bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Legitimacy of democracy in the works by Max Weber and Сarl Schmitt
Authors:   North-West Institute of Management. Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration (RANEPA), Kirilenko Viktor P. , Alekseev Georgij V. ,   North-West Institute of Management. Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration (RANEPA)
Published: December 2020

Identification of political regime’s legality and legitimacy by the German lawyer Carl Schmitt seems to be an attempt to solve the problem of unjust laws which is close to the idea of legitimate domination stated by Max Weber. Popularity of the legitimacy paradigm within the framework of political and legal discourse on its way towards the provision of rational government is often associated with an underestimation of democratic charisma’s role in legitimation when it is compared to the legal bureaucratic justification of government. Noting the fact that rationality is the most important and at the same time the least reasoned part of Max Weber’s social theory, we need to assess the potential of the bureaucracy in securing the ideals of the rule of law with an extreme caution. If Carl Schmitt’s position on the relationship between legality and legitimacy changed along with the development of political events of the 20th century, the ideas of Max Weber were modified during the translations of his works from German and gave to legitimacy deep textbook value. Decrease in chances of unjust law’s application requires certain legal culture that allows not only to question any formal prescription of the law and to test it for legitimacy, but also gives an opportunity to assess the legality of any democratic decision before it is implemented. Understanding the legitimacy of democracy depends largely on the ideology that dominates society, and the legal culture of the person that assesses the political regime. It is obvious in the context of political mistakes made during the first half of the twentieth century that the danger of underestimating the threats to the rule of law, originating both from illegitimate authorities and from unlawful political decisions. Historical experience underscores the need for a broad understanding of the rule of law state (Rechtsstaat) in a modern democracy, which simultaneously protects the formal legality and legitimacy of the political regime.
The evolution of the budgetary legislation of China
Authors:   St. Petersburg State University, Trofimov Al'bert A.
Published: December 2020

The article deals with the history of the development of the budget legislation of the People’s Republic of China from its inception to the present day. The author on the basis of the study of domestic and foreign literature of legal, economic, historical nature traces the main trends in the development of legal regulation in this area, defines the features of the budget system of China at different stages of its functioning, the specifics of legal regulation. Much attention of the Chinese legislator remains for such issues as the formation and spending of extrabudgetary funds, the implementation of transfer payments from the Central budget to local budgets, ensuring the openness and transparency of the budget system of China. A special place in this regard is occupied by the formation and improvement of the structure of the budget system of the PRC, consisting of various types of budgets. Until now, many issues remain unresolved, in particular, the legal provision of effective control over the expenditure of public finance, ensuring the effectiveness and efficiency of spending, treasury budget execution. The successful nature of China’s economic development in recent decades, as well as the related problems PRC faces, have made it necessary to establish special rules in the Budget law aimed at regulating public debts, primarily by local governments, rules for public procurement, specific offences and measures of legal responsibility for violation of the relevant statutes. The distinctive features of the budget legal regulation of the People’s Republic of China is that there is no budget code; there is the predominant share of by-laws adopted by the Central and local governments, ministries, departments; there are lot of pilot projects before the introduction of new norms in the territory of the whole state. The article is accompanied by a translation from Chinese into Russian of the text of the current Budget Law of the People’s Republic of China.
Translation of Intensity in Political Discourse
Authors:   Comparative Linguistics department of the National University of Uzbekistan named after Mirzo Ulugbek, Siddikova Iroda ,   Tashkent, Uzbekistan, Zubareva Nadejda ,   Comparative Linguistics department of the National University of Uzbekistan named after Mirzo Ulugbek; Tashkent, Uzbekistan
Published: December 2020

The political discourse is one of the most dramatic and emotionally expressed types of discourse where intensity could be considered as the means of implementation of pragmatic potential. The preservation of pragmatics of intensifying units as part political discourse while translating them serves to the adequate transformation of the communicative intention of the author and as a result, leads to the achievement of the corresponding communicative effect in the target language. This paper examines ways of translating intensification in the political discourse. Three types of methods for implementing intensification in translation have been discussed: (1) the explicit expression of intensification, (2) the creation of intensity in translation, and (3) the reduction in the intensity of expressions. The results of the study show that not every equivalent translation is recognized as adequate, but only one that meets, in addition to the norm of equivalence, other regulatory requirements.
Narratives of Epidemics: Topsy-turvy Conditions of Humans and Quest for Existence
Authors:   Department of English, College of Arts, University of Bisha, Saudi Arabia., Adel Abdel-Fattah M. , Al-Moghales Mashhoor Abdu , Ahmad Suhail ,   College of Arts, University of Bisha, Saudi Arabia and Taiz University, Yemen.
Published: December 2020

Corpus of literature is replete with works that feature pandemics as central themes. As a response to diseases outbreaks, fiction writers portray the human condition and the shifts in human behaviour at these crucial junctures of human history. Plot structure and characterization accounts for the void –both within and without—: prevailing chaos, crumbling social structures, undermining of religious values, and Government’s apathy. Based on such themes, this paper examines, from Deterministic and Existentialistic perspectives, three representative fictions written in the 21st century: Reina James’s This Time of Dying (2006) on the deadly influenza of 1918, Amir Taj Elsir’s Ebola ’76 (2012) on the outbreak of Ebola in 1976, and Karen Maitland’s The Plague Charmer (2016) on the plague of 1361. The findings include: (a) the novels predict the contemporary society with their resonance of apocalyptic images and preventive measures, (b) they manifest ontological shifts as the orthodox worldviews are jolted, and (c) fictional and personal narratives are not less important than historical records on health in quest for existence.
Two Oils, One Evil: an Appraisal of Contemporary Dilemma of the Indigenous Population of Nigeria’s Oil-Delta Communities, 1956-2019
Authors:   Department of History & International Studies, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria., Ukaogo Victor O. , Ogechi Nwakuya Cecilia ,   Careers Unit (Registry Department), University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria.
Published: December 2020

This study examines the processes of economic transition and the corresponding impact on the Niger-Delta communities. It argues that the region has witnessed several epochs of economic transition; all of which came with damning consequences. While the major focus of the study is the change from palm oil to crude oil (two oils), the study explores the curious linkage between economic transitions, contemporary poverty and environmental violence in the region (one evil). The integration of the region into the vortex of oil globalization has paradoxically and inversely increased the poverty amongst the rural poor. The study argues that while the ‘oily debacle’ yield endless violence against the indigenous population, issues of environmental governance exacerbates. This is evidenced in the government’s militarized mediation strategies that worsen the prospects of peace in the enclave. Typical of ‘resource curse’ philosophy, the wealth from crude oil that should improve the lot of the rural poor has directly shut them out of the expected benefits of oil extraction. The study investigates and avers that the unholy alliance between the State and global capital is a challenge and concludes that capitalist exploitation of the region on account of crude oil explains the contemporary dilemma of the indigenous population.
Hegemony, Exclusion and Equivocal Identities: Reflections on Israel’s Arab Minority in Sayed Kashua’s Dancing Arabs
Authors:   ICSSR Doctoral Fellow, Dept. English, Bharathiar University, Soman Neha
Published: December 2020

Social consciousness forms in allegiance with the moral and political hegemonic power structures. Gramsci’s organic ideology defines this condition of hegemonic system where societal leadership is practised by the dominant class. With the emergence of cultural studies the prevailing hegemonic discourses are challenged, but defining liminality in this spectrum is still an ongoing process. In this context, the essay aims to demarcate the problematic aspects of personal and national identities against the hegemonic power structures, specifically with the case of the Arab minority in the State of Israel. Apart from the fundamental facets of hegemony, the aberrant conflict between nationalism and citizenship emerging from Israel’s legitimacy as a Jewish democratic State, places the Arab Israeli identity in question. These arguments are validated through the fictional life narrative of Israel’s prominent Arab writer Sayed Kashua. His novel Dancing Arabs (2002) recapitulates the reality of being an Arab in Israel. The impeccable representation of identities in question hinges the repercussions of hegemony and social exclusion on both subjective and national levels. Standing on the critical platforms of Gramsci’s political theory of “hegemony” and Stuart Hall’s cultural theory of “identity”, the text is closely read as an artefact of resistance with emphasis on personal, political and philosophical discourses on the identity of the Arab minority in Israel. The essay traverses through the ethnocentric status of Israel’s social structure which disorders the recognition of Arab identity and identifies the conflict as a potential hindrance to peaceful coexistence in Israel’s near future.
Post-nationalism and Recollecting the Nigerian Civil War Memories through Hero Beer Brands Marketing in Igboland, Southeast Nigeria
Authors:   History and International Studies, University of Nigeria, Nsukka., Muoh Obinna U. , Okonkwo Uche Uwaezuoke ,   History and International Studies, University of Nigeria, Nsukka.
Published: December 2020

Since the failed attempt at secession from Nigeria in 1970, after a 30-month civil war, the Igbo ethnic nationality—who constituted the majority of the defunct Biafra Republic, have sought avenues to (re)create the memories of the short-lived country.In the political space, they attempted establishing Ohaneze Ndigbo—as an umbrella socio-political organization for recreating and projecting the Igbo agenda. This, to a large extent, has not achieved the desired objectives. Not surprisingly, militia groups have sprung up since 1999 when an Igbo failed to secure Presidential race ticket to agitate the actualization of the sovereign state of Biafra. These groups include Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB), and recently the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). However, pop circle provided the much needed social space for Biafra nostalgic displays. In 2012, Hero Beer advert better known as O Mpa, a coined greeting style by Onitsha people for great achievers with reference to Ojukwu father figure in the Biafran struggle was launched. This study examines the nexus between beer advertorials and ethnic identity using the Igbo example. It argues that the advertorials successfully permeated into the psychology of Igbo beer drinkers, who attached ethnic connections to them and appropriated them as theirs, using the brands to recreate the memories of Biafran struggle of Independence from 1967-1970.
The bases and methodology of deep ecology
Authors: Bombik Mieczysław
Published: December 2020

The article includes the semantic analysis of basic terms and language phrases and synthetic depiction of following problems: the reformist organization of environmental protection, the sources of deep ecology, the basic theses of deep ecology, the political suggestions for solutions of environmental protection crisis, the organizational structures of deep ecology.
GLOSA DO WYROKU TRYBUNAŁU KONSTYTUCYJNEGO Z 10 LIPCA 2019 R., K 3/16 DOTYCZĄCEGO MAKSYMALNEGO TERMINU STOSOWANIA TYMCZASOWEGO ARESZTOWANIA W POSTĘPOWANIU KARNYM
Authors: Kluza Jan
Published: December 2020

10 lipca 2019 r. Trybunał Konstytucyjny wydał wyrok w sprawie z wniosku Rzecznika Praw Obywatelskich o zbadanie zgodności z Konstytucją dwóch przepisów kodeksu postępowania karnego dotyczących stosowania tymczasowego aresztowania. Trybunał w swoim rozstrzygnięciu orzekł o zgodności przepisu art. 263 § 7 kodeksu postępowania karnego, w zakresie, w jakim nie przewiduje on maksymalnego terminu, na jaki można przedłużyć stosowanie tego środka, a w pozostałym zakresie umorzył postępowanie. Powyższy wyrok co do zasady ocenić należy jako słuszny, a z racji jego znaczenia dla praktyki wymiaru sprawiedliwości wymaga on bliższego przedstawienia.
O TUNIKACH Z DŁUGIM RĘKAWEM; O TYM, ŻE NOSZENIE ICH PUBLIUS AFRICANUS ZARZUCIŁ SULPICIUSOWI GALLUSOWI. AULUS GELLIUS, ‘NOCE ATTYCKIE’ 6,12 TEKST – TŁUMACZENIE – KOMENTARZ
Authors: Tarwacka Anna
Published: December 2020

O TUNIKACH Z DŁUGIM RĘKAWEM; O TYM, ŻE NOSZENIE ICH PUBLIUS AFRICANUS ZARZUCIŁ SULPICIUSOWI GALLUSOWI. AULUS GELLIUS, ‘NOCE ATTYCKIE’ 6,12TEKST – TŁUMACZENIE – KOMENTARZ
NIELETNI JAKO SPRAWCY PRZESTĘPSTWA KRADZIEŻY TOŻSAMOŚCI W POLSCE – WYBRANE ASPEKTY KRYMINOLOGICZNE
Authors: Stachelska Aleksandra
Published: December 2020

Przestępstwo kradzieży tożsamości coraz częściej podnoszone jest w mediach jako zagrożenie XXI wieku. Do tej pory naukowcy w Polsce zajmowali się badaniem form kryminalizacji oraz fenomenem zjawiska wśród dorosłych. Z racji dynamicznego rozwoju w ostatnich latach nowych technologii, które wydają się determinantem wzrostu zagrożenia omawianym przestępstwem oraz najwyższym udziałem młodych użytkowników w korzystaniu z efektów nowych technologii, autorka postanowiła przyjrzeć się zjawisku wśród osób nieletnich.

Artykuł opisuje wybrane aspekty kryminologiczne, podejmując próbę ukazania na podstawie statystyk sądowych fenomenu zjawiska kradzieży tożsamości wśród nieletnich oraz możliwości zapobiegania i zwalczania tego przestępstwa. W opracowaniu nierzadko informacje dotyczące nieletnich konfrontowane są ze zjawiskiem występującym wśród osób dorosłych, co wzbogaciło ocenę sytuacji kradzieży tożsamości popełnianej przez nieletnich w Polsce.
POZYCJA WSPÓŁPRACOWNIKÓW BANKU (DORADCÓW) JAKO POŚREDNIKÓW W OFEROWANIU OBLIGACJI KORPORACYJNYCH NA PRZYKŁADZIE SPRAWY GETBACK
Authors: Zapadka Piotr
Published: December 2020

Przedmiotem niniejszego artykułu jest analiza w zakresie prawnego charakteru czynności wykonywanych przez współpracowników jednego z banków krajowych, tj. osób współpracujących z bankiem (doradców) na podstawie umowy o współpracy, na rzecz klientów tego banku w związku z niepubliczną ofertą nabycia obligacji GetBack S.A. z siedzibą w Warszawie. Metodologia badania – przyjętą metodologią jest metodologia normatywno-dogmatyczna. Wynik – wynikiem badań jest wykonanie wykładni prawnej w zakresie badanego zagadnienia. Oryginalność/Wartość – tematyka ta jest o tyle istotna, gdyż poza znaną medialnie sprawą osób poszkodowanych w wyniku emisji obligacji GetBack S.A., dotyczy ona pozycji prawnej współpracowników banku (doradców) – jako uczestniczących w oferowaniu tego rodzajupapierów wartościowych na rzecz swoich klientów – która to pozycjaprawna rodzi wiele wątpliwości interpretacyjnych.
Selenium Nanoparticles in Folate-Targeted Delivery of the pCMV-Luc DNA Reporter Gene
Authors: Maiyo Fiona C. , Mbatha Londiwe S. , Singh Moganavelli
Published: December 2020

Background:

Selenium, an essential micronutrient, has been studied for decades for its
anticancer properties. Selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) have now emerged as an interesting alternative
for drug and gene delivery.

Aims:

We aimed to demonstrate in proof of principle, the potential use of SeNPs in targeted pCMVLuc
DNA (pDNA) delivery in vitro.

Objectives:

To chemically synthesize, characterize and evaluate the transgene expression of functionalized SeNPs in five
human cell lines.

Methods:

SeNPs were synthesized via chemical reduction, coated with chitosan (Ch) and a targeting
moiety, folic acid (FA). All nanoparticles were characterized by transmission electron microscopy
(TEM), nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA), UV-vis and Fourier transform infra-red (FTIR) spectroscopy.
Nanoparticle:pDNA interactions were assessed using the electrophoretic mobility shift, dye
displacement and nuclease protection assays. The MTT and Luciferase reporter gene assays were
used to determine cytotoxicity and transgene expression, respectively, in the human colorectal adenocarcinoma
(HT-29 and Caco-2), breast adenocarcinoma (MCF-7), oral epidermoid/cervical carcinoma
contaminant (KB) and the embryonic kidney (HEK293) cells.

Results:

Homogenous nanoparticles of 60-70 nm were able to successfully bind, compact and protect the pDNA from
enzyme digestion. Low cytotoxicity was observed in all cells, except for the MCF-7 cells, which could be attributed to
apoptosis and necrosis. Luciferase gene expression was highest for the targeted nanocomplexes in the folate-receptor rich
KB cell line, confirming nanocomplex uptake through folate receptor-mediated endocytosis.

Conclusion:

This study opens a new avenue for synergistic treatment of cancer, combining selenium’s
bioactivity and its carrier potential for therapeutic gene delivery.
Synthetic Spirocyclohexadienones as New Anti-Migratory Compounds in Triple- Negative Breast Cancer Cell Migration
Authors: Altei Wanessa F. , Pachane Bianca C. , Martins Lucimara J. , Gomes Ralph C. , Santos Ricardo N. , Fernandes Daniara C. , Selistre-de-Araújo Heloisa S. , Coelho Fernando , Andricopulo Adriano D.
Published: December 2020

Background:

Triple-negative BC is the most aggressive type of breast cancer and its lack of
responsiveness to conventional therapies requires screening of new chemical entities. Anti-migratory compounds
are promising to treat metastatic cancer since they inhibit one of the main steps of the metastatic cascade.
Spirocyclic compounds are non-conventional structures used as building blocks for the synthesis of biologically
active molecules and considered interesting structures in the search for new targets in cancer research.

Objective:

Here we evaluated the potential of eight synthetic spirocyclohexadienones as cell migration inhibitors.

Methods:

The anti-migratory ability of compounds was tested by wound healing and Boyden chamber
approaches. Experiments in tubulin were performed by fluorescence and tubulin polymerization techniques.
Finally, compounds were submitted to cell proliferation inhibition and flow cytometry assays to explore the
mechanism by which they inhibit cell migration.

Results:

Four compounds inhibited cell migration significantly. Analogs containing the 3,4,5-trimethoxyphenil
ring at R1 position were the most potent and, thus, selected for additional experiments. Tubulin polymerization
and fluorescence assays highlighted a possible binding of spirocyclohexadienones in the colchicine binding site;
however, these compounds did not affect the cell cycle to the same extent as colchicine. Cell proliferation was
affected and, notably, the most potent analogs induced apoptosis of tumor cells, suggesting a different
mechanism by which they inhibit cell migration.

Conclusion:

We presented, for the first time, a series of eight synthetic spirocyclohexadienones with the ability
to inhibit TNBC cell migration. These compounds represent a new category to be explored as anticancer agents.
The Role of Folate-supplementation in Depression: A Narrative Review
Authors: Falade Joshua , Onaolapo Adejoke Y. , Onaolapo Olakunle J.
Published: December 2020

Background:

There is a relationship between the etiology and management of clinical depression and vitamin deficiencies.

Aim:

To review the effect of dietary folic acid supplementation on cause, severity and treatment of
depression.

Methods:

A narrative review of empirical and theoretical literature on the effect of folic acid supplementation on the se-verity and treatment outcomes of depression.

Result:

Many enzymes and neurotransmitters depend on folic acid for optimal functions. The
monoamine hypothesis of depression confirms the depletion of serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine.
The systemic level of methyl folate is dependent upon the enzyme methylenetetrahydrofolate
reductase [MTHFR], which is encoded by a polymorphic gene [C677T-MTHFR], as well as
being dependent on dietary folic acid intake. However, folate has procarcinogenic properties because
its coenzymes are involved in de novo purine and thymine nucleotide biosynthesis. Besides,
folate deficiency in normal tissues may also predispose to neoplastic transformation, while folate
supplementation may suppress the development of tumors in normal tissues. Epidemiological
studies revealed that low folate status is associated with depression; especially in terms of severity
and the outcome of antidepressant use.

Conclusion:

The role of folic acid in the etiology and the management of depression cannot be
overemphasized. Folate supplementation has been yielding positive results in the management of
depression.
Suppression of Timing Variations due to Random Dopant Fluctuation by Back-gate Bias in a Nanometer CMOS Inverter
Authors: Zhang Kai , Lu Weifeng , Si Peng , Zhao Zhifeng , Yu Tianyu
Published: December 2020

Background:

In state-of-the-art nanometer metal-oxide-semiconductor-field-effect- transistors
(MOSFETs), optimization of timing characteristic is one of the major concerns in the design
of modern digital integrated circuits.

Objective:

This study proposes an effective back-gate-biasing technique to comprehensively investigate
the timing and its variation due to random dopant fluctuation (RDF) employing Monte Carlo
methodology.

Methods:

To analyze RDF-induced timing variation in a 22-nm complementary metal-oxide semiconductor
(CMOS) inverter, an ensemble of 1000 different samples of channel-doping for negative
metal-oxide semiconductor (NMOS) and positive metal-oxide semiconductor (PMOS) was reproduced
and the input/output curves were measured. Since back-gate bias is technology dependent, we
present in parallel results with and without VBG.

Results:

It is found that the suppression of RDF-induced timing variations can be achieved by appropriately
adopting back-gate voltage (VBG) through measurements and detailed Monte Carlo simulations.
Consequently, the timing parameters and their variations are reduced and, moreover they are
also insensitive to channel doping with back-gate bias.

Conclusion:

Circuit designers can appropriately use back-gate bias to minimize timing variations
and improve the performance of CMOS integrated circuits.
EEG Correlates of Cognitive Functions and Neuropsychiatric Disorders: A Review of Oscillatory Activity and Neural Synchrony Abnormalities
Authors: Amidfar Meysam , Kim Yong-Ku
Published: December 2020

Background:

A large body of evidence suggested that disruption of neural rhythms and
synchronization of brain oscillations are correlated with a variety of cognitive and perceptual processes.
Cognitive deficits are common features of psychiatric disorders that complicate treatment of
the motivational, affective and emotional symptoms.

Objective:

Electrophysiological correlates of cognitive functions will contribute to understanding of
neural circuits controlling cognition, the causes of their perturbation in psychiatric disorders and
developing novel targets for the treatment of cognitive impairments.

Methods:

This review includes a description of brain oscillations in Alzheimer’s disease, bipolar
disorder, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, major depression, obsessive compulsive disorders,
anxiety disorders, schizophrenia and autism.

Results:

The review clearly shows that the reviewed neuropsychiatric diseases are associated with
fundamental changes in both spectral power and coherence of EEG oscillations.

Conclusion:

In this article, we examined the nature of brain oscillations, the association of brain
rhythms with cognitive functions and the relationship between EEG oscillations and neuropsychiatric
diseases. Accordingly, EEG oscillations can most likely be used as biomarkers in psychiatric
disorders.
Effect of Friction Drilling on Metallurgical and Mechanical Properties of Composite Materials: A Review
Authors: Alphonse Mathew , Raja V.K. Bupesh , Palanikumar Kayaroganam
Published: December 2020

The objective of this study is to carry out a literature review on the effect of friction
drilling parameters on the mechanical and metallurgical properties of materials. The friction drilling
process uses heat generated by friction between the workpiece and the tool. In a single step,
tool penetrates into the work material, forming a circular hole and forms bushing without generating
chips. Bushing acts as a structural scaffold and guide to assemble sheet metal parts without the
need for separate threaded parts. This review focuses on the basics of friction drilling, advantages,
applications, metallurgical and mechanical properties of the tool and materials. Tools reviewed in
this research are high speed steel (HSS) and AISI H13 chromium hot work steel. The study observes
that coated friction drilling tool life is more than uncoated friction drilling tool. At higher
spindle speed and feed rate, good quality hole is produced with maximum bushing height and better
surface finish.
Green Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles Using Sustainable Resources and their Use as Antibacterial Agents: A Review
Authors: Jyoti Kumari , Pattnaik Punyasloka , Singh Tej
Published: December 2020

Background::

Synthesis of metallic nanoparticles has attracted extensive vitality in numerous research areas such as drug delivery, biomedicine, catalysis etc. where continuous efforts are being made by scientists and engineers to investigate new dimensions for both technological and industrial advancements. Amongst numerous metallic nanoparticles, silver nanoparticle (AgNPs) is a novel metal species with low toxicity, higher stability and significant chemical, physical and biological properties.

Methods::

In this, various methods for the fabrication of AgNPs are summarized. Importantly, we
concentrated on the role of reducing agents of different plant parts, various working conditions,
such as AgNO3 concentration, ratio of AgNO3/extract, incubation time, centrifugal conditions, size
and shapes.

Results::

This study suggested that eco-friendly and non toxic biomolecules present in the extracts (e.g. leaf, stem and root) of plants are used as reducing and capping agents for silver nanoparticles fabrication. This method of fabrication of silver nanoparticles using plants extracts is comparatively cost-effective and simple. A silver salt is simply reduced by biomolecules present in the extracts of these plants. In this review, we have emphasized the synthesis and antibacterial potential of silver nanoparticles using various plant extracts.

Conclusion::

Fabrication of silver nanoparticles using plant extracts have advantage over the other physical methods, as it is safe, eco-friendly and simple to use. Plants have huge potential for the fabrication of silver nanoparticles of wide potential of applications with desired shape and size.
The Genomes of SARS-CoV-2 and Related Coronaviruses: Are Accessory Proteins Key for Pathogenesis?
Authors: Samanta Saikat , Saha Rudra Prasad
Published: December 2020

Objective:

In January 2020, scientists deciphered the first genome of SARS-CoV-2 that
has created a ravage in the world by infecting over 30 million people worldwide with above 0.95
million deaths as of mid-September 2020. With no potent therapeutics against COVID-19, researchers
around the world are relentlessly working for the development of a vaccine that can ease the
pain the world is suffering today, both in terms of economic and psychological instability. Understanding
the genome of SARS-CoV-2 is essential to decipher the keys that would help scientists to
develop drugs or vaccines to prevent the disease.

Methods:

Coronaviruses are not unknown to the human as other than SARS-CoV-2, at least six additional
coronaviruses (SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV, HCoV-229E, HCoV-NL63, HCoV-OC43, and
HCoV-HKU1) are known that causes mild to severe diseases in human. We have compared the sequences
of these seven coronaviruses to identify the key regions which are responsible for pathogenesis.

Results:

The genomes of the seven coronaviruses that are known to infect humans differ significantly,
especially in the regions of accessory genes.

Conclusion:

The analysis of these virus genomes is the key to find out targets for the development
of a potent drug or vaccine against COVID-19.
Análisis sobre la evolución del COVID-19 en Colombia: ¿se alcanzará el pico de contagio?
Authors: Chaves Castro Álvaro H.
Published: December 2020

Se realiza un análisis de la evolución de los casos diarios de contagios y el número de muertes para Colombia y algunas ciudades con base en información oficial reportada por el Ministerio de Salud, con el fin de dar respuesta a la siguiente pregunta: ¿dada la trayectoria actual del nuevo coronavirus, es posible estimar el futuro pico de contagios? A partir de la construcción de una estructura de datos de panel, se estiman modelos con tendencia cuadrática temporal para el logaritmo del número de contagios y muertes por COVID-19. La estimación de la dinámica de los contagios y de las muertes de manera recursiva a partir del método de regresiones rolling window muestra un buen ajuste, permitiendo predecir cuándo se alcanzará el pico de la epidemia en función de los nuevos casos reportados oficialmente. Se estiman algunos factores asociados a la evolución de la pandemia, especialmente el efecto de la velocidad de contagio (tasa de reproducción efectiva, Ro) sobre la trayectoria futura de los contagios diarios. Además, se intenta estimar el impacto de las medidas de aislamiento preventivo adoptadas por las autoridades nacionales y regionales. Los resultados muestran que el pico de la pandemia en Colombia se alcanza aproximadamente a finales de agosto, período que coincide con estudios epidemiológicos más elaborados. El número promedio de nuevos casos diarios en el pico alcanzaría más de 10.000 contagios, mientras que el máximo número de fallecidos en el pico sería de 44.471. La estimación del impacto de las medidas de confinamiento muestra que se logra aplazar el pico y reducir el número de contagios y muertes.
Investigation of Lead Levels in Potable Water from Faucets, Water Fountains and Water Dispensers Using Various Sampling Protocols in Schools
Authors: Ng Ding-Quan , Lin Yi-Pin
Published: December 2020

Lead contamination is an example of how elements that leach into drinking water can lead to considerable health problems in local communities. A research team led by Assistant Professor Ding-Quan Ng, from Chaoyang University of Technology, has been investigating the levels of lead found
in drinking water in schools. They are also investigating lead release that occurs as a result of galvanic corrosion into potable water. Ng and his colleagues hope to shine a light on the dangers of lead contamination in drinking water supplies and seek to use their findings to promote the
establishment of new regulations and policies to improve monitoring of water quality to local needs.
Producción y tasa de descomposición de hojarasca en áreas bajo rehabilitación en El Porvenir, Hidalgo, México
Authors: García-Osorio María Tonatzín , Plascencia-Escalante Francisca O. , Ángeles-Pérez Gregorio , Montoya-Reyes Francisco , Beltrán-Rodríguez Leonardo
Published: December 2020

La producción de hojarasca es la fuente principal de materia orgánica en los ecosistemas forestales y el análisis del balance entre esta y su descomposición permite comprender la dinámica nutrimental y su aporte en el crecimiento vegetal. El objetivo del presente trabajo fue determinar el efecto de la edad de reforestación sobre la producción y tasa de descomposición de hojarasca en El Porvenir, Hidalgo, México. Se seleccionaron tres condiciones (R5, R12 y R14) con diferentes edades de reforestación (5 años, 12 años y 14 años, respectivamente), más un sitio de referencia (SR) con remanentes de vegetación natural. En cada condición se seleccionaron al azar 10 puntos de muestreo donde se registró la producción mensual de hojarasca en trampas de 0.5 m2 durante un año. Se establecieron cuatro lotes por condición para determinar la tasa de descomposición de hojarasca y los contenidos de C y N. La mayor producción de hojarasca se registró en R14 (0.3099 kg m-2 año-1), mientras que la menor en R5 (0.0436 kg m-2 año-1). Las tasas de descomposición más alta y más baja se registraron en SR (k = 0.676) y R14 (k = 0.229), respectivamente, con diferencias altamente significativas (p ≤ 0.0098). Al final del periodo de incubación, la mayor concentración de C se presentó en R12 y la de N en R14, mientras que la mayor liberación de ambos compuestos se obtuvo en SR. Se concluye que la edad de la plantación tiene un efecto positivo en la producción de hojarasca, pero no en la tasa de descomposición.
Potential Benefits of Multimedia-Based Home Catheter Management Education in Patients With Peripherally Inserted Central Catheters: Systematic Review
Authors: Malale Kija , Fu Jili , Nelson William , Gemuhay Helena Marco , Gan Xiuni , Mei Zhechuan
Published: December 2020

Background

In recent years, there have been many suggestions to use multimedia as a strategy to fully meet the educational needs of patients with peripherally inserted central catheters. However, the potential benefits remain unreliable in the literature.

Objective

In this study, we identified the potential benefits of multimedia-based home catheter management education in patients with peripherally inserted central catheters and discussed the clinical implications.

Methods

We performed systematic searches of the PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase Ovid, Medline, BioMed Central-cancer (BMC-cancer), ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar databases without date constraints until November 30, 2019. The methodological quality of the eligible studies was appraised using the Cochrane risk of bias tool. Narrative synthesis of the study findings was conducted.

Results

A total of 6 intervention studies met the inclusion criteria, including 3 randomized controlled trials and 3 case-control studies/quasi-experimental studies. The studies included a total of 355 subjects, including a total of 175 in the multimedia groups and 180 in the control groups. We identified 4 potential benefits to patients: (1) improved knowledge, (2) increased satisfaction, (3) reduced incidence of catheter-related complications, and (4) reduced number of cases of delayed care after complications.

Conclusions

The current systematic review highlights the potential benefits of multimedia-based home catheter management education for patients with peripherally inserted central catheters.
Social Media Use and Monitoring for Adolescents With Depression and Implications for the COVID-19 Pandemic: Qualitative Study of Parent and Child Perspectives
Authors: Biernesser Candice , Montano Gerald , Miller Elizabeth , Radovic Ana
Published: December 2020

Background

Although youth report many positive experiences with social media (SM) use in their daily lives, adolescents with depression are more vulnerable to the risks of SM use than adolescents without depression. Parents protect adolescents with depression from the risks of SM use by monitoring their child’s SM activity; however, this comes into conflict with the adolescent’s need for autonomy in their web-based communication. The implications of SM use and monitoring for adolescents with depression and their parents are of particular relevance to the COVID-19 pandemic, as rates of SM use have increased in response to physical distancing measures.

Objective

This study aims to explore parent and child perspectives regarding the use and function of SM in the daily lives of adolescents with depression and parents’ perceptions of and experience with monitoring their child’s SM use.

Methods

We conducted qualitative interviews with adolescents with depression (n=23) and one parent of each adolescent (n=23) between July 2013 and September 2014. The adolescents were patients seeking treatment for depression in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Data analysis included dyadic analysis of the adolescents’ and parents’ perspectives and qualitative descriptions of individual parent interviews to explore their experiences with SM use and monitoring. The construct of parental knowledge and factors hypothesized to contribute to parental knowledge, including adolescent disclosure, parental solicitation, and parental control, were used to guide the codebook and dyadic data analysis.

Results

Dyadic analyses showed that parents and their children disagreed on the use and function of SM in the daily lives of adolescents with depression, with adolescents viewing SM as a forum for honest expression of their emotions, whereas parents felt that their children’s posts were inconsequential and interfered with the adolescents’ lives. Furthermore, parents reported using a wide range of strategies to gain knowledge of their child’s SM use to monitor their safety on SM, including direct solicitation and indirect solicitation, such as keeping the child's passwords, asking friends or siblings about their child's SM use, and restricting SM behavior and access to devices.

Conclusions

Clinicians should support adolescents with depression and their parents in finding common ground for an effective and acceptable monitoring approach. Resources are provided for clinicians navigating conversations about SM use and monitoring with adolescents with depression and their parents during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Pro- and anti-opioid use posts on Reddit: A Content Analysis (Preprint)
Authors: Godishala Shreya , Jolliff Anna
Published: December 2020

BACKGROUND

Opioid use is a leading cause of injury-related deaths in the United States. Past studies have shown that analyzing opioid-related social media has the potential to reveal patterns of opioid abuse offline.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study is to examine how users are posting about pro and anti- opioid use on Reddit.

METHODS

There were 100 posts selected from the Reddit online community r/Opioids. The comments and upvotes for each of the posts were collected. The posts were also run through Linguistic Inquiry and Word Count software with 16 variables.

RESULTS

There were on average more comments for anti- opioid posts (M= 9.06 , SD =12.22) than for the average number of comments for pro- opioid posts (M=14.88, SD= 17.89) t(81)= (2.79), p = 0.0065 < 0.05. There were on average more upvotes for anti- opioid posts (M= 1.58 , SD =1.98) than for the average number of comments for pro- opioid posts (M= 41.67, SD= 16.36), t(81)= (16.84), p = 0.0001. For LIWC variable Focus Present was found to be more significant in anti- opioid posts (M= 11.19, SD =5.79) than for pro- opioid posts (M= 15.58, SD=9.81), t(98)= (2.82), p =.0207. Focus future was also found to be more significant in anti- opioid posts (M= 1.63 , SD =1.86) than for pro- opioid posts (M=1.63, SD= 1.86), t(98)= (2.84), p = .0244.

CONCLUSIONS

Although there were on average more pro-opioid use posts in the online community, there seemed to be more engagement and support for the anti-opioid use posts. For the LIWC variables that were analyzed, Focus Present and Focus Future were found to be significant. This suggests that some users may be more likely to use vocabulary pertaining to future and present situations while looking at the health risks of opioids.
Evidence for early sedentism at Körtik Tepe, southeastern Turkey, during the Younger Dryas
Authors: Benz Marion , Rössner Corinna , Deckers Kathleen , Riehl Simone , Alt Kurt W. , Özkaya Vecihi
Published: December 2020

Location: Körtik Tepe, Province Diyarbakır, Southeastern Turkey, at the confluence of the River Tigris and the Batman Creek. Period: Younger Dryas to Early Holocene (10400-9200 BCE) Focus: Archaeological evidence for permanent occupation of the site; conditions favouring early sedentism at the intersection of two ecological regimes: the riverine environments and the steppe/tree-steppe mountain ranges of the hinterland; ecological and socio-economic impact of sedentism and of climatic changes from the Younger Dryas to the Early Holocene; interpretation of burial customs comparing evidence of daily practices and emerging differentiation in burial rituals. Methods: Archaeobotany, stable isotope analyses, modelling of radiocarbon sequences; holistic approach
Beauty beyond aesthetics: the abstract thought and the universal language of the natural world to the Sumerian/roman farmer’s eyes
Authors: Da Silva Ferreira Nelson Henrique
Published: December 2020

Signs of meaning - visual marks that identify individual characteristics of an image that can carry a crystalized meaning. For example, in a landscape described as having a lot of fruit trees, we have the sign of quantity and the sign of fertility, materialized by the fruits. A sign is neither positive neither negative. It just marks a specific characteristic that compounds the symbol. For each sign, we identify just one exact semantic value.Symbol - A symbol corresponds to a compounding of signs. Those signs can be selected in order to construct a complex symbol or a traditional symbol.Traditional symbol - When the compounding of crystalized signs of meaning expresses all the semantic extension of the symbolic image. It represents abstractly an original image that served as basis to the symbolic construction, which is present in the collective mind. The symbolic image is of spontaneous interpretation and is dependent of an empirical knowledge on natural world.Complex symbol or literary symbol - when there is a selective compounding of crystalized signs, in order to construct a symbol, which meaning is dependent of the context.  Gravitating signs on beauty abstract concept:Lexicon:uru (na-ur11-ru) – to sowše - barleyab-sin2 (ab-sin2-na) - furrowgu - flaxsar (sar-ra) - garden-bed
Mysterious Uškiani - Armenian Gold: The Driving Force for Development in the Bronze Age Caucasus Region?
Authors: Kunze René
Published: December 2020

The Gegharkunik region on the south eastern edge of Lake Sevan (Armenia) is a part of southern Caucasia uniquely suited to demonstrate the intensive interchange between pre-Christian settlement and gold mining. The enclosed landscape can be seen in this regard as a prehistoric terra incognita due to the wholesale lack of archaeological and archaeometallurgical investigations to date. It has been proven that there was major exploitation of gold from the defined geographical area in antiquity. One of the largest gold mines in Near East is still located there today. The mines position on the Sotk pass, which is the direct connection between southern and eastern Caucasia and thus has a strategic importance for the entire region, is also of significance. Initial approaches revealed outlines of the prehistoric settlement patterns which could be placed in relation to contemporary gold mining in a clearly delineated natural corridor along this superregional communication and trade route. The intention is to implement an intensive holistic-archaeological and archaeometallurgical investigation of the settlement network in the surroundings of the gold mine and an interdisciplinary attempt to imbed these structures in the larger ecological and anthropogenic environment. The existence of placer gold in several local rivers as well as ancient mining traces has already been demonstrated. The findings of placer gold, along with the geochemical fingerprinting of primary and secondary gold sources from this region will make it possible to analyze the origins of golden artefacts found in the wider vicinity of the area. The opportunity to study gold items from numerous Age finds from Armenia allow for an extensive reconstruction of the early use of gold and its importance in ancient Near Eastern cultures.
The Past in the Present of Syria
Authors: Fatima Kzzo Ahmed
Published: December 2020

Key Facts:Syria: Under the Ottoman Domination (1516-1918); Arab Government (1918-1920); French Mandate (1920-1946).Hussein-McMahon Correspondence in 1915 and 1916 to recognize the independent of Arabs in Asian part by Great Britain in aim that Hussein, Sharif Mecca declares revolt against Ottomans.Sykes-Picot Agreement in 1916 to divide the Middle East between France and Britain.The Syrian National Day is “Evacuation Day”, the evacuation of the last French soldier in 17 April 1946.Mohammad Kurd Ali, the first director of the Arab Academy in 1919.The National Museum of Damascus founded in 1919 by the Arab Academy.The National Museum of Aleppo founded in 1926.
La pandemia de COVID-19 y los riesgos sanitarios asociados
Authors: Díaz Quiñonez José Alberto
Published: December 2020

El coronavirus del síndrome respiratorio agudo severo sars-CoV-2, un nuevo coronavirus de la familia del sars-CoV y del coronavirus del síndrome respiratorio de Oriente Medio, se ha extendido por todo el mundo y ha llevado a la Organización Mundial de la Salud a declarar una pandemia. La enfermedad causada por el sars-CoV-2, denominada enfermedad por coronavirus 2019 (covid-19), presenta síntomas similares a los de la influenza. Los principales síntomas de la covid-19 son fiebre, tos, fatiga, disnea, dolor de garganta, dolor de cabeza, conjuntivitis y problemas gastrointestinales. Los trabajadores de la salud representan una población en riesgo, por lo que se deben reforzar las políticas de atención del paciente, de uso de equipo de protección personal y de manejo de residuos peligrosos biológico-infecciosos en las unidades médicas. Las personas que recolectan basura y residuos también están en riesgo. Es importante verificar la calidad del agua para uso y consumo humano; así como los protocolos de manejo higiénico de los alimentos y de saneamiento básico. Aunado a ello, se deben mantener acciones de protección contra riesgos sanitarios; reforzar la cultura de gestión de riesgos biológicos; realizar acciones de promoción de la salud, fomento sanitario y comunicación efectiva de riesgos a la población.
Why Metaethics Needs Empirical Moral Psychology
Authors: Hopster Jeroen , Klenk Michael
Published: December 2020

What is the significance of empirical moral psychology for metaethics? In this article we take up Michael Ruse’s evolutionary debunking argument against moral realism and reassess it in the context of the empirical state of the art. Ruse’s argument depends on the phenomenological presumption that people generally experience morality as objective. We demonstrate how recent experimental findings challenge this widely-shared armchair presumption and conclude that Ruse’s argument fails. We situate this finding in the recent debate about Carnapian explication and argue that it illustrates the necessary role that empirical moral psychology plays in explication preparation. Moral psychology sets boundaries for reasonable desiderata in metaethics and, therefore, it is necessary for metaethics.