bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Making it normal for ‘new’ enrollments: Effect of institutional and pandemic influence on selecting an engineering institution under the COVID-19 pandemic situation
Authors: Mahajan Prashant , Patil Vaishali
Published: March 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic has forced Indian engineering institutions (EIs) to bring their previous half-shut shades completely down. Fetching new admissions to EI campuses during the pandemic has become a ‘now or never’ situation for EIs. During crisis situations, institutions have struggled to return to the normal track. The pandemic has drastically changed students’ behavior and family preferences due to mental stress and the emotional life attached to it. Consequently, it becomes a prerequisite, and emergencies need to examine the choice characteristics influencing the selection of EI during the COVID-19 pandemic situation.The purpose of this study is to critically examine institutional influence and pandemic influence due to COVID-19 that affects students’ choice about an engineering institution (EI) and consequently to explore relationships between institutional and pandemic influence. The findings of this quantitative research, conducted through a self-reported survey, have revealed that institutional and pandemic influence have governed EI choice under the COVID-19 pandemic. Second, pandemic influence is positively affected by institutional influence. The study demonstrated that EIs will have to reposition themselves to normalize pandemic influence by tuning institutional characteristics that regulate situational influence and new enrollments. It can be yardstick for policy makers to attract new enrollments under pandemic situations.
Portable Multicolor LED-Based System for the Photobiomodulation Therapy on Wound Healing Process In Vitro
Authors: Topaloglu Nermin , Balkaya Ufuk , Çevik Ziyşan Buse Yaralı
Published: March 2021

Photobiomodulation is a practical and non-invasive treatment that triggers cell proliferation, cell differentiation, wound healing, new tissue formation, inflammation and pain reduction with low-level light therapy. Light-emitting diodes (LEDs) are energy-saving, affordable and safe alternatives to laser devices which are recently preferred in photobiomodulation. Although the wavelengths between 600–700 nm are most preferred ones, there is a lack of practical optical systems which study this mechanism in vitro with different wavelengths simultaneously. In this study, a portable and remotely controlled multicolor LED-based system was designed and tested on the wound healing process of human keratinocytes by irradiating the cells homogenously with 3 different wavelengths (460–475 nm as blue, 515–535 nm as green, and 585–595 nm as orange) on different experimental groups at the same time. Its proliferative and wound healing effect was evaluated with cell viability (MTT) analysis and cell migration (scratch) assay, respectively. It was observed that orange-LEDs were designated as the most triggering wavelength in terms of cell proliferation. Also, it was revealed with this device that different wavelengths can reach the intended accelerated wound healing process, so this optical system will be an advantageous design for future practical photobiomodulation studies in vitro.
Modern Russian oil and gas policy and its features in the Russian-Chinese cooperation in the gas sector
Authors: Stennikov V. A. , Golovshchikov V. О. , Romanovich E. A.
Published: March 2021

This article presents a research study in the field of formation and implementation of Russian oil and gas policy, which has a decisive role in the development and functioning of the country's energy sector, its energy security, as well as for increasing revenues.  The current relations between actors in the European gas market, which is expected to remain an important sector in Russian economy in the medium term, are assessed in the contexts of the risks and threats experienced by gas exporters. The role and place of the Russian Federation in gas export to China as an important element of the Russian Eastern Gas Policy and Energy Security Doctrine is discussed. Following an analysis of information from official sources, research publications and reports presented in the mass media, a substantiation of the urgency of the problem and the directions of its solution is given. The conducted study revealed that the oil and gas sector in Russia remains the most important component of the country's fuel and energy complex. Stable export of oil and gas is key for the oil and gas industry, contributing to the country's energy security. It is noted that, in the medium term, Russia will preserve at least 30% of the European gas market. At the same time, the energy policy of the European Union, anti-Russian economic sanctions and the excess of gas supply over demand are forcing Russia to significantly reduce the cost of exported gas in order to maintain its segment in the European gas market. The forecasted risks and threats to the "western vector" of the Russian gas policy determine the necessity to diversify gas export markets. In this regard, it seems reasonable to implement of the "Eastern Gas Policy" as an element of the energy strategy in the eastern regions, aimed at the widespread use of natural gas for domestic needs and export supplies. The emerging strategic partnership with China is determined not only by the energy partnership, which is acquiring new initiatives, but is also characterised by a wider sphere of relations, including economic and political cooperation. At the same time, economic cooperation in the gas sector is aimed primarily at ensuring the possibility of diversifying gas supplies to Chinese regions having a developed demand.  In the current financial and economic situation in the energy market in the western direction, Russia is often forced to accept China’s conditions. The research results demonstrate that the Russian oil and gas complex retains key positions in the country's energy sector and economy. Currently, the process of active spatial development of the fuel and energy complex in the East of the country is observed, while in the long run both the “western” and “eastern” vectors of Russia's gas policy remain. Strengthening trade, economic and political cooperation between Russia and China in the medium and long term will lead to a significant increase in energy cooperation on mutually beneficial conditions.
The use of tool materials for monitoring the state of cutting technological systems
Authors: Mokritskiy В. Ya. , Shelkovnikov V. Yu.
Published: March 2021

The aim was to develop a methodology for monitoring the dynamic state of the links “machine tool – device – cutting tool – detail” comprising a cutting technological system as applied to turning specialized stainless steels using replaceable standard hardmetal inserts. The research object was the hard-to-treat non-corrosive stainless steels 09Х17Н7Ю, 12Х18Н10Т and 13Х15Н5 АМ-3. Monitoring was carried out by simulating plate coatings in the Deform software environment. The diagnostic criterion was the tool life period up to the wear level of 0.5 mm along the rear edge. The effect of coatings on the tool life period was assessed according to the following parameters: temperature in the cutting zone, tension in the tool material and tool deformation. As a result, 10 optimal coatings having the greatest impact on the state of the cutting technological system under study were selected. These coatings can be used for diagnosing the state of cutting technological systems. The coatings were distinguished in terms of architecture (design, composition,structure and coating method). A technique for monitoring and managing the state of cutting technological systems according to the results of diagnostics was proposed. The deviation of the revealed state of the cutting technological system from the desired state was estimated by the life period of tools with different coatings for the same time of their operation. The state of the system under study was considered effective provided that the maximum tool life period due to the use of an optimal coating was achieved. A technique allowing assessment of the state of technological cutting systems by their simulation according to the parameters “temperature in the cutting zone”, “tension in the tool material” and “tool deformation” was proposed. This technique also permits monitoring of the state of cutting systems by the parameter "tool life period" and managing their state according to the results of diagnostics through the use of the most optimal plate coatings. The developed technique can be used to reveal the optimal parameters of the cutting mode of hard-to-treat specialized corrosion-resistant steels.
Computer simulation and full-scale measurements of the load flow in a functioning heating network
Authors: Kalabin D. A. , Lipovka A. Yu. , Lipovka Yu. L.
Published: March 2021

The article aims to identify patterns in the distribution of heating energy to consumers with a varying availability of regulation equipment under real conditions of a central heating network, as well as to compare the results of computer simulation with full-scale measurements. For computer simulation, well-known mathematical methods for calculating the load flow in hydraulic circuits were used. Experimental studies of the operation modes of heat supply systems were carried out using the data of the control and monitoring systems of thermal power plants using the Siemens Simatic PCS7 software, a Portaflow 300 ultrasonic flow meter, stationary electromagnetic flow transducers, verified and certified manometers and thermometers. The graphs of the actual hydrodynamic modes of the heating network under study were obtained at outdoor air temperatures from +8 to -37°C, as well as under abnormal conditions (temperature drop in the supply pipeline and pressure drop at the heating network input). It was proposed to use jointly the simulation by means of the JA_Net software and full-scale measurements of the thermohydraulic operating modes of a centralised heat supply system, whose consumers have a various degree of regulation equipment. It was shown that the proposed complex method of qualitative and quantitative assessment of the efficiency of district heating networks makes it possible to identify the features of control of their hydraulic modes when connecting new consumers with a varying degree of automation. According to the obtained characteristics of changes in the flow rate of the coolant in the consumers’ internal systems depending on the pressure drop at the tie-in point, the lack of response to emergency situations on part of the consumers whose heat supply systems are equipped with the means of qualitative and quantitative regulation of the heat load, is associated with the process of automatic adjustment of the degree of opening of flow controllers and control valves at individual points. In future work, we will develop guidelines for levelling the imbalance of the heating network under the conditions of uneven provision of facilities with automation equipment when implementing projects for the complex modernisation of heat consumers or connecting new facilities to existing heat supply networks.
Methods for calculating the reliability of power supply systems
Authors: Lukovenko A. S. , Zenkov I. V.
Published: March 2021

The aim was to determine the reliability indicators of a power supply system using an artificial neural network model. A model for calculating technical reliability was developed using the following methods: an algorithm for calculating reliability indicators of power supply systems, the method of failure rate of a power supply system and a forecasting model using artificial neural networks. It was established that a power supply system is formed by an open radial power supply circuit. The failure rate of the power supply subsystem was determined by calculating the failure rate of i-th element of the subsystem. As a result of calculating the probability of failure-free operation of the subsystem for various conditions (5 time intervals), it was found that with an increase in the operating time from 100 to 500 h, a linear increase in the rate of system failures occurs from 0.0051 to 0.0073 1/h. A comparison of the obtained mean-to-failure values of the main and the same backup subsystem in the unloaded mode with an absolutely reliable switch (269.62 h) with the main and the same backup subsystem in the loaded mode (202.21 h) was carried out. The results differ by 67.41 h, which indicates a higher degree of reliability of the first method. The software package Prognoz_INS_2020 was developed. An acceptable accuracy of no more than 2.17% was obtained by comparing the results of the conventional calculation of the failure rate of power supply systems and using the Prognoz_INS_2020 software package. This indicates the efficiency of the proposed software package in reliability calculations at operating energy enterprises. The proposed methods for assessing technical reliability both using the conventional model and a model based on an artificial neural network made it possible to assess the state of power supply systems, which helps to prevent dangerous emergencies.
An analytical method for solving the problem of heat network load flow
Authors: Yakshin S. V.
Published: March 2021

The author aimed to develop an analytical solution to the problem of the load flow of a six-, eleven- and twelve-circuit heat network, as well as to solve the problem of optimisation of a multi-circuit heat network, including the choice of the objective function and the determination of a number of variable technical parameters. For accelerating the optimisation process, the method of decomposition of the heat network graph was used. Decomposition involves is cutting the network graph at some nodes for the transition of a multi-circuit scheme to a branched scheme in the form of a tree. Optimisation of each branched circuit was carried out by the dynamic programming method, as a result of which new values of the variable parameters were obtained at the current iteration. Next, the author returned to the multi-circuit scheme to solve the load flow problem and calculate the value of the objective function. The iterative convergence of the decomposition method was not mathematically proven. The author proposed a method for splitting the graph, which eliminates the decomposition procedure when optimising a heat network. The following methods were applied: mathematical modelling of the hydraulic circuit, graph splitting method and the analytical method for solving the algebraic equation of the fourth degree. The following results were achieved: a scheme of the minimum element of a multi-circuit heat network was determined, the possibility of series and parallel circuits of minimum elements was shown, and analytical dependencies for the problem of load flow of a heat network of these schemes were obtained. The proposed analytical solution of the load flow problem for a multi-circuit heat network allows the problem of calculating a complex network to be reduced to the calculation of several minimum elements, which significantly reduces the amount of computational work when modelling a hydraulic circuit. The provided examples show that the calculation error does not exceed 3%.
Analysis of the current state of technologies in the field of recycling technogenic gold-containing raw materials
Authors: Vasilkova A. О. , Vasilkov N. V. , Khmelnitskaya О. D. , Voyloshnikov G. I.
Published: March 2021

In this article, we review existing approaches to recycling technogenic raw materials (ore dumps, metallurgical production slag, mill tailings of ore-dressing plants, etc.), containing non-ferrous and noble metals, which are accumulated in almost non-ferrous metallurgy industries. An analysis of existing technologies for processing technogenic raw materials (pyrite cinders and flotation tailings of concentration plants), which include enrichment, pyro- and hydrometallurgical and combined ways of extracting valuable components, was conducted on the basis of a review of published sources. It was shown that enrichment (screening, desliming in a hydrocyclone, enrichment using a concentration table, magneticliquid separation, flotation), pyrometallurgical and combined ways for extracting noble metals from this type of raw materials are unprofitable. The most satisfactory results were obtained using hydrometallurgical methods to extract valuable components from technogenic raw materials. Various solvents, such as sodium cyanide, thiocarbamide, sodium thiosulphate and sodium sulphite were tested as leaching agents. Cyanation proved to be the most effective way to extract noble metals from technogenic raw materials; however, this process is characterised by a high consumption of sodium cyanide. Therefore, it is of importance to discover an approach to extracting valuable components from such problematic products in order to make their processing more cost-effective by reducing cyanide consumption while maintaining gold extraction. According to the obtained results, gold-containing raw materials are promising in terms of extraction of nonferrous and noble metals using hydrometallurgical technologies. Future research should identify rational methods for processing technogenic gold-containing raw materials in order to make the technology more profitable for extracting valuable components.
First report of rice root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne graminicola, infecting Juncus microcephalus in Brazil
Authors: Bellé Cristiano , dos Santos Paulo Sergio , Kaspary Tiago Edu
Published: March 2021

Juncus microcephalus plants showing symptoms of root-knot nematode infestation were observed in the municipality of Agudo, Rio Grande do Sul state, Brazil. Based on morphological observation, esterase phenotypes, and molecular analyses of rDNA-ITS and D2-D3 regions of 28S rDNA, the causal agent of the observed symptoms was identified as Meloidogyne graminicola. Pathogenicity of M. graminicola was confirmed by fulfilling modified Koch’s postulates. To our knowledge, this is the first report of M. graminicola in J. microcephalus in Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil.
Morphological and molecular characterization of Xiphinemella esseri Chitwood, 1957 (Dorylaimida: Leptonchidae) from Florida, with the first molecular study of the genus
Authors: Álvarez-Ortega Sergio , Subbotin Sergei A. , Inserra Renato N.
Published: March 2021

A population of Xiphinemella esseri, recently collected under the canopy of associated live oak trees in north Florida, was studied and described with an integrative approach, including the first molecular study of the genus. This Florida population is characterized by its 2.30 to 3.32 mm long body, labial disc well developed, lip region offset by constriction, and 16.5 to 17.5 μm broad, odontostyle 46 to 49 μm long with minute aperture, neck 288 to 296 μm long, pharyngeal expansion occupying 28 to 30% of total neck length, uterus a tripartite tube-like structure, pars refringens vaginae absent, vulva transverse (V = 45.4-49.7%), tail short and rounded (18-28 μm, c = 94-158, c′ = 0.6-0.9), spicules 41 to 45 μm long, and 8 to 10 irregularly spaced ventromedian supplements bearing hiatus. The phylogenetic analysis inferred from the D2-D3 expansion segments of 28S rRNA gene and 18S rRNA gene sequences showed that X. esseri clustered with other dorylaims from the family Leptonchidae. A brief discussion about the distribution and biological considerations of X. esseri is also provided.
Recent advances in the laboratory diagnosis of peste des petits ruminants
Authors: NIEDBALSKI WIESŁAW , FITZNER ANDRZEJ , BULENGER KRZYSZTOF , KĘSY ANDRZEJ
Published: March 2021

Peste des petits ruminants (PPR) is a highly contagious and economically important, viral disease of small ruminants caused by the peste des petits ruminants virus (PPRV), which belongs to the genus Morbilivirus in the family Paramyxoviridae. PPR control is achieved mostly through vaccination and/or slaughter of susceptible animals coupled with clinical or laboratory-based diagnosis. Since clinical signs of PPR are not disease-specific and clinical diagnostics is not reliable, it should be confirmed by laboratory testing. Laboratory confirmation of clinical suspicions is made by detection of PPRV in blood, swabs or post-mortem tissues through classical virus isolation (VI), agar gel immunodiffusion (AGID)/agar gel precipitation test (AGPT), counter-immunoelectrophoresis (CIE), immunoperoxidase test (IPT) or enzyme-linked immunosorbent (ELISA) assays. However, these conventional methods have been superseded by more rapid, sensitive and accurate molecular diagnostic techniques based on the amplification of parts of either nucleocapsid (N) or fusion (F) protein gene, such as RT-PCR, real-time RT-PCR, reverse transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP), reverse transcription recombinase polymerase amplification (RT-RPA) and Oxford nanopore MinION technology. Although these molecular diagnostic assays are accurate, rapid and sensitive, they have to be performed in laboratory settings, and samples must be transported under appropriate conditions from the field to the laboratory, which can delay the confirmation of PPRV infection. The recently developed immunochromatographic lateral flow device (IC-LFD) assay can be used in the field (“pen-side”) without the need for expensive equipment, so a well-established laboratory is not required. The control and eventual eradication of PPR is now one of the top priorities for the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE). In 2015, the international community agreed on a global strategy for PPR eradication, setting 2030 as a target date for elimination of the disease
Forecasting Produksi PT Pupuk Kujang untuk Mengatasi Penumpukan Persediaan Produk Jadi
Authors:   School of Business and Economics Universitas Prasetiya Mulya JL. RA. Kartini (TB Simatupang), Cilandak Barat Jakarta Selatan, Jakarta 12430 Indonesia, Kumala ChintiaTanjung , Surjadi Felix ,   School of Business and Economics Universitas Prasetiya Mulya JL. RA. Kartini (TB Simatupang), Cilandak Barat Jakarta Selatan, Jakarta 12430 Indonesia, Pelly Frieska Junnianty ,   School of Business and Economics Universitas Prasetiya Mulya JL. RA. Kartini (TB Simatupang), Cilandak Barat Jakarta Selatan, Jakarta 12430 Indonesia, Patanroi Rizal Ardi ,   School of Business and Economics Universitas Prasetiya Mulya JL. RA. Kartini (TB Simatupang), Cilandak Barat Jakarta Selatan, Jakarta 12430 Indonesia
Published: March 2021

Pupuk merupakan salah satu faktor terpenting dalam pertanian Indonesia yang dapat mendukung pertumbuhan tanaman. Pada tanaman padi, pupuk yang biasa digunakan adalah pupuk NPK. Namun, pupuk NPK memiliki sifat mudah menggumpal sehingga harus ditempatkan dalam ruangan tertutup. Khususnya di PT Pupuk Kujang, terjadi masalah penumpukan pupuk NPK yang disebabkan oleh kapasitas penyimpanan produk jadi lebih kecil dibandingkan jumlah produksi. Metode forecasting, seperti simple moving average, dapat mencegah terjadinya masalah tersebut. Dengan menggunakan simple moving average per dua bulan pada persentase produksi dan dilanjutkan dengan normalisasi pada tahun 2016, simpangan antara proyeksi dengan data aktual tahun 2017 adalah sebesar 3,52%.
Determinan Perubahan Jumlah Tenaga Kerja di Perusahaan Hulu Migas Indonesia
Authors:   School of Business and Economics Universitas Prasetiya Mulya JL. RA. Kartini (TB Simatupang), Cilandak Barat Jakarta Selatan, Jakarta 12430 Indonesia, Purwoseputro Aji , Elysia Ariella ,   School of Business and Economics Universitas Prasetiya Mulya JL. RA. Kartini (TB Simatupang), Cilandak Barat Jakarta Selatan, Jakarta 12430 Indonesia, Mahardika Brigita ,   School of Business and Economics Universitas Prasetiya Mulya JL. RA. Kartini (TB Simatupang), Cilandak Barat Jakarta Selatan, Jakarta 12430 Indonesia, Nugraha Dona Agung ,   School of Business and Economics Universitas Prasetiya Mulya JL. RA. Kartini (TB Simatupang), Cilandak Barat Jakarta Selatan, Jakarta 12430 Indonesia, Sebastian Steven ,   School of Business and Economics Universitas Prasetiya Mulya JL. RA. Kartini (TB Simatupang), Cilandak Barat Jakarta Selatan, Jakarta 12430 Indonesia
Published: March 2021

Industri hulu migas merupakan salah satu industri penggerak ekonomi Indonesia dengan tingkat penyerapan tenaga kerja yang cukup besar. Jumlah tenaga kerja di suatu perusahaan hulu migas merepresentasikan kompleksitas aktivitas bisnis perusahaan tersebut. Studi ini menjelaskan suatu model yang dapat digunakan untuk meramalkan tingkat kebutuhan tenaga kerja perusahaan hulu migas di Indonesia. Variabel yang diduga berpengaruh terhadap perubahan jumlah tenaga kerja di perusahaan hulu migas antara lain fluktuasi harga minyak dunia, fluktuasi nilai tukar rupiah terhadap dolar Amerika, serta nilai investasi migas yang ditanamkan oleh investor. Lebih lanjut studi ini menjelaskan variabel yang secara signifikan paling berpengaruh terhadap perubahan jumlah tenaga kerja di perusahaan hulu migas. Hasil studi menunjukkan bahwa perubahan nilai tukar rupiah terhadap dolar Amerika dan perubahan nilai investasi di perusahaan hulu migas merupakan variabel yang paling berpengaruh, sedangkan perubahan harga minyak dunia tidak secara langsung berpengaruh terhadap perubahan jumlah tenaga kerja di perusahaan hulu migas Indonesia.
Hubungan Preferensi Harga dan Merk Terhadap Pemilihan Hospital Bed
Authors:   School of Business and Economics Universitas Prasetiya Mulya JL. RA. Kartini (TB Simatupang), Cilandak Barat Jakarta Selatan, Jakarta 12430 Indonesia, Soetedjo Adryan Henry , Setiadi Ho Fransiscus Alexander ,   School of Business and Economics Universitas Prasetiya Mulya JL. RA. Kartini (TB Simatupang), Cilandak Barat Jakarta Selatan, Jakarta 12430 Indonesia, Ardhani Mohammad Febby ,   School of Business and Economics Universitas Prasetiya Mulya JL. RA. Kartini (TB Simatupang), Cilandak Barat Jakarta Selatan, Jakarta 12430 Indonesia, Prastyanto Oktavianus Andika ,   School of Business and Economics Universitas Prasetiya Mulya JL. RA. Kartini (TB Simatupang), Cilandak Barat Jakarta Selatan, Jakarta 12430 Indonesia, Satria Reza Budi ,   School of Business and Economics Universitas Prasetiya Mulya JL. RA. Kartini (TB Simatupang), Cilandak Barat Jakarta Selatan, Jakarta 12430 Indonesia
Published: March 2021

Tempat tidur rumah sakit atau yang disebut juga dengan hospital bed adalah jenis alat kesehatan yang dipakai hampir di semua jenis fasilitas kesehatan. Seiring dengan pengembangan program BPJS, maka fasilitas kesehatan baru yang membutuhkan hospital bed juga meningkat jumlahnya. Dalam pengadaan hospital bed, fasilitas kesehatan perlu mempertimbangkan beberapa faktor, diantaranya adalah harga dan merk. Berdasarkan hal tersebut, survey diadakan terhadap 41 fasilitas kesehatan untuk mengidentifikasi kedua faktor tersebut menggunakan explanatory research. Data hasil survey diolah menggunakan software Microsoft Excel 2016 dan IBM SPSS 22.0 menghasilkan pearson correlation sebesar 0.108. Uji statistik dilakukan menggunakan korelasi bivariate yang menunjukkan korelasi linear yang lemah antara faktor harga dan merk.
Coupling the Xinanjiang model and wavelet-based random forests method for improved daily streamflow simulation
Authors: Wang Jian , Bao Weimin , Gao Qianyu , Si Wei , Sun Yiqun
Published: March 2021

Daily streamflow modeling is an important tool for water resources management and flood mitigation. This study compared the performance of the Xinanjiang (XAJ) model and random forests (RF) method in a daily streamflow simulation, and proposed several hybrid models based on the XAJ model, wavelet analysis, and RF method (including XAJ-RF model, WRF model, and XAJ-WRF model). The proposed methods were applied to Shiquan station, located in the Upper Han River basin in China. Five performance measures (NSE, RMSE, PBIAS, MAE, and R) were adopted to evaluate the modeling accuracy. Results showed that XAJ-RF model had a relatively higher level of accuracy than that of the XAJ model and the RF model. Compared to the RF and XAJ-RF models, the performance statistics of WRF and XAJ-WRF were better. The results indicated that the coupled XAJ-RF model can be effectively applied and provide a useful alternative for daily streamflow modeling and the application of wavelet analysis contributed to the increasing accuracy of streamflow modeling. Moreover, 14 wavelet functions from various families were tested to analyze the impact of various mother wavelets on the XAJ-WRF model.
Therapeutic Potential of Natural Compounds in Lung Cancer
Authors: Al-Yozbaki Minnatallah , Wilkin Peter J. , Gupta Girish Kumar , Wilson Cornelia M.
Published: March 2021

Lung cancer is a leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide. The management
of lung cancer treatment is often ineffective as a result of the development of drug resistance,
reactions to treatment, drug-drug interactions or non-specific targeting of the anticancer
drugs. Natural compounds show promise and potential activity in lung cancer
with very few side effects. While, the combinatorial action of an anti-cancer drug with a
natural compound provides synergistic action which helps boost the overall therapeutic
action against cancer cells. In cancer, there is a dysregulation of apoptosis which facilitates
the cancer cell to survive, resulting in progression of cancer. Many cancer drugs
cause mutations of genes that regulate cancer and should kill the cancer cell but lead to
chemoresistance. There are many natural compounds that could specifically target different
cell signalling pathways associated with cancer progression to provide a cytotoxic effect
in the target cell. The importance of these compounds is emerging in many therapies
developed with dual action often including a natural compound. In this review, we present
a selection of these natural compounds and how they target lung cancer cells with a
focus on the cell signalling pathways. Further work is required to delineate the potential
action of natural compounds in the treatment against cancer.
Application of Nature’s Chiral Pool in Environmentally Sustainable Organic Synthesis
Authors: Gogoi Achinta , Mezhubeinuo  , Nongrum Stability , Bez Ghanashyam
Published: March 2021

Recent years have witnessed a rapid development of environmentally sustainable
organic processes that can stop the eventual depletion of our eco-system with wider implications
on the day-to-day practice in academic laboratories and industries. The use of biocompatible
raw materials as a catalyst, solvent, and synthetic precursors; continuous attempt to design
ideal synthetic processes, and use of energy-efficient strategy, such as multicomponent reactions
have potential to achieve sustainable organic synthesis. The aim of this review was to
discuss the applications of nature’s chiral pool, such as amino acids, carbohydrates, and their
readily accessible derivatives as a catalyst, solvent, and raw materials for the synthesis of diverse
molecular targets.
Recent Advances in CRISPR/Cas9 Directed Base Editing
Authors: Liu Nan , Zhou Lifang , Qu Junyan , Yao Shaohua
Published: March 2021

Recently, CRISPR-based techniques have significantly improved our ability to make desired
changes and regulations in various genomes. Among them, targeted base editing is one of the
most powerful techniques in making precise genomic editing. Base editing enabled the irreversible
conversion of a specific single DNA base, from C to T or and from A to G, in desired genomic
loci. This technique has important implications in the study of human genetic diseases, considering
that many of them resulted from point mutations. More importantly, the high efficiency of these
editing tools also provided great promise in clinical applications. In this review, we discuss the recent
progress and challenges of base editing tools.
Kolaviron Ameliorates 7, 12-Dimethylbenzanthracene - Induced Mammary Damage
Authors: Muhammad Aliyu , Suleiman Rabiatu B. , Umara Ismaila A. , Ibrahima Mohammed A. , Erukainure Ochuko L. , Forcados Gilead E. , Katsayal Sanusi B.
Published: March 2021

Background:

Kolaviron (KV) is a flavonoid-rich portion obtained from Garcinia kola seeds with a
number of reported pharmacological effects. However, its ameliorative effects on 7,12-Dimethylbenzanthracene
(DMBA)-induced mammary damage has not been fully investigated, despite the reported use of the seeds in the
treatment of inflammatory related disorders.

Objective:

To evaluate the ameliorative effects of KV on DMBA-induced mammary damage in female Wistar
rats.

Methods:

Forty-nine (49) female Wistar rats were randomly assigned into seven groups of seven rats each.
DMBA was administered orally to rats in five of the groups as a single dose of 80 mg/kg body wt while the
remaining two groups received the vehicle. The rats were palpated weekly for 3 months to monitor tumor
formation. After 3 months of DMBA administration, 1 ml of blood was collected to assay for estrogen receptor-
α (ER-α) level. Thereafter, the vehicle (dimethyl sulfoxide) was daily administered to the negative control and
positive control groups for the 14 days duration of the experiment while three groups were each given a daily oral
dose of 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg body wt of KV for the duration of the experiment. The last DMBA-induced
group received 10 mg/kg body wt of the standard drug tamoxifen twice a week, and the remaining DMBA-free
group received 200 mg/kg body wt KV. Subsequently, the animals were humanely sacrificed, and ER-α, sialic
acids, sialidase, sialyltransferase levels were assayed in blood and mammary tissues followed by
histopathological examinations.

Results:

Significantly higher levels of estrogen receptor-α (ER-α), formation of lobular neoplastic cells, epithelial
hyperplasia, lymphocyte infiltration, and increased sialylation were detected in DMBA-induced rats. Treatment
with KV at 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg body weight resulted in a significant (p<0.05) decrease in ER-α level, free
serum sialic acid (21.1%), the total sialic acid level of the mammary tissue (21.57%), sialyltransferase activity
(30.83%) as well as mRNA level of the sialyltransferase gene (ST3Gal1) were observed after KV interventions.

Conclusion:

The findings suggest that KV could be further explored in targeting DMBA-induced mammary
damage implicated in mammary carcinogenesis.
Physical Exercise and Yoga: As an Alternative Approach Towards
COVID-19 Management
Authors: Kumar Saurabh , Sudha Sakshi , Chopra Madhu , Khan Famida , Sharma Kanupriya
Published: March 2021

Background:

Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19), a highly contagious ssRNA +Ve sense
virus that emerged in late 2019, has created a global panic. With no effective therapy available, the
virus has significantly affected the world population causing millions of death. Therefore, it is the
utmost need to look towards all the possible strategies to benefit the community.

Objectives:

In view of the current global pandemic, we tried to discuss the potential benefits of two
cost-effective alternative approaches, i.e., physical exercise and yoga.

Method:

The editorial is based on a literature search available on PubMed, Google Scholar, and
WHO portal. Search terminologies include “yoga,” “physical exercise,” “COVID-19,” “viral infections,”
and a combination of these words.

Results:

A literature search defines yoga and physical exercise efficacy in different viral diseases,
including HIV, influenza, and HSV. It ameliorates the quality of life (QoL) by improving both the
physical and mental well-being of an individual. This is mainly done by promoting the better functioning
of the immune system (increases CD4+ and CD8+ cells and reduces pro-inflammatory response).

Conclusions:

Regular involvement of these activities in day-to-day life may limit latent virus reactivations
and reduce infection chances.
Guía de Buenas Prácticas Agrícolas (BPA): normas Global GAP e ICA
Authors: Cardona William András , Martínez Camelo Fabián Enrique , Bolaños Benavides Marta Marina
Published: March 2021

Esta guía está dirigida a agricultores y asistentes técnicos para facilitar el conocimiento de los requisitos exigidos para la certificación en BPA: desde la identificación del predio productor hasta la cosecha o beneficio del producto que se quiere comercializar. Para ello, cada requisito estipulado por organismos referentes en BPA (ICA y Global GAP) se clasificó en una escala de cumplimento identificada con un color, de forma que resulta más fácil identificar la prioridad de los requerimientos para la obtención de la certificación. Gracias a la certificación de su predio en BPA, el productor podrá acceder a mercados de mayor valor (para el caso de la exportación) y a mercados locales especializados; garantizar la salud y seguridad de sus trabajadores y consumidores; y disminuir el impacto ambiental ocasionado por las actividades agropecuarias, entre otros beneficios.
Reducing Inappropriate Urinary Catheter Use by Involving Patients Through the Participatient App: Before-and-After Study (Preprint)
Authors: Bentvelsen Robbert G , Bruijning Marguerite L , Chavannes Niels H , Veldkamp Karin Ellen
Published: March 2021

BACKGROUND

The risk of urinary tract infections is increased by the inappropriate placement and unnecessary prolongation of the use of indwelling urinary catheters. Sustained behavior change in infection prevention could be promoted by empowering patients through a smartphone app.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study is to assess the feasibility and efficacy of implementation actions on patients’ use of the Participatient app on a clinical ward and to compare 3 survey methods for urinary catheter use.

METHODS

Participatient was introduced for all admitted patients at the surgical nursing ward in a university hospital in the Netherlands. Over a period of 3 months, the number of new app users, days of use, and sessions were recorded. In a comparison of urinary catheter use before and after the implementation of the app, 3 methods for point prevalence surveys of catheter use were tested. Surveys were conducted through manual parsing of the text in patients’ electronic medical records, parsing a survey of checkbox items, and parsing nursing notes.

RESULTS

In all, 475 patients were admitted to the ward, 42 (8.8%) installed the app, with 1 to 5 new users per week. The actions with the most ensuing app use were the kick-off with the clinical lesson and recruiting of the intake nurse. Between the survey methods, there was considerable variation in catheter use prevalence. Therefore, we used the standard method of manual parsing in further analyses. Catheter use prevalence decreased from 38% (36/96) to 27% (23/86) after app introduction (OR 0.61, 95% CI 0.32-1.14).

CONCLUSIONS

The clinical application of Participatient, the infection prevention app for patients, could be feasible when implementation actions are also used. For surveying indwelling urinary catheter use prevalence, manual parsing is the best approach.

CLINICALTRIAL

Leiden University Medical Center protocol C17.075
A Sociodemographic Profile of Mask Use During the COVID-19 Outbreak Among Young and Elderly Individuals in Brazil: Online Survey Study (Preprint)
Authors: Vancini Rodrigo L , Camargo-Neto Luiz , Andrade Marilia S , de Lira Claudio A , dos Santos Rafaela G , Nikolaidis Pantelis T , Knechtle Beat , Piacezzi Luiz HV , Teixeira-Lopes Maria CB , Assayag-Batista Ruth E , Pinto-Okuno Meiry F , Vancini-Campanharo Cássia R
Published: March 2021

BACKGROUND

Sociodemographic variables may impact decision making regarding safety measures. The use and selection of adequate face masks is a safety and health measure that could help minimize the spread of COVID-19 infection.

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to examine sociodemographic variables and factors relating to COVID-19 that could impact decision making or the choice to use or not use face masks in the prevention and care of a possible COVID-19 infection among a large sample of younger and older Brazilian people.

METHODS

An online survey composed of 14 closed-ended questions about sociodemographic variables and COVID-19 was used. A total of 2673 participants consisted of Brazilian people (aged ≥18 years) from different states of Brazil and were grouped according to age (≤59 years and ≥60 years). To compare the variables of interest (associated with wearing a face mask or not), chi-square and likelihood ratio tests were used (with P<.05 being significant).

RESULTS

Most of the participants in both groups were women from the southeast region who had postgraduate degrees. Approximately 61% (1452/2378) of individuals aged ≤59 years and 67.8% (200/295) of those aged ≥60 years were not health professionals. In the group aged ≤59 years, 83.4% (1983/2378) did not show COVID-19 signs and symptoms, and 97.3% (2314/2378) were not diagnosed with COVID-19. In the older adult group, 92.5% (273/295) did not show signs and symptoms of COVID-19, and 98.3% (290/295) were not diagnosed with the disease. The majority of the participants in both groups reported using face masks, and their decision to use face masks was influenced by the level of education and their occupation as a health professional.

CONCLUSIONS

Younger and older adults have worn face masks during the COVID-19 outbreak. It is difficult to measure how much of a positive impact this attitude, habit, and behavior could have on the degree of infection and spread of the disease. However, it can be a positive indicator of adherence to the population’s security and safety measures during the pandemic.
A Comparison between A Rose for Emily and Letter from an Unknown Woman—Based on Freud’s Personality Structure Theory
Authors: Zhang Wanting
Published: March 2021

The two works Letter from an Unknown Woman and A Rose for Emily have made excellent description of woman’s love and contained profound meanings. The former is a passionate confession, and the latter is an implicit critique. This essay compares and analyzes the two heroines’ love tragedies from the perspective of Freud’s Personality Structure Theory and attempts to explore how the id, ego and superego influence the heroines’ psychology and behavior. The Psychoanalysis approach offers insight into the cause of their tragedies, it’s the imbalance of their personality structure leads to their doomed tragic fates.
The Correlation between School Accreditation and Students’ English Achievement of Public Senior High Schools
Authors: Diem Chuzaimah D. , Darusmiyati Popi , Sitinjak Margaretha D.
Published: March 2021

The objectives of the study were (1) to find out whether or not there was a significant correlation between accreditation and students’ English achievement of public senior high schools in Palembang, and (2) to find out whether or not there was a contribution of accreditation on students’ English achievement. The population of 18 accredited public senior high schools in Palembang in 2016 with 3556 students of 12th grade were selected to be the sample of the study by using the purposive sampling technique. The data of the accreditation list and students’ English national examination scores were taken from BAP S/M (The Education Accreditation Board) and Ministry of Education and Culture of Indonesia. To analyze the data, Pearson Product Moment Correlation Coefficient to find out whether or not there was a correlation between the two variables. The result showed that (1) there was no significant correlation between school accreditation and students’ English achievement (r-obtained 0.406 and p-value 0.095), and (2) there was 16.4% contribution of school accreditation on student’s English achievement.
Função Social do Contrato Empresarial: função econômica e perspectivas
Authors: Pereira Ribeiro Marcia Carla
Published: March 2021

Os contratos funcionam como instrumentos de harmonização de interesses, de forma a viabilizar negócios. Negócios, num universo de escassez, envolvem a escolha da melhor alocação dos recursos. O poder de escolha não é, todavia, absoluto. Há condições individuais que limitam o universo das escolhas, quer seja em razão da premência na realização do negócio, quer seja em razão da natureza das partes envolvidas. Os contratos empresariais, por sua vez, são essenciais à prática comercial e, para além das características comuns aos demais contratos, são indissociáveis ao crédito, risco, profissionalismo e busca pela lucratividade. O princípio da função social dos contratos, chancelado em várias legislações, nos contratos empresariais encontra terreno próprio de reflexão, especialmente quando cotejado com sua função econômica.
De la Igualdad a la Equidad: ¿Un Nuevo paradigma en el Régimen Jurídico de la Migración Laboral de la OIT?
Authors: Ushakova Tatsiana
Published: March 2021

El presente estudio tiene por objetivo analizar una nueva aproximación al problema migratorio en el Derecho de la Organización Internacional del Trabajo. Se trata de la Iniciativa sobre la contratación equitativa, promovida por la OIT en los últimos años. La Iniciativa pretende hacer frente a los abusos que sufren los trabajadores, en particular de las agencias de empleo públicas y privadas. Se destaca el papel cada vez más relevante de estos actores en el funcionamiento eficiente y equitativo de los mercados de trabajo. De este modo, el propósito del nuevo enfoque es contribuir a la prevención de la trata de personas y del trabajo forzoso, promover los derechos de los trabajadores, y en especial de los trabajadores migrantes, contra las prácticas abusivas y fraudulentas en el proceso de contratación, reducir el coste de la migración laboral y abordar los problemas de la migración en los países de origen, de tránsito y de destino.
Cuba: Arqueología y Legado Histórico, Ediciones Polymita SA. Ciudad de Guatemala, 2018, 230 págs., ISBN: 9929 667164
Authors: Ulloa Hung Jorge
Published: March 2021

No precisa de resumen.
Konseling pendekatan kognitif untuk mengatasi kesepian
Authors: Marfuah Sururun
Published: March 2021

Individu yang masuk dalam masa dewasa awal dituntut untukmengembangkan hubungan sosial yang baik. Kesulitan dalamberinteraksi sosial pada dewasa awal dipengaruhi oleh pengalaman tidakmenyenangkan di masa lalu yang memunculkan rasa tidak percayaterhadap lingkungan. Kesepian adalah bentuk hubungan sosial yangtidak sesuai dari apa yang diinginkan atau dicapai, termasuk perasaangelisah, tertekan dan persepsi kurangnya hubungan sosial pada diriseseorang. Tingkat kesepian yang beragam bisa diintervensi denganmetode yang beragam pula. Konseling kognitif terbukti efektif dilakukanpada individu kesepian yang masih mampu melakukan aktivitaskeseharian dan memiliki dukungan sosial yang baik. Konseling kognitifdalam penelitian ini dilakukan sebanyak 5 sesi. Skala kesepian yangdigunakan adalah UCLA loneliness scale. Hasil penelitian menunjukkanbahwa subjek mengalami perubahan kategori tingkat kesepian daritinggi menjadi sedang setelah dilakukan konseling kognitif.
Latihan keterampilan sosial untuk meningkatkan penerimaan sosial pada anak dengan social (pragmatic) communication disorder
Authors: Azizah Baiq Sopia Iswari , . Iswinarti
Published: March 2021

Social (Pragmatic) Communication Disorder (SCD) merupakangangguan komunikasi yang terjadi pada anak-anak. Subjekberusia 8 tahun memiliki permasalahan kurangnya penerimaan sosial.Berdasarkan hasil asesmen dengan menggunakan wawancara, observasi,gras, dan WISC, subjek didiagnosa memiliki gangguan social(pragmatic) communication disorder dengan permasalahan kurangnyapenerimaan sosial. Kurangnya penerimaan sosial yang terjadipada subjek diakibatkan subjek kurang mampu dalam interaksisosial. Intervensi yang digunakan pada kasus ini adalah denganlatihan keterampilan sosial. Tujuan dari intervensi ini yaitu untukmeningkatkan penerimaan sosial pada subjek yang memiliki social(pragmatic) communication disorder. Hasil intervensi menunjukkanperubahan yang lebih baik dari diri subjek. Subjek lebih diterima olehteman-teman sebayanya sehingga penerimaan sosial subjek meningkat.