bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
MICHELINdb: a web-based tool for mining of helminth-microbiota interaction datasets, and a meta-analysis of current research
Authors: Scotti Riccardo , Southern Stuart , Boinett Christine , Jenkins Timothy P. , Cortés Alba , Cantacessi Cinzia
Published: February 2020

Background

The complex network of interactions occurring between gastrointestinal (GI) and extra-intestinal (EI) parasitic helminths of humans and animals and the resident gut microbial flora is attracting increasing attention from biomedical researchers, because of the likely implications for the pathophysiology of helminth infection and disease. Nevertheless, the vast heterogeneity of study designs and microbial community profiling strategies, and of bioinformatic and biostatistical approaches for analyses of metagenomic sequence datasets hinder the identification of bacterial targets for follow-up experimental investigations of helminth-microbiota cross-talk. Furthermore, comparative analyses of published datasets are made difficult by the unavailability of a unique repository for metagenomic sequence data and associated metadata linked to studies aimed to explore potential changes in the composition of the vertebrate gut microbiota in response to GI and/or EI helminth infections.

Results

Here, we undertake a meta-analysis of available metagenomic sequence data linked to published studies on helminth-microbiota cross-talk in humans and veterinary species using a single bioinformatic pipeline, and introduce the 'MICrobiome HELminth INteractions database' (MICHELINdb), an online resource for mining of published sequence datasets, and corresponding metadata, generated in these investigations.

Conclusions

By increasing data accessibility, we aim to provide the scientific community with a platform to identify gut microbial populations with potential roles in the pathophysiology of helminth disease and parasite-mediated suppression of host inflammatory responses, and facilitate the design of experiments aimed to disentangle the cause(s) and effect(s) of helminth-microbiota relationships.
Contrasted habitats and individual plasticity drive the fine scale movements of juvenile green turtles in coastal ecosystems
Authors: Chambault Philippine , Dalleau Mayeul , Nicet Jean-Benoît , Mouquet Pascal , Ballorain Katia , Jean Claire , Ciccione Stéphane , Bourjea Jérôme
Published: February 2020

Background

A strong behavioural plasticity is commonly evidenced in the movements of marine megafauna species, and it might be related to an adaptation to local conditions of the habitat. One way to investigate such behavioural plasticity is to satellite track a large number of individuals from contrasting foraging grounds, but despite recent advances in satellite telemetry techniques, such studies are still very limited in sea turtles.

Methods

From 2010 to 2018, 49 juvenile green turtles were satellite tracked from five contrasting feeding grounds located in the South-West Indian Ocean in order to (1) assess the diel patterns in their movements, (2) investigate the inter-individual and inter-site variability, and (3) explore the drivers of their daily movements using both static (habitat type and bathymetry) and dynamic variables (daily and tidal cycles).

Results

Despite similarities observed in four feeding grounds (a diel pattern with a decreased distance to shore and smaller home ranges at night), contrasted habitats (e.g. mangrove, reef flat, fore-reef, terrace) associated with different resources (coral, seagrass, algae) were used in each island.

Conclusions

Juvenile green turtles in the South-West Indian Ocean show different responses to contrasting environmental conditions - both natural (habitat type and tidal cycle) and anthropogenic (urbanised vs. uninhabited island) demonstrating the ability to adapt to modification of habitat.
Validity of the dispersion relations in magnetotellurics: Part I—theory
Authors: Zorin Nikita , Aleksanova Elena , Shimizu Hisayoshi , Yakovlev Denis
Published: February 2020

Application of the dispersion relations (DR) in magnetotellurics (MT) is an efficient tool of post-processing and quality assessment of broadband field data. The main limitation of the approach is that it requires the observed transfer functions to be causal and minimum-phase (MP), which is formally secured only for 1-D and some types of 2-D impedances. As a consequence, many MT practitioners involuntarily restrict the DR application to apparent resistivity curves acquired in relatively simple geological conditions. In the present research, we show how an inherently non-MP or non-causal transfer function could be recognized, and propose a universal technique, which makes it possible to correctly apply the DR virtually to any set of field MT data.
Simple kinetic model for replacement reactions involving solid solutions: the significant role of geofluids
Authors: Kuwatani Tatsu , Toriumi Mitsuhiro
Published: February 2020

We develop a kinetic model that illustrates the relative role of intergranular diffusion and surface reactions in overall metamorphic net-transfer reactions involving solid solutions. The behavior and state of the system were observed to depend on the non-dimensional parameter(s), defined herein by$$\gamma \equiv (k \cdot L \cdot K^{n-1}) /D^{\mathrm{eff}}$$γ≡(k·L·Kn-1)/Deff, wherekdenotes the dissolution rate constant of the mineral,Ldenotes the distance between the two minerals participating in the reaction,Kdenotes the coefficient of the equilibrium abundance ratio of the precipitated component in the intergranular fluid to those in the mineral,ndenotes the order of the dissolution reaction, and$$D^{\mathrm{eff}}$$Deffdenotes the effective diffusion coefficient of the precipitated component in the intergranular fluid. When$$\gamma$$γis small, the system becomes homogeneous, which is controlled by the surface reaction. In contrast, a large$$\gamma$$γimplies a heterogeneous system controlled by both surface reaction and diffusion. Geofluid is among the most important influencers of kinetic regimes and reaction textures in metamorphic and metasomatic rocks because the intergranular fluid distribution considerably affects the intergranular diffusivity ($$D^{\mathrm{eff}}$$Deff). Our conceptual model can potentially reveal the nature of the reaction kinetics and the fluid–rock interactions and capture the complex behaviors of natural systems in future extensions.
Network-based indices of individual and collective advising impacts in mathematics
Authors: Semenov Alexander , Veremyev Alexander , Nikolaev Alexander , Pasiliao Eduardo L. , Boginski Vladimir
Published: February 2020

Advising and mentoring Ph.D. students is an increasingly important aspect of the academic profession. We define and interpret a family of metrics (collectively referred to as “a-indices”) that can potentially be applied to “ranking academic advisors” using the academic genealogical records of scientists, with the emphasis on taking into account not only the number of students advised by an individual, but also subsequent academic advising records of those students. We also define and calculate the extensions of the proposed indices that account for student co-advising (referred to as “adjusted a-indices”). In addition, we extend some of the proposed metrics to ranking universities and countries with respect to their “collective” advising impacts, as well as track the evolution of these metrics over the past several decades. To illustrate the proposed metrics, we consider the social network of over 200,000 mathematicians (as of July 2018) constructed using the Mathematics Genealogy Project data.
Clinically relevant factors associated with quantitative optical coherence tomography angiography metrics in deep capillary plexus in patients with diabetes
Authors: Tang Fang Yao , Chan Erica O. , Sun Zihan , Wong Raymond , Lok Jerry , Szeto Simon , Chan Jason C. , Lam Alexander , Tham Clement C. , Ng Danny S. , Cheung Carol Y.
Published: February 2020

Background

To test clinically relevant factors associated with quantitative artifact-free deep capillary plexus (DCP) metrics in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM).

Methods

563 eligible eyes (221 with no diabetic retinopathy [DR], 135 with mild DR, 130 with moderate DR, and 77 with severe DR) from 334 subjects underwent optical coherence tomography-angiography (OCT-A) with a swept-source OCT (Triton DRI-OCT, Topcon, Inc., Tokyo, Japan). Strict criteria were applied to exclude from analysis those DCP images with artifacts and of poor quality, including projection artifacts, motion artifacts, blurriness, signal loss, B-scan segmentation error, or low-quality score. A customized MATLAB program was then used to quantify DCP morphology from the artifact-free DCP images by calculating three metrics: foveal avascular zone (FAZ), vessel density (VD), and fractal dimension (FD).

Results

166 (29.5%) eyes were excluded after quality control, leaving in the analysis 397 eyes (170 with no DR, 101 with mild DR, 90 with moderate DR, 36 with severe DR) from 250 subjects. In the multiple regression models, larger FAZ area was associated with more severe DR (β = 0.687; p = 0.037), shorter axial length (AL) (β = − 0.171; p = 0.003), thinner subfoveal choroid thickness (β = − 0.122; p = 0.031), and lower body mass index (BMI) (β = − 0.090; p = 0.047). Lower VD was associated with more severe DR (β = − 0.842; p = 0.001), shorter AL (β = 0.107; p = 0.039), and poorer visual acuity (VA) (β = − 0.133; p = 0.021). Lower FD was associated with more severe DR (β = − 0.891; p < 0.001) and with older age (β = − 0.142; p = 0.004).

Conclusions

Quantitative artifact-free DCP metrics are associated with VA, DR severity, AL, subfoveal choroidal thickness, age, and BMI in diabetic patients. The effects of ocular and systemic factors should be considered for meaningful interpretations of DCP changes in DM patients.
Case study on the use of intensive pediatric neurorehabilitation in the treatment of kernicterus
Authors: Mann Jessie , Wallace Dory A. , DeLuca Stephanie
Published: February 2020

Background

Kernicterus Spectrum Disorder (KSD) is the result of prolonged bilirubin toxicity resulting in widespread neurological injury. Once the bilirubin levels are normalized the encephalopathy becomes static, however the consequences of the injury can have life-long effects. The sequelae of KSD include motor impairments, auditory deficits, dental dysplasia, and potentially cognitive impairments. While KSD is a rare diagnosis, particularly in developed countries, there is evidence that there may be a global increase in incidence (Hansen, Semin Neonatol 7:103–9, 2002; Johnson, J Perinatol 29:S25–45, 2009; Kaplan etal. Neonatology 100:354–62, 2011; Maisels, Early Hum Dev 85:727–32, 2009; Olusanya etal., Arch Dis Child 99:1117–21, 2014; Steffensrud, Newborn Infant Nurs Rev 4:191–200, 2004). The literature on the treatment of various specific sequelae of KSD is varied, but in general specific therapeutic efforts to improve motor skills are not evidenced-based. The following is a case report on the use of Acquire therapy, an intensive neuromotor intervention, to ameliorate some of the motor-function deficits secondary to KSD.

Case presentation

This case-report presents the results of two intensive therapeutic intervention sessions in one male child with KSD. Treatments occurred at 28 and 34 months. The child presented with fine and gross motor deficits as well as communication delays. Each session consisted of daily therapy for 4 h each weekday for 3 weeks. The child was assessed before and after treatment with 2 standardized measures, the Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM) and The Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development (Bayley).

Conclusions

The GMFM at the 1st assessment was 34, 74at the 2nd assessment (after intervention 1), and 64 at the third assessment and 104 at the 4th assessment (after intervention 2). The Bayley at the 3rd assessment was 18, and 38 at the 4th assessment (after intervention 2).
Effect of long-term feeding of the Obudu natural honey and table sugar-sweetened diets on obesity and pro-inflammatory biomarkers in rats
Authors: Atangwho Item Justin , Ibeneme Chidimma Emmanuel , Egbung Godwin Eneji , Ibeneme Emmanuel , Eno Margaret Akpan , Nwankpa Promise
Published: February 2020

Background

This study investigated long-term effect of the Obudu honey on selected biomarkers of energy storage regulation, compared to table sugar.

Methods

Fifty Wistar rats assigned to 5 groups of 10 rats each, were fed rat chow only (NC), 8% table sugar (S8%), 16% table sugar (S16%), 10% honey (H10%) and 20% honey (H20%) diets respectively, for 29 weeks. On dry weight basis, the percentages of table sugar and honey for each level of incorporation were equivalent. Diet intake, body weights and fasting blood glucose (FBG) were measured fortnightly. At the end of the study, serum glucose, insulin, leptin and tissue necrosis factor – α (TNF-α), wet weight of white adipose tissues (WAT) were measured.

Results

After an initial adjustment to the diets, there was no significant difference in diet consumed by female and male subgroups, except the female group fed H20% which was consistently lower than the NC and the corresponding S16% fed group (P < 0.05). Both honey and sugar incorporated diets caused significant body weight gain in the female animals compared to NC; an effect which was higher with the honey than sugar, and depended on the level of each sweetener used as well as feeding duration (P < 0.05). Furthermore, S8% and S16% diets increased leptin concentration in the female rats, by 35.8 and 45.3% respectively compared with NC and by 63.8 and 40.5% compared to H10% and H20% respectively (P < 0.05). Also, the S8% and S16% diets significantly increased serum insulin in the female subgroups compared to the corresponding honey-sweetened diets; and in both male and female rats when compared to NC (P < 0.05). Lastly, the S8% and S16% diets also caused a dose-dependent increase of TNF-α in both female and male rats compared to the H10% and H20% diets and the control (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

Data obtained from the study associated table sugar with obesigenic and inflammatory mechanisms more than the Obudu honey, particularly in the females. However, the data did not exempt the honey from obesigenic effect. The effects were subtle and may require a longer time to precipitate obesity.
Rethinking minority status and ‘visibility’
Authors: Song Miri
Published: February 2020

Historically, minority status has been linked with visibility as a non-White person, and such phenotypical visibility has marked people in terms of racial stigmas and discrimination. But definitions and claims to minority status are increasingly complicated (and contested) by immigration and the growth of multiracial people, many of whom are racially ambiguous, and some of whom look White. As the multiracial population in various multi-ethnic societies continues to grow, and diversify, to include multigeneration multiracial people whose non-White ancestries are more distant, questions about recognized minority status will become more pressing. Do we need to rethink the link between minority status and visibility as a non-White person? To what extent should lived experience (as a multiracial person) matter for our understandings of minority status, if one is not a ‘visible’ minority?
Simulation of semilunar valve function: computer-aided design, 3D printing and flow assessment with MR
Authors: Hussein Nabil , Voyer-Nguyen Pascal , Portnoy Sharon , Peel Brandon , Schrauben Eric , Macgowan Christopher , Yoo Shi-Joon
Published: February 2020

Background

The structure of the valve leaflets and sinuses are crucial in supporting the proper function of the semilunar valve and ensuring leaflet durability. Therefore, an enhanced understanding of the structural characteristics of the semilunar valves is fundamental to the evaluation and staging of semilunar valve pathology, as well as the development of prosthetic or bioprosthetic valves. This paper illustrates the process of combining computer-aided design (CAD), 3D printing and flow assessment with 4-dimensional flow magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to provide detailed assessment of the structural and hemodynamic characteristics of the normal semilunar valve.

Methods

Previously published geometric data on the aortic valve was used to model the ‘normal’ tricuspid aortic valve with a CAD software package and 3D printed. An MRI compatible flow pump with the capacity to mimic physiological flows was connected to the phantom. A peak flow rate of 100 mL/s and heart rate of 60 beats per minute were used. MRI measurements included cine imaging, 2D and 4D phase-contrast imaging to assess valve motion, flow velocity and complex flow patterns.

Results

Cine MRI data showed normal valve function and competency throughout the cardiac cycle in the 3D-printed phantom. Quantitative analysis of 4D Flow data showed net flow through 2D planes proximal and distal to the valve were very consistent (26.03 mL/s and 26.09 mL/s, respectively). Measurements of net flow value agreed closely with the flow waveform provided to the pump (27.74 mL/s), confirming 4D flow acquisition in relation to the pump output. Peak flow values proximal and distal to the valve were 78.4 mL/s and 63.3 mL/s, respectively.

Particle traces of flow from 4D-phase contrast MRI data demonstrated flow through the valve into the ascending aorta and vortices within the aortic sinuses, which are expected during ventricular diastole.

Conclusion

In this proof of concept study, we have demonstrated the ability to generate physiological 3D-printed aortic valve phantoms and evaluate their function with cine- and 4D Flow MRI. This technology can work synergistically with promising tissue engineering research to develop optimal aortic valve replacements, which closely reproduces the complex function of the normal aortic valve.
Ultrasound detects synovitis in replaced and other surgically operated joints in rheumatoid arthritis patients
Authors: Choate Evan A. , Kaeley Gurjit S. , Brook Jenny , Altman Roy D. , FitzGerald John D. , Floegel-Shetty Astrid R. , Elashoff David A. , Ranganath Veena K.
Published: February 2020

Background

Joint replacements continue to occur during a rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patient’s lifetime despite significant advances in available treatment options. The purpose of this study was to examine and quantify synovitis in surgically operated joints by ultrasound (US) in RA patients starting a new therapeutic agent.

Methods

RA subjects were enrolled in either tocilizumab or tofacitinib open-label, investigator-initiated trials and were assessed by ultrasound. In a subset of RA patients with joint replacements and/or operations of joint areas (OJA; e.g. joint arthroscopies, fusions, and synovectomies), joint-level scores of synovitis were compared between replaced joints, OJAs, and native joints. Joint-level synovitis was measured by grayscale (GSUS (0–3)) and power Doppler (PDUS (0–3)) at baseline and follow-up (3–6 months). McNemar’s test or Wilcoxon signed rank test utilized the mixed effects ordinal logistic regression models.

Results

Twenty RA patients had a total of 25 replaced joints and 24 OJA. All replaced joints had GSUS> 1 and 92% had PDUS> 1 at baseline, while OJA and native joints had lower evidence of GSUS> 1 (37.5, 38% respectively) and PDUS> 1 (45.8, 62% respectively). GSUS and PDUS semiquantitative scores improved significantly with treatment in replaced joints (p = 0.01, p = 0.007), and native joints (p < 0.001 both), but not OJA.

Conclusions

In RA, joint replacement does not eliminate or prevent ultrasound measured synovitis, where all replaced joints have some evidence of US synovitis. US can also act as a potential marker of response to therapy in replaced joints. Scoring US synovitis in replaced joints should be considered in ultrasound RA clinical trials.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01717859 (registered 10/31/2012); ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02321930 (registered 12/22/2014).
Correction to: The role of epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT)-associated genes during gonadogenesis of albino rat
Authors: Aeshra Lina A. , Moustafa Maiada , Elmallah Mohammed I. Y. , Salih Said Abdelrahman , Abdel Kader Ibrahim Y.
Published: February 2020

Following publication of the original article (Aeshra et al., 2020), we have been notified that the name of one author was spelled incorrectly as Mohamed Elmallah, when the correct spelling is Mohammed I.Y. Elmallah.
Role of melatonin in improving growth, yield quantity and quality of Moringa oleifera L. plant under drought stress
Authors: Sadak Mervat Sh. , Abdalla Aboelfetoh M. , Abd Elhamid Ebtihal M. , Ezzo M. I.
Published: February 2020

Background

Melatonin, an indoleamine compound, has the ability to regulate a lot of physiological and biochemical processes under different environmental stresses such as drought stress.

Materials and methods

So, this investigation was done to study the physiological role of melatonin on Moringa oleifera plants grown in sandy soil at normal and drought stress.

Results

Subjecting M. oleifera plant to drought stress caused significant decreases in growth, photosynthetic pigment, indole acetic acid (IAA), element contents, yield, and yield attributes, meanwhile increased lipid peroxidation is expressed as malondialdehyde (MDA) and various antioxidant enzymes as superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and peroxidase (POX). On the other hand, foliar treatment with different concentrations of melatonin significantly increased growth parameters, yield quantity, and quality of M. oleifera plant at normal and drought-stressed conditions via improving photosynthetic pigments (IAA), phenolic and element contents, and antioxidant enzyme systems, whereas declined malondialdhyde (MDA) contents as compared with their corresponding untreated controls (M0). Foliar treatment with 100 mM melatonin showed the greatest growth criteria and yield components of M. oleifera plants at either normal irrigation or under drought stress. This concentration also improved amino acid constituents of the yielded M. oleifera plants compared with other concentrations under normal and stress conditions.

Conclusion

We can conclude that spraying M. oleifera with melatonin could alleviate the reduced effect of drought stress.
SOP: antibody-associated autoimmune encephalitis
Authors: Rössling Rosa , Prüss Harald
Published: February 2020

Background

Antibody-mediated and paraneoplastic autoimmune encephalitides (AE) present with a broad spectrum of clinical symptoms. They often lead to progressing inflammatory changes of the central nervous system with subacute onset and can cause persistent brain damage. Thus, to promptly start the appropriate and AE-specific therapy, recognition of symptoms, initiation of relevant antibody diagnostics and confirmation of the clinical diagnosis are crucial, in particular as the diseases are relatively rare.

Aim

This standard operating procedure (SOP) should draw attention to the clinical presentation of AE, support the diagnostic approach to patients with suspected AE and guide through the necessary steps including therapeutic decisions, tumour screening and exclusion of differential diagnoses.

Method

Based on existing diagnostic algorithms, treatment recommendations and personal experiences, this SOP gives an overview of clinical presentation, diagnostic procedures and therapy in AE. Additional information is provided within an accompanying text and a table describing the most important autoantibodies and their characteristics.

Results

The initial steps of the AE flow chart are based on clinical symptoms and the patient’s history. Assignment to paraneoplastic or antibody-mediated AE is sometimes clinically possible. Diagnostics should include MRI, EEG and CSF analysis with antibody panel diagnostic. Definite AE can be diagnosed if the underlying antibody is compatible with the clinical presentation. Classification of probable AE may be possible even with negative anti-neuronal autoantibodies if the clinical presentation and laboratory abnormalities are highly suggestive of AE. The confirmed AE diagnosis requires immediate initiation of immunotherapy.

Conclusion

The SOP facilitates the recognition of patients with AE and presents the necessary diagnostic and therapeutic steps.
Effect of buried vs. exposed Kirschner wire osteosynthesis on phalangeal, metacarpal and distal radial fractures: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Chen Long , Wang Yuanzheng , Li Senlei , Luo Rui , Zhou Wei , Li Yankun , Zhang Gong , Li Xianghe , Wang Cheng , Hao Chao , Kong Lingchao , Li Yangyang , Sun Li
Published: February 2020

Background

During Kirschner wire osteosynthesis for phalangeal, metacarpal and distal radial fractures, a key clinical decision is whether to leave a Kirschner wire exposed or bury it beneath the skin. Therefore, we conducted a meta-analysis to evaluate the clinical effect of buried and exposed Kirschner wire osteosynthesis on phalangeal, metacarpal and distal radial fractures.

Methods

PubMed, EMBASE and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) databases were searched and clinical trials that evaluated buried and exposed Kirschner wire osteosynthesis for phalangeal, metacarpal and distal radial fractures were identified. Methodological qualities of studies were assessed by using the Cochrane Collaboration tool and Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Publication bias was detected using Begg’s test and Egger’s test. Sensitivity analyses were performed by excluding one study at a time to determine whether overall results were reliable.

Results

Two randomized controlled trials (RCT) and five case-controlled studies involving 1446 patients were included in the analysis. Sensitivity analyses indicated that the results of each study were statistically robust. Begg’s test or Egger’s test revealed no significant publication bias. Our meta-analysis indicated that exposed Kirschner wire osteosynthesis had a significantly higher infection rate than its buried counterpart. Additionally, buried Kirschner wire osteosynthesis resulted in a significantly higher rate of Kirschner wire removal in operating room than the exposed one. Our meta-analysis exhibited no statistical differences between the two procedures in the rate of early pin removal.

Conclusions

Meta-analysis of available RCTs and case-controlled studies demonstrated that buried Kirschner wire osteosynthesis had a lower infection rate but tended to lead to more frequent Kirschner wire removal in the operating room as compared to its exposed counterpart.

Trial registration

PROSPERO (CRD42018105249).
100 years of sickle cell disease research: etiology, pathophysiology and rational drug design (part 1)
Authors: Mahran Mona A. , Ismail Mohamed Teleb , Abdelkader Elwy H.
Published: February 2020

Background

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a chronic hemolytic disease caused by an altered hemoglobin molecule (HbS) and was first termed as a molecular disease. Glutamic acid in the normal hemoglobin molecule (HbA), was replaced by valine in HbS at the sixth position of both β-chains. This alteration was proved to be due to a single point mutation GTG instead of GAG in the genetic code. Since the discovery of sickle cell disease in 1910, great efforts have been done to study this disease on a molecular level. These efforts aimed to identify the disease etiology, pathophysiology, and finally to discover efficient treatment. Despite the tremendous work of many research groups all over the world, the only approved drug up to this moment, for the treatment of SCD is the hydroxyurea.

Main text

In this review, the antisickling pharmaco-therapeutics will be classified into two major groups: hemoglobin site directed modifiers and ex-hemoglobin effectors. The first class will be discussed in details, here in, focusing on the most important figures in the way of the rational drug design for SCD treatment aiming to help scientists solve the mystery of this problem and to get clear vision toward possible required therapy for SCD.

Conclusion

Despite the large number of the antisickling candidates that have been reached clinical studies yet, none of them has been introduced to the market. This may be due to the fact that hemoglobin is a large molecule with different target sites, which requires highly potent therapeutic agent. With this potency, these drugs should be safe, with acceptable oral pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties. Such ideal drug candidate needs more efforts to be developed.
Molecular docking studies of phytochemicals against trehalose–6–phosphate phosphatases of pathogenic microbes
Authors: Umesh H. R. , Ramesh K. V. , Devaraju K. S.
Published: February 2020

Background

Many of the pathogenic microbes use trehalose–6–phosphate phosphatase (TPP) enzymes for biosynthesis of sugar trehalose from trehalose–6–phosphate (T6P) in their pathway of infection and proliferation. Therefore, the present work is an approach to design new generation candidate drugs to inhibit TPP through in silico methods.

Results

Blast P and Clustal Omega phylogenetic analysis of TPP sequences were done for 12 organisms that indicate and confirm the presence of three conserved active site regions of known TPPs. Docking studies of 3D model of TPP with 17 phytochemicals revealed most of them have good binding affinity to an enzyme with rutin exhibiting highest affinity (Binding energy of − 7 kcal/mole). It has been found that during docking, phytochemical leads bind to active site region 3 of TPP sequences which coordinates Mg2+ and essential for catalysis.

Conclusions

Binding poses and distance measurement of TPP-phytochemical complexes of rutin, carpaine, stigmasterol, β-caryophyllene, and α-eudesmol reveals that the lead phytochemicals were in close proximity with most of the active site amino acids of region 3 (distance range from 1.796 to 2.747 Ao). This confirms the tight binding between enzyme and leads which may pave way for the discovery of new generation drugs against TPP producing pathogenic microbes to manage diseases.
Characterization of fluvio-deltaic gas reservoirs through AVA deterministic, stochastic, and wave-equation-based seismic inversion: A case study from the Carnarvon Basin, Western Australia
Authors: Contreras Arturo , Gerhardt Andre , Spaans Paul , Docherty Matthew
Published: February 2020

Multiple state-of-the-art inversion methods have been implemented to integrate 3D seismic amplitude data, well logs, geologic information, and spatial variability to produce models of the subsurface. Amplitude variation with angle (AVA) deterministic, stochastic, and wave-equation-based amplitude variation with offset (WEB-AVO) inversion algorithms are used to describe Intra-Triassic Mungaroo gas reservoirs located in the Carnarvon Basin, Western Australia. The interpretation of inverted elastic properties in terms of lithology- and fluid-sensitive attributes from AVA deterministic inversion provides quantitative information about the geomorphology of fluvio-deltaic sediments as well as the delineation of gas reservoirs. AVA stochastic inversion delivers higher resolution realizations than those obtained from standard deterministic methods and allows for uncertainty analysis. Additionally, the cosimulation of petrophysical parameters from elastic properties provides precise 3D models of reservoir properties, such as volume of shale and water saturation, which can be used as part of the static model building process. Internal multiple scattering, transmission effects, and mode conversion (considered as noise in conventional linear inversion) become useful signals in WEB-AVO inversion. WEB-AVO compressibility shows increased sensitivity to residual/live gas discrimination compared to fluid-sensitive attributes obtained with conventional inversions.
Three Agricultural Revolutions
Authors: Clegg John , Lucas Rob
Published: February 2020

Attempts to imagine a shift beyond capitalism often tend to fixate on the terms of the old socialist calculation debate: plan versus market. At its deepest level, though, capitalism is not fundamentally a matter of the distribution of goods, for underlying this is the possession of land. In thinking about the end of capitalism it is thus useful to return to the question of its origin as the second agricultural revolution in human history. If capitalism finds its roots in an agrarian transition, we might also locate its supersession at this level—in a third agricultural revolution.
Counterplanning in the Crisis of Social Reproduction
Authors: Federici Silvia , Jones Campbell
Published: February 2020

In this interview Silvia Federici discusses the prospects for counterplanning from below in the current crisis of social reproduction. The organization of care and social reproduction by capital, in alliance with governmental and non-governmental organizations, has created massive structural suffering and devalued vital social activities from which capital extracts value for which it pays nothing. As this crisis of social reproduction has developed internationally and taken on increasingly racialized forms, new and different forms of struggle over social reproduction have arisen. Starting from the Wages for Housework campaign and her 1975 call for “Counter-planning from the Kitchen,” Federici refines her thinking about the struggle over social reproduction and the reproductive commons today. She sketches the shifting grounds of the present crisis, and stresses what can be learned from current struggles over social reproduction in Africa, Latin America, and elsewhere, to organize and value social reproduction differently.
The regulatory landscapes of developmental genes
Authors: Bolt Christopher Chase , Duboule Denis
Published: February 2020

Regulatory landscapes have been defined in vertebrates as large DNA segments containing diverse enhancer sequences that produce coherent gene transcription. These genomic platforms integrate multiple cellular signals and hence can trigger pleiotropic expression of developmental genes. Identifying and evaluating how these chromatin regions operate may be difficult as the underlying regulatory mechanisms can be as unique as the genes they control. In this brief article and accompanying poster, we discuss some of the ways in which regulatory landscapes operate, illustrating these mechanisms using genes important for vertebrate development as examples. We also highlight some of the techniques available to researchers for analysing regulatory landscapes.
PERSONAL BRANDING: ANTECEDENTES E CONSEQUENTES DA MARCA PESSOAL
Authors: Andrade Juliana Farias de
Published: February 2020

O propósito deste artigo é analisar os antecedentes e os consequentes da marca pessoal, compreendendo como as diferenças culturais podem influenciar os resultados para o Brasil e para Portugal.  O modelo conceitual apresenta nove hipóteses relativas à marca pessoal, e o teste é baseado em uma amostra de 473 pessoas, naturais do Brasil e de Portugal. Os dados foram coletados por meio de um questionário online, que foi analisado, estatisticamente, por meio do modelo de equações estruturais. A criatividade e o otimismo apresentaram um impacto positivo na marca pessoal para os dois países participantes da amostra. Além disso, também foram encontradas evidências estatísticas positivas nas relações entre a marca pessoal e a satisfação com a vida, a empregabilidade percebida, o sucesso profissional e a personalidade de marca. Dessa forma, conclui-se que a gestão da marca pessoal pode ser considerada um fator de diferenciação do indivíduo no mercado de trabalho para ambos os países. Contribuições práticas: este estudo apresenta três inovações principais: a) os principais elementos para a construção de marcas pessoais de sucesso; b) as características que o indivíduo deve desenvolver para construir uma marca pessoal efetiva; c) os efeitos de se construir uma marca pessoal forte. Assim, as características controle de locus interno, a proatividade, a criatividade e o otimismo favorecem a construção de marcas pessoais fortes, efetivas, e os efeitos diretos de uma boa estratégia são a satisfação com a vida, a empregabilidade percebida, o sucesso profissional e a personalidade de marca.
O EFEITO QUE AS COMUNIDADES DE MARCA GERAM NO AMOR À MARCA
Authors: Peres Filipa Antunes
Published: February 2020

Este artigo tem como objetivo identificar os impactos das comunidades de marcas em constructos relacionais, como passa-a-palavra, advocacia e lealdade, por meio dos efeitos do amor à marca. Foram recolhidos 510 questionários válidos entre os consumidores portugueses. A modelagem de equações estruturais foi utilizada para testar as hipóteses propostas. Há duas importantes contribuições: investigar os impactos das comunidades de marca e usar os efeitos mediadores do amor à marca nos resultados relacionais. Essa investigação mostra como as comunidades de marca podem contribuir para reforçar os laços entre marcas e clientes, introduzindo o amor nesses relacionamentos.
O IMPACTO DA DISTÂNCIA PSICOLÓGICA NO PROCESSO DE INTERNACIONALIZAÇÃO DAS PME PORTUGUESAS CARLA MARQUES FERNANDES
Authors: Fernandes Carla Marques
Published: February 2020

Um dos principais temas de investigação em marketing internacional é o conceito de distância psicológica. O fato de não haver uma decisão definitiva sobre a melhor forma de operacionalizar a distância psicológica gerou uma má percepção do conceito e o descrédito sobre sua utilidade enquanto ferramenta de apoio à gestão. Este trabalho oferece um novo modelo que pretende medir o impacto da distância psicológica no processo de internacionalização das PMEs portuguesas. Assumiu-se, como estudo, o constructo da distância psicológica multidimensional e avaliou-se seu impacto nas estratégias de marketing internacional. Os dados foram recolhidos por meio de questionário enviado por email a 1150 empresas e tratados por análise de regressão linear. Os resultados demonstraram que a distância psicológica tem uma fraca influência no processo de internacionalização, mas que a atitude global pode ter uma influência importante na performance exportadora.
Constraining new physics from the first observation of coherent elastic neutrino-nucleus scattering
Authors: Papoulias D. K. , Kosmas T. S.
Published: February 2020

The process of neutral-current coherent elastic neutrino-nucleus scattering, consistent with the Standard Model (SM) expectation, has been recently measured by the COHERENT experiment at the Spallation Neutron Source. On the basis of the observed signal and our nuclear calculations for the relevant Cs and I isotopes, the extracted constraints on both conventional and exotic neutrino physics are updated. The present study concentrates on various SM extensions involving vector and tensor nonstandard interactions as well as neutrino electromagnetic properties, with an emphasis on the neutrino magnetic moment and the neutrino charge radius. Furthermore, models addressing a light sterile neutrino state are examined, and the corresponding regions excluded by the COHERENT experiment are presented.
N=90 QSPT: Cerium, neodymium and samarium isotopic chains in the IBM symmetry triangle
Authors: Koseoglou P. , Werner V. , Pietralla N. , Bonatsos D.
Published: February 2020

The even-even nuclei, near the the N=90 quantum shape phase transition, of cerium, neodymium and samarium isotopic chains were placed in the interacting boson model symmetry triangle. The different trajectories of the chains revealed the increasing γ-dependence from samarium to cerium by decreasing Z, which can be associated with the decreasing sharpness of the transition from spherical to deformed structures.
Nuclear magnetic moment studies of short–lived excited states at the edge of the island of inversion: the IS628 experiment
Authors: Khaliel A. , Papaioannou D. , Zagoraios G. , Mertzimekis T. J.
Published: February 2020

Nuclear gfactors are highly sensitive to the single–particle aspects of the wave function, revealing important information for the nuclear structure along the isotopic chart. The sdshell has been thoroughly studied, resulting in “universal” shell model Hamiltonians [1] and the development of an M1 operator [2]. However, there is still shortage of precise experimental gfactor data of excited states to consolidate the nuclear structure in this regime.      Recently, the Time Differential Recoil in Vacuum (TDRIV) experimental technique was revamped to be applicable for radioactive beams. TDRIV has been tested successfully and produced high-precision results for the stable 24Mg nucleus [3]. However, the successful application of the technique relies heavily on calibrations of the de–orientation phenomenon.      A recent experiment using the MINIBALL array at REX/ISOLDE (IS628) has focused on the application of the method with a radioactive 28Mg beam. The gfactor of the 28Mg first 2+excited state can act as an excellent probe of the N=16 shell gap and the νd3/2singleparticle energy, as well as the possible presence of spdfadmixtures. The particular measurement will be a next step towards a gfactor measurement on 32Mg in the center of the “island of inversion”, where the N=20 shell closure breaks down enhancing 1p–1h excitations and shape–coexistence.           In this work, the analysis of the spectroscopic data recorded for a 22Ne beam, which was used for calibrating the experimental method before the actual run on 28Mg is reported. Preliminary data on the angular distributions for the 22Ne 21+→ 0+transition will be presented, an important prerequisite before a remeasurement of g(22Ne;21+).
Equation of state effects on the core-crust interface of slow rotating neutron stars
Authors: Margaritis Ch. , Tsaloukidis L. , Moustakidis Ch. C.
Published: February 2020

We systematically  study the symmetry energy  effects of the transition  density ntand the transition pressure Ptaround the crust-core interface of a neutron star in the framework of the dynamical and the thermodynamical method respectively. We employ both the parabolic approximation and the full expansion, for the definition of the symmetry energy. We use various theoretical  nuclear models. Firstly we derive and present an approximation for the transition pressure Ptand crustal mass Mcrust. Secondly, we explore the effects of the Equation of State (EoS) on a few astrophysical applications which are sensitive to the values of n­tand Pt. We found that the above quantities are sensitive mainly on the applied approximation for the symmetry energy (confirming previous results). Furthermore, an additional sensitivity also exists, depending on the used method (dynamical or thermodynamical). The above findings lead us to claim that the determination of the n­tand Ptmust be reliable and accurate before they are used to constrain relevant neutron star properties.
Statistical-model calculations for α-capture reactions relevant to the p process
Authors: Fakiola C. , Karakasis I. , Sideris I. , Khaliel A. , Mertzimekis T. J.
Published: February 2020

About 35 nuclides which lie on the neutron deficient side of the isotopic chart cannot be created by the two basic nucleosynthetic processes, the sand the rprocess. Due to scarce experimental data and the vast complexity of the reaction network involved, cross sections and reactions are estimated theoretically, using the Hauser–Feshbach statistical model. In the present work, theoretical calculations of cross sections of radiative α-capture reactions on the neutron–deficient Erbium and Xenon isotopes are presented in an attempt to make predictions inside the astrophysically relevant energy window (Gamow). The particular reactions are predicted to be sensitive branchings in the γprocess path.The most recent versions of TALYS (v1.9) and Fresco codes were employed for all calculations, initially focusing on investigating the influence of the default eight (8) α–nucleus optical potential models of TALYS on reaction cross sections. The theoretical results of both codes are compared and for the reactions where experimental data exist in literature, the optical model parameters were adjusted appropriately to best describe the data and were subsequently used for estimating (α,γ) reaction cross sections. Predictions for the (α,n) reaction channels have also been calculated and studied.
Nuclear structure and the nucleon effective mass: explorations with the versatile KIDS functional
Authors: Papakonstantinou P. , Gil H.
Published: February 2020

The connection from the structure and dynamics of atomic nuclei (finite nuclear system) to the nuclear equation of state (thermodynamic limit) is primarily made through nuclear energy-density functional (EDF) theory. Failure to describe both entities simultaneously within existing EDF frameworks means that we have either seriously misjudged the scope of EDF or not fully taken advantage of it. Enter the versatile KIDS Ansatz, which is based on controlled, order-by-order extensions of the nuclear EDF with respect to the Fermi momentum and allows a direct mapping from a given, immutable equation of state to a convenient Skyrme pseudopotential for applications in finite nuclei. A recent proof-of-principle study of nuclear ground-states revealed the subversive role of the effective mass. Here we summarize the formalism and previous results and present further explorations related to giant resonances. As examples we consider the electric dipole polarizability of 68Ni and the giant monopole resonance (GMR) of heavy nuclei, particularly the fluffiness of 120Sn. We find that the choice of the effective mass parameters and that of the compression modulus affect the centroid energy of the GMR to comparable degrees.
Chronological records of metal contamination in an abandoned mine (Lavrio, Greece) using sediment profiles
Authors: Pappa F. K. , Tsabaris C. , Patiris D. L. , Androulakaki E. G. , Eleftheriou G. , Ioannidou A. , Kokkoris M. , Vlastou R.
Published: February 2020

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Calibration of activation foils at the 14 MeV Frascati neutron generator
Authors: Vasilopoulou T. , Batistoni P. , Colangeli A. , Pillon M. , Stamatelatos I. E. , Villari R.
Published: February 2020

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Measurements of the 234U(n,f) cross section using quasimonoenergetic beams in the keV and MeV range and a Micromegas detector assembly
Authors: Stamatopoulos A. , Kanellakopoulos A. , Kalamara A. , Tsinganis A. , Diakaki M. , Kokkoris M. , Michalopoulou V. , Axiotis M. , Lagoyannis A. , Vlastou R.
Published: February 2020

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Building an analog polarity altenator for electromagnets used in nuclear structure experiments
Authors: Zagoraios G. , Tsilis E. , Mertzimekis T. J.
Published: February 2020

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Temporal variation of soil radon emanation related to seismic activity
Authors: Ioannides K. G. , Alexandropoulou S. , Papachristodoulou C. A. , Bletsas S. , Stamoulis K. C.
Published: February 2020

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