bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Our Peculiar Motion Inferred from Number Counts of Mid Infra Red AGNs and the Discordance Seen with the Cosmological Principle
Authors: Singal Ashok
Published: April 2021

According to the Cosmological Principle, the Universe is isotropic and no preferred direction would be seen by an observer that might be stationary with respect to the expanding cosmic fluid. However, because of observer’s partaking in the solar system peculiar motion, there would appear in some of the observed properties of the Cosmos a dipole anisotropy, which could in turn be exploited to determine the peculiar motion of the solar system. The dipole anisotropy in the Cosmic Microwave Background Radiation (CMBR) has given a peculiar velocity vector 370 km s−1 along l=264∘,b=48∘. However, some other dipoles, for instance, from the number counts, sky brightness or redshift distributions in large samples of distant Active Galactic Nuclei (AGNs), have yielded values of the peculiar velocity many times larger than that from the CMBR, though surprisingly, in all cases the directions agreed with the CMBR dipole. Here we determine our peculiar motion from a sample of 0.28 million AGNs, selected from the Mid Infra Red Active Galactic Nuclei (MIRAGN) sample comprising more than a million sources. From this, we find a peculiar velocity, which is more than four times the CMBR value, although the direction seems to be within ∼2σ of the CMBR dipole. A genuine value of the solar peculiar velocity should be the same irrespective of the data or the technique employed to estimate it. Therefore, such discordant dipole amplitudes might mean that the explanation for these dipoles, including that of the CMBR, might in fact be something else. The observed fact that the direction in all cases is the same, though obtained from completely independent surveys using different instruments and techniques, by different sets of people employing different computing routines, might nonetheless indicate that these dipoles are not merely due to some systematics, otherwise why would they all be pointing along the same direction. It might instead suggest a preferred direction in the Universe, implying a genuine anisotropy, which would violate the Cosmological Principle, the core of the modern cosmology.
From Player to Pawn: Viral Avirulence Factors Involved in Plant Immunity
Authors: Huang Changjun
Published: April 2021

In the plant immune system, according to the ‘gene-for-gene’ model, a resistance (R) gene product in the plant specifically surveils a corresponding effector protein functioning as an avirulence (Avr) gene product. This system differs from other plant–pathogen interaction systems, in which plant R genes recognize a single type of gene or gene family because almost all virus genes with distinct structures and functions can also interact with R genes as Avr determinants. Thus, research conducted on viral Avr-R systems can provide a novel understanding of Avr and R gene product interactions and identify mechanisms that enable rapid co-evolution of plants and phytopathogens. In this review, we intend to provide a brief overview of virus-encoded proteins and their roles in triggering plant resistance, and we also summarize current progress in understanding plant resistance against virus Avr genes. Moreover, we present applications of Avr gene-mediated phenotyping in R gene identification and screening of segregating populations during breeding processes.
The Nuclear Pore Complex Is a Key Target of Viral Proteases to Promote Viral Replication
Authors: De Jesús-González Luis Adrián , Palacios-Rápalo Selvin , Reyes-Ruiz José Manuel , Osuna-Ramos Juan Fidel , Cordero-Rivera Carlos Daniel , Farfan-Morales Carlos Noé , Gutiérrez-Escolano Ana Lorena , del Ángel Rosa María
Published: April 2021

Various viruses alter nuclear pore complex (NPC) integrity to access the nuclear content favoring their replication. Alteration of the nuclear pore complex has been observed not only in viruses that replicate in the nucleus but also in viruses with a cytoplasmic replicative cycle. In this last case, the alteration of the NPC can reduce the transport of transcription factors involved in the immune response or mRNA maturation, or inhibit the transport of mRNA from the nucleus to the cytoplasm, favoring the translation of viral mRNAs or allowing access to nuclear factors necessary for viral replication. In most cases, the alteration of the NPC is mediated by viral proteins, being the viral proteases, one of the most critical groups of viral proteins that regulate these nucleus–cytoplasmic transport changes. This review focuses on the description and discussion of the role of viral proteases in the modification of nucleus–cytoplasmic transport in viruses with cytoplasmic replicative cycles and its repercussions in viral replication.
Arthropod Ectoparasites Have Potential to Bind SARS-CoV-2 via ACE
Authors: Lam Su Datt , Ashford Paul , Díaz-Sánchez Sandra , Villar Margarita , Gortázar Christian , de la Fuente José , Orengo Christine
Published: April 2021

Coronavirus-like organisms have been previously identified in Arthropod ectoparasites (such as ticks and unfed cat flea). Yet, the question regarding the possible role of these arthropods as SARS-CoV-2 passive/biological transmission vectors is still poorly explored. In this study, we performed in silico structural and binding energy calculations to assess the risks associated with possible ectoparasite transmission. We found sufficient similarity between ectoparasite ACE and human ACE2 protein sequences to build good quality 3D-models of the SARS-CoV-2 Spike:ACE complex to assess the impacts of ectoparasite mutations on complex stability. For several species (e.g., water flea, deer tick, body louse), our analyses showed no significant destabilisation of the SARS-CoV-2 Spike:ACE complex, suggesting these species would bind the viral Spike protein. Our structural analyses also provide structural rationale for interactions between the viral Spike and the ectoparasite ACE proteins. Although we do not have experimental evidence of infection in these ectoparasites, the predicted stability of the complex suggests this is possible, raising concerns of a possible role in passive transmission of the virus to their human hosts.
Incidence of Carassius auratus Gibelio Gill Hemorrhagic Disease Caused by CyHV-2 Infection Can Be Reduced by Vaccination with Polyhedra Incorporating Antigens
Authors: Zhang Tingting , Gu Yuchao , Liu Xiaohan , Yuan Rui , Zhou Yang , Dai Yaping , Fang Ping , Feng Yongjie , Cao Guangli , Chen Hui , Xue Renyu , Hu Xiaolong , Gong Chengliang
Published: April 2021

Encapsulation of antigens within protein microcrystals (polyhedra) is a promising approach for the stable delivery of vaccines. In this study, a vaccine was encapsulated into polyhedra against cyprinid herpesvirus II (CyHV-2). CyHV-2 typically infects gibel carp, Carassius auratus gibelio, causing gill hemorrhagic disease. The vaccine was constructed using a codon-optimized sequence, D4ORF, comprising the ORF72 (region 1–186 nt), ORF66 (region 993–1197 nt), ORF81 (region 603–783 nt), and ORF82 (region 85–186 nt) genes of CyHV-2. The H1-D4ORF and D4ORF-VP3 sequences were, respectively, obtained by fusing the H1-helix sequence (region 1–90 nt) ofBombyx mori cypovirus(BmCPV) polyhedrin to the 5′ terminal end of D4ORF and by fusing a partial sequence (1–279 nt) of the BmCPV VP3 gene to the 3′ terminal end of D4ORF. Furthermore, BmNPV-H1-D4ORF-polh and BmNPV-D4ORF-VP3-polh recombinant B. mori nucleopolyhedroviruses (BmNPVs), belonging to the family Baculoviridae, and co-expressing BmCPV polyhedrin and H1-D4ORF or D4ORF-VP3, were constructed. H1-D4ORF and D4ORF-VP3 fusion proteins were confirmed to be encapsulated into recombinant cytoplasmic polyhedra by Western blotting. Degradation of vaccine proteins was assessed by SDS-PAGE, and the results showed that the encapsulated vaccine proteins in polyhedra could be protected from degradation. Furthermore, when gibel carp were vaccinated with the purified polyhedra from BmNPV-H1-D4ORF-polh and BmNPV-D4ORF-VP3-polh via injection, the antibody titers in the serum of the vaccinated fish reached 1:6400–1:12,800 at 3 weeks post-vaccination. Therelative percentage of survival of immunized gibel carp reached 64.71% and 58.82%, respectively, following challenge with CyHV-2. These results suggest that incorporating vaccine protein into BmCPV polyhedra may be a novel approach for developing aquaculture microencapsulated vaccines.
Influence of Community Factors on Water Saving in a Mega City after Implementing the Progressive Price Schemes
Authors: Han Shaohong , Zhou Jizhi , Liu Zeyuan , Zhang Lijian , Huang Xin
Published: April 2021

A progressive price scheme (PPS) has been implemented in Shanghai since 2013 in consideration of residents’ ability to pay, and charges are based on the actual water consumption of the residents, in an effort to balance the rational allocation of water resources and the goal of saving water between rich and poor families. In the current work, the effect of the PPS for water use was evaluated based on the water use of 6661 households from 14 communities in Shanghai. It was found that the PPS did not reduce household water consumption when comparing the water consumption per household both before and after the implementation of the PPS policy. To investigate the weakness of the PPS, a principal component analysis (PCA) and a hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) were conducted to access the relationships between mean household water use and community factors such as housing price, management fees, and the number of parking sites. Moreover, a significant inverted U-shaped curve between housing price and water use was found, which demonstrates that rental households shared by several tenants were the main consumers of residential water, and they were not sensitive to the water price improvement in the PPS due to sharing water prices. Therefore, a proposal was made in this work to increase the proportion of water fee expenditure in the total household income and to use 3% as the benchmark for water affordability. Our results provided a new picture of residential water use in big cities and a method for saving and balancing urban water resources.
Numerical Investigation on the Dynamic Flow Pattern in a New Wastewater Treatment System
Authors: Tang Lubo , Zhang Shaohe , Li Meng , Zhang Xinxin , Wu Zhanghui , Ma Like
Published: April 2021

Currently, industries seek to optimize the development of technology from energy-saving, economic, and environmental perspectives. Dissolved air flotation (DAF) is one of the most effective wastewater treatment systems. However, it requires considerable energy and causes significant operating costs. A recently emerged application of using fluidic oscillators (FOs) to generate microbubbles has attracted extensive attention, as it consumes much less energy and has proven to be a more energy-efficient technique. In this article, a microbubble generator based on FOs is introduced into the flotation tank, and an energy-saving water treatment system, namely fluidic air flotation (FAF), is presented. Using the computational fluid dynamics (CFD) method, the flow pattern of the FAF is investigated. It is observed that FAF generates a dynamic flow pattern, which is beneficial for bubble removal. At the upper part of the separation zone, the flow pattern exhibits a wavy shape. The flow pattern at the lower part switches between clockwise and counterclockwise. The air distribution of the separation zone is also studied. It is found that the height of the “white water” zone almost linearly decreases with the increase in bubble diameter and diffuser size. FAF consumes almost no energy and occupies a small area, and it is expected to provide a promising solution to develop a new generation of the wastewater treatment system.
Surface Water Temperature Predictions at a Mid-Latitude Reservoir under Long-Term Climate Change Impacts Using a Deep Neural Network Coupled with a Transfer Learning Approach
Authors: Kimura Nobuaki , Ishida Kei , Baba Daichi
Published: April 2021

Long-term climate change may strongly affect the aquatic environment in mid-latitude water resources. In particular, it can be demonstrated that temporal variations in surface water temperature in a reservoir have strong responses to air temperature. We adopted deep neural networks (DNNs) to understand the long-term relationships between air temperature and surface water temperature, because DNNs can easily deal with nonlinear data, including uncertainties, that are obtained in complicated climate and aquatic systems. In general, DNNs cannot appropriately predict unexperienced data (i.e., out-of-range training data), such as future water temperature. To improve this limitation, our idea is to introduce a transfer learning (TL) approach. The observed data were used to train a DNN-based model. Continuous data (i.e., air temperature) ranging over 150 years to pre-training to climate change, which were obtained from climate models and include a downscaling model, were used to predict past and future surface water temperatures in the reservoir. The results showed that the DNN-based model with the TL approach was able to approximately predict based on the difference between past and future air temperatures. The model suggested that the occurrences in the highest water temperature increased, and the occurrences in the lowest water temperature decreased in the future predictions.
Coliphages as a Complementary Tool to Improve the Management of Urban Wastewater Treatments and Minimize Health Risks in Receiving Waters
Authors: Jofre Juan , Lucena Francisco , Blanch Anicet
Published: April 2021

Even in countries with extensive sanitation systems, outbreaks of waterborne infectious diseases are being reported. Current tendencies, such as the growing concentration of populations in large urban conurbations, climate change, aging of existing infrastructures, and emerging pathogens, indicate that the management of water resources will become increasingly challenging in the near future. In this context, there is an urgent need to control the fate of fecal microorganisms in wastewater to avoid the negative health consequences of releasing treated effluents into surface waters (rivers, lakes, etc.) or marine coastal water. On the other hand, the measurement of bacterial indicators yields insufficient information to gauge the human health risk associated with viral infections. It would therefore seem advisable to include a viral indicator—for example, somatic coliphages—to monitor the functioning of wastewater treatments. As indicated in the studies reviewed herein, the concentrations of somatic coliphages in raw sewage remain consistently high throughout the year worldwide, as occurs with bacterial indicators. The removal process for bacterial indicators and coliphages in traditional sewage treatments is similar, the concentrations in secondary effluents remaining sufficiently high for enumeration, without the need for cumbersome and costly concentration procedures. Additionally, according to the available data on indicator behavior, which is still limited for sewers but abundant for surface waters, coliphages persist longer than bacterial indicators once outside the gut. Based on these data, coliphages can be recommended as indicators to assess the efficiency of wastewater management procedures with the aim of minimizing the health impact of urban wastewater release in surface waters.
Evaluation of Incipient Motion of Sand Particles by Different Indirect Methods in Erosion Function Apparatus
Authors: Jewel Arif , Fujisawa Kazunori , Murakami Akira
Published: April 2021

An experiment was carried out in an acrylic glass-sided re-circulating closed conduit with a rectangular cross section, which is similar in construction to an erosion function apparatus. An adjustable sand box, made of acrylic glass, was attached to the bottom of the conduit as the sand zone or the test section. The hydraulics of the flow in the erosion function apparatus is complicated due to the limited part of the non-smooth and erodible soil surface attached to the closed conduit. As the bed shear stress changes with the bed roughness, even though the flow velocity does not change, establishing a method to estimate the incipient motion is an important challenge for an erosion function apparatus. The present study was conducted to explore the incipient motion of sands from bed shear stress estimated by four different indirect methods on both the sand bed and the smooth bed installed in the erosion function apparatus. In the experiment, particle image velocimetry (PIV) was used to investigate flow dynamics and incipient motion in terms of dimensionless critical bed shear stress. The experimental results show that the bed shear stress estimated from the log-law profiles in the sand zone and the smooth zones are relatively higher than those of the other indirect methods. The dimensionless critical bed shear stress of threshold condition evaluated by all indirect methods was found in good agreement with those of previous results in both zones. The Manning roughness and Darcy–Weisbach friction coefficients were evaluated based on the critical shear velocity at the incipient motion. Although these coefficients were found slightly greater in the smooth zone than in the sand zone, in both zones, they showed good agreement with previous studies.
Fishing Industry Perspectives on Sea-Level Rise Risk and Adaptation
Authors: Stoltz Amanda Daria , Shivlani Manoj , Glazer Robert
Published: April 2021

Sea-level rise, already occurring over Florida’s coast, stands to generate a significant impact on the state’s fishing industry and coastal communities, exposing vulnerable areas and populations to extreme events and disrupting established patterns of fishery and marine resource use. Using a semi-structured interview approach, this study evaluated fishing industry perspectives on sea-level rise risk and adaptation in three Florida coastal communities. The results showed that adaptation responses vary across industry sectors and communities and are strongly influenced by experience, community dynamics, and age. Generally, older fishers are less willing to relocate due to social factors, such as strong place attachment, compared to younger fishers, who are more likely to retreat and/or work from a less vulnerable location. These findings suggest that adaptation responses, while influenced by experience, are mediated by age, attachment to place, and worldviews, and that these factors need to be accounted for when crafting adaptation strategies across coastal communities.
Advanced Control Method of 5-Phase Dual Concentrated Winding PMSM for Inverter Integrated In-Wheel Motor
Authors: Akatsu Kan , Fukuda Keita
Published: April 2021

This paper presents some techniques for driving novel 5 phase dual winding PMSM (Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor) for the in-wheel motor. The motor realizes winding change over characteristics that can expand driving area from high-torque mode to high-speed mode due to the dual winding construction. However, the dual winding structure makes a high-current ripple due to high coupling between windings. The paper proposes some control methods to reduce the current ripple, including inverter career ripple. The paper also presents harmonics current injection, such as the 3rd harmonics current injection method, to reduce the torque ripple and generate higher torque.
Efficiency of use in the feeding of first-calf heifers hay and haylage of legume-grass mixtures
Authors: Sharifyanov B. G. , Shagaliev F. M. , Idiyatullin G. Kh. , Salikhov E. F. , Nazarchenko O. V. , Tsopanova A. V.
Published: April 2021

Increasing the protein nutritional value of rations through the use of legume-grass crops, press-cakes and oil-cakes, complete provision of high-quality animal feed, balanced in protein and other components, is the leading direction of solving the protein problem in animal husbandry and remains an urgent topic for research. The purpose of the research was to study the use of hay and haylage from the mixture of Eastern galega and awnless brome in the rations of first-calf heifers instead of the same feed from the mixture of alfalfa and awnless brome. For carrying out scientific and economic experiments in LLC Kushul in the Dyurtyulinsky district in the Republic of Bashkortostan on the principle of pairs-analogs (breed, live weight, age, level of productivity) four groups of first-calf heifers of Black-and-White breed per 10 heads in each have been selected. The inclusion of 4 kg of hay and 10 kg of haylage in the rations of first-calf heifers of the mixture of Eastern galega and awnless brome has a positive effect on increasing the protein content in milk by 3,1 and 3,4 %, sugar by 0,6 and 0,9 abs.%. There was a steady increase in the milk of cows of the experimental groups: carotene, total calcium and inorganic phosphorus compared to the control group where the animals received 4 kg of hay and 10 kg of haylage of the mixture of alfalfa and awnless brome. Thus, studies have shown that the use in rations of first-calf heifers hay and haylage of mixtures of Eastern galega and awnless brome promotes not only productivity, but also improve milk quality.
Productivity and biochemical parameters of broiler chickens blood of cross Ross 508
Authors: Razaev S. V. , Vyayzenen G. N. , Popova N. V. , Vyayzenen A. G. , Ambartsumova K. A. , Barashkov A. E. , Pavlova E. M. , Prodanov N. S.
Published: April 2021

The growth of production and consumption of dietary poultry meat causes an urgent need to develop and use new and more effective elements of technologically complete compound feed and broiler chicken rearing in the regions. In order to increase the range of non-traditional feed products and feed additives and reduce the deficit of raw protein, amino acids and vitamins, it is advisable to use non-traditional methods to increase the efficiency of compound feed use when broilers rearing. One of the available non-traditional methods for increasing the efficiency of using compound feed in meat production should be considered the use of synthetic amino acids for a new purpose, namely as a modulator of spatial through the infrared laser beam. The purpose of the research was to improve the industrial technology for rearing of broiler chickens using aeroionotherapy and low-intensity laser radiation. Experimental studies have been carried out under the production conditions of poultry house No. 1 (halls No. 2 and No. 3) of the Novgorodskaya poultry farm in the Novgorod region. Broiler chickens of cross Ross 508 have been kept in three-tier BKM-3B cell batteries. The use of low-intensity infrared laser radiation with minimal parameters of the “Uzor 2K-Super” laser (80 Hz wavelength) and air ionization of air oxygen (AN-1 and AI-P aeronizers, modes 2 and 3) against the background of the main diet of cross-Ross 508 broiler chickens improved the state of carbohydrate, protein, fat, amino acid, and vitamin metabolism by increasing the assimilation processes of their body. It has been caused functional activation of the digestive system in it, along with an increase in enzyme, immune and hormonal systems and made it possible to fully realize the level of meat productivity, feed-efficiency and improve some blood biochemical parameters.
Subculture of population of Ukrainian Azov region: from the past to prezent time
Authors:   Mariupol State University, Sliushchinskyi Bohdan , Pistеleva Daria ,   Mariupol State University
Published: April 2021

The sub-culture of the Ukrainian Azov region comprises certain subcultures of the corresponding social or demographic group as well as ethno-national entities, which is a peculiar and specific way of differentiating the culture in which, along with the main classical tendency, there are particular ethno-national cultural entities, which in form and in content differ from the leading cultural tradition, being at the same time its direct genetic extension. They are represented not only by their subjective attachments to certain social groups and cultural entities but also due to their birth and residence on a particular territory, their belonging to a certain national or ethnic community, the use of a particular language, adherence to certain traditions, customs, behavioral norms and so on. Thus, the population of the Ukrainian Azov region creates a rather colorful mosaic that is distinguished by certain features. This demonstrates the relevance of the chosen research topic. According to the sociological research conducted by the author, the subculture of the Ukrainian Azov region population has its own peculiarities. As a rule, it is an integrated segment of the titular culture of the Ukrainian society, but it differs significantly from the culture of communities in other regions of Ukraine. The specific way of ethno-national cultures differentiation has revealed itself within the region’s society, influenced the changes within the dominant culture, created a special form of organization of people, defined a set of norms and values, which in one way or another are opposed to the dominant traditional culture being interpreted as “alien, negative, the one which breaks its integrity.” The sub-culture of the Azov region has acquired these characteristics under the influence of many factors, including multiculturalism. It is wrong to state that all the 104 nationalities and ethnic groups inhabiting this territory have a significant impact on the specific character of the subculture because their influences are not identical. The largest ethno-national groups are Ukrainians, Russians, Greeks, Belarussians, Armenians, Jews, Bulgarians, others acount for groups of hundreds, dozens and fewer. The research has also proven that the population of the Azov region has been Russianized, though most of the Ukrainians surveyed consider their culture dominant. It can be said that the region is now experiencing an “ethnic renaissance”. But its manifestation is not clearly demonstrated. The studies show that there is no such thing as a “pure” language or culture in the region today. Here is the blend of the three largest ethnic groups: Russian, Ukrainian and Greek, which created its own specific subculture, resulting in the emergence of the “Azov region type” of society in the territory of the modern Azov region.
Development of musical documents is in the conditions of informatization
Authors:   Mariupol State University, Syvak Oksana , Plokhotina Daria ,   Mariupol State University
Published: April 2021

In the article the described sphere of musical work is musically-computer technologies as a result of process of informatization, that is conditioned by mushroom growth of electronic musical instruments from the simplest synthesizers to the powerful musical computers. There was the new interdisciplinary sphere of professional activity, related to creation and application of the specialized musicalhardware and softwarefacilities that require knowledge and abilities both in a musical sphere, and in area of informatics. Such basic directions of introduction of information technologies are certain in music: the use in scientific researches, organization of academic association and work with a musical inheritance. Many-sided nature, global applicability of electronic and computer music, give new, essentially, boundless possibilities of self-realization, stimulate swift development of intellect, destroying music on a new level.Compatibility of electronic music with traditional musical technologies creates terms for the succession of musical epochs and styles, their interpenetration and synthesis, strengthening interest in a musical culture on the whole. Success with the modern use of the similar systems lies in integration of all computer possibilities. Investigating history of becoming of digital music, influence of MIDI- of technologies is described, as leading direction in a computer musical studio. MIDI- technology gave possibility to recreate a voice record in any rate and in any key, vocalists and bandsmen got possibility to conduct even independent employments after accompaniment and to do the detailed analysis of piece of music, that does irreplaceable the marked technology in musical educational establishments. Also, principle of transmission of audioinformation is explained for MIDI- of protocol. The marked home achievements of modern composers are in relation to embodiment of computer technologies in a musical art. Feather orientation of work of the Ukrainian composers from withstand general stamps on the deeply personality understanding of sociocultural processes is accompanied by the search of new intellectual senses in music. Influence of digital technologies is analysed onpublishing house of notes business and distribution of electronic editions, that assists distribution of musical information from one side, and from other, requires the specification of matter of authorial law and intellectual property. Advantage of new type ofto printed preparation of musical collections above an old method is undoubted, but the most valuable is seemed by that humanity got around the decision of question of the "unheard" piece of music.
Graffiti as a sign: the semiotic approach to the study of the phenomenon
Authors:   Yuriy Fedkovych Chernivtsi National University, Chikarkova Maria
Published: April 2021

Although graffiti is a well-known phenomenon of street art, there is still no single point of view on this phenomenon (even if it is considered art at all). Both the essence and the manifestations of graffiti remain a matter of debate - there are dozens of different classifications, that they are based on different characteristics. However, the phenomenon has rarely attracted attention from the point of view of semiotics, though it is the semiotic reading of graffiti that makes it possible to understand its nature more deeply. Due to semiotics we could create an integrative classification, which would combine stylistics and subject matter into one system. The article made exactly such an attempt –providing of the semiotic classification of graffiti, based on Ch. Peirce’s classification of semiotic signs. Graffiti is a sign, because it has a material shell of the latter, a marked object and rules of interpretation. It functions within the subculture and signifies the individual's desire to escape from the deterministic nature of urban life (J. Baudrillard). It is a culture of the semiosphere, which continuously gives rise to new connotations and, accordingly, generates new receptions. An important component of graffiti interpretation is the cultural code; it is not read outside the field of conventionality, cultural context. Decoding of graffiti can occur in three ways. From our point of view, it is appropriate to use S. Hall’sclassification. He suggested a scheme for "decrypting" messages in the media, however, in our opinion, his scheme works for any communicative act (including graffiti). He distinguished dominant ("dominant-hegemonic"), oppositional ("oppositional") and negotiated ("negotiated") decoding. In the graffiti situation, oppositional decoding prevails among ordinary recipients (passers-by). U. Eco called this type aberrant, because it provides "decryption" of text with a different code than the one it was created for. Authors of graffiti themselves are often not fully aware of what they createalso. Modern writers use techniques of op-art, Dadaism, surrealism, etc., without being very oriented in all these directions. When graffiti combines different types of art (for example, the combination of painting with literature), it takes into account the features of inter-semiotic translation, which makes the decoding situation even more complicated. We offercreating a semioticclassificationofgraffiti, that might be based on Ch. Peirce’s classification of semiotic signs, whichdistinguishthesigns-copies, signs-indexes, signs-symbols. It could help the essence of graffiti and decode them.
Mir-193a-5p Replacement Can Alter Metastasis Gene Expression in Breast Adenocarcinoma Cells In Vitro
Authors: Khordadmehr Monireh , Shahbazi Roya , Baradaran Behzad , Sadreddini Sanam , Shanehbandi Dariush , Hajiasgharzadeh Khalil , Firouzamandi Masoumeh
Published: April 2021

Background: Recent evidence presented the significant role of the microRNA-193 (miR-193) family in biological processes by the contribution of specific targeting, which mainly display as a tumor suppressor in various cancers. In the present study, we evaluated the effect of miR-193a-5p replacement on some metastasis gene expression in metastatic breast cancer (BC) cells. Methods: For this purpose, firstly, the quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRTPCR) was used to detect the miR-193a-5p expression in the MDA-MB-231 BC cell line. Subsequently, miR-193a-5p was transfected into the cells, and the expression levels of ROCK1 (Rho‑associated, coiled‑coil containing protein kinase 1), CXCR4 (Chemokine Receptor-4), CD44, and vimentin genes were evaluated by qRT-PCR. Results: The expression level of miR-193a-5p strongly reduced in MDA-MB-231 cells. Interestingly, the ROCK1 (P < 0. 001), CD44 (P < 0.0001), CXCR4 (P < 0. 001) and vimentin (P < 0. 001) expression levels significantly decreased following miR-193a-5p transfection in MDA-MB-231 BC cells. Conclusion: To conclude, it seems that miR-193a-5p restoration can attenuate the metastatic behavior of BC cells in vitro through decreased expression level of metastasis-related genes and may constitute an effective novel therapeutic strategy in miRNA-replacement therapy and treatment of metastatic breast adenocarcinoma in the future.
Game-Assisted Assessment for Broader Adoption: Participatory Design and Game-Based Scaffolding
Authors: Rushton Evan , Corrigan Seth
Published: April 2021

21st Century Standards and the Deeper Learning movement emphasize the ability to think critically and solve complex problems, to work well in teams, and to communicate effectively. While traditional classroom activities can meet these objectives, digital games and simulations provide unique affordances. When designed to incorporate formative assessment functions, games and simulations can capture detailed data on learners’ performances and provide learners with immediate feedback. In spite of their strengths, barriers exist to practitioners’ adoption of game-based and simulation-based formative assessments. Adoption can be slowed where product designs do not account for unique local requirements of classrooms and schools. The current work investigates reduction and removal of barriers to adoption of games and simulations among classroom instructors through use of the Integrated BEAR Design System (IBDS). The IBDS provides a design process that accounts for local requirements by engaging practitioners in principled design and development of game-based formative assessments. The paper summarizes the IBDS and a single case in which the IBDS was applied to design a game-based formative assessment for collaborative-problem solving, Little Fish Lagoon. The game is accompanied by a stand-alone chat system, Libra Text, that allows collaborating players to send text messages to each other while they use the game. Study participants were six instructors from six U.S. schools. The participating instructors planned for broad adoption of the multiplayer collaboration game in their local classroom settings. The authors illustrate their use of the IBDS with the participating instructors in order to co-develop formative assessments that fit their local needs using data collected from the Little Fish Lagoon educational game and the Libra Text chat tool. The benefits of the IBDS, its implications for learning designers, potential improvements, and needed future research are discussed. The paper is expected to be of interest to learning and assessment designers working with educational games and simulations, and others interested in barriers to adoption of new technologies in general.
DERP: reducción de la pobreza mediante un neoliberalismo incluyente
Authors:   Saint Mary's University, Halifax, O’Malley Anthony
Published: April 2021

A finales de los años noventa, el Banco Mundial presentó el Documento de estrategia para la reducción de la pobreza (DERP) como parte de un Marco Integral de Desarrollo orientado a promover una mayor inclusión y participación social en el proceso de desarrollo. Desde entonces, como condición para obtener fondos para reducir la deuda o promover el desarrollo, a los gobiernos se les ha exigido que preparen un DERP con participación de organizaciones de la sociedad civil, enfatizando las políticas macroeconómicas y sociales del país, así como programas diseñados específicamente para combatir la pobreza extrema. En el contexto de una creciente inconformidad social con las políticas neoliberales, la proliferación de la pobreza y altos niveles de inequidad, los DERP buscan estimular la cooperación y el sentido de propiedad en el plan de desarrollo del país y, en última instancia, ayudar a reducir la pobreza. Tras analizar críticamente el discurso que subyace a los DERP y ubicarlos en el contexto más amplio del Posconsenso de Washington, este artículo presenta tres estudios caso de aplicación de DERP en Nicaragua, Bolivia y Honduras. La evidencia sugiere que el DERP constituye un modo tecnocrático y despolitizado de desarrollo y gobernanza que no se traduce en auténtica participación, sino que sirve en cambio para debilitar las fuerzas sociales de resistencia al proyecto neoliberal.
La política social y los programas para combatir la pobreza en México. ¿Oportunidades para quiénes?
Authors:   Universidad Autónoma de Zacatecas, Tetreault Darcy Victor
Published: April 2021

Este artículo examina la efectividad de la política social mexicana para combatir la pobreza. Empieza con una revisión de la evolución del pensamiento sobre la política social en el contexto mexicano, iniciando con el periodo después de la Segunda Guerra Mundial y terminando con la consolidación de la “nueva política social” durante la primera década del nuevo milenio. Esto prepara el terreno para un análisis crítico del principal programa para combatir la pobreza en México (Progresa/Oportunidades). Dicho programa es una moneda de dos caras: por un lado, los resultados de corto plazo incluyen una población infantil más saludable y jóvenes con mayores niveles educativos; por otro lado, las deficiencias en la prestación de servicios básicos en las áreas de salud y educación, especialmente en zonas rurales, combinado con mercados laborales estancados, tienden a socavar la meta fundamental de erradicar la pobreza. El argumento central es que estas limitaciones no dimanan de las imperfecciones en el diseño o la implementación del programa, sino que son sintomáticas de los problemas estructurales asociados con el modelo neoliberal.
Servirse de los pobres: el Banco Mundial y la guerra contra la pobreza
Authors:   Universidad Rural Federal de Río de Janeiro, Brasil, Mendes Pereira João Márcio
Published: April 2021

Este artículo rastrea la construcción histórica de la idea de “combate a la pobreza” según ha sido defendida por el Banco Mundial. Comienza con un análisis de la introducción y el ascenso institucional de esta idea durante la presidencia en el Banco de Robert McNamara en el periodo 1968–1981. Continua con la discusión de por qué la idea de “combate a la pobreza” se desechó durante los años ochenta, para luego regresar a finales de la década como un medio que justifica la puesta en práctica de programas de ajuste estructural en colaboración con el Fondo Monetario Internacional. En este contexto, la investigación concluye que algunas continuidades ideológicas básicas orientaron las prescripciones del Banco desde los años setenta y hasta los años noventa, como la confianza en la “teoría del goteo hacia abajo” y una visión de la política social centrada en metas sociales mínimas.
Teoría marxista y transformación de valores en precios, 117 años de controversia
Authors:   Universidad de la República, Uruguay, Mañán Oscar
Published: April 2021

Desde la primigenia publicación de El Capital, vol. iii, se abrió un debate rastreable hasta hoy como «la transformación de valores en precios». Sin pretensiones de exhaustividad se apuntan algunos lados del debate y su posible entendimiento. Las primeras críticas de Bohm–Bawerk ([1896]1974), Dmitriev ([1898]1974) y la síntesis de Bortkiewicz ([1907]1974) resultaron un puntapié inicial. Sraffa ([1960]1965) pretendió terminar la controversia y seguidores como Steedman ([1977]1985) plantearon la «redundancia» de la teoría del valor de Marx para la determinación de las magnitudes de valor, como así de precios y ganancias. La reacción marxista se expresó en Shaikh (1977, 1991) al señalar que los problemas de interpretación venían de situar a Marx a continuación de Ricardo sin reconocer una ruptura de éste con los clásicos. Se indaga una «nueva solución» de Mohun (1994) y la defensa del método de Marx encarada por Moseley (1993, 1994).
Economía política de la extracción de recursos naturales: ¿nuevo modelo de desarrollo o imperialismo extractivo?
Authors:   Universidad Autónoma de Zacatecas, Veltmeyer Henry
Published: April 2021

En este artículo se revisan los impactos económico, social y ambiental de la extracción de recursos naturales, así como sus implicaciones para el desarrollo y la política. El principal punto de atención es la dinámica del capital extractivo y el imperialismo del siglo xxi en la construcción del Estado posneoliberal en América Latina y la búsqueda de una forma de desarrollo más incluyente. También se explora el papel de Canadá en el imperialismo extractivista y en el proceso de desarrollo. Los gobiernos y diseñadores de políticas se han estancado en los extremos de un importante dilema: impulsar una estrategia de desarrollo con base en la explotación de fuerza de trabajo y la acumulación de capital humano o basarse en la inversión extranjera directa en la extracción ampliada de los abundantes recursos naturales de la región. Los conflictos derivados de la exportación del capital extractivo canadiense puede verse como el último giro y tendencia de una lucha de clase oculta en contra de las dinámicas del desarrollo capitalista.
Signos vitales del capitalismo neoliberal: imperialismo, crisis y transformación social
Authors:   Universidad Autónoma de Zacatecas, Márquez Covarrubias Humberto , Delgado Wise Raúl ,   Universidad Autónoma de Zacatecas
Published: April 2021

El imperialismo cifrado por el capitalismo neoliberal articula un entramado estructural y estratégico de cuatro ejes: a) el sistema de poder transnacional afincado en la incidencia política, diplomática, militar y cultural de los estados imperiales; b) las redes globales de capital que conjugan la producción, las finanzas, el comercio y los servicios para expandir el ámbito de dominio del capital monopolista; c) la reinserción de las periferias a la acumulación mundial de capital como simples proveedores de excedente económico, fuerza de trabajo barata y recursos naturales; d) el sometimiento de los trabajadores a condiciones de superexplotación, exclusión y degradación social. La crisis general del sistema capitalista mundial no solamente cuestiona las pautas imperialistas y los mecanismos de valorización —que incluyen la transferencia y apropiación de excedentes—, sino que, además, fractura la dinámica de reproducción del mundo material y el sistema de reproducción de la vida humana. Inexorablemente, la gran disyuntiva del presente y futuro de la humanidad es fundamental: perpetuar el sistema de acumulación y dominación vigente o reorientar los esfuerzos sociales para gestar un modelo civilizatorio alternativo, progresista e igualitario.
Fluorescence intensity changes depending on viscoelasticity of lipid shell coating microbubbles labeled with an indocyanine green derivative
Authors: Yoshida K. , Ebata M. , Kaneko C. , Zhang Y. , Shibata Y. , Saito K. , Toyota T. , Hayashi H. , Yamaguchi T.
Published: April 2021

Lipid-coated microbubbles (MBs) with an indocyanine green (ICG) derivative were fabricated for ultrasound and near-infrared (NIR) fluorescence dual imaging. We characterized the NIR-fluorescence intensity, stability and viscoelastic properties of the encapsulating lipid shell, focusing on the influence of the ICG derivative and lipid compositions. In terms of the NIR fluorescence intensity, the fluorescence intensity of the MBs (with the ICG derivative) was significantly affected by the lipid composition of the MB shell. Regarding the contrast agent used for ultrasound imaging, the stability of the MBs and viscoelastic properties of shell also depended on the lipid compositions, while the incorporation of the ICG derivative into the MB shells had a negligible effect. The performance of this contrast agent for ultrasound and NIR fluorescence dual-imaging exhibited a significant trade-off relationship for the lipid composition.
Investigation of Ruminant Encephalitic and Septicemic Listeriosis by the Immunofluorescence Method
Authors: KARAKURT Emin , BÜYÜK Fatih , DAĞ Serpil , BEYTUT Enver , ÇELEBİ Özgür , KARATAŞ Özhan , NUHOĞLU Hilmi , MENDİL Ali Sefa , AKÇA Doğan , YILDIZ Ayfer
Published: April 2021

Listeria genus are Gram positive facultative intracellular bacteria that are found in the soil as saprophytes but also contain species that have pathogenic effects in their last host. Listeria monocytogenes is the major pathogen in Listeria species that is responsible for the majority of Listeriosis cases in humans and animals. In this study, it was aimed to investigate L. monocytogenes with histopathological and immunofluorescence methods in brain and liver tissues taken from sheep and cattle with clinical signs of suspicious Listeriosis. In the study, isolation and identification of L. monocytogenes with cultural methods were also applied. The material of the study consisted of 16 sheep and 2 bovine tissue samples. As a result of cultural analysis, L. monocytogenes was identified from 12 (66.6%) of the samples. Within the framework of histopathological and macroscopic findings, 16 (88.8%) of 18 cases with suspected Listeriosis were positive with the immunofluorescence method. These findings reveal that the immunofluorescent staining method is a reliable and sensitive method in the diagnosis of Listeriosis.
SEKSUALINIO SMURTO PRIEŽASČIŲ IR PREVENCIJOS ANALIZĖ
Authors: Pozniak Alisa , Fatkulina Natalja
Published: April 2021

Seksualinis smurtas yra rimta, sunkiai atpažįstama visuomenės problema, kuri turi įtakos moterų fizinei, psichinei ir reprodukcinei sveikatai. Tokio pobūdžio agresija dažniausiai patiriama iš intymių partnerių ir daugeliu atvejų ją lydi psichologinis, ekonominis bei fizinis smurtas. Tai moterų pagrindinių teisių, susijusių su orumu bei lygybe, pažeidimas. Svarbu suprasti pagrindines lytinės prievartos priežastis, nes tik tokiu būdu galima sumažinti jos paplitimą. Darbo tikslas – išanalizuoti seksualinio smurto priežastis ir prevenciją, atsižvelgiant į publikuotus mokslinius šaltinius. Literatūros šaltinių paieška buvo vykdoma naudojantis elektroninėmis duomenų bazėmis PubMed, Cochrane ir Google Scholar. Į sisteminę apžvalgą įtraukti 39 straipsniai nagrinėjama tema. Rezultatai parodė, kad smurtas negali būti nulemtas vieno veiksnio – jo priežastys yra kompleksinės. Smurtautojams būdinga agresija, nemokėjimas spręsti konfliktų, impulsyvumas, auklėjimo spragos, vaikystės traumos. Aukos prisirišimas prie skriaudėjo, noras jam padėti taip pat yra seksualinės prievartos priežastis. Siekiant sumažinti seksualinį smurtą, svarbi yra pirminė, antrinė ir tretinė smurto prevencija.