bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of row spacing and planting density of forage sorghum on dry matter yield, morphologic parameters, nutritive value, and predicted milk yield of dairy cows
Authors: Porfirio Magno Daniel , Neres Marcela Abbado , Fuhr Claudia Anete , Silva Thiago Henrique da , Guimarães Iuli Caetano da Silva Brandão
Published: August 2021

This study was undertaken to evaluate the effects of different row spacings and planting populations on dry matter yield, nutritive value, and predicted milk yield of BRS 658 forage sorghum hybrid growing in Brazilian conditions. A late relative maturity forage sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench; 110 d-115d to soft dough stage; BRS 658 – Embrapa] was planted at 3 row spacing (0.5, 1.0 and 1.5 m) and at 3 planting population (50 x 103, 100 x 103, and 150 x 103 plants.ha-1). Treatments were arranged in a randomized complete block design in a 3 x 3 factorial arrangement, using 4 replicate plots per row spacing x plant population combination. At harvest, weights of whole-plant sorghum forage were obtained to calculate DM yields. Chemical composition was assessed by performing wet chemistry analysis. Plant height, stem diameter, and harvest were performed 110 days after sowing (DAS). Estimated milk yield per unit of forage and per hectare were calculated using Milk2006. Summative equations were used to predict TDN and NEL. Yield of wet and DM forage sorghum exhibited a negative quadratic response as row spacing increased, reaching the maximum yield response at row spacing of 1.23m and 1.22m, respectively. In addition, negative linear effect was detected for both wet and DM sorghum forage yield as planting density increased. Regarding agronomic measurements, sorghum height exhibited a negative linear pattern as plant density increased. Otherwise, stem diameter increased as planting density increased. Whole-plant sorghum forage DM content decreased linearly with increasing planting density. Conversely, ashes increased linearly as planting density increased. Neutral detergent insoluble protein exhibited a positive quadratic effect with increasing planting density, reaching the minimum value when planting density was 104.2 x 103 plants.ha-1. Finally, a negative quadratic effect for predicted milk yield per hectare was also observed with increasing row spacing, whereas the maximum milk yield per hectare value was detected when row spacing was 1.20m. In conclusion, taking into account a subtropical climate, the ideal row spacing and planting density recommendation for a high yield and nutritional quality sorghum forage are 1.2 m and 104 x 103 plants.ha-1, respectively.
Three-dimensional study of the orbit-related structures according to sex, age and skeletal deformities
Authors: Castro Tamara Fernandes de , Iwaki Filho Liogi , Yamashita Amanda Lury , Yamashita Fernanda Chiguti , Santos Naiara Caroline Aparecido dos , Grossmann Eduardo , Chicarelli Mariliani , Iwaki Lilian Cristina Vessoni
Published: August 2021

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the relations between orbit-related structures and sex, age and skeletal deformities using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). Methods: This retrospective study evaluated 216 consecutive CBCT scans of patients, who were divided according to: sex (male, n=105; female, n=111), age (A1: 18-32 years, n=71; A2: 33-47 years, n=78; A3: 48-62 years, n=67), and skeletal deformities (Class I, n=70; Class II, n=75; Class III, n=71). The supraorbital foramen (SOF) location, volume of orbit, optic canal (OC) and infraorbital canal (IOC) were evaluated. Results were analyzed using the Gamma model test. The Tukey-Kramer post-hoc test was used to compare the variables with three factors (p<0.05). Results: The IOC volume showed higher values for male, A3 and class I patients. The SOF location and the orbital volume also showed higher values for male patients. Regarding the volume of CO, it showed higher values ​​for male and class I patients. Conclusions: According to our results, sex has been shown to have a significant influence on orbit-related structures. Age and skeletal deformities also influenced the volume of IOC and OC. These results eventually help the clinical practice, being useful for orbital reconstruction surgeries, anthropological studies, gender identification and identification of susceptibility to pathological conditions related to sexual dimorphism.
Triatominium search and diagnosis of trypanosoma cruzi in vectors captured in cane calk originating from sugarcane industry
Authors: Oliveira Ismael Vinicius de , França Ana Karolinne de Alencar , Carvalho Fracisco Sérvulo de Oliveira , Nunes Sara Caroline Dantas , Rocha João Matheus Caé da , Alves Kevyn Danuway Oliveira , Bezerra Ana Carolyna Diógenes , Bezerra Francisco Silvestre Brilhante , Soares Karoline Mikaelle De Paiva , Bezerra Ana Carla Diógenes Suassuna
Published: August 2021

The objective of the study was to survey triatomines and diagnose Trypanosoma cruzi in captured vectors and sugarcane juice from sugarcane mills. 100% (3/3) of the active sugar cane mills in the study area were surveyed. An active and passive search of the vectors and research of T. cruzi in the feces of engorged triatomines by compression of the abdomen and for the juice in natura by sedimentation with Giemsa staining technique were carried out, where five samples per mill were collected, totaling 15 researched. As a result, in 100% (3/3) of the mills, 22 hematophagous triatomines were captured, with 41% (9/22) by passive search and 59% (13/22) by active search. 81.8% (18/22) were found in the household environment and 18.2% (04/22) in the intra-household environment of the mills. Two species were identified being 68.18% (15/22) Triatoma brasiliensis and 9.09% (02/22) Triatoma pseudomaculata, with one adult and the four nymphs unable to be identified. T. cruzi diagnosis for triatomines was observed 4.54% (1/22) positive and 95.45% (21/22) negative, while broth, 100% (15/15) negative. However in 33.3% (5/15) broth samples the presence of soiling (microplastics) was observed. Demonstrating the importance of investigation and monitoring of milling sites with the possibility of oral transmission, which currently represent the majority of infection records in Brazil.
Avaliação físico-química e sensorial de pão de forma elaborado com farinha de palma forrageira (Opuntia ficus-indica)
Authors: Alves Simone de Andrade , Constant Patrícia Beltrão Lessa , Teles Alan Rodrigo Santos
Published: August 2021

O estudo avaliou as características físico-químicas e sensoriais do pão de forma com adição de 0%(FP0), 5%(FP5), 10%(FP10) e 15%(FP15) de farinha de palma forrageira, em substituição à farinha de trigo branca.  Os pães foram submetidos a análise sensorial de 106 (cento e seis) julgadores não treinados. O pão FP5 foi o mais aceito, com um índice de aceitabilidade de 75%. Foram realizadas análises de compostos fenólicos totais e atividade antioxidante pelo método da captura do radical ABTS•⁺, em FP0 e FP5, entretanto, as amostras analisadas não apresentaram, estatisticamente, diferença significativa entre si pelo teste de Tukey (p<0,05). Em FP5, a farinha da palma forrageira aumentou o teor de fibra e de micronutrientes, tais como cálcio (Ca), magnésio (Mg), potássio (K), zinco (Zn) e vitamina C, sem alterar os parâmetros texturométricos (p<0,05). O pão formulado com a farinha da palma forrageira pode ser uma alternativa de baixo custo para incorporar nutrientes importantes na dieta humana, entretanto, é necessário realizar estudos sobre a presença de fatores antinutricionais. Considerando o índice de aceitabilidade alcançado pelo pão de forma, incorporação da farinha da palma forrageira possibilita o aumento de micronutrientes importantes na dieta humana em valores bem superiores aos valores encontrados no pão de forma convencional. Apesar de a palma forrageira possuir coloração verde, essa característica não ofereceu resistência à aceitação do pão de forma por parte dos potenciais consumidores do produto e pode ser atrativo para crianças na fase pré-escolar.
Ensaio sobre o negacionismo científico em tempos de pandemia
Authors: Caruso Francisco , Marques Adílio Jorge
Published: August 2021

A crítica de qualquer conceito passa necessariamente pela capacidade de se compreender suas origens e sua esfera de alcance. Talvez um dos legados mais tristes da pós-modernidade seja o negacionismo, quando se compreende que ele faz parte de uma estratégia de dominação a partir de uma guerra declarada à Ciência e à Razão. O escopo principal desse ensaio é, portanto, colocar algumas questões básicas sobre a origem do negacionismo científico na mesa, ainda que para elas não se tenham respostas definitivas. Por exemplo, em que medida ele se insere num processo de valorização do fanatismo e do individualismo? A falta de uma divulgação científica institucionalizada pode ser considerada uma causa do negacionismo vigente em nosso país? Está o negacionismo relacionado ao problema geral da educação? Há como identificar seus pilares na sociedade contemporânea? Essas são algumas perguntas que serão discutidas aqui, para as quais é urgente que se encontrem respostas, se desejamos evitar um enorme retrocesso sociocultural.
Six pelagic seabird species of the North Atlantic engage in a fly-and-forage strategy during their migratory movements
Authors: Amélineau F , Merkel B , Tarroux A , Descamps S , Anker-Nilssen T , Bjørnstad O , Bråthen VS , Chastel O , Christensen-Dalsgaard S , Danielsen J , Daunt F , Dehnhard N , Ekker M , Erikstad KE , Ezhov A , Fauchald P , Gavrilo M , Hallgrimsson GT , Hansen ES , Harris MP , Helberg M , Helgason HH , Johansen MK , Jónsson JE , Kolbeinsson Y , Krasnov Y , Langset M , Lorentsen SH , Lorentzen E , Melnikov MV , Moe B , Newell MA , Olsen B , Reiertsen T , Systad GH , Thompson P , Thórarinsson TL , Tolmacheva E , Wanless S , Wojczulanis-Jakubas K , Åström J , Strøm H
Published: August 2021

Bird migration is commonly defined as a seasonal movement between breeding and non-breeding grounds. It generally involves relatively straight and directed large-scale movements, with a latitudinal change, and specific daily activity patterns comprising less or no foraging and more traveling time. Our main objective was to describe how this general definition applies to seabirds. We investigated migration characteristics of 6 pelagic seabird species (little auk Alle alle, Atlantic puffin Fratercula arctica, common guillemot Uria aalge, Brünnich’s guillemot U. lomvia, black-legged kittiwake Rissa tridactyla and northern fulmars Fulmarus glacialis). We analysed an extensive geolocator positional and saltwater immersion dataset from 29 colonies in the North-East Atlantic and across several years (2008-2019). We used a novel method to identify active migration periods based on segmentation of time series of track characteristics (latitude, longitude, net-squared displacement). Additionally, we used the saltwater immersion data of geolocators to infer bird activity. We found that the 6 species had, on average, 3 to 4 migration periods and 2 to 3 distinct stationary areas during the non-breeding season. On average, seabirds spent the winter at lower latitudes than their breeding colonies and followed specific migration routes rather than non-directionally dispersing from their colonies. Differences in daily activity patterns were small between migratory and stationary periods, suggesting that all species continued to forage and rest while migrating, engaging in a ‘fly-and-forage’ migratory strategy. We thereby demonstrate the importance of habitats visited during seabird migrations as those that are not just flown over, but which may be important for re-fuelling.
Human rights in Ukraine: current challenges and threats
Authors: Makarenko L. O.
Published: August 2021

The article analyzes the problematic issues of modern society, identifies challenges and threats to human rights in Ukraine. In this context, it is emphasized that man, his various needs and interests (material, spiritual and others) should become for the state is not a means but a primary goal. The principle of respect for human rights is a fundamental principle of the law of all civilized nations.

It is emphasized that in the everyday imagination a person is a person when he does not do what is dictated to him by others, but what he analyzes (even if it is dictated by others), evaluates whether or not to make a decision accordingly. A person remains free if he realizes the need to perform this action and is convinced of its value and optimality. For a person with a conscious sense of self-worth is characterized by the fact that, acting in one way or another under the direct action of external pressure, he is guided by his own beliefs, does as his dignity suggests. And this is a manifestation of the moral freedom of the individual.

Corruption, legal nihilism and abuse of law are characterized as powerful destructive elements in the process of realization of human rights and freedoms.

It is argued that the main entity that should address these challenges, which undermine the foundations of humanrights and freedoms in Ukraine, is the state whose activities should be aimed at creating such legal values that provide newopportunities for progressive development of the national legal system, increase the role of law in society and the effective provision of human rights and freedoms.

Keywords: person, personality, human rights, corruption, legal nihilism, abuse of law, responsible state
Interrelation of theoretical concepts of jurisprudence and legal practice (using the example of the category «legal subjectity»)
Authors: Sichevliuk V. A.
Published: August 2021

The article discusses the interrelation between theoretical concepts of jurisprudence and legal practice on the exampleof the category «legal subjectity». With an indication of real practical situations, the necessity of implementing the relevant theoretical achievements of legal science in the standards of practical legal activity is justified.

It is noted that at the level of practice the integral content of legal categories, principles and other theoretical concepts of jurisprudence is inevitably operationalized and takes the form of terms. At the same time, the requirement for the unambiguity of the latter creates a constant need for practice in interpreting their content. The correct interpretation of the terms involves a combination of the achievements of theory and practical experience. Deviation from this rule leads to errors in terminology and mistakes in the interpretation of law.

Attention is drawn to the need of using in the texts of judicial, administrative, contractual, and other documents the correct wording on the legal subjectity of separated units and governing bodies of legal entities. The contradictions of the notion of «complex legal entity» are also highlighted. Examples are given of how the legislative acts of Ukraine in some cases do not correspond to the basic principles of the legal entity institution, allowing the existence in the internal organizational space of legal entities of other legal entities. It is emphasized that this status of structural subdivisions of organizations and public authorities contradicts the need to ensure their organizational integrity as subjects of law, endowed with a complete kind of legal subjectity, namely «personal legal subjectity».

Keywords: theoretical concepts of jurisprudence, category «legal subjectity», legal entity, personal legal subjectity, structural division of a legal entity.
The scientific-legal doctrine and its influence on the law interpretation processes
Authors: Shevchenko A. E. , Antoshkina V. K.
Published: August 2021

The proposed paper outlines the main approaches to understanding of the scientific and legal doctrine and its constitutive features, as well as the influence on the law interpretation processes. The authors note that the scientific and legal doctrine not only defines the toolkit and approaches to the interpretation of legal texts, but forms the definitions, categories, conceptions, constructions which are used by legislators in creating regulations and by subjects of law which have to understand the true meaning of norms contained in such legal acts and implement in practice. The main provisions concerning the peculiarities of the doctrinal sources usage while judicial interpretation in different legal families are highlighted. The characteristic features of doctrinal interpretation, forms of its objectification and interconnection with judicial interpretation are determined. Particular attention is paid to the usage of doctrinal provisions in the legal interpretation by the Constitutional Court of Ukraine and the Supreme Court. The main forms in which the results of doctrinal interpretation are used in judicial activity are outlined: the functioning of scientific advisory councils, whose members provide their opinions on complex legal issues; involvement of an expert in the field of law to the court proceedings in certain cases provided by the current legislation. It is noted that during the court hearing of the case while the formation of a legal position the possibility to refer to the opinion of authoritative Ukrainian legal scholars is not typical and acceptable for the domestic legal system. It is noted that many authoritative lawyers, scientists with academic degrees and titles, who are also engaged in scientific activity, have worked and still work as judges, especially of the Constitutional Court of Ukraine. This practice is especially valuable because a judge is able to apply the results of his/her scientific work in interpreting the law in the process of judicial activity and at the same time to use his/her practical experience in scientific research. The authors of the paper cover issues related to the use of «judicial doctrines» and the solution of «exceptional legal issues», which are relatively new to domestic jurisprudence. The interconnection of these concepts with legal doctrine is determined. It is established that although the current legislation provides for certain ways of using doctrinal provisions and the results of doctrinal interpretation in law enforcement practice, but this process is not developed enough and needs further clarification.

Keywords: scientific-legal doctrine, legal interpretation, doctrinal interpretation, judicial doctrines, exceptional legal problem.
Variety of theoretical approaches to legal interpretation
Authors: Shevchenko A. Yе. , Kudin S. V.
Published: August 2021

The article explores the variety of theoretical approaches to legal interpretation. It has been determined that the variety of approaches to legal interpretation is due to the complexity of the nature of the origin of this phenomenon, the conditions for the development of post-non-classical science, and the recent influence of the paradigm of comparism, which assumes pluralism of opinions and ideas in legal research. It was found that in modern science there are four traditional theoretical approaches to the essence of legal interpretation. It has been determined that the content of the first approach is revealed within the framework of legal hermeneutics through a number of categories. The essence of the second approach (formal dogmatic or static) is expressed in the fact that the subject of interpretation must strictly and rigorously follow the letter of the law, establish only the meaning of the normative legal act, which the lawmaking body enshrined in it at the time of the publication of the act. That is why normative legal acts cannot, through interpretation, adapt to the changing economic, social, political, cultural internal and external conditions of public life.

It is proved that the essence of the dynamic theoretical approach lies in the fact that the subject of legal interpretation adapts the normative legal act to the changes that occur in various social relations. It was found that there is a contradiction between the dynamic and static approaches in legal interpretation, which is reflected in the traditionally called objective and subjective theories of interpretation. According to the subjective theory, the purpose of legal interpretation is to establish the «will of the legislator», and according to the objective theory – to establish the «will of the law». It has been substantiated that the essence of the activity approach is that interpretation is considered as a special kind of legal activity aimed at understanding and clarifying the content of legal texts.

The authors of this article point out that in order to establish the true nature of legal interpretation, the methodological foundations of the study should be presented much broader and more diverse, and not be limited only to traditional approaches. When studying it, a comprehensive, integrative approach is needed, which, based on the relevance of interdisciplinary relationships, would include logical, language (linguistic), philosophical, sociological, psychological, axiological (value), ethical, legal, historical, economic, political, mathematical and other substantiation of legal interpretation.

Keywords: diversity, theoretical approach, legal interpretation, interpretive practice, integrative approach
The concept and essence of legal awareness
Authors: Varakuta I. O.
Published: August 2021

The article conducts a comprehensive analysis of the category «legal awareness», identifies its essential content andsocial purpose.

It is noted that the essence of legal awareness is that one should be well acquainted with the law (system of legal knowledge). In general, we can say that legal awareness reflects the level of knowledge of citizens of law and directly related phenomena. Knowledge of law primarily involves the reflection in the legal consciousness of the person of normative legal information, ie knowledge of the content of certain norms (principles) of law.

It is substantiated that the state of legal awareness in the form in which it should be present in society, is achieved through proper legal education - systematic, planned activities of relevant entities, carried out using various tools, methods and techniques. It is established that legal education is a necessary element of personal access to law, which forms the attitude to law, trains a socially active member of society who knows his rights and opportunities, is able to defend and protect them in all ways.

Factors that prevent the formation of a high level of legal awareness of the person have been identified. Among these are two current issues: 1) unsatisfactory state of legislation; 2) lack of a properly organized system of legal education and information by the state.

It is established that legal awareness has a high social value. A high level of legal awareness contributes not only to the fullest realization of rights, freedoms and legitimate interests at the level of a particular individual, but also the development of democracy, improving governance, strengthening law and order throughout the country.

Keywords: legal awareness, knowledge of law, legal education, legal consciousness, legal state
Interpretation of law by the court as an element of legislation
Authors: Koban O. G.
Published: August 2021

The article examines the problem of the essence and content of judicial interpretation, its characteristic features. The goal of a casual court interpretation is the correct understanding of the content of the norms of law, and the task is to individualize legal regulations. Acts of casual court interpretation are «samples» for lower courts, given that they are always guided by the practice of interpretation. The article also deals with the theoretical aspects of the institute of interpretation of law by court, its gist, and legal nature; explores the views of the Ukrainian and foreign scientists on the subject. The article also deals with relevant to modern legal practice issues of judicial interpretation.

The peculiarity of the casual interpretation is that it has a person-oriented character and is relevant to specific circumstances. A casual interpretation can not go beyond the boundaries of a particular legal case and apply to similar cases. The difference between the normative interpretation and the casual is that the former may extend to an unspecified range of cases, and the second one to the incident that was the subject of a dispute. Subjects of casual interpretation are the judicial and administrative bodies. Clarification of the content of the law by the judiciary is a judicial interpretation. The official constitutional interpretation of the Constitutional Court of Ukraine is carried out in providing opinions on cases of constitutionality of laws and other legal acts, compliance with the Constitution of Ukraine of international treaties, adherence to the procedure of investigation and consideration of the case of removal of the President of Ukraine from office in the order of impeachment. The supreme court’s interpretation of the case largely influences judicial practice. Courts, in court cases, carry out a casual interpretation of the rules of law and develop case-law on the application of the rules of law. The casual judicial interpretation is the interpretive activity of the court in the process of reviewing and resolving court cases (or in the order of their review by the appellate or cassation instances), the purpose of which is a correct understanding of the content of the legal norm. His task is the individualization of legal requirements, and the result is binding only for a specific court case and parties involved in it. The acts of the casual interpretation of the higher judicial bodies are «samples» for lower courts, given that they are always guided by the practice of interpretation and application of the law by the highest judicial authorities and, as a rule, follow it. Characteristic features of the casual judicial interpretation is that its subjects are judges of all courts, it is directed at the consideration and resolution of a particular court case, the results of such an interpretation are binding only for the parties to a specific court case and are fixed in the motive part of the decision.

Keywords: court, casual interpretation, the rule of law, judicial interpretation, rule.
Protection of the state interests and the responsibility of State (some theoretical issues)
Authors: Kubko A. E.
Published: August 2021

The protection of the state interests is an objective need, an obligation of the state from the perspective of securing thegoals of the modern state, implementation its functions as well as of the rule of law principles and respect for human rights.Nevertheless the state’s activities aimed at the protection of the interests of the state be it at the legislative, administrative of judicial level results on many occasions in the restrictions of the human rights, freedoms and the respective private interests, the deviation by the state from the safeguards of the fundamental rights of person. The said activities of the state should thus be assessed from the perspective of compliance with the basics of the responsibility-of-state-concept including both its domestic and international law aspects. Indeed, the international law in the sphere of human rights and freedom protection as well as the international investment law establish series of standards for the protection of the private rights binding on the state such standards being further developed in the jurisprudence of the international courts and tribunals. That said, in the framework of the state’s activities aimed at the protection of the state interests the specific grounds for the responsibility of state, emanating from the responsibility-of-state-concept, arise, Such grounds may be in general terms be divided into two groups. The first group of the grounds for the state’s responsibility comprises situations where the state authorities apply measures imposing restrictions on or interfering with the private rights and freedoms aiming at the protection of the interests which have been groundlessly recognized by the state as the state interests while such interests are not the genuine state interests in substance. The second group of the grounds giving rise to the responsibility of state relates to the situations where the genuine state interest of public nature requiring the protection by the state objectively exists, however the state machinery applies improper legal measures for the protection of such interest, that is the legal measures, be it in the legislative, administrative or judicial sphere, which are disproportionate to the state interests sought to be protected, specifically where the said measures employed by the state to protect the state interests are excessive or, to the contrary, insufficiently effective to secure the protection of the precise state interest in light of given social relationships.

Keywords: the state interest, the state, the human rights, the responsibility of state.
Perceiving the legal category of «dignity» in the legal approaches of the Islamic world
Authors: Marchenko M. A.
Published: August 2021

The right to human dignity respect is the fundamental aspect for any developed country and its legal system, where human dignity usually takes the most central role. However, taking into account certain provisions of the customary law and its origins, certain cultural or religious aspects in forming the legal regulations, specific court decisions and precedents,it is fair to say that the views on dignity within different legal systems will differ in their own way.

In the context of the above, the countries of the Islamic world are no exception, as the study of dignity as a legal category through the prism of Muslim legal experience cannot be separated from the religion. That is because Muslims, as followers of Islam, have their own unique perception of the world based primarily on the ancient religious customs, traditions, beliefs, etc.

The Islamic concept of human rights, in comparison with, for example, the Romano-Germanic approaches, does not emphasize the natural origin of rights and freedoms, because its foundation is based on other sources and other values, which in essence constitute the content of the Islamic world order.

According to some researchers, the Islamic legal concept is based on such principles as: dignity and brotherhood; equality of all members of Islamic society, without division on the basis of race and colour or social status; respect for the honour, reputation and family of each individual; presumption of innocence and personal freedom.

By studying dignity as a legal category through the prism of Islamic religious and legal principles, one can’t but highlight the fact that one of the specifics of such a legal family is the realization that rights and freedoms are the gift of Allah, and rights and freedoms are based on a certain sacred meaning that constitute the will of the Almighty. That is the reason why the dignity in the Muslim world perception is considered something divine, as human rights in Islam derive their power not from the will of the state or representatives of the government machine or human nature, but only from the will of the Creator. Given the sacred content of dignity as a multifaceted category in Muslim law, it is strictly forbidden to take action against a person’s authority, honest name, reputation and position in society.

Keywords: human dignity, Islamic law, rights and freedoms, Islam.
Genesis of court practice and judicial precedent
Authors: Melnyk A. M.
Published: August 2021

The problem of judicial lawmaking is one of the urgent problems for modern legal science. The subject of the study is the genesis of judicial practice and judicial precedent to identify the possibility of using them as full-fledged sources of Ukrainian law, the development of this problem is associated with improving the quality of legislation. Сonsiders the issues of judicial practice and judicial precedent in the world of judicial lawmaking in the field of jurisprudence.The article, based on a historical approach, examines in detail the nature of judicial precedent and judicial practice,analyzes the factors that influenced their development and formation. A historical and legal analysis of the peculiarities of formation and development of judicial practice, and judicial precedent in the Anglo-Saxon and Romano-Germanic legal families. Attention is drawn to the uncertainty about the role of judicial precedent in the legal system during the formation and development of the Romano-Germanic legal family.

Keywords: case law, judicial precedent, source of law, legislation, court decisions.
Development of Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) Populations for Drought Tolerance and Improved Biomass Allocation Through Ethyl Methanesulphonate Mutagenesis
Authors: OlaOlorun Boluwatife M. , Shimelis Hussein , Laing Mark , Mathew Isack
Published: August 2021

The narrow genetic variation for drought adaptive traits and biomass allocation in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) presents a major bottleneck for breeding. Induced mutagenesis creates genetic variation and complements conventional breeding for drought tolerance improvement. The aims of this study were to induce mutations in wheat genotype LM43 using three ethyl methanesulphonate (EMS) treatments, and to develop mutant populations for improving drought tolerance, biomass allocation and agronomic performance. Experiments were conducted under controlled and field conditions at the University of KwaZulu-Natal. Data on percentage germination (%G), days to 90% maturity (DTM), plant height (PH), shoot biomass (SB), root biomass (RB), root-shoot ratio (RSR), spike length (SL), spikelet count (SPS), thousand seed weight (TSW), and grain yield (GY) were collected from M1 to M4 generations. Significant (p < 0.001) differences among individuals and generations were observed for all the assessed traits and the generation × population interaction effects were significant (p < 0.01) for SB, TSW, and GY due to EMS treatments. The differences among the generations showed that the mutagenic effects were cumulative and exhibited clear segregations in subsequent generations. The new selections with unique biomass allocation, drought response and agronomic performance will be useful for wheat improvement programs.
An Optical Flow Based Left-Invariant Metric for Natural Gradient Descent in Affine Image Registration
Authors: Tward Daniel Jacob
Published: August 2021

Accurate spatial alignment is essential for any population neuroimaging study, and affine (12 parameter linear/translation) or rigid (6 parameter rotation/translation) alignments play a major role. Here we consider intensity based alignment of neuroimages using gradient based optimization, which is a problem that continues to be important in many other areas of medical imaging and computer vision in general. A key challenge is robustness. Optimization often fails when transformations have components with different characteristic scales, such as linear versus translation parameters. Hand tuning or other scaling approaches have been used, but efficient automatic methods are essential for generalizing to new imaging modalities, to specimens of different sizes, and to big datasets where manual approaches are not feasible. To address this we develop a left invariant metric on these two matrix groups, based on the norm squared of optical flow induced on a template image. This metric is used in a natural gradient descent algorithm, where gradients (covectors) are converted to perturbations (vectors) by applying the inverse of the metric to define a search direction in which to update parameters. Using a publicly available magnetic resonance neuroimage database, we show that this approach outperforms several other gradient descent optimization strategies. Due to left invariance, our metric needs to only be computed once during optimization, and can therefore be implemented with negligible computation time.
Nanozyme Applications: A Glimpse of Insight in Food Safety
Authors: Wu Long , Zhou Shuhong , Wang Gonglei , Yun Yonghuan , Liu Guozhen , Zhang Weimin
Published: August 2021

Nanozymes own striking merits, including high enzyme-mimicking activity, good stability, and low cost. Due to the powerful and distinguished functions, nanozymes exhibit widespread applications in the field of biosensing and immunoassay, attracting researchers in various fields to design and engineer nanozymes. Recently, nanozymes have been innovatively used to bridge nanotechnology with analytical techniques to achieve the high sensitivity, specificity, and reproducibility. However, the applications of nanozymes in food applications are seldom reviewed. In this review, we summarize several typical nanozymes and provide a comprehensive description of the history, principles, designs, and applications of nanozyme-based analytical techniques in food contaminants detection. Based on engineering and modification of nanozymes, the food contaminants are classified and then discussed in detail via discriminating the roles of nanozymes in various analytical methods, including fluorescence, colorimetric and electrochemical assay, surface-enhanced Raman scattering, magnetic relaxing sensing, and electrochemiluminescence. Further, representative examples of nanozymes-based methods are highlighted for contaminants analysis and inhibition. Finally, the current challenges and prospects of nanozymes are discussed.
Morphological and Molecular Features of Porcine Mesenchymal Stem Cells Derived From Different Types of Synovial Membrane, and Genetic Background of Cell Donors
Authors: Siengdee Puntita , Oster Michael , Reyer Henry , Viergutz Torsten , Wimmers Klaus , Ponsuksili Siriluck
Published: August 2021

Graphical Abstract

Flow chart of the experiment from cell isolation, culture conditions to morphological and molecular characterisation of synovial mesenchymal stem cells (SMSCs).
Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts Promote Vascular Invasion of Hepatocellular Carcinoma via Downregulating Decorin-integrin β1 Signaling
Authors: Zheng Xiaobo , Wang Peng , Li Li , Yu Jing , Yu Chune , Xu Liangliang , Li Lian , Dai Fuzhen , Feng Lei , Zou Hong , Chen Xiaobo , Zhang Ming , Xu Mingqing
Published: August 2021

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a common malignancy worldwide, and the high ratio of recurrence and metastasis remains the main cause of its poor prognosis. Vascular invasion of HCC includes microvascular invasion (MVI) and portal vein tumor thrombosis (PVTT) and is regarded as a common roadmap of intrahepatic metastasis in HCC. However, the molecular mechanism underlying vascular invasion of HCC is largely unknown. Here, we analyzed the transcriptomes of primary tumors, PVTT tissues, and tumor tissues with or without MVI. We found that extracellular matrix-related pathways were involved in vascular invasion of HCC and that decorin secreted by cancer-associated fibroblasts was gradually downregulated from normal to tumor tissues and more so in PVTT tissues. We also established that low-level decorin expression is an independent risk factor for MVI and it is associated with a poor prognosis. Decorin downregulated integrin β1 and consequently inhibited HCC cell invasion and migration in vitro. Co-staining DCN and integrin β1 revealed that DCN dynamically regulated integrin β1 protein expression. Integrin β1 knockdown significantly inhibited HCC invasion and migration, and decorin combined with such knockdown synergistically augmented the anti-metastatic effects. Co-IP assay confirmed the direct interaction of decorin with integrin β1. Our findings showed that targeting cancer-associated fibroblast-related decorin is not only a promising strategy for inhibiting HCC vascular invasion and metastasis but also provides insight into the clinical treatment of patients with PVTT.
Elucidation of Charge Contribution in Iridium-Chelated Hydrogen-Bonding Systems
Authors: Balónová Barbora , Blight Barry A.
Published: August 2021

We present two iridium complexes 1H+ and 2H+ that contain cationic ligands to extend the knowledge of charge-assisted hydrogen bonding (CAHB), which counts among the strongest non-covalent bonding interactions. Upon protonation, both complexes were converted into new hydrogen-bonding arrays with various selectivity for respective H-bonding partners. This study compares the association strengths of four hydrogen-bonding co-systems, emphasizing the roles of CAHB in supramolecular systems. We determined that the cationic charge in these systems contributed up to 2.7 kJ mol−1 in the H-bonding complexation processes.
Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription-3 Modulation of Cardiac Pathology in Chronic Chagasic Cardiomyopathy
Authors: Hoffman Kristyn A. , Villar Maria Jose , Poveda Cristina , Bottazzi Maria Elena , Hotez Peter J. , Tweardy David J. , Jones Kathryn M.
Published: August 2021

Chronic Chagasic cardiomyopathy (CCC) is a severe clinical manifestation that develops in 30%–40% of individuals chronically infected with the protozoal parasite Trypanosoma cruzi and is thus an important public health problem. Parasite persistence during chronic infection drives pathologic changes in the heart, including myocardial inflammation and progressive fibrosis, that contribute to clinical disease. Clinical manifestations of CCC span a range of symptoms, including cardiac arrhythmias, thromboembolic disease, dilated cardiomyopathy, and heart failure. This study aimed to investigate the role of signal transducer and activator of transcription-3 (STAT3) in cardiac pathology in a mouse model of CCC. STAT3 is a known cellular mediator of collagen deposition and fibrosis. Mice were infected with T. cruzi and then treated daily from 70 to 91 days post infection (DPI) with TTI-101, a small molecule inhibitor of STAT3; benznidazole; a combination of benznidazole and TTI-101; or vehicle alone. Cardiac function was evaluated at the beginning and end of treatment by echocardiography. By the end of treatment, STAT3 inhibition with TTI-101 eliminated cardiac fibrosis and fibrosis biomarkers but increased cardiac inflammation; serum levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6), and IFN−γ; cardiac gene expression of STAT1 and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB); and upregulation of IL-6 and Type I and Type II IFN responses. Concurrently, decreased heart function was measured by echocardiography and myocardial strain. These results indicate that STAT3 plays a critical role in the cardiac inflammatory–fibrotic axis during CCC.
Optimizing Risk Management Strategies for the Control of Philornis downsi—A Threat to Birds in the Galápagos Islands
Authors: Bueno Irene , Singer Randall S. , Yoe Charles , Parrish Rees , Travis Dominic A. , Ponder Julia B.
Published: August 2021

One of the most concerning threats to Galápagos bird populations, including some critically endangered species, is the invasive parasitic fly Philornis downsi. While long-term sustained solutions are under study, immediate actions are needed to reduce the impacts of this fly. Application of permethrin to birds's nests has been successfully done, but there might be potential long-term reproductive effects to birds. Cyromazine, an insect growth regulator, has been proposed as an alternative, but its risks and effectiveness are unknown. The goal of this study was to assist managers to determine which combination of chemical (permethrin or cyromazine) and mode of application (injection, spray, and self-fumigation) was likely to be most effective to control P. downsi while minimizing toxicity to small land birds in Galápagos, given data available and high levels of uncertainty in some cases. This study is presented as a semi-quantitative risk assessment employing the use of a multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) model. For the six potential alternatives resulting from the combination of chemical and mode of application, the criteria were given a score from 1 to 6 supported by available evidence from the literature and from expert opinion. In addition, three different scenarios with different sets of weights for each criterion were assessed with stakeholder's input. Considering the scenario with higher weight to effectiveness of the method against P. downsi while also weighing heavily to minimize the toxicity to birds, cyromazine spray followed by permethrin injection were the preferred strategies. Self-fumigation was the mode of application with highest uncertainty but with much potential to be further explored for its feasibility. The approach taken here to evaluate mitigation strategies against an important threat for avian species in Galápagos can also be used in other conservation programs when making real time decisions under uncertainty.
Predictive Value of the Systemic Immune-Inflammation Index for Intravenous Immunoglobulin Resistance and Cardiovascular Complications in Kawasaki Disease
Authors: Liu Xiaoliang , Shao Shuran , Wang Lin , Zhang Nanjun , Wu Mei , Liu Lei , Zhao Li , Hua Yimin , Zhou Kaiyu , Luo Chunyan , Deng Yuxin , Wang Chuan
Published: August 2021

Background: The prediction of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) resistance and cardiovascular complications are critically clinical issues in Kawasaki disease (KD). This prospective study firstly aimed to determine the predictive ability of the systemic immune inflammation index (SII) for IVIG resistance and cardiovascular complications and compare the prognostic accuracy of SII with that of neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platelet to lymphocyte ratio (PLR).

Methods: Patients with KD were divided into different groups according to the presence of IVIG resistance or cardiovascular complications (coronary artery lesions, valve regurgitation, myocarditis, pericardial effusion, and Kawasaki disease shock syndrome [KDSS]). The clinical and laboratory parameters were compared. Further analysis stratified by platelet level was performed. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to identify predictors for IVIG resistance and cardiovascular complications. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was applied to assess and compare the ability of SII, NLR, and PLR for predicting IVIG resistance and cardiovascular complications.

Results: SII was significantly higher in KD patients with IVIG-resistance, myocarditis, valve regurgitation, and KDSS. It was identified as an independent risk factor for IVIG resistance, myocarditis, and valve regurgitation. For KD patients with thrombocytopenia, there were no significant differences in SII between KD patients with IVIG resistance/cardiovascular complications and those without. The best cutoff values of SII for IVIG resistance, myocarditis, valve regurgitation, and KDSS prediction in the whole cohort were 1331.4 × 109, 1368.6 × 109, 1002.4 × 109, and 1485.4 × 109, with a corresponding sensitivity of 0.525, 0.614, 0.754, and 0.670, a specificity of 0.711, 0.723, 0.584, and 0.730, respectively. The predictive value of SII for both IVIG resistance and cardiovascular complications were not superior to that of NLR.

Conclusion: Although the parameter of SII may predict IVIG resistance, myocarditis, valve regurgitation, and KDSS in KD as a single parameter, its predictive ability was not good enough and not superior to NLR. SII might not be applicable in patients with KD having thrombocytopenia.