bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Machine Learning in Predicting Alzheimer’s Disease: Exploring Applications and Advancements
Authors:   Department of CSE(DS) Vaagdevi Engineering College, Bollikunta, Warangal, Telangana,506005, India, Gangula Rekha , Thalla Dayakar ,   Assistant professor, Department Of CSE, Bollikunta, Warangal, Telangana,506005, India.
Published: July 2024

Alzheimer’s disease (AD), a predominant form of dementia that accounts for 60 to 70 percent of cases in the elderly population. AD significantly affects daily functioning, memory, cognition, and behaviour, presenting a substantial global health challenge with approximately 50 million dementia cases worldwide and an annual incidence of 10 million new cases. Using data from the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI) cohort, we conduct a systematic analysis of several machine learning models to predict genetic variance linked to Late-Onset Alzheimer’s Disease (LOAD). Our experimental results demonstrate that the most effective models achieve an impressive 72 percent area under the Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve in the evaluation of LOAD genetic risk. This highlights the promise of machine learning models as valuable tools for assessing the genetic susceptibility to LOAD. Furthermore, our exploration into the strategic selection of learning models unveils the potential for identifying novel genetic markers linked to the disease. This improves our ability to anticipate outcomes and advances our understanding of the fundamental processes behind Alzheimer’s disease. The findings presented herein contribute to the evolving field of precision medicine by offering insights into the application of machine learning in understanding and predicting the genetic factors associated with LOAD.
A New Approach to Computationally- Successful Linear and Polynomial Regression Analytics of Large Data in Medicine
Authors:   Professor, Department of CSE, Koneru Lakshmaah Education Foundation, Bowrampet, Hyderabad, Telangana, 500043, India, U Srilakshmi , J Manikandan ,   Assistant professor, Department of CSE, CMR Institute of Technology, Kandlakoya, Hyderabad, Telangana, 501401, India, Velagapudi Thanmayee ,   Students, Department of CSE, CMR Institute of Technology, Kandlakoya, Hyderabad, Telangana, 501401, India, Abhinav Gandla ,   Students, Department of CSE, CMR Institute of Technology, Kandlakoya, Hyderabad, Telangana, 501401, India, Kumar Tharun ,   Students, Department of CSE, CMR Institute of Technology, Kandlakoya, Hyderabad, Telangana, 501401, India, Dogiparthy Saideep ,   Students, Department of CSE, CMR Institute of Technology, Kandlakoya, Hyderabad, Telangana, 501401, India
Published: July 2024

In the realm of healthcare, predictive modeling stands as a pivotal tool for deciphering patient outcomes and refining medical decision-making processes. However, the accuracy of machine learning algorithms, which underpin these predictive models, often falls short, leading to erroneous predictions. This study offers a new approach to optimize linear and polynomial regression models for healthcare analytics, which aims to tackle this challenge. In contrast to earlier efforts, this method focuses on using a scaled-down data transformation to improve linear regression model performance. The main goal of this study is to reduce the sum of squared errors (SSE) and improve the predictive power of linear regression models by using a data transformation function to reduce the size of all variables. In a series of experiments, we used non-Bayesian statistics in SPSS and Matlab to generate 40 trials of linear regression models, with 1,000 observations in each trial. In addition, we used SPSS for regression analysis, Excel for data manipulation, Wilcoxon signed-rank tests, and Cronbach’s alpha statistics for optimization model performance evaluation.Our findings show that the suggested scale-down transformation method is effective, since the sum of squared errors is significantly reduced (absolute Z-score=5.511, effect size=0.779, p-value<0.001, Wilcoxon signed-rank test). Furthermore, the optimized model's robust internal consistency was confirmed by inter-item reliability testing (Cronbach's alpha=0.993)
Green Banking Implementation and Good Corporate Governance on Company Value In Banking Companies Listed On The Indonesian Stock Exchange
Authors: Dayanti Dayanti , Dewi Evy Veronica , Umah Rohmatul , Suripto Suripto
Published: July 2024

This research aims to determine the influence of the implementation of green banking and good corporate governance on firm value. The research method employed is quantitative. Data collection involves the use of documents, specifically annual reports published by the Indonesia Stock Exchange and the official websites of the companies. The study utilizes statistical calculations with the application of Eviews. Data is collected as secondary data from the Indonesia Stock Exchange website during the period 2019-2021. The purposive sampling technique is employed, resulting in a sample of 12 banking companies with a total of 36 samples throughout the study. The analysis method involves panel data regression, and the statistical tool used is Eviews 12. Based on the research findings, it is evident that green banking and good corporate governance jointly influence firm value. However, in partial terms, green banking significantly affects firm value, while good corporate governance, represented by X1 and X2, does not have a significant impact. On the other hand, X3 significantly influences firm value.
Du Pont System Analysis in Goods Consumption Companies Listed on The Indonesian Stock Exchange 2018-2022
Authors: Safitri Alia , Sulaksono Erika Dwi , Firmansyah Muhammad , Sunardi Nardi
Published: July 2024

This research aims to determine the financial performance of Consumer Goods companies listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange for the 2018-2022 period using Du Pont analysis. The results of this research show that the company PT Gudang Garam Tbk has an average value of 6.24% smaller than 8.23% categorized as performing less well, PT Indofood CBP Sukses Makmur Tbk average value of 8.61% is greater than 8.23% categorized as performing well, PT Kalbe Farma Tbk average value of 8.58% is greater than 8.23% categorized Good performance, PT Mayora Indah Tbk average value of 7.31% is smaller than 8.23% categorized as poor performance, PT Ultra Jaya Milk Industri Tbk average value of 10.41% is greater than 8.23% is categorized as performing Good. By using Du Pont system analysis on Consumer Goods companies listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange for the 2018-2022 period, an average value of 8.23% was obtained. This shows that overall financial performance is said to be good performing.
Preserving Heritage Buildings with Building Information Modelling: Addressing the Challenges and Opportunities
Authors: Idris Mohamad Lokman , Abdul Rahman Abdul Rahimi , Ishiyaku Bala , Alias Ahmad Rizal
Published: July 2024

Preserving heritage buildings presents unique challenges in building conservation, demanding a comprehensive understanding of issues and strategic measures for long-term sustainability. The aims of this paper is to analyze the interrelationships among these organizations. The paper utilizes Cronbach's alpha reliability test, normalized mean ranking, overlap analysis, Kruskal-Wallis test, and Spearman's rank correlation for systematic data analysis. The findings of this paper will provide practical insights for organizational practitioners in identifying critical challenges and opportunities when preserving heritage building with Building Information Modelling (BIM). The paper illuminates both similarities and differences in preservation difficulties and approaches among organizations, offering profound insights into sectoral connections within the construction industry. Beyond addressing critical problems in building maintenance, this document serves as a guide for organizations navigating and overcoming hurdles in conserving heritage structures. The research outcomes offer strategic insights, promoting the development of a post-project maintenance-oriented culture. Ultimately, this contributes to enhancing the durability, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness of cultural structures in both public and private sectors.
Capsule endoscopy in Kazakhstan: a multicenter clinical experience
Authors: Sohn Sang Jun , Batyrbekov Kanat , Galiakbarova Ainura , Yerdaliyeva Laura , Kaibullayeva Jamilya , Ju Jeongwoo , Lee Haejin , Lee Yeoun Joo
Published: July 2024

Background: By analyzing small bowel capsule endoscopy (SBCE) performed in two large hospitals in Kazakhstan, we aimed to explore the characteristics of patients representative of Central Asia and the technical characteristics of SBCE.Methods: SBCE cases were retrospectively analyzed. A descriptive analysis was conducted on the patients’ demographic data, diagnosis, and clinical symptoms. The results of SBCE, such as the lesions found, transit time and retention rate in the stomach and small bowel, and bowel visualization quality, were analyzed. Complications related to SBCE were investigated.Results: SBCE was performed in 123 patients. Abdominal pain (81.3%) and chronic diarrhea (66.7%) were the most common symptoms, followed by weight loss (25.2%) and gastrointestinal bleeding (15.4%). The most common disease was Crohn’s disease (52.0%). Definite lesions, such as ulcers, polyps, and bleeding, were identified in 55.3% of patients. SBCE was successfully completed in all cases except for 11 (9.1%). The average small bowel transit time was 4 hours and 28 minutes. Excellent visualization (>75% of mucosa) was reported in 82.5% of patients. No patients experienced complications.Conclusions: SBCE performed in Kazakhstan showed a high diagnostic yield with high-quality patient selection and no complications.
From Norms Taker to Norms Breaker: A Comparative Study of Turkey’s Nuclear Discourses before and after the Ostensible Coup of 2016
Authors: Tzinieris Sarah , Homan Zenobia , Boke Cem , Javed Amna
Published: July 2024

This article offers an analysis of public statements made by Turkish government leaders, contrasting official attitudes on nuclear nonproliferation before and after the alleged military coup attempt in 2016. Significant developments in this period include deteriorating democracy and the rule of law in Turkey and the emergence of destabilizing foreign policy differences between Turkey and Western states. President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan also sought to consolidate domestic power and play a more assertive security role in the Middle East. This analysis of official statements reveals a distinct shift in Turkey’s nonproliferation rhetoric after the 2016 coup. In particular, Turkish government ministers have grown increasingly critical of a perceived double standard in international nonproliferation efforts; they have also called for global nuclear disarmament despite hosting US nuclear weapons on Turkish soil. Changes in Turkey’s commitment to global norms about nuclear nonproliferation, even where this is rhetorical, have a profound effect on the potential for regional proliferation in the Middle East. Accordingly, this article contextualizes official statements to explore Turkey’s shifting policy toward nonproliferation and, in doing so, examines how and why nonproliferation discourses in Turkey are created and whether or not these reflect real policy change.
Design and Development of a Radiation Survey and Rescue Robot with Shielding of Electronic Equipment from Radiation Damage with Image Radiation Mapping Facility Authors
Authors: Muktadir Sifatul , Hassan Nazmul , Siddique Saimon , Nur Dewan , Hossain Altab , Chowdhury Ahnaf
Published: July 2024

The use of remote-controlled robots in emergency fields is a necessary requirement at present, which includes the nuclear engineering field because the radioactive environment creates adverse effects on human health. This work describes the development of a remotely controlled rover capable of detecting ionizing radiation, isolating radiation sources using a robotic arm, and sufficient shielding for its internal components. A custom-made Geiger–Muller counter has been used to detect ionizing radiation. The radioactive environment is not only harmful for humans but also can cause severe damage to the electronic circuit mounted on the robot. Therefore, a custom concrete material sandwiched between lead sheets has been employed to shield internal electronic components. The rover is connected to a web application to visualize data such as background radiation, location, and surveillance; thus, the operator can perform their actions from a remote and safe location by using Internet of Things devices. The rover is expected to be used in nuclear facilities to monitor background radiation data and help workers to minimize exposure from unshielded radiation sources. Other than this use, in case of emergency, the rover can find the radiation source in a highly radioactive environment, pick it up using its arm, and isolate it by putting it on the shielded box mounted over the rover. In a nuclear medicine facility, the rover can handle radiation sources and reduce unwanted exposure to occupational exposure groups.
A Review and Analysis of Nuclear Hydrogen Production in Generation IV Reactors
Authors: Ayon Arijit , Alif Ashiqur , Nasim A.S.M
Published: July 2024

Hydrogen is becoming increasingly vital as a chemical element in the progress of human civilization. Hydrogen finds application in the creation of ammonia, the manufacturing of nitrogen-based fertilizers, and a wide range of organic compounds, including methanol and propulsion fuel for space exploration missions. Additionally, there are ongoing experiments in the automotive industry to harness hydrogen-based fuel cells as an alternative power source. In modern technology, multiple methods and strategies for hydrogen production originate from diverse sources, such as fossil fuels, renewable energy, nuclear energy, and more. Generation IV nuclear reactors significantly affect the production of hydrogen. These reactors operate at elevated temperatures, and at these temperatures, heat transfer processes are more efficient for producing significant quantities of hydrogen. Within the realm of hydrogen production, both thermochemical and electrolysis (hybrid) techniques offer promising potential, particularly when integrated with Generation IV nuclear power reactors. This study undertakes a comparative analysis of various nuclear Generation IV reactor types concerning their capacity for substantial hydrogen production techniques while also exploring potential adaptations.
Rodzaje oraz wymiar kar orzekanych przez sądy wobec skazywanych kobiet w latach 1977-1980
Authors: Janina Błachut
Published: July 2024

The general picture of sentences pronounced by the courts is affected by the visible differences in the structure of offences comitted by men and women.           Prison sentences (the decisive factor in severity of sentence) are less frequently imposed on women. This is not the case, however, with regard to all offences. There are also situations where prison sentences are imposed more often on women than on men. Equally frequently, and sometimes even more often, women are sentenced to longer terms of imprisonment, that is, to terms of morethan three years.           Suspended prison sentences are commoner among women than among men. But this is not the predominant type of sentence in all types of crime. For sometimes it is less frequent than limitation of liberty, and fines. In cases of suspended prison sentences, women are more likely than men to get sentences of less than a year's duration.             Women are more likely than men to receive sentences consisting of a fine plus imprisonment. This is a consequence of the kind of offence they commit. Generally the fine is in the order of from 5,000 to 10,000 zlotys. The lowest fines are imposed on women more often than on men.            The lowest sentences of limitation of liberty are imposed more often on women than on men. In both groups, the sentences range mostly from six months to a year. True, there are certain types of crime where maximum prison sentences are imposed on women more often than on men, but generally speaking the opposite is usually the case.           Women, rather  than men, are more likely to be given the lowest fines (imposed as independent penalties); more rarely, with the exception of a few types of ,crime, are they given the heaviest fines.          It should be noted that as regards crimes against the family and the care of children (Art. 184, Art. 186), severer penalties are imposed against women, They are more frequently given higher fines along with terms of imprisonment, and also longer sentences of limitation of liberty.        Greater leniency in the sentences imposed on women (a trend mentioned in many criminological studies) is indicated by the higher frequency of sentences that do not include imprisonment, although this trend as regards leniency is not always borne out by the severity of the sentences imposed.
Prostytucja w Polsce
Authors: Michał Fajst
Published: July 2024

In 1952 Poland ratified the Convention for the Suppression of the Traffic in Persons and of the Exploitation of the Prostitution of Others that abolished the criminalisation of the prostitution. But the same Polish authorities decided to continue their former policy using administrative and quasi-judicial institutions. Was it a way to control women or to control the whole society?
Psychospołeczne czynniki wpływające na efektywność pracy sędziów wydziałów rodzinnych i nieletnich
Authors: Robert Opora
Published: July 2024

The paper concerns personal and environmental factors influencing the effectiveness of the juvenile justice system. The survey was based on the Polish juvenile justice system, but it concerns the European standards of the treatment of juvenile delinquency. The author also presents the problem in terms of community service which is very closely related to the juvenile justice system in Poland. The causal factor was presented in a graph, which is called the Ishikawa and Pareto graph, a graph of reasons and effects. The survey included 148 Polish juvenile court judges. The results of the research could be useful for improving the Polish juvenile justice system and probably some of the issues could be extrapolated to other country juvenile justice systems.
Rozmiary i uwarunkowania lęku przed przestępczością
Authors: Paweł Ostaszewski
Published: July 2024

Criminological analyses of fear of crime conducted to date have lead to formulating many various ways of defining this phenomenon and to concepts explaining its intensity and diversity. This article assumes that the most effective definition (by Sandra Walklate) is that fear of crime is partly rational and partly irrational state of anxiety or fear caused by belief that the individual is at risk of becoming a crime victim. Basic hypotheses regarding factors influencing level of fear concern such aspects as: victimization experiences and objective crime risk level; socio-demographic characteristics of individuals and psychological features which define their sensitivity to dangers and risks, features of environment where an individual lives, and in particular manifestations of social disorganization, size of local population, and presence of social ties, mutual trust, common goals and values among local residents; actions of persecution organs and the justice system and their social perception; macro-social factors (such as quality of social security) as well as media reports and politicians’ actions. Multi-dimensional models of fear of crime constructed by researchers integrate these hypotheses into complex system which offer much more explaining power and possibility of presentation of relations between particular variables in question. The conducted research presented in the article aimed to present the level of crime fear perceived in Poland and other European countries as well as to find social, demographic, and macro-social factors conditioning that fear. The research was based on secondary data analysis from several editions of International Victimisation Studies, Polish Crime Study, and last issue of European Social Survey. Analysis of the crime level in Poland revealed there has been a definite, almost twofold, decrease of percentage of persons declaring such fear during the past 20 years. In the beginning of 21st century, Poles perceived above-European average fear of crime. In 2010 it was lower than in most European countries. As a result of conducted two-dimensional analyses, it was established that crucial factors influencing perceived lack of security contributed to the following hypotheses: victimization, sensitivity to risks, disorganization and urbanization and those focusing on the action of prosecution and macro-social characteristics of inhabited locations. Used techniques of classification tree allowed for initial examination of joint influence of particular independent and dependent variables as well as for separation of many interesting groups of respondents regarding frequency of occurrence of fear of crime. Above-average fear of crime was characteristic of women from middle-sized and big cities who had been victims of crime against property and of men who had been victims of crime against property or as-sault and lived in areas where unemployment was below average.
O handlu ludźmi w Polsce, czyli o ewolucji zjawiska i budowie systemu jego eliminowania
Authors: Zbigniew Lasocik
Published: July 2024

The thesis of this work is as follows: human trafficking is particularly detrimental as it harms the foundations of modern civilization. It is a phenomenon which appeared in Poland 20 years ago and is still present. What is more, one can see its significant expansion in all possible dimensions. The character of this crime is changing, less and less frequently this is a criminal activity of organized crime groups (mafia gangs), more and more frequently it is a well-organised activity of criminal groups organized ad hoc. New forms of enslavement and abuse appear while physical abuse, relatively easier to detect, plays less and less important role. The change includes also the scale of the problem, measured by the number of criminal cases or the number of reported victims, and to be clear the numbers do not decrease, they increase. The evolution spoken of here includes also such issues as origin of the victims and their sociodemographic profile (here the direction of development is also clear, the victims come from all countries and continents and they are more and more diverisified). Polish law has been changing for many years but it is hard to admit the law is fully adequate to the needs and the scale of the problem. The practice of action of many public institutions changes. Efforts to eliminate human trafficking have been made for years, without effects though. The system to eliminate human trafficking, which has been built for 15 years in Poland, has stable legal and institutional basis, yet lack of political will and decisive organization actions causes the system to lack effectiveness and flexibility necessary in a confrontation with such a dangerous phenomenon as human trafficking is. A reliable description of human trafficking is hard in any place and at any time. In such countries as Poland, it is particularly hard for several reasons. Most of all because it is a phenomenon well-hidden behind many facades of fully legal activities, it is also a rich in content, diverse, and ever changing phenomenon. It is still valid that what we know of human trafficking is merely a tip of the iceberg. We know little about it also because Poland has been a member of EU which makes it an attractive destination for foreigners who either seek their opportunities here or move to other EU countries using the freedom of movement. One of prominent features of evoulution of human trafficking in Poland is a Shift from the country of origin to transit country and to destination one. Political and economic changes of the early 1990s combined with temporary decrease in police effectiveness resulted in increase in crime. Also the serious one, organized crime. This is when human trafficking ap-peared in Poland. In the beginning, activity of criminal groups concentrated on recruitment of Polish women to sex businesses in Western Europe.
Płeć a przestępczość. O problemie dysproporcji płci wśród sprawców przestępstw z użyciem przemocy
Authors: Magdalena Grzyb  , Ewa Habzda-Siwek
Published: July 2024

Gender gap in crime, that is the claim that women tend to commit less crimes than men, has been the subject of criminological research for years. The gender gap is found throughout the world, not excluding Poland. Scholars dealing with the issue mainly focus on two aspects of the problem. First, they try to find out why women commit fewer crimes than men, which means the very gender gap is their key concern. Second, they try to clarify and interpret any potential changes in this disproportion observed over time; in particular this relates to the narrowing of the gap that can be noted in the official statistics (especially in the US) over the last decades. Based on publicly available police statistics for the years 1992 – 2011 on persons suspected of: murder (Article 148 Penal Code), bodily injury or harm to the bodily functions or severe health disturbance (Articles 156 and 157 Penal Code), brawling or assault (Articles 158 and 159 Penal Code) and the so-called aggravated crimes (Articles 280, 281 and 282 Penal Code), the authors decided to identify the size of the gap between offending men and women involved in chosen violent crimes in Poland and to check if the difference changes over time. The main focus was devoted to finding out if the gender gap in selected types of crimes in Poland is changing (narrowing), as it is the case in the western countries. Some results of previous research, conducted mostly in the US, show that the disproportion has been shrinking over the last several decades. Two hypotheses are offered by researches to explain the trend. The first one, referred to as the Behaviour Change Hypothesis emphasises the fact that over the last few decades women have become more socially active and they are becoming more similar to men in their behaviour, which leads to increased readiness to display aggressive behaviours, and this is reflected in criminal records. The hypothesis could illustrate the actual changes in women behaviour and evolution of gender roles. According to the other hypothesis, the Policy Change Hypothesis, the observed change does not stem from the fact that male behaviour patterns are adopted by women, but can rather from the changing percep-tion of violence and greater pressure on law enforcement bodies to prosecute every, even the most minuscule acts of violence, regardless of the age or sex of the perpetrator. The analysis of data on Poland was preceded with a short review of the contemporary criminological concepts concerning gender and offending, with the aim to investigate their potential in explaining the qualitative and quantitative differences in criminal activity of men and women. The authors devoted special attention to: the T. Hirschi's control theory, J. Ha-gan's theory of control-power, the general strain theory by R. Agnew (including the concept of L. Broidy and R.
Prawo penitencjarne na tle innych gałęzi prawa i wybranych problemów polityki karnej i penitencjarnej
Authors: Paulina Wiktorska
Published: July 2024

The article consists of two parts. The first systematises definitions of penitentiary law and presents relations between penitentiary law and other branches of law and fields of science. The voices in discussion on penitentiary law sometimes differ, even in such basic issues as the scope of the very term. This sometimes gives rise to difficulties in qualifying particular provisions to a particular branch of law and causes doubts which rules to apply to particular institutions. Relations between penitentiary law and executive penal law, procedural law, penitentiary science and penal and penitentiary policies are discussed. The second part of the article discusses selected problems of current penal policy related most of all to the use of imprisonment sentence. Between penitentiary law and penitentiary policy or, more broadly speaking, penal policy there are obvious relations. On one hand, this policy is shaped on the basis of the letter of law, on the other hand, based on collected experience, it forces changes in law which fails to respond to actual challenges. Sometimes penitentiary policy, and even mere penitentiary practice, influences provisions of penal law, including penitentiary law, directly. It also happens that law and penitentiary policy (or penal one) fail to meet as far as their goals and assumptions are concerned. It seems it is so in the case of imprisonment, which often looks different in penitentiary law provisions and in statistics resulting from employment of penal and penitentiary policy. The basic paradox consists in that, in spite of observed decrease in crime levels , penitentiary system becomes more and more inefficient. Poland has one of the highest prisonisation indices in Europe and constantly growing number of persons sentenced by the courts and waiting for imprisonment sentence to be executed .The waiting line for imprisonment is approaching the number of the imprisoned. This may be due to a several reasons. Firstly, since the beginning of 1990s there has been a steady increase in the shortest imprisonment sentences (of up to 6 months) which were often administered to those guilty of driving a vehicle under alcohol influence. Secondly, Polish prisons are places where a significant number of imprisonments due to probation violations are served – which shows the weakness in execution of alternatives to incarceration. Another problem is cancellation of suspended sentences. The criminal code provided for two ways a suspended sentence can be cancelled, facultative and obligatory. The latter raised serious doubts and was questioned by the Constitutional Tribunal in its decree of 17.07.2013 r., file no. SK 9/10 (as published in the Journal of Laws as item 905).
Dylematy pracy penitencjarnej z więźniami odbywającymi skrajnie długie kary pozbawienia wolności
Authors: Piotr Stępniak
Published: July 2024

This article focuses on the dilemmas of working in prisons with people serving the two most severe sentences, viz. 25 years imprisonment and life imprisonment. The author examines this from two angles. The first concerns the doctrinal and theoretical controversies surrounding the aims and purposes of serving long sentences. The author reviews the most prominent viewpoints in this area while pointing out the associated problems and dilemmas. The second is an attempt to relate the theoretical controversies surrounding the aims and purposes of the long prison sentences to the realities of prison practice, based as it is on three uniform systems of executing prison sentences, viz. standard (1 month to 15 years), 25 years and life. The author reports the results of his empirical research in this area. The author devotes special attention to the dilemmas that arise when a prisoner serving a very long sentence participates in a program of planned activities, some of which are ethical in nature. He keeps this in mind when attempting to evaluate prison practice. The fundamental question he poses should prompt a debate on the adequacy of this use of the rehabilitation model of executing a prison sentence and its consistency with the aims and purposes of this type of punishment, generally considered to be the best and most versatile. The author takes up the debate and examines the essence and the arguments of the controversy surrounding the purposes of long prison sentences. He considers which of the aims and purposes that appear in the prison literature are suitable for use in executing these sentences. The author consequently questions the purpose and moral acceptability of correctional activities. He points out that the main purpose of long sentences is to remove prisoners from society, which is difficult to reconcile with their corrective and rehabilitative functions. This illustrates the ethical ambiguity of correctional measures. The author later discusses the results of his own empirical studies, undertaken from this theoretical perspective. These focused on the following: 1. working with prisoners serving very long sentences in practice, and in particular, the sentencing regimen to which they are subjected; 2. the tasks and goals that prison staff set themselves in this connection; 3. whether and to what extent the designated ethical dilemmas are recognised in day-to-day prison work. This study comprised a diagnostic survey (a questionnaire and structured interviews), indirect observation (examining prison documents e.g. the personal files of prisoners serving very long sentences, prison work programs, prison regulations etc.). The questionnaire was completed by 71 prisoners serving the most severe sentences, including 15 life prisoners. Sixty two questionnaires were suitable for compilation. More than 5 interviews were conducted with life prisoners and 11 were conducted with prisoners serving 25-year sentences.
Zasady legalizacji pobytu cudzoziemców i struktura cudzoziemców w Polsce
Authors: Mieczysława Zdanowicz
Published: July 2024

The status of foreign nationals residing in the Republic of Poland is far from uniform. Individuals seeking refuge, to whom assistance should be offered in pursuance of international obligations or nationwide legislation, make up an unique group in many respects. As of May 1, 2015, foreign nationals on the Polish territory are eligible for the following forms of statutory protection: 1) refugee status, 2) subsidiary protection, 3) political asylum, or 4) temporary protection. Yet another privileged group of foreign nationals comprises all individuals benefiting from the freedom of movement of persons within the European Union. The rules applicable to the citizens of EU Member States who reside in Poland, as well as to members of their families, are subject to regulations originating in two legal systems, namely the national legislation and that adopted by the European Union. The EU Directive 2004/38/EC was transposed into the Polish legal system through an act of parliament of 2006. The rules of residence pertaining to EU citizens and members of their families vary, depending on the length of stay: 3 months, over 3 months, and permanent residence. In view of the actual length of residence of an EU citizen (a third-country national) in Poland, the formal requirements regarding the legalization of stay, vary. By far the least formalized approach applies to a foreigner intending to stay in Poland up to 3 months, whereas a stay of over 3 months requires a temporary residence permit. Apart from that, there is still an option of obtaining a permanent residence permit, and a long-term EU residence permit. Low-level cross-border traffic is a legal instrument meant to facilitate cross-border co-operation of local communities with the visa regime between the two neighbouring countries still in place. It makes crossing the border considerably easier in terms of the formalities actually entailed, while tangibly assisting in the development of cooperation between the neighbouring communities in the domain of culture, family relations, social interaction, etc. The total number of foreign nationals residing in Poland is relatively small. The group is well diversified in terms of individual status and the actual length of stay. Out of the group of persons clearly intending to enjoy the benefits offered by an internationally warranted protection status in Poland, a higher proportion satisfies the requirements for a subsidiary protection rather than the bona fide refugee status. EU citizens residing in Poland constitute a varied group with respect to their actual length of stay. By far, the most numerous is the group staying for up to 3 months. In the remaining group of foreign nationals, there are ones who have received a temporary residence permit. Much smaller is the number of persons who have received a permanent residence permit and a long-term EU residence permit. The opportunity to engage in low-level cross-border traffic is highly appreciated by the local communities.
Przestępczość w Krakowie w latach 2016–2017. Analiza przestrzenna
Authors: Jan Bazyli Klakla  , Ewa Radomska  , Katarzyna Struzińska  , Michalina Szafrańska
Published: July 2024

Celem artykułu jest zaprezentowanie ogólnych tendencji w przestrzennym zróżnicowaniu przestępczości w Krakowie w latach 2016–2017. Zostały one zrekonstruowane na podstawie przeprowadzonej z wykorzystaniem cyfrowej mapy zagrożeń analizy rozmieszczenia przestrzennego badanych zdarzeń oraz analizy nagromadzenia hot spot. Przestrzenna charakterystyka przestępczości sporządzona została w odniesieniu do ogółu przestępstw oraz do wybranych kategorii przestępstw. Analizy uzupełniono o wpływ zmiennej czasu – uwzględniono kategorie: roku popełnienia przestępstwa, pory roku i pory dnia.
Przestępstwo zgwałcenia w Polsce w latach 1999–2017
Authors: Jan Widacki  , Anna Szuba-Boroń
Published: July 2024

Na przestrzeni lat zmieniały się prawnokarne regulacje dotyczące przestępstwa zgwałcenia, przede wszystkim jednak widoczny jest proces przeobrażania kontekstu kulturowego. W pierwszych dekadach XX w. jako dowodu zgwałcenia wymagano śladów przemocy, obrażeń na ciele ofiary. Lata 70. XX w. ukazały już zupełnie inny obraz społeczny tego zjawiska, ujawniając w strukturze zgwałceń przeważający udział tzw. zgwałceń randkowych. Uwarunkowania kulturowe odgrywają kluczową rolę w procesie uznania zachowania za gwałt. W świetle danych statystycznych można również postawić tezę, że zmiana trybu ścigania przestępstwa zgwałcenia nie wpłynęła ani na wzrost stwierdzonych przestępstw zgwałcenia, ani na zmniejszenie ciemnej liczby gwałtów.
The prison chaplain as a part of penitentiary care? Transformation of the Czech prison system after the fall of communism: Opieka duszpasterska jako część opieki penitencjarnej? Przemiany czeskiego systemu więziennego po upadku komunizmu
Authors: Jan Váně  , Lukáš Dirga
Published: July 2024

The prison system in the Czech Republic has been carrying out a reform process since the end of the communist regime, and has gone through more than 30 years transformation, based on an effort to become a modern European correctional system. Part of this change is the transformation of pastoral care, which is presented as one of the key pillars of penitentiary (and also post-penitentiary) care in the Czech Republic. This text is focused on the historically changing role of prison chaplains in the process of release preparation and rehabilitation of inmates in Czech post-communist prisons. Our aim is to compare official declarations, which are reproduced in written documents, with everyday practice from the perspectives of three different groups of prison world participants. This study is based on ethnographic research conducted in Czech male prisons. The data corpus includes qualitative interviews with selected actors of the prison world (prison chaplains, inmates, and representatives of prison management), material gathered through observations inside prisons, and an analysis of the documentation on the Czech penitentiary system. We found out that prison chaplains have become an integral part of the Czech prison world, but their position is still specific in comparison with the rest of prison staff. In our study, we will focus on the historical evolution of the position of prison chaplains within the organizational structure of prisons, specifics of their work with inmates, and interactions with other prison actors.
Penal Policy in the Russian Federation. Trends and Perspectives: Polityka karna w Federacji Rosyjskiej. Trendy i perspektywy
Authors: Milana Salmanovna Dikaeva
Published: July 2024

For many years the Russian Federation has had one of the highest numbers of people incarcerated in penal institutions (per 100,000 population). As of 1 January 2020, there were 523,928 people in prison. An analysis of the legislation and the practice of its application reveals that the main trend of modern Russian penal policy is for stricter penalties, longer prison terms, and inefficient use of alternative punishments. The ongoing trend of humanising and liberalising criminal justice remains virtually invisible and suppressed by a repressive bias, which ultimately prevents it from significantly influencing the overall direction of state policy in this area.
Debt bondage in human trafficking: US agriculture and Thailand fisheries primed for labour exploitation: Związanie długiem w handlu ludźmi. Wykorzystanie do pracy na przykładzie amerykańskiego rolnictwa i tajskiego rybołówstwa
Authors: Sudarat Musikawong  , Panida Rzonca
Published: July 2024

There is a need for a transnational framework that would redefine labour trafficking in terms of debt bondage and challenge the privileges of legal contracts at the expense of migrant workers’ human and labour rights. We argue that anti-trafficking legislation in the US and Thailand is expansive in definition, but its application is too restrictive to deliver justice to the victims. The debt-labour industry easily becomes a form of transnational labour trafficking. We examine Thailand as an origin and destination country for labour trafficking through two cases involving the US and Thailand though a Marxist and liberal analysis that considers critical race theory. The limitations in which these cases could not achieve full justice represent the challenges for transnational labour rights for noncitizen migrant workers. We examine the Global Horizons agricultural labour case, 2002–2012, and Thailand’s fishing sector, which led to its Tier 3 ranking in the 2014 Trafficking in Persons Report. This report was used in international campaigns to pressurise corporate industries and retailers to change their code of conduct, necessitating considerations of the effectiveness of supply chain responsibility.
RAG1 and RAG2 non-core regions are implicated in leukemogenesis and off-target V(D)J recombination in BCR-ABL1-driven B-cell lineage lymphoblastic leukemia
Authors: Yu Xiaozhuo , Zhou Wen , Chen Xiaodong , He Shunyu , Qin Mengting , Yuan Meng , Wang Yang , Odhiambo Woodvine Otieno , Miao Yinsha , Ji Yanhong
Published: July 2024

The evolutionary conservation of non-core RAG regions suggests significant roles that might involve quantitative or qualitative alterations in RAG activity. Off-target V(D)J recombination contributes to lymphomagenesis and is exacerbated by RAG2’ C-terminus absence in Tp53−/− mice thymic lymphomas. However, the genomic stability effects of non-core regions from both Rag1c/c and Rag2c/c in BCR-ABL1+ B-lymphoblastic leukemia (BCR-ABL1+ B-ALL), the characteristics, and mechanisms of non-core regions in suppressing off-target V(D)J recombination remain unclear. Here, we established three mouse models of BCR-ABL1+ B-ALL in mice expressing full-length RAG (Ragf/f), core RAG1 (Rag1c/c), and core RAG2 (Rag2c/c). The Ragc/c (Rag1c/c and Rag2c/c) leukemia cells exhibited greater malignant tumor characteristics compared to Ragf/f cells. Additionally, Ragc/c cells showed higher frequency of off-target V(D)J recombination and oncogenic mutations than Ragf/f. We also revealed decreased RAG cleavage accuracy in Ragc/c cells and a smaller recombinant size in Rag1c/c cells, which could potentially exacerbate off-target V(D)J recombination in Ragc/c cells. In conclusion, these findings indicate that the non-core RAG regions, particularly the non-core region of RAG1, play a significant role in preserving V(D)J recombination precision and genomic stability in BCR-ABL1+ B-ALL.
SPAG7 deletion causes intrauterine growth restriction, resulting in adulthood obesity and metabolic dysfunction
Authors: Flaherty Stephen E , Bezy Olivier , Paulhus Brianna LaCarubba , Song LouJin , Piper Mary , Pang Jincheng , Park Yoson , Asano Shoh , Lien Yu-Chin , Griffin John D , Robertson Andrew , Opsahl Alan , Shanthappa Dinesh Hirenallur , Ahn Youngwook , Pashos Evanthia , Simmons Rebecca A , Birnbaum Morris J , Wu Zhidan
Published: July 2024

From a forward mutagenetic screen to discover mutations associated with obesity, we identified mutations in the Spag7 gene linked to metabolic dysfunction in mice. Here, we show that SPAG7 KO mice are born smaller and develop obesity and glucose intolerance in adulthood. This obesity does not stem from hyperphagia, but a decrease in energy expenditure. The KO animals also display reduced exercise tolerance and muscle function due to impaired mitochondrial function. Furthermore, SPAG7-deficiency in developing embryos leads to intrauterine growth restriction, brought on by placental insufficiency, likely due to abnormal development of the placental junctional zone. This insufficiency leads to loss of SPAG7-deficient fetuses in utero and reduced birth weights of those that survive. We hypothesize that a ‘thrifty phenotype’ is ingrained in SPAG7 KO animals during development that leads to adult obesity. Collectively, these results indicate that SPAG7 is essential for embryonic development and energy homeostasis later in life.
The transcriptional landscape underlying larval development and metamorphosis in the Malabar grouper (Epinephelus malabaricus)
Authors: Huerlimann Roger , Roux Natacha , Maeda Ken , Pilieva Polina , Miura Saori , Chen Hsiaochian , Izumiyama Michael , Laudet Vincent , Ravasi Timothy
Published: July 2024

Most teleost fishes exhibit a biphasic life history with a larval oceanic phase that is transformed into morphologically and physiologically different demersal, benthic or pelagic juveniles. This process of transformation is characterized by a myriad of hormone induced changes, during the often abrupt transition between larval and juvenile phases called metamorphosis. Thyroid hormones (TH) are known to be instrumental for triggering and coordinating this transformation but other hormonal systems such as corticoids, might be also involved as it is the case in amphibians. In order to investigate the potential involvement of these two hormonal pathways in marine fish post-embryonic development, we used the Malabar grouper (
Epinephelus malabaricus
) as a model system. We assembled a chromosome-scale genome sequence and conducted a transcriptomic analysis of nine larval developmental stages. We studied the expression patterns of genes involved in TH and corticoid pathways, as well as four biological processes known to be regulated by TH in other teleost species: ossification, pigmentation, visual perception, and metabolism. Surprisingly, we observed an activation of many of the same pathways involved in metamorphosis also at an early stage of the larval development, suggesting an additional implication of these pathways in the formation of early larval features. Overall, our data brings new evidence to the controversial interplay between corticoids and thyroid hormones during metamorphosis as well as, surprisingly, during the early larval development. Further experiments will be needed to investigate the precise role of both pathways during these two distinct periods and whether an early activation of both corticoid and thyroid hormone pathways occur in other teleost species.