bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Valuation of Ecosystem Services of Kala Oya River Basin: Implications for River Basin Management
Authors: Gunawardena U.A.D.P.
Published: March 2024

Kala Oya Basin (KGB) is one of the largest river basins in Sri Lanka which covers an area of around 2,870 knr and expands over three provinces and four districts. The river basin covers many different types of ecosystems, valuable biodiversity resources and characterized by conflicting user interests and serious degradation issues. The present study attempts valuation of ecosystem services provided by the river basin and aims at providing recommendations for river basin management. Carbon storage and soil conservation functions, recreation, production services of homegardens, and mangrove services were valued using data collectedfrom various primary and secondary sources and using benefit transfer approach as the main valuation method. The annual value of the ecosystem services of the KGB is Rs million 23,500. The highest economic value was resulted from the carbon values (77%). The estimated value represents 1.16% ofGDP (of 2004) of the country and 7.33% of the agricultural sector GDP which highlights the significance of the potential economic gains of the basin. Development of appropriation mechanisms for the yet unrealized values and identification of conservation and monitoring priorities are the key issues identified by the present study However the study emphasizes the needfor more complex models that integrate economics, hydrology, and equity aspects which could ensure long term sustenance of the service provision of the river basin.
Hepatotoxic Effects of Microcystis aeruginosa (PCC 7820) on Wister Rats
Authors: Manage P.M. , Yasawardena S.G. , Wedage W.S.
Published: March 2024

The potential toxic effect of Microcystis aeruginosa through oral contamination is becoming important. The present study was carried out to find the possible hepatotoxic effects of toxic M. aeruginosa (PCC 7820) on male Wistar rats as animal model. Hepatotoxicity assessment 1vas done by estimation of serum hepatic enzyme levels of r-Glutamyl transferase (GGT). Alkaline phosphatase (ALP). Alanine aminotransferase (ALT/GPT), Aspartate aminotransferese (GOT/AST). Rat treated with non toxic (CYA -/3) and toxic non homogenized M. aeruginosa (PCC 7820) were normal in appearance where as rats receiving homogenized toxic M aeruginosa (PCC 7820) were lethargic and gained less weight which indicates a possible toxic effect on the test animals. The absolute and relative (% body weight) mean weight of liver and kidneys ofthe homogenous toxic M aeruginosa (PCC 7820) treated animal lj'ere lower than those who received non homogenized toxic M aeruginosa (PCC 7820) and the difference is statistically significant (p<0. 00J). Liver sections of rats receiving fresh toxic M aeruginosa and the homogenized toxic M aeruginosa did not show lymphatic infiltration or signs of necrosis. Rats treated 'with homogenized M aeruginosa showed lowering of absolute liver weight compared to the fresh M aeruginosa treated rats. Statisticcally significant (p<0.005) increase levels of serum y-Glutamyl transferase (GGT) was detected in rats 14 days after oral administration with homogenized toxic M aeruginosa (PCC 7820). There was no significant differentfound in serum Alanine aminotransferase (ALT/GPT) concentration between treated and control groups. The results indicate that prolonged oral administration of homogenized M. aeruginosa lead to functional hepatotoxicity in male Wister rats without evident histopathological liver necrosis.
Effect of Growth Rate on Wood Quality of Teak (Tectona grandis L.f.) Plnatations at Malsiripura, Kurunegala, Sri Lanka
Authors: Jayawardana D.N. , Amarasekera H.S.
Published: March 2024

This study was designed to find out how the quality of teak wood changes with growth rates. Based on the diameter at breast height and total tree height, three crown classes namely, suppressed, co-dominant and dominant were selectedfrom a 45-year-old state Tectona grandis Lf (teak) plantation at Malsiripura, Kurunegala, Sri Lanka. Three trees from each crown class were studied. Sample disks were extracted at breast height from each tree, to measure ring width whose values indicate growth rate and specific gravity of each ring. Percentage heartwood was also measured. Mean ring width and mean specific gravity values for each crown class were analyzed. Results indicated that there is no relationship between growth rate and specific gravity. Hence, fast growth rates in shorter rotations is unlikely to reduce specific gravity in teak. Woodproperty patterns werefound similar between the crown classes, indicating that these trends are inherent to teak. It was also found that the percentage heartwood is positively affected by growth rate.
Informatin Systems and Modernization of Organizations: A Flawed Case
Authors: Gunatunge R.S.
Published: March 2024

Information systems development and implementation practices at ABC Ceramic Company reflect techno- scientific and economic reasoning that form the foundation of the western modernity with underlying positivist approach. This resulted failures in information systems development and implementation projects initiated by ABC Company. The study reveals that information systems should be developed taking into considerations the social contexts of organizations in Sri Lanka. This is illustrated using an in-depth case study.
Confronting a Dilemma: A Gender Study on Arundai Roy's "God of Small Things"
Authors: Ransirini Shamara
Published: March 2024

Confronting a Dilemma: A Gender Study on Arundai Roy's "God of Small Things"
A Review of Sociological Theories of Suicide and Their Relevance in Sri Lankan Context
Authors: Kathriarachchi S.T. , Perera E.A.R. , Dharmasena S.R. , Sivayogan S.
Published: March 2024

Suicide is one of the leading causes of morality in Sri Lanka (Mnistry of Health Sri Lanka, 2001). It causes a major burden to the individual, family, the health care delivery system and the society at large. In addressing this important issue in an aetiological perspective, examining sociological theories is of special value, considering the high rate of suicide, which cannot be solely explained by mental ill health of the population. The earliest sociological explanations for suicide were presented by Emile Durkheim, a French sociological theories of suicide, namely anomic, egoistic, altruistic and fatalistic. The social elements described were subsequently expanded by several other sociologists. These include theories of social isolation, role conflict, imitation, reaction from the society, opportunity, social integration and rational suicide. The understanding of the sociological theories would help researchers and service providers to focus on an important, yet neglected aspect of the role of the society in relation to the high rate of suicide in the country. In addition, it is of value in formulating preventive strategies in a broader perspective.This paper discusses the sociological theories with case examples from Sri Lanka.
Public-owned Enterprises in the Politics of Sri Lanka
Authors: Athukorala P.
Published: March 2024

The objectives of this paper is to examine the factors behind the formation and expansion of pupblic enterprises in Sri Lanka. The public enterprises which established before independence were maintained and expanded by the two major parties, the United National Party (UNP) and the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) during the period 1948-77. These two parties had different party ideologies, but they were committed to maintain and to develop these ventures druing this era due to the influence of the Keynesian welfare state ideology. Meanwhile, this process has been reversed after 1977 due to the influence of a new state ideology, Market-oriented state ideology. This paper attempts to examine the role of the public-owned enterprises in post-independence Sri Lanka by employing the concept of the state ideology.
Grassroot Institutions for Regional Development: Sri Lankan Experience
Authors: Herath H.M.A.
Published: March 2024

Regional development has become a matter of great interest to all stakeholders interested in development, because of growing regional disparities and the fact that poverty levels have remained very high, despite the various strategies adopted by successive governments since independence in Sri Lanka. Therefore, in regional development rural institutions have been regarded as vitally important mechanisms to achieve regional development . The Divisional Secretariat System and the Pradeshiya Sabhas are the two main rural institutions operating at the divisional level in Sri Lanka. This paper analyses people’s participations in decision-making and their involvement in contribution to regional development at the grassroot levels with special reference to Palagala division of the Anuradhapura District in the North Central Province in Sri Lanka. Analysis of data revealed that the achievement and the progress in people’s participations is poor and very limited despite the various attempts made over the two decades or more. The conclusion of the study is that the mere establishment of rural institutions is not the answer to the problems of peripheral development. It is equally important to identify the needs and the priorities of the people to have opportunities for them to play a stakeholder role in decision making.
Environmental Justice: Linking Human Rights and the Environment
Authors: De Silva S.S.M.
Published: March 2024

This study outlines the international legal regime on environmental protection and then examines the link between the environment and human rights by reference to the applicaion of human rights law as a legal remedy for environmental issue. Several decades ago, Public International Law not concerned with environmental protecion. The Stockholm conference of 1972 and subsequent international instruments have enriched the international community on the subject. Undoubtedly environmental rights are self executing and they need positive State intervention for their fulfillment. The human fights both procedural and substantive human rights, found in the international Bill of Rights are being applied in relation to environmental issues. The procedural rights must be distinguished from substantive rights recognized in international human rights instruments such as the right to life, the right to health or the right to decent standard of living. The invocatin of substantive human rights in relation to environmental issues has become popular at the national level. The efforts made by Sri Lanka and several South Asian countries are of considerable value. The right to a healthy environment on the other hand denotes the identification of a separate indepedent human right not dependent on existing human rights in the incorporation of a human right to healthy environment into the fundamental rights chapter of our Constitution.
An Overview of Nigerian Universities’ Presence on Social Media Platforms
Authors: Amali I.O.O. , Bello M.B. , Akintola Mubarak , Tilakasiri S.L
Published: March 2024

This study is an online survey on the presence of Nigerian universities on social media platforms. The purpose of the paper was to examine the level of presence of Nigerian universities on five social media platforms which include: Face book, Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn and Google+. Three research questions were generated and one null hypothesis was formulated for this study. In the methodology, the internet served as the primary source of data, while Nigerian universities’ websites were used as secondary sources. All 129 accredited Nigerian Universities by the National Universities Commission were sampled for this study. Descriptive statistics (Percentage, Mean Rating and Standard Deviation) were used to answer research questions 1 and 2 while inferential statistics (Chi-Square) was used to test and analyse the null hypothesis. Report of Micaiah (2014) on Social Media Awareness in Nigeria Education which states that Nigerian universities’ presence on social media is minimal, was used as a guide; its methodology and data were also adapted for this study. The result showed that Nigerian Universities’ presence on social media platforms was 19% which is below par, compared to the unprecedented social media user base among Nigerian university students. In the analysis of the hypothesis, it was revealed that university ownership does not significantly determine the presence of Nigerian universities on social media platforms. It thus recommends that universities in Nigeria should as a matter of urgency, create a central unit of social media services to manage all necessary social media activities of their institutions, and to heighten Nigerian Universities’ presence on social media platforms which would create a mindset on educational goals and attainment among academics and students in Nigeria. Keywords: Nigerian University, Higher Education, Students, Social Media, Internet
The Well-Being of Executive-Level Working Women in Sri Lanka
Authors: Perera M. A. N. R. , Sewwandi M. S.
Published: March 2024

Society, in general, recognizes men as breadwinners and women as housewives. The traditional role of women has changed because of education and work, providing women with more responsibilities. Within these dual roles, women undergo more pressure that negatively affects their well-being which hinders positive and meaningful outcomes of their physical, mental, and social development. Currently, the ‘well-being of women’ has become a debatable theme in the world community. Literature draws more attention to poor, rural, and less educated women. As women's roles have extended throughout every sector of society, it is important to identify the well-being of women who represent educated employees. This study used mixed research methods with a convenience sampling method adopted among 100 working women at the executive level. Data was collected via a survey, in-depth interviews, and discussions, and was analyzed critically. The study found that most informants who earn a considerable salary have been deprived of their well-being. Because of their very busy lives, they face role conflicts in fulfilling their responsibilities. Higher workload, lack of relaxation and recreation opportunities, negligence of personal health and other basic needs, as well as sexual harassment and social attitudes, etc., negatively affect their social, physical, and mental well-being. All in all, most women have been unable to utilize their education to achieve successful, healthy, and happy lives by improving their well-being. Taking more productive actions for the improvement of women's well-being in all aspects would be highly beneficial to women, families, and the entire society.
Consumption of Stem Cell Meat : An Islamic Perspective
Authors: Hossain Mohammad Shahadat
Published: March 2024

Islam provides specific guidelines for meat production and consumption based on halal and hygiene laws. This study mainly focuses on the permissibility of emerging lab-cultivated meat from the Shari’ah perspective. It also examines the notion and significance of halal food (especially meat) within the purview of Islamic jurisprudence and assesses the position of lab-grown meat for Muslim consumers. This work further highlights the underlying reasons behind the prohibition of Haram food and it investigates the production process of in vitro meat to see whether it is done in accordance with Shari’ah guidelines. Furthermore, the study explores consumer rights to halal meat within the ambit of the Shari’ah. The objective of this research is to explore this new kind of meat and evaluate its legitimacy under Islamic law. This will hopefully create awareness in Muslim consumers and create an interest among researchers. The research adopts doctrinal research where the researcher consults relevant literature in the form of books, research articles and reports on the views of experts in the subject matter. This leads to the basic conclusion that whilst Islam supports the use of technology to improve human lives, such use needs to correspond to the promotion and protection of the Maqasid al-Shari’ah.
Financial health of the company as a factor of the company's strategic development
Authors: Kornilova Iuliia Sergeevna
Published: March 2024

This article considers various methods of assessing the probability of bankruptcy of the company. It describes the main statistical models and their application for forecasting the financial condition of the company on the example of PJSC Tatneft. Also analyzes the factors that may affect the investment attractiveness of the company. In conclusion, the author draws a conclusion about how effectively the company uses its cash and suggests measures to improve some financial indicators.
Development of ballroom choreographic culture in Ukraine in the 2010s–2020s
Authors: Malynovska N. , Semenova N. , Shkuryeyev K.
Published: March 2024

The purpose of the study is to reveal the consequences of the challenges of the 2020s, namely the COVID-19 pandemic and full-scale invasion of the Russian Federation with partial occupation of territory, migration of population, expansion of zone of battle actions and the threat of aerial attacks for the entire country. All this had an impact on the ballroom choreographic culture in Ukraine.

The methodology is based on the principles of a system-synergistic approach. The main methods applied were participant observation, analysis, generalization and systematization of the authors’ many years of dance, organizational and pedagogical experience.

The results. The challenges of the 2020s, namely the COVID-19 pandemic and the full-scale aggression of the Russian Federation with partial occupation of the territory, population migration, expansion of the combat zone and regular missile terror throughout the country, have significantly affected the ballroom dance culture of Ukraine, in particular, changed the country’s dance map, limiting and partially making it impossible to hold competitions and training in the combat zone and eastern regions that are unprotected from sudden missile attacks. The socio-political upheaval has prompted the Ukrainian dance community to seek national self-identification, giving rise to the creation of imaginative and meaningful compositions through ballroom dance that would embody the pressing issues of our time, including the themes of war, occupation and the challenges they have caused. At the same time, the national organization system of the ballroom dance tournaments and training process has revealed significant shortcomings. In particular, the problem of upgrading to an international class of dancing in the context of the pandemic and then the war, which was felt in previous years, made it impossible for dancers in the eastern regions of Ukraine to develop, as they were deprived of the opportunity to regularly participate in competitions.

The scientific novelty of the study is to analyze the modern tournament and training system of sports ballroom choreography in Ukraine in the last decade and to identify the problems that hinder the development of this type of dance art and have become especially acute during the challenges of the 2020s.

The practical significance. Some provisions of the article can be used for updating Ukrainian ballroom dance competitions in accordance with current social and political conditions.

Prospects for further research. A number of problems require scientific and theoretical comprehension, in particular, the place of ballroom dance in Ukrainian culture, its philosophy, images, styles, principles and expressive means of dance composition. The methodology of dancer’s physical training, based on the peculiarities of sports ballroom dance, requires separate research.
Converting dramatic text to screen language
Authors: Miroshnychenko M.
Published: March 2024

The purpose of the article. The study considers film adaptation as a way of interpreting a literary text written for stage production by means of cinematography. The article focuses on the role of the director, his own vision of events and characters in the process of transcoding a work of art into the language of cinema. The features of the dramatic text (monologues, dialogues, author’s remarks, description of characters, division of the work into scenes and acts), the means by which the dramatic work affects the viewer/recipient are highlighted. The article, based on the works of William Shakespeare “Macbeth” and Sophocles “Oedipus the King”, examines the originality of the transformation of a dramatic text into the language of cinema. The article outlines the theoretical basis of film poetry, which allowed directors and screenwriters to practically embody the film adaptation of stage drama. The results of the study showed that the dramatic text and its film interpretation indicate the author’s and director’s reception.

The methodology. The author uses analysis (theoretical works on screenwriting and directing, research in the field of art history), observation (the creative process in cinema), comparison (the literary source and the finished film), systematization (techniques for transforming the dramatic literary source into a screen work), modeling the principles of directing and script. 

The results of the research can be used in educational programs of art universities and creative workshops, as well as in the practical work of directors, screenwriters, cultural scientists, and art historians. The paper provides examples that form the basis for practical principles that can help in creating film adaptations based on plays.

The scientific novelty lies in the fact that the study represents a unique scientific contribution, carrying out a thorough study of the process of transforming a dramatic work into a film script. It is important to note that this research goes beyond the script, delving into the essence of the director’s vision. It provides for a comprehensive understanding and systematization of various directing techniques used throughout the entire film adaptation process.
Cultural orientation of the “mimicry” society. The search for national self-identification in contemporary screen art
Authors: Ponomarenko O.
Published: March 2024

The purpose of this article is to study the peculiarities of the behavioral manifestation of Ukrainian screen characters in order to identify qualitative features characteristic of the Ukrainian mentality. This will allow us to determine the themes of screen works that will be relevant for the contemporary Ukrainian viewer, which will improve the qualitative and quantitative characteristics of Ukrainian audiovisual art.

The methodology. Five scientific sources were studied (one dissertation, one collective scientific work, and three scientific articles), which allowed us to analyze the relationship between the behavioral reactions of the screen character and the nature of fear that was formed in the process of adaptive transformation of society. On the example of the films “The Guide” by Oles Sanin, “The Red” by Zaza Buadze, and “The Rising Hawk” by Leonid Osyka, the main themes and conflicts that characterize Ukrainian identity were identified and formulated.

The results of the study demonstrate certain stable psychophysical reactions displayed by the screen character in a situation of existential conflict caused by the historical development of Ukrainian society. The nature of fears, as the main instrument of the motivating impulse in the process of forming cognitive, emotional and behavioral reactions, is determined by the level of the scale of the hero’s own identity recognition.

The scientific novelty of the study lies in the author’s attempt to consider the conflict of the Ukrainian screen hero as a value clash between the goal-setting of a free individual and a society that has undergone adaptive transformations, which is realized through the manifestation of a certain behavioral nature of screen characters.

The practical significance of the research findings will help in the process of creating new screen works. This will increase the attention to Ukrainian cinema.
Analysis of Time to Relapse among Schizophrenia Patients in St. Amanuel Mental Specialized Hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Authors: Belihu Gebremedhin Desta , Moges Wudneh Ketema , Yimer Asamin Kasiye
Published: March 2024

Objective: To investigate the associated factors that affect time to relapse in patients with schizophrenia at St. Amanuel Mental Specialized Hospital, with recurrent events model.Material and Methods: A hospital-based retrospective review of the medical records of 332 patient with schizophrenia, covering a two-year period, were examined. Parametric frailty models were used to determine the correlation between discharge times and relapse, and to identify risk factors using R-software. Results: The distribution number of relapses was 162, and the median survival time of patients with schizophrenia was 665 days. The unobserved heterogeneity in patients and correlation between relapses, as estimated by the Weibull-gamma frailty model, was p-value≤0.001 and Kendall’s Tau (Γ)=0.498. This indicated that there was heterogeneity among participants and a correlation between relapses. The final model showed that the effect of psychiatric comorbidity (hazard ratio (HR)=6.522, p-value≤0.001), employment status (HR=5.334, p-value=0.001), history of suicide attempt (HR=2.167, p-value=0.003) and history of traditional treatment (HR=1.973262, p-value=0.021) had a significant effect on the hazard time to relapse. Onset Age of schizophrenia and drug adherence were not predictive. Subsequent relapses are likely dependent on both the first and previous relapses.Conclusion: Comorbidity, employment status, history of suicide attempt and history of traditional treatment are imperative risk factors influencing the hazard of time to relapse, which increases the risk of relapse.
Zespół apatii w chorobach neurologicznych – stan wiedzy i aktualne kierunki badań
Authors: Roessler-Górecka Magdalena
Published: March 2024

Cel: Apatia bywa wskazywana jako symptom w różnych jednostkach chorobowych  m.in. na gruncie psychiatrii, jednak od kilku dekad wyodrębnia się ją także jako niezależny syndrom towarzyszący wielu schorzeniom neurologicznym. Choć nadal pomijany w obowiązujących klasyfikacjach medycznych, zespół apatii stanowi przedmiot licznych analiz teoretycznych i klinicznych. Upowszechnienie wiedzy na jego temat wśród klinicystów – w tym możliwości jego rozpoznawania i różnicowania, zwłaszcza od depresji – ma podstawowe znaczenie dla efektywności oddziaływań terapeutycznych. Praca prezentuje proponowane w literaturze definicje oraz kryteria diagnostyczne zespołu apatii. Przedstawia dane dotyczące jego częstości w różnych schorzeniach, związków z patologią mózgu oraz szeregiem zmiennych klinicznych.
Tezy: Współczesne koncepcje podkreślają syndromiczny charakter, wielowymiarowość zespołu apatii oraz powiązania z szeroko rozumianymi funkcjami płatów czołowych. Domeny funkcjonowania, w których mogą być ujawniane objawy apatii, obejmują sferę poznawczą, emocjonalną, interakcje społeczne oraz zachowanie (inicjowanie i podtrzymywanie dowolnej celowej aktywności). Wskazuje się na relatywną niezależność zespołu od depresji, podkreśla znaczenie jako czynnika prognostycznego rozwoju otępień, związek z jakością życia, efektywnością rehabilitacji oraz psychologicznym obciążeniem opiekunów. Poszukując mózgowego podłoża apatii rozpatruje się szereg częściowo nakładających się procesów oraz znaczącą rolę jąder podstawy i wybranych obszarów kory przedczołowej.
Konkluzja: Dla wystąpienia symptomów apatii kluczowa może być dysfunkcja dowolnego ogniwa złożonych obwodów przedczołowo-podkorowych, czym tłumaczy się wysoką częstość omawianego zespołu w chorobach mózgu, zwłaszcza przebiegających z uszkodzeniami jąder podstawy i/lub kory przedczołowej. Zróżnicowanie nasilenia symptomów w poszczególnych domenach oraz powtarzalność profilów nieprawidłowości obserwowana zależnie od analizowanej jednostki chorobowej i/lub lokalizacji patologii mózgu skłaniają do poszukiwania podtypów zespołu apatii.
EXPERIMENTAL STUDIES OF SERIAL ROAD-AIRPORT REINFORCED CONCRETE SLAB
Authors:   Odessa State Academy of Construction and Architecture, Surianinov M. , Korneeva I. ,   Odessa State Academy of Construction and Architecture
Published: March 2024

The results of experimental studies of the load-bearing capacity and crack resistance of the serially produced road-airfield reinforced concrete slab PAG, manufactured at Velikodolinsky Reinforced Concrete Plant LLC by order of the Odessa State Academy of Construction and Architecture, are presented. In accordance with the regulatory documents in force in Ukraine, one of two possible loading schemes was considered ― with a load by a concentrated force applied on the cantilever part of the slab. The slab was tested on a specially made stand, which consists of four support posts connected in pairs by beams on which the slab rested. The load was applied along the width of the slab in steps ― 0.04 from the destructive load, along two concentrated vertical stripes. Each load stage ended with a five-minute hold, at the beginning and end of which readings were taken on the measuring instruments. All tests were carried out using two 30t jacks and a 50t dynamometer. The principle of operation of the jack was that its lower plane pressed on a two-level cross-beam system, and through it the load was distributed onto the slab. During testing, the applied load, deflections and deformations were recorded on the slabs. Dial indicators and deflectometers were used as measuring instruments. The process of crack formation on the surfaces of the slabs was observed using a Brinell tube in the places of the greatest opening of the cracks. As a result of the tests, the load-bearing capacity of the slab was 163.2 kN with a bending moment of 78.3 kNm. The load corresponding to the onset of cracking is 86.4 kN with a bending moment of 36.9 kNm. The maximum crack opening width was 1.0 mm. Based on the indicator readings, graphs of the dependence of relative deformation on load were constructed. Graphs of the dependence of deflections on load are constructed using data from two deflection meters. Before the first crack appears, the maximum deflection of the slab is 12.0% of the deflection recorded at the end of the tests.
Реконструкція літературного канону в незалежній Україні (90‑і рр. ХХ ст.)
Authors: Поліщук Ярослав
Published: March 2024

The article reveals the peculiarities of the national literary canon changing during the beginning of 1990th, which we also called the transitional period. It was a time of radical break of social and cultural life of Ukraine. It was necessary to ensure the completeness of the national culture, which it had previously been deprived of due to its colonial status. This proved to be a difficult task that could be realized only in a longer time perspective. That task needed the efforts of several generations which represented different regions in their writings. A fundamentally new configuration has emerged in the literature of the period of independence of Ukraine. This configuration is embodied by several distinctive features of this time. Firstly, we are talking about the literature of socialist realism. For a long time, it was functional and dominant in the reader’s perception. Those texts have lost their significance. Secondly, we had a situation when an understanding of the global literary context emerged. The reason for this had become the numerous significant works from the West and from neighbouring Central European countries, which were translated, published and discussed in Ukrainian and which reflected the postcolonial thoughts. Thirdly, an impressive retrospective of national literature was opened. There much of literary works had not been known or properly appreciated before. Fourthly, a new discourse began to fill in. It was provided by the literary texts of Yurii Andrukhovych, Oksana Zabuzhko, Ihor Rymaruk, Leonid Kononovych, Volodymyr Danylenko, Oles Ulianenko, Yurii Gudz, and many others. That discourse contributed to the accumulation of the aesthetic quality that will become the way for creating a new national canon of literature. The creation of such a canon began at the beginning of the XXI century, when real prerequisites emerged at the level of school and university literature teaching. Also, the basis of the new canon is clearly manifested in the content of modern textbooks and anthologies that represent contemporary Ukrainian literature.
Integrated Development of Technogenic Resources
Authors: BUTKEVICH G.R.
Published: March 2024

Overburden and host rock deposits typically contain by-products. If selective mining is not applied, these aggregates are moved to dumps and deposited haphazardly. To preserve mineral resources, it is necessary to create man-made technogenic deposits. This article explores the prospects of comprehensive mineral resource development. Examples of creating technogenic mineral deposits in exhausted quarry spaces are provided. We emphasize the need for the enactment of laws that promote the formation of technogenic deposits.
Ustawa o specjalnym statusie obywateli Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej na Ukrainie – porównanie polskich i ukraińskich przepisów o szczególnych prawach obywateli obu państw
Authors: Diachenko Veronika
Published: March 2024

Przedmiotem niniejszego opracowania jest analiza i porównanie ukraińskiej ustawy z dnia 28 lipca 2022 r. o ustanowieniu dodatkowych gwarancji prawnych i socjalnych dla obywateli Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej przebywających na terytorium Ukrainy z polską ustawą z dnia 12 marca 2022 r. o pomocy obywatelom Ukrainy w związku z konfliktem zbrojnym na terytorium tego państwa. Autorka posłużyła się metodą dogmatyczno­-prawną oraz komparatystyką prawniczą i przeanalizowała kluczowe zagadnienia obu aktów normatywnych w celu odpowiedzi na główne pytanie badawcze: czym de facto jest uzasadniona odmienność kształtu przepi­sów i obszerność regulacji tych dwóch ustaw oraz jakie zastosowanie praktyczne dla obywateli Rzeczypospoli­tej Polskiej może mieć ustawa ukraińska. Szczególną uwagę zwrócono na odmienności występujące w ustawie ukraińskiej oraz rozwiązania nietypowe dla prawa polskiego. Podniesiono także, iż różnice w analizowanych ustawach w znacznej mierze wynikają z celów i okoliczności powstania obu aktów prawnych.
Uzasadnienie kryminalizacji znieważenia wartości państwowych z perspektywy informacyjnych zagrożeń bezpieczeństwa narodowego
Authors: Ciepły Filip
Published: March 2024

Celem artykułu jest przedstawienie argumentów uzasadniających kryminalizację znieważenia wartości państwowych z perspektywy informacyjnych zagrożeń bezpieczeństwa narodowego. Zaprezento­wanie tego ujęcia ma wyznaczyć nowe pole dyskusji w kwestii zasadności kryminalizacji znieważenia narodu, państwa oraz osób i symboli reprezentujących państwo polskie. W pierwszej kolejności przedstawiony został przedmiot ochrony najważniejszych z tego punktu widzenia typów przestępstw, następnie istota walki infor­macyjnej w obszarach bezpieczeństwa politycznego i bezpieczeństwa kulturowego państwa oraz odniesienie jej do ochrony wartości stanowiących przedmiot omawianych przestępstw.
Discovering the Child? Individualization Processes of Catholic Religious Education in the Horizon of Secularization since 1900
Authors: Maier Alexander
Published: March 2024

At the beginning of the 20th century, early processes of secularization – especially in working-class families living in large cities – and inadequate teaching methods led to a crisis of Catholic religious education. Teachers and professors highlighted that it was becoming more and more difficult for reli­gious education to reach students and to ensure that they become devoted members of the Church. In this situation, a catechetical movement was established, which was mainly situated in Munich and Vienna, where teachers, catechists, and academics discussed reforms of the commonly used teaching methods in religious education. Conferences and the foundation of journals followed. It is at least from this point that the process of modernization in the field of religious education in the German-speaking context begins. This modernization gained traction after the Second Vatican Council and was also pro­moted by the phenomenon of secularization and pluralization after the 1960s. Against this background, the essay will address the following questions: What led to the modernization of religious education that began around 1900? What role was played by the new openness of catechists and theologians for edu­cation science and the (religious) pluralization of society? To answer this question, the article will focus on developments between 1900 and the 1920s, during the 1970s, and the more or less topical discus­sion about the concept of ‘theology of children’ since the late 1990s. This study will also ask whether this development can be described as the discovery of the child in theology and religious education. Finally, this paper asks what consequences this development has for a denominational religious education in state schools today and in the future.
Numerical investigation of shear behavior of steel fiber reinforced concrete beams without stirrups subjected to an asymmetric point load
Authors: Cong Vu Chi , Dung Chu Tien , Hieu Du Duc , Tam Vu Duc , Tan Nguyen Ngoc
Published: March 2024

Steel fibers have been shown in numerous studies to enhance the shear performance of steel fiber reinforced concrete (SFRC) beams effectively, and to evaluate the shear behavior of these beams, a nonlinear finite element (NLFE) analysis is required. In the present study, from recent experimental results of asymmetrical loading tests on SFRC beams without stirrups, three NLFE models have been validated and further developed to evaluate the impact that the ratio of shear span-to-depth (a/d) and the compressive strength of steel fiber concrete (SFC) have on the shear behavior and shear strength of SFRC beams without stirrups. The validation shows a good agreement between the chosen NLFE model and the reported experimental results. Applying the NLFE model to five different values of the a/d ratio (e.g., 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.54, and 3.1) reveals a gradual decline in shear strength, while the ductility of the beam increases with the increase in ratio. Meanwhile, with increasing SFC compressive strength, the shear strength and ductility of SFRC beams without stirrups significantly increase for the same ratio of shear span-to-depth. Moreover, the failure mode of SFRC beams without stirrups dominantly depends on the a/d ratio.
Bicarbonate Alternatives in the Neutralization Phase of Leather Tanning to Ensure Sustainability
Authors:   Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt, Ali Radwan Mohamed , Nasr Ahmed Ibrahim ,   Wool Production and Technology Department, Animal and Poultry Production Division, Desert Research Center, Cairo, Egypt, El-Shemy Khaled Ali ,   Wool Production and Technology Department, Animal and Poultry Production Division, Desert Research Center, Cairo, Egypt, El-Khateeb Mohamed Ali ,   Water Pollution Research Department, National Research Centre, Dokki, Cairo, Egypt
Published: March 2024

The post-tanning procedure involves neutralizing the iso-electric point, which ensures that there is no imbalance between carboxylic groups and amino groups. This balance allows for the penetration of dyes, fatliquoring agents, and other chemical materials. Bicarbonate is used during the neutralization phase, and to eliminate it, 4 metric tons of water are needed for each metric ton of leather. Additionally, this leads to an elevation in both Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) and Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD). The objective of the research was to substitute bicarbonate with sodium borate, sodium acetate, and sodium formate, and neutralise syntan to decrease the quantities of pollutants generated from this process, minimize the consumption of water, and improve the quality of the produced leather. Each experimental group's BOD, COD, microscopic micrographs, physical, chemical, and organoleptic parameters were determined. The use of sodium borate, neutralizing syntan, sodium acetate, and sodium formate resulted in a significant decrease in the discharge of BOD, COD, and water consumption. Furthermore, the use of 2.5% sodium borate has proven to be the most effective neutralizing agent in reducing water consumption by 80%, total oxygen demand by 39% and costs of neutralization chemicals by 0.62%. Also, the physical and chemical properties of the leather product were similar to those of the control. Therefore, the leather that has been neutralized with sodium borate is considered to have the best organoleptic characteristics compared to the control.
Understanding about Image-guided Detection of Prostate Cancer
Authors:   YUHS-KRIBB Medical Convergence Research Institute, Yonsei University Health System, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea, Lee Hwunjae ,   Department of Radiology, College of Medicine, Yonsei University, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea
Published: March 2024

The prostate is both an accessory gland of the male reproductive system and a muscle-driven mechanical switch between urination and ejaculation. Anatomically, the prostate is found below the bladder, with the urethra passing through it. Prostate cancer (PCa) is the second-most prevalent cancer and the fifth leading cause of cancer-specific mortality in male, worldwide. Currently, the only sure way to confirm prostate cancer is through a prostate biopsy. Rapid technological advances over the past few years have enabled the mainstream use of prostate imaging for the clinical management of prostate cancer. In biopsy for the diagnosis of prostate cancer, prostate imaging technology is mobilized to extract tissue from the exact area. Ultrasound imaging, MRI, and PET imaging methods are used for prostate imaging methods. Although each image has its own characteristics, the recent trend is the fusion image method that uses each other's strengths. There is currently no technology that can fully meet the clinical requirements of speed and high precision at the same time at a low cost. The development of a biopsy framework that is inexpensive, easy to use, and has minimal clinical overhead seems necessary. This requires the implementation of new image registration and visualization approaches and the establishment of a research platform for rapid bench-to-bed conversion.
Brain tumor classification by CNN
Authors:   YUHS-KRIBB Medical Convergence Research Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea, Lee Hwunjae , Lee Giljae ,   National Research Foundation of Korea, Daejeon 34113, Republic of Korea, Park Gippeum ,   Department of Internal Medicine, Samarkand State Medical University, 18 Amir Temur St, Samarkand, Uzbekistan, Annaev Muzaffar ,   Department of Internal Medicine, Samarkand State Medical University, 18 Amir Temur St, Samarkand, Uzbekistan, Zhang Ken Karl ,   Department of Intervention Radiology, Thomas Jefferson Medical College 11 Waverly PHB, New York, NY 10003
Published: March 2024

In this paper, we proposed a disease classification method for brain images using CNN. The research dataset collects images of normal, blastoma, meningioma, adenoma, and glioblastoma by brain tumor disease from journals such as NEJM and AuntMinnie and files them in Exam_Brain.Zip. As a result of CNN processing the images for each file folder in the Exam_Brain.zip file 10 times, the AUC was found to be 0.8825. As a result of the experiment, the brain disease classification accuracy of brain magnetic resonance imaging was found to be 88.25%. These results indicate that the results of this study can be used to classify other diseases once the data set is established, and can also be used to classify objects in other industries.This study has the following limitations. A challenge in automatically classifying diseases is the vastness and integrity of the data sets. If the data is not prepared, the accuracy of classification will be problematic. Additionally, in the medical field, a doctor's decision-making (diagnosis) is not limited to image data but is made based on comprehensive data, and there is a limitation in that medical decisions cannot be made by machines without the intervention of a doctor. Determining the decision threshold in AI decision-making problems is also an important limitation. This is because setting reference points for sensitivity and specificity is not the domain of AI experts, but the domain of experts in the field. Therefore, field medical staff must participate in the process of developing AI in medical settings. Future research tasks include developing applications that improve performance by developing the input stage of the program, and continuing research in connection with medical big data servers.
Review: Consideration of nanomedicine, Its Past and Future, and Its Application Possibilities
Authors:   Department of Internal Medicine, Samarkand State Medical University, 18 Amir Temur St, Samarkand, Uzbekistan, Park Gippeum , Annaev Muzaffar ,   Department of Internal Medicine, Samarkand State Medical University, 18 Amir Temur St, Samarkand, Uzbekistan, Zhang Ken Karl ,   Department of Intervention Radiology, Thomas Jefferson Medical College 11 Waverly PHB,  New York, NY 10003, Lee Hwunjae ,   Department of Radiology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea,   YUHS-KRIBB Medical Convergence Research Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea
Published: March 2024

Nanomedicine is a field that integrates nanotechnology with medicine to revolutionize healthcare. This emerging field promises to improve medical care by facilitating biomedical research, enabling targeted drug delivery, and advancing regenerative medicine. Nanomedicine refers to the use of nanotechnology in medical applications, combining disciplines such as medicine, physics, biology, chemistry, engineering, and optics to diagnose and treat diseases in a more efficient and precise manner. Nanomedicine utilizes nanomaterials, such as nanoshells, nanobiosensors, nanovaccines, nanorobots, and nanocapsules, for various biomedical applications.In conclusion, nanomedicine has the potential to greatly impact healthcare by revolutionizing diagnosis, treatment, and overall medical care [9]. Furthermore, it has the potential to address current limitations in conventional therapies by offering selectivity in targeting tissues, controlled drug release, and protection against premature invivo degradation.
Cyber violence- impact of the buturgă case versus romania on national law
Authors: Nitoiu Lorena-Gabriela
Published: March 2024

The European Court of Human Rights pointed out that cyber violence was currently recognized as an aspect of violence against women and girls, and that it could take on a variety of forms, including cyber breaches of privacy, intrusion into the victim’s computer, and the capture, sharing, and manipulation of data and images, including private data. In Romania, the cyber violence term was defined following the adoption of Law no 106/2020 amending the Law no.217/2003 on preventing and combating domestic violence, and represents the first step in its regulation.