bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
THE FORMATION OF PROFESSIONALLY ORIENTED ATTITUDE OF NON-PROFILE HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS ACQUIRING AN ADDITIONAL PRODESSION
Authors: Hrushchenko Liudmyla M.
Published: June 2020

In the article the reasons of increase of public requirement for expansion of psychology-pedagogical component in the general contents of modern higher education in the context of Ukraine’s joining to Bologna process are revealed. The results of experiments aimed to increase the professionally oriented attitude of KNUE students to psychology-pedagogical cycle of subjects are generalized.
INFLUENCE OF MOTIVATOR ON EDUCATIONAL RESEARCH PLANNING ON PHYSICS IN HIGH SCHOOL
Authors: Sokolyuk Oleksandra M.
Published: June 2020

In the article the author considers the problem of the determination the role of instruction in the organization of educational research activity in the senior classes according to their profile area in view of motivator.
EVOLUTION OF TOOLS AND APPROACHES OF KNOWLEDGE SIMULATION IN EDUCATION
Authors: Shyshkina Mariya P.
Published: June 2020

In this article analysis of main stages of development of computer-based intelligent educational systems in relation to approaches of knowledge simulation is proposed. Current stage of knowledge-based computer systems application is described and perspectives of future development are revealed.
CRITERIA OF FORMATION OF ECONOMIC THINKING CULTURE OF FUTURE GEOGRAPHERS
Authors: Buhaiova Tetiana I.
Published: June 2020

In the article the parameters and criterions of levels of formation of economical thinking culture of future geographers are considered. The different interpretations of the definition of concept «economical thinking» and «economical culture» are represented.
THE PLACE AND THE ROLE OF THE INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES IN THE SYSTEM OF EDUCATION IN EUROPEAN UNION COUNTRIES
Authors: Ovcharuk Oksana V.
Published: June 2020

The article deals with the analysis of the problems of ICT application in education sphere in European Union. Particularly the article is about the pupils and teachers access to electronic means and Internet, as well as about ICT place in the school curricula.
CONTROL OF STUDENTS KNOWLEDGE THROUGH TESTING
Authors: Kosminska Oleksandra M.
Published: June 2020

Questions concerning the knowledge control of students through testing are considered, basic problems of testing are discussed. It is proposed the particulate decision of these problems trough the automatic testing system taking into account the features of «Information technologies» subject.
VIDEOCONFERENCE IN THE SYSTEM OF DISTANCE EDUCATION
Authors: Samoilenko Oleksandr M.
Published: June 2020

The article deals with one of the existing and perspective tools of distance education – a videoconference, its organized set of means of data transmission, information resources, interaction, the hardware-software and organizational methodical maintenance focused on the satisfaction of educational needs of users.
CONCEPTUAL APPROACHES TO THE OPEN EDUCATION TECHNOLOGIES AND DISTANCE LEARNING APPLICATION IN THE SYSTEM OF CUSTOMS OFFICERS PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION
Authors: Pavlenko Olena O.
Published: June 2020

The article deals with the analysis of the problems of open education and distance learning implementation for customs officers according to the international standards developed by the World Customs Organization (WCO). The prerogatives of distance learning system are described and the distance thematic courses for customs officers and private sector are presented in this article. Also author reveals the general information about the WCO Professional Standards implementation in the State Customs Service of Ukraine.
DEVELOPING OF THE SYSTEM INFORMATION SECURITY MODEL FOR COMPUTER TRAINING COMPLEX
Authors: Kovalchuk Viktoriia N.
Published: June 2020

The regulatory documents regarding the computer training rooms and information communication technologies in respect to the information safety are being analyzed in the given paper. The model of information security system of the computer training complex is developed. In particular there are considered the requirements to the security system construction, its functioning and the stages of the lifecycle. The analysis of typical risks for the information resources is conducted, the main methods of their information security are offered.
SYSTEMS OF EDUCATION ON MAINTENANCE OF EQUAL ACCESS TO QUALITY EDUCATION FOR LIFELONG LEARNING
Authors: Bykov Valeriy Yu. , Romashko Ivan M.
Published: June 2020

In the article the up-to-date situation of education is analyzed, the new model of education – open education which answers to the lifelong learning principles and aims and to actual requirements of society, considering the use of information and communication technologies in education is considered; creation and development of such phenomena as the open educational environment, which is based on principles of open education is analyzed, there are conceptualized and determined such terms as «uniform educational space» and «global information space of education systems».
THE FORMING OF NEW METHODOLOGICAL PARADIGM OF EDUCATION AND SCIENCE MANAGEMENT
Authors: Rakovskyi Khrystian V. , Rakovska Nataliia Kh. , Meteshkin Kostiantyn O.
Published: June 2020

The process and phenomena connected with the initiation of new methodological paradigm of the scientific and educational management in Ukraine has been investigated. The paradigm is conditioned by global tendencies of informatization, development of communicative means and integrative processes in education and science.
EDUCATIONAL NETWORKS AS MODERN INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES IN EDUCATION SYSTEMS OF FOREIGN COUNTRIES
Authors: Malytska Iryna D.
Published: June 2020

The basic approaches of foreign countries education systems development where one of the priority is a development and use of information and communication technologies, the educational documents of perspective development accepted by European countries are analysed in the article; there are presented the examples of developed educational networks aimed at ICT.
INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY FOR TRAINING IN EDUCATIONAL PROCESS OF VOCATIONAL EDUCATION ESTABLISHMENTS
Authors: Bisirkin Petro M.
Published: June 2020

In the article it is analysed several approaches of information and communication technology use for training in educational process of vocational education establishments under modern conditions.
FORMATION OF ECONOMIC COMPETENCE OF PRINCIPALS IN THE SYSTEM OF POSTGRADUATE PEDAGOGICAL EDUCATION
Authors: Dyvak Volodymyr V.
Published: June 2020

The article considers the questions concerning the improvement of economic competence of principals for more efficient control of economic activity in comprehensive schools.
ICT ROLE IN VOCATIONAL TRAINING OF FUTURE EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS’ PRINCIPALS
Authors: Svietlorusova Anna V.
Published: June 2020

The article presents the research of information and communication technologies influence on formation of readiness of future educational institutions’ principals for reflexive management.
TOOLS OF COMPUTERIZATION AND THE STRUCTURE OF SCIENTIFIC PEDAGOGICAL RESEARCH PLANNING OF SCIENTIFIC RESEARCHES IN APS OF UKRAINE
Authors: Shyshkina Mariya P.
Published: June 2020

In the paper the procedural components of scientific pedagogical research are revealed. Role and place of computer tools in the structure of research are described and methodical recommendations of these tools optimal use and choice are proposed.
Seasonal and spatial patterns of mudblister worm Polydora websteri infestation of farmed oysters in the northern Gulf of Mexico
Authors: Cole SM , Dorgan KM , Walton W , Dzwonkowski B , Coogan J
Published: June 2020

Mudblister worms Polydora websteri bore holes into oyster shells, and oysters respond by secreting extra layers of shell, creating a mudblister. When shucked, mudblisters can burst and release anoxic mud. Thus, infestation devalues oysters, particularly on the half-shell market. This study quantified oyster condition index and worm abundances over 2 full growing seasons at commercial oyster farms on the US Gulf of Mexico coast, and our results indicate that oyster growth rate, manipulated through ploidy and stocking densities, had little effect on worm infestation. Larval spionid worms were found year-round. Larval abundances were slightly higher within than away from farms, and larval size distributions were skewed toward smaller larvae within the farms, suggesting that farms may be a source of larvae. Triploid oysters had higher or comparable condition index values to diploids, but during summer months, when worm infestation was high, worm infestation was not correlated with condition index. Previously infested shells deployed at farms became more infested than uninfested shells at moderate infestation levels, but re-infestation was influenced more by farm location than by previous infestation condition. Higher infestation at a farm with more variable salinity as well as higher infestation in 2017 when salinity was lower suggest that salinity may be a potential driver of mudblister worm infestation. Results indicate that oyster farmers on this coast should use desiccation to treat oysters for mudblister worms frequently during the summer, but that manipulating stocking density or ploidy is unlikely to be effective in preventing mudblister worm infestation.
Hindlimb Suspension Does Not Influence Mechanical Sensitivity, Epidermal Thickness, and Peripheral Nerve Density in the Glabrous Skin of the Rat Hind Paw
Authors: TANAKA Y. , NAKANO J. , HAMAUE Y. , SEKINO Y. , SAKAMOTO J. , KATAOKA H. , OKITA M.
Published: June 2020

Our aim was to investigate the influence of microgravity on the sensitivity of the skin to mechanical stimulation, epidermal thickness, peripheral nerve density in the upper dermis, and serum levels of a stress marker in a rat hindlimb suspension (HS) model. Thirty 8-week-old male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 3 groups: HS, n=10; sham HS, n=10; control, n=10. The suspension system was attached to rat tails in both the HS and sham-HS groups, but the hindlimbs were suspended only in the HS group. The HS and sham-HS groups were treated for 4 weeks. In behavioral tests using von-Frey filaments (n=5 in each group), mechanical hypersensitivity developed in the HS and sham HS groups. Serum corticosterone levels increased significantly in the HS and sham HS groups compared to the control group, and no changes in epidermal thickness or peripheral nerve density were observed immediately after the removal of HS (n=5 in each group). These data indicated that the mechanical hypersensitivity observed in the HS group was not caused by microgravity or inactivity, but rather by restraint stress. We suggest that microgravity does not affect skin sensitivity and histology in these animals.
Sex Differences in ICR Mice in the Morris Water Maze Task
Authors: GE J.-F. , QI C.-C. , QIAO J.-P. , WANG C.-W. , ZHOU J.-N.
Published: June 2020

The Morris water maze (MWM) is one of the most common tasks used to assess spatial learning and memory ability in rodents. Genetic strain and gender are two prominent variants that influence spatial performance. Although it was reported that ICR (Institute of Cancer Research) mice exhibited an unchanged baseline performance in the training phase of the MWM task, this outbred strain has been widely used in learning and memory studies, and little is known regarding the effects of sex on behavioral performance. In this study, we demonstrated that both male and female ICR mice could complete the MWM task. Furthermore, a significant sex difference was observed, with females having shorter escape latencies and longer durations in the target quadrant in both the acquisition and test phases. Our findings emphasize the necessity of careful examination of not only the strain effect on behavioral performance but also the sex effect.
Awareness Level of Airline Pilots on Flight-Associated Venous Thromboembolism
Authors: Kilic Bilal , Soran Semih
Published: June 2020

INTRODUCTION: Studies have identified a great number of physiological conditions, including venous thromboembolism and hypoxia, that may give rise to medical disqualifications and in-flight incapacitations that can be costly to individuals and organizations. Over the past three
decades, much attention has been focused on venous thromboembolism among passengers. However, studies on venous thromboembolism among commercial airline pilots are very scarce. With this consideration in mind, differently from the literature, this study set out to examine pilots' awareness
of venous thromboembolism signs, symptoms, risk factors, and countermeasures.METHODS: For this purpose, a venous thromboembolism questionnaire was developed and applied to collect data. There were 427 airline pilots who participated in the questionnaire. The analysis of variance
(ANOVA) technique was used to analyze the results of the questionnaire.RESULTS: According to the results of this study, approximately one-half (57.1%) of the participants had just heard of this particular health issue and 63.9% of the participants were unaware of flight-associated
venous thromboembolism. Airline pilots between 20 and 40 yr of age were much less aware of venous thromboembolism in comparison to pilots 41 yr or older, and pilots flying more than 90 h/mo were at a greater risk.DISCUSSION: Airline pilots between 20 and 40 yr have less knowledge
about venous thromboembolism and preventive measures against it in comparison to older pilots. Therefore they may be more vulnerable to possible risk factors. The findings of this study will contribute to increasing pilots’ awareness on flight-related venous thromboembolism and can improve
the overall safety of civil aviation.Kilic B, Soran S. Awareness level of airline pilots on flight-associated venous thromboembolism. Aerosp Med Hum Perform. 2020; 91(4):343–347.
HEMŞİRELİK VE EBELİK ÖĞRENCİLERİNİN GESTASYONEL DİABETLİ KADIN EĞİTİMİNE İLİŞKİN BİLGİ DÜZEYLERİ
Authors: PALAS Pelin , AKSU Sevde , YAŞAR Öznur
Published: June 2020

Gestasyonel Diyabetes Mellitus (GDM), gebeliğin en yaygın metabolik komplikasyonu olarak anne, fetüs ve yenidoğan sağlığını olumsuz yönde etkiler. Bu nedenle araştırma “Hemşirelik ve Ebelik öğrencilerinin Gestasyonel Diyabet’li kadın eğitimine ilişkin bilgi düzeylerinin” belirlenmesi amacıyla yapılmıştır. Araştırma, 2019-2020 Eğitim Öğretim Dönemi Güz yarıyılında bir üniversitenin Sağlık Bilimleri Fakültesi 3 ve 4. sınıf ebelik ve hemşirelik öğrencileri ile yapılmıştır. Araştırmada veri toplamak için Kişisel Tanıtıcı Bilgi ve Gestasyonel Diabetli Kadın Eğitimine İlişkin Bilgi Düzeyleri formu kullanılmıştır. Araştırmanın örneklemini araştırmaya katılmayı kabul eden ve veri toplama formunu dolduran toplam 300 öğrenci (98 Ebelik bölümü, 202 hemşirelik bölümü) oluşturmuştur. Verilerin değerlendirilmesinde bağımsız örnek t testi, Mann-Whitney U testi kullanılmıştır. İstatistiksel önemlilik için p<0.05 değeri kriter kabul edilmiştir. Araştırmaya katılan öğrencilerin gestasyonel diyabetli kadın eğitimine ilişkin görüş formu maddelerine verdikleri yanıtlar incelendiğinde, katılımcıların en çok; GDM anne sağlığını olumsuz yönde etkiler (%82.7), ebe/hemşire GDM’li kadınların eğitiminde önemli bir role sahiptir (%86.7), ebe/hemşire GDM’li annenin ve fetüsünün iyilik halinin korunmasından sorumludur (%85.7), ebe/hemşire GDM’li kadınlara beslenme danışmanlığı yapmalıdır (%82.3), ebe/hemşire GDM’li kadınları fiziksel aktivite yapmaya yönlendirmelidir (%80.7), ebe/hemşire GDM’li kadının özbakım becerilerini geliştirmelidir (%82.7), GDM durumunda bireysel kan şekeri takibi önemlidir (%84.0) ifadelerini doğru buldukları bulunmuştur. Sonuç olarak bu araştırmada ebelik ve hemşirelik öğrencilerinin gestasyonel diyabet ile ilgili bilgi düzeyleri orta düzeyde olduğu belirlenmiştir.
Constructing vocational education capital: An analysis of symbolic values in the Swedish VET system of 1918
Authors: Broberg Åsa
Published: June 2020

This article explores ways of creating educational capital in vocational education and training in Sweden during a period in the early 20th century when vocational learning was first institutionalised as education. As such, at the same time it had to create itself and submit to the established educational system. This process is the focus of the article; it is examined by using concepts from Bourdieu’s capital-theory. In this perspective, vocational education and training as an educational form is considered part of the field of education. However, the main focus of the analysis is the newly formed education for vocational learning as a field of vocational education where a particular vocational educational capital was created. The aim is to illuminate ways of creating vocational education capital by borrowings, crossovers and reinventions of values from two traditions of learning and knowledge production: apprenticeship in the guilds and education in academia. The symbols from both crafts and academia were passed on into the early VET system through its institutions and actors. It materialised in titles, artefacts and rituals that that are presented in archives, journals and school memorial books.
Financial reporting and climate-related disclosures
Authors: Efimova Olga , Rozhnova Olga
Published: June 2020

The article examines disclosures on climate-related risks in financial statements. The conducted study has analyzed corporate reports (financial, integrated, environmental, on sustainable development) of leading Russian metallurgical companies that consider climate change influence or environmental impacts as the most significant. The following conclusion is derived from conducted research. Majority of climate-related disclosures are currently made in broader corporate reports, primarily in ecological, social responsibility and sustainable development reports. There is almost no information about climate-related risks in financial statements, and there are no corresponding cross-references on environmental issues between financial and non-financial reports. Climate-related risks impact most important indicators of financial statements, corporate strategy and business model. Materiality of information on climate change impact on companies` financial position, performance and cash flows need to be considered in the context of financial statements. The aim of the study is to confirm the materiality of climate-related risk disclosure for interested users, existing insufficiency of such disclosures in financial statements and make proposals on filling the identified information vacuum. The article offers recommendations on feasibility of developing a new standard "Climate risks: Disclosures", which should provide users with essential information on the judgments and assumptions related to assessment of climate-related risks` impact on financial statements.
Facing Climate Change: Application of Microbial Biostimulants to Mitigate Stress in Horticultural Crops
Authors: Sangiorgio Daniela , Cellini Antonio , Donati Irene , Pastore Chiara , Onofrietti Claudia , Spinelli Francesco
Published: June 2020

In the current scenario of rapidly evolving climate change, crop plants are more frequently subjected to stresses of both abiotic and biotic origin, including exposure to unpredictable and extreme climatic events, changes in plant physiology, growing season and phytosanitary hazard, and increased losses up to 30% and 50% in global agricultural productions. Plants coevolved with microbial symbionts, which are involved in major functions both at the ecosystem and plant level. The use of microbial biostimulants, by exploiting this symbiotic interaction, represents a sustainable strategy to increase plant performances and productivity, even under stresses due to climate changes. Microbial biostimulants include beneficial fungi, yeasts and eubacteria sharing the ability to improve plant nutrition, growth, productivity and stress tolerance. This work reports the current knowledge on microbial biostimulants and provides a critical review on their possible use to mitigate the biotic and abiotic stresses caused by climate changes. Currently, available products often provide a general amelioration of cultural conditions, but their action mechanisms are largely undetermined and their effects often unreliable. Future research may lead to more specifically targeted products, based on the characterization of plant-microbe and microbial community interactions.
The Economics of Irrigation in Almond Orchards. Application to Southern Spain
Authors: Expósito Alfonso , Berbel Julio
Published: June 2020

This paper offers an exploratory microeconomic analysis of water use in the cultivation of almonds when water is considered a limiting production factor. When a crop is subjected to water limitation, the microeconomic principles behind irrigation decisions are based upon the water-yield relationship. The analysis is applied to an estimated water-yield response function for irrigated almond trees in southern Spain; our research focuses on determining the optimal irrigation dose when deficit irrigation is applied, as it is usual in water-scarce contexts. The situation in Spain is compared to that of other countries where water rights are less constrained. The economic analysis of the water production function is crucial, since it determines farmers’ income and helps them make appropriate management decisions, such as simultaneous decisions regarding the allocation of limited water to crops and the size of the irrigated area for almond production. Furthermore, public institutions need this basic information for the allocation of water in times of increasing water demand and of limited and decreasing resources.
Physiological and Agronomic Responses of Processing Tomatoes to Deficit Irrigation at Critical Stages in a Semi-Arid Environment
Authors: Patanè Cristina , Corinzia Sebastiano Andrea , Testa Giorgio , Scordia Danilo , Cosentino Salvatore Luciano
Published: June 2020

Deficit irrigation is a valid alternative to conventional irrigation to save water while maintaining high productivity in tomatoes. However, crop sensitivity to water stress due to deficit irrigation may change with the growth stage. To assess the physiological and agronomic responses of processing tomatoes to deficit irrigation applied at critical stages, a field experiment was conducted in a coastal site of Southern Italy, where seven irrigation treatments differing for daily evapotranspiration (ETc) restored (100%—full or 50%—deficit) and the time of watering (long-season or limited to the vegetative period or to flowering) were applied to processing tomatoes cv. Hypeel F1. Plants continuously irrigated and those irrigated only at flowering maintained higher rates of leaf transpiration (E) and stomatal conductance (gs) over those irrigated only during the vegetative period. Fruit yield was the greatest under long-season full irrigation (51 t ha−1). Severe soil water deficit during flowering, more than during the vegetative period, adversely affected crop productivity. Irrigation water use efficiency (IWUE) was maximized under long-season deficit irrigation (>19 kg m−3) or deficit irrigation during flowering (>16 kg m−3). E and gs measured at early or mid-flowering may be adopted as valuable indicators to predict crop productivity; however, they may be altered under high vapor pressure deficit (VPD). Predawn water potential, being little affected by VPD, is a more reliable parameter than leaf transpiration and stomatal conductance under these climatic conditions.
Schisandra rubriflora Plant Material and In Vitro Microshoot Cultures as Rich Sources of Natural Phenolic Antioxidants
Authors: Szopa Agnieszka , Dziurka Michał , Granica Sebastian , Klimek-Szczykutowicz Marta , Kubica Paweł , Warzecha Angelika , Jafernik Karolina , Ekiert Halina
Published: June 2020

Schisandra rubriflora is a dioecious, underestimated medicinal plant species known from traditional Chinese medicine. The present study was aimed at characterising the polyphenolic profile composition and the related antioxidant capacity of S. rubriflora fruit, stem and leaf and in vitro microshoot culture extracts. Separate analyses of material from female and male specimens were carried out. This study was specifically aimed at detailed characterisation of the contribution of phenolic compounds to overall antioxidant activity using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography with a photodiode array detector coupled to electrospray ionization ion trap mass spectrometry (UHPLC-DAD-ESI-MS3) and a high-performance liquid chromatography-diode array detector (HPLC-DAD). Using UHPLC-DAD-ESI-MS3, twenty-seven phenolic compounds from among phenolic acids and flavonoids were identified. Concentrations of three phenolic acids (neochlorogenic, chlorogenic and cryptochlorogenic acids) and eight flavonoids (hyperoside, rutoside, isoquercitrin, guaijaverin, trifolin, quercetin, kaempferol, and isorhamnetin) were determined using HPLC-DAD using reference standards. The highest total phenolic content was confirmed for the stem and leaf extracts collected in spring. The contents of phenolic compounds of in vitro biomasses were comparable to that in the fruit extracts. The methanolic extracts from the studied plant materials were evaluated for their antioxidant properties using various in vitro assays, namely free radicals scavenging estimation using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl-hydrate (DPPH), ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and cupric-reducing antioxidant capacity (CUPRAC) as well as QUick, Easy, New, CHEap, and Reproducible CUPRAC (QUENCHER-CUPRAC) assays. A close relationship between the content of polyphenolic compounds in S. rubriflora and their antioxidant potential has been documented.
MnTE-2-PyP Suppresses Prostate Cancer Cell Growth via H2O2 Production
Authors: Zhu Yuxiang , Kosmacek Elizabeth A. , Chatterjee Arpita , Oberley-Deegan Rebecca E.
Published: June 2020

Prostate cancer patients are often treated with radiotherapy. MnTE-2-PyP, a superoxide dismutase (SOD) mimic, is a known radioprotector of normal tissues. Our recent work demonstrated that MnTE-2-PyP also inhibits prostate cancer progression with radiotherapy; however, the mechanisms remain unclear. In this study, we identified that MnTE-2-PyP-induced intracellular H2O2 levels are critical in inhibiting the growth of PC3 and LNCaP cells, but the increased H2O2 levels affected the two cancer cells differently. In PC3 cells, many proteins were thiol oxidized with MnTE-2-PyP treatment, including Ser/Thr protein phosphatase 1 beta catalytic subunit (PP1CB). This resulted in reduced PP1CB activity; however, overall cell cycle progression was not altered, so this is not the main mechanism of PC3 cell growth inhibition. High H2O2 levels by MnTE-2-PyP treatment induced nuclear fragmentation, which could be synergistically enhanced with radiotherapy. In LNCaP cells, thiol oxidation by MnTE-2-PyP treatment was not observed previously and, similarly to PC3 cells, there was no effect of MnTE-2-PyP treatment on cell cycle progression. However, in LNCaP cells, MnTE-2-PyP caused an increase in low RNA population and sub-G1 population of cells, which indicates that MnTE-2-PyP treatment may cause cellular quiescence or direct cancer cell death. The protein oxidative modifications and mitotic catastrophes caused by MnTE-2-PyP may be the major contributors to cell growth inhibition in PC3 cells, while in LNCaP cells, tumor cell quiescence or cell death appears to be major factors in MnTE-2-PyP-induced growth inhibition.
Mechanical Connectors to Enhance the Interfacial Debonding of Concrete Overlays
Authors: López-Carreño Rubén-Daniel , Carrascón Sergio , Aguado Antonio , Pujadas Pablo
Published: June 2020

Concrete bonded whitetoppings and overlays usually fail due to a loss of bond between the layers as a consequence of direct actions (traffic loads) or indirect actions (temperature differences or shrinkage in the layers). These actions generate stresses in the interface that may exceed the strength capacity of the union between layers. This paper proposed an innovative solution for this problem that consisted of placing mechanical connectors in the overlay interfaces to provide them with post-cracking strength and maintaining the monolithic response of the pavement. Three experimental programs on real-scale pavements with two types of mechanical connectors were studied under heavy traffic in terms of structural performance. Findings reveal that this technique might be an excellent solution to the problem of interfacial debonding.
Deformation of Air Bubbles Near a Plunging Jet Using a Machine Learning Approach
Authors: Di Nunno Fabio , Alves Pereira Francisco , de Marinis Giovanni , Di Felice Fabio , Gargano Rudy , Miozzi Massimo , Granata Francesco
Published: June 2020

The deformation of air bubbles in a liquid flow field is of relevant interest in phenomena such as cavitation, air entrainment, and foaming. In complex situations, this problem cannot be addressed theoretically, while the accuracy of an approach based on Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) is often unsatisfactory. In this study, a novel approach to the problem is proposed, based on the combined use of a shadowgraph technique, to obtain experimental data, and some machine learning algorithms to build prediction models. Three models were developed to predict the equivalent diameter and aspect ratio of air bubbles moving near a plunging jet. The models were different in terms of their input variables. Five variants of each model were built, changing the implemented machine learning algorithm: Additive Regression of Decision Stump, Bagging, K-Star, Random Forest and Support Vector Regression. In relation to the prediction of the equivalent diameter, two models provided satisfactory predictions, assessed on the basis of four different evaluation metrics. The third model was slightly less accurate in all its variants. Regarding the forecast of the bubble’s aspect ratio, the difference in the input variables of the prediction models shows a greater influence on the accuracy of the results. However, the proposed approach proves to be promising to address complex problems in the study of multi-phase flows.
COVID-19: A Comparison of Time Series Methods to Forecast Percentage of Active Cases per Population
Authors: Papastefanopoulos Vasilis , Linardatos Pantelis , Kotsiantis Sotiris
Published: June 2020

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has caused worldwide socioeconomic unrest, forcing governments to introduce extreme measures to reduce its spread. Being able to accurately forecast when the outbreak will hit its peak would significantly diminish the impact of the disease, as it would allow governments to alter their policy accordingly and plan ahead for the preventive steps needed such as public health messaging, raising awareness of citizens and increasing the capacity of the health system. This study investigated the accuracy of a variety of time series modeling approaches for coronavirus outbreak detection in ten different countries with the highest number of confirmed cases as of 4 May 2020. For each of these countries, six different time series approaches were developed and compared using two publicly available datasets regarding the progression of the virus in each country and the population of each country, respectively. The results demonstrate that, given data produced using actual testing for a small portion of the population, machine learning time series methods can learn and scale to accurately estimate the percentage of the total population that will become affected in the future.
Selective Laser Melting Heat Sinks under Jet Impingement Cooling for Heat Dissipation of Higher Light Output LED Lighting in a Limited Space
Authors: Huang Yi-Cheng , Hsu Huan-Chu
Published: June 2020

In this study, we aimed to create heat sinks with higher heat dissipation capabilities for a compact light-emitting diode (LED) recessed downlight (CLRDL) under jet impingement cooling. We desired to use the sinks in limited space to maintain lower junction temperature and allow higher LED power. Perforated-finned heat sinks (PTFHSs) and metal-foam-like heat sinks (MFLHSs) fabricated using selective laser melting (SLM) were compared with a traditional finned heat sink (TTFHS). Two cooling fans with higher and lower velocity at Reynolds numbers of 16916 and 6594 were individually installed on each heat sink. Numerical simulations were performed using COMSOL rotating machinery and nonisothermal flow interface with the standard k-ε turbulence flow model. Validations were performed on this apparatus. The SLM heat sinks exhibited higher Nusselt numbers and lower thermal resistance than traditional heat sinks because of a relatively higher heat transfer coefficient and larger heat transfer area. For the proposed SLM heat sinks with larger surface areas, complex flow channels, and ventilation holes under jet impingement cooling, the PTFHS exhibited the highest heat transfer enhancement followed by MFLHS and TTFHS. The results contribute to solving the problems of heat dissipation of higher light output LED lighting.
See-Through Near-Eye Display with Built-in Prescription and Two-Dimensional Exit Pupil Expansion
Authors: Zhang Wenbo , Chen Chao Ping , Ding Haifeng , Mi Lantian , Chen Jie , Liu Yuan , Zhu Changzhao
Published: June 2020

We propose a see-through near-eye display featuring an exit pupil expander (EPE), which is composed of two multiplexed slanted gratings. Via a two-dimensional expansion, the exit pupil (EP) is able to be enlarged up to 10 × 8 mm2. Besides, the prescription for correcting the refractive errors can be integrated as well. The design rules are set forth in detail, followed by the results and discussion regarding the efficiency, field of view (FOV), exit pupil, angular resolution (AR), modulation transfer function (MTF), contrast ratio (CR), distortion, and simulated imaging.
Study on Heat Transfer Performance and Anti-Fouling Mechanism of Ternary Ni-W-P Coating
Authors: Ren Lu , Cheng Yanhai , Yang Jinyong , Wang Qingguo
Published: June 2020

Since the formation of fouling reduces heat transfer efficiency and causes energy loss, anti-fouling is desirable and may be achieved by coating. In this work, a nickel-tungsten-phosphorus (Ni-W-P) coating was prepared on the mild steel (1015) substrate using electroless plating by varying sodium tungstate concentration to improve its anti-fouling property. Surface morphology, microstructure, fouling behavior, and heat transfer performance of coatings were further reported. Also, the reaction path, transition state, and energy gradient change of calcite, aragonite, and vaterite were also calculated. During the deposition process, as the W and P elements were solids dissolved in the Ni crystal cell, the content of Ni element was obviously higher than that of the other two elements. Globular morphology was evenly covered on the surface. Consequently, the thermal conductivity of ternary Ni-W-P coating decreases from 8.48 W/m·K to 8.19 W/m·K with the increase of W content. Additionally, it goes up to 8.93 W/m·K with the increase of heat source temperature 343 K. Oxidation products are always accompanied by deposits of calcite-phase CaCO3 fouling. Due to the low surface energy of Ni-W-P coating, Ca2+ and [CO3]2− are prone to cross the transition state with a low energy barrier of 0.10 eV, resulting in the more formation of aragonite-phase CaCO3 fouling on ternary Ni-W-P coating. Nevertheless, because of the interaction of high surface energy and oxidation products on the bare matrix or Ni-W-P coating with superior W content, free Ca2+ and [CO3]2− can be easy to nucleate into calcite. As time goes on, the heat transfer efficiency of material with Ni-W-P coating is superior to the bare surface.
Climate-Smart Agro-Hydrological Model for a Large Scale Rice Irrigation Scheme in Malaysia
Authors: Ismail Habibu , Kamal Md Rowshon , bin Abdullah Ahmad Fikri , bin Mohd Mohd Syazwan Faisal
Published: June 2020

Agro-hydrological water management frameworks help to integrate expected planned management and expedite regulation of water allocation for agricultural production. Low production is not only due to the variability of available water during crop growing seasons, but also poor water management decisions. The Tanjung Karang Rice Irrigation Scheme in Malaysia has yet to model agro-hydrological systems for effective water distribution under climate change impacts. A climate-smart agro-hydrological model was developed using Excel-based Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) for adaptive irrigation and wise water resource management towards water security under new climate change realities. Daily climate variables for baseline (1976–2005) and future (2010–2099) periods were extracted from 10 global climate models (GCMs) under three Representative Concentration Pathway scenarios (RCP4.5, RCP6.0, and RCP8.5). The projected available water for supply to the scheme would noticeably decrease during the dry season. The water demand in the scheme will differ greatly during the months in future dry seasons, and the increase in effective rainfall during the wet season will compensate for the high dry season water demand. No irrigation will therefore be needed in the months of May and June. In order to improve water distribution, simulated flows from the model could be incorporated with appropriate cropping patterns.
Projection of Future Heat Waves in the United States. Part I: Selecting a Climate Model Subset
Authors: Shafiei Shiva Javad , Chandler David G.
Published: June 2020

The widespread increase in global temperature is driving more frequent and more severe local heatwaves within the contiguous United States (CONUS). General circulation models (GCMs) show increasing, but spatially uneven trends in heatwave properties. However, the wide range of model outputs raises the question of the suitability of this method for indicating the future impacts of heatwaves on human health and well-being. This work examines the fitness of 32 models from CMIP5 and their ensemble median to predict a set of heatwave descriptors across the CONUS, by analyzing their capabilities in the simulation of historical heatwaves during 1950–2005. Then, we use a multi-criteria decision-making tool and rank the overall performance of each model for 10 locations with different climates. We found GCMs have different capabilities in the simulation of historical heatwave characteristics. In addition, we observed similar performances for GCMs over the areas with a partially similar climate. The ensemble model showed better performance in simulation of historical heatwave intensity in some locations, while other individual GCMs represented heatwave time-related components more similar to observations. These results are a step towards the use of contemporary weather models to guide heatwave impact predictions.
Hydralazine Sensitizes to the Antifibrotic Effect of 5-Aza-2′-deoxycytidine in Hepatic Stellate Cells
Authors: Asada Kiyoshi , Kaji Kosuke , Sato Shinya , Seki Kenichiro , Shimozato Naotaka , Kawaratani Hideto , Takaya Hiroaki , Sawada Yasuhiko , Nakanishi Keisuke , Furukawa Masanori , Kitade Mitsuteru , Moriya Kei , Namisaki Tadashi , Noguchi Ryuichi , Akahane Takemi , Yoshiji Hitoshi
Published: June 2020

Background: Hepatic stellate cell (HSC) activation is essential for the development of liver fibrosis. Epigenetic machinery, such as DNA methylation, is largely involved in the regulation of gene expression during HSC activation. Although the pharmacological DNA demethylation of HSC using 5-aza-2′-deoxycytidine (5-aza-dC) yielded an antifibrotic effect, this drug has been reported to induce excessive cytotoxicity at a high dose. Hydralazine (HDZ), an antihypertensive agent, also exhibits non-nucleoside demethylating activity. However, the effect of HDZ on HSC activation remains unclear. In this study, we performed a combined treatment with 5-aza-dC and HDZ to obtain an enhanced antifibrotic effect with lower cytotoxicity. Methods: HSC-T6 cells were used as a rat HSC cell line in this study. The cells were cultivated together with 1 µM 5-Aza-dC and/or 10 µg/mL of HDZ, which were refreshed every 24 h until the 96 h treatment ended. Cell proliferation was measured using the WST-1 assay. The mRNA expression levels of peptidylprolyl isomerase A (Ppia), an internal control gene, collagen type I alpha 1 (Cola1), RAS protein activator like 1 (Rasal1), and phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted from chromosome 10 (Pten) were analyzed using quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Results: The percentage cell viability with 5-aza-dC, HDZ, and combined treatment vs. the vehicle-only control was 101.4 ± 2.5, 95.2 ± 5.7, and 79.2 ± 0.7 (p < 0.01 for 5-aza-dC and p < 0.01 for HDZ), respectively, in the 48 h treatment, and 52.4 ± 5.6, 65.9 ± 3.4, and 29.9 ± 1.3 (p < 0.01 for 5-aza-dC and p < 0.01 for HDZ), respectively, in the 96 h treatment. 5-Aza-dC and the combined treatment markedly decreased Cola1 mRNA levels. Accordingly, the expression levels of Rasal1 and Pten, which are antifibrotic genes, were increased by treatment after the 5-aza-dC and combined treatments. Moreover, single treatment with HDZ did not affect the expression levels of Cola1, Rasal1, or Pten. These results suggest that HDZ sensitizes to the antifibrotic effect of 5-aza-dC in HSC-T6 cells. The molecular mechanism underlying the sensitization to the antifibrotic effect of 5-aza-dC by HDZ remains to be elucidated. The expression levels of rat equilibrative nucleoside transporter genes (rEnt1, rEnt2, and rEnt3) were not affected by HDZ in this study. Conclusions: Further confirmation using primary HSCs and in vivo animal models is desirable, but combined treatment with 5-aza-dC and HDZ may be an effective therapy for liver fibrosis without severe adverse effects.
Cholinergic Stress Signals Accompany MicroRNA-Associated Stereotypic Behavior and Glutamatergic Neuromodulation in the Prefrontal Cortex
Authors: Moshitzky Gilli , Shoham Shai , Madrer Nimrod , Husain Amir Mouhammed , Greenberg David S. , Yirmiya Raz , Ben-Shaul Yoram , Soreq Hermona
Published: June 2020

Stereotypic behavior (SB) is common in emotional stress-involved psychiatric disorders and is often attributed to glutamatergic impairments, but the underlying molecular mechanisms are unknown. Given the neuro-modulatory role of acetylcholine, we sought behavioral-transcriptomic links in SB using TgR transgenic mice with impaired cholinergic transmission due to over-expression of the stress-inducible soluble ‘readthrough’ acetylcholinesterase-R splice variant AChE-R. TgR mice showed impaired organization of behavior, performance errors in a serial maze test, escape-like locomotion, intensified reaction to pilocarpine and reduced rearing in unfamiliar situations. Small-RNA sequencing revealed 36 differentially expressed (DE) microRNAs in TgR mice hippocampi, 8 of which target more than 5 cholinergic transcripts. Moreover, compared to FVB/N mice, TgR prefrontal cortices displayed individually variable changes in over 400 DE mRNA transcripts, primarily acetylcholine and glutamate-related. Furthermore, TgR brains presented c-fos over-expression in motor behavior-regulating brain regions and immune-labeled AChE-R excess in the basal ganglia, limbic brain nuclei and the brain stem, indicating a link with the observed behavioral phenotypes. Our findings demonstrate association of stress-induced SB to previously unknown microRNA-mediated perturbations of cholinergic/glutamatergic networks and underscore new therapeutic strategies for correcting stereotypic behaviors.
Oenological Characteristics of Fermented Apple Musts and Volatile Profile of Brandies Obtained from Different Apple Cultivars
Authors: Januszek Magdalena , Satora Paweł , Tarko Tomasz
Published: June 2020

Volatile profile of spirits is the most important factor, because it can contribute to pleasant flavor. The aim of the study was to determine the impact of dessert apple cultivar used for fermentation on the concentration of volatile compounds in apple spirits. SPME-GC-MS (solid-phase microextraction- gas chromatography- mass spectrometry) method enables the detection of 69 substances and GC-FID (gas chromatography - flame ionization detector) 31 compounds. Characteristic volatiles for brandies obtained from Topaz were limonene, myrcene, methyl valerate and 1,1-diethoxy-propane, from Rubin—β-citronellol and isopropyl acetate, Elise—limonene, myrcene benzyl acetate and isopropyl acetate, Szampion—β-citronellol, Idared—1,1-diethoxy-propane and Jonagored—ethyl trans-4-decanoate. Of the ten analyzed apple spirits, those obtained from Topaz, Rubin and Elise cultivars demonstrated the most diverse profile of volatile compounds. Moreover, their oenological parameters that are the most important in the production of alcoholic beverages were the most favorable. On the other hand, the content of sugars was relatively low in Elise must, while it was highest in Topaz must, which later on translated into differences in alcohol content. Brandies obtained from Gloster contained the smallest concentrations of esters and terpenes. Results of the sensory analysis showed that highest rated brandies were obtained from Topaz, Rubin, Elise and Florina.
LOMIX, a Mixture of Flaxseed Linusorbs, Exerts Anti-Inflammatory Effects through Src and Syk in the NF-κB Pathway
Authors: Ratan Zubair Ahmed , Jeong Deok , Sung Nak Yoon , Shim Youn Young , Reaney Martin J. T. , Yi Young-Su , Cho Jae Youl
Published: June 2020

Although flax (Linum usitatissimum L.) has long been used as Ayurvedic medicine, its anti-inflammatory role is still unclear. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the anti-inflammatory role of a linusorb mixture (LOMIX) recovered from flaxseed oil. Effects of LOMIX on inflammation and its mechanism of action were examined using several in vitro assays (i.e., NO production, real-time PCR analysis, luciferase-reporter assay, Western blot analysis, and kinase assay) and in vivo analysis with animal inflammation models as well as acute toxicity test. Results: LOMIX inhibited NO production, cell shape change, and inflammatory gene expression in stimulated RAW264.7 cells through direct targeting of Src and Syk in the NF-κB pathway. In vivo study further showed that LOMIX alleviated symptoms of gastritis, colitis, and hepatitis in murine model systems. In accordance with in vitro results, the in vivo anti-inflammatory effects were mediated by inhibition of Src and Syk. LOMIX was neither cytotoxic nor did it cause acute toxicity in mice. In addition, it was found that LOB3, LOB2, and LOA2 are active components included in LOMIX, as assessed by NO assay. These in vitro and in vivo results suggest that LOMIX exerts an anti-inflammatory effect by inhibiting the inflammatory responses of macrophages and ameliorating symptoms of inflammatory diseases without acute toxicity and is a promising anti-inflammatory medication for inflammatory diseases.
HMGA Proteins in Hematological Malignancies
Authors: Minervini Angela , Coccaro Nicoletta , Anelli Luisa , Zagaria Antonella , Specchia Giorgina , Albano Francesco
Published: June 2020

The high mobility group AT-Hook (HMGA) proteins are a family of nonhistone chromatin remodeling proteins known as “architectural transcriptional factors”. By binding the minor groove of AT-rich DNA sequences, they interact with the transcription apparatus, altering the chromatin modeling and regulating gene expression by either enhancing or suppressing the binding of the more usual transcriptional activators and repressors, although they do not themselves have any transcriptional activity. Their involvement in both benign and malignant neoplasias is well-known and supported by a large volume of studies. In this review, we focus on the role of the HMGA proteins in hematological malignancies, exploring the mechanisms through which they enhance neoplastic transformation and how this knowledge could be exploited to devise tailored therapeutic strategies.