bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
INPP5F translocates into cytoplasm and interacts with ASPH to promote tumor growth in hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Zhou Qianlei , Lin Jianhong , Liu Qinghua , Yan Yongcong , Yu Wei , Chen Ruibin , He Chuanchao , Wang Jie , Zhang Jianlong , Mao Kai , Zhou Zhenyu , Xiao Zhiyu
Published: April 2020

Background Increasing evidence has suggested inositol polyphosphate 5-phosphatase family contributes to tumorigenesis and tumor progression. However, the role of INPP5F in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and its underlying mechanisms is unclear. Methods The expression of INPP5F in HCC was analyzed in public databases and our clinical specimens. The biological functions of INPP5F were investigated in vitro and vivo. The molecular mechanism of INPP5F in regulating tumor growth were studied by transcriptome-sequencing analysis, mass spectrometry analysis, immunoprecipitation assay and immunofluorescence assay. Results High expression of INPP5F was found in HCC tissues and was associated with poor prognosis in HCC patients. Overexpression of INPP5F promoted HCC cell proliferation, and vice versa. Knockdown of INPP5F suppressed tumor growth in vivo. Results from transcriptome-sequencing analysis showed INPP5F not only regulated a series of cell cycle related genes expression (c-MYC and cyclin E1), but also promoted many aerobic glycolysis related genes expression. Further study confirmed that INPP5F could enhance lactate production and glucose consumption in HCC cells. Mechanistically, INPP5F interacted with ASPH through which INPP5F activated Notch signaling and subsequently promoted the expression of c-MYC and cyclin E1. Interestingly, INPP5F was commonly nuclear-located in cells of adjacent tissues, while cytoplasmic-located was more common in HCC cells. LMB (nuclear export inhibitor) treatment restricted INPP5F in nucleus and was associated with inhibition of Notch signaling and cell proliferation. Furthermore, sequence of nuclear localization signals (NLSs) and nuclear export signals (NESs) in INPP5F aminoacidic sequence were identified. Alteration of the NLSs or NESs influenced the localization of INPP5F and the expression of its downstream molecules. Conclusion These findings indicate that INPP5F functions as an oncogene in HCC via a translocation mechanism and activating ASPH-mediated Notch signaling pathway. INPP5F may serve as a potential therapeutic target for HCC patients.
Predictive ability of motion sickness susceptibility questionnaire for seasickness individual difference in Chinese military personnel
Authors: Pan Leilei , Qi Ruirui , Xiao Shuifeng , Mao Yuqi , Su Yang , Xu Rong , Gui Li , Wang Junqin , Cai Yiling
Published: April 2020

Background Motion sickness susceptibility questionnaire (MSSQ) has been widely used for assessing individual differences in motion sickness. The present study tried to investigate its efficacy for predicting seasickness susceptible (SUS) and insusceptible (INSUS) subjects among Chinese military personnel. Methods Two cohorts of young male army volunteers were exposed to real ship motion (n=125) and laboratory vertical oscillation motion (n=77). Predictive ability of the MSSQ and its vomiting (MSV) and nausea (MSN) subscales (including child and adult subitems) was examined via analyzing area under the curve (AUC) of receiver operating characteristic (ROC) with seasickness susceptibility defined by Graybiel score or nausea latency. Results Higher Graybiel scores and lower percentage of INSUS subjects was observed in the ship motion trial than the vertical oscillation trial. MSSQ and its subscales positively correlated with the Graybiel score in both trials. The MSN child showed no predictive ability for the INSUS subjects, leading to lower AUC of the MSN than the MSSQ and the MSV for INSUS prediction in ship motion (0.587 vs. 0.647 and 0.644, P < 0.01) and vertical oscillation trial (0.696 vs. 0.761 and 0.788, P < 0.01 and 0.05) when seasickness susceptibility was defined by Graybiel score. Lower AUC in the MSN than the MSSQ (0.691 vs. 0.758, P < 0.05 and 0.01) was observed due to invalidity of MSN child when susceptibility was defined by nausea latency in the vertical oscillation trial. The prediction ability of SUS did not differ among the MSSQ and its subscales in both trials. Relative to the ship motion trial, the vertical oscillation trial showed higher predictive efficacy of the MSSQ for the Graybiel score-defined SUS subjects (0.840 vs. 0.686, P < 0.05) as a result of higher AUC in both the MSV (0.840 vs. 0.690, P < 0.05) and the MSN (0.806 vs. 0.651, P < 0.01). Conclusions The MSSQ was effective for predicting seasickness susceptibility in young male Chinese military members, but the efficacy varies with motion intensity and complexity and the vomiting scale should be recommended for application.
Perinatal Environment Shapes Microbiota Colonization And Infant Growth: Impact On Host Response And Intestinal Function
Authors: Selma-Royo Marta , Calatayud Marta , García-Mantrana Izaskun , Parra-Llorca Anna , Escuriet Ramón , Martínez-Costa Cecilia , Collado Maria Carmen
Published: April 2020

Background Early microbial colonization triggers processes that result in intestinal maturation and immune priming. Perinatal factors, especially those associated with birth, including both mode and place of delivery are critical to shaping the infant gut microbiota with potential health consequences. Methods Gut microbiota profile of 180 healthy infants (n=23 born at home and n=157 born in hospital, 41.7% via caesarean section [CS]) was analyzed by 16S rRNA gene sequencing at birth, seven days and one month of life. Breastfeeding habits, infant clinical data, including length, weight and antibiotic exposure, were collected up to 18 months of life. Long-term personalized in vitro models of the intestinal epithelium and innate immune system were used to assess the link between gut microbiota composition, intestinal function and immune response. Results Microbiota profiles were shaped by the place and mode of delivery, and they had a distinct biological impact on the immune response and intestinal function in epithelial/immune cell models. Bacteroidetes and Bifidobacterium genus were decreased in C-section infants, who showed higher z-scores BMI and W/L during the first 18 months of life. Intestinal simulated epithelium had a stronger epithelial barrier function and intestinal maturation, alongside a higher immunological response (TLR4 route activation and pro-inflammatory cytokine release), when exposed to home-birth fecal supernatants, compared with CS. Distinct host response could be associated with different microbiota profiles. Conclusions Mode and place of birth influence the neonatal gut microbiota, likely shaping its interplay with the host through the maturation of the intestinal epithelium, regulation of the intestinal epithelial barrier and control of the innate immune system during early life, which can affect the phenotypic responses linked to metabolic processes in infants.
MiR-214-3p Promotes Proliferation and Inhibits Estradiol Synthesis In Porcine Granulosa Cells
Authors: Shi Shengjie , Zhou Xiaoge , Li Jingjing , Zhang Lutong , Hu Yamei , Li Yankun , Yang Gongshe , Chu Guiyan
Published: April 2020

Background: Granulosa cells proliferation and estradiol synthesis significantly affect follicular development. The miR-214-3p expression in the ovarian tissues of high-yielding sows is higher than that in low-yielding sows, indicating that miR-214-3p may be involved in sow fertility. However, the functions and mechanisms of miR-214-3p on granulosa cells are unclear. In this study, miR-214-3p was transfected into porcine ovarian granulosa cells to investigate its functions in terms of proliferation and estradiol synthesis via flow cytometry, CCK-8 assay, EdU staining, ElisA, Real-Time PCR, and Western blot analyses. We also identified the targets of miR-214-3p via Luciferase Reporter Assay. Results: Our findings revealed that miR-214-3p promotes proliferation and inhibits estradiol synthesis in porcine granulosa cells. We also found that miR-214-3p up-regulates the expression of cell cycle genes including Cell cycle protein B (Cyclin B), Cell cycle protein D (Cyclin D), Cell cycle protein E (Cyclin E), and Cyclin-dependent kinase 4 (CDK4) at the transcription and translation levels, while down-regulating the mRNA and protein levels of cytochrome P450 family 11 subfamily A member 1 (CYP11A1), cytochrome P450 family 19 subfamily A member 1 (CYP19A1), and steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR) (i.e., the key enzymes in estradiol synthesis). On-line prediction, bioinformatics analysis, a luciferase reporter assay, RT-qPCR, and Western blot results showed that the target genes of miR-214-3p in proliferation and estradiol synthesis are Mfn2 and NR5A1, respectively. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that miR-214-3p plays an important role in the functional regulation of porcine granulosa cells and therefore may be a target gene for regulating follicular development.
Immunohistochemical Evaluation of Angiogenesis in Warts
Authors: Bossart Simon , Hartmeier Lisa , Jafari S. Morteza Seyed , Beltraminelli Helmut , Hunger Robert E.
Published: April 2020

Background

Angiogenesis is a key event in tumour growth. An infection with human papillomavirus (HPV) typically leads to benign tumours, such as warts (papillomas) on the skin and mucous membranes. The role of angiogenesis in skin warts is yet to be established. The present work evaluates the hypothesis that the development of skin warts is associated with alterations in the dermal vascularisation (dermal microvessel density/mm 2 , MVD).

Methods

Seventeen cases of cutaneous warts and eight cases of normal skin were studied. Dermal vessels were immunostained for CD31, CD34 and CD105. The ten areas with the highest number of microvessels were counted.

Results

The number of CD31 + , CD34 + and CD105 + vessels was significantly higher in cutaneous warts compared to that in normal skin (mean±SD: 45.71±22.63 vs 21.27±5.83, P=0.0062; 59.75±24.93 vs 17.13±5.67, P<0.001; and 29.74±7.09 vs 6.58±1.89, P<0.001 respectively).

Conclusion

Higher MVD values in skin warts suggest a possible causal correlation between angiogenesis and development of papillomas in HPV infected skin. Our results shows the morphological histopathological explanation (high number of vessels) for the punk-shaped vessels seen in the dermatoscopical examination.
The current status of Pathology education: A survey among Chinese medical students
Authors: Xu Chun , Li Yiping , Author) Pingsheng Chen(Former Corresponding , Pan Min , Author) Xiaodong Bu(New Corresponding
Published: April 2020

BackgroundPathology education transfers knowledge of Pathology and guides students to become pathologists. Recently, Ministry of Education of the People’s Republic of China strongly advocated establishing the system of ‘Golden Online and Offline Courses’, which indicates online courses will play important roles in college education. Furthermore, the number of pathologists has fallen far behind the clinical needs. To solve this health issue and implement the policy from Ministry of Education, improving current Pathology education is necessary, and first is to know students’ opinions on the present courses and their professional choices.MethodsQuestionnaires covering the quality of traditional courses, the attitude towards the online courses, and the suggestions for optimizing courses were designed and applied via web link. Whether students want to become pathologists and the underlying reasons are also incorporated into this survey. Medical students from certain colleges in Nanjing were participants. The collected data were assessed by corresponding percentages.ResultsOf the 215 valid responses, half of undergraduate students show their interests in Pathology courses, and among them, 50% express that they may become pathologists. However, the percentage is only 18.03% in the group without interest. For optimizing curriculums, the top two suggestions are introducing more clinical cases (undergraduate students, 74.42%; graduate students, 79.09%) and making the classes lively and interesting (undergraduate students, 67.44%; graduate students, 62.79%). Around 80% of students consider online courses as good supplementary materials to traditional courses, and half prefer online-offline mixed learning model. Salary, interest, and employment status are main factors influencing students’ professional choices.ConclusionsStudents are generally satisfied with the traditional Pathology courses, and the online courses are good supplementary materials in their opinions. Clinical cases are suggested to be introduced in classes. It is more likely for the students who have interests in Pathology to become pathologists. The main obstacles students will not become pathologists are boring work and unsatisfactory salary.
Desiccation does not drastically increase the accessibility of exogenous DNA to nuclear genomes: Evidence from the frequency of endosymbiotic DNA transfer
Authors: Li Xi-Xi , Fang Cheng , Zhao Jun-Peng , Zhou Xiao-Yu , Ni Zhihua , Niu Deng-Ke
Published: April 2020

Background: Although horizontal gene transfer (HGT) is a widely accepted force in the evolution of prokaryotic genomes, its role in the evolution of eukaryotic genomes remains hotly debated. Some bdelloid rotifers that are resistant to extreme desiccation and radiation undergo a very high level of HGT, whereas a similar report of another desiccation-resistant invertebrate, the tardigrade, remains controversial. Overall, the DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) induced by prolonged desiccation have been postulated to open a gateway to the nuclear genome for exogenous DNA integration and thus to facilitate the HGT process, thereby enhancing the rate of endosymbiotic DNA transfer (EDT).
Results: We first surveyed the abundance of nuclear mitochondrial DNAs (NUMTs) and nuclear plastid DNAs (NUPTs) in five eukaryotes that are highly resistant to desiccation: the bdelloid rotifers Adineta vaga and Adineta ricciae , the tardigrade Ramazzottius varieornatus , and the resurrection plants Dorcoceras hygrometricum and Selaginella tamariscina . Excessive NUMTs or NUPTs were not detected. Furthermore, we compared 24 groups of desiccation-tolerant organisms with their relatively less desiccation-tolerant relatives but did not find a significant difference in NUMT/NUPT contents.
Conclusions: Desiccation may induce DSBs, but it is unlikely to dramatically increase the frequency of exogenous sequence integration in most eukaryotes. The capture of exogenous DNA sequences is possible only when DSBs are repaired through a subtype of non-homologous end joining, named alternative end joining (alt-EJ). Due to the deleterious effects of the resulting insertion mutations, alt-EJ is less frequently initiated than other mechanisms.
High production of triterpenoids in Yarrowia lipolytica through manipulation of lipid components
Authors: Zhang Jin Lai , Bai Qiu Yan , Peng Yang Zi , Fan Jie , Jin Cong Cong , Cao Ying Xiu , Yuan Ying Jin
Published: April 2020

BackgroundLupeol exhibits novel physiological and pharmacological activities, such as anti-cancer and immunity enhancement. However, cytotoxicity is still a challenge for triterpenoids overproduction in microbial cell factories. As lipophilic and relatively small-molecular compounds, triterpenes are generally secreted to the extracellular space. The effect of increasing triterpenes efflux on the synthesis capacity remains unknown.ResultsIn this study, we developed a strategy to enhance the triterpenes efflux through manipulation of lipid components in Y. lipolytica by overexpressing the enzyme of Δ9-fatty acid desaturase (OLE1) and disturbing the phosphatidic acid phosphatase (PAH1) and diacylglycerol kinase (DGK1). As a result, we obtained a high-yield lupeol strain with the highest lupeol production of 411.72 mg/L in shake flasks reported to date, reaching a 33.2-fold improvement over the initial strain. The lipid manipulation led to a two-fold increase of unsaturated fatty acids (UFAs) content, up to 61%~73%, and an exceptionally elongated cell morphology, which might be caused by enhanced membrane phospholipids biosynthesis flux. Both of the phenotypes accelerated the export of toxic products to the extracellular space and ultimately stimulated the capacity of triterpenoids synthesis, which were proved by 5.11-fold higher ratio of extra-/intra-cellular lupeol concentrations, 2.7-fold higher biomass accumulation and 2.60-fold higher lupeol productivity per unit OD in modified strains. This strategy was also highly efficient for biosynthesis of other triterpenes and sesquiterpenes, including α-, β-arymin, longifolene, longipinene and longicyclene.ConclusionsTo conclude, we successfully created a high-yield lupeol strain via lipid manipulation. And we demonstrated that the enhancement of lupeol efflux and synthesis capacity was induced by the increased unsaturated fatty acids content and elongated cell morphology. Our study provides a novel strategy to promote the biosynthesis of valuable but toxic products in microbial cell factories.
STUDY OF THE PROBLEM OF OPTIMAL MAINTENANCE OF UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLES IN CONDITIONS OF A SHORTAGE OF VEHICLES
Authors: Medynskyi Denys , Borets Iryna
Published: April 2020

The ways to find the ways of solving the problem of optimal service for unmanned aerial vehicles in the conditions of vehicle shortage are explored.

In the study of theory of optimal control and discrete optimization insufficiently explored the problem of optimal graph coverage by the chains of a fixed pattern with the help of a description system of ordinary differential equations.

With the help of the graph theory investigated the optimization problem of the «Upper Cover» for unmanned aerial vehicles service in the conditions of vehicle shortage has been solved.

Study of the problem relates to the mathematical dependence of transport systems. It can be used for determination of the optimal ratio between the amount of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles and fuel (electricity) reserves used by the Unmanned Aerial Vehicles. The method of solving the problem of determining the weight of the arcs of the graph and the problem of constructing a chain is based on that dependence. Part of the problem is the task of docking. The combinatorial task of choosing a set of stations for servicing points of the initial unmanned aerial vehicles dislocation is based on the dependence mentioned. Effective method for solving the problem of optimal coverage of a graph for supply chains with constraints is developed on the bases of the dependence.

The proposed research methods can significantly reduce the cost of delivery of urgent goods using unmanned aerial vehicles.

The proposed research methods can significantly reduce the cost of delivery of urgent goods using unmanned aerial vehicles. Perspective of further researches is studying of mathematical model of optimal servicing the delivery areas in the conditions of the lack of UAV. The constraints for practical purposes must have a group-theoretical approach to solving optimization problems and be reduced for the constructing an optimal cost matrix analysis. Algebraic approach is used, when there is a need in solving a large set of similar types of optimization problems with different constraints in the right hand side only.

It is possible to apply a heuristic algorithm for solving the problem of optimal UAV service. The problem means optimal coverage of a special graph with chains with restriction on the chain length
DEVELOPMENT OF ALGORITHMIC MODELS FOR RESEARCH OF RELIABILITY PARAMETERS OF TROLLEYBUS TRACTION ELECTRIC MOTORS IN THE OPERATION PROCESS
Authors: Shavkun Vyacheslav , Pavlenko Tatyana , Kozlova Olha
Published: April 2020

The analysis of the reliability parameters of traction engines during the operation of trolleybuses in different modes is done. The presented groups of operational factors are lead to the emergence of censored samples. The methods of express analysis of engine reliability using technical diagnostic tools are determined. A block diagram of an algorithmic model for studying the reliability parameters of traction electric motors of trolleybuses during operation has been developed. It allows at any time to evaluate the influence of operational factors on the reliability indicators of traction electric engines and to more clearly and reasonably assign organizational, technical and preventive measures.

It has been established that the effective and reliable operation of urban electric transport, in particular trolleybuses, depends on the reliability of individual components and assemblies of rolling stock, as well as on the quality and timely control of their parameters during operation.

In practice, it has been proved that failure of traction electric motors (TEM) of trolleybuses leads to significant material losses at electric transport enterprises. And one of the main parameters of reliability of traction electric motors of trolleybuses is the reliability of operation during operation.

Based on the research results, practical recommendations are developed on the rational choice of diagnostic parameters. Their implementation at electric transport enterprises will increase the reliability of traction electric motors as a whole up to 10 %.

The developed methodology allows the study (assessment) of the reliability parameters of any type of traction engine of a trolley during operation
CRYSTAL STRUCTURE ANALYSIS OF K3VF6 COMPOUND
Authors: Zavodyannyi Viktor
Published: April 2020

The object of research is the crystal structure of the a phase of K3VF6 compound. From the analysis of the literature it follows that there are three modifications of this compound – the a phase, the b phase and the g phase. There are also several methods for preparing this compound. One of the problem areas is the existence of a large number of diffraction spectra obtained with the Bragg-Bertrand survey geometry in the PDF-2 database for 2004. There is also no complete data on the crystal structure of this compound. A structural model is proposed for the diffraction spectrum of the compound under the number 00-037-0738.

The study used the PDF-2 database for 2004. As well as the HighScorePlus program, which allows to refine the microstructural parameters of the structural model by the Rietveld method.

As a result, it is found that this diffraction spectrum of the compound under study can correspond to the following structural model: tetragonal system with lattice periods a=12.3524(4) A0; b=12.3524(4) A0; c=16.7447(7)A0. A possible spatial symmetry group is I41/a (88).

Analyzing the obtained results, it can be assumed that the studied structure of the a phase of the compound crystallizes in its own structural type
INFLUENCE OF FINE ADDITIVES AND SURFACTANTS ON THE STRENGTH AND PERMEABILITY DEGREE OF CONCRETE
Authors: Shkromada Oksana , Paliy Andriy , Yurchenko Oksana , Khobot Nadiia , Pikhtirova Alina , Vysochin Ivan , Fedorenko Ganna , Paliy Anatoliy
Published: April 2020

The results of studies to determine the effect of titanium dioxide nanoparticles (nanoTiO2), finely dispersed anatase crystalline titanium dioxide (anatazTiO2) and surface-active substances (surfactants) on the compressive strength, degree of permeability and thermal stability of concrete samples are presented. Adding particles of nanotitanium, anatase titanium and surfactants up to 2 % to cement accelerates the hydration process and increases the strength of concrete, and also has a strong effect on its microstructure.

As a result of the studies, it is experimentally proved that the compressive strength of concrete increases with the addition of titanium dioxide (nanoTiO2) nanoparticles by 23.2 %, finely dispersed anatase crystalline titanium dioxide (anatazTiO2) by 21.7 % to 5 % concentration by weight.

In addition, the introduction of these additives reduces the permeability of concrete. This is due to a decrease in the absorption of concrete by water with the addition of nanotitanium and anatase titanium. The introduction of additives from 1 % to 5 % by weight in concrete reduces the depth of chloride penetration by 10–15 times, compared with the control.

The use of temperature-programmed desorption mass spectrometry (TPD-MS) method has shown that an increase in the percentage of TiO2 nanoparticles to 5 % in concrete mixtures correlates with an increase in microporosity and dispersion level of these mixtures, which causes a shift in the peaks of intense gas evolution from the samples when heated to the side low temperatures (for example, carbon dioxide CO2).

The resulting concrete samples are planned to be used for the manufacture of floors in livestock buildings. The injected additives are selected because they are not toxic substances and, in contact with the biological environment of livestock buildings (urine, feces), will not react with them
Renormalization to localization without a small parameter
Authors: Kutlin Anton , Khaymovich Ivan
Published: April 2020

We study the wave function localization properties in a d-dimensional model of randomly spaced particles with isotropic hopping potential depending solely on Euclidean interparticle distances.
Due to generality of this model usually called Euclidean random matrix model, it arises naturally in various physical contexts such as studies of vibrational modes, artificial atomic systems, liquids and glasses, ultracold gases and photon localization phenomena. We generalize the known Burin-Levitov renormalization group approach, formulate universal conditions sufficient for localization in such models and inspect a striking equivalence of the wave function spatial decay between Euclidean random matrices and translation-invariant long-range lattice models with a diagonal disorder.
Quasi-free limit in the deuteron-deuteron three-body break-up process
Authors: ramazani sharifabadi reza , Amir-Ahmadi Hamid Reza , Bayat M. T. , Ciepał Izabela , Eslami-Kalantari Mohammad , Kalantar Nayestanaki Nasser , Kistryn Stanisław , Kozela Adam , Mahjour-Shafiei Masoud , Mardanpour Hossein , Messchendorp Johan , Mohammadi-Dadkan Maisam , Ramazani-Moghaddam-Aran Ahmad , Stephan Elżbieta , Tavakoli-Zaniani H.
Published: April 2020

Detailed measurements of vector and tensor analyzing powers of the
^{2}{\rm H}(\vec d,dp){n}
break-up process are presented. The data were obtained using a polarized
deuteron-beam with an energy of 65 MeV/nucleon impinging on a
liquid-deuterium target. The experiment was conducted at the AGOR
facility at KVI using the BINA 4\piπ-detection
system. The focus of this contribution is to analyze data of the
dddd
scattering process in the regime at which the neutron acts as a
spectator, which we refer to as the quasi-free (QF) limit. To achieve
this, events for which the final-state deuteron and proton are coplanar
have been analyzed and the data have been sorted for various
reconstructed momenta of the missing neutron. In the limit of vanishing
neutron momentum and at small deuteron-proton momentum transfer, the
data match very well with measured and predicted spin observables of the
elastic deuteron-proton scattering process. The agreement deteriorates
rapidly with increasing neutron momentum and deuteron-proton momentum
transfer. The results of coplanar configurations in four-body phase
space are compared with the results of recent available theoretical
calculations based on the Single-Scattering Approximation.
Board ethnic diversity and goodwill impairment decisions: longitudinal analysis of energy firms in Malaysia
Authors: Abdul-Majid Jamaliah
Published: April 2020

The present study investigates whether ethnic diversity among firms’ directors influences the decision to take goodwill write-offs, after considering the economic factors of impairment (measured in terms of the market capitalization indicator), reporting incentives, and firms’ internal governance. The analysis focuses on energy firms in Malaysia from 2006 to 2018. The regressions results based on binary logistics show that energy firms are less likely to take goodwill write-offs even when the market indicates the possibility for the write-offs. The results also show the absence of the direct relationship between goodwill impairment decisions and ethnic diversity of the board of directors. Nevertheless, the results reveal that board ethnicity moderates the relationship between firms’ goodwill impairment decisions and the market capitalization indicator, suggesting that as firms encounter increasing market indicator of impairment losses, the board with diverse ethnicity positively influences firms in taking goodwill write-offs. The results of the present study add to the literature on board diversity and firms’ decisions with regard to goodwill impairment by highlighting the beneficial roles of having ethnically diverse board of directors, in that they use the market indicator that goodwill may be impaired in their monitoring role on the goodwill impairment decisions. The results offer input to the policymakers by suggesting that to strengthen the monitoring roles of the board of directors, they need to be diverse and equipped with indicators that would assist them in their monitoring decisions.
AcknowledgementThe author acknowledges’ the research funding (i.e., FRGS grant 13591 provided via Universiti Utara Malaysia) from the Ministry of Higher Education in Malaysia.
Results of the fourth combined scientific expedition for the radition monitoring in the Kurily-Kamchatka region of the Pacific ocean
Authors: Onischenko G. G. , Popova A. Yu. , Romanovich I. K. , Ivanov S. A. , Biblin A. M. , Repin V. S. , Varfolomeeva K. V.
Published: April 2020

This paper continues the series of publications on evaluation of the consequences of the Fukushima-1 nuclear power plant accident and the impact of the emergency radionuclide discharges on the contamination of the sea biota and coastal areas of the Far-East regions. In autumn 2019, the fourth scientific expedition of the Russian geographic society on the monitoring of the radiation situation in Kurily-Kamchatka region was performed on the training vessel «Professor Khlyustin». The expedition included 9 specialists from noncommercial organization «Polar research Fund «Polar Fund», «Russian state hydrometeorological institute», «Radium institute after V.G. Khlopin» of the State Corporation «Rosatom», «Kurchatov institute», «SaintPetersburg research institute of radiation hygiene after prof. P.V. Ramzaev» and «Marine state university after admiral G.I. Nevelsky». The aim of the fourth expedition was to evaluate the radiation situation in the Sea of Japan and Kurily-Kamchatka region after the Fukushima-1 NPP accident as a continuation of the similar marine expeditions in 2011, 2012 and 2014. The survey was performed in the water area of the sea of Japan and Okhotsk sea. The results indicate that the concentration of 137Cs and 90Sr in sea water, hydrobionts, soil, ground and sea vegetation is still on the baseline level due to the global fallouts.
Lifestyle of People Living in Harsh Climatic and Geographical Conditions
Authors: Kulik A. A.
Published: April 2020

The goal of the present empirical study was to describe the lifestyle of people who have to live in harsh climatic and geographical conditions. The research featured the people of Kamchatka and involved several stages. During the first stage, the author obtained descriptive characteristics of the environment in question based on self-reports of respondents. The interviewed included those satisfied with their living conditions and those willing to leave Kamchatka. The lifestyle features were grouped into the differential assessment of environmental characteristics and the factors that directly affect the construction of one's individual lifestyle, e.g. climate, or the so-called geophysical factor, society, household, economy, etc. During the second stage, the author identified the nuclear and peripheral lifestyle structures typical of individuals that have to live in harsh conditions. The nuclear lifestyle structure consisted of characteristics that reflected activity, emotional assessment, safety, meanings, and truth. These features were associated with the direct implementation of specific goals, motives, and needs. The content and structural components of one's lifestyle appeared to be affected by one's chronotopes, or space-time structures. A time construct proved to build itself into one’s individual lifestyle, which led to a special type of constructing relationships heading from the past to the present and the future. This specific feature also determined the assessment of one’s life activities.
Self-Presentation Strategies as a Factor of Lecturer's Personality Perception by Students in Online Interaction at a Media Lecture
Authors: Miklyaeva A. V. , Panferov V. N. , Bezgodova S. A. , Vasileva S. V.
Published: April 2020

The present reseach featured the effect of the self-presentation strategies used by lecturers on the socio-psychological interpretation of their personality by students at media lectures. The research objective was to define self-presentation strategies that help shape a role model behavior which could be adopted by the students in conditions of direct lecturer – audience interaction. The study focused on two contexts of online interaction. Students in the test group were offered a public media lecture and an out-of-class media lecture given by lecturers they had never seen before. After that, the students were asked to describe the lecrurers using the polar profile technique. Both descriptions showed that the maximum convergence of the image of the lecturer with the reference role model resulted from the strategies of self-aggrandizement and attractive behavior. The strategies of evasion (for women) and power (for men) deviated significantly from the reference role model. These types of behavior had a negative impact on perception. Students gave them lower scores for professional qualities. Public media lectures also demonstrated several significant negative shifts in the lecturer's personality assessment that did not depend on the self-presentation strategies.
Gender and Theomorphic Signs of the "Earth-Mother" Mythologeme in Russian Linguistic Culture
Authors: Moshina E. A.
Published: April 2020

The research featured the "Earth-Mother" mythologeme within the "Earth" macroconcept structure. Earth-Mother is a well-known mythologeme widely distributed in different cultures. The present study was based on the National Corpus of the Russian Language and employed descriptive and conceptual analyses. The mythologeme proved to be embodied in the language as a whole set of metaphors that implement codes of Russian linguistic culture. They include vital, somatic, anthropomorphic, and theomorphic metaphors. The linguistic concept of Earth appeared to have the following cognitive signs: mother; caring parent; bestowal / benefactor; wet-nurse; parent; wife; mistress; lady; goddess. The theomorphism of the Earth concept was proved by its status as "the wife of God" expressed by the language formula "Mother-Wet-Earth". This name reflects the beliefs of the ancient Mokosh cult. The gender and theomorphic characteristics of the Earth-Mother overlap. As a result, the demiurgic act of creation is described by the metaphor of birth. After the adoption of Christianity, the name of the Virgin Mary began to be used instead of the name of the Mother-Wet-Earth. Moreover, the function of birth as an act of creativity was found to be preserved in the language consciousness of the Russian people. The research identified several clusters of images of the Earth-mother in the modern Russian language culture that can be classified as folklore, mythological, religious, and linguacultural.
Simple Sentence Information Structure in Teleut: Problem Statement
Authors: Tokmashev D. M.
Published: April 2020

The present research featured the main approaches to the study of the information structure of a simple sentence, as well as their application to the Turkic languages. The paper focuses on the case of the Teleut language. The research objective was to identify and characterize various types of information structure of a simple sentence in their relationship with formalgrammatical and prosodic characteristics. The study involved field, comparative-historical, and descriptive methods, structural and component analysis, methods of modeling semantics and visualization of spectrograms. The information structure of a simple sentence can be modeled as the corresponding functional-semantic field. In Teleut, it is represented mostly by syntagm order and intonation, which make the core of information structure management. The peripheral means are represented by lexemes, particles, and affixes. Syntactically, information structure is expressed by the phrase order. Narrative sentences are characterized by the decrease of the fundamental frequency of the phrase that makes up the focal part. Pragmatically neutral narrative sentences that do not have presuppositions are characterized by a progressive arrangement of topical and focal elements with a predicate in the terminal right position. Since topics and foci are shifter categories, syntax inversions with preservation of the progressive information packaging "topic > focus" are possible, as well as inversion of its components "focus < topic" while retaining the phrase order. The inversion of both linear (syntagms) and non-linear (topics and foci) elements of the sentence is due to various presuppositions. The lexical and grammatical means of information packaging management are on the periphery of the functional-semantic field. Their potential to control the information structure is combined with their other functions, namely the expression of aspectual, modal, evidential, definiteness, and other characteristics. Most Turkic languages share the means of information packaging management.
Peter Newmark's Translation Procedures as Applied to Metaphors of Literary Texts (Based on Stephen King's Works)
Authors: Shalimova D. V. , Shalimova I. V.
Published: April 2020

The present research featured P. Newmark's translation strategy and procedures applied to the translation of metaphors in literary texts, namely Stephen King's oeuvre. The study revealed the effect of functional style on metaphor translation. The type of metaphor, e.g. dead, cliché, stock, adapted, recent, and original, also proved important for adequate translation. The authors performed a comparative and correlative analysis of metaphors in translations made by different authors. The study was based on descriptive, cognitive, semantic, and lexicographic methods. The general functional analysis revealed grammar and lexical transformations that metaphors undergo in the process of application of P. Newmark's translation strategy and procedures. The article focuses on the optimal ways of metaphor translation as described by P. Newmark. The translator can preserve the original image in the translated text, keep the original metaphor, replace the original image with a common one, render the metaphor using a figurative comparison while preserving the original image and notion explication, ignore the notion explication of the metaphor, or totally remove the image. The analysis proved the significance of P. Newmark's approach to metaphor translation and its methodological value for modern translation theory and practice. The results obtained can be applied both in professional translation and in corresponding disciplines.
Illicit Trade in Russian Gold and Silver Coins in West China in 1850's (based on the Materials of the Russian Consul K. A. Skachkov)
Authors: Hamzin I. R.
Published: April 2020

The present research featured the illicit trade in Russian gold and silver coins in Xinjiang in the 1850's. The paper focuses on the problems of control and customs services, as well as on the difficulties connected with the trade in Russian goods. The historical analysis was based on the documents written by Konstantin Adrianovich Skachkov, the then Russian Consul in Chuguchak. The materials were obtained from the Research Department of Manuscripts of the Russian State Library. In his report, Consul K. A. Skachkov compared the state of the markets of the Russian-Chinese trade in Chuguchak and Kyakhta. He highlighted the broad prospects for trade development in Xinjiang. The Consul paid great attention to the problems on the young market of Central Asia and proposed some measures to improve the situation. He performed a comparative analysis of the trading activities of a Russian merchant and a smuggler. The analysis makes it possible to reconstruct the trading process, determine the cost of transportation, and formulate the commercial benefit resulting from the legal trade and the contraband trade. K. A. Skachkov concluded that despite the high potential for trade development, the region was torn apart by substantial internal contradictions and demanded greater attention from the government. The illicit trade in Russian coins was caused by the barter trading on the Xinjiang market in 1850's.
Impacto de la asistencia en red para infarto agudo al miocardio en la región del Bajío, México
Authors: Hernández González Martha Alicia , Navarrete Becerra Kristian Javier , Amador-Licona Norma , Borrayo Sánchez Gabriela , Bernal Ruiz Enrique Alfredo , Solorio Meza Sergio Eduardo
Published: April 2020

Introducción: Debido a la reciente implementación del sistema de red para la atención de pacientes con infarto agudo de miocardio con elevación del ST (IAM CEST) en México, el objetivo de este estudio fue comparar la mortalidad de estos pacientes por eventos cardiovasculares, la mortalidad general, tiempos de atención y complicaciones agudas en el año previo a la implementación del sistema y en el año posterior a la misma en el Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social del estado de Guanajuato.Método: Estudio ecológico que comparó las bases de datos para evaluar la mortalidad general, por eventos cardiovasculares y complicaciones de los pacientes con IAM CEST en el año pre (2016, n=142) y post (2017, n=123) implementación del “código infarto” de pacientes en la región del Bajío, que recibieron Intervención Coronaria Percutánea.Resultados: Se identificó una disminución significativa después de inicio del “código infarto” en el total de eventos mayores (27.4% vs. 11.3%; p = 0.001) y en la presencia de insuficiencia cardiaca (11.2% vs. 0.8%; p = 0.006); pero sin diferencia específica en la muerte no cardiaca, en la presentación de angina, arritmias no fatales, o necesidad de revascularización entre los grupos.Discusión o Conclusión: La implementación del “código infarto” en la región del Bajío, México, tiene efectos benéficos en los eventos mayores cardiovasculares y presentación de insuficiencia cardiaca.
Caja de ahorro informal, una opción de autoapoyo económico en sectores de bajos recursos
Authors: Marcelino-Aranda Mariana , Muñoz Marcelino David , Fregoso Jasso Gabriel Salvador
Published: April 2020

Introducción: La pobreza perjudica a las personas al limitarles la posibilidad de cubrir sus necesidades básicas, y en la mayoría de las ocasiones el acceso a los sistemas formales de financiamiento. Esta situación lleva a que las personas se organicen en estructuras de autoayuda comunitaria para poder acceder a servicios de ahorro y crédito. En aras de comprender las dinámicas de operación de estas estructuras de autoayuda, esta investigación permite conocer a detalle la operatividad de una caja de ahorro informal, los beneficios económicos que se generan al interior de sus participantes y sus similitudes con los datos de la Encuesta Nacional de Inclusión Financiera (ENIG) del año 2015.Método: Estudio descriptivo con un método cualitativo de estudio de caso. El trabajo de campo se llevó in situ por 50 semanas. Análisis de documentos y registros internos, aplicación de entrevistas, cuestionarios y observación directa.Resultados: El 50% de los integrantes de la Caja de Ahorro Informal utilizan el dinero para el pago de deudas versus el 33% del nivel nacional. Las mujeres son quienes utilizan sus ahorros y ganancias para aumentar su masa de rendimiento a través de la inversión o creación de micronegocios. Las personas que obtuvieron una mayor tasa pasiva fueron del 32% y la menor del 21%. Entre los 22 miembros de la CAI se obtuvo un ahorro de $160,100.00 con un monto de préstamos de $255,500.00.Discusión o Conclusión: La demanda de servicios financieros de la población de bajos ingresos no atendida por la banca comercial propicia el surgimiento de entidades al margen de las estructuras formales del mercado financiero. Estos sistemas informales ofrecen servicios flexibles de ahorro y crédito acorde a las necesidades y expectativas de sus integrantes.
Spatial downscaling of radar-derived rainfall field by two-dimensional wavelet transform
Authors: Nourani Vahid , Farshbaf Armin , Adarsh S.
Published: April 2020

Downscaling of rainfall fields, either as images or products of global circulation models, have been the motive of many hydrologists and hydro-meteorologists. The main concern in downscaling is to transform high-resolution properties of the rainfall field to lower resolution without introducing erroneous information. In this paper, rainfall fields obtained from Next Generation Weather Surveillance Radar (NEXRAD) Level III were examined in the wavelet domain which revealed sparsity for wavelet coefficients. The proposed methodology in this work employs a concept named Standardized Rainfall Fluctuation (SRF) to overcome the sparsity of rainfall fields in wavelet domain which also exhibited scaling behaviors in a range of scales. SRFs utilizes such scaling behaviors where upscaled versions of the rainfall fields are downscaled to their actual size, using a two-dimensional discrete wavelet transform, to examine the reproduction of the rainfall fields. Furthermore, model modifications were employed to enhance the accuracy. These modifications include removing the negative values while conserving the mean and applying a non-overlapping kernel to restore high-gradient clusters of rainfall fields. The calculated correlation coefficient, statistical moments, determination coefficient and spatial pattern display a good agreement between the outputs of the downscaling method and the observed rainfall fields.
Improvement of organic matter and nutrient removal from domestic wastewater by using intermittent hydraulic rates on earthworm–microorganism biofilters
Authors: Chicaiza C. , Huaraca L. , Almeida-Naranjo C. E. , Guerrero V. H. , Villamar C. A.
Published: April 2020

Biofilters based on earthworms–microorganisms represent, particularly in developing countries, an interesting alternative for domestic wastewater treatment due to their easy operation and low cost. However, there are several operational aspects that should be better understood in order to improve their performance. This paper studies the effect of using intermittent hydraulic loading rates to improve organic matter and nutrient removal from domestic wastewater using these biofilters. Three laboratory-scale columns, operating at a 2.5 m3 m−2day−1 hydraulic loading rate, were used. The B1–24 h, B2–8 h, B3–4 h column loading rates indicate that the columns were operated continuously for 24, 8 and 4 h, respectively. Each column (biomass biofilm/earthworms, redox potential, and head loss) and its corresponding operational performance parameters (TCOD, NH4+, NO3−, NO2−, TP) were monitored. The results showed that the B2–8 h intermittent hydraulic loading rate results in the best global performance, with 74%, 57%, and 20% average removal efficiencies for TCOD, nitrogen, and phosphorus, respectively. Moreover, it showed the best biomass growth (biofilm and earthworms), activity (as redox potential changes) and the lowest clogging effects (up to −1.0 cm). The intermittent operation influences the behavior of the earthworm–microorganism biofilters and offers the possibility of optimizing its global performance and achieving a resilient technology.