bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The use of HRM shifts in qPCR to investigate a much neglected aspect of interference by intracellular nanoparticles
Authors: Sanabria Natasha M. , Gulumian Mary
Published: December 2021

Genetic molecular studies used to understand potential risks of engineered nanomaterials (ENMs) are incomplete. Intracellular residual ENMs present in biological samples may cause assay interference. This report applies the high-resolution melt (HRM) feature of RT-qPCR to detect shifts caused by the presence of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs). A universal RNA standard (untreated control) sample was spiked with known amounts of AuNPs and reverse transcribed, where 10 reference genes were amplified. The amplification plots, dissociation assay (melt) profiles, electrophoretic profiles and HRM difference curves were analysed and detected interference caused by AuNPs, which differed according to the amount of AuNP present (i.e. semi-quantitative). Whether or not the assay interference was specific to the reverse transcription or the PCR amplification step was tested. The study was extended to a target gene-of-interest (GOI), Caspase 7. Also, the effect on in vitro cellular samples was assessed (for reference genes and Caspase 7). This method can screen for the presence of AuNPs in RNA samples, which were isolated from biological material in contact with the nanomaterials, i.e., during exposure and risk assessment studies. This is an important quality control procedure to be implemented when quantifying the expression of a GOI from samples that have been in contact with various ENMs. It is recommended to further examine 18S, PPIA and TBP since these were the most reliable for detecting shifts in the difference curves, irrespective of the source of the RNA, or, the point at which the different AuNPs interacted with the assay.
Are smokers scared by COVID-19 risk? How fear and comparative optimism influence smokers’ intentions to take measures to quit smoking
Authors: Duong Hue Trong , Massey Zachary B. , Churchill Victoria , Popova Lucy
Published: December 2021

Research suggests that smoking may compound the risk of serious health problems to smokers who contract COVID-19. This study examines whether and how exposure to news stories reporting the severe COVID-19 risk to smokers may influence smokers’ emotional responses (fear, anxiety, and sadness) and intentions to take measures to quit smoking. Current smokers in the US participated in an online experiment (N = 495) and were randomized to read smoking risk news stories or news stories reporting the combined risk of smoking and COVID-19. We found that combined risk news stories lead to participants feeling more fearful and sadder than when they viewed smoking risk news stories (M = 5.74; SD = 2.57 vs. M = 5.20; SD = 2.74; p < .05). Fear fully mediated the effect of news exposure on intentions to take measures to quit smoking (ß = .09; SE = 05; 95% CI [.010, .200]). Moreover, moderated-mediation analyses revealed that the mediating effect of fear was conditioned on the levels of comparative optimism, such that the association between fear and intentions to take measures to quit smoking was only significant among smokers whose comparative optimism was at the mean score (ß = .16; SE = 05; 95% CI [.071, .250]), and for those whose comparative optimism was high (ß = .27; SE = .06; 95% CI [.146, .395]). These results suggest that fear of the pandemic and optimism might play important roles in predicting and explaining the association between exposure to news stories and intentions to take measures to quit smoking. Messages about heightened risk of COVID-19 complications for smokers that increase fear might be an effective strategy to motivate smokers to quit. Such messages should be used to turn the adversity of COVID-19 pandemic into an intervention opportunity to reduce tobacco-related disease.
Hospital costs of Balloon Pulmonary Angioplasty (BPA) procedure and management for CTEPH patients: An observational study based on the French national hospital discharge database (PMSI)
Authors: Cottin Vincent , Bensimon Lionel , Raguideau Fanny , Chaize Gwendoline , Hakmé Antoinette , Levy-Bachelot Laurie , Vainchtock Alexandre , Dallongeville Jean , Bouvaist Hélène , Brenot Philippe
Published: December 2021

Introduction

Since 2014, Balloon Pulmonary Angioplasty (BPA) has become an emerging and complementary strategy for chronic thromboembolic hypertension (CTEPH) patients who are not suitable for pulmonary endarterectomy (PEA) or who have recurrent symptoms after the PEA procedure.

Objective

To assess the hospital cost of BPA sessions and management in CTEPH patients.

Methods

An observational retrospective cohort study of CTEPH-adults hospitalized for a BPA between January 1st, 2014 and June 30th, 2016 was conducted in the 2 centres performing BPA in France (Paris Sud and Grenoble) using the French national hospital discharge database (PMSI-MCO). Patients were followed until 6 months or death, whichever occurred first. Follow-up stays were classified as stays with BPA sessions, for BPA management or for CTEPH management based on a pre-defined algorithm and a medical review using type of diagnosis (ICD-10), delay from last BPA procedure stay and length of stay. Hospital costs (including medical transports) were estimated from National Health Insurance perspective using published official French tariffs from 2014 to 2016 and expressed in 2017 Euros.

Results

A total of 191 patients were analysed; mainly male (53%), with a mean age of 64,3 years. The first BPA session was performed 1.1 years in median (IQR 0.3–2.92) after the first PH hospitalisation. A mean of 3 stays with BPA sessions per patient were reported with a mean length of stay of 8 days for the first stay and 6 days for successive stays. The total hospital cost attributable to BPA was € 4,057,825 corresponding to €8,764±3,435 per stay and €21,245±12,843 per patient. Results were sensitive to age classes, density of commune of residence and some comorbidities.

Conclusions

The study generated robust real-world data to assess the hospital cost of BPA sessions and management in CTEPH patients within its first years of implementation in France.
Consumer willingness to pay for plant-based foods produced using microbial applications to replace synthetic chemical inputs
Authors: Ali Beshir M. , Ang Frederic , van der Fels-Klerx H. J.
Published: December 2021

Analysis of consumer preferences and willingness-to-pay (WTP) for sustainable foods produced using new agri-food technologies is required to enhance the uptake of innovations that accelerate the transition towards sustainable food systems. Consumers’ willingness to buy new food products, with no or limited consumption experience, mainly depends on their food choice motivational orientations (promotion- vs prevention-orientation). The objective of this study was to elicit consumers’ WTP for foods that are produced with microbial applications during the plant production phase with the aim to reduce the use of synthetic chemicals in crop farming, as well as to understand the associations of food choice motives, personal and socio-demographic factors with the WTP. We used contingent valuation to elicit consumers’ WTP for three food products (wheat bread, consumer potatoes and tomato sauce) through online surveys. Data were collected from 291 consumers, primarily from Italy, Germany and the Netherlands. Descriptive statistics, latent variable modelling and logistic regression were used to analysis data. Results show that more than two-third of the respondents are willing to pay premiums of at least 0.11 euro per kg of food products for reductions in synthetic chemical use by at least 50% due to microbial applications. The amount of WTP increases with the level of reductions in synthetic chemical use. The majority of the respondents are promotion-oriented consumers in relation to their food involvement, and are more likely to pay premiums for the sustainably produced food products. Environmentally concerned consumers are also more likely to pay premiums, whereas health concerned consumers are not. This study contributes to understanding of consumers’ attitude and perceived health risks towards foods obtained using microbial applications, and the heterogeneity of their preferences. Results provide insights for identifying potential buyers of foods produced using microbial applications, and to set prices according to the levels of consumers’ WTP.
Nurses and physicians attitudes towards factors related to hospitalized patient safety
Authors: Malinowska-Lipień Iwona , Micek Agnieszka , Gabryś Teresa , Kózka Maria , Gajda Krzysztof , Gniadek Agnieszka , Brzostek Tomasz , Squires Allison
Published: December 2021

Introduction

The attitudes of healthcare staff towards patients’ safety, including awareness of the risk for adverse events, are significant elements of an organization’s safety culture.

Aim of research

To evaluate nurses and physicians’ attitudes towards factors influencing hospitalized patient safety.

Materials and methods

The research included 606 nurses and 527 physicians employed in surgical and medical wards in 21 Polish hospitals around the country. The Polish adaptation of the Safety Attitudes Questionnaire (SAQ) was used to evaluate the factors influencing attitudes towards patient safety.

Results

Both nurses and physicians scored highest in stress recognition (SR) (71.6 and 80.86), while they evaluated working conditions (WC) the lowest (45.82 and 52,09). Nurses achieved statistically significantly lower scores compared to physicians in every aspect of the safety attitudes evaluation (p<0.05). The staff working in surgical wards obtained higher scores within stress recognition (SR) compared to the staff working in medical wards (78.12 vs. 73.72; p = 0.001). Overall, positive working conditions and effective teamwork can contribute to improving employees’ attitudes towards patient safety.

Conclusions

The results help identify unit level vulnerabilities associated with staff attitudes toward patient safety. They underscore the importance of management strategies that account for staff coping with occupational stressors to improve patient safety.
Predictors of renal infarction in patients presenting to the emergency department with flank pain: A retrospective observational study
Authors: Nah Sangun , Han Sangsoo , Kim Han Bit , Chun Sohyeon , Kim Sechan , Woo Seungho , Moon Ji Eun , Cho Young Soon
Published: December 2021

Objectives

Flank pain is a common symptom in the emergency department and can be caused by a variety of diseases. Renal infarction (RI) is a very rare disease, and many RI patients complain of flank pain. However, there is no definitive predictor of RI when patients complain of flank pain. This study aimed to identify the clinical factors for predicting RI in patients with flank pain.

Methods

This retrospective single-center study was conducted on patients complaining of flank pain from January 2016 to March 2020 at a South Korean tertiary care hospital. Exclusion criteria included patients who did not undergo contrast-enhanced computed tomography, age < 18 years, and trauma. Demographic and laboratory data were obtained from medical records. Logistic regression analysis was conducted to identify predictors of RI occurrence.

Results

In all, 2,131 patients were enrolled, and 39 (1.8%) had RI. From a multivariable logistic regression analysis, an age ≥ 65 years (odds ratio [OR], 3.249; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.366–7.725;p= 0.008), male sex (OR, 2.846; 95% CI, 1.190–6.808;p= 0.019), atrial fibrillation (OR, 10.386; 95% CI, 3.724–28.961;p< 0.001), current smoker (OR, 10.022; 95% CI, 4.565–22.001;p< 0.001), and no hematuria (OR, 0.267; 95% CI, 0.114–0.628;p= 0.002) were significantly associated with the occurrence of RI.

Conclusions

Five clinical factors, i.e., age ≥ 65 years, male sex, atrial fibrillation, current smoker, and no hematuria, were significantly associated with the occurrence of RI in patients with flank pain.
Drug company payments to General Practices in England: Cross-sectional and social network analysis
Authors: Saghy Eszter , Mulinari Shai , Ozieranski Piotr
Published: December 2021

Although there has been extensive research on pharmaceutical industry payments to healthcare professionals, healthcare organisations with key roles in health systems have received little attention. We seek to contribute to addressing this gap in research by examining drug company payments to General Practices in England in 2015. We combine a publicly available payments database managed by the pharmaceutical industry with datasets covering key practice characteristics. We find that practices were an important target of company payments, receiving £2,726,018, equivalent to 6.5% of the value of payments to all healthcare organisations in England. Payments to practices were highly concentrated and specific companies were also highly dominant. The top 10 donors and the top 10 recipients amassed 87.9% and 13.6% of the value of payments, respectively. Practices with more patients, a greater proportion of elderly patients, and those in more affluent areas received significantly more payments on average. However, the patterns of payments were similar across England’s regions. We also found that company networks–established by making payments to the same practices–were largely dominated by a single company, which was also by far the biggest donor. Greater policy attention is required to the risk of financial dependency and conflicts of interests that might arise from payments to practices and to organisational conflicts of interests more broadly. Our research also demonstrates that the comprehensiveness and quality of payment data disclosed via industry self-regulatory arrangements needs improvement. More interconnectivity between payment data and other datasets is needed to capture company marketing strategies systematically.
Cerebrospinal fluid CD4+ T cell infection in humans and macaques during acute HIV-1 and SHIV infection
Authors: Sharma Vishakha , Creegan Matthew , Tokarev Andrey , Hsu Denise , Slike Bonnie M. , Sacdalan Carlo , Chan Phillip , Spudich Serena , Ananworanich Jintanat , Eller Michael A. , Krebs Shelly J. , Vasan Sandhya , Bolton Diane L. ,   the RV254/SEARCH010 and RV304/SEARCH013 Study Teams
Published: December 2021

HIV-1 replication within the central nervous system (CNS) impairs neurocognitive function and has the potential to establish persistent, compartmentalized viral reservoirs. The origins of HIV-1 detected in the CNS compartment are unknown, including whether cells within the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) produce virus. We measured viral RNA+ cells in CSF from acutely infected macaques longitudinally and people living with early stages of acute HIV-1. Active viral transcription (spliced viral RNA) was present in CSF CD4+ T cells as early as four weeks post-SHIV infection, and among all acute HIV-1 specimens (N = 6; Fiebig III/IV). Replication-inactive CD4+ T cell infection, indicated by unspliced viral RNA in the absence of spliced viral RNA, was even more prevalent, present in CSF of >50% macaques and human CSF at ~10-fold higher frequency than productive infection. Infection levels were similar between CSF and peripheral blood (and lymph nodes in macaques), indicating comparable T cell infection across these compartments. In addition, surface markers of activation were increased on CSF T cells and monocytes and correlated with CSF soluble markers of inflammation. These studies provide direct evidence of HIV-1 replication in CD4+ T cells and broad immune activation in peripheral blood and the CNS during acute infection, likely contributing to early neuroinflammation and reservoir seeding. Thus, early initiation of antiretroviral therapy may not be able to prevent establishment of CNS viral reservoirs and sources of long-term inflammation, important targets for HIV-1 cure and therapeutic strategies.
The Role of Individual Preferences in the Efficacy of Written Corrective Feedback in an English for Academic Purposes Writing Course
Authors:   University of Southern Queensland, Perks Bradley , Colpitts Bradley ,   Kwansei Gakuin University, Japan, Michaud Matthew ,   Capilano University, Canada
Published: December 2021

This study examined the effectiveness of written corrective and the role of individual differences (ID) in the uptake of the feedback. Data was taken from a nine-week, English as a foreign language (EFL) writing course from 101 intermediate (n=101) students at a private university in Kobe, Japan. Using an explanatory sequential mixed methods design, quantitative data was first collected concerning writing errors, followed by qualitative semi-structured interviews. Three classes were placed into either two treatment groups (direct and indirect) or a control group, and completed four writing tasks (pre-test, post-test and two delayed post-tests). The study found the two treatment groups showed significant improvements on local and global errors, whereas the control group did not. Additionally, the qualitative component elicited the influence of affective factors. The study adds to the body of literature addressing the impact of written corrective feedback, specifically on students’ self-editing strategies.
INADEQUACY OF N-3 POLYUNSATURATED FATTY ACID DIETARY INTAKES IN THE GENERAL FRENCH POPULATION OF ELDERLY (65 TO 79 YEARS OLD): THE INCA 2 SURVEY
Authors: Buaud B. , Tressou J. , Guesnet P. , Simon N. , Pasteau S.
Published: December 2021

Objectives: The aim of this study was to explore polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) intakes in the French elderly population (65 to 79 years old). Design: The study used data on French food consumption issued from 348 elderly of the cross-sectional national French INCA 2 dietary survey performed in 2006 and 2007, combined with the nutritional content of food consumed updated in 2013 by the French Information Center on Food Quality. Results: It was observed for the French elderly population an adequate total fat daily intake and a linoleic acid (LA) daily intake close or superior to the recommended dietary intake (RDI) by the French authorities (from 4.1 to 4.4% of the total energy intake excluding alcohol (EIEA) vs 4% EIEA). By contrast, the French elderly have, regardless of age and gender, a low mean dietary alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) intake equal half of the RDI (0.5% EIEA vs 1% EIEA), and a mean dietary docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) intake close to two-thirds of the RDI (i.e. from 154 to 167 mg/d vs 250 mg/d). These translated into a LA/ALA ratio between 9.5 and 9.9, twice as high as the recommended threshold inferior to 5, and a mean dietary eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) plus DHA intake (from 267 to 293 mg/d) slightly more than half of the RDI (500 mg/d). Conclusion: This study supports the need to promote higher intakes of n-3 PUFAs, as well as the setting of specific intake recommendations for these fatty acids for the French elderly population.
METABOLIC SYNDROME OF FREE-LIVING ELDERLY FROM SHARPEVILLE, SOUTH AFRICA: A PROSPECTIVE COHORT STUDY WITH 10-YEAR FOLLOW-UP
Authors: Oldewage-Theron W.H. , Egal, A.A. , Grobler C.
Published: December 2021

Objective: This study aimed to provide evidence on the prevalence of the metabolic factors contributing to Metabolic Syndrome (MetS) among elderly people in South Africa. Design: An ethically approved, cross-sectional survey study conducted in a cohort of an elderly population in 2004 with follow-up in 2014. Setting: An elderly day-care center. Participants: A total of 170 men and women were randomly selected for the baseline survey (2004). Only 105 of the subjects included in the baseline study were available for the follow-up study (2014). The sample consisted of 83.2% (n=89) women and 16.8% (n=16) men with a mean±SD age of 95.8±6.2 and 71.8±5.7 years in 2014 and 2004 respectively. Measurements: Dietary intakes (24-hour recall questionnaire) were completed for a period of three non-consecutive days, including one weekend day and two week days. Other measurements included waist circumference (WC), blood pressure and fasting (>8 hours) venous blood samples that were analyzed for total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C), tryglicerides (TGs) and glucose. The Friedewald formula was used to calculate LDL-C (16). Results: The prevalence of MetS was significantly (p=0.000) higher in 2014 (63.4%) compared to 2004 (48.8%). The most prominent risk factors were central obesity (85.9%), low serum HDL-C (71.0%) and high serum TG (68.1%) levels in 2004 compared to central obesity (82.5%), low serum HDL-C (94.3%) and hyperglycaemia (48.1%) in 2014. Conclusions: MetS is highly prevalent and rapidly increasing among these elderly people. A need for identifying preventative and treatment strategies to increase wellness and reduce morbidity has been highlighted by these results.
KNOWLEDGE AND PRACTICES GOVERNING THE IMPLEMENTATION OF NASOGASTRIC TUBE FEEDING AS A TEMPORARY UNDERNUTRITION MANAGEMENT MEASURE IN ACUTE GERIATRIC CARE: A QUALITATIVE RESEARCH-BASED ANALYSIS
Authors: Fercot E. , Marty L. , Bouteloup C. , Lepley Y. , Bohatier J. , Bonnefoy M. , Lesourd B. , Boirie Y. , Dadet S.
Published: December 2021

Introduction: Nasogastric tube feeding appears underused in acute geriatric care units. The objective of this study was to identify the knowledge, practice, fears or behaviors of care givers governing implementation. Material and Methods: Multicentric qualitative research study based on interviews with geriatricians and care staff. Coding of patterns and thematic analysis of the data were used to extract key concepts tied to the objective. Results: Ten geriatricians and eleven care staff were interviewed individually and in a focus-group setting. Undernutrition was perceived as a prognosis-worsening comorbidity, not a disease. Early screening for undernutrition appeared essential, but care management and monitoring was within the remit of downstream structures. A handful of indications are reported to justify moves to start nasogastric tube feeding, often as part of adjuvant care, when real benefit is expected, when the individualized feeding plan is part of a comprehensive care plan, with the patient consciously involved and after consulting with the family. Patients' fear of complications, cognitive disorders, and uncertain life expectancy often fuel concerns of a form of unreasonable obstinacy. Finally, doctors and care staff alike think that decisions on nasogastric intubation in this patient population require a multidisciplinary-team process. Conclusion: Nasogastric tube feeding in acute geriatric care remains fraught with issues. It looks a viable option, but should be part of a comprehensive care plan, based on multidisciplinary decision-making by appropriately-trained teams, where the goals of care are the patient's comfort and quality of life.
The uncertainty of the statistical data
Authors: Berdondini Andrea
Published: December 2021

ABSTRACT: Any result can be generated randomly and any random result is useless. Traditional methods define uncertainty as a measure of the dispersion around the true value and are based on the hypothesis that any divergence from uniformity is the result of a deterministic event. The problem with this approach is that even non-uniform distributions can be generated randomly and the probability of this event rises as the number of hypotheses tested increases. Consequently, there is a risk of considering a random and therefore non-repeatable hypothesis as deterministic. Indeed, it is believed that this way of acting is the cause of the high number of non-reproducible results. Therefore, we believe that the probability of obtaining an equal or better result randomly is the true uncertainty of the statistical data. Because it represents the probability that the data is useful and therefore the validity of any other analysis depends on this parameter.
E-commerce – Promising business model in Indian context
Authors: Menon Ms. Sreelekha , Sharma Dr. Sharat , Bhatt Ms. Swati
Published: December 2021

This research paper explores the scope of e-Commerce in India and its reach, the intention of this submission is to understand the challenges (whether internal or external) faced by any organizations (New Startups or the ones that have already established in tradition Business models) while entering to this Business Zone. It also discusses how these challenges hamper the decision regarding entry and sustainability of such aspirants and how they can force them to drop the idea of entering in this space and grow / sustain in Business and why is it important to face the same and adopt to this Model as soon as possible as, this is the future.this research will help us understand the challenges that are faced by industry while adopting to the e-Commerce Scenario .
Articulación territorial de la gestión de plaguicidas en el marco de la protección fitosanitaria. El caso del valle agrícola de Rioverde y Ciudad Fernández, San Luis Potosí
Authors: Galindo Mendoza María Guadalupe , Aldaz Galicia Norma Yadira , Servín Carlos Contreras , Saldierna Salas Geovanni , Almendarez Rocha Sandra Daniela
Published: December 2021

La sanidad y la protección vegetal tienen como finalidad generar acciones para el control de plagas y enfermedades agrícolas, el uso de plaguicidas y la determinación de estatus fitosanitario para la comercialización en el marco de la seguridad alimentaria. Sin embargo, la protección vegetal como instrumento normativo y de regulación se ha quedado en la escala mundial y nacional, cuando el manejo de plagas es principalmente local (la finca o la parcela). Existe una desarticulación institucional y territorial en cuanto a la regulación de plaguicidas. A nivel mundial, se reconoció el Manejo Integrado de Plagas (MIP) cómo la política pública del manejo y control de plagas, a nivel local esa estructura no llegó y no se aplica por la inexistencia del modelo de extensionismo fitosanitario. Los actores que controlan la gestión de plaguicidas son las llamadas “casas agronómicas” que son pequeños negocios particulares que enfrentan políticas laxas tanto agrícolas, ambientales y de salud, actúan al margen de la normativa estatal y nacional. Establecen acuerdos y “reglas de juego” que estimulan y facilitan el uso indiscriminado de los agroquímicos. Tal es caso del valle agrícola de Rioverde y Ciudad Fernández, San Luis Potosí, particularmente en el ejido El Refugio se aplican plaguicidas restringidos como: Diazinon, Glifosato, Carbofuran, Clorpirifos Etil, Metamidofos, Metomilo y Monocrotofos, todos Plaguicidas Altamente Peligrosos (PAP). Por lo antes mencionado, este trabajo tuvo como objetivo, demostrar que los problemas de gobernanza territorial constituyen el reto más importante para afrontar y resolver el problema de plaguicidas en México.
Bedrock Geologic Map of the Northern Half of the Bedford 30- X 60-Minute Quadrangle, Indiana
Authors: Tripp Don , Eldridge Jayson , Burgess Sarah
Published: December 2021

The Bedrock Geologic Map of the Northern Half of the Bedford 30- X 60-Minute Quadrangle is an Esri File Geodatabase that contains six feature data sets, five geodatabase tables, and two raster data sets detailing the bedrock geology of the northern half of the Bedford 30- X 60-minute quadrangle in Indiana. This data set conforms to "GeMS (Geologic Map Schema)--a standard format for the digital publication of geologic maps." For more information on GeMS please refer to the supplemental information within this metadata.
Pyrolytic Oil Yield from Waste Plastic in Quezon City, Philippines: Optimization Using Response Surface Methodology
Authors: Olalo Joselito Abierta
Published: December 2021

Plastics play an essential role in packaging materials because of their durability to different environmental conditions. With its importance in the community lies the problem with waste disposal. Plastic is a non-biodegradable material, making it a big problem, especially when thrown in dumpsites. In solving the plastic problem, one efficient way to reduce its volume is through thermal processing such as pyrolysis. This study used the pyrolysis method to recover energy from plastic waste. Liquid oil from plastic was comparable to regular fuel used in powering engines. Before the pyrolysis process, a 3k factorial Box-Behnken Design was used in determining the number of experiments to be used. The output oil yield in each pyrolysis runs was optimized in different parameters, such as temperature, residence time, and particle size using response surface methodology to determine the optimum oil yield.  Between polyethylene (PE), mixed plastic, and polystyrene (PS), PS produced its highest oil yield of 90 %. In comparison, mixed plastic produced only its highest oil yield of 45 % in 500 ºC temperature, 120 min residence time, and 3 cm particle size. The produced quadratic mathematical models in PE, mixed, and PS plastic were significant in which the p-values were less than 0.05. Using mathematical models, the optimum oil yield for PE (467.68 ºC, 120 min residence time, 2 cm particle size), mixed (500 ºC, 120 min residence time, 2.75 cm particle size) and PS plastic (500 ºC, 120 min residence time, 2 cm particle size) were 75.39 %, 46.74 %, and 91.38 %, respectively
The efficacy of acibenzolar-S-methyl (ASM) in inducing resistance against Fusarium graminearum sensu stricto in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)
Authors: Shude Sinegugu Precious , Mbili Nokwazi Carol , Yobo Kwasi S
Published: December 2021

Four ASM (acibenzolar-S-methyl) concentrations were applied on wheat plants at different growth stages prior to inoculation with 1x105 conidia/ml of Fusarium graminearum. Thereafter, disease severity was monitored and recorded over time. All ASM concentrations reduced disease severity compared to the control. The best treatment, providing the lowest Area Under the Disease Progress Curve (AUDPC) units, high average Hundred Seed Weight (HSW) and reduced average Percentage Seed Infection (PSI), was 0.075 g/L ASM applied at anthesis. A weak but significant positive correlation was observed between AUDPC and PSI (r = 0.33; p = 0.0001). However, a moderate and weak negative correlation was observed between AUDPC and HSW (r = - 0.41; p < 0.0001) and HSW and PSI (r = - 0.18; p = 0.04) respectively. Higher ASM concentrations were more effective when applied at anthesis and lower concentrations at late boot. Moreover, repeated applications (applied at both late boot and anthesis) did not improve disease reduction. A disease reduction and deoxynivalenol (DON) reduction of up to 28.97% (0.075 g/L ASM applied at anthesis) and 18.79% (0.0375 g/L ASM applied at anthesis) was observed. However, DON and zearalenone (ZEA) reduction did not always correspond with disease severity reduction of tested treatments. This accentuates the importance of the development of integrated control strategies for the improved and effective management of Fusarium head blight (FHB) in wheat.
Otwarcie filmu fabularnego, jego funkcje i znaczenie
Authors: Jaroszuk Grzegorz
Published: December 2021

Legendary American producers who’d accepted to read tens of scripts had a justified approach to read only first ten pages. Although on a first sight it may appear negligence, they knew well that if they are not convinced by the first pages of the script, it is very likely that the audience won’t feel convinced either. The article concerns the role of the film opening and its structure. Its functions and transformations are described upon the examples of films by Ingmar Bergman and Paul Thomas Anderson.
Verification of Seismic Cone Penetration Test Calibration Chamber Tests on a Sand
Authors: Sadrekarimi Abouzar , Jones Stephen
Published: December 2021

Calibration chambers are experimental apparatuses that allow the physical modeling of an in situ testing method, such as the cone penetration test (CPT), by performing laboratory experiments on soil samples with known stress, strain, and density characteristics. Over a series of development and improvements, more recent calibration chambers and laboratory cone penetrometers have become compact and less laborious than their predecessors. This includes the focus of this study where a miniature cone penetration testing (MCPT) calibration chamber previously designed and used at Western University is upgraded to measure shear wave velocity (VS) and enable anisotropic consolidation of soil specimens using a hydraulic piston. In addition to VS, MCPT can also measure cone tip resistance, sleeve friction, and excess pore water pressure developed behind the cone tip. A full test plan using the newly upgraded MCPT calibration chamber is presented in this study. These tests are performed on Fraser River sand at various relative densities and effective stresses. Results of this testing program are validated by comparison with a series of in situ seismic CPTs in the Fraser River delta, existing correlations between VS and cone tip resistance, and several other calibration chamber tests on different sands. Through these comparisons, the overall viability of the initial MCPT calibration chamber design, modifications made to the MCPT setup, and ultimately the results produced from this device are confirmed.
Using the Dynamic Shear Rheometer for Low-Temperature Grading of Asphalt Binders
Authors: Komaragiri Satyavati , Filonzi Angelo , Masad Ahmad , Hazlett Darren , Mahmoud Enad , Bhasin Amit
Published: December 2021

The Superpave Performance Grading (PG) framework or a variation of this framework is often used as a purchase specification in the United States and as a tool to evaluate the expected performance of modified and unmodified asphalt binders in many countries around the world. A cornerstone of the PG framework is the low-temperature grade of the asphalt binder that is assessed using a bending beam rheometer (BBR) using maximum stiffness and a minimum rate of deformation as criteria. Several previous studies from other researchers have demonstrated the feasibility of using the dynamic shear rheometer (DSR) with a 4-mm parallel plate geometry to measure the rheological properties of asphalt binders at low temperatures. This article builds on these studies to evaluate the feasibility of using a DSR to replace the use of a BBR for low-temperature grading of the asphalt binder using two different approaches. The first approach was to measure complex shear modulus of different asphalt binders using the DSR, convert these measurements to BBR equivalent stiffness and m-value using principles of linear viscoelasticity, and compare the two pairs of parameters from each method. The second approach was to use the complex shear modulus and phase angle measured using the DSR in lieu of using the stiffness and m-value measured using the BBR. Although the results from both methods show feasibility of using the 4-mm plate with the DSR to estimate low-temperature properties, the second approach of measuring and using the DSR-based complex shear moduli and phase angle is a more viable alternative for routine use.
The World in the XXI Century: the Dilemmas of Polarity
Authors:   Institute of Europe, Russian Academy of Sciences, Nosov Mikhail
Published: December 2021

COVID-19 pandemic started one century after Spanish flu epidemic that killed about 40 million people. It ended as unexpectedly as it began, and was followed by the Paris Conference of 1919, which gave start to the Versailles system, planned as a new system of eternal peace, but collapsed 20 years later. The same happened with the Yalta system at the end of XX centure. Today, the configuration of the world is in the process of changes. The USSR disappeared from the political map of the world, and new world centers appeared with different views on global politics. The interests of the United States, Russia, China, and EU-27 do not coincide, and often contradict each other. Today, with a certain degree of probability, one can speak of the formation of a "new bipolarity", where the United States? NATO and the EU enter into an economic, political and potentially a military confrontation with China and Russia. The future of this system will largely depend on both the outcome of economic competition between the West and China and the level of development of relations between China and Russia. The current pandemic, let's hope, will also end someday, and humanity will be able to create a system of bipolar or multipolar interstate relations that will reliably protect the world from epidemics and wars. This article examines the prospects for the formation of a multipolar world and the future role of Russia
Impact of the Coronacrisis on Germany's Transition to a Climate-neutral Economy
Authors:   Institute of Europe, Russian Academy of Sciences, Belov Vladislav
Published: December 2021

The author continues the study of the impact of the coronavirus crisis on the economic and political space of Germany. The second article outlines the features of the double transition ‒ energy and digital ‒ to a climate-neutral economy. Germany is carrying it out within the framework of the European Green Deal, the adoption of which almost coincided with the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. The coronavirus crisis has become a catalyst for the transformation processes in the field of energy and digitalization, many of which Berlin began to implement long before the onset of its consequences. Lockdowns have led to a reduction in industry's primary energy and electricity consumption, motivated businesses to relocate employees to home-based work, and accelerate the introduction of new digital technologies. The coronavirus crisis has become a challenge for government departments, healthcare institutions, secondary and higher education, which management and employees were not ready for a quick use of distance technologies. The author analyzes the structural policy of the coalition government, the contribution of German-French initiatives and projects to the implementation of the double transition in the field of energy, cloud technologies and artificial intelligence, assesses the role of a new Climate Protection Law
Conceptual Approaches to Human Rights in the European Union and the People’s Republic of China
Authors:   MGIMO University, Litvak Nikolay , Pomozova Natalia ,   Russian State University for the Humanities
Published: December 2021

The article presents a comparative interdisciplinary study of approaches to the problem of human rights in relations between the European Union and the People’s Republic of China. This factor is traditionally used by the EU and the West to criticize the policies of other countries, combining pressure and encouragement in order to Westernize them ‒ to accept and practicallyl implement the Western concept of human rights.However, modern China, having carried out rapid socio-economic and scientific-technological development, not only did not change its political system, but also began to reform the international sphere of human rights in accordance with their understanding. Ideological inertia and simplification of the problem do not contribute to understanding in Europe how, while retaining the socialist ideology, China became the second economy in the world, acquiring global primacy and promoting its model, without setting, like the West, special political conditions.At the same time, there are contradictions between the Western countries, and international law, including the field of human rights, which have a historical, dynamic character, and a very diverse implementation. In the socio-philosophical sense, the competition between the constructivist and functional approaches in the forms of the liberal-bourgeois and socialist systems is developing between the EU and the PRC.
Zika Virus Overview: Transmission, Origin, Pathogenesis, Animal Model and Diagnosis
Authors: Vue Dallas , Tang Qiyi
Published: December 2021

Zika virus (ZIKV) was first discovered in 1947 in Uganda. ZIKV did not receive substantial attention until Brazil hosted the 2016 Summer Olympic Games, and ZIKV reached a global audience. ZIKV is a flavivirus transmitted chiefly through mosquito bites, sexual intercourse and, to a lesser extent, breastfeeding. The recent discovery of how ZIKV causes congenital neurodevelopmental defects, including microcephaly, has led to reevaluation of the importance of the interaction of ZIKV with centrosome organization, because centrosomes play an important role in cell division. When ZIKV disrupts centrosome organization and mitotic abnormalities, neural progenitor differentiation is altered, thereby resulting in cell cycle arrest, increased apoptosis and inhibition of neural progenitor cell differentiation; subsequently, abnormalities in neural cell development can result in microcephaly. To aid in the understanding of the importance of ZIKV infection, this review article provides an overview of its history, transmission routes, pathogenesis, animal models and diagnosis.
COVID-19 outcomes in people with diabetes in Wales: a secondary analysis of the ABCD audit
Authors: Williams David M , Davies Jim , Field Benjamin CT , Gandhi Rajiv , Harris Sophie , Khunti Kamlesh , Nagi Dinesh , Narendran Parth , Rea Rustam , Ruan Yue , Ryder Robert EJ , Várnai Kinga A , Wild Sarah H , Wilmot Emma G , Min Thinzar , Platts Julia , Chudleigh Richard , Stephens Jeffrey W , Rice Sam
Published: December 2021

Background: People with diabetes and coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) have a significantly greater risk of death and/or intensive care unit (ICU) admission. The Association of British Clinical Diabetologists (ABCD) recently audited outcomes for people hospitalised in the UK with diabetes and COVID-19.
Methods: The ABCD COVID-19 and diabetes audit was a retrospective audit of patients admitted to UK hospitals with diabetes and COVID-19 between March and December 2020. Data related to patients admitted in Wales were compared with patients admitted in England and Scotland.
Results: In Wales, 40/82 (48.7%) patients with diabetes had COVID-19-related mortality compared with 1,149/2,916 (39.1%) in the UK group (p=0.08). The Welsh cohort were more likely to be Caucasian, have a higher body mass index and HbA1c, be diagnosed with diabetic retinopathy and prescribed a sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitor or insulin than those in England and Scotland. Patients admitted to the ICU in Wales were more likely to be male and have type 2 diabetes.
Conclusions: Patients admitted to hospital with diabetes and COVID-19 in Wales had a poorer outcome compared with England and Scotland. This disparity may reflect social inequality, differences in cardiovascular risk factors and/or differences in diabetes medications between hospitalised patients in Wales and the UK.
mTOR inhibitor improves testosterone-induced myocardial hypertrophy in hypertensive rats
Authors: Chen Jianshu , Yu Jing , Yuan Ruowen , Li Ningyin , Li Caie , Zhang Xiaofang
Published: December 2021

Compelling evidence has described that the incidence of hypertension and left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) in postmenopausal women is significantly increased worldwide. Our team’s previous research identified that androgen was an underlying factor contributing to increased blood pressure and LVH in postmenopausal women. However, little is known about how androgens affect LVH in postmenopausal hypertensive women. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the role of mammalian rapamycin receptor (mTOR) signaling pathway in myocardial hypertrophy in androgen-induced postmenopausal hypertension and whether mTOR inhibitors can protect the myocardium from androgen-induced interference to prevent and treat cardiac hypertrophy. For that, ovariectomized (OVX) spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) aged 12 weeks were used to study the effects of testosterone (T 2.85 mg/kg/weekly i.m.) on blood pressure and myocardial tissue. On the basis of antihypertensive therapy (chlorthalidone 8 mg/kg/day ig), the improvement of blood pressure and myocardial hypertrophy in rats treated with different dose gradients of rapamycin (0.8 mg/kg/day vs 1.5 mg/kg/day vs 2 mg/kg/day i.p.) in OVX + estrogen (E 9.6 mg/kg/day, ig) + testosterone group was further evaluated. After testosterone intervention, the OVX female rats exhibited significant increments in the heart weight/tibial length (TL), area of cardiomyocytes and the mRNA expressions of ANP, β-myosin heavy chain and matrix metalloproteinase 9 accompanied by a significant reduction in the uterine weight/TL and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 1. mTOR, ribosomal protein S6 kinase (S6K1), 4E-binding protein 1 (4EBP1) and eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4E in myocardial tissue of OVX + estrogen + testosterone group were expressed at higher levels than those of the other four groups. On the other hand, rapamycin abolished the effects of testosterone-induced cardiac hypertrophy, decreased the systolic and diastolic blood pressure of SHR, and inhibited the activation of mTOR/S6K1/4EBP1 signaling pathway in a concentration-dependent manner. Collectively, these data suggest that the mTOR/S6K1/4EBP1 pathway is an important therapeutic target for the prevention of LVH in postmenopausal hypertensive female rats with high testosterone levels. Our findings also support the standpoint that the mTOR inhibitor, rapamycin, can eliminate testosterone-induced cardiomyocyte hypertrophy.
Contribution of zinc and phosphorus on yield phosphorus and zinc content in aman rice and distribution in post-harvest soil
Authors: Hye MA , Rahman KM Mahbubur , Das PP , Hossain MA , Ray BP
Published: December 2021

An experiment was carried out to study the effect of phosphorus and zinc on yield, phosphorus and zinc content in rice as well as P distribution in post harvest soil, on a silty loam soil of Sonatola series (Non-calcareous Dark Grey Floodplain Soil) at Bangladesh Agricultural University Farm. There were 3 levels of P (0, 25 and 50 kg ha-I from TSP) and 4 levels of Zn (0,5,10 and 20kg Zn ha-1 from zinc sulphate) along with basal doses of 100 kg N ha-1 from urea, 40 kg K20 ha-1 from mediate of potash and 12 kg S ha-1 from gypsum. The single and interaction effect of P and Zn had significant positive effect on the grain and straw yield. The highest grain yield (5.97 t ha-l) and straw yield (11.50 t ha-1) were obtained from Zn10 P50 treatment. Phosphorus application significantly increased the P content in grain and straw but zinc content significantly decreased while effect of zinc significantly decreased the P content in grain and straw but increased the Zn content. The highest amount of P content in grain and straw were 0.35% and 0.140% respectively obtained from Zn0 P50 treatment whereas the zinc content in grain and straw were 32.8 ppm and 50.60 ppm respectively obtained from Zn20 P0 treatment. The availability of phosphorus gradually increased with the increasing levels of P and decreased with the increasing levels of Zn. The maximum water-soluble P (4.5mgkg-1) and labile P (1.8 mgkg-I) were obtained from Zn0 P50 treatment. The application of P and Zn gradually increased the Al-Fe-P, Mg/Ca-P and Total P with the increasing levels of P and Zn. The highest amount of Al/Fe-P, Mg/Ca­P and Total-P were obtained from Zn20 and P50 treatment. The combined application of P and Zn increased the grain and straw yield but decreased P and Zn content and availability of P to from Al/Fe-P and Mg/Ca-P as a result of Zn-P interaction in soil solution.