Work Of Research Groups Research Articles

Flow cytometric analysis of the interaction of monoclonal antibodies to various epitopes of the HSP70 molecule with intracellular and membrane-associated forms of this protein

Currently, a large amount of data has demonstrated that many types of tumor cells, in contrast to their non-transformed forms, are characterized by the translocation of intracellular heat shock proteins 70 kDa (HSP70) to the surface of the plasma membrane. This made it possible to classify HSP70 exposed on the cell surface as a tumor-associated antigen and was the basis for searching the opportunities for the practical use of this phenomenon in clinical oncology. A significant argument in favor of the prospects of such studies was the discovered ability of HSP70, present on the surface of target cells, to enhance the cytotoxic activity of NK cells. In this regard, the work of many research groups is devoted to developing approaches to increasing the level of membrane-associated HSP70 in tumor tissues. At the same time, given the presence of such proteins on the surface of many types of tumor cells, the use of monoclonal antibodies that interact with HSP70 molecules for antitumor therapy can be considered as one of the promising approaches. It is well known that antibody preparations that selectively interact with cancer cells can be used for targeted antitumor immunotherapy. Previously, we obtained a panel of six B cell hybridomas producing monoclonal antibodies to the inducible and constitutive forms of human HSP70, directed to various epitopes of this molecule. It is significant that three varieties of hybridomas produced antibodies with specificity for binding sites on the C-terminal domain of the HSP70 molecule, and the second trio of monoclonal antibodies were specific to epitopes on the N-terminal domain of HSP70, while almost all known commercial antibodies interact only with C-terminal fragments of HSP70. In this work, we conducted a comparative study of the binding of the obtained antibodies to these proteins localized in different types of cells, both in the intracellular space and on the cell surface.The results obtained allow us to consider the identified varieties of monoclonal antibodies that most effectively recognize surface HSP70 as a promising basis for the creation of new drugs for antitumor immunotherapy.

Three Stages in the Evolution of the Concept of International Society: The History of the English School of International Relations or the History of Academic Communities?

This article considers the development of the English school of international relations. The enduring influence of its central concept pursued by international society on three generations of scholars is examined. Three stages are identified in the evolution of the above concept. In the first stage, the British Committee for the Study of International Politics laid the groundwork for the subsequent genesis of the school’s concept. In 1970, H. Bull formulated its basic tenets. The second stage is associated with the efforts to attract more researchers to the school in order to expand the scope of the concept and introduce new problems to the field. As a result, the school transformed from a rather closed group of researchers into a diverse community of specialists in international relations. During the third stage, this community divided over the assessment of modern international society, which not only caused a rift within the school but also prompted a modernization of its concept in line with the most recent theoretical insights into the nature of international relations. Therefore, the history of the English school of international relations was underpinned by the collective work of various research groups united under the broad methodological frameworks of the concept supported by international society.

Low on the Kinsey scale: Homosexuality in Swedish and Finnish sex research, 1960s–1990s

This article addresses the history of sociological sex research and its reception in Sweden and Finland. It describes the background and implementation of the first study in Sweden in 1967, and how the methodology of this study was adopted in Finland in 1971. Both of these studies were followed up in the 1990s with surveys that documented the changes in sexuality, 1992 in Finland and 1996 in Sweden. As the studies were labelled ‘Kinsey studies’ of their respective countries, the article examines the effect that the work of Alfred Kinsey's research group had on them. In particular, the article pays attention to the role of homosexuality in the studies and their reception, both in the mainstream media and in lesbian and gay organizations’ magazines. The article argues that, even though the studies recognized their position on the continuum of sex research stemming from Kinsey's work, they did not have a similar role in normalizing homosexuality. On the contrary, the studies showed diminishingly small numbers of homosexual respondents, even in the 1990s, when lesbian and gay rights were rapidly developing, and the studies were used to argue against equality and minority rights.

Thermal emission cooling of aircraft elements. Review of modern studies

The purpose of this article is to review the current state of research in the field of thermal emission cooling and the feasibility study effect and to highlight their potential applications in astronautics and rocket science, especially for reusable spacecraft and high-speed aircraft. The article summarizes the results of the work of several research groups from several universities in Russia, the USA and China. It discusses theoretical models and experimental developments of thermal emission cooling technology, without going into detailed methodologies. The main research in this area is carried out by teams from the universities of Michigan, Colorado, Vermont and Texas in the USA with the active support of Lockheed Martin Corporation. Experimental studies of this technology are already being actively carried out at these universities. Moreover, the results already obtained correlate well with the results of theoretical study, from which we can conclude about the prospects of research. The effect of thermoelectronic emission makes it possible to reduce the temperature of the leading edges of the spacecraft, which is especially important for reusable spacecraft and unmanned missions, where maintaining the optimal temperature of components becomes a key factor in the service life and reliability of the system.

Should We Wait for Major Frauds to Unveil to Plan an AI Use License?

Should We Wait for Major Frauds to Unveil to Plan an AI Use License?

The remaking of working classes: digital labour platforms and workers’ struggles in the Global South

This themed issue explores the impact of digital labour platforms on the conditions of work and social reproduction in the Global South. The collection of articles – most of which derive from research undertaken by the Future of Work(ers) research group, led by the Southern Centre for Inequality Studies at the University of the Witwatersrand – profile case studies from Argentina, Brazil, India, Kenya, South Africa and Uganda. The case studies focus on location-based platforms in food delivery, e-hailing, e-commerce and beauty and spa work. The collection of articles explores two broad and overlapping themes. The first is how platform business models are redefining the work process and the conditions of work. Here, labour process theory is particularly relevant because it allows us to identify both the points of value production and the sources of working-class power (Kenny and Webster, 2021). The second is the transformative possibilities and limitations of emerging forms of worker organisation. Here the power resources approach is especially useful because it allows us to analyse the extent to which organisations can leverage sources of power to transform the conditions of work and social reproduction. Ultimately, the contributions illustrate that the impact of digital technologies on the world of workers is neither predetermined nor linear. Rather it is shaped by struggle, the terms of which are themselves contingent.

For the Sake of Making Molecules.

The aim of this article, while reviewing part of my research activities, is to illustrate the somewhat chaotic way leading from one specific topic to another - from e.g. ferrocenyl ligands for asymmetric catalysis, to asymmetric fluorination, to reagents for perfluoroalkylation, just to mention some of the most fruitful ones. That the way meandering through several areas of research in chemical synthesis can be described as chaotic is not primarily due to my inability to plan the work of my research group. In the contrary, it is argued that academic research, viewed as mean to educating and forming young researchers, should resist the temptation towards an increasing projectification, milestone mentality, the myth of societal relevance, and consciously aim for a more anarchical trait, much in the sense of Feyerabend's "anything goes".

Criticism and bibliography: Zmitrovich I. V., Perelygin V. V., Zharikov M. V. Nomenclature and rank correlation of higher taxa of eukaryotes. Мoscow: INFRA-M, 2022. 183 p. ISBN 978-5-16-018531-6. (Book series “Folia Cryptogamica Petropolitana”. № 8)

The monograph titled "Nomenclature and Rank Correlation of Eukaryotic Higher Taxa," written by I.V. Zmitrovich, V.V. Perelygin, and M.V. Zharikov, has a unique feature - it is addressed to both theoretical biologists dealing with problems of systematics and practitioners who develop issues of industrial microbiology, bioengineering, and biomedicine. It unites these areas of biology through systematics, which, as academician A.L. Takhtajan said, is the basis and pinnacle of biology.
 Modern progress in molecular biology allows for the precise determination of the relationship between organisms based on the diagnostic nucleotide sequences of important genome regions, leading to important discoveries. For example, Pneumocystis carinii, which was long considered a protozoan and classified as a sporozoan, turned out to be a fungus related to some yeast groups. This information was demanded by pharmacologists who know which antibiotics are effective against fungal infections. However, an excessive flow of scientific information can hinder the systematization and classification according to the existing paradigm of information hysteresis. Changes in systematics happen so quickly that Internet classifiers cannot keep up with them. In addition, there are many competing versions of classification, which makes it difficult to find the optimal solution for a user who does not follow the latest developments in systematics. This can be time-consuming and resource-intensive, making the classification process more complicated.
 The authors of this monograph aim to systematize all new data expressed in recent years in the field of eukaryotic classification, to determine the consensus of experts' opinions, and to identify those moments on which consensus has not been reached. This mainly concerns the taxonomic rank of groups, which reflects the degree of their differences. To determine the rank of large groups, it is necessary to carefully consider the topology of the enormous eukaryotic tree from different perspectives. Each research group working in different areas of this tree research takes into account its overall topology, but the amount of information is so large that there is not always enough time for a complete and detailed review. However, the authors of this monograph conducted such a review, conveying to the reader the rank structure of the system of eukaryotes, the development of which is based on modern phylogenetic classification.
 It is important to note that the next stage of the authors' work on systematics will be further research on the development of algorithms for managing microbial communities in different environmental conditions with different sets of limiting factors to implement the useful properties of microorganisms with different secretory activity. The book contains an extensive auxiliary apparatus, including interesting notes discussing various issues such as the priority of domestic researchers in discovering the antibiotic activity of Penicillium, the "Florida hypothesis" of the origin of fungi, and a detailed presentation of the group of fungus-like protists oomycetes.

Potential Antiviral Herbal Therapeutics for Viral Infections

Background Ayurved, an ancient system of medicine with rich heritage and antiquity, is well known since Vedic period. Viral infections are responsible for many illnesses, and recent outbreaks have raised public health concerns. Viral infections are being managed therapeutically through available antiviral regimens with unsatisfactory clinical outcomes. The refractory viral infections immune to available antiviral drugs are alarming threats and a significant health concern. For hepatitis, the interferon and vaccine therapies solely aren't ultimate solutions thanks to recurrence of hepatitis C virus. Owing to the growing incidences of viral infections and particularly of resistant viral strains, the available therapeutic modalities got to be improved, complemented with the invention of novel antiviral agents to combat refractory viral infections. It is widely accepted that medicinal plant heritage is nature gifted, precious, and fueled with the valuable resources for treatment of metabolic and infectious disorders. The aims of this review are to assemble the facts and to conclude the therapeutic potential of medicinal plants within the eradication and management of various viral diseases such as influenza, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), herpes simplex virus (HSV), hepatitis, and coxsackievirus infections, which have been proven in diverse clinical studies. The scientific literature mainly focusing on plant extracts and herbal products with therapeutic efficacies against experimental models of influenza, HIV, HSV, hepatitis, and coxsackievirus were included in the study. Pure compounds possessing antiviral activity were excluded, and plants possessing activity against viruses other than viruses in inclusion criteria were excluded. Hundreds of plant extracts with antiviral effect were recognized. On the basis of the work of several independent research groups, the therapeutic potential of medicinal plants against listed common viral diseases in the region has been proclaimed. In this context, the herbal formulations as alternative medicine may contribute to the eradication of complicated viral infection significantly. The current review consolidates the data of the various medicinal plants, holding promising specific antiviral activities scientifically proven through studies on experimental animal models. Consequently, the original research addressing the development of novel nutraceuticals based on listed medicinal plants is highly recommended for the management of viral disorders

A complexidade do trabalho precário na Atenção Psicossocial Territorial: reflexão crítica sobre o contexto brasileiro

ABSTRACT This article proposes to understand, from the perspective of Complexity Theory, and through critical theoretical reflection, the precarization of work as a reality in the Brazilian public health work market, and its influence on the results of a public policy based on the theoretical/practical paradigm of Territorial Psychosocial Care. It outlines a possibility of problematizing the central theme, through the principles: systemic, hologrammatic, retroactive circle, recursive, autonomy/independence, dialogic, and the reintroduction of knowledge in all knowledge, proposed by Edgar Morin, in view of the discussions and studies carried out by the Life and Work Research Group on the precariousness of work and mental health in a concrete field. This reflection is intended to be a source of recognition for actors on the real causes of precariousness, which derive from the way in which health work is exploited, which is closely related to the application of neoliberal prescriptions in authoritarian bureaucratic states located on the periphery of dependent capitalism. The reflection allowed the understanding of the whole and the parts that constitute the problem, recognizing the real causes of precariousness, which blame mental health workers, in the face of unhealthy conditions, working hours, and insecurity about social rights and labor rights.

Current topics of interdisciplinary cooperation between engineering and human sciences

In this article, we highlight current research directions in the Technikpsychologie research area, using the example of the interdisciplinary research work of FAI (Work and Engineering Psychology Research Group at the Technical University of Darmstadt) and the articles included in this special issue. To this end, we relate the articles in this special issue from the research areas of road traffic planning (Hupfer et al.), usable IT security and privacy solutions (Renaud), social aspects of technically mediated communication (Diefenbach), human-centered interface design (Mucha et al.), aviation safety (Santel), human-centered design of autonomous vehicles (Lindner & Stoll), and perceptual psychology-oriented product design (Zandi & Khanh) to current research projects at FAI.Practical RelevanceTechnical products only offer added value by efficiently supporting users in achieving their goals if they have been developed appropriately for the context of use and the individual characteristics of the users. The human-centered design of—especially technical—products reflects this through an iterative and participatory development process. In this article, we describe nine examples of such human-centered design of technology products. The research results and the methods presented provide insights for developers and decision-makers in the fields of transportation, IT, vehicle development and general product design.

Reflection on feasibility and usability of interactive online international exchange program for occupational therapy students

The COVID-19 pandemic affected international exchange programs due to travel restrictions. There are few reports of online international exchange programs in medical area and no report of interactive activities among students together for several months. To the best of our knowledge, we needed to seek the feasible approach to conduct online exchange program. We experienced online collaboration works to promote internationalization in occupational therapy (OT) undergraduate education. The aim of this study is to examine the feasibility and usability of an interactive online international exchange program, and discuss its challenges and advantages. The three-month program was newly developed, and aimed at cultivating an international perspective, understanding OT, and learning basic research skills. Students’ interests and the development of their motivation were considered in the program consisting of synchronous and asynchronous lectures, a collaboration research project, group work, and report assignments. Through the program, students were satisfied with the program contents and had the precious experience to develop international relationships. The online exchange program provided students with the opportunity to experience and learn OT education internationally at an economical cost, and to achieve program goal during the regular semester. In this program, students not only acquired knowledge in their professional field, but also cultivated their international communication skills in English from small group activities and social activities. Considering various communication methods was an important aspect in the virtual environment leading to a successful program. In medical education, an online program can be an effective and practical measure for international exchange.

Миграция хищных птиц через Западный Кавказ в осенний период

Миграция хищных птиц через Западный Кавказ в осенний период

Editor's Choice Articles for December.

Editor's Choice Articles for December.

Reliability Analysis of AlGaN-Based Deep UV-LEDs

The current pandemic crisis caused by SARS-CoV-2 has also pushed researchers to work on LEDs, especially in the range of 220-240 nm, for the purpose of disinfecting the environment, but the efficiency of such deep UV-LEDs is highly demanding for mass adoption. Over the last two decades, several research groups have worked out that the optical power of GaN-based LEDs significantly decreases during operation, and with the passage of time, many mechanisms responsible for the degradation of such devices start playing their roles. Only a few attempts, to explore the reliability of these LEDs, have been presented so far which provide very little information on the output power degradation of these LEDs with the passage of time. Therefore, the aim of this review is to summarize the degradation factors of AlGaN-based near UV-LEDs emitting in the range of 200-350 nm by means of combined optical and electrical characterization so that work groups may have an idea of the issues raised to date and to achieve a wavelength range needed for disinfecting the environment from SARS-CoV-2. The performance of devices submitted to different stress conditions has been reviewed for the reliability of AlGaN-based UV-LEDs based on the work of different research groups so far, according to our knowledge. In particular, we review: (1) fabrication strategies to improve the efficiency of UV-LEDs; (2) the intensity of variation under constant current stress for different durations; (3) creation of the defects that cause the degradation of LED performance; (4) effect of degradation on C-V characteristics of such LEDs; (5) I-V behavior variation under stress; (6) different structural schemes to enhance the reliability of LEDs; (7) reliability of LEDs ranging from 220-240 nm; and (8) degradation measurement strategies. Finally, concluding remarks for future research to enhance the reliability of near UV-LEDs is presented. This draft presents a comprehensive review for industry and academic research on the physical properties of an AlGaN near UV-LEDs that are affected by aging to help LED manufacturers and end users to construct and utilize such LEDs effectively and provide the community a better life standard.

Experiencing Tightly and Loosely Structured Research Groups: The Influence on Preservice Science Teachers’ Abilities to Engage in Science Practices

There have been recent calls for students to not only learn the content of science, but also its practices. If teachers are to teach their students how to engage in those practice, then they need to have at least had some experience engaging in them. The US NSF research experiences for the teachers (RET) programs provide opportunities for the teachers to engage in those practices. In those programs, the teachers work in research groups that vary in the ways in which they are structured. This suggests they might gain different experiences depending on their research groups even if the teachers participate in the same program. Because of this reason, in this study we aimed to find out how participating in differently structured research groups influence preservice teachers’ abilities to engage in science practices. By using a comparative case study approach, we compared two preservice science teachers’ experiences and abilities in an RET program that required teachers to engage in research projects. Analysis of data from preservice teacher and graduate student mentor surveys and interviews, and observation notes indicated that the preservice teacher who participated in a loosely structured research group did not have the opportunity to improve in most of the practices and left the program as a novice researcher. On the other hand, the preservice teacher who participated in a tightly structured research group improved in most of the practices and to being a proficient technician.

Polarimetric techniques for the structural studies and diagnosis of brain

Abstract The polarimetric techniques are used in various biomedical applications for a non-contact and fast diagnosis of tissue that is known as optical biopsy approach. These optical modalities provide relevant information on micro-architecture of biological tissue and its alterations induced by different diseases, thus, helping in staging and precise delineation of the pathology zones. In this review, we summarize the work of different research groups on using polarized light for brain tissue studies. This includes the investigations of polarimetric properties of brain tissue (both scattering and optical anisotropy) for brain connectome reconstruction, the visualization of in-plane brain fiber tracts for brain tumor contrast enhancement during neurosurgery, and the histopathology analysis for disease staging in Alzheimer’s subjects. We discuss also further perspectives for the pre-clinical studies of brain with polarized light.

16th International Engineering and Computing Research Conference (16th EURECA)

The 16th EURECA 2021 is the outcome of the hard work and dedication of researchers, research groups, academic programmes and effort of academic and non-academic staff from the School of Computer Science and Engineering, Taylor’s University, Malaysia. 16th EURECA Conference was held on 24th November 2021 with the double edge objectives to assist in equipping the undergraduate and post-graduate with necessary research skills as well as providing an outlet channel for the students to creatively and efficiently share their research outcome. Due to travel restrictions during pandemic, the conference was conducted virtually using Zoom as the video conferencing platform throughout the conference period.With the ever-increasing expectations of graduates to be ready to address a variety of new world challenges, the requirements to equip the graduates, especially those in the field of Engineering, Computing, Science and Technology, with research skills are more pressing. Thus, the aim of the 16th EURECA 2021 conference is to provide the undergraduate Computing and Engineering students an opportunity to experience a research environment. This is expected to prepare them not only for careers in research but also to provide a precursor for them to use the developed research skills in their future endeavors. In addition, the 16th EURECA 2021 also serves as a platform for postgraduate Engineering and Computing students to expand their network with other researchers as well as gaining invaluable feedback with regards to their research project from both academicians and industrial experts.List of Organizing Committee, Committee Members Secretariat, Event Management and Finance are available in this pdf.

The efficiency assessment of group work at the university

Group work at a university can lead to a noticeable growth of students' progress in studies, the ability to reason and motivate for further language mastering. The achievement of such results is directly dependent on each student contribution. Group support strategies such as role assignments, group contracts, anonymous grades and ratings are designed to encourage active student participation. The study objective is to reveal the students' perception of group work in general and the effectiveness of support strategies in particular. In-depth interviews were carried out in groups using support strategies. Students complained unequal contributions paying tribute to the social support provided by group members in both high- and low-performing groups. The students who scored high on the test results recognized the group work benefits regardless the overall performance of their groups, while students with lower scores perceived the group work as time-consuming «hard work»with little cognitive benefit. Anonymous comments from fellow students differed slightly between the high and low scoring groups. The numerical scores did indeed correlate with the group's overall performance. However, students in groups with the lower academic performance evaluated their classmates more rigorously, while students in higher performing groups were more generous in their ratings for less successful students. Scientific novelty lies in the approach to research group work at the university from the view point of students involving foreign experience and based on ideas, methods and technologies of Russian and foreign scientists. As a study result, it was determined that students of different levels of the subject training perceive group work as a valuable experience that has a positive effect on the learning process. The selected support strategies have shown the effectiveness varying degrees.

How to Study Globalization? (On the Discussion Started in Vierteljahrshefte für Zeitgeschichte)

The author answers the question posed in the title by analysing four articles published in the journal Vierteljahrshefte für Zeitgeschichte of the Institute of Contemporary History (Munich) in 2020. All four articles differ from each other conceptually. Nevertheless, their authors advocate the “historicisation of globalization”, or in other words, an in-depth study and subsequent analysis of the facts, phenomena, and processes associated with globalisation. Almost unanimously, they also prioritise reflection on the term “globalization”. This approach leads to taking the history of globalisation out of the context of global history. The aim of this essay is to analyse, summarise, and systematise the approaches presented by the authors of the articles and to identify possible directions for further research. This goal also determines the academic novelty of the study presented below. The essay comprises five sections. The first section outlines hypotheses concerning the phenomenon and process of globalisation understood as one of the variants of world and regional cohesion and illustrates possible research intertwining. In the following sections, three interconnected lines of research are highlighted and two approaches, procedural and phenomenological, are validated. The author believes that the study of globalisation is a unique opportunity to ensure the long-term fruitful work of large research groups and to establish international cooperation in new formats. The article has open to debate. In the article, the author refrains from discussing the connections between globalization and global history in detail.