bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Regional and chronological differences in prevalences of olfactory and gustatory dysfunction in coronavirus disease (COVID-19): a systemic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Kim Jeong-Whun , Han Seung Cheol , Jo Hyung Dong , Cho Sung-Woo , Kim Jin Youp
Published: August 2020

Olfactory and gustatory dysfunction are frequently reported in patients with coronavirus disease (COVID-19). However, the reported prevalence of olfactory and/or gustatory dysfunction varies widely, and the reason for the inter-study differences is unclear. Hence, in this meta-analysis, we performed subgroup analyses to investigate the factors that contribute to the inter-study variability in the prevalence of olfactory and gustatory dysfunction. Out of 943 citations, we included 55 eligible studies with 13,527 patients with COVID-19 for a systematic review. The overall pooled prevalences of olfactory and gustatory dysfunction were 51.4% and 47.5%, respectively, in the random-effect model. In subgroup analyses, the prevalences of olfactory and gustatory dysfunction were significantly different among four geographical regions (both P < 0.001, respectively). Although the prevalences of olfactory and gustatory dysfunction did not significantly differ according to the time of enrollment, the subgroup analyses including only studies from the same geographical region (Europe) revealed a significant difference in olfactory dysfunction according to the time of enrollment. The regional and chronological differences in the prevalences of olfactory and gustatory dysfunctions partly explain the wide inter-study variability.
Deep learning for COVID-19 chest CT (computed tomography) image analysis: a lesson from lung cancer
Authors: Jiang Hao , Tang Shiming , Liu Weihuang , Zhang Yang
Published: August 2020

As a recent global health emergency, the quick and reliable diagnosis of COVID-19 is urgently needed. Thus, many artificial intelligence (AI)-base methods are proposed for COVID-19 chest CT (computed tomography) image analysis. However, there are very limited COVID-19 chest CT images publicly available to evaluate those deep neural networks. On the other hand, a huge amount of CT images from lung cancer are publicly available. To build a reliable deep learning model trained and tested with a larger scale dataset, we build a public COVID-19 CT dataset, containing 1186 CT images synthesized from lung cancer CT images using CycleGAN. Additionally, various deep learning models are tested with synthesized or real CT images for COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 classification. In comparison, all models achieve excellent results (over than 90%) in accuracy, precision, recall and F1 score for both synthesized and real COVID-19 CT images, demonstrating the reliable of the synthesized dataset. The public dataset and deep learning models can facilitate the development of accurate and efficient diagnostic testing for COVID-19.
CD4 T cells of prostate cancer patients have decreased immune responses to antigens derived from SARS-CoV-2 spike glycoprotein
Authors: Taborska Pavla , Strizova Zuzana , Stakheev Dmitry , Sojka Ludek , Bartunkova Jirina , Smrz Daniel
Published: August 2020

The adaptive immune response to severe acute respiratory coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is important for vaccine development and coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) recovery. Men and cancer patients have been reported to be at higher risks of contracting the virus and developing severe COVID-19. Prostate cancer (PCa) may be associated with both of these risks. We show that CD4+ T cells of SARS-CoV-2-unexposed patients with hormone-refractory (HR) metastatic PCa have substantially decreased CD4+ T cell immune responses to antigens from SARS-CoV-2 spike glycoprotein but not from the spiked glycoprotein of the 'common cold'-associated human coronavirus 229E (HCoV-229E) as compared with healthy male volunteers. Moreover, the HCoV-229E spike glycoprotein antigen-elicited CD4+ T cell immune responses cross-reacted with the SARS-CoV-2 spiked glycoprotein antigens. PCa patients may not respond to the vaccination, and the cross-reactivity can mediate antibody-dependent enhancement (ADE) of COVID-19. These findings highlight the potential for increased vulnerability of PCa patients to COVID-19.
Ketogenic diet promotes apoptosis of tumor cells and inhibits tumor growth through inhibiting Wnt1/β-catenin signaling pathway in mouse xenograft models of human colon cancer
Authors: Wang Kai , Qiu Zhen-Xiong , Wu Teng-Fei , Chen Si-Zhong , Xiao Min , Huang Si-Hui , Li Rong-Jiang
Published: August 2020

Background: High-fat, low-carbohydrate and adequate-protein ketogenic diets (KD) are expected to become an effective adjunct therapy for cancer patients. However, the direct effects of KD on tumor cells and the underlying mechanisms are elusive. In this study, the nude mouse models of subcutaneous transplanted human colon cancer cells were established and applied to study the effects and mechanisms of KD on the growth of subcutaneous tumors in nude mice.Methods: Male nude mice were injected subcutaneously with human colon cancer HCT-116 cell line to construct a subcutaneous tumor model of human colon cancer. The successfully constructed subcutaneous tumor mice were divided into normal diet group and KD group. The mice were anesthetized and euthanized after 30 days of feeding, the subcutaneous tumor tissues were collected, and the size of tumors was measured and weighed. HE staining was used to observe the pathological changes of subcutaneous tumor tissues in normal feeding group and KD group. TUNEL staining was used to detect the level of apoptosis in tumor tissue. Immunohistochemistry of subcutaneous tumor tissues was used to detect the expression levels of Wnt-1 and β-catenin. In addition, RT-qPCR and western blotting were applied to detect the expression levels of Wnt1/β-catenin signaling pathway-related proteins.Results: After 30 days of normal diet and KD feeding, the subcutaneous tumor tissues of human colon cancer mice were taken out for various assays. The results of tumor size measurement showed that the tumor size and weight of KD group were significantly smaller than that of the normal diet group. HE staining showed that the pathological characteristics of colon tumor tissue in the KD group were significantly improved, and the infiltration of inflammatory cells was reduced. TUNEL staining showed that the apoptosis level of tumor cells in the KD group was significantly increased compared to the normal diet group. RT-qPCR and western blotting revealed that the expression of pro-apoptotic proteins such as caspase 3，caspase 9 and Bax were increased（P < 0.01）, while the expression of anti-apoptotic protein such as Bcl-2 or survivin was decreased （P < 0.01）. Furthermore, the expression of Wnt1/β-catenin signaling pathway-related proteins including Wnt1 and β-catenin were largely reduced after 30 days of KD feeding compared to normal feeding group （P < 0.01）.Conclusions: Ketogenic diets (KD) promotes apoptosis of human colon cancer subcutaneous tumor cells and inhibits the growth of tumor by inhibiting Wnt1/β-catenin signaling pathway in mouse subcutaneous tumor models of human colon cancer.
Monitoring of Tumor Growth and Vascularization with Repetitive Ultrasonography in the Chicken Chorioallantoic-Membrane-Assay.
Authors: Eckrich Jonas , Kugler Philipp , Buhr Christoph Raphael , Ernst Benjamin Philipp , Mendler Simone , Baumgart Jan , Brieger Juergen , Wiesmann Nadine
Published: August 2020

Background: The chorioallantoic-membrane (CAM)-assay is used for versatile experimentation and eligible for the analysis of tumor angiogenesis, development and metastasis. In contrast to rodent xenograft models, the CAM-assay does not require breeding of immunodeficient strains for tumor experimentation due to native immunodeficiency. This allows xenografts to grow on the non-innervated CAM without pain or impairment for the embyo.Taking into account the variability of multidirectional tumor growth, limited size monitoring capability is a major disadvantage of the CAM-assay as the enclosure of the tumor in ovo by the eggshell only allows for two-dimensional monitoring from above. The small size and the eggshell’s shielding effect further challenge established imaging techniques. We report the eligibility of ultrasonographic imaging for repetitive monitoring of tumor growth and vascularisation in the CAM-assay.Methods: Chicken eggs were placed in an incubator and cut open laterally on day three. On day seven a three-dimensional tumor was placed onto the CAM. Ultrasonographic imaging was then repetitively performed starting from day twelve. On day 14 the tumor was excised, fixed and histologically analyzed using light microscopy.Results: Tumor volume and vascularization were repetitively visualized using a commercial ultrasonographic scanner, allowing a longitudinal monitoring of tumor growth and tumor angiogenesis. Findings in ultrasonographic imaging significantly correlated with results obtained in histological analysis. Conclusion: Ultrasonography is cost efficient and widely available. It allows repetitive in ovo imaging and thereby enables visualization of tumor development. This increases the applicability of the CAM-assay as an alternative to xenograft rodent models in tumor research.
Establishment of Prediction Models for Lung Cancer NOG/PDX Models: A Guideline for Machine Learning in Small Biomedical Datasets
Authors: Guo Haoyue , Diao Li , Qi Hui , Dai Chunlei , Chen Yu , Tang Xuzhen , He Yayi
Published: August 2020

Introduction: Targeted therapy and immune checkpoint inhibitors are the most promising treatments for lung cancers but still facing multiple challenges, including resistance and individual difference. Therefore, patient-derived tumor xenografts (PDX) models are developed for drug discovery and screening. NOG mice is under the destruction of the interleukin-2 (IL-2) receptor common gamma chain, which is appropriate for building PDX models to test immunotherapies. However, current studies have little understanding of the causes of genotype mismatches in PDX or NOG/PDX models, which leads to a massive economic and time loss.Methods: Lung cancer tissues from 53 patients were obtained and engrafted into NOG mice. All of the patients' tumors and NOG/PDX models were detected for common gene mutations. Seventeen clinicopathological features were organized and input to stepwise logistic regression based on the lowest Akaike information criterion (AIC), least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO)-logistic regression, support vector machine recursive feature elimination (SVM-RFE), eXtreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost), Gradient Boosting & Categorical Features (CatBoost), and synthetic minority over-sampling technique (SMOTE). Finally, the performance of all models was evaluated by the accuracy, area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC), and F1 score in 100 testing groups.Results: Fifty-three lung cancer NOG/PDX models were successfully established, with a genotype matching rate of 79.2% (42/53). Two multivariable logistic regressions revealed that age, the number of driver mutations, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene mutations, the type of prior chemotherapy, prior tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) therapy, and the source were potent predictors. Moreover, CatBoost (mean accuracy=0.960; mean AUC=0.939; mean F1 score=0.908) and 8-feature SVM (mean accuracy=0.950; mean AUC=0.934; mean F1 score=0.903) showed the best performance compared with the other algorithms. Moreover, the combination of SMOTE with SVM significantly improved the predictive capability (mean accuracy: 0.961 vs. 0.958, P=0.025; mean AUC: 0.940 vs. 0.935, P=0.045; mean F1 score: 0.909 vs. 0.903, P=0.047).Conclusions: We established an optimal predictive model to screen lung cancer patients for NOG/PDX models, and also offered a general approach for building prediction models in small unbalanced biomedical samples.
Serum vitamin D concentrations are associated with obese but not lean NAFLD: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Wang Qinqiu , Shi Xiaoyin , Wang Jinghua , Zhang Juanwen , Xu Cheng-Fu
Published: August 2020

Background: Low serum vitamin D concentrations have been reported to be associated with an increased risk of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). However, whether slim or obese people show a similar association between vitamin D and NAFLD remains speculative. This study aimed to explore the relationship between serum vitamin D concentrations and NAFLD in lean and obese Chinese adults.Methods: This cross-sectional study included 2538 participants (1360 men and 1178 women) who underwent their health checkups at the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine in 2019. NAFLD was diagnosed by liver ultrasound excluding other causes. The association of serum vitamin D concentrations with NAFLD was analyzed in lean and obese participants.Results: The overall prevalence of NAFLD was 33.61% (13.10% in lean and 53.32% in obese) in this study population. The serum vitamin D levels of obese NAFLD patients were lower than that of the obese NAFLD-free controls. However, the serum vitamin D levels of lean NAFLD patients were comparable to that of the lean NAFLD-free controls. Serum vitamin D levels were negatively correlated with the prevalence of NAFLD in obese but not lean participants. Serum vitamin D levels were independently associated with the risk of NAFLD in obese participants, with an adjusted odd ratio (95% CI) of 0.986 (0.979–0.992). However, the serum vitamin D levels were not related to the risk of NAFLD in lean participants.Conclusions: Low serum vitamin D levels are associated with NAFLD in obese but not lean participants.
Allergic rhinitis and house dust mite sensitization determine persistence of asthma in children.
Authors: Brzozowska Agnieszka , Woicka-Kolejwa Katarzyna , Jerzyńska Joanna , Majak Paweł , Stelmach Iwona
Published: August 2020

Background: MAS study revealed that chronic course of asthma characterised by airway hyper-responsiveness and impairment of lung function at school age is determined by continuing allergic airway inflammation which begin in the first 3 years of life. Respiratory tract infections early in life, childhood allergic comorbidities, exposure to environmental determinants of asthma and active smoking may all contribute to increased risk of allergic disorders. While these correlations have been established, there is little understanding of the immunological mechanisms by which asthma develops into a persistent disease, or by which symptoms regress. Methods: Eighty patients were included into the analysis. Clinical and immunoregulatory predictors of asthma were analyzed. Results: Presence of mAPI criteria as well as the presence of house dust mite-allergy and allergic rhinitis at present, were associated with a reduced prevalence of asthma remission. The presence of increased eosinophil blood count in API (Asthma Predictive Index) criteria was associated with a lower expression of CD25 positive cells. Current presence of HDM-allergy was associated with a higher FeNO level and higher expression of CD25CD71 positive cells. Allergic rhinitis was associated with a higher expression of PPAR and CD25CD71 positive cells; in the same group of patients a lower expression of GARP positive cells were observed. Conclusions: Probability of persistence of childhood asthma was largely determined by the presence of allergic rhinitis and sensitization to HDM. Our results suggest natural remission of clinical symptoms of asthma in children are not fully related to immunoregulation processes. Additionally, API criteria are related to asthma persistence.
Downregulation of PLK4 Expression Induces Cellular Dormancy in Colorectal Cancer via Mesenchymal-to-epithelial Transition
Authors: Tian Xiangdong , Liu Dongming , Zhou Dejun , Qi Lisha , Han Zhiqiang , Chen Ziye , Gong Wenchen , Dong Qiuping , Luo Yi , Chen Liwei , Wang Jiefu , Li Hua , Liu Peng , Chen Lu , Zhao Qiang , Guo Hua
Published: August 2020

Background: Reactivation of dormant tumor cells is a critical step in the recurrence of many cancers, including colorectal cancer (CRC). Polo-like kinases 4 (PLK4), a central regulator of the cell cycle and proliferation, is a validated oncogene in tumorigenesis. However, the roles of PLK4 in tumor cell dormancy and reactivation still need to be further explored.Methods: The expression level of PLK4 was determined by immunohistochemical staining, Western blotting (WB) and quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). PLK4-dependent clinicopathological risk factors and the prognosis of CRC were characterized with 122 clinical samples. The roles of PLK4 in tumor cell dormancy, cell cycle progression, proliferation and invasion were determined by molecular and cell biology methods in vitro and in vivo.Results: The expression of PLK4 was dramatically increased in CRCs and positively correlated with aggressive tumor behavior and clinicopathological risk factors. Downregulation of PLK4 expression contributed to restoring phenotypically aggressive tumor cells to a quiescent state, and this transformation was likely regulated by mesenchymal-to-epithelial transformation (MET) progression in vitro and in vivo.Conclusions: This study elucidates the mechanisms involving PLK4 depletion in the induction and maintenance of CRC dormancy, which are very important in terms of both clinical significance and application value.
Pancreaticline Cell Differentiation of Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stromal Cells in Acellular Pancreatic Scaffolds
Authors: Li Zhao , Du Yue , Wang Xin
Published: August 2020

Background: To evaluate the potential differentiation ability of bone mesenchymal stromal cells(BMSCs) to pancreatic line Cells on rat acellular pancreatic bioscaffold(APB) and the effect of differentiated BMSCs for chronic pancreatitis(CP) in vivo. Methods: After BMSCs were isolated and identified, they were dynamic cultured on the APB and static cultured in tissue culture flask(TCF),with or without the growth factors (GF) in both the culture system. The cytological behavior such as the proliferation and differentiation of BMSCs in all the above kinds of culture system were assessed by morphological observation, flow cytometry, ELASA analysis, qRT-PCR assay and western blot analysis. For the in vivo study, the pancreatic fibrosis and pathological score were evaluated. And also the expression of α-SMA, collagen type I and III, IL-10 in pancreas tissue were detected by ELASA. Results: 4ml/min was the most appropriate flow rate for the dynamic culture of BMSCs. The proliferation rate of BMSCs in the APB groups were significantly increased compared to TCF system. During the pancreatic line cell differentiation process, APB could induce BMSCs express markers such as PDX-1 and PTF-1 at higher mRNA levels. In contrast, the marker Oct 4 was expressed at a lower level in APB group. For the pancreatic functional cytoketatins including α-Amy, CK7, Flk-1, and C-peptide, they were all expressed at higher level in APB group. And metabolic enzymes secretion such as amylase and insulin were promoted significantly in APB system. By scanning electron microscope(SEM) and transmission electron microscopy(TEM), the ultrastructure of BMSCs in the APB group could further demonstrated the morphological characteristics of pancreatic-like cells. In vivo study,the expression of α-SMA, collagen type I and III in tissues were less in differentiated BMSCs treatment group, while the level of IL-10 in pancreatic tissue were higher in differentiated BMSCs treatment group with significant difference (P<0.05). In addition, in both in vitro and in vivo study, GF could significantly facilitate the function of proliferation, differentiation and pancreatic cell therapy. Conclusion: Together our data show the capacity of APB , 3D pancreatic biomatrix, promoting BMSCs differentiate toward pancreatic line phenotypes, and the considerable potential of using these cells for pancreatic cell therapies and tissue engineering.
Real Power Loss Reduction by Cultivation of Soil Optimization Algorithm
Authors: Lenin K.
Published: August 2020

In this paper, the optimal reactive power problem has been solved by the cultivation of soil optimization (CSO) algorithm. The reduction of real power loss is a key objective of this work. The projected CSO algorithm has been modeled based on the quality of soil which has been used in the cultivation of various crops season to season. With respect to the quality of the soil in the cultivation land, there will be a change in the poor-quality soil since there will up the gradation of the poor soil is done through by adding the nutrient contents. Depend upon the needs and about the type of cultivation farmers will improve the quality of the soil by adding valuable and various types of fertilizers (natural and artificial) such that it will enhance the fertile and growth (green) of the crops. Time to time farmers will choose appropriate nutrient contents that will be mixed with the soil in order to enhance the fertility of the soil. In standard IEEE 14, 30, 57 bus test systems Cultivation of Soil Optimization (CSO) algorithm has been tested. The CSO algorithm reduced the real power loss and control variables are within the limits.

Keywords: optimal reactive power, transmission loss, cultivation soil optimization algorithm.
History and status of sturgeon stock (Acipenseridae) in the Caspian pool
Authors: Vlasenko A. D. , Bulgakova T. I. , Lepilina I. N. , Konopleva I. V. , Safaraliev I. A.
Published: August 2020

Analysis of materials from long-term studies characterizing the current state of sturgeon stocks in the Volga-Caspian fisheries basin, and the dynamics of commercial catches of beluga, sturgeon and stellate sturgeon in the XX - XXI centuries indicates that the Northern Caspian occupies the leading value in catch volumes, where more than 70 % of sturgeon fish are annually harvested. In the first half of the twentieth century sturgeon stocks were determined by the scale of natural reproduction in rivers and fishing volumes; in the second half, natural and anthropogenic factors began to intensively influence the formation of sturgeon stocks. The development of hydraulic construction on rivers, an increase in the withdrawal of freshwater runoff, a decrease in sea level to -29.0 mBS, pollution by industrial and agricultural runoff have necessitated the development of a set of measures for the reproduction, conservation and rational use of the Caspian’s aquatic biological resources. As a result of the studies, the response of the sturgeons to the changed conditions of reproduction has been determined in order to restore and increase their commercial stocks; high ecological adaptability of sturgeons to various living conditions within their range, their exceptional plasticity and pronounced intraspecific differentiation have been established. These indicators point to the possibility of creating conditions that meet the requirements for water quality for the life of sturgeons during migration and reproduction. In the course of the analysis of the obtained data, the influence of regulation of the Volga River flow on the efficiency of natural reproduction of sturgeons has been evaluated; the role of industrial sturgeon breeding in sturgeon stock formation has been shown; the abundance of juveniles in the North Caspian and adult individuals on feeding pastures of the sea has been estimated; trends in the number of sturgeon producers migrating in the Volga to spawning sites have been identified; the prospects for the restoration and rational use of sturgeons in the Volga-Caspian basin have been determined.
Cinematography as One of the Methods of Forming the Information Space of Aerospace Industry Organizations in Russia
Authors: Alekhina O.A. , Ukolova L.E.
Published: August 2020

The authors consider the peculiarities of using cinematographic genres in communication activities by organizations of aerospace industry. As organizations form an information space around them, it is important that the information that is present in it is positive and allows them to effectively influence the key audience. In today’s environment, information broadcast by traditional media is perceived with less interest. Therefore, organizations have to look for and develop new communication channels such as social networks, blogs, etc. Cinematography is of particular importance. It allows to realize such functions as entertainment, information, education, organization of social community, education. In the aerospace field, the implementation of an effective impact on the target audience has its own peculiarities, as this industry is strategically important for the country, potentially crisis-prone, and it is constantly riveted on public and media attention. In addition, the dissemination of certain information may be restricted by classifying data as part of a government, commercial or other secret specifically protected by law. Cinematographic works as a means of forming the information space of aerospace industry organizations in Russia are effective. They are used to form a positive image of the industry, organizations, professions, to promote products and services. Full-length and short films created in fiction and non-fiction genres allow transforming ways of interaction between communicator and audience, expanding communicative possibilities of space, accelerating information exchange.
Communications in the Public Administration of the Russian Federation
Authors: Makarov D.V.
Published: August 2020

The article considers the concept, value and features of communications in the public administration of the Russian Federation in the context of national specificity. The main problem is the involvement of wide groups of citizens in the development of policies and the transition to communication technologies as an instrument of indispensable success. The author shows all the difficulties and features of the issue of communications in a state society, politics, and socio-economic field. By solving this problem, the author proposes the development of implemented technologies for the communication of citizens and authorities by virtual interaction using the Internet and social networks in modern conditions. Thus, we can conclude that communication in the political sphere requires constant dynamic development based on the basic mechanisms and blocks of communication, but the transition to communicative activity, which is possible with a legislative approach to this problem.
An Overview of Prophylacticand Curative Approach for COVID-19 in Unani System of Medicine and Need of Development of the SOPs
Authors: Qaiser Afshan , Abdullha M , Khan Abrar Mohd
Published: August 2020

COVID-19 also known as Novel Corona Virus Pneumonia, is a viral disease caused by novel corona virus. The infection is highly contagious in nature and spread from person to person through respiratory droplets. According to Unani System of Medicine, epidemiology and clinical features of COVID-19 like fever, cough, tiredness, sore throat, running nose, nasal congestion, difficulty in breathing, etc. are similar to Nazla-e-wabai (Epidemic Influenza) up to a great extent.On the basis of fundamental approach for living a healthy lifestyle and preventive measures during epidemic spread mentioned in classical  Unani texts, some standard operating procedures (SOPs)  are suggested for prophylactic and curative purpose in the management of COVID-19 pandemic.
The current state of the energy market and monitoring of key issues in the innovation management system
Authors: Barna Stepan , Shpak Yaroslav
Published: August 2020

This paper considers the factors influencing the innovative development of energy service enterprises. The study aims to establish the relationship between the regulatory policy in the field of energy, the willingness of the population to use energy efficiency measures and the innovative potential of energy service companies. The generalization of scientific work on energy and environmental security has shown the relevance of developing mechanisms to reform the energy service market, taking into account the level of innovative development and management at the level of the energy service company. Accordingly, five energy companies from the western region of Ukraine (OJSC Ternopiloblenergo, PJSC Lvivoblenergo, JSC Chernivtsioblenergo, PJSC Rivneoblenergo, PJSC Volynoblenergo) were selected as objects for the study. Methodological research tools were the methods of focus group, personal interview, variations, statistical observation, induction, deduction, and generalization. The study presents external and internal factors influencing the innovative development of energy service enterprises. It is noted that the level of innovative development of personnel in the energy sector is low. The importance of strengthening cooperation of energy service enterprises with united territorial communities to implement the approved legal norms of energy market reform in Ukraine is taken into account. Among the measures to strengthen the motivation of the population to use energy-saving technologies, the intensification of media and information activities was noted. The results of the study can be useful for managers of energy service companies, heads of joint territorial communities and joint co-owners of apartment buildings, researchers working on energy efficiency projects.
Pengaruh Variasi Konsentrasi Montmorillonit Terhadap Sifat dan Kinerja Membran Kitosan/PVA/MMT Untuk Aplikasi DMFC
Authors: Ayyubi Shalahudin Nur , Admaja Lukman
Published: August 2020

Sintesis membran komposit kitosan/PVA/MMT telah berhasil dilakukan dengan menggunakan metode inversi fasa. Pada penelitian ini, kitosan/polivinil alkohol sebagai matriks polimer, K-montmorillonit (MMT) sebagai filler anorganik dengan asam sulfat sebagai agen pengikat silang. Tujuan penelitian ini adalah untuk mengetahui pengaruh variasi konsentrasi montmorilonit (1, 2, dan 4%) terhadap sifat dan kinerja membran komposit. Hasil sintesis membran komposit telah dikonfirmasi dengan adanya serapan gugus fungsi yang khas pada FTIR. Modifikasi dengan polivinil alkohol (PVA) dan montmorillonit menunjukkan dapat memperbaiki sifat dan kinerja membran komposit. Peningkatan konsentrasi montmorillonit cenderung menaikkan water uptake dan methanol uptake. Membran CS/PVA/MMT 4% merupakan membran yang menjanjikan dengan kinerja yang lebih baik daripada membran yang lain, dengan persentase water uptake yang tinggi dan methanol uptake rendah, selain itu memiliki nilai permeabilitas metanol yang sangat rendah yaitu 7,165 x 10-8 cm2/s.
Transformation of Vanillin into Octahydroxanthene Derivative Using Guanidine Catalyst
Authors: Abdussalam Moch , Yuda Indah Permata , Juniarti Juniarti
Published: August 2020

Octahydroxanthene Compounds are bioactive substance which can be produced from benzaldehyde derivative. In this research, we have carried out transformation of vanilin from Indonesian natural product to octahydroxanthene derivatives compound at optimized reaction time and guanidine was used as a catalyst. Several spectroscopy methods such as IR, 1H-NMR and GC-MS were used to confirm the structure of product. The percent yield from optimation product obtained was 91% with 96% of peak area.
Occurrence and distribution of antibiotic resistance genes in lakes and reservoirs from water-receiving area of Eastern Route of the South-to-North Water Diversion Project, Northern China
Authors: Hou Wei , Hu Fang , Sun Shaohua , Dong Xiaotong , Wang Mingquan , Zhao Qinghua , Jia Ruibao
Published: August 2020

To characterize antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in surface waterbodies in Shandong Province, and to understand the occurrence, diversity and resistance mechanism of ARGs, nine aquatic ecosystems were selected and evaluated regarding occurrence of ARGs in the period from 2018 to 2019. Thirty-three types and 242 subtypes of ARGs were detected in the nine waterbodies with the most subtypes in Wohushan (242) and Jihongtan (235), and the fewest ARGs in Datun (213) and Mishan (221). Among the top nine ARG types, MacB, BcrA, CarA and TetW were the dominant ARGs in these samples. Four groups of the study sites were distinguished by cluster analysis, indicating different distribution characteristics of ARGs in these waterbodies, and regional differences in ARG contamination. Efflux pumps were the predominant resistance mechanism in all the waterbodies in terms of both subtype number (49.2%) and abundance (70.4%), followed by operon, antibiotic inactivation and others. Our findings provide comprehensive information to better understand the contamination level of ARGs on a local level as well as for global considerations, and may be practically helpful for the prevention and control of ARG pollution.
THE HERESY OF THE JUDAIZERS IN RUSSIA OF THE 15TH-16TH CENTURIES
Authors: YURSHINA Victoria A.
Published: August 2020

This article studies the peculiarities of shaping the idea of a religious movement that arose in Novgorod in the second half of the 15th century, known as the “heresy of the Judaizers”. The dominant version proposed by the Russian scholars was the theory that the heresy was a class movement struggling with the influence of Moscow in Novgorod. Using the hermeneutic analysis as the foundation of the research, this article examines how the authors of the historic sources referred to the events, what meaning they put into them, and most importantly, whether there was such a thing as the “heresy of the Judaizers” in the sources of the 15th-16th centuries, or this term was the result of researchers’ speculation.
The analysis of sources showed that the authors of the annals of the 15th century practically did not provide any information about the heresy. In contrast, the chroniclers of the 16th century described in detail the origin of the heresy and the heretics’ trials. Some chroniclers commented on these events. Perhaps, this is due to the emergence and dissemination of the “Enlightener” by Joseph Volotsky — a fundamental work describing the heresy referred to by the chroniclers of the 16th century. Volotsky called the heresy by the name of its founder, “the Jew of Sharia”, whose existence we can neither prove nor deny. Everything that can be learnt about this heresy is known from the work of Joseph Volotsky, whose ideas were used by the chroniclers of the 16th century and later researchers studying this subject.
The existing sources do not allow us to state unequivocally that there was a single heretical movement. Most likely, the first and second trials of heretics condemn the representatives of different areas of heresy.
CORRELATION OF SPEECHOLOGY AND FUNCTIONAL STYLISTICS OF AN ACADEMIC TEXT
Authors: KOTYUROVA Mariya P.
Published: August 2020

This article represents the research of interpretative (subjective) approach to the correlation of adjacent linguistic branches — speechology and stylistics of an academic text. The explanatory cognitive-discursive and stylistic approach to solving the problem relies on the principles of the functional style concept developed by the Perm Scientific School led by Prof. M. N. Kozhina, in particular, on the unity of two sides of text — the linguistic one (that is its meaning structure) and the extralinguistic one (its meaning as a given). The unlimited variety of particular texts (even only in the academic and cognitive sphere of human activities) is one of significant reasons for applying a “soft” interpretative approach for the object analysis in speechology and functional stylistics (this approach always depends on the subject of analysis and is therefore subjective).
The meaning text structure has a categorical and gradual character and that is why it correlates with the issue of the model academic text. Through the imposition of categories/parameters of this “categorical thermometer”, the speech phenomena are qualified as style-forming (that is significant for stylistics of academic speech) and non-style-forming (or discursive) which are significant for speechology. The extralinguistic base correlates with the factors which are located on the scale “farther — closer” against the subject of cognitive activity. “Farther” is a form of public conscience (corresponding type of activity and thinking), “closer” is a style of academic thinking, a personal cognitive style, an individual speech style of an academic, a language personality.
The dominant and style-forming factors strongly influence the selection and appropriate use of language units, creation of a text by an author and perception of a text by a reader, as well as the interpretation of a text by a researcher in the field of functional stylistics.
The academic text is being formed under the influence of differently orientated factors (towards the object and the subject), which are discursive and non-style-forming in the framework of one style. The discursive factors can operate as strong ones and weak ones (peripheral, optional) in the framework of one style. Their impact is comprehensive and appropriate as well as implicit and diverse — that is why their further differentiation is interpretative (subjective). The focus of speechology is just the research of non-style-forming extralinguistic factors.
NABOKOV’S REFLECTION ON HIS OWN AND OTHERS’ WORKS IN THE SHORT NOVEL “VASILIY SHISHKOV” AND POEM “THE POETS”
Authors: Rogacheva Natalia A. , Drozdova Anastasiia O.
Published: August 2020

The problem of Nabokov’s artistic identity is relevant for contemporary literature studies. The researchers interpret writer’s estimation of his Russian works differently: in his American years, Nabokov (1) created a new artistic identity (A. Dolinin) and started a new career (N. Cornwell) or (2) developed his general themes (B. Boyd), targeted at English readers. The unique status of the texts written in French is defined by their “phantom” nature (M. Malikova) and the “final work with the literature legacy” (A. Babikov). In our research, the problem of Nabokov’s identity is analyzed for the first time in its connection with the methods of creation of the “phantom” fictional world. Our research subject includes the poem “The Poets” and the short story “Vasiliy Shishkov”. The texts are considered within the literary-critical and artistic contexts. The purpose of this article is to determine how the reflection of one’s own and other people’s creativity is built in these works, taking into account that perceptual imagery serves as tools for aesthetic assessment for Nabokov. The main research method in the work is structural-semiotic analysis: perceptual images are characterized by the variety of their localization, by the method of creation and distribution, by their attitude to the background, etc. The structural-semiotic approach to the analysis of literary texts has revealed the value of “phantom” or “distinctness” in Nabokov’s artistic optics. The intensity of sensations is directly related to the status of the subject of perception and to its position in the hierarchy of fictional worlds (Vasily Shishkov is the fiction of the narrator, the narrator is the fiction of the emigrant writer Nabokov). The impossibility of reliable perception, its continuity and limitation within the framework of an entire era or individual life are assessed by Nabokov as important conditions for creative development, especially significant in a situation of reflection on a new addressee art creation.
From the Editor
Authors: Humphreys John
Published: August 2020

From the editor.
College Student Motivation: An Interdisciplinary Approach to an Integrated Learning Systems Model
Authors: Debnath Sukumar C.
Published: August 2020

Based on an interdisciplinary approach and a learning systems perspective couched in a broad motivational framework, an integrated model of student academic achievement motivation is presented. The model shows the classroom environment is influenced by macro-environmental factors, and is specifically determined by the teacher and five structural factors which, in turn, influences students’ achievement goal(s) choice, volition, and intrinsic outcomes. Students’ volition–moderated by their individual characteristics, expectancies, and outcomes’ valence—leads to outcomes through goal achievements, with outcomes consequently influencing students’ attributional patterns. Discussions indicate utility of the model in understanding, analyzing, managing, and enhancing student motivation in classrooms.
Engagement in Multiple Roles: An Investigation of the Student-Work Relationship
Authors: Buda Richard , Lenaghan Janet A.
Published: August 2020

This study of 360 undergraduate business school students investigates the impact of the added role of paid worker to a student’s well-being as well as role balance, role quality and role conflict. The extension of the work-family literature provided the theoretical underpinnings of the relationship between multiple roles and student success. Tests of the hypotheses provided strong support for the depletion argument of interrole conflict. Implications of the results on student learning and education, as well as for organizations, are discussed and suggestions for future research presented.
Work-Family Conflict and Health: A Study of Workplace, Psychological, and Behavioral Correlates
Authors: Madsen Susan R. , John Cameron R. , Miller Duane
Published: August 2020

Quantitative methods are used to shed light on the relationships among work-family conflict, health, and other workplace, psychological, and behavioral constructs, i.e., organizational commitment, management/leadership relations, job knowledge and skills, job demands, workplace social relations, and readiness for change. A survey questionnaire was used to collect data regarding the perceptions of 464 employees in four organizations. Negative correlations were found between work-family conflict and all variables except job knowledge and skills. Significant relationships were also discovered between health and all study variables. Multiple regressions were used to explore the relationships between the demographic variables and work-family conflict and health.
Digging a Hole at Diamond Realty
Authors: FOrmato Lisa , Armandi Barry , Sherman Herbert
Published: August 2020

This case centers on the Director of Human Resources research into a $45,000 shipment from Bathes Inc., a supplier of bathroom fixtures and accessories that had unexpectedly come to the office. Her preliminary research uncovered an embezzlement scheme between four related employees to move corporate funds into private accounts as well as to purchase goods and services on corporate credit cards. A private investigator uncovered the details of the scheme as well as major home improvements made to certain suspects’ homes that could not be connected to personal credit card charges, loans/credit lines, or withdrawals from bank accounts. Part A of the case end’s with the Director’s presentation of the findings to the CEO who breaks down and cries. In Part B of the case we find out that no action has been taken by the firm, the embezzling employees continue to accrue wealth at the company’s expense, and the firm has ironically hired two more of the suspects’ family members.
Meliaceae (Sapindales): riqueza y distribución en el estado de Tabasco, México
Authors: Burelo Ramos Carlos Manuel , Córdova Córdova Doris , Campos Díaz Manuel Jesús , Morales-Rodríguez Neil Ebeth Meled , Álvarez-Jiménez William , Muñiz-Chavarría Nahúm , Beauregard Solís Graciela
Published: August 2020

Antecedentes y Objetivos: Con la finalidad de actualizar el listado de especies de Meliaceae en el estado de Tabasco bajo el sistema de clasificación actual, se completó una revisión taxonómica de la familia, como contribución al proyecto “Flora de Tabasco”. Métodos: Se llevó a cabo una revisión en herbarios estatales y nacionales de los ejemplares de las especies de la familia Meliaceae y se realizaron colectas en campo de 2015 a 2017 en vegetación secundaria y primaria del estado. El material colectado fue identificado por medio de claves taxonómicas y cotejado con material de herbario. También se consultaron los ejemplares tipo disponibles en JSTOR Global Plants. Se hizo una clave de identificación para las especies de la familia en Tabasco y un análisis de distribución por tipo de vegetación y datos ecológicos; así mismo se registran nombres comunes y se ilustran algunas de las especies. Resultados clave: La familia Meliaceae está representada por 11 especies en cuatro géneros nativos y dos especies en dos géneros introducidos. Se registran por primera vez dos especies para el estado. El género Trichilia es representado por siete especies, seguido de Guarea con dos. Los municipios con el mayor número de especies son Centro y Teapa con ocho especies cada uno y Balancán con siete. Conclusiones: Las Meliáceas nativas presentes en la zona de estudio representan 45.83% de las 24 especies nativas estimadas para la familia en México y están distribuidas principalmente en áreas de vegetación secundaria y manchones de selva en municipios serranos fronterizos con Chiapas y Guatemala.
Komodifikasi Ruang dalam Program Televisi di Indonesia
Authors: Andreas Rino
Published: August 2020

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk melihat lebih dalam fenomena komodifikasi ruang hunian yang ditayangkan di program televisi d’SIGN NET. Ruang yang menjadi fasilitas pemenuhan kebutuhan individu ditransformasikan menjadi kepentingan ekonomi. Dalam konteks mekanisme pasar, ruang bukanlah entitas yang netral dan alamiah, melainkan dibentuk, dikonstruksikan dan direproduksi untuk memenuhi hasrat, gaya hidup, dan budaya konsumsi sebagai implikasi praktik-praktik adanya industri media. Penelitian kualitatif ini menggunakan metode semiotika Roland Barthes yang di tampilkan di program d’SIGN NET. Hasil penelitian ini menunjukkan bahwa ruang hunian urban dikonstruksikan oleh media dengan mengacu pada konsep interior, klasik, minimalis, maupun kontemporer kelas menengah atas atau elite. Tata ruang, posisi, maupun warna menjadi konten estetik ruang hunian yang ideal, di antaranya ruang tamu, ruang tidur, dapur, ruang anak, kamar mandi dan sebagainya. Lebih lanjut, tayang ini merepresentasikan ruang sebagai objek fetish sebagai konten media, yang pada akhirnya bertujuan meningkatkan rating, maupun iklan dan menjadi bagian dari arus kapitalisme.
Повышение эффективности и длительности эмиссии углеродных нанотрубок после обработки в плазме аммиака
Authors: Булярский С.В. , Белов В.С. , Кицюк Е.П. , Лакалин А.В. , Молоденский М.С. , Павлов А.А. , Рязанов Р.М. , Терентьев А.В. , Шаманаев А.А.
Published: August 2020

Разработана технология легирования углеродных нанотрубок азотом в плазме аммиака. Нанотрубки, синтезированные по технологии, исключающей легирование азотом, подвергались обработке в плазме аммиака. В результате концентрация азота в нанотрубках увеличивалась в 5 раз с 0.7 до 3.6 at.%, сопротивление нанотрубок падало в 6 раз, работа выхода уменьшалась на 10%. Такое воздействие приводило к стабилизации процесса эмиссии. Ключевые слова: углеродные нанотрубки, легирование азотом, плазма аммиака, холодная эмиссия.
Формирование высокотемпературных сверхпроводящих слоев на границах несверхпроводящих фаз
Authors: Петров М.И. , Попков С.И. , Терентьев К.Ю. , Васильев А.Д.
Published: August 2020

An alternative method for the synthesis of samples of high-temperature superconductors (HTSCs) is proposed, in which nanoscale superconducting layers should form on the surface of refractory granules of the “green phase” Ho2BaCuO5 immersed in the liquid phase BaCuO2 + CuO.
Получение аблированных частиц CeO-=SUB=-2-=/SUB=- с нанодисперсным распределением по составу
Authors: Пугачевский М.А. , Мамонтов В.А. , Аунг Ней Вин , Чекаданов А.С. , Кузьменко А.П.
Published: August 2020

A technique for the preparation of ablated particles of CeO2 of a nanosized composition has been developed. Using transmission electron microscopy and Small Angle X-ray Scattering, it has been found that the maximal particle size in a colloidal solution does not exceed 30 nm. According to Electron Energy Loss Spectroscopy, the content of oxygen vacancy defects increases with a decrease in the size of ablated nanoparticles.