bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Mediating Role of Intuitive Eating on the Association Between Self-control and Sociocultural Attitudes Towards Appearance Among Chinese College Students: a Cross-sectional Study
Authors: Sun Hong , Zhang Lin , Ma Jia-Ning , Guo Lei-Lei
Published: August 2021

Background: In China, people pay more and more attention to their body image, and most people have a negative attitude towards their appearance. This study aimed to explore the relationship of self-control, intuitive eating, and sociocultural attitudes towards appearance among Chinese college students. We further aimed to assess whether intuitive eating mediates the association between research self-control and sociocultural attitudes towards appearance.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 1510 college students in a medical university during September–December 2020. Self-administered questionnaires including Self-control Scale (SCS), Intuitive Eating Scale-2 (IES-2), and Sociocultural Attitudes Towards Appearance Questionnaire-3 (SATAQ-3) were completed by students. Correlation, multiple linear regression, and structural equation modeling were used in data analyses.Results：The mean sociocultural attitude towards appearance score was 43.91±7.74 among the participants. After adjusting for the demographic factors, self-control accounted for 17.4% of the variance in sociocultural attitudes towards appearance, while intuitive eating explained an additional 2.6% of the variance. Self-control had a direct effect(λ=-0.57,P<0.01)and an indirect effect(λ=-0.11,P<0.01) on sociocultural attitudes towards appearance. Intuitive eating functioned as a partial mediator in the relationship between self-control and sociocultural attitudes towards appearance among Chinese students. The mediation role accounted for 16.41% of the total effect. Conclusions：Improving self-control is good for adjusting appearance attitudes, and one way to do this is to suppress intuitive eating. College students should improve their self-control and use it in ways other than suppressing intuitive eating.
WITHDRAWN: Prevalence and Antimicrobial Susceptibility Pattern of Salmonella in Selected Export Abattoirs, East Shewa, Ethiopia
Authors: Alemu Abayneh , Regassa Fikru , Kebede Nigatu , Ambachew Rozina , Girma Musse , Sime Wondewosen Tsegaye
Published: August 2021

Background
Salmonella is one of the major causes of zoonotic foodborne pathogens in the world, with increasing concern for the emergence and spread of antimicrobial-resistant strains. In Ethiopia, the burden of Salmonella is still scarce in abattoirs.
Objectives
To determine the prevalence and antimicrobial susceptibility pattern of Salmonella in selected export abattoirs, East Shewa, Ethiopia.
Methods
A cross-sectional study was conducted from January 2020 to October 2020. A total of 345 samples were systematically included and out of which 150 carcass swabs (100 from goats and 50 from sheep carcass), 60 goat skin swabs, 60 knife swabs, and 75 human stool samples. The isolates were identified and characterized following standard bacteriological procedures and further confirmed by using Salmonella genus-specific primer by polymerase chain reaction. The isolates were subjected to antimicrobial susceptibility for 14 antibiotics using the Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method. Data were entered and analyzed using STATA version 14. Fisher’s exact test was used to assess significant differences among the abattoirs and type of samples. P-value < 0.05 was considered as indicative of a statistical significance difference.
Results
Out of 345 total samples, 21(6.08%) were positive for Salmonella. The specific prevalence of Salmonella in carcass, skin, and knife swabs were 10(6.67%), 7(11.67%), and 4(6.67%) respectively. There were no statistically significant differences in the occurrence of Salmonella among export abattoirs, and types of samples (P > 0.05). Salmonella was not isolated from sheep carcass and human stool samples. Among the 21 molecular confirmed Salmonella isolates, 7(33.3%) were resistant to at least one antimicrobial agent and 2(9.04%) of isolates were resistant to two antibiotics, tetracycline, and streptomycin. All the isolates were 100% susceptible to kanamycin, chloramphenicol, cephalothin, gentamycin, and ceftriaxone.
Conclusion
Samples harbored Salmonella have significant public health impacts and hinder export performance. Thus, hygienic standards throughout the food chain process, surveillance systems, and one health approach are essential methods to minimize risks associated with the consumption of contaminated carcasses. Surveillance programs of antimicrobial usage in animals and animal products are important to ensure consumer safety.
Effects of Snow Manipulation on Larch Trees in the Taiga Forest Ecosystem in Northeastern Siberia
Authors: Shakhmatov Ruslan , Hashiguchi Shuhei , Maximov Trofim C. , Sugimoto Atsuko
Published: August 2021

Changes in winter precipitation (snow) may greatly affect vegetation by altering hydrological and biochemical processes. To understand the effects of changing snow cover depth and melt timing on the taiga forest ecosystem, a snow manipulation experiment was conducted in December 2015 at the Spasskaya Pad experimental larch forest in Eastern Siberia, which is characterized by a continental dry climate with extreme cold winters and hot summers. Variables including soil temperature and moisture, oxygen and hydrogen isotope ratios of soil moisture and stem water, foliar nitrogen and carbon contents and their isotopes, phenology, and soil inorganic nitrogen were observed at snow removal (SNOW−), snow addition (SNOW+), and CONTROL plots. After snow manipulation, the soil temperature at the SNOW− plot decreased significantly compared to the CONTROL and SNOW+ plots. At SNOW−, snowmelt was earlier and soil temperature was higher than at other plots during spring because of low soil moisture caused by less snowmelt water. Despite the earlier snowmelt and higher soil temperature in the SNOW− plot in the early growing season, needle opening and shoot elongation were delayed. Leaf chemistry also differed between the CONTROL and SNOW+ plots. The needle nitrogen content in the SNOW− plot was lower in the middle of July, whereas no difference was observed among the three plots in August. The soil inorganic nitrogen content of each plot corresponded to these results. The amount of soil ammonium was lower in the SNOW− plot than in the other plots at the end of July, however, once production started at the end of August, the amount of soil ammonium in the three plots was comparable. Extremely low soil temperatures in winter and freeze-thaw cycles in spring at the SNOW− plot may have affected these results.
Diversity, trait preferences, management and utilization of yams landraces (Dioscorea species): an orphan crop in DR Congo
Authors: Adejumobi Idris I , AGRE Paterne , Anautshu Didy O. , Adheka Joseph G. , Banbanota Mokonzi G. , Mozenga Jean-Claude L. , Komoy Joseph L. , Cipriano Inacio M.
Published: August 2021

BackgroundYam ( Dioscorea spp .) is cultivated in many villages of DR Congo as a means to sustain food security and alleviate poverty. However, the extent of the existing diversity has not been studied in details thus, considered as an orphan.MethodologyA survey covering 540 farmers in 54 villages was conducted in six major yam growing territories covering three provinces in DR Congo to investigate the diversity, management and utilization of yam landraces using pre-elaborate questionnaires.ResultsSubject to synonymy, a total of 67 landraces clones from five different species were recorded. Farmers’ challenges limiting yam production were poor tuber qualities (69%), harvest pest attack (7%), difficulty in harvesting (6%), poor soil status (6%). The overall diversity was moderate among the recorded yam germplasm maintained at the household level (1.32) and variability exist in diversity amongst the territories and provinces. Farmers’ in territories of Tshopo and Mongala provinces maintained higher level of germplasm diversity (2.79 and 2.77) compared to the farmers in territories of Bas-Uélé (1.67). Some yam landraces had limited abundance and distribution due to loss of production interest in many villages attributable to poisons contained hence, resulting in possible extinction. Farmers’ most preferred seed source for cultivation were backyard (43%) and exchange with neighboring farmers (31%) with the objective of meeting food security and generating income. In villages where yam production is expanding, farmers are relying on landraces with good tuber qualities and high yield even though they are late maturing.ConclusionThis study revealed the knowledge of yam genetic diversity, constraints to production and farmers’ preferences criteria as a guide for collection and conservation of yam genetic resources for yam improvement intervention.
Unity in Diversity - Food Plants and Fungi of Sakartvelo (Republic of Georgia), Caucasus
Authors: Bussmann Rainer W , Zambrana Narel Y Paniagua , Rahman Inayat Ur , Kikvidze Zaal , Sikharulidze Shalva , Kikodze David , Tchelidze David , Khutsishvili Manana , Batsatsashvili Ketevan
Published: August 2021

Background: The Republic of Georgia is part of the Caucasus biodiversity hotspot, and human agricultural plant use dates bat at least 6000 years. Over the last years lots of ethnobotanical research on the area has been published. In this paper we analyze the use of food plants in the 80% of Georgia not occupied by Russian forces. We hypothesized that, (1) given the long tradition of plant use, and the isolation under Soviet rule, plant use both based on home gardens and wild harvesting would be more pronounced in Georgia than in the wider region, (2) food plant use knowledge would be widely and equally spread in most of Georgia, (3) there would still be incidence of knowledge loss despite wide plant use, especially in climatically favored agricultural regions in Western and Eastern Georgia.Methods: From 2013 to 2019 we interviewed over 380 participants in all regions of Georgia not occupied by Russian forces and recorded over 19800 mentions of food plants. All interviews were carried out in the participants’ homes and gardens by native speakers of Georgian and its dialects (Imeretian, Rachian, Lechkhumian, Tush, Khevsurian, Psavian, Kakhetian), other Kartvelian languages (Megrelian, Svan) and minority languages (Ossetian, Ude, Azeri, Armenian, Greek). Results: The regional division was based primarily on historic provinces of Georgia, which often coincides with the current administrative borders. The total number of taxa, mostly identified to species, was 474. Taxonomically, the difference between two food plant groups - garden versus wild - was strongly pronounced even at family level. The richness of plant families was 66 versus 97 families in garden versus wild plants, respectively, and the difference was highly significant. Other diversity indices also unequivocally pointed to considerably more diverse family composition of wild versus garden plants as the differences between all the tested diversity indices appeared to be highly significant.Conclusions: Relationships among the regions in the case of wild food plants show a different and clearer pattern. In particular, adjacent regions cluster together (Kvemo Zemo Racha, and Zemo Imereti; Samegrelo, Guria, Adjara, Lechkhumi and Kvemo and Zemo Svaneti; Meskheti, Javakheti, Kvemo Kartli; Mtianeti, Kakheti, Khevsureti, Tusheti. Like in the case of the garden food plants, species diversity of wild food plants mentioned varied strongly. Climate severity and traditions of the use of wild food plants might play role in this variation. Overall food plant knowledge is widely spread all across Georgia, and broadly maintained
Understanding Etiology of Chromosome 21 Nondisjunction from Gene X Environment Models
Authors: Halder Pinku , Pal Upamanyu , Ganguly Agnish , Ghosh Papiya , Ray Anirban , Sarkar Sumantra , Ghosh Sujay
Published: August 2021

Maternal risk factors and their interactions with each other that associate chromosome 21 nondisjunction are intriguing and need incisive study to be resolved. We determined recombination profile of nondisjoined chromosome 21 and maternal genotypes for four selected polymorphic variants from the folate regulators genes stratifying the women according to the origin of segregation error and age at conception. We conducted association study for genotype and maternal habit of smoke less chewing tobacco with the incidence of Down syndrome birth. Additionally, we designed various logistic regression models to explore the effects of genotype, smokeless chewing tobacco habit, maternal age at conception and all possible interactions among them on chromosome 21 nondisjunction. We found folate regulator gene mutations are associated with maternal meiosis II error. Regression models revealed smokeless chewing tobacco and folate regulator mutant genotypes interact with each other to increase the risk of reduced and peri-centromeric recombination events on chromosome 21 that nondisjoined at meiosis II in the oocytes and the effect is maternal age independent. We inferred maternal polymorphic genotypes and habit of smokeless chewing tobacco interact with each other and increase the risk of meiosis II error in oocytes in maternal age-independent manner.
MAGI2-AS3 Modulates Proliferation, Apoptosis and Glycolysis in Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia via miR-452-5p/FOXN3 Axis
Authors: Chen Xiao-Guang , Dou Bing-Hua , An Jin-Dou , Feng Song , Liu Na , Sheng Guang-Yao
Published: August 2021

Background: Long non-coding RNA MAGI2 antisense RNA 3 (MAGI2-AS3) has been identified as a tumor suppressor in various cancers. Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is a prevalent kind of leukemia among children. In this study, we aimed at evaluate the role of MAGI2-AS3 in ALL and its underlying mechanisms.Methods: qPCR was adopted to determine MAGI2-AS3, miR-452-5p, and FOXN3 expression. The malignant properties of ALL cells were assessed by CCK8 assay and flow cytometry analysis. The glucose uptake, lactate production, and ATP level were measured to evaluate glycolysis. Western blotting was performed to detect PCNA, Bcl-2, Bax, and HK2 protein levels. The interaction between MAGI2-AS3/FOXN3 and miR-452-5p was validated by luciferase reporter assay. The in vivo growth of ALL cells was determined in xenograft model.Results: MAGI2-AS3 was strikingly down-regulated in ALL samples and cells. Overexpression of MAGI2-AS3 restrained growth, glycolysis and triggered apoptosis of ALL cells. Mechanistically, MAGI2-AS3 could sponge miR-452-5p to up-regulate FOXN3. Silencing of FOXN3 abolished the anti-tumor effect of MAGI2-AS3. Finally, MAGI2-AS3 suppressed the in vivo growth of ALL cells via modulating miR-452-5p/FOXN3 axis. Conclusions: Our findings demonstrate that MAGI2-AS3 delays the progression of ALL by regulating miR-452-5p/FOXN3 signaling pathway.
Hybrid Device of Hexagonal Boron Nitride Nanoflakes with Defect Centres and a Nano-Fibre Bragg Cavity
Authors: Tashima Toshiyuki , Takashima Hideaki , Schell Andreas W. , Tran Toan Trong , Aharonovich Igor , Takeuchi Shigeki
Published: August 2021

Solid-state quantum emitters coupled with a single mode fibre are of interest for photonic and quantum applications. In this context, nanofibre Bragg cavities (NFBCs), which are microcavities fabricated in an optical nanofibre, are promising devices because they can efficiently couple photons emitted from the quantum emitters to the single mode fibre. Recently, we have realized a hybrid device of an NFBC and a single colloidal CdSe/ZnS quantum dot. However, colloidal quantum dots exhibit inherent photo-bleaching. Thus, it is desired to couple an NFBC with defect centres in hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) as stable quantum emitters. In this work, we realize a hybrid system of an NFBC and defect centres in hBN nanoflakes. In this experiment, we fabricate NFBCs with a quality factor of 807 and a resonant wavelength at around 573 nm, which matches well with the fluorescent wavelength of the defect centres in hBN, using a helium focused ion beam (FIB) system. We also develop a manipulation system to place hBN nanoflakes on a cavity region of the NFBCs and realize a hybrid device with an NFBC. By exciting the nanoflakes via an objective lens and collecting the fluorescence through the NFBC, we observe a sharp emission peak at the resonant wavelength of the NFBC.
The Relationship Between Professional Job Burnout and Temperament (Mizaj) from the Viewpoint of Traditional Persian Medicine and Work-Related Variables Among Iranian Dentists: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: noori fereshteh , owlia fatemeh , kazemeini seyed kazem
Published: August 2021

background: Dentists are prone to professional burnout due to the nature of their work but this phenomenon may be prevented. Professional burnout has a great impact on different aspects of human life. On the other hand, temperament could have a vital role in behaviors, interests, and lifestyle. The present study aimed to determine the professional burnout level among Iranian dentists and its association with temperament in view of traditional Persian medicine and work-related variables. Methods: This observational study with a cross-sectional design was conducted among an Iranian dentist sample in Yazd between February 2020 and August 2020. 145 dentists were enrolled in the study. Human temperament and burnout levels were assessed by means of the Salmannejad temperament and Maslach Burnout Inventory questionnaires (MBI), respectively. In total, 120 valid questionnaires were collected, with a response rate of 82.76%. Data analysis was performed using descriptive statistics mean and standard deviation, Analytical tests (including chi-square test, multivariate analysis of variance) using Spss17 (Chicago, USA) software was done.Results: Among participants, 8.3% had high emotional exhaustion, 7.5% had depersonalization and 2.5% had reduced personal accomplishment. According to the results, 28.3% of dentists had warm-wet, 13.3% had warm-dry, 7.5% had cold-dry and 13.3% had cold-wet mizaj. The score of professional burnout in the area of emotional exhaustion had a positive correlation with job satisfaction. (P-value<0.05)Conclusion: Based on the findings, it is concluded, it may conclude professional burnout and job satisfaction had a negative significant correlation. No statistically significant relationship was seen between different mizaj and professional burnout among dentists.
Indoor Air Quality Improvement and Purification by Atmospheric Pressure Non-Thermal Plasma (NTP)
Authors: Asilevi Prince Junior , Boakye Patrick , Oduro-Kwarteng Sampson , Fei-Baffoe Bernard , Sokama-Neuyam Yen Adams
Published: August 2021

Non-thermal plasma (NTP) is a promising technology for the improvement of indoor air quality (IAQ) by removing volatile organic compounds (VOCs) through advanced oxidation process (AOP). In this paper, authors developed a laboratory scale dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) reactor which generates atmospheric NTP to study the removal of low-concentration formaldehyde (HCHO), a typical indoor air VOC in the built environment associated with cancer and leukemia, under different processing conditions. Strong ionization NTP was generated between the DBD electrodes by a pulse power zero-voltage switching flyback transformer (ZVS-FBT), which caused ionization of air molecules leading to active species formation to convert HCHO into carbon dioxide (CO2) and water vapor (H2O). The impact of key electrical and physical processing parameters i.e. discharge power (P), initial concentration (Cin), flow rate (F), and relative humidity (RH) which affect the formaldehyde removal efficiency (ɳ) were studied to determine optimum conditions. Results show that, the correlation coefficient (R²) of removal efficiency dependence on the processing parameters follow the order R² (F) = 0.99 > R² (RH) = 0.96, > R² (Cin) = 0.94> R² (P) = 0.93. The removal efficiency reached 98.45% under the optimum conditions of P=0.6 W, Cin=0.1 ppm, F=0.2 m3/h, and RH=65% with no secondary pollution. The study provided a theoretical and experimental basis for the application of DBD plasma for air purification in the built environment.
Gen X-Pert MTB/Rif Assay with the Ziehl Nielsen, and Florescence Microscopy Detection Rate of Urinary Tuberculosis Among Suspected and Pulmonary MTB Positive Patients Visiting University of Gondar Specialized Referral Hospital, Northwest Ethiopia.
Authors: Eshetie Dessie , Worku Minichil , Tigabu Abiye , Aynalem Melak , Berhane Nega
Published: August 2021

Background

Tuberculosis is a bacterial infection caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis remains a major global public health concern. Extra-pulmonary tuberculosis accounts for 15% of the global tuberculosis burden. Urinary tract tuberculosis is one of the most common and severe forms of extra-pulmonary tuberculosis in clinical practice. Diagnosis of urinary tract tuberculosis by Gen X-pert MTB/RIF assay from developing countries including Ethiopia is limited. Thus, this study was aimed to compare Gene X-pert MTB/RIF assay with the convectional diagnosis methods.
Methods

A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted among confirmed pulmonary tuberculosis and suspected for urinary tract tuberculosis patients at University of Gondar Specialized Referral Hospital from February 2020 to June 2020 G.C. Non-randomized purposive sampling technique was used to select study participants. To detect Mycobacterium tuberculosis, a urine sample was collected. Then, Ziehl Nielsen and fluorescence microscope, Gene X-pert Real-time PCR were performed to detect the Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Sociodemographic, clinical data, and laboratory data were collected and entered into EPI-Info version 3.5.3 and then transferred to SPSS version-20 for analysis. Descriptive statistics were summarized as percentages, means, and standard deviations.
Results

A total of 64 study participants were enrolled in this study, 64.2% (41/64) were males and 30% (19/64) were in the age group of 31–45 years. Moreover, 71.9% (46/64) and 57.8% (37/64) study participants were rural residences and illiterate respectively. Among the 64 study participants, 4.69% (3/64) were positive for urinary tuberculosis by Gene X-expert. However, 1.56% (1/64) was positive by fluorescence microscopy, and there was no urinary tuberculosis detected by Ziehl Nielsen examination method.
Conclusion and recommendation:

The prevalence of urinary tract Mycobacterium tuberculosis using Gene X-pert and fluorescence microscopy was 4.69% (3/64) and 1.56% (1/64), respectively. Gene X-pert has higher detection rate than the conventional methods. Therefore, it is better to develop a guideline on how to use Gen x-pert for the diagnosis for urinary tract tuberculosis in urine samples.
Equity of Health Resources Allocation in Rural Guangxi from 2016 to 2019: An Empirical Analysis
Authors: Huang Shangyuhui , Qi-ming FENG
Published: August 2021

Background: Since 2009, the main task of the new health reform in China is to increase the equity of health resources allocation in primary health care institutions. Health policies and strategies have been established to increase the capacity of PHC services, with improved equity as the most important goal. The objective of this study is to analyze the status quo and equity of health resources distribution in rural Guangxi from 2016 to 2019.Methods: Descriptive statistics analysis was used to analyze the status quo of health resource allocation in rural health center in Guangxi from 2016 to 2019. Lorenz curve, Gini coefficient and Theil index were used to evaluate the equity of health resource allocation in rural health center in Guangxi from 2016 to 2019, from three dimensions of population, geography and economy. Results: From 2016 to 2019, the total amount of health resources in rural health center in Guangxi was increased, but the professional title and education background of health workers is still low. In 2019, the Gini coefficient was 0.085-0.217 geographically, 0.080-0.367 demographically and 0.135-0.340 economically. The total Theil index was 013-0.211, and the majority of the contribution rate of within regions was greater than the between regions. Conclusion: From 2016 to 2019, the distribution of health resources in rural Guangxi was uneven among regions, and with great differences within regions.
Electron quantum path control in high harmonic generation via chirp variation of strong laser pulses
Authors: Petrakis Stylianos , Bakarezos Makis , Tatarakis Michael , Benis Emmanouil , Papadogiannis Nektarios
Published: August 2021

The quantum phases of the electron paths driven by an ultrafast laser in high harmonic generation in an atomic gas depends linearly on the instantaneous cycle-averaged laser intensity. Using high laser intensities, a complete single ionisation of the atomic gas may occur before the laser pulse peak. Therefore, high harmonic generation could be localized only in a temporal window at the leading edge of laser pulse envelope. Varying the laser frequency chirp of an intense ultrafast laser pulse, the centre, and the width of the temporal window, that the high harmonic generation phenomenon occurs, could be controlled with high accuracy. This way, both the duration and the phase of the electron trajectories, that generate efficiently high harmonics, is fully controlled. An accurate and robust method of spectral control and selection of the high harmonic extreme ultraviolet light from distinct quantum paths is experimentally demonstrated. Furthermore, a phenomenological numerical model enlightens the physical processes that take place. This novel approach of the electron quantum path selection via laser chirp is a simple and versatile way of controlling the time-spectral characteristics of the coherent extreme ultraviolet light with future applications in the fields of attosecond pulses and soft x-ray nano-imaging.
Self-collected gargle as a patient-friendly sample collection method for COVID-19 diagnosis in population context
Authors: Utama Revata , Hapsari Rebriarina , Puspitasari Iva , Sari Desvita , Hendrianingtyas Meita , Nurainy Neni
Published: August 2021

Scaling up SARS-CoV-2 testing and tracing continues to be plagued with limitation of sample collection method that requires trained healthcare workers to perform and cause discomfort to the patients. In response, we assessed the performance and user preference of gargle specimens for qRT-PCR based detection of SARS-CoV-2 in Indonesia. Inpatients who had recently been diagnosed with COVID-19 and outpatients who were about to perform qRT-PCR testing were asked to provide nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal (NPOP) swabs and self-collected gargle specimens. We demonstrated that self-collected gargle specimens can be an alternative specimen to detect SARS-CoV-2 and the viral RNA remained stable for 31 days on room temperature storage. The developed method was validated for use on multiple RNA extraction kit and commercially available COVID-19 RT-PCR kits. Our developed method achieved sensitivity of 91.38% when compared to paired NPOP swab specimens (Ct < 35) with 95.16% of patients prefer the self-collected gargle method.
Increased expression of Ectodysplasin A2 Receptor EDA2R is the most remarkable and ubiquitous aging-related transcriptional hallmark
Authors: Barbera Maria Chiara , Rito Laura Di , Guarrera Luca , Craparotta Ilaria , Vallerga Arianna , Romeo Margherita , Mapelli Sarah , Bolis Marco
Published: August 2021

We report that increased mRNA-expression of Ectodysplasin-A2-Receptor (EDA2R) is the most remarkable aging-associated transcriptional perturbation in humans, and that its induction is confirmed in murine-models of Hutchinson-Gilford progeria syndrome and in other species. Up-regulation of EDA2R occurs in all solid-tissues and is complemented by the progressive transcriptional increase of its ligand in bloodstream. Strengthening of EDA2R/EDA-A2 signaling may exacerbate inflammation in ageing individuals which might be prevented by EDA2R/EDA-A2 blockade.
Genome mapping and gene expression of NDP-sugar pathways in the giant duckweed Spirodela polyrhiza and its relevance for bioenergy
Authors: Pagliuso Debora , Navarro Bruno Viana , Grandis Adriana , Zerillo Marcelo M. , Lam Eric , Buckeridge Marcos Silveira
Published: August 2021

Duckweeds are fast-growing aquatic plants suitable for bioenergy due to fermentable-rich biomass with low lignin. The duckweed sub-families Lemnoideae and Wolffioideae are also distinguished by the distribution of two pectin classes (apiogalacturonan and xylogalacturonan), which seem to be related to their growing capacity and the starch content. The plant cell wall is built from pathways of nucleotide sugars syntheses that culminate in cell wall synthesis and deposition. Therefore, understanding these pathways through mapping the genes involved and their expression would be important to develop tools to improve bioenergy production. Here we used the available information of NDP-sugar metabolism to search for orthologous genes involved in the synthesis of cell wall polysaccharides in Spirodela polyrhiza . We detected 190 genes and mapped them onto the plant chromosomes . The genes were roughly arranged in groups according to their category: "Starch and sucrose metabolism," "Pectins," "Hemicelluloses," and "Cellulose." We followed the expression of thirty-eight of the orthologues’ transcripts – the higher expression being starch ( SBE ), pectin ( GAUT1, MUR, USP , and GER ), and mannan ( CSLA ) syntheses - corroborating the chemical composition of S. polyrhiza cell wall . We further investigated the carbohydrate metabolism pathways and discussed the implications of altering the NDP pathways for bioenergy and biorefinery. We conclude that S. polyrhiza displays suitable features for future genetic transformations leading to the adaptation of its cell wall for biofuels. However, such strategies will have to consider the trade-offs between fermentation and ethanol production benefits and the potential adverse effects of genetic transformation on plant growth and development.
Comparison of Different Procedures in a Combination of ab Interno Microhook Trabeculotomy and Cataract Surgery
Authors: Miura Yusaku , Fukuda Ken
Published: August 2021

Purpose. To compare the clinical outcomes of ab interno microhook trabeculotomy (µLOT) before and after cataract surgery for the combination of µLOT and cataract surgery. Methods. This retrospective case series included 24 eyes that underwent µLOT combined with cataract surgery at Kochi University Hospital. Groups 1 and 2 included eyes that underwent µLOT before and after cataract surgery (12 eyes each), respectively. The patient characteristics and clinical outcomes were also analyzed.Results. The mean preoperative intraocular pressure (IOP) in Groups 1 and 2 (25.3 ± 11.0 mmHg and 22.4 ± 10.5 mmHg) were reduced significantly to 14.5 ± 3.6 mmHg and 12.3 ± 3.0 mmHg, respectively, at 5–7 months postoperatively. The mean preoperative number of antiglaucoma medications in Groups 1 and 2 (4.3 ± 1.4 and 3.7 ± 1.5) had also decreased significantly to 2.7 ± 0.9 and 1.7 ± 1.6 at 5–7 months postoperatively. Postoperative hyphema with niveau formation was observed in five eyes in Group 2 (41.7%) but not in Group 1. Conclusion. For the combination of µLOT and cataract surgery, performing µLOT before cataract surgery may be less likely to result in postoperative hyphema with niveau.
Investigation of a novel nanothermite colloid based on CuO coated CNTs on the thermo-analytical characteristics of 1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazinane
Authors: elbeih ahmed
Published: August 2021

Nanothermite colloid is a promising field of research used to enhance the characteristics of energetic materials. In this study, pre-treated surfaces of multiwall-carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were catalysed to help the deposition of a metal and the coating process by copper (Cu) nanoscale layer through electroless deposition. The formed hybrids coated by Cu were treated at 250°C to form MWCNTs coated by CuO. Isopropyl alcohol was used to suspend the coated MWCNTs with aluminium nanoparticles (120 nm) in order to form nano thermite colloid by ultrasonic technique. The presence of CuO layer plays the role of an active oxidizer for the Aluminum nanoparticles. The obtained colloid was incorporated and dispersed in 1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazinane (RDX). The influence of colloid on RDX decomposition kinetic was evaluated using the isoconversional methods (modified Kissinger-Akahira-Sunose (KAS) methods). The mean value of apparent activation energy was reduced by 37.5 %. This dramatic change in RDX decomposition ascribed trait to the nano-thermite colloid reactivity and the facile integration of colloidal thermite particles with the RDX.
Problems affecting the effectiveness of the court authorities in Ukraine and the ways to solve them
Authors: Kulish A.M. , Sitalo Y.S.
Published: August 2021

The article deals with the main problems affecting the efficiency of the judiciary in Ukraine. The importance of studying this issue is proved in the paper, since justice in Ukraine is exercised exclusively by the courts, and therefore the efficiency of the judicial bodies is one of the factors for the proper fulfillment by the courts of their main task. The main reasons for inefficiency of the judicial bodies in Ukraine are listed and characterized, among them: dependence and influence on judges by the authorities, insufficient funding of the judicial authorities as a whole, overload of courts and insufficient number of judges, inefficiency of the mechanism of enforcement of judgments. The legislation that regulates this issue is analyzed and emphasis is placed on its imperfection in regulating, securing and improving the efficiency of the judiciary in Ukraine. The statistics of the European Court of Human Rights concerning Ukraine have been examined and it is stated that it is one of the leaders among the states against which this Court is considering cases. The decision of the European Court of Justice against Ukraine is analyzed and the most common ones are determined. The factors that influence the work of the judiciary are identified. The extent of influence on the judicial system both by public authorities and their officials and by the public has been investigated. The problem of insufficient financing of the needs of the judicial system is described, and its severity is emphasized. The problem of court overload has been highlighted, its main causes and consequences have been identified and found to be related to the lack of judges. An analysis of the issue of enforcement of court decisions was made, as well as its relevance and the need for a speedy solution. After analyzing and investigating all the above problems, the ways to solve them were suggested, and the conclusion of the study was made, which stated the relevance of these issues, the main problematic issues of the judiciary and emphasized the necessity of their comprehensive and deeper study in order to be further reformed and overcome.
Theoretical-legal analysis of the provisions of encouragement of civil servants
Authors: Seletskyi O.V.
Published: August 2021

One of the main factors for ensuring effective and honest work of civil servants is the formation of proper motivation and remuneration for the performance of tasks. Officials, along with other employees, strive public recognition of the results of their work. Encouragement of civil servants promotes the development of initiative, responsibility, confidence in their actions, a conscious attitude to work, mobilization to overcome difficulties and increase their credibility. Measures of material and moral support of civil servants help to realize the correct understanding of their labor obovyazkiv, helps to increase labor activity and improve the performance of the state body. The article analyzes the views of scholars on the interpretation of such a legal category as "encouragement". The provisions of the Law of Ukraine "On Civil Service" and bylaws regulating the grounds, types and procedure for applying incentives to civil servants are analyzed. It is established that the following types of incentives can be applied to civil servants: 1) announcement of gratitude; 2) awarding a diploma, a diploma, other departmental awards of a state body; 3) early assignment of the rank of civil servant; 4) presentation for awarding by government honors and awarding with a government award (congratulatory letter, thanks, diploma); 5) submission for state awards. The author proposes to expand the existing list of types of incentives for civil servants with such incentives as rewarding with a valuable gift and paying a bonus. The article also draws attention to the imperfections of the legal regulation of the procedure for applying certain types of incentives in the civil service. The author's definition of the term "encouragement of a civil servant" is proposed. It is concluded that the incentives for civil servants play an important role in enhancing their professional activities and are aimed at forming in them a conscientious attitude to work. However, some issues in this area still need significant refinement at the legislative level.
Current issues of decriminalization of goods smuggling considering the nature of the criminal offense
Authors: Puhach A.O. , Rubashchenko M.A.
Published: August 2021

The article is devoted to the investigation of the subject of crime under Article 201 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine, its amendment and their analysis. In particular, the subject of the crime was considered in the wording of the article, which was in force until January 17, 2012, and the sanction provided for in the article for committing the crime. The principal and direct target of smuggling in the past and current versions were considered and questions were raised as to the appropriateness of locating the crime with items such as cultural property, poisonous, potent, explosive substances, radioactive materials, weapons or ammunition (except for shotguns or ammunition) , parts of firearms, special technical means of silent obtaining information among those generic object who are called to defense relationship that provides business activity. The author has demonstrated why this issue did not arise in the previous version. In addition, a comparison of the decriminalized "goods smuggling" with its current version was considered with the articles of the Customs Code, which now provide for liability for "goods" smuggling, in particular - with the sanction of the article intended for committing an offense. In order to understand why the humanization of the act committed did not take place, despite the fact that the former crime was a customs offense, the nature of the criminal offense, developed in the practice of the European Court of Human Rights, whose decisions are recognized as a source of law in Ukraine, was analyzed. Particularly, attention was drawn to the Court's findings in case of Engel and Others v. The Netherlands, where the criteria for attributing the offense to criminal were elaborated. In addition, the case of Nadtochiy v. Ukraine was analyzed, in which the European Court of Human Rights founds out that the custom legislation of Ukraine contained a criminal offense by its nature It is analyzed sanction provided by the Customs Code through the prism of these criteria, it was concluded that the sanctions did not change. The author explores bill of returning goods in significant, large and particularly large amounts to the object of the Smuggling crime with the previous edition of this article, and the conclusion was drawn.
Application of multi-criteria decision analysis for investment strategies in the Indian equity market
Authors: Majumdar Sudipa , Puthiya Rashita , Bendarkar Nandan
Published: August 2021

In the Indian equity market, the Systematic Investment Plan (SIP) is the most popular strategy due to its convenience for disciplined investing regardless of market conditions. This study analyzes the excess returns of an extensive dataset of listed Indian companies from 2010 to 2019, along with a value-based version of the Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA), to identify top performing stocks, based on their sectors and market capitalization. The findings of the study provide empirical evidence of Value Averaging (VA) as a viable alternative strategy over SIP (also known as Dollar Cost Averaging or Rupee Cost Averaging) as 352 out of 359 companies yielded higher returns under VA. The superiority of the VA strategy over the SIP was particularly marked in the consumer goods, financial services and industrial manufacturing sectors, with a clear dominance of small cap companies. The results also show that risk factors for VA strategy play an important role and should be taken into account, rather than base investment decisions on excess returns alone. The efficiency scores of individual stocks provide important insights for mutual funds, financial brokers and individual investors in India.
Modelling and forecasting reservoir sedimentation of irrigation dams in the Guinea Savannah Ecological Zone of Ghana
Authors: Adongo Thomas Apusiga , Abagale Felix K. , Agyare Wilson A.
Published: August 2021

Effective management of reservoir sedimentation requires models that can predict sedimentation of the reservoirs. In this study, linear regression, non-linear exponential regression and artificial neural network models have been developed for the forecasting of annual storage capacity loss of reservoirs in the Guinea Savannah Ecological Zone (GSEZ) of Ghana. Annual rainfall, inflows, trap efficiency and reservoir age were input parameters for the models whilst the output parameter was the annual sediment volume in the reservoirs. Twenty (20) years of reservoirs data with 70% data used for model training and 30% used for validation. The ANN model, the feed-forward, back-propagation algorithm Multi-Layer Perceptron model structure which best captured the pattern in the annual sediment volumes retained in the reservoirs ranged from 4-6-1 at Karni to 4-12-1 at Tono. The linear and nonlinear exponential regression models revealed that annual sediment volume retention increased with all four (4) input parameters whilst the rate of sedimentation in the reservoirs is a decreasing function of time. All the three (3) models developed were noted to be efficient and suitable for forecasting annual sedimentation of the studied reservoirs with accuracies above 76%. Forecasted sedimentation up to year 2038 (2019–2038) using the developed models revealed the total storage capacities of the reservoirs to be lost ranged from 13.83 to 50.07%, with 50% of the small and medium reservoirs filled with sediment deposits if no sedimentation control measures are taken to curb the phenomenon.
Geophysical evaluation of geohydrokinetic properties of aquifer units in parts of Enugu state, Nigeria
Authors: Ibuot Johnson Cletus , Omeje Emmanuel Tochukwu , Obiora Daniel Nnemeka
Published: August 2021

Vertical electrical sounding employing Schlumberger electrode configuration was carried out in thirty locations across some parts of Enugu state, to investigate the hydrokinetic properties of hydrogeologic units of the study area. The result shows that resistivity and thickness of aquifer ranges from 27.3 to 59,569.0 Ωm and 23.3 to 242.1 m respectively. Permeability and fractional porosity values range from 4,531.254 to 74,006.76 mD and 0.026 to 0.159. AQI having a mean value of 13.5451 μm range from 6.809 to 52.976 μm. FZI and HFU values range from 37.582 to 1,962.074 μm and 18 to 26 respectively. Contour maps were generated from the results to visualize the variations of the hydrokinetic properties across the study area. From the contour maps, the southern part of the study area was identified to be characterized with high AQI, FZI and HFU with the northwestern part and a small proportion along the southwestern part identified as areas with low AQI, FZI and HFU. HFU along the study area was observed to be fractionated into nine distinct properties (HFU 18, HFU 19, HFU 20, HFU 21, HFU 22, HFU 23, HFU 24, HFU 25, and HFU 26) with HFU 19 and HFU 20 dominating the area. The results from the nine hydraulic flow units based on flow zone indicator cut off values (Log FZI>0.25) show that the reservoir quality is very high.
A new innovative method for model efficiency performance
Authors: Şen Zekâi , Şişman Eyüp , Kızılöz Burak
Published: August 2021

In every aspect of scientific research, model predictions need calibration and validation as their representativity of the record measurement. In the literature, there are a myriad of formulations, empirical expressions, algorithms and software for model efficiency assessment. In general, model predictions are curve fitting procedures with a set of assumptions that are not cared for sensitively in many studies, but only a single value comparison between the measurements and predictions is taken into consideration, and then the researcher makes the decision as for the model efficiency. Among the classical statistical efficiency formulations, the most widely used ones are bias (BI), mean square error (MSE), correlation coefficient (CC) and Nash-Sutcliffe efficiency (NSE) procedures, all of which are embedded within the visual inspection and numerical analysis (VINAM) square graph as measurements versus predictions scatter diagram. The VINAM provides a set of verbal interpretations and then numerical improvements embracing all the previous statistical efficiency formulations. The fundamental criterion in the VINAM is 1:1 (45°) main diagonal along which all visual, science philosophical, logical, rational and mathematical procedures boil down for model validation. The application of the VINAM approach is presented for artificial neural network (ANN) and adaptive network-based fuzzy inference system (ANFIS) model predictions.
Ferroin in dyes degradation by Fenton-like process: a chemical waste recycling perspective
Authors: Nunes William Bardelin , Dantas Renato Falcão , Fagnani Enelton
Published: August 2021

Published literature describes the formation of the Fe (II)–phenanthroline complex (ferroin) as a stop way for Fenton processes, reducing radical yield. By contrast, this study presents evidence that ferroin can be activated by UVA in mildly acidic media in a photo-Fenton-like process. Because ferroin is the main waste from total iron determination in environmental samples, a recycling approach is suggested. Based on the best practices of waste management planning, an application of the proposed method for treating another chemical waste is presented. Titrimetric ammonia determination waste containing 2.67 mg L−1 methyl red azo dye and 1.33 mg L−1 methylene blue was degraded using the optimized experimental conditions: pH = 5.2–5.4; [H2O2] = 310 mg L−1; [ferroin] = 1.4 mg L−1; temperature = 36 ± 1 °C; reaction time = 165 min under UVA irradiation. Attenuation of most intense spectroscopic bands for the dyes achieved 94% (510 nm) and 96% (665 nm) reduction for methyl red and methylene blue, respectively, with degradation of ferroin itself. The present work brings empirical evidence that is possible to recycle ferroin as photo-Fenton-like process catalyst, as well as determine the best conditions for providing less acidic treated effluents with negligible suspended solid concentration, better than that obtained from classical photo-Fenton processes.