bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Tissue and Circulating MicroRNA-31, MicroRNA-200b, and MicroRNA-200c Reflects Disease Activity in Crohn‘s Disease Patients: Results from the BIOMIR Study
Authors: Tocia Cristina , Dumitru Andrei , Mateescu Bogdan , Negreanu Lucian , State Monica , Cozaru Georgeta Camelia , Mitroi Anca Florentina , Brinzan Costel , Popescu Razvan , Leopa Nicoleta , Iordache Miorita Melina , Manea Mihaela , Matei Elena , Dumitru Eugen , Alexandrescu Luana
Published: March 2023

Background and Aims: MicroRNAs (miR) have altered expression in multiple autoimmune disorders including inflammatory bowel disease. The aim of the study was to assess the tissue and circulating miR-31, miR-200b, and miR-200c expression levels as potential biomarkers for intestinal disease activity in patients with Crohn’s disease (CD).

Methods: The study included 45 patients with histopathological confirmed CD and active disease (defined as fecal calprotectin >50 μg/g and Simple Endoscopic Score (SES) of CD >3), and 21 subjects as controls for the validation cohort. Demographic and clinical data, biomarkers (fecal calprotectin), endoscopy data, the expression levels of miR-31, miR-200b, and miR-200c in tissue and serum were assessed (by RT-PCR). Receiver operating characteristic analysis was performed to assess the miR-31, miR-200b, and miR-200c expression levels as potential biomarkers for active CD.

Results: Mean fecal calprotectin was 1540±890 μg/g. Mean SES-CD was 8.9±4.2. Tissue and circulating miR- 31 were significantly correlated with fecal calprotectin (r=0.81, r=0.83, p<0.01) and with SES-CD (r=0.82, r=0.79, p<0.01). The expression level of miR-31 was significantly upregulated in CD tissue cases compared to the control tissue samples (6.24±1.57 vs. 3.70±1.44; p <0.01). Similarly, serum miR-31 expression levels in CD patients were significantly upregulated compared to the control serum samples (0.78±0.42 vs. -2.07±1.00; p<0.01). The expression levels of tissue miR-200b and miR-200c were significantly upregulated in CD tissue cases compared to the control tissue samples (-5.25±0.93 vs. -4.69±0.80, p=0.03 for miR-200b, and -0.86±0.96 vs. 0.39±0.66, p<0.01 for miR-200c). Similarly, serum miR-200b and miR-200c expression levels in CD patients were significantly upregulated compared to the control serum samples (p < 0.05). Receiver operating characteristic analysis revealed that the expression levels of the selected miRNAs could help to discriminate active CD patients from healthy controls with very good specificity and sensitivity.

Conclusions: Tissue and circulating miR-31, miR-200b, and miR-200c reflect disease activity in CD patients and can be used as biomarkers for active disease.
Applications of Artificial Intelligence in the Automatic Diagnosis of Focal Liver Lesions: A Systematic Review
Authors: Popa Stefan Lucian , Grad Simona , Chiarioni Giuseppe , Masier Annalisa , Peserico Giulia , Brata Vlad Dumitru , Dumitrascu Dinu Iuliu , Fantin Alberto
Published: March 2023

Background and Aims: Focal liver lesions (FLLs) are defined as abnormal solid or liquid masses differentiated from normal liver, frequently being clinically asymptomatic. The aim of this systematic review is to provide a comprehensive overview of current artificial intelligence (AI) applications, deep learning systems and convolutional neural networks, capable of performing a completely automated diagnosis of FLLs.

Methods: We searched PubMed, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, and WILEY databases using predefined keywords. Articles were screened for relevant publications about AI applications capable of automated diagnosis of FLLs. The search terms included: (focal liver lesions OR FLLs OR hepatic focal lesions OR liver focal lesions OR liver tumor OR hepatic tumor) AND (artificial intelligence OR machine learning OR neural networks OR deep learning OR automated diagnosis OR ultrasound OR US OR computer scan OR CT OR magnetic resonance imaging OR MRI OR computer-aided diagnosis OR automated computer tomography OR automated magnetic imaging).

Results: Our search identified a total of 32 articles analyzing complete automated imagistic diagnosis of FLLs, out of which 14 studies analyzing liver ultrasound images, 8 studies analyzing computer tomography images and 10 studies analyzing images obtained from magnetic resonance imaging.

Conclusions: We found significant evidence demonstrating that implementing a complete automated system for FLLs diagnosis using AI-based applications is currently feasible. Various automated AI-based applications have been analyzed. However, there is no clear evidence about the superiority of any of the systems.
1,3-Oxazoles as precursors of phosphorylated amino acids and peptidomimetics
Authors: Brusnakov Mykhailo , Golovchenko Oleksandr , Potikha Lyudmyla , Brovarets Volodymyr
Published: March 2023

The design and development of new phosphorus-containing amino acids and peptidomimetics have been attracting considerable attention due to their value as intermediates in the synthesis of biologically active compounds and the prospects for further pharmacological applications. 1,3-Oxazole derivatives, as masked peptides, constitute an important group of amino acid precursors that are widely used in contemporary organic synthesis. This review presents the 1,3-oxazole-based synthetic strategies of phosphorylated amino acids and peptides that have been published in both journal and patent literature. We have focused specifically on the synthesis of 4-phosphorylated 1,3-oxazoles as precursors of phosphopeptide mimetics containing the peptide chain with a non-terminal phosphono group due to the growing interest in finding efficient methods for the synthesis of this little-studied class of compounds
A structural, optical and electrical comparison between physical vapour deposition and slot-die deposition of Al:ZnO (AZO)
Authors: Matheson Ewan D. , Xu Xinya , Qu Yongtao , Zoppi Guillaume , Barrioz Vincent , Beattie Neil S.
Published: March 2023

Aluminium-doped zinc oxide (AZO) is a potential low-cost alternative to indium tin oxide (ITO) for application in optoelectronic devices as a transparent conducting thin film. Typically, AZO thin films are deposited using expensive, high vacuum equipment with high energy cost and materials wastage. In this study, slot-die coating was used as an inexpensive alternative to vacuum deposition to form AZO nanoparticle thin films under ambient laboratory conditions. The films were characterised structurally, optically and electrically and compared with a commercially obtained AZO film fabricated using physical vapour deposition (PVD). Structural characterisation of the nanoparticle film shows uniform coverage across the substrate with increased crystal quality following annealing in Ar up to 500 $$^{\circ }$$

∘

C. The optical properties of the nanoparticle film exhibit a wider band gap than the PVD film, while the high density of grain boundary defects between the nanoparticles inhibits sheet conductivity.

Graphical abstract
Emerging Discourses on Freedom of Religion or Belief in Indonesia
Authors: Bagir Zainal Abidin
Published: March 2023

The notion of religious freedom has existed since the founding of an independent Indonesia in 1945, but it took on a more prominent and effective profile only after the democratization that started in 1998. While the discourse has been dominated by discussion of the normative legal dimensions and lack of effective implementation that led to certain violations of the rights to FORB, it has recently expanded to deeper, more foundational questions and touched on more theoretical issues. This article considers three relevant developments that constitute the context: the legal landscape, advocacy, and the emerging conceptual discourses. It then positions the three issues discussed in the following three articles. Acknowledging that the three issues do not exhaust the whole landscape of FORB discourses in Indonesia, this article concludes by mentioning a few other issues that deserve attention and suggests discussing them as part of the international discourse on FORB.
Sex with Purpose
Authors: Davis, Jr Donald R
Published: March 2023

In this essay, the relationship between Mimamsa hermeneutics and Dharmasastra rules is explored through the topic of marital intercourse. The physical act of sex between married partners at prescribed times is viewed as an essential step in a ritualized understanding of the higher religious purposes or goals of intercourse. The transformation of ordinary actions into religiously purposeful actions though rules and restrictions is characteristic not only of Hindu legal thought, but also of legal rules everywhere. This small example, therefore, contains a wider lesson about the aspirations of law beyond mere social order.
Automated Text Analytics in Swedish English Classrooms: The Design, Development, and Evaluation of a Supporting Tool
Authors:   ,   Linnaeus University, Faculty of Arts and Humanities, Department of Languages, Ihrmark Daniel
Published: March 2023

This dissertation explores the design and application of a digital tool as a supporting aid for teachers of English in Swedish upper-secondary classrooms. The scope of this dissertation is the design, development and evaluation of a focus-on-form diagnostics tool in the Swedish upper-secondary English subject context. The use of corrective feedback on student texts has been discussed extensively in previous research, but the implementation of an automated diagnostics tool as a support for the practice less so. The teachers' needs are explored through a survey with the goal of gaining insight into problems learners commonly have when attaining grammar, vocabulary and spelling as experienced by in-service teachers. Focus is on how a digital diagnostic tool could fit within the teachers’ current routines. By combining the survey results with a review of previous research, a design specification for the tool is produced. The tool is then evaluated in teaching practice as a way of exploring the possible benefits and issues of implementing automated language diagnostics as a support for teachers. The evaluation data was produced through interventions and debriefing interviews with the participating teachers. The results of the survey on teachers' needs indicated that any automated attempt at supporting language diagnostics within the school context would have to be able to identify a series of error patterns, such as sentence structure, punctuation, verb tenses, subject-verb agreement, article usage and spelling. In addition, the tool would have to fit within an already established practice aimed at providing learners with the necessary supports for them to succeed, while also avoiding pitfalls such as creating avoidance issues or overwhelming the students. The results of the intervention study used to evaluate the tool indicated that the respondents found it likely that the implementation of the tool would result in a higher workload initially, but would be beneficial long-term. In terms of fit with current routines and ability to identify relevant language patterns, the tool was experienced as conceptually sound. However, some issues, such as the limited target variant, technical issues surrounding on-site implementation, and the overwhelming form of the output data, remain. The use of automated text analysis for the focus-on-form reading performed by the teachers was found to provide functional support for them. Based on the results, automated diagnostics tools are indicated as being a fitting venue for future research and development.
Badania etnograficzne Borysa Malkina w świetle listów do Heleny Przestalskiej-Malkin. Wyprawa do Indian Kofán
Authors:   Muzeum Okręgowe w Toruniu, Polski Instytut Studiów nad Sztuką Świata, Nierzwicka Magdalena
Published: March 2023

Borys Malkin (1917–2009) was anthropologist, enthomologist and traveller. He dedicated almost 40 years of his life to field research in South America. In this period he visited many different tribes and collected, a valuable Indian’s ethnographic materials. Nowadays these unique exhibits are in many important museums in America, Europe and also in Poland. Borys Malkin researched the Kofán Indians from Santa Rosa de Sucumbíos settlement. This tribe inhabit the region of Amazon tropical forests across Ecuadorian – Colombian boundary. He visited the Kofán people twice: in 1970 and 1971 and this period was really valuable for his researches. This ethnic group became the most documented from among all Indian tribes which he has ever investigated. He collected ethnographic materials such as: wood pots, clay pots, gourd pots, hamacs, blowguns, spears, fishing-nets, necklaces and plume ornaments and supplemented its by films and photos. Malkin wrote reports from his voyages in letters to Helena Przestalska, who became his wife in 1972. This correspondances and articles was publisched by Malkin in magazine „Poznaj świat” and his book Odchodzący świat, let us know the life of researcher.
Formy narracyjne retablos andyjskich. Casus Peru i Boliwii
Authors:   Uniwersytet Łódzki, Uniwersytet Warszawski, Polski Instytut Studiów nad Sztuką Świata, Śniadecka-Kotarska Magdalena
Published: March 2023

The article concerns contemporary folk art in Peru and Bolivia. The local retablos are described, their history from colonial period and their new functions in the present time are presented. Traditional products of artesanía have been converted from sacred objects into ones that comment actual political-social changes. The author focuses on examples from the civil war period in Peru 1980–2000 and these from 2005–2009 from Bolivia. Peruvian retablos from Ayacucho region show tragic events of civil war, violence against indigenous Indians, fights and women tragic fate. Bolivian retablos show different type of events – Evo Morales access to power and watershed changes in Bolivian society in which subjectivity of indigenous Indians were restored.
Od świętego wizerunku do dzieła sztuki w sztuce kolumbijskiej od XVI do XX w.
Authors:   Museo de Arte Colonial, Bogotá, Luna Olga Isabel Acosta
Published: March 2023

Maria’s Images and cult appears In New Grenada Kingdom from the beginning of the new World conquista. Despite of Council of Trent decisions concerning the importance of image in religiuus life revering of miraculous icons of The Blessed Virgin and the cult of these icons were a part of New Grenada’s everyday life. Since the moment the country had become independent from the Spanish government and, most of all, after the enactment of The Church, property nationalization had been executed, the situation of Maria’s images changed. They still have their sacred function but they started to be perceived as objects of historical and artistic value as well. This process is connected with weakening of sacred iconography in aid of laic painting and academic art development that took place in 19th century. Miraculous icons from colonial age have become an object of History of Art studies. The article below concerns the problem of the transformation, basing on Maria’s images from 16th till 20th century from Columbia.
Effect of foliar treatment with chitosan on phenolic composition of ῾Fetească neagră’ grapes and wines
Authors: ARTEM Victoria , ANTOCE Arina O. , GEANA Elisabeta I. , RANCA Aurora
Published: March 2023

The objective of this study was to determine the influence of chitosan treatments, applied in vineyard for plan protection, on the phenolic quality of grapes. The study was conducted for two consecutive years (2020-2021) in the wine center of Murfatlar, Romania, on ‘Fetească neagră’, an ancient but well-known indigenous Romanian grape variety for red wines. Chitosan is meant to offer an alternative for the classic treatment with Bordeaux mixture (BM), which represented the control variant. A combination treatment with half dose of chitosan and half dose of BM was also applied and evaluated.  Chemical composition at harvest time was evaluated by measuring the content of sugar, total acidity, pH, total anthocyanin potential (ApH1), anthocyanins extractable at wine pH (ApH3.2), total polyphenol index, skin tannins, seed tannins and seeds maturity. In wines the colour parameters were determined by spectrophotometry and individual phenolic compounds by UHPLC-HRMS. In grapes, accumulation of anthocyanins increased with the total dose of chitosan applied in the vineyard, with higher values in 2020 when temperatures were higher and the rainfall values were typical for the region. Accumulation of tannins in grape skins followed a similar trend. In wine, chitosan determined a significant 72% increase in colour intensity in 2020. Among the individual phenols gallic acid was predominant, with higher values in the rainier year (2021) and significant increases determined by chitosan treatment (especially in 2021 when it increased by 97% as compared to BM treatment). Catechin and epicatechin recorded important increases in the less favourable year (2021), with confirmed increases in both years elicited by the chitosan. Quercetin and myricetin were not influenced by the chitosan treatment, but their increase was correlated with higher temperatures and inversely correlated to the amount of rainfall. Trans-resveratrol ranged between 4.3-8.0 mg L-1 in 2020 and 5.0-6.5 mg L-1 in 2021, with an important increase determined by the chitosan treatment in 2020 (89% increase compared to BM treatment).
Bioactive principles, antibacterial and anticancer properties of Artemisia arborescens L.
Authors: SULTANA Shahnaz , MAKEEN Hafiz A. , ALHAZMI Hassan A. , MOHAN Syam , AL BRATTY Mohammed , NAJMI Asim , HOMEIDA Husham E. , KHUWAJA Gulrana , ULLAH Shehla N.M.N. , ZAFAR Ameeduzzafar , MONI Sivakumar S.
Published: March 2023

Artemisia arborescens is a medicinal and aromatic plant used in traditionally by the people of Saudi Arabia. This research attempts to evaluate the bioactive constituents of the plant using organic solvents, as well as the antibacterial and anticancer properties of plant extracts. The Phytochemical analysis of methanol extract revealed eleven bioactive constituents, identified by comparing their retention periods and GC-MS profiles to account for 52.45 percent of the studied extract. In the meantime, the extract of pet ether had demonstrated the presence of sixteen significant constituents, six of which were distinct sesquiterpene derivatives. In lipophilic plant extract, three higher alkanes made up 12.49% of the total. These higher alkanes were tetratriacontane (6.55%), hentriacontane (4.17%), and octacosane (1.77%). Studies on antimicrobial activity have revealed that both methanolic and petroleum ether extracts had a broad spectrum of activity against specific human pathogens. Both extracts, however, failed to exhibit any anti-Candida albicans activity. Methanolic extract not shown inhibition in the cell growth of MCF-7 cell, but petroleum ether extract had shown significant anti-cancer activity against MCF-7 cell with an IC50 of 13.49 µg/mL. the results obtained show that A. arborescens have a lot of potential for further research into variety of biological functions, against cancer and microbes.
The effect of storage conditions on some tomato varieties, during the postharvest period
Authors: VERINGA Daniela , DUMITRESCU Ionel Lucian , BOGOESCU Marian
Published: March 2023

In this study, an analysis was made of how the variety and storage conditions influence the keeping of tomatoes in the fresh conditions, in the post-harvest period. The fruits of three varieties of tomatoes were stored in different technological conditions: at ambient temperature (20-22 °C), with and without air ionization; at a temperature of 10-12 °C, with and without modified atmosphere; and at a temperature of 3-5 °C. The firmness of the pulp and some biochemical components were analysed, respectively the soluble dry matter, the total sugar, the acidity and vitamin C. For the studied varieties the mass losses were appreciated and losses due to rotten during the analysed period. The observations made during the storage of tomatoes in different conditions confirmed that, in general, tomatoes are relatively easily alterable products, the storage period being between 5 days and 15 days. The experimental research carried out showed the fact that the fresh storage time of tomatoes varies significantly depending on the storage conditions but also depending on the tomato variety investigated. The main problem was represented by the large volume of losses due to rotting recorded in one of the varieties regardless of the storage conditions and also the very large differences in losses due to rotting existing between the varieties within the same storage conditions.
Alevi ve Sunni Tekkelerinde Kadın Dervişler
Authors: ÇAĞLARER Evren
Published: March 2023

Eser, tarihsel süreç içinde, kadının toplumsal alandaki statüsünde rol oynayan dinlerin etkilerini inceliyor. İslam inancının kadına ait düşüncelerine yer verirken, tasavvuf gruplarında ve Alevi Bektaşi inancında kadının yerini ve gelişimini mercek altına alıyor. Büyük bir emek mahsulü olan eser, 272 sayfa olup, beş bölümden oluşmaktadır.Yazar İbrahim Bahadır, Alevi Ve Sünni Tekkelerinde Kadın Dervişler adlı kitabında kadının konumunu çok tanrılı dinlerden başlayarak anlatmaktadır. Tarih boyunca kadının dinler içerisindeki konumu tek bir dönem veya coğrafya ile açıklanamayacak kadar karmaşıktır. İnanışlar kadınların kendilerini ifade etmelerine olanak sunsa da, tek tanrılı dinlere geçiş sürecinden itibaren onların aleyhine işlemiştir. Kadın ve erkek kimlikleri roller konusunda toplum ve kültür tarafından belirlenmiş ön kabuller ve yargılar, toplumsal cinsiyetçilikle ilişkilidir.Kültürel olarak verilmiş kadınlık ve erkeklik rolleri, simgeleri dinlerin ve kültürlerin yüzyıllar boyunca oluşturduğu geleneklerin bir ürünü olarak ortaya çıkmaktadır. Dinsel kültürün yaydığı değerler ve simgeler anlattığı öyküler ya da mitoslar bize başlangıçta ana tanrıçanın var olduğunu söylemektedir. “Ana tanrıça”’nın yaratma niteliği ile kadınların doğurganlığı “Kibele”yi oluşturuyordu. Kozmik boyutta yeryüzünün kutsallığı ile kadın toprak “Ana” olurken, ataerkil toplumun göklerdeki babamız inancı erkeğe yüklediği kutsiyetin denkliğini atfedilmektedir. İslamiyet’in kabulü ile kadının gerek toplum içindeki statüsü gerekse, dinsel yaklaşımdaki kabullenimi dönemsellikle değişim gösterir. İslamiyet’in 1. ve 2. yy. dönemi olan Zühd ve Zahitlik dönemindeki tasavvuf hareketleriyle kadın dervişlere rastlanmaktadır. 12. yy.’da kadın ve erkeğin tekkelerde bulunması ile kadınlar da “mürşit” oluyor ve tekkelerde çok sayıda kadın ve erkek müritler bulunuyordu. Kısaca tasavvuf olgusu, dini ve sosyal hayatta kadınlara pek çok haklar tanıyordu. Medreselerin gelişmesi ve tasavvufta görüş ayrılıklarının başlamasıyla oluşan tarikatlardaki farklılıklar, kadın ve erkek rollerine bakışı da etkilemeye başladı. Hz. Muhammed (S.A.S) de kadınların mescide girmesine, bazı kadınların cemaate imamlık yapmasına müsaade etmiştir.
İlahiyat Fakültelerinde Örgün Eğitim Gören Öğrencilerin İslam Tarihi Dersine Yönelik İlgi ve Beklentileri
Authors: ÖZDEMİR Serdar
Published: March 2023

Yüksek Din Öğretimi kurumları yüz yıldan fazla tarihi tecrübeye sahip din eğitimi kurumlarıdır. Uzun tarihi süreçlerinde yaşadıkları problemler ve bu problemleri aşmada gösterdikleri çözüm yolları aynı zamanda Türkiye’deki din eğitimi alanının tecrübesini ortaya koymaktadır. Bu bakımdan bu kurumların başarısı Türkiye’de din eğitiminin geleceği açısından önemlidir. Son on yıllık dönemde İlahiyat ve İslami İlimler Fakültelerinin öğrenci ve okul sayısının artması bu okullarda verilen eğitimin kalitesini gündeme getirmiştir. Bu bağlamda bu kurumlarda verilen derslerin niteliğini ortaya koyacak çalışmaların yapılması zorunluluğu ortaya çıkmıştır. Böylelikle müfredatta yer alan derslerin işlenişi, kullanılan kaynakların niteliği gibi konular incelenerek daha verimli bir şekilde derslerin öğrenciye aktarılması sağlanmalıdır. İlahiyat Fakültelerinde örgün eğitim gören öğrencilerin İslam tarihi dersine yönelik ilgi ve beklentileri hakkında bilgi vermeyi amaçlayan bu araştırma nicel desen üzerine kurgulanmış ve betimsel araştırma yöntemlerinden tarama modeli uygulanmıştır. Araştırma, 2022-2023 öğretim yılında Marmara Üniversitesi İlahiyat Fakültesi, Sakarya Üniversitesi İlahiyat Fakültesi ve Kocaeli Üniversitesi İlahiyat Fakültesinde okuyan seçkisiz örnekleme yöntemiyle seçilen 348 öğrenci ile hazırlanmıştır. Araştırmada öğrenciler İslam tarihi dersini önemsediklerini, diğer İslami ilimleri anlama konusunda dersin öneminin farkında olduklarını söylerken Türk İslam tarihi konularında, temel kaynakların içeriğini bilme konusunda eksiklikleri olduğunu belirtmişlerdir. İlahiyat lisans eğitiminde İslam tarihi dersinin daha kapsamlı ele alınması, kaynak zenginliği, özellikle klasik kaynakların da okutulması, ders sayısının lisans eğitim dönemlerinde arttırılması, derslerde şematik, haritalandırma ve görsel anlatımın çoğaltılması hem anlama hem de akılda kalıcılık açısından arttırılması büyük önem taşımaktadır. Bununla birlikte İslam tarihi derslerinin çağın getirdiği kaçınılmaz yeniliklere ayak uydurması, dersin hem güncelliğini hem de derse olan ilginin artması adına önemli bir etkendir. Bu bağlamda İslam tarihi derslerine yönelik öneriler sunulmuştur.
New species and records of the molycriine ground spider genus Wydundra (Araneae: Prodidomidae) from northern Australia
Authors: Platnick Norman , Baehr Barbara
Published: March 2023

Five new species of the molycriine prodidomid genus Wydundra are described: W. camooweal, W. leichhardti, W. chillagoe, and W. gilliat from northern Queensland, and W. alexandria from the Northern Territory. Several new species groups are established within the genus, and new records are provided for nine previously described species.
Foreword
Authors: Ludwig Leichhardt
Published: March 2023

Bicentenary of Ludwig Leichhardt: Contributions to Australia's natural history in honour of his scientific work exploring Australia (foreword in German with English translation)
WHAT is CONSTRUCTIVISM ACCORDING to FREDERICH KRATOCHWIL?
Authors: GOKCEKUYU Ertugrul
Published: March 2023

Author: Friedrich KRATOCHWIL
Praxis: On Acting and Knowing
Cambridge University Press, 2018, 552 p.
ISBN: 978-1-108-47125-1
Karşılaştırmalı Aile Politikaları: Türkiye ve Almanya
Authors: GEDİKKAYA Fatma Gül
Published: March 2023

Bu çalışma, Türkiye ve Almanya’nın aile politikalarını karşılaştırmalı olarak analiz etmektedir. Çalışmanın amacı, Türkiye’de ve Almanya’da aile politikalarının genel görünümünü, kamu politikası sunumunun nasıl örgütlendiğini ve politika araçlarını açıklayarak iki ülke arasındaki benzerlik ve farklılıkları ortaya koymaktır. Çalışmada öncelikle karşılaştırmalı analiz yöntemi ve karşılaştırmalı kamu politikaları hakkında teorik çerçeve hakkında bilgi verilmiş, daha sonra, bu yöntem aile politikası örgütlenmesi ve araçlarına uygulanmıştır. Her iki ülkede uygulanan açık aile politikaları merkez örgütlenme yönüyle benzerlik göstermektedir. Bununla birlikte ebeveyn izinleri, doğum yardımları ve altyapı yönüyle farklılıklar tespit edilmiştir. Politika amaçları açısından, her iki ülkenin aile politikasını biçimlendiren önemli bir hedefin, nüfusun artırılması olduğu görülmüştür. Fakat bu amaca ulaşmada uygulanan politika araçlarının niteliği değişmektedir. Almanya nüfusu artırıcı politikalarında cömert çocuk parası yardımını kullanırken, Türkiye’de doğum oranlarını artırıcı araçlar kullanılmamaktadır. Ayrıca, Türkiye’de iş ve aile yaşamının uyumlaştırılması meselesi önemli bir sorun olmaya devam etmektedir.
Üniversite Öğrencilerinde Kişilik Özellikleri ile Depresyon, Stres, Anksiyete Düzeyleri Arasındaki İlişkilerin İncelenmesi
Authors: ERYILMAZ Ali , YILDIRIM KURTULUŞ Hacer , UZUN Gülgün
Published: March 2023

Bu araştırmada üniversite öğrencilerinde kişilik özellikleri ile depresyon, stres ve anksiyet arasındaki ilişkileri incelemek amaçlanmaktadır. Araştırmanın örneklemini kümeleme örnekleme yöntemi ile seçilen 261 öğrenci oluşturmaktadır. Araştırmada gerekli verileri elde etmek için Depresyon, Anksiyete Stres Ölçeği ve Beş Faktör Kişilik Ölçeği kullanılmıştır. Verilerin analizinde betimsel istatistikler ve Regresyon analizi yapılmıştır. Araştırma bulgularına göre; üniversite öğrencilerinin stres, depresyon ve anksiyete düzeyi ile kişilik özelliklerinden duygusal açıdan dengesizlik (nevrotizm) boyutu arasında olumlu yönde pozitif bir ilişki bulunmaktadır. Bir başka deyişle, bu araştırmaya katılan üniversite öğrencilerinin depresyon, anksiyete ve stres düzeyleri yükseldikçe nevrotizm düzeyleri de artmaktadır. Araştırmadan elde edilen bir diğer bulguya göre, araştırmaya katılan üniversite öğrencilerinin depresyon düzeyleri ile dışa dönüklük, yumuşak başlılık ve sorumluluk kişilik özelliği olumsuz yönde ilişkili bulunmuştur. Ek olarak öğrencilerin stres düzeyleri ile yumuşak başlılık arasında olumsuz yönde ve anlamlı ilişkiler bulunmuştur. Elde edilen bulgular, ilgili literatür ışığında tartışılmıştır.
Yenilenebilir Enerji ve Ekonomik Büyüme İlişkisinin Kantil Regresyon ile Modellenmesi: ABD Örneği
Authors: KUŞKAYA Sevda
Published: March 2023

Çalışmada, yenilenebilir enerji üretiminin ekonomik büyüme üzerindeki rolü, kantil regresyon (quantile regression) modeli ile araştırılmıştır. Çalışmanın örneklemi olarak enerji datalarına ulaşılabilirlik ve datalarının yüksek frekansa sahip olması nedeniyle ABD ekonomisi tercih edilmiştir. 1990:Q1-2020:Q2 döneminin dikkate alındığı çalışmada, GSYH bağımlı değişken, biokütle enerjisi üretimi, güneş enerjisi üretimi ve rüzgâr enerjisi üretimi bağımsız değişkenler olarak modele dahil edilmiştir. Kantil regresyon analizi neticesinde söz konusu yenilenebilir enerjilerin üretiminin, ekonomik büyüme üzerinde genel olarak pozitif bir etkiye sahip oldukları sonucuna ulaşılmıştır.
Summary of the implementation of the 12 years of hearing screening programs among first and sixth graders attending the primary schools in Warsaw
Authors: Skarżyński Piotr , Skarżyński Henryk , Świerniak Weronika , Czajka Natalia , Kochanek Krzysztof
Published: March 2023

Wstęp

Masowe badania przesiewowe słuchu u dzieci oparte są na koncepcji profilaktyki wtórnej. W uznaniu znaczenia wczesnej identyfikacji i interwencji u dzieci z wrodzonymi lub wcześnie nabytymi (tj. w okresie noworodkowym) zaburzeniami słuchu, na całym świecie wprowadzono liczne programy badań przesiewowych słuchu wśród noworodków. W Polsce brak jest kontynuacji tego typu programów dla dzieci w wieku szkolnym. Natomiast Instytut Fizjologii i Patologii Słuchu na zlecenie Biura Polityki Zdrowotnej Urzędu m.st. Warszawy był realizatorem programów badań przesiewowych słuchu wśród uczniów klas I i VI na terenie Warszawy. W pracy podsumowano 12 lat realizacji programów badań przesiewowych słuchu wśród uczniów rozpoczynających oraz kończących naukę w szkołach podstawowych na terenie Warszawy. Celem programów było wykrycie zaburzeń słuchu, zwiększenie świadomości wśród rodziców oraz w środowisku szkolnym w zakresie wczesnego wykrywania zaburzeń słuchu oraz możliwości wczesnej diagnostyki i terapii.

Materiał i metody

Uczestnikami badania było 162 193 uczniów z klas I i VI uczęszczających do warszawskich szkół podstawowych. Wyznaczono próg słyszenia na przewodnictwo powietrzne dla częstotliwości 0,5–8 kHz. Badania przesiewowe słuchu wykonano przy użyciu Platformy Badań Zmysłów.

Wyniki

Nieprawidłowy wynik badania przesiewowego stwierdzono u 13,3% badanych dzieci. Większość ubytków słuchu, tj. 67,7%, była jednostronna.

Wnioski

Właściwie prowadzone działania profilaktyczne w zakresie zaburzeń słuchu wraz z edukacją zdrowotną i promocją zdrowia prowadzą w dłuższej perspektywie do minimalizowania zjawiska niepełnosprawności, a tym samym do poprawy stanu zdrowia ludności, zmniejszenia liczby osób z trwałym inwalidztwem z powodu wad słuchu oraz obniżenia kosztów leczenia. Wykorzystanie technologii informatycznych do bieżącej kontroli parametrów wpływających na jakość wykonywanych badań, przy zapewnieniu optymalnych warunków akustycznych i stosowania się do zalecanych procedur, pozwala znacząco ograniczyć liczbę wyników fałszywie
dodatnich i fałszywie ujemnych. Połączenie audiometru przesiewowego z centralnym systemem zarządzania jest optymalnym modelem w masowych badaniach przesiewowych słuchu.
Gerenciamento de resultados e legibilidade das notas explicativas: manipulações nas evidenciações contábeis
Authors: Rios Sena Thiago , Calheira de Freitas Sheizi , De Santana Junior Jorge Luiz
Published: March 2023

Objetivo: Este estudo objetiva verificar a relação entre o nível de legibilidade das notas explicativas e as práticas de gerenciamento de resultado por empresas listadas na [B]3 entre os anos de 2010 e 2018.
Método: Foi utilizado um modelo econométrico apresentando a legibilidade como variável dependente e gerenciamento de resultados como variável independente principal, além de variáveis de controle, sendo analisado por meio de regressão de dados em painel com efeitos fixos controlados por ano e setor. Resultados: Os resultados revelam que não há relação estatisticamente significativa entre a legibilidade das notas explicativas e o nível de gerenciamento de resultados, mesmo quando comparado às empresas que mais gerenciam resultados com as demais. Os resultados se mostram robustos, uma vez que testes adicionais apresentam os coeficientes na mesma direção e significância.
Contribuições: Esta pesquisa contribui para a literatura contábil ao estudar essa relação em um mercado emergente e de língua portuguesa. Além disso, auxilia os usuários da informação contábil no entendimento de questões acerca da facilidade de leitura das notas explicativas para subsidiar o processo de tomada de decisões.
análisis de la citación de artículos científicos en las tesis de doctorado en Ciencias Pedagógicas de la Universidad de Matanzas
Authors: González Hernández Walfredo
Published: March 2023

La citación de artículos en la producción científica es un indicador de calidad importante, como se demuestra en los primeros momentos de este documento. En él, se define la citación efectiva como una vía para evaluar la actualidad de la tesis a partir de las referencias utilizadas. Se estudia la citación efectiva de los artículos científicos y las diferencias con las medidas de citación utilizadas hasta el momento en las tesis de doctorado en Ciencias Pedagógicas de la Universidad de Matanzas, defendidas en el periodo 2017-2019. El estudio se realiza a partir del método de análisis documental. Los resultados obtenidos se organizan en forma de tablas y gráficas que permiten ilustrar las dificultades encontradas en las tesis. La principal dificultad está en el pobre número de citas de artículos científicos de las principales bases de datos del mundo, relacionadas con la temática de la tesis. Para finalizar, se contrastan los resultados obtenidos con otras investigaciones y se evidencia el poco uso de bibliografía obtenida de las principales bases de datos en las investigaciones doctorales en Ciencias Pedagógicas de la Universidad de Matanzas.
The Effect of Perceived Stress on Drinking Problem of Korean College Students: From the Perspective of Escape Theory
Authors: Yoon Dawon , Lee Youngho
Published: March 2023

Background: This study examined how the perceived stress of college students leads to drinking problems based on the Escape Theory.Methods: A total of 485 college students were surveyed. A moderated mediation analysis was used to test the hypotheses.Results: Since no significant correlation was found between perceived stress and drinking problem, the dependent variable was replaced with problematic drinking, a sub-factor of drinking problem. Escape from self fully mediated the relationship between perceived stress and problematic drinking. The interaction of perceived stress and dysfunctional self-focus was correlated with escape from self. Coping motives to drinking strengthened the pathways from escape from self to problematic drinking.Conclusions: This study shows the need for therapeutic interventions to curb college students’ drinking problems. This study’s significance and limitations are also discussed.
The Effect of Parents’ Negative Parenting Style on Aggression among Adolescents: The Mediating Effect of Self-Esteem and Smartphone Dependency
Authors: Bae Eun Jung , Nam Soo-Hyun
Published: March 2023

Background: This study investigates the serial mediation of self-esteem and smartphone dependency in the relationship between negative parenting style and adolescents’ aggression.Methods: We conducted a secondary data analysis of the 2018 Korean Children and Youth Panel Survey (KCYPS) and used the data of first-year middle school students. A mediation analysis was conducted using Hayes’ SPSS PROCESS Macro (Model 6).Results: The mediation of smartphone dependency was significant in the relationship between parents’ negative parenting style and aggression, but the mediation of self-esteem was not. Negative parenting style significantly affected adolescents’ aggression through the sequential mediation of self-esteem and smartphone dependency.Conclusions: Appropriate interventions should be prepared to help adolescents increase their self-esteem and reduce smartphone dependency, thus reducing the aggression that a negative parenting style induces.
Polarization in Media Discourses on Europeanization in Spain
Authors: Pérez-Escoda Ana , Boulos Sonia , Establés Maria-José , García-Carretero Lucía
Published: March 2023

Political and media polarization has had a detrimental impact on democratic principles and democratic processes on a global scale. In Europe, such polarization has eroded the trust in national and European institutions and has challenged the basic values that stand at the heart of the European integration project. The aim of this study is to analyze Spanish media discourses on Europeanization, with an attempt to identify key areas in which polarizing narratives related to Europeanization are more prevalent. To conduct our study, six national media outlets were selected based on four criteria: media format, ownership, ideology, and consumption. A final sample of 540 news items collected between July 2021 to March 2022 was selected for analysis. Using a qualitative methodological approach, the study was carried out in two stages. In the first phase, we conducted a content analysis to identify the main topics discussed in relation to the European Union and the actors represented in them. This led to the identification of polarizing narratives and discourses emerging in the context of the discussed topics. In the second phase, we used critical discourse analysis to analyze polarizing discourses.
Policyholders’ Perception towards Service Quality of Life Insurance Companies – A Study with reference to Tamilnadu
Authors: Rajkumar P.Arul Minash , N. Kannan
Published: March 2023

The current objective of the insurance industry is to retain the customers and to provide quality service since customer satisfaction has been achieved. Customer Satisfaction is important to stay in competition because satisfied customers enhance profitability. In this context, the present study on Service quality of Life Insurance companies- an empirical survey, has been conducted. A sample of 1254 Life Insurance policyholders has been purposively selected for the present study. The data collected were analyzed by using statistical tools like the Factor analysis, ANOVA, and the correlation coefficient. The present study identifies eight service quality factors such as Employee Competence, Credibility, Timeliness and Promptness, Convenience, Accessibility, Communication, Customer Orientation, and Responsiveness. The analyses revealed that the demographical variables of the respondents and the eight service quality factors are related.
Human Capital and Income Inequality in Developing Countries: New Evidence using the Gini Coefficient
Authors: Mahmood Suraya , Mohd Noor Zaleha
Published: March 2023

This paper examines the effect of human capital inequality on income inequality in developing countries using the Gini coefficient as a consistent measurement for both inequalities. This paper also adds a few control variables such as the Globalization Index, GDP per capita, and the total population using the dynamic panel data two-Step System Generalized Method of Moment (GMM) for 55 countries over the period of 1970-2010. The empirical results show that human capital inequality has a significant positive effect on income inequality. This result is similar to the theoretical framework, where human capital and income inequality are positively correlated. However, other control variables such as Global and total population are insignificant with income inequality except for GDP per capita at 5 and 10 percent levels. Thus, in order to reduce income inequality and to give citizens equal opportunities, governments of developed and developing countries and policymakers need to minimize human capital inequality.
The Effects of Government and State Ownership on Dividends
Authors: Abdullah Siti Salwani , Abdullah Ahmad Ridhuwan , Redzuan Razman Hafifi
Published: March 2023

This study aims to investigate the relationship between government ownership and dividend policy of Malaysian listed companies. Specifically, the objective of the study is to examine whether government and state ownerships influence dividend payout and dividend per share. The study used a sample of 400 companies, w h i c h were randomly chosen. Two dependent variables were used as a proxy for dividend namely the dividend per share (DPS) and dividend payout ratio (DPR), while 8 government agencies (EPF, LTH, KWAP, LTAT, MKD, KNB, PNB and STATE) represented government ownership. Since dividends are truncated, the Tobit model was utilized to examine the effect of government ownership. The findings showed that there is no relationship between government ownership and dividends when using the DPS as the dependent variable. However, when DPR is used, the result showed that government ownership could affect the dividend policy. Furthermore, it is found that privately funded government agencies were more likely to affect dividends. This result indicates that these government agencies influence the proportion of earnings distribution or the payable amount rather than the amount of dividend per unit of shares.
Financial access for starting a business: Evidence of internal and external financial sources, and performance of Malaysian SMEs
Authors: Mohamad Mohd Rosli , Sidek Syamsuriana , Yu Ghee Wee , Abdullah Ahmad Ridhuwan , Ismail Noor Azina , Mustapha Noraaini
Published: March 2023

The main objective of this study is to unearth the impact of internal and external funding sources for starting a business on the performance of SMEs, and to identify the potential of other core variables namely business experience, educational level, and size of firm, which may significantly influence the SMEs' performance. The data was collected from 484 SMEs via a structured questionnaire and analyzed by using the Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) technique. The study found that the internal and external sources of finance were insignificantly related to the SMEs? performance, while business experience, level of education, and firm size were positively related to the SMEs' performance. The findings of this study reveal that finance is not the main source that needs to be taken into account by entrepreneurs, supporting institutions, and policy makers in improving the SMEs? performance. Further research in this area of study should extend into examining and adding more components that are relevant to a variation of the SMEs? performance.
The Effects of Financial Factors on Takaful Demand in Malaysia
Authors: Ibrahim Mohamed Dahlan , Salleh Fauzilah , Awang Zainudin
Published: March 2023

This paper offers a theoretical framework for studying the effects of financial factors, i.e. leverage, growth, bankruptcy, tax, and other variables on Takaful (Islamic insurance) demand. Data were collected from three Takaful operators and the financial reports from the Companies Commission of Malaysia (SSM), including 278 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) for this study. AMOS version 20, a variance-based Structural Equation Modelling (SEM), was used to analyse the data as well as to test the research hypotheses. The outcomes show that financial factors could be a major predictor of Takaful demand at least from the SMEs' perspective. Financial factors were found to be positively affected by leverage, growth, bankruptcy, and taxes. The implications of these findings are discussed and recommendations for future research are provided.
The Impact of Corporate Reputation on Job Satisfaction and Financial Performance: A Study of Small and Medium Sized Enterprises in Hebei, China
Authors: Yang Lijie , Yaacob Zulnaidi , Yin Teh Sin
Published: March 2023

The objective of this study is to determine the effects of corporate reputation on employees' job satisfaction and firm's financial performance. A questionnaire survey using middle- level managers of randomly selected small and medium sized enterprises in Hebei, China was conducted in 2013. The partial least squares structural equation modeling approach was used to analyze the data of 309 samples. The results do not support the positive relationship between corporate reputation and financial performance. However, the positive relationship between corporate reputation and job satisfaction is supported. In addition, the results also provide evidence of the indirect effect of corporate reputation on financial performance via job satisfaction. Therefore, we draw the conclusion that job satisfaction plays an important role in the relationship between corporate reputation and financial performance of small and medium sized enterprises in Hebei, China.
Do Corporate Social Responsibility Activities of Ghanaian Banks Influence Corporate Clients' Patronage?
Authors: Alomenu Clemence , Asare Effah Ebenezer , Gladstone Kutu-Ad Solomon
Published: March 2023

Corporate social responsibility (CSR) has become a ubiquitous phenomenon in the affairs of firms, the general public, and governments all over the world in this new millennium. This paper examines corporate social investment (CSI) practices of several selected banks in Ghana to ascertain whether CSR activities lead to corporate clients? choice of, and sustainable relationships with banks. Using a qualitative survey approach, purposive sampling was employed to select five banks and five corporate firms listed in the Ghana Club 100 database. Semi-structured interviews were granted to senior relationship managers and corporate affairs managers of the banks and the corporate firms, respectively. Data analysis and interpretation was done using the interactive model of qualitative data analysis. Most banks investigated appreciated the relevance of CSR and were actively involved in such programmes. They approach CSR with a more altruistic, philanthropic posture. CSR activities of banks in Ghana positively impact their corporate clients' patronage.
The Factors Determining Export Rationale of Protected Designation of Origin Companies?
Authors: Mandrinos Symeon , Al Mamun Abdullah , AB Rahman Anis Amira , Nik Mahdi Nik Malini
Published: March 2023

This study focuses on the context of Protected Designation of Origin (PDO), an area that has only been partially examined by a few studies in international business literature submissions. This study identifies the key determinants and proposes insights engaged with the Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) industry's export behaviour. It follows a qualitative case study approach and cross- examines a series of semi-structured in-depth interviews from both Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and large enterprises as the unit of analysis. Findings unveil how the cornerstone of designation of origin firms is closely conjugated with the market regulator and is heavily influenced by the 'heredity' factor of the firms' size. In addition, the Private Label (PL) component is a crucial element of the export transaction. Similarly, despite the fact that PDO is the main vehicle for economic growth, firms suffer from a 'retrogressive nature' in terms of export development, as the State?s institutional intervention discourages internationalisation. This study is subject to limitations as with any qualitative research due to the difficulty of completing the transferability of findings.