Human Development Research Articles

Remanufactured Waste Tire By-product Valorization: Quantitative–Qualitative Sustainability-based Assessment

Automotive tires are a major waste stream and there are currently numerous options for reusing, recycling, and remanufacturing the waste tire rubber (WTR) and other components. Some competing technologies (retreading, product repurposing, energy recovery, pyrolysis oil, waste-tire crumbing, and devulcanized rubber) are discussed here to demonstrate the broad scope of possible applications and identify the advantages/disadvantages of the processes. Based on the industrial maturity of the processes, this study performed a qualitative–quantitative fuzzy analysis of twelve alternative by-products of WTR, including 1) devulcanized or desulfurized rubber; 2) tiles, mats, and rod barriers; 3) composite materials; 4) bitumen; 5) asphalt; 6) heat energy; 7) crude oil; 8) diesel; 9) char and carbon black; 10) gasification gas; 11) activated adsorption carbon; and 12) lightweight concrete. Quantitative sustainability considerations were applied to weight the technical, economic, environmental, and social sustainability factors according to their importance, while qualitative factors were applied to weight the sustainability criteria of productivity, reliability, efficiency, waste tire size range, remanufacturing time, remanufacturing cost, ergonomics, human development, and employment potential based on insights from the published literature. Comparative literature-based statistical analysis of potential tire resources and conventional waste-tire recycling was performed. The results identified remanufacturing of WTR into devulcanized rubber sheets as the best sustainable business option with the highest sustainability index of 0.628, while lightweight concrete was the worst by-product option with a low sustainability index of 0.012. Other very-high-potential options include producing value-added rubber products and composite materials from the devulcanized rubber. These findings provide valuable insights for stakeholders in the field of waste-tire management and small-to-medium businesses looking to add further value to their WTR products. Furthermore, these findings could guide international research to help focus on the most sustainable use of WTR.

The Social Entrepreneurship and Empowerment Culture among Youth in Elderly Care

This study investigates the factors and strategies that empower youth involvement in social entrepreneurship within the elderly care setting. It employs a qualitative design with a phenomenological approach. The purposive sampling method was adopted to interview youths aged between 18 and 30 and elderly service providers aged 30 to 50 years and above. The results indicated that the main factors driving youth involvement in social entrepreneurship in the elderly care setting include experience, awareness, skills, and financial capital as sub-themes. The strategies for empowering and generating income among youths in social entrepreneurship in elderly care settings refer to the education system, promotion through government programs, free training courses, and financial support. This study can also provide insights into the country’s preparation in terms of human capital development, aiming to enhance the well-being of the elderly and the career involvement of youth in providing sustainable elderly care services and facilities.

Intellectual Property Rights: Protection of Biotechnological Inventions in India.

The current Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) framework supports the commercialization of seed improvement, monoculture, and the patent protection of novel plant varieties, microorganisms, and genetically modified animals. As a consequence, our rich biogenetic diversity is irreversibly dissipating. However, we need to figure out how to create a methodology for elective choices that will achieve harmony between the official Intellectual Property (IP) structure and maintainable biodiversity components. The majority of the biotechnology sector's programmes in India are managed by the Department of Biotechnology. It is under the Ministry of Science and Technology. Its goals are to provide services in the fields of study, infrastructure, human resource development, biotechnology popularisation, industry promotion, and establishment of centres of excellence. Implementation of practise biosafety regulations for genetically modified organisms, recombinant DNA products, and programmes is based on biotechnology for the good of society. This creates an information network for India's bioinformatics mission in the local, national, and worldwide scientific community.

Ecological risk, source apportionment, and influencing factors of heavy metals in soil in a typical lead-zinc mining watershed, Guangxi, China

Soil contamination by heavy metals (HMs) leads to significant decreases in soil ecosystem quality, seriously threatening human survival and development. Studies on soil HMs have focused on the sources, distributions, and influencing factors. However, soil HM migration and speciation, which indirectly affect HM distributions and their ecological risks, have often been overlooked. In this study, we investigated the links between the sources, distributions, and influencing factors of soil HMs, as well as their ecological risks at several levels, by analyzing soil samples collected from a Pb-Zn mining area. Soil column experiments were also performed to assess Pb leaching in the soil. The results indicate that soil HMs accumulated in front of the mountain river outlets, at the entrance of the underground river, and at soil depths of 0–40cm. Cd and Pb were the main contributors to the high ecological risk in the soil, and As and Cr were the main contributors to cancer risk. The source analysis indicates that mining and smelting activities were the main sources of total soil HMs (32.55%), as well as the main sources of Sb (83.43%), Pb (68.65%), and Cu (45.37%). Mining activity and continuous riverine transport were the main sources of Cd (69.93%) and Zn (52.38%). These anthropogenic sources have major impacts on the ecological environment in the study area. Factors such as pH, clay and silt contents, soil organic matter content, and cation exchange capacity influenced the distributions and total amounts of Cu, Mn, Zn, and Pb species.

Teamwork self-efficacy and employee satisfaction: a sequential framework to build employee cohesion

The occupational psychological health of the employees is affected by the behavior of their peers in the workplace. To reduce psychological stress and improve the well-being of employees, organizations are focusing on developing coherence through various human resources practices. In the current business scenario, it is crucial to address psychological stress by building employee cohesion. The aim of this study is to analyze how employees’ teamwork self-efficacy influences group cohesion through employee satisfaction. This study followed a quantitative approach to test the data, which comprises 228 information technology (IT) professionals, working in top IT companies in India. This study used a partial least squares structural equation modeling approach to test the hypothesis. The results revealed that employees’ teamwork self-efficacy is not directly influencing employee cohesion, whereas it has a significant positive influence on an employee’s cohesion only with the mediation effect of an employee’s satisfaction. Predominantly, an employee’s extrinsic satisfaction has a greater influence on the aforesaid relationship than an employee’s intrinsic satisfaction. The results of this study suggest human resources development practitioners place more emphasis on delivering motivational benefits and providing collaboration-oriented interventions that strengthen teamwork self-efficacy, since these factors may directly affect employee cohesion given that a large portion of the respondents were young adults.

A Spatial Error Model in Structural Equation for the Human Development Index Modeling

A Spatial Error Model in Structural Equation for the Human Development Index Modeling

Cancer survival in sub-Saharan Africa (SURVCAN-3): a population-based study

The Cancer Survival in Africa, Asia, and South America project (SURVCAN-3) of the International Agency for Research on Cancer aims to fill gaps in the availability of population-level cancer survival estimates from countries in these regions. Here, we analysed survival for 18 cancers using data from member registries of the African Cancer Registry Network across 11 countries in sub-Saharan Africa. We included data on patients diagnosed with 18 cancer types between Jan 1, 2005, and Dec 31, 2014, from 13 population-based cancer registries in Cotonou (Benin), Abidjan (CÔte d'Ivoire), Addis Ababa (Ethiopia), Eldoret and Nairobi (Kenya), Bamako (Mali), Mauritius, Namibia, Seychelles, Eastern Cape (South Africa), Kampala (Uganda), and Bulawayo and Harare (Zimbabwe). Patients were followed up until Dec 31, 2018. Patient-level data including cancer topography and morphology, age and date at diagnosis, vital status, and date of death (if applicable) were collected. The follow-up (survival) time was measured from the date of incidence until the date of last contact, the date of death, or until the end of the study, whichever occurred first. We estimated the 1-year, 3-year, and 5-year survival (observed, net, and age-standardised net survival) by sex, cancer type, registry, country, and human development index (HDI). 1-year and 3-year survival data were available for all registries and all cancer sites, whereas availability of 5-year survival data was slightly more variable; thus to provide medium-term survival prospects, we have focused on 3-year survival in the Results section. 10 500 individuals from 13 population-based cancer registries in 11 countries were included in the survival analyses. 9177 (87·4%) of 10 500 cases were morphologically verified. Survival from cancers with a high burden and amenable to prevention was poor: the 3-year age-standardised net survival was 52·3% (95% CI 49·4-55·0) for cervical cancer, 18·1% (11·5-25·9) for liver cancer, and 32·4% (27·5-37·3) for lung cancer. Less than half of the included patients were alive 3 years after a cancer diagnosis for eight cancer types (oral cavity, oesophagus, stomach, larynx, lung, liver, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, and leukaemia). There were differences in survival for some cancers by sex: survival was longer for females with stomach or lung cancer than males with stomach or lung cancer, and longer for males with non-Hodgkin lymphomas than females with non-Hodgkin lymphomas. Survival did not differ by country-level HDI for cancers of the oral cavity, oesophagus, liver, thyroid, and for Hodgkin lymphoma. For cancers for which population-level prevention strategies exist, and with relatively poor prognosis, these estimates highlight the urgent need to upscale population-level prevention activities in sub-Saharan Africa. These data are vital for providing the knowledge base for advocacy to improve access to prevention, diagnosis, and care for patients with cancers in sub-Saharan Africa. Vital Strategies, the Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg, and the International Agency for Research on Cancer. For the French and Portuguese translations of the abstract see Supplementary Materials section.

MiR-449a: A Promising Biomarker and Therapeutic Target in Cancer and Other Diseases.

In the regulation of gene expression, epigenetic factors like non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) play an equal role in genetics. The role of microRNAs (miRNAs), which are members of the ncRNA family, in post-transcriptional gene regulation is well-documented and has important implications for both normal and abnormal biological processes, such as angiogenesis, proliferation, survival, and apoptosis. The purpose of this study was to synthesize previous research on miR-449a by analyzing published results from various databases, as there have been a number of investigations on miR-449's potential involvement in the development of human disorders. Based on our findings, miR-449 is strongly dysregulated in a wide range of diseases, from various cancers to cardiovascular diseases, cognitive impairments, and respiratory diseases, and it may play a pivotal role in the development of these problems. In addition, miR-449a functions as a crucial regulator of the expression of several well-known genes, including E2F-3, BCL2, NOTCH1, and SOX4. This, in turn, modulates various pathways and processes related to cancer, including Notch, PI3K, and TGF-β, and contributes to the improvement of cancer drug sensitivity. Curiously, abnormalities in the expression of this miRNA may serve as diagnostic or prognostic indicators for distinguishing between healthy people and patients or to evaluate the survival rates for specific disorders. This article provides a synopsis of the current understanding of miR-449a's role in human disease development through its regulation of gene expression and the biological processes related to these genes and their linked processes. In addition, we have covered the topic of miR-449a's potential as a clinical feature (diagnosis and prognosis) indicator for a range of disorders, both neoplastic and non-neoplastic. In general, our goal was to gain a thorough comprehension of the numerous functions of miR-449a in different disorders.

Who believes in a just world? A multilevel latent profile analysis of Justice Capital using the European Social Survey.

Justice Capital provides a theoretical framework for explaining individual differences in the belief in a just world (BJW). However, this framework has yet to receive empirical validation. Using Round 9 of the European Social Survey, a large (n = 43,209) multi-country (N = 29) sample, I conduct multilevel latent profile analysis and multilevel multinomial logistic regression to determine the latent profiles that emerge at a population level and map the demographic and experiential covariates of these profiles. Incorporating measures of general BJW, distributive and procedural justice, and the belief in equality of opportunity, I find three latent profiles: meritocrats, moderates, and egalitarians. Compared with egalitarians, meritocrats (strong just world believers) are more likely to be male; younger; have a higher income; have attained more years of education; to be politically conservative; and have no recent experience of discrimination or crime. Meritocrats were overrepresented in countries with a higher Human Development Index. This study demonstrates the feasibility of Justice Capital for understanding individual variation in general BJW and related justice beliefs; discussion centers on anomalous findings and extension of this theoretical framework.

Expression of Congenital Anomalies of the Kidney and Urinary Tract (CAKUT) Candidate Genes EDA2R, PCDH9, and TRAF7 in Normal Human Kidney Development and CAKUT

Approximately half of the cases of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in childhood are caused by congenital anomalies of the kidney and urinary tract (CAKUT). Specific genes were identified as having significant importance in regard to the underlying genetic factors responsible for the CAKUT phenotype, and in our research, we focused on analyzing and comparing the expression levels of ectodysplasin A2 receptor (EDA2R), protocadherin9 (PCDH9), and TNF receptor-associated factor 7 (TRAF7) proteins in the cortex and medulla of healthy control kidneys during developmental phases 2, 3, and 4. We also performed an analysis of the area percentages of the mentioned proteins in the cortical and medullary sections of healthy embryonic and fetal kidneys compared to those affected by CAKUT, including duplex kidneys (DK), horseshoe kidneys (HK), hypoplastic kidneys (HYP), and dysplastic kidneys (DYS). We found that the CAKUT candidate gene proteins EDA2R, PCDH9, and TRAF7 are all expressed during normal human kidney development stages. In DYS, the expression of EDA2R was higher than in normal kidneys, likely due to EDA2R’s role in apoptosis, which was upregulated in specific cases and could possibly contribute to the formation of DYS. The expression of PCDH9 was lower in HK, which can be attributed to the possible role of PCDH9 in cell migration suppression. Decreased PCDH9 expression is linked to increased cell migration, potentially contributing to the development of HK. The level of TRAF7 expression was reduced in all examined kidney disorders compared to normal kidneys, suggesting that this reduction might be attributed to the crucial role of TRAF7 in the formation of endothelium and ciliogenesis, both of which are essential for normal kidney development. Further research is required to ascertain the function of these proteins in both the typical development of the kidney and in CAKUT.

The Effect of Local Original Income (PAD), Transfer Funds (Balanced Funds), and Regional Economic Growth on the Regional Poverty Rate of West Nusa Tenggara Province (NTB)

One of the primary goals of any municipality is human development when it comes to regional development. Reducing poverty and improving community welfare and human resources are the primary goals. The poverty rate in NTB Province has dropped dramatically, and the income and economic growth in the area have increased, thanks to the many regional development initiatives that the province has launched. Finding out how local original income, balancing funds, and economic development influence the poverty rate in NTB province is the main objective of this research. Using a battery of tests and regression analysis, we compile a dataset consisting of panel data from ten NTB Province regencies and cities covering the years 2012–2022. The results obtained from this study show that local original funding (PAD) has a significant impact on reducing poverty rates and balancing funds that significantly reduce poverty rates in the NTB province. However, economic growth impacts increasing the poverty rate in NTB province, although not significantly. This may happen because Indonesia's economic growth fluctuates, thus affecting the increase in poverty. Fluctuations occur due to factors such as national economic conditions, supply-demand, government policies, etc. This can affect the economic growth of NTB, and it also impacts the increasing poverty rate in NTB. In addition, the increasing population is one of the factors that contribute to economic fluctuations and the increase of poor people in NTB.

Modeling Economic Growth in Papua Province Using Panel Data

This study aims to determine and analyze simultaneously the effect of Average Years of Schooling, and School Participation Rate on GRDPHB in Papua Province, the type of research used is the panel data regression model. This study uses panel data regression methods, the data used involves a combination of time series and cross-section data. The results showed a positive and significant effect of RLS and TPAK on GRDPHB in Papua Province with an adjusted R Square value of 0.998016 or 99.80%. This finding confirms the importance of focusing on improving the quality of education along with maintaining a high labor force participation rate as a strategy to strengthen Papua's economic base. Thus, human development and strengthening human resources will be the key to sustainable economic growth in Papua.

Long noncoding RNA LIRIL2R modulates FOXP3 levels and suppressive function of human CD4+ regulatory T cells by regulating IL2RA

Regulatory T cells (Tregs) are central in controlling immune responses, and dysregulation of their function can lead to autoimmune disorders or cancer. Despite extensive studies on Tregs, the basis of epigenetic regulation of human Treg development and function is incompletely understood. Long intergenic noncoding RNAs (lincRNA)s are important for shaping and maintaining the epigenetic landscape in different cell types. In this study, we identified a gene on the chromosome 6p25.3 locus, encoding a lincRNA, that was up-regulated during early differentiation of human Tregs. The lincRNA regulated the expression of interleukin-2 receptor alpha (IL2RA), and we named it the lincRNA regulator of IL2RA (LIRIL2R). Through transcriptomics, epigenomics, and proteomics analysis of LIRIL2R-deficient Tregs, coupled with global profiling of LIRIL2R binding sites using chromatin isolation by RNA purification, followed by sequencing, we identified IL2RA as a target of LIRIL2R. This nuclear lincRNA binds upstream of the IL2RA locus and regulates its epigenetic landscape and transcription. CRISPR-mediated deletion of the LIRIL2R-bound region at the IL2RA locus resulted in reduced IL2RA expression. Notably, LIRIL2R deficiency led to reduced expression of Treg-signature genes (e.g., FOXP3, CTLA4, and PDCD1), upregulation of genes associated with effector T cells (e.g., SATB1 and GATA3), and loss of Treg-mediated suppression.

Reforms in the Competency Development Strategy of Indigenous Papuan Soldiers in Kodam XVII/Cenderawasih

Affirmation has consequences for the emergence of competency gaps, as happened in the recruitment results of Indigenous Papuan soldiers (OAP) in Kodam XVII/Cenderawasih. So, to overcome this gap, reforms are needed in human resource development, especially in competency development. This paper seeks to examine the competency gaps in OAP soldiers recruited from the affirmation program. The research was conducted using qualitative methods on data obtained through in-depth interviews with several resource persons, namely Kodam XVII/Cenderawasih officials. The results found that the competency gap between OAP soldiers and the competencies needed in military positions requires integrative competency development efforts. This study concludes that the reform of competency development of OAP Soldiers in Kodam XVII / Cenderawasih is essential to overcome the competency gap and prepare them to face the dynamics of the personnel system, especially with the ASN Bill, which demands adequate competence.

Fostering human learning in sequential decision-making: Understanding the role of evaluative feedback.

Cognitive rehabilitation, STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) skill acquisition, and coaching games such as chess often require tutoring decision-making strategies. The advancement of AI-driven tutoring systems for facilitating human learning requires an understanding of the impact of evaluative feedback on human decision-making and skill development. To this end, we conduct human experiments using Amazon Mechanical Turk to study the influence of evaluative feedback on human decision-making in sequential tasks. In these experiments, participants solve the Tower of Hanoi puzzle and receive AI-generated feedback while solving it. We examine how this feedback affects their learning and skill transfer to related tasks. Additionally, treating humans as noisy optimal agents, we employ maximum entropy inverse reinforcement learning to analyze the effect of feedback on the implicit human reward structure that guides their decision making. Lastly, we explore various computational models to understand how people incorporate evaluative feedback into their decision-making processes. Our findings underscore that humans perceive evaluative feedback as indicative of their long-term strategic success, thus aiding in skill acquisition and transfer in sequential decision-making tasks. Moreover, we demonstrate that evaluative feedback fosters a more structured and organized learning experience compared to learning without feedback. Furthermore, our results indicate that providing intermediate goals alone does not significantly enhance human learning outcomes.

Research progress in the detection of trace heavy metal ions in food samples

Food safety is the basis for ensuring human survival and development. The threat of heavy metal ions to food safety has become a social concern with the rapid growth of the economy and the accompanying environmental pollution. Some heavy metal ions are highly toxic even at trace levels and pose significant health risks to humans. Therefore, ultrasensitive detection of heavy metal ions in food samples is important. In this mini-review, recent advances in the analytical methods based on nanomaterials for detecting trace heavy metal ions in food samples are summarized in three categories: electrochemical, colorimetric, and fluorescent methods. We present the features and sensing mechanisms of these three methods, along with typical examples to illustrate their application in the detection of heavy metal ions in foods. This mini-review ends with a discussion of current challenges and future prospects of these approaches for sensing heavy metal ions. The review will help readers understand the principles of these methods, thereby promoting the development of new analytical methods for the detection of heavy metal ions in food samples.

Zinc deficiency deteriorates ovarian follicle development and function by inhibiting mitochondrial function

Zinc (Zn) is a crucial trace element essential for human growth and development, particularly for reproductive health. Previous research has shown a decrease in serum zinc concentration with age and individuals with conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and diabetes mellitus. However, the specific effects of zinc deficiency on the female reproductive system, especially ovarian function, are not fully understood. In our study, we observed a significant reduction in the total number of follicles and mature follicles in the zinc deficiency group. This reduction correlated with decreased level of anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) and abnormal gene expression affecting hormone secretion regulation. Furthermore, we found that zinc deficiency disrupted mitochondrial dynamics, leading to oxidative stress in the ovaries, which further inhibited autophagy and increased ovarian apoptosis. These changes ultimately resulted in the failure of germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD) and reduced oocyte quality. Meanwhile, administration of zinc glycine effectively alleviated the oocyte meiotic arrest caused by dietary zinc deficiency. In conclusion, our findings demonstrated that dietary zinc deficiency can affect hormone secretion and follicle maturation by impairing mitochondrial function and autophagy.

Heydar Aliyev's Language Policy and the Phenomenon of Identity

Identity is reflected as a multifaceted topic in scientific and psychological research of the last decade. The problem of identity formation is the main problem of human development in society. Language is one of the ethnic markers, and it is it that makes it possible for an individual to identify himself with a particular ethnic community. The presented article talks about the language policy implemented by the Heydar Aliyev and his services in this field. In this field, Heydar Aliyev made exceptional contributions to the acquisition of the state language status of the Azerbaijani language, both during the Soviet period and during the restoration of independence. Also, the Azerbaijani ideology of the national leader and the phenomenon of the national language that underlies it, along with such factors as national consciousness, national identity, and the national state, constitute the formation of the people. One of the most important indicators of Heydar Aliyev's ideology is Azerbaijanism and it is the national ideology of the state and the people.

Stunting and the hope that must remain; regional and human resource development perspectives; inadequate policy problem identification process in the Tabagsel region of Indonesia

Stunting and the hope that must remain; regional and human resource development perspectives; inadequate policy problem identification process in the Tabagsel region of Indonesia

EXPLORING THE EVOLUTION OF SUSTAINABILITY SCIENCE UNDERSTANDING THE COMPLEXITY AND DEVELOPMENT OF SUSTAINABILITY PROGRAMS

Objective: The objective of this study are to investigate what and how existing sustainability programs are, to group and map these sustainability programs' main ideas to gain a more constructive and integrated understanding, and to find clues or opportunities to improve efforts to achieve sustainability. Theoretical Framework: The concept of sustainable development remains complex, ambiguous, and challenging to implement. The global environmental situation is worsening, leading to disasters and unfavorable climate change. Despite numerous efforts such as seminars, research, conferences, and work programs, both locally and globally, the understanding and implementation of sustainability remain unclear. There are differing views on the focus and strategy needed to address the development paradox, indicating a lack of consensus on the true meaning of sustainability. Method: This qualitative descriptive research employs a two-tiered literature review approach. The first focuses on the historical correlation between development and sustainability, examining early human civilization's development activities during the Neolithic era. The second tier analyzes and categorizes existing sustainability programs, reviewing various research articles on environmental preservation, natural resource protection, impact reduction, and social equity programs since the first industrial revolution. The findings are synthesized critically and comprehensively to identify common themes and core ideas. Results and Discussion: This study acknowledges the complexity and challenges of sustainability, emphasizing the ongoing relevance of conservation and resilience as core concepts. To address the dichotomy of development, new sustainability programs must also consider the revitalization of natural resources, continuity of ecosystem services, biodiversity maintenance, and resilience building. Approaches such as ecosophy and predictive methods based on dynamic phenomena can contribute (as a clue) to achieving sustainability goals by encouraging holistic thinking, balancing human and environmental needs, and promoting co-evolution. Research Implications: The complexity and constellation of diverse and intricate sustainability programs can be seen through this research. Although limited, these findings are expected to contribute to Sustainability science through a more comprehensive and constructive understanding of sustainability history and knowledge that has been described. Originality/Value: This study conducts a comprehensive research method covering various disciplines and a broad scope of sustainable development, including its evolution since the industrial revolution and aspects related to history of development. The research result creates a visual map representing the structure of existing sustainability programs, serving as a guide for proposing new research initiatives. This knowledge facilitates aligning new proposals with existing themes, bridging gaps in theories, and fostering the exploration and development of innovative sustainability ideas.