bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comercio de la carne bovina paraguaya y su competitividade a nível global
Authors:   Universidad Nacional de Asunción, Duarte Nelson David Lesmo , Brítez Gustavo Daniel Vega ,   Universidad Nacional de Asunción, Duarte Cristian Reinaldo Lesmo ,   Universidad Nacional de Asunción, Duarte Jose Augusto Velázquez ,   Universidad Nacional de Asunción, Perez Sixto Barreto ,   Universidad Nacional de Asunción, Lópes Laiana Patricia Paredes ,   Universidad Nacional de Asunción, Agüero Marcos Arturo Ferreira ,   Universidad Nacional de Asunción
Published: May 2023

The objective of this research was to evaluate Paraguay's competitiveness in the international trade of fresh beef in the period from 2010-2021, using the Constant Market Share international trade model. Data was collected from the UNCOMTRADE database of the United Nations, initially identifying the commodity under study with the following NCM code: 201-chilled beef. The most representative destinations for the country were taken into account, such as Chile, Brazil, and Lebanon, as well as the rest of the world for fresh beef, and Russia, Israel, and Angola for frozen beef. The main results showed that the country is competitive in the export of chilled fresh beef, however, it needs to improve its export destinations for the first period. However, for the second and third periods, it had negative results. The country is competitive in frozen beef and has taken advantage of global growth, however, it still maintains negative export destinations.
Forecasting Lending Interest Rate and Deposit Interest Rate of Bangladesh Using Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average (ARIMA) Model
Authors: Jilhajj Khondokar
Published: May 2023

The purpose of this paper is to predict the lending interest rate and deposit interest rate of Bangladesh using the Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average (ARIMA) model by Box Jenkins. It has been found that ARIMA (1, 0, 1) model is appropriate in predicting both the lending and deposit interest rates from 2022 to 2026 using the data presented in the World Bank Open Data from 1976 to 2021. To test the goodness of fit, AIC (Akaike Information Criterion) and BIC (Bayesian Information Criterion) index values have been calculated for six ARIMA models. Besides, Dickey-Fuller unit root test and Correlogram test have also been conducted for diagnostic tests.
Sosyoloji Üzerine Sosyolojik Düşünmek: ‘Socius’ Kavramı ve Vadettikleri
Authors: İNCE Abdulkadir
Published: May 2023

Sosyoloji modern bir bilim olarak iki yüzyılı aşkın bir tarihe sahip olmasına karşın günümüzde hâlâ konusunun, mahiyetinin, diğer bir ifadeyle neliğinin tartışıldığı bir alan olarak karşımıza çıkmaktadır. Sosyolojinin neliği sorusuna kurucu isimlerden çağdaş isimlere kadar birçok sosyolog farklı yanıtlar vermiş; fakat sosyolojinin hâlâ müphem bir kavram ve muğlak bir alan olmasının önüne geçilememiştir. Sosyolojinin konusunun, ilgi alanının ve inceleme nesnesinin net bir şekilde belirlenememesi sosyolojik bilginin dağınık, düzensiz ve parça parça olmasına; bir başka deyişle sağduyu bilgisi hâline gelmesine yol açmıştır. Bu çalışma, sosyolojik bilginin sağduyu bilgisi hâline gelmiş karakterine yönelik eleştirilerden hareketle sosyoloji üzerine bir tür sosyolojik düşünme çabasının ürünüdür. Çalışmada, Bauman’ın sağduyu – sosyoloji arasındaki farklardan yola çıkarak yaptığı açıklamalar temelinde, bilimsel bir etkinlik olarak sosyolojinin sağduyu bilgisi hâline gelmiş sosyoloji pratiklerinden nasıl ayrılabileceğine yönelik teorik bir çerçeve belirlenmiştir. Bu teorik çerçevenin pratikte uygulanabilirliği ise Nilgün Çelebi’nin socius kavramı aracılığıyla değerlendirilmektedir.
ЕМПІРИЧНІ ПІДХОДИ ДО ОЦІНЮВАННЯ КОНВЕРГЕНЦІЇ РЕГІОНІВ УКРАЇНИ ЗА ОБСЯГАМИ ЗАЛУЧЕНИХ ПРЯМИХ ІНОЗЕМНИХ ІНВЕСТИЦІЙ
Authors: Сливка О. А. , Дзюбановська Н. В. , Маслій В. В.
Published: May 2023

Проведено оцінку наявності ефектів конвергенції регіонів України за обсягами залучених прямих іноземних інвестицій протягом 2005–2019 рр. Явище β-конвергенції досліджено на основі регресійної моделі Барро. Оцінку конвергенції розвитку регіонів України за обсягами залучених ПІІ здійснено на основі панельних даних. Розраховано швидкість конвергенції та час подолання половини відстані до зближення регіонів України за обсягами залучених прямих іноземних інвестицій. Аналітично оцінено явище σ-конвергенції на основі числових характеристик рядів статистичних даних обсягів прямих інвестицій в економіці України по регіонах, зокрема коефіцієнта варіації. Досліджено та графічно зображено зміну коефіцієнта варіації в динаміці для обсягів залучених прямих іноземних інвестицій в регіони України протягом 2005–2019 рр.
The Impact of Institutional Investors’ Responsible Investment Activities on ESG Performance: Focusing on Korea’s National Pension Service
Authors:   Korean Association Of Computers And Accounting, Yu Soon－Mi , Park Gwi－Jeong
Published: May 2023

SRI(Socially Responsible Investment) can be said to be an investment direction that not only meets investors’ pursuit of long－term returns but also induces corporate management activities to be operated in a direction beneficial to society. This study identifies whether the responsible investment of the National Pension Service, which considers the ESG of investee companies, effectively affects the ESG management performance of the actual company. As a result of the analysis, in the case of companies with a high proportion of responsible investment in the national pension, not only did the ESG rating of the year appear high, but it also had a significantly positive (＋) impact on the next ESG rating. This means that companies with a high ratio of responsible investment in the national pension not only secure sustainability by managing ESG－related risks relatively well but also ensure that corporate management activities are beneficial to society while the responsible investment of the national pension meets investors' pursuit of long－term returns. It means inducing long－term ESG management activities to have an impact. Until now, most of the previous studies sympathize with the expansion of responsible investment in the national pension fund management strategy but relatively few studies have dealt with whether their responsible investment drive policies have a positive effect on actual ESG performance.
The Relationship between Cultural Intelligence and Cross-cultural Adjustment
Authors: Jurásek Miroslav , Wawrosz Petr
Published: May 2023

The paper advances knowledge in the field of international human resource management (HRM) by elaborating on the relationship between cultural intelligence and cross-cultural adjustment, which has important implications for the productivity of an organisation whose employees form multicultural teams or operate in foreign locations and thus its international competitiveness. The basic axis of the relationship is extended into a complex model in which three categories of factors are reflected in parallel: the mental adjustment of the individual (expressed by the variables of life satisfaction and ethnocentrism), the contextual influence of the environment (operationalised as a cultural novelty), and time (in the form of culture shock). The indirect effects of these three mediators and the direct effect of ethnocentrism on these mediators are simultaneously examined. Using the PLS-SEM statistical technique on a sample of 120 foreigners working in the Czech Republic, a robust relationship was confirmed between cultural intelligence and cross-cultural adjustment, best explained by the mediator of life satisfaction. A significant specific indirect effect was also found of the mediator of culture shock on the relationship between cultural intelligence and cross-cultural adjustment. However, our data did not support the variable of cultural novelty as a mediator of the relationship.
In transit? Documenting the lived experiences of welfare, working and caring for one-parent families claiming Jobseeker’s Transitional Payment
Authors:   Institute for Social Science in the 21st Century, University College Cork, Dukelow Fiona , Whelan Joe , Scanlon Margaret
Published: May 2023

This research, conducted in conjunction with One Family, set out to document the lived experiences of Jobseeker’s Transitional Payment (JST) recipients and to explore how JST is working ‘on the ground’. Because JST is a relatively new payment in the Irish social welfare system, little is known about how it is experienced by recipients. Furthermore, because people living in single parent households are consistently over-represented in poverty statistics across all metrics (at risk of poverty, enforced deprivation and consistent poverty), how caregivers in one-parent households experience a policy that is designed with such households in mind represents important work. The research was qualitative in nature and the original data presented in the report were collected via one focus group coupled with a series of ten interviews. A substantial review of the literature was also undertaken, and this was used to frame the research. Available statistics, along with statistics obtained via parliamentary questions, are also used to inform the research. The core aims for this research were as follows: Develop an in-depth understanding of the lived experiences of the recipients of JST; Develop an understanding of how JST policy is working ‘on the ground’; Document the challenges and benefits associated with the payment; Develop a claimant-based user guide as a resource for new entrants to the payment scheme; Generate research data of relevance to One Family and related support and advocacy groups in their work with one parent families and their policy work in terms of the future direction of JST.
Impact of viral hepatitis therapy in multiple myeloma and other monoclonal gammopathies linked to hepatitis B or C viruses
Authors: Rodríguez-García Alba , Mennesson Nicolas , Hernandez-Ibarburu Gema , Morales María Luz , Garderet Laurent , Bouchereau Lorine , Allain-Maillet Sophie , Piver Eric , Marbán Irene , Rubio David , Bigot-Corbel Edith , Martínez-López Joaquín , Linares María , Hermouet Sylvie
Published: May 2023

Subsets of multiple myeloma (MM) and monoclonal gammopathies of undetermined significance (MGUS) present with a monoclonal immunoglobulin specific for hepatitis C virus (HCV), thus are presumably HCV-driven, and antiviral treatment can lead to the disappearance of antigen stimulation and improved control of clonal plasma cells. Here we studied the role of hepatitis B virus (HBV) in the pathogenesis of MGUS and MM in 45 HBV-infected patients with monoclonal gammopathy. We analysed the specificity of recognition of the monoclonal immunoglobulin of these patients, and validated the efficacy of antiviral treatment (AVT). For 18/45 (40%) HBV-infected patients, the target of the monoclonal immunoglobulin was identified: the most frequent target was HBV (n=11), followed by other infectious pathogens (n=6), and glucosylsphingosine (n=1). Two patients whose monoclonal immunoglobulin targeted HBV (HBx and HBcAg), implying that their gammopathy was HBV-driven, received AVT and the gammopathy did not progress. AVT efficacy was then investigated in a large cohort of HBV-infected MM patients (n=1367), who received anti-HBV treatments, or not, and compared to a cohort of HCV-infected MM patients (n=1220). AVT significantly improved patient probability of overall survival (p=0.016 for the HBV-positive cohort, p=0.005 for the HCV-positive cohort). Altogether, MGUS and MM disease can be HBV- or HCV-driven in infected patients, and the study demonstrates the importance of antiviral treatment in such patients.
Turkey and the Greater Eurasian Partnership: Opportunities and Challenges in “Amalgamated” Regionalism
Authors: BABA Gürol , ERŞEN Emre
Published: May 2023

The Greater Eurasian Partnership (GEP), introduced by Russia in 2015, is a regional integration project that aims to encompass the Eurasian Economic Union, the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. With this broad spectrum, it embodies various forms of regionalism, arranges a flexible institutional structure for non-/governmental actors without denting their other regional affiliations and provides commercial, developmental, and security opportunities. Such features could also facilitate the GEP’s ability to enhance Turkey’s recent efforts to deepen its relations with Asia. In return, Turkey could play several key roles for the GEP with its “dialogue partner” status in the SCO, “Middle Corridor” initiative for the BRI, and well-established links in Central Asia. Originating from potential mutual interests, this study applies a theoretical perspective underlining the commonalities of various regionalism categories to analyze the GEP’s amalgamated nature and highlight its significance for Turkey’s political-economic priorities without undermining its traditional ties with the West.
Developing of Instructional Video Media to Improve Learning Quality and Student Motivation
Authors: Sulihin Sulihin , Asbar Asbar , Elihami Elihami
Published: May 2023

This study is about knowing the improvement of student learning outcomes through videos at Muhammadjyah Enrekang University. The problems of this research are: 1) how is the process of application to lessons via video in the PGSD class at Muhammadiyah Enrekang University? 2) Does the application of video lessons through thematic learning can improve student learning outcomes at the University of Muhammadiyah Enrekang? reflect deeply on several aspects of teaching and learning activities. The focus of this research is to improve student learning outcomes through video through thematic learning about natural resources and local economic activities by applying a system of instructional video approaches. The subjects of the study were 125 PGSD students in Enrekang District, consisting of 70 boys and 55 girls. The instruments that have been used are observation, tests and documentation. Data that has been processed with percentage analysis and presented in the form of descriptions and presentations. The findings of its application are asking questions, thinking together and answering; the application of video lessons through learning to improve student learning outcomes reaches 85%. The goals and objectives of education held in schools are formal channels and informal channels.
Analisis Kemampuan Berfikir Kreatif Siswa dalam Menyelesaikan Soal HOTS Tema Air dan Pelestarian Lingkungan
Authors: Haerunisa Haerunisa , Prasetyaningsih Prasetyaningsih , Leksono Suroso Mukti
Published: May 2023

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menganalisis kemampuan berpikir kreatif siswa dalam menyelesaikan soal HOTS pada tema air dan pelestarian lingkungan di SMP. Subjek penelitian ini adalah siswa kelas VIII SMP tahun ajaran 2019/2020, subjek ditentukan berdasarkan rekomendasi guru sesuai dengan kebutuhan peneliti yaitu sebanyak 18 siswa dengan berjenis kelamin perempuan semua. Instrumen yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini adalah soal tes kemampuan berfikir siswa, lembar wawancara, dan lembar angket respon siswa, dengan indikator kemampuan berpikir kreatif yaitu berpikir lancar, berpikir luwes, berpikir original, serta berpikir elaborasi. Berdasarkan hasil data yang diperoleh bahwa kemampuan berpikir kreatif pada siswa kelas VIII diperoleh rata-rata presentase sebesar 69,2% yang artinya tingkat kemampuan berpikir kreatifnya hanya mencapai kategori kreatif.
Implementasi Media Pembelajaran Berbasis Teknologi Informasi Dan Komunikasi
Authors: Masril Mardhiah , Hendrik Billy , Fikri Harry Theozard , Firdaus Firdaus , Awal Hasri
Published: May 2023

Diperlukan media pembelajaran yang lebih efisien dan efektif untuk memotivasi dan membangkitkan semangat belajar peserta didik di kelas untuk menyampaikan materi. Salah satunya melalui pembelajaran berbasis ICT. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk membahas penerapan media pembelajaran berbasis TIK di kelas. Penelitian ini merupakan penelitian kepustakaan. Penelitian ini bersifat deskriptif, dimulai dengan analisis dekomposisi yang khas dan diakhiri dengan gagasan menawarkan pemahaman dan penjelasan untuk deskripsi hasil. Kesimpulan dari penelitian ini adalah: 1) proses pembelajaran dapat menjadi lebih menarik ketika menggunakan media pembelajaran berbasis TIK, memotivasi peserta didik untuk mencintai ilmunya; 2) Seorang guru dapat lebih efektif dan efisien dalam menyajikan materi pelajaran sehingga peserta didik mendapatkan manfaat dari media yang sangat baik dan akurat; 3) roses pembelajaran dengan menggunakan media dapat dibuat lebih efektif dan efisien.
Pengembangan Perangkat Pembelajaran Biologi Berbasis Guided Discovery Berorientasi Pada Pendidikan Karakter
Authors: Ziliwu Dalifati
Published: May 2023

Tujuan penelitian ini untuk mengembangakan perangkat pembelajaran Biologi berbasis guided discovery yang berorientasi pada pendidikan karakter yang valid, praktis, dan efektif serta untuk meningkatkan karakter dan hasil belajar siswa. Pengembangan menggunakan model 4D yang terdiri dari: define, design, develop, dan disseminate. Penelitian pengembangan ini hanya dilakukan pada tahap develop. Proses pengumpulan data diawali dengan validasi dan pengujian instrumen yang sedang di bangun. Rancangan instrumen di buat, di validasi oleh tiga ahli dan praktisi, kemudian diujicobakan secara terbatas di Kelas XI IPA SMAN 1 Namohalu Esiwa yang jumlah siswanya 31 orang untuk mengevaluasi kepraktisan dan efektifitas instrumen. Validitas perangkat pembelajaran rerata 3,49 dalam kategori valid, perangkat pembelajaran juga dikatakan praktis dan sesuai berdasarkan hasil pengamatan dan kegiatan pelaksanaan. Hasil belajar kogitif rata-rata sebesar 80,21, hasil belajar afektif rata-rata 82,00 dan hasil belajar psikomotor dengan rata-rata 80,32. Sehingga perangkat pembelajaran dikembangkan disimpulkan valid, praktis, dan efektif untuk siswa kelas XI IPA SMAN 1 Namohalu Esiwa.
Implementasi Pengembangan Perilaku Empati Melalui Metode Bermain Peran pada Anak Usia 5-6 tahun di TK Nuryani Ishak
Authors: Fitri Riskal
Published: May 2023

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mendeskripsikan implementasi pengembangan perilaku empati melalui metode bermain peran pada anak usia 5-6 ahun di Taman Kanak Kanak Rumah Belajar Nuryani Ishak dan untuk mendeskripsikan faktor pendukung dan penghambat dalam pembelajaran bermain peran di taman kanak kanak rumah belajar nuryan ishak. Jenis penelitian ini adalah kualitatif yang menggunakan jenis deskriptif, yaitu jenis penelitian yang mendeskripsikan tentang suatu gejala, kondisi dan situasi yang ada Populasi sebagian siswa kelompok B berjumlah 5 anak didik. Adapun instrumen penelitian adalah observasi, wawancara, dokumentasi. Hasil Penelitian menunjukkan bahwa guru sudah menerapkan langkah-langkah metode bermain peran sesuai dengan teori Arfin Yudhi Aryani dan terlaksana dengan baik namun ada beberapa langkah-langkah bermain peran yang belum maksimal seperti guru membagikan tugas sesuai dengan peran yang akan dimainkan seharusnya anak-anak bebas memilih peran yang dia sukai dan dengan melihat keberhasilan indikator pengembangan perilaku empati anak mengakibatkan hasil anak secara keseluruhan dapat dikatakan sudah berkembang dengan baik.
Implementasi Manajemen Strategik dalam Upaya Peningkatan Mutu Pendidikan di SMPIT AL Hijrah 2 Deli Serdang
Authors: Hajar Siti , Nasution Aldi , Chaliana Annisa , Dinda Dinda
Published: May 2023

Pada penelitian kali ini dilakukan untuk melihat bagaimana implementasi manajemen strategi dalam upaya peningkatan mutu pendidikan di SMP IT Al Hijrah 2 Deli Serdang. Dikarenakan pada saat ini masih banyak lembaga pendidikan yang tidak menerapkan manajemen strategi yang optimal sehingga menjadi suatu hambatan dalam upaya peningkatan mutu pendidikan dalam masing-masing lembaga pendidikan dan pada kali ini kami ingin melihat Bagaimana manajemen strategi yang dilakukan pada SMP IT Al Hijrah 2 Deli Serdang Apakah sudah dilakukan dengan optimal atau justru sebaliknya.
Management of Online-Based Learning Media in PAI Learning for Students at SDN Wancimekar 1
Authors: Hastuti Cici , Wahyudin Undang Ruslan
Published: May 2023

Pada masa Covid-19 ini dimana pembelajaran di sekolah diharuskan menggunakan pembelajaran jarak jauh (PJJ) maka sebagai guru dituntut untuk bisa menyesuaikan metode serta media yang digunakan agar pembelajaran tetap berjalan secara efektif. Maka tak terkecuali juga dengan pembelajaran Pendidikan Agama Islam (PAI) yang harus dilakukan secara daring juga. Tujuan dari penelitian ini adalah untuk mengetahui pengelolaan media pembelajaran berbasis daring yang dilakukan pada mata pelajaran PAI di kelas 6A SDN Wancimekar 1. Penelitian ini merupakan penelitian deskriptif kualitatif, dengan metode pengumpulan data menggunakan observasi, wawancara, dan dokumentasi. Subjek penelitian sebanyak 40 siswa kelas 6A SDN Wancimekar 1. Dari hasil penelitian yang dilakukan menunjukan bahwa media  yang dikelola dengan baik memiliki peran yang penting terhadap pelaksanaan pembelajaran terlebih disaat  pandemi  Covid-19  seperti  saat  ini. Aspek pengelolaan media pembelajaran berbasis daring yang dilakukan meliputi perencanaan, pelaksanaan, dan evaluasi. Kendati demikian masih terdapat beberapa hambatan yaitu seperti kesulitan sinyal, terbatasnya kuota internet, dan tidak semua peserta didik mempunyai handphone sendiri. Lalu solusi yang ada yaitu guru memberikan tambahan waktu pengumpulan tugas, dan melakukan home visit.
Analysis of the Implementation of Limited Face to Face Meeting as an Effort to Prevent Learning Loss Due to the Covid Pandemic Elementary School
Authors: Suprianto Nabilla Cahya , Setiawan Fajar , Naila Ishmatun
Published: May 2023

The discovery of the Coronavirus Disease virus or what is often called Covid-19 in Indonesia has caused several impacts, especially in the world of education. With the increase in positive cases of this virus, schools are doing home learning. The implementation of home learning is carried out for a long period of time so that it can result in learning loss. Learning Loss is the non-optimal learning process that results in the loss of specific and general knowledge and skills, a decline in academic achievement and most often an extended gap or discontinuity in education. In this study using descriptive qualitative methods using research techniques of observation, interviews and documentation. The purpose of this study is to describe the implementation of face-to-face meetings limited to elementary school students. The results of this study indicate that limited face-to-face meetings have a positive impact, and limited face-to-face meetings are expected to reduce learning loss.
An Application of the Team Quiz Learning Model to Improving Cooperation Capabilities in Elementary School
Authors: Lina Erza , Aprinawati Iis , Mufarizuddin Mufarizuddin
Published: May 2023

Abstract. This research is motivated by the low cooperation skills of fifth grade students at SDN 024 Limau Manis. One solution to overcome this problem is to apply the team quiz model. The purpose of this study was to describe increasing student collaboration by applying the team quiz model to the fifth grade students of SDN 024 Limau Manis. This research method is classroom action research (PTK) which is carried out in two cycles. Each cycle consists of two meetings and four stages, namely planning, implementation, observation and reflection. The subjects of this study were fifth grade students, totaling 15 students. Data collection techniques in the form of documentation, observation and tests. this is indicated by an increase in the number of students who reach the minimum completeness criteria (KKM). Before action 33.3%, cycle I meeting I 33.3% and cycle I meeting II 33.3% and increased in cycle II meeting I to 66.7%, and cycle II meeting II 100%.

 

Keywords: Model Team Quiz and Cooperation
Drug Provision of Persons Suffering With Iodine and Iron Deficiency Under the Additional Program of Compulsory Health Insurance in the Kyrgyz Republic
Authors: Dzhienbekova Ch. , Ismailov I.
Published: May 2023

In recent years, interest in the problem of treatment and prevention of iodine and iron deficiency has increased, as their prevalence is becoming wider, and the clinical course is more severe. According to the results of medical and demographic studies, most of the country’s population is at risk of developing a deficiency in the intake of iodine and iron, which makes the treatment of iodine and iron deficiency conditions one of the most important medical and social problems for the health care of Kyrgyzstan. The purpose of the study is to study preferential drug provision for people suffering from iodine and iron deficiency conditions, within the framework of an additional program of compulsory medical insurance in the Kyrgyz Republic. Materials and research methods. Data from the Compulsory Medical Insurance Fund under the Ministry of Health of the Kyrgyz Republic. Content analysis, graphical and statistical methods. Research results. The main number of preferential prescriptions for iodine and iron deficiency under the Additional Program of Compulsory Medical Insurance was issued in the southern regions of Kyrgyzstan. The leaders in the number of prescriptions for iodine-containing preparations are preparations under the trade names Iodomarin and Iodbalance, and for iron-containing preparations — the preparation of the pharmaceutical company Sandoz (Republic of Slovenia) under the trade name Ferrum — chewable tablets. The categories of insured citizens “Pregnant women”, “Students” and “Children” have the smallest shares of preferential prescriptions for iodine-deficiency diseases. These categories of citizens belong to socially vulnerable segments of the population, where a low prescription for iodine-containing drugs can adversely affect their health, and also increases the possible risks of various malformations in the fetus. The results of this study will help assess the effectiveness of the functioning of the Additional Program of Compulsory Medical Insurance in the treatment of iodine and iron deficiency conditions, determine the amount of funding for this program in different regions of the country, as well as draw attention to the need for preventive measures and broader awareness of the population about the need for iodine and iron deficiency condition prevention.
Queer Species in Moominvalley: A Posthumanist Reading of Tove Jansson's Moomin Books
Authors: Johnson Ida Moen
Published: May 2023

This article challenges the largely humanist readings of Tove Jansson's Moomin books by drawing attention to the texts’ investment in questions of species, genealogy, and nonhuman life. The article relies on posthumanist and queer thought to expose the limits of humanist interpretations of Jansson's texts, thus complicating and expanding the scholarly understanding of how the Moomin characters challenge the bounds of gender, family, and subjectivity.
Child Narrator, Narratorial Uncertainty, and Ethics in Lin Haiyin's My Memories of Old Beijing
Authors: Zhang Kunkun
Published: May 2023

In China, Lin Haiyin's Chengnan jiushi [My memories of old Beijing] is one of the most critically acclaimed children's novels of the twentieth century. Set in the 1920s, it portrays several characters, most of whom were confined to the periphery of Chinese society at that time, through the eyes of a child. This article examines the ways in which child narration represents socially marginalised characters and subverts stereotypes about them. The child narrator challenges adults’ interpretations of events as well as their evaluations of the socially othered characters and gives opportunities to the marginalised to make their voices heard. The narrator's unreliable and uncertain narration also serves as a strategy to resist the othering of socially vulnerable people.
Electoral predictors of polling errors
Authors: Chen Sina , Körtner John , Selb Peter , Wiederspohn Jens
Published: May 2023

To understand when polls are accurate and when they fail, we adopt a Bayesian hierarchical modeling approach that separates poll bias and variance at the election level, and links error components to a broad range of election features including mobi- lization, candidacies, polarization, and electoral conduct. An empirical study of 9,298 pre-election polls across the 367 U.S. Senate elections, 1990-2022, reveals an over- all trend toward smaller but more uniform errors over time, a negative association between poll variance and mobilization and polarization, and a tendency to underes- timate more ideologically extreme Republican candidates. Moreover, Republican poll bias has a modestly positive link with the level of state democracy. Contrary to the- oretical expectations, we find little evidence that female or minority candidates are overestimated in polls. While large parts of the variance remain unaccounted for, the empirical approach is promising and easily extended to include other potential error sources.
Butanol as a major product during ethanol and acetate chain elongation
Authors: Robles Aide , Sundar Skanda Vishnu , Mohana Rangan Srivatsan , Delgado Anca G.
Published: May 2023

Chain elongation is a relevant bioprocess in support of a circular economy as it can use a variety of organic feedstocks for production of valuable short and medium chain carboxylates, such as butyrate (C4), caproate (C6), and caprylate (C8). Alcohols, including the biofuel, butanol (C4), can also be generated in chain elongation but the bioreactor conditions that favor butanol production are mainly unknown. In this study we investigated production of butanol (and its precursor butyrate) during ethanol and acetate chain elongation. We used semi-batch bioreactors (0.16 L serum bottles) fed with a range of ethanol concentrations (100–800 mM C), a constant concentration of acetate (50 mM C), and an initial total gas pressure of ∼112 kPa. We showed that the butanol concentration was positively correlated with the ethanol concentration provided (up to 400 mM C ethanol) and to chain elongation activity, which produced H2 and further increased the total gas pressure. In bioreactors fed with 400 mM C ethanol and 50 mM C acetate, a concentration of 114.96 ± 9.26 mM C butanol (∼2.13 g L−1) was achieved after five semi-batch cycles at a total pressure of ∼170 kPa and H2 partial pressure of ∼67 kPa. Bioreactors with 400 mM C ethanol and 50 mM C acetate also yielded a butanol to butyrate molar ratio of 1:1. At the beginning of cycle 8, the total gas pressure was intentionally decreased to ∼112 kPa to test the dependency of butanol production on total pressure and H2 partial pressure. The reduction in total pressure decreased the molar ratio of butanol to butyrate to 1:2 and jolted H2 production out of an apparent stall. Clostridium kluyveri (previously shown to produce butyrate and butanol) and Alistipes (previously linked with butyrate production) were abundant amplicon sequence variants in the bioreactors during the experimental phases, suggesting the microbiome was resilient against changes in bioreactor conditions. The results from this study clearly demonstrate the potential of ethanol and acetate-based chain elongation to yield butanol as a major product. This study also supports the dependency of butanol production on limiting acetate and on high total gas and H2 partial pressures.
Loss of cholinergic receptor muscarinic 1 impairs cortical mitochondrial structure and function: implications in Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Sabbir Mohammad Golam , Swanson Mamiko , Albensi Benedict C.
Published: May 2023

Introduction: Cholinergic Receptor Muscarinic 1 (CHRM1) is a G protein-coupled acetylcholine (ACh) receptor predominantly expressed in the cerebral cortex. In a retrospective postmortem brain tissues-based study, we demonstrated that severely (≥50% decrease) reduced CHRM1 proteins in the temporal cortex of Alzheimer’s patients significantly correlated with poor patient outcomes. The G protein-mediated CHRM1 signal transduction cannot sufficiently explain the mechanistic link between cortical CHRM1 loss and the appearance of hallmark Alzheimer’s pathophysiologies, particularly mitochondrial structural and functional abnormalities. Therefore, the objective of this study was to analyze the molecular, ultrastructural, and functional properties of cortical mitochondria using CHRM1 knockout (Chrm1-/-) and wild-type mice to identify mitochondrial abnormalities.

Methods: Isolated and enriched cortical mitochondrial fractions derived from wild-type and Chrm1-/- mice were assessed for respiratory deficits (oxygen consumption) following the addition of different substrates. The supramolecular assembly of mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS)-associated protein complexes (complex I-V) and cortical mitochondrial ultrastructure were investigated by blue native polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), respectively. A cocktail of antibodies, specific to Ndufb8, Sdhb, Uqcrc2, Mtco1, and Atp5a proteins representing different subunits of complexes I-V, respectively was used to characterize different OXPHOS-associated protein complexes.

Results: Loss of Chrm1 led to a significant reduction in cortical mitochondrial respiration (oxygen consumption) concomitantly associated with reduced oligomerization of ATP synthase (complex V) and supramolecular assembly of complexes I-IV (Respirasome). Overexpression of Chrm1 in transformed cells (lacking native Chrm1) significantly increased complex V oligomerization and respirasome assembly leading to enhanced respiration. TEM analysis revealed that Chrm1 loss led to mitochondrial ultrastructural defects and alteration in the tinctorial properties of cortical neurons causing a significant increase in the abundance of dark cortical neurons (Chrm1-/- 85% versus wild-type 2%).

Discussion: Our findings indicate a hitherto unknown effect of Chrm1 deletion in cortical neurons affecting mitochondrial function by altering multiple interdependent factors including ATP synthase oligomerization, respirasome assembly, and mitochondrial ultrastructure. The appearance of dark neurons in Chrm1-/- cortices implies potentially enhanced glutamatergic signaling in pyramidal neurons under Chrm1 loss condition. The findings provide novel mechanistic insights into Chrm1 loss with the appearance of mitochondrial pathophysiological deficits in Alzheimer’s disease.
MicroRNA-146a-5p induces cell cycle arrest and enhances apoptosis in gastric cancer via targeting CDC14A
Authors: Jiang Piao , Liang Bin , Zhang Zhen , Fan Bing , Zeng Lin , Zhou Zhiyong , Mao Zhifang , Lin Qing , Yao Weirong , Shen Qinglin
Published: May 2023

Objective: The present study was designed to investigate the expression of miRNA-146a-5p in gastric cancer (GC) tissues and the paired nonmalignant counterparts, to explore the influences of miRNA-146a-5p on the cell biological behavior of MKN-28 cells (highly metastatic human gastric cancer cells), and to identify the function of abnormal expression of its target gene cell division cycle 14 homolog A (CDC14A) in GC.

Methods: We detected the expression of miRNA-146a-5p in formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded (FFPE) GC tissues through microarray and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Then, we employed cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assays, cell cycle assays, and apoptosis analysis to uncover the latent function of miRNA-146a-5p in MKN-28 human GC cells. We also validated the target of miRNA-146a-5p via luciferase reporter assays.

Results: miRNA-146a-5p levels were examined in the majority of primary GC tissues and several GC cell lines. As a result, miRNA-146a-5p levels were significantly declined in the GC tissues and cells. In addition, miRNA-146a-5p demonstrated a straight act on its 3′-untranslated region (3′-UTR) of CDC14A mRNA, accordingly decreasing the contents of CDC14A mRNA as well as its protein expression. An inverse correlation between CDC14A and miRNA-146a-5p was observed.

Conclusion: The data suggest miRNA-146a-5p may contribute to inducing cell cycle arrest as well as prompting GC cell apoptosis via directly targeting CDC14A. Therefore, miRNA-146a-5p may be a potential indicator of the occurrence and development of GC.
Improvement of Saccharomyces propagation performance through oxygen-enriched air and aeration parameter variation
Authors: Beugholt Alexander , Geier Dominik Ulrich , Becker Thomas
Published: May 2023

A variety of yeast applications in the food and beverage industry require individual and reproducible yeast propagation at high yields and consistent quality. One quality-determining parameter for yeast propagation is effective aeration to avoid oxygen depletion. Therefore, this work investigated three important aeration parameters: airflow, pulse time, and oxygen concentration, for their influence on yeast propagation. The aeration of a propagator involves phase transitions which are gradient-driven processes and can be accelerated with higher gradients between the liquid medium and the gas bubbles. In this study, oxygen-enriched air generated with membrane filters was used to aerate the system in an easy and cost-efficient way without the need for expensive technical gas usage. Propagation experiments were carried out in a pilot-scale reactor equipped with a membrane filter system for enhanced oxygen concentrations in ingas and online sensors for representative monitoring of the process. The membrane filter system is based on the separation of nitrogen in compressed air, leading to oxygen enrichment. Using oxygen-enriched air for propagation aeration showed higher oxygen transfer into the medium and the anaerobic process time caused by oxygen depletion due to high cell numbers was reduced by an average of 7.4% for pulsed aeration. Additionally, we conducted experiments with controlled measures of dissolved oxygen using different oxygen concentrations for aeration. The main objective of this study is to present a new and affordable optimization of propagation aeration using membrane filtration to enrich process air. The results showed increased cell counts for higher ingas oxygen concentrations and no negative impact on cell vitality was observed. Hence, our investigations showed that using oxygen-enriched air reduced the frequency of pulsed aeration, thus hindering foam formation, a limiting factor of the yeast propagation process.
Advances and perspectives in the development of vaccines against highly pathogenic bunyaviruses
Authors: Chen Tong , Ding Zhe , Lan Jiaming , Wong Gary
Published: May 2023

Increased human activities around the globe and the rapid development of once rural regions have increased the probability of contact between humans and wild animals. A majority of bunyaviruses are of zoonotic origin, and outbreaks may result in the substantial loss of lives, economy contraction, and social instability. Many bunyaviruses require manipulation in the highest levels of biocontainment, such as Biosafety Level 4 (BSL-4) laboratories, and the scarcity of this resource has limited the development speed of vaccines for these pathogens. Meanwhile, new technologies have been created, and used to innovate vaccines, like the mRNA vaccine platform and bioinformatics-based antigen design. Here, we summarize current vaccine developments for three different bunyaviruses requiring work in the highest levels of biocontainment: Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever Virus (CCHFV), Rift Valley Fever Virus (RVFV), and Hantaan virus (HTNV), and provide perspectives and potential future directions that can be further explored to advance specific vaccines for humans and livestock.
Conceptual model to inform Legionella–amoebae control, including the roles of extracellular vesicles in engineered water system infections
Authors: Ashbolt Nicholas John
Published: May 2023

Extracellular vesicles (EVs or exosomes) are well described for bacterial pathogens associated with our gastrointestinal system, and more recently as a novel mechanism for environmental persistence, dissemination and infection for human enteric viruses. However, the roles played by EVs in the ancient arms race that continues between amoebae and one of their prey, Legionella pneumophila, is poorly understood. At best we know of intracellular vesicles of amoebae containing a mix of bacterial prey species, which also provides an enhanced niche for bacteriophage infection/spread. Free-living amoeba-associated pathogens have recently been recognized to have enhanced resistance to disinfection and environmental stressors, adding to previously understood (but for relatively few species of) bacteria sequestered within amoebal cysts. However, the focus of the current work is to review the likely impacts of large numbers of respiratory-sized EVs containing numerous L. pneumophila cells studied in pure and biofilm systems with mixed prey species. These encapsulated pathogens are orders of magnitude more resistant to disinfection than free cells, and our engineered systems with residual disinfectants could promote evolution of resistance (including AMR), enhanced virulence and EV release. All these are key features for evolution within a dead-end human pathogen post lung infection. Traditional single-hit pathogen infection models used to estimate the probability of infection/disease and critical environmental concentrations via quantitative microbial risk assessments may also need to change. In short, recognizing that EV-packaged cells are highly virulent units for transmission of legionellae, which may also modulate/avoid human host immune responses. Key data gaps are raised and a previous conceptual model expanded upon to clarify where biofilm EVs could play a role promoting risk as well as inform a more wholistic management program to proactively control legionellosis.
Constructing a social vulnerability index for flooding: insights from a municipality in Sweden
Authors: Englund Mathilda , Vieira Passos Marlon , André Karin , Gerger Swartling Åsa , Segnestam Lisa , Barquet Karina
Published: May 2023

Floods disproportionately affect disadvantaged groups. Social vulnerability assessments are the first step in designing just and equitable flood risk reduction strategies. In Sweden, earlier social vulnerability indices apply top-down approaches. In this paper, we develop and apply a combined bottom-up and top-down approach to assess social vulnerability to flooding at a sub-municipal level in Sweden. We tested an indicator-based climate risk and vulnerability framework, more specifically the impact chain method suggested by the Vulnerability Sourcebook. We involved stakeholders using various participatory methods in three workshops, interviews, and informal exchanges to identify variables and indicators for social vulnerability. The Indicators were aggregated into a composite social vulnerability index using exploratory factor analysis. We thereafter mapped the social vulnerability index scores to uncover spatial injustices. We found that the proposed social vulnerability index captures municipal nuances better than national-level approaches. Our findings indicate an uneven spatial distribution of social vulnerability that mimics the overall patterns of income segregation found in the municipality. Many areas that score low in social vulnerability endure high exposure to floods. The social vulnerability index can support municipalities in designing just and equitable interventions toward flood risk reduction by serving as an input to policymaking, investment strategies, and civil protection.
Competition between audiovisual correspondences aids understanding of interactions between auditory and visual perception
Authors: Getz Laura Marie
Published: May 2023

An audiovisual correspondence (AVC) refers to an observer's seemingly arbitrary yet consistent matching of sensory features across the two modalities; for example, between auditory pitch height and visual height or visual size. Research on AVCs frequently uses a speeded classification procedure in which participants are asked to rapidly classify the pitch of a sound accompanied either by a congruent or an incongruent visual object (e.g., high pitches are congruent with higher/smaller visual objects and incongruent with lower/larger visual objects). To investigate the strength of these pitch AVCs (height, size, spatial frequency, brightness, sharpness), trials where the height AVC competed with each other AVC in terms of pitch congruency were created. For example, when classifying pitch height, participants were presented with trials where both visual height and size were congruent or incongruent with pitch; additionally, there were trials where height was congruent but size was incongruent (i.e., high pitch matched with large object at high height) and trials where size was congruent but height was incongruent (i.e., high pitch matched with small object at low height). Based on previous work, congruency between pitch and height was expected to be more important than congruency between pitch and spatial frequency, brightness, sharpness, or size. As predicted, in all four studies, RTs when only height was congruent were just as fast as when both dimensions were congruent. In contrast, RTs when only spatial frequency, brightness, sharpness, or size was congruent (and height was incongruent) were just as slow as when both dimensions were incongruent. These results reinforce the superiority of the pitch-height AVC and can be interpreted based on the metaphor used for pitch in English, showing the importance of semantic/linguistic effects to understanding AVCs.
Machine learning-based investigation of the relationship between immune status and left ventricular hypertrophy in patients with end-stage kidney disease
Authors: Yang Min , Peng Bo , Zhuang Quan , Li Junhui , Zhang Pengpeng , Liu Hong , Zhu Yi , Ming Yingzi
Published: May 2023

Background

Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) is the most frequent cardiac complication among end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) patients, which has been identified as predictive of adverse outcomes. Emerging evidence has suggested that immune system is implicated in the development of cardiac hypertrophy in multiple diseases. We applied machine learning models to exploring the relation between immune status and LVH in ESKD patients.

Methods

A cohort of 506 eligible patients undergoing immune status assessment and standard echocardiography simultaneously in our center were retrospectively analyzed. The association between immune parameters and the occurrence of LVH were evaluated through univariate and multivariate logistic analysis. To develop a predictive model, we utilized four distinct modeling approaches: support vector machine (SVM), logistic regression (LR), multi-layer perceptron (MLP), and random forest (RF).

Results

In comparison to the non-LVH group, ESKD patients with LVH exhibited significantly impaired immune function, as indicated by lower cell counts of CD3+ T cells, CD4+ T cells, CD8+ T cells, and B cells. Additionally, multivariable Cox regression analysis revealed that a decrease in CD3+ T cell count was an independent risk factor for LVH, while a decrease in NK cell count was associated with the severity of LVH. The RF model demonstrated superior performance, with an average area under the curve (AUC) of 0.942.

Conclusion

Our findings indicate a strong association between immune parameters and LVH in ESKD patients. Moreover, the RF model exhibits excellent predictive ability in identifying ESKD patients at risk of developing LVH. Based on these results, immunomodulation may represent a promising approach for preventing and treating this disease.