bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
FINANÇAS PÚBLICAS
Authors: Santos Ângela Moulin S. Penalva
Published: December 2024

Este artigo visa a analisar a capacidade de financiamento dos municípios brasileiros em contexto de fortalecimento institucional do município, tornado “ente federativo” pela Constituição da República de 1988. Uma das condições necessárias, ainda que insuficiente, para que o fortalecimento dos governos locais tenha sucesso é que o município desfrute de crescente autonomia financeira, permitindo-lhe financiar seus investimentos. O estudo realizado concluiu que não tem havido aumento dos investimentos municipais, embora se tenha elevado a autonomia financeira destes entes federativos. Além disso, observou pequena diminuição de gastos com as funções relativas ao desenvolvimento urbano sem que o principal tributo sobre a propriedade imobiliária (IPTU) tenha elevado sua participação relativa como instrumento de política fiscal
危脆生命
Authors: Butler Judith
Published: December 2024

某些影像不得在媒體出現，某些死者名字不為人所談論
某些逝去不被承認為逝去，而去現實化的暴力則四處散播

　　危脆生命（precarious life），即歿於戰爭而不可弔唁的生命、被永久囚禁的生命。這些生命被驅逐出共同體與公共領域領域、不足以被視為「人類」，因而被褫奪獲得正當法律審訊的基本人權，甚至不可公開承認殞沒、不可傷逝。到底是甚麼力量，令這些生命被如斯對待？

　　當異議被攻擊為仇恨言論、鏡頭只對準被視為「勝利象徵」的臉、批判中的真善被拒絕、人類肉身的脆弱被掩埋、現實的暴力失去實感，在人類的危脆與危脆創造意義的能力當中重新發現「人類」，就是我們當前必須回應的義務。

和平就是覺悟到他者的危脆性
倖存者言：九位童年性侵倖存者口述故事
Authors:   風雨蘭
Published: December 2024

有研究指，香港每七名女性，便有一名曾遭受性暴力之害，但只有少於十份一人會向外求助，更遑論將經歷披露於人前。幸得九位童年性侵倖存者敢於受訪發言，本書得以記述她們的生命故事。《倖存者言》除了載有她們受害的經歷，更重要的是寫下了她們如何面對創傷，如何在創傷中過好現在的生活。

　　九位倖存者，橫跨五十後至〇〇後，侵犯者卻無獨有偶都是熟人，難以想像的是當中八個個案的侵犯者是家人和親屬。儘管成長於不同年代，書中受訪者卻不約而同地面對相似的家庭困局，求助歷程屢遭挫折，幸亦偶遇小確幸。童年遺留下來的難題，使她們扛着倖存者的身份，在走走停停的療癒路上繼續書寫未來的人生故事。

　　過去二十年，風雨蘭一直致力為受害人提供輔導及支援，亦在教育和政策倡議上不遺餘力。本書則是其中一條教育的途徑，引導兒童及青少年認識性暴力，並讓大眾──尤其是家長──了解相關知識，培養同理心，減少社會對受害人的二度傷害。
Technology integration by business studies teachers in South Africa to equip learners with employability skills
Authors: Gcabashe Nduduzo Brian
Published: December 2024

Nowadays, there is a unique set of skills that is critical for individuals to operate optimally in the 21st-century business environment. Specifically, skills such as problem-solving, creative thinking, communication, entrepreneurship, and technological skills are critical for individuals to operate optimally in the 21st century. Against this background, a qualitative study was conducted to explore business studies teachers´ technology integration to equip learners with employability skills. This study is located within an interpretive research paradigm. The case study was employed as a research design, while Skills Acquisition Theory serves as the lens of the study. Six schools in Kwa-Zulu Natal province, South Africa, were conveniently selected, and one business studies teacher per school was purposively selected. Interviews and classroom observations were adopted to collect data, and it was analysed thematically. The study found that most teachers attempt to integrate technological tools to nurture learners´ employability skills; however, their technology integration skills still need improvement. As a result, the recommendation is made that teachers be taken through professional development to help them acquire technology integration skills that would enable them to integrate technology to nurture learners´ employability skills required by the 21st-century business environment.
Enhancing Physical Sciences Performance Through Formative Assessment Strategies
Authors: Mngomezulu Halalisani , Ramaila Sam
Published: December 2024

This study explored the impact of integrating formative assessment practices on improving academic performance among learners in Physical Sciences classrooms. Simple random sampling was utilised in the UMkhanyakude District of KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa, to select participants. A quasi-experimental design employing pretest and post-test comparisons was employed, with five secondary schools involved, three comprising an experimental group and two forming a control group. A total of 175 Grade 10 Physical Sciences learners from the selected schools participated in the study. Three teachers from experimental schools underwent training in utilising formative assessment practices, while two teachers from the control group continued with their regular instructional methods without exposure to formative assessment practices. The study was guided by the Assessment for Formative Purpose Cycle as a conceptual framework to explore how formative assessment practices could enhance academic achievement. Data analysis was conducted using SPSS Version 26, employing a 2-way ANOVA statistical technique. Results indicated that students from experimental schools, where the intervention was implemented, demonstrated significantly higher performance compared to those from control schools following standard classroom instruction. The findings suggest the importance of integrating formative assessment practices into the teaching of Physical Sciences within the South African education system to improve learners´ conceptual understanding and foster independent learning in the subject.
The Distributions of Six Cryptic Reptile Species in the Perth Region, Western Australia: Appraising Their Persistence in a Transforming Landscape
Authors: He Forrest
Published: December 2024

Significant and ongoing land clearing within the Perth region has resulted in severe declines in its rich herpetofauna diversity over the last several decades, with many species experiencing widespread extirpations. Several species have since become extremely rare and are confined to a handful of locations; whether or not some species even continue to persist in the region is ambiguous, due to a lack of recent records. The aims of this study are to examine contemporary occurrences of Brachyurophis fasciolatus fasciolatus, Ctenotus gemmula, Delma concinna concinna, Diplodactylus polyophthalmus, Lerista christinae and Lucasium alboguttatum in the Perth region. These records suggest that the distribution of the species have declined here in recent decades. Further survey-work is required to address knowledge gaps in their current distributions, in order to identify remaining populations and conserve locally significant species, which may continue to persist in localities bearing sufficient habitat. Targeted surveys are most suited for this task, with heavy focus on historical collection sites and under-surveyed expanses of habitat.

[Editor’s note: Grey literature listed in the Appendix is denoted in the text by an asterisk]
Ethical Dilemmas of Moral Muteness in Media and Advertising Agencies: A Case of Print Media in Pakistan
Authors: Khan Zakir Ullah , Khan Abdul Wajid
Published: December 2024

Aim of the Study: Moral muteness or the inability or reluctance to address ethical concerns when faced with moral conflicts is a serious problem in Pakistan’s print media advertising industry. In this study, the factors of client pressure, organizational culture, fear of retaliation and internal conflicts between personal values and professional responsibilities are examined as leading to moral muteness among advertising professionals.
Methodology: A qualitative research methodology was employed and 53 advertising professionals from creative directors, account managers and media planners from the leading agencies in Pakistan were interviewed through semi structured interview.
Findings: The results indicated that intense client demands, a profit centered organizational culture and job insecurity create an environment where ethical discourse is not promoted, and professionals resort to rationalizing moral compromises to keep their careers afloat and client relationships intact. Supporting these measures, and from industry bodies like Pakistan Advertisers Society (PAS), All-Pakistan Newspapers Society (APNS) and Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) could be a way to establish a suitable framework in which trade needs to be undermined by ethical standards.
Conclusion: The present study contributes to the literature on media and advertising ethics by investigating the ethical dynamics in Pakistan’s advertising sector. Examples of what could be recommended include building an ethical culture of open ethical openness, and developing the industry’s ethical standards. Future research is suggested to study the effect of digital transformation on ethical decision making in advertising and to evaluate the effectiveness of the ethics focused reforms in agencies.
Sojourning in a Strange Land: Fictionalising the Evils of Human Trafficking in Akachi Adimora-Ezeigbo’s Trafficked
Authors: Roy-Omoni Alex
Published: December 2024

Aim of the Study: Migration and trafficking of African men and women started about 1441. As time went on, over the years, it developed into sex trafficking and sex slavery of women, children and girls into Europe. In Nigeria today, many women and girls have been victims of trafficking and exploitation. Most of them are deceived into thinking that jobs are waiting for them in Europe and so, they willingly accept to migrate only to discover later that it is all a ruse. This is a blatant violation of the fundamental rights of these individuals who face untold hardships and various levels of exploitation and torture. Many countries in the world, including Nigeria, have risen to fight this ugly phenomenon. One of such efforts of the Nigerian government to eradicate this canker worm is the approval of various NGOs like WIN, WRAPA and WOTCLEF to rehabilitate the deported victims and reabsorb them back into the Nigerian society through various skills acquisition. Most Nigerian writers, especially novelists, have continued to document this contemporary reality in their fictions.
Methodology: This paper attempts to discuss in detail, how Akachi Adimora-Ezeigbo has fictionalized the issue of sex trafficking and sex slavery and their evil repercussions in her novel, Trafficked and how she has shown the efforts of one of the NGOs, Oasis Youth Centre for Skills Development (OYCSD) in the fight for the elimination of sex trafficking and sex slavery.
Findings: The paper reveals that the author, through the novel, has educated and informed her readers on the danger of this anomaly and the need to desist from it.
Conclusion: It is also discovered that trafficking or sojourning to the foreign lands is not only for sex trafficking, but willingness on the part of Nigerians to seek good lives and greener pastures and escape insecurity and inhuman treatments meted on them by the misruling political leaders.
Mobile Phone Usage and Academic Performance among Secondary School Students in Government Technical College, Ossomala Anambra State, Nigeria
Authors: OBILOR Ngozi Mary
Published: December 2024

Aim of the Study: This paper investigated the impact of mobile phone on the academic performance of students in Government Technical College, Ossomala Anambra State especially as most students seem to have developed an addiction for their mobile phone. The learning theory of addiction was adopted for this study because it effectively explains how the use of mobile phone affects academic performance.
Methodology: The study adopted a descriptive research design and purposively selected the senior secondary school for this study because students who use mobile phone are mostly in senior secondary school compared to the junior secondary school. Using the balloting method SS 2 was selected to represent the entire students in senior secondary school. A sample size of (N=313) was derived from the sample population of 329. Respondents were selected using a snowball sampling technique. The data used for this study was derived through the use of questionnaire, internet materials, textbooks and journals. Data was presented in table and analysed using frequency and percentage distribution table.
Findings: Findings reveal that students often bring their mobile phone to school and use their mobile phone for non-academic purposes.
Conclusion: The study concluded that mobile phone causes distraction in class and interferes with class work in school. Base on this finding, the study recommends the need to educate students on the proper usage of mobile phone and the acquisition of mobile phone detector in schools by school managements to prevent the use of mobile phone in school.
PENERAPAN TERAPI BERMAIN PLASTISIN PADA AN. R (6 TAHUN) DENGAN DENGUE HAEMORAGIC FEVER AKIBAT HOSPITALISASI TERHADAP KECEMASAN SEDANG DI RUANG MELATI RS TK. II DUSTIRA CIMAHI
Authors: Nawal  , Dewi Safariah Triana
Published: December 2024

Dengue Haemoragic Fever (DHF) is an infectious disease caused by the dengue virus transmitted through the bite of the Aedes aegepty mosquito. Dengue Haemoragic Fever can cause complications namely dengue shock syndrome and cause death especially in children. Preschoolers with DHF often experience anxiety due to hospitalization, one of the treatments is play therapy, then an intervention is prescribed plasticine play therapy. Plasticine play therapy is playing night candles that are soft and easy to shape as desired with a variety of colors of choice and can play on the bed and can reduce anxiety. The purpose of this case study was to identify the level of anxiety before and after plasticine play therapy in preschool children (3-6 years) with dengue haemoragic fever due to hospitalization of moderate anxiety. Plasticine focuses on reducing anxiety in children and helps increase children's creativity. The method used is an analytical descriptive method in the form of a case study with a nursing process approach. The results of this study showed that children experienced anxiety, tension and fear, nursing actions were carried out so that the nursing problem raised was anxiety. Plasticine play therapy was carried out on one child using the Facial Anxiety Scale (FAS) instrument with 3 days of plasticine play therapy from April 30-May 2, 2024 in a day 1 meeting for 10-15 minutes with the results of anxiety resolved on a scale of 2 (no anxiety). This study obtained data that there was a decrease in anxiety levels in An. R age 6 years from a score of 4 (moderate anxiety) to a score of 2 (no anxiety). Plasticine play therapy in preschoolers (3-6 years) due to hospitalization of anxiety can help in reducing anxiety.
Meningkatkan Kemampuan Mengenal Huruf Hijaiyah Melalui Multimedia Interaktif Aplikasi Powerpoint
Authors: Annisya Nur , Ramli Syamsul Alam , Yusuf Muhammad
Published: December 2024

The aimed of this research was to improve children's ability to recognize hijaiyah letters through the multimedia PowerPoint application for group B children at Inayah Sahra Kindergarten, Lawewe Village, North Luwu. This research method applied classroom action research (CAR). The research subjects were 12 children from group B at the Inayah Sahra Kindergarten in Lawewe Village, North Luwu. The data collection techniques were observation and documentation techniques. At the beginning conditions showed that children's ability to recognize hijaiyah letters was very low. This can be seen in the pre-cycle results of the child's ability to recognize hijiyah letters, namely 58% not yet developed category and 42% starting to develop Category. In cycle I, Not Yet Developing Category 16.7%, Starting to Develop Category 42%, Developing According to Expectations Category 33.2% and Developing Very Well Category 8.3%. In cycle II, there were 2 or 16.7% of children in the Developing According to Expectations Category and 83.3% of children were in the Developing Very Well Category with an overall average percentage score of 93.7%. Based on these data, it shows that the use of the interactive multimedia PowerPoint application was declared successful in cycle II stage.
Biographies of Abraham and Other Men
Authors: Millard Alan
Published: December 2024

The biography of Abraham can be compared with other biographies from the second millennium BC which are often treated as fictional. The motifs in the lives of the Egyptian Sinuhe and the Syrian Idrimi are typical. Does the recurrence of such motifs indicate they are imaginary or may they be based on the lives of real characters? Reasons for believing Sinuhe and Idrimi were historical, not legendary, figures are advanced as analogies for accepting that the biblical narratives of Abraham also tell of events in the life of an historical person.
Thoughts on the Use of the (Hebrew) Bible in the Assessment of Current Ethical Issues – Part I: The Question of the "Why?"
Authors: Zehnder Markus
Published: December 2024

This study addresses the question why the Hebrew Bible and the Christian Bible as a whole can be seen as valid and helpful dialogue-partners and guides in the assessment of current ethical issues. It begins with an overview of the broad range of answers that have been given to the question, arguing for a position that views the Bible as an important point of orientation even though in many cases there is no meaningful way to directly “apply” biblical texts, mostly because of the differences between “then” and “now”. An important argument for the usefulness of the Bible can be found in its positive role in shaping ethics and life in societies in which it had a dominating influence in the past.
How is the Old Testament Law “Weak”?
Authors: Averbeck Richard E.
Published: December 2024

The Old Testament law is holy, righteous, good, and spiritual (Rom 7:12, 14), but it is also weak because it cannot work in a human heart to make a person spiritual (Rom 7:14 with 8:3). No law can change a human heart, not even God’s law. The tenth commandment is an example (Rom 7:7–8): The command not to covet cannot stop the sinful human heart from coveting, but incites it to covet all the more. We remain all tangled up in our sin as long as we continue to depend on the human law for strength (Rom 7:14–25). But God has set us free from that enslavement to sin through the work of Christ (Rom 8:1), and enables us to live free in Christ by the power of the work of the Holy Spirit in our human spirit (Rom 8:4–16). We can live now by the Spirit who works a “spirit of adoption” rather than a spirit of slavery within us. The spirit of adoption works God’s love deeply within us so that we become more and more convinced of it and live out of the knowledge that nothing can ever separate us from the love of God.
Redukcja kosztów w razie przedterminowej spłaty kredytu konsumenckiego w świetle orzeczenia TSUE C-383/18
Authors:   Wydział Prawa, Administracji i Ekonomii, Uniwersytet Wrocławski, Wachnicka Agnieszka
Published: December 2024

The aim of the article is to examine the effects of the judgment of the Court of Justice of the European Union in case C-383/18 (Lexitor) on the functioning of the consumer credit market. The article does not constitute a comprehensive analysis of the discussed issue, but touches upon selected issues and interpretation doubts arising in connection with the above ruling in the context of the wording of the provisions of the Consumer Credit Act. The Court has interpreted the provisions of Directive 2008/48/EC with regard to the types of costs subject to reduction in the case of an early repayment of credit, however, the above ruling did not eliminate all the problems of interpretation. The article analyses first of all the problems of the correct transposition of Article 16(1) of the Directive into Polish law and its effects, as well as doubts concerning the methodology of calculating the reduction of consumer credit costs in the case of an early repayment.
Irse o no de Twitter/X: posicionamiento personal, entre The Clash y ‘Matrix’, pasando por Espriu
Authors: López-Borrull Alexandre
Published: December 2024

Entre todas las dudas y debates sobre si continuar en la red Twitter/X, me encuentro reflexionando sobre mi propia decisión. No porque mi decisión sea relevante, sino porque bebe de un posicionamiento ligado a mis áreas de investigación. Sí, me fui de Facebook (o lo dejé ir). Sin embargo, en ese caso, no fue por posicionamiento ideológico.
Insertion Loss Value Dependency of the Low Height Noise Barriers Distance From Railway Track
Authors: Tumavičė Aja , Žalimienė Laura
Published: December 2024

Railway noise can negatively affect both people’s health and the value of their real estate. Various noise mitigation measures can be used on the railways. One of them is a noise barrier. Under certain conditions, low-noise barriers can be used to mitigate noise along the rails. Such barriers are installed closer to the railway track than regular noise barriers, which mitigate the noise generated by the wheel-rail interaction. In some cases, the gauge at which structures at railway tracks can be installed is limited; thus, this research was carried out to determine which parameters of low noise barriers were most effective dependent on the distance of the track. The aim of the research was to determine which parameters the low noise barrier would be effective at a longer distance from the railway track compared to existing practice. A railway track noise simulation (existing situation without a noise barrier and with a 3.5 m height noise barrier located 4.0 m from the railway track) was developed. The insertion loss of noise barriers was carried out using the Computer Aided Noise Abatement (CadnaA) software. Numerical noise level simulation was done at a distance of 7.5 m and 45 m from the axis of the railway tracks and various speeds of rolling stock from 50 to 250 km/h. The noise level and insertion loss were calculated at different heights from the top of the railway track (1.5 m, 3.5 m, and 5.5 m). It was established that the speed of the rolling stock had almost no influence on the insertion loss of the noise barrier. Therefore, all additional barriers were simulated at the same rolling stock speed of 250 km/h.
Determination of Degradation and Compressive Strength of Polyurethane Resin Applied for Bridge Abutment
Authors: Skuodis Šarūnas , Dirgėlienė Neringa , Zakarka Mindaugas , Vasiliauskienė Dovilė
Published: December 2024

This study is carried out in order to review the deformation properties, strength, applications and suitability of polyurethane resin as a ground improvement method applied for bridge abutment construction. Since it is applied in the ground, awareness on polyurethane degradation needs to be emphasised. Deformation properties were determined for resin injections before and after degradation. The degradation of samples was studied by exposure to gasoline, diesel, oil, NaCl salt solutions with different concentrations (59, 193 and 301 kg/m3) and a mixture of fungi. After the degradation tests, compressibility tests were also performed. The use of resin as a ground improvement method has several advantages over conventional methods. The information presented enables road and bridges engineers and construction professionals to make competent decisions about implementing this innovative technique in the projects.
Considerations in excipient selection for colon-targeted dosage forms
Authors: Gunawan Maxius , Ramadon Delly , Setio Putri Kurnia Sari , Iswandana Raditya
Published: December 2024

The colon is a potential organ for drug delivery systems because it has several advantages, such as long transit time and neutral pH conditions. Moreover, colon targeting can avoid enzymatic reactions in the stomach and small intestine which increase the bioavailability of the drug. A colon-targeted drug delivery system (CDDS) requires excipients that have distinctive characteristics to prevent drug release in the upper gastrointestinal tract and enhance drug release in the colon. Polysaccharides are suitable in CDDS due to the degradation mechanism by colonic microflora enzymes. Furthermore, polysaccharides can swell when hydrated so that drugs can be released from the matrix system by diffusion and/or relaxation. Polysaccharides can swell when hydrated, which will form a gel-like matrix that enables drug release through diffusion, where the drug diffuses through the swollen matrix. Additionally, drug release can occur through a relaxation mechanism, where the polymer chains gradually unwind and erode, further facilitating the drug release. This degradation and swelling mechanism can lead to the release of the drug at the colon site. Some polysaccharides that can be utilized for CDDS are alginate, amylose, arabinoxylan, dextran, guar gum, inulin, carrageenan, chitosan, chondroitin sulfate, lactulose, locust bean gum, pectin, and cyclodextrin. Moreover, polymers can also be employed as excipients in CDDS due to conformation changes in different pH of the gastrointestinal tract. These pH-dependent properties can ensure that the drug is protected during transit through the stomach and small intestine and is only released when the dosage form reaches the colon. Some polymers that are potential for CDDS are cellulose derivatives, poly (acrylic acid) (PAA), poly (metha-acrylic acid) (PMAA), Eudragit®, poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA), Kollicoat®, and Shellac®. The combination and/or modification of these excipients can increase the effectiveness of CDDS and prevent the early release of drugs in the upper gastrointestinal tract which can lead to the drug release being more precisely controlled in the colonic site.
Clustering-based Failed goal Aware Hindsight Experience Replay
Authors: Kim Taeyoung , Kang Taemin , Jeong Haechan , Har Dongsoo
Published: December 2024

In a multi-goal reinforcement learning environment, an agent learns a policy to perform tasks with multiple goals from experiences gained through exploration. In environments with sparse binary rewards, the replay buffer contains few successful experiences, posing a challenge for sampling efficiency. To address this, Hindsight Experience Replay (HER) generates successful experiences, named hindsight experiences, from unsuccessful ones. However, uniform sampling of experiences for the process of HER can lead to inefficient scenarios of generating hindsight experience. In this paper, a novel method called Failed goal Aware HER (FAHER) is proposed to enhance sampling efficiency. This method considers the properties of achieved goals with respect to failed goals during sampling. To account for these properties, a cluster model is used to cluster episodes in the replay buffer, and experiences are subsequently sampled in the manner of HER. The proposed method is validated through experiments on three robotic control tasks from the OpenAI Gym. The experimental results demonstrate that the proposed method is more sample-efficient and achieves improved performance over baseline approaches.
Study of TRAF3IP3 for prognosis and immune infiltration in hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Wang Xing , Gao Xin , Liu Airu , Qin Yan , Ni Zhi-Yu , Zhang Xiao Lan
Published: December 2024

Background

Tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 3 (TRAF3)-interacting protein 3 (TRAF3IP3) expressed in various tumor cell. However, its role in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) was unclear. We aimed to demonstrate the relationship between TRAF3IP3 and HCC and explore the potential role of TRAF3IP3 in HCC.

Methods

The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO), Genotype-Tissue Expression (GTEx), KM-Plotter, University of Alabama at Birmingham Cancer data analysis Portal (UALCAN), and Xiantao Academic Online Website were utilized for the systematic analysis of TRAF3IP3. This analysis included mRNA expression, protein expression, prognostic value, enrichment analysis, and immune cell infiltration in HCC. Subsequently, immunohistochemistry was performed to assess the expression levels of TRAF3IP3 in both cancer and non-cancer tissues of patients with HCC.

Results

Analysis of public databases and immunohistochemical staining on 20 pairs of samples confirmed a decrease in TRAF3IP3 expression in HCC. Both the TCGA database and GSE14520 indicated that patients with high TRAF3IP3 expression had a more favorable prognosis in terms of overall survival (OS) and progression-free interval (PFI), as shown by KM curve results. Multivariate Cox regression analysis further demonstrated that high TRAF3IP3 expression was an independent protective factor for HCC prognosis (hazard ratio (HR): 0.619, 95% confidence interval (CI) [0.399–0.959]; p < 0.05). In the high TRAF3IP3 expression group, various immune response-related molecular pathways, particularly B lymphocyte-mediated pathways, were activated. The level of TRAF3IP3 expression showed a significant correlation with the presence of tumor-infiltrating CD8+ T cells. Additionally, a positive correlation was observed between immunophenoscore (IPS) and TRAF3IP3 expression. Notably, the half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) of commonly used chemotherapeutic drugs, such as lapatinib and mitomycin, was inversely associated with TRAF3IP3 expression in HCC patients.

Conclusion

TRAF3IP3 may be as a novel and promising biomarker for prognosis prediction and immunological evaluation of HCC.
Supply and value chain of the dairy industry in Mexico
Authors: Vargas-Bello-Pérez Einar , Espinoza-Sandoval Oscar R. , Rodríguez-Piñeros Sandra , Ghavipanje Navid
Published: December 2024

The dairy sector in Mexico serves as a pivotal aspect of the national agricultural economy, marked by a complex supply and value chain with significant economic contributions. This essay aims to bridge the research gap in supply and value chain practices within the Mexican dairy industry, highlighting the need for the adoption of effective and competitive supply chain strategies to ensure food safety and security and align with export market standards. The supply chain spans several crucial stages, such as milk collection, processing, packaging, distribution, and retail. While the sector holds vast potential, small-scale farmers frequently encounter barriers to market entry and struggle with limited market access. Addressing the key elements of the supply chain and value chain within the Mexican dairy industry is imperative for devising competitive strategies and enhancing food security to comply with international export standards. The industry is confronted with sustainability challenges, notably the dearth of environment-specific data and the slow pace of technology adoption, which are aggravated by the dominance of small-scale operations, infrastructural inadequacies, and the lack of supportive governmental policies. An integrated and holistic approach is crucial for enhancing the competitiveness of the Mexican dairy industry.
MODELAGEM MATEMÁTICA DO TRATAMENTO DE SORO DE LEITE POR BIODIGESTÃO ANAERÓBIA
Authors: Assis Gabriela Pereira de , Ocampos Vitheli de Oliveira , Fleck Izabel Melz , Fleck Leandro
Published: December 2024

O estudo baseia-se na hipótese de que a biodigestão anaeróbia pode ser utilizada para tratar soro de leite, utilizando inóculo de biodigestor de fecularia. Para a realização dos ensaios experimentais, foi utilizado um módulo experimental constituído por biodigestores anaeróbios com volume útil de 1 L, e controle de temperatura em 35 ºC. Foram controlados os fatores proporção de mistura do inóculo (PMI) (%) e tempo de operação (TO) (dias), sendo seus efeitos sobre os parâmetros cor, turbidez e demanda química de oxigênio (DQO), avaliados utilizando-se um DCCR. As maiores remoção de turbidez, cor e DQO do soro de leite, quando submetido ao tratamento anaeróbio, foram de 67,12%, 43,48% e 77,25%, respectivamente. O tempo de operação, termo quadrático, exerceu efeito significativo sobre a remoção de turbidez, cor e DQO, apresentando p-valor de 0,04, 0,005 e 0,09, respectivamente. O modelo matemático representativo da eficiência de remoção de cor do soro de leite tratado por biodigestão anaeróbia é estatisticamente significativo. Conclui-se que a biodigestão anaeróbia pode ser utilizada para o tratamento de soro de leite, mas orienta-se que seja avaliado a possibilidade de um maior tempo de operação, além da possibilidade de realizar codigestão anaeróbia com resíduos orgânicos disponíveis na região de interesse.
Aquecedor Solar de Baixo Custo: Uma Tecnologia Social para a Sustentabilidade e Educação Ambiental
Authors: Cunha Luis Guilherme Gonçalves , Floriani Nicolas
Published: December 2024

Resumo:
O conceito de Tecnologias Sociais (TS) tem ganhado importância como uma abordagem inovadora para enfrentar desafios socioambientais em comunidades de baixa renda. O Aquecedor Solar de Baixo Custo (ASBC) é um exemplo de TS que promove o uso de energia solar por meio de materiais acessíveis como garrafas PET e canos de PVC. Este estudo analisa o impacto do ASBC no contexto educacional, ambiental e econômico, com base em um projeto realizado em Ponta Grossa, Paraná. O projeto envolveu oficinas educativas que capacitaram os participantes a construírem o ASBC e entenderem seus princípios científicos. Os resultados demonstram uma significativa redução no consumo de energia elétrica e uma conscientização crítica sobre o uso de recursos renováveis. Além disso, o estudo aponta para os desafios de replicabilidade da tecnologia em outras comunidades devido a limitações financeiras e acesso a materiais. Conclui-se que o ASBC é uma ferramenta eficaz de alfabetização científica e tecnológica, contribuindo para o desenvolvimento sustentável e a inclusão social.
 
Palavras-chave: Tecnologias Sociais, Aquecedor Solar de Baixo Custo, Educação Ambiental.
Observed Learning Outcomes of the 2010 Social Studies Curriculum Implementation: Views from Asante Akim North District, Ghana
Authors: Opoku-Afriyie Prince , Ochour Benjamin Kwabena , Bordoh Anthony , Eshun Isaac
Published: December 2024

This study assessed the alignment between learners' intended and actual outcomes in implementing the 2010 Senior High School (SHS) Social Studies curriculum. It used Stake’s Countenance Evaluation Model to determine whether or not the subject has achieved its objectives. The study utilised a mixed-method approach with a concurrent triangulation design. The research was conducted in the Asante Akim North District of the Ashanti Region of Ghana. This involved all Social Studies teachers and students in the district. A multi-stage sampling technique was employed, with a sample size of 120 participants, including 100 students and 20 teachers.  Data collection instruments include questionnaires, interview guides, focus group discussion guides and documentary analysis. Quantitative data were processed, organised, and analysed to conclude, with findings presented in tables and percentages, accompanied by verbal interpretations for clarity. Qualitative responses were categorised into themes, and direct quotes were sometimes used to support the findings. The study revealed that learners had been inculcated with the relevant skills, knowledge, values and positive attitudes to prevent and solve their problems; however, students portrayed an inability to extend this knowledge, skills, and positive attitudes to solve societal issues. From the findings, the study recommended that the district education directorate should organise in-service training for teachers teaching Social Studies to re-orient on the goals and general objectives of the subject. This will help teachers focus on teaching the subject by stressing the goals and general objectives so students can understand Social Studies’ essence.
Human Tumor Necrosis Factor-α as a Diagnostic Marker for Chronic Diabetic Nephropathy
Authors: Ghodran Khalid Ibrahem Husein Al , Dessouki Amina Ali , Abdelrazek Heba M. A. , Badran Dahlia Ibrahim , Gad Emad M.
Published: December 2024

Background: diabetic nephropathy (DN) is a chronic main microvascular consequence of untreated hyperglycemia, affects a significant portion of the population. It's thought to be the main factor causing end-stage kidney disease. TNF-α is involved in the development and course of disease in DN.
Aim: This study aimed to evaluate plasma TNF-α as a new diagnostic marker for early DN.
Patients and Methods: This study included 125 Egyptian subjects attending the out Patients Clinic of the Department of Internal Medicine, 10Th of Ramadan city Health Insurance Hospital and divided as follow:- Control group , Study groups( patient with diabetic mellitus (DM),DN, DN and other complications).
Control& study group were subjected to measurement of   glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1C), creatinine, total cholesterol, triglycerides, F.B.G, GFR  ,HDL, LDL, ALT, AST, total protein, albumin, globulin, A/G ratio, HDL, LDL, ACR,TNF-α.
Results: results showed that plasma TNF-α was positive and significantly correlated with BMI, duration of DM, F.B.G, HbAIC, CR, GFR, CHOL, HDL, LDL, AST, A/G ratio, Meanwhile, plasma TNF-α was negatively correlated with ACR, TG, ALT, ALB, TP and GLB.
At cut-off level ≥83.5, TNF-α had 96.7% sensitivity and 79.7% specificity for diagnosing diabetic nephropathy.
Conclusion: The study found that patients in study group had considerably higher plasma levels of TNF-α. This suggests that TNF-α May be used as a markers for predicting chronic DN in patients with type 2 diabetes.
Synergizing Bank Assets Concentration, Literacy, and Inclusion: A Path to Financial Stability
Authors: Sasrawan I Putu Hedi , Rahmayanti Putu Laksmita Dewi
Published: December 2024

This study aims to analyze the integration capabilities between bank asset concentration, financial literacy, and financial inclusion in maintaining financial stability in Indonesia. This study employs ECM analysis methodologies to ascertain both the enduring and immediate effects. The research findings indicate that bank asset concentration is highly efficient in preserving the stability of the financial system. Furthermore, its effectiveness can be enhanced by implementing initiatives to enhance financial literacy. This endeavor may not yield immediate results in the near term, but it is a sustained and ongoing effort with long-term implications.
Adenoviruses across the animal kingdom: a walk in the zoo
Authors: Harrach Balázs , Tarján Zoltán L. , Benkő Mária
Published: November 2019

Adenoviruses (AdVs) infect representatives of numerous species from almost every major vertebrate class, albeit their incidence shows great variability. AdVs infecting birds, reptiles, and bats are the most common and diverse, whereas only one AdV has been so far isolated both from fish and amphibians. The family Adenoviridae is divided into five genera, each corresponding to an independent evolutionary lineage that supposedly coevolved with its respective vertebrate hosts. Members of genera Mastadenovirus and Aviadenovirus seem to infect exclusively mammals and birds, respectively. The genus Ichtadenovirus includes the single known AdV from fish. The majority of AdVs in the genus Atadenovirus originated from squamate reptiles (lizards and snakes), but also certain mammalian and avian AdVs are classified within this genus. The genus Siadenovirus contains the only AdV isolated from frog, along with numerous avian AdVs. In turtles, members of a sixth AdV lineage have been discovered, pending official recognition as an independent genus. The most likely scenario for AdV evolution includes long‐term cospeciation with the hosts, as well as occasional switches between closely or, rarely, more distantly related hosts.
Sustainable Crop Production for Environmental and Human Health – The Future of Agriculture
Authors: Mustafa Maysoun A. , Mateva Kumbirai I. , Massawe Festo
Published: November 2019

Producing crops sustainably is of enormous benefit. Sustainable crop production seeks to produce healthy food while taking care of the environment by working harmoniously with nature to minimise unsustainable demands on natural resources and the use of harmful chemical inputs. Over the years, crop production has gradually intensified, and our current food production model has been detrimental to the environment. Industrial agriculture has been implicated on a number of negative environmental impacts including anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions, deforestation, biodiversity loss, water pollution, just to mention a few. Sustainable crop production refers to practices that minimise harmful impacts to the environment and maximise the quality of our food. It not only deals with soil health, integrated pest management and reduction in usage of pesticides but also ensures quality and safe food. Sustainable crop production practices include a focus on soil health, irrigation and water use, seed selection, minimal chemical use, and diversifying landscapes; and if practised correctly, it has the potential to lower greenhouse gas emission and carbon footprint and contribute to improved human and environmental health. We assess the potentials and limitations of various factors that influence sustainability in crop production, the feasibility of making such factors/approaches viable, and the organisational, governance, and policy frameworks required to enable sustainability in crop production at a globally significant scale.
Automated Fabrication of Elastomeric Prepregs for Soft Robotics Applications
Authors: Wienzek Tristan , Seibel Arthur
Published: November 2019

Fluidic elastomer soft robots typically consist of a top and a strain‐limiting bottom part. Both parts are usually cast and then glued together. Elastomeric prepregs, which can be stored at low temperatures for several months without significant cross‐linking, simplify this manufacturing process. A cured top part of an arbitrary shape is placed on the wet prepreg, which later forms the strain‐limiting layer, and the actuator is finally cured in an oven. Herein, a machine is designed and developed that automatically produces prepregs. Three different concepts are realized in a modular prototype: direct roller application, reverse roller application, and application with slot dies. Experiments show that the direct and the reverse roller application concepts are both suitable for the automated production of prepregs, where the latter one may be preferred due to the smaller number of contact surfaces. Three different textiles (polyester/cotton‐blended fabric, nylon fabric, and fleece) are impregnated with the reverse roller application concept using Sylgard 184 and stored at −25 °C for 12 days. Using these prepregs, soft bending actuators are manufactured and tested for their functionality. Long‐term fatigue tests show that only actuators produced with fleece prepregs are durable, without any signs of delamination.
2D Hybrid Perovskite Ferroelectric Enables Highly Sensitive X‐Ray Detection with Low Driving Voltage
Authors: Ji Chengmin , Wang Sasa , Wang Yaxing , Chen Huaixi , Li Lina , Sun Zhihua , Sui Yan , Wang Shuao , Luo Junhua
Published: November 2019

X‐ray detectors with high sensitivity are of great significance in both civil and military fields. Over the past decades, great efforts have been made to improve the sensitivity in conventional inorganic materials, but mainly at the cost of increasing the energy consumption with a quite high operating voltage. Developing photosensitive ferroelectrics directly as detector materials may be a conceptually new strategy in view of the strong ferroelectric spontaneous polarization (Ps) that assists photoinduced carriers separation and transport. A high‐performance X‐ray detector in 2D hybrid halide perovskite ferroelectric (C4H9NH3)2(C2H5NH3)2Pb3Br10 (BA2EA2Pb3Br10) (Ps = 5 µC cm−2) is fabricated and exhibits an ultrahigh X‐ray sensitivity up to 6.8 × 103 µC Gyair−1 cm−2 even at a relatively low operating voltage, which is over 300‐fold larger than that of state‐of‐the‐art α‐Se X‐ray detectors. Such a brilliant figure‐of‐merit is largely attributed to the superior mobility–lifetime products associated with the strong ferroelectric polarization of BA2EA2Pb3Br10. As pioneering work, these findings inform the exploration of hybrid halide perovskite ferroelectrics toward high‐performance photoelectronic devices.
Ionoskins: Nonvolatile, Highly Transparent, Ultrastretchable Ionic Sensory Platforms for Wearable Electronics
Authors: Kim Yong Min , Moon Hong Chul
Published: November 2019

The primary technology of next‐generation wearable electronics pursues the development of highly deformable and stable systems. Here, nonvolatile, highly transparent, and ultrastretchable ionic conductors based on polymeric gelators [poly(methyl methacrylate‐ran‐butyl acrylate), PMMA‐r‐PBA] and ionic liquids (IL) are proposed. A crucial strategy in the molecular design of polymer gelators is copolymerization of PMMA and IL‐insoluble low glass transition temperature (Tg) polymers that can be deformed and effectively dissipate applied strains. Highly stretchable (elongation limit ≈850%), mechanically robust (elastic modulus ≈3.1 × 105 Pa), and deformation durable (recovery ratio ≈96.1% after 500 stretching/releasing cycles) gels are obtained by judiciously adjusting the molecular characteristics of polymer gelators and gel composition. An extremely simple “ionic” strain sensory platform is fabricated by directly connecting the stretchable gel and a digital multimeter, exhibiting high sensitivity (gauge factor ≈2.73), stable operation (>13 000 cycles), and nonvolatility (>10 d in air). Moreover, the skin‐type strain sensor, referred to as ionoskin, is demonstrated. The gels are attached to a part of the body (e.g., finger, elbow, knee, or ankle) and various human movements are successfully monitored. The ionoskin renders the opportunity to achieve wearable ubiquitous electronics such as healthcare devices and smart textile systems.
Zn2+ Doped Ultrasmall Prussian Blue Nanotheranostic Agent for Breast Cancer Photothermal Therapy under MR Imaging Guidance
Authors: Shou Pingbo , Yu Zhangsen , Wu Yiting , Feng Qiang , Zhou Bangyi , Xing Jie , Liu Chuang , Tu Jinqing , Akakuru Ozioma Udochukwu , Ye Zhiqiu , Zhang Xiaojuan , Lu Zhenbo , Zhang Luyun , Wu Aiguo
Published: November 2019

Prussian blue nanoprobes are widely studied and applied in tumor photothermal therapy (PTT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), due to their low toxicity and excellent in vivo performance. However, the sizes of hitherto reported Prussian blue nanoprobes are generally larger than 50 nm, which greatly influence cell phagocytosis, in vivo circulation, and biodistribution. In this work, a novel method of doping zinc ions is used to control the size of Prussian blue nanoprobes. Consequently, the performances of the nanoprobes in PTT and MRI are both significantly improved. The results show that the minimum size of Prussian blue nanoprobes achieved by doping 10% zinc ions (abbreviated as SPBZn(10%)) is 3.8 ± 0.90 nm, and the maximum specific absorption coefficient, photothermal conversion efficiency, and longitudinal relaxation rates are 1.78 L g−1 cm−1, 47.33%, and 18.40 mm−1 s−1, respectively. In addition, the SPBZn(10%) nanoprobes provide excellent PTT efficacy on 4T1 tumor cells (killing rate: 90.3%) and breast cancer model (tumor inhibition rate: 69.4%). Toxicological experiment results show that the SPBZn(n%) nanoprobes exhibit no obvious in vitro cytotoxicity and they can be used safely in mice at doses below 100 mg kg−1. Therefore, SPBZn(10%) nanoprobes can potentially be used for effective cancer theranostics.