bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Diagnostic Accuracy of Ultrasound-Guided Core Needle Biopsy Versus Incisional Biopsy in Soft Tissue Sarcoma: An Institutional Experience.
Authors: Cernakova Miroslava , Hobusch Gerhard Martin , Amann Gabriele , Funovics Philipp Theodor , Windhager Reinhard , Panotopoulos Joannis
Published: April 2021

Background Core needle biopsy (CNB) is gaining in importance due to its advantages in the matter of patient morbidity, time and cost. Nevertheless, controversies still exist regarding the biopsy technique of choice for the accurate diagnosis of soft tissue sarcoma (STS). This study compared the diagnostic performance between ultrasound-guided CNB and incisional biopsy (IB), both performed by orthopedic surgeons. Questions/purposesThe aims of the study were to answer the following questions: (1) Is ultrasound-guided CNB a highly reliable modality for diagnosing STSs? (2) Is CNB equally useful to IB for identifying histologic subtype? (3) Had patients who underwent CNB a reduced risk of complications? MethodsOne-hundred and seventy-five patients who underwent resection of soft tissue sarcoma were classified into two groups according to biopsy technique prior to surgery; CNB group (n=109) and IB group (n=66). The final surgical specimens were in 62 patients liposarcoma, 39 undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma (UPS), 33 myxofibrosarcoma, 10 synovial sarcoma, 10 leiomyosarcoma and in the remaining 21 patients different soft tissue sarcoma entities. Sarcoma location of 90 patients was in the thigh, 21 in the lower leg, 22 in the upper arm and shoulder area; 10 in each the knee, gluteal and thoracic region, the residual 12 in other body areas. Results Malignancy was correctly diagnosed in 86% (94 of 109) for the CNB group and 91% (60/66) for the IB group. Correct identification rate of histologic subtype was 80% (87 of 109) in the CNB group and 82% (54 of 66) in the IB group. There were no significant differences in the correct diagnosis rates of malignancy and subtype between the two techniques. No complications were seen in the CNB group, whereas 2 patients in whom IB was performed developed pulmonary embolism and 1 patient surgical site infection. Conclusions Ultrasound-guided CNB is highly accurate and not inferior to IB in diagnosing the dignity of lesions and histologic subtype in patients with suspected STSs.
Surface dispersal, emission source and human health risk assessment of heavy metal(loid)s in an active gas field, Southern Iran
Authors: khodabakhshloo Nafise , Biswas Bhabananda , Moore Farid , Du Jianhua , Wijayawardena Ayanka , Arabzadeh Morteza
Published: April 2021

The presence of heavy metal(loid)s in soils from anthropogenic sources such as activities related to fossil fuel processing area could pose serious threat to the ecosystem and human health. However, risk factors depend on the source, distribution and human interaction with these contaminants and therefore case specific study is needed. In this study, using a geological information system (GIS) and 63 surface soil samples, we fully assessed 190 km2 area of a developing gas region in southern Iran. Mean concentration of manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), lead (Pb), total chromium (Cr), cobalt (Co), arsenic (As) and Cadmium (Cd) was 341.24, 129.40, 32.90, 26.85, 16.56, 7.52, 0.67 and 0.63 mg kg− 1, respectively, while As, Pb, Zn and Cd surpassed the local background level. Moreover, soil pollution was also assessed by the contamination factor (CF), geoaccumulation index (Igeo) and ecological risk factor (Er). Accordingly, these soils were classified as moderate to heavily polluted with As and Cd and un-polluted to slightly polluted by Cu, Zn, Pb, Mn, Cr and Co. The GIS and soil collection point tracing showed that the natural gas processing and residential activities were both significant pollution sources where ingestion was the main contributor to heavy metal(loid)s uptake. Overall, the hazardous index for noncarcinogenic health impact was < 1 indicating no risk; however, children were at greater risk than the adult. Total carcinogenic risk (TCR) index from As exceeded the maximum tolerable level (1.0E-04) for children and adults. Chromium Co, Cd and Pb exposure were within the acceptable limit in the adult group (TCR < 1.0E-06), but the Pb and Cr health-hazardous indices were higher than guideline value indicating the potential of cancer risk in children. Therefore, remedial actions are required to eliminate or reduce the toxicity of As, Cr and Pb attributed to the impacted soil.
Tomato (Solanum Lycopersicum L.) Response to Nickel Stress: Bioavailability, Accumulation and Allergenicity
Authors: Roccotiello Enrica , Nicosia Elena , Pierdonà Lorenzo , Marescotti Pietro , Ciardiello Maria Antonietta , Giangrieco Ivana , Mari Adriano , Zennaro Danila , Dozza Denise , Brancucci Michele , Mariotti Mauro
Published: April 2021

Vegetables represent a major source of Ni exposure. Environmental contamination and cultural practices can increase Ni amount in tomato posing significant risk for human health. This work assesses the tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) response to Ni on the agronomic yield of fruits and the related production of allergens.Two cultivars were grown in pots amended with Ni 0, 30, 60, 120, and 300 mg kg-1, respectively. XRF and ICP-MS analyses highlighted the direct increase of fruit Ni content respect to soil Ni, maintaining a stable biomass. Leaf water content increased at Ni 300 mg kg-1. Total protein content and individual allergenic components were investigated using biochemical (RP-HPLC and N-terminal amino acid sequencing) and immunological (inhibition tests of IgE binding by SPHIAa assay on the FABER® testing system) methodologies. Ni affected the fruit tissue concentration of pathogenesis-related proteins and relevant allergens (LTP, profilin, Bet v 1-like protein and TLP). This study elucidates for the first time that tomato reacts to exogenous Ni uptaking metal while changing its allergenic profiles, with potential double increasing of exposure risks for consumers. This evidence highlighted the importance of adequate choice of low-Ni tomato cultivars and practices to avoid Ni uptake by potentially contaminated matrices.
Impacts of Wetland Plants on Microbial Community and Methane Metabolisms
Authors: Waldo Nicholas B , Chistoserdova Ludmila , Hu Dehong , Gough Heidi L. , Neumann Rebecca B.
Published: April 2021

Aims

Microbial activity in the soil of wetlands is responsible for the emission of more methane to the atmosphere than all other natural sources combined. This microbial activity is heavily impacted by plant roots, which influence the microbial community by exuding organic compounds and by leaking oxygen into an otherwise anoxic environment. This study compared the microbial communities of planted and unplanted wetland soil from an Alaskan bog to elucidate how plant growth influences populations and metabolisms of methanogens and methanotrophs.
Methods

A common boreal wetland sedge, Carex aquatilis, was grown in the laboratory and DNA samples were sequenced from the rhizosphere, unplanted bulk soil, and a simulated rhizosphere with oxygen input but no organic carbon.
Results

The abundance of both methanogens and methanotrophs were positively correlated with methane emissions. Among the methanotrophs, both aerobic and anaerobic methane oxidizing microbes were more common in the rhizosphere of mature plants than in unplanted soil, while facultative methanotrophs capable of utilizing either methane or other molecules became relatively less common.
Conclusions

These trends indicate that roots create an environment which favors highly specialized microbial metabolisms over generalist approaches. One aspect of this specialized microbiome is the presence of both aerobic and anaerobic metabolisms, which indicates that oxygen is present but is a limiting resource controlling competition.
Spidroin Striped Micropattern Promotes Chondrogenic Differentiation of Human Wharton’s Jelly Mesenchymal Stem Cells
Authors: Barlian Anggraini , Saputri Dinda Hani’ah Arum , Hernando Adriel , Prajatelistia Ekavianty , Tanoto Hutomo
Published: April 2021

Cartilage tissue engineering, particularly micropattern, can influence the biophysical properties of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) leading to chondrogenesis. In this research, human Wharton’s jelly MSCs (hWJ-MSCs) were grown on a striped micropattern containing spider silk protein (spidroin) from Argiope appensa. This research aims to direct hWJ-MSCs chondrogenesis using micropattern made of spidroin bioink as opposed to fibronectin that often used as the gold standard. Cells were cultured on striped micropattern of 500 µm and 1000 µm width sizes without chondrogenic differentiation medium for 21 days. The immunocytochemistry result showed that spidroin contains RGD sequences and facilitates cell adhesion via integrin β1. Chondrogenesis was observed through the expression of glycosaminoglycan, type II collagen, and SOX9. The result on glycosaminoglycan content proved that 1000 µm was the optimal width to support chondrogenesis. Spidroin micropattern induced significantly higher expression of SOX9 mRNA on day-21 and SOX9 protein was located inside the nucleus starting from day-7. COL2A1 mRNA of spidroin micropattern groups was downregulated on day-21 and collagen type II protein was detected starting from day-14. These results showed that spidroin micropattern enhances chondrogenic markers while maintains long-term upregulation of SOX9, and therefore has the potential as a new method for cartilage tissue engineering.
LncRNA ASAP1-IT1 Enhances Cancer Cell Stemness via Regulating miR-509-3p/YAP1 Axis in NSCLC
Authors: Liu Yantao , Yang Yuping , Zhang Lingli , Lin Jiaqiang , Li Bin , Yang Min , Li Honghui , Chen Kangwu , Zhao Wei
Published: April 2021

Background: Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is a major cause of cancer-related death worldwide, and cancer stem cell is mainly responsible for the poor clinical outcome of NSCLC. Although previous reports indicated long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) play important roles in cancer stemness maintain, the underlying causes mechanisms remain is still mysterious. Our study aims to investigate the role of ASAP1 Intronic Transcript 1 (ASAP1-IT1) in cancer cell stemness of NSCLC. Methods: qRT-PCR analysis the expression of ASAP1-IT1 and microRNA-509-3p (miR-509-3p) in NSCLC tissues, cancer cells and spheres of cancer cells-derived cancer stem cells. Knockdown of ASAP1-IT1 or overexpression of miR-509-3p in NSCLC cells by infection or transfection. Sphere formation and colony formation detects NSCLC stem cell-like properties and tumor growth in vitro. Luciferase reporter assays, RNA immunoprecitation (RIP) and qRT-PCR assays analyzed the interaction between lncRNA and miRNA, qRT-PCR and Western blot detect ASAP1-IT1/miR-509-3p axis's regulation on the expression of regulated genes. NSCLC xenograft mice model validates ASAP1-IT1 role in NSCLC stemness and tumor growth in vivo. Results: ASAP1-IT1 was up-regulated in NSCLC tissues, cancer cells, and in spheres of A549-derived cancer stem cells. Downregulated ASAP1-IT1 or miR-509-3p significantly decreased cell colony formation and stem cell-like properties of A549-dereived stem cells with decreased expression of stem cell biomarkers SOX2, CD34, and CD133, and suppressing the expression of cell growth-related genes, Cyclin A1, Cyclin B1, and PCNA. Furthermore, knockdown of ASAP1-IT1 or overexpression of miR-509-3p repressed tumor growth in nude mice via reducing expression of tumorigenic genes. ASAP1-IT1 was found to interact with miR-509-3p. Moreover, overexpression of ASAP1-IT1 blocked miR-509-3p mediated regulation of stem cell-like properties, cell growth, and cell apoptosis of A549-dereived stem cells both in vitro and in vivo. Finally, the level of YAP1 was regulated by ASAP1-IT1 and miR-509-3p.Conclusions: YAP1-involved ASAP1-IT1/miR-509-3p axis promoted NSCLC progression by regulating cancer cell stemness，and targeting related signaling is a promising therapeutic strategy to overcome NSCLC stemness.
Prevalence of Cachexia After Curative Cisplatin-Based Concurrent Chemoradiation in Head and Neck Cancers
Authors: Silva Willian das Neves , Rivelli Thomas Giollo , Simao Eduardo Furquim , Kulcsar Marco Aurelio Vamondes , Junior Gilberto de Castro
Published: April 2021

PurposeWe determine the frequency of cachexia among head and neck squamous cell carcinoma patients treated with cisplatin-based chemoradiation with curative intent and presenting no evidence of disease. MethodsConsecutive patients were included from January 2014 to February 2017. Participants were over 18 y.o. and diagnosed with head and neck squamous cell carcinomas previously treated with definitive or adjuvant chemoradiation. Eligible patients were in regular follow-up for at least 2 years, with no evidence of disease. Body weight, height, mid-arm muscle circumference, muscle strength, and nutritional status were measured, and blood tests were obtained. The main outcome was the presence of cachexia, and self-reported dysphagia. Results120 patients were included, 73% were male, and age was 59 y.o. (range, 21–78). The most common primary site was oropharynx (42%). Median follow-up was 42 mo. (range, 24–125 mo.). Most patients presented locally advanced disease at diagnosis: 73% T3-T4 and 72% N+. Dysphagia was a major complaint (73%). Cachexia was diagnosed in 23 (20.7%) and 10 (8.6%) patients according to Fearon and Evans criteria, respectively. Cachectic patients presented lower mid-arm muscle circumference (p < 0.05). In addition, lower muscle strength levels (p<0.05) were found among cachectic patients according to Evans criteria, and there was an association between the presence of dysphagia and the diagnosis of cachexia. ConclusionsHead and neck squamous cell carcinoma patients with no evidence of disease frequently present cachexia after chemoradiation in a long-term follow-up. More effective preventive and therapeutic strategies for cachexia are required in this scenario.
Biosorption and Biodegradation of Anthraquinone Based Dye (Indanthrene Blue RS) by the Immobilized Microbial Consortium in a Continuous Packed bed Bioreactor Using Corn-Cob Biochar
Authors: Mohanty Swati Sambita , Kumar Arvind
Published: April 2021

The current study describes the aerobic biodegradation of Indanthrene Blue RS dye by a microbial consortium immobilized on corn-cob biochar in a continuous up-flow packed bed bioreactor. The adsorption experiments were performed without microbes to monitor the adsorption effects on initial dye decolorization efficiency. The batch experiments were carried out to estimate the process parameters, and the optimal values of pH, temperature, and inoculum volume were identified to be 10.0, 30 ºC, and 3.0 × 106 CFU mL-1, respectively. During the continuous operation, the effect of flow rate, initial substrate concentration, inlet loading rate of Indanthrene Blue RS on the elimination capacity, and its removal efficiency in the bioreactor was studied. The continuous up-flow packed bed bioreactor was performed at different flow rates (0.25 to 1.25 L h-1) under the optimal parameters. The maximum removal efficiency of 90% was observed, with the loading rate varying between 100 to 300 mg L-1 d-1. The up-flow packed bed bioreactor used for this study was extremely useful in eliminating Indanthrene Blue RS dye using both the biosorption and biodegradation process. Therefore, it is a potential treatment strategy for detoxifying textile wastewater containing anthraquinone based dyes.
In vivo monoclonal antibody efficacy against SARS-CoV-2 variant strains
Authors: Diamond Michael , Chen Rita , Winkler Emma , Case James , Aziati Ishmael , Bricker Traci , Joshi Astha , Darling Tamarand , Ying Baoling , Errico John , Shrihari Swathi , VanBlargan Laura , Xie Xuping , Gilchuk Pavlo , Zost Seth , Droit Lindsay , Liu Zhuoming , Stumpf Spencer , Wang David , Handley Scott , Stine W , Shi Pei-Yong , Garcia-Knight Miguel , Andino Raul , Chiu Charles , Ellebedy Ali , Fremont Daved , Whelan Sean , Crowe James , Purcell Lisa , Corti Davide , Boon Andrianus
Published: April 2021

Rapidly-emerging variants jeopardize antibody-based countermeasures against SARS-CoV-2. While recent cell culture experiments have demonstrated loss of potency of several anti-spike neutralizing antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 variant strains1-3, the in vivo significance of these results remains uncertain. Here, using a panel of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) corresponding to many in advanced clinical development by Vir Biotechnology, AbbVie, AstraZeneca, Regeneron, and Lilly we report the impact on protection in animals against authentic SARS-CoV-2 variants including WA1/2020 strains, a B.1.1.7 isolate, and chimeric strains with South African (B.1.351) or Brazilian (B.1.1.28) spike genes. Although some individual mAbs showed reduced or abrogated neutralizing activity against B.1.351 and B.1.1.28 viruses with E484K spike protein mutations in cell culture, low prophylactic doses of mAb combinations protected against infection in K18-hACE2 transgenic mice, 129S2 immunocompetent mice, and hamsters without emergence of resistance. Two exceptions were mAb LY-CoV555 monotherapy which lost all protective activity in vivo, and AbbVie 2B04/47D11, which showed partial loss of activity. When administered after infection as therapy, higher doses of mAb cocktails protected in vivo against viruses displaying a B.1.351 spike gene. Thus, many, but not all, of the antibody products with Emergency Use Authorization should retain substantial efficacy against the prevailing SARS-CoV-2 variant strains.
Experiments on the symmetry of length and time
Authors: Chunhong Li
Published: April 2021

The F - t curve obtained from the process of applying and releasing force to the piezoelectric sensor shows that in the atomic scale, the time coordinate is equivalent to the position coordinate. The time-position coordinate relationship calculated by the experimental data is consistent with the geometric unit obtained in the general theory of relativity, thus the experiment verifies the symmetry of length and time,and connection between the microscopic - quantum mechanics and the macroscopic - general theory of relativity, and a new method for calculating the speed of light is obtained.
Avoidance of the plant hormone cis-jasmone by Aedes aegypti depends on mosquito age in both plant and human odor backgrounds
Authors: Boer Jetske Gudrun de , Kuiper Aron P.S. , Groot Joeri , Loon Joop J.A. van
Published: April 2021

Adults of many mosquito species feed on plants to obtain metabolic energy and to enhance reproduction. Mosquitoes primarily rely on olfaction to locate plants and are known to respond to a range of plant volatiles. We studied the olfactory response of the yellow fever mosquito Aedes aegypti to methyl jasmonate (MeJA) and cis-jasmone (CiJA), volatile compounds originating from the octadecanoid signaling pathway that plays a key role in plant defense against herbivores. Specifically, we investigated how Ae. aegypti of different ages responded to elevated levels of CiJA in two attractive odor contexts, either derived from Lima bean plants or from human skin. Aedes aegypti females landed significantly less often on a surface with CiJA and MeJA compared to the solvent control, CiJA exerting a stronger reduction in landing than MeJA. Odor context (plant or human) had no significant main effect on the olfactory responses of Ae. aegypti females to CiJA. Mosquito age significantly affected the olfactory response, older females (7–9 d) responding more strongly to elevated levels of CiJA than young females (1–3 d) in either odor context. Our results show that avoidance of CiJA by Ae. aegypti is independent of odor background, suggesting that jasmonates are inherently aversive cues to these mosquitoes. We propose that avoidance of plants with elevated levels of jasmonates is adaptive to mosquitoes to reduce the risk of encountering predators that is higher on these plants, i.e. by avoiding ‘enemy-dense-space’.
Iran Drought Monitoring in April 2021
Authors: Sorkhabi Omid Memarian
Published: April 2021

About a third of the world's continents and large parts of Iran are facing drought, which is hampering water supply and water supply management. The problem of drought is a natural phenomenon that causes water shortages in many countries every year. Currently, about 80 countries are located in arid and semi-arid regions of the world and Iran is one of these countries with an average rainfall of about 250 mm. In this study, a new drought index called OMI based on GRACE-FO total water storage (TWS) observations is developed in April 2021. The northern and northwestern regions of Iran have lost about 0.32 meters of TWS. Central and eastern Iran have lost about 0.18 meters of TWS. The southwestern regions of Iran are in a better situation this month than other regions. The eastern and southeastern regions are very mid drought, the northern, northeastern, and northwestern regions are very severe drought. The southeastern areas are moderately drought.
Molecualr Characterization And Varietal Identification For Multiple Abiotic Stress Tolerance In Rice (Oryza sativa L.)
Authors: Ali Alif , R. Beena , Manikanta Chennamsetti Lakshmi Naga
Published: April 2021

Coexistence of two or more abiotic stresses is common in most of the rainfed lowland and upland rice growing areas of India and worldwide. Rice production under these conditions is not sustainable. Identification and development of multiple abiotic stress tolerant rice varieties are to be addressed. Here we tried to identify multiple abiotic stress tolerant varieties from a collection of earlier identified varieties for single stress and validated the known SSR markers for stress tolerance. Twenty rice genotypes were evaluated for individual abiotic stress such as drought, salinity and temperature initially and the tolerant three genotypes in each case were further evaluated for combination of stresses various physio-morphological and biochemical parameters were recorded . Among the genotypes evaluated for combination of stresses, PTB-7 was found to be tolerant for drought and salinity, Nagina-22 was tolerant against temperature and salinity. However, the seeds did not germinate in the presence of all three stresses simultaneously.. Twenty rice varieties viz ., Chomala, MO-16, PTB-35, PTB-60, PTB-39, PTB-55, PTB-30, PTB-7, CRdhan307, Apo, Vyttila-3, Vyttila-4, Vyttila-5, Vyttila-6, Vyttila-7, Vyttila-8, Vyttila-9, Vyttila-10, Nagina-22, and NL-44 were further investigated using microsatellite markers to confirm the genotypic level of tolerance to combination of abiotic stresses. Rice genotypes were screened using 30 reported simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers that are linked to drought, salinity and temperature. Molecular marker analysis of rice genotypes also confirmed that RM8904 and RM1287 were associated with salinity tolerance, RM2612, RM6100 and RM5749 were linked to high temperature tolerant trait. Population analysis also revealed that there is five subpopulation among rice genotypes.
How do the Banking Systems of High Income Countries differ from others?
Authors: Kaya Halil D.
Published: April 2021

In this study, first we look at the relation between countries’ income levels and their banking systems. What are the differences between richer countries and other countries in terms of their banking systems? Then, we look at how OECD membership affects the banking system of a country. When we compare High-Income countries to Middle- and Low-Income countries, we find that workers’ remittances are much higher in Low- and Middle-income countries. The banking industries are much more concentrated in High-Income countries. Bank deposits are also significantly higher in these countries. The banking systems in these countries have more risk compared to their counterparts in other countries. Non-resident banks are more active in High-Income countries. Also, there is more interest in offshore accounts and the banks are more engaged in international transactions. When we compare high-income OECD-member countries to high-income Non-OECD-member countries, we find that the banking industries in high-income Non-OECD-member countries are much more concentrated when compared to their counterparts in High-Income OECD countries. In High-Income Non-OECD countries, non-resident banks are more active and there is more interest in offshore accounts. On the other hand, bank deposits are higher in High-Income OECD countries. But, the banks in these countries are in greater risk compared to the banks in Non-OECD countries (i.e. liquid liabilities are higher). We conclude that policymakers need to consider OECD membership and income level as determinants of a country’s banking system.
Carbon Financial Markets Underlying Climate Change Mitigation, Pricing and Challenges: Technical Analysis
Authors: El Amri Adil , Oulfarsi Salah , Rachid Boutti Rachid Boutti , Eddine Abdelhak Sahib , Hmioui Aziz
Published: April 2021

Climate Change (CC) is a major issue of our century. Controlling the constraints of Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions through transformation into opportunities, in an organization to increase industrial production, has become a necessity. The main reason for this adoption was the effectiveness of energy management and responsible linkages that are being developed to determine the issues and opportunities of carbon finance for organizations. Through analysis of the European Union Emissions Trading Scheme (EU ETS) and the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM), this article presents and determinate the variables that influence the performance of the strategies of EU ETS players via the EUA allowances. Our study focuses on price changes in the EUA, being the most liquid carbon asset. In this regard, we highlighted the daily spot price of the EUA to highlight the daily changes affecting this price, given the high volatility in this Carbon financial market. The treatments of the determinants of CO2 prices (EUA) can be used to analyze the evolving and expanding carbon financial markets sphere. It features stylized facts about carbon financial markets from an economics and management perspective, as well as covering key aspects of pricing strategies (institutional decisions, energy prices and extreme weather events), climate change mitigation. Aimed at those with technical analysis, the CO2 prices within the framework of the EU ETS depend on several determinants. This paper constitutes an introduction to emission trading and an overview of the regulations governing Carbon financial markets. First, we detail the price changes in the EUA and primary energy prices. Second, we introduce the main characteristics of emissions trading, be it in terms of spatial and temporal limits, Clean Dark Spread, Clean Spark Spread and Switch Price. Third, we provide a technical analysis of atmospheric variables, structural variations and the Sanitary COVID-19 crisis and their impacts in the price development of EU CO2 allowances and presnt after conclusion some implications for future.
Recommendations For Increasing The Motivation Of Medical Staff On The Example Of The Regional Clinical Hospital
Authors: Grabowska Monika , Kolesnyk Daria , Matlai Olha
Published: April 2021

This article summarizes the arguments and counterarguments in the discussion on increasing the motivation of health workers. The study’s main purpose is theoretical knowledge about the practices of increasing the motivation of health workers. Systematization of literary systems and approaches to solving the problem Increasing the motivation of nurses using the Sumy Regional Clinical Hospital example indicates that the problem arose relatively long ago and scientists are looking for different ways to solve the problem. The urgency of solving this scientific problem lies in the fact that modern research methods are used and modern methods of solving the situation are proposed. Research of the topic Increasing the motivation of medical staff using the example of the General Clinical Hospital in the article is carried out in the following article: relevance of the problem, literature analysis, research results based on an anonymous questionnaire survey of the medical staff using the example of the Sumy Regional Clinical Hospital, recommendations for improvement, conclusions. The study was conducted using an anonymous survey of employees of the regional clinical hospital’s neurological department in 2020. The research object is the relationships within the working collective of the neurological department, which are manifested in the improvement of the system of motivation of health workers. The article presents an empirical analysis of an anonymous survey, which showed the main gaps in the social work of the team of the neurological department. The study empirically confirms and theoretically proves that it is necessary to maintain the balance of psychological and economic agents and the main problem of employee dissatisfaction. The results of a study to improve medical staff’s motivation using the example of a regional clinical hospital can be useful for heads of departments, different directions in medicine, and methodologists for working with teams.
COVID-19 And Public Health Administration: Trends And Prospects
Authors: Kolosok Svitlana , Jakubowska Agnieszka
Published: April 2021

This paper provides a bibliographic analysis of the scientific background devoted to public health administration prospects regarding spreading coronavirus disease worldwide. The study sample consists of 1240 scientific documents on public health administration published from 2015 to 2021. The search of relative documents was conducted by the keyphrase «public health administration» in the document titles, abstracts and keywords. The publications’ source is the Scopus database. The software VOSviewer version 1.6.15 was used to visualize the network map of keywords co-occurrences under the restriction of at least 40 keyword occurrences in the study sample. The obtained results allowed identifying four clusters indicating the research directions of investigated publications. Therefore, the first cluster is focused on gender and age differences. The author found that these documents were published mostly in 2018. The second cluster indicated the current research direction in investigating public health administrations and COVID-19. The author noted the growing scientists’ interest in coronavirus infection issues, virus pneumonia, coronavirus disease 2019, disease outbreaks and COVID-19 since 2020. Moreover, the scientists were interested in studying the planning and control of the coronavirus incidence regarding proper health administration. The third cluster indicated researching health policy, especially health care policy, health care planning, health care delivery, and health equity. In turn, the fourth cluster is the most powerful by keyword links in the study sample. The author noted that the fourth cluster is the most powerful by keyword links. This cluster consists of 28 terms, while the most important terms by link strengths are public health administration, public health service. Besides, it indicates the research direction on procedures, standards, organization, and public health management. The obtained results allowed assuming that further studies would be devoted to healthcare institutions’ administration and financial provision, vaccination against COVID-19 and assessing its impact.
Din Kültürü ve Ahlak Bilgisi Öğretmen Adaylarının Öğretmenlik Mesleğine Yönelik Tutumlarının Çeşitli Değişkenler Açısından İncelenmesi
Authors: DAM Hasan
Published: April 2021

Bu çalışmanın amacı, DKAB öğretmen adaylarının öğretmenlik mesleğine yönelik tutumlarının farklı değişkenlere göre incelenmesidir. Çalışmanın örneklemini 2019-2020 öğretim yılında 19 Mayıs Üniversitesi İlahiyat Fakültesi lisans programı ve İlahiyat Lisans Tamamlama (İLİTAM) uzaktan eğitim programına devam eden ve tesadüfi örnekleme yöntemiyle seçilen 784 öğretmen adayı oluşturmuştur. Çalışmada nicel araştırma türlerinden tarama (survey) modeli kullanılmıştır. Araştırmanın verileri, Üstüner tarafından geliştirilen “Öğretmenlik Mesleği Tutum Ölçeği” ile elde edilmiştir. Araştırma verileri SPSS 22 istatistik programı ile analiz edilmiştir. Verilerin analizinde, tutum puanlarının normal dağılım göstermemesi nedeniyle parametrik olmayan testlerden Mann Withney U testi ile Kruskal Wallis H testi kullanılmıştır. Araştırmanın sonuçlarına göre; öğretmen adaylarının öğretmenlik mesleğine yönelik tutum düzeyleri, “oldukça yüksek” düzeyde bulunmuştur. Öğretmenlik mesleğine yönelik tutum puanlarının cinsiyet, sınıf, yaş, öğretim türü, öğretim programı, kendilerini başarılı buldukları ders grubu, çalışmak istedikleri meslek alanları ve akademik başarı algılarına göre farklılık gösterdiği tespit edilmiştir.
İnternet Temelli Özel Eğitim Hizmeti Alan Bireylerin Uzaktan Eğitime Yönelik Görüşlerinin Belirlenmesi
Authors: KİZİR Mine
Published: April 2021

Bu çalışma, internet temelli özel eğitim hizmeti alan bireylerin uzaktan eğitime yönelik görüşlerinin belirlenmesi amacıyla yapılmıştır. Araştırmaya, daha önce internet temelli özel eğitim hizmeti alan sekiz kişi katılmıştır. Araştırmada nitel araştırma modeli kullanılmıştır. Araştırmanın verilerini toplamak için yarı-yapılandırılmış görüşmeler gerçekleştirilmiştir. Görüşmelerde kullanılmak üzere görüşme soruları geliştirilmiştir. Ulaşılan veriler betimsel analiz yoluyla analiz edilmiştir. Araştırmada “inandırıcılık”, “aktarılabilirlik” ve “teyit edilebilirlik” çalışmaları yapılmıştır. Bulgular; uzaktan özel eğitime ilişkin genel görüşler, uzaktan eğitimin olumlu ve olumsuz yönleri, kullanılan teknoloji ve güvenlik, yeniden uzaktan eğitim alma durumu ve önerilere ilişkin görüşlerin yer aldığı dört tema altında sunulmaktadır. Araştırma bulgularına göre, uzaktan özel eğitime yönelik olumlu bir bakış açısı olduğu; yararlarının zaman esnekliği, ulaşım kolaylığı ve rahatlık sağlama, maliyetin düşük olması, günlük rutinlere uygun olması, çocuklar için bakım hizmeti alma zorunluluğunu ortadan kaldırması kolaylıklarının olduğu; sınırlılıklarının internet bağlantı sorunları ve etkileşim yetersizliği olduğu; teknolojinin kullanılabilir ve kişi/kurumlara bağlı olarak güvenli bir eğitim yolu olduğu; yeniden uzaktan özel eğitim hizmeti almaya yönelik olumlu görüşe sahip olunduğu ve etkileşim yetersizliği sorununun aşılması gerektiği yönünde önerilerde bulunulduğu belirlenmiştir.
Ortaokul Öğrencilerinin Üst Bilişsel Farkındalıkları İle Öğrenme Düzeyleri Arasındaki İlişkinin İncelenmesi
Authors: ÇALGICI Gökhan , OGAN-BEKİROĞLU Feral
Published: April 2021

Bu çalışmanın amacı ortaokul öğrencilerinin üst bilişsel farkındalıklarını belirlemek, üst bilişsel farkındalık seviyeleri ile öğrenme düzeylerini belirleme kapsamında kullanılan fen başarı puanları, genel ağırlıklı not ortalamaları (GANO) ve Temel Eğitimden Ortaöğretime Geçiş Sistemi (TEOG) sınav puanları arasındaki ilişkiyi tespit etmektir. Araştırmada ilişkisel tarama modeli kullanılmıştır. Araştırmanın katılımcıları 501 ortaokul öğrencisinden oluşmaktadır. Nitel ve nicel veri toplama araçlarının kullanıldığı araştırmada Çocuklar için Üst Bilişsel Farkındalık Ölçeği uygulanmış, ayrıca yarı yapılandırılmış görüşmeler yapılmıştır. Üst bilişsel farkındalıkla öğrenme arasındaki ilişkiyi ortaya koymak için Pearson çarpım moment korelasyon tekniği uygulanmıştır. Görüşme verilerinin analizi aşamasında içerik analizi ve tümevarım yaklaşımından faydalanılmıştır. Araştırma sonuçları ortaokul öğrencilerinin üst bilişsel farkındalıklarının üst sayılabilecek bir düzeyde olduğunu ortaya koymuştur. Bu çalışma ayrıca üst bilişsel farkındalığın öğrenmeyi etkilediğini göstermekte ve üst bilişsel farkındalıkları yüksek olan öğrencilerin öğrenirken bazı üst bilişsel becerileri daha çok kullandıklarını işaret etmektedir. Bu araştırmanın sonuçlarına göre, zihinsel süreçlerini bilen ve bilişini denetleyen öğrenciler daha iyi öğrenebilir. Üst bilişin gelişimine yönelik etkinlikler akademik başarıyı artırabilir.
Lise Öğrencilerinin Kimya Dersi Sıvılar Konusuna İlişkin Bilgilerinin Çoklu Gösterimler ile Belirlenmesi
Authors: AĞLARCI ÖZDEMİR Oya , OK Merve , KABAPINAR Filiz
Published: April 2021

Bu çalışmanın amacı lise öğrencilerinin sıvılar konusuna ilişkin sahip oldukları bilgileri çoklu gösterimlerden yararlanarak incelemektir. Araştırma nitel araştırma desenlerinden durum çalışması olarak yürütülmüştür. Çalışmaya devlet lisesinde öğrenim gören 9., 10., 11. ve 12. sınıflardan toplam 160 öğrenci katılmıştır. Veri toplama aracı araştırmacılar tarafından geliştirilen açık uçlu sorulardan oluşan bir ankettir. Bu ankette, aynı kavrama ilişkin düşünce biçimlerinin belirlenmesine olanak tanıyan ancak kimyanın farklı temsil biçimlerini (makroskopik, altmikroskopik ve sembolik seviyeler) içeren tarzda sorular bulunmaktadır. Sorular çeşitli sıvıların moleküler gösterimi, yüzey gerilimi, viskozite ve sıcaklığın sıvıların özellikleri üzerine etkilerine dair öğrencilerin düşünce biçimlerini araştırmayı amaçlamaktadır. Ankette öğrencilerin altmikroskopik seviyeye ilişkin düşüncelerini belirlemek için çizim gerektiren sorular da yer almaktadır. Öğrencilerin anket sorularına verdikleri yazılı yanıtlar içerik analizi ile değerlendirilmiştir; frekans ve yüzde hesaplamaları yapılmıştır. Araştırma bulguları lise öğrencilerinin konuya ilişkin bilgilerinin özellikle altmikroskopik seviyede yanlış olduğunu ortaya koymuştur. Çalışmaya katılan öğrencilerin büyük çoğunluğu; su, gliserin ve kolonyayı oluşturan moleküllerin gösterimi, yüzey gerilimi ve viskozite gibi kavramların altmikroskopik açıklamaları, moleküller arası etkileşimlerin gösterimi gibi konularda yanlış bilgilere sahiptir. Öğrencilerin kimyanın farklı gösterimleri arasında geçiş yapabilmelerini sağlamak için; derslerde çoklu gösterimleri içeren animasyonlar, görseller ve üç boyutlu modellerin kullanılması kimya öğretmenlerine önerilebilir.
Görsel Düşünme Stratejilerinin Uygulandığı Öğrenme Ortamlarında Fen Öğretmen Adaylarının Argümantasyon Düzeyleri
Authors: ÇÖĞMEN Suna , BAHTİYAR Asiye , KÖKSAL Necla
Published: April 2021

Bu çalışma, internet temelli özel eğitim hizmeti alan bireylerin uzaktan eğitime yönelik Bu araştırmanın amacı görsel düşünme stratejilerinin uygulandığı öğrenme ortamlarında öğretmen adaylarının argümantasyon düzeylerini belirlemektir. Araştırma, nitel araştırma desenlerinden durum çalışmasına göre tasarlanmış ve yürütülmüştür. Pamukkale Üniversitesi Eğitim Fakültesi Fen Bilgisi Eğitimi Anabilim Dalında öğrenim gören ve gönüllü katılım gösteren toplam 10 öğretmen adayı ile gerçekleştirilen araştırmada, katılımcıların argüman oluşturmaları ile ilgili değişimleri ve düzeylerini açığa çıkarmak amacıyla, Görsel Düşünme Stratejileri (GDS) uygulamaları 10 oturumda gerçekleştirilmiştir. Analiz sonuçları, öğretmen adaylarının yüksek düzey argüman oluşturmakta zorlandıklarını göstermiştir. Adaylar en çok “basit bir iddia” dan oluşan birinci düzey ikinci kategoride argüman oluştururken, 10 oturum boyunca sadece bir kez bir öğretmen adayı beşinci düzey argüman oluşturabilmiştir. Araştırmada gerçekleştirilen GDS uygulamalarında kullanılan görsel türleri incelendiğinde, fen öğretmen adaylarının en fazla argümanı diğer kategorisinde yer alan görseller üzerine oluşturdukları görülmektedir. Bu üç görsel türü arasından en az argüman ise fotoğraf kategorisinde yer alan görseller üzerine oluşturulmuştur.
Role of GLP-1 Analogs in the Management of Diabetes and its Secondary
Complication
Authors: Sivakumar Ponnurengam Malliappan , Premkumar B. , Prabhawathi Veluchamy , Prabhakar Pranav Kumar
Published: April 2021

The cardiovascular complications of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) including myocardial
infarction, heart failure, peripheral vascular disease and, stroke and retinopathy, nephropathy and neuropathy
are microvascular complications. While the newer therapies like glitazones or even dipeptidylpeptidase-
IV (DPP-IV) inhibitors increase the risk of therapy, the Glucagon Like Peptide-1 Receptor
Agonists (GLP-1RAs), were reported as suitable alternates. The GLP-1RAs reduce major adverse cardiovascular
events (MACE), have anti-atherogenic potential, and possess pleiotropic activity. The
GLP-1RAs were found to improve neuroprotection, enhance neuronal growth, reduce the incidence of
stroke, and improve central insulin resistance. The GLP-1RAs are beneficial in improving the glycemic
profile, preventing macroalbuminuria and reducing the decline in eGFR and enhancing renal protection.
The renal benefits of add-on therapy of GLP-1RAs with SGLT-2 inhibitors have composite renal
outcomes such as suppression of inflammatory pathways, improvement in natriuresis, diuresis, found
to be nephroprotective. Improvement in glycemic control with a reduction in body weight and intraglomerular
pressure and prevention of tubular injury makes the GLP-1RAs as suitable add-on therapies
in improving cardiorenal outcomes. Obesity, an important contributor to insulin resistance and a reduction
in weight, is an essential therapeutic option in addressing diabetic-obesity. It also reduces the
damage to blood-retinal-barrier, thus beneficial in halting the development of diabetic retinopathy. In
diabetic complications, glycemic control, addressing insulin resistance through weight loss, controlling
atherosclerosis through anti-inflammatory effects and cardio-renal-neuro protection, makes GLP-1RAs
a suitable therapeutic strategy on long-term treatment of T2DM. This review discusses the role of
GLP-1RAs in diabetes, the dosage, mono or combination therapy with other antidiabetics in long-term
treatment and its effect in uncontrolled diabetes.
Applications of 3-Substituted 2-Alkoxy- and 2-Alkylthiopropenals in
Organic Synthesis
Authors: Vchislo Nadezhda V. , Verochkina Ekaterina A.
Published: April 2021

:

α-Functionally substituted α,β-unsaturated aldehydes belong to the highly reactive class of
compounds. They are used as versatile building blocks in organic synthesis. Due to the presence of
several reactive sites in their structure, α,β-unsaturated aldehydes are widely employed as precursors
of various acyclic and heterocyclic compounds, as well as complex natural products. At the same
time, the acrylic systems with heteroatomic substituents (OAlk, SAlk) in the α-position are poorly
studied. Therefore, it is impossible to establish the distribution of electron density reliably and evaluate
the real reactivity of each new representative of this class of compounds. This minireview summarizes
the works demonstrating the broad applicability of 3-substituted 2-alkoxy and 2-
alkylthiopropenals in organic synthesis.
A Review on Machine Learning for Earth Observation Satellite Mission
Planning
Authors: Li Zhiliang , Jiang Mingyong , Ran Da , Zheng Fengjie
Published: April 2021

:

Mission planning is an integral process that enables earth observation missions and
defines their success rate. This paper identifies key problems and opportunities in machine
learning for earth observation satellite mission planning. Firstly, the description elements,
classification methods, solution process and solution difficulties of the mission planning problem
of earth observation satellite are described. Secondly, the current research status of machine
learning for the earth observation satellite mission planning is summarized and analyzed. Finally,
the problems of current research are analyzed, and the prospect of new field research is given in
light of the development needs.
Automatable Distributed Regression Analysis of Vertically Partitioned Data Facilitated by PopMedNet: Feasibility and Enhancement Study (Preprint)
Authors: Her Qoua , Kent Thomas , Samizo Yuji , Slavkovic Aleksandra , Vilk Yury , Toh Sengwee
Published: April 2021

BACKGROUND

In clinical research, important variables may be collected from multiple data sources. Physical pooling of patient-level data from multiple sources often raises several challenges, including proper protection of patient privacy and proprietary interests. We previously developed an SAS-based package to perform distributed regression—a suite of privacy-protecting methods that perform multivariable-adjusted regression analysis using only summary-level information—with horizontally partitioned data, a setting where distinct cohorts of patients are available from different data sources. We integrated the package with PopMedNet, an open-source file transfer software, to facilitate secure file transfer between the analysis center and the data-contributing sites. The feasibility of using PopMedNet to facilitate distributed regression analysis (DRA) with vertically partitioned data, a setting where the data attributes from a cohort of patients are available from different data sources, was unknown.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of the study was to describe the feasibility of using PopMedNet and enhancements to PopMedNet to facilitate automatable vertical DRA (vDRA) in real-world settings.

METHODS

We gathered the statistical and informatic requirements of using PopMedNet to facilitate automatable vDRA. We enhanced PopMedNet based on these requirements to improve its technical capability to support vDRA.

RESULTS

PopMedNet can enable automatable vDRA. We identified and implemented two enhancements to PopMedNet that improved its technical capability to perform automatable vDRA in real-world settings. The first was the ability to simultaneously upload and download multiple files, and the second was the ability to directly transfer summary-level information between the data-contributing sites without a third-party analysis center.

CONCLUSIONS

PopMedNet can be used to facilitate automatable vDRA to protect patient privacy and support clinical research in real-world settings.
RUSSIAN CHURCH DIVISION AND RELIGIOUS INTOLERANCE
Authors: Yurievich Bendin Alexander
Published: April 2021

The article focuses on the origins and further evolution of the Church Schism in Russia as well as on the legal status of the representatives of the Old Believers in Russia. Church reforms initiated by patriarch Nikon and the local Church Council in 1666-1667 banned all elements of the old Russian church tradition and outlawed Old Believers. Russian legislation viewed Old Believers as church and state criminals. However, in spite of strong discrimination from state and official church, Old Believers remained mostly loyal to Russian state. Gradual improvement of the legal status of the Old Believers started in XVIII century. Decree on religious tolerance issued by the emperor Nikolas II on 17 April, 1905, proclaimed Old Believers as legally recognized church organization.
POLITIČKA MISAO I DELOVANjE DRAGOLjUBA JOVANOVIĆA U KRALjEVINI SHS/JUGOSLAVIJI
Authors: Zivic Nikola
Published: April 2021

Dragoljub Jovanović je bio vrlo prisutan u političkom životu Kraljevine SHS (Kraljevine Jugoslavije). Svojim neumornim delovanjem na terenu i publicističkim radom privlačio je pažnju svih režima i javnosti. Bio je u stalnoj opoziciji, proganjan, hapšen, interniran i osuđivan u vreme i nakon diktature kralja Aleksandra, ali i biran za narodnog poslanika. Svoj talenat, moralne i intelektualne snage, naučnu i društvenu aktivnost posvetio je borbi za demokratski preobražaj društva, za socijalno, ekonomsko, kulturno podizanje srpskog sela, za dobrobit seljaka i radnih slojeva stanovništva. Cilj ovog rada je da na osnovu sociološke analize sadržaja adekvatne literature, ukažemo na značaj lika i dela Dragoljuba Jovanovića za proučavanje i razumevanje društveno političkih prilika u međuratnoj Jugoslaviji. U tom nastojanju, pokušali smo da ukažemo i na činjenicu da je deo njegovih ideja, naučnih elaboracija i vizija i dalje vrlo relevantan.