Preliminary Research Research Articles

Critical thinking skills student profile and PBL needs assisted by android physics module

The research was conducted to analyze the level of students critical thinking skills and and the requirements for implementing PBL using android modules to improve students critical thinking skills in physics. This research method was included in the preliminary research with a sample of 174 students in XI grade MIPA at Gresik State High School. Data collection is done by sharing critical thinking tests with students, conducting questionnaires for students, and conducting teacher interviews. The data is examined both qualitatively and descriptively to explain the research's findings. The results of this research showed that 1) many students still had a low level of critical thinking. Of the 174 students, 119 have low level, 44 have medium level, and 10 have high level. The evaluation indicator has the lowest average value, and the interpretation indicator has the highest average. Student critical thinking skills are higher for females than for males. The conclusion is that the skills to think critically is very important during learning, especially in physics. To improve the critical thinking skills of students, the way that can be done is by applying PBL-assisted android modules.

DEVELOPMENT OF E-BOOKS INTEGRATED WITH HABIST OF MIND AND ISLAMIC CHARACTERS IN IMPROVING ALGEBRAIC THINKING SKILLS OF PROSPECTIVE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL TEACHERS

Algebraic thinking skills are important for students because algebraic thinking will promote ways to interpret mathematics. The results of preliminary research on the algebraic thinking ability of PGMI students showed an average problem solving of 18.46, mathematical modelling of 18.26, reasoning ability of 5.54, analytical thinking of 8.8 and generalization of 17, with a maximum value of 20. These results indicate that for indicators of analytical thinking and reasoning students are still low. This study aims to develop an e-book of algebraic thinking skills integrated with habits of mind and Islamic characters for prospective elementary school teachers. This type of research is development research using the ADDIE model (Analysis, Design, Development, Implementation and Evaluation). The developed e-book was validated by several experts including media experts, material experts and Islamic experts to ensure the quality of the e-book produced before the field trial. Product trials were conducted on 230 PGMI students. Based on the results of the study, it is known that the feasibility of the algebraic thinking ability e-book integrated with habits of mind and Islamic characters is categorized as very good, with a value of 4.77 from a maximum scale of 5 while practicality obtained a score of 4.11 in the good category

Development of Collaboration Script-Based Worksheets to Improve Collaborative Skills and Learning Outcomes in Junior High Schools Science Learning

Science learning is expected to be capable of various competencies following curriculum demands, including students' collaborative skills. Collaborative skills provide many benefits to students. However, the facts show that the collaborative skills achieved by students in current learning are still low because the learning process is not directed at achieving the desired targets. Thus, this research was conducted to develop a collaboration script-based worksheet to improve junior high school students' collaborative skills and learning outcomes in science learning. This type of research is development research, which is carried out in three stages: the preliminary research phase, the development and prototyping phase, and the assessment phase. The research results show that the collaboration script-based worksheet developed in this research is categorized as valid, practical, and effective. Thus, it can be said that collaboration script-based worksheets can help students learn science collaboratively to improve collaborative skills and student learning outcomes.

The Effects of Administration of Total Glucoside Peony (TGP) on Autoimmune Diseases: Clinical and Laboratory Observations as Preliminary Research

Autoimmune diseases cause the host immune system to produce antibodies that attack its own tissues due to an exaggerated immune response to the body's own tissues and materials simultaneously. Conventional treatment of autoimmune diseases are NSAIDs, glucocorticoids, and immunosuppressants that have not met the satisfaction of autoimmune therapy. The purpose of this study was to identify the usefulness and side effects of TGP against autoimmune diseases as a complementary therapy to low-dose basic therapy. This research method is an original research and intervention. This is an initial study with an analytical observational approach. The design is a 'single-group pretest-posttest design'. This research was conducted at RSUP Prof. dr. R.D Kandou and other private hospitals in Manado and Tomohon. The subjects of the study were autoimmune patients. The addition of TGP in this study did not have significant side effects on Hb, leukocytes, liver and kidney function, and the gastrointestinal tract. From this study, it can be concluded that there are clinically significant improvements in RA, Graves, Hashimoto, and Psoriasis, significant laboratory improvements in CRP and LED levels for all autoimmune patients, and insignificant laboratory improvements in anti-TPO, TSH, and FT4 levels for Graves and Hashimoto. In Aplastic Anemia, there is a significant improvement in the number of leukocytes and platelets. There are no side effects on the gastrointestinal tract, Hb, leukocytes, platelets, liver function, and kidneys.

Dissatisfied dropout from school‐based humanistic counselling: A theory‐building case series

AbstractIntroductionDissatisfied dropout costs services financially and impacts client well‐being. Research is limited on reasons for dissatisfied dropout in adolescents. Preliminary research suggests it may be due to feeling uncomfortable with silences, not knowing what to talk about, or unresolved ruptures. This study aimed to understand and refine the theory about the reasons for adolescent dissatisfied dropout from school‐based humanistic counselling (SBHC).MethodA theory‐building series of case studies was conducted with three dissatisfied dropout adolescent cases who received SBHC during a randomised controlled trial. Gaps in the theory were established by exploring the themes in one case. Testing and developing the theory with additional cases involved comparing themes and theory statements to case data. The final theory integrated data across the three cases.ResultsTherapeutic relationship difficulties and client factors were the principal, overlapping reasons for dissatisfied dropout. Relationship difficulties included a poor therapeutic alliance, the counsellor persisting with their own agenda, repetitive client/counsellor interactions with silences, the client not feeling able to trust the counsellor with a risk issue and a lack of knowledge about humanistic counselling. Client factors included the client's hesitancy and ambivalence to talk about their feelings in the counselling.ConclusionThe results fitted with, but elaborated on and extended, the theory that a poor alliance, silences and misconceptions about counselling may lead to dissatisfied dropout. Emerging findings suggest the client's negative perception about disclosing their feelings and a lack of metacommunication about any difficulties in the therapeutic relationship may lead to dissatisfied dropout from SBHC.

A Narrative Commentary on the Use of a Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy-Informed Group to Address Irrational Beliefs, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, and Comorbidities.

Irrational beliefs of Demandingness, Catastrophizing, Low Frustration Tolerance, and Depreciation have demonstrated prevalence in disparate areas of life, including psychopathology, the military, politics, religion, and education. Individuals with mental health concerns, such as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), endorse elevations in such thoughts compared to the general population. This commentary describes the rationale for focusing on irrational beliefs in efforts to address PTSD and presents the Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT)-Informed Group for PTSD as a potential novel application of a well-established intervention. In support of these suggestions, we present a narrative review of the published work on irrational beliefs and REBT tenets as relevant for PTSD. We then introduce and describe the REBT-Informed Group intervention, summarize the prior preliminary research conducted by our group, and present some novel data from a re-analysis of this prior work. We end with commentary related to future directions of REBT approaches for PTSD to address limitations and expand the impact of the treatment to military and other Veteran or civilian populations.

Design of a Pedagogical Model to Foster Ocean Citizenship in Basic Education

Following a design-based research methodology, this investigation develops a pedagogical model to foster ocean citizenship through the application of a design cycle consisting of four phases: (1) preliminary research, (2) planning, (3) action and (4) evaluation. This article presents the results of phases 1 and 2, which define the conceptual foundation of the pedagogical model, and the planning of actions for its implementation in the school environment. The conceptual foundation was established by drawing upon the theoretical principles of a systemic/complex approach to education, along with theoretical-methodological elements compiled from the literature in the field of ocean literacy and ocean citizenship. During the planning phase, six educational activities were defined, to be conducted as part of a citizen science project to monitor the coastal zone. This model was developed with the objective of going beyond theoretical concepts, to offer schools a practical and objective guide for fostering ocean citizenship in basic education.

Factors Affecting Psychological Health in the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract: Global mental health has been put at risk by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, both directly and indirectly through disruptive social shifts and neuropsychiatric repercussions of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Despite a little rise in selfreported mental health issues, there has not been an increase in the population's rates of mental disorders, self-harm, or suicide that could be measured objectively. Demographic factors, such as sex, age, and profession, have emerged as key determinants, with women, younger individuals, and frontline workers facing elevated risks. In this review, we have addressed the key considerations that have impacted the mental well-being of the populace during COVID-19. A comprehensive literature search on the SCOPUS and PubMed databases was used to find the current research studies on the COVID-19 outbreak relevant to mental health. According to preliminary research, self-reported stress (8%) and symptoms of worry and depression (16–28%) have been prevalent psychological responses to the COVID-19 pandemic and they may have been linked to sleep disruption. This risk has been reported to be moderated by several individual and systemic factors. Acute and postacute neuropsychiatric consequences of COVID-19 have also been identified, with a significant prevalence of fatigue, cognitive decline, and anxiety and depression symptoms, even months after infection. Coping with challenges, such as social distancing, economic instability, and altered routines, has posed significant mental health concerns. Access to mental health resources and robust social support systems has, however, played pivotal roles in addressing these challenges. The review has underscored the urgent need for comprehensive mental health interventions, addressing social determinants, ensuring equitable access to healthcare, and recognizing the enduring effects of the pandemic.

Rethinking the Healthcare Facilities: The Role of the Buffer Space.

A working group conducted a survey on the use of the principle of buffer space (BS), which in case of emergencies, could benefit healthcare settings. The aim of the preliminary investigation is to define new research lines in hospitals' functional design. The global experience of the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted challenges faced by hospitals when responding promptly to emergencies, including spatial reorganization and suspension of ordinary medical activities for ensuring adequate management of the emergency surge of patients. The group designed questionnaires to be administered to healthcare staff and healthcare designers aimed at understanding varied conceptions and features of BSs. Content across the two surveys overlapped significantly, allowing for direct comparisons of responses, while also including tailored questions in relation to the respective experience and skills of the two groups of respondents. 102 healthcare professionals and 56 designers took part to the survey. Analysis of the responses permitted for initial recommendations regarding BS typology including (a) proximity to the emergency department (ED), intensive care units (ICUs), and inpatient wards (IWs); (b) location within hospitals but separate from other medical areas; (c) need for independent access; (d) organizational and spatial features similar to ED, ICUs, and IWs; (e) existing as a fully flexible operational space; and (f) BS bed capacity to be approximately 12% of ED beds. Although the analysis is related to the Italian context, the expansion of this preliminary research to alternate healthcare facilities and geographic areas is necessary for reaching a wide consensus by different professionals on this field. It serves as a starting point for future investigations regarding the implementation of BS in hospital settings.

Effect of Task Oriented Exercise with Wrist Flexibility Training among Badminton Players to Improve Wrist Mobility and to Prevent Wrist Injury: Comparative Study

Background: This study was conducted explicitly on the efficacy of task-oriented exercises paired with wristflexibility training on enhancing wrist mobility and reducing wrist injuries in badminton players.Purpose: The purpose of this study was to see how a structured intervention integrating task- oriented exercisesand wrist flexibility training benefited wrist mobility and injury prevention in badminton players.Materials and Methods: A randomized controlled trial design was used, with a sample of 70 intermediate- levelbadminton players participating. The participants were split into two groups: conventional and intervention. Theintervention group participated in a four-week programme that included task-oriented workouts with badmintonmovements and targeted wrist flexibility training. The typical group continued with their regular training schedule,with no wrist mobility modification. Validated metrics - ROM and Quick DASH score - were used to assess wristmobility and function.(Study period : September 2022-May 2023)Result: Preliminary research found that the intervention group had significantly better wrist mobility than thecontrol group. They also demonstrated enhanced ROM, flexibility, and functional performance of the wrist joint,as well as a significant decrease in wrist injury occurrence.Conclusion: These data indicate that combining task-oriented exercises with wrist flexibility training in badmintonplayers can successfully improve wrist mobility and lower the incidence of wrist injuries.

Preliminary Research on Outdoor Thermal Comfort Evaluation in Severe Cold Regions by Machine Learning

The thermal comfort evaluation of the urban environment arouses widespread concern among scholars, and research in this field is mostly based on thermal comfort evaluation indexes such as PMV, PET, SET, UTCI, etc. These thermal comfort index evaluation models are complex in the calculation process and poor in operability, which makes it difficult for people who lack a relevant knowledge background to understand, calculate, and apply them. The purpose of this study is to provide a simple, efficient, and easy-to-operate outdoor thermal comfort evaluation model for severe cold areas in China using a machine learning method. In this study, the physical environment parameters are obtained by field measurement, and individual information is obtained by a field questionnaire survey. The applicability of four machine learning models in outdoor thermal comfort evaluation is studied. A total of 320 questionnaires are collected. The results show that the correlation coefficients between predicted values and voting values of the extreme gradient lifting model, gradient lifting model, random forest model, and neural network model are 0.9313, 0.7148, 0.9115, and 0.5325, respectively. Further analysis of the extreme gradient model with the highest correlation coefficient shows that individual factors (such as residence time, distance between hometown and residence, clothing, age, height, and weight) and environmental factors (such as air humidity (RH), wind speed (v), air temperature (Ta), and black bulb temperature (Tg)) have different influences on thermal comfort evaluation. In summary, using a machine learning method to evaluate outdoor thermal comfort is simpler, more direct, and more efficient, and it can make up for the lack of consideration of complex individual factors in the evaluation method of thermal comfort index. The results have reference value and application value for the research of outdoor thermal comfort evaluation in severe cold areas of China.

Spatial Distribution, Risk Index, and Correlation of Heavy Metals in the Chuhe River (Yangtze Tributary): Preliminary Research Analysis of Surface Water and Sediment Contamination

This comprehensive study aimed to evaluate the water quality and sediment contamination in the Chuhe River in Nanjing. The spatial assessment of 10 samples collected in September highlighted that, in surface water, Copper (Cu) > Nickel (Ni) > Zinc (Zn) > Chromium (Cr) > Lead (Pb) > Arsenic (As) > Cadmium (Cd) > Mercury (Hg), whereas in sediments, Zn > Cr > Cu > Pb > Ni > As > Cd > Hg. The coefficient of variation (CV) for Ni and Zn in surface water was >15, whereas As, Cu, Pb, and Ni had a CV that was higher than 15 in sediments, indicating variability in contamination sources. The Pollution Load Index values ranged between 2.16 and 3.05, reflecting varying contamination levels across samples. The Geoaccumulation Index data also showed moderate-to-considerable contamination, especially for elements such as Cd and Cu. Correlation analyses in water and sediments unearthed significant relationships, with notable links between Cu and Pb in the water and strong correlations between As and Cu and between Cr and Ni in sediments. In sediments, Total Nitrogen and Phosphorus were significantly correlated with As, Cu, Pb, and Ni. The Potential Ecological Response Index for sediments indicated that they are at medium to high risk (307.47 ± 33.17) and could be potentially detrimental to aquatic life in the tributary. The tributary, influenced by agricultural runoff, residential areas, and other anthropogenic activities, showed that despite Nemerow pollution index values for water samples being below 1, sediment analysis indicated areas of concern. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was conducted to identify the potential sources of heavy metal contamination. In surface water, shared negative loadings on PC 1 (60.11%) indicated a unified influence, likely from agricultural runoff, while PC 2 (14.26%) revealed additional complexities. Sediments exhibited a unique signature on PC 1 (67.05%), associated with cumulative agricultural impacts, with PC 2 (18.08%) providing insights into nuanced factors, such as sediment composition and dynamic interactions. These findings offer a complete insight into the Chuhe River tributary’s condition, underlining the urgency for ongoing monitoring and potential remediation measures.

Comparative analysis on small modular reactor (SMR) with uranium and thorium fuel cycle

The utilization of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) and micro-reactors holds significant potential advantages. The primary benefits include their smaller size, accessibility to remote regions, and reduced land requirements. One noteworthy SMR is the NuScale Power Module (NPM), which has a thermal capacity of 160 MWt and operates on a 2-year cycle. However, there is a growing interest in exploring alternative fuels to enhance SMR performance and safety, and thorium has emerged as an appealing option due to its superior neutron characteristics and potential for higher fuel efficiency. This research aims to do preliminary research into adapting fuel for a thorium fuel cycle in the integral PWR (iPWR). The thorium cycle excels with an initial neutron multiplication factor of 1.134, almost the same as uranium (1.129). Additionally, the thorium cycle boasts superior neutron flux and Conversion Ratio (CR) in the thermal neutron energy range, enhancing sustainability with an average CR of 0.765, compared to 0.574 and 0.692 for uranium and uranium–thorium cycle. The addition of thorium improves efficiency in converting fertile material into fissile material with an enough criticality, where fuels incorporating thorium have a higher CR (Conversion Ratio). Furthermore, thorium fuel cycle has significantly lower production of plutonium isotopes compared to other fuel cycles. However, it faces a challenge with a high power peaking factor (PPF) of 1.923 at the Beginning of Cycle (BOC), requiring further research for mitigation.

Administration of Gracilariopsis lemaneiformis polysaccharide attenuates cisplatin-induced inflammation and intestinal mucosal damage in colon-26 carcinoma tumor-bearing mice.

Our preliminary research revealed that the polysaccharide GP90 from Gracilariopsis lemaneiformis enhanced the antitumor effect of cisplatin, indicating that GP90 may increase the chemotherapeutic sensitivity. However, it is still necessary to fully understand whether GP90 can also improve the intestinal barrier dysfunction and systemic inflammation induced by cisplatin. GP90 has been demonstrated to inhibit the excessive release of nitirc oxide, interleukin (IL)-6, IL-1β and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α induced by lipopolysaccharide in RAW264.7 cells. In vivo, GP90 effectively ameliorated the decrease in the serum CD4+ /CD8+ T-cell ratio induced by cisplatin and significantly reduced the increase in the inflammatory cytokines, CD4+ Foxp3+ , CD4+ granzyme B+ and CD4+ TNF-α induced by cisplatin. Furthermore, when combined with cisplatin, GP90 increases the protein expression levels of mucin-2 and zonula occludens-1 in the mouse small intestine. Additionally, GP90 combined with cisplatin has a modulatory effect on the intestinal microbiota by elevating the Firmicutes-to-Bacteroidetes ratio and the relative abundance of beneficial microorganisms (Lachnospiraceae bacterium), at the same time as reducing the abundance of cisplatin specific Bacteroides acidifaciens and elevating the content of butyric acid and isobutyric acid. Collectively, these findings indicate that GP90 potentially mitigates inflammation and protects the intestinal barrier in tumor-bearing organisms undergoing chemotherapy. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

Microscopic and molecular investigation of vector borne haemoprotozoan diseases in dromedary camel of North Gujarat.

Vector borne haemoprotozoan diseases comprise diverse group of single celled organism transmitted by haematophagus invertebrates. The current study was aimed at identification of major haemoprotozoan (Babesia, Theileria and Trypanosoma) in dromedary camel of North Gujarat region using microscopy and Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). A total of 234 blood samples were screened by the microscopic and molecular detection assays. Molecular prevalence studies of Theileria, Trypanosoma spp and Babesia was undertaken using 18s ribosomal DNA, RoTat 1.2 and SS rRNA gene respectively. The data relating to microscopic and molecular prevalence along with associated risk factors were analysed by statistical methods. The overall prevalence of hamoprotozoan disease based on microscopic and molecular investigation was 23.50%. The sensitivity and specificity (95% Confidence Interval) of PCR assay was 100% in comparison to microscopy (45.45% and 100%). The kappa coefficient between PCR and microscopy indicated good level of agreement with a value of 0.704 and SE of 0.159. Despite holding much significance to the animal sector, little work has been undertaken in regional part of India regarding camel parasites. The present paper offers the first preliminary research data investigating haemoprotozoan disease using parasitological and molecular methods in camels in the region.

The Effect of Electrospinning Parameters on the Electrospun Polybutylene Adipate Co-Terephthalate (PBAT) Biodegradable Scaffold

Electrospinning is a cost-effective and versatile technique to fabricate continuous fibers ranging from submicron diameter to nanometer diameter. Polybutylene adipate-co-terephthalate (PBAT) has been investigated as a fibrous scaffold because of its low crystallinity, rapid biodegradability, and excellent mechanical properties, particularly for its high toughness and flexibility. However, the potential of the PBAT fibrous scaffold for medical purposes is still limited. PBAT blends with biocompatible polymers have been developed and investigated for tissue engineering applications. Herein, the preliminary research examines the processability of neat PBAT as a fibrous scaffold by varying several electrospinning processing parameters, such as solution concentration, voltage, flow rate, and tip to collector distance. The aim is to obtain continuous, smooth, and bead-free fibers. The electrospun fibers were examined using a scanning electron microscope (SEM) to determine its diameters. The optimum parameters for obtaining a continuous, bead-free PBAT fibrous scaffold were 20% w/v concentration, 19 kV voltage, 2 mL/h flow rate, and a 15 cm distance.

Efficacy and safety of traditional plant-based medicines for preventing chronic oxaliplatin-induced peripheral neurotoxicity in patients with colorectal cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis with core herb contribution

Ethnopharmacological relevanceTraditional plant-based medicines (TMs) have been widely used to prevent chronic oxaliplatin-induced peripheral neurotoxicity (OIPN). However, the prevention and safety of TMs for chronic OIPN remain ambiguous. Furthermore, diverse TM prescriptions and complicated components limit in-depth research on the mechanisms of TMs. Aim of this studyTo determine core TMs and potential pharmacological pathways on the basis of a thorough investigation into the preventive benefits and safety of oral TMs for chronic OIPN in colorectal cancer (CRC). MethodsA search of the PubMed, Cochrane, Embase, CNKI, VIP, and Wanfang databases for RCTs reporting on TMs for chronic OIPN was conducted through December 1, 2022. Subgroup analysis, sensitivity analysis and meta-regression were applied to assess the impacts of influencing variables. The assessment of Risk of Bias was relied on Cochrane Risk of Bias tool. The funnel plot, Egger's test, and the Trim and Fill method were applied to identify potential publication bias. Trial sequential analyses (TSA) were carried out by the TSA tool to increase the robustness. The assessment of the quality of evidence was according to the GRADE system. System pharmacology analysis was employed to screen core herbal combinations to elucidate possible mechanisms for preventing chronic OIPN in CRC. ResultsThe pooled effect estimate with robustness increased by TSA analysis demonstrated that oral TMs appeared to significantly decrease the incidence of chronic OIPN (RR = 0.66, 95% CI (0.56, 0.78); P＜0.00001), leukocytopenia (RR = 0.65, 95% CI (0.54,0.79); P＜0.00001), and nausea and vomiting (RR = 0.72, 95% CI (0.61,0.84); P＜0.0001) as well as improve the Objective Response Rate (ORR) (RR = 1.31, 95% CI (1.09,1.56); P = 0.003). The incidence of severe chronic OIPN was revealed a significant reduction, particularly when chemotherapy was administered for periods of time shorter than six months (RR = 0.33, 95% CI (0.15,0.71); P = 0.005; actuation duration＜3 months; RR = 0.33, 95% CI (0.17,0.62); P = 0.0007; actuation duration≥3 months, ＜6 months). The considerable heterogeneity among studies may be attributable to the severity of dysfunction categorized by grade and accumulated dosage. Using core TMs consisting of Astragalus membranaceus (Fisch.) Bunge, Atractylodes Macrocephala Koidz., Poria cocos (Schw.) Wolf, and Codonopsis pilosula (Franch.) Nannf. To regulate nuclear factor-kappa B against inflammation caused by activation of microglia might be an approach to preventing chronic OIPN. ConclusionsTMs appear to be effective and safe in the prevention of chronic OIPN, especially severe chronic OIPN. Additionally, core TMs consisting of Astragalus membranaceus (Fisch.) Bunge, Atractylodes Macrocephala Koidz., Poria cocos (Schw.) Wolf, and Codonopsis pilosula (Franch.) Nannf were presumably responsible for reducing the incidence of chronic OIPN, and the mechanism may be related to relieving inflammation. However, quality-assured trials with long-term follow-up for exploring inflammatory factors and preliminary research on core TMs and pharmacological pathways are needed.

Is it time sociology started researching incompetence?

There appears to be a mismatch between apparent incompetence in the world and the amount of sociological research it attracts. The aim of this article is to outline a sociology of incompetence and justify its value. I begin by defining incompetence as unsatisfactory performance relative to standards. Incompetence is thus intrinsically sociological in being negotiated and socially (re)constituted. The next section foregrounds how widespread and serious incompetence is. This renders effective sociological understanding crucial to welfare. The article then systematically analyses uses of the term in the British Journal of Sociology (a good quality general journal) to assess the current state of research. This analysis fully confirms the neglect of incompetence as a research topic. The next section proposes suitable methods for preliminary incompetence research addressing distinctive challenges like the stigma of being incompetent. These sections then allow incompetence to be better contextualised by other contributing concepts like power, bureaucracy and meritocracy. The final section justifies suggestions about directions for future research.

Integration of legislation on countering tax crimes in the EU: opportunities and limitations

The subject. The article examines the norms of the current tax and criminal legislation of the EU, the experience of which in the future may be in demand in the process of integrating the legal regulation systems of the EAEU states when developing issues of countering tax crimes. The subject of the article is to analyze the problems of: methodology of tax crime research in the EU and data sampling criteria; integration of national tax systems; definition of tax crime in the EU; spread of VAT fraud.Modern law enforcement practice is analyzed using the system-logical method, which indicates the complication of forms of tax evasion and concealment of actual financial and economic transactions.The main results. It is noted that the need for effective law enforcement to ensure the financial stability of states, to counteract distortions of competition resulting from tax evasion is due to the organized and highly structured nature of a significant part of tax crimes, the expansion of the scale of cross-border tax crimes involving foreign elements. The European legislation does not contain a definition of a tax offense as such, but contains a list of types of behavior with specific descriptions of prohibited behavior. It seems that national legislators deliberately preserve a certain amount of ambiguity between prohibited and permitted tax evasion, offering a broad definition of tax evasion, since narrow specifics in the definition of such offenses can lead to undesirable impunity, exclude a flexible approach in responding to changes in this area of legal relations.As a result of the application of the formal legal approach and comparative analysis, conclusions were obtained that, subject to careful preliminary research and practical verification, successful decisions in the field of combating tax evasion and tax fraud adopted in some jurisdictions can be used to improve the legislative provisions of other states.

Mechanism of phenanthrene degradation by the halophilic Pelagerythrobacter sp. N7

PAHs has shown worldwide accumulation and causes a significant environmental problem especially in saline and hypersaline environments. Moderately halophilic bacteria could be useful for the bioremediation of PAH pollution in hypersaline environments. Pelagerythrobacter sp. N7 was isolated from the PAH-degrading consortium 5H, which was enriched from mixed saline soil samples collected in Shanxi Province, China. 16S rRNA in the genomic DNA revealed that strain N7 belonged to Pelagerythrobacter. Strain N7 exhibited a high tolerance to a wide range of salinities (1–10%) and was highly efficient under neutral to weak alkaline conditions (pH 6–9). The whole genome of strain N7 was sequenced and analyzed, revealing an abundance of catabolic genes. Using the whole genome information, we conducted preliminary research on key enzymes and gene clusters involved in the upstream and downstream PAH degradation pathways of strain N7, thereby inferring its degradation pathway for phenanthrene and naphthalene. This study adds to our understanding of PAH degradation in hypersaline environments and, for the first time, identifies a Pelagerythrobacter with PAH-degrading capability. Strain N7, with its high efficiency in phenanthrene degradation, represents a promising resource for the bioremediation of PAHs in hypersaline environments.