bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Male Accessory Glands Infections: Mechanisms of Influence on Male Fertility
Authors: Vinogradov I. V. , Zhivulko A. R. , Korolev S. V. 
Published: January 2020

Male accessory glands infections (MAGI) are considered one of the causes of male infertility. Chronic prostatitis is the most prevalent form of MAGI. Researches that assessed the influence of chronic prostatitis on conventional semen parameters have shown contradictory results, so the debate regarding this issue continues. Conventional semen parameters are imperfect markers of male fertility, as many men remain infertile despite being normozoospermic. The search for reliable predictors of male fertility continues to this day. Oxidative stress is considered one of the main pathogenetic mechanisms of male infertility. Free radical oxidation is the leading cause of spermatozoa DNA damage. Spermatozoa DNA fragmentation caused by oxidative stress was associated with a number of unsuccessful reproductive outcomes. There are several factors that are responsible for making spermatozoa vulnerable to free radical damage including abnormal maturation characterized by insufficient chromatin protamination. Acrosin activity defines the ability of spermatozoa to penetrate the ovum membrane and is therefore an independent marker of spermatozoa fertilizing capacity. Possible mechanisms of chronic prostatitis influence on male fertility and current scientific data regarding its association with novel predictors of male infertility are discussed in this article.The study did not have sponsorship. The authors have declared no conflicts of interest.
Polar Views on the Arctic: Arctic Policies of Russia and Circumpolar Countries
Authors: Korchak E. A. , Serova N. A. 
Published: January 2020

The article discusses current issues of Arctic governance. The main motives of the growing interest of the world community to this region are revealed. Comparative analysis of the conceptual framework and key priorities of the Arctic policy of the Russian Federation and other circumpolar powers based on a study of their national Arctic strategies. It was determined that the main difference between the Russian model of managing the Arctic zone lies in the priority of exploitation of natural resources on the basis of creating an optimal configuration of the main factors of industrial production, while the policy of foreign northern countries is aimed primarily on the sustainable development of the Arctic territories and at achieving their social sustainability through the comprehensive development of Arctic local communities. In our opinion, it is advisable for the Russian Federation to apply such a model where the state vector of Arctic policy is oriented, first of all, to the social component of territorial development as for the basis for a comprehensive balanced development of the Arctic zone and for ensuring the country’s national security. Namely, – the implementation of the model of sustainable development of the Arctic territories, the main elements of which are rational and careful nature resource use in the Arctic zone, limitation of negative environmental impact and conservation of the biodiversity of the Arctic territories, orientation on the national policy not only on the indigenous peoples of the North, but also on the local population living here, improving the quality, conditions and standard of living, as well as close mutually beneficial international cooperation on municipal, regional and global levels.
Improved Reference Image Encryption Methods Based on 2
K
Correction in the Integer Wavelet Domain
Authors: Tuncer Turker , Dogan Sengul , Tadeusiewicz Ryszard , Pławiak Paweł 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
Many visually meaningful image encryption (VMIE) methods have been proposed in the literature using reference encryption. However, the most important problems of these methods are low visual quality and blindness. Owing to the low visual quality, the pre-encrypted image can be analyzed simply from the reference image and, in order to decrypt nonblind methods, users should use original reference images. In this paper, two novel reference image encryption methods based on the integer DWT (discrete wavelet transform) using 2
k
correction are proposed. These methods are blind and have high visual quality, as well as short execution times. The main aim of the proposed methods is to solve the problem of the three VMIE methods existing in the literature. The proposed methods mainly consist of the integer DWT, pre-encrypted image embedding by kLSBs (k least significant bits) and 2
k
correction. In the decryption phase, the integer DWT and pre-encrypted image extraction with the mod operator are used. Peak signal-to-noise ratio (PSNR) measures the performances of the proposed methods. Experimental results clearly illustrate that the proposed methods improve the visual quality of the reference image encryption methods. Overall, 2
k
correction and kLSBs provide high visual quality and blindness.
Fake News and Informing Science
Authors: Gill Grandon 
Published: January 2020

The present paper identifies a variety of conceptual schemes that have emerged within informing science and consider how they might be applied to fake news. The paper begins with a brief overview of fake news. This is followed presentations of various models identified in a two-volume survey of informing science. The models presented include those dealing with extrinsic (i.e., environmental) complexity, informing transitions, and individual resonance. The potential implications for informing science research into fake news are discussed and questions that may warrant future research are raised. The paper then concludes by describing what current informing science may already be telling us about fake news, its spread and its influence.

Through its analysis of the fake news and informing science literature, a number of questions are identified where informing science can possibly contribute to our understanding of fake news. These include:

•	Does fake news need to disinform its clients if it is to be effective?
•	Why are certain groups of individuals particularly credible when it comes to communicating fake news?
•	Under what circumstances will the emotional and social motivations to accept fake news exceed our concern for its truth?
•	How does the nature of the fake news content and objectives impact the disinformer’s choice of channel?
•	What are the circumstances under which radically transitional fake news might have an impact?
Pengembangan Instrumen Keterampilan Berpikir Kritis Pada Pembelajaran IPA di SMP
Authors: Jamaluddin Jamaluddin , Jufri A. Wahab , Muhlis Muhlis , Bachtiar Imam 
Published: January 2020

Abstrak: Pengembangan Instrumen Keterampilan Berpikir Kritis Pada Pembelajaran IPA diÃÂ SMP. Berpikir kritis adalah salah satu keterampilan berpikir tingkat tinggi yang perlu dilatih untuk peserta didik sehingga mereka memiliki kompetensi yang cukup dalam menghadapi masalah kehidupan yang semakin kompleks di era informasi dan globalisasi sekarang dan di masa depan. Tujuan penelitian ini adalah untuk mengembangkan instrumen keterampilan berpikir kritis yang dapat digunakan oleh pendidik untuk mengukur dan mengembangkan keterampilan berpikir kritis peserta didik melalui pembelajaran IPA SMP. Instrumen keterampilan berpikir kritis ini dikembangkan dengan mengacu pada model pengembangan Borg & Gall. Instrumen ini telah divalidasi oleh seorang ahli pembelajaran dari FKIP Unram, dan pendidik di sekolah menengah. Pengembangan produk dalam bentuk instrumen tes keterampilan berpikir kritis melalui pembelajaran IPA ÃÂ Sekolah Menengah Pertama dengan karakteristik: 1) pertanyaan pilihan ganda dengan satu jawaban yang benar dari empat pilihan jawaban alternatif; 2) jumlah item adalah 30 item; 3) Tingkat kesulitan pada level sedang; 4) validitas pertanyaan adalah 0,74 (tinggi) pada p = 0,05; dan 5) releiabelitas soal adalah 0,85 (sangat reliabel).Kata Kunci: Instrumen, Berpikir kritis, & Pembelajaran IPA.
PROSPECTS OF EMPLOYING MODERN EUROPEAN CULTIVARS OF SPRING BREAD WHEAT IN THE BREEDING FOR POWDERY MILDEW RESISTANCE IN THE NORTHWESTERN REGION OF RUSSIA
Authors: Lebedeva T. V. , Zuev E. V. , Brykova A. N. 
Published: January 2020

Background. Powdery mildew of bread wheat caused by the fungus Blumeria graminis (DC.) E.O. Speer f. sp. tritici Em. Marchal is a widespread foliar disease of wheat in regions with cool and wet climate. It infects the foliage, stem and spike of the wheat host and causes yield reduction. Breeding for resistance is the economical way to control this disease. The object of this work was to analyze spring cultivars of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) for powdery mildew resistance and some productivity indicators.Materials and methods. The study involved 150 European spring bread wheat cultivars whose resistance to the fungus was assessed at the seedling, heading and flowering phases of plant development. The population of the fungus manifested virulence to Pm1, Pm2, Pm3a-d, Pm4a-b, Pm5a, Pm6, Pm7, Pm8, Pm9, Pm16 and Pm19, and avirulence to Pm12. The damage to seedlings was evaluated using the scale from 0 (no damage) to 4 (abundant pustules). Resistance of the adult plants was analyzed according to the scale from 9 (no damage) to 1 (abundant pustules).Results and conclusions. Of the 150 cultivars, resistance at the seedling stage was shown by 12,7%, and at the adult stage by 20,1%. The cultivars ‘Dacke’, ‘SW Estrad’, ‘Sparrow’ and ‘Aranka’ were resistant in all phases of plant growth. ‘Naxos’ was characterized by a short period from seedlings to heading. The cultivars ‘Aranka’, ‘Zuzana’, ‘Septima’, ‘Tercia’ and ‘Sparrow’ had short stems, while ‘Torka’, ‘Sparrow’ and ‘Pasteur’ – large grains.
SEED QUALITY EVALUATION IN THE COLLECTION OF CYAMOPSIS TETRAGONOLOBA AFTER LONG¬TERM STORAGE UNDER UNCONTROLLED CONDITIONS
Authors: Rakovskaya N. V. , Zabegayeva O. N. , Dzyubenko E. A. 
Published: January 2020

Background. Guar or clusterbean (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba (L.) Taub.) is an annual leguminous plant cultivated for feed, food and industrial purposes. Its seed endosperm is used to extract guar gum, so the guar genetic resources stored in the VIR collection are of strategic importance for the import substitution policy in Russia in the context of their prospective introduction into cultivation in the country’s southern areas. Most of the guar accessions had been preserved by VIR for 40 years or more, so the task was to assess their germination rates and restore their viability. In the process of screening, seed quality parameters of the accessions were examined and analyzed.Materials and methods. VIR’s collection of C. tetragonoloba, initiated by N. I. Vavilov, now contains 111 accessions. Percentage seed viability, germination energy and seed hardness were evaluated in the Long-Term Storage Laboratory for 50 accessions reproduced in 2018 and for 263 older reproductions of 89 guar accessions. In total, 313 seed samples reproduced across 18 different years were analyzed. Statistica 10 software was used to perform a single-factor analysis of variance and find out how germination energy, seed viability and seed hardness correlated with the age of seeds, mean monthly temperature and mean rainfall during the growing season.Results and discussion. After more than 40 years of storage, the guar accessions did not entirely lost their viability under laboratory and field conditions. Very high positive correlations were found for their percentage viability and germination energy with the mean monthly temperature in the year of reproduction. A weak positive correlation was observed between seed hardness and the year of reproduction. Correlations between seed viability and rainfall during the growing season were weak, with a weak negative correlation between seed hardness and rainfall. The viability level of 30-year-old seeds was 50%, so guar may be regarded as belonging to the group of macrobiotic plants.
GENETIC POLYMORPHISM OF MODERN COMMON FLAX ȍLINUM USITATISSIMUM L.Ȏ CULTIVARS DEVELOPED AT RUSSIAN BREEDING CENTERS USING SSR MARKERS
Authors: Bazanov T. A. , Ushchapovskii I. V. , Lemesh V. A. , Bahdanava M. V. , Lahunovskaya A. V. 
Published: January 2020

Background. Molecular identification of plant genomes, based on the use of DNA markers, is becoming a reliable tool for cultivar identification. Widespread application of DNA markers will ensure protection of breeders’ rights for plant breeding centers, purity of seed production processes, and transparency of the domestic crop seed market. The system of SSR markers is suitable to solve the problems of identification and genetic profiling of many crops; it could be successfully used on flax and linseed. The aim of this work was to study the polymorphism of a number of modern Russian common flax cultivars and develop their genetic profiles.Materials and methods. Among the large number of SSR markers (over 1300) used for common flax (Linum usitatissimum L.), the most informative for genotype identification is, in our opinion, the set of 11 SSR primers, characterized by their highest precision. This set of markers was used to study the polymorphism of eleven flax cultivars developed in three geographically diverse locations – Tver, Pskov and Tomsk.Results and discussion. In the studied group of cultivars 53 alleles were identified: 15 of these appeared to be rare, including 11 unique ones. Each flax sample contained its specific set of alleles. Using the alphabetic code for SSR markers made it possible to develop genetic profiles for more precise genotyping of flax samples hardly distinguishable morphologically, thus providing an opportunity to effectuate genetic profiling for all flax cultivars listed in the State Register of Breeding Achievements in Russia. Cluster analysis with a dendrogram showing genetic similarities helped to find differences among the studied flax samples in their distribution according to the place of their origination and the duration of their growing seasons.
Prescribing pattern and utilization of selected antimicrobials in a tertiary hospital of Nepal
Authors: Acharya Upasana , Mahat Ravi , Acharya Subhash Prasad , Pahari Bishnu , Tripathi Prashant 
Published: January 2020

Introduction: This study was done to understand the purpose of using higher grade antimicrobials in a one year period and to compare the consumption of commonly prescribed parenteral antimicrobial agents in four consecutive years in a tertiary care hospital of Nepal.
Materials & Methods: A retrospective observational study was carried out to collect the information on prescription of selected six classes of antimicrobial for all admitted patients aged 2 years or above for a one-year period. Further, the antimicrobial consumption tool 2016 was used to calculate defined daily dose (DDD) per 100 bed days of commonly dispensed parenteral antimicrobials for four consecutive years.
Results: A total of 2568 antimicrobial supply forms prescribing higher grades antimicrobials were analyzed. The indications for use of antimicrobials were mainly for empiric treatment. Among the infections being treated, lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI) was the most frequent cause. Piperacillin-tazobactam was most frequently prescribed followed by Meropenem. Also, DDD for commonly used parenteral antimicrobials showed increasing trends over four consecutive years.
Conclusion: The prescription of higher grades of antimicrobial for empiric treatment and surgical prophylaxis need to be monitored. The rate of consumption of such antimicrobials could not be assessed due to lack of similar studies but the increase in DDD/100 bed days each year suggested the rise in consumption of antimicrobial in the same institution.
Patterns of Pediatric Ear, Nose and Throat Disorders in a Tertiary Care Hospital of Western Nepal: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Chaudhary Nagendra , Regmi Shiva , Shrestha Sandeep , Pathak Santosh` , Gupta Badri Kumar , Swar Ravi , Kurmi Om Prakash 
Published: January 2020

INTRODUCTION: In outpatient department (OPD) of hospital in low and middle income countries (LMICs), pediatric ear, nose and throat (ENT) disorders are common and huge variation in number is being reported in different seasons. This study aimed to study the prevalence and seasonal effect of ENT disorder in children.
MATERIAL AND METHODS: One year (Jan-Dec, 2015) retrospective data of children (0 months-17 years) visiting ENT outpatient (ENT-OPD) department at Universal College of Medical Sciences-Teaching Hospital, Nepal was analysed. Descriptive statistics were calculated to report the prevalence of ENT disorders for various sub-groups including season. In addition to quantifying the prevalence of ENT disorders in children, the seasonal influence of each disorder was analysed.
RESULTS: Out of 14,126 patients visiting the ENT-OPD, 3,423 (24.23%) were children. The mean age of children having ENT- disorders were 8.4±5.1, 10.6±4.6 and 10.7±4.7 years respectively with male-female ratio of 1.3:1.
During all seasons 2,645 (77.3%) had ear problems, 328 (9.6%) nose disorders and 450 (13.14%) throat disorders. The percentage of children with ear disorders declined significantly with increase in age unlike those with nose and throat disorders (P < 0.001). Seasonal trend analysis showed that children had significantly higher number of ear disorders during summer and autumn seasons (P <0.001) whereas nose disorders were more common in spring and winter seasons (P<0.001) with chronic otitis media and wax being the main types of ear disorders and deviated nasal septum (DNS) for nose disorders. Among the throat disorders, tonsillitis was most prevalent in all seasons followed by pharyngitis.
CONCLUSION:- The study suggests a clear seasonal trend in the prevalence of ENT disorders that can be used for advanced planning and management of the conditions in hospitals.
Development of methods of determination of technological houses 3,5-dinitro- and 3,5-diaminobenzoics acids at synthesis of sodium amidotrіzоate
Authors: Palchevska T. A. , Baula O. P. , Bessarabov V. I. , Palchevskyі K. V. 
Published: January 2020

Ionogenic contrast preparations, Triombrast, Urographin and Trasograph containing the active pharmaceutical ingredient (APhI), sodium amidotrizoate, have a positive experience in medical diagnosis.
Qualitative control of intermediate products of each stage of AFI to prevent the possibility of technological toxic impurities – a mixture of 3,5-dinitro- and 3,5-diaminobenzoic acids (3,5-dNBK and 3,5-dABK) in the composition of the target product for safety X-ray contrast drugs in their application is a pressing issue today.
The aim of the work – to develop a method for determining the technological impurities of 3,5-dNBK and 3,5-dABK acids in the synthesis of amidotrizoate sodium using UV spectrophotometry, which will allow to determine these impurities without their preliminary separation both in the inter-operative process control and in the finished product.
The objects of study are aqueous solutions of 3,5-dNBK and 3,5-dABK acids, as well as their binary mixtures. The absorption spectra of the analytes were recorded using a Specord UV VIS spectrophotometer in the ultraviolet region. Calculations of the concentrations of the investigated acids in the composition of their binary compositions were performed according to the Vierordt's method.
It is found that the absorption maxima of aqueous solutions of 3,5-dNBK and 3,5-dABK are at wavelengths of 240 nm and 218 nm; in the experimental conditions, the molar absorption coefficient for 3,5-dinitrobenzoic acid was the same (e1240 = e1218) and was equal to 17 940 ± 150. For solutions of 3,5-diaminobenzoic acid, the molar absorption coefficients were different: for a wavelength of 218 nm, the molar e2218 = 28 890 ± 220 and at a wavelength of 240 nm e2240 = 10 770 ± 80.
Based on the Firordt method, taking into account the molar absorption coefficients of the investigated acids, we determined mathematical formulas for the quantitative analysis of the composition of mixtures at different ratios of analytes within their total concentration 1–6·10-5 M. Spectrophotometric Vierordt's method of quantitative analysis of 3,5-dinitro- and 3,5-diaminobenzoic acids, as well as their binary mixtures in aqueous solutions can be applied in the industrial production of iodine-containing contrast agents, where in the first stages of synthesis, the corresponding nitrobenzoic acid is reduced. Strict control of the possible amount of impurities in the first stage of synthesis of sodium amidotrizoate – the main active ingredient of ionic iodine-containing X-ray contrast drugs (Triombrast, Urografin, Trasograph) – will improve the quality of the final product and will allow to reduce the final product.
Націєтворчий процес у координатах соцієтальної кризи в Україні
Authors: Sushyi Olena 
Published: January 2020

Пропонована стаття є продовженням серії авторських публікацій, присвячених проблемі українського націєтворення, в яких, зокрема, було здійснено ретроспективний аналіз та систематизовано консолідаційно-деконсолідаційні параметри національно-державного розвитку України, виокремлено комплекс чинників (чинники соціальної поляризації, чинники деструктивної / негативної консолідації), що перешкоджають загальнонаціональному єднанню та примиренню українського соціуму в умовах нової соціальної реальності. Мета дослідження, результати якого представлено в статті, полягала в тому, щоб структурувати консолідаційно-деконсолідаційні параметри національно-державного розвитку України в кількох залежних системах координат та показати, що в сукупності вони відтворюють складну (багатофакторну), суперечливу (різновекторну) та динамічну архітектоніку соцієтальної кризи в Україні, які, зі свого боку, пояснюється діалектика консолідаційності та конфронтаційності українського націєтворення. Описано системи координат, що оприявлюють зрізи соцієтальної кризи, а саме: системні координати, унаявлені кризою основних сфер соціальної системи (політико-правової, економічної, соціальної, культурної); структурні координати, де полюсами є криза інституцій, криза інтересів та цілей, криза цінностей, криза ідентичностей; темпоральні координати, що відтворюють кризові цикли національно-державного розвитку України; соціально-психологічні координати, що дають змогу розглянути проблему кризової (масової) свідомості на рівні соціально-психологічних феноменів (за домінуючим типом соціальних переживань та формами соціально-психологічного мислення). Кожен з перелічених кризових зрізів характеризує цілком конкретний аспект соцієтальної кризи, який можна розглядати як у відносній автономності, так і в щільній взаємозалежності з іншими її аспектами. У своєму поєднанні в кожному новому зрізі компоненти соцієтальної кризи відтворюють її нову якість (ефект синергії). У сукупності вони формують складну (багатофакторну), суперечливу (різновекторну) та динамічну архітектоніку соцієтальної кризи в Україні, де кожне явище (компонент її структури) можна розглядати і як причину, і як наслідок конфліктно-конфронтаційних тенденцій національно-державного розвитку України. Багатофакторна модель соцієтальної кризи в Україні структурується низкою похідних моделей, що відображають її кризові зрізи у відповідних системах координат, як-то: контурна двовимірна модель соцієтальної кризи (системно-структурні координати); циклічна модель соцієтальної кризи (темпоральні координати); соціально-психологічна модель соцієтальної кризи (соціально-психологічні координати).