bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Clinical Applications of Cell-Scaffold Constructs for Bone Regeneration Therapy
Authors: Venkataiah Venkata Suresh , Yahata Yoshio , Kitagawa Akira , Inagaki Masahiko , Kakiuchi Yusuke , Nakano Masato , Suzuki Shigeto , Handa Keisuke , Saito Masahiro
Published: October 2021

Bone tissue engineering (BTE) is a process of combining live osteoblast progenitors with a biocompatible scaffold to produce a biological substitute that can integrate into host bone tissue and recover its function. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are the most researched post-natal stem cells because they have self-renewal properties and a multi-differentiation capacity that can give rise to various cell lineages, including osteoblasts. BTE technology utilizes a combination of MSCs and biodegradable scaffold material, which provides a suitable environment for functional bone recovery and has been developed as a therapeutic approach to bone regeneration. Although prior clinical trials of BTE approaches have shown promising results, the regeneration of large bone defects is still an unmet medical need in patients that have suffered a significant loss of bone function. In this present review, we discuss the osteogenic potential of MSCs in bone tissue engineering and propose the use of immature osteoblasts, which can differentiate into osteoblasts upon transplantation, as an alternative cell source for regeneration in large bone defects.
SEA and GATOR 10 Years Later
Authors: Loissell-Baltazar Yahir A. , Dokudovskaya Svetlana
Published: October 2021

The SEA complex was described for the first time in yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae ten years ago, and its human homologue GATOR complex two years later. During the past decade, many advances on the SEA/GATOR biology in different organisms have been made that allowed its role as an essential upstream regulator of the mTORC1 pathway to be defined. In this review, we describe these advances in relation to the identification of multiple functions of the SEA/GATOR complex in nutrient response and beyond and highlight the consequence of GATOR mutations in cancer and neurodegenerative diseases.
Myricetin 3-O-β-D-Galactopyranoside Exhibits Potential Anti-Osteoporotic Properties in Human Bone Marrow-Derived Mesenchymal Stromal Cells via Stimulation of Osteoblastogenesis and Suppression of Adipogenesis
Authors: Karadeniz Fatih , Oh Jung Hwan , Jo Hyun Jin , Seo Youngwan , Kong Chang-Suk
Published: October 2021

Natural bioactive substances are promising lead compounds with beneficial effects on various health problems including osteoporosis. In this context, the goal of this study was to investigate the effect of myricetin 3-O-β-D-galactopyranoside (M3G), a glycoside of a known bioactive phytochemical myricetin, on bone formation via osteogenic differentiation of human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (hBM-MSCs). The hBM-MSCs were induced to differentiate into osteoblasts and adipocytes in the presence or absence of M3G and the differentiation markers were analyzed. Osteoblastogenesis-induced cells treated with M3G exhibited stimulated differentiation markers: cell proliferation, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, and extracellular mineralization. In terms of intracellular signaling behind the stimulatory effect of M3G, the expression of RUNX2 and osteopontin transcription factors were upregulated. It has been shown that M3G treatment increased the activation of Wnt and BMP as a suggested mechanism of action for its effect. On the other hand, M3G treatment during adipogenesis-inducement of hBM-MSCs hindered the adipogenic differentiation shown as decreased lipid accumulation and expression of PPARγ, SREBP1c, and C/EBPα, adipogenic transcription factors. In conclusion, M3G treatment stimulated osteoblast differentiation and inhibited adipocyte differentiation in induced hBM-MSCs. Osteoblast formation was stimulated via Wnt/BMP and adipogenesis was inhibited via the PPARγ pathway. This study provided necessary data for further studies to utilize the therapeutic potential of M3G against osteoporosis via regulation of bone marrow stromal cell differentiation.
Maternal B Cell-Intrinsic MyD88 Signaling Mediates LPS-Driven Intrauterine Fetal Death
Authors: Busse Mandy , Plenagl Susanne , Campe Norina Kim Jutta , Müller Andreas J. , Tedford Kerry , Schumacher Anne , Zenclussen Ana Claudia
Published: October 2021

Immunological networks balance tolerance towards paternal alloantigens during pregnancy with normal immune response to pathogens. Subclinical infections can impact this balance and lead to preterm birth or even intrauterine fetal death (IUFD). We recently showed that loss of maternal B cells renders murine fetuses susceptible to IUFD after LPS exposure. Since the signaling pathway involved in this B-cell mediated response remains unclear, we aimed to understand the participation of MyD88 in this response using B-cell-specific MyD88-deficient (BMyD88-/-) mice. B cells isolated from wild-type (WT), BMyD88-/-, CD19-/- and MyD88-/- dams on gestational day (gd) 10 responded differently to LPS concerning cytokine secretion. In vivo LPS challenge on gd 10 provoked IUFD in CD19-/- mothers with functional MyD88, while fetuses from BMyD88-/- and MyD88-/- mice were protected. These outcomes were associated with altered cytokine levels in the maternal serum and changes in CD4+ T-cell responses. Overall, the loss of MyD88 signaling in maternal B cells prevents the activation of cytokine release that leads to IUFD. Thus, while MyD88 signaling in maternal B cells protects the mother from infection, it ultimately kills the fetus. Understanding the cellular mechanisms underlying infection-driven pregnancy complications is the first step to designing powerful therapeutic strategies in the future.
COVID-19 in Multimorbid Patients—A Controlled Microcost Description Analysis of Diagnosis Related Group (DRG)-Case Series in Acute Care without Non-Invasive Ventilation
Authors: Romeyke Tobias , Stummer Harald
Published: October 2021

Diagnosis-related cost analyzes are important for health economic planning and decision-making. They form the basis for further developing of remuneration systems for health services. The rapid increase in hospital stays by COVID-19 patients requires a valid and exact calculation of the treatment costs. COVID-19 patients with many accompanying illnesses increase the requirements for a cost calculation. The focus of this work is to carry out a DRG-related micro-cost analysis, considering the age, length of stay and comorbidities of COVID-19 patients. So far, there is little information about treatment costs for multimorbid patients with COVID-19 who have not received invasive ventilation. The method is based on a standardized cost unit calculation for determining the treatment costs in a German hospital. The costs (€) of inpatients treated with COVID-19 were compared with a control group of the same DRGs of patients without COVID-19. The average total costs for inpatient treatment were €2866. The highest share of costs falls on nursing, personnel, and material costs of the non-medical infrastructure. Frequent comorbidities were heart failure, diabetes mellitus, other respiratory diseases, dizziness, and impairment of the musculoskeletal system.
Development of Dithieno[3,2-b:2′,3′-d]thiophene (DTT) Derivatives as Solution-Processable Small Molecular Semiconductors for Organic Thin Film Transistors
Authors: Choi Eunjin , Jang Yuhyeon , Ho Dongil , Chae Wookil , Earmme Taeshik , Kim Choongik , Seo SungYong
Published: October 2021

Novel solution-processable dithieno[3,2-d:2′,3′-d]thiophene (DTT) derivatives with alkylated thiophene or alkyl chain substituents, 2,6-bis(5-octylthiophen-2-yl)dithieno[3,2-b:2′,3′-d]thiophene (compound 1), 2,6-bis(5-(2-ethylhexyl)thiophen-2-yl)dithieno[3,2-b:2′,3′-d]thiophene (compound 2), and 2,6-dioctyldithieno[3,2-b:2′,3′-d]thiophene (compound 3), have been synthesized and employed as small molecular organic semiconductors for organic field-effect transistors (OFETs). All compounds exhibited good thermal stability over 290 °C, while different side groups of DTT compounds afforded different melting temperatures. The molecular orbital energy levels were experimentally and theoretically calculated, and their trend was almost the same. The developed compounds were employed as active layers for top-contact/bottom-gate OFETs with average charge carrier mobility as high as 0.10 cm2/Vs and current on/off ratio > 107 in ambient atmosphere. Notably, DTT derivative with linear alkyl chain (-octyl) substituents showed the best device performance. High device performance could be attributed to the large grains and continuous surface coverages as well as high film texture of the corresponding semiconductor films.
Hybrid Zinc-Based Multilayer Systems with Improved Protective Ability against Localized Corrosion Incorporating Polymer-Modified ZnO or CuO Particles
Authors: Boshkova Nelly , Kamburova Kamelia , Radeva Tsetska , Boshkov Nikolai
Published: October 2021

Localized corrosion and biofouling cause very serious problems in the marine industries, often related to financial losses and environmental accidents. Aiming to minimize the abovementioned, two types of hybrid Zn-based protective coatings have been composed. They consist of a very thin underlayer of polymer-modified ZnO or CuO nanoparticles and toplayer of galvanic zinc with a thickness of ~14 µm. In order to stabilize the suspensions of CuO or ZnO, respectively, a cationic polyelectrolyte polyethylenimine (PEI) is used. The polymer-modified nanoparticles are electrodeposited on the steel (cathode) surface at very low cathodic current density and following pH values: 1/CuO at pH 9.0, aiming to minimize the effect of aggregation in the suspension and dissolution of the CuO nanoparticles; 2/ZnO at pH 7.5 due to the dissolution of ZnO. Thereafter, ordinary zinc coating is electrodeposited on the CuO or ZnO coated low-carbon steel substrate from a zinc electrolyte at pH 4.5–5.0. The two-step approach described herein can be used for the preparation of hybrid coatings where preservation of particles functionality is required. The distribution of the nanoparticles on the steel surface and morphology of the hybrid coatings are studied by scanning electron microscopy. The thickness of the coatings is evaluated by a straight optical microscope and cross-sections. The protective properties of both systems are investigated in a model corrosive medium of 5% NaCl solution by application of potentiodynamic polarization (PDP) curves, open circuit potential (OCP), cyclic voltammetry (CVA), and polarization resistance (Rp) measurements. The results obtained allow us to conclude that both hybrid coatings with embedded polymer-modified CuO or ZnO nanoparticles ensure enhanced corrosion resistance and protective ability compared to the ordinary zinc.
Effect of Recycled Aggregate Carrying Sulfate Corrosion Media on Drying and Autogenous Shrinkage of Mortar
Authors: Yan Xiaohui , Tian Yaogang , Lu Xin , Jiang Jing , Qi Lin , Zhang Mengyuan
Published: October 2021

In this study, the effects of recycled sand (RS) carrying sulfate corrosion media on mortar drying and autogenous shrinkages were investigated. Four variables were considered, the replacement percentage of RS, water to cement (W/C) ratio, secondary cementitious material, and the corrosion concentration of RS. The test results indicated that the replacement percentage of RS was positively related to the drying and autogenous shrinkages of the mortar. The drying shrinkage of the mortar increased with an increase in the W/C ratio, while the autogenous shrinkage showed an opposite trend. The addition of fly ash (FA) had a significant inhibitory effect on the drying and autogenous shrinkages of the mortar. The drying shrinkage of the mortar was reduced, while the autogenous shrinkage was increased by adding granulated blast-furnace slag (GBFS). The addition of both FA and GBFS caused an increase in the autogenous shrinkage. As the corrosion concentration of RS increased, the drying and autogenous shrinkage values decreased slightly. The scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction analysis results showed that the corrosion products formed by the reaction of sulfate ions carried by RS and cement hydration products filled the internal pores of the mortar and slowed down the shrinkage of the mortar.
Mesomorphic and Thermal Behavior of Symmetric Bent-Core Liquid Crystal Compounds Derived from Resorcinol and Isophthalic Acid
Authors: Ciobanu Catalina Ionica , Berladean Iulian , Epure Elena-Luiza , Simion Aurel , Lisa Gabriela , Boussoualem Yahia , Carlescu Irina
Published: October 2021

Bent-core liquid crystals (BCLC) have been widely studied as a result of their unusual polar and chiral properties. Similar to calamitic and discotic molecules, BCLC molecules also exhibit nematic phases, besides other higher order mesophases. The aim of this work is to comparatively analyze the mesomorphic behavior of some bent-core 1,3-disubstituted benzene core compounds derived from resorcinol and isophthalic acid. Thus, the two classes of compounds differ in the nature of the orientation of the ester bond between the benzene central core and the two branches attached to the core. The mesomorphic behavior was elucidated by polarized light optical microscopy and differential calorimetry. Given the relatively high isotropic points of the compounds, confirmation of the thermal stability in the domains manifesting liquid crystalline properties was performed by thermogravimetric studies. The theoretical explanation of the difference in mesomorphic behavior for the two classes was based on molecular modeling studies.
The Role of a Navigational Radiofrequency Ablation Device and Concurrent Vertebral Augmentation for Treatment of Difficult-to-Reach Spinal Metastases
Authors: Pusceddu Claudio , De Francesco Davide , Melis Luca , Ballicu Nicola , Fancellu Alessandro
Published: October 2021

Aims: The purpose of this study was to assess the effectiveness of a navigational radiofrequency ablation device with concurrent vertebral augmentation in the treatment of posterior vertebral body metastatic lesions, which are technically difficult to access. Primary outcomes of the study were evaluation of pain palliation and radiologic assessment of local tumor control. Materials and Methods: Thirty-five patients with 41 vertebral spinal metastases involving the posterior vertebral body underwent computed tomography-guided percutaneous targeted radiofrequency ablation, with a navigational radiofrequency ablation device, associated with vertebral augmentation. Twenty-one patients (60%) had 1 or 2 metastatic lesions (Group A) and fourteen (40%) patients had multiple (>2) vertebral lesions (Group B). Changes in pain severity were evaluated by visual analog scale (VAS). Metastatic lesions were evaluated in terms of radiological local control. Results: The procedure was technically successful in all the treated vertebrae. Among the symptomatic patients, the mean VAS score dropped from 5.7 (95% CI 4.9–6.5) before tRFA and to 0.9 (95% CI 0.4–1.3) after tRFA (p < 0.001). The mean decrease in VAS score between baseline and one week follow up was 4.8 (95% CI 4.2–5.4). VAS decrease over time between one week and one year following radiofrequency ablation was similar, suggesting that pain relief was immediate and durable. Neither patients with 1–2 vertebral metastases, nor those with multiple lesions, showed radiological signs of local progression or recurrence of the tumor in the index vertebrae during a median follow up of 19 months (4–46 months) and 10 months (4–37 months), respectively. Conclusion: Treatment of spinal metastases with a navigational radiofrequency ablation device and vertebral augmentation can be used to obtain local tumor control with immediate and durable pain relief, providing effective treatment in the multimodality management of difficult-to-reach spinal metastases.
Open Globe Injuries: Classifications and Prognostic Factors for Functional Outcome
Authors: Mayer Christian Steffen , Reznicek Lukas , Baur Isabella Diana , Khoramnia Ramin
Published: October 2021

This paper explored epidemiology and evaluation of posterior segment involvement as prognostic factors for functional outcome of patients with open globe injuries. A retrospective analysis of 151 patients with open globe injuries was conducted. Pre- and postoperative-corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA), epidemiologic data, classification of the injuries including the ocular trauma score (OTS), performed surgeries, intraocular pressure (IOP) and correlation analyses between OTS and postoperative CDVA were obtained. A total of 147 eyes were included in the study. Mean age was 42.9 ± 22.2 years, 78.2% were male, and 36.7% of injuries occurred in the workplace. Thirty-eight patients (25.9%) had intraocular foreign bodies. Concerning injury location, 51.7% of the injuries were located in zone I (cornea, corneoscleral limbus), 15.0% in zone II (up to 5 mm posterior the sclerocorneal limbus) and 32.0% in zone III (posterior of zone 2). Affected structures were eyelids (17.7%), cornea (74.8%), iris (63.9%), lens (56.5%), sclera (48.3%), retina (47.6%) and optic nerve (19.7%). Mean preoperative CDVA was 1.304 ± 0.794 logMAR and 1.289 ± 0.729 logMAR postoperatively (p = 0.780). Patients with posterior segment involvement had significantly worse postoperative CDVA than patients without (1.523 ± 0.654 logMAR vs. 0.944 ± 0.708 logMAR, p < 0.01). Predictive factors for good visual outcome of open globe injuries are good initial CDVA and ocular trauma affecting only zone I and II.
Discovering the Molecular Landscape of Meningioma: The Struggle to Find New Therapeutic Targets
Authors: Maggio Ilaria , Franceschi Enrico , Di Nunno Vincenzo , Gatto Lidia , Tosoni Alicia , Angelini Daniele , Bartolini Stefania , Lodi Raffaele , Brandes Alba Ariela
Published: October 2021

Meningiomas are the most common primary CNS tumors. They are usually benign but can present aggressive behavior in about 20% of cases. The genetic landscape of meningioma is characterized by the presence (in about 60% of cases) or absence of NF2 mutation. Low-grade meningiomas can also present other genetic alterations, particularly affecting SMO, TRAF7, KLF4 AKT1 and PI3KCA. In higher grade meningiomas, mutations of TERT promoter and deletion of CDKN2A/B seem to have a prognostic value. Furthermore, other genetic alterations have been identified, such as BAP1, DMD and PBRM1. Different subgroups of DNA methylation appear to be correlated with prognosis. In this review, we explored the genetic landscape of meningiomas and the possible therapeutic implications.
Variant Prediction by Analyzing RdRp/S Gene Double or Low Amplification Pattern in Allplex SARS-CoV-2 Assay
Authors: So Min-Kyung , Park Sholhui , Lee Kyunghoon , Kim Soo-Kyung , Chung Hae-Sun , Lee Miae
Published: October 2021

The spread of delta variants (B.1.671.2) of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a severe global threat. Multiplex real-time PCR is a common method for confirming SARS-CoV-2 infection, however, additional tests, such as whole genomic sequencing, are required to reveal the presence or type of viral mutation. Moreover, applying whole genomic sequencing to all SARS-CoV-2 positive samples is challenging due to time and cost constraints. Here, we report that the double or low amplification curve observed during RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) gene/S gene amplification in the Allplex SARS-CoV-2 Assay is related to delta/alpha variants. We analyzed the RdRp/S gene amplification curve using 94 samples confirmed as SARS-CoV-2 infection by the Allplex SARS-CoV-2 Assay from January to August, 2021. These positive samples identified variant types using the Novaplex SARS-CoV-2 Variants I and IV Assays. Overall, 17 samples showing a double curve and 11 samples showing a low amplification pattern were associated with alpha-/delta-type strains with variants in the P681 region. The double or low curve shown in the RdRp gene amplification curve had 100% sensitivity and 100% specificity for diagnosing delta/alpha variants. During the SARS-CoV-2 virus diagnostic RT-PCR test using the Allplex SARS-CoV-2 Assay, we could consider the presence of delta/alpha variants in the samples with double or low amplification curve of the RdRp/S gene channel. This PCR amplification curve abnormality enables rapid and cost-effective variant type prediction during SARS-CoV-2 diagnostic testing in clinical laboratories.
A miniPCR-Duplex Lateral Flow Dipstick Platform for Rapid and Visual Diagnosis of Lymphatic Filariae Infection
Authors: Phuakrod Achinya , Sripumkhai Witsaroot , Jeamsaksiri Wutthinan , Pattamang Pattaraluck , Loymek Sumat , Brindley Paul J. , Sarasombath Patsharaporn T. , Wongkamchai Sirichit
Published: October 2021

Lymphatic filariasis (LF) is a neglected major tropical disease that is a leading cause of permanent and long-term disability worldwide. Significant progress made by the Global Programme to Eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis (GPELF) has led to a substantial decrease in the levels of infection. In this limitation, DNA detection of lymphatic filariae could be useful due to it capable of detecting low level of the parasites. In the present study, we developed a diagnostic assay that combines a miniPCR with a duplex lateral flow dipstick (DLFD). The PCR primers were designed based on the HhaI and SspI repetitive noncoding DNA sequences of Brugia malayi and Wuchereria bancrofti, respectively. The limits of detection and crossreactivity of the assay were evaluated. In addition, blood samples were provided by Thais living in a brugian filariasis endemic area. The miniPCR-DLFD assay exhibited a detection limit of 2 and 4 mf per milliliter (mL) of blood for B. malayi as well as W. bancrofti, respectively, and crossamplification was not observed with 11 other parasites. The result obtained from the present study was in accordance with the thick blood smear staining for the known cases. Thus, a miniPCR-DLFD is an alternative tool for the diagnosis of LF in point-of-collection settings with a modest cost (~USD 5) per sample.
Profile of Urinary Cytokines in Kawasaki Disease: Non-Invasive Markers
Authors: Huang Hsin-Chun , Kuo Ho-Chang , Yu Hong-Ren , Huang Hui-Chen , Chang Jen-Chieh , Lin I-Chun , Chen I-Lun
Published: October 2021

This cohort study aimed to investigate urinary cytokines expression to help identify a less invasive method of cytokine detection for Kawasaki disease (KD). Patients with confirmed KD were recruited. Patients with fever or urinary tract infection (UTI) were enrolled as control groups. Urinary samples were collected before and 3 days after intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) treatment. The levels of cytokines were detected by MILLPLEX® MAP human multiplex assay. All cytokines, i.e., epidermal growth factor (EGF), interferon (IFN)-γ, interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-8, IL-9, IL-10, IL-13, IL-17A, IL-33, interferon-gamma-induced protein (IP)-10, macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)-1β, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) except monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP)-1 were significantly higher in the KD group, compared with the fever-control (FC) group, whereas the expressions of IFN-γ, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-17A, IL-33, MCP-1, MIP-1β, and TNF-α were significantly lower in the urine of KD patients, as compared with the UTI group. The expressions of EGF, IFN-γ, IL-8, IL-13, and IL-17A were higher in the urine of KD patients than in the FC group, whereas the level of IL-1β was lower in KD than in the UTI group after age adjustment by logistic regression. Levels of IL-6, IL-8, IL-13, IP-10, and MCP-1 were significantly higher in the pre-IVIG urine of KD patients than in the post-IVIG treatment group. Additionally, urine IL-4 and blood C-reactive protein were higher in the KD group with coronary artery lesion (CAL) than in the non-CAL group. Results of this study provide a new view of urinary cytokine expression in the disease progress of KD, which may help clinicians to predict and prevent morbidity early and non-invasively.
High School Students’ Epistemic Cognition and Argumentation Practices during Small-Group Quality Talk Discussions in Science
Authors: Wei Liwei , Firetto Carla M. , Duke Rebekah F. , Greene Jeffrey A. , Murphy P. Karen
Published: October 2021

For high school students to develop scientific understanding and reasoning, it is essential that they engage in epistemic cognition and scientific argumentation. In the current study, we used the AIR model (i.e., Aims and values, epistemic Ideals, and Reliable processes) to examine high school students’ epistemic cognition and argumentation as evidenced in collaborative discourse in a science classroom. Specifically, we employed a qualitative case study approach to focus on four small-group discussions about scientific phenomena during the Quality Talk Science intervention (QTS), where students regularly received explicit instruction on asking authentic questions and engaging in argumentation. In total, five categories of epistemic ideals and five categories of reliable processes were identified. Students demonstrated more instances of normative epistemic ideals and argumentative responses in the discussions after they received a revised scientific model for discussion and explicit instruction on argumentation. Concomitantly, there were fewer instances of students making decisions based on process of elimination to determine a correct scientific claim. With respect to the relationship of epistemic cognition to authentic questioning and argumentation, the use of epistemic ideals seemed to be associated with the initiation of authentic questions and students’ argumentation appeared to involve the use of epistemic ideals.
Reliability of Recurrence Quantification Analysis Measures for Sit-to-Stand and Stand-to-Sit Activities in Healthy Older Adults Using Wearable Sensors
Authors: Nasim Amnah , Nchekwube David C. , Kim Yoon Sang
Published: October 2021

Standing up and sitting down are prerequisite motions in most activities of daily living scenarios. The ability to sit down in and stand up from a chair or a bed depreciates and becomes a complex task with increasing age. Hence, research on the analysis and recognition of these two activities can help in the design of algorithms for assistive devices. In this work, we propose a reliability analysis for testing the internal consistency of nonlinear recurrence features for sit-to-stand (Si2St) and stand-to-sit (St2Si) activities for motion acceleration data collected by a wearable sensing device for 14 healthy older subjects in the age range of 78 ± 4.9 years. Four recurrence features—%recurrence rate, %determinism, entropy, and average diagonal length—were calculated by using recurrence plots for both activities. A detailed relative and absolute reliability statistical analysis based on Cronbach’s correlation coefficient (α) and standard error of measurement was performed for all recurrence measures. Correlation values as high as α = 0.68 (%determinism) and α = 0.72 (entropy) in the case of Si2St and α = 0.64 (%determinism) and α = 0.69 (entropy) in the case of St2Si—with low standard error in the measurements—show the reliability of %determinism and entropy for repeated acceleration measurements for the characterization of both the St2Si and Si2St activities in the case of healthy older adults.
k-NDDP: An Efficient Anonymization Model for Social Network Data Release
Authors: Shakeel Shafaq , Anjum Adeel , Asheralieva Alia , Alam Masoom
Published: October 2021

With the evolution of Internet technology, social networking sites have gained a lot of popularity. People make new friends, share their interests, experiences in life, etc. With these activities on social sites, people generate a vast amount of data that is analyzed by third parties for various purposes. As such, publishing social data without protecting an individual’s private or confidential information can be dangerous. To provide privacy protection, this paper proposes a new degree anonymization approach k-NDDP, which extends the concept of k-anonymity and differential privacy based on Node DP for vertex degrees. In particular, this paper considers identity disclosures on social data. If the adversary efficiently obtains background knowledge about the victim’s degree and neighbor connections, it can re-identify its victim from the social data even if the user’s identity is removed. The contribution of this paper is twofold. First, a simple and, at the same time, effective method k–NDDP is proposed. The method is the extension of k-NMF, i.e., the state-of-the-art method to protect against mutual friend attack, to defend against identity disclosures by adding noise to the social data. Second, the achieved privacy using the concept of differential privacy is evaluated. An extensive empirical study shows that for different values of k, the divergence produced by k-NDDP for CC, BW and APL is not more than 0.8%, also added dummy links are 60% less, as compared to k-NMF approach, thereby it validates that the proposed k-NDDP approach provides strong privacy while maintaining the usefulness of data.
A Low-Cost Hardware-Friendly Spiking Neural Network Based on Binary MRAM Synapses, Accelerated Using In-Memory Computing
Authors: Wang Yihao , Wu Danqing , Wang Yu , Hu Xianwu , Ma Zizhao , Feng Jiayun , Xie Yufeng
Published: October 2021

In recent years, the scaling down that Moore’s Law relies on has been gradually slowing down, and the traditional von Neumann architecture has been limiting the improvement of computing power. Thus, neuromorphic in-memory computing hardware has been proposed and is becoming a promising alternative. However, there is still a long way to make it possible, and one of the problems is to provide an efficient, reliable, and achievable neural network for hardware implementation. In this paper, we proposed a two-layer fully connected spiking neural network based on binary MRAM (Magneto-resistive Random Access Memory) synapses with low hardware cost. First, the network used an array of multiple binary MRAM cells to store multi-bit fixed-point weight values. This helps to simplify the read/write circuit. Second, we used different kinds of spike encoders that ensure the sparsity of input spikes, to reduce the complexity of peripheral circuits, such as sense amplifiers. Third, we designed a single-step learning rule, which fit well with the fixed-point binary weights. Fourth, we replaced the traditional exponential Leak-Integrate-Fire (LIF) neuron model to avoid the massive cost of exponential circuits. The simulation results showed that, compared to other similar works, our SNN with 1184 neurons and 313,600 synapses achieved an accuracy of up to 90.6% in the MNIST recognition task with full-resolution (28 × 28) and full-bit-depth (8-bit) images. In the case of low-resolution (16 × 16) and black-white (1-bit) images, the smaller version of our network with 384 neurons and 32,768 synapses still maintained an accuracy of about 77%, extending its application to ultra-low-cost situations. Both versions need less than 30,000 samples to reach convergence, which is a >50% reduction compared to other similar networks. As for robustness, it is immune to the fluctuation of MRAM cell resistance.
Image-Based Malware Classification Using VGG19 Network and Spatial Convolutional Attention
Authors: Awan Mazhar Javed , Masood Osama Ahmed , Mohammed Mazin Abed , Yasin Awais , Zain Azlan Mohd , Damaševičius Robertas , Abdulkareem Karrar Hameed
Published: October 2021

In recent years the amount of malware spreading through the internet and infecting computers and other communication devices has tremendously increased. To date, countless techniques and methodologies have been proposed to detect and neutralize these malicious agents. However, as new and automated malware generation techniques emerge, a lot of malware continues to be produced, which can bypass some state-of-the-art malware detection methods. Therefore, there is a need for the classification and detection of these adversarial agents that can compromise the security of people, organizations, and countless other forms of digital assets. In this paper, we propose a spatial attention and convolutional neural network (SACNN) based on deep learning framework for image-based classification of 25 well-known malware families with and without class balancing. Performance was evaluated on the Malimg benchmark dataset using precision, recall, specificity, precision, and F1 score on which our proposed model with class balancing reached 97.42%, 97.95%, 97.33%, 97.11%, and 97.32%. We also conducted experiments on SACNN with class balancing on benign class, also produced above 97%. The results indicate that our proposed model can be used for image-based malware detection with high performance, despite being simpler as compared to other available solutions.
Formulation and Analysis of Single Switch High Gain Hybrid DC to DC Converter for High Power Applications
Authors: Ranganathan Sathiya , Mohan Arun Noyal Doss
Published: October 2021

The necessity for DC−DC converters has been rapidly increasing due to the emergence of RES-based electrification. However, the converter designed so far exhibits the drawbacks of lower efficiency and non-compactness in size. Hence, to rectify this problem, the new topology of a flyback converter for PV application is proposed in this work. The proposed converter exhibits reduced ripple in input current and enhances the conversion efficiency. Finally, the efficiency of this proposed converter is verified using MATLAB. The results indicate that this projected topology can be suitable for high voltage DC applications.
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and their effect on the nervous system: neurotoxicity, types, mechanism of occurrence
Authors: Alimova Elmira Erfanovna , Al-Rabadi Elena Evgenievna
Published: October 2021

Currently, according to the World Health Organization, about 20% of the world's population takes non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). NSAIDs are lipophilic substances that easily penetrate the blood-brain barrier and can cause side effects from the central nervous system. Neurotoxicity (headache, dizziness, insomnia, depression, depersonalization, psychosis, and tremor occur during the treatment with indomethacin; visual impairment, drowsiness - during the treatment with meloxicam; hearing loss - when taking salicylates) ranks second after gastrotoxicity. The article describes the mechanisms of neurotoxicity that occur when taking NSAIDs.
The factors of the outcome of neurosurgical treatment in traumatic brain injury
Authors: Yrysov Keneshbek Bakirbaevich , Muratov Doolos Muratovich , Alibaeva Gulzar Zhakypovna , Kalykov Talant Suyorkulovich
Published: October 2021

The purpose of the research: to improve the results of neurosurgical treatment in patients with traumatic brain injury by detecting an optimal way of craniotomy. Material and methods. The study includes the analysis of 127 patients operated on in the Department of Neurosurgery. The examination sample consisted of 109 (85.8%) male and 18 (14.2%) female patients. Patients’ ages varied from 16 to 85 years. The average age of the patients was 43.8 ± 4.2 years. Results. Not depending on craniotomy method, there was not a statistically significant difference in outcome in patients with traumatic brain injury. Using of trephination, craniectomy and osteoplastic craniotomy revealed no significant differences in outcomes in patients with traumatic brain injury. Patients’ age over 60 years, consciousness degree 4-6 scores according to Glasgow Coma Scale, and dislocation syndrome are unfavorable prognostic factors. Resection craniotomy in traumatic brain injury may be effective even in deep coma consciousness level and dislocation syndrome, but in absence of intraoperative brain edema. Conclusion. During the planning of craniotomy method in traumatic brain injury, 4-9 score consciousness degree according to Glasgow Coma Scale, brain contusion foci, acute subdural and intracerebral hematomas, brain compression volume of 30-150 cm³, patient’ age and dislocation syndrome should be considered, which, in total, predicts an outcome.
The application of three-dimensional prototyping and printing in reconstructive neurosurgery and vertebrology (literature review and own results)
Authors: Yarikov Anton Viktorovich , Gorbatov Roman Olegovich , Shpagin Maksim Vladimirovich , Stolyarov Ilya Igorevich , Denisov Anton Andreevich , Kabardaev Ruslan Magometovich , Fraerman Alexander Petrovich , Perlmutter Olga Aleksandrovna , Mukhin Alexey Stanislavovich
Published: October 2021

This article is devoted to the analysis of the possibility of using additive technologies in clinical practice. The number of medical specialties that use 3D printing technologies to treat patients is increasing every year. Thanks to the emergence of high-tech qualified medical care, it is possible to carry out the most complex surgical interventions and give a person who is faced with serious diseases a high-quality and fulfilling life. The creation of a 3D model using the data of a specific patient, the use of 3D computer modeling and additive technologies have become a real breakthrough in many areas of surgery. Today, such an approach in planning reconstructive and restorative operations occupies an important position in modern medicine. The authors of the article presented their experience of using additive 3D printing technologies in clinical practice. The researchers paid special attention to the results of the use of additive technologies in the treatment of diseases of the spine: deformities, degenerative-dystrophic and oncological diseases.
Blockchain in public policy and governance
Authors: Krylov A. A.
Published: October 2021

Blockchain is a new information technology that can be used in many areas of human activity. The fi rst and most famous example of the use of blockchain technology is the Bitcoin cryptocurrency. Today, cryptocurrency has transformed into a publicly recognized means of payment, a virtual currency that is accepted by large and small enterprises, corporations and services. Today, they conduct research and implement a number of projects using Blockchain technology in such areas as healthcare, media, electronic voting, fi le storage, smart contracts, insurance, the public sector (issuing passports, collecting taxes, registering land plots), etc. The IBM Corporation is researching Blockchain technology and is working on the creation of software, with the help of which partners will be able to conclude digital contracts that will be recorded in the global network. IBM is also implementing a project called Adept, which aims to track network-connected devices using Blockchain technology. The purpose of this article is to study the directions of using Blockchain in public policy.
Social support for combat veterans: research results and recommendations for the organization of social rehabilitation
Authors: Antonovich Irina Vladimirovna , Gubareva Olga Viktorovna
Published: October 2021

Social support for combat veterans is denoted by the term "social support measures", consequently, it is understood primarily as providing this category with benefits (federal, regional, municipal). Other functional aspects of social support in organizing social rehabilitation of combat veterans, such as meeting social needs, for instance, for information, closeness, protection, reassurance, etc., are not studied enough. This paper presents the results obtained in the study of the level of social support for combat veterans using the "Multidimensional scale of social support perception" methodology.
The role of the intelligentsia in building a new Kyrgyz society
Authors: Karabaeva Indira Bektemirovna
Published: October 2021

In the transitional period of changes in all spheres of social life, the formation of new views and relations in the economy, politics and socio-cultural environment is taking place. The struggle between the new and the old leads to social tension in society. In our opinion, the main reason for the growth of social tension in modern Kyrgyz society is the crisis in the field of economics and politics. To a large extent, the crisis manifests itself in the growth of unemployment and an increase in the population with incomes below the subsistence level, which leads to the marginalization of society and a change in the image, quality and lifestyle. There are so-called "points" of concentration of social tension in modern society. In social terms, these are groups of people of retirement age, youth, the unemployed, public sector workers, the intelligentsia, low-income, large families, etc. The purpose of this article is to show the role of the intelligentsia in building a new Kyrgyz society.
The role of the media in the formation of shame in the national consciousness
Authors: Bekboeva Alaigul Karabaevna
Published: October 2021

This article considers the role of the media as a partner of the state and society, as well as spontaneity. Due to this, media serve as one of the factors in the formation of national self-consciousness and its elements, such as shame. The author analyzes such element of national identity as national shame. It is proved that national shame as a social phenomenon has a social meaning of the regulator of human relationships in social existence. It is noted that national shame is socially determined, has a permanent character, and its socially significant semantic principles are passed from generation to generation as a form of behavior through implantation and interspersing it as a daily norm of people's behavior, giving each act a value-significant meaning.
National identity in the Ottoman Empire as a historical and social fact
Authors: Chebi Isra Shengul , Karimova Dilshat
Published: October 2021

Defined both in an individual and in a social or cultural context, identity is a historical phenomenon; a consistent, complete sense of identity develops in the historical process. Social relations created by historical conditions shape Turkish identity, just like other collective identities. Revealed as one of the oldest nations in history, Turkish identity has also been shaped by the amalgamation of the effects created by the rule of law in the collective consciousness. Despite the fact that the length of the historical process makes it difficult to clearly identify the stages of the adventure, when studying Turkish identity it is necessary to look at the Ottoman Empire, which is a prerequisite for the modern Turkish state, and the self-identification of the society that feels belonging to the above state. Indeed, it is not very wrong to associate the phenomenon of identity as a topic of discussion with the relationship of the Ottoman state with the modern nation states of the West. In this context, it would be appropriate to touch upon the perception of identity in the Ottoman Empire.
Socio-economic efficiency of professional sports in the Russian Federation
Authors: Boyko Ekaterina Olegovna
Published: October 2021

Professional sports are of high social importance. Questions of the socio-economic efficiency of professional sports remain topical. State participation in financing professional sports teams in team sports in today's conditions cannot be replaced in the short term with sponsorship funding. Therefore, the system of subsidizing their activities through contracts with non-commercial partnerships, one of the founders of which is the state authority of the constituent entity of the Russian Federation, is currently considered optimal. The social effect obtained from the activities of professional sports organizations, including sports teams in playing sports, is assessed, as a rule, positively. The achievements of the region's athletes on the all-Russian and international arena contribute to the enhancement of the region's status and serve as a source of pride for its residents.
Social adaptation as an indicator of the difficult life situation of various population groups
Authors: Sukhov Anatoliy Nikolaevich , Geraskina Marina Gennadievna
Published: October 2021

For a more precise scientific approach, the article offers a justification of the criteria for attribution to the objects of social work through such a phenomenon as social adaptation (maladjustment). This article reveals the indicators of socio-psychological adaptation (maladjustment) of various population groups. An important indicator of adaptability is life satisfaction. The article presents the results of an empirical study of the level of socio-psychological adaptation of the population (migrants, the unemployed, the disabled and pensioners) and the factors affecting it, as well as socio-psychological technologies for working with various groups of the population in crisis.
Theoretical foundations of the formation of project competence of future teachers as an urgent pedagogical problem
Authors: Muller Olga Yu.
Published: October 2021

This article is devoted to the formation of the project competence of future teachers in university environment. Theoretical analysis of the concept of «project» allowed to determine its structure. When defining the concept of «project activity» the author identified the role of a teacher and a student in implementation of the project. Based on the analysis of the research, the distinctive features of the project method and project-based learning were identified. On their basis, the need to address issues of project competence of future teachers is motivated by their implementation in higher educational institutions, as well as indicators and requirements for the training of pedagogical personnel are characterized.
DAMPAK PSIKOLOGIS NARAPIDANA SEUMUR HIDUP DALAM PERUBAHAN PIDANANYA MENJADI PIDANA PERCOBAAN 20 TAHUN
Authors: Fitranto Rico , Subroto Mitro
Published: October 2021

A prisoner is someone whose rights and freedoms must be revoked because he has committed a crime. The loss of freedom of freedom, and the things that must be faced in the face of the environment and the new, and having to part with loved ones, as well as relatives, which negatively affects actions. This study aims to determine the psychological development with a life sentence against a  criminal  change  into  a  20-year  probationary sentence.  This  writing  uses  a  normative approach using library techniques. Many with life sentences experienced despair and lost hope, the change of sentence to 20 years probation was a second chance that was coveted by the people. In serving the sentence, there are three important parts that have a large enough influence on the condition of a psychologist, namely environmental conditions in prisons, characteristics between individuals and social support.