bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
SOCIO-ECONOMIC SIGNIFICANCE OF QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DEVELOPMENT OF RURAL AREAS
Authors: Nabieva Alsu
Published: November 2020

The research was carried out to determine the essence, content and trends of social and economic development of rural areas in the Republic of Tatarstan. The work was carried out using general scientific methods of analysis and synthesis, abstract-logical, monographic and comparative. The proceedings for the study was the data of the Territorial Branch of Federal State Statistics Service for the Republic of Tatarstan. It is shown that the development of rural areas of Tatarstan is influenced by structural changes in the agricultural sector, the growth of the number of peasant (farm) farms, the modernization of large agricultural organizations, ongoing measures to support other industries and social infrastructure of the village, the level of employment and life of rural residents. In 2019 at the disposal of peasant (farm) farms and individual entrepreneurs there were 306.1 thousand hectares of arable land, or 9 % of the national volume. The dominant role in improving the quality of life in rural areas is played by the degree of economic development, the amount of financial investment in production, in preserving the natural environment and improving the social sphere. In 2018, investments in fixed assets aimed at environmental protection and rational use of natural resources amounted to 5820.9 million rubles. The criterion for assessing the development of rural areas is a comprehensive indicator that includes the level of agricultural development, the efficiency of other industries and enterprises in the area, and the quality of use of other resources. From 2014 to 2018, the production of agricultural products in all categories of farms in the Republic of Tatarstan (in actual prices) increased from 184,289 to 22,6034 million rubles, or by 22.7 %. the number of students in schools and extended-day groups in rural areas increased from 10,260 to 11,646 people, or by 1,386 schoolchildren. Rural areas of Tatarstan are provided with industrial and social facilities, and work is underway to improve soil fertility. From 2014 to 2018 the use of mineral fertilizers per 1 ha of seeding increased from 47 to 55 kg, or 17.0 %
THE STUDY OF UNEVEN DEVELOPMENT OF THE UDDER QUARTERS OF THE ANIMAL
Authors: Kashapov Il'dar , Ziganshin Bulat , Tsoy Yuriy , Lukmanov Ruslan , Fokin Aleksandr
Published: November 2020

Increasing the economic efficiency of machine milking is possible by using high-performance, partially and (or) fully automated milking units using advanced milking technologies. When milking animals with traditional milking machines, turning off the milking cups occurs simultaneously, without taking into account the uneven development of the udder quarters, this can eventually lead to dry milking of the udder quarters, which is fraught with consequences. To substantiate this issue, an analysis was made of the work of DeLaval milking robot in Timershik farm of Saba LLC in the Sabinsky district of the Republic of Tatarstan.

The results of the study of uneven development of cow udder shares based on the processing of the data obtained showed that a large number of animals in the herd have uneven development of udder quarters, but they are superior in productivity to other cows and culling of these animals due to uneven development of udder quarters is excluded.

In this connection, the method proposed by Safiullin N.A. for assessing the uniformity of development of udder quarters is considered, which consists in the following: after determining the number of milk yields by quarters, the coefficient of variation is calculated and the indicators of uniformity of development of quarters are calculated. In our opinion, this method of analysis is more effective. We also analyzed the milk yield curves for udder quarters and proposed a scheme of integral milk yield curves. The obtained curves once again prove that milk production in animals by udder shares does not end in the same way.

Based on the data obtained, it can be stated that the development of a domestic automated milking machine with a quarter-turn shutdown of milking cups is an urgent task today.

The obtained data are necessary for the development of a domestic automated milking machine with a quarter-turn shutdown of milking cups
LA REFUNDACIÓN DE LA LÍNEA DEL HORIZONTE URBANO: PARQUE DE ESPAÑA, MBM ARQUITECTES (1979-1992)
Authors: Inés Galimberti Cecilia
Published: November 2020

Partiendo del papel mediador de la arquitectura en la vida cotidiana de los seres humanos, el presente artículo reflexiona sobre la acción mediadora del Parque de España en Rosario (Argentina), proyectado por los arquitectos Martorell, Bohigas y Mackay, como proyecto reconciliador entre tierra y agua, arriba y abajo, público y privado. Esta obra, realizada en la ribera central de la ciudad, en un histórico sector ferroportuario, posibilita reconectar la costa inferior del río Paraná con el nivel superior de sus barrancas a través de una intervención atenta a las componentes históricas de identidad rosarina. El Parque de España se constituye como punta de lanza de la reconversión del frente fluvial central de la ciudad que, si bien se comienza a gestar en los últimos años de dictadura militar en Argentina, se configura desde una nueva mirada del papel del proyecto urbano como generador de espacio público de carácter democrático. Este proyecto resulta así un laboratorio empírico del modelo Barcelona, en el cual se desarrolla un nuevo diálogo en el habitar de la ciudad, transformando un imaginario vinculado a estar de espaldas al río a configurar una nueva barranca arquitectónica, balcón al río Paraná y su delta, instaurando una nueva cota cero.
DEL FRESH POND AL MYSTIC RIVER: TOPOGRAFÍA Y HORIZONTE EN EL PAISAJISMO DE LOS OLMSTED
Authors: Mariné Nicolás
Published: November 2020

El artículo analiza una obra relativamente desconocida de los Olmsted Brothers, la Alewife Brook Parkway, con la intención de esclarecer determinados recursos conceptuales en su manera de proyectar. Este prolífico estudio fue fundado por los hijos del paisajista Frederick Law Olmsted y, a través de sus obras, hicieron perdurar su legado. La propuesta estudia, precisamente, el proyecto de un parkway, un concepto que combinaba infraestructura y paisajismo y que Olmsted aplicó a lo largo de su carrera. Aquí, se elabora una interpretación personal de esta obra, sustentada en el análisis de materiales originales, que pone en valor las relaciones visuales vinculadas a la topografía. Lejos de ser algo singular, dichas relaciones se explican como uno de los fundamentos del proyecto y, en general, de la obra de los Olmsted.
Kontekst kulturowy – balast dla oryginału czy szansa dla przekładu?
Authors: Majkiewicz Anna
Published: November 2020

The cultural context – is it the ballast for the original or the chance for interpretation?The author of this article introduces the distinction between the cultural competence and the intertexuality competence. The remarks are based on the second novel by the Austrian Nobel Prize laureate Elfriede Jelinek entitled Michael. Ein Jugendbuch für die Infantilgesellschaft from 1972. The texts of culture alluded to in this book (American and German TV series, celebrities, etc.) are utilized to question the myths presented by mass media. The author comes to the conclusion that the need to foreignise results from the necessity to confront the final recipients with the cultural difference that the primary reader is confronted with.
ESTIMATION OF THE TIME SINCE DEATH BY USING THE POLARIZATION MULLER-MATRIX MICROSCOPY OF BIOLOGICAL TISSUE IN CASES OF ALCOHOL AND CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING
Authors: Ivaskevich Ihor , Vanchuliak Oleh , Bachynskіy Viktor , Yurniuk Sviatoslava
Published: November 2020

Introduction: This paper aims to investigate and substantiate the information capabilities of the objective method of azimuthal-invariant polarization Müller-matrix microscopy of histological sections of biological tissues (BT) in the diagnosis of time since death (TSD) in alcohol and monoxide poisoning.

Objectives: The purpose of the study was to evaluate the diagnostic capabilities of the azimuthal-invariant Muller-matrix polarimetry technique of the polycrystalline constituent of BT and human body fluids in determining the TSD in cases of alcohol and carbon monoxide poisoning.

Results: A comprehensive experimental study of the diagnostic efficiency of the azimuthal-invariant Muller-matrix polarimetric microscopy of the polycrystalline component of histological sections of the brain, myocardium, adrenal glands, liver, and polycrystalline blood films from dead persons for the diagnosis of TSD in cases of alcohol and carbon monoxide poisoning.A sensitivity range of 24 hours was determined using the method of the azimuthal-invariant Muller-matrix polarimetric microscopy of the polycrystalline component of histological sections of the myocardium for the diagnosis of TSD in cases of alcohol and carbon monoxide poisoning.

Conclusion: The results showed the effectiveness of the studied methodology and the prospect of further research in this direction.
THE EFFICIENCY OF IRRIGATION AND VARIETY ON THE HARVEST RATIO OF THREE COTTON TYPES (Gossypium hirsutum L.)
Authors: Gospodinova Galina , Gospodinova Galina , Kuneva Velika
Published: November 2020

The purpose of this research is to investigate the impact of variety and irrigation on three cotton types, and to study the effectiveness of irrigation on the productivity of these cotton types which were fed by different norms of mineral nutrition. To assess the impact of soil humidity and fertilizer amount, we set up a field trial with three varieties of cotton. The field experiment was carried out within the Faculty of Agriculture, Trakia University, Stara Zagora, Bulgaria between 2018-2019. A two way factorial ANOVA (with variety and irritation as factors) suggested a significant main effect of irrigation (p< .001). Variety showed the strongest impact on the differences in "flowering" of cotton which were 64% in 2018 and 41% for 2019 respectively. We established an efficiency coefficient (KEF) representing the ratio of the additional harvest and the actual irrigation rate. The KEF of irrigation water varied depending on the cotton varieties and the levels of fertilization. The highest values of KEF were recorded after fertilization by N8 as given by units of cultivar Helius (EF = 0.67).  The effect of irrigation, expressed as a harvest per unit of irrigation water considerably varied over years. It was established as a ratio between the irrigation rate and the additional cotton  produce. At zero fertilization Helius, each cubic meter of water carried an average 2.24 kilograms of cotton harvest over two years. Optimizing the water supply and fertilizing with N16 provided 2.83 kilograms. On average, the Darmi variety irrigation effect ranged from 0.63 kilograms (N24) to 2.43 kilograms per cubic meter (N16) during the given period.
TRAINING STUDENTS FROM PEDAGOGICAL SPECIALTIES OF TRAKIA UNIVERSITY (STARA ZAGORA, BULGARIA) TO DEVELOP ELECTRONIC TESTS
Authors: Delchev Marian
Published: November 2020

Background: The evolution and application of digital didactic tests for the evaluation of the knowledge and skills of pupils has become a major element in the academic training of students who opted for pedagogical specialties. This reflects the strong propensity for the optimization and improvement of the efficacy of teaching. This article puts forward a scientific research as well as a case study on first-hand experience in training students from pedagogical specialties in academic diagnostics and examination, together with practical tasks geared towards the formation of professional digital competence with regard to the employment of ICT in diagnostic procedures through classical, face-to-face, and mixed-form training.

Objectives: The main aim of the study is to examine particular characteristics and opportunities, and to analyze the efficiency of the training provided for the development and design of electronic tests by future teachers in the course of the scholastic training.

Methods: The experiment involved qualitative and quantitative research. The following techniques were applied: observation, content analysis, and mathematical and statistical methods of data processing. The statistical methods employed were the non-parametric Mann-Whitney and Kruskal-Wallis tests.

Results: The survey included 150 students from three specialties in the Faculty of Pedagogy at Trakia University of Stara Zagora. The framework and composition of the e-learning course and the details of the face-to-face follow-up training are explained briefly. Aggregated data from the learning management system’s, Moodle’s, logs is also provided alongside representative observation data, and a summary with remarks on the findings from the practical classes with the students is also presented.

Conclusion: A comparative scrutiny of the learning outcomes was conducted and the principal dependencies and typical merits and demerits of the two forms of training were identified and portrayed in the article. The variation in the end results was found to be statistically significant.
STUDENTS’ PERCEPTIONS ON THEIR ALMA MATER ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY: A COMPARATIVE STUDY IN RUSSIAN AND ARMENIAN ACADEMIC SETTINGS
Authors: Gavrilova Elena , Sahakyan Lilit , Trostina Kira , Tutaeva Dinara
Published: November 2020

Environmental sustainability is a constant concern for educational establishments as it has many vital social, academic and financial implications. The aim of this study is to investigate and compare students’ perceptions regarding their university’s environmental challenges in two geographically distant countries: sampling two economic universities in Russia and Armenia.

A survey related to university’s environmental challenges based on 5-point Likert scale was administered to the Bachelor’s and Master’s students at Plekhanov Russian University of Economics (PRUE), Moscow, Russia and Yerevan Gladzor University (YGU), Yerevan, Armenia. The findings revealed that irrespective of geographical location, there are similar notable differences in students’ attitudes towards understanding their own role in their university’s environmental well-being. The data shows that the majority of the students strongly understand the concepts of sustainability, sustainable development, eco-friendliness and eco-tourism. The findings reveal that students’ age and their education level significantly correlate with their general knowledge of sustainability. Senior students have more responsible attitude towards environmental sustainability of their university. The study established that the majority of the students perceive that environmental awareness can improve their university’s facilities, quality and academic development. They understand that they themselves are fully responsible for the university’s environmental welfare.

Suggestions by environmentally-conscious students in both universities were summarized in 5Ss: surveying the current state of affairs; sounding out the problems; suggesting improvements; saving university’s resources; sharing the experience. The possible causes of environmental problems in the universities have been analysed and their solutions have been recommended. Including formal training in environmental studies in the curricula is suggested. It has also been advised to practice environmental ethics in the universities. The findings of the research can be used for the benefit of all stakeholders and policy makers in promoting universities’ eco-conscious image, increasing students’ environmental awareness and achieving substantial cost savings.
EMPOWERING THE MARGINALIZED THROUGH COMMUNITY WORK: A LITERATURE REVIEW
Authors: Okech Victor , Neszméry Štefan , Mačkinová Monika
Published: November 2020

Community work is one of the methods of practice that is at the heart of the social work profession. It entails working with communities that have been marginalized. The goal of community work is usually to have communities improve their wellbeing. Without empowerment, marginalized communities remain powerless over circumstances that prevail in their environments.

The main object of this article is to review literature on steps that may be taken to empower communities. In writing this article, we adopted a traditional style of literature review where we obtained our data from the following databases: Springer Link, Wiley Online Library and ProQuest central. We used the following key words to retrieve articles from the online databases: power, community, empowerment and community empowerment. We paired each of the key words using the Boolean operator AND. We observed from the literature that there are three levels of empowerment; psychological, organizational and community levels of empowerment. We also identified three models of that are suitable for use in community work for the purpose of empowering marginalized communities. 

From the model developed by Jackson et al. (1989), we concluded that steps that may be taken in empowering the marginalized through community work are; developmental casework, mutual support, issue identification and campaign, community participation and social movements.
SMART CITIES AND MODERN VIEWS ON CITIZEN SECURITY
Authors: Peňaška Michal , Šoltés Viktor , Veľas Andrej
Published: November 2020

Modern times bring with them modern approaches to the perception of our problems. The perception of security in cities is no exception. The establishment of general indicators is needed to improve the evaluation and comparison of sites. These security indicators can be found in the six basic characteristics that make up a Smart City. This article contains a proposal for an application and a procedure for assessing the impact of projects on the security of citizens. The present proposal uses a system approach method using some specificities of the ISO 31000 standard. The principle of the proposal is that the probability of risk is a priority and we perceive the consequence as the expected increase and decrease in the level of security in cities.
A MODEL FOR BUILDING SOCIAL COMPETENCES IN THE TEACHING OF ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE IN THE PRIMARY SCHOOL STAGE OF EDUCATION
Authors: Petrova Vanya
Published: November 2020

In the new requirements for general education in Bulgaria from 2015 and in the new curricula in Environmental Science in 1st and 2nd grade, social competence is highlighted as an important element of the formative functions of education.

In the presented model for Environmental Science teaching during the primary stage of education, it is built as a complex perspective in the development of the student, passing through the whole content and technology of the pedagogical progress. The most important features of this model are the enhanced emotional and value related side in determining the goals of education and pedagogical technology based on the proactive participation of the student and sustainable tools of interactive methods and techniques.

The model is set in two school kits consisting of an educational textbook and workbook in Environmental Science – for the 1st and 2nd grade which are currently used in Bulgarian Education.
INCREASING COMPETENCIES OF SECURITY AND SAFETY MANAGERS IN THE RISK ASSESSMENT PROCESS
Authors: Raffaj Andrej , Kampová Katarína
Published: November 2020

Security management is an important part of the overall management of an organization. It aims to protect the health and life of persons, organization property and the environment itself. Achieving this goal, which represents achieving the required level of both security and safety, is undoubtedly dependent on the activities performed by security and safety managers. One of the basic processes affecting the security and safety level in the given organization is a risk assessment process. Based on the results of this process, particular measures are implemented to either avert or reduce the security and safety risks. The KARS method presented in this article is one of the methods applicable to the risk assessment process. The added value over other methods used in practice is that the assessment takes into account the correlation of the assessed risks. The case study presents the application of the KARS for evaluating risks magnitude within a real reference object.
PRACTICAL PRODUCTIVE ACTIVITIES FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF MATHEMATICAL COMPETENCES
Authors: Temnikova Maria
Published: November 2020

Development of knowledge, skills and competences for the mathematical quantity of “length” and its measurement units represent important part of the overall education in mathematics for students from Grades 1. – 4. 

This research work systematizes some theoretical concepts related to the competences. Based on the analysis of the relevant legislation in force in the Republic of Bulgaria researchers presented the relations between the specific mathematical competences and terminology from the competency Cluster “Measurement”.

The research work is aimed at the development of such a methodology system of work which gives priority to practical productive activities thus facilitating development in primary school students of a higher level of knowledge, skills and competences related to the mathematical quantity of “length” and its measurement units.

The new system of work was applied during the compulsory classes in mathematics in Grades 1. – 4. The research work presents some of the developed and applied options of practical activity.

The researchers studied the objectiveness, the validity and the reliability of the set of tools and means used for doing diagnostics as well as the difficulty and the dividing (separating) strength of the mathematical tasks included in it. The results from the experimental work were statistically processed.
MANAGING THE PROCESS OF ADAPTATION TO THE SCHOOL ENVIRONMENT IN THE CONTEXT OF A MODERN EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM
Authors: Terziev Venelin
Published: November 2020

The present publication examines the possibilities for more effective implementation of the existing models of the Bulgarian educational system through more active coordination. Emphasis is placed on the need for reform of the institutional framework, the realization of which is possible through the involvement of independent, competent and prepared individuals in the preschool, elementary and lower secondary stage of the educational institutions. Without these specialists, an institutional system would not be able by itself to guarantee the required efficiency. A set of measures has been proposed in this respect to ensure the implementation of the necessary change. The problem of human adaptation to the rapidly changing conditions of modern life is particularly important for modern children who from an early age are raised under conditions of frequent adaptation and re-adaptation to new environments. Each period of transition to a new environment is associated with stress and number of difficulties for the child.
Del crecimiento con crisis a la crisis de crecimiento, 1315-1516. La gran depresión bajomedieval y la economía catalana
Authors: Catalan Jordi
Published: November 2020

Después de tres centurias de revolución comercial y progreso manufacturero durante la anomalía climática medieval, el Mediterráneo experimentó un período de carestía alimentaria, intensificación bélica y virulentos brotes de peste durante el siglo XIV, coincidiendo con el mínimo de Wolf de irradiación solar. Su efecto combinado hizo caer la población, la producción agraria e industrial, el comercio, la renta de la tierra y los ingresos fiscales, y aumentar los rendimientos agrarios, los salarios, el endeudamiento señorial y los conflictos distributivos. Pese a las pronunciadas perturbaciones, Barcelona y su hinterland, el Principado de Cataluña, siguieron creciendo y desarrollando su capacidad industrial hasta inicios del Cuatrocientos, mientras se ensayaban nuevas vías de intervención gubernamental: reformas tributarias, devaluaciones, proteccionismo y banca pública. Por el contrario, durante la mayor parte del siglo XV, Cataluña experimentó una inequívoca gran depresión, coincidiendo con otro mínimo de irradiación solar, el de Spörer. Los costes de la aventura imperialista napolitana ahondaron la brecha social e institucional. La reacción de la nobleza catalana y la intransigencia de la oligarquía barcelonesa ante las propuestas reformistas acabaron en guerra total, con consecuencias duraderas para el desarrollo a largo plazo. Barcelona, que había seguido la estela de Venecia, Génova y Florencia con relativo éxito, quedó rezagada durante 1462-1516. Aunque el nivel de vida de algunas fracciones del campesinado pudiera mejorar a finales del siglo xv y algunos comerciantes hacer negocio con azúcar y esclavos en el Atlántico, no compensaron los costes del declive comercial en el Mediterráneo y la pérdida de mercados para las manufacturas catalanas.
Genetic ablation of serotonin receptor 2B improves aortic valve hemodynamics of Notch1 heterozygous mice in a high-cholesterol diet model
Authors: Joll J. Ethan , Clark Cynthia R. , Peters Christine S. , Raddatz Michael A. , Bersi Matthew R. , Merryman W. David
Published: November 2020

Calcific aortic valve disease (CAVD) is a deadly disease that is rising in prevalence due to population aging. While the disease is complex and poorly understood, one well-documented driver of valvulopathy is serotonin agonism. Both serotonin overexpression, as seen with carcinoid tumors and drug-related agonism, such as with Fenfluramine use, are linked with various diseases of the valves. Thus, the objective of this study was to determine if genetic ablation or pharmacological antagonism of the 5-HT2Bserotonin receptor (gene:Htr2b) could improve the hemodynamic and histological progression of calcific aortic valve disease.Htr2bmutant mice were crossed withNotch1+/-mice, an established small animal model of CAVD, to determine if genetic ablation affects CAVD progression. To assess the effect of pharmacological inhibition on CAVD progression,Notch1+/-mice were treated with the 5-HT2Breceptor antagonist SB204741. Mice were analyzed using echocardiography, histology, immunofluorescence, and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction.Htr2bmutant mice showed lower aortic valve peak velocity and mean pressure gradient–classical hemodynamic indicators of aortic valve stenosis–without concurrent left ventricle change. 5-HT2Breceptor antagonism, however, did not affect hemodynamic progression. Leaflet thickness, collagen density, and CAVD-associated transcriptional markers were not significantly different in any group. This study reveals that genetic ablation ofHtr2battenuates hemodynamic development of CAVD in theNotch1+/-mice, but pharmacological antagonism may require high doses or long-term treatment to slow progression.
Blood pressure and bladder cancer risk in men by use of survival analysis and in interaction with NAT2 genotype, and by Mendelian randomization analysis
Authors: Teleka Stanley , Hindy George , Drake Isabel , Poveda Alaitz , Melander Olle , Liedberg Fredrik , Orho-Melander Marju , Stocks Tanja
Published: November 2020

The association between blood pressure (BP) and bladder cancer (BC) risk remains unclear with confounding by smoking being of particular concern. We investigated the association between BP and BC risk among men using conventional survival-analysis, and by Mendelian Randomization (MR) analysis in an attempt to disconnect the association from smoking. We additionally investigated the interaction between BP and N-acetyltransferase-2 (NAT2) rs1495741, an established BC genetic risk variant, in the association. Populations consisting of 188,167 men with 502 incident BC’s in the UK-biobank and 27,107 men with 928 incident BC’s in two Swedish cohorts were used for the analysis. We found a positive association between systolic BP and BC risk in Cox-regression survival analysis in the Swedish cohorts, (hazard ratio [HR] per standard deviation [SD]: 1.14 [95% confidence interval 1.05–1.22]) and MR analysis (odds ratio per SD: 2-stage least-square regression, 7.70 [1.92–30.9]; inverse-variance weighted estimate, 3.43 [1.12–10.5]), and no associations in the UK-biobank (HR systolic BP: 0.93 [0.85–1.02]; MR OR: 1.24 [0.35–4.40] and 1.37 [0.43–4.37], respectively). BP levels were positively associated with muscle-invasive BC (MIBC) (HRs: systolic BP, 1.32 [1.09–1.59]; diastolic BP, 1.27 [1.04–1.55]), but not with non-muscle invasive BC, which could be analyzed in the Swedish cohorts only. There was no interaction between BP and NAT2 in relation to BC on the additive or multiplicative scale. These results suggest that BP might be related to BC, more particularly MIBC. There was no evidence to support interaction between BP and NAT2 in relation to BC in our study.
Coadaptation of the chemosensory system with voluntary exercise behavior in mice
Authors: Nguyen Quynh Anh Thi , Hillis David , Katada Sayako , Harris Timothy , Pontrello Crystal , Garland Theodore , Haga-Yamanaka Sachiko
Published: November 2020

Ethologically relevant chemical senses and behavioral habits are likely to coadapt in response to selection. As olfaction is involved in intrinsically motivated behaviors in mice, we hypothesized that selective breeding for a voluntary behavior would enable us to identify novel roles of the chemosensory system. Voluntary wheel running (VWR) is an intrinsically motivated and naturally rewarding behavior, and even wild mice run on a wheel placed in nature. We have established 4 independent, artificially evolved mouse lines by selectively breeding individuals showing high VWR activity (High Runners; HRs), together with 4 non-selected Control lines, over 88 generations. We found that several sensory receptors in specific receptor clusters were differentially expressed between the vomeronasal organ (VNO) of HRs and Controls. Moreover, one of those clusters contains multiple single-nucleotide polymorphism loci for which the allele frequencies were significantly divergent between the HR and Control lines, i.e., loci that were affected by the selective breeding protocol. These results indicate that the VNO has become genetically differentiated between HR and Control lines during the selective breeding process. Although the role of the vomeronasal chemosensory receptors in VWR activity remains to be determined, the current results suggest that these vomeronasal chemosensory receptors are important quantitative trait loci for voluntary exercise in mice. We propose that olfaction may play an important role in motivation for voluntary exercise in mammals.
Identifying the princes base on Altmetrics: An awakening mechanism of sleeping beauties from the perspective of social media
Authors: Hou Jianhua , Li Hao , Zhang Yang
Published: November 2020

In science, sleeping beauties (SBs) denotes a special phenomenon of the diffusion of scientific knowledge based on citation trajectories, the awakening of which is also measured through changes in the citations index. However, the rapid advancement of social media has altered the mode of scientific communication and knowledge diffusion. This study aims to re-identify SBs and its Prince from the perspective of comprehensive indicators, which involves the analysis of Altmetrics indexes and Citation index, and investigate the awakening mechanism of A-SB to supplement the research on the awakening mechanism of SBs. By combining Ab index, we redefined the Prince, which makes A-SB receive high attention after a long Sleeping period and reflects the most prominent academic or social behavior that awakens and sustains the Awakening of A-SB. Then we conducted empirical research on the retrieved PLOS Biology collection and examined Prince after identifying the A-SB. The analysis and summary of the characteristics of the identified A-SB and Prince revealed the SBs’ awakening mechanism under the comprehensive trajectory based on Altmetrics from the three dimensions of the influence between the indicators, the overall evolution trajectory of A-SB, and literature bibliometric attributes. In the trajectory of Delayed Recognition stage of A-SB, we define the Dogsleep of SBs, which mirrors that the instability of the Sleeping of SBs will generate a specific negative impact on Prince of A-SB and Awakening intensity. Besides, the literature bibliometric attributes cannot reflect the tendency of users to read academic papers, which again proves that the traditional citation index cannot be neglected in the awakening mechanism of A-SB. Overall, this study demonstrates the addition of the Altmetrics indexes as a useful complement, illustrating the inheritance and connection between the SBs based on the comprehensive trajectory and the SBs based on the citation diffusion trajectory.
Sex difference in the association of obesity with personal or social background among urban residents in Japan
Authors: Asahara Shun-ichiro , Miura Hiroshi , Ogawa Wataru , Tamori Yoshikazu
Published: November 2020

The development of obesity is influenced by genetic and environmental factors and is associated with a variety of health problems. To gain insight into environmental factors that contribute to obesity, we analyzed the relation of personal or social background to obesity in men and women separately with the use of data from a community-based questionnaire survey of 5425 residents aged 20 to 64 years of Kobe, a representative large city in Japan. Obesity and normal weight were defined as a body mass index (BMI) of ≥25 and of ≥ 18.5 and < 25 kg/m2, respectively, according to the diagnostic criteria of the Japan Society for the Study of Obesity. The personal or social background factors examined included marital status, family structure, employment, household income, residence type, welfare enrollment, economic conditions of current life, educational level, extracurricular activity in school, living conditions at 15 years of age, and childhood adversity. We found that the prevalence of obesity was 27.2% and 10.6% in men and women, respectively. Among women, unmarried status, a low household income, welfare enrollment, difficult current economic conditions, a low educational level, and childhood adversity were associated with obesity, whereas none of the personal or social background factors examined were associated with obesity in men. Our results suggest that the development of obesity in women is strongly influenced by personal or social background, and such factors should be taken into consideration in the management of this condition in women.
Anatomy of the right upper lobe revisited and clinical considerations in Chinese population
Authors: Chen Yan , Guo Ying , Mi Weidong , Zhang Changsheng , Wang Hong , Zhao Dexu , Cao Jiangbei
Published: November 2020

Objective

The anatomy of the tracheobronchial tree differs among not only various races but also individual ethnic groups. Different lengths of the right mainstem bronchus (RMSB) had been described in previous publications. Since the differences in the anatomy of the RMSB and right upper lobe bronchus (RUB) may have clinical relevance when selecting devices, specifically, the right-side double lumen tube (R-DLT) for lung isolation, we revisited the anatomy of the right upper lobe in a large scale Chinese population.

Methods

In this retrospective cohort study, we reviewed 2093 consecutive adult patients undergoing thoracic computed tomography (CT) scans from data base in our hospital. Demographic characteristics were collected. The lengths, internal diameters, and angles of the RMSB and RUB were measured using reconstructive CT images. The correlations between the demographic variables and the RMSB length and diameters were also analyzed.

Results

The incidence of the aberrant RUB originated equal or above the tracheal carina was 8.1‰. 52.3% of the patients had a length of RMSB less than 23 mm, and the incidence of RMSB length <23 mm in women was significantly higher than that in men (63.5% vs. 42.8%,p =0.000). The right bronchial length (RBL) was less than 10 mm in 21% of cases (17.8% in men and 24.8% in women, respectively,p =0.000). Both the RMSB lengths and diameters had poor correlations with the heights in either male or female patients.

Conclusion

A much higher incidence of a shortened RMSB potentially make placement of a R-DLT more difficult in Chinese population. Both the lengths and diameters of the RMSB cannot be predicted by the height. Preoperative thoracic CT scan for each patient helps optimizing the selection of a lung isolation device, and the importance of an evaluation of the CT scans preoperatively by the anesthesiologists should be emphasized.
The nexus between environmental tax and carbon emissions with the roles of environmental technology and financial development
Authors: Bashir Muhammad Farhan , MA Benjiang , Shahbaz Muhammad , Jiao Zhilun
Published: November 2020

This study evaluates the impacts of renewable energy, environmental taxes, environmental technology, and financial development on carbon emissions in OECD economies from 1995 to 2015 by employing system-GMM and quantile regression approaches. Our empirical analysis indicates that environmental tax negatively affects carbon emissions; economic growth impedes environmental quality by increasing carbon emissions. Further, renewable energy consumption, environmental technology, and financial development improve environmental quality by decreasing carbon emissions. We suggest that changes in policymaking to promote sustainable economic growth and environmental quality should be prevent environmental degradation, but also inspire greater investments in new technologies and energy expertise in the renewables industry.
Modeling statin myopathy in a human skeletal muscle microphysiological system
Authors: Ananthakumar Anandita , Liu Yiling , Fernandez Cristina E. , Truskey George A. , Voora Deepak
Published: November 2020

Statins are used to lower cholesterol and prevent cardiovascular disease. Musculoskeletal side effects known as statin associated musculoskeletal symptoms (SAMS), are reported in up to 10% of statin users, necessitating statin therapy interruption and increasing cardiovascular disease risk. We tested the hypothesis that, when exposed to statins ex vivo, engineered human skeletal myobundles derived from individuals with (n = 10) or without (n = 14) SAMS and elevated creatine-kinase levels exhibit statin-dependent muscle defects. Myoblasts were derived from muscle biopsies of individuals (median age range of 62–64) with hyperlipidemia with (n = 10) or without (n = 14) SAMS. Myobundles formed from myoblasts were cultured with growth media for 4 days, low amino acid differentiation media for 4 days, then dosed with 0 and 5μM of statins for 5 days. Tetanus forces were subsequently measured. To model the change of tetanus forces among clinical covariates, a mixed effect model with fixed effects being donor type, statin concentration, statin type and their two way interactions (donor type*statin concentration and donor type* statin type) and the random effect being subject ID was applied. The results indicate that statin exposure significantly contributed to decrease in force (P<0.001) and the variability in data (R2C [R square conditional] = 0.62). We found no significant differences in force between myobundles from patients with/without SAMS, many of whom had chronic diseases. Immunofluorescence quantification revealed a positive correlation between the number of straited muscle fibers and tetanus force (R2 = 0.81,P = 0.015) and negative correlation between number of fragmented muscle fibers and tetanus force (R2 = 0.482,P = 0.051) with no differences between donors with or without SAMS. There is also a correlation between statin exposure and presence of striated fibers (R2 = 0.833, P = 0.047). In patient-derived myobundles, statin exposure results in myotoxicity disrupting SAA organization and reducing force. We were unable to identify differences in ex vivo statin myotoxicity in this system. The results suggest that it is unlikely that there is inherent susceptibility to or persistent effects of statin myopathy using patient-derived myobundles.
Factors influencing the performance of community health workers: A qualitative study of Anganwadi Workers from Bihar, India
Authors: John Aparna , Nisbett Nicholas , Barnett Inka , Avula Rasmi , Menon Purnima
Published: November 2020

Globally, there remain significant knowledge and evidence gaps around how to support Community Health Worker (CHW) programmes to achieve high coverage and quality of interventions. India’s Integrated Child Development Services scheme employs the largest CHW cadre in the world—Anganwadi Workers (AWWs). However, factors influencing the performance of these workers remain under researched. Lessons from it have potential to impact on other large scale global CHW programmes. A qualitative study of AWWs in the Indian state of Bihar was conducted to identify key drivers of performance in 2015. In-depth interviews were conducted with 30 AWWs; data was analysed using both inductive and deductive thematic analysis. The study adapted and contextualised existing frameworks on CHW performance, finding that factors affecting performance occur at the individual, community, programme and organisational levels, including factors not previously identified in the literature. Individual factors include initial financial motives and family support; programme factors include beneficiaries’ and AWWs’ service preferences and work environment; community factors include caste dynamics and community and seasonal migration; and organisational factors include corruption. The initial motives of the worker (the need to retain a job for family financial needs) and community expectations (for product-oriented services) ensure continued efforts even when her motivation is low. The main constraints to performance remain factors outside of her control, including limited availability of programme resources and challenging relationships shaped by caste dynamics, seasonal migration, and corruption. Programme efforts to improve performance (such as incentives, working conditions and supportive management) need to consider these complex, inter-related multiple determinants of performance. Our findings, including new factors, contribute to the global literature on factors affecting the performance of CHWs and have wide application.
Preparation and characterization of monoclonal antibodies recognizing two CD4 isotypes of Microminipigs
Authors: Ohshima Shino , Matsubara Tatsuya , Miyamoto Asuka , Shigenari Atsuko , Imaeda Noriaki , Takasu Masaki , Tanaka Masafumi , Shiina Takashi , Suzuki Shingo , Hirayama Noriaki , Kitagawa Hitoshi , Kulski Jerzy K. , Ando Asako , Kametani Yoshie
Published: November 2020

Cluster of differentiation 4 (CD4) molecule expressed on the leukocytes is known to function as a co-receptor for class II major histocompatibility complex (MHC) binding to T cell receptor (TCR) on helper T cells. We previously identified two CD4 alleles (CD4.A and CD4.B) in a Microminipig population based on nucleotide sequencing and PCR detection of their gene sequences. However, CD4.B protein expression was not examined because of the unavailability of a reactive antibody to a CD4.B epitope. In this study, we have produced two swine-specific monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against CD4.B molecules, one that recognizes only CD4.B (b1D7) and the other that recognizes both the CD4.A and CD4.B alleles (x1E10) and that can be used to distinguish CD4 T cell subsets by flow cytometry and immunohistochemistry. Using these two mAbs, we identified CD4.A and CD4.B allele-specific proteins on the surface of CD4.A (+/+) and CD4.B (+/+) T cells at a similar level of expression. Moreover, stimulation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) derived from CD4.A (+/+) and CD4.B (+/+) swine with toxic shock syndrome toxin-1 (TSST-1)in vitrosimilarly activated both groups of cells that exhibited a slight increase in the CD4/CD8 double positive (DP) cell ratio. A large portion of the DP cells from the allelic CD4.A (+/+) and CD4.B (+/+) groups enhanced the total CD4 and class I swine leukocyte antigen (SLA) expression. The x1E10 mAb delayed and reduced the TSST-1-induced activation of CD4 T cells. Thus, CD4.B appears to be a functional protein whose expression on activated T cells is analogous to CD4.A.
Exploring the dimensions of patient experience for community-based care programmes in a multi-ethnic Asian context
Authors: Foo Chuan De , Tan Yan Lin , Shrestha Pami , Eh Ke Xin , Ang Ian Yi Han , Nurjono Milawaty , Toh Sue-Anne , Shiraz Farah
Published: November 2020

Introduction

The aim of this study is to explore patients’ experiences with community-based care programmes (CCPs) and develop dimensions of patient experience salient to community-based care in Singapore. Most countries like Singapore are transforming its healthcare system from a hospital-centric model to a person-centered community-based care model to better manage the increasing chronic disease burden resulting from an ageing population. It is thus critical to understand the impact of hospital to community transitions from the patients’ perspective. The exploration of patient experience will guide the development of an instrument for the evaluation of CCPs for quality improvement purposes.

Methods

A qualitative exploratory study was conducted where face-to-face in-depth interviews were conducted using a purposive sampling method with patients enrolled in CCPs. In total, 64 participants aged between 41 to 94 years were recruited. A deductive framework was developed using the Picker Patient Experience instrument to guide our analysis. Inductive coding was also conducted which resulted in emergence of new themes.

Results

Our findings highlighted eight key themes of patient experience: i) ensuring care continuity, ii) involvement of family, iii) access to emotional support, vi) ensuring physical comfort, v) coordination of services between providers, vi) providing patient education, vii) importance of respect for patients, and viii) healthcare financing.

Conclusion

Our results demonstrated that patient experience is multi-faceted, and dimensions of patient experience vary according to healthcare settings. As most patient experience frameworks were developed based on a single care setting in western populations, our findings can inform the development of a culturally relevant instrument to measure patient experience of community-based care for a multi-ethnic Asian context.
Experiencing social connection: A qualitative study of mothers of nonspeaking autistic children
Authors: Jaswal Vikram K. , Dinishak Janette , Stephan Christine , Akhtar Nameera
Published: November 2020

Autistic children do not consistently show conventional signs of social engagement, which some have interpreted to mean that they are not interested in connecting with other people. If someone does not act like they are interested in connecting with you, it may make it difficult to feel connected to them. And yet, some parents report feeling strongly connected to their autistic children. We conducted phenomenological interviews with 13 mothers to understand how they experienced connection with their 5- to 14-year-old nonspeaking autistic children. Mothers of nonspeaking autistic children represent a unique group in which to study connection because their children both may not seem interested in connecting with them and have limited ability to communicate effectively using speech, a common way people connect with each other. The mothers in this study interpreted a range of child behaviors—some unconventional, but many conventional—as signs that their children were interested in connecting with them, (re)framed child behaviors that could undermine connection as caused by factors unrelated to the relationship, and expressed several convictions that may help build and sustain connection in the face of uncertainty about the meaning of their children’s behavior. Even though their autistic children may not consistently act in conventional socially oriented ways, these mothers reported perceiving their children’s behavior as embedded within an emotionally reciprocal relationship.