bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Environmental and climatic impact on the infection and mortality of SARS-CoV-2 in Peru
Authors: Samillan Victor J. , Flores-León Diana , Rojas Eduardo , Zutta Brian R. 
Published: May 2021

Abstract

Objectives
The role of the environment and climate in the transmission and case fatality rates of SARS-CoV-2 is still being investigated a year into the pandemic. Elevation and air quality are believed to be significant factors in the development of the pandemic, but the influence of additional environmental factors remains unclear.

Methods
We explored the relationship between the cumulative number of infections and mortality cases with climate (temperature, precipitation, solar radiation, water vapor pressure, wind), environmental data (elevation, normalized difference vegetation index or NDVI, particulate matter at 2.5 μm or PM2.5 and NO2 concentration), and population density in Peru. We use confirmed cases of infection from 1,287 districts and mortality in 479 districts, we used Spearman’s correlations to assess the bivariate correlation between environmental and climatic factors with cumulative infection cases, cumulative mortality and case-fatality rate. We explored district cases within the ecozones of coast, sierra, high montane forest and lowland rainforest.

Results
Multiple linear regression models indicate elevation, mean solar radiation, air quality, population density and green vegetation cover, as a socioeconomic proxy, are influential factors in the distribution of infection and mortality of SARS-CoV-2 in Peru. Case-fatality rate was weakly associated with elevation.

Conclusions
Our results also strongly suggest that exposure to poor air quality is a significant factor in the mortality of individuals below the age of 30. We conclude that environmental and climatic factors do play a significant role in the transmission and case fatality rates in Peru, however further study is required to see if these relationships are maintained over time.
Expanding the knowledge on a desert sigmodontine rodent in Central Argentina with remarks on its conservation status
Authors: Pardiñas Ulyses F.J. , Tammone Mauro N. , Voglino Damián , Cuéllar Soto Erika 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
The monotypic genus Salinomys (Cricetidae, Sigmodontinae) includes tiny mice with specialist adaptations to desert habitats characteristic of Argentinian shrubland. We report on a population of Salinomys delicatus from Central La Pampa Province, Argentina, representing a 450 km southerly extension to its known distribution. Importantly, this stresses the necessity for further discussion of the validity of its conservation status, recently updated from Data Deficient to Vulnerable. Furthermore, we highlight aspects from its morphology that could help in future proper identification of specimens. Finally, we propose that this species should be retained as Data Deficient pending additional investigation.
Pain quality of thermal grill illusion is similar to that of central neuropathic pain rather than peripheral neuropathic pain
Authors: Osumi Michihiro , Sumitani Masahiko , Nobusako Satoshi , Sato Gosuke , Morioka Shu 
Published: May 2021

Abstract

Objectives
Application of spatially interlaced innocuous warm and cool stimuli to the skin elicits illusory pain, known as the thermal grill illusion (TGI). This study aimed to discriminate the underlying mechanisms of central and peripheral neuropathic pain focusing on pain quality, which is considered to indicate the underlying mechanism(s) of pain. We compared pain qualities in central and peripheral neuropathic pain with reference to pain qualities of TGI-induced pain.

Methods
Experiment 1:137 healthy participants placed their hand on eight custom-built copper bars for 60 s and their pain quality was assessed by the McGill Pain Questionnaire. Experiment 2: Pain quality was evaluated in patients suffering from central and peripheral neuropathic pain (42 patients with spinal cord injury, 31 patients with stroke, 83 patients with trigeminal neuralgia and 131 patients with postherpetic neuralgia).

Results
Experiment 1: Two components of TGI-induced pain were found using principal component analysis: component 1 included aching, throbbing, heavy and burning pain, component 2 included itching, electrical-shock, numbness, and cold-freezing. Experiment 2: Multiple correspondence analysis (MCA) and cross tabulation analysis revealed specific pain qualities including aching, hot-burning, heavy, cold-freezing, numbness, and electrical-shock pain were associated with central neuropathic pain rather than peripheral neuropathic pain.

Conclusions
We found similar qualities between TGI-induced pain in healthy participants and central neuropathic pain rather than peripheral neuropathic pain. The mechanism of TGI is more similar to the mechanism of central neuropathic pain than that of neuropathic pain.
Cross-Term Suppression Method for Time-Frequency Spectrum of Engineering Blasting Signals
Authors: Fu Xiaoqiang , Yu Jin , Dai Liangyu , Liu Jifeng , Huang Jianguo , Ren Wenbin 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Engineering blasting vibration signals are affected by the test environment and contain noise and trend components, which leads to significant cross-term in the time-frequency (TF) distribution. To address these problems, a combined algorithm of matching pursuit (MP) and smooth pseudo-Wigner-Ville distribution (SPWVD) is proposed to suppress the TF spectrum cross-term and extract the signal features. An overcomplete atom library is constructed for signal feature matching according to sparse signal representation theory. Atomic reconstruction of the subsignal is achieved by MP decomposition, and the SPWVD distribution of the reconstructed subsignal is calculated and superimposed, yielding a more accurate TF expression of the blasting signal. The results show that the combined MP-SPWVD method can accurately suppress cross-term and improve the TF identification and feature analysis ability, which verifies the accuracy of its application in signal TF analysis. The combined algorithm is thus suitable for TF feature extraction of engineering blasting signals.
Матеріально-енергетичний вплив лісової рослинності на довкілля
Authors: Tretyak Platon , Chernevyy Jurij 
Published: May 2021

Здійснена спроба теоретичного опрацювання проблеми оцінювання матеріально-енергетичного впливу на приземну атмосферу приросту фітомаси лісів України, порівняно з іншими типами рослинності, стосовно депонування вуглецю, продукуванню кисню, транспірації і збагачення атмосфери вологою, а також споживання енергії з навколишнього середовища.
Теоретична концепція побудована на основі відомих біохімічних і фізичних закономірностей. Це матеріально-енергетичні пропорції фотосинтезу та супроводжуючої його транспірації, а також охолоджуючого повітря ефекту.
Отримані аналітичні матеріали підтверджують істотний вплив процесів фотосинтезу і супутньої йому транспірації на газовий склад та енергетичний потенціал приземного шару повітря.
Ліси України загалом щорічно здатні депонувати 3 т∙га-1 вуглецю, продукувати 8 т∙га-1 кисню та збагачувати повітря вологою в обсязі 3600 т∙га-1. Ці процеси вимагають відповідного споживання енергії, що призводить до охолодження 30-метрового приземного шару повітря у середньому впродовж року на 2,4°С. Такі екологічні функції виконують також лучна рослинність та агрокультури. Однак, цей процес відбувається лише під час відносно короткого періоду фотосинтезу. За показниками інтенсивності фотосинтезу і транспірації, екологічні функції лісів утричі перевищують відповідні властивості лучної рослинності.
У випадку вирощування високопродуктивних лісів, річний приріст стовбурового запасу яких сягав би 10 м3∙га-1, збагачення приземного шару атмосфери киснем було б удвічі більшим, ніж за теперішнього середнього приросту 5 м3∙га-1, а водяною парою – у три-чотири рази більше. Відповідно, у три-чотири рази більшим було б і споживання теплової енергії з навколишнього природного середовища.
Ophiostomatoid fungi vectored by bark beetles and colonizing trees of Pinus sylvestris in Sumy region (Ukraine)
Authors: Davydenko Kateryna , Baturkin Denys 
Published: May 2021

K. Davydenko[1], D. Baturkin[2]

Intensive mortality of Pinus sylvestris trees has recently been observed in the Sumy region in eastern Ukraine. There are two pine bark beetle species (Ips acuminatus and Ips sexdentatus), which spread resulted in considerable forest damage in Ukraine. The study of ophiostomatoid fungi vectored by bark beetles is very important to assess total harm of these insects.
Therefore, the aim of our research was i) to identify ophiostomatoid fungi associated with weakened and dying Scots pine trees infested by bark beetles in the Sumy region; ii) to test the pathogenicity of these ophiostomatoid fungi to evaluate their potential threat to Scots pine. The fungi were isolated from bark beetle galleries and identified based on morphological properties and DNA sequences.
In total, eight ophiostomatoid fungi (Graphium sp., Grosmannia sp.1, Ophiostoma bicolor, O. ips, O. canum, O. piceae, O. minus, Ophiostoma sp.1) were isolated from Scots pine trees infested by bark beetles. Scots pine seedlings were inoculated with eight fungi and sterile medium (control) to evaluate their pathogenicity. The inoculated seedlings were examined finally in 6 month after inoculation. Inoculation with O. minus produced significantly largest lesions and only this fungus caused mortality of pine seedlings. In total, all eight fungal species inoculated caused resin exudation and staining the bark around inoculations in Scots pine seedlings and five fungi caused different rate of seedlings decline. The size of stained sapwood was also greater following O. minus inoculations than other fungi or the control. All ophiostomatoid fungi caused significantly longer necrotic lesions and more occlusions in the sapwood than the controls.
Therefore, based on the ability of various ophiostomatoid fungi to weaken and kill pine seedlings and stain sapwood, O. minus was the most dangerous species for Scots pine trees, followed by Graphium sp. and Ophiostoma sp.1. The occurrence of ophiostmatoid fungi in the sapwood of Scots pine is consistent with the concept of their primary role in the colonization of the fresh sapwood of trees in the succession of microorganisms during wood decay.
Сукцесія рослинності зрубів після проведення суцільних рубок дубових насаджень в умовах Західного та Центрального Полісся України
Authors: Ivanyuk Ihor , Fuchylo Yaroslav 
Published: May 2021

Результати досліджень щодо відтворення насаджень дуба звичайного після суцільних рубок в умовах свіжих і вологих сугрудів Західного та Центрального Полісся України показали, що впродовж 1-3 років на зрубах формуються динамічні, мозаїчні рослинні угруповання із залишками лісових та значною участю світлолюбних рудеральних і лучних видів. Головним лімітуючим чинником у відновленні фіторізноманіття на цьому етапі є відсутність верхнього ярусу насаджень.
Після змикання крон (орієнтовно у 10-річному віці) флористичний склад і ценотична будова лісових фітоценозів майже відновлюється, а елементи синузіальної будови з’являються у 20-річних ценозах. У подальшому відбувається повне відновлення як флористичного складу, зокрема видів, віднесених до Червоної книги України, так і ценотичної будови фітоценозу.
Подібність флористичного складу трав’яно-чагарничкового ярусу 120-річних дубових насаджень і 1-10-річних рослинних угруповань є низькою (індекс Сьоренсена-Чекановського в межах 0,27-0,44). Натомість встановлено високу видову подібність флористичного складу трав’яно-чагарничкового ярусу 40-річних культур дуба з усіма віковими категоріями. Величина індексу видової подібності змінюється у межах 0,72 – у віці 10 років, 0,79 – у 20, 0,73 – у 60, 0,85 – у 80, 0,79 – у 100 років. У субклімаксових 120-річних фітоценозах трав’яно-чагарничковий ярус складається переважно з лісових видів (на 88,0%); як домішки траплялися лучні (8,0% видового складу) та болотні (4,0%) види. Після суцільної рубки і створення лісових культур у 1-річних рослинних угрупованнях частка лісових видів становила 32,9%, світлолюбних лучних та рудеральних – по 25,7%, узлісних – 8,9%.
У трав’яно-чагарничковому ярусі угруповань усіх вікових категорій переважають трав’яні багаторічники, їх участь є максимальною у материнських 120-річних фітоценозах (96,0%).
Application of the microwave field in jelly products technology
Authors: Foshchan Andriy , Yevlash Viktoriya , Aksonova Olena , Murlykina Natalia , Piliugina Inna 
Published: May 2021

The object of research is the agar-based chocolate-jelly cake technology. Due to the annual decrease in the production of natural jelly-forming agents and their high price, the possibilities of improving the qualitative change in their functional properties are being studied. In this connection, various methods of modification by gelling agents, both chemical and physical, are proposed.
It is proposed to use the field of ultra-high frequencies (UHF) during the preparation of agar-sugar-treacle syrup in the "Chocolate-jelly" cake technology, as a result of which the consumption of gelling agents is reduced to 40 %. Microwave processing of the swollen gelling substance allows to reduce its consumption without introducing other components into the product formulation and without significant changes in the production process. It is shown that microwave treatment of a 1 % agar solution leads to an increase in the strength of the formed jellies by 40 %. It was found that microwave treatment leads to an increase in the melting temperature of the jelly in comparison with the untreated sample. It was revealed that hysteresis is observed at solidification and melting temperatures, the value of which ranges from 10 to 30 °C. Microwave treatment of a polysaccharide solution in a microwave field reduces the critical concentration of the transition of the molecular structure of the gel to the supramolecular one. Comparison of the enthalpies of melting of agar jelly after microwave treatment and jelly without finishing indicates that a larger number of hydrogen bonds are involved in the formation of a single node of the structure network.
The improved technology of the "Chocolate-jelly" cake based on agar differs from the traditional one in that the dissolution by gelling agents is carried out under the action of a microwave field, which makes it possible to reduce the prescription amount of agar. The proposed method of processing a 1 % agar solution with an ultrahigh frequency field leads to the strengthening of the jelly structure, and due to this, the costs of gelling agents in the production of jelly products are reduced and leads to a decrease in its cost.
The implementation of the plan will expand the range of jelly products and create competitive products in the confectionery market.
Justification of regional development of industrial enterprises in the plane of their financial support: experience of Ukraine
Authors: Dedilova Tetiana , Levchenko Iaroslava , Nosyriev Oleksandr , Osypova Svitlana 
Published: May 2021

The object of research is the regional industry of Ukraine. In the sectoral context, the general structure of the regional industry is significantly deformed, and the strategic and sectoral guidelines of economic policy are blurred, which makes it difficult to restore the economic growth of the country as a whole. The industrial potential is concentrated mainly in traditional industrial regions. The development of industry is hampered by the worn-out state of the technical and technological base of production, a high level of staff turnover, an insignificant percentage of the production of high-tech products, a lack of institutions for innovative development, and similar factors. The complexity of the procedures for financing the processes of industrial development is mediated by the innovative activity of its subjects. The processing industry is the central center of innovation in the industry. Among the sources of financing for innovations, enterprises’ own funds prevail.
It is substantiated that the main directions of regional development of industrial enterprises in terms of financial support for their functioning are support and encouragement of innovation, measures to increase the competitiveness of industrial products, internationalization and support for exports. It is proved that the regions of the country unevenly use the mechanisms of investment support for industry, depending on the characteristics of the development of the regional economy. This necessitates the creation of investment mechanisms aimed at ensuring the management of the competitiveness of regional industrial complexes on the basis of the development and implementation of innovations. A multichannel investment mechanism has been proposed to ensure a full-fledged infusion of financial resources from several sources as an effective tool for financial influence on the development of industrial enterprises. It is noted that among the directions of development of industrial management should remain both traditional measures to support domestic producers (state regional purchases) and alternative (financial leasing, initial placement of securities, joint investment). For a separate direction of industrial development, it is recommended that state support of cluster interregional initiatives based on the use of leading European experience. The highlighted areas are relevant for potential foreign partners who intend to carry out joint business with Ukrainian industrial enterprises. Also, the indicated research results are significant in the process of attracting investments at the regional level and have practical value for foreign investors when they consider a portfolio of alternatives to foreign direct investment in Ukrainian industrial facilities.
Attitudes of Suburban Kansan Parents Regarding School-Required Immunizations and the Influences of the Coronavirus Pandemic
Authors: Beatty Simon , Villwock Jennifer 
Published: May 2021

Introduction. Understanding parental attitudes and adherence of recommended childhood vaccination schedules adopts a new level of importance in the era of the Sars-CoV-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. With hopes for release of a safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine within the near future, understanding parental perception of vaccines is important to design successful vaccination interventions.
Methods. A cross-sectional survey was administered to approximately 900 parents in the state of Kansas in May, 2020. Pearson chi square and Mann-Whitney U tests were utilized to analyze the assess the attitudes of Kansas parents towards a potential addition of the influenza vaccine to the required list for K-12 students and furthermore, their general perception of vaccinations, and the impact of COVID-19 on those beliefs.
Results. 179 responded. 51% (n=92) were in favor of adding the influenza vaccine to the mandatory list (Pro-Addition). Anti-Addition parents had significantly higher levels of distrust (2.1, p<0.001) and were significantly more concerned about vaccine adverse effects. When presented with a hypothetical situation in which a “safe and effective” COVID-19 vaccine was available, these parents were significantly less likely to indicate they would receive the vaccine or obtain it for their children (53 people, p<0.001).
Conclusions. Pro-Addition and Anti-Addition parents are markedly split on their attitudes towards the addition and the effects of the pandemic. Follow-up qualitative studies of Anti-Addition parents are critical for successful vaccine distribution and coverage in the communities.
How are central foveal and choroidal thickness affected in patients with mild COVID-19 infection?
Authors: Fırat Müge , Kobat Sabiha 
Published: May 2021

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of COVID-19 on central foveal and choroidal thicknesses. Thirty-two patients with a positive SARS-CoV-2 PCR test who received outpatient treatment within the previous two months and 32 healthy controls were included in the study. Patients requiring hospitalization due to COVID-19 as well as the patients who received either intensive care support and/or antiplatelet therapy, smokers, or patients with systemic or ocular diseases were excluded from the study. After full ophthalmological examination, central foveal and choroidal thicknesses were evaluated by using optical coherence tomography. Statistical analysis of the study data demonstrated no significant difference between the groups in terms of age or gender (p > 0.05). There was also no statistically significant difference between the groups in terms of central foveal thickness, central choroidal thickness, or nasal 500, nasal 1500, temporal 500, or temporal 500 micron distances (p > 0.05 for all parameters). Choroidal and retinal thicknesses were not affected in patients with recent mild COVID 19 without comorbidities.
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Vascular interactions of Croton schiedeanus major flavonoids in isolated aortic rings from Wistar rats
Authors: Guerrero Pabón Mario Francisco , Ortiz S. Alejandra P , Puebla Ibáñez Dra. Pilar 
Published: May 2021

Background: Ayanin (3,7,4’-Tri-O-methylquercetin) and 3,7-Di-O-methylquercetin (DMQ) are the main active metabolites isolated by bioguided fractionation from Croton schiedeanus, species known popularly in Colombia as “almizclillo”, which has been studied in experimental models in rats, exerting vasodilator and antihypertensive effects. Also, when the effect of these flavonoids was studied separately, important vasodilation was observed. Objective: To evaluate whether flavonoids from Croton schiedeanus have synergistic vasodilator properties when different combinations are used in isolated aorta rings. Methods: Cumulative concentrations of ayanin (10-8 M - 6x10-5 M or 0.01 μM - 60 μM) were assayed in the absence and presence of an increasing concentration of 3,7-Di-O-methylquercetin (DMQ) (10-8 – 3x10-5 M or 0.01–30 μM) in isolated rings from Wistar rats, pre-contracted with phenylephrine. The concentration-response curve with the maximal effect was compared with that obtained by Croton schiedeanus whole ethanolic extract (10-6 – 3x10-4 g/mL). Also, this combination was assayed in the presence of the nitric oxide synthetase inhibitor L-NAME (10-4 M) and the guanylate cyclase inhibitor methylene blue (10-4 M) to assess the role of the NO/cGMP pathway in this interaction. Results: Ayanin and DMQ display a dual interaction in vascular relaxant response: agonism at higher concentration ranges (10-6 – 3x10-5 M or 1–30 μM) and antagonism at lower concentration ranges (10-8 – 3x10-7 M or 0.01–0.3 μM). The efficacy at the highest concentration was greater than that obtained by the whole extract (Emax: 98.4% vs. 33.9%). This response was decreased but not reverted in the presence of L-NAME and methylene blue. Thus, the vasodilator effect of this combination does not depend entirely on the NO/cGMP cyclic pathway. Conclusion: The combined use of appropriate concentrations of these flavonoids could represent an advantage over Croton schiedeanus whole extract for vasodilator purposes.