bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Business process & risks: bibliometric and visualized analysis
Authors: Syhyda Liubov , Malytskyi Ivan , Mei Jingguo
Published: April 2024

Business processes form mechanisms for enterprises functioning. They drive actions, help enterprises achieve results, and be profitable and productive. However, in some cases, enterprises need help in providing new business processes, or some problems occur in old ones. The reason can be risks. In some cases, risks cause unexpected changes in all processes at the enterprise level. Fast and meaningful actions can help to prevent crises. Based on bibliometric and visualization analysis, the research aims to study risk influence on business processes. The papers’ search was conducted using bibliometric analysis. We used the Scopus database, one of the most consequential and up-to-date. Following the setup criteria, we’ve achieved 671 articles for further analysis. To determine articles, we used two keywords, «business process» & «risk», joined with the logical operator «AND». The «title, abstract, keywords» field was used as a search field. We’ve explored gathered and summarized papers in BibExcel. Pajek was used to present the obtained results and build visualization maps. The research allowed achieve some insights. First, the investigated problem is on the rise. Intensification of publication activity only started in 2005. As for now, the peak of publications was in 2022, with 56 papers. Second, the most contributing authors present five countries. So, the investigated problem seems to have a global essence. Nevertheless, cooperation between scientists isn’t deep, and no formed clusters exist. Third, scientists published 7% of papers in two influential journals – Business Process Management Journal & Sustainability. Both journals have high SNIP and belong to Q1. Fourth, scientists from Europe, Asia, North America, Australia, and Africa work on it. Though the United States and the United Kingdom perform in leading positions, Ukraine is tenth, with 23 articles published within ten years. Fifth, three of the most frequently used keywords form three clusters in connection with other keywords. They are risk management, risk assessment, and business process. Thus, the importance of risk management during the implementation and management of business processes is crucial. Bibliometric analysis proves it.
Analysis of taxation systems of IT-business subjects in Ukraine: advantages and disadvantages
Authors: Yeremіan Olena , Stefanovich Natalia
Published: April 2024

The article examines the issue of organizing the activities of IT business entities. An algorithm for determining the form of ownership and choosing a taxation system by IT business entities is proposed. The current tax jurisdictions were considered, and the taxation system in these jurisdictions was analyzed. It was determined that IT business entities have the opportunity to choose a general taxation system, a simplified taxation system, or a special legal and tax regime «Diia City». The tax burden on sole proprietorships and legal entities is generalized by separating tax rates for such entities by tax legislation. Taking into account the fact that the majority of programmers work as sole proprietors and taking into account the peculiarities of accounting in the IT sphere, the conditions of being in one or another taxation system were investigated and it was determined that the III group of the single tax is the most optimal option for the IT business of sole proprietorships. With such a taxation system, they are not limited in the number of employees, have the opportunity to work with any economic entities, and can also carry out their activities both in the form of a sole proprietorship and in the form of a legal entity. It was concluded that the negative point in VAT taxation was the cancellation from January 1, 2023. VAT benefits for IT services, which caused an additional tax burden in the form of direct sales tax and led to an increase in prices for the final consumer. Therefore, to form an effective tax policy and ensure the competitiveness of the IT sector, it is suggested to resort to extraordinary measures for tax incentives for the IT industry, as well as to study the experience of other countries. The advantages and disadvantages of the «Diia City» tax regime were studied, and it was determined that the tax component of the «Diia City» regime is attractive. However, the biggest disadvantage of the special regime is that in wartime, it is impossible to reserve a gig contractor from mobilization, even if he is critical personnel. Having analyzed the taxation systems currently in force in Ukraine for the IT business, it can be concluded that IT companies have certain advantages and benefits regarding the payment of taxes. However, it is important to carefully choose a tax strategy and take into account all the nuances related to international agreements and state legislation in order to ensure proper fulfillment of tax obligations and efficient business operations.
Deposit policy of Ukrainian banks
Authors: Moroz Nataliia , Adamenko Daria
Published: April 2024

The article examines the peculiarities of attracting deposits by Ukrainian banks in modern conditions, taking into account the effects of external factors. The dynamics of the volumes of deposits of individuals and legal entities in 2016–2023, changes in deposit rates, the structure of deposits (the specific weight of contributions in foreign currency, the share of time deposits), the rating of Ukrainian banks by the size of their deposit portfolio were studied. The deposit policy of banks is characterized by the predominance of funds on demand in the structure of the deposit portfolio, with a decrease in the share of time deposits. The tendency to increase the deposit portfolio of banks is due to trust in the banking sector, as well as in the Individual Deposit Guarantee Fund. Until July 2022, all banks offered low deposit rates (4.3-7.4% per annum in hryvnias), however, over the past year and a half, there has been a tendency for rates on hryvnia time deposits to increase, and most banks' rates cover expected inflation. As a result, the propensity to save in the national currency increased and a tendency to increase the volume and share of time deposits of individuals was formed. In April 2023, the NBU introduced a three-month deposit certificate at a fixed rate at the level of the discount rate, which gave an impetus to the growth of deposit rates and the competition of banks for time deposits and deposits of private clients. Until 2018, Ukraine could be classified as a group of countries with high dollarization of deposits, which is associated with periodic currency and financial crises and long-term negative expectations of economic entities. However, in recent years, dollarization has decreased, in 2022 it again had an upward trend. During currency and financial crises, its indicators increase significantly, which is connected with the devaluation of the hryvnia and the reorientation of economic entities to more stable currencies. Under the difficult conditions of the current economic situation in Ukraine, it is suggested that banks develop new deposit products with the introduction and expansion of innovations in customer service. In order to maintain positive trends, Ukrainian banks must implement a balanced deposit policy aimed at stabilizing the deposit portfolio, including through the introduction of new deposit products.
The problem of attracting foreign investments in the conditions of war
Authors: Viblyi Petro , Korniichuk Yulia
Published: April 2024

The article examines the problems of attracting foreign investment to the economy of Ukraine through insurance mechanisms in the conditions of the war economy and reveals the components of increasing the attractiveness of the investment market, including the active foreign policy of the country's leadership, which is manifested in the main political and economic events in Ukraine, active and multilateral support by the world leaders and countries of Ukraine's resistance to Russian aggression, the authority of the President of Ukraine on the world stage; reforming the Ukrainian judicial and tax system; active search for modern platforms and innovative tools for attracting foreign investment. The main negative and problematic factors affecting the process of attracting investments in the economic development of Ukraine are systematized, including the functioning of the economy in war conditions, the lack of guarantees at the state level, and the system of protection of foreign investments. The problem of attracting foreign investment in the conditions of war is a difficult task for any country. The military conflict creates a number of negative factors that can scare away foreign investors and disrupt the economic climate. Military conflict leads to instability in the political and economic spheres. Investors feel the risk of investing in a country where there are no clear prospects for further development and recovery. Foreign investors are concerned about the security of their investments and personnel. The risk can be related both to the immediate consequences of the military conflict and the subsequent instability after the end of the war. Military conflict usually results in the destruction of infrastructure, reduced industrial activity, and general economic depression, making the country less attractive to investors. Conditions of war may lead to violations of legal norms and a lack of effective legal protection for foreign investors. A military conflict can lead to a significant increase in defense spending, which can cause financial difficulties for the government and lead to inflation and other problems in the economy. To solve these problems and attract foreign investment in the conditions of war, the country must take measures to ensure stability, improve security, develop effective legal protection measures, and restore the economy. Implementation of such measures can help restore investor confidence and stimulate economic development.
Takmörkun á frádrætti vaxtagjalda - skuldbindingar samkvæmt EES-rétti
Authors: Sigurvaldadóttir Vigdís Tinna
Published: April 2024

Í greininni er fjallað um b. lið 3. mgr. 57. gr. b tekjuskattslaga sem felur í sér undanþágu frá gildissviði reglunnar um takmörkun á skattalegum vaxtafrádrætti milli tengdra aðila í atvinnurekstri og hvernig ákvæðið samrýmist þeim skuldbindingum sem Ísland hefur undirgengist samkvæmt EES-rétti, meðal annars með tilvísunum til dómaframkvæmdar Evrópudómstólsins og EFTA-dómstólsins. Ákvæði 57. gr. b var sett í kjölfar efnahagskreppunnar, vaxandi þrýstings á fjárveitingar ríkisins og aukinnar meðvitundar í samfélaginu gagnvart þeim vandkvæðum sem alþjóðleg skattaskipulagning getur haft í för með sér. Í samræmi við þróun á alþjóðlegum vettvangi, það er útgáfu BEPS aðgerðaáætlunar OECD í október 2015 og skattasniðgöngutilskipunar Evrópusambandsins frá 12. júlí 2016 samþykkti Alþingi lög nr. 112/2016, um aðgerðir stjórnvalda gegn skattsvikum o.fl., í október 2016. Með ákvæði 57. gr. b laga nr. 90/2003, um tekjuskatt, var þannig lögfest sérstök regla um takmörkun á skattalegum vaxtafrádrætti milli tengdra aðila í atvinnurekstri. Ákvæðinu er ætlað, í samræmi við fjórðu BEPS aðgerðaáætlun OECD og skattasniðgöngutilskipunina, að sporna gegn rýrnun skattstofna og tilfærslu á hagnaði frá Íslandi með lánveitingum innan samstæðna.

This article discusses point b of paragraph 3 of Article 57 b of the Icelandic Income tax law which encompasses an exemption from the scope of the rule on limitation of Interest deductions between related parties engaged in business activities and the provisions compatibility with the obligations that Iceland has undergone under EEA law, including references to the case law of the European Court of Justice and the EFTA Court. Article 57 b was introduced as a result of the economic crisis, increasing pressure on government budgets and increasing awareness in society of the issues that international tax planning can cause. In line with developments at international level, i.e. publication of the OECD's BEPS Action plan in October 2015 and the EU's anti-tax avoidance directive from 12 July 2016, Althingi passed law No. 112/2016, on the Government's measures against tax avoidance, etc. in October 2016. Article 57 b enacted a special rule on the limitation of interest deduction between related parties in business activities. The article is intended, in line with the OECD's BEPS action 4 and the anti-tax avoidance directive, to prevent base erosion and profit shifting from Iceland through intra-group lending.
A Morphometric Study to Measure the Height and Width of Pedicles of Second Cervical Vertebrae in Different Sex
Authors: Banu Masuma Akhtar , Ara Shamim , Yusuf Rehena
Published: April 2024

Context: Identification provides a biological profile of an individual, including estimation of ancestry, age and particularly sex by the morphology of bones. Examination of bone is important for identification and estimation of sex of an individual. The present study was planned to collect data regarding morphometric measurements of pedicle of human dry ossified second cervical vertebrae and to find out possible variations in different sex.

Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional analytical study was performed in the Department of Anatomy, Dhaka Medical College, Dhaka from January 2012 to December 2012. The study materials consists of 156 (one hundred & fifty six) human dry ossified second cervical vertebral of unknown sex. The study samples were distributed in male & female sex groups by discriminant function analysis technique. With the help of digital slide calipers different measurements were recorded in millimeters.

Result: Among 156 vertebrae 87 was male and 69 was female. The mean (±SD) The mean (± SD) height and width of pedicle was greater in male than that of female (P<0.05).

Conclusion: There was no significant difference in height and width of pedicle, between right and left side in both sexes.

Bangladesh Journal of Anatomy July 2015, Vol. 13, No. 2, pp. 37-40
Skinfold Thickness of Government Primary School Children in Dhaka City
Authors: Rahman Sharmin , Ara Shamim , Begum Mahamuda , Banu Masuma Akhtar
Published: April 2024

Context: Skinfold thickness is one of the important parameter to assess nutritional status which is widely used in children. It is the common technique for estimating fat mass in children. We can also use measurement of skinfold thickness in children for clinical, research and epidemiological purposes. The present study was planned to determine difference in skinfold thickness between boys and girls of four government primary school in Dhaka city.

Materials & Methods: A cross-sectional analytical type of study was conducted in the department of anatomy, Dhaka Medical College, Dhaka, from January 2012 to December 2012. The present study was performed on 400 government primary school children. Out of 400 children, 200 were boys and 200 were girls. The study population was divided into three groups A, B, C according to age and sex of the subject. Group A include age 9+ years, group B include age 10+ years and group C include age 11+ years old children. Each group was again subdivided into A1, B1 and C1 for boys and A2, B2 and C2 for girls. The subjects of this age group were the students of class III to class V. With the help of skinfold caliper measurements were recorded.

Results: Triceps, subscapular, suprailiac and medial calf skinfold of group A2, B2 and C2 were significantly greater (P<0.001) than group A1, B1 and C1.

Bangladesh Journal of Anatomy July 2015, Vol. 13, No. 2, pp. 41-45
Sexual Dimorphism of Index (2D) and Ring (4D) Digit Lengths and Their Ratio (2D:4D) Among Adult Bangladeshi Male
Authors: Hasan Karim Rezwan , Ara Shamim , Begum Mahamuda
Published: April 2024

Context: Human hand is one of the most studied subjects in modern science and evolutionary biology. By virtue of evolution and genetically arrangements, digital lengths vary from person to person according to age, sex, races, occupation or even environmental influences. It has been found that the digital lengths and their ratios are not the same in different sexes or even both hands. Specially, index to ring digit lengths and their ratios which already have been proved to represent sexual dimorphism may differ in both hands of an individual. Many studies among different races have shown that index to ring digit ratio (2D:4D)  31 among female and <1.00 among male. In this study, this variation of the index finger (2D) and ring finger (4D) length and their ratio (2D:4D) has been analyzed and compared in both hands among the adult male Bangladeshis.

Materials & Methods: A Cross sectional analytical study was conducted in the department of Anatomy, Dhaka Medical College, Dhaka, from July 2012 to June 2013. The study was performed on 100 male MBBS students (20-25 years of age) of Dhaka Medical College, Dhaka. With the help of digital vernier caliper measurements of digital lengths were recorded. Paired t- test was done for statistical analysis of the results.

Results: Significant difference has been found in the lengths of index finger (2D) and ring (4D) digits and their ratios (2D:4D) between both hands where left index finger (L2D) length was higher than right index finger (R2D) length (P<0.05) and the length of right ring finger (R4D) was significantly greater (P<0.001) than left ring finger (L4D). The right index to ring digit ratio (R2D:4D) was significantly less than left index to ring digit ratio (L2D:4D) in male (P<0.001) that indicated sexual dimorphism in 2D:4D ratio is more prominent in the right hand in male. Also, right index to ring digit ratio (R2D:4D) was recorded <1.00 in 86% and 31 in 14% subjects and left index to ring digit ratio (L2D:4D) was recorded <1.00 in 76% and  31 in 24% of subjects.

Conclusion: Digital lengths especially index (2D) and ring (4D) digit lengths are often use to determine sexual dimorphism. Also, study over the variations of digital lengths have great medicolegal importance to determine age, sex and race of an individual.

Bangladesh Journal of Anatomy July 2015, Vol. 13, No. 2, pp. 57-61
Dermatoglyphic Patterns of Finger Tips in the Patients with Pulmonary Tuberculosis
Authors: Ahmed Afrose , Ara Shamim , Alom K M Monjurul , Reza Rumana , Banu Masuma Akhter
Published: April 2024

Context: The word dermatoglyphics denotes as the scientific study of the epidermal ridge patterns of fingertips, palm and sole. There are three major classes of dermatoglyphic patterns of finger tips: loops, whorls and arches. Analysis of finger dermatoglyphic is beginning to prove itself as a useful tool for preliminary investigation in conditions with a suspected genetic basis. The genetic contribution is one of the causes of pulmonary tuberculosis. The present study on finger dermatoglyphics pattern was carried out to provide dermatoglyphic as a tool for early prediction of pulmonary tuberculosis by comparing dermatoglyphic patterns of pulmonary tuberculosis patients with the normal healthy individuals.

Materials and Methods: A Cross-sectional, analytical type of study was conducted in Department of Anatomy, Dhaka Medical College, Dhaka, from January 2012 to December 2012. The study was performed on 100 patients suffering from pulmonary tuberculosis and 100 healthy individuals.

Results: The percentage of whorl in pulmonary tuberculosis patients was significantly higher than control group (P<0.001). On the other hand, in pulmonary tuberculosis patients ulnar loop, radial loop and arch were 30.4%, 0.1% and 4.9% respectively and in control group were 72.3% , 2.5% and 10.3% respectively. Ulnar loop, radial loop and arch were significantly decreased in the patients group as compared to controls.

Conclusion: In the present study the percentage of whorl was predominantly higher in the pulmonary tuberculosis patient than the control subjects.

Bangladesh Journal of Anatomy July 2015, Vol. 13, No. 2, pp. 62-66
IMPLEMENTATION OF SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT FOR PRODUCT MANAGEMENT AT BAKTI JAYA STORE
Authors: Rahman Bayu , Helmiah Fauriatun , Larasati Mustika Fitri
Published: April 2024

Abstract: Toko Bakti Jaya is one of the shops in Kisaran which is engaged in selling cake and food ingredients. Currently, the store is still managing product inventory manually by recording the number of incoming goods based on order records. Stock counting is done by looking directly at the warehouse, which causes difficulties in accurately monitoring stock and risks of shortages or excess stock. These constraints can affect customer satisfaction and store operations. This study aims to improve the efficiency of product inventory management at Bakti Jaya Stores by implementing a technology-based and information-based Supply Chain Management system. The research method is a qualitative method, with data collection techniques through interviews with informants, conducting field observations, and also obtained from literature studies. This research produces a product stock management information system using Supply Chain Management that connects Bakti Jaya Stores with suppliers to maximize coordination between stores and suppliers, facilitates control of the flow of stock availability in stores, and makes it easier for store owners to make decisions related to purchasing and procuring goods by providing accurate inventory analysis and real-time product stock information. Keywords: management; stock; suppliers; supply chain management  Abstrak: Toko Bakti Jaya adalah salah satu toko yang ada di Kisaran yang bergerak dalam bidang penjualan bahan kue dan makanan. Saat ini, toko tersebut masih mengelola persediaan produk secara manual dengan mencatat jumlah barang masuk berdasarkan catatan pemesanan. Penghitungan stok dilakukan dengan cara melihat langsung gudang, yang menyebabkan kesulitan dalam pengawasan stok secara akurat dan berisiko terjadi kekurangan atau kelebihan stok. Kendala tersebut dapat mempengaruhi kepuasan pelanggan dan operasional toko. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk meningkatkan efisiensi pengelolaan persediaan produk di Toko Bakti Jaya dengan menerapkan sistem Supply Chain Management berbasis teknologi dan informasi. Metode penelitiannya ialah metode kualitatif, dengan tehnik pengumpulan data melalui wawancara kepada narasumber, melakukan observasi ke lapangan serta juga didapat dari studi literature. Penelitian ini menghasilkan Sistem Informasi pengelolaan stok produk dengan menggunakan Supply Chain Management yang menghubungkan Toko Bakti Jaya dengan para supplier dapat memaksimalkan koordinasi antara toko dengan supplier, memudahkan pengendalian aliran stok ketersediaan barang di toko serta memudahkan pemilik toko membuat keputusan terkait dengaan pembelian dan pengadaan barang dengan menyediakan analisis persediaan yang akurat dan informasi stok produk yang real time. Kata kunci: pengelolaan; stok; supplier; supply chain management
IMPLEMENTATION OF SES TECHNIQUES IN THE NEEDS FOR BROILER CHICKEN MEAT IN ASAHAN DISTRICT
Authors: Maulana Marpaung Teguh Gilang , Ramdhan William , Syahputra Abdul Karim
Published: April 2024

Abstract: The Asahan Regency Animal Husbandry and Animal Health Service carries out outreach activities on the level of demand for boiler chicken, which means that the department must be more active in collecting data on the volume of boiler chicken every year because consumer demand for chicken continues to increase and instability often occurs. Where in the period 2012 to 2024 there was a significant increase in demand. So it becomes an obstacle in the stock of chickens in the Asahan Regency market which must be prepared. If there is too much chicken supply but the demand for chicken consumption decreases then this will result in a loss, conversely if the demand for chicken consumption increases but the chicken supply cannot be prepared then this will be a loss for chicken traders and distributors. To increase the accuracy of the estimates, the use of the Single Exponential Smoothing Method is proposed. This method smooths past values with exponential weights, placing greater emphasis on recent data. Using data from the last 12 (twelve) years as reference data for recording the past for forecasting experiments for the next 1 (one) month. Experiments using different Alphas test accuracy in actual situations. The results of the experiment with an alpha of 0.9 are almost the same as the actual value in predicting the situation one year into the future with the lowest error, namely MAPE 7.4% and forecasting broiler chicken meat supplies of 13661261.46 chickens.Keywords: broiler chicken; ses method; web based. Abstrak: Dinas Peternakan dan Kesehatan Hewan Kabupaten Asahan melakukan aktivitas penyuluhan tingkat  permintaan ayam boiler dimana pihak dinas harus lebih aktif dalam melakukan pendataan volume ayam boiler setiap tahunnya karena permintaan konsumen terhadap ayam sering terjadi ketidakstabilan. Dimana pada periode tahun 2012 sampai dengan 2024 terjadi kenaikan permintaan yangsignifikan. Sehingga menjadi kendala dalam stok ayam di pasar Kabupaten Asahan yang harus disiapkan. Jika persediaan ayam terlalu banyak namun permintaan akan konsumsi ayam menurun maka ini akan manjadi kerugian, sebaliknya jika permintaan akan konsumsi ayam meningkat namun persediaan ayam tidak dapat disiapkan maka ini menjadi kerugian bagi pihak pedagang dan distributor ayam. Untuk meningkatkan ketepatan perkiraan, penggunaan Metode Single Exponential Smoothing diusulkan. Metode ini menghaluskan nilai masa lalu dengan bobot eksponensial, memberikan penekanan lebih besar pada data terbaru. Penggunaan data 12 tahun terakhir sebagai data acuan pencatatan masa lalu untuk percobaan peramalan untuk 1 (satu) bulan kedepan. Penggunaan Alpha yang berbeda menguji akurasi dalam situasi aktual. Hasil dari penelitian dengan alpha 0,9 hampir sama dengan nilai aktual dalam meramalkan keadaan satu tahun ke depan dengan error yang paling rendah yaitu MAPE 7,4% dan peramalan persediaan daging ayam broiler sebanyak 13661261,46 ayam.Kata kunci: berbasis web; daging ayam broiler; metode ses.
IMPLEMENTASI PROGRAM KELAS UNGGULAN DI SMA NEGERI 3 MATARAM
Authors: Iqbal Muhammad , Haromain Haromain , Hidayati Nurul
Published: April 2024

Tujuan dari penelitian ini adalah untuk mengetahui: (1) bagaimana penerapan program kelas unggulan di SMAN 3 Mataram, (2) faktor pendukung kelas unggulan (3) faktor penghambat kelas unggulan (4) dan  bagaimana solusi yang dapat dilakukan dalam faktor penghambat penerapan program kelas unggulan di SMA Negeri 3 Mataram. Untuk mencapai  tujuan di atas, digunakan pendekatan dalam penelitian kualitatif dengan jenis penelitian deskriptif, yaitu metode yang digunakan dalam pengumpulan data adalah observasi, wawancara dan dokumentasi. Data yang didapat dianalisis selama pengumpulan data berlangsung, untuk membuat laporan penelitian. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa 1. penerapan kelas program kelas unggulan di SMA Negeri 3 Mataram diterapkan dengan mempertimbangkan aspek: input siswa, kurikulum, guru pengajar, sumber dan proses pembelajaran, lingkungan belajar, dan evaluasi 2. Faktor pendukung dalam program kelas unggulan mencakup: siswa, kurikulum, sarana prasarana, dan guru 3. Faktor penghambat dari program kelas unggulan mencakup: guru, fasilitas, siswa dengan adanya kesenjangan sosial, 4. Solusi untuk kendala yang ada dalam pelaksanaan kelas unggulan adalah: a) guru yang monoton harus bisa mengubah metode pembelajaran semenarik mungkin untuk bisa membuat siswa lebih aktif di kelas dan tidak bosan saat proses belajar. b) fasilitas guru harus bisa memaksimalkan proses program pembelajaran di dalam kelas walaupun adanya fasilitas yang kurang lengkap. c) siswa terkait dengan adanya kesenjangan sosial seharusnya memberikan sosialasi dan arahan kepada kelas unggulan dan kelas reguler supaya tidak ada pembedaan di antara kedua kelas tersebut.
Narratives of Resistance and Remembering in Marcel Proust's Railway Station
Authors: Lambert Elizabeth
Published: April 2024

Modernity's drive to optimize and regulate urban space manifests in the metropolitan railway station, a structure whose emergence in the nineteenth-century remade spatiotemporal practices. While the station's utilitarianism would seem antithetical to artistic expression, it became an unlikely site of creative resistance at the turn of the century. Taking In Search of Lost Time as a case study, I argue that Marcel Proust challenges the hegemonic spatial practices of emerging capitalist systems by reimagining the railway station as a site for modern poetics and memory. In reappropriating the railway station timetable as a site of modern poetics, Proust renders comprehensible one of modernity's most depersonalized, abstract spaces – and, in representing train stations as mnemotechnic devices, identifies a narrative potential inherent even in quotidian urban locales. Proust's railway station illuminates important questions about the architectural lineage of modernist literature and the narrative capacities of each discipline, while also encouraging renewed understanding of their reciprocity.
Commodification of Higher Education: Investigating the Application of Pragma Stylistic Framework on the Discourses of Pakistani University Prospectuses
Authors: Satti Sumra Mussarat Jabeen , Mahmood Saqib , Saba Tabassum
Published: April 2024

Pakistani universities, like most other global universities, are commoditising the discourse of prospectuses for commercial and marketisation purposes. This study examined how most higher education institutes in Pakistan employ marketing strategies through linguistic and discoursal means to achieve their desired objectives. This study operationalised Black’s pragma stylistic framework (2006) to analyse the language of the Pakistani prospectuses. The present study synthesised two different genres, such as pragmatics and stylistics, termed pragma stylistics. This study followed a qualitative interpretive paradigm to analyse linguistic characteristics and communication strategies embedded in the discourse of Pakistani university prospectuses in line with the pragma stylistics tenets. The analysis of this study reveals that the pragma stylistic framework is potentially a useful conceptual framework applicable to interpreting the promotional language of Pakistani universities.
Arquitectura tipográfica del libro en el Siglo de Oro
Authors: Torné Emilio
Published: April 2024

A partir del conocido símil entre im­presión y arquitectura, este artículo anali­za la estructura del libro antiguo desde el punto de vista de su fabricación material. Se estudian, sucesivamente, la compagina­ción, la letrería y la composición. Como ejemplo de los usos tipográficos en nuestro Siglo de Oro, se ofrece el análisis parcial de dos libros impresos en casa de Juan de la Cuesta en 1604: Arauco domado (del que se estudian los comienzos de cantos) y el Quijote (del que se estudia la portada). Como conclusión, se señala la necesidad de aclarar los criterios que se siguieron para la fabricación de los libros, si queremos en­tender lo que significan las diferentes pre­sentaciones tipográficas. Se trata, en suma, de recobrar la competencia tipográfica de aquellos operarios que fabricaron los libros que atesoran nuestras bibliotecas.
La pareja deshecha: pleitos matrimoniales en el tribunal arzobispal de sevilla durante el antiguo régimen
Authors: Ruiz Sastre Marta , Macías Domínguez Alonso Manuel
Published: April 2024

El matrimonio se perfila, durante los Tiempos Modernos, como espacio de con­tradicciones y enfrentamiento de intereses. Los pleitos matrimoniales conservados en el Archivo General del Arzobispado de Se­villa evidencian conflictos surgidos en las parejas en una época en la que los com­portamientos –personales y sociales- de­bían adaptarse a los planteamientos de las grandes instituciones. El presente artículo analiza las actitudes adoptadas por famili­ares, comunidad y miembros del estamen­to eclesiástico en dichos pleitos; todos ellos actores fundamentales en el tratamiento y/o resolución de las desavenencias mari­tales.
Las peticiones de ciclos de misas en los testamentos granadinos en los siglos xvi-xvii.
Authors: Collado Ruiz María José
Published: April 2024

Entre la piedad y el interés por propi­ciar la salvación del alma se extendió du­rante la Edad Moderna una interesante petición de misas pro remedio animae: los ciclos de misas. Agrupadas y denominadas de muy distintas formas eran unas celebra­ciones post mortem provenientes del ritual medieval que no dejaron de solicitarse en los testamentos de los granadinos a pesar de los dictados reprobatorios del Concilio de Trento.
Ocular surface immune transcriptome and tear cytokines in corneal infection patients
Authors: Alenezi Heba , Parnell Grant , Schibeci Stephen , Ozkan Jerome , Willcox Mark , White Andrew J. R. , Carnt Nicole
Published: April 2024

Background

Microbial keratitis is one of the leading causes of blindness globally. An overactive immune response during an infection can exacerbate damage, causing corneal opacities and vision loss. This study aimed to identify the differentially expressed genes between corneal infection patients and healthy volunteers within the cornea and conjunctiva and elucidate the contributing pathways to these conditions’ pathogenesis. Moreover, it compared the corneal and conjunctival transcriptomes in corneal-infected patients to cytokine levels in tears.

Methods

Corneal and conjunctival swabs were collected from seven corneal infection patients and three healthy controls under topical anesthesia. RNA from seven corneal infection patients and three healthy volunteers were analyzed by RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq). Tear proteins were extracted from Schirmer strips via acetone precipitation from 38 cases of corneal infection and 14 healthy controls. The cytokines and chemokines IL-1β, IL-6, CXCL8 (IL-8), CX3CL1, IL-10, IL-12 (p70), IL-17A, and IL-23 were measured using an antibody bead assay.

Results

A total of 512 genes were found to be differentially expressed in infected corneas compared to healthy corneas, with 508 being upregulated and four downregulated (fold-change (FC) <−2 or > 2 and adjusted p <0.01). For the conjunctiva, 477 were upregulated, and 3 were downregulated (FC <−3 or ≥ 3 and adjusted p <0.01). There was a significant overlap in cornea and conjunctiva gene expression in patients with corneal infections. The genes were predominantly associated with immune response, regulation of angiogenesis, and apoptotic signaling pathways. The most highly upregulated gene was CXCL8 (which codes for IL-8 protein). In patients with corneal infections, the concentration of IL-8 protein in tears was relatively higher in patients compared to healthy controls but did not show statistical significance.

Conclusions

During corneal infection, many genes were upregulated, with most of them being associated with immune response, regulation of angiogenesis, and apoptotic signaling. The findings may facilitate the development of treatments for corneal infections that can dampen specific aspects of the immune response to reduce scarring and preserve sight.
Genetic and inflammatory factors underlying gestational diabetes mellitus: a review
Authors: Ray Gyan Watson , Zeng Qiaoli , Kusi Phidelia , Zhang Hengli , Shao Taotao , Yang Taili , Wei Yue , Li Mianqin , Che Xiaoqun , Guo Runmin
Published: April 2024

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) poses a significant global health concern, impacting both maternal and fetal well-being. Early detection and treatment are imperative to mitigate adverse outcomes during pregnancy. This review delves into the pivotal role of insulin function and the influence of genetic variants, including SLC30A8, CDKAL1, TCF7L2, IRS1, and GCK, in GDM development. These genetic variations affect beta-cell function and insulin activity in crucial tissues, such as muscle, disrupting glucose regulation during pregnancy. We propose a hypothesis that this variation may disrupt zinc transport, consequently impairing insulin production and secretion, thereby contributing to GDM onset. Furthermore, we discussed the involvement of inflammatory pathways, such as TNF-alpha and IL-6, in predisposing individuals to GDM. Genetic modulation of these pathways may exacerbate glucose metabolism dysregulation observed in GDM patients. We also discussed how GDM affects cardiovascular disease (CVD) through a direct correlation between pregnancy and cardiometabolic function, increasing atherosclerosis, decreased vascular function, dyslipidemia, and hypertension in women with GDM history. However, further research is imperative to unravel the intricate interplay between inflammatory pathways, genetics, and GDM. This understanding is pivotal for devising targeted gene therapies and pharmacological interventions to rectify genetic variations in SLC30A8, CDKAL1, TCF7L2, IRS1, GCK, and other pertinent genes. Ultimately, this review offers insights into the pathophysiological mechanisms of GDM, providing a foundation for developing strategies to mitigate its impact.
High-quality development under energy constraints: an empirical study based on e-commerce demonstration zones
Authors: Guo Qian , Zhang Na
Published: April 2024

Introduction: China is exploring methods to achieve economically intensive, green, and high-quality development. Strengthening urban green total-factor production is important for achieving high-quality economic development. Whether the construction of e-commerce demonstration zones (EDZ) can provide new opportunities for high-quality urban development under the dual constraints of energy and environment is a question worth studying.

Methods: In order to verify the relationship this study using panel data from 290 prefecture-level cities in China from 2005 to 2020. Data envelopment analysis (DEA) was used to assess the level of high-quality urban development under resource and environmental constraints. The multi-phase difference-difference method (DID) was used to analyze how the e-commerce model city creation policies significantly promoted high-quality urban economic development.

Results and Discussion: This study shows that the e-commerce demonstration zone effectively promotes the high-quality development of the city. Heterogeneity tests show that the impact of electric EDZs on high-quality development can be influenced by city size and geographic location (e.g., east coast and mid-west). Based on these conclusions, this study puts forward some suggestions to enhance the attractiveness of small- and medium-sized cities, non-resource-based cities, and western cities by formulating preferential policies.
Over the hills and far away: phylogeography and demographic migration history of a dispersal-restricted primrose (Primula vulgaris)
Authors: Triest Ludwig , Van Rossum Fabienne , Sramkó Gábor , Sierens Tim , Volkova Polina
Published: April 2024

Introduction

Quaternary glaciations, in particular the last glacial maximum (LGM), have shaped the contemporary distribution of many species. In Europe, survival of temperate species during range contractions was mainly associated with refugia in Mediterranean peninsulas, allowing south to north recolonization. Additionally, the Ponto-Caspian refugium provided an east to west migration route.

Methods

Here, we investigated genetic diversity and structure of the dispersal-restricted Primula vulgaris Huds., a temperate herb of supposed Caucasian origin, using 12 highly polymorphic nuclear microsatellite loci to trace the colonization of this species in three European regions. We studied 38 populations, namely an eastern mountainous region (Caucasus), a central region (Carpathian Mountains and Dinaric Alps) and a western lowland region (North European Plain). The role of an eastern refugium of the species was tested by performing Approximate Bayesian computation analyses to elucidate its demographic and phylogeographic history, detecting bottleneck and expansion events, and estimating effective (ancestral and current) population sizes and time of divergence.

Results and discussion

We found the eastern and central regions featuring the highest allelic richness and genetic differentiation being strong between and within regions. Stepwise-like mutation processes (RST > FST), together with isolation-by-distance patterns, contributed to genetic differentiation. Demographic event models showed that P. vulgaris experienced bottlenecks as well as expansions across its range during the Quaternary glacial cycles, with the last expansion about 6,000, 4,000, and 2,000 generations ago for eastern, central, and western populations, respectively. The best supported origin model pointed to the Caucasus population being closest to an ancestral situation, and from where central and western populations diverged subsequently. Divergence time of the Caucasus populations from an ancestral lineage referred to the Upper Pleistocene (Middle Weichselian). Divergence of Carpathian populations, including a Lower Danube valley corridor, was estimated during and across the LGM (Late Weichselian), confirming central populations as potential secondary cryptic refugium. Western populations recently diverged during the Holocene, most probably in the Atlanticum phase (7,000–3,900 years ago). Within regions, genetic structure was also shaped by latitude, longitude, or altitudinal migration, and for western lowlands, by recent bottleneck and genetic drift processes.
Response of Alnus glutinosa to Phytophthora bark infections at ambient and elevated CO2 levels
Authors: Macháčová Markéta , Tomášková Ivana , Corcobado Tamara , Nagy Zoltan , Milanović Slobodan , Janoušek Josef , Pešková Vítězslava , Čepl Jaroslav , Gezan Salvador , Nakládal Oto , Zumr Václav , Kalyniukova Alina , Milenković Ivan , Jung Thomas
Published: April 2024

Introduction

Mortality of the riparian alder population caused by Phytophthora pathogens has been studied for over 20 years throughout Europe, recently gaining more importance in the context of evident climate change. The main objective of this study was to examine the pathogenicity of species from the “Phytophthora alni complex” present in the Czech Republic (P. × alni and P. uniformis) and P. plurivora to Alnus glutinosa seedlings grown at ambient and elevated CO2 concentration.

Methods

An underbark inoculation test was performed with seedlings grown from seeds collected from two Czech alder populations, one suffering from severe Phytophthora decline and the other disease-free.

Results

The results showed significant differences in lesion development and seedling mortality. After a 13-week experimental period, at both CO2 levels P. × alni and P. uniformis showed high aggressiveness to A. glutinosa seedlings causing lesions of variable sizes and mortality of 33.3%, and 45.8% of plants, respectively. In contrast, P. plurivora did not cause mortality to any plant, and lesion sizes did not differ significantly from those in control plants. Physiological measurements did not reveal any significant differences between Phytophthora species except for plants inoculated with P. plurivora showing increased values in specific physiological parameters 4 weeks post-inoculation. Net photosynthesis decreased over the measurement period in all treatments with significant differences found between measurements conducted 2 and 4 weeks after the inoculation. Transpiration showed a decreasing trend in all inoculated plants with no significant differences between Phytophthora species at both CO2 levels. Chemical analyses of root samples showed high variability in sugars and phenolic compounds related to the plant's health status.

Discussion

This is the first study to examine the response of alder seedlings to Phytophthora pathogens at different CO2 levels. The findings demonstrate high aggressiveness of P. × alni and P. uniformis and weaker aggressiveness of P. plurivora to alder seedlings regardless of the CO2 level.
Prevalence of anti-lymphocyte IgM autoantibodies driving complement activation in COVID-19 patients
Authors: Pérez-Díez Ainhoa , Liu Xiangdong , Calderon Stephanie , Bennett Ashlynn , Lisco Andrea , Kellog Anela , Galindo Frances , Memoli Matthew J. , Rocco Joseph M. , Epling Brian P. , Laidlaw Elizabeth , Sneller Mike C. , Manion Maura , Wortmann Glenn W. , Poon Rita , Kumar Princy , Sereti Irini
Published: April 2024

Introduction

COVID-19 patients can develop autoantibodies against a variety of secreted and membrane proteins, including some expressed on lymphocytes. However, it is unclear what proportion of patients might develop anti-lymphocyte antibodies (ALAb) and what functional relevance they might have.

Methods

We evaluated the presence and lytic function of ALAb in the sera of a cohort of 85 COVID-19 patients (68 unvaccinated and 17 vaccinated) assigned to mild (N=63), or moderate/severe disease (N=22) groups. Thirty-seven patients were followed-up after recovery. We also analyzed in vivo complement deposition on COVID-19 patients’ lymphocytes and examined its correlation with lymphocyte numbers during acute disease.

Results

Compared with healthy donors (HD), patients had an increased prevalence of IgM ALAb, which was significantly higher in moderate/severe disease patients and persisted after recovery. Sera from IgM ALAb+ patients exhibited complement-dependent cytotoxicity (CDC) against HD lymphocytes. Complement protein C3b deposition on patients’ CD4 T cells was inversely correlated with CD4 T cell numbers. This correlation was stronger in moderate/severe disease patients.

Discussion

IgM ALAb and complement activation against lymphocytes may contribute to the acute lymphopenia observed in COVID-19 patients.
Identification of extracellular matrix-related biomarkers in colon adenocarcinoma by bioinformatics and experimental validation
Authors: Yin Yongkui , Yang Xiaojie , Cheng Zhengyi , Wang Hui , Lei Jun , Wang Dan , Wang Peiwen , Li Biao , Mi Jing , Yuan Qi
Published: April 2024

Backgrounds

Extracellular matrix (ECM) is an important component of tumor microenvironment, and its abnormal expression promotes tumor formation, progression and metastasis.

Methods

Weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) was used to identify ECM-related hub genes based on The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) colon adenocarcinoma (COAD) data. COAD clinical samples were used to verify the expression of potential biomarkers in tumor tissues, and siRNA was used to explore the role of potential biomarkers in cell proliferation and epithelial−mesenchymal transition (EMT).

Results

Three potential biomarkers (LEP, NGF and PCOLCE2) related to prognosis of COAD patients were identified and used to construct ERGPI. Immunohistochemical analysis of clinical samples showed that the three potential biomarkers were highly expressed in tumor tissues of COAD patients. Knockdown of LEP, NGF or PCOLCE2 inhibited COAD cell proliferation and EMT. Dictamnine inhibited tumor cell growth by binding to these three potential biomarkers based on molecular docking and transplanted tumor model.

Conclusion

The three biomarkers can provide new ideas for the diagnosis and targeted therapy of COAD patients.