bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Driver Emotions Recognition Based on Improved Faster R-CNN and Neural Architectural Search Network
Authors: Zaman Khalid , Sun Zhaoyun , Shah Sayyed Mudassar , Shoaib Muhammad , Pei Lili , Hussain Altaf
Published: March 2022

It is critical for intelligent vehicles to be capable of monitoring the health and well-being of the drivers they transport on a continuous basis. This is especially true in the case of autonomous vehicles. To address the issue, an automatic system is developed for driver’s real emotion recognizer (DRER) using deep learning. The emotional values of drivers in indoor vehicles are symmetrically mapped to image design in order to investigate the characteristics of abstract expressions, expression design principles, and an experimental evaluation is conducted based on existing research on the design of driver facial expressions for intelligent products. By substituting a custom-created CNN features learning block with the base 11 layers CNN model in this paper for the development of an improved faster R-CNN face detector that detects the driver’s face at a high frame per second (FPS). Transfer learning is performed in the NasNet large CNN model in order to recognize the driver’s various emotions. Additionally, a custom driver emotion recognition image dataset is being developed as part of this research task. The proposed model, which is a combination of an improved faster R-CNN and transfer learning in NasNet-Large CNN architecture for DER based on facial images, enables greater accuracy than previously possible for DER based on facial images. The proposed model outperforms some recently updated state-of-the-art techniques in terms of accuracy. The proposed model achieved the following accuracy on various benchmark datasets: JAFFE 98.48%, CK+ 99.73%, FER-2013 99.95%, AffectNet 95.28%, and 99.15% on a custom-developed dataset.
Robust Nonlinear Non-Referenced Inertial Frame Multi-Stage PID Controller for Symmetrical Structured UAV
Authors: Takaoğlu Faruk , Alshahrani Ali , Ajlouni Naim , Ajlouni Firas , Al Kasasbah Basil , Özyavaş Adem
Published: March 2022

The design and implementation of a multi-stage PID (MS-PID) controller for non-inertial referenced UAVs are highly complex. Symmetrical multirotor UAVs are unstable systems, and it is thought that the kinematics of the symmetrical UAV rotor, such as the quadrotor and hexacopter resembles the kinematics of an inverted pendulum. Several researchers have investigated the structure and design of PID controllers for high-order systems during the last decade. The designs were always concerned with the enhanced response, robustness, model reduction and performance of PID controllers. An accurate tuning process of such a controller depends on the engineer’s experience level. This is due to the number of variables and hyperparameters tuned during the process. An adaptive genetic algorithm (AGA) is utilized to optimize the MS-PID controllers for controlling the quadrotor in this study. The proposed method optimizes the offline-planned approach, providing several possibilities for adapting the controllers with various paths and or varying weather conditions. The MS-PID parameters are optimized in parallel, as every PID controller affects the other controller’s behavior and performance. Furthermore, the proposed AGA generates new chromosomes for “new solutions” by randomly developing new solutions close to the previous best values, which will prevent any local minima solution. This study intends to investigate the design and development of a highly tuned robust multi-stage PID controller for a symmetrical multirotor UAV. The work presents a model for a non-referenced inertial frame multirotor UAV (quadcopter). Once the model is defined, a robust multi-stage PID controller for the non-inertial referenced frame symmetrical multirotor UAV is designed, tuned, and tested. A genetic algorithm (GA) will be used to tune the MS-PID controller. Finally, the performance comparison between the proposed and conventional methods is presented. The results show that the proposed method provides stability improvement, better transient response, and power consumption.
On the Inner Horizon Instability of Non-Singular Black Holes
Authors: Di Filippo Francesco , Carballo-Rubio Raúl , Liberati Stefano , Pacilio Costantino , Visser Matt
Published: March 2022

Regular black holes represent a conservative model in which the classical singularity is replaced by a non-singular core without necessarily modifying the spacetime outside the trapping horizon. Given the possible lack of phenomenological signatures, it is crucial to study the consistency of the model. In this short work, we review the physical mechanism leading to the instability of the central core, arguing that that non-perturbative backreation is non-negligible and must be taken into account to provide a meaningful description of physical black holes.
Are Quantum-Classical Hybrids Compatible with Ontological Cellular Automata?
Authors: Elze Hans-Thomas
Published: March 2022

Based on the concept of ontological states and their dynamical evolution by permutations, as assumed in the Cellular Automaton Interpretation (CAI) of quantum mechanics, we address the issue of whether quantum-classical hybrids can be described consistently in this framework. We consider chains of ‘classical’ two-state Ising spins and their discrete deterministic dynamics as an ontological model with an unitary evolution operator generated by pair-exchange interactions. A simple error mechanism is identified, which turns them into quantum mechanical objects: chains of qubits. Consequently, an interaction between a quantum mechanical and a ‘classical’ chain can be introduced and its consequences for this quantum-classical hybrid can be studied. We found that such hybrid character of composites, generally, does not persist under interactions and, therefore, cannot be upheld consistently, or even as a fundamental notion à la Kopenhagen interpretation, within CAI.
Kelvin–Helmholtz Waves on the Magnetopause at the Lunar Distances under Southward IMF: ARTEMIS Observations
Authors: Zhou Yue , Lu Jianyong , Wang Ming
Published: March 2022

The Kelvin–Helmholtz (KH) instability, a common phenomenon widely observed at the magnetopause, plays an important role in plasma transport while reconnection at low latitude is less efficient during the northward interplanetary magnetic field (IMF). In this study, we analyze the magnetic field and plasma observations obtained by the Acceleration, Reconnection, Turbulence, and Electrodynamics of Moon’s Interaction with the Sun (ARTEMIS) spacecraft located near the lunar orbit and find KH waves under the southward IMF at the lunar-orbit magnetopause. We also calculate the dominant period, phase velocity, and wavelength of the KH waves and further compare this event with the KH waves seen at the flank magnetopause under the southward IMF, which indicates that the wavelength increases as the distance from the subsolar point increases. The observations also show that the KH waves at lunar distance under the southward IMF are characterized by irregularity and intermittence.
Dust in Clusters of Galaxies
Authors: Shchekinov Yuri A. , Nath Biman B. , Vasiliev Evgenii O.
Published: March 2022

The presence of dust in the intracluster medium (ICM) has been a long-standing problem that is still awaiting elucidation. Direct observational diagnostics are rather challenging (though not impossible) either because of a sparse distribution of dust in the intracluster space that makes extinction measurements difficult or because of a low surface brightness of infrared emission from dust. Complex indirect approaches are currently available that can overcome uncertainties and provide a reasonable understanding of the basic regulations of the physical state of dust in the ICM. Contrary to the common opinion that the hot ICM does not allow dust to survive and manifest, many sparse observational data either directly point out that dust exists in the intracluster space or its presence is consistent with the data. Highly divergent data in direct evidence and highly uncertain indirect indicators are often connected either with dust fragility in a hot environment, the possible compactness of spatial (clumpy) dust distribution in the ICM, or dynamical features of dust transport. The source of dust is obviously connected with galaxies, and it turns out that in most cases, dust is carried from galaxies into the ICM while being thermally and dynamically shielded against the hostile influence of high-energy ions. In this review, we briefly discuss related issues from observational and theoretical points of view, including the transport of dust into the ICM, and the associated destructive and protective mechanisms and their characteristic time scales.
Variation in Thermal Stability among Respiratory Syncytial Virus Clinical Isolates under Non-Freezing Conditions
Authors: Kitai Yuki , Sato Ko , Shirato Kazuya , Ohmiya Suguru , Watanabe Oshi , Kisu Tomoko , Ota Reiko , Takeda Makoto , Kawakami Kazuyoshi , Nishimura Hidekazu
Published: March 2022

Virus isolates are not only useful for diagnosing infections, e.g., respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), but can also facilitate many aspects of practical viral studies such as analyses of antigenicity and the action mechanisms of antivirals, among others. We have been isolating RSV from clinical specimens from patients with respiratory symptoms every year since our first isolation of RSV in 1964, and isolation rates have varied considerably over the years. As collected clinical specimens are conventionally stored in a refrigerator from collection to inoculation into cells, we hypothesized that certain storage conditions or associated factors might account for these differences. Hence, we evaluated the thermal stability of a total of 64 viruses isolated from 1998 to 2018 upon storage at 4 °C and 20 °C for a defined duration. Interestingly, and contrary to our current understanding, 22 strains (34%) showed a greater loss of viability upon short-term storage at 4 °C than at 20 °C. Thirty-seven strains (57%) showed an almost equal loss, and only five strains (8%) were more stable at 4 °C than at 20 °C. This finding warrants reconsideration of the temperature for the temporary storage of clinical samples for RSV isolation.
Use of a Novel Detection Tool to Survey Orthohantaviruses in Wild-Caught Rodent Populations
Authors: Goodfellow Samuel M. , Nofchissey Robert A. , Ye Chunyan , Dunnum Jonathan L. , Cook Joseph A. , Bradfute Steven B.
Published: March 2022

Orthohantaviruses are negative-stranded RNA viruses with trisegmented genomes that can cause severe disease in humans and are carried by several host reservoirs throughout the world. Old World orthohantaviruses are primarily located throughout Europe and Asia, causing hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome, and New World orthohantaviruses are found in North, Central, and South America, causing hantavirus cardiopulmonary syndrome (HCPS). In the United States, Sin Nombre orthohantavirus (SNV) is the primary cause of HCPS with a fatality rate of ~36%. The primary SNV host reservoir is thought to be the North American deer mouse, Peromyscus maniculatus. However, it has been shown that other species of Peromyscus can carry different orthohantaviruses. Few studies have systemically surveyed which orthohantaviruses may exist in wild-caught rodents or monitored spillover events into additional rodent reservoirs. A method for the rapid detection of orthohantaviruses is needed to screen large collections of rodent samples. Here, we report a pan-orthohantavirus, two-step reverse-transcription quantitative real-time PCR (RT-qPCR) tool designed to detect both Old and New World pathogenic orthohantavirus sequences of the S segment of the genome and validated them using plasmids and authentic viruses. We then performed a screening of wild-caught rodents and identified orthohantaviruses in lung tissue, and we confirmed the findings by Sanger sequencing. Furthermore, we identified new rodent reservoirs that have not been previously reported as orthohantavirus carriers. This novel tool can be used for the efficient and rapid detection of various orthohantaviruses, while uncovering potential new orthohantaviruses and host reservoirs that may otherwise go undetected.
Inactivation Rates for Airborne Human Coronavirus by Low Doses of 222 nm Far-UVC Radiation
Authors: Welch David , Buonanno Manuela , Buchan Andrew G. , Yang Liang , Atkinson Kirk D. , Shuryak Igor , Brenner David J.
Published: March 2022

Recent research using UV radiation with wavelengths in the 200–235 nm range, often referred to as far-UVC, suggests that the minimal health hazard associated with these wavelengths will allow direct use of far-UVC radiation within occupied indoor spaces to provide continuous disinfection. Earlier experimental studies estimated the susceptibility of airborne human coronavirus OC43 exposed to 222-nm radiation based on fitting an exponential dose–response curve to the data. The current study extends the results to a wider range of doses of 222 nm far-UVC radiation and uses a computational model coupling radiation transport and computational fluid dynamics to improve dosimetry estimates. The new results suggest that the inactivation of human coronavirus OC43 within our exposure system is better described using a bi-exponential dose–response relation, and the estimated susceptibility constant at low doses—the relevant parameter for realistic low dose rate exposures—was 12.4 ± 0.4 cm2/mJ, which described the behavior of 99.7% ± 0.05% of the virus population. This new estimate is more than double the earlier susceptibility constant estimates that were based on a single-exponential dose response. These new results offer further evidence as to the efficacy of far-UVC to inactivate airborne pathogens.
Phage Therapy Potentiates Second-Line Antibiotic Treatment against Pneumonic Plague
Authors: Vagima Yaron , Gur David , Aftalion Moshe , Moses Sarit , Levy Yinon , Makovitzki Arik , Holtzman Tzvi , Oren Ziv , Segula Yaniv , Fatelevich Ella , Tidhar Avital , Zauberman Ayelet , Rotem Shahar , Mamroud Emanuelle , Steinberger-Levy Ida
Published: March 2022

Plague pandemics and outbreaks have killed millions of people during the history of humankind. The disease, caused by the bacteria Yersinia pestis, is currently treated effectively with antibiotics. However, in the case of multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria, alternative treatments are required. Bacteriophage (phage) therapy has shown efficient antibacterial activity in various experimental animal models and in human patients infected with different MDR pathogens. Here, we evaluated the efficiency of фA1122 and PST phage therapy, alone or in combination with second-line antibiotics, using a well-established mouse model of pneumonic plague. Phage treatment significantly delayed mortality and limited bacterial proliferation in the lungs. However, the treatment did not prevent bacteremia, suggesting that phage efficiency may decrease in the circulation. Indeed, in vitro phage proliferation assays indicated that blood exerts inhibitory effects on lytic activity, which may be the major cause of treatment inefficiency. Combining phage therapy and second-line ceftriaxone treatment, which are individually insufficient, provided protection that led to the survival of all infected animals—a synergistic protective effect that represents a proof of concept for efficient combinatorial therapy in an emergency event of a plague outbreak involving MDR Y. pestis strains.
KAP1 Positively Modulates Influenza A Virus Replication by Interacting with PB2 and NS1 Proteins in Human Lung Epithelial Cells
Authors: Feng Huapeng , Yi Ruonan , Wu Shixiang , Wang Genzhu , Sun Ruolin , Lin Liming , Zhu Shunfan , Nie Zhenyu , He Yulong , Wang Siquan , Wang Pei , Shu Jianhong , Wu Li
Published: March 2022

Influenza virus only encodes a dozen of viral proteins, which need to use host machinery to complete the viral life cycle. Previously, KAP1 was identified as one host protein that potentially interacts with influenza viral proteins in HEK 293 cells. However, the role of KAP1 in influenza virus replication in human lung alveolar epithelial cells and the underlying mechanism remains unclear. In this study, we first generated KAP1 KO A549 cells by CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing. KAP1 deletion had no significant effect on the cell viability and lack of KAP1 expression significantly reduced the influenza A virus replication. Moreover, we demonstrated that KAP1 is involved in the influenza virus entry, transcription/replication of viral genome, and viral protein synthesis in human lung epithelial cells and confirmed that KAP1 interacted with PB2 and NS1 viral proteins during the virus infection. Further study showed that KAP1 inhibited the production of type I IFN and overexpression of KAP1 significantly reduced the IFN-β production. In addition, influenza virus infection induces the deSUMOylation and enhanced phosphorylation of KAP1. Our results suggested that KAP1 is required for the replication of influenza A virus and mediates the replication of influenza A virus by facilitating viral infectivity and synthesis of viral proteins, enhancing viral polymerase activity, and inhibiting the type I IFN production.
First Detection and Identification of FAdV-8b as the Causative Agent of an Outbreak of Inclusion Body Hepatitis in a Commercial Broiler Farm in Greece
Authors: Tsiouris Vasileios , Mantzios Tilemachos , Kiskinis Konstantinos , Guérin Jean-Luc , Croville Guillaume , Brellou Georgia D. , Apostolopoulou Emmanouela P. , Petridou Evanthia J. , Georgopoulou Ioanna
Published: March 2022

Inclusion body hepatitis (IBH) is an economically important disease of chickens, with a worldwide distribution, caused by Fowl Aviadenoviruses (FAdVs). Currently, the increased number of cases, the virulence of the isolate strains, as well as the lack of cross-species protection highlight that detailed in-field data are fundamental for the development of successful control strategies. This case report provides a detailed clinicopathological investigation of an unusual IBH outbreak in a commercial broiler farm in the region of Macedonia, Greece. The farm consisted of 64,000 birds, originated from the same breeder stock and placed in three different houses (Flock A–C). At 20 days of age, a sudden increase in daily mortality was recorded in Flock A. It is worth mentioning that, although all flocks were serologically (indirect ELISA) and molecularly (RT-PCR) positive for FAdV, the mortality rate, attributed to IBH, was much higher in Flock A compared to others. The clinical manifestation included non-specific symptoms such as depression, inappetence, yellowish mucoid diarrhea, and lack of uniformity. At necropsy, typically, enlarged, pale, and friable livers were dominant, while sporadically lesions were recorded in the pancreas, kidneys, skeletal muscles, and lymphoid organs. The histopathological examination of liver samples showed multifocal inflammation, necrosis, and the presence of basophilic/ eosinophilic inclusion bodies in hepatocytes. In addition, the loss of the architecture of pancreatic lobules and the presence of fibrosis and foci of mononuclear cell aggregates were suggestive of chronic pancreatic inflammation. PCR analysis confirmed the presence of FAdV, belonging to species E, serotype FAdV-8b. Performance and financial calculations revealed that IBH increased Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR), feed cost/chick as well as feed cost/kg live weight, whereas the Livability (%) and the European Production Efficiency Factor (EPEF) were decreased in the most severely affected flocks (Flock A). This study is the first report of the detection and identification of FAdV serotypes associated with IBH in commercial broiler flocks in Greece. However, there is still a lack of information about the circulating FAdV serotypes in the country, and therefore epidemiological studies are needed to establish control strategies for IBH.
An Estimation of the Discharge Exponent of a Drip Irrigation Emitter by Response Surface Methodology and Machine Learning
Authors: Chen Xueli , Wei Zhengying , He Kun
Published: March 2022

The discharge exponent is a general index used to evaluate the hydraulic performance of emitters, which is affected by emitters’ structural parameters. Accurately estimating the effect of change in structural parameters on the discharge exponent is critical for the design and optimization of emitters. In this research, the response surface methodology (RSM) and two machine learning models, the artificial neural network (ANN) and support vector regression (SVR), are used to predict the discharge exponent of tooth-shaped labyrinth channel emitters. The input parameters consist of the number of channel units (N), channel depth (D), tooth angle (α), tooth height (H) and channel width (W). The applied models are assessed through the coefficient of determination (R2), root-mean-square error (RMSE) and mean absolute error (MAE). The analysis of variance shows that tooth height had the greatest effect on the discharge exponent. Statistical criteria indicate that among the three models, the SVR model has the highest prediction accuracy and the best robustness with an average R2 of 0.9696, an average RMSE of 0.0037 and an average MAE of 0.0031. The SVR model can quickly and accurately simulate the discharge exponent of emitters, which is conducive to the rapid design of the emitter.
Ice Phenology in Eurasian Lakes over Spatial Location and Altitude
Authors: Leppäranta Matti , Wen Lijuan
Published: March 2022

Eurasian freezing lakes cover an almost 180° wide longitude sector between the latitudes 30° and 75° N, and their altitudes range from below the sea surface level up to 5 km elevation. Ice phenology varies widely in this region. However, these variations and their influence factors have been little studied. Analytic models are applied here to examine these variations supported by historical ice and weather data. These models are forced by a linear air–lake heat exchange formula based on local empirical fits. The weather brings latitude–longitude–altitude patterns to the large-scale lake ice phenology. Freezing and breakup dates are forced by the local air temperature and solar radiation, and their rates of change are also important. In addition, freezing depends on lake depth and breakup depends on accumulated ice thickness. Lake depth provides a lag and radiation balance provides a shift with respect to the air temperature in cooling of the lake, and breakup is dictated by spring warming conditions and ice thickness. Due to solar radiation forcing, the common degree-day approach is biased for modelling ice phenology, especially in low latitudes. Analytic models provide a first-order tool for climate sensitivity of ice seasons. The freezing date and breakup date both change by around five days per one-degree shift in air temperature away from the climatological ice margin; however, at this margin, the sensitivity is higher.
Study on the Spatial and Temporal Distribution of Irrigation Water Requirements for Major Crops in Shandong Province
Authors: Zhang Peng , Ma Wandi , Hou Lei , Liu Fusheng , Zhang Qian
Published: March 2022

Understanding the spatial and temporal distribution of irrigation water requirements is significant to realize the rational allocation of water resources and also serves as the basis for analyzing agricultural water-saving potential. This study refers to the standard irrigation regions in southwestern, northern, central, southern, and eastern Shandong province. The irrigation water requirements at 20 weather stations in Shandong Province from 1968 to 2016 were calculated, and the spatial and temporal distribution characteristics were analyzed. The results indicated the following: (a) The trend of the annual irrigation water requirements for summer maize and winter wheat showed an insignificant increase in the eastern Shandong irrigation region, a significant decline in northern and southwestern Shandong irrigation regions, and an insignificant decrease in the other irrigation regions. (b) The multi-year average irrigation water requirement for summer maize generally presents a spatial distribution characteristic which is less in the southwest, more in the northeast, less in the south, and more in the north, while the spatial distribution characteristic for winter wheat is less in the southeast, more in the northwest, less in the south, and more in the north. (c) The main meteorological factors affecting the irrigation water requirements for summer maize are precipitation and sunshine duration, while relative humidity is the main factor affecting winter wheat in Shandong Province.
Affective sphere features in women of reproductive and menopausal periods during the pandemic of the novel coronavirus infection COVID-19
Authors:   FSBEI HE Saratov State Medical University named after V. I. Razumovsky of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Samoilova Dariya Dmitrievna , Tyapkina Dariya Andreevna ,   FSBEI HE Saratov State Medical University named after V. I. Razumovsky of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Boroday Aleksandra Aleksandrovna ,   FSBEI HE Saratov State Medical University named after V. I. Razumovsky of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Polidanov Maksim Andreevich ,   FSBEI HE Saratov State Medical University named after V. I. Razumovsky of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation
Published: March 2022

Relevance of problem. The new coronavirus infection COVID-19 was first reported in China in 2019 and began to spread very quickly around the world, causing the pandemic. COVID-19 has caused a wide range of psychological problems. Objective: to assess the level of depression, anxiety and stress in women of the reproductive and menopausal periods in the conditions of the pandemic of the novel coronavirus infection. Materials and methods. An anonymous questionnaire was conducted among the patients who were examined in September 2021 on the basis of the SHI SR Krasnoarmeyskaya Regional Hospital. The patients were divided into two groups. The first group included the patients of reproductive period aged from 23 to 44 years; the second group – of menopausal age, from 48 to 64 years. Results. The patients of the first group prevailed among those who were afraid of potential financial difficulties, severe social consequences, the lack of special COVID-19 therapy, the risk to the health and life of relatives and friends, and to their own lives, the high contagiousness of the virus, the lack of sales of protective equipment and the possible lack of medicines. The patients of the second group were more worried about the risk of prolonged isolation. The women of the reproductive period were more exposed to subclinically expressed anxiety, experienced an average level of stress and had a depressive disorder of moderate severity. The menopausal women were more characterized by low stress, mild depressive disorder and a normal level of anxiety. Conclusions. The women of reproductive age were more likely to worry about their own lives, as well as the health and lives of relatives and friends, the social consequences of the pandemic and the lack of medicines and special therapy COVID-19, and also suffered subclinically expressed anxiety to a greater extent. The women of menopausal period experienced low levels of stress and did not suffer from depression. The patients of menopausal age had a normal level of anxiety.
Methods of increasing the efficiency of the procurement process in private medical clinics
Authors:   Plekhanov Russian University of Economics, Efremova E.I.
Published: March 2022

The main purpose of the work is to study the experience of a certain company in the field of improving the efficiency and modernizing the procurement process. The tasks of the study include the assessment of the implementation of a new accounting system for the organization in the field of accounting, reporting and procurement, as well as the analysis of the functioning of the company’s own electronic trading platform. The tasks were solved on the basis of general scientific research methods, in particular, a comparative analysis of the aspects of the company’s performance before and after the introduction of the new procurement system was carried out, and a graphical interpretation of the results obtained was given. The subject of the research is the possible methods and ways to improve the efficiency of the procurement process. As an example, the activity of the Russian network of private clinics “AO Group of Companies “Medsi” is used. The company strives to continuously improve in all areas of the business. Thus, several years ago, “Medsi” began transforming the procurement sector. First, a new accounting system was introduced in the field of accounting, bookkeeping and procurement, then the company transferred the auction to its own electronic trading platform. These changes made it possible to achieve the desired result: shortening the lead time, reducing administrative and operational costs, optimizing the electronic trading process. The company’s experience can be useful for other participants in the procurement process in the context of digitalization and automation of the modern economy.
On the question of the methodology of the system economy
Authors: Islamutdinov V. ..
Published: March 2022

The article focuses on the crisis in economic science and the need for the formation of a new scientific paradigm. The pros and cons of the system economy, which claims to be a new paradigm in economic science, are considered. The insufficient elaboration of the methodology of the system economy, in particular, the weakness of the system approach, is revealed. It is shown that the system approach does not have sufficient explanatory and predictive power to become a methodological basis for the synthesis of economic science achievements. The general properties and features of economic systems that distinguish them from the entire variety of systems are revealed. It is emphasized that the main difference between economic systems is their ability not only to regulate the level of their entropy, but also to accumulate and use negative entropy - negentropy. Examples of the use of entropy terminology and methodology in economic research, both successful and unsuccessful, are described. It is proposed to turn to the primary sources and use the dynamics of thermodynamic and information entropy to study economic systems. It is shown how the dynamics of thermodynamic and information entropy are related to the economic behavior of socio-economic systems. The new opportunities provided by the inclusion of elements of the entropy approach in the methodology of the system economy are substantiated. Unsolved theoretical and methodological problems are identified.
Transformation of financial institutions of the states-members of the Eurasian economic union during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Beloborodko A. ..
Published: March 2022

The search for a balance between reproduction and consu-mption, the need to correct expenditures and the interconnection of national financial institutions have become one of the aspects of further economic integration of the EAEU countries in the period 2020-2021. The governing body of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), the Eurasian Economic Commission (EEC), proposed a fiscal reform to increase the economic growth rate of the union, which predetermined the need for a structural transformation of financial institutions aimed at stimulating innovation in the countries of the Eurasian region. The article analyzes the forecasts of experts from the Bank of Russia, the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank for the period 2021-2022 for the EAEU member states and assesses measures to restructure their financial institutions.
On the question of the investment attractiveness of shares of non-state pension funds
Authors: Andrianova L. ..
Published: March 2022

The issue of investment attractiveness of shares of non-state pension funds is considered in the context of the current state of the stock market of these large institutional investors and the peculiarities of their legal regulation. The author analyzes the essential characteristics of such an economic category as investment attractiveness, legislative provisions regarding the activities of Russian non-state pension funds and the circulation of their shares on the market. The author comes to the conclusion that there is no liquid market for NPF shares in Russia and that there are current conditions that reduce the attractiveness of the pension capital management business for strategic investors.
Interim results and lessons of the pension co-financing program
Authors: Taldonova S. ..
Published: March 2022

The article presents the preliminary results of the implementation of the Program of state co-financing of pensions and the results of the analysis carried out by the author according to the available data, which formed the basis of the conclusions and suggestions of the author on improving the effectiveness of the program for the voluntary funded part of the pension of citizens of the Russian Federation.
Problems of determining reliable beta values of Russian companies: analysis of the significance of the initial data period
Authors: Likhenko I. .. , Kogan A. ..
Published: March 2022

The subject of this work is the calculation of the beta (beta coefficient, systemic risk coefficient) of Russian companies to determine the price of their capital using the Capital Assets Pricing Model (CAPM). The purpose is to determine the influence of the duration of the period for which the initial data on the stock market are taken on the reliability of the beta coefficient value. The paper uses general scientific methods, financial methods (CAPM) and methods of mathematical statistics (regression analysis, the criteria of Fisher, Pearson, Student and Shapiro-Wilk). The calculations are based on information on the stock market provided by the Moscow Exchange and Yahoo Finance. The python language was used to collect information, Excel spreadsheets and its standard functions were used for processing it, as well as the STATISTICA program. As a result, the influence of the initial data period on the statistical characteristics of the beta coefficient is determined. The calculations were performed for the periods of 3 months, 1 year, 2 years and 5 years. The best results were obtained for a 2-year period. There are other factors that can affect the reliability of the beta coefficient. The authors continue their research to provide the economy with information about reliable values of beta coefficients of Russian companies.
State financing of companiesmetallurgical industry in conditions of volatility of world prices for non-ferrous metals
Authors: Panfilova E. ..
Published: March 2022

Currently, in the conditions of continuing sanctions pressure, as well as the consequences of the SARS-CoV-2019 pandemic, the metallurgical industry companies are facing acute issues of forming an effective structure of monetary capital and, in this regard, financial stability, since the provision of fixed and working capital that contribute to generating profits and increasing the value of the company as a whole will directly depend on the balance and cost of funding sources. The structure and cost of sources of financing of the monetary capital of companies in the non-ferrous metallurgy industry are directly influenced by the conjunctural factors of the industry, which determine the value of non-ferrous metals on the London Metal Exchange (LME) and on the Russian market. Due to the cyclical nature of economic development and the associated manifestations of crisis periods, there is a negative trend in terms of providing monetary capital with its own sources of financing against the background of the growth of borrowed capital and an unsatisfactory level of financial stability. In this regard, it seems appropriate to turn to the analysis of measures of state support for strategically important companies in the non-ferrous metallurgy industry in order to maintain domestic industry and maintain competitiveness in the Russian and world markets of non-ferrous metals. At the same time, public financing will contribute to leveling the manifestation of sectoral factors, the formation of an effective capital structure and the achievement of optimal financial stability.
Micro-crediting of small and medium-sized businessesin the Altai Republic
Authors: Glotko A. . , Lyaskin G. .
Published: March 2022

This article analyzes the specifics of regional microcredit within the framework of the subject of the Russian Federation - the Altai Republic. The theoretical, institutional and practical aspects of micro-crediting of business entities are disclosed. The role and place of microcredit in financial relations are shown. The evaluation of the results of the Fund for the Support of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises of the Altai Republic is given. The problems of structural inconsistency of the offer of microloans with the peculiarities of the regional conjuncture are revealed. New financial products for the segment of small and medium-sized businesses are proposed, taking into account regional demand.
Set in Stone? Discussing the early Upper Palaeolithic taxonomy using European and Levantine assemblages
Authors: Gennai Jacopo
Published: March 2022

The early Upper Palaeolithic marks the introduction at a continental scale of a fully-fledged laminar industry, and it is associated with the presence of Homo sapiens in the Near East and in Europe. For this period there are three commonly recognised early Upper Palaeolithic technocomplexes : the Early Aurignacian and the Protoaurignacian, in Europe, and the Early Ahmarian, in the Levant. They have been used to illustrate different dispersal routes and behavioural adaptations to climate change, different regional settings or to infer different land-use and mobility strategies. Still, there is no consensus on the criteria for assigning one lithic assemblage to a particular early Upper Palaeolithic technocomplex. The early Upper Palaeolithic assemblages from Banat are among those showing ambiguous results when observed through the current taxonomical lens. This paper evaluates the taxonomical stances comparing technological raw data from extensively published early Upper Palaeolithic sites in Europe and the Levant. The comparison of assemblages attributed to different technocomplexes reveals a much more homogenous picture than expected. Various behaviours that are ascribed to a particular technocomplex are widespread in others too, but they are overlooked because of unclear and non-standardised terminology. The present paper shows that trying to fit the archaeological record in abstract, short definitions leads to misunderstandings, with clear implications on the further conclusions made on human past behaviours. It further advocates for creating new shared criteria for analysing lithic assemblages and thus overcoming the taxonomical impasse.
Reinterpreting an intriguing osseous assamblage from Chitila-Fermă (Bucharest, Romania)
Authors: Mărgărit Monica , Bălășescu Adrian , Boroneanţ Adina
Published: March 2022

The 2001– 2004 archaeological excavations at Chitila-Fermă (Bucharest, Romania) uncovered features and archaeological materials attributed to 4th century BC– 1st century AD and the 2nd– 5th centuries AD. To the 2nd– 5th centuries AD were assigned a few osseous items interpreted by V. Boroneanț as bearing the remains of an ancient form of writing. This assemblage, curated nowadays at “ Vasile Pârvan” Institute of Archaeology in Bucharest makes the scope of the present paper. Our attempt focused on the morphology of the items and the operational sequence(s) they were subjected to prior to their discard. This inevitably led us to different conclusions regarding their function. Our own results, correlated to various publication and ethnographic parallels indicate they were used as anvils for sawtoothing iron sickles. Nevertheless, their presence at the site testifies to local metallurgical activities connected to the production and repairmen of iron sickles.
CRISPRi-mediated knock-down of PRDM1/BLIMP1 programs central memory differentiation in ex vivo-expanded human T cells
Authors: Azadbakht Mohammad , Sayadmanesh Ali , Nazer Naghme , Ahmadi Amirhossein , Hemmati Sara , Mohammadzade Hoda , Ebrahimi Marzieh , Baharvand Hossein , Khalaj Babak , Aghamaali Mahmoud Reza , Basiri Mohsen
Published: March 2022

Introduction: B lymphocyte-induced maturation protein 1 (BLIMP1) encoded by the positive regulatory domain 1 gene (PRDM1), is a key regulator in T cell differentiation in mouse models. BLIMP1-deficiency results in a lower effector phenotype and a higher memory phenotype. Methods: In this study, we aimed to determine the role of transcription factor BLIMP1 in human T cell differentiation. Specifically, we investigated the role of BLIMP1 in memory differentiation and exhaustion of human T cells. We used CRISPR interference (CRISPRi) to knock-down BLIMP1 and investigated the differential expressions of T cell memory and exhaustion markers in BLIMP1-deficient T cells in comparison with BLIMP1-sufficient ex vivo expanded human T cells. Results: BLIMP1-deficiency caused an increase in central memory (CM) T cells and a decrease in effector memory (EM) T cells. There was a decrease in the amount of TIM3 exhaustion marker expression in BLIMP1-deficient T cells; however, there was an increase in PD1 exhaustion marker expression in BLIMP1-deficient T cells compared with BLIMP1-sufficient T cells. Conclusion: Our study provides the first functional evidence of the impact of BLIMP1 on the regulation of human T cell memory and exhaustion phenotype. These findings suggest that BLIMP1 may be a promising target to improve the immune response in adoptive T cell therapy settings.
Evaluation of the effect of coenzyme Q10 supplementation along with scaling and root planing (SRP) on periodontal and gingival indices in controlled diabetic patients
Authors: Ghasemi Shima , Torab Zeinab , Shirmohammadi Adileh , Babaloo Amirreza , Johari Reza , Farhadi Farrokh , Mobasseri Majid , Mohammadi Hamidreza
Published: March 2022

Background. This clinical trial evaluated the effect of coenzyme Q10 supplementation along with scaling and root planing (SRP) on periodontal and gingival indices in controlled diabetic patients. Methods. Forty-two diabetic patients (controlled type), referred to the Department of Periodontics with chronic periodontitis and eligible for the study, were included in the study. Patients suffering from chronic periodontitis with a probing pocket depth of ≥5 mm in different quadrants of the oral cavity with radiographic evidence of bone loss were included in the present randomized, double-masked, placebo-controlled clinical trial. The subjects were instructed to take one capsule of coenzyme Q10 or a placebo every day for 30 days following SRP. Clinical parameters, i.e., plaque index (PI), gingival index (GI), bleeding on probing (BOP), clinical attachment level (CAL), and probing pocket depth (PPD), were recorded at baseline and four weeks after treatment by two masked and calibrated examiners. The study results were reported as (mean ± standard deviations) and frequencies (percentages). Results. One month after the intervention, PPD, CAL, BOP, and PI indices in the intervention group were significantly lower than those in the control group. One month after the intervention, the GI was similar in both groups. A significant decrease was observed in the GI in both groups after the intervention. Conclusion. The results of the present study showed that Q10 orally with scaling and root planing in patients with controlled diabetes with chronic periodontitis might accelerate the treatment process and significantly reduce the pocket depth.
A Comparative Study of the Impacts of Aloe vera Gel and Silver sulfadiazine Cream 1% on Healing, Itching and Pain of Burn Wounds: A Randomized Clinical Trial
Authors: Mahboub Maryam , Aghazadeh Attari Ahmad Mirza , Sheikhalipour Zahra , Mirza Aghazadeh Attari Mohammad , Davami Babak , Amidfar Alireza , Lotfi Mojgan
Published: March 2022

Abstract Introduction: Although several studies have highlighted the beneficial effects of Aloe vera on burn wounds, limited clinical evidence exists in this regard. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of the Aloe vera gel on healing, itching and pain of burn patients. Methods: This clinical trial was conducted at Sina Hospital in Tabriz, Iran. The patients with second and first degree burn wounds on symmetrical organs, were randomly assigned to control (n=34) and experimental (n=34) groups. The Aloe vera gel and Silver sulfadiazine cream were used in the experimental and control groups, respectively. To assess the healing effects, the Bates-Jensen Wound Assessment Tool was employed. Regarding itching and pain, Visual Analogue Scale was used for precise evaluation and comparison on days 1, 3, 5, 7, 9 and 14. The data were analyzed using SPSS version 13. Results: Although the wounds in both groups healed up completely within two weeks, the healing process among the patients in the experimental group was faster. The peak of wound itching was on day 7 in both groups. The wound itching significantly reduced half an hour after being dressed with Aloe vera gel. The wound pain in the experimental group was less than control group during the study period. Moreover, there was no pain in either experimental or control group on day 14. Conclusion: Aloe vera is an effective agent in reducing itching and pain, and it can substantially increase the rate of healing. Accordingly, this agent can be considered in the treatment of burn wounds.
Cell-penetrating peptide-surface modified liposomes to enhance the intestinal absorption of enoxaparin
Authors: Rostamian Hessam , Valizadeh Hadi , Mahmoudian Mohammad , Islambulchilar Ziba , Zakeri-Milani Parvin
Published: March 2022

Enoxaparin is low-molecular-weight heparin administered by subcutaneous/intravenous injection. The oral bioavailability of enoxaparin is restricted by its low absorption through the intestine. In this study cell-penetrating peptide-surface functionalized liposomes (CPPs-L) were prepared to improve the intestinal absorption of enoxaparin. Liposomal formulations were prepared by the ethanol injection method and the intestinal absorption of the formulation was evaluated using single-pass intestinal perfusion (SPIP) technique in rats. Meanwhile, the human fraction dose absorbed value (Fa (human)) of the formulations were predicted based on the calculated effective intestinal permeability (P effect (rat)) values obtained from the SPIP study. Liposomal enoxaparin revealed an increased intestinal absorption by ten-time compared with the free drug solution. Meanwhile, CPPs-L formulation revealed an enhanced intestinal absorption compared with the un-modified liposomal formulation. Regarding Fa (human), it is predicted that liposomal formulations could have the potential to improve the fraction dose absorbed of enoxaparin from low to intermediate level. Overall, the liposomal formulation can be considered as a mighty drug carrier for the oral delivery of enoxaparin.