bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Optimal telework frequency in terms of sleep and labor productivity depends on the workers’ psychological distress: A cross-sectional study in Tokyo, Japan
Authors: Matsumoto Yuuki , Kumadaki Kunitaka , Hino Ayako , Itani Osamu , Otsuka Yuichiro , Kaneita Yoshitaka
Published: June 2023

Objectives

This study aimed to determine that workers’ sleep and labor productivity differ with the telework frequency and that the optimal telework frequency depends on workers’ psychological distress.

Methods

A cross-sectional study using an online-based questionnaire was conducted with 2,971 workers employed by Japanese companies from October to December 2021. We used the 6-item Kessler Scale, K6, as a nonspecific psychological distress scale to screen mental health conditions. A score of ≤ 4 was defined as low psychological distress (LPD), and a score of ≥ 5 was defined as high psychological distress (HPD). We used the Athens Insomnia Scale (AIS) as a measure of sleep quality. The Utrecht Work Engagement (UWES) and Work Functioning Impairment (WFun) scales were used as measures of labor productivity. Series of analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was used for the data analysis.

Results

The analysis included 2,013 participants (1,390 men and 623 women; mean age 43.2 years, standard deviation 11.3). Multiple comparison tests showed that among the participants categorized HPD (HPD type), the AIS estimates were lowest in the 1–2 d/wk group, with significant differences between the 0–3 d/m and ≥ 5 d/wk groups. UWES estimates were lowest in the 3–4 d/wk group with significant differences between the participants categorized LPD (LPD type) and HPD type, while no significant differences were observed among the LPD type. The WFun estimates among the LPD type decreased significantly with increasing telework frequency, while no significant differences were observed among the HPD type.

Conclusions

The optimal telework frequency for sleep and labor productivity may depend on the workers’ psychological distress. The finding of this study could make a great contribution to occupational health activities and health promotion for teleworkers, which is necessary to make teleworking a sustainable work style.
Effects of environmental conditions and catch processing on survival probability of plaice discards in the North Sea pulse trawl fishery
Authors: Schram Edward , Molenaar Pieke , Goedhart Paul W. , Poos Jan Jaap
Published: June 2023

Undersized European plaice dominate the discarded fraction of the catch of the beam trawl fisheries for sole in the Southern North Sea. Effects of environmental conditions at sea and of the use of a water-filled hopper on the survival of undersized European plaice discarded by pulse trawl fisheries were explored. During trips with commercial pulse-trawlers catches were discharged in either water-filled hoppers or conventional dry hoppers. For both hoppers, undersized plaice were sampled from the sorting belt. After assessment of vitality status, sampled fish were housed in dedicated survival monitoring tanks on board. Upon return in the harbour fish were transferred to the laboratory to monitor their survival for up to 18 days post-catch. Conditions at sea, such as wave height and water temperature, as prevailing during these trips were recorded or obtained from public data sources. The overall estimate for the survival probability for plaice discarded by pulse trawl fisheries is 12% (95% CI: 8% - 18%). Both water temperature and vitality status had strong effects on survival probabilities of discarded plaice. Increasing water temperature increased mortality. The vitality of the fish could be moderately increased by using a water-filled hopper to collect the fish on deck, but we found no significant direct effect of hopper type on plaice discard survival. It seems that to increase discards survival, fish need to be landed on deck in much better condition by a reduction of the impact of capture and hauling processes on fish condition.
Evaluation of 18F labeled glial fibrillary acidic protein binding nanobody and its brain shuttle peptide fusion proteins using a neuroinflammation rat model
Authors: Morito Takahiro , Harada Ryuichi , Iwata Ren , Ishikawa Yoichi , Okamura Nobuyuki , Kudo Yukitsuka , Furumoto Shozo , Yanai Kazuhiko , Tashiro Manabu
Published: June 2023

Astrogliosis is a crucial feature of neuroinflammation and is characterized by the significant upregulation of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) expression. Hence, visualizing GFAP in the living brain of patients with damaged central nervous system using positron emission tomography (PET) is of great importance, and it is expected to depict neuroinflammation more directly than existing neuroinflammation imaging markers. However, no PET radiotracers for GFAP are currently available. Therefore, neuroimaging with antibody-like affinity proteins could be a viable strategy for visualizing imaging targets that small molecules rarely recognize, such as GFAP, while we need to overcome the challenges of slow clearance and low brain permeability. The E9 nanobody, a small-affinity protein with high affinity and selectivity for GFAP, was utilized in this study. E9 was engineered by fusing a brain shuttle peptide that facilitates blood-brain barrier permeation via two different types of linker domains: E9-GS-ApoE (EGA) and E9-EAK-ApoE (EEA). E9, EGA and EEA were radiolabeled with fluorine-18 using cell-free protein radiosynthesis. In vitro autoradiography showed that all radiolabeled proteins exhibited a significant difference in neuroinflammation in the brain sections created from a rat model constructed by injecting lipopolysaccharide (LPS) into the unilateral striatum of wildtype rats, and an excess competitor displaced their binding. However, exploratory in vivo PET imaging and ex vivo biodistribution studies in the rat model failed to distinguish neuroinflammatory lesions within 3 h of 18F-EEA intravenous injection. This study contributes to a better understanding of the characteristics of small-affinity proteins fused with a brain shuttle peptide for further research into the use of protein molecules as PET tracers for imaging neuropathology.
A DFT study of the gallium ion-binding capacity of mature Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm extracellular polysaccharide
Authors: Hills Oliver J. , Poskrobko Zuzanna , Scott Andrew J. , Smith James , Chappell Helen F.
Published: June 2023

Intravenous gallium therapy is a non-antibiotic approach to limit Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm proliferation, by outcompeting iron for siderophore binding. Gallium therapy represents a viable therapeutic strategy for cystic fibrosis (CF) patients harbouring mucoid P. aeruginosa biofilm lung infections. Siderophore deficient P. aeruginosa isolates still demonstrate a hindered biofilm proliferation when exposed to gallium but it is currently unknown whether exogenous gallium has any disruptive influence on the exopolysaccharide (EPS), the major mucoid P. aeruginosa CF lung biofilm matrix component. To that end, Density-Functional Theory (DFT) was deployed to assess whether gallium (Ga3+) could be substituted into the mature mucoid EPS scaffold in preference of calcium (Ca2+)—the native EPS cross-linking ion. Removal of the stable, bound native calcium ions offers a large enthalpic barrier to the substitution and the mature EPS fails to accommodate exogenous gallium. This suggests that gallium, perhaps, is utilising a novel, possibly unknown, ferric uptake system to gain entry to siderophore deficient cells.
Exploring the employment determinants of job insecurity in the French working population: Evidence from national survey data
Authors: Niedhammer Isabelle , Pineau Elodie , Bertrais Sandrine , Gallie Duncan
Published: June 2023

Studies are lacking on the employment determinants of job insecurity, that may be helpful to determine highly exposed groups and to assess the feasibility of constructing job-exposure matrices (JEMs) for this occupational exposure. The objectives were to explore the employment determinants of job insecurity in a nationally representative sample of the French working population. The study was based on the cross-sectional data of the 2013 national French working conditions survey including a sample of 28,293 employees, 12,283 men and 16,010 women. Job insecurity was assessed using one single item related to the fear of job loss in the next 12 months. Gender, age, and educational level were studied as well as the following employment variables: temporary/permanent work contract, full/part time work, job seniority, occupation, economic activity of the company, public/private sector, and company size. The associations with job insecurity were studied using bivariate and multivariate analyses. One quarter of the study sample was exposed to job insecurity, without any difference between genders. Lower age and lower educational levels were associated with job insecurity. Employees who had a temporary work contract, lower job seniority, who were working in low-skilled occupational groups, in manufacturing (for both genders) and construction (among men), and in the private sector had a higher prevalence of exposure to job insecurity. The two major employment variables associated with job insecurity were temporary work contract (prevalence ratios>2) and private sector (prevalence ratios>1.4) for the whole sample and for both men and women. Our findings suggested that intervention/prevention measures could be oriented towards specific highly exposed groups of the working population, especially those exposed to temporary work contract and/or working in the private sector. Our study also underlined that constructing JEMs for job insecurity may be possible and could be a useful tool for large-scale occupational health studies.
Is teenage parenthood associated with early use of disability pension? Evidence from a longitudinal study
Authors: Namatovu Fredinah , Gunfridsson Erling Häggström , Vikström Lotta
Published: June 2023

Background

Over the past decades the number of young people using disability pensions (DP) has gradually increased in Europe but the reasons for this change are poorly understood. We hypothesize that teenage parenthood could be associated with an increased risk of receiving early DP. The aim of this study was to examine the association between having a first child at age 13–19 and receiving DP at age 20–42 (here called early DP).

Methods

A longitudinal cohort study was undertaken based on national register data obtained from 410,172 individuals born in Sweden in 1968, 1969, and 1970. Teenage mothers and fathers were followed until age 42 and compared to non-teenage parent counterparts to examine their early receipt of DP. Descriptive analysis, Kaplan-Meier curves, and Cox regression analyses were performed.

Results

The proportion of teenage parents was more than twice higher in the group that received early DP (16%) compared to the group that did not receive early DP (6%) during the study duration. A higher proportion of teenage mothers and fathers started to receive DP at 20–42 years old compared to non-teenage parents, and the difference between the two groups increased during the observation period. A strong association was observed between being a teenage parent and receiving early DP, significant both independently and after adjusting for the year of birth and the father’s level of education. From the age of 30 to 42 years, teenage mothers used early DP more often than teenage fathers or non-teenage parents, and this difference also increased during the follow-up period.

Conclusion

A strong association was found between teenage parenthood and the use of DP between 20 and 42 years of age. Teenage mothers used DP more than teenage fathers and non-teenage parents.
Drug repurposing in the context of common bacterial pathogens
Authors: Donadu Matthew Gavino , Zanetti Stefania , Battah Basem , Hetta Helal F. , Matusovits Danica , Kárpáti Krisztina , Finta Virág , Csontos Berta , Kuklis Anna , Szikora Fruzsina , Csegény Adrienn , Szalma Lea , Major Eszter , Kushkevych Ivan , Gajdács Márió
Published: June 2023

The clinical problem of multidrug resistance (MDR) in bacteria is due to the lack of novel antibiotics in development and the dwindling pipeline of drugs receiving market authorization. Repurposing of non-antibiotic pharmacological agents may be an attractive pathway to provide new antimicrobial drugs. The aim of the present study was to ascertain the antibacterial and adjuvant properties of a wide range of pharmaceuticals against antibiotic-susceptible and drug-resistant bacteria. Sixty-five (n = 65) pharmacological agents were included in our experiments. For Gram-positive bacteria, Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 43300 (methicillin-resistant), S. epidermidis ATCC 12228, Streptococcus pyogenes ATCC 12384 and Enterococcus faecalis ATCC 29212 were used, while for Gram-negative bacteria, Enterobacter cloacae ATCC 13047 (extended-spectrum β-lactamase-positive), Klebsiella pneumoniae ATCC 49619, Serratia marcescens ATCC 29632 and Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853 were included as representative strains. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of the tested compounds were determined using the standard broth microdilution method, while a MIC reduction assay was included to ascertain the effect of the tested compounds on the MICs of standard antibiotics (ceftriaxone, ciprofloxacin and gentamicin). Seventeen and twelve drug molecules tested showed measurable antibacterial activities (MIC: 32-512 µg/mL) against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, respectively. Several compounds decreased the MICs of ciprofloxacin and gentamicin. Although there are increasing number of studies in this field, there are still significant gaps in the evidence to the potential use of non-antibiotic drugs in antimicrobial drug repurposing.
Hepatoprotective effect of the methanol extract of Luffa cylindrica fruit on carbon-tetrachloride induced chronic liver injury
Authors: Oyeyemi Ifeoluwa T. , Akanni Oluwabukola O. , Adaramoye Oluwatosin A. , Bakare Adekunle  A.
Published: June 2023

Luffa cylindrica (Linn) commonly called sponge gourds has both medicinal and nutritional properties. It is used traditionally for the management of liver diseases. Herein, we investigated the hepatoprotective effect of the crude methanol extract of L. cylindrica fruit in rats chronically exposed to carbon tetrachloride (CCl4). Male rats were exposed to CCl4 twice a week for six weeks and the extract was administered five times a week for six weeks. Markers of liver toxicity, antioxidant enzymes and liver peroxidation were evaluated and histological analysis of the liver was carried out. Significant reduction in serum markers (ALT, AST and ALP), increase in antioxidant enzyme and reduction in lipid peroxidation compared to CCl4 were observed in rats exposed to both CCl4 and the extract. CCl4-induced liver lesions were ameliorated by the extract. These show the protective effect of the methanol extract of L. cylindrica on CCl4-induced chronic liver injury in rats.
Curcumin induces apoptosis in human hepatocellular carcinoma cells by decreasing the expression of STAT3/VEGF/HIF-1α signaling
Authors: Wang Xiaoping , Tian Yu , Lin Huanping , Cao Xiaolan , Zhang Zhendong
Published: June 2023

Curcumin is the most abundant derivative of turmeric rhizome. Although studies have proved that curcumin could inhibit the growth of tumors, its specific molecular mechanism has not yet been fully elucidated. This study aims to systematically elaborate the mechanisms of curcumin against hepatocellular carcinoma. The anti-tumor effect of curcumin was determined by the cell viability test. Flow cytometry was applied to examine the cell cycle and the apoptosis of cancer cells, and the cancer cell migration was detected by wound healing experiments. The expressions of signal transducers and activators of transcription 3 (STAT3), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) in cancer cells were examined by immunostaining and analyzed by the Image J analysis system. After treatment with curcumin, the apoptosis ratio of HepG2 cells increased significantly (P < 0.05). The proliferation of cancer cells was arrested at the S-phase cell cycle, and the migration of cancer cells was inhibited by the increasing concentration of curcumin, together with the decreasing expressions of STAT3, VEGF, and HIF-1α signaling pathways. The results indicate that curcumin could effectively inhibit the growth and migration of hepatocarcinoma cells by inducing cancer cell apoptosis, blocking the cancer cell cycle in the S phase, and reducing the expression of STAT3, VEGF, and HIF-1α signaling pathways.
Characterization of novel estuarine Ascomycota based on taxonomic and phylogenetic evaluation
Authors: Devadatha Bandarupalli , Jones E. B. Gareth , Wanasinghe Dhanushka N. , Bahkali Ali H. , Hyde Kevin D.
Published: June 2023

This study introduces two new marine microfungal species, Paraloratospora marina (Phaeosphaeriaceae) and Tremateia phragmitis (Didymosphaeriaceae) based on morphological comparisons and multi-gene phylogenetic analyses. They were collected on decaying woody stems of Phragmites australis at Cardiff Bay Nature Reserve in Wales, United Kingdom. Paraloratospora marina sp. nov. is characterized by immersed, globose to subglobose ascomata with a papillate and periphysate ostiole, cylindrical to subcylindrical, thick-walled, sessile to subsessile asci, fusiform, hyaline to pale brown, 3-septate, guttulate ascospores. Tremateia phragmitis sp. nov. is characterized by semi-immersed to immersed, globose ascomata with a protruding periphysate ostiole, clavate, pedicellate, asci and ascospores that are ellipsoidal to broadly fusiform, 4–6 transversely septate, with 1–2 vertical septa, muriform, golden brown to pale brown ascospores. Dichotomopilus funicola and Pseudofusicoccum ardesiacum are recorded for the first time from marine habitats. Furthermore, based on morphological characteristics and multigene phylogenetic analyses, Phaeosphaeria spartinae was transferred to Septoriella.
Toolkit for emerging technologies in laboratory medicine
Authors: Greaves Ronda , Kricka Larry , Gruson Damien , Ferrari Maurizio , Martin Helen , Loh Tze Ping , Bernardini Sergio
Published: June 2023

An emerging technology (ET) for laboratory medicine can be defined as an analytical method (including biomarkers) or device (software, applications, and algorithms) that by its stage of development, translation into broad routine clinical practice, or geographical adoption and implementation has the potential to add value to clinical diagnostics. Considering the laboratory medicine-specific definition, this document examines eight key tools, encompassing clinical, analytical, operational, and financial aspects, used throughout the life cycle of ET implementation. The tools provide a systematic approach starting with identifying the unmet need or identifying opportunities for improvement (Tool 1), forecasting (Tool 2), technology readiness assessment (Tool 3), health technology assessment (Tool 4), organizational impact map (Tool 5), change management (Tool 6), total pathway to method evaluation checklist (Tool 7), and green procurement (Tool 8). Whilst there are differences in clinical priorities between different settings, the use of this set of tools will help support the overall quality and sustainability of the emerging technology implementation.
An Efficient Discretization Scheme for Solving Nonlinear Ill-Posed Problems
Authors: Rajan M. P. , Jose Jaise
Published: June 2023

Information based complexity analysis in computing the solution of various practical problems is of great importance in recent years.
The amount of discrete information required to compute the solution plays an important role in the computational complexity of the problem.
Although this approach has been applied successfully for linear problems, no effort has been made in literature to apply it to nonlinear problems.
This article addresses this problem by considering an efficient discretization scheme to discretize nonlinear ill-posed problems.
We apply the discretization scheme in the context of a simplified Gauss–Newton iterative method and show that our scheme requires only less amount of information for computing the solution.
The convergence analysis and error estimates are derived.
Numerical examples are provided to illustrate the fact that the scheme can be implemented successfully.
The theoretical and numerical study asserts that the scheme can be employed to nonlinear problems.
Polish jakoby: an exotic similative-reportive doughnut? Tracing the pathway and conditions of its rise
Authors: Wiemer Björn
Published: June 2023

Of similative origin, Polish jakoby derives from the connective jako ‘how, that’ univerbated with the irrealis enclitic by. From the earliest attested stages (late 14th century) into the 17th century, jakoby was used as a comparison marker and as a subordinator of manner or purpose clauses. The former use has persisted, and the latter was ousted. After the 16th century jakoby further evolved into a reportive marker, as a particle or complementizer. Contrary to what pathways explaining the connection between similative and evidential marking would suggest, jakoby’s now predominant function as a reportive marker was apparently not prepared by inferential use, nor was its complementizer function mediated by a purpose function. Instead, purpose and reportive complementizers belong to different “branches”, both of which can be motivated by an indiscriminate similative-manner function. The evidence in favor of this derives from a systematic evaluation of extant research and a corpus study covering almost the entire period from 1600 to our day. A crucial moment to understanding jakoby’s functional changes is the insight that similatives can acquire propositional scope prior to entering the evidential domain and marking a metonymic relation between speech acts and epistemic attitudes expressed by the former.
Evaluation of Mechanical and Microstructural Properties of High-Temperature Hastelloy X Alloy-Welded Joints Made by Laser Welding Process
Authors: Sathishkumar G. , Sathiya P. , Senthil Murugan S.
Published: June 2023

The usage of Hastelloy X (HX) is crucial in high-temperature applications, and its joining is needed in industries. When HX is welded using traditional methods, the microsegregation of molybdenum- and chromium-rich components causes the material to crack in the final stage of welding solidification. To overcome this, in this current work, HX alloy specimens were welded by a carbon dioxide laser welding process autogenously, which provides low heat input to prevent carbide phase segregation while maintaining a complete depth of penetration. Laser power, welding speed, and focal length were chosen as input parameters with three levels for each input, and the experiments were conducted following Taguchi’s L9 orthogonal array with a suitable combination of the parameters. A structural study was done to analyze weld bead geometry and the microstructure of the weld interface through an optical microscope and scanning electron microscope. Elements present at the weld zone were confirmed through energy-dispersive X-ray analysis (EDAX). The mechanical properties of the joints were tested as per ASTM standards. Mechanical results showed that the tensile strength of a joint maintained a level with a slight decrease in weldment compared with the base metal and maintained the same in the impact test as well. Weld joint efficiency was estimated, and it showed a maximum of 93 %. Hardness was increased with a decrease in welding speed at 3,200 W laser power. The grain size of 39.5 μm had a tensile strength of 690 MPa, but the grain size of 59.88 μm had 540 MPa. The grain sizes of the samples and their orientation with austenite were shown by electron backscatter diffraction results.
Interoceptive Awareness of the Breath Preserves Attention and Language Networks amidst Widespread Cortical Deactivation: A Within-Participant Neuroimaging Study
Authors: Farb Norman A. S. , Zuo Zoey , Price Cynthia J.
Published: June 2023

Interoception, the representation of the body’s internal state, serves as a foundation for emotion, motivation, and wellbeing. Yet despite its centrality in human experience, the neural mechanisms of interoceptive attention are poorly understood. The Interoceptive/Exteroceptive Attention Task (IEAT) is a novel neuroimaging paradigm that compares behavioral tracking of the respiratory cycle (Active Interoception) to tracking of a visual stimulus (Active Exteroception). Twenty-two healthy participants completed the IEAT during two separate scanning sessions (N = 44) as part of a randomized control trial of mindful awareness in body-oriented therapy (MABT). Compared with Active Exteroception, Active Interoception deactivated somatomotor and prefrontal regions. Greater self-reported interoceptive sensibility (MAIA scale) predicted sparing from deactivation within the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) and left-lateralized language regions. The right insula, typically described as a primary interoceptive cortex, was only specifically implicated by its deactivation during an exogenously paced respiration condition (Active Matching) relative to self-paced Active Interoception. Psychophysiological interaction (PPI) analysis characterized Active Interoception as promoting greater ACC connectivity with lateral prefrontal and parietal regions commonly referred to as the dorsal attention network (DAN). In contrast to evidence relating accurate detection of liminal interoceptive signals such as the heartbeat to anterior insula activity, interoceptive attention toward salient signals such as the respiratory cycle may involve reduced cortical activity but greater ACC-DAN connectivity, with greater sensibility linked to reduced deactivation within the ACC and language-processing regions.
Health Promotion of Haitian immigrant families: possibilities and barriers in everyday life in Primary Care
Authors: Tafner Daniela Priscila Oliveira do Vale , Nitschke Rosane Gonçalves , Tholl Adriana Dutra , Heidemann Ivonete Teresinha Schulter Buss , Bellaguarda Maria Lígia dos Reis , Marcon Sonia Silva
Published: June 2023

Objective: to understand the possibilities and barriers in the everyday lives of primary care professionals for health promotion of Haitian immigrant families. Methods: qualitative interpretative research, based on the theoretical foundations of Comprehensive Sociology and Everyday life Sociology. Twenty-seven Primary Health Care professionals who assist Haitian immigrant families participated. Data were collected using an electronic form in Google Forms and submitted to Thematic Analysis. Results: three categories emerged: Public policies and specific actions; Potentialities in health promotion to Haitian families; and Professional everyday life and limitations to health promotion. Conclusion: professionals perceive that their professional everyday lives have the potential to promote the health of Haitian immigrant families. However, they recognize the limits related to language barriers, political conception, and social organization. To overcome these limits, it is believed necessary to strengthen existing policies and promote changes in the organization of services. Contributions to practice: the understanding of the potentials and limits will enable managers and professionals to reflect not only on changes in the work process, but also on changes in the everyday work, implementing effective strategies for Health Promotion.
Tax Confidentiality as a Limitation in the Procedure for Public Control of the State of Public Finances
Authors: Tomaszewska Katarzyna
Published: June 2023

Any control, regardless of the field to which it relates, requires information. This claim is also valid in the field of citizen’s control. For an individual to be able to effectively assess what is going on around him or her and make sound decisions on that basis, he or she must be able to obtain a variety of information, including, above all, information that is comprehensive public knowledge. According to what follows from the regulations of the Act of 6 September 2001 on access to public information, their catalogue is broad and, more importantly, open. Although on the surface it might seem that the individual does not need anything more, it should not be forgotten that the same legislator determines a number of restrictions that block or completely close the way to certain pieces of public information. This group of statutory restrictions includes tax confidentiality as defined by the Tax Ordinance Act of 29 August 1997. The main objective of the considerations undertaken in this article is to determine to what extent tax confidentiality by its very nature restricts the process of public scrutiny of the state of public finances, taking into account its subjective and objective scope and its positioning among all the premises limiting accessibility to public knowledge.
New Technologies in the Control of Public Finances and Building Public Confidence in the State
Authors: Zalcewicz Anna
Published: June 2023

This article addresses the directions of change in the area of control of the collection and distribution of public funds, in the context of the possibility of using new technologies, with a view to compliance with the legal standards of a democratic law-governed state and the challenges facing law-makers in properly legislating the use of AI. Issues related to the risks and threats posed by the implementation of new technologies in the public sector regarding technical (e.g. algorithmic bias) and legal (e.g. inadequate regulation of the possibility of using technology by a public administration) aspects are raised, bearing in mind that incorrect regulation of these issues is not without impact on trust in the state and ensuring the protection of democratic values. Analysing the issues related to the implementation of technological solutions to control public finances, it also indicates new areas for control in the public sector, for example the control of algorithm-based applications.
Critical Remarks on the Statutory Model of Customs and Revenue Control
Authors: Gorgol Andrzej
Published: June 2023

The National Revenue Administration should be equipped with procedural instruments so that it can carry out public tasks within the statutory competence of its bodies in a rational, efficient and effective manner. The founding of this new organisational structure was coupled with significant changes to the separate procedures hitherto used by the customs, tax and revenue control administrations subordinate to the Minister of Finance. Customs and revenue control is a new legislative concept, the design of which is based on the fundamental premise of unifying control proceedings. The Act on the National Revenue Administration reflects the organisational and procedural effects of the 2017 reform. An analysis of its provisions makes it possible to determine what model of customs and revenue control has been implemented in Poland. The unification and codification of the rules governing this procedure were neither complete nor free of the flaws of the earlier regulations. Not only have the errors of customs control and revenue control not been eliminated, but also new, highly controversial shortcomings have emerged. This study aims to demonstrate the truth of the thesis that both the customs and fiscal control model and its regulation by statutory provisions contain questionable solutions.
Legal Instruments for Control of Expenditure from the EU Budget in the Light of EU and Polish Law
Authors: Fedorowicz Magdalena K.
Published: June 2023

This study reflects on the control of expenditure made from the EU budget through instruments regulated by EU and Polish financial law, and in a broader sense also on the protection of the EU’s financial interests on the expenditure side. The purpose is to present and engage in a dogmatic-legal analysis of the EU-national normative benchmark for the control of EU budget expenditure and to answer the question of its normative-axiological content, rightly taking into account the principle of the rule of law as the basic determinant of the performed control of EU budget expenditure, in accordance with the CJEU judgment C 157/21. It may justifiably be argued that the normative model of control of expenditure from the EU budget is a normative-axiological model shared by the EU and its Member States. It is hybrid in that it consists of a number of mechanisms and institutions (in the substantive sense) that are functionally interconnected. Effective implementation of the criteria of this normative benchmark (substantive, instrumental, procedural and axiological) presupposes functional links between EU and Polish regulations for the application of principles not only from Articles 317 and 325 TFEU, but also values and principles from Article 2 TEU.
Recurrent Property Tax Control in the Czech Republic
Authors: Radvan Michal , Svobodová Tereza
Published: June 2023

The aim of this article is to investigate the possibilities for tax offices in the Czech Republic to control recurrent property tax returns and the data contained therein. The hypothesis that the recurrent property tax control in the Czech Republic is unproblematic and that there is no need for any amendments in related tax law regulation has been mostly confirmed. However, there are still several minor issues (e.g. the renewal of cadastral records) where amendments to the existing legal regulation would be helpful There are also other much more problematic issues in the property tax regulation to be improved. The role of the immovable property tax in the Czech Republic is mostly marginal; the revenue is very low. The paper follows the IMRaD structure; in the research part, we firstly summarise recurrent property tax regulation de lege lata from the theoretical perspective. Secondly, we describe existing practical problems of recurrent property tax control as these problematic issues have been identified from structured interviews with tax office clerks. In the discussion, we critically analyse substantive and procedural tax law concerning the recurrent property tax with regard to controls carried out by the tax office, combining the theoretical background with practical experience. Synthesising the knowledge gained, we identify the strengths and weaknesses of de lege lata regulation and suggest amendments de lege ferenda.
Effects of temperature on the bending performance of wood-based panels
Authors: Zhou Jianhui , Hu Chuanshuang , Hu Shuofei , Yun Hong , Jiang Guifen , Zhang Shikang
Published: June 2023

The effect of temperature in the range from 25 ºC to 175 ºC on the bending performance of plywood and medium density fiberboard (MDF) has been studied with the ultimate purpose of optimizing the post-processing using radio frequency heating and improving the quality of the final products. Static 3-point bending tests were conducted on a universal testing machine inside a computer-controlled chamber. Results show that the bending strength (MOR) and modulus of elasticity (MOE) of plywood and MDF decrease with the increase of the temperature from 25 ºC to 175 ºC. The bending strength of plywood and MDF decreases with the increase of the exposure time. However, the effects of exposure time on MOE of plywood and MDF are not obvious. Plywood and 2.6 mm thick MDF show a typical elasto-plastic behavior, while 12 mm thick MDF does not exhibit any plastic behavior. It is recommended that the post-processing procedure should be completed within 15 minutes for both MDF and plywood.
The formation and characterization of sustainable layered films incorporating microfibrillated cellulose (MFC)
Authors: Rodionova Galina , Roudot Solenne , Eriksen Øyvind , Männle Ferdinand , Gregersen Øyvind
Published: June 2023

Microfibrillated cellulose (MFC), TEMPO-pretreated MFC, and hybrid polymer/MFC mix were used for the production of layered films with interesting properties for application in food packaging. The series of samples were prepared from MFC (base layers) using a dispersion-casting method. The same procedure as well as a bar coating technique was applied to form top layers of different basis weights. The barrier properties and formation of the layered films were investigated in relationship to the preparation procedures, combination of layers, and areal weight (basis weight). Characterization was done with respect to oxygen transmission rates (OTR), water vapor transmission rates (WVTR), tensile properties, and contact angles (CA) with water. The produced layered films yielded OTR values of 4 mL m-2 day-1 and fulfilled oxygen barrier requirements for a modified atmosphere packaging (MAP). Hornification of the MFC films, however, occurred during drying, which may result in a loss of the film’s beneficial properties.
Anatomical properties of selected hybrid poplar clones grown in southern Quebec
Authors: Azmul Huda ASM , Koubaa Ahmed , Cloutier Alain , Hernández Roger E. , Périnet Pierre
Published: June 2023

The anatomical properties of seven hybrid poplar clones grown in three sites in southern Quebec, Canada were investigated. Radial and longitudinal variations in selected anatomical properties of wood were measured by image analysis of transverse sections and by fiber quality analysis. Results indicate that all measured anatomical properties varied significantly across sites. Clonal variation was highly significant for all anatomical properties studied, and broad-sense heritability ranged from 0.10 (average vessel lumen area) to 0.76 (cell wall area percentage). Genetic gain was positive for all anatomical properties. The variation in radial pattern was characterized by a rapid increase in the first few years in fiber length, width, and proportion, wall thickness, and percent cell wall area. Ray proportion remained constant, whereas the vessel lumen area and proportion decreased with cambial age.
Effect of screw extrusion pretreatment on pulps from chemical pulping
Authors: Dong Cuihua , Pang Zhiqiang , Xue Jingwen , Liu Yu , Chen Jiachuan , Zhang Rong
Published: June 2023

The effect of compressive pretreatment before chemical pulping on the properties of poplar kraft and soda-AQ pulp was evaluated. Compressive pretreatment not only resulted in the dissolution of hemicellulose, but also leached extractives. Pulps made from compressive pretreated wood chips required lower beating energy than the untreated pulps to achieve the same beating degree of 45°SR, and the brightness of the handsheets was improved by 2% ISO. Compressive pretreatment allowed for efficient delignification and saved about 6% alkali consumption to achieve similar pulp screen yield. Furthermore, a higher content of fines and slightly lower mechanical properties were observed after the compressive treatment.
Optimization of ECF bleaching and refining of kraft pulping from olive tree pruning
Authors: Requejo Ana , Rodríguez Alejandro , Colodette Jorge L. , Gomide José L. , Jiménez Luis
Published: June 2023

The aim of the present work was to find an optimum kraft pulping process for olive tree pruning (OTP) in order to produce a bleachable grade pulp of Kappa number about 17. The kraft pulp produced under optimized conditions showed a viscosity of 31.5 mPa.s and good physical, mechanical, and optical properties, which are acceptable for paper grade production. The strength and optical properties were measured on pulps unrefined and refined in a PFI mill with up to 2000 revolutions before and after bleaching. The OTP pulp was bleached to 90% ISO brightness (kappa < 1); however the process demanded a long sequence of stages, OD(EP)D(EP)D, and a higher than usual total chemical dosage (24.78 kg/odt pulp). Overall, OTP is suggested as an interesting raw material for cellulosic pulp production because its properties are comparable to those of other agricultural residues currently used in the paper industry.
Hot-water extraction of ground spruce wood of different particle size
Authors: Song Tao , Pranovich Andrey , Holmbom Bjarne
Published: June 2023

Hot-water extraction of hemicelluloses, especially galactoglucomannans, from fractions of ground spruce wood with different particle sizes was studied at 170°C with extraction times up to 60 min. Extraction of spruce sapwood, heartwood, and thermomechanical pulp (TMP) was also compared at 160 to 180°C. Static batch extractions were carried out in an accelerated solvent extractor (ASE). The extracted hemicelluloses were characterized by sugar unit analysis and determination of acetyl groups and molar masses. The particle size significantly affected the extraction of ground wood. The total extraction yield, as well as the yields of hemicelluloses and monosaccharides, was the highest from the finest ground wood fraction (< 0.1 mm). The release of acetic acid, average molar mass of extracted hemicelluloses, and end-pH of the extracts were also dependent of the particle size, although to a lower extent. Irrespectively of the ground wood particle size, the yield of hemicelluloses reached a plateau after 40 min extraction at 170°C. The results indicate that extraction of hemicelluloses is limited mainly by the diffusion in the fiber wall, and for coarse wood shives also by the mass transfer in the wood matrix. There were only small differences in the hot-water extraction yields of hemicelluloses from spruce sapwood, heartwood, and TMP, considering both poly- and monosaccharides.
FIBRINOGEN-SPECIFIC PROTEASE IN THE Vipera renardi SNAKE VENOM
Authors:   Educational and Scientific Center “Institute of Biology and Medicine” of Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Ukraine, BAIDAKOVA K.V. ,   Palladin Institute of Biochemistry of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Kyiv
Published: June 2023

Aim. To search fibrinogenolytic enzymes among protein components of Vipera renardi snake venom. Methods. Venom of V. renardi as the lyophilized powder was supplied by Trypillia serpentarium. It was dissolved in 0.05 M Tris-HCl buffer pH 8.3 and fractionated on Superdex G-75 using FPLC system Acta Prime. Peaks were tested for their ability to directly cleave fibrinogen. Hydrolytic products were analyzed by SDS-PAGE. Enzyme-electrophoresis with fibrinogen co-polymerized in 12% polyacrylamide gel was used for the identification of protein that can cleave fibrinogen.. Results. Venom of V. renardi was fractionated on 4 fractions using size-exclusion chromatography. SDS-PAGE of fibrinogen hydrolysis products showed the presence of fibrinogen-specific protease in the 1st and 2nd fractions of venom. 2nd fraction was much more active and according to the data of enzyme electrophoresis contained protease with molecular mass 25 kDa. Conclusions. Fractionation of V. renardi snake venom allowed to detect a protease with apparent molecular mass 25 kDa that can cleave fibrinogen molecule.
INCREASED EXPRESSION LEVEL OF ADAPTOR PROTEIN Ruk/CIN85 IN DOXORUBICIN-RESISTANT HUMAN NON-SMALL LUNG ADENOCARCINOMA MOR CELLS IS ASSOCIATED WITH THEIR METABOLIC REPROGRAMMING
Authors:   Palladin Institute of Biochemistry of NAS of Ukraine, Kyiv, RAYNICH Y.S.
Published: June 2023

The aim of the present study was to find out the role of Ruk/CIN85 in modulation of activities/content of key enzymes/components of glycolysis and hydrogen peroxide using as a model human NSCLC MOR wild type and resistant to drugs MOR/0.2R cells. Materials and methods. MOR (ECACC 84112312) and MOR/0.2R (ECACC 96042335), drug-resistant cell line, were cultured in the complete RPMI medium under standard conditions. Enzymes activity, content of metabolites and protein in cell extracts and the conditioned cell culture medium were estimated by spectrophotometric and fluorometric assays. Results. Using RT2-PCR it was revealed that the level of Ruk/CIN85 mRNA in drug-resistant MOR cells was 10 times higher than in parental MOR cells. The activities of lysyl oxidase (LOX) and diamine oxidase (DAO) were significantly higher in resistant cells It has been shown that these enzymes are associated with aggressiveness of tumor cells. Based on the obtained results, we draw a conclusion that observed changes in the intensity of glycolysis, amine oxidases activities and content of hydrogen peroxide in doxorubicin-resistant MOR/0.2R cells positively correlate with the expression level of the adaptor protein studied. Conclusions. In conclusion, it can be assumed that the adaptor protein Ruk/CIN85 is involved in metabolome reprogramming and may function as an important component of regulatory networks required for the acquisition of drug resistant phenotype by NSCLC cells.
DETERMINATION OF THROMBIN AND PLASMIN ACTIVITY IN HUMAN BLOOD PLASMA USING THE TURBIDIMETRIC CURVE OF CLOT FORMATION AND DISSOLUTION
Authors:   Paladin Institute of Biochemistry of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Kyiv, UDOVENKO A.V.
Published: June 2023

The aim of the study was to develop a method for determination the activity of thrombin, which is based on the turbidimetry curve of the formation and dissolution of a blood plasma clot. Methods. Donor blood samples were collected in 3.8% sodium citrate (1 part of sodium citrate and 9 parts of blood, pH 7.4). Plasma was separated from blood cells within 1 hour after blood collection by centrifugation the latter at 1200 g for 20 minutes. Aliquots of plasma were stored at -20 °C. Results. To determine the concentrations of thrombin and plasmin, TDCs of the formation and dissolution of blood plasma clots, initiated by the APTT reagent, were used. Based on the values of τ obtained, a calibration curve was constructed in the coordinates 1/τ – [Thr] (the rate of protofibrils formation in s-1 vs thrombin concentration in NIH units in 1 ml). Conclusion. The proposed methods to determine the activity of thrombin and plasmin made it possible to quantitatively calculate the rate of prothrombin activation in the lag period, the concentration and activity of thrombin based on the rate of fibrin and protofibrils formation as well as the activity and concentration of plasmin at the point of the complete clot dissolution,