bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Key Factors Influencing the Management of the Enterprise’s Development
Authors:   Lviv Polytechnic National University, Shyshkovskyi S. V.
Published: December 2021

The gradual demise of the command-administrative management system determines the relevance of the study of the peculiarities of the development of the methodological basis for managing the development of industrial enterprises in terms of modern management. The article highlights the features of managing the development of industrial enterprises in the context of globalization, as the adoption of the methodology of sustainable development, which is based on the principles of socially responsible activities of enterprises; increasing the weight of management of changes and constraints in the overall management system of enterprise development; increasing the role of informal tools in building a methodology for evaluating directions, as well as methods of strategic forecasting and planning of enterprise development; abandonment of management decisions in the short term in favor of long-term strategic decisions; decentralization of enterprise management and dissemination of collective decision-making methods; improving marketing management as one of the decisive factors in increasing the competitiveness of enterprises, their investment attractiveness. The interpretation of the enterprise’s evolvement as a process of acquiring new qualitative, quantitative or structural properties of the socio-economic system, which involves a change in the parameters of its state and the acquisition of equilibrium, is elaborated. The system is transformed through the growth, activation or structuring of the constituent elements. The author considers relationship between the concepts of «innovation» and «development» as complex categories that need to be clearly delineated and closer defined. The factors limiting the ability of enterprises to increase production include: prices for the raw and expendable materials, cost of energy, tax pressure, lack of working capital, insufficient effective demand of domestic consumers, high competition in the commodity market. The key internal factors that affect the development of the enterprise are its existing potential, functional activity of the organization and the effectiveness of enterprise development. Innovation remains an important sign of development – necessary, but insufficient for its implementation. The key factors influencing the management of enterprise development include the mission, vision, values and policies, plan and program of enterprise development.
Benchmarking as a Marketing Tool to Ensure the Competitiveness of Trading Enterprises
Authors:   Rivne State Humanitarian University, Shymko O. V.
Published: December 2021

The article is devoted to solving theoretical, methodological and applied aspects of benchmarking by trade enterprises in the context of globalization of commodity markets and integration of Ukraine into international trade and economic relations. The economic essence and the purpose of benchmarking as a marketing tool for ensuring competitive advantages are disclosed. The main prerequisites, the motives that presuppose the use of benchmarking in the activities of enterprises are considered. The modern approaches to benchmarking management are specified. Classification features are distinguished, types of benchmarking and scope of their use are characterized. The peculiarities of benchmarking of business processes of retail enterprises, the major success factors (assortment and laying out of goods, quality of goods/services, technology of purchase, saving of the buyers’ expenses, interaction with staff, store atmosphere, perception of the store by consumers) and the main management tasks in the process of change management, the solution of which will allow the retail trade enterprise to respond promptly to changes in market conditions and optimally combine goals and objectives of commercial activities with the needs of consumers. The factors that hinder the use of benchmarking by trade enterprises are described, in particular, the weak development of strategic analysis functions, the high cost of benchmarking research, and the deficiency of information field. Prospects for further exploration are determined as research of the mechanism and tools for the formation of information and communication provision of the benchmarking process in order to provide feedback in the processes of planning, control and adjustment.
Analysis of the Effect of Location, Design, Housing Facilities, Environmental Characteristics and Developer Brands on Land Value of Housing Properties in Medan Sunggal
Authors: Lie Kevin Blasius , Fachrudin Khaira Amalia , Fachrudin Hilma Tamiami
Published: December 2021

This study was conducted to examine the effect of location, design, housing facilities, environmental characteristics, and developer brand on the land value of housing properties in Medan Sunggal. The population in this study were all houses in the Imperial Mansion Housing Complex and the Habitat Housing Complex with a total of 250 housing units that had been inhabited and the sample was 72 housing units. The data analysis technique used is multiple linear regression analysis. The results showed that location, facilities, environmental characteristics, and developer's brand had a positive and significant effect on the market value of land, and design variables had no significant effect on the market value of land considering that these parameters had a significant effect, then the development of locations, facilities, and environmental characteristics should also contribute to the brand developer.
Glucose level detection system in glucose solution using TCS3200 sensor with If-Else method
Authors: Thoriq Al-Azis Kemal , Ma'arif Alfian , Sunardi Sunardi , Nuraisyah Fatma , Rusdiarna Indrapraja Apik
Published: December 2021

Early and routine examination of glucose levels plays an important role in preventing and controlling diabetes mellitus and maintaining the quality of life. Checking blood sugar levels by hurting the body (invasive) can lead to infections caused by needles. As an alternative, the examination is carried out in a non-invasive way using excretory fluid in the form of urine, which is reacted with Benedict's solution that create a color change. Experts in the laboratory only carry out an examination using non-invasive methods because in determining glucose levels, it requires accuracy and eye health factors. Therefore, a glucose level detection system was created using a sample of glucose solution to determine the system's parameters using the if-else method. The glucose level detection system is conducted by mixing the glucose solution with Benedict's solution to produce a color change. Then the reaction results are read by the TCS3200 sensor and processed by Arduino to be classified, according to predetermined parameters. The decision results based on the classification of the glucose level parameters that have been determined are displayed on a 16x2 LCD. The results achieved in this study on 10 samples of glucose solution that were tested and processed by the if-else method were successfully read and classified based on predetermined parameters.
Dialogic interaction in the formation of future aviation specialists� foreign language communicative competence
Authors:   Flight Academy of National Aviation University, ZELENSKA Liliia , TYMCHENKO Svitlana ,   Flight Academy of National Aviation University
Published: December 2021

The purpose of this study is to disclose the leading role of dialogic interaction used for improving the system of foreign language training in order to achieve a sufficient level of aviation specialists� communicative competence. The pedagogical aspect of dialogic interaction is highlighted in the article because it�s considered to be one of the main ways to organize the relationship of the subjects of communication in the educational process, namely in foreign language classes. It goes without saying that the basis of dialogic interaction is pedagogical communication, the communicative basis of which gives it certain advantages, and they have been pointed out in the study. We have come to conclusion that dialogic interaction in the process of foreign language training is a necessary condition for future aviation specialists� training to communicate in the professional sphere, the importance of which is determined by the factors, have been presented in the study. Key words: aviation specialist, competence, dialogue, foreign language, interaction, pedagogical communication.
Didactic aspects of training of future unmanned aerial systems (UAS) operators in �english for special purposes�
Authors:   Ivan Kozhedub Kharkiv National Air Force University, SAVYTSKA Alla
Published: December 2021

The article notes that nowadays the effectiveness of mastering English, which has long been the language of international communication and interaction for servicemen, is becoming essential. It is noted that there exist unresolved didactic problems reducing the quality of organizational and pedagogic tasks which emerge in the course of training. It is stated that in modern military aviation practice military pilots� professional activity is to a great extent characterized by their communicative competence which includes the following components: language competence (ability to communicate in all language aspects); competence of interaction (ability to use language to express communicative intention in an official situation of communication); socio-cultural competence (ability to build intercultural communication with foreign colleagues from other countries); compensatory competence (ability to successfully solve a difficult situation which might occur during flights). The article suggests the most appropriate methods of teaching and training future UAS crew members considering the specificity of goals and content of �English for Special Purposes� as a curriculum subject. Alongside with traditional methods, active teaching/learning methods such as problem-based learning tasks, analysis and solving of specific situations, role-playing games, variety of interactive exercises simulating near-real situations of professional scope are viewed as those of particular importance and efficiency. The main features of problem-based learning are determined: strengthening the focus on the personality of a cadet; expanding opportunities for interaction between a teacher and a cadet in the learning environment; development of cadets� intellectual mobility; increasing opportunities for creativity through independent work with a large number of databases offered by the teacher and present on the Internet; personalization of training through the creation of research projects featuring problematic nature; widespread access to new generation mobile devices, equipment and aircraft. The successive steps of designing a training course in �English for Special Purposes� for future UAS operators in a higher military educational institution are determined by the teacher. Key words: professional training, future UAS operators, English for Special Purposes, methods of problem-based learning.
Vocational training and development of leadership potential of the US and european countries border guards
Authors:   National Academy of the State Border Service named after B. Khmelnytsky, SHUMOVETSKA Sv�tlana
Published: December 2021

This article outlines the work on development of leadership potential of the US and separate European countries border guards. It elaborates in detail the significance of the officer leadership potential, importance of the leadership in the border protection system. There are enlightened the main lines of work on development of personal attributes of the border guard officer as a leader, specific features of his leadership skills formation, psychological basis of leadership training. The author discloses the programs of leadership development, being deployed in the Federal Training Center of the US Customs and Border Protection. The "Leadership in a crisis environment" training program is based on the research studies and is supposed to help law enforcement officials to raise the level of leadership skills required in crisis. This program focuses on the basic concepts of communication, cooperation, critical thinking and the features of decision-making. It provides for the creation of an environment that shapes the ability of participants to apply leadership qualities, interpersonal communication and decision-making skills in a crisis situation. In its turn, the "Leadership through Understanding Human Behavior" training program helps participants better understand themselves, interpersonal dynamics, and how their strengths and weaknesses and roles in working groups and teams affect mission outcomes. The program provides for the development of self-consciousness, the ability to recognize behavioral styles to establish relationships, required for the creation of more effective working groups and teams. There presented the topics of the "Security and Border Management Courses for Senior Leaders" for middle and senior border officers at the OSCE Border Management Staff College. It is found that in order to develop the leadership potential of border officials, foreign countries apply an integrated approach to training, paying attention to the formation of analytical thinking, the acquisition of professional management skills and abilities. In the training methodology, theoretical and practical classes, situational tasks, business games, trainings are widely used. Taking into account foreign experience, in order to increase the managerial level of future border guard officers, it is proposed to familiarize them with what it means to be a leader, how to organize work in a team, how to manage subordinates and be responsible for leading the border unit. There also outlined the importance of research on the leadership potential of the border guard officer, leadership in the border protection system, the characteristics of the officer as a leader of the border unit. Key words: vocational training, leadership, leadership potential, border guard officer, management, border protection.
Self-concepts of Adolescents who Experience Language Difficulties
Authors: Sukmaretny Noni Darmawati
Published: December 2021

Teens who experience language difficulties have difficulty communicating with their parents, peers and the community around them. In addition, language difficulties can affect adolescent self-concept, self-concept is an important thing in life, especially for adolescents, because adolescents' understanding of self-concept will determine and direct behavior in various situations. This study aims to determine the form of self-concept of adolescents who experience language difficulties and the impact of language difficulties on learning difficulties of adolescents in school. The objective of this study were three adolescents who were still in school and experiencing language difficulties with the classification according to DSM IV, namely, mixed receptive-expressive language disorders and the informants taken by the researcher were the biological mothers of each of the three respondents. The type of approach used is a qualitative phenomenological approach with a theoretical sampling technique. The results of this study indicate that respondents II and III form a positive self-concept in which both respondents accept their shortcomings and try to improve themselves. Meanwhile, respondent I formed a negative self-concept where respondent I did not accept his shortcomings and did not try to improve himself, respondent I was pessimistic about the competition and thought he was unable to fight. Respondents I, II and III experienced learning difficulties at school, however, respondents II and III had a solution to their learning difficulties by practicing before presenting the lesson, while respondent I preferred to be silent or angry because they could not express what they thought. So the study show that the three respondents form a self-concept and the impact on learning difficulties is different according to the influence of different aspects, factors and processes of self-concept formation.
Constructivism Approach through Learning Cycle Model of Biology to Improve Student Learning Outcomes
Authors: Sartika Mutia
Published: December 2021

The purpose of this study was to increase student activity and improve student learning outcomes in learning Biology by using a constructivism approach through a learning cycle model. This research was a classroom action research which was conducted in 2 cycles. The subjects of this study were teachers and students of class VII SMPN 18 Bengkulu City. The research instrument used was the observation sheet and the test sheet. From the data analysis, it shows that in the first cycle, the classical learning completeness percentage is 70.58% for the potential for understanding the concept with incomplete criteria. In the second cycle it was obtained percentage of classical learning completeness 91.17% with complete criteria. On the teacher observation sheet cycle I obtained an average value of 34 with good criteria and cycle II obtained an average of 35 with good criteria. On the observation sheet, students in cycle I obtained an average value of 32.5 with good criteria and in cycle II an average value of 34.5 was obtained with good criteria. From the results of data analysis, it shows that learning biology by applying the constructivism approach through the learning cycle model can increase teacher and student activity and improve student learning outcomes of class VII SMP Negeri 18 Bengkulu City.
Pernicious Anaemia: Mechanisms, Diagnosis, and Management
Authors: Ammouri Wafa , Harmouche Hicham , Khibri Hajar , Benkirane Souad , Azlarab Masrar , Tazi Zoubida Mezalek , Maamar Mouna , Adnaoui Mohamed
Published: December 2021

Pernicious anaemia (PA) is an autoimmune disease of multifactorial aetiology involving environmental and immunological factors. It is the most common cause of cobalamin deficiency anaemia worldwide. The disease is a macrocytic anaemia caused by a vitamin B12 deficiency, which, in turn, is the result of intrinsic factor deficiency, a protein that binds avidly to dietary vitamin B12 and promotes its transport to the terminal ileum for absorption. Despite the advances in understanding the pathogenesis and molecular biology, diagnosis of PA is still challenging for clinicians because of its complexity, diverse clinical presentations, and the limitations of the available diagnostic tools for the evaluation of cobalamin status and the presence of chronic autoimmune atrophic gastritis. Asymptomatic autoimmune gastritis, a chronic inﬂammatory disease of the gastric mucosa, precedes the onset of corpus atrophy by 10–20 years. Diagnostic dilemmas could occur when patients with PA present with spuriously normal or high cobalamin levels, normocytic or microcytic anaemia, nonanaemic macrocytosis, autoimmune haemolytic anaemia, pseudo-thrombotic microangiopathy, hyperhomocysteinemia-associated thromboembolism, pseudoleukemia, bone marrow failure, and neurologic manifestations without anaemia or macrocytosis. Other autoimmune disorders, especially thyroid disease, Type 1 diabetes mellitus, and vitiligo, are also commonly associated with PA. The present review focusses on novel aspects regarding the pathogenesis, clinical presentation, and the diagnostic approach of PA; the true usefulness of serum vitamin B12 levels; and the risk of adenocarcinoma and gastric carcinoids as well as their treatment and monitoring strategies.
Therapeutic Options in Myelodysplastic Syndromes Following Hypomethylating Agent Failure
Authors: Belasen Abigail , Navada Shyamala C.
Published: December 2021

Hypomethylating agents (HMA) azacitidine and decitabine are standard of care for the treatment of myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS). Although HMA have revolutionised the treatment of MDS, only approximately half of patients respond to these agents with variable duration of effect, known as primary and secondary HMA failure, respectively. Therapeutic options following HMA failure remain limited; however, growing understanding of the pathogenesis underlying MDS has resulted in the development of multiple targeted therapies showing varying degrees of success in clinical trials. Drugs that target molecular alterations (such as abnormal histone regulation, IDH mutations, and spliceosome gene mutations), abnormal signalling pathways (such as the multikinase inhibitor rigosertib), cellular apoptosis (such as the Bcl2 inhibitor venetoclax), and immune checkpoint inhibition are under development. Agents recently approved for use in higher-risk acute myeloid leukaemia, such as FLT3-inhibitors and CPX-351, are also being studied in MDS. Several more agents, including two first-in-class agents, a novel immune regulator targeting CD47, and pevonedistat, a NEDD8-activating enzyme inhibitor, are under investigation. In the absence of established therapeutic approaches following HMA failure, decisions in therapy should be based on the type of HMA resistance as well as the patient’s clinical and molecular characteristics. As targeted therapies continue to be developed, a comprehensive re-evaluation of the patient including the mutational profile at the time of HMA failure may reveal new treatment options. Here, emerging therapeutic approaches to HMA failure in MDS are reviewed.
The Era of Immersive Health Technology
Authors: Bremner Robbie , Gibbs Austin , Mitchell Andrew R. J.
Published: December 2021

Immersive health technologies are revolutionising the delivery of frontline healthcare, therapeutic techniques, and research. They also offer great potential to improve the training of healthcare professionals through reality-simulation training. This review paper summarises the current developments and uses of four types of immersive health technology: augmented reality, virtual reality, machine learning, and artificial intelligence. Current examples of their use in healthcare, opportunities and pitfalls, and how the use of these technologies could be improved further in the future are highlighted. How technology that once appeared to be only visionary is now part of day-to-day life for many patients and consumers is also addressed.
A Step Ahead for Difficult Airway Management Using GlideScope®: A Prospective, Randomised, Comparative Study
Authors: Ejaimi Gamal Abdalla Mohamed , Elrosassy Zakaria Hassan , Abla Saab Abla Saab , Yousif Areeg Izzeldin Ahmed , Hisham Elgamal Hisham Elgamal
Published: December 2021

Background and Aim: Different techniques have been developed in order to optimise the practice of intubation with GlideScope® (Verathon Inc, Bothell, Washington, USA) video-assisted laryngoscope. This study aimed to demonstrate the use of a new, safe, and effective technique by inserting both the video-assisted laryngoscope blade and endotracheal tube (ETT) together.

Methods: A prospective, randomised study was conducted with 50 patients who were anticipated as difficult for endotracheal intubation, aged 18–90 years, with an American Society of Anesthesiologists’ (ASA) classification of Grades I–IV, and who presented for elective surgery. The patients were divided into 2 groups of 25 participants: an intubation with traditional GlideScope (TG) technique group, and combined GlideScope (CG) and ETT simultaneous insertion group. The optimal glottic view and the time-to-intubation were recorded. Postintubation airway trauma and both practitioners’ and patients’ satisfaction were documented. The categorical data are presented as a number and percentage and were subjected to Fisher’s exact or Chi-square test for analysis. The statistical significance was p≤0.05.

Results: The optimal glottic view was 64% in TG and 72% in CG (p=0.216); intubation was achieved within ≤15 secs in 22 patients in TG and all patients in CG (p=0.077); and 88% of patients in TG showed high satisfaction scores compared to 92% in CG (p=0.646). The practitioners’ satisfaction was 76% in TG and 96% in CG (p=0.042).

Conclusion: Simultaneous insertion of both the GlideScope blade and ETT could provide fast, effective, and safe endotracheal intubation.
General Practice Services in England During the COVID-19 Pandemic and Beyond: Patient Access and Barriers
Authors: Martin Pablo Millares
Published: December 2021

Background: During the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, primary care services have been forced to operate differently, limiting face-to-face consultations and relying on telemedicine. This has impacted the care received by patients in need of primary care. The aim of this article was to assess the patient needs during the pandemic, their perspectives on current interactions with primary care, and the readiness for change in operating general practices in the future.

Method: A survey was conducted among patients in Leeds, UK, that explored whether patients had health needs during the pandemic, the decisions that were then taken if so, their use of online information and resources, and their satisfaction with primary care website portals and consultations.

Results: Over 75% of patients gathered information online before deciding to consult. The main effect of the pandemic was that among those whose health needs remained, 37% did not consult, preferring to wait to see if their symptoms resolved by themselves. There was a significant statistical difference depending on age groups: among those patients aged <30 years, 48% did not consult a primary care physician.

Conclusion: The primary care response during the pandemic led to a large number of patients to withhold their concerns, and careful consideration is needed to access how to improve accessibility in future crises.
Therapeutic Plasma Exchange Using Convalescent Plasma Replacement Therapy in Severe COVID-19 Infections: A Potential Therapeutic Option
Authors: Varghese Joy , Subramanian Pushkala , Jayanthi Venkataraman
Published: December 2021

Currently, the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, which is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS CoV-2), is a major global public health emergency. Cytokine storm is a key factor and plays a major role in disease severity and clinical outcome. Recently, the literature reveals the use of therapeutic plasma exchange to reduce the inflammatory markers. Evidence also exists for the use of convalescent plasma therapy in patients with severe COVID-19. This brief communication explores the advantages on therapeutic plasma exchange with convalescent plasma in patients with moderate-to-severe COVID-19.
Ibn ʿAjība's ‘Oceanic Exegesis of the Qur'an': Methodology and Features
Authors: Ayad Omneya
Published: December 2021

Aḥmad Ibn ʿAjība (d. 1224/1809) was a prominent Sufi mystic who lived in Morocco during the thirteenth/seventeenth century. He stood out as an intellectual theoretician in the field of Qur’anic esoteric hermeneutics as he was one of the few scholars who managed to convey theoretical concepts and esoteric theories of Qur’anic interpretation in a language that is accessible to those who are not well versed in Sufism. In this paper Ibn ʿAjība’s famous Qur’an commentary al-Baḥr al-madīd fī tafsīr al-Qurʾān al-majīd (‘The Oceanic Exegesis of the Qur’an’) will be thoroughly examined, with an emphasis on the key features and the methodological approaches used in the composition of both its exoteric and esoteric aspects. The first section of this paper will examine the historical development of esoteric and Sufi Qur’an exegesis, so as to situate Ibn ʿAjība’s commentary within this genre. A thorough analysis will be given to the key features, guiding principles, and different methodologies adopted by various esoteric Qur’an commentaries. The second section will explore the most influential sources utilised by Ibn ʿAjība to inform the exoteric and esoteric dimensions of al-Baḥr al-madīd. In order to evaluate the extent to which these sources impacted upon the composition of al-Baḥr al-madīd, an analysis of their salient features and the main methodological approaches of these sources will be conducted. It is also important to analyse why Ibn ʿAjība chose certain sources over others, and to clarify the extent to which he depended upon these sources in composing al-Baḥr al-madīd. The third section of this paper will outline the methodology which Ibn ʿAjība adopted when he composed the esoteric dimension of his Qur’an commentary.
Do We Go Back to Where We Came From? Mullā Ṣadrā's Philosophical Exegesis on the Paradise of Adam and the Promised Paradise of the Afterlife
Authors: Rastin Toroghi Amir , Hosseini Shahrudi Seyyed Mortaza , Pooyanejad Shima
Published: December 2021

The cosmological location and identity of the Paradise in which Adam and Eve dwelled and from which, we are told in Q. 7:22 and 24, they were sent down to earth after giving in to Satan’s temptation and approaching the forbidden tree, has long been a controversial issue among exegetes and theologians. Ṣadr al-Dīn Muḥammad b. Ibrāhīm b. Yaḥyā Qawāmī Shīrāzī Mullā Ṣadrā (d. 1050/1640), a flag-bearer for the philosophical and mystical exegesis of the Qur’an, is one of those who has engaged with this question. The subject is important because it is closely connected with several important anthropological Qur’anic topics: the philosophy of the creation of humankind and their earthly abode; the states of human existence before earthly life on this world, and in the descending journey to it; as well as the connections between these states and those following death and in the ascending journey. An analysis of Ṣadrā’s approach to the issue of Adam’s Paradise has implications for both our appreciation of his philosophical understanding of the Qur’an and his methodology, as well as a clearer understanding of his contribution to Islamic philosophical thought.

Mullā Ṣadrā took the view that the location of one Paradise on the descending arc of the circle of being, and a second on the ascending arc of this circle, indicate the stages of human existence before and after this world. He believed that these two Paradises suggest the same reality, though from two different aspects; the first shows the inward and indistinct aspect of the human soul while the second represents its outward and distinct side.
The Role of Women in Plant-based Textile Production during the Viking Diaspora in Scotland and the Irish Sea Region
Authors: Freeman Susan
Published: December 2021

Evidence for textiles in viking-age Scotland and the adjacent Irish Sea region derives from small fragments usually surviving as mineralised products associated with metal dress fittings and grave goods such as shield bosses and weaving battens, excavated from the furnished graves of both women and men. Since Scottish viking-age textiles were last reviewed over twenty years ago, this paper collates information from antiquarian finds and more recent excavations which employed considerably enhanced techniques for retrieving fragile archaeological textiles. Evidence is presented for the occurrence and role of plant-based textiles derived from flax and hemp including linen in funerary processes as burial garments, shrouds and wrapping other grave goods, such as weapons and tools. Many richly appointed women's graves in viking-age Scotland were accompanied by tool assemblages used in the manufacture and maintenance of textiles. The presence of these tools raises questions about the status of textile production and the roles women played in it.
Making and Trading Dress and Décor in Seventeenth-century Scotland
Authors: Smout T. C.
Published: December 2021

In seventeenth-century Scotland textiles were made in most districts and marketed widely at home and overseas. Woollens and linens, yarn, cloth, bonnets and stockings, with clear regional specialisations, were manufactured, but they were all of low cost and quality. Comparative advantage came from low rural wages. The wide distribution and character of textile production in the seventeenth century proved of great importance for post-Union success. Among imports the variety and social spread of luxury widened and deepened, though demand was restricted to the upper classes and the middling orders in Edinburgh and other large burghs. The seventeenth century, especially the second half, was a time of widening consumption of exotic articles such as tobacco, sugar and coffee among consumables, Asian silks and cottons (and their imitations) as articles of dress, and wall-hangings and pictures as décor. The social anxiety and economic stress this engendered gave rise to sumptuary laws like that of 1681. These had limited impact, though imports remained sensitive to tariffs. The letters of Andrew Russell, a merchant resident in Rotterdam between 1668 and 1697, demonstrate how this trade was carried out in both directions, and how the market responded to governmental attempts at control.
Adjuvant and neoadjuvant therapy of ER+ / HER2– breast cancer
Authors: Semiglazov V. F. , Dzhelialova M. A.
Published: December 2021

Even early-stage breast cancer is a heterogeneous disease, so the optimal treatment depends on the pathological characteristics of the tumor. The vast majority of breast tumors (80%) are classified as estrogen receptor positive (ER+) with varying degrees of ER expression. The benefit of endocrine therapy is small with low ER staining (1–10%), occurring in less than 2% of all cases of ER+ breast cancer. Genetic analyzes are valuable for administration of adjuvant chemotherapy prior to endocrine therapy in ER+ / HER2– pN0–pN1c breast cancer. But such tests are not yet widely available. In practical work, when planning adjuvant and neoadjuvant therapy for patients with ER+ / HER2– breast cancer, pathological assessment of the expression of ER, PR, Ki‑67, as well as the tumor grade (G) remains important. The use of drugs to overcome resistance to endocrine therapy: PI3-kinase inhibitors (taselisib), CDK 4/6 inhibitors (palbociclib, abemaciclib, ribociklib), mTOR inhibitors (everolimus) can enhance the effect of neoadjuvant and adjuvant endocrine therapy.
Salicylic Acid and Nitric Oxide: Insight Into the Transcriptional Regulation of Their Metabolism and Regulatory Functions in Plants
Authors: Rai Krishna Kumar , Pandey Neha , Rai Nagendra , Rai Sanjay Kumar , Pandey-Rai Shashi
Published: December 2021

Salicylic acid (SA) and nitric oxide (NO) are key signaling molecules required to activate the plant's innate immunity against abiotic stresses and biotrophic attackers. Stress-induced signaling and accumulation of SA and NO triggers extensive transcriptional reprogramming of defense-related genes, induced biosynthesis of secondary metabolites and anti-microbial compounds, thereby protecting/steering plant growth and immunity. Transcriptional regulation of SA and NO signaling are crucial for fine-tuning important cellular and metabolic functions, thus making plant defense impervious against many pathogens. The development of an impenetrable immune response is often associated with an unavoidable trade-off in the form of active suppression of plant growth and reproduction. Therefore, we highlighted recent advancements and research to unravel transcriptional regulation of SA and NO signaling essential for fulfilling their role as defense signaling molecules. We also emphasized comprehensive knowledge related to transcriptional reprogramming of SA and NO signaling important in strengthening plant growth-immunity trade-off. We also highlighted the progress on SA and NO signaling playing an indispensable role in stimulating plant-microbe interaction to modulate crucial plant functions.
Swimming Phase-Based Performance Evaluation Using a Single IMU in Main Swimming Techniques
Authors: Hamidi Rad Mahdi , Aminian Kamiar , Gremeaux Vincent , Massé Fabien , Dadashi Farzin
Published: December 2021

Comprehensive monitoring of performance is essential for swimmers and swimming coaches to optimize the training. Regardless of the swimming technique, the swimmer passes various swimming phases from wall to wall, including a dive into the water or wall push-off, then glide and strokes preparation and finally, swimming up to the turn. The coach focuses on improving the performance of the swimmer in each of these phases. The purpose of this study was to assess the potential of using a sacrum-worn inertial measurement unit (IMU) for performance evaluation in each swimming phase (wall push-off, glide, stroke preparation and swimming) of elite swimmers in four main swimming techniques (i.e. front crawl, breaststroke, butterfly and backstroke). Nineteen swimmers were asked to wear a sacrum IMU and swim four one-way 25 m trials in each technique, attached to a tethered speedometer and filmed by cameras in the whole lap as reference systems. Based on the literature, several goal metrics were extracted from the instantaneous velocity (e.g. average velocity per stroke cycle) and displacement (e.g. time to reach 15 m from the wall) data from a tethered speedometer for the swimming phases, each one representing the goodness of swimmer’s performance. Following a novel approach, that starts from swimming bout detection and continues until detecting the swimming phases, the IMU kinematic variables in each swimming phase were extracted. The highly associated variables with the corresponding goal metrics were detected by LASSO (least absolute shrinkage and selection operator) variable selection and used for estimating the goal metrics with a linear regression model. The selected kinematic variables were relevant to the motion characteristics of each phase (e.g. selection of propulsion-related variables in wall push-off phase), providing more interpretability to the model. The estimation reached a determination coefficient (R2) value more than 0.75 and a relative RMSE less than 10% for most goal metrics in all swimming techniques. The results show that a single sacrum IMU can provide a wide range of performance-related swimming kinematic variables, useful for performance evaluation in four main swimming techniques.
Graphene-Based Scaffolds: Fundamentals and Applications for Cardiovascular Tissue Engineering
Authors: Savchenko Alex , Yin Rose T. , Kireev Dmitry , Efimov Igor R. , Molokanova Elena
Published: December 2021

Cardiac tissue engineering requires materials that can faithfully recapitulate and support the native in vivo microenvironment while providing a seamless bioelectronic interface. Current limitations of cell scaffolds include the lack of electrical conductivity and suboptimal mechanical properties. Here we discuss how the incorporation of graphene into cellular scaffolds, either alone or in combination with other materials, can affect morphology, function, and maturation of cardiac cells. We conclude that graphene-based scaffolds hold great promise for cardiac tissue engineering.
Emerging Nano-Based Strategies Against Drug Resistance in Tumor Chemotherapy
Authors: Cao Lei , Zhu Yuqin , Wang Weiju , Wang Gaoxiong , Zhang Shuaishuai , Cheng Hongwei
Published: December 2021

Drug resistance is the most significant causes of cancer chemotherapy failure. Various mechanisms of drug resistance include tumor heterogeneity, tumor microenvironment, changes at cellular levels, genetic factors, and other mechanisms. In recent years, more attention has been paid to tumor resistance mechanisms and countermeasures. Nanomedicine is an emerging treatment platform, focusing on alternative drug delivery and improved therapeutic effectiveness while reducing side effects on normal tissues. Here, we reviewed the principal forms of drug resistance and the new possibilities that nanomaterials offer for overcoming these therapeutic barriers. Novel nanomaterials based on tumor types are an excellent modality to equalize drug resistance that enables gain more rational and flexible drug selectivity for individual patient treatment. With the emergence of advanced designs and alternative drug delivery strategies with different nanomaterials, overcome of multidrug resistance shows promising and opens new horizons for cancer therapy. This review discussed different mechanisms of drug resistance and recent advances in nanotechnology-based therapeutic strategies to improve the sensitivity and effectiveness of chemotherapeutic drugs, aiming to show the advantages of nanomaterials in overcoming of drug resistance for tumor chemotherapy, which could accelerate the development of personalized medicine.
Anti-Biofouling Polymers with Special Surface Wettability for Biomedical Applications
Authors: He Zhoukun , Yang Xiaochen , Wang Na , Mu Linpeng , Pan Jinyuan , Lan Xiaorong , Li Hongmei , Deng Fei
Published: December 2021

The use of anti-biofouling polymers has widespread potential for counteracting marine, medical, and industrial biofouling. The anti-biofouling action is usually related to the degree of surface wettability. This review is focusing on anti-biofouling polymers with special surface wettability, and it will provide a new perspective to promote the development of anti-biofouling polymers for biomedical applications. Firstly, current anti-biofouling strategies are discussed followed by a comprehensive review of anti-biofouling polymers with specific types of surface wettability, including superhydrophilicity, hydrophilicity, and hydrophobicity. We then summarize the applications of anti-biofouling polymers with specific surface wettability in typical biomedical fields both in vivo and in vitro, such as cardiology, ophthalmology, and nephrology. Finally, the challenges and directions of the development of anti-biofouling polymers with special surface wettability are discussed. It is helpful for future researchers to choose suitable anti-biofouling polymers with special surface wettability for specific biomedical applications.
Tools for Decoding Ubiquitin Signaling in DNA Repair
Authors: Foster Benjamin , Attwood Martin , Gibbs-Seymour Ian
Published: December 2021

The maintenance of genome stability requires dedicated DNA repair processes and pathways that are essential for the faithful duplication and propagation of chromosomes. These DNA repair mechanisms counteract the potentially deleterious impact of the frequent genotoxic challenges faced by cells from both exogenous and endogenous agents. Intrinsic to these mechanisms, cells have an arsenal of protein factors that can be utilised to promote repair processes in response to DNA lesions. Orchestration of the protein factors within the various cellular DNA repair pathways is performed, in part, by post-translational modifications, such as phosphorylation, ubiquitin, SUMO and other ubiquitin-like modifiers (UBLs). In this review, we firstly explore recent advances in the tools for identifying factors involved in both DNA repair and ubiquitin signaling pathways. We then expand on this by evaluating the growing repertoire of proteomic, biochemical and structural techniques available to further understand the mechanistic basis by which these complex modifications regulate DNA repair. Together, we provide a snapshot of the range of methods now available to investigate and decode how ubiquitin signaling can promote DNA repair and maintain genome stability in mammalian cells.
Viscoelasticity Acts as a Marker for Tumor Extracellular Matrix Characteristics
Authors: Mierke Claudia Tanja
Published: December 2021

Biological materials such as extracellular matrix scaffolds, cancer cells, and tissues are often assumed to respond elastically for simplicity; the viscoelastic response is quite commonly ignored. Extracellular matrix mechanics including the viscoelasticity has turned out to be a key feature of cellular behavior and the entire shape and function of healthy and diseased tissues, such as cancer. The interference of cells with their local microenvironment and the interaction among different cell types relies both on the mechanical phenotype of each involved element. However, there is still not yet clearly understood how viscoelasticity alters the functional phenotype of the tumor extracellular matrix environment. Especially the biophysical technologies are still under ongoing improvement and further development. In addition, the effect of matrix mechanics in the progression of cancer is the subject of discussion. Hence, the topic of this review is especially attractive to collect the existing endeavors to characterize the viscoelastic features of tumor extracellular matrices and to briefly highlight the present frontiers in cancer progression and escape of cancers from therapy. Finally, this review article illustrates the importance of the tumor extracellular matrix mechano-phenotype, including the phenomenon viscoelasticity in identifying, characterizing, and treating specific cancer types.
Analysis of Salivary Microbiome and Its Association With Periodontitis in Patients With Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Authors: Chen Yanlong , Chen Xuehui , Huang Xin , Duan Ying , Gao He , Gao Xuemei
Published: December 2021

Objectives

This study aimed to analyze the periodontal conditions of patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in relation to the salivary microbiome.

Materials and Methods

In total, 54 male adults (27 with OSA, 27 controls) completed this cross-sectional study. All participants were monitored by overnight polysomnography (PSG) and underwent full-mouth periodontal examination. Saliva samples were then collected, and the microbial 16S ribosomal RNA gene was sequenced. The data were analyzed to determine the microbial distribution and the community structure of the two groups.

Results

Demonstrated by alpha and beta diversity, the OSA group had a lower microbial richness and a lower observed species than the controls. There was no significant difference in the microbial species diversity or evenness between the OSA and the non-OSA groups. The OSA group had fewer operational taxonomic units (OTUs), and the distribution of microbiome showed that several gram-positive bacteria had higher abundance in the OSA group. As for periodontal pathogens, the relative abundance of Prevotella was significantly increased in the OSA group. No significant difference was observed in the relative abundance of other pathogens at either the genus or species level.

Conclusions

The salivary microbial community structure was altered in patients with OSA in terms of species richness and trans-habitat diversity, along with an increase in Prevotella, a specific periodontal pathogen. These findings might explain the high prevalence of periodontitis in OSA patients.
HPV16-LINC00393 Integration Alters Local 3D Genome Architecture in Cervical Cancer Cells
Authors: Xu Xinxin , Han Zhiqiang , Ruan Yetian , Liu Min , Cao Guangxu , Li Chao , Li Fang
Published: December 2021

High-risk human papillomavirus (hrHPV) infection and integration were considered as essential onset factors for the development of cervical cancer. However, the mechanism on how hrHPV integration influences the host genome structure remains not fully understood. In this study, we performed in situ high-throughput chromosome conformation capture (Hi-C) sequencing, chromatin immunoprecipitation and sequencing (ChIP-seq), and RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq) in two cervical cells, 1) NHEK normal human epidermal keratinocyte; and 2) HPV16-integrated SiHa tumorigenic cervical cancer cells. Our results reveal that the HPV-LINC00393 integrated chromosome 13 exhibited significant genomic variation and differential gene expression, which was verified by calibrated CTCF and H3K27ac ChIP-Seq chromatin restructuring. Importantly, HPV16 integration led to differential responses in topologically associated domain (TAD) boundaries, with a decrease in the tumor suppressor KLF12 expression downstream of LINC00393. Overall, this study provides significant insight into the understanding of HPV16 integration induced 3D structural changes and their contributions on tumorigenesis, which supplements the theory basis for the cervical carcinogenic mechanism of HPV16 integration.