bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Impact of concomitant tricuspid annuloplasty on right ventricular remodeling in patients with rheumatic mitral valve disease
Authors: Zhong Yue , Bai Wenjuan , Wang Hui , Qian Hong , Rao Li
Published: March 2021

Background

Studies on the management of functional tricuspid regurgitation (TR) during mitral valve operations have drawn inconsistent conclusions. This study was designed to compare the treatment strategy of concomitant tricuspid annuloplasty (TAP) against isolated mitral valve replacement (MVR) in rheumatic mitral valve disease patients, and to assess the effect of concomitant TAP on postoperative right ventricular (RV) remodeling and function.

Methods

One hundred-seventy patients with rheumatic mitral valve disease receiving MVR were categorized into TAP group (n = 124) and non-TAP group (n = 46). Clinical and echocardiographic data were collected preoperatively and at 1-year follow-up. Three-dimensional echocardiographic indices of RV geometry and function were analyzed.

Results

At baseline, concomitant TAP group had larger RV end-diastolic volume, more decreased RV ejection fraction and RV longitudinal strain than non-TAP group (all P <  0.001). At 1-year follow-up, TAP group had improved RV geometry and function. While adverse changes were observed in non-TAP group. In analysis of variance, the above indices demonstrated significant interaction with different treatment group (all P <  0.001). In multivariate regression analysis, independent of age and Maze procedure, concomitant TAP was associated with postoperative RV volume reduction (P <  0.001), improvement of RV ejection fraction (P <  0.001), and relieved postoperative functional TR severity (P = 0.025).

Conclusions

Our results suggest that concomitant TAP could improve RV remodeling and function for rheumatic mitral valve disease patients, while those with mild preoperative functional TR who had isolated MVR might experience RV dilation and deterioration of RV function at follow-up. Concomitant surgery for functional TR could be considered for patients undergoing MVR with rheumatic mitral valve disease.
LncRNA TUG1 regulates the development of ischemia-reperfusion mediated acute kidney injury through miR-494-3p/E-cadherin axis
Authors: Chen Li , Xu Jun-Ying , Tan Hong-Bao
Published: March 2021

Background

Acute kidney injury (AKI) results from renal dysfunction caused by various causes, resulting in high mortality. The underlying mechanisms of ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) induced AKI is very complicated and needed for further research. Here, we sought to found out the functions of lncRNA TUG1 in I/R-induced AKI.

Methods

In vivo model was constructed by I/R-induced mice and in vitro model was constructed by hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R)-induced HK-2 cell. Kidney tissue damage was evaluated through H&E staining in mice. Cell flow cytometry was used to detect the degree of apoptosis. TUG1, miR-494-3p and E-cadherin were determined both by RT-PCR and western blot. Dual luciferase assay was employed to validate the relationships between TUG1, miR-494-3p and E-cadherin. Inflammatory factors including IL-1β, TNFɑ and IL-6 were evaluated by ELISA.

Results

lncRNA TUG1 was decreased while miR-494-3p was elevated in vivo and in vitro. Overexpression of TUG1 or transfection with miR-494-3p inhibitor significantly alleviated cell apoptosis. MiR-494-3p directly targeted E-cadherin and TUG1 suppressed cell apoptosis via serving as a miR-494-3p sponge to disinhibit E-cadherin.

Conclusion

lncRNA TUG1 alleviated I/R-induced AKI through targeting miR-494-3p/E-cadherin.
Selective mediation of ovarian cancer SKOV3 cells death by pristine carbon quantum dots/Cu2O composite through targeting matrix metalloproteinases, angiogenic cytokines and cytoskeleton
Authors: Chen Daomei , Li Bin , Lei Tao , Na Di , Nie Minfang , Yang Yepeng , Congjia  , Xie  , He Zijuan , Wang Jiaqiang
Published: March 2021

It was shown that some nanomaterials may have anticancer properties, but lack of selectivity is one of challenges, let alone selective suppression of cancer growth by regulating the cellular microenvironment. Herein, we demonstrated for the first time that carbon quantum dots/Cu2O composite (CQDs/Cu2O) selectively inhibited ovarian cancer SKOV3 cells by targeting cellular microenvironment, such as matrix metalloproteinases, angiogenic cytokines and cytoskeleton. The result was showed CQDs/Cu2O possessed anticancer properties against SKOV3 cells with IC50 = 0.85 μg mL−1, which was approximately threefold lower than other tested cancer cells and approximately 12-fold lower than normal cells. Compared with popular anticancer drugs, the IC50 of CQDs/Cu2O was approximately 114-fold and 75-fold lower than the IC50 of commercial artesunate (ART) and oxaliplatin (OXA). Furthermore, CQDs/Cu2O possessed the ability to decrease the expression of MMP-2/9 and induced alterations in the cytoskeleton of SKOV3 cells by disruption of F-actin. It also exhibited stronger antiangiogenic effects than commercial antiangiogenic inhibitor (SU5416) through down-regulating the expression of VEGFR2. In addition, CQDs/Cu2O has a vital function on transcriptional regulation of multiple genes in SKOV3 cells, where 495 genes were up-regulated and 756 genes were down-regulated. It is worth noting that CQDs/Cu2O also regulated angiogenesis-related genes in SKOV3 cells, such as Maspin and TSP1 gene, to suppress angiogenesis. Therefore, CQDs/Cu2O selectively mediated of ovarian cancer SKOV3 cells death mainly through decreasing the expression of MMP-2, MMP-9, F-actin, and VEGFR2, meanwhile CQDs/Cu2O caused apoptosis of SKOV3 via S phase cell cycle arrest. These findings reveal a new application for the use of CQDs/Cu2O composite as potential therapeutic interventions in ovarian cancer SKOV3 cells.
Electronic cigarettes in standard smoking cessation treatment by tobacco counselors in Flanders: E-cigarette users show similar if not higher quit rates as those using commonly recommended smoking cessation aids
Authors: Adriaens Karolien , Belmans Eline , Van Gucht Dinska , Baeyens Frank
Published: March 2021

Background

This interventional-cohort study tried to answer if people who smoke and choose an e-cigarette in the context of smoking cessation treatment by tobacco counselors in Flanders are achieving smoking abstinence and how they compare to clients who opt for commonly recommended (or no) aids (nicotine replacement therapy, smoking cessation medication).

Methods

Participants were recruited by tobacco counselors. They followed smoking cessation treatment (in group) for 2 months. At several times during treatment and 7 months after quit date, participants were asked to fill out questionnaires and to perform eCO measurements.

Results

One third of all participants (n = 244) achieved smoking abstinence 7 months after the quit date, with e-cigarette users having higher chances to be smoking abstinent at the final session compared to NRT users. Point prevalence abstinence rates across all follow-up measurements, however, as well as continuous and prolonged smoking abstinence, were similar in e-cigarette users and in clients having chosen a commonly recommended (or no) smoking cessation aid. No differences were obtained between smoking cessation aids with respect to product use and experiences.

Conclusions

People who smoke and choose e-cigarettes in the context of smoking cessation treatment by tobacco counselors show similar if not higher smoking cessation rates compared to those choosing other evidence-based (or no) smoking cessation aids.
Just beautiful green herbs: use of plants in cultural practices in Bukovina and Roztochya, Western Ukraine
Authors: Stryamets N. , Fontefrancesco M. F. , Mattalia G. , Prakofjewa J. , Pieroni A. , Kalle R. , Stryamets G. , Sõukand R.
Published: March 2021

Background

The use of plants in rituals is a little explored corner of biocultural diversity which has developed through time within a complex socio-ecological system. Indeed, rituals are complex interactions between humans and biodiversity shaped by history, culture, and ethnic belonging. Yet, in Western Ukraine, such rituals were forbidden for over 50 years (1939–1991). The current revival of rituals by rural inhabitants is an untapped reservoir of local ecological knowledge. The aim of the present study was to identify the ritual use of wild and cultivated plants in two regions of Western Ukraine, Bukovina and Roztochya, and to compare the findings with historical data. Moreover, we analyzed attitudes toward the ritual use of plants and interactions with the local environment.

Methods

We conducted 31 in-depth semi-structured interviews among Orthodox Hutsuls of Bukovina and 16 interviews among Greek Catholic rural inhabitants of Roztochya during summer 2018 focusing on the ritual uses of plants.

Results

We documented  28 plant taxa among Bukovinian Hutsuls and 58 plant taxa among inhabitants in Roztochya that were used in 7 religious festivals (of which two were celebrated differently in the two communities). Plants were mainly used in bouquets, but also for decorating churches and houses or in fruit baskets. In both communities, almost 25% of the interviewees could not name the plants they collected for bouquets, but rather referred to “just beautiful green herbs” one can get in meadows, forests, and gardens. Comparison with historical data shows a smaller number of taxa currently used (wild taxa have been lost), yet the persistence of 18 taxa used both now and a century ago.

Conclusions

Contemporary practices concerning the use of plants in Christian rituals in Bukovina and Roztochya can be contextualized in the broader phenomenon of the revitalization of traditional environmental knowledge and practices that have characterized Europe over the past 30 years and in particular Eastern Europe after socialism. The current religious use of plants is to a certain extent the revitalization of historical rituals supported by various internal (knowledge from older generations) and external (church authorities and fashion in the region) drivers. Further research should address changes in regions with longer and more severe prohibition of religious practices and their revival.
Genetic susceptibility, elevated blood pressure, and risk of atrial fibrillation: a Mendelian randomization study
Authors: Nazarzadeh Milad , Pinho-Gomes Ana-Catarina , Bidel Zeinab , Canoy Dexter , Dehghan Abbas , Smith Byrne Karl , Bennett Derrick A. , Smith George Davey , Rahimi Kazem
Published: March 2021

Background

Whether elevated blood pressure (BP) is a modifiable risk factor for atrial fibrillation (AF) is not established. We tested (1) whether the association between BP and risk of AF is causal, (2) whether it varies according to individual’s genetic susceptibility for AF, and (3) the extent to which specific BP-lowering drugs are expected to reduce this risk.

Methods

First, causality of association was assessed through two-sample Mendelian randomization, using data from two independent genome-wide association studies that included a population of one million Europeans in total. Second, the UK Biobank data of 329,237 participants at baseline was used to study the effect of BP on AF according to genetic susceptibility of developing AF. Third, a possible treatment effect with major BP-lowering drug classes on AF risk was predicted through genetic variants in genes encode the therapeutic targets of each drug class. Estimated drug effects were compared with effects on incident coronary heart disease, for which direct trial evidence exists.

Results

The two-sample Mendelian randomization analysis indicated that, on average, exposure to a higher systolic BP increased the risk of AF by 19% (odds ratio per each 10-mmHg [OR] 1.19 [1.12 to 1.27]). This association was replicated in the UK biobank using individual participant data. However, in a further genetic risk-stratified analysis, there was evidence for a linear gradient in the relative effects of systolic BP on AF; while there was no conclusive evidence of an effect in those with low genetic risk, a strong effect was observed among those with high genetic susceptibility for AF. The comparison of predicted treatment effects using genetic proxies for three main drug classes (angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, beta-blockers, and calcium channel blockers) suggested similar average effects for the prevention of atrial fibrillation and coronary heart disease.

Conclusions

The effect of elevated BP on the risk of AF is likely to be causal, suggesting that BP-lowering treatment may be effective in AF prevention. However, average effects masked clinically important variations, with a more pronounced effect in individuals with high genetic susceptibility risk for AF.
Convergence analysis for variational inequalities and fixed point problems in reflexive Banach spaces
Authors: Jolaoso Lateef Olakunle , Shehu Yekini , Cho Yeol Je
Published: March 2021

In this paper, using a Bregman distance technique, we introduce a new single projection process for approximating a common element in the set of solutions of variational inequalities involving a pseudo-monotone operator and the set of common fixed points of a finite family of Bregman quasi-nonexpansive mappings in a real reflexive Banach space. The stepsize of our algorithm is determined by a self-adaptive method, and we prove a strong convergence result under certain mild conditions. We further give some applications of our result to a generalized Nash equilibrium problem and bandwidth allocation problems. We also provide some numerical experiments to illustrate the performance of our proposed algorithm using various convex functions and compare this algorithm with other algorithms in the literature.
The number of methylated CpG sites within the MGMT promoter region linearly correlates with outcome in glioblastoma receiving alkylating agents
Authors: Siller Sebastian , Lauseker Michael , Karschnia Philipp , Niyazi Maximilian , Eigenbrod Sabina , Giese Armin , Tonn Joerg-Christian
Published: March 2021

MGMT-promoter methylation is associated with favorable outcome in glioblastoma. The aim of this study was to determine whether the absolute number of methylated Cytosine-Guanine-dinucleotide-(CpG-)sites within the DMR-2 island of the MGMT-promoter may correlate with outcome in a qualitative or quantitative fashion. In a cohort of newly diagnosed glioblastoma patients treated with stereotactic biopsy or open tumor resection plus concomitant chemoradiotherapy, we assessed MGMT-promoter methylation by methylation-specific polymerase-chain-reaction (MSP). Methylation of the CpG-sites 74–98 within the MGMT-promoter region was additionally analysed by Sanger sequencing, and the total number of methylated CpG-sites was correlated with outcome using proportional hazards models. 215 patients with glioblastoma were identified and stratified per MSP (positive: 53%, negative: 47%). Among MSP-positive tumors, hierarchical clustering identified three subgroups with different methylation rates (median: 80% vs. 52% vs. 47%), indicating a site-dependent methylation propagation. The methylation status of a given CpG-site indicated a neighborhood-dependent methylation propagation. Survival was linearly associated with the cumulative number of methylated CpG-sites. This was particularly true in patients who received at least one adjuvant cycle of temozolomide. Notably, all CpG-sites analyzed contributed similarly to effect size; this enabled a further predictive substratification of MSP-positive tumors with median OS ranging from as low as 17.1 months (< 18 methylated CpG-sites) to as high as 26.2 months (≥ 18 methylated CpG-sites) in the overall cohort. All in all, total number of methylated CpG-sites may correlate with outcome in a linear fashion. Such analysis may therefore add further predictive value to conventional methods of determining the MGMT-promoter status.
A pilot study of solvent-based cleaning of yellow ochre oil paint: effect on mechanical properties
Authors: Freeman Ashley Amanda , Lee Judith , Andersen Cecil Krarup , Fujisawa Naoki , Łukomski Michał , Ormsby Bronwyn
Published: March 2021

Nanoindentation and dynamic mechanical analysis were used to measure changes in the surface and bulk mechanical properties of Winsor & Newton Yellow Ochre oil paint films following exposure to deionized water, aliphatic mineral spirits (Shellsol D40™), and D5 silicone solvent (decamethylcyclopentasiloxane). Yellow ochre paint films were exposed to the selected solvents by 24-h immersion, and sponge-cleaning. 24-h immersion in deionised water and Shellsol D40 caused measurable changes to bulk and surface mechanical properties. However, there were no measurable changes to the bulk or surface mechanical properties following sponge cleaning.
Production of (R)-mandelic acid from styrene, L-phenylalanine, glycerol, or glucose via cascade biotransformations
Authors: Lukito Benedict Ryan , Wang Zilong , Sundara Sekar Balaji , Li Zhi
Published: March 2021

(R)-mandelic acid is an industrially important chemical, especially used for producing antibiotics. Its chemical synthesis often uses highly toxic cyanide to produce its racemic form, followed by kinetic resolution with 50% maximum yield. Here we report a green and sustainable biocatalytic method for producing (R)-mandelic acid from easily available styrene, biobased L-phenylalanine, and renewable feedstocks such as glycerol and glucose, respectively. An epoxidation-hydrolysis-double oxidation artificial enzyme cascade was developed to produce (R)-mandelic acid at 1.52 g/L from styrene with > 99% ee. Incorporation of deamination and decarboxylation into the above cascade enables direct conversion of L-phenylalanine to (R)-mandelic acid at 913 mg/L and > 99% ee. Expressing the five-enzyme cascade in an L-phenylalanine-overproducing E. coli NST74 strain led to the direct synthesis of (R)-mandelic acid from glycerol or glucose, affording 228 or 152 mg/L product via fermentation. Moreover, coupling of E. coli cells expressing L-phenylalanine biosynthesis pathway with E. coli cells expressing the artificial enzyme cascade enabled the production of 760 or 455 mg/L (R)-mandelic acid from glycerol or glucose. These simple, safe, and green methods show great potential in producing (R)-mandelic acid from renewable feedstocks.
Formation of undulating topography and gravel beds at the bases of incised valleys: Last Glacial Maximum examples beneath the lowlands facing Tokyo Bay
Authors: Tanabe Susumu , Ishihara Yoshiro
Published: March 2021

Recent studies using well density distributed borehole logs have revealed undulating topography at the bases of incised valleys formed during the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM). In this study, from analysis of 4702 borehole logs, undulating topography forming a series of pits 1–2 km long, < 1 km wide, 5–10 m deep, and spaced at 1–2-km intervals was discovered at the bases of LGM incised valleys beneath the Tama River Lowland on the west coast of Tokyo Bay. This undulating topography can be attributed to scouring at braided river channel confluences. In the study area, single borehole logs are available within each 187 m × 187 m grid cell, and the logs sample both the bottom and marginal portions of the scouring, which suggests that this undulating topography is not an artifact of erroneous values arising from mathematical interpolation. The morphologies and incision depths of two incised valleys in the study area show a cover effect of the gravel bed at the base of the post-LGM incised-valley fills. The basal age of this basal gravel bed (BG) is confirmed at < 30 ka because the LGM incised valleys dissect the MIS 3 Tachikawa buried terrace overlain by the AT tephra dated 30.0 ka. This means that the BG, which represents braided-river sediments, is interpreted as resulting from the LGM sea-level lowstand after 30 ka.
Is mind–body dualism compatible with modern psychiatry?
Authors: Ng Christopher Chen-Wei
Published: March 2021

Mind–body dualism is often considered to be incompatible with modern psychiatry for two reasons. First, it is claimed that dualism is falsified by recent advances in neuroscience. Second, dualism is thought to lead to an unhelpful attitude towards patients and their illnesses. I reflect on and challenge both lines of thought and argue that there is no inherent conflict between dualism and psychiatry.
Long strings and symmetric product orbifold from the AdS3Bethe equations
Authors: Sfondrini Alessandro
Published: March 2021

A particularly rich class of integrable systems arises from the AdS/CFT duality. There, the two-dimensional quantum field theory living on the string worldsheet may be understood in terms of a non-relativistic factorized S matrix, and the energy spectrum may be derived by techniques such as the mirror thermodynamic Bethe ansatz or the quantum spectral curve. In the case of AdS3/CFT2 without Ramond-Ramond fluxes, the worldhseet theory is a Wess-Zumino-Witten model with continous and discrete representations which, for the lowest allowed level, is dual to the symmetric product orbifold of a free theory. I will show how continuous representations may arise from integrability, and that at the lowest level the Bethe equations yield the symmetric product orbifold partition function on the nose.
Are States Created Equal? Moving to a State With More Expensive Childcare Reduces Mothers' Odds of Employment
Authors: Landivar Liana Christin , Ruppanner Leah , Scarborough William J.
Published: March 2021

Married mothers who relocate are less likely to be employed after an interstate move than married childless women and nonmobile mothers. Here, we ask whether moving to a state with more expensive childcare is associated with lower odds of maternal employment among mothers who had been employed prior to relocation. We use hierarchical binomial logistic regression models, combining data from the 2015 American Community Survey five-year sample and state-level childcare costs to assess married mothers' employment following an interstate move, controlling for states' economic conditions. We show that employment odds for married mothers were about 42% lower than those for childless married women in the year following a move. Married mothers who moved to more expensive childcare states had odds of employment that were 18% lower than those of married mothers who moved to less expensive childcare states, showing that childcare accessibility shapes mothers' employment decisions even among those with stronger labor force attachment. Moving back to respondents' or their spouses' state of birth and moving to states with more favorable economic conditions improved odds of employment as well. Overall, we show that moving to states with fewer childcare barriers is associated with higher levels of maternal employment, partly mitigating the negative labor market effects of interstate migration.
Viral use and subversion of membrane organization and trafficking
Authors: Hernandez-Gonzalez Miguel , Larocque Gabrielle , Way Michael
Published: March 2021

Membrane trafficking is an essential cellular process conserved across all eukaryotes, which regulates the uptake or release of macromolecules from cells, the composition of cellular membranes and organelle biogenesis. It influences numerous aspects of cellular organisation, dynamics and homeostasis, including nutrition, signalling and cell architecture. Not surprisingly, malfunction of membrane trafficking is linked to many serious genetic, metabolic and neurological disorders. It is also often hijacked during viral infection, enabling viruses to accomplish many of the main stages of their replication cycle, including entry into and egress from cells. The appropriation of membrane trafficking by viruses has been studied since the birth of cell biology and has helped elucidate how this integral cellular process functions. In this Review, we discuss some of the different strategies viruses use to manipulate and take over the membrane compartments of their hosts to promote their replication, assembly and egress.
ЕДИНЫЕ ТЕПЛОСНАБЖАЮЩИЕ ОРГАНИЗАЦИИ И ИХ РОЛЬ В ПРОЦЕССЕ ПЕРЕХОДА НА НОВУЮ МОДЕЛЬ РЫНКА ТЕПЛОСНАБЖЕНИЯ В РОССИИ
Authors: Evseev Evgeny Grigoryevich
Published: March 2021

Низкая эффективность системы теплоснабжения в России, выражающаяся как в низкой энергетической эффективности, так и в низкой эффективности экономической, привела к необходимости поиска новых путей развития отрасли. В результате Минэнерго России разработало и представило планы по переходу на новую модель рынка теплоснабжения. Для ее реализации в 2017 году принята и с 2018 года начала действовать новая редакция Федерального закона «О теплоснабжении».Согласно положениям закона, в отрасли появляются новые субъекты – единые теплоснабжающие организации (ЕТО). По сути именно данный субъект в системе теплоснабжения отвечает за надежность и качество предоставляемых потребителям услуг. Данная статья посвящена анализу функций ЕТО, процессам внедрения изменений в практику, а также изучению роли ЕТО в процессе трансформации рынка теплоснабжения в России. Отмечается, что несмотря на то, что новая редакция закона действует с начала 2018 года, единые теплоснабжающие организации определены еще далеко не для всех систем теплоснабжения.Целью статьи является анализ законодательной базы на предмет определения функций ЕТО и их роли в процессе трансформации рынка теплоснабжения в России, а также анализ открытых источников информации на предмет оценки уровня внедрения законодательных изменений в практику.Метод и методология проведения работы: исследование основано на методе анализа документов. Во-первых, проведен анализ нормативных правовых документов, касающихся деятельности объекта исследования – ЕТО. Во-вторых, выполнен анализ информации из отрытых источников – сайтов органов власти, новостных порталов, средств массовой информации и т.д.Результаты: сформулированы основные положения, касающиеся особенностей деятельности, роли, функций и ответственности ЕТО, а также основных изменений на рынке теплоснабжения вследствие корректировки законодательной базы.Область применения результатов: результаты исследования рекомендованы для ознакомления и использования при организации деятельности ЕТО, а также прочих теплоснабжающих организаций, взаимодействующих с ЕТО.
ЭКОНОМИЧЕСКАЯ БЕЗОПАСНОСТЬ В РОССИЙСКОЙ АРКТИКЕ: ОЦЕНКА, НАПРАВЛЕНИЯ И ВОЗМОЖНОСТИ РЕГУЛИРОВАНИЯ
Authors: Pobedonosceva Veronika Valer’evna , Pobedonosceva Galina Mihailovna
Published: March 2021

Экономическая безопасность региона оценивается по определённым критериям (пороговым значениям) показателями-индикаторами. Наиболее характерными для такой оценки являются показатели валового регионального продукта на душу населения в рублях на человека, инвестиций в основной капитал в % от валового регионального продукта, уровня общей безработицы в % и соотношение среднедушевых доходов населения и прожиточного минимума в разах. Анализ таких показателей и динамики их изменения за 2017–2018 годы, сопоставление их значений с пороговыми критериями в девяти регионах, полностью или частично входящих в Арктическую зону Российской Федерации, показали, что среди них, безусловно, самым экономически безопасным был Ямало-Ненецкий автономный округ, отрасли хозяйствования которого соответствуют конъюнктуре мировых рынков, убедительным и стабильным аутсайдером являлась Республика Карелия. Главным направлением регулирования уровня экономической безопасности в ответ на внутреннюю угрозу для регионов АЗРФ должно стать уравновешенное с экономическим развитием, параллельное последнему повышение уровня жизни населения.Цель – оценка уровня экономической безопасности в Арктической зоне Российской Федерации и определение направлений и возможностей его регулирования.Методы проведения работы: в статье использовались общенаучные методы познания, методы табличного и графического представления информации.Результаты: оценён уровень экономической безопасности в регионах Арктической зоны Российской Федерации в 2017–2018 годах, предложены направления и определены возможности его регулирования.Область применения результатов: полученные результаты целесообразно применять органам государственной власти всех уровней, особенно регионального и местного самоуправления субъектов Арктической зоны Российской Федерации.
ОПРЕДЕЛЕНИЕ ДЕТЕРМИНАНТ ДЕСТРУКТИВНОГО БИЗНЕС-ПОВЕДЕНИЯ ПРЕДПРИНИМАТЕЛЕЙ В РОССИИ
Authors: Medvedenko Oksana Vladislavovna
Published: March 2021

В статье представлены результаты исследования факторов деструктивного предпринимательства: техническая и технологическая отсталость, высокая степень физического износа основных производственных фондов, значительная дифференциация населения по уровню дохода, недостатки правового законодательства, недобросовестность действий экономических субъектов и криминализация экономики, их влияние на бизнес-поведение предпринимателя. Автором структурированы признаки деструктивного бизнес-поведения, установлены связи между ними. На основе сопоставления факторов развития деструктивного предпринимательства и признаков деструктивного бизнес-поведения установлены детерминанты деструктивного предпринимательства.Цель исследования – определение детерминант деструктивного бизнес-поведения. Методы исследования: анализ и группировка факторов развития деструктивного предпринимательства, анализ и структурирование сущности бизнес-поведения, сравнение влияния факторов развития деструктивного предпринимательства на возникновение признаков деструктивных действий, синтез причин деструктивного бизнес-поведения и последующих за ними действий предпринимателей.Результат исследования: установлены детерминанты деструктивного бизнес-поведения, связанные с правовым фактором развития деструктивного предпринимательства.Обсуждение: анализ и синтез причин и деструктивных действий позволил выделить взаимосвязь между деструктивными действиями, спровоцированными разными факторами.Заключение: выявленные детерминанты деструктивного бизнес-поведения позволяют заключить о необходимости разработки государственных мероприятий по противодействию деструктивному бизнес-поведению.
ТЕОРЕТИЧЕСКИЕ ПОДХОДЫ К КЛАССИФИКАЦИИ ФАКТОРОВ РАЗВИТИЯ РЕГИОНА И СПОСОБАМ ИХ АНАЛИЗА
Authors: Moskvitina Maria Alexandrovna
Published: March 2021

В современных условиях управление развитием регионов базируется преимущественно на реализации государственных федеральных и региональных программ и поддержке федеральным центром наиболее отсталых регионов. В то же время исследованию факторов развития регионов в практике государственного управления уделяется не достаточно внимания. В теории существуют многочисленные разрозненные подходы к классификации факторов развития региона, факторы рассматриваются без взаимосвязи с методами их исследования, отсутствуют методических схемы их анализа. В статье приводится анализ понятия «фактор», исследуются различные, как традиционные, так и авторские классификации факторов развития региона, систематизируются методы анализа факторов развития региона.Цель – систематизация подходов к классификации факторов развития региона и формирование схемы их исследования.Метод и методология: общенаучные методы теоретического исследования: анализ и синтез, систематизация, классификация и обобщение.Результаты: предлагается обобщающая схема факторов развития региона («поле» факторов развития региона) и схема их исследования.Область применения: рассмотренные в работе теоретические аспекты классификации и подходов к оценке факторов развития региона могут являться элементом методической базы конкретных региональных исследований, а также могут быть полезны научным работникам, интересующимся данной проблемой.
МНОГОНОМЕНКЛАТУРНАЯ ОПТИМИЗАЦИЯ РАЗМЕРА ОБОРОТНОГО ФОНДА МЕТОДОМ РЕКУРСИИ ПРИ АГРЕГАТНОМ МЕТОДЕ РЕМОНТА
Authors: Tyulpinova Nina Vladimirovna
Published: March 2021

Эффективное управление оборотным фондом запасных агрегатов требует наличия соответствующих программных решений. Таковые в настоящее время имеются, но основным сдерживающим фактором, препятствующим широкому внедрению этих инструментов в управленческую практику, является присущий им существенный недостаток – традиционно низкий уровень вычислительной производительности и надежности. Причина – итеративное алгоритмическое ядро, которое, с одной стороны, обусловливает низкий уровень быстродействия вследствие большого объема избыточной вычислительной работы, а с другой стороны, порождает проблему «больших» чисел, приводящую как к некорректным результатам, так и к аварийным остановам расчетов из-за переполнения разрядной сетки. В процессе многономенклатурной оптимизации размера оборотного фонда обозначенные проблемы практически полностью парализуют вычислительный процесс. В этой связи актуальной является разработка альтернативного решения, лишенного перечисленных недостатков. Для этого автором статьи предложено и разработано рекурсивное алгоритмическое ядро, полностью устраняющее все обозначенные дефекты имеющихся решений.Цель – повышение уровня вычислительной производительности и надежности программных решений, предназначенных для управления оборотным фондом запасных агрегатов.Метод или методология проведения работы: метод рекурсии и рекуррентных соотношений.Результаты: программно-алгоритмический инструментарий многономенклатурной оптимизации размера оборотного фонда методом рекурсии при агрегатном методе ремонта.Область применения результатов: финансовый менеджмент.
СОВРЕМЕННЫЕ ПОДХОДЫ ПРОЕКТНОГО МЕНЕДЖМЕНТА
Authors: Korshikova Marina Viktorovna , Svistunova Inna Georgievna , Sakhnyuk Tatyana Ivanovna
Published: March 2021

В данной статье были рассмотрены ключевые подходы проектного менеджмента, а именно разновидности методов Agile. Был проведен обзорный анализ программного обеспечения Microsoft Project, который безупречно справляется с ведением и реализацией проектной деятельности. Выявлены особенности построения стандартной модели проекта, которые зачастую не могут быть реализованы путем использования компьютерных технологий. Предложены пути наиболее подходящего решения для реализации оригинального проекта актуального на сегодняшний день. Четыре самых популярных и наиболее используемых метода Agile помогут нам использовать новые знания в сфере эффективного управления проектной деятельностью.Цель – ознакомление с методами Agile; предоставить рекомендации о наиболее эффективных путях подбора метода Agile для каждого отдельного проекта.Метод или методология проведения работы: в статье использовались эмпирические методы исследования.Результаты: выявлены наиболее используемые эффективные способы организации и ведения проектной деятельности; применение их на практике. Предоставлены рекомендации о наиболее эффективных путях подбора метода Agile для каждого отдельного проекта в частности.Область применения результатов: полученные рекомендации будет целесообразно использовать в проектной деятельности средних и крупных организаций, для того, чтобы реализовать принципы управления проектами.
The Real Side of the High-Volume Return Premium
Authors: Israeli Doron , Kaniel Ron , Sridharan Suhas A.
Published: March 2021

Prior literature demonstrates that increased trading activity of a firm’s stock is associated with abnormal future stock returns (the high-volume return premium) and interprets this phenomenon as evidence that increased visibility generates reductions in cost of capital. Motivated by this interpretation, we investigate whether increased trading activity entails changes in real corporate actions. We document a positive relation between abnormal trading volume, future investment expenditures, and financing cash flows. This positive relation is not subsumed by the arrival of investment-related news or other corporate disclosures or by subsequent earnings information and is concentrated among firms with high financial constraints and firms with lower levels of investor recognition.

This paper was accepted by David Simchi-Levi, finance.
Tingkat pengetahuan ibu tentang pemantauan gerakan janin pada ibu hamil dengan preeklampsia
Authors: Yani Fitri , Adila Dian Roza , Roslita Riau
Published: March 2021

Preeclampsia is a pregnancy complication that can cause fetal and maternal morbidity and mortality. One way that pregnant women can reduce the risk of pregnancy complications is by monitoring the fetus's movement. The mother must know about monitoring fetal movements by analyzing fetal movements. The mother can detect the health of the fetus from an early stage. This study aims to determine the level of knowledge about monitoring fetal movement in pregnant women with preeclampsia. This quantitative research uses a simple descriptive design. The study's location is in the inpatient room of Teratai 1 and the Arifin Ahmad Hospital's obstetrics department, Riau Province. The population is 85 people. The selected sample amounted to 46 people with accidental techniques. The data was collected using a questionnaire and then analyzed univariately. The study found that 80.4% of pregnant women lacked knowledge about monitoring fetal movements. Pregnant with preeclampsia need to pay more attention to their fetal movements by seeking more information from health services and other sources, such as social media. Lack of monitoring of fetal movements and maternal knowledge about it causes fetal and maternal mortality rates to be challenging to reduce. Therefore, health workers must be more active in educating about pregnant women's health problems with preeclampsia to achieve the SDGs target in reducing infant and maternal mortality.
Two cases of non-parasitic splenic cysts and spleen-preserving therapy
Authors: Kumar SB , Richards J , Butcher K , Welbourn R
Published: March 2021

We review two different presentations of non-parasitic splenic cysts, both of which are post-traumatic in aetiology. The first case was of slower onset and was managed electively. The second case was of acute onset and was managed as an emergency. Non-parasitic splenic cysts are uncommon and the optimal management strategy for them is not well defined. Historically, treatment has been with open splenectomy; however, infection rates following this surgery have been high, making it an unattractive management option. Both cases were managed successfully with laparoscopic fenestration with no recurrence at subsequent follow-up.
Space–time wave packets violate the universal relationship between angular dispersion and pulse-front tilt
Authors: Hall Layton A. , Yessenov Murat , Abouraddy Ayman F.
Published: March 2021

Introducing angular dispersion into a pulsed field tilts the pulse front with respect to the phase front. There exists between the angular dispersion and pulse-front tilt a universal relationship that is device-independent, and also independent of the pulse shape and bandwidth. We show here that this relationship is violated by propagation-invariant space–time (ST) wave packets, which are pulsed beams endowed with precise spatiotemporal structure corresponding to a particular form of angular dispersion. We demonstrate theoretically and experimentally that ST wave packets represent, to the best of our knowledge, the first example in optics of non-differentiable angular dispersion, resulting in pulse-front tilt that depends on the square-root of the pulse bandwidth.
Complete coherence of random, nonstationary electromagnetic fields
Authors: Al lakki Mohammad , Friberg Ari T. , Setälä Tero
Published: March 2021

Despite a wide range of applications, the coherence theory of random, nonstationary (pulsed or otherwise) electromagnetic fields is far from complete. In this work, we show that full coherence of a nonstationary vectorial field at a pair of spatiospectral points is equivalent to the factorization of the cross-spectral density matrix, and full pointwise coherence over a spatial volume and spectral band leads to a factored cross-spectral density throughout the domain. We further show that in the latter case, the time-domain mutual coherence matrix factors in the spatiotemporal variables, and the field is temporally fully coherent throughout the volume. The results of this work justify that certain expressions of random pulsed electromagnetic beams appearing in the literature can be called coherent-mode representations.
Single-crystal GaN growth and polarity control using an E-beam evaporated aluminum layer
Authors: Park Mun-Do , Min Jung-Wook , Lee Jun-Yeob , Park Jeong-Hwan , Choi Soo-Young , Lee Dong-Seon
Published: March 2021

We report on a method for controlling the polarity of gallium nitride (GaN) using an E-beam evaporated aluminum (Al) layer on a sapphire substrate. A high-temperature nitridation process was designed to enable the amorphous Al layer to serve as a nucleation layer for single-crystal Ga-polar GaN growth. The Al layer also acts as a mask that prevents N-polar GaN growth. As a result, Ga-polar and N-polar GaN can be grown on the Al layer and sapphire surface, respectively. This method is not only advantageous for the selective polarity control but also to simplify the fabrication process of lateral polarity structures.
Investigating the probe-tip influence on imaging using scanning near-field optical microscopy
Authors: Achmari Panji , Siddiquee Arif M. , Si Guangyuan , Lin Jiao , Abbey Brian , Kou Shanshan
Published: March 2021

The influence of the near-field probe-tip on a model sample consisting of one-dimensional apertures is investigated using scanning near-field optical microscopy (SNOM). We use finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) simulations combined with SNOM scans to show that the probe-tip has a rather profound effect on the shape of the measured transmission intensity profiles. By taking into account the near-field perturbations introduced by the probe, our newly developed FDTD model facilitates the quantitative analysis of SNOM data and provides new insights into near-surface, subwavelength optical interactions.
Cost-effectiveness of the national dog rabies prevention and control program in Mexico, 1990–2015
Authors: González-Roldán Jesús Felipe , Undurraga Eduardo A. , Meltzer Martin I. , Atkins Charisma , Vargas-Pino Fernando , Gutiérrez-Cedillo Verónica , Hernández-Pérez José Ramón
Published: March 2021

Background

Rabies is a viral zoonosis that imposes a substantial disease and economic burden in many developing countries. Dogs are the primary source of rabies transmission; eliminating dog rabies reduces the risk of exposure in humans significantly. Through mass annual dog rabies vaccination campaigns, the national program of rabies control in Mexico progressively reduced rabies cases in dogs and humans since 1990. In 2019, the World Health Organization validated Mexico for eliminating rabies as a public health problem. Using a governmental perspective, we retrospectively assessed the economic costs, effectiveness, and cost-effectiveness of the national program of rabies control in Mexico, 1990–2015.

Methodology

Combining various data sources, including administrative records, national statistics, and scientific literature, we retrospectively compared the current scenario of annual dog vaccination campaigns and post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) with a counterfactual scenario without an annual dog vaccination campaign but including PEP. The counterfactual scenario was estimated using a mathematical model of dog rabies transmission (RabiesEcon). We performed a thorough sensitivity analysis of the main results.

Principal findings

Results suggest that in 1990 through 2015, the national dog rabies vaccination program in Mexico prevented about 13,000 human rabies deaths, at an incremental cost (MXN 2015) of $4,700 million (USD 300 million). We estimated an average cost of $360,000 (USD 23,000) per human rabies death averted, $6,500 (USD 410) per additional year-of-life, and $3,000 (USD 190) per dog rabies death averted. Results were robust to several counterfactual scenarios, including high and low rabies transmission scenarios and various assumptions about potential costs without mass dog rabies vaccination campaigns.

Conclusions

Annual dog rabies vaccination campaigns have eliminated the transmission of dog-to-dog rabies and dog-mediated human rabies deaths in Mexico. According to World Health Organization standards, our results show that the national program of rabies control in Mexico has been highly cost-effective.
Towards poverty alleviation in developing countries: An empirical study of the impact of land tenure reforms in Kati, Mali
Authors: Coulibaly Brahima , Sagoe Gideon , Shixiang Li
Published: March 2021

Post-colonial land tenure reforms in emerging countries have partly aimed at poverty reduction through equitable land access. However, the poverty rate keeps rising in rural and peri-urban settings in Sub-Saharan Africa dominated by agricultural activities. This article reviews land tenure reforms in Mali, from the year 2000 to 2017 regarding poverty alleviation and evaluates their impacts on indigenous smallholder farmers, using multiple linear and logistic regression models and local experts’ elicitations. The results indicate that the advent of land titles as the only definitive evidence of land ownership, following the reforms, has generally weakened customary land management. Smallholder farmers face several barriers to obtaining land titles, limiting equity in land access and security. This has paved way for land markets marred by irregularities and resulted in colossal loss of agricultural lands, which are the main source of rural livelihood. Thus, the reforms have not yielded the intended poverty reduction outcomes. The study recommends that land transfers must be authorised by a single institution, represented at the various administrative levels, which issues an authentic and incorruptible document using appropriate technology. Moreover, since pro-poor provisions in the reforms usually lack implementing decrees in Mali, political will is key to achieving equitable land access and security.
Biogeographical patterns of amphibians and reptiles in the northernmost coastal montane complex of South America
Authors: Rivas Gilson A. , Lasso-Alcalá Oscar M. , Rodríguez-Olarte Douglas , De Freitas Mayke , Murphy John C. , Pizzigalli Cristian , Weber John C. , de Verteuil Laurent , Jowers Michael J.
Published: March 2021

We examine, for the first time, biogeographic patterns in a series of tropical montane coastal systems in northern South America. We use amphibians and reptiles, which constitute the most critical communities based upon the prevalence of endemic taxa, to assess the region’s biodiversity. The montane coastal system spans an east-west distance of 925 km. It includes peaks ranging from 549 m to 2765 m above sea level and encompasses the montane complexes of northern Venezuela (including Isla de Margarita), an outlier at Santa Marta (Colombia), and ranges on the islands Trinidad and Tobago. The area supports 14 family level amphibian clades and 23 family level reptile clades. Fieldwork, museum specimen surveys, and a literature review suggest that biodiversity decreases at higher elevations. Here we examine the biogeographic patterns in the region to assess the role of the montane systems as possible refugia. We also look at the possible island and sky island effects using data from altitudes >200 m. At lower elevations, we tabulated 294 species, comprising 112 amphibians and 182 reptiles. About 45% of these taxa are endemic or exclusive to different sub-regions. At mid-elevation montane cloud forests, we find a much-reduced biodiversity with a total of 125 species (66 amphibians and 59 reptiles) exclusive or restricted to the region, and few species shared between systems. We find that biogeographical patterns follow a natural topographic disposition above 200 m in elevations. At the lower elevation cut off, there are 118 species (26 amphibians and 92 reptiles) shared among two or more of the studied mountain systems, suggesting a common origin and dispersal events, despite what seem to be topographic barriers. Biogeographical relationships support a topographic disposition of the region with close associations between the islands of Trinidad and Tobago, the Paria Range and the Turimiquire Massif, and close associations between the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta and the Sierra de San Luis. Overall, the biogeographic relationships between amphibians and reptiles are similar. Species diversity in the eastern Caribbean region is less rich than in the west. This study includes the first herpetological surveys at the two easternmost mountains (Cerro La Cerbatana and Campeare) belonging to the Paria Range biogeographic unit, and aims to contribute to a better understanding of the rich biodiversity of the region.