bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Integrative Analysis of Biomarkers and Mechanisms in Adamantinomatous Craniopharyngioma
Authors: Lin Da , Zhao Wenyue , Yang Jun , Wang Hao , Zhang Hongbing
Published: March 2022

Craniopharyngioma is a benign tumor, and the predominant treatment methods are surgical resection and radiotherapy. However, both treatments may lead to complex complications, seriously affecting patients’ survival rate and quality of life. Adamantinomatous craniopharyngioma (ACP), as one of the histological subtypes of craniopharyngioma, is associated with a high incidence and poor prognosis, and there is a gap in the targeted therapy of immune-related genes for ACP. In this study, two gene expression profiles of ACP, namely GSE68015 and GSE94349, were downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. The differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified by the Limma package, and 271 differentially expressed immune-related genes (DEIRGs) were obtained from the Immport database. The gene ontology (GO), Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG), and Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) were performed for annotation, visualization, and integrated discovery. Five hub genes, including CXCL6, CXCL10, CXCL11, CXCL13, and SAA1, were screened out through protein-protein interaction (PPI) network interaction construction. Two diagnostic markers, namely S100A2 and SDC1 (both of which have the Area Under Curve value of 1), were screened by the machine learning algorithm. CIBERSORT analysis showed that M2 macrophages, activated NK cells, and gamma delta T cells had higher abundance in ACP infiltration, while CD8+ T cells, regulatory T cells, and Neutrophils had less abundance in ACP infiltration. The expression of gamma delta T cells was positively correlated with CXCL6, S100A2, SDC1, and SAA1, while CD8+ T cells expression was negatively correlated with CXCL6, S100A2, SDC1, and CXCL10. ACP with high CXCL6 showed remarkable drug sensitivity to Pentostatin and Wortmannin via CellMiner database analysis. Our results deepened the understanding of the molecular immune mechanism in ACP and provided potential biomarkers for the precisely targeted therapy for ACP.
Optimization of Anti-SARS-CoV-2 Neutralizing Antibody Therapies: Roadmap to Improve Clinical Effectiveness and Implementation
Authors: van der Straten Karlijn , van Gils Marit J. , de Taeye Steven W. , de Bree Godelieve J.
Published: March 2022

One of the major breakthroughs to combat the current Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has been the development of highly effective vaccines against the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Still, alternatives are needed for individuals who are at high risk of developing severe COVID-19 and are not protected by vaccination. Monoclonal antibodies against the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 have been shown to be effective as prophylaxis and treatment against COVID-19. However, the emergence of variants of concern (VOCs) challenges the efficacy of antibody therapies. This review describes the neutralization resistance of the clinically-approved monoclonal antibody therapies against the Alpha (B.1.1.7), Beta (B.1.351), Gamma (P1), Delta (B.1.617.2), and the Omicron (B.1.1.529) variants. To guide the development of monoclonal antibody therapies and to anticipate on the continuous evolution of SARS-CoV-2, we highlight different strategies to broaden the antibody activity by targeting more conserved epitopes and/or simultaneously targeting multiple sites of vulnerability of the virus. This review further describes the contribution of antibody Fc effector functions to optimize the antibody efficacy. In addition, the main route of SARS-CoV-2 antibody administration is currently intravenously and dictates a monthly injection when used as prophylactic. Therefore, we discusses the concept of long-acting antibodies (LAABs) and non-intravenously routes of antibody administration in order to broaden the clinical applicability of antibody therapies.
Genital Mycoplasmas and Biomarkers of Inflammation and Their Association With Spontaneous Preterm Birth and Preterm Prelabor Rupture of Membranes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Noda-Nicolau Nathalia M. , Tantengco Ourlad Alzeus G. , Polettini Jossimara , Silva Mariana C. , Bento Giovana F. C. , Cursino Geovanna C. , Marconi Camila , Lamont Ronald F. , Taylor Brandie D. , Silva Márcia G. , Jupiter Daniel , Menon Ramkumar
Published: March 2022

Genital mycoplasmas (GM), such as Mycoplasma hominis, Mycoplasma genitalium, Ureaplasma parvum, and Ureaplasma urealyticum are commonly associated with spontaneous preterm labor (SPTL), spontaneous preterm birth (PTB), and preterm prelabor rupture of membranes (PPROM). This study determined the association between GM and such adverse pregnancy outcomes. We searched for studies published 1980–2019 in MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Web of Science. Studies were eligible when GM was detected during pregnancy. We included 93 and 51 studies in determining the prevalence and the inflammatory biomarkers associated with GM, respectively, using the “metafor” package within R. The protocol was registered with PROSPERO (registration no. CRD42016047297). Women with the studied adverse pregnancy outcomes had significantly higher odds of presence with GM compared to women who delivered at term. For PTB, the odds ratios were: M. hominis (OR: 2.25; CI: 1.35–3.75; I2: 44%), M. genitalium (OR: 2.04; CIL 1.18–3.53; I2: 20%), U. parvum (OR: 1.75; CI: 1.47–2.07; I2: 0%), U. urealyticum (OR: 1.50; CI: 1.08–2.07; I2: 58%). SPTL had significantly higher odds with M. hominis (OR: 1.96; CI: 1.19–3.23; I2: 1%) or U. urealyticum (OR: 2.37; CI: 1.20–4.70; I2: 76%) compared to women without SPTL. Women with PPROM had significantly higher odds with M. hominis (OR: 2.09; CI: 1.42–3.08; I2: 0%) than women without PPROM. However, our subgroup analysis based on the diagnostic test and the sample used for detecting GM showed a higher prevalence of GM in maternal samples than in fetal samples. GM presence of the cervix and vagina was associated with lower odds of PTB and preterm labor (PTL). In contrast, GM presence in the AF, fetal membrane, and placenta was associated with increased odds of PTB and PTL. However, genital mycoplasmas may not elicit the massive inflammation required to trigger PTB. In conclusion, GM presence in the fetal tissues was associated with significantly increased odds of PTB and PTL.
Perioperative Complications of Transvenous Embolization of Ruptured Intracranial Arteriovenous Malformations
Authors: He Yanyan , Bai Weixing , Xu Bin , Kang Xiaoyu , Xue Jiangyu , He Yingkun , Li Tianxiao
Published: March 2022

Purpose

To investigate the perioperative complications of transvenous embolization of ruptured intracranial arteriovenous malformations.

Materials and Methods

A total of 27 patients with ruptured intracranial arteriovenous malformations underwent transvenous embolization were enrolled from November 2016 to May 2020 in our prospective database. Perioperative complications and angiographic characteristics were analyzed retrospectively.

Results

Complete disappearance of the nidus occured in 22 (88%) of 25 patients with technically feasible AVMs immediately after embolization. Two cases were partially treated by transarterial embolization due to the failure of microcatheter placement into the draining vein. Seven (25.9%, 7/27) patients had perioperative complications, including three cases of intraoperative hemorrhage, three cases of postoperative hemorrhage and one case of ischemic infarction. No significant differences in complication rates between patients with nidus ≥3 cm and <3 cm (P = 0.659), eloquent area and non-eloquent (P = 0.137), deep location and superficial (P = 0.637), deep venous drainage and cortical vein (P = 1.0), the number of venous drainage (P = 0.49), the angle of draining vein entering venous sinus <90° and ≥90° (P = 1.0), aneurysms (P = 0.058) and the time between hemorrhage and TVE (P = 1.0) were found. Three of these patients received ventriculostomy, two of which received lumbar drainage treatments at the same time, and four patients just received conservative management. Good outcomes (mRS ≤ 2) at the 1-month evaluation were achieved in 5 of the patients who had complications, but poor outcome (mRS = 5) at the 1-month evaluation was in 1 patient, and 1 lethal complication occurred.

Conclusion

The most common complication of AVMs with transvenous endovascular embolization is cerebral hemorrhage. The prevention of complications may improve the efficacy of AVM embolization, but the current quality of evidence is low and limited in guiding policy development and improving the TVE for AVMs. It is, therefore, necessary to develop clinical research programs in this field.
Automation of Cranial Nerve Tractography by Filtering Tractograms for Skull Base Surgery
Authors: Decroocq Méghane , Des Ligneris Morgane , Poquillon Titouan , Vincent Maxime , Aubert Manon , Jacquesson Timothée , Frindel Carole
Published: March 2022

Fiber tractography enables the in vivo reconstruction of white matter fibers in 3 dimensions using data collected by diffusion tensor imaging, thereby helping to understand functional neuroanatomy. In a pre-operative context, it provides essential information on the trajectory of fiber bundles of medical interest, such as cranial nerves. However, the optimization of tractography parameters is a time-consuming process and requires expert neuroanatomical knowledge, making the use of tractography difficult in clinical routine. Tractogram filtering is a method used to isolate the most relevant fibers. In this work, we propose to use filtering as a post-processing of tractography to avoid the manual optimization of tracking parameters and therefore making a step forward automation of tractography. To question the feasibility of automated tractography of cranial nerves, we perform an analysis of main cranial nerves on a series of patients with skull base tumors. A quantitative evaluation of the filtering performance of two state-of-the-art and a new entropy-based methods is carried out on the basis of reference tractograms produced by experts. Our approach proves to be more stable in the selection of the optimal filtering threshold and turns out to be interesting in terms of computational time complexity.
A Novel Mutation in ATRX Causes Alpha-Thalassemia X-Linked Intellectual Disability Syndrome in a Han Chinese Family
Authors: Wu Shaomin , Zheng Yingchun , Xu Cailing , Fu Jiahui , Xiong Fu , Yang Fang
Published: March 2022

Objective

To analyze genetic mutations in a Chinese pedigree affected with Alpha-thalassemia X-linked intellectual disability syndrome, providing a precise diagnosis and genetic counseling.

Methods

Clinical data was collected. A novel alternative splicing variant detected by whole-exome sequencing was validated by Sanger sequencing. The functional effect of the mutation was predicted with Mutation Tasting. The analysis of 5′ splice site score was estimated with MaxEntScan. Changes in amino acid sequencing were predicted with Mutalyzer. The tertiary structures of the wild type and mutation-carrying protein were predicted by I-TASSER. RNA was extracted from peripheral blood lymphocytes from the proband, his mother and a healthy control. Quantitative Real-Time PCR was used to detect mRNA expression.

Results

The proband presented with severe intellectual disability, developmental delay, characteristic facies, seizures and cryptorchidism. A novel hemizygous duplication mutation in the ATRX gene in a splice site between exons 3 and 4, NM_000489: c.189+1dupG, was identified with WES in the proband. Sanger sequencing confirmed that the mutation was inherited from his mother, who carried a heterozygous mutation, while his father was not affected. Bioinformatics analysis indicated that the splicing region where the mutation was located is highly conserved and the variant was damaging, producing a truncated protein due to the premature translation of a stop codon. Sanger sequencing with the Quantitative Real-Time PCR product containing a G base inserted between bases 189 and 190. The level of mRNA expression showed that ATRX gene transcription decreased due to the mutation (P < 0.05).

Conclusions

A novel mutation in ATRX was found in this pedigree and was confirmed to be pathogenic through functional studies. Our research expanded the spectrum of ATRX gene mutations, providing a precise diagnosis and a basis for genetic counseling.
Blueberry Juice Attenuates Pulmonary Fibrosis via Blocking the TGF-β1/Smad Signaling Pathway
Authors: Li Yali , Wang Liqun , Zhang Qianyu , Tian Li , Gan Cailing , Liu Hongyao , Yin Wenya , Ye Tinghong
Published: March 2022

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a progressive, fatal, and chronic lung disease, lacking a validated and effective therapy. Blueberry has demonstrated multiple pharmacological activities including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anticancer. Therefore, the objective of this study was to investigate whether blueberry juice (BBJ) could ameliorate IPF. Experiments in vitro revealed that BBJ could significantly reduce the expressions of TGF-β1 modulated fibrotic protein, which were involved in the cascade of fibrosis in NIH/3T3 cells and human pulmonary fibroblasts. In addition, for rat primary lung fibroblasts (RPLFs), BBJ promoted the cell apoptosis along with reducing the expressions of α-SMA, vimentin, and collagen I, while increasing the E-cadherin level. Furthermore, BBJ could reverse epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) phenotypic changes and inhibit cell migration, along with inducing the upregulation of E-cadherin in A549 cells. Compared with the vehicle group, BBJ treatment alleviated fibrotic pathological changes and collagen deposition in both bleomycin-induced prevention and treatment pulmonary fibrosis models. In fibrotic lung tissues, BBJ remarkably suppressed the expressions of collagen I, α-SMA, and vimentin and improved E-cadherin, which may be related to its inhibition of the TGF-β1/Smad pathway and anti-inflammation efficacy. Taken together, these findings comprehensively proved that BBJ could effectively prevent and attenuate idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis via suppressing EMT and the TGF-β1/Smad signaling pathway.
Epidemiological and Clinical Characteristics of 5,569 Pediatric Burns in Central China From 2013 to 2019
Authors: Han Dawei , Wei Ying , Li Yancang , Zha Xinjian , Li Rui , Xia Chengde , Li Yun , Yang Huanna , Xie Jiangfan , Tian Shemin
Published: March 2022

Background

Pediatric burns of all the ages are prevalent worldwide, posing a severe health risk to children. This study aims to examine pediatric burns' clinical characteristics and epidemiology in central China.

Methods

The pediatric patients of the Burn Research Center, Department of the First People's Hospital of Zhengzhou City from 2013 to 2019 were retrospectively studied and the relevant data were collected from the hospitalized medical records [e.g., demographic, etiology, length of stay (LOS), age, gender, burn area and depth, number of surgeries, cost, and outcome].

Results

A total of 5,569 pediatric burn patients were included, accounting for 43.9% of the total burn population. Electric burns represented a relatively small proportion (1.17%) but were more likely to lead to disabilities or death than scalds (90.63%) and flames (5.12%). The median age was 2 years [interquartile range (IQR): 1–4] and the boys/girls ratio ranged from 1.3:1 to 1.6:1. The most commonly burnt anatomic sites were the limbs (38.3%), with a median %TBSA (total body surface area) of 6 (IQR: 4–10). The complications of shock and pneumonia accounted for 7.6 and 19.2%, respectively. The peak months of pediatric burns included January, May, and August and the rural/urban ratio reached 1.61:1. The percentage of burn wounds treated surgically increased considerably from 2013 to 2019 (3.8 vs. 37.8%). The median hospital LOS was 15 days (IQR: 8–28 days), with the three high-risk factors (e.g., more surgeries, more %TBSA, full-thickness skin burns). The median cost of hospitalization was 1,511 USD (IQR: 848–2,648 USD) and the main risk factors consisted of full-thickness burns, more %TBSA, longer LOS, and more surgical procedures. Among all the patients, LA50 was 78.63% (95% CI = 75.12–83.45) and the overall mortality reached 0.1% since seven deaths were recorded.

Conclusion

Scalds, flames, contact, and chemicals are the main causes of burns among children aged 1–5 years in central China. Accordingly, various prevention strategies should be employed depending upon the cause of the burn.
Exploring the Mediating Effect of Physical Activities on Built Environment and Obesity for Elderly People: Evidence From Shanghai, China
Authors: Xiao Yang , Chen Sijia , Miao Siyu , Yu Yifan
Published: March 2022

There is still a scarcity of literature on the specific mechanisms of the linkage between the built environment and obesity. As a result, this study investigated whether and how physical activities mediate the associations between the objective built environment and the BMI of elderly people. To investigate the effect of the duration and intensity of physical activity on the effect of the built environment, the study made use of the bootstrap method. In general, we discovered that physical activity duration has a huge mediating effect on the elderly people in Shanghai, especially with respect to the density and accessibility of facilities (gyms, parks, fast-food restaurants) that can greatly stimulate physical activity in elderly people to reduce their BMI. There were both direct and indirect effects on their BMI, which means that the health benefits of green spaces for older people may be more complicated than first thought.
A Synthesis of Surface Water Quality in Awash Basin, Ethiopia
Authors: Assegide Endaweke , Alamirew Tena , Dile Yihun T. , Bayabil Haimanote , Tessema Bezaye , Zeleke Gete
Published: March 2022

Developing countries like Ethiopia are grabbling with rapid population growth, urbanization, agricultural intensification, and climate change which put intense pressure on the availability and quality of water resources. The surface water quality degradation is exacerbating due to increasing urbanization and agricultural activities. The average annual fertilizer use in Ethiopia increased from 132,522 metric tons (mt) in 1996 to 858,825 mt in 2015. Pesticide use also increases significantly from 3,327.7 mt/y in 2006 to 4,211.5 mt/y in 2010. The Awash river is one of the most affected rivers by intensified irrigation schemes, industrial, and urbanization pollution. The Awash river and its tributaries are used for domestic, irrigation, industrial, and recreational purposes. However, as per Canadian water quality indices for the drinking and irrigation water quality, the upper Awash basin scored 34.79, and 46.39, respectively, in the poor and marginal categories; whereas the middle/lower basin indicated 32.25 and 62.78 in poor and marginal ranges, respectively. Dissolved phosphorous in the headwater tributaries is about 0.51 mg/l which is beyond the threshold (0.15 mg/l). The surface water quality impairment is severe in the upper Awash basin where more than 90% of Addis Ababa's industries discharge their waste into nearby waterways without treatment; about 30% of the population lacks access to a liquid waste disposal and treatment facility; only 16% of the population is connected to sewage system, and 25% of the total waste generated enters freshwater systems without treatment. Many studies on surface water quality are reviewed and many of them are inconclusive for a number of reasons. For example, no comprehensive surface water quality research, lack of detailed combined spatial and temporal surface water quality data, and analysis to show the overall picture of the basin are a few of them. Despite the existence of the policy and legal tools, enforcement is lacking. Improving the ecological health of rivers necessitates policy revision as well as increased knowledge and engagement among implementers.
Using Artificial Neural Network (ANN) for Short-Range Prediction of Cotton Yield in Data-Scarce Regions
Authors: Yildirim Tugba , Moriasi Daniel N. , Starks Patrick J. , Chakraborty Debaditya
Published: March 2022

Short-range predictions of crop yield provide valuable insights for agricultural resource management and likely economic impacts associated with low yield. Such predictions are difficult to achieve in regions that lack extensive observational records. Herein, we demonstrate how a number of basic or readily available input data can be used to train an Artificial Neural Network (ANN) model to provide months-ahead predictions of cotton yield for a case study in Menemen Plain, Turkey. We use limited reported yield (13 years) along cumulative precipitation, cumulative heat units, two meteorologically-based drought indices (Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI) and Standardized Precipitation Evapotranspiration Index (SPEI)), and three remotely-sensed vegetation indices (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), Enhanced Vegetation Index (EVI), and Land Surface Water Index (LSWI)) as ANN inputs. Results indicate that, when EVI is combined with the preceding 12-month SPEI, it has better sensitivity to cotton yield than other indicators. The ANN model predicted cotton yield four months before harvest with R2 > 0.80, showing potential as a yield prediction tool. We discuss the effects of different combinations of input data (explanatory variables), dataset size, and selection of training data to inform future applications of ANN for early prediction of cotton yield in data-scarce regions.
De-Risking Solar Receivers to Achieve SunShot Targets
Authors: Bauer Matthew L.
Published: March 2022

Concentrating solar thermal (CST) systems are unique among renewable energy options for the ease of integration with thermal energy storage (TES). This enables dispatchable (or continuous) production of electricity, process heat, solar fuels, or other chemical products. The solar receiver in a CST system converts concentrated sunlight to transportable thermal energy. In solar power towers, the solar receiver’s physical limitations are often the constraining conditions for the system; they restrict maximum temperature, maximum solar concentration, or controllable chemical production. It is also a uniquely challenging component to prototype and test at sizes beyond the laboratory scale. Transitioning exceptional research innovations into viable components for an integrated system and ultimately leading to CST market adoption requires a multiscale vision for component de-risking and development. Technical requirements for holistic novel receiver development are reviewed based on learnings from the US Department of Energy’s (USDOE) SunShot Initiative, its active Third Generation of Concentrating Solar Power Systems (Gen3 CSP) program, and anticipation of requirements for future high value applications for CST. Context and learnings from the Gen3 CSP program are provided to exemplify successful receiver risk-reduction paradigms.
Cation Permeability of Voltage-Gated Hair Cell Ca2+ Channels of the Vertebrate Labyrinth
Authors: Martini Marta , Rispoli Giorgio
Published: March 2022

Some hearing, vestibular, and vision disorders are imputable to voltage-gated Ca2+ channels of the sensory cells. These channels convey a large Ca2+ influx despite extracellular Na+ being 70-fold more concentrated than Ca2+; such high selectivity is lost in low Ca2+, and Na+ can permeate. Since the permeation properties and molecular identity of sensory Ca2+ channels are debated, in this paper, we examine the Na+ current flowing through the L- and R-type Ca2+ channels of labyrinth hair cells. Ion currents and cytosolic free Ca2+ concentrations were simultaneously monitored in whole-cell recording synchronous to fast fluorescence imaging. L-type and R-type channels were present with different densities at selected sites. In 10 nM Ca2+, the activation and deactivation time constants of the L-type Na+ current were accelerated and its maximal amplitude increased by 6-fold compared to physiological Ca2+. The deactivation of the R-type Na+ current was not accelerated, and its current amplitude increased by 2.3-fold in low Ca2+; moreover, it was partially blocked by nifedipine in a voltage- and time-dependent manner. In conclusion, L channel gating is affected by the ion species permeating the channel, and its selectivity filter binds Ca2+ more strongly than that of R channel; furthermore, external Ca2+ prevents nifedipine from perturbing the R selectivity filter.
Clinical Impact of Aspergillus fumigatus in Children with Cystic Fibrosis
Authors: Fainardi Valentina , Sodini Chiara , Deolmi Michela , Ciuni Andrea , Skenderaj Kaltra , Stabile Maria Bice , Neglia Cosimo , Zani Elena Mariotti , Spaggiari Cinzia , Sverzellati Nicola , Esposito Susanna , Pisi Giovanna
Published: March 2022

Background. The clinical relevance of Aspergillus fumigatus (Af) in cystic fibrosis (CF) is controversial. The aims of the study were to assess the prevalence of Af disease in our cohort of CF patients and evaluate whether allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) and sensitization to Af affected lung function, body mass index (BMI) and exacerbations. Methods. Clinical data and lung function of CF patients aged 6–18 years followed at the CF Centre of Parma (Italy) were recorded. Patients were classified as: patients with no signs of Af, patients sensitized or colonized by Af, patients with ABPA or patients with Aspergillus bronchitis (Ab). Results. Of 38 CF patients (14.2 years (6.2–18.8) M 23), 8 (21%) showed Af sensitization, 7 (18.4%) showed ABPA, 1 (2.6%) showed Af colonization and 1 (2.6%) showed Ab. Compared to non-ABPA, patients with ABPA had lower BMI (15.9 ± 1.6 vs. 19.7 ± 3.4, p < 0.005), lower lung function (FEV1 61.5 ± 25.9% vs. 92.3 ± 19.3%, p < 0.001) and more exacerbations/year (4.43 ± 2.44 vs. 1.74 ± 2.33, p < 0.005). Patients with Af sensitization showed more exacerbations/year than non-Af patients (3.5 ± 3.2 vs. 0.9 ± 1.2, p < 0.005). ABPA and sensitized patients had more abnormalities on chest CT scans. Conclusion. This study showed the relevant clinical impact of ABPA and Af sensitization in terms of exacerbations and lung structural damage.
Hoop House and Field Evaluation of Tigernut (Cyperus esculentus L. var. sativus Boeck) Selections in New Jersey, USA
Authors: Ayeni Albert O.
Published: March 2022

Tigernut or ‘chufa’ (Cyperus esculentus L. var. sativus) is gaining popularity in the United States as a high energy tuber crop known for sweet and chewy taste, 40–45% gluten-free digestible carbohydrate, high dietary fiber content, healthful fatty acid profile (73% monounsaturated, 18% saturated, 9% polyunsaturated—similar to olive oil), high oleic acid, and high P, K, and vitamins C. E. Tigernut tubers were obtained from specialty crop markets in central NJ and purchased online from commercial distributors as propagules for transplants for hoop house and field production studies. Nine tigernut selections were also evaluated under NJ hoop house culture conditions for growth habit and in the field for adaptation and productivity We concluded that tigernut production is feasible in NJ based on the results of these experiments. The growth patterns of three selections (GH, MV and SK) were studied and characterized. Foliage growth was similar in the three selections. Plant height ranged from an average of 90 cm in GH to 110 cm in MV and SK; side shoot production capacity ranged from 13 shoots per propagule in GH to 20 or more in MV and SK over 14 weeks. Over 99% of tubers in MV and SK were located within the upper 5 cm of the growth media (Pro-Mix BX brand) but tubers of GH were observed at greater soil depths (~20 cm). Tubers varied from spherical (round) in shape in GH and SK to oblong (elongated) in MV. In the field the best growth and tuber yields from NG3 and T-USA selections were obtained under black or white-over-black plastic mulch in conventionally managed plots. Tubers showed high levels of Fe (168–218 ppm) and Zn (39–50 ppm) implying that they should be a good source of these essential elements in human diet. Studies also showed that the tigernut tuber cannot survive the cold winter months in the field in NJ, therefore minimizing the fear of “tigernut invasion” of agronomic fields in NJ and similar agroecosystems.
Research on Design of Emergency Science Popularization Information Visualization for Public Health Events-Taking “COVID-19”as an Example
Authors: Li Hong , Wen Kuohsun
Published: March 2022

This study explores the optimization method of emergency popular science information design elements in public health events, breaks through the traditional design with the designer as the subjective consciousness and proposes an emergency popular science information design method oriented by perceptual narrative. First, relevant research on public health events was carried out to screen out and analyze relevant narrative information elements and image elements, and narrative element divergence tree was established to show evaluation indicators. Second, relevant personnel were invited to evaluate the importance and kansei engineering, factor analysis and other methods were used to establish the correlation evaluation indicators of narrative elements. Finally, the optimization narrative elements of popular science information design were calculated with the fuzzy evaluation method to provide an effective auxiliary role for the visualization design of emergency popular science information. Taking “COVID-19 Event” as an example, the narrative design practice of emergency popular science elements was carried out. According to 313 effective questionnaires, the satisfaction of “COVID-19 event” popular science information elements that adopt the optimization method is relatively high, which verifies the feasibility of this method. The conclusion proves that the perceptual narrative design method can obtain the perceptual identity from the audience and plays a positive role in disseminating emergency popular science information.
Energy Saving in Transition Economies: Environmental Activities in Manufacturing Firms
Authors: Biscione Antonella , de Felice Annunziata , Gallucci Teodoro
Published: March 2022

This study seeks to explore the relationship between active environmental activities and energy saving in firms operating in a set of Transition countries. For this purpose, we exploit the enterprise survey data collected by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), the European Investment Bank (EIB) and the World Bank Group (WBG). Employing a probit regression model, the main finding shows a positive relation between environmental practices and energy saving, controlling several firms’ characteristics such as size, affiliation, credit line, ownership status and age. The results are also confirmed when we perform the robustness check. Interestingly, medium and small firms appear to save more energy than large ones.
Methodology for constructing the composition of fuzzy sets of search for specialists in Russia
Authors: Levina E.
Published: March 2022

The purpose of the article. The research is aimed at developing methodological support for the search for specialists in specified areas of industry based on a platform solution and intelligent analysis of a large amount of data. Materials and methods. The methodology of the research was made up of general scientific and private scientific methods, approaches and technologies, which include methods of analysis and synthesis to identify the needs of enterprises for specialists with the necessary competencies and loyal to the enterprise, systemic and structural-functional approaches for developing a platform solution in order to identify correlations between specified parameters (variables), methods of intellectual and predicative data analysis for determining patterns and presenting a predictive assessment of the provision of industries and complexes with modern and market-compliant corporate resources. Results. The author of the article has developed and presented a method for constructing a composition of fuzzy sets of search specialists for industrial enterprises in Russia. Conclusions. The developed author's methodology, based on the revealed patterns, will make it possible to determine the most professional and necessary specialists for the industry, on the selection and development of which industry enterprises should focus in the future. Application. The obtained research results can be used in the process of formation and development of corporate resources of industrial enterprises of the radio-electronic industry.
FORMATION OF PROFESSIONAL-COMMUNICATIVE COMPETENCE OF FUTURE LAWYERS IN THE PROCESS OF PROFESSIONAL TRAINING
Authors: GORLOVA L.
Published: March 2022

The article, based on the analysis of research papers of leading legal researchers, highlights the problem of forming communicative competence in the preparation of lawyers for professional activities. The variety of definitions of the essence of communicative "competence" and " attribution" is analyzed, as well as the components of the communicative competence of lawyers are outlined and the ways of their formation are marked. It is established that a holistic system of socio-psychological means of developing communication skills contributes to the professional identity of future lawyers, psychological readiness for professional communication, as well as the development of communication skills, values ​​of their profession, people, world values ​​of future lawyers creating a semantic orientation of the individual to a professional legal culture.

In general, the process of purposeful training of professional communicative competence of the future lawyer depends on the solution of specific tasks, namely: the development of humanistic thinking; awareness of the values ​​of the legal profession; training of professional and communication skills; activation of the sphere of motivation to acquire the legal profession; self-analysis and didactic reflection, etc. The system of work on the development of professional communicative competence of law students is based on the linguistic principles of communication. Didactic communication can be successful if law students have knowledge of the structure of the communicative act (communication code, participants of the communicative act, social and professional affiliation of the addressee) and the peculiarities of the communicative situation, as well as the specifics of communicative situation and practical skills
THE IMPORTANCE OF PHYSICAL RECREATION IN THE EDUCATIONAL SPACE OF MODERN YOUTH
Authors: MOROZ Y.
Published: March 2022

This article reveals the essence of the importance of involving modern youth in recreational activities, aspects of the formation of physical recreation in Ukraine, the concepts, forms, means and methods of physical recreation are characterized; features of use of motor activity within the limits of physical recreation are specified. Socio-economic changes in Ukraine have affected the health of the population. In addition to positive changes, there are negative phenomena in people's lives, in particular a decrease in life expectancy. Every year the number of students enrolled in special medical groups increases.

Factors that negatively affect health should include the deterioration of socio-economic indicators, sanitary-epidemiological and environmental situation in our country, psycho-emotional overload, etc. Probably one of the main reasons for the deterioration of the health situation is the lack of financial and material support from the state to the recreational and health sphere, which leads to a certain physical inactivity. Most young people have a low level of physical activity and low interest in participating in recreational activities and fitness programs. The main reasons that prevent young people from engaging in physical activity are: lack of time, lack of interesting forms, financial problems, no friends for joint exercise, no knowledge for independent training, lack of desire, no sportswear, lack of reasoning for exercise. Most young people have severe hypokinesia, despite daily physical activity. Thus, it can be argued that in Ukraine, recreational and health activities have not become widespread and popular. Intensification of work in the direction of recreational and health activities of young people is extremely important, because the health of Ukrainians is getting worse, and the number of people involved in regular exercise and physical activity is getting smaller and smaller every year. Today, successful mastering of education is possible only with a sufficiently high level of health, and therefore taking into account the peculiarities of lifestyle, namely physical activity and a positive attitude to physical activity, is an important element of physical education for young people.
ANALISA DAN PERANCANGAN SISTEM INFORMASI GEOGRAFIS PENGELOLAAN PAJAK REKLAME PADA BADAN PENGELOLAAN KEUANGAN DAN ASET DAERAH (BPKAD) KABUPATEN JEPARA
Authors: Azizah Noor
Published: March 2022

The problem faced by the Regional Financial and Asset Management Agency (BPKAD) of Jepara Regency is the number of billboards in Jepara Regency, but BPKAD has difficulty monitoring the location of the billboards that have been installed because the parties concerned do not report the installation of billboards. The purpose of this report is to analyze and design a geographic information system for advertising tax management at BPKAD, Jepara Regency. The material in the research is data that will be input to the system, namely data from the advertisement tax object, data on the location of the billboard point. In the system design that the author proposes, the system design is made using UML (Unified Modeling Language), namely Usecase Diagrams, Class Diagrams, Activity Diagrams and Sequence Diagrams. The methodology used to design the system is the RAD (Rapid Application Development) method at the design stage using the RAD method which is divided into three stages, namely Requirement Planning, Design Workshop, and Implementation. The results of this study are in the form of reports on the analysis and design of the geographic information system to display all tax object locations that have been inputted by the officer, the benefits of the analysis and design of the Geographic Information System for Advertising Tax Management at BPKAD Jepara. This system can assist in managing the advertisement tax. those in Jepara tax can more easily take care of advertising taxes at home
AUDIT ENERGI SISTEM PENCAHAYAAN DAN SISTEM TATA UDARA PADA GEDUNG ADMIN PLTU TANJUNG JATI B UNIT 3 & 4
Authors: Alim Saharul
Published: March 2022

This study will analyze the suitability of the lighting and air conditioning systems installed with the provisions of SNI-6197-2011 and SNI-6390-2011, the value of energy consumption intensity in all buildings will be calculated and analyzed according to the regulation of the minister of energy and mineral resources 13 of 2012, and estimate possible opportunities. The results show that the value of energy consumption intensity is included in the very wasteful criteria, namely 50.38 kW/m2, so it is necessary to increase the energy audit, the most energy saving that is most likely to be done is high costs by replacing lighting equipment and air conditioning systems, for lighting systems by changing the type of lighting. 36W 36W TL lamps, 14.7W LED tube lamps and 18W PL lamps become 10W LED bulb lamps, while for the air conditioning system by replacing non-inverter coolers into inverter coolers and adjusting the cooling capacity according to the BTU/h needs of each room, thus saving electrical energy which is obtained is 138,399.49 kWh per month or if converted into Rp. 164,762,338.54 and the intensity of energy consumption is reduced to 13.66 kWh/m2 which is classified as quite efficient.
Risk Factors and Causes of Premature Mortality in Patients with Epilepsy
Authors: Рыбакова В.Д. , Лихачев С.А.
Published: March 2022

В статье обсуждается проблема смертности пациентов с эпилепсией трудоспособного возраста. Представлены литературные данные о причинах смерти при эпилепсии, их классификации, факторах, приводящих к недооценке смертности, связанной с эпилепсией. Приведены результаты исследований смертности в зависимости от этиологии эпилепсии, возрастно-половой структуры, сопутствующих заболеваний. Анализируются характеристики заболевания, связанные с высоким риском преждевременной смертности. Внезапная неожиданная смерть при эпилепсии (ВНСЭ) является распространенной и недооцененной непосредственной причиной смерти. Обсуждаются факторы риска смертности пациентов с эпилепсией. Определены модифицируемые факторы риска, пути их коррекции. Проведение исследований по оценке частоты, причин смерти пациентов с эпилепсией важно для разработки стратегий и программ, направленных на снижение преждевременной смертности пациентов с эпилепсией.

The article discusses the problem of premature mortality in patients with epilepsy. The literature data on the causes of death in epilepsy, their classification, factors leading to an underestimation of mortality associated with epilepsy are presented. The results of mortality studies depending on the etiology of epilepsy, age-sex structure, and concomitant diseases are presented. The characteristics of the disease associated with a high risk of premature mortality are analyzed. Sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDER) is a common and underestimated immediate cause of death. Risk factors for mortality in patients with epilepsy are discussed. Modifiable risk factors, ways of their correction are determined. Conducting studies to assess the frequency and causes of death of patients with epilepsy is important for developing strategies and programs aimed at reducing the premature mortality of patients with epilepsy.
raíces subjetivas y sociales de la pérdida de legitimidad de los regímenes democráticos y del surgimiento de los movimientos sociales actuales
Authors: Bizberg Ilan
Published: March 2022

Este artículo arguye que los movimientos que inician con la primavera árabe, siguen con el movimiento Los Indignados de Madrid y Occupy Wall Street, y continúan con los gilets jaunes y con los múltiples movimientos sociales actuales: Hong Kong, Chile, Líbano, Colombia, México, tienen fuentes comunes. Se han señalado dos distintas: la gran desigualdad que se ha producido en casi todos los países del mundo por la financiarización y la crisis de legitimidad de la mayoría las democracias representativas del mundo. La primera puede explicar varios de los movimientos en algunos países, aunque no revele todo. La segunda, referida a la crisis de legitimidad de la mayoría los gobiernos actuales, no es una crisis de la democracia que da lugar, inevitablemente, al populismo, sino una crisis de la democracia representativa. Este artículo discutirá, en una primera parte, la crisis de la democracia representativa y la manera cómo los nuevos movimientos sociales actuales reivindican y, en cierta medida, viven la democracia participativa. En una segunda parte, analizaré las fuentes subjetivas del malestar social que está en el corazón de la mayoría de los movimientos sociales que están surgiendo actualmente y que abordan directamente cuestiones subjetivas y culturales. Finalmente, en una tercera sección, examinaré la manera cómo varias de estas reivindicaciones subjetivas atañen un choque de temporalidades: entre la temporalidad subjetiva y el tiempo social, el institucional y, por vez primera en la historia de la humanidad, con el tiempo geológico.
De golpes y fraudes Análisis del campo de fuerzas políticas en la Bolivia post Evo Morales
Authors: Paz Gonzales Eduardo
Published: March 2022

Bolivia atravesó un período convulsionado el último trimestre de 2019. Las elecciones que dirimirían si Evo Morales era electo para un cuarto mandato quedaron anuladas bajo acusaciones de fraude y abrieron un período contencioso. En este artículo se examina, en clave de la construcción y erosión de la hegemonía, los momentos de fortaleza y caída del Movimiento Al Socialismo (MAS), así como se avizora la emergencia en el campo político de nuevos y no tan nuevos actores conservadores. Un conjunto de errores facilitaron la caída del gobierno, aun después de 14 años de administración eficiente del poder. Tanto las narrativas de golpe de Estado como la de fraude son parte de un reacomodo producido por la pérdida de hegemonía del MAS que abre un periodo nuevo de pugna por la democracia.
Rituales y ritmos. Una genealogía del significado musical en el Pacífico negro colombianode Michel Birenbaum Quintero
Authors: Espinosa Eduardo Luis
Published: March 2022

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Pensiones no contributivas en México y pobreza de los adultos mayores:
Authors: Sánchez Aguilera Paola , Rodríguez Gómez Katya
Published: March 2022

La investigación tiene como objetivo conocer si la instauración de la pensión no contributiva para los adultos mayores de 65 años en México ha disminuido la pobreza en ese grupo. Para ello se hace una comparación entre 2012 y 2018 usando la Encuesta Nacional de Ingreso y Gasto de los Hogares, desagregando la población en diversos grupos sociales de acuerdo con el género, localización geográfica, condición de etnicidad, condición de inactividad y nivel de escolaridad para establecer si existen efectos diferentes de la disminución de la pobreza por grupo social. Se comienza con un análisis de la composición del sistema de pensiones en México y se describe específicamente el programa de pensión no contributiva para adultos mayores. Posteriormente se presenta el análisis sobre la disminución de la pobreza y las conclusiones
Democracy as the only game in townen América Latina
Authors: Cavarozzi Marcelo
Published: March 2022

Durante el último cuarto del siglo XX las transiciones a la democracia en América Latina clausuraron el ciclo de dictaduras militares. El PNUD, en su informe para 2021, señala que la tasa de crecimiento económico se redujo a la mitad de lo que era en las décadas previas a 1980. Asimismo, América Latina continúa siendo la región de mayor desigualdad de ingresos en el mundo y la pobreza ha vuelto a crecer recientemente. Este artículo analiza el fracaso de la política en democracia en evitar el curso económico de las recientes cuatro décadas; el foco se pone en las panaceas democrática e hiperpresidencialista, que predominaron entre 1980 y 2014-2015 y el vacío político producido posteriormente. La política democrática no ha contribuido a implementar respuestas eficaces a las transformaciones producidas en el contexto de la metamorfosis del capitalismo mundial a partir de la década de 1970 ni de los procesos resultantes, es decir la (1) la desintegración de la regulación estatal, (2) los novedosos desafíos que se le plantearon a las democracias, y (3) el debilitamiento de la cohesión social. Durante las transiciones se produjo el definitivo ocaso de las diferentes variantes de dictaduras del siglo XX. Sin embargo, y para dar vuelta al revés al conocido adagio, los problemas se agravaron a partir de que democracy became the only game in town. Esto ocurrió porque precisamente el desembocar en un único juego se desecharon las herramientas de los regímenes de compromiso que habían prevalecido durante el medio siglo de despliegue de la MEC -Matriz Estado-Céntrica- es decir, 1930-1980.