bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Student teachers’ challenges addressed by science didactics when reflecting upon teaching at a science centre
Authors: Thorén Williams Alexina , Svensson Maria
Published: January 2022

This study aimed to examine student teachers’ challenges addressed by science didactics in a fieldwork assignment at a science centre. From a teacher educator perspective, it is central to understand how student teachers’ theoretical understanding of science didactics comes into play in practice. The empirical material consists of video-stimulated reflections on teaching science at the science centre. By using a didactic model, the influence of artefacts as representations emerges as the most prominent challenge with science didactics at the science centre. This, together with the identified challenges: knowledge about school students’ science understanding, making science content accessible, and the complexity of asking questions, indicates that the didactic model becomes a valuable analytical tool. To create didactical situations in teaching practice, the didactic model provides a powerful ‘thinking tool’ for student teachers – as well as teacher educators in their practice.
An updated review on probiotics as an alternative of antibiotics in poultry — A review
Authors: Yaqoob Muhammad Umar , Wang Geng , Wang Minqi
Published: January 2022

Antibiotics used to be supplemented to animal feeds as growth promoter and as an effective strategy to reduce the burden of pathogenic bacteria present in the gastro-intestinal tract. However, in-feed antibiotics also kill bacteria that may be beneficial to the animal. Secondly, unrestricted use of antibiotics enhanced the antibiotic resistance in pathogenic bacteria. To overcome above problems, scientists are taking a great deal of measures to develop alternatives of antibiotics. There is convincing evidence that probiotics could replace in-feed antibiotics in poultry production. Because they have beneficial effects on growth performance, meat quality, bone health and eggshell quality in poultry. Better immune responses, healthier intestinal microflora and morphology which help the birds to resist against disease attack were also identified with the supplementation of probiotics. Probiotics establish cross-feeding between different bacterial strains of gut ecosystem and reduce the blood cholesterol level via bile salt hydrolase activity. The action mode of probiotics was also updated according to recently published literatures, i.e antimicrobial substances generation or toxin reduction. This comprehensive review of probiotics is aimed to highlight the beneficial effects of probiotics as a potential alternative strategy to replace the antibiotics in poultry.
Involvement of Epigenetic Regulation in Plant Defence during Biotic Stress
Authors: M. Shah Jasmine , T. Joseph Joyous
Published: January 2022

Plants being organisms that lack locomotion and vocabulary, they are not privileged to escape and communicate during unfavourable conditions of biotic/abiotic stresses, like their animal counterparts. Therefore, plants have evolved with higher adaptive skills that tune them during unfavourable conditions. In this context, regulation of gene expression plays a crucial role in controlling the cellular pathways required for survival during unfavourable conditions. This chapter is about the epigenetic regulation of plant defence during biotic stress. Researchers have taken various approaches to understand the epigenetic regulation of plant defences and these approaches are described here. Epigenetic regulation also has the potential to be inherited and this phenomenon has aided plants for better adaption. Such reports on transgenerational memory during biotic stress in plants are also compiled. A deeper understanding of epigenetic regulation of defence pathways during biotic stress, and identification of epigenetic marks on the genomes, can aid the development of crop improvement strategies. With the recent advancement in epigenome editing, it should become possible to develop epigenetically improvised plants, devoid of genetic modification.
The relationship between preschool teachers pedagogical content knowledge in mathematics, childrens' math ability and liking
Authors: Dağlı Hatice , Elif Dağlıoğlu
Published: January 2022

This study attempts to identify preschool teachers' pedagogical content knowledge levels in mathematics and to examine its effect on preschool children's mathematics ability and their liking of mathematics. The study utilised the relational survey model, one of the general survey models. The working group was composed of 600 children aged 54-66 months old and a total of 150 teachers. The study employed three data collection tools: with the 'Preschool Teachers' Pedagogical Content Knowledge Scale regarding Mathematics' and the 'Mathematics Liking Scale for Children' developed by the researchers; 'Early Mathematics Ability Test' to determine children's mathematics ability. The data were analysed using IBM's SPSS 22 statistical package. The correlation analysis results suggested that there were no significant relationships between teachers' pedagogical content knowledge in mathematics, children's mathematics ability, and their liking of mathematics, while a positive and significant relationship was found between children's mathematics ability and their liking of mathematics.
Pre-service teachers' caring about sustainable development goals for Turkey and for the world and their competence in associating the goals with the learning outcomes in the curriculum
Authors: Kemal Yuzbasioglu , Altan Kurnaz
Published: January 2022

This study aims to determine pre-service science teachers' caring about the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) for Turkey and for the world and their levels of competence in associating the SDG-related learning outcomes in the curriculum with these goals. The study employed the survey model, which is a descriptive research method. The study group consists of 60 pre-service science teachers. The data were collected through forms developed by the researchers, and descriptive statistics were used in the analysis of the data. The participating pre-service teachers regard SDG "very important" for both Turkey and the world. According to the findings of the study, there are gender-based differences between the pre-service teachers in terms of caring about SDG for Turkey and for the world. While nearly half of the pre-service teachers regard themselves partially competent in matching the learning outcomes in the science curriculum with SDG, they have some deficiencies in practice. To eliminate the pre-service teachers' deficiencies on sustainable development, the study recommends making adjustments in the curriculum implemented in Turkey with regards to the concept of sustainable development.
Teacher candidates' teaching-learning conceptions and self-efficacy in organizing out-of-school trips: The mediating role of lifelong learning
Authors: Baki̇oğlu Büşra
Published: January 2022

This study aimed to examine whether lifelong learning has a mediating role in the relationship between teacher candidates' teaching-learning conceptions and self-efficacy in organizing out-of-school trips. Structural Equation Modeling was used to determine this relationship. The study sample consisted of 341 teacher candidates. The study data were collected using the Teaching and Learning Conceptions Questionnaire, the Self-Efficacy Belief Scale for Planning and Organizing Educational Out-of-school Trips, and the Lifelong Learning Scale. Participants' ages ranged from 18 to 30 (M = 23.26; SD = 2.62). According to the findings of the study, positive and significant relationships were found between teacher candidates' teaching-learning conceptions and lifelong learning and their self-efficacy in organizing out-of-school trips. The structural equation model of the study was confirmed. In conclusion, teacher candidates' lifelong learning tendencies were found to strengthen the relationship between teaching-learning conceptions and self-efficacy in organizing out-of-school trips.
The effect of media communication tools on children during the Covid-19 pandemic
Authors: Kardes Servet , Dokumaci Cansu
Published: January 2022

The negativities experienced during the Covid 19 pandemic process had an impact not only on families but also on children. In this process, to eliminate the negativities in the field of education, distance education has been directed and online learning has become even more important. The use of media communication tools used for online learning has become widespread. This study aims to reveal the effect of media communication tools on children during the pandemic period with the views of families. It was carried out in accordance with the qualitative research approach. The case study technique was used as the research design. The study group of the research consists of 35 parents who have preschool children. Data were collected from the participants through a semi-structured interview form and the collected data was analyzed through content analysis. As a result of the research, it was revealed that the duration of use of media tools by parents and children increased with the pandemic. Parents stated that they generally found themselves competent in using media tools to support their children's education during the pandemic process. It turns out that parents often use media for news, social media and, research. It was concluded that children mostly use media for education, playing games and, watching cartoons. Finally, parents generally think that media tools are used efficiently in the education process of children. As a suggestion, informative broadcasts about the use of media by children and parents and media-based intervention programs for parents and children in early childhood can be recommended.
Microwave-assisted extraction of essential oil from ginger (Zingiber officinale Rosc.)
Authors: Drinić Zorica , Jovanović Miloš , Pljevljakušić Dejan , Čujić-Nikolić Nada , Bigović Dubravka , Šavikin Katarina
Published: January 2022

Comparison between conventional and microwave-assisted hydrodistillation at different power levels has been applied for the extraction of essential oil from Zingiber officinale Rosc. rhizome. In addition to the collected essential oils, as the main products, hydrolats were also collected, as valuable by-products from both extraction techniques. A comparison of two applied techniques was done in terms of extraction time, extraction yield, the chemical composition of essential oils and hydrolats, and environmental impact. Microwave-assisted hydrodistillation achieved a higher extraction yield (1.70, 1.70, and 1.85 % for power levels of 180, 360, and 600 W, respectively) compared to hydrodistillation (1.50 %). Furthermore, distillation time related to the energy consumption has been reduced from 144 min and 1.44 kWh for conventional hydrodistillation to 37, 32, 27 min and 0.11, 0.19, 0.27 kWh for power levels of 180, 360, and 600 W, respectively. Content of α-zingiberene in essential oil and hydrolat obtained by hydrodistillation was 29.89 and 6.87 %, while content of α-zingiberene in essential oils and hydrolats obtained by microwave-assisted hydrodistillation was higher yielding the amounts of 34.12, 34.43, and 42.00 % and 18.70, 22.60, and 32.92 % for power levels of 180, 360, and 600 W, respectively. Microwave-assisted hydrodistillation has proven to be promising technique for the isolation of ginger’s essential oil regarding improved yield, reduced time and energy requirements, as well CO2 emissions while maintains oil quality.

 
Evaluation of the - 318C/T (RS5742909) CTLA4 gene polymorphism influence on kidney function after transplantation
Authors: Veljančić Nevena , Perović Vladimir
Published: January 2022

Introduction: The protein CTLA-4 (Cytotoxic T Lymphocyte Antigen-4) is a molecule that plays a significant role in maintaining immunological homeostasis. Recent studies demonstrated an unequivocal proof that CTLA-4 has an inhibitory effect on immune response. This gene has been identified with several single nucleotide polymorphisms which could change gene activity, consequently leading to structural protein change. This genetic variability is associated with acute rejection and delayed graft function as important indicators of kidney transplantation success. Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential association of CTLA4 (rs5742909) polymorphisms with acute rejection and delayed graft function in patients with kidney transplant. Material and methods: A total of 151 patients were included in this cross-sectional cohort study. Real-time polymerase chain reaction was used to determine the genotype which was then evaluated in relation to acute rejection and delayed graft function. Statistical significance was analyzed by Pearson's Chi-square and Fisher's exact test. Results: The most frequent genotype among 151 patient was CC (80.8%), then CT (17.9%) and TT (1.3%). The frequency of C allele is 89.7% whereas the frequency of T allele is 10.3%. There was no statistically significant difference in CTLA4 genotype and allele distribution nor their linkage to acute rejection and delayed graft function. The evaluation of C or T allele carriers showed no statistically significant difference with respect to previously mentioned posttransplant complications. Conclusion: In this study, no statistically significant association between -318C/T (rs5742909) CTLA4 polymorphism and AR/DGF was found.
Clinical pathological characteristics of pelvic bone tumors
Authors: Starčević Darko , Simić Ljubica , Đuričić Goran , Rajković Stanislav , Sopta Jelena
Published: January 2022

Introduction: Bone tumors are rare neoplasms whose therapy depends on the location. Pelvic bones represent a special anatomical entity diagnosis and therapy of pelvic tumors in addition to the pathohistological type largely depends on the anatomical specifics of that region. Aim: The aim of this study was to show the frequency, as well as clinical and pathological characteristics of primary and secondary tumors of the pelvic bones. Material and methods: The research as a descriptive study in the period from January 1, to December 31, 2019 at the Institute of Pathology of the Medical Faculty of the University of Belgrade and includes 33 patients. Demographic, clinical and radiological data were obtained from the Bone Tumor Registry. Statistical processing and analysis were done in the Statistical Package for Social Science SPSS Windows version 22 (IBM Chicago, Ilinois, USA). Results: Out of 33 patients, 55% had secondary pelvic tumors, primarily cancer metastases (37%). In 21% of cases, primary malignant bone tumor as diagnosed, and in 12%, primary benign bone tumor. Hematopoietic neoplasms were verified in 12%. Conclusion: Pelvic bone tumors are not common, but these neoplasms, in orthopedic oncology, represents their malignant biological behavior are of great importance. The most common primary malignant tumor in adults is chondrosarcoma, and in children Ewing sarcoma. Highest frequency for pelvic bone metastases has lung cancer. Plasmacytoma in adults, Langerhans cellular histiocytosis in children are hematological neoplasms seen at this site.
Erratum: The role of plant polyphenols in the health preservation: Effects on human cardiometabolic function (2021, vol. 72, br. 1, pp. 34-42)
Authors: Uredništvo U
Published: January 2022

In the paper titled "The role of plant polyphenols in the health preservation: Effects on human cardiometabolic function" by Miloš Gostimirović et al. published in Medical youth journal volumen 72, number 1, there occurred a technical error on the title page, where in the upper left corner the type of manuscript is marked as "ORIGINAL SCIENTIFIC ARTICLE". The type of the mentioned manuscript is a mini-review article and in the upper left corner there should be written "Mini review article". On this occasion, we apologize to the authors and readers. With the consent of the author, we publish a correction in this issue.
Geographical indications as a means of valorization of economic business: A chance for rural recovery
Authors: Lukinović Mario , Opačić Ana , Milojević Ivan
Published: January 2022

Preservation of the characteristics of agricultural and food products is directly correlated with the system of geographical indications. Today, in more than 150 countries around the world, geographical indications are in the service of guaranteeing quality, origin, method of production, often tradition and, finally, product safety. The authors point out the changes in consumer behaviour, the change in the propensity to consume products that are differentiated on the market by different forms of marking and certification, and the willingness to pay for the same products at premium prices. Additional labels have imposed themselves as the main means of valorizing products on the market. The authors point out the potential of Serbian agriculture and give recommendations to the legislator, but also to other competent institutions, in order to improve position of the overall national economy. Ecological, agriculture, based on the principles of non-GMO impurities, with a clear commitment to the integral principles of land cultivation represents the greatest potential of our country. Additional state measures that would support better education and improvement of the position of farmers, with careful strategic planning of agriculture on the already mentioned principles, would make it an accelerator of the overall economic development. Geographical indications as well as standardization and certification must be an indispensable tool along the way.
Free access to information of public importance in theory and practice in the Republic of Serbia
Authors: Lazić Radojica , Dragić Jelena
Published: January 2022

The right of access to information of public importance is undoubtedly one of the key principles on which democratic societies are founded, but the fact that this right has only recently been recognized as a universal human right speaks about the reluctance of countries and governments to accept the right of access to information. The right of access to information of public importance contributes to consistent respect of human rights and freedoms, decreases the risk from corruption and unethical behaviour and has a direct impact on transparency and responsibility in work, but this right must not be a right without limitations, i.e. it must not become unlimited, regardless of how much it proclaims democratic values. Freedom of public information is a derived human right, and includes the right to true, timely and objective information, as well as the right to publicly criticize and ask for an explanation of public activities and acts of authorities and other public actors. This paper, based on valid legal regulations, discusses functioning of the right of free access to information of public importance, with a special overview of security services as the most secret part of the state apparatus of authority.
Village and (dis)trust in the political institutions of the society: Empirical research in Montenegro
Authors: Šarović Rade , Ćeranić Goran
Published: January 2022

The subject of this paper is the (dis)trust of peasants towards the social order and political institutions of the Montenegrin system. This relationship is most often reflected in the fact that peasants are more subordinate to the global society, the state and the ruling regime than all other strata in one system. In small societies such as Montenegro, their influence as a political factor and an active participant in the creation of political life is minor. This exclusion is primarily the result of the small number of people remaining to live and work in the village today, and of their demographic characteristics. The involvement in public action is reduced to the execution of orders, payment of taxes, and voting in elections to support or not support those in power. Hence the story of peasants' (dis) trust in the institutional system they live in.
From passivity to the struggle for change: Activist aspirations of the youth from the rural regions of Vojvodina
Authors: Petrović Marica , Čikić Jovana
Published: January 2022

The youth in modern Serbian society is mostly uninterested in activism. That leads to their political atomization, privatization, more pronounced feeling of not belonging, and social exclusion. Since young people in villages are at a higher risk of social exclusion, a question arises as to the nature of their practices and readiness for activism. The analysis of activist aspirations of the village youth was performed on the basis of the data collected by a semi-standardized interview on the sample of 500 respondents (aged 18-29) in ten villages in Vojvodina. The results show that young people encounter numerous problems and are aware of them, but they do not take active part in their resolution. Village youth is characterized by political passivity, accompanied with the negative assessment of the efficiency of own action, as well as the feeling of social weakness.
Gender perspective on the global compact for safe, orderly and regular migration
Authors: Nikolić Ivana
Published: January 2022

This paper is dedicated to the gender analysis of the Global Compact on safe, orderly and regular migration since 2018. In the past 30 years, research within migration has also included an analysis of gender and gender inequalities. The inclusion of gender and the principles of gender responsibility in the Compact indicates the determination of the states to include the experiences of women and men in their legal systems. The paper raises questions such as whether gender is integrated into the Compact and, if so, in what way, and what positive and negative effects it will have on the migration of women. The lack of gender analysis through all the principles and goals of the Compact indicates outdated understanding of gender. Such perspectives do not create a fundamental change at the state level. This paper will point out the current as well as future impacts of the Compact on women and men in the process of global mobility. The work of the International Migration Network and the reports of the countries on the implementation will be taken into account, with an additional element of the current Coronavirus pandemic and its impact on the implementation.
Socio-cultural interpretation of the phenomenon of old age in Shakespeare's tragedy King Lear
Authors: Andrejević Ana
Published: January 2022

The focus of the research in this paper is socio-cultural interpretation of the phenomenon of old age and intergenerational conflict with the literary projection in King Lear. The study of the socio-historical context in which the play was written is focused on the renaissance interpretation of old age and equation of the representatives of this age group with the remainder of the feudal system at the moment of the awakening of individualism and the beginning of capitalism. The interdisciplinary approach has been applied in the research, while the basic theoretical framework of the paper is composed of the theses of the sociology of literature and theatre, literary methods of new historicism, as well as gerontology, the psychology of getting older, and sociology of the family. The main hypothesis considered in the paper is that this Shakespeare's tragedy reflects the social reality of the late renaissance era, including the marginalized position of old age. The obtained results show intolerance of the social environment towards old persons and the subversive character of younger generations that often express gerontophobia, which is in favour the classification of King Lear as a geriatric tragedy.
The airspace control of the Republic of Serbia as a security challenge, risk and threat to national security
Authors: Đukić Đorđe
Published: January 2022

Problems that occur when trying to control in an efficient and timely manner the airspace of the territory of the state surrounded by challenges and threats are becoming more frequent. They arise as a process that accompanies the development of modern lethal weapons for the attacks from the ground and airspace, by increasing the growth of pretensions of great states and state alliances, and the development and spread of economic globalism. One of the causes that can lead to the loss of sovereignty and territorial integrity in the airspace is the slow and longlasting adoption of strategic documents, which define the control of this part of the state territory. These documents should be adapted to respond flexibly to the challenges and changes that threaten the state territory, with special emphasis on its airspace. Through the presentation and consideration of security challenges, risks and threats, this paper will point out the problems that arise in the procedures for the airspace control of the state, in modern times, which fluctuates very quickly in the military and economic sense. Examining the characteristics of the airspace of the Republic of Serbia, as part of its territory, through the terms of sovereignty and territorial integrity, national security strategy and defence strategy, the difficulties and problems in its defence and control will be considered.
Correction: Strategic culture and its key factors as a determinant of strategic thinking and actions of different nations and states (2018, 6, 9-30)
Authors: Uredništvo U
Published: January 2022

In Vojno delo no. 6/2018, after the intervention of the real author, a correction of the electronic version has been made, and on page 398 the following text of the correction is stated: - The paper "Strategic culture and its key factors as a determinant of strategic thinking and actions of different nations and states" has been mistakenly signed by the names Hatidža Beriša and Neven Cvetićanin, pp. 9-30, DOI: 10.5937/vojdelo1806009B, and the mentioned paper is considered invalid. The author of this paper is Darko Glišić, and the original integral version of the paper "Strategic culture and its key factors as a determinant of strategic thinking and actions of different nations and states" has been posted as a correction on the website of Vojno delo on July 15, 2019, pp. 9-30 , DOI: 10.5937/vojdelo1806009G.
Determinantes de las innovaciones organizacionales: factores y obstáculos en la empresa española
Authors: Fernández Perea M. Piedad
Published: January 2022

Las innovaciones en las organizaciones (en adelante IO) llevan consigo la utilización de nuevos mecanismos organizativos de cara al funcionamiento interno de la empresa en áreas como la organización del lugar de trabajo o en las relaciones con el exterior a la empresa. Se han utilizado datos del Panel de Innovación Tecnológica (FECYT 2012). Se lleva a cabo un análisis de las variables que afectan a la adopción de IO en las compañías, realizando una estimación de un modelo estadístico probit trivariante, sobre el que se aplica el método de máxima verosimilitud. Los resultados evidencian relación de dependencia entre los diferentes mecanismos de innovación en las organizaciones y la necesidad de controlar esta interacción. Los resultados permiten evidenciar la existencia de nueve componentes o variables que tienen una relación positiva con la adopción de IO, entre ellas se encuentran la adquisición de I+D (I+D externa) y la necesidad de formación, corroborando que, para aquellas organizaciones que realizan un esfuerzo en incrementar su capacidad para adquirir nuevos conocimientos, la introducción de IO sirve como un complemento.
Development education: socio-affective learning in the Language and Literature classroom
Authors: Pareja Olcina María
Published: January 2022

Educating for development has become an opportunity for countries and their societies to embark on a new path with which to improve life. This article presents an experience in the subject of Spanish Language and Literature where the importance of the affective is worked in the framework of couple relationships through the style of educational communication and participatory methods. These teachings are aimed at promoting knowledge, attitudes and values capable of generating a culture of equality and solidarity committed to promoting human development. The educational project was made up of several phases, in the first one the theater work, Relacionados, was represented in the eighth meeting of youth theater (Trobada de Teatre Jove) organized by the Inestable company and the Instituto Valenciano de la Juventud (IVAJ). The company November Films recorded the project and it was broadcast through virtual channels to other secondary schools of the Valencian Community. In a second phase, a high school group participated in the virtual day that was organized for young people to know and enjoy the theatrical activity, in which Secondary Education theater groups exhibit their works. The results of this artistic and pedagogical activity are encouraging to continue deepening a type of socio-affective learning. In short, this methodological proposal explores other pedagogical possibilities for secondary school teachers to teach through active participation.
Lectura dialógica de álbumes ilustrados para fomentar el pensamiento crítico: un enfoque para Educación Primaria
Authors: Ruiz-Guerrero Leonor , Hoster-Cabo Beatriz , Molina-Puche Sebastián
Published: January 2022

La discusión sobre textos literarios, y en particular álbumes, resulta ser un recurso válido para la promoción del pensamiento crítico en el ámbito educativo (McDaniel, 2006; Roche, 2015; entre otros). Desde esa premisa, en este trabajo se propone un enfoque para la lectura dialógica, apoyado en la mayéutica, que provoque una mirada crítica no solo sobre los aspectos literarios, sino también sobre los comportamientos democráticos o antidemocráticos presentes en los álbumes. El enfoque integra, con una tarea de escritura, las tres habilidades críticas señaladas por Cassany (2017). La metodología es cualitativa, se trata de una investigación evaluativa en tres fases. En este artículo se exponen los resultados de la tercera, en la que el enfoque se aplicó a 157 estudiantes de los seis cursos de Educación Primaria. El análisis de las respuestas permite contemplar dos dimensiones: cómo el alumnado reacciona ante las situaciones que los álbumes narran; y cómo se producen sus intervenciones en la discusión. Es posible concluir que la conversación guiada refuerza las habilidades de identificación y percepción de situaciones democráticas o no democráticas, e incrementa las capacidades críticas como la argumentación, contraste de ideas y cuestionamiento de lo leído, que se fijan con la escritura.
El sistema de la cooperación internacional para el desarrollo: morfología de un paciente crítico
Authors: Quint Sascha
Published: January 2022

Resumen: Este artículo ofrece una perspectiva extensa y actual de las críticas que se han realizado a la cadena de valor de la cooperación internacional al desarrollo incluidos objetivos, organización, estructura, acciones y resultados. Para este artículo América Latina fue seleccionada como región de análisis. Se realizó una revisión de literatura de manera integrativa y sistemática. A consecuencia de, se analizaron y sistematizaron las más recientes publicaciones de instituciones de investigación y organismos internacionales involucrados en este tema.
 
Palabras clave: Cooperación Internacional al Desarrollo, Concepto de Desarrollo, Crisis, América Latina.
 
Abstract: The article provides a broad and current overview of the criticisms that have been made to the value chain of international development cooperation including objectives, organization, structure, actions and results. For this article Latin America was selected as region under study. For this article, an integrated and systematic review of literature was conducted. As a result, the most recent publications of research institutions and international organizations involved in this topic were analysed and systematized.
 
Key words: International Development Cooperation, Concept of Development, Crisis, Latin America.
ROLE OF FISCAL POLICY IN STIMULATING THE ECONOMIC RECOVERY OF THE WESTERN BALKAN COUNTRIES
Authors: Mlinarević Predrag
Published: January 2022

The crisis caused by the coronavirus pandemic has raised the question of the role and possibilities of fiscal policy in mitigating its current effects and accelerating postpandemic recovery. This issue is relevant for all economies without exception, bearing in mind that aid packages to the population and the economy are predominantly based on fiscal stimulus. For this reason, the issue of the efficiency of expansionary fiscal policy has been raised again, taking into account the specific macroeconomic circumstances in which most economies find themselves. Therefore, the subject of this paper is the analysis of the optimal structure of the expansionary fiscal policy, with particular emphasis on the Western Balkans region, in the context of resolving the current macroeconomic consequences of the crisis and the possibility of providing both short and medium-term growth. Based on the analysis of specific macroeconomic circumstances in the countries of the Western Balkans, conclusions were reached as to which fiscal policy instrument can be used to achieve the previously described goals.
Investigation into movable dislocation evolution feature and strengthening effect for metal twin Al from atomic perspective
Authors: Wang Sheng , Chen Jing-Jing , Weng Sheng-Bin ,   Department of Mechanical Engineering, Quzhou College of Technology, Quzhou 324000, China,   School of Information and Mechatronics Engineering, Ningde Normal University, Ningde 352100, China,   Engineering Training Center, Quzhou University, Quzhou 324000, China
Published: January 2022

It is an universal phenomenon that the dislocations are produced in metal plastic deformation, which will has a potential value in fundamental research field for metal strengthening and toughening if its evolution characteristics and laws are investigated. Therefore, this behavior of movable dislocation for metal Al is studied by atomic simulation, and the microscopic mechanism of metal strengthening and toughening are also revealed through studying the interaction between movable dislocation induced by nano-indentation and twin boundary. Furthermore, the movable dislocation features, and dislocation density, and hardness, and adhesive effect are analyzed, and the comparison between the single boundary height and the multilayer twin boundary height is conducted. It is found that the plastic deformation of aluminum mental can be dominant by coordinating the amorphous generation and hexagonal close-packed structure under high speed deformation. In the nano-indentation process, the twin boundary has two obvious effects on movable dislocation of moving changes: one is to hinder the dislocation from migrating, the other is to induce dislocation to produce a cell, which result in the dislocation entanglement and generation of cross slip, it is also the main reason why the metal has excellent mechanical properties of strengthening and toughening features. These results demonstrate that the local non-contact region on the surface of Al substrate can induce atomic mismatch spots to appear during loading, and when the distance between the twin boundary and the upper surface of the substrate decreases, the effects of dislocation winding and dislocation slip become more obvious, and the anti-adhesion effect also decreases. In addition, the twin boundary is treated as the propagation of plastic ring source in the dislocation emission process when substrate is continuously loaded. These results provide an important theoretical source for improving metal strengthening and toughening effect.
Echo spectrum modulation characteristics of plasma flow field simulated by wind tunnel
Authors: Man Liang , Deng Hao-Chuan , Wu Yang , Yu Xi-Long , Xiao Zhi-He ,   The Second Academy of China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation, Beijing 100854, China,   Science and Technology on Electromagnetic Scattering Laboratory, Beijing 100854, China,   Key Laboratory of High Temperature Gas Dynamics, Institute of Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
Published: January 2022

When the aircraft moves through the atmosphere at a very high speed, the aircraft will experience intense friction with the surrounding atmosphere, which causes the air to be ionized into plasma, thus producing a plasma flow field around it. Plasma is constantly generated on the windward side of the aircraft and flows backwards. The velocity of plasma is different from that of the aircraft. In addition to the dispersion characteristics of the plasma and the non-uniform distribution around the target, the plasma flow field will produce the effects of amplitude, frequency and phase modulation on the incident radar wave, which will change the electromagnetic scattering characteristics of the target.

In order to reproduce the non-uniform Doppler phenomenon in the flow field under electromagnetic wave irradiation, the plasma echo spectrum is measured experimentally in the JF-10 wind tunnel of the Institute of Mechanics, the Chinese Academy of Sciences. The echo spectrum data of S band and C band are obtained by using a measurement system composed of signal source, circulator, antenna and spectrometer, and based on the measured data the one-dimensional range profile of the plasma coated target is simulated, and the results show that the plasma flow field has a spectrum modulation effect on the target. When the speed of the flow field cannot be compensated for accurately, the spectral modulation effect will further cause the one-dimensional range profile to defocus, which will affect the ability of radar to detect and track the object. The preliminary analysis shows that the effect is caused mainly by the inhomogeneous velocity distribution of plasma flow field and the sudden change of medium parameters when the shock wave arrives. This experiment can provide data support for verifying the electromagnetic characteristics modeling method of plasma flow field.
Antimicrobial peptides properties beyond growth inhibition and bacterial killing
Authors: Castillo-Juárez Israel , Blancas-Luciano Blanca Esther , García-Contreras Rodolfo , Fernández-Presas Ana María
Published: January 2022

Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are versatile molecules with broad antimicrobial activity produced by representatives of the three domains of life. Also, there are derivatives of AMPs and artificial short peptides that can inhibit microbial growth. Beyond killing microbes, AMPs at grow sub-inhibitory concentrations also exhibit anti-virulence activity against critical pathogenic bacteria, including ESKAPE pathogens. Anti-virulence therapies are an alternative to antibiotics since they do not directly affect viability and growth, and they are considered less likely to generate resistance. Bacterial biofilms significantly increase antibiotic resistance and are linked to establishing chronic infections. Various AMPs can kill biofilm cells and eradicate infections in animal models. However, some can inhibit biofilm formation and promote dispersal at sub-growth inhibitory concentrations. These examples are discussed here, along with those of peptides that inhibit the expression of traits controlled by quorum sensing, such as the production of exoproteases, phenazines, surfactants, toxins, among others. In addition, specific targets that are determinants of virulence include secretion systems (type II, III, and VI) responsible for releasing effector proteins toxic to eukaryotic cells. This review summarizes the current knowledge on the anti-virulence properties of AMPs and the future directions of their research.
Evaluation of Protein Carbonyl and Vitamin C in Seminal Plasma of Infertile Male: A Hospital-based Study in Bengali Population
Authors: Rakshit Kesab , Rout Jayanta Kumar , Jha Tulika , Jain Sandeep , Mahapatra Anil Baran Singha
Published: January 2022

Introduction: Male infertility has been coupled with the imbalance between production of Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) and antioxidant (e.g.,: vitamin C) level. Elevated concentrations of ROS in the semen can lead to oxidative protein damage as they counter with the amino acids' side chains in the protein, leading to the production of carbonyl groups. Aim: To assess if there is any difference of seminal plasma Protein Carbonyl (PC) and vitamin C level in male infertile and fertile subjects in the midst of their correlation with other relevant seminal parameters. Materials and Methods: This was a hospital-based case- control study of a Bengali population. Semen samples of 124 males (Group A; 68 infertile males, Group B; 56 fertile males) were tested. Seminal fluid analysis was done with Makler counting chamber. PC and vitamin C were measured by Levin’s and Roe’s photometric methods respectively. To evaluate the differences in the mean ranks of these parameters Mann- Whitney U test was used. Results: Both in group A and group B sperm count was positively correlated with motility and vitamin C but negatively correlated with PC at significant level p<0.05. Statistically significant differences of mean ranks of these parameters (sperm count: 52.82 and 74.26, motility: 52.10 Vs 75.13, PC: 76.57 and 45.41, vitamin C:55.99 and 70.40, Mann Whitney U:1245, 1197, 947 and 1461, respectively) between the two groups were found. Hence, indicate that in infertile subjects the balance between PC and vitamin C is disturbed. Conclusion: Assessment of oxidative status may serve the clinician in additional management of idiopathic male infertility.
Role of Social Determinants of Health in COVID-19 Recovery
Authors: Navuluri Neelima , Bhavsar Nrupen A. , Chen Vivian , Falkovic Margaret , Fish Laura J. , Gray Lauren , Makarushka Christina , Mkumba Laura , Lwin Hnin Thuzar , Stiefer Auston , Ashana Deepshikha Charan
Published: January 2025

Importance

Health systems are increasingly required to conduct health-related social needs screening. However, how social resources negatively and positively affect recovery from acute illnesses, such as COVID-19, is incompletely understood.

Objective

To examine how social determinants of health (SDOH) influence recovery from COVID-19.

Design, Setting, and Participants

In this qualitative study, patients were recruited for semistructured interviews from a post–COVID-19 pulmonary clinic at a southeastern US academic medical center between November 2022 and March 2023. Caregivers were included in dyadic interviews when available. Interviews queried participants about SDOH domains, as defined by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and their relationship with COVID-19 recovery.

Main Outcome and Measures

Phenomenologic analysis identified themes characterizing participant perspectives on the influence of SDOH on COVID-19 recovery.

Results

A total of 24 interviews were conducted: 10 (42%) with patient-caregiver dyads, 13 (54%) with patients alone, and 1 (4%) with 2 patients who also served as each other’s caregiver. Most participants were female (18 patients [72%] and 6 caregivers [60%]). The median age of patients was 57 years (IQR, 44-61 years) and of caregivers was 47 years (IQR, 39-62 years). Three cross-cutting themes that overlapped SDOH domains were identified. Participants noted that innovative mobilization of social resources (eg, policies to secure income during time away from work) supported recovery from COVID-19 illness, but destabilization and change introduced by illness (eg, disrupted social support networks) and mistrust of previously established institutions (eg, public health misinformation) hindered recovery.

Conclusions and Relevance

Participants identified 3 distinct SDOH domains positively and negatively influencing recovery from COVID-19 illness. The findings suggest that longitudinal, multidomain data on SDOH are needed to best address barriers and identify resources for patients recovering from acute illness and may help determine opportunities for system- and policy-level interventions that can mitigate the influence of long-standing structural inequities on health.
Use of Clinical Trial Characteristics to Estimate Costs of New Drug Development
Authors: Mulcahy Andrew , Rennane Stephanie , Schwam Daniel , Dickerson Reid , Baker Lawrence , Shetty Kanaka
Published: January 2025

Importance

Despite their importance to patients, health, and industry, the magnitude of investments in drug research and development (R&D) remain nebulous. New policies require more granular and transparent R&D cost estimates to better balance incentives for innovation and returns to developers.

Objective

To estimate per-drug R&D costs using a novel, reproduceable approach and to describe firm-level R&D costs per discrete unit of R&D activity (1 patient-month).

Design, Setting, and Participants

This economic evaluation used cross-sectional data to estimate 2014 to 2019 costs per patient-month. Costs per patient-month were calculated using data from 268 US publicly traded drug developers, contributing 1311 firm-year observations, that were highest ranked by assets or market capitalization, after exclusions. Per-drug costs were calculated from all R&D activity through approval for a cohort of 38 new drugs approved by the US Food and Drug Administration in 2019. Data were analyzed from January 2022 to July 2024.

Exposure

R&D activity, measured in terms of clinical trial patient-months.

Main Outcomes and Measures

This study used a 2-step approach to estimate R&D costs, first allocating firm-year–level total R&D spending across similarly aggregated patient-months, and then aggregating these incremental costs to estimate drug-level R&D costs per new drug.

Results

Among 268 developers assessed, 20 large firms accounted for 80.8% of all patient-months and had 27.4% lower mean and 26.7% lower median costs per patient-month compared with other firms. Each 1% increase in patient-months was associated with a 0.9% increase in R&D costs. R&D costs per new drug were highly skewed, with a lower median (IQR), at $708 million ($247 million to $1.42 billion) than mean (SD), at $1.31 ($1.92) billion, after adjusting for the cost of capital and discontinued products. Without these adjustments, direct costs per new drug were a median (IQR) of $150 ($67.6-$453) million and a mean (SD) $369 of ($684) million. While estimated R&D costs varied in sensitivity analyses, mean costs were always substantially greater than median costs.

Conclusions and Relevance

This economic evaluation found median per-drug R&D costs toward the lower end of the range from prior studies, with a mean closer to the middle of the existing range despite the broad scope of included costs. These findings suggest parallel development across indications, adjustment for discontinued products, and a small number of expensive development programs are particularly important drivers of R&D costs.
Ligand recognition by 14‐3‐3 proteins requires negative charges but not necessarily phosphorylation
Authors: Kamayirese Seraphine , Hansen Laura A. , Lovas Sándor
Published: January 2025

Protein–protein interactions involving 14‐3‐3 proteins regulate various cellular activities in normal and pathological conditions. These interactions have mostly been reported to be phosphorylation‐dependent, but the 14‐3‐3 proteins also interact with unphosphorylated proteins. In this work, we investigated whether phosphorylation is required, or, alternatively, whether negative charges are sufficient for 14‐3‐3ε binding. We substituted the pThr residue of pT(502–510) peptide by residues with a varying number of negative charges and investigated the binding of the peptides to 14‐3‐3ε using MD simulations and biophysical methods. We demonstrated that at least one negative charge is required for the peptides to bind 14‐3‐3ε, although phosphorylation is not necessary, and that two negative charges are preferable for high affinity binding. This discovery opens up new approaches for designing peptide‐based 14‐3‐3 protein inhibitors.