bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Epidemiology of potato late blight disease and other major postharvest biotic stressesin Malawi
Authors: Mbewe Willard K , Mwenye Obed J , Gondwe Ellen , Nyirenda Antony , Supa Gloria , Masamba Kennedy , Kwendani Stanley P , Chiipanthenga Margaret , Chipungu Felistus P
Published: February 2023

The epidemiology of Potato Foliar Late Blight (PFLB) disease (Phytophthora infestans) was quantified in major potato production areas of Malawi. Seed multiplication fields, tests clones and local farmers’ fields were sampled basing on Area Under Disease Progress Curve (AUDPC). The determined severity values were transformed into AUDPC coefficients characterizing rate of disease spreading across the crop. Results indicate minimum and maximum AUDPC values of 0 and 1050 respectively, with an average value of 233.57. The results show significant statistical differences in PLB disease across seed multiplication fields, test clones and local farmers’ fields. AUDPC values differed significantly (p < 0.001) among potato growing districts, as well as sources of seed (aeroponics, sandponics, and vendors). Post-harvest survey targeting potato tubers showed that tubers that were sampled from Mzimba district had the highest likelihood of being infected with Potato Tuber Late Blight (PTLB), followed by potatoes that were sampled from Lilongwe (coefficients, b= 1.89, t = 6.11, p-value<0.001) while the potatoes tubers that were sampled from Ntcheu did not vary in the severity with those that were sampled in Dedza. Susceptibility to potato PTLB among potato varieties were varied, with Rosita likelihood to PTLB disease, while there were no other significant differences to PTLB in the rest varieties (b=1.12, t=4.23, p-value<0.001). An extended study on bacterial wilt (PBW) revealed that disease was influenced by the district where the tubers were sampled (x2= 9.26, p-value < 0.001) while the type of variety sampled did not have any significant difference on PBW (x2= 3.59, p-value = 0.268). The presence of potato tuber moth which varied among the sampled districts, was not influenced by variety sampled. The paper has documented and quantified increasing epidemic spread of late blight disease and the consequent effect on sustainable potato production and clean seed systems in Malawi.
Public health leadership in a disadvantaged landscape
Authors: Lane Emily , Morris Duston , McClellan Rhonda , Brantley Shanon , Argue Sarah , Boles Jack
Published: February 2023

Objectives: To explore how Arkansas public health leaders (PHLs) and resident participants (RPs) within the Delta perceive well-being and how PHLs address wicked well-being disadvantages. Methods: GIS mapping and Country Health Rankings data were used to identify areas with high levels of health disparities and social, economic, and environmental disadvantages within the Arkansas Delta. PHLs and RPs were interviewed to determine how services aligned with measured health disparities and social, economic, and environmental disadvantages. Results: Delta PHLs focused on health behavior change and clinical care, despite reporting that social, economic, and environmental challenges thwart efforts. They enlisted cross-sector collaborations to address health disparities but not for social, economic, and environmental disadvantages. Delta RPs reported that health services are adequate, but limited, and most RPs have little awareness, means, or motivation to access services and do not understand the importance of their health. Both PHLs and RPs commented well-being is rooted in deeper social, economic, and environmental issues. Conclusions: Overall, PHLs and RPs recognize the availability of basic health services, yet realize these services alone are inadequate in shaping well-being. Changing health disparities in the Delta may require PHLs and other stakeholders at the state level and in the policy arena to enlist cross-sector collaborations to target wicked social, economic, and environmental disadvantages to well-being.
Prevalence and risk factors of intestinal parasites among primary school children in Shashamane town, southern Ethiopia
Authors: Sahiledengle Biniyam , Beker Sharbuddin , Girum Yilikal , Haji Gemeda , Merewo Seid , Anberbir Worksew
Published: February 2023

Background: In spite of mass drug administration, in Ethiopia, a significant number of school children infected had an intestinal parasite infection. Investigating factors associated with the prevalence of intestinal parasite infection among school children is indispensable to design appropriate preventive strategies. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of intestinal parasite infection and associated factors among school children in Melka Essa primary school, Shashamane town South Ethiopia. Methods: A school–based cross–sectional study was employed in south Ethiopia from June 19–30, 2019. Three hundred thirty–three school children were included using a systematic sampling technique. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire and stool–specimen examination for intestinal parasites. Stool samples were collected and processed by direct wet mount and formol–ether concentration techniques for microscopic detection of intestinal parasites. Descriptive statistics were computed. Binary and multivariable logistic regression analyses were conducted to identify factors associated with intestinal parasites. Results: The overall prevalence for at least one intestinal parasite infection was 19.7% (95%CI: 15.3–24.5). Hymenolepsis nana (36.2%), Ascaris lumbricoides (24.1%), Entamoeba histolytica/dispar (12.1%), Giardia lamblia (12.1%), Tinea species (12.1%), and Enterobius Vermicularis (3.4%) were identified. Walking with barefoot [AOR=3.63, 95% CI =1.63– 8.07] and having untrimmed fingernails [AOR=1.95, 95% CI=1.05–3.62] were associated with the presence of intestinal parasite infections. Conclusions: Overall, every fifth of the student was infected by intestinal parasites in the present study. Walking with barefoot and having untrimmed fingernails were independent predictors for intestinal parasite infections. Thus, there is a need for consistent health education related to personal hygiene along with routine mass drug administration in the study area.
The impact of training & developmental practices on the application of total quality management: an empirical study at the ministry of health hospital, Egypt
Authors: Elshafie Samia , Eltohamy Abd Elmoneim , Edrise Bahgat
Published: February 2023

The present study was conducted to bring the attention to the importance of Training & the other developmental practices as elements of Human Resource Development (HRD) in improving healthcare output as being monitored by hospitals’ key performance indicators (KPIs) through applying the total quality management (TQM) strategy at Ministry of Health (MOH), Egypt. The study population represented a sample of healthcare professionals from 35 MOH hospitals, 164 employees were included in the study sample, the response rate was 98.5% of the total questionnaires distributed. As based upon Kirkpatrick Model, et al.1979.,1 evaluation of the training effectiveness was customized in this study at level 4 only (which is mainly concerned about assessing “Results”& reflects the evaluation of training’s impact on the organization’s business results). Data collection sheet was used to collect values of the most common hospitals KPIs (16 indicators) from the 35 hospitals over 6 years period (2009 to 2014) which had been used to monitor & evaluate quality performance improvement at MOH hospitals. The obtained findings showed no significant (p>0.10) impact of the training& other developmental practices of the hospital’s quality teams as a whole on improving quality performance (as being assessed by the hospital KPIs score change) when applying TQM principles. Perusal analysis of the data also showed that healthcare professionals’ training in the field of quality was not a predictor of hospital performance improvement (p-value>0.10). The descriptive study findings identified that lack of resources, motivation &leadership support were the most common obstacles for learning transfer. Also, employees resistant to change were the main challenge facing healthcare professionals to apply TQM as being expressed by the study targeted responders. The current study also revealed a lack of knowledge &skills regarding training evaluation methodology as well as underestimation of its importance in decision-making.
AIDS-duration predictors of HIV/AIDS patients on antiretroviral therapy at Debre Berhan referral hospital, north-central Ethiopia
Authors: Geremew Gebremichael Shewayiref
Published: February 2023

Background: Receiving ART treatment prolongs the life of HIV/AIDS patients by increasing substantially their CD4 count, even though the level is different from one individual patient to the other. The aim of this study was to identify the potential predictors of death of HIV-infected patients attending ART treatment. Methods: A hospital-based retrospective cohort chart review study design was conducted on 647 HIV-infected patients at a public hospital in North-Central Ethiopia from July 2012-January 2017. Kaplan-Meier plots, Log-rank and Wilcoxon tests, and Cox-proportional hazard model were employed. Data analysis was done with the help of statistical software (R version 3.2.2). 95% confidence interval for hazard ratio (HR) and p-value ≤ 0.05 was used to statistically associate with time till event occurred. Results: Among the total of 647 patients on 192(29.68%) event were occurred; while 455(70.32%) were censored. HIV-infected patients were followed for a total of 54 months, with a mean of 22.13(13.16) and a median of 21.47months. The prevalence of event was about 30 out of 100 HIV patients. According to the present study, the median CD4 count at the initial time of ART was 247 (IQR:120-375)cells/µl, whereas the median CD4 count at the time of event was 362 (IQR:225-532)cells/µl. Patients with higher baselineCD4 count,>200cells/µl were 32.10% lower in risk of death than patients with lower baselineCD4 count, < 200cells/µl (HR:0.679; 95%CI:0.537-0.857; p-value=0.001). Conclusions: ART treatment is effective enough in slowing down the progression of HIV-infection to AIDS and decreasing the mortality rate of patients significantly. Being Widowed/ divorced, bedridden, ambulatory began with lower baseline CD4 count and being on TDF-3TC-EFV regimen were the predictors of mortality in HIV-infected patients on ART. It is recommended that HIV patients start antiretroviral treatment early, track the progression of HIV to AIDS.
Musculoskeletal disorders among the garments workers in Rupandehi district, Nepal
Authors: Shah Sanjeev , Shakya Ashesh , Laxmi Maharjan Purna , Subedi Suraksha , Raj Gautam Koshish
Published: February 2023

Introduction: Musculoskeletal disorder are common work-related health problem which is common among garments workers as they are denied of their basic rights and less importance is given to their health. Garment workers are among the most vulnerable as they have to work for long hours in perilous posture. Objective: Aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and types of musculoskeletal disorders among the workers of the garment factory. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 430 workers in garment industries at Rupendehi district of Nepal over a period of six months. Data collection was done using a semi-structured interview schedule and statistical analysis was done using IBM SPSS 23 version. Results: There were 48.5 percent of respondents found to be suffering from musculoskeletal disorders. The most common affected site was low back (67%) and shoulder (26%). Most of the workers (82%) experienced that their pain occurred occasionally during heavy workload. The musculoskeletal disorders were found to be associated in age group, sex & educational status. Conclusion: Health problems among garment workers are one of the areas of public health concern in the country. Reducing the work strain and providing a supportive workplace environment will have a favorable impact on work productivity.
Return migration of labourers in the surge of covid-19 in India: multidimensional vulnerability and public health challenges
Authors: Singh SK , Mishra Nandlal , Chaudhary Aditi
Published: February 2023

Background: The nationwide lockdown imposed in four phases incited by the spread of the COVID in India led simultaneous ramifications, the most rampant of them being the mass exodus of labor migrants to their native places enhancing their multidimensional vulnerability. This paper analyses five dimensions of the vulnerability of the migrant workers returning from high contagion zones in million-plus cities to low-risk rural areas, its contribution to the surge of COVID infections in their native places, and challenges to the public health system. Data and methods: The SARS-CoV-2 attributable cases and deaths have been taken from the COVID19 India Org website (https://www.covid19india.org/. The total number of COVID cases per lakh population is computed using a district-level projected population as on March 31, 2020. The data on reverse migration has been collated from the Ministry of Railways. It deals with six states having the maximum share of reverse migration in the country. Indicators measuring vulnerability towards preventive practices of COVID at the household level are obtained from the fourth round of Indian DHS.1 Results: There was a sixteen fold increase in clusters of COVID cases once workers employed in the unorganized sectors distressed across the country started reverse migration in May 2020. The increasing number of COVID cases in the rural dominated districts of the migrant-receiving states overburdened their hitherto stressed public health system. States receiving the maximum share of return migrants during the lockdown was Uttar Pradesh, followed by Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Odisha, and Jharkhand. The two most unsettling vulnerabilities were their inability to follow social distancing norms and lack of water, soap, or detergent for ensuring hand hygiene. Massive unemployment and disadvantage for the urban economy in terms of shortage of workers were other components of the multidimensional vulnerability of labor migrants engaged in unorganized sectors. Conclusions: The spread of awareness among the returnees about precautions, ensuring norms of micro-level social distancing in their households and villages is the need of the hour. Public health’s response to COVID-19 should establish a COVID care center in each of around 700 district hospitals with all necessary infrastructures, including trained human resources, medicines, oxygen ventilators, etc. The governments at the origins and the destinations should ensure mechanisms to protect the migrants against multidimensional vulnerabilities that pose a threat to their entities during socio-economic and health emergencies.
The “scientific-meta-ethics”: a science of ethics
Authors: Holland de Barcellos João Carlos
Published: February 2023

The "Scientific-Meta-Ethics, or simply SME, to shorten it, is a scientific-philosophic theory that aims to standardize, or rather, to bring ethics and morals into the domain of science, and as a consequence and as a consequence to bring law and justice as well.
Mathematical models for growth and yield prediction of agar (Aquilaria malaccensis lamk) plantations in Bangladesh
Authors: Islam SM Zahirul , Chowdhury MA Mansur , Misbahuzzaman K
Published: February 2023

Agar (Aquilaria malaccensis Lamk, Family- Thymeleaceae) has drawn unique position due to the production of world’s most expensive essential oil used in fragrances and as medicine. It is one of the most valuable and economically important commercial tree species planted in some potential forest areas of Bangladesh. The growth rate and yield of the species in Bangladesh are not known. Therefore, for scientific management of the forest necessity of the growth and yield models for the species were felt. The present study was made to derive mathematical models for growth and yield of this species in Bangladesh based on site indices. The models were developed through establishment of permanent sample plots (PSPs) and temporary sample plots (TSPs) with area 0.02 ha and shape is circular and rectangular. Diameter at breast height and total height of all trees in the plots were measured for four successive years from PSPs. Step-wise method and all probable combinations of the independent variables method were used to select the best suited models subject to the satisfaction of the statistical and biological requirements. Models were selected to estimate the stand stocking, stand height, stand diameter, stand basal area and stand volume yield per hectare. The yield prediction models derived in the study could satisfactorily be used for Agar tree plantations within stand age of 3.5 to 17.5 years and site indices of 8. To 20.0 meters based on a base age of 12 years.
Low lying gestation sac in early pregnancy-an algorithmic approach with ultrasound markers
Authors: Lakshmy Selvaraj Ravi , Thasleem Ziyaulla , Parthasarathy Prasanna , Banu Sharmila
Published: February 2023

The differential diagnosis of low lying gestational sac in ultrasound at early pregnancy scan varies from benign entities like cervical stage of miscarriage to morbid conditions like caesarean scar pregnancy and cervical pregnancy. Abnormal placental invasive pregnancies also manifest as low lying gestational sac at cervico-isthmic junction. Early diagnosis using simple ultrasound criteria can prevent severe life-threatening complications. Various clues on ultrasonography can easily differentiate between a caesarean scar pregnancy, cervical pregnancy, cervical stage of miscarriage or a low implanted sac which may be a precursor for morbidly adherent placenta. In this article we have reviewed the ultrasound markers in a case of inevitable abortion, a case of cervical pregnancy, 3 cases of caesarean scar pregnancy and 2 cases of morbidly adherent placenta. Comparison of anterior myometrial thickness in a low implantation of sac and caesarean scar pregnancy has been demonstrated. Sometimes a small cervical polyp can mimic a low lying gestation sac and the differential diagnosis with ultrasound has been discussed. Three dimensional ultrasound examinations for spatial location of the sac provide additional information for further management and aids in precise diagnosis. Though other investigations like MRI may also be beneficial in arriving at a diagnosis, its routine usage may be limited due to the cost and availability. Hence defining ultrasound markers in a low lying gestational sac helps in early diagnosis which can prevent fertility losses incurred due to inadvertent management
Cystic ovarian endometriosis and infertility: arguments for an early but less aggressive surgical treatment
Authors: Koninckx Philippe R , Schindler Larissa , Schindler Sandra , Anastasia Ussia , Gordts Stephan , Wattiez Arnaud
Published: February 2023

Cystic ovarian endometriosis is a cause pain and of infertility. For infertility, surgical treatment has been suggested for cysts larger than 3 or 4cm in diameter only. Surgical treatment is moreover postponed as long as possible or until pain becomes too severe in order to avoid ovarian damage and a decreased ovarian reserve and to avoid recurrences and repeat surgery and adhesion formation. Our recent understanding of the pathophysiology of endometriosis, of its initiation and its growth, probably permits a more effective prevention of recurrences. In addition, adhesion free surgery has become a reality. We therefore suggest performing surgery for cystic ovarian endometriosis early in life when cysts are small followed by an active prevention of recurrences. When cysts are small superficial destruction instead of excision seems logical. Also, THL and under-water coagulation should be considered In conclusion, without discussing the management of larger symptomatic cystic endometriosis, we suggest that early surgical treatment of small cyst is the way to go.
Advanced techniques in obstetrics: experience and three-year sequence in Naval medical center of Mexico City and general hospital of Temixco Morelos
Authors: Aldama Yanet fermin , Rodriguez-Villan Cesar , Vilchis Arturo Barbabosa
Published: February 2023

Obstetric hemorrhage is considered a public health problem, with an impact on morbidity and mortality, uterine atony is considered the main cause, there are treatment protocols that must include general measures of life support and other more specific ones such as: uterine massage, prophylactic use of uterotonic agents, active management of labor and volumetric replacement; There are patients who, even with uterotonic management, do not reverse uterine atony, who are candidates for the application of intrauterine compression techniques, if remission is not achieved, it is started with uterine compression sutures and arterial ligations, highlighting in the latter group the GALA hypogastric artery ligation technique, these surgical techniques become one of the most used maneuvers since it is easy and fast to perform and of course it is accessible whatever the center where it is practiced, constituting one of the pillars in the management intensive obstetric hemorrhage.
Is it possible to avoid the late diagnosis of idiopathic granulomatous mastitis?
Authors: Camargo MD PhD Alfredo , F Bianchi , B De Fazio , L Salazar , J Marquez , Ramilo MD Tomas , Balcarce MD Tomas Garcia
Published: February 2023

Introduction: Idiopathic granulomatous mastitis (MGI) is a rare chronic inflammatory disease of unknown etiology. Its diagnosis is one of exclusion, it requires a histological sample that confirms the presence of granulomas, and specific cultures that rule out other causes of granulomatous disease. The initial mismanagement of these patients due to the lack of sampling for histological study and cultures, leads to a delay in diagnosis. There is no established treatment for this pathology, with surgical treatment and medical treatment with corticosteroids being the most used, either individually or in combination. Objectives: To determine the incidence of MGI in those patients who consulted for inflammatory lesions of the breast and its incidence in those who finally underwent surgical treatment. Identify clinical characteristics that allow an initial diagnostic suspicion, and establish guidelines for surgical management that allow an early diagnosis. Material and Methods: A retrospective, cross-sectional and descriptive work was carried out. The medical records of all patients undergoing surgical treatment of the breast for inflammatory lesions in the period from February 2018 to February 2020 were evaluated at the Gynecology and Obstetrics Service of the Sanatorio Güemes of Buenos Aires. Its clinicopathological characteristics, type of surgery performed and whether it required subsequent corticosteroid treatment were analyzed. Results: In the period of time analyzed, 410 patients consulted for an inflammatory breast process, where only 10 of them (2.44%) had a diagnosis of MGI. If we consider those with surgical indication, the incidence of MGI amounts to 32.25% (31 patients). Ten patients had at least 2 previous consultations with a presumptive diagnosis of acute mastitis treated with different antibiotic regimens prior to the definitive diagnosis. Half of the patients required 2 surgical interventions prior to diagnosis. The average time interval elapsed between the first consultation and the definitive diagnosis was 4 months. Conclusion: Patients with inflammatory breast disease with surgical indication, the differential diagnosis between abscessed acute mastitis and MGI should be considered, especially in the subpopulation of patients between 30-40 years of age, multiparous, and with multiple previous consultations for breast inflammatory processes refractory to antibiotic treatments. The surgical approach must include biopsy and specific cultures.
Serving patients in a pandemic – the rise of telemedicine in urogynecology
Authors: Verma Vandna , El-Hamamsy Dina , Lucena Hayser Medina , Pradhan Ashish , Pandeva Ivilina
Published: February 2023

Introduction: COVID-19 pandemic led to changes in healthcare provision across the NHS with large-scale implementation of telemedicine. We aimed to evaluate the feasibility, acceptability, patients’ convenience and satisfaction of telephone clinics in urogynecology during the initial stages of the pandemic. Methods: All consented patients scheduled for phone clinics were included. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze quantitative data and inductive thematic analysis for free-text comments. Results: 101/109 (93%) patients completed the survey. Median age (interquartile, IQR) was 60 years (IQR 21.5) and median consultation duration was 16 minutes (IQR 8). 33/101 (32.7%) were new cases and 13/101(12.9%) were tertiary referrals. To facilitate face-to-face appointments, 100/101 (99%) patients required transport and 30/101 (29.7%) needed time off-work. 98/101 (97%) of the patients were happy or very happy with phone consultation, with 91/101(90.1%) scoring 8-10 on Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). Conclusion: Urogynecology phone clinics are feasible, acceptable and convenient with high level of patients’ satisfaction. Robust studies are required to evaluate the feasibility of integrating telemedicine into routine urogynecology practice.
Organisation and Interaction
Authors: Cour Anders la
Published: February 2023

The theory of social systems claims to be a general theory of social phenomena. So far, this ambition has primarily been tested at the level of society and organisations. Operationalising systems theory at the level of interactions, however, has not been attempted to the same extent. This easily leads to the misunderstanding that the theory only applies to society and organisations. This is not the case. On the contrary, on several occasions Niklas Luhmann has addressed interaction in great detail as an independent form of communication with its own special characteristics and possibilities.1 But while Luhmann has defined the relationships that exist between interaction and society as a social system, he has not categorised the relationships that exist between interaction and organisations.2 This article will demonstrate that a detailed theoretical study of how these two independent types of social systems relate to each other can form the basis of specific empirical studies. Based on two empirical examples, the article will outline how it is possible to observe communicative dynamics, dilemmas, tensions and paradoxes, simply by differentiating between the logics of interactional and organisational communication.
Social dimensions indigenous community Ecuador Peguche-Otavalo
Authors: Tapia Kennedy Lomas Rolando
Published: February 2023

This research responds to the need to systematize and give continuity to the social processes developed by the researcher for more than a decade to promote sustainable social and community development and the Peguche, Canton Otavalo, Ecuador community. The purpose was to build social dimensions, through the historical reconstruction of the indigenous community experience based on the practice of knowledge. The work is based on the qualitative paradigm with ethnographic approach of interpretative. It was structured Immersion in the context investigator to uncover social practices of the community and create educational dimensions for community sustainable social development. Obtaining information was performed by participant observation and interviews with key informants in depth community. The findings helped build the following dimensions: cognitive recognition and its relationship with nature; establishment of inter-agency partnerships; consolidation of learning and continuity of learning; school community integration in teaching community tourism and the incorporation of ancestral knowledge in the development of tourism.
Managing water resources in the hilly area of Uttarakhand: strategy and implementation
Authors: Rana Rajeev
Published: February 2023

Water is essential for sustainable human, species and biotic organism in the earth. Sustainability is only possible when we have better resource management particularly water. A better water management has its multiple linkage in economic development and maintaining ecosystems in the state. In Uttrakhand water management is prerequisite as it is reach with rivers and known as “water bank” state for the other state but for its own requirement the water resources have not been evenly distributed and people had to walk kilometers for potable water. Lack of water management people are suffer badly, natural sources are drying up, which in long run having very significant impact on environment and climate change. So, this paper is focused on better water management for hilly area of Uttarakhand.
Trends in marriages in Russian megacities
Authors: Tretyakova Ekaterina
Published: February 2023

Big cities, especially megacities, have reputation of places not facilitating marriages because of change of moral values in favor for career and self-development. The result is postponement of marriages, extend of cohabitation and remarriages. Within my research I check this statement on examples of two Russian largest cities – Moscow and Saint Petersburg with more than 12 and 5 million inhabitants. Taking into account the size of the country, different nationalities with different attitude to marriage, which live in Russia, I conduct my analysis by comparison cities and the regions that surround them–Moscow region and Leningrad region. In the research I use official Dada of Federal State Statistics Service for period of last 25 year. The variables used in the analysis are marriage rate, marital age, divorce index and rate of remarriages. The results of the study indicate that in both megacities there is an increase of marriages rate and reduction of divorce index. Cities have almost the same age structure at the â€œmarital ages, though Saint Petersburg is slightly younger. While marital situation in both megacities does not have any significant difference, the considerable variation is observed in comparison with the Leningrad and Moscow regions. There is no evidence of later marriages in cities than in regions, moreover the divorce index is less in cities and remarriages are less popular. These results give us the reason to identify Russian megacities as untypical in the framework of demographic transition from point of view of marriages.
Trends of the religiosity in a secular state: the reconstructing experience in the modern Kazakhstan
Authors: Burova Elena
Published: February 2023

An overview of the state and trends of religiosity in modern Kazakhstan on the basis of sociological measurements is offered. Since the beginning of the 90s, under the conditions of worldview pluralism and the absence of constitutional restrictions on the binding of a certain ideology, the role and the purpose of the religion in Kazakhstani society has substantially transformed. The functions of religion as an institution of socialization turned out to be in demand against the backdrop of a decline in the worldview influence of other institutions of socialization: family, education and media. Scientific research focuses on the dynamics of religious conversion. The authorities and society are concerned about the involvement of Kazakhstani citizens in religious institutions and practices that are not traditional for the mental culture, in the patterns of islamization, evangelism, and neo-orientalism. The government is trying to develop an optimal model of secularism and find a consensus of interests of various religious institutions, believers and non-believers fellow citizens. The main results of the reconstruction of religiosity were obtained at the Institute of Philosophy, Political Science and Religious Studies on the basis of sociological measurements that have been carried out since the early 2000s as part of the implementation of fundamental and applied projects. On the basis of various measurements of the processes of religiosity, the methods of qualitative and quantitative sociology and the subsequent interdisciplinary theoretical reconstruction make it possible to reproduce the contours of the religious situation, detect trends, develop models, and provide the predictive estimates for stakeholders. Practical recommendations on the results of comprehensive studies of religiosity are demanded by the government bodies, experts, and researchers. Some results are reflected in scientific articles and monographs. The proposed article presents integrated results and conclusions on the identified topics.
The future of the youth under serge, implications of the democratic and economic trajectories of post-apartheid South Africa
Authors: Nare Hilary
Published: February 2023

Since its independence in 1994 to date, South Africa has remained the economic powerhouse in Africa. Though unannounced it flexes its “hegemony” disguisedin its well decorated tools of diplomacy in this part of the hemisphere and its influence and impact on a global scale is visible in its global pacts such as the BRICKS.Its majestic world class infrastructure is a clear distinction of its economic success stories which demarcates it from the rest of the continent. Despite these giant steps towards being a vanguard of Excellencyin Africa, the forenamed stateis swamped with perilous conundrums such that majority of its population has remained very poor and the gap between the rich and poor continues to widen astronomically. Consequently, crime rate has reached unprecedented levels compared with most African states which are not at war; youth and women unemployment is rampant. Unequal distribution of resources between various races in the rainbow nation is a major problem, threatening to possibly reverse the remarkable level of democracy which is largely enjoyed in this nation.
On one method of risk evaluating in geotechnical mechanics tasks
Authors:   Institute of Geotechnical Mechanics named by N. Poljakov of National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Krukovskyi Oleksandr , Larionov Hryhoryi ,   Institute of Geotechnical Mechanics named by N. Poljakov of National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine
Published: February 2023

To increase the efficiency of the existing labor protection system at industrial enterprises of Ukraine, there was a need for its improvement. It was decided to do it based on systems management of labor protection and risk control. However, it turned out that risks can be identified not in each technical system. Most of the processes in technical applications are deterministic, and therefore the concept of risk is not applicable, since none of the parameters of the system is a random variable. Since it is impossible to determine the degree of risk, then the only possible way out is to assess a degree of influence of this or that parameter on the performance of the entire system. So, for deterministic mathematical models (MM), the influence of the parameters can be determined by the methods of the theory of sensitivity (ST). However, the ST has not yet received widespread use in technical applications due to the significant complexity of research. In order to determine sensitivity, it is proposed to use in technical applications performance criterion approximation, which characterizes the risk of the process going beyond the performance limits, instead of ST. If approximation of a selected criterion is represented in the form of a product of power functions, each of which depends only on one parameter, then, according to the exponents, it is possible to approximately establish its sensitivity to variations in the parameters. The greater is an exponent, the more this parameter influences the criterion. Thus, it is possible not only to carry out an approximate assessment of the influence of the parameters on the criterion itself, but also to make conclusions regarding the risk of the system going beyond the permissible limits. The experience of successful use of the method of sequential approximation (SAM) in applied problems of mechanics allows not only to obtain an analytical form of the criterion at a point, but also to expand a solution of practical problems to the entire domain of function. The errors of such expanding, as a rule, do not exceed 5‑7 %, which is sufficient for most applied problems of geotechnics. The accuracy of determining the criterion can be increased to the required level by narrowing an area of its definition, i.e. parameter change intervals. A hypothesis of existence of representation of functions in the form of a product of functions, each of which depends on one parameter, is formulated. The efficiency of the use of power functions for an approximate assessment of the system risks when it going beyond the limits of operability is shown. Keywords: theory of sensitivity, variation of parameters, approximation of a function, approximate estimate, small error.
On methods of categorizing the outburst-hazardous of coal seams
Authors:   Institute of Geotechnical Mechanics named by N. Poljakov of National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Minieiev Serhii
Published: February 2023

Abstract. Having analyzed the existing methods for categorizing the outburst hazard of coal seams the author worked out the proposals on improving the methodology for categorizing the outburst hazard of coal seams during their mining. The research methodology includes analysis of existing methods for categorizing of prone-to-outburst coal seams depending on the depth and speed of mining operations driving. It is established that the regulatory document on categorization of the prone-to-outburst coal seams needs to be updated in order to take into account possible manifestation of not only sudden outbursts of coal and gas, but also other known types of gas-dynamic phenomena and to specify the main criterion features and indicators, which should be determined quite simply and without significant time costs. Categorization of several coal seams was assessed: in some cases it depends on the grade of the seam (volatile content), but not always on the indicator M. An obvious defect of the obtained dependencies was found in the regulatory document (perhaps the reason is the lack of necessary data on the study of natural gas content and other properties and conditions for the manifestation of sudden outbursts of coal and gas). Thus, with indicators М = 24,5‑26,2 and М = 23,7‑27,6, critical value of natural gas content and the depth of prediction are the same. The authors of the regulatory document give no explanation to this fact as well as how and why, when determining the indicator for different dependencies, the same criteria of outburst hazard are obtained. The comprehensive studies on assessing a gas-dynamic state of potential prone-to-outburst zones in the threatened formations reveals that with greater depth of mining operations these zones should be timely transferred to the category of prone-to-outburst ones before the first outburst happens. In the paper, methods for referring the coal seams to the outburst hazard categories are discussed. It is concluded that the normative document needs to be revised in terms of categorization of prone-to-outburst coal seams with taking into account a more complete classification of all types of gas-dynamic phenomena. Keywords: categorization, outburst hazard, coal seam, sudden outbursts, normative document.
The Effect of Polystyrene Foam on the White Mice’s Intestinal Microbiota
Authors:   Dnipro State Agrarian and Economic University, Bilan M.V. , Lieshchova M.A. ,   Dnipro State Agrarian and Economic University, Podliesnova V.E. ,   University of Tartu, Brygadyrenko V.V. ,   Dnipro State Agrarian and Economic University,   Oles Honchar Dnipro National University
Published: February 2023

Millions of tons of microplastics get into the environment, being eaten by many species of mammals and humans. One of the main types of plastic, polystyrene, and its monomer, bisphenol, have been fairly well studied in terms of their effects on metabolism, but changes in the intestinal microbiota under the influence of its addition to the diet remain insufficiently studied. The aim of this article is to describe the changes in the main components of the mice intestinal microbiota in the conditions of adding different concentrations of crushed polystyrene foam to their diet. Methods. Four groups of white laboratory mice ate crushed particles of polystyrene foam (10% of the polymer by weight of the feed, 1%, 0.1%, and the control group — without addition of plastic) as part of the compound feed for 42 days. At the end of the experiment, cultures of animal feces samples were analyzed. Results. Polystyrene foam particles in the main mice diet, especially at a higher concentration (10%), have changed the number.
Effect of Metal Nanoparticles on EBV-Associated Cell Culture
Authors:   Zabolotny Institute of Microbiology and Virology, NAS of Ukraine, Zahorodnia S.D. , Naumenko K.S. ,   Zabolotny Institute of Microbiology and Virology, NAS of Ukraine, Zaychenko O.V. ,   Zabolotny Institute of Microbiology and Virology, NAS of Ukraine, Zaremba P.Yu. ,   Zabolotny Institute of Microbiology and Virology, NAS of Ukraine, Baranova G.V. ,   Zabolotny Institute of Microbiology and Virology, NAS of Ukraine, Holovan A.V. ,   Zabolotny Institute of Microbiology and Virology, NAS of Ukraine
Published: February 2023

Today, one of the topical areas of research is the search for antiviral drugs to fi ght against virus-associated oncological manifestations. One of the viruses for which a role in the transformation of cells is proved is Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), which is associated with a variety of lymphoproliferative diseases. The use of drugs that not only inhibit the replication of the virus but also stimulate the elimination of tumor cells is important for the treatment of tumors associated with the viruses. The purpose of this work was to investigate the ability of silver and gold nanoparticles to inhibit EBV replication under conditions of chronic infection. Methods. The objects of the study were 5 to 20 nm gold and silver nanoparticles stabilized with tryptophan, sodium dodecyl sulfate, and citrate. Th e investigations were performed in P3HR-1 (virus-productive) lymphoblastoid cells. MTT-assay, neutral red and trypan blue dyeing were used to study cell viability. Antiviral activity was estimated by the real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Transmissive electron microscopy was used to visualize nanoparticle-virus binding. Results. It was found that nanoparticles of silver and gold stabilized by tryptophan and citrate were low-toxic for the used cell cultures; the vitality of the cells was in the range of 65—100%. Silver nanoparticles in a citrate buffer were more effective against EBV because the used concentrations inhibited replication of the virus up to 70%. Gold nanoparticles reduced the amount of EBV DNA by a maximum of 16% at the lowest concentration of 0.00001 μg/mL, indicating a dose-dependent effect. The virucidal effect of gold nanoparticles against EBV was shown using transmissive electron microscopy. It was found that the interaction of the virus with 5 nm gold nanoparticles for 2 hr leads to damage of EBV virion, which indicates their virus-static effect. Conclusions. Thus, the cytotoxic and antiviral activity of silver and gold nanoparticles in different stabilizers was analyzed. Citrate buffer-stabilized silver and gold NPs were more effective against EBV.
Pentose-Fermenting Yeasts in Nature: Ecology, Biodiversity and Applications
Authors:   Zabolotny Institute of Microbiology and Virology, NAS of Ukraine, Ianieva O.D.
Published: February 2023

The world’s energy sector has undergone drastic changes in the last decades due to the climate change and the turn to renewable energy sources. Biomass is the largest renewable source of carbohydrates on the Earth and is an important substrate for biofuel production. Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeasts are the main producer of first-generation ethanol from corn and sugarcane. However, these yeasts lack the ability to utilize the important components of lignocelluloses such as pentoses D-xylose and L-arabinose. Pentose-fermenting yeasts could become an alternative to S. cerevisiae in ethanol production from lignocelluloses. This review focuses on the ecology, geographical distribution, taxonomy, and potential applications of naturally-occurring pentose-fermenting yeasts. Pentose-fermenting yeasts have been frequently found in the lignocelluloseassociated substrates. Decaying and rotten wood and the gut of wood-boring insects are especially important natural reservoirs of this group of yeasts. Simple sugars xylose and L-arabinose would be present in such habitats as suitable nutrients for pentose-assimilating yeasts. The other natural habitats reported for pentose-fermenting yeasts are soil, plants, and herbivore faeces. Pentose-fermenting yeasts are found in many geographical regions and have been isolated on almost each continent. Dozens of novel pentose-fermenting yeast species have been discovered in the last decade. The previously poorly explored regions, including Brazil, China, and several Asian countries were especially oft en reported as sites of isolation of such yeasts. Most xylose-fermenting yeasts belong to genera Scheffersomyces, Candida, Spathaspora, Sugiyamaella, and Pachysolen, while the most efficient ethanol producers are represented by species Scheffersomyces stipitis and Spathaspora passalidarum. The vast majority of research on the biotechnological application of pentose-fermenting yeasts focuses on their role in the production of bioethanol from lignocellulose. This group of yeasts could be either directly involved in the fermentation stage of ethanol production or serve as a source of genetic material for the genetic manipulation of other industrial yeast strains. Pentose-fermenting yeasts could also be involved in the production of various chemicals from lignocellulosic substrates, mainly polyols, xylitol, and arabitol. Thus, the search for novel pentose-fermenting yeasts that could become new efficient ethanol producers or donors of new genetic material is still ongoing. The previously unexplored or poorly studied geographical regions and natural habitats can hide many novel yeasts with huge biotechnological potential.