Search

In the 21st century, the diversification of communication and transportation opportunities has not only facilitated regular migration movements but also led to changes in the volume and dimensions of irregular migration. Migrants not only significantly influence the demographic, sociological, and economic structures of the countries they move to but have also become subjects of security concerns. Member countries of the European Union (EU) are targeted by migration movements due to attractive factors such as high living and working conditions, economic prosperity, and governance styles that respect human rights. Claims that migrants threaten the societal security of the EU by affecting its language, religion, cultural values, traditions, and national identities have become frequent topics of discussion in political and academic circles. In this regard, the main aim of the study is to determine whether migration poses a threat to the societal security of the EU or if such a perception exists in EU society. The findings indicate a strong perception in EU society that migration constitutes a threat to societal security. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In 2022/2023, Europe experienced its third consecutive season of high-pathogenicity avian influenza. During this period, the Czech Republic was again severely affected. For the first time, the number of culled birds approached one million, which was three times higher than in previous seasons. In parallel to the outbreaks in poultry, mass die-offs of gulls were also observed. In the present study, we performed whole-genome sequencing and phylogenetic analysis of 137 H5N1 strains collected in the Czech Republic in 2022/2023 (94.6% of all outbreaks or locations). The analysis revealed four distinct genotypes: AB, CH, BB and AF. Phylogenetic analysis suggested that the AF genotype persisted from the previous H5N1 season without reassortment. In addition, the genotype BB, which was detected mainly in gulls, showed a noticeable strain diversity at the local level. This virus was also responsible for a single outbreak in commercially bred turkeys. Finally, an interesting spatio-temporal cluster with three co-circulating H5N1 genotypes, AB, CH and AF, was identified with no evidence of intrasubtype reassortment. Highly sensitive molecular surveillance and the timely sharing of genomic sequences and associated metadata could greatly assist in tracking the spread and detecting molecular changes associated with the increased virulence of this potentially zoonotic pathogen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Uluslararasi Ekonomi ve Yenilik Dergisi is the property of Karadeniz Technical University, Depertmant of Economics and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Econder International Academic Journal is the property of Econder International Academic Journal and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Istanbul Commerce University Journal of Social Sciences / İstanbul Ticaret Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi is the property of Istanbul Commerce University Journal of Social Sciences and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Objective: to study the effect of a combination of azoximer bromide (AB) and human placenta hydrolysate (HPН) on metabolic processes in patients with chronic liver lesions on the background of secondary immunodeficiency. Materials and methods: 95 patients with chronic liver pathology on the background of secondary immunodeficiency (VIDS) aged 35 to 56 years were examined. The main group is 45 people, and the comparison group is 50 people. After a general clinical and bacteriological examination, all patients were subjected to the study of metabоlic processes. The assessment of metabolic disorders was carried out by the level of macroergic compounds in the hemolysate of the washed suspension of erythrocytes of patients by thin-layer chromatography. In addition to treatment with conventional methods, patients who were under observation were additionally prescribed a combination of drugs — bromine azoximer and human placenta hydrolysate. Patients of the comparison group received milk thistle preparations as a hepatoprotector and did not use any immunoactive drugs. Results: when studying the state of indicators of metabolic disorders after the completion of treatment, it was found that patients in the main group who received AB and HPН had almost complete normalization on the part of the studied indicators, which cannot be said about patients from the comparison group who received only conventional drugs in average therapeutic doses in the treatment complex. Conclusions: from the data obtained, it is possible to judge the positive effect of AB and HPН on the indicators of the state of energy homeostasis and consider it pathogenetically justified and clinically promising to include their combination in the complex of treatment of patients with CLP against the background of VIDS.

In the worldwide, especially II. After the World War II, various integrations began to occur in the economic field, both for the spread of globalization, the liberalization of trade and the reduction of conflicts. Through such integrations, countries both try to increase resource efficiency and aim to gain global advantages by addressing a larger market. The most common of these integrations has been the customs union. Turkey turned towards the EU, which is one of the most important of these integrations, as an economic and political choice, and signed the Ankara Agreement in 1963. At the end of the ups and downs, the Customs Union Agreement with the EU was signed in 1996. Considering the special situation of Turkey, which is the only country that signed the custom union without being a full member of the EU, it should not be ignored that the main goal is to go further than the custom union and to be a full member of the EU. The economic effects of the Customs Union are examined under two main headings as one-time static effects on GDP and continuous dynamic effects. Turkey's foreign trade data and foreign trade figures between Turkey and the EU have been examined in order to see how the said effects have developed for Turkey. As a result, it has been observed that static effects are negative and dynamic effects are generally positive. Within the framework of these determinations, while the Customs Union agreement was criticized by some over static effects, it mostly found support over dynamic effects, which are generally positive. At this point, after the Customs Union Agreement, it is seen that the contribution of the sum of both effects to the Turkish economy is important. In this direction, it should be noted that the Customs Union Agreement is in need of revision at the current stage, within the framework of the developments in both Turkey and the world economy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the neuroprotective effect of allyl Sulfide in Aluminium chloride (AlCl3) induced cognitive dysfunction in Wistar rats. Alzheimer's disease (AD), a widespread neurodegenerative condition, is believed to be a primary cause of dementia. Most cases of dementia are caused by Alzheimer's disease (AD). Although, several trials for the treatment of AD have been unsuccessful, numerous pharmaceutical firms are still working on developing new medications. Amyloid plaques develop and assemble in the brain, which is how Alzheimer's disease (AD) begins. For the creation of treatments against AD, the enzymes involved in the process of AB production have been a major focus. In addition to these elements, the altered function of the enzymes also contributes to AB production. The medications created to treat AD are mostly focused on the brain and aim to reduce AB aggregation. According to recent research, the central nervous system (CNS) is not the only place where "AB fibrils" and "tangles" develop; the blood-brain barrier also changes as people age, allowing AB to flow through. Since the time of Ayurveda, goods and medications made from plants have been used to cure sickness. We have looked at allyl sulphur, which has the ability to control the enzymes involved in the route for forming AB. AChE is the particular target of Allyl Sulphide, which also regulates the production of a network of pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory mediators. The rat model utilized AlCl3-induced dementia, with donepezil serving as the reference medication. According to the established neurological evaluation procedures, allyl sulfide was shown to drastically alter animal behaviour and, to a lesser amount, repair brain neurochemistry. The outcomes show how Allyl Sulphide functions as an adjuvant in the treatment of AD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objectives of this study were to (1) investigate the association between human blood type and COVID-19 in both inpatient and longitudinal populations and (2) identify the association between blood type and severity of COVID-19 via presence of cellular biomarkers of severe infection in hospitalized individuals at our institution in South Florida. This study consisted of (1) a single-center retrospective analysis of 669 out of 2741 COVID-19-positive, screened patients seen from 1 January 2020 until 31 March 2021 at the University of Miami Emergency Department (ED) who tested positive for COVID-19 and had a documented ABO blood type and (2) a longitudinal SARS-CoV-2 immunity study ("CITY") at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, consisting of 185 survey participants. In an inpatient setting, blood type appeared to be associated with COVID-19 severity and mortality. Blood type O sustained less risk of COVID-19 mortality, and blood type O- demonstrated less risk of developing COVID-19 pneumonia. Inpatients with O- blood type exhibited less biomarkers of severe infection than did other blood types. In a longitudinal setting, there was no association found between blood type and SARS-CoV-2 infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ventricular arrhythmias are among the most serious complications of myocardial infarction that defi ne not only increased morbidity and mortality, but also signifi cantly impaired quality of life. The pathogenesis of ventricular arrhythmias that arise during and after myocardial infarction is a combination of various triggering and modulating factors. We present a summary of the main structural and functional changes that occur with myocardial ischemia and create substrate for ventricular arrhythmias. The electrophysiological mechanisms underlying infarction-related ventricular arrhythmias are reviewed, as well as the most common pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatment’s strategies.

The EU and China have been competing great powers with their capacities and capabilities at a time when the international system has evolved into multipolarity. In the current conjuncture, the demise of US unipolarity may have an easing effect on EU-China relations. The main research question of this article is: "How can neo-classical realism explain EU-China relations in comparison with neo-realism?". The claim that the multipolar international system leads to great power rivalry is the major reason why the neo-classical realist perspective constitutes the major theoretical framework of this article. This article argues that "EU-China relations can be better understood by utilising the explanatory and predictive power of neo-classical realism when compared to neo-realism". The article evaluates EU-China relations with the help of three case examples to support its argument. The study first presents an overview of the major claims and general scope of neo-realism and identifies this theory's limitations in explaining EU-China relations. Then, the weaknesses of neo-realism in explaining the international system are analysed with the help of neo-classical realism in order to demonstrate why neoclassical realism offers a more explanatory framework in analysing EU-China relations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rise of the People's Republic of China (PRC) in economic, technologocial, and political areas is the most serious systemic challenge to the Atlantic bloc after the end of the Cold War. During the era of the U.S. President Donald Trump, the measures against PRC's rising remained one-sided due to Trump's suspicions againts NATO alliance. With the election of Joe Biden to the U.S. presidency, his policy of strengthening transatlantic alliance enabled NATO to adopt a common approach concerning the PRC. The PRC's support to Russia in Russia's invasion of Ukraine, its measures against Uyghur population in Xinjiang, and its strong language in Taiwan issue are factors that led to change in Europe's threat perception. Thus, European countries started to side with the USA concerning the PRC. NATO identified the PRC as a systemic challenger in 2021 and announced that it will act cooperatively against the security threats that PRC caused. NATO identified political, economic, and digital spheres competition areas with the PRC. It should be expected that NATO will strengthen its partnerships in the Asia-Pacific region; solidify cooperation between the USA and European countries to provide common approach concerning the PRC; and adopt an active position in cybersecurity to counter the activities of the PRC in the cyber area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of TESAM Academy Journal is the property of Tesam Academy and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Journal of Academic Value Studies is the property of Asos Egitim Bilisim Danismanlik and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Çankırı Karatekin University Journal of the Faculty of Economics & Administrative Sciences is the property of Cankiri Karatekin University, Faculty of Economics & Administrative Sciences and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Amaç: Döngüsel ekonomi bileşenlerinin firma performansına etkisini ortaya çıkarmak amaçlanmıştır. Yöntem: Bu çalışmada döngüsel ekonomi ve firma performansı arasındaki ilişki 2020 yılında gerçekleştirilen Eurobarometer-SMEs, Start-ups, Scale-ups, and Entrepreneurship isimli çalışmanın veri seti kullanılarak incelenmiştir. Çalışmada döngüsel ekonomi bileşenleri; geri dönüşüm/yeniden kullanım, enerji tüketiminin azaltılması, enerjinin tasarruf edilmesi ve sürdürülebilir ürün üretimi olarak ele alınmıştır. Çalışma tüm Avrupa Birliği (AB) ülkeleri ve aday ülkelerde faaliyet gösteren Küçük ve Orta Ölçekli Firmalar (KOBİ’ler) için yürütülmüştür. Çalışmada bağımlı değişken olan cironun özelliğinden ötürü genelleştirilmiş sıralı logit yöntemi uygulanmıştır. Bulgular: Çalışmanın sonuçlarına göre; döngüsel ekonominin firma performansıyla olan ilişkisi anlamlı ve pozitiftir. Döngüsel ekonomi bileşenleri ayrı ayrı ele alındığında firmalar tüketimi azaltmak veya kaynak tasarrufu sağlamak gibi önlemlerin yanı sıra sürdürülebilirlik özelliği taşıyan ürün üretimine de yönlenmektedirler. Bu da geleceğe dair hem firma sahipleri hem de politika yapıcılar açısından sürdürülebilir ürün üretimi ve verimlilik ilişkisi ile ilgili önemli politika önerilerine işaret etmektedir. Özgünlük: Döngüsel ekonomi ve firma performansı arasındaki ilişki hem AB ülkeleri hem de aday ülkelerin yer aldığı geniş kapsamlı ve güncel bir veri seti kullanılarak döngüsel ekonominin firma performansı üzerindeki etkisi incelenmiştir.

BackgroundMeasures of general cognitive and adaptive ability in adults with Down syndrome (DS) used by previous studies vary substantially. This review summarises the different ability measures used previously, focusing on tests of intelligence quotient (IQ) and adaptive behaviour (AB), and where possible examines floor effects and differences between DS subpopulations. We aimed to use information regarding existing measures to provide recommendations for individual researchers and the DS research community.ResultsNineteen studies reporting IQ test data met inclusion for this review, with 17 different IQ tests used. Twelve of these IQ tests were used in only one study while five were used in two different studies. Eleven studies reporting AB test data met inclusion for this review, with seven different AB tests used. The only AB scales to be used by more than one study were the Vineland Adaptive Behaviour Scale (VABS; used by three studies) and the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scale 2nd Edition (VABS-II; used by two studies). A variety of additional factors were identified which make comparison of test scores between studies problematic, including different score types provided between studies (e.g. raw scores compared to age-equivalent scores) and different participant inclusion criteria (e.g. whether individuals with cognitive decline were excluded). Floor effects were common for IQ tests (particularly for standardised test scores). Data exists to suggest that floor effects may be minimised by the use of raw test scores rather than standardised test scores. Raw scores may, therefore, be particularly useful in longitudinal studies to track change in cognitive ability over time.ConclusionsStudies assessing general ability in adults with DS are likely to benefit from the use of both IQ and AB scales. The DS research community may benefit from the development of reporting standards for IQ and AB data, and from the sharing of raw study data enabling further in-depth investigation of issues highlighted by this review.

The effects of tree shelters on the survival, height and diameter growth of three coniferous tree species – Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.), Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) H. Karst.) and Silver fir (Abies alba Mill.) were observed. The study was conducted in two experimental plantations, established in the spring of 2016 in the Training and Experimental Forest Range Jundola (Central South Bulgaria). Three experimental variants with tree shelters – Tubex Ventex Classic, Layflat Shelterguard, Layflat Treeguard and a control one (without tree shelters) were used. Twenty to twenty-five seedlings in three replications of each variant and tree species were planted. The experimental plantation 1 included Scots pine and Norway spruce and was established on a south east-facing terrain at an altitude of 1400 m. The soil is Cambisols (FAO) mixture of clay and sandy, medium stony, medium deep to deep. The habitat is medium rich, slightly moist. The experimental plantation 2 is of Silver fir and was located on an east-facing terrain at an altitude of 1400 m. The soil is Cambisols (FAO) mixture of clay and sandy, medium stony, medium deep to deep. The habitat is medium rich, slightly moist to moist.In the autumn of the fifth year after the establishment, inventories and measurements of heights, height increment and groundline diameter of the seedlings were made. The survival in both experimental plantations was higher in the variants with tree shelter. The height growth of all tree species was better in tree shelter variants, with the highest average height in the variant with Tubex Ventex Classic. The biggest height increment was established in the variant with Layflat Shelterguard for Norway spruce and Silver fir and in variant without tree shelters for Scots pine. The ground line diameter was highest in control variant for Scots pine and Norway spruce and in the variant with Layflat Treegard for the Silver fir.

A main objective of this article is to examine the underlying reasons behind the collapse of the reunification talks on Cyprus aimed at a federal model. Another aim of the article is to analyze Türkiye’s assertive policy in the Eastern Mediterranean. A major argument is that the disruption of the balance of power with respect to the Cyprus problem in favor of the Greek Cypriots after 2004 and the lack of a shared Cypriot identity were fundamental causes of the failure of the talks. The study also contends that the emergence of a siege mentality after the July 2016 coup plot in Türkiye, together with its economic and military strengthening, the rise of multi-polarity in international politics, and diminishing EU political sway in the country, incentivized Türkiye to pursue an active foreign policy agenda in the Eastern Mediterranean. This study concludes that the failure of long-standing negotiations to reach a federal settlement on the island and the comfortable position obtained by the Greek Cypriot Administration (GCA) in the negotiations vis-à-vis the Turkish side following the accession to the EU together with Türkiye’s nationalist posture after 2016 and the deepening of the identity dilemma among the Greek and Turkish Cypriots over the course of time induced Türkiye to shelve a federal solution to the Cyprus issue and return to a pre-2002 two-state solution. The article also concludes that Türkiye was further prompted to take an independent course in the Eastern Mediterranean by the combination of a number of factors: the rapprochement between the AKP Government and nationalist elements in the country after the 2016 coup plot, the militarization of its foreign policy, Türkiye’s perception that the West was in decline, the decreased credibility and thus leverage over Türkiye of EU political conditionality, Brussels’ shortcomings regarding a common security and foreign policy and the rise in Türkiye’s military and economic capabilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of new treatments for heart failure lack animal models that encompass the increasingly heterogeneous disease profile of this patient population. This report provides evidence supporting the hypothesis that Western Diet-fed, aortic-banded Ossabaw swine display an integrated physiological, morphological, and genetic phenotype evocative of cardio-metabolic heart failure. This new preclinical animal model displays a distinctive constellation of findings that are conceivably useful to extending the understanding of how pre-existing cardio-metabolic syndrome can contribute to developing HF.

Devletlerin uygulamış olduğu siyasi ve ekonomik politikalardaki değişimler, devletlerin iş yapma modellerini farklılaştırmıştır. Bu bağlamda günümüzde tartışılan modellerden birisi, kamu özel ortaklığıdır. Kamu özel ortaklığı modeli, öncelikli olarak hizmete odaklanan projelerin tasarımı, yapımı, işletimi ve finansmanıyla ilgili olarak belirli proje risklerinin özel ortağa aktarılmasına dayalı uzun vadeli sözleşmeleri ön plana çıkarmaktadır. Bu çalışmanın amacı, Avrupa Birliği ülkelerinin kamu özel ortaklıkları uygulamalarının sektörel dağılımlarını ve sağlık sistemlerindeki uygulamaları betimlemek ve bu modelin sağlık sektöründeki rolünün önemini tartışmaktır. Çalışmanın yöntemi, sistematik analizdir. Bu doğrultuda başlıca Avrupa Birliği ülkelerinin 1959-2020 yılları arasında Avrupa Yatırım Bankası’na bağlı Avrupa Kamu-Özel Ortaklığı Uzmanlık Merkezi (European PPP Expertise Centre – EPEC) tarafından finanse edilen projelerinin verileri incelenmiştir. Çalışmanın sonucunda, bu ülkelerin siyasi yapılanması, çağa uyum sağlama, ekonomik nedenler, küreselleşme gibi unsurların etkisiyle sağlık hizmetlerinde kamu özel ortaklığı uygulamalarının gittikçe daha çok önem kazandığı görülmüştür.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a predominantly heterogeneous disease with a highly complex pathobiology. The presence of amyloid-beta (Ab) depositions and the accumulation of hyperphosphorylated tau protein remain the characteristic hallmarks of AD. These hallmarks can be detected throughout the brain and other regions, including cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and the spinal cord. Microglia cells, the brain-resident macrophage type of the brain, are implicated in maintaining healthy brain homeostasis. The localized administration of primary healthy microglia (PHM) is suggested to play a role in mitigating AD hallmark depositions and associated cognitive dysfunction. Carbenoxolone (CBX) is the most common gap junction blocker. It cannot effectively cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB) under systemic administration. Therefore, localized administration of CBX may be a recommended intervention against AD by acting as an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent. This study aims to determine whether the localized intracerebroventricular (ICV) administration of PHM and CBX may act as an effective therapeutic intervention for AD neuroinflammatory type. In addition, this study also aims to reveal whether detecting AD hallmarks in the spinal cord and CSF can be considered functional and effective during AD early diagnosis. Male albino rats were divided into four groups: control (group 1), lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced AD neuroinflammatory type (group 2), ICV injection of LPS + isolated PHM (group 3), and ICV injection of LPS + CBX (group 4). Morris water maze (MWM) was conducted to evaluate spatial working memory. The brain and spinal cord were isolated from each rat with the collection of CSF. Our findings demonstrate that the localized administration of PHM and CBX can act as promising therapeutic approaches against AD. Additionally, Ab and tau toxic aggregates were detected in the spinal cord and the CSF of the induced AD model concomitant with the brain tissues. Overall, it is suggested that the ICV administration of PHM and CBX can restore normal brain functions and alleviate AD hallmark depositions. Detecting these depositions in the spinal cord and CSF may be considered in AD early diagnosis. As such, conducting clinical research is recommended to reveal the benefits of related therapeutic approaches compared with preclinical findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Verimlilik Dergisi is the property of Verimlilik Dergisi and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The European Union complements its political and economic integration with digital and technological policies in order to align itself with digitalization and technological progress. As the EU digitalizes and harmonizes itself with technology, it aims to incorporate its citizens, member states, and global technology companies within this process of harmonization. With this new approach, the EU establishes the practices of neoliberal digital governmentality, which engage with the equation of sovereignty, power, and knowledge in a data-centric order. This is because, in today's world, data determines knowledge, shapes the subject, transforms the international system. In such a situation, the EU lays out its own particular models of power and attempts to control and discipline the international system. Hence, this article aims to explicate - through the EU's digital policies - that the EU has developed new dispositifs that will allow it to maintain its governmentality in the digital sphere. Embracing Foucault's post-structuralist approach, this article consists of four main sections as well as the introduction and conclusion. The first section includes Foucault's terminology. The second section analyses Foucault's understanding of neoliberal governmentality. The third section engages in the relationship between digitalization, data, and the individual. The fourth section examines the EU's practices of governmentality with respect to digitalization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Electronic Journal of Political Science Studies (EJPSS) is the property of Electronic Journal of Political Science Studies (EJPSS) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Accounting & Auditing Perspective Magazine / Muhasebe ve Denetime Bakış is the property of Union of Chambers of Certified Public Accountants of Turkey (TURMOB) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Bingol University Journal of Economics & Administrative Science is the property of Bingol University Journal of Economics & Administrative Science and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This study seeks to examine the sociological, political, and humanitarian dimensions of the Belarus-Poland migration crisis and aims to discuss the differences between migration diplomacy and state-organized-engineered migration within the framework of the instrumentalization and weaponization of migrants. Statements made by EU authorities about the Belarus-Poland migration problem, sanctions, and measures implemented are investigated to evaluate the EU's approach. Furthermore, in order to comprehend Belarus' perspective, Lukashenko's statements and press coverage of the incident are scrutinized. Theoretically, while following a descriptive analysis method, the article considers how Belarus-Poland border issue has given rise to a great deal of media interest due to Belarus's balance and interest-oriented policies oscillating between the former Soviet world and the West and argues how Russia brought a global dimension to the issue as a result of its historical political pursuits. Finally, it concludes that the migration crisis between Belarus and Poland is not a simple crisis that concerns two countries, if anything, it is a reflection and precursor of multi-actor global politics serving different purposes in the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper is topical and up-to-date as analysis of regulatory documents showed that it is very important to develop managerial skills in future teachers so that they can successfully organize project activities of school leavers as this type of activity demonstrates how they have coped with the academic program of secondary education. As for the share of managerial skills in the pedagogical profession, the analysis of the regulatory documents showed that the most part of functions and competences are connected with management. Still FSES competences do not include the ability of managing pupils’ project activities as a part of educational profession. Thus, we offer to add the managerial competence to the list. This competence shows if one is able to manage pupils’ project activities in accordance with the requirements of FSES. The aim of the research is to find out the structure of the competence which characterizes the ability of future teachers to manage pupils’ project activities. The research methods, such as look-back analysis and generalization of the research results content, helped us to state the grounds for distinguishing the professional competence and its structure. The methods also include decomposition of the competence, comparing the content of the professional standard of a teacher with the FSES HE so as to compare the managerial functions and managerial competences. The offered components, criteria, and tools let us see the formation level of structural components of the professional competence, to find the perspective trends of the activity which could help to increase effectiveness of teaching future teachers how to manage project activities of secondary school pupils.

Little is known about the diversity in immune profile of the different wild type strains of zebrafish (Danio rerio), despite its growing popularity as an animal model to study human diseases and drug testing. In the case of data resulting from modeling human diseases, differences in the background Danio fishes have rarely been taken into consideration when interpreting results and this is potentially problematic, as many studies not even mention the source and strain of the animals. In this study, we hypothesized that different wild type zebrafish strains could present distinct immune traits. To address the differences in immune responses between two commonly used wild type strains of zebrafish, AB and Tübingen (TU), we used an intestinal inflammation model induced by 2,4,6-Trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid (TNBS) and characterized the susceptibility and immune profile in these two strains. Our data demonstrates significant differences in survival between AB and TU strains when exposed to TNBS, suggesting important physiological differences in how these strains respond to inflammatory challenges. We observed that the AB strain presented increased mortality, higher neutrophilic intestinal infiltration, decreased goblet cell numbers and decreased IL-10 expression when exposed to TNBS, compared to the TU strain. In summary, our study demonstrates strain-specific immunological responses in AB and TU animals. Finally, the significant variations in strain-related susceptibility to inflammation and the differences in the immune profile shown here, highlight that the background of each strain need to be considered when utilizing zebrafish to model diseases and for drug screening purposes, thus better immune characterization of the diverse wild type strains of zebrafish is imperative.

Copyright of International Relations / Uluslararasi Iliskiler is the property of International Relations Council and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

In this work, hierarchical SAPO-34 supported PtCo bimetallic catalysts with different Pt/Co ratios were prepared by impregnation method. The obtained PtCo/SAPO-34 catalysts displayed high catalytic activities and durability for the dehydrogenation of ammonia borane (AB). Among them, Pt 1 Co 5 /SAPO-34 catalyst delivered the highest hydrogen generation activity with a turnover frequency (TOF) of 262 mol H 2 (mol Pt ∙ min) − 1 at 303 K as well as excellent catalytic activity in catalytic hydrogenation of 4-nitrophenol (4-NP) by coupling with hydrolytic dehydrogenation of AB, due to the electron interaction of Pt and Co in PtCo alloy and the high metal dispersion and exposure of Brønsted acidic sites on SAPO-34 support. Moreover, it is noteworthy that the prepared Pt 1 Co 5 /SAPO-34 catalyst also exhibited superior recycle stability, with 81% of the initial TOF value after five runs of hydrolysis reaction. [Display omitted] • Uniformly dispersed PtCo alloy nanoparticles on hierarchical SAPO-34 were prepared. • Pt 1 Co 5 /SAPO-34 catalyst exhibited a high TOF of 262 mol H 2 (mol Pt ∙ min) − 1. • Pt 1 Co 5 /SAPO-34 catalyst showed excellent catalytic activity in catalytic hydrogenation of 4-NP by coupling with hydrolysis of AB. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: HLA Ab analysis is carried out as a routine assay both pre‐ and post‐heart transplantation to identify Abs directed against HLA with a focus post‐transplant on those Abs that are donor‐specific. While virtual crossmatching has decreased the requirement for prospective crossmatching in many cases, the management of highly sensitized children on the heart transplant waitlist remains challenging and can delay the ability to successfully identify a suitable organ. Methods: This report describes the histocompatibility assessment and management of identical twin boys with familial restrictive cardiomyopathy serially listed for transplant. The boys presented with HLA Ab testing that demonstrated broad pan‐DR reactivity which included Abs directed against SAgs. Results: Our team began investigating the initial Ab results soon after listing the first child; the brother was listed 8 days later and had the same broad Ab profile. The clinical lab ran multiple investigative crossmatches using donor samples with known antigen typing and continued to see broad reactivity. We then partnered with an affiliated research lab where we identified high‐level Abs directed against vimentin along with vimentin‐positive exosomes in both boys. Conclusions: While Abs directed against the self‐antigen vimentin has been described to cause false‐positive tissue crossmatches, this is the first report of these Abs being associated with false‐positive Ab screens using solid‐phase assays. This finding informed our management and surveillance in these two vulnerable pediatric heart transplant candidates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Turkish Studies - Economics, Finance, Politics is the property of Electronic Turkish Studies and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Bilge Strateji is the property of BILGESAM and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Objective: To investigate the association of MRI-visible perivascular spaces (PVS) with cognitive impairment in military veterans with traumatic brain injury (TBI), and whether cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) p-tau and Ab mediate this effect. Materials and Methods: We included 55 Vietnam War veterans with a history of TBI and 52 non-TBI Vietnam War veterans from the Department of Defense Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI) database. All the subjects had brain MRI, CSF p-tau, Ab, and neuropsychological examinations. MRI-visible PVS number and grade were rated on MRI in the centrum semiovale (CSO-PVS) and basal ganglia (BG-PVS). Multiple linear regression was performed to assess the association between MRI-visible PVS and cognitive impairment and the interaction effect of TBI. Additionally, mediation effect of CSF biomarkers on the relationship between MRI-visible PVS and cognitive impairment was explored in TBI group. Results: Compared with military control, TBI group had higher CSO-PVS number (p = 0.001), CSF p-tau (p = 0.022) and poorer performance in verbal memory (p = 0.022). High CSO-PVS number was associated with poor verbal memory in TBI group (b = -0.039, 95% CI 􀀀0.062, 􀀀0.016), but not in military control group (b = 0.019, 95% CI 􀀀0.004, 0.043) (p-interaction = 0.003). Further mediation analysis revealed that CSF p-tau had a significant indirect effect (b = 􀀀0.009, 95% CI: 􀀀0.022 􀀀0.001, p = 0.001) and mediated 18.75% effect for the relationship between CSO-PVS and verbal memory in TBI group. Conclusion: MRI-visible CSO-PVS was more common in Vietnam War veterans with a history of TBI and was associated with poor verbal memory, mediated partially by CSF p-tau. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Disinformation activities, which are a relatively new phenomenon and whose impact on national and international security have increased in the last decade, do not receive sufficient attention in the literature and practice. This study analyzes combating disinformation in the literature and in practice. In this context, the disinformation literature was systematically surveyed and related studies were classified under three groups. These groups are; the conceptual framework of disinformation, the (social and political) consequences of disinformation and disinformation and cognitive processes. As a result of the analysis, it has been determined that the literature will expand on the formation of the conceptual framework of disinformation and its derivatives, the analysis of the disinformation activities of authoritarian regimes and the examination of the technical dimension of disinformation. Then, the practices of combating disinformation were examined at national and international level. Firstly, the practices of fighting against disinformation of Armenia, Bulgaria, Ukraine, Czechia and France, which were targets of Russian-originated disinformation activities, were examined and it was determined that there were differences in terms of perception and capacity in combating disinformation. Secondly, the methods of combating disinformation of the NATO, the EU and ASEAN were analyzed comparatively. As a result of the comparative analysis, it has been determined that the EU is the most successful and institutional international organization in combating disinformation. It has been concluded that the two main reasons for this are the EU's handling of disinformation in a wider framework and the fact that it has started the fight against disinformation relatively earlier. As a result of NATO's limited use of the definition of disinformation at the military level, it has been determined that it is relatively less institutionalized compared to the EU. Finally, it has been determined that ASEAN has followed a more proactive way in combating disinformation compared to the other two international organizations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Ankara Review of European Studies (ARES) / Ankara Avrupa Çalışmaları Dergisi (AAÇD) is the property of Ankara University European Union Research Centre and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The questions of what the components of European identity formation are and how inclusive those components will be in the process of new identity construction are among the most discussed issues concerning European Union (EU) nowadays. The new conjuncture, which emerged with the end of the bipolar world order owing to the end of the Cold War, became the factor that ignited the issue of ethnic, religious, lingual and national minority issues in world politics. It also caused the concept of minority and the issue of minority rights to be discussed entirely in EU level. There is a need to address this issue, because in recent years the use of identity as a political argument has been mostly seen in the discussions of multiculturalism, and especially in the EU countries these discussions are made on immigrants and particularly on Muslims. In this context, in this study the historical development of minority rights will be discussed, and the studies made about minority rights in EU countries will be examined. How the phenomenon of minority rights is handled in the EU Acquis, how the freedom of individuals is determined and what the EU's contributions to these rights are the issues this study is going to investigate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Zebrafish are an outstanding model for assessing the involvement of genes in paediatric cataracts. Gene discovery for cataracts is enhanced by manipulation of the genome of zebrafish embryos and comparing the phenotypes of mutant progeny with the wildtype embryos. However, wildtype laboratory fish can also develop cataracts, potentially confounding the results. In this study, we compared the baseline cataract rate between two commonly used wildtype laboratory strains, AB and TL, and also an outbred transgenic line with mCherry reporter. We assessed a total of 805 lens images of fish at 4 days post-fertilisation for cataracts and scored each cataract observed as mild, moderate or severe. We found that the AB strain had a cataract rate of 16.2%, TL had 8.9%, and mCherry had 0.7% and these rates were significantly different. We found that TL strain had a lower rate of mild cataracts than AB fish, however, the rate of moderate and severe phenotypes in the AB and the TL strain was similar. Overall, we showed that the baseline cataract rate varies significantly between the strains housed in a single facility and conclude that baseline rates of cataracts should be assessed when planning experiments to assess the genetic causes of cataracts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Itobiad: Journal of the Human & Social Science Researches / İnsan ve Toplum Bilimleri Araştırmaları Dergisi is the property of Itobiad: Journal of the Human & Social Science Researches and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Ankara University SBF Journal / Ankara Üniversitesi SBF Dergisi is the property of Ankara University SBF Journal and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

In pH 3.1 HCOOH-HCOONa buffer solution, liquid crystal 5CB was used as the probe to generate a strong resonance Rayleigh scattering (RRS) peak at 450 nm. Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) could catalyse the reaction of phosphomolybdic acid (PMo)-formic acid (FA) to form phosphomolybdenum blue (PMoB), which caused the RRS strength of PMo at 450 nm to decrease linearly. Hg2+ could have an electrostatic substitution reaction with AuNPs, thereby inhibiting the catalytic effect of AuNPs, and the RRS peak was enhanced. In the range of 2.5 × 10−9 mol/L–4.5 × 10−8 mol/L Hg2+, as the concentration of Hg2+ increased, the catalytic effect of AuNPs gradually weakened, and the peak value of RRS at 450 nm (ΔI) was linearly increased. The regression equation is ΔI450nm = 27.988C−5.6159, and the detection limit is 1.0 nmol/L. The method has been used to detect Hg2+ in wastewater with satisfactory results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Abant Social Sciences / Abant Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi is the property of Journal of Abant Social Sciences and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Using first-principles calculation within density functional theory (DFT), we studied the adsorption behavior of ammonia-borane (H 3 BNH 3 , AB) molecule on BC 3 sheet in four different solvents. We concentrated on the activation of AB adsorbed on BC 3 sheet in aqueous solutions of AB with and without an external electric field (E-field). The results show that the BC 3 sheet has a better activation effect on the B–H bond of AB in alkaline aqueous solutions than in a neutral aqueous solution. Compared with the metal cation (Na+ or K+), anion OH− is more conducive to the activation of the B–H bond, which is more obvious in the case of an external E-field. Under the external E-field (0.004 a.u.), the B–H bond is elongated by about 12% compared with that of AB molecule in a free state, even if the metal cations are considered, the B–H bond is still elongated by about 10.6%. This study offers a new research method for the release of H atom in AB molecule facilitating H 2 production. [Display omitted] • This study offers a new solution for the release of H atoms in Ammonia-borane (AB). • The BC 3 sheet may effectively activate AB in four different solvents. • The BC 3 sheet may activate AB better in alkaline aqueous solutions (NaOH, KOH) than in a neutral aqueous solution. • Under the external E-field (0.004 a.u.), the B–H bond is elongated by about 10.6%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Pamukkale University Journal of Business Research / Pamukkale Üniversitesi İşletme Araştırmaları Dergisi is the property of Pamukkale University Journal of Business Research and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

After the collapse of the Soviet Union, the end of the Cold War was declared and some scenarios about end-of-history were written. However, during this period, an event witnessed by the world changed the whole memory. Although the Russia-Georgia War in 2008 lasted for a short time like five days, its effects were long-lasting. It can even be said that this war led the way to similar turmoil, such as the ones that took place in Ukraine. Considering the events in the region, it seems that the South Caucasus and its neighbors will witness the struggle of great powers in terms of geopolitical and energy policies in the future. This conflict, which is directly related to Turkey's geolocation in particular, has managed to draw the attention of the whole world to the region in a short time. It is inevitable that any event which changes the status quo in the Caucasus - one of the important fault lines between Asia and Europe - will have longterm effects in the process of the world evolving into multipolarity and China as a rising, effective actor in global politics. Georgia is located in the South Caucasus at the intersection of the power axes in the north-south and east-west paths. The perception of Georgia's relations with the West as a threat in Russia's near abroad has shown that creating a power vacuum, even for a short time, will not be allowed by Russia. The 2008 War, which was the first use of hard power of Russia's recovery efforts after the Cold War, became the precursor of similar interventions in Ukraine and Syria in the following periods. Despite the short duration of it, the war showed that Russia does not hesitate to use the hardest instruments to protect its near abroad by showing the same reactions to the same influences, and the war showed that Georgia, which even sent troops to many Europeanbacked military missions for this reason, is in the hope of entering the security umbrella of the USA and European states. With this research, it is aimed to examine the before and after of the 2008 Russia-Georgia War from the perspective of great and regional powers in the world. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]