scholarly journals The Virulence Index: A Metric for Quantitative Analysis of Phage Virulence

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zachary Storms ◽  
Matthew R. Teel ◽  
Kevin Mercurio ◽  
Dominic Sauvageau
Keyword(s):  
Quality Control ◽  
Comparative Analysis ◽  
Quantitative Method ◽  
Quantitative Assessment ◽  
Phage Therapy ◽  
Medium Composition ◽  
Phage T4 ◽  
Phage T7 ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Host Strains

AbstractBackgroundOne of the main challenges in developing phage therapy and manufacturing phage products is the reliable evaluation of their efficacy, performance and quality. Since phage virulence is intrinsically difficult to fully capture, researchers have turned to rapid but partially inadequate methods for its evaluation.Materials and MethodsThe present study demonstrates a standardized, quantitative method to assess phage virulence based on three parameters: the Virulence Index (VP) – quantifying the virulence of a phage against a host, the local virulence (vi) – assessing killing potential at given MOIs, and MV50 – the MOI at which the phage achieves 50% of its maximum theoretical virulence. This was shown through comparative analysis of the virulence of phages T4, T5 and T7.ResultsUnder the conditions tested, phage T7 displayed the highest virulence, followed by phage T4 and, finally, phage T5. The impact of parameters such as temperature and medium composition on virulence was shown for each phage. The use of the method to evaluate the virulence of combinations of phages – e.g. for cocktail formulation – is also shown with phages T5 and T7.ConclusionsThe method presented provides a platform for high-throughput quantitative assessment of phage virulence and quality control of phage products. It can also be applied to phage screening, evaluation of phage strains, phage mutants, infection conditions and/or the susceptibility of host strains, and the formulation of phage cocktails.

Corruption as “one‑stop‑shop”: theory and empirical analysis

2018 ◽  
pp. 32-51
Author(s):  
R. Yu. Kochnev ◽  
L. I. Polishchuk ◽  
A. Yu. Rubin
Keyword(s):  
Comparative Analysis ◽  
Business Environment ◽  
Enterprise Performance ◽  
Double Jeopardy ◽  
One Stop ◽  
The Commons ◽  
Public Production ◽  
Performance Project ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Sector Theory

We present the comparative analysis of the impact of centralized and decentralized corruption for private sector. Theory and empirical evidence point out to a “double jeopardy” of decentralized corruption which increases the burden of corruption upon private firms and weakens the incentives of bureaucracy to provide public production inputs, such as infrastructure. These outcomes are produced by simultaneous free-riding and the tragedy of the commons effects. The empirical part of the paper utilizes data of the Business Environment and Enterprise Performance project.

Assessment of small businesses activities in Ukraine

2019 ◽  
pp. 40-47
Author(s):  
Igor Ponomarenko ◽  
Kateryna Volovnenko
Keyword(s):  
Comparative Analysis ◽  
Statistical Analysis ◽  
Small Business ◽  
Small Businesses ◽  
Government Agencies ◽  
Small Enterprises ◽  
The Subject ◽  
Business Entities ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Micro Enterprises

The subject of the research is a set of approaches to the statistical analysis ofthe activities of small business entities in Ukraine, including micro-enterprises. The purpose of writing this article is to study of the features of functioningof small business entities in Ukraine. Methodology. The research methodology isto use a system-structural and comparative analysis (to study the change in thenumber of small enterprises by major components); monographic (when studyingmethods of statistical analysis of small businesses); economic analysis (when assessing the impact of small business entities on socio-economic phenomena andprocesses in Ukraine). The scientific novelty consists to determine the features ofthe functioning of small businesses in Ukraine in modern conditions. The influenceof the activities of the main socio-economic and political indicators on the activities of small enterprises in recent periods of time has been identified. It has beenestablished that there is flexibility in the development of strategies by small businesses in conditions of significant competition, which makes it possible to quicklyrespond to changing situations in specific markets. Conclusions. The use of acomprehensive statistical analysis of small businesses functioning in Ukraine willallow government agencies to develop a set of measures to optimize the activitiesof these enterprises, which ultimately will positively affect the strengthening oftheir competitiveness and will contribute to the growth of the national economicsystem.

Unemployment as an indicator of economic security in the employment sector: A regional dimension

2020 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. 715-729
Author(s):  
T.N. Savina
Keyword(s):  
Comparative Analysis ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
National Development ◽  
Federal District ◽  
Economic Security ◽  
Employment Policy ◽  
Multivariate Statistical ◽  
Band Theory ◽  
The Republic ◽  
The Impact

Subject. To achieve a high level of economic security is a key priority of national development. Employment reveals one of the most important aspects of social development of the individual that is associated with his or her needs satisfaction in the sphere of employment and is boon to economic security. Objectives. The purpose of the study is to show the impact of unemployment on economic security in employment. Methods. I apply such scientific methods as dialectical, historical and logical unity, structural and functional analysis, traditional techniques of economic analysis and synthesis. The methods of multivariate statistical and comparative analysis serve as a methodological basis of the study. To determine the indicator of unemployment, I use the band theory. Results. I underpin the growing role of employment in ensuring economic security. The paper presents a comprehensive assessment of the unemployment status and a comparative analysis of the indicator in the Republic of Mordovia, the Volga Federal District, and the Russian Federation as a whole. I identify trends in the average duration of unemployment, show the distribution of unemployed by level of education and age groups. Conclusions. The average annual unemployment rate in the Republic of Mordovia is lower than in Russia and the Volga Federal District. The findings may be useful for public authorities to substantiate their employment policy at both macro- and meso-levels, for designing programs and strategies for socio-economic development of regions and the social security doctrine, as well as in practical activities of employment services.

Working conditions and the formation of health risks among workers of the petrochemical industry engaged in the production of methanol and its derivatives

2019 ◽  
pp. 266-271
Author(s):  
Nina M. Meshchakova ◽  
Marina P. Dyakovich ◽  
Salim F. Shayakhmetov
Keyword(s):  
Working Conditions ◽  
Health Risks ◽  
Quantitative Assessment ◽  
Circulatory System ◽  
Medical Examination ◽  
Physical Factors ◽  
Labor Intensity ◽  
Industrial Noise ◽  
Harmful Substances ◽  
The Impact

Introduction.Methanol and its derivatives occupy one of the leading places among the main organic synthesis intermediates in terms of their importance and scale of production. According to experts, by 2027 the global demand for methanol can reach 135 million tons, the annual growth will be about 5.5%. However, there is little information regarding the assessment of working conditions and occupational risks for workers in modern methanol production and its derivatives.The aim of the studyis hygienic assessment of working conditions and the formation of health risks in workers of modern production of methanol and methylamines.Materials and methods.The assessment of the main adverse factors of production is given. When studying the state of health, objective indicators (the results of an in-depth medical examination) and subjective (the results of a quantitative assessment of the risks of the main pathological syndromes associated with health) are considered.Results.According to long-term observations, the concentration of harmful substances in the air of the working area, indicators of labor severity, parameters of physical factors met hygienic requirements, with the exception of industrial noise exceeding the maximum permissible level, as well as labor intensity of 1 degree. The General assessment of working conditions corresponds to the category of harmful 2 degrees (3.2). According to the results of the medical examination and quantitative assessment of the risks of health disorders in workers, the most significant were functional disorders and diseases of the circulatory system. The levels of somatic pathology on the part of the main body systems were significantly higher in apparatchiks compared to the engineering and technical personnel (ETP).Conclusions:In the production of methyl alcohol and methylamines, the main hygienic importance is the impact on workers of the complex of harmful substances of 1-IV hazard classes in low concentrations, increased levels of industrial noise, labor intensity of 1 degree. According to the subjective assessment of health and medical examination, the greatest prevalence of health risks in workers was observed from the circulatory system, and the levels of the revealed somatic pathology were statistically significantly higher in apparatchiks compared with the ETP.

Directions of Accounting Environmental Factors for Forecasting Formation of Agroecosystems

2020 ◽  
pp. 31-35
Author(s):  
L.Z. Khalishkhova ◽  
◽  
A. Kh. Temrokova ◽  
I.R. Guchapsheva ◽  
K.A. Bogаtyreva ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Comparative Analysis ◽  
Environmental Factors ◽  
Environmental Safety ◽  
Logical Analysis ◽  
Management Decisions ◽  
The Sustainable Development ◽  
The Impact

Ensuring the sustainable development of agroecosystems requires research into the justification of the impact of environmental factors on the formation of territorial agroecosystems and identifies ways to take them into account in order to justify management decisions and ensure environmental safety. The main goal of the research within the article is to identify the most significant environmental factors in predicting the formation of agroecosystems. Provisions are devoted to the study of the laws governing the functioning of agroecosystems in order to increase their stability. The methods of comparative analysis, generalization, abstraction, logical analysis are applied. A number of provisions are formulated regarding ways to account for the influence of factors on the formation of key elements of agroecosystems.

Features and tendencies of budgetary provision of Zaporizhzhya region development in the conditions of budget decentralization

2019 ◽  
pp. 88-97
Author(s):  
Iryna Storonyanska ◽  
Liliya Benovska
Keyword(s):  
Comparative Analysis ◽  
Regional Development ◽  
State Budget ◽  
Regional Center ◽  
The Social ◽  
Graphical Visualization ◽  
Social And Economic Development ◽  
Decentralization Reform ◽  
Regional Development Strategies ◽  
The Impact

The purpose of the article is to study trends and identify problems of budgetary provision of the development of Zaporizhzhia region in the context of budgetary decentralization reform. Methods of systematic and comparative analysis, graphical visualization, generalization and statistical methods were used for the study. The article examines the impact of decentralization reform on the financial provision of social and economic development of administrative and territorial units of Zaporizhzhia region. The comparative analysis of the budgetary provision of the development of Zaporizhzhya region and other regions of the Central region is conducted. The article describes the trends and problems of Zaporizhzhya region development. The following positive trends were revealed: increase of revenues to local budgets of the region; reduction of transfer dependence of the region on the state budget; formation of high-taxation CTCs. The negative tendencies of development were: increase of differentiation of financial provision of the development of the regional center and other administrative and territorial units, reduction of the growth rate of revenues to the development budget of Zaporizhzhia region. Attention is drawn to the fact that under the conditions of decentralization reform and administrative and territorial reform, consolidated territorial communities are actively being formed in the Zaporizhzhya region, most of them with high financial capacity, which testifies to the high potential of regional development. The article analyzes the regional target programs of Zaporizhzhia region and clarifies the possibilities of their integration with the Action Plans for implementation of the Regional Development Strategies. The dominance of the social component over the development of regional target programs and low level of implementation of a number of programs are emphasized.

Effects of Transport Medium Composition on in vitro Drug Permeation across Excised Pig Intestinal Tissue

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bianca Peterson ◽  
Henrico Heystek ◽  
Josias H. Hamman ◽  
Johan D. Steyn
Keyword(s):  
Medium Composition ◽  
Screening Tests ◽  
Intestinal Tissue ◽  
Predictive Values ◽  
Transport Medium ◽  
Intestinal Fluids ◽  
Lower Permeability ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Simulated Intestinal Fluids

Background:: Knowledge of the permeation characteristics of new chemical entities across biological membranes is essential to drug research and development. Transport medium composition may affect the absorption of compounds during in vitro drug transport testing. To preserve the predictive values of screening tests, the possible influence of transport media on the solubility of model drugs, and on the activities of tight junctions and efflux transporter proteins (e.g. P-glycoprotein) must be known. Objective:: The aim of this study was to compare the impact of different transport media on the bi-directional transport of standard compounds, selected from the four classes of the Biopharmaceutical Classification System (BCS), across excised pig intestinal tissue. Methods:: The Sweetana-Grass diffusion apparatus was used for the transport studies. Krebs-Ringer bicarbonate (KRB) buffer and simulated intestinal fluids in the fed (FeSSIF) and fasted (FaSSIF) states were used as the three transport media, while the chosen compounds were abacavir (BCS class 1), dapsone (BCS class 2), lamivudine (BCS class 3) and furosemide (BCS class 4). Results:: Abacavir exhibited lower permeability in both the simulated intestinal fluids than in the KRB buffer. Dapsone showed similar permeability in all media. Lamivudine exhibited lower permeability in FaSSIF than in the other two media. Furosemide exhibited improved transport with pronounced efflux in FaSSIF. Conclusion:: Different permeation behaviors were observed for the selected drugs in the respective media, which may have resulted from their different physico-chemical properties, as well as from the effects that dissimilar transport media components had on excised pig intestinal tissue.

scholarly journals Assessing the Risk of Democratic Reversal in the United States: A Reply to Kurt Weyland

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
Matias López ◽  
Juan Pablo Luna
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Comparative Analysis ◽  
Boolean Algebra ◽  
Qualitative Comparative Analysis ◽  
The United States ◽  
American Democracy ◽  
Institutional Dynamics ◽  
The Public ◽  
Original Analysis ◽  
The Impact

ABSTRACT By replying to Kurt Weyland’s (2020) comparative study of populism, we revisit optimistic perspectives on the health of American democracy in light of existing evidence. Relying on a set-theoretical approach, Weyland concludes that populists succeed in subverting democracy only when institutional weakness and conjunctural misfortune are observed jointly in a polity, thereby conferring on the United States immunity to democratic reversal. We challenge this conclusion on two grounds. First, we argue that the focus on institutional dynamics neglects the impact of the structural conditions in which institutions are embedded, such as inequality, racial cleavages, and changing political attitudes among the public. Second, we claim that endogeneity, coding errors, and the (mis)use of Boolean algebra raise questions about the accuracy of the analysis and its conclusions. Although we are skeptical of crisp-set Qualitative Comparative Analysis as an adequate modeling choice, we replicate the original analysis and find that the paths toward democratic backsliding and continuity are both potentially compatible with the United States.

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