bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effective Factors on the Recurrence of Bipolar Mood Disorder I in an Iranian Population Sample Using the Frailty Model with Bayesian Approach
Authors: Esmaeeli Habiballah , Talaei Ali , Arab Borzu Zahra , Kheyri Soleiman , Raeesi Monire , Borhani Mahdieh , Saeedi Anahita
Published: March 2021

Objective: Bipolar I disorder is one of the most frequent mental disorders characterized by manic or mixed +/- depressive episodes. Drug treatment has been proved to diminish next episodes, but many other factors are important for exacerbating the conditions. This study aimed to investigate the effective factors on the time and number of episodes in these patients by applying the shared frailty model.
Method: In this retrospective longitudinal study, the information of 606 patients with bipolar I disorder, admitted for the first time in Ibn-e-Sina psychiatric hospital in Mashhad from the beginning of 2007 until the end of 2009 were used. These patients were followed up until the end of 2018 for readmission. The Cox model with gamma frailty and Bayesian approach were used to determine the effective factors of frequent recurrences.
Results: History of head trauma, substance abuse, and legal conflict had a positive impact on recurrences, while age had a negative effect on recurrences and the risk of recurrence was higher in younger people (P < 0.05). The variance estimation of frailty effect was 0.97 that indicates a correlation between the recurrence intervals of bipolar I patients, owing to a heterogeneity among patients.
Conclusion: Based on the results, a higher risk of recurrence of bipolar I disorder was found in younger patients and those with a history of head trauma, substance abuse, and legal conflicts. Further investigations are required to account for the genetic factor and psychosocial exposure during critical periods applying this model.
Shift Work Disorder, Insomnia, and Depression among Offshore Oil Rig Workers
Authors: Sadeghniiat-Haghighi Khosro , Mehrabinejad Mohammad-Mehdi , Hajighaderi Abdolkarim , Najafi Arezu , Rahimi-Golkhandan Ania , Zahabi Alireza
Published: March 2021

Objective: Numerous offshore jobs require 24-hour tasks, such as in industrial workplaces (eg, oil rigs). The purpose of this study was to assess shift work disorder (SWD), insomnia, daytime sleepiness, and depression among Iranian offshore oil rig workers in different shift schedules.
Method: This cross-sectional study was conducted on Iranian offshore oil workers at the Persian Gulf. A questionnaire package consisted of Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI- II), and SWD filled. The scores were calculated among different groups of shift schedules (fixed-day, fixed-night, swing and standby shift workers). ISI, BDI-II, and ESS scores were also compared between individuals with or without SWD.
Results: A total of 188 participants were recruited in the study, and all were male. The mean age was 37.06 ± 9.2 years. Among different shift schedules, the highest and lowest ISI and ESS scores were related to fixed-night shifts workers and fixed-day shift workers, respectively. ISI, ESS, and BDI mean scores in different shift schedules were not significantly different (p values = 0.14, 0.57, and 0.93, respectively). SWD was diagnosed in 57 (30.3%) of studied shift workers. The difference between SWD prevalence was not significant between different shift schedules (P value =0.13). Workers with SWD had higher ISI, ESS, and BDI-II score (P values <0.0001, <0.0001, and <0.0001, respectively) and workers without SWD had higher job satisfaction (p value = 0.04).
Conclusion: SWD is considered as a serious health-related issue in Persian Gulf oil rig shift workers. Insomnia, daytime sleepiness, and depression are associated with SWD.
The Illness Belief Network Questionnaire: Development and Evaluation of a Psychosomatic Assessment Tool
Authors: Goli Farzad , Roohafza Hamidreza , Feizi Awat , Gholamrezaei Ali , Farzanegan Mahboubeh , Hashemi Marsa , Kube Tobias , Rief Winfried
Published: March 2021

Objective: Patients’ beliefs and emotions toward an illness can influence their coping responses, illness behaviors, adherence to treatment, quality of life, and even the psychoneuroimmune responses. The aim of present study was to develop and validate a novel questionnaire assessing both rational and irrational beliefs of patients regarding their illness.
Method: In a cross sectional methodological study, the items of the Illness Belief Network (IBN) were developed regarding patients and clients’ opinions about and attribution of their disease extracted from 400 clinical interviews and were coded based on Leventhal’s self-regulation model. An expert panel coded the items. A total of 400 patients with different medical conditions completed the questionnaire. Participants additionally rated the Illness Perceptions Questionnaire in its revised form (IPQ-R) to assess convergent validity. Construct validity was examined by conducting exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis. The Cronbach alpha and Intracluster Correlation Coefficient (ICC) were used for examining Internal consistency and test-retest reliability of the IBN.
Results: The IBN questionnaire was finalized with 84 items, and the results of factor analysis revealed 5 factors: psychosocial causes, environmental causes, control, meaning, and consequence/timeline; extracted factors were confirmed by confirmatory factor analysis. Cronbach’s α coefficient for scale was 0.92 and it ranged from 0.79 to 0.89 for the subscales. IBN indicated excellent test-retest reliability results based on ICC 0.842(95%CI: 0.798-0.846). The correlation coefficients of all items exceeded the prespecified acceptable value of 0.40, indicating satisfactory item discriminant validity, and correlation between IBN and IPQ-R subscales were statistically significant (all p values < 0.01), indicating acceptable convergent validity.
Conclusion: The IBN questionnaire is a valid and reliable phenomenological, non-judging, and clinical tool to assess patient’s rational and irrational or faith-based beliefs about the illness. This tool can be used to improve doctor-patient communication by exploring the complex nature of human thinking.
Psychometric Properties of Mobile Phone Abuse (MPA): Exploratory and Confirmatory Factor Analysis in Student Mobile Users
Authors: Alavi Seyyed Salman , Ghanizadeh Maryam , Mohammadi Mohammad Reza , Jannatifard Fereshteh , Salehi Mona , Farahani Malihe , Esmaili Alamuti Sudeh , Gharaati Sotoudeh Hossein , Mirhashemi Malek
Published: March 2021

Objective: Smartphone is an important technology device in our lifestyle. It has an important part of our daily lives, but it also has a negative effect, such as cell phone dependency. This research aimed to evaluate the psychometric properties of mobile phone abuse (MPA) in the Iranian population.
Method: In this study, data were chosen from 1100 participants who were studying in Tehran universities. The principal version of the scale was translated into Persian using the back translation method. All attendees completed Demographic Questionnaire, MPA Questionnaire, and Mobile Phone Problematic Use Scale (MPPUS). Eventually, a clinical interview (based on the fifth version of DSM) was done for all the participants. For data analysis, internal and external consistency, factor analysis, construct validity and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) were used. Statistically, less than 0.05 were considered to be ‎ significant.‎
Results: According to expert judgments, content validity index was satisfactory. Furthermore, the reliability of the questionnaire was confirmed with Cronbach’s α of 0.90 and test-retest reliability of 0.56 after 3 weeks. The best cutoff point for this questionnaire (MPA) was 46. Also, 4 factors were extracted by principal components method and varimax rotation: “excessive use of cell phone,” “addictive use of social networks,” “mood modification,” and “preoccupation” for both male and female students.
Conclusion: MPA could be used in studies on the evaluation of mobile phone addiction. This can be a stepping stone towards the identification of problems and improvement of students’ mobile phone abuse.
Posttraumatic Growth and Depreciation from University Students’ Perspectives
Authors: Mirzaee Amin , Alizade Azize , Dowran Behnaz , Shafiezadeh Akram
Published: March 2021

Objective: This study investigated whether a sample of Iranian university students considered posttraumatic depreciation (PTD) and posttraumatic growth (PTG) as negative or positive. Also, possible gender and religiosity differences in understanding of changes in PTD and PTG were evaluated.
Method: The present cross-sectional study was conducted during 2019-2020. The target sample Consisted of 298 students (mean age = 23.79) from 3 Universities in Esfahan and Tehran (Iran), recruited by convenience sampling. The sample answered to the scales, including Posttraumatic Growth Inventory and Posttraumatic Depreciation Inventory; and Iranian version of The Clark and Stark Religious questionnaire.
Results: Despite the overall support for the PTG and PTD constructs, the present study showed that there are cross-cultural differences that can affect people's perception of item evaluation positively or negatively. In this study, almost all items that were evaluated differently with operationally defined PTG and PTD belonged to “Relating to Others” factor. The result also displayed gender and religiosity differences in perceptions of growth and depreciation.
Conclusion: These results suggest that it is necessary to identify the concept of PTG and PTD in each culture and the individual differences that may affect the perception of PTG and PDT be considered.
Earthquake Impact, Coping Mechanism, and the Community Discourses: Experiences from the Central Hills of Nepal
Authors: Suvedi Mukti
Published: March 2021

Introduction: Nepal is vulnerable to many hazards and disasters. Geographically, Nepal is situated at the Indi-an and Eurasian seismic plates and is prone to disasters like floods, landslides, fire, and earthquakes. The earthquake of April 25, 2015, with a 7.8 Richter scale and several aftershocks, have resulted in a considerable loss of human lives, physical infrastructure, and natural resources in Nepal. Many studies on the impacts of the earthquake mentioned the challenges in community recovery. This paper examines and explains the impact of earthquakes on family and community, how family and community cope during the disaster. Besides coping mechanisms, this paper explains discourses or conflicts in the family and communities. The paper is an outcome of a statistical analysis of 912 households' survey conducted in Nepal's central hill, Kispang Rural municipality, a community affected by the 2015 earthquake in Nuwakot district.
Methods: This research relies on literature review, key informant interviews, Focus Group Discussions (FGD), field visits, expert interviews, etic and emic approaches to observe from the field. The research questionnaires were prepared and performed a household survey of 912 households. Various questions on how the earthquake in Nepal "X" has created the "Y" impacts and discourses or conflict in the family and the community in Nepal's central hills were analyzed.
Results: The earthquake has impacted the families and communities; however, the families and communities had shown distinct coping mechanisms to stay resilient to the impact—various factors were identified where family discourses and conflict escalated, which has impacted the community peace. Family level discourses and conflict emerged mainly in collectivist society or joint or extended families. Gender-based violence/ conflict is also measured and found augmented after the earthquake in the community.  
Conclusion: The research study concluded that family discourses and conflict emerged when disaster relief and reconstruction policies do not incorporate the affected communities' needs. The multi-dimensional holistic, integrated policies that integrate all the affected communities' needs will support building community and family-level peace. Discriminative policies that divide families and communities should not be practiced.
A Novel Balanced Chromosomal Translocation in an Azoospermic Male: A Case Report
Authors: Chakraborty Abhik , Palo Indira , Roy Souvick , Koh Shu Wen , Hande Manoor Prakash , Banerjee Birendranath
Published: March 2021

Background: Balanced translocation and azoospermia as two main reasons for recurrent pregnancy loss are known to be the leading causes of infertility across the world. Balanced translocations in azoospermic males are very rare and extensive studies need to be performed to elucidate the translocation status of the affected individuals.
Case Presentaion: The cytogenetic characterization of a 28 year old male and his female partner is reported in this study. The male partner was diagnosed with non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA) and the couple was unable to conceive. Cytogenetic analysis by karyotyping through Giemsa-trypsin-giemsa banding technique (GTG) showed a novel balanced translocation, 46,XY,t(19;22)(19q13.4;22q11.2), 13ps+ in the male and the female karyotype was found to be 46,XX. Multicolor fluorescence in situ hybridization (mFISH) analysis on paternal chromosomal preparations con-firmed both the region and origin of balanced translocation. The status of Y chromo-some microdeletion (YMD) was analyzed and no notable microdeletion was ob-served. Furthermore, protein-protein interaction (PPI) network analysis was per-formed for breakpoint regions to explore the possible functional genetic associations.
Conclusion: The azoospermic condition of the male patient along with novel bal-anced chromosomal translocation was responsible for infertility irrespective of its YMD status. Therefore, cytogenetic screening of azoospermic patients should be performed in addition to routine semen analysis to rule out or to confirm presence of any numerical or structural anomaly in the patient.
The Possibility of Increasing Oocyte Capacity to Repair Sperm DNA Fragmentation
Authors: Sadeghi Mohammad Reza
Published: March 2021

The article's abstract is not available.
Treatment Cost of COVID-19 in Hospitals affiliated to Kashan University of Medical Sciences: Time-Driven Activity-Based Costing
Authors: Rahati Meghdad , Fakharian Esmaeil , Yousefianarani Ali , Omidvar Aydine , Nazemi-bidgoli Zahra
Published: March 2021

Background: Due to limited resources, efficiency is very important to maximize resources for hospitals. Time-Driven Activity-Based Costing estimates costs and provides valuable information to increase efficiency. Therefore, the cost of COVID-19 in the hospitals affiliated with Kashan University of Medical Sciences was investigated using this method.
Method: In this cross-sectional and retrospective study, the statistical population included all patients (n = 3129) with COVID-19 hospitalized in the Seyed Al-Shohada hospital (88 beds) and Shagid Beheshti hospital (700 beds) selected via census method during March and April 2020. Data collection was conducted through review of litreture (library method field); and review of accounting documents, direct observation of activities related to the treatment of patients, interviews with top managers for timing of receiving services by patients (field method). The descriptive statistics including means and frequency tables was reported and time-driven activity-based costing was conducted. Data analyses were performed using Excel software.
Results: Findings showed that the cost of one bed night for COVID19 patients was 22,866,669 Rials in Shahid Beheshti hospital and 30,554,405 Rials in Seyed Al-Shohada hospital and was 23,672,447 Rials for both hospitals in total. The cost of treatment of COVID19 by time-driving costing method was higher than the tariff approved by the Supreme Insurance Council.
Conclusion: Due to the difference between the cost of treatment of COVID-19 and the tariffs, it is necessary to calculate the bed night of these patients based on the tariffs of special wards. Moreover, due to the high cost of these patients, it is necessary to make appropriate policies for allocating beds in the hospitals affiliated to the University of Medical Sciences.
Referral Burden and Cost of Outpatient Care of Patients Covered by the Rural Insurance Fund before and after the Implementation of Electronic Referral System in Golestan Province
Authors: Abbasi Anis , Kabir Mohammad Javad , Kavian Telouri Fatemeh , Heidari Alireza , Khatirnamani Zahra , Rafiei Narges , Keshavarzi Anahita
Published: March 2021

Background: Part of the major health costs is related to outpatient care. Since the costs of diagnosis and treatment are increasing rapidly and increasingly, this study was conducted to determine the referral burden and cost of outpatient care of patients covered by the Rural Insurance Fund before and after the implementation of the electronic referral system in Golestan province.
Methods: This was a cross-sectional and descriptive study conducted based on the information collected from the specialized clinics of all hospitals and offices of specialized and sub-specialized physicians, imaging centers, laboratories, physiotherapy, radiotherapy, and pharmacies in public and private sectors of Golestan province in the first 6 months of 2017 and 2016 . The study was a census and included the information of all patients covered by the Health Insurance Fund who referred to the second level to receive services. To collect the required data, the existing information systems and documents of the General Directorate of Health Insurance and Excel software were used.
Results: The number of visits to the specialists in the public and private sectors decreased by 23.2 % and 32.6 % in the first 6 months of 2017 compared to the same period in 2016 in all funds and rural funds, respectively. The number of visits to the specialists in the private sector decreased by 53.2% and 93% in the first 6 months of 2017 compared to the same period in 2016 in all funds and rural funds, respectively. The cost of visits in the public and private sectors decreased by 23.6 % and 48 % in all funds, respectively. In rural funds, the costs reduced by 30.6 % and 91.2 % in the public and private sectors, respectively.
Conclusion: According to the results, the capacity of electronic health records and the continuation of services to patients covered by family physicians should be improved throughout the country. Consequently, the unnecessary costs will be reduced, as one of the important goals of the referral system.
Achieving Effective Treatment Goals against New Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) by Identifying the Molecular Details of the Virus Genome
Authors: Khashei Varnamkhasti Khalil , Alipour Marzieh , Naeimi Siros
Published: March 2021

Introduction: We are currently faced with a global epidemic of a new coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) that It affects not only thousands of people in China, but all over the world. The rapid increase in cases appears to be related to the active genome of the virus, which may affect its pathogenesis. An understanding of the novel coronavirus genomic organization will help us in understanding their origins and likely course of future evolution and identify novel cost-effective treatment.
Antitumor Activity and Immunomodulatory Effects of Ficus carica Latex
Authors: Azami Hamideh , Malek-Hosseini Saeed , Mojahed Taghi Maryam , Zareinejad Mohammadrasul , Amirghofran Zahra
Published: March 2021

Introduction: There are limited studies on the anti-cancer and immunomodulatory effects of the fig fruit latex. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effect of fig fruit latex on several cancer cell lines as well as its effect on lymphocytes proliferation and cytokines secretion.
Methods: After preparing a methanolic extract from fig latex, its effect on various cancer cell lines including Fen (bladder cancer), K562 (myeloid leukemia), Hela (cervix carcinoma), Jurkat (lymphoid leukemia) and Raji (lymphoma) was examined by MTT colorimetric assay. For evaluating the effects of extract on lymphocyte proliferation and viability, BrdU assay and flow cytometry staining were used. Cytokine secretion was measured by ELISA assay.
Results: The extract showed the strongest activity against K562 cell line (IC50, 234 µg/ml) and the least activity against Hela cells (IC50 >1000 µg/ml). On evaluation of the immunomodulatory effect of fig by BrdU assay, a reduction in lymphocytes proliferation by increasing the concentration of the extract was observed; proliferation index from 1.2±0.06 at 0.1 µg/ml of the extract reached to 0.13±0.2 at 800 µg/ml. In flow cytometry analysis, a significant cytotoxic effect at concentrations ≥400 µg/ml was observed. The extract at 100 and 200µg/ml had the ability to reduce secretion of interferon (IFN)-γ and interleukin (IL)-4 cytokines.
Conclusion: Fig latex extract showed cytotoxicity on different cells particularly K562 leukemia cells which implied its anticancer activity. This extract at lower concentrations reduced lymphocytes proliferation and cytokine production which showed its immunoinhibitory effects and suggested its possible beneficial in treatment of immune-mediated diseases.
„Ich vergleiche, also bin ich“ – Zur Funktion der Metapher in Hans Magnus Enzensbergers Der Untergang der Titanic
Authors: Haase Michael
Published: March 2021

Bei der Lektüre von Enzensbergers Poem stellt sich zwangsläufig die Frage nach dem Verhältnis von Schrift und Leben. Suggeriert die Indetermination der Metaphern eine Abwesenheit von Sinn, so verweisen die dem Text zugrundeliegenden autobiographischen Reminiszenzen auf eine Verbindlichkeit von Bedeutung. Der Autor des vorliegenden Aufsatzes versucht beide Momente zusammenzudenken, indem er die Metapher als primär anthropologische Kategorie versteht, welche ästhetische Distanz und existenzielles Betroffensein in einen polaren Zusammenhang stellt. Ausgangspunkt der Überlegungen ist hierbei eine bislang von der Forschung nicht berücksichtigte Quelle Enzensbergers: Ossip Mandelstams Essay Gespräch über Dante (1994a).
Sexual and Gender Minority Adolescents and Adult Social Support: Affirmation From Adults to Adolescents
Authors: Burgess Claire , Rusow Joshua A. , Klemmer Cary L. , Gibbs Jeremy J. , Zhang Justin C. , Goldbach Jeremy T.
Published: March 2021

Sexual and gender minority adolescents are at increased risk of mental health disorders; yet. little is known about how they cope with minority stressors using social support from adults. The present study examined adolescent reports of adult social support. Using a semistructured life history calendar approach, ethnically diverse sexual and gender minority adolescents (N = 52, aged 14–20 years old, M age = 16.56, SD = 1.66) and conducted a thematic analysis of their responses. A thematic analysis was conducted. The interviews were transcribed and double-coded using a model of social support as a sensitizing framework. Qualitative analyses revealed three themes centered on (a) support from the presence of nonparental adults in schools, (b) validation from adults’ use of proper gender pronouns, and (c) encountering adults who demonstrate a lack of knowledge about sexual and gender minority issues. The present study demonstrates that coping with minority stress can take more subtle forms, both outside the home (or parental context) and in family relationships. These implications are useful for adults working with sexual or gender minority adolescents in social service and educational settings.
APSOLUT KAO SUBJEKAT? KA HEGELOVOJ TEORIJI SPEKULATIVNOG STAVA
Authors: VLAŠKI STANKO
Published: March 2021

Dok je tradicionalna logika strukturu stava, odnosno suda mislila pretpostavljajući odvojenost i postojanost pojmova subjekta i predikata, Hegel je svojom koncepcijom spekulativnog stava do filozofskog pojma izveo dijalektičku prirodu njihovog odnosa. Radikalnu promenu koja se u logičkom promišljanju suštine stava dešava u Hegelovoj misli autor propituje u svetlu ključnog zahteva čitave Hegelove filozofije da se ono apsolutno shvati i izrazi kao subjekat. Nakon uvodnog osvrta na prelomne etape u povesti filozofskog mišljenja usled kojih je logički problem suda/stava postao jednim od centralnih ontoloških problema filozofije nemačkog idealizma, mesto rađanja Hegelove teorije spekulativnog stava pronalazi se u njegovoj ranoj kritici tzv. filozofija osnovnog stava poput one koju je razvijao Fihte. U središnjem delu izlaganja, teorija spekulativnog stava sagledana je s obzirom na ono po čemu se, prema Hegelu, stav u filozofiji i filozofsko znanje uopšte ima razlikovati u odnosu na stavove i znanja u drugim oblastima duhovnosti, da bi potom i sâm stav kojim se o onome apsolutnom misli kao o subjektu iz predgovora Fenomenologiji duha bio tumačen kao manifestacija spekulativne prirode filozofskog stava. S druge strane, spekulativno mišljen stav s hegelovskih pozicija i sâm može biti shvaćen kao izraz i način na koji ono apsolutno jeste. Kao spekulativni stav, međutim, stav o apsolutu kao subjektu obelodanjuje razloge zbog kojih je sistem filozofije, a ne bilo koji izolovani stav, morao kod Hegela biti shvaćen kao istinski element egzistencije istine.
ZAČETAK „GRČKOG ČUDAˮ
Authors: KALUĐEROVIĆ ŽELJKO
Published: March 2021

Autor u članku reafirmiše dobro poznatu Aristotelovu konstataciju o Talesu kao prvom filozofu. Pažljivom analizom knjiga Metafizike, O nebu i O duši, pronalaze se relevantni pasusi kojima se potkrepljuju Stagiraninove opaske o mudracu iz Mileta kao začetniku nečega što je potom imenovano kao „grčko čudo”. Pri tumačenju, u radu citiranih Aristotelovih iskaza, tri teze izbijaju u prvi plan: 1.) Zemlja jeste na vodi (Met.983b21-22; Cael.294a28), 2.) Voda je materijalni uzrok svih stvari (u Met.983b19-21 govori se o vodi kao arche-u, a nešto ranije u Met.983b7 kaže se da je većina od prvih filozofa samo ona tvarnog oblika smatrala načelima svih stvari), i 3.) Sve stvari su pune bogova (De an.411a7-8; dodaje se i da je magnet živ jer ima moć da pokreće gvožđe, De an.405a19-21). Nakon rekonstrukcije sačuvanih Stagiraninovih beležaka o Talesu, utvrđeno je da je njegova važnost za filozofiju u tome što je on razmotrivši svu raznovrsnost pojavnog sveta detektovao jedinstveni princip koji leži, ili još bolje podleži, ispod samorazumljive i očevidne mnoštvenosti. U stvari, imenujući prvo načelo svega kao vodu, Milećanin je pokušao da na jedan „prirodni” i znanstveni način, bez pomoći mitova i natprirodnih sila, objasni celinu kosmosa, i time zasluženo stekao reputaciju „utemeljitelja filozofije”.
Smart meters’ roll out, solutions in favour of a trust enhancing law in the EU
Authors: Orlando Domenico , Vandevelde Wim
Published: March 2021

The article briefly describes the smart meters technology in the electricity field, its potentials and risks in terms of privacy and data protection, which could undermine the trust of customers. Then, the article delineates the EU legal framework that applies to the technology. A critical assessment of the latter follows, with the identification of some flaws. The focus shifts subsequently to the national level of legislation, when the Flemish laws on the matter are analysed. A different part is dedicated to the role that some technologies could have to reduce the risks and implement privacy. In conclusion, some recommendations are proposed to make the law more prone to enhance trust by the customers.
The double penalty: How female migrants manage family responsibilities in the Spanish dual labour market
Authors: Sánchez-Domínguez María , Guirola Abenza Luis
Published: March 2021

Objective: This study examines the convergence of employment behaviour and work-life balance of foreign-born women with those of native-born Spanish women between 2014 and 2018.

Background: The changing role of women in the labour market is a central development of the past century. However, the study of female labour market participation has focused on native women, typically with a college education.

Method: We use the Spanish Labour Force Survey and its 2018 ad hoc module on the reconciliation of work and family life to compare the working behaviours of native and migrant women. We use a matching algorithm to construct a sample of native workers with comparable human capital and living arrangement characteristics.

Results: The segmentation of the Spanish labour market leads to the concentration of female immigrants in specific occupational niches with precarious employment conditions, regardless of the length of their stay in the country. The country’s employment and care regime forces female migrants to deal with their care responsibilities differently than their native counterparts: i.e., migrants are more likely than natives to interrupt their employment to fulfil household duties, and are less likely to engage in part-time work and to outsource care provision to family and professional caregivers.

Conclusion: Female immigrants are doubly penalised as both immigrants and mothers.
Social Responsibility of Religious Organizations
Authors: Balabeikina O. , Yankovskaya A.
Published: March 2021

The main topic of the study is the social responsibility of religious organizations, the specific features of which are investigated on the example of individual dioceses of the State Christian Church of England. The goal is to analyze the leading ways of advancing of the indicated type of economic activity, to identify instruments for the implementation of social responsibility by a foreign religious institute on the territory of structural units of a regional level – dioceses. The main hypothesis of the study is that religious organizations, implementing a variety of activities within the framework of social responsibility, play a significant role in the economy of the region, largely taking on the social obligations of the state. To achieve the goal and confirm the statement, methods of analysis of actual and economic-statistical information and comparative comparison were used. The main findings of the study can be useful both in the realization of inter-confessional contacts and in the formulation of strategy for the development of state-religious relations in Russia, where the social and economic role of religious organizations is increasing. One of the distinguishing features of social responsibility of the Anglican Church organizations is implementing environment protection goals as one of the important directions in their social work. This part of social responsibility of religious institutions in our country is rarely embodied. The experience and model of managing social responsibility issues by the dioceses of the Church of England can be useful for Russian religious institutions aiming to build more successful and constructive partnership with the state.
Collapse and Re-Emergence of the Two-Party System in Greece
Authors: Kvashnin Y.
Published: March 2021

The article examines the Greek party system under the Third Republic and identifies the key trends in its development during the years of the “great recession” (2008–2016) and the subsequent post-crisis recovery. Economic and social cataclysms led to the political fragmentation, the decline of the once largest party PASOK, the rise of radical parties, both left and right wing. However, the period of political chaos was short-lived. As a result, Greece has come to a quasi-two-party system, similar to the one that functioned in the pre-crisis decades. The return to normalcy was partly caused by the failure of the anti-European agenda, which brought SYRIZA and Independent Greeks to power in 2015 on the crest of a populist wave. But there were other reasons. First, the revitalization of the bipartisan system was facilitated by a reinforced proportional electoral system, which gave 50 bonus seats to the leading party. Second, political competition is constrained by the conservatism of Greek society, its weak susceptibility to new ideas (liberal, «green», regionalist, etc.). Third, bipartisanship is cemented by widespread clientelistic ties between the largest parties and voters who receive public sector jobs and other benefits in exchange for their loyalty. Fourth, the lion’s share of media resources is concentrated in the hands of a small number of media moguls associated with the leading parties, and citizens receive rather scant information about smaller political actors. These factors contribute to political stability, but at the same time they limit political competition, which poses serious risks for the country.
Peculiarities of the Party System of Slovakia in the Context of Parliamentary Electrical Cycles of 2016–2020
Authors: Ostapets Y. , Klyuchkovych A.
Published: March 2021

The article considers the structural changes in the party system of the Slovak Republic, taking place in 2016– 2020 due to the strengthening of parties of anti-systemic populist orientation. The author researches the causes and factors of evolution of the party landscape in the EU countries towards institutionalisation of antisystem policy. The development of the Slovak party system reflects the key trends in the political development of the EU countries with the weakening position of the systemic party establishment and the strengthening role of populist parties. The complexity of the phenomenon of antisystemicism in modern conditions is emphasized, since mainstream parties, seeking electoral support, use the rhetoric of populist parties, and populist parties, haveing obtained parliamentary mandates, weaken their radicalism and start working in the mainstream format. As a result of the 2016 parliamentary elections, the breakdown of the “structural nucleus” of Slovakia’s party system took place, which for two decades had been the basis of its stability and predictability of development. The weakening influence of “traditional” (Christian-Democratic, Conservative, Social-Democratic) parties freed up electoral environment for “new” populist, anti-systemic, right-wing extremist forces. Electoral statistics demonstrates that the influence of mainstream parties weakens at the regional and local levels of Slovak politics. The results of the 2020 parliamentary elections demonstrate that the party system of Slovakia in the continuum between mainstream and populism comes even closer to the populist format. The electoral triumph of populists and their convergence with programmatic parties within the parliamentary-governmental coalition raises new challenges for Slovakia’s political system. Among the main reasons for the rise of populism in Slovakia are the following: disappointment of citizens with the activities of the ruling elites; mediation and personalisation of policy; denationalisation of politics and increasing importance of global governance structures at European and world levels; increasing populism in Slovakian election campaigns; low level of institutionalisation of political parties and the party system as a whole. Attention is drawn to the destructive tendencies in the development of the modern party system of Slovakia. The collapse of the “structural core” of the Slovak party system and the further pluralisation of parliamentary representation of parties do not contribute to the stability and predictability of parliamentary-governmental activity. Increased electoral influence and parliamentary representation of political subjects of populist, anti-systemic and right-wing extremist orientation cause political risks for the stable democratic development of the Slovak Republic.
Influence of Climate Warming on Grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) Phenology in Conditions of Central Europe (Slovakia)
Authors: Bernáth Slavko , Paulen Oleg , Šiška Bernard , Kusá Zuzana , Tóth František
Published: March 2021

The impact of warming on the phenology of grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) in conditions of Central Europe was evaluated at the locality of Dolné Plachtince in the Slovakian wine region. In Welschriesling and Pinot Blanc model varieties there was observed onset of phenophases as defined in BBCH scale over 1985–2018 period. Based on the data obtained there was evaluated the influence of average and average maximum temperature and GDD on the onset of phenophases. The results observed indicate earlier budburst by 5–7 days, earlier beginning of flowering by 7–10 days, and earlier berry softening by 18 days, and harvest dates advanced by 8–10 days on average. In both varieties there was found the highest influence of the average monthly temperature in March on budburst, the highest influence of the average monthly temperature and the average maximum temperature in May on the beginning of flowering, and the highest, statistically significant influence of the average maximum temperature in June on grape veraison. The warming observed in moderate climate conditions of northern wine regions in Central Europe (Slovakia) has not caused yet the changes in the grapevine phenology stable enough to require serious adaptation measures.
CBL-Interacting Protein Kinases (CIPKs) in Chickpea: Genome-Wide Identification, Structure and Expression Analysis under Abiotic Stresses and Development
Authors: Poddar Nikita , Singh Amarjeet , Kumar Shailesh
Published: March 2021

Calcineurin B-like proteins (CBL)-interacting protein kinases (CIPKs) by interacting with CBLs regulate developmental processes, hormone signalling transduction and mediate stress responses in plants. Although the genome of chickpea is available, information of CIPK gene family has been missing in chickpea. Here, a total of 22 CIPK encoding genes were identified in chickpea and characterized by in silico methods. We found a high structural conservation in chickpea CIPK family. Our analysis showed that chickpea CIPKs have evolved with dicots from common ancestors, and extensive gene duplication events have played an important role in evolution and expansion of CIPK family in chickpea. Most chickpea CIPK proteins localize in cytoplasm and nucleus. Promoter analysis revealed various cis-regulatory elements related to plant development, hormone signaling and abiotic stresses. Expression analysis indicated that CIPKs are significantly expressed in a spectrum of developmental stages, tissue/organs that hinted their important role in plant development. Several CIPK genes had specific and overlapping expressions in different abiotic stresses and seed development stages, suggesting the important role of CIPK family in abiotic stress signaling, and seed development in chickpea. Thus, this study provides the avenue for detailed functional characterization of CIPK family in chickpea and other legume crops.
Dynamics of Specific cfDNA Fragments in Plasma of Full Marathon Participants
Authors: Sugasawa Takehito , Fujita Shin-ichiro , Kuji Tomoaki , Ishibashi Noriyo , Tamai Kenshirou , Kawakami Yasushi , Takekoshi Kazuhiro
Published: March 2021

Plasma cell-free DNA (cfDNA) is frequently analyzed using liquid biopsy to investigate cancer markers. Accordingly, we hypothesized this concept could be applied to the field of exercise physiology. Here, we aimed to identify specific cfDNA (spcfDNA) sequences in the plasma of non-treated human participants using next generation sequencing (NGS) and to clearly define the dynamics regarding the amounts of spcfDNA-fragments upon extreme exercise, such as running a full marathon. NGS analysis was performed using cfDNA of pooled plasma collected from non-treated participants. We confirmed the TaqMan-qPCR assay had a high sensitivity and found the spcfDNA sequence abundance was 16,600-fold higher than a normal genomic region. We then used the TaqMan-qPCR assay to investigate the dynamics of the levels of spcfDNA-fragments upon running a full marathon. Quantities of the spcfDNA fragments were significantly increased post marathon. Furthermore, the amounts of spcfDNA fragments strongly correlated with the numbers of white blood cells and plasma myoglobin concentrations. These results suggest the spcfDNA fragments identified in this study were highly sensitive response markers to extreme physical stress. The findings of this study may provide new insights into exercise physiology and genome biology on the human.
The Advancement in Magnetic Nanoparticles for the Diagnosis of Lung Cancer and Its Monitoring
Authors: Rastogi Ayushi , Pandey Fanindra , Tripathi Pankaj Kumar , Manohar Rajiv , Singh Shri
Published: March 2021

There are numerous challenges involved in the diagnosis and treatment of lung cancer. Globally, majority of people suffers from cancerous disease involving throat cancer, lung cancer, stomach cancer, cancerous brain tumor. Among these the most common ones is the lung cancer or lung carcinoma. The leading cause of the lung cancer is the smoking. Around 80% to 90% of deaths are caused due to Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The inadequate diagnostic techniques and low chances for the survival of lung cancer patients results from the lack of an early prognosis and incompetency in traditional therapies. However, such challenges involved in the prognosis and treatment of lung cancer are on decline with the progression in magnetic nanoparticle (MNP) technology. Many break-through discoveries and inventions have been made in the field of cancer therapy by using magnetic nanoparticles. The implication of nanotechnology has led to the recent advancement in nanomedicine field. This has encouraged the improvement in different therapeutic and diagnosis strategies employing nanotechnology. The generation of immense technological benefits for nanoparticles systems has been accredited to its remarkable nanoscale physico-chemical properties. This in turns provides the early detection of lung cancer and active drugs delivery for an improved theranostics strategy. The present review provides a general idea of the current progression in the therapeutic and prognosis purpose of magnetic nanoparticles. Further, we disclose the development in the lung cancer theranostics by functionalization of magnetic nanoparticles. The established importance of magnetic nanoparticles in the theranostics centers for lung cancer has been revealed in this paper. The challenges existing in the theranostics of lung cancer are addressed through the functioning of magnetic nanoparticles in the process.
Elevation of Pro-Inflammatory Cytokine Levels Following Intra-Articular Fractures - A Systematic Review
Authors: Pham That Minh , Erichsen Julie Ladeby , Kowal Justyna Magdalena , Overgaard Søren , Schmal Hagen
Published: March 2021

Intra-articular fractures are a major cause of post-traumatic osteoarthritis (PTOA). Despite adequate surgical treatment, the long-term risk for PTOA is high. Previous studies reported that joint injuries initiate an inflammatory cascade characterized by elevation of synovial pro-inflammatory cytokines, which can lead to cartilage degradation and PTOA development. This review summarizes the literature on the post-injury regulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines and the markers of cartilage destruction in patients suffering from intra-articular fractures. METHODS We searched Medline, Embase, and Cochrane databases (1960–February 2020) and included studies that were performed on human participants and included control groups. Two investigators assessed the quality of the included studies using Covidence and the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. RESULTS Based on the surveyed literature, several synovial pro-inflammatory cytokines, including interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-2, IL-6, IL-8, IL-12p70, interferon-y, and tumor necrosis factor-α, were significantly elevated in patients suffering from intra-articular fractures compared to control. A simultaneous elevation of anti-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-10 and IL-1RA was also observed. In contrast, IL-13, CTX-II, and aggrecan concentrations did not differ significantly between the compared cohorts. CONCLUSIONS Overall, intra-articular fractures are associated with an increase in inflammation-related synovial cytokines. However, more standardized studies which focus on the ratio of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines at different time points are needed.
Production of Biodegradable Polymer From Agro-Wastes in Alcaligenes sp. and Pseudomonas sp.
Authors: Sayyed R.Z. , Shaikh S. S. , Wani S. J. , Rehman Md Tabish , Alajmi Mohamed F. , Haque Shafiul , El Enshasy Hesham Ali
Published: March 2021

The present study was aimed to evaluate the suitability of agro-wastes and crude vegetable oils for the cost effective production of poly-β-hydroxybutyrate (PHB), to evaluate growth kinetics and PHB production in Alcaligenes faecalis RZS4 and Pseudomonas sp. RZS1 with these carbon substrates and to study the biodegradation of PHB accumulated by these cultures. Alcaligenes faecalis RZS4 and Pseudomonas sp. RZS1 accumulate higher amounts of PHB corn (79.90% of dry cell mass) and rice straw (66.22% of dry cell mass) medium respectively. The kinetic model suggests that the Pseudomonas sp. RZS1 follows the Monod model more closely than A. faecalis RZS4. Both the cultures degrade their own PHB extract under the influence of PHB depolymerase. Corn waste and rice straw appear as the best and cost-effective substrates for the sustainable production of PHB from Alcaligenes faecalis RZS4 and Pseudomonas sp. RZS1. The biopolymer accumulated by these organisms is biodegradable in nature. The agro-wastes and crude vegetable oils are good and low cost sources of nutrients for the growth and production of PHN and other metabolites. Their use would lower the production cost of PHN and the low cost production will reduce the sailing price of PHB based products. This would promote the large scale commercialization and popularization of PHB as ecofriendly bioplastic/biopolymer.
Inclusion Complex of Iloperidone with Sulfobutyl Ether Beta-Cyclodextrin: Characterization and Dissolution Studies
Authors: Bhadale Rupali Sanjay , Londhe Vaishali Yogesh
Published: March 2021

Iloperidone (ILO) is a second-generation antipsychotic drug and a first-line treatment approved by USFDA in May 2009. Iloperidone belongs to Biopharmaceutical Classification Systems (BCS) class II; thus, it is poorly water-soluble, highly permeable, and has pH-dependent solubility. Cyclodextrins and their derivatives have a wide range of applications in different formulations due to their complexation ability, which improves the solubility, stability, safety, and bioavailability of a drug. We have tried the complexation of iloperidone with sulfobutyl ether-β-cyclodextrin (SEβCD) to improve its solubility and dissolution. Complexation was done by the kneading method. The characterization of the SEβCD complexes with Iloperidone was done by FTIR, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), saturation solubility, etc. A multimedia dissolution of the complex was carried out and compared with the plain drug. A significant improvement in drug release was found from SEβCD complexes in all media when compared with the drug alone.