bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Contemporary Era of Credit Practices According to Classical Jurisprudence Scholars
Authors: Musanna Khadijatul
Published: July 2022

Abstrak: Kredit merupakan transaksi jual beli dengan pembayaran yang dilakukan secara bertahap/angsuran dalam jangka waktu tertentu, dimana pembayaran akan lebih mahal daripada pembayaran secara tunai. Dalam Hukum Islam kredit dikenal dengan istilah bai’ bit taqsith. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui pandangan Hukum Islam terkait transaksi kredit. Penelitian ini menggunakan metode penelitian kualitatif dan data yang diperoleh berdasarkan studi kepustakaan. Adapun hasil penelitian dapat disampaikan bahwa status jual beli kredit memiliki dua pendapat yang kontroversi, Syekh Muhammad Nasiruddin al-Albani dan Imam Ibnu Qutaibah melarang transaksi kredit karena mangandung dua akad dalam satu transaksi sehingga terdapat unsur riba di dalamnya. Sedangkan Imam Mustafa, Imam Hanafi, Imam Syafi’i, Zaid bin Ali Al Muayyad Billah membolehkan transaksi kredit dengan memenuhi syarat dan ketentuan penetapan harga yang wajar. Adapun menurut hemat penulis transaksi kredit condong ke pendapat yang membolehkan, alasannya karena telah memenuhi standarisasi prinsip etika bisnis Islam dan adanya pendapat para ulama yang menyatakan boleh, sebagai penguat bahwa transaksi kredit halal.Abstract: Credit is a sale and purchase transaction with payments made in stages/installments over a certain period of time, where payments will be more expensive than cash payments. In Islamic law, credit is known as bai' bit taqsith. This study aims to determine the views of Islamic law related to credit transactions. This research uses qualitative research methods and the data obtained are based on literature study. The results of the study can be conveyed that the status of buying and selling credit has two controversial opinions, Sheikh Muhammad Nasiruddin al-Albani and Imam Ibn Qutaibah forbid credit transactions because they contain two contracts in one transaction so that there is an element of usury in it. Meanwhile, Imam Mustafa, Imam Hanafi, Imam Syafi'i, Zaid bin Ali Al Muayyad Billah allow credit transactions by fulfilling the terms and conditions of fair pricing. In the opinion of the author, credit transactions are inclined to an opinion that allows, the reason being that they have met the standardization of Islamic business ethics principles and the opinion of scholars who state that they are allowed, as reinforcement that credit transactions are halal.
Energiesuffizienz erforschen: Neue Herausforderungen und Chancen in Krisenzeiten
Authors: Best Benjamin , Christ Michaela , Santarius Tilman , Wiese Frauke
Published: July 2022

Der Krieg in der Ukraine verändert die politischen Prämissen in rasender Geschwindigkeit. Wie sollen Politik und Gesellschaft auf hohe Energiekosten und eine fatale Abhängigkeit von fossilen Energieimporten reagieren? Können moderne Gesellschaften mit viel weniger Energie auskommen? Energiesuffizienz kann eine wichtige Rolle bei der Beantwortung dieser Fragen spielen. Die Beiträge in diesem Special topic erforschen Suffizienz als einen interdisziplinären Forschungsgegenstand für Energiemodellierung, -szenarien und -politik.
Развитие краудсорсинга — новый вызов для российских фармацевтических компаний
Authors: Сафронова Жанна Сергеевна , Труханова Юлия Александровна
Published: July 2022

Краудсорсинг считается технологией ХХI века и позволяет создавать уникальный продукт, что бывает сложно осуществить в рамках одного предприятия или даже отрасли. Отношение к данной технологии в российской фармацевтической отрасли характеризуется как неоднозначное. Целью статьи является теоретическое и практическое исследование проблемы развития краудсорсинга в российских фармкомпаниях и выявление отношения к краудсорсингу специалистов соответствующего профиля. Авторы изучают применение этой технологии в зарубежных компаниях, занимающихся разработкой лекарственных средств, анализируют ее актуальность и применимость в российских условиях. В результате теоретического исследования выявлены причины отказа от краудсорсинга в данной области, среди которых отсутствие регуляторных механизмов, особенности фармацевтических разработок, организация производства лекарственных средств и др. В статье рассмотрены подходы к решению описанной проблемы, представлены результаты опроса специалистов химико-фармацевтического профиля, выделены основные трудности применения технологии в сфере разработок лекарственных препаратов, а именно, возможное несоблюдение стандартов отрасли, недостоверность данных, несоблюдение авторских прав и др. Обозначены пути решения: обеспечение открытости российских фармацевтических компаний, четкое определение сферы применения краудсорсинга, степени ответственности, возможностей и уровней вовлеченности внешней аудитории, регулирование прав и обязанностей участников проектов. Сделан вывод о целесообразности использования этой технологии в условиях инновационной деятельности предприятия. Краудсорсинг может быть ценным инструментом для междисциплинарных научных исследований в сфере разработки лекарственных средств и развития всей отрасли здравоохранения.
Immersing learners in stories: A systematic literature review of educational narratives in virtual reality
Authors: Calvert James , Hume Margee
Published: July 2022

The aim of this study, via a systematic review, was to investigate the addition of narratives in immersive virtual reality (IVR) and the associated impacts on learning. Narratives in IVR put the learner in the story, which, until recent developments in IVR head-mounted display technology, was out of reach in most classrooms. The review found that added immersion afforded by VR is particularly important in relation to learning where situational context is desirable. Importantly, IVR experiences with a narrative may have the potential to increase affective outcomes for learners, without reducing cognitive gains. Additionally, data concerning learning theories and design methodologies was extracted from the studies. The systematic review yielded 12 relevant and applied papers with this demonstrating there are still significant gaps in the research concerning the impact on learning in narrative IVR. This review highlights that the inclusion of narratives in educational IVR offers many potential benefits, however is yet to be fully explored. There are endless opportunities to tell stories in IVR. How they can be used and their impact on education is a rich ground for further research and development.
Implications for practice or policy

Educators and VR developers should consider including a narrative in an educational IVR experience because of the potential to increase affective outcomes such as motivation and engagement, without reducing cognitive gains.
Learners can benefit from educational IVR experiences with narratives because they can provide situational context, elicit an emotional response and scaffold complex learning.
Identifying predictors of varices grading in patients with cirrhosis using ensemble learning
Authors: Bayani Azadeh , Hosseini Azamossadat , Asadi Farkhondeh , Hatami Behzad , Kavousi Kaveh , Aria Mehrdad , Zali Mohammad Reza
Published: July 2022

Objectives

The present study was conducted to improve the performance of predictive methods by introducing the most important factors which have the highest effects on the prediction of esophageal varices (EV) grades among patients with cirrhosis.

Methods

In the present study, the ensemble learning methods, including Catboost and XGB classifier, were used to choose the most potent predictors of EV grades solely based on routine laboratory and clinical data, a dataset of 490 patients with cirrhosis gathered. To increase the validity of the results, a five-fold cross-validation method was applied. The model was conducted using python language, Anaconda open-source platform. TRIPOD checklist for prediction model development was completed.

Results

The Catboost model predicted all the targets correctly with 100% precision. However, the XGB classifier had the best performance for predicting grades 0 and 1, and totally the accuracy was 91.02%. The most significant variables, according to the best performing model, which was CatBoost, were child score, white blood cell (WBC), vitalism K (K), and international normalized ratio (INR).

Conclusions

Using machine learning models, especially ensemble learning models, can remarkably increase the prediction performance. The models allow practitioners to predict EV risk at any clinical visit and decrease unneeded esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) and consequently reduce morbidity, mortality, and cost of the long-term follow-ups for patients with cirrhosis.
Польская политика «мягкой силы» в отношении Республики Беларусь: концепции и практика
Authors: Li Chongyang
Published: July 2022

В статье рассматриваются основные концепции и направления реализации Польшей политики мягкой силы в отношении Республики Беларусь. Анализируются исторические предпосылки формирования польско-белорусских отношений на современном этапе и политика Варшавы в отношении так называемых «Восточных Кресов» в межвоенный период XX столетия. Проанализированы и выделены основные направления деятельности Польши в отношении РБ в контексте сложного отношения польских властей к политической системе президента Лукашенко, а также вхождения Польши в состав ЕС. Детально рассматриваются усилия Варшавы по поддержке независимых неправительственных и некоммерческих организаций в Беларуси, содействие продвижению в республике влияния католической церкви, а также работы с белорусской диаспорой и политиками-эмигрантами из РБ в самой Польше.
Development of Relations Between China and Czechoslovakia and Its Successor States, Czechia and Slovakia
Authors: Jiang Li
Published: July 2022

Over the past 72 years since China established diplomatic relations with Czechoslovakia in 1949, bilateral relations between China and Czechoslovakia and its successor states, Czechia and Slovakia, have seen ups and downs, thanks to evolving domestic and international situations. While China-Czechoslovakia relations showed distinguishing features in different periods, relationships between China and Czechia, and between China and Slovakia have patterns of their own. To be more specific, China-Czechia relations have experienced more twists and turns influenced by factors like ideology, partisan interests, and history which led Czech political elites to adopt different policies towards China.
Spiritual leaf shape compact MIMO patch antenna for 5G lower sub-6 GHz applications
Authors: Jyothi Sree Gorre Naga , Nelaturi Suman
Published: July 2022

For the 5G applications of future sub-6 GHz a novel planar very low compact MIMO antenna is designed with improved isolation and impedance matching with T-shaped ground plane and mode analysis is presented here. A very low compact substrate with an area of 48 mm × 24 mm spiritual leaf shape radiating patches are situated in the same direction and maintained a separation distance of 2 mm. To improve the isolation and improved bandwidth, a remodeled structure of T-shaped grounded stub is placed among the pair of radiating antenna elements. The spiritual shaped antenna maintain a −10 dB required operating band of 2.43–3.01 GHz (580 MHz) and 3.19–3.84 GHz (650 MHz) with an isolation more than 20 dB maintained between antenna elements. The spiritual leaf shape antenna offers a radiation efficiency of 94.4 & 86.99% and its peak gain about 7.2 & 6.3 dBi. The simulated isolation is greater than 30 dB thought the dual-band with a maximum isolation of 54 dB. For this MIMO design diversity gain is around 10 dBi, channel capacity loss is less than 0.2 bits/s/Hz, group delay <1 ns and envelope correlation coefficient (ECC) which is lower than 0.0478.
Hypoxia-inducible factor-1α and ischemia-modified albumin levels in intensive care COVID-19 Patients
Authors: Yucel Kamile , Fuat Gurbuz Ali
Published: July 2022

Objectives

In this study, it was aimed to evaluate the hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) and ischemia-modified albumin (IMA) levels of patients diagnosed with COVID-19 in the intensive care unit (ICU) and healthy controls. To our knowledge, this is the first study investigate HIF-1α and IMA levels in COVID-19 patients in ICUs and comparing them with a healthy control group. For this reason, our study is original and will contribute to the literature.

Methods

A total of 70 intensive care patients diagnosed with COVID-19, and 72 healthy controls were included in the study.

Results

When we compared the patient and healthy control group; there were no statistically significant differences between the groups in terms of age and gender (p>0.05). No exitus was observed in the patient group. We found weak correlation between HIF-1α and IMA (r: 0.320). However, there were statistically significant differences in HIF-1α and IMA levels in the patient group. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve demonstrated an area under curve (AUC) value of 0.651 for HIF-1α and 0.937 for IMA.

Conclusions

The HIF-1α and IMA levels were significantly higher among COVID-19 patients in ICU compared with healthy controls. HIF-1α and IMA levels can be used as reliable markers for the prognosis of COVID-19.
Application of sustainable power and laser washing device in garment design
Authors: Luan Xiaoli
Published: July 2022

With social progress, economic development, the rapid improvement of science, technology and productivity, and the profound change of social productivity, there has been a serious energy and environmental crisis all over the world. By using the candle burning effect of laser, the laser cleaning device can directly absorb the laser energy, vaporize and decompose the pollutants on the surface of clothing materials, so as to achieve the purpose of cleaning. Energy is an important material basis for human survival and development. Stable, reliable and safe energy supply system and efficient, economic and clean energy utilization are indispensable. The prediction of the development trend of solar power generation technology shows that the trend of optical fiber power generation is clear. The combination of sustainable power and laser water washing device is applied to the garment cleaning process. It analyzes that the garment materials are affected by the laser cleaning speed and laser cleaning power in the cleaning process, and adjusts the appropriate parameters to achieve effective cleaning. The application of sustainable power generated by photovoltaic power generation to the actual process of clothing can not only reduce the consumption of natural resources, environmental pollution and other problems, but also be applied to clothing and other manufacturing industries without restrictions. In the era of sustainable development, energy plays an important role in the coordinated development of economy, society and environment. When the carbon fiber surface is cleaned by laser, the relationship between cleaning spacing, cleaning speed, cleaning area and cleaning time is conducive to formulate a reasonable cleaning scheme. According to the experimental research, when the power P = 100 W, the carbon fiber surface is cleaned of particulate matter, and the laser-cleaned surface is in better condition than when it is treated at high temperatures.
Interculturality and Islam in Indonesia’s high-school EFL classrooms
Authors: Munandar Muhammad Iwan
Published: July 2022

This paper describes English as a foreign language (EFL) teachers’ pedagogic beliefs and practices regarding culture and interculturality and the extent to which Islamic outlook informed their instruction. Five Indonesian high-school EFL teachers participated in this study. Data were collected over a 12-week period through classroom observations, narrative frames, and stimulated-recall and in-depth interviews. Findings were analysed using a qualitative framework. Evidence indicates that participating teachers often drew on home knowledge and religious significance to make sense of ideas expressed in English. Despite realising the global prominence of English, there were hints that the teachers lumped members of the target culture together. Ambiguities surrounding the teachers’ instruction reveal paradoxes of educational exigencies and attitudinal resistance to ostensibly Western culture. This study calls for EFL pedagogies being more responsive to local linguistic repertoire and religio-cultural factors, highlighting the need to liberate the English classes from rigid ties to particular cultures.
Obstetric hemorrhage: effective methods for addressing the menace in Sub-Saharan Africa
Authors: Abdullahi Hauwa Musa , Aliyu Labaran Dayyabu , Yusuf Murtala , Miko Mustapha Abdullahi
Published: July 2022

Obstetric hemorrhage is a serious emergency. It can occur late in pregnancy and in the immediate postpartum period. Postpartum hemorrhage is the major contributor of maternal deaths worldwide. The incidence of PPH-associated death across the African continent is at least three times higher than in other regions of the world. About 17% of PPH result in severe morbidity, including significant organ impairment. Maternal death and disability have long-lasting negative consequences for children, families, and communities. There are considerable variations across regions with for instance PPH accounting for about 8.0% of maternal deaths in developed countries compared to 19.7% in the developing countries. This disparity suggests that the majority of lives lost from PPH are preventable. Instituting primary preventive measures, prenatal care, comprehensive antenatal care, understanding the concept of birth preparedness and complication readiness, skilled birth attendant at delivery, avoiding delays, availability of comprehensive emergency obstetric care (CEmOC), good political will and disseminating the information on maternal mortality from PPH to the community are among key elements necessary to address the menace of PPH in developing countries. The aim of this review is to highlight the contributions of obstetric hemorrhage as a significant cause of maternal morbidity and mortality and suggest measures of prevention.
Mesolithic and Chalcolithic Mandibular Morphology: Using Geometric Morphometrics to Reconstruct Incomplete Specimens and Analyse Morphology
Authors: Godinho Ricardo Miguel , Umbelino Cláudia , Gonçalves Célia
Published: July 2022

Human skeletal remains are routinely used to examine cultural and biological aspects of past populations. Yet, archaeological specimens are frequently fragmented/incomplete and so excluded from analyses. This leads to decreased sample sizes and to potentially biased results. Digital methods are now frequently used to restore/estimate the original morphology of fragmented/incomplete specimens. Such methods include 3D digitisation and Geometric Morphometrics (GM). The latter is also a solidly established method now to examine morphology. In this study, we use GM-based methods to estimate the original morphology of incomplete Mesolithic and Chalcolithic mandibles originating from present Portugal and perform ensuing morphological analyses. Because mandibular morphology is known to relate to population history and diet, we hypothesised the two samples would differ. Thirty-seven specimens (12 complete and 25 incomplete) were CT-scanned and landmarked. Originally complete specimens were used as reference to estimate the location of absent anatomical landmarks in incomplete specimens. As predicted, our results show shape differences between the two samples which are likely due to the compounded effect of contrasting population histories and diets.
Development of Eight Wireless Automated Cages System with Two Lickometers Each for Rodents
Authors: Cardoso Melo Mariana , Alves Paulo Eduardo , Nogueira Cecyn Marianna , Eduardo Paula Mendonça C. , Abrahao Karina P.
Published: July 2022

Drinking behavior has been used in fundamental research to study metabolism, motivation, decision-making and different aspects of health problems, such as anhedonia and alcohol use disorders. In the majority of studies, liquid intake is measured by weighing the bottles before and after the experiment. This method does not tell much about the drinking microstructure, e.g., licking bouts and periods of preference for each liquid, which could be valuable to understand drinking behavior. To improve data acquisition of drinking microstructure, companies have developed lickometer devices that acquire timestamps when animals approach or drink from a specific sipper. Nevertheless, commercially available devices have elevated costs. Here, we present a low-cost alternative for a lickometer system that allows wireless data acquisition of licks from eight cages with two sippers each. We ran a three-phase validation protocol to ensure (1) proper choice of the sensor to detect licks; (2) adaptation of the device to a wireless transmission and realisticin silicotests; and (3)in vivovalidation to test the correlation between the amount of licks measured by the lickometer and the bottle weight. The capacitive sensor presented appropriate recall and precision for our device. After adaptation to wireless transmission, thein silicovalidation demonstrated low reading and transmission errors even when tested in extreme simultaneous licking conditions. Finally, we observed a positive correlation between water or ethanol consumption and lick count, showing that the lickometers can be used forin vivostudies interested in rodent drinking microstructure.
Mechanosensor Piezo1 mediates bimodal patterns of intracellular calcium and FAK signaling
Authors: Pan Yijia , Shi Linda Zhixia , Yoon Chi Woo , Preece Daryl , Gomez‐Godinez Veronica , Lu Shaoying , Carmona Christopher , Woo Seung‐Hyun , Chien Shu , Berns Michael W , Liu Longwei , Wang Yingxiao
Published: July 2022

Piezo1 belongs to mechano‐activatable cation channels serving as biological force sensors. However, the molecular events downstream of Piezo1 activation remain unclear. In this study, we used biosensors based on fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) to investigate the dynamic modes of Piezo1‐mediated signaling and revealed a bimodal pattern of Piezo1‐induced intracellular calcium signaling. Laser‐induced shockwaves (LIS) and its associated shear stress can mechanically activate Piezo1 to induce transient intracellular calcium (Ca[i]) elevation, accompanied by an increase in FAK activity. Interestingly, multiple pulses of shockwave stimulation caused a more sustained calcium increase and a decrease in FAK activity. Similarly, tuning the degree of Piezo1 activation by titrating either the dosage of Piezo1 ligand Yoda1 or the expression level of Piezo1 produced a similar bimodal pattern of FAK responses. Further investigations revealed that SHP2 serves as an intermediate regulator mediating this bimodal pattern in Piezo1 sensing and signaling. These results suggest that the degrees of Piezo1 activation induced by both mechanical LIS and chemical ligand stimulation may determine downstream signaling characteristics.
The impact of insurance on economic growth in Central and Eastern European Countries against other European economies
Authors:   Uniwersytet Łódzki, Wydział Ekonomiczno-Socjologiczny, Laskowska Iwona
Published: July 2022

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to assess the impact of the insurance sector on economic growth based on panel data for 31 European countries covering the period 2004–2019, with particular emphasis on the countries of Central and Eastern Europe. Method – Dynamic econometric models were used in the analysis (Generalised Method of Moments). An attempt was made to quantify the impact of the insurance sector on economic growth for selected indicators of activity in that sector (insurance density and market penetration) for 2004– –2019. Conclusions – Research using regression analysis has confirmed the importance of insurance activity (in total, life and property & casualty insurance) for economic growth in a group of 31 European countries. The analysis carried out for the group of CEE countries has not confirmed significant impact of any of the variables characterising the development of total insurance and life insurance markets on GDP per capita. However, a significant impact of property & casualty (P&C) insurance, expressed in terms of insurance density, has been confirmed. Originality/value/implications/recommendations – The results of the study may constitute a recommen-dation for supporting the further development of the insurance sector by formulating appropriate regulations and legal frameworks and by taking measures that can increase trust in the insurance sector and raise insurance awareness.
The consumer expenditures and consumption of Polish Urban and Rural Households
Authors:   Faculty of Management, University of Economics in Katowice, Grzega Urszula Elżbieta
Published: July 2022

Purpose – The purpose of the paper is to present and assess changes in the level and structure of con-sumption of urban and rural households in Poland. Research method – The data used in the article were obtained from the publications of Central Sta-tistical Office on the results of household budget surveys, including the “Socio-economic situation of households, urban-rural diversity” as well as from literature on the subject. The research covered the years 2005, 2010, 2015, and 2020. The selection of years was determined by the willingness to observe the changes that were visible in the budgets of these households after Poland had joined the European Union. The analysis applies analytical methods, including comparative and literature analyzes, as well as descriptive and monographic methods. The applied research method should be defined as a descriptive analysis with elements of quantitative analysis. Simple statistical methods were used to analyze the col-lected data. They comprised indicators of the structure of consumer spending and household con-sumption, including the food index and the index of free choice expenditures, as well as quantitative food consumption indexes, expressed in natural units, and durable goods expressed in % of house-holds being equipped with a given good. The research results are presented with the use of graphic presentation methods, especially the tabular ones. Results – Household consumption in Poland is determined by a combination of many macro and microeconomic, as well as non-economic factors. In the years 2005–2020, they affected the situation of Polish households as a certain set of factors having impact of various severity and different directions.Together, they caused changes both in the level and structure of consumer spending and in the very consumption of urban and rural households. Based on the conducted analysis, it can be concluded that in 2005–2020 the decrease in the differences between the living conditions of urban and rural house-holds, measured by their consumption expenditure and the consumption of food and non-food pro-ducts was observed. However, rural households still have a lower level of expenditure per 1 person compared to urban households. There are also differences in the structure of consumer spending. Rural households are characterized by a higher share of basic spending and a lower share of free choice expenditure. Despite the progress that has been noted, rural households are still characterized by a less rational model of food consumption and a slightly lower level of being equipped with modern ICT goods.
The Polish Deal’s changes to the tax system versus the compatibility of fiscal policy goals
Authors:   Uniwersytet Łódzki, Wydział Ekonomiczno-Socjologiczny, Guziejewska Beata , Witczak Izabela ,   Uniwersytet Łódzki, Wydział Ekonomiczno-Socjologiczny
Published: July 2022

Purpose – An evaluation of changes in the Polish tax system resulting from the governmental prog-ramme called the Polish Deal and an analysis of their consequences for taxpayers with respect to the objectives of a rational and coherent tax system. Research method – A critical analysis of the pertinent literature and tax laws. Conclusions are formu-lated using a deductive method drawing on the achievements of tax theory and the analysis of tax laws. Results – The tax system changes contained in the Polish Deal do not constitute a full-scale reform of the tax system. They were hastily introduced without a thorough analysis of their economic, finan-cial and social consequences. It is disputable whether they will make the tax system fairer as intended and their effects will only be known in the future. Also, they do not ensure compatibility between direct and indirect taxes and do not support the stability of the tax system. Originality/value/implications/recommendations – Tax system changes that are ill-conceived and disre-gard the redistributive function of taxes may have consequences other than expected. The main out-come of a tax system revision should be the compatibility between all fiscal policy goals rather than between some of its elements and the stability and transparency of tax laws.
Benefits of rescreening newborns of mothers affected by autoimmune hypothyroidism
Authors: Cavarzere Paolo , Palma Laura , Nicolussi Principe Lara , Vincenzi Monica , Lauriola Silvana , Gaudino Rossella , Murri Virginia , Lubrano Luigi , Rossi Giuliana , Sallemi Alessia , Fattori Ermanna , Camilot Marta , Antoniazzi Franco
Published: July 2022

Introduction

Infants of mothers with autoimmune hypothyroidism (AH) are at risk of developing late-onset hypothyroidism, often escaping at newborn screening. This condition might be caused both by the action of maternal antibodies and/or by maternal treatment.

Objectives

The aim of this study is to evaluate the prevalence of AH in the mothers of children born in Veneto region, Italy, and to define what is the most appropriate management for these newborns.

Methods

Newborns of six different hospitals with a mother suffering from AH and with negative neonatal screening for congenital hypothyroidism (CH) were included in the study. Between 15 and 20 days of life, we collected a serum sample for the evaluation of thyroid function (thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), free thyroxine (FT4), free triiodothyronine (FT3)) and anti-thyroid antibodies. On the same occasion, a capillary blood sampling was performed for a second screening test.

Results

Maternal AH has a prevalence of 3.5%. A total of 291 newborns were enrolled from November 2019 to May 2021. Whereas the 11.4% of infants had a slight elevated serum TSH (>6 mU/L) and required a follow-up, only 2 children presented an elevated TSH level at the second screening test. One of these, with the gland in situ, showed persistently elevated serum TSH levels and required treatment with levothyroxine.

Conclusions

Maternal AH rarely caused neonatal thyroid dysfunction. We suggest to reassess newborns from mothers with AH 15 days after birth by means of a second neonatal screening test. This procedure avoids false negatives due to maternal thyroid status, is less invasive and cheaper than the serum TSH evaluation, and prevents a long follow-up.
Potential benefits of nutritional supplementation in diabetic sarcopenia
Authors: Lee Heaji , Yang Soo Jin , Lim Yunsook
Published: July 2022

Type 2 diabetes mellitus, one of the metabolic diseases, is a major risk factor for impaired muscle function leading to muscle loss, weakness, and frailty. A lot of studies have suggested that the biological mechanisms which contribute to diabetic sarcopenia, including insulin resistance, altered energy metabolism, oxidative stress, and inflammation. Although different nutritional interventions for diabetic sarcopenia have not been clearly defined, there is no doubt that nutrition plays an essential role in the prevention or delay of muscle loss and maintenance of physical function. In this review, we discuss the recent literature on biological pathways for diabetic sarcopenia and potent nutrients used for attenuating diabetic sarcopenia: dietary proteins, omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin D, vitamin E, and other anti-oxidants for future research.
Oxidative stress in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: a reappraisal of the role in supporting inflammatory mechanisms
Authors: Sutti Salvatore , Albano Emanuele
Published: July 2022

In the last decade, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and particularly its evolution to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) have become a leading cause of chronic liver disease and cirrhosis as well as an important risk factor for hepatocellular carcinoma. Oxidative stress is a common feature of NAFLD/NASH and plays a key role in the complex of metabolic and cellular derangements that are involved in the development of liver steatosis, as well as in the transition to steatohepatitis. This review deals with the contribution of oxidative stress in promoting hepatic inflammation which represents a key factor in NAFLD evolution to liver fibrosis/cirrhosis. We discuss in detail recent data involving oxidative stress products as triggers for hepatic innate immunity and as a source of antigens implicated in sustaining lymphocyte-mediated adaptive immune responses. Attention is also paid to emerging evidence linking oxidative stress and extra-hepatic complications of NAFLD/NASH.
High cholesterol diet, oxysterols and their impact on the gut–brain axis
Authors: Poli Giuseppe , Iaia Noemi , Leoni Valerio , Biasi Fiorella
Published: July 2022

In a Western or Westernized diet, the abundant cholesterol is invariably associated with the presence of biochemically reactive oxysterols, the amount of which mainly depends upon the autoxidation degree of cholesterol itself, during food harvesting, production and storage. Oxysterols, in the average amount and composition detected in a high-cholesterol diet, display remarkable pro-inflammatory and cytotoxic effects on the gut epithelium. Moreover, in a low micromolar range, they may change the physiological level and membrane localization of tight junctions of the intestinal epithelial barrier, which then become leaky and permeable to microbiota. This combination of toxic effects possibly exerted by dietary oxysterols likely contributes to the impairment of the microbiota–gut–brain axis, through both direct and indirect mechanisms hereby reviewed. Importantly, dietary oxysterols are absorbed like cholesterol and circulate in the bloodstream, mainly within LDLs, rendering these micelles more oxidized and dangerous. Last but not the least, dietary oxysterols may deeply interfere with correct gut–brain signalling because of the redox pathways they are hyper-regulating and sustaining. In conclusion, protective dietary measures should be adopted, including restricted consumption of cholesterol-rich food and reduction of cholesterol autoxidation in food production and storage, for instance by supplementation of food with flavonoids and/or other bioactive substances with strong anti-oxysterol properties.
Redox experimental medicine and liver regeneration
Authors: Bellanti Francesco , Vendemiale Gianluigi , Serviddio Gaetano
Published: July 2022

The liver is characterized by unique regenerative properties to restore its mass and function after a partial loss. Hepatic regeneration arises after resection or following acute and chronic injuries. Resection and acute liver damage normally induce a regenerative process characterized by phenotypic fidelity, in which each cell type promotes its own replication and replacement. This process fails in chronic liver damage, where trans-differentiation of parenchymal cells or activation of facultative progenitors occurs. Both liver resection and acute/chronic damages alter redox homeostasis, as a consequence of blood flow changes, hypoxia, metabolism modification, and activation of inflammatory response. Even though formerly described as ‘oxidative stress’, altered redox homeostasis leads to the fine regulation of several pathways involved in liver regeneration, including the proliferation of parenchymal cells, trans-differentiation, and activation of facultative progenitors.

Several redox-dependent transcription factors and pathways implicated in the regenerative process of the liver were described, but pre-clinical experiments using different antioxidants were not fully conclusive. Even though accurate study designs to define appropriate dosages, treatment duration, and routes of administration are required, modulation of redox-dependent molecular pathways to enhance liver regeneration is even more intriguing. Preliminary studies focused on the identification of these targets will pave the way for viable therapies to be tested in clinical trials.
Targeting mitochondria: a great boon to fight type 2 diabetes
Authors: de Marañón Aranzazu M , Rovira-Llopis Susana , Rocha Milagros , Víctor Víctor M
Published: July 2022

Type 2 diabetes is a chronic metabolic disease characterized by the development of low-grade systemic inflammation, hyperglycaemia, and hyperlipidaemia. These pathogenic traits have a profound impact on mitochondrial function as mitochondria serve as intermediary organelles between nutrients and energy production. Moreover, the mitochondrial quality control system is also altered and rendered defective by type 2 diabetes. These alterations entail the accumulation of defective mitochondria, which causes the diabetic background to deteriorate further. In this context, it is of paramount importance to improve mitochondrial function and ameliorate the consequences of mitochondrial dysfunction. This review assesses different treatments that target mitochondrial dysfunction as a way of treating type 2 diabetes. Lifestyle interventions and pharmacological treatments such as biguanides, thiazolidinediones, a-glucosidase inhibitors, glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists, or sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 inhibitors protect mitochondrial function, while novel mitochondria-targeted molecules including natural compounds, mitochondria-targeted antioxidants, inhibitors of mitochondria pore transition pore opening, NO and H2S donors, and inhibitors of mitochondrial fission positively impact on mitochondrial function and its quality control mechanisms. Most of these therapeutic tools require more research, but they already show promising therapeutic mechanisms that improve type 2 diabetes and its cellular consequences.
Ophthalmic drug delivery system based on the complex of gellan and ofloxacin
Authors: Tatykhanova Gulnur , Aseyev Vladimir , Vamvakaki Maria , Khutoryanskiy Vitaliy , Kudaibergenov Sarkyt
Published: July 2022

Complex formation between a natural polysaccharide – gellan and an antimicrobial drug – ofloxacin was studied in aqueous solution. Conductimetric and potentiometric titration curves revealed that gellan and ofloxacin forms a water-soluble complex of composition 2:1 mol/mol stabilized by ionic and hydrogen bonds. The formation of the gellan-ofloxacin complex was confirmed by FTIR spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering, zeta-potential and thermogravimetric analysis. The average hydrodynamic size of the complex was found 307±5 nm and its zeta-potential was negative and equal to -15 mV. Thin films of the gellan-ofloxacin complex, gelled in 0.3 wt.% of CaCl2, were used to study the release kinetics of ofloxacin in distilled water and phosphate buffer. The drug release kinetics evaluated by UV-Vis spectroscopy at λmax = 289 nm and calculated by the Ritger-Peppas model correspond to non-Fickian diffusion in distilled water and Case II transport (zero-order kinetics) in phosphate buffer. The cumulative release of ofloxacin from the gellan-ofloxacin films was equal to 96±2% and 36±2% in phosphate buffer and distilled water, respectively. It is expected that the gellan-ofloxacin complex is able to form in situ gel on the surface of the eye and to prolong the drug residence time in the tear fluid.
¿A mayor punitivismo, mayor justicia de género? Una mirada crítica al sistema penal y sus consecuencias sobre las mujeres
Authors: Ristoff Camila
Published: July 2022

In this article we will address some of the obstacles that women face when coming into contact with the criminal justice system, whether as defendants or as victims. Then, we will define if the expansion of the repressive apparatus is a response consistent with the international obligations of protection and promotion of women’s rights, or if said response, on the contrary, ends up maintaining a social status quo in which gender hierarchies and stereotypes continue to exist and reproduce. The conclusion will go in the latter sense and will require the State to implement effective public policies and a transversal gender perspective at all state levels.
Gas flow in a truncated Laval nozzle with a bell-shaped tip
Authors:   Institute of Technical Mechanics of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine and the State Space Agency of Ukraine, Ihnatiev O.D. , Pryadko N.S. ,   Institute of Technical Mechanics of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine and the State Space Agency of Ukraine, Strelnikov G.O. ,   Institute of Technical Mechanics of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine and the State Space Agency of Ukraine, Ternova K.V. ,   Institute of Technical Mechanics of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine and the State Space Agency of Ukraine
Published: July 2022

Flow in a truncated supersonic Laval nozzle with a bell-shaped tip (“bell”) is investigated. This nozzle configuration can be used in tight layouts of multistage rockets of short length with improved energy-mass characteristics. Similar types of nozzles were developed at the Institute of Technical Mechanics of the National Academy of Sciences and the State Space Agency of Ukraine in the 1990s. Using approximate methods, the parameters of variously configured truncated nozzles were calculated, and their models were made. Some of the models were blown with cold air, and their characteristics were measured. Shadow patterns of gas flow downstream of the nozzle and soot-oil patterns of streamlines on the nozzle wall were obtained. These results were used in the formulation of this work. In this work, a numerical study with the ANSYS package was carried out for gas flow in a truncated Laval nozzle with a spherical tip. For this nozzle configuration, its model was blown with cold air. The calculated results were verified by comparing the velocity distribution in the gas flow downstream of the nozzle exit with the experimental shadow patterns. An additional confirmation of the correctness of the calculated results was a comparison of the flow downstream of a streamline-profiled Laval nozzle with the underexpanded flow pattern downstream of the nozzle exit in the first “cask” (up to the Mach disk) studied in detail. The same initial data and initial conditions that give the best results in terms of verifiability were chosen in both cases. The study of flow in a truncated supersonic nozzle showed the following results. Downstream of the corner exit point of the truncated section of a Laval nozzle, flow separation is observed where the gas flow enters the “bell”. The separation is retained as the pressure upstream of the nozzle increases up to a certain critical (for a given tip type) value of the underexpansion ratio, after which (with a further increase in the underexpansion ratio) the flow attaches to the nozzle wall and remains attached with a further increase in the pressure upstream of the nozzle. The impulse response of a truncated nozzle with a bell-shaped tip is lower than that of a streamline-profiled Laval nozzle of the same geometric expansion ratio.
Present-day low-orbit constellations of Earth remote sensing spacecraft with synthetic aperture radar
Authors:   Institute of Technical Mechanics of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine and the State Space Agency of Ukraine, Volosheniuk O.L.
Published: July 2022

The purpose of this work is to determine the current trends in the development of low-orbit constellations of spacecraft with synthetic aperture radar (SAR), which have a number of significant advantages in Earth remote sensing. It is shown that the demand for Earth remote sensing data and products and services based thereon continues to grow worldwide. The applicability of SAR to Earth remote sensing is considered. The main differences and advantages of image acquisition using SAR spacecraft in comparison with optical spacecraft are shown. The main directions of using low-orbit SAR spacecraft in Earth remote sensing are identified. Land and water surface observation using SAR spacecraft is shown to be one of the most effective remote sensing methods. In particular, it is shown that low-orbit spacecraft constellations can be used to advantage in solving many tasks in the socio-economic sector and tasks aimed at continuous real-time monitoring of various objects. The characteristics of the various Earth remote sensing spacecraft constellations, in particular low-orbit commercial ones, launched into orbit during the past decade are considered. Problems in and prospects for the development of low-orbit SAR spacecraft constellations are elucidated. Existing and planned SAR spacecraft constellations with traditional and mini-satellite platform technologies are overviewed. It is shown that the performance characteristics continue to improve, thus allowing one to get data from any area of the Earth at any time. It is shown that small spacecraft in low and ultralow orbits have significant benefits over traditional spacecraft in power characteristics, but are outperformed by them in the duration of communication sessions and active life. The results obtained make it possible to work out recommendations on the designing of low-orbit constellations of domestic Earth remote sensing spacecraft, in particular on the development of orbit determination models and algorithms and spacecraft dynamics models.
Study of the possibility of using disturbances formed from recorded track irregularities in the calculation of high-speed rail vehicle dynamics
Authors:   Institute of Technical Mechanics of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine and the State Space Agency of Ukraine, Lapina L.G. , Malysheva I.Yu ,   Institute of Technical Mechanics of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine and the State Space Agency of Ukraine, Mokrii T.F. ,   Institute of Technical Mechanics of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine and the State Space Agency of Ukraine
Published: July 2022

An urgent task for Ukraine during the post-war reconstruction of the country will be the upgrade of the entire railway transportation system, in particular the development of high-speed passenger traffic. The prediction of the dynamic performance of high-speed rail vehicles calls for the formation of new input arrays (track-induced disturbances) that would account for more stringent track geometry requirements. The aim of this work is to study the possibility of using track irregularities recorded in real sections of the Ukrainian railways to construct the components of track-induced disturbances acting on a rail vehicle moving at a high speed. This paper considers in detail standard specifications for the geometric parameters of a track suitable for high-speed traffic. The data are contained in the Standard DSTU EN 13848-5:2018, which is a European standard adopted in Ukraine as a national one by confirmation. Using the track subsidence and alignment irregularities recorded by a track measurement car in a number of sections of the Pryndiprovska railway during a scheduled track inspection, processes of actual vertical and horizontal irregularities were formed. The quality of those sections had not require any speed limitation. Irregularity parameters for those sections were calculated. A comparison between the calculated parameters and those specified by the DSTU EN 13848-5:2018 showed that among the sections considered there exist ones that meet the track geometry requirements and allow speeds at least up to 230 km/h. The use of the irregularities in the selected track sections as disturbance components in calculations was tested by the example of determining the ride performance of a standard passenger car with KVZ-TsNII-M trucks. The calculated results showed the possibility of using the generated disturbances in numerical calculations of the dynamic performance of rail vehicles at increased speeds and at the same time confirmed the need for new engineering solutions on the design of rail vehicles capable of operating at such speeds.