bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Waning success: a 2013–2022 spatial and temporal trend analysis of malaria in Ethiopia
Authors: Jalilian Abdollah , Ayana Galana Mamo , Ashine Temesgen , Hailemeskel Elifaged , Ebstie Yehenew Asmamaw , Molla Eshetu , Esayas Endashaw , Negash Nigatu , Kochora Abena , Assefa Muluken , Teferi Natnael , Teshome Daniel , Reynolds Alison M. , Weetman David , Wilson Anne L. , Kenate Birhanu , Donnelly Martin J. , Sedda Luigi , Gadisa Endalamaw
Published: December 2024

Background

Despite consecutive decades of success in reducing malaria transmission, Ethiopia went off track towards its goal of malaria elimination by 2030, as outlined in the NMCP malaria strategy. Recent malaria outbreaks in Ethiopia are attributed to the emergence and spread of diagnostic and drug-resistant Plasmodium falciparum, increased insecticide resistance in major vectors and the spread of invasive Anopheles stephensi. The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, environmental anomalies and internal conflicts have also potentially played a role in increasing malaria transmission. This study aimed to evaluate the contribution of environmental factors and An. stephensi to the spatiotemporal trends of recent malaria cases in Ethiopia.

Methods

Clinical malaria case data reported weekly between January 2013 and January 2023 were obtained from the Ethiopian Public Health Institute (EPHI), Addis Ababa. A negative binomial regression model was used to explain the variability and potential overdispersion in the weekly number of malaria cases reported across Ethiopian administrative zones. This model incorporated fixed effects for selected environmental factors and random effects to capture temporal trends, zone specific seasonal patterns, spatial trends at the zone level, and the presence of An. stephensi and its impact.

Results

Our negative binomial regression model highlighted 56% variability in the data and slightly more than half (55%) was due to environmental factors, while the remainder was captured by random effects. A significant nationwide decline in malaria risk was observed between 2013 and 2018, followed by a sharp increase in early 2022. Malaria risk was higher in western and northwestern zones of Ethiopia compared to other zones. Zone-specific seasonal patterns, not explained by environmental factors, were grouped into four clusters of seasonal behaviours. The presence of An. stephensi was not shown to have any significant impact on malaria risk.

Conclusions

Understanding the spatial and temporal drivers of malaria transmission and therefore identifying more appropriate malaria control strategies are key to the success of any malaria elimination and eradication programmes in Ethiopia. Our study found that approximately 50% of malaria risk variability could be explained by environmental, temporal, and spatial factors included in the analysis, while the remaining variation was unexplained and may stem from other factors not considered in this study. This highlights the need for a better understanding of underlying factors driving local malaria transmission and outbreaks, to better tailor regional programmatic responses.

Graphical Abstract
Exploring the efficacy of Transcutaneous Auricular Vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) in modulating local and systemic inflammation in experimental models of colitis
Authors: Hesampour Fatemeh , Tshikudi Diane M , Bernstein Charles N , Ghia Jean-Eric
Published: December 2024

Background

Current inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) treatments often fail to achieve lasting remission and have adverse effects. Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) offers a promising therapy due to its anti-inflammatory effects. Its invasive nature, however, has led to the development of non-invasive methods like transcutaneous auricular VNS (taVNS). This study assesses taVNS’s impact on acute colitis progression, inflammatory, anti-inflammatory, and apoptosis-related markers.

Methods

Male C57BL/6 mice (11–12 weeks) were used for dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)- and dinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (DNBS)-induced colitis studies. The administration of taVNS or no stimulation (anesthesia without stimulation) for 10 min per mouse began one day before colitis induction and continued daily until sacrifice. Ulcerative colitis (UC)-like colitis was induced by administering 5% DSS in drinking water for 5 days, after which the mice were sacrificed. Crohn’s disease (CD)-like colitis was induced through a single intrarectal injection of DNBS/ethanol, with the mice sacrificed after 3 days. Disease activity index (DAI), macroscopic evaluations, and histological damage were assessed. Colon, spleen, and blood samples were analyzed via qRT-PCR and ELISA. One-way or two-way ANOVA with Bonferroni and Šídák tests were applied.

Results

taVNS improved DAI, macroscopic, and histological scores in DSS colitis mice, but only partially mitigated weight loss and DAI in DNBS colitis mice. In DSS colitis, taVNS locally decreased colonic inflammation by downregulating pro-inflammatory markers (IL-1β, TNF-α, Mip1β, MMP 9, MMP 2, and Nos2) at the mRNA level and upregulating anti-inflammatory TGF-β in non-colitic conditions at both mRNA and protein levels and IL-10 mRNA levels in both non-colitic and colitic conditions. Systemically, taVNS decreased splenic TNF-α in non-colitic mice and increased serum levels of TGF-β in colitic mice and splenic levels in non-colitic and colitic mice. Effects were absent in DNBS-induced colitis. Additionally, taVNS decreased pro-apoptotic markers (Bax, Bak1, and caspase 8) in non-colitic and colitic conditions and increased the pro-survival molecule Bad in non-colitic mice.

Conclusions

This study demonstrates that taVNS has model-dependent local and systemic effects, reducing inflammation and apoptosis in UC-like colitis while offering protective benefits in non-colitic conditions. These findings encourage further research into underlying mechanisms and developing adjunct therapies for UC.
Toward generalizable phenotype prediction from single-cell morphology representations
Authors: Tomkinson Jenna , Kern Roshan , Mattson Cameron , Way Gregory P.
Published: December 2024

Background

Functional cell processes (e.g., molecular signaling, response to stimuli, mitosis, etc.) impact cell phenotypes, which scientists can measure with cell morphology. However, linking these measurements with phenotypes remains challenging because it requires manually annotated labels. We propose that nuclear morphology can be a predictive marker for cell phenotypes that are generalizable across contexts.

Methods

We reanalyzed a pre-labeled, publicly-available nucleus microscopy dataset from the MitoCheck consortium. We extracted single-cell morphology features using CellProfiler and DeepProfiler, which provide robust processing pipelines. We trained multinomial, multi-class elastic-net logistic regression models to classify nuclei into one of 15 phenotypes such as ‘Anaphase,’ ‘Apoptosis’, and ‘Binuclear’. We rigorously assessed performance using F1 scores, precision-recall curves, and a leave-one-image-out (LOIO) cross-validation analysis. In LOIO, we retrained models using cells from every image except one and predicted phenotype in the held-out image, repeating this procedure for all images. We evaluated each morphology feature space, a concatenated feature space, and several feature space subsets (e.g., nuclei AreaShape features only). We applied models to the Joint Undertaking in Morphological Profiling (JUMP) data to assess performance using a different dataset.

Results

In a held-out test set, we observed an overall F1 score of 0.84. Individual phenotype scores ranged from 0.64 (moderate performance) to 0.99 (high performance). Phenotypes such as ‘Elongated’, ‘Metaphase’, and ‘Apoptosis’ showed high performance. While CellProfiler and DeepProfiler features were generally equally effective, concatenation yielded the best results for 9/15 phenotypes. LOIO showed a performance decline, indicating our model could not reliably predict phenotypes in new images. Poor performance was unrelated to illumination correction or model selection. Applied to the JUMP data, models trained using nuclear AreaShape features only increased alignment with the annotated MitoCheck data (based on UMAP space). This approach implicated many chemical and genetic perturbations known to be associated with specific phenotypes.

Discussion

Poor LOIO performance demonstrates challenges of single-cell phenotype prediction in new datasets. We propose several strategies that could pave the way for more generalizable methods in single-cell phenotype prediction, which is a step toward morphology representation ontologies that would aid in cross-dataset interpretability.
Metastatic Pheochromocytoma/Paraganglioma Overproducing Multiple Catecholamines
Authors: Yoshioka Keiko , Nakano Yujiro , Horichi Moeka , Aono Daisuke , Takeshita Yumie , Takamura Toshinari
Published: December 2024

Pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma (PPGL) are rare chromaffin-cell tumors producing adrenaline and/or noradrenaline, or solely dopamine. A 52-year-old man presenting with hypertension (141/79 mm Hg) and weight loss (10 kg in 6 months) was admitted to our hospital. Computed tomography revealed a massive right adrenal mass (150 mm) with partial necrosis, accompanied by multiple liver nodules. These nodules showed a high signal intensity on T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging. Subsequently, a diagnosis of PPGL was made based on elevated urinary excretion of adrenaline (355 µg/day [1937 nmol/day]; normal range: 3.4-26.9 µg/day; 18-146 nmol/day), noradrenaline (1690 µg/day [9989 nmol/day]; normal range: 48.6-168.4 µg/day; 287-995 nmol/day), and dopamine (53 000 µg/day [258 322 nmol/day]; normal range: 365-961.5 µg/day; 1779-4686 nmol/day). The 123I-metaiodobenzylguanidine scintigraphy and fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography scan showed heterogenous uptake among the adrenal and the liver foci, respectively. Clustering analysis of previous PPGL cases highlighted the unique catecholamine profile of this case. These findings suggest a possibility that internodular heterogeneity between primary and metastatic foci on nuclear imaging may indicate varying differentiation grades and resultant catecholamine secretion. Further studies will be needed to verify these results and confirm this hypothesis.
Plant-based Diet in Athletes: A Game Changer or Just a Trend?
Authors: Słowikowska Aleksandra , Sztyler-Krąkowska Marcelina , Wąsowicz Agnieszka , Smyl Natalia , Teofilak Mateusz , Szatkowska Julia , Śpiołek Olga , Siwiec Jan , Kędziora Franciszek , Fabian Dariusz
Published: December 2024

Introduction: Nowadays, a plant-based diet is gaining increasing popularity. Guidance onadopting this diet can be found in scientific literature, as well as through social media andadvertisements promoting a wide range of new products appearing on store shelves. Byreviewing scientific sources, we decided to analyze the principles of a plant-based diet, itsassociated benefits, as well as the potential negative aspects of its implementation,particularly among athletes.Aim of the study: This review aims to analyse the literature concerning the impact of a plant-based diet on accomplishments, endurance, and health, especially for athletes.Materials and methods: The authors conducted an extensive review of available articles onPubMed, ScienceDirect, Cochrane, UpToDate, Google Scholar, and Pubmed databases, usingkeywords such as vegan, vegetarian, plant-based,, civilization diseases, healthy lifestyle,athletes, strength, accomplishments, endurance. Studies accessed between 2016-2024 wereincluded in this review.Results and conclusions: A plant-based diet is a valuable option for athletes, offeringbenefits such as improved recovery, reduced oxidative stress, and alignment with sustainablepractices. When properly planned to address potential nutrient deficiencies, it can effectivelysupport athletic performance, including strength and endurance, without compromisinghealth. Thus, for athletes seeking ethical, health-conscious, or environmentally sustainabledietary patterns, a plant-based diet is indeed worth considering.
Quantum state transfer with measurement-based noiseless linear amplification
Authors: Xin Jun
Published: December 2024

A partially disembodied quantum state transfer (PDQST) machine is crucial for Gaussian quantum information processing. It integrates Gaussian quantum teleportation and Gaussian quantum cloning machines into a single quantum information platform and therefore enhances the multifunctionality and compatibility of the present quantum information system. However, the standard PDQST machine relies on infinite quantum squeezing, which is unachievable in the practical implementation. In this paper, we propose to use measurement-based noiseless linear amplification (MBNLA) to enhance the performance of the PDQST machine. By moving the standard PDQST machine to be non-deterministic, MBNLA reduces the need for infinite squeezing, enabling perfect quantum teleportation or asymmetric cloning with achievable squeezing levels. The feasibility of the MBNLA-based PDQST machine is analyzed by considering parameters such as noiseless gain and cutoff.
Molecular dynamics and FDTD method synergistic modulation for surface emission in luminescent glass by metal nanoparticles
Authors: Wang Yixin , Liang Yongchao , Xie Quan , Jiang Chun
Published: December 2024

Luminescent glass is widely used in industries such as lasers and communications. Metal nanoparticles have a significant effect on the emission properties of luminescent glass, but quantitative control of this effect remains challenging due to the difficulty in large-scale glass process optimization. This paper proposes a method that combines large-scale molecular dynamics (MD) and finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) algorithms to effectively analyze the aggregation of nanoparticles in glass. MD can accurately simulate atomic interactions and nanoparticle distribution, while FDTD is very suitable for simulating optical responses. The atomic-level precision of MD combined with the electromagnetic field analysis of FDTD can effectively analyze the aggregation of nanoparticles in glass, and obtain the emission response through FDTD, thereby realizing the regulation of the performance of luminescent glass. Taking bismuth-doped silica glass as an example, this study used a synergistic method to observe that the emission intensity at 1300nm increased by 60%, and the emission peak red-shifted by 40nm. This method has a wide range of applications and can be easily extended to other luminescent systems.
Interactive Mobile Phone Application for Better Family Planning Services in Jordan: A Quasi-experimental Study
Authors: Nayef Tailakh Suha , Sa’d Hasan Basha Asma , Salem Kasassbeh, Rawan
Published: December 2024

Background: Technological solutions can enhance health-related behaviors, knowledge, and attitudes. The field of family planning can effectively utilize this technology. Purpose: To evaluate the impact of an interactive mobile phone application on family planning services. Materials and Methods: A quasi-experimental design was used; the intervention group members received routine postpartum contraceptive counseling in addition to an introduction to a family planning application, installed on their mobile phones. Conversely, the control group received only the routine contraceptive counseling without any mention of the application. This study utilized various validated instruments, including a contraception knowledge assessment tool, a contraception attitude scale, a mobile application assessment tool, and a decision conflict scale. Results: The study revealed significant differences (p <.05) in the use of contraceptive methods starting from the first six weeks after birth, in the continuity of the use of modern methods within the first six months after birth, and in the decision-making process. On the other hand, there were no significant differences (p >.05) in the occurrence of pregnancy within the first six months, the use of contraceptive methods in six months, switching between modern and traditional methods, or vice versa. Conclusion: Interactive mobile phone applications will improve family planning services by promoting early contraceptive use after birth, ensuring continuity of modern methods, and enhancing method selection. Implications for Nursing: Mobile phone applications provide a fordable counseling method that can improve family planning services by minimizing the need for printed materials and transportation compared to individual or group counseling sessions. Keywords: Contraceptives, Family planning, Jordan, Mobile application, Quasiexperimental design.
Determination of health care workers’ knowledge of apitherapy and bee products, and food neophobia
Authors: Çakır Biriz , Taşyürek Ceylan , Kartal Nurşah
Published: December 2024

Aim: To determine the knowledge of healthcare workers about apitherapy and bee products, and food neophobia.
Method: This study is a descriptive and cross-sectional study. A total of 456 healthcare workers working in different professions participated in the study. The questionnaire contained questions about demographic features, knowledge and use of apitherapy and bee products, and a food neophobia scale. The data obtained were evaluated with the SPSS program.
Findings: Of the healthcare workers, 66.4% were female, 45.6% were physicians and 34.0% were nurses. 54.0% of the healthcare workers were in the 20-29 age group and the difference between the age groups in consumption of bee products was statistically significant (p<0.05). 32.0% of healthcare workers stated that they had heard of apitherapy before, while 71.0% stated that they did not know apitherapy products. Those who have never heard of its effects on health care 59%, while those who think it has a curative effect on diseases are 36.3%. On the other hand, 65.6% of healthcare workers consumed any of the bee products. Honey is the bee product consumed every day (5.1%). When weekly consumption was questioned, the frequency of consumption of honey, propolis and bee pollen 1-2 days a week was 27.1%, 2.2%, and 1.0%, respectively; the frequency of consumption 2-3 days a week was 20.9% for honey and 5.6% for propolis. Apilarnil was consumed once every six months (0.5%), while bee bread was never consumed. Among healthcare workers, 18.6% were neophilic, 63.6% were neutral and 17.8% were neophobic. The difference between the groups according to age, occupation, and use of food supplements was significant (p<0.05).
Conclusion: It was found that most of the healthcare workers had no knowledge about apitherapy and bee products, and age, occupation and using dietary supplements affected the level of food neophobia.
An investigation into the use of emerging technologies to transform teaching and learning across differently positioned higher education institutions in South Africa
Authors: Bozalek Vivienne
Published: December 2024

This paper reports on a project which was initiated in 2011 and which aims to learn more about emerging technologies in higher education in South Africa and their potential impact on enhancing learning in an inequitable educational landscape. This newly developed research project includes a team of researchers across eight differently placed South African HEIs and one international NGO (see footnote 1 for researchers in the team and their institutional affiliations). The paper elaborates on emerging technologies, the South African context, provides an overview of the rationale for the project and describes the research design for the project.
Plug and play learning application integration using IMS Learning Tools Interoperability
Authors: Booth Simon , Peacock Susi , Vickers Stephen P.
Published: December 2024

A key barrier to providing learners with engaging learning experiences is the deployment of new, innovative technology. This requires collaborative effort between teachers, system administrators and application developers. The shared goal is to make it as easy as possible for learning applications to be used by learners; the shared challenge is achieving this in a cost effective manner. The IMS Learning Tools Interoperability (LTI) specification provides new opportunities for addressing this issue and provides significant benefits to all three parties. Using LTI can provide developers and system administrators with a standard mechanism for integrating learning applications with existing systems (such as a virtual learning environment) and allow teachers greater freedom to select applications which best meet their pedagogic needs.
The blending of blended learning
Authors: Bath Debra , Bourke John
Published: December 2024

Along with the increasing emphasis placed on blended learning approaches in higher education, has come a need to engage and support staff in developing knowledge and skills for designing and managing blended learning curricula. This paper describes one strategy for such support: an elective course within an existing Graduate Certificate in Higher Education program. Staff have the opportunity to complete this course as part of a formal program of study or as a one-off professional development opportunity. The course specifically aims to support staff in developing an understanding of the philosophical and pedagogical underpinnings of blended learning design, as well as in gaining skills in designing curricula from a blended learning perspective using information and communication technologies (ICTs) for teaching, learning and assessment purposes. Itself designed in blended learning mode, this course attempts to embody good practice in blended learning, and here we present an initial evaluation of the course from this perspective.
Unpacking TPACK and students' approaches to learning
Authors: Ashe David , Bibi Shaista
Published: December 2024

This conceptual paper considers how the TPACK (technological, pedagogical and content knowledge) framework (Mishra & Koehler, 2006) can be used to gain an understanding of technology use in teaching and learning. For technology to enhance traditional teaching and learning, TPACK itself may require a tighter definition. We consider the effects of incorporating technology on both teachers' knowledge and students' approaches to learning. The intention is to look deeper into the TPACK construct and to view it from an alternative theoretical perspective. diSessa (1988) proposed a 'knowledge in pieces' theoretical approach that enables a finer-grained scrutiny of knowledge. This theoretical perspective considers knowledge to consist of small elements or 'resources'. We propose that 'knowledge in pieces' may help provide a better, more nuanced understanding of both TPACK and how technology-driven contextual change can affect learning. We conclude by outlining some implications of this theoretical perspective for future empirical research.
Genetically Supported Causality between Brain Structural Connectome and Sleep Duration in Children: A Two-Sample Mendelian Randomization Study
Authors: Zhang Ruijie , Luo Liyan , Zhang Lu , Lin Xinao , Wu Chuyan , Jiang Feng , Wang Jimei
Published: December 2024

Certain structural brain connections have been confirmed to influence sleep duration in children. However, the causal relationships between all brain regions and children's sleep duration remain unclear. A two-sample Mendelian randomization analysis was conducted using data from genome-wide association studies (GWAS) to examine the relationships between 206 structural connections and sleep duration in children. Sensitivity analyses were employed to validate the findings and assess the robustness of the causal inferences. Stronger connectivity from the left hemisphere (LH) control network to the accumbens (
β
 = −0.15; 95% CI = [−0.30, −2.88 × 10
−3
];
p
 = 0.05) and from the LH somatomotor network to the LH default network (
β
 = −0.18; 95% CI = [−0.34, −0.03];
p
 = 0.02) in white-matter structural connectivity (SC) were associated with shorter sleep durations. Conversely, increased white-matter SC from the LH dorsal attention network to the thalamus (
β
 = 0.14; 95% CI = [8.45 × 10
−4
, 0.27];
p
 = 0.05), from the right hemisphere (RH) control network to the thalamus (
β
 = 0.10; 95% CI = [0.01, 0.19];
p
 = 0.03), from the RH default network to the thalamus (
β
 = 0.08; 95% CI = [4.53 × 10
−3
, 0.16];
p
 = 0.04), from the RH limbic network to the thalamus (
β
 = 0.15; 95% CI = [0.05, 0.26];
p
 = 3.77 × 10
−3
), and from the RH somatomotor network to the thalamus (
β
 = 0.20; 95% CI = [0.07, 0.32];
p
 = 1.63 × 10
−3
) correlated with longer sleep durations in children. Two-sample Mendelian randomization provides novel insights into the relationships between brain regions and sleep duration in children. Our findings demonstrate a causal relationship between specific brain areas and sleep duration.
Paradox of Expanding Renewable Energy Resources: Legal Lag Behind the Advancement of Digital Technology
Authors: Alimuddin Nur Hidayani , Mayasari Riezka Eka , Jusafri Jusafri , Boer Muhammad Riyan Kachfi
Published: December 2024

Advances in digital technology have brought massive changes to various aspects of life, including managing natural resources in renewable energy. Digital technology has become one of the strongest drivers for the energy transition goal. In light of this potential, various government policies are currently underway to facilitate the expansion of these resources. Initially, this expansion initiative appears to be a sound and perfect plan, as the transition towards renewable energy will significantly affect environmental conservation efforts, bolstered by digitalization in the energy management sector. Holistically, there appears to be some confusion from both social and economic perspectives, and particularly from a legal perspective at the regulatory level. Objective of this research is to investigate the relationship between advancements in digital technology on renewable energy expantion. Additionally, it aims to investigate the legal barriers that hinder efforts to expand renewable energy in the country, and to explore the significance of paradoxes in this process. This research was conducted principles of law, synchronisation regulations, historical legal analysis, and comparative jurisprudential study. The findings of the research indicate that digital technology, or digitization, in the management of renewable energy provides a significant positive contribution in terms of improving safety, production processes, increasing access, and sustainable management. On the other side, renewable energy regulations have not been able to accommodate the country's expansion efforts and potential. There are still many legal, social, economic, and environmental conflicts in this process.
Redescription and Biological Observations on Maximus strabus (Coleoptera, Curculionidae)
Authors: Gültekin N.
Published: December 2024

Biological observations of Maximus strabus (Gyllenhal, 1834) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) were conducted on two populations associated with two halophytic plants, Bassia hirsuta (L.) Asch. and Suaeda altissima (L.) Pall. in the Aras River valley. The species is redescribed and the diagnostic morphological characters, including variations, are compared with digital images. The species hibernates as an adult under stones and becomes active in early spring when it starts feeding on the rosettes of its host plants. The legless larvae are soil dwellers and feed on the roots of their host plants, including the lateral branches of the roots; the mature larvae form individual soil capsules and pupate inside. A new generation of adults emerges in late summer. The species is univoltine in the Aras River valley.
Urban Sky Roosts: The Unconventional Adaptation of Spot-billed Pelicans to Anthropogenic Structures
Authors: Raul E. , Pattnayak S. P. , Jena P. , Prusty B. A. K.
Published: December 2024

The expansion of urban areas has raised significant concerns about its impact on the bird community, particularly wetland-dependent species. The transformation of natural habitats into urban areas presents unique challenges and alternatives for these species, requiring a reassessment of conventional conservation paradigms. Among these species, the Spot-billed Pelican (classified as 'Near Threatened' by the IUCN and listed under schedule-IV of the IWPA) is a wetland-dependent bird indigenous to India. Instead of preferring natural habitats (wetlands), it now prefers urban habitats for roosting and nesting. The species has also been observed to prefer telecom towers for roosting and courtship during the breeding season. This observation is one of the first to lead to an understanding of the behavioural plasticity of wetland bird species towards adaptation in an anthropogenic setting. This suggests an early warning sign of habitat degradation in their historical breeding and feeding grounds in neighbouring states. The likely reason for the congregation's selection of these anthropogenic structures may be related to resource availability, adjacent feeding grounds and/or habitat suitability. Records of this type should open up avenues for addressing the problem and developing strategies for careful management of breeding sites in artificial structures.
Geochemical Characteristics and Origin of Crude Oils from Sunda and Asri Basins, Indonesia
Authors: Priyanto Bagus , Subroto Eddy A , Kesumajana Asep H P , Sutanto Very , Suryanto Agus D
Published: December 2024

The Sunda and Asri Basins are back-arc basins located SE of Sundaland at the present day. These basins contain Cenozoic sediments deposited in a Paleogene half-graben system. This rifing was followed by sagging during the Neogene associated with a north-south major fault system in the eastern part. The Sunda and Asri Basins constitute significant petroliferous basins in Indonesia which have produced more than a billion barrels of oil equivalent. Some studies conducted focus on geochemistry only in Sunda or Asri Basins, but a comprehensive geochemical study integrating data from both basins have never been conducted. This is the first paper to integrate the geochemical characteristics and the origin of crude oils from Sunda and Asri Basins. A total of eighteen crude oils were investigated to delineate their characteristics. The results provide an explanation about the origin of the organic matter and the genetic relationship between crude oils from Sunda and Asri Basins, and their probable source rocks. This study presents an in-depth geochemical characterization. The crude oils were classified as aliphatic oils, as indicated by their high saturated hydrocarbon fractions (>50 %). The API gravity values of the crude oils range from 25.3 to 39, and their sulfur content was low (0.01 %). Geochemistry analysis reveals a novel interpretation of crude oils originating from shale source rock deposited under oxic-suboxic conditions. Sunda and Asri crude oils exhibited relatively similar stable carbon compositions. The modest concentrations of biomarker 18α(H)-oleanane (OL) indicate that the source age is younger than Late Cretaceous. The crude oil in the Sunda and Asri Basins were charged from source rocks that reached early to peak maturity. The results of the current study strongly indicate the differentiation in lacustrine organofacies of crude oils from the Sunda and Asri Basins. The source rock for these crude oils were shales from the Paleogene syn-rift Banuwati Formation.
Problems of practical application of special procedure of judicial proceedings
Authors:   Bakcharsky District Court of Tomsk Region, Zateev Pavel E. , Noskova Elena V. ,   Tomsk State University
Published: December 2024

The growing attention of the legislator and the academic community to the special procedure of judicial proceedings with the defendant’s consent to the charges as well as a significant decrease in the statistical indicators of judicial practice predetermined a number of topical issues and the need to find answers to them. The main objective of the article is to analyze the emerging judicial practice of implementing the special procedure for making a judicial decision on criminal cases in terms of compliance with the purpose and principles of criminal proceedings. The objectives are to identify the title and factual determinants of changes in judicial practice, to develop the author’s proposals for optimizing the norms of Chapter 40 of the Criminal Procedure Code of the Russian Federation and law enforcement practice. The methodology is presented by general scientific methods of cognition: analysis, synthesis, as well as comparative legal and systemic-logical methods. Due to the lack of correlation between the number of cases considered in a special procedure and the statistics of acquittals, concerns about the high probability of bringing to justice people innocent of committing a crime are subject to critical analysis. The reduction of dispositive principles in the course of criminal proceedings, the rejection of tendencies to simplify the procedural form and the planned tendencies to optimize judicial activity are revealed. The authors determine their position on the “experiment” on the rejection of a special procedure in practice, which is not entirely successful and not corresponding to modern realities, and the importance of continued reform of the norms of the Criminal Procedure Code of the Russian Federation in order to comply with the principles of criminal proceedings and its purpose, as well as for an adequate response to modern challenges.
Right to appeal procedural actions and decisions in the system of criminal proceedings principles
Authors:   Krasnodar University of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation, Solodkaya Viktoriya I. , Beshkok Alyona A. ,   Krasnodar University of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation
Published: December 2024

The norms of the current Criminal Procedure Code of the Russian Federation enshrine the principles of criminal proceedings, which originate from the fundamental rights enshrined in the Constitution of the Russian Federation. The principles have relative independence in regulating legal relations that develop in criminal proceedings. In the article, the authors consider the issues of applying the principle of the right to appeal procedural actions and decisions in the system of principles of criminal proceedings, its place in the system and the relationship with other principles, based on the provisions of the Constitution of the Russian Federation and the norms of international law. The authors draw attention to the methods of implementing this principle by participants in criminal proceedings both at the pre-trial stage and at the stage of judicial proceedings in criminal cases.
The “Siberian Project” of the correctional labor (penal) code of the Russian Federation during penal legislation codification
Authors:   Tomsk State University, Utkin Andrey V.
Published: December 2024

For the first time in the domestic scientific literature, the main provisions of the “Siberian Project” of the Correctional Labor (Penal) Code of the Russian Federation, prepared in 1991 as an alternative to the official projects that existed at that time, are covered. The role of the “Tomsk school” of correctional labor (penal) law in the formation and activities of the team of authors of the “Siberian Project”, in the activities of the Conciliation Commission of the Legislation Committee of the Supreme Soviet of the RSFSR in developing one of the final versions of the draft Penal Code of the Russian Federation is emphasized. The scientific validity of the “Siberian Project” and the weight of its authors’ arguments led the Legislation Committee to the conclusion that it was necessary to form a conciliation commission from representatives of the two author groups with the invitation of other participants. The Commission was headed by Aleksandr F. Bir, a Supreme Soviet deputy, Secretary of the Legislation Committee, Kuzbass miner familiar with the penal system from his own experience of being in a correctional labor colony in his youth. As was subsequently indicated in the Explanatory Note to the draft Penal Code of the Russian Federation, the Commission was instructed to develop a single draft Penal Code of the Russian Federation on the basis of two drafts (the Penal Code prepared by a team led by Professor Aleksandr I. Zubkov (Moscow) and the Correctional Labor Code by a team led by Professor Vladimir A. Utkin (Tomsk)) and, if necessary, to make appropriate proposals to amend and supplement the draft of the new Criminal Code of the Russian Federation. It is clear from the composition of the Commission that it was unprecedented in the positions it presented. It worked intensively every day in heated discussions at the sites of the Legislation Committee of the Supreme Soviet of the RSFSR and the Research Institute of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation in February–March 1992. Nevertheless, the Commission as a whole managed to find mutually acceptable solutions to the absolute majority of the considered issues. In certain cases, when it was not possible to develop a unified position, the text of the Draft provided options; for example, this happened with some norms on the labor of convicts. The version of the Draft adopted by the Commission was taken as the basis for further legislative work, which was completed by the adoption of the Penal Code of the Russian Federation in December 1996.
Cesare Lombroso’s early views on punishment and the penitentiary system
Authors:   Tomsk State University, Kornakov Ivan I.
Published: December 2024

This article discusses Cesare Lombroso’s views on the system of punishment. The study shows that Lombroso analyzed various ideas of punishment, but was a supporter of the concept of social protection. He was initially a supporter of the introduction of differentiation in the system of correctional institutions, considered it possible to use punishments not related to imprisonment, especially for persons who committed a crime for the first time, who cannot be subjected to the influence of repeat offenders. He stated that a system of educational institutions for minors is required, and also that in prisons (preferably, cell type) a system of not only punishments but also incentives should be created – convicts must be taught applied skills that cannot be used to commit new crimes. Later, Lombroso changed his views slightly – he became a supporter of the death penalty for malicious repeat offenders.
Detention in criminal proceedings in Germany, Switzerland, Austria, and Liechtenstein (Part 1)
Authors:   National Research University Higher School of Economics, Trefilov Aleksandr A.
Published: December 2024

The article covers the institution of detention in criminal proceedings in Germany, Switzerland, Austria, and Liechtenstein. In particular, it examines the essence of detention, grounds, conditions and procedure for applying this coercive measure in the doctrines and legislations of these countries. Particular attention is paid to the so-called civil detention. The article lists the stable features that are inherent in this coercive measure and distinguish it from confinement and other forms of procedural coercion. The issues of the entities authorized to detain and the grounds for applying this coercive measure are examined in detail. Proposals for improving Russian criminal procedure legislation in this matter are formulated based on the experience of the German-speaking countries.
Ensuring the right of the victim to compensation for damage caused by a crime when the court terminates a criminal case due to the expiration of the limitation period
Authors:   Tomsk State University, Andreeva Olga I. , Gertsen Polina O. ,   Tomsk State University, Rukavishnikova Anastasiia A. ,   Tomsk State University
Published: December 2024

The purpose of criminal proceedings is to protect the rights and legitimate interests of persons who have suffered from crimes. At the same time, the protection of the rights of a person who has suffered from a crime, including the right to compensation for damage caused by the crime, may be difficult if a criminal case is terminated due to the expiration of the statute of limitations for criminal prosecution. The authors have formulated a number of conclusions and proposals aimed at ensuring the protection of the rights of a person who has suffered from crimes, regardless of whether such person has the status of a victim, in the event of termination of refusal to initiate a criminal case, termination of a criminal case or criminal prosecution due to the expiration of the statute of limitations for bringing to criminal responsibility.
Time limits for protecting the rights of crime victims: problems of coordination of civil and criminal procedure legislation
Authors:   Tomsk State University, Goncharova Valeriia A.
Published: December 2024

There are frequent situations when a negative impact on the personal or property sphere of subjects of civil law equally constitutes both a civil offense and a crime. At first glance, the problem is solved exclusively by the provisions of civil procedural legislation regulating the procedure for applying to the court for protection and establishing the main means of protecting civil rights – a claim. At the same time, Russian criminal procedural legislation also contains provisions on a special means of protecting civil rights violated during the commission of crimes – a civil claim. The fact of regulating various means ensuring the restoration of the rights of persons whose property has suffered as a result of a crime can be assessed positively as providing victims with the greatest opportunities for their protection. However, as the analysis of domestic doctrine and judicial practice shows, such a “double” regime of the possibilities of protecting the rights of the victim can lead to problems in law enforcement. The latter concern, first of all, the calculation of the terms for protecting the rights of persons who have suffered from crimes. Thus, it is hypothetically possible to simulate two situations, in one of which the identity of the offender is obvious to the victim at the time of the crime, and accordingly, according to Article 200 of the Civil Code of the Russian Federation, the limitation period for a claim against such an offender must imperatively begin to run from the moment the crime was committed. In the other situation, if the offender is not obvious, the limitation period according to Article 200 of the Civil Code of the Russian Federation must begin upon the reliable and unambiguous detection of the offender’s identity. The criminal procedure legislation allows for identifying the person who committed the crime and confirming his/her status at various stages; however, neither the provisions of the doctrine nor judicial practice make it clear which procedural document within the criminal proceedings marks the beginning of the limitation period for claims filed after the verdict has entered into legal force. It is obvious that such discrepancies do not contribute to ensuring uniformity in the protection of the rights of victims, in connection with which the article proposes changes to the current legislation, namely Paragraph 2 of Article 196, Paragraph 1 of Article 200, 204 of the Civil Code of the Russian Federation, aimed at the terminological synchronization of criminal procedural and civil legislation.
Legal forecasting and effectiveness of criminal procedural impact
Authors:   Kuzbass Institute of the Federal Penitentiary Service of Russia, Divaev Aleksandr B.
Published: December 2024

Legal forecasting is an integral part of the law-making process, representing a stage preceding legislative activity. The neglect of forecasting activities aimed at identifying risks and threats associated with the implementation of regulatory provisions significantly reduces the effectiveness of legal influence on public relations. These regularities, on the one hand, fully characterize the sphere of criminal procedural rule-making; on the other hand, they are often ignored by the legislator, which directly affects the effectiveness of the criminal procedural law. The reasons for the current situation are: 1) the absence of a centralized system for forecasting the development of criminal procedural relations; 2) insufficient involvement of the scientific community in this type of activity; 3) inattention to risks and threats shown by the subjects of legal forecasting in the sphere of criminal procedural influence.
miR-145-5p regulates hepatocellular carcinoma malignant advancement and immune escape via down-regulation of AcylCoA synthase ACSL4
Authors: Wang Dingxue , Huang Wenqi , Li Gao
Published: December 2024

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) exhibits a subtle onset, high incidence rates, and low survival rates, becoming a substantial threat to human health. Hence, it is crucial to discover fresh biomarkers and treatment targets for the early detection and management of HCC. CCK-8, scratch-wound, and transwell assays were used to evaluate the biological properties of HCC cell lines (Huh-7 and Hep3B). Bioinformatics analysis identified the downstream target mRNA of miR-145-5p as acyl-CoA synthetase long-chain family member 4 (ACSL4). RT-qPCR was used to test miR-145-5p and ACSL4 levels. Transwell chambers were used to co-incubate purified CD8+ T cells and HCC cells for 48 h, and the effect of CD8+ T cells on apoptosis in HCC cells was detected by flow cytometry. A subcutaneous graft tumor model was constructed, and ELISA kits were used to assess cytokine levels and CD8+ T cell activation markers. HCC cells showed a decline in miR-145-5p levels and a rise in ACSL4 levels. Overexpression of miR-145-5p hindered HCC cell proliferation, migration, and invasion, while stimulating CD8+ T cell activation. Conversely, overexpression of ACSL4 enhanced the malignant biological properties of HCC cells and reduced the effect of CD8+ T cells, while silencing ACSL4 had the opposite effect. miR-145-5p targeted and downregulated ACSL4, while overexpression of miR-145-5p weakened the promotion of HCC malignant progression caused by ACSL4 overexpression. Additionally, overexpression of miR-145-5p and silencing ACSL4 were effective in inhibiting tumor growth in vivo. In conclusion, miR-145-5p targets and downregulates ACSL4, leading to the inhibition of HCC malignant progression and preventing immune escape in HCC cells.
EBU NASR SÂMÂNÎ ÜZERİNE BİRKAÇ NOT
Authors: Dağıstanlıoğlu B. Erdem
Published: December 2024

Harezm ve Türkistan’ın İslamlaşması, tarihçiler ve seyyahların vesikalarında görülenin ötesinde Türk edebiyatında geçmişten geleceğe taşınan kültürel kodları ve efsaneleşmiş kahramanları ortaya çıkarmıştır. Bu çalışmada Karahanlıların İslam’ı kabul sürecine dair bir söylence olan Satuk Buğra Han anlatılarında mürşit kimliğiyle yer alan Ebu Nasr Sâmânî’nin hem bir edebî ürünün kahramanı olarak özellikleri hem de tarihteki kimliği üzerine durulmuştur. Araştırma kapsamında, metinlerarasılık olarak adlandırılabilecek geçişlerle sözlü kültürde, başka bir anlatıda yer alabilen söz konusu kahramanın gerçek bir karakterken efsane kahramanına dönüştürülmesindeki kodların çözümlenmesi amaçlanmaktadır. Nitel araştırma yöntemlerinden doküman analizinin kullanıldığı çalışmada, alan yazınında genel manada tezkire başlığıyla künyelenen eserler inceleme metinlerini teşkil etmektedir. Türkçe kaynaklar haricinde Arapça ve Farsça yazılmış tarih ve coğrafya kitapları ile temas edilen veya kod kopyalanan diğer kültürlerin yazılı metinlerinden de karşılaştırmalı olarak yararlanılmıştır. Çalışmada, tarihte yaşamış dahi olsa edebî ürünlerde ve bilhassa sözlü kültürde farklı katmanlar ve varyantlarla gerçek dışılığa çıkan kahraman ve olay örgüsü içinde Ebu Nasr Sâmânî hakkındaki bilgiler ve yaşadığı olaylar Türk toplum yapısındaki değişim göz önünde bulundurularak değerlendirilmiştir.