bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
On the way to a smart school: a look from the classroom
Authors: Vodopyan G. M.
Published: July 2022

The article presents a ten-year experience of the development and implementation of a personalized mastery-based learning model to renew the educational process in a public school. The model assumes that 1) externally set learning goals should be processed by the students and become their personal goals, 2) the success of learning is ensured by individualizing the pace, organization and methods of teaching, educational materials and special eﬀorts of teachers to develop personal qualities of the student. Six interrelated tasks that the educational organization systematically solved during the experiment are described. The eﬀectiveness of the developed model of educational work is evidenced by the high marks of students in the state exams in informatics and the results of the annual state graduation tests.
Preparation of high school students for solving tasks of the data mining olympiads
Authors: Karmanova E. V. , Medvedeva P. I.
Published: July 2022

The article describes the preparation of high school students for the Olympiads on the basics of artifcial intelligence. An analysis of existing Russian and foreign competitions in artifcial intelligence for schoolchildren is presented. The main technologies of artificial intelligence are described. The place of data mining is determined as one of the basic sections of data science and an important fundamental skill for the implementation of tasks in the feld of artifcial intelligence. The features of the implementation of such Olympiads are highlighted, the difculties that participants may encounter when performing Olympiad tasks are identifed. As a solution to the problem, it is proposed to create educational modules for preparing for Olympiads in artifcial intelligence.

The structure and content of the educational module for preparing high school students for the Olympiad "The Way to Success" (section "Fundamentals of Artifcial Intelligence"), held on the basis of Nosov Magnitogorsk State Technical University. An analysis of the creative task for preparing for the fnal round of the Olympiad is presented. The task is associated with the use of data mining methods, in the course of its implementation, the students examined a data set — comments of Internet users about a foreign series in order to determine their attitude towards the main characters of the series, to identify countries where the series turned out to be the most popular and discussed.

The results of the qualifying round of the Olympiad showed the following: the schoolchildren who completed the training within the framework of the educational module were able to get into the fnal of the Olympiad, the rest of the schoolchildren could not overcome the threshold value of the qualifying testing. The article notes that preparation for modern Olympiads in any subject area is an important factor for passing to the fnal. However, teachers of informatics and mathematics are not yet ready to help schoolchildren solve Olympiad problems in artifcial intelligence, it is important that such educational tracks are provided for the participants by the organizers of the Olympiads.
Удосконалення організаційно-управлінського забезпечення оздоровчо-рекреаційної рухової активності осіб зрілого віку
Authors: Акімова Марія , Андрєєва Олена , Мічуда Юрій
Published: July 2022

Анотація. Протягом останніх років авторитетні міжнародні організації звертають увагу урядів держав на необхідність створення сприятливих умов для заохочення громадян до регулярної рухової активності. Мета. Обґрунтувати та розробити модель удосконалення організаційно-управлінських умов розвитку оздоровчо-рекреаційної рухової активності на основі використання засобів оздоровчих видів гімнастики для підвищення рівня залученості осіб зрілого віку до рухової активності, покращення їхнього фізичного стану. Методи. Аналіз фахової науково-методичної літератури, документальних матеріалів, метод порівняння та зіставлення, логіко-теоретичний, структурно-функціональний, системний аналіз, соціологічні методи дослідження, педагогічне спостереження, моделювання, методи математичної статистики. Результати. Вивчаючи чинники, що лімітують ефективність організаційно-управлінського забезпечення розвитку оздоровчо-рекреаційної рухової активності з використанням засобів оздоровчих видів гімнастики в Україні, встановлено, що найбільше обмежує розвиток низький рівень взаємодії організацій, що надають послуги з оздоровчих видів гімнастики, неналежний рівень впровадження наукових досягнень, технологій у практику оздоровчої діяльності та недостатня матеріальна база. Результатом досліджень стала розроблена модель удосконалення організаційно-управлінських умов розвитку оздоровчо-рекреаційної рухової активності з використанням засобів оздоровчих видів гімнастики в Україні, для чого з’ясовано необхідність удосконалення організаційно-управлінських умов розвитку; сформульовано мету та головні завдання моделі; прогнозовано очікувані результати її реалізації. Модель включає три етапи: обґрунтування необхідності удосконалення організаційно-управлінських умов, діагностика організаційно-управлінського забезпечення, прийняття управлінських рішень. Реалізація моделі передбачає розробку програми, яка включає певні цілі та завдання. Спроектованими цілями були: «Розробка довгострокової програми зміцнення здоров’я населення»; «Завоювання ринку»; «Забезпечення організаційно-управлінських умов розвитку оздоровчо-рекреаційної рухової активності з використанням оздоровчих видів гімнастики». Для реалізації окреслених цілей та завдань сформовано ієрархічну структуру основних робіт програми: «Організація програми»; «Впровадження програми»; «Контроль виконання програми».

Ключові слова: оздоровчо-рекреаційна рухова активність, модель, особи зрілого віку, оздоровчі види гімнастики.
Формування мотивації до занять з фізичного виховання студентів закладів вищої освіти засобами гімнастики
Authors: Колеснік Ірина , Терещенко Іван , Левчук Тамара
Published: July 2022

Анотація. Як зазначають науковці, фізичне виховання, будучи складовою частиною системи виховання майбутніх фахівців, відіграє важливу роль у збереженні та зміцненні здоров’я студентів, підвищенні фізичної працездатності, збільшенні тривалості життя, формуванні професійно важливих якостей особистості. У статті розкрито проблему сучасної системи фізичного виховання студентів закладів вищої освіти. Недостатня дослідженність особливостей формування мотивації у юнаків і дівчат, що навчаються у навчальному закладі, і значущість цього питання для ефективної диференційованої організації фізичного виховання студентів доводить актуальність цього питання. Мета. Вивчення мотивів та інтересів студентів до занять з фізичного виховання, зокрема гімнастикою, під час навчання у закладі вищої освіти. Методи. Теоретичний аналіз літературних джерел, анкетування, методи математичної статистики. Результати. Серед молоді недостатньо сформована мотивація до занять фізичними вправами, тому постійно ведеться активний пошук нових форм і методів підвищення якості фізичного виховання майбутніх студентів закладів вищої освіти. На сьогодні проблема мотивації досить актуальна і висвітлена у цілому ряді робіт. У системі фізичного виховання гімнастика займає особливе місце, адже вона є одним із основних засобів для зміцнення здоров’я, фізичного розвитку, загартування організму, формування життєво необхідних рухових умінь та навичок, одним з універсальних засобів фізичного виховання. Це система специфічних вправ і методичних прийомів, які використовують з метою фізичного виховання, освіти, спортивної підготовки, оздоровлення, відновлення, лікування тощо. Вона сприяє розвитку та удосконаленню таких фізичних якостей, як швидкість, витривалість, гнучкість, спритність, сила, координаційні здібності.

Ключові слова: інтерес, пріоритети, гімнастика, засоби, мотиви.
Medidas executivas atípicas como instrumento de efetividade das ações de recuperação de crédito
Authors: Valadares Fernanda Quintas
Published: July 2022

O direito à efetividade do processo decorre de norma constitucional que assegura a todo litigante regular duração do processo e dos meios que garantam a obtenção material da tutela pleiteada. A inobservância a esse direito é uma das questões que mais interfere no êxito das ações de recuperação de crédito, sendo certo que, em muitos casos, a utilização dos meios convencionais se mostra insuficiente à entrega da tutela executiva. A questão norteadora que será analisada no presente estudo se refere à possibilidade de os julgadores conferirem maior efetividade processual à recuperação do crédito por parte do credor/exequente. Portanto, tem-se como objetivo discutir quais ferramentas, diferentes das arroladas no Artigo 835 do Código de Processo Civil de 2015, os magistrados podem utilizar para conferir efetividade às suas decisões, bem como a utilização de meios executivos atípicos como ferramentas para esse fim. Metodologicamente, foi realizada, no mês de fevereiro de 2022, investigação no banco de dados da Serasa e do Conselho Nacional de Justiça, com a finalidade de levantar dados que pudessem fornecer subsídios ao estudo. Foi feita ainda pesquisa bibliográfica na doutrina, no texto constitucional e na legislação infraconstitucional a fim de demonstrar, por intermédio dos resultados obtidos, que a adoção dos meios atípicos é legítima, conquanto que os parâmetros para sua aplicação ainda não estejam totalmente delineados. Foi realizada, ainda, investigação na jurisprudência dos tribunais superiores, constatando-se a existência de discussão acerca da constitucionalidade dos dispositivos autorizadores das medidas, bem como eventual conflito de normas constitucionais. Por fim, concluiu-se que a referida divergência está em vias de ser dirimida por intermédio da Ação Direta de Inconstitucionalidade nº 5941, a qual está pendente de julgamento pelo Supremo Tribunal Federal até a data de conclusão deste artigo.
LEGAL MECHANISMS OF COMPENSATION FOR DAMAGES CAUSED BY MILITARY IMPACT ON THE UKRAINIAN ECONOMY
Authors:   State organization “V. Mamutov Institute of Economic and Legal Research of the  National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine”, Kyiv, Ukraine, Koverznev V.О. , Ponomarov S.P. ,   Head of Cybersecurity and Information Protection Department,  Kyiv, Ukraine
Published: July 2022

On February 24, 2022, the Russian Federation launched an aggressive war against independent Ukraine, which was accompanied by the deliberate destruction of infrastructure, industry and agriculture, housing, cultural values, and other property belonging. The maintained analysis led to the conclusion that the damage caused to the Ukraine’s economy, its citizens and businesses due to the military influence of the Russian Federation can be compensated in the general and commercial courts of Ukraine, as well as using UN mechanisms. The author of the article substantiates the following: the expediency of adopting a special law by the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, which will allow the competent state body to collect on the property of the Russian Federation located on the territory of Ukraine or on the property of persons recognized as its collaborators; the decision of the courts to compensate for the damage caused by the armed aggression of the Russian Federation; the need for Ukraine to conclude bilateral and multilateral international agreements on the search for assets of the Russian Federation in the territories of other states, their arrest and transfer to Ukraine in order to compensate for losses caused by armed aggression of the Russian Federation, recognized and recovered by national courts. The need to reform the United Nations peacekeeping process by amending Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations to remove a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council for an act of aggression has been demonstrated in respect of another state, from voting in matters of peace and security or empowering the General Assembly of the United Nations to decide matters of peace and security if they are violated by a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council. Key words: compensation for damages, military influence on the economy, laws and customs of war, judicial immunity of the state.
ESTABLISHMENT OF THE BUREAU OF ECONOMIC SECURITY OF UKRAINE AS A SUBJECT OF PREVENTION OF CRIMINAL OFFENSES IN THE FINANCIAL SPHERE
Authors:   Military Institute of Kiev National Taras Shevchenko University,  Kyiv, Ukraine, Karelin V.V. , Makarenko О.O. ,   Academy of the State Penitentiary Service, Chernihiv, Ukraine
Published: July 2022

Today Ukraine is reforming the economic component of law enforcement agencies and creating a completely new body of the Bureau of Economic Security of Ukraine, which is tasked with combating offenses that encroach on the functioning of the financial system of the state. The precondition for the establishment of a body to prevent financial offenses was the ineffective existing mechanism for combating economic crime in Ukraine. The liquidation of the State Fiscal Service is the final stage of tax reform in Ukraine. The establishment of the Bureau of Economic Security of Ukraine to combat criminal offenses in the financial sector is a step towards building a strong, independent country and a priority requirement of the International Monetary Fund, which was included in the Memoranda of Economic and Financial Policies for 2017 and 2018. Although the Verkhovna Rada adopted the Law of Ukraine “On the Bureau of Economic Security of Ukraine”, due to a number of organizational issues the Bureau was unable to work on time, and the deadline for launching the body was postponed for another 2 months. Without eliminating a number of shortcomings, the full launch of the Bureau of Economic Security of Ukraine may be delayed for more than one month. Society is in need to create a single body to replace the police, economic units of the Ukraine’s Security Service and the National Police, which is a body that will be able to primarily perform analytical activities, rather than using force to put pressure on business. The process of establishing the Bureau of Economic Security of Ukraine is quite fast, but there are a number of nuances, the solution of which postpones the launch of the Bureau. How quickly the structure, staffing, regulations on the structural units of the central office and territorial offices, job descriptions of employees, determining the jurisdiction of detectives of the Bureau will depend on how quickly the Bureau of Economic Security of Ukraine will work. The creation of a body that will counteract offenses that encroach on the functioning of the state’s economy will have no chance of success unless the organizational and legal framework for its functioning is carefully worked out. The Bureau of Economic Security of Ukraine should become one of the components of a clearly defined state policy in the field of combating economic crime. Key words: Bureau of Economic Security of Ukraine, analytical function, law enforcement agency, risks in the economic sphere, Council of Public Control, economic offenses prevention, investigation.
PECULIARITIES OF DETENTION OF PERSONS FOR CRIMINAL OFFENSES COMMITTED ON THE GROUNDS OF RACIAL, NATIONAL OR RELIGIOUS INTOLERANCE
Authors:   Territorially Separate Branch “Kamianske Branch of the  Academy of the State Penitentiary Service”,  Kamianske, Ukraine, Kovalevskyi A.V.
Published: July 2022

The author considers the features of criminal offenses in the article, which are related to extremism based on a comprehensive analysis based on previous studies of national scientists in which there is no consensus on the signs of intolerance draws conclusions and characterizes such acts, identifies their individual characteristics. Particular attention is paid to the detention conditions while realization of the preventive measures in the form of detention of such categories of persons accused of committing crimes on the grounds of racial, national or religious intolerance, which is important in the field of human rights, in isolation, overcoming discrimination against all its manifestations and ensuring personal safety. The author emphasizes that the pre-trial detention centers of the State Criminal and Executive Service of Ukraine are an institution for the implementation of a preventive measure in the form of detention, so considerable attention should be paid to the reception and placement of this category of prisoners. The article offers proposals for improving national legislation to allocate this category of persons to a separate group. It is concluded that attention is not paid enough to the personal safety of the personnel of penitentiary institutions. A number of specific issues have been clarified, namely the recommendations of the personnel of penitentiary institutions in which such persons are detained. Personnel should be careful and vigilant in dealing with them, aware of their life directions, fanaticism, radical views of those under fire for committing criminal offenses based on racial, national or religious intolerance. Key words: pre-trial detention, detention on grounds of racial, national or religious intolerance, hatred, hostility, categories of persons, penitentiary institution, detention center, penitentiary system.
Perancangan SPK Dalam Penentuan Kelayakan Perpanjangan Kontrak Kerja Karyawan PT.WBL Devisi Operasional Menggunakan Metode Profile Matching
Authors: B Muslimin , Rowa Heruzulkifli
Published: July 2022

Private companies currently tend to implement contract systems in all divisions and subdivisions. PT.Wulandari Bangun Laksana(WBL)/ Balikpapan Super Block(BSB) operational scope of the implementation of the contract recruitment system up to several times the contract extension so that the employee is eligible to be appointed as permanent employees. During the extension of the work contract, the operational supervisory supervisor carries out an analysis process in determining the eligibility of employees to be accepted as permanent employees. In order to produce the expected assessment, a mechanism and modeling process is needed that can be processed by a system and evaluation and analysis process carried out by the operational supervisor. This study aims to build a decision support system in determining the feasibility of extending the PT.WBL/Balikpapan Super Block(BSB) employee contract based on good and effective performance objectively using the profile matching method. Decision support system is a technique for using the system in managing the evaluation process by the decision maker (supervisor). The implementation of the profile matching method is the application of a method that can handle the appraisal process based on evaluation of criteria and the value of preferences towards employee alternatives. The data processed is employee data in the scope of the operational division Balikapan Super Block(BSB). The results of the evaluation carried out produce an alternative weight of employees, which can be used as consideration in making decisions on the feasibility of extending the work contract or being appointed as permanent employees. Based on the evaluation process of the criteria and alternatives carried out, it is expected to produce decision values ​​and modeling processes with high accuracy values.
Clinical Results of Punch Biopsy for Various Eyelid Disorders in the Office Setting
Authors: Kim Doah , Lee Seunghyun , Lew Helen
Published: July 2022

Purpose: To introduce punch biopsy, which can be easily performed in an outpatient setting, and to evaluate its clinical usefulness.Methods: A retrospective study was performed in 33 patients with atypical eyelid disorders who underwent punch biopsy.Results: This study included 33 eyes (33 patients; male:female = 12:21) with a mean age of 57.27 ± 19.12 years. There were 19 (57.6%) right eye, 14 (42.4%) left eye, 15 (45.5%) upper eyelid, and 18 (54.5%) lower eyelid lesions. The biopsy approaches were percutaneous and transconjunctival in 24 (72.7%) and nine (27.3%) eyes, respectively. Benign and malignant lesions were found in 21 (63.6%) and 12 (36.4%) eyes, respectively. The benign lesions included chalazion (52.4%), acute and chronic inflammation (23.8%), acanthosis (4.8%), and ectopic cillia (4.8%), and were treated conservatively by intralesional steroid injections or incision and drainage. The malignant lesions included sebaceous carcinomas (33.3%), squamous cell carcinomas (25%), and basal cell carcinomas (16.7%), with various treatments, including surgical resections, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy.Conclusions: Punch biopsy is a safe and quick procedure that can easily be performed in the office setting for patients who require a pathologic diagnosis for eyelid diseases, including malignancies. It may be useful for diagnosis and treatment planning.
Microbiological Profile and Clinical Characteristics of Bacterial Keratitis with Poor Visual Outcome
Authors: Lim Jinam , Cho Chan-Ho , Lee Sang-Bumm
Published: July 2022

Purpose: To compare clinical characteristics between the poor visual outcome (PVO) and good visual outcome (GVO) groups in culture-proven bacterial keratitis.Methods: A total of 230 cases (44 and 186 eyes in the PVO and GVO groups, respectively) of culture-proven bacterial keratitis, treated between January 2007 and December 2020, were reviewed retrospectively. The PVO group included cases with the final best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) of less than 0.1 and no improvement compared to the initial BCVA. The remaining cases were included in the GVO group. The microbiological profiles, epidemiology, predisposing factors, and clinical characteristics were compared between the PVO and GVO groups, and the risk factors for PVO were analyzed.Results: Staphylococcus spp. and Pseudomonas spp. were common isolates in both the PVO and GVO groups, with no significant differences in the distribution of isolates. There were no significant differences between the groups in terms of sex, seasonal distribution, corneal trauma, and prior topical steroid use, but contact lens wear was significantly less in the PVO group. Significant risk factors for PVO were age ≥60 years (Z = 4.22, two-proportion Z-test), central corneal lesions (Z = 3.80), epithelial defect size ≥5 mm2 (Z = 3.74), prior ocular surgery (Z = 3.63), hypopyon (Z = 3.42), previous ocular surface disease (Z = 3.32), and diabetes (Z = 3.12).Conclusions: In patients with bacterial keratitis, PVO was associated with older age, severe initial corneal findings, previous ocular disease history, and diabetes, but not with the causative pathogen itself.
Bilateral Frosted Branch Angiitis in Anti-phospholipid Antibody Syndrome
Authors: Lee Yong Min , Lee Min Woo , Lee Young Hoon , Baek Seung-Kook
Published: July 2022

Purpose: We report a case of bilateral frosted branch angiitis caused by anti-phospholipid antibody syndrome.Case summary: A 60-year-old female complained of worsening vitreous floaters and decreased visual acuity in both eyes. The initial best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was 0.8 in the right eye and 0.05 in the left. On slit-lamp examination, inflammatory findings were observed in the anterior chamber and vitreous body of both eyes. On fundus examination, vascular sheathing in the shape of a frosted branch was observed in the posterior pole and peripheral retina in both eyes. Optical coherence tomography indicated macular edema in the left eye. Staining and leakage of dye along the vascular sheathing were observed in both eyes with fluorescein angiography. On suspicion of panuveitis, we conducted a blood test and started eye drops and oral steroid therapy. However, vitreous inflammation, macular edema, and vascular sheathing increased; thus, we proceeded with systemic steroid therapy. We conducted blood tests at 8-week intervals; lupus anticoagulant was negative but anticardiolipin antibody and anti- ß2 glycoprotein-I antibody were positive. We diagnosed the patient with bilateral frosted branch angiitis caused by anti-phospholipid antibody syndrome. During the follow-up period, the BCVA remained steady at 0.5 in the right eye and 0.3 in the left eye, without symptom recurrence.Conclusions: Bilateral frosted branch angiitis, a rare disease, is known to respond well to systemic steroid treatment. However, if accompanied by primary anti-phospholipid antibody syndrome, as in the case presented, it may have an atypical prognosis.
E-commerce na sindemia de COVID-19: uma estratégia de inovação para o crescimento econômico do setor de comércio varejista brasileiro (2020-2021)
Authors: Prado Vaner José do , Santos Luciana Rodrigues dos , Pastine Luciano Azariel
Published: July 2022

Nos dias atuais, conviver com o fenômeno COVID-19 se tornou parte da chamada “nova realidade”, de modo a impactar nos mais diferentes aspectos da vida cotidiana das pessoas. Neste contexto, a questão de pesquisa consiste em demonstrar como o E-Commerce pode ter impulsionado o comércio varejista durante o processo definido como “colapso sindêmico”, causado pela pandemia da COVID-19, entre os anos de 2020 e 2021? Assim, objetiva-se compreender alguns fatores que sinalizam as contribuições do e-commerce para a tendência do crescimento do setor, por meio da análise do comportamento do comércio eletrônico, em sua dinâmica e desafios enfrentados, sob a perspectiva Schumpeteriana do funcionamento da economia, durante o período sindêmico de 2020 a 2021. A pesquisa possui natureza exploratória no sentido de compreender os fenômenos estudados. Deste modo, os resultados demonstram evidenciar que a sindemia trouxe um cenário de alta incerteza, que efetivamente ocasionou um crescimento sem precedentes no setor de e-commerce ainda em um contexto altamente instável, conseguindo não somente amenizar os seus efeitos recessivos como também ajudou a manter a tendência de crescimento do setor. Ainda mais, foi evidenciado por meio da fundamentação teórica Schumpeteriana, que durante esse período, houve uma “destruição criadora” o que provocou um “boom” de inovação no setor e uma ruptura tanto quantitativa como qualitativa nas preferências dos consumidores fazendo surgir novos comportamentos por parte deles.
Recognising trade-offs between welfare and environmental outcomes in aquaculture will enable good decisions
Authors: Macaulay G , Barrett LT , Dempster T
Published: July 2022

As aquaculture expands, ensuring the sustainability of practices requires a focus on minimising environmental effects. At the same time, where fish are cultured, their welfare needs to be secured to ensure compliance with legislation and gain social acceptance of farming practices. However, clear conflicts exist between protecting the environment and protecting welfare where either environmental or welfare outcomes are traded off against each other. We document 5 cases in aquaculture where environmental sustainability and welfare principles are antagonistic. If knowledge or management of environmental sustainability or welfare is weak in a specific setting, the best outcome may not be achieved. We contend that identifying conflicts between desired environmental and welfare outcomes as early as possible will allow for knowledge-based consideration of trade-offs using the best available evidence. Further, where different departments of regulators are responsible for different outcomes, targeted collaboration focused on identifying conflicts should reduce instances of unconscious trade-offs. Reducing conflicts between the 2 goals of good welfare and environmental protection should promote both ecologically and ethically sustainable aquaculture.
Reconfiguring History through Literature: Cultural Memory and Mo Yan’s Historical PlayOur Jing Ke
Authors: ZHANG Yue
Published: July 2022

In a departure from his usual work, Mo Yan’s (1955–) historical play Our Jing Ke ( Women de Jing Ke) reinterprets the story of the assassin Jing Ke (d. 227 BCE). The play adopts most of its characters and plot points from previous accounts, particularly The Grand Scribe’s Records ( Shiji), and the basic structure follows the cultural memory of Jing Ke. However, there are major innovations in Mo Yan’s interpretation of the story, including the title of the play; the investigation of the theme of fame; the creation of a new major character, Lady Yan; the use of colloquial, humorous, and information-dense language; and the adoption of modernist literary devices to reinterpret the motivation behind the assassination. Through these innovations, Mo Yan contests the traditional reception of the lore of Jing Ke and adds new elements to its cultural memory. Simultaneously, Mo Yan relates this popular story to contemporary Chinese social reality and concerns. To better understand both the retrospective revisions and prospective efforts to reach contemporary audiences, this article places Our Jing Ke in the context of the long reception and cultural memory of Jing Ke as well as in the context of Mo Yan’s life experience and other writings.
Tocilizumab as a Treatment for Cytokine Storm in COVID-19 Patients: A systematic review
Authors: Haron Muhammad Huzaimi , Isa Mohamad Rodi , Rashid Hanisa Syahirah Mohd , Adam Nur Amanina , Awang Nur Aliah , Halip Muhammad Hairul Faez
Published: July 2022

Tocilizumab is a competitive interleukin-6 inhibitor agent that has been proposed to combat the COVID-19-related hyperinflammatory state, known as a cytokine storm. This systematic review was conducted to study the treatment of cytokine storm by Tocilizumab in COVID-19 patients. The search strategy (“COVID-19” OR “COVID19” OR SARS-CoV-2”) AND “tocilizumab” AND “cytokine storm” AND “inflammatory markers” AND (“ICU stay duration” OR “intensive care unit stay duration”) AND “mechanical ventilation requirement” AND (mortality OR death) were manually searched through Web of Science, Scopus, and PubMed databases spanned from March 2020 to November 2021. The inclusion criteria were: research articles, human study, clinical trial, and articles in English. The exclusion criteria were: review articles, case reports, early access, editorial materials, letters, short survey, in vivo or in vitro studies. Five articles were included in the analysis. There were four countries had conducted the studies (Italy, China, USA and Netherland) with different study designs (observational (80%) and randomized controlled trials (20%)) involving 649 patients (48% received TCZ) among moderate to severe COVID-19 patients. There were variabilities in the TCZ dosage given with some combination with other medication (methylprednisolone, azithromycin, hydroxychloroquine, lopinavir and ritonavir). TCZ reduce death cases significantly. It improves respiratory function, reduces the incidence of respiratory syndrome and less-invasive mechanical ventilation usage. The level of inflammatory markers such as C-reactive protein, ferritin and lactate dehydrogenase were significantly higher in the TCZ group. Tocilizumab may increase survival and favourable clinical course, improved hypoxia, accelerate respiratory recovery, lower hospital mortality, reduce the likelihood of invasive mechanical ventilation, improve clinical symptoms, represses the deterioration of patients (prolonging survival) and improve inflammation and immune cell function.
Early Growth Response Factor 1 in Aging Hematopoietic Stem Cells and Leukemia
Authors: Kulkarni Rohan
Published: July 2022

Aging is associated with various hematological disorders and a higher risk of myeloproliferative disorders. An aged hematopoietic system can be characterized by decreased immune function and increased myeloid cell production. Hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) regulate the production of blood cells throughout life. The self-renewal and regenerative potential of HSCs determine the quality and quantity of the peripheral blood cells. External signals from the microenvironment under different conditions determine the fate of the HSCs to proliferate, self-renew, differentiate, or remain quiescent. HSCs respond impromptu to a vast array of extracellular signaling cascades such as cytokines, growth factors, or nutrients, which are crucial in the regulation of HSCs. Early growth response factor 1 (EGR1) is one of the key transcription factors controlling HSC proliferation and their localization in the bone marrow (BM) niche. Downregulation ofEgr1activates and recruits HSCs for their proliferation and differentiation to produce mature blood cells. Increased expression ofEgr1is implicated in immuno-aging of HSCs. However, dysregulation ofEgr1is associated with hematological malignancies such as acute myeloid leukemia (AML), acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), and chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML). Here, we summarize the current understanding of the role of EGR1 in the regulation of HSC functionality and the manifestation of leukemia. We also discuss the alternative strategies to rejuvenate the aged HSCs by targeting EGR1 in different settings.
A Perspective on Perovskite Solar Cells: Emergence, Progress, and Commercialization
Authors: Zhang Pengyu , Li Menglin , Chen Wen-Cheng
Published: July 2022

With rapid progress in light-to-electric conversion efficiencies, perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have exhibited great potential as next-generation low-cost, efficient photovoltaic technology. In this perspective, we briefly review the development of PSCs from discovery to laboratory research to commercializing progress. The past several decades have witnessed great achievement in device efficiency and stability due to tremendous research efforts on compositional, process, and interfacial engineering. Regarding commercial applications, we expound the merits and disadvantages of PSCs compared to the existing silicon photovoltaic technologies. Although PSCs promise solution processability and low manufacturing cost, their limited stability and element toxicity should to be addressed on the path to commercialization. Finally, we provide future perspectives on commercialization of PSCs in the photovoltaic marketplace. It is suggested that PSCs will be more promising in low-cost modules and tandem configurations.
A Turn-On Fluorescent Chemosensor for Cyanide Ion Detection in Real Water Samples
Authors: Shi Qing , Wu Shou-Ting , Shen Lingyi , Zhou Tao , Xu Hong , Wang Zhi-Yong , Yang Xian-Jiong , Huang Ya-Li , Zhang Qi-Long
Published: July 2022

We have designed and synthesized a novel simple colorimetric fluorescent probe with aggregation-induced emission (AIE) properties. Probe 5-(4-(diphenylamine)phenyl) thiophen-2-formaldehyde W exhibited a turn-on fluorescent response to cyanide ion (CN−), which induces distinct visual color changes. Probe W exhibited a highly selective and sensitive ratiometric fluorescence response for the detection of CN− over a wide pH range (4–11) and in the presence of common interferents. The linear detection of CN− over the concentration range of 4.00–38.00 µM (R2 = 0.9916, RSD = 0.02) was monitored by UV-Vis absorption spectrometry (UV-Vis) with the limit of detection determined to be 0.48 µM. The linear detection of CN− over the concentration range of 8.00–38.00 µM was examined by fluorescence spectrophotometry (R2 = 0.99086, RSD = 0.031), and the detection limit was found to be 68.00 nM. The sensing mechanisms were confirmed by 1H NMR spectroscopic titrations, X-ray crystallographic analysis, and HRMS. Importantly, probe W was found to show rapid response, high selectivity, and sensitivity for cyanide anions in real water samples, over the range of 100.17∼100.86% in artificial lake water and 100.54∼101.64% in running water by UV-Vis absorption spectrometry, and over the range of 99.42∼100.71% in artificial lake water and 100.59∼101.17% in running water by fluorescence spectrophotometry. Importantly, this work provides a simple and effective approach which uses an economically cheap and uncomplicated synthetic route for the selective, sensitive, and quantitative detection of CN− ions in systems relevant to the environment and health.
Evidence of Neutralizing and Non-Neutralizing Anti-Glucosaminidase Antibodies in Patients With S. Aureus Osteomyelitis and Their Association With Clinical Outcome Following Surgery in a Clinical Pilot
Authors: Sherchand Shardulendra Prasad , Adhikari Rajan P. , Muthukrishnan Gowrishankar , Kanipakala Tulasikumari , Owen John R. , Xie Chao , Aman M. Javad , Proctor Richard A. , Schwarz Edward M. , Kates Stephen L.
Published: July 2022

Staphylococcus aureus osteomyelitis remains a very challenging condition; recent clinical studies have shown infection control rates following surgery/antibiotics to be ~60%. Additionally, prior efforts to produce an effective S. aureus vaccine have failed, in part due to lack of knowledge of protective immunity. Previously, we demonstrated that anti-glucosaminidase (Gmd) antibodies are protective in animal models but found that only 6.7% of culture-confirmed S. aureus osteomyelitis patients in the AO Clinical Priority Program (AO-CPP) Registry had basal serum levels (>10 ng/ml) of anti-Gmd at the time of surgery (baseline). We identified a small subset of patients with high levels of anti-Gmd antibodies and adverse outcomes following surgery, not explained by Ig class switching to non-functional isotypes. Here, we aimed to test the hypothesis that clinical cure following surgery is associated with anti-Gmd neutralizing antibodies in serum. Therefore, we first optimized an in vitro assay that quantifies recombinant Gmd lysis of the M. luteus cell wall and used it to demonstrate the 50% neutralizing concentration (NC50) of a humanized anti-Gmd mAb (TPH-101) to be ~15.6 μg/ml. We also demonstrated that human serum deficient in anti-Gmd antibodies can be complemented by TPH-101 to achieve the same dose-dependent Gmd neutralizing activity as purified TPH-101. Finally, we assessed the anti-Gmd physical titer and neutralizing activity in sera from 11 patients in the AO-CPP Registry, who were characterized into four groups post-hoc. Group 1 patients (n=3) had high anti-Gmd physical and neutralizing titers at baseline that decreased with clinical cure of the infection over time. Group 2 patients (n=3) had undetectable anti-Gmd antibodies throughout the study and adverse outcomes. Group 3 (n=3) had high titers +/− neutralizing anti-Gmd at baseline with adverse outcomes. Group 4 (n=2) had low titers of non-neutralizing anti-Gmd at baseline with delayed high titers and adverse outcomes. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that both neutralizing and non-neutralizing anti-Gmd antibodies exist in S. aureus osteomyelitis patients and that screening for these antibodies could have a value for identifying patients in need of passive immunization prior to surgery. Future prospective studies to test the prognostic value of anti-Gmd antibodies to assess the potential of passive immunization with TPH-101 are warranted.
Mucormycosis in the COVID-19 Environment: A Multifaceted Complication
Authors: Sharma Rohit , Kumar Praveen , Rauf Abdur , Chaudhary Ashun , Prajapati Pradeep Kumar , Emran Talha Bin , Gonçalves Lima Clara Mariana , Conte-Junior Carlos Adam
Published: July 2022

The second wave of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused severe infections with high mortality. An increase in the cases of COVID-19-associated mucormycosis (CAM) was reported predominantly in India. Commonly present in immunocompromised individuals, mucormycosis is often a life-threatening condition. Confounding factors and molecular mechanisms associated with CAM are still not well understood, and there is a need for careful research in this direction. In this review, a brief account of the diagnosis, management, and advancement in drug discovery for mucormycosis has been provided. Here, we summarize major factors that dictate the occurrence of mucormycosis in COVID-19 patients through the analysis of published literature and case reports. Major predisposing factors to mucormycosis appear to be uncontrolled diabetes, steroid therapy, and certain cancers. At the molecular level, increased levels of iron in COVID-19 might contribute to mucormycosis. We have also discussed the potential role and regulation of iron metabolism in COVID-19 patients in establishing fungal growth. Other factors including diabetes prevalence and fungal spore burden in India as contributing factors have also been discussed.
The WD40-Protein PfWLP1 Ensures Stability of the PfCCp-Based Adhesion Protein Complex in Plasmodium falciparum Gametocytes
Authors: Roling Lena , Flammersfeld Ansgar , Pradel Gabriele , Bennink Sandra
Published: July 2022

Members of the WD40-repeat protein family can be found in all eukaryotic proteomes where they usually serve as interaction platforms for the assembly of large protein complexes and are therefore essential for the integrity of these complexes. In the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum, the WD40-repeat protein PfWLP1 has been shown to interact with members of distinct adhesion protein complexes in the asexual blood stages and gametocyte stages. In this study, we demonstrate that the presence of PfWLP1 is crucial for both the stability of these gametocyte-specific adhesion complexes as well as for gametocyte maturation and gametogenesis. Using reverse genetics, we generated a PfWLP1-knockdown parasite line for functional characterization of the protein. Knockdown of PfWLP1 resulted in a slight reduction of gametocyte numbers and significantly the impaired ability of the gametocytes to exflagellate. PfWLP1-knockdown further led to reduced protein levels of the Limulus coagulation factor C-like (LCCL)-domain proteins PfCCp1 and PfCCp2, which are key components of the adhesion complexes. These findings suggest that the interaction of PfWLP1 with members of the PfCCp-based adhesion complex ensures complex stability and thereby contributes to gametocyte viability and exflagellation.
Relationships Between Key Dryland Ecosystem Services: A Case Study in Ordos, China
Authors: Su Ning , Zhao Yuanyuan , Ding Guodong , Duan Weili
Published: July 2022

Dryland ecosystem services (ESs) have been severely harmed by global environmental changes and increased human activities. To improve ESs, it is necessary to understand how they interact in drylands. In this study, we selected Ordos dryland, which is situated in northern China, as the study area to assess its four key ESs—food supply (FS), carbon storage (CS), water yield (WY), and habitat quality (HQ)—and to identify the hotspots of multiple ES supply. Furthermore, we studied the constraint effects between ESs in Ordos in 2000, 2010, and 2020 and used a spatial trade-off model to map the trade-off and synergy areas of ESs from 2000 to 2010 and from 2010 to 2020. The results indicated that all four ESs in Ordos increased significantly over the study period. The hotspots for the supply of multiple ESs also increased in areal extent during this period, and the state of the regional ecological environment continued to improve. The constraint effect between ESs showed that as the CS increased, its constraint effect on WY and FS decreased and then increased, whereas its constraint effect on HQ only decreased; as the WY increased, its constraint effect on HQ decreased and then increased, and its constraint effect on FS continued to decrease; as the FS increased, its constraint effect on HQ continued to increase. From the change in the area of ESs trade-offs and synergies, there was an increase in the area of positive synergy for four pairs of ESs in Ordos, which were CS-WY, CS-HQ, WY-HQ, and FS-HQ. These findings help in establishing a scientific foundation for the management and optimization of ESs in drylands.
The Effect of Error Analysis-Based Learning on Proportional Reasoning Ability of Seventh-Grade Students
Authors: Khasawneh Amal Abdallah , Al-Barakat Ali Ahmad , Almahmoud Soliman Abedallteef
Published: July 2022

This study investigated the effect of mathematical error analysis-based learning on proportional reasoning ability of seventh-grade students. To achieve the purpose of the study, a proportion unit for the seventh-grade students in Jordan was designed according to the error analysis-based learning. A sample of 45 seventh-grade students participated in the study and were randomly assigned into the following two groups: Experimental group and control group. The data were collected through the following two instruments: A proportional reasoning test and an interview, after ensuring their reliability and validity. The results of the study revealed that the error analysis-based learning led to a significant improvement in proportional reasoning among the experimental group and contributed to providing students with positive experiences in learning mathematics. In light of these results, a set of recommendations for educational researchers, mathematics curriculum designers, and mathematics teachers were presented.
Screening of the Key Genes and Signalling Pathways for Diabetic Nephropathy Using Bioinformatics Analysis
Authors: Li Zukai , Feng Junxia , Zhong Jinting , Lu Meizhi , Gao Xuejuan , Zhang Yunfang
Published: July 2022

Background

This study aimed to identify biological markers for diabetic nephropathy (DN) and explore their underlying mechanisms.

Methods

Four datasets, GSE30528, GSE47183, GSE104948, and GSE96804, were downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. The differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified using the “limma” package, and the “RobustRankAggreg” package was used to screen the overlapping DEGs. The hub genes were identified using cytoHubba of Cytoscape. Logistic regression analysis was used to further analyse the hub genes, followed by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis to predict the diagnostic effectiveness of the hub genes. Correlation analysis and enrichment analysis of the hub genes were performed to identify the potential functions of the hub genes involved in DN.

Results

In total, 55 DEGs, including 38 upregulated and 17 downregulated genes, were identified from the three datasets. Four hub genes (FN1, CD44, C1QB, and C1QA) were screened out by the “UpSetR” package, and FN1 was identified as a key gene for DN by logistic regression analysis. Correlation analysis and enrichment analysis showed that FN1 was positively correlated with four genes (COL6A3, COL1A2, THBS2, and CD44) and with the development of DN through the extracellular matrix (ECM)–receptor interaction pathway.

Conclusions

We identified four candidate genes: FN1, C1QA, C1QB, and CD44. On further investigating the biological functions of FN1, we showed that FN1 was positively correlated with THBS2, COL1A2, COL6A3, and CD44 and involved in the development of DN through the ECM–receptor interaction pathway. THBS2, COL1A2, COL6A3, and CD44 may be novel biomarkers and target therapeutic candidates for DN.