bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
MET Exon 14 Skipping: A Case Study for the Detection of Genetic Variants in Cancer Driver Genes by Deep Learning
Authors: Nosi Vladimir , Luca Alessandrì , Milan Melissa , Arigoni Maddalena , Benvenuti Silvia , Cacchiarelli Davide , Cesana Marcella , Riccardo Sara , Di Filippo Lucio , Cordero Francesca , Beccuti Marco , Comoglio Paolo M , Calogero Raffaele A
Published: March 2021

Background: Disruption of alternative splicing (AS) is frequently observed in cancer and it might represent an important signature for tumor progression and therapy. Exon skipping (ES) represents one of the most frequent AS events and in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) MET exon 14 skipping was shown to be targetable. Methods: We constructed a neural network (NN) specifically designed to detect MET exon 14 skipping events using RNAseq data. Furthermore, for discovery purpose we also developed a sparsely connected autoencoder to identify uncharacterized MET isoforms. Results: The NN had 100% Met exon 14 skipping detection rate, when tested on a manually curated set of 690 TCGA bronchus and lung samples. When globally applied to 2605 TCGA samples, we observed that the majority of false positives was characterized by a blurry coverage of exon 14, but interesting they share a common coverage peak in the second intron and we speculate that this event could be the transcription signature of a LINE1-MET fusion. Conclusions: Taken together our results indicate that neural networks can be an effective tool to provide a quick classification of pathological transcription events and sparsely connected autoencoders could represent the basis for the development of an effective discovery tool.
The iconic performativity of Chinese mantic diagrams
Authors:   Institute of the Far East, Russian Academy of Sciences, Krushinskiy Andrei A.
Published: March 2021

The article traces and discusses the philosophically significant consequences of the rootedness of the ancient Chinese thought in the original iconicity of Chinese hieroglyphic writing. The phenomenon of performativity is investigated on the Chinese material. In the course of the study, a fundamental methodological difference between performative statements and performative declarations is introduced. In light of the proposed difference, a pronounced performative declarativeness of the famous Confucian concept of zhengming (“correcting of names”) is revealed. This rarely studied aspect of the “correcting of names” should not be confused with the currently well-known performative naming implied by the setting to zhengming. The main result of the proposed methodological distinctions and exegetical analysis is the identification of the non-verbal prototype of the concept of zhengming (the hexagram “Family”). The paradigmatic nature of the prototype of the hexagram graphics in relation to the verbal formulation, which endows the performative status of the original visual image with the verbal explication of this image, allows the author to generalize this particular observation to the fundamental final hypothesis according to which the performative effectiveness of the word is secondary in comparison with the initial performativity of the mantic diagrammatism.
Predictors of exercise-induced bronchoconstriction in subjects with mild asthma
Authors: Salameh Maroon , Pini Laura , Quadri Federico , Spreafico Fabio , Bottone Damiano , Tantucci Claudio
Published: March 2021

Background Physical effort is a stimulus capable of triggering airway obstruction in asthmatics, the so-called exercise-induced bronchoconstriction in asthma (EIBa). This study was performed in subjects with mild persistent asthma, aiming to find predictors for developing EIBa. Methods In 20 subjects with mild asthma, measurements of baseline functional respiratory parameters and airways responsiveness by a methacholine challenge were obtained on the first day. The day after, a maximal, symptom-limited incremental cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPExT) was performed, with subsequent, repeated maneuvers of maximal full forced expiration to monitor the FEV 1 change at 1,3,5,7,10 and 15 minutes after the end of exercise. Results 19 subjects completed the two-days protocol. No functional parameters both at rest and during effort were useful to predict EIBa after stopping exercise. In asthmatics with EIBa, mean Inspiratory Capacity (IC) did not increase with increasing ventilatory requirements during CPExT, because 6 of them (50%) displayed dynamic pulmonary hyperinflation (DH), as documented by their progressive increase of end-expiratory lung volume. This subgroup, showing earlier post-exercise FEV 1 fall, had significantly lower forced mean expiratory flow between 25% and 75% of forced vital capacity (FEF 25-75% ) at rest (p<0.05) and higher airways responsiveness, expressed as PD 20 FEV 1 (p<0.05) as compared with other asthmatics with EIBa. Conclusions No functional respiratory parameters seem to predict EIBa in mild asthmatics. However, in those with EIBa, a subgroup developed DH during exercise, and this was associated with a baseline reduced forced expiratory flow-rates at lower lung volumes and higher airway hyperresponsiveness, suggesting a prominent small airways impairment.
A ferroptosis-associated gene signature for the prediction of prognosis and therapeutic response in luminal-type breast carcinoma
Authors: Peng Yang , Yu Haochen , Zhang Yingzi , Qu Fanli , Tang Zhenrong , Qu Chi , Tian Jiao , Zong Beige , Wang Yu , Ren Haoyu , Liu Shengchun
Published: March 2021

Background: Ferroptosis is a new form of regulated cell death (RCD), and its emergence has provided a new approach to the progression and drug resistance of breast cancer (BRCA). However, there is still a great gap in the study of ferroptosis-related genes in BRCA, especially luminal-type BRCA patients.Methods: We downloaded the mRNA expression profiles and corresponding clinical data of BRCA patients from the Molecular Taxonomy of Breast Cancer International Consortium (METABRIC) and The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) databases. Then, we built a prognostic multigene signature with ferroptosis-related differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the METABRIC cohort and validated it in the TCGA cohort. The predictive value of this signature was investigated in terms of mutations, copy number variations (CNVs), the immune microenvironment and the probability of a response to immunotherapy and chemotherapy.Findings: The patients were divided into a high-risk group and a low-risk group by the ferroptosis-associated gene signature, and the high-risk group had a worse overall survival (OS). The risk score based on the 10 ferroptosis-related gene-based signature was determined to be an independent prognostic predictor in both the METABRIC and TCGA cohorts (HR, 1.41, 95% CI, 1.14-1.76, P = 0.002; HR, 2.19, 95% CI, 1.13-4.26, P= 0.02). Gene set enrichment analysis indicated that the term “cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction” was enriched in the high-risk score subgroup. Moreover, the immune infiltration scores of most immune cells were significantly different between the two groups, and the low-risk group was much more sensitive to immunotherapy and six drugs might have potential therapeutic implications in high- risk group. In addition, we found that amplifications on chromosome 11 accompanied by the deletion of chromosome 1 were enriched in the high-risk subgroup. Finally, a nomogram incorporating a classifier based on the 10 ferroptosis-related genes, tumor stage, age and histologic grade was established. This nomogram showed a favorable discriminating ability and might contribute to clinical decision-making for luminal-type breast carcinoma.
Model-based evaluation of school- and non-school-related measures to control the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Rozhnova Ganna , Dorp Christiaan van , Bruijning-Verhagen Patricia , Bootsma Martin , de Wijgert Janneke van , Bonten Marc J. M. , Kretzschmar Mirjam
Published: March 2021

The role of school-based contacts in the epidemiology of SARS-CoV-2 is incompletely understood. We used an age-structured transmission model fitted to age-specific seroprevalence and hospital admission data to assess the effects of school-based measures at different time points during the COVID-19 pandemic in the Netherlands. Our analyses suggest that the impact of measures reducing school-based contacts depends on the remaining opportunities to reduce non-school-based contacts. If opportunities to reduce the effective reproduction number (Re) with non-school-based measures are exhausted or undesired and Re is still close to 1, the additional benefit of school-based measures may be considerable, particularly among older school children. As two examples, we demonstrate that keeping schools closed after the summer holidays in 2020, in the absence of other measures, would not have prevented the second pandemic wave in autumn 2020 but closing schools in November 2020 could have reduced Re below 1, with unchanged non-school-based contacts.
Age-dependent pathogenic characteristics of SARS-CoV-2 infection in ferrets
Authors: Kim Young-Il , Yu Kwang-Min , Koh June-Young , Kim Eun-Ha , Kim Se-Mi , Kim Eun Ji , Casel Mark Anthony , Rollon Rare , Jang Seung-Gyu , Song Min-Suk , Park Su-Jin , Jeong Hye Won , Kim Eung-Gook , Lee Ok-Jun , Choi Younho , Lee Shin-Ae , Park Su-Hyung , Jung Jae U. , Choi Young Ki
Published: March 2021

While the seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 in healthy people does not differ significantly among age groups, those aged 65 years or older exhibit strikingly higher COVID-19 mortality compared to younger individuals. To further understand differing COVID-19 manifestations in patients of different ages, three age groups of ferrets were infected with SARS-CoV-2. Although SARS-CoV-2 was isolated from all ferrets regardless of age, aged ferrets (≥ 3 years old) showed higher viral loads, longer nasal virus shedding, and more severe lung inflammatory cell infiltration and clinical symptoms compared to juvenile (≤ 6 months) and young adult (1–2 years) groups. Transcriptome analysis of aged ferret lungs revealed strong enrichment of gene sets related to type I interferon, activated T cells, and M1 macrophage responses, mimicking the gene expression profile of severe COVID-19 patients. Thus, SARS-CoV-2-infected aged ferrets highly recapitulate COVID-19 patients with severe symptoms and are useful for understanding age-associated infection, transmission, and pathogenesis of SARS-CoV-2.
Proximate Composition and Spatio-temporal Heterogeneity of Phytochemicals in Agave sisalana (sisal) adapted in different agro-ecological zones of Punjab, Pakistan
Authors: Shahzad Sobia , Hussain Mumtaz , Munir Hassan , Arfan Muhammad
Published: March 2021

Exploring extractable phytochemicals from locally adapted sisal plant vegetation vary seasonally at different locations. This study elaborated proximate composition and phytochemical heterogeneity in sisal due to varying environmental conditions analyzed from five districts, i.e., Chakwal, Khushab, Rawalpindi, Faisalabad, and Layyah in Punjab, Pakistan. Extensive surveying and plant sampling across two years 2017-18 and 2018-19, during mid-spring, summer, autumn, and winter seasons were carried out for understanding the seasonal impact on sisal. The present study was designed in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) and analyzed considering seasonal, yearly, and locational impact. The spatial differences in phytochemicals concentration were strongly associated with environmental conditions prevailing in different seasons. Autumn season reflected saponins, tannins, and flavonoids in higher concentrations during 2018-19 while steroids and terpenoids were higher during spring 2018-19. While Spatio-temporal variations in the proximate analysis were more apparent in different samples collected from different districts. Data recorded for the Khushab district and autumn season reflected the higher composition of a proximate analysis and phytochemical contents as compared to other seasons. Overall, the spatial differences in phytochemicals concentration were strongly associated with soils and environmental conditions prevailing in different seasons in selected districts.
Musculoskeletal Practices for the Preparticipation Physical Examination
Authors: Corrente Connor , Silvis Matthew , Murphy Joseph , Gallo Robert , Onks Cayce
Published: March 2021

Background: Little is known about the musculoskeletal (MSK) exam providers use during the preparticipation physical exam (PPE). The primary aims of this study were to determine current practice with regards to the MSK screening exam, if goals are being met, and if there may be opportunities for improvement.Results: The study had a total of 616 participants with a response rate of 9%. The majority of respondents (82%) were familiar with the 4th Edition PPE Monograph and 80% either moderately or strongly agreed that they use this as a guideline for their MSK screening exam. The 90 second MSK screening test was implemented by 52% of the participants and 13% reported no knowledge of this test. The majority of participants use an orthopedic exam as part of their PPE (82%). 92% of participants felt satisfied that their MSK exam would screen for current injury, while only 42% were satisfied that it effectively screened for future injury. 86% of participants agree that the MSK exam should be performed, while 26% said that they don't perform a physical exam at all. Educationally, 51% received training for the MSK PPE in residency, and 62% had training in fellowship.Conclusions: Most participants believe that the MSK exam should be performed and that it effectively screens for current injuries, but there is variability as to what tests are being utilized despite the majority being familiar with the PPE Monograph. Most providers do not believe that the MSK PPE adequately screens for future injury; an overriding goal of the PPE. Residency or fellowship programs appear to be venues that education may be instituted.
Preparation and optimization of the environmental dust suppressant with agricultural waste straw
Authors: Liang Wen-Jun , Chi Hao , Zhang Zhixue , Ren Sida
Published: March 2021

In order to reduce the dust pollution caused by the coal mining process, an environmental dust suppressant was synthesized by corn straw, sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) and additives. This study focused on the preparation conditions of this dust suppressant and the viscosity, surface tension, hardness, sedimentation time, contact angle, wind erosion resistance, and water retention capacity of the dust suppressant were investigated systematically. Response surface method was used to optimize the raw material formulation and preparation parameters. The optimum mass ratio of straw, CMC and alkali of the dust suppression was 65:20:15 (m/m), which was prepared under the conditions of the reaction time being 1.5 h, and the rotation speed being 300 r/min. The surface tension decreased from 72 mN/m to less than 50 mN/m with the addition of the additives. The prepared dust suppressant has a maximum viscosity of 363.6 mPa·s, the compressive strength could be up to 200 kPa. The wind erosion resistance of dust suppressant was significant, which could be up to 99 % at the wind speed of 14 m/s for 6 h. After spraying the dust suppressant, the gap between particles was filled with dust suppressant, and the adjacent particles were bound by strong mechanical action.
Microbial signatures in the lower airways of mechanically ventilated COVID19 patients associated with poor clinical outcome
Authors: Sulaiman Imran , Chung Matthew , Angel Luis , Koralov Sergei , Wu Benjamin , Yeung Stephen , Krolikowski Kelsey , Li Yonghua , Duerr Ralf , Schluger Rosemary , Thannickal Sara , Koide Akiko , Rafeq Samaan , Barnett Clea , Postelnicu Radu , Wang Chang , Banakis Stephanie , Perez-Perez Lizzette , Jour George , Shen Guomiao , Meyn Peter , Carpenito Joseph , Liu Xiuxiu , Ji Kun , Collazo Destiny , Labarbiera Anthony , Amoroso Nancy , Brosnahan Shari , Mukherjee Vikramjit , Kaufman David , Bakker Jan , Lubinsky Anthony , Pradhan Deepak , Sterman Daniel , Heguy Adriana , Uyeki Timothy , Clemente Jose , de Wit Emmie , Schmidt Ann Marie , Shopsin Bo , Desvignes Ludovic , Wang Chan , Li Huilin , Zhang Bin , Forst Christian , Koide Shohei , Stapleford Kenneth , Khanna Kamal , Ghedin Elodie , Weiden Michael , Segal Leopoldo
Published: March 2021

Mortality among patients with COVID-19 and respiratory failure is high and there are no known lower airway biomarkers that predict clinical outcome. We investigated whether bacterial respiratory infections and viral load were associated with poor clinical outcome and host immune tone. We obtained bacterial and fungal culture data from 589 critically ill subjects with COVID-19 requiring mechanical ventilation. On a subset of the subjects that underwent bronchoscopy, we also quantified SARS-CoV-2 viral load, analyzed the microbiome of the lower airways by metagenome and metatranscriptome analyses and profiled the host immune response. We found that isolation of a hospital-acquired respiratory pathogen was not associated with fatal outcome. However, poor clinical outcome was associated with enrichment of the lower airway microbiota with an oral commensal (Mycoplasma salivarium), while high SARS-CoV-2 viral burden, poor anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody response, together with a unique host transcriptome profile of the lower airways were most predictive of mortality. Collectively, these data support the hypothesis that 1) the extent of viral infectivity drives mortality in severe COVID-19, and therefore 2) clinical management strategies targeting viral replication and host responses to SARS-CoV-2 should be prioritized.
Effect of straw retention on carbon footprint under different cropping sequences in Northeast China
Authors: Song Qiulai , Zhu Jie , Gong Zhenping , Feng Yanjiang , Wang Qi , Sun Yu , Zeng Xiannan , Lai Yongcai
Published: March 2021

Inappropriate farm management practices can lead to increased agricultural inputs and changes in atmospheric greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, impacting climate change. This study assessed the potential of straw retention to mitigate the negative environmental impact of different cropping systems on the Songnen Plain using the life cycle assessment (LCA) method combined with field survey data. Straw retention (STR) and straw removal (STM) treatments were established in continuous corn (CC) and corn-soybean rotation (CS) systems in a split-plot experiment. The effects of straw retention on the carbon footprint (CF) of cropland under different cropping systems were compared. The CF under CC was 2434.0–2706.9 kg CO 2 ha -1 yr -1 , 49.3%–57.3% higher than that under CS. Nitrogen fertilizer produced the most CO 2 , accounting for 66.2%-80.4% of the CF. The carbon balances of the CC and CS systems with STR were positive, with annual carbon sequestrations of 9632.5 and 2715.9 kg CO 2 ha -1 yr -1 , respectively. The carbon balances of the CC and CS systems with STM was negative, with annual carbon sequestrations of -3589.2 and -3006.2 kg CO 2 ha -1 yr -1 , respectively. This study demonstrates that STR under CC cultivation is an environmentally friendly practice for agricultural production, can help achieve high-yield and low-carbon production in rainfed cropland, and can support the sustainable development of grain production in Northeast China.
Metabolic and immunological phenotype of rare lipomatoses: Dercum’s disease and Roch-Leri mesosomatic lipomatosis
Authors: Madleen LEMAITRE , CHEVALIER Benjamin , JANNIN Arnaud , MAPIHAN Kristell LE , BOURY Samuel , LION Georges , LABALETTE Myriam , VANTYGHEM Marie-christine
Published: March 2021

Context Dercum’s disease (DD) and Roch-Leri mesosomatic lipomatosis (LMS) are rare and poorly characteri -zed diseases. The clinical presentation combines multiple lipomas, painful in DD in contrast with LMS, without lipoatrophy. ObjectiveTo identify any specific metabolic and immune phenotype of DD and LMS with the aim to improve their treatment.Design & PatientsThis monocentric retrospective study included 38 patients: 9 DD, 11 LMS and 18 healthy controls. Metabolic and immunohematological characteristics of each group were compared.Results The median age of the patients was similar in the 3 groups (31 years). The number of women, and of basophils, and CD3+, CD4+ and CD8 + T lymphocytes was significantly higher in the DD versus the LMS group, without any difference of the metabolic parameters. Weight, BMI, blood pressure, gamma-GT, leptin, fasting insulin and C-peptide levels, fat mass percentage, and intra/total abdominal fat ratio were significantly higher in each lipomatosis group compared with the control group. Compared with the control group, the DD group had significantly higher fasting blood glucose, LDL-cholesterol, platelets, leukocytes, basophils, and a lower NK cell count, whereas the LMS group had a significantly lower rate of CD3, CD4, and CD8 lymphocytes.ConclusionDD and LMS show a common background of obesity and metabolic phenotype, but a distinct immunohematological profile characterized by a higher number of platelets, leukocytes and basophils in DD patients, an inflammatory profile that could contribute to pain. T lymphocyte depletion was present in LMS. These findings could offer specific therapeutic opportunities, especially for painful DD.NCT0178428
Utilization of chronic lung disease treatment before the respiratory syncytial virus season
Authors: Choi Yoonyoung , Meissner H. Cody , Hampp Christian , Park Haesuk , Winterstein Almut G.
Published: March 2021

Guidelines recommend palivizumab immunoprophylaxis for children with CLD in their second year of life if they continue to need treatment within 6 months before the RSV season. The utilization patterns of treatment (chronic corticosteroid therapy, diuretic therapy, or supplemental oxygen) are not well understood. We examined variations in CLD treatment for ten consecutive 20-day segments preceding RSV season onset. Among infants and children with CLD (n = 19,026), 35.2% received one or more medical treatments for CLD any time within 200 days before entering the second RSV season: 8.6%, 3.2%, and 29.7% received oxygen, diuretics, and corticosteroids, respectively. Utilization decreased as infants’ age increased with corticosteroids surpassing oxygen and diuretics. To avoid the capture of intermittent use of corticosteroids for acute infections, we found a minimum of 45 days cumulative exposure was necessary to determine chronic use.
New Model-Based Manipulation Technique for Reshaping Deformable Linear Objects
Authors: Khalifa Alaa , Palli Gianluca
Published: March 2021

In this article, we consider the problem of reshaping a deformable linear object (DLO) like wires, cables, ropes, and surgical sutures. The solution to this problem would be useful for many fields, especially industrial manufacturing, where the DLO manipulation is still frequently carried out by human workers. In this work, a new model-based manipulation technique for reshaping a DLO is addressed employing a sequence of grasping and releasing primitives performed by a single-armed robot equipped with a gripper. A decision process selects the optimal grasping point exploiting an error minimization approach and chooses the related releasing point. This decision process performs a spline interpolation between the error values obtained from candidate grasping points and chooses the optimal point that owns a minimum error. The multivariate dynamic spline model of the DLO is exploited for selecting the optimal grasping point and predicting the DLO behavior during the manipulation process. Because of its advantages over other integration methods, the symplectic integrator is utilized for iteratively solving the DLO dynamic model. Simulation results of reshaping a DLO lying on a table are presented to evaluate the proposed technique. These results illustrate the intermediate deformation steps which lead the DLO from its starting state to the desired one. They demonstrate that our proposed technique can efficiently manipulate the DLO into various shapes in few steps.
Card Sorting: Challenges in Mathematics during Emergencies and Crises
Authors: Paea Sione , Sharma Bibhya , Bulivou Gabiriele , Paea Mele Katea
Published: March 2021

What are the major challenges facing mathematics students in higher education institutes in the process of shifting from traditional face-to-face to emergency remote learning due to COVID-19? The research argues that a better understanding of challenges experienced by students in the unprecedented time of COVID-19 can help steer the institution in the right direction to sustain quality learning and student retention. This paper utilises open card sorting to explore the topic, and the combination of a similarity matrix and Hierarchical Clustering Method - 3D Cluster View algorithm to cluster and evaluate the card sorting data sets. Card names were initially drawn from the institution’s understanding of students’ experience and its pedagogies, resources, diversities and the socio-cultural dimension of learning during COVID-19. Participants were recruited from first-year mathematics students who had experienced the pressure of shifting from traditional face-to-face to emergency remote teaching while studying in a regional university in the South Pacific. The findings reveal the key role of student finances, motivation, online learning literacy, face-to-face interaction, course delivery, internet access, and home learning environment in understanding the challenges students faced during the pandemic. The novel findings provide new insights into learning analytics for the significant correlation between card sorting and emergency remote learning literature with respect to quality learning in a given pandemic.
Pattern of Uveitis at a Tertiary Eye Care and Training Center, North-West Ethiopia 
Authors: Solomon Liya , Tsegaw Asmere
Published: March 2021

Objective: Uveitis can potentially cause irreversible ocular damage and blindness and knowing its characteristic clinical features is essential in making an accurate diagnosis and starting early appropriate treatment. The aim of this study was to determine the clinical presentations of uveitis at the University of Gondar Tertiary Eye Care and Training center, North-West Ethiopia.METHODS: Institutional based cross-sectional study was conducted at University of Gondar tertiary eye care and training center from August 2017 to July 2018. Study patients underwent complete ophthalmic evaluation and relevant ancillary tests. Data was collected using a data extraction format and entered in to SPSS version 20 and analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 105 eyes of 82 patients were studied. The mean age was 33.8±14.8 years (Range 7 to 80). Half of the participants (41/82) were in the age group between 19 and 39 years. Fifty three (65%) were male and uveitis was unilateral in 72%. Anterior uveitis was the commonest, 57%, followed by Intermediate uveitis 21.7%, pan uveitis 12% and posterior uveitis 10%. Twenty three percent of patients were bilaterally blind at presentation. Out of the 105 eyes involved with uveitis, 63% (66/105) were blind. Cataract was the commonest complication followed by ocular hypertension.CONCLUSION: This study showed that uveitis is prevalent in the working age group with significant number of blindness. Anterior uveitis was the commonest type of Uveitis and cataract was the commonest complication.
Self-perception: Does Obesity Influence Quality of Life
Authors: Zalihic Amra , Barbaric Maja , Mabic Mirela , Palameta Marnela , Maric Ankica Mijic , Grubisic Ana Marija , Pivic Gordana , Markota Nina Pinjuh , Markotic Vedran
Published: March 2021

The number of obese and overweight people around the world rapidly grows and takes on epidemic proportions. The aim of this research is to determine the influence of body weight on quality of life and to investigate our patients' consciousness about their body weight and its impact on their quality of life.Methods : The cross-sectional study was conducted by interviewing 1067 respondents, using the WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire.Results : Out of 1067 patients, 684 were females. 65.5 % of patients had BMI ≥25 kg/m 2 . 21.7% of 699 patients who had BMI ≥25 kg/m 2 think that their increased body weight doesn’t affect their health, 27.9 % of respondents think that their overweight is unrelated to physical activity, 41.8 % of respondents have no problems purchasing the clothes due to their weight and 31.6 % of respondents with BMI ≥25 kg/m 2 think that it doesn’t affect their quality of life.Conclusion : Quality of life is significantly better in respondents with BMI <25 kg/m 2 . The alarming result is that slightly less than half of respondents think that overweight doesn’t affect their health and don’t understand the seriousness of the problem.
The Dynamic of Muslim Identity In Multicultural Politic of Australia
Authors: Jamil M. Mukhsin , Solihan Solihan , Fanani Ahwan
Published: March 2021

This research aims to explore the dynamic of Muslim Identities in a multicultural context. Taking Brisbane as a research locus, the research investigates modes of conflict resolution that are enacted in a Muslim minority area by considering the operation of Islam and Islamic modes negotiating identity within the wider society. The prime concern of the research based on the questions of how does the Muslim in Australia expresses their identity by developing the adaptation strategy as social action in a multicultural context?. Based on the questions, this article focused on the issues of the strategy of Muslim that used in responding to view and practices of multiculturalism. This research shows that Muslims in Australia have a wide variety of historical and social backgrounds. Amid Australia's multicultural politics, Australian Muslims have different responses to negotiate Islamic identity on the one hand and as Australian citizens on the other. The adaptation of Muslim in Australia then ranges from a moderate pattern, accepting a secular culture, to being reactionary as the impact of the feeling of being marginalized people as a “stepchild” in Australian citizenship.
A Nation within a Nation: English Education as a Tool of Divide and Rule Policy in Colonial India
Authors:   Post-Graduate Department of English, Bhatter College, Dantan, West Bengal, India., Jana Thakurdas , Sarkar Sandip ,   Department of Humanities and Social Science, NIT, Raipur, India.
Published: March 2021

Famous Irish political scientist and historian, Benedict Anderson, in his book, Imagined Communities: Reflections on the Origin and Spread of Nationalism has described nations as imagined communities. Stephen May, the British novelist, playwright, and TV writer, has viewed that language is used as a political tool to strengthen the imagined community of a nation-state. Eventually, many countries have been named after the language predominantly used in a particular country. But during the colonial expansion that the linguistic identity of a colonised nation like India and its people has been transformed in different ways. With the English Education Act, 1835 Lord Bentinck defeated the Orientalists and promoted English education in India. Consequently, different missionaries like Joshua Marshman, William Carey, William Ward, and Alexander Duff, who principally used English education to preach Christianity among the Indians, and British officials like Charles Grant, Lord Macaulay, William Hazlitt, and also some higher-class Indians like Raja Rammohan Roy, Keshab Chandra Sen, Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay supported the Anglicist view and tried to spread the English education in India. Different English schools like Dharmatala Academy were built and in the curriculum of different universities, the writings of different English authors like Francis Bacon, William Shakespeare, John Milton, Joseph Addison, Alexander Pope were included. Many higher-class Indians became more interested in English study losing their interest in vernacular education. Vijay Agnew in her autobiography, Where I Come From, and Madhu Kishor in her article “The Dominance of Angreziyat in Our Education” have accused English education of making them unaware and ignorant of the Indian culture and writings. In this way, the higher-class English educated Indians have created one English nation within the Hindustan. Even the translation of different Indian classical texts into English like Sir William Jone’s translation of Abhjnanasakuntalam in 1789 and Sir Charles Wilkins’ translation of Bhagabadgita in 1784 has also paved the way for forming a different identity. In this context, the present paper aims to show how the different tools for spreading the English language divided the nation into two, supporting the divide and rule policy of the British, which is still effective in the so-called united, equal, and democratic India.
Visualizing Memory Scapes: A Spatio- Affective Study of Select War Memorials of Jammu and Kashmir
Authors:   Department of English, Central University of Jammu, J&K, India., Pathania Ritika , Thakur Raj
Published: March 2021

The paper through iconographic and spatial dynamics, critically engages with the performative aspect of the select war memorial sites in the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir. While the interdisciplinary study of war memorials in relation to memory and commemorative politics have been studied, its materialistic aesthetics informed through spatial and affective contours remains a burgeoning field of enquiry if not an unexampled one. The study is premised on the photographic field work of the sites envisioned through the cultural geography of war memorials. In approaching war memorial sites as a landscape of memory, we take the position that memory is simultaneously a material and immaterial phenomenon and these cannot be detached from affective and visceral human bonds and their roles in (re-)formulations in space and place. The materialistic aesthetics of memory- memorial continuum are ideated through spatial and affective contours, which, in turn, inform the predominant and everyday experience of grief and bereavement, both imagined and lived. The study dominantly attests its claims through Foucault’s concept of ‘heterotopia’ in relation to commemorative sites. The heterotopic tensions of multiple experiences and belongings are unpacked through both tangible and affective domains ranging from dominant public commemorative sites to parks and shopping complexes.
Oronyms of Monsalvat and Valhalla in Dramaturgy of Wagner’s New Myth “Lohengrin”
Authors:   Department of Theory and History of Music, Kharkiv State Academy of Culture, Kharkiv, Ukraine., Roshchenko Olena H.
Published: March 2021

The paper deals with the following elaboration levels of opera myth in Wagner’s “Lohengrin”: the semantic functions of the Monsalvat and Valhalla oronyms, concentric dramaturgy as a sign of the reverse time of the chronotope-sacra. The research is based on the principles of mythooperology, musical onomatology, encyclopedic, intro- and extra-myphological types of analysis – scientific fields of musicology and methodological principles developed by the author of this paper. Valhalla and Monsalvat fulfilled at different times the similar functions (world resurrection mountain, castle, dwelling of heavenly warriors of light), which gave the sacred oronyms meaning of semantic twins in R. Wagner’s opera. “Lohengrin” opera transmythology, which takes place in the era of destroyed Klingsor, is based on a confrontation between Wunder and Zauber, a duel for the rule over Brabant (Midgard). Four large circles (the circle of Monsalvat, the narrative circle, the circle of Dei Judicium, the vow circle), two small circles, two transitional or intermediate circles (conspiracy and Valhalla) structure the content of the musical-scenic whole. The sacral centre of the opera myth is interpreted through scenes 4 and 5 act 2, where the conflictive opposition between Valhalla and Monsalvat acquires public form. According to the doctrine of “transcendental philosophers”, R. Wagner’s new opera myth acquires the value of a fragmentary formed encyclopaedia-chaos, which is dominated by the rigid logic of artistic form design with the pattern of freedom.
On Dramaturgy of Russian Romances of S.V. Rachmaninov
Authors:   Department of Music, Musicology, College of Arts, Jiangxi University of Finance and Economics, Nanchan, China., Eryong Li
Published: March 2021

The relevance of the study is determined by the fact that the main field of Rachmaninov’s vocal creativity was lyrics, the world of personal feelings and moods. In its origins, it is associated mainly with Tchaikovsky’s legacy, which is also manifested in the general emotional “openness”, sincerity and immediacy of expression, and in some more specific stylistic characters. The novelty of the study determines that, like Tchaikovsky, Rachmaninov sought above all to capture the basic mood of a poetic text in a bright melodic image, showing it in growth, dynamics and development. Therefore, there are those long lines of rise, growth and pathetic climax, which Rachmaninov’s romances abound with. The authors show that he did not miss the experience of the senior masters of the “St. Petersburg school” with their careful, attentive attitude to the poetic word. Rachmaninov, with some rare exceptions, does not allow arbitrary permutations of words or repetitions that violate the form of the verse, his vocal declamation, as a rule, is accurate and distinct. In this regard, he was quite at the level of his time – the era of the highest, most refined poetic culture. The practical significance of the research is determined by the fact that the study of the heritage of the art of Rachmaninov will be important for the general study of the flow of musical culture of the period under study.
Chromium and nickel metal ions removal from contaminated water using Nigerian bentonite clay
Authors: Jock Alexander Asanja , Oboh Innocent Oseribo , Inyang Uwem Ekwere , Ganchok Lawrence Philippian , Adeku Ojo
Published: March 2021

In this work, bentonite clay was characterized and investigated for the adsorption of chromium and nickel metal ions from aqueous solution. The clay, calcined at 650 °C, was characterized for physical, chemical and textural properties. Nickel sulphate hexahydrate (NiSO4.6H2O) and chromium tri oxide (Cr2O3) solutions were used as metal model compounds to evaluate the adsorption efficiency of the clay in a batch mode. The initial metal ions concentration ranged from 10 to 50 mg/L and the maximum removal efficiency was 99.40% for Cr (III) and 71.50% for Ni (II) metal ions. Langmuir and Freundlich models were utilized for the analysis of the adsorption equilibrium isotherm. The experimental data fitted well into the Freundlich model for Cr (III) with a regression coefficient (R2) of 0.996 and the Langmuir model for Ni (II) having an R2 value 0.994. The pseudo-second order kinetic model fitted well for both chromium and nickel and their adsorption from single metal solutions followed the order Cr > Ni.

Highlight

The local clay has not been reported in any scholarly journal or publication. The removal of nickel and chromium using this clay has been found to be effective. The data obtained will form a baseline for references and learning purposes.
Will the Federal Budget for 2021–2023 Fiscal Years be Able to Ensure the Achievement of Strategic Goal and to Assure the Economic Security of the Russian Federation?
Authors: Karaeva I. V. , Kolomiets A. G. , Kazantsev S. V.
Published: March 2021

The principles of drawing up the Federal Budget for 2021–2023, adopted in December 2020, are based on macroeconomic conditions. The probability to fulfill these conditions can’t be rated as high. In addition, these conditions ignore a number of significant threats to  the  economic  security  of  the  Russian  Federation  caused  by;  the  continuation  of  the COVID-pandemic  in  2021  and  the  increased  risk  of  similar  threats;  the  reduction  of the  trade  balance;  the  continuation  of  the  general  reduced  in  the  level  of  the  Russian population’s well-being, and by the lack of resources for investments. It is also impossible not to draw attention to the fact that within the framework of the budget concept, they set up a task to ensure the growth rate of the national economy at the level of a stagnant three  percent.  Moreover,  in  the  context  of  the  ongoing  development  of  the  pandemic, the President of the Russian Federation postpones until 2030 the achievement of many important goals that they forecast to achieve by 2024. Therefore, the trend of a long-term policy of sluggish, and in principle decaying, economic development with the minimization of inflationary processes at the level of four percent is forming. At the same time, budgeted principles generate not only the direction and dynamics of socio-economic development of the Russian Federation, but the same pace and guidelines for the development of the subjects  of  the  Russian  Federation.  But!  Today,  new  trends  in  the  development  of  a rapidly transforming post-pandemic economy require the search for new internal drivers of development, including financial ones, require a transition to a model of breakthrough economic growth at both at the federal and regional levels. The country is entering an economy that has other priorities. So, we need other rules of fiscal policy.
Integral Assessment of the Level of Marginalization of Regional Societies in Russia
Authors: Babkin R. A.
Published: March 2021

The marginalization of society is one of the most acute problems of modern Russia leading to a slowdown of the development of social and human capital. World practice shows that the  social  atmosphere  serves  as  a  necessary  environment  for  the  self-realization  of  the individual and the disclosure of the natural potential inherent in it. The social background sets certain standards for a person’s self-expression, promotes the conversion of his talents in the economic and cultural spheres and it is an integral part of the process of forming a  civil  society.  If  modern  education,  high-quality  medicine  or  high  culture  stimulate  the development  of  human  capital,  then  crime,  poverty  or  social  diseases,  on  the  contrary, suppress its growth. The article shows the versatility of marginalization, explains its main causes and regional specifics. A system of indicators and a methodology for evaluating this phenomenon are proposed. The author presents an attempt to link a number of statistical indicators of social exclusion with the most striking characteristics of social marginalization. On  this  basis,  a  methodology  for  assessing  the  marginalization  of  regional  societies  is developed, the heterogeneity and regional specifics of this phenomenon are shown and the main factors of geographical, economic, cultural and institutional origin that cause reduced or increased values of marginalization are identified.
On the Threshold of a New Regionalization
Authors: Gligich-Zolotareva M. V.
Published: March 2021

American and European federalism served as a real model in the construction of the domestic state system for a long time. It is difficult to deny that these were indeed the best known examples  of  the  organization  of  the  administration  of  geographically  complex  states.  But the  coronavirus  pandemic  has  escalated  old  socio-political  and  economic  contradictions. The regionalization become one of the trends in the development of the state in the era of coronavirus. It means that role of regions and municipalities become disproportionately sharp. As a result decentralization and even separatism have grown. Similar problems can lead to the undermining not only of the economy, but also of territorial and even political integrity in most countries. The situation of tension between the center and the regions concerned not only sufficiently well-established Federal state such as the US, but the so-called “regional states” – Great Britain, Italy, Spain, and even interstate associations represented by the European  Union.  Obviously,  the  well-studied  models  of  federalism  of  Western  countries can no longer be a reference point for Russia and other countries. We need own models of state-territorial structure.
Wykorzystanie aspektów konstruktywizmu w kształtowaniu świadomości ekologicznej
Authors: Buchcic Elżbieta
Published: March 2021

W dzisiejszych czasach pedagogiczne aspekty kształtowania świadomości ekologicznej społeczeństwa to temat bardzo istotny w kontekście negatywnych zmian zachodzących w środowisku przyrodniczym i rosnącej wciąż antropopresji. Ale jest to zagadnienie bardzo obszerne, które trzeba rozpatrywać wieloaspektowo, z punktu widzenia wielu dziedzin naukowych – między innymi również pedagogiki, psychologii, socjologii, filozofii – na bazie nauk przyrodniczych. Zawsze w podejmowanych przedsięwzięciach warto uwzględnić, jako priorytetowy wątek, edukację formalną i nieformalną całego społeczeństwa, a nie tylko dzieci i młodzieży, ponieważ to dorośli zarządzają środowiskiem. Należy również pamiętać, że wiedza to nie tylko fakty, zasady i teorie wywodzące się z obserwacji zjawisk i wydarzeń, lecz także umiejętność racjonalnego wykorzystania i interpretacji tych informacji w życiu codziennym. Dlatego, wykorzystując założenia pedagogiki konstruktywistycznej, można wzbogacić ofertę działań służących kształtowaniu świadomości ekologicznej całego społeczeństwa. Artykuł prezentuje wybrane założenia pedagogiki konstruktywistycznej i możliwości wdrażania jej podczas kształtowania prawidłowych postaw wobec przyrody. Ponieważ warto ciągle poszukiwać odpowiedzi na pytanie, w jaki sposób kształtować świadomość ekologiczną, aby stopniowo zmniejszać nastawienie ludzi na „mieć”, a zwiększać na „być”. Docenienie wartości przyrody ma również istotne znaczenie dla urzeczywistnienia idei zrównoważonego rozwoju, która jest jedyną nadzieją na „lepsze jutro”. Obecnie szczególnym wyznacznikiem ochrony środowiska są podejmowane konkretne działania związane z szeroko rozumianą relacją: człowiek – kultura – natura. Współzależności uwarunkowane są jednak czynnikami wpływu kulturowego na środowisko oraz wpływu środowiska na preferowane wartości.