bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Perspectives and Scenarios for Coastal Fisheries in a Social-Ecological Context: An Ecosystem Service Assessment Approach in the German Baltic Sea
Authors: von Thenen Miriam , Effelsberg Nina , Weber Lars , Schernewski Gerald
Published: November 2023

Worldwide, fisheries have experienced change over time. An excess of exploitation for providing food has led to overfishing and the depletion of fish stocks. However, fishing communities are also part of the cultural heritage and contribute to the attractiveness of coastal areas to tourists. Our aim is to identify if ecosystem service assessments (ESA) can reflect the condition of fisheries and their economic and social aspects. We developed a tailored, expert-based ESA and applied it to two case studies in the eastern German Baltic Sea under different fishery management scenarios. The results show that reducing fishing pressure, actively restoring habitats, and improving their ecological status increase the provision of most ecosystem services. We discuss and conclude that ESAs allow for a holistic view on fisheries that goes beyond the economic importance of fisheries and shows both the interdependence between fisheries and healthy marine ecosystems, and their relevance for coastal communities. Such a holistic view is necessary for a sustainable approach to fisheries management. Our approach is easily transferable to other regions, and can be used to structure discussion on fisheries management scenarios, as well as to track and visualize societal changes.
Extension Cloud Model and Grey Clustering Evaluation of Enterprise Safety Management System: Based on COWA-CRITIC Combination Weighting
Authors: Duan Shanda , Li Xuefeng , Jiang Xiashi , Huang Xuxing , Yang Yihao , Du Han , Xiao Wuning
Published: November 2023

In order to address the issues of unclear risk grading control, lack of safety management, and hidden danger investigation and management processes, this paper used a mining enterprise as the backdrop for an engineering example. The “evaluation model of the overall construction level of the enterprise safety management system” is constructed from four aspects: “preliminary infrastructure”, “risk grading and control”, “hidden danger investigation and management processes”, and “Post-support work”. The safety evaluation level is divided into five levels, and the evaluation model is combined weighted by using the combined ordered weighted averaging (COWA) algorithm and the criteria importance through intercriteria correlation (CRITIC) method. In addition, the cloud model, the extension cloud model, and the grey clustering evaluation method are used for a thorough evaluation. Finally, the enterprise safety management system’s overall construction level is determined to be good. In order to effectively strengthen the enterprise safety management capability and prevent the occurrence of production safety accidents, this study provides a practical and thorough evaluation method for the evaluation of the enterprise safety management system. This method makes it easier to identify system weaknesses and provides a safety guarantee for the sustainable development of enterprises.
Environmental Sustainability of Solvent Extraction Method in Recycling Marine Plastic Waste
Authors: Ibrahim Ily Asilah , Khoo Kuan Shiong , Rawindran Hemamalini , Lim Jun Wei , Ng Hui-Suan , Shahid Muhammad Kashif , Tong Woei-Yenn , Hatshan Mohammad Rafe , Sun Yi-Ming , Lan John Chi-Wei , Chan Yi Jing , Usman Anwar
Published: November 2023

The global plastic production of 400 million tons/year has caused major catastrophes in marine environments. The current study, therefore, aimed to mitigate this challenge through the dissolution–reprecipitation method of eradicating impurities and contaminants from marine plastic debris. The results revealed that the rate of the dissolution of polyethylene (PE) outweighed polypropylene (PP) at lower temperatures. HDPE (high density polyethylene) and PP had optimal dissolution temperatures of 75 °C and 90 °C at 20 and 30 min, respectively, resulting in recovery percentages of 96.67% and 87.35% when applied to actual marine waste samples. Overall, this recycling method conserved the plastic quality and properties, making it a viable alternative for virgin plastics. The life cycle assessment (LCA) revealed that the drying stage demonstrated the greatest environmental impact within the system. The overall process, however, yielded a lower environmental impact in comparison with established findings. Conclusively, the current study has successfully restored marine plastic waste with high recovery rates and minimum chemical alterations, yielding a low environmental footprint.
Mapping Deprived Urban Areas Using Open Geospatial Data and Machine Learning in Africa
Authors: Owusu Maxwell , Engstrom Ryan , Thomson Dana , Kuffer Monika , Mann Michael L.
Published: November 2023

Reliable data on slums or deprived living conditions remain scarce in many low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Global high-resolution maps of deprived areas are fundamental for both research- and evidence-based policies. Existing mapping methods are generally one-off studies that use proprietary commercial data or other physical or socio-economic data that are limited geographically. Open geospatial data are increasingly available for large areas; however, their unstructured nature has hindered their use in extracting useful insights to inform decision making. In this study, we demonstrate an approach to map deprived areas within and across cities using open-source geospatial data. The study tests this methodology in three African cities—Accra (Ghana), Lagos (Nigeria), and Nairobi (Kenya) using a three arc second spatial resolution. Using three machine learning classifiers, (i) models were trained and tested on individual cities to assess the scalability for large area application, (ii) city-to-city comparisons were made to assess how the models performed in new locations, and (iii) a generalized model to assess our ability to map across cities with training samples from each city was designed. Our best models achieved over 80% accuracy in all cities. The study demonstrates an inexpensive, scalable, and transferable approach to map deprived areas that outperforms existing large area methods.
Genomic Markers Associated with Cytomegalovirus DNAemia in Kidney Transplant Recipients
Authors: Shapira Guy , Volkov Hadas , Fabian Itai , Mohr David W. , Bettinotti Maria , Shomron Noam , Avery Robin K. , Arav-Boger Ravit
Published: November 2023

Human cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a major pathogen after solid organ transplantation, leading to high morbidity and mortality. Transplantation from a CMV-seropositive donor to a CMV-seronegative recipient (D+/R−) is associated with high risk of CMV disease. However, that risk is not uniform, suggesting a role for host factors in immune control of CMV. To identify host genetic factors that control CMV DNAemia post transplantation, we performed a whole-exome association study in two cohorts of D+/R− kidney transplant recipients. Quantitative CMV DNA was measured for at least one year following transplantation. Several CMV-protective single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were identified in the first cohort (72 patients) but were not reproducible in the second cohort (126 patients). A meta-analysis of both cohorts revealed several SNPs that were significantly associated with protection from CMV DNAemia. The copy number variation of several genes was significantly different between recipients with and without CMV DNAemia. Amongst patients with CMV DNAemia in the second cohort, several variants of interest (p < 5 × 10−5), the most common of which was NLRC5, were associated with peak viral load. We provide new predictive genetic markers for protection of CMV DNAemia. These markers should be validated in larger cohorts.
Development of Water-Wheel Tail Measurement System Based on Image Projective Transformation
Authors: Chen Xin-Ting , Liu Chien-Sheng , Yen Jung-Hong
Published: November 2023

Fishery is vital for Taiwan’s economy, and over 40% of the fishery products come from aquaculture. Traditional aquaculture relies on the visual observation of a water-wheel tail length to assess water quality. However, the aging population, lack of young labor, and difficulty in passing down experience pose challenges. There is currently no systematic method to determine the correlation between the water quality and water-wheel tail length, and adjustments are made based on visual inspection, relying heavily on experience without substantial data for transmission. To address the challenge, a precise and efficient water quality control system is proposed. This study proposes a water-wheel tail length measurement system that corrects input images through image projective transformation to obtain the transformed coordinates. By utilizing known conditions of the water-wheel, such as the length of the base, the actual water-wheel tail length is deduced based on proportional relationships. Validated with two different calibration boards, the projective transformation performance of specification A is found to be better, with an average error percentage of less than 0.25%. Data augmentation techniques are employed to increase the quantity and diversity of the dataset, and the YOLO v8 deep learning model is trained to recognize water-wheel tail features. The model achieves a maximum mAP50 value of 0.99013 and a maximum mAP50-95 value of 0.885. The experimental results show that the proposed water-wheel tail length measurement system can be used feasibly to measure water-wheel tail length in fish farms.
Numerical Simulation of Hydrodynamic Characteristics of Layered Floating Reefs under Tidal Currents and Waves
Authors: Pan Yun , Yang Lijing , Xue Dawen , Luo Lu
Published: November 2023

Artificial floating reefs are an important supplement to bottom reefs in marine habitat construction, which provide a good environment for fish to survive, breed and habituate in the middle and upper layers of water. They can adapt to the silt bottom of the East China Sea. To make full use of the water space and improve the effective space of the floating reef, based on the field tidal current data, an upper- and lower-layered artificial floating reef has been designed in this study. The connection method of the upper and lower reefs has been described in detail and a hydrodynamic numerical model has been established. At the same time, the effects of floating reef structure ratio, wave height and wave steepness on its force and motion are discussed under the action of tidal current and wave current. The result shows that, at a specific flow rate, the change of the proportion of the layered floating reef structure had little effect on the roll of the upper and lower reefs. The maximum roll angle does not exceed 15°, and the tilt angle of the upper and lower reefs is consistent, which ensures the good flow resistance and stability of the floating reef. Under the specific length of the connecting cable and the main mooring, the hydrodynamic characteristics of the layered floating reef are better when the ratio of the sum height of the lower reef and the connecting cable to the height of the upper reef is not greater than one and the extreme proportion structure is not considered. The tension of the stratified floating reef is proportional to the wave height and wave steepness under the action of wave and current. The main mooring rope is the most stressed, and the rolling motion of the upper and lower reefs is consistent. Above all, results can provide a theoretical basis for the optimization design of the artificial floating reef structure.
A Comprehensive Model for Assessing Synergistic Revenue–Cost for the Joint Operation of a Complex Multistakeholder Reservoir System
Authors: Quan Yufei , Xu Yang , Mo Ran , Huang Xin , Ji Saijin , Wang Huili , Li Zirui , Xu Bin
Published: November 2023

The joint operation of a multiobjective multistakeholder reservoir system enhances the revenues of downstream-compensated reservoirs at the expense of increasing the operation cost of upstream-compensating reservoirs. Challenges in quantifying the synergistic revenue–cost tradeoffs with incomplete information arise from difficulties in multistakeholder, high-dimensional, and combinational joint optimal operation modeling. This study proposed an equivalent aggregated reservoir multiobjective operation and synergistic revenue–cost assessment model. The proposed methodology includes three parts. Module I constructs revenue indexes covering energy production, water supply, ecological protection, and shipping objectives and uses the maximum outflow change degree as a surrogate “cost” index. Module II defines “aggregated reservoirs” that aggregate upstream reservoirs within the same river system as a single reservoir, reducing model complexity with the least information. Module III evaluates the revenue–cost tradeoffs under various operation scenarios. The following conclusions were derived from a 27-reservoir system: (1) The model complexity was reduced by 67.18% with precision preserved. (2) Key compensating reservoirs are identified via tradeoff curves, which are reservoirs controlling high streamflow with large storage. (3) Upstream compensating reservoirs homogenize the inflows of downstream-compensated reservoirs to increase the downstream synergistic revenue by sacrificing upstream benefit. The proposed method provides a new approach for revenue–cost estimation via the joint optimal operation of a multistakeholder-reservoir system.
L’Académie Vétérinaire de France décerne désormais un prix de thèse d’université pour symboliser son engagement en faveur de la formation par la recherche
Authors: Saï Pierre
Published: November 2023

Mots clés : Académie vétérinaire de France, Thèse d’université, Ecoles Nationales Vétérinaires, Etudiants
Surveillance de l’utilisation des antibiotiques en médecine vétérinaire en France et en Europe
Authors: Urban Delphine , Chevance Anne , Bouchard Damien , Foures Franck
Published: November 2023

Réduire l’utilisation des antibiotiques chez l’animal comme chez l’Homme est une priorité afin de limiter l’antibiorésistance. Depuis la mise en place du plan d’action Écoantibio en 2011, différents objectifs nationaux de réduction de l’exposition des animaux aux antibiotiques ont été atteints. La France fait partie des pays européens qui ont le plus diminué ces dernières années l’usage des céphalosporines de 3ème et 4ème génération et des fluoroquinolones. Depuis 2022, la nouvelle règlementation européenne renforce l’encadrement des usages des antimicrobiens (dont les antibiotiques) et leur surveillance. Ainsi, la France met en place en 2023 un système de collecte de données qui permettra d’évaluer de manière plus fine les utilisations des antimicrobiens par espèce et catégories d’animaux. Mieux suivre les usages est une étape importante car elle contribue à favoriser une utilisation prudente des antimicrobiens et à évaluer l’efficacité des actions menées à cet égard. Mots-Clés : médecine vétérinaire, usage des antibiotiques, antimicrobiens, surveillance, France, Europe
Aplicação de impermeabilizantes em locais de água doce - estudo de caso da recuperação dos reservatórios da ETA 1 e 2 do Complexo Ponta do Ismael, em Manaus/AM
Authors: De Souza Gleiton Coelho , Gonçalves Paula Glysia Gomes dos Santos , Pinheiro Érika Cristina Nogueira Marques , Santos Karoline Socorro da Fonseca
Published: November 2023

O uso de impermeabilizantes é datado desde as primeiras civilizações da humanidade. Com os avanços tecnológicos de cada época, estudos acerca da aplicação desses materiais, alcançaram diversos setores da construção civil. Em reservatórios de agua doce os impermeabilizantes garantem a maior durabilidade da estrutura e segurança, já que evita processos de deterioração que interfiram na qualidade da água, processo de corrosão de armaduras, e o comprometimento da função estrutural dos elementos. Dessa forma, esse artigo trata-se de um estudo de caso, por meio do qual objetiva-se verificar o processo de recuperação de reservatórios de água doce da ETA 1 e ETA 2 do Complexo Ponta do Ismael, localizado em Manaus/Am. Foi verificado que aplicação dos materiais Viaplus 1000, Viaplus 5000, Primer Viabit e manta asfáltica Todorodin 4 mm – Tipo III-B, garantiu um maior desempenho de curto a longo prazo da estrutura dos reservatórios, e proporcionou uma menor tempo para manutenção preventiva e  corretiva.
Clinical Course and Prognosis of Isolated Terminal Ileal Ulcers
Authors: He Xinjue , Chen Yue , Zhou Xinxin , Lu Chao
Published: November 2023

Background: Isolated terminal ileal ulcers (ITIUs) may be a clue to hidden intestinal diseases. However, there are no specific guidelines for ITIUs. Methods: We retrospectively screened subjects undergoing colonoscopy at The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University from March 2014 to July 2019, and included patients with ITIUs in the study. Some patients underwent further examination of the entire small intestine. Subsequently, patients with undetermined ITIUs received empiric therapy or observational follow-up. At least one year after baseline colonoscopy, telephone follow-up was performed to collect prognostic information. Results: A total of 120 (0.3%) patients undergoing colonoscopy in our center were found with ITIUs. Fourteen patients underwent further examination of the entire small intestine, six of whom were found with additional small bowel ulcers, but it did not significantly help the diagnosis. We obtained follow-up information from 41 undiagnosed patients. Over an average follow-up of 35.4 months, there was no significant difference in the prognosis of patients receiving empiric therapy or observational follow-up. The clinical and endoscopic outcomes improved or remain unchanged in most patients. In logistic regression analysis, gender, age, chief complaint, number of ulcers, and follow-up strategy had no significant impact on prognosis. Conclusion: Patients with nonspecific ITIUs usually improve without any therapy, and observational follow-up may be a reasonable strategy.
PERSIAN Eye Cohort Study (PECS): Design, Methodology
Authors: Alipour Fateme , Hashemi Hassan , Lashay Alireza , Jafari Fatemeh , Motamed-Gorji Nazgol , Jabbarvand Behrouz Mahmoud , Mirzaei Mohammad , Alizade Yousef , Soleymani Mohammad Reza , Shoja Mohammad Reza , Shahraki Kourosh , Khataminia Gholam Reza , Poustchi Hossein , Malekzadeh Reza
Published: November 2023

Background: To report the study protocol, methodology and latest enrollment data of a large epidemiological multi-central eye cohort named PERSIAN Eye Cohort Study (PECS), originating from the ongoing PERSIAN Cohort Study, to investigate the distribution of ophthalmic disorders in different regions and ethnicities of Iran, and determine their associations with various exposures of ophthalmic and non-ophthalmic nature. Methods: A central committee designed the study and equipped six chosen centers (Khameneh, Some’e Sara, Hoveizeh, Yazd, Rafsanjan and Zahedan). A focal point in each center conducted the study under close supervision of the central committee. Results: This ongoing study was launched in 2014. Out of 65,580 eligible participants of the PERSIAN Cohort, 48,618 individuals aged 35-70 have been enrolled in the PECS (response rate: 74.13%) until June 2021. Slit lamp and fundus photography were performed for 28,702 (59.03%) and 27,437 (56.43%) individuals, respectively. Conclusion: This large epidemiological multi-central eye cohort can improve our epidemiological knowledge of the prevalent ophthalmic disorders in different regions and ethnicities of Iran, and determine their associations with various exposures of ophthalmic and non-ophthalmic nature. This will be very useful for future planned nationwide and global interventions.
Designing and Validating a Training Model for the Staff of the Incident Command System in the Hospitals
Authors: Porkar Arezou , Sattari Sadraddin , Moghadamnia Mohammad Taghi
Published: November 2023

Background. The main influencing factor in the success of the crisis management process is the group's readiness to deal with the crisis. Training models are a tool to maintain the preparation of personnel, increase their ability to achieve certain goals, and help them acquire information, skills, and ways of thinking. This research aimed to design and validate a training model for the staff of the hospital incident command system. Methods. The research method was a qualitative-quantitative (mixed method) approach. The statistical population in the qualitative part included experts in the field of incident command system, and in the quantitative part included managers and staff of this system in the hospitals of Guilan province in Iran. The sampling method in the qualitative part was the judgmental forecasting method. Also, the sampling method was cluster random in the quantitative part. According to the data saturation principle, the sample size in the qualitative section was 15 people, and in the quantitative section, 226 people were selected based on Cochran's formula. The data collection tool in the qualitative part was a semi-structured interview and in the quantitative part was a questionnaire extracted from the interview. Results. After analyzing the categories resulting from interviews with 15 experts, 43 open codes and 12 central codes were determined. Also, five selection codes were obtained as follows: design, analysis, evaluation and feedback, policymaking and determination of strategies, and implementation and support dimension. The findings showed that the design dimension had a more significant effect on designing the training model (path coefficient = 0.987 and t = 176.713). Also, all components had a significant relationship in pattern design. For data analysis, we used the MAXQDA2020 and SmartPls3 software in the qualitative part, and SPSS26 software in the quantitative part. Conclusion. The results of this research showed that effective command in possible incidents depends on the effective training of employees with a new and up-to-date model.
The effect of practice with the simulated patient on the professionalism attitudes of medical students: An intervention study
Authors: Çınar Tanrıverdi Esra , Bayraktar Mustafa
Published: November 2023

Introduction: Medical school education is effective in the professionalization development of students. In this study, it was aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of course training and to investigate the effect of interactions with simulated patients on the professional attitudes of medical students. Methods: The research is an intervention study designed in the pretest-posttest pattern. The sociodemographic questionnaire and Penn State College of Medicine (PSCOM) professionalism attitude scale were used as data collection tools. The scale was applied to the students three times: before the course (1), after the course (2) and after the simulated patient practice (3). Results: The mean age of the students was 21.40±2.07 years and 54.8% (n=148) were female. The PSCOM scale scores of the students were 154.11±10.91, 158.59±10.48, and 164.64±10.81 respectively for score 1, score 2 and score 3, and, there was a statistically significant increase in score (P<0.001). The scale dimension’s scores all increased after the course and simulated patient (SP) practice. The difference between scores 1, 2, and 3 is statistically significant. The score increased significantly for all dimensions after training and SP’ practices, and the difference between scores 1, 2, and 3 was found to be statistically significant (P<0.001 for all). The female students had significantly higher total scores of 1, 2, and 3 than the male students (P<0.001 for scores 1 and 2, P=0.005 for score 3). Conclusion: Training and simulated patient practices increase medical students’ professionalism scores. The highest score was determined after simulated patient applications.
Pathological and structural study of cardiac striated muscle and quadriceps along with the study of microscopic changes in liver, kidney and lung tissue following short-term and long-term resistance exercises in male rats
Authors: Ghaderpour Saber , Shekarchi Ali Akbar , Rahbar Sara , Ashrafi helan Javad , Ghiasi Fariba
Published: November 2023

Background. Resistance exercise is a method designed to increase muscle strength and endurance, leading to beneficial physiological changes in various tissues. The aim of this study is to investigate the pathological and structural effects of short-term and long-term resistance training on various tissues of male rats, including cardiac striatum, quadriceps, liver, kidney, and lung tissue. Methods. Forty male Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups: one-month control, four-month control, one-month exercise, and four-month exercise. After the exercise period, the animals were anesthetized and dissected to separate various tissues, which were then treated with formalin and prepared for analysis. Results. The study findings showed that liver tissue did not show significant histopathological changes in response to exercise. However, in the heart tissue, mild hyperemia and hypertrophy of muscle cells were observed in the exercise groups compared to the control groups. In the quadriceps muscle, hypertrophy was observed to a lesser extent in the one-month exercise group and to a greater extent in the four-month exercise group. There was a significant difference in the diameter of the muscle cells of the quadriceps muscle between the one-month and four-month exercise groups, indicating the beneficial effects of long-term exercise. Additionally, an increase in the size of the epithelial tissue of the urinary tubes was observed in both exercise groups, which indicates an increase in kidney function due to exercise. Conclusion. Overall, the results of this study show that resistance exercise can lead to beneficial physiological changes in various tissues, especially with long-term exercise. Understanding these changes can increase our knowledge about the benefits of exercise. Practical Implications. Resistance exercises, through actions such as hyperemia, hypertrophy of muscle cells, and hypertrophy of the epithelial tissue of urinary tubes, improve the efficiency of the heart, kidneys and muscles during sports exercises, especially with long-term exercise.
The prevalence and pattern of mask use and its association with COVID-19-related morbidity and mortality in Tabriz, Iran
Authors: Daraee Neda , Sarbakhsh Parvin , Akbari Hossein , Dorosti Abbasali , Asghar Mohammadpoorasl
Published: November 2023

Background. Using personal protective equipment, including masks, is one of the most important ways to prevent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence and pattern of mask use and its association with COVID-19-related morbidity and mortality in different areas of Tabriz, Iran. Methods. In this population-based study, 6,600 pedestrians were selected by multi-stage proportional sampling method in nine areas of Tabriz in 2021. The data was collected using the observation method. For each participant, we recorded gender, approximate age, mask usage, type of mask, and correct or incorrect use. The data of COVID-19-related morbidity and mortality for six months (from 21 March 2021 to 22 September 2021) were obtained from the Integrated Syndromic Surveillance System (ISSS). Results. The overall prevalence of facial mask use was 56.8% (95% CI: 55.56 – 57.95). Out of 3,421 men, 1,599 (46.7%; 95% CI: 45.1-48.4) and out of 3,179 women, 2,147 (67.5%; 95% CI: 65.9-69.2) were used face mask (P<0.001). The correlations between mask use and morbidity (r=0.375, P=0.320) and mortality (r=0.219, P=0.571) rates were not statistically significant. Conclusion. The percentage of using face masks in Tabriz was relatively low, especially among males and young people. Also, there was no significant relationship between COVID-19 morbidity and mortality and mask use. Practical Implications. The results of the present study showed that the percentage of mask use in men and the youth was relatively low. In times of disease epidemics, it is necessary to create the necessary sensitivity in these groups and to carry out the necessary training and interventions to increase the use of masks and protective measures.
Presentation of a case with fever, lymphadenopathy and thrombocytopenia: a case report
Authors: Akhlaghi Maassoumeh , Kazemi Kiarash , Sobhani Soheila
Published: November 2023

The three primary differential diagnoses for a patient with systemic and hematological involvements (fever, lymphadenopathy, and hepatosplenomegaly), skin rashes, and sore pharynx are infections, connective tissue diseases, and malignancies. In this case report, we discuss possible illusory similarities between these categories that can aid in the diagnostic workup of primary care physicians. Practical Implications. The clinical course of (Infections mononncleosis, MI) patients with and their histopathological data rarely differ; Therefore, early testing for IM caused by EBV is recommended. This article will help physicians face similar cases
Exploring Students’ Perceptions on Effective Online Tutoring at a Distance Education Institution
Authors: Enwereji Prince Chukwuneme , Van Rooyen Annelien , Terblanche Alet
Published: November 2023

Online or e-tutoring is a component of e-learning that involves teaching in an online setting where the e-tutor provides support to a small group of students, which can increase confidence, improve topic comprehension and develop critical learning skills. To enhance e-tutoring in the Department of Financial Accounting at the University of South Africa, this study examined student perspectives or evaluations on the effectiveness of e-tutoring in a distance learning environment, as well as the challenges encountered during its implementation. The study adopted a quantitative design where online questionnaires were used as data collecting instruments. A total of 3,837 questionnaires were completed by students who indicated their willingness to participate in the study. Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) was used to analyse the data. The major findings revealed that e-tutoring has enhanced students’ learning options in financial accounting modules, through the provision of assistance and the promotion of interactive classrooms. The study revealed that students expressed a need for increased training for e-tutors to enhance their abilities in supporting academic goals, while technological challenges such as bad internet and internet cost were identified as significant barriers to successful e-tutoring. Recommendations include promoting e-tutoring in higher education institutions to support students’ academic endeavours, providing regular training for e-tutors to handle technical content and overcome technological challenges, and establishing effective communication channels to facilitate student-tutor interactions. These measures aim to improve teaching and learning in the online environment, fostering a supportive and engaging experience for students.
INDESEM | The International Design Seminar: Its Emerging, Development and Interplay with the Education in Delft
Authors: Zech Valentin
Published: November 2023

INDESEM has always been an explosion of one week of learning without education. Students themselves are responsible for everything and it is them who make sure that the technical and academic staff warm to the idea of breaking plenty of rules for a week. And you should see what happens when you do! Work continues into the early hours and the building is turned inside out to get at its hidden qualities. The daily routine is disrupted and the cleaners are made aware of their importance. Each time a group of students comes together to perform the task of getting this event off the ground, their own regular studies are largely ignored for the duration. It is only much later that they realize just what they have received in return when, after their studies, it transpires that designing and realizing a building demands a comparable attitude where it is again all down to anticipating, deliberating, seeking out conditions, making (and keeping) appointments.Those taking part come from all over the world, perhaps initially attracted by names and by the Netherlands, but also by the thrill of actually being able to meet and talk with so many others who are in the same boat. The task is no more than a pretext and catalyst for getting into contact with others and discussing with them. The results are merely conceptual models of thinking. The performance that needs generating is to get a group of complete strangers to formulate and present an idea and go on to defend it against all others. In this way, the idea of INDESEM is inciting glimpses of an alternative way of learning, directed to thinking instead of just cultivating external attractiveness. And it deserves to be continued in some way to point at what might be a lesson for the regular education.
Preventive model of delays in the care of pregnant women with obstetric complications
Authors:   Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán, RODRÍGUEZ-ANGULO Elsa María
Published: November 2023

This study addresses a current problem in the State of Yucatan: the deaths of pregnant women who present an obstetric complication due to delays in care. Deaths that occur during pregnancy, childbirth, and the puerperium are a social and public health problem, mainly in low- and middle-income countries. Every year approximately 350,000 women die in the world from complications such as eclampsia, hemorrhage, sepsis, abortion, obstructed labor, among the main ones. It is known that complications are predictable in 95% of cases, which is why quality prenatal control is recommended, to teach women to identify alarm factors that warn that a complication may be starting, to make a decision timely. The genesis of maternal deaths is multifactorial; It is not only the clinical causes, but also a series of social, cultural, economic, geographical, gender and political factors that cause delays in the care of the pregnant woman and that, when linked, lead to death. Through a model called The Three Delays, it has been possible to study the sociocultural causes that cause delays in the care of obstetric complications. The model identifies three types of delays: the first is produced by deferring the search for help when the complication begins; the second is related to postponing the transfer of the pregnant woman to a clinic or hospital for her care; and the third with the lack of timely and quality care when it reaches the hospital.
Theoretical foundations of tax policy in Ukraine: principles, levels and models
Authors: Skasko Oleh , Mohyla Iryna-Lyudmyla
Published: November 2023

Introduction. The state tax policy is one of the most important parts of the state’s economic policy, as it has a direct impact on the state of the national economy and the quality of life of citizens. The tax policy of enterprises is primarily aimed at ensuring the development of the domestic market, strengthening the competitiveness of Ukrainian enterprises and stimulating entrepreneurial activity.The study of the construction of the state and tax policy of enterprises is a very urgent task, since it has a direct impact on the economic development of the country and the quality of life of its citizens. Research in the field of reforming the tax system, which includes simplifying tax payment procedures, reducing the tax burden for business and ensuring the efficient use of public financial resources, is particularly important. The study of the construction of the state tax policy and the tax policy of enterprises is a very important task, as it helps to stabilize the economic condition of the enterprise.Purpose. The purpose of the article is to systematize theoretical approaches in the construction of state tax policy and tax policy of enterprises and to develop mechanisms of tax regulation.Methods. To achieve the goal defined in the research, general scientific methods are used: induction and deduction, analysis and synthesis (to systematize the current theoretical foundations of tax policy building models); functional and statistical analysis, analogy, systematization, formalization, generalization, comparison, optimization, argumentation, logical methods (for developing directions for improving tax policy).Results. The main approaches that consider the definition of «tax policy» are studied, namely: macroeconomic, microeconomic, strategic, financial and social approaches. The principles on which the tax policy is based have been systematized and the levels of the tax policy of Ukraine have been detailed. The ratio of types and models to tax policy is given.Discussion. Prospects for further research consist in finding new directions for the development of tax policy, development and implementation of promising methods and models of the effectiveness of the use of the taxation system in Ukraine.
External control of the functioning of passenger carriers in the smart city
Authors: Kornyat Iryna
Published: November 2023

Introduction. The successful functioning of a smart city in terms of organizing efficient transportation flows requires external and independent monitoring in the field of passenger transportation. External monitoring complements the internal control of passenger carriers’ activities in providing efficient passenger transport services in the smart city. Various stakeholders, such as regulatory institutions, municipal authorities, business partners, and the public, are interested in the external control of transportation enterprises, which defines the relevance of the research and allows for the formulation of its purpose.The purpose of the article is to justify the importance of digitization and optimization of external control in correlation with internal control procedures regarding the monitoring of passenger carriers’ operations in a smart city.Results. The study elucidates the correlation between internal and external control, both of which share common control objects, such as the transportation schedule, personnel policies, service quality, revenues and expenses, and public disclosure. These factors also determine the interaction formats of various controllers. A list of data requiring public disclosure by passenger carriers for external control has been identified, including information related to: transportation vehicles (adherence to the transportation schedule for passenger carriers), employees (provision of personnel policies and social protection for employees by transportation companies), transportation costs (public control over pricing in the passenger transportation sector), carrier revenues (accurate calculation of company revenues and accrued taxes), and social commitments (compliance with fair competition practices and fulfilling social obligations taken on by the carriers).The rationale for conducting a rating of passenger carriers using a balanced evaluation system is substantiated. This system involves the calculation of various indicators such as punctuality, personnel policies, fair competition practices, social commitments, financial security, passenger feedback, pricing, profitability, convenience, and transparency, taking into account their respective weights in the overall rating assessment. For top-performing transportation companies identified through the rating, a premium reward system is proposed, while for those with lower ratings, external controllers will initiate inspections and hold them accountable for any identified violations. The implementation of these proposed measures ensures public transparency, accountability, and efficiency in providing socially significant passenger transportation services in the smart city through the interaction of internal and external control mechanisms.Prospects. The use of modern information and communication technologies for enhancing accounting and control requires exploring the prospects of digitizing internal control in conjunction with external monitoring of passenger carriers’ operations.
Green energy transition in the concept of post-war reconstruction of Ukraine
Authors: Zvarych Roman , Masna Olha
Published: November 2023

Introduction. Green energy is energy production technologies, the use of which minimizes environmental pollution, including emissions of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. Green energy uses inexhaustible and renewable sources, which include wind energy, solar energy, and hydroelectricity. The Ukrainian-Russian war made adjustments to green energy and the green energy transition of Ukraine. The value of renewable energy shifted from ecology to security, and then to economy. Even half a year ago, renewable energy sources were considered by the international community primarily as a tool for combating inevitable climate change and reducing carbon emissions. Today, wind, solar, bio, small hydro and hydrogen energy are key to national energy security and independence and cost significantly less than fossil fuels, although as of 2021, Ukraine’s renewable energy sector was fighting for the right to work under fair conditions guaranteed by the state, in 2023 it will become one of the foundations of the post-war reconstruction of Ukraine and is preparing for the further increase of the country’s energy independence.The purpose of the article is to research and find opportunities, proposals for a green energy transition in the concept of post-war reconstruction, taking into account the natural resource potential of Ukraine.Methods. The methodological basis of the study is a theoretical generalization and comparison, analysis and synthesis, conducting scientific research with the aim of finding new opportunities for the green energy front of Ukraine in the post-war period. The statistical and factual basis of the research is official data, namely the Green Future Index published by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.Conclusions and prospects of further research. The challenges and possibilities of reconstruction and post-war development of Ukraine’s green economy are analyzed, and a possible development path to the green economic transition of the country’s energy sector is outlined. The Government of Ukraine has already announced an approach to the green recovery of the energy sector based on the principles of “build back better” and “build back greener” with an emphasis on renewable energy sources and energy-efficient technologies.Prospects for further research are to develop clear principles for the implementation of green energy in Ukraine in the post-war period with the aim of decarbonizing key sectors of the economy, taking into account the consistency of state policy for the implementation of important environmental goals.
The role of behavioral economics in the system of economic sciences
Authors: Marchyshyn Nazar
Published: November 2023

Introduction. The article analyzes the theoretical foundations and approaches of behavioral economics in the context of their use in the process of creating information resources for business, considers its content, highlights the key aspects of the impact of the key provisions of behavioral economics on economic science and practice, and also reveals possible prospects for the integration of behavioral economics and accounting information formation processes.The purpose of the article. The purpose of the study is to analyze the key provisions of behavioral economics and their interpretation by scientists, as well as to determine the role of behavioral economics in the context of the development of economic sciences and the possibilities of applying the theoretical postulates of behavioral economics in the process of creating information resources.Methods. To achieve the goal, general scientific methods of cognition were used, namely: monographic and logical analysis, empirical methods of cognition, methods of comparison, extrapolation and generalization. Results. The work of researchers on the main theoretical provisions of behavioral economics as a new trend in economic sciences, which is dynamically developing and focuses on understanding human behavior and decision-making in the real world, is summarized. Research in this area shows that people do not always act rationally, and decisions are often determined by cognitive limitations, psychological factors, and social influences. It was determined that behavioral economics reveals the depths of human rationality, helping to enrich economic science and change the paradigm of decisions made, and therefore, its main provisions can be used in the processes of formation and use of information resources for business.Prospects for further research. Further research can be aimed at implementing the main theoretical provisions of behavioral economics in the processes of forming information arrays for business and developing new theoretical models that would take into account more complex psychological and social aspects of decision-making. This will provide an opportunity to investigate how technology and information influence the decisions of economic agents, as well as the use of information to solve important global problems, such as resource conservation, energy efficiency, combating climate change, social justice, etc.
Specific features of Ukraine’s public debt management in conditions of war
Authors: Trofimchuk Mykhailo , Trofimchuk Oleksandr
Published: November 2023

Introduction. The debt policy of the state is essential for ensuring economic sustainability and development of the country. Effective public debt management helps to prevent crises and ensure financial stability, and gives the government more leverage to respond to economic challenges, which is especially important for the Ukrainian economy that is operating in a war time.Purpose. The purpose of the article is to study the peculiarities of public debt management, directly in the context of war, based on a comprehensive analysis of the debt policy instruments used by Ukraine’s government in the current circumstances.Methods. The analysis of cause and effect relationships was used to identify the features that determine the debt policy of our country in the conditions of war. Methods of economic and statistical analysis, such as dynamic analysis, structural analysis, comparison and correlation, were used to analyze and evaluate the main trends related to the public debt management in Ukraine.Results. The article examines the impact of the main factors that have impact on the formation of the state’s debt policy and, accordingly, determine the peculiarities of public debt management in modern conditions. The tendency of Ukraine’s debt obligations growth in the period of 2022-2023 is revealed. It is established that in the structure of debt, external public borrowings prevail over internal ones. It is found that the main debt instrument in the domestic market is government bonds, and in the external market - loans received from international financial organizations. The author substantiates the expediency of using specific instruments in the process of public debt management at the current stage of functioning of the Ukrainian economy, as well as in the post-war period, based on international experience.Prospects for further research include the need to develop an effective strategy for managing public debt in the postwar period in order to create favorable conditions for the reconstruction of the country and further sustainable economic growth.
Improved external quantum efficiency of deep UV LEDs with an ultra-thin AlGaN last quantum barrier by controlling the desorption-kinetics process
Authors: Sun Xiujian , Liu Jianxun , Huang Yingnan , Liu Chenshu , Zhan Xiaoning , Gao Hongwei , Sun Qian , Xu Qiming , Yang Hui
Published: November 2023

An ultra-thin AlGaN last quantum barrier (LQB) with a high Al content is effective in enhancing the hole injection in AlGaN-based deep UV LEDs (DUV-LEDs). However, it is very challenging to realize the ultra-thin LQB by the metalorganic chemical vapor deposition technique. In this work, a well-defined 1.0 nm thick AlGaN LQB with unintentionally high Al content was achieved by controlling the surface desorption kinetics for the growth of multiple quantum wells. The light output power of the DUV-LEDs with 1 nm thick LQB was increased by 44% to 7.16 mW at 40 mA, and the peak external quantum efficiency reached 4.04%.