bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Characteristics of the White Matter Structural Network in Individuals with Subjective Cognitive Decline with and without APOEε4 Based on Graph Theory Study
Authors: Deng Simin , Chen Weijie , Feng Suibin , Lai Huote , Lai Wei
Published: June 2024

Purpose: To determine whether individuals with subjective cognitive decline (SCD) have changes in whole-brain network characteristics and intracerebral node characteristics in the structural network, and whether there is a difference between SCD with and without Apolipoprotein E4 (APOEε4). Methods: This cross-sectional study included 36 individuals without SCD without APOEε4 (healthy control, HC group), 21 individuals with SCD with APOEε4 (APOEε4+ group), and 33 individuals with SCD without APOEε4 (APOEε4- group). The white matter structural network was constructed using the fractional anisotropy (FA) based deterministic fiber tracking method. Graph theory was used to analyze the whole-brain network characteristics and intracerebral node characteristics of the three groups. Results: Regarding the whole-brain network characteristics, all three groups exhibited small-worldness in their structural networks. The clustering coefficient (Cp) and local efficiency (Eloc) in the APOEε4+ and APOEε4- groups were significantly lower than in the HC group (p < 0.05), but no significant difference in Cp or Eloc was observed between the APOEε4+ and APOEε4- groups. Regarding intracerebral node characteristics, there were significant differences in some brain regions, mainly the default mode network (DMN), the occipital lobe, the temporal lobe, and subcortical regions. The change in intracerebral node characteristics was different between the APOEε4+ group and the APOEε4- group. Conclusions: Individuals with SCD demonstrate changes in whole-brain network characteristics and intracerebral node characteristics in the structural network. Moreover, differences exist between APOEε4+ and APOEε4- individuals.
The Relationship of Waist Circumference with the Morbidity of Cardiovascular Diseases and All-Cause Mortality in Metabolically Healthy Individuals: A Population-Based Cohort Study
Authors: Su Yue , Sun Jinyu , Zhou Ying , Sun Wei
Published: June 2024

Background: This study explores the relationship between waist circumference and morbidity of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and all-cause mortality in metabolically healthy individuals. Methods: A cohort of 5775 metabolically healthy participants from the 2001–2014 US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey and National Death Index database was tracked over a median period of 81 months. These participants were divided into quartiles (Q1, Q2, Q3, Q4) based on increasing waist circumference. To compensate for missing covariates, multivariate multiple imputation methods were used. Adjusted logistic regression models were employed to examine the correlation between waist circumference and cardiovascular disease prevalence. Furthermore, Kaplan-Meier curves and multivariable Cox regression analysis were utilized to evaluate the association between waist circumference and all-cause mortality, both qualitatively and quantitatively. Results: The adjusted logistic regression model indicated that a 10 cm increase in waist circumference was associated with a 1.45 times higher prevalence of CVD. As a categorical variable, there was a significant upward trend in CVD incidence across quartiles of waist circumference. The adjusted odds ratios (95% confidence intervals) were 2.41 (1.13–5.53) for Q2, 2.65 (1.18–6.39) for Q3, and 2.53 (0.9–7.44) for Q4, compared to Q1. Notably, individuals with high waist circumference showed significantly poorer survival compared to those with low waist circumference (p = 0.008). The Cox regression analysis revealed that each 10 cm increase in waist circumference contributed to an ~8% increase in all-cause mortality. Conclusions: This study underscores a positive correlation between waist circumference and both CVD morbidity and all-cause mortality in metabolically healthy individuals. The findings highlight the significance of routinely monitoring waist circumference for effective CVD risk management, regardless of metabolic health status.
Machine Learning for Trillion Dollar Equation
Authors: KUMAR CRS
Published: June 2024

The Black-Scholes equation popularly known as Trillion Dollar Equation is a fundamental model in financial mathematics for option pricing, has been a cornerstone of quantitative finance since its inception. Traditional numerical methods for solving the Black-Scholes Partial Differential Equation (PDE) can be computationally intensive and may struggle with complex market conditions. This paper investigates the application of machine learning (ML) techniques to enhance the efficiency and accuracy of solving the Black-Scholes equation. We present a comprehensive analysis of various ML models, including deep learning architectures, reinforcement learning, and advanced regression techniques, to approximate solutions to the Black-Scholes PDE. The study evaluates the performance of these models in terms of computational speed, accuracy, and robustness compared to conventional numerical methods such as finite difference and Monte Carlo simulations. Through extensive simulations and empirical testing, we demonstrate that ML approaches, particularly neural networks, can significantly reduce computation time while maintaining high accuracy in option pricing. Additionally, we explore the adaptability of ML models to various market scenarios, including those with high volatility and discontinuities, where traditional methods often fail. Our results indicate that integrating ML with the Black-Scholes framework not only improves computational efficiency but also provides greater flexibility in handling real-world financial data complexities. We also discuss the potential implications of these advancements for risk management and financial decision-making.
The evidence accumulation-based framework to explain human cognitive processes for considering quiz questions: A pilot study in Japan
Authors: Shirasuna Masaru
Published: June 2024

People make judgments under uncertainty, but they can sometimes understand what is asked. This experience is common to competitive (buzzer) quizzes, where players are required to make judgments even in the middle of a question prompt to get the right to answer the question before the others. Although quizzes have become popular entertainment, there are few evidence-based behavioral findings on cognitive processes in quizzes because no framework to describe and explain them has been developed. This pilot study aimed to provide a framework to describe people’s cognitive processes, based on the evidence accumulation model: It was assumed that people accumulated evidence over time (i.e., by hearing words) and grasped what was asked when the evidence reached a threshold. Study 1 showed that cognitive processes in considering a question could be described within the evidence-accumulation framework, through computational modeling. Specifically, three possible models were proposed: Linear (i.e., evidence was linearly accumulated over time); fixing point (i.e., reaching a threshold when one critical word was heard) and drift (i.e., gradually reaching a threshold at times when important words were heard) models. Study 2 examined to what extent the proposed models could explain actual human judgments (comparing novices and experts), through behavioral experiments. As a result, (i) experts tended to grasp faster what was asked than novices, and (ii) novices’ judgments were better explained by the fixing point model while experts’ judgments were by the drift model. This suggests that while novices tend to identify the answer at a certain critical word, experts gradually identify the answer using various information contained in the question prompt. These findings will provide scaffolding for advancing behavioral studies on buzzer quizzes and may further clarify how people make judgments instantaneously and accurately under uncertainty.
How Interviewees Determine What Interviewers Want to Know
Authors: Neequaye David A. , Lorson Alexandra
Published: June 2024

AbstractWe examine the mechanisms by which interviewees in investigative interviews mentally organize information when deciphering what an interviewer wants to know. The overarching idea is that such a process stems from the extent to which an interviewer’s question specifies an objective. Our initial test (i.e., Neequaye & Lorson, 2023) suggested two competing mechanisms: High-specificity questions lead interviewees to focus on particularly relevant details to the exclusion of other information, while low-specificity questions make interviewees focus on a broader range of information items (Mechanism-1)—versus—Interviewees generally assume that interviewers want to know all the information at their disposal, irrespective of question specificity (Mechanism-2). We propose two studies to ascertain which mechanism better captures how interviewees determine what interviewers want to know.
Contrastive adaptation effects along a voice/non-voice continuum
Authors: Gao Zi , Oxenham Andrew
Published: June 2024

Adaptation to the environment is a universal property of perception across all sensory modalities. It can enhance the salience of new events in an ongoing background and helps maintain perceptual constancy in the face of variable sensory input. Several contrastive adaptation effects have been identified using sounds within the categories of human voice and musical instruments. The present study investigated whether such contrast effects can occur between voice and non-voice stimulus categories. A 10-step continuum between “voice” (/a/, /o/, or /u/ vowels) and “instrument” (bassoon, horn, or viola) sounds was generated for each of the nine possible pairs. In each trial, an adaptor, either a voice or instrument, was played four times and was followed by a target from along the appropriate continuum. When trials with voice and instrumental adaptors were grouped into separate blocks, strong contrastive adaptation effects were observed, with the target more likely to be identified as a voice following instrumental adaptors and vice versa (Experiment 1). The effects were not observed for visual image adaptors (Experiment 2). The effects were somewhat larger when the adaptors and the target were presented to the same than to different ears, but significant adaptation was observed in both conditions, suggesting contributions of central mechanisms, following binaural integration (Experiment 3). The effect accumulated when the same type of adaptors was presented consecutively, and persisted following the end of the adaptors (Experiment 4). The discovery of voice/non-voice contrastive pairs opens the possibility of studying perceptual or neuronal voice selectivity while keeping acoustic features constant.
The Mental Health Index across the Italian Regions in the ESG Context
Authors: Resta Emanuela , Logroscino Giancarlo , Tafuri Silvio , Peter Preethymol , Noviello Chiara , Costantiello Alberto , Leogrande Angelo
Published: June 2024

The following article analyses the relationship between the mental health index and the variables of the Environment, Social and Governance-ESG model in the Italian regions between 2004 and 2023.The econometric analysis is aimed at investigating in detail the relationships between the mental health index and the individual components of the ESG model. The results are critically discussed
Liminality and Knowledge Production in Egyptian Stand-up Comedy: Reflecting Perspectives and Defying Restrictions
Authors: Lotfy Nohayer Esmat
Published: June 2024

This paper aimed to examine how Egyptian live stand-up performances act as a liminal space where comedians present their perspectives on issues of concern, offering a different source of knowledge other than mainstream views and ideas. Data collected for this study included selected excerpts from Egyptian live stand-up shows in addition to interviews with stand-up comedians to collect more in-depth information about how they perceive stand-up comedy as a form of art and how they select their topics and develop their stand-up material. For this paper, two analytical approaches were applied: 1) A thematic approach to closely investigate the range of topics women and men Egyptian comedians tackle in their shows and how these topics introduce a new angle to knowledge production, and 2) Van Dijk’s (2007) macro-level critical discourse analysis that aimed to examine the context in which the selected performances have taken place, how comedians’ stances are expressed and whether their material defy or adapt to the surrounding incidents/contexts. Analysis of data showed that comedians discuss taboo topics both implicitly and explicitly, and in reaction to possible restrictions on stand-up material, comedians employ various techniques of humor to defy these restrictions using the space and time of the live show to share their views with the audience
The Journey in Hisham Matar’s The Return: Between Freedom and Confinement
Authors: Hanafy Noha
Published: June 2024

The paper explores Hisham Matar’s journey in his 2016 memoir, The Return: Fathers, Sons and the Land in Between. In the book, Matar undertakes a journey back to his homeland in Libya to uncover the truth of what happened to his father, who was targeted by the Gaddafi regime during the sixties and was subsequently imprisoned for 20 years. While the memoir primarily focuses on the journey “back” to Matar’s homeland in Libya, the memoir’s depiction of “home” problematizes the concept, raising questions about its limitations beyond being merely geographical. Therefore, home becomes elusive and not necessarily at all feasible altogether. Matar’s journey across continents foregrounds the contestation of boundaries. The oscillation between confinement and freedom overshadows the family’s journey that seems to involuntarily revolve around finding a home. This struggle is also connected to the relentless attempts to find the father before finally deciding to go back to Libya. With the ongoing struggle in searching for the father who was abducted before his imprisonment, the father himself becomes a metaphoric border. Reading the memoir, the reader senses that this overshadowing presence of the father’s legacy is juxtaposed with his perpetual absence signaling both a struggle to find the father and escape him. The interplay between freedom and imprisonment becomes intricately woven with the poetics of the journey and ultimately offers a narrative that defies victimhood and foregrounds agency.
(Re)constructing Nigerianisms through Sarcasm and Irony in Selected Nigerian Slangs and Mannerisms
Authors: Journal Atras , OLANIYAN Oluwayomi Rosemary , OLUREMI Tolulope Abisodun
Published: June 2024

Nigerian English, already nativized and domesticated in the socio-political culture of the country, has its distinct lexical features. The study, therefore, investigates the use of irony and sarcasm in selected Nigerian slang and mannerisms using Incongruity Theory to bring to the fore, the distinct Nigerian linguistic features, inherent in them. Neologisms,slang and Nigerianisms were purposively selected through observations in a university environment, churches and public spaces, the internet and the Nigerian music industry; only slang and neologisms that cover the major geo-political zones from socio-political, religious and educational areas are used for the analysis. The study concludes that sarcasm and irony are tools used to construct a distinct Nigerian discursive identity; with irony being used more than sarcasm. Sarcasm and irony are used to achieveintertextuality; non-Nigerians, who are not familiar with the contextual use of these Nigerianisms, might therefore be excluded from the ongoing discourse. Youths, however, also make use of these Nigerianisms to send a subtle message, correct social vices andindirectly document the socio-political events in the country. The research submits that most Nigerian lexical innovations and derivations are humorously construed through irony and sarcasm.
High rates of polygyny do not lock large proportions of men out of the marriage market
Authors: Gaddy Hampton , Fortunato Laura , Sear Rebecca
Published: June 2024

There is a widespread belief, in scholarly literature, the popular press, and even incel ideology, that polygyny prevents many men from marrying, by skewing the sex ratios of marriage markets. In turn, high proportions of men permanently excluded from marriage are thought to lead to negative outcomes, such as increased rates of crime and conflict. We investigate the link between polygyny and unmarried men through a combination of formal demographic modeling and analysis of census data from 30 countries in Africa, Asia, and Oceania, plus the historical United States. Our model demonstrates that marriage markets are skewed sufficiently feminine under a range of realistic demographic scenarios to support some level of polygyny without necessarily locking any men out of marriage. In fact, our empirical results show a negative association between the prevalence of polygyny and the prevalence of unmarried men at the sub-national level. This pattern is explained partly by differences in sex ratios across populations and partly by relatively strong pro-marriage norms increasing the overall rate of marriage in polygynous communities. These results challenge the “if one man marries two women, another man will go unmarried” mechanism that is commonly invoked to link polygyny to armed conflict, to argue for the evolutionary fitness of monogamy, and to bolster certain strains of incel ideology.
Aplikasi Parkir Berlangganan Untuk Karyawan Tenant pada Mal Summarecon Bekasi
Authors: Meisyha Rineke , Leidiyana Henny
Published: June 2024

Abstrak  - Bertambahnya jumlah penduduk dan perkembangan ekonomi masyarakat, saat ini banyak yang memiliki kendaran sendiri. Di kota yang semakin padat, menemukan tempat parkir yang nyaman  bisa menjadi sulit, misalkan pada sebuah mal. Belum lagi pada akhir pekan atau libur menimbulkan antrian yang salah satu penyebabnya yaitu saat pembayaran. Pengguna fasilitas parkir bukan hanya pengunjung tetapi karyawan mal. Pada mal Sumarecon Bekasi, karyawan juga membayar parkir berlangganan dan mereka harus melaporkan transaksi perpanjangan parkir bulanan mereka. Biasanya hal tersebut dilakukan disela jam istrirahat atau waktu lainnya. Karena keterbatasan waktu maka penelitian ini membahas tentang perancangan aplikasi parkir berlangganan parkir online pada mal Sumarecon Bekasi. Aplikasi ini dirancang dengan metode Air Terjun, menggunakan UML dan ERD sebagai metode perancangan system dan basis data. Pengujian antarmuka dilakukan  untuk calon pengguna prototype. Pengujian antarmuka ini dilakukan menggunakan 2 macam pengujian, yaitu pengujian Front-end dan pengujian Back-end. Dengan adanya aplikasi ini dapat memberikan solusi bagi para karyawan mal agar lebih hemat dan praktis dalam melaporkan transaksi pembayaran berlangganan parkir yang selama ini dilakukan secara manual.Kata kunci: Mal Summarecon, Parkir Berlangganan, Metode Air Terjun Abstract  - With the increasing population and economic development of the community, many now have their own vehicles. In an increasingly crowded city, finding a convenient parking space can be difficult, say in a mall. Not to mention that on weekends or holidays it creates queues, one of the reasons for this is the time of payment. Users of parking facilities are not only visitors but mall employees. At Summarecon Bekasi mall, employees also pay for subscription parking and they must report their monthly parking renewal transactions. Usually this is done during breaks or other times. Due to time constraints, this research discusses the design of an online parking subscription application at the Summarecon Bekasi mall. This application is designed using the Waterfall method, using UML and ERD as a system and database design method. Interface testing is carried out for prospective prototype users. Interface testing is carried out using 2 types of testing, namely Front-end testing and Back-end testing. With this application, it can provide a solution for mall employees to be more economical and practical in reporting parking subscription payment transactions which have been done manually.Keywords: Summarecon Mall, subscription parking, Waterfall method
Sistem Informasi Pemesanan Jasa Konstruksi Besi Berbasis Web Menggunakan Metode Prototype
Authors: Marselina Dwi , Nurajijah Nurajijah
Published: June 2024

Abstrak  - Proses pemasaran dan penjualan konstrusi yang masih dilakukan secara manual ditambah era pandemi yang menyebabkan mobilitas pelanggan jasa konstruksi sangat terbatas untuk  melakukan transaksi secara langsung menyebabkan penurunan profit perusahaan jasa konstruksi. Tujuan penelitian ini adalah menjawab permasalahan pada perusahaan jasa konstruksi dengan merancang sistem informasi yang dapat mempermudah dan memfasilitasi pelanggan untuk melakukan pemesanan konstruksi secara online berbasis website. Website ini dirancang dengan menggunakan metode prototype dengan bahasa pemrograman PHP, dan menggunakan framework laravel dalam melakukan pengkodean, database menggunakan MySQL untuk menyimpan seluruh data transaksi maupun data pribadi klien, tampilan aplikasi menggunakan bootstrap untuk mempercantik tampilan agar lebih responsive dan interaktif ketika digunakan. Fitur yang ditawarkan adalah klien dapat melakukan pemesanan konstruksi besi secara online melalui website, pembayaran menggunakan metode payment gateway midtrans dengan tujuan memudahkan klien dalam bertransaksi secara online dan notifikasi pembayaran ketika berhasil melakukan pembayaran, klien dapat melihat progres serta memantau pekerjaan via web. Hasil pengujian sistem pada skenario yang dilakukan menunjukan sistem berjalan sesuai harapan.Kata Kunci : sistem informasi, pemesanan jasa konstruksi, prototype Abstract  - The construction marketing and sales process is still carried out manually, plus the pandemic era which has caused very limited mobility for construction service customers to carry out direct transactions has resulted in a decline in profits for construction service companies. The aim of this research is to answer problems in construction service companies by designing an information system that can make it easier and facilitate customers to make construction orders online based on a website. This website was designed using the prototype method with the PHP programming language, and uses the Laravel framework for coding, the database uses MySQL to store all transaction data and client personal data, the application display uses bootstrap to beautify the appearance so that it is more responsive and interactive when used. The features offered are that clients can order iron construction online via the website, payments using the Midtrans payment gateway method with the aim of making it easier for clients to make online transactions and payment notifications when successful in making payments, clients can see progress and monitor work via the web. The results of system testing in the scenarios carried out show that the system runs as expected.Keywords: information systems, ordering construction services, prototypes
Representasi Budaya Patriarki dalam Serial Drama “Gadis Kretek”
Authors: Wahyuningratna Ratu Nadya
Published: June 2024

Patriarchal culture is very prevalent in indonesia, one of which is in the patrilineal Javanese culture. This culture seems to portray women as objects and do not have the dominance of men. drama series have become one of the effective mass communications that have long been a forum for voicing social issues, one of which is about the patriarchal culture that occurs in society. A drama series that recently aired on Netflix, namely Gadis Kretek, is one of the works that raises this issue. Set in a region in Java in the 60s, at that time issues regarding patriarchal culture were very close considering the role of Javanese women who had to "submit" to the head of the family. Using the Roland Barthes Semiotics method, researchers wanted to find representations of patriarchal culture from several scenes in the Gadis Kretek series. It was found that several scenes showed patriarchal practices in a household that made Dasiyah, the main character, feel very difficult in developing her aspirations because women were considered marginalized and subordinated to men.
ANALISIS TEXT CLUSTERING MASYARAKAT DI TWITTER TENTANG SEPAK BOLA INDONESIA MENGGUNAKAN ORANGE DATA MINING
Authors: Baihaqie Owen , Yuadi Imam
Published: June 2024

Twitter saat ini menjadi sebuah platform media sosial yang sangat menarik untuk diamati. Topik yang sedang trend di Twitter seringkali memunculkan komentar dan opini dari masyarakat Indonesia. Salah satu topik yang menarik untuk dianalisis adalah sepak bola Indonesia yang saat ini banyak disoroti. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menganalisis tanggapan masyarakat terhadap topik tersebut melalui komentar di Twitter, menggunakan metode analisis Vader, tweet profiler, dan visualisasi distribution. Proses analisis dilakukan dengan menggunakan aplikasi Orange Data Mining, yang melibatkan tahapan preprocess text, seperti transformation, tokenization, normalization, dan filtering untuk memastikan teks bisa dianalisis. Hasil dari penelitian ini menunjukkan bahwa terdapat enam jenis respon dari masyarakat terhadap sepak bola Indonesia, dengan respon tertinggi adalah rasa terkejut dan takut.
SISTEM PENUNJANG KEPUTUSAN PEMILIHAN USTAD USTADZAH TERBAIK PADA MTS DEMPO DARUL MUTTAQIEN
Authors: Febriansyah Febriansyah , Muntari Siti
Published: June 2024

Tujuan penelitian ini adalah untuk membuat suatu sistem penunjang keputusan pemilihan ustad / ustadzah terbaik pada Mts Dempo Darul Muttaqien Pagar Alam, permasalahan yang dihadapi saat ini Untuk pemilihan ustad / ustadzah di Mts dilakukan dengan cara semi manual dengan menggunakan kalkulator sebagai alat hitung untuk menjumlahkan nilai dan Ms.Word tempat untuk memasukkan nilai-nilai kriteria pada tabel yang telah di tentukan oleh kepala madrasah dalam pemilihan ustad / ustadzah terbaik pada Mts Dempo Darul Muttaqien. Dengan metode ini tidak begitu efektif yang dikarnakan besar kemungkinan kesalahan dalam penjumlahan nilai-nilainya. Sistem penunjang keputusan ialah sistem informasi yang berbasis komputer dalam membantu manusia untuk pengambilan suatu keputusan, suatu sistem baru yang lebih efektif dan sudah terkomputerisasi, dimana dengan adanya sistem penunjang keputusan ini maka akan ada database untuk menyimpan data ustad / ustadzah, data kriteria dan data hasil penilaian yang tersimpan di database. Metode Simple Addictive Weighting (saw) adalah metode terbobot yang akan digunakan dalam sistem untuk menghitung nilai bobot setiap atribut kemudian dilanjutkan prangkingan yang akan menyeleksi alternatif terbaik dari sejumlah alternatif. Untuk perancangan Sistem ini dirancang dengan metode UML (Unified Modeling Language) dan Aplikasi Axure. Bahasa pemrograman yang digunakan yaitu PHP dan MySQL sebagai database-nya. Pengujian sistem ini menggunakan  blackbox testing. sistem penunjang keputusan ini nantinya akan di implementasikan pada MTS agar mempermudah tim penilai pada Mts dalam pengolaan data dan menginputan data untuk menentukan ustad / ustadzah yang menjadi terbaik pada Mts Dempo Darul Muttaqien kota Pagar Alam.
The Effects of RAFT Strategy Towards Students' Writing Skills on Writing Descriptive Text of 7th Grade Students at SMPN 3 Cikarang Barat
Authors: Kusumadewi Hermariyanti
Published: June 2024

The Effects of RAFT Strategy on Students' Writing Skills on Writing Descriptive Text of 7th Grade Students at SMPN 3 Cikarang Barat. This study aims to find out the effect of using the RAFT Strategy on students' descriptive text writing skills in the second semester of 7th Grade Students at SMPN 3 Cikarang Barat. This research uses descriptive quantitative method. The research method used is descriptive quantitative method. Data collection techniques using interviews, observation, tests and documentation. Aspects that are assessed in writing descriptive texts are the results of learning to write descriptive texts, evaluations, and summaries. The results of the research on students' descriptive text writing skills using the RAFT strategy in grade VII students of SMPN 3 Cikarang Barat obtained an average score of 51.51 with a sufficient category. This means that students as a whole are able to write descriptive text using the RAFT strategy. As evidenced by the number of 184 students, 36 of them scored above the KKM (Minimum Completeness Criteria) and 16 students scored below the KKM. Keywords: RAFT Strategy, Writing Skills, Descriptive Text
ANALYSIS OF METHODS OF WASTEWATER TREATMENT FROM PHENOLS AND THEIR TOXICOLOGICAL EFFECTS ON HUMAN
Authors: Gulyaev Vitalii , Kovalenko Alla , Yelatontsev Dmytro , Dyachenko Volodymyr
Published: June 2024

The article deals with the negative impact on the human body of one of the most common environmental pollutants – phenol. This pollutant enters surface waters with the wastewater from the oil refining, oil shale processing, timber, coke and paint industries. Phenol is widely used in many industries (light, medical, chemical, etc.). However, despite this, phenol is a hazardous toxic substance that requires safety precautions and personal protective equipment during production and use. Given the danger posed by phenol and its compounds, the article provides information on the effects of these substances on the human body, its various systems and organs. Information on methods for removing phenol from industrial wastewater, as well as various methods of water purification from phenol and its compounds, are presented. Promising methods of industrial wastewater treatment from phenols with the lowest economic costs due to the selection of effective industrial sorbents are characterized.
Brainstorm: A case of granulomatous encephalitis
Authors: Benoit Patrick , Wang Stephanie , Wang Catherine , Chakravarti Arpita , Villalba Julian A , Ali Ibne Karim M , Roy Shantanu , Sapp Sarah GH , Reagan-Steiner Sarah , Nelson Kristoff , Cayrol Romain , Luong Me-Linh , Grand'Maison Sophie , Desjardins Michaël
Published: June 2024

Background:

Free-living amoebas (FLAs) can cause severe and fatal central nervous system infections that are difficult to diagnose.

Methods:

We present the case of a 74-year-old immunocompetent woman admitted for focal neurological symptoms with enhancing lesions in the right cerebellar hemisphere. A first cerebral biopsy showed granulomatous inflammation, but no microorganisms were identified. After transient clinical improvement, she eventually deteriorated 4 months after initial presentation, with an MRI confirming multiple new masses affecting all cerebral lobes.

Results:

A second brain biopsy revealed granulomatous and acute inflammation with organisms containing a large central nucleus with prominent karyosome, consistent with FLAs. Immunohistochemical and polymerase chain reaction assays performed at CDC were positive for Acanthamoeba spp, confirming the diagnosis of granulomatous amoebic encephalitis (GAE) caused by Acanthamoeba spp. The patient was treated with combination therapy recommended by CDC, but died a few days later. Upon histopathological rereview, amoebic cysts and trophozoites were identified by histochemical and immunohistochemical methods in the first cerebral biopsy.

Conclusion:

FLA infections can be challenging to diagnose because of the low incidence, non-specific clinical and radiological presentation, lack of accessible diagnostic tools, and clinicians’ unfamiliarity. This case highlights the importance of recognizing FLA as a potential cause of granulomatous encephalitis, even in the absence of risk factors, as early treatment might be associated with favourable outcomes in case reports. When suspected, CDC laboratories offer tests to confirm the diagnosis promptly.
EXTERNAL DEMAND AS A FACTOR OF REGIONAL PRODUCTION: COUNTRY ANALYSIS (BASED ON THE EXAMPLE OF KHABAROVSK REGION)
Authors: Belousova A.V.
Published: June 2024

The dynamics and geographical structure of exports of the Khabarovsk Territory in 2019, 2020 are studied. Estimates of goods output multipliers are obtained, due to changes in the region’s exports to countries – its main trading partners.
POPULATION AND MORTALITY IN LARGE CITIES AND SMALL TOWNS OF THE FAR EAST IN THE PRE- AND COVID PERIODS
Authors: Domnich Ye.L.
Published: June 2024

The trends in the number and mortality of the population in the Far Eastern Federal District in the pre- and covid periods are analyzed, with details for large cities and small towns and villages. It is shown that intraregional inequality in terms of mortality in the Far East is combined with interregional inequality, which was especially acute during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Mobile tourism applications as a means of popularizing tourism
Authors: Kosareva N.V.
Published: June 2024

The article discusses the issues of using mobile applications and booking services by modern tourists. Thanks to mobile technologies, an increasing number of tourists make purchases and plan their travel itinerary. Interactive platforms themselves are becoming a means of popularizing tourism and promoting tourist territories.
VOLATILE AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS IN THE WATER OF SMALL RIVERS OF KHABAROVSK IN THE WINTER MEZEN
Authors: Shesterkin V.P. , Filippova G.M.
Published: June 2024

The content of volatile aromatic hydrocarbons in the water of small rivers of Khabarovsk in December 2021 was estimated. The maximum concentrations of benzene, ethylbenzene, xylenes and pseudocumol were noted in the water of the Kurcha-Murcha river draining the territory of the refinery.
PROBLEMS OF INSECT INVENTORY IN SPECIALLY PROTECTED AREAS (USING THE EXAMPLE OF THE MORDOVIA STATE NATURE RESERVE)
Authors: Ruchin A.B.
Published: June 2024

Information on the biodiversity of insects of the Mordovian Nature Reserve (European Russia) is considered. By 2024, the fauna has 5983 species. The main problems that arise when conducting such significant research are noted.
Methodology for using camera traps to study the northern pika using the example of the Zeya Nature Reserve (Amur Region)
Authors: Chemirskaya D.S.
Published: June 2024

The features of working with camera traps in the Zeya Nature Reserve when studying natural objects are described. We determined the population density of the northern pika, behavioral characteristics, and collected statistical information. A technique was used to quantify the number of large and medium-sized terrestrial mammals using camera traps, developed by S.A. Podolsky. and Kastrikin V.A. The technique is applicable for different types of camera traps. We used the Browning Recon force Advantage model, the high response speed of which allows us to apply this technique to small mammals.
A formação continuada de professores da rede pública de Curitiba durante a pandemia de Covid-19
Authors: Vieira Alboni Marisa Dudeque Pianovski , Câmara Eduarda Venturini
Published: June 2024

A pesquisa tem como objeto a formação continuada de professores da educação básica no município de Curitiba, Paraná, no contexto da pandemia de Covid-19. O objetivo geral foi analisar como aconteceu a formação continuada de professores da Rede Municipal de Ensino durante esse período. O estudo tem caráter bibliográfico e documental, com análise da legislação e do material utilizado para a formação docente. Os dados obtidos demonstraram que a Prefeitura Municipal de Curitiba, em 2021, ofereceu uma variedade de cursos por meio de diversas plataformas, propiciando aos docentes uma formação profissional de acordo com as exigências do ensino remoto. As ações formativas foram desde os conteúdos indispensáveis ao professor até o uso das tecnologias em diferentes contextos para aplicação em sala de aula. Dessa forma, foi possível realizar a alfabetização tecnológica, formando profissionais capazes de lidar com diferentes situações que favorecessem a aprendizagem dos estudantes.
Innovación Social y Desarrollo Sostenible: Un análisis de las áreas de impacto y su relación con los Objetivos de Desarrollo Sostenible
Authors: García-Flores Victor , Palma Martos Luis
Published: June 2024

In the last decade, social innovation has emerged as a multidisciplinary solution to address various social issues. This study employs a methodology that combines literature review and interviews with experts in social innovation. As a result, 17 main impact areas were identified, categorized into three blocks: economic, global, and social. Most notably, these areas are significantly related to all Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This suggests that social innovation has notable potential as a facilitating tool for achieving the SDGs, highlighting its importance in the pursuit of effective solutions to global challenges in sustainable development.
POLITICS OF TIME
Authors: Koczanowicz Leszek
Published: June 2024

What has really happened in Poland since the election of 2005? After such spectacular events as the practice of lustration and the questioning of solidarity with the European Union, one has to ask: what is the nature of this newly emerging society? As with many of the recent developments in former communist countries that seem to be mysterious and irrational, the situation and ensuing problems are complex and the answers neither trivial nor easy. This book, by the distinguished Polish philosopher, addresses these complexities through the role of the communist past in post-communist Poland. It describes the events that led to the collapse of the Solidarity program and the growing influence of the nationalistic and religious parties in the government. The author investigates the nature of social and political temporality and develops a theoretical framework that allows him to apply his conclusions not only to Poland but also to other formerly communist countries.
MASCULINITIES IN POLISH, CZECH AND SLOVAK CINEMA
Authors: Mazierska Ewa
Published: June 2024

Gender, especially masculinity, is a perspective rarely applied in discourses on cinema of Eastern/Central Europe. Masculinities in Polish, Czech and Slovak Cinema exposes an English-speaking audience to a large proportion of this region’s cinema that previously remained unknown, focusing on the relationship between representation of masculinity and nationality in the films of two and later three countries: Poland, Czechoslovakia/the Czech Republic and Slovakia. The objective of the book is to discuss the main types of men populating Polish, Czech and Slovak films: that of soldier, father, heterosexual and homosexual lover, against a rich political, social and cultural background. Czech, Slovak and Polish cinema appear to provide excellent material for comparison as they were produced in neighbouring countries which for over forty years endured a similar political system – state socialism.
Secondary Metabolites and Amino Acids in the Neocortex of the Long-Tailed Ground Squirrel Urocitellus undulatus at Different Stages of Hibernation
Authors: Karanova M. V , Zakharovа N. M
Published: June 2024

This study is a continuation of our previous research aimed at investigating changes in the pools of amino acids in the myocardium of the ground squirrel during winter torpor. Neurochemical profiles of amino acids and the secondary metabolites (taurine, phosphoserine, and cysteic acid) were explored in the neocortex of the ground squirrel at different stages of torpor: in the beginning of torpor (2–3 days) and during prolonged torpor (9–10 days), as well as during short-term winter arousal (winter activity, euthermia). Reduced excitatory neurotransmitter levels (glutamate by 7% and 14%; aspartate by 25% and 52% in a coordinated manner and the increased level of GABA, the main transmission inhibitor (by 50% and 67%) were observed from the onset of the torpor entry and at the end of the torpor arousal, respectively. Alanine, which was formed in negligible amounts in the neocortex in the summer season, increased at the initial stage of hibernation and after multiday torpor bout (by 98% and 126%, respectively), indicating a partial switch to anaerobic glycolysis. Short-term inter-bout euthermia returned levels of these substances back to normal. The behavior of glutamate and aspartate, the anaplerotic substrates, that supported cycling of the tricarboxylic acid cycle during torpor and winter activity periods was like their responses in the myocardium, though differed quantitatively. The responses of the neuromodulators such as glycine, threonine, and lysine differed radically when compared to their responses in the myocardium. No changes in taurine and phosphoserine pools were detected, but the level of cysteic acid decreased compared to the summer control from 0.51 ± 0.06 μmol/g to 0.07 ± 0.01 μmol/g at the end of torpor, while during winter euthermia it became 2 times lower than the summer level. Our data suggest that metabolic pathways, involving anaplerotic amino acids of the neocortex, are more active than the myocardium during winter torpor, while the pools of neuromodulators that regulate inhibition processes, increase.
Annotation of a New Low Voltage Activated Calcium Channel of Trichoplax adhaerens (Phylum Placozoa)
Authors: Kuznetsov A. V , Kartashov L. E
Published: June 2024

Studying the voltage-gated calcium channels sheds light on the formation of systems responsible for the coupling of sensors and actuators in a living cell. A homologue of 2090 aa lUNKth in the Trichoplax sp. H2 scaffold and an incomplete protein of 1510 aa lUNKth in the Trichoplax adhaerens scaffold were identified on the basis of the data on the voltage-gated calcium channel TCav3 (2063 aa) from the Trichoplax adhaerens cells. The incomplete hypothetical protein is annotated as Cav3-channel. An EEDD selective filter was found for all 3 proteins and the calcium channel core structure consisting of 24 trans-membrane α-helices was reconstructed. However, the studied proteins demonstrated significant variations in their cytoplasmic domains that indicates the different specialization of Cav3-channels in the signal transduction. So part of the AID motive (alpha-interacting domain) and the adjacent potential sensor from the annotated channel have homologies in 25 species of bony fish, and the corresponding region from both other channels in 41 species of bony fish and in 4 species of snakes was found. Significantly, a highly conserved IIS1-S2 loop with the IEHHNQP sequence was identified lower from the AID motif of bony fish, like in Trichoplax, while the homologous IEHHEQP sequence was revealed in snakes, which differs in the negative residue of glutamic acid that is also present in the corresponding proteins of the rat and human. A modular mechanism for the evolution of Cav3-channels by insertions and merging of protein domains that perform various regulatory functions is suggested based on the analysis of primary transcripts and mature proteins.
Morphometric Analysis of Serotoninergic Structures in the Nervous System of Planarian Schmidtea mediterranea
Authors: Kuznetsov G. V , Mitkovskii D. Е , Kreshchenko N. D
Published: June 2024

The nervous system of planarians includes cerebral ganglia situated in the anterior part of the body and a pair of well-defined ventral nerve cords that extend throughout the whole animal. Serotoninergic components of the nervous system were determined by indirect method of immunocytochemical staining of whole mount tissue preparations of planarians Schmidtea mediterranea, followed by analysis using a fluorescence microscope. The results obtained show the presence of serotoninergic components in the central and peripheral parts of the nervous system of planarians S. mediterranea. The morphological parameters of serotonin-immunopositive structures were estimated, as well as neuron counts in the cerebral ganglion were done. The measurements were carried out on micrographs taken through a digital camera from stained whole mount preparations. The size of serotonin neurons in three areas of the body, the thickness of the nerve trunks and cerebral ganglion, and the distance between the nerve cords and transversal commissures were taken into consideration. For the first time, the new quantitative data were obtained characterizing the morphological properties of the nervous system of planarian S. mediterranea. Also, the observation of the eyes regeneration in planarians in response to decapitation and exposure to serotonin was performed. It was found that exogenous serotonin at concentrations of 0.01–1 μm accelerated eye differentiation during the regeneration of the head end of S. mediterranea planarian.
Antitumor and Cytotoxic Effects of Silver Polyacrylate
Authors: Ostrovskaya L. A , Korman D. B , Nekrasova E. I , Chigasova A. K , Bluhterova N. V , Rikova V. A , Fomina M. M , Khochenkova Yu. A , Abzaeva K. A
Published: June 2024

Silver polyacrylate (argacryl) exerts antitumor activity against murine solid tumors in vivo and exhibits cytotoxic effects on human tumor cells in vitro. Argacryl enhances the antitumor effect of cisplatin (a murine Lewis lung carcinoma cell line) and does not show cross-resistance to cisplatin and doxorubicin (MCF-7, human breast cancer cells). The molecular mechanism of action of argacryl is associated with the induction of DNA single-strand breaks in the absence of cross-linking in the DNA molecule.
Electrogenesis in the Root Environment of Various Lettuce Varieties
Authors: Kuleshova T. E , Gasieva Z. A , Rusakov D. V , Galushko A. S , Panova G. G
Published: June 2024

Bioelectrochemical systems based on electroactive processes in the root environment of plants are a promising direction for the combined production of green electricity and plant products. This work aimed to investigate the dynamics of the potential differences formation in the root environment, diffuse reflectance indices of leaves, fluorescence parameters, morphometric and biochemical characteristics of the lettuce varieties (Chinese curly, Chinese red-green, Ballet, Cockarde, Mercury, Dubrava, Robin) and Solos F1 hybrid. A maximum potential difference of 430 mV was observed for the Mercury variety, and a minimum potential difference of 352 mV was determined for the Chinese curly variety. Analysis of measurements taken including morphometric, biochemical and photosynthetic characteristics in addition to electrical parameters revealed that the Ballet lettuce variety showed the best parameters among other lettuce varieties under study. It is evident based on the data obtained that it is possible to create agrophytocenoses that include plants capable of high and stable electricity generation along with high productivity and good quality of the resulting plant products due to the effective absorption and conversion of light energy.
Fluctuation Dielectric Fourier Spectrometer and Rapid Evaluation of Blood Cell Characteristics
Authors: Kovalev A. V , Grinstein Yu. I , Maltseva A. N , Krukova O. V , Soukhovolsky V. G
Published: June 2024

A method for determining a state of formed elements from dielectric properties is considered. A design of a fluctuation dielectric Fourier spectrometer is presented which offers the possibility of estimating the distribution of blood cells according to the state of membranes. To demonstrate this method, experiments on the assessment of the functional state of patients with coronary heart disease and experiments on the effect of Ehrlich ascites carcinoma in laboratory mice are described. It has been shown that using the proposed spectrometer, it is possible to obtain rapid assessments of changes in blood characteristics in diseases and to reveal dynamics of pathological processes in animals after infection.
Effects of the Pulsating Flow of Cerebrospinal Fluid on Spinal Pathologies
Authors: Zverev A. G , Tokarev Yu. N
Published: June 2024

Based on cerebrospinal fluid flow dynamic parameters, an original formula for assessing pathology of the spinal motion segments of the vertebra is given. In this paper, graphs are used to clearly show changes in pathology depending on the depth of trauma. The data collected can be useful for computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging technicians, who still describe pathology in a simple way.