bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
STOP1 Regulates LKS1 Transcription and Coordinates K+/NH4+ Balance in Arabidopsis Response to Low-K+ Stress
Authors: Wang Zhi-Fang , Mi Ting-Wei , Gao Yong-Qiang , Feng Han-Qian , Wu Wei-Hua , Wang Yi
Published: December 2021

Potassium and nitrogen are essential mineral elements for plant growth and development. The protein kinase LKS1/CIPK23 is involved in both K+ and NH4+ uptake in Arabidopsis root. The transcripts of LKS1 can be induced by low K+ (0.1 mM) and high NH4+ (30 mM); however, the molecular mechanism is still unknown. In this study, we isolated the transcription factor STOP1 that positively regulates LKS1 transcription in Arabidopsis responses to both low-K+ and high-NH4+ stresses. STOP1 proteins can directly bind to the LKS1 promoter, promoting its transcription. The stop1 mutants displayed a leaf chlorosis phenotype similar to lks1 mutant when grown on low-K+ and high-NH4+ medium. On the other hand, STOP1 overexpressing plants exhibited a similar tolerant phenotype to LKS1 overexpressing plants. The transcript level of STOP1 was only upregulated by low K+ rather than high NH4+; however, the accumulation of STOP1 protein in the nucleus was required for the upregulation of LKS1 transcripts in both low-K+ and high-NH4+ responses. Our data demonstrate that STOP1 positively regulates LKS1 transcription under low-K+ and high-NH4+ conditions; therefore, LKS1 promotes K+ uptake and inhibits NH4+ uptake. The STOP1/LKS1 pathway plays crucial roles in K+ and NH4+ homeostasis, which coordinates potassium and nitrogen balance in plants in response to external fluctuating nutrient levels.
Zein-Based Films Containing Monolaurin/Eugenol or Essential Oils with Potential for Bioactive Packaging Application
Authors: Sedlarikova Jana , Janalikova Magda , Peer Petra , Pavlatkova Lucie , Minarik Antonin , Pleva Pavel
Published: December 2021

Zein is renewable plant protein with valuable film-forming properties that can be used as a packaging material. It is known that the addition of natural cross-linkers can enhance a film’s tensile properties. In this study, we aimed to prepare antimicrobial zein-based films enriched with monolaurin, eugenol, oregano, and thyme essential oil. Films were prepared using the solvent casting technique from ethanol solution. Their physicochemical properties were investigated using structural, morphological, and thermal techniques. Polar and dispersive components were analyzed using two models to evaluate the effects on the surface free energy values. The antimicrobial activity was proven using a disk diffusion method and the suppression of bacterial growth was confirmed via a growth kinetics study with the Gompertz function. The films’ morphological characteristics led to systems with uniform distribution of essential oils or eugenol droplets combined with a flat-plated structure of monolaurin. A unique combination of polyphenolic eugenol and amphiphilic monoglyceride provided highly stretchable films with enhanced barrier properties and efficiency against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, yeasts, and molds. The prepared zein-based films with tunable surface properties represent an alternative to non-renewable resources with a potential application as active packaging materials.
Association of Circulating Osteoprotegerin Level with Blood Pressure Variability in Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease
Authors: Suh Sang Heon , Oh Tae Ryom , Choi Hong Sang , Kim Chang Seong , Oh Kook-Hwan , Lee Joongyub , Oh Yun Kyu , Jung Ji Yong , Choi Kyu Hun , Ma Seong Kwon , Bae Eun Hui , Kim Soo Wan ,   on behalf of the Korean Cohort Study for Outcomes in Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease (KNOW-CKD) Investigators
Published: December 2021

Circulating osteoprotegerin (OPG) is a biomarker for cardiovascular complications that are closely related to chronic kidney disease (CKD). To investigate the association between circulating OPG level with long-term visit-to-visit blood pressure variability (BPV) in patients with pre-dialysis CKD, a total of 1855 subjects with CKD from stage 1 to pre-dialysis stage 5 from a prospective cohort were analyzed. Long-term visit-to-visit BPV was determined by average real variability (ARV), standard deviation (SD), and coefficient of variation (CoV) of systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP and DBP). ARV of SBP (Adjusted β coefficient 0.143, 95% confidence interval 0.021 to 0.264) was significantly associated with serum OPG level. Although SD and CoV of SBP were not significantly associated with serum OPG level in multivariate linear regression analyses, restricted cubic spline visualized the linear correlation of serum OPG level with all of ARV, SD, and CoV. The association between serum OPG level and DBP variability was not significant. Subgroup analyses revealed that the association of serum OPG with BPV is more prominent in the subjects with Charlson comorbidity index ≤3 and in the subjects without history of diabetes mellitus. In conclusion, circulating OPG level is potentially associated with long-term visit-to-visit BPV in patients with pre-dialysis CKD.
Histological and Histomorphometric Evaluation of Post-Extractive Sites Filled with a New Bone Substitute with or without Autologous Plate Concentrates: One-Year Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Tallarico Marco , Xhanari Erta , Lumbau Aurea Maria Immacolata , Alushi Adela , Ieria Irene , Fiorillo Luca , Famà Fausto , Meto Agron , Baldoni Edoardo , Meloni Silvio Mario , Cicciù Marco
Published: December 2021

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the histological and histomorphometric characteristics of post-extraction sites grafted with decellularized bovine compact bone from bovine femur, mixed and unmixed with leukocyte- and platelet-rich fibrin after four months of healing. This study was designed as a randomized controlled trial of parallel groups. Patients in need of a single, implant-supported restoration to replace a hopeless tooth were recruited for tooth extraction and implant placement four months after socket preservation procedure. After tooth extraction, patients were randomly allocated to receive decellularized bovine compact bone from bovine femur, mixed and unmixed with leukocyte- and platelet-rich fibrin. After four months of healing, tapered implants were inserted with an insertion torque between 35 and 45 Ncm. Two months later, implants were loaded with screw-retained definitive crowns. Outcome measures were implant (ISR) and prosthesis (PSR) survival rates, complications, histological and histomorphometric analyses, radiographic marginal bone-level changes, and patients’ satisfaction. Clinical data were collected up to one year after tooth extraction and socket preservation procedures. Thirty patients were consecutively enrolled in the trial (15 in each group). Unfortunately, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, bone samples were collected only in 19 patients. Two implants failed before definitive prosthesis delivery (ISR 93.3%). No prosthesis failed (PSR 100%). Three complications were experienced in the control group. The mean bone percentage was 40.64 ± 18.76 in the test group and 33.40 ± 22.38 in the control group. The difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.4846). The mean soft tissue percentage was 32.55 ± 19.45 in the test group and 55.23 ± 17.64 in the control group. The difference was statistically significant (p = 0.0235). The mean residual graft was 24.59 ± 18.39 in the test group and 11.37 ± 12.12 in the control group. The difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.0992). Mean marginal bone loss, as well as patient satisfaction, showed no differences between groups. With the limitations of the present study, socket preservation with L-PRF mixed with decellularized bovine compact bone demonstrated favorable results, comparing with decellularized bovine compact bone from bovine femur alone. Further studies with larger sample size and longer follow-up are needed to confirm these preliminary results.
Investigation of Changes to Triaxial Shear Strength Parameters and Microstructure of Yili Loess with Drying–Wetting Cycles
Authors: Hao Ruihua , Zhang Zizhao , Guo Zezhou , Huang Xuebang , Lv Qianli , Wang Jiahao , Liu Tianchao
Published: December 2021

This research examined the drying–wetting cycles induced changes in undrained triaxial shear strength parameters and microstructural changes of Yili loess. The drying–wetting cycles were selected as 0, 1, 3, 5, 10, 20 and 30. Then, we collected Yili loess samples and performed unconsolidated-undrained (U-U) triaxial shearing tests to ascertain the variation in shear strength parameters with drying–wetting cycles. Additionally, we investigated the microstructural changes of Yili loess samples under drying–wetting cycles simultaneously via nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and scanning electron electroscopy (SEM). Finally, we established a grey correlation model between shear strength and microstructural parameters. Under U-U conditions, the prime finding was that the loess’s shear strength parameters changed overall after drying–wetting cycles; in particular, the internal friction angle φ dropped significantly while the cohesion c changed only slightly during cycles. For all the cycles, the first cycle gave the highest change. Soil morphology deterioration was evident at the initial stage of cycles. During the entire drying–wetting cyclic process, pore size distribution showed progressive variance from two-peak to a single-peak pattern, while both porosity and the fractal dimension of pores increased gradually towards stability. Soil particle morphology became slowly simple and reached the equilibrium state after 20 drying–wetting cycles. Under cyclic drying–wetting stress, the shear strength parameter changes were significantly correlated to microstructural modifications. This investigation was related to loess in the westerly region. The findings were expected to provide new insight into establishment of the connection between microstructure and macro stress–strain state of loess. To some extent, it provided a theoretical basis for the prevention and control of loess engineering geological disasters in Yili, Xinjiang and other areas with similar climate and soil types.
Development of the “Applied Proteomics” Concept for Biotechnology Applications in Microalgae: Example of the Proteome Data in Nannochloropsis gaditana
Authors: Carrasco-Reinado Rafael , Bermudez-Sauco María , Escobar-Niño Almudena , Cantoral Jesús M. , Fernández-Acero Francisco Javier
Published: December 2021

Most of the marine ecosystems on our planet are still unknown. Among these ecosystems, microalgae act as a baseline due to their role as primary producers. The estimated millions of species of these microorganisms represent an almost infinite source of potentially active biocomponents offering unlimited biotechnology applications. This review considers current research in microalgae using the “omics” approach, which today is probably the most important biotechnology tool. These techniques enable us to obtain a large volume of data from a single experiment. The specific focus of this review is proteomics as a technique capable of generating a large volume of interesting information in a single proteomics assay, and particularly the concept of applied proteomics. As an example, this concept has been applied to the study of Nannochloropsis gaditana, in which proteomics data generated are transformed into information of high commercial value by identifying proteins with direct applications in the biomedical and agri-food fields, such as the protein designated UCA01 which presents antitumor activity, obtained from N. gaditana.
Optimization of a Solution Treatment in the Al-Cu-Mg-Ag Alloy via a Microstructural Investigation
Authors: So Hyeongsub , Shin Jae-Hong , Kang Leeseung , Jeong Chanuk , Kim Kyou-Hyun
Published: December 2021

We investigated the effect of solution temperature (Tsol. = 440–530 °C) on the mechanical properties of the Al–3.4Cu–0.34Mg–0.3Mn–0.17Ag alloy, finding that the investigated Al alloy showed the highest mechanical strength of σUTS = ~329 MPa at a Tsol. value of 470 °C. The microstructural investigation demonstrates that the mechanical properties for different Tsol. values stem from grain growth, precipitation hardening, and the formation of large particles at the grain boundaries. On the basis of Tsol. = 470 °C, the effect of each microstructural evolution is significantly different on the mechanical properties. In this study, the relationships between the microstructural evolution and the mechanical properties were investigated with respect to different values of Tsol.
A Double-Edged Sword: Thioxanthenes Act on Both the Mind and the Microbiome
Authors: Poulsen Marianne , Dastidar Sujata , Roy Debalina , Palchoudhuri Shauroseni , Kristiansen Jette , Fey Stephen
Published: December 2021

The rising tide of antibacterial drug resistance has given rise to the virtual elimination of numerous erstwhile antibiotics, intensifying the urgent demand for novel agents. A number of drugs have been found to possess potent antimicrobial action during the past several years and have the potential to supplement or even replace the antibiotics. Many of these ‘non-antibiotics’, as they are referred to, belong to the widely used class of neuroleptics, the phenothiazines. Another chemically and pharmacologically related class is the thioxanthenes, differing in that the aromatic N of the central phenothiazine ring has been replaced by a C atom. Such “carbon-analogues” were primarily synthesized with the hope that these would be devoid of some of the toxic effects of phenothiazines. Intensive studies on syntheses, as well as chemical and pharmacological properties of thioxanthenes, were initiated in the late 1950s. Although a rather close parallelism with respect to structure activity relationships could be observed between phenothiazines and thioxanthenes; several thioxanthenes were synthesized in pharmaceutical industries and applied for human use as neuroleptics. Antibacterial activities of thioxanthenes came to be recognized in the early 1980s in Europe. During the following years, many of these drugs were found not only to be antibacterial agents but also to possess anti-mycobacterial, antiviral (including anti-HIV and anti-SARS-CoV-2) and anti-parasitic properties. Thus, this group of drugs, which has an inhibitory effect on the growth of a wide variety of microorganisms, needs to be explored for syntheses of novel antimicrobial agents. The purpose of this review is to summarize the neuroleptic and antimicrobial properties of this exciting group of bioactive molecules with a goal of identifying potential structures worthy of future exploration.
Experimental Pore-Scale Study of a Novel Functionalized Iron-Carbon Nanohybrid for Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR)
Authors: Razavirad Fatemeh , Shahrabadi Abbas , Babakhani Dehkordi Parham , Rashidi Alimorad
Published: December 2021

Nanofluid flooding, as a new technique to enhance oil recovery, has recently aroused much attention. The current study considers the performance of a novel iron-carbon nanohybrid to EOR. Carbon nanoparticles was synthesized via the hydrothermal method with citric acid and hybridize with iron (Fe3O4). The investigated nanohybrid is characterized by its rheological properties (viscosity), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis. The efficiency of the synthetized nanoparticle in displacing heavy oil is initially assessed using an oil–wet glass micromodel at ambient conditions. Nanofluid samples with various concentrations (0.05 wt % and 0.5 wt %) dispersed in a water base fluid with varied salinities were first prepared. The prepared nanofluids provide high stability with no additive such as polymer or surfactant. Before displacement experiments were run, to achieve a better understanding of fluid–fluid and grain–fluid interactions in porous media, a series of sub-pore scale tests—including interfacial tension (IFT), contact angle, and zeta potential—were conducted. Nanofluid flooding results show that the nanofluid with the medium base fluid salinity and highest nanoparticle concertation provides the highest oil recovery. However, it is observed that increasing the nanofluid concentration from 0.05% to 0.5% provided only three percent more oil. In contrast, the lowest oil recovery resulted from low salinity water flooding. It was also observed that the measured IFT value between nanofluids and crude oil is a function of nanofluid concentration and base fluid salinities, i.e., the IFT values decrease with the increase of nanofluid concentration and base fluid salinity reduction. However, the base fluid salinity enhancement leads to wettability alteration towards more water-wetness. The main mechanisms responsible for oil recovery enhancement during nanofluid flooding is mainly attributed to wettability alteration toward water-wetness and micro-dispersion formation. However, the interfacial tension (IFT) reduction using the iron-carbon nanohybrid is also observed but the reduction is not significant.
Virulence Determinants and Genetic Diversity of Yersinia Species Isolated from Retail Meat
Authors: Terentjeva Margarita , Ķibilds Juris , Meistere Irēna , Gradovska Silva , Alksne Laura , Streikiša Madara , Ošmjana Jevgēnija , Valciņa Olga
Published: December 2021

Yersinia enterocolitica is an important foodborne pathogen, and the determination of its virulence factors and genetic diversity within the food chain could help understand the epidemiology of yersiniosis. The aim of the present study was to detect the prevalence, and characterize the virulence determinants and genetic diversity, of Yersinia species isolated from meat. A total of 330 samples of retailed beef (n = 150) and pork (n = 180) in Latvia were investigated with culture and molecular methods. Whole genome sequencing (WGS) was applied for the detection of virulence and genetic diversity. The antimicrobial resistance of pathogenic Y. enterocolitica isolates was detected in accordance with EUCAST. Yersinia species were isolated from 24% (79/330) of meats, and the prevalence of Y. enterocolitica in pork (24%, 44/180) was significantly higher (p < 0.05) than in beef (13%, 19/150). Y. enterocolitica pathogenic bioserovars 2/O:9 and 4/O:3 were isolated from pork samples (3%, 6/180). Only resistance to ampicillin was confirmed in Y. enterocolitica 4/O:3 and 2/O:9 isolates, but not in other antimicrobials. Major virulence determinants, including ail, inv, virF, ystA and myfA, were confirmed with WGS in Y. enterocolitica 2/O:9 and 4/O:3. MLST typing revealed 15 STs (sequence types) of Y. enterocolitica with ST12 and ST18, which were associated with pathogenic bioserovars. For Y. enterocolitica 1A, Y. kristensenii, Y. intermedia and Y. frederiksenii, novel STs were registered (ST680-688). The presence of virulence genes and genetic characteristics of certain Y. enterocolitica STs confirm the common knowledge that pork could be an important source of pathogenic Yersinia.
Enabling Fine Sample Rate Settings in DSOs with Time-Interleaved ADCs
Authors: D’Arco Mauro , Napoli Ettore , Zacharelos Efstratios , Angrisani Leopoldo , Strollo Antonio Giuseppe Maria
Published: December 2021

The time-base used by digital storage oscilloscopes allows limited selections of the sample rate, namely constrained to a few integer submultiples of the maximum sample rate. This limitation offers the advantage of simplifying the data transfer from the analog-to-digital converter to the acquisition memory, and of assuring stability performances, expressed in terms of absolute jitter, that are independent of the chosen sample rate. On the counterpart, it prevents an optimal usage of the memory resources of the oscilloscope and compels to post processing operations in several applications. A time-base that allows selecting the sample rate with very fine frequency resolution, in particular as a rational submultiple of the maximum rate, is proposed. The proposal addresses the oscilloscopes with time-interleaved converters, that require a dedicated and multifaceted approach with respect to architectures where a single monolithic converter is in charge of signal digitization. The proposed time-base allows selecting with fine frequency resolution sample rate values up to 200 GHz and beyond, still assuring jitter performances independent of the sample rate selection.
Off-Resonance Gold Nanobone Films at Liquid Interface for SERS Applications
Authors: Moldovan Rebeca , Toma Valentin , Iacob Bogdan-Cezar , Știufiuc Rareș Ionuț , Bodoki Ede
Published: December 2021

Extensive effort and research are currently channeled towards the implementation of SERS (Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy) as a standard analytical tool as it has undisputedly demonstrated a great potential for trace detection of various analytes. Novel and improved substrates are continuously reported in this regard. It is generally believed that plasmonic nanostructures with plasmon resonances close to the excitation wavelength (on-resonance) generate stronger SERS enhancements, but this finding is still under debate. In the current paper, we compared off-resonance gold nanobones (GNBs) with on-resonance GNBs and gold nanorods (GNRs) in both colloidal dispersion and as close-packed films self-assembled at liquid-liquid interface. Rhodamine 6G (R6G) was used as a Raman reporter in order to evaluate SERS performances. A 17-, 18-, and 55-fold increase in the Raman signal was observed for nanostructures (off-resonance GNBs, on-resonance GNBs, and on-resonance GNRs, respectively) assembled at liquid-liquid interface compared to the same nanostructures in colloidal dispersion. SERS performances of off-resonance GNBs were superior to on-resonance nanostructures in both cases. Furthermore, when off-resonance GNBs were assembled at the liquid interface, a relative standard deviation of 4.56% of the recorded signal intensity and a limit of detection (LOD) of 5 × 10−9 M could be obtained for R6G, rendering this substrate suitable for analytical applications.
An Adaptive, Situation-Based Risk Assessment and Security Enforcement Framework for the Maritime Sector
Authors: Grigoriadis Christos , Laborde Romain , Verdier Antonin , Kotzanikolaou Panayiotis
Published: December 2021

Maritime processes involve actors and systems that continuously change their underlying environment, location and threat exposure. Thus, risk mitigation requires a dynamic risk assessment process, coupled with an adaptive, event driven security enforcement mechanism, to efficiently deal with dynamically evolving risks in a cost efficient manner. In this paper, we propose an adaptive security framework that covers both situational risk assessment and situational driven security policy deployment. We extend MITIGATE, a maritime-specific risk assessment methodology, to capture situations in the risk assessment process and thus produce fine-grained and situation-specific, dynamic risk estimations. Then, we integrate DynSMAUG, a situation-driven security management system, to enforce adaptive security policies that dynamically implement security controls specific to each situation. To validate the proposed framework, we test it based on maritime cargo transfer service. We utilize various maritime specific and generic systems employed during cargo transfer, to produce dynamic risks for various situations. Our results show that the proposed framework can effectively assess dynamic risks per situation and automate the enforcement of adaptive security controls per situation. This is an important improvement in contrast to static and situation-agnostic risk assessment frameworks, where security controls always default to worst-case risks, with a consequent impact on the cost and the applicability of proper security controls.
Attack-Aware IoT Network Traffic Routing Leveraging Ensemble Learning
Authors: Abu Al-Haija Qasem , Al-Badawi Ahmad
Published: December 2021

Network Intrusion Detection Systems (NIDSs) are indispensable defensive tools against various cyberattacks. Lightweight, multipurpose, and anomaly-based detection NIDSs employ several methods to build profiles for normal and malicious behaviors. In this paper, we design, implement, and evaluate the performance of machine-learning-based NIDS in IoT networks. Specifically, we study six supervised learning methods that belong to three different classes: (1) ensemble methods, (2) neural network methods, and (3) kernel methods. To evaluate the developed NIDSs, we use the distilled-Kitsune-2018 and NSL-KDD datasets, both consisting of a contemporary real-world IoT network traffic subjected to different network attacks. Standard performance evaluation metrics from the machine-learning literature are used to evaluate the identification accuracy, error rates, and inference speed. Our empirical analysis indicates that ensemble methods provide better accuracy and lower error rates compared with neural network and kernel methods. On the other hand, neural network methods provide the highest inference speed which proves their suitability for high-bandwidth networks. We also provide a comparison with state-of-the-art solutions and show that our best results are better than any prior art by 1~20%.
Quantitative Analysis of Performance Recovery in Semi-Professional Football Players after the COVID-19 Forced Rest Period
Authors: Truppa Luigi , Nuti Lorenzo , Mazzoleni Stefano , Garofalo Pietro , Mannini Andrea
Published: December 2021

This study proposes the instrumental analysis of the physiological and biomechanical adaptation of football players to a fatigue protocol during the month immediately after the COVID-19 lockdown, to get insights into fitness recovery. Eight male semi-professional football players took part in the study and filled a questionnaire about their activity during the lockdown. At the resumption of activities, the mean heart rate and covered distances during fatiguing exercises, the normalized variations of mean and maximum exerted power in the Wingate test and the Bosco test outcomes (i.e., maximum height, mean exerted power, relative strength index, leg stiffness, contact time, and flight time) were measured for one month. Questionnaires confirmed a light-intensity self-administered physical activity. A significant effect of fatigue (Wilcoxon signed-rank test p < 0.05) on measured variables was confirmed for the four weeks. The analysis of the normalized variations of the aforementioned parameters allowed the distinguishing of two behaviors: downfall in the first two weeks, and recovery in the last two weeks. Instrumental results suggest a physiological and ballistic (i.e., Bosco test outcomes) recovery after four weeks. As concerns the explosive skills, the observational data are insufficient to show complete recovery.
First Attempt to Couple Proteomics with the AhR Reporter Gene Bioassay in Soil Pollution Monitoring and Assessment
Authors: Landi Claudia , Liberatori Giulia , Cotugno Pietro , Sturba Lucrezia , Vannuccini Maria , Massari Federica , Miniero Daniela , Tursi Angelo , Shaba Enxhi , Behnisch Peter , Carleo Alfonso , Di Giuseppe Fabrizio , Angelucci Stefania , Bini Luca , Corsi Ilaria
Published: December 2021

A topsoil sample obtained from a highly industrialized area (Taranto, Italy) was tested on the DR-CALUX® cell line and the exposed cells processed with proteomic and bioinformatics analyses. The presence of polyhalogenated compounds in the topsoil extracts was confirmed by GC-MS/MS analysis. Proteomic analysis of the cells exposed to the topsoil extracts identified 43 differential proteins. Enrichment analysis highlighted biological processes, such as the cellular response to a chemical stimulus, stress, and inorganic substances; regulation of translation; regulation of apoptotic process; and the response to organonitrogen compounds in light of particular drugs and compounds, extrapolated by bioinformatics all linked to the identified protein modifications. Our results confirm and reflect the complex epidemiological situation occurring among Taranto inhabitants and underline the need to further investigate the presence and sources of inferred chemicals in soils. The combination of bioassays and proteomics reveals a more complex scenario of chemicals able to affect cellular pathways and leading to toxicities rather than those identified by only bioassays and related chemical analysis. This combined approach turns out to be a promising tool for soil risk assessment and deserves further investigation and developments for soil monitoring and risk assessment.
Non-Selective Beta-Blockers in Liver Cirrhosis: the Effect of the "Therapeutic Window" and Patient Survival
Authors:   Rostov Regional Clinical Hospital, Korobka V.L. , Pasechnikov V.D. , Korobka R.V. , Shapovalov A.M. ,   Rostov State Medical University,   Stavropol State Medical University
Published: December 2021

Objectives of the study: to analyze the survival rate of patients who received and did not receive various drugs of the class of non-selective beta-blockers (NSBB) while waiting for liver transplantation (LT) on the waiting list for liver transplantation (WLLT), depending on the presence or absence of a "therapeutic window" for the appointment of NSBB; to determine risk factors for death when prescribing various representatives of the NSBB class in patients with refractory ascites (RA). Material and methods. The retrospective case-control study was conducted. The "case" group included 278 adult patients with decompensated liver diseases of various etiologies included in the WLLT, who were treated with NSBB while waiting for LT. The "control" group consisted of 72 patients with decompensated liver diseases of various etiologies included in the WLLT, who did not receive NSBB therapy during the waiting period for LT. For the subsequent analysis, the group of patients receiving NSBB (n = 278) was divided into two subgroups: with the presence of a "therapeutic window" (n = 175), and without it (n = 103). The survival rate of patients was determined by the Kaplan - Mayer method. Predictors of mortality of patients receiving NSBB in the absence of a" therapeutic window "for NSBB were determined using the Cox proportional hazards model in the groups of patients with RA (n = 103) and non-RA (n = 175). Results. The survival rate of patients receiving NSBB in the presence of a" therapeutic window "for NSBB is significantly higher than in the group of patients receiving NSBB in WLLP while waiting for LT in the absence of a" therapeutic window " for NSBB (Log-Rank < 0.0001). The risk of death in patients with RA treated with NSBB was significantly higher than in patients with non-RA (HR = 2.285; CI 1.237 4.220; p = 0.008). The risk of death for patients treated with propranol was significantly different from carvedilol (HR = 2,152 and HR = 0.765; p = 0.042, respectively). Conclusion. The results of the study confirmed the hypothesis that there is a "therapeutic window" for NSBB when they are prescribed to patients with decompensated cirrhosis of the liver and included in the WLLP. The use of NSBB contributes to an increase in the mortality of patients with RA, regardless of the type of drug, in the case when the "closed therapeutic window" phase develops. In order to reduce the mortality of patients waiting for LT for several years due to acute organ deficiency, doctors who lead patients to WLLT should assess the risk and benefit of using NSBB
Modern Views on Ethyopathogenesis and Achalasia Treatment
Authors:   A.S. Loginov Moscow Clinical Scientific Center, Valitova E.R. , Yanova T.I. , Polyakova V.V. , Berezina O.I. , Bodunova N.A. , Bordin D.S. ,   A.I. Yevdokimov Moscow State University of Medicine and Dentistry,   Tver State Medical University
Published: December 2021

Achalasia is a chronic neuromuscular disorder of esophagus with supposed autoimmunity, genetic disturbancies and viral infection. The disease is characterized by poor relaxation of lower esophageal sphincter and absent of body peristalsis. The inflammation, eosinophilic and lymphocytic infiltration may play role in loss of inhibitory ganglion in the myenteric plexus. High resolution manometry is a gold standard for diagnosis of achalasia, because it distinguish three types of disorder. The aim of treatment of achalasia is to reduce symptoms, such as dysphagia. The most effective modality of surgical treatment are Heller myotomy and peroral endoscopy myotomy. The pneumodilation is less preferable because of short-term effect and high rate of relapse. The relapse after surgical treatment can be present and correlates increase with the time after intervention
TRANSVERSE BENDING AND FREE VIBRATIONS OF ELASTIC ISOTROPIC PLATES IN THE FORM OF ISOSCELES TRIANGLES
Authors:   Orel State University named after I.S. Turgenev, KOROBKO А.V. , KALASHNIKOVA N.G. ,   Orel State University named after I.S. Turgenev, ABASHIN Е.G. ,   Orel State Agricultural University named N.V. Parahin
Published: December 2021

This paper considers elastic isotropic plates in the form of isosceles triangles with combined boundary conditions (a combination of hinged support and rigid restraint conditions along the sides of the contour). Calculations were performed using FEM to determine the integral physical characteristics in the considered problems F (the maximum deflection of uniformly loaded plates w0 and the fundamental frequency of oscillations in the unloaded state ω). On the basis of the obtained numerical results, approximating functions have been constructed: "maximum deflection - form factor of plates", "basic frequency of oscillations - form factor of plates", the structure of which corresponds to the structure of similar formulas obtained when presenting known exact solutions in the corresponding problems of technical theory of plates in isoperimetric form. Based on the properties of the form factor of plates, these approximating functions limit the whole set of considered integral physical quantities and therefore can be used as reference solutions for the calculation of triangular plates of arbitrary form applying the method of interpolation by form factor (MIFF). We consider an example of calculation of a plate in the form of a rectangular triangle with hinged support of the sides.
РЕЖИСЕРСЬКІ МОДЕЛІ АВТОРСЬКОГО КІНО В СУЧАСНОМУ ФЕСТИВАЛЬНОМУ ПРОСТОРІ Частина 1. Ігрові фільми українських режисерів-авторів у контексті міжкультурної дипломатії
Authors: Погребняк Галина Петрівна
Published: December 2021

Розглянуто кінофоруми, які мають значний соціально-економічний потенціал і є по- тужною складовою культурно-мистецького життя. Визначено місце українських авторських фільмів у міжнародному фестивальному русі. Простежено процес входження вітчизняного авторського кіно у міжнародний фестивальний простір задля розповсюдження інформації про системні зміни в законодавстві щодо підтримки кінематографа; показу спрямованості українського кіномистецтва; демонстрації рівня професійної підготовки кінематографістів; представлення фільмової продукції дистриб’юторам; налагодження кроскультурних зв’язків; зміцнення кінематографічного іміджу України.
КОНФЕСІЙНИЙ ВЕКТОР РУСІ В КОНТЕКСТІ ЦИВІЛІЗАЦІЙНИХ ВИКЛИКІВ ХІ–ХVІ СТОЛІТТЯ
Authors: Кушинська Світлана Василівна
Published: December 2021

Статтю присвячено аналізу історичних, культурологічних і геополітичних чинників, які сприяли чи не сприяли конфесійному вибору Русі ХVІ століття. Розглядається історичний контекст міжконфесійного протистояння, зважаючи на специфіку Візантії, як оплоту православ’я та Руських земель зазначеного періоду. Вперше подано проблему конфесійного чинника в контексті такого виклику, як становлення нації, формування національної ідентичності й елементів національної самосвідомості. Пропонується авторське бачення того смислового розлому, на вістрі якого опинились руські землі після геополітичних змін середини ХV–ХVІ століття
СТАНОВЛЕННЯ Й РОЗВИТОК СИМФОНІЧНОЇ МУЗИКИ КИТАЮ В АСПЕКТІ ПРОБЛЕМИ ДІАЛОГУ КУЛЬТУР
Authors: Ян Цзюнь
Published: December 2021

Статтю присвячено висвітленню процесів становлення і розвитку симфонічної музики Китаю, що розгорталися з кінця ХІХ ст. в результаті засвоєння моделей західної музичної культури. Простежено дію механізмів культурної дифузії, синтезу та асиміляції, шлях до стильової адаптації та стильової генерації симфонічної музики в Китаї у різних проявах: інституційному, освітньому, виконавському, композиторському. Продемонстровано універсалізм творчих особистостей діячів мистецтва Китаю
ВАСИЛЬ ВІТЕР: МИСТЕЦТВО БУТИ ПЕДАГОГОМ
Authors: Чхатарашвілі-Петраш Інга Теймуразівна
Published: December 2021

Стаття присвячена висвітленню педагогічної діяльності відомого українського режисера В. Вітра, яка заслуговує уваги не менше, ніж його відомі кінороботи та акторська майстерність. Авторка аналізує основні принципи педагогічної системи майстра (традиції та правила, саморозвиток, системність, відповідальність та ін.), що дали змогу сформувати оригінальну майстерню режисури телебачення в Інституті екранних мистецтв Київського національного університету театру, кіно і телебачення імені І. К. Карпенка-Карого. Сьогодні майстерня переросла у «вітрівську школу», яку можна вважати зразковою моделлю взаємодії педагога і студента мистецького вишу
Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease Prevalence among a Racially Diverse United States Population, 2002 through 2018
Authors: Aung Thet T. , Bhandari Simran K. , Chen Qiaoling , Malik Fatima T , Willey Cynthia J. , Reynolds Kristi , Jacobsen Steven J. , Sim John J.
Published: December 2021

Key Points

Among a large racially and ethnically diverse US population, the prevalence of diagnosed ADPKD between 2002 and 2018 was 42.6 per 100,000 persons.

ADPKD prevalence (per 100,000) was higher in (non-Hispanic) White (63.2) and Black (73.0) patients compared with Hispanic (39.9) and Asian (48.9) patients.

Given the variable penetrance of ADPKD, our findings suggest race may be a factor in the clinical presentation and diagnosis of ADPKD.
International legal personality in public and private law: problems of theory and practice
Authors: Sarybaieva Ganna , Panova Liydmyla , Gramatskyy Ernest , Panov Alen , Pahlevanzade Alborz
Published: December 2021

At the present stage of the development of international relations, an important aspect is the specification of the rights and obligations of the subjects of international law, which are elements of international legal personality, which is subject to multifaceted study. The research of its problematic elements is fundamental to improving the rules of international law in general and domestic law in particular. The work aims to study and identify problems of theory and practice of international legal personality in public law. The object of research is international legal personality in public law. The subject of the research is problematic aspects of the theory and practice of international legal personality in public law. The following methods were used in the study: observation, historical method, method of analysis, comparison, generalization, the system method, method of analysis of normative documents. As a result of the research, the institute of international legal personality, in general, was analyzed, its peculiarities and problematic aspects were determined.
Readiness of future teachers for sociocultural education of children in modern conditions of society development
Authors: Zakharova Larisa M. , Maydankina Nataliya Y. , Chibisova Tatiana A. , Subbotina Ekaterina S. , Zakharova Victoria S.
Published: December 2021

The modern sociocultural situation of the development of society involves taking into account all aspects of human life in the educational process. Are our students - future preschool teachers - ready to build their activities taking into account socio-cultural aspects. The authors consider the characteristic of readiness, highlighting motivational and value-based component (awareness of the importance of their process, readiness for continuous improvement and professional development, highlighting the values of professional activity), activity-technological component (knowledge of the ways of interaction with the subjects of the pedagogical process, design of the educational and educational process, the use of modern teaching tools (IT), information and knowledge component (knowledge of the specifics of preschool childhood, modern trends in the development of society and education, learning technologies). The study shows the insufficient level of development of the 2nd and the 3rd components of the readiness of future teachers. The proposed methods of professional training of future teachers of preschool education are associated with the use of business games, conducting master classes, studying the technological component of the educational process.
"A Kind of Character in thy Life": Shakespeare and the Character of History
Authors: Holland Peter
Published: December 2021

This article explores the early modern concept of “character” – and Shakespeare’s use of the word – as a way to rethink the nature of Shakespearean biography. Through the material of evidence of Shakespeare’s character, his writing, I turn to the figuring of “history” in Shakespeare’s plays, the writing of letters (leaving traces of characters as writing), before finally imaging a different kind of Shakespeare biography.
Cymbeline: Arithmetic, Double-Entry Bookkeeping, Counts, and Accounts
Authors: Parker Patricia
Published: December 2021

The importance of commercial arithmetic and double-entry bookkeeping (or “debitor and creditor” accounting) has been traced in The Merchant of Venice, Othello, the Sonnets, and other works of Shakespeare and his contemporaries. But even though both are explicitly cited in Cymbeline (the only Shakespeare play other than Othello to invoke double-entry by its contemporary English name), their importance for this late Shakespearean tragicomic romance has yet to be explored. This article traces multiple ways in which Cymbeline is impacted by arithmetic and the arts of calculation, risk-taking, surveying, and measuring; its pervasive language of credit, usury, gambling, and debt, as well as slander infidelity and accounting counterfeiting; the contemporary conflation of the female “O” with arithmetic’s zero or “cipher” in relation to alleged infidelity; and the larger problem of trust (from credere and credo) that is crucial to this play as well as to early modern England’s culture of credit.
SİLİNDİRLE SIKIŞTIRILMIŞ BETONLARDA MAKSİMUM AGREGA TANE ÇAPININ DAYANIM ÖZELLİKLERİNE ETKİSİ
Authors: SAĞLAM Berkay , KILIÇ İsmail
Published: December 2021

Yapılan çalışmada, maksimum agrega tane çapı (Dmax), 12,5mm,16mm ve 22,5mm olacak şekilde 300kg ve 350kg dozajlı silindirle sıkıştırılmış betonlar (SSB) üretilmiştir. Karışımların tamamında, su/çimento oranı 0,34 olarak sabit tutulmuştur. Bağlayıcı olarak CEM I 42,5 R portland çimentosu kullanılmıştır. Bu deneylerde, 15 cm×15 cm×15 cm boyutlarında küp ve 10 cm×10 cm×50 cm boyutlarında prizmatik kiriş örnekler kullanılmıştır. Üretilen SSB örnekleri üzerinde, birim hacim ağırlık, su emme, ultrases geçiş hızı, basınç dayanımı ve eğilme dayanımı deneyleri yapılmıştır. Maksimum agrega tane çapları farklı karışımlardan üretilen SSB örneklerinin özellikleri araştırılmıştır. Elde edilen verilerden, silindirle sıkıştırılmış betonlarda maksimum agrega tane çapının dayanım özelliklerine etkisi tespit edilmiştir.
SÜT VE SÜT ÜRÜNLERİNDEN ELDE EDİLEN PEPTİTLERİN PATOJEN MİKROORGANİZMALAR ÜZERİNE ANTİMİKROBİYAL ETKİSİ
Authors: AKBAL Sinan , ÖNER Zübeyde
Published: December 2021

Gıdalarda bulunan proteinlerin, enzimatik hidroliz veya fermentasyon sonucu parçalanması ile ortaya çıkan biyoaktif peptitler sağlık açısından yararlı birçok aktif bileşikleri içerir. Bu bileşikler antimikrobiyal, antioksidan, bağırsak sistemini düzenleyici ve antihipertansif gibi farklı aktivitelere sahip oldukları yapılan çalışmalarla gösterilmiştir. Ayrıca elde edilen, biyoaktif peptitlerin gıdalarda kullanılabilecek sentetik ve doğal antimikrobiyal maddelere karşı önemli bir alternatif olabileceği belirtilmiştir. Bu derlemede, süt ve süt ürünlerinden elde edilen peptitlerin antimikrobiyal etki mekanizması, aminoasit profili ve mikroorganizmalar üzerine etkisi tartışılmıştır.
ECONOMIC ANALYSIS OF MAGLEV TRAIN TECHNOLOGY A CASE STUDY FOR ANKARA-SIVAS LINE
Authors: ARSLAN TUNCAR Ezgi , KIYAK İsmail
Published: December 2021

Nüfus yoğunluğu hızla kırsal alanlardan şehir merkezlerine kaymaktadır. Şehirlerde nüfus artışı beraberinde ulaşım sorunlarını da beraberinde getiriyor. Konvansiyonel toplu taşıma bu sorunları çözmek için yeterli değil. Bu konuda geliştirilen alternatif ulaşım yöntemlerinden biri de maglev tren taşımacılığıdır. Maglev tren km-yolcu taşıma oranları, bu teknolojinin kişi başına çevresel katkı sağladığını ortaya koymaktadır. Maglev trenlerinin geleneksel trenlere göre çeşitli avantajları vardır. Kılavuz ray ile temas olmadığı için sürtünme yoktur. Diğer trenlere göre daha az gürültülü ve daha hızlıdır. Bu çalışmada, Türkiye'de bir maglev tren hattı Ankara-Sivas uygulaması. Ekonomik analizde uygulanabilen dört farklı versiyon için yapılmıştır. Yapılan analize göre, vagon sayısına göre% 2,1 daha fazla maliyeti olan, ancak alternatif versiyonun iki katı vagon sayısına sahip olan ve istasyon sayısına göre% 0,5 daha fazla maliyetle 4 istasyona sahip olan versiyon 1 uygun bulunmuştur.
ELECTRICAL PROPERTIES OF ZnO:TiO2 NANOCOMPOSITE THIN FILMS
Authors: UYAR Serkan , COŞKUN Burhan , KOÇ Mümin Mehmet , ERKOVAN Mustafa
Published: December 2021

In this work, ZnO:TiO2 nanocomposites thin films were produced, and electrical properties were evaluated. Nanocomposite nanoparticles were used as thin film source in the preparation which was produced using hydrothermal synthesis in different concentrations. Spin coating process was adopted in the preparation of ZnO:TiO2 nanocomposites films. In the thin film preparation pure TiO2,and nanocomposites in 1:5 ZnO:TiO2 and 1:2 ZnO:TiO2 concentrations were prepared. Electrical properties of the ZnO:TiO2 composites were assessed where capacitance – voltage and conductance – voltage measurements were performed. Adjusted conductance (Gadj) – voltage (V) and adjusted capacitance (Cadj) – voltage (V) characteristics were studied. Frequency dependent characteristics were obtained in the electrical measurements. The density of interface states (Dit) were assessed; results illustrated that the Dit has frequency dependent characteristics.