bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Conventional High Precision Armaments in Contemporary Strategic Context
Authors: Anichkina T.
Published: May 2021

The paper covers the role and mission of high-precision non-nuclear weapons on short-/medium- and long-range delivery systems. The author makes an attempt to forecast the precision guided munitions prospects in terms of operational deployment and conceptualization, compares military and political potential of conventional and nuclear weapons. The paper also outlines key problem areas of political and technical nature impeding the further development of high-precision weapons programs.
«Impossible Trinity» in Era of Financial Globalization
Authors: Shishkov Y.
Published: May 2021

From the latter half of 1980s, an extensive shift in internationalization of financial sector started in the world economy. At that time, many financial operations lost touch with their original facility and began to run wild, far advancing the development of national and world commodity and services markets. The fundamental reason for such advance lies in the fact that the international capital migration allows its owners to increase revenues much easier and faster than the international trade. The rapid development of electronic telecommunications facility, which helps in performing financial operations in real-time mode and regardless of distance, plays in favor. That's why globalization in this sphere occurs much more actively than in the production of goods and services. In the estimation of experts, daily transactions on world currency, loan and financial markets 50 times exceed world goods trade dealings in costs.
Wages: Reaction to Crisis
Authors: Monusova G.
Published: May 2021

In the present article, with use of mathematical methods, the wages dynamics in OECD countries and in Russia in 2000–2009 is demonstrated; its connection with GDP changes is examined in the context of other labor market quantitative indices; the influence of labor market institutes on the rates of increase in wages during crisis is considered. The explanation of reasons for cross-country diversity in real wages dynamics is given. It is concluded, that in the recession period the wages in most countries preserved the katabasis rigidity.
Pandemic, Protests, Protectionism and Presidential Elections in the USA in 2020
Authors: Bogaevskaya O. , Borisova A. , Davydov A. , Desiatsky E. , Dmitriev S. , Zhuravleva V. , Kislitsyn S. , Kulakova V. , Chudinova K.
Published: May 2021

The article analyzes major trends in domestic, social, economic, trade and foreign policy of the USA in 2020. The last year of Donald Trump’s presidency became the most traumatic and unpredictable for the country. The COVID-19 pandemic dominated every process in the political, social and economic life of the American society and government. At the same time, it accentuated the main trends of the Trump foreign policy. Trump became the first president to be impeached twice, the 13th president who after being nominated by his party was not reelected by the society, the first president trying to fight both unknown epidemic and economic crisis during his reelection year, the first president who chose not to come to the inauguration of his successor, the first who made decisive steps to break with American-China interdependence and the first who openly declared that he put American interests above those of the other countries, even the allies. His presidency changed the USA deeply and the last year was the turning point in this transformation. He was the most polarized president and he left behind a deeply divided country. Trump spent his last year in the White House battling with the pandemic and fighting for power, and it highlighted how limited the capabilities of the American presidency are in the polarized system where political compromise between the parties is no longer possible. At the same time this last year pointed out a critical importance of a leader’s personality for politics in all spheres. In the time of deep polarization, foreign policy became the only sphere of possible compromise for the parties. Both Democrats and Republicans supported the economic instruments sponsored by Trump of ensuring American leadership in time of pandemic, despite his arrogant style so much criticized by the opposition. After four years of Trump’s presidency the policy of sanctions is considered an effective and long-lasting instrument to control the competitors and enhance the American influence. At the same time while the trend of confrontation became dominant during the Trump’s presidency and his policy of economic nationalism could have more distant and strategic consequences, the confrontation with key actors such as China demonstrated the limits of American power to influence and to control unilaterally both the global economic and political processes and the behavior of different actors. This article is a result of a collective multi-aspect research of transformations taking place in the US on a real time basis. The analysis is built methodologically on the systemic approach to studying American political, social and economic trends, both domestically and on international level.
Cell Penetrating Peptides: Applications in Tumor Diagnosis and Therapeutics
Authors: Stiltner Jeffrey William , McCandless Kayla Anne , Zahid Maliha
Published: May 2021

Since their identification over twenty-five years ago, the plethora of cell penetrating peptides (CPP) and their applications has skyrocketed. These 5 to 30 amino acid long peptides have the unique property of breaching the cell membrane barrier while carrying cargoes larger then themselves into cells in an intact, functional form. CPPs can be conjugated to fluorophores, activatable probes, radioisotopes or contrast agents for imaging tissues, such as tumors. There is no singular mechanism for translocation of CPPs into a cell, and therefore, many CPPs are taken up by a multitude of cell types, creating the challenge of tumor specific translocation and hindering clinical effectiveness. Varying strategies have been developed to combat this issue and enhance their diagnostic potential by derivatizing CPPs for better targeting by constructing specific cell activated forms. These methods are currently being used to image integrin expressing tumors, breast cancer cells, human histiocytic lymphoma and protease secreting fibrosarcoma cells, to name a few. Additionally, identifying safe, effective therapeutics for malignant tumors has long been an active area of research. CPPs can circumvent many of the complications found in treating cancer with conventional therapeutics by targeted delivery of drugs into tumors, thereby decreasing off-target side effects, a feat not achievable by currently employed conventional chemotherapeutics. Myriad types of chemotherapeutics such as tyrosine kinase inhibitors, anti-tumor antibodies and nanoparticles can be functionally attached to these peptides leading to the possibility of delivering established and novel cancer therapeutics directly to tumor tissue. While much research is needed to overcome potential issues with these peptides, they offer a significant advancement over current mechanisms to treat cancer. In this review, we present a brief overview of the research leading to identification of CPPs with a comprehensive state of the art review on the role of these novel peptides in both cancer diagnostics as well as therapeutics.
Food Enrichment with Glycyrrhiza Glabra Extract Suppresses ACE2 mRNA and Protein Expression in Rats – Possible Implications for COVID-19
Authors: Jezova Daniela , Karailiev Peter , Karailievova Lucia , Puhova Agnesa , Murck Harald
Published: May 2021

Angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) is a key entry point of SARS-CoV-2 virus known to induce COVID-19. We have recently outlined the concept to reduce ACE2 expression by the administration of glycyrrhizin, a component of Glycyrrhiza glabra extract, via its inhibitory activity on 11beta hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2 (11betaHSD2) and resulting activation of mineralocorticoid receptor (MR). We hypothesized that in organs, such as the intestine, which co-express 11betaHSD2, MR and ACE2, the expression of ACE2 would be suppressed. We studied organ tissues from an experiment originally designed to address the effects of Glycyrrhiza glabra extract on the stress response. Male Sprague Dawley rats were left undisturbed or exposed to chronic mild stress for five weeks. For the last two weeks, animals continued with a placebo diet or received a diet containing extract of Glycyrrhiza glabra root at a dose of 150 mg/kg of body weight/day. Quantitative PCR measurements showed a significant decrease in gene expression of ACE2 in the small intestine of rats fed with diet containing Glycyrrhiza glabra extract. This effect was independent of the stress condition and failed to be observed in non-target tissues, namely the heart and the brain cortex. In the small intestine we confirmed the reduction of ACE2 also at the protein level. Present findings provide first evidence to support the hypothesis that Glycyrrhiza glabra extract may reduce an entry point of SARS-CoV-2. Whether this phenomenon, when confirmed in additional studies, is linked to the susceptibility of cells to the virus requires further studies.
Transcriptome-wide Identification and Quantification of Caffeoylquinic Acid Biosynthesis Pathway and Prediction of their Putative BAHDs Gene Complex in A. spathulifolius
Authors: Park SeonJoo , Sivagami Jean Claude , Park Sunmi
Published: May 2021

The phenylpropanoid pathway is a major secondary metabolite pathway that helps plants overcome biotic and abiotic stress and produces various by-products that promote human health. Its byproduct, chloroquinic acid (CQA), is a soluble phenolic compound present in many angiosperms. Hy-droxycinnamate-CoA shikimate/quinate transferase(BAHDs superfamily enzyme) is a significant en-zyme that plays a role in accumulating CQA biosynthesis. This study analyzed transcriptome-wide identification of the phenylpropanoid to chloroquinic acid biosynthesis candidate genes in A. spathulifolius flowers and leaves. Transcriptomic analyses of the flowers and leaves showed a differential expression of the PPP and CQA biosynthesis regulated unigenes. An analysis of PPP captive unigenes revealed the following: the major duplication of the key enzyme, PAL, 120 unigenes in leaves and 76 in flowers; the gene encoding C3’H, 169 unigenes in leaves and 140 unigenes in flowers; duplicated unigenes of 4CL, 41 in leaves and 27 in flowers. In addition, C4H unigenes had 12 unigenes in the leaves of A. spathulifolius and four in the flowers. The characterization of the BAHDs superfamily members identified 82 in leaves and 72 in flowers. Among them, phylogenetic analysis showed that five unigenes encoded HQT and three en-coded HCT in A. spathulifolius. The three HQT are common to both leaves and flowers, whereas the two HQT were specialized for leaves. The pattern of HQT synthesis was upregulated in flowers, whereas HCT was expressed strongly in the leaves of A. spathulifolius. Overall, 4CL, C4H, and HQT are expressed strongly in flowers, and caffeic acid and HCT show more expression in leaves. Therefore, CQA biosynthesis occurs in the flowers of A. spathulifolius rather than leaves.
The Effect of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on the Quality and Interpretation of Financial Statements in the Hotels Classified in the AQABA Special Economic Zone (ASEZA)
Authors: Hamadneh Nawaf , Saleh Mousa , Jawabreh Omar , Tahir Muhammad , Al Omari Rania , Shniekat Nazem
Published: May 2021

The study aims to examine the effects of artificial intelligence (AI) on the consistency and analysis of financial statements in hotels in ASEZA, Jordan. This research is an exploratory, empirical study, which uses the methodology of data collection and interpretation to draw conclusions. The researchers used the arithmetic mean, standard deviation, T-test and ANOVA test to calculate the degree of significance of the study questions. The findings of a basic linear regression study of the impact of AI implemented in Jordanian hotels on the integration of accounting information systems and the association between AI and the integration of accounting information systems (R = 59.6%) also indicate that the fixed limit value amounted to (2.060) and the value of (Beta) for T-test
COGNITIVE DISORDERS ANALYSIS IN CHILDREN WITH DIABETES MELLITUS TYPE I DEPENDING ON THE STAGE OF THE DISEASE
Authors:   Stavropol State Medical University, BYKOV YURIY V.
Published: May 2021

The aim of the study was to estimation of possible cognitive deficits in adolescents with type I diabetes mellitus at different stages of the disease
MARKET RESEARCH ON PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT: ANTISEPTICS
Authors:   Bashkir State Medical University, IBRAGIMOVA GUZEL YA. , IKSANOVA GALINA R. ,   Bashkir State Medical University, MURATOLIEVA ANARBUU J. ,   Kyrgyz Medical Academy named after I. K. Akhunbayev
Published: May 2021

The aim of the research was to conduct a marketing study of antiseptic agents used for personal protection for infectious diseases, including COVID-19 in the setting of one subject of the Russian Federation.
EPIDEMIOLOGICAL STUDY OF EPILEPSY IN THE SETTLEMENT OF MASHTAGA OF THE REPUBLIC OF AZERBAIJAN
Authors:   Azerbaijan Medical University, MAGALOV SHARIF I. , MELIKOVA SHAHLA YA. ,   Azerbaijan Medical University, ASADOVA ULKER A. ,   Azerbaijan Medical University
Published: May 2021

An epidemiological study of epilepsy in the Mashtaga settlement of Sabunchu district of Baku, Azerbaijan Republic, has been conducted. The incidence and prevalence of epilepsy in different age groups of patients with epilepsy were studied.
COMPARISON OF LEFT VENTRICULAR CONTRACTILITY IN SILENT MYOCARDIAL ISCHEMIA BY ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY AND PERFUSION SCINTIGRAPHY
Authors:   Kazan Federal University, ABDRAKHMANOVA ALSU I. , TSIBULKIN NIKOLAY A. ,   Kazan State Medical Academy, AMIROV NAIL B. ,   Kazan State Medical University
Published: May 2021

The aim of the study was to compare the methods of echocardiography and single-photon emission computed tomography in assessing local left ventricular contractility in silent myocardial ischemia; to consider the possibility of comparing the data of echocardiography and single-photon emission computed tomography of myocardium in such patients.
Russian NFG, TNC and SOC of the oil and gas complex on the regional and world markets
Authors:   Southwest State University, Kuzmina Violetta , Parhomchuk Marina ,   Southwest State University, Minakova Irina ,   Southwest State University
Published: May 2021

The most powerful Russian NFG (national financial group) (Lukoil, Tatneft, Sibur Holding), transnational companies (TNCs) (Gazprom, Rosneft) and small oil companies (SOCs) (Sibir Energy PLC, West Siberian Resources) operate in the oil and gas complex. The oil and gas complex traditionally acts as a guarantor of the country’s energy security. The new economic conditions in 2021 are associated with a decrease in demand for oil and products from it, high dependence on imports, and the suspension of wells to complete a deal under OPEC ++, which will lead to a market drop by 3-10%. The purpose of the paper is to conduct a comparative analysis of Russian NFG, TNCs and SOCs in the regional and global oil and gas markets. The initial materials used to conduct the research were statistical data from the Center for Macroeconomic Analysis and Short-Term Forecasting, the Ministry of Economic Development of the Russian Federation, the Analytical Center under the Government of the Russian Federation and world rating reports. The pandemic and self-isolation of 2020 have led to a decrease in the intensity of global supply chains, affecting Russian NFGs, TNCs and SOCs in the oil and gas sector. The Russian oil and gas sector has lost 50-60% of its proceeds from the export of hydrocarbons, which is more than 50% of its capitalization. To support the industry, the Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation will have allocated RUB 35 billion by 2024. Today, Russian NFGs, TNCs and SOCs operate in conditions of a negative damper, contraction of the domestic market, reduction of crack spreads and restrictions on production growth. Therefore, the following is relevant for them: for NFGs - search for new sales markets (for example, Asia), for TNCs - the use of innovative technologies to maintain the profitability of oil and gas production, for SOCs - development of small deposits and deposits with hard-to-recover reserves. For TNC net importers of oil from the European Union, Japan, and Korea, the electromobilization process is a potential source of economic growth. European majors, such as BP, Equinor, Shell and Total, have set decarbonization goals, transforming from oil and gas to diversified energy companies.
Implementation of innovative digital technologies in the world
Authors:   Southwest State University, Ershova Irina , Obukhova Anna ,   Southwest State University, Belyaeva Olga ,   Southwest State University
Published: May 2021

The authors define the goals of digital transformation of countries, highlight the main distinctive elements of their digitalization and classify factors that affect the speed of digital transformation. They assess the development level of digital economy in Russia, Ukraine and developed countries in 2007-2020 according to the International Digital Economy and Society Index (I-DESI) and the Global Innovation Index (GII). The authors provide information about changes in the ranking of individual countries according to the GII and identify top ten countries in each group. The authors compare the most popular innovative technological trends, present the expected payback periods for investments in digital solutions in Russia and the world and determine the barriers that hinder the development of digitalization in the countries and companies. The conducted analysis shows that against the background of a significant slowdown in the global economic growth, there are concerns about a reduction in R&D, venture capital and intellectual property.
Risk management of sociocultural process: digital revolution
Authors:   Southwest State University, Mayakova Anna
Published: May 2021

Risks and threats play an important role in the development of the sociocultural sphere, while risk management makes it possible to identify and predict them. In this regard, it is relevant, expedient and necessary to undertake an attempt to adapt the economic methodology of risk management to the sociocultural process by means of socio-humanitarian revision of risk management and the formation of an integrated model of sociocultural risk management based on the relevant methodology. Such a model will provide an opportunity for a more detailed approach to the process of assessing and controlling the occurrence of risk, as well as increasing the predictability of potential risk based on the accumulated scientific and practical knowledge and previous experience. The approach to the problem proposed by the author will expand the theoretical and methodological base not only of socio-humanitarian science, but also innovation, general management theory and the risk management methodology itself. The purpose of the paper is to define the specifics and main trends of risk management in relation to the sociocultural process, as well as assess the possibilities of applying this methodology for managing and preventing sociocultural risks. Basing on sociocultural and interdisciplinary approaches, risk management techniques, crisis concepts and the socio-technical landscape of digital reality, an integrated risk management model was formed in relation to the socio-cultural process. It will create an effective mechanism for predicting risk and reducing its impact on the sociocultural process, focused on solving the problems of stabilization and development of objects and processes, and can also be used as a tool in the procedure for making and implementing decisions in strategic planning and project management. Based on the results of this study, a set of main trends in risk management will be formulated in relation to the sociocultural process. The authors of the paper consider the possibilities of using this methodology for managing and preventing sociocultural risks and form an integrated model of risk management in relation to the sociocultural process in the context of a digital revolution.
Improving the theoretical and methodological framework of the system for analyzing the balanced state of social and economic development of regions
Authors:   Southwest State University, Kovarda Vladimir
Published: May 2021

This paper reviews the results obtained by Russian and foreign researchers of the importance of balanced development of a region as an autonomous system. The author proposes an algorithm for generation of balanced regional development indicators as well as determination of «regional vitality index», provides an example of graphic representation of the results for the proposed method. Additionally, the paper contains the set of assumed indicators based on a social nature of the state. Regions, as used herein, are classified into balanced, socially oriented, and economically oriented, and strategic directions are defined on the basis of existing vector of development and regional vitality index, i. e. type of the region. Key takeaways and recommendations are listed in the conclusion. In particular, the results of determining the «region vitality factor» make it possible to estimate the level of regional social and economic development with the possibility of quantitatively calculating functional imbalances, determining (if any) the vector and magnitude of deformation. The consistency of the approach to the formation of blocks of indicators allows considering the key aspects of social and economic development of the region.
Use of public-private partnership for the implementation of innovative urban policy and formation of the adaptive territory
Authors:   Southwest State University, Vertakova Yulia , Babich Tatyana ,   Southwest State University, Lebedenko Olga ,   Southwest State University
Published: May 2021

The article substantiates the use of public-private partnership (PPP) in order to implement the innovative urban planning policy and create the adaptive territory aimed at the implementation of modern realities of development in the context of technological and social transformation of the economy. The authors of the paper have carried out a comparative analysis of the peculiarities of the implementation of the urban planning policy in individual countries, which made it possible to determine its main innovative directions in modern conditions and form a conceptual basis for the implementation of an innovative urban planning policy based on PPP, a distinctive feature of which is the integrated consideration of factors affecting urban planning activities, as well as the orientation of innovative projects towards the implementation of the adaptive territory approach that meets modern requirements and gives the greatest synergistic effect during its implementation. A comparative analysis of the use of public-private partnership. in urban planning activities in individual countries of the world has been carried out. As a result, an expert analysis methodology for the compliance of the PPP project with the goals and principles of the adaptive territory approach has been substantiated, based on the use of identified priorities for territorial development, a procedure for assessing the contribution of PPP subjects to solving problems of urban planning and calculating a compliance ratio. The proposed methodology makes it possible to comprehensively evaluate the results of the implementation of PPP projects both at the stage of completion and at the stage of project operation.
Commissioned educational and scientific works as a freelance activity: socio-economic aspects
Authors:   Southwest State University, Grimov Oleg
Published: May 2021

Nowadays, a large segment of shadow economy is related to educational and scientific works to order. It is characterized by significant demand. Special types of social and economic entities, their practices and interactions are formed in the structure of this market. However, meaningful characteristics of such employment are virtually unexplored. It can be noted that the place of this employment in the general context of freelance is not sufficiently studied. Its professional structure, its specifics and financial and economic characteristics, as well as social values and attitudes of performers of commissioned works, are not sufficiently studied. This paper is aimed at filling these gaps. The purpose of the paper is a socio-economic analysis of employment in preparing commissioned educational and scientific works. The results of the author’s sociological study (an expert survey of work performers, N = 48), as well as statistical and secondary sociological data are given. Social and economic parameters of preparing commissioned educational and scientific works are considered. An analysis of economic characteristics of commissioned educational and scientific works was carried out; a typology of motivations of this employment is given. The author concludes that preparation of commissioned works has social and economic attractiveness for performers in the general context of informal employment. Mechanisms for professionalization and continuation of this activity are being formed, which has an impact on market and educational institutions.
AIS data case study : quantifying connectivity for six Great Lakes port areas from 2015 through 2018
Authors: Kress Marin , Young David , Chambers Katherine , Scully Brandan
Published: May 2021

This Coastal and Hydraulics Engineering Technical Note (CHETN) presents results from a preliminary examination of commercial vessel traffic connectivity between six major port areas on the Great Lakes using Automatic Identification System (AIS) data collected from 2015 to 2018. The six port areas included in this study are Calumet Harbor, IL and IN; Cleveland, OH; Detroit, MI; Duluth-Superior, MN and WI; Indiana Harbor, IN; and Two Harbors, MN. These six locations represent an important subset of the more than 100 federally authorized navigation projects in the Great Lakes maintained by the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). The results are presented in the context of USACE resilience-related policy initiatives as well as the larger topic of maritime system resilience.
On the Accessibility of the Thing-in-itself: Kant’s Transcendentalism and Meillassoux’s Speculative Materialism
Authors:   Lomonosov Moscow state University, Girenok Fedor I.
Published: May 2021

Modern philosophy has shown an unexpected interest in materialism. Why is materialism attractive? Perhaps because of the simplicity of thought, or be­cause of the direct discernment of the truth? Among the new materialists stands out the figure of Meillassoux, who tried to justify the need to move from transcendental and phenomenological idealism to speculative material­ism. But the interest in materialism is even more unexpected among young russian researchers who became volunteers of speculative materialism without hesitation. What attracts them to materialism? The answer to this question can be obtained by analyzing the philosophy of Meillassoux. This article examines the speculative materialism of Meillassoux. His idea of contingency is com­pared with Kant’s idea of productive imagination a priori. As a result, the author concludes that Meillassoux has not found the answer to the question why laws are constant. The absolutization of factuality, on which Meillassoux insists, does not give positive knowledge about the absolute. The inconsistency of Meillassoux is that the absolute is always preceded by an anthropological process of absolutization. The author concludes that speculative materialism attracts by its theoretical simplicity, which, in turn, is based on the full and merciless deprivation the world of anthropological dimension. In the material­ism of K. Meillassoux, an inescapable longing for the absolute is expressed. The speculative materialists want to restore space and time to nature with the help of the absolute, forgetting that the dif­ference between things in them­selves and things for themselves is not based on the absolutization of time, but on the presence of subjectivity. Meillassoux refused subjectivity. He chose the absolute. For him, the subject of philosophy is not the existence of a per­son, but a certain “may-be”.
Personal Self-identity As an Aspect of Educational Space and Time
Authors:   Belarusian State University, Korol Andrei D.
Published: May 2021

The article implements a philosophical approach to the problems of education. The author sees the main problem in the fact that stereotyping and monologiza­tion of human behavior, thinking and communication in many ways are a conse­quence of the education system being monologue: most importantly, the content of education is viewed as a pedagogically adapted social experience transmitted to a student without taking into account his personal, cultural and historical background and other characteristics. The article debates that such a knowledge-transfer, subject-object nature of education leads to the expansion of the exter­nally specified content of education as the capacity of educational space. Most arguably, it does not take into account the student himself in education, his mis­sion, purpose, peculiarities, it creates preconditions for the loss of a person’s identity as an internal space which the author regards as the interaction of inter­nal forms, words and actions. Overloading the content of education at all its lev­els leads pedagogical science to the problems of pedagogical space and time. In his research, the author shows that the time for the student to create his own metasubject learning results differs from the time it takes for the student to ac­quire integrated, interdisciplinary “knowledge”. Based on the concept of “inter­nal forms” of a word (A.A. Potebnya, G.G. Shpet, P.A. Florensky, N.S. Avtono­mova), the author of the article considers dialogical communication as the nature of the student’s inner space which determines his self-identity. The author’s re­search shows that a heuristic dialogue, in which the questioning dominant in learning new things belongs to the student, and not the teacher, is the most im­portant tool for the formation and development of his inner space – the space of self-change, a condition for the conjugation of the “external” objective (histori­cal) time with the “internal” time – ahistorical, meta-time.
A Mathematical Model for Estimating Fracture Permeability with Invasion Damage of Formation Sand
Authors: Timiyan Tamaralayefa Ayemidi , Guo Boyun
Published: May 2021

Fracture packing is a well-known completion technique used in the hydraulic fracturing of low-permeability reservoirs. As much as fracture packs are very effective, the proppant-pack permeability damage formed from particle intrusion reduces that effectiveness because it causes low well productivity. It is important to address the issue of permeability damage caused by formation-particle intrusion. An analytical model was developed in this study to predict the permeability of proppant packs in hydraulic fractures with consideration of different levels of invasion damage of formation sand. The accuracy of the model was verified by model comparison with data from the Eagle Ford Shale field. The model result shows that for the Eagle Ford field and the corresponding proppant size used, three blocking levels were achieved that correspond to high proppant-pack permeability. Three case studies were considered in this study: California sand, Gulf Coast sand, and South China Sea silt. The proppant-pack permeability damage was calculated using the analytical model for three levels of invasion for all case studies. The results from applying the analytical model on the three case studies showed the amount of invasion that is possible in each sand according to the proppant size used. The level of invasion is a factor of the sand distribution and the initial proppant size chosen. More analysis showed that for two of the case studies, only Levels 1 and 2 blockings can develop, while for the last case study, three blocking levels considered can develop. This study, for the first time, gives an insight into how selecting the optimal proppant size can improve sand-control performance while enhancing fracture conductivity.
Modeling and Formal Analysis of Meta-Ecosystems with Dynamic Structure using Graph Transformation.
Authors: Flotterer Boris , Maximova Maria , Schneider Sven , Dyck Johannes , Zöllner Christian , Giese Holger , Hély Christelle , Gaucherel Cédric
Published: May 2021

The dynamics of ecosystems is of crucial importance. Various model-based approaches exist to understand and analyze their internal effects. In this paper, we model the space structure dynamics and ecological dynamics of meta-ecosystems using the formal technique of Graph Transformation (short GT). We build GT models to describe how a meta-ecosystem (modeled as a graph) can evolve over time (modeled by GT rules) and to analyze these GT models with respect to qualitative properties such as the existence of structural stabilities. As a case study, we build three GT models describing the space structure dynamics and ecological dynamics of three different savanna meta-ecosystems. The first GT model considers a savanna meta-ecosystem that is limited in space to two ecosystem patches, whereas the other two GT models consider two savanna meta-ecosystems that are unlimited in the number of ecosystem patches and only differ in one GT rule describing how the space structure of the meta-ecosystem grows. In the first two GT models, the space structure dynamics and ecological dynamics of the meta-ecosystem shows two main structural stabilities: the first one based on grassland-savanna-woodland transitions and the second one based on grassland-desert transitions. The transition between these two structural stabilities is driven by high-intensity fires affecting the tree components. In the third GT model, the GT rule for savanna regeneration induces desertification and therefore a collapse of the meta-ecosystem. We believe that GT models provide a complementary avenue to that of existing approaches to rigorously study ecological phenomena.
Isolation, purification and identification of biological compounds from Beauveria sp. and their evaluation as insecticidal effectiveness against Bemisia tabaci
Authors: An Ran , Ahmed Maqsood , Li Haiyan , Wang Yanbin , Zhang Aimin , Bi Yuhui , Yu Zhiguo
Published: May 2021

Bemisia tabaci is one of the most notorious agricultural pests in the world. A vicious circle among insect resistance, dose increased, environment and human body impaired as the overuse of synthetic pesticides are becoming increasingly evident. Entomopathogenic Beauveria sp. is known as an effective natural enemy to control B. tabaci. Therefore, this study aimed to purify and identify the biological compounds from Beauveria sp. LY2 via extensive chromatographic techniques, NMR and MS and evaluated for their insecticidal activities against B. tabaci via contact and feeding assay. The outcome identified that one new cerebroside, cerebroside F (1), nine known compounds, cerebroside B (2), bassiatin (3), methyl 1,4-dihydro-4-oxo-2-quinolinecarboxylate (4), cerevisterol (5), 9-hydroxycerevisterol (6), 6-dehydrocerevisterol (7), (22E,24R)-ergosta-8(14),22-diene-3β,5α,6β,7α-tetrol (8), melithasterol B (9) and ergosterol peroxide (10) were isolated. Among the known compounds, methyl 1,4-dihydro-4-oxo- 2-quinolinecarboxylate (4) was isolated from natural origin for the first time. It is evident from the results that compounds 3, 4 and 7 strongly featured insecticidal activities against B. tabaci, being the LC50 value as 10.59, 19.05, 26.59 μg/mL respectively in contact as well as 11.42, 5.66, 5.65 μg/mL respectively in feeding experiment. Moreover, no adverse effect on plant growth/height or phytotoxicity was observed on pepper, cucumber, tomato and cotton. The data from the current study has provided the foundation for the use of newly purified compounds against Bemisia tabaci as an alternative to synthetic chemical compounds.
The viral accelerated NF-κB pathway drives COVID-19-associated coagulopathy via excessive transcription of tissue factor and plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 – case report
Authors: Leitzke Marco , Schönknecht Peter
Published: May 2021

Background: The current COVID-19 pandemic creates new clinical challenges almost daily, especially in terms of individual prognoses, diagnostics involving newly discovered pathogenic mechanisms, and the appearance of SARS-CoV-2 mutations. In terms of the thromboembolic complications frequently occurring in COVID-19 patients, there is new evidence that pathognomonic COVID-19-associated coagulopathy (CAC) differs considerably from the coagulant malfunction of common disseminated intravascular coagulation. Thus, bleeding is a rare complication in the initial stages of the disease, whereas thrombotic formations can be seen autopticly in the vasculature of several organs. Therefore, it is speculated that most thromboembolic complications are thrombotic rather than embolic, and CAC is more likely to be a pro-coagulant form of coagulopathy. The reasons for these key differences have remained unknown until very recently. The relationship between SARS-CoV-2 infection and the virus-related acceleration of the transcriptional nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB)-pathway, with the accompanied excessive downstream release of NF-κB-dependent proteins, is undisputed. Therefore, the roles of the NF-κB-transcribed anti-fibrinolytic plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI 1) and NF-κB-dependent tissue factor (TF) have become worthy of attention. Inappropriate TF action results in enhanced fibrin clot formation, whereas overexpression of PAI 1 prevents appropriate fibrinolytic reactions. CAC is interpreted as critically contributing to overall COVID-19 pathology and is most likely an independent risk factor for mortality.
Case report: A 49-year-old male patient was admitted for initially non-specific signs of a previously detected SARS-CoV-2 infection. Despite antibiotic and anti-inflammatory, anticoagulant such as respiratory-supporting therapy, respiratory and inflammatory parameters deteriorated continuously. The COVID-19 specific procoagulant hemostatic disarrangement deteriorated concordantly with the inflammatory parameters. Finally, a pulmonary arterial obstruction was detected, and an ultima ratio veno-pulmonary arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) was carried out, which required additional anticoagulatory management. The next day, multiple intracerebral bleeding led to the death of the patient.
Conclusions: The usual anticoagulatory management is unlikely to avoid intravascular clot formation without developing severe bleeding complications. The ventilation-related acceleration of NF-κB pathway should be limited, as should procoagulatory blood flow interventions. In order to limit the excessive transcription of NF-κB-dependent procoagulant/anti-fibrinolytic proteins with vagus nerve stimulation should be considered as a therapeutic tool.
Using Fuzzy-Rough Subset Evaluation for Feature Selection and Naive Bayes to Classify the Parkinson’s Disease
Authors: LANBARAN Naiyer Mohammadi , Çelik Ercan
Published: May 2021

Feature selection is one of the issues in machine learning as well as statistical pattern recognition. This is important in many fields (such as classification) because there are many features in these areas, many of which are either unused or have little information load. Not eliminating these features does not make a problem in terms of information, but it does increase the computational burden for the intended application. Besides, it causes to store of so much useless information along with useful data. A problem for machine learning research occurs when there are many possible features with few attributes of training data. One way is to first specify the best attributes for prediction and then to classify features based on a measure of their dependence. In this study, the Fuzzy- Rough subset evaluation has been used to take features in core of similar features. Fuzzy-rough set-based feature selection (FS) has been demonstrated to be extremely advantageous at reducing dataset size but has various problems that yield it unproductive for big datasets. Fuzzy- Rough subset evaluation algorithm indicates that the techniques greatly decrease dimensionality while keeping classification accuracy. This paper considers classifying attributes by using fuzzy set similarity measures as well as the dependency degree as a relatedness measure. Here we use Artificial Neural Network, Naïve Bayes as classifiers, and the performance of these techniques are compared by accuracy, precision, recall, and F-measure metrics.
Breast Cancer-Related Apps in Google Play and App Store: Evaluate of Their Functionality and Quality
Authors: AYDIN Aydanur , GÜRSOY Ayla
Published: May 2021

Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the functionality and quality of breast cancer-related apps which can be accessed from Turkey. Methods: The research covers 707 mobile applications, which were searched using the keywords "cancer", "oncology" and "breast cancer" in Google and App store stores between January and June 2019. The quality of apps was assessed with the user version of the Mobile App Rating Scale (MARS). Results: Mobile applications focus on communication, education and treatment order / plan categories. The average MARS quality score for applications in all of the two stores was determined as 3.42. According to the average score of the scale sub-dimensions; It was seen that they were ranked as functionality, aesthetics, information quality and participation. MARS scale sub-groups were listed as functionality, aesthetics, knowledge quality, and participation. Conclusion: e-Health is a subject that has just started to be used actively in health. Although basic information about breast cancer was used, information on prevention, early diagnosis and precautions was relatively limited and was not personalized. Support from healthcare professionals and further efforts should be made to develop evidence-based breast cancer knowledge and innovative technology and applications regarding cancer. Implications for practice: e-Health technologies are a good tool in breast cancer, but appear to lack evidence-based content and individual specific areas such as age and education level.
Use of Organomineral at Fertilization of Beans in the Midwest Region of Brazil
Authors: Almeida Verediana Rosa , Carneiro Gisele , Teixeira Itamar Rosa , Vieira Jonas , Mozena Wilson , Almeida Renato Rosa
Published: May 2021

This study aimed to evaluate the nutrition and yield of common bean according to the application of different doses of organomineral formulations (OMF), using filter cake as a basic organic compound in the presence and absence of nitrogen. The experiments was implemented and conducted in June "autumn/winter season" and November "rainy season" of the 2018 e 2018/2019 harvest, respectively. A randomized block design was used in a 6 x 2 factorial scheme, with four replications. The treatments were composed of six organomineral formulation doses: (0, 30, 60, 90, 120, and 150 kg ha− 1), with and without the addition of a nitrogen dose of 40 kg ha− 1, using urea as the mineral source. It was concluded that the organomineral fertilizer based on filter cake showed greater absorption of macronutrients N and K, an increase in the 100-grain weight, number of grains per pod, number of pods per plant, and grain yield in comparison with the absence of fertilization or mineral fertilizers, highlighting the doses of 90 and 150 kg ha− 1. The use of OMFs is a viable alternative with great potential for soil fertilization in agricultural production, besides the environmental sustainability generated by their inclusion in the production cycle of common bean.
L-ergothioneine and Metformin Alleviates Liver Injury in Experimental Type-2 Diabetic Rats via Reduction of Oxidative Stress, Inflammation, and Hypertriglyceridemia
Authors: Dare Ayobami , Channa Mahendra , Nadar Anand
Published: May 2021

Diabetic-induced liver toxicity is a serious complication that cause significant metabolic dysfunction. L-ergothioneine (L-egt) is a bioactive nutraceutical obtained from mushrooms and certain food products, with reported cytoprotective, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and potential to improve efficacy of existing therapy. Thus, this study evaluates the effects of L-egt, and/or metformin, on diabetes-induced liver injury. Diabetes was induced in male Sprague-Dawley rats using 10% fructose for two weeks, followed by a single low dose streptozotocin (STZ, 40 mg/kg i.p) injection. After induction of diabetes, animals were treated either with de-ionized water (DW), L-egt (35 mg/kg bwt), metformin (500 mg/kg bwt), or a combination of L-egt and metformin orally for seven weeks. Body weight and glucose were monitored during the experiment. At the completion of experiment, blood samples were collected, and liver tissue was excised for biochemical analysis, enzyme-link immunosorbent assay (ELISA) of various liver function biomarkers, reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) analysis of genes associated with inflammation, oxidative stress, and lipid metabolism, as well as histopathological evaluation. Diabetic animals showed liver hypertrophy, increased liver injury, hepatic triglycerides, oxidative stress, and hepatic inflammation. However, L-egt, and/or metformin, improved glycemic control, reduced liver injury, triglycerides, oxidative damage, inflammatory injury, and normalize liver histology by upregulating Nrf2/Sirt1, downregulate NF-kB/TGF-B1, and reduce SREBP1c/FAS expression. In conclusion, these results showed that combination of L-egt and metformin improve therapeutic efficacy than either treatment alone. Thus, L-egt can be used as an adjuvant to mitigate diabetes-induced liver complication.