bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Correlation between freedom of capital movement and freedom of establishment in European Union law
Authors: Strilets Bohdan
Published: August 2023

The study highlights the correlation between freedom of movement of capital and freedom of establishment in the law of the European Union, taking into the account modern case law of the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU). The author analyses the case law of the CJEU in the context of determining the scope of application of freedom of movement of capital and freedom of establishment in certaincases, including decisions made in 2021 and 2022.

The author identifies the factorswhich are taken into account by the CJEU when determining whether to give preference to the application of a particular freedom. The author also highlights the approaches which have developed in the international and European law science to address thisissue.

The author establishes that, based on the analysed case law, the CJEU assesses the main purpose, objective and impact of a national measure on the exercise of freedom of movement of capital and/or freedom of establishment. The Court may favour one freedom over the other based on these factors or consider both freedoms equally when assessing the compatibility of the measure with EU law. It often turns out that restrictive national tax measures may violate one or both of these fundamental freedoms of the EU’s internal market.The author concludes that guided exclusively by the provisions of the EU founding treaties on freedom of movement of capital (Article 63 TFEU) and freedom of establishment (Article 49 TFEU), it is often impossible to establish for certain which freedom will be applied to a particular economic activity of individuals and legalentities. In accordance with the case law of the CJEU, when deciding on the applicationof a particular freedom, in particular, the following factors should be taken into account: the presence of a “definite influence” of an owner of capital share (investor);the type of restriction on the freedoms of the EU internal market imposed by the EUMember State on the activities of entities engaged in economic activity.

However, according to the author, there appears to be a lack of consistency indetermining the application of the freedom of movement of capital and/or freedom of establishment, which may be eliminated with the adoption of more judgments by the CJEU in the future and their further scientifi c understanding

Key words: EU law, international economic law, international treaties, freemovement of capital, freedom of establishment, investment, company law, Court of Justice of the European Union, European integration.
The Emergence of Social and Economic Rights as the New Era in the International Community’s Development: History and Contemporary
Authors: Burlak Oksana
Published: August 2023

Introduction. The world economic crisis of 1900-1903, which was accompanied by a crisis in the social sphere and resulted in the emergence of protests among the working class, became one of the significant factors that led to the First World War of 1914-1918. Therefore, there was the keen necessity to form a new international law and order with social and economic components. The League of Nations’ creation ensured its establishment, and the social and economic cooperation of states was concentrated within the framework of the ILO, in order to resolve social conflicts, protect the rights of workers, improve working conditions and increase their living standards.

However, the continuation of the crisis was the next stage of the Second World War of 1939-1945 and taking into consideration the duration of this crisis in the XXI century the threat of a new world war in the nearest future cannot be excluded. The instability of international relations is the result of the destruction of the international law and order, which is replaced by protectionism in the form of regionalism.

Conclusions. Within the framework of international organizations, in particularthe UN, ILO, EU a set of anti-crisis measures is adopted in order to overcome the consequences of the global crisis. However, they are not sufficient, often improvisational ,and the urgency of crisis management requirements leads to non-optimal solutions.

Current legal order cannot be considered without the social and economic rights and activities of the ILO. The organization is designed, in particular, to ensure the establishment of universal peace based on social justice; develop and implement norms and principles in the field of labour; provide decent employment and social protection for all; develop international measures and programs for the implementation of human rights, improving working and living conditions; develop international labour standards etc.

The states’ efforts to overcome this crisis should cover all levels of cooperation between states in the social and economic sphere, the adoption of appropriate effective measures, and decisions that would be characterized not situationally, but by systematic preparation for various crisis situations, including more active application of forecasts and different scenario planning.

Key words: International Law, Social and Economic Rights, League of Nations,United Nations, International Labour Organization, World Economic Crisis, Anticrisis Measures in the Social Sphere.
Problems of ratification of the European Charter of regional or minority languages in Ukraine
Authors: Kresina Iryna , Vitman Кostyantyn
Published: August 2023

The article examines the problems of ratification of the European Charter of Regional or Minority Languages of 1992 and changes in the obligations of Ukraine to fulfill its provisions. The authors came to the conclusion that Ukraine's approach to the ratification of the European Charter was not balanced and did not have sufficient scientific justification. In particular, it has the following conceptual flaws. 1. The idea of the rights of national minorities in the sphere of using their languages is taken as abasis, and not the actual protection of regional and minority languages. This fundamental error distorts the essence of the European Charter. 2. The named national minorities were chosen arbitrarily, partly inadequately. The criteria for classify ingcertain languages as regional or minority are unclear. 3. The fundamental mistake wasthe refusal to distinguish the territories of the traditional distribution of the languages that are planned to be protected. Derived from this and obviously unjustified is the special protection of the most numerous group of speakers of the minority language –Russian – within the whole of Ukraine instead of the few historical communities of its speakers. 4. The temporary, and later the final refusal of special protection of non-territorial languages, which lays the grounds for discrimination of such languages as Yiddish and Romani, is unjustified and discriminatory. 5. The biggest drawback is the equal treatment of all regional or minority languages. In such a case, the main beneficiaries of state support become the most widespread languages, and the least number of speakers in relict languages (for example, Karaim) receive very little protection and cannot stop the process of their decline and disappearance.

Key words: minority languages, regional languages, language of minority,national minorities, ethno-cultural policy of the state.
Strategic partnership Ukraine – Poland: challenges and achievements of wartime
Authors: Horbatenko Volodymyr
Published: August 2023

One of the most important directions of modern development of Ukraine is bilateral relations with leading European countries. This policy paves the way for the recognition of its European identity and creates broad opportunities for international cooperation on a mutually beneficial basis. The Republic of Poland was and remainsone of the partners and reliable allies of Ukraine in wartime conditions. Accordingly, the proposed article examines the specifics of the development of the strategic partnership between Ukraine and the Republic of Poland in the conditions of a large scale war unleashed by Russia against Ukraine. The fundamental principles and principles on which the strategic partnership of Ukraine and Poland is based have been clarified. The specificity of state and non-state aid of the government and people of Poland to forced migrants from Ukraine has been revealed. The joint information policy of opposing Russian propaganda and disinformation is substantiated. The specifics of forming a mutually beneficial security strategy are summarized. The factors of acceleration and optimization of the process of European integration of Ukraine with the assistance of the Polish leadership have been identified.

It was found that in the conditions of the war, the Ukrainian-Polish strategic partnership turned into a real form of full-fledged cooperation between the two states. Poland proved to be a reliableally and arbiter in the provision of military aid. Therefore, the prospects for military cooperation are related to the gradual strengthening of these relations, which can become the basis of a military-political union and unification of countries that consider confronting the Russian threat as a priority strategic task. The interaction between Ukraine and Poland in the political, economic and social spheres has also intensified to a great extent, which is a guarantee of the common future of both countries. In order to further understand the development offriendly relations between Ukraine and the Republic of Poland, it is important tounderst and the process of institutionalization of common security policy and to counter hybrid threats, to determine priorities in all areas not only for the medium term, but also for the long term, which requires the consolidated efforts of states men, scientists and the public of both friendly countries.

Key words: Russian-Ukrainian war, strategic partnership, mutually benefi cialcooperation, forced migration, countering disinformation, security strategy, European integration of Ukraine.
Strategic priorities of Polish migration policy during the Russian-Ukrainian war
Authors: Kukuruz Oksana
Published: August 2023

The Russian-Ukrainian war, along with security and defense issues, brought a change in priorities in the management of migration flows to the agenda. The purpose of the article is to clarify the strategic priorities of Polish migration policy, caused bythe mass migration of Ukrainians. The methodological basis of the research is:interdisciplinary approach, methods of logical analysis, synthesis, forecasting.

The article analyzes international and national documents and legal acts that determine Polish migration policy. Special attention is focused on the extreme development of the legal framework of Polish migration policy in relation toUkrainians.

On the basis of sociological surveys, the author singles out the two most common variants of the attitude of Poles towards Ukrainian migrants: 1) those who think that Poles should by all means support Ukrainians; 2) those who think that the Poles should help the Ukrainians, but in moderation, for example, to cover the primary needs duringa certain time period.

It is natural that the views of ordinary Poles are determined by their own interests, so they believe that citizens of other countries should not enjoy all the benefits at the same level as Polish citizens. The development of standards, principles, rules of behavior of migrants and their integration into Polish society are primarily the directduties and responsibilities of public authorities.

The strategic goals of Polish migration policy, formulated before the start of the Russian-Ukrainian war and recorded in documents, remain relevant, only their priority and methods of achievement change. The first positions are now occupied by the ollowing goals – ensuring safe conditions for Poles and persons currently living in Poland; soft integration of migrants into Polish society.

Key words: strategy for responsible development, polish migration policy,migration of Ukrainians, perception of Ukrainians, integration of foreigners, strategic priorities.
The concept of the informational state: the principles of formation and the main challenges in modern conditions
Authors: Balan Sergii
Published: August 2023

This article analyzes the concept of an informational state and examines its specific characteristics along with the consequences of its functioning for the development of democracy. It argues that the informational state is characterized by a shift from traditional bureaucratic structures to more flexible networked structures that rely on digital technologies to collect, process, store and disseminate information. This changes ignificantly affects implementation of state management functions and causes the emergence of new forms of interaction between citizens and a state, including new tools of citizen participation, transparency and accountability.

The aim of this article is to substantiate the concept of "informational state" based on the analysis of domestic and foreign studies of deep transformations caused by the active penetration of information and communication technologies into all spheres of social relations and state functioning.

The concept of the informational state creates a foundation for further understanding of how digital technologies transform the relationship between a state and its citizens. While informational state offers many advantages for the functioning of a democratic political regime, it also faces several problems that require quick and radical solutions.These include data protection and privacy issues, technological gap, information overload, and cyber security threats.

The transition of modern democracies to a new stage of their development dictates the need for research and scientific substantiation of the concept of the informational state aimed at its further instrumentalization and adaptation to social and political processes, in particular in Ukraine. Since information has penetrated into all spheres of social and political relations, there is a need for securing its normative and legal foundations.

Key words: informational state, information society, transparency and accountability of state power, democracy, information and communications technologies, freedom of speech, disinformation.
Law-making: factors of infl uence and ways of improvement
Authors: Tarakhonych T. I.
Published: August 2023

The author characterized the influencing factors and ways of improving the lawmaking process. It is specified that the factors influencing the law-making process are those determinants that influence the law-making process to some extent, can be key at a certain stage of its implementation, or acquire a complementary character, while having both a constructive and a destructive character.

It is emphasized that ensuring the efficiency and effectiveness of the law-making process requires taking into account factors that influence it, substantiated by theory and confirmed by practice. Given the realities of today, this problem acquires practical importance, since the future of our state, its progressive development and the improvement of its institutions depend on the efficiency and quality of the law-making process.

It is noted that the division of factors into varieties according to various criteria is quite conditional, since they are closely intertwined, interrelated, interdependent and affect the timeliness and quality of the law-making process. In this context, factors influencing social relations, depending on the sphere of action, can have a political, economic, social, informational, cultural, spiritual nature, etc.

The most relevant ways of improving the law-making process are also characterized. The readiness of society and the state to continue reforms in the most important spheres of social relations, the desire of law-making bodies to implement the necessary changes taking into account the interests and needs of various subjects, their motivation and the optimization of the activities of law-making bodies, etc are among the top priority ways to improve the law-making process.

Key words: law-making, law-making process, factors of influence, ways of improvement, legal reform, optimization of the law-making process.
PERANCANGAN GAME EDUKASI BERTEMA PAHLAWAN INDONESIA BERBASIS HTML5
Authors: Adistya Faris Afif , Kartika Kurnia Paranita , Wulansari Zunita
Published: August 2023

Sejak pandemi COVID-19, kebanyakan orang tua memperbolehkan anak-anak mereka untuk menggunakan gadget smartphone dalam kehidupan sehari-hari. Namun, pada kenyataannya, anak sekolah sekarang lebih suka menghabiskan waktunya untuk bermain game daripada belajar. Ironisnya, banyak dari mereka yang mengenal nama karakter dari game yang mereka mainkan, tetapi tidak mengetahui dan mengenal nama-nama tokoh Pahlawan Nasional dari Indonesia. Oleh karena itu, penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengembangkan game edukasi bertema pahlawan nasional Indonesia untuk meningkatkan nilai-nilai patriotisme dan nasionalisme di kalangan anak-anak, serta menambah pengetahuan tentang tokoh-tokoh pahlawan di Indonesia. Metode penelitian yang digunakan dalam kajian ini adalah Game Development Life Cycle (GDLC). GDLC merupakan metode yang dikhususkan untuk pengembangan dan perancangan sebuah game. Terdapat 6 fase dalam GDLC, yaitua fase initialization, fase pre-production, fase production, fase alpha testing, fase beta testing, dan fase release. Hasil penelitian ini adalah berdasarkan hasil pengujian, diperoleh nilai yang sangat baik pada aspek functionality, reliability, dan compatibility dengan skor masing-masing 100%. Selain itu, nilai yang baik juga diperoleh pada aspek expert validity dengan skor 83%, dan aspek playability dengan skor 78%. Dapat disimpulkan bahwa perancangan game edukasi bertema pahlawan Indonesia berbasis HTML5 ini dapat meningkatkan minat anak-anak, khususnya di tingkat sekolah dasar, untuk mengenal tokoh-tokoh pahlawan nasional Indonesia.
RANCANG BANGUN SISTEM MONITORING UTILITY PERFORMANCE PADA PT. XYZ DENGAN METODE BRAINSTORMING
Authors: Hamdani Andika Hilmi , Batubulan Kadek Suarjuna , Mashudi Irsyad Arif
Published: August 2023

Secara umum, utility di bidang teknik adalah perangkat atau sistem yang dirancang untuk menyediakan kebutuhan dasar atau untuk membantu penyelesaian pekerjaan atau proses tertentu. Dalam bidang teknik, utility umumnya mengacu pada sistem atau perangkat yang dirancang untuk menyediakan kebutuhan dasar seperti listrik, air, gas, atau telekomunikasi. pada PT.XYZ utility merupakan salah satu divisi dari departemen engineering yang memiliki tugas yakni memonitoring healthy assets, KPI (Key Performance Index), monitoring machine serta maintenance report. Metode brainstorming digunakan untuk menghasilkan ide-ide kreatif yang dapat diterapkan dalam pengembangan sistem monitoring utility. Berbagai ide dihasilkan melalui diskusi dan perdebatan antara para peserta brainstorming. Kemudian, ide-ide tersebut dianalisis dan diseleksi untuk dipilih yang paling sesuai dengan kebutuhan PT XYZ. Maka dari itu penulis juga melakukan pengujian terhadap karyawan PT XYZ agar sistem tersebut berjalan sesuai dengan kebutuhan. Dari 10 responden menyatakan bahwa lebih dari 50% akumulasi responden menyatakan bahwa aplikasi sistem monitoring utility performance berjalan dengan memuaskan dan sangat memuaskan, terdapat 10% hingga 30% responden yang menyatakan bahwa berjalan dengan baik serta 10% responden menyatakan kurang berjalan baik.
PEMODELAN PREDIKSI TINGKAT KELULUSAN MAHASISWA DENGAN PENDEKATAN ALGORITMA NAÏVE BAYES
Authors: Supangat  , Sulistyawan M. Rizky
Published: August 2023

Salah satu faktor penting dalam menilai akreditasi suatu lembaga atau perguruan tinggi adalah kelulusan. Prediksi kelulusan mahasiswa Program Studi Teknik Informatika Universitas 17 Agustus 1945 Surabaya penting untuk diketahui guna mengidentifikasi mahasiswa yang tidak lulus tepat waktu sejak awal. Prediksi kelulusan mahasiswa dapat dilakukan dengan menggunakan data mining khususnya metode klasifikasi. Pada penelitian ini, Algoritma Naive Bayes digunakan sebagai metode klasifikasi. Data pelatihan terdiri dari 120 alumni Program Studi Teknik Informatika angkatan 2017, sedangkan data pengujian terdiri dari 30 mahasiswa angkatan 2018. Atribut data yang digunakan untuk penelitian ini adalah IPS Semester 1-4, SKS, IPK, dan status kelulusan mahasiswa. Penelitian ini diharapkan dapat memberikan informasi tentang prediksi kelulusan mahasiswa tepat waktu dan memberikan masukan bagi perguruan tinggi untuk perbaikan kedepannya. Hasil dari penelitian ini menghasilkan diantaranya Hasil dari penerapkan algoritma Naïve Bayes pada sistem prediksi kelulusan ini dapat digunakan untuk memperkirakan apakah mahasiswa akan lulus tepat waktu atau tidak, Mahasiswa dapat dengan mudah melakukan intropeksi diri dengan cara mengakses halaman website ini secara online tanpa harus data ke gedung biro akademik, Hasil penelitian ini memiliki tingkat akurasi dalam memprediksi kelulusan mahasiswa yaitu 77%, tingkat presisi 77% , dan recall time 78%.
USE OF BIO-GAS AND METAN MIXTURES IN A GAS ENGINE
Authors: Lisoval Anatolii
Published: August 2023

The analysis of scientific works in the field of development in Ukraine of gas-powered internal combustion engines operating on natural gas and biogas has been made. It is possible to simplify the labor intensity of experimental works by using a model gas - a mixture of natural and carbon dioxide gases. Researches were carried out on a gas-electric unit with a rated power of 30 kW. It is summarized the results of the research on the use of model gas in a gas combustion engine that operates for the power unit drive, it is developed recommendations on the addition of biogas to natural gas depending on the power unit load with the purpose to create an algorithm for controlling the supply of gas fuel.
Establishing Specific Conductance-Chloride Relationships for Quaternary and Bedrock Aquifers in the Twin Cities Metropolitan Area, Minnesota, United States
Authors: McDaris John R. , Feinberg Joshua M. , Levine Jonathan , Runkel Anthony C.
Published: August 2023

Chloride concentrations in surface and groundwater within the Twin Cities Metropolitan Area of Minnesota are increasing and hand-sample monitoring is not sufficient to understand the scale and temporal nuance of chloride concentrations within the aquifer system. We explore the relationships between chloride concentration and specific conductance (SC) in regional aquifers as a mechanism to generate a larger quantity of data related to groundwater chloride concentrations at a higher temporal frequency. Paired measurements (N = 2,118) from 1,050 wells collected between 1972 and 2022 allow statistical relationships to be generated for several aquifer units that enable the use of SC as either a direct proxy or qualitative indicator of chloride concentration going forward. In the uppermost unconsolidated Quaternary aquifer and in the immediately underlying bedrock aquifer (Platteville Formation), correlation between chloride concentration and specific conductance imply that conductances of 1,350 and 3,800 μS/cm correspond to state chronic and acute exposure standards of 230 mg/L and 860 mg/L, respectively. SC values have increased through time in bedrock aquifers that provide the region’s largest volume of residential and industrial groundwater (the Prairie du Chien and Jordan aquifers) and interpreting these changes in detail requires consideration of the local hydrogeologic context.
Review of the influence of farrowing and lactation housing and positive human contact on sow and piglet welfare
Authors: Hemsworth Paul H. , Tilbrook Alan J. , Galea Rutu Y. , Lucas Megan E. , Chidgey Kirsty L. , Hemsworth Lauren M.
Published: August 2023

Farrowing crates continue to be the most common system of housing farrowing and lactating sows, however continuous confinement is one of the most contentious welfare issues in livestock production. This review aims to critically evaluate the scientific literature on the implications of two important determinants of sow and piglet welfare: housing and human contact. While the evidence in sows is contradictory, there is consistent evidence of a greater short-term cortisol response in gilts introduced to farrowing crates than pens and there is limited evidence of changes in the HPA axis consistent with sustained stress in gilts during the fourth week of lactation. Confinement of sows during lactation increases stereotypic behaviour, reduces sow-piglet interactions, nursing duration and lying behaviour, and may contribute to leg and shoulder injuries in sows. Piglets reared by sows in pens display more play and less oral manipulative behaviours and generally have better growth rates than those reared in farrowing crates. However, there is increasing interest in developing alternate housing systems with minimal sow confinement and reduced piglet mortality risk. Recent research on temporary crating of sows suggests that confinement briefly around farrowing may be the best compromise between continuous housing in farrowing crates and pens, as it may reduce live-born piglet mortality, while providing the opportunity for the sow to move more freely prior to parturition. Together with housing, the behaviour of stockpeople is a key determinant of pig welfare. Recent evidence shows that positive handling of piglets during lactation reduces fear behaviour and physiological stress responses of pigs to humans, novelty and routine husbandry practices, and thus may be enriching for piglets. As a source of enrichment, positive human interactions provide several advantages: close interactions with piglets usually occur several times daily, positive interactions can be combined with routine checks, human interactions invariably provide variability in their predictability which will minimise habituation, and positive interactions may not require additional physical resources. There is a clear need for comprehensive research examining both the short- and long-term welfare implications and the practicality of less confinement of the sow, and positive handling of both sows and piglets during lactation.
Lipid-based nanoparticles via nose-to-brain delivery: a mini review
Authors: Xinchen Yang , Jing Tan , Jiaoqiong Guan
Published: August 2023

Central nervous system disorders significantly affect the lives and health of millions of people worldwide. Despite many therapeutic drugs are available that could potentially target central nervous system disorders, their clinical utility is severely constrained by their inability to cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB). Fortunately, nanotechnology has been advanced to offers a solution to allow drugs reaching the targeted brain regions safely, efficiently, and precisely through nasal drug delivery system (NDDS), bypassing the BBB completely. This strategy can promote the drug accumulated in the targeted brain region, improve drug bioavailability, and minimal side effects and mucociliary clearance effectively. In this review, we elaborate recent advances in the use of lipid-based nanoparticles, involving liposomes, nanoemulsions, nanostructured lipid carriers, and solid lipid nanoparticles. Besides, we particularly introduced the nasal cavity physiological structure, and further summarized the nose-to-brain drug delivery pathways, including olfactory, trigeminal, and blood circulation pathway. Moreover, the mechanism and route of NDDS by various types of nanoparticles are also highlighted.
Transient ischemic attack and coronary artery disease: a two-sample Mendelian randomization analysis
Authors: Qi Xiaoyi , Wang Shijia , Qiu Liangxian , Chen Xiongbiao , Huang Qianwen , Ouyang Kunfu , Chen Yanjun
Published: August 2023

Background

Although observational studies have shown that patients who experienced transient ischemic attacks (TIAs) had a higher risk of coronary artery disease (CAD), the causal relationship is ambiguous.

Methods

We conducted a two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) study to analyze the causal relationship between TIA and CAD using data from the FinnGen genome-wide association study. Analysis was performed using the inverse-variance weighted (IVW) method. The robustness of the results was evaluated using MR-Egger regression, the weighted median, MR pleiotropy residual sum, and outlier (MR-PRESSO) and multivariable MR analysis.

Results

Results from IVW random-effect model showed that TIA was associated with an increased risk of coronary artery atherosclerosis (OR 1.17, 95% CI 1.06–1.28, P = 0.002), ischemic heart disease (OR 1.15, 95% CI 1.04–1.27, P = 0.007), and myocardial infarction (OR1.15, 95% CI 1.02–1.29, P = 0.025). In addition, heterogeneity and horizontal pleiotropy were observed in the ischemic heart disease results, while the sensitivity analysis revealed no evidence of horizontal pleiotropy in other outcomes.

Conclusions

This MR study demonstrated a potential causal relationship between TIA and CAD. Further research should be conducted to investigate the mechanism underlying the association.
Ranolazine improved left ventricular diastolic functions and ventricular repolarization indexes in patients with coronary slow flow
Authors: Oksen Dogac , Aslan Muzaffer , Ozmen Emre , Yavuz Yunus Emre
Published: August 2023

Introduction

Coronary slow flow (CSF) is a condition commonly encountered during angiography. Recent studies have shown the adverse effects of CSF on left ventricular diastolic functions. CSF reportedly increases the novel ventricular repolarization parameters. Ranolazine is a preparation with a prominent anti-anginal activity that has positive effects on anti-arrhythmic and diastolic parameters. In this context, this study was carried out to investigate the effects of ranolazine on left ventricular diastolic functions and repolarization in patients with CSF.

Material and methods

Forty-six patients with CSF and 29 control subjects were included in the patient and control groups, respectively. Both groups received ranolazine for one month and were evaluated using 12–lead electrocardiography, conventional echocardiography, and tissue Doppler imaging at the baseline and after one month of ranolazine treatment.

Results

Corrected P, QT dispersion, and Tp-e interval values were significantly higher in the patient group than in the control group. There was a significant decrease in isovolumic relaxation time (IVRT) and deceleration time (DT) values after the ranolazine treatment compared to the baseline values in the patient group but not the control group. A significant increase was observed in the mean E and A velocities and the mean E/A ratio after the ranolazine treatment compared to the baseline values in the patient group. Additionally, there was a significant difference between the Tp-e interval and corrected P dispersion values measured after the ranolazine treatment compared to the baseline values in the patient group but not in the control group.

Conclusion

This study's findings demonstrated that ranolazine positively affected impaired diastolic functions and repolarization parameters, particularly in patients with CSF.
It's time to address fear of cancer recurrence in family caregivers: usability study of an virtual version of the Family Caregiver—Fear Of Recurrence Therapy (FC-FORT)
Authors: Lamarche Jani , Cusson Angélica , Nissim Rinat , Avery Jonathan , Wong Jiahui , Maheu Christine , Lambert Sylvie D. , Laizner Andrea M. , Jones Jennifer , Esplen Mary Jane , Lebel Sophie
Published: August 2023

Background

Family caregivers of cancer survivors experience equal or greater levels of fear of cancer recurrence (FCR) than survivors themselves. Some interventions have demonstrated their ability to reduce FCR among cancer survivors and dyads (patient and caregivers). However, to date, no validated intervention exists to focus solely on family caregiver's FCR.

Objectives

This study aimed to (1) adapt the evidence-based in-person Fear Of Recurrence Therapy (FORT) for family caregivers (referred here in as FC-FORT) and to a virtual delivery format and (2) test its usability when offered virtually.

Methods

The adaptation of FC-FORT was overseen by an advisory board and guided by the Information Systems Research Framework. Following this adaptation, female family caregivers and therapists were recruited for the usability study. Participants took part in 7 weekly virtual group therapy sessions, a semi-structured exit interview and completed session feedback questionnaires. Therapists were offered a virtual training and weekly supervision. Fidelity of treatment administration was assessed each session. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Exit interviews were transcribed verbatim using NVivo Transcription and coded using conventional content analysis. Results were presented back to the advisory board to further refine FC-FORT.

Results

The advisory board (n = 16) met virtually on 7 occasions to adapt FC-FORT (i.e., patient manuals, virtual format) and discuss recruitment strategies. Minor (e.g., revised text, adapted materials to virtual format) and major adaptations (e.g., added and rearranged sessions) were made to FC-FORT and subsequently approved by the advisory board. Four family caregivers and three therapists took part in the first round of the usability testing. Six family caregivers and the same three therapists took part in the second round. Overall, participants were very satisfied with FC-FORT's usability. Qualitative analysis identified 4 key themes: usability of FC-FORT, satisfaction and engagement with content, group cohesion, and impact of FC-FORT. All participants indicated that they would recommend FC-FORT to others as is.

Conclusions

Using a multidisciplinary advisory board, our team successfully adapted FC-FORT and tested its usability using videoconferencing. Results from this study indicate that the efficacy and acceptability of FC-FORT are now ready to be tested in a larger pilot study.
Novel risk score model for non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy based on untargeted metabolomics of venous blood
Authors: Wang Xinyu , Yang Shu , Yang Guangyan , Lin Jialong , Zhao Pengfei , Ding Jingyun , Sun Hongyan , Meng Ting , Yang Ming Ming , Kang Lin , Liang Zhen
Published: August 2023

Background and Purpose

Nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR) occurs in the early stages of Diabetic retinopathy (DR), and the study of its metabolic markers will help to prevent DR. Hence, we aimed to establish a risk score based on multiple metabolites through untargeted metabolomic analysis of venous blood from NPDR patients and diabetic non-DR patients.

Experimental Approach

Untargeted metabolomics of venous blood samples from patients with NPDR, diabetes melitus without DR were performed using high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry.

Results

Detailed metabolomic evaluation showed distinct clusters of metabolites in plasma samples from patients with NPDR and diabetic non-DR patients. NPDR patients had significantly higher levels of phenylacetylglycine, L-aspartic acid, tiglylglycine, and 3-sulfinato-L-alaninate, and lower level of indolelactic acid, threonic acid, L-arginine (Arg), and 4-dodecylbenzenesulfonic acid compared to control. The expression profiles of these eight NPDR risk-related characteristic metabolites were analyzed using Cox regression to establish a risk score model. Subsequently, univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses were used to determine that this risk score model was a predictor of independent prognosis for NPDR.

Conclusions

Untargeted metabolome analysis of blood metabolites revealed unreported metabolic alterations in NPDR patients compared with those in diabetic non-DR patients or MH. In the venous blood, we identified depleted metabolites thA and Arg, indicating that they might play a role in NPDR development.
An energy management scheme for improving the fuel economy of a fuel cell/battery/supercapacitor-based hybrid electric vehicle using the coyote optimization algorithm (COA)
Authors: Mounica V. , Obulesu Y. P.
Published: August 2023

This study describes a multi-input power system that is suited for fueling electric automobiles, InterCitys, and airplanes, particularly in situations with significant fluctuating load demand. The dual framework utilizes fuel cells (FC), batteries, and super capacitors (SCs). An energy management system (EMS) remains a critical aspect of lowering overall hydrogen consumption and minimizing the degradation of FC functionality. A novel EMS that has been suggested focused on a novel optimization method known as the Coyote optimization algorithm (COA), and it considers the fact that the total load is adequately supplied within the limitations of each power source. To minimize the hydrogen consumption. By maximizing the power generated by the energy storage devices, the energy acquired from the FC is reduced. In comparison to other optimization methods, the COA would be a practical, effective, and relatively straightforward optimizer that only involves a limited number of controlling factors to be set. The framework application MATLAB/Simulink is used to create the proposed method. In order to show the effectiveness of the proposed methodology, a study with several different conventional techniques is performed, which includes the classic proportional-integral control mechanism, the frequency decoupling with state machine (FDSM) controlling technique, the equivalent consumption minimization scheme (ECMS), and the external energy minimization scheme (EEMS). The efficacy of the algorithm and the FC’s aggregate H2 usage serve as the focal points for comparison in this work. The outcomes demonstrate that the recommended COA strategy is superior and more effective than the alternative approaches.
Digital transition and the clean renewable energy adoption in rural family: evidence from Broadband China
Authors: Yan Jinchen , Li Jing , Li Xia , Liu Yifang
Published: August 2023

Introduction

The increasing digital transformation and the global need for sustainable energy solutions have sparked considerable interest in the examination of digital technologies' impact on the adoption of clean renewable energy. However, limited research focuses on energy consumption in rural households, especially in developing countries such as China.

Methods

This study leverages the quasi-natural experiment provided by the Broadband China Policy (BCP) and utilizes data from the China Labor-force Dynamics Survey (CLDS) spanning 2012 to 2016. Our investigation aims to understand the effect of the digital transition on the adoption of clean renewable energy within rural families. We employ staggered Difference-in-Difference (DID) and Doubly Robust Staggered DID estimators to assess this impact, allowing us to explore regional heterogeneity.

Results

Our findings reveal that implementing the BCP significantly influences clean renewable energy adoption, although this effect varies across different regions. Specifically, in the middle region, the BCP results in a notable 5.8% increase in clean renewable energy adoption compared to non-pilot cities. However, in the east and west regions, the BCP is associated with a decrease of 12.6% and 13.5%, respectively, in clean renewable energy adoption. Dynamic effect analysis further indicates that the east region had already experienced high clean renewable energy adoption prior to the BCP's implementation, while the BCP positively influences clean renewable energy intentions in the west region.

Discussion

Our analysis identifies three significant channels through which the BCP affects clean renewable energy adoption: population size, economic size, and income level. Larger populations and greater economic size enhance the BCP's impact on clean renewable energy adoption. These findings provide empirical evidence for developing countries that seek to harness digital development for technological advancement, industrial upgrading, and carbon emission reduction.
Histone 4 lysine 20 tri-methylation: a key epigenetic regulator in chromatin structure and disease
Authors: Agredo Alejandra , Kasinski Andrea L.
Published: August 2023

Chromatin is a vital and dynamic structure that is carefully regulated to maintain proper cell homeostasis. A great deal of this regulation is dependent on histone proteins which have the ability to be dynamically modified on their tails via various post-translational modifications (PTMs). While multiple histone PTMs are studied and often work in concert to facilitate gene expression, here we focus on the tri-methylation of histone H4 on lysine 20 (H4K20me3) and its function in chromatin structure, cell cycle, DNA repair, and development. The recent studies evaluated in this review have shed light on how H4K20me3 is established and regulated by various interacting partners and how H4K20me3 and the proteins that interact with this PTM are involved in various diseases. Through analyzing the current literature on H4K20me3 function and regulation, we aim to summarize this knowledge and highlights gaps that remain in the field.
Understanding ethical challenges of family planning interventions in sub–Saharan Africa: a scoping review
Authors: Montt-Maray Eloisa , Adamjee Lamiah , Horanieh Nour , Witt Alice , González-Capella Thaïs , Zinke-Allmang Anja , Cislaghi Beniamino
Published: August 2023

Background

Improving the design of family planning (FP) interventions is essential to advancing gender equality, maternal health outcomes, and reproductive autonomy for both men and women. While progress has been made towards applying a rights-based approach to FP interventions in sub-Saharan Africa, the ethical implications of FP interventions has been underreported and underexplored. Several ethical challenges persist related to measuring success, choice, and target population.

Methods

We conducted a scoping review to understand if and how FP interventions published between 2000 and 2020 within sub-Saharan Africa address the ethical challenges raised within the literature. We identified a total of 1,652 papers, of which 40 were included in the review.

Results

Our review demonstrated that the majority of family planning interventions in sub-Saharan Africa place a strong emphasis, on measuring success through quantitative indicators such as uptake of modern contraception methods among women, specifically those that are married and visiting healthcare centres. They also tend to bias the provision of family planning by promoting long-acting reversible contraception over other forms of contraception methods potentially undermining individuals' autonomy and choice. The interventions in our review also found most interventions exclusively target women, not recognising the importance of gender norms and social networks on women's choice in using contraception and the need for more equitable FP services.

Conclusion

The results of this review highlight how FP interventions measured success through quantitative indicators that focus on uptake of modern contraception methods among women. Utilising these measures makes it difficult to break away from the legacy of FP as a tool for population control as they limit the ability to incorporate autonomy, choice, and rights. Our results are meant to encourage members of the global family planning community to think critically about the ethical implications of their existing interventions and how they may be improved. More public health and policy research is required to assess the effect of applying the new indicators with the FP community as well as explicitly outlining monitoring and evaluation strategies for new interventions to allow for programme improvement and the dissemination of lessons learned.
A programmed cell death-related model based on machine learning for predicting prognosis and immunotherapy responses in patients with lung adenocarcinoma
Authors: Zhang Yi , Wang Yuzhi , Chen Jianlin , Xia Yu , Huang Yi
Published: August 2023

Background

lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) remains one of the most common and lethal malignancies with poor prognosis. Programmed cell death (PCD) is an evolutionarily conserved cell suicide process that regulates tumorigenesis, progression, and metastasis of cancer cells. However, a comprehensive analysis of the role of PCD in LUAD is still unavailable.

Methods

We analyzed multi-omic variations in PCD-related genes (PCDRGs) for LUAD. We used cross-validation of 10 machine learning algorithms (101 combinations) to synthetically develop and validate an optimal prognostic cell death score (CDS) model based on the PCDRGs expression profile. Patients were classified based on their median CDS values into the high and low-CDS groups. Next, we compared the differences in the genomics, biological functions, and tumor microenvironment of patients between both groups. In addition, we assessed the ability of CDS for predicting the response of patients from the immunotherapy cohort to immunotherapy. Finally, functional validation of key genes in CDS was performed.

Results

We constructed CDS based on four PCDRGs, which could effectively and consistently stratify patients with LUAD (patients with high CDS had poor prognoses). The performance of our CDS was superior compared to 77 LUAD signatures that have been previously published. The results revealed significant genetic alterations like mutation count, TMB, and CNV were observed in patients with high CDS. Furthermore, we observed an association of CDS with immune cell infiltration, microsatellite instability, SNV neoantigens. The immune status of patients with low CDS was more active. In addition, CDS could be reliable to predict therapeutic response in multiple immunotherapy cohorts. In vitro experiments revealed that high DNA damage inducible transcript 4 (DDIT4) expression in LUAD cells mediated protumor effects.

Conclusion

CDS was constructed based on PCDRGs using machine learning. This model could accurately predict patients’ prognoses and their responses to therapy. These results provide new promising tools for clinical management and aid in designing personalized treatment strategies for patients with LUAD.