bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mapping International Civic Technologies Platforms
Authors: Skaržauskienė Aelita , Mačiulienė Monika
Published: October 2020

The new communication paradigm supported by Information and Communication Technology (ICT) puts end-users at the center of innovation processes, thereby shifting the emphasis from technology to people. Citizen centric approaches such as New Public Governance and Open Government in the public management research suggest that government alone cannot be responsible for creating public value. Traditional approaches to public engagement and governmental reforms remain relevant, however our research is more interested in the ability of a networked society to resolve social problems for itself, i.e., without government intervention. In seeking to gain insights into bottom up co-creation processes, this paper aims to collect and generalize information on the international civic technology platforms by focusing on three dimensions: identification of the objectives (content), classification of main stakeholder groups (actors), and definition of co-creative methods (processes). In view of a paucity of research on Civic Technologies, the content analysis will extend the understanding of this growing field and allow us to identify the patterns in their development.
Biotransformation of Animal Fat-By Products into ARA-Enriched Fermented Bioproducts by Solid-State Fermentation of Mortierella alpina
Authors: Slaný Ondrej , Klempová Tatiana , Shapaval Volha , Zimmermann Boris , Kohler Achim , Čertík Milan
Published: October 2020

Solid-state fermentation (SSF) is a powerful fermentation technology for valorizing rest materials and by-products of different origin. Oleaginous Zygomycetes fungi are often used in SSF as an effective cell factory able to valorize a wide range of hydrophilic and hydrophobic substrates and produce lipid-enriched bioproducts. In this study, for the first time, the strain Mortierella alpina was used in SSF for the bioconversion of animal fat by-products into high value fermented bioproducts enriched with arachidonic acid (ARA). Two cereals-based matrixes mixed with four different concentrations of animal fat by-product were evaluated for finding optimal conditions of a fat-based SSF. All obtained fermented bioproducts were found to be enriched with ARA. The highest substrate utilization (25.8%) was reached for cornmeal and it was almost double than for the respective wheat bran samples. Similarly, total fatty acid content in a fermented bioproduct prepared on cornmeal is almost four times higher in contrast to wheat bran-based bioproduct. Although in general the addition of an animal fat by-product caused a gradual cessation of ARA yield in the obtained fermented bioproduct, the content of ARA in fungal biomass was higher. Thus, M. alpina CCF2861 effectively transformed exogenous fatty acids from animal fat substrate to ARA. Maximum yield of 32.1 mg of ARA/g of bioproduct was reached when using cornmeal mixed with 5% (w/w) of an animal fat by-product as substrate. Furthermore, implementation of attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy in characterization of obtained SSF bioproducts was successfully tested as an alternative tool for complex analysis, compared to traditional time-consuming methods.
Convolutional Neural Network Based Ensemble Approach for Homoglyph Recognition
Authors: Majumder Md. Taksir Hasan , Rahman Md. Mahabur , Iqbal Anindya , Rahman M. Sohel
Published: October 2020

Homoglyphs are pairs of visual representations of Unicode characters that look similar to the human eye. Identifying homoglyphs is extremely useful for building a strong defence mechanism against many phishing and spoofing attacks, ID imitation, profanity abusing, etc. Although there is a list of discovered homoglyphs published by Unicode consortium, regular expansion of Unicode character scripts necessitates a robust and reliable algorithm that is capable of identifying all possible new homoglyphs. In this article, we first show that shallow Convolutional Neural Networks are capable of identifying homoglyphs. We propose two variations, both of which obtain very high accuracy (99.44%) on our benchmark dataset. We also report that adoption of transfer learning allows for another model to achieve 100% recall on our dataset. We ensemble these three methods to obtain 99.72% accuracy on our independent test dataset. These results illustrate the superiority of our ensembled model in detecting homoglyphs and suggest that our model can be used to detect new homoglyphs when increasing Unicode characters are added. As a by-product, we also prepare a benchmark dataset based on the currently available list of homoglyphs.
Mardivirus Infection and Persistence in Feathers of a Chicken Model Harboring a Local Autoimmune Response
Authors: Erf Gisela F. , Le Pape Gilles , Rémy Sylvie , Denesvre Caroline
Published: October 2020

Herpesvirus of turkey (HVT) is commonly used as a vaccine to protect chickens against Marek’s disease. Following vaccination, HVT infects feathers where it can be detected in all chicken lines examined. Unlike the parental Brown line (BL), Smyth line (SL) chickens develop vitiligo, due to autoimmune destruction of melanocytes in feathers. Previous reports showed a strong inflammatory response in Smyth chickens’ feathers at vitiligo onset, that subsided once melanocytes were destroyed, and depigmentation was complete. Here, we questioned whether the local autoimmune response in the Smyth model influences HVT infection and persistence in feathers. For this, one-day-old SL and BL chickens were vaccinated with Newcastle disease (rHVT-ND). Vitiligo was scored and HVT loads in pigmented and non-pigmented growing feathers were quantified regularly over 20 weeks. Chickens of both lines showed moderate HVT loads in feathers. At the onset of active vitiligo, the HVT load was significantly higher in SL compared to BL feathers. However, no difference in HVT loads was noticed between pigmented and non-pigmented feathers from SL chickens. Therefore, surprisingly, the inflammatory response in feathers of SL chickens did not inhibit HVT infection and persistence, but on the contrary, temporarily promoted HVT infection in feathers.
Metagenomic Insight into Environmentally Challenged Methane-Fed Microbial Communities
Authors: Zheng Yue , Wang Huan , Yu Zheng , Haroon Fauzi , Hernández Maria E. , Chistoserdova Ludmila
Published: October 2020

In this study, we aimed to investigate, through high-resolution metagenomics and metatranscriptomics, the composition and the trajectories of microbial communities originating from a natural sample, fed exclusively with methane, over 14 weeks of laboratory incubation. This study builds on our prior data, suggesting that multiple functional guilds feed on methane, likely through guild-to-guild carbon transfer, and potentially through intraguild and intraspecies interactions. We observed that, under two simulated dioxygen partial pressures—low versus high—community trajectories were different, with considerable variability among the replicates. In all microcosms, four major functional guilds were prominently present, representing Methylococcaceae (the true methanotrophs), Methylophilaceae (the nonmethanotrophic methylotrophs), Burkholderiales, and Bacteroidetes. Additional functional guilds were detected in multiple samples, such as members of Opitutae, as well as the predatory species, suggesting additional complexity for methane-oxidizing communities. Metatranscriptomic analysis suggested simultaneous expression of the two alternative types of methanol dehydrogenases in both Methylococcaceae and Methylophilaceae, while high expression of the oxidative/nitrosative stress response genes suggested competition for dioxygen among the community members. The transcriptomic analysis further suggested that Burkholderiales likely feed on acetate that is produced by Methylococcaceae under hypoxic conditions, while Bacteroidetes likely feed on biopolymers produced by both Methylococcaceae and Methylophilaceae.
Use of Exopolysaccharide-Synthesizing Lactic Acid Bacteria and Fat Replacers for Manufacturing Reduced-Fat Burrata Cheese: Microbiological Aspects and Sensory Evaluation
Authors: Costantino Giuseppe , Calasso Maria , Minervini Fabio , De Angelis Maria
Published: October 2020

This study aimed to set-up a biotechnological protocol for manufacturing a reduced-fat Burrata cheese using semi-skimmed milk and reduced-fat cream, in different combinations with exopolysaccharides-synthesizing bacterial starters (Streptococcus thermophilus, E1, or Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis and Lc. lactis subsp. cremoris, E2) and carrageenan or xanthan. Eight variants of reduced-fat cheese (fat concentration 34–51% lower than traditional full-fat Burrata cheese, used as the control) were obtained using: (i) semi-skimmed milk and reduced-fat cream alone (RC) or in combination with (ii) xanthan (RCX), (iii) carrageenan (RCC), (iv) starter E1 (RCE1), (v) starter E2 (RCE2), (vi) both starters (RCE1-2), (vii) E1 and xanthan (RCXE1), or E1 and carrageenan (RCCE1). Post-acidification occurred for the RCC, RCX, and RCE2 Burrata cheeses, due to the higher number of mesophilic cocci found in these cheeses after 16 days of storage. Overall, mesophilic and thermophilic cocci, although showing cheese variant-depending dynamics, were dominant microbial groups, flanked by Pseudomonas sp. during storage. Lactobacilli, increasing during storage, represented another dominant microbial group. The panel test gave highest scores to RCE1-2 and RCXE1 cheeses, even after 16 days of storage. The 16S-targeted metagenomic analysis revealed that a core microbiota (S. thermophilus, Streptococcus lutetiensis, Lc. lactis, Lactococcus sp., Leuconostoc lactis, Lactobacillus delbrueckii, and Pseudomonas sp.), characterized the Burrata cheeses. A consumer test, based on 105 people, showed that more than 50% of consumers did not distinguish the traditional full-fat from the RCXE1 reduced-fat Burrata cheese.
Control of Francisella tularensis Virulence at Gene Level: Network of Transcription Factors
Authors: Spidlova Petra , Stojkova Pavla , Sjöstedt Anders , Stulik Jiri
Published: October 2020

Regulation of gene transcription is the initial step in the complex process that controls gene expression within bacteria. Transcriptional control involves the joint effort of RNA polymerases and numerous other regulatory factors. Whether global or local, positive or negative, regulators play an essential role in the bacterial cell. For instance, some regulators specifically modify the transcription of virulence genes, thereby being indispensable to pathogenic bacteria. Here, we provide a comprehensive overview of important transcription factors and DNA-binding proteins described for the virulent bacterium Francisella tularensis, the causative agent of tularemia. This is an unexplored research area, and the poorly described networks of transcription factors merit additional experimental studies to help elucidate the molecular mechanisms of pathogenesis in this bacterium, and how they contribute to disease.
Epitaxial Stabilization of Single-Crystal Multiferroic YCrO3 Thin Films
Authors: Sharma Yogesh , Skoropata Elizabeth , Paudel Binod , Kang Kyeong Tae , Yarotski Dmitry , Ward T. Zac , Chen Aiping
Published: October 2020

We report on the growth of stoichiometric, single-crystal YCrO3 epitaxial thin films on (001) SrTiO3 substrates using pulsed laser deposition. X-ray diffraction and atomic force microscopy reveal that the films grew in a layer-by-layer fashion with excellent crystallinity and atomically smooth surfaces. Magnetization measurements demonstrate that the material is ferromagnetic below 144 K. The temperature dependence of dielectric permittivity shows a characteristic relaxor-ferroelectric behavior at TC = 375–408 K. A dielectric anomaly at the magnetic transition temperature indicates a close correlation between magnetic and electric order parameters in these multiferroic YCrO3 films. These findings provide guidance to synthesize rare-earth, chromite-based multifunctional heterostructures and build a foundation for future studies on the understanding of magnetoelectric effects in similar material systems.
Enhanced Cell Inactivation and Double-Strand Break Induction in V79 Chinese Hamster Cells by Monochromatic X-Rays at Phosphorus K-Shell Absorption Peak
Authors: Konishi Teruaki , Yoshihara Daichi , Maeda Munetoshi , Ohsawa Daisuke , Usami Noriko , Hieda Kotaro
Published: October 2020

The cell inactivation and DNA double-strand break (DSB) induction by K-shell ionization of phosphorus atoms and Auger electrons were investigated. Monochromatic X-rays of on and below the phosphorus K-shell absorption peak, 2.153 keV and 2.147 keV were exposed to Chinese hamster lung fibroblast V79 cells. Survival fractions were plotted against exposure, Ψ [nC/kg] and the linear-quadratic model was adapted to estimate the parameters, α and β, of the survival curves. DSB induction rate [DSB/cell/Ψ] was estimated from the measured fractions of induced DNA fragments below 4.6 Mbp (Find(k < 4.6)), which were determined using pulse field gel electrophoresis. As results, cell inactivation and DSB induction rate of on the peak were significantly higher compared to that of the below. However, when converting Ψ to absorbed dose (Gy) of cell nucleus, the enhanced effect was only observed for parameter α, and not for a survival dose (Gy) of 37%, 10%, and 1% nor for a DSB induction rate. Our findings indicate that enhancement of cell inactivation and DSB induction were due to the additional dose delivered to the DNA and more complex DSB lesions were induced due to the release of phosphorus K-shell photoelectrons and Auger electrons.
“One Kind of Water Brings Another.” Teresa de Jesús and Ibn ‘Arabi
Authors: Carrión María M.
Published: October 2020

Mystical literature and spirituality from 16th-century Spain engage religious images from the three most prominent religions of al-Andalus—Christianity, Islam, and Judaism: among others, the dark night, the seven concentric castles, the gazelle, the bird, the sefirot‘s encircled iggulim or towering yosher, the sacred fountain, ruins, and gardens. Until the 20th-century, however, scholarship read these works mostly as “Spanish” mysticism, alienated from its Andalusī roots. This comparative study deploys theological, historical, and textual analysis to dwell in one of these roots: the figure of the garden’s vital element, water, as represented in the works of Teresa de Jesús and Ibn ‘Arabi. The well-irrigated life written by these mystics underscores the significance of this element as a path to life, knowledge, and love of and by God. Bringing together scholarship on Christian and Sufi mysticism, and underscoring the centrality of movement, flow, and circulation, this article pieces together otherwise disparate readings of both the individual work of these two figures and their belonging in a canon of Andalusī/Spanish mysticism. The weaving of these threads will offer readers a different understanding of early modern religion, alongside traditional readings of Spain’s mystical literature and its place in the global context.
Application of a Vine Copula for Multi-Line Insurance Reserving
Authors: Jeong Himchan , Dey Dipak
Published: October 2020

This article introduces a novel use of the vine copula which captures dependence among multi-line claim triangles, especially when an insurance portfolio consists of more than two lines of business. First, we suggest a way to choose an optimal joint loss development model for multiple lines of business that considers marginal distribution, vine copula structure, and choice of family for each pair of copulas. The performance of the model is also demonstrated with Bayesian model diagnostics and out-of-sample validation measures. Finally, we provide an implication of the dependence modeling, which allows a company to analyze and establish the risk capital for whole portfolio.
The Importance of Economic Variables on London Real Estate Market: A Random Forest Approach
Authors: Levantesi Susanna , Piscopo Gabriella
Published: October 2020

This paper follows the recent literature on real estate price prediction and proposes to take advantage of machine learning techniques to better explain which variables are more important in describing the real estate market evolution. We apply the random forest algorithm on London real estate data and analyze the local variables that influence the interaction between housing demand, supply and price. The variables choice is based on an urban point of view, where the main force driving the market is the interaction between local factors like population growth, net migration, new buildings and net supply.
Emergency Response to Vehicle Collisions: Feedback from Emergency Medical Service Providers
Authors: Valente Jacob T. , Perez Miguel A.
Published: October 2020

(1) Background: The purpose of this study is to identify emergency medical technicians’ perceptions of the most pressing issues that they experience when responding to motor vehicle collisions and record their opinions about what information is needed to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the care they provide. (2) Methods: Emergency medical technicians participated in one-on-one structured interviews about their experiences responding to motor vehicle collisions. Their feedback on dispatching procedures and protocols, travel to and from the scene, and the response process was collected. (3) Results: Participants reported experiencing difficulties related to lack of or inaccuracies in information, interactions with traffic, incompatibility in communication technology, scene safety, resource management, and obtaining timely notifications of motor vehicle collisions. Regarding the type of information most needed to improve emergency medical response, respondents indicated a desire for additional data related to the vehicle and its occupants. (4) Conclusions: The early and widespread availability of this information is expected to aid emergency responders in coordinating necessary resources faster and more optimally, help service optimization in situations with multiple motor vehicle collisions in close temporal proximity, and improve on-scene safety for first responders and other necessary personnel.
Associations between Maternal Cadmium Exposure with Risk of Preterm Birth and Low Birth Weight: Effect of Mediterranean Diet Adherence on Affected Prenatal Outcomes
Authors: Gonzalez-Nahm Sarah , Nihlani Kiran , S. House John , L. Maguire Rachel , G. Skinner Harlyn , Hoyo Cathrine
Published: October 2020

Prenatal cadmium exposure at non-occupational levels has been associated with poor birth outcomes. The intake of essential metals, such as iron and selenium, may mitigate cadmium exposure effects. However, at high levels, these metals can be toxic. The role of dietary patterns rich in these metals is less studied. We used a linear and logistic regression in a cohort of 185 mother–infant pairs to assess if a Mediterranean diet pattern during pregnancy modified the associations between prenatal cadmium exposure and (1) birth weight and (2) preterm birth. We found that increased cadmium exposure during pregnancy was associated with lower birth weight (β = −210.4; 95% CI: −332.0, −88.8; p = 0.008) and preterm birth (OR = 0.11; 95% CI: 0.01, 0.72; p = 0.04); however, these associations were comparable in offspring born to women reporting high adherence to a Mediterranean diet (β = −274.95; 95% CI: −701.17, 151.26; p = 0.20) and those with low adherence (β = −64.76; 95% CI: −359.90, 230.37; p = 0.66). While the small sample size limits inference, our findings suggest that adherence to a Mediterranean dietary pattern may not mitigate cadmium exposure effects. Given the multiple organs targeted by cadmium and its slow excretion rate, larger studies are required to clarify these findings.
The Presence of Mycotoxins in Feed and Their Influence on Animal Health
Authors: Gajęcki Maciej T. , Gajęcka Magdalena , Zielonka Łukasz
Published: October 2020

Mycotoxins are secondary metabolites of fungi [...]
Patients’ and health professionals’ attitudes and perceptions towards the initiation of preventive drugs for primary prevention of cardiovascular disease: a systematic review of qualitative studies
Authors: Qadi Olla , Lufumpa Nakawala , Adderley Nicola , Bem Danai , Marshall Tom , Kokab Farina
Published: October 2020

Background

Statins and antihypertensive agents are recommended for primary prevention of cardiovascular disease (CVD), but they are not always prescribed to eligible patients.

Design & setting

A systematic review of qualitative studies.

Aim

To explore health professionals’ and patients’ attitudes towards cardiovascular preventive drugs.

Method

MEDLINE, Embase, PsychINFO, CINAHL, ASSIA, HMIC, Conference Proceedings Citation Index, and Open Grey were searched for studies of qualitative design without restrictions on date or language. Two reviewers performed study selection, data extraction, quality assessment, and thematic synthesis.

Results

In total, 2585 titles and abstracts were screened, yielding 27 studies, of which five met eligibility criteria on full text assessment. These included 62 patients and 47 health professionals. Five themes emerged about patient attitudes: questioning preventive drugs; perceived benefit and risks, such as improving quality of life; patient preferences; trust in health professional judgement; and family, friends, and media influences. Five themes emerged about health professional attitudes: addressing patient concerns and information; duty as a health professional to prescribe; uncertainty about preventive drug prescribing; recognising consequences of prescribing, such as unnecessary medicalisation; and personalised treatment.

Conclusion

The attitudes of patients and health professionals regarding drug initiation for primary prevention reflect the complexity of the patient–health professional encounter in primary practice. For prescribing to be more adherent to guidelines, research should further investigate the patient–health professional relationship and the appropriate communication methods required when discussing drug initiation, specifically for primary prevention.
Enriching Domain Concepts with Qualitative Attributes (A Text Mining based Approach)
Authors: Behera Niyati , Mahalakshmi Guruvayur
Published: October 2020

Attributes, whether qualitative or non-qualitative are the formal description of any real-world entity and are crucial in modern knowledge representation models like ontology. Though ample evidence for the amount of research done for mining non-qualitative attributes (like part-of relation) extraction from text as well as the Web is available in the wealth of literature, on the other side limited research can be found relating to qualitative attribute (i.e., size, color, taste etc.,) mining. Herein this research article an analytical framework has been proposed to retrieve qualitative attribute values from unstructured domain text. The research objective covers two aspects of information retrieval (1) acquiring quality values from unstructured text and (2) then assigning attribute to them by comparing the Google derived meaning or context of attributes as well as quality value (adjectives). The goal has been accomplished by using a framework which integrates Vector Space Modelling (VSM) with a probabilistic Multinomial Naive Bayes (MNB) classifier. Performance Evaluation has been carried out on two data sets (1) HeiPLAS Development Data set (106 adjective-noun exemplary phrases) and (2) a text data set in Medicinal Plant Domain (MPD). System is found to perform better with probabilistic approach compared to the existing pattern-based framework in the state of art
Developing "Code of Ethics for Medical Professionals, Medical Council of Islamic Republic of Iran"
Authors: Shamsi-Gooshki Ehsan , Parsapoor Alireza , Asghari Fariba , Parsa Mojtaba , Saeedinejad Yasaman , Byroudian Saeed , Fadavi Mohsen , Khalajzadeh Majid Reza , Namazi Hamid Reza , Ghasemzadeh Nazafarin , Omani Samani Reza , Milanifar Alireza , Raoofi Azam , Rouhbakhsh Halvaei Sanaz , Mousavi Maryam Sadat , Zali Alireza , Fazel Iraj , Zafarghandi Mohammad Reza , Idani Esmaeil , Moin Mostafa
Published: October 2020

Background: The medical profession has always been an inspiration for human societies throughout its diverse history. This position and historical authority in the field of ethics has had a different and higher status, in such a way that many of the norms of general ethics and professional ethics, especially principles, such as trust, confidentiality and respect for human dignity, have been developed by medical professionals. Developing guidelines of general and professional ethics is one of the inherent duties of the Medical Council of the Islamic Republic of Iran (IRIMC) as a professional organization. In this regard, the Supreme Council of IRIMC has approved the "Code of Ethics for Medical Professionals" and, in accordance with its legal authority, has annexed it to the disciplinary regulations of IRIMC. Methods: A draft document, the result of extensive literature review, was discussed in 27 expert panel meetings and after receiving and endorsing the stakeholders’ point of view, was approved by the IRIMC Supreme Council. Results: The first edition of "Code of Ethics for Medical Professionals, Medical Council of Islamic Republic of Iran" was developed on July 6, 2017 by the Supreme Council of IRIMC. The guideline was set to take effect one year after its enactment. The first edition was revised and completed and final edition was adopted on August 9, 2018 by IRIMC in 13 chapters and 140 articles (original full text is available in the Supplementary file 1). Conclusion: According to the approved decision by the Supreme Council of IRIMC on May 10, 2018, the final edition takes effect as of October 7, 2018.
An Update of Helicobacter pylori Prevalence and Associated Risk Factors in Southern Iran: A Population-Based Study
Authors: Ziyaee Fateme , Alborzi Abdolvahab , Pouladfar Gholamreza , Pourabbas Bahman , Asaee Sadaf , Roosta Sareh
Published: October 2020

Background: The childhood period is considered to be the primary period for acquisition of the Helicobacter pylori. The high prevalence rates from developing countries are associated with gastric cancer. A decreasing trend of its prevalence has been reported from different parts of the world. Determining the prevalence rate could be important in choosing preventive strategies. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of H. pylori among a group of children from southern Iran to provide an update on the current status of the disease. Methods: This is a cross-sectional population-based study conducted in Shiraz, southern Iran, from January 2014 to December 2015. Four groups including neonates, children aged 6 months to 3 years, 10- and 15-year-old children were included. Multi-monoclonal stool antibody test was used for diagnosis. Results: Among 436 participants, 24.8% (95% CI: 20.8–29.1) had a positive test for H. pylori: 25% in neonates (95% CI: 16.2–36.1), 22% in children aged 6 months to 3 years (95% CI: 15.2–30.2), 19.5% in the 10-year-old (95% CI: 12.3–29.4), and 29.2% in 15-year-old children (95% CI: 21–39). Sex, age, number of siblings, owning a pet, parents’ smoking status, parental education, residential area, birth weight, and feeding status were not found to be statistically significant predictors of H. pylori antigen positivity (P > 0.05). Conclusion: The prevalence of H. pylori was estimated to be low in southern Iran in comparison with previous reports or other developing countries. Preventive strategies with respect to low prevalence rates may be considered in the childhood period.
Evaluation of Iranian Medical Journals from the Perspective of Publication Ethics
Authors: Shamsi-Gooshki Ehsan , Bagheri Hasan , Salesi Mahmood
Published: October 2020

Background: Scientific journals will gain real credit when they meet publication ethics standards. This study seeks to evaluate the current status of medical journals’ adherence to some ethical standards. Methods: The 412 scientific journals approved by the Ministry of Health and Medical Education were included in this study. The process of downloading articles and data extraction for seven general and specific indicators related to publication ethics was conducted by trained researchers. Different methods were implemented by the team of colleagues to prevent possible errors in data extraction. After data integration, data analysis was performed using SPSS version 23. Results: Overall, 408 journals and 3948 articles met the inclusion criteria. The distribution of journals according to the highest journal index was 5.4%, 13.7%, 8.3%, 8.1% and 64.5% for ISI, ESCI, PubMed, Scopus and Other indexes, respectively. In 27.7% of the articles, the review process took over 6 months. According to the results, 6.6% and 31.7% of the articles belonged to the journals’ editors and owner universities, respectively. Journal self-citation was seen in 19.2% of articles and in fewer than half of the articles (45.5%), the status of conflict of interest was declared. In 36.9% of the articles, the code of ethics or university ethics committee approval, and in 36.5% of clinical trial articles, the clinical trial registration code was reported. Conclusion: Modifying processes or introducing new rules for indicators of publication ethics by trustee organizations can improve the current status. These seven indicators can also be used to rank journals.
Management of Patients with Liver Transplant and Chronic Liver Diseases During COVID-19 Pandemic: A Brief Review
Authors: Taher Mohammad , Miroliaee Arash , Ebrahimi Daryani Nasser , Alborzi Avanaki Foroogh , Aletaha Najmeh , Nasiri-Toosi Mohsen , Dashti Habibollah , Basirat Vahid , Jafarian Ali
Published: October 2020

The coronavirus associated disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus has rapidly spread all around the world and became pandemic in March 2020. Data on liver transplantation and chronic liver disease during the pandemic has remained scarce, and there is little information on whether immunosuppressed patients are at higher risk of developing severe COVID-19 infection. This review provides information for health care providers who care for patients with liver transplantation and chronic liver diseases.
DETERMINATION OF IMMERSION RESISTANCE OF THE CENTRAL DISC OF SEEDING SECTION AND ITS TECHNICAL SOLUTION
Authors: Zelikov Vladimir , Kozlov Vyacheslav , Zhilyakov A. , Kozlova Elena , Skrypnikov Aleksey , Gorbunov Aleksey
Published: October 2020

Nowadays, the methods of performing research in agricultural engineering, as well as the used equipment, have stepped forward. Many instruments for determining pressure, torque, travel speed, rotational speed, and so on, are based on the use of electrical impulses, magnetic fields and other fundamentals. As a rule, such devices are quite expensive and not always available. Therefore, in the field, researchers use strain gauge equipment, make strain gauge blocks, and calibrate them. Our task is to determine the resistance force of a flat disc sinking into the soil when the unit moves. Therefore, it was decided to develop and calibrate the installation for determining the immersion resistance force of the central disc of the seeding section. The article presents a diagram of a device for determining the immersion resistance force of the central disc of the seeding section, which made it possible to obtain experimental data and to find the dependence of the resistance force of a flat disc when deepening into the soil.
APPLICATION OF INSTRUMENTAL METHODS IN TRUNKS ASSESSMENT OF PINUS SYLVESTRIS L.
Authors: Runova Elena , Garus Ivan , Muhacheva Anastasiya
Published: October 2020

Assessment of stem wood quality in urban environment is relevant due to the fact that trees felled under increased wind load cause enormous damage to the city economy and lead to human losses. The aim of the study was to assess the viability of growing Scotch pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) trees using pulsed tomography and drilling resistance measurements. Research in coniferous forest plots included the development during the construction of the city. Arbotom® equipment of the German company RINNTECH was used to study the trunk by pulsed tomography. Drilling method was used (Resistograph® 4450 device) to estimate the relative density of the stem wood. A total of 20 model trees were examined: 10 trees each on 2 test plots. An instrumental-visual description was compiled for each tree: height and diameter, girth of the trunk at the root neck and at breast height, the shape and length of the crown, the shape of the trunk, the presence of visible defects in the trunk were visually determined. It was found that the average speed of sound pulse in the wood of the studied model trees fluctuates in the range of 1003-1349 m/s. The research based on the data of instrumental study of the quality of stem wood (Scots pine) at the age of 60-70 under the conditions of intense exposure to industrial emissions and recreational load. Zones of local wood destruction have been clearly defined in the structure of the density distribution. Comparison of the results (obtained by two different assessment methods of wood state at the same object) shows high degree of comparability. The parallel use of two measuring instruments in assessing the growing tree state increases the accuracy of the obtained data and enables more reliable determination of emergency trees, areas of their maximum destruction and, as a consequence, the most probable direction of tree fall.
THE PROBLEM TO IDENTIFY AND ASSIGN THE LOGGING OF EMERGENCY TREES IN THE TERRITORY OF STATE FOREST FUND
Authors: Tsaralunga Vladimir , Tsaralunga Anna , Korotkaya Anna
Published: October 2020

Abstract The studies to determine the qualitative and quantitative characteristics of pathologies on trees have carried out as a part of a survey of plantations along the Big Voronezh ecological trail. These characteristics are not taken into account in the guidance documents, but in fact they define these trees as emergency ones. In addition to stem rot and dangerous trunk slope, recommended by the instructions, trees with butt hollows, cancerous tumors on the trunk, splitting of the trunk and shriveled skeletal branches were taken into account. The collected material and its analysis showed that (in case of accounting for trees with such pathologies) the number of trees classified as emergency can increase by 62%. Among additional pathologies, butt hollows take the leading position. It is indicated that there is a number of pathologies fatal for trees found in other types of plantations (in addition to these pathologies characteristic of oak stands). It is concluded that the modern technique for identifying emergency trees is not perfect, since it does not take into account a significant number of tree pathologies that increase the likelihood of tree breaking off or falling out, which definitely makes such trees extremely dangerous.
Altın ve Gümüş Madenciliğinde Siyanür Kaynaklı Kimyasal Kazalarda Acil Durum Yönetimi Örneği
Authors: BÜYÜKKIDAN Bülent , GÜMÜŞ Hüseyin
Published: October 2020

Sürdürülebilir kalkınmanın temel hedeflerinden biri ham madde olarak kullanılan doğal kaynakların en az tahribatla kullanılması ve tahribatın onarılmasıdır. Yüksek ekonomik katkılı ve istihdam sağlayan bir sektör olan değerli metallerin kazanımı çevreyle doğrudan ilişkili bir alandır. Bu da doğada bazen istenmeyen kalıcı tahribatlara neden olmaktadır. Sağlıklı toplum sağlıklı bir çevreyle mümkün olacağından, çevre tahribatının azaltılması ve istenmeyen çevre kazaları karşısında hazırlıklı olunması elzemdir. Altın ve gümüş madenciliğinde günümüzde en ekonomik yöntem olarak kullanılan siyanürleme tekniğinin çevreye etkileri devam eden bir tartışma konusudur. Bununla ilgili abartılı veya tehlikeyi küçümseyici değerlendirmeler yapılmaktadır. Bu çalışmada altın-gümüş elde edilmesinde kullanılan ve atık barajlarında depolanan siyanürlü atıkların, Afet ve Acil Durum Yönetimi Başkanlığı’na (AFAD) bağlı Kimyasal Biyolojik Radyolojik Nükleer Tehditler (KBRN) birimi mevzuatına göre tehlike boyutu ve alınabilecek önlemler değerlendirilmektedir. Risk azaltma, hazırlık, müdahale ve iyileştirme uygulamalarından oluşan KBRN tehlikeleriyle mücadele adımlarının, siyanürlü baraj atıklarının çevreye dağılma tehlikesi karşısında nasıl uygulanması gerektiği tartışılmaktadır. 2011 yılında Kütahya sınırlarında bulunan gümüş işletmesinde atık barajının iç duvarlarının çökmesi sonucu siyanürlü atıkların etrafa dağılması tehlikesine karşı alınan tedbirler yaşanmış bir örnek olarak değerlendirilmektedir. Kriz masasının kurulması, tahliye planları, baraj duvarlarını güçlendirme faaliyetleri alınan tedbirlerden bazıları olup, çevre ve canlı sağlığına siyanürün etkileri ile öneriler verilmektedir. KBRN tehlike grubunda yer alan siyanürlü atıklara karşı öncelikle işletmenin sorumluluğundaki tedbirlerin alınması, çevre sakinleri ile iletişim halinde olunması, etkilenebilecek canlıların tespit edilmesi ve muhtemel senaryoların tahmin edilerek, gerekli hazırlıkların yapılmasına gerek duyulduğu varılan sonuçlardandır.
Working Capacity Research of Thrust Bearings of Motor-and-Tractor Engines
Authors: Антропов Б.С. , Капралов В.В. , Гумённый В.В. , Генералов В.А.
Published: October 2020

При эксплуатации автотракторной техники в двигателях периодически могут возникать такие неисправности, как задиры и провороты вкладышей в расточках шатунов и коренных опорах коленчатого вала, требующие капитального ремонта двигателей внутреннего сгорания (ДВС) с заменой, как правило, базовых деталей (блока цилиндров и коленчатого вала). Исследованием установлено, что причиной указанного дефекта являются твёрдые частицы (продукты износа деталей и абразивная пыль), попадающие в зазор «вкладыш – шейка коленчатого вала». Эти частицы нарезают кольцевые риски до бронзы на антифрикционном слое вкладышей, приводя к их нагреву и изменению их первоначальных размеров и в конечном итоге – к провороту вкладышей в постелях шатунов и коренных опорах коленчатого вала на блоке цилиндров. Избежать аварийного состояния двигателей в эксплуатации можно путём применения моторных масел в строгом соответствии с рекомендациями заводов-изготовителей и не допускать увеличения сроков замены масел, указанных в руководствах по эксплуатации.

During the operation of automotive equipment in engines, faults such as scuffings and cranks of bushes in the bores of connecting rods and in the main supports of crankshaft may periodically occur, requiring overhaul of internal combustion engines (ICE) with the replacement of as a rule basic parts (cylinder block and crankshaft). The research found that the reason for this defect is solid particles (parts wear products and abrasive dust) falling into the clearance "thrust bearing – crankshaft pin". These particles cut the annular marks to bronze on the antifriction layer of the thrust bearings leading to their heating and changing their original dimensions and ultimately to the turning of the thrust bearings in the beds of the connecting rods and the main supports of crankshaft on the cylinder block. It is possible to avoid the emergency situation of engines in operation by using engine oils in strict accordance with the recommendations of makers and to prevent an increase in the oil drain intervals specified in the operations manual.
Derivation of the Criterion Heat Transfer Equation for the Bakery Oven Heat Generator
by Numerical Three-Dimensional Modeling
Authors: Несиоловский О.Г. , Адакин Р.Д.
Published: October 2020

Рассмотрены вопросы передачи тепла в хлебопекарной печи от теплогенератора к вторичному холодному теплоносителю – воздуху, особенностью которого является высокая влажность. Передача тепла от теплогенератора к вторичному теплоносителю – сложный процесс. Несмотря на то, что по этой тематике написано много работ и проведено множество исследований, вопрос остаётся до сих пор не полностью изученным. Критериального уравнения, с помощью которого можно было бы определить числа Нуссельта для условий теплоотдачи к влажному теплоносителю, проходящему через шахматный пучок теплообменника, в источниках не представлено. С помощью трёхмерного численного моделирования воспроизведена виртуальная работа теплогенератора, в результате по полученным данным было выведено новое критериальное уравнение и получены коэффициенты теплоотдачи (α), позволяющие в конструктивном методе расчёта теплообменных аппаратов определить площадь теплоотдачи для условий влагосодержания в теплоносителе в интервале d = 0,1…0,6 кг влаги на 1 кг воздуха (в хлебопекарной печи другие условия влагосодержания не используются). Предлагаемое уравнение существенно повышает точность расчёта площади теплоотдачи самого теплогенератора, поскольку учитывает влияние влажности на процесс теплоотдачи.

The issues of heat transfer in the bakery oven from the heat generator to the secondary cold heat-conducting medium, the peculiarity of which is high humidity are considered. Heat transfer from the heat generator to the secondary heat-conducting medium is a complex process. Despite the fact that many works have been written on this topic and many researches have been carried out, the question remains still not completely understood. The sources do not provide a criterion equation by which the Nusselt numbers can be determined for the heat transfer conditions to the humid coolant passing through the staggered bundle of the heat exchanger. Using three-dimensional numerical modeling the virtual operation of the heat generator was reproduced, as a result according to the obtained data a new criterion equation was derived and heat transfer coefficients (α) were obtained allowing in the constructive method of calculating heat exchangers to determine the heat transfer area for moisture content conditions in the heat carrier in the range d = 0.1...0.6 kg of moisture per 1 kg of air (other moisture content conditions are not used in the bakery oven). The proposed equation significantly increases the accuracy of calculating the heat dissipation area of ​ ​ the heat generator itself since it takes into account the influence of humidity on the heat transfer process.
Simulation and Optimization of Contact Welding Using SORPAS® Software
Authors: Соцкая И.М. , Угловский А.С.
Published: October 2020

В системе SORPAS®метод конечных элементов используется для создания численных моделей, позволяющих моделировать процессы контактной сварки. Моделирование процессов сварки выполняется для определения (испытания) свариваемости новых материалов путём прогнозирования результатов, возникающих в ходе использования конкретных базовых материалов, электродных материалов и параметров процесса сварки. Моделирование является основой для более сложных задач, связанных с оптимизацией и проектированием сварочных процессов. Удобный графический интерфейс содержит автоматические процедуры, позволяющие подготовить входные данные, ускорить построение модели, выполнить численные расчёты (моделирование), а также представить результаты сварочных процессов. После выполнения моделирования программа позволяет отображать кривые параметров динамического процесса в зависимости от времени (например, формы напряжения, тока, мощности и сопротивления, изменения силы и хода электрода, увеличения диаметра сварного шва и т. д.). В процессе сварки система обеспечивает визуализацию распределения температуры, тока, напряжения, твёрдости, а также деформаций и напряжений во всех материалах (элементах данной модели).

The SORPAS®system uses the finite-element method to create numerical models enable to simulate contact welding processes. Simulation of welding processes is carried out to determine (test) the weldability of new materials by predicting the results arising during the use of specific base materials, electrode materials and parameters of the welding process. Simulation is the basis for more complex tasks related to the optimization and design of welding processes. The convenient graphic interface contains automatic procedures that allow you to prepare input data, speed up the model building, perform numerical calculations (modeling) and also present the results of welding processes. After the simulation the program allows you to display dynamic process parameter curves depending on time (for example, the shape of the voltage, current, power and resistance, changes in the force and stroke of the electrode, an increase in the diameter of the weld, etc.). During the welding process the system provides visualization of the distribution of temperature, current, voltage, hardness as well as deformations and stresses in all materials (elements of this model).
Effectiveness of Pre-incubation Treatment of Quail Eggs with an Aqueous Egg White Solution
Authors: Полторацкая А.В.
Published: October 2020

Изучено влияние прединкубационной обработки раствором перепелиного яичного белка на эмбриональное развитие, вывод и сохранность молодняка белого техасского перепела. Яйца, прошедшие первичный биологический контроль, были разделены на две группы – опытную и контрольную. После обработки 7%-ным раствором яичного белка яйца опытной группы одновременно с яйцами контрольной группы были заложены в инкубатор. Исследования проводились путём биологического контроля инкубационного яйца до и во время инкубации (внешний осмотр, взвешивание, овоскопирование), учёта результатов инкубации. Было установлено, что при применении предложенного раствора для обработки инкубационного яйца отмечается его положительное влияние на эмбриональное развитие, отмечено увеличение выводимости яиц и вывода молодняка до 66,67 и 53,33% соответственно. В первые пять дней после вывода сохранность молодняка в опытной группе оказалась ниже на 4,46%, при этом среднесуточный, абсолютный и относительный приросты выше. Рекомендуется использовать 7%-ный водный раствор перепелиного яичного белка в качестве дезинфицирующего средства при проведении прединкубационной обработки перепелиных яиц.

The influence of pre-incubation treatment with a solution of quail egg white on embryonic development, hatching and safety of young white Texas quail has been studied. Eggs that passed primary biological control were divided into two groups – experimental and control. After treatment with a 7% egg white solution, the eggs of the test group were laid in an incubator simultaneously with the eggs of the control group. The researches were carried out by biological control of the hatching egg before and during incubation (external inspection, weighing, candling), taking into account the results of incubation. It was found that when using the proposed solution for incubation egg treatment, its positive effect on embryonic development was noted, an increase in the hatchability of eggs and hatching of young animals was noted to 66.67 and 53.33% respectively. In the first five days after hatching the safety of young animals in the experimental group was 4.46% lower, while the average daily, absolute and relative gains were higher. It is recommended to use 7% aqueous solution of quail egg white as a disinfectant in the pre-incubation treatment of quail eggs.