bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The role of judo in the physical training of officers of special structures (on the example of officers of the operational and tactical management level)
Authors: Mykhailov R.
Published: October 2021

The article considers the results of the study related to the use of judo in the sports training (physical activity) of special forces personnel (officers, police, National Guard, other security agencies). According to the results of the study in the studied group of officers engaged in judo, dominate a one-person democratic management style, reflects the ability to delegate their responsibilities to deputies (subordinate personnel), activity in leading people, demanding and moderate trustworthiness A quarter of the investigated officers engaged in judo were found to have a predominant authoritarian and one-person management style, reflecting good leadership qualities, the ability to command the actions of subordinates (personnel), exactingness and insistence, the desire to influence the collective by force of order and coercion, purposefulness and egoism, a superficial attitude to the requests of subordinates, unwillingness to listen to the suggestions of deputies. In 18% of the studied officers engaged in judo is shown passive management style as the leading, revealing the lack of desire of the officer-manager to live the interests of the collective, to show concern for subordinates (personnel), their initiative, respond to criticism and rely on the active, the ability to persuade and explain the content of orders, combine encouragement, use requests and listen to the proposals of subordinates, develop collective opinion. On the basis of the received data the postulate that it is judo is a productive means of maintaining physical activity for the officers-operational-tactical level of management is highlighted. It is shown how physical exercises in judo can influence officers' leadership qualities as well as their leadership style (authoritarian-unique, one-man, passive, directive, liberal), self-assessment and orientation style (orientation on oneself, on relations, interests of the case or on subordination).
Formation of motivation for motor activity in students in the process of physical education during quarantine
Authors: Stadnyk V. , Gurtova T. , Osinchuk V. , Rozhko Е.
Published: October 2021

The issue of motor activity of students during the introduction of quarantine restrictions is considering. The development of physical activity of student youth should be one of the priority tasks of physical education in higher education institutions. The purpose of the work is to discover and substantiate the directions of formation of motivation for motor activity in the process of physical education of students during quarantine. Research methods: theoretical analysis, systematization, comparison of different views on the researched problem, generalization of data of scientific-methodical and special literature. Solving problem issues, ensuring the physiologically necessary level of motor activity of students as factors of their prevention, analyzed in terms of the formation of motivations in the process of their physical education. The organization of the initial process of physical education, aimed at encouraging students of higher education institutions to physical education classes and the formation of their belief in the need for regular physical activity. The structural components of this process are singled out, the middle ones of which are: attractive aspects of physical culture and sports, private, active renewal, ideal sports environment, extraordinary sports, desire to help with victories, body beauty, etc. It was found that an important manifestation of interest in the implementation of physical activity is the nature of the use of students in their free time. Complemented ideas on the need and feasibility of using the appropriate set of traditional and innovative forms and methods of physical education of the latest achievements need to encourage students to ensure the required level of their motor activity. For the results of the scientific research, the main theoretical and methodological provisions to engage in physical culture in students in the quarantine of the back support of the formation of their motivation for motor activity.
Production Efficiency of Sesame Producer Farm Households: The Case of Bench Maji Zone, Southwest Ethiopia
Authors: Gemeyida Kusse Haile , Yesho Engida Gebre , Belaneh Agegnehu Workye
Published: October 2021

Motives: Agricultural sector in Ethiopia is characterized by its poor performance, despite the livelihoods of the large population of the country depends on agriculture. Sesame is an important cash crop and plays vital role in the livelihood of many people in Ethiopia. However a number of challenges hindered the development of sesame sector along with the productivity.
Aim: This study attempted to analyze production efficiency of sesame producers in Bench Maji Zone of Southwest Ethiopia. The study used both primary and secondary data sources. Purposive sampling techniques were employed to draw 270 sesame producer farm households. Descriptive statistics and econometric models were used to analyze the data.
Results: The estimated stochastic production frontier model indicated that input variables such as inorganic fertilizer, sesame seed, oxen power, labor and chemicals found to be important factors in increasing the level of sesame output in the study area. The result further revealed significant differences in production efficiency among sesame growing farmers in the study area. Applying the Cobb-Douglas functional form the average, technical, allocative and economic efficiencies found are 50.72%, 86.83% and 44.2% for sesame producers, respectively. Also among fourteen variables used in the analysis of determinants, experience in sesame farming, education level, farm income, total cultivated land, social responsibility, frequency of extension contact, participation in off/nonfarm activities, credit, proximity to market and soil fertility were found to be significant sources of technical, allocative and economic inefficiencies of sesame producer farmers. Strengthening education, extension service, credit access at affordable interest rate and accessibility of transport services and motivating farm household to participate different training as well as their experience sharing with other sesame producing farmers improve productivity of sesame production. Therefore, those important socioeconomic and institutional factors which are mentioned above must take into account to improve the productivity of sesame in the study area.
Determination of the level of sustainable development of the cities - a proposal for a method of classifying objects based on natural breaks
Authors: Rząsa Krzysztof , Ciski Mateusz
Published: October 2021

Motives: The problem of measuring the level of sustainable development is a subject addressed by many authors in their research. Aim: In this article the Authors proposed a new method of classifying objects based on Jenks’ Natural Breaks to measure the level of sustainable development. The analysis was carried out on the basis of the data obtained from Statistics Poland. An important element of the research was the development of the process of selection and rejection of input data on the basis of a variety of statistical indicators. This resulted in a set of data which, on the one hand, is statistically justified and, on the other, describes the examined phenomenon in a comprehensive way. Results: The research objects were 66 Polish district cities; Authors obtained a ranking of cities in terms of its Sustainable Development Level. The authors decided to verify the correlation of the results obtained from a proposed method of classifying objects based on natural breaks, with those from the chosen taxonomic method (Hellwig’s method) and the Classic Ranking. The fact of receiving highly correlated results confirms the validity and reliability of the proposed method.
accessibility of public urban green space. A case study of Białystok city
Authors: Krzywnicka Iwona , Jankowska Patrycja
Published: October 2021

Motives: Urban green spaces have many functions in cities. They are used for recreational purposes, and they contribute to improving social interactions and community cohesiveness. For this reason, the location and area of urban green spaces should correspond to the size of the city and its population. Aim: The main aim of this study was to analyze the accessibility of managed and publicly available urban green spaces, referred to as public urban green spaces (PUGS), in four functional and spatial zones in the city of Białystok. The analysis included parks, green squares (pocket parks, ornamental green squares, boulevards) and public forests. The accessibility of PUGS was determined in view of their size and role in the urban spatial structure. Spatial data were processed in GIS and quantitative analyses. Results: The study demonstrated that the area of PUGS per capita meets the requirements of the World Health Organization (WHO), but the area of parks and green squares should be increased. The accessibility buffers of public green spaces often overlapped, in particular in downtown Białystok (Central zone) which is most abundant in these green infrastructure components. The analysis also revealed locations that do not have access to urban green spaces. The results of the study were used to formulate guidelines for incorporating new green spaces in Białystok and improving the urban spatial structure.
Control of technological processes using a fuzzy controller of the system for management of cargo delivery by railway
Authors: Statyvka Yurii , Kyrychenko Hanna , Strelko Oleh , Berdnychenko Yuliia
Published: October 2021

Motives: One of the final indicators of service reliability of the transport system is the cargo delivery time, compliance of which is not yet controlled due to the lack of appropriate methods and tools of operational management. The concept of quality of assessment of cargo delivery, namely the reliability of compliance with the time obligations by transportation participants, is associated with the process modeling and the accuracy of determination of the estimated time of completion of each stage of the technological process of cargo delivery.
Aim: The purpose of the study is to present the model of a fuzzy controller as a principle of forming of a railway process management system, which is based on the possibility to operate with linguistic representations of elements.
Results: A new solution to an important problem is obtained – the formation of managerial influence using a fuzzy controller for management of technological processes of cargo delivery by rail at the current level of requirements for the efficiency of transportation organization. The usage of the offered method provides a solution to the problems of operational control practice in the formation of tools for operational control of technological processes for the railway dispatcher unit.
Аборт – злочин чи особисте право кожної жінки (на прикладі підросійської України ХІХ – початку ХХ ст.)
Authors: Кругляк Марина
Published: October 2021

The purpose of the article is to trace the evolution of the attitude of the authorities and the public (both in urban and rural areas) of sub-Russian Ukraine to abortion during the 19th – beginning of the 20th centuries. punishment for this crime. The methodology of research is based on a combination of general scientific (analysis, synthesis, generalization, comparison, systematization) and special-historical methods (historical-structural, constructive-genetic, historical-comparative) with the principles of historicism, objectivity, systemicity, verification. Scientific novelty of the work lies in the fact that for the first time in domestic and foreign historiography there was made an attempt to comprehensively consider the problem of abortion in the Russian Empire in the 19th – beginning of the 20th centuries. (the case of sub-Russian Ukraine), in particular, the peculiarities of the attitude to abortion by the state and the public were determined, a comparative analysis of the reasons for their commission, conditions and means of abortion, availability of such operations in rural areas and in modernized cities. Conclusions. The legislation of the Russian Empire considered abortion as a criminal offense, the punishment for which was quite severe, although with a tendency to liberalize (from exile to Siberia and beatings with a whip to imprisonment for several years). Despite criminal liability, at the beginning of the 20-th century, abortions have become an integral part of the daily lives of the cities. Punishment for such “crimes” was infrequent, mostly only when the case gained considerable media coverage or when the operation resulted in the patient's death. Attitudes toward abortion in cities and villages were different: traditional Ukrainian culture condemned abortion as a crime against the unborn child, an attempt on moral norms and values, and a social hierarchy. In cities, attitudes toward abortion were more pragmatic; such operations were most often performed for material reasons, in the case of the lower class, or to avoid shame and to entertain (concealment of the fact of extramarital pregnancy by married nobles, etc. “new women”). On the eve of the World War I, the advanced public advocated the decriminalization of abortion.
Signal power and energy-per-bit optimization problems in systems mMTC
Authors: Burkov Artem
Published: October 2021

Introduction: Currently, the issues of Internet of Things technology are being actively studied. The operation of a large number of various self-powered sensors is within the framework of a massive machine-type communication scenario, using random access methods. Topical issues in this type of communication are how to reduce the transmission signal power and to increase the device lifetime by reducing the consumed energy per bit. Purpose: Formulation and analysis of the problems of minimizing the transmission power and consumed energy per bit in systems with or without retransmissions in order to obtain the achievability bounds. Results: A model of the system is described, within which four problems are formulated and described, concerning the signal power minimization and energy consumption for given parameters (the number of information bits, the spectral efficiency of the system, and the Packet Delivery Ratio). The numerical results of solving these optimization problems are presented. They make it possible to obtain the achievability bounds for the considered characteristics in systems with or without losses. The lower bounds obtained by the Shannon formula are also presented, assuming that the message length is not limited. The obtained results showed that solving the minimization problem with respect to one of the parameters (signal power or consumed energy per bit) does not minimize the second parameter. This difference is most significant for information messages of a small length, which is common in IoT scenarios. Practical relevance: The results obtained allow you to assess the potential for minimizing the transmission signal power and consumed energy per bit in random multiple access systems with massive machine-type communication scenarios. Discussion: The presented problems were solved without taking into account the average delay of message transmission; the introduction of such a limitation should increase the transmitted signal power and consumed energy per bit.
Inrush Current Based on Fast Fourier Transform
Authors: Zamzami Mochamad Ilham , Prasetyono Eka , Anggriawan Dimas Okky , Yuliana Mike
Published: October 2021

Advances in technology have caused the use of electricity to increase rapidly. With advances in technology, this is followed by the use of increasingly efficient electrical components or equipment. This more efficient electrical equipment causes the impedance of the component to be smaller, causing a surge in current when it is turned on. This current surge, if not followed by appropriate safety precautions, will be damage other components. Each load has different waveform characteristics and current transient peaks. For this reason, it is necessary to analyze the transient condition of a load to overcome this. This paper will explain the characteristics of the inrush current of the load due to ignition. There are three loads used in this study, namely resistive, capacitive and inductive loads. Then the use of this load is simulated by giving different ignition angle values, namely 0, 60, and 90 degrees. The analysis used is the Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) method which is a derivative of the Discrete Fourier Transform. The inrush current spectrum in this simulation is simulated using Simulink MATLAB with switching system modeling using TRIAC. This inrush current simulation data collection uses a sampling frequency of 100 Khz and will be analyzed in the first of 5 cycles. For each load in this paper, the harmonic values for each ignition angle will be presented. The simulation results show that the inrush current is caused by the ignition angle value used and because of components that can deviate energy such as inductors and capacitors as well as components which at the time of starting have a low impedance value such as incandescent lamps. The simulation also shows that the use of switching components for setting the ignition angle causes an increase in the value of Total Harmonic Distortion (THD) but the peak current in the first cycle when the ignition angle is set decreases.
Analysis of the Electronic Implementation of A Malaria Surveillance Information System (E-SISMAL) in the Lahat District
Authors: Nuraini Eni , Hasyim Hamzah , Idris Haerawati , Ghiffari Ahmad , Chairil Anwar
Published: October 2021

Background: The requirement for malaria elimination to be recognized is to prove API lower than 1 per 1000 in the population, together with no indigenous case. Lahat Regency is an area of low-endemicity for malaria, where the target for elimination is projected for 2024.  Since 2019, Lahat Regency has received socialization about E-SISMAL, which was developed as a web-based basis to speed up the reporting process. However, there are still delays in reporting malaria on E-SISMAL.

Methods: Descriptive research with a qualitative approach was designed. The study subjects were the malaria person in charge, the head of seven selected community health centers (Puskesmas) and the Lahat District Health Office. Primary data came from observation, focus group discussion (FGD) and in-depth interviews with eighteen informants selected by the purposive sampling method.

Results: The available inputs are inadequate, such as the human resource education was not up to standard, the internet network was not smooth, and there were no guidelines on E-SISMAL in the health centers. Malaria person in charge does not understand how to use E-SISMAL. In the process, there was the involvement of cross-sectoral and networked establishments. The output shows that the report indicators on E-SISMAL are not up to standard with less than 80%.

Conclusions: The use of E-SISMAL in the Lahat district has not been maximized. It has an impact on delays in reporting. It is recommended that training and practice of E-SISMAL occur to improve officers' ability through socialization and that the Lahat Health Office establishes partnerships with telecommunications companies to ensure the smooth running of the network. Developing specific guidelines on E-SISMAL and a mobile phone-based malaria surveillance information system to speed up the malaria reporting process in the Lahat district is also advisable.
НОВІ ПІДХОДИ У ЗАСТОСУВАННІ ОЗДОРОВЧОЇ ГІМНАСТИКИ НА ЗАНЯТТЯХ З ФІЗИЧНОГО ВИХОВАННЯ ЗІ ЗДОБУВАЧАМИ ВІЩОЇ ОСВІТИ
Authors: АНТІПОВА Жанна , ШУРХАЛ Людмила
Published: October 2021

Стаття присвячена результатам розробки та експериментального застосування комплексів оздоровчої гім- настики в системі фізичного виховання для здобувачів вищої освіти, що належать за станом здоров’я до підго- товчої медичної групи. Наукова розробка комплексів розкриває ефективні методи проведення занять з оздоровчої гімнастики, які сприяють залученню студентів до активного засобу життя в період навчання в закладах вищої освіти. Заняття, апробовані на практиці, представлені у вигляді комплексів оздоровчих вправ: танцювальні рухи аеробіки, загальнорозвиваючі комплекси вправ та комплекс вправ з м’ячем, надані методичні рекомендації. Окремо зазначено, що проблемою залучення студентів підготовчої групи до занять оздоровчою гімнастикою цікавляться педагоги і вчені в багатьох країнах, розглянуті деякі результати науково-педагогічних досліджень. Аналіз наявного навчального процесу і дослідницька робота показали, що введення в програму з фізичного виховання оздоровчої гімнастики і вправ з м’ячем дає позитивний результат у підвищенні активності студентів. У проведенні занять оздоровчою гімнастикою в поєднанні з вправами з м’ячем виділені основні цілі: – навчання різним танцювальним рухам; – формування стійкого інтересу до рухової активності; – збереження і зміцнення здоров’я студентів. Висунуто припущення, що такі методи проведення занять нададуть можливість систематизувати теоре- тичні знання, урізноманітнити практичні вміння, формувати навички для самостійних занять у позанавчальний час, що в підсумку дозволить успішно вирішити головне, найбільш актуальне на сьогодні завдання навчання. Розроблено план проведення заняття оздоровчою гімнастикою в поєднанні з вправами з м’ячем, зроблена порівняльна характеристика даних фізичної підготовленості до і після експериментальних занять, зроблено математичний аналіз та підбито підсумки застосування запропонованих комплексів вправ.
Digitization and Blockchain in Finance, The Netherlands in 2020 and 2021
Authors: Veuger Jan
Published: October 2021

The exploratory research in 2020 received a lot of attention in trade journals in the Netherlands and in the international context of academic journals, webinars and conferences. This led to this research in 2021, including a reorientation on the structure of the research. Due to the further development of the faculty in 2020 and 2021, the questions from the research were further professionalized, peer reviewed by experts and supplemented. In addition, it is interesting and scientifically important to place the research more in both a national and international perspective, both with regard to professional groups and with regard to other studies, such as that of Controllers Magazine, After various inventorying discussions at the end of 2020, whether or not at the request of the stakeholders, this led to a reorientation on the conducting of the research. At the beginning of 2021, the study was therefore extended almost simultaneously to: (a) all members of the Working field commission (Werkveldcommissie; WVC) of the Accountancy (AC), Finance, Tax and Advice (FTA, formerly Fiscal Law and Economics) and Finance & Control (FC) programmes of the Academy of Finance, Economics and Management (FEM) at Saxion University of Applied Sciences, (b) all members of the foundation of collaborating chartered accountants and accounting and bookkeeping firms (SRA), a network organization of 375 independent audit firms with 900 branches in the Netherlands, and (c) international sister universities of Saxion University of Applied Sciences.
Fiziksel Engelli Bireyin Varoluşu: Nitel Bir Çalışma
Authors: Kocakaya Ramazan , Küçükkaraca Nilgün
Published: October 2021

Varoluşçuluk ile sosyal hizmet arasında güçlü bir ortak zemin mevcuttur. Alanyazın incelendiğinde, sosyal hizmet uzmanlarının hizmet sunduğu bireylerin varoluşuna dair çalışmaların olduğu, ancak fiziksel engelli bireyin varoluşunu konu edinen çalışmaların son derece sınırlı olduğu görülmektedir. Bu noktadan hareketle bu çalışmada “Varoluşçu sosyal hizmet perspektifinden, fiziksel engele sahip olmak ne anlama gelmektedir?” sorusuna cevap aranmıştır. Araştırma, nitel araştırma yaklaşımlarından olan fenomenolojik araştırma olarak tasarlanmıştır. Fiziksel engeli olan Z.G.’nin varoluşuna ilişkin, gözlem yoluyla elde edilemeyecek duygu ve düşünceleri, bakış açısı ve yaşam deneyimleri birebir derinlemesine görüşmeyle keşfedilmeye çalışılmıştır. Z.G. erkek, otuz sekiz yaşında, evli, iki çocuk sahibidir. Bir üniversitede öğretim üyesi olarak görev yapmaktadır. Z.G. çocukken geçirdiği bir kaza sonrası yedi yaşındayken fiziksel engelli olmuştur. Araştırmanın bulguları göstermiştir ki fiziksel engeli olan Z.G. varoluşsal hakikatlerle yüzleşmekten kaçmadan, söz konusu hakikatleri göz ardı etmeden bir yaşam sürmekte, sorumluluklarının bilincinde olarak otantik bir yaşam tarzı benimsemeye çalışmaktadır. Araştırmadan elde edilen veriler sosyal hizmet bağlamında tartışılmıştır.
Spatiotemporal variability in annual drought severity, duration, and frequency from 1901 to 2020
Authors: Zhang R , Qu Y , Zhang X , Wu X , Zhou X , Ren B , Zeng J , Wang Q
Published: October 2021

Drought is currently one of the most severe natural disasters affecting the world. Therefore, characterizing the temporal and spatial characteristics of droughts is critical to managing drought disasters and coping with global climate change. In this study, we apply the ensemble empirical mode decomposition (EEMD), empirical orthogonal function (EOF) decomposition, and the drought event division method of run theory to analyze the temporal and spatial characteristics of meteorological droughts across the globe from 1901 to 2020 using the self-calibrated Palmer drought severity index (scPDSI). We found that the world was gradually becoming wetter from 1901 to 2020, but the severity and duration of severe and extreme drought events also increased. In contrast to the PDSI, which showed no obvious short-period changes, the annual drought severity (ADS) had short cycle changes of 8 and 17 yr. Based on the EOF decomposition results of drought characteristics, dry and wet trends of local PDSI are inconsistent with increasing or decreasing trends of severe and extreme drought events. This research on the temporal and spatial decomposition of severe and extreme drought events provides a new perspective on drought research and analysis, which is critical for the further characterization of drought and the prevention and management of drought disasters.
SOME EFFECTS OF SHEEP URINE ON PASTURE
Authors: Dale W.R.
Published: October 2021

A good deal of study into the effects of stock excrement on pastures has been carried out by Sears and his co-workers ( 1942, 1948, 1953), and Doak (1952) has investigated chemical changes in sheep urine. Little recent work, however, has been published on certain aspects of naturally voided sheep urine. This paper sets out some preliminary observations of the effects of sheep urine on pasture and its influence on soil test.
Internal Promoters and Their Effects on the Transcription of Operon Genes for Epothilone Production in Myxococcus xanthus
Authors: Wang Ye , Yue Xin-jing , Yuan Shu-fei , Hong Yu , Hu Wei-feng , Li Yue-zhong
Published: October 2021

The biosynthetic genes for secondary metabolites are often clustered into giant operons with no transcription terminator before the end. The long transcripts are frangible and the transcription efficiency declines along with the process. Internal promoters might occur in operons to coordinate the transcription of individual genes, but their effects on the transcription of operon genes and the yield of metabolites have been less investigated. Epothilones are a kind of antitumor polyketides synthesized by seven multifunctional enzymes encoded by a 56-kb operon. In this study, we identified multiple internal promoters in the epothilone operon. We performed CRISPR-dCas9–mediated transcription activation of internal promoters, combined activation of different promoters, and activation in different epothilone-producing M. xanthus strains. We found that activation of internal promoters in the operon was able to promote the gene transcription, but the activation efficiency was distinct from the activation of separate promoters. The transcription of genes in the operon was influenced by not only the starting promoter but also internal promoters of the operon; internal promoters affected the transcription of the following and neighboring upstream/downstream genes. Multiple interferences between internal promoters thus changed the transcriptional profile of operon genes and the production of epothilones. Better activation efficiency for the gene transcription and the epothilone production was obtained in the low epothilone-producing strains. Our results highlight that interactions between promoters in the operon are critical for the gene transcription and the metabolite production efficiency.
Investigation of Vaping Fluids Recovered From New York State E-Cigarette or Vaping Product Use-Associated Lung Injury Patients
Authors: Lu Shijun (Jimmy) , Li Lingyun , Duffy Bryan C. , Dittmar Mark A. , Durocher Lorie A. , Panawennage Deepika , Delaney-Baldwin Em R. , Spink David C.
Published: October 2021

E-cigarette or vaping product use-associated lung injury (EVALI) is a serious pulmonary condition that is associated with the extended use of certain vaping products. EVALI was first characterized in the summer of 2019 and has since been reported in all 50 U.S. states. From August 2019 through June 2021, the New York State Department of Health has reported more than 197 confirmed cases emanating from all regions of the state. The Wadsworth Center at the New York State Department of Heath received vaping cartridges recovered from EVALI patients for chemical analysis of their contents. Untargeted analytical methods using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and liquid chromatography-high-resolution mass spectrometry as well as targeted analyses for a variety of analytes including cannabinoids, pesticides, vitamin E acetate (VEA) and mycotoxins were used to characterize the composition of the vaping fluids and several commercial vaping fluid additives. From the analyses of the 284 e-cigarette devices recovered from patients, 82 were found to be nicotine-containing pods, and 202 devices containing cannabis oil, apparently from unauthorized or black-market dealers. The fluids from the cannabis-oil cartridges tended to have lower levels of THCs (Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol + Δ8-tetrahydrocannabinol) and total cannabinoids compared with those of commercially produced formulations and contained significant levels of diluents including VEA, medium-chain triglycerides, polyethylene glycol, and castor oil. VEA was the diluent most frequently detected, which was present in 132 (65.3%) of the vaping fluids that contained cannabis oil. When present, VEA ranged from 2.0 to 67.8% of the total mass of the oil with a mean content of 37.0%. In some cases, two or three diluents were detected in the same sample. The ratio of VEA to THCs varied widely, from 0.07 to 5.34. VEA and specifically the high ratios of VEA to THCs in black-market vaping fluids may be causative in EVALI. The safety of additional components and additives that are present in vaping fluids are likewise of concern.
Metagenomic Analysis of Dental Plaque on Pit and Fissure Sites With and Without Caries Among Adolescents
Authors: Pang Liangyue , Wang Yinuo , Ye Yun , Zhou Yan , Zhi Qinghui , Lin Huancai
Published: October 2021

Caries is one of the most prevalent infectious diseases worldwide and is driven by the dysbiosis of dental biofilms adhering to tooth surfaces. The pits and fissured surfaces are the most susceptible sites of caries. However, information on the taxonomic composition and functional characteristics of the plaque microbiota in the pit and fissure sites is very limited. This study aimed to use metagenomic sequencing analyses to investigate the relationship between the plaque microbiome in the pit and fissure site and caries in adolescents. A total of 20 adolescents with active pit and fissure surface caries were involved as well as 20 age-matched, caries-free teenagers for control tests. Plaque samples were collected from the pit and fissure site and were subjected to metagenomic analyses, in which the microbial communities were investigated. Our results showed that the microbiota diversity was similar between those two groups. At the species level, the relative abundances of A. gerencseriae, P. acidifaciens, P. multisaccharivorax, S. oralis, S. mutans, and P. denticolens were higher in the caries-active group. N. elongata, C. hominis, and A. johnsonii were relatively more abundant in the caries-free groups. Functional analysis suggested that the metabolic pathway was the most abundant pathway, and the functional traits of the level 2 pathways included amino acid metabolism, metabolism of cofactors, and vitamins and carbohydrate metabolism. Our results also revealed that the caries group displayed several alterations in metabolic pathways, including enriched functions in carbohydrate digestion and absorption. This study suggested that in addition to the specific anatomical structures of the pit and fissured surfaces, the fundamental differences in the plaque microbiome may also be related to the susceptibility of pit and fissure caries.
Practical Applicability of Teledentistry in Pediatric Patients Amidst Pandemic : A Narrative Review
Authors: Goswami Mousumi , Nangia Tanu , Saxena Aditya , Chawla Sakshi , Mushtaq Anam , Singh Shrey R. , Jain Palak
Published: October 2021

The coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has imposed a situation where all healthcare facilities except emergency services remain suspended. These times generated the necessity for the implementation of a healthcare delivery system that can be accessed digitally and, thus, benefit the majority of children as well as healthcare professionals. This review aims to propose a sound model of less technique sensitive, safe and handy strategies for dental traumatic injuries, endodontic and restorative concerns, and orthodontic urgencies until complete clinical help can be sought. Five hundred thirty articles were obtained from the PubMed, Google Scholar, Embase, Lilacs, and Cochrane databases published from 2011 to 2021. Nineteen articles that described teledentistry in the COVID-19 era were included. Teledentistry can serve as a vital patient management strategy that can aid in triaging urgent and elective patient treatment needs, ultimately easing the burden of clinics and at the same time providing a safer means of consultation.
Chondroitin Sulfate Alleviates Diabetic Osteoporosis and Repairs Bone Microstructure via Anti-Oxidation, Anti-Inflammation, and Regulating Bone Metabolism
Authors: Qi Shan Shan , Shao Meng Li , Sun Ze , Chen Si Min , Hu Ying Jun , Li Xin Sheng , Chen De Jing , Zheng Hong Xing , Yue Tian Li
Published: October 2021

Diabetic osteoporosis (DOP) belongs to secondary osteoporosis caused by diabetes; it has the characteristics of high morbidity and high disability. In the present study, we constructed a type 1 diabetic rat model and administered chondroitin sulfate (200 mg/kg) for 10 weeks to observe the preventive effect of chondroitin sulfate on the bone loss of diabetic rats. The results showed that chondroitin sulfate can reduce blood glucose and relieve symptoms of diabetic rats; in addition, it can significantly increase the bone mineral density, improve bone microstructure, and reduce bone marrow adipocyte number in diabetic rats; after 10 weeks of chondroitin sulfate administration, the SOD activity level was upregulated, as well as CAT levels, indicating that chondroitin sulfate can alleviate oxidative stress in diabetic rats. Chondroitin sulfate was also found to reduce the level of serum inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1, IL-6, and MCP-1) and alleviate the inflammation in diabetic rats; bone metabolism marker detection results showed that chondroitin sulfate can reduce bone turnover in diabetic rats (decreased RANKL, CTX-1, ALP, and TRACP 5b levels were observed after 10 weeks of chondroitin sulfate administration). At the same time, the bone OPG and RUNX 2 expression levels were higher after chondroitin sulfate treatment, the bone RANKL expression was lowered, and the OPG/RANKL ratio was upregulated. All of the above indicated that chondroitin sulfate could prevent STZ-induced DOP and repair bone microstructure; the main mechanism was through anti-oxidation, anti-inflammatory, and regulating bone metabolism. Chondroitin sulfate could be used to develop anti-DOP functional foods and diet interventions for diabetes.
Evaluation of the MGISEQ-2000 Sequencing Platform for Illumina Target Capture Sequencing Libraries
Authors: Lang Jidong , Zhu Rongrong , Sun Xue , Zhu Siyu , Li Tianbao , Shi Xiaoli , Sun Yanqi , Yang Zhou , Wang Weiwei , Bing Pingping , He Binsheng , Tian Geng
Published: October 2021

Illumina is the leading sequencing platform in the next-generation sequencing (NGS) market globally. In recent years, MGI Tech has presented a series of new sequencers, including DNBSEQ-T7, MGISEQ-2000 and MGISEQ-200. As a complex application of NGS, cancer-detecting panels pose increasing demands for the high accuracy and sensitivity of sequencing and data analysis. In this study, we used the same capture DNA libraries constructed based on the Illumina protocol to evaluate the performance of the Illumina Nextseq500 and MGISEQ-2000 sequencing platforms. We found that the two platforms had high consistency in the results of hotspot mutation analysis; more importantly, we found that there was a significant loss of fragments in the 101–133 bp size range on the MGISEQ-2000 sequencing platform for Illumina libraries, but not for the capture DNA libraries prepared based on the MGISEQ protocol. This phenomenon may indicate fragment selection or low fragment ligation efficiency during the DNA circularization step, which is a unique step of the MGISEQ-2000 sequence platform. In conclusion, these different sequencing libraries and corresponding sequencing platforms are compatible with each other, but protocol and platform selection need to be carefully evaluated in combination with research purpose.
Generation of HLA Universal Megakaryocytes and Platelets by Genetic Engineering
Authors: Figueiredo Constanca , Blasczyk Rainer
Published: October 2021

Patelet transfusion refractoriness remains a relevant hurdle in the treatment of severe alloimmunized thrombocytopenic patients. Antibodies specific for the human leukocyte antigens (HLA) class I are considered the major immunological cause for PLT transfusion refractoriness. Due to the insufficient availability of HLA-matched PLTs, the development of new technologies is highly desirable to provide an adequate management of thrombocytopenia in immunized patients. Blood pharming is a promising strategy not only to generate an alternative to donor blood products, but it may offer the possibility to optimize the therapeutic effect of the produced blood cells by genetic modification. Recently, enormous technical advances in the field of in vitro production of megakaryocytes (MKs) and PLTs have been achieved by combining progresses made at different levels including identification of suitable cell sources, cell pharming technologies, bioreactors and application of genetic engineering tools. In particular, use of RNA interference, TALEN and CRISPR/Cas9 nucleases or nickases has allowed for the generation of HLA universal PLTs with the potential to survive under refractoriness conditions. Genetically engineered HLA-silenced MKs and PLTs were shown to be functional and to have the capability to survive cell- and antibody-mediated cytotoxicity using in vitro and in vivo models. This review is focused on the methods to generate in vitro genetically engineered MKs and PLTs with the capacity to evade allogeneic immune responses.
Radiotherapy and High-Dose Interleukin-2: Clinical and Immunological Results of a Proof of Principle Study in Metastatic Melanoma and Renal Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Bulgarelli Jenny , Piccinini Claudia , Petracci Elisabetta , Pancisi Elena , Granato Anna Maria , de Rosa Francesco , Guidoboni Massimo , Petrini Massimiliano , Ancarani Valentina , Foschi Giovanni , Romeo Antonino , Tontini Luca , De Giorgi Ugo , Lolli Cristian , Gentili Giorgia , Valmorri Linda , Rossi Alice , Ferroni Fabio , Casadei Carla , Cortesi Pietro , Crudi Laura , Ridolfi Laura
Published: October 2021

High-dose interleukin-2 (HD IL-2) has curative potential in metastatic melanoma (MM) and renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Radiotherapy (RT) kills cancer cells and induces immunomodulatory effects. Prospective trials exploring clinical and immunological properties of combined RT/HD IL-2 are still needed. We designed a phase II, single-arm clinical trial for patients with MM and RCC. The treatment schedule consisted of 3 daily doses of 6-12 Gy of RT to 1-5 non-index metastatic fields, before IL-2 at the first and third treatment cycle. HD IL-2 was administered by continuous infusion for 72 hours and repeated every 3 weeks for up to 4 cycles, thereafter every 4 weeks for a maximum of 2 cycles. The primary endpoint was the immunological efficacy of the combined RT/HD IL-2 treatment (assessed by IFN-γ ELISPOT). Nineteen out of 22 patients were evaluable for immunological and clinical response. Partial response occurred in 3 (15.7%) patients and stable disease was observed in 7 (36.8%). The disease control rate was 52.6% after a median follow up of 39.2 months. According to Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events 4.0 (CTCAE 4.0), the majority of toxicities were grade 1-2. Immunological responses were frequent and detected in 16 (84.2%) patients. Increased levels of IL-8 and IL-10 in melanoma, circulating effector memory CD4+ and intratumoral CD8+ T cells in both tumor types were detected after therapy. Overall the treatment was well tolerated and immunologically active. Immunomonitoring and correlative data on tumor and peripheral blood cell subsets suggest that this combination treatment could be a promising strategy for patients progressing after standard treatments.
Darkening of the Svalbard Fjords Waters Observed With Satellite Ocean Color Imagery in 1997–2019
Authors: Konik Marta , Darecki Mirosław , Pavlov Alexey K. , Sagan Sławomir , Kowalczuk Piotr
Published: October 2021

Global warming is not often discussed in the context of light availability within the water column. However, the light regimes in the Arctic Ocean are controlled by three factors that are influenced by climate changes which are the sea icealbedofeedback, glacial meltwater runoff and marine primary production. Based on a satellite data series acquired during time period 1997 – 2019, we inspected long-term changes of the three commonly used optical characteristicsChla,atot(443), andKd(490) within the Svalbard fjords and on the West Spitsbergen Shelf. We revealed evident positive trends in summer (July – September) in the Isfjorden, the Kongsfjorden, the Hornsund fjord, and the Bellsund. Moreover, between 1997 and 2019 at the majority of locations we observed a regime shift toward darker waters. We showed that light availability has changed in the Svalbard fjords since 1997, which may be a symptom of transformations in the environment that should be further investigated and monitored.
Microbial Ecology of Oxygen Minimum Zones Amidst Ocean Deoxygenation
Authors: Long Andrew M. , Jurgensen Sophie K. , Petchel Ariel R. , Savoie Emily R. , Brum Jennifer R.
Published: October 2021

Oxygen minimum zones (OMZs) have substantial effects on the global ecology and biogeochemical processes of marine microbes. However, the diversity and activity of OMZ microbes and their trophic interactions are only starting to be documented, especially in regard to the potential roles of viruses and protists. OMZs have expanded over the past 60 years and are predicted to expand due to anthropogenic climate change, furthering the need to understand these regions. This review summarizes the current knowledge of OMZ formation, the biotic and abiotic factors involved in OMZ expansion, and the microbial ecology of OMZs, emphasizing the importance of bacteria, archaea, viruses, and protists. We describe the recognized roles of OMZ microbes in carbon, nitrogen, and sulfur cycling, the potential of viruses in altering host metabolisms involved in these cycles, and the control of microbial populations by grazers and viruses. Further, we highlight the microbial community composition and roles of these organisms in oxic and anoxic depths within the water column and how these differences potentially inform how microbial communities will respond to deoxygenation. Additionally, the current literature on the alteration of microbial communities by other key climate change parameters such as temperature and pH are considered regarding how OMZ microbes might respond to these pressures. Finally, we discuss what knowledge gaps are present in understanding OMZ microbial communities and propose directions that will begin to close these gaps.
Combinatorial Click Chemistry Labeling to Study Live Human Gut-Derived Microbiota Communities
Authors: Hajjo Haitham , Bhardwaj Neerupma , Gefen Tal , Geva-Zatorsky Naama
Published: October 2021

Gut bacteria were shown to exert pivotal effects on health and disease. However, mechanistic studies of gut bacterial communities are limited due to the lack of technologies for real-time studies on live bacteria. Here, we developed COMBInatorial cliCK-chemistry (COMBICK) labeling on human gut-derived bacteria, both aerobic and anaerobic strains, to enable dynamic tracing of live, heterogeneous bacterial communities on the strain level, including clinical isolates of the Enterobacteriaceae family. We further show that COMBICK labeling is applicable on anaerobic bacterial strains directly isolated from stool. In COMBICK, the number of labeled bacteria that can be simultaneously differentiated increases exponentially depending on the availability of fluorophores and machine capabilities. This method allows real-time studies of bacterial communities from a variety of ecosystems, and can significantly advance mechanistic research in the microbiome field.
Machine Learning Uncovers a Data-Driven Transcriptional Regulatory Network for the Crenarchaeal Thermoacidophile Sulfolobus acidocaldarius
Authors: Chauhan Siddharth M. , Poudel Saugat , Rychel Kevin , Lamoureux Cameron , Yoo Reo , Al Bulushi Tahani , Yuan Yuan , Palsson Bernhard O. , Sastry Anand V.
Published: October 2021

Dynamic cellular responses to environmental constraints are coordinated by the transcriptional regulatory network (TRN), which modulates gene expression. This network controls most fundamental cellular responses, including metabolism, motility, and stress responses. Here, we apply independent component analysis, an unsupervised machine learning approach, to 95 high-quality Sulfolobus acidocaldarius RNA-seq datasets and extract 45 independently modulated gene sets, or iModulons. Together, these iModulons contain 755 genes (32% of the genes identified on the genome) and explain over 70% of the variance in the expression compendium. We show that five modules represent the effects of known transcriptional regulators, and hypothesize that most of the remaining modules represent the effects of uncharacterized regulators. Further analysis of these gene sets results in: (1) the prediction of a DNA export system composed of five uncharacterized genes, (2) expansion of the LysM regulon, and (3) evidence for an as-yet-undiscovered global regulon. Our approach allows for a mechanistic, systems-level elucidation of an extremophile’s responses to biological perturbations, which could inform research on gene-regulator interactions and facilitate regulator discovery in S. acidocaldarius. We also provide the first global TRN for S. acidocaldarius. Collectively, these results provide a roadmap toward regulatory network discovery in archaea.