bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Nanostructured Luminescent Micelles: Efficient “Functional Materials” for Sensing Nitroaromatic and Nitramine Explosives
Authors: Paria Shashikana , Maity Prasenjit , Siddiqui Rafia , Patra Ranjan , Maity Shubhra Bikash , Jana Atanu
Published: January 2022

Luminescent micelles are extensively studied molecular scaffolds used in applied supramolecular chemistry. These are particularly important due to their uniquely organized supramolecular structure and chemically responsive physical and optical features. Various luminescent tags can be incorporated with these amphiphilic micelles to create efficient luminescent probes that can be utilized as “chemical noses” (sensors) for toxic and hazardous materials, bioimaging, drug delivery and transport, etc. Due to their amphiphilic nature and well-defined reorganized self-assembled geometry, these nano-constructs are desirable candidates for size and shape complementary guest binding or sensing a specific analyte. A large number of articles describing micellar fluorogenic probes are reported, which are used for cation/anion sensing, amino acid and protein sensing, drug delivery, and chemo-sensing. However, this particular review article critically summarizes the sensing application of nitroaromatic (e.g., trinitrotoluene (TNT), trinitrobenzene (TNB), trinitrophenol (TNP), dinitrobenzene (DNB), etc.) and nitramine explosives (e.g., 1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazinane, trivially named as “research department explosive” (RDX), 1,3,5,7-tetranitro-1,3,5,7-tetrazocane, commonly known as “high melting explosive” (HMX) etc.). A deeper understanding on these self-assembled luminescent “functional materials” and the physicochemical behavior in the presence of explosive analytes might be helpful to design the next generation of smart nanomaterials for forensic applications. This review article will also provide a “state-of-the-art” coverage of research involving micellar–explosive adducts demonstrating the intermolecular charge/electron transfer (CT/ET) process operating within the host–guest systems.
Endoscopic Imaging Using a Multimode Optical Fibre Calibrated with Multiple Internal References
Authors: Jákl Petr , Šiler Martin , Ježek Jan , Cifuentes Ángel , Trägårdh Johanna , Zemánek Pavel , Čižmár Tomáš
Published: January 2022

The interferometric acquisition of the transmission matrix (TM) of a multimode optical fibre (MMF), which is at the heart of multimode fibre-based endoscopic imaging methods, requires using a reference beam. Attempts to use an internal reference, that is to provide the reference in a common pathway geometry through the MMF itself, lead to a speckled reference intensity and consequential occurrence of “blind spots”—locations where insufficient optical power in the reference wave inflicts strong measurement errors. Here we show that combining a relatively small number of TMs, which are measured using different internal references, facilitates a complete elimination of blind spots, and thereby a significant enhancement of the imaging quality.
Plant Flavonoids in Mediterranean Species: A Focus on Flavonols as Protective Metabolites under Climate Stress
Authors: Laoué Justine , Fernandez Catherine , Ormeño Elena
Published: January 2022

Flavonoids are specialized metabolites largely widespread in plants where they play numerous roles including defense and signaling under stress conditions. These compounds encompass several chemical subgroups such as flavonols which are one the most represented classes. The most studied flavonols are kaempferol, quercetin and myricetin to which research attributes antioxidative properties and a potential role in UV-defense through UV-screening mechanisms making them critical for plant adaptation to climate change. Despite the great interest in flavonol functions in the last decades, some functional aspects remain under debate. This review summarizes the importance of flavonoids in plant defense against climate stressors and as signal molecules with a focus on flavonols in Mediterranean plant species. The review emphasizes the relationship between flavonol location (at the organ, tissue and cellular scales) and their function as defense metabolites against climate-related stresses. It also provides evidence that biosynthesis of flavonols, or flavonoids as a whole, could be a crucial process allowing plants to adapt to climate change, especially in the Mediterranean area which is considered as one of the most sensitive regions to climate change over the globe.
Digalloyl Glycoside: A Potential Inhibitor of Trypanosomal PFK from Euphorbia abyssinica J.F. Gmel
Authors: El-Hawary Seham S. , Mohammed Rabab , Lithy Nadia M. , AbouZid Sameh Fekry , Mansour Mostafa A. , Almahmoud Suliman A. , Huwaimel Bader , Amin Elham
Published: January 2022

Human African trypanosomiasis is an endemic infectious disease caused by Trypanosoma brucei via the bite of tsetse-fly. Most of the drugs used for the treatment, e.g., Suramin, have shown several problems, including the high level of toxicity. Accordingly, the discovery of anti-trypanosomal drugs from natural sources has become an urgent requirement. In our previous study on the anti-trypanosomal potential of Euphorbia species, Euphorbia abyssinica displayed significant anti-trypanosomal activity. Therefore, a phytochemical investigation of the methanolic extract of E. abyssinica was carried out. Twelve compounds, including two triterpenes (1, 2); one sterol-glucoside (4); three ellagic acid derivatives (3, 9, 11); three gallic acid derivatives (5, 6, 10); and three flavonoids (7, 8, 12), were isolated. The structures of isolated compounds were determined through different spectroscopic techniques. Compound (10) was obtained for the first time from genus Euphorbia while all other compounds except compound (4), were firstly reported in E. abyssinica. Consequently, an in silico study was used to estimate the anti-trypanosomal activity of the isolated compounds. Several compounds displayed interesting activity where 1,6-di-O-galloyl-d-glucose (10) appeared as the most potent inhibitor of trypanosomal phosphofructokinase (PFK). Moreover, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations and ADMET calculations were performed for 1,6-di-O-galloyl-d-glucose. In conclusion, 1,6-di-O-galloyl-d-glucose revealed high binding free energy as well as desirable molecular dynamics and pharmacokinetic properties; therefore, it could be suggested for further in vitro and in vivo studies for trypanosomiasis.
Diurnal Change of the Photosynthetic Light-Response Curve of Buckbean (Menyanthes trifoliata), an Emergent Aquatic Plant
Authors: Okamoto Azumi , Koyama Kohei , Bhusal Narayan
Published: January 2022

Understanding plant physiological responses to high temperature is an important concern pertaining to climate change. However, compared with terrestrial plants, information about aquatic plants remains limited. Since the degree of midday depression of photosynthesis under high temperature depends on soil water conditions, it is expected that emergent aquatic plants, for which soil water conditions are always saturated, will show different patterns compared with terrestrial plants. We investigated the diurnal course of the photosynthetic light-response curve and incident light intensity for a freshwater emergent plant, buckbean (Menyanthes trifoliata L.; Menyanthaceae) in a cool temperate region. The effect of midday depression was observed only on a very hot day, but not on a moderately hot day, in summer. The diurnal course of photosynthetic light-response curves on this hot day showed that latent morning reduction of photosynthetic capacity started at dawn, preceding the apparent depression around the midday, in agreement with results reported in terrestrial plants. We concluded that (1) midday depression of emergent plants occurs when the stress intensity exceeds the species’ tolerance, and (2) measurements of not only photosynthetic rate under field conditions but also diurnal course of photosynthetic light-response curve are necessary to quantify the effect of midday depression.
Antioxidant Defense during Recovery of Resurrection Plant Haberlea rhodopensis from Drought- and Freezing-Induced Desiccation
Authors: Mihailova Gergana , Vasileva Ivanina , Gigova Liliana , Gesheva Emiliya , Simova-Stoilova Lyudmila , Georgieva Katya
Published: January 2022

In this study, the contribution of nonenzymatic (ascorbate, glutathione) and enzymatic antioxidants (superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione reductase, glutathione S-transferase) in the first hours of recovery of the resurrection plant Haberlea rhodopensis from drought- and freezing-induced desiccation was assessed. The initial stage of recovery after desiccation is critical for plants, but less investigated. To better understand the alterations in the activity of antioxidant enzymes, their isoenzyme patterns were determined. Our results showed that ascorbate content remained high during the first 9 h of rehydration of desiccated plants and declined when the leaves′ water content significantly increased. The glutathione content remained high at the first hour of rehydration and then strongly decreased. The changes in ascorbate and glutathione content during recovery from drought- and freezing-induced desiccation showed great similarity. At the beginning of rehydration (1–5 h), the activities of antioxidant enzymes were significantly increased or remained as in dry plants. During 7–24 h of rehydration, certain differences in the enzymatic responses between the two plant groups were registered. The maintenance of a high antioxidant activity and upregulation of individual enzyme isoforms indicated their essential role in protecting plants from oxidative damage during the onset of recovery.
Metal Ions, Metal Chelators and Metal Chelating Assay as Antioxidant Method
Authors: Gulcin İlhami , Alwasel Saleh H.
Published: January 2022

Heavy metals are essential for a wide range of biological processes, including the growth and reproduction of cells, synthesis of biomolecules, many enzymatic reactions, and the body’s immunity, but their excessive intake is harmful. Specifically, they cause oxidative stress (OS) and generate free radicals and reactive oxygen species (ROS) in metabolism. In addition, the accumulation of heavy metals in humans can cause serious damage to different organs, especially respiratory, nervous and reproductive and digestive systems. Biologically, metal chelation therapy is often used to treat metal toxicity. This process occurs through the interaction between the ligand and a central metal atom, forming a complex ring-like structure. After metals are chelated with appropriate chelating agents, their damage in metabolism can be prevented and efficiently removed from the body. On the other hand, heavy metals, including Zn, Fe and Cu, are necessary for the suitable functioning of different proteins including enzymes in metabolism. However, when the same metals accumulate at levels higher than the optimum level, they can easily become toxic and have harmful effects toward biomolecules. In this case, it induces the formation of ROS and nitrogen species (RNS) resulting in peroxidation of biological molecules such as lipids in the plasma membrane. Antioxidants have an increasing interest in many fields due to their protective effects, especially in food and pharmaceutical products. Screening of antioxidant properties of compounds needs appropriate methods including metal chelating assay. In this study, a general approach to the bonding and chelating properties of metals is described. For this purpose, the basic principles and chemical principles of metal chelation methods, both in vivo and in vitro, are outlined and discussed. Hence, in the main sections of this review, the descriptions related to metal ions, metal chelating, antioxidants, importance of metal chelating in biological system and definitions of metal chelating assays as widely used methods to determine antioxidant ability of compounds are provided. In addition, some chemical properties, technical and critical details of the used chelation methods are given.
External Wetting Efficiency in a Three-Phase Fixed Bed Loaded with Porous and Non-Porous Packings
Authors: Cheng Zhenmin , Luo Gang , Tang Yanling , Ling Dan , Chen Zhaoxuan , Liu Peng , Zhang Bo
Published: January 2022

Films and rivulets are the two basic forms of dynamic liquid in a three-phase fixed bed (trickle bed), which determines the wetting efficiency of the catalyst. This paper is devoted to the conflicting wetting performance observed between non-porous glass beads and less wettable porous alumina, and a parallel zone model is applied to resolve the complex liquid flow texture. It shows in both cases of glass beads and aluminium pellets, the pressure drop, film flow and rivulet flow fractions all display pronounced multiplicities along with the liquid flow rates in increasing and decreasing branches, although the rivulet flow fraction is reduced to 0 in the liquid decreasing branch started from pulsing flow in both cases. Different from the glass beads, there is almost no wetting efficiency difference for the alumina pellets with respect to liquid flow rate increasing or decreasing, which is in agreement with the dynamic liquid holdup measurements. The liquid is significantly more uniformly distributed over the crosssection in the Al2O3 bed since rivulet flow is much reduced than in the case of glass beads.
Mixed Position and Twist Space Synthesis of 3R Chains
Authors: Hassanzadeh Neda , Perez-Gracia Alba
Published: January 2022

Mixed-position kinematic synthesis is used to not only reach a certain number of precision positions, but also impose certain instantaneous motion conditions at those positions. In the traditional approach, one end-effector twist is defined at each precision position in order to achieve better guidance of the end-effector along a desired trajectory. For one-degree-of-freedom linkages, that suffices to fully specify the trajectory locally. However, for systems with a higher number of degrees of freedom, such as robotic systems, it is possible to specify a complete higher-dimensional subspace of potential twists at particular positions. In this work, we focus on the 3R serial chain. We study the three-dimensional subspaces of twists that can be defined and set the mixed-position equations to synthesize the chain. The number and type of twist systems that a chain can generate depend on the topology of the chain; we find that the spatial 3R chain can generate seven different fully defined twist systems. Finally, examples of synthesis with several fully defined and partially defined twist spaces are presented. We show that it is possible to synthesize 3R chains for feasible subspaces of different types. This allows a complete definition of potential motions at particular positions, which could be used for the design of precise interaction with contact surfaces.
The RADARSAT Constellation Mission Core Applications: First Results
Authors: Dabboor Mohammed , Olthof Ian , Mahdianpari Masoud , Mohammadimanesh Fariba , Shokr Mohammed , Brisco Brian , Homayouni Saeid
Published: January 2022

The Canadian RADARSAT Constellation Mission (RCM) has passed its early operation phase with the performance evaluation being currently active. This evaluation aims to confirm that the innovative design of the mission’s synthetic aperture radar (SAR) meets the expectations of intended users. In this study, we provide an overview of initial results obtained for three high-priority applications; flood mapping, sea ice analysis, and wetland classification. In our study, the focus is on results obtained using not only linear polarization, but also the adopted Compact Polarimetric (CP) architecture in RCM. Our study shows a promising level of agreement between RCM and RADARSAT-2 performance in flood mapping using dual-polarized HH-HV SAR data over Red River, Manitoba, suggesting smooth continuity between the two satellite missions for operational flood mapping. Visual analysis of coincident RCM CP and RADARSAT-2 dual-polarized HH-HV SAR imagery over the Resolute Passage, Canadian Central Arctic, highlighted an improved contrast between sea ice classes in dry ice winter conditions. A statistical analysis using selected sea ice samples confirmed the increased contrast between thin and both rough and deformed ice in CP SAR. This finding is expected to enhance Canadian Ice Service’s (CIS) operational visual analysis of sea ice in RCM SAR imagery for ice chart production. Object-oriented classification of a wetland area in Newfoundland and Labrador by fusion of RCM dual-polarized VV-VH data and Sentinel-2 optical imagery revealed promising classification results, with an overall accuracy of 91.1% and a kappa coefficient of 0.87. Marsh presented the highest user’s and producer’s accuracies (87.77% and 82.08%, respectively) compared to fog, fen, and swamp.
A Physics-Informed Convolutional Neural Network with Custom Loss Functions for Porosity Prediction in Laser Metal Deposition
Authors: McGowan Erin , Gawade Vidita , Guo Weihong (Grace)
Published: January 2022

Physics-informed machine learning is emerging through vast methodologies and in various applications. This paper discovers physics-based custom loss functions as an implementable solution to additive manufacturing (AM). Specifically, laser metal deposition (LMD) is an AM process where a laser beam melts deposited powder, and the dissolved particles fuse to produce metal components. Porosity, or small cavities that form in this printed structure, is generally considered one of the most destructive defects in metal AM. Traditionally, computer tomography scans measure porosity. While this is useful for understanding the nature of pore formation and its characteristics, purely physics-driven models lack real-time prediction ability. Meanwhile, a purely deep learning approach to porosity prediction leaves valuable physics knowledge behind. In this paper, a hybrid model that uses both empirical and simulated LMD data is created to show how various physics-informed loss functions impact the accuracy, precision, and recall of a baseline deep learning model for porosity prediction. In particular, some versions of the physics-informed model can improve the precision of the baseline deep learning-only model (albeit at the expense of overall accuracy).
New Trends in Melanoma Detection Using Neural Networks: A Systematic Review
Authors: Popescu Dan , El-Khatib Mohamed , El-Khatib Hassan , Ichim Loretta
Published: January 2022

Due to its increasing incidence, skin cancer, and especially melanoma, is a serious health disease today. The high mortality rate associated with melanoma makes it necessary to detect the early stages to be treated urgently and properly. This is the reason why many researchers in this domain wanted to obtain accurate computer-aided diagnosis systems to assist in the early detection and diagnosis of such diseases. The paper presents a systematic review of recent advances in an area of increased interest for cancer prediction, with a focus on a comparative perspective of melanoma detection using artificial intelligence, especially neural network-based systems. Such structures can be considered intelligent support systems for dermatologists. Theoretical and applied contributions were investigated in the new development trends of multiple neural network architecture, based on decision fusion. The most representative articles covering the area of melanoma detection based on neural networks, published in journals and impact conferences, were investigated between 2015 and 2021, focusing on the interval 2018–2021 as new trends. Additionally presented are the main databases and trends in their use in teaching neural networks to detect melanomas. Finally, a research agenda was highlighted to advance the field towards the new trends.
Liquid Resin Infusion Process Validation through Fiber Optic Sensor Technology
Authors: Marrazzo Vincenzo Romano , Laudati Armando , Vitale Michele , Fienga Francesco , Iagulli Gianni , Raffone Marco , Cusano Andrea , Giordano Michele , Cutolo Antonello , Breglio Giovanni
Published: January 2022

In the proposed work, a fiber-optic-based sensor network was employed for the monitoring of the liquid resin infusion process. The item under test was a panel composed by a skin and four stringers, sensorized in such a way that both the temperature and the resin arrival could be monitored. The network was arranged with 18 Fiber Bragg Gratings (FBGs) working as temperature sensors and 22 fiber optic probes with a modified front-end in order to detect the resin presence. After an in-depth study to find a better solution to install the sensors without affecting the measurements, the system was investigated using a commercial Micron Optics at 0.5 Hz, with a passive split-box connected in order to be able to sense all the sensors simultaneously. The obtained results in terms of resin arrival detection at different locations and the relative temperature trend allowed us to validate an infusion process numerical model, giving us better understanding of what the actual resin flow was and the time needed to dry preform filling during the infusion process.
Assessing Sexual Behavior Patterns among Student Athletes of Senior High Schools in the Upper East Region, Ghana
Authors: Mubarik Mahama , Hagan John Elvis , Aduko Akaribo William , Abubakari Kasenyi Sulley , Yemisi Oladokun Michael , Asabia Prosper
Published: January 2022

The purpose of this study was to investigate the sexual behavior patterns of student athletes of senior high schools in the Upper East Region of Ghana and to assess the differences in sexual behavior patterns between male and females. A sample of 400 student athletes using a convenience sampling technique from public senior high schools was drawn to complete a self-designed research study. Descriptive statistics and the Chi-square test tool were used to analyze the collected data. The results showed that student athletes practiced various forms of sexual behaviors such as celibacy, foreplay, vaginal-penile sex, sexual fantasy, masturbation, oral sex, and anal sex. The Chi-square analysis showed significant gender differences in prevalence of masturbation (χ2 (1, n = 400) = 4.6962, probability = 0.030) and sexual fantasy (χ2 (1, n = 400) = 6.8477, probability = 0.009), but not vaginal-penile intercourse (χ2 (1, n = 400) = 1.3197, probability = 0.251) and celibacy (χ2, (1, n = 400) = 0.0721, probability = 0.788). The study concludes that student athletes of senior high schools might be vulnerable to unplanned parenthood and are at risk of STIs, including HIV. Regular health promotion campaigns on sexual risk-taking behaviors are required to help reduce the prevalence of student athletes’ indulgence in risky sexual behavior patterns that can harm their health. It is essential to implement gender-specific interventions (e.g., decision-making skills) when addressing the problems of sexual behaviors among the student athletes in the region.
Smart Urban Mobility System Evaluation Model Adaptation to Vilnius, Montreal and Weimar Cities
Authors: Zapolskytė Simona , Trépanier Martin , Burinskienė Marija , Survilė Oksana
Published: January 2022

To date, there is no developed and validated way to assess urban smartness. When evaluating smart city mobility systems, different authors distinguish different indicators. After analysing the evaluation indicators of the transport system presented in the scientific articles, the most relevant and influential indicators were selected. This article develops a hierarchical evaluation model for evaluating a smart city transportation system. The indicators are divided into five groups called “factors”. Several indicators are assigned to each of the listed groups. A hybrid multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) method was used to calculate the significance of the selected indicators and to compare urban mobility systems. The applied multi-criteria evaluation methods were simple additive weighting (SAW), complex proportional assessment (COPRAS), and technique for order preference by similiarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS). The significance of factors and indicators was determined by expert evaluation methods: the analytic hierarchy process (AHP), direct, when experts evaluate the criteria as a percentage (sum of evaluations of all criteria 100%) and ranking (prioritisation). The evaluation and comparison of mobility systems were performed in two stages: when the multi-criteria evaluation is performed according to the indicators of each factor separately and when performing a comprehensive assessment of the smart mobility system according to the integrated significance of the indicators. A leading city is identified and ranked according to the smartness level. The aim of this article is to create a hierarchical evaluation model of the smart mobility systems, to compare the smartness level of Vilnius, Montreal, and Weimar mobility systems, and to create a ranking.
Nanopotassium, Nanosilicon, and Biochar Applications Improve Potato Salt Tolerance by Modulating Photosynthesis, Water Status, and Biochemical Constituents
Authors: Mahmoud Abdel Wahab M. , Samy Mahmoud M. , Sany Hoda , Eid Rasha R. , Rashad Hassan M. , Abdeldaym Emad A.
Published: January 2022

Salinity is one of the main environmental stresses, and it affects potato growth and productivity in arid and semiarid regions by disturbing physiological process, such as the photosynthesis rate, the absorption of essential nutrients and water, plant hormonal functions, and vital metabolic pathways. Few studies are available on the application of combined nanomaterials to mitigate salinity stress on potato plants (Solanum tuberosum L. cv. Diamont). In order to assess the effects of the sole or combined application of silicon (Si) and potassium (K) nanoparticles and biochar (Bc) on the agro-physiological properties and biochemical constituents of potato plants grown in saline soil, two open-field experiments were executed on a randomized complete block design (RCBD), with five replicates. The results show that the biochar application and nanoelements (n-K and n-Si) significantly improved the plant heights, the fresh and dry plant biomasses, the numbers of stems/plant, the leaf relative water content, the leaf chlorophyll content, the photosynthetic rate (Pn), the leaf stomatal conductance (Gc), and the tuber yields, compared to the untreated potato plants (CT). Moreover, the nanoelements and biochar improved the content of the endogenous elements of the plant tissues (N, P, K, Mg, Fe, Mn, and B), the leaf proline, and the leaf gibberellic acid (GA3), in addition to reducing the leaf abscisic acid content (ABA), the activity of catalase (CAT), and the peroxidase (POD) and polyphenol oxidase (PPO) in the leaves of salt-stressed potato plants. The combined treatment achieved maximum plant growth parameters, physiological parameters, and nutrient concentrations, and minimum transpiration rates (Tr), leaf abscisic acid content (ABA), and activities of the leaf antioxidant enzymes (CAT, POD, and PPO). Furthermore, the combined treatment also showed the highest tuber yield and tuber quality, including the contents of carbohydrates, proteins, and the endogenous nutrients of the tuber tissues (N, P, and K), and the lowest starch content. Moreover, Pearson’s correlation showed that the plant growth and the tuber yields of potato plants significantly and positively correlated with the photosynthesis rate, the internal CO2 concentration, the relative water content, the proline, the chlorophyll content, and the GA3, and that they were negatively correlated with the leaf Na content, PPO, CAT, ABA, MDA, and Tr. It might be concluded that nanoelement (n-K and n-Si) and biochar applications are a promising method to enhance the plant growth and crop productivity of potato plants grown under salinity conditions.
Chabazite from Campanian Ignimbrite Tuff as a Potential and Sustainable Remediation Agent for the Removal of Emerging Contaminants from Water
Authors: Izzo Francesco , Langella Alessio , de Gennaro Bruno , Germinario Chiara , Grifa Celestino , Rispoli Concetta , Mercurio Mariano
Published: January 2022

The technological performance of a chabazite-rich rock belonging to the Campanian Ignimbrite formation, outcropping in the nearby of San Mango sul Calore (southern Italy), has been evaluated for the sorption and release of ibuprofen sodium salt after a surface modification of the starting geomaterial using two different chlorinated surfactants. Equilibrium sorption isotherms and in vitro loading tests demonstrated that the maximum sorption capacities of this geomaterial reach up to 24.5 and 13.5 mg/g, respectively, for zeolite modified with cetylpyridinium and benzalkonium. These results, obtained by non-linear mathematical modeling of the experimental curves, are definitely compatible with the concentrations of the most common non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (such as ibuprofen) in wastewaters, which have been recently considered as contaminants of emerging concern. This investigation also encourages a new possible sustainable exploitation of the lithified yellow facies of Campanian Ignimbrite, although future developments will be focused on using more stable and eco-friendlier two-tailed surfactants.
Effect of Food Consumption Values of Vietnamese Consumers on the Reliability and Purchase Intention of Korean Home Meal Replacements
Authors: Choi Seunggyun , Lee Timothy J. , Hong Wansoo
Published: January 2022

The Vietnamese home meal replacement (HMR) market is expected to face intensified competition due to economic development and urbanization. This study analyzes how the food consumption values of Vietnamese consumers affect the perceived reliability and intention to purchase Korean food in the form of HMRs and provides basic data to establish strategies for Korean HMRs to secure an advantage in an intensely competitive market. A survey was conducted with Vietnamese consumers who had used Korean HMRs before and are constantly using HMRs on a regular basis. To analyze the relationships between food consumption values, the reliability of Korean HMR, and the intention to purchase Korean HMRs, exploratory factor analysis, reliability analysis, confirmatory factor analysis, and covariance structural models were used. Among the factors of food consumption value, health, safety, time saving, and convenience have a positive effect on the reliability of Korean HMRs, while family and cost-effectiveness do not. Moreover, this reliability has a positive effect on the purchase intention of Korean HMRs. This study is significant in that while investigating Korean HMRs, it is pioneering research on Vietnamese consumers regarding HMRs. Therefore, the results of this study can be used to secure the competitiveness of Korean HMRs in the Vietnamese market.
Social Cohesion and Neighbor Interactions within Multifamily Apartment Buildings: Challenges of COVID-19 and Directions of Action
Authors: Stoiljković Branislava
Published: January 2022

Relations among neighbors are a key indicator of the strength of a local social community, contribute to social cohesion and are an important factor in achieving a higher level of social sustainability. On the other hand, the environment in which people live plays an important role in encouraging social contacts and developing relationships between people. In order to establish social interactions between neighbors within a multifamily apartment building (MFAB), it is necessary to provide adequate spaces for communication between residents. This was especially emphasized during the mobility restrictions caused by COVID-19, although this necessity is permanent. This paper analyzes the influence of the physical characteristics of common spaces in MFABs on the quality and intensity of contacts among residents of MFABs in the City of Niš, Serbia. In order to determine the current quality of these spaces as a physical framework for interactions among residents and to identify the wishes of users regarding interactions with neighbors in these spaces before and during COVID-19 pandemic restrictions, a survey was conducted. The analysis of the survey results and numerous examples of housing design led to (1) the formation of guidelines for future designs of MFABs and (2) recommendations for redefining the standards regulating the field of housing construction in the region, both applicable during the period of the pandemic and after it.
Symmetrization and Amplification of Germicidal Radiation Flux Produced by a Mercury Amalgam UV Lamp in Cylindrical Cavity with Diffusely Reflective Walls
Authors: Kotov Mikhail A. , Shemyakin Andrey N. , Solovyov Nikolay G. , Yakimov Mikhail Y.
Published: January 2022

The study focused on increasing the efficiency of germicidal UV radiation by using highly diffuse reflective materials such as PTFE in irradiated cavities of UV air purifiers. In a conventional cylindrically symmetric cavity with a linear amalgam mercury lamp as UV-radiation source on the axis UV-radiation, flux directed from the lamp to the walls dropped from the axis to the periphery. To increase the UV irradiation, the walls are often made mirror-reflective, but the radiation flux distribution remained radially symmetric with a maximum on the source emitting surface in this case as well. When most of the emitted light is returned to the source after one reflection, the conditions of its operation are disturbed. If the walls are made of highly diffuse reflective materials, the radiation flux density inside the cavity increases on average, and its distribution becomes uniform and highly symmetric. Thus, the effect of amplification of the radiation flux due to the highly diffuse reflectivity of the walls increases with radius and reaches a maximum at the wall. Experiments were performed to demonstrate increasing amplification of germicidal UV radiation flux with a diffuse reflection coefficient in cylindrical cavities with walls of PTFE and ePTFE. The irradiation of the cavity wall was observed to increase up to 20 times at the resonant mercury line of 253.7 nm and up to 40 times at some non-resonant lines of the visible range due to highly diffuse reflectivity of the cavity walls. The flux amplification effect was limited by the diffuse reflectivity value of the walls and absorption coefficient of the radiation emitting surface. A formula for calculating the radiation flux amplification factor in a diffusely reflecting cylindrically symmetric cavity was derived for the case of Lambertian source and reflector, including wall reflectivity and source surface absorption coefficients. The effects of heating and cooling of the mercury lamp amalgam directly affected the amplification, and symmetrization of germicidal irradiation was observed and is discussed in the paper. Numerical calculations were performed by the ray tracing method. The calculated model was verified by comparing the numerical results with those of both the approximate theoretical consideration and experiments. The promising use of diffusely reflecting cylindrical cavities for UV air purifiers is discussed. Designs of air inlet and outlet ports that allow effective locking of germicidal radiation inside the UV air purifiers were considered. The results of this work may be of interest for further developments in the UV disinfection technique.
Linear Stability of Black Holes and Naked Singularities
Authors: Dotti Gustavo
Published: January 2022

A review of the current status of the linear stability of black holes and naked singularities is given. The standard modal approach, that takes advantage of the background symmetries and analyze separately the harmonic components of linear perturbations, is briefly introduced and used to prove that the naked singularities in the Kerr–Newman family, as well as the inner black hole regions beyond Cauchy horizons, are unstable and therefore unphysical. The proofs require a treatment of the boundary condition at the timelike boundary, which is given in detail. The nonmodal linear stability concept is then introduced, and used to prove that the domain of outer communications of a Schwarzschild black hole with a non-negative cosmological constant satisfies this stronger stability condition, which rules out transient growths of perturbations, and also to show that the perturbed black hole settles into a slowly rotating Kerr black hole. The encoding of the perturbation fields in gauge invariant curvature scalars and the effects of the perturbation on the geometry of the spacetime is discussed. These notes follow from a course delivered at the V José Plínio Baptista School of Cosmology, held at Guarapari (Espírito Santo) Brazil, from 30 September to 5 October 2021.
First Isolation and Multilocus Sequence Typing of Brucella canis from a Subclinically Infected Pet Dog in China
Authors: Yan Guangwen , Pang Zidong , Hu Yan , Zhou Ziyao , Liu Haifeng , Luo Yan , Ren Zhihua , Ma Xiaoping , Cao Suizhong , Shen Liuhong , Wang Ya , Gou Liping , Cai Dongjie , Zhu Yanqiu , Zhong Yalin , Li Wei , Shi Xianpeng , Peng Guangneng , Zhong Zhijun
Published: January 2022

Canine brucellosis, a worldwide zoonotic disease, is mainly caused by Brucella canis. In the present study, we isolated a Brucella strain (CD3) from a subclinically infected pet dog in Sichuan Province, Southwestern China. Classical biotyping methods and molecular biological tests (BCSP31 and BcSS PCR) proved that the strain belonged to B. canis. Furthermore, B. canis CD3 and another two B. canis strains (WJ5 and YA4), which were all isolated from pet dogs in Sichuan, were genotyped using multilocus sequence typing (MLST). Our results showed that the three B. canis strains were identified as the same sequence type (ST21). The present study is the first to report B. canis strain from a subclinically infected pet dog in China, indicating a potential threat to public health posed by subclinical infections in pet dogs. We suggest that screening for B. canis should be incorporated into routine medical examination of pet dogs and other companion animals in areas with a history of animal or human brucellosis.
Media violance and how it`s impact on audience
Authors:   Saint Petersburg State University, Nazarova Irina Valerievna
Published: January 2022

This article is devoted to the representation of violence in modern media, in particular — to the features that are inherent in such materials, and also examines the impact of violence in journalistic materials on the audience that consumes the content. The media, as an institution of mass communication, has several basic functions, which are both derived from the needs of society and based on the interests of a particular member of society. At the moment, the attention of many researchers is closely drawn to the influence of the content of various media on the audience, the formation of the perception of individual individuals. Scientists have proven that one of the things that attracts a person is violence, because the audience is interested in «bad» news, watches crime reports. But media violence is still one of the stumbling blocks in contemporary discourse. In the article, we will consider what features are inherent in materials covering cruelty in general and crimes in particular, identify the level of influence of consumed content on the formation of individual characteristics, and also analyze a number of aggressive behavior of the audience depending on the materials
INFORMATION TECHNO MIRAGES OF QUANTUM COMPUTERS
Authors:   Institute for the U.S. and Canadian Studies  Russian Academy of Science, Sokolova Marianna E.
Published: January 2022

The article is devoted to the trends in the formation of the information space of quantum technologies. As an example, the information construction of the results of an experiment to achieve quantum supremacy at Google and discussions about this in the American IT community are considered.
Alternative journalism in Russia: the origin, development and current state
Authors:   Saint Petersburg State University, Nazarova Irina Valerievna
Published: January 2022

This article is devoted to alternative media in Russia, in particular to those that can be attributed to the so—called «Critical Media», representing completely different information and opinions, adding variety to the invisible struggle between publications that hold a pro—state, anti—state and neutral position. The emergence of such media in Russia, development during the Soviet Union, as well as their state at this point in time. In the article, we will look at how this direction developed, talk about the most prominent representatives and their projects.
Biofumigación y solarización como estrategias de manejo de nematodos en tomate (Solanum lycopersicum)
Authors: Curay Segundo , Pérez Salinas Marco Pérez Salinas , Vásquez Carlos , Mangui José , Telenchana Norma
Published: January 2022

El control de los nematodos fitoparásitos se ha basado principalmente en el uso de productos químicos, los cuales cada vez presentan menor eficiencia, por lo que se requiere buscar estrategias ecológicamente sustentables. Se realizaron dos ensayos para evaluar el efecto de la biofumigacion y  solarización  sobre   las   poblaciones  de nematodos en el cultivo de tomate (Solanum lycopersicum) bajo condiciones de invernadero. En el primer ensayo se estudió el efecto solo y combinado de la biofumigación con la solarización en el valle Quillan, Cantón Píllaro. En el segundo ensayo se evaluó el efecto del estado fenológico de la mostaza de abisinia  en  el control de nematodos en suelo en la Parroquia La Matriz del  Cantón  Píllaro.  Se observó menor efecto en el control de Meloidogyne sp. (apenas 25%), mientras que en Xiphinema sp. provocó control total. No se observó efecto de la edad del material vegetal y el tipo de aplicación sobre el número de nematodos, sin embargo, si se observó efecto por el tiempo de acción de los extractos. Basados en los resultados, el uso de brasicáceas en combinación con solarización podría ser una alternativa viable para el manejo de poblaciones de nematodos en cultivos de tomate.
As sete belas artes para uma comunicação inovadora
Authors:   Universidade Federal de São Paulo
Published: January 2022

A coletânea ‘As sete Belas Artes: para comunicação inovadora’ reúne sete fascículos correspondendo às setes artes: arquitetura, escultura, pintura, música, dança, literatura e cinema. Elas estão divididas em três partes conforme sua relação: espaço (arquitetura, escultura e pintura), tempo (música, dança, literatura) e a união dos dois, concretizada pelo cinema.
Association between Gastric Cancer Mortality-to-Incidence Ratio and Human Development Index: Evidence from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2016
Authors: Nouri Maryam , Zayeri Farid , Akbari Mohammad Esmaeil , Khayamzadeh Maryam , Moradian Farid
Published: January 2022

Background: Gastric cancer has been one of the major causes of death in the past decades. It is the fifth most prevalent cancer and the third leading cause of neoplasm death worldwide. Thus, to know more about this health problem, assessing the burden of this cancer and its association with socioeconomic status of countries is of great importance. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the mean trend of gastric cancer mortality-to-incidence ratio (GCMIR) in different super regions defined by the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) and investigate the relationship between GCMIR and Human Development Index (HDI) in the period 2000-2016. Methods: We used the data from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2016 study to calculate GCMIR for 185 world countries in the period 2000–2016. We also extracted the HDI data for each year under study from the Updates of the UNDP website. To attain the analytic aims, marginal modeling and generalized estimating equations (GEE) were utilized. Results: Sub-Saharan Africa was the only super region with a positive slope of GCMIR, and high-income countries had the greatest decreasing slope of GCMIR during the study period. Moreover, there was a negative association between GCMIR and HDI in these years. Conclusion: Our findings revealed that gastric cancer could be thought not only as a biological disease but also as a social event that will be more controllable with the improvement of economic status and other social determinants of health.
Anaphylactic shock in children and adolescents
Authors: Grigorian L. A. , Prikhodchenko N. G. , Stolina M. L. , Katenkova E. Y. , Shegeda M. G.
Published: January 2022

Modern views about the various causes of the development of anaphylactic shock in children and adolescents, the classification of anaphylactic shock based on the pathophysiological mechanisms of the development are observed in the survey. The algorithm of the diagnosis of anaphylaxis and anaphylactic shock, the emergency assistance and further management of patients with anaphylactic shock, as well as the issues of its prevention are presented.
Leptin participation in the processes of nervous impulse transmission and its influence on the formation of neuro-mental development of children
Authors: Momot G. O. , Krukovich E. V. , Surovenko T. N.
Published: January 2022

Review of publications on the functional features of leptin in the central nervous system in children. The participation of leptin mechanisms in the transmission of nerve impulses, the effect of leptin on cognitive functions in children. The article reveals the general mechanisms of maturation of the central nervous system in children, the participation of leptin and leptin receptors in the formation of cognitive abilities in children. Possible interrelationships of impairments in cognitive development and lipid metabolism including obesity are revealed.
Mechanisms and regulatory factors of endometrial neovascularization
Authors: Chertok V. M. , Kotsyuba A. E. , Khramova I. A.
Published: January 2022

Cellular-molecular mechanisms and factors, regulating uterus vascularization are also a focal point ensuring reproduction processes. In the process of angiogenesis endothelium expresses a number of receptors of growth factors and ligands which control main stages of the cellular makeup during vascular walls formation process. It in turn supports proliferation and reparation of the endometrium during menstrual cycle and prepares for the implantation and placentation.
Anesthesiological support during gastroscopy and colonoscopy: availability, effectiveness and safety of applied methods
Authors: Dolgunov A. M. , Dolgunov D. A. , Balashova T. V. , Andreeva N. A.
Published: January 2022

The article presents the literature review on anesthesiological support during gastroscopy and colonoscopy including evaluation of availability, effectiveness, safety and patient’s comfort of the used methods. Data on the number of endoscopic interventions in gastrointestinal tract performed under general anesthesia and controlled sedation in Vladivostok hospitals is provided. Low availability of anesthesiological support for these procedures in public hospitals is stated. Reasonability of widespread use of moderate analgosedation during gastroscopy and colonoscopy is demonstrated.