance.
THE FRUITS OF TRUE CONVERSION IN JONATHAN EDWARDS’ «RELIGIOUS AFFECTIONS»
Authors: Moga Dinu
Published: April 2024

This presentation offers to examine some of the most wonderful truths discussed by Edwards in his treatise on Religious Affections. I will seek to establish the nature of true godliness and to explain what constitutes a true believer and how we can distinguish him from a hypocrite. The subject is a very practical one and requires to be treated from a very practical point of view. The stress was laid on the inclinations of the heart. The whole objective is to prove that a man’s act must be the proper evidence of the state of the heart. In Edwards’s terms this is called Christian practice and is evidenced by its fruits. After an analysis of the fruits of true conversion we conclude with Edwards that Christian practice ‘is a great and distinguishing sign of true and saving grace’. From the general presentation of the fruits of true conversion I have moved to present a fruit that is absolutely essential to true spirituality: evangelical humiliation. Our interest is first to differentiate between legal humiliation, inappropriate for the true converted believer, and evangelical humiliation, absolutely necessary in the life of the truly converted believer. From there we proceed to discover how evangelical humiliation originates and then manifests itself in the life of the believer. Our conclusion is in saying with Edwards that all Christian affections flow out to Christ from a pure and broken heart.
Monitorização de RNA de Norovírus, Rotavírus e do vírus da hepatite A em água natural e para consumo do sistema de abastecimento da EPAL e AdVT
Authors: Salvador Daniel , Neto Célia , Carneiro Rui Neves
Published: April 2024

O saneamento e o abastecimento de água potável são duas condições essenciais para a saúde humana. Em 2025, prevê-se que metade da população possa viver em áreas de stress hídrico, o que poderá aumentar o risco de exposição a agentes patogénicos, como bactérias, fungos, protozoários e vírus. Destacam-se os vírus entéricos, que infetam e replicam no trato gastrointestinal. Transmitem-se maioritariamente pela via fecal-oral através do consumo de alimentos ou água contaminados. Neste contexto, o presente estudo teve como objetivo principal a monitorização do RNA de Norovírus, Rotavírus e do vírus da hepatite A em amostras de água natural doce e água para consumo humano dos sistemas de abastecimento da Empresa Portuguesa das Águas Livres, S.A. (EPAL) e das Águas do Vale do Tejo, S.A. (AdVT). A colheita de amostras de águas doces naturais incluiu águas superficiais, colhidas num rio e em quatro albufeiras, e águas subterrâneas colhidas em três furos. As campanhas de amostragem decorreram entre Janeiro e Dezembro de 2021. O procedimento experimental utilizado foi adaptado do Método 1615 (EPA/600/R-10/181). A deteção e quantificação do RNA viral foi realizada pelo método PCR em Tempo Real (RT-qPCR). Entre Janeiro e Dezembro de 2021 foram colhidas 86 amostras, 43 amostras de água natural e 43 de água para consumo humano. Das 43 amostras de água natural, 35 eram provenientes de massas de água superficial e 8 de massas subterrâneas. Nas amostras de água natural foram detetados RNA de Norovírus e de Rotavírus, mas não do vírus da hepatite A. A concentração de RNA foi variável ao longo do ano para os dois vírus detetados (0 - 23464 UG/L). Não se verificou uma padrão de sazonalidade na deteção/quantificação de RNA viral. No entanto, vale a pena ressalvar que na maioria dos pontos de amostragem, as maiores concentrações de RNA viral ocorreram nos meses de Verão. As amostras de água subterrânea apresentaram um reduzido nível de contaminação viral. Por outro lado, a água proveniente do rio apresentou as maiores concentrações de RNA de Rotavírus. Nas amostras de água para consumo foram detetados RNA de Norovírus e de Rotavírus, mas não do vírus da hepatite A. A concentração de RNA viral nesta matriz foi inferior à encontrada em água natural, tendo variado entre 0 - 544 UG/L. Espera-se com este projeto contribuir para aumentar o conhecimento sobre a presença destes vírus em água e assim permitir, à Entidade Gestora, o desenvolvimento do sistema de avaliação de risco e complementar o Plano de Segurança da Água.
Pengembangan Aplikasi Reservasi Salon Keshoo Berbasis Web
Authors: Putra Berlian Juliartha Martin , Ardyani Purwatama  , Purnamasari Pricylia Oka Diah Ayu
Published: April 2024

Salon Keshoo menyediakan fasilitas pemesanan sebelum melakukan perawatan. Namun pemesanan dilakukan secara manualmenggunakan pesan whatsapp dan Instagram. Pemesanan secara manual menjadikan proses pemesanan tidak efektif dan efisienserta rawan ada data yang tidak tercatat. Pada penelitian ini diajukan pengembangan aplikasi reservasi keshoo salon berbasisweb untuk mempermudah aktivitas pemesanan dan meminimalisir kesalahan dalam proses jadwal pemesanan diperlukan suatusistem. Sistem memiliki dua hak akses yaitu pelanggan dan admin. Sistem memberikan fasilitas pemesanan jadwal perawatankepada pengguna dan sistem memberikan fasilitas pengelolaan data salon dan pemesanan yang bisa dikelola oleh administrator.Metode yang digunakan dalam pembuatan sistem ini adalah metode waterfall dimulai dari studi literatur, perancangan,implementasi program dan pengujian. Sistem dikembangkan dengan menggunakan Framework PHP Laravel dan DBMSMySQL. Perancangan sistem dibangun menggunakan UML. Sistem reservasi salon berbasis web ini mampu menjadi solusi agarpemesanan jadwal perawatan berjalan dengan lancar dan tidak memiliki hambatan.
Nodal solutions for nonlinear Schrodinger systems
Authors: Zhou Xue , Liu Xiangqing
Published: April 2024

In this article we consider the nonlinear Schrodinger system $$\displaylines{ - \Delta u_j + \lambda_j u_j = \sum_{i=1}^k \beta_{ij} u_i^2 u_j, \quad \hbox{in } \Omega, \cr u_j ( x ) = 0,\quad \hbox{on } \partial \Omega , \; j=1,l\dots,k , }$$ where \(\Omega\subset \mathbb{R}^N \) (\(N=2,3\)) is a bounded smooth domain, \(\lambda_j> 0\), \(j=1,\ldots,k\), \(\beta_{ij}\) are constants satisfying \(\beta_{jj}>0\), \(\beta_{ij}=\beta_{ji}\leq 0 \) for \(1\leq i< j\leq k\). The existence of sign-changing solutions is proved by the truncation method and the invariant sets of descending flow method.
For more information see  https://ejde.math.txstate.edu/Volumes/2024/31/abstr.html
Analysis of Benefit Considerations for Guarantee Company Upgrading to Tier 4 Colocation Data Center in Indonesia
Authors: Winarno Putra Ferdata Adhitya , Suroso Jarot S.
Published: April 2024

This research is motivated by the need for the guarantee company to improve the management of the availability of information technology services to all company stakeholders in the guarantee company data centre migration project. The guarantee company is currently collaborating with data centre colocation service providers to support information technology infrastructure needs as a location for placing hyper-converged infrastructure servers. One of the objectives of this study is to provide recommendations to company management regarding improvements related to operational efficiency, increased scalability and capacity, reliability, increased availability, increased security factors, compliance with regulations, and the ability to increase data recovery in the event of a disaster by evaluating and maintained for enterprise data centre migration plans. This research focuses on how the benefits of data centre migration are currently at the highest level, which will be explained in this paper, where the author will provide a systematic and measurable visualisation regarding facts and relationships in carrying out the stages of activity, starting with data collection, analysis, and making suggestions in improving colocation data services in the area of the country of Indonesia.
The Effect of Job Resources on Work Engagement through Job Crafting and Burnout in Public High School Teachers in West Kotawaringin
Authors: Lawrensia Yenni , Lindawati Tuty
Published: April 2024

This study aims to determine the effect of job resources on work engagement through job crafting and burnout in public high school teachers in West Kotawaringin. This study is a causal study. The data collection tool used is an online questionnaire in the form of a google form. Questionnaires are distributed by snowball sampling, where some subjects will be selected to represent the school and then distribute the questionnaire to others. The population in this study is public high school teachers in West Kotawaringin. The sample in this study was 166 respondents with the criteria of having worked as teachers for one year. Data analysis techniques in this study use SEM (Structural Equation Model) using the lisrel program. The results showed that there is a positive and significant influence between job resources on work engagement, there is a positive and significant influence between job resources on job crafting, there is a negative influence between job resources on burnout, there is no positive and significant influence between job crafting on work engagement, there is a negative influence between burnout on work engagement, there is a positive and significant influence between job resources on work engagement through job crafting, and there is a positive and significant influence between job resources on work engagement through burnout.
Legality of Protection of MSME Business Actors In Online Buying and Selling Activities In The Digital Era
Authors: Sri Widiarty Wiwik
Published: April 2024

The digital revolution has changed various aspects of life, including the trade sector. The development of information & communication technology (ICT) gave birth to renewable business models, such as e-transactions in buying and selling. However, online transaction activities in purchasing and vending also present various challenges, one of which is related to legal certainty for MSME business actors. This research aims to identify legal certainty problems MSME business actors face in online purchasing and vending. The method used in the study is a normative juridical approach that examines legislation. Data was collected through literature studies related to regulations when carrying out online buying and selling transactions, the rights of MSME business actors, and dispute resolution mechanisms. The data analysis method employed in this study is a qualitative analysis using deductive approaches. The research results show that legal clarity for MSME business actors involved in the online buying and selling process in the digitalization era is important in ensuring that trade transactions carried out via digital platforms occur with transparency, security, and by applicable legal Wprovisions. The law governing online purchasing and vending is based on principles stipulated in Article 34(1) of the 1945 Constitution. It is embodied in Legislation No. 20 of 2008 regarding Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). This regulation is the basis for all legal regulations governing MSMEs to provide adequate protection for MSME actors.
Rancangan Sistem Informasi Kesehatan Anemia Recovery Berbasis Progresive Web Apps
Authors: Yuniariyati Nova
Published: April 2024

Sistem Informasi Kesehatan (SIK) telah menjadi komponen penting dalam penyediaan layanan kesehatan modern. Dalam konteks Anemia Recovery, di mana pemantauan yang terus-menerus diperlukan untuk mengelola kondisi ini dengan efektif, pengembangan solusi teknologi yang inovatif menjadi semakin penting. Artikel ini memperkenalkan rancangan Sistem Informasi Kesehatan Anemia Recovery Berbasis Progresive Web Apps (PWA). Pendekatan berbasis PWA dipilih untuk menyediakan fleksibilitas dan aksesibilitas yang optimal bagi pengguna dengan memanfaatkan teknologi web modern. Rancangan sistem ini bertujuan untuk mengintegrasikan fitur-fitur kesehatan yang relevan, seperti pemantauan tingkat hemoglobin, penjadwalan pengingat konsumsi suplemen, serta informasi kesehatan terkini tentang Anemia Recovery. Selain itu, tantangan dalam menyediakan aksesibilitas yang optimal bagi pengguna dengan variasi infrastruktur teknologi dan koneksi internet juga dibahas. Diharapkan rancangan Sistem Informasi Kesehatan Anemia Recovery Berbasis PWA ini dapat menjadi landasan untuk pengembangan solusi teknologi yang efektif dan menyeluruh dalam manajemen Anemia Recovery.
A voxel-level approach to brain age prediction: A method to assess regional brain aging
Authors: Gianchandani Neha , Dibaji Mahsa , Ospel Johanna , Vega Fernando , Bento Mariana , MacDonald M. Ethan , Souza Roberto
Published: April 2024

Brain aging is a regional phenomenon, a facet that remains relatively under-explored within the realm of brain age prediction research using machine learning methods. Voxel-level predictions can provide localized brain age estimates that can provide granular insights into the regional aging processes. This is essential to understand the differences in aging trajectories in healthy versus diseased subjects. In this work, a deep learning-based multitask model is proposed for voxel-level brain age prediction from T1-weighted magnetic resonance images. The proposed model outperforms the models existing in the literature and yields valuable clinical insights when applied to both healthy and diseased populations. Regional analysis is performed on the voxel-level brain age predictions to understand aging trajectories of known anatomical regions in the brain and show that there exist disparities in regional aging trajectories of healthy subjects compared to ones with underlying neurological disorders such as Dementia and more specifically, Alzheimer’s disease. Our code is available at https://github.com/nehagianchandani/Voxel-level-brain-age-prediction
Automating data exports from Apple Health
Authors: Tzovaras Bastian Greshake
Published: April 2024

The dynamic footer of my website has been powered by a little aggregation of some of my personal data for about 5 1/2 years by now. Until recently, all the data related to my activity and physiology (steps, heart rate, sleep, body) came from an Oura Ring.
Chemistry teachers’ utilization of three different constructivist-based teaching strategies in senior secondary schools in Dekina local government area of Kogi state
Authors: Okongwu Dozie John , Ogu Unekwu Joshua
Published: April 2024

The study investigated chemistry teachers’ utilization of three different constructivist-based teaching strategies in senior secondary schools in the Dekina local government area of Kogi state. The study adopted a descriptive survey research design. Three research questions and two hypotheses guided the study. The population of the study comprised 33 chemistry teachers in all the public secondary schools in the Dekina local government area. Purposive sampling was used for the study. The instrument for data collection was an observational rating scale on chemistry teachers’ utilization of constructivist-based teaching strategies developed by the researcher. The reliability of the instrument was obtained. A Cronbach alpha reliability estimate was used to determine the internal consistency of the instrument, which gave a reliability index of 0.71. Kendell’s coefficient of concordance was used to determine the inter-raters’ reliability, which was obtained as 0.75. Data collected were analyzed using mean and standard deviation to answer the research questions, while the z-test was used in testing the hypothesis formulated at the 0.05 level of significance. The findings of the study revealed the following: it was revealed that chemistry teachers’ qualifications and experience influence the utilization of constructivist-based teaching strategies. Based on the findings and conclusions, it was recommended, among others, that the government and Ministry of Education should employ qualified and experienced teachers to handle chemistry courses in senior secondary schools.
Faith, hope, and power. Corporatism, ideology, and religious freedom in China from Mao to Xi.
Authors: Rowe Paul S. , Chuang Lucy , Kendon Hannah
Published: April 2024

Xi Jinping’s renewal of authoritarianism in the People’s Republic of China (PRC) highlights the way in which patterns of repression change over time. Xi’s effort to reinvigorate party rule hearkens back to earlier periods of repression but has not reached levels common during the early years of the PRC. This pattern holds for the regulation of religion in the PRC. This article considers the PRC’s management of religion, in particular Christianity, over the past seven decades. Whilst authoritarianism has taken diverse characteristics, one permanent feature of government repression in the PRC is the pursuit of state corporatist management of religion.
Abusive taxation of religious minorities. A comparative study of Tai Ji Men in Taiwan and the Jehovah’s Witnesses in France.
Authors: Fautré Willy
Published: April 2024

On 23 April 2023, US Senator Orrin Hatch passed away at age 88. Two of his main interests were tax reform and religious liberty, topics that sometimes happen to intersect. Senator Hatch was well aware that abusive taxation can target religious or spiritual movements or religiously motivated advocacy groups which, for whatever reason, are disliked by some tax bureaucrats. One such instance is the case of Tai Ji Men in Taiwan, which remains unresolved after more than 25 years of legal battles and public advocacy. I will compare that case with ones that the European Court of Human Rights has considered in the last two decades.
A judicialização da avaliação psicológica na seleção de policiais federais no Brasil
Authors: Santos Andersson Pereira dos , Peixoto Carla Krepke Leiros
Published: April 2024

A pesquisa analisou a judicialização da avaliação psicológica, examinando decisões judiciais proferidas em face de concurso público realizado pela Polícia Federal, com o objetivo de identificar os aspectos controvertidos apontados pelo Poder Judiciário ao longo da seleção dos novos servidores da organização policial. Da análise de 140 decisões judiciais, foi possível verificar que, entre os 22 pontos questionados, se destacam as discussões acerca do uso do perfil profissiográfico; da disponibilização prévia dos requisitos, instrumentos e perfil, bem como do seu caráter supostamente subjetivo. Os aspectos controvertidos identificados dizem respeito à desconfiança na cientificidade dos testes realizados. O ceticismo e desconhecimento a respeito da avaliação psicológica foram verificados com maior força na segunda instância. O modo como as avaliações psicológicas estão sendo realizadas pelas polícias e a oposição que têm recebido do Poder Judiciário, estão reduzindo a sua utilidade, transformando-a em uma etapa inócua do processo de seleção. Assim, é recomendável o estabelecimento de uma agenda, científica e política, que estude e debata a temática. A realização de pesquisas para entender a judicialização da avaliação psicológica e mitigar os seus efeitos é essencial para a sua aplicação de forma efetiva na seleção de policiais.
The Ball is in the Game
Authors: Milewska Paulina , Nowicka Zuzanna
Published: April 2024

In 2017 strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPPs) became an important topic on the EU level. As a result, the EU adopted the anti-SLAPP Directive, which shall protect journalists from abusive lawsuits that do not serve justice but only the sinister aim of silencing free press. However, there is important litigation as well. In 2024 the Real Madrid Club de Fútbol vs Le Monde case addressed the problem of exorbitant damages targeting press and introducing a deterrent effect on freedom of speech in transnational cases. From a rule of law and, especially, freedom of the press angle, the case is of paramount importance as it forwards a simple but groundbreaking argument: two of EU law’s most fundamental principles, mutual recognition and freedom of speech, are a strong basis to fight SLAPPs.
The effect of common food preservatives on the heart rate of Daphnia magna
Authors: Tanaka Sakura , Chaisittirerkkul Daranrat , Sharpe Stephen Philip
Published: April 2024

Monosodium glutamate (MSG), sodium nitrite, and sodium benzoate are used frequently in the food industry to enhance product flavors and preserve foods, as well as beverages, by preventing bacterial growth. As food additives are being consumed every day worldwide, any side effects of their consumption could have serious implications for human health and should be investigated. The purpose of our study was to examine the effects of MSG, sodium nitrite, and sodium benzoate on the heart rate of Daphnia magna, small freshwater crustaceans with hearts comparable to humans. MSG, sodium nitrite, and sodium benzoate have been linked to several health effects including alteration in heart rate. We hypothesized that MSG and sodium nitrite would increase the heart rate and sodium benzoate would decrease the heart rate of D. magna based on data from previous studies. Our results show that all three of the compounds had some measurable effect on the heart rate of D. magna, with benzoate showing the clearest effect. Sodium nitrite showed slightly increased heart rates as the concentration increased, while in the high concentration of sodium benzoate heart rates were significantly decreased. For MSG the effect was not as clear, and there appeared to be a drop in heart rate at a low concentration. The food industries may use these findings to guide the food additive concentrations in their products as well as to make consumers aware of the possible effects after consumption.
Do Private Transfers and Foreign Direct Investment Crowd out Official Transfers in Ghana?
Authors: Fumey Michael , Mose Naftaly
Published: April 2024

The study analyzes the relationship between private transfers, foreign direct investment (FDI) and official transfers in Ghana. The research relies on the quarterly frequency time series data from the Ghana Statistical Service for the period 2003-2022. Phillips-Perron (PP) test and the Engle-Granger approach were used to investigate the properties of the data concerning unit roots and cointegration respectively. The ordinary least squares (OLS) regression technique and Granger causality test are used as methods of analysis. The research findings have shown that when private transfers and foreign direct investment increase, they are more likely to reduce official transfers. Furthermore, the study has confirmed that FDI and private transfer granger cause official transfers. So, the result appears to support the hypothesis that private transfers and foreign direct investment crowd out official transfers in Ghana. To boost commerce and interaction between Ghanaians and the outside world, stable and environmentally friendly conditions must be established.
Mapping the Intellectual Structure of e-Learning Tools Research: A Bibliometric Approach
Authors: Darmasiri Wijesekara Piyodha
Published: April 2024

E-learning was derived as a result of the emergence of internet and the electronic devices such as computers after the technical revolution. The pandemic in 2019 marked a significant shift in the adoption and evolution of learning tools. Within this context, this research aims to assess and comprehensively review the scientific production in e-learning tools along with the time using academic publications as the key data source. The Biblioshiny package in R opensource software tool was used for statistical computing and modeling the data. The Scopus database, which is used as a citation index with a multidisciplinary scope is used as the source of a bibliographic database. The research examines 1,164 articles published in the database (Date acquisition: 05th March 2023) between 2000-2022. Articles published in English were refined after excluding the articles unpublished yet. Annual scientific production on research on e-learning tools started to grow in number after 2008 and reached its peak in 2021. The average citation number per document is 8.2 while the annual growth rate is 22%. The literature covers 102 countries. Spain, USA and Germany became the most productive countries while the most cited country is the USA. Along with the time the trending topics were diversified and the themes became more complex. Computer-aided instruction has become the most frequent word along the time. Finally, this study's implications highlight that e-learning tools have been impacted globally.
Developing a quantitative method of mangiferin in rabbit lacrimal fluid as a tool for investigating pre-cornea drug residence
Authors: Nam V. Dao  , Quynh T. Tran  , Tu V. Le  , Duc M. Nguyen  , Anh Q. Vo
Published: April 2024

Mangiferin (MGF) has been evidenced to effectively treat infectious diseases caused by Herpes simplex virus, especially on the acyclovir-resistant strains. For ophthalmic disease treatment, prolonging drug retention in the eyes plays an essential role in effectively delivering drugs, which are prone to elimination by eye blinking and tear fluid secretion. The objective of this study was to develop a method for analysis of MGF in tear fluid that can be further utilised to evaluate the kinetics of precornea drug concentration. For sample collection, lacrimal tear fluid was absorbed into pre-weighed absorbing paper strips, which were then immediately weighed again right after sampling to calculate the sample mass. Subsequently, MGF was extracted from the paper strips using a mixture of methanol : acetic acid 0.6% (35:65, v/v). The extracted solution was finally injected into an HPLC system for MGF analysis (RP-column C18 - 4.6 x 250 mm, 5 μm was stabilised at 40oC; moblie phase methanol : acetic acid 0.6%; 35 : 65 (v/v) at a flow rate of 1.0 mL/min; autosampler, injection volume 10 µL; detection wavelength: 258 nm). The developed methodology was validated following the U.S. FDA and ICH M10 guidances for bioanalytical method validation, with respect to system suitability, linearity, recovery, accuracy and precision, dilution integrity and stability. The method was also successfully employed to determine MGF concentration in the tear fluid collected from rabbit eyes at one hour after instilling with MGF suspension. The methodology herein provides a practical tool to investigate kinetics of MGF in tear fluid that can be applied in ophthalmic drug development as well as drug quality evaluation activities.
Race/Ethnicity and Sex as Moderators of the Associations of Working Hours, Income, and Education with Fast-food Consumption in the US
Authors: Williams Briana M. , Bell Caryn N.
Published: April 2024

Objectives: Fast-food consumption is highly prevalent but varies across socioeconomic status. Yet, it is possible that race/ethnicity and sex could moderate these associations. The aim of this study was to determine how race/ ethnicity and sex interact with working hours and
socioeconomic status measures on fast-food consumption. Methods: Using a cross-sectional study of the 2007-2018 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, the number of fast-food meals per week was the dependent variable and weekly hours worked, household income, and educational
attainment were the independent variables. We used negative binomial regressions and multiplicative interaction terms. Results: Household income was positively associated with fast-food consumption and there was also variation by educational attainment. Race/ethnicity and sex moderated
the associations between educational attainment and fast-food consumption such that non-Hispanic white women and men who were college graduates consumed fewer fast-food meals per week than those who had not completed high school. This pattern was not observed in other groups. Conclusion:
Policy and public health programs that target fast-food consumption should consider the intersections of race/ethnicity and sex.
Peningkatan Upaya Pemulihan Diare Menggunakan Bubur Tempe Pada Anak Usia Balita Melalui Pemberdayaan Masyrakat
Authors: Hapsari Anggi , Nadimah Amelia Rahma , Lutviana Alvin kiky , Wardhana Ardha Yuslan , Pramatania Dhea
Published: April 2024

This community service activity is one form of assignment for Pediatric Nursing Practicum Course. With the lecturers Mrs. Maryatun, S.Kep., Ns., M.Kes and Mrs. Zulfa M. Rasyida, M.Kep. Diarrhea is a problem that still occurs frequently in various countries, especially developing countries. The diarrhea morbidity rate in Lampung Province showed an increase, from 9.8 per 1000 population in 2005 to 18.24 per 1000 population in 2012. Children less than a year old often experience diarrhea with the highest incidence of diarrhea at the age of 6-11 months. Diarrhea is an abnormal transmission of feces characterized by an increase in the volume and dilution of feces and the frequency of defecation more than 3 times a day (in neonates more than 4 times a day) with or without blood mucus. Children affected by diarrhea will experience dehydration and will cause food substances that are still needed by the body to be wasted so that their growth cannot be optimal. The problems of the partners from the observation obtained that most people do not know the correct handling of diarrhea in children, and only give medicine when diarrhea without thinking about the recovery of nutrition and nutrition in children after losing iron and other nutrients when diarrhea occurs. The problems faced by partner communities are (1) not having knowledge about tempeh porridge (2) not knowing the skills about handling diarrhea in children properly. The objectives of this service are (1) to increase mothers' knowledge about tempe porridge (2) to improve mothers' skills in making tempe porridge. The solutions offered in this service activity are (1) providing education to mothers about tempeh porridge (2) teaching mothers to make tempeh porridge. This service activity involves students as a form of support for the implementation of the Pediatric Nursing Practicum Course assignments. The expected outputs of this activity are (1) increasing the knowledge and skills of mothers in Dukuh Wirodigdan, Ngemplak Sawah, Kartasura, Sukaharjo (2) publication in the national journal of community service.
Peran Pembimbing Kemasyarakatan Dalam Melaksanakan Fungsi Pendampingan Bagi Anak Yang Berhadapan Dengan Hukum Dan Klien Dewasa
Authors: Riswandi
Published: April 2024

The research objectives are: To determine and analyze the role of community supervisors in carrying out the mentoring function for children in conflict with the law and adult clients. With these objectives, the problems discussed are: How is the role of community supervisors in carrying out the function of mentoring for children in conflict with the law and adult clients. With the formulation of the problem, the research method used is normative juridical research with a statutory approach (statute approach), conceptual approach (conceptual approach), and case approach (case approach). The legal materials collected are: primary legal materials, secondary legal materials and tertiary legal materials.  Analysis of the collected legal materials is carried out by inventorizing, systematizing and interpreting.  The results showed that: the role of community supervisors in providing assistance to children in conflict with the law can be divided into 3 (three) stages, namely the stage before the court session (pre adjudication), namely the investigation, the stage during the court session (adjudication), namely assistance at trial and the stage after the court (post adjudication), namely supervision and guidance for children in conflict with the law. In terms of mentoring adult clients, community supervisors play a role in providing assistance and conducting community research on adult clients based on the provisions of Article 54 paragraph (1) letters g, h, I, j of Law No. 1 of 2023, although previously it was also regulated in Article 38 paragraph (4) of Government Regulation No. 31 of 1999. In Law No. 1 of 2023, the implementation of assistance and community research can be carried out for all criminal offenses and community research, while in Government Regulation No. 31 of 1999 only for certain criminal offenses. It is hoped that there will be good coordination and synergy between fellow law enforcers for the best interests of children and adult clients in accordance with applicable regulations and it is hoped that there will be the development of other knowledge from Community Supervisors outside of legal science that can be used and implemented in handling cases of children in conflict with the law and adult clients.