bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Incidence of Hepatic Decompensation After Nucleos(t)ide Analog Withdrawal: Results From a Large, International, Multiethnic Cohort of Patients With Chronic Hepatitis B (RETRACT-B Study)
Authors: Hirode Grishma , Hansen Bettina E. , Chen Chien-Hung , Su Tung-Hung , Wong Grace , Seto Wai-Kay , Van Hees Stijn , Papatheodoridi Margarita , Brakenhoff Sylvia M. , Lens Sabela , Choi Hannah S.J. , Chien Rong-Nan , Feld Jordan J. , Forns Xavier , Sonneveld Milan J. , Papatheodoridis George V. , Vanwolleghem Thomas , Yuen Man-Fung , Chan Henry L.Y. , Kao Jia-Horng , Hsu Yao-Chun , Cornberg Markus , Jeng Wen-Juei , Janssen Harry L.A. ,   on behalf of the RETRACT-B study group
Published: January 2023

INTRODUCTION:

Despite improvements in the management of chronic hepatitis B (CHB), risk of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma remains. While hepatitis B surface antigen loss is the optimal end point, safe discontinuation of nucleos(t)ide analog (NA) therapy is controversial because of the possibility of severe or fatal reactivation flares.

METHODS:

This is a multicenter cohort study of virally suppressed, end-of-therapy (EOT) hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-negative CHB patients who stopped NA therapy (n = 1,557). Survival analysis techniques were used to analyze off-therapy rates of hepatic decompensation and differences by patient characteristics. We also examined a subgroup of noncirrhotic patients with consolidation therapy of ≥12 months before cessation (n = 1,289). Hepatic decompensation was considered related to therapy cessation if diagnosed off therapy or within 6 months of starting retreatment.

RESULTS:

Among the total cohort (11.8% diagnosed with cirrhosis, 84.2% start-of-therapy HBeAg-negative), 20 developed hepatic decompensation after NA cessation; 10 events were among the subgroup. The cumulative incidence of hepatic decompensation at 60 months off therapy among the total cohort and subgroup was 1.8% and 1.1%, respectively. The hepatic decompensation rate was higher among patients with cirrhosis (hazard ratio [HR] 5.08, P < 0.001) and start-of-therapy HBeAg-positive patients (HR 5.23, P < 0.001). This association between start-of-therapy HBeAg status and hepatic decompensation remained significant even among the subgroup (HR 10.5, P < 0.001).

DISCUSSION:

Patients with cirrhosis and start-of-therapy HBeAg-positive patients should be carefully assessed before stopping NAs to prevent hepatic decompensation. Frequent monitoring of viral and host kinetics after cessation is crucial to determine patient outcome.
Phytosociological survey of weeds in the grapevine
Authors: Rassele Ronaldo Luiz , De Paiva Freitas Silvério , Nacir Colombo João , Krause Marcelo Rodrigo , Barth Heitor , Barth Henrique Teodoro
Published: January 2023

Viticulture is expanding in the state of Espírito Santo, Brazil. Weed management is essential for the crop, so knowing the floristic composition of weeds in the vineyards makes this practice sustainable. This study aimed to evaluate the floristic composition of weed populations in grape crops in two seasons, considering different altitudes. The experiment was performed in four properties located in Santa Teresa, ES, Brazil, two of which were at altitudes above 500 m of and two below 500 m, in the winter (2018) and summer (2019) seasons. Weeds were identified with the square inventory method. The phytosociological analysis was based on absolute and relative parameters of frequency, density, dominance, importance value index, and relevance index, besides the diversity, evenness, and similarity indices. Fifty species, 41 genera, and 19 families were identified. The most representative families regarding the number of species were Asteraceae, Poaceae, and Malvaceae. In properties with higher altitudes, the species with the highest IVI was Pilea microphylla (L.) Liebm., in both seasons. In properties with lower altitudes, the highest IVI values were found for Malvastrum coromandelianum L. in the winter and Commelina benghalensis and Portulaca oleracea L. in the summer. The areas below 500 m of altitude showed the highest diversity and evenness indices. The proximity between the areas in both regions contributed to the increased similarity index. Altitude and time of the year contribute to the composition of the infesting community.
Effects of Jinkui Shenqi and Wuzi Yanzong pill on sperm motility and sperm DNA fragmentation rate in asthenospermia
Authors: Xu Liangliang , Xiao Chun Hong , Cao Hongyan , Yuan Jianfen , Wu Zhimei
Published: January 2023

This study was designed to compare the effects of Jinkui Shenqi and Wuzi Yanzong pill on sperm motility and sperm DNA fragmentation rate in patients with asthenospermia. 130 cases were randomly divided into an observation and control group (n=65). The control group was treated with the Wuzi Yanzong pill while the observation group with the Jinkui Shenqi pill. The sperm motility parameters rate (PR), semen concentration, sperm motility, DFI and α-glucosidase, fructose, seminal plasma zinc (Zn), acid phosphatase (ACP) in seminal plasma biochemistry and other indexes of were observed. The biochemical indexes of seminal plasma of α-glucosidase, fructose, Zn, ACP in two groups were significantly (p<0.05) improved after treatment. Compared with the control group, the indexes of the observation group improved more obviously after treatment. Pearson correlation analysis of DFI and PR indexes in 130 patients before treatment showed that sperm DFI and PR percentage were negatively correlated in asthenospermia patients (r =-0.572, P<0.05). There was no significant difference in DFI, semen concentration, PR, and sperm motility between the two groups before treatment. The DFI, semen concentration, PR and sperm viability of the two groups showed a tendency to improve after treatment, and the effect of the observation group was less significant than that of the control group (p<0.05). Two groups of patients have completed treatment successfully, no adverse events occurred during treatment. Jinkui Shenqi pill can effectively treat asthenospermia, which can effectively improve the effect of sperm motility in patients. It has less adverse reactions, safe and reliable, and is worthy of promotion.
Multiline aiming at phenotypic stability and rice blast resistance
Authors: Castro Douglas Goulart , Moura Amanda Mendes de , Alves Natália Botega , Tomé Laís Moretti , Botelho Flávia Barbosa Silva , Neto Antônio Rosário , Souza Douglas Correa de
Published: January 2023

This study aimed to verify the efficiency of multilines in reducing blast progress and their potential benefits to phenotypic stability in rice. The experiments were conducted in the 2016/17 and 2017/18 agricultural years. A randomized block design was performed with three replications, evaluating 12 lines and a multiline, which consisted of five lines from the Cultivation and Use Value (CUV) test. The multiline presented an estimated grain yield above the average of experiments of around seven bags ha-1 and superior performance in early flowering, justifying the high phenotypic stability for these characters. In this case, the line selection for composing the multiline was favorable and efficient, highlighted by a higher agronomic performance than most lines of the CUV test. The multiline is an adequate strategy to provide higher phenotypic stability and reduce blast progress in the field.
In vitro cytotoxic and genotoxic analysis of Garcinia humilis crude extract
Authors: Arruda Alcione da Silva , Machado Pedro Henrique Alves , Lino Ricardo Campos , Oliveira Roberta Camargos de , Magno Queiroz Luz José , Oliveira Júnior Robson José
Published: January 2023

Garcinia humilis, known commonly as achachairú or bacupari, has great medicinal value. Their fruits have pharmacological, antibacterial, antioxidant, and anticancer properties. Therefore, the objective of the present study was to evaluate the cytotoxicity and genotoxicity of G. humilis crude extract in breast tumor cells. Cytotoxicity was determined using the Resazurin reduction assay and genotoxicity by the single cell gel electrophoresis assay (Comet assay) on human MCF-7 cells. Crude extract of G. humilis was cytotoxic only when used at high concentrations (IC50 = 5.084 mg mL-1). The Comet assay showed that the crude extract did not induce genotoxicity at 1 and 5 mg mL-1 but did show signs of DNA fragmentation and DNA fragmentation at 10 mg mL-1. The cytotoxic activity against breast adenocarcinoma cells at high concentrations suggests that this medicinal plant could be used with caution and must be further studied to understand better its therapeutic and toxicological potential in the human body.
ADSORPSI ZAT WARNA RHODAMIN B DAN CONGO RED DENGAN SILIKA GEL DARI LIMBAH AMPAS TEBU (Saccharum officinarum)
Authors: Furozi Nur , Fajriyati Imelda , Artsanti Pedy , Krisdiyanto Didik
Published: January 2023

Telah dilakukan sintesis silika gel dari ampas tebu (bagasse) yang berasal dari Pabrik gula madukismo Yogyakarta dan pabrik gula gondang klaten, menggunakan Natrium Hidroksida dan Asam Klorida sebagai pembentukan natrium silikat dan gel dengan metode sol-gel dilanjutkan karakterisasi dengan FT-IR dan GSA (Gas Sorption Analyzer). Tujuan penelitian ini adalah mengetahui efektifitas dsorbsi zat warna Rhodamin B dan Congo Red, kinetika adsorpsi dan kesetimbangan isotermis adsorpsi.   Hasil adsorbsi FT-IR menunjukkan adanya gugus silanol pada bilangan gelombang 790,91 cm-1 dengan 50,1 % sebagai silika gel. Hasil adsorpsi GSA (Gas Sorption Analyzer) menghasilkan luas permukaan 43,422 m2/g, volume pori total 0,151 cc/g dan diameter 15,233 Amstrom. Kinetika adsorpsi Rhodamin B berlangsung pada reaksi orde satu dengan nilai R2 = 0,971 dan nilai K1 = 0,042. Kesetimbangan isotermis adsorpsi mengikuti model kesetimbangan Freundlich karena nilai R2 = 0,775 dan cenderung mendekati 1
SINTESIS DAN KARAKTERISASI KOMPOSIT ZERO VALENCE IRON (ZVI) TEREMBANKAN PADA CARBOXYMHETHYL CELLULOSE (CMC) SEBAGAI PEREDUKSI ION TEMBAGA (Cu2+)
Authors: Sari Anita , Sedyadi Endaruji
Published: January 2023

Telah disintesis komposit zero valent iron (ZVI)-carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) yang digunakan untuk reduksi dan adsorpsi pada logam berat Cu2+. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui karakterisasi komposit yang terbentuk antara CMC dengan partikel besi dan karakter proses remediasi logam Cu2+. Sintesis komposit ZVI-CMC tanpa menggunakan atmosfer N2 dengan perbandingan konsentrasi Fe2+/BH4- sebesar 1:3, variasi konsentrasi CMC sebesar 0,1, 0,2 dan 0,3w/v%, pH 6 dan suhu sintesis dan 220C. Karakterisasi FT-IR menunjukkan kestabilan ikatan antara CMC dengan partikel besi pada variasi CMC sebesar 0,2w/v% dengan pergeseran bilangan gelombang dari gugus –OH CMC sebesar 3425,58 cm-1 menjadi 3302,13 cm-1 untuk sampel tanpa pengeringan, kemudian karakterisasi XRD menunjukkan bahwa partikel ZVI (Fe0) yang terbentuk dari proses sampel tanpa pengeringan dan sampel kering memiliki karakter kristalinitas yang rendah pada puncak secara berurutan sebesar 2θ: 65,10 dan 44,90 serta terbentuknya senyawa oksida besi dan senyawa lain. TEM menginformasikan bahwa ukuran dari ZVI serta senyawa magnetik (atau oksida besi) serta pengukuran kristalisasi ZVI maupun senyawa magnetik (atau oksida besi) berada dalam ukuran < 2 nanometer. Aplikasi komposit ZVI-CMC ini dilakukan pada titik optimum pH 4, waktu kontak sebesar 6 jam dan massa komposit ZVI-CMC sebesar 0,35 gram. Hasil reduksi dan adsorpsi larutan Cu2+ mengalami deaktivasi yang ditunjukkan oleh dua puncak pada 2θ: 44,70 dan 65,10 disertai dengan penurunan kristalinitas senyawa magnetik atau senyawa oksida besi.
Pengelompokan Obyek Wisata Potensial dengan Self Organizing Maps (SOM) dan Sum Additive Weighting (SAW)
Authors: Wijaya Indra Dharma , Hendrawan Muhammad Afif , Anabela Nurcahya Nania
Published: January 2023

Probolinggo Regency is an area in East Java that has tourism potential. The condition is seen from the many tourists visiting various attractions in Probolinggo Regency. To increase the number of tourist visits, it is necessary to develop tourism objects. However, not all attractions in Probolinggo Regency can be developed at the same time. This is due to budget limitations for tourism development. Therefore, it is necessary to have a grouping of attractions according to the priority level of development. In this study, researchers utilized Self Organizing Maps (SOM) and Sum Additive Weighing (SAW) methods to group attractions based on their development priority levels. SOM is used to determine groups of tourist objects based on the parameters of the number of domestic tourists, the number of foreign tourists, infrastructure, and the number of attractions. Furthermore, SAW is used to find out which group has the highest priority among other groups based on these parameters. To measure the quality of the resulting group, researchers used the value of the silhouette coefficient. Results from the grouping process resulted in three groups. Group C1 consists of 4 attractions, group C2 consists of 20 attractions, and group C3 consists of 10 attractions. The value of the silhouette coefficient also holds a good value, especially in group 1, which is 0.75006. Furthermore, based on the ranking of groups by the SAW method, the C1 group is the group of tourist attractions with the highest priority for development.
Analisis Perbandingan Metode Pendukung Keputusan Pemilihan Kos Mahasiswa di Pontianak
Authors: Hanin Noerul , Dhandio David Jordy , Zaria Della
Published: January 2023

The existence of boarding houses in public spaces is highly expected by the community, especially migrants such as students who need a temporary house in oversea areas. In Pontianak, especially around Tanjungpura University, there are many boarding houses that offer various facilities with various rental prices. Thus, decision support analysis is needed to choose a good boarding house for students around Tanjungpura University. In this study, two decision support system methods were selected, those are SAW and TOPSIS. These two methods were chosen because they have uncomplicated calculations, but are capable to produce good decisions. A comparison of the two methods was carried out to find out differences in results and calculation concepts to choose boarding houses for students in Pontianak. Data that was used for the trial were 10 alternative boarding houses located around the university. Based on trial results, the best boarding house obtained using SAW and TOPSIS methods is Yoga Kost.
Penerapan Algoritma K-Means untuk Klasterisasi Penduduk Miskin pada Kota Pagar Alam
Authors: Febriansyah Febriansyah , Muntari Siti
Published: January 2023

The purpose of this study was to obtain a poverty data cluster in Pagar Alam City. The data collection of beneficiaries of the Program Keluarga Harapan (PKH) is not correct, the provision of assistance only pays attention to the criteria for poverty in general, so there are still many poor people who feel more deserving of PKH assistance. To overcome the problem of PKH recipients, it is necessary to cluster the community into various levels, so that the government can know the level of poverty of the community and can provide PKH assistance appropriately. The methods used in this study are CRISP-DM and the K-Means clustering algorithm. The attributes used are Identity Number, Name, Family Family Card Number, Poverty Rate, Pregnant Women, Early Childhood, Elementary School, Junior High School, Senior High School, Elderly, and Family Hope Program Recipient Group. This clustering process produced three clusters, namely cluster_0 as many as 156 people, cluster_1 as many as 82 people, and cluster_2 as many as 233 people. Furthermore, it was developed into a system with the Rapid Application Development (RAD) system development method. Thus producing a K-Means algorithm system to classify the poor in Pagar Alam City. The system test method uses black box testing with the alpha method and obtained database test results with a value of 4, interfaces with a value of 4, functionality of 4.42, and algorithms with a value of 4. In the testing process with UAT, in the system aspect got 87% of users agreed, in the user aspect 86% agreed, and in the interaction aspect 87% of users agreed. So it can be concluded that this system is worth using.
SUSTAINABLE FASHION FROM PRODUCT SERVICE SYSTEM PERSPECTIVE: A LITERATURE REVIEW
Authors: Paramita Dhyana
Published: January 2023

Fast fashion perpetuates the perception that clothing products are cheap and are easily disposed of. Consequently, the fashion industry contributes great concern for environmental impact. Product-service system (PSS) may serve as an integrated product-service solution to support sustainable fashion. While there is an increasing trend in PSS studies, the literature studies in fashion PSS remains limited. This paper aims to explore the research topics in fashion PSS studies by examining topics addressed in fashion PSS literature, how PSS may contribute to sustainability in the context of the fashion industry, as well as positive and negative value perceived consumers in adopting PSS fashion. The research is conducted through literature review retrieved from Scopus and analyzed according to the aim of this paper. The results show that topics addressed in fashion PSS are related to potential drivers and barriers to adopt PSS fashion, business model, environmental impact, and life cycle analysis. The role of PSS in the fashion context is product and use-oriented. The consumer perception on adopting PSS fashion is classified as emotional, functional, social, financial, environmental, and psychological aspects.
Consciousness and the mind-brain-body-world relationship: towards a transdisciplinary and transcultural approach.
Authors: Facco Enrico
Published: January 2023

The aim of this paper is to overview the main epistemological implications of the scientific approach to consciousness and the mind-brain relationship, undergone a lively debate in the past decades by strict materialist monist and dualist stances. Their limits, as well as the limits of reductionism and the shortcomings of classical Western thought, suggest the need for a broader perspective. Actually, a transdisciplinary approach helps overcoming the limits and incompleteness of single axiomatic disciplines.  Likewise, a transcultural, metaphilosophical approach  allows to understand key concepts and meanings common to different philosophies and cultures and properly face them beyond the multiplicity and ostensible oddity of forms. This approach seems to be appropriate in the study of consciousness and subjective phenomena, where the first-person perspective and the meaning of the experience are the condition sine qua non for their comprehension.
Unifying a posteriori error analysis of five piecewise quadratic discretisations for the biharmonic equation
Authors: Carstensen Carsten , Gräßle Benedikt , Nataraj Neela
Published: January 2023

An abstract property (H) is the key to a complete a priori error analysis in the (discrete) energy norm for several nonstandard finite element methods in the recent work [Lowest-order equivalent nonstandard finite element methods for biharmonic plates, Carstensen and Nataraj, M2AN, 2022]. This paper investigates the impact of (H) to the a posteriori error analysis and establishes known and novel explicit residualbased a posteriori error estimates. The abstract framework applies to Morley, two versions of discontinuous Galerkin, C
0 interior penalty, as well as weakly overpenalized symmetric interior penalty schemes for the biharmonic equation with a general source term in H
−2(Ω).
How Does Social Media Impact Consumers’ Sustainable Purchase Intention?
Authors: Arora Nilesh , Rana Meghna , Prashar Sanjeev
Published: January 2023

Expanding expenditures and emphasis on sustainable marketing necessitate additional research to comprehend how to effectively influence sustainable attitudes and behaviour, particularly in the under-researched realms of social media. The role of social media in creating and building attitudes towards sustainable purchasing is vastly underexplored. Based on social learning theory and the theory of planned behaviour, the present study has been endeavoured to investigate the factors that influence consumers’ sustainable purchase attitudes and intentions. With the data sets obtained from three hundred 50 respondents, structural equation modelling (SEM) was employed using AMOS 22.0. From the study findings, it is observed that social media usage, social influence, drive for environmental responsibility, and perceived trust in social media are the major antecedents of consumers’ sustainable purchasing attitudes, which in turn influence their sustainable purchase intentions. It is pertinent for prominent stakeholders, including governments and regulatory agencies, to employ the findings of this study while designing campaigns to encourage individuals to practise sustainable buying behaviour. Fostering sustainable buying behaviour could help mitigate the negative consequences of impulsive purchasing on human beings and the environment. Thus, deciphering the function of social media in promoting sustainable purchasing attitudes makes the current research novel and valuable.
Differences and Relationships Between Push-up and Sit-up Variations Among Male Law Enforcement Cadets
Authors: Lopes dos Santos Marcel , Thompson Megan , Dinyer-McNeely Taylor , Torrence Troy , Lockie Robert G. , Orr Robin M. , Dawes J. Jay
Published: January 2023

Lopes dos Santos, M, Thompson, M, Dinyer-McNeely, T, Torrence, T, Lockie, RG, Orr, RM, and Dawes, JJ. Differences and relationships between push-up and sit-up variations among male law enforcement cadets. J Strength Cond Res 37(9): 1865–1869, 2023—The purpose of this study was to explore variation-dependent differences in push-up and sit-up tests, as well as to identify the relationships between push-up and sit-up variations commonly performed among tactical personnel. Data from 41 (age = 21.1 ± 1.8 years, body mass = 89.5 ± 15.5 kg) male police cadets from one US-based training academy who performed the standard push-up (PUStandard), hand-release push-up (PUHand-release), standard sit-up (SUStandard), and hands behind the head sit-up (SUBehindHead) were examined. The maximum number of repetitions completed for each exercise was used for analyses with paired-samples t tests used to identify significant differences between outcome measures and effect sizes (ES) to determine change in magnitude. A significant difference, with a large ES, was found in the number of repetitions completed between the push-up variations (p < 0.001, ES = 0.75) and sit-up variations (p < 0.001, ES = 1.02). Performance in PUStandard was only able to explain 39% of the variation in PUHand-release (r = 0.62, r
2 = 0.39, p < 0.001), and performance in the SUStandard was only able to explain 29% of the variation in SUBehindHead (r = 0.54, r
2 = 0.29, p < 0.001). The current study suggests differences in performance capabilities may be dependent on the push-up and sit-up variations chosen for testing. Although it is still unclear whether one variation would be a better predictor of police work performance, agencies must give special attention to the overall construct validity of fitness tests for entry and retention of law enforcement officers.
Hippocampal Neuronal Activity Preceding Stimulus Predicts Later Memory Success
Authors: Jun Soyeon , Kim June Sic , Chung Chun Kee
Published: January 2023

Hippocampal neuronal activity at a time preceding stimulus onset affects episodic memory performance. We hypothesized that neuronal activity preceding an event supports successful memory formation; therefore, we explored whether a characterized encoding-associated brain activity, viz. the neuronal activity preceding a stimulus, predicts subsequent memory formation. To address this issue, we assessed the activity of single neurons recorded from the hippocampus in humans, while participants performed word memory tasks. Human hippocampal single-unit activity elicited by a fixation cue preceding words increased the firing rates (FRs) and predicted whether the words are recalled in a subsequent memory test; this indicated that successful memory formation in humans can be predicted by a preceding stimulus activity during encoding. However, the predictive effect of preceding stimulus activity did not occur during retrieval. These findings suggest that the preparative arrangement of brain activity before stimulus encoding improves subsequent memory performance.
ABCB‐mediated shootward auxin transport feeds into the root clock
Authors: Chen Jian , Hu Yangjie , Hao Pengchao , Tsering Tashi , Xia Jian , Zhang Yuqin , Roth Ohad , Njo Maria F , Sterck Lieven , Hu Yun , Zhao Yunde , Geelen Danny , Geisler Markus , Shani Eilon , Beeckman Tom , Vanneste Steffen
Published: January 2023

Although strongly influenced by environmental conditions, lateral root (LR) positioning along the primary root appears to follow obediently an internal spacing mechanism dictated by auxin oscillations that prepattern the primary root, referred to as the root clock. Surprisingly, none of the hitherto characterized PIN‐ and ABCB‐type auxin transporters seem to be involved in this LR prepatterning mechanism. Here, we characterize ABCB15, 16, 17, 18, and 22 (ABCB15‐22) as novel auxin‐transporting ABCBs. Knock‐down and genome editing of this genetically linked group of ABCBs caused strongly reduced LR densities. These phenotypes were correlated with reduced amplitude, but not reduced frequency of the root clock oscillation. High‐resolution auxin transport assays and tissue‐specific silencing revealed contributions of ABCB15‐22 to shootward auxin transport in the lateral root cap (LRC) and epidermis, thereby explaining the reduced auxin oscillation. Jointly, these data support a model in which LRC‐derived auxin contributes to the root clock amplitude.
COMMONWEALTH Matters
Authors: Leckrone J. Wesley
Published: January 2023

Editor's Note
The Evolution of Sentencing Policy in New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania
Authors: Broscious Courtney E. , Javian Kathy S.
Published: January 2023

Criminal justice reform has become an important policy area in the American states and federal government due to the extremely high rates of incarceration in the United States. In addition, high and disproportionate rates of incarceration for black people is an important civil rights issue that needs attention at all levels of the criminal justice system, from policing to parole. This case study of the mid-Atlantic states generates hypotheses for a 50-state model on one aspect of this system: sentencing policy. The mid-Atlantic states of New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania are similar in terms of political culture and demographics and have key differences in incarceration rates that make them good choices for a comparative case study using the “most similar systems” or “comparable cases” design. Through our case study we identify policies that we believe contribute to rising incarceration levels as well as suggest reforms. Specifically, we argue that the combination of Pennsylvania’s structured sentencing guidelines and indeterminate sentencing have contributed to high levels of incarceration that have persisted even as the push for punitiveness in the criminal justice system has diminished. These factors in conjunction with political variables should be studied further in a quantitative model of the 50 states in order to provide areas for reform.
The 2018 Pennsylvania Midterm Election
Authors: Yost Berwood A. , Redman Jacqueline
Published: January 2023

This article uses pre-election survey, post-election survey, voter registration, and election data to interpret the outcomes of the 2018 midterm elections for governor, U.S. Senate, and U.S. House of Representatives in Pennsylvania. This analysis shows that the results of the 2018 midterm races in Pennsylvania were nationalized. Feelings about the president’s performance drove voter interest and turnout, and also factored into the choices that voters made in the gubernatorial, U.S. Senate, and U.S. House races. Voter preferences in each race followed the same pattern: even after accounting for partisanship and ideology, those who were dissatisfied with President Trump’s performance were more likely to vote for a Democratic candidate. The results suggest that the 2018 midterm results were a repudiation of the Trump presidency, but not a return to the state’s pre-2016 politics.
Nanofibrous material of n-succinyl chitosan/ polyethylene oxide in the removal of emerging pharmaceuticals from aqueous solution by adsorption/desorption method
Authors: Khierallah Amna Hassan Issa , Bouazza Amel Hadj , Montplaisir Daniel
Published: January 2023

Pharmaceutical metabolites and their residues have been identified as major environmental pollutants in aquatic ecosystems. N-succinyl chitosan (NSCS) was studied as a potential adsorbent for a pharmaceutical residue, fluoxetine, from aqueous media. NSCS was investigated using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and 1H-nuclear magnetic residence (NMR) spectroscopies. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to investigate the formation of nanofibers by electrospinning of these green biomaterial polymer membranes. The mechanisms of FLX adsorption, as well as the effects of pH value in the original solution on adsorption capacities, were investigated using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC-UV DAD) under identical adsorption conditions. It was found that NSCS/PEO nanofibers with a diameter of 183 ± 38 nm were more effective to remove pharmaceutical residues from aqueous media than other commercial and modified adsorbents such as activated carbon (AC). FLX adsorption on NSCS/PEO nanofibers was favoured at pH 8.0. Pseudo-first order model was the more adequate to represent the kinetic data, being the maximum adsorption capacities of FLX on NSCS/PEO reached up to 70%. A study of the desorption potential and reusability of the mat was also conducted. According to the results, electrospun NSCS/PEO mats can be desorption and reused up to 4 times without significant loss in adsorption capability.
School Evaluation for Quality Improvement as The Gaze
Authors: Tumlovskaja Jelizaveta , Ruškus Jonas
Published: January 2023

Within this paper, the authors examine the school performance quality assessment system in Lithuania from the standpoint of pedagogical staff who find themselves in the status of the assessed. The philosophical concept of The Gaze is used for the interpretation of the results of a quantitative and qualitative survey. The concept of the Gaze, as conceptualized by Sartre and Foucault, helps to understand the sense of tension between freedom and control as experienced by pedagogical staff who find themselves in the status of the assessed. The authors, by applying principles of phenomenological interpretative analysis and descriptive statistics, examine the process of school performance quality assessment as experienced by teachers. The informants identify themes such as stress, distress, work simulation, and creativity restrictions. The authors conclude that school performance quality assessments do emerge as the Gaze, and furthermore as a dilemma of communication known as the Double Bind, when at the same time contradictory objectives are held, and a regressive state of stress and distress is generated as a result. On the bases of results of their research, the authors suggest that the actual school performance quality assessment system in Lithuania must be fundamentally improved by applying the empowering consultancy approach, while measures of quality assessment should be focused on objective indicators of school performance quality assessment.
Strengthening Student Engagement in Learning Through Use of Digital Tools
Authors: Girdzijauskienė Rūta , Norvilienė Aida , Šmitienė Gražina , Rupšienė Liudmila
Published: January 2023

This paper analyzes teaching and learning in the context of the implementation of digital technology in educational practices. On the basis of the data obtained from focus group discussions and creative workshops with primary school teachers, ways are identified to recognize and strengthen student engagement in learning through the use of digital tools, based on artificial intelligence and integrating learning analytics. As evidenced by the analysis of the research data, students’ cognitive, emotional, and behavioral engagement in learning increases due to the use of digital learning tools. To support and strengthen student engagement, teachers need to rethink their habitual educational practices, anticipate the barriers to engagement caused by digital technologies and the ways of coping with them, make use of digital tools for personalized and in-depth learning, and apply effective means to manage classrooms and interactions between students.
Agricultural Practices in Small Towns of Northeastern Ukraine
Authors:   M. Rylskyi Institute of Art Studies, Folkloristics and Ethnology, Lytvynchuk Nataliia
Published: January 2023

The article is dedicated to a poorly studied topic in ethnology: agricultural practices in small towns. For a number of reasons attention is paid to settlements of northeastern Ukraine, namely Chernihiv and Sumy regions. The phenomenon of household activities of people residing in urban areas in their ordinary everyday lives as well as in the realities of war is described in a new way, basing on historiography, various sources, and especially on field heuristics. The study of the research subject and the fulfilling of the objectives are carried out in the chronological framework of today, but the work also contains many retrospectives and historical parallels. The research has shown that agricultural practices typical for small towns residents – agriculture and animal husbandry – are historically acquired experiences. It has been proved on the example of one town that architectural and spatial landscape with its distinctive buildings and household objects is the typical feature of human activity. At the same time, a careful analysis of individual agricultural practices and animal husbandry managed by citizens allowed us to understand a number of issues which have not been considered before. In particular, the dominant industries in urban households were identified. It is determined that current agricultural practices are used not only for subsistence but also for commercial purposes, with special attention being paid to urban agriculture. The forms of its existence in recent decades are described. In addition, the models of individual agriculture and animal husbandry are characterized. As a result of studying various aspects of townspeople farming in wartime, the new facts have been revealed and introduced for the first time. The author has come to rather interesting conclusions, which project the way to further urban studies.
Induced color charge and quark propagation at Polyakov’s loop background
Authors: Skalozub V. , Turinov A.
Published: January 2023

In quark­gluon plasma, the presence of the A0 (Polyakov loop (PL)) condensate results in the color Z(3) symmetry breaking and the Furry theorem violation. Due to these peculiarities, new phenomena ­ the induced color charges and other even­number diagram effects ­ are realized. Using the R̄ξ gauge, we ob­tain the ξ­-independent two­loop effective potential W (A0classical) expressed in terms of the PL. Its minimum position detects the value of the condensate. We calculate the one­loop tadpole diagram with one gluon line and the induced color charges Qind. Having these, we investigate the influence of the color charges on quark propagation and derive and partially investigate the contribution of them into the Schwinger­-Dyson equation for quarks. It is found that the presence of Qind effectively increases the strength of the A0 potential acting on colored particles in the plasma.
Semiclassical approach to perturbation theory
Authors: Turinov A.
Published: January 2023

The problem of constructing approximate solution methods and finding convenient recurrent algorithms for the study of bound states of quantum mechanical equations is one of the central problems of modern theoretical physics. In this paper an explicit semiclassical treatment of perturbation theory for non-relativistic bound states based on ℏ–­expansions and corresponding quantization conditions of one­dimensional problems is developed. The wave functions are chosen in the same way as in the logarithmic perturbation theory. Due to the introduction of new quantization conditions, this method made it possible to obtain recurrent relations, which are convenient for finding the energy eigenvalues and wave functions of bound states in the case when nodes of wave functions are taken into account. Avoiding the flaws of the standard approach, the obtained recurrent relations have the same form both for the ground and perturbed states.
Dispersion equation for electromagnetic waves in a Dicke system
Authors: Lyagushyn S. F. , Sokolovsky A. I.
Published: January 2023

The self-organization process in a Dicke model is studied with taking into account electromagnetic field states. The interaction between two-level emitters provided by the field results in generating field waves of increasing amplitudes. The picture of superradiance development in a prolonged system can be described in terms of electromagnetic field in continuous medium formed by emitters. The generalized induction in the Dicke system is introduced on the basis of the material equation for charge current obtained using the Bogolyubov reduced description method. The dispersion equation for waves and its solutions are derived and analyzed. Non-singular expressions for material coefficients are proposed and used for calculating the wave characteristics.
ФІЛОСОФСЬКІ РОЗДУМИ НА ТЕМУ ПРО «СТРАХ БОЖИЙ»
Authors: Borisova Tetiana
Published: January 2023

Проблема філософського виміру «страху Божого» розглядається через призму культурологічного виміру. Акцентується увага на особливостях методологічного аналізу цього феномену. Здійснюється спроба встановити онтологічний статус «страху Божого» в сучасному культурному просторі. Робиться висновок-припущення, що саме словосполучення поняття «страх Божий» може виступати як перформативне поняття, що спроможне на фундаментальну зміну життєвої реальності для людини.
КОМПАРАТИВНИЙ АНАЛІЗ МОДЕЛЕЙ ПУБЛІЧНОЇ ПОЛІТИКИ «IMPERFECT DEMOCRACIES» НА ПРИКЛАДІ ЛИТВИ ТА ПОЛЬЩІ
Authors: Shvets Kateryna
Published: January 2023

У статті визначено, що публічне управління як в демократичних державах, так і в державах, що перебувають на шляху до демократії, залежить від низки чинників: історичного минулого, економічного розвитку, територіальної приналежності, глобальних політичних та інтеграційних процесів, національних особливостей. Значний вплив на формування тої чи іншої моделі публічної політики держави, а особливо на формування відносин «знизу – вверх» мають: рівень розвитку громадянського суспільства та політичної культури, рівень довіри до органів публічної влади, розвиток е-урядування та е-демократії. Встановлено, що державам недосконалої демократії притаманні і свої особливості. До характерних рис Литовської моделі публічного управління, яке формувалося на різних етапах адміністративних перетворень у Литві та сприяло встановленню двохстороннього зв`язку зверху – вниз та знизу – вверх між владою і суспільством, доречно віднести такі: зниження надлишкового державного регулювання; підвищення якості державних послуг; нарощування ефективності діяльності органів публічної влади; підвищення інформаційної транспарентності у роботі державних органів та організацій. Натомість в Польщі, не зважаючи на ряд демократичних перетворень, публічне управління ще досі залишається вертикальним з певними елементами діалогової політики. В країні доволі ефективний громадський контроль, запроваджено ряд механізмів електронного врядування, але низка державних рішень впроваджується без публічних консультацій, мало використовуються показники ефективності, аудит та експертні оцінки, відсутні відкриті конкурси на заміщення вакантних публічних посад.Таким чином, проведене компаративне дослідження в зазначених країнах за методом бінарного лангітюдного темпорального порівняння дозволило виокремити модель публічної політики держав недосконалої демократії, яка відрізняється дещо меншим полем взаємодії між владою і суспільством, причиною чого є наявність окрім конструктивних факторів, цілого ряду деструктивних, які гальмують розвиток публічної політики. До деструктивних факторів можна віднести: не чітка законодавча регламентація правового статусу всіх учасників суспільно-політичного процесу, централізація влади, корупція, відсутність прямих, вільних виборів; відсутність або ігнорування інституту референдуму; відсутність активного громадянського суспільства; низький економічний розвиток держави; малий прошарок середнього класу; низький рівень політичної та правової культури і свідомості; олігархія та наявність фінансових кланів тощо.
ПРИКЛАДНІ АСПЕКТИ СУСПІЛЬНИХ КОМУНІКАЦІЙ В МІЖНАРОДНИХ ВІДНОСИНАХ
Authors: Vidimska Kateryna , Kuleshova Karyna , Ryzhykh Vladimir , Shagli Ganna
Published: January 2023

У статті досліджуються особливості прикладних аспектів суспільних комунікацій в міжнародних відносинах. Проаналізовано трактування сутності категорії «суспільні комунікації в міжнародних відносинах», які визначаються як диференційовані аспекти відносин через обмін інформацією між національними, етнічними, культурними чи іншими групами чи співтовариствами як на міждержавному, так і на внутрідержавному рівнях. Визначено, що суспільні комунікації в міжнародних відносинах завжди реалізуються в публічній сфері та часто взаємопов’язані з процесами формування нації і створення колективної ідентичності. Встановлено, що система суспільних комунікацій сучасного суспільства визначається як комунікаційна мережа, яка об’єднує взаємопов’язаних соціальних суб’єктів, які координують та узгоджують власну спільну діяльність через передачу повідомлень за допомогою ІКТ. Зʼясовано, що суспільна комунікація розгортається у публічній сфері, де громадяни країни задіяні в процес комунікації, які в результаті обговорень формують громадську думку. Встановлено, що суспільні комунікації в міжнародних відносинах займаються вирішенням важливих питань, таких як: геополітичні та стратегічні проблеми, економічний розвиток та його відношення до проблем безпеки, міжнародна політика, екологічні питання, попередження та вирішення конфліктів, мирні переговори та угоди, міжнародна реакція на надзвичайні ситуації тощо. Встановлено, що до прикладних аспектів суспільних комунікацій в міжнародних відносинах належать: політичні комунікації у міжнародних суспільних комунікаціях; особливості комунікації у міжнародних суспільних комунікаціях; іміджеві та бренд-комунікації у міжнародних відносинах; етика PR та заборонені PR технології у міжнародних суспільних комунікаціях; технології комунікативної роботи у міжнародних суспільних комунікаціях; міжнародні та міжкультурні комунікації тощо. Зʼясовано, що майбутні фахівці у сфері суспільних комунікацій в міжнародних відносинах повинні правильно організовувати процес міжнародних суспільних комунікацій на всіх його фазах.
ВИКЛИКИ НА ШЛЯХУ ДО ЕФЕКТИВНОЇ ПРОТИДІЇ КІБЕРЗЛОЧИННОСТІ В ЄВРОПЕЙСЬКОМУ СОЮЗІ
Authors: Dereshchuk Tetiana , Strutynska Tetiana , Romanchenko Viktoriia
Published: January 2023

У публікації охарактеризовано ключові виклики в боротьбі з кіберзлочинністю в ЄС на сучасному етапі. На основі звітів установ правопорядку та спеціалізованих агентств Європейського Союзу здійснено огляд та систематизацію сфер, з викликами в яких найчастіше стикаються організація під час боротьби з кіберзлочинністю, а також вказано на заходи, що вже були прийняті для їх вирішення. Наголошується на змінах в тенденціях кіберзагроз ЄС, які спостерігаються в порівнянні зі звітами минулих років, та підкреслюється вплив геополітики на дану сферу, зокрема, теперішній конфлікт між Росією та Україною.
ОСОБЛИВОСТІ БРИТАНСЬКОЇ ПОЛІТИЧНОЇ СИСТЕМИ
Authors: Chistyakova Irina , Kryvdina Inna
Published: January 2023

У цій статті підкреслюється, що Велика Британія є однією з найрозвиненіших країн світу. Економічне процвітання Великої Британії пояснюється її політичною системою. Сполучене Королівство має різні політичні партії та урядові відомства, при цьому вона зберегла конституційну монархію та захищає демократичні принципи. Британська політична система формувалася понад тисячу років, у цей період були розроблені традиційні англійські методи законодавства та адміністрування, правосуддя та збору податків, а також сформувалися особливі відносини між урядом і підлеглими. Підкреслюється, щоб британська Конституція відрізняється від інших конституцій тим, що її аспекти містяться в різних нормативно-правових актах, а не у водному джерелі права. Загалом усі закони Великої Британії поділяються на первинні та вторинні, а також міністерські накази, проєкти. Закон Великої Британії передбачає, що не актуальні чинні закони замінюють на нові більш затребувані закони. Законодавчим органом Великої Британії є парламент, який складається з палати громад, сенату та монарха. Діяльність парламенту відбувається у двох палатах. Функція парламенту полягає в тому, щоб перевіряти та підбивати підсумки роботи уряду. Наголошується, що британський парламент вважається «матір’ю всіх парламентів» світу, оскільки багато національних законодавчих органів у взяли його за зразок. Теоретично влада походить не від парламенту, а від парламентських королів. Офіційно верховна британська влада належить тільки королю, але в сучасних умовах влада також походить від демократично обраної палати громад. «Суверенність» парламенту у Великій Британії означає, що парламент може ухвалювати або скасовувати будь-який закон, не обмежуючись текстом Конституції. Ключовою особливістю британського національного уряду є те, що він здійснює владу від імені монарха, який діє як глава держави, роль, якого є частково церемоніальною. Британська судова система еволюціонувала та розвивалася впродовж понад 1000 років, унаслідок чого сформувалась дуже складна структура, тож різні види справ розглядаються в різних судах і мають різні шляхи до апеляційного суду.
Retorno potencial de nutrientes vía hojarasca foliar en sistemas silvopastoriles en el norte de Colombia
Authors: Martínez-Atencia Judith , Osorio-Vega Nelson , León-Peláez Juan , Cajas-Girón Yasmín , Contreras-Santos José , Berrío-Guzman Emel
Published: January 2023

Introducción. Los sistemas ganaderos del Caribe Colombiano presentan problemas de degradación de suelo, lo que afecta la productividad y calidad de las gramíneas. Los sistemas silvopastoriles son alternativas para el manejo sostenible del suelo, ya que contribuyen con el ciclaje de nutrientes através de la hojarasca de las especies vegetales que los conforman. Objetivo. Cuantificar el retorno potencial de nutrientes através de la hojarasca foliar de especies vegetales, en 3 sistemas silvopastoriles de 13 años y en una pradera de solo gramíneas, bajo condiciones de bosque seco en el norte de Colombia. Materiales y métodos. Se estimó la cantidad anual de nutrientes en la hojarasca foliar de diferentes especies vegetales en sistemas silvopastoriles y en una pastura de solo gramíneas, con trampas de hojarasca instaladas en el área de influencia de cada especie vegetal. Resultados. Las especies arbóreas en los sistemas silvopastoriles generaron mayor cantidad de hojarasca foliar y nutrientes que la pastura de solo gramíneas. Albizia saman presentó los mayores valores de producción de hojarasca foliar y retorno de nitrógeno y fósforo dentro de los sistemas silvopastoriles, con respecto a las otras especies. Conclusión. La producción de hojarasca de las diferentes especies fue independiente del sistema silvopastoril en el cual se encontraban, y el retorno potencial de nutrientes vía hojarasca foliar de las especies arbóreas en los sistemas silvopastoriles fue superior a la registrada en la gramínea de la pradera sin árboles.