bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Remote sensing of savanna woody species diversity: A systematic review of data types and assessment methods
Authors: Fundisi Emmanuel , Tesfamichael Solomon G. , Ahmed Fethi
Published: December 2022

Despite savannas being known for their relatively sparse vegetation coverage compared to other vegetation ecosystems, they harbour functionally diverse vegetation forms. Savannas are affected by climate variability and anthropogenic factors, resulting in changes in woody plant species compositions. Monitoring woody plant species diversity is therefore important to inform sustainable biodiversity management. Remote sensing techniques are used as an alternative approach to labour-intensive field-based inventories, to assess savanna biodiversity. The aim of this paper is to review studies that applied remote sensing to assess woody plant species diversity in savanna environments. The paper first provides a brief account of the spatial distribution of savanna environments around the globe. Thereafter, it briefly defines categorical classification and continuous-scale species diversity assessment approaches for savanna woody plant estimation. The core review section divides previous remote sensing studies into categorical classification and continuous-scale assessment approaches. Within each division, optical, Radio Detection And Ranging (RADAR) and Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) remote sensing as applied to savanna woody species diversity is reviewed. This is followed by a discussion on multi-sensor applications to estimate woody plant species diversity in savanna. We recommend that future research efforts should focus strongly on routine application of optical, RADAR and LiDAR remote sensing of physiologically similar woody plant species in savannas, as well as on extending these methodological approaches to other vegetation environments.
Clinical characteristics and risk factors for visual prognosis according to the types of infectious endophthalmitis
Authors: Lee Jae Jung , Jo Yeon Ji , Lee Jong Soo
Published: December 2022

Background

Endophthalmitis is a fatal ophthalmological emergency that needs prompt diagnosis and treatment. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical characteristics and investigate risk factors for the visual prognosis of the different types of endophthalmitis.

Methods

This retrospective study included 239 eyes diagnosed with endophthalmitis at the Pusan National University Hospital between January 2006 and December 2020. All patients were classified into six groups based on the etiology of endophthalmitis: post-cataract surgery, post-vitrectomy, post-glaucoma surgery, post-intravitreal injection, endogenous, and post-trauma. Demographics and clinical characteristics such as age, sex, laterality, initial symptoms, the interval between the primary causable event and diagnosis of endophthalmitis, initial and final visual acuity, management, and culture results were reviewed and statistically analyzed. Risk factors for poor visual prognosis were also analyzed according to the type of endophthalmitis.

Results

Of the 239 cases of endophthalmitis, the most common cause was post-cataract surgery, that occurs within two weeks post-surgery. Gram-positive Staphylococcus was cultured most frequently. Fusarium was characteristically cultured from delayed post-cataract surgery endophthalmitis (14 days–6 weeks post-surgery). Post-vitrectomy endophthalmitis occurred within 3.3 days post-surgery, but post-glaucoma surgery endophthalmitis developed a long period after surgery, averaging 2,742 days. Post-intravitreal injection endophthalmitis occurred most frequently following bevacizumab injection, and Staphylococcus was most commonly isolated. For endogenous endophthalmitis, the pyogenic liver abscess was the most common underlying disease, and Klebsiella was isolated most frequently. Post-traumatic endophthalmitis mostly occurred in young men. Advanced age and poor initial visual acuity were risk factors for poor visual prognosis (P = 0.041, odds ratio = 1.024 and P < 0.001, odds ratio = 3.904, respectively, using logistic regression analysis).

Conclusion

Advanced age and initial visual acuity were risk factors for poor visual prognosis in cases of endophthalmitis caused by various etiologies. Early diagnosis and treatment of endophthalmitis are required, especially in older patients.
Perceptual visual dependence for spatial orientation in patients with schizophrenia
Authors: Razzak Rima Abdul , Jahrami Haitham , Husni Mariwan , Ali Maryam Ebrahim , Bagust Jeff
Published: December 2022

Background

Patients with schizophrenia are reported to have vestibular dysfunction and to weigh vestibular input to a lesser extent compared to healthy controls. Such deficits may increase visual dependence (VD) for spatial orientation at a perceptual level in these patients. The aim of this study is to compare VD levels between healthy control and patients with schizophrenia and to explore associations between VD and clinical measures in these patients. Relation of VD to antipsychotic drug treatment is also discussed.

Method

18 patients with schizophrenia and 19 healthy controls participated in this study. The Rod and Disc Test (RDT) was used to create an optokinetic surround around a centrally located rod. Participants aligned the rod to their subjective visual vertical (SVV) in both static and dynamic disc conditions. VD was calculated as the difference in SVV between these two conditions.

Results

There was no group difference or gender difference in static or dynamic SVV as well as VD. There was no correlation between VD and any of the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) scores, however VD was significantly correlated to illness duration in the patient group.

Conclusions

Schizophrenia is not associated with greater VD levels at a perceptual level, compared to controls, indicating adequate visuo-vestibular integration for judging line verticality in these patients. Patients with greater chronicity of the disease are more visually dependent than those less chronically ill, consistent with previous reports of possible vestibular dysfunction in patients with schizophrenia. This may affect their daily functioning in dynamic visual environments.
Effect of rest, post-rest transport duration, and conditioning on performance, behavioural, and physiological welfare indicators of beef calves
Authors: Meléndez Daniela M. , Marti Sonia , Haley Derek B. , Schwinghamer Timothy D. , Yang Xiaohui , Schwartzkopf-Genswein Karen S.
Published: December 2022

The aim of this study was to assess the effects of conditioning, rest, and post-rest transport duration on welfare indicators of 6–7 mo old beef calves following a 20-h transport. Three hundred and twenty-eight weaned calves (237 ± 29.7 kg of BW) were randomly assigned to a 2 × 2 × 2 nested factorial design: conditioning, conditioned (C) or non-conditioned (N); rest, 0 (R0) or 8 (R8) h, and post-rest transport, 4 (T4) or 15 (T15) h. Calves were sampled before (LO1) and after (UN1) the initial 20-h journey, before (LO2) and after (UN2) the additional 4 or 15-h journey, and at 1, 2, 3, 5, 14, and 28 d after UN2. Data was analyzed using the GLIMMIX procedure of SAS. Fixed effects included conditioning, transport, and time nested within rest period, while random effects included animal and pen. Greater shrink (p< 0.01) was observed in C than N calves after the initial 20-h transport. During the first week after transportation, the mean ADG of N calves was greater than C calves (p< 0.01). From d 14 to d 28, however, the mean ADG of C calves was greater than N calves (p< 0.01). Flight speed, cortisol and L-lactate concentrations were greater (p≤ 0.05) in C than N calves between LO1 and d 5, while greater (p≤ 0.02) non-esterified fatty acids, creatine kinase, serum amyloid-A, and haptoglobin concentrations were observed in N than C calves between LO1 and d 3. The R8-T4 calves had greater (p< 0.01) ADG than R8-T15 calves between LO1 and d 5. The R0-T4 calves had greater L-lactate concentrations than R0-T15 and R8-T4 calves (bothp= 0.02) on d 1. The R0 calves had greater (p< 0.01) ADG than R8 calves between 14 and 28 d. This study suggests that C calves are better fit for transport than N calves as evidenced by behavioural and physiological parameters. Fewer and inconsistent differences were observed for rest and post-rest transport treatments.
Targeting Nup358/RanBP2 by a viral protein disrupts stress granule formation
Authors: Sadasivan Jibin , Vlok Marli , Wang Xinying , Nayak Arabinda , Andino Raul , Jan Eric
Published: December 2022

Viruses have evolved mechanisms to modulate cellular pathways to facilitate infection. One such pathway is the formation of stress granules (SG), which are ribonucleoprotein complexes that assemble during translation inhibition following cellular stress. Inhibition of SG assembly has been observed under numerous virus infections across species, suggesting a conserved fundamental viral strategy. However, the significance of SG modulation during virus infection is not fully understood. The 1A protein encoded by the model dicistrovirus,Cricket paralysis virus(CrPV), is a multifunctional protein that can bind to and degrade Ago-2 in an E3 ubiquitin ligase-dependent manner to block the antiviral RNA interference pathway and inhibit SG formation. Moreover, the R146 residue of 1A is necessary for SG inhibition and CrPV infection in both Drosophila S2 cells and adult flies. Here, we uncoupled CrPV-1A’s functions and provide insight into its underlying mechanism for SG inhibition. CrPV-1A mediated inhibition of SGs requires the E3 ubiquitin-ligase binding domain and the R146 residue, but not the Ago-2 binding domain. Wild-type but not mutant CrPV-1A R146A localizes to the nuclear membrane which correlates with nuclear enrichment of poly(A)+ RNA. Transcriptome changes in CrPV-infected cells are dependent on the R146 residue. Finally, Nup358/RanBP2 is targeted and degraded in CrPV-infected cells in an R146-dependent manner and the depletion of Nup358 blocks SG formation. We propose that CrPV utilizes a multiprong strategy whereby the CrPV-1A protein interferes with a nuclear event that contributes to SG inhibition in order to promote infection.
Classed markers of a working-class academic identity
Authors: Crew Teresa
Published: December 2022

Working-class academics (WCAs) represent a powerful example of widening participation policies, although their struggles (and achievements) are often overlooked once they enter the academy. Drawing on extensive qualitative interview data with WCAs, the largest study conducted, to date, in the United Kingdom, and informed by the work of Pierre Bourdieu and Tara Yosso, this article outlines four main class markers that were inherent in the WCA identity of these respondents: a lack of a safety net to ‘manage’ academic precarity; an uneven access to capital; a complex habitus; ‘utilising lived experience’. This article ends with a consideration of how we can move forward in our approach to studying working-class cohorts and offers three key recommendations for further research.
El cine como embajador de la diversidad cultural europea. Análisis de los largometrajes ganadores del LUX Prize
Authors: Díaz-González María Jesús , González del Valle-Brena Almudena
Published: December 2022

El Parlamento Europeo creó el LUX Prize en el año 2007, con la finalidad de fomentar la distribución de largometrajes europeos y alcanzar así el fortalecimiento de la identidad europea a través del cine. Las películas que optan a este premio deben mostrar el alcance universal de los valores europeos y la diversidad de las tradiciones de Europa, así como iluminar su proceso de integración.El objetivo de esta investigación es verificar la contribución a la diversidad cultural de las películas que ganaron el LUX Prize en la primera etapa de este premio (2007-2019). La metodología empleada incluye aspectos cuantitativos y cualitativos. Por un lado, obtención y análisis de variables; y, por otro lado, análisis del discurso desde la perspectiva del cosmopolitismo crítico.Los resultados se centran en la diversidad dentro de los largometrajes. Diversidad geográfica y demográfica –países y etnias de los personajes principales y secundarios–; y, diversidad de ideas –puntos de vista y perspectivas sociales, políticas y culturales– representadas. El análisis muestra elementos interesantes relacionados con la familia, la educación y la lengua.Las conclusiones permiten confirmar la aportación del LUX Prize a la diversidad cultural y, por tanto, la adecuación de esta iniciativa del Parlamento Europeo.
Evolutionary economics matters: an overview of the extraordinary contributions of Nelson & Winter
Authors: Mendes de Paula Germano , Dos Reis Azevedo Botelho Marisa
Published: December 2022

This review article aims to analyze some of the main contributions regarding evolutionary economics and innovation made by Richard Nelson and Sidney Winter. We reviewed, in particular, the main issues covered in the books published in 1982, such as search, routine, and selection, and 2018, such as the new and important elements of the debate that are still poorly addressed by evolutionary theory. We also focus on the discretionary firm differences and the mechanisms of appropriability, which are themes related to sector and company levels, and investigate the relationship between science, innovation, and economic development, which are themes at macro level.
Financing the Agricultural Sector of the Economy and Its Impact on Sustainable Environmental Aspects
Authors: AIDAROVA Aina , MAULENKULOVA Gulbana , DAURBAEVA Marzhan , KAMENOVA Mazken , AIMURZINA Baglan , JANBIRBAEVA Sanim
Published: December 2022

Features of the agricultural sector are closely related to biological and natural-climatic processes and depend on the seasonality of economic activity, i.e. directly depend on climatic factors as the main source of production of land resources, the agro-industrial complex. An analysis of the state of the agricultural sector of the economy of the Republic of Kazakhstan shows some important problems related to the influence of environmental factors on the agro-industrial complex, as well as on financial relations in this sector, based on the basic principles that reflect the objective requirements for the development of public finances and environmental relations, for the rational distribution of agricultural products, which is associated with the need for financing and rational planning for the use of investments attracted to agriculture.
Marketing Strategy and Performance in Tourism Industry: SMART Tourism Development in Madura Island
Authors: SYARIF Muh.
Published: December 2022

This study aims to determine the growth factors, strategies, and performance of SMART. SMART stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-Bound in the form of an effective process for determining and achieving business goals. The research design is a mix of methods to collect, process, and analyze data systematically and directly so that research can be carried out properly. Our findings reveal that the actual condition of the recovery of tourism industry, especially in Bangkalan, Sumenep, and Pamekasan regencies is getting better. The main challenge for the post-pandemic tourism industry is to promote local tourism on the international stage. It can be concluded that the SMART tourism framework can provide opportunities for businesses to determine their goals in facing the challenges of the tourism industry. Also, these findings reveal a lack of critical literature examining the assumptions of smart tourism and questioning its feasibility and positive experiential, economic and social impacts on local communities. This study proposes a research agenda that is far from comprehensive by understanding SMART's tourism potential and possible shortcomings and becomes a recommendation for government policies in the context of restoring the tourism industry in Indonesia.
On the development of control solutions for local energy communities
Authors: Benigni A. , Xhonneux A. , Carta D. , Pesch T. , Muller D.
Published: December 2022

Local Energy Communities (LEC) have been recognized by the European Union (EU) as a key component of the energy transition. The Clean Energy Package of the European Commission has defined a legislative framework for the operation of LEC that aim at participation of LEC in energy markets. The digitalization of LECs is a critical step both for the realization of those communities as well as for their interface to system operator, service providers and markets.

In this paper, we present an incremental prototyping approach and the related infrastructure to develop control and information and communications technology (ICT) solutions for local energy communities.
The crystal structure of oxalic acid – 2-ethoxybenzamide (2/1), C20H24N2O8
Authors: Xia Ying-Fan , Lin Shu-Ting , Zhang Jia-Rong , Jiang Cheng-Jun
Published: December 2022

C20H24N2O8, monoclinic, P21/n (no. 14), a = 3.8981(3) Å, b = 16.0675(11) Å, c = 16.2908(10) Å, β = 94.537(3)°, V = 1017.14(12) Å3, Z = 2, R

gt
(F) = 0.0634, wR

ref
(F
2) = 0.1746, T = 170 K.
Kinderbonuskonsum
Authors: Bachmann Rüdiger , Bayer Christian , Kornejew Martin
Published: December 2022

Im Rahmen des deutschen Konjunkturpakets 2020 wurde eine temporäre Erhöhung des Kindergeldes, ein Kinderbonus, von 300 Euro pro kindergeldberechtigtem Kind beschlossen. Dieser Bonus wurde in zwei Raten ausgezahlt, eine im September (200 Euro) und eine im Oktober 2020 (100 Euro). Wir verwenden eine repräsentative Umfrage zum monatlichen Konsumverhalten deutscher Haushalte, um die intertemporale Konsumwirkung dieses Transfers zu schätzen. Gemäß diesen Schätzungen verausgaben die Kindergeldempfänger im Durchschnitt 28 bis 37 Prozent des Transfers als zusätzlichen Konsum bereits zwischen September und November 2020. Allerdings konzentriert sich die Ausgabensteigerung signifikant – wie auch theoretisch zu erwarten – auf Kindergeldempfänger mit niedrigem liquiden Vermögen, die erwarten, dass sie den Kinderbonus nicht vollständig über die Einkommensteuer zurückzahlen müssen. Diese Gruppe verausgabt den zusätzlichen Transfer fast vollständig.
Disruption of marine habitats by artificial light at night from global coastal megacities
Authors: Smyth T. J. , Wright A. E. , Edwards-Jones A. , McKee D. , Queirós A. , Rendon O. , Tidau S. , Davies T. W.
Published: December 2022

Half of globally significant megacities are situated near the coast, exposing urban marine ecosystems to multiple stressors such as waste-water discharge containing a host of organic and inorganic pollutants, air and noise pollution. In addition to these well recognized sources, artificial light at night (ALAN) pollution is inseparable from cities but poorly quantified in marine ecosystems to date. We have developed a time- and wavelength-resolving hydrological optical model that includes solar (daylight and twilight components), lunar and ALAN source terms and propagates these spectrally through a tidally varying water column using Beer’s Law. Our model shows that for 8 globally distributed cities surface ALAN dosages are up to a factor of 6 greater than moonlight, as ALAN intensities vary little throughout the night, over monthly or seasonal cycles. Moonlight only exceeds ALAN irradiances over the ±3-day period around full moon, and particularly during the brightest moons (mid-latitude winter, at zenith). Unlike the relatively stable surface ALAN, underwater ALAN varies spectrally and in magnitude throughout the night due to tidal cycles. The extent of ALAN in-water attenuation is location-specific, driven by the season, tidal range and cycle, and water clarity. This work highlights that marine ALAN ecosystem pollution is a particularly acute global change issue near some of the largest cities in the world.
Evaluation of the drying stress in industrial kiln-dried boards using a force-based technique
Authors: Leelatanon Satjapan , Jantawee Sataporn , Vannarat Sornthep , Matan Nirundorn
Published: December 2022

The introduction of a restoring force technique has allowed the internal stress within kiln-dried lumber to be assessed, without requiring a modulus. However, an analytical model based on the elastic beam theory was only valid within a flexural range and only internal stress in the direction of the width was assumed to exist. Within this work, the model was extended to lumber, which could also contain some other internal stress components, by testing 30-mm-thick and 100-mm- to 130-mm-wide flat-sawn rubberwood boards. The improved model successfully separated the effects of other internal stress components in terms of a remnant force. Also, a finite element analysis was employed to validate the internal stress behavior. With little impact from other internal stress components, the finite element model, which used the released strain and Young’s modulus in the tangential direction, successfully simulated the restoring force profile for an entire half-split length, including the relatively short half-split length outside the flexural range. But the finite element model failed to perfectly capture the restoring force behavior in the presence of other internal stress components. Future work is required to fully investigate the internal stress in all three main orthogonal directions.
From turbulence to laminar dynamics on the basis of equal competition
Authors:   State Institution “Institute for Economics and Forecasting, NAS of Ukraine”, Valeriy Heyets
Published: December 2022

The article considers instability as a transcendental phenomenon with signs of irrationality, which has gone beyond the phases of economic crises to engulf the entire society, state and economy. As a result, a global turbulence arises, manifested in repeated fluctuations caused by the clash between personal, corporate, national and other interests. The turbulence in the "new reality" of social development is a result of the propagation of the alleged unsurpassedness of the free market, which in reality faces the failure of its globalization, which in turn gives rise to aspirations for national protectionism. The author considers the relationship between the global largely associated with the "world without borders", and the national, which uses interventionism as a way of protection, as an opposition of "monization" and "fragmentation", which further deepens the existing turbulence and gives rise to the problem of global governance. The author associates the way out of the current situation with socialization, as a way of transferring the social into the formation and development of a self-organizing individuality, who performs conscious economic, social and ethical actions. The latter are a necessary condition for a laminar development of society, state and economy. Such economic, social and ethical actions would result in a fair competition and socialization based on the freedom of activity, self-development, self-organization and the ability to find the limits of the power between society and state, which should ensure economic and political competition.
Properties of Microorganisms Isolated from Soils under Conventional and Organic Farming
Authors:   Institute of Agroecology and Environmental Management, NAAS of Ukraine, Gumeniuk I.I. , Levishko A.S. ,   Institute of Agroecology and Environmental Management, NAAS of Ukraine, Demyanyuk O.S. ,   Institute of Agroecology and Environmental Management, NAAS of Ukraine, Sherstoboeva O.V. ,   Institute of Agroecology and Environmental Management, NAAS of Ukraine
Published: December 2022

Оbjective. The article presents the results of research aimed at determining the influence of different methods of tillage on the functional diversity of the soil microbiota. Soil samples containing plant residues from agricultural plots under conventional and organic farming in the Kyiv oblast were used for the study. Methods. Analysis of soil microbiota using differential diagnostic nutrient media by serial dilutions of soil suspension was performed. To quantify the phosphate-mobilizing properties of the isolated microorganisms, the concentration of phosphorus in the solution was measured (grown in NBRIP liquid medium) and detected by the Arenius spectrophotometric method on a Ulab 102UV Spectrophotometer. Results. Th e soil of the plots under organic agrotechnology of cultivation was marked by a greater number of microorganisms of all ecological and trophic groups, except oligonitrophilic and phosphate-solubilizing bacteria. The vast majority of phosphate-transforming bacteria were isolated from the soil of agricultural plots under convection farming. The largest number of cellulose-degrading isolates was isolated from the soil under organic farming plots. Five isolates have the widest range of agronomically useful properties, in particular, the ability to mobilize organic and inorganic phosphates and cellulosolytic activity: 6b, 13b, 18b, 19b, and 8m. After incubation of the isolates on an NBRIP medium at 28°C and 200 rpm for 72 hr, special analyzes for dissolved phosphorus content and pH level in the culture fluid were performed. Isolate 8m selected from chornozem (black soil) under convection agriculture and classified by us as Trichoderma sp. exhibited the highest phosphate-mobilizing activity. The vast majority of bacteria capable of phosphate transformation were isolated from the soil of agricultural areas affected by convection agriculture; and isolates capable of dissolving cellulose — from the soil of organic farming. Conclusions. The initial identification of certain isolates allowed us to classify them as Bacillus and Trichoderma. These isolates are important for further research with the prospect of creating a complex biological preparation with fungicidal properties and the ability to mobilize organic and inorganic phosphorus compounds.
Detection of Biofilm Formation and Some Virulence Factors in Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and the Effect of Some Antibiotics
Authors:   Wasit University, Makhrmash J.H.
Published: December 2022

Objective. Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a present everywhere and opportunistic bacterium pathogen. The existence of numerous virulence factors i.e. exo-toxin, exo-enzyme genes, and biofi lm may be contributed in the pathogenesis and pathogenicity of the bacterium. The goals of the present work were to detect biofilm formation, some biofilm genes, and the effect of antibiotics against P. aeruginosa. Methods. All isolates were identified using API 20E and 16S rRNA techniques. The microtiter plate method (MTPM) was used to detect biofi lm formation. Th e polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to fi nd some virulence genes e.g. pelA, pslA. Results. A total of 64 P. aeruginosa isolates were identified as P. aeruginosa. The majority of infection belonged to burn infections — 27 (42.2%), followed by ear — 17 (26.5%), and urine — 20 (31.3%). The results of biofilm detection using MTPM showed that all P. aeruginosa isolates were able to produce biofilm but at different levels. PCR technique was used to detect biofilm genes. Studies showed that 61 (95.30%) and 63 (99.32%) isolates carried pelA and pslA genes, respectively. Moreover, a susceptibility test was used to select 10 antibiotics. P. aeruginosa isolates were resistant to cefotaxime — 61 (95.3%), carbenicillin — 59 (92.2%), ampicillin — 38 (59.4%), piperacilin/tazobactam — 29 (45.3%), streptomycin — 28 (43.8%), moxifloxacin — 27 (42.4%), ticarcilin — 26 (40.6%), ciprofloxacin — 24 (37.5%), gentamicin — 20 (31.3%), and neomycin — 13 (20.3%). Conclusions. Biofilm is produced by P. aeruginosa at different levels. The molecular technique showed that the pelA and pslA genes are associated with the form of biofilm in P. aeruginosa isolates. The susceptibility tests showed that the most active antibiotics against P. aeruginosa were neomycin, gentamycin, and ciprofloxacin, respectively.
The Effect of Ag-Doping on the Cytotoxicity of ZnO Nanostructures Grown on Ag/Si Substrates by APMOCVD
Authors:   Zabolotny Institute of Microbiology and Virology, NAS of Ukraine, Naumenko K.S. , Ievtushenko A.I. ,   Frantsevich Institute for Problems of Material Science, NAS of Ukraine, Karpyna V.A. ,   Frantsevich Institute for Problems of Material Science, NAS of Ukraine, Bykov O.I. ,   Frantsevich Institute for Problems of Material Science, NAS of Ukraine, Myroniuk L.A. ,   Frantsevich Institute for Problems of Material Science, NAS of Ukraine
Published: December 2022

The search and development of new nanostructures and nanomaterials are very important for the progress of nanotechnology and modern microbiology. Due to the unique properties of silver and zinc oxide, these nanoparticles are the optimal basis for creating nanostructures with potential antiviral activity. An important issue in these studies is the establishment of cytotoxicity of these nanoparticles and their composites. Aim. To define the influence of substrate temperature and Ag concentration in ZnO lattice on the microstructure and cytotoxicity of zinc oxide nanostructures. Methods. Pure and Ag-doped ZnO nanostructures were grown on Ag/Si substrates by atmospheric pressure metalorganic chemical vapor deposition method using a mixture of zinc acetylacetonate and silver acetylacetonate powders as a precursor. Argentum thin films were deposited on Si substrates by a thermal evaporation method. MTT-assay was used for the analysis of MDBK and MDCK cell viability in the definition of zinc oxide nanostructure cytotoxicity. Results. Ag-doped zinc oxide nanostructures were grown and characterized by X-ray diff raction, scanning electron microscopy, and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. It was found that Si substrate and pure zinc oxide do not inhibit the cell viability of both epithelial cultures whereas Ag-doped ZnO nanostructures inhibit the cell viability because of all-time exposure in a sample without dilution. The cytotoxic effect was not observed at higher dilutions for Ag-doped zinc oxide nanostructures. Conclusions. The investigation of the effect of Ag-doping on the morphology and cytotoxicity of zinc oxide nanostructures is very important for implementing zinc oxide nanostructures into the current optoelectronics and photocatalysis.
fundaciones urbanas imperiales frente a la dimensión transoceánica de la Ilustración radical
Authors: Castro Braulio Rojas
Published: December 2022

En el presenta ensayo se esboza un marco teórico y conceptual para proponer un contra-canon que permita situar algunos autores y obras que documenten la posibilidad de identificar un cronotopo marítimo portuario en la literatura chilena. Esta mirada se sitúa en el paradigma de la Ilustración radical, articulada desde una perspectiva transoceánica y geofilosófica de los emplazamientos urbano-portuarios. Se elabora una batería analítica que permita abordar los contextos de producción de las obras definiendo genealogías y cartografías críticas desde una perspectiva geocultural. A partir de esto, se delimita un corpus de obras que le dé consistencia concreta a la propuesta de un cronotopo marítimo-portuario contra-canónico en la primera mitad del siglo XX.
Cluster of cases due to Shigella flexneri producing CTX-M-15 in Spain
Authors: Kocsis Erika , Díaz de Tuesta José Luis , Sánchez Juan , Santamaría Rosaura , Moragas Manuel , Herrera-León Silvia , Cisterna Ramón
Published: December 2022

The aim of our study was to delineate an outbreak of gastroenteritis caused by Shigella flexneri and affecting sixteen persons between May and June 2014 in Bilbao, Spain. All patients exhibited symptoms after consuming kebab in the same kebab shop.

The outbreak is described through the clinical cases, the microbiological and molecular genetic diagnosis, and the epidemiologic investigation. Minimum inhibitory concentrations for ampicillin, amoxicillin plus clavulanic acid, third and fourth generation cephalosporins, carbapenems, monobactams, aminoglycosides, fluoroquinolones, co-trimoxazole, colistin and tigecycline were measured. The S. flexneri strains were screened by PCR for TEM, SHV, CTX-M beta-lactamases and plasmidic AmpCs and aac(6′)-Ib gene. Serotyping, pulsed field gel-electrophoresis, conjugation assay, plasmid sizing by S1 enzyme digestion and Southern blot hybridization were accomplished.

All the S. flexneri isolates proved to be serotype 2 and produced extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL). Carbapenems, fluoroquinolones, tigecycline, colistin, and co-trimoxazole remained active antibiotics. All the strains harboured blaCTX-M-15 and blaOXA-1 genes. The strains hosted two high-molecular weight plasmids of 100 and 230 kb, respectively. According to the hybridization assay blaCTX-M-15 was located on the plasmid of 230 kb. The identical pulsotype verified the presence of outbreak.

Remarkable, that one of the food handlers has travelled recently to Pakistan, where ESBL-producing Shigella strains had been reported previously. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first outbreak caused by CTX-M-15-expressing S. flexneri in Spain and as well as in Europe.
Legal Aspects of the Labor Migration Regulation in the Social Security System of the Caspian Region Countries
Authors:   Astrakhan State University, Korablina Olga , Baybekova Elmira ,   Astrakhan State University
Published: December 2022

Introduction: the problem of labor migration is one of the most important problems in the social policy of any state. Taking into account the pace of globalization and the development of modern information and communication technologies, it is necessary to perceive the new reality by taking optimal regulatory measures. In the countries of the Caspian region, labor migration has specific features. This problem is closely connected with the solution of important socio-economic tasks of the territory’s development, which is only possible through an integrated approach and the improvement of modernization in these states. In the paper, the authors have analyzed the current information on the problem of labor migration within the framework of the social security development system in the Caspian region countries. The purpose of the research is to study the processes of labor migration, its specifics and features in the states of the Caspian region, taking into account current developments, recent trends in the social policy development in the peripheral territories. Methods: when writing the paper, the authors used the theoretical basis from the scientific works of Russian scientists, and also performed an analysis of relevant information using the general scientific and special methods, comparative law, systemic and many others. Results: to meet the needs of citizens within the framework of the socio-economic policy of the countries, it is necessary to take measures and carry out activities that have a positive impact on solving the problems of labor migration in the countries of the Caspian region. At the same time, it should be noted that the migration policy of each state is regulated by the legislative and regulatory acts. There is a need to develop cluster projects, whose advantage is undoubtedly the possibility of optimal allocation of labor resources to use innovative opportunities to fully solve migration problems. Conclusions: it is important to provide the Caspian region citizens with additional decently paid jobs. Migration problems are now decisive in the socio-economic policy of any state, which is due to geopolitical, demographic and other factors characterizing modernization processes in the peripheral territories. Strengthening the role of the state in regulating the processes of labor migration would speed up the pace of solving this problem, as well as, which is not least importantly, eliminate the differences in the socio-economic level of development of particular territorial areas.
Public Contract Performance Security for Food Supply for the Needs of the Penal System Institutions and Bodies
Authors:   Volgograd State University, Baltutite Iolanta , Eremeeva Alina ,   Major of the Internal Service
Published: December 2022

Introduction: the paper deals with the problems of the implementation of Federal Law No. 44-FZ of April 5, 2013, “On the contract system in the procurement of goods, works, services for state and municipal needs” in terms of public contract performance security for food supply for the needs of the penal system. The legal nature of contract performance is analyzed from the point of view of the general norms of the Civil Code of the Russian Federation and special legislation. A review of judicial practice in the enforcement of contract performance security for improper performance of the contract terms has been conducted. The purpose of the study is to analyze the mechanism of implementation of public contract performance security of federal customers. The legal nature and functions of public contract performance security have been studied; a comparison of judicial practice in similar cases has been made. Methods: the methods of consistency, analysis and comparative law are used. Results: the authors’ position justified in the work is based on the legislation, the results of the specialists’ study on the use of a mechanism for compensating a penalty by a state customer by withholding contract security from an unscrupulous supplier. The paper presents brief conclusions and suggestions for improving the mechanism for the implementation of the restoration of violated rights of the parties in the execution of public contracts. Conclusions: given the importance of uninterrupted execution of the state order, the legislator has taken care of a system of measures to protect the interests of the state customer. One of the important mechanisms for protecting the customer’s right is the implementation of a security payment. Based on the analysis of judicial practice on this issue, the authors have found that in case of breaking by the supplier of the terms of the public contract, the customer does not always lawfully withhold compensation for penalties in the form of a security payment or an independent guarantee. This issue is especially relevant at the present time in an unstable economic situation. On the one hand, this mechanism guarantees the protection of the rights of the customer; on the other hand, if the supplier is included in the register of unscrupulous enterprises, it puts a stigma on the business reputation and the possibility of further development of a market participant. Therefore, the impartial position of the Federal Antimonopoly Service and the performance in good faith of its duties by the state customer is very important in this matter.
The Formation in the Corporation of Several Sole Executive Bodies Acting Independently of Each Other
Authors:   Volgograd Institute of Management, Branch of the Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration, Mudritsky Sergey
Published: December 2022

Introduction: in 2014, significant changes and additions were made to the civil legislation affecting the creation and activities of corporate governance bodies. One of them should be called the possibility of the formation of several sole executive bodies in one corporation. At the same time, this legislative novel was taken ambiguously among researchers. There are both supporters and opponents of such a decision. In this regard, the paper sets the goal of defining the features of the legal regulation of the formation of several sole executive bodies of the corporation. Methods: the dialectical, formal-legal, comparative-legal, structural-functional and other methods of cognition were used in the course of the study. Results: based on the provisions of the current legislation and theoretical concepts, the analysis of the legislative provisions is carried out, the negative and positive aspects of the formation of several sole executive bodies are highlighted. Conclusions: as a result of the study, the imperfection of the current legislation regulating the formation of several sole executive bodies is noted and the need for a number of amendments and additions to the regulatory legal acts is justified.
Gamification of Law as a Response to Modern Challenges of Its Development
Authors:   Volgograd State University, Konstantinov Alexander
Published: December 2022

Introduction: despite the fact that the theory of gamification has recently been actively developed in such areas as education, personnel management, management, marketing, there are no studies aimed at studying the possible impact of the principles of this process on law today. The relevance of the work is due to the fact that modern vectors of legal development associated with the use of universal methods for various spheres of public life are actively used by game mechanics, which makes it possible to ensure the availability of law and increase interest in legal procedures for people of non-legal professions. The purpose of the paper is to study the process of using the mechanics inherent in gaming activities in relation to legal procedures in modern conditions of the development of law. Methods: the methodological framework for the research is a set of methods of scientific cognition, among which the main ones are the method of analysis and the system method. Results: within the framework of the study, the analysis of the development of the theory of gamification within the framework of various non-legal sciences has been carried out, the definition of the process of “gamification of law” has been proposed, and the aspects of gamification of law have been analyzed. The conclusions obtained as a result of the study show that the gamification of law can be traced through the introduction of game mechanics into various legal procedures, which allows talking about the presence of certain game mechanisms in the diametrically opposite legal sphere. This process is most clearly manifested in the conditions of digital development of law.
Acid Deposition: Anthropogenic Causes, Destructive Effects and Probable Remedies
Authors: Paul Bishal , Sarkar Abhra
Published: December 2022

The harmful effect of acid deposition is considered as one of the most serious environmental problems in the modern world. It has reached alarming proportions mainly in the industrialized countries which affected global ecology vastly. Acid rain creates several health problems to the
human body like eye, nose, and throat irritations, lung disorders such as dry coughs, asthma, headaches, and bronchitis. The excessive presence of sulfur dioxide and oxides of nitrogen in rainwater is the main reason behind acid rain. Emissions of these gases have increased in the atmosphere
due to human activities, such as combustion of fossil fuels in thermal power plants, burnable wastes, automobiles and airplanes etc. To reduce and protect the world from acid rain it is necessary to identify the causes and find suitable strategies for the eradication of those causes. Probable
remedies for the reduction of acid deposition have been discussed here for the welfare of global ecology.
Advanced approaches of Nanotechnology against COVID-19
Authors: Chakrabarty Aritra , Satpathi Rangan , Kar Sayandip , Roy Ambar
Published: December 2022

The COVID-19 recrudescence has instigated a global demand for productive diagnosis, disseminating millions of people with no initial clear signs of decrement owing to the over extension, long incubation period and lack of established treatments or vaccines. The genome sequence and protein
structure of the 2019-novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) which were made available in record time, thus allowed the development of inactivated or attenuated viral vaccines making it a well promising solution to mitigate new viral strains. But along with classical vaccines, if we think about a
better solution then the nanoscience and nanotechnology approaches can act as a very good alternative to help the medical, technical and scientific communities to fight the pandemic by evolving more advanced nanoparticles for effective detection, sanitation, therapies and vaccines, as SARS-CoV-2
can also be regarded as a functional core–shell nanoparticle which can interact with and remain attached to a variety of stuffs in its vicinity, preserving its bioactivity simultaneously . Nanoparticles inhibits interaction between angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), receptors with
the viral S protein. This field comprises of multidisciplinary prospects chapters like "nano immunity" which help to design materials for immune modulation, which either stimulates or suppresses the immune response to help in giving counter-response against the cytokine storm or in developing
vaccines. Additionally, nano sensors can aid in the diagnoses of COVID-19 even on asymptomatic patients. Also, nanoscale fibres can upgrade personal equipment protection and be reused for medical and economic benefits. Here, we review approaches of new applications of nanotechnology against
COVID-19 and highlight its role and advanced manufacturing.
Estado del arte sobre la metodología Análisis de Redes Sociales (ARS) y los Estudios Métricos de la Información (EMI)
Authors: Vargas-Bolaños Rebecca
Published: December 2022

El artículo presenta una descripción teórica de los términos y conceptos más utilizados en las metodologías de los Estudios Métricos de la Información (EMI), específicamente la Bibliometría, y en la de Análisis de Redes Sociales (ARS). Es una primera aproximación y experiencia sobre el estudio de ambas técnicas para el análisis de datos y recuperar información relevante para la persona interesada. En este caso en particular se trata del estado del arte de una investigación sobre la colaboración entre personas autoras de una revista académica de una universidad pública en Costa Rica durante el periodo 2001-2019. El objetivo es dar a conocer de forma ágil y resumida la evolución, trayectoria y aplicabilidad de ambas metodologías, así como conocer algunas experiencias al respecto. Se utilizó como metodología la revisión sistemática o documental. Se contextualiza, se clasifica y se categoriza la información para que la persona lectora tenga una experiencia fluida al consultar este material.
On the Sustainability of Palladium in Organic Synthesis: A Perspective
Authors: Lipshutz B. H.
Published: December 2022

What’s the long- and short-term prognosis for palladium in organic synthesis, the key platinum group metal (pgm) for transition metal-based catalysis used today by the fine chemicals industries? Are these processes green and sustainable? Are they environmentally respectful of the metals, especially the pgms, so essential to modern day society? Are non-pgm ‘earth abundant’ metals an attractive alternative? Where does the up-and-coming area of chemoenzymatic catalysis, which combines chemo- and biocatalysis in one-pot processes in water, fit into the future of drug syntheses? And what about agricultural targets also being made that include palladium catalysis? These and related timely topics are discussed in this Perspective.
UTILIZATION OF Zn-DISPERSED WASTE MATERIALS FOR REALIZING THIN META-STRUCTURE WITH IMPROVED MICROWAVE ABSORPTION
Authors: Kumar Prabhakar , Gupta Deeksha , Dubey Ashish , Kumar Abhishek
Published: December 2022

In the present work, emphasis has been given on the utilization of waste materials to make cost-effective microwave absorbing composites. Rice husk and exhausted activated charcoal (EAC) were used as waste material, where rice husk is a form of agricultural waste and exhausted activated charcoal was extracted from an exhausted water filter cartridge. Thereafter, zinc metal powder was dispersed in different weight ratios in the mixture of rice husk and exhausted activated charcoal using a planetary ball mill. The X-ray fluorescence (XRF), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and the particle size analyses were done to analyze element composition and particle size. For dielectric properties analysis, vector network analyzer (VNA) was used. Results reveal that composites have the potential for microwave absorption in 2-18 GHz frequency range, sample RHZ 3 having 6 wt.% Zn content gives the maximum reflection loss value of -21.27 dB at 9.2 GHz for a material thickness of 13.9 mm. The experimental results were then used to design a metamaterial microwave absorber. The simulated results show the good microwave absorption characteristics. The metamaterial absorber showed an absorption bandwidth of around 4.1 GHz which ranges from frequency of 14.1 GHz to 18.2 GHz at total thickness of 1.7 mm.