bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Improving Students' Mathematics Communication Ability Through Geogebra
Authors: Istikomah Endang , Zetriuslita Zetriuslita , Nofriandi Nofriandi
Published: August 2021

Student’s mathematical communication skills are low. Geogebra is a dynamic program with a variety of facilities that can be used as a medium of mathematics learning to visualize mathematical concepts and help to construct mathematical concepts. The purpose of this study was to determine the improvement of students’ matematical communication skills thorugh Geogebra. The research method use is quasi experiment. The sample used in this study was the second semester students of TA. 2018/2019. The reserach involved an experimental group and control group. The results showed that the value of sig. of 0,000 . The conclusion obtained is that the mathematical communication skills of student in the experimental class are better than increasing the mathematical communication skills of students in the control class.
Teacher Behavior Profile in Organization Citizenship Behavior
Authors: Salim Salim , Prajono Rahmad , Nurhayati Nurhayati , Abdin Abdin , Saputra Hendra Nelva
Published: August 2021

The purpose of this research is: (1) to reveal the portrait behavior of organizational citizenship behavior in primary school teachers in Kendari City, (2) to assess factors affecting the behavior of organizational citizenship behavior of teachers Primary school in the city of Kendari, (3) to analyze the difference in behavior of organizational citizenship behavior is reviewed from the gender of school status and gender in primary school teachers in Kendari City. This approach of research using a mixed-methods method combines qualitative and quantitative research. The place of implementation of this research is an elementary school in the region of Kendari, Southeast Sulawesi province. The results of this study show generally teachers of elementary school in the city of Kendari have organization citizenship behavior with good behavior, (2) Factors that influence the behavior of organizational citizenship behavior of Teachers Elementary School in Kendari City is a school climate that encompasses work culture, school leadership management, and school objectives, (3) There is no difference in organizational citizenship behavior Behaviour for elementary school teachers in Kendari City is reviewed from Gender, school status, and school type.
Hydrologic analysis of field delineated ordinary high water marks for rivers and streams
Authors: Hamill Daniel , David Gabrielle
Published: August 2021

Streamflow influences the distribution and organization of high water marks along rivers and streams in a landscape. The federal definition of ordinary high water mark (OHWM) is defined by physical and vegetative field indicators that are used to identify inundation extents of ordinary high water levels without any reference to the relationship between streamflow and regulatory definition. Streamflow is the amount, or volume, of water that moves through a stream per unit time. This study explores regional characteristics and relationships between field-delineated OHWMs and frequency-magnitude streamflow metrics derived from a flood frequency analysis. The elevation of OHWM is related to representative constant-level discharge return periods with national average return periods of 6.9 years using partial duration series and 2.8 years using annual maximum flood frequency approaches. The range in OHWM return periods is 0.5 to 9.08, and 1.05 to 11.01 years for peaks-over-threshold and annual maximum flood frequency methods, respectively. The range of OHWM return periods is consistent with the range found in national studies of return periods related to bankfull streamflow. Hydraulic models produced a statistically significant relationship between OHWM and bank-full, which reinforces the close relationship between the scientific concept and OHWM in most stream systems.
The Role of Geological Models and Uncertainties in Safety Assessments
Authors: Bjorge Merle , Kreye Phillip , Heim Elisa , Wellmann Florian , Rühaak Wolfram
Published: August 2021

Safety assessments in nuclear waste management typically include the analysis of thermo-mechanical (TM) coupled processes. The TM behavior of the host rock is, amongst other aspects, dependent on the prevalent geological geometry. This study aims to evaluate the impact of uncertainties in geometry on the TM rock behavior. It is one of the very first studies aiming to bring uncertainties of structural geological models and numerical simulations together.To analyze the influence of geological geometries, a simplified model of the region around the Mont Terri rock laboratory was created. A 3-D structural geological model was set up and uncertainties of the lithological contacts were quantified by means of stochastic simulations, resulting in an ensemble of 89 model realizations. These realizations were transformed to a 2-D numerical model. In this numerical model, TM simulations were computed over a simulation time of 500 years, employing the Finite Element Method. To simulate a heat source of nuclear waste the lower edge of the model was set to 100°C.The results of these simulations show mean temperature variations of 90.89 °C and 92.70 ° after 500 years, with a maximum stress varying between 0.02 MPa and 0.16 MPa of elastic shear energy density and according mean cumulative displacements ranging from 30 cm to 38 cm. The presented results indicate that different model geometries and differences in material properties lead to noticeable variabilities of the TM behavior of claystone. However in this case, these variabilities would not significantly affect the integrity of the rock.
Circ-FURIN Expression Enhances Osteoblast Differentiation In Dental Pulp Stem Cells Via SOX11 Signaling Pathway Sponging miR-125
Authors: Ji Fang , Lin Yueting , Pan Jing , Yang Zhao , Ren Qianhui , Quan Jiubin , Wang Jian , Tao Jiang
Published: August 2021

Background: Many studies have found that circRNA plays a part in osteoblast differentiation. However, its mechanism remains unknown. Methods: High-throughput sequencing was used to identifield the different expression of circRNA during osteogenic dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) differentiation. Luciferase report analysis and RT-qPCR were used to clarify the expression and regulation relationship among circ-FURIN, miR-125 and SOX11. The heterotopic bone formation experiment was further used to confirm the osteoblast differentiation of DPSC with different expression of circ-FURIN, miR-125 and SOX11. Results: Study indicated that circ-FURIN expression remarkably increased during osteoblast differentiation, yet circ-FURIN knockdown suppressed it. Bioinformatics and luciferase results discovered that miR-125 is the downstream target of circ-FURIN. Furthermore, circ-FURIN upregulation decreased miR-125 expression. MiR-125 upregulation restored the promotion effect of circ-FURIN on osteogenic DPSC differentiation. Luciferase report analysis verified that SOX11 is miR-125 downstream target. miR-125 overexpression suppressed osteogenic DPSC differentiation through targeting SOX11. SOX11 overexpression restored miR-125 inhibitory effect on osteogenic DPSC differentiation. In vivo experiments with heterotopic bone model suggested that circ-FURIN overexpression has crucial function to enhance heterotopic bone formation. Conclusions: In summary, circ-FURIN enhances osteoblast DPSC differentiation via the SOX11 signaling pathway by sponging miR-125. These findings suggest a novel therapeutic target for osteoporosis treatment.
Ambient Ozone Pollution and Daily Mortality in Hohhot, China: A Time-Series Study
Authors: Xia Chunyan , Liu Ying , Xie Jinli , Zheng Huiqiu , Niu Liwei , Zhang Nan , Lu Hong , Han Xia , Dong Lianying , Li Na , Wang Yangjie , Wang Yanling
Published: August 2021

Evidence on the effects of ozone on chronic lower respiratory disease (CLRD), acute respiratory infections (ARI) is still not conclusive. This study aimed to investigate the association between them in Hohhot China. Daily death counts, concentrations of PM2.5, PM10, SO2, NO2, and O3, and meteorological data were collected for Hohhot city from January 1, 2018, to December 31, 2019. We performed a time series analysis using generalized additive model (GAM). In single pollutant model, the estimated excess relative risks (EERs) for respiratory and CLRD mortality were 2.815% (95% CI: 0.075–5.630) at lag 04 and 4.409% (95% CI: 1.577–7.320) at lag 01, respectively, for each 10 µg/m3 increase in O3. No significant association was found for ARI and the other respiratory diseases mortality. Subgroup analysis showed that the respiratory diseases for men were more susceptible to O3 than women, while men had a lower association with CLRD than women. Concentrations of O3 were significantly associated with respiratory disease and CLRD for older adults. The significant positive association between O3 and respiratory mortality and CLRD mortality remained largely unchanged in the two-pollutant model and the multi-pollutant model. In conclusion, short-term exposure to O3 is significantly associated respiratory diseases and CLRD mortality, and this association is dominated by gender and age.
Identification of Genes Related to 68Ga-DOTATATE Organ Distribution in Homo Sapiens
Authors: Li Jiajin , Huang Gang , Liu Jianjun
Published: August 2021

Purpose 68Ga-DOTATATE is a somatostatin analogue that has been used for imaging neuroendocrine tumours. However, there is nonspecific uptake in some organs, and the reasons for that are not clear. The aim of the study is to outline the dynamic distribution pattern of 68Ga-DOTATATE in human body, and identify the genes responsible for 68Ga-DOTATATE uptake by bioinformatics analysis.Methods 68Ga-DOTATATE PET/CT was performed in 32 patients, and dynamic total-body PET scanning was performed with uEXPLORER. The gene expression datasets of human organs were downloaded from the Human Protein Atlas. WGCNA analysis was performed to screen the potential genes related to 68Ga-DOTATATE. BindingDB, SEA and SwissTargetPrediction databases were used to predict the potential binding proteins of DOTATATE based on molecular structure. Results Dynamic total-body PET scanning showed that 68Ga-DOTATATE uptake was not consistent with expression of SSTR2 in human organs. WGCNA analysis revealed 800 genes whose expression level was positively correlated to 68Ga-DOTATATE uptake. According to the molecular structure of DOTATATE, 135 proteins with potential binding ability to DOTATATE were screened by analysis based on drug database. Based on the results of the above two parts, 8 proteins were finally obtained, respectively AVPR1A, EPHA8, EPHB4, OPRL1, SSTR2, SSTR5, ST3GAL1 and NPY1R, which had potential binding possibility with DOTATATE, and their expression was positively correlated with 68Ga-DOTATATE uptake.Conclusion WGCNA analysis was combined with the drug database to obtain new potential binding targets of DOTATATE. The bioinformatics approach developed in this study could potentially be used to discover new potential binding targets for molecular imaging agents.
Under the dynamic environment of normal diagnosis and treatment in the bronchoscope room, the study of the removal efficiency of the new air purifier on microbial aerosols
Authors: Wu Lijuan , YAN XIXIN
Published: August 2021

Background

The SARS-CoV-2 can spread through droplets, aerosols, etc. In the case of a severe outbreak of the SARS-CoV-2, the use of new air purifiers in work and living places has a certain effect on reducing the spread of the SARS-CoV-2. There are abundant microbial aerosols in the indoor medical environment. The innovation of this experiment lies in the use of long-term, large-volume sampling methods under the multi-factor dynamic conditions of normal diagnosis and treatment in the bronchoscope room, and the use of two microbial detection methods at the same time to study the removal efficiency of the new air purifier on microbial aerosols ; The innovation of the new air purifier lies in outdoor fresh air and steady-state displacement flow technology.
Methods

In this experiment, the test group and the control group were set up. Gelatin filtration membrane and PTFE filtration membrane were used to sample the microbial aerosols in the bronchoscope room. Long time (39.5h) and large sampling volume (70590L) was used. A total of 16 days of pure working time sampling was carried out for a period of 1 month. The collected specimens were tested by two methods: next-generation sequencing (mNGS) and microbial culture identification. The researcher retrieved and recorded the microbiological test results of related patients, and compared them with the results of this experiment.
Results

The result of next-generation sequencing (mNGS): The total purification efficiency was 88.0%. Microbial culture counting and identification results: the total purification efficiency is 87.5%. The results are statistically significant. There is a certain correlation between the experimental results and the clinical microbiological test results of patients.
Conclusions

1. The new type of air purifier has a good effect on the removal of microbial aerosols in the bronchoscope room; 2. A variety of microorganisms involved in the experiment can be transmitted through aerosols.
Discussion

The new air purifier has a total removal efficiency of more than 85% of microorganisms under the dynamic environment of the hospital's normal diagnosis and treatment, and the purification efficiency of a single microorganism ranges 50%-100%. Such removal efficiency may have a positive effect for the control of the SARS-CoV-2 epidemic.
An Improved ECG Steganography Using Integer Wavelet Transform and Offset Coefficient with LSB Substitution
Authors: Yang Ching-Yu , Wang Wen-Fong
Published: August 2021

In this work, we present an improved steganography for electrocardiogram (ECG) hosts to solve the issues of existing ECG steganographic methods, which have less hiding capacity and insufficient signal-to-noise ratio (SNR)/ peak SNR (PSNR). Based on the integer wavelet transform (IWT) domain, sensitive (or private) data such as patients’ data and personal information can be efficiently embedded in an ECG host via the IWT coefficient adjustment and the least significant bit (LSB) technique. Simulations confirmed that the SNR/ PSNR, and payload of the proposed method outperform those of existing techniques. In addition, the proposed method is capable of resisting attacks, such as cropping, Gaussian noise-addition inversion, scaling, translation, and truncation attacks from third parties (or adversaries). Due to the fast computation time, the proposed method can be employed in portable biometric devices or wearable electronics.
Diabetes as a Risk Factor for Cardiovascular Events in Patients Receiving Permanent Pacemaker – A Propensity Score-Matched Cohort Study
Authors: Chen Huang-Chung , Liu Wen-Hao , Tseng Chien-Hao , Chen Yung-Lung , Lee Wei-Chieh , Fang Yen-Nan , Chong Shaur-Zheng , Chen Mien-Cheng
Published: August 2021

Background: Type 2 diabetes was associated with higher risk for permanent pacemaker (PPM) implantation. We aimed to compare the clinical outcomes between diabetic and non-diabetic patients receiving PPM treatment. Methods: Between January 2003 and December 2017, 1742 patients receiving naïve PPM treatment comprised this retrospective cohort study and were categorized into two groups by the presence or absence of diagnosis of diabetes: diabetic group (n=632, 36.3%) and non-diabetic group (n=1110, 63.7%). The primary outcome was cardiovascular events including heart failure (HF) hospitalization and acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Propensity score matching (PSM) was applied to reduce selection bias between the study groups. Results: During a mean follow-up of 7.8 ± 4.8 years, there were 264 cardiovascular events. A total of 746 patients with a 1:1 paired ratio between diabetic and non-diabetic groups were analyzed in the propensity score-matched series. After PSM, the incidence of cardiovascular events was higher in the diabetic group compared to the non-diabetic group (18.8% vs. 12.3%, P=0.015). Moreover, the incidence of HF hospitalization was higher in the diabetic patients compared to the non-diabetic patients (15.3% vs. 10.2%, P=0.037), whereas the incidence of AMI did not differ between the diabetic and non-diabetic groups (3.5% vs. 2.1%, P=0.268). After adjustments for covariates in multiple Cox regression analysis, diabetes remained as an independent predictor for cardiovascular events [hazard ratio, 1.54; 95% confidence interval, 1.04-2.29; P=0.031].Conclusions:In this cohort study of patients with naïve PPMs implantation, diabetes increased 1.54-fold risk of cardiovascular events in PPM recipients, especially for HF hospitalization.
Study on the Mechanism of Lactobacillus Rhamnosus Probio-M9 on Staphylococcus Aureus Mastitis in Rat
Authors: Xu Ruibo , Heping Zhang
Published: August 2021

This study aimed to investigate the potential anti-inflammatory mechanism of Lactobacillus rhamnosus Probio-M9 (Probio-M9), a probiotic strain previously isolated from the milk of healthy women. The Illumina Hiseq platform performed metagenomic sequencing on faeces samples at various time points. UPLC-Q-TOF/MS are used to detect a large number of endogenous metabolites in the serum of rats with mastitis induced by Staphylococcus aureus. The results showed that after oral Probio-M9, the beneficial intestinal bacteria (Lactobacillus murinus, Lactobacillus reuteri) were increasesed in intestinal bacteria of rats with mastitis, while the harmful bacteria(Enterococcus faecalis, Escherichia coli) were decreased. Moreover, it positively regulated the metabolites (linoleic acid, glycerophospholipid, aracidonic acid, sphinolipid, etc.) in the blood of rats with mastitis. This study provided a new research method for Probio-M9 to alleviate mastitis, and also provided a theoretical basis for the development and utilization of Probio-M9.
DNA Methylation-Dependent Translational Control of Glutamate Transporters in Cultured Radial Glia Cells
Authors: Rodríguez-Campuzano Ada G , Hernández-Kelly Luisa C. , Ortega Arturo
Published: August 2021

Exposure to xenobiotics has a significant impact in brain physiology, that could be liked to an excitotoxic processes induced by a massive release of the main excitatory neurotransmitter, L-glutamate. Overstimulation of post-synaptic and extra-synaptic glutamate receptors leads to a disturbance of intracellular calcium homeostasis that is critically involved in neuronal death. Hence, glutamate extracellular levels are tightly regulated through its uptake by glial glutamate transporters. It has been observed that glutamate regulates its own removal, both in the short-time frame via a transporter-mediated decrease in the uptake, and in the long-term through the transcriptional control of its gene expression, a process mediated by glutamate receptors that involves the Ca2+/diacylglycerol-dependent protein kinase and the transcription factor Ying Yang 1. Taking into consideration that this transcription factor is as a member of the Polycomb complex and thus, part of repressive and activating chromatin remodeling factors, it might direct the interaction of DNA methyltransferases or dioxygenases of methylated cytosines to their target sequences. Since glial glutamate transporters promoters are targets of Ying-Yang 1, in this contribution, we explored the role of dynamic DNA methylation in the expression and function of glial glutamate transporters. To this end, we used the well-characterized models of primary cultures of chick cerebellar Bergmann glia cells and a human retina-derived Müller glia cell line. A time and dose-dependent increase in global DNA methylation was found upon glutamate exposure. Under hypomethylation conditions, both glial glutamate transporters expression and function were increased. These results, favor the notion that a dynamic methylation program triggered by glutamate in glia cells modulates one of its major functions: glutamate removal.
Systemic Modeling of Chaotic EEG During Human Sleep
Authors: Alipour Mahmoud , Gholpayeghani Seyed Mohammad Reza Hashemi
Published: August 2021

One of the most challenging discussions about EEG is the chaotic nature of this biological signal. In the present study, we attempt to provide an analysis to demonstrate sleep EEG chaoticity. We model changes of sleep attractor dynamic in phase space by exponential regression. Our model demonstrates that the sleep attractor is the sleep cycle attractor whose size shrinks during successive cycles by presenting a new definition of the sleep cycle. We study the EEG dynamics of different sleep stages by presenting two new features based on phase space properties. We show that each stage has a unique chaotic attractor. We model geometric changes of these attractors during successive sleep cycles. Our model achieves an accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity of 89.15%, 82.84%, and 81.62% classifying sleep stages.
Urine di-(2-Ethylhexyl) Phthalate Metabolites Are Independently Related To Body Fluid Status in Adults: Results From a U.S. Nationally Representative Survey
Authors: Wang Wei-Jie , Wang Chia-Sung , Wang Chi-Kang , Yang An-Ming , Lin Chien-Yu
Published: August 2021

Background
Di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) has been utilized in many daily used products for decades. Previous studies have reported DEHP exposure could induce renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system activation and increase epithelial sodium channel (ENaC) activity, which contributes to extracellular fluid (ECF) volume expansion. However, there is also no previous study to evaluate the association between DEHP exposure and body fluid status.
Methods
We selected 1,678 subjects (aged ≧ 18 years) from a National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) in 2003–2004 to determine the relationship among urine DEHP metabolites and body composition (body measures, bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA)).
Results
After weighted for sampling strategy, we reported higher levels of DEHP metabolites was correlated with increases in body measures (body weight, body mass index (BMI), waist), parameters of BIA (estimated fat mass, percent body fat, ECF, and ECF /intracellular fluid (ICF) ratio) in multiple linear regression analysis. The relationship between DEHP metabolites with ECF/ICF ratio were more evident in subjects with younger age (20–39 year-old), women, non-Hispanic white ethnic, and subjects who were not active smokers.
Conclusions
Besides positively correlated with body measures and body fat, we found urine DEHP metabolites are positively correlated with ECF, ECF/ICF ratio in the US general adult population. It is necessary to do further research to clarify this causal relationship.
Prenatal exome sequencing and chromosomal microarray analysis in fetal structural anomalies in a highly consanguineous population reveals a propensity of ciliopathy genes causing multisystem phenotypes
Authors: Al-Hamed Mohamed , Kurdi Wesam , Khan Rubina , Tulbah Maha , AlNemer Maha , AlSahan Nada , AlMugbel Maisoon , Rafiullah Rafiullah , Assoum Mirna , Rahbeeni Zuhair , Derar Nada , Hakami Fahad , Almutairi Gawaher , AlOtaibi Afaf , Ali Wafaa , AlShammasi Amal , AlMubarak Wardah , AlDawoud Samia , AlAmri Saja , Saeed Bashayer , Bukhari Hanifa , Ali Mohannad , Akili Rana , Alquayt Laila , Elbardisy Hadeel , Akilan Asma , Almuhana Nora , AlKhalifah Abrar , Ramzan Khushnooda , Sayer John A. , Imtiaz Faiqa
Published: August 2021

Background
Fetal abnormalities are detected in 3% of all pregnancies and are responsible for approximately 20% of all perinatal deaths. Chromosomal microarray analysis (CMA) and exome sequencing (ES) are widely used in prenatal settings for molecular genetic diagnostics with variable diagnostic yields. In this study, we aimed to determine the diagnostic yield of trio-ES in detecting the cause of fetal abnormalities within a highly consanguineous population.
Methods
In families with a history of congenital anomalies, a total of 119 fetuses with structural anomalies were recruited and DNA from invasive samples were used together with parental DNA samples for trio-ES and CMA. Data were analysed to determine possible underlying genetic disorders associated with observed fetal phenotypes.
Results
The cohort had a known consanguinity of 81%. Trio-ES led to diagnostic molecular genetic findings in 59 fetuses (with pathogenic / likely pathogenic variants) most with multisystem or renal abnormalities. CMA detected chromosomal abnormalities compatible with the fetal phenotype in another 7 cases. Monogenic ciliopathy disorders with an autosomal recessive inheritance were the predominant cause of multisystem fetal anomalies (24/59 cases, 40.7%) with loss of function variants representing the vast majority of molecular genetic abnormalities. Heterozygous de novo pathogenic variants were found in 4 fetuses. A total of 23 novel variants predicted to be associated with the phenotype were detected.
Conclusion
Prenatal trio-ES and CMA detected likely causative molecular genetic defects in a total of 55% of families with fetal anomalies confirming the diagnostic utility of trio-ES and CMA as first line genetic test in the prenatal diagnosis of multisystem fetal anomalies including ciliopathy syndromes.
Survival Outcomes Among Pancreatic Cancer Patients at Kenyatta National Hospital
Authors: Moraa Faith , Degu Amsalu
Published: August 2021

Purpose: The mortality rate of pancreatic cancer varies throughout the world, with industrialized countries being hard hit. In addition, mortality has risen fast in the past two decades in Kenya and East Africa. However, there was a paucity of conclusive data about the survival of pancreatic cancer patients in the study setting. Hence, this study aimed to assess the survival outcomes of pancreatic cancer patients at Kenyatta National Hospital.Methods: A hospital-based retrospective cohort analysis was used to evaluate the survival outcomes among pancreatic cancer patients admitted in the study setting between 2015 and 2019. A total of 64 eligible pancreatic cancer patients were included in the study. In the pre-designed data abstraction tool, the data were collected by reviewing the medical records of the patients. The data were entered and analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 22 software. The mean survival time was estimated using Kaplan Meier survival analysis. Cox regression analysis was employed to estimate the predictors of mortality among pancreatic cancer patients.Results: The mean age of the study participants was 60.38±12.61 years. Most of the patients had adenocarcinoma (96.9%) and were diagnosed at an advanced stage of the disease. The overall mean and median survival estimate for pancreatic cancer was 48.7±9.7 and 39.0±23.9 months, respectively. The present study showed that the overall survival rate of pancreatic cancer patients was 79.7%. Conclusion: The mortality rate of pancreatic cancer in the present was 20%. The overall mean survival estimate for pancreatic cancer was 48.7±9.7 months, and the majority had disease progression in the last follow-up period.
Organic Electronics from Nature: Investigation of the Electronic and Optical Properties of the Isomers of Bixin and Norbixin Present in the Achiote Seeds
Authors: Lima Igo Torres , Crispim Josiel Silva , Neto Olimpio Pereira de Sá , Júnior Rafael Timóteo de Sousa , Júnior Luiz Antônio Ribeiro , Filho Demétrio Antônio da Silva
Published: August 2021

Organic semiconductors have been widely employed in developing new green energy solutions with good cost-efficiency compromise, such as Organic Photovoltaics (OPVs). The light-harvesting process in OPVs is a crucial aspect, which still needs improvements. In this context, the Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) have arisen as a technically and economically credible alternatives. In this work, we have performed density functional theory (DFT) calculations to investigate the electronic and optical properties of the four natural dyes found in the seeds of annatto (Bixa Orellana L.), which is a natural dye widely found in tropical America. Different DFT functionals, and basis sets, were used in the calculations of the bixin, norbixin, and their trans-isomers (molecules present in Bixa Orellana L.). All molecules present a conjugated backbone with nine double bonds. We observed that the planarity of the molecules and their similar extension for the conjugation pathways provide substantially delocalized wavefunctions of the frontier orbitals and similar values for their energies. Moreover, our findings showed a strong absorption peak in the blue region and the absorption band over the visible spectrum, thus indicating that molecules are good candidates for organic electronic and optoelectronic applications. The results were contrasted with the experimental data.
Saturation-Pulse Prepared Heart-Rate Independent Inversion-REcovery (SAPPHIRE) Biventricular T1 Mapping: Inter-Field Strength, Head-To-Head Comparison of Diastolic, Systolic And Dark-Blood Measurements
Authors: Alfarih Mashael , Augusto João B , Knott Kristopher D , Fatih Nasri , Kumar-M Praveen , Boubertakh Redha , Hughes Alun , Moon James , Weingärtner Sebastian , Captur Gabriella
Published: August 2021

Purpose To assess the feasibility of SAPPHIRE T1 mapping in vivo across field strengths and compare results to those obtained by conventional Modified Look-Locker inversion recovery (MOLLI). Methods 10 healthy volunteers underwent same-day non-contrast cardiovascular magnetic resonance at 1.5 Tesla (T) and 3T. Left and right ventricular (LV, RV) T1 mapping was performed in the basal, mid and apical short axis using MOLLI and 4-variants of SAPPHIRE: diastolic, systolic, 0th and 2nd order motion-sensitized dark blood (DB). Results LV myocardial T1 times differed significantly between MOLLI and each of the SAPPHIRE variants (all p<0.005). LV global myocardial T1 (1.5T then 3T results) was significantly longer by diastolic SAPPHIRE (1283±11|1600±17ms) than any of the other SAPPHIRE variants: systolic (1239±9|1595±13ms), 0th order DB (1241±10|1596±12) and 2nd order DB (1251±11|1560±20ms, all p<0.05). In the mid septum MOLLI and diastolic SAPPHIRE exhibited significant T1 signal contamination (longer T1) at the blood-myocardial interface not seen with the other 3 SAPPHIRE variants (all p<0.025). Additionally, systolic, 0th order and 2nd order DB SAPPHIRE showed narrower dispersion of myocardial T1 times across the mid septum when compared to diastolic SAPPHIRE (interquartile ranges respectively: 25ms, 71ms, 73ms vs 143ms, all p<0.05). RV T1 mapping was achievable using systolic, 0th and 2nd order DB SAPPHIRE but not with MOLLI or diastolic SAPPHIRE. All 4 SAPPHIRE variants showed excellent re-read reproducibility (intraclass correlation coefficients 0.953 to 0.996). Conclusion These preliminary data suggest that systolic and DB SAPPHIRE approaches can reduce myocardial T1 signal contamination by the adjacent bright blood pool at the blood-myocardial interface.
Germany in the life of Russian writers and poets of the first half of the 19th century
Authors: Дударев В.С.
Published: August 2021

Помимо плодотворного взаимодействия в решении политических вопросов Россию и Германию в первой половине XIX в. связывали тесные культурные связи, в выстраивании которых ключевую роль играла литература. Германия являлась в определенном смысле фильтром, через который Россия знакомилась с европейской литературой. Образы немецкого мира, находившие отражение в русской литературе, возникали не в последнюю очередь благодаря личному опыту общения российских писателей с Германией и немцами. Вследствие этого Германия нередко приобретала свое особенное значение в их жизни и творчестве, чему и посвящена настоящая статья.

In addition to fruitful interaction in solving political issues in the first half of the 19th century, Russia and Germany were linked by close cultural ties, in the building of which literature played a key role. Germany was a kind of filter through which Russia got acquainted with European literature. Images of the German world, reflected in the Russian literature, arose not least due to the personal experience of Russian writers with Germany and the Germans. In this regard, Germany often acquired its special significance in the life and work of Russian writers. This will be discussed in this article.
Comprehension of the national past in the West Berlin music culture in the 1980s
Authors: Лысенко Е.Н.
Published: August 2021

Статья посвящена роли популярной музыки в процессах осмысления и проработки нацистского прошлого в Западной Германии в 1980-х гг. Популярная музыка рассматривается на примере музыкальной сцены Западного Берлина, а именно группы «Einstürzende Neubauten». Рассмотрены политический, экономический и социальный контекст функционирования сцены Западного Берлина, проанализированы различные способы репрезентации национального прошлого в музыке «Einstürzende Neu-bauten». Сделан вывод о том, что в музыкальной культуре Западного Берлина происходило восстановление преемственности разных периодов немецкой культуры и вписывание проблемного прошлого в публичный исторический нарратив.

The article is focused on the role of popular music in the processes of comprehension and dealing with the Nazi past in West Germany in the 1980s. Popular music is examined on the example of the music scene of West Berlin, namely the band «Einstürzende Neubauten». The article considers the political, economic and social context of the West Berlin music scene, analyzes different ways of representing the national past in the music of «Einstürzende Neubauten». The conclusion is made that in the musical culture of West Berlin the continuity of different periods of German culture was restored and the troubled past was incorporated into the public historical narrative.
Fragments of Moral Theology in John Locke’s Notebooks
Authors: Яковлев А.А.
Published: August 2021

Согласно Локку, «закон морали» столь же важен для спасения, как «закон дел» и «закон веры», и предполагает неукоснительное исполнение всех моральных предписаний, возвещенных в Евангелии. Локк также считал неприемлемой «слепую веру» и противопоставлял ей веру ясную и понятную, рациональную и просвещенную, открыто и свободно исповедуемую любым человеком. В ответе на вопрос, как и в каком интеллектуальном контексте происходило становление моральной теологии Локка, свою роль могут сыграть не только основные теологические тексты философа, но и его записные книжки (1692–1698).

According to Locke the Law of Morality is crucial for Salvation, in the same way as the Law of Works and the Law of Faith, requiring full observance of all moral precepts delivered in the Gospel. Locke also deemed unacceptable the so called “implicit” or blind faith, and contrasted it with the Faith plain and explicit, rational and enlightened, openly and freely professed by any believing person. The content of his notebooks (1692–1698), as well as Philosopher’s main theological works, may be of help in tracing how and in what intellectual context occurred the making-up of his Moral Theology.
Social framework of historical responsibility: in search of rational grounds for historical estimates
Authors: Головашина О.В.
Published: August 2021

Автор статьи настаивает на необходимости определения оснований социальной ответственности, чтобы избежать апелляции к эмоциям и моральному дискурсу при оценке исторических событий. Показано, что идеи И. Канта не дают возможности разрешить проблему ответственности вне свободы и концептуализировать коллективную ответственность. Некоторые решения предложены Х. Арендт, осмысляющей политическую ответственность как коллективную. Структурный подход А.М. Янг позволяет перенести акцент на деперсонализацию в условиях большого числа посредников, последствия действий которых невозможно просчитать, и оценивать ответственность в категориях каузальности. Говоря о присвоении коллективной ответственности личностью и оценивая степень ответственности, необходимо учитывать уровень вовлеченности в структуру и качество выполняемых задач.

In the proposed article, the author insists on the need to determine the grounds of social responsibility, since this will avoid appeals to emotions and moral discourse when evaluating historical events. At the first step, the author turns to the ideas of I. Kant, showing that the resources of his theory do not allow solving the problems of responsibility outside of freedom and conceptualizing collective responsibility. The author finds some solutions in X. Arendt, conceptualizing political responsibility as a collective one. A.M. Young's structural approach allows us to shift the focus to depersonalization in the conditions of a large number of intermediaries, the consequences of whose actions cannot be calculated, and to assess responsibility in the categories of causality. Thus, the author speaks about the assignment of collective responsibility by an individual; while assessing the degree of responsibility, it is necessary to take into account the level of involvement in the structure and quality of the tasks performed. This allows us to understand the role of historical dynamics actors without emotional and moral assessments.
Healthcare improvement in the admission department of secondary healthcare facilities under counteracting the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Bondarenko Eugenia , Prasol Lesya , Pryzheludskii Oleh
Published: August 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic tested the strength of the Ukrainian healthcare system. At the same time, it provided high-powered incentives to improve measures to implement the second stage of health care reform The admission department is one of the most important hospital departments, which receives consumers of medical services in need of a qualifying examination and hospitalization under the protocol. The authors noted that all available resources were mobilized to prevent the spread of acute respiratory disease COVID-2019, caused by the spread of coronavirus SARS-CoV-2. Thus, the government has faced the need to develop and implement a list of large-scale infrastructure and personnel changes in a limited period. This article emphasized the concept of the effectiveness of medical services provided by the admission department of a secondary healthcare facility (HCF) in counteracting the COVID-19 epidemic. The study goal is to identify ways to improve the provision of medical services by the admission department of a secondary HCF during the coronavirus epidemic. The study was conducted on real data of Central District Hospital in Shostka, Sumy region, Ukraine. The methodological basis of the study was a systematic approach and the basics of general management theory. The study identified problems faced by hospitals during the COVID- 19 pandemic. Following the findings, the modern scientific and theoretical views on the epidemiology, diagnosis, and treatment of acute respiratory disease COVID-2019 were identified. The authors analyzed the domestic and world practice of healthcare management during the pandemic COVID-2019. The paper evaluated the readiness and healthcare delivery by the admission department of a secondary HCF under the SARS-CoV-2 spread. The indicators to measure the effectiveness of medical care quality provided by the admission department of a secondary HCF in counteracting the coronavirus epidemic were studied. Based on the obtained results, the authors developed recommendations for improving the management system in providing medical services by the admission department of a secondary HCF during the COVID-2019 pandemic.
COVID-19 impact on the company’s development: a case of UNIT.City
Authors: Mishenina Halyna , Kirichenko Dmytro , Puzemsky Viacheslav
Published: August 2021

This article addresses problems and directions of innovative activity of real national economy amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. The authors evaluated the pandemic impact on the business state in the studied industry. The problem of the economic efficiency restoration after removing quarantine restrictions relates to the search for effective tools to overcome the COVID-19 crises consequences and boost innovative economic development. The research purpose is to substantiate the development potential of innovative entrepreneurship and identify ways of UNIT.City performance improvement against quarantine. The research object is the Ukrainian innovation park UNIT.City. The subject of the study is the organizational and economic, social relationships in UNIT.City activity. The methodological basis of the study is a systematic approach and the fundamental principles of general economic theory and management theory. For practical implementation, the study involved the research methods as follows: abstract-logical and system-structural analysis to identify problems that decrease the economic performance of Ukrainian enterprises and, especially, UNIT.City; methods of statistical and expert assessments to determine the prospects and possibilities for developing companies in the innovation sector and UNIT.City. The research covers 2019-2020. The study involved the analysis of the main macroeconomic indicators of Ukraine during and after quarantine restrictions. The organizational and economic mechanism of UNIT.City innovation park functioning against the quarantine restrictions is investigated. The authors identified the prospects and problems of the investment activity in the Ukrainian IT sector and the government’s role in promoting the technology sector. The findings identified the main ways for improving the management mechanisms and developing the innovation park UNIT.City during and after quarantine restrictions. Besides, the study suggested the tools for effective management and the prospects for further development in UNIT.City innovation parks during quarantine. The authors supposed that changes in the IT sector may aggravate the crisis or contribute to the national economic recovery due to its digitalization. Further research could address the analysis of the COVID-19 pandemic impact on the innovation enterprises and UNIT.City activities, in particular.
Effect of Post-Heating Temperature on Efficiency of Dye-Sensitized Solar Cell with ZnO:Al Thin Films Prepared by Sol-Gel Spin Coating
Authors: Siregar Nurdin , Motlan Motlan , Pangabean Jonny Haratua
Published: August 2021

Dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) has a great potential to convert solar light into electricity. In this article, a prototype of DSSC had been successfully fabricated using ZnO:Al thin film and dye from red dragon fruit as a working electrode. ZnO:Al thin films were prepared by a sol-gel spin coating method with variation of post-heating temperatures. The XRD result confirms that all ZnO:Al thin films have a hexagonal structure with crystal sizes of 16 nm to 41 nm. SEM analysis showed the nanoparticles with particle size of 30 nm to 80 nm. The bandgap ranges from 3.16 eV to 3.40 eV. The EIS analysis reveals that charge transfer resistance greatly decreases with the rise of temperature. The efficiency of DSSC gradually improved with increasing the post-heating temperature. ZnO:Al with a post-heating temperature of 600°C had the highest efficiency of 0.398%.
Photoelectrocatalytic generation of miscellaneous oxygen-based radicals towards cooperative degradation of multiple organic pollutants in water
Authors: Zhou Yurou , Zhang Guan , Zou Jing
Published: August 2021

In the present photoelectrochemical (PEC) system utilizing MoS2 nanoflakes as a wide spectrum absorptive photoanode, simultaneous PEC degradation of different organic pollutants was achieved by employing in situ generated oxysulfur radicals, superoxide and hydroxyl radicals as strong oxidants. In order to better understand the cooperative PEC degradation of representative organic pollutants including rhodamine B dye (RhB), chlorpyrifos (CPF) and ciprofloxacin (CIP), the influences by bias potential, solution pH, radical scavenger, dissolved oxygen concentration and electrolyte concentration have been investigated. The selective PEC degradation efficiency follows the order of CPF > RhB > CIP in mixed substrates condition. In addition, the degradation rate for the single substrate degradation was about two times higher compared to that in mixed substrates degradation. The experimental results verified that reactive oxidation species (ROS) including oxysulfur radicals, superoxide and hydroxyl radicals can be efficiently produced on both anode and cathode under visible light irradiation, and they work together for simultaneous degradation of different pollutants, but the contribution of each ROS for pollutant degradation is substrate dependent. These results indicate that cooperative oxidation of multiple pollutants by miscellaneous oxygen-based radicals should be further considered as a promising advanced oxidation technique.
Lipid Engineered Nanoparticle Therapy for Burn Wound Treatment
Authors: Beg Sarwar , Qadir Abdul , Ahmad Usama , Ali Asad , Shahid Aisha , Aqil Mohd. , Khan Nausheen , Ali Athar , Almalki Waleed H. , Alghamdi Saad , Barkat Md. Abul
Published: August 2021

Introduction:

Skin is the largest organ of the human body protecting the underlying organs and tissues from any foreign attack. Any damage caused in the skin may sometimes result in serious consequences within the internal body tissues. Burn is one such issue that damages the layers of the skin and thereby making the skin vulnerable and prone to any foreign matter entering and causing serious diseases.

Methods:

An online literature assessment was steered for the lipid nanoparticles, burn wound treatments, and different types of nanoformulation. Appropriate information was taken from different electronic scientific databases such as Web of Science, Elsevier, Science Direct, Springer, PubMed, Google Scholar etc. Additional data was summarized from textbooks, local prints and scripts.

Results:

Recent innovations and developments in nanotechnology-based drug delivery systems have shown promising results in minimizing the drawbacks associated with conventional therapies. Lipid based nanoparticles possess capabilities to deliver active agents to their target site without the possibility of degradation. Conventional therapy of burn wound is costly and the treatment is long lasting, making the patient uncomfortable. Moreover, it also doesn’t yield satisfactory results or narrow effects. Encapsulation of bioactives inside the lipid core protects the active entity from pH and enzymatic degradations.

Conclusion:

This review highlights the drawbacks associated with conventional dosage forms. A lot of consideration is focused on the advancement of nanomaterials using innovative methods in wound care for treating burn wounds with a faster healing effect. This review article highlights recent developments in lipid based nanoformulations for the treatment of burn wound injury.
Accelerated Epigenetic Aging in Peripheral Blood does not Predict Dementia Risk
Authors: Fransquet P.D. , Lacaze P. , Saffery R. , Shah R.C. , Vryer R. , Murray A. , Woods R.L. , Ryan J.
Published: August 2021

Background:

There is strong evidence that epigenetic age acceleration is associated
with increased risk of later-life diseases and all-cause mortality. However, there is currently limited
evidence that suggests accelerated epigenetic age is associated with dementia risk.

Objective:

This study aims to clarify whether epigenetic biomarkers of accelerated aging can predict
dementia risk, which is an important consideration as aging is the greatest risk factor for the
disease.

Methods:

DNA methylation was measured in peripheral blood samples provided by 160 participants
from the ASPirin in Reducing Events in the Elderly study, including 73 pre-symptomatic dementia
cases and 87 controls matched for age, sex, and smoking and education status. Epigenetic
age was calculated using Horvath, Hannum, GrimAge and PhenoAge DNA methylation clocks,
and age acceleration (the disparity between chronological age and epigenetic age) was determined.

Results:

There was no difference in age acceleration between dementia cases and controls. In
males, only Hannum’s intrinsic epigenetic age acceleration was increased in pre-symptomatic dementia
cases compared to controls (Δ +1.8 years, p = 0.03).

Conclusion:

These findings provide no strong evidence that accelerated epigenetic aging measured
in peripheral blood can predict dementia risk.