bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Knowledge, attitude and perception towards COVID-19 among representative educated sub-Saharan Africans: A cross-sectional study during the exponential phase of the pandemic
Authors: Udoakang Aniefiok John , Nganyewo Nora Nghochuzie , Djomkam Zune Alexandra Lindsey , Olwal Charles Ochieng’ , Etim Nsikak-Abasi Aniefiok , Oboh Mary Aigbiremo , Tapela Kesego , Dzabeng Francis , Adadey Samuel Mawuli , Udoh Agnes , Koné Mazo , Mutungi Joe Kimanthi , Quashie Peter Kojo , Awandare Gordon Akanzuwine , Paemka Lily
Published: February 2024

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, caused by the Severe Acute Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), is a global health threat with extensive misinformation and conspiracy theories. Therefore, this study investigated the knowledge, attitude and perception of sub-Saharan Africans (SSA) on COVID-19 during the exponential phase of the pandemic. In this cross-sectional survey, self-administered web-based questionnaires were distributed through several online platforms. A total of 1046 respondents from 35 SSA countries completed the survey. The median age was 33 years (18–76 years) and about half (50.5%) of them were males. More than 40% across all socio-demographic categories except the Central African region (21.2%), vocational/secondary education (28.6%), student/unemployed (35.5%), had high COVID-19 knowledge score. Socio-demographic factors and access to information were associated with COVID-19 knowledge. Bivariate analysis revealed that independent variables, including the region of origin, age, gender, education and occupation, were significantly (p < 0.05) associated with COVID-19 knowledge. Multivariate analysis showed that residing in East (odds ratio [OR]: 7.9, 95% confidence interval (CI): 4.7–14, p<0.001), Southern (OR: 3.7, 95% CI: 2.1–6.5, p<0.001) and West (OR: 3.9, 95% CI: 2.9–5.2, p<0.001) Africa was associated with high COVID-19 knowledge level. Apart from East Africa (54.7%), willingness for vaccine acceptance across the other SSA regions was <40%. About 52%, across all socio-demographic categories, were undecided. Knowledge level, region of origin, age, gender, marital status and religion were significantly (p < 0.05) associated with COVID-19 vaccine acceptance. About 67.4% were worried about contracting SARS-CoV-2, while 65.9% indicated they would consult a health professional if exposed. More than one-third of the respondents reported that their governments had taken prompt measures to tackle the pandemic. Despite high COVID-19 knowledge in our study population, most participants were still undecided regarding vaccination, which is critical in eliminating the pandemic. Therefore, extensive, accurate, dynamic and timely education in this aspect is of ultimate priority.
Association of ideal cardiovascular health metrics with incident low estimated glomerular filtration rate: More than a decade follow-up in the Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study (TLGS)
Authors: Alizadeh Fatemeh , Tohidi Maryam , Hasheminia Mitra , Hosseini-Esfahani Firoozeh , Azizi Fereidoun , Hadaegh Farzad
Published: February 2024

Aims

To evaluate the association between ideal cardiovascular health metrics (ICVHM) and incident low estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) among the Iranian population.

Methods

The study population included 6927 Iranian adults aged 20–65 years (2942 male) without prevalent low eGFR [i.e., eGFR < 60 ml/min/1.73 m2] and free of cardiovascular disease. The ICVHM was defined according to the 2010 American Heart Association. The multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression analysis was used to calculate the hazard ratios (HRs) of ICVHM both as continuous and categorical variables.

Results

Over the median of 12.1 years of follow-up, we found 1259 incident cases of low eGFR among the study population. In this population, ideal and intermediate categories of body mass index (BMI) and blood pressure (BP) and only the ideal category of fasting plasma glucose (FPG) significantly decreased the risk of developing low eGFR; the corresponding HRs and (95% confidence intervals) were (0.87, 0.77–0.99), (0.84, 0.76–0.99), (0.79, 0.68–0.93), (0.70, 0.60–0.83) and (0.76, 0.64–0.91). Also, one additional ICVHM was associated with a reduced risk of low eGFR for the global (0.92, 0.88–0.97) and biological cardiovascular health (0.88, 0.82–0.93) in these participants. A sensitivity analysis using the interval-censoring approach demonstrated that our method is robust, and results remained essentially unchanged. In a subgroup population with dietary data (n = 2285), we did not find the beneficial impact of having intermediate/ideal categories of nutrition status compared to its poor one on incident low eGFR.

Conclusion

We found a strong inverse association between having higher global ICVHM with incident low eGFR among the non-elderly Iranian population; the issue is mainly attributable to normal BP, BMI, and FPG levels.
Spatial summation of pain is associated with pain expectations: Results from a home-based paradigm
Authors: Nastaj Jakub , Skalski Jacek , Budzisz Aleksandra , Szikszay Tibor M. , Swoboda Sylwia , Kowalska Weronika , Nowak Daria , Zbroja Edyta , Kruszyna Natalia , Jakubińska Marta , Grygny Dominika , Polczyk Romuald , Małecki Andrzej , Luedtke Kerstin , Adamczyk Wacław M.
Published: February 2024

The purpose of this study was to reproduce the previously observed spatial summation of pain effect (SSp) using non-laboratory procedures and commercial equipment. An additional aim was to explore the association between expectations and SSp. The Cold Pressor Task (CPT) was used to induce SSp. Healthy participants (N = 68) immersed their non-dominant hands (divided into 5 segments) into cold water (CPT). Two conditions were used 1) gradual hand immersion (ascending condition) and 2) gradual hand withdrawal (descending condition). Pain intensity was measured on a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). Psychological factors, such as the participants’ expectations of pain intensity were also measured on a VAS. Results showed significant SSp (χ2(4) = 116.90, p < 0.001), reproduced with non-laboratory equipment in a home-based set-up. Furthermore, two novel findings were observed: i) there was a significant correlation between expectations and perceived pain, indicating a link between pain expectations and SSp, ii) spatial summation increased with the increase in duration exposure to the noxious stimulus (Wald χ2(8) = 80.80, p < 0.001). This study suggests that SSp is associated with pain expectations and can be formed by a mixture of excitatory and inhibitory mechanisms potentially driven by temporal characteristics of neural excitation. Moreover, this study proposes a new feasible way to induce SSp using a home-based set-up.
Supplement usage and doping attitudes in elite youth sports: The mediating role of dietary supplement acceptance
Authors: Kristensen Jan Åge , Haugen Tommy , Ommundsen Yngvar
Published: February 2024

This study investigated whether dietary supplement acceptance mediated the relationship between supplement use and doping attitudes in youth sports. To this end, we employed a two-wave half-longitudinal design during a sports season (time point one [T1] to time point two [T2]). The sample consisted of 217 elite youth athletes (47% male; mean age = 16.98 years, standard deviation = 0.88) who competed in team sports (43%; N = 93; basketball, floorball, handball, and ice hockey) and individual sports (57%; N = 124; alpine skiing, biathlon, cross-country skiing, swimming, and tennis). The participants were recruited from eight Norwegian sports academy high schools that provide extracurricular, higher-level training and specialization for youth athletes. Results from structural equation modeling analysis indicated that dietary supplement acceptance (T2) mediated the positive relationship between supplement use (T1) and doping attitudes (T2) when accounting for prior levels of the mediator and the outcome variable. These findings suggest that when young athletes used dietary supplements at the start of the season to improve their performance, they were more likely to view the use of supplements as acceptable and to report more favorable attitudes toward doping at the end of the season six months later. For those seeking to prevent doping in youth sports, targeting athletes’ views on the acceptable use of dietary supplements may be important.
Understanding spatiotemporal patterns of COVID-19 incidence in Portugal: A functional data analysis from August 2020 to March 2022
Authors: Ribeiro Manuel , Azevedo Leonardo , Santos André Peralta , Pinto Leite Pedro , Pereira Maria João
Published: February 2024

During the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, governments and public health authorities collected massive amounts of data on daily confirmed positive cases and incidence rates. These data sets provide relevant information to develop a scientific understanding of the pandemic’s spatiotemporal dynamics. At the same time, there is a lack of comprehensive approaches to describe and classify patterns underlying the dynamics of COVID-19 incidence across regions over time. This seriously constrains the potential benefits for public health authorities to understand spatiotemporal patterns of disease incidence that would allow for better risk communication strategies and improved assessment of mitigation policies efficacy. Within this context, we propose an exploratory statistical tool that combines functional data analysis with unsupervised learning algorithms to extract meaningful information about the main spatiotemporal patterns underlying COVID-19 incidence on mainland Portugal. We focus on the timeframe spanning from August 2020 to March 2022, considering data at the municipality level. First, we describe the temporal evolution of confirmed daily COVID-19 cases by municipality as a function of time, and outline the main temporal patterns of variability using a functional principal component analysis. Then, municipalities are classified according to their spatiotemporal similarities through hierarchical clustering adapted to spatially correlated functional data. Our findings reveal disparities in disease dynamics between northern and coastal municipalities versus those in the southern and hinterland. We also distinguish effects occurring during the 2020–2021 period from those in the 2021–2022 autumn-winter seasons. The results provide proof-of-concept that the proposed approach can be used to detect the main spatiotemporal patterns of disease incidence. The novel approach expands and enhances existing exploratory tools for spatiotemporal analysis of public health data.
Intolerance of uncertainty and mental health in China “Post-pandemic” age: The mediating role of difficulties in emotion regulation
Authors: Gao Zi-Hao , Li Jun
Published: February 2024

The Chinese government adjusted its national epidemic prevention and control policy in December 2022 after the worldwide declaration of COVID-19 as a common influenza. After the policy adjustment, there has been widespread infection in China, which has brought a lot of uncertainty to the lives and studies of Chinese university students. This study focused on the impact of the intolerance of uncertainty for COVID-19 (IUC) on the emotional and mental health of college students in China “Post-pandemic” age. This study examined the mediating role of difficulties in emotion regulation (DER) between IUC and mental health (MH). 1,281 university students in China were surveyed using the intolerance of uncertainty for COVID-19 scale, the difficulties in emotion regulation scale and the mental health scale. A structural equation model was used to test the hypothesis model, and it was shown that IUC had a significant negative effect on the MH of college students and a significant positive effect on the DER. DER had a significant negative effect on the MH, and DER had a complete mediation effect between IUC and MH. The findings of this study enrich our understanding of the influencing factors of mental health of university students under the background of post-epidemic in China, and provide practical reference for universities on how to prevent mental health problems under the current uncertain environment in China.
Influenza A virus resistance to 4’-fluorouridine coincides with viral attenuation in vitro and in vivo
Authors: Lieber Carolin M. , Kang Hae-Ji , Aggarwal Megha , Lieberman Nicole A. , Sobolik Elizabeth B. , Yoon Jeong-Joong , Natchus Michael G. , Cox Robert M. , Greninger Alexander L. , Plemper Richard K.
Published: February 2024

Pre-existing or rapidly emerging resistance of influenza viruses to approved antivirals makes the development of novel therapeutics to mitigate seasonal influenza and improve preparedness against future influenza pandemics an urgent priority. We have recently identified the chain-terminating broad-spectrum nucleoside analog clinical candidate 4’-fluorouridine (4’-FlU) and demonstrated oral efficacy against seasonal, pandemic, and highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses in the mouse and ferret model. Here, we have resistance-profiled 4’-FlU against a pandemic A/CA/07/2009 (H1N1) (CA09). In vitro viral adaptation yielded six independently generated escape lineages with distinct mutations that mediated moderate resistance to 4’-FlU in the genetically controlled background of recombinant CA09 (recCA09). Mutations adhered to three distinct structural clusters that are all predicted to affect the geometry of the active site of the viral RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRP) complex for phosphodiester bond formation. Escape could be achieved through an individual causal mutation, a combination of mutations acting additively, or mutations functioning synergistically. Fitness of all resistant variants was impaired in cell culture, and all were attenuated in the mouse model. Oral 4’-FlU administered at lowest-efficacious (2 mg/kg) or elevated (10 mg/kg) dose overcame moderate resistance when mice were inoculated with 10 LD50 units of parental or resistant recCA09, demonstrated by significantly reduced virus load and complete survival. In the ferret model, invasion of the lower respiratory tract by variants representing four adaptation lineages was impaired. Resistant variants were either transmission-incompetent, or spread to untreated sentinels was fully blocked by therapeutic treatment of source animals with 4’-FlU.
participación en la preservación de videoarte
Authors: Fernández Valdés Paula
Published: February 2024

A lo largo de su historia, el videoarte ha sido empleado habitualmente como un arma artística contra las injusticias sociales y la desigualdad. Por su carácter experimental y tecnológico, este carácter activista se ve continuamente limitado por los procesos de obsolescencia, el mayor desafío en la preservación de estas obras. El presente artículo propone un entendimiento del videoarte como un artefacto de carácter proliferativo, que permite centrar las estrategias de conservación en el acceso. En este marco de actuación, los espacios online se presentan como recursos de especial interés por su carácter accesible, que posibilita la difusión y reactivación de las reivindicaciones sociales transmitidas en las obras de video. ¿Es posible diseñar prácticas participativas efectivas en el entorno institucional? Y, simultáneamente, ¿cómo debemos transformar las colecciones y prácticas institucionales para garantizar esta horizontalidad? A través del concepto de postmuseo se realiza una propuesta en relación con las posibilidades, límites y efectos de la participación de agentes no profesionalizados en los procesos de preservación.
conservación del material audiovisual
Authors: Moral Ruiz Carmen , Arenas Patiño Mireya
Published: February 2024

Dentro de las manifestaciones artísticas contemporáneas encontramos las relativas a los nuevos medios, en concreto, esta aportación se centra en aquellas en las que se realiza la inclusión de material audiovisual de carácter experimental. Estas manifestaciones son complejas en cuanto a su conservación debido a la diversidad de los elementos que pueden componerlas, así como en lo relativo a la obsolescencia de los equipos que sirven de estructura a estas. Sus posibilidades de conservación pasan por la inclusión de cambios y/o modificaciones que sin transformar su identidad les permita no caer en la obsolescencia. A lo largo de esta aportación se profundiza sobre los conocimientos acerca de la variedad de posibilidades de conservación por los conservadores/as-restauradores/as, unido a la necesidad de diálogo con los y las artistas. Se muestra a través de tres ejemplos concretos con diversas casuísticas de conservación, que corroboran la naturaleza cambiante de estas manifestaciones y la variación en la teoría tradicional de conservación por parte de los futuros y futuras especialistas en conservación-restauración.
Metodologías y modelos conceptuales de creación artística con medios digitales
Authors: Vertedor-Romero José-Antonio
Published: February 2024

Este artículo explora la creación artística desde un punto de vista contemporáneo desde las nuevas aportaciones al ámbito del arte de medios digitales como pueden ser la inteligencia artificial y los lenguajes de programación visual. Entendemos la IA como un recurso creativo en auge que en la actualidad se encuentra a disposición de cualquier persona con acceso a dispositivos digitales. Esto nos permite introducirnos y aprovechar las posibilidades que ofrecen los procesos de Deep Learning o de Machine Learning a nivel artístico. Se presenta un estudio de caso de la obra de arte generativo, titulada Expaña en Fascículos en la que se ponen de manifiesto conceptos como la teoría de sistemas y la creación global desde un entorno local a partir de la estética del remix. El creciente número de obras que utilizan estas técnicas abren la pregunta al tipo de metodologías que empiezan a ser requeridas en el ámbito de la creación artística.
Vídeo experimental y procesos creativos con inteligencia artificial
Authors: Sarzi-Ribeiro Regilene , Sedeño-Valdellós Ana
Published: February 2024

La inteligencia artificial (artificial intelligence, AI) ha revolucionado muchos ámbitos sociales y humanos, pero la creación audiovisual supone un aspecto central en la reflexión sobre sus potencialidades. El trabajo enfoca algunas transformaciones que sufre el proceso creativo en el videoarte o video experimental, a través de algunas obras, con las que se puede reflexionar sobre las dimensiones estéticas, la temporalidad, la relación entre sonido e imagen y la efímera constitución de la audiovisualidad. El trabajo realiza un estudio exploratorio sobre el tema con una metodología de investigación cualitativa, para la interpretación y discusión de las obras-ejemplos del autor Ben Bogart. Las consideraciones finales apuntan a que la AI incluye operaciones artísticas relacionadas con las vanguardias anteriores del media art, como el collage o la apropiación. Todas estas herramientas conllevan numerosas implicaciones éticas y posicionamientos del artista, así como posibilidades para subvertir lógicas creativas.
Movilizaciones de la mirada
Authors: Lorente Bilbao José Ignacio
Published: February 2024

Las relaciones entre el cine y la danza se han establecido tradicionalmente sobre el presupuesto de la representación, consistente en la puesta en escena del cuerpo en movimiento (Branningan 2010; Rosenberg 2012). Sin embargo, el cine no es solo una forma de representación, sino «una forma que piensa y un pensamiento que forma» (Godard 1998), un modo de articular mediante la expresión fílmica un pensamiento que reconstruye el cuerpo en movimiento como objeto imaginario de la danza, y como un gesto que se establece entre la forma de mirar, de pensar y de resultar afectados por las imágenes (Didi-Huberman 2023). Coreografiar la mirada consiste precisamente en la realización de ese gesto que se despliega, como un pas de deux, entre la imagen y el espectador a través de la movilización de la mirada, un gesto fílmico insistentemente explorado por un nutrido grupo de coreógrafos y coreógrafas en el campo expandido de la danza.
La obra periodística de José Joaquín de Mora y el liberalismo económico en el sexenio absolutista y el Trienio Liberal
Authors: Astigarraga Jesús , Usoz Otal Javier , Zabalza Juan
Published: February 2024

El literato y periodista José Joaquín de Mora fue uno de los grandes divulgadores en castellano de la economía política en la primera mitad del siglo XIX. Aunque diversas facetas de su labor resultan ya conocidas, este no es el caso de su obra periodística sobre economía política publicada durante el sexenio absolutista (1814-1820) y el Trienio Liberal (1820-823). En este trabajo se realiza una reconstrucción íntegra de esa labor a lo largo de ese período, cuando Mora pasó de subsistir en los intersticios del absolutismo fernandino, sin ser parte de él, a participar en el liberalismo radical del Trienio. Su interés por la economía política, que se hizo expreso en la mayoría de las iniciativas periodísticas en las que estuvo implicado, pone de relieve que fue firme seguidor de los principios de la economía clásica —el librecambio incluido—, resaltando su deuda intelectual con dos grandes nombres: Say y Bentham.
Radicalismo y pacifismo católico en Estados Unidos: “Catholic Worker” 1936-1948
Authors: Bosch Sánchez Aurora
Published: February 2024

En el contexto de un catolicismo estadounidense caracterizado por el patriotismo y el anticomunismo de clase obrera, Catholic Worker apareció en 1933 como un movimiento radical definido por su atención a la pobreza urbana, los trabajadores más precarios y el pacifismo. El artículo analiza la evolución de este pacifismo, que sería el origen del pacifismo católico, entre 1933 y 1948. Ante la Guerra Civil Española Catholic Worker rechazó apoyar “la cruzada” de Franco, pero por oposición a todas las guerras estaba de acuerdo con la política de neutralidad estricta y embargo legal de Roosevelt; mientas que en la Segunda Guerra Mundial el pacifismo radical de Catholic Worker se opuso al reclutamiento y a la intervención de Estados Unidos en la guerra, rechazando también en la posguerra la gestación de la Guerra Fría y el anticomunismo.
La importancia de la educación universitaria sobre la biodiversidad de Colombia: perspectivas desde la docencia y el desarrollo sostenible
Authors: Castillo Figueroa Dennis
Published: February 2024

Colombia es uno de los países con mayor diversidad biológica del planeta. Sin embargo, diferentes presiones antropogénicas amenazan su biodiversidad y por ende es indispensable concientizar a la sociedad sobre la importancia de su conservación para el bienestar humano. La mayoría de los esfuerzos de educación ambiental se han centrado en poblaciones de niños en escuelas y colegios, pero se han documentado menos experiencias con la población de adultos jóvenes en instituciones de educación superior. En este artículo, se exponen experiencias sobre la importancia de la cátedra “Biodiversidad de Colombia: tras las huellas de la naturaleza” en la Universidad del Rosario, la cual se desarrolló con 91 estudiantes de 21 carreras entre los años 2022 y 2023. Se realizaron cuestionarios que los estudiantes resolvieron voluntariamente para conocer cambios de percepción, aprendizajes y reflexiones acerca de la biodiversidad del país y el cuidado del medio ambiente. La mayor parte de los estudiantes resaltaron la relevancia de la cátedra para reconocer la importancia de la biodiversidad en Colombia, generar concienciación ambiental, comprender mejor el funcionamiento de la naturaleza, así como sus principales amenazas, pero también estimular acciones individuales sostenibles para protegerla. Si bien la cátedra evidencia una amplia aceptación por parte de los estudiantes debido a la metodología implementada, algunos aspectos relacionados con el aprendizaje experiencial pueden mejorar su enseñanza. Por último, se discuten algunos retos para tener en cuenta, desde la perspectiva del docente, los cuales pueden incrementar el impacto en la población estudiantil universitaria, ya que estos futuros profesionales son la generación más inmediata que tendrá que afrontar las grandes problemáticas ambientales del país.
Simuliids from Madrid Autonomous Region (Spain): update and new contributions
Authors: López-Peña David , Kúdela Matúš , Kúdelová Tatiana , Falcó-Garí José Vicente
Published: February 2024

Simuliidae family in Spain has been studied irregularly: some enclaves have been widely investigated by both national and foreign experts, while others have been merely mentioned or addressed indirectly for various reasons. The Madrid Region in Spain has been recurrently investigated in this respect, yet many geographical areas remain to be studied regarding Simuliidae taxonomy, geographical distribution, and ecology. In this study, a thorough sampling was conducted based on searching for preimaginal stages of larva and pupa attached or fixed to any suitable support in different lotic water systems. The latter were chosen for their favourable conditions for hosting new and valuable information. The collected material was identified based on morphological characteristics. A total of 16 species were identified. The following is an update of the simuliid fauna and its altitudinal ranges from Spain’s central geographical area, including seven new records for the Madrid Region: Prosimulium rufipes (Meigen, 1830); Simulium (Nevermannia) naturale Davies, 1966; Simulium (Nevermannia) quasidecolletum Crosskey, 1988; Simulium (Nevermannia) urbanum Davies, 1966; Simulium (Simulium) trifasciatum Curtis, 1839; Simulium (Simulium) maximum (Knoz, 1961); Simulium (Simulium) variegatum Meigen, 1818. Following the update, the species with the narrowest altitudinal distribution were: S. (N.) naturale and S. (N.) urbanum: 1843-1844 meters (m), while Simulium (Nevermannia) cryophilum (Rubtsov, 1959) and Simulium (Simulium) intermedium Roubaud, 1906 presented the widest distribution: 870-2000 m. In this study, S. (N.) naturale and S. (N.) urbanum also displayed the narrowest altitudinal range, with 1 m, whereas S. (N.) cryophilum presented the broadest, with 603 m. The present study contributes to the knowledge of Spanish blackflies generally and from the Madrid Region in particular, providing new insights into the species composition and their altitudinal distribution. It thus lays the foundations for future works.
Understanding Community Capacity for Bottom-up Management of Mount Hakusan UNESCO Biosphere Reserve
Authors: Mammadova Aida , Harada Seira , Azhar Tuba , Phisbien Romain Milesi
Published: February 2024

The aim of the study was to understand the potential of Shiramine villagers for bottom-up administration of Mount Hakusan UNESCO Biosphere Reserve (MHBR). We investigated the various aspects of community capability using data from numerous sources, including interviews, surveys, and published reports. 23 people participated in a survey. Results has showed that the issues such as depopulation (35%), accessibility problems (especially for the elderly), difficulties with tourism, and the effects of school and municipal mergers were the biggest concern for the locals. However, the biggest values of Shiramine was rated as interpersonal interactions (56%), followed by the environment and traditional culture. Most of the residents expressed the high level of happiness by living inside the community (87%), which was related to the strong community bonds and natural surroundings.

The survey showed the presence of a variety of jobs, such as farmers, students, freelancers, housewives, and people working in administrative and governmental positions. These results showed a wide range of community involvement and the possibility of utilizing this diversity to boost the bottom-up management strategy. For the effective and sustainable management of BR, developing inclusivity and active participation, by using variety of talents and knowledge will play crucial role.

Keywords: Community development, UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, Bottom-Up approach, Regional management, Sustainability
The Role of Family Associations in Promoting Empowerment of Divorced Women for Sustainable Community Development: A Case Study from Ha’il
Authors: Alanazi Abdullah A. , Ahmed Ahmed A. , Helal Ibrahim E.
Published: February 2024

The current research determined the role of family development associations in reducing the phenomenon of divorce in Ha'il. The current research was an analytical descriptive social survey. Data was collected through a questionnaire applied to a sample of (98) participants who were frequent visitors to the family development associations in Ha'il. The research concluded that the role of family development associations was average in qualifying those about to get married, treating the problems of the newlyweds, and   satisfying social, psychological, economic and legal needs of divorcees. Results, also, revealed that the role of family development associations in satisfying the social needs of divorced women ranked first compared to other roles 

Keywords: Roles - Family development associations - Family development – Divorce
Trends and Focuses for ESG Investment Support: A Cross Country Comparative Analysis
Authors: Gernego Iuliia , Petrenko Liudmyla , Lavrynenko Valentyna , Dyba Mykhailo
Published: February 2024

Currently, the modern society faces a measure of challenges, connected with the lack of balance between the economic and social development issue. This has caused the growing recognition of sustainable and responsible practices within the financial decisions making process, providing a measure of transformations of both financial and business landscape, contributing to a more equitable and environmentally conscious society. The modern researches in finance are significantly influenced by the increasing demand for ESG, the strengthening of ESG principles implementation in wealth and assets management. According to PwC researches, the ESG-oriented assets under management market in Europe is already about 172 % in compartment with 2021 year, the forecasted increase till 2026 year will be nearly 50 % comparing to the current volume. Thereby, there is an urgent need to summarize the theoretical descriptions of ESG investing along with the current trends of particular ESG components transformation along with the considering analytical research on trends and focuses for ESG investing’s support. The current research problem lays in the highlighting the functionality of ESG-oriented activity and its investment attractiveness trough the overview of theoretical definitions of ESG, comparing with the Trends and focuses for ESG investing’s support within the representative sampling on countries from the World Bank’s databases. The study is focused on the detailed analysis of separate indicators within a group of ten different countries. “Agricultural land”, “Electricity production from coal sources” and “CO2 emissions” indicators are analyzed within the environmental component. The social component of ESG is represented by the “Government expenditure on education” and “Individuals using the Internet” indicators. The “Regulatory Quality”, “Rule of Law” and “Voice and Accountability” indicators are considered as a part of governmental component. The chosen countries (Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Japan, Norway, Poland, Ukraine, United Kingdom and the United States of America) represent deferent environment and approaches to ESG management and its investment support. The current research aims to represent the possibility to balance the ESG components, creating synergetic effect in case of their combinations. In particular, the attention is paid to the instruments of monetary and fiscal policy to balance ESG in the COVID-19 time. The elaboration of possible scenarios of ESG’s components balancing is possible in case of implementation of systematic measures to monitor debt sustainability and increase the transparency of banking institutions' balance sheets along with the developing the targeted measures to maintain an adequate level of liquidity and solvency of national economies, and coordination of national strategies and policies 

Keywords: sustainable development, sustainable finance, ESG investing, social-responsible business
Sustainable Digital Evolution: Transforming the Ukrainian Customs Service
Authors: Ishchuk Mykhailo , Ishchuk Olena , Khrypko Svitlana , Shnitser Mariia , Vasylchukù Tetyana , Syhyda Halyna , Hotsalyuk Alla
Published: February 2024

The evolving landscape of information technologies has spurred a profound digital revolution across cultural, societal, organizational, and governmental domains. This article examines the transformative impact of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) and electronic systems within Ukrainian customs operations and their broader societal implications. At the core of this exploration lies the pivotal role of ICT integration in modernizing the Ukrainian Customs Service amidst global challenges, exemplified by the COVID-19 pandemic. The study assesses the benefits, challenges, and implications of “electronic customs” and IT-driven reforms, focusing on the three pillars of sustainability, customs operations, and digital culture. Objectives encompass an evaluation of ICT’s significance in enhancing border management efficiency, addressing challenges, and leveraging opportunities through technology-driven customs initiatives. Synthesizing academic publications and governmental reports, the article provides comprehensive insights into the transformative potential of technology in customs management. Notably, the implementation of anti-corruption measures, particularly through the Single Window system, emerges as a successful endeavor in curbing malpractices while streamlining customs procedures. However, challenges persist, including swift adoption, cyber fraud risks, and systemic issues within customs authorities, necessitating phased implementation and continuous improvement. Ethical reflections on technology integration into governance mechanisms, educational reforms, and inclusivity discussions underscore the broader societal and philosophical shifts catalyzed by electronic customs. This sustainable digital evolution emphasizes ongoing ethical considerations to navigate the evolving role of technology in shaping governance, societal integration, sustainable customs operations, and the inherent alignment of digital technologies with the key objectives of sustainable development.

Keywords: customs operations, digital culture, sustainable development, Single Window, cybersecurity, Information and Communication Technology, societal impact, ethical framework, cultural shifts
Innovative Customs System and its Impact on the Sustainability of the Transit Potential
Authors: Abuselidze George , Meladze Aleko
Published: February 2024

Georgia, due to its geopolitical location, has the potential to become a transit hub connecting the West and the East, the North and the South, which will bring the country the greatest economic benefits and give it a significant political advantage on the international scale. In such conditions, the use of innovative tools of the customs system focused on stimulating financial and economic development is vital. Today's existing customs system cannot fully ensure the effective use of the country's potential, because cargo turnover carried out by road, rail, sea transport, and pipelines is not characterized by a significant growth trend. The paper proposes a model of an innovative customs system that ensures the growth of economic income for the country, which is mainly based on the growth of the country's transit potential and its effective use.

 Keywords: innovative customs system, transit potential, transit attraction, economic income, economic effect
Methodology and Engineering of a Sustainable Market Model
Authors: Lohosha Roman , Krychkovskyi Vadim , Moroz Yevheniia , Kolesnyk Tetiana , Vakar Tetiana
Published: February 2024

The article presents the authors’ approach to the methodology (logic of cognition) of the market, the process of modelling a representative market with the proof of the possibility of appropriate management of the market state. The study was tested on the example of Ukraine’s vegetable market according to the development trends of the last 30 years. The functional model of the market was considered by the set of its functional factors and the possibility to identify market efficiency. It is substantiated that regulations should be considered through manipulation of a set of indicators and restrictions, which allows reducing market management to an essentially engineering task, the feasibility of which is determined by the dynamics of increase in the effects of market functioning.

Keywords:  market, market model, market functionality, market efficiency, market management
Energy Integration and Regional Development: A Comparative Analysis
Authors: Yilmaz Serafettin , Zhang Chaoying
Published: February 2024

This study presents a cross-regional analysis with the aim of understanding the dynamics between energy-integration and regional development. It draws on the premise that cooperative relationship in energy has a positive impact on the regionalization process.  For this end, the paper examines renewable energy-based electricity grid interconnectivity in Europe, Southeast Asia and Northeast Asia through a study on their level of energy interconnection, platform sharing, market and policy integration, and institutionalization and formalization. The aim of this study is to illuminate the nexus between energy integration and regional development.

Keywords: Energy Interconnectivity; Electricity Grid; Regional Development; Europe; Southeast Asia: Northeast Asia
Self-Development as a Vector of Sustainable Development of Society: The Perspective of Ukrainian Students
Authors: Stoliarchuk Olesia , Serhieienkova Oksana , Khrypko Svitlana , Prorok Natalia , Kalishchuk Svitlana , Kolinko Marina , Binkivska Kristina
Published: February 2024

The discrepancy between one's own personality and the desired self-image causes dissonance. But one can always change everything if one cares not only about one's own “EGO”, but also about the values of a sustainable future. Self-actualization, self-development, self-determination - these are potential determinants of human existence as such. The ideological identity combines the memory of the past, the value realities of the present life, and outlines the vector of respect for the life of future generations, which in turn actualizes the conceptual paradigm of the concept of sustainable development a priori. The implementation of the social component of sustainable societal development involves maintaining and enriching the mental health and psychological well-being of citizens. A powerful internal resource for this is self-development, which is a vector of self-realization, unlocking potential and increasing the resilience of the individual. The aim of the empirical study was to examine the attitudes and activity of future psychologists regarding self-development as a vector for realizing the ideas of the concept of sustainable societal development. Materials and methods: The study involved 156 Ukrainian students studying psychology. Methods of written surveys, statistical processing and qualitative analysis of diagnostic data, ranking were used. Results: It was found that self-development is an important factor in the professional development success of future psychologists, an effective motive for their learning and a significant professional priority. Most respondents clearly understand the connection between their own self-development and the sustainable development of Ukrainian society. 

Keywords: self-development, sustainable societal development, social component of sustainable societal development, students, future psychologists, professional training
Apontamentos sobre a racionalidade tecnológica e o meio ambiente
Authors: Haydn Amanda , Castilho Gonçalves Mauro , Luiz da Costa Silvio
Published: February 2024

Notes on technological rationality and the environment
Avanços tecnológicos carregam potencial emancipatório e ampliam a vida administrada, a dominação do homem sobre o homem e a destruição da natureza. Diante deste paradoxo, este artigo tem como objetivo refletir os efeitos da ciência e da tecnologia sobre os indivíduos e as condições de sua vida social. Para tanto, visita as contribuições, de um ponto de vista analítico e comparado, de autores clássicos como Freud, Marx, Marcuse, Mumford e Milton Santos. Entre os resultados, observa-se que o homem foi incorporado à máquina, em uma racionalidade tecnológica que se expande para toda a vida social. Sentidos de mudança apontam uma racionalidade ambiental e uma tecnologia facilitadora da vida, passíveis de encarar a complexidade dos fenômenos e instaurar uma nova cultura política.
Coleta Seletiva e Educação Ambiental
Authors: Araújo Pires da Luz José Augusto de , Capilé de Souza Bruno Rangel
Published: February 2024

Selective Collection and Environmental Education: the actions of the Associations of Recyclable Material Collectors in Colatina (ES)
A questão do lixo no Brasil é agravante, só no ano de 2022 foram produzidos 81,8 milhões de toneladas de resíduos sólidos. A coleta seletiva (CS) é uma das iniciativas para direcionar os materiais recicláveis de volta para o ciclo produtivo. O objetivo desta pesquisa é analisar os resultados da CS, e suas implicações no contexto da Educação Ambiental (EA), resultante da parceria entre a prefeitura de Colatina (ES) e a Associação de Catadores Colatinense de Materiais Recicláveis (ASCCOR), tendo como fontes os dados dos sistemas nacionais de informações sobre Resíduos Sólidos (SINIR) e Saneamento (SNIS), e os documentos institucionais da ASCCOR. A parceria resultou no aumento da CS e das ações de Educação Ambiental por parte da associação.
Artesanías de la existencia: Corazonando la academia y la vida desde el tejido con mullo
Authors: Torres-Arévalo Lissette Eliana , Mendes Garcia Narjara
Published: February 2024

O objetivo deste artigo foi problematizar situações relacionadas à tecelagem com miçanga, a fim de apresentá-las como uma oportunidade de conectar a academia e a vida (GUERRERO-ARIAS, 2009, 2010, 2018). Alguns dados foram gerados através de entrevistas semiestruturadas, com mulheres do Saraguro, do sul do Equador e foram analisados por meio da Teoria Fundamentada (CHARMAZ, 2009). Entre as principais conclusões, destaquei o fato de pensar na afetividade como parte significativa do conhecimento, principalmente quando está relacionada a diferentes formas de sentir a vida e que pode ser pensada a partir da academia. Também, destaquei a importância de dar significado ao lugar e entender as subjetividades sentidas nas diferentes realidades que nos cercam.
Gestão de Lixo Eletrônico em Moçambique
Authors: Ofiço Joao Filipe , De Oliveira Manuel Joaquim Silva , Tivana Antonio Bozobozo
Published: February 2024

Electronic Waste Management in Mozambique: Case Study - Matola Gare Neighborhood
Este artigo  visa apresentar os impactos do descarte inadequado do lixo eletrônico e propor uma forma de gestão sustentável do lixo eletrônico para o bairro de Matola Gare, localizado em Moçambique. Os equipamentos eletrônicos são descartados diariamente de forma inadequada, muitas vezes devido à falta de conhecimento sobre os malefícios que podem causar à saúde humana e ao meio ambiente. A pesquisa adotará uma abordagem qualitativa, enfatiza-se a necessidade de estratégias sustentáveis para lidar com esse problema ambiental. Entre  os  principais  resultados, os moradores do bairro da Matola Gare possuem um baixo nível de conscientização sobre os prejuízos do descarte inadequado de lixo eletrônico. Há poucos contêiner para o depósito do lixo, e eles estão distantes uns dos outros, sendo essa a razão pela qual muitos residentes optam por enterrar o lixo.
Detection Of Sm Gene Resistance To Gray Leaf Spot In (Stemphylium Spp.) Tomato Cultivars Iraq
Authors: Al Rufaye Zeina Thamer Abd ULHussein , AL Sheikh Warqaa Muhammed Shariff , Ghaleb Intisar  Kadhum
Published: February 2024

Abstract
Gray leaf spot, Occurs due to Stemphylium spp., is a foliar disease in tomato. The Resistance against gray leaf spot disease is conferred by a single incompletely dominant gene Sm located on chromosome 11. This study aimed to identify cultivar resistant alleles or susceptible alleles by molecular marker tightly linked to the Sm gene and the use of marker-assisted selection inbreeding. In this study, we used eight tomato cultivars Farmed in Iraq. The analysis demonstrated that the co-dominant marker Sm-InDel, which produced 122-bp fragment for resistance in seven genotypes and a 140-bp fragment for susceptible alleles in one genotype, respectively could be utilized in Marker-assisted selection (MAS)for gray leaf spot resistance.
The Sight-Aesthetic Value of the Underwater Landscapes of Lakes in the Context of Exploration Tourism
Authors: Dynowski Piotr , Źróbek-Sokolnik Anna , Czaplicka Marta , Senetra Adam
Published: February 2024

The aim of the study is to identify factors affecting the sight-aesthetic value of the underwater landscapes of lakes for the purposes of exploration tourism. The reason for undertaking this topic is the lack of such studies for inland water bodies. The results will contribute to expanding
and supplementing the knowledge on the assessment of the sight-aesthetic attractiveness of landscapes and fill gaps in knowledge about the underwater landscapes of lakes. The questionnaire survey implemented the direct comparison method described by Kendall (Kendall, M. G. 1970. Rank Correlation
Methods. Charles Griffin and Co: Glasgow, Scotland). According to respondents, animals and submerged anthropogenic elements are the most visually attractive in an aquatic environment The results obtained are the reason for conducting further research and developing the methodology for
the assessment of the sight-aesthetic value of inland bodies of water based on the experience of terrestrial landscape researchers.
A Few-Shot Semi-Supervised Learning Method for Remote Sensing Image Scene Classification
Authors: Zhu Yuxuan , Li Erzhu , Su Zhigang , Liu Wei , Samat Alim , Liu Yu
Published: February 2024

Few-shot scene classification methods aim to obtain classification discriminative ability from few labeled samples and has recently seen substantial advancements. However, the current few-shot learning approaches still suffer from overfitting due to the scarcity of labeled samples.
To this end, a few-shot semi-supervised method is proposed to address this issue. Specifically, semi-supervised learning method is used to increase target domain samples; then we train multiple classification models using the augmented samples. Finally, we perform decision fusion of the results
obtained from the multiple models to accomplish the image classification task. According to the experiments conducted on two real few-shot remote sensing scene datasets, our proposed method achieves significantly higher accuracy (approximately 1.70% to 4.33%) compared to existing counterparts.