bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Changes in physico-chemical characteristics and the succession of phytoplankton in the lake Velenjsko jezero following its restoration
Authors: Mazej Zdenka , Triglav Brežnik Gabrijela , Ramšak Rudi
Published: August 2023

The species composition of phytoplankton in the artificial lake Velenjsko jezero has been monitored since 1994 while physico-chemical characteristics of the lake water since 1998. Before the year of lake remediation, 1994, the pH of lake water was around 12. In 1994, only filamentous cyanobacteria Oscillatoria ssp. were present in high abundance, with the rare appearance of Synedra sp. and Ceratium sp.. In 1995, the pH in the upper water layers decreased to 9, as a consequence of the construction of a fly ash system with a closed loop water cycle in October 1994. The number of algae taxons increased to 7 (Coelosphaeria sp., Gomphosphaeriasp., Scenedesmus sp., Pediastrum sp., Asterionella sp., Synedra sp. and Ceratium sp.). In 1996, when the pH fell to 8, it increased to 13. The lake provided good conditions for algal development since it was rich in nutrients. Since 1996 the level of nutrients in the upper layers of the water column has remained more or less the same, but in the deeper layers the reduced form of nitrogen (NH4+) has increased and the oxygen curve has become clinograd. Velenjsko jezero can be classified according to OECD, as hypereutrophic on the basis of the level of total phosphorus (120 µg L–1) and total nitrogen (1500 µg L–1), the average transparency of 5.38 m corresponds to mesoeutrophic status, and the average concentration of chlorophyll a at 1.03 µg L–1 to oligotrophic status. Despite the high availability of nutrients the primary production was not as high as in a similar natural lake ecosystem, which could be ascribed to the high concentration of ions Ca2+, K+ , Mg2+, Na+ , Cl– and particularly, SO4 2–. The predominant algae in the lake in 2007 were cyanobacteria Pseudanabaena cf. catenata, Planktothrix rubescens, from which the first bloom occured in June and the second from November to January, and dynophyta Ceratium hirundinella and Peridinium cinctum.
France Velkovrh, malakolog in speleobiolog
Authors: Sket Boris
Published: August 2023

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Conservation assessment of the butterﬂy fauna along the River Sava between Krško and the state border
Authors: Čelik Tatjana
Published: August 2023

An inventory of butterﬂy fauna was carried out in 2008 within the southern part of the Ecological Important Area »the Sava River between Radeče and the state border with Croatia« with the aim of evaluating the most important areas for butterﬂies. Butterﬂy fauna was surveyed within a study area of 32 km2, using the transect method. Twenty-one combined habitat types were included in the transect lines, with a total length of 19.2 km. The following parameters were used to evaluate the conservation importance of the combined habitat types: species richness of the combined habitat type, population density of species in combined habitat type, total population density of combined habitat type, maximum population density of species in combined habitat type, number of species with maximum population density in combined habitat type, number of threatened species in combined habitat type and number of threatened species with maximum population density in combined habitat type. A total of 69 species of butterﬂies (38% of Slovene butterﬂy fauna) were recorded, 10 of which are threatened on national or European level. The most important combined habitat types for butterﬂies are extensively managed dry grasslands, abandoned dry grasslands, some types of semi-intensively used grasslands, some types of ruderal communities, and dry woodland rides and edges.On the basis of the distribution of the most important combined habitat types in the study area, four important areas for butterﬂies were designated, with a total area of 6.6 km2. They are important for preserving threatened species, ecological specialists and other rare or locally distributed species in the sub-pannonian part of SE Slovenia.
Assessing primary school pupils’ knowledge of and behaviour concerning waste management
Authors: Tomažič Iztok , Vidic Tatjana
Published: August 2023

Topics involving waste management and other environmental issues are scarce in Slovenian curricula, and mainly covered during the first and second cycles of the nine-year compulsory school (pupils aged 6–12) (Učni načrt: program osnovnošolskega izobraževanja, 1998). In the present study we investigated how well pupils in Slovenia aged 10–15 (second and third cycles of the compulsory school) have developed their competences for sound waste management behaviour. We found that they seldom act in accordance with the recommendations for waste treatment and disposal that they learn in school. We also found that third cycle pupils (8th and 9th grade, i.e. aged 13–15) are less willing to take pro-environmental action. Hence these pupils should be engaged in a learning process through which they would improve their knowledge about waste management, and become more willing to take pro-environmental action. In order to facilitate a change in pupils’ behaviour and raise their environmental awareness, we propose that environmental education should be an integral part of the curriculum throughout all three cycles of compulsory education.
The role of cell selection for pollen grain fertility after treatment of barley sprouts (Hordeum distichum L.) with UV-B irradiation
Authors: Kravets Elena
Published: August 2023

UV-B irradiation of barley sprouts within the range of 0.5-4.3 kJ/m2 induced an increase in the number of chromosome aberrations in the root meristem and pathologies in the reproductive system. Enhancement of cytomixis, increase of polymorphism and cytopathology of pollen grains were observed in the male generative system. The inverse trend was observed when intensity of cytomixis was compared to the pollen grain sterility. Damages induced by low doses of UV-B radiation were eliminated neither by DNA reparation nor by cell selection and were preserved in many cell generations. High UV-B level led to the activation of cytomixis due to which the population of microsporocytes was released from the excess load. It is presumed that cytomixis present a form of cell selection which was induced by an excess of microsporocyte disturbances.
Status and distribution of Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx) in Slovenia from 2005 to 2009
Authors: Kos Ivan , Koren Iztok , Potočnik Hubert , Krofel Miha
Published: August 2023

In Slovenia, the status of the re-introduced Eurasian lynx population is monitored using the SCALP (Status and Conservation of Alpine Lynx Populations) methodology. Monitoring is organized by the Slovenia Forest Service in cooperation with other institutions and individuals. We analysed the data for the 2005–2009 monitoring period and compared it with the previous periods to explore population status and trends for the northern part of the Dinaric population. During this last pentad we recorded six C1 category data points, 832 data points of category C2, and 96 points of category C3. These numbers are comparable to the previously reported period of 2000–2004. The spatial distribution of signs of lynx presence remained similar compared to the previous period. Presence and status of the lynx are easier to interpret because of additional telemetry data and a habitat suitability that has been produced since the last report. We assume that this lynx population is critically endangered, because of demographic as well as genetic reasons. To prevent local extinction, an active approach is needed for revitalization of the population which would address demographic factors as well as improve the depleted gene pool.
Ultravijolično sevanje – nov pripomoček v vrtnarski industriji
Authors: Paul Nigel , Gaberščik Alenka
Published: August 2023

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β-lactam antibiotics, recA mutation and SOS response
Authors: Podlesnek Zdravko
Published: August 2023

The claim that β-lactam antibiotics induce the SOS response, allowing E. coli survival in the presence of low antibiotic concentrations, was evaluated. No association between the recA gene and antibiotic survival rate was found. Disagreements with published observations are attributed to discrepancy in minimum inhibitory concentrations and growth characteristics of various strains carrying the recA mutation. Moreover, β-lactam antibiotics do not induce expression of the SOS regulated gene cka, encoding colicin K in wild-type strains.
Architectural adaptation in Myriophyllum spicatum L. in a lotic environment: is it caused by current velocity?
Authors: Neuhold Barbara , D. Janauer Johanna , A. Janauer Georg
Published: August 2023

Little information is available for aquatic plants regarding their architectural response to strong environmental drivers like water flow. We examined architectural variability in Myriophyllum spicatum L. in the short terminal section of a small canal earlier used for inland navigation. This stretch is characterised by decreasing water depth towards a final spill-over construction, which causes increasing current velocity. Visibly different plant beds had developed at three sampling sites, located between the upstream end of the study reach and the end atthe spill-over. This situation bears some resemblance to an experimental flume due to regulated water flow and constant discharge, yet with aquatic plant beds still located in their permanent environment during the whole year. Following this precondition our hypothesis envisaged a close relationship between current velocity and realised plant architecture. Current velocity was measured with an electronic vane device, and representative architectural features of plants were recorded from plant samples at the sites of different flow. Characteristic and significant variation in the architecture of M. spicatum was demonstrated at the sites of different current impact. Regarding other environmental parameters like sediment composition, water chemistry or the effect of shading no influence seems likely expected, as samples were collected across the canal width at each site. The mean values of all architectural parameters of M. spicatum follow the same trend with high significance, regarding the increase in plant length, branching, and the overall dimension of the plant beds, which is in close relationship tothe current velocity at the sampling sites. The few other records available in literature cited in this paper point into the same direction, but these studies were also carried out in the field. In our opinion the clear results may not comply with a final and experimentally generalised relationship between aquatic plant architecture and water flow. But our contribution offers some statistical proof that our hypothesis is not too far from explaining the effects of current velocity, which is one of the main environmental parameters defining aquatic plant growth.
Invertebrates as a study model of anaerobic infections
Authors: Rakuša Mateja , Kocbek Lidija
Published: August 2023

Experiments with invertebrates have recently gained increased attention as a practicable substitute to traditional mammalian models in the study of host-bacterial interactions. Using an invertebrate study model has a number of advantages overtraditional mammalian model including simple growth condition, short life-time, can be easily maintained, infected without anesthesia and with a smaller extent of ethical limitations. From a microbiological viewpoint, importance of anaerobic bacteria asagents for various diseases remains an interesting field for research. The study of the interaction between invertebrate model host and anaerobic bacteria therefore provides insights into the mechanisms underlying pathogen virulence and host immunity andcomplements or even compensates the use of mammalian model in assay for infectious disease. This review offers to consider about the appropriate invertebrate model select for the study of particular aspects of anaerobic bacterial pathogenesis.
On the systematic implication of foliar epidermal micro-morphological and venational characters: diversities in some selected Nigerian species of Combretaceae
Authors: Philips Akinsulire Opeyemi , Temitope Oladipo Olaniran , Christy Akinkunmi Oluwabunmi , Ebenezer Adeleye Oladipo , Johnson Akinloye Akinwumi
Published: August 2023

Foliar epidermal micro-morphology and venation patterns of eleven species representing four genera in the family Combretaceae revealed stable foliar anatomical characters that are diagnostic and are important in separating the taxa. Distinguishing characters of taxonomic significance in the cells and tissues structures of the species include epidermal cell shape, stomata type, stomata frequency, stomata index, trichome micro-morphology and frequency, areolation shape, vein micro-morphology as well as distribution of druses within areoles. Numerous epidermal striations on the abaxial surface of lamina are diagnostic for Combretum zenkeri while C. platypterum is distinctly separated from other taxa by the possession of staurocytic stomata in addition to the prominent a nomocytic and/oranisocytic stomata. The simple unicellular non-glandular trichomes in the genus Combretum indicate a generic attribute classificatory for members of the genus. Druses within the areoles classify C. platypterum, Terminalia catappa, T. superba and Quisqualis indica within and across the genera studied. This study which is in line with most previous studies revealed that characters of epidermal micromorphology andvenation patterns are important in the identification and separation of the taxa discussed, and that the placement of the species in each of their respective genus should be maintained.
Vpliv vojaških aktivnosti na ohranjanje vrstne pestrosti dnevnih metuljev na osrednjem vadišču slovenske vojske – poligon Poček
Authors: Čelik Tatjana , Verovnik Rudi
Published: August 2023

V letih 2007 in 2019 je bil opravljen kvantitativni popis favne dnevnih metuljev v osrednjem delu vojaškega poligona Poček sciljem primerjave stanja obeh vzorčenj ter ovrednotenja vpliva vojaških aktivnosti na pestrost favne dnevnih metuljev. S standardizirano metodo transektnega popisa na linijah, ki so vključevale vse za območje poligona reprezentativne habitatne tipe, smo v obeh letih skupaj opazili 73 vrst (2007: 62, 2019: 61), med njimi 11 ogroženih (2007: 9, 2019: 8). Favni obeh vzorčenj stase značilno razlikovali v sestavi vrst, ne pa v vrstni pestrosti, povprečni populacijski gostoti vrst na posameznem transektu in povprečni populacijski gostoti vrst na poligonu. Različnost v sestavi favne je posledica vrstnega obrata ter sprememb v velikosti in prostorski razporeditvi populacijskih gostot vrst po transektih. Med vrstami, ki se jim je populacijska gostota v 2019 zmanjšala v primerjavi z 2007 so prevladovale take, ki so imele v 2007 največje gostote v gozdnih vegetacijskih tipih; med vrstami, ki so v 2019 dosegale višje populacijske gostote kot v 2007 pa tiste, ki so bile najštevilčnejše na traviščih. To pomeni, da redne, vendar časovno in prostorsko neenakomerne vojaške aktivnosti predstavljajo heterogene motnje, ki vzdržujejo izjemno pester mozaik habitatnih tipov, v katerem imajo največjo naravovarstveno vrednost obsežni ekstenzivno vzdrževani suhi kamniti kraški travniki in suhi travniki v zgodnjih fazah zaraščanja. Vojaške aktivnosti tako pomembno prispevajo k ohranjanju biotske in krajinske pestrosti območja.
Bark spectral signatures of one-year-old twigs of different shrubs mainly depend on their biochemical traits
Authors: Grašič Mateja , Ropert Bojana , Gradinjan David , Gaberščik Alenka
Published: August 2023

The interaction of bark with light depends on the optical properties of the bark, which are important for plant energy balance especially out of the vegetation season. Light reflected from bark also represents a kind of “bark spectral signature” that may be species-specific. This study examines some morphological, biochemical, and physiological traits that may affect the reflectance of the bark of 1-year-old twigs of different shrubs: Corylus avellana, Rosa canina, Ligustrum vulgare, Sambucus nigra, Cornus sericea var. flaviramea, and Viburnum lantana. High variability was seen across these species for morphological, biochemical, and physiological traits, except for photochemical efficiency of photosystem II. The bark spectral signatures differed significantly across these species. The reflectance peak for C. sericea var. flaviramea was in red, for C. avellana in green, and the other species showed a wide peak from green to red light. Redundancy analysis revealed that UV-B–absorbing substances and anthocyanin content, along with outer and inner bark thickness, together explained 61% of the reflectance spectra variability. Outer bark thickness was important for reflectance in UV, violet, and blue, while anthocyanins were important for reflectance in green and yellow. Chlorophyll b was negatively related to the reflectance of visible light. This study revealed great importance of biochemical traits for explaining bark reflectance. Differences in “bark spectral signatures” enable differentiation across species out of the vegetation season.
Aristotle on Compulsive Affections and the Natural Capacity to Withstand
Authors: Echeñique Javier
Published: August 2023

Aristotle recognises preternatural affections in numerous passages from his ethical writings, where he claims that some desires and emotions are beyond human nature, too strong for our nature to withstand, and that an action motivated by them is συγγνωμονικὸν: something excusable. However, there has been some reluctance among scholars to explicitly acknowledge that Aristotle recognised preternatural affections as a category of excuse in its own right. The aim of this paper is to remove the obstacles that stand in the way of such a recognition, and to show that Aristotle developed a normative account of preternatural affections, based on the natural human capacity to withstand, allowing him to class them as genuine cases of βία, compulsion.
On the Pauli group on 2-qubits in dynamical systems with pseudofermions
Authors: Bagarello Fabio , Bavuma Yanga , Russo Francesco G.
Published: August 2023

The group of matrices

P
1

{P_{1}}

of Pauli is a finite 2-group of order 16 and plays a fundamental role in quantum information theory, since it is related to the quantum information on the 1-qubit.
Here we show that both

P
1

{P_{1}}

and the Pauli 2-group

P
2

{P_{2}}

of order 64 on 2-qubits, other than in quantum computing, can also appear in dynamical systems which are described by non-self-adjoint Hamiltonians. This will allow us to represent

P
1

{P_{1}}

and

P
2

{P_{2}}

in terms of pseudofermionic operators.
Evaluation of the current in situ stress in the middle Permian Maokou Formation in the Longnüsi area of the central Sichuan Basin, China
Authors: Zhao Tianbiao , Qin Qirong , Li Hu , Wang Shilin , Mou Xingyu
Published: August 2023

The middle Permian Maokou Formation in the Longnüsi area in the central Sichuan Basin is currently a key formation for exploration and development. The evaluation of the current in situ stress in this area is of great significance for fracture prediction, well pattern deployment, drilling and construction, and fracturing stimulation. This study clarifies the current direction and magnitude distributions of the in situ stress by evaluating the Maokou Formation in the Longnüsi area using finite-element numerical simulation, acoustic emission experiments, and logging data (including data from imaging logging, array acoustic logging, conventional logging, and cross-dipole acoustic logging). Specifically, the current maximum horizontal stress of the Maokou Formation in the Longnüsi area is mainly in the NW‒SE direction, and the stress direction is greatly affected by the local fault zone. The current minimum horizontal stress magnitude of the Maokou Formation obtained by acoustic emission experiments is between 96.29 and 114.36 MPa, the current maximum horizontal stress magnitude is between 126.01 and 145.10 MPa, and the current horizontal stress difference is between 25.59 and 32.58 MPa. The current minimum and maximum horizontal stress magnitudes both decrease from north to south. The current horizontal stress parameters calculated by Huang’s model are not significantly different from those experimentally measured: there is a difference of less than 8% in the current minimum horizontal stress magnitude, a difference of less than 9% in the maximum horizontal stress magnitude, and a difference of less than 15% in the current horizontal stress difference. Therefore, Huang’s model has good applicability in terms of calculating the current horizontal stresses in the Longnüsi area. The current horizontal stress parameters, which are numerically simulated with the finite-element method, are also not much different from those experimentally measured: there is a difference of less than 11% in the current minimum horizontal stress magnitude, a difference of less than 10% in the maximum horizontal stress magnitude, and a difference of less than 20% in the current horizontal stress difference. The numerically simulated current horizontal stress also decreases from north to south. Therefore, the simulated results are highly accurate. This study clarifies the directions and magnitudes of the current in situ stress state of the Maokou Formation in the Longnüsi area of the central Sichuan Basin and provides a basis for the formulation of exploration and development plans for the Maokou Formation reservoir in the study area.
Heat and mass transfer in vacuum drying process of fructooligosaccharides syrup
Authors: Zhao Lijuan , Xie Hui , Liu Yuxuan , Ran Chenxi , Wu Zhonghua
Published: August 2023

Fructooligosaccharides (FOS) is a functional food additive. FOS syrup produced by biological methods can be easily transported, stored and used after drying. In this study, the effects of operating pressure, heating temperature and initial moisture content of FOS syrup on the drying characteristics during vacuum drying were studied. With a visual system, the state changes of the material during the drying process were recorded. The specific heat, viscosity and thermal conductivity of the FOS at different temperatures and moisture contents were measured. From the perspective of drying characteristics, the whole drying process can be divided into four periods: the increasing drying rate period AB, the first falling drying rate period BC, the second falling drying rate period CD and the third falling drying rate period DE. The heat transfer mode in AB and BC was boiling heat transfer, with the material viscosity less than 267.9 Pa·s. In CD period, the heat transfer mode was convection heat transfer with the material viscosity of 267.9 Pa·s to 501.6 Pa·s. In DE period, the material viscosity was greater than 501.6 Pa·s and did not have fluidity, and the heat transfer mode was heat conduction. A multivariate model for the convection heat transfer coefficient was obtained based on the heat balance. The maximum error between the simulation value by the model and the experimental value of the material moisture content during the vacuum drying process was 4.18 %.
Effect of defatted rice bran addition on properties of texturized soy and rice protein products
Authors: Pengjun Thanaporn , Sringarm Chayanid , Kunanopparat Thiranan , Rungchang Saowaluk , Ditudompo Srivikorn , Siriwattanayotin Suwit
Published: August 2023

The objective of this work was to produce low moisture-texturized vegetable protein (LM-TVP). Firstly, SPI:DRB at ratio of 50:50, 65:35 and 80:20 (w/w) was blended to produce TVP with 50–70 % protein (TSP50–70), respectively. In addition, RPI:DRB was also blended at the same ratio to produce non beany odor TVP with 50–70 % protein (TRP50–70). All samples were extruded using twin screw extruder. Extrusion condition was fixed at 25 % of feed moisture, 400 rpm of screw speed and 130 °C of die temperature. Next, properties of TSP50–70 and TRP50–70 before and after rehydration were characterized. For TSP50–70, studied properties consisting of expansion ratio, density, WAC, WHC and OHC of TSP50–70 were 2.20–2.27 %, 0.26–0.34 kg/m3, 414–446 %, 2.87–4.88 g H2O/g and 2.55–2.73 g oil/g respectively. These properties values were closed and in the same range of commercial-TVP (C-TVP). However, texture of TSP50 and TSP70 was significantly different, as decreasing DRB content from 50 (TSP50) to 20 % (TSP70) improved texture in terms of hardness (from 0.51 to 1.88 N), springiness (from 0.73 to 0.96) and cohesiveness (from 0.46 to 0.81) of TSP. Therefore, to add value to DRB, TSP70 (80 % SPI and 20 % DRB) was proposed to produce TSP. For TRP, expansion ratio, density, WAC, hardness, springiness and cohesiveness of TRP50–70 were 1.07–1.34 %, 0.63–0.88 kg/m3, 78–158 %, 1.03–9.10 N, 0.71–0.85 and 0.27–0.29 which were out of range compared to C-TVP.
Effect of tool pin profile on the heat generation model of the friction stir welding of aluminium alloy
Authors: Kesharwani Rahul , Jha Kishor Kumar , Sarkar Chiranjit , Imam Murshid
Published: August 2023

The present work aims to model the three-dimensional heat transfer coupled with the material flow model of 7075-T6 aluminium alloy material using the three tool pin profiles, square, pentagon, and hexagon, in the friction stir welding process. The temperature rise and fluid flow behaviour from the top to the bottom of the tool were evaluated. Also, the strain rate and dynamic viscosity variation were found near the tool pin and shoulder region. The results showed that the frictional contact heat between the shoulder surface and workpiece was responsible for the maximum heat generation. The probe area was minimum in the square tool pin geometry, which results in high heat generation due to the maximum shoulder surface contact area with the workpiece model. Furthermore, the analytical formula for calculating the heat generation on the tool shoulder/workpiece interface and the tool pin/workpiece contact region were also evaluated. The numerical modelling of heat generation was evaluated by COMSOL Multiphysics V5.3a software.
Carboxyhaemoglobin levels in infants with hypoxic ischaemic encephalopathy
Authors: Jenkinson Allan , Zaidi Sarah , Bhat Ravindra , Greenough Anne , Dassios Theodore
Published: August 2023

Objectives

Hypoxic ischaemic encephalopathy (HIE) is associated with oxidative stress. A potential marker of oxidative damage is carboxyhaemoglobin (COHb) which is the product of the reaction between carbon monoxide and haemoglobin and is routinely assessed on blood gas analysis. Our objective was to test the hypothesis that higher COHb levels would be associated with worse outcomes in infants treated for HIE.

Methods

A retrospective, observational study was performed of all infants who received whole body hypothermia for HIE at a tertiary neonatal intensive care unit between January 2018 and August 2021. For each participating infant, the highest COHb level per day was recorded for days one, three and five after birth.

Results

During the study period, 67 infants with a median (IQR) gestational age of 40 (38–41) weeks underwent therapeutic hypothermia for HIE. The median (IQR) COHb level on day three was higher in infants without electroencephalographic seizures (1.4 [1.1–1.4] %) compared with infants with seizures (1.1 [0.9–1.3] %, p=0.024). The median (IQR) COHb on day five was higher in infants without MRI brain abnormalities (1.4 [1.2–1.7] %) compared with infants with MRI abnormalities (1.2 [1.0–1.4] %, p=0.032). The COHb level was not significantly different between the nine infants who died compared to the infants who survived.

Conclusions

COHb levels were higher in infants with HIE without seizures and in those with normal MRI brain examinations. We suggest that carbon monoxide has a potential protective role in HIE.
Management of the COVID-19 Infodemic in Asian Countries: What Should We Know? (Systematic Review)
Authors: Damerchiloo Mansoureh , Baghalha Fatemeh
Published: August 2023

The spread of fake news on Covid19 is causing public unrest and suspicion among citizens, which is a challenge for countries facing the pandemic. Countries, governments, and organizations worldwide are putting more effort into combating the infodemic along with finding an effective treatment for Covid19. To collect and summarize the strategies used for combating it and the challenges of managing the infodemic among Asian countries, this systematic review examined 42 articles matched with the inclusion and exclusion criteria by researchers. It was found that the techniques employed by governments to control the infodemic can be classified into three categories: educational activities, technical activities and tool production, and legal activities, and the most challenging way of combatting misinformation is to use social media filtering and legal action.
miR-199a-5p inhibits aortic valve calcification by targeting ATF6 and GRP78 in valve interstitial cells
Authors: Chu Heng , Fan XingLi , Zhang Zhe , Han Lin
Published: August 2023

Calcific aortic valve disease (CAVD) is an important cause of disease burden among aging populations. Excessive active endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) was demonstrated to promote CAVD. The expression level of miR-199a-5p in patients with CAVD was reported to be downregulated. In this article, we aimed to investigate the function and mechanism of miR-199a-5p in CAVD. The expression level of miR-199a-5p and ERS markers was identified in calcific aortic valve samples and osteogenic induction by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), immunohistochemistry, and western blotting (WB). Alizarin red staining, RT-qPCR, and WB were used for the verification of the function of miR-199a-5p. The dual luciferase reporter assay and rescue experiment were conducted to illuminate the mechanism of miR-199a-5p. In our study, the expression level of miR-199a-5p was significantly decreased in calcified aortic valves and valve interstitial cells’ (VICs) osteogenic induction model, accompanying with the upregulation of ERS markers. Overexpression of miR-199a-5p suppressed the osteogenic differentiation of VICs, while downregulation of miR-199a-5p promoted this function. 78 kDa glucose-regulated protein (GRP78) and activating transcription factor 6 (ATF6), both of which were pivotal modulators in ERS, were potential targets of miR-199a-5p. miR-199a-5p directly targeted GRP78 and ATF6 to modulate osteoblastic differentiation of VICs. miR-199a-5p inhibits osteogenic differentiation of VICs by regulating ERS via targeting GRP78 and ATF6.
A19-saponin–modified polymethyl methacrylate base denture composites: antimicrobial, mechanical and water absorption potentials
Authors: Azeez Taofik Oladimeji , Iroh Grace Onyinyechi , Odetunde Daniel Segun , Egbuonu Amaka Tessy , Agbasi Patrick Ugochukwu
Published: August 2023

The increased growth of Candida albicans (C. albicans) with allergy reaction of MMA remains an issue of concern among denture wearers. C. albicans growth inhibition, mechanical and water absorption potentials of extracted A19-saponin–commingled PMMA denture base composites were investigated. Soxhlet extraction technique for defatting of Dialium guineense (D. guineense) stem powder was used with ethanol to extract A19-saponin. Fungicidal inhibition concentration of A19-saponin extract of D. guineense was determined. PMMA denture base was prepared with incorporation of A19-saponin at different concentrations of obtained 23.2 % yield. The mechanical and water absorption properties were determined. The minimum and maximum fungicidal inhibition concentrations and susceptibility of 25 and 100 % for extracted A19-saponin were obtained, respectively. PMMA, MMA and extracted A19-saponin of ratio of 30 g: 5 ml: 5 ml denture was optimally fabricated. A19-saponin increased the impact strength and hardness by 352.94 and 11.54 % with reduced water absorption by 82.85 %. Thus, A19-saponin as an additive improved quality of denture.
Equilibrium stability of dynamic duopoly Cournot game under heterogeneous strategies, asymmetric information, and one-way R&D spillovers
Authors: Long Jianjun , Wang Fenglian
Published: August 2023

Bounded rationality, asymmetric information, and R&D spillovers are widely existed in monopoly markets, and they have been researched separately by a large number of literatures; however, there are few works that discussed both R&D spillovers and asymmetric information in oligopolistic games with bounded rational firms. Considering that R&D spillovers only flow from the R&D leader to the R&D follower, a duopoly Cournot game with heterogeneous expectations and asymmetric information is presented. In our model, a firm with private information of his marginal cost is designed, and the coefficient of R&D spillovers is introduced. Interesting findings show the following: (i) In a static duopoly Cournot game with perfect rationality, the equilibrium output of firm 1 with private information is negatively related to R&D spillovers and the probability of high marginal cost, while firm 2’s equilibrium output is positively correlated with them. (ii) In a dynamic duopoly Cournot game with asymmetric information and heterogeneous expectations, if firms adopt adaptive expectation and naïve expectation respectively, the Nash equilibrium is always globally asymptotically stable; if they use adaptive expectation and gradient dynamical expectation respectively, the Nash equilibrium tends to be locally asymptotically stable under certain conditions. Furthermore, the bigger the probability of high marginal cost or R&D spillovers are, the more volatile the monopoly market is, while higher technology innovation efficiency (TIE) of firm 1 is conducive to the stability of the product market. Our study would have theoretical and practical significance to the technological innovation activities of homogeneous products in oligopoly markets.
The Warthin-like variant of papillary thyroid carcinomas: a clinicopathologic analysis report of two cases
Authors: Zhao Xing , Zhang Yijia , Hao Pengyu , Zhao Mingzhen , Shen Xingbin
Published: August 2023

Obejectives

Papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) is the most common type of thyroid carcinoma, comparising various subtypes including classical PTC (accounting for approximately 55–65 % of cases) and several variants. The identified variants include papillary microcarcinoma, encapsulated variant, follicular variant, diffuse sclerosing variant, tall cell variant, columnar cell variant, cribriform-morular variant, and Warthin-like variant (WLV-PTC). WLV-PTC is a rare malignant neoplasm.

Case presentation

The present study introduced two cases of WLV-PTC from Affiliated Hospital of Chengde Medical College in retrospect. The macroscopic characteristics, histological feature, immunophenotyping, gene mutations, local invasion, and distant metastasis of the tumors were observed, and the relevant literature on WLV-PTC was reviewed. The tumor cells exhibited nuclear the characteristics similar to those of classic papillary thyroid carcinoma. Immunohistochemical analysis showed strong positivity for thyroid transcription factor 1, cytokeratin 19, Galectin-3, and CK, weak positivity for thyroglobulin, and the Ki-67 proliferation index ranging from 5 to 10 %. Gene mutation analysis revealed that Case 1 had a BRAF V600E mutation, whereas Case 2 had a wild-type mutation. WLV-PTC has histological features similar to those of Warthin tumor originating from salivary gland.

Conclusions

The prognosis of WLV-PTC is similar to that of conventional PTC of comparable size and stage.
Reality Is a Joke
Authors: Burt Tristan
Published: August 2023

I argue that the unthought philosophical bias in favor of seriousness and sense rather than nonsense and joking blocks the path to reality. Because of this bias we obsess over significant signs and forget to consider what signs are signs of; we lose sight of the forest because there are so many interesting trees. Through a thoroughgoing interrogation of signs or appearances, we can reveal what it is that all signs present or represent: the underlying real joke. Once the “sensible bias” of philosophy is overcome and the sense of nonsense restored, we can reveal the object of ontology—the Kantian noumenon—and, therefore, understand the necessary order of signification or representation. In this way, I argue, we can come to be equally amused by all appearances, recognizing that their deceptive character is necessitated by the playful nature of the real thing which, qua joke, provokes amusement.
Future perspectives of biopolymeric industry
Authors: Biswal Trinath
Published: August 2023

Because of some specific properties such as hydrophilicity, poor mechanical strength, barrier properties, and other characteristics, biopolymers and biocomposite materials are not suitable for various important industrial applications. In the last few decades, the demand for biopolymers and their composites has increased continuously due to the extensive use of fossil resources or stock resources. Hence, eco-friendly biomaterials are highly essential for maintaining the sustainability of the environment. Now, biomaterials are considered highly promising materials that can be used as proper substitutes for fossil-based synthetic polymers and their composites through proper modification of the biopolymers. Recently, a novel non-biodegradable biomaterial (polythioesters) has been developed through microbial fermentation. Researchers throughout the globe are now developing improved biocomposite materials by incorporating different fillers in the nanoscale range that exhibit adequate mechanical properties and can be designed as future biomaterials that can replace traditional plastics. Now biopolymers and bionanocomposites are used noticeably in many countries throughout the world for food packaging, cosmetics, automobile industries, water purification, tissue engineering, textile industries, electronic industries, etc. For the industrialization of biobased polymeric materials and bionanocomposite materials, they should be synthesized in a sophisticated way by using green technology with improved geometry, good control in internal architecture, mechanical properties, and porosity. Chitin, alginate, pectin, zein, chitosan, poly-glutamic acid (-PGA), and other natural biopolymers are now found to be the future materials for various bioplastic industries. However, the future prospects of the biopolymer industry still pose challenges for industrialization and commercialization and should not be overlooked lightly.
Theoretical, methodological and practical aspects of accounting and audit of payroll at the enterprise LCC "Krankomplekt"
Authors:   Engineering Educational and Scientific Institute of Zaporizhzhia National University, Sokolova Hanna , Makarenko Andrii ,   Engineering Educational and Scientific Institute of Zaporizhzhia National University, Melikhova Tetiana ,   Engineering Educational and Scientific Institute of Zaporizhzhia National University
Published: August 2023

The purpose of the study was to develop proposals for improving the accounting and audit of payroll at LCC "Krankomplekt". To improve the payroll, it is proposed to open new subaccounts to sub-account 661 "Payroll", which will allow to analyze quickly and plan, as well as qualitatively control costs for making managerial decisions. To improve the audit of the payroll of the enterprise, a methodology has been proposed, which includes: a questionnaire, a general audit plan, an audit program, and the auditor's working documents. The proposed verification methodology will allow the auditor to cover all aspects of accounting for payroll at the enterprise, investigate the correctness, timeliness, legality of reflection in the accounting of payroll, identify violations in time, conduct a high-quality audit and improve the efficiency of the enterprise.
The influence of the organization culture on the government servants’ professional training in Ukraine
Authors:   Odessa Polytechnic State University, Hratsiotova Hanna , Nestervanska Elvira ,   Odessa Polytechnic State University
Published: August 2023

This article examines the phenomenon of organizational culture, its impact on the professional training of civil servants and its role in the management of personnel in the field of public service in general, reviewed the general provisions, definitions and types of this phenomenon, identified a list of functions and methods of influence on the institution of public service, summarized the basic principles of management of organizational culture in the field of public service, The article examines the functions of the organizational culture of the civil service in Ukraine, examines factors and methods of improvement of functioning and development of the organizational culture both in private and state organizations, considers the role and influence of the organizational culture on the professional training of civil servants.
Improvement of the system of access to public information in the field of state control
Authors:   Odessa Polytechnic State University, Dobrianskа Natalia , Kotliar Daryna ,   Odessa Polytechnic State University
Published: August 2023

In order to optimize the system of transparency and access to public information in Ukraine on the basis of improving and strengthening the system of access to public information, the article analyzes the approaches to the implementation of the mechanism of state influence on local governments, aimed at improving the implementation of measures the right of citizens to apply to executive bodies and local self-government bodies, which will allow central authorities to take into account functional links between management components, ensure rational use of available resources, analyze work and minimize risks, and increase efficiency of local self-government interaction with citizens.
Structure and contents of hearing impaired university students’ epistemic competence within digital learning environment: Criteria and evaluation methods
Authors:   Kalashnikov Izhevsk State Technical University, Gareyev Andrey Aleksandrovich , Ponomarenko Ekaterina Petrovna ,   Kalashnikov Izhevsk State Technical University, Shishkina Anastasia Andreevna ,   Kalashnikov Izhevsk State Technical University, Krasavina Yuliya Vitalevna ,   Kalashnikov Izhevsk State Technical University
Published: August 2023

Introduction. A range of international and Russian studies addressing teaching hearing impaired university students focus on their cognitive and psychological differences from their hearing peers. However, they rarely discuss extremely relevant issue of learning in a digital environment which has untapped educational potential for the deaf and hard-of-hearing. The purpose of this paper is to rationalize a multi-component structure and content of hearing impaired university students’ abilities and skills to learn effectively, also known as epistemic competence, within a digital environment. Materials and Methods. The draft of the structure and content of this competence was designed relying on literature review, then improved and verified by means of the qualimetric approach, in particular, the procedures of expert group evaluation method. Results. Using a questionnaire and self-assessment techniques, the authors identified factors determining the expertise in teaching deaf and hard-of-hearing students, the grade scale to evaluate the experts based on these factors has been designed, and 10 experts have been selected. The questionnaire aimed at improving and approving the structure (components) and content (criteria) of deaf and hard-of-hearing students’ epistemic competence in a digital learning environment have been designed and used in order to survey the experts. The authors rationalize the structure of the epistemic competence consisting of four components: motivation-based, cognitive, activity-based, and communicative. The content of components is presented as a list of criteria and evaluation methods for them. Conclusions. The developed structure and content represent an attempt to standardize teaching and learning of hearing impaired students. It is concluded that the proposed structure provides a way to identify challenges deaf and hard-of-hearing students face in learning online, and thus contributes to more effective epistemic competence development.
Assessing the prospects for using artificial intelligence in higher education system
Authors:   Rostov State University of Economics, Ivanchenko Igor Sergeevich
Published: August 2023

Introduction. The article deals with the problem of improving the quality of higher education in the context of its computerization. The purpose of the article is to describe the new structure of higher education, based on the principle of a neural network, as well as to identify the prospects of digital transformation for universities, when a wide range of administrative and educational functions might be performed by artificial intelligence. Materials and Methods. The study uses structural modeling in order to build a higher education system that functions as a neural network based on theoretical analysis and reviewing of scholarly literature on the methodology of teaching in high-ranking foreign universities. The author also employs the UTAUT (Unified theory of acceptance and use of technology) model to identify students’ attitudes towards the prospects for the introduction of artificial intelligence in higher education. Results. The paper proposes and describes a new intellectual structure of the higher education system. A distinctive feature of this structure is that employers should become the main evaluators of graduates’ education outcomes. Employers’ feedback is supposed to be provided for universities, adjusting the higher education system to continuously changing market requirements. The advantage of transforming the higher education system according to the principles of neural network functioning will bring a considerable increase in the quality of preparing top-level professionals, and therefore, real prospects for restructuring the national economy will be provided, when GDP growth is ensured not by increasing the amount of exporting raw materials, but by high-tech production. The results of students’ survey conducted and processed using the UTAUT model showed that the younger generation has a positive attitude towards the introduction of AI in the educational process: they are attracted by new prospects in obtaining knowledge and are not afraid of the risks associated with it. Conclusions. The paper concludes that Russian universities, by switching to the new model of higher education, based on a neural network, will be able to dramatically improve the quality of education and become world leaders in the field of preparing top-level professionals, as currently in foreign universities, artificial intelligence manages only a limited range of functions. A distinctive feature of the proposed model is complete digitalization and automation of all routine work at universities, decreasing methodological and reporting load for academic staff, as well as transferring the main teaching load from classrooms to laboratories for a deeper students’ involvement in research activities.