bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Rancang Bangun Aplikasi Penjualan Online Berbasis Web Menggunakan Metode Scrum
Authors: Andipradana Aryanata , Dwi Hartomo Kristoko
Published: October 2021

UPTD SPNF SKB Salatiga mempunyai salah satu program pelatihan kerja dimana program kerja tersebut menghasilkan banyak UMKM di kota Salatiga. Namun dengan situasi pandemi COVID-19 saat ini penjualan dari UMKM yang dihasilkan oleh pelatihan kerja tersebut menurun. Pembangunan aplikasi penjualan online berbasis web merupakan salah satu upaya untuk memberikan wadah dan memasarkan produk UMKM secara digital. Proses penjualan hingga transaksi juga dikerjakan melalui sistem yang akan dibangun. Metode yang akan digunakan dalam membangun aplikasi tersebut adalah Agile software development dengan Scrum model. Metode ini bersifat fleksibel terhadap perubahan kebutuhan sistem yang ada, serta anggota tim yang dibutuhkan oleh pengembangan aplikasi ini juga tidak banyak. Tujuan dari penelitian ini adalah untuk merancang dan membangun aplikasi penjualan online berbasis web untuk UPTD SPNF SKB Salatiga menggunakan metode pengembangan sistem yang dapat menyesuaikan perubahan dengan cepat. Sehingga menghasilkan suatu sistem yang layak pakai dan sesuai dengan tujuan yang sudah ditetapkan. Hasil penelitian ini adalah sebuah aplikasi penjualan yang dapat memasarkan produk secara online dan membantu dalam pengelolaan transaksi serta pelaporan menggunakan sistem yang ada. Pembangunan aplikasi online berbasis web tersebut menggunakan bahasa pemrograman PHP dengan kerangka kerja CodeIgniter, dan database MySQL.
Central Sarcopenia, Frailty and Comorbidity as Predictor of Surgical Outcome in Elderly Patients with Degenerative Spine Disease
Authors: Kim Dong Uk , Park Hyung Ki , Lee Gyeoung Hae , Chang Jae Chil , Park Hye Ran , Park Sukh Que , Cho Sung Jin
Published: October 2021

Objective : People are living longer and the elderly population continues to increase. The incidence of degenerative spinal diseases (DSDs) in the elderly population is quite high. Therefore, we are facing more cases of DSD and offering more surgical solutions in geriatric patients. Understanding the significance and association of frailty and central sarcopenia as risk factors for spinal surgery in elderly patients will be helpful in improving surgical outcomes. We conducted a retrospective cohort analysis of prospectively collected data to assess the impact of preoperative central sarcopenia, frailty, and comorbidity on surgical outcome in elderly patients with DSD.Methods : We conducted a retrospective analysis of patients who underwent elective spinal surgery performed from January 1, 2019 to September 30, 2020 at our hospital. We included patients aged 65 and over who underwent surgery on the thoracic or lumbar spine and were diagnosed as DSD. Central sarcopenia was measured by the 50th percentile of psoas : L4 vertebral index (PLVI) using the cross-sectional area of the psoas muscle. We used the Korean version of the fatigue, resistance, ambulation, illnesses, and loss of weight (K-FRAIL) scale to measure frailty. Comorbidity was confirmed and scored using the Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI). As a tool for measuring surgical outcome, we used the Clavien-Dindo (CD) classification for postoperative complications and the length of stay (LOS).Results : This study included 85 patients (35 males and 50 females). The mean age was 74.05±6.47 years. Using the K-FRAIL scale, four patients were scored as robust, 44 patients were pre-frail and 37 patients were frail. The mean PLVI was 0.61±0.19. According to the CD classification, 50 patients were classified as grade 1, 19 as grade 2, and four as grade 4. The mean LOS was 12.35±8.17 days. Multivariate stepwise regression analysis showed that postoperative complication was significantly associated with surgical invasiveness and K-FRAIL scale. LOS was significantly associated with surgical invasiveness and CCI. K-FRAIL scale showed a significant correlation with CCI and PLVI.Conclusion : The present study demonstrates that frailty, comorbidity, and surgical invasiveness are important risk factors for postoperative complications and LOS in elderly patients with DSD. Preoperative recognition of these factors may be useful for perioperative optimization, risk stratification, and patient counseling.
Aproximaciones a la escenografía en prospectiva de la producción de eventos
Authors: Maya Tabares Daniel , Oquendo Botero Kamila , Hernández Giraldo Laura Sofia , Molina Restrepo Valentina , Alzate Valderrama Yessenia
Published: October 2021

La escenografía implica a la decoración, el sonido, la iluminación y la puesta en escena. En la producción de un evento, ésta es un aspecto importe en tanto compromete la puesta en escenade la idea creativa y los contenidos. En esta aproximación se presentan algunos aspectos de la historia de la escenografía y de los renovadores de ésta, entre los que encuentran: Bertolt Brecht, Pablo Picasso, Adolphe Appia, Gordon Craig.
Kharkiv Art History School (1900s – early 2020s).
Authors:   Kharkiv State Academy of Design and Arts, Sokolyuk Lyudmyla
Published: October 2021

The article attempts to outline the activity of Kharkiv art history school from the time of its formation in the 1900s to the present day. The author reveals the main directions of research of university art history in Kharkiv, as well as figures of museum institutions who were engaged in the study of topical problems of art before the outbreak of Stalinist terror, when Kharkiv art history school was completely destroyed, and its representatives were either shot (F. Shmit, P. Fomin, K. Slipko-Moskaltsiv) or sent into exile (S. Taranushenko, P. Zholtovsky, D. Gordeiev, O. Berladina). It is emphasized that none of them ever returned to Kharkiv. This became a serious obstacle in the restoration of the scientific art history school in the city. This process lasted for a very long time in comparison with other artistic centers, Kyiv and Lviv in particular. The article reveals the traditions of art history science in Kharkiv, laid down in the first third of the 20th century before its destruction in the Stalinist period. The author also shows the changes in the organization of research activities in modern conditions, when university art history has become a thing of the past, and the scientific center has moved to the higher art institution of the city, which became the Kharkiv Institute of Art and Industry (the Kharkiv State Academy of Design and Arts from 2001).The main directions of the development of art history in this higher educational institution of art in Kharkiv are revealed. It is shown that, first of all, Ukrainian studios were resumed as a separate direction and such an outstanding phenomenon of Ukrainian national art as M. Boichuk’s school, destroyed during the Stalinist repressions, was reconstructed. Separate pages about some figures of the glorious cohort of Ukrainian masters who, with their work, personified the bright and tragic era for the Ukrainian creative intelligentsia of the 1920s, namely artist-writer M. Zhuk as well as representatives of the avant-garde phenomenon in the artistic culture of the 20th century in Kharkiv (V. Yermilov, B. Kosarev, A. Petrytsky), were also revealed. Not only was the range of Oriental studies restored, but to some extent expanded, the study of Far and Middle Eastern art was introduced, and the study of Ukrainian art Judaica and Jewish art was brought to the wider modern world. In the Soviet period this was impossible due to the policy of the Soviet power. Ukrainian theater decoration art, Ukrainian school of art photography, contemporary art became new directions. The development of established traditions and deepening of the study of the sacred art and modern art forms are among the prospects for further directions.
Kharkiv Scenography School of O. Khvostenko-Khvostov: The Experience of Professionalization
Authors:   Kharkiv State Academy of Design and Arts, Chechyk Valentyna
Published: October 2021

The article is devoted to the early years of formation of Kharkiv scenography school and to the creative and pedagogical activities of Olexander Khvostenko-Khvostov (1895–1967). It was reported that the bold experiments of this artist, in the field of theatrical design of 1918–1922, made him one of the central figures of Kharkiv avant-garde scene (“Mystery Buff”; “The Army in the City”; “Lilyuli”, etc), strengthening the reputation of an innovator and causing the beginning of pedagogical activity at the Kharkiv Art College in 1921. The theatrical and decorative workshop was opened at the faculty of painting at the Kharkiv Art College in 1922, it was headed by A. Khvostenko-Khvostov. Among the first graduates were such bright alumni as A. Volnenko, P. Suponin, V. Ryftin, A. Bosulaev, B. Chernyshov, and others. Fundamental provisions of the educational program, which A. Khvostenko borrowed from the teaching practice of A. Exter (Kyiv Studio, 1918–1920), reflected the formation idea of future theater artist’s synthetic thinking. It is known that the education program of the Theater and Scenery Workshop of KAC, equally with the Studio of A. Exter, in addition to the subjects common to all students of painting and drawing faculty as special subjects (theatrical scenery, technique and technology of the stage, etc.) included also the history of theater (I. Turkeltaub), material culture, costume, music and literature (A. Beletsky). O. Khvostenko paid special attention to theoretical and practical issues of composition. He introduced the course of fundamentals of directing (V. Vasilko) as a compulsory subject. Much of what the students mastered at the Workshop was tested on the professional stages of Kharkiv theaters. Associated with the Kharkiv Art School for a quarter of a century (1921–1946), O. Khvostenko-Khvostov has not still been included in the pantheon of its outstanding teachers.
Kharkiv Art School in the History of One Family’ Three Generations
Authors:   Kyiv National University of Culture and Arts, Budnyk Andriy , Marchenko Yurii ,   Ukrainian Engineering Academy, Selivatchov Michael ,   National Academy of Visual Arts and Architecture
Published: October 2021

The present article covers the materials about studies and teaching in Kharkiv educational institutions – the predecessors of the Kharkiv State Academy of Design and Arts (KSADA), participation in the educational process during the 1920s–1950s and the creative achievements of the architect Georgy Ikonnikov (1896–1981), his stepson, printing artist Roman Selivachev (1914–1995), as well as G. Ikonnikov’s granddaughter, Yelena Ganenko (born in 1945). The oldest of our characters studied in the 1910s at the Central School of Technical Drawing (now the Saint Petersburg Stieglitz State Academy of Art and Design) in the 1910s, then participated in the Civil War and in WWI. During the 1920s and 1930s he designed about thirty Kharkiv buildings in collaboration with A. Molokin, P. Krupko, V. Bogomolov. Among his works there are such landmark objects as “Lopan Stairs”, student dormitory “Giant”, National University of Construction and Architecture (former building of the State Insurance), Research Institute of Experimental Veterinary, A. Pushkin Drama Theater, M. Skrypnyk House of Culture, etc. G. Ikonnikov taught in the art schools, headed the architectural and construction department of Kharkiv research institute for industrial projects, which created a number of important enterprises for India, China, Syria and other countries. R. Selivatchov studied at Kharkiv Art College (1929–1932), designed the expositions of the Svyatogorsk Museum, and later the “Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra” Reserve, and worked in printing. In 1941 the student of the Kyiv Civil Engineering Institute was drafted into the army. After the war he graduated from Moscow Polygraph Institute. The first and subsequent editions of Ukrainian Soviet Encyclopedias, branch encyclopedic reference books, “History of Ukrainian Art” in six volumes, “Dictionary of Artists of Ukraine”, “Shevchenko Dictionary”, other projects of national importance were designed under his leadership. A lot of them were awarded by the diplomas of International, All-Union and republican book competitions. Among R. Selivatchov’s followers there are graduates of Art and Architectural universities in Leningrad, Kharkiv and Kyiv, members of the National Artists’ Union of Ukraine. However, the desire to be an artist is not always realized. Encouraged by her grandfather, O. Ganenko from childhood posed for his students and dreamed of becoming an artist. One of her portraits decorated the lobby of Kharkiv Art Institute for many years. Finally, she preferred mathematics, taught at Kharkiv University, but remembers unforgettable moments related to Kharkiv Art school.
Volodymyr Shapovalov and Modern Kharkiv Art Ceramics
Authors:   National University «Yuri Kondratyuk Poltava Polytechnic», Zinenko Tetiana , Zinenko Alisa ,   Modern Art Reseach Institute of National Ukrainian Academy of Arts
Published: October 2021

This article is an attempt to characterize the influence of Volodymyr Shapovalov and the Kharkiv State Academy of Design and Arts on the formation of the features of Kharkiv art ceramics in the late twentieth – early twenty-first century. The present article identifies and analyzes the nature of these features, which are an organic combination of scientific knowledge (philosophical, mathematical, technological) with the theory and practice of art. The thesis is that due to creative and pedagogical activity of Volodymyr Shapovalov, there is the only phenomenon in Ukraine, when the Academy, where the main emphasis is on the easel art and design, manages to organize a group of artists who have chosen ceramics as the main material for their creative pursuits and implementation. In fact, there emerges a school that demonstrates fundamentally different approaches to ceramics from those which are used in traditional pottery and ceramic schools. It is based on the “layering” of the work, the search for harmony in the embodiment of philosophical reflections and technological experiments in ceramics, on narrativity, on the attempt to understand the inner state of things. Attention is drawn to the peculiarities of the author’s method of mastering the theoretical and practical knowledge of ceramics. A certain set of special characteristics of Volodymyr Shapovalov’s creativity is defined and the presence of these features is clearly noticeable in the works of his students: Olexander Miroshnichenko, Olexey Podlipsky, Liza Mamay and Vyacheslav Pasynok. Volodymyr Shapovalov’s artistic language is considered in the context of a direct relationship with nature, close attention to detail, the application of scientific knowledge from various fields for creative and technological experiments in ceramics. Particular attention is paid to the analysis of the place and role of Kharkiv art ceramics in the context of modern ceramology and Ukrainian art process.
Multimedia Design Department of KSADA on the Modern Stage: Challenges of Time and Actual Directions of Work
Authors:   Kharkiv State Academy of Design and Arts, Opaliev Mykhailo
Published: October 2021

The publication substantiates the need to find and master the latest trends and technologies in multimedia, dictated by the modern labor market. The author outlines the history of development of the Multimedia design department, provides the information on the basic scientific achievements and participation in development of scientific state budgetary subjects, and notes the international activity of the department. The focus of the research is aimed at highlighting creative experiments and projects that have been and are crucial in the modern search for a place of specialization in the field of multimedia. At the moment, the fundamental area of our creative search is animation in all its varieties and forms. An indicative result of this work is the successful participation of MD students in numerous national and international animation competitions. In general, the course for the training of professional animators is of great importance for the formation of this art form in Ukraine. The natural interest of young people in music finds its professional solution in the creation of numerous videos that visualize musical works. We have started systematic work in the direction of fractal animation in order to “revive” fractal worlds. The MD department conducts theoretical research in motion design, creates various developments of animated typography, infographic videos, etc. The design of computer games in all their varieties is also widely presented. In recent years, the department has begun practical work in the field of projection technology, and has already achieved the first successes in international competitions of architectural 3D mapping. Software is the practical development and research of augmented reality in image recognition technologies for both flat objects (painting, graphics, illustration) and in the urban environment. In the last two years, we have successfully started developing of virtual reality projects.
Life and Art of Teacher and Artist Sergiy Solodovnyk
Authors:   International Humanitarian University, Solodovnyk Svetlana
Published: October 2021

This article dwells upon the life path and the art of an artist and teacher, professor of Kharkiv Art and Industrial Institute (now Kharkiv State Academy of Design and Fine Arts) – Sergiy Solodovnyk (1915–1991) – my Dad. It is described in what way important events or important meetings with talented people can influence the development of personality, the formation of the artist’s and teacher’s views upon the methods of teaching and drawing and imagery in Arts, also the choice of the subject matter and genre. In artistic creation, both innate personality traits and those acquired in the process of studying the world, through which the artist passes in the process of creating a work of art and his formation as a person, as a lecturer or Teacher, are of great importance. The influence of his personality upon the students of several generations. His great importance in my life as a wise, delicate and caring dad. It is underlined in this article that good, honest deeds, love to people, homeland and to his direction in Art, sensitive attitude to the youth will always find reflection in human souls.
Serhiy Solodovnyk: a Man of Legend
Authors:   Free art scientist and researcher, Tikhonov Nikolai
Published: October 2021

he article contains memoirs about the teacher of Kharkiv Art and Industrial Institute, a unique person and teacher Serhiy Solodovnyk (1915–1991), which are related to his work in the 1970s. Through personal memories and impressions, the author of the publication reveals the pedagogical system and methods of teaching of academic drawing to students of the institute, professional and human qualities of S. Solodovnyk, which influenced the formation of young artists at the institute and their further work.
Student’s mathematical literacy in solving PISA model problems based on the reflective-impulsive cognitive style
Authors: Astrie Pratiwi Damayanti  , Dwi Juniati  , Susanah Susanah
Published: October 2021

Penelitian ini bertujuan mendeskripsikan literasi matematik siswa dalam menyelesaikan soal model PISA ditinjau dari gaya kognitif reflektif-impulsif. Indikator literasi matematik dinilai pada proses merumuskan, menerapkan, dan menafsirkan. Subjek penelitian adalah siswa kelas IX-C SMP AL Muslim Sidoarjo. Matching Familiar Figure Test digunakan untuk mengetahui gaya kognitif siswa. Subjek penelitian dipilih berdasarkan tes gaya kognitif (TGK) dan tes kemampuan matematika (TKM). Selanjutnya, dipilih subjek seorang siswa dengan gaya kognitif reflektif dan seorang siswa impulsif berkemampuan matematika setara. Subjek akan mengerjakan soal tes literasi matematik (TLM). Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa siswa reflektif memenuhi semua indikator literasi matematik untuk soal perubahan dan hubungan serta ruang dan bentuk. Siswa impulsif memenuhi semua indikator literasi matematik untuk soal perubahan dan hubungan. Namun, siswa impulsif tidak memenuhi indikator literasi matematik pada soal dengan konten ruang dan bentuk. Oleh karena itu, guru disarankan lebih banyak memberikan latihan  untuk mengembangkan literasi matematik siswa dalam menyelesaikan soal model PISA dengan konten yang beragam.
Kuzey Kıbrıs Türk Cumhuriyeti'nde Su Noksanlığı ve Eğilim Analizi
Authors: KALE Mustafa Murat
Published: October 2021

Doğu Akdeniz Havzası’nın merkezinde, eski dünyadan batıya açılan deniz yolu üzerinde yer alan Kıbrıs adası bölge coğrafyasında su kökenli problemlerin en çok yaşandığı yerler arasındadır. Bu çalışmada Kuzey Kıbrıs Türk Cumhuriyeti (KKTC)’ndeki su noksanlığının ortaya çıkartılması ve su noksanlığına ait eğilimlerin araştırılması amaçlanmıştır. Çalışma dönemi boyunca hidrolojik bütçeler oluşturularak su noksanı miktar ve süresi hesaplanmıştır. Su noksanlığı ve su fazlalığı tespit edilen aylarda istatistiksel açıdan anlamlı bir artış veya azalış olup olmadığı sorusuna yanıt aranmış ve bu kapsamda eğilim analizleri gerçekleştirilmiştir. Çalışma bulguları KKTC genelinde yılın büyük bir kısmında su noksanlığı gerçekleştiğini göstermiştir. Kuzey ve iç kesimler arasında su noksanı miktar ve süresi farklılık sergilemektedir. Eğilim analizleri KKTC genelinde gerek su fazlalığında gerekse su noksanlığında istatistiksel açıdan anlamlı yönelimler gerçekleştiğini ortaya çıkartmıştır. Su fazlalığı kaydedilen aylarda tespit edilen anlamlı eğilimler su fazlasının azaldığını gösterirken, su noksanlığı kaydedilen aylarda tespit edilen anlamlı eğilimler su noksanının arttığını göstermiştir. Otuz bir yıllık kesintisiz dönem boyunca yıllık ölçekte su fazlası olan ay sayısında istatistiksel açıdan anlamlı azalma eğilimi tespit edilmiştir.
INVESTIGATION OF MELATONIN CONTENT AND ANTIOXIDANT CAPACITY IN GRAPE BERRIES
Authors: UĞUR Yılmaz
Published: October 2021

In this study, six berry fruits; goji berry/wolfberry (Lycium barbarum), black mulberry (Morus nigra), white mulberry (Morus alba), blackberry (Rubus fructicous L.), purple mulberry (Morus rubra) and Bursa Black mulberry (unknown) were analyzed by HPLC-FD to determine whether they present melatonin. The melatonin was detected different amounts in all samples. Besides, the total phenolic content and antioxidant capacity were studied in all fruit samples. DPPH and ABTS tests were applied to determine the antioxidant capacity. It was observed that the amount of melatonin in the fruit samples varied between 123.44 and 1600.48 ng/gFW. It was found that the concentration of melatonin in goji berry (BF1) was higher than other berry fruits. The highest total phenolic content and antioxidant capacity to were obtained from purple mulberry (BF6) as 276.83 mg GAE/100 gFW, 452.38 mg TE/100 gFW (DPPH) and 555.73 mg TE/100 gFW (ABTS), respectively. Results reveals a significant positive correlation between the total phenolic content with antioxidant capacity.
Why African Norms Matter: Understanding Subsidiarity in Peacemaking in Africa
Authors: Ifediora Obinna
Published: October 2021

This article explains the problem facing the UN and African regional organizations in applying the principle of subsidiarity in peacemaking. It draws on the concept of norm subsidiarity and studies African norm-setting instruments. It finds that the African Union is a subsidiary agent in the global order and formulates parallel but distinct norms to retain autonomy, claim primacy and deflect implementing uncomfortable external principles. The AU policies show the norm subsidiary, not localizing, behaviour. Conversely, African subregional organizations exhibit the norm localizing behaviour, indicating the willingness to modify and accept global and regional rules. The significance is that existing knowledge assumes that the AU is or should be a localizing agent, as Chapter VIII of the UN Charter prescribed. Crucially, African norms matter because they are a fundamental characteristic of African agency. This paper contributes to a broader understanding of African agency in international relations and global security governance.
A Robust Expected Makespan for Permutation Flow Shop Scheduling Depending on Machine Failure Rate
Authors: Alsoufi Ghazwan , Zeidan Manal Abdulkareem , Mohammed Lamyaa Jasim , Salhi Abdellah
Published: October 2021

The environment of Flow Shop Scheduling Problems (FSSPs) to minimize the makespan of n jobs that have to be performed on m machines is considered. In real-world manufacturing systems nowadays, the uncertain circumstances to execute these jobs have an essential effect on the final scheduling scheme. This paper puts forward an integrated optimization heuristics that combine two distinct factors in flow shop scheduling. These factors are the variation in the processing times and the machine's reliability (machine failure rate), which must be considered to obtain optimal scheduling under stochastic assumptions. Two new approaches have been proposed in this work to achieve a robust expected makespan in the stochastic environment. The procedure is to add buffer time depending on the machine failure rate. Hence, the first procedure is to add buffer time to each operation in the mission according to the reliability of all machines (system reliability). The second one is to add buffer time to each operation depending on the reliability of each machine (machine reliability). For solving this problem with consideration to minimizing the expected makespan and maximizing the robustness simultaneously, the well-known (NEH) heuristic is implemented to schedule a set of jobs. Computational simulations are carried out with some well-studied problems taken from the OR-Library. Experimental results show that the proposed methods provide robust and efficient solutions. Moreover, the effects of some parameters on the optimization performance are discussed.
A Hydromechanical Perspective to Study the Effect of Body Acceleration through Stenosed Artery
Authors: Shah Sapna Ratan , Kumar Pushkar
Published: October 2021

The spread of numerous deadly diseases such as Thrombosis, Diabetes, Atherosclerosis and other cardiac diseases, carry on to be major root of demise and growing public curiosity about the prevention and treatment of such fatal disorders. Body acceleration has very important role on the flow through stenosed artery. In this research work a problem for irregular development in the inner wall of the artery is known atherosclerosis that settled as a result of buildup due to cholesterol on the arterial wall has been discussed. In this work the effects of body acceleration, slip velocity in presence of catheter on the wall shear, velocity profile and flow rate reveal the graphical finding for pulsatile blood flow in narrow blood vessels. Here it is shown that flow rate, velocity and shear stress escalate as body acceleration increases.
Multi-Objective Capacitated Solid Transportation Problem with Uncertain Variables
Authors: Kakran Vandana Y. , Dhodiya Jayesh M.
Published: October 2021

This paper investigates a multi-objective capacitated solid transportation problem (MOCSTP) in an uncertain environment, where all the parameters are taken as zigzag uncertain variables. To deal with the uncertain MOCSTP model, the expected value model (EVM) and optimistic value model (OVM) are developed with the help of two different ranking criteria of uncertainty theory. Using the key fundamentals of uncertainty, these two models are transformed into their relevant deterministic forms which are further converted into a single-objective model using two solution approaches: minimizing distance method and fuzzy programming technique with linear membership function. Thereafter, the Lingo 18.0 optimization tool is used to solve the single-objective problem of both models to achieve the Pareto-optimal solution. Finally, numerical results are presented to demonstrate the application and algorithm of the models. To investigate the variation in the objective function, the sensitivity of the objective functions in the OVM model is also examined with respect to the confidence levels.
Polymeric Nanoparticles for Mitochondria Targeting Mediated Robust Cancer Therapy
Authors: Sun Yajing , Yang Qingshan , Xia Xue , Li Xiaozhe , Ruan Weimin , Zheng Meng , Zou Yan , Shi Bingyang
Published: October 2021

Despite all sorts of innovations in medical researches over the past decades, cancer remains a major threat to human health. Mitochondria are essential organelles in eukaryotic cells, and their dysfunctions contribute to numerous diseases including cancers. Mitochondria-targeted cancer therapy, which specifically delivers drugs into the mitochondria, is a promising strategy for enhancing anticancer treatment efficiency. However, owing to their special double-layered membrane system and highly negative potentials, mitochondria remain a challenging target for therapeutic agents to reach and access. Polymeric nanoparticles exceed in cancer therapy ascribed to their unique features including ideal biocompatibility, readily design and synthesis, as well as flexible ligand decoration. Significant efforts have been put forward to develop mitochondria-targeted polymeric nanoparticles. In this review, we focused on the smart design of polymeric nanosystems for mitochondria targeting and summarized the current applications in improving cancer therapy.
Emerging Roles of Repetitive and Repeat-Containing RNA in Nuclear and Chromatin Organization and Gene Expression
Authors: Trigiante Giuseppe , Blanes Ruiz Nerea , Cerase Andrea
Published: October 2021

Genomic repeats have been intensely studied as regulatory elements controlling gene transcription, splicing and genome architecture. Our understanding of the role of the repetitive RNA such as the RNA coming from genomic repeats, or repetitive sequences embedded in mRNA/lncRNAs, in nuclear and cellular functions is instead still limited. In this review we discuss evidence supporting the multifaceted roles of repetitive RNA and RNA binding proteins in nuclear organization, gene regulation, and in the formation of dynamic membrane-less aggregates. We hope that our review will further stimulate research in the consolidating field of repetitive RNA biology.
The First Political-Ecological Database and Its Use in Episode Analysis
Authors: Haas Timothy C.
Published: October 2021

Biodiversity loss is a consequence of socio-ecological processes. Observations on anthropogenic actions toward ecosystems coupled to observations on ecosystem metrics are needed to help understand these processes so that ecosystem management policies can be derived and implemented to curb such destruction. Such data needs to be maintained in searchable data portals. To this end, this article delivers a first-of-its-kind relational database of observations on coupled anthropogenic and ecosystem actions. This Ecosystem Management Actions Taxonomy (EMAT) database is founded on a taxonomy designed to support models of political-ecological processes.Structured query languagescripts for building and querying these databases are described. The use ofepisodesin the construction of political-ecological theory is also introduced. These are frequently occurring sequences of political-ecological actions. Those episodes that test positive for causality can aid in improving a political-ecological theory by driving modifications to an attendant computational model so that it generates them. Two relational databases of political-ecological actions are described that are built from online news articles and published data on species abundance. The first concerns the management of the East African cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus) population, and the second is focused on the management of rhinoceroses (Ceratotherium simum) in South Africa. The cheetah database is used to study the political drivers of cheetah habitat loss, and the rhino database is used study the political drivers of rhino poaching. An EMAT database is a fundamental breakthrough because is provides a language for conservation science to identify the objects and phenomena that it is about. Therefore, maintaining political-ecological data in EMAT databases will advance conservation science and consequently, improve management policies that are based on that science.
Cognitive Biases in Understanding the Influence of Shale Gas Exploitation: From Environmental and Economic Perspectives
Authors: Hu Hui , Lin Jingtong , Liu Lu , Wu Yufeng
Published: October 2021

People have higher expectations for shale gas exploitation. However, the promotion of large-scale shale gas exploitation does not seem to be as good as it seems, since the extraction technology - hydraulic fracturing - harms the environment, which causes cognitive biases. This paper reviews studies that estimate the environmental and economic influence of the fracturing process in the U.S. and China to help people better understand the shale gas exploitation. It summarizes the methodological issues and results of main projections. There are shared problems in evaluating the influence of shale gas development due to limited identification methods, data sources and advancing exploitation technologies. Little research values the environmental influence of shale gas development in social benefit or economic benefit. Though varies significantly across various plays and parameter compared with conventional gases, previous researches indicate that water use for shale gas development will not affect the local water supply vastly, and the ultimate influence relies on the water management method. Moreover, compared with conventional natural gas and other energy resources, freshwater consumption about shale gas exploration is decreasing with the progress of exploration technology, while its life-cycle GHG emissions are greater in the long term.
Improvement of Mixing Efficiency in the Combustion Chamber of a Powder-Fuel Ramjet Engine
Authors: Xi Wenxiong , Liu Jian , Mengfei Ren
Published: October 2021

The challenge of the powder-fuel ramjet is to improve the mixing effect of powder-fuel with oxidizing agents and combustion efficiency. To improve the mixing and combustion efficiency of the powder-fuel ramjet engine, three configurations in head shapes and three exhaust gas inlet patterns of the engine are designed based on a typical powder-fuel ramjet engine combustion chamber. The effect of the head shapes and exhaust gas inlet patterns is analyzed and compared by the three-dimensional numerical simulation method. A comprehensive model validation is built, and the calculation results of the k-ε standard model are compared with the experimental data. The results show that the cylindrical head forms a recirculation zone at the head of the combustion chamber, which leads to powder deposition in the head region of the chamber. The design with the round head and the coned head reduces the recirculation inside the head region, and the exhaust gas from the fuel gas generator has benefits in powder injection and mixing inside the combustion chamber. The exhaust gas inlet of the inclined six hole type has benefits in the mixing of powder and high temperature exhaust gas because it generates strong flow impingement in the core part of the chamber.
Minimum Detectable Activity of Pb-210 in Skull From In vivo Measurements: Insights From the Literature
Authors: Meng Xiangpeng , Liu Yuanyuan , Wu Bin , Cheng Jianping , Wang Li , Wang Yu , Su Ning
Published: October 2021

To address the urgent need for the retrospective assessment of the health conditions of people with a history of appreciable radon exposure, a novel technique that directly measures the characteristic γ-rays emitted from Pb-210 in the living skull was developed. Since the first pioneering study in 1968, this technique has experienced continued advancement over more than half a century, where the limit of detection of Pb-210 is a common criterion to assess the performance of the measuring devices. However, researchers have defined the limit of detection in assorted ways, and the measurement conditions often greatly differ from study to study, both of which significantly challenge interstudy comparisons and obscure how various factors make their impacts. In this work, we reanalyze the reported results in the literature according to the minimum detectable activity (MDA) defined by Currie and investigate the effects of key elements therein. Firstly, we focus on the reported background count rates and analyze their dependence on detector’s energy resolution and active area. Secondly, we turn to the reported calibration factors and conduct analysis in the same manner. Thirdly, we calculate MDA for each study and monitor its dependence on the active area of detector and measurement duration. In the limit of the largest achievable active area (∼75000 mm2), it is found that the asymptotic MDA is approximately 6 (4) Bq and 15 (11) Bq under 30 (60) min measurement using NaI-CsI scintillator and HPGe semiconductor detectors, respectively. Finally, we discuss these asymptotic MDA in the context of estimated Pb-210 activity in the skull resulted from a hypothetical history of radon exposure.
A Review on Combustion Characteristics of Ammonia as a Carbon-Free Fuel
Authors: Li Jun , Lai Shini , Chen Danan , Wu Rongjun , Kobayashi Noriyuki , Deng Lisheng , Huang Hongyu
Published: October 2021

A comprehensive review of combustion characteristics of ammonia (NH3) as a carbon free fuel is presented. NH3 is an attractive alternative fuel candidate to reduce the consumption of fossil fuel and the emission of CO2, soot, and hydrocarbon pollutants, due to its comparable combustion properties, productivities from renewable sources, and storage and transportation by current commercial infrastructure. However, the combustion properties of NH3 are quite different from conventional hydrocarbon fuels, which highlight the specific difficulties during the application of NH3. Therefore, this paper presents comparative experimental and numerical studies of the application of NH3 as a fuel during combustion process, including the combustion properties of laminar burning velocity, flame structures, pollutant emissions for the application of NH3 as a carbon free fuel. This paper presents the burning velocity and pollutant emissions of NH3 alone and mixtures with other fuels to improve the combustion properties. The aim of this paper is to review and describe the suitability of NH3 as a fuel, including the combustion and emission characteristics of NH3 during its combustion process.
Assessing the Causal Role of Selenium in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: A Mendelian Randomization Study
Authors: He Di , Cui Liying
Published: October 2021

Objectives: The relation between selenium overexposure and increased risk of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) has been subject to considerable interest. Epidemiologic studies have reported suggestive associations between selenium and ALS, although the causal inference between selenium and ALS remains to be established.

Methods: We conducted a two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis to analyze the causal role of selenium on ALS risk. Variants associated with selenium levels were obtained from the GWAS meta-analysis of circulating selenium levels (n = 5,477) and toenail selenium levels (n = 4,162) in the European population. Outcome data were from the largest ALS GWAS dataset with 20,806 ALS cases and 59,804 controls in the European population. Inverse variance weighted (IVW) method was used as the main analysis, with an array of sensitivity analyses performed to detect potential violations of MR assumptions.

Results: Inverse variance weighted (IVW) analysis indicated no evidence of a causal role for selenium levels in ALS development (odds ratio (OR) = 1.02, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.96–1.08). Similar results were observed for the sensitivity analyses (OR = 1.00, 95% CI = 0.95–1.07 for weighted median; OR = 1.07, 95% CI = 0.87–1.32 for MR-Egger), with no pleiotropy detected.

Conclusions: Although selenium was found associated with ALS according to earlier epidemiologic studies, current evidence based on the population of European ancestry does not support the causal effect of selenium on ALS risk.
Nonspecific Regulation of the Number of Immunocompetent Cells Under the Influence of DT Toxoid in Children With Glomerulonephritis
Authors: Kostinov Mikhail Petrovich , Akhmatova Nelli Kimovna , Magarshak Olga Olegovna , Vlasenko Anna Egorovna , Polishchuk Valentina Borisovna , Kostinova Aristitsa Mikhailovna , Mashilov Kirill Vadimovich
Published: October 2021

Background

Studies aimed at identifying the mechanisms of the immunoregulatory effect of vaccination with diphtheria and tetanus toxoid on the parameters of adaptive immunity in children with kidney pathology are limited. The study aimed to study the effect of revaccination against diphtheria and tetanus on the proliferation and differentiation of immunocompetent cells, the formation of specific antibodies, and the course of the disease in children with glomerulonephritis (GN).

Methods

The study included 45 children with glomerulonephritis (GN) aged 5 to 15 years, in remission from 6 months up to 4 years. Of these, 25 children were revaccinated with DT toxoid (Diphtheria-Tetanus toxoid with reduced antigenic content) and 20 were in the control group (not vaccinated). The frequency of development of local and systemic reactions and the course of GN were assessed. The subpopulation structure of lymphocytes was studied in dynamics after 1-6-12 months by flow cytometry and IgG levels to diphtheria and tetanus were studied by ELISA.

Results

In 92% of children with GN, the post-vaccination period was uneventful. 8% showed a rise in temperature up to 37.3°C, without the development of local reactions. During the year, none of the patients had an exacerbation of GN or a concomitant disease. After revaccination with DT toxoid, a significant increase in IgG antibodies against diphtheria and tetanus was revealed, which persisted after 12 months - 7.5 [5.1-10.8] IU/mL (p <0.001) and 7.2 [4.8-10.7] IU/mL (p <0.001), respectively. In the post-vaccination period, a multidirectional change in the concentration of T-lymphocytes was noted: with an initially increased level, their percentage after revaccination with DT toxoid decreases from 83 (81-86) % to 78 (76-80)% after a month (p = 0.04) and up to 75 (69-79)% after 12 months (p<0.001). In the control group, such a decrease was not observed. A similar picture was observed for T-helpers, cytotoxic T-lymphocytes, and in patients with an initially low percentage of cytotoxic T-lymphocytes, on the contrary, its increase was noted (p<0.001), which is comparable with the value of this parameter in the group of children with initially normal value (H = 0.54, p = 0.76). The same patterns were observed in the change in the content of B-cells: one month after revaccination, the relative level of B-cells in patients with an initially lowered value increased (p = 0.02) and remained for 12 months (p<0.001).

Conclusion

Revaccination with DT toxoid in children with GN not only does not cause undesirable changes in the system of immunocompetent cells but also has an immunomodulatory effect, which contributes to the favorable maintenance of the remission period of the disease.
Identification of Diagnostic Signatures and Immune Cell Infiltration Characteristics in Rheumatoid Arthritis by Integrating Bioinformatic Analysis and Machine-Learning Strategies
Authors: Yu Rongguo , Zhang Jiayu , Zhuo Youguang , Hong Xu , Ye Jie , Tang Susu , Zhang Yiyuan
Published: October 2021

Background

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) refers to an autoimmune rheumatic disease that imposes a huge burden on patients and society. Early RA diagnosis is critical to preventing disease progression and selecting optimal therapeutic strategies more effectively. In the present study, the aim was at examining RA’s diagnostic signatures and the effect of immune cell infiltration in this pathology.

Methods

Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database provided three datasets of gene expressions. Firstly, this study adopted R software for identifying differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and conducting functional correlation analyses. Subsequently, we integrated bioinformatic analysis and machine-learning strategies for screening and determining RA’s diagnostic signatures and further verify by qRT-PCR. The diagnostic values were assessed through receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. Moreover, this study employed cell-type identification by estimating relative subsets of RNA transcript (CIBERSORT) website for assessing the inflammatory state of RA, and an investigation was conducted on the relationship of diagnostic signatures and infiltrating immune cells.

Results

On the whole, 54 robust DEGs received the recognition. Lymphocyte-specific protein 1 (LSP1), Granulysin (GNLY), and Mesenchymal homobox 2 (MEOX2) (AUC = 0.955) were regarded as RA’s diagnostic markers and showed their statistically significant difference by qRT-PCR. As indicated from the immune cell infiltration analysis, resting NK cells, neutrophils, activated NK cells, T cells CD8, memory B cells, and M0 macrophages may be involved in the development of RA. Additionally, all diagnostic signatures might be different degrees of correlation with immune cells.

Conclusions

In conclusion, LSP1, GNLY, and MEOX2 are likely to be available in terms of diagnosing and treating RA, and the infiltration of immune cells mentioned above may critically impact RA development and occurrence.
Mechanism of Rhinovirus Immunity and Asthma
Authors: Yang Zuqin , Mitländer Hannah , Vuorinen Tytti , Finotto Susetta
Published: October 2021

The majority of asthma exacerbations in children are caused by Rhinovirus (RV), a positive sense single stranded RNA virus of the Picornavirus family. The host has developed virus defense mechanisms that are mediated by the upregulation of interferon-activated signaling. However, the virus evades the immune system by inducing immunosuppressive cytokines and surface molecules like programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) and its ligand (PD-L1) on immunocompetent cells. Initially, RV infects epithelial cells, which constitute a physiologic mucosal barrier. Upon virus entrance, the host cell immediately recognizes viral components like dsRNA, ssRNA, viral glycoproteins or CpG-DNA by host pattern recognition receptors (PRRs). Activation of toll like receptors (TLR) 3, 7 and 8 within the endosome and through MDA-5 and RIG-I in the cytosol leads to the production of interferon (IFN) type I and other antiviral agents. Every cell type expresses IFNAR1/IFNAR2 receptors thus allowing a generalized antiviral activity of IFN type I resulting in the inhibition of viral replication in infected cells and preventing viral spread to non-infected cells. Among immune evasion mechanisms of the virus, there is downregulation of IFN type I and its receptor as well as induction of the immunosuppressive cytokine TGF-β. TGF-β promotes viral replication and is associated with induction of the immunosuppression signature markers LAP3, IDO and PD-L1. This article reviews the recent advances on the regulation of interferon type I expression in association with RV infection in asthmatics and the immunosuppression induced by the virus.