bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
EU Economic Strategy in Central Asia: Role of France
Authors: Klinova M. , Kondratyev M. , Kharitonova E.
Published: October 2024

The article examines the strategy of France and the EU in Central Asia (CA) aimed at strengthening economic (including trade and investment) positions, primarily in the key countries of the region (Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan) against the background of geopolitical turbulence. Based on strategic documents of the European Union, conclusions are drawn about the increasing importance of the Central Asian region for the EU, as well as about the evolution of EU-Central Asia relations towards a more institutionalised dialogue, which, in particular, is demonstrated by the adoption of the ‘Joint Roadmap for Deepening Ties between the EU and Central Asia’ in 2023. Special attention is paid to the structure of trade and investment relations between the Central Asian states and the EU and France, the analysis of which also demonstrates an increasing mutual interest in cooperation. The article emphasizes the use of trade with Central Asia by the EU and France as a tool for diversifying imports of critical raw materials. The article also considers the directions of the investment strategy of European countries, mainly aimed at the development of transport corridors through the territory of Central Asian countries in the region as a whole and the strategy of French companies in Central Asia, especially in the energy sector. A growing interest in investing in the nuclear industry of Kazakhstan, the largest uranium producer in the world, against the backdrop of France’s declining influence in Africa, is highlighted. The authors explain Kazakhstan’s motivation in expanding cooperation in this area, which consists in the interest in obtaining French technologies for nuclear power plants. The activities of companies such as EDF and Orano, as well as TotalEnergies, which is developing renewable energy sources in the country, are cited as examples. France and the EU, by soft power and economic instruments strive to become a counterweight to the influence of Russia and China in the Region.
Multipolar World in the Political and Expert Discourse of Mexico the Present Stage
Authors: Konovalova K. , Kheifets V.
Published: October 2024

The article examines the ways the concept of a multipolar world is appealed to by politicians, diplomats, and international relations researchers in Mexico under the administration of Andrés Manuel López Obrador. A systematic analysis of Mexico’s foreign policy is used as a methodological basis, which allows to take into consideration global developments, the way the government shapes foreign policy, and the role of the president that influences this process, as well as material and normative factors. The instruments of discourse and content analysis are also applied in the research. The authors consider the features of addressing the semantic code of multipolarity among different groups of policy-makers and analyze the contexts and topics that are associated with it. The research concludes that, although the issue of the formation of a multipolar world is generally relevant for various groups of policy-makers in Mexico, the discourse on multipolarity cannot be considered dominant and lacks a specific strategy for the international positioning of the nation.
The IMEMO Sea Powers’ Rankings 2024. – Moscow: IMEMO, 2024. – 212 pages.
Authors: Polivach A. , Gudev P.
Published: October 2024

This publication is the latest in a series of The IMEMO Sea Powers’ Rankings annual reports. Current issue contains calculations based on statistical data as of the 1st of January 2024. This assessment rests on a system of indexes, developed by Primakov National Research Institute of World Economy and International Relations (IMEMO) for evaluation of the overall maritime potential of nations. The Index of Maritime Might (IMM) is atop this system. The report includes the rankings of the top-100 countries according to their involvement in a variety of maritime activities (military, economic, science etc.). The terms country, power, state and nation as used in this publication do not imply any judgment of the authors or of IMEMO concerning the legal status of any territory or the endorsement or acceptance of particular boundaries. These terms are used for research purposes only, as maritime statistical data for a range of geographically self-contained economic areas are maintained on a separate and independent basis.
Effects of three elicitors on primary metabolism six days after treatment in healthy Vitis vinifera leaves and eight days after treatment in healthy and downy mildew-inoculated leaves
Authors: Corio-Costet Marie-France , Burdziej Aleksandra , Laurens Marie , Bodin Enora , Bellée Anthony , Da Costa Gregory , Le Mao Inès , Cluzet Stéphanie
Published: October 2024

Elicitors can be used to reduce the application of conventional pesticides against grapevine diseases; however, they may disrupt plant primary metabolism. The long-term effects (more than 6 days after treatment) of applying plant defence stimulators (PDS) to protect grapevine from Plasmopara viticola were investigated. We studied the effect of three PDS (acibenzolar-S-methyl/ASM, potassium phosphonate/PHOS, methyl jasmonate/MeJA) and one surfactant (Triton) on gene expression and metabolite production in leaves of Vitis vinifera cv. Cabernet-Sauvignon before or after their inoculation with P. viticola. The molecular and biochemical results show the impact of these PDS on grapevine metabolism more than 6 days after treatment, and after inoculation. High-throughput q-RT-PCR revealed that sixty of the primary metabolism genes (ion homeostasis and hormones pathways) were modulated by all treatments, some modulations being specific to a given PDS. Meanwhile, 1H NMR studies revealed variations in metabolite abundances (amines, amino acids, organic acids, polyphenols and sugars), with some being common to all treatments (organic acid increase) and others specific to a single one. By combining two methodological approaches, it was possible to determine the specific effects of each PDS on Vitis. All PDS-induced resistance involved modulation of the primary metabolism. This innovative approach can be extended to vineyard studies in order to help better understand the variability of PDS effects in natura.
Raio que o parta: uma arquitetura marcante no Pará
Authors: Nadime Alvarenga Froes
Published: October 2024

MIRANDA, Cybelle Salvador; COSTA, Laura Caroline de Carvalho da; CARVALHO, Ronaldo Nonato Marques de. RAIO QUE O PARTA: uma arquitetura marcante no Pará. 1. Ed. São Paulo: Blucher, 2024. 84p. ISBN: 978-65-5550-354-8.
From Observer to Agent: On the Unification of Physics and Intelligence Science
Authors: feng liu , Lv BenFu , Liu Ying
Published: October 2024

Research shows that observers and agents, as key concepts in physics and intelligence science respectively, exhibit profound intrinsic consistency. Based on this understanding, we propose and construct Theory of Universal Intelligent Evolution, known as Omega Theory, which offers an innovative exploration of Theory of Everything (ToE) from the perspective of intelligence science. Within the framework of Omega Theory, this paper unifies the research subjects and dynamic mechanisms of physics and intelligence science, revealing that the intelligence level of the observer is the fundamental source of the differences among classical mechanics, relativity, and quantum mechanics. Furthermore, this paper proposes that core concepts such as subjectivity and objectivity, determinism and uncertainty, as well as time and space, are inherently related to the intelligent state of agents and Universe.Omega Theory consists of three core models: Standard Agent Model, General Model of Agent Evolution, and Intelligent Universe Evolution Model. Standard Agent Model serves as a foundational axiom, defining the unified structure and functional framework of agents, and it is the cornerstone of the theory. Building upon this, we derive General Model of Agent Evolution and Intelligent Universe Evolution Model. Omega Theory posits that the fundamental units of Universe are agents, and that the entire universe is itself an agent. Matter is a special manifestation of agents, and each agent continuously evolves between the states of absolute zero intelligence and omniscience and omnipotence, driven by two intelligent forces that are derived from the theory.To validate this theory, we have designed a thought experiment in the "Experimental Universe 1," where classical mechanics, relativity, and quantum mechanics experiments can be simultaneously conducted. By adjusting the intelligence level of the observer, we observe that different physical theory scenarios emerge in succession as the observer's intelligence level changes.
Topology Optimization of the Bracket Structure in the Acquisition, Pointing, and Tracking System Considering Displacement and Key Point Stress Constraints
Authors: Gao Bo , Yang Hongtao , Chen Weining , Wang Hao
Published: October 2024

The lightweight and displacement-stable design of the mechanical support structure within the APTS (Acquisition, Pointing, and Tracking System) is crucial for enhancing the payload capacity of remote sensing, satellite communication, and laser systems, while still meeting specified functional requirements. This paper adopts the Solid Isotropic Material with Penalization (SIMP) method to investigate the structural topology optimization of the L-shaped bracket in the APTS, aiming to minimize structural compliance while using volume, key point displacement, and maximum stress as constraints. In the optimization model, differences in the topology of the L-shaped bracket structure are explored to minimize structural compliance, which is done under volume, key point displacement, and stress constraints, the results are compared with the initial reinforced structure. The innovative L-shaped bracket structure obtained through topology optimization uses significantly less material than the initial reinforced design, while still meeting the displacement and stress constraints. After smoothing, rounding, and finite element analysis, the displacement and stress performance of the optimized L-shaped bracket structure satisfies the set constraints. The method proposed in this paper offers an innovative solution for the lightweight design of mechanical support structures in APTS, with significant engineering application potential.
Use of Laccase Enzymes as Bio-Receptors for the Organic Dye Methylene Blue in a Surface Plasmon Resonance Biosensor
Authors: Sánchez-Álvarez Araceli , Quintanilla-Villanueva Gabriela Elizabeth , Rodríguez-Quiroz Osvaldo , Rodríguez-Delgado Melissa Marlene , Villarreal-Chiu Juan Francisco , Sicardi-Segade Analía , Luna-Moreno Donato
Published: October 2024

Methylene blue is a cationic organic dye found in wastewater, groundwater, and surface water, due to industrial release in the environment. This emerging pollutant is very persistent and, depending on the doses, can harm human and environmental health. In this work, a Surface Plasmon Resonance Biosensor using a BK7 prism with a coating of 3 nm chromium and 50 nm of gold in the Kretschmann configuration was developed for the detection of methylene blue, using for the first time, laccases immobilized on a gold surface as bio-receptors for this organic dye. The enzyme immobilization through carbodiimide bonds, using EDC/NHS crosslinkers, and allowed to analyze samples with minimal preparation. The method was validated, achieving a LOD of 4.61 mg L-1 and LOQ of 15.37 mg L-1, a working range from 0-100 mg L-1, and a R2=0.9614 in a real-time analysis. A sample of rainwater spiked with methylene blue was analyzed, and a recovery of 122.46 ± 4.41% was obtained.
From Vine to Vintage: NMR Metabolomics of Young and Mature Wine and Grape Ale
Authors: Gerginova Dessislava , Chorbadzhiev Plamen Savov , Simova Svetlana
Published: October 2024

The chemical profiles of young and mature wines produced from three grape varieties Merlot, Mavrud and Sauvignon blanc were analyzed using 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and advanced statistical methods. Moreover, grape ales, a hybrid of beer and wine, were subjected to analysis in order to facilitate a comparison of their composition with that of traditional wines. A total of 37 compounds were identified and quantified, and orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) models were employed to distinguish the chemical profiles of young and mature wines, as well as those of grape ales. The findings demonstrate that the fermentation and aging processes result in the formation of distinctive chemical signatures in wines, with key compounds such as shikimic acid and fructose contributing to this differentiation. The identified compounds comprise seven alcohols (2,3-butanediol, glycerol, isobutanol, isopentanol, myo-inositol, 1-propanol, 2-phenylethanol), six organic acids (galacturonic, citric, lactic, malic, shikimic, succinic), three amino acids (alanine, proline, tyrosine), four sugars (arabinose, fructose, galactose), coutaric acid and acetoin. The levels of these 22 components enabled the successful differentiation of young and mature wines among the three grape varieties. These results highlight significant chemical differences between grape ales and wines, thereby underscoring the potential of grape ales as an innovative fermented beverage.
Novel Frameshift Mutation in ZEB1 in a Family with a Severe Form of Posterior Polymorphous Corneal Dystrophy (PPCD)
Authors: Zwingelberg Sarah Barbara , Velmans Clara , Busse Julian , Becker Martina , Gehle Paul , Mestanoglu Mert , Schilcher Alexandra , Luft Nikolaus , Priglinger Siegfried , Netzer Christian , Bolz Hanno Jörn , Cursiefen Claus
Published: October 2024

Purpose:
Report of a novel genetic variant in a family with an unusual clinical presentation of posterior polymorphous corneal dystrophy (PPCD).

Methods:
Documentation of clinical findings of the anterior and posterior segments using slit lamp analysis and imaging tools (Scheimpflug imaging, optical coherence tomography), along with documentation of best spectacle corrected visual acuity (BSCVA; LogMAR). Next-generation sequencing (NGS) of the genes of interest was performed by the IDTxGen® sytem (Inherited Disease Panel v1.0 and sequencing on an Illumina NextSeq® 500) based on DNA extracted from peripheral blood lymphocytes. Data analysis was performed using the SeqNext module of the SEQUENCE Pilot software (version 5.1.0, JSI Medical Systems). A histological examination of four corneas in both patients (father and son) was carried out by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining.

Results:
A novel heterozygous variant in the ZEB1 gene was identified in a 41-year-old man and his 13-year-old son. The 2-bp duplication in exon 8 results in a frameshift and a premature stop codon (p.(Asp883Argfs*39)), predicted to result in nonsense-mediated decay (NMD) and to lead to functional impairment of the ZEB1 protein. The variant was classified as likely pathogenic applying the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG) criteria. The variant is located in the penultimate 3´base pairs of the ZEB1 gene. The C-terminus of the ZEB1 gene encodes the C2H2-type protein domains of the ZEB1 zinc finger transcription factor protein which are relevant in epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) by mediating the transition between cell lineages. The patients presented with an unusual symmetrical crescent-shaped bullous edema with a temporal focus with retrocorneal snail-track-like changes. Histological examination of all hematoxylin-eosin (HE) stained samples revealed a peripheral multilayer of endothelial cells adjacent to the trabecular meshwork (TMW), along with a central reduction of corneal endothelial cells and a pathological thickening of Descemet's membrane of up to 18.7 m.

Conclusions:
We report a novel variant of dominantly inherited PPCD3. Pathological production of a protein with an effect on the transition between cell lineages could explain the pathogenic epithelial transformation of the corneal endothelium, characterized by snail-track-like retrocorneal changes with a symmetric temporal crescent-shaped corneal edema.
Eosinophil-Basophil/Lymphocyte (EBLR) and Eosino-Phil-Basophil-Platelet/Lymphocyte (EBP/L) Ratios Could Serve as Useful Markers for Assessing the Severity of Wasp Allergic Reactions
Authors: Urbańska Weronika , Szymański Łukasz , Lewicka Aneta , Ciepielak Martyna , Kostrzeńska-Sęk Karolina , Chciałowski Andrzej , Lewicki Sławomir
Published: October 2024

Wasp venom allergy can trigger severe allergic reactions, and predicting these acute responses remains challenging. This study evaluates the utility of immune system indexes, particularly the eosinophil-basophil/lymphocyte (EBLR) and eosinophil-basophil-platelet/lymphocyte (EBP/L) ratios, in assessing the severity of allergic reactions in patients with wasp venom allergy. A total of 61 patients with confirmed wasp venom allergy were categorized according to the Mueller scale, which classifies the severity of allergic reactions. Blood samples were analyzed for total and specific IgE levels, alongside a range of hematological and biochemical parameters. The study found significant differences in the EBLR and EBP/L indexes between patients with mild (Mueller I-II) and severe (Mueller III-IV) allergic reactions, with higher values indicating more severe responses. However, no significant differences were observed in other immune indexes, such as PLR, NLR, SII, and SIRI, or in additional blood parameters. These findings suggest that the EBLR and EBP/L ratios may serve as useful markers for predicting the severity of allergic re-actions in patients with wasp venom allergy. This is the first study to establish such a link, alt-hough further research with larger cohorts is necessary to confirm these results and their poten-tial application in clinical settings.
Carrier Frequency Offset Impact on Ufmc/NUCs Performance: A Dvb-T2 Case Study
Authors: Zannou Sonia , HONFOGA Anne-Carole , Dossou Michel , MOEYAERT Véronique
Published: October 2024

Digital terrestrial television is now implemented in many world wide countries and is
now mature. Digital Video Broadcasting-Terrestrial, second generation (DVB-T2) is the European
standard adopted or deployed by European and African countries which uses Orthogonal Frequency
Division Multiplexing (OFDM) modulation to achieve a good throughput performance. However,
its main particularity is the number of subcarriers operated for OFDM modulation which is high
(up to 32768). Also, mobile reception is planned in DVB-T2 in addition to rooftop antenna and
portable receptions planned in DVB-T. But, the main challenge of DVB-T2 for mobile reception is the
presence of Carrier Frequency Offset (CFO) which degrades the system performance by inducing
an InterCarrier Interference (ICI) on DVB-T2 signal. This paper evaluates the system performance
in the presence of the CFO when Gaussian noise and TU6 channel are applied. Universal Filtered
Multicarrier (UFMC) and Non Uniform Constellations (NUCs) have previously demonstrated good
performances in comparison with OFDM and Quadrature Amplitude Modulation (QAM) in DVB-T2.
The impact of CFO on the UFMC and NUCs based DVB-T2 system is additionally investigated in
this work. The results demonstrate that the penalties induced by CFO insertion in UFMC and NUCs
based DVB-T2 are highly reduced in comparison to those for the native DVB-T2. At a BER of 10−3,
the CFO penalties induced by the native DVB-T2 are respectively 0.96 dB and 4 dB when only AWGN
is used and when TU6 is additionally considered. The penalties are equals to 0.84 dB and 0.2 dB for
UFMC/NUCs based DVB-T2.
A Multi-Dimensional Financial Data Process Mining Method for Conducting Audit
Authors: Lopata Audrius , Gudoniene Daina , Butleris Rimantas , Veitaite Ilona , Rudžionis Vytautas , Gudas Saulius
Published: October 2024

There are different audit methods for analysing operational facts and identifying deficiencies in business process management. However, financial data and transactions indirectly relate to physical objects and their attributes, resulting in distinct characteristics for their analysis and auditing methods. It is important to find new methods for finding a process extraction solution based on the financial audit data space to increase the efficiency of the auditors' work by reducing their time costs and increasing the possibility of detecting financial anomalies in large amounts of financial data. The research presents discussed different financial data space (FDS) methods, and process mining (PM) that include related classifications of financial data and external and internal factors that can influence data behavior (value changes) and the peculiarity of FDS is that it includes not only the characteristics of financial data but also other operational characteristics (events, environmental and internal changes, business location) that may be related to the change in financial objects (FO) values. The authors of the paper discuss the prototypes of specific elements in financial data analysis that were developed using the Process Mining software tool Disco and present the conclusions of the effectiveness of the financial processes cube defined to increase the analytical possibilities of the auditor's work with large amounts of data, introducing more flexible functionality for the analysis of financial activities.
A Systematic Review of Success Factors and Failure Reasons in Enterprise Systems for Executive, Managerial, and Operational Support
Authors: Mankge Frans , Pogiso Kabelo , Ndaba Zethembe , Thango Bonginkosi
Published: October 2024

Enterprise Systems (ES), including Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), Customer Relationship Management (CRM), and Supply Chain Management (SCM), play a critical role in streamlining processes, integrating data, and enhancing decision-making across executive, managerial, and operational levels in organizations. These systems facilitate real-time information flow, improve coordination, and increase efficiency. This systematic review aims to identify the success factors and reasons for failure in the implementation of Enterprise Systems across various organizational levels, drawing from empirical research and case studies. A systematic search of databases such as Google Scholar, Web of Science, and Scopus was conducted. The review examined key factors influencing ES success, including top management support, user involvement, clear objectives, and change management. Failures were linked to misalignment with business goals, insufficient training, and poor communication. Studies were selected based on eligibility criteria, including publication date (within the last 20 years) and relevance to ES implementation. Out of the 64 studies reviewed, 76% focused on Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs), while 12% specifically addressed small businesses. The analysis revealed that 46% of the studies emphasized the role of ES in strategic planning at the executive level, 34% examined ES's impact on managerial performance in SMEs, and 20% explored the alignment of ES with business strategy. The review also found that on-premises solutions dominated ES implementation (67%), followed by cloud-based solutions (33%). Key success factors identified were organizational readiness, strategic alignment with business goals, and user engagement. Common failure causes included insufficient training (35%), lack of organizational readiness (28%), and poor change management (22%). This review provides insights into the critical success factors for ES implementation and common pitfalls. Findings emphasize the need for strategic alignment, comprehensive training, and stakeholder involvement at all organizational levels. These results offer a roadmap for organizations to optimize future ES implementations and ensure long-term sustainability through effective planning and change management.
Analysis of EU’s Coupled Carbon and Electricity Market Development Based on GPT Large Model and Applications in China
Authors: Li Yao , Ni Siyuan , Tang Xi , Xie Sizhe , Wang Peng
Published: October 2024

With increasing global attention on carbon emission control, the carbon market has become an important tool for carbon emission regulation. As an important part of energy trading, the electricity market is closely related to the carbon market. Given the relative maturity of the EU carbon market and electricity market, this paper identifies key points of market volatility through the Coupling coordination model analysis, and uses the GPT large model analysis to analyze policy factors that have a greater impact on carbon market and electricity market transactions. The research results show that market-regulating policies and expectation management policies have the greatest impact on the degree of coupling between the carbon and electricity markets. The impact of secondary policies such as international cooperation policies and structural adjustment policies is relatively insignificant. Although the development of China's carbon market faces many challenges, reasonable policy interventions are expected to achieve significant results in the domestic carbon market. Finally, this paper also draws on analogy analysis to draw corresponding implications for China from the EU's carbon-electricity coupling policy promulgation.
Supply Chain Management for the Engineering Procurement and Construction (EPC) Model: A Review and Bibliometric Analysis
Authors: Huang Jiaxin , Fu Xiaowen , Chen Xiaoxu , Wen Xin
Published: October 2024

China's "Going Out" strategy and the "Belt and Road" initiative have significantly propelled the expansion of overseas contractual engagements, with a pronounced impact in the Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) sector. EPC contracting is increasingly recognized for its superior resource allocation and integration efficiency. Within the EPC framework, procurement is pivotal, exerting a direct influence on project cost, schedule, and quality parameters. This paper argues that the incorporation of supply chain management into the procurement processes of international EPC projects can optimize efficiency and mitigate costs. Through forging collaborative partnerships with suppliers and stakeholders, EPC contractors may realize enhanced project outcomes. While the integration of supply chains has been efficaciously realized in the manufacturing domain, its transposition to the construction industry is nascent and predominantly resides within the ambit of scholarly inquiry. The present discourse endeavors to elucidate the imperatives and methodologies for supply chain integration within the procurement management of international EPC ventures, thereby furnishing both theoretical and pragmatic guidance for principal contractors. An extensive literature review and bibliometric analysis conducted herein delineate extant research lacunae and articulate prospective trajectories for scholarly exploration in the procurement management sphere of international EPC projects. The advocated integrative modality seeks to deliver a systemic and holistic solution framework conducive to the triumphant execution of EPC projects, engendering viable avenues and opportunities for the advancement and symbiosis within the pertinent industrial sectors. The integration of supply chain management in EPC projects is a burgeoning field that holds significant potential for advancing sustainability in construction. As the industry moves toward greener practices, the role of EPC contractors in driving sustainable procurement and project management becomes increasingly vital.
Satisfaction and Workload as Predictors of Psychological Distress in Professionals of Psychosocial Care Centers During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Pinto Debora Maria Salimon , Lourenção Luciano Garcia , Eid Letícia Palota , Ponce Maria Amélia Zanom , André Júlio César , Tiol Emilia Batista Mourão , Giacon-Arruda Bianca Cristina Ciccone , Arruda Guilherme de Oliveira , Souza Maria da Graça Girade , Sasaki Natália Sperli Geraldes Marin dos Santos , Santos Emerson Roberto , Martinez William Donegá , Costa Ana Carolina Santos , Engel Ana Maria Rita Pedroso Vilela Torres Carvalho , da Silva Júnior Amilton José , Menezes João Daniel de Souza , Werneck Alexandre Lins , Souza Marise Ramos de , Martins Marlene Andrade , Silva Gabriele Cássia Santos , Silva Matheus Querino da , Pompeo Daniele Alcalá
Published: October 2024

Background and aims: The COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted the mental health of healthcare professionals, especially those working in Psychosocial Care Centers (CAPS), which are crucial services in the Brazilian mental health system. This study aimed to analyze satisfaction and workload as predictive factors for psychological distress among CAPS professionals during the pandemic. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 53 professionals from seven CAPS. The Workload Impact Scale (IMPACTO-BR) and Job Satisfaction Scale (SATIS-BR), the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12), and a sociodemographic questionnaire were used. Descriptive and analytical statistical analyses were performed. Results: Professionals reported moderate satisfaction (3.67 ± 0.45) and mild workload (1.82 ± 0.63). One-third of the sample showed scores indicative of psychological distress. Logistic regression analysis revealed that workload (OR = 1.39, 95% CI = 0.0025) and low job satisfaction (OR = 1.23, 95% CI = 0.0495) were significant predictors of psychological distress. Conclusions: Low job satisfaction and high professional workload were predictive variables of psychological distress. These findings highlight the need for investments in promoting the quality of life at work for mental health professionals, especially during crises. The implications for human resource management and public policy development emphasize the importance of an integrated approach that considers the well-being of professionals for the effectiveness and sustainability of the psychosocial care model.
Alterations of Glucagon Levels and the Glucagon-to-Insulin Ratio in Response to High Dietary Fat or Protein Intake in Healthy Lean Adult Twins: A Post-Hoc Analysis
Authors: Schuppelius Bettina , Schüler Rita , Pivovarova-Ramich Olga , Hornemann Silke , Busjahn Andreas , Machann Jürgen , Kruse Michael , Park Soyoung , Kabisch Stefan , Csanalosi Marta , Ost Anne-Cathrin , Pfeiffer Andreas F.H.
Published: October 2024

Background/Objectives: Emerging data support an essential role of glucagon for lipid metabolism. However, data on the role of dietary fat intake for glucagon secretion is limited. This analysis investigated whether altering nutritional fat intake affects glucagon levels in healthy subjects. Methods: 92 twins (age: 31±14 years, BMI: 23±3 kg/m2) consumed two 6-week diets: first a low fat, high carbohydrate diet (LFD) followed by an isocaloric high fat, low carbohydrate diet (HFD). 24 twins (age: 39±15 years, BMI: 24±2 kg/m2) continued with a high protein diet (HPD). Clinical investigation days were performed after 6 weeks of LFD, after 1 and 6 weeks of HFD and after 6 weeks of HPD. Results: The LFD caused a significant decrease of fasting glucagon (-27 %, p<0.001) compared to baseline. After 6 weeks of HFD glucagon increased (117 %, p<0.001 vs. LFD) while free fatty acids decreased. 6 weeks of HPD further increased glucagon levels (72 %, p=0.502 vs. HFD) although fasting amino acid levels remained constant. Fasting insulin and HOMA-IR moderately increased after one week of HFD, while 6 weeks of HPD significantly decreased both. The fasting glucagon-to-insulin ratio decreased through LFD (p<0.001) but increased after HFD (p<0.001) and even further after HPD (p=0.018). Liver fat, triglycerides and blood glucose did not increase during the HFD. The heritability of glucagon levels was 45% with the LFD. Conclusions: A HFD increases glucagon levels and the glucagon-to-insulin ratio under isocaloric conditions compared to a LFD in healthy lean subjects. This rise in glucagon may represent a favorable metabolic response as neither glucose levels nor insulin resistance or liver fat showed clinically relevant increases.
Reliable and Faithful Generative Explainers for Graph Neural Networks
Authors: Li Yiqiao , Zhou Jianlong , Zheng Boyuan , Shafiabady Niusha , Chen Fang
Published: October 2024

Graph neural networks (GNNs) have been effectively implemented in a variety of real-world applications, while their underlying work mechanisms remain a mystery. To unveil this mystery and advocate trustworthy decision-making, many GNN explainers have been proposed. However, existing explainers often face significant challenges, such as: 1) explanations being tied to specific instances; 2) limited generalizability to unseen graphs; 3) potential generation of invalid graph structures; and 4) restrictions to particular tasks (e.g., node classification, graph classification). To address these challenges, we propose a novel explainer, GAN-GNNExplainer, which employs a generator to produce explanations and a discriminator to oversee the generation process, enhancing the reliability of the outputs. Despite its advantages, GAN-GNNExplainer still struggles with generating faithful explanations and underperforms on real-world datasets. To overcome these shortcomings, we introduce ACGAN-GNNExplainer, an improved approach that improves upon GAN-GNNExplainer by using a more robust discriminator that consistently monitors the generation process, thereby producing explanations that are both reliable and faithful. Extensive experiments on both synthetic and real-world graph datasets demonstrate the superiority of our proposed methods over existing GNN explainers.
Places of Food Acquisition and Food Groups Acquired According to Levels of Food Insecurity in Brazil
Authors: de Oliveira Roberta Teixeira , Castro Junior Paulo Cesar Pereira de , Suéte Matos Yoko Ametista Carvalho , Ferreira Aline Alves , Costa Rosana Salles
Published: October 2024

Food insecurity (FI) is a persistent issue in Brazil, with significant disparities across the country's macroregions. This study investigated food acquisition locations and types of foods purchased at different levels of FI, utilizing data from 57,920 households in the 2017–2018 Brazilian Household Budget Survey. Food acquisition locations were grouped into supermarkets, small markets, fairs/farmers’ markets/public markets, and others. Foods were categorized into 12 groups: rice, beans, vegetables, fruits, red meats, fish, poultry, eggs, milk and dairy products, bread, cookies, and sugary drinks. Supermarkets are the primary source of food in Brazil. However, in the North and Northeast regions, small markets are more frequently used across all levels of FI. Nationally, most food groups are predominantly purchased at supermarkets. Nevertheless, households experiencing moderate or severe FI rely more on small markets for essential items such as rice, beans, and proteins, as well as ultra-processed foods. These findings highlight the need for public policies that improve food access for vulnerable populations and address regional inequalities. Enhancing access and ensuring food security across different regions is essential to promote equitable and healthy diets throughout the country.
Symmetric Spaces of Qubits and Gaussian Modes
Authors: Moctezuma Antonio de Jesús Castillo , Lucio José Luis , Sierra Alan Josué Torres
Published: October 2024

The understanding of properties of multipartite systems is a long-lasting challenge in quantum theory that signals the need for new ideas and alternative frameworks that shed light on the intricacies of the quantum behavior. In this work, we argue that symmetric spaces provide a common language to describe two qubit and two mode Gaussian systems. Our approach relies on the use of equivalence classes that are defined by a subgroup of the maximal symmetry group of the system and involves an involution which enables the Cartan decomposition of the group elements. We work out the symmetric spaces of two qubits and two modes to identify classes which include an equal degree of mixing states, product states, X states, among others. For three-qubits and three-modes, we point out how the framework can be generalized and report partial results about physical interpretations of the symmetric spaces.
The Growth and Stagnation of U.S. Life Expectancy: A Dynamic Simulation Model and Implications
Authors: Homer Jack
Published: October 2024

US life expectancy now lags significantly behind the majority of high-income countries, having grown more slowly since 1980 for reasons that are not evident and have been debated. An exploratory system dynamics model is presented that reproduces the full pattern of US life expectancy from 1960 to the present. Multiple socioeconomic and behavioral factors help to explain the historical pattern, two of them apparently most responsible for the stagnation since 1980: the growth of obesity and the leveling off of growth in social spending. Some of the factors in the model are traced back to earlier causes, and obesity’s growth in particular is traced back to excess growth in private health care spending and its adverse effect on workers’ wages. The model’s base run does a good job of reproducing a variety of historical time series data going back to the 1960s, and counterfactual testing produces plausible results. The model may thus be considered a reasonable starting point for more conclusive future modeling of US life expectancy.
Deep Learning-based Automated Measurement of Effective Radiation Dose by 18F-FDG PET/CT
Authors: Eom Yujin , Park Yong-Jin , Lee Sumin , Lee Su Jin , An Young-Sil , Park Bok-Nam , Yoon Joon-Kee
Published: October 2024

Background/Objectives: Calculating the radiation dose from CT in 18F-PET/CT examinations poses a significant challenge. The objective of this study is to develop a deep learning-based automated program that standardizes the measurement of radiation doses. Methods: The Torso CT was segmented into six distinct regions using TotalSegmentator. An automated program was employed to extract the necessary information and calculate the effective dose (ED) of PET/CT. The accuracy of our automated program was verified by comparing the EDs calculated by the program with those determined by nuclear medicine physician (n=30). Additionally, we compared the EDs obtained from an older PET/CT scanner with those from a newer PET/CT scanner (n=42). Results: The CT ED calculated by the automated program was not significantly different from that calculated by the nuclear medicine physician (3.67 ± 0.61 mSv and 3.62 ± 0.60 mSv, respectively, p = 0.7623). Similarly, the total ED showed no significant difference between the two calculation methods (8.10 ± 1.40 mSv and 8.05 ± 1.39 mSv, respectively, p = 0.8957). A very strong correlation was observed in both CT ED and total ED between the two measurements (r2 = 0.9981 and 0.9996, respectively). When comparing the older and newer PET/CT scanners, the CT ED was not significantly different. However, the PET ED was significantly lower in the newer scanner than in the older scanner (4.39 ± 0.91 mSv and 6.00 ± 1.17 mSv, respectively, p < 0.0001). Consequently, the total ED was significantly lower in the newer scanner than in the older scanner (8.22 ± 1.53 mSv and 9.65 ± 1.34 mSv, respectively, p < 0.0001). Conclusions: We successfully developed a deep learning-based automated program that calculates the ED of torso 18F-PET/CT, thereby eliminating inter-operator variability.
Energy-Growth Nexus in European Union Countries During the Green Transition
Authors: Jóźwik Bartosz , Tiwari Aviral Kumar , Gavryshkiv Antonina Viktoriia , Galewska Kinga , Taş Bahar
Published: October 2024

This study investigates the relationship between economic growth and energy con-sumption—both renewable and non-renewable—in European Union countries during the green transition. Using a panel dataset of 28 EU countries from 1995 to 2021, we employ econometric techniques, including the Westerlund cointegration test, to assess long-term equilibrium relation-ships, accounting for cross-sectional dependence and slope heterogeneity. The results indicate that, while both renewable and non-renewable energy consumption are associated with economic growth, their roles differ. Renewable energy consumption shows a positive but less robust rela-tionship with GDP, with limited evidence of a predictive impact on economic growth. In contrast, non-renewable energy consumption demonstrates a more robust bidirectional causality with GDP, indicating a more intertwined relationship with economic growth during the study period. Our results have significant policy recommendations, indicating that promoting renewable ener-gy sources does not hinder economic growth. Moreover, such promotion has the potential to con-tribute substantially to economic growth in the future. Therefore, in addition to other crucial ben-efits, such as increased energy security, the development of renewable energy sources does not pose a threat to the economy. This is particularly relevant as many EU countries, including Po-land, Romania, Hungary, Bulgaria, Slovakia, and Lithuania, still have underdeveloped renewa-ble energy sectors.
Photoaging Protective Effects of Green Ball Apple Peel Isolated Quercitrin
Authors: Lee Eun-Ho , Cho Junhyo , Kang Inkyu
Published: October 2024

Premature skin aging, also known as photoaging, refers to the changes of the structure and function of the skin caused by chronic sun exposure. The ultraviolet radiation in the sunlight is one of the key factors that causes photoaging. Thus, MMPs, TGFB1, and NF-κB signaling can be an effective therapeutic strategy for UVB exposure. In this study, we used human dermal fibroblast and mouse macrophage cells to identify the mediators of skin photoaging. Quercitrin isolated from ‘Green Ball’ apple peel was treated to UVB-irradiated fibroblast cell and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced macrophages to identify photoaging prevention effect of quercitrin. Genes that are associated with photoaging was determined by using ELISA, western blot, and qPCR. Quercitrin increased collagen biosynthesis in UVB-irradiated fibroblast cell via regulating MMPs, TIMP-1, TGFB1, HAS2, and COL1A2. In addition, quercitrin regulated p-65, iNOS, COX-2, and mediators (PGE2 and NO), in the NF-κB signaling process, and inhibited the production of cytokines in LPS-induced macrophages. These results indicates that quercitrin can improve photoaging damaged skin by regulating MMPs, TGFβ, and NF-κB signaling pathway modulators.
PERAN EKSTRAKURIKULER PASKIBRA SMK GANESHA TAMA BOYOLALI DALAM PEMBENTUKAN GENERASI MUDA YANG TANGGUH DAN BERKARAKTER
Authors: Karsono Karsono , Noviansyah Wahyu
Published: October 2024

Abstrak

Generasi muda merupakan tumpuan harapan bangsa. Masa depan bangsa bergantung pada generasi muda yang tangguh dan berkarakter. Di era globalisasi ini, generasi muda dihadapkan pada berbagai rintangan dan tantangan yang kompleks, seperti kemerosotan moral, maraknya narkoba, dan pengaruh budaya asing yang tidak sesuai dengan nilai-nilai Pancasila. Oleh karena itu, diperlukan upaya nyata untuk membentuk generasi muda yang tangguh dan berkarakter, salah satunya melalui kegiatan ekstrakurikuler. Salah satu kegiatan ekstrakurikuler yang memiliki potensi besar untuk membentuk generasi muda yang tangguh dan berkarakter adalah Paskibra (Pasukan Pengibar Bendera). Kegiatan ekstrakurikuler paskibra (Pasukan Pengibar Bendera) merupakan salah satu organisasi kesiswaan diluar pelajaran formal di SMK Ganesha Tama Boyolali yang merupakan wadah untuk membangun kedisiplinan, kemandirian, kepemimpinan, pembentukan sikap sebagai contoh generasi muda yang tangguh dan berkarakter. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menganalisis peran ekstrakurikuler Paskibra SMK Ganesha Tama Boyolali dalam pembentukan generasi muda yang tangguh dan berkarakter. Metode yang digunakan berupa deskriptif kualitatif dengan pendekatan studi kasus. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa ekstrakurikuler Paskibra terbukti efektif dalam menumbuhkan disiplin, keterampilan, karakter, moral, kepercayaan diri, rasa persahabatan, semangat persatuan, dan kekompakan pada diri para siswa. Keberhasilan Paskibra tidak lepas dari peran penting pembina dan kepala sekolah. Namun masih terdapat beberapa kendala yang perlu diatasi, seperti kurangnya minat siswa, fasilitas yang belum memadai, dan belum adanya kerjasama dengan orang tua. Saran yang diberikan adalah meningkatkan kualitas pelatihan, menyediakan fasilitas yang memadai, meningkatkan kerjasama dengan orang tua, melaksanakan kegiatan yang lebih variatif, dan mengembangkan jaringan dan kerjasama dengan instansi lain.

 

Kata Kunci: Berkarakter, Ekstrakurikuler, Generasi Muda, Paskibra, Tangguh.
Discovering Hidden Patterns: Applying Topic Modeling in Qualitative Research
Authors: Tat Osman , Aydogan Izzettin
Published: October 2024

In qualitative studies, researchers must devote a significant amount of time and effort to extracting meaningful themes from huge sets of texts and examining the links between themes, which are frequently done manually. The availability of natural language models has enabled the application of a wide range of techniques for automatically detecting hierarchy, linkages, and latent themes in texts. This paper aims to investigate the coherence of the topics acquired from the analysis with the predefined themes, the hierarchy between the topics, the similarity between the topics and the proximity-distance between the topics by means of the topic model based on BERTopic using unstructured qualitative data. The qualitative data for this study was gathered from 106 students engaged in a university-run pedagogical formation certificate program. In BERTopic procedure, paraphrase-multilingual-MiniLM-L12-v2 model was used as sentence transformer model, UMAP was used as dimension reduction method and HDBSCAN algorithm was used as clustering method. It is found that BERTopic successfully identified six topics corresponding to the six predicted themes in unstructured texts. Moreover 74% of the texts containing some themes could be classified accurately. The algorithm was also able to successfully identify which topics were similar and which topics differed significantly from the others. It was concluded that BERTopic is a procedure that can identify themes that researchers do not notice depending on the density of the data in qualitative data analysis and has the potential to enable qualitative research to reach more detailed findings.
Data Quality in State Registry Reports of Medical Cannabis Patients in the United States
Authors: Boehnke Kevin F. , Sinclair Rachel , Gordon Felicia , Roehler Douglas R. , Smith Tristin , Hoots Brooke
Published: October 2024

Objectives. To investigate characteristics of data reported in US medical cannabis registries across states.

Methods. Data included 2021 medical cannabis registry reports from 34 states, Puerto Rico, and the District of Columbia (hereafter, states) with active medical cannabis programs. The data from the reports were manually coded into domains and subcategories, including information related to patients (e.g., number, demographics), authorizing clinicians, sales (e.g., content, revenue), license tracking, and health and safety outcomes.

Results. Among 36 states, 97% reported total patient number and 75% reported number of authorizing clinicians. Least reported subcategories included patient race/ethnicity (8%), adverse events (11%), therapeutic benefits (6%), and product recalls (6%). States that recently legalized medical cannabis (2013–2018) reported a higher number of subcategories overall, with a median of 11 versus 8 for early adopting states (1996–2012). More medical-use states reported data on authorizing clinicians compared with nonmedical adult-use states but were otherwise similar.

Conclusions. Medical cannabis state registries generally reported data on consumers, clinicians, and sales rather than health and safety outcomes. More comprehensive and uniform medical cannabis public health surveillance is needed. ( Am J Public Health. 2024;114(S8):S685–S693. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2024.307728 )