bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Disruption of insect immunity using analogs of the pleiotropic insect peptide hormone Neb-colloostatin: a nanotech approach for pest control II
Authors: Nowicki Patryk , Kuczer Mariola , Schroeder Grzegorz , Czarniewska Elżbieta
Published: May 2021

This work continues our studies on the pleiotropic activity of the insect peptide Neb-colloostatin in insects. In vivo immunological bioassays demonstrated that hemocytotoxic analogs of Neb-colloostatin injected into Tenebrio molitor significantly reduced the number of hemocytes in the hemolymph and impaired phagocytosis, nodulation and phenoloxidase activities in the insects. Among the analogs tested, [Ala1]-,[Val1]-, [Hyp4]- and [Ach4]-colloostatin were particularly potent in disrupting cellular immunity in larvae, pupae and adult insects. This result suggests that the most effective analogs showed increases in the bioactivity period in the hemolymph of insects when compared to Neb-colloostatin. Recently, we demonstrated that it is possible to introduce Neb-colloostatin through the cuticle of an insect into the hemolymph when the peptide is coupled with nanodiamonds. In this study, we showed that [Ala1]-, [Val1]-, [Hyp4]- and [Ach4]-colloostatin, when complexed with nanodiamonds, may also pass through the cuticle into the hemolymph and induce long-term impairments of immunity in T. molitor at all developmental stages. Studies on the tissue selectivity and effectiveness of Neb-colloostatin analogs and efficient methods for their introduction into insects may contribute to the development of eco-friendly pest control methods based on bioactive peptidomimetics.
Visual marking in mammals first proved by manipulations of brown bear tree debarking
Authors: Penteriani Vincenzo , González-Bernardo Enrique , Hartasánchez Alfonso , Ruiz-Villar Héctor , Morales-González Ana , Ordiz Andrés , Bombieri Giulia , Diaz García Juan , Cañedo David , Bettega Chiara , Delgado María Del Mar
Published: May 2021

The rather limited human ability to understand animal vision and visual signalling has frequently clouded our expectations concerning the visual abilities of other animals. But there are multiple reasons to suspect that visual signalling is more widely employed by animals than previously thought. Because visibility of visual marks depends on the background in which they are seen, species spending most of their time living in dark conditions (e.g., in forests and/or having crepuscular and nocturnal habits) may rely on bright signals to enhance visual display. Here, as a result of experimental manipulations, we present, for the first time ever, evidence supporting the use of a new channel of intraspecific communication by a mammal species, i.e., brown bear Ursus arctos adult males relying on visual marks during mating. Bear reactions to our manipulation suggest that visual signalling could represent a widely overlooked mechanism in mammal communication, which may be more broadly employed than was previously thought.
COVID-19 serological survey using micro blood sampling
Authors: Matthews Melissa M. , Kim Tae Gyun , Shibata Satoshi , Shibata Noriko , Butcher Christian , Hyun Jaekyung , Kim Keon Young , Robb Theodore , Jheng Siang Sheng , Narita Masashi , Mori Tomoari , Collins Mary , Wolf Matthias
Published: May 2021

During August 2020, we carried out a serological survey among students and employees at the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University (OIST), Japan, testing for the presence of antibodies against SARS-CoV-2, the causative agent of COVID-19. We used a FDA-authorized 2-step ELISA protocol in combination with at-home self-collection of blood samples using a custom low-cost finger prick-based capillary blood collection kit. Although our survey did not find any COVID-19 seropositive individuals among the OIST cohort, it reliably detected all positive control samples obtained from a local hospital and excluded all negatives controls. We found that high serum antibody titers can persist for more than 9 months post infection. Among our controls, we found strong cross-reactivity of antibodies in samples from a serum pool from two MERS patients in the anti-SARS-CoV-2-S ELISA. Here we show that a centralized ELISA in combination with patient-based capillary blood collection using as little as one drop of blood can reliably assess the seroprevalence among communities. Anonymous sample tracking and an integrated website created a stream-lined procedure. Major parts of the workflow were automated on a liquid handler, demonstrating scalability. We anticipate this concept to serve as a prototype for reliable serological testing among larger populations.
Human performance in three-hands tasks
Authors: Noccaro A. , Eden J. , Di Pino G. , Formica D. , Burdet E.
Published: May 2021

The successful completion of complex tasks like hanging a picture or laparoscopic surgery requires coordinated motion of more than two limbs. User-controlled supernumerary robotic limbs (SL) have been proposed to bypass the need for coordination with a partner in such tasks. However, neither the capability to control multiple limbs alone relative to collaborative control with partners, nor how that capability varies across different tasks, is well understood. In this work, we present an investigation of tasks requiring three-hands where the foot was used as an additional source of motor commands. We considered: (1) how does simultaneous control of three hands compare to a cooperating dyad; (2) how this relative performance was altered by the existence of constraints emanating from real or virtual physical connections (mechanical constraints) or from cognitive limits (cognitive constraints). It was found that a cooperating dyad outperformed a single user in all scenarios in terms of task score, path efficiency and motion smoothness. However, while the participants were able to reach more targets with increasing mechanical constraints/decreasing number of simultaneous goals, the relative difference in performance between a dyad and a participant performing trimanual activities decreased, suggesting further potential for SLs in this class of scenario.
All-optical phase control in nanophotonic silicon waveguides with epsilon-near-zero nanoheaters
Authors: Parra Jorge , Pernice Wolfram H. P. , Sanchis Pablo
Published: May 2021

A wide variety of nanophotonic applications require controlling the optical phase without changing optical absorption, which in silicon (Si) photonics has been mostly pursued electrically. Here, we investigate the unique light–matter interaction exhibited by epsilon-near-zero (ENZ) materials for all-optical phase control in nanophotonic silicon waveguides. Thermo-optic all-optical phase tuning is achieved using an ENZ material as a compact, low-loss, and efficient optical heat source. For a 10-$$\upmu $$
μ
m-long ENZ/Si waveguide, insertion loss below 0.5 dB for the transverse electric (TE) polarization is predicted together with a high control efficiency of $$\sim 0.107\uppi $$

∼
0.107
π

$$\hbox {mW}^{-1}$$

mW

-
1

. Our proposal provides a new approach to achieve all-optical, on-chip, and low-loss phase tuning in silicon photonic circuits.
Neck circumference and waist circumference associated with cardiovascular events in type 2 diabetes (Beijing Community Diabetes Study 23)
Authors: Yang Guang-Ran , Yuan Ming-Xia , Wan Gang , Zhang Xue-Lian , Fu Han-Jing , Yuan Shen-Yuan , Zhu Liang-Xiang , Xie Rong-Rong , Zhang Jian-Dong , Li Yu-Ling , Sun Yan-Hua , Dai Qin-Fang , Gao Da-Yong , Cui Xue-Li , Gao Jian-Qin , Wang Zi-Ming , Chen Ying-Jun , Li Yong-Jin , Hu Dong-Ming , Gao Juan , Gao Ying , Miao Jie , Chen Yu-Jie , Holman Rury. R.
Published: May 2021

Obesity increases the risk of developing cardiovascular disease and other metabolic diseases. We intended to compare three different anthropometric indicators of obesity, in predicting the incidence of cardiovascular events in Chinese type 2 diabetes. Beijing Community Diabetes Study was a prospective multi-center study conducted in Beijing community health centers. Type 2 diabetes patients from fourteen community health centers were enrolled at baseline. The primary endpoint was cardiovascular events. The upper quartile of neck circumference (NC) was set as greater NC. A total of 3299 diabetes patients were enrolled. In which, 941 (28.52%) had cardiovascular disease at baseline. Logistic analysis showed that central obesity (waist circumference (WC) above 90 cm in men and 85 cm in women) and greater NC were all related to baseline cardiovascular disease (adjusted OR = 1.49, and 1.55). After 10-year follow-up, 340 (10.31%) had cardiovascular events. Compared with patients without cardiovascular events, those having cardiovascular events had higher BMI, larger WC and NC. Cox regression analysis showed that greater WC and NC were all associated with the occurrence of cardiovascular events (adjusted HR = 1.41, and 1.38). A higher NC and WC might increase the risk of cardiovascular events by about 40% in type 2 diabetes patients in Beijing communities.
Gastrokine-1, an anti-amyloidogenic protein secreted by the stomach, regulates diet-induced obesity
Authors: Overstreet Anne-Marie C. , Grayson Bernadette E. , Boger Antonia , Bakke Danika , Carmody Erin M. , Bales Cayla E. , Paski Shirley C. , Murphy Stephen F. , Dethlefs Christopher R. , Shannon Kara J. , Adlaka Katie R. , Wolford Claire E. , Campiti Vincent J. , Raghunandan Christina V. , Seeley Randy J. , Boone David L.
Published: May 2021

Obesity and its sequelae have a major impact on human health. The stomach contributes to obesity in ways that extend beyond its role in digestion, including through effects on the microbiome. Gastrokine-1 (GKN1) is an anti-amyloidogenic protein abundantly and specifically secreted into the stomach lumen. We examined whether GKN1 plays a role in the development of obesity and regulation of the gut microbiome. Gkn1−/− mice were resistant to diet-induced obesity and hepatic steatosis (high fat diet (HFD) fat mass (g) = 10.4 ± 3.0 (WT) versus 2.9 ± 2.3 (Gkn1−/−) p < 0.005; HFD liver mass (g) = 1.3 ± 0.11 (WT) versus 1.1 ± 0.07 (Gkn1−/−) p < 0.05). Gkn1−/− mice also exhibited increased expression of the lipid-regulating hormone ANGPTL4 in the small bowel. The microbiome of Gkn1−/− mice exhibited reduced populations of microbes implicated in obesity, namely Firmicutes of the class Erysipelotrichia. Altered metabolism consistent with use of fat as an energy source was evident in Gkn1−/− mice during the sleep period. GKN1 may contribute to the effects of the stomach on the microbiome and obesity. Inhibition of GKN1 may be a means to prevent obesity.
Selective growth of Ti3+/TiO2/CNT and Ti3+/TiO2/C nanocomposite for enhanced visible-light utilization to degrade organic pollutants by lowering TiO2-bandgap
Authors: Akter Jeasmin , Hanif Md. Abu , Islam Md. Akherul , Sapkota Kamal Prasad , Hahn Jae Ryang
Published: May 2021

A convenient route was developed for the selective preparation of two stable nanocomposites, Ti3+/TiO2/CNT (labeled as TTOC-1 and TTOC-3) and Ti3+/TiO2/carbon layer (labeled as TTOC-2), from the same precursor by varying the amount of single-walled carbon nanotubes used in the synthesis. TiO2 is an effective photocatalyst; however, its wide bandgap limits its usefulness to the UV region. As a solution to this problem, our prepared nanocomposites exhibit a small bandgap and wide visible-light (VL) absorption because of the introduction of carbonaceous species and Ti3+ vacancies. The photocatalytic efficiency of the nanocomposites was examined via the degradation of methylene blue dye under VL. Excellent photocatalytic activity of 83%, 98%, and 93% was observed for TTOC-1, TTOC-2, and TTOC-3 nanocomposites within 25 min. In addition, the photocatalytic degradation efficiency of TTOC-2 toward methyl orange, phenol, rhodamine B, and congo red was 28%, 69%, 71%, and 91%, respectively, under similar experimental conditions after 25 min. Higher reusability and structural integrity of the as-synthesized photocatalyst were confirmed within five consecutive runs by photocatalytic test and X-ray diffraction analysis, respectively. The resulting nanocomposites provide new insights into the development of VL-active and stable photocatalysts with high efficiencies.
Attachment of the levator ani muscle extends to the superior ramus of the pubic bone through electrophysiological and anatomical examinations
Authors: Chin Hung-Yen , Peng Chih-Wei , Wu Ming-Ping , Chen Chih-Hwa , Feng Yu-Ting , Fong Tsorng-Harn
Published: May 2021

Myofascial pelvic pain (MFPP) of pelvic floor muscles is a common cause of chronic pelvic pain (CPP). The pathological mechanisms and treatments of MFPP are complex and still unclear until now. The levator ani muscle (LAM) is the major pelvic floor muscle. The purpose of this study was to examine the fascia and attachment of LAM through the electromyogram (EMG) and cadaver dissection. Electrophysiological stimulation of the obturator fascia above the arcus tendinous levator ani (ATLA) could trigger contraction and electrophysiological changes in LAM insertion. The LAM of embalmed adult cadavers was examined especially in the area above the ATLA. Some skeletal muscle fibers were found above the ATLA within the obturator fascia and were confirmed by Masson’s trichrome section staining. Our electromyography (EMG) and anatomical data implied that the attachment of LAM aponeurosis extended beyond ATLA to the inferior border of the superior ramus of the pubic bone. The new discovered attachment of LAM could provide a reference position for clinical diagnosis and treatment of MFPP or CPP.
Lagged recovery of fish spatial distributions following a cold-water perturbation
Authors: Robertson M. D. , Gao J. , Regular P. M. , Morgan M. J. , Zhang F.
Published: May 2021

Anomalous local temperature and extreme events (e.g. heat-waves) can cause rapid change and gradual recovery of local environmental conditions. However, few studies have tested whether species distribution can recover following returning environmental conditions. Here, we tested for change and recovery of the spatial distributions of two flatfish populations, American plaice (Hippoglossoides platessoides) and yellowtail flounder (Limanda ferruginea), in response to consecutive decreasing and increasing water temperature on the Grand Bank off Newfoundland, Canada from 1985 to 2018. Using a Vector Autoregressive Spatiotemporal model, we found the distributions of both species shifted southwards following a period when anomalous cold water covered the northern sections of the Grand Bank. After accounting for density-dependent effects, we observed that yellowtail flounder re-distributed northwards when water temperature returned and exceeded levels recorded before the cold period, while the spatial distribution of American plaice has not recovered. Our study demonstrates nonlinear effects of an environmental factor on species distribution, implying the possibility of irreversible (or hard-to-reverse) changes of species distribution following a rapid change and gradual recovery of environmental conditions.
Different characteristics of bloodstream infection during venoarterial and venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in adult patients
Authors: Kim Hyoung Soo , Park Sunghoon , Ko Ho Hyun , Ha Sang Ook , Lee Sun Hee , Kim Yong Kyun
Published: May 2021

Currently, there is scarcity of data on whether differences exist in clinical characteristics and outcomes of bloodstream infection (BSI) between venoarterial (VA) and venovenous (VV) extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) and whether they differ between Candida BSI and bacteremia in adult ECMO patients. We retrospectively reviewed data of patients who required ECMO for > 48 h and had BSIs while receiving ECMO between January 2015 and June 2020. Cases with a positive blood culture result within 24 h of ECMO implantation were excluded. We identified 94 (from 64 of 194 patients) and 38 (from 17 of 56 patients) BSI episodes under VA and VV ECMO, respectively. Fifty nine BSIs of VA ECMO (59/94, 62.8%) occurred in the first 2 weeks after ECMO implantation, whereas 24 BSIs of VV ECMO (24/38, 63.2%) occurred after 3 weeks of ECMO implantation. Gram-negative bacteremia (39/59, 66.1%) and gram-positive bacteremia (10/24, 41.7%) were the most commonly identified BSI types in the first 2 weeks after VA ECMO implantation and after 3 weeks of VV implantation, respectively. Timing of Candida BSI was early (6/11, 54.5% during the first 2 weeks) in VA ECMO and late (6/9, 66.7% after 3 weeks of initiation) in VV ECMO. Compared with bacteremia, Candida BSI showed no differences in clinical characteristics and outcomes during VA and VV ECMO, except the significant association with prior exposure to carbapenem in VA ECMO (vs. gram-negative bacteremia [P = 0.006], vs. gram-positive bacteremia [P = 0.03]). Our results suggest that ECMO modes may affect BSI clinical features and timing. In particular, Candida BSI occurrence during the early course of VA ECMO is not uncommon, especially in patients with prior carbapenem exposure; however, it usually occurs during the prolonged course of VV ECMO. Consequently, routine blood culture surveillance and empiric antifungal therapy might be warranted in targeted populations of adult ECMO patients, regardless of levels of inflammatory markers and severity scores.
Evaluation of clinical performance and survival rate of Straumann dental implants in Saudi Population based on cross-sectional study
Authors: Jasser Reham AL , AlSarhan Mohammed , Alotaibi Dalal , Aloraini Saleh , Koppolu Pradeep , Andreana Sebastiano
Published: May 2021

Risk indicators of peri-implantitis is still contradictory and somehow unclear in present literature therefore efforts should be done for better understanding of the exact etiology of peri-implant disease progression. The present study aimed to assess risk indicators associated with peri-implantitis by observing the changes in several periodontal parameters after implant placement. This cross-sectional study included 213 female and 271 male patients aged 26–87 years, who received 484 titanium implants (Straumann, Switzerland) at King Saud University’s Dental College, Saudi Arabia. Patients were called for dental visits. During these visits; full clinical and radiographic assessment of implants were done. The periodontal pocket depth (PPD) was greater around implants placed at grafted sites than non-grafted sites and around bone-level implants than tissue-level implants. The plaque index (PI) was associated with poor oral hygiene. There was a strong association between graft (yes/no) and bleeding on probing (BOP). Patients with good oral hygiene showed high radiographic bone stability. Keratinized tissue width < 2 mm was associated with a higher PPD, higher PI, higher BOP, more edematous gingiva, and more exposed implant threads on radiography. In patients receiving implants, poor oral hygiene status and inadequate keratinized tissue level can be proposed as risk indicators for developing periimplantitis due to strong association found between them and developments of peri-implantitis.
A genomic mutation signature predicts the clinical outcomes of immunotherapy and characterizes immunophenotypes in gastrointestinal cancer
Authors: Jiao Xi , Wei Xin , Li Shuang , Liu Chang , Chen Huan , Gong Jifang , Li Jian , Zhang Xiaotian , Wang Xicheng , Peng Zhi , Qi Changsong , Wang Zhenghang , Wang Yujiao , Wang Yanni , Zhuo Na , Zhang Henghui , Lu Zhihao , Shen Lin
Published: May 2021

The association between genetic variations and immunotherapy benefit has been widely recognized, while such evidence in gastrointestinal cancer remains limited. We analyzed the genomic profile of 227 immunotherapeutic gastrointestinal cancer patients treated with immunotherapy, from the Memorial Sloan Kettering (MSK) Cancer Center cohort. A gastrointestinal immune prognostic signature (GIPS) was constructed using LASSO Cox regression. Based on this signature, patients were classified into two subgroups with distinctive prognoses (p < 0.001). The prognostic value of the GIPS was consistently validated in the Janjigian and Pender cohort (N = 54) and Peking University Cancer Hospital cohort (N = 92). Multivariate analysis revealed that the GIPS was an independent prognostic biomarker. Notably, the GIPS-high tumor was indicative of a T-cell-inflamed phenotype and immune activation. The findings demonstrated that GIPS was a powerful predictor of immunotherapeutic survival in gastrointestinal cancer and may serve as a potential biomarker guiding immunotherapy treatment decisions.
Soft chemistry of metastable metal chalcogenide nanomaterials
Authors: Gu Chao , Xu Hou-Ming , Han Shi-Kui , Gao Min-Rui , Yu Shu-Hong
Published: May 2021

This review summarizes the latest advances in design principles based on metastable metal chalcogenide nanomaterials (MCNs), together with corresponding soft chemical transformation rules to prepare or modify MCNs with novel or enhanced properties.
Moiré superlattices and related moiré excitons in twisted van der Waals heterostructures
Authors: Liu Yanping , Zeng Cheng , Yu Juan , Zhong Jiahong , Li Bo , Zhang Zhengwei , Liu Zongwen , Wang Zhiming M. , Pan Anlian , Duan Xidong
Published: May 2021

Recent advances in moiré superlattices and moiré excitons, such as quantum emission arrays, low-energy flat bands, and Mott insulators, have rapidly attracted attention in the fields of optoelectronics, materials, and energy research.
Synthesis of acetic acid from CO2, CH3I and H2 using a water-soluble electron storage catalyst
Authors: Yatabe Takeshi , Kamitakahara Kazuki , Higashijima Kaede , Ando Tatsuya , Matsumoto Takahiro , Yoon Ki-Seok , Enomoto Takao , Ogo Seiji
Published: May 2021

A rational design of the electron storage catalyst is demonstrated. This design confirms our long-standing confidence in the advantages of water solubility, metal centre as a point for storing electrons from H2, and electron-withdrawing ligand.
Effect of Bjerrum pairs on the electrostatic properties of an electrolyte solution near charged surfaces: a mean-field approach
Authors: Sin Jun-Sik
Published: May 2021

The formation of Bjerrum pairs can quitely affect the electrostatic properties of an electrolyte solution with medium ion concentration.
Class II biocompatible E-Shell 300 3D printing material causes severe developmental toxicity in Danio rerio embryos and reduced cell proliferation in vitro – implications for 3D printed microfluidics
Authors: Nejedlá Zuzana , Poustka David , Herma Regina , Liegertová Michaela , Štofik Marcel , Smejkal Jiří , Šícha Václav , Kaule Pavel , Malý Jan
Published: May 2021

E-Shell 300 3D-printed material demonstrated a considerable negative impact on cell proliferation and severe developmental toxicity due to release of surfactant residues. Post-treatment with ethanol improved the biocompatibility of the material.
A frogspawn-like Ag@C core–shell structure for an ultrasensitive label-free electrochemical immunosensing of carcinoembryonic antigen in blood plasma
Authors: Ding Mengkui , Zha Ling , Wang Hui , Liu Jinyao , Chen Peiwu , Zhao Yuefeng , Jiang Lan , Li Yuhao , Ouyang Ruizhuo , Miao Yuqing
Published: May 2021

Novel frogspawn-like Ag@C nanoparticles were successfully used to fabricate an ultrasensitive electrochemical immunosensing platform toward CEA in human blood samples.
Towards a selective synthetic route for cobalt amino acid complexes and their application in ring opening polymerization of rac-lactide
Authors: Ruiz Andrés Castro , Damodaran Krishna K. , Suman Sigridur G.
Published: May 2021

Catalysts based on Co, amino acids, and 2,2-bipyridine present an attractive and economic alternative in ring opening polymerization, and possess advantageous ligand coordination properties combined with a variety of accessible oxidation states and coordination geometries.
An unusual formal migrative cycloaddition of aurone-derived azadienes: synthesis of benzofuran-fused nitrogen heterocycles
Authors: Feng Qiang , Wu An , Zhang Xinhao , Song Lijuan , Sun Jianwei
Published: May 2021

A HNTf2-catalyzed formal migrative cycloaddition of aurone-derived azadienes with siloxy alkynes has been developed to provide access to benzofuran-fused dihydropyridines.
Unexpected formation of 1,2- and 1,4-bismethoxyl Sc3N@Ih-C80 derivatives via regioselective anion addition: an unambiguous structural identification and mechanism study
Authors: Hu Yajing , Yao Yang-Rong , Liu Xuechen , Yu Ao , Xie Xiaoming , Abella Laura , Rodríguez-Fortea Antonio , Poblet Josep M. , Akasaka Takeshi , Peng Ping , Zhang Qianyan , Xie Su-Yuan , Li Fang-Fang , Lu Xing
Published: May 2021

An attempt to achieve heterocyclic cycloadducts of Sc3N@Ih-C80via reaction with Ph2CO, PhCCPh or PhCN in the presence of tetrabutylammonium hydroxide (TBAOH) stored in CH3OH led to the formation of the unexpected bismethoxyl adducts of Sc3N@Ih-C80 (1 and 2).
Regulation of gene transfection by cell size, shape and elongation on micropatterned surfaces
Authors: Wang Yongtao , Yang Yingjun , Yoshitomi Toru , Kawazoe Naoki , Yang Yingnan , Chen Guoping
Published: May 2021

Cell morphology controlled by micropatterns had different influences on gene transfection. Cell size and aspect ratio could increase gene transfection efficiency, while cell shape showed no influence.
Enhancing feature fusion with spatial aggregation and channel fusion for semantic segmentation
Authors: Hu Jie , Kong Huifang , Fan Lei , Zhou Jun
Published: May 2021

Semantic segmentation is crucial to the autonomous driving, as an accurate recognition and location of the surrounding scenes can be provided for the street scenes understanding task. Many existing segmentation networks usually fuse high‐level and low‐level features to boost segmentation performance. However, the simple fusion may impose a limited performance improvement because of the gap between high‐level and low‐level features. To alleviate this limitation, we respectively propose spatial aggregation and channel fusion to bridge the gap. Our implementation, inspired by the attention mechanism, consists of two steps: (1) Spatial aggregation relies on the proposed pyramid spatial context aggregation module to capture spatial similarities to enhance the spatial representation of high‐level features, which is more effective for the latter fusion. (2) Channel fusion relies on the proposed attention‐based channel fusion module to weight channel maps on different levels to enhance the fusion. In addition, the complete network with U‐shape structure is constructed. A series of ablation experiments are conducted to demonstrate the effectiveness of our designs, and the network achieves mIoU score of 81.4% on Cityscapes test dataset and 84.6% on PASCALVOC 2012 test dataset.
Patricia Era Bath: a community Ophthalmologist
Authors: Guilhot Denis
Published: May 2021

Dr. Patricia Era Bath was not only a medical doctor but also an ophthalmologist, a laser scientist, a surgeon, a researcher, an inventor, an activist, and a humanitarian. She is best known as the inventor of laser cataract removal but also proposed a new discipline in medicine to promote technical, medical, and social aspects of eye care and blindness prevention. As such, she passively and actively allowed millions of people across the world to recover their sight.
Generation of quantum states of light in nonlinear AlGaAs chips: engineering and applications
Authors: Ducci Sara , Milman Perola , Diamanti Eleni
Published: May 2021

Photonic quantum technologies represent a promising platform for applications ranging from long-distance secure communications to the simulation of complex phenomena. Among the different material platforms, direct bandgap semiconductors offer a wide range of functionalities opening promising perspectives for the implementation of future quantum technologies. In this paper, we review our progress on the generation and manipulation of quantum states of light in nonlinear AlGaAs chips and their use in quantum networks.
Education as an institution of national identity formation
Authors: Shabrov Oleg F. , Sashchenko Natalia P. , Hayat Museib
Published: May 2021

The article touches upon the problem of the crisis of national-state identity of young Russian citizens. Digitalization fundamentally changes the functioning and reproduction of the culture, which underlies group, ethnic, national, and state identity. These changes may cause significant risks of destabilizing the state and its main institutions. The authors discuss the role of educational institutions in the reproduction and formation of new social values among young people and the following formation of the national-state identity. The empirical part of the study is aimed to identify the basis of national-state identity, which is the structure and content of social ideas about Russia among various groups of users of social networks aged 14–35 years, selected according to their gender, age, and educational background. The article presents the results of the empirical study of respondents’ social representations about Russia. It explains the correlation between the national-state identity and social representations of one’s country and indicates the structural-functional and contentmorphological characteristics of the social ideas of young people about Russia. It also reveals the differences in the social representations of young people from different population groups. The results make it possible to clarify the understanding of the pattern of Russian young people’s social thinking, which is responsible for the choice of identification images and predetermines the strength and direction of political attitudes that affect the political stability of Russia.
The process of humanitarian education of students
Authors: Dyagilev Vasily V. , Shevchenko Olga V. , Naushabaeva Asem Kh.
Published: May 2021

The purpose of the present article is to substantiate approaches to the formation of the humanitarian vector of training students as future professionals in various fields of activity. The humanitarian vector sets the direction of the students’ professional training. In terms of substantive aspect, it is considered as a worldview and praxeological phenomenon associated with the awareness, comprehension, and assimilation of the value foundations of Russian society and the individual, as well as with the further practical implementation of the internalized value attitudes of the individual. As a form and a way of existence of this content, the humanitarian vector represents a consolidating, centripetal force of social medium, acting as a spiritual synergistic attractor. Based on the sociological data, the authors consider the contradictions existing in the axiological space of the country, which have significant impact on the worldview maturity of young people. The key concept in the work is spirituality, which is considered as an integral phenomenon. The novelty of the work is associated with the substantiation of the thesis about two projections of spirituality: extrovert (objective-rational) and introvert (subjective-intuitive). The conclusion of the study indicates that the main functional purpose of the humanitarian vector is the worldview maturity of the individual as the goal and result of the students’ humanitarian education process. A qualitative indicator of worldview maturity is bridging the gap between what should be and what is in the subject’s moral consciousness and behavior.
Education in Russia: historical and philosophical aspects
Authors: Shamshurina Nina G. , Shamshurin Victor I.
Published: May 2021

Education is the most effective tool of management in politics, since it directly and indirectly acts as public legal coordination of the interests of different social strata representatives, and manifests the ability of the authorities to such coordination. The prerequisites of the present research are the productive achievements of the national educational cultural tradition, its goal setting, which is also the goal of this work. Education as a social institution is a tool of constant state policy, while the policy is not a one-time action but a procedural, dynamic phenomenon, and therefore must always be at the focus of attention of the authorities. Education is the incessant carrying of a certain “image”, in other words, the “image” of the state and, at the same time, its function (in Latin, the function is service, or, in Russian, “the sovereign’s burden”). Service is associated with the upbringing and training of a creative person, his way of thinking, and his entire lifeline. The research methods used, included interdisciplinary and comparative-historical (comparative) approaches. The most important results, novelty, and significance of the present research are associated with the ways of developing spirituality and preserving the tradition of creativity and freedom in humanitarian education, which form the public consciousness.
The importance of constructivism in the teaching social and humanitarian disciplines
Authors: Omarova Leyla B. , Muzashvili Diana Z. , Prokhorova Irina G. , Kerimov Ayub Sevdim ogly
Published: May 2021

The relevance of the topic is dictated by the inconsistency of the contemporary education system. On the one hand, the pedagogical community defends traditional teaching methods. On the other hand, there is a need to implement new methods that meet the current generation’s interests and worldview. The purpose of the present study is to identify the possibility of using constructivist elements in pedagogical activity, which are elements of the subject-to-subject paradigm of education. The need to implement elements of constructivism in educational activities is determined by the peculiarities of contemporary social life, in which the main role in the formation of everyday reality is played by virtual digital reality and information technologies. The conducted analysis was based on the studies directly related to the field of education and pedagogy, as well as works on philosophy, sociology, and psychology that explore the problems of education in present-day developments. The analysis of the contemporary educational system and the concept of constructivism in education are presented based on the conducted work. Study materials can be used to analyze and solve debatable issues of contemporary education and pedagogy.
The professional elite of the future: how to educate?
Authors: Orekhovskaya Natalia A. , Chernysheva Anna V. , Kushnir Dariya Yu.
Published: May 2021

The relevance of the research lies in the need to analyze the situation in the higher education sector in terms of training highly qualified personnel. The purpose of the article is to analyze the conditions for educating the modern professional elite. When conducting the analysis, the authors relied on the data of sociological studies, as well as statistics of both Russian and international companies. When determining the key categories, the authors referred to the normative documents and opinions of leading scientists in the education sector. Forming the professional elite has been considered in detail on the example of the implementation of various forms of education, including distance learning. The methodological basis of the research was made up of theoretical methods, such as the synthesis method, used in the course of studying the problematic area of the higher education system, as well as a combination of descriptive and comparative and historical methods. Based on the conducted analysis, the authors have concluded that it is necessary to maintain an integral system of universal competencies, as well as to develop the experience of independent professional activity. The research justifies the need to continue the development of Russian higher education exactly in this direction.
Student’s road to history: new concept of teaching the course
Authors: Skvortsova Elena M. , Panov Evgeny G.
Published: May 2021

This article is devoted to the new concept of teaching the History course developed by the team of authors from Financial University. The course is subdivided into three interrelated structural sections. The course sections are based on the principle of analysis of major points of the Russian civilization historical development in the context of world history. Students are introduced to the principles of working with historical documents, statistic data, as well as other materials providing correct interpretation of focal points of historical process. The authors believe that such arrangement of the course would allow orienting the students’ cognition at development of consistent point of view on their place in history. By means of teaching history in this way, several tasks are solved at once. Firstly, the students eagerly search for their place in the world, that is, two major functions of historical cognition are combined: educational function and self-identification function. Secondly, it is possible to remain in the preset frames of historical education adopted in modern Russian universities. Thirdly, the teaching of history is harmonically embodied into the structure of humanitarian education on the basis of interdisciplinary historical and philosophical approach. Teaching of the History course should eliminate serious negative issues of Russian historical cognition.
Experience of medical schools functioning in the USSR during World War II
Authors: Svintsova Marina N. , Smirnov Mihail A.
Published: May 2021

The pandemic environment, which emerged in 2020, makes it clear that analysis of historical experience of adaptation of expert training system during crises is very urgent. This article discusses the experience of medical schools in the Soviet Union during World War II, adaptation and rearrangement of the system under difficult crisis conditions, their results. New tasks of medical schools are determined, which occurred during the war, and methods of their solution. It is concluded that high shortage of medical doctors occurring with entry of the Soviet Union into the war was overcome by means of preservation (evacuation) and expansion (establishment of new medical schools, departments and courses, reorganization and reprofiling) of the base for medical personnel training, as well as emergency rearrangement of unified national educational plans and programs of medical doctors’ training. The principle of medical education established by the Soviet system of qualified medical personnel training during the war as well as the measures, coordinated by various federal and republican authorities regarding medical school, demonstrated their efficiency.
The socializing function of the university
Authors: Seregina Tatiana N. , Prosekov Sergey A. , Nazarenko Sergey V. , Logunov Maxim R.
Published: May 2021

The article considers the role of the university as a social institution in the urban space. The article establishes the connection and interdependence among the phenomena of the city, the university, the type of rationality, and the type of communication. The transformations of urban space and the functions of the city in history affect the organizational forms and functions of the university. The research environment at the university, using the communication practices that have developed in society, creates a certain type of rationality. The nonclassical type of rationality is formed in the industrial city environment, and university education is changing towards professionalization, and commercialization, changing communication practices and values that need to be mastered for socialization into the industrial world. The post-nonclassical type of rationality coincides with the emergence of a new type of university, created within the framework of the Bologna Process. This is associated with the emergence of so-called multiple identities, formed by a variety of socialization practices. Universities are operating in the global space of global cities and megalopolises. The convergence of these phenomena results in the transformation of the value perception of the world and the axiological paradigm of society. The activity-based method of analyzing the socialization process allowed determining the need to create the idea of a university, based on a value approach. Values and value-based communication practices in the educational system of the university allow moving to a sustainable development society.
Definition of the concept of “patriotism” in the historical, cultural and educational space of the city
Authors: Burlakova Irina I. , Bogatyreva Svetlana N. , Polozhentseva Irina V. , Yulina Galina N.
Published: May 2021

There are five natural beginnings of life created by the hand of God: personality; family; nation (homeland), the kingdom of heaven and the church. In this article, we will try to consider only one aspect of responsibility of a man associated with the formation of national identity. Today, patriotism becomes the idea that can turn from an intangible force into a material one if it is mastered by the people and for many it will become an internal conviction and installation. Today, patriotism has become one of the most controversial topics in Russia. The range of opinions is quite large: from discrediting patriotism as an analogue of destruction and conflict, to calls of the first persons of the state to the unity of the Russian people on the basis of the integration of patriotism with internationalism. Patriotism helps to unite society, reveals to many people the meaning of their own life, raises their understanding and responsibility for the framework of corporatism and social class differences. Patriotism is increasingly recognized by the population as the protection of national interests, the implementation of social justice, as a positive and constructive realization of human rights. It becomes the main task in the programs of patriotic education of the young people. It acts both as an element of worldview and attitude to one’s country, and other peoples and as an educational component of pedagogic system especially in the historical, cultural and educational space of the city.
The growth crisis or the twilight of world culture?
Authors: Bolshunov Andrey Y. , Tiurikov Aleksandr G.
Published: May 2021

The article discusses the consequences for the culture of the priority of the rights over culture, declared by various minorities. The authors justify the thesis that this is a challenge that creates threats to the existence of culture, being an anthropotechnical experiment, whose consequences cannot be predicted due to the limited knowledge of how society functions. The authors call for searching solutions that would not lead to cultural discrimination of the majority while taking into account the rights of minorities.
Unified educational space of the EAEU member states
Authors: Stukalova Irina B. , Stukalova Anastasia A. , Shishkin Anatoliy V.
Published: May 2021

The article deals with the issues of integration of individual national educational systems and the formation of a single Eurasian educational space. The purpose of the article is to assess the degree of readiness of the national higher education systems of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) member states for consistent integration. The assessment was conducted employing the tools of mathematical statistics. At the first stage, the authors formalized the national education system parameters in the form of a scorecard. At the second stage of the study, a comparative analysis of educational systems was carried out based on enlarged groups of quantitative and qualitative indicators. To conduct a comparative analysis of educational systems the authors used comparative logical, descriptive, and cluster analysis methods. According to the analysis results, Armenia and Belarus turned out to be the countries, most close to each other in terms of the totality of qualitative and quantitative indicators of national higher education systems. The conducted analysis allows concluding that Belarus can integrate with other countries most easily. Armenia is ranked the second country capable of such integration. Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan are in the third and fourth places, respectively. According to the results of the cluster analysis, Russia has shown a minimal degree of integration of the higher education system with other EAEU countries, as it is the leader in terms of several qualitative and quantitative indicators. The authors have empirically proved that the EAEU member states have similar approaches to the organization of the higher education system and can hypothetically be united into a single educational cluster within a single Eurasian educational space.
Protestivity and civic activism in youth: problems and contradictions
Authors: Polozhentseva Irina V. , Yulina Galina N. , Kashchenko Tat’yana L. , Kalita Vitaly V.
Published: May 2021

The present study combines a theoretical analysis of youth protest as a special social phenomenon and the results of an empirical study. Based on the empirical study conducted by the authors in the Moscow State University of Technology and Management (First Cossack University), an analysis of the protest activity of youth (students) in the 2010s is conducted. The authors rely on a set of methodological approaches and methods of analysis: conceptual, behaviorist, and socio-cultural approaches, as well as the network approach aimed at understanding the basic constructs of the digital age and digital communications as a new social reality. The authors develop the method of discourse analysis to demonstrate the protest activism being contingent on the rapidly changing conditions. The modern definition of protest is analyzed. The term protestivity is introduced and its heuristic value is substantiated. The distinction between civic activism and protestivity is drawn. The authors explore the preconditions for the formation of protest: youth lumpenization, deprivation (inconsistency between the increased social expectations of young people and the real possibilities for their realization). The manifestations of youth protestivity in the modern conditions increasingly acquiring the structure of network interaction are studied. It is concluded that the repertoire of youth protestivity in a digital society is modifying. The article demonstrates that positive (constructive) forms of protest activity contribute to the formation of a conventional form of interaction between youth and authorities. Involvement in positive forms of activism stops the natural potential of youth protest. The future largely depends on what status the authorities assign to youth.
Gamification in education: threats or new opportunities
Authors: Biryukov Alexander P. , Brikoshina Irina S. , Mikhalevich Natalia V. , Sycheva Svetlana M. , Khalimon Ekaterina A.
Published: May 2021

This article discusses the expediency and efficiency of implementing gamification in education. This study is a meta-analysis of the modern experience of gamification application obtained from numerous international studies, practical cases, and reports of educational entities. The influence of gamification technologies on cognition and learning processes was proved by hardware neurobiological research of students’ brain activity during a game using electroencephalography, functional magnetic resonance tomography, and functional near-infrared spectroscopy. On the basis of an analysis of gamification effects regarding efficiency improvement due to perceptive learning, the conclusions were obtained used in a generalized list of opportunities, problems, and threats of application of gamification elements in education. This study systematizes practical results presented by corporate cases and reference literature, which mention the necessity to use specialized online platforms or automated control systems for systematic implementation of gamification into education. The practical cases in the context of education considered the results of gamification application mainly as positive; however, at the same time, negative results were mentioned, which should be analyzed and which also should be included in the list of threats in this study.