bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Can empathy be taught? A cross-sectional survey assessing training to deliver the diagnosis of end stage renal disease
Authors: Doreille Alice , Vilaine Eve , Belenfant Xavier , Tabbi Wided , Massy Ziad , Corruble Emmanuelle , Basse Odile , Luque Yosu , Rondeau Eric , Benhamou Dan , François Helene
Published: September 2021

Background

Receiving the diagnosis of kidney failure has a major impact on patients. Yet, the way in which this diagnosis should be delivered is not formally taught within our medical curriculum. To fill this gap we set up a training course of kidney failure diagnosis delivery for nephrology trainees since 2016. This study assessed the effectiveness of this educational intervention.

Methods

The primary outcome was change in the empathy score immediately after the training session and several months afterward, based on the Jefferson Scale of Physician Empathy (JSPE). Self-reported change in clinical practice was also evaluated. As control groups, we assessed empathy levels in untrained nephrology trainees (n = 26) and senior nephrologists (n = 71). Later on (>6 months) we evaluated participants’ perception of changes in their clinical practice due to the training.

Results

Six training sessions permitted to train 46 trainees. Most respondents (76%) considered the training to have a durable effect on their clinical practice. Average empathy scores were not significantly different in pre-trained trainees (average JSPE: 103.7 ± 11.4), untrained trainees (102.8 ± 16.4; P = 0.81) and senior nephrologists (107.2 ± 13.6; P = 0.15). Participants’ empathy score significantly improved after the training session (112.8 ± 13.9; P = 0.003). This improvement was sustained several months afterwards (average JSPE 110.5 ± 10.8; P = 0.04).

Conclusion

A single 4-hour training session can have long lasting impact on empathy and clinical practice of participants. Willingness to listen, empathy and kindness are thought to be innate and instinctive skills, but they can be acquired and should be taught.
Novel approach to delivering pro-environmental messages significantly shifts norms and motivation, but children are not more effective spokespeople than adults
Authors: Frantz Cynthia McPherson , Petersen John , Lucaites Kathryn
Published: September 2021

Three studies provided initial laboratory tests of the effectiveness of a novel form of community-based environmental messaging intended to be deployed on public digital signs. In all studies, adult participants watched a slideshow of “Community Voices,” a display that combines community images and quotes to celebrate and empower pro-environmental and pro-community thought and action. In addition to assessing the general efficacy of the approach, a central goal was to assess the impact of alternative messengers by comparing identical text associated with either adult or child messengers (Studies 1, 2, and 3). We also assessed the impact of alternative framing of the message itself by comparing: injunctive vs non-injunctive wording (Study 1), political vs non-political content (Study 1), and future vs. present-oriented framing (Study 2). Studies 1 and 2 were conducted on a national sample. In addition, to assess the impact of local vs. non-local messengers, Study 3 compared the response of a non-local sample to a local population in which subjects had personal connections with the people and places featured in the message content. Exposure to Community Voices messages resulted in significant increases in social norm perception, concern about environmental issues, commitment to action, and optimism, suggesting that this approach to messaging is potentially valuable for stimulating cultural change. However, messages attributed to child messengers were generally not more effective, and in some cases were less effective than the same message attributed to adults. We also found no significant difference in the impact of the alternative message frames studied.
Multivariate random forest prediction of poverty and malnutrition prevalence
Authors: Browne Chris , Matteson David S. , McBride Linden , Hu Leiqiu , Liu Yanyan , Sun Ying , Wen Jiaming , Barrett Christopher B.
Published: September 2021

Advances in remote sensing and machine learning enable increasingly accurate, inexpensive, and timely estimation of poverty and malnutrition indicators to guide development and humanitarian agencies’ programming. However, state of the art models often rely on proprietary data and/or deep or transfer learning methods whose underlying mechanics may be challenging to interpret. We demonstrate how interpretable random forest models can produce estimates of a set of (potentially correlated) malnutrition and poverty prevalence measures using free, open access, regularly updated, georeferenced data. We demonstrate two use cases: contemporaneous prediction, which might be used for poverty mapping, geographic targeting, or monitoring and evaluation tasks, and a sequential nowcasting task that can inform early warning systems. Applied to data from 11 low and lower-middle income countries, we find predictive accuracy broadly comparable for both tasks to prior studies that use proprietary data and/or deep or transfer learning methods.
Olive fruit fly and its obligate symbiont Candidatus Erwinia dacicola: Two new symbiont haplotypes in the Mediterranean basin
Authors: Nobre Tânia
Published: September 2021

The olive fruit fly, specialized to become monophagous during several life stages, remains the most important olive tree pest with high direct production losses, but also affecting the quality, composition, and inherent properties of the olives. Thought to have originated in Africa is nowadays present wherever olive groves are grown. The olive fruit fly evolved to harbor a vertically transmitted and obligate bacterial symbiont -Candidatus Erwinia dacicola- leading thus to a tight evolutionary history between olive tree, fruit fly and obligate, vertical transmitted symbiotic bacterium. Considering this linkage, the genetic diversity (at a 16S fragment) of this obligate symbiont was added in the understanding of the distribution pattern of the holobiont at nine locations throughout four countries in the Mediterranean Basin. This was complemented with mitochondrial (four mtDNA fragments) and nuclear (ten microsatellites) data of the host. We focused on the previously established Iberian cluster for the B. oleae structure and hypothesised that the Tunisian samples would fall into a differentiated cluster. From the host point of view, we were unable to confirm this hypothesis. Looking at the symbiont, however, two new 16S haplotypes were found exclusively in the populations from Tunisia. This finding is discussed in the frame of host-symbiont specificity and transmission mode. To understand olive fruit fly population diversity and dispersion, the dynamics of the symbiont also needs to be taken into consideration, as it enables the fly to, so efficiently and uniquely, exploit the olive fruit resource.
Environmental factors shaping bacterial, archaeal and fungal community structure in hydrothermal sediments of Guaymas Basin, Gulf of California
Authors: Ramírez Gustavo A. , Mara Paraskevi , Sehein Taylor , Wegener Gunter , Chambers Christopher R. , Joye Samantha B. , Peterson Richard N. , Philippe Aurélie , Burgaud Gaëtan , Edgcomb Virginia P. , Teske Andreas P.
Published: September 2021

The flanking regions of Guaymas Basin, a young marginal rift basin located in the Gulf of California, are covered with thick sediment layers that are hydrothermally altered due to magmatic intrusions. To explore environmental controls on microbial community structure in this complex environment, we analyzed site- and depth-related patterns of microbial community composition (bacteria, archaea, and fungi) in hydrothermally influenced sediments with different thermal conditions, geochemical regimes, and extent of microbial mats. We compared communities in hot hydrothermal sediments (75-100°C at ~40 cm depth) covered by orange-pigmentedBeggiatoaceaemats in the Cathedral Hill area, temperate sediments (25-30°C at ~40 cm depth) covered by yellow sulfur precipitates and filamentous sulfur oxidizers at the Aceto Balsamico location, hot sediments (>115°C at ~40 cm depth) with orange-pigmented mats surrounded by yellow and white mats at the Marker 14 location, and background, non-hydrothermal sediments (3.8°C at ~45 cm depth) overlain with ambient seawater. Whereas bacterial and archaeal communities are clearly structured by site-specificin-situthermal gradients and geochemical conditions, fungal communities are generally structured by sediment depth. Unexpectedly, chytrid sequence biosignatures are ubiquitous in surficial sediments whereas deeper sediments contain diverse yeasts and filamentous fungi. In correlation analyses across different sites and sediment depths, fungal phylotypes correlate to each other to a much greater degree than Bacteria and Archaea do to each other or to fungi, further substantiating that site-specificin-situthermal gradients and geochemical conditions that control bacteria and archaea do not extend to fungi.
COVID-19 vaccines and mental distress
Authors: Perez-Arce Francisco , Angrisani Marco , Bennett Daniel , Darling Jill , Kapteyn Arie , Thomas Kyla
Published: September 2021

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic brought about large increases in mental distress. The uptake of COVID-19 vaccines is expected to significantly reduce health risks, improve economic and social outcomes, with potential benefits to mental health.

Purpose

To examine short-term changes in mental distress following the receipt of the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.

Methods

Participants included 8,003 adults from the address-based sampled, nationally representative Understanding America Study (UAS), surveyed at regular intervals between March 10, 2020, and March 31, 2021 who completed at least two waves of the survey. Respondents answered questions about COVID-19 vaccine status and self-reported mental distress as measured with the four-item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-4). Fixed-effects regression models were used to identify the change in PHQ-4 scores and categorical indicators of mental distress resulting from the application of the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.

Results

People who were vaccinated between December 2020 and March 2021 reported decreased mental distress levels in the surveys conducted after receiving the first dose. The fixed-effects estimates show an average effect of receiving the vaccine equivalent to 4% of the standard deviation of PHQ-4 scores (p-value<0.01), a reduction in 1 percentage point (4% reduction from the baseline level) in the probability of being at least mildly depressed, and of 0.7 percentage points (15% reduction from the baseline level) in the probability of being severely depressed (p-value = 0.06).

Conclusions

Getting the first dose of COVID-19 resulted in significant improvements in mental health, beyond improvements already achieved since mental distress peaked in the spring of 2020.
Screen time and early adolescent mental health, academic, and social outcomes in 9- and 10- year old children: Utilizing the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development ℠ (ABCD) Study
Authors: Paulich Katie N. , Ross J. Megan , Lessem Jeffrey M. , Hewitt John K.
Published: September 2021

In a technology-driven society, screens are being used more than ever. The high rate of electronic media use among children and adolescents begs the question: is screen time harming our youth? The current study draws from a nationwide sample of 11,875 participants in the United States, aged 9 to 10 years, from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development Study (ABCD Study®). We investigate relationships between screen time and mental health, behavioral problems, academic performance, sleep habits, and peer relationships by conducting a series of correlation and regression analyses, controlling for SES and race/ethnicity. We find that more screen time is moderately associated with worse mental health, increased behavioral problems, decreased academic performance, and poorer sleep, but heightened quality of peer relationships. However, effect sizes associated with screen time and the various outcomes were modest; SES was more strongly associated with each outcome measure. Our analyses do not establish causality and the small effect sizes observed suggest that increased screen time is unlikely to be directly harmful to 9-and-10-year-old children.
The prevalence of paramagnetic rim lesions in multiple sclerosis: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Ng Kee Kwong Koy Chong , Mollison Daisy , Meijboom Rozanna , York Elizabeth N. , Kampaite Agniete , Thrippleton Michael J. , Chandran Siddharthan , Waldman Adam D.
Published: September 2021

Background

Recent findings from several studies have shown that paramagnetic rim lesions identified using susceptibility-based MRI could represent potential diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers in multiple sclerosis (MS). Here, we perform a systematic review and meta-analysis of the existing literature to assess their pooled prevalence at lesion-level and patient-level.

Methods

Both database searching (PubMed and Embase) and handsearching were conducted to identify studies allowing the lesion-level and/or patient-level prevalence of rim lesions or chronic active lesions to be calculated. Pooled prevalence was estimated using the DerSimonian-Laird random-effects model. Subgroup analysis and meta-regression were performed to explore possible sources of heterogeneity. PROSPERO registration: CRD42020192282.

Results

29 studies comprising 1230 patients were eligible for analysis. Meta-analysis estimated pooled prevalences of 9.8% (95% CI: 6.6–14.2) and 40.6% (95% CI: 26.2–56.8) for rim lesions at lesion-level and patient-level, respectively. Pooled lesion-level and patient-level prevalences for chronic active lesions were 12.0% (95% CI: 9.0–15.8) and 64.8% (95% CI: 54.3–74.0), respectively. Considerable heterogeneity was observed across studies (I2>75%). Subgroup analysis revealed a significant difference in patient-level prevalence between studies conducted at 3T and 7T (p = 0.0312). Meta-regression analyses also showed significant differences in lesion-level prevalence with respect to age (p = 0.0018, R2 = 0.20) and disease duration (p = 0.0018, R2 = 0.48). Other moderator analyses demonstrated no significant differences according to MRI sequence, gender and expanded disability status scale (EDSS).

Conclusion

In this study, we show that paramagnetic rim lesions may be present in an important proportion of MS patients, notwithstanding significant variation in their assessment across studies. In view of their possible clinical relevance, we believe that clear guidelines should be introduced to standardise their assessment across research centres to in turn facilitate future analyses.
Development and usability testing of mobile application on diet and oral health
Authors: Akmal Muhamat Noor , Hasan Ruhaya , Saddki Norkhafizah , Mohd Arshad Muhammad Rafie , Ahmad Mokhtarrudin
Published: September 2021

In several nations, caries in pre-school children remain a significant oral health issue. In an outbreak period such as the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), remote contact and education aimed at the prevention of oral diseases and the preservation of children’s oral health are more relevant than ever. Currently, the amount of published applications is far higher than the published scientific studies while the problems of usability remains vulnerable. The goal of this paper was to comprehensively document the phase of development and usability testing of a mobile application for diet and oral health, namelyGigiku Sihat, which was primarily intended to be used by parents and guardians of pre-school children. The mobile application was developed using the System Development Life Cycle principle. Apart from searching for the available oral health application on Android platform, the initial requirement gathering process consisted of situational analysis, concept generation, content development, and features and functional requirement determination. The mobile application design and implementation evolved at each phase before being finalised.Gigiku Sihatwas successfully developed in the Bahasa Malaysia. FinalisedGigiku Sihatwas installed on mobile devices to determine the usability using translated and validated System Usability Scale questionnaire namelySkala Kebolehgunaan Aplikasi Mudah Alih(SKAMA). The mean score usability with score of 68 and above was deemed to have good usability. This study found thatGigiku Sihatmean (SD) usability score was 77.0 (14.18). The results were promising as they showed thatGigiku Sihathad a good usability. Thus, the development of this mobile application focusing on diet and oral health served as a new source of oral health education and provided a necessary foundation in developing future improved mobile application development for parents in the prevention of early childhood caries.
Prevalence and determinants of non-communicable disease risk factors among adult population of Kathmandu
Authors: Dahal Sitasnu , Sah Ram Bilakshan , Niraula Surya Raj , Karkee Rajendra , Chakravartty Avaniendra
Published: September 2021

Background

According to WHO, the deaths due to NCDs in Nepal have soared from 60% of all deaths in 2014 to 66% in 2018. The study assessed the prevalence and determinants of non-communicable disease risk factors among adult population of Kathmandu.

Materials and methods

A community based cross-sectional study was conducted from September 2019 to February 2020 among 18–69 years adults residing in municipalities of Kathmandu district. Multi-stage random sampling technique was used to select 245 subjects who were interviewed using WHO NCD STEPS instrument. Chi-square test and logistic regression analysis were done to explore the determinants of NCD risk factors.

Results

The prevalence of current smoking, alcohol consumption, low intake of fruits and vegetables and low physical activity was found to be 22%, 31%, 93.9% and 10.2% respectively. More than half (52.2%) of the participants were overweight or obese and the prevalence of raised blood pressure was 27.8%. Smoking was associated significantly with male gender (AOR = 2.37, CI: 1.20–5.13) and respondents with no formal schooling (AOR: 4.33, CI: 1.50–12.48). Similarly, the odds of alcohol consumption were higher among male gender (AOR: 2.78, CI: 1.47–5.26), people who were employed (AOR: 2.30, CI: 1.13–4.82), and those who belonged to Chhetri (AOR: 2.83, CI: 1.19–6.72), Janajati (AOR: 6.18, CI: 2.74–13.90), Dalit and Madhesi, (AOR: 7.51, CI: 2.13–26.35) ethnic groups. Furthermore, respondents who were aged 30–44 years (AOR: 5.15, CI: 1.91–13.85) and 45–59 years (AOR: 4.54 CI: 1.63–12.66), who were in marital union (AOR: 3.39, CI: 1.25–9.13), and who belonged to Janajati (AOR: 3.37, CI: 1.61–7.04), Dalit and Madhesi (AOR: 4.62, CI: 1.26–16.86) ethnic groups were more likely to be associated with overweight or obesity. Additionally, the odds of raised blood pressure were higher among people who were of older age (AOR: 6.91, CI: 1.67–28.63) and those who belonged to Janajati ethnic group (AOR: 3.60, CI: 1.46–8.87) after multivariate analysis.

Conclusion

The findings of the study highlighted high prevalence of behavioral and metabolic risk factors, which varied on different socio-demographic grounds. Thus, population specific health promotion interventions centered on public health interests is recommended to reduce risk factors of NCDs.
Livestock as vectors of organic matter and nutrient loading in aquatic ecosystems in African savannas
Authors: Iteba Jacob O. , Hein Thomas , Singer Gabriel A. , Masese Frank O.
Published: September 2021

Populations of large wildlife have declined in many landscapes around the world, and have been replaced or displaced by livestock. The consequences of these changes on the transfer of organic matter (OM) and nutrients from terrestrial to aquatic ecosystems are not well understood. We used behavioural data, excretion and egestion rates and C: N: P stoichiometry of dung and urine of zebu cattle, to develop a metabolism-based estimate of loading rates of OM (dung), C, N and P into the Mara River, Kenya. We also directly measured the deposition of OM and urine by cattle into the river during watering. Per head, zebu cattle excrete and/or egest 25.6 g dry matter (DM, 99.6 g wet mass; metabolism) - 27.7 g DM (direct input) of OM, 16.0–21.8 g C, 5.9–9.6 g N, and 0.3–0.5 g P per day into the river. To replace loading rates OM of an individual hippopotamus by cattle, around 100 individuals will be needed, but much less for different elements. In parts of the investigated sub-catchments loading rates by cattle were equivalent to or higher than that of the hippopotamus. The patterns of increased suspended materials and nutrients as a result of livestock activity fit into historical findings on nutrients concentrations, dissolved organic carbon and other variables in agricultural and livestock areas in the Mara River basin. Changing these patterns of carbon and nutrient transport and cycling are having significant effects on the structure and functioning of both terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.
The small acid-soluble proteins of Clostridioides difficile are important for UV resistance and serve as a check point for sporulation
Authors: Nerber Hailee N. , Sorg Joseph A.
Published: September 2021

Clostridioides difficile is a nosocomial pathogen which causes severe diarrhea and colonic inflammation. C. difficile causes disease in susceptible patients when endospores germinate into the toxin-producing vegetative form. The action of these toxins results in diarrhea and the spread of spores into the hospital and healthcare environments. Thus, the destruction of spores is imperative to prevent disease transmission between patients. However, spores are resilient and survive extreme temperatures, chemical exposure, and UV treatment. This makes their elimination from the environment difficult and perpetuates their spread between patients. In the model spore-forming organism, Bacillus subtilis, the small acid-soluble proteins (SASPs) contribute to these resistances. The SASPs are a family of small proteins found in all endospore-forming organisms, C. difficile included. Although these proteins have high sequence similarity between organisms, the role(s) of the proteins differ. Here, we investigated the role of the main α/β SASPs, SspA and SspB, and two annotated putative SASPs, CDR20291_1130 and CDR20291_3080, in protecting C. difficile spores from environmental insults. We found that SspA is necessary for conferring spore UV resistance, SspB minorly contributes, and the annotated putative SASPs do not contribute to UV resistance. In addition, the SASPs minorly contribute to the resistance of nitrous acid. Surprisingly, the combined deletion of sspA and sspB prevented spore formation. Overall, our data indicate that UV resistance of C. difficile spores is dependent on SspA and that SspA and SspB regulate/serve as a checkpoint for spore formation, a previously unreported function of SASPs.
1876-1952: Lourenço Chaves de Almeida: Mestre Ferreiro de Arte Vida e Obra
Authors: Almeida Afonso Chaves de
Published: September 2021

Lourenço Chaves de Almeida (1876-1952) foi um dos mais célebres artistas do ferro forjado, tendo deixado excelentes obras em Coimbra, «cidade das grades», e por várias outras localidades. Natural de Lamego e descendente de artífices, viria entretanto a radicar-se em Coimbra, no cumprimento do serviço militar. Tendo sido militar de carreira (sargento artífice) e louvado pelo brio com que exerceu as suas funções, foi mobilizado para integrar o Corpo Expedicionário Português, em 1917-1918. Mesmo em campanha, em França, nunca se desligou da arte do ferro, pelo que produziu ali – utilizando metal das munições – peças que, pela sensibilidade artística do seu autor, surpreendiam superiores e colegas. Foi estimado e contactou com parte da elite intelectual e política do seu tempo, desde, por exemplo, António Augusto Gonçalves, Quim Martins, Afonso Lopes Vieira e Veva de Lima, a Belisário Pimenta, Bissaia Barreto e Marechal Gomes da Costa. De entre as suas numerosas obras destacam-se o Lampadário/Chama da Pátria (Mosteiro da Batalha), o Lectus Pompeiano (Veva de Lima), o Relicário (Afonso Lopes Vieira) e o lustre da Câmara Municipal de Coimbra. Nas exposições dos seus trabalhos (Coimbra, Lisboa e outras cidades), obteve sempre grande sucesso, como provam os elogios então publicados na imprensa. É ainda de relevar o seu gosto pela investigação e pela escrita. Com efeito, além de outros estudos publicados (sobre João de Ruão e a biografia do Santo Heitorzinho do Loureiro), foi o que dedicou aos Túmulos de Alcobaça, de D. Pedro e D. Inês, que mais repercussão teve. Ali defendeu uma tese não só original como ao invés do que então preconizavam os especialistas consagrados. Após porfiado estudo, chegou à conclusão que, diferentemente do que era admitido, aquela notável obra escultórica não se devia a estrangeiros, mas sim a artistas da escola de Coimbra. Possuía também um profundo gosto pela história e pelos testemunhos. Coligiu e preservou recortes de jornais e fotografias dos seus trabalhos e, sobretudo, elaborou as Memórias de um Ferreiro, graças a um minucioso e rigoroso trabalho. Assim, não se tratou de um simples ferreiro ou mesmo de um vulgar artista do ferro forjado, mas de um homem de elite, com uma apreciável cultura e apurada sensibilidade, na compreensão da sociedade e do mundo.
Heaven (“Ustigi Oroon”) and Hell (“Altygy Oroon”) as Seen in Works of Dibash Kainchin
Authors: Tekenova Ulyana
Published: September 2021

The article gives the analysis of images of heaven (“Ustigi Oroon”) and hell (Altygy Oroon”) in the philosophical works of Altaian writer Dibash Kainchin. It reveals the author’s idea of “earthly heaven” and “earthly hell” in his short stories as reflection of his worldview, morale and attitude to people.  There have been discussed poetic techniques significant for D. Kainchin, such as dream and related states (delirium, hallucinations, and quick views under some external influence) which help the author to give an insight into a person. The author of this article uses comparative historical, structural and semiotic methods and the method of complex analysis of fiction. The literary texts employed have been translated by Dibash Kainchin himself and the author of the article.
RELIGIOUS METAPHORS IN NEWSPAPER SPORTS DISCOURSE: FUNCTIONAL ASPECT (ON THE MATERIAL OF BRITISH NEWSPAPERS)
Authors: Solovieva Natalia , Katermina Veronika
Published: September 2021

The article is devoted to the functional aspect of religious metaphors in newspaper sports discourse. The material under analysis is English religious metaphors which are studied in quality and popular British newspapers (The Guardian, The Daily Telegraph, The Daily Mail, The Daily Mirror). According to the traditional point of view, modern research of sports discourse is inseparable from the analysis of media texts, as media do not only cover sports events most effectively but also determine their assessment. Metaphors are considered to provide informative accuracy necessary for effective communication, they create images that affect the attitude of the reader to events covered by the media.
Structural and Organizational and Content Characteristics of Media Discourse on the Example of Web-Site «The Guardian».
Authors: Lushchinskaya Olga
Published: September 2021

The article considers the issues of media discourse on the example of the web-site «The Guardian» as a product of convergent journalism. Structural and organizational as well as content peculiarities of this electronic edition are described on the basis of the integrative methods of discourse analysis. These methods include formal criteria, criteria of multimedia technologies, extra- and intralinguistic criteria. The analysis of the representation of these criteria allowed to reveal its organizational structure and design; the degree of presence and severity of the phenomenon of convergence; the specificity of content via the realization on the site a range of discourse categories such as audience, communicative purpose, self-identification, space, time, intertextuality, intereventness, intersubjectivity. The category “stylistic range” reflects the text organization of the online edition.
Totality of Means of Interaction with the Reader in the Footnotes of A.D. Cantemir to the Russian Translation of Conversations on the Plurality of Worlds
Authors: Pchelintseva Alexandra
Published: September 2021

The article deals with functional totality of means of interaction with the reader in the footnotes by A.D. Cantemir to his Russian translation of Conversations on the Plurality of Worlds. The content, the language and the genre of the footnotes prove them to be addressed to the Russian reader. On the linguistic level, it is expressed by actualization of modus categories and metatextual means that do not only point at the addresser indirectly, but also highlight the reader’s figure in the footnotes’ text. Actualization of modus categories allows Cantemir to bring him closer to the reader in the same textual space and time, whereas metatextual units control the reader’s attention by structuring information. Interaction of these linguistic means within the text of footnotes provides interaction between Cantemir and the Russian reader: their common space and time increase the persuasive effect of explanations and examples introduced by metatextual means.
Representatives of the genus Ligularia Cass. in the biocollection of the botanical garden VILAR
Authors: Gudkova N. Yu. , Minyazeva Yu. M.
Published: September 2021

There are nine representatives of the genus Ligularia Cass. in the collection of the botanical garden VILAR:Ligularia dentata (A. Gray) Hara, L. fischeri (Ledeb.) Turcz., L. heterophylla Rupr., L. przewalskii (Maxim.) Diels,L. sachalinensis Nakai, L. sibirica (L.) Cass., L. splendens (H. Lév. et Vaniot) Nakai, L. stenocephala (Maxim.) Matsum.et Koidz., L. subsagittata Pojark. Representatives of this genus are interesting as medicinal and ornamental plants.
Annotated plant catalog of the Education and Research Center "Botanic Garden" SSU: methodical aspect
Authors: Serova L. A. , Petrova N. A , Shakina T. N. , Ixanova M. A. , Gladilina T. Y. , Gorlanova E. P. , Demochko Y. A. , Ivanova E. V. , Katrosha L. A. , Klimova M. A. , Kozhevnikova T. Y , Kulikova L. V. , Martynova A. V. , Kharitonov A. N. , Kirillova I. M.
Published: September 2021

The article presents an approximate rubric of the annotated catalogue of plants of the "Botanical Garden"Research Center of the SSU. The annotated catalogue will include species and varieties cultivated in all collections. Thecatalogue is designed for flower growers, landscape designers and a wide range of readers; addressed to specialists in thefield of introduction and breeding, industrialists, gardeners, farm specialists, landscape designers and students.
Preliminary results of monitoring of Rhododendron brachycarpum D. Don ex G. Don fil. in Kunashir island (Sakhalin Region)
Authors: Linnik E. V. , Degtjareva G. V. , Efimov S. V. , Varlygina T. I. , Terentieva E. I.
Published: September 2021

The study presents preliminary data on monitoring of Rhododendron brachycarpum D. Don ex G. Don fil.,a rare species of the Kunashir island flora. Comparative morphological and molecular phylogenetic analyses were carriedout with samples of R. brachycarpum and R. fauriei Franch from the island of Kunashir, the Sikhote-Alin Nature Reserve,and Japan (Honshu and Hokkaido islands). R. brachycarpum and R. fauriei are species with fuzzy boundaries concerningsystematics. The internal transcribed spacers (ITS1-5.8S-ITS2) in nrDNA were chosen as molecular markers. Preliminaryresults support the consideration that R. fauriei and R. brachycarpum are two separate species.
The first data report about DNA content of some representatives of the genus Trapa L. from Primorye territory
Authors: Skaptsov M. V. , Smirnov S. V. , Kutsev M. G. , Pshennikova L. M. , Shmakov A.I.
Published: September 2021

The article presents the results of measuring the DNA content by flow cytometry for 6 species of thegenus Trapa L.: Trapa manshurica Fler. (2C = 1.03 pg), T. hankensis Pshenn. (2C = 1.47 pg), T. incisa Siebold & Zucc.(2C = 0.83 pg), T. maximowiczii Korsh. (2C = 0.94 pg), T. pseudoincisa Nakai (2C = 2.18 pg). For T. japonica Fler. twocytotypes 1.12 and 2.07 pg. were identified. Thus, plant flow cytometry is a fast and efficient way to study representativesof the genus Trapa to look for variations in chromosome numbers and ploidy levels.
Phylogenetic phytogeography of the family Zosteraceae
Authors: Iurmanov А. А. , Romanov M. S. , Bobrov A. V.
Published: September 2021

The Zosteraceae family probably originated in the waters corresponding to the present northern part of thePacific and dispersed from there along the northern and southern coasts of Eurasian landmasses, penetrating the waters ofthe Southern Hemisphere at least twice.
Taxonomy and distribution of the genus Achnatherum P. Beauv. (Poaceae) in the Altai Mountain Country
Authors: Ryzhakova D. D. , Gudkova P. D. , Nobis M.
Published: September 2021

Here we present a taxonomic revision of the genus Achnatherum in the Altai Mountain Country. On thisarea, the genus is represented by five species. Distribution maps of the examined taxa and a key for their identificationare also provided.
Results of experiment with Potentilla anserina L. (Rosaceae Juss.) in Concept "Polycentric Model of Plant"
Authors: Fedorova S. V.
Published: September 2021

The article reviewed the data of an old experiment with Potentilla anserina in planting with a density of1, 5 and 9 ind./ m2, conducted in 1996 under natural climatic conditions on stationary sites. The study was conductedin innovative Concept “Polycentric Mmodel of Plant.” Changes in the growth indicators of the polycentric system ofthe plant from June to October were revealed in connection with seasonal changes in the climatic factor. This is thesum of the temperatures and the amount of precipitation between the periods of control observations of the plant. Themost favorable weather conditions for the formation of shoot-formation centers, mineral-nutrition centers and generationcenters as elements of Polycentric Model of Plant are determined. The maximum number of stolons, shoot-formationcenters, mineral-nutrition centers, and generation centers has been determined that can actively function on an area of 4square meters in plantings of different densities.
Anatomical structure of the stem Bidens tripartita (Asteraceae) in connection with habitat
Authors: Shabalkina S. V. , Shuleva E. A.
Published: September 2021

Internal structure of the stem in internodes of metamers middle and upper zones of inhibition, amplificationzone in generative individuals Bidens tripartita L. is described. It is of a transitional type, for a longer length – hollow.Epidermis with an anomocytic type of stomatal apparatus. Anatomical structure of the stem in plants from two communitieswas compared. Due to close biotope conditions, the biometric parameters of the structures do not differ.
The structure of the mesophyll and assimilative apparatus of the chloridoid grasses leaves
Authors: Zvereva G. K.
Published: September 2021

The structure of the mesophyll and assimilative apparatus of leaf blades and leaf sheaths was studied atchloridoid grasses Aeluropus intermedius, Cleistogenes squarrosa, Crypsis aculeata and Tripogon chinensis, growing indifferent habitats of Siberia. All plant species are characterized by the manifestation of C4-coronary syndrome. Spatialforms of mesophyll cells radially arranged around Kranz cells and intercostal zone cells were considered. It is shown, thatleaf mesophyll at xerophytes Cleistogenes squarrosa and Tripogon chinensis is composed of cellular cells. At the grasses of saline habitats Aeluropus intermedius and Crypsis aculeata, a simplification of the shape of mesophyll cells is observed, primarily in the intercostal zone and to a greater extent, in leaf sheaths. According to the density of chloroplasts inthe leaf mesophyll, chloridoid С4-grasses approach to mesophytic and xeromesophytic С3-grasses.
Platanthera bifolia (L.) Rich. on industrial dumps in the Middle Urals
Authors: Filimonova E. I. , Lukina N. V. , Glazyrina М. А.
Published: September 2021

We studied cenopopulations of Platanthera bifolia on industrial dumps in the Middle Urals (the southerndump of the Veselovsky brown coal deposit, the ash dump of the Verkhnetagil State District Power Plant). The spatial,age, morphological structure and features of mycorrhiza formation of this species on disturbed lands were studied. Thecenopopulations of P. bifolia growing on industrial dumps of the Veselovsky brown coal deposit, VSDPP ash dump andin the natural forest phytocenosis of the forest park are normal, incomplete, with a predominant generative state in theage spectrum. It was revealed, that P. bifolia individuals from industrial dumps correspond to the sizes of individualsfrom natural habitats according to most biometric indicators. The size of the root system is significantly affected by thecharacteristics of the substrate (low fertility, rockiness).
Analysis of the ranges of the type section representatives of the genus Galium L. (Rubiaceae Juss.) in Asian Russia
Authors: Pinzhenina E. A.
Published: September 2021

The article presents the geographical analysis of representatives of a type section of the genus GaliumL. in Asian Russia. The article shows the distribution of species of the typical section in the floristic regions of AsianRussia, and the distribution by type of range. It was revealed that species of a typical section of the genus Galium in AsianRussia are found in 12 provinces, 7 subregions, 3 regions. The species ranges are represented by two types – eurasian andmanchurian.
Személyi kapcsolati tőke
Authors: Angyal Ádám
Published: September 2021

A szervezetek elemzésében jelentős helyet foglal el a belső (részletesebben: adottságok és eredmények) mellett a külső környezeti hatások vizsgálata. A szervezeteket egyre inkább nem önálló szigetként, individuális egységként, hanem kapcsolatrendszerek, hálózatok tagjaként vizsgálják. A ma uralkodó szervezet- elméleti felfogások szerint a környezet a szervezeti működés meghatározó összetevője. Tapasztalhatjuk, hogy nem csak a szervezet, de a meghatározó személyek is rendelkeznek viszonylag független, saját környezettel. Ez az írás a meghatározó szereplők (vezetés) egy különleges erőforrásával, a társadalmi tőke egyik megjelenési formájával, a személyes kapcsolatok hálójával foglalkozik.
A bizalom szerepe a tudástranszfer folyamatában
Authors: Garaj Erika
Published: September 2021

A tanulmány témája a bizalom és a tudástranszfer kapcsolata. Megközelítési módjai közül izgalmasnak ígérkezik annak vizsgálata, hogyan válik a bizalom gazdasági hatótényezővé a tudástranszfer folyamatán keresztül. További lehetőség e reláció megfordítása, miszerint módosítja-e a gazdaság az egyén bizalomigényét, és ha igen, hogyan jelenik meg ez az egyén tanulással való kapcsolatrendszerében. A fenti területek részletesebb megismeréséhez kíván hozzájárulni e tanulmány, melynek fókuszában elsősorban azon tényezők részletes feltérképezése áll, amelyek leginkább befolyásolják a bizalom alakulásán keresztül a tudás megosztását. E témakörhöz kapcsolódóan választ keres a szerző arra a kérdésre is, hogy: hogyan merül fel a bizalmatlanság problémaköre, és miért élnek vissza a felek esetenként a partnerek információhiányával?
"Syntactic stylistics in contemporary Russian comics"
Authors:   Faculty of Philosophy, University of Sarajevo, Hajdarpasic Dzenana
Published: September 2021

This paper explores the usage of devices of syntactic stylistics in contemporary Russian comics. The research aims to determine the functions that are achieved through elements of expressive syntax. The objective is to explore comics style in general, as well as devices on the phonostylistic, graphostylistic and the lexical stylistics plane. During the research, the analytic and synthetic method of scientific research was used, as well as the procedure of modern stylistic and syntactic analysis. The paper collects and analyzes examples of contemporary Russian comics that contain the following devices of syntactic stylistics: ellipsis, parcellation, nominative clauses, inversion and ecphonesis. The conclusion reached is that expressive syntax devices, as well as numerous other stylistic devices, are very frequently used in Russian comics. The function of these devises consists in conveying the features of conversational style, heroes’ emotional states, their relation to specific events, in achieving the verbal characterization of characters, in conveying the dynamics of action, emphasizing messages, as well as in formulating a concise expression which constitutes one of the main distinctive features of comics style.
"Student Evaluations of Teaching and Student Cyberaggression: The Impact of Keyboard Warriors in Tertiary Education"
Authors:   School of Education, University of Newcastle, Page Angela , Charteris Jennifer ,   School of Education, University of New England
Published: September 2021

It is well established that student evaluations of teaching in universities have long been contested. Many see value in them for ongoing improvement and to hold faculty to account for their pedagogical practice. However, the anonymity of these online surveys that permit students enrolled in units to provide feedback on teaching and learning can produce ‘keyboard warriors’. Anonymous surveys can serve to provide a platform for students to engage in cyber-aggressive behaviours that are damaging for staff health and wellbeing and are of a concern to workplace safety. We draw on published results from an existing study of student evaluations of teaching to signal that in the worst instances student evaluations of teaching evoke student cyberaggression.
Identification of macrotroponin T: findings from a case report and non-reproducible troponin T results
Authors: Lam Leo , Ha Leah , Heron Campbell , Chiu Weldon , Kyle Campbell
Published: September 2021

Objectives

Macrotroponin is due to cardiac troponin (cTn) binding to endogenous cTn autoantibodies. While previous studies showed a high incidence of macrotroponin affecting cTnI assays, reports of macrotroponin T, particularly without cTnI reactivity, have been rare. Although the clinical significance of macrotroponin is not fully understood, macroenzymes and complexes are recognised to cause confusion in interpretation of laboratory results. The potential for adverse clinical consequences due to misinterpretation of affected results is very high.

Methods

We describe four cases of macrotroponin T with persistently low high sensitivity cTnT (hs-cTnT) by the 9 min compared to the 18 min variant of the assay. Three cases were serendipitously identified due to the use of a lot number of Roche hs-cTnT affected by non-reproducible results, necessitating measurement of cTnT in duplicate. We identified and characterised these macrotroponin specimens by immunoglobulin depletion (Protein A and PEG precipitation), mixing studies with EDTA and recombinant cTnT.

Results

In cases of macro-cTnT, a lower result occurred on the hs-cTnT using the 9 min compared to 18 min variant assay (ratio of 9–18 min hs-cTnT <0.80). Mixing studies with recombinant cTnT or EDTA demonstrated a difference in recovery vs. controls. One of these patients demonstrated a high molecular weight complex for cTnI and cTnT demonstrating a macrocomplex involving both cTn. This patient demonstrated a rise and fall in cTn when measured by several commercial assays consistent with genuine acute cardiac injury.

Conclusions

We identified several cases of macro-cTnT and described associated clinical and biochemical features.
The serum levels of testosterone in coronary artery disease patients; relation to NO, eNOS, endothelin-1, and disease severity
Authors: Akseh Saeideh , Karimi Mohammad-Ali , Safaie Nasser , Valizadeh Amir , Rahmanpour Dara , Pezeshkian Masoud , Nouri Mohammad , Faridvand Yousef , Jodati Ahmadreza
Published: September 2021

Objectives

The changes in testosterone level and its correlation with the endothelial nitric oxide systems balance in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) remains uncertain. Therefore, in our study, we aimed to evaluate the levels of testosterone, endothelin-1 (ET-1), nitric oxide (NO), and endothelial NOS (eNOS) in CAD patients, and control group to find the relationship between these parameters and disease severity.

Methods

Forty-four patients as CAD group with significant (≥50%) stenosis confirmed by angiography was included in the study, and 40 healthy men were included as the control group. According to the number of vessels obstruction, CAD severity was determined. The serum indicated parameters were assessed to discriminate between patients and controls.

Results

It was found that testosterone levels in the CDA group were significantly lower than those of the control group (p<0.05). In addition, the level of ET-1 in the CAD group was higher than that in the control group, but levels of NO and eNOS in observation were significantly lower than those in the control group (p<0.05). The correlation analysis revealed that testosterone was passivity correlated with serum NO levels (r=0.550, p=0.001).

Conclusions

The current study reports that serum levels of testosterone are closely related to endothelial NO levels and might be of relevance to the pathogenesis of endothelial dysfunction and disease severity in CAD patients.
Structural response and sensitivity analysis of granular and asphaltic overlayment track considering linear viscoelastic behavior of asphalt
Authors: Setiawan Dian M.
Published: September 2021

This study investigated the structural response of granular and asphaltic overlayment of rail track considering the linear viscoelastic behavior of asphalt. The calculation of the tensile strains at the bottom of the asphalt layer, the compressive stresses at the top of the subgrade layer, and the service life of the granular and the asphaltic overlayment rail track were conducted using the KENTRACK software. Furthermore, the sensitivity analysis by changing different factors was studied in this paper. The results of this study indicate that the asphaltic overlayment rail track structure has a much longer predicted service life than the granular rail track. It was also shown that the sub-grade compressive stress is more sensitive to the change in subgrade modulus than the change in ballast-sub-ballast-asphalt layer thickness and the change in binder type, respectively. In addition, the asphalt tensile strain is more sensitive to the change in asphalt layer thickness than the change in subgrade modulus and the change in binder type, respectively. These findings also enhance our understanding that subgrade compressive stress and asphalt tensile strain in the asphaltic overlayment track are more sensitive to the change in asphalt layer thickness than the change in binder type.