Scientific Research Research Articles

Potential role of bacterial pathogens in the immunopathogenesis of ovarian cancer

The development of next-generation sequencing (NGS) techniques allowed conducting research with greater efficiency and determining the microbial pattern of niches in the human body that were previously considered sterile. Observed changes in the microbiome composition of patients with cancer lesions increasingly indicate the role of microorganisms in the tumour induction and progression. Overgrowth of certain pathogenic strains within the tissue may cause inflammation, which in its chronic form may lead to destabilization of host genome. Such changes may result in altering the expression of genes encoding proteins involved in significant metabolic pathways and promote pathogenic cell functions such as proliferation stimulation, apoptosis inhibition and modulation of inflammatory response. Consequently, these events may lead to tissue destruction, disruption of physiological processes and development of disease states including cancer. In light of emerging reports on the role of changes in the composition of the microbiota in tumorigenesis induction and the presence of pathogenic strains in the ovarian cancer (OC) tumour microenvironment (TME), the hypothesis of a potential role for bacteria in the pathogenesis of this cancer is also gaining interest. The following review presents a summary of scientific research indicating potential role of TME bacteria in the immunopathogenesis of OC.

Examining the application of SOC-29 and MLQ in the South African Banking Industry

Orientation: This study examines the application of the Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire (MLQ) and the Sense of Coherence-29 (SOC-29) within the South African banking industry. It evaluates the appropriateness, efficacy and potential impact of these instruments and offers insights for enhancing employee resilience, improving organisational adaptability and advancing leadership practices in the sector.Research purpose: This study aims to address whether the SOC-29 and MLQ maintain their factor structures and psychometric properties when applied to banking employees.Motivation for the study: There has been limited research on the underlying constructs and measurements of the SOC-29 and MLQ. This evaluation’s findings will help enhance the accuracy and utility of both instruments.Research approach/design and method: A quantitative, positivistic, cross-sectional research design was employed to collect primary data from 150 employees working in South African banks.Main findings: The exploratory factor analysis identified a three-factor structure: F1 – Comprehensibility, F2 – Manageability and F3 – Meaningfulness, all showing improved goodness-of-fit indices. Manageability emerged as the most representative factor, while comprehensibility was the least representative.Practical/managerial implications: Understanding the applicability of the SOC-29 and the MLQ in a banking setting is crucial for HR professionals, organisational psychologists and management teams who seek to leverage these tools for employee assessment, development and organisational improvement.Contribution/value-add: Banks’ critical role in the economy, competitive nature and unique challenges make the study’s outcomes essential for empowering banking organisations to adopt a more scientific approach to employee assessment and development, leading to a well-supported workforce.

Hydrothermal growth of Zn2GeO4 nanorods for optical and (Photo)Catalytic applications: An experimental and theoretical study

From the material design perspective, we reported a systematic investigation based on theoretical and experimental approaches to explore the physical properties of Zn2GeO4 nanorods prepared by hydrothermal method with different zinc precursors for optical and (photo)catalytic applications. All ZGO samples exhibited uniform nanorod morphology with high purity and crystallinity. A negative zeta potential ranging from −13 mV to −16 mV have been observed for these nanorods. Bandgap values indicated variations among samples synthesized with different precursors. The photoluminescence and photocatalytic activities for these nanorods, have been attributed to the presence of oxygen vacancies on the Zn2GeO4 surfaces. Experimental evidence suggests that these surface defects favor the formation of hydroxyl radicals identified as primary reactive oxygen species responsible for the methylene blue photodegradation. Toxicity testing of photocatalytic residues showed minimal phytotoxic effect on lettuce seed (Lactuca sativa) germination. Additionally, Zn2GeO4 was utilized as an acid catalyst for synthesizing isoxazol-5(4H)-ones, resulting in an increase in the yield from 69 % to 92 % by using this catalyst in multicomponent reactions. Lastly, the theoretical efforts outlined in the study aim to enhance the comprehension of the material design with well-defined morphology using realist theoretical models for the Zn2GeO4 nanorods for the first time.

Effect of COVID-19 global lockdown on our Moon

Abstract Systematic investigation of lunar night-time temperatures can possibly be thought as a stable platform to study Earth's radiation budget and climate change as advocated earlier by several researchers. In this study, we report an interesting observation possibly of changing Earth's climate as experienced by the Moon, utilising a rare and novel context of COVID-19 global lockdown. Lunar night-time surface temperatures of six different sites on the Moon's nearside were analysed during the period 2017–2023. Results showed an anomalous dip in the lunar night time surface temperatures for all the sites during April-May 2020, the strict COVID-19 global lockdown period, when compared to the values of the same period during the previous and subsequent years. Since the terrestrial radiation has also showed a significant reduction during that time, the anomalous decrease observed in lunar surface temperatures is attributed to the COVID 19 global lockdown effect. Therefore, our study shows that the Moon has possibly experienced the effect of COVID 19 lockdown, visualised as an anomalous decrease in lunar night-time surface temperatures during that period. These results can be substantiated further from Moon-based observatories in future, thereby making them potential tools for observing Earth's environmental and climate changes.

State policy of Russia to promote youth employment under the modern challenges

Objective: to systematize and develop ideas about the improvement of the Russian state policy to promote youth employment. Methods: the work is based on the analysis of literature and normative-legal documents using general scientific methods of cognition. Results: the paper reveals the legal bases for the activities of Russian authorities in the field of promoting youth employment and developing labor market. It is shown that, despite the variety of measures, young people still face serious barriers to successful career starting and stable employment in general. The analysis summarizes the priority areas of action to overcome the most pressing problems, including: loose regulation of the status of a young specialist; limited statistics; low awareness of young people about the situation on the labor market; mismatch between the personnel produced and the current needs of the economy, etc. The conclusion emphasizes the importance to summarizing the accumulated experience and practical application of the most beneficial solutions, taking into account the specifics of the Russian labor market. Scientific novelty: the conducted research contributes to the development of theoretical and practical issues of promoting youth employment, including the deepening of ideas about the main barriers to stable employment and measures to overcome them. Practical significance: the study results can be used, first of all, in the practice of public administration at any level to improve the policy to promote youth employment.

A probability model for estimating age in young individuals relative to key legal thresholds: 15, 18 or 21-year.

Age estimations are relevant for pre-trial detention, sentencing in criminal cases and as part of the evaluation in asylum processes to protect the rights and privileges of minors. No current method can determine an exact chronological age due to individual variations in biological development. This study seeks to develop a validated statistical model for estimating an age relative to key legal thresholds (15, 18, and 21years) based on a skeletal (CT-clavicle, radiography-hand/wrist or MR-knee) and tooth (radiography-third molar) developmental stages. The whole model is based on 34 scientific studies, divided into examinations of the hand/wrist (15 studies), clavicle (5 studies), distal femur (4 studies), and third molars (10 studies). In total, data from approximately 27,000 individuals have been incorporated and the model has subsequently been validated with data from 5,000 individuals. The core framework of the model is built upon transition analysis and is further developed by a combination of a type of parametric bootstrapping and Bayesian theory. Validation of the model includes testing the models on independent datasets of individuals with known ages and shows a high precision with separate populations aligning closely with the model's predictions. The practical use of the complex statistical model requires a user-friendly tool to provide probabilities together with the margin of error. The assessment based on the model forms the medical component for the overall evaluation of an individual's age.

Strength of Evidence Underlying the CMS-FDA Parallel Review of Comprehensive Genomic Profiling Tests in the Cancer Setting.

Although use of comprehensive genomic profiling (CGP) was approved by a novel CMS/FDA parallel review process, the quality of the supporting evidence is unclear. We evaluated the rigor of the peer-reviewed literature cited in the National Coverage Determination Memorandum for the FoundationOne CDx (F1CDx). We identified studies cited in the memorandum. Two independent researchers evaluated each study and applied a modified version of the Fryback and Thornbury hierarchy[1], an established framework for evaluating the efficacy of diagnostic tests. Studies focused on clinical outcomes were then categorized by study design, guided by recommendations from the Center for Medical Technology Policy. The sample included 113 scientific studies. The majority (n = 60, 53.1%) used CGP outside the course of clinical care, and there was significant heterogeneity in the cancer types assessed and sequencing depth. We found 8 (7.1%) studies that assessed whether clinical care had changed due to CGP testing, and 38 (33.6%) assessed clinical outcomes. After excluding studies that tested for five or fewer genomic alterations, 25 remained in the clinical outcomes sample: Of these, only one included a comparator group that did not receive CGP testing. Only four studies used F1CDx as the primary genomic test, none of which compared the outcomes of patients who did vs did not receive the F1CDx test. The findings indicate gaps in the supporting evidence for broad CGP use in patients with solid tumors. More rigorous studies that assess clinical utility would better inform the approval process for novel diagnostic tests.

Beyond Creating Collections

This paper aims to demonstrate how virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and 3D archaeological reconstructions have been employed to immerse viewers into historical places with the inclusion or exclusion of digital narratives in the heritage and tourism sectors. Countless galleries, libraries, archives, and museums have included digitally re-created objects and re-imagined scenes in situ through theatrical sets and live historical re-enactments to help visitors see and contextualise objects from history. What if these techniques were applied to 3D virtual narrative experiences? This scoping review focuses primarily on selected studies that create 3D models for archaeology, VR, and AR that utilise 3D models, and virtual heritage ‘edutainment’ experiences published within the last five years (i.e., 2018-2023). It gives an overview of the current methods and technologies used to create 3D heritage productions for scientific studies, heritage preservation and tourism, and educational applications. Ultimately, this paper discusses possibilities for future work on how extended reality and 3D models could be included in narrative experiences based on gaps in the existing research.

IoT and Data Science Integration for Smart City Solutions

Concerning the present-day growth of the urban populations across the globe, it is pertinent that new and efficient ways of handling the present-day cities are devised. Relative to this fashion, this paper aims to envisage the use of Internet of Things in partnership with data science for smart city solutions. IoT stands for the Internet of Things and allows devices, systems and services to be connected, collect real time data and analyze them. This data is used by the data science process to enable proper analysis and guide the running of the city with the aim of delivering better living standards for the people. Altogether applied case studies on the smart city from this paper investigates how IoT and data science are utilized to solve some of these issues such as traffic, energy and security. It also expands the issues of data management and security when countless IoT devices are connected and generating big data. The paper also analyses new trends and future developments, which may expand the application possibilities of smart cities, and enhance the existing smart structures. This paper highlights the current and possible issues with implementing smart cities and can act as a guide and pos all future work in the said field.

Radiocarbon dating of illegal ivory confirmed by Milos Forman’s Hair

Abstract Illegal poaching brought elephant species to the brink of extinction; therefore, international trade in ivory has become regulated by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Flora and Fauna (CITES). However, the trade is still allowed for antique items, standing for ivory from a period before 1947 within the European Union. This could serve as a loophole for the laundering of modern ivory. In the described case of the Happy Fisherman statuette, the traded item was declared to be antique, but radiocarbon analysis proved a modern provenance, and the statuette was confiscated. The radiocarbon analysis was later confirmed by information from a Chinese newspaper found inside the statuette. Based on the findings, we strongly recommend careful consideration of each individual ivory piece offered for sale, with a thorough inspection of the items and related documentation carried out by a relevant CITES authority. Any exemption of the commercial ban should be granted only to those applicants who meet the criteria of proper evidence in the form of scientific analysis or reliable and trustworthy documentation.

Факторы, осуществляющие обеспечение этнополитической безопасности России

The presented scientific work focuses on examining a number of key factors that can significantly impact the provision of ethnopolitical security in Russia. This study raises several issues regarding the current state of ethnopolitical security in the country, as well as the role and place of technological progress, which exerts a substantial influence on modern society, including the sphere of ensuring the country’s ethnopolitical security. In the context of Russia, this issue becomes particularly relevant given its multinational composition and the diversity of ethnic groups. The introduction of innovative approaches and technologies to address the challenges of ensuring ethnopolitical security in Russia may contribute to more effective management of interethnic conflicts, prevention of tensions, and the maintenance of stability within the country. Ethnopolitical security is one of the key components of national security, since ethnic conflicts and contradictions can destabilize the political system and lead to social upheavals. In the context of a multinational state, such as Russia, ensuring ethnopolitical security becomes a matter of paramount importance, requiring in-depth scientific analysis and the development of effective strategies.

La ortodoxia del modelo económico clásico y neoclásico: en hombros de gigantes

The objective of this reflection article is to vindicate great thinkers in economics who shaped the main theoretical postulates, philosophy and methodology of science, exposing their conceptual and theoretical framework for a comprehensive understanding of their most relevant contributions. In the development of the article, a historical description of the evolution of orthodox economic thought is offered, within a framework of analysis of recognition of economic doctrines from their historical, institutional, political, cultural and social situation, where their contributions are still significant for the interpretation of current reality, not in an absolute way due to the limitations of the assumptions, methods and historical interpretation of the authors, but with inputs that, objectively analyzed, provide validity and usefulness to economics professionals, and in general to all social scientists, for the exercises of positive economics of description, analysis and systematization of economic phenomena and of normative economics of intervention of reality through economic policy. The historical framework of the exhibition is until the 19th century, keeping in mind that, if the economy was built from classical and neoclassical orthodoxy, the alternative and subsequent currents are necessarily heirs, direct or indirect, of these giants of thought.

Advancing consensual non‐monogamy in psychological research, practice, and policy: A guide for psychologists

AbstractIn this article, we present a brief overview of the topic of consensual non‐monogamy (CNM) as a scientific inquiry, including reviews related to stigma, relationship functioning, and health and well‐being. Next, we discuss how psychologists can be more responsive to people who engage in CNM, by (1) conducting research that is inclusive of CNM, including challenging mononormativity in theory and measurement; (2) training clinicians to be more knowledgeable about CNM, including expanding diversity requirements and evidence‐based clinical practice; (3) working in advocacy to help shape law and policy, including future directions for research to inform marital/family and antidiscrimination law. Our goal is to discuss challenges while providing actionable recommendations for how psychologists can move forward in their respective domains to be inclusive of people engaged in CNM.

Recall and Appraisal of the Risks, Benefits, and Objectives of Interrupting HIV Treatment in an HIV Cure-Related Study.

The goal of HIV cure research is to either eliminate HIV from the body or durably suppress it in the absence of antiretroviral therapy (ART). This research often requires participants to interrupt ART. However, there are numerous risks associated with ART interruptions and therefore it is critical to understand how people with HIV (PWH) who participate recall the elements of consent, to safeguard their rights and welfare. Participants were recruited from the SCOPE Analytic Treatment Interruption (SCOPE-ATI: NCT04359186) study at the University of California San Francisco. We interviewed 12 SCOPE-ATI participants to assess their recall of informed consent elements and therapeutic misconception, using the Brief Informed Consent Evaluation Protocol (BICEP). Interviewees were primarily older adults, male, White, and non-Hispanic/Latinx. Their responses indicated that they understood the primary purpose of the SCOPE-ATI study to be scientific research. Nearly all participants demonstrated high recall of key elements of consent and no therapeutic misconception. We also found that the role of study staff was a major factor in participants' appraisal of risks and that associated psychosocial risks of pausing ART were of minimal concern (e.g., anxiety off ART, possible forward HIV transmission to sex partners). As HIV cure research expands, it is important to reiterate the duty of the investigative team to clearly communicate with participants about the associated risks and to assess their understanding throughout these studies.

International Initiatives of the American Heart Association: Original Concepts, Present Programs, and Future Focus: A Science Advisory From the American Heart Association.

The American Heart Association (AHA), founded in 1924, is anchored in the core belief that scientific research can lead the way to better prevention, treatment, recovery, and ultimately a cure for cardiovascular disease. Historically, the association's involvement in international efforts centered on scientific cooperation. Activities mostly involved AHA leadership presenting at international scientific meetings and leaders from other countries sharing scientific and medical information at AHA meetings. Although the AHA's and American Stroke Association's international efforts have expanded substantially since those early days, global knowledge exchange remains the bedrock of its international endeavors. As the AHA turns 100, we reflect on the successful global efforts in prevention, resuscitation, global advocacy, quality improvement, and health equity that have guided the organization to a place of readiness for "advancing health and hope, for everyone, everywhere." Motivated by the enormous potential for population health gains in an aging world, the AHA is entering its second century with redoubled commitment to improving global cardiovascular and cerebrovascular health for all.

The harms of promoting the lab leak hypothesis for SARS-CoV-2 origins without evidence.

Science is humanity's best insurance against threats from nature, but it is a fragile enterprise that must be nourished and protected. The preponderance of scientific evidence indicates a natural origin for SARS-CoV-2. Yet, the theory that SARS-CoV-2 was engineered in and escaped from a lab dominates media attention, even in the absence of strong evidence. We discuss how the resulting anti-science movement puts the research community, scientific research, and pandemic preparedness at risk.

Processing the Narrative: Innovative Graph Models and Queries for Textual Content Knowledge Extraction

The internet contains vast amounts of text-based information across various domains, such as commercial documents, medical records, scientific research, engineering tests, and events affecting urban and natural environments. Extracting knowledge from these texts requires a deep understanding of natural language nuances and accurately representing content while preserving essential information. This process enables effective knowledge extraction, inference, and discovery. This paper proposes a critical study of state-of-the-art contributions exploring the complexities and emerging trends in representing, querying, and analysing content extracted from textual data. This study’s hypothesis states that graph-based representations can be particularly effective when annotated with sophisticated querying and analytics techniques. This hypothesis is discussed through the lenses of contributions in linguistics, natural language processing, graph theory, databases, and artificial intelligence.

The Andrological Landscape in the Twenty-First Century: Making Sense of the Advances in Male Infertility Management for the Busy Clinicians

Male infertility represents a significant global problem due to its essential health, social, and economic implications. It is unsurprising that scientific research is very active in this area and that advances in the diagnostic and therapeutic fields are notable. This review presents the main diagnostic advances in male infertility, starting from the changes made in the latest WHO Manual of semen analysis and discussing the more molecular aspects inherent to “omics”. Furthermore, the usefulness of artificial intelligence in male infertility diagnostics and the latest advances in varicocele diagnosis will be discussed. In particular, the diagnostic path of male infertility is increasingly moving towards a personalized approach to the search for the specific biomarkers of infertility and the prediction of treatment response. The treatment of male infertility remains empirical in many regards, but despite that, advances have been made to help formulate evidence-based recommendations. Varicocele, the most common correctable cause of male infertility, has been explored for expanded indications for repair. The following expanded indications were discussed: elevated sperm DNA fragmentation, hypogonadism, orchalgia, and the role of varicocele repair in non-obstructive azoospermia. Moving forward with the available data, we discussed the stepwise approach to surgical sperm retrieval techniques and the current measures that have been investigated for optimizing such patients before testicular sperm extraction. Finally, the key points and expert recommendations regarding the best practice for diagnosing and treating men with infertility were summarized to conclude this review.

Navigating the Curriculum Landscape: The Impact of Curriculum 2013 and Merdeka Curriculum on Teachers' and Students' Learning Outcomes in Indonesia

This study explores the impact of implementing the 2013 Curriculum and the Independent Curriculum on teachers and student learning outcomes in Indonesia. The 2013 curriculum is designed to improve the competencies of 21st century students through a scientific approach and project-based learning. However, its implementation is limited, including the lack of teacher readiness and adequate infrastructure. On the other hand, the Independent Curriculum offers a more flexible and student-centered approach, focusing on character development and life skills. This study uses a mixed approach, involving surveys and in-depth interviews to analyze the perceptions of teachers and students from different regions. The study results show that the Independent Curriculum significantly increases student motivation and engagement, especially through a project-based learning approach. And more than 50% of teachers agree that the integration in independent curriculum is is more effective in helping teachers to design more effective in learning.. However, the main challenge in implementing this curriculum is the resource gap, especially in remote areas. Many teachers also have difficulty adjusting to more innovative teaching methods, although they welcome the flexibility offered by this curriculum. The study concludes that while the Independent Curriculum has the potential to improve the quality of learning, its success is highly dependent on the support of more intensive teacher training and the improvement of educational infrastructure. The main recommendation is the need for more focused efforts to ensure equal access to education and increase teacher capacity throughout Indonesia.

Systematic investigation on bastnaesite flotation in the presence of dissolved calcium ions using organic acids as chelating agents

This study systematically investigated the potential of organic acids as Ca2+ ions chelating agents in bastnaesite flotation. Naturally, bastnaesite is associated with calcium-bearing gangue minerals, such as calcite (CaCO3) and fluorite (CaF2). The flotation beneficiation of bastnaesite in the presence of calcium-bearing minerals (e.g., calcite) is exceptionally complex due to the release of Ca2+ ions into the flotation pulp which changes the solution chemistry and bastnaesite surface properties. This study seeks to address the challenge of dissolved Ca2+ ions on bastnaesite flotation using organic acids, namely lactic, succinic, and citric acids. Systematic micro-flotation experiments were followed by electro-kinetic tests, solution chemistry studies, and XPS characterization. The results of this study showed that the elevated concentration of Ca2+ ions dramatically decreased bastnaesite flotation recovery values. However, organic acids formed soluble chelates with Ca2+ ions, effectively eliminating the detrimental impact of dissolved Ca2+ ions on bastnaesite flotation.