bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of Water and Ethanol Extracts from Hericium erinaceus Solid-State Fermented Wheat Product on the Protection and Repair of Brain Cells in Zebrafish Embryos
Authors: Sun Shun-Kuo , Ho Chun-Yi , Yen Wei-Yang , Chen Su-Der
Published: May 2021

Extracts from Hericium erinaceus can cause neural cells to produce nerve growth factor (NGF) and protect against neuron death. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of ethanol and hot water extracts from H. erinaceus solid-state fermented wheat product on the brain cells of zebrafish embryos in both pre-dosing protection mode and post-dosing repair mode. The results showed that 1% ethanol could effectively promote zebrafish embryo brain cell death. Both 200 ppm of ethanol and water extracts from H. erinaceus solid-state fermented wheat product protected brain cells and significantly reduced the death of brain cells caused by 1% ethanol treatment in zebrafish. Moreover, the zebrafish embryos were immersed in 1% ethanol for 4 h to cause brain cell damage and were then transferred and soaked in the 200 ppm of ethanol and water extracts from H. erinaceus solid-state fermented wheat product to restore the brain cells damaged by the 1% ethanol. However, the 200 ppm extracts from the unfermented wheat medium had no protective and repairing effects. Moreover, 200 ppm of ethanol and water extracts from H. erinaceus fruiting body had less significant protective and restorative effects on the brain cells of zebrafish embryos. Both the ethanol and hot water extracts from H. erinaceus solid-state fermented wheat product could protect and repair the brain cells of zebrafish embryos damaged by 1% ethanol. Therefore, it has great potential as a raw material for neuroprotective health product.
Numerical Simulation of the Impact of the Heat Source Position on Melting of a Nano-Enhanced Phase Change Material
Authors: Bouzennada Tarek , Mechighel Farid , Ghachem Kaouther , Kolsi Lioua
Published: May 2021

A 2D-symmetric numerical study of a new design of Nano-Enhanced Phase change material (NEPCM)-filled enclosure is presented in this paper. The enclosure is equipped with an inner tube allowing the circulation of the heat transfer fluid (HTF); n-Octadecane is chosen as phase change material (PCM). Comsol-Multiphysics commercial code was used to solve the governing equations. This study has been performed to examine the heat distribution and melting rate under the influence of the inner-tube position and the concentration of the nanoparticles dispersed in the PCM. The inner tube was located at three different vertical positions and the nanoparticle concentration was varied from 0 to 0.06. The results revealed that both heat transfer/melting rates are improved when the inner tube is located at the bottom region of the enclosure and by increasing the concentration of the nanoparticles. The addition of the nanoparticles enhances the heat transfer due to the considerable increase in conductivity. On the other hand, by placing the tube in the bottom area of the enclosure, the liquid PCM gets a wider space, allowing the intensification of the natural convection.
Investigation on the Strengthening Mechanisms of Nickel Matrix Nanocomposites
Authors: Carneiro Íris , Fernandes José Valdemar , Simões Sónia
Published: May 2021

The strengthening effect of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) in metal matrix nanocomposites occurs due to several mechanisms that act simultaneously. The possible strengthening mechanisms for metal matrix nanocomposites reinforced with CNTs consist of: (1) load transfer, (2) grain refinement and texture strengthening, (3) second phase strengthening, and (4) strain hardening. The main focus of this work is to identify the strengthening mechanisms that play a role in the case of the Ni-CNT nanocomposite produced by powder metallurgy. For the dispersion and mixing of the metallic powders with CNTs, two different routes were performed by ultrasonication and ball milling. The results indicated that four different strengthening mechanisms are present in the nanocomposites and had a different contribution to the final mechanical properties. The load transfer and the increase in dislocation density seem to strongly affect the properties and microstructure of the nanocomposite. The grain refinement and the presence of second phase particles have a small contribution in the strengthening of this nanocomposite, since the introduction of CNTs in the Ni matrix slightly affects the size and orientation of the grains in the matrix and a few nanometric particles of Ni3C were identified.
Low-Temperature Growth of ZnO Nanowires from Gravure-Printed ZnO Nanoparticle Seed Layers for Flexible Piezoelectric Devices
Authors: Garcia Andrés Jenaro Lopez , Sico Giuliano , Montanino Maria , Defoor Viktor , Pusty Manojit , Mescot Xavier , Loffredo Fausta , Villani Fulvia , Nenna Giuseppe , Ardila Gustavo
Published: May 2021

Zinc oxide (ZnO) nanowires (NWs) are excellent candidates for the fabrication of energy harvesters, mechanical sensors, and piezotronic and piezophototronic devices. In order to integrate ZnO NWs into flexible devices, low-temperature fabrication methods are required that do not damage the plastic substrate. To date, the deposition of patterned ceramic thin films on flexible substrates is a difficult task to perform under vacuum-free conditions. Printing methods to deposit functional thin films offer many advantages, such as a low cost, low temperature, high throughput, and patterning at the same stage of deposition. Among printing techniques, gravure-based techniques are among the most attractive due to their ability to produce high quality results at high speeds and perform deposition over a large area. In this paper, we explore gravure printing as a cost-effective high-quality method to deposit thin ZnO seed layers on flexible polymer substrates. For the first time, we show that by following a chemical bath deposition (CBD) process, ZnO nanowires may be grown over gravure-printed ZnO nanoparticle seed layers. Piezo-response force microscopy (PFM) reveals the presence of a homogeneous distribution of Zn-polar domains in the NWs, and, by use of the data, the piezoelectric coefficient is estimated to be close to 4 pm/V. The overall results demonstrate that gravure printing is an appropriate method to deposit seed layers at a low temperature and to undertake the direct fabrication of flexible piezoelectric transducers that are based on ZnO nanowires. This work opens the possibility of manufacturing completely vacuum-free solution-based flexible piezoelectric devices.
PEGylated Gold Nanoparticles Grafted with N-Acetyl-L-Cysteine for Polymer Modification
Authors: Fajstavr Dominik , Karasová Adéla , Michalcová Alena , Ulbrich Pavel , Slepičková Kasálková Nikola , Siegel Jakub , Švorčík Václav , Slepička Petr
Published: May 2021

The subjects of this work were the enhancement and determination of the stability and other properties of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) in an aqueous solution, gold nanoparticle immobilization, and further surface grafting on polyethylene naphthalate (PEN). Gold nanoparticles in PEG with a subsequent water solution addition were prepared using cathode sputtering; for the subsequent surface activation, two different solutions were used: (i) sodium citrate dihydrate (TCD) and (ii) N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NALC). The aim of this work was to study the effect of the concentration of these solutions on AuNPs stability, and further, the effect of the concentration of gold nanoparticles and their morphology, and to describe the aging process of solutions, namely, the optical properties of samples over 28 days. Stabilized AuNPs were prepared in an N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NALC) system and subsequently immobilized with NALC. The surface chemistry modification of AuNPs was confirmed using HRTEM/EDS. Gold nanoparticles were successfully immobilized with NALC. Grafting of the modified PEN from a solution of colloidal gold stabilized in the PEG–H2O–NALC system led to the polymer surface functionalization.
Improving the Performance of ZnS Photocatalyst in Degrading Organic Pollutants by Constructing Composites with Ag2O
Authors: Yu Dequan , Fang Hao , Qiu Peikai , Meng Fancong , Liu Haixia , Wang Shuai , Lv Pingli , Cong Xiaoyan , Niu Qingfen , Li Tianduo
Published: May 2021

ZnS is a promising photocatalyst in water purification, whereas its low photon efficiency and poor visible-light response restrict its application. Constructing composites may help solve these problems. In this work, Ag2O was introduced to ZnS for the first time based on their energy band characteristics to form a novel ZnS/Ag2O composite photocatalyst. In the model reaction of degrading methylene blue, the as-designed catalyst exhibited high catalytic activity among a series of ZnS-based composite photocatalysts under similar conditions. The catalytic rate constant was up to 0.138 min−1, which is 27.4- and 15.6-times higher than those of ZnS and Ag2O. This composite degraded 92.4% methylene blue in 50 min, while the ratios were 31.9% and 68.8% for ZnS and Ag2O. Catalytic mechanism study based on photoluminescence and radical-scavenging experiments revealed that the enhanced photocatalytic activity was attributed to the composite structure of ZnS/Ag2O. The structure not only facilitated the separation and transmission of photogenerated carriers but also extended the light response range of the catalyst. The as-designed ZnS/Ag2O composite is promising in degrading organic pollutants in water.
Nanotoxicity of 2D Molybdenum Disulfide, MoS2, Nanosheets on Beneficial Soil Bacteria, Bacillus cereus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Authors: Bae Michael , Oh Jun Kyun , Liu Shuhao , Nagabandi Nirup , Yegin Yagmur , DeFlorio William , Cisneros-Zevallos Luis , Scholar Ethan M. A.
Published: May 2021

Concerns arising from accidental and occasional releases of novel industrial nanomaterials to the environment and waterbodies are rapidly increasing as the production and utilization levels of nanomaterials increase every day. In particular, two-dimensional nanosheets are one of the most significant emerging classes of nanomaterials used or considered for use in numerous applications and devices. This study deals with the interactions between 2D molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) nanosheets and beneficial soil bacteria. It was found that the log-reduction in the survival of Gram-positive Bacillus cereus was 2.8 (99.83%) and 4.9 (99.9988%) upon exposure to 16.0 mg/mL bulk MoS2 (macroscale) and 2D MoS2 nanosheets (nanoscale), respectively. For the case of Gram-negative Pseudomonas aeruginosa, the log-reduction values in bacterial survival were 1.9 (98.60%) and 5.4 (99.9996%) for the same concentration of bulk MoS2 and MoS2 nanosheets, respectively. Based on these findings, it is important to consider the potential toxicity of MoS2 nanosheets on beneficial soil bacteria responsible for nitrate reduction and nitrogen fixation, soil formation, decomposition of dead and decayed natural materials, and transformation of toxic compounds into nontoxic compounds to adequately assess the environmental impact of 2D nanosheets and nanomaterials.
Relationship between Cytotoxicity and Surface Oxidation of Artificial Black Carbon
Authors: Le Yen Thi-Hoang , Youn Jong-Sang , Moon Hi-Gyu , Chen Xin-Yu , Kim Dong-Im , Cho Hyun-Wook , Lee Kyu-Hong , Jeon Ki-Joon
Published: May 2021

The lacking of laboratory black carbon (BC) samples have long challenged the corresponding toxicological research; furthermore, the toxicity tests of engineered carbon nanoparticles were unable to reflect atmospheric BC. As a simplified approach, we have synthesized artificial BC (aBC) for the purpose of representing atmospheric BC. Surface chemical properties of aBC were controlled by thermal treatment, without transforming its physical characteristics; thus, we were able to examine the toxicological effects on A549 human lung cells arising from aBC with varying oxidation surface properties. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, as well as Raman and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, verified the presence of increased amounts of oxygenated functional groups on the surface of thermally-treated aBC, indicating aBC oxidization at elevated temperatures; aBC with increased oxygen functional group content displayed increased toxicity to A549 cells, specifically by decreasing cell viability to 45% and elevating reactive oxygen species levels up to 294% for samples treated at 800 °C.
Challenges Facing the Nursing Profession in Saudi Arabia: An Integrative Review
Authors: Alsadaan Nourah , Jones Linda K. , Kimpton Amanda , DaCosta Cliff
Published: May 2021

There is a paucity of recent literature identifying the issues facing the nursing profession in Saudi Arabia. The aim of this integrative review is to highlight the ongoing challenges facing the nursing profession in Saudi Arabia despite attempts to make a difference and suggests recommendations for the future. Literature published from 2000 to 2020, inclusive, relevant for nursing challenges in Saudi Arabia was accessed and reviewed from multiple sources. In Saudi Arabia, inadequate numbers of Saudi nurses have prompted an increase in recruitment of expatriate nurses. This has created its own issues including, retention, lack of competency in English and Arabic, as well as Arabic cultural aspects, insufficient experience, and a high workload. The result is job dissatisfaction and increased attrition as these nurses prefer to move to more developed countries. For national nurses, the issues are the need to recruit more and retain these nurses. There are a range of cultural factors that contribute to these issues with national nurses. There is a need to improve the image of nursing to recruit more Saudi nurses as well as addressing issues in education and work environment. For expatriate nurses there is a need for a better recruitment processes, a thorough program of education to improve knowledge and skills to equip them to work and stay in Saudi. There is also a need for organizational changes to be made to increase the job satisfaction and retention of nurses generally. Healthcare in Saudi Arabia also needs leaders to efficiently manage the various issues associated with the nursing workforce challenges.
S-Acylation of Proteins of Coronavirus and Influenza Virus: Conservation of Acylation Sites in Animal Viruses and DHHC Acyltransferases in Their Animal Reservoirs
Authors: Abdulrahman Dina A. , Meng Xiaorong , Veit Michael
Published: May 2021

Recent pandemics of zoonotic origin were caused by members of coronavirus (CoV) and influenza A (Flu A) viruses. Their glycoproteins (S in CoV, HA in Flu A) and ion channels (E in CoV, M2 in Flu A) are S-acylated. We show that viruses of all genera and from all hosts contain clusters of acylated cysteines in HA, S and E, consistent with the essential function of the modification. In contrast, some Flu viruses lost the acylated cysteine in M2 during evolution, suggesting that it does not affect viral fitness. Members of the DHHC family catalyze palmitoylation. Twenty-three DHHCs exist in humans, but the number varies between vertebrates. SARS-CoV-2 and Flu A proteins are acylated by an overlapping set of DHHCs in human cells. We show that these DHHC genes also exist in other virus hosts. Localization of amino acid substitutions in the 3D structure of DHHCs provided no evidence that their activity or substrate specificity is disturbed. We speculate that newly emerged CoVs or Flu viruses also depend on S-acylation for replication and will use the human DHHCs for that purpose. This feature makes these DHHCs attractive targets for pan-antiviral drugs.
Challenges and Solutions to Viral Diseases of Finfish in Marine Aquaculture
Authors: Mugimba Kizito K. , Byarugaba Denis K. , Mutoloki Stephen , Evensen Øystein , Munang’andu Hetron M.
Published: May 2021

Aquaculture is the fastest food-producing sector in the world, accounting for one-third of global food production. As is the case with all intensive farming systems, increase in infectious diseases has adversely impacted the growth of marine fish farming worldwide. Viral diseases cause high economic losses in marine aquaculture. We provide an overview of the major challenges limiting the control and prevention of viral diseases in marine fish farming, as well as highlight potential solutions. The major challenges include increase in the number of emerging viral diseases, wild reservoirs, migratory species, anthropogenic activities, limitations in diagnostic tools and expertise, transportation of virus contaminated ballast water, and international trade. The proposed solutions to these problems include developing biosecurity policies at global and national levels, implementation of biosecurity measures, vaccine development, use of antiviral drugs and probiotics to combat viral infections, selective breeding of disease-resistant fish, use of improved diagnostic tools, disease surveillance, as well as promoting the use of good husbandry and management practices. A multifaceted approach combining several control strategies would provide more effective long-lasting solutions to reduction in viral infections in marine aquaculture than using a single disease control approach like vaccination alone.
Replication of Rift Valley Fever Virus in Amphibian and Reptile-Derived Cell Lines
Authors: Rissmann Melanie , Lenk Matthias , Stoek Franziska , Szentiks Claudia A. , Eiden Martin , Groschup Martin H.
Published: May 2021

Rift Valley fever phlebovirus (RVFV) is a zoonotic arthropod-borne virus, which has led to devastating epidemics in African countries and on the Arabian Peninsula. Results of in-vivo, in-vitro and field studies suggested that amphibians and reptiles may play a role as reservoir hosts of RVFV, promoting its maintenance during inter-epidemic periods. To elucidate this hypothesis, we examined two newly established reptile-derived cell lines (Egyptian cobra and Chinese pond turtle) and five previously generated reptile- and amphibian-derived cell lines for their replicative capacity for three low- and high-pathogenic RVFV strains. At different time points after infection, viral loads (TCID50), genome loads and the presence of intracellular viral antigen (immunofluorescence) were assessed. Additionally, the influence of temperatures on the replication was examined. Except for one cell line (read-eared slider), all seven cell lines were infected by all three RVFV strains. Two different terrapin-derived cell lines (Common box turtle, Chinese pond turtle) were highly susceptible. A temperature-dependent replication of RVFV was detected for both amphibian and reptile cells. In conclusion, the results of this study indicate the general permissiveness of amphibian and reptile cell lines to RVFV and propose a potential involvement of terrapins in the virus ecology.
Nonmedical Prescription Opioid Use among a Sample of College Students: Prevalence and Predictors
Authors: Weyandt Lisa L. , Gudmundsdottir Bergljót Gyda , Shepard Emily , Brick Leslie , Buchanan Ashley , Clarkin Christine , Francis Alyssa , Marraccini Marisa
Published: May 2021

Nonmedical use of prescription opioid medication (NMPO) in the United States is a public health crisis, resulting in high rates of emergency room visits, morbidity, and mortality. The purpose of this study was to explore prevalence estimates and correlates of NMPO among a convenience sample of college students in the northeast and southeast regions of the US to help generate directions for future research. Motivations for misuse, age of onset, access, concomitant substance use, and individual factors were investigated among a sample of undergraduate students from two universities. Participants (N = 847) completed a battery of various self-report measures. Findings revealed that 7.7% (Southeastern University) and 12.8% of students (Northeastern University) reported lifetime NMPO, whereas past-month NMPO was reported by 0.8% and 0.9% of participants, respectively. Lifetime history of regularly using alcohol, nonmedical use of benzodiazepine medication, nonmedical use of prescription stimulants, symptoms of depression and anxiety, and executive functioning (i.e., metacognition and behavioral regulation) were significantly related to lifetime history of NMPO in this college sample. These findings offer several potential subsequent lines of investigation regarding the associations between various demographic and psychological factors and NMPO. Future research is needed to help identify college students who are at risk of NMPO.
A De Novo Pharmacist-Family Physician Collaboration Model in a Family Medicine Clinic in Alberta, Canada
Authors: Banh Hoan Linh , Cave Andrew J.
Published: May 2021

Collaborative practice in health-care has proven to be an effective and efficient method for the management of chronic diseases. This study describes a de novo collaborative practice between a pharmacist and a family physician. The primary objective of the study is to describe the collaboration model between a pharmacist and family physician. The secondary objective is to describe the pharmacist workload. A list of patients who had at least one interaction with the pharmacist was generated and printed from the electronic medical record. There were 389 patients on the patient panel. The pharmacist had at least one encounter with 159 patients. There were 83 females. The most common medical condition seen by the pharmacist was hypertension. A total of 583 patient consultations were made by the pharmacist and 219 of those were independent visits. The pharmacist wrote 1361 prescriptions. The expanded scope of practice for pharmacists in Alberta includes additional prescribing authority. The pharmacists’ education and clinical experience gained trust from the family physician. These, coupled with the family physician’s previous positive experience working with pharmacists made the collaboration achievable.
Ontogenetic Changes in the Chemical Profiles of Piper Species
Authors: Gaia Anderson Melo , Yamaguchi Lydia Fumiko , Guerrero-Perilla Camilo , Kato Massuo Jorge
Published: May 2021

The chemical composition of seedlings and adult plants of several Piper species were analyzed by 1H NMR spectroscopy combined with principal component analysis (PCA) and HPLC-DAD, HPLC-HRESIMS and GC-MS data. The chromatographic profile of crude extracts from leaves of Piper species showed remarkable differences between seedlings and adult plants. Adult leaves of P. regnellii accumulate dihydrobenzofuran neolignans, P. solmsianum contain tetrahydrofuran lignans, and prenylated benzoic acids are found in adult leaves of P. hemmendorffii and P. caldense. Seedlings produced an entirely different collection of compounds. Piper gaudichaudianum and P. solmsianum seedlings contain the phenylpropanoid dillapiole. Piper regnellii and P. hemmendorffii produce another phenylpropanoid, apiol, while isoasarone is found in P. caldense. Piper richadiaefolium and P. permucronatum contain dibenzylbutyrolactones lignans or flavonoids in adult leaves. Seedlings of P. richardiaefolium produce multiple amides, while P. permucronatum seedlings contain a new long chain ester. Piper tuberculatum, P. reticulatum and P. amalago produce amides, and their chemistry changes less during ontogeny. The chemical variation we documented opens questions about changes in herbivore pressure across ontogeny.
Mechanistic Insight into Antimicrobial and Antioxidant Potential of Jasminum Species: A Herbal Approach for Disease Management
Authors: Balkrishna Acharya , Rohela Akansha , Kumar Abhishek , Kumar Ashwani , Arya Vedpriya , Thakur Pallavi , Oleksak Patrik , Krejcar Ondrej , Verma Rachna , Kumar Dinesh , Kuca Kamil
Published: May 2021

Drug resistance among microbial pathogens and oxidative stress caused by reactive oxygen species are two of the most challenging global issues. Firstly, drug-resistant pathogens cause several fatalities every year. Secondly aging and a variety of diseases, such as cardiovascular disease and cancer, are associated with free radical generated oxidative stress. The treatments currently available are limited, ineffective, or less efficient, so there is an immediate need to tackle these issues by looking for new therapies to resolve resistance and neutralize the harmful effects of free radicals. In the 21st century, the best way to save humans from them could be by using plants as well as their bioactive constituents. In this specific context, Jasminum is a major plant genus that is used in the Ayurvedic system of medicine to treat a variety of ailments. The information in this review was gathered from a variety of sources, including books, websites, and databases such as Science Direct, PubMed, and Google Scholar. In this review, a total of 14 species of Jasminum have been found to be efficient and effective against a wide variety of microbial pathogens. In addition, 14 species were found to be active free radical scavengers. The review is also focused on the disorders related to oxidative stress, and it was concluded that Jasminum grandiflorum and J. sambac normalized various parameters that were elevated by free radical generation. Alkaloids, flavonoids (rutoside), terpenes, phenols, and iridoid glucosides are among the main phytoconstituents found in various Jasminum species. Furthermore, this review also provides insight into the mechanistic basis of drug resistance, the generation of free radicals, and the role of Jasminum plants in combating resistance and neutralizing free radicals.
The Roles of Cruciferae Glucosinolates in Disease and Pest Resistance
Authors: Liu Zeci , Wang Huiping , Xie Jianming , Lv Jian , Zhang Guobin , Hu Linli , Luo Shilei , Li Lushan , Yu Jihua
Published: May 2021

With the expansion of the area under Cruciferae vegetable cultivation, and an increase in the incidence of natural threats such as pests and diseases globally, Cruciferae vegetable losses caused by pathogens, insects, and pests are on the rise. As one of the key metabolites produced by Cruciferae vegetables, glucosinolate (GLS) is not only an indicator of their quality but also controls infestation by numerous fungi, bacteria, aphids, and worms. Today, the safe and pollution-free production of vegetables is advocated globally, and environmentally friendly pest and disease control strategies, such as biological control, to minimize the adverse impacts of pathogen and insect pest stress on Cruciferae vegetables, have attracted the attention of researchers. This review explores the mechanisms via which GLS acts as a defensive substance, participates in responses to biotic stress, and enhances plant tolerance to the various stress factors. According to the current research status, future research directions are also proposed.
Characteristics and Research Progress of Legume Nodule Senescence
Authors: Zhou Shunxin , Zhang Chanjuan , Huang Yi , Chen Haifeng , Yuan Songli , Zhou Xinan
Published: May 2021

Delaying the nodule senescence of legume crops can prolong the time of nitrogen fixation and attenuate the lack of fertilizer in the later stage of legume crop cultivation, resulting in improved crop yield and reduced usage of nitrogen fertilizer. However, effective measures to delay the nodule senescence of legume crops in agriculture are relatively lacking. In the present review, we summarized the structural and physiological characteristics of nodule senescence, as well as the corresponding detection methods, providing technical support for the identification of nodule senescence phenotype. We then outlined the key genes currently known to be involved in the regulation of nodule senescence, offering the molecular genetic information for breeding varieties with delayed nodule senescence. In addition, we reviewed various abiotic factors affecting nodule senescence, providing a theoretical basis for the interaction between molecular genetics and abiotic factors in the regulation of nodule senescence. Finally, we briefly prospected research foci of nodule senescence in the future.
Ulva lactuca Extract and Fractions as Seed Priming Agents Mitigate Salinity Stress in Tomato Seedlings
Authors: El Boukhari Mohammed El Mehdi , Barakate Mustapha , Choumani Nadia , Bouhia Youness , Lyamlouli Karim
Published: May 2021

The present study investigates the effect of Ulva lactuca extract as seed-priming agent for tomato plants under optimal and salinity stress conditions. The aims of this experiment were to assess the effect of seed priming using Ulva lactuca extract in alleviating the salinity stress tomato plants were subjected to, and to find out the possible mechanism of actions behind such a positive effect via means of fractionation of the crude extract and characterization. Salinity application decreased the plant biomass and altered different physiological traits of tomato. However, the application of Ulva lactuca methanol extract (ME) and its fractions (residual fraction (RF), chloroform fraction (CF), butanol fraction (BF), and hexane fraction (HF)) at 1 mg·mL−1 as seed priming substances attenuated the negative effects of salinity on tomato seedlings. Under salinity stress conditions, RF application increased the tomato fresh weight; while ME, RF, and HF treatments significantly decreased the hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) concentration and antioxidant activity in tomato plants. The biochemical analyses of Ulva lactuca extract and fractions showed that the RF recorded the highest concentration of glycine betaine, while the ME was the part with the highest concentrations of total phenols and soluble sugars. This suggests that these compounds might play a key role in the mechanism by which seaweed extracts mitigate salinity stress on plants.
Metabolites Profiling, In Vitro, In Vivo, Computational Pharmacokinetics and Biological Predictions of Aloe perryi Resins Methanolic Extract
Authors: Suliman Rasha Saad , Alghamdi Sahar Saleh , Ali Rizwan , Aljatli Dimah A. , Huwaizi Sarah , Suliman Rania , Albadrani Ghadeer M. , Tolayyan Abdulellah Al , Alghanem Bandar
Published: May 2021

Background: Aloe perryi is a traditional herb that has various biological and pharmacological properties such as anti-inflammatory, laxative, antiviral, antidiabetic, and antitumor effects, which have not been deliberated before. The current investigation aims to evaluate in vitro cytotoxicity against several cancer cell lines in addition to in vivo anti-inflammatory activities of Aloe perryi extract using a rat animal model. Moreover, the pharmacokinetic properties of bioactive constituents and possible biological targets were assessed and evaluated. The methanolic extract of Aloe perryi was prepared by maceration, to tentatively identify the biomolecules of the Aloe perryi extract, analytical LC–QTOF-MS method was employed for Aloe perryi methanolic extract. The cytotoxic activity was examined in six cancer cell lines using Titer-Glo assay and the IC50s were calculated in addition to in silico target predictions and in vivo anti-inflammatory activity assessment. Subsequently, the pharmacokinetics of the identified active components of Aloe perryi were predicted using SwissADME, and target prediction using the Molinspiration webserver. The cytotoxic activity on HL60 and MDA-MB-231 was moderately affected by the Aloe perryi extract with IC50 of 63.81, and 89.85 μg/mL, respectively, with no activity on other cells lines. Moreover, the Aloe perryi extract exhibited a significant increase in wound contraction, hair growth, and complete re-epithelization when compared with the negative control. The pharmacokinetic properties of the bioactive constituents suggested a good pharmaceutical profile for the active compounds and nuclear receptors and enzymes were the two main possible targets for these active compounds. Our results demonstrated the promising activity of Aloe perryi extract with cytotoxic and anti-inflammatory properties, indicating a potential therapeutic utility of this plant in various disease conditions.
NF-YB-Mediated Active Responses of Plant Growth under Salt and Temperature Stress in Eucalyptus grandis
Authors: Dai Jia-Hao , Hu An-Qi , Zhang Jia-Shuo , Liao Wen-Hai , Ma Hua-Yan , Wu Jin-Zhang , Yu Yuan , Cao Shi-Jiang
Published: May 2021

The transcription factor NF-YB (nuclear factor-YB) family is a subfamily of the nuclear factor Y (NF-Y), which plays an important role in regulating plant growth, development and participates in various stress responses. Although the NF-Y family has been studied in many species, it is still obscure in Eucalyptus grandis. In this study, 23 EgNF-YB genes in eucalyptus were identified and unevenly distributed on 11 chromosomes. Phylogenetic analysis showed the EgNF-YB genes were divided into two clades, LEC-1 type and non-LEC1 type. The evolution of distinct clades was relatively conservative, the gene structures were analogous, and the differences of genetic structures among clades were small. The expression profiles showed that the distinct EgNF-YB genes were highly expressed in diverse tissues, and EgNF-YB4/6/13/19/23 functioned in response to salinity, heat and cold stresses. Our study characterized the phylogenetic relationship, gene structures and expression patterns of EgNF-YB gene family and investigated their potential roles in abiotic stress responses, which provides solid foundations for further functional analysis of NF-YB genes in eucalyptus.
Comparative Study of Machine Learning Approaches for Predicting Creep Behavior of Polyurethane Elastomer
Authors: Yang Chunhao , Ma Wuning , Zhong Jianlin , Zhang Zhendong
Published: May 2021

The long-term mechanical properties of viscoelastic polymers are among their most important aspects. In the present research, a machine learning approach was proposed for creep properties’ prediction of polyurethane elastomer considering the effect of creep time, creep temperature, creep stress and the hardness of the material. The approaches are based on multilayer perceptron network, random forest and support vector machine regression, respectively. While the genetic algorithm and k-fold cross-validation were used to tune the hyper-parameters. The results showed that the three models all proposed excellent fitting ability for the training set. Moreover, the three models had different prediction capabilities for the testing set by focusing on various changing factors. The correlation coefficient values between the predicted and experimental strains were larger than 0.913 (mostly larger than 0.998) on the testing set when choosing the reasonable model.
Rapid Formation of Stem Cell Spheroids Using Two-Dimensional MXene Particles
Authors: Jang JunHwee , Lee Eun-Jung
Published: May 2021

Cell spheroids have been studied as a biomimic medicine for tissue healing using cell sources. Rapid cell spheroid production increases cell survival and activity as well as the efficiency of mass production by reducing processing time. In this study, two-dimensional MXene (Ti3C2) particles were used to form mesenchymal stem cell spheroids, and the optimal MXene concentration, spheroid-production times, and bioactivity levels of spheroid cells during this process were assessed. A MXene concentration range of 1 to 10 μg/mL induced spheroid formation within 6 h. The MXene-induced spheroids exhibited osteogenic-differentiation behavior, with the highest activity levels at a concentration of 5 μg/mL. We report a novel and effective method for the rapid formation of stem cell spheroids using MXene.
About Model Validation in Bioprocessing
Authors: Rajamanickam Vignesh , Babel Heiko , Montano-Herrera Liliana , Ehsani Alireza , Stiefel Fabian , Haider Stefan , Presser Beate , Knapp Bettina
Published: May 2021

In bioprocess engineering the Qualtiy by Design (QbD) initiative encourages the use of models to define design spaces. However, clear guidelines on how models for QbD are validated are still missing. In this review we provide a comprehensive overview of the validation methods, mathematical approaches, and metrics currently applied in bioprocess modeling. The methods cover analytics for data used for modeling, model training and selection, measures for predictiveness, and model uncertainties. We point out the general issues in model validation and calibration for different types of models and put this into the context of existing health authority recommendations. This review provides a starting point for developing a guide for model validation approaches. There is no one-fits-all approach, but this review should help to identify the best fitting validation method, or combination of methods, for the specific task and the type of bioprocess model that is being developed.
How to Estimate Absolute-Error Components in Structural Equation Models of Generalizability Theory
Authors: Jorgensen Terrence D.
Published: May 2021

Structural equation modeling (SEM) has been proposed to estimate generalizability theory (GT) variance components, primarily focusing on estimating relative error to calculate generalizability coefficients. Proposals for estimating absolute-error components have given the impression that a separate SEM must be fitted to a transposed data matrix. This paper uses real and simulated data to demonstrate how a single SEM can be specified to estimate absolute error (and thus dependability) by placing appropriate constraints on the mean structure, as well as thresholds (when used for ordinal measures). Using the R packages lavaan and gtheory, different estimators are compared for normal and discrete measurements. Limitations of SEM for GT are demonstrated using multirater data from a planned missing-data design, and an important remaining area for future development is discussed.
Challenging Islamist Populism in Indonesia through Catholic Youth Activism
Authors: Nilan Pam , Wibowanto Gregorius Ragil
Published: May 2021

This paper reports data from a study of young Catholic activists. They were concerned about the expansion of Islamist populism in democratic Muslim-majority Indonesia. They actively built inter-faith coalitions with local liberal Muslim youth groups and with pan-national Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), the largest independent Islamic organisation in the world. Islamist populism prioritises religious identity over the national identity of citizenship. In framing their citizenship activism against the current tide of Islamist populism, the informants in our study selectively engaged aspects of Catholic theology. They articulated their religious identity as coterminous with a nationalist identity centred on multi-faith tolerance and harmony. That discourse in itself refutes a key principle of Islamist populism in Indonesia, which argues for primordial entitlement.
John Calvin’s Multiplicity Thesis
Authors: Bonevac Daniel
Published: May 2021

John Calvin holds that the fall radically changed humanity’s moral and epistemic capacities. Recognizing that should lead Christian philosophers to see that philosophical questions require at least two sets of answers: one reflecting our nature and capacities before the fall, and the other reflecting our nature and capacities after the fall. Our prelapsarian knowledge of God, the right, and the good is direct and noninferential; our postlapsarian knowledge of them is mostly indirect, inferential, and filled with moral and epistemic risk. Only revelation can move us beyond fragmentary and indeterminate moral and theological knowledge.
How Religion Contributes to the Common Good, Positive Criminology, and Justice Reform
Authors: Johnson Byron R.
Published: May 2021

This paper argues that religious freedom has consistently been linked to volunteerism and the work of faith-based individuals and organizations in addressing a variety of social problems including crime and delinquency, substance abuse treatment, offender rehabilitation, and prison reentry. Moreover, the emerging subfield of positive criminology is beginning to document the ways in which faith-based efforts are providing more positive and restorative approaches that tend to be effective in reducing crime and promoting prosocial outcomes. Indeed, religious interventions are proving to be some of the most innovative and consequential at a time when jurisdictions are faced with ever-tightening budgets. Moreover, the role of faith-based volunteers and even offender-led religious movements in the process of identity transformation and reform is particularly relevant and timely when there is such a widespread call for evidence-based approaches to justice reform.
Sustainable Information Security Behavior Management: An Empirical Approach for the Causes of Employees’ Voice Behavior
Authors: Lee Woo Jin , Hwang Inho
Published: May 2021

As organizations’ interest in information resources expands, their investments in information security (IS), such as the introduction of IS policies and new technologies, are also expanding. Nevertheless, IS incidents and threats within the organization have not decreased. This study aims to protect organizations’ information assets by maintaining the level of continuous IS behavior of the organization insiders. Moreover, this study suggests a method to induce continuous security behavior of individuals by confirming the relationship between IS-related voice behavior and IS-related organizational justice, which is an action concept that provides continuous opinions to achieve security goals. This study derives research models and hypotheses through previous studies and tests hypotheses through structural equation modeling. The target subjects are members of the organization who introduced the IS policy. A total of 325 samples were secured through the questionnaire method, and hypotheses were verified. Results reveal that voice behavior related to IS is negatively influenced by work impediment and positively influenced by organizational identification. In addition, procedural and information justice that influence prior actions related to IS affect the cause of personal security behavior (work impediment and organizational identification). Additionally, justice sensitivity adjusted the impact relationship between IS-related organizational justice and the cause of security behavior. The study presents the importance of voice behavior in maintaining the level of IS within the organization continuously. Moreover, it has practical implications in that efforts to improve organizational justice and voice behaviors vary according to the level of individual justice sensitivity.
A Content and Sentiment Analysis of Greek Tweets during the Pandemic
Authors: Kydros Dimitrios , Argyropoulou Maria , Vrana Vasiliki
Published: May 2021

During the time of the coronavirus, strict prevention policies, social distancing, and limited contact with others were enforced in Greece. As a result, Twitter and other social media became an important place of interaction, and conversation became online. The aim of this study is to examine Twitter discussions around COVID-19 in Greece. Twitter was chosen because of the critical role it played during the global health crisis. Tweets were recorded over four time periods. NodeXL Pro was used to identify word pairs, create semantic networks, and analyze them. A lexicon-based sentiment analysis was also performed. The main topics of conversation were extracted. “New cases” are heavily discussed throughout, showing fear of transmission of the virus in the community. Mood analysis showed fluctuations in mood over time. Positive emotions weakened and negative emotions increased. Fear is the dominant sentiment. Timely knowledge of people’s sentiment can be valuable for government agencies to develop efficient strategies to better manage the situation and use efficient communication guidelines in Twitter to disseminate accurate, reliable information and control panic.
O desempenho dos atores processuais nas ações de improbidade administrativa: uma análise empírica das decisões do Tribunal de Justiça de Santa Catarina
Authors: Weiblen Fabrício Pinto , Di Sena Junior Roberto
Published: May 2021

Apesar de o Direito ser historicamente marcado pela pesquisa dogmática, estudos empíricos têm-se multiplicado, impulsionados pelo acesso à Internet e pela implementação de bases eletrônicas de julgados dos tribunais. Nesse contexto, o presente artigo analisa as decisões do Tribunal de Justiça de Santa Catarina no âmbito da improbidade administrativa nos anos de 2018 a 2020 para, a partir dos dados coletados, inferir os níveis de efetividade dos réus e do Ministério Público no mérito das ações ajuizadas. Trata-se de estudo empírico quantitativo que busca, a partir da identificação do nível de sucesso das ações e dos recursos porventura manejados, explicitar possíveis práticas temerárias no processo e traçar um panorama da previsibilidade das decisões judiciais.
Moralidade Administrativa, um Conceito Obscuro
Authors: Simchen Trevisan Leonardo
Published: May 2021

Este trabalho tem por objeto de estudo o princípio constitucional da moralidade administrativa e a sua materialização mais visível no plano infraconstitucional, a Lei de Improbidade Administrativa (Lei n. 8.429/92). O princípio da moralidade administrativa é analisado quanto ao seu desenvolvimento histórico e seu conteúdo dogmático, tendo-se em conta as tentativas de compreensão e de aplicação desse princípio na doutrina e jurisprudência brasileiras. A Lei de Improbidade Administrativa, por sua vez, é trabalhada em seus aspectos mais importantes, culminando com a análise dos diferentes tipos de atos de improbidade administrativa. O objetivo da investigação é o de contribuir, mediante clareza conceitual, para a melhor compreensão e aplicação do princípio da moralidade.
O princípio do peculiar estado da pessoa em desenvolvimento e o caráter pedagógico das medidas socioeducativas em face da redução da maioridade penal
Authors: Okuma Cristina Maiko Oishi do Amaral Campos , Bonassa Daniela , Cavalcante Cortez Gabriel , Massi Clarissa Gaspar
Published: May 2021

O presente trabalho tem como objetivo analisar a efetividade do caráter pedagógico das medidas socioeducativas aplicadas na Lei n. 8.069/1990, conhecida como Estatuto da Criança e do Adolescente (ECA), em detrimento da maioridade penal. Aplica-se a metodologia pautada no método hipotético-dedutivo e na revisão bibliográfica legislativa e doutrinária. Objetiva-se perquirir o arcabouço histórico, valendo-se do antigo Código de Menores ao atual ECA e, em conjunto com as condições biopsicossociais, afirmar que a redução da maioridade penal é uma falácia sem qualquer efetividade. Após, tecem-se considerações a respeito dos princípios norteadores, em especial o peculiar estado da pessoa em desenvolvimento. O desenvolvimento biopsicossocial da criança e do adolescente implica na utilização de medidas socioeducativas para educar os jovens que cometem atos análogos a infrações penais, os chamados atos infracionais, contendo caráter pedagógico e sancionatório. As características peculiares das crianças e dos adolescentes rechaçam a possibilidade de redução da maioridade penal, visto que não há a formação necessária para a compreensão do ato e de suas consequências fáticas e jurídicas pelo jovem infrator, além de corresponder à cláusula pétrea prevista na Constituição Federal de 1988. A situação de vulnerabilidade social e o contexto ambiental do jovem são fatores determinantes para suas escolhas, dentre elas a prática de ato infracional e, em razão de sua condição peculiar em desenvolvimento e sua própria dignidade, suas ações e omissões devem ser julgadas com base na sua capacidade mental, a qual está em constante alteração, sem cientificidade na mudança no sistema etário de inimputabilidade penal.
Apropriação indébita tributária: os argumentos expostos no Recurso em Habeas Corpus n. 163.334/SC em face do Recurso Extraordinário nº 574.706/PR
Authors: Dutra Guilherme Luiz
Published: May 2021

Diante da iminência do julgamento do Recurso em Habeas Corpus n. 163.334 pelo Supremo Tribunal Federal, o presente artigo busca abordar alguns dos argumentos expostos pelo recorrente, a fim de averiguar se são aptos a fazer com que o STF reveja seu posicionamento adotado no Recurso Extraordinário n. 574.706/PR e, por conseguinte, rechace o entendimento adotado pelo Superior Tribunal de Justiça, no Habeas Corpus n. 399.109/SC, quanto à definição da abrangência do tipo penal descrito no art. 2º, II, da Lei n. 8.137/90.