Comparative Content Analysis Research Articles

Detailed analysis of prey taxonomic composition indicates feeding habitat partitioning amongst co-occurring invasive gobies and native European perch

One of the negative impacts of non-native invasive species on trophic interactions in an invaded ecosystem occurs via increased interspecific competition for food resources between the invader and local species of the same food niche. In freshwaters, there are usually several fish species that feed on similar food resources. Ponto-Caspian gobies are amongst the most successful and widespread invaders colonising European waterways. They have a wide food niche and an opportunistic feeding strategy, with a focus on benthic invertebrates and piscivory occurring occasionally mainly in the case of large individuals. Competition with native percids for food resources is predicted on the basis of high dietary overlap. However, studies published so far provide no unequivocal answer. In order to resolve this question, we conducted a comparative taxonomic analysis of gut content, with an emphasis on chironomids and amphipods, of the invasive monkey goby (Neogobius fluviatilis), racer goby (Babka gymnotrachelus) and the native Eurasian perch (Perca fluviatilis) occurring sympatrically in a large lowland European river, the Bug River in Poland. We found that each species forages in slightly different habitats, as indicated by the different composition of prey species in the gut content. This suggests feeding niche partitioning between the studied species facilitating their co-existence and reduction or avoidance of competition for food resources. Resource partitioning regarding prey types and foraging habitats is a mechanism for permitting the co-existence of closely-related alien gobies with similar food preferences in the invaded waters and co-occurrence with local species. This mechanism can contribute to their invasion success, as observed in European waters during the recent decades. We also demonstrate that precise prey identification to the lowest possible taxon is crucial to reveal the dietary overlap between co-occurring fish species and to predict the impact of alien invaders on native species through interspecific competition, as well as to recommend such an approach in studies upon fish foraging strategies.

Comparative analysis of heavy metal content of unregulated facial whitening creams and branded facial whitening creams

The present study was conducted to evaluate potential health risks of Omani cosmetics considering the dangers and adverse effects on health caused by unregulated and unlabelled cosmetic products. Therefore, this current study is to examine the toxic heavy metals of unregulated facial whitening creams that are available in the Omani market and compare them with branded facial whitening creams. A total twenty-two samples were purchased from the Souqs/markets of all eleven governorates of Oman and their heavy metals content was determined by using Inductively Coupled Plasma-Optical Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-OES). The sample was digested by using ultra wave microwave at 180 °C. The percentage of heavy metals present in the unregulated whitening creams were compared with the heavy metals content of two randomly selected and branded whitening creams. The results showed that most of the unregulated samples contain significant amount of chromium, cooper and lead. In comparison, the branded face creams contained only the permissible amount of the heavy metals tested. The maximum arsenic content was found in a sample collected from Al Batinah South region (1.74 ppm). The maximum cadmium content was found in a sample collected from Al Wusta region (2.02 ppm). The maximum cobalt and chromium content were found in the samples collected from Al Buraimi region (0.10 ppm) and Dhofar region (8.04 ppm) respectively. In conclusion, unregulated face creams are not safe for human consumption because they contain significant levels of heavy metals that exceed the permissible limits.

Different Ways of Promoting Working Time Reduction: A Comparative Analysis of Actors, Motives, Forms, and Approaches in Germany, Ireland, and Spain

Working time reduction (WTR) is back on the agenda, but there is no systematic knowledge of key actors in the WTR debate, their motives, the forms of WTR advocated, and their approach. Therefore, this article examines the promotion of WTR in Germany, Spain, and Ireland, countries with different industrial relations regimes. The comparative qualitative content analysis shows that WTR’s promotion varies: it is an individual worker issue in Germany, a political initiative in Spain, and a social campaign in Ireland. The primary motive is workers’ well-being, with additional emphases on economic, environmental, and societal aspects. These findings have implications for WTR’s future prospects.

Comparative Analysis of Contents on the Pythagorean Theorem in Mathematics Textbooks from America and China

Comparative Analysis of Contents on the Pythagorean Theorem in Mathematics Textbooks from America and China

The image of the Chechen War on the pages of the American daily newspaper The New York Times: headline review

The subject of the research in the article is the image of the First and Second Chechen Wars, created by journalists of The New York Times newspaper in the 1990s and reflecting the views of the American democratic public. The subject of the study is the headlines of articles related to this topic in the American daily newspaper The New York Times. At the end of the 20th century, the periodical press continued to play a significant role in public life, including shaping the news agenda and creating the image of certain events. Often, journalists sought to impose their vision of Russian politics on the reader. Reputable publications, avoiding the techniques of the "yellow press", used more subtle and unobvious manipulative forms. Such manipulations include the newspaper's choice of lexical units with a certain connotation and the frequency of their use. In this study, the author attempts to explicate the hidden information that is embedded in the headlines of The New York Times. To analyze the information identified by the author in the headlines of The New York Times newspaper, the article used methods such as historical, comparative and quantitative content analysis. The novelty of the study lies in the fact that the headlines of The New York Times newspaper of this period were first considered as a source of analysis of the transforming view of the American democratic press on the events of the First and Second Chechen Wars. According to the results of the study, the following conclusions were drawn: the image of the Chechen conflict of the 1990s in the American press has undergone significant changes. If the First Chechen War in The New York Times appears as a legitimate struggle of the Russian authorities against the separatist movement in Chechnya, albeit with a number of critical remarks, then the image of the Second Chechen War is radically different from the previous campaign. The newspaper presents the events of the Second Chechen Campaign as a new colonial war, while the emphasis was shifted towards criticizing the Russian leadership for violating human rights and freedoms in the Chechen Republic, as well as a direct impact on destabilization in the North Caucasus region.

Following up on #fitspiration: A comparative content analysis and thematic analysis of social media content aiming to inspire fitness from 2014 and 2021.

Following up on #fitspiration: A comparative content analysis and thematic analysis of social media content aiming to inspire fitness from 2014 and 2021.

SUBSTANTIATING THE INFLUENCE OF THE RESULTS OF A COMPETENT ORGANIZATION’S FUNCTIONING ON THE EFFICIENCY OF THE NATIONAL ECONOMY

European integration processes have changed the requirements for organizations, shifting attention from external factors to internal properties. Unique knowledge and experience, combined with resources and technologies, shape the organization's competence, determining its ability to operate effectively. The increasing number of organizations capable of achieving high-performance indicators, i.e. competent in conditions of market activities coloured by military actions, is considered a factor in the development of the national economy. This work aims to justify the predominant impact of the results of Ukrainian organizations' activities, as an indicator of competence, on GDP volumes as a comprehensive indicator of economic efficiency and state development. Methods such as information systematization, grouping and comparative analysis, correlation regression, content and logical analysis, scientific induction, and deduction have been used.An obvious imbalance of the regional structure of the economy with the concentration of organizations in six leading regions (49,85%) was revealed, which does not always indicate their greatest impact on GDP volumes. This confirmed the inexpediency of considering the indicator of the number of organizations as a determining factor of influence on the national economy. The assumption of greater significance in ensuring the stable functioning of the economy based on the results of organizational activities has led to the analysis of the volumes of products produced and sold, their ratios, and projections of trends on GDP volumes. The higher performance of representatives of large and medium-sized businesses is explained by the presence of a wider list of competencies, therefore, higher competitiveness of organizations and the probability of resistance to external changes. Identity, but the unequal trends in production volumes and GDP outline prospects for further analysis of financial performance indicators in the context of their impact on the competence level of organizations, which most fully characterizes their ability to conduct successful activities, ensuring sustainable economic development.

Addressing Local Water Security through Green Infrastructure Implementation: A Review of Urban Plans in Monterrey, Mexico, and Brussels, Belgium

Green infrastructure (GI) is increasingly linked to urban water management and can contribute to achieving water security in communities. This research uses a variation-finding comparative approach to recognize how far GI solutions are currently used to address water security in the urban developments of Monterrey City, Mexico, and Brussels-Capital Region, Belgium. A comparative content analysis of seven related urban development/sectoral plans is conducted using ATLAS.ti 9 software. The results depict the overall distribution of GI implementations, their typologies and spatial scales, water-security aspects that are addressed by GI, and the related definitions in the plans. In general, our analysis does not present a promising situation for the Monterrey case, although it reveals that policymakers have started to use GI in urban plans to address water security. Considering Brussels’ conditions, although GI solutions are much more frequent and advanced than in Monterrey plans, the region cannot be considered a frontrunner of GI policies. Comparing these two remarkably diverse areas is beneficial to illuminate universal aspects of planning, as the method provides an opportunity to gain insight from a multi-city perspective, whether developed or developing, showing the potential areas to advance urban policies.

Populism on the verge of power: the goal-oriented mainstreaming of the French rassemblement national

This article examines the goal-oriented mainstreaming strategy adopted by populist-radical-right (PRR) parties on the verge of power. With the argument that depending on the party’s evolving political status and goal-pursuing strategy, PRR parties’ practices of mainstreaming may take different forms, the research aims to elucidate the dynamic interplay between party goals and mainstreaming strategy. By conducting a comparative content analysis of the French PRR party - Rassemblement National (RN), the article illustrates how the mainstreaming has been performed when the RN tries to juggle with its mixed goals of vote, policy and office. Findings show that RN’s strategic focus is to project an image that is both ideologically coherent and governing capable. The underlying logic is that RN’s political status allows more commitment to office-seeking, but also requires a consistent vote-prioritising strategy.

Comparative analysis of the protein content and nutritional label of whey protein, plant-based, and animal proteins supplements

The consumption of protein supplements is increasingly part of the everyday life of adults in general and is associated with a healthier lifestyle. However, a constant lack of commitment to the quality of these products by companies poses risks to consumers’ health. Therefore, this study aims to analyze the protein content and compare it with the nutrition label of different protein supplements. This is an analytical original investigation. It was verified whether the food supplements comply with the label presented through food analysis (Kjeldahl method, ash content and moisture percentage) of the composition of various national and international brands (n=51). A total of 51 different protein-based supplements sold in Brazil were analyzed. The results showed that the protein values advertised on the nutritional label are similar to what the product has (P value > 0,05) and are within the 20% tolerance limit according to the current law. Also, there are similarities between different types of products (P value > 0,05) regarding their ash and water content. In conclusion, the nutrition facts of protein supplements reflect the reality of the bran of these products.

Goods in wholesalers: Valuation at recognition, accounting considerations

Subject. This article deals with the issues of formation of the actual cost of goods when they are purchased in wholesale trade organizations. Objectives. The article aims to substantiate the method of formation of the actual cost of purchased goods of wholesale organizations, consider options for reflecting its components in the accounts, and highlight controversial issues in the valuation of goods when they are recognized. Methods. For the study, we used the methods of comparative analysis, content analysis, systematization, analogy, and generalization. Results. According to Federal Accounting Standard FSBU 5/2019 – Inventories, if goods are recognized in the accounting of a wholesale organization, there is a variability in the understanding of the actual cost. The article finds that the choice of components of the actual cost of purchased goods has a direct impact on many aspects of accounting. The article systematizes the methods of reflecting the received goods in accounting depending on the method of valuation, and formulates the peculiarities of their application. An analysis of regulatory documents shows that the procedure for calculating the write-off of deviations for goods has not been established yet. Conclusions and Relevance. Based on international practices, FAS FSBU 5/2019 – Inventories helps exercise professional judgment of an accountant in matters of valuation of goods of wholesale organizations upon recognition. The results obtained can be used both in theory and practice of reflecting commodity operations of wholesale organizations.

Visual Aesthetics and Mathematics in Cinema: Comparative Content and Cultural Analysis of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone and The Conquest 1453

Films are meticulously crafted using visual aesthetic elements, where mathematics and geometry play pivotal roles. Camera angles, timing in editing, staging sequences, lens specifications, and lighting ratios, demonstrate the intricate relationship between cinema and mathematics. Specifically, the virtual projection of isosceles and equilateral triangles is utilized in object positioning before the camera. Additionally, forms such as circles, squares, and rectangles are frequently employed in stage design. Number combinations, sequential numbers, and patterns are also common techniques used to enhance visual aesthetics in films. Fundamental components such as oblique, horizontal, vertical, and parallel lines are instrumental in achieving visual appeal.
 In our research, we investigate the properties of these components as they are discussed in scientific publications and their relevance to aesthetics. In this context, a comparative and quantitative analysis is conducted on 2001’s “Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone” and the Turkish film “The Conquest 1453” (known as Fetih 1453 in Turkey). It is observed that “The Conquest 1453” employs excessive mathematical and geometric data, which somewhat diminishes the thematic strength of the film. In contrast, “Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone” demonstrates a more balanced use of these elements.

Comparative Analysis of Polyphenol Content and Antioxidant Activity of Different Parts of Five Onion Cultivars Harvested in Korea.

Onions are typically consumed as the bulb, but the peel and root are discarded as by-products during processing. This study investigated the potential functional use of these by-products by analyzing the polyphenols, antioxidant compounds, and antioxidant activity contained in onions. In this study, the bulb, peel, and root of five onion cultivars ('Tank', 'Bomul', 'Gujji' 'Cobra', and 'Hongbanjang') harvested in Korea were investigated. Caffeic acid and quercetin were most abundant in the peel, whereas methyl gallate was the predominant polyphenol in the bulb. Both DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activity were higher in onion peel and root than in the bulb. These findings suggest that onion peel and roots, which are often discarded, have abundant antioxidant substances and excellent antioxidant activity. This study provides basic data for the future use of onion peel and roots as functional ingredients with high added value.

Sports News in Five Arab Countries: A Comparative Study of Journalistic Role Performance Across Platforms and Sources

This study examines journalistic role performance in sports news in five Arab countries in relation to country, geographic frame, platforms, and sources. The comparative content analysis of three journalistic roles – loyal-facilitator, watchdog, and infotainment – in Egypt, Kuwait, Lebanon, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) relies on 874 sports news stories from 40 print, broadcast, and online outlets, sampled in 2020 through a constructed, two-week stratified-systematic approach. Results point to variations in all roles as a function of some predictors more than others. Specifically, the UAE tended to be the most loyal/cheerleader, whereas Qatar led in the infotainment role. Loyalty was also apparent across the region in domestic news that was more loyalist than foreign news. Sources mattered in that political sources tended to predict higher levels of loyalist content, while sports sources did not have any impact on any role. Sources’ viewpoint of diversity, on the other hand, revealed multiple perspectives to be associated with more infotainment and watchdog content. The results indicate the loyalist cheerleader role that sports journalists in the West have been associated with for decades also applies to the Arab region, suggesting sports journalists behave in a similar manner irrespective of their country of origin.

Safety Assessment: a Comparative Analysis of Quantitative Content of Bacterial Endotoxins and Evaluation of Pyrogenicity of the Kazakhstan Vaccine QazCovid-in® against COVID-19.

We measured the levels of bacterial endotoxins in the bulk vaccine product (BVP) and finished vaccine QazCovid-in® and evaluated the effect of aluminum hydroxide (adjuvant) on the results of LAL test and pyrogenicity of samples in vivo (in rabbits receiving intravenous injection into the marginal ear vein). Administration of BVP with LPS resulted in a dose-dependent increase in body temperature in rabbits similar to that caused by LPS alone, which suggests that aluminum hydroxide in the vaccine did not affect the pyrogenic response in rabbits. Moreover, the LAL test showed that the aluminum hydroxide did not hinder LPS activity after serial dilution of samples.

Control of organic impurities in antibiotics

Introduction: the international, as well as Russian Pharmacopoeia criteria for organic impurity assessment are not applicable to medicinal products obtained by fermentation, therefore the setting of limits for product-related impurities in antibiotics is not regulated by any commonly shared rules. The aim of the study was to analyse and summariese pharmacopoeial requirements for and methodological approaches to organic impurities control in active substances and finished products of semisynthetic antibiotics, peptide antibiotics, and antibiotics obtained by fermentation. Material and methods: the authors analysed the requirements for organic impurities control, as established by the leading world pharmacopoeias and the State Pharmacopoeia of the Russian Federation, using the example of three different groups of antibiotics (semisynthetic antibiotics, antibiotics obtained by fermentation, and peptide antibiotics). The study used comparative analysis and content analysis methods. Results: the study demonstrated that the product-related impurity profiles of the analysed active substances and corresponding finished products often differ significantly across the leading pharmacopoeias, either qualitatively or quantitatively, and do not necessarily comply with the EMA Guideline on setting specifications for related impurities in antibiotics. The methodological approaches to product-related impurity control also differ a lot in terms of pharmacopoeial reference standards used, accelerated stability studies, etc. Conclusion: the complex composition of product-related compounds does not always allow for their unambiguous classification as either impurities or active moieties (e.g. in the case of bleomycin). Most Russian Pharmacopoeia antibiotic monographs are harmonised with the European Pharmacopoeia (Ph. Eur.), which is fraught with problems regarding reference standards (RSs) use, since the composition of Ph. Eur. RSs includes both the active substance and several (sometimes up to 8) impurities. The Russian Pharmacopoeia monographs on antibiotics obtained by a process involving the fermentation stage, include the abnormal toxicity test, which seems redundant in comprehensive impurity control, at least for semisynthetic antibiotics.

“The Ukrainian Issue” at the G7 Summits in Conditions of the Russian-Ukrainian Conflict 2014–2022

This article is aimed to provide an in-depth analysis of the G7 policy towards Ukraine in the context of Russian invasion 2014–2022. The hypothesis formed and verified in this paper is that since the beginning of Russian expansion on Ukraine in 2014 the G7 members have called for a negotiated process and a political solution to the conflict, but it was hardly possible to quickly adopt and implement timely and adequately decisions to resolve the crisis in the region through the bonding of global and regional security mechanisms. Thus, a comfortable field for prolonging the conflict, which has developed into a full-scale war, was formed. The research methodology is based on systemic, historical, structural and political approaches to the study of the problem. Research methods are comparative analysis, content analysis, chronological and classification methods.
 This study allows us to distinguish the stages of the G7 involvement in the “Ukrainian issue” in the period of 2014–2022. During these years, the group’s policy underwent three shifts in course, influenced in large part not only by the activities of Russia, but also by policy course changes of individual G7 members. The example of the nine-year unresolved local Russian-Ukrainian conflict shows that such crisis may pose a threat not only to regional, but also to global stability and there is a strong correlation between them.

Outer packaging labelling of medicines in Southern African Development Community (SADC) countries: comparative analysis of requirements and transition terms for harmonisation

IntroductionThe COVID-19 pandemic highlighted an urgent need for harmonised requirements for the regulation of medicines. To fully implement harmonised medicines regulations across Africa, common technical standards of medicine regulations are needed. One such technical standard is the labelling of medicines on outer packaging. In this study, we compared outer packaging labelling requirements and transition terms for harmonization for countries in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region.MethodsData on legislation and/or regulatory guidelines for medicine outer packaging labelling from National Medicines Regulatory Authorities (NMRAs) were obtained for countries in the SADC region (n = 16) by February 2023. A detailed comparative content analysis was conducted to determine alignment with the requirements of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) harmonised labelling guidelines to assess readiness levels of each country to transition to the SADC harmonised labelling guideline for outer packaging of medicines.ResultsContent analysis showed at least 11 out of 16 countries require national legal reform to transition to the SADC harmonised labelling guideline. In all cases where countries specified labelling requirements for outer packaging of medicines, these were stipulated in national medicines legislation.ConclusionEven though there is a high level of alignment across the countries in terms of national labelling requirements, most countries in the SADC region would still require national legislative reform to transition to regional harmonised labelling requirements and then ultimately to continental requirements of the African Medicines Agency (AMA).

Institutional rules for the up-take of regulatory experiments: A comparative case study

Experiments are an important governance instrument for fostering learning between actors, improving governance, and managing transition pathways for sustainable development. However, determinants of the up-take of the result of experiments are underexplored in the transition experimentation literature. Consequently, we explore the role of experimental design and institutions in this up-take. This paper examines the following research question: How is the up-take of regulatory experiments for sustainability transitions influenced by their design elements and what role do institutions play? The paper uses comparative qualitative content analysis to examine 27 international regulatory experiments. In analyzing the up-take of experiments, we focus on three dimensions: transferability, scalability, and unintended consequences. The analysis demonstrates that the transferability of regulatory experiments depends on its regulatory and geographical context as well as its timeframe and the selection of participants. The scalability appears to be mainly influenced by the timeframe and timing of the regulatory experiment as well as the communication of the experimenters with stakeholders and the support of political actors. Furthermore, the influence of unintended consequences from regulatory experiments depend on the diversity of the participants, the communication of the involved actors, and the use of several design options. Our results can inform policymakers and stakeholders about the design and role of institutions in regulatory experiments.

Dynamics of Islamic Family Law in Facing Current Challenges in Southeast Asia

Shariat contains rules appropriate for facing challenges at all times. It encompasses all aspects of human life including family laws. Family law as one of the important components in fiqh is based on evidence that is of juz’i and tafsili nature. This makes Islamic family law something dynamic. This article aims to view the position of Islamic family law in fiqh. It also intends to analyze the dynamicity of Islamic family law in facing current and future challenges, especially in Southeast Asia. Analysis was done through the content analysis method as descriptive and comparative. The findings of the analysis explained that Islamic family law is revealed in various forms of law bands appropriate to the current needs of the Islamic world. However, it is still in its basic framework which is to build a family system and consequently human social system based on Islamic law. Therefore, this dynamicity makes it remain relevant in facing current challenges. This study aims to analyze the dynamics of Islamic family law in facing current and future challenges. The analysis was made using descriptive and comparative content analysis methods. The results of the analysis explain that Islamic family law has been implemented in various forms and regulatory channels that are by the problems of the Islamic world. However, the rule is still within its basic framework, which is to compile the family system and so on the human social system based on Islamic law. Rather, it is this dynamic that makes it eternal and relevant to be ahead in facing today's challenges. The article also concludes that the Islamic family law that the state has fixed is dynamic with social and customary realities such as marriage, divorce, and women's and children's rights, especially in Southeast Asia.