bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Application of Models in Teaching Modern Agricultural Engineering Practices:A Case Study of Laikipia North Technical and Vocational College
Authors: Omondi Julius Okoth , Chonge Lilah Nanjala
Published: February 2025

The efficiency and effectiveness of various teaching methods are key in the teaching and learning process. Teaching Agricultural Engineering requires high-cost machines and equipment normally accessible only on commercial farms. While the use of conventional approaches in teaching Agricultural Engineering is routine, this study establishes whether innovative approaches would yield higher efficiency and effectiveness in teaching. Two groups of learners are taught using one method, either conventional (lecture) or innovative (application of low-cost physical models), and are this study's focus. The learners under similar conditions attempt standard examinations post-teaching. Results show that learners taught using the conventional method have a relatively larger gap of 71% between the highest and the least score and a mean score of 51.65%. In addition, a majority of the learners in the conventionally taught group score between grades C plain to B plain and thus are defined as transitory learners. Learners exposed to the innovative teaching methods scored higher, with the highest score being 95 % and the least score being 45 % thus translating to a gap of 50%. Financially, innovative methods are affordable due to the absence of recurring costs such as power, printing, and internet connection costs. In conclusion, teachers of agricultural engineering ought to adopt innovative approaches to teach modern agricultural engineering practices. Further policies and sensitization activities by institutions are also necessary to ensure teachers expose the transitory learners in their classes to models that reinforce learning. On the research front, the availability of models for use in cases of learners with special needs awaits.
Enrolment Management in Higher Learning Institutions
Authors: Ngemu Joseph
Published: February 2025

Student retention has become one of the most important priorities for decision makers in higher learning institutions (HLI). The increasing competition for students among tertiary institutions has resulted in a greater emphasis on student retention. Improving student retention starts with a thorough understanding of the reasons behind the attrition. In an effort to address this issue, the study used student demographic and institutional data along with several business intelligence (BI) techniques and analytical tools, to develop prototype to predict likelihood of student persistence or dropout with the goal to identify factors that can be used to identify students who are at risk of dropping out of tertiary institution program. This study used classification models generated using Waikato Environment for Knowledge Analysis (WEKA). The model was built using the 10-fold cross validation, and holdout method (60% of the data was used as training and the remaining as test and validation). Random sampling techniques were used in selecting the datasets. The attribute selection analysis of the models revealed that the student age on entry, parent occupation, health of student and financial variables are among the most important predictors of the phenomenon. Results of the classifiers were compared using accuracy level, confusion matrices and speed of model building benchmarks. The study shows that identifying the relevant student background factors can be incorporated to design a business intelligence system that can serve as valuable tool in predicting student withdrawal or persistence as well as recommend the necessary intervention strategies to adopt, leading to better education efficiency and graduation rate.
Technology Influence on Value Creation among Rural Small and Micro Enterprises in Nyamira County, Kenya.
Authors: Maengwe James O. , Arogo Phyllis A
Published: February 2025

Technology has become a strategic resource in sustaining competitiveness among firms regardless of their size. However, competition through globalization and strategic alliances are some of the issues underpinning technology adoption among SMEs both in developed and developing economies. The main objective of this study was to examine the moderating role of regulatory policies on technology influence on value creation among rural small and micro enterprises in Nyamira county, Kenya. The specific objectives of this study, however, were to; examine technology influence on value creation among rural small and micro enterprises in Nyamira County, Kenya, and to determine the moderating role of regulatory policies on the relationship between technology influence and value creation among rural small and micro enterprises in Nyamira county Kenya. The study was anchored on the Resource-based view theory. The researcher adopted a cross-sectional descriptive research design. A sample size of 443 respondents was drawn from a target population of 1,846 registered small and micro enterprises by use of Yamane, (1967) formula, where stratification sampling technique was used. A questionnaire was the main data collection tool. The reliability test was done using Cronbach alpha, while the validity test was based on an expert's judgment. Means, standard deviations, and coefficient of variation were used to describe respondents' profiles. Pearson's correlation was used to examine the relationship between the study variables, while multiple regression analysis was done to test study hypotheses. The findings that 13.6 percent variation was explained by technology (R2 = 0.136). The results further indicated that regulatory policies moderated the relationship between technology influence and value creation by 18.9%. This implies that regulatory policies influenced the relationship between technology and value creation among rural small and micro enterprises in Nyamira County, Kenya. The study findings are expected to provoke both the national and county governments in formulating policy insights aimed at empowering SMEs since they are a source of creativity and innovation mostly in social-economic development, especially in rural areas.
El capital social como factor de competitividad y desarrollo empresarial
Authors:   Universidad de Sevilla, Rodríguez Modroño Paula , Román del Río Carlos ,   Universidad de Sevilla
Published: February 2025

En las últimas décadas, un número creciente de estudios encuentran en el capital social una parte importante de la explicación del desarrollo socioeconómico de naciones, regiones o comunidades. Este artículo sintetiza en primer lugar estas diferentes perspectivas sobre el concepto de capital social, para posteriormente definir de forma operativa el concepto y explicar los principales mecanismos y procesos a través de los cuales el capital social puede conducir al desarrollo. Por último, se presentan los resultados de una investigación que muestra de forma empírica como el empresariado utiliza su capital social para innovar, aumentar su competitividad y mejorar sus resultados empresariales, en el caso concreto de nuestro estudio.
Capital social y cooperativas: la experiencia en el País Vasco
Authors:   Universidad de Deusto, Mugarra Elorriaga Aitziber
Published: February 2025

El País Vasco es conocido internacionalmente por la pujanza de su movimiento cooperativo. Hablamos de las raíces culturales de cada comunidad, de donde se fundamentan las tradiciones cívicas, las normas de reciprocidad y las redes de compromiso social, la confianza, las actitudes y valores compartidos que ayudan a las personas a trascender el conflicto y la competitividad para construir relaciones de cooperación y ayuda mutua en formas de acción colectiva. Son el caldo de cultivo necesario para que surjan verdaderos cooperativistas. A continuación, presentaremos las características propias del cooperativismo y sus aportaciones al capital social, con especial incidencia en la experiencia desarrollada en el País Vasco. Las cooperativas están basadas en los valores de la autoayuda, la autorresponsabilidad, la democracia, la igualdad, la equidad y la solidaridad. Siguiendo la tradición de sus fundadores, los socios cooperativos hacen suyos los valores éticos de la honestidad, la transparencia, la responsabilidad y la vocación social. Éstos son los principios y valores que inspiran a los verdaderos cooperativistas, y en los que encontramos claras referencias a elementos de capital social: actitudes y valores compartidos, participación y solidaridad 'tanto al interior como al exterior del grupo', cooperación y ayuda mutua, acción en común, compromiso con la comunidad, responsabilidad social.
Catorce puntos esenciales sobre la evaluación de las políticas públicas con especial referencia al caso de las políticas sociales
Authors:   Universidad Autónoma de Barcelona, Subirats Humet Joan
Published: February 2025

En este artículo se reflexiona sobre la utilidad, la calidad y la idoneidad de los instrumentos de evaluación de políticas públicas en el contexto actual. Se explica cómo no pueden limitarse a ser meros controladores de la legalidad o a detectar abusos de poder. Deben ir más allá y convertirse en indicadores reales de impacto además de reflejar la calidad de las interrelaciones entre los organismos públicos y el exterior. Para ello deberían previamente segmentar y establecer parámetros adecuados según el tipo de relación y de estructuras de poder que subyacen a los distintos marcos de actuación de las administraciones públicas. Por otra parte, se analizan las políticas sociales que se han ido poniendo en marcha en España y Europa, y se apuntan cuales deberían ser las claves de una evaluación que sepa dar respuesta a los nuevos escenarios económicos, sociales, familiares y de participación política, caracterizados por la exclusión, la desigualdad y la llamada nueva gobernanza.
Algunas reflexiones metodológicas sobre la evaluación de la eficiencia productiva de las instituciones de educación superior
Authors:   Universidad de Zaragoza, Gómez Sancho José María , Mancebón Torrubia María Jesús ,   Universidad de Zaragoza
Published: February 2025

En este artículo se presentan diversas reflexiones sobre los distintos aspectos metodológicos que conlleva el proceso de evaluación de la eficiencia productiva en las instituciones de educación superior. Una peculiaridad de las instituciones universitarias es que realizan de manera simultánea dos actividades distintas, docencia e investigación, compartiendo gran parte de sus inputs. Este hecho va a estar presente a lo largo de todo el trabajo donde se repasan cuestiones de relevancia que deben ser tenidas en cuenta en todas las etapas del análisis de la eficiencia: delimitación y medición de los inputs y de los outputs de las actividades, selección del modelo y selección de la muestra.
El margen de maniobra presupuestario de las Comunidades Autónomas. Método de análisis y aplicación a la Comunidad Autónoma de Aragón
Authors:   Universidad de Zaragoza, Barberán Ortí Ramón
Published: February 2025

Todos los gobiernos aspiran a obtener la máxima discrecionalidad o margen de maniobra en la gestión de su presupuesto. Sin embargo, esa discrecionalidad en la gestión presupuestaria se ve limitada inevitablemente, tanto externamente 'decisiones de otros niveles de gobierno de ámbito superior', como internamente 'decisiones propias pretéritas que crean obligaciones de gasto'. El trabajo que presentamos nace del interés por conocer cuál es y cómo ha evolucionado la discrecionalidad o margen de maniobra presupuestario de las comunidades autónomas. Para ello, se propone un modelo de análisis basado en la clasificación de las operaciones de ingreso y gasto y en la explotación de información estrictamente presupuestaria. Se toma como caso de estudio la actividad presupuestaria en la Comunidad Autónoma de Aragón entre 1986 y 2000. Los resultados ponen de manifiesto la notable potencialidad analítica de esta línea de investigación.
La política del transporte urbano en la Unión Europea y el Reino Unido: Evaluación de los cambios
Authors:   Universidad del País Vasco, Galarraga Aldanondo Xabier
Published: February 2025

El trabajo analiza los últimos desarrollos llevados a cabo en la regulación del transporte urbano en la Unión Europea en general y en el Reino Unido en particular. El cambio reciente en la Política común de transporte ha incorporado nuevos objetivos, nuevas medidas y una atención especial al medio ambiente. La nueva política europea intenta abordar los problemas tradicionales a los que el sector se ha enfrentado y que incluyen desde la divergencia entre los costes privados y sociales y la congestión, pasando por los viajes inducidos, hasta llegar a la necesidad de una actuación gradual en materia de política de transporte y de medio ambiente.
La Defensa de la competencia en el modelo autonómico: el modelo catalán
Authors:   Tribunal Catalán de Defensa de la Competencia, Franco i Sala Lluís
Published: February 2025

La competencia es un principio rector de la economía social de mercado. Desde 1890 con la promulgación de la Sherman Act en los Estados Unidos, la Defensa de la competencia forma parte de la política económica de los países desarrollados. En el Estado español, tras la Sentencia 208/1999 del Tribunal Constitucional la aplicación de la política de competencia ha sido parcialmente descentralizada. Cataluña fue la primera Comunidad Autónoma que creó órganos propios para la Defensa de la competencia. Su experiencia demuestra la importancia de estos órganos, cuya cercanía y conocimiento del mercado, facilita la persecución de las conductas restrictivas de la competencia, impulsa una mayor liberalización de los diferentes mercados y promueve con eficacia la cultura de la competencia en el conjunto de la sociedad.
La motivación para emprender en España
Authors:   Instituto de Empresas, Madrid, Coduras Martínez Alicia
Published: February 2025

Tras cada iniciativa emprendedora subyace una motivación que ha impulsado su desarrollo. El presente artículo describe la motivación que anima a emprender a la población española, y el estado de la cultura emprendedora en España. Los datos procedentes de la encuesta anual que se lleva a cabo en España en el seno del proyecto Global Entrepreneurship Monitor han proporcionado la información necesaria para estudiar dicho estado, para caracterizar la motivación del colectivo de emprendedores que han lanzado sus iniciativas en el año 2005, y para pulsar la opinión de más de trescientos setenta expertos relacionados con el entorno emprendedor.
La localización de nuevos establecimientos industriales: estudios previos y evidencia para los municipios catalanes
Authors:   Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Manjón Antolín Miguel C. , Arauzo Carod Josep Maria ,   Universitat Rovira i Virgili
Published: February 2025

Este artículo presenta una revisión de los estudios empíricos sobre localización industrial y una aplicación ilustrativa de los resultados que proporcionan. Se describen los dos modelos más utilizados: modelos de elección discreta (en los que el análisis recae sobre el agente decisor) y de recuento (focalizado en el territorio), siendo este último el que se toma como referencia en este estudio. Pero la ausencia de datos apropiados en España solo permite realizar inferencias basadas en estos últimos. Las estimaciones para los municipios catalanes indican que factores institucionales como la capitalidad de provincia son claramente relevantes, mientras que las economías de aglomeración y localización apenas lo son.
Las cooperativas vascas ante un futuro incierto
Authors:   Universidad de Deusto, Arando Lasagabaster Saioa , Peña Legazkue Iñaki ,   Orkestra
Published: February 2025

Este artículo analiza la influencia del entorno competitivo y las economías de aglomeración en la creación de pequeñas y medianas empresas cooperativas. Además, hemos comparado aquellos factores determinantes del dinamismo cooperativo con los factores que explican la creación de sociedades anónimas y limitadas. Nuestros resultados sugieren que el proceso de creación de cooperativas es sensible a la estructura y al grado de competencia del sector en el que operan. El estudio confirma que una cultura cooperativa arraigada, no solo contribuye a la creación y el desarrollo del modelo cooperativo, sino que influye positivamente en la incorporación de otras formas organizativas, aportando una mayor diversidad organizacional a la comarca y potenciando el desarrollo de su economía. No obstante, la limitada capacidad rotativa y la casi nula capacidad sustitutiva sobre otras culturas empresariales sitúan a las cooperativas vascas ante un futuro incierto.
Dimensión y características de la actividad emprendedora en España
Authors:   Universidad de Alcalá, Martí Federico Pablo , García Tabuenca Antonio ,   Universidad de Alcalá
Published: February 2025

El presente trabajo evalúa la actividad emprendedora y su dimensión en España, comparándola con la existente en Estados Unidos y la Unión Europea, distinguiendo, para ello, entre actividad emprendedora potencial, temprana y consolidada. Los resultados obtenidos indican que España disfruta de un nivel de actividad emprendedora relativamente alto, sobre todo si se compara con Europa. La parte negativa es que resulta más difícil que en otros países poner en marcha nuevos proyectos, y los empresarios que sufren experiencias adversas tienen serias dificultades para reincorporarse al mercado.
AVALIAÇÃO RETROSPECTIVA DO CUIDADO NUTRICIONAL DE PACIENTES CLASSIFICADOS COMO “GRANDES QUEIMADOS”, ATENDIDOS EM UM HOSPITAL PÚBLICO DO DISTRITO FEDERAL REFERÊNCIA EM QUEIMADURAS
Authors: Costa Amanda Araújo , Rodrigues Mirela de Oliveira Menezes , Reis Lilian Barros de Sousa Moreira , Monteiro Rayssa Santa Cruz
Published: February 2025

Introduction: Burns cause serious damage and are a public health problem, with high mortality and complications. Patients with major burns face malnutrition and infections, requiring specialized nutritional monitoring due to hypermetabolism. This study analyzed the post-discharge nutritional care network for these patients, evaluating nutritional support in recovery and prevention of complications. Methodology: The research is quantitative, descriptive, cross-sectional and retrospective. The nutritional care of 49 major burn patients admitted to the Burn Unit of the Hospital Regional da Asa Norte (HRAN), adults and elderly, admitted between January and December 2022, was evaluated. The data evaluated were from the electronic medical records: demographic profile, nutritional assessment, supplementation, dietary routes and nutritional monitoring. The NRS (2002) and GLIM (2018) tools were used for screening and evaluation. The research was approved by the Ethics Committee (7.154.139). Results: Forty-nine patients aged between 20 and 81 years (mean 46.5 years) were evaluated, with a male predominance (69.38%). The burns were mainly thermal (60%), followed by electrical (30%) and chemical (5%). At admission, 73.46% presented nutritional risk. Nutritional reassessment in 26 patients showed that 85.71% had moderate or severe malnutrition. Among 13 patients without nutritional risk, 5 presented weight loss. Oral nutritional therapy was used in 47 patients, while 4 required therapy via NET. There was no continuity in nutritional care after discharge. Conclusion: Regarding nutritional status, most patients presented nutritional risk and evolved to moderate or severe malnutrition, confirming the importance of nutritional therapy in treatment. The lack of continuity of nutritional care after hospital discharge highlights the gap in follow-up of nutritional treatment for these patients.
Miradas hacia la integridad académica
Authors: Sánchez Camargo Martín , Sánchez Camargo Martín , Aguirre Aguilar Genaro , Calderón de Bolívar Adriana del Carmen , Castro Azuara María Cristina , Cortés Vera José de Jesús , Galicia Isasmendi Iván , Natale Lucía , Pisté Beltrán Saknicté , Quiroa Herrera María Lourdes , Rodríguez Pérez Hugo , Timal López Sandra , Vázquez Rodríguez Iván
Published: February 2025

Los capítulos presentados en este libro se posicionan desde múltiples flancos científicos para proponer rutas de solvencia ante casos de plagio. Desde luego, los autores en esta recopilación no sólo problematizan la materialidad de dicho fenómeno, sino que sus miradas críticas rebasan el análisis, atisbando rutas originales que determinan una urgente transformación del comercio intelectual. Con ello, se pasa revista a temas afines: desde el uso de las herramientas digitales, hasta los patrones simbólicos que rigen una práctica docente dentro del aula en pleno siglo XXI. Sin la intención de caer en un formulario simple de estrategias para dirimir el plagio, este libro procura establecer un diálogo intelectual más amplio a través de distintas disciplinas que hoy día son amenazadas por fenómenos similares. Podemos entonces justificar que lo que se pretende en esta reunión de capítulos es entablar una comunicación directa y transversal con un público mayúsculo, cuyos intereses académicos son minados cada vez más por la dinámica de la deshonestidad y falta de integridad.
Beyond Khat: A Comprehensive Look at Drug Abuse in Somalia
Authors: Mohamed Shafii Abdullahi Maalim , Bashir Ahmed Muhammad , Hersi Hassan Omar
Published: February 2025

This review article explores the under-investigated landscape of drug abuse in Somalia, extending beyond the well-documented khat use. It synthesizes existing research on the prevalence, patterns, and risk factors associated with cannabis, heroin, cocaine, misused prescription drugs, and inhalants. The article highlights concerning trends, particularly cannabis use among young males in southern and central regions. Disparities in drug use by age, gender, and geography are explored. The authors posit that socioeconomic factors like poverty, unemployment, and lack of education, coupled with unaddressed mental health issues and the ongoing conflict, create a fertile ground for substance abuse in Somalia. The review emphasizes the urgency for further research to understand the specific context and calls for international cooperation to develop and implement effective interventions for prevention, treatment, and harm reduction.
Vehhâbîliğe Yazılan Reddiyeler ve Analizi Osmanlılar Dönemi (1732-1818)
Authors: Koçak Ebru
Published: February 2025

The Refutations of Wahhābīsm and Their Analysis Period of Ottomans (1732-1818)rnWahhābīsm, which is one of the most original examples of the context of religion- sect-culture relationship, is a whole with its historical, geographical, religious, individual, social and mental-psychological roots/dimensions. Wahhābīsm gained a political dimension while Ibn Abd al-Wahhāb was alive and became institutionalized and turned into a sect. This study, which focuses on the classification and in-depth analysis of literature for the criticism of a sect for the first time, aims to photograph the historical, social, mental and even anthropological effects of the Wahhābī phenomenon and its echoes in the Islamic world. In this way, the gaps regarding the intellectual background of Wahhābīsm were filled and answers to the questions of why and how the phenomenon occurred rather than what it is were sought. The dialectical relationship between Ibn Abd al-Wahhāb and his opponents has created texts that shed light on the intellectual framework with social and political dimensions of Wahhābīsm. In the refutations in which belief, jurisprudence, sufism and political-social issues were discussed, subjects such as faith-infidelity, tawhid-shirk, tawassul-intercession, visits to the graves, ijtihad and taqlid came to the fore. The theory of takfir developed by Ibn Abd al- Wahhāb on tawassul and the cult of velayet/awliya and the method he preferred while defending his views on this point received serious criticism; Ibn ‘Abd al- Wahhāb’s discourse of takfir and its justifications were not found theologically sufficient and defensible. Reading the Wahhābī movement only through its own sources and the fact that these sources focus on the military aspect of the Wahhābī movement creates many dilemmas. Uncertainties in the intellectual aspect of Ibn Abd al-Wahhāb and the emergence of his writings are the leading ones. Despite this; by examining the refutations against Ibn Abd al-Wahhāb in their entirety, a significant part of the ambiguities at these points have been removed.rnKeywords: Ottomans; Wahhābīsm; Muhammad Ibn Abd al-Wahhāb; Refutation; Najd
Temel Mantığa Giriş
Authors: Büyükada Samet , Şahin Enver
Published: February 2025

Introduction to Elementary LogicrnIntroduction to Elementary Logic, which serves as an introduction to the discipline of logic and explores both its traditional and modern aspects, consists of two main sections. The first section addresses the conceptual background of traditional logic, while the second section aims to acquaint readers with logic on both a conceptual and practical level through modern syntactic and semantic methods. The first section, titled “Traditional Logic”, provides readers with a solid conceptual foundation for the discipline of logic. This section compiles the Aristotelian system of logic and the unique contributions of the Islamic logical tradition. By focusing on the terms tasawwur and tasdiq, the section examines the fundamental elements that constitute conceptual and propositional knowledge, analyzing the building blocks of cognition. Thus, the section highlights the primary function of logic: to organize thought and ensure consistency, or in other words, to establish the logical basis for correct reasoning. Additionally, traditional (classical) topics in logic, such as the five universals, categories, and types of propositions, are enriched with examples to enhance the section’s content. The second section, titled “Propositional Logic”, complements the knowledge of traditional logic with modern approaches to propositional logic. The section begins with technical subjects such as the formalization of propositions, logical connectives, and well-formed formulas, continuing with a semantic presentation of propositional logic. This provides a comprehensive analysis of both the formal (syntactic) and semantic dimensions of modern logic. Within the section, logical connections between propositions are explained clearly and accessibly through examples using truth tables, analytic tableaux, and natural deduction methods. Introduction to Elementary Logic is the product of a concise yet comprehensive approach to the field of logic. It aims to serve as a fundamental reference for both newcomers to the discipline and those who wish to learn modern methods in the field of logic.rnKeywords: Traditional logic, propositional logic, conception, assent, inference
Effect of Tunable Dielectric Function of the Core on Optical Bistability in Small Spherical Metal-Dielectric Composite
Authors: ABOMA HAWI
Published: February 2025

This paper explores how tunable dielectric properties in the core influence the enhancement factor of the local field, induced optical bistability, and its domain in spherical metal-dielectric nanocomposites. Mathematical expressions were derived for the electric potentials governing these nanocomposites using the quasi-static solution of Laplace's equations. The equation for optically induced bistability was obtained through the enhancement factor of the local field equation, incorporating the Drude-Lorentz model.  By varying the dielectric properties of the core and the volume of the metal coating on the inclusions, the enhancement of the local field significantly increases at two resonant frequencies when an additional dielectric function is introduced into the active dielectric core. Specifically, the enhancement factor of the local field increases with more dielectric function in the imaginary component of the active dielectric of the core. Furthermore, by comparing three different local field values to a single applied field value, we observe that the bistability region expands with increasing dielectric function in the imaginary part of the active dielectric core, enhancing oscillatory behavior in the system. These findings have potential implications for advancements in optical controls, memory chips, sensor technologies, and logic operations.
AGE-RELATED EFFECTS OF DONOR ON CORNEAL TRANSPLANTATION AND CLINICAL STUDY OF CASUAL ALLOGRAFT REJECTION IN PAKISTAN
Authors: Junaid Muhammad , Azmat Kamran  , Suriyakala Perumal Chandran  , Irfan Ali
Published: February 2025

Background: Corneal transplantation is a widely used procedure to restore vision in patients with corneal blindness. Donor age is considered a critical factor influencing graft survival, visual acuity, and allograft rejection. However, the impact of donor age on corneal transplantation outcomes remains a subject of debate. This study aims to evaluate the effects of donor age on graft clarity, visual outcomes, and rejection rates in a Pakistani population, addressing gaps in regional transplantation practices and guiding future donor selection criteria.
Objective: The study investigates the relationship between donor age and transplantation outcomes, including graft clarity, visual acuity, and allograft rejection rates. It also identifies preoperative and postoperative predictors influencing graft survival.
Methods: A quantitative observational study was conducted from February 2013 to June 2016, involving 300 patients undergoing corneal transplantation at Saba Deseret Eye Hospital, Baffa, Pakistan. Corneas were procured from the Rawalpindi Eye Donor Organization and Shifa Eye Trust. An additional data collection phase was conducted from April 2024 to August 2024, analyzing 50 more patients at Mehboob Charity Vision International Eye and General Hospital, Mansehra, ensuring updated findings. Donor corneas were categorized into three age groups: <40 years (n=105), 40–60 years (n=120), and >60 years (n=75). Surgical techniques included Penetrating Keratoplasty (70%), Descemet's Stripping Endothelial Keratoplasty (20%), and Descemet Membrane Endothelial Keratoplasty (10%). Postoperative outcomes were assessed over 12 months. Statistical analysis was performed to evaluate the association between donor age and transplantation success.
Results: At one-year follow-up, graft clarity was observed in 80% of cases, with opacification in 20%. Visual acuity improved to 20/40 or better in 85% of patients. Graft rejection occurred in 15% of cases, with the highest rejection rate among recipients of corneas from younger donors (21%), followed by middle-aged donors (13%) and older donors (8%) (p=0.07). Long-term analysis showed higher graft survival rates in Descemet Membrane Endothelial Keratoplasty (92%) and Descemet's Stripping Endothelial Keratoplasty (89%) compared to Penetrating Keratoplasty (81%). The use of postoperative corticosteroids significantly reduced allograft rejection (p<0.01).
Conclusion: Donor age alone was not a significant predictor of graft failure, but younger donor corneas had higher rejection rates. Surgical technique and postoperative management played a more critical role in transplant success. These findings support refining donor selection criteria and enhancing postoperative care strategies to improve long-term corneal graft survival in Pakistan.
El suministro inmediato de información en la gestión del IVA
Authors: Romero Flor Luis María
Published: February 2025

El Suministro Inmediato de Información implica un importante avance en la implementación electrónica tributaria a la par de suponer un valioso instrumento de control tributario, si bien supone costes indirectos para los contribuyentes. Los principales objetivos de este sistema de gestión del Impuesto sobre el Valor Añadido son, por un lado, la potenciación de la asistencia al contribuyente, al facilitarle una serie de datos fiscales, en una primera fase, y el borrador de la declaración del impuesto, en una segunda fase. Y, por otro lado, se pretende un mayor y más eficiente control tributario para luchar contra el fraude fiscal, al disponer de información de calidad en un tiempo muy reducido. Los contribuyentes a los que se le aplica este sistema están obligados a llevar a través de la sede electrónica de la Agencia Estatal de la Administración Tributaria, mediante el suministro electrónico de los registros de facturación, los libros registro de facturas expedidas, de facturas recibidas, de bienes de inversión y de determinadas operaciones intracomunitarias. Por lo tanto, se trata de un sistema de suministro de información y de llevanza de los libros registro que supuso (y sigue suponiendo) un cambio significativo en la gestión de este impuesto.
Penser l’agir critique en activité de production informationnelle multimodale : une proposition de critères d’évaluation
Authors: Bihl Julia
Published: February 2025

Cet article vise à théoriser une approche de l’agir critique fondée sur une approche sociocognitive et dispositionnaliste de l’agir compétent et les littératies critiques dans le but de dépasser les limites des approches cognitivistes et positivistes de la pensée critique privilégiées par les institutions publiques, notamment dans le contexte français. L’article présente ensuite une démarche d’élaboration de critères d’évaluation de l’agir critique dans une situation de production médiatique multimodale à visée informative (pour un blogue journalistique scolaire), et détaille la grille d’évaluation conçue afin de discuter de son utilité pour les recherches futures.
The role of institutions in the digital transformation of companies in transitional countries
Authors: Mišić Igor
Published: February 2025

The digital transformation represents a crucial factor for the competitiveness of companies both at the local and regional, and especially at the global level. The aim of this paper is to assess the adequacy of the legislative framework in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) and to compare the level of digitalization in BiH with other countries in the region. In measuring the level of digitalization, the paper utilizes the DESI index, which assesses four key areas: connectivity, human capital, integration of digital technologies by the business sector, and digital public services. The author provides an overview of the literature on the impact of institutions on digital transformation in transitional countries, as well as a critical review of current and future trends on this topic. BiH has an outdated and underdeveloped legislative framework concerning the implementation of digitalization at both the systemic and company levels, which is not aligned with modern trends. Consequently, BiH ranks among the lowest countries in Europe in terms of the degree of digital transformation compared to other countries in the Western Balkans. While the legislative framework is not the sole cause of BiH's low level of digital transformation, it represents one of the significant factors. This paper also provides recommendations to policymakers and managers on the possibilities and importance of digital transformation for companies, thus making certain contributions to the field.
Holistic Performance Assessment: Research on the Relationship between Sustainability Reporting and Financial Performance of MBI10 Companies in R. N. Macedonia
Authors: Tocev Todor , Dionisijev Ivan , Malchev Bojan
Published: February 2025

The complex interaction between sustainability indicators and financial performance shapes a company's resilience and long-term value creation, guiding the path toward a sustainable future in the global business world.
This paper attempts to explore the relationship between sustainability reporting, measured through the ESG index (ESGIn), and the financial performance (FP) of high-ranked companies listed on the Macedonian Stock Exchange and part of the MBI10 Index. Through the analysis of ten high-ranked companies, including five banks and five companies from the real business sector, over a period of 11 years (2013-2023), the research reveals intriguing insights into the complex relationship between sustainability efforts and financial success.
When analyzing the entire sample, no significant correlation between ESGIn and FP was generally observed, except for a moderately positive correlation between ESGIn and the ROE indicator. Additional sector-specific analyses reveal different patterns in the sectors. In the case of companies from the real business sector, there is a moderate positive correlation between ESGIn and the ROA and ROE indicators, while in the financial sector (banks) there is a weak positive correlation between ESGIn and the ROA and ROE indicators and a weak negative correlation between ESGIn and YPS. The analysis did not reveal a correlation between ESGIn and EPS.
These results have implications for strategic decision-making in the Macedonian market and beyond, highlighting the need for tailored approaches to effectively integrate sustainability practices. The study contributes to the ongoing dialogue on the relationship between sustainability indicators and FP, providing a basis for further research and practical applications.
Enalapril mitigates aging by targeting antioxidative genes via phosphorylated Smad1/5/9
Authors: Lyu Wencong , Wang Haochen , Du Zhehao , Wei Ran , He Jianuo , Meng Fanju , Bi Jinlong , Zhang Lijun , Zhang Chao , Guan Yiting , Tao Wei
Published: February 2025

Aging increases the risk of a myriad of chronic diseases, which are expensive and difficult to treat owing to their various risk factors. Repurposing existing anti-aging medications has accelerated the development of therapies aimed at slowing aging. In this study, we revealed that enalapril, a drug widely prescribed for hypertension, can improve both cellular senescence and individual health. Mechanistically, phosphorylated Smad1/5/9 act as pivotal mediators of the anti-aging properties of enalapril. It stimulates downstream genes involved in cell cycle regulation and antioxidative defense, facilitating cell proliferation and diminishing the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), thus increasing the antioxidative ability of enalapril. At the organismal level, enalapril has been shown to bolster the physiological performance of various organs; it notably enhances memory capacity and renal function and relieves lipid accumulation. Our work highlights the potential of enalapril to augment antioxidant defenses and combat the effects of aging, thereby indicating its promise as a treatment strategy for aging-associated diseases and its use for healthy aging.
Brain areas for reversible symbolic reference, a potential singularity of the human brain
Authors: van Kerkoerle Timo , Pape Louise , Ekramnia Milad , Feng Xiaoxia , Tasserie Jordy , Dupont Morgan , Li Xiaolian , Jarraya Béchir , Vanduffel Wim , Dehaene Stanislas , Dehaene-Lambertz Ghislaine
Published: February 2025

The emergence of symbolic thinking has been proposed as a dominant cognitive criterion to distinguish humans from other primates during hominisation. Although the proper definition of a symbol has been the subject of much debate, one of its simplest features is bidirectional attachment: the content is accessible from the symbol, and vice versa. Behavioural observations scattered over the past four decades suggest that this criterion might not be met in non-human primates, as they fail to generalise an association learned in one temporal order (A to B) to the reverse order (B to A). Here, we designed an implicit fMRI test to investigate the neural mechanisms of arbitrary audio–visual and visual–visual pairing in monkeys and humans and probe their spontaneous reversibility. After learning a unidirectional association, humans showed surprise signals when this learned association was violated. Crucially, this effect occurred spontaneously in both learned and reversed directions, within an extended network of high-level brain areas, including, but also going beyond, the language network. In monkeys, by contrast, violations of association effects occurred solely in the learned direction and were largely confined to sensory areas. We propose that a human-specific brain network may have evolved the capacity for reversible symbolic reference.
Rediscovering the Rete Ovarii: a secreting auxiliary structure to the ovary
Authors: Anbarci Dilara N , McKey Jennifer , Levic Daniel S , Bagnat Michel , Capel Blanche
Published: February 2025

The
rete ovarii
(RO) is an appendage of the ovary that has been given little attention. Although the RO appears in drawings of the ovary in early versions of Gray’s Anatomy, it disappeared from recent textbooks, and is often dismissed as a functionless vestige in the adult ovary. Using PAX8 immunostaining and confocal microscopy, we characterized the fetal development of the RO in the context of the ovary. The RO consists of three distinct regions that persist in adult life, the intraovarian rete (IOR), the extraovarian rete (EOR), and the connecting rete (CR). While the cells of the IOR appear to form solid cords within the ovary, the EOR rapidly develops into a convoluted tubular epithelium ending in a distal dilated tip. Cells of the EOR are ciliated and exhibit cellular trafficking capabilities. The CR, connecting the EOR to the IOR, gradually acquires tubular epithelial characteristics by birth. Using microinjections into the distal dilated tip of the EOR, we found that luminal contents flow towards the ovary. Mass spectrometry revealed that the EOR lumen contains secreted proteins potentially important for ovarian function. We show that the cells of the EOR are closely associated with vasculature and macrophages, and are contacted by neuronal projections, consistent with a role as a sensory appendage of the ovary. The direct proximity of the RO to the ovary and its integration with the extraovarian landscape suggest that it plays an important role in ovary development and homeostasis.
Ezrin defines TSC complex activation at endosomal compartments through EGFR–AKT signaling
Authors: Giamundo Giuliana , Intartaglia Daniela , Del Prete Eugenio , Polishchuk Elena , Andreone Fabrizio , Ognibene Marzia , Buonocore Sara , Hay Mele Bruno , Salierno Francesco Giuseppe , Monfregola Jlenia , Antonini Dario , Grumati Paolo , Eva Alessandra , De Cegli Rossella , Conte Ivan
Published: February 2025

Endosomes have emerged as major signaling hubs where different internalized ligand–receptor complexes are integrated and the outcome of signaling pathways are organized to regulate the strength and specificity of signal transduction events. Ezrin, a major membrane–actin linker that assembles and coordinates macromolecular signaling complexes at membranes, has emerged recently as an important regulator of lysosomal function. Here, we report that endosomal-localized EGFR/Ezrin complex interacts with and triggers the inhibition of the Tuberous Sclerosis Complex (TSC complex) in response to EGF stimuli. This is regulated through activation of the AKT signaling pathway. Loss of Ezrin was not sufficient to repress TSC complex by EGF and culminated in translocation of TSC complex to lysosomes triggering suppression of mTORC1 signaling. Overexpression of constitutively active EZRINT567D is sufficient to relocalize TSC complex to the endosomes and reactivate mTORC1. Our findings identify EZRIN as a critical regulator of autophagy via TSC complex in response to EGF stimuli and establish the central role of early endosomal signaling in the regulation of mTORC1. Consistently, Medaka fish deficient for Ezrin exhibit defective endo-lysosomal pathway, attributable to the compromised EGFR/AKT signaling, ultimately leading to retinal degeneration. Our data identify a pivotal mechanism of endo-lysosomal signaling involving Ezrin and its associated EGFR/TSC complex, which are essential for retinal function.
Interleukin-1 prevents SARS-CoV-2-induced membrane fusion to restrict viral transmission via induction of actin bundles
Authors: Zheng Xu , Yu Shi , Zhou Yanqiu , Yu Kuai , Gao Yuhui , Chen Mengdan , Duan Dong , Li Yunyi , Cui Xiaoxian , Mou Jiabin , Yang Yuying , Wang Xun , Chen Min , Jiu Yaming , Zhao Jincun , Meng Guangxun
Published: February 2025

Innate immune responses triggered by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection play pivotal roles in the pathogenesis of COVID-19, while host factors including proinflammatory cytokines are critical for viral containment. By utilizing quantitative and qualitative models, we discovered that soluble factors secreted by human monocytes potently inhibit SARS-CoV-2-induced cell-cell fusion in viral-infected cells. Through cytokine screening, we identified that interleukin-1β (IL-1β), a key mediator of inflammation, inhibits syncytia formation mediated by various SARS-CoV-2 strains. Mechanistically, IL-1β activates RhoA/ROCK signaling through a non-canonical IL-1 receptor-dependent pathway, which drives the enrichment of actin bundles at the cell-cell junctions, thus prevents syncytia formation. Notably, in vivo infection experiments in mice confirmed that IL-1β significantly restricted SARS-CoV-2 spread in the lung epithelium. Together, by revealing the function and underlying mechanism of IL-1β on SARS-CoV-2-induced cell-cell fusion, our study highlights an unprecedented antiviral function for cytokines during viral infection.
Leveraging a hybrid convolutional gated recursive diabetes prediction and severity grading model through a mobile app
Authors: Alsayed Alhuseen Omar , Ismail Nor Azman , Hasan Layla , Binsawad Muhammad , Embarak Farhat
Published: February 2025

Diabetes mellitus is a common illness associated with high morbidity and mortality rates. Early detection of diabetes is essential to prevent long-term health complications. The existing machine learning model struggles with accuracy and reliability issues, as well as data imbalance, hindering the creation of a dependable diabetes prediction model. The research addresses the issue using a novel deep learning mechanism called convolutional gated recurrent unit (CGRU), which could accurately detect diabetic disorder and their severity level. To overcome these obstacles, this study presents a brand-new deep learning technique, the CGRU, which enhances prediction accuracy by extracting temporal and spatial characteristics from the data. The proposed mechanism extracts both the spatial and temporal attributes from the input data to enable efficient classification. The proposed framework consists of three primary phases: data preparation, model training, and evaluation. Specifically, the proposed technique is applied to the BRFSS dataset for diabetes prediction. The collected data undergoes pre-processing steps, including missing data imputation, irrelevant feature removal, and normalization, to make it suitable for further processing. Furthermore, the pre-processed data is fed to the CGRU model, which is trained to identify intricate patterns indicating the stages of diabetes. To group the patients based on their characteristics and identity patterns, the research uses the clustering algorithm which helps them to classify the severity level. The efficacy of the proposed CGRU framework is demonstrated by validating the experimental findings against existing state-of-the-art approaches. When compared to existing approaches, such as Attention-based CNN and Ensemble ML model, the proposed model outperforms conventional machine learning techniques, demonstrating the efficacy of the CGRU architecture for diabetes prediction with a high accuracy rate o f 99.9%. Clustering algorithms are more beneficial as they help in identifying the subtle pattern in the dataset. When compared to other methods, it can lead to more accurate and reliable prediction. The study highlights how the cutting-edge CGRU model enhances the early detection and diagnosis of diabetes, which will eventually lead to improved healthcare outcomes. However, the study limits to work on diverse datasets, which is the only thing considered to be the drawback of this research.