bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Walter Brendel and the dawn of transplantation research in Germany
Authors: Land Walter G.
Published: September 2024

Walter Brendel was a physiologist who headed the Institut of Experimental Surgery at the University of Munich (LMU) from 1961 until 1989. His legendary career began with the development of an anti-human lymphocyte globulin (ALG) at his Institute during the late 1960s. The initial successful treatment of a small number of patients culminated in the co-treatment of the first successfully heart-transplanted patient in Capetown, South Africa (successful reversal with ALG of an acute allograft rejection). Walter Brendel was a pioneering personality whose work has laid a wide platform for the promotion of interdisciplinarily conducted innovative research programs in various domains of translational science and medicine. Among the many innovative achievements, the most notable are: discovery of involvement of the alternative pathway of complement activation in hyperacute xenograft rejection; induction of immunological tolerance to horse IgG as a means to prevent anaphylactic reactions during ALG therapy; development and clinical implementation of the extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy for extracorporeal destruction of renal and ureteral calculi. The legacy of Brendel continues with the foundation of the Walter-Brendel Kolleg für Transplantationsmedizin (i.e., the German Transplant School for Transplantation Medicine), which has been held annually since 1994.
Probabilistic human health risk assessment of commercially supplied jar water in Gopalganj municipal area, Bangladesh
Authors: Brahma Partha Pratim , Akter Sharmin , Haque Md. Morshedul , Khirul Md. Akhte
Published: September 2024

Every day, the amount of quality fresh water decreases notably due to contamination of drinking water. As a result, people use commercially supplied jar water in the southern part of Bangladesh as well as in the Gopalganj municipal area. This study aims to investigate the physicochemical parameters, trace elements, and microbial parameters for assessing human health risks from oral ingestion of these elements. This study gathered commercially supplied jar water samples from 15 companies in the Gopalganj municipal area during the post-monsoon season. Temperature, potential of hydrogen (pH), total dissolved solids (TDS), electrical conductivity (EC), and salinity showed significant variation among the samples, and the level was within the national and international standard limits. The concentrations of iron (Fe) and arsenic (As) were measured using a UV–VIS spectrophotometer and atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS), respectively. The microbial analysis was conducted by the membrane filtration method. The study found that the water samples had an average concentration of 0.16 mg/L in terms of Fe and 0.016 mg/L in terms of As, with the mean value of As exceeding the standard limits. On the other hand, the mean Fe concentration value did not exceed the standards. Probable human health risk from heavy metal in the jar water was determined by hazard quotient (HQ), hazard index (HI), and carcinogenic risk (CR) assessments. A child (HI = 3.5914) is more vulnerable to non-carcinogenic human health risks than an adult (HI = 1.6931). Furthermore, pollution in water samples was found to pose a high carcinogenic risk, with children (CR = 1.6 × 10−3) being more vulnerable to carcinogenic risk than adults (CR = 7.5 × 10−4). In the microbial analysis, 100% of the samples exceeded the total coliform and fecal coliform standard limits, and 80% of the samples exceeded the Escherichia coli standard limits. Among the samples, 7% present high risk, around 47% present medium risk, 26% show low risk, and 20% show no risk based on the E. coli standard limits. This study did not find any samples that exceeded the extremely high limit for E. coli concentration. This study found that drinking jar water samples had inadequate quality, which may increase the risk of water-borne infections such diarrhea as well as heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. As a result, the manufacturer of drinking water in jars must carry out the essential quality control procedures, and the government should regularly monitor the procedures.
Do We Think Differently About People and Things Far Away?
Authors: Ram Hadar
Published: September 2024

People develop attitudes toward objects, other people, and events. For example, we like one person but not another, or we prefer one style of music over other types. Often, our attitudes are based on learning from previous experiences. For example, if you meet someone and they are friendly, you are likely to develop a positive attitude toward that person. People tend to generalize what they have learned, which means they expect similar people to behave the same way. For example, you would probably expect the friendly person’s friends to be friendly as well. But does it matter if the person you meet is from another country or your own country? In this article, we will review findings showing that, when people learn about distant things, such as a product imported from a faraway country, they are more likely to generalize their attitudes. We will explain why this happens and how it relates to stereotypes.
Transition in action: toward a social theory of the governance of transitions
Authors: Billi Marco , Zurbriggen Cristina , Urquiza Anahí , Allendes Angel
Published: September 2024

This article explores how a re-interpretation of the socio-technical, socio-ecological and transition design approaches to transition from the point of view of Niklas Luhmann’s general systems theory of society. The need to understand and promote changes that include a technological and ecological dimension has led to different approaches, such as socio-technical or socio-environmental approaches, to incorporate links with society. While these approaches often include sociological insights, they rarely offer a general understanding of how these are embedded into society. We need a new environmental sociology that helps catalyze change processes with a collectively reorganized society, empowering more radically transformative actions to change the current structures and processes that have led us to where we are today. The article offers a cross-sectional look at the socio-ecological and socio-technical systems literature, specifically for what concerns their understanding of the ‘systems’ in transition and how they can be governed, and re-interpret it from the theoretical lens of the deep sociological knowledge, which refers to the profound understanding of social systems and their dynamics, embedded in Luhmann’s theory of social systems. From here, we suggest the second-order coupling for a sociologically grounded understanding of the interactions that comprise socio-ecological and socio-technical systems, heterogeneous and almost self-organizing assemblies of social, technical, and natural elements and processes. At the same time, third-order couplings are analyzed, focused on governance, relationships between operations, and structures mediated by a deliberate attempt to ensure coherence and coordination against the autonomy and heterogeneity of socio-techno-ecological systems. Therefore, this manuscript offers a deeper conceptual and methodological understanding of socio-techno-ecological couplings and systems in the context of sustainability transformation and gives insights into its governance.
Storm-time variability of terrestrial hydrogen exosphere: kinetic simulation results
Authors: Connor Hyunju K. , Jung Jaewoong , Qian Liying , Sutton Eric K. , Cucho-Padin Gonzalo , Crow Morgen , Lee Sang-Yun
Published: September 2024

Recent studies of TWINS Lyman-α observations have reported an increase in geocoronal column brightness during geomagnetic storms, indicating enhanced exospheric hydrogen atom density (NH). This suggests a complex role of exospheric neutrals in determining storm-time magnetosphere dynamics and their energy release through charge-exchange processes. We developed a Model for Analyzing Terrestrial Exosphere (MATE) to investigate storm-time exospheric behaviors and their physical drivers. MATE traces test hydrogen atoms backward in time from locations in the exosphere to a nominal exobase altitude of 500 km, employing Newtonian mechanics with gravitational force. The model then calculates the phase-space densities (PSDs) of test hydrogen atoms at the exobase using the Maxwellian distribution with physics-based exobase conditions from the TIMEGCM upper atmosphere model. MATE maps PSDs at the exobase to the exosphere using Liouville’s Theorem under collisionless assumptions and derives NH by integrating the PSDs across velocity space. We conducted MATE simulation before, during, and after a minor geomagnetic storm from 12 to 18 June 2008, and compared the model results with NH estimates from the TWINS geocorona data. MATE reproduces storm-time density enhancements soon after the minimum Dst is reached, matching well with a general trend of TWINS NH estimates. The results suggest that upper atmospheric heating during a geomagnetic storm increases the number of ballistic and escaping hydrogen atoms entering the exosphere from the exobase, thereby boosting NH. However, the magnitude of modeled NH mismatches the TWINS NH estimates. The potential mechanisms of this density discrepancy include the physics excluded in the MATE model — such as neutral-neutral collisions, neutral-plasma charge exchange, solar radiation pressure, and photoionization — as well as the higher exobase hydrogen density of TIMEGCM compared to typical empirical values, which will be addressed in future.
Recent results and outstanding questions on the response of the electrodynamics of the low latitude ionosphere to solar wind and magnetospheric disturbances
Authors: Fejer Bela G. , Navarro Luis A. , Chakrabarty Dibyendu
Published: September 2024

Storm-time ionospheric electrodynamics effects have been the subject of extensive studies. The solar wind/magnetosphere/ionosphere and thermosphere disturbance wind dynamos have long been identified as the main drivers of low latitude storm-time electrodynamics. Extensive detailed studies showed that climatology of low latitude disturbance electric fields and currents is in good agreement with results from global theoretical and numerical models. Over the last decade, however, numerous studies have highlighted that the response of low latitude electrodynamics to enhanced geomagnetic activity is significantly more complex than previously considered. It is now clear that the electrodynamic disturbance processes are affected by a larger number of solar wind and magnetospheric parameters and that they also have more significant spatial dependence. This is especially pronounced during and after large geomagnetic storms when multiple simultaneous disturbance processes are also active. In this work, we briefly review the main past experimental and modeling studies of low latitude disturbance electric fields, highlight new results, discuss outstanding questions, and present suggestions for future studies.
Sustainable fresh strawberry consumption: environmental, genetically modified food, and climate concerns in Europe and North Africa
Authors: Zeneli Fjona , Ventura Vera , Frisio Dario Gianfranco
Published: September 2024

Background and gap in the literature

Seasonal strawberries are a tasty fruit with many significant health and environmental benefits. Despite these attributes, the determinants influencing strawberry consumption remain underexplored. Few existing research studies are focused on conventional factors, such as taste, freshness, and price, leaving aside some critical, current dimensions, such as consumers’ environmental attitude, sustainability, genetically modified (GM) food knowledge, and climate change concerns. This article aims to explore the impact of the aforementioned factors on the purchasing behavior of strawberries among consumers.

Methodology

A designed questionnaire for a final sample of 2,378 consumers from Italy, Germany, France, Spain, Turkey, and Morocco was used to collect data about sociodemographic attributes, strawberry purchasing habits, respondents’ level of knowledge on the topic of GM food, and climate change issue. The generalized ordinal logistic approach was performed deriving from the ordinal qualitative type of our two variables of interest (seasonal and non-seasonal strawberries purchase) and relaxing the assumption of parallel lines.

Main results

From the sociodemographic factors, the more educated individuals, living in urban areas and having higher income levels are more likely to purchase frequently seasonal strawberries, while older people buy less often non-seasonal strawberries. Individuals who are more aware of sustainability issues, exhibit sustainable behaviors, and have greater concerns about climate change are more likely to buy non-seasonal strawberries less frequently, which is the most important result of our analysis.

Implications

These results offer a comprehensive understanding of other drivers than the conventional ones related to seasonal and non-seasonal strawberry purchase patterns, giving significant insights for policymakers in formulating tailored interventions for other dimensions: promoting sustainable agricultural practices (following the seasonality of the fruit), increasing consumer awareness about the environmental implications of the non-seasonal fruit purchases, and shifting individual eating patterns toward more sustainable and healthy ones (fresh and seasonal fruit consumption).
Case report: Manual carbon hemoperfusion for the treatment of meloxicam toxicity in a cat and suspected ibuprofen toxicity in a dog
Authors: Haire Lauren E. , Vitalo Amber D. , Gonçalves Ronald P. , Lanaux Travis M.
Published: September 2024

Extracorporeal blood purification (ECBP) has become a popular treatment option for non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) toxicity in small animals. However, challenges arise when using ECBP for small dogs and cats because the priming volume required by most machine-based ECBP platforms might be excessive, leading to cardiovascular instability if a blood prime is not used. This report describes the successful use of manual carbon hemoperfusion (MCHP) to reduce plasma meloxicam levels in a cat following an inadvertent overdose and its use in a dog following suspected ibuprofen ingestion. In both animals, MCHP reduced the circuit volume needed for ECBP from 125 mL with a machine-based therapeutic plasma exchange or 104 mL with an in-series carbon hemoperfusion on an intermittent hemodialysis platform to just 40–50 mL. In the cat, MCHP reduced plasma meloxicam levels by 44%, and in both animals, the use of MCHP in these pets was well-tolerated and safe. Due to pre-existing anemia, the cat required a blood transfusion but the dog did not. MCHP is technically simple and can be performed at any hospital with access to carbon filters and blood bank resources. This technique may represent a reasonable alternative to treat NSAID toxicities in animals that are too small for conventional extracorporeal decontamination methods using either machine-based platforms without using a blood prime or in locations where these machines are unavailable.
Safety and efficacy of toll-like receptor agonists as therapeutic agents and vaccine adjuvants for infectious diseases in animals: a systematic review
Authors: Oboge Harriet , Riitho Victor , Nyamai Mutono , Omondi George P. , Lacasta Anna , Githaka Naftaly , Nene Vishvanath , Aboge Gabriel , Thumbi S. M.
Published: September 2024

Introduction

Strengthening global health security relies on adequate protection against infectious diseases through vaccination and treatment. Toll-like receptor (TLR) agonists exhibit properties that can enhance immune responses, making them potential therapeutic agents or vaccine adjuvants.

Methods

We conducted an extensive systematic review to assess the efficacy of TLR agonists as therapeutic agents or vaccine adjuvants for infectious diseases and their safety profile in animals, excluding rodents and cold-blooded animals. We collected qualitative and available quantitative data on the efficacy and safety outcomes of TLR agonists and employed descriptive analysis to summarize the outcomes.

Results

Among 653 screened studies, 51 met the inclusion criteria. In this review, 82% (42/51) of the studies used TLR agonists as adjuvants, while 18% (9/51) applied TLR agonist as therapeutic agents. The predominant TLR agonists utilized in animals against infectious diseases was CpG ODN, acting as a TLR9 agonist in mammals, and TLR21 agonists in chickens. In 90% (46/51) of the studies, TLR agonists were found effective in stimulating specific and robust humoral and cellular immune responses, thereby enhancing the efficacy of vaccines or therapeutics against infectious diseases in animals. Safety outcomes were assessed in 8% (4/51) of the studies, with one reporting adverse effects.

Discussion

Although TLR agonists are efficacious in enhancing immune responses and the protective efficacy of vaccines or therapeutic agents against infectious diseases in animals, a thorough evaluation of their safety is imperative to in-form future clinical applications in animal studies.

Systematic review registration

https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=323122.
Bacteriophage P2-71: a promising therapeutic against multidrug-resistant Proteus mirabilis in urinary tract infections
Authors: Wu Ruihu , Dong Zhiyou , Liu Yunjiang , Xin Jialiang , Duan Yuxi , Zheng Haohong , Yang Yizhou , Fu Hualin , Zhong Zhijun , Liu Haifeng , Zhou Ziyao , Huang Yixin , Peng Guangneng
Published: September 2024

Background

Proteus mirabilis is a Gram-negative, rod-shaped bacterium widely found in natural environments. It is known for causing a range of severe illnesses in mammals, particularly urinary tract infections (UTIs). This study evaluates the therapeutic efficacy of phage P2-71 against Proteus mirabilis in vivo and in vitro environments.

Methods

The in vitro therapeutic potential of bacteriophage P2-71 was assessed through the ability of phage to kill Proteus mirabilis by using a plate counting assay, and biofilm inhibition and biofilm lysis assays using a microtitre plate method. Additionally, an in vivo UTI model in C57BL/6Jmice was developed via urethral inoculation of the bacterium. Phage therapy was administered through urethral injection over a period of 5 days. Therapeutic outcomes were measured by analyzing bacterial load, phage titer, inflammatory markers, and histopathological changes in the urine, urogenital tissues, and spleen.

Results

In vitro, bacteriophage P2-71 achieved significant reductions in P. mirabilis concentrations, with log reductions of 1.537 and 0.7009 CFU/mL in laboratory and urine environments, respectively (p < 0.001). The phage also decreased biofilm formation by 34–49% and lysed 15–25% of mature biofilms at various multiplicities of infection (MOIs) (p < 0.001). In vivo, phage treatment significantly lowered bacterial concentrations in the urine on Days 1 and 3 (p < 0.0001), achieving a maximum reduction of 4.602 log₁₀ CFU/mL; however, its effectiveness diminished by Day 5 (p > 0.05). Concurrently, phage titers decreased over time. Importantly, phage treatment notably reduced bacterial load in the bladder, kidneys, and spleen (p < 0.001). Inflammatory markers such as IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF-α were significantly lower in the treatment group, especially in the bladder (p < 0.0001), indicating an effective reduction in inflammation. Histopathological analysis showed significant mitigation of tissue damage.

Conclusion

The results demonstrated that bacteriophage P2-71 is a promising alternative therapy for UTIs caused by MDR Proteus mirabilis. This bacteriophage therapy offers a viable strategy for managing infections where traditional antimicrobials fail, highlighting its potential in clinical applications.
Pharmacokinetics and thermal anti-nociceptive effects of oral morphine in horses
Authors: Knych Heather K. , Steinmetz Stacy J. , Traynham Megan L. , McKemie Daniel S. , Kass Philip H.
Published: September 2024

Introduction

Morphine is an effective analgesic in horses, however, IV administration at therapeutic doses has been shown to produce dose-dependent neuroexcitation and unwanted gastrointestinal effects. The analgesic effects of morphine have, at least in part, been attributed to the morphine-6-glucuronide (M6G) metabolite. Oral administration to horses results in comparable M6G concentrations to that achieved following IV administration of a therapeutic dose without the adverse effects. The anti-nociceptive effects have not yet been reported. In the current study the thermal anti-nociceptive effects of single and multiple oral doses of morphine were assessed.

Methods

Six horses received a single 0.2 mg/kg IV dose of morphine and multiple oral doses of 0.8 mg/kg morphine every 12 h for 4.5 days. Blood samples were collected throughout administration, morphine, and metabolite concentrations determined and pharmacokinetic analysis performed. Drug related behavior and physiologic responses were recorded. Response to noxious stimuli was evaluated by determining thermal threshold latency in response to the application of heat.

Results

The maximum concentrations of M6G were higher following oral administration compared to IV and the combined morphine and M6G concentrations exceeded that of IV administration starting at 2 h. Oral administration of 0.8 mg/kg morphine provided and maintained comparable anti-nociception effects to IV morphine with less adverse effects, following single and multiple doses. Morphine was well tolerated following oral administration with less excitation and minimal effects on gastrointestinal borborygmi scores compared to IV administration.

Discussion

Results of the current study warrant further investigation of the anti-nociceptive effects of oral morphine administration to horses.
Convenience, opportunities, risks and challenges of IoT for individual and business consumers: Systematic literature review from 2010 to 2022
Authors: Tanzeela Tanzeela
Published: September 2024

IoT offers control over devices and enables users to have real-time monitoring, increased efficiency, and reduced energy costs. As the technology is in its infancy stage, there are several domains that need to be studied. Researchers have made contributions to analyze the key aspects of IoT, including its usage, benefits, risks, and requirement for technological infrastructure. Furthermore, studies were conducted from the consumer’s perspective, aiming to know their preferences and adoption behaviors. This systematic review of literature, based on previous studies from 2010 to 2022, aims to enrich literature while presenting a comprehensive and detailed review of 42 articles from 43 journals and international conferences. The reviewed articles have been selected from databases including Scopus, Web of Science, and Science Direct. The theory development, characteristics, context, and methodology framework (TCCM) has been used to examine these four aspects in consumer behavior regarding IoT devices. The review presents an overview of research in this area and also presents future research directions to spur scholarly research. The research’s contribution to academia and industry is that it provides useful information regarding key aspects of IoT while suggesting new ways for further improvements. The research provides key insights to the IoT industry and how they can overcome product and adoption-related challenges.
Agricultural Drought Monitoring: A Comparative Review of Conventional and Satellite-Based Indices
Authors: Gholinia Ali , Abbaszadeh Peyman
Published: September 2024

Drought is a natural hazard that causes significant economic and human losses by creating a persistent lack of precipitation that impacts agriculture and hydrology. It has various characteristics, such as delayed effects and variability across dimensions like severity, spatial extent, and duration, making it difficult to characterize. The agricultural sector is especially susceptible to drought, which is a primary cause of crop failures and poses a significant threat to global food security. To address these risks, it is crucial to develop effective methods for identifying, classifying, and monitoring agricultural drought, thereby aiding in planning and mitigation efforts. Researchers have developed various tools, including agricultural drought indices, to quantify severity levels and determine the onset and evolution of droughts. These tools help in early-stage forecasting and ongoing monitoring of drought conditions. The field has been significantly advanced by remote sensing technology, which now offers high-resolution spatial and temporal data, improving our capacity to monitor and assess agricultural drought. Despite these technological advancements, the unpredictable nature of environmental conditions continues to pose challenges in drought assessment. It remains essential to provide an overview of agricultural drought indices, incorporating both conventional methods and modern remote sensing-based indices used in drought monitoring and assessment.
The Push-Out Bond Strength, Surface Roughness, and Antimicrobial Properties of Endodontic Bioceramic Sealers Supplemented with Silver Nanoparticles
Authors: Navarrete-Olvera Karla , Niño-Martínez Nereyda , De Alba-Montero Idania , Patiño-Marín Nuria , Ruiz Facundo , Bach Horacio , Martínez-Castañón Gabriel-Alejandro
Published: September 2024

This study evaluated push-out bond test (POBT), surface roughness, and antimicrobial properties against Enterococcus faecalis of bioceramic sealers supplemented with silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). The sealers tested were CeraSeal®, EndoSequence® BC SealerTM, and Bio-C® Sealer. The POBT was measured with a Universal Testing Machine, and the type of failure was evaluated with a stereomicroscope. The roughness average (Sa) and peak–valley height (Sy) values were evaluated by atomic force microscopy. The bacterial growth inhibition was evaluated using a disk diffusion test, and antimicrobial activity was determined with the plate microdilution method. The POBT showed no significant difference between sealers with and those without NPs in cervical and apical thirds (p > 0.05). In the middle third, the adhesion force was significant for Endosequence BC Sealer® (p < 0.05). The results showed that the Sa and Sy parameters, when AgNPs were added, did not show a statistically significant difference compared to the groups without nanoparticles (p > 0.05). All tested sealers showed bacterial growth inhibition, but no significant difference was found. Their efficacy, in descending order of antibacterial activity when AgNPs were added, is as follows: EndoSequence® BC SealerTM > Bio-C® Sealer > CeraSeal®. The incorporation of AgNPs into bioceramics improves antimicrobial activity without affecting mechanical properties.
Why Does the Optimal Tuning Method of the Range Separation Parameter of a Long-Range Corrected Density Functional Fail in Intramolecular Charge Transfer Excitation Calculations?
Authors: Bae Han-Seok , Ahn Dae-Hwan , Song Jong-Won
Published: September 2024

We performed intra- and intermolecular charge transfer (CT) excitation energy calculations of (a) conjugated carbon chain [H2N–(CH=CH)n–X] and (b) its equidistant H2NH∙∙∙HX (n = 2~8) with various electron acceptors (X = NH2, OH, Cl, CHO, CN, and NO2) using EOM-CCSD, time-dependent (TD) Hartree–Fock (HF) and various density functional theory (DFT) functionals, such as BLYP, B3LYP, long-range corrected (LC) DFT, and LC-DFT with an optimally tuned (OT) range separation parameter (µ) using Koopman’s theorem to investigate the effect of the electron-withdrawing (or -donating) strength of end-capped functional group (X) and CT distance (R) on intra- and intermolecular CT excitation energies. As the electron-withdrawing strength of X increases, both intra- and intermolecular CT excitation energies tend to decrease, since energy gaps between orbitals corresponding to CT excitations (e.g., HOMO and LUMO) decrease. However, the effect of the electron-withdrawing group on intramolecular CT excitation energy is negligible (at most 0.5 eV). OT-LC-DFT shows accurate intermolecular CT excitation energy, but worse results in intramolecular CT excitation energy than LC-DFT with the default µ value (0.47). Therefore, we conclude that the optimal tuning method is not effective in predicting intramolecular CT excitation energy. While intermolecular CT excitation energy has excitonic binding energy with asymptotic behavior to CT distance that is not affected by the choice of range separation parameter, intramolecular CT excitation energy is affected by orbital relaxation energy, which strongly depends on the choice of range separation parameter, which makes the OT method of range separation parameter ineffective in predicting intramolecular CT excitation energy as well as local excitation with high accuracy.
C-C Bonding in Molecular Systems via Cross-Coupling-like Reactions Involving Noncovalently Bound Constituent Ions
Authors: Kerr Stephen , Naumkin Fedor Y.
Published: September 2024

Carbon-based molecules are of universal importance for a huge variety of chemical and biological processes. The complication of the structure of such molecules proceeds via the bonding of carbon atoms. An efficient mechanism for such reactions proceeds via cross-coupling, related to the association of bond-terminating counter-ions. Here, an uncommon version of such a process is investigated, with at least some ions bound in the system noncovalently and/or switching the bonding mode in due course. The analyzed sample reactions involve a single C-C bond formation in environmentally relevant halocarbon species and involve alkali–halide ion-pair components. A consistent ab initio computational study predicts the related energy barriers to alter significantly in the presence of the ion pair. Different channels are checked, with the carbon–halogen bond cleavage preceding or following the actual C-C bonding and with the counter-ions located closely or farther apart. The relative heights of the corresponding energy barriers are found to be switched by the ion pair. The above results suggest a possibility of facilitating such reactions without expensive catalysts.
Horror as Film Philosophy
Authors: Engell Lorenz
Published: September 2024

The article starts from Gilles Deleuze’s assumption of film being a philosophy in its own right and applies it to the horror genre. It reads Stanley Cavell’s concept of genre, Timothy Jay Walker’s work on the Horror of the Other (1) and Eugene Thacker’s understanding of philosophical horror (2). It researches horror film as philosophically relevant access to nothingness (3) and shifts to the operations of assigning places to nothingness according to its respective place of access (off screen, on screen, behind the screen/behind the camera) (4). It then gives short analyses of Midsommar (5), Hereditary (6), Tarantula (7), and The Conjuring (8). In Tarantula, the screen functions as a shield against the agent of nothingness residing behind it. Once surmounted from behind by nothingness, the screen is finally purged. In Hereditary and Midsommar, nothingness is always already here, in full light, constantly transforming everything into nothing. In The Conjuring, the morphings and vectorial movements have nothingness evaporate from the screen to what lies behind it, namely (digital) picture technology. The screen turns into a membrane between nothingness and its condition, technology. As a consequence, we have to switch from philosophical horror to technological horror as access to nothingness (9).
Migrant Women in the UK’s Digital Economy: The Elimination of Labour Market Barriers in the Digital Labour Market
Authors: Erinc Oztas Miray
Published: September 2024

This research paper delves into the complexities migrant women face within the UK labour market, with a specific focus on the digital economy’s role as both a barrier and a conduit for employment opportunities. Migrant women in the UK encounter dual barriers to labour market entry: systemic challenges rooted in migration and gender biases, and the digital divide that exacerbates access and inclusion issues within the burgeoning digital economy. Through an exploratory descriptive analysis, this study explores how digitalism—defined as the integration of digital technologies into economic and societal practices—circumvents traditional labour market entry barriers such as languages barriers. By setting out the grounds for a potential hypothesis and further research in the era of AI, this paper underlines how through the implementation of AI tools, traditional barriers such as language barriers are eliminated in the digital labour market.
The Influence of Morphological Elements of Urban Gated Communities on Road Network Connectivity: A Study of 120 Samples of the Central Districts of Jinan, China
Authors: Hao Xinxin , Zhao Jilong , Deng Qingtan , Wang Siyu , Che Canyi , Chen Yuxiang
Published: September 2024

Currently, the dominant gated communities (GCs) in Chinese cities have fragmented the urban road network, causing traffic congestion, energy consumption, carbon emissions, and environmental pollution. The morphological elements of GCs are key factors affecting road network connectivity. This paper aimed to explore the influence of the morphological elements of GCs on road network connectivity, to provide a quantitative basis for the evaluation and renovation of the connectivity of GCs, and to provide insights for urban planning and policy. This paper quantitatively analyzed the connectivity of GCs using 120 samples from the central districts of Jinan, China. Morphological elements were the independent variables, while route directness (RD) and the network distance (D) to the nearest entrance were the dependent variables. RD measured the internal connectivity, and D measured the connectivity between the internal and external road networks of GCs. GIS was used to measure RD and D, and SPSS was used to conduct a correlation analysis to identify significant variables. Multiple linear regression and LASSO regression were used to test the influence of these factors on RD and D. LASSO regression was employed to construct prediction models for RD and D. We found that intersection density had the greatest impact on RD, while the number of entrances and exits, and the scale of GCs, had the greatest impact on D. Using thresholds of D = 250 and RD = 1.3, the four types of GCs were classified and corresponding renovation measures were proposed.
The Impact of Environmental Social Responsibility on Total Factor Productivity: Evidence from Listed Companies in China
Authors: Cao Yuanyu , Xu Tao
Published: September 2024

In recent years, China’s environmental policies have continued to promote sustainable development, and listed companies have increased their environmental investment and strengthened their environmental social responsibility. Although there has been much research on the relationship between environmental performance and total factor productivity of listed companies, the impact of environmental social responsibility on total factor productivity has not yet been fully examined. In this paper, we use panel data regression to investigate the linear and non-linear relationships between environmental social responsibility and total factor productivity. These relationships are tested for robustness, analyzed for between-group differences, and validated by a machine learning model. Firstly, we find that environmental social responsibility can significantly contribute to companies’ total factor productivity within a certain range, but it varies across different categories of firms. Secondly, there is an inverted U-shape relationship between environmental social responsibility and total factor productivity, where total factor productivity initially increases with environmental social responsibility but decreases after reaching a certain threshold. Finally, we conclude that environmental social responsibility promotes total factor productivity in the early stages, but when environmental social responsibility reaches a certain threshold, it begins to exert an inhibitory effect on the development of total factor productivity.
Analisis kemampuan komunikasi matematis peserta didik ditinjau dari perbedaan gender
Authors: Bintania Yolla , Widiati Indah
Published: September 2024

Mathematical communication skills are the basic abilities that students must have in learning mathematics. This research aims to analyze students' mathematical communication skills in terms of gender differences. This type of research is qualitative descriptive research. The subjects in this research were class VIII students at MTs Hasanah Pekanbaru consisting of 3 male students and 3 female students with the categories of high, medium and low ability students. The data collection technique in this research is a test technique using a mathematical communication ability test instrument and a non-test technique, namely an interview guide. The data analysis technique is carried out using the stages of data reduction, data presentation, and drawing conclusions. The results of this study showed that in the high category, male subjects met 3 indicators and less than 1 indicator, while female subjects met 4 indicators. Then in the medium category, male subjects meet 3 indicators and do not meet 1 indicator, while female subjects meet 2 indicators and do not meet 2 indicators. Furthermore, in the low category, male subjects did not meet 1 indicator and did not meet 3 other indicators, while female subjects did not meet 3 indicators and did not meet 1 indicator.
Meningkatkan kemampuan pemecahan masalah matematis siswa: Pengembangan modul pembelajaran berbasis studi etnomatematika pada budidaya tanaman hidroponik
Authors: Nisa Mir Atun , Kumala Fitria Zana
Published: September 2024

This study aims to develop an ethnomathematical study-based learning module on hydroponic plant cultivation to improve the mathematical problem-solving ability of class VII junior high school students on social arithmetic material that meets the criteria of validity and effectiveness. This research method is research and development with the ADDIE model (analysis, design, development, implementation, evaluation). Data collection instruments include interviews, validation sheets, questionnaires, and pre-test and post-test questions. The data were analyzed using qualitative and quantitative data analysis techniques. The results showed that ethnomathematics research-based learning modules were considered effective and feasible, with a percentage of 90% results verified by material and ethnomathematics experts, 96% by media experts, 90% teacher assessments, and a pass rate of group examination assessments of 87.3%, and a pass rate of on-site examination evaluations of 88.61%. The modules developed are also claimed to be effective in improving students' mathematical solving skills, with the experimental class having an average N-gain score of 0.78 in the "very high" category, better than the control class with an average N-gain score of 0.32 in the "medium" category. Both data were tested using a two-sample t-test and obtained 0.00 results less than 0.05 then H0 was rejected and H1 was accepted.
Penerapan model pembelajaran problem-based learning dalam meningkatkan kemampuan pemahaman konsep matematika siswa
Authors: Rauf Ila Ali , Samura Asri Ode , Djawa Yani
Published: September 2024

This study investigated the effectiveness of problem-based learning (PBL) model in improving seventh-grade students’ conceptual understanding of mathematics at SMP Negeri 13, Ternate City, Indonesia. This study used a quantitative approach using a pre-experimental design, specifically a one-group pretest-posttest design. The sample consisted of 34 seventh-grade students at one of the public junior high schools in Ternate City. Data were collected using a written test, and analysis was conducted using inferential statistics, specifically the Paired Sample T-Test. The findings showed that the implementation of the PBL model significantly improved students’ ability to understand mathematical concepts, with the results showing a medium effect size. In addition, the effect size test classified the impact of PBL on students’ mathematical understanding in the high category.
NEWBORN BABY GIFT AS A TOOL FOR SUPPORTING FAMILIES AT THE BIRTH OF A CHILD
Authors:   All-Russian Scientific Research Institute of Labor, Moscow, Russia, Korobkova N.Y. , Basharina A.A. ,   All-Russian Scientific Research Institute of Labor, Moscow, Russia
Published: September 2024

Since the demographic problems that have been observed call for the development of appropriate measures to support families with children and to encourage families to bear children, an analysis of the measures already in place in the regions seems relevant. The purpose of this paper is to analyze the practice of providing a gift to a newborn as one of the important measures of state support for a family at the birth of a child and an attempt to scientifically evaluate the implementation of this measure in the regions of Russia. The scientific novelty of the study lies in the development of an approach to calculate the cost of the optimal composition of the gift, which contains a list of items necessary for the care of a newborn child, and its quantitative assessment for each subject of the Russian Federation, taking into account the regional price level. The value of the gift is estimated both in absolute terms and in relation to the average per capita income of families with children, calculated according to the Statistical Survey of Income and Participation in Social Programs-2023 for each region. Based on the research results and calculations, the best regional practices for providing a gift to a newborn were identified and recommendations on possible ways to improve this measure were developed.
TYPOLOGY OF RUSSIAN REGIONS BY THE EMPLOYMENT LEVEL IN THE MAIN SECTORS OF THE ECONOMY AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC INDICATORS
Authors:   Institute of Demographic Research of the Federal State Budgetary Institution of the Federal Research Sociological Center of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia, Kashepov A.V.
Published: September 2024

The purpose of the paper is to build a typology of regions of the Russian Federation based on the indicators of the sectoral structure of employment and other economic and demographic characteristics. The objects of the study are the economy and the sphere of employment of the population; the subject is the formation and change of the sectoral structure of this sphere. General scientific research methods are socio-economic analysis, mathematical and statistical methods of correlation, factor and cluster analysis. Research results: The sectoral structure of employment in Russia and its regions is considered an integral part, result, and characteristic of the economic development level. For the first time, the quality indices of structural shifts in employment (IQS) of all subjects of the Russian Federation for the period 2005-2022 were calculated, an analysis of regional differences was carried out and a typology of Russian subjects was built by the employment level in the service sector, the level of urbanization, gross regional product, capital provision, specific investment per 1 employed person and other indicators for 2018-2022. The correlation, factor and cluster analysis are used to evaluate the relationships between the main socio-economic indicators, similarities, and differences of regional economic systems. It is concluded that this methodological approach and the developed typology of the subjects of the Russian Federation based on modern statistical indicators can be useful for labor economics, regional economic and economic-geographical research, as well as training courses in the above-mentioned disciplines.
INTEGRATION OF CITIZENS WITH DISABILITIES INTO THE LABOR MARKET
Authors:   Financial University under the Government of the Russian Federation, Moscow, Russia, Fedchenko A.A. , Filimonova I.V. ,   Financial University under the Government of the Russian Federation, Moscow, Russia
Published: September 2024

The subject of the study is modern technologies for a positive impact on labor resources through the integration of citizens with disabilities into the Russian labor market. The aim of the research is to develop an integrated approach to creating working conditions for citizens with disabilities, promoting the socialization of this part of the population, and increasing the potential of the country’s labor resources. The relevance of the study is due to the aggravation of the situation in the labor market associated with the consequences of the demographic decline of the 1990s, a special military operation, and the relocation of highly skilled specialists abroad. The scientific novelty lies in the development of improved modern technologies for the integration of citizens with disabilities into the labor market. The research methods include scientific abstraction and a systematic approach, analysis of the legislative framework and scientific publications on this topic, as well as economic and statistical analysis. The results of the study revealed the need to apply a comprehensive approach to the integration of citizens with disabilities into the labor market, which consists of specifying measures for setting job quotas and substantiating the importance of using digital technologies and ethical principles in their use. The authors made a conclusion about the need to increase the degree of validity of management decisions concerning the organization of labor activities of persons with disabilities in accordance with the change in socio-economic conditions and the regulatory framework.
Estudos surdos em destaque: práticas e pesquisas
Authors: Vieira Claudia Regina , Hollosi Marcio
Published: September 2024

“Estudos Surdos em destaque: Práticas e Pesquisas”, organizados por nós professores doutores Claudia Regina Vieira e Marcio Hollosi apresenta textos dos estudantes matriculados, egressos e alunos especiais do Programa de Pós-graduação em Educação e Saúde da Unifesp/SP sobre as pesquisas realizadas em torno das questões relacionadas as pessoas surdas e seus embates sociais, políticos, culturais e educacionais. Esta coletânea de 10 (dez) capítulos circunscreve um campo de pesquisa e as discussões acerca da presença e permanência de estudantes surdos na pós-graduação e principalmente sua ascensão educacional através das políticas públicas conquistada ao longo dos anos, bem como das ações educacionais, sociais, políticas e culturais desta população.
Linguagens, interação social e autismo
Authors: Miranda da Cruz Fernanda , Perissinoto Jacy , Tamanaha Ana Carolina
Published: September 2024

Este é o volume 4 da Coleção Educação e Saúde, uma iniciativa de docentes, discentes e pesquisadores, credenciados no Programa de Pós-Graduação em Saúde e Educação na Infância e na Adolescência (PPGESIA), da Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP). O presente volume intitulado Linguagens, Interação Social e Autismo traduz algumas pesquisas, intervenções, projetos, percursos formativos e parcerias produzidos no interior de dois grupos de pesquisa da UNIFESP dedicados à investigação sobre o autismo, a saber, o Grupo de Pesquisa Interação, Cognição e Multimodalidade (InCoMul), do Laboratório de Linguagem e Cognição (LabLinC) e o Núcleo de Investigação Fonoaudiológica em Linguagem de Crianças e Adolescentes com Transtorno do Espectro do Autismo (NIFLINC-TEA).