bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
АНАЛІЗ ЕНЕРГЕТИЧНИХ ХАРАКТЕРИСТИК БУДІВЛІ НАВЧАЛЬНОГО КОРПУСУ СКЛАДНОЇ КОНФІГУРАЦІЇ ІЗ РОЗРОБКОЮ ПРОПОЗИЦІЙ ПО ПІДВИЩЕННЮ ЕНЕРГОЕФЕКТИВНОСТІ
Authors: SHOVKALIUK MARYNA , VASHCHYSHYN ROMAN
Published: January 2022

There are many approaches to assessing the energy performance of buildings. In Ukraine, previously, when developing the energy passport of buildings, a method based on stationary calculations using degree-days of the heating period was used. Then, for the tasks of energy certification of buildings, a national calculation method based on the monthly quasi-stationary method was introduced. The simplified hourly method of calculation allows to consider thermal inertia of protections. In recent years, the methods of dynamic energy modeling using software packages have become increasingly relevant, because it allows at the preliminary design stage to estimate energy costs for different building needs before and after the implementation of energy efficiency projects and provides the ability to create 3D models based on geometric and thermal parameters, tasks of different configurations and types of engineering systems of the building. To build an energy model, a training building was chosen to determine energy consumption indicators and identify measures that have the greatest impact on the energy performance of the building.Purpose. Evaluation of energy characteristics of the educational building of a higher education institution with modeling of energy consumption in specialized software, technical and economic evaluation of opportunities to increase energy efficiency.Research methods. Energy inspection of the object of research and technical and economic analysis with the use of engineering methods of calculation, experimental measurements of the parameters of the microclimate of the building with the use of laboratory equipment were performed. Simulations are used in specialized software products RETScreen, EnergyPlus, DesignBuilder.Result. With the help of the developed models the structure of energy consumption of the educational building is obtained and the assessment of energy saving potential is carried out; in case of implementation of the proposed measures it is expected to reduce the consumption of energy resources and monetary costs for their payment, as well as improve the quality of educational services. The research was conducted as part of a master's thesis.Scientific novelty. The technical potential of this software for modeling the energy performance of a building of complex configuration on the example of the educational building of the educational institution, analyzed the methods of processing initial data for programs, comparative analysis of calculation results for the actual condition of the building, baseline and after implementing energy saving measures.Practical significance. As a result of the research, the potential of using different software packages to perform applied research of the master's dissertation was determined and a project of complex thermal modernization of the building of the educational building was developed.
АЛГОРИТМ ПРОЕКТУВАННЯ АВТОМАТИЗОВАНИХ ЗМІШУВАЛЬНИХ КОМПЛЕКСІВ БЕЗПЕРЕРВНОЇ ДІЇ ДЛЯ СИПКИХ МАТЕРІАЛІВ
Authors: BURMISTENKOV OLEKSANDR , BILA TETIANA , STATSENKO VOLODYMYR
Published: January 2022

Purpose. Creation of design algorithm of continuous action mixing complexes that will allow defining parameters of the equipment proceeding from requirements to quality, productivity and the set compounding of mixture.Methodology. The method of discrete elements, classical mechanics positions, theory of solids contact interaction, method of mathematical modeling are used in the work.Findings. The paper proposes a generalized algorithm for designing a continuous mixing complex for bulk materials. The procedure for designing a centrifugal mixer, the flow shapers, plate feeders and conical-cylindrical hoppers are presented. Calculations of design and technological parameters are carried out on the basis of information about the physical and mechanical properties of bulk components particles, requirements for equipment performance and the mixture homogeneity. The results of calculations of the mixing complex for the three-component mixture used for the production of polyethylene film are presented. To test the proposed algorithm, a mathematical model based on the discrete elements method is created. The mixing process is modeled and the coefficients of inhomogeneity of each of the components in the finished mixture are determined. The obtained results confirmed that the proposed algorithm allows to determine the parameters of the mixing complex, which ensure compliance with the specified requirements for the quality and the equipment performance.Originality. Mathematical models of bulk motion dynamics in mixing complexes are improved, which include bunker devices, plate feeders, flow shapers and continuous centrifugal mixer, taking into account the bulk motion discrete nature.Practical value. The obtained results allow calculating the design and technological parameters of the equipment that is a part of the continuous mixing complex according to the set productivity, recipe and requirements to the mixture homogeneity.
РОЗРИВАЛЬНІ ХАРАКТЕРИСТИКИ КОМПЛЕКСНОЇ ПОЛІЕТИЛЕНОВОЇ НИТКИ
Authors: BOBROVA SVITLANA , DMYTRYK OKSANA , HALAVSKA LIUDMYLA , YELINA TETIANA
Published: January 2022

Purpose. To investigate the influence of the number of threads resisting to break, the griping length, and the change in the position of the interlacing point when threading with a loop the breaking characteristics of complex polyethylene threads in the form of a loop.Methodology. In the course of the research, experimental research methods were used to determine the breaking characteristics of high molecular weight polyethylene threads on a WDW-5ES tensile machine in accordance with DSTU ISO 2062: 2004, the main provisions of textile materials science and knitting theory, methods of analysis and synthesis of the results obtained. Results. Based on the results of the studies, the influence of different factors on the breaking characteristics of complex multifilament threads was determined, namely: the influence of the number of threads resting on the break, the griping length and the change in the position of the weave point when threading with a loop. In the course of research, the griping length was changed in the range from 25mm to 300mm, and with a stable griping length (100 mm), the location of the thread weave point relative to the lower grip (25mm, 50mm, 75mm) was changed. It has been found that the breaking characteristics of a complex polyethylene yarn are influenced by both the griping length and the location of the weave point in the case of a loop-shaped break. The magnitude of the specific breaking force in the study of loop-shaped rupture is greater than in the study of straight segments of the thread. This is due to parallelization and compaction of the filaments due to the presence of the weave point on the thread that resists tearing. Scientific novelty. Regularities of the effect of griping length, linear density, and location of the point of weave of the complex high molecular threads in relation to the downer and upper grip are established provided that the griping length (100 mm) remains unchanged on the value of breaking load and elongation.Practical significance. Determination of the factors affecting the breaking characteristics of a complex polyethylene yarn will allow in the future, at the stage of designing the structure of knitwear in computer 3D modeling systems, to provide for the magnitude of the breaking force.
ВПЛИВ МЕХАНІЧНОЇ АКТИВАЦІЇ НА РОЗМІРНІ ХАРАКТЕРИСТИКИ ТА ФОРМУ ЧАСТИНОК ГЛИНОПОРОШКІВ РІЗНОГО ТИПУ
Authors: BUDASH YURII , TARASENKO NATALIA , PLAVAN VIKTORIIA , ZATOLOKIN MYKOLA , SHYLINTSEVA TATIANA
Published: January 2022

Purpose. Determination of the influence of the process of preliminary mechanical activation on the dimensional characteristics and shape of particles of different types of clay powders.Methodology. Clay powders of montmorillonite and palygorskite type were chosen as the objects of research in this work. The process of mechanical activation of clay powders was carried out using a laboratory ball mill. For microanalysis of sample particles, the method of optical polarizing microscopy was used. Morphometric analysis of clay powder particles was performed by image analysis using the ImageJ software. At the same time, the area and perimeter were determined, and the equivalent diameter and also the shape index of the particles of the samples were calculated. The experimental data were statistically processed using the Statistica and Excel software packages.Results. The paper investigates the effect of the process of mechanical activation on the dimensional characteristics and shape of particles of montmorillonite and palygorskite type clay powders. It was found that the decrease in the average values of the equivalent particle diameter in the process of mechanical action (~14–15%) is realized mainly due to the destruction of their largest aggregates. Moreover, the intensity of this process is noticeably higher for clay of the montmorillonite type. It is shown that for both studied samples, the process of mechanical activation leads to an increase in the average values of the particle shape index (~ by 9–10%) and an increase in the uniformity of their distribution by this index.Scientific novelty. Using a detailed morphometric analysis of particles of various types of clay powders, the regularities of the influence of the mechanical activation process on the quantitative statistical characteristics of their distribution over the equivalent diameter and shape index have been established.Practical value. The results obtained will make it possible to reasonably approach the choice of pretreatment methods for clay powders intended for the production of polymer filled nanocomposite materials.
ФІНАНСОВА БЕЗПЕКА ПІДПРИЄМСТВА ТА НАУКОВО-МЕТОДИЧНИЙ ІНСТРУМЕНТАРІЙ ЇЇ ОЦІНЮВАННЯ
Authors: Кремень Ольга Іванівна , Барвітська Юлія Вячеславівна , Кремень Вікторія Михайлівна
Published: January 2022

The article attempts to tackle theoretical and methodological issues related to enhanced understanding of the nature of enterprise financial security as well as the use and the selection of research and methodological tools for its evaluation. An emphasis is put that in the current vulnerable economic environment, domestic enterprises are greatly challenged by a wide range of risks and threats caused by a number of negative effects from external and internal factors. It is argued that the lack of argument and consistency in building a robust financial security framework for business entities might translate into a drop in revenues and profits, loss of liquidity, solvency and financial independence, along with spurring unreasonable amounts of receivables and payables and, consequently, triggering a crisis situation. The purpose of this research is to explore modern analytical, financial, economic and statistical tools to assess the enterprise financial security and to enclose its advantages, disadvantages and applicability in the financial management context. Within the scope of this research, the enterprise financial security is viewed as a particular enterprise state characterized by the most efficient use of resources, profitability, and financial stability which acting together contribute to gaining a successful business performance, eliminating the negative effects from external and internal destabilizing factors over an indefinite period of time. According to the research findings, to assess the enterprise financial security, it is suggested employing a research and methodological toolkit based on the cash flow analysis, evaluation of financial stability, financial indicators, resource-based and functional approach, as well as implementation of integrated indicators. The conclusions of the study resume that given the different criteria and indicators embedded in different approaches (each of them having its pros and cons), to render a comprehensive and informative analysis, using a number of approaches to assess the level of enterprise financial security sounds reasonable enough and thus is strongly recommended.
СИСТЕМАТИЗАЦІЯ ВИТРАТОУТВОРЮЮЧИХ ЧИННИКІВ ДЛЯ УПРАВЛІННЯ ВИТРАТАМИ ПІДПРИЄМСТВА НА ТАКТИЧНОМУ ТА СТРАТЕГІЧНОМУ РІВНЯХ
Authors: Радіонова Наталія Йосипівна , Скрипник Маргарита Іванівна
Published: January 2022

The article attempts to substantiate the key approaches to the systematization of cost-driving factors from the enterprise cost management perspective (tactical and strategic) and offers a definition to a factor concept. The study presents the existing scientific approaches to the classification of cost drivers as well as an interpretation of cost-driving factors. Groups of structural factors within internal and external environment that affect enterprise costing have been identified along with revealing the character of such influence, i.e. whether they provide a direct indirect effect on the company expenditures. Given the tactical and strategic management objectives, the authors suggest systematization of all cost drivers into two groups. In particular, tactical management covers the following factors: output scale, product range, company cost management methods, qualification of personnel, and depreciation accrual. Within the scope of this study, strategically critical factors are represented by organizational business pattern of production, technology level, lack of brand awareness for domestic products, inflation rate, average salary range, low solvency, high costs for raw materials and energy, high tolls, import dependency, strong market competition, low demand, lack of government support, excessive tax burden, frequent changes in tax legislation, high loan interest rates, unfavourable investment environment, poor networking between domestic enterprises in complementary industries, small share of medium-sized businesses or small business alliances. In addition, in the frameworks of strategic cost management, the study offers to classify the cost drivers into the following groups: economic, market- or tax-based, financial and systemic. Apart from that, the relationship between individual cost-driving factors has been revealed. The findings argue that strategic cost management has a number of limitations associated with certain challenges to attain accuracy in forecasting change in factors for successive periods.
ЗНАЧЕННЯ ІНФРАСТРУКТУРНОГО ЗАБЕЗПЕЧЕННЯ ІННОВАЦІЙНО-ІНВЕСТИЦІЙНИХ ПРОЦЕСІВ У РОЗВИТКУ СІЛЬСЬКИХ ТЕРИТОРІЙ В УМОВАХ КОНКУРЕНТНОЇ ЕКОНОМІКИ
Authors: Петрецький Іван Іванович
Published: January 2022

The article provides insights into implications of modern competitive economy for the national economic development and argues that in the new business realia it is critical to search for internal reserves for socioeconomic growth at all levels of administrative and territorial entities including socioeconomic development of rural areas based on natural, technological, human and other factors aimed at attaining competitive advantages. The study demonstrates that in the context of innovation and investment processes, building appropriate infrastructure is the priority objective to boost rural areas development. Such approach will contribute to creating an attractive investment environment, shaping an innovative structure of rural areas able to provide a full chain of creating and disseminating innovations and new technologies in production, enhance investment and innovation capacity of rural areas, modernization and change of territorial industries. The study identifies the terms and determinants in building effective infrastructure support for facilitating innovation and investment process of rural development and its properties that arise within the competitive economy paradigm. Apart from that, the study presents a framework of endogenous and exogenous factors affecting the infrastructure support for innovation and investment processes to foster rural development in Ukraine. The following factors are discussed as the most critical ones: legal, financial, investment-based, organizational, managerial, psychological, motivational, economic, consulting, informational, professional, scientific, industrial, technological, marketing, socioeconomic, etc. The summary outlines the key vectors of institutional, organizational and economic transformation that will promote building effective infrastructure support for further innovative development of rural areas.
The Bright Future of Democracy is in Education
Authors: Papanikos Gregory T.
Published: January 2022

Does democracy have a bright future? This brief paper addresses this question and argues, that, thanks to Prometheus, political “animals” can build a better-managed corral for their common living which includes a better provision of education for all “animals.” A historical analysis of the long past may be used to discern what lies ahead. Democracy requires education and virtue, or to put it in one word, it requires pedagogy. The higher the level of pedagogy, the closer a politeia would come to an ideal democracy. Sometimes democracy is confused with equality in everything. Political “animals” are not equal, and political systems which treat people with different abilities equally have no future. An ideal society should discriminate according to levels of education obtained and the acquisition of material wealth. If the politeia is ideal, then each citizen has the same opportunity to become more educated and wealthier. In this free competition of being educated and the acquisition of individually made material wealth, ideal societies can flourish as Hesiod postulated in the 8th Century BCE and become stable despite Polybius’ predictions in the 2nd-1st Century BCE of the inevitable historical cyclicality of political systems. Keywords: education, pedagogy, democracy, oligarchy, monarchy, ochlocracy, tyranny, ideal politeia, Polybius
Ethics Teaching in Education for Sustainable Development
Authors: Samuelsson Lars , Lindström Niclas
Published: January 2022

Education for sustainable development (ESD) is nowadays internationally considered an important aspect of the overall education of children and young people in the world. It is included among the goals of the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Besides its content – sustainable development – ESD is also characterized by its emphasis on a democratic and participatory educational procedure. In this paper, we show how both these aspects of ESD – its content and procedure – reveal the importance of bringing ethical considerations into ESD, as well as provide challenges for ethics teaching in ESD. Keywords: education for sustainable development (ESD), sustainable development, ethics education, teaching ethics, participatory education, controversial issues
SWEET POTATO CREAM SOUP AS AN ALTERNATIVE HEALTHY BREAKFAST MENU
Authors: Mahmudatussa'adah Ai , Setiawati Tati , Sudewi  , Ade Juwaedah
Published: January 2022

Breakfast is an important thing for everyone. Breakfast requires a complete nutritional composition. Cream of sweet potato soup is an alternative to a proper healthy meal. Sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas L) contains carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals, fiber, oligosaccharides, and other phytochemicals that are good for health. Sweet potato production is very abundant, but its utilization is not maximal yet. The purpose of this research was to produce sweet potato cream soup. The study was done by experimental method and organoleptic test by using Quantitative Descriptive Analysis (QDA) method and evaluation of the final product by using a hedonic method. The steps in this study include prescription cream soup analysis, focus group discussion (FGD), trial and evaluation with QDA method, the final product is tested receiving power by using hedonic test. The results showed cream of sweet potato soup has nutritional adequacy as a breakfast menu, has the characteristics of savory, shiny, sweet potato and spice. Cream of sweet potato soup is favored bay panels. Thus cream of sweet potato soup is perfect for a healthy breakfast.
LAND ISSUE AND MAIN TASKS OF DIGITAL POWER: PHILOSOPHICAL AND ANTHROPOLOGICAL UNDERSTANDING OF CHALLENGES
Authors:   Institute of Philosophy of Russian Academy of Sciences (Moscow)., Pronin M.A.
Published: January 2022

The land issue is a key point of any revolution; the digital revolution is no exception. The change of civilization, which should happen with the advent of digitalization, is considered by the author from the point of view of philosophical anthropology on the precedent of a peasant-man (farmer). It is shown that understanding the limits of the transformation of land, labour, capital (the factors of production), using the example of agriculture and its digitalization, can become a guideline in calculating the anthropological characteristics of modern civilization processes. On the basis of this thesis, the main philosophical and anthropological challenges are formulated.
HOW IS A PHILOSOPHICAL ANTHROPOLOGY POSSIBLE, OR ABOUT THE ROLE OF PHILOSOPHICAL PRUDUENCE AND FORESIGHT IN MODERN HUMANITIES
Authors:   Aegis of the President of the Republic of Belarus (Minsk, Belarus)., Tchouechov V.I.
Published: January 2022

The article deals with the features of philosophical prudence and foresight as a methodological and world-view reflection of the presuppositions of modern humanity and its role in the critical analysis of modern scientific facts and arguments about human’s nature, essence and existence developed by the founder of the St. Petersburg school of philosophical anthropology B.V. Markov and also shows its originality in comparing with approaches in Western humanities
СТАНОВЛЕНИЕ МЕТОДОЛОГИИ ПОЗНАНИЯ В СОЦИАЛЬНО-ГУМАНИТАРНЫХ НАУКАХ И ГУМАНИЗМ
Authors:   Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia (Moscow)., Nizhnikov S.A. , Orekhov A.M. ,   Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia (Moscow).
Published: January 2022

The article discusses the formation of the methodology of cognition in socio-humanitarian sciences, its budding from natural science knowledge, and its connection with the concept of humanism. The authors substantiate the possibility of applying the concept of “scientific revolution” to social and humanitarian knowledge, highlighting two of its historical stages: “naturalistic” and “hermeneutic”. At the same time, the peculiarity and features of knowledge in humanitarian sciences reveals and their “ontology” unfolds. As a result of this “revolution” two types of ontology were formed: social and humanitarian. The authors consider humanism as a starting point for the formation of a humanitarian and humanistic ontology, and here they move from formal analysis to meaningful one, defining both the concept of humanism and its possible variations. First of all, its New-European version stands out – anthropocentric (Renaissance), and theoanthropocentric – Eastern Christian, hesychast (Byzantine). The specificity of the author's approach lies in the fact that an attempt is being made to fill the humanitarian ontology with humanistic content, having considered the problems associated with the concept of humanism. The diversity of the content of humanism, which is determined by the dominant culture, is affirmed; the crisis of humanism in modern times is revealed and the need to restore the torn unity of humanism with humanity is expressed. It is concluded that the study of the concept of the scientific revolution in the social and humanitarian sciences can contribute to the further development of not only humanitarian, but also humanistic ontology.
GREED AS A FACTOR IN THE HISTORICAL PROCESS
Authors:   Amur State University of Humanities and Pedagogy (Komsomolsk-on-Amur)., Livshits R.L.
Published: January 2022

Greed is regarded as a human characteristic that occurs naturally in the course of social evolution. Under capitalism, unlimited desire of possession acts as the main motive of economic and any other activity, which leads to a number of objective technical, ecological, social, cultural and moral consequences – both positive and extremely negative. Greed has influenced the development of civilization constructively but it slowing down the social process increasingly in the modern era. Greed should be taken away from the historical stage. Curbing the demon of greed is required not only for the modern world reality, but also for the challenges that are expected by humanity in the future. The experience of the Soviet project implementing, based on an appeal to the over-utilitarian motives of the individual, demonstrates the objective possibility of building a collectivist society in which greed is perceived not as a norm, but as a deviation.
CIVILIZATION ANALYSIS OF POWER IN GENDER RELATIONS
Authors:   Russian Academy of Sciences (St. Petersburg), Gergilov R.E.
Published: January 2022

The article examines the balance of power between the sexes. It is noted that today it is required to demonstrate in intimate relationships more warmth and tenderness and less aggressiveness and lust for power. At the same time, the potential for conflict increases, causing sexual boredom, frustration or violence. With the help of the mass media and the growth of the meaning of selfrealization, subcultures arise that thematize the specific experience of bodily affects and sexual practices that allow the participants of the subculture to avoid everyday life, weaken self-control and become free from coercion.
Filaments and four ordered structures inside a neuron fire a thousand times faster than the membrane: theory and experiment
Authors: Singh Pushpendra , Sahoo Pathik , Ghosh Subrata , Saxena Komal , Manna Jhimli Sarkar , Ray Kanad , Krishnananda Soami Daya , Poznanski Roman R , Bandyopadhyay Anirban
Published: January 2022

The current action potential paradigm considers that all components beneath the neuron membrane are inconsequential. Filamentary communication is less known to the ionic signal transmission; recently, we have proposed that the two are intimately linked through time domains. We modified the atom probe-connected dielectric resonance scanner to operate in two-time domains, milliseconds and microseconds simultaneously for the first time. We resonate the ions for imaging rather than neutralizing them as patch clamps do; resonant transmission images the ion flow 103 times faster than the existing methods. We revisited action potential-related events by scanning in and around the axon initial segment (AIS). Four ordered structures in the cytoskeletal filaments exchange energy ~250 μs before a neuron fires, editing spike-time-gap—key to the brain’s cognition. We could stop firing above a threshold or initiate a fire by wirelessly pumping electromagnetic signals. We theoretically built AIS, whose simulated electromagnetic energy exchange matched the experiment. Thus far, the scanner could detect & link uncorrelated biological events unfolding over 106 orders in the time scale simultaneously. Our experimental findings support a new dielectric resonator model of neuron functioning in various time domains, thus suggesting the dynamic anatomy of electrical activity as information-rich.
Deep learning-based EEG analysis: investigating P3 ERP components
Authors: Borra Davide   , Magosso Elisa  
Published: January 2022

The neural processing of incoming stimuli can be analysed from the electroencephalogram (EEG) through event-related potentials (ERPs). The P3 component is largely investigated as it represents an important psychophysiological marker of psychiatric disorders. This is composed by several subcomponents, such as P3a and P3b, reflecting distinct but interrelated sensory and cognitive processes of incoming stimuli. Due to the low EEG signal-to-noise-ratio, ERPs emerge only after an averaging procedure across trials and subjects. Thus, this canonical ERP analysis lacks in the ability to highlight EEG neural signatures at the level of single-subject and single-trial. In this study, a deep learning-based workflow is investigated to enhance EEG neural signatures related to P3 subcomponents already at single-subject and at single-trial level. This was based on the combination of a convolutional neural network (CNN) with an explanation technique (ET). The CNN was trained using two different strategies to produce saliency representations enhancing signatures shared across subjects or more specific for each subject and trial. Cross-subject saliency representations matched the signatures already emerging from ERPs, i.e., P3a and P3b-related activity within 350–400 ms (frontal sites) and 400–650 ms (parietal sites) post-stimulus, validating the CNN+ET respect to canonical ERP analysis. Single-subject and single-trial saliency representations enhanced P3 signatures already at the single-trial scale, while EEG-derived representations at single-subject and single-trial level provided no or only mildly evident signatures. Empowering the analysis of P3 modulations at single-subject and at single-trial level, CNN+ET could be useful to provide insights about neural processes linking sensory stimulation, cognition and behaviour.
Ginsenoside Rb1 attenuates lipopolysaccharide-induced neural damage in the brain of mice via regulating the dysfunction of microglia and astrocytes
Authors: Zhang Huiming , Chen Xue , Wang Xi , Liu Ying , Sands Charles. D. , Tang Minke
Published: January 2022

The purpose of our research was to evaluate whether ginsenoside Rb1 has neuroprotective effects against lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced brain injury. ICR mice were intraperitoneally (i.p.) injected with 20 or 40 mg/kg Rb1 or saline for 7 consecutive days. On the 7th day, 30 minutes after Rb1 or saline administration, a single dose of LPS (LPS group, Rb1+LPS group) or saline (control group) was injected i.p. into the mice. Results demonstrated that Rb1 treatment could significantly improve the behavior performance of LPS mice in both the open field test and the beam walking test. Rb1 can also markedly attenuate the neuronal lesion in both hippocampus and somatosensory cortex in the brain of LPS mice. In addition, Rb1 treatment also significantly inhibits the LPS-induced neuroinflammation in the brain, indicated by reduced reactive microglia and decreased IL-1β production. Both immunostaining and western blot results suggest that Rb1 can further enhance the LPS-induced GLT-1 expression and alleviate LPS-induced GS reduction in the brain. Our findings show that Rb1 has a protective effect on LPS-induced neuronal damage in the CA1 of the hippocampus and in the somatosensory area of the cerebral cortex in mice, which is likely to be the basis for its improvement of locomotor and motor coordination. Rb1 regulating the function of astrocytes and microglia through GLT-1 and GS in astrocytes may be involved in its neuroprotective effects.
Neurofilament light as a biomarker of axonal degeneration in patients with mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Chen Yi , Therriault Joseph , Luo Jing , Ba Maowen , Zhang Hua , Initiative Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging
Published: January 2022

Cerebrospinal fluid neurofilament light and plasma neurofilament light concentrations are elevated in patients with mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer’s disease. We investigated the clinical relevance of increased neurofilament light concentrations in mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer’s disease patients. In this study, 244 subjects were divided into cognitively normal control (n = 67), stable mild cognitive impairment (n = 52), progressive mild cognitive impairment (n = 68), and Alzheimer’s disease (n = 57). Linear regression examined the relationships between neurofilament light levels in cerebrospinal fluid or plasma and the diagnostic group. The relationships between neurofilament light and other biomarkers were assessed by Spearman correlation. Linear mixed-effects models were used to test cerebrospinal fluid and plasma neurofilament light as predictors of Alzheimer’s disease characteristics, including cognition, cortical glucose metabolism, and brain structure. Cerebrospinal fluid and plasma neurofilament light levels were significantly elevated in Alzheimer’s disease. Still, the correlations between neurofilament light and other cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers within the diagnostic groups were often not statistically significant. In addition, the diagnostic accuracy of cerebrospinal fluid and plasma neurofilament light for progressive mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer’s disease was almost the same as that of cerebrospinal fluid total tau (T-tau). It is phosphorylated tau (P-tau) and high cerebrospinal fluid. Neurofilament light predicted conversion from mild cognitive impairment to Alzheimer’s disease. A high neurofilament light is related to poor cognition, low cerebral metabolism, hippocampal atrophy, and ventricular enlargement caused by Alzheimer’s disease. Our work further identifies cerebrospinal fluid neurofilament light and plasma neurofilament light as biomarkers of axonal degeneration in patients with mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer’s disease.
Repetitive binge-like consumption based on the Drinking-in-the-Dark model alters the microglial population in the mouse hippocampus
Authors: Nelson James C. , Greengrove Eva , Nwachukwu Kala N. , Grifasi Isabella R. , Marshall S. Alex
Published: January 2022

Alcoholism causes various maladaptations in the central nervous system, including the neuroimmune system. Studies of alcohol-induced dysregulation of the neuroimmune system generally focus on alcohol dependence and brain damage, but our previous research indicates that repetitive binge-like consumption perturbs cytokines independent of cell death. This paper extends that research by examining the impact of binge-like consumption on microglia in the hippocampus and the amygdala. Microglia were assessed using immunohistochemistry following binge-like ethanol consumption based on Drinking-in-the-Dark model. Immunohistochemistry results showed that binge-like ethanol consumption caused an increase in Iba-1 immunoreactivity and the number of Iba-1+ cells after one Drinking-in-the-Dark cycle. However, after three Drinking-in-the-Dark cycles, the number of microglia decreased in the hippocampus. We showed that in the dentate gyrus, the average immunoreactivity/cell was increased following ethanol exposure despite the decrease in number after three cycles. Likewise, Ox-42, an indicator of microglia activation, was upregulated after ethanol consumption. No significant effects on microglia number or immunoreactivity (Iba-1 nor Ox-42) were observed in the amygdala. Finally, ethanol caused an increase in the expression of the microglial gene Aif-1 during intoxication and ten days into abstinence, suggesting persistence of ethanol-induced upregulation of microglial genes. Altogether, these findings indicate that repetitive binge-like ethanol is sufficient to elicit changes in microglial reactivity. This altered neuroimmune state may contribute to the development of alcohol use disorders.
Avian nidopallium caudolaterale mediates decision-making during goal-directed navigation
Authors: Liu Xinyu , Yang Yang , Ping Yanna , Zhao Kun , Wang Dongyun , Xie Hang
Published: January 2022

Previous work demonstrates that nidopallium caudolaterale, which is considered to be an analog of the mammalian prefrontal cortex, participates in goal-directed navigation in pigeons. However, its role remains unclear. To clarify its role, two goal-directed navigation tasks in plus-maze were designed, in which the goal location of one is random, and the other is fixed, i.e., the random-goal task and the fixed-goal task. The animals were trained to run from the starting location to the goal location in accordance with the cue in the plus-maze. The goal location is variable for the random-goal task but unchanged for the fixed-goal task. The results have demonstrated that the time point of nidopallium caudolaterale neuron response is consistent with decision-making. During the decision-making, the firing rates significantly increased in two tasks, which can also decode the direction of upcoming movement in the random-goal task. However, the location of decision-making is different between the tasks mentioned above. The decision-making window is at the intersection in the random-goal task, which is a departure in the fixed-goal task. In addition, these results also provide evidence that the neural activities obtained from the nidopallium caudolaterale may contain the decision-making information during goal-directed navigation. These results suggest that the avian nidopallium caudolaterale and the mammalian prefrontal cortex may play a similar role in goal-directed spatial decision-making. Additionally, these also may provide some support to understand the neural mechanism of decision-making for different species.
A parsimonious laboratory system for the evaluation of rat reaching task: recovery from the massive destruction of motor areas
Authors: Manaka Youki , Ohno Yoichi , Horikoshi Akinori , Imamura Kazuyuki
Published: January 2022

The rat reaching task is one of the best paradigms from behavioral study of upper limb movements. Rats are trained to reach and grab a pellet by extending their hand through a vertical slit. A few conventional imaging systems specific for the rat reaching task are commercially available with a high installation cost. Based on image analysis of video recordings obtained during the reaching task, we, herewith, developed a new, low-cost laboratory system that can be used for the quantitative analysis of ten basic forearm movements, in contrast to subjective assessments used in previous studies. We quantified images of the pronated and supinated palm and the accuracy and speed of reaching the target. Applying this newly developed method, we compared the forearm movements during the reaching task before and after a massive anatomical lesion of the sensorimotor cortex performed by tissue aspiration. We also wanted to investigate the recovery of upper limb function possibly induced by repeating the task for a relatively short term of a few weeks. In the experiment, 7 injured groups and 3 control groups were used. We found characteristic abnormalities of the forearm movements and a significant recovery in the success rate of grasping the target pellet. The present results demonstrate that our method is straightforward for the quantitative evaluation of forearm movements during the reaching task primarily controlled by the sensorimotor cortex.
Improvement of depiction of the intracranial arteries on brain CT angiography using deep learning reconstruction
Authors: Otgonbaatar Chuluunbaatar , Ryu Jae-Kyun , Kim Seonkyu , Seo Jung Wook , Shim Hackjoon , Hwang Dae Hyun
Published: January 2022

To evaluate the ability of a commercialized deep learning reconstruction technique to depict intracranial vessels on the brain computed tomography angiography and compare the image quality with filtered-back-projection and hybrid iterative reconstruction in terms of objective and subjective measures. Forty-three patients underwent brain computed tomography angiography, and images were reconstructed using three algorithms: filtered-back-projection, hybrid iterative reconstruction, and deep learning reconstruction. The image noise, computed tomography attenuation value, signal-to-noise ratio, and contrast-to-noise ratio were measured in the bilateral cavernous segment of the internal carotid artery, vertebral artery, basilar apex, horizontal segment of the middle cerebral artery and used for the objective assessment of the image quality among the three different reconstructions. The subjective image quality score was significantly higher for the deep learning reconstruction than hybrid iterative reconstruction and filtered-back-projection images. The deep learning reconstruction markedly improved the reduction of blooming artifacts in surgical clips and coiled aneurysms. The deep learning reconstruction method generally improves the image quality of brain computed tomography angiography in terms of objective measurement and subjective grading compared with filtered-back-projection and hybrid iterative reconstruction. Especially, deep learning reconstruction is deemed advantageous for better depiction of small vessels compared to filtered-back projection and hybrid iterative reconstruction.
Major depression disorder diagnosis and analysis based on structural magnetic resonance imaging and deep learning
Authors: Wang Yu , Gong Ning , Fu Changyang
Published: January 2022

Major depression disorder is one of the diseases with the highest rate of disability and morbidity and is associated with numerous structural and functional differences in neural systems. However, it is difficult to analyze digital medical imaging data without computational intervention. A voxel-wise densely connected convolutional neural network, Three-dimensional Densenet (3D-DenseNet), is proposed to mine the feature differences. In addition, a novel transfer learning method, called Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative Transfer (ADNI-Transfer), is designed and combined with the proposed 3D-DenseNet. The experimental results on a database that contains 174 subjects, including 99 patients with major depression disorder and 75 healthy controls, show that large changes in brain structures between major depressive disorder patients and healthy controls mainly are located in the regions including superior frontal gyrus, dorsolateral, middle temporal gyrus, middle frontal gyrus, postcentral gyrus, inferior temporal gyrus. In addition, the proposed deep learning network can better extract different features of brain structures between major depressive disorder patients and healthy controls and achieve excellent classification results of major depressive disorder. At the same time, the designed transfer learning method can further improve classification performance. These results verify that our proposed method is feasible and valid for diagnosing and analyzing major depression disorder.
Magnetic resonance imaging of pilocytic astrocytomas in adults with histopathologic correlation: a report of six consecutive cases
Authors: Di
						Napoli Alberto , Spina Paolo , Cianfoni Alessandro , Mazzucchelli Luca , Pravatà Emanuele
Published: January 2022

Pilocytic astrocytoma is a WHO grade I tumor usually diagnosed in pediatric patients, and rarely encountered in the adult population. Therefore, available information about the magnetic resonance imaging characteristics of adult pilocytic astrocytoma is scarce. We report on the MRI features and corresponding histopathologic findings of six consecutive aPA cases diagnosed. The tumors were encountered in both infra- and supratentorial compartments, and their MRI characteristics were quite heterogeneous. Features included the typical solid-cystic appearance located in the cerebellum as well as the relatively unusual multifocal and/or hemorrhagic features located intra-ventricularly. The aPA MRI characteristics are remarkably variable, and might mimic those of higher grade tumors in adult patients.
Vasoactive neuropeptides and Alzheimer’s disease: a systematic review focusing on calcitonin gene-related peptide
Authors: Papiri Giulio , Luzzi Simona , Marcucci Matteo , Vignini Arianna
Published: January 2022

Vasoactive peptides constitute a heterogenous family of mediators exerting various physiological functions, mostly studied for their vasotropic effects and role as peripheral neurotransmitters/neuromodulators, mainly involved in nociceptive transmission modulation. They have been divided into vasodilatory or vasoconstrictive peptides, according to their predominant effects on vascular tone. Recent research has shown in the Central Nervous System effects as transmitters and “growth factor-like” signals. Therefore, deregulation of their signaling systems has been thought to play a role in neural cell death and in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative disorders, including Alzheimer’s disease, since these peptides can regulate neuronal stress signaling, survival cascades, synaptic plasticity. This review considers evidence about the implication of neuropeptide systems in Alzheimer’s disease while focusing mainly on calcitonin gene-related peptide-alpha. In vitro and in vivo studies have shown potential implications in its pathogenesis. It has been possibly proposed as a neuroprotective agent, considering not only its pleiotropic actions on blood vessels, neurovascular coupling, energy metabolism, but also its potential actions on neuronal, glial, and immune system stress signaling, which might also derive from its structural homology to amylin. Amylin signaling is thought to be disrupted in Alzheimer’s disease, and amylin itself takes part in the composition of senile plaques. Calcitonin gene-related peptide-containing systems seem more closely related to Alzheimer’s disease pathogenesis than other neuropeptidergic systems, and their regulation might represent an interesting mechanism in developing novel therapeutic approaches.
Pain in neurodegenerative diseases with atypical parkinsonism: a systematic review on prevalence, clinical presentation, and findings from experimental studies
Authors: Chang Jerry Yi , Rukavina Katarina , Lawn Timothy , Chaudhuri K Ray
Published: January 2022

Parkinson’s disease-related pain has increasingly been investigated in research studies. Still, only a few studies have addressed the prevalence and clinical characteristics of pain in neurodegenerative disorders with atypical parkinsonism. The existing evidence, although scarce, suggests that, similarly as in Parkinson’s disease, individuals with neurodegenerative diseases with atypical parkinsonism might be predisposed to the development of persistent pain. Today, as the global population is aging and we face an epidemic of neurodegenerative disorders, under-treated pain is taking a great toll on an ever-rising number of people. Here, we provide an up-to-date review of the current knowledge on the prevalence of pain, its clinical features, and findings from experimental studies that might signpost altered pain processing in the most prevalent neurodegenerative disorders with atypical parkinsonism: multiple system atrophy, progressive supranuclear palsy, corticobasal syndrome, frontotemporal dementia, and dementia with Lewy bodies. Finally, we point out the current gaps and unmet needs that future research studies should focus on. Large-scale, high-quality clinical trials, coupled with pre-clinical research, are urgently needed to reveal the exact pathophysiological mechanisms underpinning heightened pain and pave the path for mechanistically-driven analgesic interventions to be developed, ultimately leading to an improvement in the quality of life of individuals with neurodegenerative disorders.
Genes, brain dynamics and art: the genetic underpinnings of creativity in dancing, musicality and visual arts
Authors: Sotiropoulos Marinos G. , Anagnostouli Maria
Published: January 2022

Creativity, art and artistic creation in music, dance and visual arts are brain activities specific to humans. Their genetic background remained unexplored for years, but many recent studies have uncovered significant associations with cognition-related genes and loci. These studies are summarized in the present article. Creativity is a trait with heavy genetic influences, which are also associated with mental disorders and altruism. Associated genes include dopaminergic, serotoninergic and other genes (a1-antitrypsin, neuregulin, Brain-derived neurotrophic factor). Music is another complex phenotype with important genetic background. Studies in musicians and their families have highlighted the contribution of loci (e.g., 4q22) and specific genes (vasopressin receptor 1α and serotonin transporter). The latter two are also associated with dancing. Although few studies have investigated visual arts, they appear to be influenced by genetic differences, which could explain the increased prevalence of synesthesia in artists and individuals with autism. Lastly, although genes play an important role in creativity and art, epigenetics and the environment should not be overlooked. The genetic exploration of artistic creativity may provide useful knowledge on cognition, behavior and brain function. It may also enable targeted and personalized art therapy in health and disease.