bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Uncovering the onset and progression of ferroptosis via live-cell imaging
Authors: Cosa Gonzalo , Xu Laiyi , Zhang Wenzhou , McCain Julia , Lovell Terri
Published: October 2024

Ferroptosis is a form of non-apoptotic cell death involving formation of lipid peroxyl radicals with potential therapeutic applications. Intracellularly, sensitivity to ferroptosis is expected to differ based on the distribution of enzymes, metabolites, small molecule regulators and inducers. However, spatial-temporal information, necessary to understand the intricacies of subcellular membranes in ferroptosis, is currently missing. Here we designed organelle-targeting, lipophilic fluorogenic lipid peroxyl radical probes—radical trapping antioxidants (fluorogenic RTAs)—to monitor real-time the onset and progression of lipid peroxidation in ferroptosis. Working with HT-1080 cells and the canonical ferroptosis inducer RSL3, imaging peroxyl radicals, while simultaneously monitoring cell rounding and membrane permeability, indicate that lipid peroxyl radical production is characterized by an initial—organelle and RSL3 concentration dependent—induction or runaway period. This period is followed by a steady generation of lipid peroxyl radicals. The onset of lipid peroxidation occurs faster in the ER region than in the other organelles, yet the steady rate of progression is similar in all subcellular membranes explored. Here the ER- and lysosomes-embedding RTAs, and to a lesser extent the mitochondria, are more effective in protecting from cell rounding/death, compared to the PM-embedding RTA. This indicates that antioxidant protection, while vital at the internal membranes, plays a minor role at the PM. High-resolution single-cell imaging and colocalization studies show for the ER-embedding RTA, lipid hydroperoxide generation and/or accumulation initially in structures adjacent to the Golgi apparatus resembling the ER-Golgi intermediate compartment (ERGIC), followed by their late transport through the endomembrane system to plasma membrane. These results suggest Golgi-associated vesicles are initially acting as reservoirs of newly peroxidized lipids, which subsequently spread to other organelles effectively acting as “free radical embers.” In addition, single-cell imaging with the mitochondria, lysosomes, or PM-targeting RTA revealed that oxidized lipids are trafficked unidirectionally from internal membranes to plasma membrane, making the latter the ultimate sink for oxidized lipids. Lethal internal membrane damage occurs early in ferroptosis, where plasma membrane protection to lipid peroxidation shows little impact in overall cell survival. These results underscore Golgi-associated structures as the key organelle involved in accumulating lipid hydroperoxides early in ferroptosis, providing a putative target to regulate ferroptosis progression. The work further positions fluorogenic RTAs as valuable tools for unravelling the dynamic, subcellular progression of ferroptotic cell death for different cell lines and ferroptosis inhibitors and inducers.
Activation of cuproptosis amplifies immunogenic cell death for anti-tumor immunotherapy in gastric cancer
Authors: Song Qiuya , Zhou Yun , Li Mengting , Shi Ce , Pei Dongsheng
Published: October 2024

Cuproptosis is a novel form of cell death mediated by protein lipid acylation and highly related to mitochondrial metabolism. Copper directly binds to the fatty acylation component of the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle, resulting in toxic protein stress and ultimately leading to cell death. Immunogenic cell death (ICD) can effectively enhance tumor immunogenicity and induce systemic anti-tumor immunity. However, the relationship between copper-induced cell death and immunogenicity in gastric cancer remains unclear. We utilized the R package to conduct KEGG and GO analysis on differentially expressed genes (DEGs) associated with crucial copper-induced cell death genes in gastric cancer, confirming the potential of copper-induced cell death genes to enhance anti-tumor immunity. Examination of online databases revealed a significant reduction in the expression of key genes related to copper-induced cell death in gastric cancer tissues compared to normal gastric tissues. The expression of cuproptosis-related genes exhibited a negative correlation with the abundance of Treg and MDSC cells, while showing a positive correlation with the expression of ICD-related genes. Furthermore, we validated the impact of key copper-induced cell death genes on subcutaneous tumor growth and ICD in vivo. Tumor tissues with high FDX1 expression demonstrated increased levels of CD8+ T cells, perforin 1 (PRF1), high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1), and Cu2+. In conclusion, the activated copper-dependent death-key genes ultimately facilitate immunogenic cell death in gastric cancer, thereby augmenting the anti-tumor immune response in gastric cancer.
Lévy Versus Wiener: Assessing the Effects of Model Misspecification on Diffusion Model Parameters
Authors: Hato Tuba , Schumacher Lukas , Radev Stefan Tomov , Voss Andreas
Published: October 2024

The Lévy Flight Model (LFM; Voss et al., 2019) modifies the Diffusion Decision Model (DDM; Ratcliff, 1978) by integrating a heavy-tailed noise distribution into evidence accumulation. Initial results suggest that the LFM may offer a more accurate representation of the true cognitive process. If this is the case, analyzing data with a classical DDM may misrepresent the underlying latent processes. In the present study, we explore the estimation biases that arise when data from an LFM are analyzed with the DDM. To this end, we conducted extensive simulations using both basic and full versions of the DDM and the LFM, employing cross-fitting through simulation-based inference with neural networks as implemented in the BayesFlow framework. Given the susceptibility of neural networks to misspecification, we additionally employ a Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) approach as a benchmark for the neural estimates. Our results demonstrate that neural networks and MCMC exhibited nearly identical estimation performance for the basic DDM. Importantly, the basic DDM showed a notable underestimation of boundary separation and non-decision time when fitted to LFM data. The full DDM significantly overestimated inter-trial variabilities in starting point and non-decision time, while it still underestimating boundary separation. In conclusion, our results suggest that DDM-based analyses may lead to biased results when the true data-generating process is more accurately captured by a LFM. Implications for previous findings are discussed.
Investigating Peak Strength of Gap-Graded Soils Through Discrete Element Method: Mechanisms and Prediction
Authors: Xu Shanlin , Hu Lingkai , Sun Honglei , Wang Bo , Gao Feng , Wang Mingyuan
Published: October 2024

Gap-graded soils, commonly used in geotechnical and hydraulic engineering applications, exhibit diverse strength characteristics influenced by particle size distribution. To understand the mechanisms governing the strength of gap-graded soils and to develop a predictive formula for strength, this study utilizes the discrete element method to investigate the peak strength of gap-graded soil samples with a wide range of fine particle contents (FC) and particle size ratios (SR). The results reveal a complex and coupled effect of FC and SR on peak strength, with distinct trends in different FC ranges. At the particle scale, the arrangement of particles in initially isotropic gap-graded soils changes under external loading, leading to an increase in branch anisotropy value. The magnitude of this increase is influenced by both the particle size distribution and fine content. A lower value of peak branch anisotropy indicates a more uniform normal force distribution among contact types (coarse-coarse, fine-fine, and fine-coarse force type), resulting in a higher peak strength of the soil. Microscopic analysis confirms a negative correlation between strength and both branch anisotropy and standard deviation of normal contact force proportions at peak state. Furthermore, a peak strength prediction formula incorporating SR and FC is proposed, offering practical guidelines for engineering design involving gap-graded soils.
A novel in silico transcription factor perturbation simulator uncovers diverse genetic architecture of brain disorders
Authors: Wang Haiyang , Li Qingyu , Zhu Ying
Published: October 2024

Brain disorders with complex genetic architectures pose challenges in studying their mechanisms and developing treatments. As experimental approaches fall short due to these complexities, we developed TFdisc, a novel in silico transcription factor (TF) perturbation simulator that uses wild-type single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) data to emulate corresponding scRNA-seq transcriptomes post-TF perturbations. Validation confirms TFdisc’s accuracy in reconstructing gene regulatory networks, identifying differentially expressed genes, and predicting alterations in cell identity and lineage differentiation post-TF perturbations. Applying TFdisc to simulate perturbations of individual risk TFs associated with brain disorders reveals distinct molecular and cellular mechanisms. Further simulation of multiple TF simultaneous perturbations uncovered previously uncharacterized genetic architectures for SCZ and ASD, proposing a “jigsaw mechanism” for SCZ and a “monolithic mechanism” for ASD. Further analysis of ASD risk TFs identified clusters whose perturbation leads to differential expression of genes related to synaptic function, cognition, learning, and histone modifications, with varying impacts correlated with autism severity.
Study on the application of glass ceramics based on vanadium dioxide as a bypass device in solar cells
Authors: Kolbunov V. R. , Tonkoshkur A. S. , Lyashkov A. Yu. , Mazurik S. V. , Lyagushyn S. F.
Published: October 2024

The work explored the possibility of using glass critical thermistors based on vanadium dioxide to improve reliability and prevent electrothermal overloads in photovoltaic components of solar cells. Glass-ceramic materials based on vanadium dioxide and vanadium phosphate glass V2O5-P2O5 were used as a thermistor element, which abruptly change the value of electrical resistance by 1.5–2 orders of magnitude at a temperature of about 70°C. It has been established that the thermistor structures under consideration can function as bypass elements in solar modules. Such elements react directly both to the presence of overvoltage and to temperature increase in individual photovoltaic cells with increased resistance, and thus provide increased reliability of solar array as a whole.
Effects of high-fat diet-induced obesity on metabolism and sexual development of juvenile male rats
Authors: Guo Shujuan , Li Guimei , Zheng Juan
Published: October 2024

Objective
To explore the effects of high-fat diet-induced obesity on the metabolism and sexual development of juvenile male rats.
Methods
Three-week-old male rats were divided into the control group and the model group. The two groups were fed normal and high-fat diets, respectively, for four weeks. Modeling was successful if Lee’s index exceeded the upper limit of Lee’s index of the control group. Levels of total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), testosterone (T), estrogen (E2), and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) of the rats were monitored. Morphological structures of hepatic and testicular tissues were examined by hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining; hepatic steatosis was investigated by Oil Red O staining; and aromatases were detected using the immunohistochemical method.
Results
Weight, waist-to-height ratio, Lee’s index, weight and thickness of visceral fat, levels of ALT, AST, TC, TG, LDL-C, E2, and IGF-1 of rats were significantly higher in the model group than in the control group (P < 0.05). H&E staining revealed that rats in the model group had hepatic steatosis, a disorder of seminiferous tubules, and a reduced quantity of spermatogenic cells. Oil Red O staining revealed a significantly increased accumulation of lipid droplets in hepatic cells. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed that aromatases in hepatic and testicular cells were up-regulated.
Conclusion
A high-fat diet induces dyslipidemia, thereby causing hepatic steatosis and liver dysfunction, and it significantly influences testicular development, as an increased level of aromatase leads to a reduced T level.
Southwestern College Students Attitudes and Behaviors towards Face Mask wearing on Campus.
Authors: Wood Sandra Freda , Aidoo Ebenezer Ato Kwamena , Lindsay Kweku Ewusie Orleans , Aliche Obianuju
Published: October 2024

The emergence of respiratory viral infections has necessitated the use of face masks worldwide. Although several studies have examined the uses of the face and attested to its efficacy in preventing airborne diseases. In the United States, wearing face masks is a divisive and politicized topic. College students on campus have their own reservations on mask wearing and are influenced by a myriad of factors that determine compliance to mask mandate. The aim of this study is to examine the perception, attitudes, and behavior of college students toward facemask wearing on campus. To achieve that, we recruited 217 participants. 117 (53.9%) participants identified as females, 97 (44.7%) identified as males while the remaining three (1.4%) participants identified as non-binary, with an average age of 19.89. Participants were recruited using convenience sampling through the distribution of flyers both in class and online course pages or website. With an online survey, we measured participants’ attitude, behavior, perceived benefit, and perceived risk of wearing facemasks.
We conducted, one-way ANOVA, correlation, and regression analysis. The result indicated that there is no relationship between perceived benefit and attitude towards wearing face masks among US college students. From the analysis, as perceived benefit increases, students' attitude also decreases moderately. This means that perceived benefits do not necessarily correlate with the attitude of students in wearing face masks. Therefore, it might be due to other factors such as the mandatory rule instituted for all to wear face mask on campus. Additionally, there is a positive low relationship between students’ perceived risk of face mask wearing and their face mask wearing behavior, the relationship, therefore, is not significant. This suggests that college students who are at a high perceived risk of COVID-19 are less likely to engage in high face mask wearing behavior. Implications and future directions are discussed.
Forecasting the South African labour market indicators: A comparison of ARIMA, count series models and machine learning regressors
Authors: Mogale Boipelo Vinolia , Montshiwa Tlhalitshi Volition , Tsoku Johannes Tshepiso
Published: October 2024

This paper compared count series, time series and machine learning models to determine the best data type (between count data and continuous data) and the best model for forecasting the labour market variables. Data from Statistics South Africa’s Quarterly Labour Force Survey (2008–2021) was used to compare ARIMA, Poisson autoregressive (PAR), negative binomial regression (NBR), generalised Poisson regression (GPR), support vector regression (SVR) and the multilayer perceptron (MLP) regressor based on the MAE, RMSE, MAPE, MSE and the plots of the actual values versus the forecasts from the models. The study showed that the most accurate approach to estimating the future values of the labour market variables is to implement PAR to forecast the counts of people who are unemployed, employed, and non-economically active, and then use these forecasts to compute the future values of unemployment rate, absorption rate and labour force participation rate.
To Problem of Defining the Influence of Comics on Media Culture and Media Studies
Authors:   St. Petersburg State University, Davidenko Yan O.
Published: October 2024

The relevance of the article derives from increasing popularity of comics, which forms a certain need for qualitative research of this phenomenon. The purpose of the article is to identify the dominant research points of view on the concept of “comics” in media studies, as well as to spot out problematic aspects in the issue of evaluating the influence of comics on modern media culture and society. The research methodology can be considered as traditional for works which are devoted to the study of comics and is based on a structural-semiotic approach. The need to use this methodology is determined by the narrative specifi cs of comics, based on its semiotics, which combines verbal and non-verbal narrative elements within a single system. The study focuses on revealing the specifi c aspects of the two dominant positions regarding the defi nition of comics and spotting out problematic aspects which are common for the most studies based on these points of view. The fi rst position defi nes comics as a genre, while the second identifi es it as a narrative format. The results of the study showed that due to the key differences in the defi nition of nature of comics, existing points of view assess the impact of the comics on culture and society differently. The position which defi nes comics as a genre mainly concentrates on the social aspects of comics as a cultural phenomenon, without taking into account aspects related to the narrative specifi cs and the form of this phenomenon. Meanwhile the point of view which considers comics as a narrative format, on the contrary, shifts the focus of attention towards the linguistic aspects of comic books without taking into consideration its social and cultural characteristics. Despite the fact that each of the defi ned positions is applicable to a specifi c fi eld of knowledge, these gaps in modern studies do not allow to formulate comprehensive defi nition for comics and properly assess its impact on society and culture. Keywords: comics, popular culture, transmedia storytelling, narrative form, creolized text
Journalism in the Digital World: The Confl ict of Institutional Logics
Authors:   Nizhny Novgorod State Linguistic University named after N. A. Dobrolyubov, Kuznetsova Elena I.
Published: October 2024

With the entry of humanity into the stage of digital development, all social institutions are undergoing profound changes. Journalism as an institution that arose as a result of information technology development in the XVI–XVII centuries, as a result of the digital revolution, is losing its dominant role in the new media space. The main core of the media system’s existence, its institutional nature, is undergoing signifi cant changes in the context of increasing technological convergence and the development of the economic phenomenon of platform capitalism. The appeal to the problem is actualized by the need for updates in substantiating the ontological and functional characteristics of the institutionality of journalism in the context of rapid digitalization of the social environment. The purpose of the article is to study journalism as a transforming social institution in a competitive institutional environment. The methodology of the article is based on a dialectical approach in understanding the current state of the Institute of journalism, considering the existing contradictions and collisions as a moment in progressive development. One of the methods of analysis chosen is the direction of institutionalism, which is relevant to the sphere of functioning of social institutions – institutional logic. The system-structural and system-functional methods are used as an analysis tool. The results of the study indicate the identifi ed ontological and functional changes in the state of the Institute of journalism. It is established that the loss of the status of a monopoly entity by journalism is caused not only by the impact of exogenous factors: a technological explosion, the emergence of new institutional and non-institutional subjects but also endogenous ones: structural changes, as well as a crisis of normative and value foundations. The novelty of the article is revealed in the understanding of journalism as a convergent ontological model, which forms the basis of its changing institutional status at the digital stage of its development. Keywords: journalism as a social institution, institutional approach, institutional and non-institutional subjects, institutional logic, media system, functional complex, digital platform
The Subjective Dimension of a Journalist’s Professional Culture
Authors:   Saint Petersburg State Universit, Berezhnaia Marina A. , Korkonosenko Sergey G. ,   Saint Petersburg State Universit
Published: October 2024

The article is devoted to the professional culture of modern journalists as a dynamic phenomenon that has become the subject of discussion in the media employees’ corporation and the academic community. In this regard, the authors review the contradictory experts’ opinions on the future of the world and domestic press. The originality of the presented research is that the issues are considered from the journalists’ subjective point of view. For this purpose, the special technique of semi-structured in-depth interviews with acting editorial workers was developed as a part of a comprehensive research project “Professional Ideology of Journalism” organized by the Department of Theory of Journalism and Mass Communications of St. Petersburg State University. The results of the performed procedures are described in the article. Hypothetically, the authors assumed that, in a subjective dimension, the existing knowledge on the professional culture of a journalist and, in particular, the normative ideas on it would be noticeably corrected. Accordingly, the purpose of the study is to identify the real diversity of journalists’ subjective views on the profession and their position in it, as far as this is achievable within the framework of a particular research project. The analysis of the interview materials showed that the ideas and skills of media employees are formed without the direct infl uence of standards adopted in the global and national community, they are formed mainly on the basis of personal experience and communication in the industrial environment. Thus, culture gets a lot of subjective versions. This means that in the process of transformation of current journalism, individual creativity is enhanced, which is especially typical for the younger generation. On the other hand, the contours of the profession become blurred at the ideological, instrumental, and ethical levels. The authors of the article support regular discussions of the problems of the profession, which will contribute to the removal of emerging contradictions and to mutual understanding between generations. Keywords: professional culture of a journalist, subjective view, in-depth interview, standards, diversity
The Effect of Physicochemical Properties and Elemental Composition on Nutritional Value and Safety of Tomato Fruits
Authors: Dotsha Jaleel Raheem
Published: October 2024

Fruits and vegetables are considered as health-improving contributors in the daily diet. Tomatoes are one of the most widely consumed fruits. However, the nutritional quality and safety of these fruits may not always be regulated. This research therefore worked on establishing two main aspects related to tomato consumption: the first is the relevance of visual appearance and texture to the quality and nutritional value of tomato fruits; and second to investigate the health and safety aspects of the fruits based on their elemental content. The study was conducted in Erbil - Iraq in which eight different samples were collected including local and imported fruits. The samples were investigated to determine physicochemical variables including dry matter content, total soluble solids (TSS), taste and maturity indices, total phenolic content (TPC), radical scavenging power using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), ascorbic acid and lycopene contents to investigate the correlation between visible physical traits and rather obscure chemical characteristics. Additionally, Inductively Coupled Plasma-Optical Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-OES) was used to  analyze the elemental content and to assess the beneficial impact and/or toxic effects of these elements. The results showed significant positive correlations between taste index, lycopene content and TSS. Also, antioxidant activity was found to be more strongly influenced by ascorbic acid rather than TPC and lycopene contents. The results indicated that physical properties such as firm texture combined with deep red color and smaller fruit size are indicative of higher quality and presence of taste-enhancing and beneficial chemical components. Significant differences were found in the elemental content of the samples. Local samples were higher in essential elements. However, they also contained higher levels of cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb). One of the imported samples contained arsenic (As). Applying the human risk assessment model (HRA), it was found that there is an appreciable carcinogenic risk from Cd in two of the local samples.  Strict monitoring is therefore required to ensure that market tomatoes are safe for consumers.
Alternative plant protection using an indigenous bacterium (Stutzerimonas nitrititolerans) isolated from agricultural soil of potato fields in Western Algeria to biodegrade common pesticides
Authors: Bekenniche Nahla , Abdeslam Arezki Ait , Maghnia Djamila
Published: October 2024

Nowadays, it is highly important to find ways to degrade pesticides residues from the environment. We studied degradation of carbamate, copper sulphate - Cymoxanil and Cycloxydim by using an indeginous bacterium Stutzerimonas nitrititolerans. This bacteria uses pesticides as source of carbon and solubilize them by their enzymatic machinery. Experiments were conducted using mineral salt medium (MSM) on agar supplemented with two different pesticides as sole carbon and energy source: carbamate and acetamiprid. These organic pesticides contain carbon (example of carbamate: NH2COOH). Growth of the bacteria could suggest that it has utilized the pesticide as its sole energy source, indicating its ability to degrade the pesticide. The effects of different factors on pesticides degradation were investigated such us pesticide tolerance. The bacteria were tested for the ability to tolerate high concentrations of pesticides to optimize the degradation conditions. The treatments consisted of carbon-free mineral salts medium (MSM) supplemented with pesticides that are usually used during cultivation of potato such as acetamiprid, carbamate, copper sulphate - Cymoxanil and Cycloxydim at increasing concentrations (70, 100, 200 and 500mgl-1). Bacterial growth was monitored by daily measurement of the optical density at 600 nm on UV-1600 Spectrophotometer. Only one strain (Labeled PF2 of Stutzerimonas nitrititolerans) showed potential to tolerate and mitigate the tested pesticides at high concentrations. Further, a phenotypic characterization was carried, and 16S rRNA gene sequencing analysis performed to identify the PF2 strain. Pesticides did not show any significant inhibitory effect on the isolate PF2. Comparison of sequences with GenBank database gave similarity with Stutzerimonas nitrititolerans with 99.74% of homology. A phylogenetic tree of Stutzerimonas nitrititolerans was constructed to show relationship to closely related bacteria. The potential and efficiency of the strain PF2 using pesticides can be considered as a qualitative leap in the field of pesticide bioremediation in agricultural soils.
Micropropagation of three ginger cultivars and the subsequent growth and rhizome yield assessment and phytochemical composition analysis
Authors: Yang Guochen , Robinson Julia C , Lashley IV William E. , Minor Radiah C.
Published: October 2024

Farmers have turned to biotechnology techniques to produce ginger, due to disease issues. Micropropagation is a proven and effective means for mass production of disease-free plants. Our research focused on ginger cultivar specific reactions (from culture initiation to rhizome harvest) to plant growth regulators (PGRs) to determine if plant response to PGRs is cultivar specific. Ginger (Zingiber officinale Rosc.) cultivars studied were: Chinese White (CW), Hawaii Yellow (HY), and Khing Yai (KY) under benzylaminopurine (BA) versus kinetin (KT) treatments using MS basal medium to micropropagate ginger seedlings and subsequent growth and yield performance and phytochemical composition analysis. In vitro culture data were collected every month for number of buds and shoots (and shoot length) produced per initiating bud and shoot growth. Mature seedlings were subsequently transplanted in a greenhouse with a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with 4 replications, 18 plants per replication (Main Plot = Cultivar, Sub Plot = PGR) for a total of 72 pots/plants. Growth data included number of stems per seedling, stem length, and stem diameter. Rhizome yield data included number of pieces of rhizome per seedling, and rhizome weights (biological, edible, and total rhizome weights respectively). Phytochemical composition analysis of ginger rhizome/PGR treatment included average amount of 6-gingerol, 8-gingerol, 10-gingerol, 6-shogoal, 8-shogoal, and 10-shogoal. Data was analyzed using SAS OnDemand for Academics with PROC GLM at α=0.05 level of significance. As ginger tissue culture seedlings progressed in culture, KT was more suitable for multiplication of buds, BA more suitable for proliferation of shoots, and KT matured ginger tissue culture seedlings at a higher rate than BA. CW had the highest rhizome yield and least amount of biological roots in comparison to other cultivars. CW produced the least amount of 8-gingerol, 10-gingerol, 8-shogoal and 10-shogoal of all three cultivars and with no significant change between two PGR treatments. In comparison, HY produced the highest amount of 6-gingerol, 8-gingerol, 10-gingerol, 6-shogoal, and 8-shogoal, followed by KY and CW, when micropropagated with BA. KY produced the highest amount of 10-shogoal when micropropagated with BA and the highest amount of 6-gingerol, 6-shogoal, 8-shogoal, and 10-shogoal when micropropagated with KT.
Comportamentos, atitudes e práticas de mulheres trabalhadoras do sexo em relação às infecções sexualmente transmissíveis
Authors: Da Cunha Sione Macedo , Batista Gardênia Monteiro , Dibai Daniela Bassi , Rêgo Adriana Sousa , Firmo Wellyson da Cunha Araújo , Aliança Amanda Silva dos Santos
Published: October 2024

Objetivo: identificar o comportamento, atitudes e práticas nas trabalhadoras do sexo em relação às infecções sexualmente transmissíveis (IST’s). Métodos: O questionário da Pesquisa de Conhecimentos, Atitudes e Práticas na População Brasileira foi adaptado e aplicado. Resultados: Participaram 182 trabalhadoras do sexo, a faixa etária de 18 a 30 anos foi a mais prevalente, naturais e residentes em São Luís, cor parda, solteiras e com dependentes, com ensino médio incompleto, usam nome social e trabalham em boates. Não usaram preservativo na primeira relação sexual. A maioria sabe o que é IST’s e conhece as formas de transmissão. Um número pequeno conhece os CTAs, a PrEP e a PEP. Conclusão: tais conhecimentos possibilitam o planejamento de ações e políticas públicas para essa população.
Salicylic Acid Treatment Improves the Shelf Life and Quality of ‘Cheonghyang’ Grapes during Cold Storage
Authors: Zebro Mewuleddeg , Heo Jae-Yun
Published: October 2024

The storage capacity of ‘Cheonghyang’ grapes, a promising grape cultivar developed in South Korea, is a critical factor affecting their commercial viability. This study investigates the impact of salicylic acid (SA) treatment on the storage capacity of ‘Cheonghyang’ grapes. The effects of SA treatment at different concentrations were assessed by comparing fruit characteristics and enzyme activity related to shelf life after two and four weeks of cold storage in comparison with an untreated control group. The findings reveal that SA-treated grapes exhibited reduced water loss and improved firmness, leading to a lower occurrence of unmarketable berries. Furthermore, enzymes involved in pectin degradation, such as pectate lyase and polygalacturonase, were reduced in the SA-treated group, while antioxidant activity-related enzymes, including catalase, peroxidase and superoxide dismutase, were more active than in the control group. The most effective control of enzyme activities was observed at an SA concentration of 2 mM, which demonstrated the least decline in fruit quality among the tested SA concentrations in this study. These results indicate that SA is a highly effective substance for maintaining the storability of ‘Cheonghyang’ grapes under conditions of low-temperature storage after harvest.
Nutrient status and forms of potassium in farmed soils at University of Benin
Authors: Efenudu I. U. , Egharevba I.P.
Published: October 2024

Este estudio se llevó a cabo para determinar el estado nutricional y las formas del potasio en suelos cultivados en la Universidad de Benin. Se recogieron muestras de suelo de la granja experimental y de la zona de control a una profundidad de 0 cm a 15 cm, de 15 cm a 30 cm y de 30 cm a 45 cm utilizando un medidor de suelo. Los suelos recogidos de cada profundidad se secaron al aire, se trituraron y se tamizaron. Las muestras tamizadas se analizaron para determinar algunas propiedades físicas y químicas mediante procedimientos de laboratorio estándar. Los datos obtenidos se analizaron mediante el paquete informático Genstat con un nivel de probabilidad del 5 %. El resultado mostró que la fracción de arena (833.9 g.kg-1) era predominante en el sitio de la granja experimental. El pH (4.58) se registró en la explotación experimental en comparación con el control (4.35). El resultado mostró que (0.13 mg.kg-1) potasio soluble en agua (H2OK) fue registrado en la profundidad del suelo de 0 cm - 15 cm. El resultado mostró que el potasio intercambiable (K) (0.17 mg.kg-1) en el sitio de la Granja Experimental es superior al sitio control (0.12 mg.kg-1). El resultado medio de HCl K (0.37 mg.kg-1), K ácido (0.13 mg.kg-1), K residual (0.45 mg.kg-1) y K total (1.35 mg.kg-1) del sitio de la granja experimental fueron superiores al sitio de control HCl K (0.3 mg.kg-1), K ácido (0.12 mg.kg-1), K residual (0.39 mg.kg-1) y K total (1.18 mg.kg-1) respectivamente. El resultado mostró que las formas de potasio, H2O K, K intercambiado, HCl K, K ácido, K residual, y K total exhibieron correlaciones positivas con CE, materia orgánica (M.O), nitrógeno total (T. N), sodio (Na), potasio (K), calcio (Ca), magnesio (Mg), y fósforo medio (prom. P).
Potential Test of Trichoderma harzianum and Trichoderma viridae Fungi as Agents for Degrading Fungicide Residues with Active Ingredient Mancozeb In Vitro
Authors: Marsya Tia Indi , Abadi Abdul Latief
Published: October 2024

This study investigated the potential of the fungi Trichoderma viridae and Trichoderma harzianum in degrading the fungicide mancozeb. The research was conducted from May to October 2021 at the Plant Diseases Laboratory and Toxicology Laboratory, Department of Pests and Plant Diseases, Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas Brawijaya. The study comprised three stages. The first stage involved a preliminary test to assess the ability of T. viridae and T. harzianum to grow in media containing mancozeb-based fungicides. The second stage focused on evaluating the degradation of mancozeb using a bioassay, with the primary observation parameter being the biomass of T. viridae and T. harzianum. In the third stage, the mancozeb degradation process was assessed in vitro, with the observation parameters including the diameter of the pathogenic fungus Fusarium sp. and the percentage change in its diameter. Results demonstrated that T. viridae and T. harzianum could grow in media contaminated with mancozeb up to a concentration of 2 grams per liter. Furthermore, both fungi showed potential in degrading mancozeb, as evidenced by the increased growth of Fusarium sp. in treated media. It indicates that the application of T. viridae and T. harzianum reduces the toxicity of mancozeb. A t-test revealed that while there were differences between T. viridae and T. harzianum in their ability to degrade mancozeb, these differences were not statistically significant.
Tussen vrijheid en gebondenheid: het Europees aanhoudingsbevel 2.0
Authors: Glerum Vincent
Published: October 2024

Vincent Glerum, hoogleraar Internationaal en Europees strafrecht, bespreekt in zijn oratie het "Europees aanhoudingsbevel 2.0" (EAB), dat een kritische herziening vraagt. Het EAB, bedoeld om snelle justitiële samenwerking binnen de EU te bevorderen, laat toe dat verdachten en veroordeelden tussen lidstaten kunnen worden overgedragen voor strafvervolging of detentie. De procedure is gebaseerd op wederzijdse erkenning en vertrouwen, wat leidt tot een verplichte overdracht, tenzij er specifieke weigeringsgronden zijn. Toch bestaan er twee belangrijke zorgen: de beperkte rechtsbescherming voor verdachten en de variabele interpretatie van weigeringsgronden tussen lidstaten, wat de effectiviteit van criminaliteitsbestrijding ondermijnt. Glerum pleit voor een gebalanceerdere aanpak, waarbij rechtsbescherming en daadkracht in criminaliteitsbestrijding worden verbeterd. Hij stelt dat de uitvaardigende autoriteit gebonden moet zijn aan strengere normen voor het afgeven van een EAB, zoals een proportionaliteitstoets en bevestiging dat grondrechten worden geëerbiedigd. Glerum suggereert dat alleen rechters bevoegd moeten zijn voor het uitvaardigen van een EAB om de rechtsbescherming en het vertrouwen te vergroten. Aan de uitvoerende zijde pleit Glerum voor meer vrijheid in de toepassing van weigeringsgronden. Hierdoor kan de uitvoerende rechterlijke autoriteit afzien van overdracht als deze onnodig belastend is voor de betrokken persoon. De voorgestelde veranderingen vragen een Europese benadering en benadrukken de noodzaak voor wetenschappelijke ondersteuning om nationale en EU-wetgeving beter op elkaar af te stemmen. Glerum streeft naar een herziening van het EAB-systeem waarin juridische bescherming en samenwerking hand in hand gaan, met oog voor nationale soevereiniteit en wederzijdse verantwoordelijkheid binnen de EU.
Action Research for Enhancing the English Learning Needs of College Students
Authors: Cai Weihang , Bian Xue
Published: October 2024

This study explored English learning challenges faced by freshman students in a Hainan vocational university. Participants, who had completed vocational diplomas and professional internships, struggled with English, affecting their undergraduate coursework. Analysis of the data revealed several key issues, including lack of interest and motivation, disconnect from practical needs, overemphasis on vocabulary and grammar, dissatisfaction with learning outcomes, inappropriate assessment standards and content, lack of relevance to major, and exam-oriented learning. In response, a remediation plan is proposed, aiming to stimulate learning interest, strengthen foundational skills, enhance classroom engagement, leverage technology and resources, promote cultural awareness and communication skills, and implement regular feedback and assessment. A new round of action research will be conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of this plan and make further improvements. The aim is to provide valuable insights and pave the way for tailored educational interventions to support the academic journey of these students.
El Banco Popular y de Desarrollo Comunal y el Financiamiento Comunitario del Agua en Costa Rica
Authors: Spronk Susan , Valverde Karina , Marois Thomas
Published: October 2024

En este artículo se analiza el papel del Banco Popular y de Desarrollo Comunal (BPDC) de Costa Rica en el financiamiento de sistemas públicos de abastecimiento de agua y saneamiento (AAS). Se aborda la relación del banco con los operadores comunitarios de agua, conocidos como Asociaciones administradoras de los Sistemas de Acueductos y Alcantarillados (ASADA). Las ASADA brindan servicios de agua en zonas rurales y semiurbanas de Costa Rica. Desde 2006, el BPDC ha construido importantes relaciones con las ASADA y el Instituto Costarricense de Acueductos y Alcantarillados (AyA), que también es responsable de brindar servicios de agua y saneamiento en las áreas urbanas de Costa Rica y actúa como regulador nacional del sector AAS. Sin embargo, el artículo se centra en la relación de BPDC con las ASADA, ya que tiene una relación de financiamiento directo con ellas.
Audit Quality Of Big Four Firms: Evidence From Client’s Business Strategy
Authors: Herusetya Antonius
Published: October 2024

This study aims to examine the association between audit quality and the client's business strategy using a comprehensive business strategy framework from Miles & Snow (1978; 2003), covering the business strategy of prospectors, defenders, and analyzers. We use the Big Four audit firms as our proxy for audit quality and using a composite score as a construct of a business strategy used by the firms. Using a two-stage logistic regression model in our tests and research samples from public listed companies of manufacturing industries in the Indonesia Stock Exchange (IDX), this study finds evidence that audit quality has a negative effect of the business strategy with prospector-type. This study implies that companies have different business strategies and auditors are more aware of the clients with the prospector-type strategy that increases audit risk and financial statements risk compared to the defender-type strategy. Our study contributes by finding a relation between the audit quality literature and the strategic management literature. Further study should consider broader measures of audit quality instead of the Big Four audit firms.
Does Fintech Lending And ICT Development Index Affect Poverty? Evidence From Indonesia
Authors: Nugraha Handy , Putriani Santi
Published: October 2024

Purpose: The purpose of this research is to see how FinTech Lending and ICT Development Index affect poverty in Indonesia. This study provides knowledge about the impact of FinTech Lending and the ICT Development Index on poverty reduction.
Methodology/approach: This study uses a quantitative approach and panel data regression analysis method. This study uses panel data consisting of 34 provinces in Indonesia with observations for 2019-2021. This study uses secondary data types obtained from official Indonesian government agencies (OJK and BPS).
Findings: The results of this study found that the FinTech Lending and ICT Development Index have a negative effect on poverty in Indonesia. This means that the growth of FinTech Lending and ICT can reduce poverty in Indonesia.
Practical implications: The results of this research can be considered by policymakers to support FinTech development and financial inclusion, as well as increase budget allocations for the acceleration and equity of ICT infrastructure development which in turn can help reduce poverty in Indonesia.
Originality/value: To the best of the researcher's knowledge, this study is the first study to link FinTech, ICT Development Index, and Poverty simultaneously in Indonesia.
Subsequent Measurement for Investment Property: Fair Value Model
Authors: Rinelisa Prabandari Ayu , Kholilah Kholilah
Published: October 2024

Purpose: This study examines the effect of firm size, leverage, gain from revaluation, and information asymmetry on the possibility of choosing a fair value method of investment property moderated by institutional ownership.
Methodology/approach: The quantitative research method with logistic and moderated regression analysis. The number of samples in this study was 117 companies. The final observation data during the 2018-2022 period was 585 firm years.
Findings: The study's results proved that firm size and gain from revaluation affect the selection of the fair value method of investment property. In comparison, leverage and information asymmetry do not affect the selection of fair-value methods of investment property. In addition, institutional ownership can only moderate the effect of information asymmetry on selecting fair-value methods of investment property.
Practical implications: The small number of companies that do not yet use fair value to measure investment properties can be used as material for consideration by the Financial Accounting Standards Drafting Board to improve regulations related to the use of fair value of investment properties. Companies can take this into account when choosing the best approach to ensure that financial statement readers can utilize them as a foundation for decision-making.  
Originality/value: Adding the gain from revaluation as opportunistic motivation as the independent variable and institutional ownership as moderation variables.
Apakah Pengungkapan ESG Penting Bagi Investor?
Authors: Saripah Dedek , Diantimala Yossi , Arfan Muhammad
Published: October 2024

Purpose: This study examines the significance of ESG disclosure for investors as reflected in the company value of Sharia companies listed on the IDX.
Methodology/approach: This study analyses listed Sharia companies’ ESG index on the IDX from 2020 to 2022 with a study sample including 146 observations. A multiple linear regression approach is employed to test the hypothesis.
Findings: The results show that environmental disclosure does not affect firm value, while the social disclosure aspect shows a significant positive effect. However, the interesting part is that governance disclosure negatively and significantly affects firm value.
Practical implications: Sharia companies need to increase their report on social aspects to gain investor support, while it is necessary to be careful in increasing governance disclosure. Companies must pay attention to their financial structures, they must comply with Sharia principles and not decrease the firm value.
Originality/value: This study was conducted to bridge the research gap in previous literature regarding the relationship between partial ESG factors and the value of Sharia companies in Indonesia.
Effect of Altitude and Dose of Nitrogen Fertilizer on the Growth of Ruskus Plants (Ruscus hypophyllum L.)
Authors: Musyafa Nizar Zulmi , Santoso Untung , Ishartati Erny
Published: October 2024

Ruscus hypophyllum is an ornamental plant leaves that serve as cut foliage and herbal medicine. It is growth very slow, only two rods per month, so that is necessary to optimization cultivation, one of them with treatment of altitude (environment) and fertilization This research aimed to determine the effect of nitrogen fertilizer dose altitude for growth of ruskus. The study was compiled using a factorial design nested prepared using RAK and repeated 3 times. The first factor is altitude of 500 m asl (T1), 800 m asl (T2) and 1500 m asl (T3). The second factor is nitrogen fertilization: 0 g/plant (N0), 2 g/plant (N1), 4 g/plant (N2) and 6 g/plant (N3). Based of the research, there was a very real interaction between altitude and dose of nitrogen fertilization on some parameters of observations include: shoot length, number of buds, young leaf chlorophyll, number of roots and root length. The best treatment was a combination of T3N1 (altitude 1500 m asl and nitrogen fertilizer 2 g / plant), separately treatment of altitude very significant effect on the parameters of the number of leaves and shoots appear, and the best treatment is T3 (altitude 1500 m asl). There is a very real correlation between treatment of observations include: the number of long shoots with leaves (0.75), long shoots with the number of shoots (0.64), long shoots with a number of roots (0.79), long shoots with long roots (0, 84), number of leaves with the number of shoots (0.76), young leaf chlorophyll with long roots (0.75) and the number of roots with root length (0.65). The results of path analysis, there are two parameters that have a direct influence on the observation that young leaf chlorophyll (0.094) and the old leaf chlorophyll (0.335).