bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comprehensive evaluation of the blast furnace status based on data mining and mechanism analysis
Authors: Hu Yifan , Zhou Heng , Yao Shun , Kou Mingyin , Zhang Zongwang , Wang Li Pang , Wu Shengli
Published: September 2021

As an industry with high energy consumption and high emission, the iron and steel industry not only drives the economic development, but also brings serious environmental pollution problems. In order to achieve green and low-carbon steel manufacturing, reducing CO2 emissions in the blast furnace ironmaking process has become the current mainstream, of which the accurate judgment of the blast furnace status is a key to achieve it. Firstly, combining theory with production experience, this research established 6 evaluation systems of the blast furnace and extracted 22 evaluation parameters from them through mathematical statistics. After completing the data preprocessing with the help of Python, the potential elements in the initial variables were excavated and a comprehensive evaluation model of the blast furnace status was developed by Factor Analysis. Based on this, the status of the blast furnace were divided into four degrees, i.e. good, normal, poor and warning and the rationality was verified by comparison to the production logs. By means of comparing the law of data distribution under different furnace status, the optimal range of operation parameters was summarized. This study is expected to provide guidance for realizing energy conservation and consumption reduction of the blast furnace.
Fiber nonlinearity compensation using optical phase conjugation in dispersion-managed coherent transmission systems
Authors: Hao Jinqing , Han Bingchen
Published: September 2021

In the discretely amplified transmission systems with erbium-doped fiber amplifiers, the system performance of nonlinearity-compensated optical transmission based on pre-dispersed spectral inversion (PSI) is investigated numerically. We find that PSI offers more significant performance improvement in dispersion-managed (DM) links than that in non-dispersion-managed (noDM) links. On the other hand, the DM link is more sensitive to the span offset from the center of the transmission link than noDM link. The performance difference between DM and noDM links is 1 dB if the span offset equals four spans in 20 × 90 km nonlinear transmission. Furthermore, we show that for the dispersion-managed transmission, in order to obtain the best system performance, the amount of pre-dispersion of the PSI, should be optimized over different dispersion maps.
Strong consistency of regression function estimator with martingale difference errors
Authors: Chen Yingxia
Published: September 2021

In this paper, we consider the regression model with fixed design:

Y

i

=
g

(

x

i

)

+

ε

i

{Y}_{i}=g\left({x}_{i})+{\varepsilon }_{i}

,

1
≤
i
≤
n

1\le i\le n

, where

{

x

i

}

\left\{{x}_{i}\right\}

are the nonrandom design points, and

{

ε

i

}

\left\{{\varepsilon }_{i}\right\}

is a sequence of martingale, and

g

g

is an unknown function. Nonparametric estimator

g

n

(

x

)

{g}_{n}\left(x)

of

g

(

x

)

g\left(x)

will be introduced and its strong convergence properties are established.
Colorants in coatings
Authors: Maile Frank J.
Published: September 2021

The aim of this chapter is to provide a compact overview of colorants and their use in coatings including a brief introduction to paint technology and its raw materials. In addition, it will focus on individual colorants by collecting information from the available literature mainly for their use in coatings. Publications on colorants in coatings applications are in many cases standard works that cover the wider aspects of color chemistry and paint technology and are explicitly recommended for a more detailed study of the subject [1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17,18]. Articles or information on paint formulation using coatings which contain colorants are rare [19]. This formulation expertise is often company property as it is the result of many years of effort built up over very long series of practical “trial-and-error” optimization tests and, more recently, supported by design of experiment and laboratory process automation [20, 21]. Therefore, it is protected by rigorous secrecy agreements. Formulations are in many ways part of a paint manufacturer’s capital, because of their use in automotive coatings, coil coatings, powder coatings, and specialist knowledge is indispensable to ensure their successful industrial use [22]. An important source to learn about the use of pigments in different coating formulations are guidance or starting formulations offered by pigment, additive, and resin manufacturers. These are available upon request from the technical service unit of these companies. Coating formulations can also be found scattered in books on coating and formulation technology [4, 5, 18, 23,24,25,26,27]. This overview can in no way claim to be complete, as the literature and relevant journals in this field are far too extensive. Nevertheless, it remains the author’s hope that the reader will gain a comprehensive insight into the fascinating field of colorants for coatings, including its literature and current research activities and last but not least its scientific attractiveness and industrial relevance.
Effect of nanostructured Al2O3 on poly(ethylene oxide)-based solid polymer electrolytes
Authors: Walke Patrick , Kirchberger Anna , Reiter Felix , Esken Daniel , Nilges Tom
Published: September 2021

In this study, we investigated the effect of nanostructured Al2O3 particles on Li ion conducting, poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO)-based membranes prepared by electrospinning, solution casting and hot pressing. Pure PEO:LiBF4 solid polymer electrolytes (SPEs) and also plasticizer containing membranes were investigated with various amounts of Al2O3. In a first step, the best-performing composition of pure PEO:LiBF4 concerning the resulting ionic conductivity was identified and used as a standard for further experiments. In the following, the influence of the preparation method, the nature of the Al2O3, and the type of the plasticizer additives on the thermal and electrochemical properties for this standard composition were investigated. The Al2O3 composition was varied between 1 and 5 wt%. The ionic conductivity of bare electrospun PEO:LiBF4 SPE standard material has been improved by a factor ten to 1.9 × 10−6 S cm−1 at T = 293 K when 5 wt% of Al2O3 is added. For solution-casted PEO:LiBF4 standard compositions 18:1 with an initial ionic conductivity of 6.7 × 10−8 S cm−1, the addition of 2 wt% Al2O3 increased the performance to 1.4 × 10−7 S cm−1, both at T = 293 K. If succinonitrile and Al2O3 was admixed to the solution casted standard material, the ionic conductivity was further increased to reach 5.5 × 10−5 S cm−1 at T = 293 K. This material with a composition of 18:3:1 + 2 wt% Al2O3, outperforms the standard material by three orders of magnitude.
Biological activities of some Salvia species
Authors: Doğan Mehmet , Akıcı Nurdan , Diken Mehmet Emin , Doğan Serap , Yilmaz Kardas Begumhan , Dirmenci Tuncay
Published: September 2021

In this study, total phenolic, flavonoid and protein contents, antiradical capacities, antibacterial and cytotoxic properties of five different Salvia species (Salvia macrochlamys Boiss., Salvia kronenburgii Rech.f., Salvia euphratica Montbret. ex Aucher var. euphratica, Salvia huberi Hedge and Salvia kurdica Benth) were investigated. The total phenolic content of the species was in the range of 59.6 ± 20 to 150.1 ± 1.1 mg/g, total flavonoid content in the range of 20.4 ± 2.2 to 38.9 ± 4.1 mg/g, and total protein content in the range of 14.0 ± 0.5 to 22.0 ± 1.1 mg/g. Radical scavenging capacities of the Salvia species were determined in the range of 84.1 ± 4.5 to 96.8 ± 0.1%. Moreover, Salvia extracts showed powerful antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus bacteria. Cytotoxic effects of the samples on human lymphocytes were determined by MTS assay and S. kronenburgii and S. euphratica var. euphratica decreased the harmful effects of 2-hydroperoxy-2-methylpropane (tert-butyl hydroper-oxide, t-BOOH) at all time points tested. The highest amounts of rutin hydrate belong to S. kronenburgii and S. euphratica var. euphratica, and the highest amounts of luteolin-7-glucoside belong to S. huberi and S. kronenburgii. Vanillic acid was present only in S. huberi and S. kurdica.
Optical and Physical Properties of Laponite for Use as Clay Surrogate in Geotechnical Models
Authors: Pierozan Rodrigo Cesar , Almikati Abdurrahman , Araujo Gregorio Luis Silva , Zornberg Jorge Gabriel
Published: September 2021

Laponite has emerged as a particularly promising material for use as a soft clay surrogate in geotechnical modeling, as it provides a relevant range of transparency, plasticity, and overall geotechnical behavior. This paper presents an investigation of the significant factors affecting the transparency of laponite for its use in physical geotechnical models. Image analysis techniques and complementary optical tests were conducted to gain an understanding of the factors causing changes in optical clarity. Aging time, laponite content, and rheological additive dosage were found to be the most significant factors affecting the transparency of laponite. Specifically, the ratio between the rheological additive dosage and laponite content (additive mass ratio) was found to serve as a relevant index to define the material’s optical behavior, and its use facilitated the determination of the optimum laponite and additive contents. The presence of inclusions within the internal laponite structure, such as trapped air pockets and unhydrated laponite crystals, identified as the key factor compromising optical clarity, could be ultimately associated with the selection of insufficient dosages of rheological additive. Overall, laponite was identified as a viable surrogate of natural clays suitable for models requiring comparatively large in-depth visualization.
Characterizing the regional concentrations and seasonality of the emerging pollutant decamethylcyclopentasiloxane (D5) using a WRF+CHIMERE modeling approach
Authors: Jiménez-Guerrero Pedro , Ratola Nuno
Published: September 2021

In this study, the results from two passive air sampling campaigns (winter and summer) performed previously in 8 different urban sites allowed the inclusion of the volatile methyl siloxane (VMS) D5 in a chemistry transport model (WRF+CHIMERE modeling system) to assess its performance in describing the concentrations and seasonal distribution of this emergent contaminant in a domain covering the western Iberian Peninsula. The model estimations were evaluated using the available field-based data, and the WRF+CHIMERE approach showed, in general, errors under 50% for all sampling sites and seasons, with a slight tendency to underestimations of D5 concentrations when using the lowest emission factor among those selected from the literature and to very large overestimations when using the highest emission factor available. The greatest errors are found for remote sampling points (substantial overestimations of the models at Midões, by even a factor of 3) and for coastal ones (where population and therefore emissions exhibit strong seasonality). The results also indicate that the chemical sinks by OH degradation play a negligible role on the ground-level concentrations of D5 at the scale of the investigated domain, with average contributions under 0.5%. Despite the lack of data regarding D5 emissions in the area, which led to the assumption of emission rates taken from other countries (and a constant population in the domain), the results of this first study are excellent and highlight the skill of WRF+CHIMERE in reproducing D5 concentrations. Indeed, the nature of the proposed modeling tool is helpful for understanding the processes conditioning the present and future behavior of contaminants like D5. Moreover, the model is bound to allow the future inclusion of D5 (and other VMSs) in regulatory scenarios, since restrictions on the use of these chemicals have just started to be introduced.
Analysis of patients with prostate cancer care at a reference hospital in the state of Tocantins, suitable for brachytherapy
Authors: Bezerra André de Souza , Zeituni Carlos Alberto , Rostelato Maria Elisa Chuery Martins
Published: September 2021

Observation and identification of predictive factors for results and morbidity are essential in the ideal selection of patients who can use brachytherapy as a treatment modality for prostate cancer. Thus, the objective of this research is to analyze the population of patients with prostate cancer treated at the General Public Hospital of Palmas in 2015, in the state of Tocantins. The method used was quantitative, with the characteristics of a retrospective, transversal and descriptive analysis. Held in the largest state health unit, the General Public Hospital of Palmas that, despite its large dimensions, lives with the main problems of the Unified Health System, such as overcrowding and shortages. It was found that most of the patients seen corresponded to the age of 70 to 79 years, making 45%, followed by patients aged between 60 and 69 years, with 33%. Most of the individuals attended were from the state of Tocantins, but some lived in an adjacent city in the state of Pará. Data related to the Gleason score showed that there was a predominance of levels 6 and 7 indicating intermediate grade tumors, considering that the most of the observed population was older. It was concluded that the analyzed patients had a predominant staging of CaP II and III, thus most of the individuals, 23 of the 35 analyzed, were not able to undergo brachytherapy due to the high degree of disease staging.
Application of area monitors and scintillating detectors in the development of CBRN defense reconnaissance vehicles
Authors: Silva Thiago de Medeiros Silveira , Lobato Ana Carolina Lodi , Mendonça Anne Karoline F. , Azevedo Ary Machado de , Pontes Caio Cezar , Cardoso Domingos D'Oliveira , Silva Marcelus Paulo Cruz Da , Salazar Augilmar Pereira , Vasconcelos Victor de Castro , Nunes Wallace Vallory
Published: September 2021

This study describes the use of ionizing radiation detectors in a Brazilian Army reconnaissance vehicle (RV), used in area monitoring actions based on the occurrence of a radiological event. Two scintillating detectors, NaI and LaBr3, were used to carry out field measurements of surveying for different distances from a simulated detector position in the vehicle, in order to compare the energy spectra obtained in each measurement system. The Brazilian Army Technological Center (Centro Tecnológico do Exército - CTEx) region was chosen to carry out the measurements. The meteorological information was annotated to verify the conditions into which the experimental apparatus would be submitted. The results suggest that both the NaI and LaBr3 scintillating detector could be used in radiological emergency response RV, offering satisfactory responses in the gamma radiation detection. However, the NaI detector was chosen considering the wide network of technical assistance and its low operational cost. The relevance of this investigation shows the importance of planning responses in emergency situations and the influence of efficient instrumentation in the measurement processes.
Study of the automated synthesis of the radiopharmaceutical fluoroestradiol-18F
Authors: Balieiro Luiza Mascarenhas , Barcellos de Oliveira Henrique , Teixeira Silva Luiz Felipe , Bellini Maria Helena , Nakamura Matsuda Margareth Mie , Bortoleti de Araujo Elaine
Published: September 2021

Approximately 75% of breast cancer cells express estrogen receptor positive, being the second leading cause of cancer death among women worldwide with an incidence of 25% per year. 16α-[18F]-fluoro-17β-estradiol, FES-18F, is a radiopharmaceutical that binds to estrogen receptors enabling the acquisition of molecular images for non-invasive diagnosis of primary and metastatic breast cancer using PET-CT. The objective of this work was to study the synthesis of FES-18F in the GE TRACERlab® MXFDG module, using the chemical kit and the ABX® disposable cassette, and to determine the process yield and the analytical parameters to be used in the routine production of this radiopharmaceutical. Automated synthesis occurs in 75 minutes and includes percolation of [18F-] fluoride into an anion exchange cartridge, cartridge elution, 3-step azeotropic drying, labeling using precursor 3-methoxymethyl-16β,17β-epiestriol-O-cyclic sulfone (MMSE) and a hydrolysis step. Product purification is done in the module using solid phase extraction (SPE) cartridges. The radiochemical yield was reproductive, regardless of fluor-18 activity at entry into the module, and the results of quality control tests suggest that the radiopharmaceutical meets the criteria established for other fluor-18-labelled radiopharmaceuticals that have monographs in official compendiums. In vivo biodistribution studies in healthy animals and with a tumor model developed with MCF-7 cells, demonstrated radiopharmaceutical uptake in excretory organs and specificity for breast tumor cells.
Influence of image reconstruction protocols on the image quality of a small animal PET scanner using 18F and 11C
Authors: Barbosa João Vitor do Carmo , Gontijo Rodrigo Modesto Gadelha , Souza Guilherme Cavalcante de Albuquerque , Mendes Bruno Melo , Silva Juliana Batista da , Mamede Marcelo , Ferreira Andréa Vidal
Published: September 2021

The small animal positron emission tomography (PET) scanner from Molecular Imaging Laboratory (LIM/CDTN) is dedicated to pre-clinical studies on new 18F and 11C-based radiopharmaceuticals and to development of novel applications for well-known radiopharmaceuticals. Thus, quality control tests recommended by the publication NEMA NU 4-2008 are routinely carried out to ensure the proper performance of PET scanner. The aim of this work was to evaluate the influence of image reconstruction protocols on the image quality, accuracy of attenuation and scatter corrections parameters for 18F and 11C PET images. PET images of the image quality phantom filed with 18F-FDG or 11C-PK1122 were acquired and then reconstructed using different reconstruction protocols. The reconstruction variables evaluated were the algorithms (FBP, MLEM-3D, OSEM-3D), the resolution mode (high/standard) and the number of iterations (10 to 150). Uniformity, spill-over ratio (SOR) and recovery coefficients (RC) tests were performed for each reconstructed image according NEMA NU 4-2008. PMOD software was used for image analysis. FBP based protocol generated noisier images compared to iterative algorithms (MLEM-3D or OSEM-3D) based protocols. The increase in the number of iterations resulted in higher standard deviation of the analyzed parameters for all reconstructed images. MLEM-3D and OSEM-3D based protocols generates similar results when number of iterations and resolution mode were identical. SOR and RC mean values remained stable when the number of iterations ranged from 40 to 150. This study allowed the evaluation of different image reconstruction protocols on important parameters of 18F and 11C PET image quality. Additionally, standard image reconstruction protocols to be adopted in LIM/CDTN laboratorial routine for 18F and 11C images reconstruction in preclinical studies were defined.
MODERNIZATION OF SOUTH KOREA: ORIGINS, ACHIEVEMENTS, AND THE EXPERIENCE FOR UKRAINE
Authors: KISTERSKY Leonid , MARMAZOV VASYL , PILIAIEV Igor
Published: September 2021

Considered the causes and results of the economic achievements of South Korea, which for one generation’s lifetime had managed to leapfrog from poverty to the top of the world’s advanced economies. Analyzed the similarity between the problems of the Republic of Korea, which has been at war with its northern neighbor for more than 70 years, and Ukraine since 2014, as both countries are at the epicenter of strategic conflicts in Eurasia, in which basic interests of world powers collide. Confucianism is analyzed as a model of social and personal relations that has absorbed the wisdom and experience of the millennia-old civilization, demonstrated its exceptional viability, capacity to dynamically modernize and creatively assimilate the achievements of other cultures and civilizations. There is a unique synthesis of values of the two most competitive systems of work ethic in the modern world – Confucianism and Protestantism, which ensured the phenomenal success of the South Korean modernization. It is argued that the very combination of strong socially responsible state, competitive structural democracy and social and labor ethics based on the amalgam of Confucian and Christian values gave effect to the “Miracle on the Han River.” It is shown that Ukraine and South Korea have a common position on the key issues of world order as well as promising bilateral relations, whereas the South Korean experience of economic modernization and development is of interest to Ukraine. Promising areas of Ukrainian-South Korean economic cooperation, such as electronics and IT technologies, renewable energy, aerospace and aviation industry, agriculture, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and healthcare are substantiated. Ukraine may benefit from the ROK’s positive experience in developing such areas as private entrepreneurship, small and medium business support, that would help practically solve the problem of microcredit and attract investment in the real sector of Ukraine's economy.
INFLUENCE OF A U-SHAPED MAGNETIC CORE OF AN INDUCTOR WITH TWO COILS ON EDDY CURRENTS OF THIN-WALLED NON-MAGNETIC METAL PLATES IN PROCESS OF MAGNETO-PULSED TREATMENT
Authors:   Institute of Electrodynamics of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, pr. Peremohy, 56, Kyiv, 03057, Ukraine, Raschepkin A.P. , Kondratenko I.P. ,   Institute of Electrodynamics of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, pr. Peremohy, 56, Kyiv, 03057, Ukraine, Karlov A.N. ,   Institute of Electrodynamics of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, pr. Peremohy, 56, Kyiv, 03057, Ukraine, Kryshchuk R.S. ,   Institute of Electrodynamics of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, pr. Peremohy, 56, Kyiv, 03057, Ukraine
Published: September 2021

A review of the literature on the use of pulsed electric current to create electro-plastic effect in metal parts is performed. Inductor with a U-shaped magnetic core and pulsed current is investigated for processing thin-walled metal plates with rectilinear welds. With a saturated magnetic core relative magnetic permeability can be low, so using a magnetic core can be impractical. The aim of the work is to establish the influence of a magnetic core of an induction system on voltage, current and magnetic forces when reaching the eddy current density of 109 A/m2 in the weld of a non-magnetic thin-walled metal plate. A two-dimensional model of the induction system with and without the magnetic core is investigated here. Simulation of the distribution of electromagnetic fields with the reduction of the parameters of the two-dimensional model to three-dimensional is performed. A capacitor charged to a certain voltage is a source of pulsed currents in inductor winding. The equation of the electric circuit for determining the current in the inductor’s winding is solved. The influence of the dimensions of the magnetic core on voltage and currents in the inductor’s winding is determined. The influence of the magnetic core on the transients of voltages of capacitor and inductor, the currents in the winding and the weld of the metal non-magnetic plate, the magnetic forces in the weld is studied. The influence of the magnetic core on distribution of magnetic field strength, currents and magnetic forces on the surface of the plate in the area of the weld is studied. Ref. 13, Fig. 4, Table.
Levantamento sobre dificuldades que interferem na vida acadêmica de universitários durante a pandemia de COVID-19
Authors: Blando Alessandra , Marcilio Fabiane Cristina Pereira , Franco Sérgio Roberto Kieling , Teixeira Marco Antônio Pereira
Published: September 2021

Este artigo tem por objetivo apresentar os principais resultados de um levantamento realizado por um serviço de apoio ao estudante de uma universidade federal sobre dificuldades que interferem na vida acadêmica dos estudantes durante a pandemia de COVID-19. Para tal, foi utilizado um questionário online, sendo uma pergunta aberta e outra fechada sobre essa temática. As respostas foram submetidas à análise estatística descritiva. No total, responderam ao levantamento 1.637 alunos, sendo 64% da graduação e 36% da pós-graduação. As principais dificuldades mencionadas pelos estudantes estão relacionadas com a gestão do tempo, os estudos e à saúde mental, além de outras voltadas à pandemia: como cuidar de sua saúde mental, realizar atividades físicas e manter os hábitos alimentares. Também foram apresentadas dificuldades de pensar o futuro profissional diante de um cenário de incertezas. Os dados sugerem que a maior parte dessas situações e dificuldades já faziam parte do contexto universitário, contudo parecem ter se agravado durante o período da pandemia, portanto, as instituições de educação superior necessitam incrementar suas ações de apoio à permanência dos estudantes.
Palavras-chave: Estudantes universitários; dificuldades acadêmicas; ensino superior; pandemia; COVID-19.
Yoni of Kamakhya
Authors: Rosati Paolo E.
Published: September 2021

The mythology of the yoni of Sati was introduced in the early medieval Kalikapurana (ninth–eleventh century ce), a sakta text that linked the sexual symbol of the Goddess to the Kamakhya-pitha in Assam. This article will analyse the medieval Puranas and Tantras compiled in northeastern India—focusing on their mythological accounts of the cosmogony of the yoni pitha—in order to outline a historical evolution of the yoni symbol through the Middle Ages. Combining leftist Freudian, post-structuralist and post-gender theories with religious studies, the yoni will be considered both as a source of power and as a battlefield of sex–gender identity. In conclusion, this article will challenge the idea of a static yoni but will underline a sex–gender evolution of its identity, which encompasses and transcends both male and female powers.
Conceiving the Indian Buddhist Patriarchs, by Stuart H. Young.
Authors: Tull Herman
Published: September 2021

Conceiving the Indian Buddhist Patriarchs, by Stuart H. Young. Honolulu, HI: University of Hawaii Press, 2015. ix + 338 pp., $60.00 (hb). ISBN 9780824841201.
Poet with His Philosopher's Hat On
Authors: Livio Chiara
Published: September 2021

The present article is a preliminary study of a section of the seventeenth canto of Mankha's Srikanthacarita, a 'court epic' (mahakavya) in Sanskrit composed during the twelfth century in Kashmir. In the section in question (SKC 17.18-33), the author elaborates a praise of the god in the guise of a philosophical discussion introducing the views of different doctrines, with the scope of establishing the superiority of the 'non-dual' (advaita) Saivism from Kashmir. Mankha, however, does not criticize or diminish the previous traditions but borrows their concepts to enhance his own credo, making the section a successful example of inclusivism. What stands out is Siva's pervasiveness and oneness, which seems to be built upon the model of the philosophical Tantric school of the Pratyabhijna. While presenting the structure of the philosophical section, this study explores the influence of Utpaladeva (c.925-975 ce) and Abhinavagupta (c.975-1025 ce) on Mankha's ideology.
COVID-19 as a zoonotic infection
Authors: Kulichenko A. N. , Maletskaya O. V. , Sarkisyan N. S. , Volynkina A. S.
Published: September 2021

Here we discuss the issues for attributing the new coronavirus infection COVID-19 to zoonoses based on the data on probable origin of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, the possible formation of its reservoir in animals (bats) as well as human susceptibility. Today, the dominant point of view is that the outbreak of COVID-19 arose as a result of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus overcoming the interspecies barrier, acquiring ability to infect and spread in human population. Comparative phylogenetic analysis at the molecular level showed that SARS-CoV-2 is genetically closest to bat coronaviruses, particularly to the RmYN02 and RaTG13 strains isolated from the horseshoe bat, a species considered to be the main host of SARSCoV and MERS-CoV coronaviruses. The ability of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus to infect various wild animal has been revealed. SARS-CoV-2 has been found in minks on farms in the Netherlands with mortality rates ranging from 1.2 to 2.4%. While infecting rhesus monkeys with the SARS-CoV-2, it resulted in productive infection and detected viremia. Cats have been found to be susceptible hosts for the human SARS-CoV-2 virus. A likely explanation for this lies in the high similarity between the human and feline counterpart of the ACE2 receptor. It has been shown that dogs can become infected but transmit no virus to other animals. To date, over the entire period of the pandemic the World Organization for Animal Health provides no information about cases of human infection transmitted from pets. Thus, there is no evidence that animals play a role in the spread of SARS-CoV-2 among people during the current period of the pandemic. Human outbreaks are caused by human-to-human virus transmission, and based on the currently available information, the risk of spreading COVID-19 from animals is considered low. More research is needed to understand how COVID-19 can affect animals of a wide variety of species and how big might be the risks of infection transmission from them to humans.
Enhancing the specific T cell immune response against micro- and nanoparticle immobilized antigen
Authors: Sakhabeev R. G. , Polyakov D. S. , Goshina A. D. , Vishnya A. A. , Kudryavtsev I. V. , Sinitcina E. S. , Korzhikov-Vlakh V. А. , Tennikova T. B. , Shavlovsky M. M.
Published: September 2021

The current study was a part of the project on generating viral particle traps occurring due to covalent immobilization on the interface of recombinant virus-specific polymer-based nano- and microparticles. It is assumed that protein-particle conjugates could be able to bind virions followed by engulfment by immune cells. The study was aimed to examine the effect of polylactic acid (PLA) and PLA block-copolymer with polyethylene glycol (PLA-PEG)-based micro- and nanoparticles on the cellular immune response against polymeric particle-bound antigen. Materials and methods. A recombinant chimeric protein beta-2-microglobulin — green fluorescent protein (β2M-sfGFP) was obtained by affine chromatography. The recombinant protein was immobilized onto the polymer particles, which were further used for mice immunization. Female F1 hybrid mice (CBA x C57BL) in experimental and control groups consisted of 4–6-month-old 15 animals (weighted 20–25 g). Intracellular cytokine staining was used to evaluate the cellular immune response. Results and discussion. It was shown that the nanoparticles of PLA block-copolymer with polyethylene glycol (PLA-PEG) were able to bind 10 microgram protein per 1 mg polymer. The polylactic acid nanoparticles were able to bind 2,3 microgram protein per 1 mg polymer. In experiment, mice in group 1 were immunized with 100 nm PLA-PEG particle-β2M-sfGFP conjugate, in group 2 — with same particles together with soluble β2M-sfGFP. In group 3, mice were immunized with 1400 nm PLA particles-β2M-sfGFP conjugate, and in group 4 — with same particles together with soluble protein. The spleens isolated 2 weeks after the four-time intraperitoneal immunization. Comparison of immune response between groups was assessed by nonparametric Kruskal–Wallis criterion with Tukey correction. It was shown that the number of antigen-specific CD4+ T cells produced to model protein was significantly higher after immunization with particle-β2M-sfGFP conjugate, as compared to control groups, wherein immunization was performed with a mixture of protein and unmodified particles (p 0.001). It was found that the number of antigen-specific CD8+ T cells formed against β2m-sfGFP did not differ between all groups examined.
Features of antifungal therapy during long-lasting infectious process: a clinical case of fungal keratitis and profile of antifungal sensitivity based on assessing biofilm formation
Authors: Valieva R. I. , Lisovskaya S. A. , Mayanskaya K. A. , Samigullin D. V. , Isaeva G. Sh.
Published: September 2021

Among infectious diseases, opportunistic mycoses hold a special place. There has been accumulating a lot of evidence regarding the clinical and epidemiological aspects of infection caused by Fusarium spp., which global incidence rate among microbial keratitis ranges from 2 to 40% depending on the geographical location of the country. Colonizing mucous membranes, fungi can exist not only in the form of plankton, but form biofilms after surface attachment, which leads to elevated resistance to multiple antifungal agents. Here we describe a clinical case of fungal keratitis due to Fusarium solani by determining profile of the antifungal sensitivity for isolated fungal strains, by taking into account their potential for biofilm formation. We used an F. solani culture isolated from the patient as well as F. solani test culture obtained from the Russian National Collection of Microorganisms. While determining the sensitivity of fungal planktonic cultures to antifungal agents from the azole group (fluconazole, voriconazole), amphotericin B and terbinafine, it was revealed that antimycotics amphotericin B and voriconazole exerted a marked antifungal activity against clinical isolate, whereas the plankton F. solani test culture was more sensitive to all groups of antifungal agents. Due to a long-lasting progressive course of the infectious process and the high biofilm-forming ability of the clinical strain F. solani, the activity of antifungal agents on biofilm cells was modeled and examined in vitro. It was shown that regarding to the fungal biofilms, value of the minimally inhibitory concentration exceeded those for planktonic cultures by 100-fold. The mechanisms of action for antifungal agents on vital parameters of fungal cell structures were analyzed by using confocal laser scanning microscopy after staining samples with propidium iodide and acridine orange for 15 min to detect changes between intact and damaged cell surface. It was found that within the biofilm fungal cells preserved viability even after exposure to high concentrations of antifungals. In addition, despite the fungicidal drug activity at substantial concentrations acting on the biofilm cell membrane, the cell nuclei remained viable. Owing to the presence ot the mechanism of resistance in mycelial fungi shown in the study, it is necessary to take into account and investigate characteristics of biofilms in terms of drug sensitivity that will allow to optimize a choice of antimicrobial therapy.
Metal nanoparticle antibacterial effect оn antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria
Authors: Udegova E. S. , Gildeeva K. A. , Rukosueva T. V. , Baker S.
Published: September 2021

The rapid formation of microbial resistance to modern antibacterial drugs requires to search for new, alternative therapies. It is known that some organisms, such as plants, algae, fungi, are able to convert inorganic metal ions into metal nanoparticles due to the recovery process carried out by proteins, sugars and metabolites contained in the tissues and cells of these organisms. At the same time, many plants (e.g., plantain, yarrow, wormwood, turmeric long, calendula, marsh bagulnik, etc.) and metals (copper, silver, gold, zinc, etc.) themselves have antibacterial properties, so that metal nanoparticles obtained by biological method, or via “Green” synthesis method, from extracts of such plants can become a current alternative to many modern antibacterial drugs. The antibacterial mechanism of action of nanoparticles depends on the type of microorganisms affected, as well as on the type of nanoparticles, their concentration, size, and how they are obtained. Based on this, the study of the antibacterial effect of nanoparticles is one of the promising directions of solving the problem of microbial antibiotic resistance. There was examined antibacterial effect of metal nanoparticles containing silver, copper and gold obtained by biological method from the salts of AgNO3, CuSO4, H[AuCl4] metals, respectively, and the extract of the plant — turmeric long (lat. Curcuma longa) — related to the following bacteria strain collection: E. coli (ATCC 25922), S. aureus (ATCC 25923), MRSA (ATCC 38591) and polyresistant clinical strains isolated from patients of the Regional clinical hospital (Krasnoyarsk) — К. рneumoniae, strain 104, P. аeruginosa, strain 40, P. аeruginosa, strain 215, А. baumannii, strain 210, А. baumannii, strain 211. Study allowed to identify the minimum suppressive concentration of nanoparticles by the method of serial dilutions (MUK 4.2.1890-04) with azurin dye. It was proved that metal nanoparticles exhibit different antibacterial efficacy depending on the type of nanometals used and bacterial cultures. Copper nanoparticles have the highest antibacterial activity, and gold nanoparticles have the lowest. The most marked antibacterial effect was observed against clinical polyresistant strains. Metal nanoparticles can become an alternative to the currently known antibacterial drugs, but despite the high efficiency of nanoparticles against polyresistant to antibacterial drugs microorganisms in vitro, it is necessary to take into account their possible toxic effect on live tissues, which requires further study in experiments in vivo.
AR-GE / TASARIM MERKEZİ NEDİR? TÜRKİYE’DE AR-GE ve TASARIM MERKEZİ KURULUM SÜRECİNE İLİŞKİN BİR ARAŞTIRMA
Authors: KARAKUŞ Güzide
Published: September 2021

Araştırma ve Geliştirme faaliyetleri işletmeler için verimliliği ve karlılığı arttırmada önemli bir gereklilik olmak ile birlikte ülke yönetimleri için de ekonomik ve sosyal refahın anahtarıdır. Devletler katma değeri yüksek ürünler üreten işletmeleriyle büyür ve küresel kararlarda etkin rol oynayabilirler. Bu farkındalık ile birlikte kamu otoriteleri uzun yıllardan beri işletmelerin yeni veya önemli ölçüde iyileştirilmiş ürün, hizmet ve süreç geliştirme faaliyetlerine yönelmesi için Araştırma ve Geliştirme (Ar-Ge) yatırımlarını arttırmaya yönelik çeşitli teşvikler sunmaktadırlar.

Türkiye’de de 2008 tarihinde yayınlanan 5746 Sayılı “Araştırma, Geliştirme ve Tasarım Faaliyetlerinin Desteklenmesi Hakkında Kanun” ile birlikte Ar-Ge ve Tasarım Merkezi kavramları tanımlanmıştır. Kanun doğrultusunda Ar-Ge faaliyetlerine yönelik kamu desteklerinin tek noktada birleştirilmesi, teşviklerin daha sistemli ve izlenebilir bir biçimde sunulması ve çıktıların ölçülebilmesi hedeflenmiştir. Bu çalışmada öncelikle Ar-Ge ve Tasarım merkezinin ne olduğu ve kurulum süreci hakkında bilgi verilmiştir. Uygulama bölümünde ilk olarak bir işletmenin Ar-Ge/Tasarım Merkezi olma süreci içerisinde yer alınarak süreç gereklilikleri ve oluşum aşamaları ortaya konulmuştur. Arkasından konu hakkında danışmanlık faaliyeti yürüten bir işletmenin gözlem ve değerlendirmeleri doğrultusunda Ar-Ge ve Tasarım merkezi kurulum sürecinde karşılaşılan sorunlar belirlenmiş ve Pareto Prensibi doğrultusunda analiz edilmiştir. Çalışmanın sonuçlarının yasa koyucular, uygulayıcılar ve alanda çalışan akademisyenler için fayda sağlaması hedeflenmiştir.
ECONOMIC IMPACT OF SYRIAN REFUGEES ON TURKISH ECONOMY
Authors: KAYA Oya , AYDIN Üzeyir
Published: September 2021

The aim of this study is to analyze such impacts on inflation, unemployment rate, economic development, and housing demand as from 2011. For this reason, the subject of this research is defined as “The Impact of Syrian Refugees on Turkish Economy”. Within this frame, “Is migration an economic and demographic solution for the ageing population and work force due to sector specific supply deficiencies?”, or “Could migration be deemed as a risk due to additional burden on social savings and public finance, increase of general price levels, and increased unemployment?” have been determined as the primary problems of this paper. We researched and analyzed the number of Syrian refugees, economic growth, unemployment rate, housing demand, and overall level of prices in between 2012 – 2019 based on the quarterly data. Total statistical information, relevant to Syrian refugees, was obtained from the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), and rest of the data was obtained from Turkish Statistical Institute (TÜİK). In order to make the analysis of Syrian refugees with respect to the Turkish Economy, we primarily used the parameter of time. Hence, the research was performed both for short and long terms. And we used Johansen cointegration, Granger causality, VAR (Vector Autoregressive Model), and Impulse-Response function models. Based on the results obtained, there are no negative impacts on the Turkish economy in the short term, yet negative impacts will be faced in the long term. As a result, the increase of the number of refugees is significantly affecting the unemployment rate, and it is actually creating a horizontal effect on inflation and housing demand. We finalized the research by the results of the analyses performed as well as the contribution of political designs’ and key feedbacks’ projections.
Culture and Igbo notions of masculinity in Nigerian children’s literature
Authors: Ayodabo Sunday Joseph
Published: September 2021

Children’s literature conveys the cultural and indigenous artistic experiences of the people to whom it is attributed. Earlier studies on modern Nigerian children’s literature focus mainly on the representation of moral etiquette with little attention to gender. The twin theme of culture and masculinity has not been paid close attention by scholars of children’s literature in Nigeria. In applying Igbo notions of masculinity, in this article I examine the role of oral tradition and culture in the construction of masculine identity in children’s literature in Nigeria using Ifeanyi Ifoegbuna’s Folake and Her Four Brothers, Anthonia Ekpa’s Edidem Eyamba and the Edikang-Ikong Soup, and Ikechukwu Ebonogwu’s The Champion of Echidime. I show how the ideals of masculinity, as visible and permissible in the traditional Igbo society, are, in particular, constructed and communicated through various oral and cultural norms such as praise poetry, war songs and dance, wrestling, and drumming. I reveal that oral and cultural traditions in children’s literature reflect attributes such as strength, toughness, honour, protection, respect, heterosexual desirability, and the projection of self-pride as acceptable and embraced masculine values among the Igbo in Nigeria. I also demonstrate how oral and cultural tradition is replete with masculine ideologies and messages that promote male dominance in the Igbo society.
Impacto de las infografías en la retención de información de estudiantes de Psicología
Authors: Bernal-Gamboa Luis Rodolfo , Guzmán-Cedillo Yunuen Ixchel
Published: September 2021

En este artículo de investigación, se presenta un estudio cuyo objetivo fue evaluar el impacto de la implementación de infografías en la retención informativa, por parte de estudiantes universitarios. Para el desarrollo de este texto, se trabajó con 100 estudiantes divididos en dos grupos del segundo año de la carrera de Psicología de la unam. A los participantes se les mostró la temática a través de material producido por los docentes, donde a la mitad se les presentó infografías, mientras que la otra mitad recibió la misma información con diapositivas. Todos los estudiantes realizaron dos evaluaciones: la primera se realizó inmediatamente después de finalizadas las exposiciones de la temática; mientras que la segunda evaluación se condujo un mes después de la presentación. Los resultados obtenidos por una anova no mostraron diferencias estadísticamente significativas en la primera evaluación, sin embargo, las personas que recibieron la exposición de los temas con las infografías mostraron una mayor retención un mes después, en comparación con el otro grupo.
La educación preescolar vista a través de NO-DO (1943-1975): un proyecto benéfico-asistencial
Authors: Molina Poveda María Dolores
Published: September 2021

En 1939 se instauró en España la dictadura franquista cuya misión principal era retornar a los valores e ideales tradicionales de España entre los que primaba que la función de la mujer era el hogar y el cuidado de los hijos, mientras que la función del hombre era trabajar para conseguir un salario con el que mantener a su familia. Esta concepción de la mujer hizo que el nuevo régimen no se preocupase por las mujeres que sí tenían que acceder al mercado laboral y, como consecuencia, por la demanda de éstas de un espacio donde sus hijos fuesen atendidos. No obstante, organismos como Auxilio Social y las Cajas de Ahorros fundaron guarderías en las zonas rurales y obreras en las que atender a estos menores proporcionándoles los cuidados que las madres no podían darles por tener que trabajar fuera del hogar. NO-DO nació en 1943 como medio propagandístico audiovisual del régimen y en él se emitieron algunas de estas guarderías y hogares infantiles (impulsados por Auxilio Social donde se acogían a los niños que no tenían familia). El número de noticiarios y reportajes proyectados sobre estos espacios escolares fue muy reducido, aunque en todos ellos se destacaba que los niños eran atendidos en las mejores condiciones y según las normas pedagógicas más avanzadas entre las que primaba el juego.
Transmisión del conocimiento etnobotánico en una comunidad campesina de los Andes colombianos
Authors: Husain-Talero Soraya
Published: September 2021

El artículo de investigación analiza la transmisión del conocimiento etnobotánico en niños y jóvenes campesinos de los Andes colombianos. La transmisión del conocimiento se entiende como un proceso cultural y educativo que se fundamenta en contenidos actuantes en diversos ámbitos de socialización, incluyendo la familia y la escuela. Así, mediante una metodología etnográfica que incluyó observación participante, entrevistas abiertas y semiestructuradas y talleres con niños, niñas y jóvenes, se analiza la transmisión de los contenidos, los contextos de transmisión, sus implicaciones en las formas de valorar las plantas y su relación con los roles de género. Los resultados demuestran que los conocimientos etnobotánicos se transmiten de manera efectiva cuando hay claridad en la exposición, un medio de transmisión apropiado, un cierto grado de motivación y una capacidad mental adecuada para entender la experiencia. Se concluye que la transmisión del conocimiento etnobotánico es dinámica y se encuentra mediada por los roles de género. Niños y niñas demostraron un vínculo fuerte con la naturaleza, a pesar de que las niñas poseen un mayor conocimiento etnobotánico y los niños desarrollan habilidades para la comercialización; además, existen algunas pérdidas de conocimiento dado que a los jóvenes poco les interesa las labores del campo. Estos hallazgos son relevantes, puesto que permiten cuestionar los modelos de transmisión de conocimiento actuales, junto con las oportunidades que tendrán las futuras generaciones dentro de la nueva ruralidad.