bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Facilitative Skills of Future Foreign Language Teachers: Characteristics and Structure
Authors:   State Institution Luhansk Taras Shevchenko National University, Husakova Oksana
Published: May 2021

The article defines the essential characteristics and structure of facilitative skills of future foreign language teachers. In modern science, there is a large number of effective approaches to teaching foreign languages, but the communicative one can be considered as the most relevant. It has been proven that successful acquisition of foreign languages through the communicative approach requires the use of modern educational technologies and facilitative skills by future foreign language teachers. The activity of a facilitator, which is successfully used in psychology, adapted and applied in the educational process, in particular in the process of teaching a foreign language, has been considered. It has been determined that the main task of a future foreign language teacher-facilitator is to convey the idea of successful language learning, individual information retrieval and personal changes that directly affect the learning process. It has been proven that facilitation of the process of learning a foreign language promotes creative assimilation of information, the formation of critical thinking and cooperation with students. In order to make facilitation successful, a foreign language teacher must have such skills as providing support for students, understanding their inner world, interaction and assistance in learning a foreign language, as well as be friendly, create the atmosphere conducive to self-education and self-expression.
Improving the Culture of Scientific Speech as an Important Aspect of the Formation of Research Competence of Future Ph. Ds.
Authors:   Alfred Nobel University, Oliinyk Iryna
Published: May 2021

A theoretical analysis of the definition of «culture of scientific speech» has been carried out in the article. Based on the analysis of modern research, the main approaches to the use of scientific communication tools in the process of forming research competence have been presented. The communicative aspect of research competence of future Ph.Ds. has been defined. It consists in the integration of the culture of oral and written scientific speech, academic culture, and basic skills of written scientific speech. The main components of the culture of scientific speech have been given The analysis of scientific literature has revealed stable stylistic features of scientific speech, which should guide future Ph.Ds. during their scientific effort. The peculiarities of the formation of research competence in the context of the use of scientific speech tools by future doctors of philosophy have been determined. The main approaches to the construction of scientific research (systemic, aspect, conceptual, empirical, pragmatic, scientific) have been formulated. The main criteria for writing a scientific text (relevance, novelty and originality, persuasiveness, scientific and methodological character) have been described. The main directions of the development of communicative culture of future Ph.Ds. in the conditions of postgraduate school have been emphasized.
Healthwise: Part 1. Maintaining a healthy body weight
Authors: Nazarko Linda
Published: May 2021

Coronavirus (COVID-19) has claimed the lives of over 150 000 people in the UK ( UK Government, 2021 ). The UK has the third highest death rate in the world and the fourth highest obesity rate ( Lobstein, 2021 ). Although the UK is a developed nation, many people in the UK experience poor health, as a result of being overweight and inactive. Healthcare workers are not immune from these issues. This article, the first in a series, explores how readers can remain healthy and well by making lifestyle choices that promote health.
Carbon footprints and pharmacy
Authors: Winter George
Published: May 2021

The world's carbon footprint continues to be one of the most pressing issues of our times. George Winter examines what changes the pharmaceutical industry has already made to combat this crisis, and what changes it still needs to make
The use of fixed time artificial insemination programmes for the use of sexed semen in block calving dairy heifers
Authors: Kerby Mike , Clarke Tom , Angel Tom , Mackenzie Kythé
Published: May 2021

In seasonal block calving herds reproductive efficiency can have a significant impact on productivity and profitability. Within this it is key that the nulliparous heifers calve down promptly in the block, and if these heifers can have heifer calves it will expediate genetic gain. There is extensive research into the conception rates of differing protocols and the literature is reviewed to support the choice of protocol used in the subsequent case study. The case study uses a 6-day progesterone protocol with two injections of prostaglandin F2α and sexed semen; it demonstrated acceptable conception rates as well as the variability that can occur between different bulls' semen straws. Finally, the case study assesses the costs and benefits of the synchronisation programme and concludes a cost benefit of £88.55 per heifer.
LoRaWAN Security
Authors: Seller Olivier
Published: May 2021

The LoRaWAN security design adheres to state-of-the-art principles: use of standard, well-vetted algorithms, and end-to-end security. The fundamental properties supported in LoRaWAN security are mutual end-point authentication, data origin authentication, integrity and replay protection, and confidentiality. The use of symmetric cryptography and prior secret key sharing between a device and a server enables an extremely power efficient and network efficient activation procedure.
Design and experimental evaluation of enhanced diffraction efficiency of lanthanum-based material coated laminar-type gratings in the boron K-emission region
Authors: Hatano Tadashi , Koike Masato , Terauchi Masami , Pirozhkov Alexander S. , Hayashi Nobukazu , Sasai Hiroyuki , Nagano Tetsuya
Published: May 2021

Numerical and experimental studies have been performed to evaluate the enhancement of diffraction efficiency of diffraction gratings around B

K

-emission by overcoating lanthanum series layers on conventional metal-coated laminar-type gratings. We propose an optical design method based on the concept of spectral flux given by collection efficiency and diffraction efficiency. A diffraction grating with a small angle of incidence provides an advantage to soft x-ray spectrographs because it collects the emission at a larger solid angle compared to that of conventional grazing incidence diffraction gratings. Numerical calculations indicated that La and

L
a

F

3

were promising as overcoating materials on a laminar-type Ni-coated diffraction grating, and we performed an experimental study using

L
a

F

3

and La/C overcoatings, considering their producibility and durability. The diffraction efficiencies were measured using a reflectometer at a synchrotron facility. The diffraction efficiencies observed at 183.4 eV were 29.4% and 34.3% at angles of incidence of 85.1° and 84.9° for

N
i

/

L
a

F

3

and Ni/La/C gratings, respectively.
Multicolor structured illumination microscopy and quantitative control of polychromatic light with a digital micromirror device
Authors: Brown Peter T. , Kruithoff Rory , Seedorf Gregory J. , Shepherd Douglas P.
Published: May 2021

Linear structured illumination microscopy (SIM) is a super-resolution microscopy technique that does not impose photophysics requirements on fluorescent samples. Multicolor SIM implementations typically rely on liquid crystal on silicon (LCoS) spatial light modulators (SLM’s) for patterning the excitation light, but digital micromirror devices (DMD’s) are a promising alternative, owing to their lower cost and higher speed. However, existing coherent DMD SIM implementations use only a single wavelength of light, limited by the lack of efficient approaches for solving the blazed grating effect for polychromatic light. We develop the requisite quantitative tools, including a closed form solution of the blaze and diffraction conditions, forward models of DMD diffraction and pattern projection, and a model of DMD aberrations. Based on these advances, we constructed a three-color DMD microscope, quantified the effect of aberrations from the DMD, developed a high-resolution optical transfer function measurement technique, and demonstrated SIM on fixed and live cells. This opens the door to applying DMD’s in polychromatic applications previously restricted to LCoS SLM’s.
Input aperture restriction of the spatial spectral compressive spectral imager and a comprehensive solution for it
Authors: Wang Pan , Li Jie , Qi Chun , Wang Lin , Chen Jieru
Published: May 2021

Compressive spectral imaging (CSI) is an attractive spectral imaging technique since it could acquire a spectral image data cube in a single snapshot. One notable CSI scheme is the spatial spectral compressive spectral imager (SSCSI), which has low complexity and high quality of the recovering spectral image. However, the SSCSI suffers from a small input aperture, which reduces the optical efficiency and signal-to-noise ratio of the system. In this paper, the effect of the input aperture size on the SSCSI system is analyzed. It shows that with the increase of input aperture, the incident light from different spectral bands will overlap with each other on the mask, and the encoding pattern of each spectral band will be ambiguous. Thus, the reconstruction quality of the data cube will highly deteriorate. A new scheme is proposed to deal with this problem. First, the observed image is resampled and recombined into new sub-observed images to improve the frequency response of the encoding pattern. Then each sub-observed image is divided into multiple sub-sets to reduce the coherence of the sensing matrix. Compared to the original reconstruction algorithm for the SSCSI system, the peak signal-to-noise ratio (PSNR) is promoted by more than 3dB, and the spectral reconstruction accuracy and noise suppression capability are also improved.
Reduction of spatio-temporal phase fluctuation in a spatial light modulator using linear phase superimposition
Authors: Nobukawa Teruyoshi , Katano Yutaro , Muroi Tetsuhiko , Kinoshita Nobuhiro , Ishii Norihiko
Published: May 2021

Spatio-temporal phase modulation with a phase-only liquid-crystal spatial light modulator (SLM) plays an important role in the optics and photonics community. SLMs are generally affected by either or both spatial and temporal phase fluctuations, depending on driver electronics, thereby reducing the quality of a generated beam. In this study, to reduce phase fluctuations, we present an optical-based linear phase superimposition method with spatial bandpass filtering. We experimentally investigate the method’s effectiveness, particularly for holographic data storage applications. Experimental results show that the presented method is useful in robustly generating phase distributions against fluctuations, regardless of the SLM driving scheme.
A new approach to quantify angles and time of changes-of-direction during soccer matches
Authors: Kai Tomohiro , Hirai Shin , Anbe Yuhei , Takai Yohei
Published: May 2021

Background and aims

Soccer players frequently perform change-of-directions (CODs) at various speeds during matches. However, tracking systems have shown limitations to measure these efforts. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to propose a new approach to measure CODs using a local positioning system (LPS), and clarify position-related difference in profile of CODs by using the approach.

Methods

The x- and y-coordinate data for each soccer player were measured with a local positioning system. Speed, acceleration, jerk, and direction of speed were derived from the coordinate data. Based on accelerations of above 2 m/s2, the onsets and ends of CODs derived from jerk were identified (COD duration). Changes of direction of speed (θCOD) were determined for the corresponding period. Six collegiate male soccer players performed CODs according to 13 set angles (0–180°; every 15°) so that differences between θCOD and set angle could be determined (Exp. 1). Relative frequency distributions of θCOD and number of CODs were determined in 79 collegiate and amateur male soccer players during 9 soccer matches (Exp. 2).

Results

In Exp. 1, θCOD was positively related to set angle (r = 0.99). Each θCOD was smaller than the corresponding set angle, and the difference became greater with increasing COD angle. In Exp. 2, The number of CODs in a match was 183 ± 39 across all positions. There were no significant position-related differences in the number of CODs. The duration of a COD was 0.89 ± 0.49 s across all positions. The relative frequency distribution of θCOD revealed that the number of CODs at 0–15° and 105–135° tended to be higher than those at other angles during soccer matches. Further, θCOD was affected by the speed at the onset of COD during soccer matches (Exp. 2).

Conclusions

The current findings demonstrate that θCOD derived from direction of speed and jerk may be a new indicator for evaluating COD during soccer matches.
Management and outcomes of patients with chronic obstructive lung disease and lung cancer in a public healthcare system
Authors: Goffin John R. , Corriveau Sophie , Tang Grace H. , Pond Gregory R.
Published: May 2021

Hypothesis

There is limited data on the care and outcomes of individuals with both chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and lung cancer, particularly in advanced disease. We hypothesized such patients would receive less cancer treatment and have worse outcomes.

Methods

We analyzed administrative data from the province of Ontario including demographics, hospitalization records, physician billings, cancer diagnosis, and treatments. COPD was defined using the ICES-derived COPD cohort (1996–2014) with data from 2002 to 2014. Descriptive statistics and multivariable analyses were undertaken.

Results

Of 105 304 individuals with lung cancer, 43 375 (41%) had stage data and 36 738 (34.9%) had COPD. Those with COPD were likely to be younger, have a Charlson score ≤ 1, have lower income, to live rurally, and to have stage I/II lung cancer (29.8 vs 26.5%; all p<0.001). For the COPD population with stage I/II cancer, surgery and adjuvant chemotherapy were less likely (56.8 vs. 65.9% and 15.4 vs. 17.1%, respectively), while radiation was more likely (26.0 vs. 21.8%) (p all < 0.001). In the stage III/IV population, individuals with COPD received less chemotherapy (55.9 vs 64.4%) or radiation (42.5 vs 47.5%; all p<0.001). Inhaler and oxygen use was higher those with COPD, as were hospitalizations for respiratory infections and COPD exacerbations. On multivariable analysis, overall survival was worse among those with COPD (HR 1.20, 95% CI 1.19–1.22).

Conclusions

A co-diagnosis of COPD and lung cancer is associated with less curative treatment in early stage disease, less palliative treatment in late stage disease, and poorer outcomes.
Evaluation of Ultrasonography and Colour Doppler in Cervical Lymphadenopathy Taking Histopathology as Comparison
Authors: George Prinson , Appukuttan Aria Jyothi
Published: May 2021

BACKGROUND Grey scale ultrasonography can be used as a first line imaging modality along with histopathology for evaluation of cervical lymphadenopathy. Morphologic features like size, shape, hilum and necrosis within the lymph node and vascularity are analysed. We wanted to identify the role of Grey scale ultrasonography and colour Doppler in characterisation of enlarged cervical lymph nodes, evaluate findings in benign and malignant cervical lymphadenopathy and assess the sensitivity, specificity, predictive value, likelihood ratios and accuracy in malignant and benign cervical lymph node enlargement. METHODS This was a cross sectional study with diagnostic test evaluation. All suspected cases of cervical lymphadenopathy referred for sonological evaluation to the Department of Radiodiagnosis of Govt. T.D. Medical College, Alappuzha were included in the study. About 75 patients included in the study, underwent Grey scale and colour Doppler sonography of cervical lymphadenopathy. RESULTS When three criteria were positive for malignancy, the sensitivity and specificity of grey scale ultrasonography and colour Doppler were 100 % and 73.80 %, and when four criteria were positive, the sensitivity and specificity were 72.73 %, and 90.48 % respectively. When we analysed individual variables, status of hilum (absence / presence) has reasonably good sensitivity and specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and accuracy (90.09 %, 92.90 %, 90.09 %, 92.90 % and 92.0 % respectively). In our study the important criteria positive for malignant lymph nodes were size > / 11 mm in short axis diameter, round shape, absent hilum and peripheral and central + peripheral type of vascularity of cervical lymph nodes. For benign lymph nodes, oval shape, presence of hilum and central vascularity were the important criteria noted. CONCLUSIONS Grey scale ultrasonography can be complemented by colour Doppler ultrasonography (USG) in patients presenting with cervical lymphadenopathy to differentiate between benign and malignant lesions by reducing unnecessary biopsies by more accurate discrimination. KEY WORDS Grey Scale Ultrasonography, Malignant, Benign Lymph Nodes, Histopathology
Revisiting Cystic Lung Disease - A Review on Diagnostic Approach in High Resolution Computed Tomography Thorax
Authors: Ramachandran Rajoo , Ralph Jeffrey , Pulimi Rajeev , Rajamani Logesh , Radhan Prabhu , Athiyappan Kumaresh
Published: May 2021

The differential diagnosis of the cystic lung disease is extensive, ranging from an isolated incidental lung cyst to multiple diffuse lung cysts with other varied associated lung abnormalities. High resolution computed tomography (HRCT) thorax is the imaging modality of choice in the evaluation of these diseases, by improving the characterisation of the lung cysts (number, size, shape, distribution, wall thickness and regularity), and associated pulmonary and extrapulmonary abnormalities (like ground glass densities, nodules, interstitial fibrosis, mediastinal lymphadenopathy). After differentiating from the common cyst mimickers (cavity, centrilobular emphysema and cystic bronchiectasis), they should be grouped by location into subpleural cysts (paraseptal emphysema, bulla and honeycombing) and intraparenchymal cysts. Intraparenchymal cysts are in turn categorised into solitary / localised cysts (incidental cyst, congenital pulmonary airway malformations, intrapulmonary bronchogenic cyst and hydatid cyst) and multiple diffuse cysts. The next step will be the categorisation of these multiple diffuse cysts into those without other lung abnormalities (lymphangioleiomyomatosis and Birt-Hogg-Dube syndrome) and those with other lung abnormalities such as predominant ground glass densities (Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia, desquamative interstitial pneumonia, lymphoid interstitial pneumonia, subacute hypersensitivity pneumonitis and pneumatoceles) or predominant nodules (pulmonary Langerhans cell histiocytosis, amyloidosis, light chain deposition disease, follicular bronchiolitis, recurrent respiratory papillomatosis, cystic tuberculosis, cystic lung metastasis, sarcoidosis, and pulmonary mesenchymal cystic hamartomas). We conclude that this orderly radiologic approach in a given HRCT chest study of a cystic lung disease (in addition to correlation with clinical and laboratory findings), can lead us to a specific diagnosis in majority of instances, thereby optimising their treatment management, without the need of an invasive biopsy. KEY WORDS HRCT Thorax, Lung Cysts, Ground Glass Densities, Lung Nodules
Stem Cells Applications in Therapeutics and Site-Specific Genome Editing Through CRISPR Cas9 System
Authors: Iqbal Muhammad Javed , Mukheed Muhammad , Khan Alisha , Irfan Saba , Talat Marriyam , Hayat Usama , Amjad Kainat , Raza Muhammad Ali
Published: May 2021

Stem cells are immature cells that have ability to differentiate into all specific and mature cells in body. The two main characteristics of stem cells are self-renewable and ability to differentiate into all mature, functional and adult cells types. There are the two major classes a) pluripotent stem cells which have potential to differentiate in all adult cell and b) multipotent stem cells which have capacity to differentiate into many adult cells but not in all cell types.
VIOLATIONS OF CHILDREN’S RIGHTS IN SUDAN AND THEIR CIRCUMSTANCES: THE CURRENT SITUATION AND THE POSSIBILITY OF SOLUTIONS
Authors: KARAMALLA-GAIBALLA NAGMELDIN
Published: May 2021

This paper aims to demonstrate the main aspects and weaknesses of children's rights in Sudan and describe how to work towards enhancing the immediate response to violations against children. This discussion will help develop future plans to strengthen the enforcement of children’s rights in Sudan and create an environment that protects children's rights against all kinds of violations. This paper presents the current situation of children’s rights violations in Sudan and factors that have a great and direct impact on these situations, especially social and cultural factors concerning female circumcision, genital mutilation, and marriage of underage girls; and laws that violate the dignity of Sudanese children, such as laws related to flogging, imprisonment, and death. The article also addresses issues of wars and internal conflicts and their impact on children, including their recruitment and trafficking. It also discusses the weaknesses of laws in place to protect children in Sudan and the changes these laws have undergone in recent years, especially the fundamental changes following the revolution that broke out in Sudan in 2018, which replaced the dictatorial military regime with Islamic orientations and trying to find objective solutions.
DEVELOPING EMPATHIC SENSITIVITY IN YOUNGER CHILDREN
Authors: KWAŚNIEWSKA-PASZTA SANDRA
Published: May 2021

The article presents a review of theoretical concepts on empathic sensitivity. The text demonstrates correlations between empathy and moral development and presents empathy in children and its conditions. The article is also aimed at pointing to the significance of empathy in human relations, and it introduces several factors which influence bringing up children to have empathy. Moreover, it presents the methods of working with children aimed at developing their empathic sensitivity. These include, among others, drama, working with literary texts and art techniques.
Assessing Targeted Containment Policies to Fight COVID-19
Authors: Checo Ariadne , Grigoli Francesco , Mota Jose M.
Published: May 2021

The large economic costs of full-blown lockdowns in response to COVID-19 outbreaks, coupled with heterogeneous mortality rates across age groups, led to question non-discriminatory containment measures. In this paper we provide an assessment of the targeted approach to containment. We propose a SIR-macro model that allows for heterogeneous agents in terms of mortality rates and contact rates, and in which the government optimally bans people from working. We find that under a targeted policy, the optimal containment reaches a larger portion of the population than under a blanket policy and is held in place for longer. Compared to a blanket policy, a targeted approach results in a smaller death count. Yet, it is not a panacea: the recession is larger under such approach as the containment policy applies to a larger fraction of people, remains in place for longer, and herd immunity is achieved later. Moreover, we find that increased interactions between low- and high-risk individuals effectively reduce the benefits of a targeted approach to containment.
Case study: Vocational student’s knowledge and awareness level toward renewable energy in Indonesia
Authors: Muslim Riyadi , Saputro Herman , Thamrin AG
Published: May 2021

The facts of increasing use and decreasing fossil energy have made many people think of using renewable energy. Mindset change and dependence on fossil energy can be rectified through education. Renewable energy education is needed to increase student’s knowledge and awareness. There are only 12 vocational high schools (VHSs) based on renewable energy in Indonesia. This number is not in line with the government’s efforts to revitalize vocational schools toward a sustainable energy state in the future. This article features the knowledge and awareness of vocational students on renewable energy in Indonesia. Data were obtained from 1,250 respondents from 88 VHSs and 27 provinces in Indonesia. Knowledge and awareness level of school students in Indonesia VHSs is discussed in depth based on variables such as gender, parents, island, public school and private school, and areas of expertise at VHS. Respondents filled out questionnaires through a web survey. A descriptive analysis was performed based on the data. National coverage of data related to the vocational student’s knowledge and awareness of renewable energy is the novelty of this article. The results show that VHS students already have a knowledge level in the “good” category for renewable energy and have an awareness level in the “fair” category. Detailed analysis on the reasons is performed as well as solution is offered in this article.
Chaos and bifurcations in a discretized fractional model of quasi-periodic plasma perturbations
Authors: Matouk Ahmed Ezzat
Published: May 2021

The nonlinear dynamics of a discretized form of quasi-periodic plasma perturbations model (Q-PPP) with nonlocal fractional differential operator possessing singular kernel are investigated. For example, the conditions for the stability and occurrence of Neimark–Sacker (NS) and flip bifurcations in the proposed discretized equations are provided. Moreover, analysis of nonlinearities such as the existence of chaos in this map is proved numerically via bifurcation diagrams, Lyapunov exponents and analytically via Marotto’s Theorem. Also, some simulation results are utilized to confirm the theoretical results and to show that the obtained map exhibits double routes to chaos: one is via flip bifurcation and the other is via NS bifurcation. Furthermore, more complex dynamical phenomena such as existence of closed invariant curves, homoclinic orbits, homoclinic connections, period 3 and period 4 attractors are shown. This kind of research is useful for physicists who work with tokamak models.
Comparative HPTLC fingerprinting profile and GC-MS analysis of raw and purified Guggulu (Commiphora wightii. Arn. Bhand) by Ayurvedic purification method
Authors: Menon Indu M. , Eapen Jollykutty , M. S. Deepa
Published: May 2021

Background

Guggulu is an oleo gum resin obtained from the plant Commiphora wightii (Arn.) Bhand., used in Ayurved
ic medicines for various ailments like anti-inflammatory conditions, hyperlipidemia, thyroid disorders etc. Guggulsterones E & Z are responsible for these broad ranges of pharmacological actions. It is recommended to do Shodhana (purification) before incorporating it into medicinal formulations. Sahasrayoga, an Ayurvedic text, emphasizes the purification of Guggulu in a particular media, which is a long run practice in Kerala.

Objectives

To compare the physicochemical and phytochemical parameters, quantitative estimation of Guggulsterone E & Z using high performance thin layer chromatography (HPTLC) and qualitative gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis of Guggulu before and after purification.

Methods

Shodhana of Guggulu was performed in Water boiled with crushed fresh leaves of Neem (Azadirachta indica) and fresh rhizome of turmeric (Curcuma longa) using a special equipment (Dolayantra). Preliminary physicochemical and phytochemical evaluation, quantification of Guggulsterones E & Z using HPTLC and GC-MS analysis of raw and purified Guggulu were performed.

Results

Phytochemical evaluation of metabolites revealed marked variations. The mean concentrations of Guggulsterone E & Z showed significant differences before and after purification (p<0.01). On GC-MS analysis, it was found that few new compounds were added in the purified Guggulu.

Conclusions

Therapeutic efficacy of Guggulu might have enhanced after traditional purification.
Intellectualization of the urban and rural bus: The arrival time prediction method
Authors: Wang Yunna
Published: May 2021

To improve the intelligence of urban and rural buses, it is necessary to realize the accurate prediction of bus arrival time. This paper first introduced urban and rural buses. Then, the arrival time prediction was divided into two parts: road travel time and stop time, and they were predicted by the support vector regression method and k-nearest neighbor (KNN) method. A section of a bus route in Pingdingshan city of Henan province was taken as an example for analysis. The results showed that the method designed in this study had better accuracy, and the result was closer to the actual value, with a maximum error of 84 s, a minimum error of 10 s, an average error of 42.5 s, and an average relative error of 5.74%, which could meet the needs of passengers. The results verify the reliability of the designed method in predicting the arrival time of urban and rural buses, which can be popularized and applied in practice.
The value of miR-510 in the prognosis and development of colon cancer
Authors: Hang Junjie , Wei Feifei , Yan Zhiying , Zhang Xianming , Xu Kequn , Zhu Yingwei
Published: May 2021

Purpose

Colon cancer is one of the malignant tumors that threatens human health. miR-510 was demonstrated to play roles in the progression of various cancers; its dysregulation was speculated to be associated with the development of colon cancer.

Methods

One hundred and thirteen colon cancer patients participated in this research. With the help of RT-qPCR, the expression of miR-510 in collected tissues and cultured cells was analyzed. The association between miR-510 expression level and clinical features and prognosis of patients was evaluated. Moreover, the effects of miR-510 on cell proliferation, migration, and invasion of colon cancer were assessed by CCK8 and Transwell assay.

Results

miR-510 significantly upregulated in colon cancer tissues and cell lines relative to the adjacent normal tissues and colonic cells. The expression of miR-510 was significantly associated with the TNM stage and poor prognosis of patients, indicating miR-510 was involved in the disease progression and clinical prognosis of colon cancer. Additionally, the upregulation of miR-510 significantly promoted cell proliferation, migration, and invasion of colon cancer, while its knockdown significantly inhibited these cellular processes. SRCIN 1 was the direct target of miR-510 during its promoted effect on the development of colon cancer.

Conclusion

The upregulation of miR-510 acts as an independent prognostic indicator and a tumor promoter by targeting SRCIN 1 in colon cancer, which provides novel therapeutic strategies for colon cancer.
Functional implications of PABPC1 in the development of ovarian cancer
Authors: Feng Cong , Han Yan-Hua , Qi Na , Li Jia , Sheng Qing-Hua , Liu Yu , Yang Li-Li
Published: May 2021

This research aimed to probe the expression characteristics of poly(A)-binding protein cytoplasmic 1 (PABPC1) and its role on the phenotype of ovarian cancer (OC) cells and to further investigate the possible underlying mechanism. The expression of PABPC1 was analyzed according to the data from gene expression omnibus, The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Oncomine databases and the RNA sequencing data set from TCGA were downloaded for evaluating the prognostic values. We revealed that compared with the healthy samples, PABPC1 was upregulated in OC samples. High expression of PABPC1 had a connection with a shorter survival for patients with OC. Loss and gain of function assays revealed that silencing PABPC1 significantly suppressed the viability, invasion and migration of SK-OV-3 cells, while PABPC1 overexpression in A2780 cells showed the reverse outcomes. Moreover, Western blot demonstrated that silencing PABPC1 notably inactivated the epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) process, while upregulation of PABPC1 promoted the mitigation of epithelial phenotype and the acquisition of mesenchymal phenotype. Taken together, PABPC1 was upregulated in OC cells and served as a carcinogene to promote the OC cell growth and invasion partly by modulating the EMT process, which implied that PABPC1 might be considered as a useful biomarker for OC therapeutics.
Application of modified starch in high-temperature-resistant colloidal gas aphron (CGA) drilling fluids
Authors: Zhu Wenxi , Zheng Xiuhua
Published: May 2021

Colloidal gas aphrons (CGA) are finding increasing application in depleted oil and gas reservoirs because of their distinctive characteristics. To overcome the limitations of its application in high-temperature drilling, a modified starch foams stabilizer WST with a temperature resistance of 160 °C was synthesized via radical polymerization. The chemical structure of WST was characterized by Fourier infrared spectroscopy and results showed that all three monomers acrylamide, 2-acrylamido-2-methyl-1-propane sulfonic acid, and N-vinylpyrrolidone have been grafted onto starch efficiently. Based on the microscopic observations, highly stable aphrons have been successfully generated in the WST-based CGA drilling fluids within 160 °C, and most aphrons lie in the range of 10–150 μm. WST can provide higher viscosity at high temperatures compared to xanthan gum, which helps to extend foam life and stability by enhancing the film strength and slowing down the gravity drainage. Results show that WST-CGA aged at elevated temperatures (120–160 °C) is a high-performance drilling fluid with excellent shear-thinning behavior, cutting carrying capacity, and filtration control ability. The significant improvement of filtration control and well-building capability at high temperatures is an important advantage of WST-CGA, which can be attributed to the enhancement of mud cake quality by WST.
Effects of postovulatory oviduct changes and female stress on aging of mouse oocytes
Authors: Kong Qiao-Qiao , Wang Guo-Liang , An Jin-Song , Wang Jia , Cheng Hao , Liu Tao , Tan Jing-He
Published: May 2021

Postovulatory oocyte aging is one of the major causes for human early pregnancy loss and for decline in population of some mammalian species. Thus, the mechanisms for oocyte aging are worth exploring. While it is known that ovulated oocytes age within the oviduct and that female stresses impair embryo development by inducing apoptosis of oviductal cells, it is unknown whether the oviduct and/or female stress would affect postovulatory oocyte aging. By comparing aging characteristics including activation susceptibility, maturation-promoting factor activity, developmental potential, cytoplasmic fragmentation, spindle/chromosome morphology, gene expression, and cumulus cell apoptosis, this study showed that oocytes aged faster in vivo in restraint-stressed mice than in unstressed mice than in vitro. Our further analysis demonstrated that oviductal cells underwent apoptosis with decreased production of growth factors with increasing time after ovulation, and female restraint facilitated apoptosis of oviductal cells. Furthermore, mating prevented apoptosis of oviductal cells and alleviated oocyte aging after ovulation. In conclusion, the results demonstrated that mouse oviducts underwent apoptosis and facilitated oocyte aging after ovulation; female restraint facilitated oocyte aging while enhancing apoptosis of oviductal cells; and copulation ameliorated oviductal apoptosis and oocyte aging.
The effect of hemicellulose extraction on fiber charge properties and retention behavior of kraft pulp fibers
Authors: Lyytikäinen Katja , Saukkonen Esa , Kajanto Isko , Käyhkö Jari
Published: May 2021

The integrated forest biorefinery (IFBR) concept provides a promising opportunity for the development of the pulp and paper industry. One proposed next generation technology for an integrated forest biorefinery is the extraction of hemicelluloses, allowing the co-production of pulp and different hemicellulose-based chemicals. In addition to paper properties, hemicelluloses are known to be important for the function of cationic papermaking additives, because they are the main source of charged groups in fibers. This paper shows that the alkaline extraction of hemicelluloses from bleached kraft pulp decreases both the total and surface charge of the pulps. It was found that the decreased fiber charge leads to increased filler retention with fixed retention aid dosage. The reduction observed in the fiber surface charge for alkali-extracted pulp was mainly attributed to the decrease in the amount of anionic groups located in fines.
Proceedings of the Conference "Lithuanian MSc Research in Informatics and ICT"
Authors: Bernatavičienė Jolita , Dzemyda Gintautas , Kurasova Olga , Žilinskas Julius
Published: May 2021

The conference "Lithuanian MSc Research in Informatics and ICT" is a venue to present research of Lithuanian MSc theses in informatics and ICT. The aim of the event is to raise skills of MSc and other students, familiarize themselves with the research of other students, encourage their interest in scientific activities. Students from Kaunas University of Technology, Vilnius University, and Vytautas Magnus University will give their presentations at the conference.
The Significance of EU Criminal Law in the 21st Century: The Need for Further Harmonisation or New Criminal Policy?
Authors: Ragaišytė Ieva-Marija , Švedas Gintaras
Published: May 2021

This publication contains the proceedings of the 9th European Criminal Law Academic Network (ECLAN) PhD Seminar on European Criminal Justice "The significance of EU criminal law in the 21st century: the need for further harmonisation or new criminal policy", hosted by the Vilnius University Faculty of Law. Participants of the event presented their research in various criminal law fields related to the EU substantive criminal law and its national implementation, combating organised crime and the EPPO, criminal policy and human rights and cooperation in criminal matters and other legal instruments. Thus, the publication provides short papers of the main ideas and conclusions of several speakers’ presentations.
Keratoconus: early onset, the worst prognosis, eye rubbing and hand-dominance
Authors: Rahman Anisur , Rahman Sharah , Faridi Jamsed , Salam Abdus , Zafrullah Tarzia Asma , Sadia Saki
Published: May 2021

Purpose: Keratoconus is an ectatic disorder of cornea and mostly involve teen aged group, still the pathogenesis and aetiology is not clearly defined. We try to establish the progression of the diseases is inversely proportional to the age of onset of the patient. Design: It was an observational study, carried out at a private eye hospital where patient was referred for RGP contact lenses. Methods: This observational study was carried out from Jan’ 2017 to Dec’ 2019 total three year period and 304 patients with Keratoconus were in the initial study and we divided them into two groups. Group: A, ≤25 years old and Group: B, >25 years old but among these 304 patient we included 200 patients in our study those who completed minimum 3 years follow-up and meet the inclusion criteria. Results: After three years ‘K’ value in group: A, <0.0001 in group: B, <0.3655. Sim K’s Astigmatism <0.0001 in group: A. <0.0223 in group: B. Central corneal thickness <0.0001 in group: A and 0.1957 in group: B. ‘K’ value and central corneal thickness (CCT) deteriorate more in group: A, than group: B. It is also found that KC progress more in case of VKC and it is more prominent in dominant hand side. Conclusion: At diagnosis, keratoconus is often more advanced in children than in adults, with faster disease progression. Early detection and close monitoring are therefore crucial in young patients.
Dynamics of Spruce budworms and single species competition models with bifurcation analysis
Authors: Tasnim Farah , Kamrujjaman Md.
Published: May 2021

Choristoneura Fumiferana is perilous defoliators of forest lands in North America and many countries in Europe. In this study, we consider mathematical models in ecology, epidemiology and bifurcation studies; the spruce budworm model and the population model with harvesting. The study is designed based on bifurcation analysis. In particular, the results support population thresholds necessary for survival in certain cases. In a series of numerical examples, the outcomes are presented graphically to compare with bifurcation results.
Alcohol consumption and the incidence of type 2 diabetic mellitus: “issue that requires more attention”
Authors: Wake Addisu Dabi
Published: May 2021

In recent decades, the significant rise in the magnitude of diabetic mellitus (DM) has been proved in almost in all regions of the world where it includes both economically developed and developing countries. Besides, the burden of diabetes is also alarming globally. Alcohol use is also rising worldwide whilst it is identified that heavy alcohol ingesting is a significant lifestyle risk factor for chronic disease such as DM and its-related complications. Therefore, this review article was aimed to discuss about alcohol consumption and the incidence of Type 2 DM (T2DM) by examining the different studies conducted on this issue. Consequently, several studies have reported that light to moderate alcohol consumption decreases the risk of T2DM. However, the heavy alcohol consumption increases the risk of T2DM. Finally, this review concludes heavy alcohol consumption contributes for the high incidence of T2DM. It also recommends that more focus is required to this critical problem to prevent its occurrence and the morbidity and mortality associated to T2DM.
Isolated central nervous system leukemiarelapse presenting as Guillain-Barré-like syndrome: A case report
Authors: El-Maksoud Marwa Abd , El Chazli yasmine , Wali Yasser
Published: May 2021

We report the clinical picture, management and outcome of a 14-year-old boy treated for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in whom isolated central nervous system relapse manifested by a Guillain-Barré-like syndrome (GBS). While on maintenance chemotherapy for his first CNS-relapse, he developed acute progressive lower motor neuron right facial palsy and marked hypotonia and areflexia of both lower limbs with otherwise no systemic manifestations. Vincristine-induced neuropathy (VIN) was suspected but his electrophysiological evaluation revealed a proximal demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy pattern suggestive of GBS, but his cerebrospinal fluid analysis showed increased protein and infiltration by 95% leukemic blast cells. Immunoglobulins and chemotherapy were initiated. Although GBS in children with ALL is very rare, differentiating it from VIN by electrophysiological studies and excluding CNS relapse is crucial to determine the proper treatment and ensure a better clinical outcome.
Influence of PM2.5 on spermatogenesis dysfunction via the reactive-oxygen-species-mediated Mitogen-activated-protein-kinase signaling pathway
Authors: Cheepsattayakorn Ruangrong
Published: May 2021

Approximately 15 % of the world‘s couples confront childless, and about 50 % of them are due to male reproductive disorders. Several previous studies demonstrated that PM2.5 particles has been consistently associated with critical human sperm reduction and impairment of human sperm chromatin and DNA from traffic exhaust pollution. Blood-testis barrier (BTB), a critically physical barrier between the seminiferous tubules and the blood vessels prevents sperm antigens from entering the blood circulation and facilitating and initiating an autoimmune response that contributing to spermatogenesis interference. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are involved in the redox-sensitive signal transduction factors activation, such as Jun NH2-terminal kinase (JNK), p 38, extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), and mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) that critically influence BTB disruption. After PM2.5 exposure, there are decreased superoxide dismutase (SOD) expression, increased malondialdehyde (MDA) expression, increased nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf-2) expression, increased expression of the four junctional proteins (β-catenin, Cx43, occludin, zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1)), thus improve sperm quality and quantity. PM2.5 particles markedly induce increasing phosphorylation of MAPKs via the ROS-mediated MAPK signaling pathway that causes BTB disruption, but this effect is lesser in the vitamins C and E intervention as well as increasing cleaved caspase-3 expression and the Bcl-2/Bax ratio. In conclusion, combined therapeutic administration of vitamins C and E can maintain the BTB integrity, reduce oxidative stress and cell apoptosis, and prevent toxic effects.
Low-dose computerized tomography in lung cancer screening
Authors: Cheepsattayakorn Ruangrong
Published: May 2021

Lung cancer screening has been a passionately debated topic since the late 1990s. Five-year survival is 53.5 %, 26.1 %, and 3.9 % when cancer is confined to the lung at the time of diagnosis, when there is regional nodal involvement, and when there is distant metastasis, respectively. The goal of lung cancer screening (LCS) is to shift the timing of the diagnosis to an earlier point, thus, the disease is localized to the lung, and then appropriate treatment can reduce the mortality of lung cancer. Study results from several lung cancer screening trials worldwide, including the United States, Japan, the Netherlands, Denmark, and Italy demonstrated that low-dose computerized tomography (LDCT) scanner used in LCS can increase the detection rate of lung cancer at an earlier stage. At the time of screening, the information about smoking cessation should be provided to all current smokers, while the multidisciplinary clinic affords a second opportunity to counsel patients about the benefits of quitting smoking. After two rounds of screening, there are fewer false positives as a result of comparison with the baseline screening CT that may reveal two years of pulmonary nodule stability. Decreasing the number of false -positive lung cancer screens is an area for future research. Genetic profiles and the results of the baseline screening examination can potentiate further refining the risk modeling. Risk modeling could define the frequency of follow-up in addition to who should be screened. In conclusion, LCS with LDCT has shown that there are indolent lung cancers that may not be fatal. Further studies are urgently needed if the maximization of the risk-benefit ratio in LCS has to be achieved.
About Chemists
Authors:   V.P. Kukhar Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry and Petrochemistry, Kovtun H.O.
Published: May 2021

A wide panorama of chemistry is gathered in a popular science exposition through the form of stories and essays about the dedicated and enthusiastic creators of this wonderful science: chemists. A book for chemists, schoolchildren, students, graduate students, teachers and all who are interested in chemistry and its sincere creators in all eras. Among them are the chemists of Ukraine.
Vitamins in Human Health
Authors:   Palladin Institute of Biochemistry, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Parkhomenko Yu.M. , Donchenko G.V. ,   Palladin Institute of Biochemistry, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine
Published: May 2021

The book describes the history of the discovery of vitamins, presents modern ideas about the properties of vitamins and their importance for humans as essential nutritional factors. General information is provided about the modern classification of vitamins, physicochemical and biological properties of water- and fat-soluble vitamins and vitamin-like compounds, their role in metabolism and, in general, in human health. The causes of hypovitaminosis are analyzed, advice is given on their prevention and storage of vitamins in food. The book is intended for specialists in the field of biology, medicine, as well as for a wide range of readers, including teachers, students and other people interested in health issues.