bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Gobierno, frontera y narcóticos. Los inicios del estado de Baja California frente al endurecimiento de las leyes contra narcóticos de Estados Unidos
Authors:   Universidad Autónoma de Baja California, Rodríguez Fonseca Julián , Velázquez Flores Rafael ,   Universidad Autónoma de Baja California
Published: April 2024

Uno de los problemas de mayor impacto en las relaciones de los gobiernos entre México y Estados Unidos es el tráfico de drogas y narcóticos en su frontera. Este capítulo describe el contexto y las acciones que los primeros gobiernos de Baja California realizaron frente a la creación y evolución de medidas regulatorias en ambos lados de la frontera para combatir el uso de drogas como el opio, la marihuana, heroína y la cocaína.
Introducción a Impress
Authors:   Universidad Autónoma de Zacatecas ", Rodríguez González Lizeth ,   Francisco García Salinas"
Published: April 2024

En este capítulo se presentan los elementos básicos de Impress, la aplicación de presentación con diapositivas de LibreOffice. Su interfaz permite crear diapositivas con múltiples elementos, como: texto, imágenes, viñetas, tablas, gráficos, videos, sonidos, entre muchos otros. La aplicación crea presentaciones en formato ODP que se pueden abrir con otros softwares de presentación, o importar, modificar y exportar presentaciones en otros formatos como PDF, SWF y PPTX, así como usar plantillas, realizar transiciones entre diapositivas, animaciones y efectos multimedia.
Predicting Marital Satisfaction Based on Sexual Satisfaction and Psychological Well-being in Married Women
Authors: Mohammadfarahmand Gholamreza , Saboori Rad Soma
Published: April 2024

Objective: The present study aimed to predict marital satisfaction based on sexual satisfaction and psychological well-being in married women. Materials and Methods: The study was a descriptive and correlation type. The population of this research included all students of the Islamic Azad University, Qods City branch, in the academic year 2021-2022, from which 200 individuals were selected as the sample using a convenience sampling method. The main data for this research were obtained using the Marital Satisfaction Questionnaire by Natan et al. (1973), the Sexual Satisfaction Questionnaire by Yavari Kermani (2007), and the Psychological Well-being Questionnaire by Ryff and Keyes (1995). In the data analysis, descriptive statistics (central indicators, dispersion) and inferential statistics (multiple regression) were used. Findings: This study, by examining the relationship between variables, revealed that there is a positive and significant relationship between sexual satisfaction and marital satisfaction; and between psychological well-being and marital satisfaction. Furthermore, the results indicated that sexual satisfaction and psychological well-being have the predictive power for marital satisfaction in married women. Conclusion: Based on the findings, it can be concluded that sexual satisfaction and psychological well-being can predict marital satisfaction in women.
USING AUTOENCODERS FOR DETECTING ECG ANOMALIES
Authors: SRINIVAS A.
Published: April 2024

Massive amounts of electronic health records, including data on vital signs and electrocardiograms (ECGs), are now accessible due to the big data revolution. These signals are now more easily obtained and are frequently captured as a time series of observations. There is a particular need to provide innovative methods that enable efficient monitoring of these signals and prompt anomaly detection given the proliferation of smart devices with ECG capabilities. However, anomaly identification is still a very difficult task because the majority of created data is not yet categorized.

Deep generative models have been used for unsupervised representation learning to develop expressive feature representations of sequences, which can improve the accuracy and ease of use of downstream tasks like anomaly detection. We suggest utilizing an autoencoder to learn representations of ECG sequences in an unsupervised manner. Then, we apply several detection algorithms to identify anomalies based on the learnt representations. We evaluated our method using the UCR time series classification archive's ECG5000 electrocardiogram dataset. Our findings demonstrate that the suggested strategy outperforms previous supervised and unsupervised techniques in identifying anomalies and learning expressive representations of ECG sequences.
SPECTRAL ANALYSIS OF THE STARK OPERATOR WITH A STEP-LIKE POTENTIAL
Authors:   Azerbaijan State University of Economics (UNEC), Baku, Azerbaijan, Abbasova Kh.E.
Published: April 2024

The Stark operator with a step-like potential is considered. An explicit form of special solutions to the corresponding Stark equation is found. The scattering problem for the operator L is studied. A formula for expansion in terms of eigenfunctions of a continuous spectrum is obtained.
A STUDY ON THE INVESTIGATION OF THE TRAVELING WAVE SOLUTIONS OF THE MATHEMATICAL MODELS IN PHYSICS VIA (m + (1/G))-EXPANSION METHOD
Authors:   Mugla Sitki Kocman University, Mugla, Turkiye, Altan Koc Dilara
Published: April 2024

The Gardner equation models the propagation of dust ion acoustic waves. As a result, it has received extensive attention in the literature. For the first time, the (m + (1/G))-expansion method is used to establish novel exact wave solutions for the Gardner equation. Solutions can exhibit various types of behavior, which can be visualized using 3D and contour graphs. The results obtained demonstrate that the presented method is powerful, useful, practical, and suitable for examining the model.
SURVIVAL ANALYSIS MODELING ON CREDIT RISK WITH LATENT VARIABLE INDICATOR MODELS
Authors:   Departement of Statistics, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Brawijaya University, Malang, Indonesia, Bio Fimba Adfi
Published: April 2024

Survival analysis has several advantages, including the ability to handle incomplete data. In general, the explanatory variables used in survival analysis are manifest variables. In other fields such as social sciences, variables such as perception, attitudes, and psychology are often involved in statistical analysis. This research aims to model cox proportional hazard regression on data with latent variable types. Research was conducted in the banking sector using Likert scale questionnaire data. It will examine how the assessment of the 5C variable in the form of a latent variable relates to the time of delay in credit payments. Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) was used to form a reflectively latent variable indicator model which was then formed into a cox proportional hazards regression model. The results show that all 5C variable assessments influence the speed of credit payments. The novelty in this research lies in the use of indicator analysis models to form latent variables before undergoing survival. The resulting interpretation and conclusions are expected to provide more in-depth information because they include the relationship between survival time and indicators.
TRANSFORMATION OPERATORS FOR THE PERTURBED HILL EQUATION WITH COMPLEX COEFFICIENTS
Authors:   Baku State University, Baku, Azerbaijan, Khanmamedov A.Kh.
Published: April 2024

In this paper, we consider the perturbed Hill equation on the entire axis. Using a transformation operator that preserves asymptotics at infinity, triangular representations of special solutions of this equation are found. Estimates for the representation kernels are obtained.
Đặc điểm vi xuất huyết não và nguy cơ chuyển dạng xuất huyết ở bệnh nhân nhồi máu não cấp có điều trị tái thông
Authors: Hà Kiều Mạnh
Published: April 2024

Objective: Evaluate the characteristics of cerebral microbleeds and factors related to hemorrhagic transformation in patients with acute cerebral infarction undergoing revascularization treatment at University Medical Center, Ho Chi Minh City. Subjects and methods: Cross-sectional descriptive study combined with medical record monitoring on 79 patients diagnosed with acute cerebral infarction who were admitted and treated at the Department of Neurology, University Medical Center, Ho Chi Minh City. Results: Patients with microhemorrhage (VXH) accounted for 37.97%. The number of 1-4 VXH accounted for the highest rate of 31.65%, only 01 case had more than 10 VXH, accounting for 1.27% %. The location of social lesions is mainly in the deep brain area, accounting for 21.52%. There is an association between VXH and dyslipidemia with p = 0.16 (OR 4.12, CL 1.14-18.47), white matter pathology according to Fazekas classification with p = 0.041. The main complications of hemorrhagic transformation after revascularization are HI, accounting for 26.58%, followed by PH, accounting for 6.33%, and ICH+, accounting for 3.8%. There is an association between Glasgow scale (OR = 1.66, CI 0.79 - 3.51) with symptomatic ICH and PH with p < 0.05. Found an association between NIHSS Scale and ICH with p = 0.037 (OR = 5.46 CI 1.10 – 19.00). There is not enough evidence to conclude about the relationship between the number and location of microbleeds and complications of hemorrhagic transformation after revascularization. Conclusion: VXH is not a factor to delay recanalization interventions in acute myocardial infarction patients with indications for intervention. Patients at high risk of multiple VHs should have an MRI scan before intervention.
Tương quan giữa thang điểm MDS-UPDRS phần II và thang đo Schwab và England trong đánh giá hoạt động sống hàng ngày ở bệnh nhân bệnh Parkinson mới chẩn đoán
Authors: Nguyễn Đình Nguyên , Đặng Thị Huyền Thương , Hà Ngọc Lê Uyên , Võ Ngọc Chung Khang , Nguyễn Vĩnh Thành , Trần Ngọc Tài
Published: April 2024

Background: Activities of daily living scales are often used to assess functional impairment in Parkinson’s patients, of which the Schwab & England scale is one of the most commonly used scales, while the MDS-UPDRS part II has been recently used.Objectives: To determine the correlation between two scales assessing activities of daily living in patients with Parkinson’s disease: the MDS - UPDRS part II and the Schwab & England scale.Methods: This is a cross-sectional study conducted on patients with newly diagnosed Parkinson’s disease according to the criteria of the 2015 International Parkinson and Movement Disorders Society at the Parkinson’s and Movement Disorders Clinic, University Medical Center HCMC from November 2022 to June 2023. Demographic data, clinical characteristics, MDS-UPDRS, and Schwab & England scale were collected from participating subjects. Data were analysed by using Rstudio-2023.06.01 and Epidata 4.6.0.6 software.Results: A total of 61 patients with Parkinson’s disease met the criteria. The activities of daily living ’s score based on the Schwab & England scale was 78.53 ± 10.93, ranging from 60% to 100%. All patients with no impact on activities of daily living and moderate impact based on the MDS - UPDRS part II scale had Schwab & England scores > 80% and < 80%, respectively. The MDS-UPDRS part II scale has a strong, negative correlation with the Schwab & England activities of daily living scale (r = -0.74, p < 0.001).Conclusions: The MDS-UPDRS part II scale has a strong, negative correlation with the Schwab & England activities of daily living scale.
Study of Aquaculture Water Quality for Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) in the Aquaponic System at the Deju Farm Hatchery Unit
Authors: Yonarta Danang , Madhat Husayn M. , Azhari Muhammad , Anggana Rarassari Madyasata
Published: April 2024

Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) is well known by freshwater fans, both in developing and developed countries. Utilization of space as much as possible can be an effort to increase the productivity of the cultivation activities carried out. The aquaponic system is a combination of aquaculture (fish farming) and hydroponic plant cultivation in one place. The basic principle of aquaponics is that it can be done at the same time by utilizing fish manure and fish food scraps as a source of nutrition for cultivated plants. The purpose of this activity is to provide information about the utilization of the aquaponic cultivation system and its effect on water quality while rearing tilapia is maintained. This research has been carried out at UPR Deju Farm which is located Jl. Mazmu, Indralaya Raya, Kec. Indralaya in October-November 2022. This activity used a comparative experiment consisting of P1 (kale plant), P2 (spinach plant), and P3 (lettuce plant). The results showed that the P1 treatment (kale plant) was the best treatment which produced temperatures ranging from 27-31°C, pH 7-8, dissolved oxygen 2.3 mg L-1, ammonia 0.098-0.290 mg L-1, and salinity 9.29 ppt, absolute length growth was 3.2 cm, absolute weight was 2.1 g, survival was 84%, and kale plant growth was 8.3 cm.
Compliance to prenatal care among pregnant women at Panglima Estino, Province of Sulu: an assessment
Authors: Sikar Adawiya , Baybayan Sherha , Asiri Masnona
Published: April 2024

This study assessed the extent of compliance to prenatal care among pregnant women in Panglima Estino, Province of Sulu in terms of Awareness to Prenatal Care, Family Tradition, Cultural Belief and Practices, Availability to Health Care Facilities, Financial Constraints and Accessibility, and Language and Communication Barriers. With 100 samples taken through non-probability sampling method via purposive sampling, and with the use of weighted mean, standard deviation, t-test for independent samples, One-way ANOVA, and Pearson’s r, this study reveals the following findings: 1) Most of the respondents are within the age range of 31-40 years old, all are married, mostly are unemployed with 5,000 & below monthly income, and have secondary level of education; 2) On the average, there is a moderate extent of compliance of pregnant women to prenatal care; 3) Generally, variables age, civil status, occupation, average monthly income, and educational attainment indeed significantly mediate in ways how pregnant women assessed the extent of compliance of pregnant women to prenatal care; 4) Generally, the group of respondents who perceived the extent of compliance to prenatal care among pregnant women in Panglima Estino, Province of Sulu in terms of Awareness to Prenatal Care as Agree or with High Extent may not necessarily be the same group of respondents who perceived Family Tradition, Cultural Belief and Practices, Availability to Health Care Facilities, Financial Constraints and Accessibility, and Language and Communication Barriers as Moderately Agree or with Moderate Extent, respectively; and 5) This study supports the principle forwarded by Mosammet Khaleda Akter which espouses that, to reduce the ratio of maternal and infant mortality and to improve overall birth outcomes, adequate prenatal care is recommended. Adequate prenatal care is one of the core interventions for improving maternal and fetal outcomes where evidence suggests that access to adequate prenatal care is strongly associated with substantial reductions in mortality and morbidity for both mother and newborn.
Exploring the Preoperative Fasting and Perioperative Hemodynamic variability in Elective Surgery Under General Anesthesia
Authors: Anas Muhammad , Jehad Ayesha , Akmal shah Umama , Gul Haseena , Ali Mazhar , Salma  , Aqsa
Published: April 2024

Background: It is usual practice all over the world to abstain from eating or drinking before surgery. Currently, the preferred protocol, according to the American Society of Anesthesiologists guidelines, is the 6-4-2 hour No Per Os protocol for solid, milk, and clear fluids respectively, although it is not universally applicable. Extended fasting may intensify negative outcomes including hemodynamic fluctuations. Hemodynamic stability stands as cornerstone in perioperative care as fluctuation can have serious consequences. This study aim was to explore current prevalence of preoperative fasting and hemodynamic fluctuations in elective surgery under general anesthesia.
Methods: A six-month Cross-sectional comparative study was conducted on 200 patients at Mardan Medical Complex (MMC) approved by the Ethical Committee, Bacha Khan Medical College (BKMC) Mardan. The data was collected through patient interview in preoperative, medical records, and monitoring perioperatively. SPSS software statistical analysis was conducted using repeated measures ANOVA to assess perioperative changes in these parameters. Test statistics, including p-value were computed to determine the significance of hemodynamic variability.
Results: All patients underwent prolonged fasting, with a mean fluid fasting time of 10.33 hours (SD=1.07) and an average solid fasting time of 10.34 hours (SD=1.11). There was a gradual minor drop-in heart rate (HR) from induction to the recovery phase, with statistical significance of 0.02, while no statistically significant variability in mean systolic and diastolic blood pressure was recorded.
Conclusion: The study found that patients were undergoing midnight fasting, with a mean duration of 10.33 hrs. Perioperative hemodynamics showed minor decreases in heart rate from the induction to the recovery phase, with statistical significance of 0.02. Our study contributes to the ongoing discourse on preoperative fasting practices and perioperative hemodynamics.
Flawed Administration through the Lens of Free Access to Public Information
Authors:   Doctoral School of the Faculty of Law, University of Craiova, Romania, Stoinea Vasilică
Published: April 2024

This paper conducts an analysis of the concept of "good administration" in contrast to the concept of "flawed administration", with both concepts being examined through the lens of free access to public information. Issues related to access to public information are often timely and can have a significant impact on society and political processes. Therefore, research in this field can be particularly relevant and can capture public attention. Transparent and responsible public administration is essential for good governance. This theme can contribute to identifying issues of flawed administration in the domain of public information communication and can provide solutions for enhancing governmental transparency. The uniqueness of the theme lies in its multifaceted approach, including transparency and administrative responsibility, legislation concerning access to public information, as well as the use of specific case studies to illustrate issues related to this topic. Thus, in this article, we will present several pertinent cases from judicial practice that illustrate how flawed administration is often linked to the denial or restriction of access to public information.
Rule of Law and Human Rights: Analysis of International Standards and Case Law
Authors:   Department of Procedural Law, Faculty of Law, Yuriy Fedkovych Chernivtsi National University, Ukraine, Shcherbanyuk Oksana , Bzova Laura ,   Department of Procedural Law, Faculty of Law, Yuriy Fedkovych Chernivtsi National University, Ukraine
Published: April 2024

The EU's human rights policies and actions have two main components: protecting the fundamental rights of EU citizens and promoting human rights around the world. One of the aspects that the UN focuses on is the relationship between democracy and human rights, as the organisation upholds the importance of equal political participation of citizens of its states and full respect for human rights, including the recognition, protection and promotion. As defined by the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF), human rights are norms that recognise and protect the dignity of all people, meaning they apply to everyone, without distinction of race, gender, education, political opinion, sexual orientation or any other type of moral judgement. The realisation of human rights also obliges states to be responsible for protecting these norms and prohibits certain acts that violate them. Human rights can be said to be one of the greatest achievements of mankind. One of the most important human rights documents is the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, signed in 1948 at the UN General Assembly. Consisting of 30 articles, the Declaration formalises all the theoretical developments made earlier on civil, political, social, economic and cultural rights. Another innovation of the Declaration was the inclusion of human rights in the universal character, becoming the rights of all peoples. Thus, for the UN, human rights "are universal legal guarantees that protect individuals and groups from acts and omissions by governments that violate human dignity"3. Human rights are fundamental and therefore inalienable human rights, i.e. those rights whose violation would lead to an attack on the very essence of humanity. For this reason, it is important that everyone is aware of and knows about human rights, their content and the forms of protection provided for them, as everyone should be able to enjoy their fundamental rights for the sole purpose of living in peace, without distinction. Human rights, democracy and the rule of law create an environment in which countries can promote development, protect people from discrimination and ensure equal access to justice for all.
The Principle of Freedom and the Right to Respect the Private Life from the Perspective of the Civil Identity of Transgender People
Authors:   University of European Studies of Moldova, Republic of Moldova, Coman Varvara Licuța
Published: April 2024

This study aims at analyzing how fundamental rights and individual freedom interfere with privacy issues for transgender people. The main purpose is to identify the legal and social challenges faced by this community in the process of legal recognition of gender identity. To achieve these objectives, the research uses a mixed methodology, which combines comparative legal analysis of legislation from different jurisdictions with relevant jurisprudence and public policy, highlighting exemplary practices and legislative gaps. The results of the study indicate the existence of a gap between the principles of human rights agreed at the international level and their implementation at the national level. Despite significant progress in some countries, many transgender individuals still face bureaucratic obstacles and discrimination when claiming their rights. Therefore, is obvious the need for legislative reform to facilitate the recognition of gender identity in a way that respects personal autonomy and privacy. The study recommends the development of policies and practices that promote social integration and respect for human rights for transgender people, emphasizing the crucial role of a rights-based approach in achieving equality and non-discrimination.
Prerequisites for the Recovery of Companies in Economic Difficulty by Concluding Agreements with Relevant Creditors
Authors:   Faculty of Law, „Alexandru Ioan Cuza” University of Iassy, Romania,, Gavrilescu Luiza Cristina
Published: April 2024

Insolvency prevention procedures have recently been reformed, in the context of aligning national legislation with the European requirements. To ensure an effective chance of recovery of viable debtors, more accessible and coherent out-of-court frameworks have been created. The restructuring agreement procedure gives distressed debtors the chance to restructure their debts, by means of an agreement with the relevant creditors in order to avoid insolvency. The initiative to make the agreement rests exclusively with the debtor, the law expanding the scope of those entitled to apply for this remedy. The attestation of the state of difficulty is made on objective grounds and not on simple presumptions, as a result of an assessment carried out by an insolvency practitioner and concretized in a report. The restructuring agreement is drawn up with the support of the restructuring administrator, who will ensure that its structure contains the mandatory elements stated by law. The approval of the agreement, negotiated in advance, is subject to the vote of the creditors whose claims are affected, according to the category to which they belong. The confirmation of the restructuring agreement by the syndic judge is carried out in a non-contentious procedure, with a legality control being carried out.
Some Aspects Related to the Competent Bodies in the Matter of Budgetary Control
Authors:   Faculty of Law, Bucharest University of Economic Studies, Romania, Moțatu Adriana
Published: April 2024

The fight against fraud needed regulation, and even more, to be the main object of the activity of specialized bodies. Thus, in 1988, the task force "Anti-Fraud Coordination Unit" was created, formalizing the fight against fraud and corruption and protecting the EU's financial interests. In 1995 (July 26), through Council Act 95/C 316/032, the "Convention on the protection of the financial interests of the European Communities" was introduced. In 1999, OLAF (the European Anti-Fraud Office) was established, so that in 2017 (12 October) to establish the European AntiCorruption Prosecutor's Office - EPPO, through Council Regulation (EU) 2017/19393. EPPO becomes operational from June 2020.
Child Discernment, a Global Problem
Authors:   University of European Studies from Moldova, Republic of Moldova, Giurgea Lenuța
Published: April 2024

The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) related to the rights of the child, on the one hand, in articles 12, 13, 14 and 15, regulates the freedoms of thought, opinion, conscience and religion, as well as association and free expression, on the other hand. Objectives: also, the holders of obligations for the child’s best interest have the duty to turn these rights into reality as a direct guarantee of respecting their interests. Therefore, the state has an obligation to create the possibility that no child is marginalized in the realization of these fundamental freedoms through all possible measures. Research methods: right compared to the position in Rep. Moldova, USA, Georgia, etc. in relation to legislative changes, jurisprudence with special regard to the cases resolved by the ECHR in the field, theoretical methods such as the comparative, historical, sociological method of course regarding the discernment of the child, because the methods used are strictly subordinate to the proposed purpose. Results and implications of the study: the Committee on the Rights of the Child (CRC), in its general comment no. 12 (2009), shows that the practices through which the contribution of children is required to rise to certain levels of honest and moral participation of children.
Dehybridization of the General Competence of the Jurisdictional Bodies
Authors:   University of European Studies from Moldova, Republic of Moldova, Prisac Alexandru
Published: April 2024

In this article, I have analyzed the criteria for delimiting the powers of jurisdictional bodies in the settlement of civil cases, which I have argued are also criteria that prevent the hybridization of these attributions. We presented the danger of the phenomenon of hybridization for the normal functioning of judicial bodies and gave solutions to minimize it in the legislative system. We analyzed the hybridization within the regulations on general jurisdiction, which delimit the powers of several jurisdictional bodies, such as: courts of law, arbitration, the Constitutional Court and others. The legal normative basis is the legislation of the Republic of Moldova. In order to highlight the practical issues, the judicial and constitutional practice of the Republic of Moldova was analyzed. The methodology applied in the development of this article was comparison and analysis. In order to formulate fundamentally multifaceted opinions, we started from the French, Moldavian and Russian doctrine. In some of these sources, certain ideas regarding the dehybridization of powers of jurisdiction are developed, and we have supplemented them. Finally, a synthesis was made starting from all the criteria for dehybridization of the powers of jurisdictional bodies.
The Nullity Regime in the Criminal Process in Romania
Authors:   ", Paraschiv Carmen-Silvia ,   Titu Maiorescu",   University of Bucharest, Romania
Published: April 2024

Nullities represent procedural sanctions that intervene if the fundamental principles of the criminal process are not respected. What is imperative to mention is the fact that these procedural sanctions operate only judicially, which means that they must be ascertained by the judicial body. Unlike the old regulation, the new criminal procedure code regulates new cases of relative nullity and essentially changes the procedure for the application of nullities, the new legislator wanting to impose a new technique for approaching the drafting of the rules. Thus, we find the rules that regulate the conduct of the criminal process in the code of criminal procedure, Constitution, special laws, CEDO s.a. With regard to the procedural phase in which these rules may be violated, the cited provisions are applicable from the start of the criminal prosecution in rem, throughout the criminal prosecution, the preliminary chamber, in court, appeal, extraordinary appeals, including in the execution of court decisions.
A Society Without Imagination: A Lament
Authors: Milbank Paul
Published: April 2024

This paper explores the loss of imagination in contemporary society as a consequence of the modern tendency to associate the ‘real’ with the material and quantitative. With reference to the development of Realism by Marx and Freud and its current role as the foundation of modern capitalism, the author draws on the work of Carl Jung, Brazilian theologian Ruben Alves, and cultural theorist Mark Fisher to expose this development and reassert the vital role of the imagination. The subjugation of imagination to Realism is regarded as especially tragic because Realism as an ideology underscores and sponsors a social structure in which the world is divided between those who have power and those upon whom power is exercised. The loss of a proper recognition of the place of the arts in socio-political re-imagination and hope for change is exposed and lamented. Imagination is viewed as not altogether lost, being particularly vested in children and the creative arts, but rather suppressed. In conclusion, despite the way that contemporary social reality presents as permanent and incontrovertible, the paper makes a fervent plea for the recovery of space in which the human soul can reassert its needs and longings into the world.
Three decades of economic changes of rural Slovakia
Authors: Novotný Ladislav , Kulla Marián , Nestorová Dická Janetta , Pregi Loránt
Published: April 2024

The economy has been developing exceptionally dynamically in recent decades. In the Central European countries of the former Eastern Bloc, the transformation from a centrally planned to a market economy contributed to these dynamics after 1989. Despite a large number of analyses at the national level or in particular cities, the impact of this development on rural areas has yet to be researched. This study aims to contribute to filling this gap. Its goal is to estimate and assess the development of the number, spatial distribution, and sectoral structure of jobs in the Slovak rural areas over the period 1991-2021. The study uses two approaches to the definition of rural municipalities and explores spatial differentiation of changes. Analysing data on the economically active population and commuting to work, both based on sectoral structure, provides a reliable basis for making qualified estimates regarding the quantity and composition of jobs, even at the local level. The study confirms that municipalities considered rural administratively showed neutral or positive changes in the number of jobs and strong shift from agricultural to diversified rural economy. However, positive changes were mainly driven by suburban areas. When excluding them from consideration, rural municipalities show a rapid decline in the number of jobs and changes in the sectoral structure driven mainly by the decrease in agricultural jobs.
Lauksaimniecības atkritumu valorizācijas risinājumi
Authors:   , Patel Nidhiben Arvindbhai
Published: April 2024

Promocijas darba mērķis ir izstrādāt integrētu metodiku, lai piedāvātu inovatīvu stratēģiju augstākas prioritātes piešķiršanai biopolimēra iepakojuma materiāliem, valorizējot lauksaimniecības atkritumus. Promocijas darbā pētīti noteikti bioekonomikas produktu vērtības līmeņi vienotā ietvarā, īpašu uzsverot biopolimēru ražošanas veicināšanu. Darbā izmantotā pieeja nodrošina unikālu pieeju biopolimēru produktu prioritātes paaugstināšanai, ieviešot sistēmas un tirgus inovācijas pīlārus.
Statistical optimization of process variables for anti-hypercholesterolemic metabolites production from Monascus purpureus MTCC 369 fermented finger millet
Authors: Kumar Monu , Chaudhary Gaurav , Sehrawat Anita Rani , Singh Anoop , Gupta Guddu Kumar
Published: April 2024

Monascus purpureus fermented rice has been used for centuries to treat hypercholesterolemia, indigestion, and diarrhea in East Asian countries. Monacolin K, also known as lovastatin, a secondary metabolite synthesized by Monascus sp. in fermentation, is mainly responsible for reducing the level of blood lipids. Besides statins, sterols produced in this process have also been reported to have hypolipidemic effects. In the current study, statin and total sterol production by M. purpureus microbial type culture collection and Gene Bank MTCC 369 on finger millet (FM) substrate were investigated. The central composite design of the response surface methodology (RSM) was used for the optimization of different fermentation process independent variables such as fermentation time period, temperature, inoculum volume, and pH for maximum production of statins and total sterols by M. purpureus MTCC 369. The maximum statin (9.78 mg/g) and sterol (0.46 mg/g) production was achieved at a temperature of 29.44°C, pH 5.0, inoculum size 5.37 ml, and fermentation time of 13.8 days. Fermentation process factors such as fermentation time period and temperature were significant positive factors, while pH and inoculum volume were found to be insignificant factors. The interactive effects of the positively influencing variables have been demonstrated. Compared with the traditional production of these metabolites, using FM as a substrate is promising for the high production of anti-hypercholesterolemic metabolites. The current study was aimed at optimization of the solid-state fermentation process of statin and total sterol using RSM for nutritional FM so as to improve M. purpureus-fermented FM (like red yeast rice) with health-promoting properties. This is the first report on the optimization of statin and sterols from M. purpureus MTCC 369 fermented FM with a significant yield that is on par with that reported so far.
Perfect non-reciprocal reflection amplification in closed loop coherent gain atomic system
Authors: Li Guan-Rong , Zheng Yi-Ting , Xu Qiong-Yi , Pei Xiao-Shan , Geng Yue , Yan Dong , Yang Hong ,   School of Physics and Electronic Engineering, Hainan Normal University, Haikou 571158, China
Published: April 2024

High-performance non-reciprocal photonic devices can improve the efficiency of optical quantum manipulation, information processing, and quantum simulation effectively. The enhanced optical signal can simultaneously amplify the weak signal output by the quantum system and isolate the sensitive quantum system from the back-scattered external noise, which is the core technology of high-performance photonic devices. In our previous work (2023 Opt. Express 31 38228), we have achieved dynamic control of unidirectional reflection amplification based on four-wave mixing gain and the use of coupling field intensity varying linearly with position. In this work, we design a simple three-level closed loop coherent gain atomic system, setting the intensity of coupling field to be varying with position step shape to break the spatial symmetry of probe susceptibility, and achieving perfect non-reciprocal reflection light amplification. In contrast, the stepped variation of coupling field intensity is easier to adjust in experiment, greatly reducing the difficulty in the experiment. Specifically, the system introduces phase modulation. By changing the phase, the frequency region of probe gain and absorption can be switched, which makes the modulation of reflection amplification more flexible.
A logic-incorporated gene regulatory network deciphers principles in cell fate decisions
Authors: Xue Gang , Zhang Xiaoyi , Li Wanqi , Zhang Lu , Zhang Zongxu , Zhou Xiaolin , Zhang Di , Zhang Lei , Li Zhiyuan
Published: April 2024

Organisms utilize gene regulatory networks (GRN) to make fate decisions, but the regulatory mechanisms of transcription factors (TF) in GRNs are exceedingly intricate. A longstanding question in this field is how these tangled interactions synergistically contribute to decision-making procedures. To comprehensively understand the role of regulatory logic in cell fate decisions, we constructed a logic-incorporated GRN model and examined its behavior under two distinct driving forces (noise-driven and signal-driven). Under the noise-driven mode, we distilled the relationship among fate bias, regulatory logic, and noise profile. Under the signal-driven mode, we bridged regulatory logic and progression-accuracy trade-off, and uncovered distinctive trajectories of reprogramming influenced by logic motifs. In differentiation, we characterized a special logic-dependent priming stage by the solution landscape. Finally, we applied our findings to decipher three biological instances: hematopoiesis, embryogenesis, and trans-differentiation. Orthogonal to the classical analysis of expression profile, we harnessed noise patterns to construct the GRN corresponding to fate transition. Our work presents a generalizable framework for top-down fate-decision studies and a practical approach to the taxonomy of cell fate decisions.
A multi-hierarchical approach reveals d-serine as a hidden substrate of sodium-coupled monocarboxylate transporters
Authors: Wiriyasermkul Pattama , Moriyama Satomi , Suzuki Masataka , Kongpracha Pornparn , Nakamae Nodoka , Takeshita Saki , Tanaka Yoko , Matsuda Akina , Miyasaka Masaki , Hamase Kenji , Kimura Tomonori , Mita Masashi , Sasabe Jumpei , Nagamori Shushi
Published: April 2024

Transporter research primarily relies on the canonical substrates of well-established transporters. This approach has limitations when studying transporters for the low-abundant micromolecules, such as micronutrients, and may not reveal physiological functions of the transporters. While d-serine, a trace enantiomer of serine in the circulation, was discovered as an emerging biomarker of kidney function, its transport mechanisms in the periphery remain unknown. Here, using a multi-hierarchical approach from body fluids to molecules, combining multi-omics, cell-free synthetic biochemistry, and ex vivo transport analyses, we have identified two types of renal d-serine transport systems. We revealed that the small amino acid transporter ASCT2 serves as a d-serine transporter previously uncharacterized in the kidney and discovered d-serine as a non-canonical substrate of the sodium-coupled monocarboxylate transporters (SMCTs). These two systems are physiologically complementary, but ASCT2 dominates the role in the pathological condition. Our findings not only shed light on renal d-serine transport, but also clarify the importance of non-canonical substrate transport. This study provides a framework for investigating multiple transport systems of various trace micromolecules under physiological conditions and in multifactorial diseases.
Five interdisciplinary tensions and opportunities in neurodiversity research
Authors: Layinka Olujolagbe , Hargitai Luca D , Shah Punit , Waldren Lucy H , Leung Florence YN
Published: April 2024

Improving our understanding of autism, ADHD, dyslexia and other neurodevelopmental conditions requires collaborations between genetics, psychiatry, the social sciences and other fields of research.
Screening of High and Low-risk Human Papillomavirus Variants in Cervical Cancer Patients by Polymerase Chain Reaction: A Cross-sectional Study
Authors: Yadav Ritu , Kadian Lokesh , Nanda Smiti , Ranga Shalu , Ahuja Parul , Yadav Chetna , Chauhan Preeti
Published: April 2024

Introduction: Cervical cancer is the second most common gynaecological malignancy worldwide. Persistent Human Papillomavirus (HPV) infection is the principal risk factor leading to cervical carcinogenesis and causes a large number of casualties. Aim: To estimate the risk factors and symptoms related to cervical carcinoma and to check for mono-infection or co-infections of low-risk and high-risk HPVs in Northern Indian females. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted from January 2019 to January 2021 on 110 confirmed cervical cancer tissue samples collected from the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at Pandit BD Sharma University of Health Sciences, Rohtak, Haryana, India. Information about risk factors and symptoms was collected using a semistructured proforma. Detection of HPV infection and HPV genotyping (16, 18, 33, 58, 6, and 11) was done by using type-specific Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). Fisher’s exact test was applied to determine the association of high- risk HPV infection with other risk factors using GraphPad Prism Version 6 (La Jolla, California, USA). A p-value of ≤0.05 was considered significant. Results: Of all the studied cases, 68 (62%) were above 55 years old, 67 (61%) were in a postmenopausal state, and 86 (78%) were from a rural background. Irregular menstruation was observed in 99 (90%) cases, bleeding after menopause in 59 (54%) cases, and early age at first intercourse in 57 (52%) cases were the most common symptoms. HPV infection was found in all cases of cervical carcinoma. The incidence of high- risk-HPV16 (84%) and HPV18 (73%) was the most prominent, while the incidence of low-risk-HPV6 (7.2%) and HPV11 (6%) was the lowest. Co-infection of HPV16/18 was the Highest in 60 (54.5%) cases, followed by HPV16/33 in 13 (11.8%) cases. Multi-infection of HPV types 16/18/33 was found in 10 (9.1%) cases, and multi-infection of HPV types 16/18/33/6/11, except HPV58, was found in one patient. Conclusion: Higher age, postmenopausal status, early age at intercourse, and poor menstrual hygiene were significantly associated with high-risk HPV co-infection. Educating women about the risk factors and symptoms of cervical cancer and screening for high-risk HPVs in rural women are required to reduce the prevalence of cervical cancer in Northern India.
Adoption of Improved Paddy Cultivation Practices among the Farmers in Durg District, Chhattisgarh, India
Authors: Kaur Priya , Mazhar Syed H.
Published: April 2024

The present study was conducted in Durg district of Chhattisgarh state during the years 2022–23 to study the farmers' adoption of improved paddy cultivation practices. One hundred twenty respondents were randomly selected based on the criteria that no previous study had been undertaken.  Farmers were personally interviewed using a pre-tested interview schedule. The majority of respondents had a high (15.83%), medium (53.34%) and low (30.83%) adoption level, hence, there is a necessity to provide training programs through Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) and the Agricultural Departments to improve paddy cultivation methods so that the farmers can enhance their adoption levels of paddy production technology. The independent variables, namely age, education, annual income, farming experience, social participation, extension contacts, land holding, economic motivation and risk orientation were positively and significantly correlated with the adoption behaviour of paddy growers towards improved paddy production practices.
Data Scraping for the Training of Generative AI — Lessons from Chinese Case Law and Regulation
Authors: Li Qian , Kollnig Konrad
Published: April 2024

The collection of data from websites at great scale - so-called data scraping - is the foundation for ChatGPT and most other Generative AI (GenAI) tools. Much of the previous discussion on the regulation of GenAI has focused on the US and EU and not so much on more technical aspects like data scraping. In response, this article focuses on the regulation of data scraping to build and deploy GenAI in China, and reviews applicable regulation and case law. We find that the sectoral approach to AI regulation in China provides important insights into balancing technological progress and societal values, diverging from the laissez-faire attitude in the US and the horizontal approach with the AI Act in the EU.
Gewinne ausschütten oder mit verkaufen? – Eine ökonomische Analyse — Vorteile aus der Kombination von Abgeltungsteuer und Teileinkünfteverfahren
Authors: Bartsch Gerrit
Published: April 2024

Anteilseigner von Kapitalgesellschaften stehen bei einer Veräußerung ihrer Anteile vor der Frage, ob sie Gewinne der Gesellschaft noch ausschütten oder die Anteile mit den aufgelaufenen Gewinnen veräußern sollten. Dieser Beitrag untersucht die Steuerwirkungen einer Veräußerung mit Gewinnausschüttung im Vergleich zu einer Veräußerung ohne Gewinnausschüttung. Für Veräußerer, bei denen Dividenden der Abgeltungsteuer, Veräußerungsgewinne aber dem Teileinkünfteverfahren unterworfen sind, wirken unterschiedliche Steuerbefreiungen, Steuertarife und Progressionseffekte auf die Steuerbelastung ein. Durch Modellierung werden für solche Veräußerer die Bedingungen herausgearbeitet, unter denen die richtige Kombination aus Dividende und Veräußerungsgewinn zu relevanten Steuerersparnissen führt.
BMF-Schreiben zur fehlenden Steuergefährdung bei überhöhter Abrechnung von Mehrwertsteuer
Authors: Streit Georg von , Streit Thomas
Published: April 2024

Das BMF hat mit Schreiben vom 27.2.2024 auf die jüngste Rechtsprechung des EuGH zur Steuerschuld durch Steuerausweis auf Rechnungen bei fehlender Gefährdung des Steueraufkommens reagiert. Zwar enthält das Schreiben für die Steuerpflichtigen erfreuliche Aspekte, bleibt aber - schon deswegen, weil das nationale Recht die Entwicklungen des Unionsrechts in den letzten 20 Jahren in Teilbereichen verschlafen hat - hinter den Aussagen des Gerichtshofs zurück.
A Small‐scale semi‐continuous reactor for the conversion of wood to fuel oil
Authors: Eager R. L. , Pepper J. M. , Mathews J. F.
Published: March 2009

The design and operation of a small‐scale semi‐continuous reactor to convert aspen wood meal into an oil product is described. Modifications that reduce erosion/corrosion are also presented.

Short residence times and relatively low operating pressures have been achieved for the reaction of aspen with CO and H2O in the presence of Na2CO3. Conversions, char formation, and the effect of sodium carbonate concentration on oil product are reported.
Hydrodynamics and heat transfer of spouted beds with a two‐component (gas‐solid) dispersing medium
Authors: Dolidovich A. F. , Efremtsev V. S.
Published: March 2009

Experimental studies of hydrodynamics and interphase heat transfer in spouted beds, with aerosol as the dispersing media, have been conducted in conic‐cylindrical columns. The effects of various column geometries, dust fraction concentrations, dispersed materials and operation parameters have been investigated to find new ways of using the spouting technique for treating fine dispersed materials. The qualitative spouting mechanism of two‐component dispersing media is elucidated. The effect of dust concentration in the incoming gas flow and of the principal operation and design parameters on the structure, pressure drop, and dust accumulation in the bed and on the interphase heat transfer in ordinary and swirled spouted beds is shown.