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This paper examines the persistent issue of corruption in Albania, which continues to plague crucial areas of higher education such as learning assessment. Emphasising the significant impact of political influence on student evaluations, the article draws on survey results to address the issue. It suggests that this influence stems from historical factors and current political dynamics. In addition, the paper analyzes the exploitation of anti-corruption rhetoric in higher education as a tool for political control, and discusses the considerable challenges which anti-corruption campaigns face due to political interference and institutional resistance. In conclusion, the paper argues that a holistic approach, considering historical, institutional, and political contexts, is essential for effectively observing corruption in higher education.

Abstract Despite their lack of a defined 3D structure, intrinsically disordered regions (IDRs) of proteins play important biological roles. Many IDRs contain short linear motifs (SLiMs) that mediate protein-protein interactions (PPIs), which can be regulated by post-translational modifications like phosphorylation. 20% of pathogenic missense mutations are found in IDRs, and understanding how such mutations affect PPIs is essential for unraveling disease mechanisms. Here, we employ peptide-based interaction proteomics to investigate 36 disease-associated mutations affecting phosphorylation sites. Our results unveil significant differences in interactomes between phosphorylated and non-phosphorylated peptides, often due to disrupted phosphorylation-dependent SLiMs. We focused on a mutation of a serine phosphorylation site in the transcription factor GATAD1, which causes dilated cardiomyopathy. We find that this phosphorylation site mediates interaction with 14-3-3 family proteins. Follow-up experiments reveal the structural basis of this interaction and suggest that 14-3-3 binding affects GATAD1 nucleocytoplasmic transport by masking a nuclear localisation signal. Our results demonstrate that pathogenic mutations of human phosphorylation sites can significantly impact protein-protein interactions, offering insights into potential molecular mechanisms underlying pathogenesis.

‌ ∴ Introduction ∴ ‌In Islamic jurisprudence, individuals belonging to the divine religions of Judaism, Christianity, and Zoroastrianism, who possess divine prophets and celestial scriptures, are referred to as religious minorities, People of the Book, or Dhimmis. Through the Dhimma contract, they are permitted to live in Islamic societies. Non-Muslims residing in Islamic lands are obliged to enter into a Dhimma contract, necessitating adherence to two fundamental conditions: the payment of the jizya tax and compliance with the regulations of the Islamic society. Among the commitments for non-Muslims (Dhimmis) in Islamic countries is the prohibition of certain acts, such as sexual offenses. Unfortunately, one of the prominent sexual offenses, known as panderism [ghavvadi], persists among Dhimmis residing in Islamic societies, despite their commitment to Islamic penal laws. This offense has evolved from individual transgressions into organized crimes, including the trafficking of women and girls, leading to the establishment of networks of corruption and centers promoting indecency.‌ ∴ Research Question ∴ ‌This study aims to address a significant gap in the existing body of research by focusing on the offense of panderism committed by non-Muslim minorities. Despite numerous studies on the subject, there is a lack of independent research specifically dedicated to panderism among non-Muslims. Therefore, the primary research question is whether the offense of panderism is unequivocally established for non-Muslims, and if so, what punishment is applicable to them.‌ ∴ Research Hypothesis ∴ ‌The hypothesis posited for this research is that the offense of panderism by non-Muslim minorities is subject to legal consequences within the framework of Islamic penal laws. While existing legal provisions address the offenses committed by non-Muslims, the legislation does not explicitly mention panderism. This study aims to examine the clarity and adequacy of legal provisions, proposing a nuanced perspective on the equivalence of punishment between Muslim and non-Muslim offenders, particularly in cases of panderism.‌ ∴ Methodology & Framework, if Applicable ∴ ‌This research adopts a doctrinal and analytical approach, drawing from a comprehensive review of library resources. The nature of panderism as a punishable offense will be first explored from a legal standpoint, examining the legal nature of the offense and its justifiability under the Islamic penal framework. Subsequently, a detailed exploration of panderism from a jurisprudential perspective will be conducted, comparing the legal consequences of panderism committed by Muslim and non-Muslim individuals. The study will scrutinize the legal and jurisprudential foundations to underscore any disparities and ambiguities in the treatment of this offense within Islamic societies.‌ ∴ Results & Discussion ∴ ‌The culmination of legal perspectives indicates a challenge in categorizing the offense of panderism by non-Muslim minorities as a crime and enforcing punishment solely based on the legality of crimes and penalties. However, a profound examination of the rational foundations and the refinement of principles allows for the substantiation of the criminal nature of panderism committed by non-Muslims (Dhimmis). Furthermore, a steadfast commitment to the broad interpretation of the narrative provided by Abdullah ibn Sinan, as recounted by Imam Sadiq (peace be upon him), sheds light on the role of a panderism. Described as a sexual intermediary who facilitates adultery between men and women, the narrative prescribes a punishment of seventy-five lashes and banishment from the city. Notably, this narrative encompasses both Muslim and non-Muslim offenders, emphasizing the act of bringing individuals together for unlawful sexual activities. The application of this narrative, inclusive of Dhimmis, overcomes existing challenges and obstacles, leading to the conclusion that there is no ambiguity in the criminality of a panderism, whether Muslim or non-Muslim. The change in religion does not impact the essence of the offense, as a mature, rational, and consenting individual intentionally gathering people for illicit acts remains unchanged. Therefore, establishing both the material and mental elements of the crime is unequivocal, enabling the enforcement of the punishment outlined in Article 242 of the Iran's Islamic Penal Code of 1392 SH. This entails seventy-five lashes and subsequent banishment from the place of residence upon a repeat offense. Moreover, through the refinement of legal principles, it becomes apparent that the execution of the prescribed punishment is equally applicable to non-Muslim pimpers. This affirms the equivalence of penalties between Muslim and non-Muslim offenders, addressing any potential concerns about disparate treatment based on religious affiliation.‌ ∴ Conclusion ∴ ‌In conclusion, this study navigates the intricate legal terrain surrounding the offense of panderism committed by non-Muslim minorities in Islamic societies. By examining both the legal and jurisprudential aspects, the research establishes that the criminality of panderism by non-Muslims can be substantiated through rational foundations and the refinement of legal principles. The study draws on a comprehensive interpretation of a narrated account from Islamic tradition, encompassing both Muslim and non-Muslim offenders, thereby offering a nuanced understanding of the offense. Furthermore, the research underscores that the conditions warranting the execution of punishment for panderism are applicable to non-Muslim pandersims without any shadow of doubt. The change in religious affiliation does not mitigate the criminal nature of this act, as it involves a mature individual intentionally facilitating illicit activities between consenting parties. This study contributes to the ongoing discourse on the treatment of offenses committed by non-Muslim minorities within Islamic legal frameworks. By clarifying the legal implications surrounding panderism, the research provides valuable insights for legal practitioners, policymakers, and scholars seeking a comprehensive understanding of the complexities associated with such offenses in the context of Islamic societies.

One of the key factors influencing agricultural development and farm performance is access to finance. There are several factors that influence access to finance, including financial management capacity, which is linked to financial literacy. The paper analyzes the factors which determine farmers’ financial management behavior, in the case of Kosovo, based on a structured farm survey focusing on the vineyard sector. The findings suggest that half of the interviewed farmers did not keep records regarding costs and incomes. The likelihood to keep financial records is linked to several household and farm attributes. Market-oriented farmers who had contracts were more likely to keep financial records than those who did not. Policymakers through public advisory services as well as financial institutions should address the need to improve financial literacy among farmers.

Food safety standards remain a major concern for consumers, especially in developing and emerging economies, due to gaps in the capacities of food safety enforcement institutions and limited investments from private sector actors. This study analyzes consumer behavior and food safety-related lifestyles in Kosovo, a post-communist emerging economy. Consumer groups were identified according to their food- related lifestyle using the classical 2-stage segmentation approach of factor analysis as well as cluster analysis. The study findings indicate that almost 2/3 of the surveyed consumers are fairly or very concerned about food safety. The results reveal that highly educated female consumers are more concerned about personal health risks, food safety-related content, and related diseases. This study provides interesting insights for food safety policymakers as well as the agroindustry on how to promote food safety consumer awareness effectively with targeted communication strategies.

Background: Cementless metaphyseal filling stems rely on fixation in the medial-to-lateral and anterior-to-posterior (AP) planes. The purpose of this preclinical study was to develop Insignia, a new metaphyseal filling system to match the anatomy of the proximal femur, and then compare it to clinically successful stems in multiple simulations. Methods: In this preclinical study, the geometry of the proximal femur in the AP plane among 1321 healthy subjects was evaluated using computed tomography. This data was then used to design insignia. Preclinical studies were performed to compare the broaching effort required to prepare a canal using this system, assess the reliability of seating heights for the stem, and compare in vitro micromotion testing of the stem under simulated stair climb activity. Results: The proximal femur decreased approximately 50% in the AP plane spanning 20 mm above the lesser trochanter to 30 mm below the lesser trochanter. Additional bench top testing was performed, and the new stem system was found to demonstrate significantly reduced broaching effort (average 6 vs 29 hits, P-value = .000), reliable seating heights on stem placement, and 70% less proximal micromotion on 10,000-cyclic testing (P < .05) compared to another clinically successful metaphyseal filling stem. Conclusions: The AP dimension of the proximal femur decreases nearly 50% throughout its length. Metaphyseal filling stems that match the AP anatomy of the proximal femur may require fewer hits during broaching, yield reproducible seating heights, and reduce micromotion on cyclic testing.

Climate risk is a major threat to the sustainable food production of many farmers who depend on rainfed agricultural systems. In response to this threat, climate-smart agricultural innovations, such as drought-tolerant and early mature crop varieties, have been developed and promoted. It is well-known that adopting innovations and improved technologies positively impact adopters' well-being. Therefore, this study sought to determine the factors influencing the adoption of climate risk adaptation strategies and subsequently estimate how food security is affected by the adoption using questionnaire survey data from 1,080 farming households across six agro-ecological zones. The data were analysed using different matching techniques and Endogenous Switching Regression (ESR). The model results reveal that access to extension, crop-related and weather information, access to credit and climate change awareness of farmers increase the adoption likelihood of the climate risk adaptation strategies. Adoption of climate risk adaptation strategies positively impacts the food security of farming households as it increases their dietary diversity score and reduces the food security coping strategy index. Enhancing the accessibility of the drought-tolerant and early mature varieties, promoting crop-related and weather information through extension services, and empowering farmers through credit accessibility would strengthen the adoption of climate risk adaptation strategies to increase food security.

Psychiatric disorders like major depressive disorder (MDD), schizophrenia (SCZ), and bipolar disorder (BPD), represent a significant global public health concern. Sex differences in the prevalence and presentation of psychiatric disorders, and the association of a psychiatric diagnosis with increased risk of suicide, are well-established. However, the neurobiology underlying these features of disease are not well understood. Dysfunction of the orbitofrontal cortex (OFC), a brain region responsible for decision-making and sensory processing, has been implicated in psychiatric disorders but remains understudied compared to other frontocortical brain regions. In this study we investigated sexual dimorphism in psychiatric illnesses and suicide by analyzing publicly available OFC transcriptional profiles (RNAseq data obtained from the Stanley Neuropathology Consortium) from individuals with SCZ, BPD, MDD, and non-psychiatric controls (n=15/group). Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) revealed significant differences in immune-related processes in male and female comparisons and in psychiatric disorders relative to controls. Analysis of top differentially expressed genes found changes in P2RY12 in males and females who died by suicide. Additionally, downregulation of protein folding processes was observed in female suicide subjects, suggesting an association between dysregulated protein metabolism and suicide. Our results further our understanding of the shared and unique molecular pathways underlying psychiatric disorders and suicide.

This research explores the implementation of the Merdeka Curriculum at the Islamic Studies Institute, a pesantren (Islamic boarding school) in Indonesia. Utilizing a qualitative approach involving observation, interviews, and documentation, the study subjects include the institution's head and teaching staff. The research context revolves around the existence of pesantren as Islamic educational institutions with a longstanding presence in Indonesia, influenced by the majority of the population adhering to Islam. The study aims to comprehend the planning, implementation, and evaluation of the Merdeka Curriculum in pesantren. Given the backdrop of the dynamic changes in curricula in Indonesia, from KTSP (School-Based Curriculum) to the 2013 Curriculum, this research highlights the role of the Merdeka Curriculum in influencing learning patterns and enhancing the quality of education. The findings indicate that the implementation of the Merdeka Curriculum requires careful planning and ongoing impact evaluations. The primary focus of the research is on the perspectives of the institution's head and teaching staff regarding the Merdeka Curriculum, as well as their efforts in curriculum design, implementation, and evaluation. The research concludes by emphasizing the importance of effective management in adopting the Merdeka Curriculum in pesantren, ensuring a significant improvement in the quality of education in line with the curriculum's objectives.

Urban water management efforts are essential in encouraging the fulfillment of the SDGs targets. One action that can be done is to approach the calculation of the actual water consumption value. This research conducted a survey of domestic water consumption in Bandar Lampung City to obtain comprehensive information. Bandar Lampung City was chosen because it is one of the cities on the island of Sumatra with a high economic growth rate. Lampung Province is the top 3 province in Sumatera Island with the higher Gross Domestic Product Growth on 2022, with Bandar Lampung as its capital city. Furthermore, water consumption patterns were analyzed for various activities, socio demographic conditions, and the community's economy. The results showed that of the 404 samples, the average water usage was 195.08 liters/person/day, with the dominant activities in use including bathing (66.84 liters/person/day), flushing the toilet (35.71 liters/person) / day), and ablution (29.74 liters/person/day). Furthermore, the variable number of family members in one house and income level have significant different on total domestic water consumption. The results obtained in this study are expected to assist in making decisions regarding urban water management plans.

The role of the village headman and council of elders is very important in many societies. The focus of this article is to analyse the evolution and the role of the (informal) intermediary institutions and actors in the context of changing society’s patterns and political landscape transformations. This article focuses on Albania and Kosovo, where village self-governing mechanisms played a crucial role in avoiding (often deadly) social conflicts during the post-communism transition. The article relies on in-depth interviews with involved actors at the local level, using the framework of evolutionary governance theory. The study shows that the role of the council of elders and village headman has been strong and important in times of weak central and local governance, while it weakened in times of strong politicization and increasingly patronizing role of the central government, thus not allowing for a right balance between legitimate community representation and accountability toward upper levels of governance.

Abstract There has been a surge in the emergence of HIV-1 drug resistance in Low and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs) due to poor drug-adherence and limited access to viral load testing, the current standard for treatment-monitoring. It is estimated that only 75% of people living with HIV (PLWH) worldwide have access to viral load testing. In LMICs, this figure is below 50%. In a recent WHO survey in mostly LMICs, 21 out of 30 countries surveyed found HIV-1 first-line pre-treatment drug resistance in over 10% of study participants. In the worst-affected regions, up to 68% of infants born to HIV-1 positive mothers were found to harbour first-line HIV-1 treatment resistance. This is a huge public health concern. Greater access to treatment-monitoring is required in LMICs if the UNAIDS “third 95” targets are to be achieved by 2030. Here, we review the current challenges of viral load testing and present the case for greater utilization of Laboratory-based assays that quantify intracellular HIV-1 RNA and/or DNA to provide broader worldwide access to HIV-1 surveillance, drug-resistance monitoring, and cure-research.