bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Strength and Size of Phosphorus-Rich Patches Determine the Foraging Strategy of Neyraudia reynaudiana
Authors: Cai Liping , Wang Yuzhen , Tigabu Mulualem , Hou Xiaolong , Wu Pengfei , Zhou Chuifan , Ma Xiangqing , Cai Liping
Published: December 2020

Background: Under natural conditions, soil nutrients are heterogeneously distributed, and plants have developed adaptation strategies to efficiently forage patchily distributed nutrient. Most previous studies examined either patch strength or patch size separately and focused mainly on root morphological plasticity (increased root proliferation in nutrient-rich patch), thus the effects of both patch strength and size on morphological and physiological plasticity are not well understood. In this study, we examined the foraging strategy of Neyraudia reynaudiana (Kunth) Keng ex Hithc, a pioneer grass colonizing degraded sites, with respect to patch strength and size in heterogeneously distributed phosphorus (P), and how foraging patchily distributed P affects total plant biomass production. Plants were grown in sand-culture pots divided into ½, ¼, 1/6 compartments and full size and supplied with 0 + 0/30, 0 + 7.5/30 and 7.5 + 0/30 mg P/kg dry soil as KH2PO4 or 0 + 15/15, 0 + 18.5/ 18.5, 7.5 + 15/15 mg kg−1 in the homogenous treatment. The first amount was the P concentration in the central region, and that the second amount was the P concentration in the outer parts of the pot.Results: After 3 months of growth under experimental conditions, significantly (p < 0.05) high root elongation, root surface area, root volume and average root diameter was observed in large patches with high patch strength. Roots absorbed significantly more P in P-replete than P-deficient patches. Whole plant biomass production was significantly higher in larger patches with high patch strength than small patches and homogeneous P distribution.Conclusion: The result demonstrates that root morphological and physiological plasticity are important adaptive strategies for foraging patchily distributed P and the former is largely determined by patch strength and size. The results also establish that foraging patchily distributed P resulted in increased total plant biomass production compared to homogeneous P distribution.
Genome-wide identification and expression analysis of the CLC gene family in pomegranate (Punica granatum) reveals its roles in salt resistance
Authors: Liu Cuiyu , Zhao Yujie , Zhao Xueqing , Dong Jianmei , Yuan Zhaohe
Published: December 2020

Backgrounds: Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) is an important commercial fruit tree, with moderate tolerance to salinity. The balance of Cl− and other anions in pomegranate tissues are affected by salinity, however, the accumulation patterns of anions are poorly understood. The chloride channel (CLC) gene family is involved in conducting Cl−, NO3−, HCO3− and I−, but its characteristics have not been reported on pomegranate.Results: In this study, we identified seven PgCLC genes, consisting of four antiporters and three channels, based on the presence of the gating glutamate (E) and the proton glutamate (E). Phylogenetic analysis revealed that seven PgCLCs were divided into two clades, with clade I containing the typical conserved regions GxGIPE (I), GKxGPxxH (II) and PxxGxLF (III), whereas clade II not. Multiple sequence alignment revealed that PgCLC-B had a P [proline, Pro] residue in region I, which was suspected to be a NO3–/H+ exchanger, while PgCLC-C1, PgCLC-C2, PgCLC-D and PgCLC-G contained a S [serine, Ser] residue, with a high affinity to Cl−. We determined the content of Cl−, NO3−, H2PO4−, and SO42− in pomegranate tissues after 18 days of salt treatments (0, 100, 200 and 300 mM NaCl). Compared with control, the Cl− content increased sharply in pomegranate tissues. Salinity inhibited the uptake of NO3− and SO42− , but accelerated H2PO4− uptake. The results of real-time reverse transcription PCR (qRT-PCR) revealed that PgCLC genes had tissue-specific expression patterns. The high expression levels of three antiporters PgCLC-C1, PgCLC-C2 and PgCLC-D in leaves might be contributed to sequestrating Cl− into the vacuoles. However, the low expression levels of PgCLCs in roots might be associated with the exclusion of Cl− from root cells. Also, the up-regulated PgCLC-B in leaves indicated that more NO3− was transported into leaves to mitigate the nitrogen deficiency.Conclusions: Our findings suggested that the PgCLC genes played important roles in balancing of Cl− and NO3− in pomegranate tissues under salt stress. This study established a theoretical foundation for the further functional characterization of CLC genes in pomegranate.
Prevalence and Correlates of Maternal Early Stimulation Behaviors during Pregnancy in Northern Ghana: A Cross-Sectional Survey
Authors: Mackness Jessica , Gallis John A , Owusu Raymond Kofi , Ali Mohammed , Abubakr-Bibilazu Safiyatu , Adam Haliq , Aborigo Raymond , Awoonor-Williams John Koku , Lillie Margaret , McEwan Elena , Hembling John , Vasudevan Lavanya , Baumgartner Joy Noel
Published: December 2020

Background: Per UNICEF’s Nurturing Care Framework, early childhood development (ECD) begins during pregnancy and many lower-resource settings need data to inform their programs for optimal child development. The maternal-fetal relationship can be partly examined via a series of bonding activities called early stimulation behaviors (ESB). This study describes early stimulation behaviors and the associated correlates among pregnant women in Ghana. Methods: This cross-sectional study used data from a cluster-randomized trial in two districts of Northern Ghana. A total of 374 pregnant women were enrolled at baseline and administered a pre-intervention survey. Communication-related early stimulation behaviors was the primary outcome which was evaluated using three maternal-fetal bonding activities; did the woman self-report touching and/or talking, singing, and/or talking about family to her belly. A generalized estimating equation modified Poisson model was used for the bivariate and multivariable analysis.Results: About half of the participants reported performing communication-related ESB during pregnancy frequently or sometimes. Bivariate analysis revealed that negative life experiences including higher rates of emotional, physical and sexual intimate partner violence (IPV) and having moderate to severe depressive symptoms were associated with women performing early stimulation behaviors more often. In the multivariable model, physical intimate partner violence remained significantly associated with early stimulation behaviors. Conclusion: Research on early stimulation behaviors is still in a nascent phase. It is unclear why our results revealed an association between intimate partner violence and early stimulation behaviors; this could reflect a coping mechanism for the expectant mother. Further research is needed to better understand this association and explore potential long-term impacts of early stimulation behaviors during pregnancy on child development.Trial registration: Clinical Trials # NCT03665246, August 29, 2018.
A physical activity coaching intervention can improve and maintain physical activity and health-related outcomes in adult ambulatory hospital patients in a regional hospital: the Healthy4U-2 randomised controlled trial
Authors: Barrett Stephen , Begg Steve , O'Halloran Paul , Kingsley Michael
Published: December 2020

Background The Healthy 4U-2 study sought to evaluate the effect of a twelve-week, physical activity (PA) coaching intervention for changes and maintenance in PA, anthropometrics and health-related outcomes in adults presenting to an ambulatory hospital clinic. Methods One hundred and twenty insufficiently active adults were recruited from an ambulatory hospital clinic and randomised to an intervention group that received an education session and five 20-minute telephone sessions of PA coaching, or to a control group that received the education session only. ActiGraph GT3X accelerometers were used to measure moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) at baseline, post-intervention (3-months) and follow-up (9-months). Secondary outcome measures (anthropometrics, PA self-efficacy, health-related and quality of life) were also assessed at the three time points. Results At baseline, the mean age and body mass index of participants were 53 ± 8 years and 31 ± 4 kg/m 2 , respectively. Relative to control, the intervention group increased objectively measured MVPA at post-intervention (p<0.001) and 9 months follow-up (p<0.001). At the 9-month follow-up the intervention group completed 22 min/day of MVPA (95% CI: 20 to 25 min/day), which is sufficient to meet the recommended PA guidelines. The intervention group exhibited beneficial changes in body mass (p<0.001), waist circumference (p<0.001), body mass index (p<0.001), PA self-efficacy (p<0.001), and health-related quality of life (p<0.001) at the 9-month follow-up. Conclusions This study demonstrates that a low contact PA coaching intervention results in beneficial changes in PA, anthropometrics and health-related outcomes in insufficiently active adults presenting to an ambulatory care clinic. The significant beneficial changes were measured at post-intervention and the 9-month follow-up, demonstrating a maintenance effect of the intervention. Trial registration: Prospectively registered on the Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ANZCTR). Trial registration number: ACTRN12619000036112. http://anzctr.org.au/Trial/Registration/TrialReview.aspx?id=376318
Aurora-B Knockdown Inhibits Osteosarcoma Metastasis by Inducing Autophagy via the mTOR/ULK1 Pathway
Authors: Wu xin , Liu Jia-ming , Song Honghai , Yang Qikun , Ying Hui , Tong Weilai , Zhou Yang , Liu Zhi-li
Published: December 2020

Background: Autophagy plays an essential role in metastasis of malignancies. Although our studies showed that Aurora-B facilitate pulmonary metastasis in OS, the mechanism of Aurora-B kinase on autophagy and metastasis in OS has not been explored.Methods: Clinical-pathological parameters and follow-up information was collected in OS patients. Immunohistochemical staining was performed to detect Aurora-B and LC3 protein in OS tissues. Short hairpin RNA transfection was used to silence Aurora-B in OS cells. Real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) was performed to detect Aurora-B mRNA expression in OS cells. Aurora-B and autophagy related protein were measured by Western blot. Transmission electron microscopy and laser scanning confocal microscopy were performed to observe the formation of autophagosomes and autolysosomes. Migratory and invasive ability of OS cells were measured by Wound healing and transwell assays. Orthotopic xenograft model was used to evaluate the effect of autophagy mediated by Aurora-B inhibition on pulmonary metastasis of OS. Results: The elevated expression of Aurora-B protein in OS tissues negatively associated with the overall survival of OS patients. Further investigation has found that Aurora-B expression was negatively correlative with autophagy related protein LC3 in OS patient tissues. Knockdown Aurora-B stimulates autophagy and inhibits migratory and invasive ability of OS cells. Mechanistically, Aurora-B knockdown suppressed the mTOR/ULK1 signaling pathway and reactivation of the mTOR/ULK1 pathway decreased autophagy level. Furthermore, the inhibition effect of silencing Aurora-B on migration and invasion of OS was reversed by chloroquine and mTOR activator in vitro and vivo. Conclusions: Our results suggest that silencing of Aurora-B stimulate autophagy via decreasing mTOR/ULK1 and result in inhibiting OS metastasis. Targeted Aurora-B/mTOR/ULK1 pathway may be a promising treatment strategy for OS patients.
Different expression pattern of human cytomegalovirus-encoded microRNAs in circulation from virus latency to reactivation
Authors: Zhou Wanqing , Wang Cheng , Ding Meng , Bian Yuying , Zhong Yujie , Shen Han , Wang Junjun , Zhang Chen-Yu , Zhang Chunni
Published: December 2020

Background: Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is a beta-hersvirinae that has a high latent infection rate worldwide and can cause serious consequences in immunocompromised patients when reactivation; however, the mechanism of how HCMV convert from latent to reactivation has rarely been investigated. In the present study, we aimed to perform a comprehensive analysis of the HCMV-encoded microRNA (miRNA) profile in serum of patients upon HCMV reactivation from latency and to further evaluate its clinical significance for the disease monitoring and preventing usefulness.Methods: Serum samples from 59 viremia patients and 60 age-gender matched controls were enrolled in this study for screening and validation of different expression of HCMV miRNAs. Serum concentrations of 22 known HCMV miRNAs were determined by a hydrolysis probe-based stem-loop quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) assay. HCMV DNA was measured by quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) with the whole blood sample. Serum HCMV IgG and IgM were assessed using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Another 47 samples from 5 patients at different time points were collected to evaluate the monitoring effectiveness and disease prediction ability of differential expression HCMV-miRNAs during the antiviral treatment. Results: The RT-qPCR analysis revealed that the serum levels of 16 of the 22 examined HCMV miRNAs were elevated in HCMV viremia patients compared with controls, and a profile of 8 HCMV miRNAs including hcmv-miR-US25-2-3p, hcmv-miR-US4-5p, hcmv-miR-US25-2-5p, hcmv-miR-US25-1-3p, hcmv-miR-US25-1, hcmv-miR-UL36, hcmv-miR-UL148D, hcmv-miR-US29-3p were markedly elevated (fold change > 2, P < 0.01). Receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) analysis were performed on the selected HCMV-miRNAs in all of the patients and controls that enrolled in this study, and which ranged from 0.72 to 0.80 in the autoimmune patients. In addition, hcmv-miR-US25-1-3p levels were significantly correlated with HCMV DNA load (r = 0.349，P = 0.007), and were obviously higher in the reactivation set than the latency set in the autoimmune patients, which could be a predictor for the monitoring of the antiviral treatment.Conclusions: HCMV miRNAs profile showed markedly shift-switch from latency to reactivation in circulation from HCMV infected patients and hcmv-miR-US25-1-3p may be served as a predictor for the switch upon reactivation from latency in patients suffered with autoimmune diseases.
Why so stressed? A comparative study on stressors and stress between hospital and non-hospital nurses
Authors: Robat Rosnawati Muhamad , Fauzi Mohd Fadhli Mohd , Saruan Nur Adibah Mat , Yusoff Hanizah Mohd , Harith Abdul Aziz
Published: December 2020

Background: Stress, which can be attributed to household and workplace stressors, is prevalent among nurses. However, these stressors’ attribution may differ between hospital and non-hospital nurses. It is currently unknown whether there are significant differences in the sociodemographic and occupational characteristics between hospital and non-hospital nurses which may potentially influence the type and magnitude of stressors, and subsequently the stress status. Therefore, this study aims to estimate the prevalence of stress and compare the roles of sociodemograhic characteristics, occupational profiles, workplace stressors and household stressors in determining the stress status between hospital and non-hospital female nurses in Malaysia.Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among randomly-selected 715 female nurses in Malaysia using pencil-and-paper self-reported questionnaires. Results: The majority of participants were ever married (87.0%), having children (76.2%), and work in hospital setting (64.8%). The level of household stressors was generally similar between hospital and non-hospital nurses. However, hospital nurses significantly perceived higher level of workplace stressors. Shift work is significantly associated with higher level of household and workplace stressors among nurses in both groups. The level of stress was significantly higher among hospital nurses. Both household and workplace stressors explained about 40% of stress status in both hospital and non-hospital nurses.Conclusion: Hospital nurses are at higher risk of having stressors and stress as compared to non-hospital nurses, probably due to higher proportion of them involved in shift work. Hospital nurses should be given high priority in mitigating stress among nurses.
Prognostic values, ceRNA network, and immune regulation function of SDPR in KRAS-mutant lung cancer
Authors: Luo Xiaoqing , Peng Shunli , Ding Sijie , Zeng Qin , Wang Rong , Ma Yueyun , Chen Shiyu , Wang Yanxia , Wang Wei
Published: December 2020

Background: Serum Deprivation Protein Response (SDPR) plays an important role in formation of pulmonary alveoli. However, the function and values of SDPR in lung cancer remain unknown. We explored prognostic value, expression pattern, and biological function of SDPR in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and KRAS-mutant lung cancers. Methods: SDPR expression was evaluated by quantitative real-time PCR (RT-qPCR), immunohistochemistry (IHC), and Western blot on human NSCLC cells, lung adenocarcinoma tissue array, KRAS-mutant transgenic mice, TCGA, and GEO datasets. Prognostic values of SDPR were evaluated by Kaplan–Meier and Cox regression analysis. Bioinformatics implications of SDPR including SDPR-combined transcription factors (TFs) and microRNAs were predicted. In addition, correlations between SDPR, immune checkpoint molecules, and tumor infiltration models were illustrated. Results: SDPR expression was downregulated in tumor cells and tissues. Low SDPR expression was an independent factor that correlated with shorter overall survival of patients both in lung cancer and KRAS-mutant subgroups. Meanwhile, ceRNA network was constructed to clarify the regulatory and biological functions of SDPR. Negative correlations were found between SDPR and immune checkpoint molecules (PD-L1, TNFRSF18, TNFRSF9, and TDO2). Moreover, diversity immune infiltration models were observed in NSCLC with different SDPR expression and copy number variation (CNV) patterns. Conclusions: This study elucidated regulation network of SDPR in KRAS-mutant NSCLC, and illustrated correlations between low SDPR expression and suppressed immune system, unfolding a prognostic factor and potential target for the treatment of lung cancer, especially for KRAS-mutant NSCLC.
The feasibility and reliability of actigraphy to monitor sleep in intensive care patients: An observational study
Authors: Delaney L.J. , Litton E. , Melehan K.L , Huang H-C.C , Lopez V , Haren F Van
Published: December 2020

Background: Sleep amongst intensive care patients is reduced and highly fragmented which may adversely impact on recovery. The current challenge for Intensive Care clinicians is identifying feasible and accurate assessments of sleep that can be widely implemented. The objective of this study was to investigate the feasibility and reliability of a minimally invasive sleep monitoring technique compared to the gold standard, polysomnography, for sleep monitoring. Methods: Prospective observational study employing a within subject design in adult patients admitted to an Intensive Care Unit. Sleep monitoring was undertaken amongst minimally sedated patients via concurrent polysomnography and actigraphy monitoring over a 24-hour duration to assess agreement between the two methods; total sleep time and wake time. Results: We recruited 80 patients who were mechanically ventilated (24%) and non-ventilated (76%) within the intensive care unit. Sleep was found to be highly fragmented, composed of numerous sleep bouts and characterized by abnormal sleep architecture. Actigraphy was found to have a moderate level of overall agreement in identifying sleep and wake states with polysomnography (69.4%; K = 0.386, p < 0.05) in an epoch by epoch analysis, with a moderate level of sensitivity (65.5%) and specificity (76.1%). Monitoring accuracy via actigraphy was improved amongst non-ventilated patients (specificity 83.7%; sensitivity 56.7%). Actigraphy was found to have a moderate correlation with polysomnography reported total sleep time (r = 0.359, p < 0.05) and wakefulness (r = 0.371 p < 0.05). Bland-Altman plots indicated that sleep was underestimated by actigraphy, with wakeful states overestimated. Conclusions: Actigraphy was easy and safe to use, provided moderate level of agreement with polysomnography in distinguishing between sleep and wakeful states, and may be a reasonable alternative to measure sleep in intensive care patients.
Municipal Level Teacher Growth System: Improving Pedagogical Design Skills
Authors:   Bashkir State Pedagogical University after name Akmulla, Yuliya V Mustafina
Published: December 2020

Innovations in the general education system have significantly changed the content and form of the teacher’s professional activity: pedagogical design has become a dominant feature in its structure. In this regard, there was a contradiction between the need for special training of teachers for the implementation of project activities and the lack of sufficient organizational and methodological conditions for the implementation of such training on the job. The purpose of this article is to justify the possibility of improving the skills of pedagogical design in the conditions of the implementation of the teacher growth system at the municipal level. In the course of theoretical analysis, the author substantiates the role and place of design in the structure of professional pedagogical activity. Based on the theoretical results obtained, the idea of building a subject-oriented process of teacher training, integrated with their immediate professional activity, is put forward. The description of the pedagogical experiment on testing the municipal system of teacher growth and the selected pedagogical conditions for the development of design skills of teachers is given. The results of the experimental work confirmed the hypothesis that the effectiveness of the process of improving teachers’ design skills is achieved by integrating the process of advanced training in labor activity, using a set of special forms and training methods (cases, design sessions, business games, trainings, master classes, tutoring programs, etc.), use of the principles of subject-oriented learning.
Educational System of A. S. Makarenko
Authors:   Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University, Mettini Emiliano
Published: December 2020

In the paper are considered basic elements of A. S. Makarenko’s educational system, using issues of foreign scholars who analyzed this topic. Also are inquired questions concerning ethics, ethics, discipline, punishment and others enquiries. Finally, the author considers ethical attitude of personality to itself (ability of controlling and managing its inner conduct. A. S. Makarenko thought that permanent ethical development of collective and creation of its value orientations ought to manifest itself not only in outer behaviour, but also in colonists’ habits and in traditions of united educational labor collective. Relevance of the research is due to that A. S. Makarenko’s educational system represents an integrated system able to resolve interpersonal conflicts and ensure development of person on psychological and ethical level. In the paper are used retrospective and comparative method by which opinions of some foreign researchers writing in Soviet and post-Soviet time about A. S. Makarenko’s educational system were compared. Conclusions of the study make possible to conclude that on the basis of A. S. Makarenko’s educational system lay humanistic whose application in modern frameworks can enable the solution of main question in fields of pedagogical science and educational practice.
Changes in color characteristics of culinary products from turkey meat produced with the use of low-temperature heat treatment
Authors:   Gorbatov Research Center for Food Systems, V.V. Nasonova , E.K. Tunieva ,   Gorbatov Research Center for Food Systems, A.A. Motovilina ,   Gorbatov Research Center for Food Systems, E.V. Mileenkova ,   Gorbatov Research Center for Food Systems
Published: December 2020

The paper presents the results of the study on the effect of low-temperature heat treatment on color characteristics and protein oxidation products depending on the method, temperature and duration of heat treatment of culinary products from turkey meat. At present, the use of low-temperature processing in the production technology for meat products with improved organoleptic indices is a topical direction.
To the development of scientifically based storage modes of meat and meat products in a supercooling state
Authors:   VNIKHI – a branch of the Gorbatov Research Center for Food Systems, M.A. Dibirasulaev , G.A. Belozerov ,   VNIKHI – a branch of the Gorbatov Research Center for Food Systems, D.M. Dibirasulaev ,   VNIKHI – a branch of the Gorbatov Research Center for Food Systems, A.G. Donetskikh ,   VNIKHI – a branch of the Gorbatov Research Center for Food Systems, S.G. Ryzhova ,   JSC «Klinsky Meat Processing Plant»
Published: December 2020

One of the ways to ensure safety, preserve quality and increase the expiration date (storage) of meat with minimal technological processing of raw materials is the use of supercooling and storage technologies at subcryoscopic temperatures. Supercooling is a refrigeration processing process that provides lowering the meat temperature (1–2 °C) below the cryoscopic temperature without phase transformation of water into ice (supercooling). The phase transformation of water into ice upon freezing and freezing food products causes irreversible changes in them as a result of crystal formation in muscle fibers, decompartmentalization of cell organelles and denaturation of sarcoplasmic and myofibrillar proteins. Subcooling provides better quality preservation and an increase in the expiration date of meat raw materials and finished meat products compared to cooling. To ensure a stable supercooled state of products at a subcryoscopic temperature, studies of the influence of abiotic and anabiotic factors on the limiting temperature of supercooling (nucleation) of a product are of great importance. The article presents the results of studies on the impact of quality meat groups, packaging and the temperature of the cooling medium on the stability indicators of the supercooled state of raw materials and finished products. It is shown that the temperature of the cooling medium, providing a stable state of the product undercooling, lies between its cryoscopic and the limiting temperature of the supercooling, experimentally determined for each type of product.
Features of the extraction of D‑enantiomers of amino acids from the meat matrix for subsequent analysis using HPLC–MS/MS
Authors:   Gorbatov Research Center for Food Systems, A.S. Knyazeva , N.L. Vostrikova ,   Gorbatov Research Center for Food Systems, A.V. Kulikovskii ,   Gorbatov Research Center for Food Systems, D.A. Utyanov ,   Gorbatov Research Center for Food Systems
Published: December 2020

The article is devoted to the study of the processes of epimerization of L-amino acid residues with the formation of D-enantiomers, which affect the onco-associated properties of food products. A method for the chromatographic separation of optically active D- and L-amino acids using a chiral column has been developed. Measurements of the quantitative content of analytes were carried out using a diode array detector, followed by mass spectrometric confirmation. Methodological approaches to sample preparation are presented. It was revealed that during acid hydrolysis, leucine racemization from D-form to L-form. A procedure has been developed for enzymatic hydrolysis of samples by a complex of proteolytic enzymes, followed by purification of the hydrolyzate by solid-phase extraction. The degree of extraction, matrix effects, and the quantitative detection limit of the technique were determined. The data on post-translational modifications in the structure of proteins and peptides under the influence of technological operations and enzymatic processes in the production of meat products are presented.
Identification of antibiotics in meat. Flow cytometry capabilities
Authors:   Gorbatov Research Center for Food Systems, E.V. Zayko , O.A. Kuznetsova ,   Gorbatov Research Center for Food Systems, D.S. Bataeva ,   Gorbatov Research Center for Food Systems, M.A. Grudistova ,   Gorbatov Research Center for Food Systems
Published: December 2020

The problem of the uncontrolled use of antibiotics currently remains unresolved. Step-by-step monitoring of meat using modern methods will reduce the risk of using contaminated meat raw materials for food production. Qualitative monitoring will identify samples containing residual antimicrobial substances. The use of methods for identifying groups of antibiotics will help narrow the search for antibiotics by expensive chromatographic methods. A study was carried out of beef, pork and poultry meat, which is used in meat processing plants in the production of raw smoked sausages, using two methods. At the first stage, using a qualitative microbiological method, the raw meat was evaluated for the presence of antimicrobial substances, then their group was determined using a NovoCyte flow cytometer. According to the results of a study on a flow cytometer, it was found that out of 10 groups of antibiotics that can be determined by the tested method, the group of lincosamides was not found in all meat samples. The most common groups of chemotherapy drugs in pork were sulfonamides – 29.6 %, tetracycline group – 18.5 % and beta-lactams – 14.8 %, and in beef aminoglycosides – 36.7 %, phenicols – 30 % and beta-lactams – 13.3 %. In poultry meat samples, the most common were sulfonamides – 23.2 %, fenicols – 23.2 %, and beta-lactams – 16 %. Five groups of antibiotics were found in all studied types of meat: fenicols, β-lactams, macrolides, polypeptide antibiotics, and quinolones. This indicates their widespread use in animal husbandry and poultry farming.
The role of Sukuk in achieving sustainable development: Evidence from the Islamic Development Bank
Authors: Al Madani Hanan , O. Alotaibi Khaled , Alhammadi Salah
Published: December 2020

The purpose of this study is to examine the compliance of Islamic Development Bank (IDB) Sukuk with Maqasid Al-Shari’ah (objectives of Islamic law) in relation to human development and well-being. The paper provides a theoretical model explaining how Sukuk can achieve Maqasid Al-Shari’ah by assessing the role of Sukuk in the circulation, development, and preservation of wealth to attain social justice. This study employs a qualitative methodology using an empirical case study. The primary data are collected through elite semi-structured interviews. The secondary data are obtained using a content analysis method from Sukuk’s Principle Terms and Conditions, Information Memorandum and IDB’s annual reports for the period 2007–2017 to explain the structures and features of the Sukuk and examine their compliance with the developed model. The findings indicate that the Medium Term Note (MTN) Sukuk program positively serves the elements of hifth al-mal (safeguarding wealth), showing a direct relationship between the shift of wealth among parties and the compliance of Maqasid Al-Shari’ah. This implies that the investments made by Sukuk would benefit everyone, including individuals, institutions, societies, and the whole country, to achieve human well-being and sustainable development. Nonetheless, the analysis suggests that Shari’ah supervisory boards need to focus more on the substance when structuring Sukuk to help Islamic finance benefit in terms of moving towards the achievement of Maqasid Al-Shari’ah.
Okul Psikolojik Danışmanı Adaylarının Özel Eğitim Öz-Yeterlik Algıları ve Yeterlilik Düzeyleri: Bir Karma Yöntem Çalışması
Authors: BAYAR Öznur , DOĞAN Türkan
Published: December 2020

Giriş: Okul psikolojik danışmanları özel eğitim hizmetlerinde kritik bir role sahiptir ancak okul psikolojik danışmanı adaylarının öz-yeterlik algıları ve yeterlilikleri yeterince araştırılmamıştır.Yöntem: Okul psikolojik danışmanı adaylarının özel eğitimde öz-yeterlik algılarının ve yeterlilik düzeylerinin incelenmesinin amaçlandığı bu araştırmada yakınsak paralel karma desen (NİC+NİT) kullanılmıştır. Katılımcıların özel eğitim öz-yeterlik algılarını ölçmek için nicel (“Rehber Öğretmen Özel Eğitim Öz-Yeterlik Ölçeği”); özel eğitim yeterlilik düzeylerini ölçmek için nitel yöntem (“Vaka Sunumu ve Vaka ile İlgili Sorular Formu”) kullanılmıştır. Katılımcılar Rehberlik ve Psikolojik Danışmanlık programı 3. ve 4. sınıf öğrencileridir (n = 233).Bulgular: Bulgulara göre katılımcıların özel eğitim öz-yeterlik algıları orta düzeydedir. Katılımcıların kimlik cinsiyeti ve sınıf düzeyine göre özel eğitim öz-yeterlikleri arasında anlamlı fark bulunmamıştır. Kaynaştırma dersi alanların özel eğitim öz-yeterlik puanları kaynaştırma dersi almayanlara göre yüksektir. Katılımcılar tanı-değerlendirme için kurumlara başvuru, öğrenci için yapılacak eğitsel, kişisel/sosyal rehberlik, aileye ve öğretmenlere müşavirlik konularında bilgi sahibidir. Öte yandan katılımcılar yanıtlarında mesleki rehberlik ve hak savunuculuğu konularına daha az yer vermiştir.Tartışma: Orta düzeydeki özel eğitim öz-yeterlik algısı bulgusu önceki araştırmalarla örtüşmektedir ve bu bulgu özel eğitimle ilgili sınırlı eğitim alınmasıyla ilgili olabilir. Okul psikolojik danışmanı adaylarının özel eğitimde mesleki rehberlik hizmetleri konusunda bilgilerini arttırmaları gerektiği gözlenmiştir. Aynı zamanda, okul psikolojik danışmanlığının önemli bir parçası olan hak savunuculuğuna dayalı ifadeler katılımcıların yanıtlarında fazla vurgulanmamıştır ve bu sebeple hak savunuculuğuna dayalı bilgi seviyesi arttırılmalıdır.
Towards more effective strategies to reduce property level flood risk: standardising the use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Authors: Casado Mónica Rivas , Leinster Paul
Published: December 2020

Effective flood risk management strategies require a detailed understanding of the source, extent and impact of flooding. Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) enable detailed and accurate data collection that can be used to determine flood source, extent, impact and the presence of property level flood resistance measures. This paper draws on the practical experience of the authors including the use of UAVs during flood events. We highlight the potential uses of UAVs in flood risk management activities and the associated challenges. The impact of a flooding event will also be dependent on how well an area is prepared in terms of community and property level resistance and resilience measures. We have looked at potential reasons why there is not a greater uptake of property level resistance and resilience measures. It is clear that a standardised approach is required if UAVs are to fulfil their potential within flood risk management activities. We have identified five pillars of standardisation that underpin an overarching, purpose-driven, cost-effective systems-based approach to the use of UAVs in flood risk management. These are as follows: (P1) deployment, data collection and flight-related regulatory requirements; (P2) data processing, data merging and outputs; (P3) the introduction and use of innovative approaches and technological integration; (P4) use of outputs for public engagement and (P5) policy development and governance. We consider that the proposed approach will maximise cost-effective information gathering, standardise the way processed outcomes are generated and provide the basis for comparable and robust flood risk information that is based on a single coherent methodology.
Interactive decision support methodology for near real-time response to failure events in a water distribution network
Authors: Nikoloudi E. , Romano M. , Memon F. A. , Kapelan Z.
Published: December 2020

The present study proposes a new interactive methodology and an interactive tool for the response to water network failure events facilitating near real-time decision-making. The proposed methodology considers: (i) a structured yet flexible approach supporting and guiding the operator throughout the entire response process to water network failure events, while allowing the operator to have a final say; (ii) a novel interaction with the operator in near real time via the proposed tool (e.g. allowing operators to propose different ‘what-if’ scenarios without being hydraulic experts); (iii) the provision of automatically generated advice (e.g. optimal response solutions and assessed end-impacts) – although optimal response solutions not identified in near real time yet; and (iv) improved impact assessment using realistic impact indicators that cover different aspects of the event – which are consistently calculated for every proposed response solution (to facilitate easy comparison between different response solutions). The new methodology was applied on a semi-real case study. The results obtained demonstrated the potential of the new response methodology and its application through the interactive tool to improve water utilities' current practice. This was accomplished through supporting/guiding operators in the identification of effective response solutions with low end-impact on the consumers and low cost for the utility.
Water loss control practices in developing countries: a case study of a Brazilian region
Authors: de Santi Aline Doria , Cetrulo Tiago Balieiro , Malheiros Tadeu Fabrício
Published: December 2020

The control of water loss in distribution systems has been highlighted in multiple discussions in the field of water and sanitation. However, there are few scientific studies on this topic that have focussed on loss control performance in developing countries. With the intention to expand the limited scientific framework investigating the management of water losses in economic scarcity scenarios, this paper provides an overview of which practices directed to water loss control are being conducted in a Brazilian region. Data were collected from 42 water utilities and show there is a direct relationship between the utilities' performances and the number of water loss practices adopted. The divergences in the number of practices applied by the water utilities may be influenced by technical–operational, planning and management factors. The paper brings greater robustness to the loss management debates in regions with economic scarcity, being able to support the action of utilities operating in similar scenarios.
Recent progress in environmental applications of metal-organic frameworks
Authors: Liu Jianming , Chen Meichen , Cui Haohui
Published: December 2020

Nanomaterials have aroused the interest of many researchers and become a research hotspot in recent years and metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) included in that are a class of new organic-inorganic hybrid porous materials formed through the self-assembly of organic ligands and inorganic metal ions. MOFs have been attracting increasing attention due to their structural diversification, large specific surface area, high porosity, inerratic pore space framework. These characteristics play their advantages in different fields and make some excellent achievements. This article summarizes the research progress of metal-organic framework in the field of environment especially the remarkable achievements in adsorption and provides a clear help for understanding the research progress and prospects for future research.
Contemporary challenges and ways to improve health risk assessment and management
Authors:   Federal Research Center of Hygiene named after F.F. Erisman, 2 Semashko Str., Mytishchi, 141014, Russian Federation, Rakitskii V.N.
Published: December 2020

We analyzed basic trends in improving risk assessment and management in Russia taking into account international experience; these trends arise from needs occurring in contemporary hygienic science and necessity to provide stronger resistance against new threats to population health. We substantiated specific tasks in development of health risk analysis mythology basing on preconditions for finding solutions to them in Russia; we also determined practical issues in its implementation that are the most vital and need solutions in the nearest future in order to eliminate adverse impacts on the environment and population health. The primary results are creation of a long-term strategy for the development of health risk analysis principles that takes into account the latest scientific data and is aimed at solving the following methodological and practical tasks: implementation of a systemic approach in estimating carcinogenic / non-carcinogenic risks; development of a unified approach to accomplishing toxicological «dose – response» examinations and interpreting their results which will take into account background morbidity and background dose burdens and determine susceptible population groups and behavioral models; threshold levels obtained via determining «benchmark» concentrations taking spontaneous background into account in order to determine new RfD and RfC and revise existing ones; use of micronvironmental approach in exposure estimation; use of risk assessment methodology in BAT parameters implementation for providing control over health safety after new approaches aimed at reducing emissions have been implemented in environmental protection. The necessity to improve approaches to health risk assessment and management and tasks solved within the process have been taken into account when the Branch scientific research program for 2021–2025 was developed by Rospotrebnadzor.
Priority risk factors related to drinking water from centralized water supply system that create negative trends in population health
Authors:   Federal Scientific Center for Medical and Preventive Health Risk Management Technologies, 82 Monastyrskaya Str., Perm, 614045, Russian Federation, Kleyn S.V. ,   Perm State University, 15 Bukireva Str., Perm, 614990, Russian Federation, Vekovshinina S.A. ,   Federal Scientific Center for Medical and Preventive Health Risk Management Technologies, 82 Monastyrskaya Str., Perm, 614045, Russian Federation
Published: December 2020

Our research object was long-term dynamics of parameters describing drinking water from centralized water supply systems and additional cases of health disorders among population in Russia directly caused by low-quality drinking water. Our research goal was to perform hygienic assessment of priority risk factors related to drinking water and potential health disorders that could be caused by them. Our research technique was hygienic analysis of drinking water parameters as per data taken from the federal statistical form No. 18 entitled «Data on sanitary situation in a RF region» over 2000–2019, the federal information fund of social and hygienic monitoring over 2012–2019, and calculation of associated health disorders as per MG 5.1.0095–14. Specific weight of centralized water supply sources that didn’t conform to sanitary-epidemiologic requirements decreased by 4.7 % over 2000–2019 and amounted to 14.9 %. Over the last 20 years there has been a descending trend in specific weight of water samples taken from centralized water supply sources that don’t conform to sanitary requirements as per sanitary-chemical parameters (by 2.7 %) and microbiological parameters (by 4.8%). Over 2000–2019, specific weight of water distribution networks not conforming to sanitary-epidemiologic requirements decreased by 10.7 % and amounted to 15.9 % in 2019. Over the last 20 years there has been an increase in quality of drinking water taken from centralized distribution networks. Specific weight of water samples from centralized distribution networks not conforming to sanitary requirements as per microbiological and sanitary-chemical parameters fell by 6.7 % and 7.9 % respectively. In 2012–2019 in the RF hygienic parameters of drinking water quality were the most violated as per contents of bromine, silicon, chlorine, iron, sodium, lithium, magnesium, manganese, chloroform, boron, strontium, sulfides, and hydrogen sulphide. Overall, in the RF in 2019 more than 1.66 million cases of digestive diseases, cardiovascular diseases, diseases of skin and subcutaneous tissue, and other health disorders were directly related to drinking water being contaminated with chemicals and microbiological agents; it was by 13.3 % lower than in 2012 regarding morbidity associated with drinking water quality. Priority risk factors were chlorine, chlorine organic compounds (COC), ammonia, iron, manganese, arsenic, nickel, copper, boron, magnesium, and other compounds.
Assessing efficiency of pre-ammonization aimed at reducing carcinogenic risks caused by trihalomethanes in drinking water
Authors:   Center for Hygiene and Epidemiology in Rostov Region, Taganrog Office, 16a Bol'shoi Ave., Taganrog, 347930, Russian Federation, Deryabkina L.A. , Marchenko B.I. ,   Center for Hygiene and Epidemiology in Rostov Region, Taganrog Office, 16a Bol'shoi Ave., Taganrog, 347930, Russian Federation,   Southern Federal University, 105/42 Bol'shaya Sadovaya Str., Rostov-on-Don, 344006, Russian Federation, Plugotarenko N.K. ,   Southern Federal University, 105/42 Bol'shaya Sadovaya Str., Rostov-on-Don, 344006, Russian Federation, Yukhno A.I. ,   Southern Federal University, 105/42 Bol'shaya Sadovaya Str., Rostov-on-Don, 344006, Russian Federation
Published: December 2020

In most Russian regions there is still a pressing issue related to providing population with high quality and safe drinking water. Up to now, chlorination has been the primary technique applied to disinfect drinking water as it is highly efficient, reliable, and relatively cheap. However, when chlorine is used to disinfect natural water that contains organic pollutants, it results in risks of by-products occurrence. These products are trihalomethanes, epigenetic carcinogenesis promoters that cause elevated carcinogenic risks under oral, inhalation, and subcutaneous exposure. Our research goal was to hygienically assess efficiency of pre-ammonization applied in water treatment procedures in order to prevent occurrence of carcinogenic organic chlorine compounds during chlorination and to minimize carcinogenic risks. We determined trihalomethanes and residual chlorine contents in model samples of natural water taken from a surface water source after chlorination with different doses of chlorine. We examined 52 pair parallel samples that had undergone pre-ammonization with ammonia sulfate and control ones. Trihalomethanes concentrations were determined in model water samples with gas-liquid chromatography. Basing on the results obtained via experiments on laboratory chlorination of river water, we determined quantitative characteristics and built regression models showing dependence between concentrations of organic chlorine compounds occurring due to chlorination (chloroform, dichlorobrommethane, dibromchloromethane) and chlorine doses and preammonization parameters. It was established that pre-ammonization was the most efficient in terms of preventing trihalomethanes occurrence under such disinfection modes when contents of residual active chlorine didn’t exceed recommended levels (0.8–1.2 mg/L). Basic ways to minimize carcinogenic risks caused by trihalomethanes are systemic control over their contents in drinking water during social and hygienic monitoring procedures; preliminary ammonization of water taken from surface water sources; prevention of unjustified hyper-chlorination; preliminary deep purification of initial water; disinfection with ultrasound radiation instead of preliminary chlorination; etc.