bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Role of Intelligence Agencies in Repression and Torture by Myanmar's Military Junta Intelligence and its Human Rights Abuses During the 2021 Revolution
Authors: Maung Htwe Tin 
Published: February 2025

Myanmar's political landscape has been marked by repeated military coups, leading to prolonged periods of authoritarian rule through systemic human rights violations, particularly repression and torture. This study explores the critical role of Myanmar's intelligence agencies in the systematic repressions and torture practices under the military junta during the 2021 revolution. By utilizing Political Violence Theory, this study exposes authoritarian regimes, intelligence operations, and their methods and strategies to uphold the military's power against civilian uprisings. The primary focus of the study is to discuss how these entities contributed to human rights violations in Myanmar.
Received: 11-10-2024
Revised: 01-10-2025
Through applying a qualitative approach of in-depth interviews with 35 stakeholders and incorporating historical context, interviews, and secondary data, this research identifies the multifaceted roles of intelligence in enforcing state-sponsored violence and fear. The findings illustrate the operational dynamics of intelligence agencies actively orchestrating arrests and killings through legal and extrajudicial control, enforced disappearances, and torture, alongside pervasive surveillance, targeted repression, and use of civilian Pro-Military Groups. This paper argues for a robust international response to address these human rights abuses, recommending strategies for accountability and structural reform within Myanmar's intelligence apparatus.
THE NECESSARY EVOLUTION OF COUNTER-INTELLIGENCE IN RESPONSE TO FOREIGN INTERFERENCE
Authors: Executive CSIS 
Published: February 2025

On November 21, 2024, a Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) Executive presented The Necessary Evolution of Counter Intelligence in response to Foreign Interference for this year’s West Coast Security Conference. The presentation was followed by a question-and-answer period with questions from the audience and CASIS Vancouver executives. The key theme discussed was how intelligence work has transformed since the end of the Cold War and in response to the threat of Foreign Interference in particular. The presenter outlined why Canada is an attractive target for Foreign Interference threat actors and highlighted how Canada’s intelligence professionals and legislative framework has had to evolve as a result.
Received: 12-30-2024
Revised: 01-27-2025
INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION AND FRICTION IN MARITIME SECURITY OPERATIONS
Authors: Kelshall Jason 
Published: February 2025

On November 18th, 2024, Commander Jason Kelshall presented International Cooperation and Friction in Maritime Security Operations for this year’s West Coast Security Conference. The presentation was followed by a question-and-answer period with questions from the audience and CASIS Vancouver executives. The key points discussed were the challenges of combating illicit maritime trade, transnational organized crime, and environmental crimes within the framework of SEACOP VI.
Received: 12-14-2024
Revised: 01-29-2025
Dynamics of hormonal and immunological parameters in patients with acute pleural empyema
Authors: Tkachenko V.V. , Boyko V.V. , Kritsak V.V. , Sochnieva A.L. , Minukhin D.V. , Merkulov A.O. , Hroma V.G. , Ponomarova V.V. , Sharmazanova O.P. 
Published: February 2025

Background. In case of acute pleural empyema, pronounced violations of cellular and humoral factors of immunity, as well as non-specific resistance of the body are revealed. The purpose of our research: to analyze and identify results of hormonal and immunological research in patients with acute pleural empyema depending on the severity of disease. Materials and methods. Dynamics of hormonal and immunological changes has been studied in 64 participants with acute pleural empyema who were treated with classical and minimally invasive surgical methods. Patients were classified into 5 groups depending on disease severity determined according to the criteria which included clinical and laboratory parameters, such as respiratory rate, heart rate, blood pressure, temperature reaction, the number of affected particles, leukocytosis, SpO2. All the patients underwent a standard examination, as well as determination of serum concentration of interleukin (IL) 6, IL-8, tumor necrosis factor (TNF) α, C-reactive protein (CRP). Results. Assessment of blood cytokines in patients with acute pleural empyema allows detecting hypercytokinemia with an increase in pro-inflammatory cytokines. Meanwhile, the degree of their elevation differed depending on the disease severity. Study of structure of cytokine status allowed us to identify that patients with severe course of pleural empyema had a significant increase in IL-6 and CRP. Nevertheless, the severe course of the disease is associated with insufficient increase of IL-8 and TNF-α. Patients of the older age group have deficiency of IL-8 and to a lesser extent IL-6. Complete blood count revealed higher total number of leukocytes, neutrophils, pronounced left shift, increased erythrocyte sedimentation rate in patients with a severe course of the disease. Conclusions. There have been identified factors which affect severe course of acute pleural empyema: a decrease in oxygen saturation to less than 94 %, severity of dyspnea which exceeds 2 points on the Borg scale, damage to 3 or more segments of lung tissue, and also numerous clinical signs of violation of anti-­infective protection, pronounced decrease in neutrophils, an increase in the concentration of CRP and insufficient increase of IL-8 and TNF-α in blood serum.
Associations of obesity, abdominal neoplasms and comorbidities
Authors: Malyshevskyi I.O. , Stepan V.T. , Iftodii A.G. , Glushenko T.A. , Sydorchuk O.I. , Kyfiak P.V. 
Published: February 2025

Background. Multiple recent studies suggest that at least 5–10 % of all malignancies are attributed to metabolic disorders and obesity. Excessive weight may also significantly influence outcomes and aggravate treatment-related adverse effects and patients’ follow-up. The purpose of the study was to clarify the clinical and pathogenetic significance of excessive body weight and comorbidities in patients with abdominal malignant neoplasms. Materials and methods. This cohort-based observational research involves a total of 952 patients (mean age 62.35 ± 11.57 years) with abdominal malignancies divided into study (23.95 %, body mass index ≥ 26 kg/m2) and control (76.05 %, body mass index ≤ 25 kg/m2) groups. The diagnosis, staging, prevalence of the process, and concomitant pathology, several anthropometric and statistical parameters were determined, and treatment outcomes (duration of the postoperative period, incidence of postoperative complications) were assessed. Results. No significant differences in the staging of abdominal malignancies were identified between study and control groups. Relative fat mass was significantly higher in study group compared to controls — 33.56 ± 1.01 % vs. 27.01 ± 2.25 %, p = 0.009. Edmonton Obesity Staging System showed significantly higher stages for study group as well. The mean Charlson comorbidity index in the study group was significantly higher (p = 0.005), especially in male population. Obesity as a factor influencing the incidence of postoperative complications showed prevalence of 0.66 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.51–0.78), sensitivity of 0.88 (95% CI 0.71–0.96), and specificity of 0.65 (95% CI 0.39–0.85). Conclusions. Excessive body weight is significant factor aggravating condition of patients with abdominal malignancies, increasing the risk of postoperative complications by 1.29–6.96 times.
The peculiarities of thiol-disulfide metabolism in patients with diabetes mellitus and pulmonary tuberculosis
Authors: Todoriko L.D. , Lesnic E.V. , Semianiv I.O. , Pankiv V.I. , Shevchenko O.S. , Domanchuk T.I. 
Published: February 2025

Background. Glutathione (L-gamma-glutamyl-L-cysteinyl-glycine, GSH) and the enzymes of the glutathione cycle play an important role in the immune response against Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection. The purpose of the study was to assess the main peculiarities and differences of the thiol-disulfide metabolism in patients with drug-susceptible and multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) developed on the background of diabetes mellitus (DM). Materials and methods. A prospective case-control study was conducted between 2018 and 2022 and included 173 TB patients divided into 3 groups: 1st study group (N = 54) — new cases of drug-susceptible tuberculosis and DM; 2nd study group (N = 56) — new cases of MDR-TB and DM; 3rd study group (N = 63) — non-diabetic patients with progressive TB. These groups were compared with a control group of 36 healthy people. The investigations were conducted according to the national protocol and biochemical assessment standards. Results. In diabetic TB patients, the antioxidant status was enhanced according to the biomarkers, such as total GSH, free –SH groups, total –SH groups, GST, SOD, CAT, GPO, and GR, compared to non-diabetic TB patients. This suggested the existence of an imbalance between oxidants and antioxidants in favor of oxidants. No statistical difference was revealed when comparing the GSH system biomarkers in patients with drug-resistant and susceptible TB. Conclusions. The antioxidant defense was more depleted in diabetic patients, with a greater decrease in MDR-TB group. In non-diabetic TB patients, the total and reduced GSH did not differ compared to healthy individuals, while free –SH groups, total –SH groups, GST, SOD, CAT, GPO, and GR were lower. Even the GSH metabolism biomarkers were lower in the group of patients with drug-resistant TB; the statistical difference was not achieved.
Relationship of transforming growth factor β1 with diabetic retinopathy in type 2 diabetes
Authors: Hudz A.S. , Serhiyenko V.A. , Kudryl I.V. , Guryanov V.G. , Kovtun M.I. , Ziablitsev S.V. 
Published: February 2025

Background. It is known that in diabetic retinopathy (DR), impaired transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) signaling is accompanied by pathological angiogenesis, disruption of the blood-eye barrier, activation of inflammation and tissue fibrosis. The purpose of the study was to establish the relationship between the content of TGF-β1 in blood serum and intraocular fluid (IOF) and the progression of DR in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) using neural network modeling. Materials and methods. The study included the results of the examination of 102 people with T2DM, who were divided into 3 groups according to the stages of DR: the first one — non-proliferative DR (NPDR, 35 people), the second one — preproliferative (PPDR, 34 people) and the third one — proliferative (PDR, 33 people). The control group consisted of 61 individuals. The patients underwent standard ophthalmic examinations. TGF-β1 in blood serum and IOF was evaluated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (Invitrogen Thermo Fisher Scientific, USA). Statistical analysis of the results was performed using the MedCalc software pa­ckage (MedCalc SoftWare bvba, 1993–2013) and a two-layer neural network model with a linear postsynaptic potential function. Results. Using the genetic selection algorithm, 3 features were identified that were associated with DR: diabetes compensation and TGF-β1 content in blood and IOF. T2DM was compensated in 38 (37.3 %) patients, while in 64 cases (62.7 %), it was uncompensated. The proportion of the latter was higher in PDR than in NPDR and PPDR (p < 0.05). In PDR, the TGF-β1 content in IOF was significantly higher than in NPDR and PPDR (p < 0.05). A three-factor classification model was created on the identified features, which included a system of equations that predicted PDR with 100% accuracy. The overall prediction accuracy of the model was 88.2 % (95% CI 80.4–93.8 %). Conclusions. In this study, the value of indicators such as diabetes compensation and TGF-β1 content in serum and IOF for the progression of DR to PDR was shown using the method of neural network modeling.
Associations of glycated hemoglobin with hemoglobin levels and erythrocyte parameters
Authors: Dzis Ye.I. , Tomashevska O.Ya. , Dzis I.Ye. , Tomashevska N.Ya. 
Published: February 2025

Background. In patients with diabetes mellitus, pathologic changes occur in multiple organs and systems, the pathogenesis of which involves inflammatory reactions. The chronic inflammatory process can lead to the development of anemia. Several changes in red blood cells have been found to affect the processes of hemoglobin glycation, making it difficult to diagnose carbohydrate metabolism disorders. The aim of the present study was to analyze the relationship between the level of glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and the concentration of hemoglobin and erythrocyte parameters. Materials and methods. A complete blood count and HbA1c levels were analyzed in 756 subjects (443 women and 313 men) who underwent examination at the MeDis laboratory (Lviv) in 2020. Statistical processing of the data was performed using Student’s t, Pearson’s r, chi-square, and Fisher’s exact test. Results. Positive correlations of HbA1c with hemoglobin levels (r = 0.10, p = 0.015), neutrophil count (r = 0.08, p = 0.036), and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) (r = 0.15, p < 0.001) were found in the examined subjects. There was a nega­tive correlation between ESR and hemoglobin le­vels (r = –0.42, p < 0.01). The subjects were divided into three groups according to HbA1c levels: group 1 — < 5.7 % (n = 431), group 2 — 5.7–6.4 % (n = 166), and group 3 — ≥ 6.5 % (n = 159). A positive correlation between HbA1c and hemoglobin levels was confirmed only in group 1 (r = 0.37, p < 0.001) and in women in general (r = 0.14, p = 0.002). ESR was higher in groups 2 and 3 compared to group 1 (p < 0.05). Anemia was detected in 132 (17.5 %) patients. The preva­lence of hypochromic anemia was 30.0, 66.7, and 58.1 % in groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively (p = 0.001). Mean corpuscular hemoglobin was lower in group 3 compared to group 1 (p = 0.028). In all 100 wo­men with anemia, there was a negative correlation between HbA1c and hemoglobin levels (r = –0.24, p = 0.016), mean corpuscular volume (r = –0.34, p = 0.001), and mean corpuscular hemoglobin (r = –0.31, p = 0.002). Conclusions. An increase in HbA1c is associated with increased signs of systemic inflammatory response and the development of hypochromic anemia. HbA1c and hemoglobin levels are inversely correlated with each other depending on gender, glycemic status, and the presence of anemia.
The role of oxidative stress in the development of autoimmune thyroiditis: current state of the problem (literature review)
Authors: Shydlovsky A.V. , Morozovych I.I. 
Published: February 2025

The review article examines the issues of autoimmune thyroiditis (AIT) pathogenesis. Analysis of current scientific data revealed an increase in the number of cases of this disease (6–11 % worldwide among the adult population), and the need for further research to understand its etiology, diagnosis and treatment is emerging. This review considers oxidative stress that is the accumulation of active harmful agents (free radicals, prooxidants, reactive oxygen species), which initiate cell damage and lead to the development of various pathological conditions. The study on the mechanism of free-radical damage caused by reactive oxygen species will open opportunities for the introduction and optimization of antioxidant therapy of patients with AIT in order to slow down the progression of the disease. In the occurrence of damage to thyroid cells, the formation of antibodies and lymphocytic infiltration of the gland play an important role. It has been noted that genetic factors precede the occurrence of pathological changes. Loss of immune tolerance to thyroid autoantigens such as thyroid peroxidase (TPO), thyroglobulin (TG) is the basis for the deve­lopment of AIT. The important role of oxidative stress and reactive oxygen species in the pathogenesis of the disease has been noted. It has been shown that at its onset, AIT is asymptomatic, the formation of antibodies to TPO and TG precedes disease occurrence and may indicate latent AIT. The prevalence of latent AIT varies in different countries of the world and ranges from 2 to 20 %, and among women, it was 4–6 times higher than in men. Over time, latent AIT turns into subclinical and overt thyroiditis with hypothyroidism. The incidence of overt AIT in different countries ranges from 27 to 273 per 100,000 population. Diagnosis of AIT is made by clinical signs, positivity to serum antibodies against TPO, TG and lymphocytic infiltration on cytological examination. The main treatment direction is the management of hypothyroidism with hormone replacement therapy. A relationship between AIT and a possible malignant transformation has been suggested in several studies and involves immunological/hormonal pathogenic links although specific correlation is still debated and needs to be further investigated in prospective studies.
Multifocal metastatic papillary thyroid carcinoma: a case report and literature review
Authors: Sheptukha S. , Khoperiya V. , Mostiuk O. , Kolotusha V. 
Published: February 2025

Background. Papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) is the most common form of malignant tumor of the thyroid gland, accounting for about 1 % of all newly diagnosed malignant neoplasms. The average age of onset for PTC is 50 years, with a predominance of female patients (3 : 1). In most cases, a long course and a favorable prognosis characterize PTC. However, certain pathological features may indicate aggressive metastatic disease. The results of diagnosis and treatment are described in a clinical case of multifocal metastatic PTC. The presence of vascular, extra-organic invasion and metastases necessitate the selection of more aggressive treatment and monitoring. Materials and methods. We analyzed primary medical documentation, the surgical protocol, the results of blood examination, instrumental, cytological and pathohistological studies in a 34-year-old female. Results. The patient was diagnosed with PTC based on the results of preoperative fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) and underwent thyroidectomy, central and lateral neck dissection. Pathological examination confirmed multifocal PTC on the background of chronic thyroiditis, with metastases to the central lymph nodes. In the postoperative period, the patient underwent ablation with I131. Conclusions. Performing FNAB with subsequent cytological analysis in the preoperative period is critical in establishing the diagnosis of thyroid carcinoma and determining the extent of surgery. Effective surgical treatment followed by pathological examination is crucial for determining subsequent radioiodine therapy.
A Deep auto encoder based Framework for efficient weather forecasting
Authors: Rajitha Kotoju  , B.N.V. Uma Shankar  , Ravinder Reddy Baireddy  , M. Aruna  , Mohammed Abdullah Mohammed Alnaser  , Imad Hammood Sharqi  
Published: February 2025

Weather forecasting has plethora of benefits in different domains. Traditional weather forecasting approaches applied science and technology towards predicting weather conditions in given place and time. With the emergence of Artificial Intelligence (AI) there are increased possibilities in the area of weather forecasting research. Instead of ground level observations, AI approaches learn from historical data and also current atmosphere data to come up with predictions. We suggested a framework for autonomous weather forecasting based on deep learning. Our framework is a variant of Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) model which exploits encoder and decoder to learn parameterizations from the given data and forecast weather. The proposed model is capable of interpreting spatial information associated with geopotential field and automatically infers forecasting knowhow with higher accuracy levels. A variable selection process is incorporated to determine geopotential height that has impact on the weather conditions. We proposed an algorithm known as Deep Weather Forecasting (DWF) to realize the proposed framework. Our empirical study has revealed that the proposed framework is used to evaluate different deep learning models and comparing their performance. Our deep learning models outperformed many existing regression models. U-Net showed highest performance with least MAE 0.2268 when compared with all other models.
Foreldremedvirkning i kulturskolen. Samproduksjon i praksis
Authors: Landrø Karsten Selseth , Knardal Per Ståle 
Published: February 2025

Denne artikkelen er en studie av foreldresamarbeidet i forbindelse med gjennomføring av teaterforestillinger i kulturskolen. Konkret har vi sett på hvordan en formell etablering av foreldreforening kan bidra til samarbeidet. Vi har undersøkt hvilke faktorer som, positivt eller negativt, påvirker samproduksjonen mellom foreldreforeningen og kulturskolen og hvilke utbytter samproduksjon mellom foreldreforeningen og kulturskolen har. Vi har intervjuet fire foreldre på drama og teater samt lærer i faget. I tillegg har vi intervjuet leder av foreldreforeningen på dans. Det teoretiske rammeverket for undersøkelsen bygger på samproduksjon. De viktigste funnene i studien er viktigheten av rolleavklaringer mellom de profesjonelle aktørene i kulturskolen og foreldrene som gjør sitt arbeid frivillig. Etablering av foreldreforening i kulturskolen er en måte å organisere støttefunksjoner for faget drama og teater på, som gjør det mulig å sette opp forestillinger som er vesentlig større og mer komplekse enn det man ellers ville fått til. Vi vil anbefale andre kulturskoler å se på muligheten for å etablere foreldreforeninger. Målgruppen for vårt kapittel er ledere i kulturskolen, lærere i kulturskolen, politikere, forskere og studenter.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT
Parent Participation in Schools of Music and Performing Arts. Co-production in Practice
In this article, we examine the role of parental participation in the production of theatre performances within schools of music and performing arts. Specifically, the study explores how the formal establishment of a parents’ association can enhance this participation. We investigated the factors that positively or negatively influence the co-production between the parents’ association and the school, as well as the benefits that arise from such collaboration. Our research involved interviews with four parents from the drama and theatre department, as well as with the department’s teacher. Additionally, we interviewed the leader of the parents’ association for the dance students. The theoretical framework for this study is grounded in the concept of co-production. The key findings highlight the critical importance of role clarification between the professional staff at the school and the parents, who contribute voluntarily. Establishing a parents’ association within the school serves as an effective way to organize support functions for the performances, enabling the production of performances that are considerably larger and more complex than would otherwise be feasible. We recommend that other schools consider the establishment of parent associations. The intended audience for our chapter includes leaders in schools of music and performing arts, teachers, policymakers, researchers, and students.