bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Corporate governance of restaurant business organizations under the ESG concept
Authors: Машин Д.В.
Published: June 2024

В статье рассмотрено, что такое корпоративное управление, как оно встроено в ESG-концепцию, как соотносится раскрытие нефинансовой информации с корпоративным управлением и какие шаги необходимо предпринять для перехода к системе устойчивого корпоративного управления. Все чаще компании стали задумываться о внедрении ESG-принципов в свои стратегии. Делая упор на первых двух составляющих – экологии и социальной политике, они забывают о важности корпоративного управления. Но ESG – это, прежде всего, управленческий подход, при котором учитывается социальное и экологическое воздействие бизнеса на человека и окружающую среду.

Increasingly, companies have begun to think about introducing ESG principles into their strategies. By focusing on the first two components – ecology and social policy – they forget about the importance of corporate governance. But ESG is, first of all, a management approach that takes into account the social and environmental impact of a business on people and the environment. The article examines what corporate governance is, how it is built into the ESG concept, how the disclosure of non-financial information relates to corporate governance, and what steps need to be taken to transition to a system of sustainable corporate governance.
Benchmarking banking products and services against key industry trends
Authors: Тусупканова С.А. , Цибульникова В.Ю.
Published: June 2024

В статье представлен сравнительный анализ банковских продуктов и услуг с учетом ключевых трендов в отрасли. Развитие банковских продуктов и услуг на современном этапе представляет собой актуальную и важную тему, отражающую динамические изменения в финансовой сфере и потребительском поведении. В первую очередь, это связано с быстрыми технологическими изменениями, которые переформатируют способы взаимодействия клиентов с банками. Внедрение цифровых решений, таких как мобильные приложения, онлайн-банкинг и криптовалюты, меняет спрос на традиционные услуги и требует создания новых продуктов, способных удовлетворить потребности современных клиентов. В связи с растущей конкуренцией в банковской индустрии банки сталкиваются с усилением конкуренции как со стороны традиционных банков, так и с новыми участниками, такими как финтех-стартапы. Это вынуждает банки постоянно адаптировать свои продукты, чтобы удержать клиентов и привлечь новых. Новые инструменты и услуги могут повысить финансовую грамотность и доступность финансовых услуг для различных слоев населения.

The development of banking products and services at the present stage is an urgent and important topic that reflects dynamic changes in the financial sector and consumer behavior. First of all, this is due to rapid technological changes that reformat the way customers interact with banks. The introduction of digital solutions such as mobile applications, online banking and cryptocurrencies is changing the demand for traditional services and requires the creation of new products that can meet the needs of modern customers. With increasing competition in the banking industry, banks are facing increased competition from both traditional banks and new entrants such as fintech startups. This forces banks to constantly innovate and adapt their products to retain customers and attract new ones. New financial instruments and services can increase financial literacy and financial inclusion for different segments of the population.
Globalization and changes in international trade in textiles and clothing
Authors: Долженко И.Б.
Published: June 2024

Актуальность статьи связана с важной ролью индустрии моды, включающей текстильную и швейную промышленность, и международной торговли текстилем и одеждой в глобальной экономике. Выявлено, что международная торговля текстилем и одеждой значительно изменилась под воздействием глобализации. Установлены факторы и направления таких изменений. Выявлены изменения в положении ведущих экспортеров и импортеров текстиля и одежды под влиянием глобализации. Установлено, что международная торговля текстилем и одеждой все больше осуществляется в рамках глобальных цепочек создания, управляемых транснациональными корпорациями.

The relevance of the article is related to the important role of the fashion industry, including the textile and clothing industries, and international trade in textiles and clothing in the global economy. It is revealed that the international trade in textiles and clothing has changed significantly under the influence of globalization. The factors and directions of changes in the international trade in textiles and clothing under the influence of globalization have been established. The changes in the position of leading exporters and importers of textiles and clothing under the influence of globalization are revealed. It has been established that international trade in textiles and clothing is increasingly carried out within the framework of global chains of creation managed by TNCs.
Circular business model of a vehicle powered by new energy sources in the context of ecological economics
Authors: Цзя Ц. , Родионов Д.Г.
Published: June 2024

В статье анализируются концепция аккумуляторного арендного обслуживания батарей электромобиля, принципы их утилизации. Рассмотрены основные объекты трансформации автомобилестроения. Выявлена в научной практике циклическая схема утилизации батарей электромобиля, которая позволяет менеджменту автопромышленности упорядоченно подходить к вопросам применения и управления новыми и возобновляемыми источниками энергии.

The article analyzes the concept of battery rental maintenance of electric vehicle batteries, the principles of their disposal. The main objects of transformation of the automotive industry are considered. A cyclic scheme for recycling electric vehicle batteries has been identified in scientific practice. The resulting scheme allows the management of the automotive industry to approach the issues of application and management of new and renewable energy sources in an orderly manner.
PENGARUH MEDIA YOUTUBE “OMAR & HANA” TERHADAP KETERAMPILAN BERBICARA ANAK USIA 2 TAHUN
Authors: Darwis Muhammad , Zuhra Intan , Nurjannah Nurjannah
Published: June 2024

The purpose of this study is to examine the influence of YouTube media, namely some of Omar and Hana's videos, on the speaking skills of children aged two years. This research is a qualitative descriptive study. The study included three two-year-old children. This study's data was collected through observation, interviews, and table-formatted field notes. The findings revealed that Omar and Hana's film had an impact on the speaking skills of two-year-old youngsters. This is demonstrated by the subject's interest in some of Omar and Hana's films. YouTube is also rated as a language acquisition (vocabulary) learning medium for youngsters, hence it is possible to assume that YouTube media influences the speaking skills of two-year-olds.ABSTRAKTujuan dari penelitian ini adalah untuk memeriksa pengaruh media YouTube, yaitu beberapa video Omar dan Hana, pada keterampilan berbicara anak-anak berusia dua tahun. Penelitian ini adalah penelitian deskriptif. Penelitian ini melibatkan tiga anak berusia dua tahun. Data penelitian ini dikumpulkan melalui pengamatan, wawancara, dan catatan lapangan berformat tabel. Temuan ini mengungkapkan bahwa film Omar dan Hana memiliki dampak pada keterampilan berbicara anak-anak berusia dua tahun. Hal ini ditunjukkan oleh minat subjek dalam beberapa film Omar dan Hana. YouTube juga dinilai sebagai media pembelajaran akupunktur bahasa (vocabulary) untuk anak-anak muda, oleh karena itu mungkin untuk mengasumsikan bahwa media YouTube mempengaruhi keterampilan berbicara anak berusia dua tahun.
Outcomes of a Series of Sudanese Patients with Uterine Rupture
Authors: Ismail Haitham Abdalla Ali Ismail , Zakaria Ahmed Elnour Adam , Mohamed Nawal Ali Ahmed , Ali Mohammed Adam Mohammed , Abdallah Abuelez Hassan Ibrahem , Ahmed Hussain Gadelkarim , Mohamed Eldaw B. S.
Published: June 2024

Purpose: Uterine rupture during pregnancy is rare, often fatal, and can cause serious complications for both mother and fetus. Therefore, this study evaluated the outcomes of a group of Sudanese patients who experienced uterine rupture.
Materials and Methods: This study comprised a group of 26 female individuals who had a uterine rupture and received medical care at the maternity department of El-Obeid Teaching Hospital in Sudan's North Kordofan state. The patients were admitted over the course of one year. We obtained the requisite identifying data and demographic characteristics from every subject.
Findings: The majority of cases have normal hospital stays (65%). About 35% of patients have prolonged hospital stays. The most common postoperative complication experienced was venous thromboembolism (VTE) (31%). Most patients presented with labor pain followed by vaginal bleeding and abdominal pain, constituting (57.7%), (27%), and (11.5%), in that order.
Implications to Theory, Practice and Policy: Sudan experiences a high prevalence of uterine rupture, which leads to quite high rates of adverse outcomes during childbirth, despite having relatively low rates of premature death. The most unfavorable outcomes are extended hospitalization, venous thromboembolism (VTE), and the need for blood transfusion. Careful follow-up during pregnancy and choosing the appropriate delivery mode is important.
STUDIES ON THE CARBON CATABOLITE REPRESSION IN LACTIC ACID BACTERIA ISOLATED FROM WINE
Authors: Filimon Vasile Razvan , Paşa Rodica , Filimon Roxana Mihaela , Dunca Simona Isabela
Published: June 2024

In wine, lactic acid bacteria (LAB) are responsible for the bioconversion of malic acid to lactic acid, malolactic fermentation that mainly aims at reducing wine acidity. Two LAB strains isolated from the red wine microbiota (Oenococcus oeni 13-7 and Lactobacillus plantarum R1-1), were tested for their ability to exhibit the carbon catabolite repression (CCR) mechanism, that allows the rapid use of certain carbohydrates, over other carbon sources. Bacterial cells were inoculated in 0.1 M glycine buffer (pH 3.5), incubated at 30°C, with different carbohydrates (45 mM) and malic acid (45 mM). For both strains, the presence of glucose significantly inhibited malic acid metabolization (−60%), a similar effect being observed for galactose, mannose and maltose. The highest rate of malic acid conversion was shown in fructose/malate medium. Obtained results showed that malolactic strains can control the utilization of carbon sources via CCR, further studies being necessary to elucidate the mechanisms underlying this process.
İsmail Uyaroğlu’nun “Bir Liranın İki Günü” Adlı Eserinin Çocuk Edebiyatı Açısından İncelenmesi
Authors: Yıldız Zehra
Published: June 2024

Çocuk edebiyatında verilen eserlerin çocuk gerçeğinden hareketle birtakım özelliklere sahip olması beklenir. Üretilen eserlerin hitap ettiği kitleye uygun olarak; çocukların gelişim düzeyine, seviyelerine ve ilgilerine odaklanan nitelikler barındırması gerekir. Bu özelliklere sahip eserlerin çocuk ile buluşturulması, buna paralel olarak kitap sevgisi ve okuma alışkanlığını da beraberinde getirecektir. Bu bağlamda çocuklar için oluşturulmuş eserlerin incelenmesi önemli bir husustur. Bu amaçla çalışmada çocuk edebiyatı alanında da eser vermiş olan İsmail Uyaroğlu’nun 1978-1979 Yunus Nadi Armağanı En Güzel Çocuk Romanı ödülünü aldığı “Bir Liranın İki Günü” adlı eserinin çocuk edebiyatı açısından uygunluğu incelenmiştir. Bu amaç doğrultusunda çalışma, nitel bir araştırma olup doküman incelemesi yöntemi ile yürütülmüştür. Eser dış yapı özellikleri açısından sırası ile; kitabın boyutu, kâğıt, kapak, cilt, resim, sayfa düzeni ve harf; iç yapı özellikleri açısından ise sırası ile tema/izlek, konu, plan, ileti, kahraman, dil ve anlatım olmak üzere incelenip değerlendirilerek yorumlanmıştır. Uyaroğlu tarafından kaleme alınan “Bir Liranın İki Günü” adlı eser dış yapı ve iç yapı özellikleri açısından ele alınıp değerlendirildiğinde çocuk okuyucular için uygun özelliklere sahip olduğu görülmektedir.
A Machine Learning-Based Suitable Startup Recommendation Scheme and Investor Assistance Mobile Application
Authors: Asif Asfak , Chowdhury Mahfuzulhoq
Published: June 2024

Investing in startups is a complex decision-making process that requires identifying suitable companies and matching them with compatible investors. The existing works did not present any intelligent startup suitability prediction for funding and investor assistance mobile applications by taking into account growth rate, annual profit, rating, and reputation factors. This paper initiates a machine learning-based recommendation system for predicting suitable startups and matching them with appropriate investors. The proposed system leverages a comprehensive dataset of startup and investor characteristics, including market segment, geographical region, and city. In comparison with singular value decomposition and principal component analysis schemes, our results show that TermFrequency-Inverse Document Frequency scheme is selected for startup recommendation due to its high recall and precision value. Our investor assistance mobile application offers features like login, apply for funds, best funder recommendation, best entrepreneur selection, and user rating features. Our application evaluation results indicated that more than 60 percent of users are satisfied with the feasibility of the proposed mobile application.
 
Received: 23 February 2024 | Revised: 9 April 2024 | Accepted: 14 May 2024
 
Conflicts of Interest 
The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest to this work.
 
Data Availability Statement
The dataset used in this paper is available on the Crunchbase website.
 
Author Contribution Statement
Asfak Asif: Conceptualization, Methodology, Software, Validation, Formal analysis, Investigation, Resources, Data curation, Writing – original draft, Writing – review & editing, Visualization. Mahfuzulhoq Chowdhury: Conceptualization, Methodology, Investigation, Data curation, Writing – original draft, Writing – review & editing, Visualization, Supervision, Project administration.
STRATEGI GURU PAI DALAM PENGUATAN AKIDAH PESERTA DIDIK SMA NEGERI 1 RAJA AMPAT
Authors: Ajirah  , Rasyid Muhammad Rusdi , Sudirman
Published: June 2024

The objectives of this scientific research are: First; describe the strategic process of Islamic religious education teachers in strengthening the faith of Raja Ampat State High School 1 students. Second; analyzing the forms of Islamic religious education teachers' strategies in strengthening the faith of Raja Ampat 1 State High School students.This type of research is Qualitative Description. The research approach is an Islamic educational, normative theological and sociological approach. Research data sources are primary data sources and secondary data sources. Research data collection methods use observation, interviews and documentation methods. Data processing and analysis techniques using data reduction, data presentation, comparative analysis of data and drawing conclusions.The results of the research show that: First, the strategic process of Islamic religious education teachers in strengthening the faith of Raja Ampat State High School 1 students is to instill a sense of love for Allah and strengthen the faith through religious programs such as: routine recitations, congregational midday prayers, day celebrations. Islamic holidays and the Khatam Al-Quran (Gaharu) movement program. Second, the forms of strategy for Islamic religious education teachers in strengthening the faith are exemplary strategies, mentoring or supervision strategies and habituation strategies.
DAKWAH ISLAM DAN REVOLUSI KOMUNIKASI
Authors: Abdullah  , Dwi Prasetya Fiki Febrian
Published: June 2024

The rapid development of information and communication technology has resulted in the emergence of various communication media that have succeeded in breaking through geographical, social, economic, cultural and political boundaries quickly and broadly. This is a feature or characteristic of the communication revolution which provides great opportunities for da'wah actors in an effort to improve the quality of their Islamic da'wah communications. Utilization of good information technology that is balanced with the knowledge and communication skills of effective Islamic da'wa as an effort to convey da'wah messages to the community as recipients of messages is a da'wah strategy that is able to penetrate the wider community. The communication revolution can also be used as a method for conveying Islamic shari'ah with Islamic communication being able to become a filter for society in obtaining information in the media.
STRATEGI PENDIDIK DALAM MENUMBUHKAN KARAKTER DISIPLIN PADA ANAK USIA DINI
Authors: Afida Nurul , Kholis Mohd
Published: June 2024

Disciplinary character education should be instilled from an early age, the assumption that early childhood discipline does not need to be implanted because it is too young is a misconception. Character is an attitude or habit that is inherent in a child until the child becomes an adult. Man is a unidualistic creature, that is, man as an individual and social being. The application of discipline to the child aims to enable the child to play a role as a social being because it is in conflict with the individual life and social life of the child, therefore the child must be trained and disciplined in order to be able to adapt to the social life. Children can shape their behavior according to the role given by the cultural group with which the individual is identified. Since there is no uniform cultural model, friction with the social environment is inevitable, so that the child can enter the social setting requires a character that is acceptable to the social surroundings.
A Report on Stylometric Experiments with Pre-Modern Chinese Texts
Authors: Zádrapa Lukáš
Published: June 2024

Although stylometry and related quantitative-linguistic approaches have long been in use for assessing text authorship or for addressing other textual issues in Western literature, I am not aware of any serious attempts in the field of study of pre-modern Chinese texts. It is quite surprising given the fact that the authorship and dating of particular ancient Chinese books or their components have belonged to the most fiercely discussed topics in pre-modern Chinese philology in the last few decades. This paper is therefore conceived as an experiment in this vein, centering on the problem of dating. On the basis of a set of detailed statistic data, involving e.g. occurrence frequencies of word classes, syntactic functions, special function words, constructions, or polysyllabic words, I tried to find out applicable parameters, which would be sensitive to date of composition. As the primary linguistic material is concerned, it consists of a series of stylistically variegated chapters of several texts a) clearly dated as Warring States texts, b) clearly dated as mediaeval texts, c) two chapters of the Yinwenzi, a text with disputed dating. In the article, the results of these experiments are reported, interpreted, and evaluated, and some recommendations for the future research are suggested.
Challenging Social Norms and Redefining Gender Dynamics in Thappad (Slap)
Authors: Kumari Tanima
Published: June 2024

Over the past few years, there has been a drastic change in the reception and sapience of gender and sexual politics across India. The present study on Anubhav Sinha’s movie Thappad (2020) will analyse the experiences of a woman, Amrita, who holds her agency and succeeds in achieving her neoliberal subjectivity. The paper also professes to critique the “women’s question” in the neoliberal regime, where the notion of sexuality and gender politics in a socio-cultural space. The paper also studies the nuances of traditional femininity women adopt, especially after marriage. Domestic violence has been a part of women’s lives, and COVID-19 in frame brought the plight of conditions to a more deplorable state. Lastly, the paper would justify the title of the movie Thappad to the misogynist attitude driving the film’s story and women’s condition in society.
Infusión de adrenalina y noradrenalina para manejo de hipotensión materna post bloqueo espinal
Authors: Alegre Andrade Patricia , Castellón Garnica Galia Lizeth
Published: June 2024

Objetivos: demostrar el efecto de la infusión de adrenalina en relación con la noradrenalina con el propósito de prevenir la hipotensión materna post anestesia intradural.
Métodos: estudio prospectivo, longitudinal, analítico y doble ciego con enfoque cuantitativo. Población de 114, muestra de 46 pacientes dividido en 2 agrupaciones. grupo A (noradrenalina) y grupo B (adrenalina) a dosis de 0,02 mcg/kg/min. Medición de variables continuas se sacó media y aplicación de prueba de normalidad de Shapiro- Wilk. Se aplicó T de student para las medias y U de Mann – Whitney para las medianas. En variables nominales se sacó frecuencia.
Resultados: la media de la edad entre 32 a 33 años de ambas agrupaciones, con latido cardiaco significativo en T3 y T4 para el grupo B, valor p 0,045 y 0,000. Sin cambios importantes en la tensión arterial ni en las puntuaciones del APGAR. Los efectos secundarios son la presencia de cefalea posiblemente relacionado con uso de oxitocina. 18 y 16 pacientes no presentaron hipotensión con chi cuadrado de 0,89. Volumen total de cristaloides de 650 ml a 700 ml tanto en el grupo A y B. El costo referencial fue de 0,9 bolivianos.
Conclusiones: la adrenalina es un vasopresor sugerente, sin alteraciones en los latidos cardíacos maternos, pero con un mayor control que la noradrenalina, y con una acción similar en la tensión arterial media en ambas agrupaciones.
Improving the performance of production operations through Statistical Quality Control: Case study in South Mineral Water Company in Basra
Authors: Al-Malki Afrah
Published: June 2024

High-quality services and products give organizations a competitive advantage. Good quality reduces correction costs, waste, complaints and returns on defective products, and most importantly, it achieves customer satisfaction. Quality is the most important factor that affects the performance of an organization's production operations compared to its competitors. The main objective of this study is to use some statistical tools such as (X-bar Chart), which is one of the process control charts. In addition to using the ANOVA technique, this is among the statistical instruments employed to measure and analyses variance and identify sources of discrepancies between group averages. These tools were used in this study to monitor and control the quality of the production process to ensure that the products meet the required quality standards, and to identify and correct any problems or deviations from those standards as early as possible in the production process. The data collected from South Mineral Water Company was processed using the manual method as well as the Excel program. The research concluded that there was a variation in the level of water volumes inside the bottles within the sample as well as between the study samples, and after using the Tukey HSD equation, the largest difference between the variations was identified, which was between the average of observations 3 and 4, which had a value of 12.74.
Miao-Themed Souvenir Toys Design to Promote Tourism in Guizhou China
Authors: Jiangwei Lu , Keai Gregory Kiyai @
Published: June 2024

Purpose/Background: This study investigated the impact of Miao-themed souvenir toy design  on promoting tourism in Guizhou, China. The culturally diverse province has an opportunity  to leverage ethnic arts for tourism growth. Authentic representation of minority groups through  creative mediums can attract visitor interest.  Methods: A qualitative approach was used involving semi-structured interviews with Miao  artisans who design souvenirs. Detailed interviews examined artistic processes and cultural  representations in toys. Interview transcripts were analyzed using coding and thematic analysis. Findings: Interviews highlighted the cultural significance of toys for promoting both Miao  heritage and local tourism. Artisans play a key role in authentically conveying minority culture  through creative souvenirs. Culturally symbolic elements in toys resonate with tourists seeking  an immersive experience.  Conclusions: Findings demonstrate souvenir toy design as an avenue for boosting tourism  while preserving ethnic arts in Guizhou. However, time limitations prevented thorough  investigation of tourist preferences and trends influencing market success. Ongoing research is  critically needed on optimizing cultural designs and effective promotion for visitor appeal.
Comprehending the Metaphysical Framework in St. Augustine's Moral Philosophy: An Analytical Inquiry
Authors: Prahasan Marimuthu
Published: June 2024

Saint Augustine stands as a towering figure within the history of Western philosophical thought, having crafted a unique and influential religious-philosophical paradigm that integrates diverse intellectual currents including Manichaeism, Neo-Platonism, ancient moral philosophies, and Christian theology. Through this syncretic approach, Augustine offers a comprehensive framework for understanding the human condition and the pursuit of spiritual fulfillment. Central to Augustine's philosophical edifice are a series of interwoven metaphysical concepts that form the backbone of his thought. These include the nature of divinity, the origins of the cosmos, the essence of the human soul, the problem of evil, and the nature of free will, etc. Augustine synthesizes these notions into a coherent vision of human existence, wherein individuals are guided towards a life of moral integrity and spiritual ascent. One of Augustine's distinctive insights is his conception of governance and ruler-ship as divine mandates imbued with metaphysical significance. According to Augustine, earthly authorities are entrusted by God with the responsibility of protecting the faithful and upholding moral order within society. Consequently, he argues for the legitimacy of defensive warfare as a means of safeguarding the righteous against external threats. Furthermore, Augustine develops a nuanced epistemological stance to underpin his theological assertions, thus fortifying them against potential philosophical challenges. Through a qualitative inquiry grounded in secondary sources, this study seeks to elucidate the intricate interplay between metaphysical ideals and various aspects of human well-being, governmental legitimacy, and the moral justifications for defensive warfare. By exploring Augustine's intellectual legacy in depth, this research aims to shed light on the enduring relevance of his thought in contemporary philosophical discourse.
The Gut-Liver Axis in NAFLD Progression: Insights into Pathogenesis and Therapeutic Opportunities
Authors: Kartik Dubey  , Dr. Rachana Singh
Published: June 2024

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) represents a complex disorder characterized by hepatic lipid accumulation and inflammation, ranging from simple steatosis to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and fibrosis. Emerging evidence suggests that dysregulation of the gut- liver axis plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis and progression of NAFLD. This review comprehensively examines the bidirectional communication between the gut and liver, encompassing intestinal barrier dysfunction, gut microbiota dysbiosis, bile acid metabolism, and immune-mediated responses. We explore the mechanisms by which gut-derived factors, including microbial metabolites, lipopolysaccharides (LPS), and bile acids, influence hepatic lipid metabolism, inflammation, and fibrosis in NAFLD. Furthermore, we discuss therapeutic strategies targeting the gut-liver axis, including prebiotics, probiotics, bile acid modulators, and gut barrier enhancers, with the potential to attenuate NAFLD progression. Understanding the intricate interplay between the gut and liver in NAFLD pathogenesis offers novel insights into disease mechanisms and therapeutic opportunities for the effective management of this increasingly prevalent liver disorder. Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a complex disorder that is characterized by the accumulation of fat and inflammation in the liver. This can range from simple steatosis to more severe conditions such as non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and fibrosis. Research has shown that the gut-liver axis, which includes the communication between the gut and liver, plays a significant role in the development and progression of NAFLD. This comprehensive review examines the two-way communication between the gut and liver, including intestinal barrier dysfunction, gut microbiota dysbiosis, bile acid metabolism, and immune-mediated responses. We explore how gut-derived factors such as microbial metabolites, lipopolysaccharides (LPS), and bile acids can affect hepatic lipid metabolism, inflammation, and fibrosis in NAFLD. Additionally, we discuss various therapeutic strategies, such as prebiotics, probiotics, bile acid modulators, and gut barrier enhancers, that target the gut-liver axis and potentially reduce the progression of NAFLD. Understanding the complex relationship between the gut and liver in NAFLD pathogenesis can provide new insights into the disease's mechanisms and offer therapeutic opportunities for managing this increasingly prevalent liver disorder
Phytoremediation: An Eco-Friendly Solution for Environmental Contamination
Authors: Chandni Asha Syamlal  , Arvind George  , D. Sayantan
Published: June 2024

Phytoremediation, the process of using plants to clean up environmental pollutants, is becoming increasingly popular due to its eco-friendly nature, sustainability, and cost-effectiveness. This research delves into the potential of phytoremediation in handling different types of pollution, such as heavy metals, radioactive substances, pesticides, and organic chemicals. We explore the inner workings of phytoremediation, shedding light on mechanisms like phytoextraction, rhizofiltration, phytostabilization, phytodegradation, and phytovolatilization. Our research also delves into the genetic and molecular structures that enable these processes in various plant species. Despite its promise, phytoremediation has its hurdles. For instance, there's a risk of bioaccumulation, and the method can only treat a limited selection of contaminants effectively. Our study ends with a look at the future trajectory of phytoremediation, placing special emphasis on the potential role of genetic engineering in amplifying its effectiveness and broadening its scope. Ultimately, our research underscores that, when employed properly, phytoremediation can provide an eco-friendly solution for handling and rehabilitating polluted sites. This contributes to the broader goal of sustainable development and preserving environmental health
The symptoms behavior in self-observation and directional preference in patients with low back pain undergoing McKenzie therapy.
Authors: Bicz Kinga , Kłósek Klaudia , Paprocka-Borowicz Małgorzata , Gieysztor Ewa
Published: June 2024

Introduction

The McKenzie Method, also known as MDT, is currently one of the most well-known methods for diagnosing and treating spinal and limb pain syndromes. The study aims to analyze the self-observations of the symptoms behavior in comparison with directional preference (DP) in the therapeutic procedures.

Material and methods

A study was conducted based on the therapeutic records of patients treated by MDT. The study was carried out on a group of 302 patients. The analysis of the symptoms in self-observations of the patient was conducted. The data were compared using various schemes: gender, age range, type of work, classification, positional preferences, and applied directional procedures.

Results

Patients more commonly indicate the movements that increase symptoms. The individuals treated with the extension DP reported an increase in pain symptoms during sitting, bending, and standing. The majority of patients were classified into the D3 group and treated with an extension-based approach. With increasing age, the number of individuals classified as D1 decreased, while classified as D5 increased. In the oldest age group, the number of other than extensional therapeutic DP increased.

Conclusions

Patients are not able to indicate the movements that decrease the symptoms while the movements that increase the symptoms are better recognized. Certified physiotherapists should educate about the centralization phenomenon and directional preference. While extension movements generally lead to a reduction in reported pain symptoms, they are not the only movements that can centralize symptoms and should not be applied without a thorough examination of the patient.
Mortality analysis of patients with acute coronary syndrome receiving comprehensive cardiac care (KOS-Zawał) during the COVID-19 pandemic period
Authors: Kubielas Grzegorz , Diakowska Dorota , Czapla Michał , Ross Catherine , Mitkowski Przemysław , Uchmanowicz Izabella
Published: June 2024

Introduction

Due to the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, there have been fundamental changes to the delivery and operation of healthcare facilities across the world, these changes have significantly impacted how patients with a variety of diseases are treated. We aimed to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on patient management outcomes among patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS) and exploring the differences in patients who were treated within and outside the coordinated care programme for patients after ACS (KOS-Zawał).

Material and methods

We analysed 472,996 medical records of patients after ACS from 2017 to 2022. The study examined information on deaths in two groups of patients; those included and those not included in the KOS-Zawal.

Results

Before COVID-19 pandemic higher mortality rate was shown in the group of patients not covered by the KOS-Zawal benefit compared with patients covered by the benefit (25.5% vs. 15.8%; p<0.0001) decreased significantly. During the COVID-19 a significant higher incidence of death was shown in the group of patients not covered by the KOS-Zawal compared with patients covered by the program (18% vs. 7.9%; p<0.0001). Compared to the time before and during COVID-19, the number of deaths among patients not covered (25.5% vs. 18%; p<0.0001) and covered by the KOS-Zawal (15.8% vs. 7.9%, p<0.0001) decreased significantly

Conclusions

Patients not covered by KOS-Zawal had a significantly higher mortality rate compared to those receiving the program during the pandemic. The pandemic significantly affected patients under KOS-Zawal care, with a reduced mortality.
Identification of biomarkers of Alzheimer's disease and their characterization of immune function
Authors: Lin Mingkai , Zhou Yue , Liang Peixian , Zheng Ruoyi , Du Minwei , Ke Xintong , Zhang Wenjing , Shang Pei
Published: June 2024

Introduction

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disease with neurogenic fiber tangles caused by amyloid-β protein plaques and tau protein hyperphosphorylation as the pathological manifestations. This study was based on multi-omics to investigate the mechanisms and immune characterization of AD.

Material and methods

Based on bulk RNA-seq (GSE122063 and GSE97760), we screened potential biomarkers for AD by differential expression analysis and machine learning algorithms. Then, we elaborated the expression characteristics and immune functions of the above biomarkers by scRNA-seq (single-cell RNA sequencing) data analysis (GSM4996463 and GSM4996462) and immune infiltration analysis.

Results

Five biomarkers (RBM3, GOLGA8A, ALS2, FSD2, and LOC100287628) were identified using machine learning algorithms. Single-cell analysis revealed distinct expression patterns of these biomarkers in astrocytes from AD samples compared to normal samples. Additionally, three key biomarkers were selected based on interaction networks, and the diagnostic models indicated high diagnostic efficacy for these biomarkers. Based on immune infiltration and correlation analyses, RBM3, GOLGA8A, and ALS2 were all highly correlated with CD8 T cell content in the immune microenvironment of AD.

Conclusions

The biomarkers identified in this study demonstrate significant diagnostic potential for AD. Notably, the downregulation of RBM3 in astrocytes and the decreased presence of CD8 T cells infiltrating brain tissue are potential risk factors for AD.
Diagnostic accuracy of non-invasive investigations for coronary artery disease in hypertensive patients: A meta-analysis
Authors: Bytyci Ibadete , Bytyqi Sefer , Abazi Gani , Bajraktari Gani , Henein Michael Y
Published: June 2024

Introduction

Non-invasive assessment of coronary artery disease (CAD) in patients with hypertensive heart disease is still a major clinical challenge. The aim of this meta-analysis was to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of different non-invasive techniques in detecting significant (>50%) CAD in hypertensive patients.

Material and methods

We systematically searched selected electronic databases from inception until 21st February 2024. Main clinical endpoint was the diagnostic accuracy of non-invasive investigations including exercise electrocardiography test (EET), stress echocardiography (SE) and myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI). The random effects summary receiver operating characteristic analysis was performed.

Results

Twenty-five papers with a total of 3812 patients with systemic hypertension and suspected significant CAD were finally included in the meta-analysis. The diagnostic accuracy of SE was the highest compared to the two other investigations (85%, 72%, 53%, p<0.05 for all). SE had higher sensitivity 85% (83-87%) and specificity 81% (79-83%) compared to MPI [Sensitivity 81% (77-83%), specificity 64% (59-68%)] and EET [Sensitivity: 53% (50-65%) and specificity 51% (47-54%)]. All three tested investigations had higher accuracy in patients with multivessel disease compared to those with single-vessel disease (p<0.05 for all). The diagnostic accuracy of SE and MPI was not significantly impacted by left ventricular hypertrophy (p>0.05 for both), compared to EET which was lower in patients with hypertrophy compared to those without (41% vs. 58%, p=0.03). These results were consistent irrespective of the stress echo modality, physical, exercise or pharmacological (p>0.05).

Conclusions

This meta-analysis reveals the powerful diagnostic value of stress echocardiography in detecting significant coronary artery disease in hypertension patients.
Antiviral flavonoids and polyphenols driven novel anti-HBV efficacy of Ilex paraguariensis
Authors: Parvez Mohammad Khalid
Published: June 2024

Introduction

Antiviral natural products have shown promising alternative for conventional drug-resistance in hepatitis B virus (HBV).

Material and methods

We evaluated the in vitro hepatocytotoxicity (HepG2 cells; MTT assay) followed by anti-HBV efficacy (HepG2.2.15 cell; HBV-antigens ELISA) of Ilex paraguariensis leaves total-ethanol extract (IP-Ext) and fractionated preparations in n-hexane (IP-Hex), chloroform (IP-Chl), ethyl acetate (IP-EtAc) and ethanol (IP-EtOH).

Results

All tested samples showed non-cytotoxicity except IP-EtAc having mild toxic effect at 200 μg/ml. Their anti-HBV assessment showed dose-dependent inhibitions of HBV antigens (HBs/HBe). At the selected optimal dose (50 μg/ml), while IP-Ext showed mild (HBsAg: 24.2% & HBeAg: 20.6%) and IP-Chl showed moderate (HBsAg: 42.3% & 40.1%) activities, IP-Hex (HBsAg: 55.6% & HBeAg: 52.4%) and IP-EtOH (HBsAg: 53.2% & HBeAg: 50.2%) exhibited high activities. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) validation identified known anti-HBV flavonoids (Rutin: 18.98, Quercetin: 6.52 and Kaempferol: 9.10 μg/g) and polyphenols (Caffeic acid: 11.43 and Chlorogenic acid: 3.22 μg/g) in the extract. Their estimated anti-HBV activities at 10 μg/ml dose were: Quercetin (HBsAg: 67.8 % & HBeAg: 64.4%), Kaempferol (HBsAg: 63.5 % & HBeAg: 61.6%), Chlorogenic acid (HBsAg: 55.2% & HBeAg: 53.8%), Rutin (HBsAg: 51.2% & HBeAg: 48.4%) and Caffeic acid (HBsAg: 42.2% & HBeAg: 39.5%). Notably, while our previous molecular docking studies had shown strong interactions of these flavonoids with HBV polymerase active-residues, here, we demonstrated good binding-affinities of the polyphenols with drug-sensitive (wild-type) and drug-resistant (mutant) polymerases.

Conclusions

Taken together, this is the first study suggesting the anti-HBV therapeutic efficacy of I. paraguariensis attributed to its antiviral phytochemicals.
Effect of Financial Policies on Shareholders’ Wealth of Quoted Insurance Companies in Nigeria
Authors: AINA  , Egbetooki Hannah , JACOB  , Zaccheaus
Published: June 2024

This study aims to examine the effect of financial policies on the shareholders’ wealth of quoted insurance companies in Nigeria. Data were collected from the annual financial reports of each insurance company and the Nigerian Exchange Group Factbook. The study utilized panel regression to analyse the data from a sample of six (6) quoted insurance companies on the Nigerian Exchange Group (NGX) from 2016 to 2021. The results of the panel regression revealed that the dividend payout ratio and debt-to-equity ratio have a significant effect on the shareholders’ wealth of the selected quoted insurance companies in Nigeria. The study recommends that insurance companies should increase their dividend payout, especially in the wake of a 200% increase in the third-party vehicle insurance policy by the National Insurance Commission as this will increase shareholders’ wealth and boost the investor’s confidence in the sector. Also, insurance company management should have a balanced capital structure between debt and equity such that it will not hamper the continuity of the business and will not overdilute the equity of the shareholders.
Effect of Private Technology Infrastructure Investment on Real Gross Domestic Product in Nigeria
Authors: Lawal Tolulope Olayinka , Dada Olajide Samuel , Wale-Awe Isaac Olawale
Published: June 2024

The economic well-being of a country’s citizen is a function of the economic performance of that country. The Nigeria’s economic growth has remained sluggish in recent years, perhaps due to lack of adequate infrastructural facilities such as technology, education, transportation, and energy. Meanwhile, there has been a paradigm shift from public financing of critical infrastructure from government funding to private sector financing of infrastructure facilities. The aim of this study therefore was to examine the effects of private technology infrastructure investment on the real Gross Domestic Product in Nigeria. The study adopted ex post facto research design and Ordinary Least Squares to analyze secondary data obtained from the Central Bank of Nigeria’s Statistical Bulletin and the World Development Indicators during the period 1999 to 2022. Granger causality test was also deployed to achieve the objective of the study and the study used E-views to analyze the data. The results based on multiple regression analysis revealed that private sector investments in technology infrastructures exerted positive and significant effects on GDP at 5% level of significance (β=0.5193; t=8.7279, p< 0.05); while the result of the granger causality test revealed that private sector technology investment granger cause GDP growth, but GDP growth did not granger cause technology investment (F= 4.16423; p= 0. 0350). The study therefore recommended that policies to encourage more private sector participation in technology related infrastructure should be put in place.
Ethical Leadership in Modern Organizations: Navigating Complexity and Promoting Integrity
Authors: Ughulu John
Published: June 2024

In today's complex and fast-paced business environment, ethical leadership has become increasingly important for fostering trust and credibility, enhancing organizational reputation, promoting employee engagement and morale, mitigating risks and legal liability, driving innovation and creativity and ensuring long-term sustainability. This research paper explores the concept of ethical leadership, its significance in modern organizations, and the challenges and opportunities associated with its implementation. Drawing on theoretical frameworks, case studies, and empirical evidence, the paper examines the role of ethical leaders in fostering trust, promoting integrity, and driving positive organizational outcomes. Our findings underscore the pivotal role of ethical leaders in fostering trust and credibility, enhancing organizational reputation, promoting employee engagement and morale, mitigating risks and egal liability, driving innovation and creativity and ensuring long-term sustainability. Additionally, it discusses strategies for developing and promoting ethical leadership practices within organizations and offers recommendations for future research and practice.
Procurement Methods and Procurement Performance of Public Universities in Nairobi Metropolitan Region, Kenya.
Authors: Mwaririe Evans Mutugi , Nyambura Miriam Thogori
Published: June 2024

This study's main objective was to ascertain how public procurement methods, impact the effectiveness of public universities in Nairobi Metropolitan region. One hundred and twenty five staff members from each of the seven public universities in Nairobi Metropolitan region made up the study's target population. A descriptive research design was used. Since information was gathered from the seven public universities in Nairobi Metropolitan region, the study used the census methodology. Questionnaires were used to collect data. The tools were pre-tested by ten members of the Machakos University procurement team. The Cronbach Alpha coefficient was used to gauge the instrument's dependability. Inferential statistics were used to analyze the data, and the results were presented using cross-tabulations, frequency diagrams, and percentages. The data analysis made use of multiple regressions and Pearson's correlation. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences was used to aid the analysis. The study established that public procurement methods have a statistically significant influence on procurement performance in public universities in Nairobi Metropolitan Region, Kenya. Thus, each public procurement practice; tendering process, supplier evaluation and purchase monitoring statistically affects procurement performance in terms of costs, lead times and quality aspects. Thestudy was expected study to serve as a foundation for developing procurement policies in Nairobi Metropolitan region's public universities and as a springboard for additional research in the area.
How AI and Ml Help Service Based Organisations to Resist External Market Shock: Baysian Analysis
Authors: Mousa Saeed
Published: June 2024

The purpose of this research is to investigate the nature of the relationship between artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) technologies in service-based organizations on the one hand and organizational resilience on the other, as well as the potential impact of external market shocks on this relationship. A quantitative survey of 171 service-based groups was used to perform the research. The study's findings indicate that using AI and ML technologies in service delivery has a beneficial and substantial effect on organizational resilience. Furthermore, the research discovered that the degree to which external market shocks influence the efficacy of these technologies in improving an organization's resilience moderates the connection between the use of AI and ML technologies and organizational resilience. According to the results, service-based companies can improve their resilience by incorporating AI and ML technologies into their service delivery processes. They must, however, evaluate the possible influence of external market shocks on the efficacy of these technologies in increasing resilience. The research has ramifications for service-based organizations and adds to the body of knowledge on organizational resilience and the application of AI and ML technologies in service delivery.