bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Bacterial challenge-associated metabolic phenotypes in Hermetia illucens defining nutritional and functional benefits
Authors: Ho Phuc N. , Klanrit Poramate , Hanboonsong Yupa , Yordpratum Umaporn , Suksawat Manida , Kulthawatsiri Thanaporn , Jirahiranpat Anyarin , Deewai Suthicha , Mackawan Panya , Sermswan Rasana W. , Namwat Nisana , Loilome Watcharin , Khampitak Tueanjit , Wangwiwatsin Arporn , Phetcharaburanin Jutarop
Published: December 2021

Black soldier fly (BSF, Hermetia illucens) is popular for its applications in animal feed, waste management and antimicrobial peptide source. The major advantages of BSF larva include their robust immune system and high nutritional content that can be further developed into more potential agricultural and medical applications. Several strategies are now being developed to exploit their fullest capabilities and one of these is the immunity modulation using bacterial challenges. The mechanism underlying metabolic responses of BSF to different bacteria has, however, remained unclear. In the current study, entometabolomics was employed to investigate the metabolic phenoconversion in response to either Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, or combined challenges in BSF larva. We have, thus far, characterised 37 metabolites in BSF larva challenged with different bacteria with the major biochemical groups consisting of amino acids, organic acids, and sugars. The distinct defense mechanism-specific metabolic phenotypes were clearly observed. The combined challenge contributed to the most significant metabolic phenoconversion in BSF larva with the dominant metabolic phenotypes induced by S. aureus. Our study suggested that the accumulation of energy-related metabolites provided by amino acid catabolism is the principal metabolic pathway regulating the defense mechanism. Therefore, combined challenge is strongly recommended for raising BSF immunity as it remarkably triggered amino acid metabolisms including arginine and proline metabolism and alanine, aspartate and glutamate metabolism along with purine metabolism and pyruvate metabolism that potentially result in the production of various nutritional and functional metabolites.
Adaptation and validation of a German version of the Dickman impulsivity inventory for the assessment of functional and dysfunctional impulsivity
Authors: Hüpen Philippa , Henn Alina T. , Habel Ute
Published: December 2021

Impulsive behavior tends to have a negative connotation in the sense that it is usually associated with detrimental or dysfunctional outcomes. However, under certain circumstances, impulsive behaviors may also have beneficial or functional outcomes. Dickman’s Impulsivity Inventory (DII) measures these two distinct aspects of impulsivity, namely, dysfunctional impulsivity (the tendency to act with less forethought than do most people which leads to difficulties) and functional impulsivity (the tendency to act with little forethought when the situation is optimal). In the present study, we translated the DII into German and validated the German version in a sample of 543 adults. The original 23-item model was considered unsuitable for the German version as suggested by fit indices of a confirmatory factor analysis. Exploratory factor analyses rather supported a 16-item version. Further psychometric analyses and inferential statistical analyses on the final German DII indicated its appropriateness for use in German-speaking populations and support a two-factor solution of the DII. Finally, exploratory analyses on the German DII suggest differential relationships between dysfunctional and functional impulsivity and self-reported lifestyle-related variables (smoking, alcohol usage, and sports behavior).
Complex correlations between microstructure and magnetic behavior in SrFe12O19 hexaferrite nanoparticles
Authors: Maltoni Pierfrancesco , Ivanov Sergey A. , Barucca Gianni , Varvaro Gaspare , Peddis Davide , Mathieu Roland
Published: December 2021

The magnetic properties of SrFe12O19 (SFO) hard hexaferrites are governed by the complex relation to its microstructure, determining their relevance for permanent magnets´ applications. A set of SFO nanoparticles obtained by sol–gel self-combustion synthesis was selected for an in-depth structural X-Rays powder diffraction (XRPD) characterization by means of G(L) line-profile analysis. The obtained crystallites´ size distribution reveal a clear dependence of the size along the [001] direction on the synthesis approach, resulting in the formation of platelet-like crystallites. In addition, the size of the SFO nanoparticles was determined by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis and the average number of crystallites within a particle was estimated. These results have been evaluated to illustrate the formation of single-domain state below a critical value, and the activation volume was derived from time dependent magnetization measurements, aiming to clarify the reversal magnetization process of hard magnetic materials.
Sports related concussion: an emerging era in digital sports technology
Authors: Powell Dylan , Stuart Sam , Godfrey Alan
Published: December 2021

Sports-related concussion (SRC) is defined as a mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) leading to complex impairment(s) in neurological function with many seemingly hidden or difficult to measure impairments that can deteriorate rapidly without any prior indication. Growing numbers of SRCs in professional and amateur contact sports have prompted closer dialog regarding player safety and welfare. Greater emphasis on awareness and education has improved SRC management, but also highlighted the difficulties of diagnosing SRC in a timely manner, particularly during matches or immediately after competition. Therefore, challenges exist in off-field assessment and return to play (RTP) protocols, with current traditional (subjective) approaches largely based on infrequent snapshot assessments. Low-cost digital technologies may provide more objective, integrated and personalized SRC assessment to better inform RTP protocols whilst also enhancing the efficiency and precision of healthcare assessment. To fully realize the potential of digital technologies in the diagnosis and management of SRC will require a significant paradigm shift in clinical practice and mindset. Here, we provide insights into SRC clinical assessment methods and the translational utility of digital approaches, with a focus on off-field digital techniques to detect key SRC metrics/biomarkers. We also provide insights and recommendations to the common benefits and challenges facing digital approaches as they aim to transition from novel technologies to an efficient, valid, reliable, and integrated clinical assessment tool for SRC. Finally, we highlight future opportunities that digital approaches have in SRC assessment and management including digital twinning and the “digital athlete”.
KSHV transactivator-derived small peptide traps coactivators to attenuate MYC and inhibits leukemia and lymphoma cell growth
Authors: Shimoda Michiko , Lyu Yuanzhi , Wang Kang-Hsin , Kumar Ashish , Miura Hiroki , Meckler Joshua F. , Davis Ryan R. , Chantarasrivong Chanikarn , Izumiya Chie , Tepper Clifford G. , Nakajima Ken-ichi , Tuscano Joseph , Barisone Gustavo , Izumiya Yoshihiro
Published: December 2021

In herpesvirus replicating cells, host cell gene transcription is frequently down-regulated because important transcriptional apparatuses are appropriated by viral transcription factors. Here, we show a small peptide derived from the Kaposi’s sarcoma-associated herpesvirus transactivator (K-Rta) sequence, which attenuates cellular MYC expression, reduces cell proliferation, and selectively kills cancer cell lines in both tissue culture and a xenograft tumor mouse model. Mechanistically, the peptide functions as a decoy to block the recruitment of coactivator complexes consisting of Nuclear receptor coactivator 2 (NCOA2), p300, and SWI/SNF proteins to the MYC promoter in primary effusion lymphoma cells. Thiol(SH)-linked alkylation for the metabolic sequencing of RNA (SLAM seq) with target-transcriptional analyses further confirm that the viral peptide directly attenuates MYC and MYC-target gene expression. This study thus provides a unique tool to control MYC activation, which may be used as a therapeutic payload to treat MYC-dependent diseases such as cancers and autoimmune diseases.
Construction of CdSe–AuPd quantum dot 0D/0D hybrid photocatalysts: charge transfer dynamic study with electrochemical analysis for improved photocatalytic activity
Authors: Panigrahy Bharati , Sahoo Prasanta Kumar , Sahoo Bibhuti Bhusan
Published: December 2021

The integration of semiconductor quantum dots and noble metal nanoparticles can efficiently couple numerous effects corresponding to the individual domains of the hybrid system for a variety of applications.
Enhanced air filtration performances by coating aramid nanofibres on a melt-blown nonwoven
Authors: Xu Kangli , Zhan Lei , Yan Rui , Ke Qinfei , Yin Anlin , Huang Chen
Published: December 2021

The preparation cycle of ANF/DMSO is shortened by simply increasing the preparation temperature. The composite filter fabricated by coating ANFs on a melt-blown nonwoven shows excellent air filtration performances.
Population dependence of THz charge carrier mobility and non-Drude-like behavior in short semiconductor nanowires
Authors: Achtstein Alexander W. , Owschimikow Nina , Quick Michael T.
Published: December 2021

We investigate THz radiation absorption by charge carriers, focusing on the mobility in nanorods and wires.
Emerging dynamic memristors for neuromorphic reservoir computing
Authors: Cao Jie , Zhang Xumeng , Cheng Hongfei , Qiu Jie , Liu Xusheng , Wang Ming , Liu Qi
Published: December 2021

This work reviews the state-of-the-art physical reservoir computing systems based on dynamic memristors integrating with unique nonlinear dynamics and short-term memory behavior. The key characteristics, challenges and perspectives are also discussed.
Defective porous carbon microrods derived from fullerenes (C70) as high-performance electrocatalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction
Authors: He Zhimin , Wei Peng , Xu Ting , Guo Ziqian , Han Jiantao , Akasaka Takeshi , Guo Kun , Lu Xing
Published: December 2021

Fullerene (C70) molecules are assembled into microrods, and calcination breaks the carbon cages into defect-rich porous carbon microrods that show excellent ORR performance, comparable to commercial Pt/C.
Nonstoichiometric hydroarylation polyaddition for synthesis of pyrrole-based poly(arylenevinylene)s
Authors: Iwamori Ryota , Sato Ryota , Kuwabara Junpei , Kanbara Takaki
Published: December 2021

Nonstoichiometric polyaddition via the Co-catalyzed hydroarylation of diyne monomers with excess 1-(2-pyrimidinyl)pyrrole was demonstrated.
Organocatalytic PET-RAFT polymerization with a low ppm of organic photocatalyst under visible light
Authors: Ma Qiang , Zhang Xun , Jiang Yu , Lin Junqiang , Graff Bernadette , Hu Siping , Lalevée Jacques , Liao Saihu
Published: December 2021

The development of light-mediated controlled radical polymerization has benefited from the discovery of novel photocatalysts, which could allow precise light control over the polymerization process and the production of well-defined polymers.
Preparative separation of 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl inhibitors originating from Saxifraga sinomontana employing medium-pressure liquid chromatography in combination with reversed-phase liquid chromatography
Authors: Dang Jun , Ma Jianbin , Dawa Yangzom , Liu Chuang , Ji Tengfei , Wang Qilan
Published: December 2021

Preparative separation of 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl inhibitors originating from Saxifraga sinomontana employing medium-pressure liquid chromatography in combination with reversed-phase liquid chromatography.
Mediation of metal chelation in cysteine-derived tetramate systems
Authors: Zhang Ruirui , Genov Miroslav , Pretsch Alexander , Pretsch Dagmar , Moloney Mark G.
Published: December 2021

A study of bicyclic tetramates modified with a bulky ester, which leads to steric hindrance of distal chelating atoms, is used as a route for the alteration of metal binding ability.
The role of cooling rate in crystallization-driven block copolymer self-assembly
Authors: Song Shaofei , Jiang Jingjie , Nikbin Ehsan , Howe Jane Y. , Manners Ian , Winnik Mitchell A.
Published: December 2021

In the self-assembly of crystalline-coil block copolymers in solution, heating followed by different cooling rates can lead to different structures.
Porous monolith of few-layered boron nitride for effective water cleanup
Authors: Xu Chenyang , Zeng Jinjue , Gu Xianrui , Wang Yue , Li Erchun , Zhang Chen , Ge Cong , Jin Cheng , Miao Meng , Jin Zhu , Gao Tian , Jiang Xiangfen , Dai Pengcheng , Bando Yoshio , Li Ruiqing , Rong Junfeng , Wang Xue-Bin
Published: December 2021

The porous monolith of boron nitride is manufactured via a borax-based pyrolysis route, which demonstrates high sorption performance on pollutants for water purification.
Phase stability and sodium-vacancy orderings in a NaSICON electrode
Authors: Wang Ziliang , Park Sunkyu , Deng Zeyu , Carlier Dany , Chotard Jean-Noël , Croguennec Laurence , Gautam Gopalakrishnan Sai , Cheetham Anthony K. , Masquelier Christian , Canepa Pieremanuele
Published: December 2021

We elucidate the complex thermodynamics of sodium (Na) intercalation into the sodium super-ionic conductor (NaSICON)-type electrode, NaxV2(PO4)3, for promising Na-ion batteries with high-power density.
Multi‐stream densely connected network for semantic segmentation
Authors: Jia Dayu , Cao Jiale , Pan Jing , Pang Yanwei
Published: December 2021

Semantic segmentation is a challenging task in computer vision which is widely used in autonomous driving and scene understanding. State‐of‐the‐art semantic segmentation networks, like DeepLab and PSPNet, make full use of multiple feature information to improve spatial resolution. However, the feature resolution in the scale‐axis is not dense enough for practical applications. To tackle this problem, a multi‐stream network is designed with atrous convolutional layers at multiple rates to capture objects and context at multiple scales. Furthermore, intra‐connections and inter‐connections are designed to fuse multi‐scale features densely which produce a feature pyramid with much larger scale diversity and larger receptive field by involving small quantity of computation. The proposed module can be easily used in other methods and it helps to increase the performance. Compared with existing methods, the proposed network, called Multi‐stream Densely Connected Network, reaches competitive results on ADE20K dataset, PASCAL VOC 2012 dataset, and Cityscapes dataset.
Data augmentation and shadow image classification for shadow detection
Authors: Li Guoquan , Wen Lingyun , Huang Zhengwen , Xia Ruiyang , Pang Yu
Published: December 2021

Shadow detection is an important branch of computer vision. Recently, convolutional neural network (CNN)‐based methods for shadow detection have achieved better performance than methods based on manually designed features. However, CNNs are extremely hungry for data and the training of CNN‐based shadow detector requires time‐consuming and expensive pixel‐level annotations. To alleviate this problem in shadow detection, a method of data augmentation based on generative adversarial network (GAN), named ShadowGAN, has been proposed. Given a shadow mask and a shadow‐free image, our ShadowGAN can generate shadow images with labels. To guide the training of ShadowGAN and get more realistic shadow images, loss is further implemented to impose a restriction between real shadow images and generated shadow images. The effectiveness of ShadowGAN is demonstrated by training existing shadow detectors on enlarged dataset. In addition, to better make use of shadow‐free images in shadow detection, shadow image classification task is added for the shadow detectors. Experiments show that this task can guide the feature extraction network to learn more robust shadow features. At last, these two methods are combined and a better performance of shadow detection is achieved.
Features Of Photosynthesis And Water Regime Of Quercus Pubescens Willd. Under The Conditions Of Autumn Drought Of The Southern Coast Of The Crimea
Authors: Ilnitsky O.A. , Plugatar Y.V. , Pashtetsky A.V. , Gil A.T.
Published: December 2021

The objective of the research is to determine the optimal zones and thresholds of soil moisture, temperature, illumination, limiting photosynthesis and transpiration of Quércus pubéscens Willd. and allowing the introduction of the species to other regions. The dependences of the net photosynthesis rate (Pn) and the transpiration rate (E) on stomatal conductivity (gs), leaf temperature (Tl), and soil moisture (Ws) are shown. The ratio of the processes of photosynthesis and respiration, under the influence of soil drought, allowed us to define their optimal values: Ws = 26 – 28%, Pn = 16 –18 μmol/m2c, Rt = 2 – 4 μmol/m2c. The relationship between the net photosynthesis rate, total respiration, and leaf temperature allowed us to determine the temperature maximum of net photosynthesis (the thermal compensation point): Pn = Rt = 2.0 μmol/m2c at Tl = 37ºC. It was found that in the absence of soil drought, the proportion of respiratory costs (Rt/Pg) from true photosynthesis is 20 – 23%, and with soil moisture of 8 – 10% increases to 55 – 58%.
Distribution of silty fraction and slurry by profile of arable soils of the central forest-steppe
Authors: Kovalyova Elena , Kotlyrova Ekaterina , Linkov Sergej , Kuzmina Olga
Published: December 2021

The work is devoted to the study of granulometric composition of soils of 120-year and 240-year agricultural development of meadow-steppe landscape on the example of Belgorod region. In the lateral distribution of the silt fraction contained in the arable horizon, a significant increase in its proportion in the lower parts of the soil catenas of the 120-year arable, for the 240-year arable the lateral variations of the silt fraction are less noticeable. The averaged values of silt content over slope profiles of 240-year arable land showed local maximum of silt confined to subsoil horizon. An inverse relationship was found for slopes on 120-year-old arable land, namely the fact that the percentage of silt fraction increases at depth does not lead to an increase of the same fraction in the subsoil layer. Numerous blindfolds were found in the soil sections studied by caten, especially many of them were detected at a depth of up to one meter. Average area occupied by mole crusts on the walls of averaged transects is 80-90% on the 120-year arable and 70-80% on the 240-year arable. On soils of background catenas, 30-40% of the walls of soil transects are occupied by mole-rats. Blistergrasses are more often found in soils of catens of northern exposition - both 120-year and 240-year arable land.
Features of the main elements of organic farming in agro-landscapes contaminated with137CS (on the example of the Chernobyl accident)
Authors: Dutov А.I. , Zuev N.P. , Tkachev A.V. , Breslavets A.P. , Zueva E.E.
Published: December 2021

It is shown that the use of mineral fertilizers in areas contaminated with radioactive cesium has a radio-ecological specificity, caused by the need to obtain the guaranteed normatively safe agricultural product. The radiological effectiveness of mineral fertilizers is differentiated depending on the belonging of plants to different biological species. In conditions of sod-podzolic soils of Polissya it is much higher than on chernozems.
Search for donors of powdery mildew resistance genes among seedless and table grape varieties
Authors: Makarkina Marina , Ilnitskaya Elena , Kozina Tatiana
Published: December 2021

Powdery mildew (Erysiphe necator) is one of the most common and economically significant diseases of grapes. Currently, the main method of controlling the disease is pesticide treatment. Breeding of resistant varieties is necessary to reduce chemical treatments. Currently, a number of grape resistance genes to powdery mildew and DNA markers for identification the allelic status of these genes are known. In a study to determine the presence of resistance loci Ren3 and Ren9, 25 genotypes of table grape varieties were analyzed, including 18 seedless varieties. DNA markers GF15-42, ScORGF15-02 were used to identify Ren3 gene, and CenGen6 – to identify Ren9 gene. DNA of cultivars Regent and Seyve Villard 12-375, which have resistance alleles, were used as positive controls. As a result of DNA marker analysis, it was determined that genotypes of table varieties Viking, Kodryanka, Moldova, Nadezhda AZOS, Original and seedless varieties Pamyati Smirnova, Kishmish Zaporozhskiy and Kishmish 342 carry loci of resistance to powdery mildew Ren3 and Ren9.
Productivity and quality of grapevine yield when using micronutrient fertilizers of new generation in the conditions of Crimea
Authors: Aleynikova Natalia , Galkina Evgenia , Didenko Pavel , Andreev Vladimir , Zaripova Carina
Published: December 2021

The article presents the results of studies of 2019-2020, carried out in the soil and climatic conditions of Crimean Mountain-valley viticultural zone on table grape variety ‘Italia’. It was experimentally determined that five-fold foliar treatment of grape plantations with gel fertilizers has led to a significant increase in the average length of annual shoots by 15 cm (9.2%) and an increase in the green matter of bushes by 165.1 cm3 (9.1%). It was found that using of preparations of experimental system of mineral nutrition manufactured by Agrinos and Lima-Europe companies during two growing seasons of grape plants has led to an increase in the average bunch weight by 42.9 g (7.4%), shoot productivity by 8.1% and an increase in the cropping capacity by 1.8 t/ha (10.2%) in comparison with the control. Using of the studied mineral gel fertilizers against the background of increasing grape productivity did not affect the process of sugar accumulation and the level of titratable acids. The studies showed that two-year fertilizer utilization of the studied system of mineral nutrition contributed to a significant increase in organoleptic characteristics of table grapes.
The impact of growth regulators on grape varieties in the Urals
Authors: Tikhonova M.A. , Mushinskiy A.A. , Aminova E.V.
Published: December 2021

The article presents data on the effectiveness of the use of drugs on the structural components of the productivity of grape varieties. Research objects of growth regulators are Zircon and Mival Agro. Tests were carried out on table grape varieties Arkadia and Kodryanka. The same cultivars without treatment served as control. In the experiment with the use of Mival Agro the maximum indicator of the average bunch weight of the Arkadia variety was higher by 28.0% in comparison with the control, for the Kodryanka variety the indicator increased by 30.2%. In terms of productivity in the bush in the Arkadia variety the increase was 70.8%, in the Kodryanka grape variety it was 77.5% higher than the control variant when exposed to a similar preparation. Processing of experimental bushes in the variant Mival Agro showed the maximum increase in yield per hectare in the variety Arkadia by 70.0 %, in the variety Kodryanka by 78.1 % in comparison with the control option. Growth regulators have a positive effect on the productivity and yield of grape varieties, the most significant indicators are in the variants of the experiment with the use of the drug Mival - Agro.
Biodiversity of endophytic bacteria and fungi of wild grapes Vitis amurensis Rupr.
Authors: Aleynova Olga A. , Nityagovsky Nikolay N. , Kiselev Konstantin V.
Published: December 2021

The diversity of endophytic bacteria and fungi of V. amurensis grape plants growing in the suburbs of Vladivostok in the summer and autumn periods of 2018-2020 was analyzed. About 600 strains of bacteria and 160 strains of fungi were inoculated from peripherally sterilized leaves and stems of V. amurensis. Isolated bacteria were representatives of 36 genera: Actinobacterium, Acinetobacter, Agrobacterium, Arthrobacter, Bacillus, Buttiauxella, Curtobacterium, Duganella, Erwinia, Enterobacter, Frigoribacterium, Frondihabitans, Klebsiella, Leclercia, Lelliottia, Methylobacterium, Microbacterium, Mucilaginibacter, Luteibacter, Lysinimonas, Pantoea, Paenibacillus, Parageobacillus, Pedobacter, Phyllobacterium, Plantibacter, Pseudomonas, Pullulanibacillus, Raoultella, Rhizobium, Sphingomonas, Staphylococcus, Stenotrophomonas, Streptomyces, Serratia, Xanthomonas. The largest number of strains were representatives of the genera Erwinia, Pantoae and Pseudomonas. Endophytic grape fungi were represented by 25 genera: Alternaria, Annulohypoxylon, Aureobasidium, Biscogniauxia, Cladosporium, Colletotrichum, Coniochaeta, Coprinellus, Davidiellaceae, Didymella, Discosia, Epicoccum, Fusarium, Hypoxylon, Neosetophoma, Nemania, Neurospora, Nigrospora, Paraphoma, Penicillium, Pestalotiopsis, Pestalosphaeria, Phoma, Trichoderma, Xylaria. The largest number of representatives were of the genus Didymella, Cladosporium and Colletotrichum.
Improvement of the information-measuring complex for diagnostics of traction power supply objects at high-speed traffic
Authors: Yakubov Mirjalil , Turdibekov Kamolbek , Sulliev Absaid , Karimov Islom , Saydivaliyev Saydiaziz , Xalikov Sarvar
Published: December 2021

This paper considers the improvement of the information-measuring complex for diagnostics and monitoring of traction power supply equipment under high-speed traffic, which has several features associated with a multilevel hierarchical structure, spatial distribution of objects, energy modes and functional relationships. The analysis of the transmission and conversion of measuring analogue information into a digital one, considering the maximum frequency of the primary signal spectrum components according to the sampling and quantization parameters to determine the time of the signal converted into a digital form is made. Functional dependencies and an algorithm for measuring information processing, considering the multilevel structure of traction power supply, which allow increasing the reliability and accuracy of diagnosing the main objects in high-speed traffic, are obtained.
Influence of the binder technological shrinkage on the strength of composite reinforcement
Authors: Barsukov Vladimir , Volik Alla , Sazon Sviatlana
Published: December 2021

A structural and mechanical analysis of the effect of polymer binder technological shrinkage on the destruction mechanisms and strength at break of construction composite reinforcement has been carried out. Using the results of our own experimental studies, as well as published data of other researchers, the differences in the destruction mechanisms of fiberglass and carbon fiber reinforcement are shown. A calculated assessment of the polymer shrinkage effect in the anchor sleeve on the appearance of additional shrinkage stresses in the interface between the reinforcement bar and the test anchor sleeve has been made. The results obtained make it possible to modernize the methodology for predictive assessment of the strength of composite construction reinforcement and can be used by engineering and technical workers of manufacturers and consumers of such reinforcement, as well as in the educational process in the preparation of engineering personnel for the construction profile.
Strengthening of tensile zone of the reinforced concrete beams with composite fabrics
Authors: Volik Alla , Novitski Yan
Published: December 2021

A fabric, tapes, that are glued to the outer tensile surface, which are considered as the external composite reinforcement with tensile steel reinforcement, are currently used to strengthen reinforced concrete beams. The results of the experimental studies presented in this article have shown the possibilities of effective application of technical polyamide (nylon) fabric produced by «Khimvolokno Plant» JSC «Grodno Azot», and glass fabrics, produced by JSC «Polotsk-Steklovolokno» for strengthening the reinforced concrete beams. Experimental studies have shown that the external reinforcing of the tensile zone with technical polyamide (nylon) fabric and fiberglass changes the beam failure mode, increases the bearing capacity of reinforced concrete beams in comparison with beams without strengthening by 16% – 38%, depending on the material and the method of strengthening.
Experimental investigation results of composite RC beams under cyclic loading
Authors: Voskoboynikov Igor
Published: December 2021

This paper presents the results of the study of composite beam elements under the action of cyclic loads. The experimental results demonstrated that with a decrease in the level of applied load, with its frequency unchanged, the “viability” of the experimental composite beams increased (the number of cycles before collapse); under cyclic effects, shear deformations and contact openings are characterized by nonlinear functions.
Problems of teaching foreign languages at Russian universities in the conditions of the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Petrova Lyudmila Nikolaevna
Published: December 2021

The relevance of the research is accounted for by the contradiction between the mass-scale transition of the Russian universities to the distance learning format and the insufficient readiness of the educational process participants in the conditions of COVID-19 pandemic. The following methods of theoretical (analysis, synthesis, systematisation, comparison) and empirical (review of literature, interviewing, questioning, observation) research were comprehensively used in the paper. The situation with distance education before the pandemic was analysed; the prerequisites of the problems and difficulties of transition to online education were identified. The analysis of difficulties encountered by the teachers and students of Russian universities made it possible to identify the objective and subjective factors of their emergence, as well as to develop recommendations for further continuation of distance learning in its combination with the traditional format of education. The purpose of the research was the analysis of the current experience of working in the conditions of COVID-19 pandemic by the example of teaching the disciplines “Foreign language” and “Foreign language (legal aspect)” to the students of Plekhanov Russian University of Economics. The authors analysed the reasons of success and problems, showed the contradictions between the remote and traditional forms of learning. The key models of learning organisation involving traditional and distant forms of education with the use of remote education technologies were reviewed. In addition, an analysis of works by a number of Russian and foreign researchers on the problem of distance learning was undertaken. As a result of the research, a conclusion was made that distance learning in the modern system of higher education in Russia may be considered as a complementary form of the already existing traditional (“face-to-face”) learning format, enhancing it, and this synthesis of forms may be considered as a solution of the emerging problems in the course of learning in the pandemic environment.
Problems of learning Russian as a foreign language in a distance format at the pre-university stage
Authors: Alimova Maria Vladimirovna , Gutorova Daria Grigorievna , Kapshukova Tatyana Viktorovna , Kozlovskaya Ekaterina Stanislavovna , Prokopova Ivanna Ivanovna
Published: December 2021

In the 2020/2021 academic year, due to objective circumstances caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, Russian universities were forced to organize the admission of foreign citizens to preparatory departments exclusively in a distance format. This academic year turned out to be experimental and opened up many opportunities for both students and teachers. At the same time, taking into account the accumulated training experience, it can be concluded that when using an exclusively distance learning format, both advantages and significant disadvantages were identified, which, in turn, became a prerequisite for conducting the study. The purpose of this article is to identify and analyze in detail the main disadvantages of teaching types of speech activities in the online format and using remote learning platforms. The authors, as practicing teachers of Russian as a foreign language, directly faced all the problems considered in the article, and they observed the same difficulties among their colleagues. In this regard, the main methods for carrying out the work were methods characteristic of empirical research, first of all, observation, classification of results and generalization. The novelty of the research lies in the fact that for the first time an attempt was made to analyze the problems related to different areas of the organization and functioning of educational activities that arise in the distance learning process at the pre-university stage. This determines both theoretical and practical significance of the work carried out. As a result, the authors managed to summarize and systematize the disparate difficulties, which in the future may become the basis for finding systemic solutions to the identified problems.
Agent-based modelling using naming game for language evolution studies
Authors: Ilyinsky Alexander Ioilyevich , Klimova Galina Vladimirovna , Smakhtin Evgeniy Sergeevich , Amurskaya Marina Aleksandrovna , Rozhina Ekaterina Yurievna
Published: December 2021

The article describes approaches to applying agent-based modelling and, particularly, the case of Naming Game, in linguistic studies and within teaching foreign languages. Computational modelling implementation has become a comprehensive and ambitious field of research, as its methods are applicable to solving tasks set within various aspects of contemporary society and science. The main purpose of this paper is to perform an analysis of Naming Game implementation in language emergence and evolution studies. To achieve this purpose we set several tasks: to present a vast literature review on agent-based modelling in linguistics and other adjacent sciences; to give an overview and description of the Naming Game; to perform simulations within the Naming Game and present their outcomes. As the main methodology the article uses simulations. The paper concludes that a clear hysteresis effect is present in the dependence of the size of the population vocabulary from the size of vocabulary of its average agent. At the point where the population vocabulary transitions into the uniform distribution the average agent’s vocabulary reaches saturation and plateaus. Those dynamics also change as the population vocabulary grows and declines. Agent-based modelling is a relatively novel direction for linguistics with a modest number of research papers. Results, presented in the paper, give a fresh angle on the issues of language emergence and evolution.
National, cultural and language specificities of Arab official speech style
Authors: Balandina Lolita Arkadyevna , Ganina Elena Viktorovna , Lukina Aleksandra Andreevna , Matveenko Veronika Eduardovna , Satina Tatyana Vasilyevna
Published: December 2021

The problems of building a dialogue of cultures with Arab interlocutors are investigated in the paper; there are practical recommendations for its successful solution. Special attention is paid to the study of national and cultural characteristics of representatives of Arab society, and factors that make influence on the establishment and development partner relations with Arabs. The basic moral values, cultural, national, linguistics norms are briefly formulated in the article. Knowledge of that contributes to the successful conduct of intercultural communication at the “East-West” level. In the Arab countries, the traditions and customs of business ethics and communication, in general, are predominantly developing and changing because of the openness of most countries of the world and the interaction in various spheres (economic, educational, cultural, military, political, etc.). Because of its specificity, Arab society can be described as a closed one. Further on we will present and analyze its characteristics and identify the main features of the Arab official and business style of speech. This requires business participants from all sides to have in-depth knowledge of national, socio-cultural, religious, historical, ethno-psychological peculiarities and possess these skills which can be put into practice when required.
The teacher’s role in the development of soft skills in distance and blended learning
Authors: Dronova Svetlana Yuryevna , Konkin Andrey Aleksandrovich , Seregina Valeriya Aleksandrovna , Bermudes-Alekina Aleksey Eduardovich , Kotenko Vladimir Viktorovich
Published: December 2021

The background for this research includes both theoretical results concerning the development of soft skills in the process of learning and some practical approaches for the development of soft skills in distance learning environments which have become common during the COVID-19 pandemic. The objective of this research is to determine the teacher’s role in the development of soft skills and to identify any particular characteristics of this role in distance and blended learning contexts. This research relied on both general scientific and special methods. General scientific methods, in particular, included analysis, synthesis, inductive and deductive reasoning, comparison, analogy, etc., while special research methods included content analysis, case studies, secondary statistical analysis, historical method, etc. The outcome of the research is the finding that education now should involve the development and building of soft skills in students as a prerequisite for personal and professional growth. As teachers play a critical role in the development of such skills they should promote the creation and operation of a specific environment conducive to the development of communication skills, critical thinking and creative problem-solving abilities, as well as students’ individual and group work. The findings of this research are new for Russian science and also draw the attention of the research community to the particular features of distance learning amid the global COVID-19 pandemic.
Tutor at the preparatory faculty: a teacher’s point of view
Authors: Droga Marina Anatolievna , Romero Intriago Dina Ivanovna , Subbotina Irina Mikhailovna , Klimova Yuliya Aleksandrovna
Published: December 2021

The article analyzes the experience of tutoring teachers teaching foreign students in the distance learning mode. It is also about the interaction of a teacher and a student throughout the whole academic year, as well as the importance of all elements of systematic work in teaching Russian as a foreign language from scratch. A team of tutors was organized at the faculty, whose mission was to contact their wards within the framework of distance learning: from their connection to the educational platform of the university to organizing their admission to Russian universities. Purpose of the study: consider the role of a tutoring teacher in the system of teaching Russian as a foreign language in a distance mode. The main methods of work are the methods of observation and description of the features of the pedagogical process. The forecasting method is also used to model the future educational mode of foreign students. The survey method is applied, which allows to get “feedback” from the respondents. The quantitative technique allowed us to analyze the number of responses as a percentage. The changes taking place in the world have given a powerful impetus to the improvement of digital educational resources. Teachers were able to mobilize and conduct their own experiment, while adhering to the new standards of distance learning. An attempt is made in the work to comprehensively analyze the introduced system of tutoring and summarize its first results.
Instructional design in foreign language teaching
Authors: Palkova Anna Viktorovna , Sapozhnikova Larisa Mikhailovna
Published: December 2021

This paper offers a presentation of two original multimedia educational resources with interactive online tasks in the German language developed within the course “Teacher”s and translator”s electronic resource” in cooperation with the students of the Faculty of Foreign Languages and International Communication of Tver State University. The purpose of our projects assumes, in the first place, deliberate formation of a learning environment meeting the needs of a target audience. In the process of working over the projects, the authors took into consideration the principles of instructional design that served as a theoretical basis for the development of educational materials. Instructional design is viewed by the authors of the article as a separate branch of practical pedagogy which primarily focuses on the application of pedagogical knowledge in practice, namely, development of high-quality efficient educational resources with the use of modern information technologies. The distinctive feature of the theory of instructional design is consideration of not so much the cognitive parameters and mental processes characterising the learning process as the efficient methods and learning formats stimulating these cognitive processes. The most important result of our work is the conclusion that the projects developed with regard for the principles of instructional design under the ADDIE model contribute to enhancement of students’ cognitive abilities and increase the amount and quality of information assimilated by them; at the same time, the learning becomes more systemic and practice-oriented from the first stages of project analysis and planning. The novelty of our approach specifically lies in practical treatment of instructional design as a tool for development of learning materials, invigoration of learning activities and tutor support of students.
Nachtlärminduzierte Schlafstörungen und Herz-Kreislauf-Risiko
Authors: Hahad Omar , Röösli Martin , Daiber Andreas , Münzel Thomas
Published: December 2021

Beeinträchtigungen des Schlafes im Sinne von Insomnien, d. h. Ein- und Durchschlafschwierigkeiten, frühmorgendliches Erwachen und ein chronisch unerholsamer Schlaf, sind weit verbreitet in der Bevölkerung und gehen mit einer Vielzahl von körperlichen und psychischen Gesundheitsstörungen einher. Die umweltbedingten Ursachen für Schlafstörungen umfassen eine ganze Reihe von Faktoren, wobei nächtlicher Lärm als eine wichtige Ursache gilt. Aktuelle Daten der Europäischen Umweltagentur zeigen, dass Umgebungslärm (Straßenverkehrs-, Schienen-, Flug- und Industrielärm) für starke Schlafstörungen bei 6,5 Millionen Personen in Europa sorgt. Neue epidemiologische und mechanistische Feldstudien zeigen, dass vor allem nächtlicher Verkehrslärm unter anderem zu einer eingeschränkten Gefäßfunktion, thromboinflammatorischen Veränderungen, einem Anstieg von Stresshormonen und einem erhöhten Blutdruck führen kann, die bedeutsame Risikofaktoren für Herz-Kreislauf-Erkrankungen darstellen. Gemäß
der Europäischen Umweltagentur führt der Umgebungslärm jährlich zu 48000 zusätzlichen Fällen von ischämischen Herzerkrankungen sowie 12000 vorzeitigen Todesfällen.
Das Exposom charakterisiert die Auswirkungen unserer Umwelt auf Stoffwechsel und Gesundheit
Authors: Daiber Andreas , Kuntic Marin , Lelieveld Jos , Hahad Omar , Münzel Thomas
Published: December 2021

Aktuelle Befunde der großen globalen epidemiologischen Studien wie dem „Global Burden of Disease“-Projekt legen nahe, dass bereits jetzt nahezu ⅔ der jährlichen globalen Todesfälle ursächlich auf chronische nicht übertragbare Erkrankungen wie Atherosklerose oder Diabetes zurückzuführen sind. Dies liegt vor allem an der Überalterung der Menschen in westlichen Gesellschaften, aber auch einer zunehmenden Belastung durch Boden-, Wasser- und Luftverschmutzung, Lärmbelastung, mentale Stressfaktoren und weitere Umweltrisikofaktoren. Vor etwa 15 Jahren wurde das Exposom-Konzept etabliert, um die Auswirkungen unserer Umwelt auf die Gesundheit zu erforschen. Das Exposom beschreibt dabei die Summe aller Expositionen, die lebenslang auf uns einwirken und dabei biochemische und metabolische Prozesse in unserem Körper überwiegend ungünstig verändern und so zu Gesundheitsschäden und frühzeitigen Todesfällen beitragen. Mit dieser Übersicht wird das Exposom-Konzept anhand von ausgewählten
Studien erklärt und seine Bedeutung für die zukünftige Gesundheitsforschung sowie die präventive Medizin, vor allem im Hinblick auf kardiovaskuläre Erkrankungen und Therapie, erläutert.
Exploring Pleiotropic Effects of Lipid Modifiers and Targets on Measures of the Coagulation System with Genetics
Authors: Schooling C. Mary , Au Yeung Shiu Lun , Zhao Jie V.
Published: December 2021

Background Statins have long been suspected to have pleiotropic effects via thrombotic factors. Randomized controlled trials are too limited to be definitive. We examined the associations of genetically mimicking effects of statins, PCSK9 inhibitors, and alternative lipid targets (in genes LDLR, APOC3, and LPL) on key indicators of coagulation system function, i.e., prothrombin time (PT) and activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT).

Methods We assessed the effect of established genetic mimics of effects of lipid modifiers and alternative lipid treatment targets on PT (n = 58,110) and aPTT (n = 37,767), all transformed to z-scores, using Mendelian randomization taking advantage of Biobank Japan. Ischemic heart disease (IHD) was a control outcome.

Results Genetically mimicked effects of statins increased PT by 0.31 standard deviation (SD) per SD increase in low-density lipoprotein (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.10–0.51) based on rs12916 but did not affect aPTT. Genetically mimicking effects of targeting LDLR increased PT based on rs688 (0.33 SD per SD increase in triglyceride, 95% CI: 0.03–0.63) but did not affect aPTT. Genetically mimicking effects of PCSK9 inhibitors or targeting APOC3 or LPL had no effect on PT or aPTT. Genetically mimicking effects of statins, PCSK9 inhibitors, and alternative lipid targets reduced risk of IHD in Biobank Japan.

Conclusion Statins, and possibly targeting LDLR, may also act via a coagulation cascade factor, likely specific to the extrinsic or common pathway. Further elucidation of the mechanistic pathway may facilitate development of new interventions and inform use of statins particularly in relation to use of other anticoagulants.
Radical Vaginal Trachelectomy
Authors: Saito Tsuyoshi , Matsuura Motoki , Tamate Masato , Iwasaki Masahiro , Mariya Tasuku
Published: December 2021

Recently, radical vaginal hysterectomy (RVH) has developed into laparoscopically assisted radical vaginal hysterectomy (LARVH), which is associated with the laparoscopical procedure, and it is applied as radical vaginal trachelectomy and semi-radical vaginal hysterectomy. LARVH is indicated for patients with stage IB1 and IIA1 cervical carcinoma, especially those with a tumor size of less than 2 cm, because the cardinal ligaments cannot be resected widely. Although RVH that is associated with laparoscopic pelvic lymphadenectomy is the most used surgical procedure, radical trachelectomy may be performed either abdominally or vaginally (laparoscopic or robotic). One report found that the pregnancy rate was higher in patients who underwent minimally invasive or radical vaginal trachelectomy than in those who underwent radical abdominal trachelectomy.