bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Anticancer genes (NOXA, PAR-4, TRAIL) are de-regulated in breast cancer patients and can be targeted by using a ribosomal inactivating plant protein (riproximin)
Authors: Pervaiz Asim , Naseem Nadia , Saleem Talha , Raza Syed Mohsin , Shaukat Iqra , Kanwal Kinzah , Sajjad Osheen , Iqbal Sana , Shams Faiza , Ijaz Bushra , Berger Martin R.
Published: January 2023

Background: Anticancer genes are endogenous enemies of transformed cells and impose antineoplastic effects upon ectopic expression. Identifying the expression profile of these genes is a prerequisite to explore their prognostic and therapeutic relevance in cancers. In parallel, natural compounds can be explored for their ability to upregulate anticancer genes in malignant cells for therapeutic purposes. In this study, we identified the expression levels of anticancer genes in breast cancer clinical isolates. In addition, the potential of a purified and sequenced plant protein (riproximin) to induce anticancer genes in breast cancer cells was evaluated.
Methodology:Expression profiles of three anticancer genes (NOXA, PAR-4, TRAIL) were identified by immunohistochemistry in 45 breast cancer clinical isolates. Effects of riproximin exposure on expression of the anticancer genes were explored via microarray, real-time PCR and western blot methodologies. Lastly, the bioinformatic approach was adopted to highlight the molecular/functional significance of the anticancer genes.
Results:NOXA expression was evenly de-regulated among the clinical isolates, while PAR-4 was significantly down-regulated in majority of the breast cancer tissues. In contrast, a higher TRAIL expression was observed in most of the clinical samples. Expression levels of the anticancer genes were following a distinct trend in accordance with the disease severity. Riproximin showed a substantial potential of inducing the anticancer genes in breast cancer cells at transcriptomic and protein levels. The bioinformatic approach revealed involvement of anticancer genes in multiple cellular functions and signaling cascades.
Conclusion:Anticancer genes were de-regulated and showed discrete expression patterns in breast cancer patient samples. Riproximin effectively induced the expression of selected anticancer genes in breast cancer cells.
Perspective of Healthcare Providers on Assessing The Quality And Accessibility of Health Services for Chronic Diseases in Jordan During Covid-19: A Mixed Method Study
Authors: Albataineh Raya , Al-Hammouri Mohammed , Al-Jaraideh Wafa’a
Published: January 2023

Background: Hospital services in all parts of the world were severely affected by the crisis caused by the Coronavirus pandemic. This was particularly concerning for patients who suffer from chronic diseases. Aim: This study aims to assess the quality and accessibility of chronic disease services, it examines the association of socio-demographic factors with the quality and accessibility of chronic disease services, and it explores the barriers and facilitators of quality and accessibility to chronic disease health services during the COVID -19 pandemic, from the perspectives of healthcare providers.
Method: Design: A mixed method design was used in this study. In the quantitative part of the study, a questionnaire was used. The qualitative part of the study was conducted by using a focus group discussion approach. Sample: Data were collected from healthcare providers. Setting: The institutions involved were Public ,private and teaching hospitals .Analysis: The collected data were analyzed using SPSS Statistics Version 25. The interview responses were analyzed using the thematic analysis approach.
Results: This study found that the quality and accessibility of chronic disease services in northern Jordan were affected during COVID-19. Quantitative: Most of the participants reported barriers to access and a moderate level of quality during COVID-19. Qualitative: Four main themes were identified in relation to the barriers and facilitators of both quality and accessibility of chronic disease health services during COVID-19.
Conclusion: The quality and accessibility of chronic disease services were affected during COVID -19. In addition, sociodemographic factors helped to predict the quality and accessibility of chronic disease services during COVID-19, from healthcare providers perspectives. The findings of this study provide healthcare policymakers with information and evidence that is crucial in guiding them to make informed decisions and develop more appropriate interventions to help patients recover from the long-term impact of COVID-19.
Preterm Clinical Comorbidity Index: A Novel Scoring System and Modeling for Predicting Length of Stay among Preterm Infants during Birth Hospitalization
Authors: Dankhara Nilesh , Thekkeveedu Renjithkumar Kalikkot , Desai Chintan , Desai Jagdish
Published: January 2023

Background: A scoring system that accounts for comorbidities will provide a novel model to predict the length of stay for preterm infant.
Objective: To develop a novel scoring system to predict the length of stay in neonatal intensive care units for all admissions of preterm babies based on their comorbidity developed during the stay.
Methods: A total of 25 comorbidities were identified. The Cox regression model was used to develop a standardized Preterm Clinical Comorbidity Index (PCCI) score for each comorbidity. The final length of the stay prediction model was developed using PCCI scores by gestational age.
Results: Assigned comorbidity scores for each co-morbidity ranged from -1 to 6. Least square regression using index score to predict LOS had nearly comparable R2 in the main sample (0.76) and in a random sample (0.79).
Conclusion: This novel scoring system can be used in the counseling of parents, evaluating healthcare policies, and insurance billing.
Numerical study on fatigue crack behavior in abrasive waterjet peening
Authors: Lv Zhe , Hou Rongguo , Cui Huanyong , Zhang Miaomiao , Yun Hao
Published: January 2023

Abrasive waterjet peening is a preferable alternative to traditional shot peening which can be used for surface strengthening of structural components. The fatigue crack behavior of 2024 aluminum alloy specimen treated by abrasive waterjet peening was investigated in this paper. The jet flow field was analyzed firstly by adopting CFD. The peening process was then modeled to calculate the residual stress distribution on the target surface, and the results were verified by experiments. The numerical model for the fatigue test was then established for evaluating the crack growth characteristics in the specimen with residual compression induced by the peening. The results indicated that the effective stress intensity factor range and the crack propagation rate are reduced due to the peening induced residual stress. The crack closure coefficient decreases with an increase of the shot peening intensity, while increases with an increase of the stress ratio.
Changes in thoracic erector spinae regional activation during postural adjustments and functional reaching tasks after spinal cord injury
Authors: Helden Joeri FL van , Cabral Hélio V , Alexander Emma , Strutton Paul H , Martinez-Valdes Eduardo , Falla Deborah , Chowdhury Joy Roy , Chiou Shin-Yi
Published: January 2023

Background:A substantial proportion of individuals with incomplete spinal cord injury (SCI) exhibit reduced volitional control of trunk muscles due to damage of the corticospinal tract, resulting in impaired postural control and function. Studies using conventional bipolar electromyography (EMG) showed altered activity of the trunk muscles in people with SCI. However, the spatial distribution of trunk muscle activity remains unknown. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the spatial distribution of the erector spinae (ES) below the level of injury in individuals with incomplete SCI during postural tasks and multidirectional reaching tasks using high-density EMG.Methods:Twenty-one individuals with incomplete SCI and 21 age-matched healthy controls performed two postural tasks (rapid shoulder flexion and external perturbation tasks) and multidirectional reaching tasks. EMG amplitude of the thoracic ES and displacement of the arm, trunk, and centre of pressure were recorded during the tasks.Results:Overall, the EMG amplitude of the ES was lower, and activation was distributed more in the caudal part of the ES in individuals with SCI compared with the controls during the postural and reaching tasks. EMG amplitude was greater during reaching forward than returning to the upright posture in the controls; however, this phase-dependent difference in the EMG amplitude was not present in individuals with SCI.Conclusions:Our findings demonstrate alterations in regional activation of the thoracic ES during postural and reaching tasks after SCI, suggesting a loss of selective control from the central nervous system to the trunk muscles.
Dilated Common Bile Duct is Commonly Associated with Main Duct Intraductal Papillary Mucinous Neoplasm of the Pancreas
Authors: Sbeit Wisam , Shahin Amir , Khoury Tawfik
Published: January 2023

Background: Dilation of common bile duct (CBD) is mostly pathological and mainly occurs secondary to mechanical causes. We aimed to explore the prevalence of CBD dilation in Intraductal Papillary Mucinous Neoplasms of the pancreas (IPMN-P) patients referred to EUS.
Methods: a retrospective study of all patients who had an EUS diagnosis of IPMN from 2011 to 2019 at Galilee Medical Center were extracted. Control group including patients with other types of pancreatic cysts.
Results: Overall, 158 patients were included in the study, 117 patients (74%) diagnosed with IPMN (group A) and 41 patients (26%) diagnosed with other pancreatic cysts (group B). CBD dilation was significantly correlated with IPMN patients as compared to group B (OR 3.8, P=0.01). Classifying IPMN to subtypes, only main duct-IPMN significantly correlated with CBD dilation (OR 40, P < 0.0001), and a trend for significance with mixed-IPMN (OR 3.6, P=0.06). Adjusting for confounders (resected gallbladder and age), main duct-IPMN remained significantly correlated with CBD dilation (P<0.001).
Conclusion: main duct-IPMN was significantly correlated with dilated CBD. Assessment of the pancreas is warranted in encountered cases of dilated CBD without obvious mechanical cause.
Prevalence and risk factors of dynapenia in patients with subacute stroke
Authors: Kim Yeo Hyung , Choi Young-Ah
Published: January 2023

Dynapenia, the loss of handgrip strength in the elderly population, can lead to poor functional prognosis after stroke. In this mixed prospective and retrospective cohort study, we aimed to elucidate the clinical risk factors for dynapenia at discharge in 152 patients with subacute stroke. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the risk factors associated with dynapenia. At the time of discharge, the prevalence of dynapenia was 68.4%. After adjusting for all potential covariates, older age (OR, 1.1; 95% CI, 1.01–1.21; p = 0.04), tube dependent feeding (OR, 6.66; 95% CI, 1.11–39.84; p = 0.04) and high National Institute of Health Stroke Scale scores (OR, 1.2; 95% CI, 1.01–1.44; p = 0.04) were associated with a higher likelihood of dynapenia at discharge. Higher nonhemiplegic calf circumference (OR, 0.8; 95% CI, 0.67–0.96; p = 0.004) was associated with a lower likelihood of dynapenia. We conclude that tube feeding state, high stroke severity, decreased nonhemiplegic calf circumference, and older age are independent risk factors for dynapenia in subacute stroke patients.
Functional characterization and comparative analysis of gene repression-mediating domains interacting with yeast pleiotropic corepressors Sin3, Cyc8 and Tup1
Authors: Lettow Julia , Kliewe Felix , Aref Rasha , Schüller Hans-Joachim
Published: January 2023

Transcriptional corepressors Sin3, Cyc8 and Tup1 are important for downregulation of gene expression by recruiting various histone deacetylases once they gain access to defined genomic locations by interaction with pathway-specific repressor proteins. In this work we systematically investigated whether 17 yeast repressor proteins (Cti6, Dal80, Fkh1, Gal80, Mig1, Mot3, Nrg1, Opi1, Rdr1, Rox1, Sko1, Ume6, Ure2, Xbp1, Yhp1, Yox1 and Whi5) representing several unrelated regulatory pathways are able to bind to Sin3, Cyc8 and Tup1. Our results show that paired amphipathic helices 1 and 2 (PAH1 and PAH2) of Sin3 are functionally redundant for some regulatory pathways. WD40 domains of Tup1 proved to be sufficient for interaction with repressor proteins. Using length variants of selected repressors, we mapped corepressor interaction domains (CIDs) in vitro and assayed gene repression in vivo. Systematic comparison of CID minimal sequences allowed us to define several related positional patterns of hydrophobic amino acids some of which could be confirmed as functional important by site-directed mutagenesis. Although structural predictions indicated that certain CIDs may be α-helical, most repression domains appear to be randomly structured and must be considered as intrinsically disordered regions (IDR) adopting a defined conformation only by interaction with a corepressor.
WITHDRAWN: Cytotoxic effects of polystyrene nanoplastics in different functional sizes on MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells and HFF-2 cells
Authors: Hanie Sadeghinia , Parichehr Hanachi , Reihaneh Ramezani , Samaneh karbalaei
Published: January 2023

Background: Nanoplastics in the environment lead to human exposure to these particles so it is important to study their effects at the cellular level. The aim of this study to assess the toxic effects of PS-NPs with different functions on MDA-MB-231 and HFF-2 and evaluate the oxidative cellular response involved. Another goal of this study is to investigate the anti-tumor effect and apoptosis induction of a combination of nanoplastic polystyrene.
Materials and Methods: The appearance properties of nanoparticles were determined by FTIR and FESEM tests and zeta potential. Diol agar method was used to evaluate their antimicrobial effects and MTT Assay test was used to determine the toxicity effect. Also, the type of cell death, apoptosis and necrosis, as well as the study of cell cycle arrest and the activity of antioxidant enzymes SOD and GPx were measured in this study. All experiments performed in this study were designed in 3 replications (p<0.005).
Results: The polystyrene nanoparticles used in this study were analyzed by FTIR and the wide peak of 3386 cm-1 confirms that the nanoparticles are amine. PS-NH2 had a neutral electric charge and was not found to have antimicrobial properties in Aclay and Staphylococcus aureus in any size. In this study, the cytotoxicity of 90,200,300 polystyrene nanoparticles (PS-NH2) at doses of 125,250,500,1000,2000 µg / ml on human breast cancer cell line (MDA-MB-231) and fibroblast cell (HFF-2) ) And the viability of these cells was significantly dose-dependent (p <0.005). Dismutase (SOD) decreased with increasing dose and a significant difference was observed (P <0.001). GPx enzyme activity decreased with increasing nanoparticle concentration in both cell lins and had a significant difference with the control sample (P <0.001). MDA-MB-231 and HFF-2 cells underwent apoptosis after being exposed to PS-NH2 and the highest percentage of cell accumulation was seen in the G1 and Sub-G1 phase, which indicates that the cell has entered the apoptotic phase.
Conclusion: Polystyrene nanoparticles have toxic properties on both cell lines and cause cell death.
An Observation-Based Method to Assess Tropical Stratocumulus and Shallow Cumulus Clouds and Feedbacks in Two CMIP Generations
Authors: Cesana Grégory , Ackerman Andrew , Crnivec Nina , Pincus Robert , Chepfer Hélène
Published: January 2023

In the Earth system models (ESMs) of the latest Coupled Models Intercomparison Project (CMIP) generation, the global low-cloud feedback is 50% more positive and continues to dominate the spread in simulated climate sensitivity, partly stemming from tropical low clouds. In the context of recent studies reporting larger feedbacks for stratocumulus (Sc) than shallow cumulus (Cu) clouds, it appears crucial to faithfully represent the geographical extent of each cloud type to simulate realistic low-cloud feedbacks. Here we use a novel observation-based method to distinguish Sc and Cu clouds together with satellite data from Cloud-Aerosol Lidar and Infrared Pathfinder Satellite Observations (CALIPSO) and Clouds and the Earth's Radiant Energy System (CERES) to evaluate Sc and Cu cloud fractions, cloud radiative effects and cloud feedbacks in the two latest generations of CMIP ESMs. Overall, the CMIP6 models perform better than the CMIP5 models in most aspects considered here, indicating progress. Yet the ensemble mean continues to underestimate the marine tropical low-cloud fraction, mostly attributable to Sc. Decomposition of the bias reveals that the Sc-regime cloud fraction is better represented in CMIP6, although Sc regimes occur too infrequently – even more than in CMIP5. Building on our Sc and Cu discrimination method, we demonstrate that CMIP6 models also simulate more realistic low-cloud feedbacks than CMIP5 models, especially the Sc component. Finally, our results suggest that part of the CMIP6 low-cloud feedback increase can be traced back to greater cloud fraction in Sc-dominated regions.
Wear behaviors of PCD and diamond-coated tools during low-frequency vibration-assisted drilling CFRP/Ti stacks
Authors: Chen Dexiong , Lin Hai , Chen Yan , Yan Chaoren , Xu Jiuhua
Published: January 2023

Carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) and titanium alloy stacks play a significant role in the aerospace field to improve the mechanical properties of assembly components. Low-frequency vibration-assisted drilling (LFVAD) can realize the periodic contact and separation characteristic between the tool and the workpiece, thus pose a high potential for manipulating the machinability of CFRP/Ti stacks. In the present study, two types of drilling tools (polycrystalline diamond (PCD) tool and diamond-coated tool) are adopted and tool wear behaviors are deeply evaluated during drilling CFRP/Ti stacks. Meanwhile, the specific influences of tool wear on the drilling performances are comprehensively analyzed under the LFVAD with minimum quantity lubrication (MQL). The results show that Ti-adhesion is observed for both drilling tools. Meanwhile, edge fracture is the key wear mode dominating for PCD tool and coating peeling is the main wear mode for diamond-coated tool, with less Ti-adhesion. In addition, with increasing number of drilled holes, the diamond-coated tool demonstrates better drilling performances with lower cutting force, better hole quality and more hole-making number. The findings of this paper can contribute to providing a guidance for tool optimal selection in low-frequency vibration-assisted drilling of CFRP/Ti stacks with MQL.
Interfaces in Dynamic Brittle Fracture of PMMA: a peridynamic analysis
Authors: Wang Longzhen , Mehrmashhadi Javad , Bobaru Florin
Published: January 2023

Recent experiments in bonded PMMA layers have shown dramatic changes in dynamic crack growth characteristics depending on the interface location and toughness. In this paper we present a peridynamic (PD) analysis of this phenomenon and determine three elements that are essential in a model reproducing the observed fracture behavior: (1) softening near the crack tip to account for changes in PMMA due to heat-generation induced by the high strain rates reached around the crack tip in dynamic fracture; (2) independent extension (mode I) and shear (mode II) modes of fracture; (3) a two-parameter fracture model, which matches both strength and fracture toughness for any horizon size. Once these elements are in place, the PD model captures the experimentally observed dynamic fracture characteristics in bi-layer PMMA: crack branching or not at the interface, depending on the interface location; crack running along the interface for a while before punching through the second PMMA layer; slight crack path oscillations near the far end of the sample. The computed crack speed profiles are close to those measured experimentally. The model produces an enlargement of the fracture process zone when the crack running along the interface penetrates into the second PMMA layer, as observed in the experiments. This is where nonlocality of the PD model becomes relevant and critical.
Root system architecture and anatomical traits variability of alfalfa at the seeding stage
Authors: Pan Xinya , Wang Pengfei , Wei Xianwei , Zhang Jinxin , Xu Bingcheng , Chen Yinglong , Wei Gehong , wang zhi
Published: January 2023

Background and aims
Alfalfa (Medicago sativa. L) growth is largely restricted by abiotic stress such as drought and nutrient deficiency. Identifying root architectural and anatomical characteristics is of great significance for breeding alfalfa genotypes with improved adaptation to adverse environments.
Methods
Using nutrient solution sand culture method and visual rhizobox cultivation system, we explored the variability in root system architecture (RSA) and anatomy of 53 alfalfa genotypes at the seedling stage.
Results
Among 44 measured traits, 23 root traits, nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) uptake exhibited larger coefficients of variation (CVs ≥ 0.25) across tested genotypes. The variation degrees of local root traits and root anatomical traits were larger than global root traits. Twenty-five traits with CVs ≥ 0.25 constituted 6 principal components (eigenvalues > 1) accounting for 88.9% of the total genotypic variation. Total root length, root length in diameter thin, root tips number, maximal root depth, root length and root tips number in different soil layers were positively correlated with shoot dry mass and root dry mass (P ≤ 0.05). Total stele area (P ≤ 0.05) and xylem vessel area (P ≤ 0.001) were positively correlated with N and P uptake.
Conclusion
The tested alfalfa genotypes showed larger variation in local root morphological and anatomical traits at the seedling stage. Some important root traits, including root length, root length in diameter thin, root tips number, maximal root depth, total stele area and xylem vessel area have potential function on breeding alfalfa genotypes with improved adaption to abiotic stress.
Molecular characterization of a novel ourmia-like virus from the phytopathogenic fungus Botryosphaeria dothidea
Authors: Song Xinzheng , Cao Jiayuan , Xie Shunpei , Wang Yanfen , Yin Xinming , Guo Yashuang , Xu Chao , Guo Lihua , Wu Haiyan , Zhang Meng
Published: January 2023

Here, we describe a novel ourmia-like virus, Botryosphaeria dothidea ourmia-like virus 2 (BdOLV2), derived from phytopathogenic fungus Botryosphaeria dothidea strain ZM180192-1, infecting maize in Henan province of China. The complete genome sequence of BdOLV2 consists of a positive-sense single-stranded RNA (+ ssRNA) segment with a length of 2,532 nucleotides (nt). The sequence contains a large open reading frame (ORF), encoding a putative RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) including 605 amino acids (aa) with a molecular mass of 68.59 kDa. This RdRp protein contains eight typical conserved domain motifs associated with ourmia-like virus. BLASTp analysis revealed that the RdRp protein of BdOLV2 had the highest similarity (62.10%, 58.15%, and 55.75% identity, respectively) with Botourmiaviridae sp., Macrophomina phaseolina ourmia-like virus 2 and Macrophomina phaseolina ourmia-like virus 2-A. Phylogenetic analysis based on the RdRp aa sequence indicated that BdOLV2 is a new member of the genus Magoulivirus with in the family Botourmiaviridae.
Solitons and double layers in opposite polarity dusty plasma having superthermal electrons and trapped ions
Authors: Shan Shaukat Ali , Saleem Hamid
Published: January 2023

Nonlinear dust acoustic solitons and double layers (DLs) are investigated in a four component dusty plasma consisting of superthermal electrons, superthermal trapped ions, positive and negative dust grains. The reductive perturbation method is employed to derive Schamel Korteweg de Vries (S-KdV) equation and modified Schamel Korteweg de Vries (mSKdV) equation.
It is found that the nonlinear structures only with negative potential (rarefactive) can be formed in a two-dust (both positive and negative) plasma in the presence of superthermal trapped ions. In the earlier investigations, it was reported that both rarefactive (dip) and compressive (hump) nonlinear structures are possible in the plasma having both positive and negative dust species in the absence of trapped ions. Here, it is pointed out that the ions trapping does not allow the formation of compressive nonlinear structures. The results can be used to understand the dynamics of small amplitude solitary waves and double layers in dusty plasmas of cometary tails, planetary magnetospheres and interstellar clouds.
PACS numbers: 52.27.Cm, 52.30.Ex, 52.35.Sb
Security Analysis of a Chaotic Encryption Algorithm Related to the Sum of Plaintext Pixel Value
Authors: Zhou Rong , Yu Simin , Wang Qianxue
Published: January 2023

The security analysis of the existing chaotic image encryption algorithm is mainly for the algorithm whose secret keys are independent of plaintext while few crytanalysis on plaintext-related scheme is released. This paper analyzes the security of a chaotic encryption algorithm related to the sum of plaintext pixel value (SPPV). It is found that for all plaintexts with the same SPPV, the chaotic sequences used for encryption are identical. Accordingly, there exist a series of equivalent keys corresponding to the different SPPVs, a codebook attack method to crack this type of encryption algorithm is proposed. Since the SPPV is predictable, limited in number and reconfigurable, the chosen-plaintext attack is adopted to analyse the plaintext with all possible SPPVs. And the corresponding equivalent keys are calculated respectively. These equivalent keys corresponding to SPPV finally form a complete codebook for cracking the original encryption scheme. The research result shows that any encryption algorithm related to SPPV can be cracked by the codebook attack method proposed in this paper. Therefore, the method proposed in this paper owns certain universal applicability. Theoretical analysis and experimental results prove the feasibility of this method.
The Keynesian Nexus Between the Market for Goods and the Labour Market
Authors: Guerrazzi Marco
Published: January 2023

In this paper, I build on the Keynesian analysis of the market for goods to draw some implications on the dynamic behaviour of some typical labour market indicators. Specifically, focusing on real magnitudes and distinguishing between the aggregate expected demand function and the aggregate expenditure function, I discuss the implied “daily” adjustments of expected and actual real wages that allow to achieve a short-run equilibrium. In addition, in order to show that the suggested picture of market for goods does not require a distinct setting to describe the transactions of labour services, I offer a rationale for equilibrium unemployment due to deficient demand grounded on the searching-and-matching theory.
JEL Classification: E12, E24, J31, J64.
Florenwerke und Verbreitungsatlanten der Gefäßpflanzen Deutschlands aus dem Zeitraum 1945 bis 2005
Authors: Horn Karsten , Garve Eckhard , Korsch Heiko , Raabe Uwe , Schnittler Martin
Published: January 2023

In den letzten sechs Jahrzehnten wurden in Deutschland rund 200 nationale, regionale und lokale Florenwerke publiziert. Die vorliegende Arbeit gibt einen Überblick über die in diesen Publikationen enthaltenen Daten und stellt eine Karte mit den Bearbeitungsgebieten regionaler Florenwerke vor. Ein bibliografischer Teil zeigt die wichtigsten Daten für jede Publikation. Oft durch qualifizierte Amateurbotaniker erarbeitet, bilden solche Florenwerke eine wichtige Datenbasis insbesondere für Programme zum Artenschutz sowie für die Erstellung von Roten Listen.
Zitierhygiene 5: „Unter Wölf(f)en“: Wolf, F. O. Wolf, Joh. Wolf, Th. Wolf, H. Wolff, J. P. Wolff, M. Wolff und P. Wolff als Nomenklatoren mitteleuropäischer Phanerogamen
Authors: Raus Thomas
Published: January 2023

Die gelegentliche, orthografisch bedingte Verwechslung oder unzutreffende Standardisierung von Phanerogamen-Autoren namens Wolf, Wolff (und Wulf) in mitteleuropäischen Floren und Artenlisten und die mitunter unzutreffende Zuordnung ihnen gewidmeter Eponyme wird erörtert und kommentiert.
Fragaria moschata – Geschlechterverhältnisse in natürlichen und synanthropen Populationen
Authors: Buschmann Sebastian , Olbricht Klaus , Ritz Christiane M.
Published: January 2023

Bestände der Zimt-Erdbeere (Fragaria moschata) im Osten und Südosten Deutschlands gelten als autochthon, Vorkommen weiter westlich und nördlich als synanthrop. In der vorliegenden Arbeit haben wir das Geschlechterverhältnis von natürlichen und synanthropen Populationen untersucht. Natürliche Populationen weichen häufig von einer erwarteten Gleichverteilung beider Geschlechter ab, wobei sowohl männlich als auch weiblich dominierte Populationen beobachtet wurden. Die Mehrheit der synanthropen Vorkommen besteht nur aus Pflanzen eines Geschlechts, wobei meist rein weibliche Bestände gefunden wurden. Diese Populationen können sich daher nur klonal über Ausläufer erhalten.
Puccinellia fontana (Portal) Amarell & T. Gregor comb. et stat. nov. – ein halophytisches Gras Mittel- und Westeuropas
Authors: Amarell Uwe , Gregor Thomas
Published: January 2023

Puccinellia fontana wird aufgrund ihrer Merkmalskombination und ihres sympatrischen Vorkommens mit P. distans als eigenständige Art bewertet und neu kombiniert. Erstmals werden Vorkommen in Deutschland nachgewiesen (Hessen, Rheinland-Pfalz, ehemals auch Saarland). P. fontana wird nicht als Neophyt, sondern als indigene und in Deutschland gefährdete Art gesehen. Die Merkmale zur Abgrenzung gegen P. distans werden dargestellt.
Chromosomenzahlen von Farn- und Samenpflanzen aus Deutschland 2
Authors: Gregor Thomas , Hand Ralf
Published: January 2023

Angegeben wird jeweils das Sammeldatum des für die Chromosomenzählung verwendeten Materials (Lebendpflanze, Samen) zuzüglich eines eventuell gesammelten Beleges sowie – getrennt durch einen Schrägstrich – Sammeldatum und Aufbewahrungsort eines Beleges der gezählten Pflanze. Die Abkürzungen der Herbarien richten sich nach HOLMGREN & al. (1990, sowie Online-Nachträge).
Hieracium compositum Lapeyr. subsp. magnolianum (Arv.-Touv.) Zahn, ein Kulturrelikt am Schloss Dyck bei Jüchen am Niederrhein, Nordrhein-Westfalen
Authors: Gottschlich Günter , Raabe Uwe
Published: January 2023

Von Schloss Dyck bei Jüchen (Kreis Neuss, Nordrhein-Westfalen) ist seit fast 100 Jahren eine bemerkenswerte Hieracium-Population bekannt, die bisher zu H. racemosum gerechnet wurde. Sie gehört jedoch zu H. compositum, einer pyrenäischen Art. Taxonomie, Bestandssituation und Kulturgeschichte werden dargestellt. Das Vorkommen steht ganz offensichtlich im Zusammenhang mit der Anlage des Botanischen Gartens durch den Fürsten Joseph Maria zu Salm-Reifferscheidt-Dyck, der selbst ein bedeutender Botaniker war. Weitere Angaben zum Vorkommen von H. racemosum in Nordrhein-Westfalen werden ebenfalls diskutiert. In allen Fällen liegen Verwechslungen vor, so dass H. racemosum für Nordrhein-Westfalen zu streichen ist.
Typisierungen in der Potentilla-collina-Gruppe (Potentilla subgrex Collinae Th. Wolf). 1. Teil: Sippen ohne Zackenhaare
Authors: Gregor Thomas
Published: January 2023

Soweit bisher noch nicht geschehen werden für Sippen der Potentilla-collina-Gruppe ohne Zackenhaare, die mutmaßlich aus Kreuzungen zwischen P. argentea L. und P. neumanniana Rchb. hervorgegangen sind, Lecto- oder Neotypen ausgewählt.
Panicum riparium H. Scholz – eine neoindigene Art Europas?
Authors: Amarell Uwe
Published: January 2023

Panicum riparium wurde 2002 als neoindigene Art aus Deutschland neu beschrieben. Die Merkmale der Art werden kritisch untersucht und mit denen von P. capillare verglichen. Eine Karte zeigt erstmals die bislang bekannte Verbreitung von P. riparium in Europa. Es wurden historische Herbarbelege gefunden, die bis in das 18. Jahrhundert zurückreichen. Ein Merkmalsvergleich bestätigt die weitgehende Übereinstimmung mit amerikanischen Pflanzen. Eine taxonomische Klärung der amerikanischen Sippen des P.-capillare-Aggregats lässt keine Zweifel: die Merkmale des P. riparium sind weitgehend identisch mit denen des P. barbipulvinatum Nash. P. riparium ist somit in die Synonymie dieser Art zu stellen.
Excess COVID-19 Infections, Mortality, and Economic Development in India
Authors: Mathur Monika , Ray Achintya
Published: January 2023

The main purpose of the research is to estimate the extent of excess Covid-19 cases and mortalities in India and examine its relationship with the degree of economic progress in various parts of the country especially given the uneven nature of the impact of the pandemic throughout the nation. The main hypotheses of the study were: 1) in areas with a high level of income per capita, the death rate per 100,000 population will be lower; 2) areas with a high level of income per capita tend to be more urbanized, economically active, and therefore quite densely populated, which increases the probability of morbidity and mortality. The object of research is over 20 million Covid-19 cases and over 370,000 deaths in 31 States and Union Territories (UTs) in India beginning in the first months of the pandemic and going through the middle of 2021. The methodological tools of the conducted research were the methods of regression analysis. The study of a relative measure of success in pandemic management (less than one-half of the median death rate as the relative threshold for measuring success) empirically confirms and theoretically proves that India had at least 16.6 million excess Covid-19 cases and over 228,000 excess COVID-19 deaths as of June 18, 2021. The paper presents the results of an empirical analysis of the relationship between excess deaths of the population from Covid-19 and state-level per-capita income (as an explanatory variable), which testified that about 60% of actual and excess deaths can be explained by the per-capita income alone. According to the results of the analysis, it was proved that actual and excess deaths are both higher in richer states. Poorer states did considerably well in keeping Covid-19 mortality low compared to their more affluent counterparts. The positive relationship between Covid-19 mortality and per-capita income does not go away even after controlling for the caseloads used as a proxy for the spread of the pandemic. This augmented model explains about 80% of the actual and excess deaths from the Covid-19 pandemic in India. After controlling for caseloads, a thousand Rupees increase in per-capita income contributed to about 15 additional deaths per 100,000 population. The article presents the results of an empirical analysis of the relationship between economic development (as measured by the per-capita income) and excess mortality from COVID-19, which proved a positive relationship between them and proved a potentially adverse impact of economic progress on human immunity, especially if population density, living conditions, and food security moderate that relationship.
Fathanah Responsive Leadership: As a Supplement in the Satellite Model
Authors: Anggraeni Fadjar Setiyo , Widarno Bambang
Published: January 2023

This paper provides the main points of argument and counterarguments in scientific controversies on the issue of organizational learning and leadership practices. This paper aims to reveal organizational learning practices in modern times marked by Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity, and Ambiguity (VUCA), especially for those who study Islamic values. In addition, it also provides an overview of how organizations learn to sharpen sensitivity, respond and be agile in dealing with any changes. The paper analyzed the previous research literature on organizational learning, especially leadership, which contributes to the successful functioning of the organization in VUCA conditions. The paper integrated the results of previous studies with the Islamic worldview, one of the characteristics of prophethood, namely fathana (intelligence). This made it possible to develop a new concept of organization management, which is called as “fathanah responsive leadership”. The basis of this study is the understanding of fathana − not as an ordinary intelligence that everyone possesses, but a special intelligence, namely leadership, which is secretly formed through the basis of one’s faith in God. The results of previous studies formed the basis for determining six hypotheses of this research: first, VUCA has a negative impact on competitiveness. Second, VUCA has a negative impact on financial performance. Third, competition has a positive effect on financial performance. Fourth, fathanah’s responsive leadership weakens the influence of VUCA on competitiveness. Fifth, fathanah responsive leadership weakens the influence of VUCA on financial performance. Sixth, fathanah responsive leadership strengthens the competitive influence on financial performance. The article presents the results of an empirical analysis of the features of ensuring responsible leadership, which proved that for the high-quality organization of the company’s activities, not only fathana and the sensitive character of the leader are needed, which is only an addition to this process and does not consider such characteristics as shiddik, amana and tabligh. However, the results of future research should be aimed at analyzing whether organizational learning and VUCA leadership practices can contribute to increasing the competitiveness of an organization and improving its financial performance.
The effect of multilingual pedagogies on language aptitude: A study on lower secondary school students based on the LLAMA test
Authors: Carbonara Valentina
Published: January 2023

The paper presents an explorative study regarding the relation between multilingual pedagogies and language aptitude, a complex construct associated with metalinguistic awareness and cognitive processes, which predict the capacity of learning a foreign language. We administered the LLAMA test to 67 lower secondary school students in Italy, divided into two groups: the target group had been regularly exposed to éveil aux langues (awakening to languages) and translanguaging practices, with explicit focuses on crosslinguistic reflection, for the prior four years; the control group has been exposed to regular monolingual instruction. Results show that the target group achieved a better score in two LLAMA sub-tests (sound-symbol correspondence task and grammatical inferencing task). A composite pattern of correlations and predictors regarding the influence of Italian competence and English competence are also analysed and disentangled. Finally, the paper discusses the implications of these results in terms of research and educational perspectives.
Social Media Marketing through Instagram and Repurchase Intention: The Mediating Role of Customer Engagement
Authors: Simbolon Freddy Pandapotan , Law Verencia
Published: January 2023

In the digital era, the presence of social media has a strategic function in marketing that can be optimized to strengthen the company’s competitiveness. Besides having an essential role in promoting products and services quickly and massively, social media is also effective in building relationships with customers. Therefore, the company’s ability to optimize social media is a key success factor in winning the competition. The research aimed to determine the effect of social media marketing through Instagram on repurchase intention mediated by customer engagement. The research applied a quantitative approach and involved a sample of 102 Kopi Chuseyo Instagram followers taken through a simple random sampling technique. Data were collected using a questionnaire. Then, a quantitative approach with path analysis was used to analyze the research data. Research findings show that social media marketing has a significant effect on customer engagement and repurchase intention. The findings also mention that customer engagement affects repurchase intention positively and significantly. In addition, customer engagement also mediates the effect of social media marketing on repurchase intention. Therefore, companies should identify the appropriate type of social media according to their products and services to support marketing programs. They should also focus on certain social media to run its marketing program.
Safety of discontinuation of anticoagulants after venous thromboembolism: whether D-dimer level should be taken into account?
Authors: Yavelov I. S.
Published: January 2023

Due to the continued risk of recurrence after a first episode of proximal deep vein thrombosis (DVT) of the lower extremities and/ or pulmonary embolism (PE) occurring without major transient risk factors, long-term use of anticoagulants is indicated in many cases. One attractive way to individualize the duration of treatment in these cases appears to be the assessment of blood D-dimer concentration. However, according to the prospective studies PROLONG, PROLONG II and REVERSE II, even persistent normalization of blood D-dimer concentration does not guarantee the absence of relapse. The available evidence also does not allow a differentiated approach to the assessment of the role of D-dimer for cases where proximal DVT and/or PE occurs in patients without identifiable risk factors or with minor risk factors. An attempt to clarify some of these uncertainties was made in the prospective APIDULCIS study, which included 732 patients who first had proximal DVT and/or PE, with symptoms occurring in the absence of obvious provoking factors (75.6% of cases) or associated with minor (weak) and transient risk factors (24.4%). The prerequisites included a normal blood D-dimer concentration. Patients were discontinued anticoagulants and blood D-dimer concentration measurements were repeated after 15, 30, and 60 days. If it remained low, the anticoagulant was not resumed (39.1% of cases), and when it first increased, apixaban was administered in a dose of 2.5 mg twice daily. The APIDULCIS study confirmed that anticoagulants cannot be discontinued after 1 year of use after the first unprovoked episode of proximal DVT and/or PE, even with persistent normal blood D-dimer concentration; it was shown that recurrence rate after the first episode of proximal DVT and/or PE, provoked by a minor transient risk factor, is high enough even after at least 1 year of anticoagulant treatment and at stable normal blood D-dimer concentration after their cancellation; comfirmed the effectiveness and safety of a reduced dose of apixaban (2.5 mg 2 times a day) during prolonged treatment of the first episode of proximal DVT and/or PE.
Global climate challenges, structural shifts in the economy and the development of initiative-taking strategies by businesses to achieve carbon neutrality
Authors:   St. Petersburg State University, Pakhomova Nadezda , Richter Kurt Knut ,   St. Petersburg State University, Vetrova Maria ,   St. Petersburg State University
Published: January 2023

Working with trends reflecting the ongoing aggravation of the climate situation, the authors evaluate countermeasures taken at the interstate and national levels, as well as those implemented by large businesses in priority sectors that are important emitters greenhouse gases. In this context, the article makes several points. First, it provides an overview of legal regulations implemented at the interstate and state levels aimed at preventing and minimizing adverse climate change. Second, the authors examine the impact of climate challenges and new regulatory mechanisms on sectors of the modern economy that are a priority for achieving carbon neutrality, as well as on businesses operating in these sectors. This includes analyzing ESG strategies and ratings of companies, as well as rating-related failures in solving problems of the climate agenda. Third, using the example of ferrous metallurgy enterprises, the article examines decarbonization strategies implemented by business and conducts a comparative assessment of them as one means of achieving carbon neutrality. Special attention is paid to systematizing existing and projected tools for the decarbonization of production and technological processes in the steel industry, an assessment is made of their technological maturity, as well as the impact on increasing the product cost and the possibility of reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The authors propose ways to further refine the mechanism of climate regulation in Russia, as well as methods for selecting proactive business strategies that provide an effective solution to the problems of decarbonization and achieve sustainable competitiveness in the context of the structural restructuring of the modern economy.
Optimization of the system of personal property insurance protection: China’s experience and opportunities for Russia
Authors:   St. Petersburg State University, Faizova Anna , Xiaohe Xie ,   St. Petersburg State University, Wentao Wang ,   St. Petersburg State University
Published: January 2023

China’s modern insurance market is the largest in the world in terms of several key indicators: both the number of contracts concluded and the volume of premiums collected. At the same time, insurance products related to property insurance are the second most popular among the population. However, the development curve of the insurance market in China is significantly different from the trajectories of changes in the insurance markets in Europe or the United States. This article is a comprehensive analysis of the evolution of insurance relations in the Chinese market under the influence of various factors, such as changes in the macroeconomic environment, the introduction of innovative technologies and the COVID-19 pandemic. During the transition from a planned economic system to a market one, as well as after China’s joining the WTO, external economic factors changed the development trends of China’s insurance industry. Based on the data of the National Bureau of Statistics of China for 2007–2020 and the Wind database, the authors built an econometric model that allowed analyzing the impact of various factors on the growth of property insurance in China. Special attention is paid to the impact of modern trends associated with the active introduction of digital technologies and the ongoing coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) on the development of the property insurance segment. The ongoing optimization of the system of insurance protection of the property of the population is primarily due to its risk management function. China’s experience in the development of insurance relations in the national market may be in demand in Russia, which belongs to countries with a developing insurance market.