bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
SEM-PLS: Predicting Community Welfare and Unemployment Using Income Inequality
Authors: Ahmad Ahmad , Armawaddin Muhammad
Published: November 2024

This study investigates the complex theoretical relationship between income inequality, open unemployment, and social welfare using SmartPLS 3.0 structural equation modeling tools. The data consists of a panel dataset, which includes cross-sectional data from the provinces of Sulawesi Island (Gorontalo, South Sulawesi, North Sulawesi, Central Sulawesi, Southeast Sulawesi, and West Sulawesi) and time series data spanning from 2010 to 2022. The data are sourced from secondary data provided by the Indonesian Central Statistics Agency. The results of the outer model test indicate that only the manifest variables—the Gini ratio and the unemployment rate in West Sulawesi—are not valid and reliable. The inner model test results demonstrate that income inequality and open unemployment negatively and significantly impact community welfare, while income inequality positively and significantly affects the unemployment rate. Based on these findings, it is recommended that policymakers and practitioners design and implement policies aimed at reducing income inequality and addressing unemployment issues. Such efforts are expected to impact the overall welfare of communities across Sulawesi Province positively
Principal Component Analysis for Prediabetes Prediction using Extreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost)
Authors: Wardhani Kartina Diah Kesuma , Novayani Wenda
Published: November 2024

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to increase the accuracy of the model used for prediabetes prediction. This study integrates Principal Component Analysis (PCA) for reducing the dimension of data with Extreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost). The study contributes to providing a new alternative for prediabetes prediction in patients by reducing the complexity of the dataset with the aim of increasing the accuracy of the obtained model. PCA and XGBoost identify the best features that have the highest correlation with prediabetes so that they are expected to produce a better predictive model.
Methods: This study utilizes published data sourced from the UCI Machine Learning Repository consisting of 520 records, 16 attributes and 1 label class. The dataset is data collected through direct questionnaires from patients in Sylhet, Bangladesh at the Sylhet Diabetes Hospital. The research method in this study consists of several stages, namely: Data Collection, Data Preprocessing, Dimension Reduction using PCA to reduce the complexity of dimensions in the dataset, Modeling using XGBoost to identify patterns used to predict prediabetes, and Model evaluation used to measure the performance of the resulting model using evaluation metrics such as accuracy, recall, precision and F1-Score.
Result: The current study utilizes XGBoost with Principal Component Analysis for feature selection, resulting in 12 features and a model accuracy of 97.44.
Novelty: The study's originality lies in applying PCA as a preprocessing step to enhance the performance of machine learning models by reducing data dimensionality and focusing on the most critical features. By demonstrating how PCA can improve the efficiency and accuracy of prediabetes prediction models, this research provides valuable insights to inform future studies and contribute to the development of more effective diagnostic tools for early detection and prevention of prediabetes.
Adrenocortical insufficiency after bilateral adrenal hemorrhage due to anticoagulation and chronic immunothrombocytopenia
Authors: Hintze Sophie Charlotte , Beuschlein Felix
Published: November 2024

Adrenocortical insufficiency is defined as the clinical manifestation of chronic glucocorticoid and/or mineralocorticoid deficiency due to failure of the adrenal cortex. It may result in an adrenal crisis, which is a life-threatening disease; thus, prompt initiation of therapy with hydrocortisone is necessary. Symptoms such as hypotension, weight loss, or fatigue are not specific, which is why diagnosis is delayed in many cases. Our patient suffered from immune thrombocytopenia (ITP), an acquired thrombocytopenia caused by an autoimmune reaction against platelets and megakaryocytes. Primary ITP, in which no triggering cause can be identified, must be distinguished from secondary forms (e.g. in the context of systemic autoimmune diseases, lymphomas, or (rarely) by drugs). Patients may be asymptomatic at presentation or may present with a range of mild mucocutaneous to life-threatening bleeding. Here, we report on a 43-year-old woman who had developed adrenocortical insufficiency due to bilateral hemorrhage in the adrenal glands. Because of anticoagulation with phenprocoumon after pulmonary embolism and thrombocytopenia on the basis of ITP, the patient had an increased risk of bleeding. Due to the nonspecific and ambiguous symptoms of adrenocortical insufficiency, prompt diagnosis remains a challenge.

Learning points

Hypocortisolism or adrenal crisis with nonspecific symptoms, especially abdominal and gastrointestinal, is often misinterpreted.

Diagnosis of adrenal insufficiency is often delayed because of the initial ambiguous presentation; physicians must be aware to avoid adrenal crisis.

Especially in patients with several risk factors for bleeding, unusual bleeding manifestations, such as adrenal hemorrhage, must be considered.

Immediate treatment is necessary by substituting hydrocortisone in a higher dosage, and in most cases, fludrocortisone.

During the course of treatment, the amount of hydrocortisone can be reduced to a substitution dosage (15–25 mg/day divided into two to three doses/day). Fludrocortisone should be continued at a dosage of 0.05–0.1 mg/day, depending on blood pressure and sodium and potassium levels.

All patients should carry a medical alert notification or a steroid emergency card. In the case of trauma, surgery, or other stressful events, hydrocortisone must be administered in higher dosages (e.g. 100 mg i.v.).
Syndecans modulate ghrelin receptor signaling
Authors: Prins Karina , Mutsters Noa , Volker Femke , Huisman Martin , Mies Rosinda , Delhanty Patric J D , Visser Jenny A
Published: November 2024

Ghrelin is a gut hormone that enhances food intake and growth hormone secretion through its G-protein coupled receptor, the growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHSR). Recently, we have shown that ghrelin interacts with syndecans (SDCs), a family of membrane proteins known to modulate hypothalamic appetite signaling. Here, we investigated whether SDCs impact ghrelin signaling at GHSR by assessing ghrelin-induced intracellular Ca2+ mobilization (iCa2+) and inositol phosphate 1 (IP1) production in HEK293 cells. Compared with controls, the overexpression of SDCs dose-dependently increased the maximum iCa2+ response two- to four-fold, without affecting EC50. The IP1 response was similarly amplified by SDCs, but it also indicated that they reduce constitutive (ghrelin-independent) activity of GHSR. These enhanced responses occurred despite a SDC dose-dependent reduction in plasma membrane GHSR levels. Although ghrelin-stimulated Gαq activation was unaltered by SDC1 expression, it failed to restore iCa2+ responsiveness in GNAQ/11 knockout cells, indicating dependence on Gαq/11, not another Gα subunit. This suggests that SDCs modulate either signaling downstream of Gαq/11 or quenching of β-arrestin2 recruitment to GHSR. Indeed, expression of SDCs at levels that only modestly suppress cell surface receptor reduced ghrelin-induced β-arrestin2 recruitment by ∼80%. SDC co-expression also delayed the peak β-arrestin2 response. However, peak β-arrestin2 recruitment follows the peak iCa2+ response, making it unclear whether reduced β-arrestin2 recruitment potentiated Ca2+ signaling. Altogether, SDCs enhanced iCa2+/IP1 and reduced β-arrestin2 recruitment by GHSR in response to ghrelin, likely by modulating signaling downstream of Gαq. This could be a novel mechanism through which SDCs affect metabolism and obesity.
EL FIN DEL MULTICULTURALISMO. MADEINUSA EN MADEINUSA (2005)
Authors: Barrueta Cuzcano Julio
Published: November 2024

A diferencia del abordaje feminista eurocéntrico y/o norteamericano, el presente artículo tiene el valor de investigar la manifestación multicultural fallida en la cinematografía peruana a través del filme Madeinusa (2005) de Claudia Llosa y exponer algunos de sus rasgos característicos. En este análisis cualitativo, destacamos el personaje de Madeinusa, una joven mujer andina. Utilizando fuentes teóricas exclusivamente femeninas, se examina cómo ella se convierte en un objeto de actividad humana debido a tradiciones exacerbadas. Su cuerpo es constantemente violentado, despojándola de su humanidad. Madeinusa es incapaz de articular un discurso propio; su voz se reduce a un sonido casi animal. Además, su memoria subversiva rechaza alinearse con códigos impuestos que colectivamente construyen el pasado. Por tanto, se reconoce de qué manera para Claudia Llosa esta mujer deja de ser una mera variante estética para convertirse en espacio representativo de cómo, gracias a las expresiones multiculturales, la mujer queda invisibilizada bajo la presión por preservar tradiciones que perpetúan la desigualdad de género.
Disciplinas de Proteção Radiológica e Medicina Nuclear dos cursos federais brasileiros de graduação em Tecnologia em Radiologia
Authors: Garcia Victoria , Gadelha Gontijo Rodrigo Modesto , Vidal Ferreira Andréa
Published: November 2024

No Brasil, os cursos de graduação em Tecnologia em Radiologia (CSTR) vem ganhando espaço como formação acadêmica, exigindo aprimoramento do currículo das instituições de ensino. No ano de 2000, o país contava com cinco CSTR ativos e em 2023 esse número aumentou para duzentos e treze. Em cenário semelhante, a Medicina Nuclear (MN) brasileira vem se expandindo fortemente, exigindo formação qualificada de profissionais para gerenciar processos de trabalho e cumprir as normas e princípios de Proteção Radiológica (PR). Este trabalho analisou os planos de disciplinas do CSTR de instituições de ensino federais brasileiras que tratam dos temas “Proteção Radiológica” e “Medicina Nuclear”. O objetivo foi verificar a homogeneidade (ou não) das matrizes curriculares e o alinhamento à crescente demanda do mercado de trabalho. Foram analisados ​​sete cursos federais de graduação atualmente em atividade. As respectivas matrizes curriculares foram obtidas nos sites oficiais da instituição. O estudo permitiu a identificação de oito disciplinas que tratam de PR e onze que tratam de MN. Foi realizada uma análise comparativa de cargas horárias, conteúdos e período curricular em que são oferecidos. Os resultados revelaram que todos os CSTR analisados oferecem disciplinas nas temáticas PR e MN, o que evidencia a qualificação do profissional Tecnólogo em Radiologia para atuar nos Serviços de MN.
Exchanges, Challenges, and Concerns in the North Atlantic Triangle
Authors: Birkle Carmen , Nagel-Decekal Herta
Published: November 2024

This volume addresses exchanges, challenges, and concerns in the North Atlantic Triangle that have been prevalent in the diverse disciplines of the humanities, such as musicology, philosophy, and art history, and considers the institutionalization of Canadian Studies in Austria as well as Québécois TV series and films. The collection discusses the attitude of eminent European scholars and writers toward the United States, such as Johann Wolfgang von Goethe and Sigmund Freud, and investigates the development of national identity on both sides of the Atlantic. In the nineteenth century, U.S.-American intellectuals, physicians, and writers sought enhanced professional training and knowledge at European universities. Currently, a major challenge in academia is so-called wokeism, which seems to demand speech control and threatens to rewrite, and often falsify, historical phenomena in historiography. More explicitly, social and political concerns that have emerged from cultural developments in North America and Europe demand better and more engaged attempts at communication. In this context, a look at the history of Intelligence Studies reveals the need for more transparency. Despite the risk of widespread lies through Fake News, the right to freedom of speech is a crucial element of democracy in the Western world, and street protests seem legitimate. The collection also offers accounts of the importance of mentors for the academic careers and the evolution of research interests of several of its contributors, and serves as testimony to the fruitful joint work in The North Atlantic Triangle Commission of the Austrian Academy of Sciences. Last but not least, it is also a tribute to the work of Waldemar Zacharasiewicz, the initiator of this Commission, to whom this volume is dedicated.
Polycythemia syndrome in childhood (literature review)
Authors:   Odessa National Medical University, Ukraine, Lotysh N.H. , Kravchenko T.Yu. ,   Odessa National Medical University, Ukraine, Papinko R.M. ,   Odessa National Medical University, Ukraine, Fedin M.V. ,   Odessa National Medical University, Ukraine
Published: November 2024

The relevance of polycythemia syndrome in pediatrics is related to the long-term consequences of hypoxia, especially for the brain, which to one degree or another causes the development of neurological consequences. Polycythemia is one of the many and quite complex in terms of choosing tactics for managing neonatal diseases. A number of conditions and nosologies characteristic of the perinatal period lead to the development of this pathology. A decrease in the perfusion of organs that develops against the background of polycythemia can be accompanied not only by their transient dysfunction, but also by a severe lesion that leads to a violation of the further development of the child, disability. A child may lag behind in psychomotor and physical development, suffer from social adaptation disorders, etc. Aim - to review the current definition of polycythemia and the appropriate management that can be used to aid clinical decision making. According to modern data, polycythemia (erythremia) is a condition characterized by an increase in the number of erythrocytes (more than 7.5 T/l), the level of hemoglobin (more than 180 g/l) and the total volume of erythrocytes (TBC) (more than 0.52 ). The term "polycythemia" is used only in relation to erythrocytes, without taking into account the number of leukocytes and platelets. When talking about an absolute increase in the number of erythrocytes, the term "erythrocytosis" is used. "Erythremia" is called "true polycythemia (polycythemiavera)", in which the number of leukocytes and platelets is increased. In newborns and children of early and older age, this condition can be caused by various factors, such as hypoxia, infections, damage to the cardiovascular system, perinatal complications, and others. According to the literature (domestic and international sources), the following forms of polycythemia are distinguished - true (primary) and relative (secondary). The mass of erythrocytes increases only with true polycythemia. The total volume of erythrocytes changes in true and secondary polycythemia. An analysis of literary sources was carried out and information from many different researchers was provided regarding the factors of the development of polycythemia, etiopathogenesis, clinical and laboratory indicators, the basis for which are the anatomical and physiological features of the child’s body. No conflict of interests was declared by the authors.
Obstetric complications during pregnancy and childbirth in women with uterine leiomyoma
Authors:   Shupyk National Healthcare University of Ukraine, Kyiv, Rоmanenko T.G. , Suchanova A.A. ,   Shupyk National Healthcare University of Ukraine, Kyiv, Konoplynko V.V. ,   Shupyk National Healthcare University of Ukraine, Kyiv
Published: November 2024

Aim - to study the features of the clinical course of pregnancy and childbirth in women with uterine leiomyoma (LM) in order to improve the prevention of obstetric complications in these pregnant women. Materials and methods. A prospective study was conducted to analyze the characteristics of the course of pregnancy and childbirth in 112 pregnant women with uterine leiomyoma (main group, MG). The control group (CG) consisted of 45 pregnant women without uterine LM and without pregnancy complications. Statistical analysis of the obtained data was performed using the SPSS Statistics software. Differences at p<0.05 are considered statistically significant. Results. In the first half of pregnancy, retrochorionic haematoma was detected in 38 (33.9%) women in MG and 1 (2.2%) patient in CG; low placentation - in 6 (14.3%) and 1 (2.2%) woman, respectively; pulling pain in the lower abdomen and lower back - in 78 (69.6%) patients in MG, and slight bloody discharge from the genital tract - in 33 (29.5%) women in MG. In the second half of pregnancy, the threat of late spontaneous abortion was noted in 26 (23.2%) women in MG and 2 (4.4%) patients in CG; the threat of preterm birth - in 39 (34.8%) and 3 (6.7%) cases, respectively; placental insufficiency - in 27 (24.1%) and 2 (4.4%) patients, respectively; preterm birth - in 18 (16.1%) patients in MG; fetal distress in labour - in 12 (10.7%) women in MG and 2 (4.4%) patients in CG; moderate preeclampsia - in 24 (21.4%) and 4 (8.9%) women, respectively; severe preeclampsia - in 4 (3.5%) pregnant women in MG; fetal growth retardation syndrome - in 21 (18.7%) women in MG and 1 (2.2%) patient in CG; caesarean section - in 48 (42.9%) women in MG and 2 (4.4%) patients in CG. Conclusions. In women with LM, pregnancy is complicated by the threat of miscarriage of various terms, the threat of premature birth, placental insufficiency with FGR syndrome, preeclampsia, which causes a high rate of caesarean sections. The research was carried out in accordance with the principles of the Helsinki Declaration. The study protocol was approved by the Local Ethics Committee of the participating institution. The informed consent of the patient was obtained for conducting the studies. No conflict of interests was declared by the authors.
Type of suture material for cervical cerclage: the lost puzzle piece of isthmic-cervical insufficiency treatment
Authors:   Kyiv City Perinatal Centre, Ukraine, Bila V.V. , Chernega V.O. ,   Kyiv City Perinatal Centre, Ukraine
Published: November 2024

Every year, preterm birth (PTB) causes more than million deaths worldwide. Cervical insufficiency (CI) is a significant risk factor for PTB. Progesterone and cervical cerclage (CC) are used to manage such patients. In this study, the authors analyzed the effect of the type of suture material used for cerclage on the inflammatory status of the birth canal and pregnancy outcomes. The aim of our study is to evaluate the effect of using braided and monofilament sutures on the results of microscopic and microbiological examination and the level of IL-6 and IL-8 in cervical-vaginal fluid (CVF). Materials and methods. During 2021-2024, a prospective cohort study was conducted, which analyzed 51 patients with singleton pregnancy who underwent CC. The braided suture (BS) group included 27 patients, and the monofilament suture (MS) group included 24 patients. Participants were examined twice during the study: 3 weeks after suturing and at suture removal time. Results. The microscopy results (12 vs. 4 patients) and bacteriological examination (15 vs. 6 patients) in the BS group were significantly worse. IL-6 level in the BS group was significantly higher at the time of suture removal than at the beginning (59.67±29.95 vs. 76.6±22.29). The increase of IL-6 levels in the BS group was 2.1, and in the MS group - 1.49. The type of suture material can affect the delivery timing (34.2±2.7 weeks in BS group versus 32.9±3.1 in MS group). Conclusions. The data indicate that CC using BS is associated with vaginal dysbiosis – increase in the frequency of 3-4 grade smear and abnormal levels of opportunistic microflora, CVF IL-6 levels, and with an increased incidence of PTB. The research was carried out in accordance with Helsinki Declaration principles. The study protocol was approved by participating institution’s Local Ethics Committee. The informed consent of the patients was obtained for conducting the studies. Authors declare no conflict of interest.
Features of clinical symptoms and possibilities of early diagnosis of acute pancreatitis in pregnant women
Authors:   Poltava State Medical University, Ukraine, Kravtsiv M.I. , Feleshtynskyi Ya.P. ,   Shupyk National Healthcare University of Ukraine, Kyiv, Pavliv T.P. ,   Shupyk National Healthcare University of Ukraine, Kyiv, Dudchenko M.O. ,   Poltava State Medical University, Ukraine, Melnyk A.V. ,   National Pirogov Memorial Medical University, Vinnytsya, Ukraine, Mazur G.M. ,   National Pirogov Memorial Medical University, Vinnytsya, Ukraine, Pashinskyi Ya.M. ,   National Pirogov Memorial Medical University, Vinnytsya, Ukraine, Tytarenko N.V. ,   National Pirogov Memorial Medical University, Vinnytsya, Ukraine
Published: November 2024

Traditional methods of diagnosing acute pancreatitis (AP) in pregnant women do not differ from diagnostic criteria in the non-pregnant population. Instead, physiological changes during pregnancy and the similarity of clinical manifestations of the disease with typical pregnancy complications are associated with difficulties in diagnosis, late diagnosis, and deterioration of treatment results. Аim - to analyze the diagnostic value of the criteria for diagnosing AP in pregnant women. Materials and methods. 123 pregnant women aged 18 to 42 years with a gestation period of 12 to 37 weeks (on average - 21.95±8.81 weeks) with AP were examined: I (control) group - 62 pregnant women, using traditional methods of treatment and diagnosis, and II (main) group - 61 pregnant women, using the developed diagnostic and treatment algorithm. Statistical data processing was carried out using the SPSS 21 program. Results. Our results show that the triad of clinical symptoms of AP (typical "pancreatic" pain, nausea and vomiting, paralytic intestinal obstruction) are found in only 29% of pregnant women. The frequency of painless forms of AP is 29.1%. The diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of blood leucocytosis for AP in pregnant women is 75.8% and 54.8%, an increase in the level of serum amylase 3 times about the upper limit of average - 74.2% and 68.7%, lipase - 77.4% and 90.3%, respectively. 48.4% of pregnant women had sonographic changes characteristic of AP within the first day from the moment of disease manifestation. In the group ІІ, when applying the diagnostic and treatment algorithm, 100% of patients had acute pancreatitis at an early stag Conclusions. Our results indicate that early diagnosis of AP in pregnant women using generally accepted diagnostic criteria is possible in no more than 48.8% of cases, which suggests the need to improve early diagnosis of the disease in this category of patients. The research was carried out in accordance with the principles of the Helsinki Declaration. The study protocol was approved by the Local Ethics Committee of participating institution. The informed consent of the patient was obtained for conducting the studies. No conflict of interest was declared by the authors.
The quality of sexual life and general health of women with precancerous lesions of the vulva
Authors:   National Cancer Institute, Kyiv, Ukraine, Dunaevskaya V.V. ,   SI «Ukrainian center of maternity and childhood of the NAMS of Ukraine»
Published: November 2024

In recent decades, the number of young women with vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia has increased. The frequency of this pathology doubled in all age groups. These diseases are chronic and in many women significantly affect their physical, psychological and sexual health. The aim was to study the general quality of life and sexual activity of women with precancerous vulva pathology. Materials and methods. Were examined 258 women with lesions of the vulva (VHSIL; dVIN; Paget's disease of the vulva grade Ia; melanoma in situ of the vulva) aged from 25 to 70 years, as well as 60 gynecologically healthy women (30 women under 50 years old, 30 from 50 years old). The data was obtained from anamnesis and filling in by women of a specially developed questionnaire about their sexual life and behavior. In addition, quality of life was assessed using the SF-36 questionnaire. Results. Was registered statistically significant decrease quality of life indicators according the SF-36 questionnaire in women with precancerous vulva diseases: physical functioning, role-related physical functioning, general health, social functioning, psychological health - by an average of 1.41 times; role emotional functioning - by 1.62 times. Were revealed statistically significant differences in the quality of sexual life: 21.84% of patients in the VHSIL group were never or rarely satisfied with it at this time; 42.21% of women with dVIN; 88.89% of patients with Paget's disease of the vulva; 50.00% of patients with melanoma in situ. Conclusions. A characteristic feature of the quality of life of patients with precancerous lesions of the vulva is a significant decrease in the integral assessment of vitality, role-emotional functioning, and the psychological component of health. Compared to healthy women, women with precancerous lesions of the vulva have a reduced frequency of sexual life, satisfaction with current sexual activity, and less interest in sex. The study was carried out in accordance with the principles of the Helsinki Declaration. The research protocol was approved by the Institution's Local Ethics Committee. Informed consent was obtained for the research. The author declare no conflict of interest.
Staffing of medical care for children in Ukraine in conditions of war and pandemic COVID-19
Authors:   Bogomolets National Medical University, Kyiv, Ukraine, Volosovets O.P. , Antipkin Yu.G. ,   SI «Ukrainian center of maternity and childhood of the National Academy of Medical Sciences of Ukraine», Kyiv
Published: November 2024

Most countries around the world report risks to children's health care due to a growing shortage of paediatricians. Аim - to analyse the staffing of paediatric health care in Ukraine in the context of the ongoing war and the COVID-19 pandemic. Materials and methods. The methods used were a systematic approach and comparative analysis of data from the state institution "Centre for Public Health of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine" for 2020-2023. Results. During the years of the pandemic and full-scale aggression of the Russian Federation, the number of paediatricians in Ukraine decreased by 1006 people, which led to a corresponding decrease in the paediatric care coverage rate by 12.5% to 1.19 per 1000 children, which may affect the quality and accessibility of medical care for children, especially newborns. The largest staff losses during the pandemic and war have been in paediatric pathology, pulmonology, phthisiology, infectious diseases, immunology, dentistry, dermatology, neurology, gynaecology, gastroenterology and neonatology, which has already led to problems in the availability of specialised paediatric care for children and newborns, especially in the frontline and de-occupied areas. In such difficult conditions, pediatric doctors and the system of providing medical care to Ukrainian children in general have proven their viability and are still able to withstand the double pressure of war and the COVID-19 pandemic, preventing a significant increase in child morbidity and infant mortality. Conclusions. In order to eliminate the shortage of personnel, it is urgent to increase the number of doctors trained at higher medical educational institutions in specialty 228 «Paediatrics» to 1,000 per year, to adjust the state order and admission conditions accordingly, and to introduce paediatric residencies in the most popular specialties. No conflict of interests was declared by the authors.
Possible Reversal of Diabetes-Induced Erectile Dysfunction by Extracts of Traditional Legume (Mucuna pruriens).
Authors:   Department of Biotechnology, National Centre for Genetic Resources and Biotechnology, Moor Plantation, Ibadan., Anukwu B.C. , Hassan K.O , Okere A.U , Otegbade A.C , Olusesi T.I , Abaku N.S , Edagbo D.E
Published: November 2024

One of the main secondary effects of diabetes is erectile dysfunction. Traditional medicine has favored Mucuna pruriens, a leguminous plant known for its anti-diabetic, aphrodisiac, and increasing fertility characteristics. This present study aims to check the possible reversal of diabetes-induced erectile dysfunction by extracts of a traditional legume (Mucuna pruriens). For this research, 160–200 kg/b.w albino rats were utilized. Three of the twelve rats utilized in this study were kept as the normal control group. By injecting sildenafil citrate (5 mg/kg body weight) intraperitoneally, the remaining 9 rats became diabetic. They were after that equally divided into 3 groups: Group 2, diabetes-induced or diabetes-control, Group 3, diabetic rats given 200 mg/kg b.w of ethanolic leaf extract of Mucuna pruriens, and Group 4, diabetic rats treated 400 mg/kg b.w of leaf extracts. In groups 3 and 4, the ethanolic leaf extracts of Mucuna pruriens were administered orally for three days. The animals were sacrificed after 3 days and the blood was collected for further analysis. The result showed a significant reduction in the level of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), and testosterone and an increase in the blood glucose level in group 2. In group 3, there was an improvement in hormonal levels when compared to group 2. This study, therefore, supports the usage of M.pruriens as a sexual invigorator in diabetic conditions and encourages performing similar studies
The Impact of Working Capital Management on Investment Efficiency: Evidence from Emerging Countries
Authors: YILMAZ Ilker
Published: November 2024

This article aims to investigate the impact of the firm’s working capital management policies and practices on the efficiency of their investments. The sample consists of 6016 non-financial firms and the data have been collected for the period from 2009 to 2021. We conducted pooled ordinary least squares (OLS) regression, and panel regression and employed the generalized method of moments to explore the dynamic nature of the relationship. The results revealed that, in static models, pooled OLS regression showed a positive relationship between CCC and investment efficiency, whereas panel regression reported a negative relationship. A similar case is confirmed by the dynamic models. The non-linear models which include the square of CCC confirmed an inverted U-shape relationship, implying an optimal level of CCC. The findings of the study are expected to have implications for corporate managers, the users of financial statements, as well as policymakers and regulatory bodies. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first empirical study investigating the impact of working capital on investment efficiency. It makes an original contribution to the literature by presenting novel empirical evidence on the topic from emerging countries in a multi-country and multi-industry context.
Formation of smooth and microporous ZnO-based substrate material
Authors: Ismailov Abubakar M. , Muslimov Arsen E.
Published: November 2024

The paper investigates the influence of the deposition temperature on the morphology and structural-phase composition of the ZnO-based substrate material with a thickness of over 50 μm during the magnetron sputtering of hot ceramic targets.
The study revealed the influence of the deposition temperature on the growth rate, morphology, and structural parameters of the ZnO single crystal precipitate. It was shown that the ZnO deposition rates during the spluttering of hot ceramic targets were ultra-high (up to 1.5 μm/min). The authors propose a method for the formation of both smooth and microporous ZnO-based substrate materials without using template technologies.
The results obtained in the work can be widely used in optoelectronics and nitride technologies
Synthesis of nanoscale nickel (II) ferrite and a study of its catalytic and sorption activities towards methyl orange
Authors: Meshcheryakova Anna A. , Tomina Elena V. , Nguyen Anh Tien , Dmitrenkov Alexander I.
Published: November 2024

Nanoscale magnetic spinel ferrites are attracting an increased attention as functional materials for catalysis and sorption. Such catalysts and sorbents are advantageous due to their chemical stability in aggressive media, their thermal stability, a large area of specific surface, and high saturation magnetization, which allows using them to create magnetically controlled functional materials. This article presents the results of the synthesis of nickel (II) ferrite nanopowder, its characterization, and a study of its catalytic and sorption activities towards methyl orange dye.
X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used to characterize nanocrystalline NiFe2O4 synthesized by citrate combustion. The nickel spinel was tested as a catalyst of Fentonlike reaction of oxidative degradation of methyl orange under UV irradiation of l = 270 nm. The study involved differentiation of oxidation during dye sorption on a NiFe2O4 nanoscale catalyst. The oxidative degradation of the pollutant under ultraviolet irradiation in the presence of a catalyst was satisfactorily described by a pseudo-first-order model, the rate constant of the reaction was 0.0191 min–1. The degree of methyl orange destruction reached 99% 150 minutes after the beginning of thereaction. A parallel experiment without the addition of hydrogen peroxide to the dye solution allowed assessing the sorption capacity of nanoscale nickel (II) ferrite. After 150 minutes, the concentration of the dye decreased by 7.5% due to its sorption, the equilibrium sorption capacity of NiFe2O4 was low (0.132 mg/g). This indicates that the methyl orange solution decolorizes mainly due to its catalytic oxidative degradation according to the Fenton reaction.
This allows considering nanoscale nickel ferrite as a promising material for wastewater treatment by deep oxidation of organic pollutants
Preparation and properties of conversion phosphate-containing coatings on magnesium alloys doped with rare earth elements
Authors: Paspelau Andrei V. , Kasach Aliaksandr A. , Tsyganov Aleksandr R. , Kurilo Irina I.
Published: November 2024

The purpose of our study was to synthesize and analyze the structure, qualitative and quantitative composition, and protective properties of phosphate-containing conversion coatings on WE43, ZRE1, and QE22 magnesium alloys doped with rare earth elements in the Hank’s Balanced Salt Solution.
Scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray analysis, and X-ray phase analysis methods were used to study the morphology, microstructure, the elemental and phase compositions of QE22, ZRE1, and WE43 magnesium alloys doped with rare earth elements, as well as conversion coatings formed on their surface during phosphating. Linear voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy were used to study the kinetic properties of corrosion of the analyzed samples in the Hank’s Balanced Salt Solution (рН = 7.4) imitating the human body environment before and after phosphating.
The study showed that the phosphating of magnesium alloys doped with rare earth elements results in the formation of low-soluble fine-grained coatings with a pronounced crystal structure and a thickness from 16 to 21 μm. The obtained conversion coatings are characterized by the following elemental composition: Са ≈ 40 wt.%; Р ≈ 15 wt.%; and О ≈ 35 wt.%. The crystal structure of phosphate-containing coatings is presented by the brushite phase (CaHPO4·2H2O).
The electrochemical studies of the corrosion behavior of magnesium alloys in the model Hank’s Balanced Salt Solution (рН = 7.4) demonstrated that the corrosion current density decreases in the sequence QE22, ZRE1, WE43 and is icorr, A/cm2: 5.2·10–5; 2.5·10–5; 2.0·10–5. The obtained conversion coatings based on brushite reduce the corrosion rate of QE22, ZRE1,and WE43 magnesium alloys by 15.2, 7.8, and 6.3 times, respectivel
Life Transition and Migration: A Scoping Review
Authors: Akhila Chakshu Narayan , Rituparna Chakraborty
Published: November 2024

In scientific literature, migration and life-course transition events were shown to be related. The context of migration was selected as a crucial area of study since it was seen that migration occurred as people changed from one role to another, or entered a life stage throughout their lives. The life-course transition was examined in this scoping review as a factor influencing migration. Transition events across life-courses are analyzed from developmental psychology and life-course perspectives. The context of the review is limited to the contemporary industrialized and globalized societies in which migration has become prevalent. This review examined the alignment of life-course transition stages with migration, delving into its possible explanations. 19 research articles were chosen for review based on PRISMA guidelines and the final protocol was registered at Open Science Framework’s open-access registry. Content analysis was employed in the scoping review. It was found that most migrations are aligned with developmental life-course transition events, like movement from school to higher education, college to work, and work to retirement. Analysis of data indicates that older adults are at higher risk of both physical and mental health concerns. An increase in migration within the phase of emerging adulthood due to the flexibility available within the stage of life has been brought out. The phenomenon of migration has been discussed as requiring interventions for the mental health and well-being of minority migrants.
Stedehouder, J. and Roberts, B.M. et al. (2024)Rapid modulation of striatal cholinergic interneurons and dopamine release by satellite astrocytes v2
Authors: Stedehouder Jeff , M. Roberts Bradley , Raina Shinil , Kolta Arlette , J Cragg Stephanie
Published: November 2024

This collection contains eight protocols detailing methods used in Stedehouder, J., Roberts, B.M., Raina, S.et al.Rapid modulation of striatal cholinergic interneurons and dopamine release by satellite astrocytes.Nat Commun15, 10017 (2024).
Systems Engineering in der Entwicklung Digitaler Zwillinge
Authors: Truar Matthias , Sinnwell Chantal
Published: November 2024

„Digitale Zwillinge“ sind ein Schlagwort im Kontext der digitalen Transformation industrieller Unternehmen. Dieser zweiteilige Beitrag beleuchtete in Teil 1 bereits die Grundlagen des (modell-basierten) Systems Engineerings für die Erarbeitung eines lebenszyklusübergreifendenSystemmodells, das die Informationsgrundlage für verschiedenste Digitale Zwillinge darstellt. Danebenwurden die Zusammenhänge zwischen Systemmodell und Digitalen Zwillingen aufgezeigt und eine Abgrenzung derbeiden Begriffe vorgestellt. Teil 2 dieses Beitrags diskutiert unterschiedliche Typen Digitaler Zwillinge, die  Informationen aus dem lebenszyklusübergreifenden Systemmodell zur Erfüllung verschiedener Zwecke nutzen. Dabei wird zwischen Produkt-, Produktions- und Performance-Zwillingen unterschieden, die bspw. als Struktur- oder Simulationsmodelle ausgeprägt seinkönnen. Deren Mehrwerte werden am Beispiel der  Batterieindustrie erläutert. So wird aufgezeigt, wie Digitale Zwillinge Entwicklung und Produktion beschleunigen, und dies mit entsprechenden Beispielen aus dem industriellen Kontext untermauert.
Engineering in der Prozessindustrie mit der Verwaltungsschale
Authors: Drath Rainer , Barth Mike , Tauchnitz Thomas , Schüller Andreas , Maurer Frank
Published: November 2024

In diesem Beitrag stellen die Autoren ein evolutionäres Konzept vor, das in mehreren Ausbaustufen eine Brücke zum in Teil 1 beschriebenen Zielbild „Engineering mit der AAS“ baut. Dieses Konzept ermöglicht ein schrittweises Vorgehen, das den Unternehmen Zeit gibt, Erfahrungen zu sammeln, die erforderlichen Standards organisch zu entwickeln und die Mitarbeiter einzubeziehen. Eine Architekturübersicht fasst die neuen Elemente zusammen, bei der die Verwaltungsschale als zentraler  Verteilmechanismus für standardisierte und proprietäre Datenmodelle dient. Wesentliche Elemente der Evolution sind gemischte Datenmodelle, deren  Standardisierungsgrad 0-100% besitzt, sowie die  schrittweise Einführung softwaregestützter  Interoperabilitätsfunktionen für einen effizienten Datenaustausch.
Building Successful International Summer Schools to Enhance the Capacity of Marine Early Career Researchers
Authors: Cvitanovic Christopher , Blythe Jessica , Van Putten Ingrid , Maddison Lisa , Bopp Laurent , Brodie Steph , Fulton Beth A. , Lopes Priscila F. M. , Pecl Gretta , Penca Jerneja , Sumaila U. Rashid
Published: November 2024

The development of informal science learning programs is a key strategy for supplementing traditional training for early career researchers (ECR). Within the marine sector, there has been a proliferation of international summer schools (a form of informal science learning program) to support ECRs to develop the networks, skills, and attributes needed to tackle ocean sustainability challenges and support the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals (e.g., collaboration across disciplines, policy engagement, etc.). Yet, there exists very little evidence on the impact generated by such informal science learning programs or the design strategies that can confer their success. This commentary seeks to address this knowledge gap by considering the successful biennial Climate and Ecosystems (ClimEco) marine summer school series that has run since 2008. Specifically, we draw on the perspectives of lecturers and organisers, in combination with a survey of ClimEco participants (𝑛 = 38 ECRs) to understand the drivers and motivations of ECRs to attend summer schools, the types of outcomes and impacts that summer schools can have for marine ECRs, and the key factors that led to the successful attainment of these impacts, outcomes, and benefits. In doing so, we develop guidance that would enable global summer school convenors to effectively support the next generation of marine researchers to advance ocean sustainability.
Maritime Justice: Socio‐Legal Perspectives on Order‐Making at Sea
Authors: Larsen Jessica
Published: November 2024

Illicit maritime activities generate significant scholarly and policy attention. While diverse in nature, governance responses share many regulatory features. This introduction advances the notion of maritime justice, a socio‐legal research agenda. Different from broader maritime security studies, it places law at the centre of the inquiry, studying maritime governance practices through the lens of regulation. Empirically, it covers operational, spatial, and structural junctions between illicit maritime activity and regulatory responses deriving from international and domestic law. Analytically, it is heterogeneous but holds a methodological commitment to studying everyday law enforcement practices of maritime security governance to disentangle its meanings and effects. The introduction posits the junction between illicit maritime activities and regulatory responses as a productive space to study the varied norms that shape order‐making at sea, and vice versa.
The Outliers: Stories of Success in Implementing Sustainable Development Goal 14
Authors: Lothian Sarah , Haas Bianca
Published: November 2024

SDG 14 “life below water” aims to conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas, and marine resources for sustainable development. As SDG 14 is considered one of the most difficult goals to achieve, for the most part, academic discourse on SDG 14 tends to focus on the negatives. More specifically, the lack of progress, limitations and barriers in achieving its seven targets and three sub‐targets. While the study of the challenges in reaching key targets is critical in understanding the myriad of issues facing the world’s oceans and seas, this thematic issue provides an important opportunity to explore a key question, namely whether we failing to give due recognition to the important work and innovative approaches being undertaken at a local, regional, and global level to implement SDG 14 and improve the health of our coastal and marine environments? This thematic issue provides a platform for showcasing success stories in implementing SDG 14, thereby departing from the usual focus on the negatives.
The End Justifies the Means? The Impact of the ECB’s Unconventional Monetary Policy on Citizens’ Trust
Authors: Rehm Moritz , Ulrich Martin
Published: November 2024

Since 2010, the European Central Bank (ECB) has established a range of unconventional monetary policies in the context of several crises, including cheap and long-term refinancing operations and several forms of asset purchases. This ECB action has been legally and politically challenged, raising the question as to how the public has perceived the ECB’s mandate widening. This article assesses the legitimacy of the ECB’s unconventional monetary policy through the lens of public trust using Eurobarometer data from 1999 to 2023. This approach follows the theoretical argument that the legitimacy of non-elected independent public institutions derives from the citizens’ trust in the fulfilment of the institutions’ tasks. Through panel regression analysis, this article first finds that trust in the ECB is commonly pooled with trust in other EU institutions, which makes a singular assessment of public support of the ECB and its policies difficult. Second, macroeconomic factors, which are partially influenced by ECB policies, but which are mostly dependent on national decision-making, are the key factors influencing citizens’ trust in EU institutions, including the ECB. Thus, citizens’ trust in the ECB or the lack thereof is not determined by the ECB’s use of contested unconventional monetary policy, but rather by the macroeconomic performance of their respective national economy.
GLOBAL STABILITY OF EQUILIBRIA AND LYAPUNOV FUNCTIONS IN A VACCINATING BEHAVIOURAL SIR MODEL WITH LAGGED INFORMATION
Authors: Centrone Francesca , Salinelli Ernesto
Published: November 2024

In this work, we prove two global asymptotic stability (GAS) results for the endemic equilibrium (EE) of an SIR model with information-dependent vaccinating behaviour and information delay, introduced in [7]. Differently from [3], we obtain our results by the direct method based on Lyapunov functions: the first one in a general context, the second one for a piecewise linear coverage function. For this last case, we compare our results and the one in [3] both analytically and numerically, thus enriching the range of exploration of the model parameters.
SOBOLEV SPACES ON HYPERGROUP GELFAND PAIRS
Authors: Bataka Ky T. , Egwe Murphy E. , Mensah Yaogan
Published: November 2024

This paper introduces Sobolev spaces over Gelfand pairs in the framework of hypergroups. The Sobolev spaces in question are constructed from the Fourier transform on hypergroup Gelfand pairs. Mainly, the paper focuses on the investigation of Sobolev embedding results.
Enhancement, Not Elimination: AI’s Impact on Jobs in the Indirect Tax Domain
Authors: Henkin David , Zangrilli Chris
Published: November 2024

The article explores the transformative potential of artificial intelligence (AI) in the indirect tax domain in response to Stephen J. Andriole’s article “The Big Miss: AI Will Replace Just About Everything and its view that AI will lead to widespread job displacement. We argue that AI will not broadly eliminate jobs in indirect tax but rather empower tax professionals by automating repetitive tasks, enhancing data analysis, and facilitating compliance. AI-powered tools will enable tax professionals to focus on higher-value activities, such as strategic planning, risk management, and client communication. The future of AI in indirect tax is promising, with advancements in machine learning and generative AI expected to enhance its capabilities further. Organizations that embrace AI and invest in reskilling their workforce will be well-positioned to transform and thrive in the indirect tax domain. AI will enhance, not eliminate, jobs in indirect tax.