bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Furtul calificat prin folosirea fără drept a unei chei mincinoase – repere teoretice și jurisprudențiale
Authors:   Facultatea de Drept, Universitatea din București, TRANDAFIR Andra-Roxana , IOAN George-Cristian ,   Facultatea de Drept, Universitatea din București
Published: January 2025

The article analyses the criminal offence of aggravated theft perpetrated by unlawfully using a fake key, taking into account the legal literature and case law in this field in over 125 years since this aggravating element was provided by the Romanian legislation. Afterwards, the authors analyze the ruling of the High Court of Cassation and Justice within the Decision no. 7/2023 issued in an appeal in the interest of the law which, using an evolutive interpretation of the criminal law, decided that a fake key is also the use of an improvised device which blocks the centralized locking system of a vehicle, by jamming its signal. Having in mind this mandatory ruling, the authors then analyze several practical situations and offer solutions to the problems raised in connection with such situations.
Mai avem nevoie și de iarbă? Utilitatea unei teorii generale a actului juridic în epoca specializării
Authors:   Facultatea de Drept, Universitatea București, RIZOIU Radu
Published: January 2025

The Romanian Civil Code misses a general theory of legal deeds. However, it has the tools to build one up starting from the theory of contract that could be adapted for regulating the unilateral deeds as well. This paper explores a way to deduct of such a theory by the legal literature. It also shows several examples (mostly from the rea of business law) where such a theory could prove useful.
Constituționalizarea procedurii de avizare a actelor normative cu valoare de lege
Authors:   Facultatea de Drept, Universitatea București, DIMA Bogdan , POPESCU Ramona-Delia ,   Facultatea de Drept, Universitatea București
Published: January 2025

"In this article, we will refer exclusively to the procedure for the endorsement of normative acts having the force of law adopted either by the Parliament as primary legislator or by the Government as delegated legislator.
The procedure for the endorsement of normative acts having the force of law has been gradually constitutionalized bias of the case law of Constitutional Court. We refer to the case law on the endorsement of normative acts having the force of law by authorities of constitutional rank, whose power of endorsement is provided either by the Constitution or by infra-constitutional laws and the case law on the endorsement of normative acts having the force of law by authorities of legal rank, whose power of endorsement is of a legal nature.
Other types of administrative operations necessary within the process of drafting/adopting normative acts having the force of law were carried out by external authorities ultimately aimed at improving the quality of the law by involving competent authorities in decision-making in specific regulatory areas."
Întrebări și interpelări parlamentare. Confuzii, clarificări, propuneri
Authors:   Facultatea de Drept, Universitatea București, LUPU Andrei-Răzvan
Published: January 2025

Parliamentary questions and interpellations have rarely attracted the interest of the jurisprudence, despite their intensive use as a means of control by the parliamentary opposition. The lack of studies was accompanied by a poor understanding of the instruments in parliamentary practice, these have been used interchangeably in almost all cases. For its part, the Constitutional Court did not make a firm distinction between the two, limiting itself to constantly listing them as means of parliamentary control over the government. The introduction into the parliamentary regulations of some similar procedures, such as the Government’s Hour, reinforced the pre-existing confusions. We therefore aim, through this study, to clarify the distinctions regarding the purpose, use and effects of questions and interpellations, respectively, hoping to correct future parliamentary practice.
Principiul măsurii educative unice – sistemul sancționator al pluralității de infracțiuni comise de un minor
Authors:   Facultatea de Drept, Universitatea București, CHIȚIMIA Tudor
Published: January 2025

Representing one of the evolving areas of criminal law, juvenile justice is changing the spirit of all the regulations towards a vision essentially focused on the overall personality of the juvenile offender. In this respect, the multiple offences and the related sanctioning system have been adapted to such a philosophy, embodied, inter alia, in the sanctioning system of the unique educational measure, which is also regulated in our law by the provision of article 129, paragraph 1, of the Criminal Code. This article wishes to emphasize that, with the configuration of such a particularity, difficulties arise in understanding the need for such a distinct sanctioning system from the one applicable to adults, in establishing in a predictable and precise manner the forms of the multiple offences existing in the case of juveniles and in individualizing the resultant sanction in a flexible and proportionate manner. Finally, the article raises some problematic issues regarding the cases of reindividualization of the resultant unique educational measure, as well as some incongruities between the conditions stipulated by the legislator for the imposition of a custodial educational measure and the conditions of the procedural solution of waiver of prosecution.
Can Rumer Rule be extended beyond Amino-Keto transformation? New insight into Emergence of Standard Genetic Code
Authors: Mohanty Bijan Bihari
Published: January 2025

In the case of Early Genetic Code, not only Rumer Rule of Amino (M)-Keto(K) transformation held true, but also the codons/anticodons linked to the respective amino acids were bilaterally partitioned into 2 groups of 2-fold and 4-fold degeneracy on the basis of the above transformation with numerical equality between the groups and also there existed various complementary relationship (to be discussed in the article) including amino keto invariance. But the code lacked rigorous information capture specificity. Hence, the code structure migrated to similar rule for Strong(S) & Weak(W) base complementary transformation with bilateral partitioning between polar and nonpolar amino acids with linkage to respective codons/anticodons which we call Rumer Extended Rule-1 and ensured numerical equality between the rearranged groups. At the same time, it retained only the amino keto invariant complementary relationship while dismissing the other 2 invariant relationships. The numerical equality was, however, not automatic and was the result of minimal symmetry breaking of the (SW) symmetry transformation or deviation from Extended Rumer Rule-1 driven by probably the physicochemical properties of involved amino acids. Thus, while there was greater symmetry in Early Genetic Code, at the same time the information capturing specificity was much less, the shift resulted in lesser symmetry but more specific information capture ability. The shift also resulted in emergence of Standard Genetic Code.
Don’t Shoot the Pianist: Creative firms, workers, and neighbourhood gentrification
Authors: Kitsos Tasos , Nathan Max , Gutierrez-Posada Diana
Published: January 2025

We examine links between creative activity and gentrification at the neighbourhood level.These dynamics are both complex and important to understand. Artists may help ‘upgrade’inexpensive neighbourhoods before being displaced, including by higher-paid creativeservice workers. Alternatively, creative activity may follow patterns of high-incomecustomers and locales. Many city leaders hope creative industries can drive urban growth,while worrying about these highly localised impacts. However, outside case studies, theselinks are poorly understood. Drawing on urban theory and recent creative industries debates,we frame neighbourhood ‘upgrading’ in larger processes of competition for urban space, thenidentify distinct creativity-gentrification channels for firms, workers and arts / serviceactivities. We explore impacts on neighbourhoods in England and Wales, via rich microdataon firms and workers between 2001 and 2021. We test aggregate links between creativeactivity and subsequent gentrification, then explore channels across actors, activity types,level of clustering, the urban hierarchy and property types. Largely, we find very smallassociations between creative clustering and gentrification in the following decades. Linksare larger for creative workers than firms, though less stable. Links are stronger in Londonand larger cities; in neighbourhoods with denser clusters of creative firms, changes ingentrification scores are three to seven times larger. Overall, arts workers and businesses aremost implicated in gentrification, though the former lead and the latter follow neighbourhoodchange. The findings have important implications for urban economic development and urbanplanning policy.
Existence, relativity, and cosmology: reconciling foundational tensions in physics
Authors: Janzen Daryl
Published: January 2025

This paper addresses foundational tensions in modern physics by reexamining the concept of existence through the lenses of relativity, black hole physics, and cosmology. It integrates innovations in geometry, philosophy, and linguistics to critique entrenched biases and linguistic imprecision that have historically constrained the development of coherent physical theories. Challenging traditional arguments for the block universe, it identifies logical flaws tied to implicit meta-time assumptions and introduces formal definitions of "existence" consistent with a three-dimensional, enduring universe described by relativistic cosmology. A layered geometrical framework unifies cosmic time, space, and expansion, reconciling relativistic principles with empirical evidence for a cosmological rest frame and absolute cosmic time. This reinterpretation challenges Einstein's operational approach to simultaneity, offering a cosmological perspective that resolves inconsistencies between relativistic physics and cosmology. Gravitational collapse is fundamentally reexamined, revealing that fully-formed black holes with event horizons or singularities do not form within finite cosmic time, undermining assumptions behind Hawking radiation and black hole entropy. Building on these insights, the paper develops a new cosmological model that naturally resolves the expansion, horizon, flatness, dark energy, and cosmological constant problems while providing testable predictions to address the Hubble tension, early structure formation, and the origins of the universe. By embedding conservation laws and the universality of physics at its core, this framework synthesizes empirical evidence with relativistic principles, demonstrating how rethinking foundational assumptions can uncover new physics and offering a unified pathway for resolving key tensions in modern cosmology.
Widespread illegal video game advertising in the UK and South Korea: Many adverts not disclosing loot box presence found using Meta’s ad repository
Authors: Xiao Leon Y. , Deery Callum , Petrovskaya Elena , Park Solip , Newall Philip
Published: January 2025

Background: Gambling advertising on social media negatively affects public health. Advertising repositories represent a novel data access method for studying the commercial and legal determinants of health. Loot boxes are gambling-like products in video games that players, including young children, buy to obtain random rewards. Their advertising is specifically regulated in the UK and South Korea: loot box presence must be disclosed in any advertising. This rule is enforced differently: the UK relies on industry self-regulation with little deterrence effect, whilst South Korea imposes strict penalties. We assessed and compared compliance to inform policymaking.Methods: Using Meta’s advertising repository, we searched whether 394 popular mobile, console, and PC games with loot boxes advertised in the UK and South Korea. The most recently published ads after the rules came into force (N = 2358) were analysed for compliance. Findings: Only 8.4% of UK ads disclosed loot box presence, whilst 58.2% of Korean language ads did in South Korea. Further, 71.4% of UK disclosures and 44.9% of Korean disclosures were not reasonably visually prominent as required, thus the true compliance rates were 2.4% and 32.1%.Interpretation: Most video games are not complying with international loot box advertising rules. More active enforcement, imposing stricter penalties against non-compliance, providing detailed guidance, and educating foreign companies may lead to better compliance. Governments should not rely on toothless industry self-regulation to address public health concerns when the evidence indicates widespread non-compliance. Policymakers should adopt laws requiring companies to provide data access to facilitate better independent research.Funding: The Academic Forum for the Study of Gambling with funds derived from ‘regulatory settlements applied for socially responsible purposes’ received by the UK Gambling Commission.
Training Local Models from Reanalysis Data to Estimate Reference Evapotranspiration with Fewer Onsite Sensors, an Evaluation in West Africa
Authors: Lavarenne Jérémy , Brouillet Audrey
Published: January 2025

This study addresses the critical need for accurate reference evapotranspiration (ET0) estimation in data-scarce environments such as West Africa, where rapid population growth and climate change intensify water resource challenges. Traditionally, computing ET0 with the FAO-56 Penman-Monteith method requires multiple meteorological inputs—such as solar radiation, humidity, and wind speed—collected from costly, fully instrumented weather stations. However, the availability and maintenance of such equipment can be prohibitive in remote regions. To overcome these constraints, we explore the potential of machine learning (ML), specifically XGBoost (XGB) models, trained on NASA Power climate reanalysis datasets. Our approach relies on a limited subset of easily measured in situ variables—daily minimum and maximum temperatures and rainfall—to estimate ET0. Departing from standard ML practices that depend on short-term, site-specific data, we leverage the extensive historical depth and broad spatial coverage of reanalysis products. We trained and validated twenty locally adapted XGB models using measurements from twenty diverse West African weather stations. Our results show that certain XGB model configurations, notably those incorporating temperature and rainfall data, can approximate ET0 estimates from the FAO-56 Penman-Monteith equation with median RMSE values frequently below 1 mm/day—levels comparable to commonly employed empirical formulas. This finding demonstrates that minimal on-site instrumentation, combined with ML and reanalysis data, can effectively support irrigation scheduling and enhance water-use efficiency under varying agro-ecological conditions. To foster broader implementation, we have released our XGB-ET0 code under the GPLv3 licence (https://github.com/SARRA-cropmodels/RF-ET0), enabling researchers and practitioners to locally train and deploy these models, thereby improving ET0 estimation and sustainable agricultural water management in resource-limited settings.
Simulation of Micro-Void Development within Large Scale Additively Manufactured Polymer Composite Deposition Beads
Authors: Awenlimobor Aigbe
Published: January 2025

Despite the growing level of technology advancement that characterizes extrusion deposition additive manufacturing technology, there remains significant knowledge gap in fully understanding the process-structure-property relationship involved in this technology. The ability to effectively and efficiently control the manufacturing process provides an opportunity for optimizing the complex microstructure of the polymer composite prints which can lead to significant improvement of the associated print properties and in-service part performance. Modeling the polymer melt flow extrusion-deposition process is important in understanding the development of the inherent microstructural formation. The current research presents a computational-based approach for investigating process induced micro-voids and their impact on print properties. We develop a multiscale FEA simulation tool to predict the global and local flow-fields during the polymer-melt flow process to investigate underlying mechanisms that may promote the micro-void development within the bead microstructure and determine potential process related factors that can be controlled to mitigate micro-void formation and growth. The research also presents a computational based method for assessing the impact of the micro-voids on the effective print properties. The direct implication of a reduced part voidage levels is the development of high-quality functional components for specialized applications such as light weight & high strength integrity composites widely used in a variety of industries particularly the automobile, aerospace, renewable energy and defense industries.
Fracture Characterization of Coir and Bamboo Fiber (Natural) Composites
Authors: Igbokwe Nkemakonam
Published: January 2025

The technical report by Igbokwe Nkemakonam Chidiebube outlines the author's professional and academic journey, focusing on engineering activities and research. The report details the author's engineering experience, including professional and academic background. The report serves as a record of the author’s technical contributions and research, submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for Nigerian Society of Engineers corporate membership registration and Council for the Regulation of Engineers in Nigeria.
Cancer screening risk literacy of physicians in training: An experimental study
Authors: Petrova Dafina , Garcia-Retamero Rocio , Navarrete Gorka
Published: January 2025

We investigated what factors may foster or hinder physicians’ cancer screening risk literacy–specifically the ability to understand evidence regarding screening effectiveness and make evidence-based recommendations to patients. In an experiment, physicians in training (interns and residents) read statistical information about outcomes from screening for cancer, and had to decide whether to recommend it to a patient. We manipulated the effectiveness of the screening (effective vs. ineffective at reducing mortality) and the demand of the patient to get screened (demand vs. no demand). We assessed participants’ comprehension of the presented evidence and recommendation to the patient, as well as a-priori screening beliefs (e.g., that screening is always a good choice), numeracy, science literacy, knowledge of screening statistics, statistical education, and demographics. Stronger positive a-priori screening beliefs, lower knowledge of screening statistics, and lower numeracy were related to worse comprehension of the evidence. Physicians recommended against the ineffective screening but only if they showed good comprehension of the evidence. Physicians’ recommendations were further based on the perceived benefits from screening but not on perceived harms, nor the patient’s demands. The current study demonstrates that comprehension of cancer screening statistics and the ability to infer the potential benefits for patients are essential for evidence-based recommendations. However, strong beliefs in favor of screening fostered by promotion campaigns may influence how physicians evaluate evidence about specific screenings. Fostering physician numeracy skills could help counteract such biases and provide evidence-based recommendations to patients.
Delay Discounting k is Not a Unitless Metric
Authors: Gelino Brett William , Strickland Justin Charles , Johnson Matthew
Published: January 2025

Discounting analysis has offered countless insights into behavioral health outcomes and continues to draw transdisciplinary attention as a reliable descriptor of decision-making. This paper highlights an analytical issue that may be underappreciated, namely, that the delay discounting parameter (i.e., k) carries units which are not reported in the vast majority of studies, leading potentially to errors in cross-study or test-retest comparisons. Delay discounting analyses conventionally use nonlinear modeling to arrive at a discounting rate that describes subject-level tolerance of temporal reward constraints. This brief report explores the relation between delay discounting k, delay value (i.e., D), and psychophysical scalar (i.e., s) logically and via data manipulation. We reanalyze three extant delay discounting datasets across a variety of discounting assessment methods using systematically different regression delay values. Results support the notion that k retains the reciprocal of time as a unit, where k is modified as D-1 or D-s, pending model mathematical configuration. Researchers should report units on discounting parameters and take care of this potential confound when selecting an appropriate descriptive model and comparing discounting rates across contexts.
Beyond Diagnosis: Why and How Virtual Reality Should be Used in Research on Neurodevelopmental Conditions?
Authors: Muszynska Marianna , Ossmy Ori
Published: January 2025

Over the past two decades, virtual reality (VR) has emerged as a technique for studying neurodevelopmental conditions (NDCs) such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, autism spectrum disorder, and developmental coordination disorder. Until now, the predominant focus of VR applications in this field has been on developing new assessment and diagnostic tools, aiming to identify NDC symptoms in engaging and ecologically valid digital environments. However, despite these advancements, VR has yet to outperform traditional diagnostic methods and remains underutilized as an assessment tool. This paper advocates for a shift in the use of VR, urging researchers to harness its potential in testing embodied cognitive mechanisms underlying NDCs. That is, leveraging VR's functionality to systematically manipulate sensory and social experiences in real-world simulations and test participants in active, whole-body, daily tasks. This article asks why and how VR should be used in NDC research and points to its unique strengths compared to conventional methodologies.
Eager inhibition, lagging enhancement: The time course of selective attention
Authors: Han Sizhu , Carlisle Nancy Beth , Schubö Anna
Published: January 2025

Foreknowledge of target features biases attention toward those features even before search begins, indicating proactive activation of the target template. However, whether foreknowledge of distractor features leads to proactive inhibition remains debated, raising questions about whether target and distractor templates operate through similar mechanisms. The current study investigated this by presenting multiple task-irrelevant singleton probes before search display onset, combined with EEG. The probes either matched the color of the target, the distractor or had a neutral color. If a feature-specific template is activated proactively, we expect to see a reliable probe N2pc-modulation: With target template enhancement, probes matching the target color should elicit a more pronounced N2pc than neutral probes, whereas a distractor template inhibition should lead to an opposite pattern. In line with this prediction, results showed that the target-colored probes produced a more pronounced N2pc, with the largest amplitude for the last probe in the sequence, suggesting an increasing template activation from probe 1 to 4. Distractor-colored probes elicited a less pronounced N2pc than neutral probes at the first probe, suggesting an inhibited template activation at the start of the preparation. Both ERP and decoding results time-locked to search display onset showed that foreknowledge of the target color facilitated target selection, reaching its peak after 200 ms. Foreknowledge of the distractor color allowed active distractor inhibition within the first 200 ms and then vanished quickly. Taken together, separate temporal profiles during preparation and search support distinct mechanisms for target selection and distractor rejection in visual search.
Cultivating Multigenerational Moral Expansion
Authors: Law Kyle Fiore , Young Liane , Syropoulos Stylianos
Published: January 2025

In three studies (N = 8,775) including two pre-registered experiments and a pre-registered cross-national replication across five countries, we tested whether intergenerational appeals that emphasize our responsibility to protect future generations can expand our moral circle to include distant future people within the boundaries of moral regard. Importantly, asking participants to roleplay as a leader of a committee protecting future generations (Studies 1-2), and having them partake in a philosophical thought exercise emphasizing reduction of intergenerational harm (Studies 1-3) increased moral concern felt towards future generations. This was noted when moral expansiveness was construed as limitless (Study 1), and zero-sum (Studies 2-3). When moral concern was construed as zero-sum, moral concern attributed to ingroup members was re-allocated to future generations. Spillover effects for present entities were also noted. The present evidence illustrates that intergenerational appeals have the potential to expand our moral circle, increasing moral regard felt towards future people, and potentially even shaping our moral concern expressed towards present entities.
Exploring the psychological effects of ancestral heat stress using modern heat stress studies
Authors: Sun David
Published: January 2025

Heat stress is a common ecological and climatic pressure faced by many ancestral and modern day human populations, particularly in the tropic and subtropic regions of the world. Although studies have identified many physiological, genetic, biological, medical, and morphological markers associated with ancestral heat stress, the potential psychological aspects of ancestral heat stress remains unexplored. This article includes a meta-review of heat stress studies on cognition and psychology in humans and animal subjects to speculate on the possible retained ancestral effects of heat stress on the psychology or cultures of modern day tropical populations.
Effect of Different Mulching Materials on Growth and Yield Attributing Characters of Summer Squash in Kanchanpur District
Authors: Mahara Birendra , Bhattarai Basant Raj , Joshi Apil , Saud Ganesh
Published: January 2025

Mulching in the vegetable crop helps to conserve moisture, regulate temperature, avoid surface compaction, reduce runoff and erosion, improve soil structure, and manage weeds. To study the effect of different mulching materials on growth and yield attributing characters of summer squash, a field experiment was conducted at Kanchanpur district on summer squash during the summer season of 2023. The experiment was laid out in single factor Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) design with 4 replications and 5 treatments namely T1: control, T2: Plastic Mulching (silver on black plastic, black on top, silver on bottom), T3: rice straw, T4: sawdust and T5: mustard hulls in an area of 300m2. “F1 Dollar plus” variety was used for the research. Growth and yield characteristics of summer squash were seen better with mulching and provided better results. The effect of different mulching materials on growth and yield attributing characters were found statistically significant except non-significant in a number of leaves at 15DAS. Plant height, number of leaves, and plant spreading were seen highest in treatment T2 and lowest in treatment T1 at 15DAS, 30DAS, 45DAS, and 60DAS. The moisture percentage is retained highest in treatment T3 and the lowest was recorded in treatment T1. The number of fruits per plant, fruit length, yield per plant, and yield were recorded as highest in T2 and lowest in T1. Yield was more than 3 times in treatment T2 and more than double in treatment T3 than in treatment T1. The findings of this research suggest plastic mulching especially silver on black plastic is a better tool for the production of summer squash in the research area compared to non-mulch conditions.
Effect of Locally available Organic Manures on the Growth and Yield of Potato in Bajhang District
Authors: Rai Sapana , Bohora Anisha , Sharma Raksha , Tamang Tirsana
Published: January 2025

Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) is one of the significant food crops of the high hill and mountain region of Nepal. The field experiment was conducted during the month of Feb-June, 2023 at Talkot Rural Municipality-1, Bajhang district of Nepal. In the hilly region, farmers commonly use farmyard manure (FYM) in their potato crop as compared to other organic manures like goat manure, poultry manure, compost, etc. Thus, this study was carried out to investigate the effect of locally available organic fertilizers on the growth and yield of potato var. Desiree. The experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design with five treatments viz. T1: control (without organic manure), T2: poultry manure, T3: farmyard manure, T4: goat manure, and T5: compost, and each treatment was replicated four times. The recommended dose of chemical fertilizers as recommended by government of Nepal was applied in all the treatments. There were no significant differences among the treatments on plant height and leaf number in potatoes except for the plant height at 60 days of planting. Plant height was found to be the highest in the plots treated with poultry manure followed by compost manure & goat manure. Statistically, the different treatments did not show significant variation in yield. However, the highest tuber yield was obtained from compost manure followed by poultry manure, goat manure, farmyard manure, and control. Application of compost manure yielded 37.6 t/ha potato tuber which is 19.69% greater than the control which yielded 30 t/ha only. Similarly, the result concluded that the application of goat manure obtained the highest net benefit among all other organic manures in the study area.
Effects of Halopriming and Hydropriming on Seed Germination and Seedling Emergence of Chilli (Capsicum frutescens)
Authors: Poudel Surakshya , Paudel Swastika , Rijal Bipin , Shrestha Avishek , Kafle Aarati , Blon Norgin
Published: January 2025

Capsicum frutescens plants are exposed to a variety of environmental factors, including salinity, drought, high temperatures, and others, which have a detrimental effect on plant development and productivity. There exist several physiological and non-physiological techniques to enhance the germination process, which can help overcome environmental constraints and improve seed performance. Seed priming is a pre-sowing seed treatment that provides regulated hydration of seeds to absorb water and pass through the initial stage of germination, hence allowing seed to germinate more efficiently. This enhances the pre-germinative metabolic process and hastens germination. To evaluate the effect of hydropriming and halopriming methods on the seed germination and seedling emergence of Capsicum frutescens an experiment was carried out in Controlled Randomized Design (CRD) in the lab of College of Natural Resource Management, Bardibas, Mahottari. Seeds of capsicum was used with 7 treatments consisting of 3 replications in the experiment. Treatments includes T1: Halopriming with 1% KNO3(Potassium Nitrate), T2: Halopriming with 2% KNO3, T3: Halopriming with 3% KNO3, T4: Halopriming with 1% NaCl(Sodium chloride), T5: Halopriming with 2% NaCl, T6: Halopriming with 3% NaCl, T7: Hydropriming with normal water. Seeds were soaked in prepared solution of KNO3 and NaCl at different concentrations for 24 hours at lab temperature. The findings of this experiment suggests that halopriming treatments with KNO3 may improve root and shoot emergence and 50% germination as compared to seed treated with NaCl. As evidenced by the slower growth of radicle and plumule in seed treated with NaCl and hydropriming, it was found that seed primed with 3% KNO3 had these characteristics.
Oral Communication for Non-Native Speakers of English
Authors: Guskaroska Agata , Kochem Timothy , Ghosh Monica , Compton Lily , Cotos Elena , Goodale Erik
Published: January 2025

This book is meant to serve an instructional tool for both learners and teachers in the field of pronunciation. Topics covered include vowel and consonant sounds, word stress, thought groups, prominence, and intonation.
“If You’re Being Forced, You’re Being Forced”: A Qualitative Examination of How Overtime Affects Correctional Officers
Authors: Ricciardelli Rosemary , Carbonell Marina , Johnston Matthew S. , Whitten Cindy
Published: January 2025

Canadian correctional institutions operate with insufficient staffing levels, leading to occupational stress that negatively affects prisons’ overall functioning as well as staff and incarcerated people’s wellness. The literature suggests a direct correlation between staffing levels and correctional officer (CO) wellness, but little is known about the nuances of the effects of forced overtime on COs’ well-being. Drawing on the job demand–control–support (JDCS) model, our qualitative study examines, through semi-structured interviews with federally employed COs in Canada ( n = 93), how overtime affects the health and wellness of COs in concrete and discursive ways. Findings focus on the relationship between staff shortages, overtime, mental health, and a perceived lack of agency in accordance with the JDCS model. Practical implications and potential strategies to mediate the effects of forced overtime in correctional spaces are discussed.
Ebstein’s Anomaly and Echocardiographic Features
Authors: Muthiah Ramachandran
Published: January 2025

Aim: To present the various echocardiographic spectrum of Ebstein’s malformation in adolescence and adults.

Introduction: Ebstein’s anomaly has different anatomic and hemodynamic variables with clinical manifestations of cyanosis, right-sided heart failure and arrhythmias. The leaflet tethering and dysplasia, together with dilatation of the tricuspid valve ring, constitute the anatomic cause of tricuspid regurgitation observed in this condition.

Case reports: The spectrum of leaflet tethering from mild to extreme with varying degrees of tricuspid regurgitation were documented by echocardiography in a 16-year old cyanotic male with Ebstein’s anomaly associated with an atrial septal defect and mild low tricuspid regurgitation (TR), 22-year old acyanotic male with right-sided heart failure due to severe tricuspid regurgitation and an intact atrial septum, 55-year old aymptomatic female with moderate high tricuspid regurgitation. The extreme form was described as an ‘atretic’ membrane in a 28-year old cyanotic male and as a ‘blanket’ of leaflet tissue in a 30-year old cyanotic male.

Conclusion: Ebstein’s anomaly has to be suspected clinically in presence of cyanosis with a WPW (Wolf-Parkinson-White) or atrioventricular (AV) block pattern of ECG and its management is complex and must be individualized. RV (right ventricular) exclusion procedures are preferred in advanced cases.
No-Reflow Phenomenon after Primay Percutaneous Coronary Intervention in patients with ST segment elevation myocardial infarction treated with ticagrelor versus clopidogrel plus eptifibatide: A Randomized Clinical Trial
Authors: Sheibani Mehdi
Published: January 2025

Background and Aims

No reflow phenomenon (NRP) is one of the essential complications of primary percutaneous intervention (PPCI). Anti-platelets have essential role in prevention of NRP. The aim of this study is comparison the NRP between ticagrelor and clopidogrel+glycoprotein IIb/IIIa Inhibitor in ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients candidate for PPCI.

Methods

From January 2022 to January 2023 in a randomized clinical trial we compare ticagrelor and clopidogrel plus eptifibatide (a glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitor) in terms of NRP and secondary outcome include mortality, stent thrombosis, vascular complications, bleeding complications and major cardiovascular adverse events (MACE). NRP was defined as TIMI flow grade less than 3.

Results:

140 patients were randomly assigned to two study groups. Mean age of patients was 59 years and 82% were male. Baseline characteristics and culprit vessels was not significantly different between study groups.NRP at the end of procedure was occurred in 47.5% in ticagrelor group and 53.7% in clopidogrel + eptifibatide group without statistical significant difference (Pvalue: 0.48). Two major and two minor bleeding occurred in in the clopidogrel+eptifibatide group and no bleeding was reported in ticagrelor group. Bleeding complications was not significantly different between study groups. In hospital mortality, vascular complications and MACE were also not significantly different between study groups.

Conclusion:

Clopidogrel plus eptifibatide in PPCI has similar outcome with ticagrelor and could be administered if ticagrelor is unavailable or prohibited.
Chordal Entanglement following MitraClipTM Implantation Necessitating Open Heart Surgery
Authors: Singh Ajmer
Published: January 2025

MitraClip implantation has become an alternative technique to reduce the severity of mitral regurgitation for patients with prohibitive surgical risk. It can, however, lead to either procedure-related or device-related complications. Here, we describe a patient which the MitraClipTM arms were entangled to the chordae tendinae and papillary muscles, and the device could neither be deployed nor removed. The patient required open heart surgery for the removal of the clips and emergent MV replacement. The remaining perioperative course and follow-up of the patient was unremarkable.
Tip-to-Base LAMPOON Procedure for a Valve-in-Valve Transcatheter Mitral Valve Replacement
Authors: Singh Ajmer
Published: January 2025

Left ventricular outflow tract obstruction is a life-threatening complication of transcatheter mitral valve replacement caused by septal displacement of the anterior mitral leaflet. This complication can be avoided by using of a new technique, called LAMPOON or Laceration of Anterior Mitral leaflet to Prevent left ventricular Outflow ObstructioN. LAMPOON procedure involves splitting the anterior mitral leaflet just before transcatheter mitral valve replacement, which would otherwise be displaced anteriorly by the mitral valve implant and cause left ventricular outflow obstruction. In this case report, we discuss our initial experience with the tip-to-base LAMPOON technique to prevent left ventricular outflow obstruction.
Commentary to the Editor from Manucha et al.: Blood Pressure Decreases in Overweight Elderly Individuals on Vitamin D: A Randomized Trial
Authors: Luis Mansur José
Published: January 2025

The excellent manuscript by Rahme M et al., post hoc exploratory analyses of 221 ambulatory older overweight individuals supplemented with calcium and oral vitamin D3, shed light on an existing problem. We mean Vitamin D is associated with hypertension, but its supplementation did not produce positive results.
Plantas medicinales del patio de Ángel Albino Corzo, Chiapas
Authors: Ramírez Ovando Karla Anahí , Rodríguez Galván Guadalupe , Ubiergo Corvalán Paola , Zaragoza Martínez Lourdes , Rivera Rodríguez Laura Beatriz
Published: January 2025

Las especies vegetales han sido un elemento fundamental en la medicina tradicional e históricamente muy representadas en los modos de vida de la humanidad. Así como el uso alimenticio de las plantas, el uso medicinal comprende una de las categorías primordiales en los conocimientos de las diversas culturas del mundo; sin embargo, es evidente que el sistema de salud de las personas, se ve cada vez más influenciado por el uso de la farmacología moderna, debido a los factores que intervienen en las estrategias de subsistencia.

Los saberes de las plantas medicinales han sido un legado notable en los inicios de diversas disciplinas como la biología, la medicina y la antropología. Estos conocimientos crearon procesos de transformación en los primeros sistemas de clasificación botánica, actualmente, sigue siendo un elemento presente en diversos contextos de la agroecología, la etnobiología, ecotecnologías para el desarrollo sustentable, entre otros; lo que ha motivado el interés en los estudios de la etnobotánica y la herbolaria.
Sprawozdanie z XI Ogólnopolskiej Konferencji Naukowej Jakość życia w pracy i poza nią
Authors: Filipkowski Jakub , Kardasz Zofia , Pysz Magdalena
Published: January 2025

Abstrakt
Inteligencja emocjonalna a gotowość do podejmowania nieetycznych zachowań proorganizacyjnych (NZPO). Krótki raport z badań
Authors: Grabowski Damian , Kaznocha Rafał , Stawiarska Patrycja
Published: January 2025

Cel: Celem badań było ustalenie zależności między inteligencją emocjonalną (IE) rozpatrywaną jako cecha a gotowością do podejmowania nieetycznych zachowań proorganizacyjnych (NZPO). Badania te miały uzupełnić brak istniejący w zakresie badań dotyczących związku inteligencji emocjonalnej z NZPO.
Metoda: Badania objęły 103 osoby pracujące w firmach na terenie całej Polski. Inteligencję emocjonalną (IE) zbadano za pomocą kwestionariusza do diagnozy poziomu IE zbudowanego przez Borkowską i współpracowników (2006). Gotowość do podejmowania NZPO zmierzono natomiast za pomocą polskiej wersji skali nieetycznych zachowań proorganizacyjnych (Grabowski i in., 2019).
Wyniki: Badania pokazały, że istnieje związek negatywny między IE a NZPO. Regulacja nastroju, percepcja emocji i empatia oraz wiedza i wgląd emocjonalny są negatywnie powiązane z gotowością do podejmowania NZPO. Regulacja nastroju oraz percepcja emocji i empatia jawią się ponadto jako predyktory obniżające gotowość do podejmowania NZPO, które wyjaśniają około 20% NZPO.
Wnioski: Badania dostarczyły istotnej wiedzy na temat związku pomiędzy IE a NZPO w grupie pracowników polskich. Można przypuszczać, że inteligencja emocjonalna (IE), a szczególnie regulacja nastroju oraz percepcja emocji i empatia są czynnikami zmniejszającymi gotowość do podejmowania NZPO.
Bilewicz, M. (2024). Traumaland. Polacy w cieniu przeszłości. Wydawnictwo WAM, ss. 336
Authors: Mudyń Krzysztof
Published: January 2025

Abstrakt
Опір матеріалів. Критерії міцності: навчальний посібник
Authors:   Vinnytsia Mykhailo Kotsiubynskyi State Pedagogical University, Подолянчук С.
Published: January 2025

Навчальний посібник містить відомості про класичні та нові критерії (теорії) міцності, які обґрунтовують можливість використання результатів випробувань матеріалів на міцність при простих видах навантажень у розрахунках на міцність при складному напруженому стані.
Рекомендується для здобувачів вищої освіти спеціальності 014.10. Середня освіта (Технології).
The use of antihistamines for allergies: New developments and recommendations exploring recent advancements in antihistamines and their effectiveness in treating allergies
Authors: Jain Akash
Published: January 2025

Allergies are hypersensitive immune responses to typically harmless substances known as allergens, which can include pollen, dust mites, pet dander, certain foods, and medications. Common allergic conditions include allergic rhinitis, characterized by symptoms such as sneezing, nasal congestion, and itchy eyes; urticaria (hives), which presents as itchy welts on the skin; and atopic dermatitis (eczema), leading to dry, itchy skin. The role of histamine is crucial in these allergic responses; when an allergen is encountered, the immune system releases histamine from mast cells, resulting in increased vascular permeability and the classic symptoms of allergies. Antihistamines are a primary treatment option that works by blocking the action of histamine at its receptors, thereby alleviating symptoms associated with allergic reactions.
The revolution of clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats -based therapies: From genetic diseases to cancer investigating how clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats technology is being applied to treat genetic disorders and cancer
Authors: Lahoti Swaroop
Published: January 2025

The advent of clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) technology has revolutionized the field of genetic engineering and molecular biology, offering unprecedented opportunities for precise genome editing. Initially discovered as a natural defense mechanism in bacteria, CRISPR-Cas9 technology enables targeted modifications of DNA, paving the way for significant advancements in gene therapy. This review article explores the multifaceted applications of CRISPR, focusing on its transformative potential in treating genetic diseases and various forms of cancer. We delve into the mechanisms by which CRISPR operates, emphasizing its dual-step process of targeting and cutting DNA, and highlighting its versatility in investigating gene functions and developing therapeutic strategies. Specific applications in genetic disorders, including sickle cell disease and cystic fibrosis, showcase the promising outcomes of ongoing pre-clinical and clinical trials. In the realm of oncology, CRISPR’s ability to edit oncogenes and enhance immune cell functions exemplifies its role in developing personalized cancer therapies. However, the rapid advancement of CRISPR technology also necessitates critical discussions around ethical considerations and regulatory challenges, particularly concerning off-target effects and the implications of germline editing. Looking ahead, innovations such as CRISPR 2.0, base editing, and prime editing are set to further expand the therapeutic landscape, enhancing the precision and safety of gene editing. This article underscores the importance of collaborative efforts across scientific, ethical, and regulatory domains to navigate the complexities of CRISPR technology while maximizing its benefits for patients and society.
The Motivation for Women in Politics: The Contemporary Politics of Women’s Participation and Representation in Africa
Authors: Chikwanha Annie Barbara , Moyo Theresa
Published: January 2025

Women’s presence in politics is vital for shaping policy outcomes in the economic, social and cultural spheres. Despite progress over the past two decades, women remain under-represented in political leadership in Africa. This publication examines the factors motivating women’s participation and representation in politics on the continent, providing insights to enhance gender equality and empower women politically. Through interviews, it becomes clear that global and regional efforts for gender equality are key factors motivating women’s political participation. Women's movements and civil society groups have played a significant role in advocating for increased inclusion. However, social norms and practices often still hinder women from meaningful participation in decision making.
The report suggests that African governments should expedite the implementation of international and regional frameworks to enhance women’s political participation. Strengthening women’s capacity to engage in politics, improving access to finance and addressing violence against women in politics are essential measures to promote their representation.