bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Ideological Factor of Internet Governance in China: Features and Tools in the Context of Confrontation with the United States
Authors: Yankova A. D , Trenin D. V
Published: December 2024

The Internet turned into an arena of ideological struggle. It benefits those who have control over data flows and opinion market. In the information space, previously insurmountable barriers are easily bypassed, the number of generators of “narratives” is increasing exponentially. Strategic success achieved in the information field can have a significance comparable to political or military success. An example is the confrontation between key players in cyberspace — the US and China. Their statehood is based on ideology — left-wing liberalism, transhumanism and americano-centric globalism on the one hand, innovative Marxism and socialism with Chinese characteristics on the other. Despite differences in fundamental values, political and social systems, Washington and Beijing actively use Internet tools to seek support, expand governance and propaganda. The winners in the ideological struggle are not yet clear. But certain dynamics can be fixed. The US has to admit that its belief in the ubiquity of liberal democracy and the “technological optimism” of the early 21st century have not been justified. The Internet has failed to change China – China has changed the Internet for itself. The political and ideological conditions of the PRC and the efforts of the CPC have formed unique parameters for the development of network. The party managed to create a system of distributed control over the Internet, users and content, allowing leadership to manage the situation on the “battlefield”. The US and its allies in the fight against “autocrats and authoritarians” are increasingly slipping into the fight against dissent in their own countries. During this struggle the West is becoming more intolerant and authoritarian.
Strategic Priorities, Trends and Prospects of Japan's Participation in Economic Integration in the APAC
Authors: Paksiutov G. D
Published: December 2024

The article is dedicated to studying the topical trends, challenges and priorities characterizing Japan’s involvement in the regional economic integration projects. Economic cooperation with the rapidly developing Asian economies is imperative for Japan, which faces economic and demographic problems. Japan participates in the region’s two largest integration projects (RCEP and CPTPP) with different objectives: while participation in RCEP, which is larger and promises more potential for economic growth, is motivated principally by economic reasons, through CPTPP Japan is able to coordinate its foreign policy with the like-minded countries. Japan’s foreign strategy thus faces the need to strike proper balance between the economic and the political goals, which on the conceptual level amounts to choosing between (or combining) the ‘Asian’ and the ‘universal’ values and identity. However, since Prime Minister Kishida assumed office, there has been an evident predominance of the ‘universal’ values in the strategic documents, and the country’s new economic security strategy gives the government exceptional authority to interfere in the national economy to counter the states that do not ‘share universal values’. We argue, however, that dilemma between the ‘Asian’ and the ‘universal’ values is not unsolvable on the conceptual level.
Foreign Trade of Mongolia under Global Shocks
Authors: Makarov A. V , Makarova E. V
Published: December 2024

The paper examines the current problems of Mongolia's foreign trade. It reveals that Mongolia depends on trade with two neighboring countries and has therefore suffered from border restrictions from China and Western states sanctions against Russia. It shows that the closure of the border with China in 2020 led to a sharp drop in Mongolian exports. In addition, Mongolia's dependence on mineral exports to China was exacerbated by its dependence on oil product imports from Russia. The sharp rise in oil product prices and supply problems in 2022 had a negative impact on the economic situation in Mongolia. China's completion of the COVID-Zero policy allowed Mongolia to exceed pre-pandemic mineral export volumes in 2023. The construction of new railway crossings will increase export volumes to China and other countries. Mongolia's implementation of measures to develop its own oil refining industry will lead to its elimination of dependence on Russian oil products in the coming years. In connection with the latter, a precipitous reduction in mutual trade up to a complete cessation should be expected. Therefore, the development of a long-term policy of bilateral economic cooperation is extremely relevant. As a key initiative that will ensure at least minimal volumes of Russian-Mongolian trade and maintain good-neighborly relations, the conclusion of a free trade agreement is proposed.
Inner Mongolia: Strategic Positioning of China's Northern Periphery
Authors: Namzhilova V. O
Published: December 2024

The article provides an overview of the current situation of China’s northern periphery — the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, regarding its economic dynamics, demographic parameters and current agenda. What is new is the consideration of the “strategic positioning” approach, when the region’s mission is defined in close connection with national interests. The author reveals the essence of the “five great tasks” assigned to the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region by Xi Jinping: the creation of “two barriers”, “two bases” and “one bridgehead”. The first task — creating an “ecological barrier in the north of the country” — emphasizes the unique role of the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region in the national environmental protection system. The second task — ensuring a barrier of security and stability — is based on the importance of maintaining national unity and tranquility on the northern borders. The third task — creating a national base of energy and strategically important resources — is associated with advanced practices in the production and supply of electricity, as well as deep processing of rare earth metals. The fourth task is aimed at creating a base for the production of agricultural products to ensure China’s food security. And the fifth task is to build a "bridgehead for opening up to the North", stimulating close cooperation with northern neighbors. Understanding the internal processes in adjacent to Russian regions China’s Inner Mongolia is extremely important for building international ties. Particular attention should be paid to the task of "openness to the North", which is gaining new impetus with the activation of Russia's "turn to the East". The counter movement of these strategies, coupled with the Mongolian "New Revival Policy", create favorable conditions for the construction of the China-Mongolia-Russia Economic Corridor.
Labor Productivity in the Regions of Eastern Russia and Northeastern China
Authors: Glazyrina I. P , Zabelina I. A , Faleychik L. M
Published: December 2024

Based on data from Federal State Statistics Service, the National Bureau of Statistics of China and the Central Bank of the Russian Federation, an analysis of the dynamics and spatial differentiation of labor productivity in the regions of Russia and China was carried out. It was found that in most Russian regions labor productivity in the economy as a whole in 2022 was lower than the national value. Among the subjects with high values of the indicator, territories with a raw materials-based economic systems predominate. It was revealed that for 2017–2022 only in seven Russian regions, located mainly in the European part of the country, there was a decrease in the volume of added value per employee. All Far Eastern territories were characterized by positive dynamics of the indicator. Special attention is paid to the cross-country comparison and analysis of the level of labor productivity in neighboring Russian and Chinese regions involved in the processes of crossborder cooperation. The calculation results indicate that in 2017, labor productivity in the Chinese economy was lower than in the Russian one. However, in 2022, China, where this indicator grew rapidly in 2017–2022, surpassed Russia in production of gross value added per person employed in the economy. It was found that in 2022, labor productivity in the neighboring regions of China was significantly higher than in most regions of the East of the Russian Federation. It is shown that in Russia and China, as well as in most of the analyzed regions, labor productivity in the industrial sector is higher than in the economy as a whole.
History of Vaccination in China: Modern Stage
Authors: Gerasimova T. G
Published: December 2024

The history of vaccination in China is an unexamined area in research into the general history of Chinese healthcare, which, in turn, has also been little studied in Russian historical science. The article is devoted to the history of health care in the field of prevention of vaccinepreventable diseases in modern China. In the 21st century, in order to carry out a large-scale immunization program for the Chinese population, the fight against epidemics of infectious diseases required skill and talented political will to organize united actions of the Chinese authorities and society. Since the beginning of the century, during the implementation of the National Immunization Program in the PRC, the central government revised the existing legislation, adopted new laws, created a subsidized fund, the New Rural Cooperative Medical Scheme, and formed the National Advisory Committee on Immunization, whose tasks include comprehensive collection and evaluation of scientific data. China became one of the first countries to join the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization. Based on the analysis of statistical data, the author shows that the development of preventive immunization in China ultimately not only improved the overall health of Chinese citizens, but also contributed to the progress of public health throughout the world. It is noted that the level and scale of domestic vaccine development play an indispensable role in the ability to respond to emergency situations. The PRC has made considerable efforts to strengthen its influence in various regions of the globe with the help of its vaccines. It is a great achievement that China is able to effectively develop its National Immunization Program, greatly increasing the speed and quality of vaccine development, as well as control measures for produced vaccines, both at the legislative and technological level, especially in connection with the COVID-19 pandemic. The article uses scientific research materials from Chinese and other foreign scientists published in monographs and scientific journals, as well as information from official Chinese sources.
The Shanghai Agency of Ussuri Railway and Establishment of Direct Mixed Railway-Water Communication between Shanghai and Manchuria (1923–1926)
Authors: Yizhi Sun
Published: December 2024

The article is devoted to the history of the Shanghai agency of Ussuri Railway and its role in the establishment of direct railway-water communication between Shanghai and Manchuria. After the end of the Civil War and the occupation of Vladivostok by the Red Army in late 1922, Soviet authorities began to rebuild the economy and trade in the Far East. As a counterbalance to Japan, it was planned to create an “eastern direction” of direct communication between Shanghai and Manchuria. In the “eastern direction” the transfer point between Shanghai and Manchuria was to be Vladivostok. It was planned to transport the goods arriving by water from Shanghai to Vladivostok by means of the Ussuri Railway to the border with China and further by the China Eastern Railway to Harbin. The Ussuri Railway was the main initiator of the creation of the “eastern direction”. For full-fledged work at the end of 1923–1924, first a branch and then the Commercial Agency of the Ussuri Railway in Shanghai was established, which became the main in the creation of the “eastern direction”. However, the plan to create a direct railway-water communication between Shanghai and Manchuria via Vladivostok, in the end, was not fully realized — the most important issue of issuing direct transportation receipts was not solved. Interdepartmental conflict was the most important reason for the failure of the “eastern direction”. “Departmental patriotism” was inherent in all levels of the soviet authorities from Shanghai to Moscow and ultimately caused the fact that for almost three years neither at the Shanghai nor at the Moscow level could solve the burning issue for Soviet trade interests in Shanghai of issuing direct transportation documents.
Cytogenetic disorders depending on hypermethylation of gene promoters in exposed individuals: final research results
Authors: Kuzmina Nina S. , Lapteva Nellya Sh. , Rubanovich Aleksandr V.
Published: December 2024

The results of the study of hypermethylation of promoters of the cell cycle genes (RASSF1A, p16/INK4A, p14/ARF, p53, ATM), antioxidant protection (GSTP1, SOD3), estrogen receptor (ESR1) are summarized in individuals exposed to chronic or fractionated irradiation in the range of small and medium doses (101 people, 24–78 years old: the liquidators of the accident at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant and adult residents of territories contaminated with radionuclides, 135–688 kBq/m2), in the aspect of the relationship of these epigenetic modifications with the cytogenetic status of the individual. Multiple regression analysis showed that the frequency of both simple and complex exchange aberrations of the chromosomal type is associated with the methylation status of the complex of the studied genes (β = 0.504, p = 1.9E-7 and β = 0.349, p = 3.6E-4, respectively), but not with age (β = -0.122, p = 0.178 and β = 0.153, p = 0.109). In general, highly significant differences were demonstrated between groups of exposed individuals with different epigenetic status (number of hypermethylated genes) for all considered cytogenetic parameters, with the exception of chromatid-type aberrations (Kruskal–Wallis test: p = 2E-4 and p = 5E-8 for the total frequency of cytogenetic disorders and rearrangements of the chromosomal type, respectively). The level of cytogenetic disorders of the chromosomal type increases with an increase in the number of methylated genes in irradiated individuals. The data obtained may point to general patterns in the mechanisms of induction and preservation over the years of the considered genetic and epigenetic effects of radiation.
Den Feldzugang reflexiv gestalten: Care-Ethik in der qualitativen (Migrations-)Forschung
Authors: Barglowski Karolina , Bonfert Lisa , Wallmeyer Paula
Published: December 2024

Dieser Artikel beleuchtet ethische Herausforderungen beim Zugang zu Forschungsfeldern in der Migrationsforschung und in der Interaktion mit den Teilnehmenden anhand eines empirischen Forschungsprojekts. Vor dem Hintergrund einer reflexiven Migrationsforschung diskutieren und illustrieren wir methodologische Herausforderungen und Möglichkeiten zur Etablierung ethischer Forschungspraktiken am Beispiel des Projekts Migrantenorganisationen und die Koproduktion sozialer Sicherung (MIKOSS). Ausgehend von einer Care-Ethik argumentieren wir für Forschungsansätze, die das Wohlergehen der Teilnehmenden und der Forschenden in den Mittelpunkt stellen. Unsere Ergebnisse unterstreichen die Wichtigkeit einer reflexiven Positionalität, die Machtasymmetrien adressiert und den Respekt für die Erfahrungen von Menschen, die als Migrant:innen konstruiert werden, stärkt. Abschließend diskutieren wir, wie eine Care-Ethik eine kritische Analyse von Machtverhältnissen unterstützen und Reifizierungen in der Migrationsforschung abbauen kann.
Religiöse Vielfalt als Herausforderung für die Schule – Schule als Herausforderung für ‚religiös Andere‘? Erfahrungen und religionspädagogische Überlegungen nicht-christlicher Religionslehrkräfte im Religionsunterricht für alle in Hamburg
Authors: Braband Janne
Published: December 2024

Der Artikel thematisiert den Umgang mit Religion und religiöser Vielfalt im schulischen Kontext als Transformationsanforderung, die nicht zuletzt auch den Religionsunterricht betrifft. Während dort versucht wird, mit interreligiös-dialogischem Lernen auf die wachsende Heterogenität einzugehen, zeigen Studien aus einer macht- und differenzanalytischen Perspektive, wie im schulischen Kontext (zugeschriebene) Religionszugehörigkeit neben Merkmalen wie Sprache, Hautfarbe, Herkunft als wirkmächtige Differenzkategorie (re)konstruiert wird. Der Beitrag zeigt vor diesem Hintergrund, wie auch nichtchristliche Religionslehrkräfte Positionierungen als ‚religiös Andere‘ erleben, und beleuchtet ihre religionspädagogischen Überlegungen zum Umgang mit religiöser Vielfalt im Hamburger Religionsunterricht für alle (RUfa). In einer exemplarischen und explorativen Herangehensweise werden dazu Ergebnisse aus drei Expert:inneninterviews mit Religionslehrkräften vorgestellt, die u. a. Hinweise darauf geben, wie religiöse Bezüge in der Schule jenseits von dominanten Zuschreibungs- und Ausgrenzungspraxen aufgegriffen werden können.
Zwischen förderbedürftiger Adressat:innenschaft und politischer Akteur:innenschaft. Adressierungsweisen migrantisierter Eltern in Dokumenten zur schulischen Gremienarbeit
Authors: Fritzsche Bettina , Kuhn Melanie , Rißler Georg
Published: December 2024

Wie Eltern im Kontext postwohlfahrtsstaatlicher neoliberaler Logiken des Forderns und Förderns in Dokumenten zur schulischen Gremienarbeit adressiert und im Dienste schulischer Interessen funktionalisiert werden, ist Erkenntnisinteresse einer adressierungstheoretisch fundierten Dokumentenanalyse von Schulgesetzen und ministerialen Informationsbroschüren zur schulischen Elternvertretungsarbeit. In einer bundeslandvergleichenden Optik lassen sich ungleichheitsrelevante Subjektivierungsweisen migrantisierter Eltern rekonstruieren, die sich zwischen einer Adressierung als passive förderbedürftige Objekte von Elternbeiratsarbeit und einer Autorisierung als eigenständige schulpolitische Akteur:innen aufspannen.
Professionelles Handeln in Integrationskursen? Teilnehmer:innenerfahrungen zwischen Macht und Willkür
Authors: Hoffmann Nora Friederike
Published: December 2024

Die in diesem Beitrag vorgenommenen empirischen Analysen machen Integrationskurse als Räume erkennbar, in denen Zugehörigkeitsordnungen abgebildet, prozessiert und reproduziert werden. Dies geschieht – so zeigen die dokumentarischen Interpretationen von Interviews mit Teilnehmer:innen an Integrationskursen – insbesondere vor dem Hintergrund von Identitätsnormen, mit denen die Teilnehmer:innen sich in der Interaktion mit den Lehrpersonen im Kurs konfrontiert sehen. Auf diesem Wege stellen sich organisationale und gesellschaftliche Machtbeziehungen her, die nicht über unmittelbare Disziplinierung funktionieren, sondern ihren Ausdruck darin finden, dass sie Individuen spezifischen Wissensordnungen unterwerfen. Im Beitrag wird dafür plädiert, die Erfahrungen der Klient:innen in der Auseinandersetzung um ein professionelles Handeln stärker zu fokussieren, da es auch deren Perspektiven sind, die Herrschaftsstrukturen sichtbar machen.
Comparative proteomic analysis of patients with acute myeloid leukemia before and after induction therapy
Authors: Restrepo-Rodríguez Luisa , Prada-Arismendy Jeanette , Castillo Erwing , Rothlisberger Sarah
Published: December 2024

BACKGROUND:

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a malignant disorder of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells, characterized by accumulation of immature blasts in the bone marrow and peripheral blood of affected patients. Response to chemotherapy treatment in patients with AML is wide-ranging, and to date there are no adequate molecular biomarkers used to predict clinical outcome.

OBJECTIVE:

The aim of this study was to identify potential protein biomarkers which could help predict response to induction treatment in AML patients.

METHODS:

Peripheral blood samples were obtained from 15 AML patients both before and after treatment. A comparative proteomic analysis was performed using 2D gel electrophoresis followed by Mass Spectrometry.

RESULTS:

This comparative proteomic study, combined with a protein network analysis, revealed several proteins that could be considered potential biomarkers of poor prognosis in AML: GAPDH which favors increased glucose metabolism; eEF1A1 and Annexin A1 that promote proliferation and migration, cofilin 1 which plays a role in the activation of apoptosis; and GSTP1 which is involved in the processes of detoxification and chemoresistance.

CONCLUSIONS:

This study gives an insight into a panel of protein biomarkers with prognostic potential that should be further investigated.
Action of hydroxyethyl starch (HES) on the activity of plasmatic clotting factors
Authors: Langer R. , Jordan U. , Wölfle A. , Henrich H.A.
Published: December 2024

Studies were carried out on the effects of different doses of hydroxyethyl starch 200/0.5 (HES) on plasma clotting factors in dogs, as an animal model for the human clotting system. In 8 German shepherd dogs 15% of the total blood was isovolemically substituted either by Ringer’s solution with lactate alone (controls) or with 0.6, 1.3, 1.9, 2.5 g HES/kg b.w. Immediately after the infusion, the HES concentration in the recipients’ plasma amounted to 8 mg/ml up to 38 mg/ml. In the following 6 h, the HES decreased to 25% in each case. It was found that the higher the plasma HES content was, the lower the haematocrit. Neither the thrombin‐ nor the batroxobin‐time showed any significant change, irrespective of the plasma HES concentration. The prothrombin‐time was decreased directly after the infusion in parallel to the haematocrit. The single clotting factors FI, FII, FV, FVII, FVIII, FX, and FXII behaved approximately in the same way: their activities directly after infusion, but also 6 h later, were lowered in proportion to the amount of HES infused. The loss of factor activity correlated with the volume‐expanding effect of HES shortly after the infusion, but not 6 h later. It is concluded that there are two different modes of HES action on clotting factors: the dilution by plasma volume expansion and a non‐dilutional action. Cautious handling might be required in patients with clotting disturbances as well as in long‐term treatment.
The effect of sodium fluorescein angiography on erythrocyte properties
Authors: Sargento L. , Zabala L. , Saldanha C. , Souza‐Ramalho P. , Martins e Silva J.
Published: December 2024

Sodium fluorescein angiography is a widely used routine ophthalmological diagnostic procedure which enables the study of chorioretinal microcirculation and consists of the injection of sodium fluorescein into the systemic bloodstream.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate whether or not fluorescein interferes with erythrocyte properties during the angiographic procedure.

In a group of 37 patients, 26 with non‐insulin‐dependent diabetes mellitus (DM) with and without retinopathy, and 11 without diabetes mellitus (non‐DM) although affected by other ophthalmological diseases, all undergoing routine angiography, blood samples were drawn before (T $_0$ ) and 30 min (T $_{30}$ ) after fluorescein injection. The erythrocyte aggregation index (EAI), membrane lipid fluidity and erythrocyte acetylcholinesterase activity were determined in both groups.

After fluorescein injection there was no statistical change in EAI and erythrocyte membrane fluidity in either group. Erythrocyte acetylcholinesterase activity, a marker of membrane protein integrity, decreased significantly ( $p<0.01$ ) in the DM group.

Membrane lipid fluidity did not change with fluorescein injection, however, (i) in the DM group erythrocyte membranes became more rigid than in the non‐DM (DPH: $p<0.01$ ); (ii) EAI and membrane lipid fluidity became significantly correlated ( $r= 0.6263$ , $p<0.05$ ) in non‐DM patients at T $_{30}$ .

In conclusion, fluorescein administration for angiographic procedures seems to interact with erythrocyte membrane, namely, in diabetic patients, which may interfere with the blood flow in the microcirculation.
Evaluation of erythrocyte morphology as deformability index in patients suffering from vascular diseases, with or without diabetes mellitus: correlation with blood viscosity and intra‐erythrocytic calcium
Authors: Turchetti Vera , Leoncini Francesca , De Matteis Caterina , Trabalzini Luca , Guerrini Maurizio , Forconi Sandro
Published: December 2024

The aim of our study was to evaluate the erythrocytic morphology in vascular patients, with or without diabetes, showing cell alterations correlated to blood viscosity and intra‐erythrocytic calcium. We studied 108 subjects: 20 normal subjects, 58 vascular patients (25 suffering from CHD, 19 from CVD, 14 from POAD) and 30 non‐insulin‐dependent diabetes patients with vascular disease in metabolic compensation (13 CHD, 9 CVD, 8 POAD). Erythrocytic morphology, blood viscosity and intra‐erythrocytic calcium were evaluated. Our results show that bowls, the most deformable red cells, decreased significantly in vascular patients and in POAD diabetics, while the discocytes, having a stiffer form, greatly increased in subjects suffering from ischemic disease and in POAD diabetics. The altered red cells (echinocytes and knizocytes) reached a statistical significance in CVD and POAD diabetics. Comparing the percentage of discocytes to intra‐erythrocytic calcium content in vasculopathic subjects, we obtained a significant correlation. No evidence of a relationship between discocytes and blood viscosity was found, even if blood viscosity significantly increased in patients affected by ischemic disease. These results suggest that ischemia decreases the deformability of red cells which is supported by the study of red cell morphology, by the erythrocytic morphology index (EMI), which becomes $<$ 1, and by the evaluation of cytosolic calcium content.
Effects of selected flavonoids on deformability, osmotic fragility and aggregation of human erythrocytes
Authors: Bilto Yousif Y. , Abdalla Shtaywy S.
Published: December 2024

The effects of 8 selected flavonoids on deformability, osmotic fragility and dextran‐induced aggregation of human erythrocytes were studied. The following flavonoids were found to protect against loss of filterability (deformability) through 5 $\mu$ m diameter pores of erythrocytes dehydrated with calcium ionophore A23187 (1.9 $\mu$ mol/l): apigenin $\,>\,$ quercetin $\,>\,$ cirsimaritin $\,>\,$ rutin $\,>\,$ luteolin $\,>\,$ chrysoeriol‐4 $'$ ‐O‐glucoside $\,>\,$ 3,5,7‐trihydroxy 4 $'$ ‐methoxy flavone 7‐rutinoside, whereas $\beta$ ‐naphtho flavone enhanced the loss of filterability. When the potassium ionophore valinomycin (18 $\mu$ mol/l) was used to induce cell dehydration, the order of potency of the flavonoids in protecting against loss of filterability was apigenin $>$ cirsimaritin $=$ chrysoeriol‐4 $'$ ‐O‐glucoside $\,>\,$ 3,5,7‐trihydroxy 4 $'$ ‐methoxy flavone 7‐rutinoside $\,>\,$ luteolin ${}={}$ rutin $\,>\,$ quercetin, whereas $\beta$ ‐naphtho flavone again enhanced the loss of filterability. All flavonoids reduced ESR measured over 1 h except for 3,5,7‐trihydroxy 4 $'$ ‐methoxy flavone 7‐rutinoside which showed no effect, and for quercetin which significantly enhanced ESR. All flavonoids also improved erythrocyte osmotic fragility except for apigenin which significantly increased osmotic fragility. These effects were explained in terms of the number and location of hydroxyl groups on the basic skeleton of flavone. The results suggest that the presence of an OH on C5 is essential for the described rheological effects of these flavonoids.
Assessment of auditory temporal-order thresholds – A	comparison of different measurement procedures and the influences of age and	gender
Authors: Fink Martina , Churan Jan , Wittmann Marc
Published: December 2024

Purpose: The relationship between auditory temporal-order perception and phoneme discrimination has been discussed for several years, based on findings, showing that patients with cerebral damage in the left hemisphere and aphasia, as well as children with specific language impairments, show deficits in temporal-processing and phoneme discrimination. Over the last years several temporal-order measurement procedures and training batteries have been developed. However, there exists no standard diagnostic tool for adults that could be applied to patients with aphasia. Therefore, our study aimed at identifying a feasible, reliable and efficient measurement procedure to test for auditory-temporal processing in healthy young and elderly adults, which in a further step can be applied to patients with aphasia.

Methods: The tasks varied according to adaptive procedures (staircase vs. maximum-likelihood), stimuli (tones vs. clicks) and stimulation modes (binaural- vs. alternating monaural) respectively. A phoneme-discrimination task was also employed to assess the relationship between temporal and language processing.

Results: The results show that auditory temporal-order thresholds are stimulus dependent, age related, and influenced by gender. Furthermore, the cited relationship between temporal-order threshold and phoneme discrimination can only be confirmed for measurements with pairs of tones.

Conclusion: Our results indicate, that different norms have to be established for different gender and age groups. Furthermore, temporal-order measurements with tones seem to be more suitable for clinical intervention studies than measurements with clicks, as they show higher re-test reliabilities, and only for measurements with tones an association with phoneme-discrimination abilities was found.
Recovery of visual evoked potentials after regeneration of cut	retinal ganglion cell axons within the ascending visual pathway in adult	rats
Authors: Heiduschka Peter , Fischer Dietmar , Thanos Solon
Published: December 2024

Purpose: Following optic nerve damage, retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) fail to regenerate their axons and soon undergo apoptosis. However, many RGCs survive axotomy and regenerate lengthy axons after a lens injury (LI). If the cut optic nerve is re-sutured, RGC axons grow into the distal part of the optic nerve and reach their natural targets within the thalamus and midbrain. In this study, we check time-dependence and extent of restoration of flash visual evoked potentials (FVEPs) to examine the functional relevance of the regenerated retinogeniculate pathway.

Methods: The optic nerve in adult rats was cut and re-sutured. The lens was injured transsclerally using a pointed glass capillary. FVEPs were measured starting at the time point of surgery, and then repeatedly up to an age of several months.

Results: Detectable FVEPs appeared approximately ten weeks after the surgery, and their amplitudes increased during the next months to reach eventually 15–40% of their values before surgery.

Conclusions: Partial restoration of FVEPs indicates that some regenerating RGC axons have "bridged" the distance between the eye and the central targets forming a functional re-connection of the corresponding RGC with thalamic target neurones to elicit recordable activation of the visual cortex
Lentiviral vector-mediated transduction of neural progenitor cells	before implantation into injured spinal cord and brain to detect their	migration, deliver neurotrophic factors and repair tissue
Authors: Blits Bas , Kitay Brandon M. , Farahvar Arash , Caperton Caroline V. , Dietrich W. Dalton , Bartlett Bunge Mary
Published: December 2024

Purpose: Stem cells represent an attractive source for cell replacement therapy in neurological disorders due to their self-renewal and multi-potency. Genetic manipulation of these cells may allow controlled release of therapeutic proteins, suppress immune rejection, or produce essential neurotransmitters. Furthermore, when the expression cassette is incorporated into the host genome ex vivo, this technique also may be used as a method to trace cells following implantation into tissues of interest. Methods: We explored the possibility of transducing pluripotent fetal rat cortical neural progenitor cells (NPCs) using lentiviral vectors encoding the green fluorescent protein (GFP) or neurotrophic factors (BDNF, CNTF, D15A, GDNF, MNT and NT-3) prior to implanting these cells into the contused spinal cord or injured brain. Results: In vitro staining of these cells for neural markers (such as nestin, GFAP, Tuj-1 and RIP) after transduction did not reveal any significant difference from non-transduced cells. When they were transduced with a vector encoding CNTF or MNT, however, cells started expressing GFAP in vitro. Following delayed (1 week) implantation into the lesion site of the moderately contused rat spinal cord or the injured brain, transduced cells survived up to 12 weeks post-implantation (the longest time point examined) and most of the NPCs turned into an astrocytic phenotype in the spinal cord, but not in the brain. Nestin and GFP positive cells were detected in the brain, but not in the spinal cord lesion. GFP positive cells in the spinal cord migrated rostrally and caudally from the lesion/implantation site towards uninjured tissue. Conclusions: Novel findings in this study are the longterm expression of a foreign gene in NPCs using lentiviral vectors; this enabled tracking of the cells following implantation. This expression also allowed the observation that NPCs developed differently in the injured spinal cord and brain. Moreover, NPCs could be transduced to overexpress neurotrophic factors. In sum, NPC survival and the long-term transgene expression that allows easy tracking of migrating cells make NPCs promising candidates for implantation into the injured spinal cord or brain and a potentially powerful tool to enhance regeneration when transduced ex vivo to produce therapeutic molecules.
The ability of physiological stimuli to generate the sympathetic	skin response in human chronic spinal cord injury
Authors: Nicotra Alessia , Catley Maria , Ellaway Peter H. , Mathias Christopher J.
Published: December 2024

Purpose. Sympathetic sudomotor function in chronic spinal cord injury (SCI) has been evaluated to determine if recording the sympathetic skin response (SSR) provides evidence of integrity of the spinal component of the sympathetic pathways.

Methods. Thirty subjects with chronic SCI and 15 healthy normal subjects were studied. The SSR was elicited using two physiological (auditory and inspiratory gasp) stimuli. In addition, electrical (median and peroneal nerve) stimulation was also performed. Recordings were made from palmar and plantar sites.

Results. Palmar and plantar SSRs could be readily elicited in all control subjects by all stimuli. In the majority of SCI subjects, the presence or absence of the SSR was related to the American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) impairment scale, which incorporates only motor and sensory assessments. The exceptions indicated preserved (or damaged) sympathetic spinal cord pathways.

Conclusions. We conclude that the SSR, using either physiological or electrical stimuli, may be a reliable, non-invasive method of determining integrity of sympathetic cholinergic pathways in SCI, with potential for monitoring the effects of intervention and spinal repair.
RAGE: A journey from the complications of diabetes to disorders of	the nervous system – striking a fine balance between injury and	repair
Authors: Rong Ling Ling , Gooch Clifton , Szabolcs Mattias , Herold Kevan C. , Lalla Evanthia , Hays Arthur P. , Yan Shi Fang , Yan Shirley Shi Du , Schmidt Ann Marie
Published: December 2024

The Receptor for Advanced Glycation End Products (RAGE) is a multiligand member of the immunoglobulin superfamily. RAGE interacts with AGEs, the products of nonenzymatic glycation/oxidation of proteins and lipids that accumulate in diverse settings, such as diabetes, inflammation, renal failure, pro-oxidant states and natural aging. In addition, RAGE is also a receptor for amyloid-β peptide and β-sheet fibril species. Recent studies underscore the premise that RAGE interacts with pro-inflammatory molecules, including S100/calgranulins and amphoterin, the latter also known as high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1). In chronic neurodegenerative disorders as well as in nerve tissue upon acute injury, evidence points to upregulation of both RAGE and these ligand families. In this review, we will discuss the implications of transient/self-limited upregulation of RAGE and its ligands, vs sustained/chronic upregulation of this axis in neurodegeneration vs repair in both the central and peripheral nervous systems. Experimental evidence supports the premise that RAGE bears both homeostatic and injurious properties in the nervous system, thereby highlighting "yin/yang" features of this receptor and its ligand families.
CONTENT OF RESEARCH ACTIVITIES FOR VOCATIONAL EDUCATION TEACHERS
Authors:   Ural Federal University named after the first President of Russia B.N. Yeltsin, Konovalov A. A. , Lyzhin A. I. ,   Uralmashzavod Training Center (Yekaterinburg)
Published: December 2024

Introduction. The active involvement of Russian college students in the process of creating and implementing innovative technological and social projects on the part of the state actualizes the issue of developing the research competencies of teachers themselves in the secondary vocational education system. The purpose of the article is to scientifically substantiate the content of the research activities of a vocational education teacher and to present a model of such activities, including all the necessary components.
Methodology and Methods. The theory of activity (A.N. Leontiev, S.L. Rubinstein) served as a basis for modeling the structure of the activity under consideration. The authors enhanced the theory with the specifics of the teachers’ research activity through the analysis of scientific publications on this topic. The research methods used are system analysis and synthesis, as well as modeling.
The results. The scientific novelty of the research is determined by the content of the structural model of the vocational education teacher’s research activity presented in the article, which includes five components: needs, motive, goal, operational actions, and result. The practical significance of the work is seen in setting the content of the research activity as a starting point and the possibility of determining vectors for designing content, forms, and other necessary conditions for the vocational education teachers’ research competency development in the course of their professional development.
A FinTech Clustering Framework: Technology, Model, and Stakeholder Perspectives
Authors: Poon Pak-Lok , Wibowo Santoso , Tang Sau-Fun
Published: December 2024

Nowadays, the global booming of FinTech can be seen everywhere. FinTech has created innovative disruptions to traditional, long-established financial institutions (e.g., banks and insurance companies) in financial services markets. Despite of its popularity, there are many different definitions of FinTech. This problem occurs because many existing studies only focus on a particular aspect of FinTech without a comprehensive and in-depth analysis. This problem will hinder further development and industrial application of FinTech. In view of this problem, we perform a narrative review involving over 100 relevant studies or reports, with a view to developing a FinTech clustering framework for providing a more comprehensive and holistic view of FinTech. Furthermore, we use an Indian FinTech firm to illustrate how to apply our clustering framework for analysis.
The Information Theory of Self-Organization Phenomena in Thermal Systems
Authors: Liu Hongzheng , Wu Zhiyue
Published: December 2024

This paper revisits Brownian motion from the perspective of Information Theory, aiming to explore the connections between Information Theory, Thermodynamics, and Complex Science. First, we propose a single-particle discrete Brownian motion model (SPBM). Within the framework of the maximum entropy principle and Bayesian inference, we demonstrate the equivalence of prior information and constraint conditions, revealing the relationship between local randomness and global probability distribution. By analyzing particle motion, we find that local constraints and randomness can lead to global probability distributions, thereby reflecting the interplay between local and global dynamics in the process of information transfer. Next, we extend our research to multi-particle systems, introducing the concepts of "Energy as Encoding" and "Information Temperature" to clarify how energy distribution determines information structure. We explore how energy, as not only a fundamental physical quantity in physical systems but also an inherently informational one, directly dictates the prior probability distribution of system states, thus serving as a form of information encoding. Based on this, we introduce the concept of "Equilibrium Flow" to explain the self-organizing behavior of systems under energy constraints and Negative Information Temperature. By proving three theorems regarding Equilibrium Flow systems, we reveal the criticality of Self-Organization, energy-information conversion efficiency, and the characteristic that event occurrence probabilities follow the Fermi-Dirac distribution. Through theoretical analysis and theorem proofs, we offer new perspectives for understanding the dynamics of Complex Systems, enriching the theoretical framework of Information Theory, Thermodynamics, and Complex Science, and providing a new theoretical basis for further research in related fields.
A Review of Grouper Fisheries Management in the Southeastern and Caribbean U.S.: Challenges, Successes, and Future Directions
Authors: Coffill-Rivera Manuel
Published: December 2024

Groupers (Epinephelidae) are ecologically important mesopredators that support valuable fisheries across the globe. Many groupers display slow growth and maturity, high longevity, ontogenetic habitat shifts, spawning-related migrations and aggregations, and protogynous hermaphroditism, which make them susceptible to overexploitation. In this review, I synthesize available information related to the management of grouper fisheries across the southeastern and Caribbean U.S. I highlight current management challenges, such as managing multispecies reef fish fisheries with growing recreational fishing effort. I discuss management interventions with limited success, such as establishing marine protected areas to increase the abundance of groupers that display protogynous hermaphroditism. I also highlight management successes, such as recovering historically depleted grouper stocks, and ecosystem-based considerations in grouper stock assessments. I discuss how climate change and anthropogenic effects are expected to affect groupers. Lastly, I provide examples of stakeholder involvement in monitoring and management efforts for grouper stocks. The purposes of this review are to demonstrate the complexities of managing grouper fisheries and provide a road map for future research and conservation efforts into these economically and ecologically relevant fishes within and beyond the region.
Criteria for a comprehensive assessment of youth's health and behavior according to the results of the questionnaire
Authors:   State Institution "O.M. Marzіeiev Institute for Public Health of the NAMSU", Antomonov M.Yu. , Pashynska S.L. ,   State Institution "O.M. Marzіeiev Institute for Public Health of the NAMSU", Skochko T.P. ,   State Institution "O.M. Marzіeiev Institute for Public Health of the NAMSU"
Published: December 2024

The purpose of the study was to develop criteria for a comprehensive assessment of health-forming behavior of young people based on lifestyle analysis and self-assessment of health.

Materials and methods. The source of the initial information was the survey data of young people aged 15 to 24 years old. The methods used are: theoretical (analysis and generalization of literary sources; empirical (questionnaire survey) and methods of mathematical statistics (correlation analysis, regression analysis, Student and Pearson test; data rescaling method).

Results. An analysis of the received questionnaire data was carried out regarding the state of health of young people and healthy lifestyle habits. The components and factors affecting the health-forming behavior of young people have been determined. The basis of the approach to the calculation of the criteria for comprehensive assessment of the state of health and behavior of young people is proposed. It has been proven that in order to maintain general health, it is necessary to do sports at least 2 times a week. The best effect will be with three times of training. It is recommended to stay in the air for at least two hours a day. Using the phone for more than six hours a day affects well-being, and using it for more than eight hours a day can lead to a noticeable deterioration in health. Working overtime at home for more than four hours is harmful to health. Working at a computer begins to harm at four hours of operation a day, and at six hours - health problems can be quite noticeable. Smoking even one cigarette a day can make you feel worse. Regular consumption of alcoholic beverages stronger than beer and wine on a weekly or daily basis will have negative consequences. The majority of respondents partially adhere to the diet, which is necessary to maintain general health.

Conclusions. The expediency of supplementing the assessment of the impact of any factors on health with an indicator characterizing the ratio of «negative» and «positive» components of this impact is shown. It has been proven that the lower threshold of well-being is at least a 10 percent excess of «healthy» habits over «unhealthy» ones, and an excess of almost twice as much contributes to a significant improvement in positive self-assessment of health.