bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Four Ws of Test Anxiety
Authors: Symes Wendy , Putwain David W.
Published: April 2021

Test anxiety refers to the tendency to appraise tests and test-like situations, where performance is evaluated, as threatening and respond with high levels of state anxiety. High levels of test anxiety are associated with lower performance on test and examinations, and may also meet diagnostic criteria for clinical anxiety. In this paper we review: (i), the importance of the test anxiety construct and consider whether test anxiety may constitute a risk factor for clinical anxiety, (ii), the theoretical antecedents of test anxiety, with a specific focus on the Self-Regulatory Executive Function (S-REF) Processing Model, and (iii), interventions for test anxiety in adolescents, with a specific focus on one cognitive-behavioural intervention, Strategies to Tackle Exam Pressure and Stress (STEPS). We bring the review to a close with a consideration of what the next steps might fruitfully be for research, theory, and intervention, and conclude there is much work still yet to be done in the field of test anxiety.
Egyedi projektvezetési eszközök alkalmazási lehetősége a projektprogramok teljesítésében
Authors: Görög Mihály
Published: April 2021

A projektportfóliók és projektprogramok teljesítésével foglalkozó szakirodalom, lényegében egyfajta általános szintű közelítésmódnak köszönhetően, gyakorlatilag csak a programiroda, legfeljebb a tervezés információrendszerének kérdéskörét helyezi előtérbe. Noha egy projektprogram lényegesen több mint a programot alkotó projektjeinek egyszerű halmaza, azért a programok elemei mégiscsak projektek. Minthogy az ördög pedig a részletekben van, így célszerű annak vizsgálata is, hogy az egyedi projektek kapcsán alkalmazott projektvezetési eszközök miként segíthetik elő a projektprogramok teljesítését és vezetésének hatékonyságát, így végső soron a programok sikerességét. A szerző ebben a tanulmányban kvalitatív kutatáson alapuló eredményekre támaszkodva rámutat azoknak az egyedi projektvezetési eszközöknek a programszintű alkalmazási lehetőségeire, amelyek döntően meghatározhatják a programok sikeres teljesítését.
A Free Cash Flow-tól a szabad pénzáramig
Authors: Takács András
Published: April 2021

A diszkontált cash flow (DCF) alapú vállalatértékelési elmélet egyik központi kategóriáját képezi a vállalat tőkejuttatói (tulajdonosai és hitelezői) által elérhető szabad pénzáramlás, melyet az angol nyelvű szakirodalom Free Cash Flow-nak nevez. A Free Cash Flow fogalma és definíciója már régóta jelen van a magyar szakirodalomban is. E tanulmány megírásakor az a cél vezérelte a szerzőt, hogy az eddigiekben publikált „magyarított” modelleket kiegészítve, illetve tovább finomítva, kidolgozzon egy teljes részletezettségű, a magyar számviteli sajátosságokra épülő számítási sémát, melynek segítségével a Free Cash Flow tökéletes pontossággal meghatározható lesz a magyar számviteli kimutatásokból.
Adaptációs stratégiák a kialakuló bioetanol-iparágban
Authors: Szabó Zsolt Roland
Published: April 2021

A környezeti változások egyben üzleti lehetőségeket is jelentenek az innovatív vállalatok számára, mely kapcsán a dolgozat a bioetanol-iparág szereplőinél értékeli a környezeti alkalmazkodás szintjeit. Az adaptációt a szerző 5, illetve 3 fokozatú skálán is értelmezi, és megvizsgálja, hogy mi alapján tartozhatnak az iparág meghatározó szereplői az „entrepreneur”, az „offenzív”, illetve a „defenzív” kategóriába. A tanulmány fontos megállapítása, hogy az adaptációs stratégiák mindegyike lehet sikeres, és a vállalatok maguk dönthetik el, melyiket választják. Mindemellett az adaptációs stratégiákat nem elegendő statikus környezetben vizsgálni, sőt az adaptációs stratégiák közötti választás sem kizárólagos. A kutatás eredményeivel megalapozza az iparági szereplők alaposabb megértését csakúgy, mint kvantitatív empirikus vizsgálatok folytatását.
Effect of Parameters on the Runoff Erosion Control Performance of Structurally Modified Jute and Coir Geomeshes over Loamy Sand
Authors: Verma Sushma , Midha Vinay Kumar , Choudhary Awadesh Kumar
Published: April 2021

Soil erosion is a serious environmental problem that can be controlled using bioengineering techniques. In using a bioengineering technique, temporary reinforcement is performed with geomeshes until vegetation takes root. In this study, structurally modified jute and coir geomeshes were tested for runoff erosion control and runoff volume over loamy sand at different slope angles. The laboratory results revealed that all parameters (slope angle, type of weave and type of material) had a significant effect on the erosion control performance of geomeshes. The slope angle contributed most (52.34%) to runoff erosion control, followed by weave type (25.79%) and type of material (12.28%). At lower and medium slope angles (of 15o and 30o, respectively) the twill-woven structure of coir geomeshes provided better erosion control than plain- and satin-woven structures, while plain-woven jute geomeshes demonstrated better erosion control at all slope angles. To understand the overall impact, a germination test was also conducted. According to the germination test results, the twill weave of jute geomeshes provided the highest rooting length. In general, plain-woven jute geomeshes are preferred for better erosion control on a high slope angle, while plain and twill can be used on a low slope angle.
Ukrainian Folk Ornaments in Modern Knitting
Authors: Melnyk Liudmyla , Kyzymchuk Olena , Zubkova Liudmyla
Published: April 2021

National arts and crafts are not only the skills of an individual nation but an ethnic phenomenon that has unique features and serves as a source of information on national history and culture. Decorative and applied art in Ukraine combines the traditions and techniques of manufacturing and decoration, which have been developed and passed down from generation to generation. It has a clear national identity and numerous regional differences in ornamental motifs, compositions and favourite colours. Therefore, the Ukrainian folk art has a significant potential and is a source of ideas in creating modern clothing as well as interior items. Embroidery as a way of creating ornamental motifs on a textile material using various techniques is a common process for decorating clothes and interiors for the Ukrainians. Today, ornamental compositions of embroidered folk textiles could be transmitted into modern clothes using various technologies. However, the use of a knitting machine allows creating a pattern during the item production. The ornament transformation into a pattern for knitting can be carried out with graphic software by creating a grid with a cell size similar to the loop size of a knitted structure for corresponding interlooping. A number of clothing and interior items with ethnic motifs was created using the capabilities of flat knitting machines within the masters programme “Knitting Technology and Design” at the Textile Technology and Design Department of the Kyiv National University of Technologies and Design.
Significance of various risk factors for proximal junctional kyphosis and instability of instrumentation in surgical treatment for adult spinal deformities
Authors: Basankin I. V. , Ptashnikov D. A. , Masevnin S. V. , Afaunov A. A. , Giulzatyan A. A. , Takhmazyan K. K.
Published: April 2021

Objective. To analyze the significance of the influence of various risk factors on the development of proximal junctional kyphosis (PJK) and instability of instrumentation.

Material and Methods. The results of surgical treatment of 382 patients with scoliotic deformities of the lumbar spine of type I and IIIb according to Aebi were analyzed. Patients were operated on through the posterior approach using the TLIF-PLIF technique with extended rigid transpedicular instrumentation. Potential risk factors influencing the development of proximal junctional kyphosis and instability of instrumentation were analyzed.

Results. It was found that only three risk factors significantly affect the development of PJK: correction of lumbar lordosis more than 30° (p = 0.036) increases the likelihood of its development by 1.5 times, osteoporosis (p = 0.001) – by 2.5 times, and proximal junctionalangle ≥10° (p = 0.001) – by 3.5 times. Three factors showed a statistically significant effect on the incidence of instrumentation instability: correction of lumbar lordosis more than 30° (p = 0.034) increases the likelihood of its occurrence by 1.7 times, osteoporosis (p = 0.018) – by 1.8 times, and deviation of the sagittal vertical axis by more than 50 mm (p = 0.001) – by 3.3 times.

Conclusion. The most significant risk factors for the occurrence of PJK and instability of instrumentation are osteoporosis, correction of lumbar lordosis more than 30°, an increase in the proximal junctional angle ≥10°, and an anterior deviation of sagittal vertical axis more than 50 mm. Consideration of these factors in the preoperative period, as well as during surgery, can decrease likelihood of the occurrence of PJK and instability of instrumentation.
Co-expression of drug metabolizing cytochrome P450 enzymes and estrogen receptor alpha (ESR1) in human liver: racial differences and the regulatory role of ESR1
Authors: Collins Joseph M. , Wang Danxin
Published: April 2021

Objectives

The function and expression of cytochrome P450 (CYP) drug metabolizing enzymes is highly variable, greatly affecting drug exposure, and therapeutic outcomes. The expression of these enzymes is known to be controlled by many transcription factors (TFs), including ligand-free estrogen receptor alpha (ESR1, in the absence of estrogen). However, the relationship between the expression of ESR1, other TFs, and CYP enzymes in human liver is still unclear.

Methods

Using real-time PCR, we quantified the mRNA levels of 12 CYP enzymes and nine TFs in 246 human liver samples from European American (EA, n = 133) and African American (AA, n = 113) donors.

Results

Our results showed higher expression levels of ESR1 and six CYP enzymes in EA than in AA. Partial least square regression analysis showed that ESR1 is the top-ranking TF associating with the expression of eight CYP enzymes, six of which showed racial difference in expression. Conversely, four CYP enzymes without racial difference in expression did not have ESR1 as a top-ranking TF. These results indicate that ESR1 may contribute to variation in CYP enzyme expression between these two ancestral backgrounds.

Conclusions

These results are consistent with our previous study showing ESR1 as a master regulator for the expression of several CYP enzymes. Therefore, factors affecting ESR1 expression may have broad influence on drug metabolism through altered expression of CYP enzymes.
On finite groups with prescribed two-generator subgroups and integral Cayley graphs
Authors: Feng Yan-Quan , Kovács István
Published: April 2021

In this paper, we characterize the finite groups 𝐺 of even order with the property that, for any involution 𝑥 and element 𝑦 of 𝐺,

⟨
x
,
y
⟩

\langle x,y\rangle

is isomorphic to one of the following groups:

Z
2

\mathbb{Z}_{2}

,

Z
2
2

\mathbb{Z}_{2}^{2}

,

Z
4

\mathbb{Z}_{4}

,

Z
6

\mathbb{Z}_{6}

,

Z
2

×

Z
4

\mathbb{Z}_{2}\times\mathbb{Z}_{4}

,

Z
2

×

Z
6

\mathbb{Z}_{2}\times\mathbb{Z}_{6}

and

A
4

A_{4}

.
As a result, a characterization will be obtained for the finite groups all of whose Cayley graphs of degree 3 have integral spectrum.
Body fat distribution in trunk and legs are associated with cardiometabolic risk clustering among Chinese adolescents aged 10–18 years old
Authors: Yang Qingmei , Ma Ping , Zhang Hao , Cai Rongrong , Dong Yangyang , Ding Wenqing
Published: April 2021

Objectives

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the association of body fat distribution with cardiometabolic risk factors clustering among Chinese adolescents.

Methods

In this cross sectional study a total of 1,175 adolescents aged 10–18 years underwent a comprehensive assessment of cardimetabolic risk factors. Body fat analysis was performed with bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA).

Results

Individuals with the CVRFs≥1 or CVRFs≥2 had higher indices of body fat distribution such as body fat mass (BFM) compared to those with normal CVRFs (all p<0.001). The prevalence of CVRFs≥1, CVRFs≥2 increased with increasing of the quartile of BFM, TBFM, ABFM, LBFM, PBF, VFL compared to normal subjects. After adjusted for age and sex, the study indicated an linear relationship between TBFM (β = 0.693, 95% CI:0.363, 1.023), LBFM (β = −1.471, 95% CI:−2.768, −0.175) and CVRFs z-score. Logistic regression models suggested TBFM was associated with CVRFs≥1 and CVRFs≥2 by higher odds. Lower odds of LBFM was associated with CVRFs≥2.

Conclusions

The contribution of the fat mass in specific region on the cardiovascular risk factors clustering is different among adolescents. The trunk fat is associated with higher clustered cardiometabolic risk, while leg fat mass is the protective factor.
Newborn screening and molecular features of patients with multiple acyl-CoA dehydrogenase deficiency in Quanzhou, China
Authors: Lin Yiming , Zhang Weifeng , Chen Zhixu , Lin Chunmei , Lin Weihua , Fu Qingliu , Peng Weilin , Chen Dongmei
Published: April 2021

Objectives

Multiple acyl-CoA dehydrogenase deficiency (MADD) is an autosomal recessive disorder of fatty acid, amino acid and choline metabolism. Late-onset MADD is caused by ETFDH mutations and is the most common lipid storage myopathy in China. However, few patients with MADD have been identified through newborn screening (NBS). This study assessed the acylcarnitine profiles and molecular features of patients with MADD identified through NBS.

Methods

From January 2014 to June 2020, 479,786 newborns screened via tandem mass spectrometry were recruited for this study. Newborns with elevated levels of multiple acylcarnitines were recalled, those who tested positive in the reassessment were referred for genetic analysis.

Results

Of 479,786 newborns screened, six were diagnosed with MADD. The MADD incidence in the Chinese population was estimated to be 1:79,964. Initial NBS revealed five patients with typical elevations in the levels of multiple acylcarnitines; however, in one patient, acylcarnitine levels were in the normal reference range during recall. Notably, one patient only exhibited a mildly increased isovalerylcarnitine (C5) level at NBS. The patient with an atypical acylcarnitine profile was diagnosed with MADD by targeted gene sequencing. Six distinct ETFDH missense variants were identified, with the most common variant being c.250G>A (p.A84T), with an allelic frequency of 58.35 (7/12).

Conclusions

These findings revealed that it is easy for patients with MADD to go unidentified, as they may have atypical acylcarnitine profiles at NBS and the recall stage, indicating the value of genetic analysis for confirming suspected inherited metabolic disorders in the NBS program. Therefore, false-negative (FN) results may be reduced by combining tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) with genetic testing in NBS for MADD.
Comparison between terrestrial mammals in evergreen forests and in seasonal dry forests in Western Ecuador: should efforts be focused on dry forests?
Authors: Solórzano Carlos B. , Intriago-Alcívar Luis , Guerrero-Casado José
Published: April 2021

The Coast Region of Ecuador has been dramatically deforested, and most of the remaining natural vegetation is formed of fragmented patches, in which there is little knowledge of wild mammal populations. The objective of this study was to assess the presence and detection rate (DR) of medium and large-size mammals by using camera-traps in fragmented forests located outside the protected areas comparing the two main types of forest: seasonal dry and evergreen. We registered 18 different species, of which four had greater DRs in dry forests (Lycalopex sechurae, Odocoileus peruvianus, Simosciurus stramineus and Sylvilagus daulensis), four were more detected in evergreen forests (Cuniculus paca, Dasyprocta punctata, Dasypus novemcinctus and Procyon cancrivorus), and the remaining 10 species had no significant habitat preference. The mean species richness was similar in both ecosystems, but the number of detections was greater in the evergreen forests. Finally, two of the region’s four threatened species had higher DRs in dry forests. These results suggest that it is necessary to conserve both types of ecosystems to ensure the conservation of all mammals’ species. However, since dry forests are less protected and their threatened fauna suggests that conservation efforts should be particularly focused on them.
Jüdisches Leben in Deutschland als Anfrage an die innerchristliche Ökumene
Authors: Pangritz Andreas
Published: April 2021

Zusamenfassung

Aus Anlass des Jubiläums „1700 Jahre jüdisches Leben in Deutschland“ wird erörtert, wie die „eine tatsächlich große ökumenische Frage“ (K. Barth), nämlich die Beziehungen des Christentums zum Judentum, beantwortet werden kann. Gebraucht wird ein neues Konzept von Ökumene, das über H. Meyers „Einheit in versöhnter Verschiedenheit“ hinausgeht: „Versöhnte Verschiedenheit in dialogischer Differenz“, eine dialogische Weggemeinschaft unter Anerkennung bleibender Verschiedenheit.
Uncovering a Relationship between Leadership Behaviour and Employees’ Workaholism: A Systematic Review
Authors: Morkevičiūtė Modesta , Endriulaitienė Auksė
Published: April 2021

Some of the authors proposed that organisational factors play an important role in the context of employees’ workaholism. Therefore, the principal purpose of the paper is to systematically review the scientific literature on the relationship between leadership behaviours and employees’ workaholism.
The Assessment of Commitment in the Cooperative Organization in Nigeria
Authors: Sofoluwe Nurudeen Afolabi , Ogunola Abiodun Adekunle , Hassan Ally Banjo
Published: April 2021

Limited studies exist on the commitment of members to cooperative business organizations. This study assesses commitment in the cooperative organization and determines its relationship with members’ individual characteristics. Primary data collected covers information on affective, continuance and normative commitment of cooperative members, in addition to demographic characteristics. Analysis of the data shows that cooperative members are indifferent to affective, continuance and normative measures of commitment in cooperative organizations. Gender characteristics, level of education and years of membership are critical to obtaining commitment in cooperative organizations. Cooperative organizations are encouraged to consider the personal characteristics of members in a drive to elicit the desired level of commitment.
Continuity or Change? Leaders’ Values in the Baltic Countries over Time
Authors: Stelmokienė Aurelija , Kravčenko Karina
Published: April 2021

Both scientists and practitioners acknowledge leadership as a key predictor of success in organizations. Leaders’ values could be a significant criterion for the analysis of changes in leadership recently. This study aims to investigate changes in leaders’ values over time among Baltic countries. The results of the European Social Survey (ESS) showed that leaders’ values did not significantly change over time (from 2008 to 2016). However, the expression of values significantly differed between leaders of different countries.
Melian dialogue syndrome in the Indian Ocean: A critical appraisal of Sri Lanka’s “small state dilemma” in the context of Indo-Sino rivalry
Authors: Amarasinghe Punsara
Published: April 2021

Sri Lanka’s foreign secretary’s statement indicating that Colombo would adopt “ India First” foreign policy appears to be a much-consoling phrase for the Indian diplomats. It is a fact beyond any dispute that New Delhi felt anxious about Sri Lanka’s extensive hobnobbing with China for years that has finally seen massive Chinese presence in the island nation. Given Sri Lanka’s strategic location in the Indian ocean as a crucial hub in the Indian ocean governance, Colombo’s relations with Beijing have always created a tense situation in India. However, the newly elected president of Sri Lanka Gotabaya Rajapaksa and his government’s novel approach to profess their foreign policy as India cantered doctrine raises some perplexity with the realpolitik caught by Sri Lanka. This paper seeks to examine the asymmetrical relationship that existed between Indian and Sri Lanka after the independence of both nations, wherein New Delhi used different means to carve Sri Lanka’s external relations for the best interests of India. Furthermore, this paper analyses the unequal position Sri Lanka has been facing as a small nation located near a ricing global power and how Sri Lanka struggles to balance both India and China in their rivalry in the Indian Ocean. The results emerge from this paper will reveal the impossibility of upholding neutrality for a small state before complex geopolitical power struggles.
Enumeration of weighted paths on a digraph and block hook determinant
Authors: Bera Sudip
Published: April 2021

In this article, we evaluate determinants of “block hook” matrices, which are block matrices consist of hook matrices. In particular, we deduce that the determinant of a block hook matrix factorizes nicely. In addition we give a combinatorial interpretation of the aforesaid factorization property by counting weighted paths in a suitable weighted digraph.
Graph isomorphism and Gaussian boson sampling
Authors: Brádler Kamil , Friedland Shmuel , Izaac Josh , Killoran Nathan , Su Daiqin
Published: April 2021

We introduce a connection between a near-term quantum computing device, specifically a Gaussian boson sampler, and the graph isomorphism problem. We propose a scheme where graphs are encoded into quantum states of light, whose properties are then probed with photon-number-resolving detectors. We prove that the probabilities of different photon-detection events in this setup can be combined to give a complete set of graph invariants. Two graphs are isomorphic if and only if their detection probabilities are equivalent. We present additional ways that the measurement probabilities can be combined or coarse-grained to make experimental tests more amenable. We benchmark these methods with numerical simulations on the Titan supercomputer for several graph families: pairs of isospectral nonisomorphic graphs, isospectral regular graphs, and strongly regular graphs.
Study on free throws in the romanian men’s national league of basketball
Authors: Ionescu Dan
Published: April 2021

The increasingly frequent use of computers in analyzing the game of basketball, offers the advantage of a fast analysis of a player’s or a team’s performance, one free of mathematical errors. The following study focuses on analyzing the free throws in the Men’s National League of Basketball, emphasizing those features that can make the difference between the champion team and the other participants.Thus, starting from the hypothesis that the team on the first place must be the team with the lowest average of the free throws of the visiting teams, this study would like to point out the number of free throws that were given to the host teams and to the guest teams. Other aspects that have been analyzed in this paper include the percentage of scored points in free throws, the percentage of free throws for teams participating in the LNBM (Men’s National Basketball League) and the teams that have benefited from the most free throws, so that the data obtained can provide coaches with a series of useful information for future preparation.
Receptor-mediated biological effects of extracts obtained from three Asplenium species
Authors: Petkov Venelin H. , Ardasheva Raina G. , Prissadova Natalia A. , Kristev Athanas D. , Stoyanov Plamen S. , Argirova Mariana D.
Published: April 2021

This study reports the effects of aqueous extracts obtained from three fern species of Bulgarian origin: Asplenium ceterach L., Asplenium scolopendrium L., and Asplenium trichomanes L. on the contractility and bioelectrogenesis of rat gastric smooth muscle tissues. In the concentration range 0.015–0.150 mg/mL the three extracts contracted smooth muscle tissues in a concentration-dependent manner. The contractions caused by A. ceterach L. and A. scolopendrium L. extracts (0.150 mg/mL) were reduced by ketanserin (5 × 10−7 and 5 × 10−6 mol/L), an antagonist of serotonin 5-HT2 receptor. The contraction evoked by A. trichomanes L. (0.150 mg/mL) was significantly reduced by 1 × 10−6 mol/L atropine, an antagonist of muscarinic receptors, and turned into relaxation against the background of 3 × 10−7 mol/L galantamine. After combined pretreatment with galantamine and l-arginine (5 × 10−4 mol/L), this relaxation become more pronounced. The study demonstrates that constituents of A. ceterach L. and A. scolopendrium L. extracts act as agonists of 5-HT2 receptors and cause contraction by activating serotonergic signaling system. A. trichomanes L.-induced reaction is an additive result of two opposite-in-character effects. The dominant contraction is initiated by inhibition of acetylcholinesterase activity. The relaxation develops with pre-inhibited acetylcholinesterase, it is significantly potentiated by l-arginine, and therefore associated with nitrergic signaling pathway.
Built-up area analysis using Sentinel data in metropolitan areas of Transylvania, Romania
Authors: Oșlobanu Constantin , Alexe Mircea
Published: April 2021

The anthropic and natural elements have become more closely monitored and analysed through the use of remote sensing and GIS applications. In this regard, the study aims to feature a different approach to produce more and more thematic information, focusing on the development of built-up areas. In this paper, multispectral images and Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) images were the basis of a wide range of proximity analyses. These allow the extraction of data about the distribution of built-up space on the areas with potential for economic and social development. Application of interferometric coherence and supervised classifications have been accomplished on various territories, such as metropolitan areas of the most developed region of Romania, more specifically Transylvania. The results indicate accuracy values, which can reach 94 per cent for multispectral datasets and 93 per cent for SAR datasets. The accuracy of resulted data will reveal a variety of city patterns, depending mainly on local features regarding natural and administrative environments. In this way, a comparison will be made between the accuracy of both datasets to provide an analysis of the manner of built-up areas distribution to assess the expansion of the studied metropolitan areas. Therefore, this study aims to apply well-established methods from the remote sensing field to enhance the information and datasets in some areas lacking recent research.
«Климатический саммит» Байдена: риски для Китая и России
Authors: Roginko Sergey
Published: April 2021

Записка посвящена намеченному на 22-23 апреля 2021 года мировому саммиту по климату. Автор рассматривает возможные цели и позиции, которые США, вероятнее всего, будут отстаивать на саммите в соответствии с объявленными ранее положениями американской климатической политики; анализирует характер рисков для России и Китая на предстоящих в рамках саммита переговорах, включая вопросы ужесточения обязательств по Парижскому соглашению; прогнозирует ход саммита исходя из состава его участников.
Политический кризис в Словакии: фактор российской вакцины
Authors: Vedernikov Mikhail
Published: April 2021

В марте 2021 года на фоне непрекращающейся второй волны пандемии коронавируса COVID-19 в Словакии разгорелся политический кризис, в ходе которого в отставку подали несколько ключевых министров правительства. В свою очередь они потребовали от премьер-министра Игоря Матовича, лидера движения «Обычные люди и независимые личности», последовать их примеру. Предлогом для конфликта между коалиционными партнерами стала закупка российской вакцины «Спутник V», против которой выступили представители либеральных партий – «Свобода и солидарность» и «За людей». Под давлением обстоятельств премьер был вынужден оставить занимаемый пост.
Regulation of Synaptic Transmission and Plasticity by Protein Phosphatase 1
Authors: Foley Karl , McKee Cody , Nairn Angus C. , Xia Houhui
Published: April 2021

Protein phosphatases, by counteracting protein kinases, regulate the reversible phosphorylation of many substrates involved in synaptic plasticity, a cellular model for learning and memory. A prominent phosphatase regulating synaptic plasticity and neurologic disorders is the serine/threonine protein phosphatase 1 (PP1). PP1 has three isoforms (α, β, and γ, encoded by three different genes), which are regulated by a vast number of interacting subunits that define their enzymatic substrate specificity. In this review, we discuss evidence showing that PP1 regulates synaptic transmission and plasticity, as well as presenting novel models of PP1 regulation suggested by recent experimental evidence. We also outline the required targeting of PP1 by neurabin and spinophilin to achieve substrate specificity at the synapse to regulate AMPAR and NMDAR function. We then highlight the role of inhibitor-2 in regulating PP1 function in plasticity, including its positive regulation of PP1 functionin vivoin memory formation. We also discuss the distinct function of the three PP1 isoforms in synaptic plasticity and brain function, as well as briefly discuss the role of inhibitory phosphorylation of PP1, which has received recent emphasis in the regulation of PP1 activity in neurons.
Changing biological behaviour of NETs during the evolution of the disease: progress on progression
Authors: Alexandraki Krystallenia I , Spyroglou Ariadni , Kykalos Stylianos , Daskalakis Kosmas , Kyriakopoulos Georgios , Sotiropoulos Georgios C , Kaltsas Gregory A , Grossman Ashley B
Published: April 2021

Following improvements in the management and outcome of neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs) in recent years, we see a subset, particularly of pancreatic NENs, which become more aggressive during the course of the disease. This is reflected by an increase in the Ki-67 labelling index, as a marker of proliferation, which may lead to an occasion of increase in grading, but generally does not appear to be correlated with histologically confirmed dedifferentiation. A systematic review of the literature was performed in PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Embase until May 2020 to identify cases that have behaved in such a manner. We screened 244 articles: only seven studies included cases in their cohort, or in a subset of the cohort studied, with a proven increase in the Ki-67 during follow-up through additional biopsy. In addition to these studies, we have also tried to identify possible pathophysiological mechanisms implicated in advanced NENs, although currently no studies appear to have addressed the mechanisms implicated in the switch to a more aggressive biological phenotype over the course of the disease. Such progression of the disease course may demand a change in the management. Summarising the overall evidence, we suggest that future studies should concentrate on changes in the molecular pathways during disease progression with sequential biopsies in order to shed light on the mechanisms that render a neoplasm more aggressive than its initial phenotype or genotype.
Polygenic risk scores: effect estimation and model optimization
Authors: Zhao Zijie , Song Jie , Wang Tuo , Lu Qiongshi
Published: April 2021

Background

Polygenic risk score (PRS) derived from summary statistics of genome‐wide association studies (GWAS) is a useful tool to infer an individual’s genetic risk for health outcomes and has gained increasing popularity in human genetics research. PRS in its simplest form enjoys both computational efficiency and easy accessibility, yet the predictive performance of PRS remains moderate for diseases and traits.

Results

We provide an overview of recent advances in statistical methods to improve PRS’s performance by incorporating information from linkage disequilibrium, functional annotation, and pleiotropy. We also introduce model validation methods that fine‐tune PRS using GWAS summary statistics.

Conclusion

In this review, we showcase methodological advances and current limitations of PRS, and discuss several emerging issues in risk prediction research.
Prospects for the application of artificial intelligence methods in space research tasks
Authors:   V.M.Hlushkov Institute of Cybernetics of NAS of Ukraine, V. Pisarenko , U. Pisarenko ,   V.M.Hlushkov Institute of Cybernetics of NAS of Ukraine, O. Gulchak ,   V.M.Hlushkov Institute of Cybernetics of NAS of Ukraine
Published: April 2021

Modern ideas of security problems are being described which are being associated with the implementation of manned flights into "deep space". The analysis of approaches to the development of criteria for the successful completion of space missions, to assess the risks of exposure to adverse factors of the space environment. The classification of risks to the health and life of astronauts in long space missions is carried out, the rationale for the conclusion about the prospects of the widespread use of robotics with elements of artificial intelligence in the tasks of deep space exploration is given.
Generation of Bright and Entangled Light from a Nondegenerate Three-Level Laser with Parametric Amplifier and Coupled to Thermal Reservoir
Authors: Abebe T. , Gashu Ch. , Mosisa E.
Published: April 2021

The detailed analysis of the two-mode quadrature squeezing and statistical properties of light generated by a nondegenerate three-level laser which has a parametric amplifier and coupled with a thermal reservoir is executed. The combination of the master equation and the stochastic differential equation is presented to study the nonclassical features of the light generated by the quantum system. Moreover, with the aid the resulting solutions together with the correlation properties of noise operators, we calculated the quadrature squeezing, entanglement, and mean number of photon pairs of the cavity light. It is found that the external small-amplitude driving radiation induces a strong correlation between the top and bottom states of three-level atoms to produce a high degree of squeezing. Moreover, the presence of a parametric amplifier is found to enhance the degree of squeezing of the cavity light. We have also established that an increase in the mean thermal photon number appears to degrade the squeezing, but enhances the mean number of photon pairs of the cavity light.
Projected Gross–Pitaevskii Equation for Ring-Shaped Bose–Einstein Condensates
Authors: Prikhodko O.O. , Bidasyuk Y.M.
Published: April 2021

We propose an alternative implementation of the projected Gross–Pitaevskki equation adapted for a numerical modeling of the atomic Bose–Einstein condensate trapped in a toroidally shaped potential. We present an accurate efficient scheme to evaluate the required matrix elements and to calculate tthe ime evolution of the matter wave field. We analyze the stability and accuracy of the developed method for equilibrium and nonequilibrium solutions in a ring-shaped trap with an additional barrier potential corresponding to recent experimental realizations.
Electrically Pumped Two-Mode Laser Dynamics
Authors: Molla Gessesse M.
Published: April 2021

The statistical and squeezing properties of the cavity light produced by a three-level laser are studied. In the laser, N three-level atoms in an open cavity are coupled with a two-mode vacuum reservoir and are pumped to the top level by means of the electron bombardment. Applying the steady-state solutions of the equations of evolution of the expectation values of the atomic operators and the quantum Langevin equations for the cavity mode operators, we have obtained the global and local photon statistics for single-mode cavity light beams and for two-mode cavity light. It is found that the global mean photon number and the global photon-number variance of the light emitted from the top are greater than those for the light emitted from intermediate level. The cavity lights emitted from the top and intermediate levels can be separately in a chaotic state under certain conditions. However, the two-mode cavity light is in a squeezed state under certain conditions. We have established that the maximum quadrature squeezing of the two-mode cavity light to be about 46% below the coherent-state level. The presence of the vacuum reservoir noise has the effect of increasing the photon-number variance and decreasing the quadrature squeezing of the cavity light but has no effect on the mean photon number. We have shown that the local mean photon number and photon number variance of the cavity light approach the global mean photon number and photon number variance of the cavity light as the frequency interval increases.
Breakdown Phase in the GOLEM Tokamak and Its Impact on Plasma Performance
Authors: Siusko Y. , Svoboda V. , Stockel J. , Garkusha I. , Solyakov D. , Girka I. , Volkov V. , Bondar D. , Kondratenko V. , Boychenko A. , Krupka A. , Boloto D. , Drozdov D. , Salmin O. , Shchibrya A.
Published: April 2021

The effect of the breakdown phase on subsequent plasma parameters in GOLEM tokamak is investigated remotely. The dependence of the breakdown voltage and the breakdown time on the time delay between the switchings-on of a toroidal magnetic field Bt and a toroidal electric field Et for different groups of the pressure magnitudes is built. The performed experiments have shown that, for GOLEM tokamak, the shorter the temporal delay, the better are the mean plasma parameters. In addition, the breakdown phase is discussed in more details. In the discussion, the avalanche phase of the breakdown is analyzed. The dominant mechanism of particle losses during the avalanche phase, future steps, and tasks are discussed and set. The experiments on studying the breakdown phase have been carried out remotely on GOLEM tokamak by undergraduate students of V.N. Karazin Kharkiv National University.
Вплив імпульсного лазерного опромінення (довжина електромагнітної хвилі 266 нм) на оптичні властивості CdTe та Cd0,9Zn0,1Te в області фундаментального оптичного переходу E0
Authors: Gentsar P.O. , Levytskyi S.M. , Stronski A.V.
Published: April 2021

В данiй роботi проведено оптичнi дослiдження спектрiв пропускання та вiдбивання монокристалiв р-CdTe(111), а також твердого розчину Cd0,9Zn0,1Te в дiапазонi (0,8–1,7) · 10−6 м до та пiсля лазерного опромiнення на довжинi електромагнiтної хвилi Λ = 266 нм в iнтервалi енергiй 17,2–47,01 мДж/см2. Встановлено, що основним механiзмом впливу iмпульсного лазерного опромiнення на оптичнi властивостi тонких приповерхневих шарiв дослiджених кристалiв є структурне гетерування, тобто поглинання, зумовлене наявнiстю дiлянок напiвпровiдникiв, що мають дефектну структуру i володiють здатнiстю активно поглинати точковi дефекти i зв’язувати домiшки.
Специфічна дія мікрохвиль на водний розчин родаміну 6G за даними флуоресцентного аналізу
Authors: Bulavin L.A. , Gaiduk N.V. , Redkin M.O. , Yakunov A.V.
Published: April 2021

Вивчено вплив мiкрохвиль з частотою 2,45 ГГц на флуоресценцiю водного розчину органiчного барвника родамiну 6G. Зафiксовано вiдхилення в динамiцi змiни вiдносної iнтенсивностi та пiкової довжини хвилi пiд час поглинання мiкрохвиль, а також пiд час подальшого охолодження розчину порiвняно iз контактним нагрiванням. Результати iнтерпретовано в рамках перколяцiйної моделi. Передбачається, що електрична складова електромагнiтної хвилi може безпосередньо впливати на структуру перколяцiйного кластера, який формується сiткою водневих зв’язкiв.
Diagnostic Stewardship of Endotracheal Aspirate Cultures in a PICU
Authors: Sick-Samuels Anna C. , Linz Matthew , Bergmann Jules , Fackler James C. , Berenholtz Sean M. , Ralston Shawn L. , Hoops Katherine , Dwyer Joe , Colantuoni Elizabeth , Milstone Aaron M.
Published: April 2021

BACKGROUND:

Clinicians commonly obtain endotracheal aspirate cultures (EACs) in the evaluation of suspected ventilator-associated infections. However, bacterial growth in EACs does not distinguish bacterial colonization from infection and may lead to overtreatment with antibiotics. We describe the development and impact of a clinical decision support algorithm to standardize the use of EACs from ventilated PICU patients.

METHODS:

We monitored EAC use using a statistical process control chart. We compared the rate of EACs using Poisson regression and a quasi-experimental interrupted time series model and assessed clinical outcomes 1 year before and after introduction of the algorithm.

RESULTS:

In the preintervention year, there were 557 EACs over 5092 ventilator days; after introduction of the algorithm, there were 234 EACs over 3654 ventilator days (an incident rate of 10.9 vs 6.5 per 100 ventilator days). There was a 41% decrease in the monthly rate of EACs (incidence rate ratio [IRR]: 0.59; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.51–0.67; P < .001). The interrupted time series model revealed a preexisting 2% decline in the monthly culture rate (IRR: 0.98; 95% CI 0.97–1.0; P = .01), immediate 44% drop (IRR: 0.56; 95% CI 0.45–0.70; P = .02), and stable rate in the postintervention year (IRR: 1.03; 95% CI 0.99–1.07; P = .09). In-hospital mortality, hospital length of stay, 7-day readmissions, and All Patients Refined Diagnosis Related Group severity and mortality scores were stable. The estimated direct cost savings was $26 000 per year.

CONCLUSIONS:

A clinical decision support algorithm standardizing EAC obtainment from ventilated PICU patients was associated with a sustained decline in the rate of EACs, without changes in mortality, readmissions, or length of stay.
Variabilidad en el tamaño y alimentación de Acanthaster planci (Echinodermata: Asteroidea) en el sur del Golfo de California, México
Authors: Hernández-Morales Alejandro , Herrero-Pérezrul María-Dinorah , Vázquez-Arce Daniel-Israel
Published: April 2021

Introducción: Es poco lo que se conoce sobre aspectos biológicos y poblacionales de Acanthaster planci en México. Su tamaño se ha relacionado con la cantidad de alimento que consume, por lo que es relevante conocer esta variable. Objetivo: Describir la variabilidad en el diámetro del disco de la especie y de su alimentación en cuatro sitios al sur del Golfo de California. Métodos: De febrero 2008 a marzo 2009 se visitaron mensualmente los sitios. Se registró el diámetro del disco de un total de 389 individuos observados. El diámetro del disco se midió con una cinta métrica flexible colocada de lado a lado, en el borde donde comienzan los brazos. Para facilitar la descripción, el diámetro del disco se clasificó en tres grupos: pequeños (< 15 cm), medianos (16-25 cm) y grandes (> 26 cm). Del total, 298 organismos se encontraron alimentándose. Se clasificaron los tipos de organismos consumidos en corales duros, otros invertebrados y algas. Para calcular la probabilidad de que individuos del mismo tamaño se alimenten de diferente variedad de organismos, se aplicó el índice de Diversidad de Simpson. Con el fin de detectar diferencias del diámetro del disco entre los meses de estudio y los sitios de muestreo, se aplicó un análisis permutacional de varianza. Resultados: Acanthaster planci tuvo un promedio de diámetro del disco de 18.23 + 0.21 cm, con un mínimo de 7 cm y un máximo de 36 cm. La estructura de tallas fue unimodal y se caracterizó por la predominancia de individuos medianos, seguida por los pequeños y en baja proporción por los grandes. El diámetro del disco fue estadísticamente más grande en febrero y más pequeño en los últimos meses del año. En San Rafaelito se encontraron los ejemplares más grandes y en Ensenada de Muertos los más pequeños. Los individuos de tamaño mediano fueron más frecuentes a lo largo del año y en todos los sitios. Los individuos pequeños se alimentaron significativamente más de Porites panamensis, seguido de algas coralinas y tapetes. Los más grandes tuvieron los valores de diversidad más bajos, más del 90 % de los individuos en este grupo se alimentaron de Pocillopora spp. y algunos de macroalgas. Los medianos presentaron los valores más altos de diversidad y consumieron todos los tipos de alimento encontrados, sin embargo, como era de esperarse, muchos fueron selectivos hacia Pocillopora spp. Conclusiones: Acanthaster planci se considera un individuo de tamaño mediano en el área de estudio. Se detectó una evidente relación entre el diámetro del disco y la diversidad del tipo de alimento. Los tres grupos de tallas fueron positivamente selectivos hacia corales duros; los más pequeños se alimentaron preferentemente de Porites panamensis y en conjunto con los grandes, presentaron valores bajos de diversidad en el tipo de alimento, mientras que los medianos fueron los que consumieron una mayor diversidad de presas.
Depredación masiva por Acanthaster planci en el arrecife El Corralito, golfo de California: amenaza a corto plazo
Authors: Rodríguez-Villalobos Jenny-Carolina , Ayala-Bocos Arturo
Published: April 2021

ntroducción: una de las amenazas actuales para los arrecifes de coral es la pérdida de cobertura de coral vivo. La depredación masiva asociada con los brotes poblaciones de la estrella corona de espinas, amenaza la permanencia de los arrecifes. Desde 2017, ha habido evidencia de un incremento en la densidad de el asteroideo y de un incremento en la mortalidad coralina en el sur del golfo de California. Objetivo: describir el primer evento de depredación sobre corales por Acanthaster planci en la isla Espíritu Santo, golfo de California, México. Métodos: visitamos el arrecife El Corralito nueve veces entre 2017 y 2019, realizando censos visuales en transectos errantes y de banda (25 x 3m) para determinar la densidad de la estrella, su comportamiento y daño. Monitoreamos la depredación sobre las colonias de Pavona gigantea durante siete meses. Resultados:  la densidad promedio de individuos en El Corralito en 2018-19 fue 607.40 ind/ha. La depredación del asteoroideo fue evidente en más del 60% de los individuos diagnosticados (N=827), con las afectaciones más grandes en las colonias de P. gigantea (80%). El 63% de los 129 de los individuos del asteroideo observados estaban alimentándose principalmente sobre Porites panamensis (68% de los casos). Las lesiones agudas indican que el evento de depredación está activo. En 81 días, se perdieron 25m 2 de una de las colonias monitoreadas. Conclusiones: Existe un evento de brote poblacional activo con consecuencias negativas significativas sobre el arrecife El Corralito, el cual puede ocasionar pérdida de cobertura de coral en pocos meses. El monitoreo y el manejo son necesarios para establecer las razones que llevaron a brote poblacional y para controlarlo.
The influence of density on survival and larval development in the sea urchin Arbacia dufresnii (Echinodermata: Echinoidea)
Authors: Belén-Chaar Florencia , Pía-Fernández Jimena , Sepúlveda Lucas-R. , Rubilar Tamara
Published: April 2021

Introduction: Density is one of the critical factors in echinoderm larvae for aquaculture purposes. Echinoplutei larvae are very sensitive to overcrowding. High culture density can lead to problems with bacteria or protozoa, decreasing survival and generating abnormal morphotypes. Objective: To evaluate the effect of culture density on survival and larval growth in the sea urchin Arbacia dufresnii. Methods: Two days after fertilization of A. dufresnii we we kept treatments at 1, 3, 5 and 10 larvae.ml-1, with three replicates each. We recorded survival and abnormal morphotypes periodically, as well as growth:somatic rod length, total length, and length of the post oral arms,. we applied generalized linear models. Results: Survival is dependent on density, time and replicates, and their interactions. Larval growth depended on density and time, also with interaction between the variables. The treatment of 5 larvae.ml-1 had the highest survival and larval condition. Conclusions: Larval culture of A. dufresnii had the best results at 5 larvae.ml-1.