bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
How implementation of a national strategy for nursing homes is experienced by the healthcare personnel: A qualitative study with content analysis of interviews.
Authors: Andre Beate , Grønning RN. Kjersti , Jacobsen Frode F. , Haugan Gørill
Published: December 2020

Background: Nursing homes are under strong pressure to provide good care to the residents. In Norway, municipalities have applied the ‘Joy-of-Life-Nursing-Home’ strategy to increase a health-promoting perception that focuses on the older persons` resources. Implementations represent introducing changes to the healthcare personnel; however, changing one’s working approaches, routines and working culture may be demanding. On this background, we explored how the ‘Joy-of-Life-Nursing-Home’ strategy is perceived by the employees in retrospective, over a period after the implementation and which challenges the employees experience with this implementation.Method: We used a qualitative approach and interviewed 14 healthcare personnel working in nursing homes in one Norwegian municipality, which had implemented the ‘Joy-of-Life-Nursing-Home’ strategy. The analysis was conducted following Kvale’s approach to qualitative content analysis.Results: The main categories were: (a) the characteristics of care activities before implementations of ‘Joy-of-Life-Nursing-Home’, (b) how ‘Joy-of-Life-Nursing-Home’ influenced the care activities, and (c) challenges with the implementation of ‘Joy-of-Life-Nursing-Home’. Some of the informants spoke well about the implementation concerning the care quality stating “to see the joy in the eyes of the resident then I feel we have succeeded”. For informants who experienced resistance toward the implementation, they felt it was too much to document, it was too complicated, and the requirements were too many. Conclusions: Quality of care seems to have increased after the implementation, as perceived by the informants. Nevertheless, the fact that the informants seemed to be divided into two different groups related to their main perspective of the implementation is concerning. One group has positive experiences with the implementations process and the benefits of it, while the other group focuses on lack of benefits and problems with the implementation process. In order to understand what facilitates and hinders the implementation, research on contextual factors like work environment and leadership is recommended.
The effect of preoperative chemotherapy on liver regeneration after portal vein embolization/ligation or liver resection in patients with colorectal liver metastasis: a systematic review protocol
Authors: Pavel Mihai-Calin , Casanova Raquel , Estalella Laia , Memba Robert , Llàcer-Millán Erik , Achalandabaso Mar , Julià Elisabet , Geoghegan Justin , Jorba Rosa
Published: December 2020

Introduction: Liver resection (LR) in patients with liver metastasis from colo-rectal cancer remains the only curative treatment. Perioperative chemotherapy improves prognosis of these patients. However, there are concerns regarding the effect of preoperative chemotherapy on liver regeneration, which is a key event in avoiding liver failure after LR. The primary objective of this systematic review is to assess the effect of neoadjuvant chemotherapy on liver regeneration after (LR) or portal vein embolization (PVE) in patients with liver metastasis from colo-rectal cancer. The secondary objectives are to evaluate the impact of the type of chemotherapy, number of cycles and time between end of treatment and procedure (LR or PVE) and to investigate whether there is an association between degree of hypertrophy and postoperative liver failure.Methods: This meta-analysis will include studies reporting liver regeneration rates in patients submitted to LR or PVE. Pubmed, Scopus, Web of Science, Embase and Cochrane databases will be searched. Only studies comparing neoadjuvant vs no chemotherapy, or comparing chemotherapy characteristics (bevacizumab administration, number of cycles and time from finishing chemotherapy until intervention) will be included. We will select studies from 1990 to present. Two researchers will individually screen the identified records, according to a list of inclusion and exclusion criteria. Primary outcome will be future liver remnant regeneration rate. Bias of the studies will be evaluated with the ROBINS-I tool and quality of evidence for all outcomes will be determined with the GRADE system. The data will be registered in a predesigned database. If selected studies are sufficiently homogeneous, we will perform a meta-analysis of reported results. In the event of a substantial heterogeneity, a qualitive systematic review will be performed.Discussion: The results of this systematic review may help to better identify the patients affected by liver metastasis that could present low regeneration rates after neoadjuvant chemotherapy. These patients are at risk to develop liver failure after extended hepatectomies and therefore are not good candidates for such aggressive procedures.Systematic Review Registration: PROSPERO registration number: CRD42020178481 (July 5th 2020).
Characteristics of the completed chloroplast genome sequence of Xanthium spinosum: Comparative analyses, identification of mutational hotspots and phylogenetic implications
Authors: Raman Gurusamy , Park KyuTae , Kim Joo Hwan , Park SeonJoo
Published: December 2020

Background: The invasive species Xanthium spinosum has been used as a traditional Chinese medicine for many years. Unfortunately, no extensive molecular studies of this plant have been conducted. Results: Here, the complete chloroplast (cp) genome sequence of X. spinosum was assembled and analyzed. The cp genome of X. spinosum was 152,422 base pairs (bp) in length, with a quadripartite circular structure. The cp genome contained 115 unique genes, including 80 PCGs, 31 tRNA genes, and 4 rRNA genes. Comparative analyses revealed that X. spinosum contains a large number of repeats (999 repeats) and 701 SSRs in its cp genome. Fourteen divergences (Π > 0.03) were found in the intergenic spacer regions. Phylogenetic analyses revealed that Parthenium is a sister clade to both Xanthium and Ambrosia and an early-diverging lineage of subtribe Ambrosiinae, although this finding was supported with a very weak bootstrap value. Conclusion: The identified hotspot regions could be used as molecular markers for resolving phylogenetic relationships and species identification in the genus Xanthium.
H2V, a database for human genes and proteins in response to SARS-CoV-2, SARS-CoV, and MERS-CoV infection
Authors: Zhou Nan , Bao Jinku , Ning Yuping
Published: December 2020

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic in the world is caused by SARS-CoV-2, a new coronavirus first discovered in the end of 2019. It has led to more than 50 million confirmed cases and more than 1 million deaths across 219 countries by 11 November 2020, according to the WHO statistics. SARS-CoV-2, SARS-CoV, and MERS-CoV are alike. They are highly pathogenic, and they threaten public health, impair economy, and inflict long-term impacts on the society. No drug or vaccine has been approved as a cure for these viruses. The efforts to develop antiviral measures are hampered by the insufficient understanding of how the human body responds to viral infections at the cellular and molecular levels. In this study, journal articles and transcriptomic and proteomic data that survey coronavirus infections were collected. Response genes and proteins were then identified via differential analyses which compared the gene/protein between the infected sample and control. A database, H2V, was finally created for human genes/proteins responding to SARS-CoV-2, SARS-CoV, and MERS-CoV infection. H2V provides the molecular information about human response to infection. It can be a powerful tool to discover cellular pathways and processes relevant for viral pathogenesis to identify potential drug targets. It is expected to speed up the process of developing antiviral agents and to shed light on the preparation for potential coronavirus emergency in the future.
Mixed Halide Perovskites for High-Efficiency and Spectrally Stable Blue Light-Emitting Diodes
Authors: Karlsson Max , Yi Ziyue , Reichert Sebastian , Luo Xiyu , Lin Weihua , Lin Zeyu , Bao Chunxiong , Zhang Rui , Bai Sai , Zheng Guanhaojie , Teng Pengpeng , Duan Lian , Lu Yue , Zheng Kaibo , Pullerits Tonu , Deibel Carsten , xu weidong , Friend Richard , Gao Feng
Published: December 2020

Bright and efficient blue emission is key to further development of metal halide perovskite light-emitting diodes. Although modifying bromide/chloride composition is straightforward to achieve blue emission, practical implementation of this strategy has been challenging due to poor colour stability and severe photoluminescence quenching. Both detrimental effects become increasingly prominent in perovskites with the high chloride content that is desired to produce blue emission. Here, we solve these critical challenges in mixed halide perovskites and demonstrate spectrally stable blue perovskite light-emitting diodes (PeLEDs) over a wide range of emission wavelengths from 490 to 451 nanometres. The emission colour is directly tuned by modifying the halide composition. Particularly, our blue and deep-blue PeLEDs based on three-dimensional perovskites show high EQE values of 11.0% and 5.5% with emission peaks at 477 and 467 nm, respectively. These achievements are enabled by a vapour-assisted crystallization technique, which largely mitigates local compositional heterogeneity and ion migration.
Selective catalysis remedies polysulfide shuttling in lithium-sulfur batteries
Authors: Hua Wuxing , Li Huan , Pei Chun , Xia Jingyi , Sun Yafei , Zhang Chen , Lv Wei , Tao Ying , Jiao Yan , Zhang Bingsen , Qiao Shizhang , Wan Ying , Yang Quan-Hong
Published: December 2020

The shuttling of soluble lithium polysulfides between the electrodes leads to serious capacity fading and excess use of electrolyte, which severely bottlenecks practical use of Li-S batteries. Here selective catalysis is proposed as a fundamental remedy for the consecutive solid-liquid-solid sulfur redox reactions. The proof-of-concept In2O3 catalyst targetedly slows down the solid-liquid conversion, dissolution of elemental sulfur to polysulfides, while accelerates the liquid-solid conversion, deposition of polysulfides into insoluble Li2S, which basically reduces accumulation of polysulfides in electrolyte, finally inhibiting the shuttle effect. The selective catalysis is revealed, experimentally and theoretically, by changes of activation energies and kinetic currents, modified reaction pathway together with the probed LiInS2 intermediates, and gradual deactivation of the catalyst. The In2O3-catalysed Li-S battery works steadily over 1000 cycles at 4.0 C and yields an initial areal capacity up to 9.4 mAh cm−2 with a sulfur loading of ~9.0 mg cm−2.
Formation of a stable price for energy resources by solving a non-linear dynamic problem as an element of socio-economic stability of the economy
Authors:   Russian State Geological Prospecting University, named after Sergo Ordzhonikidze, NAZAROVA Zinaida Mikhailovna
Published: December 2020

Relevance. The authors note that the formation of a stable price for natural resources and the possibility of smoothing the price during fluctuations not only in demand for them, but also changes in the supply schedule for economic and other reasons require the development of an economic model; they are very relevant. The purpose of the study: identifying the possibilities of forecasting energy prices in the event of price fluctuations and the formation of various levels of demand in the market and taking into account market and non-market methods for its regulation. Results of the study. Studying various processes and problems in the field of economics, the authors propose using various types of linear and nonlinear boundary value problems for ordinary differential equations. This paper shows that the theory of boundary value problems for nonlinear differential equations is one of relevant factors in predicting energy prices in the structure of the economic development program. The authors define modeling tasks for the purpose of adjusting energy demand for a long time. This paper notes that the formation of demand for energy resources in addition to the standard time lag, which determines seasonality, also requires adjustment due to the need to formulate the socio-economic task of smoothing demand. Conclusions. The economic and mathematical models presented in the paper are universal and can be used by business entities, state bodies which form the demand and consumption of energy resources in the country. This will contribute to increasing the efficiency of managing the country’s energy complex and ensuring integrated activities focused on making informed and timely decisions in other business facilities.
The place and role of blockchain in the system of economic relations in the context of digitalization of production
Authors:   Ural Institute - branch of RANEPA, DOLZHENKO Ruslan Alekseevich
Published: December 2020

The article is devoted to the study of promising places and role of technology of distributed registries (blockchain) in the system of economic relations, which allows you to consolidate information about transactions in a system of record chains distributed within a network of interacting entities. A review of the literature on this topic shows that the possibilities of its application are diverse, including in the production sphere, in the context of the digitalization of all processes. Blockchain can be the technology that will increase their transparency, have maximum awareness of each transaction, operation, material object about which the relationship occurs. Despite the peak of interest in technology in recent years, the possibilities of its use in the field of economic relations are limited by several factors highlighted in the work. The methodological basis of the work was the theory of distributed registers, as well as a system-subjective approach to the system of economic relations. To understand the possibilities of using blockchain in the mining industry, we analyzed the key blockchain platforms that are currently in use, highlighted their strengths and weaknesses, and reviewed the activities of large Russian mining companies that affect production management using distributed registries. The study showed that the opportunities laid down in the latest versions of the blockchain make it possible at the current level of development to use technology to digitalize production processes, starting from the stage of mining, ending with the use of raw materials for the manufacture of the product.
Composition, structure and magnetic properties of ore chrome spinels of the Klyuchevsky massif (Middle Urals)
Authors:   The Zavaritsky Institute of Geology and Geochemistry of the Ural Branch of RAS, ALEKSEEV Aleksandr Valer’evich , SHERENDO Tat’yana Andreevna ,   Bulashevich Institute of Geophysics of the Ural Branch of RAS
Published: December 2020

The overall objective was to create a geological and geophysical field test site for chromite mineralization and detailed works in order to determine and test the main search criteria for disseminated mineralization. To create a field test site, an area was selected in the southern part of the Klyuchevsky massif characterized by abundant development of disseminated mineralization in the banded dunite-clinopyroxenite complex and strong processes of superimposed metamorphism. This paper gives a piece of research on the composition of chrome spinel from disseminated ores that underwent metamorphism of different stages. The composition of chrome spinelide, the evolution of its metamorphism and the related changes in its magnetic properties are examined in detail. It was established that all chrome spinels are of a high-chromium type, to one degree or another, they were subject to secondary changes, leading to the appearance of magnetic phases. The degree and nature of the change in chrome spinels in dunites directly depends on the degree of metamorphism of the rocks. The formation of the magnetic phase begins with the formation of nuclei consisting of single magnetic dipoles, groups of 2-3 dipoles or chains of magnetic dipoles, which was first discovered by us in chrome spinel grains. Then there is an increase in the number of such phases, the appearance of optically diagnosed secondary changes in chrome spinelide. A comparison of the degree of variation of chrome spinel and its reflection in the pattern of recorded anomalies of geomagnetic fields allows us to identify some criteria for the search for disseminated chromite ores of this type.
Regional aspects of the development of mineral resources (using the Trans-Baikal Territory as an example)
Authors:   Institute of Natural Resources, Ecology and Cryology of the Siberian Branch of RAS, GUROVA Ol’ga Nikolaevna
Published: December 2020

Relevance. The Trans-Baikal Territory is one of the richest in Russia in terms of reserves of mineral resources. Explored reserves of mineral resources of the region for many types of minerals are of national and strategic importance and are sources of meeting the country’s needs. The region’s work is aimed at attracting investors, including foreign ones, for the development of mineral resources and the development of infrastructure. The border neighborhood with China contributed to the fact that it became the main foreign economic partner of the Trans-Baikal Territory. The development of mining enterprises with the involvement of local labor resources in this process is an important task for solving socio-economic problems. The purpose of the work is to analyze the development of mineral resources of the southeast of the region and the results of cross-border interaction in the field of mineral resources. Comparative geographic analysis, statistical data analysis and the cartographic method were used. Results. The overview material on the state and the development of mineral resources in the southeast of the Transbaikal Territory with the results of cross-border interaction are presented. Conclusions. High dependence of the mineral resource complex on market conditions, a long period of return on investments adversely affect the development of the mineral resources of the region. In the post-perestroika period of field development in the region, the presence of a foreign investor from the countries of the Asia-Pacific region did not lead to the successful implementation of projects and did not have a significant positive impact on the socio-economic growth of the areas of their development. The presence of a large Russian investor, such as no.rilsk Nickel, ensured the success of the development project, but just one of the deposits.
Scientific, methodological and institutional support for the development of the management system of a coal company
Authors:   JSC ", VELIKOSEL’SKIY Andrey Vladimirovich ,   SUEK-Krasnoyarsk"
Published: December 2020

Relevance. In conditions of high variability of the external and internal environment, the implementation of new technologies and increased competition, the formation and development of management systems for coal companies capable of providing targeted innovative activity based on a high level of organization, resource saving, and efficiency, becomes relevant. This task can be solved by improving the scientific, methodological and institutional support for the development of the management system of a coal company. Purpose of the study: to analyze the scientific and methodological tools and institutes that are used to develop the management system at SUEK-Krasnoyarsk, to evaluate their effectiveness. Research methods included comparison, information gathering, analysis, expert assessment of the scientific, methodological and institutional support of the coal company’s management system. Results. This paper systematizes and analyzes the scientific, methodological and institutional support used at the coal company SUEK-Krasnoyarsk to solve three interrelated tasks: involving personnel in the development process of the organization and production management; organization of continuous professional development of staff; organization of a continuous development process. It is revealed that the formed scientific, methodological and institutional base as a whole allows the company to dynamically develop and remain competitive. At the same time, the main directions of improving the scientific, methodological and institutional security of the development management of SUEK-Krasnoyarsk were identified: bridging the gap in the organization of development processes between the management levels of the association, enterprise managers and line managers; increasing the systematic and cyclical application of existing development tools, increasing the involvement of line managers. Conclusions. Development of the management system of a coal company depends on increasing the level of involvement and the growth of staff professionalism. This can be achieved through the development, testing and implementation of scientific, methodological and institutional support necessary for involving personnel in the process of continuous development of the organization and production management in order to increase the company’s competitiveness.
Game theoretic models of sustainable management in marketing networks
Authors:   Ingush State University, Agieva Movlatkhan T. , Korolev Alexei V. ,   National Research University Higher School of Economics, Ougolnitsky Guennady A. ,   Southern Federal University, J.I. Vorovich Institute of Mathematics, Mechanics and Computer Sciences
Published: December 2020

Difference and differential Stackelberg games of opinion control on marketing networks are considered. The principal allocates financial resources to the firms for marketing purposes. It is supposed that the structure of a target audience described by a weighted directed graph is already determined in the stage of network analysis, and marketing control actions are applied only to the members of strong subgroups (opinion leaders). Conditions of homeostasis (phase constraints) which reflect the requirements of sustainable management are introduced additionally. The Stackelberg equilibria are found analytically. It is shown that the interests of the principal and the firms are completely compatible.
Games with fuzzy payment matrix
Authors:   Vladimir State University named after Alexander Grigorievich and Nikolai Grigorievich Stoletovs (VlSU), Department of Computer Engeneering and Control Systems, Chernov Vladimir G.
Published: December 2020

We consider a method for solving an antagonistic game with a fuzzy payment matrix based on converting fuzzy estimates of the consequences of possible strategies into an integral estimate in the form of an equivalent fuzzy set with a triangular membership function. The method does not impose restrictions on the type of membership functions for fuzzy elements of the payment.
Games and network structures on corruption, income inequality, and tax control
Authors:   St. Petersburg State University, Gubar Elena , Carrera Edgar J. Sánchez ,   University of Urbino Carlo Bo, Department of Economics, Society and Politics,   Autonomous University of Coahuila, Kumacheva Suriya ,   St. Petersburg State University, Zhitkova Ekaterina ,   St. Petersburg State University, Tomilina Galina ,   EPAM Systems, Inc.
Published: December 2020

The income tax system is the main instrument of fiscal policy that aims to improve income distribution and economic growth, but the problem arises when there is corrupt behavior in that system. While the tax audit is a tax control tool that is costly, the tax system should guarantee, however, the instruments for tax collection. In this research work, we formulate a model in which all taxpayers decide to pay taxes or not according to their personal income, individual preferences with respect to the audit and tax control information perceived in their social environment. We develop a theoretical model to study the structure of citizen networks that must pay taxes. First, we assume that citizens are classified by two social groups, the rich and the poor. When all citizens are taxpayers, but public authorities are corrupt, we show that the poor group is the most affected by corruption. However, when taxpayers are corrupt or tax evaders, we implement mechanisms to audit and control this corrupt behavior. Hence, we show that this situation of corruption and control of tax payments can be represented by several well-known theoretical games. Then, we apply the evolutionary theory of the game in the network considering that each taxpayer receives information from his∖her neighbors about the probability of audit and that he∖she could react according to his∖her risk status and real income. Such behavior forms a group of informed agents that propagate the information beyond the proportions of the informed and uninformed contributors that are modified. Our evolutionary model in the structure of the network describes the changes in the population of taxpayers driven by the impact of information on the future fiscal audit. Our simulation analysis shows that the initial and final preferences of taxpayers depend on important parameters, that is, taxes and fines, audit information and costs.
Review on supply chain network metrics
Authors:   St. Petersburg State University, Kazemi Sajad
Published: December 2020

Recent studies focused on the importance of adopting network analysis approaches such as social network analysis in the supply chain networks to better understand and manage the roles of organizations in inter-organizational relationships. The main aim of this research is to identify and integrate network analysis metrics in the existent literature in this realm which is applicable to characterize the position and role of organizations in the supply chain network context and their impact on the behavior and outcomes of organizations and the whole supply chain network. To this aim, we followed a systematic literature review process using Scopus database to identify high-quality papers through several screening stages. Our findings illustrate that there are two main sources of interfirm differences including atomistic properties and relational properties. With an emphasis on relational properties through the lens of network analysis metrics, we integrated influential characteristics on actor’s behavior and performance into three main categories of node level, tie level, and network level. Our findings are applicable to address any emergent phenomenon and the roles of actors based on their position in the network context such as supply chain network and study their behavior and performance.
Mechanism for shifting Nash equilibrium trajectories to cooperative Pareto solutions in dynamic bimatrix games
Authors:   Krasovskii Institute of Mathematics and Mechanics UrB RAS, Krasovskii Nikolay A. , Tarasyev Alexander M. ,   Krasovskii Institute of Mathematics and Mechanics UrB RAS,   Ural Federal University named after the First President of Russia B.N. Yeltsin
Published: December 2020

In the paper, constructions of the generalized method of characteristics are applied for calculating the generalized minimax (viscosity) solutions of Hamilton-Jacobi equations in dynamic bimatrix games. The structure of the game presumes interactions of two players in the framework of the evolutionary game model. Stochastic contacts between players occur according to the dynamic process, which can be interpreted as a system of Kolmogorov's differential equations with controls instead of probability parameters. It is assumed that control parameters are not fixed and can be constructed by the feedback principle. Two types of payoff functions are considered: short-term payoffs are determined in the current moments of time, and long-term payoffs are determined as limit functionals on the infinite time horizon. The notion of dynamic Nash equilibrium in the class of controlled feedbacks is considered for the long-term payoffs. In the framework of constructions of dynamic equilibrium, the solutions are designed on the basis of maximization of guaranteed payoffs. Such guaranteeing strategies are built in the framework of the theory of minimax (viscosity) solutions of Hamilton-Jacobi equations. The analytical formulas are obtained for the value functions in the cases of different orientations for the “zigzags” (broken lines) of acceptable situations in the static game. The equilibrium trajectories generated by the minimax solutions shift the system in the direction of cooperative Pareto points. The proposed approach provides new qualitative properties of the equilibrium trajectories in the dynamic bimatrix games which guarantee better results of payoffs for both players than static Nash equilibria. As an example, interactions of two firms on the market of innovative electronic devices are examined within the proposed approach for treating dynamic bimatrix games.
Supply chain finance solutions in joint working capital management
Authors:   LLC Maersk, Kuzmina Yana I. , Zenkevich Nikolay A. ,   St. Petersburg State University
Published: December 2020

The research is devoted to joint working capital management in supply chains aiming to improve joint working capital management methods through minimization of financial supply chain costs on working capital using Supply Chain Finance (SCF) Solutions. Though SCF applicability in Financial Supply Chain management has recently been studied to relieve access to capital sources, managerial perspective of SCF solutions is still uninvestigated as well as few other areas. The research suggests a managerial algorithm that contains four developed models: the model of Collaborative cash conversion cycle two models of SCF solutions and the model of Joint Working Capital optimization. The models imply using such SCF solutions as Factoring, Reverse Factoring and Inventory Financing to improve Joint Working Capital in terms of costs on it and liquidity of both supply chain members and entire chain, providing the optimal conditions of SCF solutions. Quantitative optimization with SCF solutions demonstrates on the cases of supply chains the improvement of financial position and liquidity of all chain members. The research has a potential to de applied in businesses since the algorithm represents a comprehensive managerial tool for Joint Working capital management in supply chains. It might be used to achieve optimal cash conversion cycle values for minimal supply chain costs on working capital constrained by liquidity and profitability target levels.
On the existence of stationary Nash equilibria in average stochastic games with finite state and action spaces
Authors:   Institute of Mathematics and Computer Science of Moldova Academy of Sciences, Lozovanu Dmitrii , Pickl Stefan ,   Institute for Theoretical Computer Science, Mathematics and Operations Research, Universität der Bundeswehr München
Published: December 2020

We consider infinite n-person stochastic games with limiting average payoffs criteria for the players. The main results of the paper are concerned with the existence of stationary Nash equilibria and determining the optimal strategies of the players in the games with finite state and action spaces. We present conditions for the existence of stationary Nash equilibria in the considered games and propose an approach for determining the optimal stationary strategies of the players if such strategies exist.
Stochastic data transmission model with uncertainty on dropper's appearance
Authors:   St. Petersburg State University, Xue Juan , Parilina Elena M. ,   St. Petersburg State University
Published: December 2020

We consider a stochastic dynamic game with uncertainty about appearance of an dropper in infinite time horizon. For the lack of information about whether the dropper is present or not, two different states of nature can appear with some given probabilities at each stage. We study the non-cooperative behavior of players, and Nash equilibrium is considered as an equilibrium concept. We investigate how limited information about the dropper's appearance impacts the anti-jamming strategy.
In-line coagulation assessment for ultrafiltration fouling reduction to treat secondary effluent for water reuse
Authors: Aly Samia A. , Anderson William B. , Huck Peter M.
Published: December 2020

Low pressure membranes are attracting attention for their potential to improve secondary effluent quality, but membrane fouling can limit their widespread applicability. In this study, in-line coagulation as pre-treatment to ultrafiltration (UF) was investigated using a bench-scale hollow fiber membrane at a constant flux of 33 L/m2 h. Membrane fouling was monitored by observing change in trans-membrane pressure when the membrane was fed with secondary effluent and in-line coagulated secondary effluent over a 24-h period. The impact of four coagulants at different dosages on reversible and irreversible membrane fouling and permeate quality was studied. It was found that in-line coagulation improved UF performance to varying degrees depending on coagulant type and dosage. Generally, higher reduction of fouling was achieved by increasing coagulant dosage within the 0.5–5.0 mg/L range investigated. Ferric-based coagulants were better than aluminum-based coagulants with respect to improving membrane performance for the secondary effluent investigated, even at low dosages (0.5 mg/L). Further investigations are required to determine how in-line coagulation affects removal of organic compounds through UF membranes.
Isocitrate Dehydrogenase 2 Inhibitors for the Treatment of Hematologic Malignancies: Advances and Future Opportunities
Authors: Huang Feng , Tian Tian , Wu Yizhe , Che Jinxin , Yang Haiyan , Dong Xiaowu
Published: December 2020

Tumor cells frequently reprogram cellular metabolism from oxidative phosphorylation to
glycolysis. Isocitrate dehydrogenase 2 (IDH2) has been intensively studied due to its involvement in
the metabolic activity of cancer cells. Mutations in IDH2 promote neomorphic activity through the
generation of oncometabolite 2-hydroxyglutarate (2-HG). The overproduced 2-HG can competitively
inhibit α-KG-dependent dioxygenases to trigger cell differentiation disorders, a major cause of
blood tumors. This review outlines recent progress in the identification of IDH2 inhibitors in blood
cancer to provide a reference for ongoing and future clinical studies.
The Association between TNF-alpha, IL-1 alpha and IL-10 with Alzheimer's Disease
Authors: Culjak Marija , Perkovic Matea N. , Uzun Suzana , Strac Dubravka S. , Erjavec Gordana N. , Leko Mirjana B. , Simic Goran , Tudor Lucija , Konjevod Marcela , Kozumplik Oliver , Mimica Ninoslav , Pivac Nela
Published: December 2020

Background:

Sporadic Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) is assumed to be associated with different
biological/genetic vulnerability, as well as with neuroinflammation, mediated by cytokines. The present
study evaluated the role of cytokines in AD.

Objective:

The aim was to determine the possible association of TNF-α (rs1800629), IL1-α (rs1800587)
and IL-10 (rs1800896) polymorphisms with AD, and to assess serum TNF-α, IL-1α and IL-10 concentrations
in patients with AD and in subjects with mild cognitive impairment (MCI).

Methods:

The study included 645 Caucasian participants: 395 subjects with AD and 250 subjects with
MCI. Genotyping was performed using real-time PCR in all 645 subjects, while serum concentrations of
TNF-α, IL-1α and IL-10 and were determined using ELISA in 174 subjects.

Results:

The frequency of the TNF-α rs1800629, IL1-α rs1800587 or IL-10 rs1800896 genotypes did
not differ significantly between patients with AD and MCI. Serum concentration of IL-1α and IL-10
were significantly decreased, while the concentration of TNF-α was significantly higher in patients with
AD than in MCI subjects. TNF-α, IL1-α or IL-10 concentrations were similar in subjects with AD or
MCI subdivided into carriers of the corresponding TNF-α rs1800629, IL1-α rs1800587 or IL-10
rs1800896 genotypes.

Conclusions:

Similar distribution of the IL1-α rs1800587, TNF-α rs1800629 or IL-10 rs1800896 genotypes
in subjects with AD and MCI failed to confirm that these specific risk genotypes are associated
with vulnerability to develop AD. Alteration in IL-1α, IL-10 and TNF-α concentrations in patients with
AD partially confirmed the association with the neuroinflammatory response in AD.
Maternal Barriers in Raising Children with Special Needs in Rural Areas: A Qualitative Study
Authors:   STIK Muhammadiyah Pontianak, Jiu Cau Kim , Pitri Pitri , Pratama Kharisma , Usman Usman , Kardiatun Tutur
Published: December 2020

It is not easy for mothers living in rural areas to raise children with special needs because various obstacles arise from both within and outside the family. This study aimed to explore various obstacles for mothers in raising children with special needs, especially in rural areas. The research design used in this study was descriptive qualitative. The sample in this study consisted of 55 mothers who were selected using purposive sampling method. Data collection was carried out through semi-structured face-to-face interviews and through focus group discussions. The data collected in this study was then analyzed using thematic analysis. There are 3 themes generated in this research including 1) family perception, 2) financials, and 3) access to health care services. Information obtained from this research can provide solutions for families to overcome or get out from the existing barriers and provide information to the government to provide health services to families with children with special needs in rural areas.
How Accessible the University Websites in Indonesia for People with Disabilities?
Authors: Arini Fitri Dwi
Published: December 2020

Website in higher education utilized for many purposes such as providing learning resources, information, and news related to student’s academic needs. For this purpose, university websites must be accessible for all users including students with disabilities. This article describes a study conducted to evaluate the accessibility of university websites for people with disabilities in Indonesia. The accessibility evaluation focused on compliance with the most recent international standards provides by The World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) called WCAG 2.0. A quantitative research would be utilized in this study using website accessibility online evaluation tools namely, Achecker. This study comprises the analysis of accessibility of 20 websites from top-ranked universities in Indonesia based on webometrics ranking. The result of this study showed that 95% of the university websites examined carried problems in conformity with WCAG 2.0 Level AAA.
Experiencias de paz y transición : lecciones aprendidas para el posacuerdo en Colombia
Authors:   Universidad de Bogotá Jorge Tadeo Lozano, Moreno José David ,   Universidad de Bogotá Jorge Tadeo Lozano, Alba-Cuéllar Angélica ,   Universidad de Bogotá Jorge Tadeo Lozano, Suárez López Beatriz Eugenia ,   Universidad de Bogotá Jorge Tadeo Lozano, Rueda Rodríguez Bibiana Marcela ,   Universidad de Bogotá Jorge Tadeo Lozano, Uncos Pablo Leonardo ,   Universidad de Bogotá Jorge Tadeo Lozano
Published: December 2020

El libro es el producto de la segunda fase del proyecto de investi-gación “Experiencias de paz: lecciones aprendidas para Colom-bia”, desarrollado por el Observatorio de Construcción de Paz de la Universidad de Bogotá Jorge Tadeo Lozano, cuyo principal propósito fue identificar enseñanzas para el momento político que vive Colombia, con base en una metodología comparati-va. Se buscó indagar cómo Colombia podrá aprender de países que han vivido procesos análogos de transición de la guerra a la paz, tanto en términos de elementos positivos, potencialmente aplicables en el caso colombiano, como de errores a evitar. Por otro lado, pretendió analizar los acuerdos de paz anteriormente firmados con grupos guerrilleros y paramilitares colombianos, con el ánimo de contrastar los retos políticos, jurídicos y sociales que se vivieron en esos momentos con el presente escenario, así como identificar las lecciones aprendidas de dichos procesos.
Efficacy and Safety of Medicines Targeting Neurotrophic Factors in the Management of Low Back Pain: Protocol for a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Authors: Rizzo Rodrigo R N , Ferraro Michael C , Wewege Michael A , Cashin Aidan G , Leake Hayley B , O’Hagan Edel T , Jones Matthew D , Gustin Sylvia M , McAuley James H
Published: December 2020

Background

Low back pain (LBP) is the leading cause of years lived with disability worldwide. Most people with LBP receive the diagnosis of nonspecific LBP or sciatica. Medications are commonly prescribed but have limited analgesic effects and are associated with adverse events. A novel treatment approach is to target neurotrophins such as nerve growth factor (NGF) to reduce pain intensity. NGF inhibitors have been tested in some randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in recent years, showing promise for the treatment of chronic LBP; however, their efficacy and safety need to be evaluated to guide regulatory actions.

Objective

The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of medicines targeting neurotrophins in patients with LBP and sciatica.

Methods

In this systematic review, we will include published and unpublished records of parallel RCTs and the first phase of crossover RCTs that compare the effects of medicines targeting neurotrophins with any control group. We will search the CENTRAL, MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, ClinicalTrials.gov, EU Clinical Trials Register, and WHO International Clinical Registry Platform databases from inception. Pairs of authors will independently screen the records for eligibility, and we will independently extract data in duplicate. We will conduct a quantitative synthesis (meta-analysis) with the studies that report sufficient data and compare the medicines of interest versus placebo. We will use random-effects models and calculate estimates of effects and heterogeneity for each outcome. We will assess the risk of bias for each study using the Cochrane Collaboration tool, and form judgments of confidence in the evidence according to GRADE recommendations. We will use the PRISMA statement to report the findings. We plan to conduct subgroup analyses by condition, type of medication, and time point. We will also assess the impact of a potential new trial on an existing meta-analysis. Data from studies that meet inclusion criteria but cannot be included in the meta-analysis will be reported narratively.

Results

The protocol was registered on the Open Science Framework on May 19, 2020. As of December 2020, we have identified 1932 records.

Conclusions

This systematic review and meta-analysis will assess the evidence for the efficacy and safety of NGF inhibitors for pain in patients with nonspecific LBP and sciatica. The inclusion of new studies and unpublished data may improve the precision of the effect estimates and guide regulatory actions of the medications for LBP and sciatica.

Trial Registration

Open Science Framework; https://osf.io/b8adn/

International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID)

DERR1-10.2196/22905
On r− dynamic coloring of the gear graph families
Authors: Deepa T. , Venkatachalam M. , Dafik
Published: December 2020

An r-dynamic coloring of a graph G is a proper coloring c of the vertices such that |c(N(v))| ≥ min {r, d(v)}, for each v ∈ V (G). The r-dynamic chromatic number of a graph G is the minimum k such that G has an r-dynamic coloring with k colors. In this paper, we obtain the r−dynamic chromatic number of the middle, central and line graphs of the gear graph.
Cadmium Toxicity and Its Effect on Testicular Dysfunction in Male Rats
Authors:   Department of Zoology, Mizoram Central University, Aizawl-796004, Mizoram, India, R Momin Bidanchi , Roy Vikas Kumar , Sanjeev Sanasam , Maurya Khushboo , Gurusubramanian Guruswami
Published: December 2020

Cadmium (Cd) is an inorganic heavy metal which is of significant occupational concern, has been classified as human carcinogen. Administration of Cd in animals results in multiple organ tumorigenesis. Evidences indicate that the oxidative stress plays an important role in Cd carcinogenesis. Cd exposure has been related to human diseases such as cancer and studies have shown the adverse effects of different doses of cadmium chloride (CdCl2) on reproductive functions in male. Studies have shown that CdCl2-induced testicular and spermatozoa toxicity associated with the oxidative stress in male downregulating the apoptotic genes and up regulating gonadotropins and anti-apoptotic genes. CdCl2 toxicity significantly decreases the reproductive organ weights, epididymal sperm concentration, motility and B-cell lymphoma 2 (BCL 2) positive anti-apoptotic cell rate, whereas it caused significant increases in level of lipid peroxidation and abnormal sperm rates. BAX gene expression has been detected in leydig cells, indicating that BAX gene is a promotor of cell death is often positively regulated by the tumour suppressor gene p53 and may also cause the formation of multinucleated giant cells which is caused by additional DNA replication of the primary spermatocytes that fail to undergo meiosis. Thus, this article reviews some of the molecular toxicity mechanism of Cd and its effect on the testis which will be helpful in anticipation and deterrence of Cd-induced testicular toxicity.
Role of Free Amino Acids in Renal Tissue of Air-Breathing Catfish, Heteropneustes Fossilis Under-Desiccation Stress (Mud Dwelling)
Authors:   Department of Zoology, Madhabdev College, Narayanpur, Lakhimpur, Assam, India, Bhuyan Gitalee , Saha Nirmalendu ,   Biochemical Adaptation Laboratory, Department of Zoology, North-Eastern Hill University, Shillong-793022, India
Published: December 2020

The Indian air-breathing catfish, Heteropneustes fossilis faces various environmental constraints throughout the year leading to the problem of accumulation of toxic ammonia. Water restricted mud dwelling condition is a common environmental stress (desiccation stress) for catfishes in North Eastern India during winter. The fish is able to survive inside moist peat for months. In the present study the air breathing singhi catfish H. fossilis was kept inside mud peat for 30 days mimicking their normal habitat in winter and the changing pattern of free amino acid (FAAs) content was investigated in renal tissue. Under desiccation, a significant accumulation of ammonia and FAA, mainly glutamine, alanine, glycine, glutamate and serine have been observed in the renal tissue with approximately 2.56 and 1.56 fold increase. Thus, it appears that the Indian air-breathing catfish handle the ammonia toxicity by conversion of ammonia to some non-essential FAAs.