bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Diversity and Characterization of Larval Habitats of Anopheles Mosquitoes in Urban Areas in Benin: Influence of Physicochemical and Bacteriological Factors on Larval Density
Authors: Hessou-Djossou Donald , Djègbè Innocent , Ahadji-Dabla Koffi Mensah , Nonfodji Odilon M. , Tchigossou Geneviève , Djouaka Rousseau , Cornelie Sylvie , Djogbenou Luc , Akogbeto Martin , Chandre Fabrice
Published: January 2022

Background: The implementation of antilarval strategies in the fight against malaria vectors requires fundamental knowledge of their oviposition sites. This study aimed to assess the spatial and temporal distribution of Anopheles breeding sites as well as the influence of abiotic and biotic factors on the proliferation of larvae in urban and non-urban environments in Benin.Methods: Larval surveys were carried out during the rainy and dry seasons in urbanized and non-urbanized areas in the cities of Parakou, Natitingou, Bohicon and Cotonou in Benin. The Anopheles larval breeding sites were georeferenced and characterized by their nature, typology, physicochemical (pH, temperature, dissolved oxygen, conductivity, turbidity, salinity) and biological attributes (larval density and coliform density).Results: A total of 198 different types and positive breeding sites for Anopheles larvae were identified. These include 163 (82.3%) breeding sites during the rainy season and 35 (17.7%) during the dry season. Out of these habitats, 61.9% were located in urbanized areas with a predominance of puddles. The Principal Component Analysis (PCA) revealed a high positive correlation of larval density with temperature, dissolved oxygen and salinity in the coastal zone (Cotonou). In addition, the cross-analysis of the microbiological results with the larval density has generally shown a significant negative correlation between the larval productivity of anopheles breeding sites and their faecal coliforms load. Conclusion: This study showed multiple larval habitats of Anopheles in urban environments due to several anthropogenic factors and larval adaptation to unusual ecosystems.
Evaluation of Retinal and Optic Disc Vascular Structures in Patients With Familial Mediterranean Fever (Fmf) via Optic Coherence Tomography Angiography
Authors: Bulut Mehmet , Kutluk Oznur , Gedik Birumut , Ucar Ulku , Bozdogan Yigit Caglar , Sari Muhammet Huseyin , Cay Hasan Fatih
Published: January 2022

IntroductionFamilial Mediterranean Fever (FMF) is an auto-immune disease characterized by fever and serositis. With this study, we aimed at comparing the retinal vascular structures of FMF patients and healthy individuals using optic coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) device.Material and Method69 patients with FMF and 52 healthy controls who were matched by age and sex, didn’t have any comorbidities and were admitted to our clinic for routine ophthalmic examination were enrolled in the study. 69 eyes of 69 patients and 52 eyes of 52 healthy controls that were not disqualified due to the exclusion criteria were included in the study. OCTA images of the patients and controls were analyzed.ResultsThe mean age of 69 FMF patients included in the study was 39,86 ± 13,16. 24 were female and 16 were male. Total vascular density of deep capillary plexus (DCP) and vascular density of DCP parafovea of the FMF patients were found to be statistically significantly lower than those of the controls (p=0,045, p=0,034, respectively), while total retinal parafoveal thickness, total retinal perifoveal thickness, outer retinal parafoveal thickness and outer retinal perifoveal thickness were statistically significantly higher in the patient group compared with the control group (p=0,012, p=0,014, p=0,013, p=0,009, respectively).ConclusionWe think that the lower values of retinal vascular density in FMF patients compared with the control group were due to vascular injury caused by primarily inflammation and amyloidosis. Furthermore, it can also be suggested that inflammation had an impact on higher retinal thicknesses in FMF patients.
Hijacking a neurodevelopmental epigenomic program in metastatic dissemination of medulloblastoma
Authors: Zou Han , Poore Bradley , Brown Emily , Qian Jieqi , Xie Bin , Asimakidou Evridiki , Razskazovskiy Vladislav , Ayrapetian Deanna , Sharma Vaibhav , Xia Shunjin , Liu Fei , Chen Apeng , Guan Yongchang , Li Zhengwei , Wanggou Siyi , Saulnier Olivier , Ly Michelle , Fellows-Mayle Wendy , Xi Guifa , Tomita Tadanori , Resnick Adam , Mack Stephen , Raabe Eric , Eberhart Charles , Sun Dandan , Stronach Beth , Agnihotri Sameer , Kohanbash Gary , Lu Songjian , Herrup Karl , Rich Jeremy , Gittes George K. , Broniscer Alberto , Hu Zhongliang , Li Xuejun , Pollack Ian , Friedlander Robert , Hainer Sarah , Taylor Michael , Hu Baoli
Published: January 2022

How dysregulation of neurodevelopment relates to medulloblastoma (MB), the most common pediatric brain tumor, remains elusive. Here, we uncovered a neurodevelopmental epigenomic program being hijacked to induce MB metastatic dissemination. Unsupervised analyses by integrating publicly available datasets with our newly generated data revealed that SMARCD3/BAF60C regulates DAB1-mediated Reelin signaling in Purkinje cell migration and MB metastasis by orchestrating cis-regulatory elements (CREs) at the DAB1 locus. We further identified that a core set of transcription factors, enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) and nuclear factor I X (NFIX), coordinates with the CREs at the SMARCD3 locus to form a chromatin hub for controlling SMARCD3 expression in the developing cerebellum and metastatic MB. Elevated SMARCD3 activates Reelin/DAB1-mediated Src kinase signaling, resulting in MB response to Src inhibition. These data deepen our understanding of how neurodevelopmental programming influences disease progression and provide a potential therapeutic option for MB patients.
Depletable Peroxidase-like Activity of Fe3O4 Nanozymes Accompanied with Phase Transformation Triggered by Separate Migration of Electron and Iron Ion
Authors: Zhang Yu , Dong Haijiao , Du Wei , Dong Jian , Kong Fei , Cheng Wenlong , Ma Ming , Gu Ning
Published: January 2022

As the pioneering Fe3O4 nanozymes, their explicit peroxidase (POD)-like catalytic mechanism remains elusive. Although many studies have proposed the surface Fe2+-induced Fenton-like reactions accounting for their POD-like activity, few focus on the internal atomic changes and their contribution to the catalytic reaction. Here we report that Fe2+ within Fe3O4 transfers electrons to the surface via the Fe2+-O-Fe3+ chain, regenerating the surface Fe2+ and enabling a sustained POD-like catalytic reaction. This process occurs with the outward migration of excess oxidized Fe3+ from the lattice, which is a rate-limiting step. After prolonged catalysis, Fe3O4 nanozymes suffer the phase transformation to γ-Fe2O3 with a depletable POD-like activity. This self-depleting characteristic of nanozymes with internal atoms involved in electrons transfer and ion migration is well-validated on lithium iron phosphate nanoparticles. We reveal a key yet ever ignored issue concerning the necessity of considering both surface and internal atoms when designing, modulating, and applying nanozymes.
Computational Fluid Dynamic simulation of the supersonic CO2 expansion during champagne cork popping
Authors: Benidar Abdessamad , Georges Robert , CORDIER Daniel , Liger-Belair Gérard
Published: January 2022

Behind the iconic “pop!" accompanying the uncorking of a champagne bottle hides a gas flow of surprising complexity. Its modeling is made delicate by its supersonic nature, its interaction with the cork stopper, the eminently unsteady character of the flow escaping from the bottle, and the continuous change of the geometry of the computational flow domain due to the displacement of the cork. Our numerical simulations reveal the formation, evolution and dissipation of shock wave patterns during the first millisecond following cork popping. A first crown-shaped shock wave pattern develops radially, then followed by the formation of a detached shock wave, or bow shock, induced by the presence of the cork in the axial path of the supersonic gas. The numerical simulations correctly reproduce the position of the bow shock previously observed through high-speed imaging.
Flood Vulnerability Mapping of River Ngadda Using Geospatial and Remote Sensing Techniques Maiduguri Metropolis, Borno State.
Authors: Obroh Oveka , Sambo Garba
Published: January 2022

Flood disaster has been threating to animal, plants, land, human and non-human resources over the years. This have increased concerns on the need to investigate various vulnerable areas to flood for decision making. As a mitigative measures to loss of lives, properties, and livelihood which could arise from flood disaster, understanding zones at risk to flooding is vital to support all stages of disaster management including early warning and planning. River Ngadda is a major river within Maiduguri metropolis. Its plains and banks are known to have different activities and resources. When the river overflows its shores, neighboring lands could suffer destruction, there could be loss of lives and properties. This project aims to investigate flood vulnerability along River Ngadda identifying the shores, plains, and banks of the river at risk. The research adopts ground truth information, the use of Aster DEM (30m) and Sentinel 2 (10m) Satellite Imagery dataset through Geospatial and Remote Sensing techniques to assess undulating nature of the area under study, identify areas liable to flood and analyzed the flood plain. Further analysis was carried out to obtain the Land use and Landcover (LULC) within the study area using a supervised classification and areas at various flood risk were also identified. This research results presented the river plains, flood vulnerable impact on LULC, it was found that 13.17 hectares of built-up areas fall within the very high flood risk zone, over sixty six percent (66%) of the study area appears fall within the moderate to very high vulnerable flood risk zone and the production of the flood plains, LULC, risk and hazard map of the study area was presented. This result could aid early warning, planning and decision making for River Ngadda and its environs.
Pentixafor as a Theranostic Agent in Rectal and Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma: Outcomes From a Pilot Study
Authors: burge matthew edward , Ahern Elizabeth , Thomas Paul , Campbell Louise , Latter Melissa , Eastgate Melissa , Wyld David , Clark David A , Stevenson Andrew R.L , O’Rourke Nicholas , Cavallucci David , Bryant Richard
Published: January 2022

Background: Accurate staging is essential in the management of pancreatic and rectal adenocarcinomas, and where prognosis after management of advanced, unresectable disease remains poor, further treatment options are urgently needed. CXCR4 is the receptor for chemokine CXCL12, with enriched expression in malignant compared with normal tissue, and putative tumorigenic signalling functions. Pentixafor, a peptide targeting CXCR4, is a theranostic agent capable of being labelled with gallium-68 (Ga-68) for positron emission tomography (PET) imaging, and lutetium-177 (Lu-177) for therapy. Using PET scanning, we sought to explore the potential utility of pentixafor as a theranostic agent by examining avidity of Ga-68-pentixafor uptake in a pilot study of patients diagnosed with rectal or pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Methods: We performed a single-arm, prospective, single-institution pilot study. Patients with newly diagnosed pancreatic or rectal adenocarcinoma received Ga-68-pentixafor-PET in addition to the usual clinical and radiologic workup for their disease. Suitability for peptide receptor radionucleotide therapy (PRRT) was judged using the Thera-P trial criteria[1]. Using binomial probability, a target of 12 patients was set for recruitment for each cancer cohort, given that if more than seven patients demonstrated insufficient uptake, there would be 95% confidence that a sensitivity threshold which would be deemed to warrant further investigation in a larger study (85%) would not be met. Results Pentixafor-PET was administered to 8 rectal cancer patients and 9 PDAC patients and no adverse events were noted. Low-to-moderate levels of pentixafor tracer avidity was demonstrated at all sites of primary disease, most sites of nodal metastatic disease and some distant metastases in each cohort, although less uptake relative to Fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG)PET/CT was noted suggesting that use of pentixafor is inferior to FDG in staging. No patients satisfied PRRT suitability criteria and further recruitment was terminated.Conclusion: In this small pilot study, insufficient pentixafor avidity was demonstrated in cases of rectal cancer and PDAC to warrant further exploration as a potential candidate for radionuclide therapy. Trial registration: Australia and new Zealand Clinical Trials Registry. registered 27th April 2017. ACTRN12617000595314. ACTRN12617000596303
Some Consideration About Mask Penetration: Influence of Material Properties, Particle Size and its Morphology As Well As Particle Physical Quantities
Authors: Ajtai T. , Kun-Szabó F. , Hodovány Sz. , Szabó G. , Bozóki Z.
Published: January 2022

In this work composition, size, morphology and other physical quantities dependency of the most widespread face respirators and surgery masks are investigated using different aerosol sources in the submicron size domain. The airborne filtration efficiency of the sample materials are also demonstrated here. We have experimentally demonstrated high filtration efficiency of NaCl, soot, DEHS and distilled water as well as airborne aerosols with limited size dependency. Using different mixing of distilled water and Sodium Lauryl Sulphate (SLS) surface tension dependency of filtration efficiency have been also quantified. It is experimentally demonstrated that the filtration efficiency is increased with increasing surface tension and the highest filtration efficiency have been realised with salvia equivalent surface tension value regardless of the sampled respirators or surgery mask. Finally, we also experimentally demonstrated that respirators has higher filtration efficiency than that of surgery mask and that the exhalation direction of the flow has negligible effect on filtration efficiency in all samples.
Glucose metabolism 3-gene signature associates with poor prognosis in hepatocellular carcinoma as a hallmark of tumor microenvironment evolution and progression
Authors: Wang Lihua , Chen Junbo , Huang Qianying , Chen Di , Meng Qishan , Wang Mengting , Chen Jiayao , Zhao Liqian , Cheng Wenjian , Jin Pinyan , Chen Jinmiao , Zhong Sijia , Sun Hanxiao , Wang Peiyu , Thompson Erik W , Chen Tongke
Published: January 2022

Background

At present, immunotherapy has become an established treatment for cancer. Recently, we have realized that tumor metabolism has a huge impact on the shaping of immune reactivity in the tumor microenvironment (TME). Exploration of the tumor metabolic and immunocellular response reveals metabolic vulnerability as a therapeutic window for intervention to enhance immunotherapy. The clinical significance of glycolysis and its role in tumor-immune evolution have not been fully explored. Understanding the relationships between glycolysis, TME evolution and disease progression is of great significance for optimizing immunotherapy of liver cancer.
Methods

A glycolysis-related biomarker signature was initially identified in transcriptomic data within The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA, n=424). Predicted overall survival (OS) for the gene signature in the GSE54236 dataset (n=161) and our HCC cohort (n=132) was subsequently independently verified. The relative number of immune cells in the microenvironment was calculated using CIBERSORT. CCK-8, IHC, Transwell and Seahorse were used to assess the effects of a 3-gene signature on the malignant phenotype of liver cancer.
Results

A 3-gene signature of glycolysis significantly associated with poor OS was identified. Based on a multi-omics research strategy, we found the 3-gene signature was closely related to the evolution of liver cancer TME and disease progression, and was associated with liver cancer mutation load and immune evolution. High-risk patients have inhibition and depletion of the immune TME and immune escape through antigen presentation inhibition. Remarkably, the 3-gene signature can predict the clinical outcomes of HCC patients with different clinical subtypes.
Conclusions

Our investigation of the 3-gene signature provided evidence for tumor metabolism-immune co-evolution along HCC progression. The 3-gene signature for stratification of liver cancer risk has robust predictive power, both at the RNA and protein levels.
Aggressive behaviour of anti-vaxxers and their toxic replies in English and Japanese
Authors: Miyazaki Kunihiro , Uchiba Takayuki , Tanaka Kenji , Sasahara Kazutoshi
Published: January 2022

The anti-vaccine movement has been gaining traction in many countries since the COVID-19 pandemic began. However, their aggressive behaviour in replies—the form of directed messaging that can be sent beyond follow-follower relationships—is still less understood, and even less so about their differences in languages. We conducted a comparative study of anti-vaxxers’ aggressive behaviours by analysing a longitudinal dataset of COVID-19 tweets in English and Japanese. We found two common features across these languages. First, anti-vaxxers most actively transmit targeted messages or replies to users with different beliefs, especially to neutral accounts, with significantly toxic and negative languages; these replies are often directed to posts about vaccine operations. Second, the influential users with many followers and/or with titles are more likely to receive the most toxic replies from the anti-vaxxers. However, pro-vaccine accounts with a few followers even receive highly toxic replies in English, which calls for a special aid different from the Japanese case. These results provide insights into both language dependent and independent countermeasures against anti-vaxxers’ aggressive behaviour.
Are the new atmospheric health risk substances EPFRs oxidatively toxic? : Results from a large urban road dust study in Northwest China
Authors: Li Hao , CHEN Qingcai , Wang Chao , Wang Ruihe , Yang Xiqi , Dyussenova Ainur , Wang Yuqin
Published: January 2022

Atmospheric particulate matter (PM) is an important factor of premature human mortality due to PM inhalation. However, the toxic and hazardous components contained within the atmospheric PM are still not fully identified. Environmental persistent free radicals (EPFRs), a novel environmental health risk substance in the atmosphere, have been hypothesized to be important contributors to human respiratory health risks due to their potential to enhance the oxidation potential of PM, but this hypothesis has not been compelling confirmed in the actual atmospheric environment. Therefore, the fugitive characteristics of EPFRs in dust and their potential oxidative toxicity were investigated by using road dust from a mention city in northwest China. The research results showed that the road dust in Xi'an is rich in C-centered EPFRs ((6.6±5.0) ×1017 spins/g), and its half-life can reach 4.5 years. Water-insoluble dust was the main contributor (71%) to the oxidative toxicity of road dust, showing a rapid toxicity-producing process, while the rate of oxidative toxicity production was more constant for water-soluble dust. The contribution of the EPFRs dominant factor to the total dust oxidative toxicity was estimated to be 17% based on the positive matrix factorization (PMF) model, and up to 33% for water-insoluble dust oxidative toxicity. Metals and organic carbon were the main contributing components to the oxidative toxicity of the WS fraction. Summarily, this study demonstrated that the EPFRs are an important contributor to the oxidative toxicity of in actual atmospheric PM, and their oxidative toxicity is dependent on the type of free radicals, providing important insights into what other potentially toxic substances contribute to the oxidative toxicity of atmospheric PM.
Unravelling the dependence of a wild bee on floral diversity and composition using a feeding experiment
Authors: Filipiak Zuzanna , Denisow Bozena , Stawiarz Ernest , Filipiak Michał
Published: January 2022

We investigated nutrition as a potential mechanism underlying the link between floral diversity/composition and wild bee performance. The health, resilience, and fitness of bees may be limited by a lack of nutritionally balanced larval food (pollen), influencing the entire population, even if adults are not limited nutritionally by the availability and quality of their food (mainly nectar). We hypothesized that the nutritional quality of bee larval food is indirectly connected to the species diversity of pollen provisions and is directly driven by the pollen species composition. Therefore, the accessibility of specific, nutritionally desirable key plant species for larvae might promote bee populations. Using a fully controlled feeding experiment, we simulated different pollen resources that could be available to bees in various environments, reflecting potential changes in floral species diversity and composition that could be caused by landscape changes. Suboptimal concentrations of certain nutrients in pollen produced by specific plant species resulted in reduced bee fitness. The negative effects were alleviated when scarce nutrients were added to these pollen diets. The scarcity of specific nutrients was associated with certain plant species but not with plant diversity. Thus, one of the mechanisms underlying the decreased fitness of wild bees in homogenous landscapes may be nutritional imbalance, i.e., the scarcity of specific nutrients associated with the presence of certain plant species and not with species diversity in pollen provisions eaten by larvae. Accordingly, we provide a conceptual representation of how the floral species composition and diversity can impact bee populations by affecting fitness-related life history traits. Additionally, we suggest that mixes of ‘bee-friendly’ plants used to improve the nutritional base for wild bees should be composed considering the local flora to supplement bees with vital nutrients that are scarce in the considered environment.
Who Would Benefit From Nasointestinal Tube in Small Bowel Obstruction?— A Matched Case-Control Study
Authors: Wang Hui , Zhang Jun-rong , Chen Shuai , Hou Ping , Chen Qing-feng , Weng Zong-qi , Shang-guan Xin-chang , Lin Bing-qiang , Chen Xian-qiang
Published: January 2022

Background: Nasointestinal tubes (NITs) have been increasingly used in patients with small bowel obstruction (SBO); However, severe adverse events (SAEs) of NITs might threaten the lives of patients. The indications of NITs need to be identified. This study was designed to explore the indications for the insertion of NITs in patients with SBO and to suggest the optimal strategies for individuals based on the outcomes of SAEs.Methods: After propensity score matching, 68 pairs were included (Success group and failure group). The occurrence of SAEs and the clinical parameters were compared between the SAE group and the non-SAE group. Independent risk factors were evaluated among the subgroups. A novel scoring system was established to detect the subgroups that would benefit from NITs insertion.Results: Successful implementation of NITs could avoid hypochloremia (p=0.010), SAEs (p=0.001), pneumonia (p=0.006). SAEs occurred in 13 of 136 (9.6%) patients who accepted NITs insertion treatment. Risk factors for SAEs included tumors (p=0.002), reduced BMI (p=0.048), reduced hemoglobin (p=0.001), abnormal activated partial thromboplastin time (p=0.015) and elevated white blood cells (p=0.002). A novel risk scoring system consists of hemoglobin before NITs insertion (95% CI: 0.685, 0.893) and bowel obstruction symptoms relieved after NITs insertion (95% CI: 0.575, 0.900) had the highest area under curve (AUC) for predicting the occurrence of SAEs. We divided the risk score system into 3 grades, with the increasing grades, the rates of SAEs surged from 1.3% (1/74) to (6/11) 54.5%.Conclusion: NITs successfully insertion could avoid SAEs occurrence in SBO conservative treatment. SBO patients without anemia and could be relieved after NITs insertion could be the potential benefit group for this therapy.
High-low pressure domain wall for the classical Toda lattice
Authors: Mendl Christian , Spohn Herbert
Published: January 2022

We study the classical Toda lattice with domain wall initial conditions, for which left and right half lattice are in thermal equilibrium but with distinct parameters of pressure, mean velocity, and temperature. In the hydrodynamic regime the respective space-time profiles scale ballisticly. The particular case of interest is a jump from low to high pressure at uniform temperature and zero mean velocity. Thereby the scaling function for the average stretch (also free volume) is forced to change sign. By direct inspection, the hydrodynamic equations for the Toda lattice seem to be singular at zero stretch. In our contribution we report on numerical solutions and convincingly establish that nevertheless the self-similar solution exhibits smooth behavior.
Prognostic criteria for the development of necrotizing enterocolitis in deeply premature newborns
Authors: Fazylova A. Sh. , Akhmedova D. I. , Kamilova A. T. , Khasanova S. S.
Published: January 2022

In order to develop prognostic criteria for the development of necrotizing enterocolitis, the authors studied clinical and biochemical data of 108 premature infants born and nursed in the departments of the Republican Perinatal Center. The prognostic scale is based on the modification of the probabilistic Bayes method – the method of normalized intensive indicators with the calculation of prognostic, weight indices, normalized intensive and integrated indicators. Individual forecast of the development of necrotizing enterocolitis allows the development of treatment, prevention and rehabilitation measures.
THE ROLE OF FINANCIAL STRUCTURE, BUSINESS DRIVE, BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT ON DECISION TO USE AN EXTERNAL AUDITOR ON SMES: EVIDENCE FROM ASEAN COUNTRIES
Authors: Jonathan Jonathan , Ariefianto Moch. Doddy , Widuri Rindang
Published: January 2022

The research examined the role of financial structure, business drive, and business environment that resulted in external audit service adoption in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) within ASEAN countries. Source of data were from the 2015 and 2016 World Bank Enterprise Survey. The research discovers that external audit service adoption is significantly influenced by financial structure, business motivation, and business environment. Additionally, we take into account a number of control variables, including sales, ownership structure, industry sector, and country of origin. The findings indicate a significant positive correlation between sales, ownership structure (partnership vs. sole proprietorship), and external audit adoption for SMEs. From a country-of-origin perspective, it is concluded that audit adoption is significantly higher in Malaysia and the Philippines than in Vietnam. However, audit adoption in Indonesia is significantly lower than in Vietnam, both in terms of awareness and implementation. Other points of interest can be seen in the interaction regression between countries, which indicates the degree of complexity associated with audit adoption when country of origin is taken into account. One significant policy implication is that SMEs can leverage external auditor services to support their growth and, in turn, the economy of the corresponding country.
WHAT’S WRONG WITH US? AN ANALYSIS OF INDONESIAN PRESIDENT JOKO WIDODO’S PUBLIC SPEECHES FROM 2017 TO 2018
Authors: Tyson Adam , Apresian Stanislaus
Published: January 2022

The research examines the rhetorical style and political priorities in Indonesian President Joko Widodo’s public speeches during his first term in office. Content analysis is used to investigate a purposive sample of 66 presidential speeches from May 2017 to May 2018. In addition, the research identifies the similarity of words to understand the selective appraisal of Indonesia’s progress based on President Jokowi’s utterances. In one contentious oration on May 18th, 2017, delivered to government officials, the president bluntly asked ‘what’s wrong with us’? The question presupposes that something is wrong in Indonesian politics, and is narrowcast to an audience of government officials, some of whom are implicated in the developmental shortcomings, administrative inefficiencies, and social conflicts that persist in Indonesia today. The president’s strategic message implies that Indonesia’s economic development unduly lags regional competitors; disinformation and hate speech create social divisions and political distortions; and there is a significant digital and technological divide in the country. The research result shows that the president’s passion extends beyond bureaucratic reform and into contentious political topics, where selective attempts at disruptive truth-telling are made.
CONTESTED INTERPRETATIONS OF INDONESIA’S INTERNATIONAL LEADERSHIP IN THE FOREIGN POLICY OF PRESIDENT SUSILO BAMBANG YUDHOYONO AND JOKO WIDODO
Authors: Jemadu Aleksius , Lantang Floranesia
Published: January 2022

The research aimed to examine the Indonesia’s international leadership on foreign policy throughout the period of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and President Joko Widodo, who have developed different conceptualizations of foreign policy. It ultimately affects the way each of them makes an interpretation of what Indonesia should do with its international leadership. The research built a solid and rich theoretical framework by consulting on previous research focusing on factors that affect the nature of international leadership especially regarding the role of the individual styles of a state leader. The research had two illustrations or brief case studies, namely, the promotion of democracy and human rights and the initiative of promoting the Indo-Pacific cooperation with a special emphasis on the period of President Joko Widodo. The research finds that he has changed the nature of Indonesia’s international leadership to make it fit into his domestic agenda. While President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono tends to make Indonesia’s international leadership as an essential part of his rigorous effort to build a post-authoritarian identity for a democratic and stable nation, President Joko Widodo prefers to make his foreign policy serve the accomplishment of his domestic priorities. The research concludes that Indonesia’s international leadership is much contingent upon individual preferences of the presidents in both formulating their policies as well as the implementation. Moreover, the research comes up with constructive ideas which might be useful to strengthen Indonesia’s international leadership in the future.
Organizational and Legal Problems of the Judicial System and Judicial Proceedings Development in the Russian State (XV – XVI Centuries)
Authors:   All-Russian State University of Justice, Babenko V.N.
Published: January 2022

The article deals with organizational and legal problems of the judicial system and proceedings in Russia in the XV - XVI centuries, the relevance of which remained in the subsequent periods of its history. In the period under consideration, judicial books as a new type of law sources became widespread. First, these were the Code of Laws (Sudebnic) of 1497 and the Code of Laws (Sudebnic) of 1550. In addition to them such sources as Stoglav of 1551, statutory books of separate orders, statutory letters of viceroyalty administration, gubnye and zemstvo letters, etc. were widely used. The subject of the research is not only normative legal acts, which regulated activity of judicial bodies, but also problems and peculiarities of Russian centralized state courts functioning during the period of reforms carried out by Tsar Ivan IV and oprichnina policy, aimed at central state power strengthening. The aim of the article is to reveal problems and peculiarities in the development of judicial system and legal procedure during the period of Russian centralized state formation and class-representative monarchy formation. The methodological basis of the work consists of historical legal and comparative legal methods. The article analyzes the causes and nature of changes occurring in the system of the judicial system and legal proceedings in Russia during the period under consideration. The author concludes that the use of the term «Moscow state» in the title of the period considerably limits the researchers' possibilities to study the regional materials concerning the peculiarities of the development of the local courts in the territories of the Volga region developed by Russia in the 16th century. The received results and conclusions can be used in studying the history of state and law.
Problems of the Malicious Use of Artificial Intelligence in the Context of International Psychological Security at the Round Table in the Diplomatic MFA RF Academy.
Authors:   Saint Petersburg State University, Mikhalevich E.A. , Urumov A.O. ,   Diplomatic Academy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation
Published: January 2022

The rapid development of technologies based on artificial intelligence, in addition to obvious economic and technological advantages, carries challenges and threats associated with the use of these technologies by antisocial actors for malicious purposes. One of the most important aspects of studying such threats is the analysis of their impact on the architecture of international information and psychological security. In the direction of preventing and countering the threats of the malicious use of artificial intelligence, great attention should be paid to the development of a socially oriented system of proactive technical, political and legal measures and mechanisms. Achievement of this goal is possible only with an expert search and development at the state level of admissible and effective scientifically based decisions to strengthen the system of national, and subsequently international security. This analytical review presents the main ideas, forecasts and solutions voiced by authoritative experts in the field of political, historical, economic, technical sciences at the round table at the Institute of Topical International Problems of the Diplomatic Academy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation.
Organization of Public Power in the Constituent Entities of the Russian Federation: Reforming or Improving?
Authors:   All-Russian State University of Justice, Aleksandrova E.V.
Published: January 2022

The introduction of the principle of unity of public authority has led to the development of a new federal law «On the general principles of the public authority organization in the constituent entities of the Russian Federation». In this regard, the author set the goal: to determine how the provisions of this law change the system and status of public authorities of the constituent entities of the Russian Federation. When considering these issues a wide range of methods was used, including the method of analysis, comparison, logical, deduction and generalization. As a result of the study the features of the state power system of the constituent entities of the Russian Federation were identified, the main of which, in our view, is the attribution of the highest official to the mandatory bodies of state power of the constituent entities of the Russian Federation; the consistency of existing models of state power organization of the constituent entities of the Russian Federation was outlined. In this case, due to a different legal technique and the allocation of provisions on the highest official in a separate chapter of the law, there is a certain confusion with the definition of his position in the system of public authorities of the constituent entities of the Russian Federation. The author supports the provisions of the law on the inclusion of the highest official of a constituent entity of the Russian Federation among the mandatory in the system of public authorities of a constituent entity of the Russian Federation, and justifies the need to include provisions on it in the chapter on executive power bodies.
Urban stormwater management for sustainable and resilient measures and practices: a review
Authors: Rentachintala Lakshmi Raghu Nagendra Prasad , Reddy M. G. Muni , Mohapatra Pranab Kumar
Published: January 2022

Stormwater drainage in urban areas has become a challenge due to the rapid and random growth of urban areas, removal of vegetation, reduction in the effectiveness of drainage infrastructure, and climate change. Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SUDS), Low Impact Development (LID), Best Management Practices (BMP), Water Sensitive Urban Design (WSUD) and the Sponge City Programme (SCP) are various aspects for urban stormwater management in a few parts of the world. Urban hydrology plays a vital role in the urban stormwater management system. However, optimal results can only be possible when the combined effect of climate change, land use patterns, reuse, treatment, ecology, and societal aspects are considered. There is a need to provide sustainable and resilient urban drainage systems to manage stormwater more efficiently. The present review has thoroughly discussed various features related to urban stormwater management, highlighted key drivers, identified knowledge gaps in each of the measures and/or practices, recommended future research needs of urban stormwater management to become sustainable and resilient. Integrated modelling approaches considering various key drivers including reuse and real time governance enables stormwater management to be sustainable and resilient in urban environments.
Protein Arginine Methyltransferase 1 and its Dynamic Regulation Associated
with Cellular Processes and Diseases
Authors: Wu Weiwei , Liu Baohua , Pang Qiuxiang , Wu Hao , Zhang Yichao , Liu Shuo , Liu Dongwu , Li Ao , Deng Hongkuan , Zhang Xiuzhen
Published: January 2022

Post-translational modifications (PTMs) of proteins influence protein degradation, protein-
protein interactions, expression of genes, and intracellular signal transduction, thereby regulating
major life processes. Among the PTMs occurring within the cytoplasm and nucleus, the most
commonly studied one is the arginine methylation of proteins catalyzed by PRMTs. PRMT1 is the
most excellent and extensively studied member of the PRMT family. PRMT1 occurs in various isoforms,
and the unique sequence splicing of each of these isoforms encodes differential proteins that
exhibit different cellular localization, substrate specificity, and enzyme activity. In addition to
methylating histones, PRMT1 also methylates a large number of non-histone substrates that regulate
a broad range of cellular processes. In recent years, research has revealed an increasing number
of pathological diseases caused by the misregulation and aberrant expression of PRMT1, demonstrating
the potential of PRMT1 as an effective biomarker for drug targets. In this context, the
present study discusses the structural characteristics and the biological functions of PRMT1.

Practical applications:

Several diseases originate from aberrant post-translational modifications.
The misregulation of the arginine methylation of proteins, which is regulated by PRMTs and influences
a series of cellular activities, leads to developmental abnormalities and physiological diseases.
PRMT1, which accounts for 85% of the activity of PRMTs, is involved in several cellular processes
occurring in various diseases. Multiple inhibitors have been developed and studied for their
potential as biomarkers and suitable drug targets in clinical application. The present report summarizes
the findings of the most recent studies focusing on the structural characteristics, splicing,
substrates, and biological functions of PRMT1, to contribute to future research for deciphering the
molecular mechanisms of PRMT1 and drug improvement.
Repurposing Novel Antagonists for Targeting p7 Viroporin of HCV Using
In Silico Approach
Authors: Dwivedi Varsha , Gupta Rakesh Kumar , Gupta Amita , Chaudhary Vijay K , Gupta Sanjay , Gupta Vandana
Published: January 2022

Background:

P7 viroporin in HCV is a cation-selective ion channel-forming protein,
functional in the oligomeric form. It is considered to be a potential target for anti-HCV compounds due to
its crucial role in viral entry, assembly, and release.

Method:

Conserved crucial residues present in HCV p7 protein were delineated from the available
literature with a specific focus on the genotypes 3a and 1b prevalent in India. Using the Flex-X docking
tool, a library of FDA-approved drugs was docked on the receptor sites prepared around crucial residues.
In the present study, we proposed drug repurposing to target viroporin p7, which may help in the rapid
development of effective anti-HCV therapies.

Results:

With our approach of poly-pharmacology, a variety of drugs currently identified as antibiotics, antiparasitic,
antiemetic, anti-retroviral, and anti-neoplastic were found to dock successfully on the p7 viroporin.
Noteworthy among these are general-purpose cephalosporin antibiotics, leucal, phthalylsulfathiazole, and
granisetron, which may be useful in acute HCV infection, and anti-neoplastic sorafenib and nilotinib,
which may be valuable in advanced HCV-HCC cases.

Conclusion:

This study could pave the way for quick repurposing of these compounds as anti-HCV
therapeutics.
Design, Synthesis and In Vitro Anticancer Activity of Benzo[c]chromen-6-
one-linked 1,2,3-Triazole
Authors: Tupychak Mykola A. , Finiuk Nataliya S. , Stoika Rostyslav S. , Martyak Roman L. , Pokhodylo Nazariy T.
Published: January 2022

Background:

The 1,2,3-triazole hybrids and conjugates containing natural or related compounds
motif demonstrate diverse biological activities, including anticancer, antimicrobial, antitubercular,
antiviral, antidiabetic, antimalarial, anti-leishmanial, and neuroprotective ones. Among a wide
range of pharmacological applications, considerable attention is paid to the study of anticancer activity. In
anticancer research, combining 1,2,3-triazole with other motifs, previously demonstrating antiproliferative
activity into one hybrid molecule, is a common strategy for the creation of new bioactive molecules.
The CuAAC (copper-catalyzed azide–alkyne cycloaddition) is a very convenient reaction for the rapid
construction of drug-like 1,2,3-triazoles at room temperature in a short time.

Methods:

Based on the pharmacophore strategy, a virtual combinatorial library of benzo[c]chromen-6-
one linked 1,2,3-triazole derivatives was designed and lead-likeness and molecular analysis were performed.
Selected compounds were synthesized via CuAAC click reaction and the chemical structures of
all new 1,2,3-triazole hybrids were proved by 1H, 13C NMR, MS and elemental analyses. Their anticancer
activity in the human cancer cell lines was evaluated using the MTT assay.

Results:

A virtual in silico screening of novel benzo[c]chromen-6-one linked 1,2,3-triazole was carried
out in order to discover potential antitumor agents. The synthesis of promising compounds was carried
out via СuAAC reaction, and their antineoplastic action was studied on human tumor cells of HL-60,
HCT116, HCT116 p53-/-, Skov3, U251, MDA231 lines. Their cytotoxic effect towards pseudo-normal
human cells of HaCaT line was also evaluated. 2-((1H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)methoxy)-6H-benzo[c]chromen-
6-one (4c) with pyridin-3-yl substituent demonstrated the highest antiproliferative action in vitro (IC50
79.5 μM) towards human leukemia cells of HL-60 line, while all tested compounds at >100 μM concentration
were tolerant for non-tumor human keratinocytes of HaCaT line.

Conclusion:

A novel benzo[c]chromen-6-one linked 1,2,3-triazoles exhibiting promising in vitro anticancer
activity and low toxicity were designed. This study suggests new scaffolds for the development of
anti-cancer drugs, which could be easily further optimized via the convenient synthetic procedure.
Green Tea Catechins Against COVID-19: Lower COVID-19 Morbidity
and Mortality in Countries with Higher per capita Green Tea Consumption
Authors: Storozhuk Maksim
Published: January 2022

Background:

Several vaccines are currently validated for COVID-19 prevention and
mass vaccination has already been started in many countries. Nevertheless, it is likely that the development
of an efficient therapy that reduces COVID-19 severity/mortality would be still important
for a rather prolonged time, in particular, due to new variants of SARS-CoV-2. Several lines of
emerging evidence suggest that green tea catechins such as epigallocatechin-3-gallate have direct
anti-viral activity and affect factors associated with COVID-19 severity.

Objective:

Considering that green tea catechins are major constituents of green tea, it may be expected
that countries with higher per capita green tea consumption would be less affected by
COVID-19. This study assessed this possibility.

Methods:

Among countries with a population of at least 3 million (n=134), those with relatively
high (above 150 g) per capita green tea consumption have been identified (n=21); (ii) normalized
to population values of COVID-19 cases (morbidity) and deaths (mortality) for groups of countries
with high and low per capita green tea consumption were compared.

Results:

Striking differences in COVID-19 morbidity and mortality between groups of countries
with ‘high’ and ‘low’ green tea consumption were found. The differences were still observed after
the adjustment for the onset of the disease. An analysis using the multiple linear regression approach
suggests that the associations are present at the level of individual countries.

Conclusions:

Results of this study, taken together with emerging pharmacological evidence,
suggest that green tea catechins can give valuable clues for the treatment/amelioration of
COVID-19.
The Role of Celebrity Endorsements in Breaking Advertising Clutter and reducing Advertising Avoidance on Social Media Networks
Authors: Mosa Raafat Awad
Published: January 2022

In the light of the business environment dominated by marketing noise and advertisements that surround us from every angle, relying on the popularity of social networks has become insufficient to pass advertising messages into the minds of the customers. We live today amid a sea of advertising clutter that undermined the efforts of marketers in conveying their voices to target customers. Besides, technology has given customers greater opportunities to choose the appropriate way to deal with advertising messages, whether by ignoring or blocking them. Therefore, the study sought to reveal the extent of the existence of advertising clutter on social media networks and its relationship to advertising avoidance, and then determine the role that celebrity endorsement can contribute to breaking this clutter and reducing advertising avoidance. The study adopted the quantitative approach in measuring its variables by surveying a large sample of Iraqi social network users, which numbered (837) respondents. The study concluded that advertising clutter on social networks has reached unjustified and unwelcome levels. Moreover, the results confirmed that the celebrity endorsement strategy has a prominent role in penetrating clutter and reducing advertising avoidance.