bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
CREBRF p.Arg457Gln Promotes Obesity and Improves Insulin Sensitivity by Promoting Preadipocyte Differentiation and Reducing Oxidative Metabolism in Gene-modified Pig Models
Authors: Li Yingying , Wang Hai , Liao Yuan , Yan Quanmei , Ouyang Zhen , Zhao Yu , Zhang Quanjun , Lai Chengdan , Liu Zhaoming , Zhuang Zhenpeng , Li Hao , Zheng Shuwen , Wang Jiaowei , Li Chuan , Suo Yangyang , Lan Ting , Liu Yang , Ye Yinghua , Zou Qingjian , Dai Zhen , Nie Tao , Wu Donghai , Fan Nana , Lai Liangxue
Published: October 2021

Obesity is one of the most important risk factors for type 2 diabetes (T2DM). The CREBRF missense allele of rs373863828 (p.Arg457Gln) is associated with increased body mass index (BMI), yet reduced risk of T2DM in people with Pacific ancestry. To investigate the functional consequences of the CREBRF variant, we introduced the corresponding human mutation p.Arg457Gln into porcine genome by using a CRISPR/Cas9-mediated homologous recombination (HR)-dependent approach. The CREBRF p.Arg457Gln pig models displayed dramatically increased fat deposition, yet improved sensitivity to insulin. Transcriptome and metabolome analyses of subcutaneous white adipose tissues showed that the CREBRF p.Arg457Gln mutation promoted preadipocyte differentiation, which indicated that obesity was caused by increased number (hyperplasia) rather than size (hypertrophy) of adipocytes. In addition, the oxidative capacity decreased in the adipose tissue of pigs with CREBRF p.Arg457Gln variant. The pre-oxidative metabolite content (4-HNE and MDA) significantly decreased, while activity of antioxidant enzymes (GPX, SOD, and CAT) increased, thereby repressing oxidative metabolism of adipose tissue and reducing level of reactive oxygen species (ROS). The low reactive oxygen species could prevent insulin resistance and reduce risk of obesity-induced type 2 diabetes. This study provides further mechanistic insights into favourable adiposity resulting from CREBRF p.Arg457Gln.
SARS-CoV-2 Removal with a Polyurethane Foam Composite
Authors: Schoeler Guilherme Pereira , Afonso Thays França , Demarco Carolina Faccio , Barboza Victor dos Santos , Cadaval Tito Roberto Sant'anna , Igansi Andrei Valerão , Gelesky Marcos Alexandre , Giongo Janice Luehring , Voucher Rodrigo de Almeida , Delucis Rafael de Avila , Andreazza Robson
Published: October 2021

The pandemic of COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2 disease) has been causing unprecedented health and economic impacts, alerting the world to the importance of basic sanitation and existing social inequalities. The risk of the spread and appearance of new diseases highlights the need for the removal of these pathogens through efficient techniques and materials. This study aimed to develop a polyurethane (PU) biofoam filled with dregs waste (leftover from the pulp and paper industry) for removal SARS-CoV-2 from the water. The biofoam was prepared by the free expansion method with the incorporation of 5wt% of dregs as a filler. For the removal assays, the all materials and its isolated phases were incubated for 24h with an inactivated SARS-CoV-2 viral suspension. Then, the RNA was extracted and the viral load was quantified using the quantitative reverse transcription (RT-qPCR) technique. The biofoam (polyurethane/dregs) reached a great removal percentage of 91.55%, whereas the isolated dregs waste was 99.03%, commercial activated carbon was 99.64%, commercial activated carbon/polyurethane was 99.30%, and neat PU foam reached was 99.96% for this same property and without statistical difference. Those new materials endowed with low cost and high removal efficiency of SARS-CoV-2 as alternatives to conventional adsorbents.
Application To Lipschitzian and Integral Systems Via Quadruple Coincidence Point in Fuzzy Metric Spaces
Authors: Hammad Hasanen A. , Sen Manuel De la
Published: October 2021

Without a partially ordered set, in this manuscript, we investigate quadruple coincidence point (QCP) results for commuting mapping in the setting of fuzzy metric spaces (FMSs). Furthermore, some relevant ndings are presented to generalize some of the previous results in this direction. Ultimately, non-trivial examples and applications to nd a unique solution for Lipschitzian and integral quadruple systems are provided to support and strengthen our theoretical results.
Fine Mapping the MAP2K5 Region Identified rs7175517 As a Causal Variant Associated With BMI in China And The UK Populations
Authors: Lu Ce , Wang Hai-Jun , Song Jie-Yun , Wang Shuo , Li Xue-Ying , Huang Tao , Wang Hui
Published: October 2021

Background: Genome-wide association studies (GWASs) have consistently identified MAP2K5 as the obesity susceptible gene. To deepen our understanding of the potential causal genetic variants of this region, a fine-mapping study of MAP2K5 was conducted. Results: First, a target single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) sequencing of MAP2K5 was carried out in 2030 Chinese children and followed by a fine mapping with the UK biobank GWAS data in 264,838 adults to identify the leading SNPs within the MAP2K5 gene region. SNP rs7175517 (G>A) and rs4776970(T>A) were identified as the leading SNPs associated with BMI in both Chinese and the UK population. Second, colocalization of GWAS and expression quantitative trait loci (eQTL) analyses and bioinformatic functional annotations indicated that rs7175517 is the leading variants in MAP2K5 gene region functionally. Additionally, dual luciferase assay indicated that the G allele of rs7175517 reduced the mRNA expression of MAP2K5 in HEK293T cells. The possible mechanism was that the G allele of rs7175517 interacted with more RNA repressors from nuclei extracts, which was evidenced by electrophoretic mobility shift assays (EMSAs). Furthermore, the pathway enrichment analyses of the products from DNA pull-down and protein mass spectrometry demonstrated that the G allele of rs7175517 might interact with RNA catabolic or splicing transcription factors, which consequentially increased the adiposity deposition. Conclusions: SNP rs7175517 of MAP2K5 gene was the putative causal variant associated with BMI. More precisely designed in vitro or animal experiments are warranted to further delineate the function of MAP2K5 in the adipogenesis.
BarPlex v1.0: a multiplex PCR-based enrichment of genome-wide short segments that enable genetic studies in barley
Authors: Gao Guangqi , Yan Luxi , Cai Yu , Jiang Congcong , He Qiang , Tasnim Sarah , Feng Zongyun , Liu Jun , Zhang Jing , Yang Ping
Published: October 2021

Over the past 15 years sequencing methodologies have advanced greatly enabling high-throughput sequencing based genotyping of crop plants. In this study, we developed BarPlex v1.0, a robust and cost-efficient genotyping approach in barley (Hordeum vulgare L.). In this multiplex PCR-based amplification of five-hundred genome-wide segments, followed by high-throughput sequencing of barcoded PCR products, we obtained hundreds to thousands of polymorphic markers. Comparison of genotyping with BarPlex v1.0 to genotyping-by-sequencing (GBS) revealed a similar genetic diversity. The polymorphic markers revealed by BarPlex v1.0 were highly accurate, with an average sequencing depth >700x and a data missing rate <0.5%. By analyzing 1,068 genotypes of wild barley (brittle rachis; Hordeum vulgare ssp. spontaneum L.), Tibetan semi-wild barley (brittle rachis), landraces, cultivars, as well as an F2 population, this assay has been robust in studies of population diversity, variety pedigree, heterozygosity discrimination, linkage mapping, as well as genome-wide association study (GWAS). Notably, a diversity analysis in a population of Tibetan semi-wild barley suggested a close relationship with Chinese landraces, but a dramatic decrease in its genetic diversity, inferring that Tibet was not a center of domestication for the native wild barley.
Silencing of Mannitol Transporter Gene In Phelipanche Aegyptiaca Reduces The Parasite Development On The Host Root
Authors: Bari Vinay Kumar , Nassar Jackline Abu , Aly Radi
Published: October 2021

Parasitic weed Phelipanche aegyptiaca, is an obligate plant parasite which causes severe damage to host crops. Agriculture crops mainly belong to Brassicaceae, Leguminosae, Cruciferae and Solanaceae plant families affected by this parasitic weed which leads to devastating loss to crops yield and economic growth. This root specific parasitic plant is not able to complete its life-cycle without a suitable host and is totally dependent on the host plant for organic nutrients. Therefore, flow of organic solute molecules towards parasites is essential for the survival of the parasitic weed and disturbance in this network modulated host-parasitic interaction, which induces resistance in host against these parasitic weeds. To develop host resistance to this parasitic weed, we silenced selected prominent genes associated with P. aegyptiaca using virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) methods. Our results demonstrated that the total number of parasite tubercle attached to root of the host plant Nicotiana benthamiana significantly reduced upon silencing of P. aegyptiaca specific gene which encodes mannitol transporter, however silencing of other gene(s), have no significant effects. Thus, our study indicates that mannitol transport plays an important role in host-parasite interaction and silencing of this gene causes development of host resistance against this parasite.
A Clinical Research of Ceritinib Treating Patients With ALK-Positive Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer With Brain Metastasis
Authors: Cui Saiqiong , Liu Xin , Li Dan , Yang Dafu , Dai Zhaoxia
Published: October 2021

Objective

As a second-generation oral anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) inhibitor, ceritinib was recommended as posterior line therapy in patients with crizotinib resistance or intolerance. While in the real world, the clinical efficacy and safety of ceritinib, 450mg/d, taken with a low-fat meal in crizotinib resistant patients, especially with brain metastases, are still to be further investigated.
Methods

This retrospective analysis was conducted on patients with ALK- positive advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) between May 2017 and December 2020 in our hospital, who were crizotinib resistant or intolerant. The aim was to analyze the clinical efficacy and safety of ceritinib as posterior line therapy in patients, especially in those with brain metastases, and to further explore the efficacy against rare fusion of ALK and the option after ALK inhibitor resistance. RECIST (1.1) criteria were adopted, and for relevant statistical analysis, RStudio was used.
Results

Of the 13 cases treated with ceritinib, 8 were treated as second-line therapy, 5 as third-line or fourth-line treatment. Of the total, 12 had brain metastases, 3 had received brain radiotherapy previously, and 1 had received surgical treatment for brain metastases previously. There were 8 cases evaluated as partial remission (PR), 2 evaluated as stable disease (SD), and 3 unevaluable for the response. There were 1 case of PKNOX2-ALK fusion and 1 case of IGR-ALK fusion observed as rare ALK fusion, and intracranial lesions were evaluated as PR for both. There were 6 cases received subsequent targeted therapy after progression of ceritinib, including 5 with alectinib and 1 with ensartinib, all of which showed response. In 13 cases, by the terminal time of follow-up, median progression-free survival (PFS) was 7.4 m, disease control rate (DCR) was 76.92%, overall response rate (ORR) was 61.54%, and median overall survival (OS) was 25.4m. In 12 cases with brain metastasis, 9 were suitable for intracranial response evaluation, of which, 1 case achieved CR for intracranial lesions, 7 achieved PR and 1 SD was observed, ORR was 88.89%, and DCR was 100%. The adverse events rate of any grade was 91.67%, the common adverse events were diarrhea (46.15%), AST level increased (41.67%), ALT level increased (33.33%), increased GGT (33.33%), increased ALP (25.00%), nausea (16.67%), increased creatinine (16.67%). Other reported AEs were cough, vomiting, dizziness, arthralgia and fatigue, 1 case (8.33%) each.
Conclusion

Ceritinib 450mg taken with taken with low-fat meal showed good efficacy and safety in crizotinib resistant patients with central nervous system metastasis, and also, it is effective in some cases with rare fusion of ALK.
Glucose-Lowering and the Risk of Cardiovascular Events with Novel Antidiabetic Therapies: A Systematic Review and Additive-effects Network Meta-Analysis
Authors: de Carvalho Luiz Sergio Fernandes , Nogueira Ana Claudia Cavalcante , Cintra Riobaldo Marcelo Ribeiro , Bonilha Isabella , Luchiari Beatriz , Benchimol Alexander , Couri Carlos Eduardo Barra , Borges Jairo Lins , Barreto Joaquim , Sposito Andrei Carvalho
Published: October 2021

Background: Among individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), RCTs designed to investigate the cardiovascular effects of achieving HbA1c ≤7.0% by using insulin and sulfonylureas were unable to prevent the incidence of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) defined as CV death, non-fatal myocardial infarction, and non-fatal stroke. Intense glucose-lowering with newer antidiabetic therapies (ADTs) including SGLT2i, GLP1-RA, pioglitazone and DPP4i show lower risk of hypoglycemia and could lead to additive effect in preventing MACE. In this context, this study was designed to assess the impact of the HbA1c levels achieved with newer ADTs on the risk of MACE. Methods. We searched MEDLINE/PubMed, Cochrane and ClinicalTrials.gov. RCTs published up to January/2021 reporting the occurrence of MACE and all-cause mortality in individuals with T2DM, including a sample size ≥100 individuals in each study arm and follow-up ≥24 weeks, were selected. Data was extracted by four independent observers following PRISMA guidelines. We performed a systematic review and additive-effects network meta-analysis with random effects and a multivariate meta-regression to assess the impact of achieved HbA1c on incident MACE. Results. A total of 122 RCTs were included with 139 treatment arms, 256,990 individuals, and 689,346 individuals-years who were randomized to an active treatment vs. control group. Therapy with SGLT2i, GLP1-RA, or pioglitazone similarly reduced the risk of MACE compared to placebo (HR 0.88 [95%CI 0.83, 0.94, p<0.001], 0.89 [95% CI 0.85, 0.94, p<0.0001], and 0.86 [95% CI 0.76, 0.98, p=0.025], respectively). The achievement of HbA1c≤7.0% in RCTs with SGLT2i, DPP4i, TZD, or GLP1-RA in the active arm was associated with an adjusted HR of 0.91 (95% CI 0.80, 0.97; p=0.039) compared with HbA1c>7.0%. All-cause mortality was not influenced by HbA1c thresholds.Conclusions: Achieving lower glucose levels with newer ADTs is linearly associated with a reduced risk of MACEs, without affecting all-cause mortality. Targeting HbA1c between 6.5 and 7% with SGLT2i, GLP1A, pioglitazone or DPP4i brings cardiovascular benefits considering the available RCT evidence.Study registration: PROSPERO CRD42020200649
A Comprehensive Study On Soundness, Microstructure and Uniformity of 2024 Aluminum Cups Hydro-Mechanically Drawn at Elevated Temperatures
Authors: Yaghoubi Saeed , Fereshteh-Saniee Faramarz
Published: October 2021

In the present research work, the hydro-mechanical deep drawing (HMDD) process of 2024 aluminum alloy is performed experimentally and numerically for elevated temperatures. The main variables of the forming process include the fluid pressure, the pre-bulge pressure and the process temperature. The effects of these parameters on the thickness distribution and uniformity index of the final product have been investigated. Using the hardness test, the preferred crystallographic orientation, the energy dispersive spectroscopy and microstructure images obtained from an optical microscope and a scanning electron microscope, the relationship between the grain size, hardness and the effective plastic strain are studied and discussed. The findings imply that the HMDD process without the pre-bulge pressure reduces the uniformity of the final product and, on the other hand, excessive increase in this parameter causes tearing of the workpiece. The hardness distribution along the cup wall was in agreement with grain refinement and the Hall-Petch relationship, but it was not correspond to the expectations made via the texture analyses. The images gained from the energy dispersive spectroscopy for different areas of the 2024 Al sample demonstrated that the Al2Cu precipitations in the product wall were finer than the other areas and mainly dispersed at the grain boundaries. This type of precipitation distribution was the main origin for increasing the hardness of the cup wall in comparison with the cup corner and bottom. In other words, the precipitation hardening overwhelmed the influence of the preferred orientation of the grains in HMDD operation of Al 2024.
Addressing Transition to Practice: Assessing Perceived Effectiveness of a Competency Based Change to On-Call Responsibilities of Senior Cardiology Residents
Authors: Caddell Andrew James , Bamwoya Edwin Moses , Moeller Andrew Donald
Published: October 2021

Background

There has been a paradigm shift in residency training over the last several years wherein Competency by Design (CBD) is being integrated to replace more traditional time-based models of training. The Residency Program Committee (RPC) for the Cardiology training program at Dalhousie University in Halifax, Canada addressed the Transition to Practice stage by approving a trial of adjusting the resident call responsibilities to reflect the transition to CBD curriculum. The goal of this adjustment was three-fold: i. Gradually increase accountability of the senior cardiology resident as they transition to practice; ii. Address a gap in training that allows the senior resident to have a gradual transition to the role of a practicing cardiologist while on call; iii. Allows further evolution of skills and abilities.
Methods

A survey was administered to the practitioners involved in this competency-based change to the call responsibilities. Surveys were distributed to the final year Cardiology Residents, Staff Cardiologists, and Senior Internal Medicine residents to assess their experience and opinions of the current, competency-based change of the on-call curriculum. The survey consisted of eleven questions, of which, four were assessed on a Likert scale and 3 were yes/no questions.
Results

Four PGY6 cardiology residents, five senior internal medicine residents and eleven staff cardiologists completed the survey. Amongst those who completed the survey there was agreement that the change to the on-call responsibilities improved cardiology residents’ skills, accountability and preparedness to practice. All groups felt the changes were useful for the cardiology training program. There was mild negative effect of perceived accountability by the internal medicine residents.
Conclusion

Overall the change in call structure led to improved perceived preparedness to practice amongst the cardiology residents and addressed a gap in the Transition to Practice phase of CBD training. This study provides some evidence to the potential benefit of CBD and specifically in the benefits towards transitioning to practice.
Determinants of Optimal Antenatal Care Visit Among Pregnant Women in Ethiopia: a Multilevel Analysis of Ethiopian Mini Demographic Health Survey 2019 Data
Authors: Yehualashet Delelegn Emwodew , Seboka Binyam Tariku , Tesfa Getanew Aschalew , Mamo Tizalegn Tesfaye , Seid Elias
Published: October 2021

Background: Optimal antenatal care (ANC4 +) needs to be used throughout pregnancy to reduce pregnancy complications and maternal mortality. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends eight ANC contacts, while Ethiopia has the lowest coverage of at least four ANC visits. Therefore, this study aimed to identify factors associated with optimal ANC visits among pregnant women in Ethiopia. Methods: This study is a secondary data analysis of the 2019 Ethiopian Mini Demographic and Health Survey (EMDHS). A multilevel logistic regression model is set up to identify factors associated with optimal ANC visits. Adjusted odds ratios (AOR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated to estimate the strength of the association between the outcome and the predictor variables. Results: Overall, 43% of women had optimal ANC visits during their last pregnancy. Higher educated women are 3.99 times more likely (AOR = 3.99; 95% CI: 2.62-6.02) to have optimal ANC visits than women with no formal education. The wealthiest women are 2.09 times more likely (AOR = 2.09; 95% CI: 1.56-2.82) to have optimal ANC visits than women in the poorest quintile. The odds of optimal ANC visit is 42 percent lower in rural women (AOR = 0.58, 95% CI: 0.41-0.83) compared to women living in urban areas. Conclusion: Women's educational status, wealth status, mass media exposure, place of residence and region are factors that are significantly associated with optimal ANC visit. These findings help health care programmers and policymakers to introduce appropriate policies and programs to ensure optimal ANC coverage. Priority should be given to addressing economic and educational interventions.
The Performance of the HATCH Score for Predicting New-Onset Atrial Fibrillation in An Elderly Hospital-Based Chinese Population
Authors: Wu Haiyun , Dai Ruozhu , Wang Min , Chen Chengbo
Published: October 2021

BACKGROUND: The aging population represents high risk in developing new-onset atrial fibrillation (NOAF). Assessing individual risk of NOAF is pivotal for primary prevention. The role of the HATCH score for predicting NOAF in the elderly hospital-based Chinese population has never been evaluated.METHODS: In our center, the development of NOAF was followed among patients aged over 65 years. Incidence of NOAF was calculated. Risk factors for NOAF were investigated using uni- and multivariable Cox regression analysis. The performance of the HATCH score for predicting NOAF was evaluated using Kaplan-Meier curve analysis with DeLong test and C-indexes.RESULTS: A total of 7718 elderly patients were enrolled in the present study, with 421 developed NOAF during 3.18 ± 3.73 years of follow-up with an incidence of 1.71 (95%CI 1.55-1.89) per 100 patient-years. After adjusted with cofounders, only hypertension (hazard ratio [HR] 1.51, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.23-1.85), COPD (HR 1.86, 95%CI 1.22-2.84) and HF (HR 1.82, 95%CI 1.28-2.59) were independently related to NOAF. The risk of NOAF increased with a higher HATCH score (38% higher risk per 1-point increase). Among those with a HATCH score ≥4, the risk of NOAF was 4.01 (95%CI 3.85-4.16) per 100 patient-years (Log-rank P <0.001). The C-index for the HATCH score was moderate (0.60 [95%CI, 0.57-0.63]), which was better than the single criteria but comparative to other scoring systems.CONCLUSION: In this elderly hospital-based Chinese population, the HATCH score had a moderate predictive ability for NOAF.
The Risk of Newly Diagnosed Cancer in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis by TNF Inhibitor Use: A Nationwide Cohort Study
Authors: Choi Boyoon , Park Hyun Jin , Song Yun-Kyoung , Oh Yoon-Jeong , Kim In-Wha , Oh Jung Mi
Published: October 2021

Background

Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors use in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) has raised safety concerns about cancer risk, but study results remain controversial. This largest nationwide study to date compared cancer risk in TNF inhibitor users to non-biologic disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug (nbDMARD) users in Korean patients with RA.
Methods

Data on all the eligible patients diagnosed with RA between 2005 and 2016 were retrieved from the Korean National Health Information Database. The one-to-one matched patients consisted of the matched cohort. The risks for developing all-type and site-specific cancers were estimated using incidence and incidence rate (IR) per 1,000 person-years. Adjusted hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were estimated using a Cox regression model.
Results

Of the 22,851 patients in the before matching cohort, 4,592 patients were included in the matched cohort. Treatment with TNF inhibitors was consistently associated with a lower risk of cancer than in the nbDMARD cohort (IR per 1,000 person-years, 6.5 vs. 15.6; adjusted HR, 0.379; 95% CI, 0.255–0.563). The adjusted HR (95% CI) was significantly lower in the TNF inhibitor cohort than the nbDMARD cohort for gastrointestinal cancer (0.432; 0.235–0.797), breast cancer (0.146; 0.045–0.474), and genitourinary cancer (0.220; 0.059–0.820).
Conclusions

The use of TNF inhibitors was associated with a lower cancer incidence in Korean patients with RA. A further study linking claims and clinical data is needed to confirm our results.
Die Normativität des Korans ; AIWG WiFo paper
Authors: Suleiman Farid , el Maghraoui Abdelaali , Rahman Sara
Published: October 2021

Der Koran hat eine besondere Bedeutung für Menschen muslimischen Glaubens. Er gilt als göttliche Offenbarung, die mit dem Propheten Muhammad als Medium der Menschheit übermittelt wurde. Dem hohen rituellen, ästhetischen und religiös-emotionalen Wert des Korans als Wort Gottes steht allerdings ein weniger stark verbreitetes grundlegendes theologisches Wissen zu seiner Erschließung gegenüber. Die Entstehungsgeschichte und der Offenbarungskontext sind beim Verständnis und der Auslegung des Texts von essentieller Bedeutung. Vor allem aber die wissenschaftlichen Diskurse in den Jahrhunderten seit der Offenbarung des Korans, aus denen das unendliche Spektrum an Auslegungen und deren Wandel über die Jahrhunderte hervorgeht, sind wenig bis gar nicht bekannt...
On rates of convergence in the probabilistic analysis of algorithms
Authors:   , Straub Jasmin
Published: October 2021

Within the last thirty years, the contraction method has become an important tool for the distributional analysis of random recursive structures. While it was mainly developed to show weak convergence, the contraction approach can additionally be used to obtain bounds on the rate of convergence in an appropriate metric. Based on ideas of the contraction method, we develop a general framework to bound rates of convergence for sequences of random variables as they mainly arise in the analysis of random trees and divide-and-conquer algorithms. The rates of convergence are bounded in the Zolotarev distances. In essence, we present three different versions of convergence theorems: a general version, an improved version for normal limit laws (providing significantly better bounds in some examples with normal limits) and a third version with a relaxed independence condition. Moreover, concrete applications are given which include parameters of random trees, quantities of stochastic geometry as well as complexity measures of recursive algorithms under either a random input or some randomization within the algorithm.
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE DISCLOSURE PRACTICES OF TELECOM INDUSTRY: EVIDENCE FROM INDIA
Authors:   PhD Scholar, Department of Commerce and Management Studies, University of Calicut, Kerala, India., T.P Reshma , Muraleedharan K.P ,   Academic Dean-Business Studies, University of West London, UAE., Sivaram Arathi ,   PhD Scholar, Department of Commerce and Management Studies, University of Calicut, Kerala, India., E.K Satheesh ,   Registrar, University of Calicut, Kerala, India.
Published: October 2021

In the corporate world, the importance of corporate governance is gearing up day by day. As per the new regulations in India every company has the responsibility to disclose required information to the stakeholders whenever they want. The seven pillars of good corporate governance include Accountability, fairness, transparency, assurance, leadership, and stakeholder management. Among the seven pillars, disclosure practices are related to corporate transparency. Governance disclosure practices are one of the important pillars of good corporate governance which add value to the governance. Since the fiscal deficit faced by the Indian economy in 1991 Indian companies also urge good corporate governance. This paper aims to study the corporate governance disclosure practices in the top five companies in the Indian telecom sector. For the study, five yearâ€™s annual reports of the selected five companies have been analyzed and for evaluating the corporate governance disclosure practices an assessment model has been adopted. The company having the highest average score of corporate governance disclosure is considered as the company has good corporate governance and vice versa.
STUDY OF ASSSOCIATION OF BICARBONATE LEVELS WITH MORTALITY AMONG PATIENTS OF CHRONIC KIDNEY DIASEASE
Authors:   Post Graduate (MD Internal Medicine)., Rama Priyanka Kotamraju
Published: October 2021

Prospective observational study of estimation of serum bicarbonate levels in patients of CKD and association of serum bicarbonate levels with mortality among CKD patients attending department of Internal medicine and Nephrology.
Response Factor in GC-FID Methyl Ester Analysis in Several Biodiesels: A Comparative Study of the EN 14103:2011 and ABNT 15764:2015 Methods versus a Proposed GC-FID Procedure for Individual Ester Determination
Authors: da Silva Willian , Oliveira Jr. Arnaldo , Tubino Matthieu
Published: October 2021

A gas chromatography method with a flame ionization detector enabled by relative response factor was developed to determine the individual and the total content of esters in biodiesel. This method accounts for different response factors of the detector for a homologous series of esters that may be present in biodiesel. In this way, the determination of the total ester content of a reference sample (100.5%) was done with more accuracy by the proposed procedure (100.2%) than by official analytical methods: EN (74.68%) and ABNT (118.2%). Another advantage of the developed method is the possibility of determining individual ester concentrations, which provides information on several important biodiesel properties such as oxidative stability and cold flow properties. The mean absolute error in the determination of the individual ester content was ca. 1.1%.
Physical modeling of sand columns application in recharge reservoir to prevent seawater intrusion
Authors: Yusuf Hamzah , Azis Akhmad , Badaruddin Sugiarto , Saiby Andi Muhammad Subhan , Faisal Zulvyah , Saing Zubair
Published: October 2021

This study aims to provide visual evidence by the physical simulation to demonstrate the sand column performance of a recharge reservoir to control seawater encroachment and confirm some previous studies. In this analysis, a two-dimensional sand tank illustrates the sand column's role in overcoming seawater intrusion. Besides using dyes, the sand tank is also fitted with sensors to observe the length of seawater penetration. Furthermore, the simulation using SEAWAT numerical modeling is used as a reference in this analysis. The criteria analyzed were the number of sand columns, the reservoir water level, and the isochlors concentration. The results revealed a reasonably close match between physical and computational modeling. It was also found that the more sand columns and the higher the reservoir water level, resulted in the decrease of seawater penetration length that occurred. Physical and computational modeling findings indicated that the optimal results are derived using three sand columns with an RMSE value of 0.76. The seawater infiltration length decreased to 84.72% relative to sand column-free conditions at a reservoir water level of 15.0 cm.
A study of saltwater intrusion in the Kallada River, southwest coast of Kerala, India
Authors: Chithra S. , Joseph Sabu , Kannan N.
Published: October 2021

Munroe Island in Kollam District of Kerala is a typical backwater village situated at the confluence of the Ashtamudi backwater and the Kallada River system. It is an amalgamation of eight small islands with a total area of 13.4 km2. Salinity intrusion has been a serious threat in the downstream areas of Kallada River for more than one and half decades, affecting the groundwater quality of Munroe Island. The present study focuses on the seasonal variation in physico-chemical characteristics of the underground water system of Munroe Island and Kallada River with special reference to saline water intrusion. Physico-chemical analysis of ground water revealed that samples were unsuitable for drinking due to higher content of Na, Ca, and K. Microbiological analysis of island groundwater showed the presence of coliform and E. coli bacteria above the permissible limit. Results indicated a significant correlation between salinity and major anions viz., Cl− and SO42 and cations viz., Mg, Na, Ca, and K of both river surface and island groundwater. In the present study it is clearly evident the occurrence of saltwater intrusion in Kallada River from Ashtamudy Lake and the its severity become higher during premonsoon season. The results also indicated that the salinity increase in Kallada River has a negative impact on island groundwater quality. The paper also suggests suitable management strategies for overcoming the saltwater intrusion thereby upgrading island sustainability.
SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNICAL TERMINOLOGY IN MODERN COGNITIVE PARADIGM
Authors:   Krasnodar Higher Military School named after General of the Army S.M. Shtemenko, DARIA I. NOVOSELETSKAYA
Published: October 2021

The current problems of the terminological evolution of the complex of scientific and technical sciences in the era of technical globalization are considered; there is a significant expansion of the national term fund and the activation of the processes of borrowing into the sublanguage of technical epistemological spheres. In the mainstream of cognitivism, the specificity of technical knowledge is investigated in comparison with humanitarian and other types of knowledge; the connection between science, technology and human thinking is traced; aspects of his mental and cognitive activity are determined. The role of derivational processes in the creation of new conceptual and thematic modules in the structure of the modern scientific and technical terminological system is shown; it is noted that the technical term represents the cognitive element of human cognitive activity.
MORPHOLOGICAL FEATURES OF THE DIPLOMATIC LANGUAGE
Authors:   Astrakhan State University, OLGA V. CHURSINA , LENARA R. SULTYEVA ,   Astrakhan State University
Published: October 2021

The article under discussion reviews features of the diplomatic language. Special emphasis is placed on its morphological characteristics. Thus, within the framework of the study, the language is divided into oral and written speech, forms that are widely used in international relations in the form of press releases, speeches, resolutions and other documents. The paper deals mainly with verbs and nouns, analyzes the features of their use and predominance in a particular type of the diplomatic language.
IMPERATIVENESS AND THE THEORY OF SPEECH ACTS
Authors:   Astrakhan State University, GALINA N. SHATOKHINA
Published: October 2021

The article discusses the key provisions of the theory of speech acts, presents their modern classifications and models. A speech act is interpreted in the work as the production of a certain sentence in the context of real speech communication to implement a certain communicative intention. The focus is on the illocutionary act, the main criterion for highlighting which is the presence of a sign of expediency. Analyzing the concept of speech genres, the author of the article singles out imperative genres and examines their originality and linguistic expression.
IMPLICIT CONTENT OF A DIALOGIC UTTERANCE IN THE LIGHT OF THINKING SEMANTIC FORMS
Authors:   Southern Federal University, IGOR A. KUDRYASHOV
Published: October 2021

The article analyzes the implicit content, the carrier of which is a stimulating or reacting statement. This content belongs to the dialogic discourse as a whole, since the pragmatic condition for its existence is the use of an utterance in the context of a spontaneous dialogue. The implicitness of the utterance is characteristic of the dialogue, and the logical connections between the replicas of the dialogue are often not explicated, the meaning of the sounding utterance is the result of its semantic interaction with one of the subsequent or previous utterances.
ELEMENTS OF THE FILTERING THEORY AND THE THEORY OF INTERVAL AVERAGES IN THE APPLICATION TO THE PROBLEMS OF ANALYZING THE QUALITY OF ELECTRONIC LIBRARIES
Authors:   Military Academy of Communications named after Marshal of the Soviet Union S.M. Budyonny, ELENA S. KRYUKOVA , IGOR B. PARASHCHUK ,   Military Academy of Communications named after Marshal of the Soviet Union S.M. Budyonny
Published: October 2021

The role and place of electronic libraries as one of the key elements of the foundation of the unified information space of Russia are characterized. The features that determine the complexity (level) of methods and tools for analyzing the state and quality of electronic libraries and impose increasingly high requirements on algorithms for evaluating the quality of software and hardware and digital content are shown. Some key aspects of the formulation and content filling of the basic stages of the methodology for analyzing the quality of electronic libraries ardescribed. It is shown that these aspects are essential in the framework of obtaining interval partial (lower and upper) quality estimates and generalized quality estimates of systems of this class using the methods of the theory of interval averages. An approach combining the methods of the theory of interval averages and traditional methods of Kalman filtering (extrapolation) is proposed) to analyze the quality of electronic libraries. The practical implementation of the methodology will allow us to obtain estimated values of specific system parameters at time intervals, which will increase the reliability of the quality analysis and the adequacy of the management of the structure, parameters and modes of operation of objects of this class.
GEOFILTRATION MODELING AND CHARACTERIZATION OF THE LEBEDINSKY UNDERGROUND WATER
Authors:   Belgorod National Research University, DARYA A. MOSKOVTSEVA , EVGENIY V. KICHIGIN ,   Belgorod National Research University
Published: October 2021

Topicality: The problem of groundwater protection from pollution is nowadays an important part of environmental surveys. Due to the fact that the large scale of drainage works aimed at providing normal conditions for construction and operation of open pits lead to significant changes and disturbance of the natural regime of groundwater, monitoring of the state of water resources is an urgent task. Purpose: The purpose is to predict the impact of drainage system on groundwater, the development of a geofiltration model, which will allow to predict in detail the conditions of formation of filtration flow, level, quantity of reserves and quality composition of groundwater in the zone of influence of the quarry and the surrounding area. Method: Method of complex substantiation of optimal forecasting scheme with the help of created model. Results of the work: The results of the study of the state of groundwater before the Lebedinsky deposit and after. It was revealed that disturbed groundwater regime in the area of JSC Lebedinsky GOK pit location and in the adjacent territory depends on the Lebedinsky pit drainage system. To predict the impact of the drainage system on groundwater together with "Tsentrogiproruda" was created geofiltration model, which allowed a detailed prediction of the conditions of filtration flow formation in the zone of influence of the quarry. Conclusions: A slight decrease in groundwater levels in the area of the quarry and in the adjacent territory, as well as a decrease in groundwater reserves of "RSU" water intakes on the Albian-Cenomanian aquifer, which is in the zone of influence of the drainage system of the quarry, is predicted. Expansion of the quarry and the development of dumps will not lead to a change in the quality composition of groundwater.
MAPPING OF DESERTIFICATION IN CASPIAN TERRITORY
Authors:   Astrakhan State University, MARINA S. BEZUGLOVA , IRINA S. SHAROVA ,   Astrakhan State University, GALINA V. KRYZHANOVSKAYA ,   Astrakhan State University, DINA H. MAMINA ,   Moscow State University of Civil Engineering
Published: October 2021

The relevance of this article is represented by interest in the mapping of desertification processes for the inventory of natural resources in the context of aridization. The purpose of the study is to compile one map or a series of maps for analyzing the natural environment in dynamics. In the latter case, three maps are necessary: the background level, the current state of desertification and the risk of desertification in the future. The method of integrated environmental mapping for the creation of maps of environmental situations allows identifying environmental problems, i. e. negative changes in the natural environment caused by anthropogenic activities and determining their spatial localization. The main advantage of the methodology is that it allows the presentation of initial information in cartographic form, both in the presence of quantitative data and in the absence of them. According to the results of the work carried out, it is clear that in the south-western part of the Russian Federation the problem of desertification is urgent. More than 4 % of the territory of southern Russia is very susceptible to desertification. Drawing conclusions from the studies carried out, the maps of the current state and danger of desertification are necessary materials for the planning of environmental protection and resource management.
GEOINFORMATION MAPPING OF TOURIST CLUSTERS IN THE NORTH-WESTERN CASPIAN REGION
Authors:   Astrakhan State University, ALTYNGANYM Z. KARABAEVA , NIKOLAY A. GAIDUKOV ,   Astrakhan State University, POLINA P. KUSKOVA ,   Astrakhan State University
Published: October 2021

Currently, recreational tourism is one of the most exciting and affordable types of recreation in Russia. It is popular in all regions of our country, including the Astrakhan region. The Astrakhan region has a huge natural and socio-economic potential for the development of this type of tourism. The peculiarities of the geographical location, the abundance of reservoirs with a variety of fish stocks, the duration of favorable climatic conditions contribute to the formation of sports and amateur tourism in the region. The tourist market today offers a wide variety of recreation centers. Currently, a significant part of the recreation centers is focused primarily on customers arriving for the purpose of recreation and fishing. In addition to recreation centers, there are excursion programs and special fishing or hunting tours. The presence of specialized recreation centers allows you to effectively influence the demand for relevant services and contribute to the development of the tourism industry. To get information about the territorial location of recreation centers in the study area, tourists need a resource that displays the presence of existing objects, with which they can easily navigate in the choice of vacation spots. In this regard, the question arose about the creation of such a cartographic product. The purpose of this work: geoinformation mapping of tourist clusters of the Northwestern Caspian Sea (on the example of the Astrakhan region). As a result of the conducted research, based on the obtained scientific and aerospace data of the GoogleEarth program, a map of collective tourist accommodation facilities using the Quantum GIS (QGIS) program was compiled for the first time). The created electronic map is of great importance for obtaining information about the territorial location of recreation centers.
MAIN DYNAMICS OF ANTHROPOGENIC IMPACT ON AQUAL COMPLEXES
Authors:   Astrakhan State University, MIKHAIL M. IOLIN , ANASTASIA S. BORZOVA ,   Astrakhan State University
Published: October 2021

The purpose of this work is a component-wise analysis of the dynamics of anthropogenic impact on the aquatic complexes of the Lower Volga, which includes such indicators as: COD, BOD5, iron, copper, zinc, nickel, mercury, molybdenum, phenols, petroleum products, nitrites, hydrogen sulfide and sulfides and other Methods. The following methods were used in the work: cartographic, comparative-geographical, mathematical-statistical, geoinformation. Results. As a result of the conducted geoecological monitoring, the qualitative and quantitative characteristics of the surface waters of the Astrakhan region were considered, and areas of pollution that were environmentally hazardous to the health of the population were identified. Conclusions. The quality of the Lower Volga waters according to the comprehensive assessment of pollution was determined by the class "dirty", category "a", the excess of MPC was for COD, BOD5, iron, copper, zinc, nickel, molybdenum, mercury, phenols, oil products and sulfides and nitrites. Oxygen regime and pH regime were within normal limits.
Utility, Maximizing, and the Satisficing Concept: A Historical Approach at Reconciliation
Authors: Van Fleet David D.
Published: October 2021

Utility is used in both economic and business theories of decision-making. The tradition utility approach using maximizing concepts seems at odds with the concept of satisficing behavior. The relation between utility and the satisficing concept is suggested to be that satisficing refers to a process of adaptive behavior by which an economic unit strives to attain a satisfactory level of utility for higher ranking objectives before turning to lower-ranking objectives. There is no necessary inconsistency between utility and satisficing, although the assumption of maximization must be replaced, in positive analysis, by that of satisficing since the scope referred to by each of the concepts, positive and normative, is quite different. This paper uses historical material to develop a model, which is then used to analyze those relations.
Feasibility and Acceptability of a Ugandan Telehealth Engagement Platform for Informational Messaging on Modern Contraception: Pilot Cross-sectional Study (Preprint)
Authors: Kamulegeya Louis Henry , Bwanika JohnMark , Banonya Joy , Atuhaire Joan , Musinguzi Davis , Nakate Vivian , Kyenkya Joshua , Namatende Lydia , Horvath Keith J , Kiragga Agnes
Published: October 2021

BACKGROUND

With the region’s highest population growth rate (30%), Uganda is on the brink of a population explosion, yet access to and utilization of public health control measures like modern contraception is a challenge. This is due to remotely located health facilities, noncustomized health content, and poor or nonfunctional post-facility follow-up.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of our study was to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of a telehealth engagement platform primarily targeting men; the platform provided behavioral and informational messaging on modern contraception (ie, family planning) and its impact on shaping sexual and reproductive health and knowledge and uptake of family planning services.

METHODS

A longitudinal cohort of men aged 18 years and older gave consent to receive mobile phone messages on family planning; follow-up was performed at months 1, 4, and 6 to assess key study-related outcomes on knowledge transfer and acquisition on modern contraception, partner communication, and spousal uptake of family planning. Qualitative interviews with the study participants’ spouses were also performed.

RESULTS

The study included 551 study participants, 450 of whom were men, the primary study participants, who received the family planning mobile messages and 101 of whom were their spouses. Of the 450 primary participants, 426 (95%) successfully received the messages and only 24 (5%) reported not receiving them. The average response (ie, participation) rate in weekly quizzes was 23%. There was a noted 18.1% increase in couple communication attributed to the intervention; couples opened up more to each other on matters concerning family planning.

CONCLUSIONS

Using digital channels to address the concerns and inquiries of participants in real time or as fast as possible helped to increase the likelihood that couples adopted family planning.