bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Using the Box-Jenkins Method to Forecast Sesame Exports in Sudan during the Period 1990-2028
Authors: Nacer Waraq Ali Waraq
Published: November 2020

This study uses the Box–Jenkins method to predict sesame exports in Sudan. After analysis discriminating via various statistical tests, it is found that AR MA (5,3,5) model is the best model to measure this phenomenon. This model was used to predict till 2028. The results indicate that the predicted values are less than the real values till 2001. Then the predicted value is bigger.

The study recommended that the foreign economic relations and to search in how to apply it to help in the marketing of products.
The Impact of Ethical Leadership on the Environmental Responsibility of Small and Medium Enterprises: An Empirical Study
Authors: Guehiri Fatna , Dif Saida
Published: November 2020

This study aims to address ethical leadership and know the extent of its practice by small and medium enterprises in the state of Djelfa and measure the level of environmental responsibility in these institutions and try to find out the level of the impact of moral leadership on environmental responsibility, and in order to answer the main problem and test the hypotheses has been developed A questionnaire based on the previous studies that touched on the two variables. A random sample of 60 workers was selected from the two high-altitude tannery establishments in the Djelfa and the Sweetly Foundation in the Djelfa. The data was analyzed through SPSS. The results of the study showed a positive impact of ethical leadership in its three dimensions (availability of ethical behaviour, ethical behaviour practices, promote ethical behaviour) on environmental responsibility for small and medium-sized enterprises in Djelfa.
Studying Causes of Delayed Construction Projects using Discriminatory Analyses: A Case Study of Office of Promotion and Real Estate Management in Saida
Authors: Kandouci Taouche , Amer Iman
Published: November 2020

The main purpose of this research is the determination of the causes of the delay of the projects in the Saida city, to do so, were distributed to the study sample (employees of the office of property promotion and management “O.P.G.I” of Saida), we recovered 39 response, for the processing of the information collected we used the method of discriminating analysis via the program SPSS v.20, the result obtained is that the main cause of the delay is primarily the contractor, followed by the design office.
Usurious Tricks in Islamic Banks
Authors: Fetni Maya
Published: November 2020

The world has known in recent years escalation of what is known as Islamic banking financing through Islamic banks, its presence has been put forward as an alternative to other banks if individuals do not want to deal with interest, taking, and giving. This study aims to show the risks associated with the nature of the work of Islamic banks and to shed light on how to avoid dealing with interest as much as possible.

This study reached many results, the most important of which is that what is called tricks often is a legitimate way out if it does not clash with the purposes of Sharia. Therefore, Islamic banks should diversify their investment portfolio to the rest of the financing formulas, so that their transactions are not equal to what conventional banks offer, otherwise it falls within the framework of tricks for nominations.
The Impact of the Coronavirus (Covid-19) Pandemic on the Global Economy
Authors: Benkhira Miloud , Tayeb Saida
Published: November 2020

Today, the world is experiencing the consequences of the spread of the Coronavirus, which affected various sectors, causing a major shock to the global economy, which may indeed lead to a sharp turn in global growth rates for 2020. This is not the first supply shock in the world. Oil shocks of the 1970s, the tsunami of Thailand, the earthquake in Japan in 2011 and others, but all of these shocks and crises had a specific geographical scope without physical expansion, as well as a time frame during which it peaked and then ceased; however, the Coronavirus proved to be uncontrollable, as it spreads throughout the world and has an impact on most economies. There is also no clear time frame during which this epidemic, like other crises in the world, where we have shown in this research paper the effects of the Covid-19 virus on the global economy, this is by virtue of the fact that it has caused panic and volatility in the economies of the countries.
Time-Driven Specified Attribute-Based Cost and its Effect on maximizing Profitability of Economic Unity (A Case Study of Najaf Cement Factory)
Authors: Al-ardawe Ameer Ageed Kadhim
Published: November 2020

The study aimed to identify the Time-Driven Specified Attribute Based Cost and its impact to maximize the profitability of the cement plant Najaf through studying and analyzing product characteristics and specifications and linking them to operational cost determinants that add value and working to improve or exclude activities that do not add value. The results of the study showed that the system (Time-Driven Specified Attribute Based Cost) is based on a policy of reducing operational costs and eliminating sources of waste and loss in the flow of operational operations. The study recommended that Time-Driven Specified Attribute Based Cost is based on determining the cost that adds value and linking it to product specifications and excluding the cost that does not add value, in order to maximize the profitability of the product and reduce the production cost that the product goes through in the Najaf Cement Factory compared to competitors through quality and competitive advantage.
The Short and Long Run Determinants of Foreign Direct Investment in Nigeria
Authors: Adekunle Oludayo Elijah
Published: November 2020

What determines foreign direct investment inflows has been a subject of controversy among scholars. As a result of the highlighted gap discussed in this study, the short and long run determinants of foreign direct investment and their effects on foreign direct investment inflow in Nigeria was investigated from 1986 to 2018. Data were analyzed with Augmented Dickey-Fuller and Phillips Perron unit root test, Autoregressive Distributed Lag and Pairwise Granger Causality techniques. Evidence of long run dynamic equilibrium relationship was established between foreign direct investment and its determinants. The short and long run coefficients revealed that government capital expenditure and inflation impede the inflow of foreign direct investment both in the short and long run while exchange rates serve as a bane to foreign direct investment in the long run. However, gross domestic product and trade openness were found to stimulate the inflow of foreign direct investment in the short and long run. The Pairwise causality result revealed that government capital expenditure, exchange rate and trade openness had independent causality with foreign direct investment while gross domestic product and inflation rate had unidirectional causality with foreign direct investment. Thus, the government should allocate more funds for the provision of enabling and investment enhancing the environment to promote foreign direct investment inflow. The study added value to previous studies by estimating the short and long run determinants of foreign direct investment using the more dynamic and robust technique of Autoregressive Distributed Lag developed by Peseran and Shin (1999).
Robust winter warming over Eurasia under stratospheric sulfate
geoengineering – the role of stratospheric dynamics
Authors: Banerjee Antara , Butler Amy H. , Polvani Lorenzo M. , Robock Alan , Simpson Isla R. , Sun Lantao
Published: November 2020

Abstract. It has been suggested that increased stratospheric sulfate aerosol loadings following large, low latitude volcanic eruptions can lead to wintertime warming over Eurasia through dynamical stratosphere-troposphere coupling. We here investigate the proposed connection in the context of hypothetical future stratospheric sulfate geoengineering in the Geoengineering Large Ensemble simulations. In those geoengineering simulations, we find that stratospheric circulation anomalies that resemble the positive phase of the Northern Annular Mode in winter is a distinguishing climate response which is absent when increasing greenhouse gases alone are prescribed. This stratospheric dynamical response projects onto the positive phase of the North Atlantic Oscillation, leading to associated side-effects of this climate intervention strategy, such as continental Eurasian warming and precipitation changes. Seasonality is a key signature of the dynamically-driven surface response. We find an opposite response of the North Atlantic Oscillation in summer, when no dynamical role of the stratosphere is expected. The robustness of the wintertime forced response stands in contrast to previously proposed volcanic responses.
Southern Ocean Cloud and Aerosol data: a compilation of
measurements from the 2018 Southern Ocean Ross Sea Marine
Ecosystems and Environment voyage
Authors: Kremser Stefanie , Harvey Mike , Kuma Peter , Hartery Sean , Saint-Macary Alexia , McGregor John , Schuddeboom Alex , von Hobe Marc , Lennartz Sinikka T. , Geddes Alex , Querel Richard , McDonald Adrian , Peltola Maija , Sellegri Karine , Silber Israel , Law Cliff S. , Flynn Connor J. , Marriner Andrew , Hill Thomas C. J. , DeMott Paul J. , Hume Carson C. , Plank Graeme , Graham Geoffrey , Parsons Simon
Published: November 2020

Abstract. Due to its remote location and extreme weather conditions, atmospheric in situ measurements are rare in the Southern Ocean. As a result, aerosol-cloud interactions in this region are poorly understood and remain a major source of uncertainty in climate models. This, in turn, contributes substantially to persistent biases in climate model simulations, numerical weather prediction models and reanalyses. It has been shown in previous studies that in situ and ground-based remote sensing measurements across the Southern Ocean are critical for complementing satellite data sets due to the importance of boundary layer and low-level cloud processes. These processes are poorly sampled by satellite-based measurements which are typically obscured by near-continuous overlying cloud cover observed in this region. In this work we present a comprehensive set of ship-based aerosol and meteorological observations collected on the TAN1802 voyage of R/V Tangaroa across the Southern Ocean, from Wellington, New Zealand, to the Ross Sea, Antarctica. The voyage was carried out from 8 February to 21 March, 2018. Many distinct, but contemporaneous, data sets were collected throughout the voyage. The compiled data sets include measurements from a range of instruments, such as (i) meteorological conditions at the sea surface and profile measurements; (ii) the size and concentration of particles; (iii) trace gases dissolved in the ocean surface such as dimethyl sulfide and carbonyl sulfide; (iv) and remotely sensed observations of low clouds. Here, we describe the voyage, the instruments, data processing, and provide a brief overview of some of the data products available. We encourage the scientific community to use these measurements for further analysis and model evaluation studies, in particular, for studies of Southern Ocean clouds, aerosol and their interaction. The data sets presented in this study are publicly available at https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.4060237 (Kremser et al. 2020).
A Modular, Non-Newtonian, Model, Library Framework (DebrisLib)
for Post-Wildfire Flood Risk Management
Authors: Floyd Ian E. , Sanchez Alejandro , Gibson Stanford , Savant Gaurav
Published: November 2020

Abstract. Wildfires increase flow and sediment load through removal of vegetation, alteration of soils, decreasing infiltration, and production of ash commonly generating a wide variety of geophysical flows (i.e., hyperconcentrated flows, mudflows, debris flows, etc.). Numerical modellers have developed a variety of Non-Newtonian algorithms to simulate each of these processes, and therefore, it can be difficult to understand the assumptions and limitations in any given model or replicate work. This diversity in the processes and approach to non-Newtonian simulations makes a modular computation library approach advantageous. A computational library consolidates the algorithms for each process and discriminates between these processes and algorithms with quantitative non-dimensional thresholds. This work presents a flexible numerical library framework (DebrisLib) to simulate large-scale, post-wildfire, non-Newtonian geophysical flows using both kinematic wave and shallow-water models. DebrisLib is derived from a variety of non-Newtonian closure approaches that predict a range of non-Newtonian flow conditions. It is a modular code designed to operate with any Newtonian, shallow-water parent code architecture. This paper presents the non-Newtonian model framework and demonstrates its effectiveness by calling it from two very different modelling frameworks developed by the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers (USACE), specifically, within the one-dimensional and two-dimensional Hydrologic Engineering Centre River Analysis System (HEC-RAS) and two-dimensional Adaptive Hydraulics (AdH) numerical models. The development and linkage-architecture were verified and validated using two non-Newtonian flume experiments selected to represent a range of non-Newtonian flow conditions (i.e., hyperconcentrated flow, mudflow, debris flow) commonly associated with post-wildfire flooding.
Acute Fractures of the Glenoid
Authors: Seidl Adam J. , Joyce Christopher D.
Published: November 2020

Glenoid fractures are unique in which they span the fields of orthopaedic traumatology and sports medicine. Treatment of glenoid fractures, whether surgical or nonsurgical, may be challenging and have long-term implications on pain and shoulder function. Plain radiographs are always indicated, and most glenoid fractures will require advanced imaging in the form of CT scan. Two general categories of glenoid fractures exist and differ in mechanism of injury, fracture morphology, and treatment. The first category is glenoid fractures with extension into the scapular neck and body. These fractures are typically from high-energy trauma and are often associated with other orthopaedic and nonorthopaedic injuries. The second category includes glenoid rim fractures, which are typically consequent of lower energy mechanisms and are associated with shoulder instability events. Treatment of glenoid rim fractures is dictated by the size and displacement of the fracture fragment and may be nonsurgical or surgical with either open and arthroscopic techniques. The purpose of this review was to discuss the current evidence on glenoid fractures regarding diagnosis, classification, management, and outcomes.
The Prediction Error of the Chain Ladder Method (With Application to Real Data)
Authors: Zohry Afaf Antar , Ahmed Mostafa Abdelghany
Published: November 2020

The chain ladder method is the most widely used method of estimating claims reserves due to its simplicity and ease of application. It is very important to know the accuracy of the resulting estimates. Murphy presented a recursive model to estimate the standard error of claims reserves estimates, in line with the solvency ii requirements as a new regulatory framework adjusted according to risk, which requires the necessity to estimate the error and uncertainty of the claims reserving estimates. In Murphy's model, the mean square error (MSE) is analyzed into its components: variance and bias. In this paper, the recursive model of Murphy was used to estimate the prediction error in claims reserves estimates of General Accident & Miscellaneous Insurance in one of the Egyptian insurance companies.
Influência da escolha do produto-base do método Unidades de Esforço de Produção (UEP) no custo unitário de transformação
Authors: Moterle Silvete , Wernke Rodney , Zanin Antonio
Published: November 2020

O artigo objetivou analisar se a escolha do produto-base do método UEP interfere no valor monetário do custo unitário dos produtos. Para essa finalidade foi utilizada metodologia classificável como descritiva, qualitativa e no formato de estudo de caso. Realizado com dados reais do setor de salsicharia de frigorífico, os cálculos efetuados permitiram concluir que, independentemente do produto-base escolhido, não há alteração no valor final alocado a cada produto em termos de custo unitário de transformação. Com isso, a contribuição principal do estudo consiste em comprovar, matematicamente, que não cabe considerar um aspecto negativo a ausência de critério(s) específico(s) para definir qual item deve ser escolhido como produto-base, porque isso não altera efetivamente o valor atribuído como custo unitário de transformação. Mesmo tratando-se de estudo de caso, com base nos cálculos apresentados é cabível dessumir que tal experimento pode ser replicado em outros tipos ou portes de empresas fabris.
Pretreatments of Broussonetia papyrifera: in vitro assessment on gas and methane production, fermentation characteristic, and methanogenic archaea profile
Authors: Dong Lifeng , Gao Yanhua , Jing Xuelan , Guo Huiping , Zhang Hongsen , Lai Qi , Diao Qiyu
Published: November 2020

Objective: The present study was conducted to examine the gas production, fermentation characteristics, nutrient degradation, and methanogenic community composition of a rumen fluid culture with Broussonetia papyrifera (B. papyrifera) subjected to ensiling or steam explosion (SE) pretreatment.Methods: Fresh B. papyrifera was collected and pretreated by ensiling or SE, which was then fermented with ruminal fluids as ensiled B. papyrifera group, steam-exploded B. papyrifera group, and untreated B. papyrifera group. The gas and methane production, fermentation characteristics, nutrient degradation, and methanogenic community were determined during the fermentation.Results: Cumulative methane production was significantly improved with SE pretreatment compared with ensiled or untreated biomass accompanied with more volatile fatty acids production. After 72 h incubation, SE and ensiling pretreatments decreased the acid detergent fiber contents by 39.4% and 22.9%, and neutral detergent fiber contents by 10.6% and 47.2%, respectively. Changes of methanogenic diversity and abundance of methanogenic archaea corresponded to the variations in fermentation pattern and methane production.Conclusion: Compared with ensiling pretreatment, SE can be a promising technique for the efficient utilization of B. papyrifera, which would contribute to sustainable livestock production systems.
Uso de Redes Neurais Artificiais para Classificar Padrões de Corrida em Esteira Ergométrica em Esportes de Alto Desempenho
Authors: Baldo Junior Sergio , Santiago Paulo , Tinós Renato
Published: November 2020

Conseguir classificar padrões de corrida, principalmente aqueles associados à fadiga, pode auxiliar na elaboração de treinos mais eficientes e na prevenção de lesões em esportes de alto rendimento. Todavia, essa tarefa não é trivial devido à complexidade dos padrões. Uma alternativa interessante é utilizar métodos de Aprendizado de Máquina, como Redes Neurais Artificiais (RNAs), para classificar padrões de corrida. Nesta pesquisa, sinais de força são obtidos por sensores de carga acoplados à base de uma esteira ergométrica open source de baixo custo. O objetivo é indicar ao usuário a ocorrência de fadiga durante o treinamento com base nos padrões de corrida. Diferentes atributos são extraídos dos sinais temporais gerados durante sessões de treino. Os exemplos obtidos são então classificados por uma RNA. Os resultados experimentais indicam que a RNA é capaz de classificar com boa acurácia os padrões de corrida. Experimentos considerando-se diferentes cenários indicam que a eficiência do classificador foi influenciada pelo dia e etapa das sessões de treinamento.
Um método de amostragem tendenciosa para aplicação do DBSCAN
Authors: Ventorim Igor , Luchi Diego , Varejão Flávio
Published: November 2020

O algoritmo DBSCAN é um método de agrupamento baseado em densidade. Permite identificar grupos de diferentes formatos topológicos e também descartar ruídos isolados. O DBSCAN normalmente apresenta bons resultados, no entanto, ele realiza diversos cálculos de distâncias no processo de agrupamento, possuindo baixa eficiência em grandes conjuntos de dados. Neste trabalho é apresentado um novo método amostral que possibilita aplicar o DBSCAN em um conjunto reduzido de exemplos, aproximando-se do resultado original do algoritmo aplicado sobre todo o conjunto de dados. Portanto, o método torna possível a execução de grandes conjuntos de dados com resultados semelhantes ao do DBSCAN na base de dados completa, porém, com maior eficiência.
Usando o Fuzzy Triangular Naive Bayes para Avaliar Usuários noTreinamento para Exames Ginecológicos
Authors: Silva Ingrid , Soares Elaine , Machado Liliane , Moraes Ronei
Published: November 2020

Este artigo teve o objetivo de analisar a aplicação do método Fuzzy Triangular Naive Bayes para realizar a avaliação de usuários em um simulador para o treinamento de exames ginecológicos. O uso desse método é interessante quando aplicado a dados que podem ser modelados a partir da distribuição estatística triangular. O método foi analisado com dados simulados que representam duas variáveis presentes em uma das etapas de um exame ginecológico. A performance apresentada pelo Fuzzy Triangular Naive Bayes pode ser considerada satisfatória quando comparada com uma versão que não utiliza lógica fuzzy.
Clustering for Data-driven Unraveling Artificial Neural Networks
Authors: Farias Felipe , Ludermir Teresa , Bastos-Filho Carmelo
Published: November 2020

This work presents an investigation on how to define Neural Networks (NN) architectures adopting a data-driven approach using clustering to create sub-labels to facilitate the learning process and to discover the number of neurons needed to compose the layers. We also increase the depth of the model aiming to represent the samples better, the more in-depth it flows into the model. We hypothesize that the clustering process identifies sub-regions in the feature space in which the samples belonging to the same cluster have strong similarities. We used seven benchmark datasets to validate our hypothesis using 10-fold cross validation 3 times. The proposed model increased the performance, while never decreased it, with statistical significance considering the p-value $< 0.05$ in comparison with a Multi-Layer Perceptron with a single hidden layer with approximately the same number of parameters of the architectures found by our approach.
Classifying the Macronutrient Deficiency in Soybean Leaf with Deep Learning
Authors: Sartin Maicon , Da Silva Alexandre , Kappes Claudinei , S. Filho Tercio
Published: November 2020

Deep Learning consiste em técnicas modernas que abordam um ou mais métodos de inteligência artificial. Uma abordagem está no uso de redes neurais convolucionais em conjunto com redes neurais tradicionais para processamento de imagens digitais. Neste trabalho, é realizada uma pesquisa para avaliar uma técnica de aprendizado profundo na classificação da deficiência de macronutrientes de potássio (K) pela folha de soja. Esta pesquisa apresenta um conjunto de dados próprio com tratamentos distintos do macronutriente de potássio. Vários cenários de aprendizado profundo são avaliados com diferentes métricas. Os resultados são comparados com a literatura e mostram um grande potencial de redes neurais convolucionais, com precisão acima de 99% nesse tipo de classificação.
A Parallel Strategy for a Genetic Algorithm in Routing Wavelength Assignment Problem Using GPU with CUDA
Authors: La-Roque Esdras , Batista Cassio , Araújo Josivaldo
Published: November 2020

This paper presents a parallel strategy with a heuristic approach to reduce the execution time bottleneck of a routing and wavelength assignment problem in wavelength-division multiplexing networks of a previous work that uses a sequential genetic algorithm. As the parallelization solution, the GPU hardware processing on CUDA architecture and CUDA C programming language were adopted. The results achieved were between 35 and 40 times faster than the sequential version of the genetic algorithm.
Learning Probabilistic Sentential Decision Diagrams by Sampling
Authors: Geh Renato , Mauá Denis , Antonucci Alessandro
Published: November 2020

Probabilistic circuits are deep probabilistic models with neural-network-like semantics capable of accurately and efficiently answering probabilistic queries without sacrificing expressiveness. Probabilistic Sentential Decision Diagrams (PSDDs) are a subclass of probabilistic circuits able to embed logical constraints to the circuit’s structure. In doing so, they obtain extra expressiveness with empirical optimal performance. Despite achieving competitive performance compared to other state-of-the-art competitors, there have been very few attempts at learning PSDDs from a combination of both data and knowledge in the form of logical formulae. Our work investigates sampling random PSDDs consistent with domain knowledge and evaluating against state-of-the-art probabilistic models. We propose a method of sampling that retains important structural constraints on the circuit’s graph that guarantee query tractability. Finally, we show that these samples are able to achieve competitive performance even on larger domains.
Brazilian Presidential Elections: Analysing Voting Patterns in Time and Space Using a Simple Data Science Pipeline
Authors: Jacintho Lucas Henrique Mantovani , Da Silva Tiago Pinho , Parmezan Antonio Rafael Sabino , Batista Gustavo Enrique de Almeida Prado Alves
Published: November 2020

Since 1989, the first year of the democratic presidential election after a long period of a dictatorship regime, Brazil conducted eight presidential elections. This period was marked by short and long-term shifts of power and two impeachment processes. Such instability is a case of study in electoral studies, e.g., the study of the population voting behavior. Understanding patterns in the population behavior can give us insight into factors and influences that affect the quality of democratic political decisions. In light of this, our paper focuses on analyzing the Brazilian presidential election voting behavior across the years and the Brazilian territory. Following a data science pipeline, we divided the analysis process into five steps: (i) data selection; (ii) data preprocessing; (iii) identification of spatial patterns, in which we seek to understand the role of space in the election results using spatial autocorrelation techniques; (iv) identification of temporal patterns, where we investigate similar trends of votes over the years using a hierarchical clustering method; and (v) evaluation of the results. It is noteworthy that the data in this work represents the election results at the municipal level, from 1994 to 2018, of the two most relevant parties of this period: the Brazilian Social Democracy Party (PSDB) and the Workers’ Party (PT). Through the results obtained, we found the existence of spatial dependence in every electoral year investigated. Moreover, despite the changes in the political-economic context over the years, neighboring cities seem to present similar voting behavior trends.
Interrater Reliability of the Clinical Frailty Scale by Geriatrician and Intensivist in Patients Admitted to the Intensive Care Unit
Authors: Surkan Megan , Rajabali Naheed , Bagshaw Sean M. , Wang Xiaoming , Rolfson Darryl
Published: November 2020

Background
The Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS) is a commonly used frailty measure in intensive care unit (ICU) settings. We are inter­ested in the test characteristics, especially interrater reliability, of the CFS in ICU by comparing the scores of intensivists to geriatricians.
Methods
We conducted a prospective cohort study on a convenience sample of newly admitted patients to an ICU in Edmonton, Canada. An intensivist and a resident in Geriatric Medicine (GM) independently assigned a CFS score on 158 adults within 72 hours of admission. A specialist in Geriatric Medi­cine assigned a CFS score independently of 20 of the 158 patients to assess agreement between the two raters trained in geriatrics. Predictive validity was captured using mortality and length of stay.
Results
Agreement on CFS score was fair for intensivists vs. GM resident (kappa 0.32) and for intensivists vs. GM specialist (0.29), but substantial for GM resident vs. staff (0.79). Despite this, the CFS remained prognostically relevant, regardless of rater background. Frailty (CFS ≥ 5) as assessed by either intensivist or GM resident was a strong predictor of in-hospital mortality (odds ratio [OR] 3.6; 95% CI, 1.6-8.4, p = .003 and OR 3.0; 95% CI 1.3-6.9; p = .01, respectively). Frailty was also positively correlated with age, illness severity measured by APACHE II score, and length of hospital stay.
Conclusions
The interrater reliability of the CFS in ICU settings is fair for intensivists vs. geriatricians.
Mental Health and Cognition in Older Cannabis Users: a Review
Authors: Vacaflor Blanca E. , Beauchet Olivier , Jarvis G. Eric , Schiavetto Alessandra , Rej Soham
Published: November 2020

Background

The impact of cannabis use on mental health and cognition in older adults remains unclear. With the recent legalization of cannabis in Canada, physicians will need up-to-date infor­mation about the mental and cognitive effects of cannabis use in this specific population.

Method

A narrative review was conducted to summarize the literature on mental health and cognitive effects of cannabis use in older adults using Medline (OvidSP).

Results

A total of 16 studies were identified, including nine cross-sectional studies on mental health comorbidities reported by older cannabis users. The self-reported prevalence of mental and substance use disorders is approximately two to three times higher in older adults who report past-year cannabis use, compared to older adults who report using more than one year ago or never using. The remaining seven clinical trials found that short-term, low-dose medical cannabis was generally well-tolerated in older adults without prior serious mental illness. However, mental/cognitive adverse effects were not systematically assessed.

Conclusion

Although preliminary findings suggests that low-dose, short-term medical cannabis does not carry significant risk of serious mental health and cognitive adverse effects in older adults without prior psychiatric history, epidemiological studies find a correlation between past-year cannabis use and poor mental health outcomes in community-dwelling older adults. These findings may indicate that longer term cannabis use in this population is detrimental to their mental health, al­though a direct causal link has not been established. Larger, longitudinal studies on the safety of medical cannabis in older adults are needed.
Do Interest Groups Cultivate Interest? Trajectories of Geriatric Interest Group Members
Authors: Perrella Andrew , Cuperfain Ari B. , Canfield Amanda B. , Woo Tricia , Wong Camilla L.
Published: November 2020

Background
Minimal exposure, misconceptions, and lack of interest have historically driven the shortage of health-care providers for older adults. This study aimed to determine how medical stu­dents’ participation in the National Geriatrics Interest Group (NGIG) and local Geriatrics Interest Groups (GIGs) shapes their career development in the care of older adults.
Methods
An electronic survey consisting of quantitative and qualita­tive metrics to assess the influence of Interest Groups was distributed to all current and past members of local GIGs at Canadian universities since 2017, as well as current and past executives of the NGIG since 2011. Descriptive statistics and thematic analysis were performed.
Results
Thirty-one responses (27.7% response rate) were collected from medical students (13), residents (16), and physicians (2). 79% of resident respondents indicated they will likely have a geriatrics-focused medical practice. 45% of respondents indicated GIG/NGIG involvement facilitated the establish­ment of strong mentorship. Several themes emerged on how GIG/NGIG promoted interest in geriatrics: faculty mentor­ship, networking, dispelling stigma, and career advancement.
Conclusion
The positive associations with the development of geriatrics-focused careers and mentorship compel ongoing support for these organizations as a strategy to increase the number of physicians in geriatrics-related practices.
ÜberLeben im Dritten Reich
Authors: Rosemann Mark
Published: November 2020

Die Verfolgung der deutschen Juden als erlebte und erinnerte Geschichte.

Wie erlebten deutsche Juden nach 1933 die wachsende Diskriminierung und Verfolgung durch das NS-Regime und wie reagierten sie darauf? Warum und mit welchen Mitteln versuchten nichtjüdische Deutsche, den Verfolgten zu helfen und sie vor der Deportation zu retten? Und wie erinnerten die Beteiligten - Opfer, Helfer, aber auch Täter - ihre Erfahrungen nach dem Ende des Dritten Reiches?

Mit seinen Analysen der zeitgenössischen Akteursperspektiven eröffnet Mark Roseman einen unmittelbaren Zugang zu deren Handlungen und Wahrnehmungen, frei von Deutungen, die erst im Wissen um das Ausmaß der NS-Vernichtungspolitik entstanden. Er begleitet seine jüdischen Protagonisten auf dem Weg der schrittweisen Entrechtung und ihrer wachsenden Erkenntnis eines beinahe ausweglosen Überlebenskampfes; er beleuchtet auch die Motive derer, die sich der antisemitischen Politik des Regimes verweigerten und den Betroffenen zu helfen versuchten. Daneben zeigt er, wie und warum Erinnerungen an die Zeit der Verfolgung verändert und überformt wurden. In einem abschließenden Gespräch reflektiert Mark Roseman über seine wissenschaftliche Sozialisation und seine Zugänge zu einer integrierten Holocaust- und Gedächtnisgeschichte.
SEPARATION OF DIETHYL ETHER + HEXANE + ETHYL ACETATE + ETHANOL QUATERNARY SYSTEM VIA EXTRACTIVE DISTILLATION
Authors: Frolkova Anastasiya V. , Logachev Denis S. , Ososkova Tatiyana E.
Published: November 2020

The paper is devoted to the development of diethyl ether + hexane + ethyl acetate + ethanol mixture (solvents of the dihydroquercetine production) separation flowsheets based on the analysis of the structure of the phase diagram. The phase equilibrium of the quaternary system was studied using mathematical modeling in the AspenPlus. The parameters of Non Random Two Liquid model allow reproducing vapor-liquid equilibrium data and azeotropes characteristics with a relative error not exceeding 5%. It was shown that the system was characterized by the presence of three binary azeotropes and the phase diagram was divided into three distillation regions. Based on a literature analysis N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone was selected as a solvent for the extractive distillation. The selectivity of the separating agent was calculated and it was shown that N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone influenced the relative volatility of components to varying degrees. Two flowsheets containing a diethyl ether separation column and two extractive distillation complexes were proposed. The flowsheets differ in the sequence of separation of the components: hexane, ethyl acetate and ethanol. The distillation process was simulated and the operating column parameters (number of stages, feed stage, reflux ratio, solvent to feed volume ratio) were determined. Selected parameters meet the minimum energy consumption. An energy-efficient separation variant was chosen.
Features of the formation of productivity signs of the yielding capacity in winter wheat varieties under different growing conditions
Authors: Bazalii V. V. , Boichuk I. V. , Lavrynenko Ya. O. , Bazalii H. H. , Domaratskyi Ye. O. , Larchenko O. V.
Published: November 2020

Aim. Further improvement and application of modern methods of wheat breeding of different types of development for adaptiveness caused by change in the character of manifestation of limiting environmental factors under conditions of the Southern Ukrainian Steppe. Methods. Field experiment, selection and genetic, calculation and comparison research methods were used. Wheat varieties of different genetic and ecological origin under different growing conditions were examined. Results. Analysis of the parameters of plasticity and stability of the elements of the yield structure in winter wheat varieties under different growing conditions revealed that their variability depends on both genotype and ecological gradients. For instance, by the weight of grain from ears only the varieties Kirena and Yaroslavna were distinguished by a high reaction to changes in growing conditions (bi= 1,215 – 1,635) among the analyzed genotypes, the other varieties Askaniiska, Askaniiska Berehynia, Znakhidka odeska and Klarisa manifested quite high plasticity (bi= 0,454 – 0,816). There was an analogous situation in the formation of the number of grains per ear. It is necessary to highlight an important biological feature of these varieties which formed the highest actual productivity under late sowing conditions and different sowing rates when compared to other varieties and realized its potentialities better. Conclusions.The research determined that every wheat variety of different development types should be considered in the aspect of its reaction to different growing conditions and to the capability of realizing genetic potential in a particular ecological region. The results of estimation of adaptiveness potential determined a high degree of homeostaticity in the winter wheat varieties Askaniiska, Askaniiska Berehynia, Perlyna and the variety of an alternative type Klarisa.

Keywords: winter wheat, varieties of alternative types, adaptiveness, plasticity, stability.
Interaction of VRN and PPD genes in the regulation of the development of winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)
Authors: Zhmurko V. V.
Published: November 2020

Aim. To reveal the effects of the VRN and PPD genes on the rate of development of winter wheat in absence of vernalization and after its completion with different durations of the photoperiod. Methods. Winter-type development lines of the Mironovskaya 808 variety, isogenic with respect to the PPD genes. VRN genes are recessive in all lines. Plants were grown under the conditions of a growing experiment from non-vernalized seeds (1 group of all lines), and also after vernalization (2 group of all lines) at 20-22°C. Both groups were grown under long (18 hours) and short (9 hours) photoperiods. The pace of development was determined by the timing of the transition of plants to spiking. Results. In the absence of vernalization on a short day, isogenic lines with dominant genes PPD-D1a and PPD-B1a and cultivar (all genes are PPD recessive) passed to earing, and the line with the dominant PPD-A1a gene remained in the tillering phase until the end of the experiment. On a long day, all investigated lines and cultivar did not spike until the end of the experiment (200 days). After vernalization was completed, all the studied lines under the conditions of a short photoperiod were earing later than on a long day, but the line with the dominant PPD-B1a gene was the latest. Conclusions. The VRN and PPD genes interact in the regulation of winter wheat development - they are “interchangeable” in terms of developmental effects depending on a combination of temperature and photoperiodic conditions.

Keywords: winter wheat, (Triticum aestivum L.), vernalization, photoperiod, development rates, VRN and PPD genes.
Marker-assisted selection for the gene of β-carotene hydroxylase in maize
Authors: Zatyshniak O. V. , Cherchel V. Yu. , Dziubetskyi B. V. , Zhang Jumei , Jin Hui , Zhang Rui , Denysiuk K. V. , Satarova T. M.
Published: November 2020

Aim. Estimation of the allelic status of  marker crtRB1-3'TE of  the β-carotene hydroxylase gene and marker-assisted selection by this marker in Ukrainian  maize breeding material. Methods. Field method and polymerase chain reaction. Results. The analysis of the allelic state of β-carotene hydroxylase gene for marker crtRB1-3'TE in maize breeding populations (DK23×F2)F2 and (DK23×F2)F3MAS having been obtained after the first and second self-pollinations of single cross DK23×F2 was provided. It was established that the parental inbred lines DK23 and F2 contained respectively 296 bp (unfavorable) and 543 bp (favorable) alleles of  marker crtRB1-3'TE. The three kinds of genotypes appeared to present at different frequencies in (DK23×F2)F2 – homozygous  for allele 296 bp, homozygous for allele 543 bp and heterozygous with both alleles 296 bp and 543 bp. For further cultivation and self-pollination, only plants with allele 543 bp within (DK23×F2)F2 were selected. All tested plants in population (DK23×F2)F3MAS were homozygous for allele 543 bp. Conclusions. Marker-associated selection in two generations for the β-carotene hydroxylase gene, involved in β-carotene accumulation, allowed to select homozygous plants of maize by favorable crtRB1-3'TE allele.

Keywords: Zea mays L., molecular genetic markers, carotenoids, breeding populations, allele.
Creation of new forms of feeding cereal grasses from A to Z
Authors: Kondratskaya I. P. , Stolepchenko V. A. , Yuknimuk A. N. , Vasko P. P. , Chizhik O. V. , Kozlovskaya Z. H. , Deeva A. M. , Mazur T. V. , Reshetnikov V. N. , Voyzehovska E. A. , Pryadkina H. A. , Vasiljevic S.
Published: November 2020

Aim. To create a new cultivars of perennial cereal grasses with the high feeding and seed productivity, longevity, drought resistance and freezing tolerance in order to increase the quality of livestock super-elite seeds production. DNA certification of economically valuable properties estimation. Methods. Hybridization, a partially known combination. Embryo culture method from immature caryopsis with completion of growing in a nutrient medium. Techniques of plant tissue culture (initiation, multiplication, rooting and adaptation in vitro plants to ex vitro conditions. DNA certification was performed using SSR (Simple Sequence Repeat) marker system. Results. The new competitively cultivar of Agropyron cristatum "Malarytsky" have been created. The system of the cultivar and parental forms registration in the form of molecular genetic passports is presented. Conclusions. The cultivar of Agropyron cristatum "Malarytsky" was turned over to the State Institution “The State Inspection for Testing and Protection of Plant Varieties” for state testing and for inclusion in the State Register of Varieties. The economic efficiency of this new feeding culture cultivating for Belarus and countries with sharply continental climate is presented.

Keywords: Agropyron cristatum, hybridization, cul populations, in vitro, water-soluble carbohydrates, DNA certification, molecular genetic passports, cultivar.
Generation and initial characterization of a collection of spontaneous Streptomyces albus J1074 mutants resistant to rifampicin
Authors: Ostash B. O. , Misaki Yu. , Dolya B. S. , Kharaton Ya. I. , Busche T. , Luzhetskyy A. M. , Kalinowski J. , Ochi K. , Fedorenko V. O.
Published: November 2020

Aim. Streptomyces albus J1074 is one of the most popular streptomycete chassis for heterologous expression of natural product (NP) biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs). There is keen interest in further improvement of the strain to provide increased yields of corresponding NPs. Introduction of certain types of antibiotic resistance mutations is a proven way to improve Streptomyces strains. For example, selection for increased resistance to rifampicin is known to lead to increased antibiotic activity. Here we used available lineages of antibiotic-resistant mutants of S. albus to raise rifampicin-resistant variants (Rifr) and to study their properties. Methods. Microbiological and molecular genetic approaches were combined to generate Rifr mutants and to study their properties. Results. By plating S. albus onto GYM agar supplemented with 10 mcg/mL of rifampicin, we isolated 85 stable Rifr colonies, whose resistance level was within 10-200 mcg/mL range. Sequencing revealed wide spectrum of missense mutations within rpoB gene. Bioassays demonstrated dramatically increased endogenous antibiotic activity of certain Rifr mutants. Conclusions. Selection for rifampicin resistance is a viable way to increase the yields of NPs in S. albus.

Keywords: Streptomyces albus J1074, antibiotic resistance, rifampicin.
Analysis of the embryos genetic characteristics and methodologies of human translocations research
Authors: Verlinsky O. Y. , Gontar J. V. , Kazachkova N. I. , Laxhno Y. V. , Ilyin I. E. , Fedota O. M.
Published: November 2020

Aim. Assessment of the embryos genetic characteristics from translocation carriers and analysis of the translocation research methodology. Methods. The chromosome structure was analyzed using classical cytogenetics methods, GTG, FISH. Preimplantation genetic testing to identify structural rearrangements of the embryos chromosomes was performed on trophectoderm cells using NGS and FISH methods. Results. The proportion of translocation carriers in the sample of patients with reproductive disorders (n = 6156) was 1.1 %, with 0.4 % – for Robertson translations and 0.8 % for reciprocal ones. 5-day-old embryos with balanced reciprocal translocations are 3-4 times less than with unbalanced ones. Euploid embryos with balanced variants from translocation carriers-mothers and -fathers, amounted to 14.3 % and 12.5 %. Aneuploid embryos with unbalanced translocations accounted for 59.2 % of mothers and 63.2 % of fathers of all received embryos, 80.6 % and 77.8 % of unbalanced ones. Conclusions. Understanding the prevalence of segmental karyotype disorders among the population and modern research methods allows to optimize reproductive care for patients.

Keywords: reciprocal translocations, embryos, PGT-SR, NGS, FISH.
Mucosal-associated invariant T (MAIT) cells mediate protective host responses in sepsis
Authors: Trivedi Shubhanshi , Labuz Daniel , Anderson Cole P , Araujo Claudia V , Blair Antoinette , Middleton Elizabeth A , Jensen Owen , Tran Alexander , Mulvey Matthew A , Campbell Robert A , Hale J Scott , Rondina Matthew T , Leung Daniel T
Published: November 2020

Sepsis is a systemic inflammatory response to infection and a leading cause of death. Mucosal-associated invariant T (MAIT) cells are innate-like T cells enriched in mucosal tissues that recognize bacterial ligands. We investigated MAIT cells during clinical and experimental sepsis, and their contribution to host responses. In experimental sepsis, MAIT-deficient mice had significantly increased mortality and bacterial load, and reduced tissue-specific cytokine responses. MAIT cells of WT mice expressed lower levels of IFN-γ and IL-17a during sepsis compared to sham surgery, changes not seen in non-MAIT T cells. MAIT cells of patients at sepsis presentation were significantly reduced in frequency compared to healthy donors, and were more activated, with decreased IFN-γ production, compared to both healthy donors and paired 90-day samples. Our data suggest that MAIT cells are highly activated and become dysfunctional during clinical sepsis, and contribute to tissue-specific cytokine responses that are protective against mortality during experimental sepsis.