bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
THE RELEVANCE OF ENHANCING CRITICAL THINKING SKILLS IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE LEARNERS
Authors: ZHUMAGALIYEVA Guldana
Published: June 2024

The article discusses new trends in higher education and educational technologies, focusing on the development of critical thinking skills. It examines various definitions and approaches to critical thinking, including philosophical and cognitive-psychological perspectives. The technology of critical thinking development is explored as a system of methodical techniques and strategies aimed at enhancing students' educational and cognitive awareness. The article also discusses the relationship between critical thinking and Bloom's taxonomy, highlighting the importance of developing critical thinking skills in language learning. It concludes by emphasizing the need to structure learning activities to target different levels of critical thinking, from acquiring knowledge to synthesizing information and forming conclusions.
The method of rating scientific citations publications based on the Academic Index
Authors:   Non-Government Organization ", Kuz Mykola ,   Academy of Technical Sciences of Ukraine", Mostovyi Ivan ,   Vasyl Stefanyk Precarpathian National University, Polataiko Ihor ,   Non-Government Organization "Academy of Technical Sciences of Ukraine", Mishahin Ruslan ,   Lyceum named after Roman Shukhevich
Published: June 2024

Авторами даної роботи запропоновано використовувати для рейтингування наукової продуктивності вчених Академічний індекс, який дозволяє врахувати надлишковість цитувань певних публікацій, порівняно з мінімально необхідною кількістю цитувань, потрібною для досягнення певного значення індексу Хірша
Silenced Narratives: Assessing the Human Rights Situations of Indigenous Peoples in the Philippines
Authors: Simporios Lloyd Lyndel
Published: June 2024

This article presents an analysis of the human rights situations experienced by many indigenous peoples (IPs) throughout the Philippines. Through an analysis of various sources, it uncovers a range of alarming violations of human rights confronted by IPs, including forced evictions and land grabbing, as well as the degradation of their cultural heritage. It also emphasizes the historical and inherent rights of IPs concerning ancestral territories and self-determination, as protected by national and international laws. A meticulous evaluation of the Philippine government, particularly the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples, exposes substantial inadequacies when it comes to fulfilling their duty to safeguard these rights and combat human rights violations. Drawing on these revelations, this article emphasizes the imperative for the Philippine government to take resolute action in acknowledging and preserving the rights of IPs. Additionally, this calls for the adoption of an approach based on human rights to effectively tackle the challenges confronted by indigenous communities. Above all, this article underlines the utmost significance of ensuring the complete realization of these rights for IPs in the country. It ardently advocates for unwavering monitoring and dedicated advocacy endeavors in this pivotal sphere, aiming to instigate substantial transformations and address the systemic issues that persist.
The Psychology of Tsismis: A Phenomenological Study About Housewives’ Gossip Engagement
Authors: Suing Nissi , Gorospe Junelie , Labto Lawrence , Pinca Junea Paula , Tomas Rodrigo
Published: June 2024

The act of gossiping, or "pakikipagtsismisan," is often observed in Filipino culture and pervasive throughout its society. This study explores the psychology of "tsismis" through the perspectives of housewives in selected areas of the National Capital Region (NCR) of the Philippines. It's aim is to investigate the phenomenon of "pakikipagtsismisan" within the Filipino community, particularly among housewives. The study also seeks to understand the motivations of participants for engaging in this activity, as well as the potential advantages and disadvantages they derive from it. A qualitative research design, specifically a phenomenological approach, was employed to explore this phenomenon. Semistructured interviews were conducted with 11 participants until saturation was reached. Thematic analysis was used to analyze the gathered data, revealing several themes that addressed the research questions posed by the study. "Tsismis" was found to be deeply ingrained in Filipino culture for these housewives, serving various purposes for them individually. Some participants viewed it as a form of entertainment, a source of information, a means of connecting with others, and even as a defense mechanism. Additionally, the results indicated that "tsismis" significantly impacts the well-being of these housewives.
English Teachers’ Readiness for Home-Based Learning Its Relationship to Teachers’ Performance
Authors: Arciaga Mary Cecille
Published: June 2024

The researcher aimed to determine the relationship between English teachers' readiness for home-based learning and their performance. The study's presumed hypothesis was tested using a descriptive correlational design with a significance level of 0.05. The data were analyzed using a variety of statistical measures, including frequency count, mean, and multiple regression analysis, to answer the study question. Furthermore, the researcher used a reliable and valid instrument designed by Mansor et al. (2021) to measure the level of readiness for home-based learning among teacher respondents. Meanwhile, a documentary analysis was used to evaluate the English teachers' performance. The study was evaluated and approved for implementation by the LCUP-REC. To assure consistency, the researcher asked 252 teachers from nine (9) schools in one of Bulacan's educational districts to complete the standardized surveys using Google Form while maintaining rigid anonymity. The data were examined and handled statistically using Statistical Packages for Social Sciences (SPSS). The results indicated a value larger thanthe predetermined 0.05 threshold of significance. The researcher failed to reject the null hypothesis, which states that there is not a significant relationship between English teachers' readiness for home-based learning and their performance. Furthermore, the study proposed a faculty development program concentrating on English language competency as part of teachers' ongoing professional development to improve their level of readiness for home-based learning, particularly in terms of subjective norms.
Stress, Appraisal, Coping and Adaptation of Family Caregivers of Patients on Dialysis: A Transactional Theory Approach
Authors: Tudayan-Espiritu Claire
Published: June 2024

The primary purpose of this research was to determine the levels of stress, appraisal, coping, and adaptation among family caregivers. The study employed a quantitative descriptive research design. There were 402 respondents involved in this study who completed a survey questionnaire. The results demonstrated that family caregivers experienced moderate stress levels, yet exhibited exceptional levels of appraisal, coping, and adaptation. The data analysis led to the conclusion that family caregivers of dialysis patients face stressors, including financial burden, but cope well. They feel supported, satisfied, and in control of their caregiving experiences. They also manage their responsibilities well by adjusting to their work, social life, and finances, and prioritizing patient care. To address these findings, the researcher recommends that healthcare providers establish tailored stress management and counseling programs to support family caregivers of dialysis patients. By providing such resources, healthcare providers can help caregivers manage the range of stressors they face on a daily basis. Furthermore, social workers should continue offering emotional support and resources to caregivers, which will help maintain their positive appraisal and sense of control over their caregiving experiences. Empowering family caregivers in this way can help them feel better equipped to tackle the challenges that come with caring for their loved ones.
Nurturing Resilient Communities: Unveiling the Transformative Potential of Agroecological Preservation in Sustainable Farming
Authors: Conadera Rony
Published: June 2024

This study delves into the exploration of agroecological preservation patterns in the Municipality of Lambunao. The main objective is to understand the current practices and their implications on the local environment. To achieve this, a descriptive research method was employed, utilizing a standardized data-gathering instrument to collect information from 500 local community farmers, selected through randomstratified sampling across various barangays. The research method involved the use of descriptive statistics, including frequency count and ranking, for data analysis. Additionally, inferential research was conducted using the Mann-Whitney U test and Kruskall Wallis test, with a significance level set at 0.05. The results of the study revealed that the Agroecological System in Lambunao is primarily characterized by plain topography, clay soil type, and rice as the main crop. The farmers predominantly practice organic farming as a tradition. Preservation practices were found to be frequently practiced by the entire group and seldom practiced when considering selected variables. However, when focusing on the tradition of organic farming, it was found that farmers always practiced preservation. The study concluded that there were no significant differences in preservation practices in terms of age, sex, selected educational attainment, and number of years in farming. However, significant differences were found in farm land area and selected categories of educational attainment. In conclusion, the study underscores the importance of organic farming and the need to promote preservation practices among local community farmers, offering valuable insights into the agroecological preservation patterns in the Municipality of Lambunao.
Mathematics Anxiety’s Impact on Grade 11 General Mathematics Performance
Authors: Moroscallo Teodoro
Published: June 2024

This study investigates the relationship between math anxiety levels and the academic performance of Grade 11 students in General Mathematics. Utilizing a descriptive-correlational design, the research aims to delineate the profile of respondents concerning their math anxiety levels and academic performance. The sample comprised forty-nine Grade 11 students. The primary research instrument was Ellen Freedman’s standardized Self-Test for Math Anxiety. Findings indicate that the respondents exhibited moderate levels of math anxiety and their academic performance in General Mathematics was generally satisfactory. Notably, a significant relationship was found between math anxiety and the respondent's sex. Additionally, the study revealed a negative correlation between math anxiety and academic performance, indicating that higher levels of math anxiety are associated with poorer academic performance in General Mathematics, and conversely, lower levels of math anxiety correlate with better academic performance. The study concludes with recommendations for educational practice and suggestions for future research directions.
Sentyivskyi Shantse as a component of the defensive structures of New Serbia: Historical and archaeological aspects
Authors: Shatkovskyi Vladyslav , Tupchienko Mykola
Published: June 2024

The relevance of the research topic is manifested in the context of the unique geopolitical position of Potyasmynia and the broader region of the “Zadniprovian lands” of the Hetmanate and New Serbia in the mid- to late 18th century. This period was characterised by acute political and military transformations, which led to intensive construction of fortifications, including the Sentyi Shantse. Considering the importance of understanding the historical context and significance of defensive structures in this region, the study of the Sentyi Shantse becomes an essential element in unravelling historical events and processes. The aim of the study is a comprehensive elucidation of the historical significance of the Sentyi Shantse, the stages of its historical existence and fate, relying on the use of historiography, cartography, and archaeology data. In addition to general scientific methods, the authors employed special-historical methods, namely: chronological, historical-typological, and cartographic methods, which allowed for balanced and well-founded research results. The research included a historiographic analysis of scientific works, identifying the specificity and differences in the vectors of shantse research in scientific sources from the second half of the 18th century to the beginning of the 20th century and contemporary history. The predominance of the goals of historical anthropology was established. The specificity of the two main periods of studying the Sentyi Shantse in the system of defensive structures of Potyasmynia in the mid- to late 18th century was determined and characterised. Six chronological stages in the history of the shantse were identified and characterised. The results of its archaeological research were introduced into scientific circulation and analysed. The practical value of the work lies in the possibility of applying the research results in the study and writing of works on local history topics, in the preparation of lectures on regional and Ukrainian history, as well as in their use in highlighting the history of the region in museum activities
LA LIBERTAD ASOCIATIVA Y EL MARCO DE LA PERSONALIDAD JURÍDICO-ESTATAL DE LAS ENTIDADES RELIGIOSAS EN ESPAÑA
Authors: Alenda Salinas Manuel
Published: June 2024

Desde instancias oficiales internacionales se viene propugnando que si el Estado crea un marco legal para otorgar a las comunidades religiosas una personalidad jurídica que implica un estatus especial en el derecho interno, todos los grupos religiosos que así lo deseen deben poder solicitar dicho estatus (TEDH); de manera que las leyes concernientes a la personalidad legal de estos grupos deben constituirse de modo que faciliten el derecho de libertad religiosa, permitiendo el acceso a los derechos vinculados a la personalidad jurídica (OSCE). Sin embargo, en los últimos casos en que la Audiencia Nacional ha juzgado acerca de la denegación de acceso al Registro de Entidades Religiosas, se ha estimado bien denegada la inscripción, atribuyendo a la Administración al frente de dicho Registro una cierta potestad de calificación. La peculiar situación de este Registro —entre recobrar el carácter jurídico de que estuvo revestido y la de acabar de convertirse en un mero registro administrativo—, sin que la doctrina jurisprudencial haya desvirtuado esta incertidumbre, hace pertinente el estudio de la temática atinente al marco jurídico de la entidad religiosa en España, partiendo de sus aspectos más generales, como son la libertad de creencias y su dimensión comunitario-religiosa, hasta llegar a concreciones más particulares, fijando el estatuto de las entidades religiosas, el instrumento para su personificación jurídica y la actividad de calificación registral de la Administración.
Nullification of law del Derecho norteamericano
Authors: López Jiménez Raquel
Published: June 2024

La CE señala a España como un Estado de Derecho cuyos valores superiores de su ordenamiento jurídico son la libertad, la igualdad y la justicia, entre otros. Es por ello, que el derecho a castigar sea aplicado mediante un instrumento que ordene el castigo, expropiando a los particulares de su aplicación. De ahí, la necesidad de un proceso judicial desarrollado antes los Juzgados y Tribunales existentes, en aplicación al derecho fundamental a un juez legal predeterminado por ley. entre estos tribunales, se encuentra el Tribunal del Jurado, en el que personas legas en Derecho, participan en la Administración de Justicia declarando probados o no determinados hechos concretos y emitiendo un veredicto que «vinculará» al órgano judicial. El derecho de defensa y la presunción de inocencia, se reconoce a todas las personas por más deplorables que hayan sido las formas de delinquir. Estas garantías, pueden verse restringidas por el sensacionalismo mediático que algunas informaciones dan y que pueden colisionar con las garantías fundamentales antes mencionada. En estas páginas analizaremos todas estas cuestiones generales, haciendo hincapié en la posible limitación por los medios de los derechos de defensa y la presunción de inocencia. Finalmente, examinaremos las repercusiones que esta colisión entre el derecho a la libertad de expresión y la presunción de inocencia, pueda conllevar para las partes procesales.
Ejecución de sentencias en el marco de la tutela judicial efectiva en Ecuador
Authors: Quinde Quizhpi Luis Ernesto
Published: June 2024

La Constitución ecuatoriana de 2008 califica al país como un Estado constitucional de derechos y justicia con énfasis en las garantías constitucionales para sus habitantes. Sin embargo, existen deficiencias en el sistema legal, particularmente en la ejecución de las garantías judiciales. Por ejemplo, estándares inconsistentes, impunidad, corrupción y falta de independencia judicial. El presente análisis tiene como objetivo proporcionar una visión detallada del sistema judicial de Ecuador, con un enfoque en el análisis de los desafíos y oportunidades de aplicación de la normativa en las garantías judiciales y la protección de los derechos básicos de los que goza la población.
Durante esta investigación se ha identificado fallas en el sistema judicial de Ecuador, entre otras, la falta de coherencia en los criterios judiciales, la politización y la burocracia. Esta investigación demuestra que en Ecuador hay una necesidad de reformas para mejorar la ejecución de sentencias y garantizar una supervisión judicial eficaz; paralelamente, es preciso fortalecer la independencia judicial y la proporcionalidad en las medidas de ejecución. Se destaca la necesidad de incorporar principios como respeto a la autoridad judicial, proporcionalidad, oportunidad, eficiencia, no discriminación y cooperación para el cumplimiento efectivo de las sentencias. Además, este trabajo demuestra que existe la necesidad de poner en vigencia un sistema legal eficiente y transparente para garantizar resultados justos y una obediencia efectiva de las decisiones judiciales. En conclusión, existe una brecha significativa entre la teoría y la práctica de la aplicación judicial efectiva en Ecuador. Es necesario optimizar los mecanismos de sentencia y abordar cuestiones como la interpretación inconsistente de las garantías judiciales, la corrupción y los procesos burocráticos ineficaces. Las mejoras en estas áreas son fundamentales para proteger los derechos básicos y fortalecer la confianza en el sistema legal.
Derechos de personas vulnerables en la contratación presencial y telemática ante notario público en Ecuador
Authors: Arellano Sarasti Paul David
Published: June 2024

Esta investigación parte de la problemática que existe en la falta de tutela de derechos constitucionales de personas vulnerables en la contratación telemática, a diferencia de la protección que existe en la contratación personal de forma física ante notario público en el Ecuador.
Se utilizó el método de investigación con un enfoque mixto que combina tanto técnicas cualitativas como cuantitativas para la recolección de datos. En la cualitativa, con un enfoque particular en las normativas legales; en la cuantitativa, a través de la técnica de la encuesta para recolectar datos de notarios públicos y sus trabajadores de notarías de la ciudad de Quito, Ecuador. La recolección de datos cuantitativos, procesamiento y análisis de estos, se exponen en los resultados. Así, esta investigación se enmarca bajo el método analítico crítico.
Como resultado, se evidencia las diferencias entre la percepción de seguridad jurídica que existe de los notarios públicos y sus trabajadores en la evaluación de la capacidad de las personas en la contratación presencial, en la que a criterio de los encuestados se asegura la protección de los derechos constitucionales de las personas vulnerables, en contraste con la contratación telemática, en la que no ocurre esta tutela por varios factores. Como la falta de capacitación y desconocimiento de los notarios y sus trabajadores en materia tecnológica, acompañado de variables respecto de los usuarios considerados vulnerables por diferentes causas.
Como conclusión se evidencia la falta de capacitación a los notarios públicos y sus trabajadores en el manejo, uso adecuado y de forma segura de la tecnología, y se recomienda la implementación de políticas públicas por parte del Estado ecuatoriano para mitigar la vulneración de los derechos constitucionales de las personas digitalmente vulnerables durante una contratación telemática, con la intervención del notario público como apoyo, en sintonía a lo que ocurre en la contratación presencial.
GENDER STEREOTYPES IN THE PAREMIOLOGY OF THE RUSSIAN LANGUAGE
Authors: Ibadova Turkan
Published: June 2024

The article includes a small study of gender types found in Russian paremio-phraseology. Gender is created by society as a social model of women and men that determines their position and role in behavior and its institutions (family, political structure, economy, culture and education, etc.). Gender systems are different in different societies, but in every society these systems are asymmetrical in such a way that men and all things "masculine" (characteristics, behaviors, professions, etc.) are considered primary, important and dominant, and women and all things which are "feminine" /woman' are defined as secondary, socially insignificant and subordinate. Paremiology is located at the intersection of phraseology and folklore, which makes the study of proverbs and sayings very important from the point of view of the modern linguistic and cultural approach. Paremiology is indicative of cultural stereotypes fixed in language. There is no doubt that there are different possibilities for self-identification, but the analysis of a large number of sections allows us to draw conclusions about dominant trends and evaluations.
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR PARENTS OF ADOLESCENTS WITH DEVIANT BEHAVIOR
Authors: Mirzagayeva Reyhan
Published: June 2024

This article discusses strategies and techniques that can help parents communicate and raise teenagers who exhibit deviant behavior. Emphasizes the importance of understanding the causes of deviant behavior, which may be related to psychological difficulties, family problems, peer influence, or school problems.
COMPАRАTIVE ANALISE OF АSPERGER SYNDROME АND АTYPICАL АUTISM
Authors: Аslаnovа Sаbinа
Published: June 2024

Аutism hаs been recognized аs а certаin neuropsychologicаl disorder, which mаnifests itself in the first yeаrs of life аnd continues throughout life, with delаys аnd deviаtions in sociаl relаtions, communicаtion, generаl development. This аrticle compаres аtypicаl аutism аnd Аsperger's syndrome. Syndromes cаn be distinguished from eаch other by existing diаgnostic criteriа. From the point of view of differentiаl diаgnosis, the literаture on аutism disorder аnd Аsperger's syndrome wаs reviewed. Impаirment in sociаl interаction, restricted, stereotyped, аnd repetitive pаtterns in behаviors, interests, аnd аctivities аre hаllmаrks of both disorders. Аccording to DSM-IV аnd ICD-10, the most significаnt difference between Аsperger's syndrome аnd аutism is the аbsence of а clinicаlly significаnt delаy in speech аnd cognitive development in Аsperger's syndrome. Some аuthors clаim thаt motor functions аre impаired in Аsperger's syndrome. The differences between Аsperger's syndrome аnd аtypicаl аutism аnd their co-occurring feаtures аre systemаticаlly explаined.
Strategi Monitoring Kurikulum dan Pengembangan Profesional Guru untuk Meningkatkan Hasil Pendidikan di Sekolah Dasar Islam Terpadu
Authors: Diana Sari Novita , Saputra Roja , Idris Muhammad , Nelson Nelson , Ngadri Ngadri
Published: June 2024

Penelitian ini membahas monitoring pendidikan yang dilakukan kepala sekolah. Tujuan penelitian ini adalah untuk mengetahui apa saja yang diperlukan dalam monitoring pelaksanaan kurikulum di SDIT Semarak Rejang Lebong. Sumber data primer dalam penelitian ini hasil wawancara dan data sekunder yang di gunakan adalah jurnal dan buku buku yang relavan. Teknik analisis data yang digunakan  peneliti dalam penelitian ini adalah reduksi data, display data dan verifikasi data, Teknik keabsahan data yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini adalah triangulasi. Hasil penelitian ini menunjukkan bahwa bahwa Monitoring kurikulum adalah krusial untuk keberhasilan implementasi dan dampak positif pada pembelajaran siswa. Indikator monitoring yang relevan membantu evaluasi pelaksanaan kurikulum dan identifikasi area perbaikan. Langkah-langkah utama meliputi observasi pembelajaran, evaluasi hasil belajar siswa, konsultasi dengan guru, dan analisis data. Program pengembangan profesional untuk guru mendukung implementasi kurikulum dan meningkatkan kualitas pembelajaran. Monitoring dilakukan secara berkala dan terstruktur untuk memastikan sesuai dengan tujuan dan standar yang ditetapkan. Penggunaan indikator komprehensif mengevaluasi hasil belajar, kualitas pengajaran, dan partisipasi siswa. Dukungan dan pengembangan profesional bagi guru diperkuat untuk meningkatkan keterampilan dalam mengimplementasikan kurikulum. Kolaborasi antara kepala sekolah, guru, orang tua, dan siswa menjadi kunci dalam mencapai hasil pendidikan yang lebih baik.
EXPLORING BREAST CANCER SCREENING BEHAVIORS AMONG UNDERGRADUATE FEMALE STUDENTS IN PESHAWAR, PAKISTAN: A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF MEDICAL AND NON-MEDICAL DISCIPLINES
Authors: Salman Zahir  , Khansa Khan  , Somia Mazhar  , Mohammad Sajjad Ali Khan  , Atifa Afridi  , Aima Nasir
Published: June 2024

BACKGROUND: Breast cancer is a growing global health concern, impacting even developing nations like Pakistan. Timely detection is pivotal, relying heavily on awareness campaigns and screening practices.
OBJECTIVES: This study delves into knowledge regarding breast cancer screening techniques and screening practices among undergraduate female students in Peshawar, Pakistan, encompassing both medical and non-medical disciplines.
METHODOLOGY: A comprehensive comparative observational study was conducted between April and July 2023. The research involved 600 students (301 medical, and 299 non-medical) who were surveyed through a self-constructed questionnaire. The data analysis encompassed demographics, breast cancer awareness, screening behaviors, and future intentions, providing a holistic perspective.
RESULTS: Among participants, a noteworthy 96.7% (580) were already acquainted with breast cancer, but only 43.1% (250) had awareness of breast self-examination. Importantly, 46.4% (163) of the 580 participants who had never undergone screening cited a perceived low risk as the primary reason. Encouragingly, 70.7% (410) expressed their intent to commence screening in the future, with 34.3% (206) indicating an initiation age between 16 and 20 years. Information sources primarily included social media, teachers, and maternal guidance.
CONCLUSION: The study accentuates the dire need for improved breast cancer education among female students, emphasizing the paramount importance of early detection. Key recommendations encompass educational initiatives within schools, hands-on self- examination workshops, and promoting consultations with healthcare professionals.
KEYWORDS: Breast Cancer, Screening Practices, Early Detection of Cancer
The Importance of the implementation of financial regulation in crypto currency
Authors: Perwez Shaquib
Published: June 2024

Research Question and Justification Why it is very necessary to implement financial regulation in cryptocurrency? Can financial regulation play a significant role in stabilising the cryptocurrency market? What would be the post implementation effect of financial regulatory body on crypto currency assets?
ISLAMIC BANKING AND FINANCIAL INCLUSION OF WOMEN IN LAGOS
Authors: Hamzat Monsurah Adedoyin , Nwankwo Theodore
Published: June 2024

Lagos, the financial hub of Nigeria is home to an estimated 3 million women above the age of 18 years who do not have bank accounts. The Central Bank of Nigeria notes that there are several barriers faced by women in accessing formal bank accounts. Some of these barriers include insufficient mobile money agency networks; lack of national identity means; inadequate digital financial services; untapped opportunities available in microfinance that can serve women and rural people; lack of tailored financial products to meet the needs of the unbanked population; and finally non-digital payments systems, especially G2P and P2G. In addition, reports highlight that a large share of financially excluded women cite religious reasons for not using banks. This study aims to critically investigate the barriers faced by women without bank accounts in Lagos and suggested Islamic banking, an alternative banking institution as a solution. This study will help evaluate the use of Islamic banking tools as a solution to foster financial inclusion for women in Lagos and Nigeria as a whole. Using a qualitative method, this study surveyed 32 unbanked women in Lagos. The study identified the peculiar barriers to financial inclusion faced by these women who are mainly self-employed and with low levels of education. The barriers to financial inclusion common to women without bank accounts in Lagos are ambiguous account opening documents, lack of acceptable means of identification, long distance of banks and lack of steady source of income. Many of these women also cited religion and marriage as a barrier. This is often reflected in terms of relocation, change of name and switching from formal employment to the cultural home making roles women in this region usually adopt. The findings of this study provided evidence that unbanked Muslim women in Lagos are aware of Islamic bank’s product offerings and are willing to open account with an Islamic Bank. This agrees with the literature evidence that Islamic finance can improve financial inclusion. However, there are few Islamic bank branches available in Lagos that can solve the long-distance barrier to financial inclusion of these women. Interestingly, the study discovered that religion is not a significant barrier to financial inclusion of the unbanked women In Lagos, however, religion will play a role in determining their future choice of financial institution.
Phytochemical Screening, Antioxidant Activity, and Cytotoxicity of Ethanol, Ethyl Acetate, and n-Hexane Kluwak (Pangium edule) Extract on MCF-7 Breast Cancer Cells
Authors:   Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Indonesia, Jakarta 10430, Indonesia, Khalisha Soediro Abidin Raniindra , Arsianti Ade ,   Department of Medical Chemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Indonesia, Jakarta 10430, Indonesia and Drug Development Research Cluster, Indonesia Medical Education and Research Institute (IMERI), Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Indonesia, Jakarta 10430, Indonesia
Published: June 2024

Introduction: Breast cancer occurs quite high and is one of the main causes of death in Indonesia and the world. Current treatment for cancer is expensive and has varying degrees of success and can cause side effects for patients. Kluwak (Pangium edule), whose reseach is still limited has the potential to be used as an alternative treatment for breast cancer. Methods: Kluwak powder was macerated using three different types of solvents to obtain ethanol extract, ethyl acetate extract and n-hexane kluwak extract. Phytochemical tests and thin layer chromatography (TLC) were carried out to determine the type and amount of phytochemical components of kluwak extract. The antioxidant activity of kluwak extract was tested using the DPPH method and the cytotoxic effect on MCF-7 breast cancer cells was determined using the MTT test. Results: The phytochemical components contained in kluwak extract include flavonoids, alkaloids, triterpenoids and glycosides. The ethanol extract of kluwak showed very weak antioxidant activity (IC50 = 26459 µg/ml), while the antioxidant activity of the ethyl acetate and n-hexane extracts could not be determined. Ethyl acetate and n-hexane kluwak extracts also had a moderate cytotoxic effect on MCF-7 breast cancer cells with IC50 values respectively 132.79 µg/ml and 232.93 µg/ml while the ethanol extract had a weak cytotoxic effect with values IC50 667.91 µg/ml.Conclusion: Kluwak (Pangium edule) extract contains phytochemical compounds and cytotoxic effects on MCF-7 breast cancer cells, so it has the potential to be developed as a therapeutic agent in the management of breast cancer.
Rapid, DNA-induced interface swapping by DNA gyrase
Authors: Germe Thomas RM , Bush Natassja G , Baskerville Victoria M , Saman Dominik , Benesch Justin LP , Maxwell Anthony
Published: June 2024

DNA gyrase, a ubiquitous bacterial enzyme, is a type IIA topoisomerase formed by heterotetramerisation of 2 GyrA subunits and 2 GyrB subunits, to form the active complex. DNA gyrase can loop DNA around the C-terminal domains (CTDs) of GyrA and pass one DNA duplex through a transient double-strand break (DSB) established in another duplex. This results in the conversion from a positive (+1) to a negative (–1) supercoil, thereby introducing negative supercoiling into the bacterial genome by steps of 2, an activity essential for DNA replication and transcription. The strong protein interface in the GyrA dimer must be broken to allow passage of the transported DNA segment and it is generally assumed that the interface is usually stable and only opens when DNA is transported, to prevent the introduction of deleterious DSBs in the genome. In this paper, we show that DNA gyrase can exchange its DNA-cleaving interfaces between two active heterotetramers. This so-called interface ‘swapping’ (IS) can occur within a few minutes in solution. We also show that bending of DNA by gyrase is essential for cleavage but not for DNA binding per se and favors IS. Interface swapping is also favored by DNA wrapping and an excess of GyrB. We suggest that proximity, promoted by GyrB oligomerization and binding and wrapping along a length of DNA, between two heterotetramers favors rapid interface swapping. This swapping does not require ATP, occurs in the presence of fluoroquinolones, and raises the possibility of non-homologous recombination solely through gyrase activity. The ability of gyrase to undergo interface swapping explains how gyrase heterodimers, containing a single active-site tyrosine, can carry out double-strand passage reactions and therefore suggests an alternative explanation to the recently proposed ‘swivelling’ mechanism for DNA gyrase (Gubaev et al., 2016).
Defective mesenchymal Bmpr1a-mediated BMP signaling causes congenital pulmonary cysts
Authors: Luo Yongfeng , Cao Ke , Chiu Joanne , Chen Hui , Wang Hong-Jun , Thornton Matthew E , Grubbs Brendan H , Kolb Martin , Parmacek Michael S , Mishina Yuji , Shi Wei
Published: June 2024

Abnormal lung development can cause congenital pulmonary cysts, the mechanisms of which remain largely unknown. Although the cystic lesions are believed to result directly from disrupted airway epithelial cell growth, the extent to which developmental defects in lung mesenchymal cells contribute to abnormal airway epithelial cell growth and subsequent cystic lesions has not been thoroughly examined. In the present study using genetic mouse models, we dissected the roles of bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) receptor 1a (Bmpr1a)-mediated BMP signaling in lung mesenchyme during prenatal lung development and discovered that abrogation of mesenchymal Bmpr1a disrupted normal lung branching morphogenesis, leading to the formation of prenatal pulmonary cystic lesions. Severe deficiency of airway smooth muscle cells and subepithelial elastin fibers were found in the cystic airways of the mesenchymal Bmpr1a knockout lungs. In addition, ectopic mesenchymal expression of BMP ligands and airway epithelial perturbation of the Sox2-Sox9 proximal-distal axis were detected in the mesenchymal Bmpr1a knockout lungs. However, deletion of Smad1/5, two major BMP signaling downstream effectors, from the lung mesenchyme did not phenocopy the cystic abnormalities observed in the mesenchymal Bmpr1a knockout lungs, suggesting that a Smad-independent mechanism contributes to prenatal pulmonary cystic lesions. These findings reveal for the first time the role of mesenchymal BMP signaling in lung development and a potential pathogenic mechanism underlying congenital pulmonary cysts.
7,8-Dihydroxyflavone is a direct inhibitor of human and murine pyridoxal phosphatase
Authors: Brenner Marian , Zink Christoph , Witzinger Linda , Keller Angelika , Hadamek Kerstin , Bothe Sebastian , Neuenschwander Martin , Villmann Carmen , von Kries Jens Peter , Schindelin Hermann , Jeanclos Elisabeth , Gohla Antje
Published: June 2024

Vitamin B6 deficiency has been linked to cognitive impairment in human brain disorders for decades. Still, the molecular mechanisms linking vitamin B6 to these pathologies remain poorly understood, and whether vitamin B6 supplementation improves cognition is unclear as well. Pyridoxal 5’-phosphate phosphatase (PDXP), an enzyme that controls levels of pyridoxal 5’-phosphate (PLP), the co-enzymatically active form of vitamin B6, may represent an alternative therapeutic entry point into vitamin B6-associated pathologies. However, pharmacological PDXP inhibitors to test this concept are lacking. We now identify a PDXP and age-dependent decline of PLP levels in the murine hippocampus that provides a rationale for the development of PDXP inhibitors. Using a combination of small-molecule screening, protein crystallography, and biolayer interferometry, we discover, visualize, and analyze 7,8-dihydroxyflavone (7,8-DHF) as a direct and potent PDXP inhibitor. 7,8-DHF binds and reversibly inhibits PDXP with low micromolar affinity and sub-micromolar potency. In mouse hippocampal neurons, 7,8-DHF increases PLP in a PDXP-dependent manner. These findings validate PDXP as a druggable target. Of note, 7,8-DHF is a well-studied molecule in brain disorder models, although its mechanism of action is actively debated. Our discovery of 7,8-DHF as a PDXP inhibitor offers novel mechanistic insights into the controversy surrounding 7,8-DHF-mediated effects in the brain.
Paying attention
Authors: Poth Christian H
Published: June 2024

Intentional eye movements depend on where peripheral attention is voluntarily deployed beforehand, but they can be directed elsewhere shortly afterwards.
Gastric Cancer Genetics and Its Implications for Diagnosis, Prognosis, and Treatment of the Disease
Authors: Santos José Pedro , Figueiredo Joana , Machado José Carlos
Published: June 2024

Gastric cancer (GC) is an aggressive disease and the fifth most common cancer worldwide with a variable geographical distribution. GC has a very low survival rate, mainly because of its heterogeneous presentation, multifactorial etiology, and late diagnosis. It is well established that various risk factors contribute to the development of the disease, including salty diet, smoking, and excessive alcohol consumption. Importantly, interactions between genetic and environmental traits trigger the activation of key signaling pathways, influencing gastric cell behavior towards neoplastic transformation and progression. Despite important advances in our understanding of GC, it remains a major health burden owing to epidemiological and therapeutic limitations. This study aimed to provide a comprehensive overview of the genetic landscape of GC phenotypes and molecular biomarkers for diagnosis and prognosis. In particular, we discuss the advances in genomic knowledge and technology that have yielded comprehensive information on the genetics of GC and classified it from a histological to a molecular perspective. Therefore, targeted and immune-based therapies have been developed, highlighting the challenges associated with intratumoral and interpatient heterogeneity. Finally, we explored potential research avenues on the intricacies of GC and identified accurate biomarkers for improved cancer screening and stratification. The development of innovative approaches to tackle relevant molecules is needed for GC management.
Clinical Characteristics and Outcomes in Patients With Localized Gastric Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis: A Case Series
Authors: Kim Tae-Se , Ahn Soomin , Min Yang Won , Lee Hyuk , Lee Jun Haeng , Rhee Poong-Lyul , Kim Jae J. , Min Byung-Hoon
Published: June 2024

Objectives: Localized gastric Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) characterized by abnormal proliferation of Langerhans cells in the stomach without systemic involvement, is rare; therefore, the clinical characteristics and outcomes of LCH remain unclear. We investigated the clinical characteristics and outcomes in patients diagnosed with localized gastric LCH and have also discussed treatment strategies for this rare disease.Methods: The study included seven patients diagnosed with localized gastric LCH at our hospital between September 1997 and December 2023. We retrospectively reviewed medical records and analyzed the clinicopathological characteristics and patient outcomes.Results: Endoscopically, localized gastric LCH appeared as a small erosion in the distal part of the stomach. Positron emission tomography-computed tomography revealed normal findings in 100.0% (4/4) of patients during pre-treatment workup. Immunohistochemical analysis using S-100 and CD1a showed immunopositive cells in all tested patients. Of the six patients who underwent follow-up, two (33.3%) showed metachronous recurrence at a location distinct from the initial site. However, all patients eventually showed spontaneous regression of the disease, and no gastric LCH-induced mortality was observed during follow-up.Conclusions: Careful and regular surveillance may be sufficient for patients with localized gastric LCH without systemic involvement.
Successful Endoscopic Vacuum-Assisted Closure Therapy for Esophageal Perforation: A Case Report
Authors: Huh Jung , Yang Jinsun , Kang Seung Joo , Kang Hyoun Woo , Moon Hyeon Jong , Kim Su Hwan , Kim Bokyung , Kim Ji Won , Lee Kook Lae , Seong Yong Won , Kim Kwang Woo
Published: June 2024

Esophageal perforation can lead to serious complications, and rapid diagnosis and treatment significantly affect the prognosis. Endoscopic vacuum-assisted closure (EndoVAC) therapy is widely accepted as a safe, well-tolerated, effective, versatile and practical procedure for the management of esophageal perforation in selected patients. We report the successful use of EndoVAC therapy for management of an esophageal perforation secondary to foreign body removal. A 56-year-old man presented to the emergency department for evaluation of chest pain after swallowing the plastic shell of a pill. Emergency endoscopy revealed an esophageal wall laceration (approximately 3 cm) and microperforation. The esophageal laceration and microperforation were limited to the mid-esophagus. The patient underwent EndoVAC therapy, which was repeated every 3–4 days for a total of six sessions over a period of 21 days. We observed improvement in the esophageal injury with granulation tissue formation during the fifth session. Subsequent follow-up evaluation, including esophagography and chest computed tomography confirmed complete healing of the esophageal injury. Following resumption of diet, the patienton a was discharged without any complications.
Fungal Infection in Upper Gastrointestinal Tract
Authors: Lee Ayoung , Jung Sung Woo , Kim Jung Mogg
Published: June 2024

Mycoses refer to infectious diseases caused by fungi. Fungal infections are rare and mainly occur as opportunistic infections in immunocompromised patients. Candida species are the most common cause of mycosis; however, members of the order Mucorales or genus Aspergillus may also cause serious fungal infections in immunocompromised hosts. Fungal infections of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract can be asymptomatic or may present with abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhea, or GI bleeding. Although rare, thorough understanding of fungal infections of the upper GI tract encountered in real-world clinical settings can enable early diagnosis and prompt initiation of treatment to improve patient prognosis.
Three-layer heterogeneous network based on the integration of CircRNA information for MiRNA-disease association prediction
Authors: Qu Jia , Liu Shuting , Li Han , Zhou Jie , Bian Zekang , Song Zihao , Jiang Zhibin
Published: June 2024

Increasing research has shown that the abnormal expression of microRNA (miRNA) is associated with many complex diseases. However, biological experiments have many limitations in identifying the potential disease-miRNA associations. Therefore, we developed a computational model of Three-Layer Heterogeneous Network based on the Integration of CircRNA information for MiRNA-Disease Association prediction (TLHNICMDA). In the model, a disease-miRNA-circRNA heterogeneous network is built by known disease-miRNA associations, known miRNA-circRNA interactions, disease similarity, miRNA similarity, and circRNA similarity. Then, the potential disease-miRNA associations are identified by an update algorithm based on the global network. Finally, based on global and local leave-one-out cross validation (LOOCV), the values of AUCs in TLHNICMDA are 0.8795 and 0.7774. Moreover, the mean and standard deviation of AUC in 5-fold cross-validations is 0.8777+/−0.0010. Especially, the two types of case studies illustrated the usefulness of TLHNICMDA in predicting disease-miRNA interactions.
Performance enhancement in hydroponic and soil compound prediction by deep learning techniques
Authors: Abidi Mustufa Haider , Chintakindi Sanjay , Rehman Ateekh Ur , Mohammed Muneer Khan
Published: June 2024

The soil quality plays a crucial role in providing essential nutrients for crop growth and ensuring a bountiful yield. Identifying the soil composition, which includes sand, silt particles, and the mixture of clay in specific proportions, is vital for making informed decisions about crop selection and managing weed growth. Furthermore, soil pollution from emerging contaminants presents a substantial risk to water resource management and food production. Developing numerical models to comprehensively describe the transport and reactions of chemicals within both the plants and soil is of utmost importance in crafting effective mitigation strategies. To address the limitations of traditional models, this paper devises an innovative approach that leverages deep learning to predict hydroponic and soil compound dynamics during plant growth. This method not only enhances the understanding of how plants interact with their environment but also aids in making more informed decisions about agriculture, ultimately contributing to more sustainable and efficient crop production. The data needed to perform the developed hydroponic and soil compound prediction model is acquired from online resources. After that, this data is forwarded to the feature extraction phase. The weighted features, deep belief network (DBN) features, and the original features are achieved in the feature extraction stage. To get the weighted features, the weights are optimally obtained using the Iteration-assisted Enhanced Mother Optimization Algorithm (IEMOA). Subsequently, these extracted features are fed into the Multi-Scale feature fusion-based Convolution Autoencoder with a Gated Recurrent Unit (MS-CAGRU) network for hydroponic and soil compound prediction. Thus, the hydroponic and soil compound prediction data is attained in the end. Finally, the performance evaluation of the suggested work is conducted and contrasted with numerous conventional models to showcase the system’s efficacy.