bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Regulatory Functions of MicroRNAs in Cancer Pathogenesis
Authors: Maralani Mahafarin , Baradaran Behzad , Hajiasgharzadeh Khalil , Peeters Marc
Published: January 2021

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a large family of evolutionary conserved small non-coding RNA molecules that firstly discovered in 1993. They regulate gene expression of about 50% of protein-coding genes at the post-transcriptional level. MiRNAs can target numerous messenger RNAs and subsequent misexpression of them can affect many different signaling pathways. They are playing a pivotal role in cancer development by regulation of the genes expression which involved in the proliferation, survival, differentiation, apoptosis or metastasis of the cancer cells. Several treatment approaches such as inhibition of oncomiRs and restoration of tumor suppressor miRNAs have been established in certain types of cancers and some other miRNA-based strategies are in development for cancer prevention and treatment. Nowadays, cancer is the most important target of miRNA therapeutics and the specific mechanisms by which miRNA mediates cancer pathways needs more research and study
Comparing the Effectiveness of the Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation (TACS) and Ritalin on Symptoms of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in 7-14-Year-Old Children
Authors: Farokhzadi Farideh , Mohamadi Mohamad Reza , Khajevand Khosli Afsaneh , Akbarfahim Malahat , Ali Beigi Neda , Torabi Pegah
Published: January 2021

Several studies have been conducted on the effect of transcranial direct current stimulation on adult patients. But, in recent years, only a few studies have been carried out in children and teenagers because the aim of the present study was to compare the effectiveness of TACS and Ritalin in the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms. This interventional clinical trial study was performed on 62 children with ADHD who were referred to the private psychiatric clinic of children in Tehran. The children were randomly assigned to two coded groups based on a lottery so that they were enrolled in the TACS or the Ritalin group. A questionnaire child syndrome inventory (parental form) and integrated visual and auditory (IVA) test with a pretest and posttest design was used in this study. TACS therapy protocol was employed (3 days a week for eight weeks using alternating current stimulation at 10 Hz over two points on the prefrontal cortex: the anode centered over F3 [the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex] and the cathode over F4[the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex]). Results showed that the posttest scores of the TACS-treated group were higher than those of the Ritalin-treated group, and there was a significant difference between the areas of visual attention (visual vigilance, visual focus, Sustained attention visual) and response control visual and auditory prudence (P<0.05). Results indicated that TACS was more effective and more durable compared to Ritalin in reducing attention deficit, hyperactivity, and impulsivity.
Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma Gondii Infection among Young Couples in the Verge of Marriage in Yazd, 2017
Authors: Fattahi Bafghi Ali , Sadeghi Bakhi Samad , Eslami Gilda , Vakili Mahmoud
Published: January 2021

Introduction:  Toxoplasmosis is one of the most common causes of parasitic infections in humans and other warm-blooded vertebrates that have worldwide spread. The purpose of this study was to determine the mean level of anti-Toxoplasma gondii IgG, IgM in young couples in the verge of marriage attending marriage preparation programs in Yazd Counseling Center, 2017.
Methods: In this study, 200 couples, who referred to  Yazd Health Center were randomly selected. Samples were taken from the statistical populations and the presence of Toxoplasmosis infection was investigated in them. Later, the results were evaluated with specific IgM and IgG antibody kits and the data were analyzed by SPSS 18 software.
 Results:  Of a total of 200 Young Couples, 100 girls and 100 boys were studied, 25 girls (25%) showed positive results for IgG and 75 (75%) had negative results. In 6 boys (6%), IgM was positive and in 94 (94%) boys the results were negative. IgM was positive and negative in 4 (4%) and 96 (96%) girls, respectively. Regarding IgG, 12 (12%) and 88 (88%) girls showed positive and negative results, respectively. No significant relationship was found between hair loss (0.614), job (0.470), level of education (p = 0.488), blood group (p = 0.618), and p = 0.663.
Conclusions:  The prevalence of Toxoplasma infection is lower among young couples in the verge of marriage compared to similar studies. No significant relationship was observed in the main factors, such as keeping cats as pet; however, the prevalence of Toxoplasmosis infection was higher in people with lower education.
Is Traditional Chinese Medicine, “Radix Ilicis Pubescentis” Possible for Treating Cardiovascular Disease?
Authors: Law Siukan , Leung Albert Wingnang , Xu Chuanshan
Published: January 2021

The article's abstract is not available.
Effects of selected synthetic and biological insecticides on microbial population and microbial activities of soil samples
Authors: SEBİOMO Adewole
Published: January 2021

Modern agriculture depends upon the wide variety of natural and synthetically produced chemicals such insecticides, fungicides, herbicides and other pesticides This work studied the effect of synthetic and biological insecticides on microbial population and microbial activities in soil samples. The insecticides used in this study are cypermethrin, chloropyrifos, neem extracts and ginger extracts. Bacteria and fungi were isolated and identified from the soil samples. TBC, TCC and TFC were determined. Dehydrogenase activity, microbial respiration and microbial biomass carbon in the soil samples were also examined. The control soil samples recorded the highest TBC, TFC, TCC, dehydrogenase activity, microbial respiration and microbial biomass carbon. Soils treated with chloropyrifos recorded the lowest total coliform count of 0.10×105 ± 0.00 cfu/g, while cyperforce treated soils recorded the lowest total bacterial count of 0.58×105 ± 0.025cfu/g. Cyperforce treated soils had the lowest effect on CO2 respired in the soil with a value of 1687.50 ± 1.500 mg/kg. 500 g/ml Neem leaf extract had the highest microbial biomass carbon value of 9.40 ± 0.100 KgC/m2. This work has shown that treatment with both synthetic and bio-insecticides resulted in significant drop in microbial population and microbial activity of soil samples.
The effect of different tonsillectomy techniques on taste sensation in the early and late postoperative periods
Authors: EROL Zeynep Nur , TÜRK Bilge , SEYHUN Nurullah , CANKAYA Mahmut , ALTUNDAĞ Aytuğ , USLU Berna
Published: January 2021

Objectives: Impairment in taste sensation is a rare complication of tonsillectomy. We aimed to reveal the effects of different tonsillectomy techniques on taste sensation by assessing the impairment in taste sensation in the early and late postoperative periods. Methods: In this prospective clinical study, fifty-seven (22 females, 35 males, mean age, 25 ± 9.8 years) patients who underwent tonsillectomy were included. All patients were operated on under general anesthesia, and a chemical stimulation taste test was performed one week prior to the surgery, at first week and first month postoperatively. Four basic taste sensations were assessed in the test (sweet, sour, salty, and bitter), and impairments in taste sensation in the early and late postoperative periods for each tonsillectomy technique were evaluated.
Results: In the early postoperative period, there was a statistically significant increase bitter taste sensations in patients who underwent tonsillectomy (p = 0.020). In the late postoperative period, sour and bitter taste sensations were significantly increased in the patients (p = 0.001, p = 0.002; respectively). In contrast to the early postoperative period, total taste sensation was significantly increased in the late postoperative period (p = 0.034).
Conclusions: The bitter sensation in the early postoperative period and the bitter and sour sensations in late postoperative period were found to be significantly increased in this present study.With regard to these results, a thorough preoperative explanation should be done.
Selection of an optimal method for screening the collection of narrow-leaved lupine held by the Vavilov Institute for the qualitative and quantitative composition of seed alkaloids
Authors: Kushnareva A. V. , Shelengа Т. V. , Perchuk I. N. , Egorova G. P. , Malyshev L. L. , Kerv Yu. A. , Shavarda A. L. , Vishnyakova M. A.
Published: January 2021

Narrow-leaved lupine (Lupinus аngustifolius L.) is a widely cultivated leguminous forage and green manure crop with a potential for human nutrition. However, the presence of secondary metabolites – alkaloids – in lupine seeds considerably affects the quality of raw produce, reducing its nutritive value; in addition, high concentrations of alkaloids are toxic to humans and animals. Therefore, plant breeders working with lupine need to gain knowledge about the variability of alkaloid content in seeds of different genotypes and search for the sources of their low concentrations in the crop’s gene pool. The collection of narrow-leaved lupine genetic resources held by the N.I. Vavilov Institute of Plant Genetic Resources (VIR) offers wide opportunities for such search by means of mass screening. For its part, largescale gene pool screening requires the selection of an optimal technique to measure alkaloid content in seeds, so that it would be easily reproducible and as little labor-, time- and fund-consuming as possible. The results of the search for such method are presented. Qualitative and quantitative indices were compared when target compounds had been extracted with multicomponent mixtures and individual reagents (chloroform, methanol, etc.) and the extracts analyzed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. High-performance liquid chromatography combined with mass spectrometry was also employed. Five major alkaloids were found to be present in all types of extracts: lupanine, 13-hydroxylupanine (dominant ones), angustifoline, sparteine, and isolupanine. The fullest extraction of alkaloids was observed when the extractant with an added alkaline agent was used (425 mg/100 g). The lowest level of extraction was registered with chloroform (216 mg/100 g). The significance of the differences was confirmed statistically.
Candidate genes for productivity identified by genome-wide association study with indicators of class in the Russian meat merino sheep breed
Authors: Krivoruchko A. Y. , Yatsyk O. A. , Safaryan E. Y.
Published: January 2021

Genome-wide association studies allow identification of loci and polymorphisms associated with the formation of relevant phenotypes. When conducting a full genome analysis of sheep, particularly promising is the study of individuals with outstanding productivity indicators – exhibition animals, representatives of the super-elite class. The aim of this study was to identify new candidate genes for economically valuable traits based on the search for single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with belonging to different evaluation classes in rams of the Russian meat merino breed. Animal genotyping was performed using Ovine Infinium HD BeadChip 600K DNA, association search was performed using PLINK v. 1.07 software. Highly reliable associations were found between animals belonging to different evaluation classes and the frequency of occurrence of individual SNPs on chromosomes 2, 6, 10, 13, and 20. Most of the substitutions with high association reliability are concentrated on chromosome 10 in the region 10: 30859297–31873769. To search for candidate genes, 15 polymorphisms with the highest association reliability were selected (–log10(р) > 9). Determining the location of the analyzed SNPs relative to the latest annotation Oar_rambouillet_v1.0 allowed to identify 11 candidate genes presumably associated with the formation of a complex of phenotypic traits of animals in the exhibition group: RXFP2, ALOX5AP, MEDAG, OPN5, PRDM5, PTPRT, TRNAS-GGA, EEF1A1, FRY, ZBTB21-like, and B3GLCT-like. The listed genes encode proteins involved in the control of the cell cycle and DNA replication, regulation of cell proliferation and apoptosis, lipid and carbohydrate metabolism, the development of the inflammatory process and the work of circadian rhythms. Thus, the candidate genes under consideration can influence the formation of exterior features and productive qualities of sheep. However, further research is needed to confirm the influence of genes and determine the exact mechanisms for implementing this influence on the phenotype.
Impact of sex on the adaptation of adult mice to long consumption of sweet-fat diet
Authors: Bazhan N. M. , Iakovleva T. V. , Dubinina A. D. , Makarova E. N.
Published: January 2021

In rodents, the most adequate model of human diet-induced obesity is obesity caused by the consumption of a sweet-fat diet (SFD), which causes more pronounced adiposity in females than in males. The aim of this work was to determine the sex-associated effect of SFD on the expression of genes related to carbohydrate-lipid metabolism in adult mice. For 10 weeks, male and female С57Bl mice were fed a standard laboratory chow (Control group) or a diet, which consisted of laboratory chow supplemented with sweet cookies, sunflower seeds and lard (SFD group). Weights of body, liver and fat depots, blood concentrations of hormones and metabolites, liver fat, and mRNA levels of genes involved in regulation of energy metabolism in the liver, perigonadal and subcutaneous white adipose tissue (pgWAT, scWAT) and brown adipose tissue (BAT) were measured. SFD increased body weight and insulin resistance in mice of both sexes. Female mice that consumed SFD (SFD females) had a greater increase in adiposity than SFD males. SFD females showed a decreased expression of genes related to lipogenesis (Lpl) and glucose metabolism (G6pc, Pklr) in liver, as well as lipogenesis (Lpl, Slca4) and lipolysis (Lipe) in pgWAT, suggesting reduced energy expenditure. In contrast, SFD males showed increased lean mass gain, plasma insulin and FGF21 levels, expressions of Cpt1α gene in pgWAT and scWAT and Pklr gene in liver, suggesting enhanced lipid and glucose oxidation in these organs. Thus, in mice, there are sex-dependent differences in adaptation to SFD at the transcriptional level, which can help to explain higher adiposity in females under SFD consumtion.
Screening of West Siberian patients with primary congenital glaucoma for CYP1B1 gene mutations
Authors: Ivanoshchuk D. E. , Mikhailova S. V. , Fenkova O. G. , Shakhtshneider E. V. , Fursova A. Z. , Bychkov I. V. , Voevoda M. I.
Published: January 2021

Primary congenital glaucoma (PСG) is a visual organ pathology that leads to progressive blindness and poor vision in children. Its main cause is an anomaly of the anterior chamber angle. Most cases of PСG are sporadic, but familial cases with an autosomal recessive (predominantly) and autosomal dominant (rare) type of inheritance have been described. Congenital glaucoma is a rare condition (1 case per 10,000–20,000 newborns), but its prevalence is substantially higher (up to 1 case per 250 newborns) in countries where consanguineous marriages are common. Mutations in the CYP1B1 gene, which encodes cytochrome P450 1B1, are the most common cause of autosomal recessive primary congenital glaucoma. This enzyme is known to be involved in retinoic acid metabolism and is necessary for normal eye development. The aim of this work was to assess the polymorphism of the CYP1B1 gene among West Siberian patients with primary congenital glaucoma. Direct automatic Sanger sequencing of exons and adjacent splicing sites of the CYP1B1 gene was carried out in 28 people with the PCG phenotype from a West Siberian region. As a result, in the sample of the white population we examined, pathogenic variants previously described in other ethnic groups were revealed: E387K (rs55989760), R444* (rs377049098), R444Q (rs72549376), and P437L (rs56175199), as well as novel single-nucleotide deletion p.F114Lfs*38 in the CYP1B1 gene. The latter can cause a frame shift, changed amino acid composition, and a formation of truncated in the protein. None of the detected mutations were found in the control sample of ophthalmologically examined individuals without PCG (100 people). Variants R444* (rs377049098) and R444Q (rs72549376) were not found in the general population sample either (576 randomly selected West Siberia residents). All the detected mutations caused the development of the autosomal recessive form of primary congenital glaucoma. The most severe clinical phenotype was observed in carriers of mutations in codon 444 of the gene. Consequently, in children with signs of increased intraocular pressure, molecular genetic analysis of the CYP1B1 gene is advisable for early diagnosis and timely initiation of PCG therapy.
Тransplastomic tobacco plants producing the hydrophilic domain of the sheep pox virus coat protein L1R
Authors: Beisenov D. K. , Stanbekova G. E. , Iskakov B. K.
Published: January 2021

Sheep pox has a wide geographical range of distribution and poses a threat to sheep breeding worldwide, as the disease is highly contagious and is accompanied by large economic losses. Vaccines based on live attenuated virus strains are currently being used for prevention of this disease. Such vaccines are effective, but potentially dangerous because of the possible virus reversion to a pathogenic state. The development of safe recombinant subunit vaccines against sheep pox is very relevant. The high ploidy level of the plant chloroplasts makes it possible to obtain large quantities of foreign proteins. The purpose of this study was to create transplastomic Nicotiana tabacum plants producing one of the candidate vaccine proteins of sheep pox virus L1R. A vector containing a deletion variant of the SPPV_56 gene, which encodes the N-terminal hydrophilic part of the viral coat protein L1R, was constructed to transform tobacco plastids. It provides integration of the transgene into the trnG/trnfM region of the chloroplast tobacco genome by homologous recombination. Spectinomycin-resistant tobacco lines were obtained by biolistic gun-mediated genetic transformation. PCR analysis in the presence of gene-specific primers confirmed integration of the transgene into the plant genome. Subsequent Northern and Western blot analysis showed the gene expression at the transcriptional and translational levels. The recombinant protein yields reached up to 0.9 % of total soluble protein. The transplastomic plants displayed a growth retardation and pale green leaf color compared to the wild type, but they developed normally and produced seeds. Southern blot analysis showed heteroplasmy of the plastids in the obtained plants due to recombination events between native and introduced regulatory plastid DNA elements. The recombinant protein from plant tissue was purified using metal affinity chromatography. Future research will be focused on determining the potential of the chloroplast-produced protein to induce neutralizing antibodies against SPPV strains.
Effect of Different Levels and Time of Application of Paclobutrazol on Morphology, Yield and Yield Attributing Characters and Economics of Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.)
Authors: Lenka Subhrasini , Swain Susanta Kumar , Pradhan Kartik Chandra , Dhal Arabinda
Published: January 2021

Background: Groundnut is one of the most important oilseed crops of Odisha and grown in both in kharif and rabi-summer seasons. Because of excessive vegetative growth in kharif season, the yield potential is lower than rabi-summer resulting in low yield. Keeping this in view, an experiment was set up to investigate the effect of different concentration and time of paclobutrazol application on growth and yield of groundnut. Methods: A field experiment was conducted during kharif 2016 to 2018 at AICRP on Groundnut Research Farm, OUAT, Bhubaneswar, Odisha. The experiment was laid out in split plot design with different concentration of paclobutrazol in main plot and time of application in sub plot and replicated thrice. Recommended dose of 20:40:40 kg of N, P2O5 and K2O entirely applied as basal. Yield and yield attributing characters were taken at the time of harvest. Conclusion: Application of paclobutrazol at different concentration significantly reduced groundnut plant height and significant reduction was observed with application at 30 DAE. Among various yield attributing characters; pod/plant and pod yield increased significantly (24.6% and 27.4%, respectively) with application of paclobutrazol @ 100 ppm with higher benefit cost ratio of 1.97 and upto (8.4% and 17.5%) with application at 30 DAE.
From â€˜identityâ€™ to â€˜belongingâ€™ in social research: Plurality, social boundaries, and the politics of the self
Authors: Pfaff-Czarnecka Joanna
Published: January 2021

This text develops a theory of belonging critically building upon identity-research - while doing more justice to the dynamic nature of social constellations and to the multipositionality of social actors. The concept of â€˜belongingâ€™ is introduced as a combination of commonality, mutuality, and attachments. A vital opposition is made between the collective constellations of belonging and the individual navigations through multiple collective assemblages during the life course. It is argued that these navigations entail tackling manifold forms of boundary dynamics as collective belonging creates regimes that guard collectivities against the outsiders and also against the membersâ€™ attempts to abandon â€˜theirâ€™ collectivities. The analysis draws upon ethnicity research, immigration research and globalisation research, i.e. in fields where issues of belonging are as vital as they are challenged, and therefore, they are often politicized. Rather than taking a specific collective belonging for granted, e.g. ethnic, religious or national, this contribution addresses the situated nature of individual positionings, the possibility of combining different dimensions of belonging, and the necessity to belong together in contemporary societies.
Constructing gama or Å«r amidst inescapable ethno-national politics: Everyday experience of PÄnama people living on the Eastern coast of Sri Lanka
Authors: Piyarathne Anton
Published: January 2021

Despite the undertakings of the colonial administration which took into consideration the caste system in their census and gradually gave much prominence to creating ethno-religious categories through scientific enumerations and linked them with the political administration of the country and shaped by the majoritarian democratic model, the caste too survived in Sri Lanka. The formation and mobilisation of ethnoreligious political categories contributed towards creating an ethno-religious nationalism and multi-ethnic people engaged in a competition to obtain a better share of the post-independence state. This power competition eventually created victorious as well as defeated feelings within the communities, which were eventually translated to ethno-national tensions and conflicts in Sri Lanka. Against this backdrop research was conducted in the Eastern coastal area in general, and PÄnama in particular, suggested that people of rivalry ethnonational groups had developed traditional long-term connections and disconnections through caste lines which ultimately created a â€œcommunityâ€ identified as gama in (Sinhala) or Å«r (Tamil), with a social equilibrium. The ethnographic data collected in this village from 2010-2012 suggests that the people with Sinhala and Tamil ethnic origins (as discussed in todayâ€™s context) were linked (and delinked) in relation to religious, cultural, economic, social, and political norms. This aspect was ultimately instrumental in constructing one whole village or a system in which all can live. The village possessed several caste groups; namely, Goigama, VellÄlar, Baber, Dhobi (washerman), and Padu. The Goigama and VellÄlar caste were accepted as the castes commanding the highest status, while Barbers came in the second place followed by washermen in third and Padu taking the final place in the social structure of the village. The Goigama caste is part of the Sinhala social system, while VellÄlar belongs to the Tamil social system. Similarly, both the Barbers and Washermen represented Tamil social system, while the Padu group represents the Sinhala social system. To describe further, both the Sinhala and Tamil social systems had combined and created a hybrid unique system which included members from both the Sinhala and Tamil ethno-national groups, to construct a home or the village.
Development and peace in Sri Lanka: Entry points for social and economic policy formulation
Authors: Mayer Markus
Published: January 2021

This paper presents an analytical framework to understand key trends and dynamics impinging on peace and conflict dimensions within a country context. This framework can be applied at all stages, including in post-conflict contexts to inform policymakers and practitioners on programming interventions in support of sustainable conditions for peace. The paper then chooses for the context of Sri Lanka one crucial peace factor, that linked to socio-economic development and â€“ based on empirical consultations â€“ identifies a number of conflict risk as well as peace opportunities that can be unpacked through an inclusive and just development policy formulation.
Educating youth through sport: Understanding Pierre de Coubertinâ€™s legacy today
Authors: Nanayakkara Samantha
Published: January 2021

More than a century ago now, the founder of contemporary Olympics, Pierre de Coubertin emphasized the importance of educating youth through sport to create a better and peaceful world. This study aimed to find answer to the posed question, whether Coubertinâ€™s concept can indeed apply to the youth generation at present. Thus, this study examined the potentiality of Olympism as a powerful vehicle for teaching youths the life skills for conflict resolution and inculcating positive knowledge, attitudes, values and morals through the medium of physical education and sport. This study proposed a framework for developing a conflict resolution curriculum model through Olympism and tested it within a strongly ethnically polarized society in Sri Lanka. Introducing the concepts of Olympic values to the secondary school curriculum showed real promise in helping youth to acquire fundamental social skills and ethical values. It has contributed to the academic knowledge of the use of Olympism and has demonstrated how it might be used to strengthen the sport and education nexus and to improve young studentsâ€™ conflict resolution competencies.
Editorial
Authors: Lara José Edson
Published: January 2021

Prezado leitor,Ao primeiro minuto da década de 2020 estamos disponibilizando à comunidade científica a primeira edição da Revista Gestão Tecnologia. Trata-se do vol. 20, número 1.Confessamos que nos sentimos muito honrados e satisfeitos por esta performance. Afinal, estamos nos comunicando com este distinto colégio acadêmico e de executivos há 18 anos ininterruptos. Neste período foram 19 edições, 429 publicações, 1.125 autores e, conforme o Clustermaps, atualmente estamos até o dia 22/12/2019, 09:57 horas, no mês dezembro, com acesso em 59 países.
The influence of ownership concentration and export in a performance factor of publicly traded companies of B3.
Authors: Santos Camila Assunção , Pereira Vinicius Silva , Quiros Dannie Delanoy Carr , Penedo Antonio Sergio Torres
Published: January 2021

Multinational companies positively impact the growth of emerging countries and to the detriment of this, studies of how these companies operate and generate value is also growing positively in the academic field. Questions widely studied as performance and ownership concentration are now being evaluated in an international context performance. This is at the expense of high concentration is a common feature of developing countries such as Brazil, and due to export strategy occur due to the quest for increased performance and wealth maximization. In view of this, this study sought to determine the influence that the ownership concentration ally export has on a performance factor developed for this work. The results showed that the export relates U-shaped with the variable performance and interaction export-concentration showed a positive relationship with the variable of interest. As future work, it is suggested to add other internationalization variables to consider more ways to foreign entry.
Tools and techniques to mitigate communications failures in iot projects (internet of things) in area with smart irrigation in “sustainable farming”
Authors: Saez Parra Marcos Trevisan , Ferraz-Almeida Risely
Published: January 2021

A Internet das Coisas ou IoT promete revolucionar a forma como o mundo funciona, interconectando praticamente toda e qualquer tecnologia. A agricultura é um setor que está sendo afetado pela IoT devido a utilização de sistemas automatizados com a utilização de sensores. No entanto, ainda há desafios a serem superados, como: a gestão de comunicação entre os stakeholders. Nesse sentido, baseados em estudos que indicam a falta de comunicação entre os stakeholders como um dos maiores causadores de fracasso em projetos de IoT, uma hipótese foi levantada na qual a gestão de comunicação é limitada devido ao planejamento tradicional do uso de ferramentas oferecidas para otimizar e organizar o quadro complexo de stakeholders envolvidos na implantação deste tipo de projeto. O objetivo deste trabalho foi analisar um caso de implementação de um projeto na área de irrigação inteligente “Sustainable Farming” em plantações de arroz demonstrando sugestões e contribuições para a construção de um planejamento efetivo na gestão de comunicações. Resultados mostraram que com a utilização de ferramentas como matrizes de responsabilidade, avaliações dos stakeholders e planos de reuniões foram possíveis criar um plano de comunicações efetivo que consegue fazer com que todas as partes envolvidas, desde técnicas até de negócio, sejam comunicadas de forma eficiente para o sucesso do uso do IoT em áreas de irrigação inteligente.
Opinion mining framework applied to a social networks data for small and medium enterprises
Authors: Batista Huoston Rodrigues , Gaspar Marcos Antonio , Sassi Renato José
Published: January 2021

2) Objective: To present a framework for the mining of opinions that can be applied in the discovery of knowledge of the customers about to their experiences, based on unstructured data extracted from social networks, and that is applicable to the reality of small and medium enterprises.3) Methodology: This experimental research accessed data from the opinions of customers of four restaurants published in the social network TripAdvisor Brazil. The framework was based on the proposals formulated by Aranha (2007) and Feldman and Sanger (2007), techniques for Sentiment Analysis by Liu (2012) and Pang and Lee (2008) and Topic Modeling by Blei et al. (2012).4) Originality: The relevance consists in proposing a solution that is both accessible to SMEs and capable of processing opinions in Portuguese, something not very common in literature. Almost all similar applications in literature are dedicated to the English language.5) Main results: We highlight the generation of summaries and graphic visualizations that contribute to evidence knowledge about the relations between several expressions and terms that were not obvious. These allowed finding latent relationships between terms cited by different customers.6) Theoretical contributions: The methodological solution uses efficient and state-of-the-art techniques and methods to extract, process, and analyze customer opinions on the Internet quickly, efficiently, and economically.7) Social contributions: the framework developed presents an efficient, fast and economical way to mine data, presenting the results of the discovery of customer knowledge through the use of Sentiment Analysis and Topic Modeling techniques.
Descoberta de conhecimento em base de dados de absenteísmo trabalhista com uso de inteligência computacional
Authors: Ferreira Ricardo Pinto , Martiniano Andréa , Napolitano Domingos , Sassi Renato José
Published: January 2021

O objetivo deste artigo é aplicar inteligência computacional com técnicas de data mining para identificar através da tarefa de clusterização e classificação o perfil de empregados absenteístas e presenteístas, utilizando o algoritmo Density Based Spatial Clustering of Applications With Noise (DBSCAN) e Redes Neurais Artificiais (RNAs) na descoberta de conhecimento em base de dados. O Avanço da ciência computacional permite o processamento de grande quantidade de dados, o que motiva o estudo em questão, o termo data mining surgiu devido às semelhanças entre a procura de informação importante numa base de dados e o ato de minerar a montanha para encontrar um veio de ouro. Data mining é o elemento responsável pela extração eficiente do conhecimento implícito e útil contido em um banco de dados. O Absenteísmo é o não comparecimento ao trabalho, conforme o programado. No Presenteísmo há a presença do empregado no trabalho, ainda que doente, contudo, suas atividades são improdutivas. O algoritmo DBSCAN foi aplicado em data mining para clusterizar e a RNA foi aplicada para classificar níveis de perfis absenteístas e presenteístas. Os resultados apresentados mostraram que a aplicação das técnicas no data mining foi satisfatória, o que confirma a utilização das técnicas como uma opção a ser utilizada neste tipo de problema. A metodologia adotada na estruturação deste artigo foi definida como bibliográfica, exploratória e experimental.
Proposta de indicadores de respostas estratégicas às pressões institucionais para a sustentabilidade em empresas internacionalizadas
Authors: Dos Santos Maríndia Brachak , Scherer Flavia Luciane , Trindade Nathália Rigui , Piveta Maíra Nunes
Published: January 2021

Objetivo do estudo: Construir indicadores para a mensuração das respostas estratégicas às pressões institucionais para a sustentabilidade em empresas internacionalizadas do setor moveleiro.Metodologia/abordagem: O estudo foi realizado em duas etapas. A primeira etapa consistiu em uma pesquisa exploratória com abordagem qualitativa por meio de entrevistas com três empresas do setor moveleiro do Rio Grande do Sul. A etapa quantitativa foi concretizada por meio do método survey com o instrumento desenvolvido previamente. Os dados foram analisados a partir da análise fatorial exploratória.Originalidade/Relevância: Ao considerar a perspectiva institucional e a emergência e transversalidade das temáticas sustentabilidade e internacionalização, o estudo explora um gap teórico que tem despertado interesse de pesquisadores, oriundos de diferentes campos do saber.Principais resultados: Os resultados mostraram que o modelo testado se apresentou adequado estatisticamente para mensuração das cinco dimensões, originalmente propostas por Oliver (1991). As cinco dimensões supracitadas se encontram operacionalizadas em 15 variáveis observáveis, capazes de mensurar as respostas estratégicas às pressões institucionais para a sustentabilidade, as quais explicam 67,89% da variância total dos dados.Contribuições teóricas/metodológica: Contribui com a proposição e aplicação de um instrumento de pesquisa quantitativo para as respostas estratégicas às pressões institucionais para a sustentabilidade. De acordo com a literatura sobre o tema, os estudos que abordam a perspectiva das respostas estratégicas, propostas por Oliver (1991), são em sua maioria estudos qualitativos. Outra contribuição importante está na tentativa de relacionar construtos de uma forma ainda não abordada na literatura sobre internacionalização, evidenciando dois temas importantes (grau de internacionalização e sustentabilidade).
Relationship Between Urban Green Spaces and Cancer: A Scoping Review
Authors: Porcherie Marion , Linn Nyan , Roué Le Gall Anne , Thomas Marie-Florence , Faure Emmanuelle , Rican Stéphane , Simos Jean , Cantoreggi Nicola , Vaillant Zoé , Cambon Linda , Regnaux Jean-Philippe
Published: January 2021

This scoping study aims to explore the relationships between urban green spaces (UGSs) and cancer. We followed the PRISMA extension for scoping reviews (protocol published in 2018). Eligibility criteria for papers were: 1) to be concerned with UGSs, 2) reporting effects of UGSs on cancer-related outcomes including direct or indirect measures, 3) reporting randomized controlled trials, prospective cohort studies, case studies, observational studies, non-comparative studies, 4) in English or French. The search covered primary studies in the published and unpublished (grey) literatures searching by hand and electronic databases (MEDLINE, Green File, CINAHL and ScienceDirect). Among 1703 records screened by two reviewers independently, 29 were included for qualitative synthesis. We classify the cancers concerned and the effects reported i.e. protective effect, risk or without association. The most investigated cancers are bladder, breast and lung cancer. Our study also identified contributing factors and their mediating effects between UGSs and cancer. Results highlight the wide variety of possible mediating factors between the use of green spaces and cancer occurrence, remission and/or prevention. Knowledge gaps and future research perspectives should be oriented to qualitative research on protective factors, the role of mental health in recovering from cancer and health inequalities.
Pathological Characteristics of Severe Fever With Thrombocytopenia Syndrome (SFTS) Virus in a Patient Infected With Sfts Virus From a Sick Cat’s Bite
Authors: Tsuru Masatoshi , Suzuki Tadaki , Murakami Tomoyoshi , Matsui Kumiko , Maeda Yuuji , Yoshikawa Tomoki , Kurosu Takeshi , Shimojima Masayuki , Shimada Tomome , Hasegawa Hideki , Maeda Ken , Morikawa Shigeru , Saijo Masayuki
Published: January 2021

ABSTRACT: A woman in her 50s showed symptoms of fever, loss of appetite, vomiting, and general fatigue 2 days after she was bitten by a sick cat, which had later died, in Yamaguchi prefecture, western Japan, in June 2016. She subsequently died of multiorgan failure, and an autopsy was performed to determine the cause of death. However, the etiological pathogens were not quickly identified. The pathological features of the patient were retrospectively re-examined, and the pathology of the regional lymph node at the site of the cat bite was found to show necrotizing lymphadenitis with hemophagocytosis. The pathological features were noticed to be similar to those of patients reported to have severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS). Therefore, the lymph node section was retrospectively tested immunohistochemically for SFTSV antigen, which revealed the presence of SFTSV antigen. The sick cat also showed similar symptoms and laboratory findings similar to those shown in human SFTS cases. It is highly possible that the patient was infected with SFTSV through the sick cat’s bite. If a patient gets sick in an SFTS-endemic region after a cat bite, SFTS should be considered in the differential diagnosis.
Tribology of Polymer Blends PBT + PTFE
Authors: Georgescu Constantin , Deleanu Lorena , Chiper (Titire) Larisa , Ceoromila Alina Cantaragiu
Published: January 2021

This paper presents results on tribological characteristics for polymer blends made of polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). This blend is relatively new in research as PBT has restricted processability because of its processing temperature near the degradation one. Tests were done block-on-ring tribotester, in dry regime, the variables being the PTFE concentration (0%, 5%, 10% and 15%wt) and the sliding regime parameters (load: 1 N, 2.5 N and 5 N, the sliding speed: 0.25 m/s, 0.5 m/s and 0.75 m/s, and the sliding distance: 2500 m, 5000 m and 7500 m). Results are encouraging as PBT as neat polymer has very good tribological characteristics in terms of friction coefficient and wear rate. SEM investigation reveals a quite uniform dispersion of PTFE drops in the PBT matrix.
Reframing Water-Related Ecosystem Services Flows
Authors: Lin Jingyu , Huang Jinliang , Hadjikakou Michalis , Huang Yaling , Li Kun , Bryan Brett A.
Published: January 2021

To sustain water-dependent economic and socio-ecological systems, natural capital and its interactions with other capitals is gaining attention, but a clear understanding of how to manage natural capital sustainably and how to make decisions relevant to water-related ecosystem services is yet to be achieved. In this study, we extended the framing of water-related ecosystem service flows as a cycle, integrating water quantity and quality and capturing the flows of ecosystem services (i.e., green phase) and ecosystem disservices (i.e., red phase), and connecting natural capital, built capital, and beneficiaries. We applied this framework to the Jiulong River watershed in China, using hydrological models to model water quantity and quality based on historical observations and experimental data. Our results showed that, during the green phase, the interactions of natural capital and built capital significantly improved water quality in downstream areas with higher flows. During the red phase, built capital reduced ecosystem disservices by ~10% while natural capital further reduced it by over one half. Our framework can provide information for natural capital management, eco-compensation, and pollutant management relevant to water-related ecosystem services.
Future Approaches for Treating Chronic Myeloid Leukemia: CRISPR Therapy
Authors: Vuelta Elena , García-Tuñón Ignacio , Hernández-Carabias Patricia , Méndez Lucía , Sanchez-Martin Manuel
Published: January 2021

The constitutively active tyrosine kinase BCR/ABL1 oncogene plays a key role in human chronic myeloid leukemia development and disease maintenance, and determines most of the features of this leukemia. For this reason, tyrosine kinase inhibitors are the first-line treatment, offering most patients a life expectancy like that of an equivalent healthy person. However, since the oncogene is not destroyed, lifelong oral medication is essential, even though this trigger adverse effects in many patients. Furthermore, leukemic stem cells remain quiescent and resistance is observed in approximately 25% of patients. Thus, new therapeutic alternatives are still needed. In this scenario, the emergence of CRISPR technology can offer a definitive treatment based on its capacity to disrupt coding sequences. This review describes CML disease and the main advances in the genome-editing field by which it may be treated in the future.
The kinetics curve of nitrogen mineralization from perennial leaves litter decomposed by earthworm (Phretima californica)
Authors: Utami Kartika , Hanudin Eko , Nurudin Makruf
Published: January 2021

The kinetics of N release during the process of decomposition of organic matter is influenced by organic matter quality, temperature, humidity, and decomposer. Acacia, coffee, salacca, and bamboo leaf litter are native plants and be the pioneer plants on the slopes of Mount Merapi after the eruption in 2010. However, there is a lack of information on the N mineralization process from the leaves litter of acacia, coffee, salacca, and bamboo. The study aimed to determine the kinetics of N release from the litter leaves of acacia (Acacia decurrens), coffee, salacca, and bamboo, which were tested with three approaches, namely zero order, first order, and second order. The experiment was carried out using 10 Phretima californica earthworms that were incubated with 35g of annual plant leaves at 25°C. The levels of NH4+ and NO3- were measured at 0, 7, 15, 30, 45, 75, and 105 days after incubation by using the indophenol blue and derivative spectrophotometric method, respectively. Throughout the decomposition 105 days, the release of NO3- was higher than that of NH4+ due to the nature of NH4+ that was more easily immobilized than NO3-. The highest NO3- release in acacia litter (1.56 mg kg-1) occurred 30 days after incubation, while in coffee, salacca, and bamboo occurred 105 days after incubation, reaching 1.92 mg kg-1, 2.47 mg kg-1, and 1.88 mg kg-1, respectively. High N compound on the leaves litter unaffected to increasing total biomass earthworms in the end of incubation however promotes N mineralization rapidly. The kinetics of the second-order equation showed higher compatibility than the other equations to the N release with coefficient determination was higher. The kinetics of mineralization can be a strategy to use the leaves litter of perennial plants as sources of N nutrient input into soil.
Changes in the international monetary system: opportunities and risks for the US dollar
Authors:   University of Wroclaw, Sielska Alicja
Published: January 2021

In the 1940s, the US dollar was established as an international currency. Since then, its position has been practically unchallenged. However, in light of the financial crisis of 2008, the strengthening of the Chinese and European economies, and the COVID-19 pandemic, it is necessary to reflect on the future balance of power in the international monetary system. To this end, this article poses the following research question: is the US dollar facing a threat to its leading position in the global arena? First, I describe the historical currency system and the position of the dollar after the 2008 crisis; next I analyze the pandemic up through the end of June 2020. Then, I consider three possible scenarios for the dollar. First, it is possible to create a new global currency which would consist of a basket of the five most important world currencies. The second option is to replace the dollar with another currency, especially the euro or the renminbi. The third and most probable scenario is the compresence of several competing national currencies in international trade. Abandoning the dollar is possible, but it would require significant financial and institutional changes. This means that in the absence of any easy solutions for dethroning the US currency, it will remain the world’s leading currency.
Modelling the factors influencing migration processes in the European Union
Authors:   Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Hrysenko Maryna , Pryiatelchuk Olena ,   Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv
Published: January 2021

The countries of the European Union have traditionally been actively involved in the processes of international labour migration. Given the existence of a general strategy for regulating these processes, there are significant differences in the mechanisms of their implementation in the context of individual national business environments. This research identifies the factors influencing the formation of volumes, directions, and structure of the system of migration flows in the European region based on the conducted economic and mathematical modelling. Thus, it is possible to state the fact of exclusively economic reasons for labour migration. The social factor, represented by the size of wages, is derived from the economic one and has a secondary impact. The environmental factor does not affect the intensification of migration processes. The basic factors in determining the current migration policy of the EU are the general situation on the world labour market, the state of socio-economic development of the region, the structure of domestic production and consumption in individual countries. An additional factor influencing today is the nature of the crisis, the cause of which is not economic and financial, but medical and social one. Given the sustainability of the factors of influence, it is possible to predict changes in the main trends of international labour migration in connection with the COVID-19 pandemic. The consequences are not only a change in migration policy within the region, but also a strategy to attract external migrants from donor countries and the development of a special system for managing migration processes in the new environment.