bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Methodical Principles of Conflict Management in the Organization
Authors:   Educational and Research Institute «Karazin Business School» of V. N. Karazin Kharkiv National University, Korepanova K. O.
Published: March 2021

The article considers topical issues of research and improvement of the conflict management system in the organization. The article is aimed at improving the methodical aspects of conflict management in the organization in order to develop ways and practical recommendations for their solution. The research was carried out on the example of conflict management analysis at PJSC «Kyivstar». According to the results of the research, it is substantiated that in order to determine the level of proneness to conflict in the team and estimate the relationships between managers and subordinates of the organization, it is advisable to conduct regular monitoring on the basis of questionnaires of employees and management of the organization. The proposed method of studying conflicts was tested on the example of PJSC «Kyivstar» on the basis of the use of an online survey of employees from different divisions. The developed questionnaire allowed to analyze how employees themselves valuate the state of conflict problems in the organization and what they see the reasons for their occurrence in their respective divisions. The activities of the organization chosen for research have been analyzed and it is determined that PJSC «Kyivstar» is one of the largest integrated world telecommunications companies – VEON. As one of the components of the company’s success, a clear organizational structure and effective distribution of responsibilities and functions among the company’s employees are allocated. The article provides a brief analysis of the results of the survey of PJSC «Kyivstar» employees and analyzes the behavior style used during the conflict. A study of the influence of the allocated factors on the frequency of conflicts in the organization was carried out. To determine the presence and degree of such an influence, it is proposed to use the cross-tab method based on the building up and analyzing of contingency tables. The use of the chosen method for research is demonstrated by the example of the most influential of the allocated factors, namely: the number of subordinates for an employee and the level of education of a particular employee, as well as their impact on the number of conflicts in the organization. Conclusions on the presence and main causes of conflict situations are formulated, among which are allocated, in particular, the socio-psychological climate in the team and the unfair distribution of privileges.
Features of Organizational Culture of Enterprises in the Sphere of Hotel Services
Authors:   Zhytomyr Ivan Franko State University, Kharchyshyna O. V. , Trushkina N. V. ,   Institute of Industrial Economics of NAS of Ukraine
Published: March 2021

The successful development of organizational culture contributes to the improvement of the efficiency of financial and economic activities of enterprises in the sphere of hotel business, the level of competitiveness and investment attractiveness. Therefore, in the current conditions of enterprises operation, the problems of transformation of their organizational culture are becoming increasingly relevant. The article is aimed at empirical exploration of features of the organizational culture of hotel services enterprises. To achieve this aim, the following general scientific research methods were used: analysis and synthesis, expert survey, generalization, systematization, structural-logical method. The article presents the results of the carried out expert survey in order to identify modern problems, barriers, features, trends and ways of development of organizational culture of enterprises in the sphere of hotel services in Ukraine. An evaluation of the efficiency of development of organizational culture of enterprises was made. Calculations show that the surveyed hotel services enterprises have an average level of organizational culture development (0.664), since the integral indicator is in the range of 0.5–0.75. As result of the research, it is determined that the basis of the organizational culture of Ukrainian enterprises in the sphere of hotel business is formed by such key principles as leadership of managers, application of a client-oriented approach, involvement and concern of staff, introduction of digital technologies and information systems.
Modern Realities and Prospects for the Development of Ukraine’s Foreign Trade
Authors:   Kherson Polytechnic College of the State University «Odesa Polytechnic», Shepel T. V.
Published: March 2021

The article discusses the current situation of the foreign economic activity of Ukraine. The main problems of export-import relations of the State are determined. The export potential is studied and dynamics of foreign trade are analyzed. The advantages of the agrarian sector and machine-building in the foreign policy of the country are determined. The practical inclusion of the country in the world trade space through the combination of economic and administrative methods of regulating the country’s foreign economic activity is analyzed. It is proved that Ukraine’s international activities play an important role in forming the budget and GDP of the State. The raw material orientation of Ukrainian exports is studied and the vulnerability of the country’s competitive positions in foreign markets is determined. The dynamics of commodity and geographical structures of the export potential of the State is analyzed. The greatest demand of goods by domestic producers from Kyiv, Dnipropetrovsk, Donetsk and Zaporizhzhia regions is determined. The priorities for the development of foreign economic relations between Ukraine and the European Union are formulated. The main negative factors influencing the development of the country’s foreign economic activity are summarized: insufficient level of product competitiveness; non-compliance with international quality and safety standards; low level of processing of exported products. Attention is paid to supporting the interests of national producers, increasing the export potential of the national product, eliminating the effect of import substitution, especially: fuel, harmful and poor-quality products and consumer goods. The necessity of improvement of marketing researches, formation of a simplified system of customs-tariff regulation, optimal management, accounting and control structure for the formation of effective information support in the sphere of export-import relations of Ukrainian enterprises are substantiated.
Strategic Aspects of Economic and Energy Policy of Ukraine in the Context of Sustainable Development
Authors:   Vasyl’ Stus Donetsk National University, Klymchuk O. V. , Kozlovskyi S. V. ,   Vasyl’ Stus Donetsk National University, Lavrov R. V. ,   European University
Published: March 2021

The article is aimed at developing strategic directions and introducing regulatory measures for the formation of Ukraine’s energy policy on the principles of energy saving and the development of renewable energy industry. On the basis of scientific works, the main organizational-economic vectors of energy industry sector development are systematized, which are associated with the formation of a favorable socio-political climate regarding the priority of using renewable energy sources in the fuel and energy complex; development of effective methods of both the State-based and the market-based regulation by the world community; coordination of the strategy of sustainable development of the world economy. It is determined that the energy saving policy should be based on a flexible combination of the State-based regulation and the market environment for the formation of the most acceptable stimulation mechanisms in the specific economic and political situations, which allows for the greatest economic benefit. It has been found out that the implementation of energy saving processes is impossible without the mass use of renewable energy carriers, which are a universal resource for processing to the right types of energy, are marked by energy independence related to obtaining economic benefits and contribute to the creation of an ecological friendly environment. In the perspective, the energy saving processes, the transition of the national economy to wide implementation in the production of high-tech technologies and the use of renewable energy sources should become the determining factors of Ukraine’s energy strategy.
Improving the Operation of Management Mechanisms in the Implementation of the State Regulation Measures in the Sphere of Public Procurement
Authors:   The University of the State Fiscal Service of Ukraine, Sidorenko O. M.
Published: March 2021

The article is concerned with considering the current trends in improving the State regulation of the public procurement system in Ukraine. The author defines that one of the key elements of ensuring an adequate level of the State regulation of the public procurement system in our country is the effective organization of the State-based financial control in this sphere. The basis for ensuring the latter is the smooth operation of the relevant State governance mechanisms. The research is aimed at disclosing modern aspects of the State regulation of the public procurement system by implementing the State-based financial control measures, allocating existing problematic issues and developing a model for assessment of efficiency of the measures that will be implemented in the course of its improvement, taking into account the peculiarities of the sphere of public procurement in Ukraine. When writing this article, a direct relationship between the level of efficiency of the State-based financial control in the sphere of public procurement and the level of efficiency of the State regulation of this sphere is determined. It is specified that the key management mechanisms used in the implementation of the State-based financial control in the sphere of public procurement are the organizational, informational and legal ones. Precisely on their condition directly depends the efficiency of the State-based financial control in this sphere. It is determined that each of the above-mentioned the State governance mechanisms has a number of complex, interrelated problematic aspects that impede the maximum level of efficiency of the State-based financial control in the sphere of public procurement. In order to neutralize them, the author proposes to use an automate model for assessing the efficiency of eliminating the shortcomings of the major management mechanisms used in the implementation of the State-based financial control measures in the sphere of public procurement. The presented model allows tracing the impact of relevant measures over time for both the short and long term, is adapted to the economic and socio-political realities of Ukraine, takes into account most of the economic and social risks in the sphere under research.
Initiative to Create Ideal Citizens in Rural Areas of Turkey: Assembly of Village Institutes
Authors: Gönder Hasan
Published: March 2021

The subject of the present study is the criticism meetings held regularly in the Village Institutes that were implemented to modernize rural areas of Turkey (1940-1946). Those meetings are entitled as the Assembly of Village Institutes in the present study. The purposes of the criticism meetings were to transform the Institute's students and villagers into modern individuals, eliminate the anti-reform and traditional mentality and spread the idea of a republic in rural areas. This study aims to address the success of those meetings. In the study, first of all, the situation in the villages, the life of the villagers and their mentality before the initiative were explained. Afterwards, Village Institutes initiative as well as, the impressions of the students on the first day they came to the Institute were examined. The criticism meetings held in the Institutes were elaborately assessed, and some events that took place in those meetings were stated in accordance with their sources. Finally, the achievements and success of those criticism meetings were discussed. The present study revealed that the Village Institutes that emerged as a result of the village realities were designed according to the needs of the village. The criticism meetings enabled the transformation of village children, who were docile, submissive, insecure and unaware, into self-confident individuals who knew and sought their rights, and who struggled against injustice. Although this initiative was halted by the change of government in 1946, it enabled to raise about 20 thousand people in a very short time and created a new social status group in the villages.
PERLINDUNGAN SOSIAL BAGI ANAK USIA DINI PADA KELUARGA YANG RENTAN SOSIAL EKONOMI
Authors:   Universitas Indonesia, Kresnawati Kresnawati , Imelda Johanna Debora
Published: March 2021

Anak usia dini merupakan kelompok rentan dan secara perkembangannya masih sangat tergantung pada orang tua atau pengasuhnya. Mereka wajib didukung tumbuh kembangnya melalui pemenuhan hak-hak dasarnya sebagai wujud perlindungan sosial. Sayangnya, orang dewasa terkadang bertindak sewenang-wenang kepada anak usia dini terpicu oleh tekanan sosial dan ekonomi yang dihadapi. Akibatnya, kesejahteraan mereka menjadi terancam karena pelecehan dan penelantaran dari orang dewasa. Dalam rangka menggambarkan penyebab dan efek berbahaya dari pelecehan serta penelantaran yang dilakukan orang dewasa atau orang tua. Penulis akan melakukan identifikasi dengan menggunakan kerangka Triangle for the Assessment of Children in Need and Their Families, untuk memahami kesejahteraan dan perlindungan anak usia dini yang dilihat dari tiga dimensi, yaitu kebutuhan perkembangan anak, kapasitas pengasuhan orang tua, faktor keluarga dan lingkungan. Berdasarkan penilaian tersebut, menunjukkan bahwa anak usia dini yang hidup pada keluarga yang rentan sosial ekonomi dapat terancam kesejahteraannya yaitu menjadi korban kekerasan karena tidak terpenuhinya ketiga dimensi tersebut. Rekomendasi dari artikel ini bahwasanya anak usia dini yang hidup dalam keluarga yang rentan secara sosial dan ekonomi harus dilindungi dengan memenuhi kebutuhan perkembangannya, meningkatkan kualitas pola pengasuhan dan dukungan keluarga serta lingkungan dalam rangka perlindungan sosial yang dilakukan melalui strategi pengawasan, pencegahan, perawatan, konseling, rehabilitasi sosial, dan pendampingan sosial, sekaligus mempromosikan kesejahteraan bagi anak usia dini pada keluarga yang rentan sosial ekonomi
KAPITAL SPIRITUAL DI BALIK KEMAMPUAN BERTAHAN HIDUP PARA PETANI LADANG MISKIN
Authors:   Institut Shanti Bhuana Indonesia, Sugianto Helena Anggraeni Tjondro , Salfarini Eligia Monixa
Published: March 2021

Para petani yang menanam padi ladang masih cukup banyak di Indonesia, dan cukup banyak di antaranya yang masih hidup dalam kemiskinan. Walaupun demikian, masih cukup banyak di kalangan mereka yang masih terus menjadikan bertanam padi ladang sebagai mata pencaharian utamanya. Hal ini terjadi karena adanya tradisi turun temurun yang harus tetap dijaga dan dilestarikan, serta ketidaksadaran akan kemiskinannya. Di tempat-tempat tertentu, kapital spiritual yang ada di kalangan masyarakat memampukan mereka untuk terus bertahan hidup, namun tidak membawa mereka keluar dari kemiskinan. Dibutuhkan suatu tindakan stimulus bagi masyarakat yang dapat membuat kapital spiritual di tempat tersebut meningkatkan pendapatan para petani. Oleh karena itu, tulisan ini hendak menggambarkan bagaimana kapital spiritual yang ada di dalam masyarakat komunal menjadi kekuatan bagi mereka untuk bertahan hidup di tengah belenggu kemiskinan, dan bahkan bisa meningkatkan pendapatan jika ada tindakan stimulus bagi mereka
STRATEGI LITERASI POLITIK UNTUK MENDUKUNG KESEJAHTERAAN MASYARAKAT DESA
Authors:   Universitas Darussalam Gontor, Darajat Deden Mauli , Muhtadi Muhtadi ,   Universitas Islam Negeri Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta
Published: March 2021

Kesejahteraan masyarakat desa pada umumnya belum sepenuhnya merata. Program-program kesejahteraan untuk masyarakat masih perlu ditingkatkan mengenai dampaknya bagi kemakmuran warga. Salah satunya bahwa program-program kesejahteraan belum terkomunikasikan secara masif dan benar. Oleh karena itu, kampanye literasi politik di desa menjadi penting dalam upaya kesejahteraan masyarakat desa. Untuk itu diperlukan berbagai strategi dan pendekatan dalam proses kampanye literasi politik di desa. Kesejahteraan sosial di masyarakat desa melalui literasi politik menjadi tumpuan agar Negara Kesatuan Republik Indonesia menjadi mandiri. Artikel ini merupakan sebuah kajian literatur yang akan membahas bagaimana strategi literasi politik untuk mendukung kesejahteraan masyarakat desa. Strategi kesejahteraan sosial melalui pendekatan literasi politik di kalangan masyarakat desa dapat dilakukan dengan sepuluh tawaran pendekatan yakni kerjasama Pemerintah Desa, merangkul tokoh masyarakat, melibatkan pendamping dari program-program pemberdayaan sosial membuat agen literasi, pendekatan Organisasi Kemasyarakatan, pendekatan kearifan lokal, tatap muka informal, pendekatan kegiatan masyarakat, saluran media massa di desa, dan media sosial. Strategi literasi merupakan salah satu solusi untuk meningkatkan pemahaman yang komprehensif bagi masyarakat tentang program-program kesejahteraan sosial di desa. Pendekatan ini dapat menumbuhkan partisipasi masyarakat desa untuk keberhasilan program-program kesejahteraan di lingkungan pedesaan.
KONSEP INTEGRASI PEMBELAJARAN PAI
Authors: Munawati Siti
Published: March 2021

Abstrak Pembelajaran terpadu (kurikulum terintegrasi) merupakan suatu pendekatan dalam pembelajaran yang secara sengaja mengaitkan beberapa aspek baik dalam intra mata pelajaran maupun antar mata pelajaran. Dengan adanya pemaduan itu siswa akan memperoleh pengetahuan dan keterampilan secara utuh sehingga pembelajaran menjadi bermakna bagi siswa. Bermakna disini memberikan arti bahwa pada pembelajaran terpadu siswa akan dapat memahami konsep-konsep yang mereka pelajari melalui pengalaman langsung dan nyata yang mengubungkan antar konsep dalam intra mata pelajaran maupun antar mata pelajaran. Pengajaran PAI merupakan tangggung jawab dari semua pihak yang ada dalam suatu lembaga pendidikan, terutama guru kelas karena guru kelas diharuskan mengintegrasikan tiap pelajaran yang diajarkan dengan PAI, jadi apapun mata pelajaran dan temanya, semuanya haruslah menjadi suri tauladan bagi peserta didik, sehinggga para peserta didik mampu mencontoh nilai yang sudah dicontohkan guru kelas. Jika dibandingkan dalam konsep konvensional, maka pembelajaran terpadu tampak lebih menekankan keterlibatan peserta didik dalam belajar, sehingga siswa terlibat aktif dalam proses pembelajaran untuk pembuatan keputusan. Setiap siswa memerlukan bekal pengetahuan dan kecakapan agar dapat hidup di masyarakat dan bakal ini diharapkan diperoleh melalui pengalaman belajar di sekolah. Oleh karena itu pengalaman belajar di sekolah sedapat mungkin memberikan bekal siswa dalam mencapai kecakapan untuk berkarya. Kecakapan ini disebut kecakapan hidup yang cakupannya lebih luas hanya sebanding dengan keterampilan.
PROFESIONALISME GURU PAI DAN KESADARAN BERAGAMA SISWA
Authors: Nasrudin Nasrudin
Published: March 2021

Ada tiga kriteria suatu pekerjaan profesional, yaitu mengandung unsur pengabdian, unsur idealisme, dan unsur pengembangan. Khusus untuk profesionalisme guru PAI, ketiga unsur tersebut harus melekat dalam jiwa keguruannya, yakni dengan melaksanakan kewajiban-kewajibannya berdasarkan ketentuan-ketentuan itu. Jika ia mangkir dari tugas dan kewajiban, maka ia dipandang telah melanggar etika profesi. Sebagai guru PAI yang profesional, ia harus memiliki kepribadian dan budi pekerti  luhur yang dapat mendorong para siswanya, terutama siswa yang beragama Islam untuk  mengamalkan ilmu yang diajarkannya  sehingga ia dapat dijadikan sebagai panutan/teladan
JIHAD PEREMPUAN DALAM TRADISI MAKNA
Authors: Karmawan Karmawan
Published: March 2021

AbstrakKeterlibatan kaum perempuan dalam jihad perang sebagaimana yang berlangsung pada masa Nabi SAW., menurut pandangan klasik dibatasi pada wilayah “pembantu” atau untuk kerja-kerja ringan, seperti merawat prajurit yang luka, memasak dan melayani kebutuhan tentara. Jihad perempuan dalam pandangan lain adalah dirumah, mengurus dan melayani suami serta rumah tangganya. Pandangan ini juga memperoleh legitimasi dari hadits Nabi SAW., yang artinya “sampaikan kepada kaum perempuan yang kamu jumpai, bahwa ketaatannya kepada suami dan pengakuan atas hak-haknya adalah sebanding dengan itu (jihad).Dalam Al-Qur’an, pria dan perempuan sederajat dalam iman dan martabat. Dalam hal ini dijelaskan bahwa wacana-wacana feminis yang ada lebih terpusat pada isu-isu dasar ketidaksetaraan dalam teks dan praktek fiqh Islam. Tujuannya adalah untuk mencapai hubungan yang seimbang, hak asasi manusia, dan hak-hak sipil dan politik.
ANALYSIS OF ORGANIZATIONAL COMMITMENTS AND WORK SATISFACTION TURNOVER INTENTION GARMENT COMPANY
Authors: Guswan Putra Anggih Perian , Kurniawan Irvan Arif , Mulyanto Agus Iwan , . Erialdy
Published: March 2021

This research was conducted to analyze and investigate the impact of organizational commitment and job satisfaction on the intention to move perceived by the operator employees of one of the Garment Companies. Data is collected through surveys and library studies. The questionnaires were sent to respondents returned resulting in a response rate of 98%. From correlation and regression analysis, this study found that the correlation and impact of turnover intention have been supported. Of the four hypotheses that have been tested in this study, all hypotheses are supported. The results showed that the existence of organizational commitment and job satisfaction was negatively and significantly related to turnover intention and negatively affected the company.
Analisa Produktivitas Pekerjaan Pracetak Segmental-Box Girder, Proyek Bogor Outer Ring Road Seksi II A
Authors: Hardianti Prita , Budiman Johan
Published: March 2021

Abstrak. Pada produksi Pekerjaan Pracetak Segmental - Box Girder Proyek Bogor Outer Ring RoadSeksi II A terdapat keunikan sistem manufaktur yang biasanya memproduksi berdasarkan jumlah targetyang akan dihasilkan namun pada kasus ini produksi dilakukan secara kontinu untuk menghasilkan 1span yang terdiri dari berbagai jenis segment box grider. Variasi urutan produksi box girder inilah yangakan berpengaruh terhadap durasi pekerjaan 1 span. Untuk mengurangi waste diperlukan suatuperencanaan dan analisa konstruksi yang baik agar waktu siklus produksi menjadi lebih singkat.Perencanaan yang baik didasarkan pada suatu simulasi berulang hingga didapat suatu unitproduktifvitas sebagai acuan pada tahap selanjutnya. Hasil simulasi sebanyak 300 kali menunjukan 1span yang terdiri dari 18 segment box girder dapat diproduksi selama 21 hari dengan asumsi tidakterjadi banyak delay. Dalam hal mempercepat proses produksi digunakan 5 cetakan sehingga dalam 21hari dapat memproduksi sebanyak 5 span.Kata kunci: produktivitas, box girder, perencanaan
Using Annotation for Transparent Inquiry (ATI) to Teach Qualitative Research Methods
Authors: Jacobs Alan , Kapiszewski Diana , Karcher Sebastian
Published: March 2021

In political science, qualitative analytic methods are rarely taught using “active learning” strategies. We discuss a novel approach to teaching such methods: having students engage with scholarship that has been annotated using Annotation for Transparent Inquiry (ATI). ATI allows authors to annotate passages in a digital publication to clarify methodology, add detail about evidence or analysis, or link to data sources. Learning methods through engagement with annotated articles allows students to interact with original data and to better understand and evaluate how authors collected, analyzed, and used those data. This leads students to learn research methods in a way that more closely approximates how they will use those methods in their own research. We present a general description of strategies for teaching with ATI. We illustrate the approach using three examples of instructors teaching both undergraduate and graduate students. We conclude with recommendations for effectively using ATI in the classroom.
Will Phosphate Bio-Solubilization Stimulate Biological Nitrogen Fixation in Grain Legumes?
Authors: Janati Walid , Benmrid Bouchra , Elhaissoufi Wissal , Zeroual Youssef , Nasielski Joshua , Bargaz Adnane
Published: March 2021

Biological nitrogen fixation (BNF) refers to a bacterially mediated process by which atmospheric N2is reduced, either symbiotically or non-symbiotically, into ammonia (NH3) in the presence of the enzyme complex nitrogenase. In N2-fixing grain legumes, BNF is often hampered under low phosphorus (P) availability. The P status of legumes, particularly nodules, as well as P availability in the rhizosphere, play a vital role in regulating BNF. Aside from increasing P availability via fertilization, other plant traits (i.e., extensive rooting system and their spatial distribution, hyper-nodulation, root exudates, rhizosphere acidification, and heterogeneity) contribute to greater P uptake and hence more effective BNF. The positive interaction between P availability and BNF can be exploited through beneficial soil P solubilizing microorganisms (PSM). These microorganisms can increase plant-available P by modifying either rhizosphere soil processes or promoting plant traits, which lead to increased P uptake by the production of plant growth-promoting substances, both of which could indirectly influence the efficiency of BNF in legumes. In this review, we report on the importance of microbial P bio-solubilization as a pathway for improving BNF in grain legumes via PSM and P solubilizing bacteria (PSB). Because BNF in legumes is a P-requiring agro-ecological process, the ability of soil PSB to synergize with the rhizobial strains is likely a key belowground process worth investigating for advanced research aiming to improve rhizosphere biological functions necessary for sustainable legume-based cropping systems.
Stress–Strain Index Map: A New Way to Represent Corneal Material Stiffness
Authors: Zhang Haixia , Eliasy Ashkan , Lopes Bernardo , Abass Ahmed , Vinciguerra Riccardo , Vinciguerra Paolo , Ambrósio Renato , Roberts Cynthia J. , Elsheikh Ahmed
Published: March 2021

Purpose

To introduce a new method to map the mechanical stiffness of healthy and keratoconic corneas.

Methods

Numerical modeling based on the finite element method was used to carry out inverse analysis of simulated healthy and keratoconic corneas to determine the regional variation of mechanical stiffness across the corneal surface based on established trends in collagen fibril distribution. The Stress–Strain Index (SSI), developed and validated in an earlier study and presented as a parameter that can estimate the overall stress–strain behavior of corneal tissue, was adopted in this research as a measure of corneal stiffness. The regional variation of SSI across the corneal surface was estimated using inverse analysis while referring to the common features of collagen fibrils’ distribution obtained from earlier x-ray scattering studies. Additionally, for keratoconic corneas, a method relating keratoconic cone features and cornea’s refractive power to the reduction in collagen fibril density inside the cone was implemented in the development of SSI maps. In addition to the simulated cases, the study also included two keratoconus cases, for which SSI maps were developed.

Results

SSI values varied slightly across corneal surface in the simulated healthy eyes. In contrast, both simulated and clinical keratoconic corneas demonstrated substantial reductions in SSI values inside the cone. These SSI reductions depended on the extent of the disease and increased with more considerable simulated losses in fibril density in the cone area. SSI values and their regional variation showed little change with changes in IOP, corneal thickness, and curvature.

Conclusion

SSI maps provide an estimation of the regional variation of biomechanical stiffness across the corneal surface. The maps could be particularly useful in keratoconic corneas, demonstrating the dependence of corneal biomechanical behavior on the tissue’s microstructure and offering a tool to fundamentally understand the mechanics of keratoconus progression in individual patients.
Recent Progress in Nanomedicine for Melanoma Theranostics With Emphasis on Combination Therapy
Authors: Guan Mengqi , Zhu Shoujun , Li Shanshan
Published: March 2021

Melanoma is an aggressive type of skin cancer with increasing incidence and high mortality rates worldwide. However, there is still a lack of efficient and resolutive treatment strategies, particularly in clinical settings. Currently, nanomedicine, an emerging area in the medical field, is being widely investigated in small animal models to afford melanoma theranostics. However, several problems, such as tumor heterogeneity, and drug resistance treatment with a single therapy, remain unresolved. Previous reviews have primarily focused on monotherapy for melanoma in the context of nanomedicine. In this review article, we summarize the recent progress in the application of nanomedicine for melanoma treatment, with particular attention to combination therapy based on nanomedicine to achieve optimized therapeutic output for melanoma treatment. In addition, we also highlight the fluorescence-guided strategies for intraoperative melanoma detection, especially in the near-infrared imaging window with greatly improved imaging contrast and penetration depth.
Immune Profiling Reveals Molecular Classification and Characteristic in Urothelial Bladder Cancer
Authors: Yang Li , Li Aitian , Liu Fengsen , Zhao Qitai , Ji Shaofei , Zhu Wen , Yu Weina , Zhang Ru , Liu Yaqing , Li Wencai , Zhang Yi
Published: March 2021

Urothelial bladder cancer (UBC) is the most common malignant tumor of the urinary system. Most patients do not benefit from treatment with immune checkpoint inhibitors, which are closely associated with immune profiling in the context of UBC. Therefore, we aimed to characterize the immune profile of UBC to identify different immune subtypes that may influence therapy choice. We identified four subtypes of UBC based on immune profiling including immune ignorant, cold tumor, immune inactive, and hot tumor. After excluding the cold tumor subtype because of its unique pathology distinct from the other types, a high correlation between patient survival and immune characteristics was observed. Most immune cell types had highly infiltrated the hot tumor subtype compared to other subtypes. Interestingly, although immune cells infiltrated the tumor microenvironment, they exhibited an exhaustion phenotype. CCL4 may be the key molecule functioning in immune cell infiltration in the hot tumor subtype. Moreover, neutrophils may function as an important suppressor in the tumor microenvironment of the immune ignorant and immune inactive subtypes. Furthermore, different tumor-intrinsic signaling pathways were involved in immune cell infiltration and exclusion in these four different subtypes. Immune profiling could serve as a prognostic biomarker for UBC, and has potential to guide treatment decisions in UBC. Targeting tumor-intrinsic signaling pathways may be a promising strategy to treat UBC.
Activating Mutation of SHP2 Establishes a Tumorigenic Phonotype Through Cell-Autonomous and Non-Cell-Autonomous Mechanisms
Authors: Dong Lei , Han Da , Meng Xinyi , Xu Mengchuan , Zheng Chuwen , Xia Qin
Published: March 2021

Gain-of-function mutation of SHP2 is a central regulator in tumorigenesis and cancer progression through cell-autonomous mechanisms. Activating mutation of SHP2 in microenvironment was identified to promote cancerous transformation of hematopoietic stem cell in non-autonomous mechanisms. It is interesting to see whether therapies directed against SHP2 in tumor or microenvironmental cells augment antitumor efficacy. In this review, we summarized different types of gain-of-function SHP2 mutations from a human disease. In general, gain-of-function mutations destroy the auto-inhibition state from wild-type SHP2, leading to consistency activation of SHP2. We illustrated how somatic or germline mutation of SHP2 plays an oncogenic role in tumorigenesis, stemness maintenance, invasion, etc. Moreover, the small-molecule SHP2 inhibitors are considered as a potential strategy for enhancing the efficacy of antitumor immunotherapy and chemotherapy. We also discussed the interconnection between phase separation and activating mutation of SHP2 in drug resistance of antitumor therapy.
Ocular Characteristics of Patients With Bardet–Biedl Syndrome Caused by Pathogenic BBS Gene Variation in a Chinese Cohort
Authors: Meng Xiaohong , Long Yanling , Ren Jiayun , Wang Gang , Yin Xin , Li Shiying
Published: March 2021

Bardet–Biedl syndrome (BBS; OMIM 209900) is a rare genetic disease causing damage to multiple organs and affecting patients’ quality of life in late adolescence or early adulthood. In this study, the ocular characteristics including morphology and function, were analyzed in 12 BBS patients from 10 Chinese families by molecular diagnostics. A total of five known and twelve novel variants in fourBBSgenes (BBS2, 58.33%;BBS4, 8.33%;BBS7, 16.67%; andBBS9, 16.67%) were identified in 10 Chinese families with BBS. All patients had typical phenotypes of retinitis pigmentosa with unrecordable or severely damaged cone and rod responses on full-field flash electroretinography (ffERG). Most of the patients showed unremarkable reactions in pattern visual evoked potential (PVEP) and multifocal electroretinography (mfERG), while their flash visual evoked potentials (FVEP) indicated display residual visual function. Changes in the fundus morphology, including color fundus photography and autofluorescence (AF) imaging, were heterogeneous and not consistent with the patients’ functional tests. Overall, our study expands the variation spectrum of theBBSgene, showing that the ocular characteristics of BBS patients are clinically highly heterogeneous, and demonstrates the usefulness of a combination of the ffERG and FVEP assessments of visual function in the advanced stage of retinopathy in BBS.
The Frequent Sampling of Wound Scratch Assay Reveals the “Opportunity” Window for Quantitative Evaluation of Cell Motility-Impeding Drugs
Authors: Kauanova Sholpan , Urazbayev Arshat , Vorobjev Ivan
Published: March 2021

Wound healing assay performed with automated microscopy is widely used in drug testing, cancer cell analysis, and similar approaches. It is easy to perform, and the results are reproducible. However, it is usually used as a semi-quantitative approach because of inefficient image segmentation in transmitted light microscopy. Recently, several algorithms for wound healing quantification were suggested, but none of them was tested on a large dataset. In the current study, we develop a pipeline allowing to achieve correct segmentation of the wound edges in >95% of pictures and extended statistical data processing to eliminate errors of cell culture artifacts. Using this tool, we collected data on wound healing dynamics of 10 cell lines with 10 min time resolution. We determine that the overall kinetics of wound healing is non-linear; however, all cell lines demonstrate linear wound closure dynamics in a 6-h window between the fifth and 12th hours after scratching. We next analyzed microtubule-inhibiting drugs’, nocodazole, vinorelbine, and Taxol, action on the kinetics of wound healing in the drug concentration-dependent way. Within this time window, the measurements of velocity of the cell edge allow the detection of statistically significant data when changes did not exceed 10–15%. All cell lines show decrease in the wound healing velocity at millimolar concentrations of microtubule inhibitors. However, dose-dependent response was cell line specific and drug specific. Cell motility was completely inhibited (edge velocity decreased 100%), while in others, it decreased only slightly (not more than 50%). Nanomolar doses (10–100 nM) of microtubule inhibitors in some cases even elevated cell motility. We speculate that anti-microtubule drugs might have specific effects on cell motility not related to the inhibition of the dynamic instability of microtubules.
Circular RNAs: Their Role in the Pathogenesis and Orchestration of Breast Cancer
Authors: He Xiao , Xu Tao , Hu Weijie , Tan Yufang , Wang Dawei , Wang Yichen , Zhao Chongru , Yi Yi , Xiong Mingchen , Lv Wenchang , Wu Min , Li Xingrui , Wu Yiping , Zhang Qi
Published: March 2021

As one of the most frequently occurring malignancies in women, breast cancer (BC) is still an enormous threat to women all over the world. The high mortality rates in BC patients are associated with BC recurrence, metastatic progression to distant organs, and therapeutic resistance. Circular RNAs (circRNAs), belonging to the non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), are connected end to end to form covalently closed single-chain circular molecules. CircRNAs are widely found in different species and a variety of human cells, with the features of diversity, evolutionary conservation, stability, and specificity. CircRNAs are emerging important participators in multiple diseases, including cardiovascular disease, inflammation, and cancer. Recent studies have shown that circRNAs are involved in BC progress by regulating gene expression at the transcriptional or post-transcriptional level via binding to miRNAs then inhibiting their function, suggesting that circRNAs may be potential targets for early diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of BC. Herein, in this article, we have reviewed and summarized the current studies about the biogenesis, features, and functions of circRNAs. More importantly, we emphatically elucidate the pivotal functions and mechanisms of circRNAs in BC growth, metastasis, diagnosis, and drug resistance. Deciphering the complex networks, especially the circRNA-miRNA target gene axis, will endow huge potentials in developing therapeutic strategies for combating BC.
The Cyclin B2/CDK1 Complex Conservatively Inhibits Separase Activity in Oocyte Meiosis II
Authors: Li Jian , Zhang Hong-Yong , Wang Feng , Sun Qing-Yuan , Qian Wei-Ping
Published: March 2021

Recently, we have reported that the cyclin B2/CDK1 complex regulates homologous chromosome segregation through inhibiting separase activity in oocyte meiosis I, which further elucidates the compensation of cyclin B2 on cyclin B1’s function in meiosis I. However, whether cyclin B2/CDK1 complex also negatively regulates separase activity during oocyte meiosis II remains unknown. In the present study, we investigated the function of cyclin B2 in meiosis II of oocyte. We found that stable cyclin B2 expression impeded segregation of sister chromatids after oocyte parthenogenetic activation. Consistently, stable cyclin B2 inhibited separase activation, while introduction of non-phosphorylatable separase mutant rescued chromatid separation in the stable cyclin B2-expressed oocytes. Therefore, the cyclin B2/CDK1 complex conservatively regulates separase activity via inhibitory phosphorylation of separase in both meiosis I and meiosis II of mouse oocyte.
Taming Polysulfides in an Li–S Battery With Low-Temperature One-step Chemical Synthesis of Titanium Carbide Nanoparticles From Waste PTFE
Authors: Liu Suyao , Luo Jun , Xiong Yuting , Chen Zhe , Zhang Kailong , Rui Guofeng , Wang Liangbiao , Hu Guang , Jiang Jinlong , Mei Tao
Published: March 2021

In this work, titanium carbide (TiC) nanoparticles have been successfully synthesized at much lower temperatures of 500°C using cheaper starting materials, such as waste polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) (carbon source) and titanium and metallic sodium, than the traditional carbothermal reduction of TiO2 at 1,800°C. An XRD pattern proved the formation of face-centered cubic TiC, and TEM images showed the obtained TiC nanoparticles with an average size of approximately 50 nm. In addition, the separator coated with TiC nanoparticles as an active material of interlayer effectively mitigates the shuttling problem by taming the polysulfides in Li–S batteries compared with a traditional celgard separator. The assembled cell realizes good cycling stability with 501 mAh g−1 and a low capacity fading of 0.1% per cycle after 300 cycles at 1 C due to high utilization of the sulfur-based active species.
Authigenic Greigite as an Indicator of Methane Diffusion in Gas Hydrate-Bearing Sediments of the Hikurangi Margin, New Zealand
Authors: Kars Myriam , Greve Annika , Zerbst Lilly
Published: March 2021

Authigenic ferrimagnetic iron sulfides, essentially greigite (Fe3S4), are commonly found in gas hydrate-bearing marine sediments of active accretionary prisms. Greigite is a by-product, either intracellular or extracellular, of microbial activity, and therefore provides good indication of microbial processes which are closely related to the occurrence of gas hydrate. A high-resolution rock magnetic study was conducted at Site U1518 of International Ocean Discovery Program Expedition 375, located in the frontal accretionary wedge of the Hikurangi Margin, offshore New Zealand. Samples were collected throughout the entire recovered stratigraphic sequence, from the surface to ∼492 m below seafloor (mbsf) which includes the Pāpaku fault zone. This study aims to document the rock magnetic properties and the composition of the magnetic mineral assemblage at Site U1518. Based on downhole magnetic coercivity variations, the studied interval is divided into five consecutive zones. Most of the samples have high remanent coercivity (above 50 mT) and first-order reversal curves (FORC) diagrams typical of single-domain greigite. The top of the hanging wall has intervals that display a lower remanent coercivity, similar to lower coercivities measured on samples from the fault zone and footwall. The widespread distribution of greigite at Site U1518 is linked to methane diffusion and methane hydrate which is mainly disseminated within sediments. In three footwall gas hydrate-bearing intervals, investigated at higher resolution, an improved magnetic signal, especially a stronger FORC signature, is likely related to enhanced microbial activity which favors the formation and preservation of greigite. Our findings at the Hikurangi Margin show a close linkage between greigite, methane hydrate and microbial activity.
Identity Tensions: Understanding a Previous Practitioner’s Decision to Pursue and Depart the Teaching Profession
Authors: Karalis Noel Tiffany
Published: March 2021

Framed by symbolic interactionism, this study used narrative inquiry to share a teacher’s story about her decision to pursue and depart the teaching profession within four years of graduating from a traditional undergraduate preparation program in the Midwest United States. The participant, “Banjo,” participated in a qualitative analysis that consisted of four interviews conducted during the first year following her departure from the field. Findings revealed several conflicts surrounding Banjo’s sense of pre- and in-service teacher identity and teacher preparation experiences that ultimately influenced her decision to leave the teaching profession. Banjo’s story provides critical insights about how to prevent similar challenges among early-career practitioners and facilitate progressive change in preservice teacher education writ large.
Immunological Characteristics in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Among COVID-19 Patients
Authors: Han Meifang , Ma Ke , Wang Xiaojing , Yan Weiming , Wang Hongwu , You Jie , Wang Qiuxia , Chen Huilong , Guo Wei , Chen Tao , Ning Qin , Luo Xiaoping
Published: March 2021

Clinical Trial Registration

www.ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier: NCT04365634.

Context

Diabetes mellitus was associated with increased severity and mortality of disease in COVID-19 pneumonia. So far the effect of type 2 diabetes (T2DM) or hyperglycemia on the immune system among COVID-19 disease has remained unclear.

Objective

We aim to explore the clinical and immunological features of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) among COVID-19 patients.

Design and Methods

In this retrospective study, the clinical and immunological characteristics of 306 hospitalized confirmed COVID-19 patients (including 129 diabetic and 177 non-diabetic patients) were analyzed. The serum concentrations of laboratory parameters including cytokines and numbers of immune cells were measured and compared between diabetic and non-diabetic groups.

Results

Compared with non-diabetic group, diabetic cases more frequently had lymphopenia and hyperglycemia, with higher levels of urea nitrogen, myoglobin, D-dimer and ferritin. Diabetic cases indicated the obviously elevated mortality and the higher levels of cytokines IL‐2R, IL‐6, IL‐8, IL‐10, and TNF‐α, as well as the distinctly reduced Th1/Th2 cytokines ratios compared with non-diabetic cases. The longitudinal assays showed that compared to that at week 1, the levels of IL-6 and IL-8 were significantly elevated at week 2 after admission in non-survivors of diabetic cases, whereas there were greatly reductions from week 1 to week 2 in survivors of diabetic cases. Compared with survival diabetic patients, non-survival diabetic cases displayed distinct higher serum concentrations of IL-2R, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, TNF‐α, and lower Th1/Th2 cytokines ratios at week 2. Samples from a subset of participants were evaluated by flow cytometry for the immune cells. The counts of peripheral total T lymphocytes, CD4+ T cells, CD8+ T cells and NK cells were markedly lower in diabetic cases than in non-diabetic cases. The non-survivors showed the markedly declined counts of CD8+ T cells and NK cells than survivors.

Conclusion

The elevated cytokines, imbalance of Th1/Th2 cytokines ratios and reduced of peripheral numbers of CD8+ T cells and NK cells might contribute to the pathogenic mechanisms of high mortality of COVID-19 patients with T2DM.
Obesity and Male Reproduction; Placing the Western Diet in Context
Authors: Pini Taylor , Raubenheimer David , Simpson Stephen J. , Crean Angela J.
Published: March 2021

There is mounting evidence that obesity has negative repercussions for reproductive physiology in males. Much of this evidence has accumulated from rodent studies employing diets high in fat and sugar (“high fat” or “western” diets). While excessive fats and carbohydrates have long been considered major determinants of diet induced obesity, a growing body of research suggests that the relationships between diet composition and obesity are more complex than originally thought, involving interactions between dietary macronutrients. However, rodent dietary models have yet to evolve to capture this, instead relying heavily on elevated levels of a single macronutrient. While this approach has highlighted important effects of obesity on male reproduction, it does not allow for interpretation of the complex, interacting effects of dietary protein, carbohydrate and fat. Further, the single nutrient approach limits the ability to draw conclusions about which diets best support reproductive function. Nutritional Geometry offers an alternative approach, assessing outcomes of interest over an extended range of dietary macronutrient compositions. This review explores the practical application of Nutritional Geometry to study the effects of dietary macronutrient balance on male reproduction, including experimental considerations specific to studies of diet and reproductive physiology. Finally, this review discusses the promising use of Nutritional Geometry in the development of evidence-based pre-conception nutritional guidance for men.