bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Detection scheme using a beam splitter and on-off detectors for non-Gaussian state-based quantum illumination with attenuation
Authors: Wang Tiancheng , Usuda Tsuyoshi Sasaki
Published: March 2024

Quantum illumination is an entanglement-based protocol for target detection. The use of a two-mode squeezed vacuum (TMSV) state as a type of Gaussian state has been widely discussed. In our previous study, we found that the quasi-Bell state, which is a non-Gaussian state, outperforms the TMSV state in the quantum illumination protocol with attenuation. In this paper, we construct a detection scheme using practical elements and demonstrate that it can outperform the TMSV state without using the photon-number resolution.
On-chip integrated few-mode erbium–ytterbium co-doped waveguide amplifiers
Authors: He Xiwen , Ma Deyue , Zhou Chen , Xiao Mingyue , Chen Weibiao , Zhou Zhiping
Published: March 2024

We propose for the first time, to the best of our knowledge, an on-chip integrated few-mode erbium–ytterbium co-doped waveguide amplifier based on an 800 nm thick Si3N4 platform, which demonstrates high amplification gains and low differential modal gains (DMGs) simultaneously. An eccentric waveguide structure and a co-propagating pumping scheme are adopted to balance the gain of each mode. A hybrid mode/polarization/wavelength-division (de)multiplexer with low insertion loss and crosstalk is used for multiplexing and demultiplexing in two operation wavebands centered at 1550 nm and 980 nm, where the light in these two bands serves as the signal light and pump light of the amplifier, respectively. The results demonstrate that with an input signal power of 0.1 mW, TE0 mode pump power of 300 mW, and TE1 mode pump power of 500 mW, the three signal modes (TE0/TM0/TE1) all exhibit amplification gains exceeding 30 dB, while maintaining a DMG of less than 0.1 dB.
Health insurance financing and patient retention in care at diabetics and hypertension clinics in Dar es Salaam and Pwani regions, Tanzania. A cohort study
Authors: Manisha Harrieth , Moshiro Candida , Hussein Ally , Amani Fredrick , Mshiu Johnson , Shabbar Jaffar , Mfinanga Sayoki
Published: March 2024

Hypertension and diabetes are chronic conditions that cause major morbidity and mortality worldwide. Whether health insurance financing is associated with improved retention in chronic care in Tanzania, is unknown. Our study establishes the effect of health insurance on retention and the determinants for retention in care among patients attending diabetes and hypertension clinics. We used a Cohort design to study participants enrolled in a cluster-randomized trial of integrated management of HIV, diabetes, and hypertension compared with standard vertical care in the INTE-AFRICA trial. Fifteen health facilities in Dar es Salam and Pwani regions were enrolled, with 1716 participants. Our sample size had 95% power to detect a 50% to 60% retention difference between the insured and uninsured groups (95% CI). We compared proportions using χ2 tests and obtained prevalence and rate ratios by Generalised Linear Models. We studied 1716 participants for 1612.3 Person-years (PY). At the study’s end, 1351 persons were alive and retained in care. Among the insured participants (26.0%), females accounted for 65.9%. Middle-aged adults contributed 58.8% of insured participants. We observed high retention rates (retention incidence rate IR: 83.80/100 PY; 95% CI (79.40–88.40)). There was no difference in retention among insured and uninsured patients (adjusted rate ratio aRR: 1.00; 95% CI, 0.94–1.06). Being middle-aged or senior-aged adults compared to young adults, having diabetes alone or hypertension alone compared to both conditions, having the comorbidity of diabetes or hypertension with HIV compared to a single condition, and attending health centres and hospitals compared to dispensaries were significantly associated with retention in care. This study showed no effect of health insurance on retention in diabetic and hypertension care clinics. However, age, medical diagnosis, morbidity, and type of health facility attended were associated with retention in care.
Challenges for maintaining post elimination phase of visceral leishmaniasis control programme in India: A field-based study
Authors: Guha Subhasish Kamal , Sardar Ashif Ali , Saha Pabitra , Chatterjee Moytrey , Jana Kingsuk , Samanta Anwesha , Maji Dipankar , Biswas Prasanta , Bhattacharya Rahul , Maji Ardhendu Kumar
Published: March 2024

Background

India is going through the maintenance phase of VL elimination programme which may be threatened by the persistence of hidden parasite pools among asymptomatic leishmanial infection (ALI) and PKDL. The present work was designed to determine the burden of VL, PKDL, and ALI and to assess the role of treatment of ALI in maintaining post-elimination phase.

Methods and finding

The study was undertaken in Malda district, West Bengal, India during October 2016 to September 2021. Study areas were divided into ‘Study’ and ‘Control’ arms. VL and PKDL cases of both the arms were diagnosed by three active mass surveys with an interval of one year and treated as per National guideline. ALI of ‘Study’ arm was treated like VL. ALI of ‘Control’ arm was followed up to determine their fate. Fed sand-fly pools were analysed for parasitic DNA. No significant difference was noted between the incidence of VL and PKDL in both the arms. Incidence of ALI declined sharply in ‘Study’ arm but an increasing trend was observed in ‘Control’ arm. Significantly higher rate of sero-conversion was noted in ‘Control’ arm and was found to be associated with untreated ALI burden. Parasitic DNA was detected in 22.8% ALI cases and 2.2% sand-fly pools.

Conclusion

Persistence of a significant number of PKDL and ALI and ongoing transmission, as evidenced by new infection and detection of leishmanial DNA in vector sand-flies, may threaten the maintenance of post-elimination phase. Emphasis should be given for elimination of pathogen to prevent resurgence of VL epidemics.
Mental health in Ireland during the Covid pandemic: Evidence from two longitudinal surveys
Authors: Madden David
Published: March 2024

Background

The Covid pandemic arrived in Ireland on February 29, 2020. In the following weeks various restrictions were introduced to stem the spread of the disease. Anxiety over the spread of the disease and over the restrictions introduced had an adverse effect upon mental health. This study examines the change in mental health for two groups: young adults aged around 23 at the time of onset of Covid (the 1998 cohort) and a sample of principal carers (PCs) of children who were aged 13 at the onset of Covid (the 2008 cohort).

Methods

Data were obtained from the two cohorts of the longitudinal Growing Up In Ireland (GUI) survey. The sample included 1953 young adults (from the 1998 cohort) and 3547 principal carers (from the 2008 cohort). Mental health as measured by the Centre for Epidemiological Studies Depression—8 scale was obtained for the last pre-Covid wave and for the Covid wave (surveyed in December 2020). Observations for which CES-D8 was not available in either pre or post Covid waves were excluded. Post-Covid sampling weights were applied. The change in depression rates was decomposed into a growth and distribution effect using a Shapley decomposition. The socioeconomic gradient of CES-D8 was examined pre and post Covid using concentration indices and a transition matrix was constructed to examine the dynamics of changes in CES-D8 and depression pre and post-Covid.

Results

Relative to the last pre-Covid survey, mental health, as measured by CES-D8 deteriorated for both the young adults of the 1998 cohort and the PCs of the 2008 cohort. For young adults, the deterioration was more pronounced for females. There was no observable socioeconomic gradient for poor mental health amongst young adults, both pre and post Covid. For mothers from the 2008 cohort, a gradient was observed during the pre-COVID-19 pandemic period with poorer mental health status for lower-income and less educated mothers. This gradient was less pronounced post-Covid, the levelling-off arising from a greater deterioration in mental health for higher-income and better-educated PCs.

Conclusion

Both observed cohorts showed a significant deterioration in mental health post Covid. For young adults the effect was significantly more pronounced among females and this is consistent with generally poorer mental health amongst females in this age group. There was little or no socioeconomic gradient observed for young adults, but the gradient became more shallow for principal carers. Care must be taken in terms of drawing policy implications from this study as the Covid-19 pandemic was arguably a unique event, even allowing for the likelihood of future pandemics. However, the study highlights the vulnerability of young adults, especially females, to the mental health effects arising from major public health shocks.
Cervical cancer prevention: Feasibility of self-sampling and HPV testing in rural and urban areas of Bolivia: An observational study
Authors: Carozzi Francesca Maria , Royder Yanez Ricardo , Paganini Irene , Sani Cristina , Cannistrà Stefania , Matucci Marzia , von Borries Sandra , Traina Silvia
Published: March 2024

Background

Cervical cancer is a major health problem in Latin America. In 2019, the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (La Paz regional site) conducted a pilot study to estimate the prevalence of high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) and the feasibility of HPV screening in Bolivia through self-sampling and portable and transportable laboratory instruments for HPV testing in urban and rural areas.

Methods

Women aged 20–65 years from La Paz (urban area), Toro Toro (rural area), and Acasio (rural area) were enrolled in local public health centers between Dec 1, 2019, and June 30, 2021. Self-sampling was carried out with the Viba-Brush system (Rovers, Oss, Netherlands) and samples were preserved in ThinPrep containers (Hologic Corporation, San Diego, CA, USA). The GeneXpert system (Cepheid, Sunnyvale, CA, USA) for high-risk HPV testing detects HPV E6 and E7 DNA via real-time PCR in a mobile system of easy execution requiring minimal manual intervention. The system provides results in about 1 h. The hr- HPV prevalence data, overall and partial genotyping, were analyzed considering the following age groups: 20–34, 35–44, and 45–65 years old.

Findings

2168 women were enrolled: 614 (28.3%) in La Paz, 743 (34.3%) in Toro Toro, and 811 (37.4%) in Acasio. Only one sample was collected from each participant. 2043 (94.2%) of 2168 samples were adequate for HPV testing. 255 (12.5%) samples were positive for high-risk HPV. Comparing the urban area (La Paz) versus rural combined areas (Acasio+Toro Toro), using a logistic model, the HPV total rate was statistically significantly higher in the city of La Paz (15.0% vs 11.4%; OR:1.37;95% CI: 1.04–1.80). Furthermore, the HPV prevalence was declining by age, and the urban/rural odds ratio was 1.50; (95% IC 1.13–19). The overall HPV 16 positivity was 2.7% (55/2043) and for HPV 18/45 was 1.8% (37/2043) without any statistically significant differences between the three BHU enrolling centers. Only the prevalence of HPV group ‘39/56/66/68’ was significantly higher in La Paz (p<0,001) in comparison to Acasio and Toro Toro.

Interpretation

The total and age-adjusted prevalence of high-risk HPV infection in rural and urban areas in Bolivia, as measured with a validated test for screening, is similar to that observed in Europe and the USA. Our study shows that a screening protocol for HPV testing with self-sampling would be feasible in urban and rural areas in Bolivia, and that the reported high occurrence of cervical cancer in Bolivia is not related to a higher rate of high-risk HPV infections. Carrying out HPV tests locally avoids the issues associated with transportation and storage of the collected material and allows the participant to wait in the clinic for the test result, overcoming the very long response time for screening test in Bolivia.
Prostate cancer in Spain: A retrospective database analysis of hospital incidence and the direct medical costs
Authors: Darbà Josep , Ascanio Meritxell
Published: March 2024

Introduction

The goal of this study is to determine the medical costs, comorbidity profile, and health care resources use of patients diagnosed with prostate cancer who have been treated in Spanish hospitals.

Methods

The admission records of the patients diagnosed with prostate cancer used in the study were registered between January 2016 and December 2020. These records have been collected from a Spanish hospital discharge database and have been evaluated in a retrospective multicenter analysis.

Results

8218 patients from the database met the criteria and were thus analyzed. The median aged of the diagnosed patients was 71.68 years. The median Charlson comorbidity index (CCI) score was 4, and the updated median CCI was 3. Hypertension was diagnosed in the 49.76% of the individuals, 37.03% had chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and 34.51% had hyperlipidaemia. The mortality rate was 9.30%. The most common medical procedure was prostate resection with percutaneous endoscopic approach (31.18%). The mean annual cost per admission was 5212.98€ €.

Conclusions

Technologies, such as the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing for screening has helped in the diagnosis in the past decades, enhancing a decrease in the mortality rate of the patients throughout the years.
Immunization coverage and its associated factors among children aged 12–23 months in Ethiopia: An umbrella review of systematic review and meta-analysis studies
Authors: Zemariam Alemu Birara , Abebe Gebremeskel Kibret , Kassa Mulat Awoke , Alamaw Addis Wondemagegn , Molla Rediet Woldesenbet , Abate Biruk Beletew , Tilahun Befekad Deresse , Wondie Wubet Tazeb , Shimelash Rahel Asres , Fentanew Molla
Published: March 2024

Background

Immunization estimated to prevent 2 to 3 million children deaths every year from vaccine preventable disease. In Ethiopia, limited and inconclusive studies have been conducted on immunization coverage so far. Therefore, this umbrella review was intended to estimate the pooled national immunization coverage and its associated factors among children age 12–23 months in Ethiopia.

Methods

This umbrella review included five systematic reviews and meta-analyses through literature search from PubMed, Science direct, and web of science, CINHALE, and data bases specific to systematic reviews such as the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews and Prospero, the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews from May 1 to 30/ 2023. Only systematic reviews and meta-analyses published in English from inception to May 1, 2023, were included. The quality of each study was assessed using Assessment of Multiple Systematic Reviews. Data were extracted using Microsoft excel 2016 and analyzed using STATA 17.0 statistical software. Heterogeneity among studies was assessed using the Cochran Q statistics and I2 test. The pooled effect sizes were determined using pooled proportion for the full vaccination coverage and odds ratios for the associated factors with the corresponding 95% confidence interval were used to declare statically significance.

Results

Five studies with 77,161 children aged 12–23 months were included. The overall pooled full vaccination coverage was 57.72% (95% CI 50.17, 65.28). Institutional delivery (OR: 2.12, 95% CI: 1.78–2.52), travel to vaccination site for <2 hours (OR: 2.43, 95%CI: 1.97–3.00), received at least one antenatal (ANC) visit (OR: 3.2, 95%CI: 2.46–4.1), good maternal knowledge of immunization (OR: 3.63, 95%CI: 2.82–4.67), being informed on immunization schedule (OR: 2.54, 95%CI: 2.02–3.2), living in urban areas (OR: 2, 95% CI: 1.54–2.6), and a household visit by health-care providers (HCP) during the postnatal period (OR: 2.23, 95%CI: 1.22–4.09) were the independent predictors of immunization coverage.

Conclusion

This study showed the full immunization coverage in Ethiopia was lower compared to the WHO-recommended level. Besides, the current umbrella review identifies several factors that contribute to higher immunization coverage. These includes; institutional delivery, near to vaccination site, having ANC visit, being urban residence, household visited by HCP, having good knowledge and informed on immunization schedule. Thus, the government should intensify the growth of immunization services by emphasizing outreach initiatives to reach remote areas and professionals must combine child immunization service with other medical services offered by health institutions.
Rice-Magnaporthe oryzae interactions in resistant and susceptible rice cultivars under panicle blast infection based on defense-related enzyme activities and metabolomics
Authors: Yang Xiurong , Yan Shuangyong , Li Guangsheng , Li Yuejiao , Li Junling , Cui Zhongqiu , Sun Shuqin , Huo Jianfei , Sun Yue
Published: March 2024

Rice blast, caused by rice blast fungus (Magnaporthe oryzae), is a global threat to food security, with up to 50% yield losses. Panicle blast is a severe form of rice blast, and disease responses vary between cultivars with different genotypes. Reactive oxygen species (ROS)-mediated signaling reactions and the phenylpropanoid pathway are important defense mechanisms involved in recognizing and resisting against fungal infection. To understand rice-M. oryzae interactions in resistant and susceptible cultivars, we determined dynamic changes in the activities of five defense-related enzymes in resistant cultivar jingsui 18 and susceptible cultivar jinyuan 899 infected with M. oryzae from 4 to 25 days after infection. We then performed untargeted metabolomics analyses to profile the metabolomes of the cultivars under infected and non-infected conditions. Dynamic changes in the activities of five defense-related enzymes were closely related to panicle blast resistance in rice. Metabolome data analysis identified 634 differentially accumulated metabolites (DAMs) between resistant and susceptible cultivars following infection, potentially explaining differences in disease response between varieties. The most enriched DAMs were associated with lipids and lipid-like molecules, phenylpropanoids and polyketides, organoheterocyclic compounds, organic acids and derivatives, and lignans, neolignans, and related compounds. Multiple metabolic pathways are involved in resistance to panicle blast in rice, including biosynthesis of other secondary metabolites, amino acid metabolism, lipid metabolism, phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, arachidonic acid metabolism, arginine biosynthesis, tyrosine metabolism, tryptophan metabolism, tyrosine and tryptophan biosynthesis, lysine biosynthesis, and oxidative phosphorylation.
Comparative analysis of post-operative rehabilitation approaches for medial patellar luxation in small-breed dogs
Authors: Akaraphutiporn Ekkapol , Kwananocha Irin , Meechai Chularach , Suksomboonwong Pijitra , Aramsriprasert Suchanun , Meethong Ornjira , Triampitak Arttapol , Wangdee Chalika
Published: March 2024

Background and Aim: Electrical stimulation (ES) and light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation (LASER) therapy are frequently used in post-operative rehabilitation; however, there is currently insufficient research comparing their effectiveness. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of post-operative rehabilitation following medial patellar luxation (MPL) surgical correction by comparing ES and LASER therapy when combined with exercise. This was compared with a control group that consisted solely of post-operative home exercise implemented by the owner.

Materials and Methods: We conducted a prospective clinical trial on dogs that had undergone surgical treatment for MPL. The dogs were categorized into the following three groups: The control group, which did not participate in any post-operative rehabilitation program; the ES group, which received post-operative rehabilitation involving ES therapy; and the LASER group, which underwent post-operative rehabilitation featuring LASER therapy.

Results: There were no significant differences among the groups regarding the evaluation parameters, including lameness score, pain score, thigh muscle circumference, and range of motion. Although there may have been a difference in pain score in some groups, it could be attributed to the pre-operative condition of patients. These results aligned with the owner questionnaires’ canine brief pain inventory assessments, showing no significant differences between treatment groups.

Conclusion: Post-operative rehabilitation for MPL correction may enhance limb usage, joint function, muscle mass, and pain relief. However, the duration and level of post-operative pain may influence the necessity for rehabilitation. In addition, ES and LASER therapy offer similar pain-relieving effects after MPL surgery; therefore, the choice between these methods depends on the availability of equipment and veterinarian preferences.

Keywords: electrical stimulation, light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation therapy, medial patellar luxation, post-operative management, rehabilitation.
The relationship between macroeconomic factors and non-performing loans (NPLs) in Lao PDR
Authors: Khouangvichit Chintana
Published: March 2024

The role of the banking sector in driving economic development cannot be understated. Its stability is a critical factor that sets the pace for economic progress. Among the various indicators of financial stability, non-performing loans (NPLs) held by banks hold particular significance as they reflect asset quality, credit risk, and the efficient allocation of resources to productive sectors. NPLs have indeed been a subject of concern for the banking sector, with their prominence intensifying, especially after the 2008 financial crisis. This study investigates the relationship between Macroeconomic factors and non-performing loans in Lao PDR. The secondary data of four variables, namely, Interest Lending rate, CPI-Inflation, Nominal exchange rate, and Money supply from the first quarter of 2012 to the last quarter of 2021 have been collected in order to analyze the long-term relationship among economic factors and estimate the short-term adjustment toward the long-term equilibrium level. The Vector Error Correction Model (VECM) is applied to measure short-term adjustment toward the long-term equilibrium level. Based on the estimation results of the Vector Error Correction Model, two variables have a positive and significant effect on long-term non-performing loans, namely, lending interest rate, and money supply, and a significant inverse relationship with inflation, and exchange rate. Meanwhile, in the short term, only lending interest rates have a significant effect on non-performing loans.
The meaning of social resilience
Authors: Mahler Balázs
Published: March 2024

In recent decades, resilience has risen in economic and social sciences, especially after the worldwide financial and pandemic crises. According to the interdisciplinary status, several points of view about resilience are not precisely defined in the studies. Furthermore, resilience indicators are very diverse, and no standard agreeable indicator is set in economic or sociological studies. At the same time, it is arguable whether it needs any proper indicator set. This paper considers the social and economic indicator set of the studies of the last couple of years to cluster them and analyse the meaning of social resilience from a sociological and economic point of view. Based on the analysis, the study’s results aim to enlighten the role of social resilience in the current economic and sociological studies and search for the answer to the following question: Is resilience a new interdisciplinary way or 'just' a unique viewpoint in current social sciences and economics?
Explaining income inequality by the relationship between social network fragmentation and social segregation indicators
Authors: Dorjnyambuu Byambasuren
Published: March 2024

This paper investigates the way social networks and social indicators of segregation interact and their relationship with income disparity for 426 towns and cities in Hungary. Three social indicators of segregation are used to capture different characteristics of social segregation in towns: (i) ethnic fragmentation, (ii) religious fragmentation, and (iii) education inequality. Using open-access data from Tóth et al. (2021), non-spatial and spatial two-stage least square models are estimated for income inequality at the town level. The study finds that these social segregation indicators positively correlate with income inequality through social network fragmentation. Also, the spatial model shows that income inequality has a strong spatial relationship across towns.
The past, present, and future of the accounting profession and its digitalization
Authors: Sisa Krisztina A. , Veress Attila , Denich Ervin , Siklósi Ágnes
Published: March 2024

The technological development of the past decade has brought about revolutionary changes in our everyday life. We communicate and find information differently than ten years ago. In comparison to this, the changes brought about by networked devices are understated, even in the short term this technological step can be the one which fundamentally changes the lives of individual users and organizations, the production structure, and also business models. It can be said that Industry 4.0 has transformed the global industrial environment, not sparing accountancy either. The accounting profession can be considered to be traditional, in which the rules and principles have not radically changed in the last decade(s). Globalization, increasing regulations, new technological solutions, and innovations have also made an impact on the profession. Therefore, accountants have a significant opportunity to expand their digitized skills and knowledge, but at the same time, the changes also pose a threat to them if they do not understand how they affect the organization. The challenges facing the individual accountant are manifested in the rapid adaptation and necessity of business practices and business processes without sacrificing the basic accounting rules and principles. In our research, on the one hand, the opportunities and risks related to the digitization of the accounting profession are examined, on the other hand, the challenges faced against digitalization are overviewed, and, thirdly, the results of a questionnaire study administered amongst people working in the field and students are reported. Our results highlight that digitization represents both significant opportunities and risks for the future. The most important challenges to digitization can be outlined as follows: the use of big data in accounting and reporting, cloud-based and continuous accounting, artificial intelligence and blockchain technology. In conclusion, it can be said that technological advances and digitization will have a significant impact on the industry in the future as well, which will introduce changes in the education system, and the needs of the users of accounting information will change. These changes will affect the work of accountants, the acquisition and adaptation of new knowledge, and ultimately the quality of accounting reports.
Macroeconomic processes and expectations
Authors: Tóth-Bozó Brigitta
Published: March 2024

The study focuses on the problem of introducing expectations, as a subjective factor, into economic theoretical models. The basis of the model presented here is the well-known conventional Keynesian IS-LM model. It also follows that the concept of the IS-LM model can be approached as a problem or task in several ways. Also used was a discretized model encompassing three distinct categories of expectations, namely, simple, adaptive, and rational. It can be concluded that the type of expectation affects the number of stable cases in the model. The inclusion of the adaptive expectation results in the highest number of stable cases within the range of economically relevant values of the parameters studied. Numerical examples illustrate the results.
The future of banking or the concept of sustainability in the banking sector
Authors: Siklósi Veronika , Széles Zsuzsanna
Published: March 2024

Hungarian commercial banks have been required to publish their sustainability report since 2017. The research topic focuses on the analysis of ESG disclosure at international commercial banks in Hungary based on the data of the annual reports published from 2019 to 2021. This study reports on empirical research using the method of detailed reading and manual coding after reviewing the literature. The concept of sustainability is introduced, focusing on the banking sector and the quality level of disclosures, the changes, and the progress from 2019 to 2021 as the result of the research is discussed. The European Green Deal Investment Plan and the Just Transition Mechanism was announced in January 2020. The effect of the European Green Deal and the opportunity of green investments within the framework to the ESG disclosure quality level are also discussed in the paper.
The Effect of Adolescents' Happiness on Smartphone Dependence: The 5th Year of the Korean Children and Youth Panel Survey 2018
Authors:   Crisis and Emergency Management: Theory and Praxis, Kang Hye Won , Kim Mee Kyung
Published: March 2024

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to examine the effect of adolescents' happiness on smartphone dependence for adolescents. Methods: This study was analyzed using panel data of 848 first-year middle school students from the Korean Children, Youth Panel Survey. Result: This study, there were statistically significant differences in sex in women (β=-.086 p=.012), study time for more than 3 hours (β=-.217, p<.001), spare time for more than 1 hour and less than 4 hours (β=.232, p<.001), 4 hours and more (β=.259, p<.001), satisfaction in academic achievement satisfaction (β=-.249, p<.001), exercise for 2 hours (β=.091, p=.020), and happiness in happiness (β=.097 p=.019). These variables represented 14.4% of explanatory power. Conclusion and suggestion: Adolescents should reduce their dependence on smartphones by reducing their smartphones usage time and increasing their happiness by securing study time and using spare time. Therefore, it is necessary to find various ways to reduce dependence on smartphones. We propose a study to develop a program that reduces dependence on smartphones in the future and to understand the effectiveness of the program.
Aprendizaje y Servicio desde la mirada de los alumnos
Authors: Herrero Martínez David
Published: March 2024

A partir de la experiencia compartida por cuatro estudiantes de diferentes facultades en las “Jornadas de Buenas Prácticas en Docencia Comillas 2022-23”, se presenta brevemente el impacto transformador del Aprendizaje y Servicio (ApS) en sus vidas académicas y personales. Los relatos de Miquel, Lidia, Lucía e Irene sirven para dar cuenta de una diversidad de proyectos ApS: desde colaborar en la definición de derechos legales, impulsar proyectos sociales en España y Guatemala, hasta contribuir a soluciones prácticas para la escasez de agua en Benín. Pese a los desafíos que enfrentaron, como la adaptación a contextos desconocidos, los estudiantes destacan valiosos aprendizajes que se organizan en cinco aspectos clave: interdisciplinariedad, trabajo en equipo, aprendizaje activo, creatividad e innovación, así como la orientación hacia un impacto social sostenible a largo plazo. Se subraya finalmente la necesidad de integrar el ApS en los planes de estudio y la innovación docente.
El uso del claustro docente en la formación de maestros
Authors: Core Ribot Ana , Llabata Pérez Paloma
Published: March 2024

En el marco de la asignatura Innovación Educativa de los grados en Educación, se plantea a los alumnos una propuesta educativa basada en la simulación que implica la constitución de claustros docentes para el diseño de la propuesta ideológica, metodológica y organizativa de un centro educativo de nueva creación, entendiendo que, a su vez, dicho proceso posibilitará la comprensión de los procesos de toma de decisiones, comunicación, resolución de problemas, etc. que tienen lugar en su seno así como permitirá el desarrollo de toda una serie de competencias intrapersonales e interpersonales. En dicho proceso, los alumnos asumen un rol docente, en tanto que miembros de los equipos docentes de cada ciclo/curso y, algunos de ellos, también como miembros del equipo directivo. Desde el punto de vista docente, se realiza un proceso de facilitación de las condiciones más adecuadas para el trabajo autónomo y regulado: provisión de información y de herramientas técnicas necesarias, así como un estrecho proceso de seguimiento.
Eco critical reading of swedenborgian and arabian`s concepts in Blake`s selected poetry
Authors: Matin Parsa Laiya , Salami Ali
Published: March 2024

Blake has long been considered an inconvenience among eco-critical critics and many environmentalists have claimed that he cannot be considered to be an eco-critical conscious poet. At the same time there are other critics who try to manipulate and ignore some of Blake`s negative representations of nature and show that he can be enlisted in eco-critical readings of the present era. The present essay focuses on Ibn Arabi`s 'Constant Immanence' and 'Unity of Existence' and Emanuel Swedenborg`s notions of 'Correspondence' and 'Influx' to unearth the long existing correlation between human kind and his/her stance toward nature in Blake`s selected poetry. Promoting such ecocritical viewpoint based on philosophical perceptions of Ibn Arabi and Swedenborg in Blake`s selected poetry might reveal the total submission to spiritual awareness as this God centric ideology does not let anything except reverence toward the environment as it is the epitome of God, the absolute creator.
Gender differences and liberation of female subjects discourse:
Authors: Soltani Hasti , Salami Ali
Published: March 2024

This study aims to investigate Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s Americanah novel based on Irigarayian theory and rejection of gender difference. The entire novel deals with voice of women who cannot be heard. Their voices are mostly silenced by society in which they live due to their ethnicities and social status. Ifemelu is main character of the novel whose identity is directly under the influence of culture and ethnicity in different contexts. Irigarayian analysis is used to show the prevalence of the male sex and the notion of motherhood, believing that the female identity is characterized by the role that mothers play throughout the historical discourse, which emphasize that female have been associated with nature and negligence in contrast with the male who are associated with discourse, culture and subjectivity. Irigaray’s claims regarding female identity was rejected. The female characters in the narrative, like men, are linked with culture and discourse than with neglect and nature. Each of these female characters plays an important cultural function in refuting the Irigarayian notion. Paper argues existence of sexual difference between male and female characters reproduces gendered discourses to the disadvantage of women, whereby status quo are maintained and interests of powerful groups are served.
Sporting regulations as social regulators in the digital development of public relations
Authors: Konstantinov Alexandr , Davydova Marina , Usenkov Ivan
Published: March 2024

The article is devoted to the study of sporting regulations as the most important source of normative regulation of relations in the field of physical culture and sports, as well as their development in the context of the digitalization of public relations. The study analyzes the definitions of the category “sporting regulations” existing in the doctrine and offers their author's definition. To meet the study’s aim, general scientific, special scientific, and special research methods, including dialectical, systemic, formal-logical, comparative-legal, technical-legal, analysis, and synthesis are taken into account. The characteristic features of sporting regulations that characterize this kind of norm have been revealed. The ratio of the categories "sports rules" and "sporting regulations", as well as the peculiarities of updating the rules in the context of the digitalization of public relations, has been analyzed. It was revealed that the process of digitalization of public relations has a direct impact on the development of the sports industry.
Creating an interference model of the cadastral value of real estate:
Authors: Kulchytskiy Alexey , Aleshko Roman , Fomin Alexander , Petrov Aleksander , Dyakov Sergey , Gabdulkhakov Ramzil
Published: March 2024

When forming market relations in countries with developing economies, the cadastral valuation of real estate is not only a way to build mathematical models. In this case, an important role is assigned to sources of information for building reliable statistical models that take into account the interference properties of real estate objects. The choice of the method of cadastral valuation is assigned to highly professional specialists with relevant experience. In this regard, the purpose of this research on the values and relationships between the market and cadastral value of the property is to determine their impact on the way to determine the tax base for property taxes. Throughout the study, the proposed measures allow for the calculation of cadastral value, first, to streamline the current system of valuation formation. Besides, the use of the correction factor will allow payers to establish fairness in the taxation of property taxes, since the cadastral value is determined by different interferential approaches, using various influence factors in the models. Comparative method, Cost method, Revenue method, and Combination of the proposed methods are utilized.  Given the results, these proposals are relevant, especially in the current conditions of COVID-19's influence on all economies, as well as on the business climate of business structures, since due to macroeconomic factors it is taking a downward trend.
Oxytocin Modulates Expression of Neuron and Glial Markers in the Rat Hippocampus
Authors: Havránek T. , Lešťanová Z. , Mravec B. , Štrbák V. , Bakoš Ján , Bačová Z.
Published: March 2024

Neuropeptides including oxytocin belong to the group of factors that may play a role in the control of neuronal cell survival, proliferation and differentiation. The aim of the present study was to investigate potential contribution of oxytocin to neuronal differentiation by measuring gene and protein expression of specific neuron and glial markers in the brain. Neonatal and adult oxytocin administration was used to reveal developmental and/or acute effects of oxytocin in Wistar rats. Gene and protein expression of neuron-specific enolase (NSE) in the hippocampus was increased in 21-day and 2-month old rats in response to neonatal oxytocin administration. Neonatal oxytocin treatment induced a significant increase of gene and protein expression of the marker of astrocytes – glial fibrillary acid protein (GFAP). Oxytocin treatment resulted in a decrease of oligodendrocyte marker mRNA – 2’,3’-cyclic nucleotide 3’-phosphodiesterase (CNPase) – in 21-day and 2-month old rats, while no change of CD68 mRNA, marker of microglia, was observed. Central oxytocin administration in adult rats induced a significant increase of gene expression of NSE and CNPase. The present study provides the first data revealing the effect of oxytocin on the expression of neuron and glial markers in the brain. It may be suggested that the oxytocin system is involved in the regulation of development of neuronal precursor cells in the brain.
KCNJ11 and KCNQ1 Gene Polymorphisms Are Not Associated with Post-Transplant Diabetes Mellitus in Kidney Allograft Recipients Treated with Tacrolimus
Authors: Dabrowska-Zamojcin E. , Tarnowski M. , Szydłowski M. , Romanowski M. , Dziedziejko V. , Safranow K. , Domanski L. , Pawlik Andrzej
Published: March 2024

Post-transplant diabetes mellitus (PTDM) is a metabolic disorder occurring after solid organ transplantation during the therapy with calcineurin inhibitors. ATP-sensitive potassium channels KCNJ11 and KCNQ1 play an important role in the regulation of insulin secretion by β cells and development of diabetes mellitus. Numerous studies have confirmed the association between KCNJ11 and KCNQ1 gene polymorphisms and type 2 diabetes. The aim of this study was to examine the association between KCNJ11 and KCNQ1 gene polymorphisms and posttransplant diabetes mellitus in kidney allograft recipients treated with tacrolimus. The study included 201 patients who received kidney transplants. The patients were subdivided into two subgroups: patients with PTDM (N = 35) and patients without PTDM (N = 166). The association between KCNJ11 and KCNQ1 gene polymorphisms and post-transplant diabetes was studied in three models of univariate Cox regression analysis, i.e., additive, dominant and recessive. In these three models there were no statistically significant associations between KCNJ11 and KCNQ1 gene polymorphisms and PTDM. The results of this study suggest lack of association between KCNJ11 and KCNQ1 gene polymorphisms and post-transplant diabetes mellitus in kidney allograft recipients treated with tacrolimus in the Polish population.
Assessing Oral Acute Toxicity and Histopathological Effects of Strelitzia reginae Aiton Leaf Extracts in Zebrafish (Danio rerio Hamilton)
Authors: Omnes Danilyn S. , Xavier Jobi , Suresh Abhiram
Published: March 2024

Strelitzia reginae, commonly known as the Bird of Paradise, is a decorative shrub endemic to southern Africa. This study marks the first comprehensive investigation into the safety of S. reginae leaf extract through oral acute toxicity assessments and histopathological examinations in Zebrafish (Danio rerio). The interest in this research arises from the historical use of S. reginae components by various indigenous South African societies to treat conditions like swollen glands and sexual problems. GC-MS analysis was used along with traditional methods to look at the phytochemical parts of S. reginae. The results showed the presence of several substances, such as eicosane, hexacosane, 1-octadecene, and neophytadiene. Notably, the analysis also identified certain chemicals with potential cytotoxic properties, such as octacosane and bis (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate. Drawing upon the biological similarities between Zebrafish and humans, who share a majority of their genes, this study represents the first attempt to evaluate the toxicity and histopathology of S. reginae using D. rerio as the test model, aligning with the OECD recommendations outlined in Article 203. The oral acute toxicity tests were done using ethanolic leaf powdered extracts of S. reginae. Higher concentrations (1200 mg/L) were toxic, but lower doses were less harmful to D. rerio. As observed in the histopathology examination, exposure to higher concentrations of S. reginae extract induced severe histological abnormalities in the Zebrafish's gills, liver, kidneys, intestines, and brain. This work contributes greatly to our understanding of S. reginae's safety profile and its potential therapeutic applications for enhancing well-being.
On Literary Spoils of War in Private Libraries. The Case of Rålamb at Länna Gård
Authors: Sjökvist Peter
Published: March 2024

After arriving in Sweden, the literary spoils of war taken from Poznań in the Swedish deluge in the 1650s ended up in the private country house library of nobleman Clas Rålamb (1622–1698), who had been sent by Swedish King Charles X Gustavus (reigned 1654–1660) to manage the difficult situation in this Polish town while it was under Swedish command. With the help of a still extant inventory from the 1690s drawn up at the country house before the books were donated to Uppsala University Library, where they remain today, the contents and possible arrangement of this library are briefly described and discussed in this article. Some notable characteristics are the sections on theology and duplicates being larger than what would normally be expected from a country house library of this kind. It is assumed that these factors, among others, indicate that Rålamb did not make any sort of selection when seizing the books from monasteries and churches in Poznań. In addition, it suggests that their primary role in their new environment was to increase the cultural capital of their owner. Large numbers of the confessionally Catholic books were of little practical use in a Sweden characterized by Lutheran Orthodoxy.
Exploring the relationship between mothers’ competence and comfort in sexual and reproductive health discourse with adolescent girls and its related factors
Authors: Adib-rad Hajar , Pasha Hajar , Gheysari Fatemeh , Chehrazi Mohamad , Faramarzi Mahbobeh , Omidvar Shabnam
Published: March 2024

Objectives

The mothers–adolescent discussion regarding sexual and reproductive health (SHR) issues plays an important role in preventing negative outcome associated with sexual risk behaviors. The present study aimed to explore the relationship between mothers’ competence and comfort in SHR discourse with adolescent girls and its related factors.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted involving 160 mothers from July to September 2020. Data were collected through questionnaires covering demographic characteristics, Mother’s Comfort in Sexual Discourse (MCSD), Mother’s Interest in Sexual Discourse (MISD), and Parenting Sense of Competence (PSOC). The collected data were analyzed using simple and multiple linear regression models.

Results

The mean scores for MCSD, MISD, and PSOC were 45.49±16.15 (13–78), 7.9±4.2 (0–13), and 64.07±9.44 (45–94), respectively. The primary topics of mother–adolescent discourse on SRH were menstruation (5.61±0.98) and the delivery process (4.55±1.57). The mean age for “sex talks” and age-appropriate “sex talks” with daughters was 11.76±1.85 (range: 6–15) and 17.05±1.86 (range: 14–23) years, respectively. Significant associations were found between MCSD and MISD (β=0.482, p<0.0001), PSOC (β=0.223, p<0.005), self-efficacy (β=0.202, p<0.011), mother’s job (β=0.185, p<0.019), mother’s education (β=0.173, p<0.029), and father’s age (β=0.161, p<0.042). After adjusting for other variables, major influencing factors on MCSD included MISD (β=0.487, p<0.0001), self-efficacy (β=0.143, p<0.039), satisfaction (β=0.169, p<0.015), daughter number (β=−0.235, p<0.014), son number (β=−0.219, p<0.024), birth rank (β=0.263, p<0.008), and residency (β=0.172, p<0.014).

Conclusions

MISD, PSOC, and certain demographic characteristics emerge as significant factors influencing MCSD in mother–daughter sexual discourse. As such, it is imperative to consider these determinants when devising strategies to maintain and enhance the sexual health of teenage girls.