bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Percutaneous pericardial catheter drainage for symptomatic uremic pericardial effusions with narrow safety margins
Authors: Kim Soon Bae , Yang Eun Hye , Shin Ji Hoon
Published: October 2022

Background

Percutaneous pericardial catheter drainage (PCD) for pericardial effusion is generally known to be limited by the high risk associated with effusions that are less than 10 mm thick. The objective was to report cases who underwent percutaneous PCD for symptomatic uremic pericardial effusions, which were less than 10 mm thick after cardiologist declined to perform the PCDs because of the narrow safety margins.

Materials and methods

Thirteen consecutive cases (11 patients) (median age, 56 years, range, 31–83) with symptomatic uremic pericardial effusion (thickness <10 mm) affecting the pericardial space anterior to the right ventricle underwent ultrasound- and fluoroscopy-guided percutaneous PCD between September 2015 and April 2022. Information regarding the clinical criteria, echocardiographic features, PCD details, nature of effusion, and outcomes, including success and complications were retrospectively evaluated.

Results

Pigtail catheter (8.5-Fr) insertion was successful for all patients, with a median procedure time of 7 minutes (range 4~12) without procedure-related complications. The median amount of drainage on the day of PCD was 700 mL (range, 250–1100). The median duration of catheter indwelling was 5 days (range, 1~32). In one case, the catheter was removed after 1 day due to chest pain. For all patients, pericardial effusion evacuation was achieved with relief of associated symptoms, representing 100% clinical success.

Conclusion

Percutaneous PCD may be safely performed for patients with symptomatic uremic pericardial effusions and narrow safety margins of less than 10 mm.
Determinants of life satisfaction among women of reproductive age (15–49 years) in Bangladesh: A cross-sectional analysis
Authors: Uthso Nabil Ahmed , Akter Noor Jahan
Published: October 2022

The life satisfaction of women is an essential component of their subjective well-being. It is an indicator of a woman’s life quality based on personal perception. Considering the importance of women’s subjective well-being, the United Nations (UN) has recognized this as one of its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). To the best of our knowledge, no study has been done yet for Bangladeshi women aged 15-49 years using nationally represented data. This study is the first study, to our knowledge, that will identify the determinants of life satisfaction and investigate the association between these determinants and life satisfaction among women of reproductive age (15-49 years) in Bangladesh. This study examined the overall life satisfaction and impact of some personal and sociodemographic characteristics on it among the women aged 15 to 49 years in Bangladesh using the Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) 2019 data, a cross-sectional data. In our study, information regarding life satisfaction was available for a sample of 64,283 women after categorizing the variable overall life satisfaction and adjusting the missing values. The variable overall life satisfaction was categorized into three categories, namely low (0-3), moderate (4-6), and high (7-10), according to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) guidelines. Results showed that 14.67% of women are low satisfied, 50.65% are moderately satisfied, and 34.68% are highly satisfied with their lives. A bivariate analysis was applied in this study to show the significant association between the determinants and life satisfaction. The multinomial logistic regression analysis was performed to draw valid conclusions about the effects of the potential determinants on life satisfaction. The study revealed that satisfaction increases with age, education level, and wealth status. For the variable marital status, which has three categories: currently married, formerly married, and never married, current marriage was strongly associated with higher life satisfaction. In contrast, a former marriage and a never marriage were associated with lower life satisfaction. Migration status was also significantly associated with life satisfaction, where women who changed their location were more satisfied than those who never changed their current location. Bangladesh aims to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030. To achieve the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3, which promotes well-being, and the goal 5, to empower all women and girls, addressing the issues related to life satisfaction and applying appropriate intervention is a must.
Development and in vitro characterization of a humanized scFv against fungal infections
Authors: Di Mambro Tomas , Vanzolini Tania , Bianchi Marzia , Crinelli Rita , Canonico Barbara , Tasini Filippo , Menotta Michele , Magnani Mauro
Published: October 2022

The resistance and the birth of new intrinsic and multidrug-resistant pathogenic species likeC.aurisis creating great concern in the antifungal world. Given the limited drug arsenal and the lack of effectiveness of the available compounds, there is an urgent need for innovative approaches. The murine mAb 2G8 was humanized and engineeredin silicoto develop a single-chain fragment variable (hscFv) antibody against β-1,3-glucans which was then expressed inE.coli. Among the recombinant proteins developed, a soluble candidate with high stability and affinity was obtained. This selected protein is VL-linker-VH oriented, and it is characterized by the presence of two ubiquitin monomers at the N-terminus and a His tag at the C-terminus. This construct, Ub2-hscFv-His, guaranteed stability, solubility, efficient purification and satisfactory recovery of the recombinant product. HscFv can bind β-1,3-glucans both as coated antigens and onC.aurisandC.albicanscells similarly to its murine parental and showed long stability and retention of binding ability when stored at 4°, -20° and -80° C. Furthermore, it was efficient in enhancing the antifungal activity of drugs caspofungin and amphotericin B againstC.auris. The use of biological drugs as antifungals is limited; here we present a promising hscFv which has the potential to be useful in combination with currently available antifungal drugs.
Children’s spatial language skills predict their verbal number skills: A longitudinal study
Authors: Lindner Nadja , Moeller Korbinian , Dresen Verena , Pixner Silvia , Lonnemann Jan
Published: October 2022

The process of number symbolization is assumed to be critically influenced by the acquisition of so-called verbal number skills (e.g., verbally reciting the number chain and naming Arabic numerals). For the acquisition of these verbal number skills, verbal and visuospatial skills are discussed as contributing factors. In this context, children’s verbal number skills have been found to be associated with their concurrent spatial language skills such as mastery of verbal descriptions of spatial position (e.g., in front of, behind). In a longitudinal study with three measurement times (T1, T2, T3) at an interval of about 6 months, we evaluated the predictive role of preschool children’s (mean age at T1: 3 years and 10 months) spatial language skills for the acquisition of verbal number skills. Children’s spatial language skills at T2 significantly predicted their verbal number skills at T3, when controlling for influences of important covariates such as vocabulary knowledge. In addition, further analyses replicated previous results indicating that children’s spatial language skills at T2 were associated with their verbal number skills at T2. Exploratory analyses further revealed that children’s verbal number skills at T1 predict their spatial language at T2. Results suggests that better spatial language skills at the age of 4 years facilitate the future acquisition of verbal number skills.
Optic Chiasmal Fungal Granuloma - Rare Cause of Blindness
Authors: Saket Saurabh  , Nimesh Jain  , Hrushikesh Kharosekar  , Vernon Velho
Published: October 2022

Intracranial fungal infections are rare. Their presentation is mostly subtle, clinically atypical in presentation, and they are usually mistaken for tuberculosis or brain tumour. Aspergillosis is the most common cause of intracranial fungal infections. Fungal infection enters the brain directly from the paranasal sinuses, ear, skull bone, or haematogenous spread from the lungs and gastrointestinal tract, or direct inoculation during surgery or trauma. The pathology depends on the route of spread, host immunity, and type of fungus. Intracranially, fungal infection invades brain matter or blood vessels. [1]

The rarity of brain fungal infection, with nonspecific clinical picture, and progression to a fatal outcome provides considerable challenges for both diagnosis and management. Invasive sino-orbital fungal infections are rarely reported in immunocompetent patients in literature.  We could not find anything related to primary fungal granuloma of the optic tract reported in literature. We report a case of primary fungal granuloma of optic chiasm in an immunocompetent patient.[2]

13-year-old female patient presented to us with sudden onset of loss of vision in both eyes. There were no other complaints. On neurological examination, there was no vision in both eyes (no perception of light). On fundoscopy, there was bilateral optic atrophy. Rest of the neurological examination was normal. Patient was investigated for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of brain with contrast study. MRI of brain was suggestive of a 2.2 x 1.8 x 1.6 cm mass in suprasellar region with its epicentre in the optic chiasma and extending to both optic nerves and optic tract. The lesion was separate from the underlying pituitary gland. The lesion was iso-intense on T1 weighted images and hyper-intense on T2 weighted images. It showed homogenous post-contrast enhancement. Our primary differential diagnosis was optic nerve glioma.

Patient underwent immediate surgery, right peritoneal craniotomy, for excision of lesion. Intra-operatively, a firm yellowish white colored lesion arising from the optic chiasm was seen. Safe subtotal excision was done. Post-operative, there was no improvement in vision.
The power of Animes and Mangas in Psychology practices with adolescents at school
Authors: Moura de Almeida Ferreira Carvalho Rebecca , Trevisan de Souza Vera Lucia
Published: October 2022

The present research aims to analyze the power of anime and manga in promoting the expression of emotions and their elaboration by students of the 6th year of Elementary School. The study is anchored in the theoretical-methodological assumptions of Vygotsky's cultural-historical psychology. The author understands human development as a complex, permanent and continuous process, which takes place in the subject's interaction with culture. In order to fulfilled our objective, the research is proposed within the qualitative studies, as an intervention research, seeking to unite the research with the psychological practices that aim to transform the social conditions of the participants. Classroom meetings will be organized with students participating of a State School in the city of Campinas. In the meetings we will make use of the Japanese media materiality “anime”. Animes are animations that are mostly based on "mangas" (Japanese comics), and can be presented in various genres, demographic, and age classifications, addressing different themes of human behavior/expression. Will be proposed 11 meetings in which a different anime episode will be presented each day. Various themes were chosen, with the aim of encouraging the expression of young people's emotions, thoughts, and reflections. At the end of the episode, a debate will begin with triggering questions to deepen impressions, meanings, and future analyses. Blank sheets will be given to them so they can draw or write about their experiences and feelings on the day. Every meeting will be recorded and transcribed, and a field diary will be created with the researcher's observations. The students' productions at the meetings will also be part of the information. The analysis will gather these data based on the senses and meanings expressed by the students, relating anime, manga, and their educational context. It is also expected to contribute to substantiate the contribution of these media in the work of psychology in a school context.
Enhanced features selection technique for Cooperative Intelligent Transportation Systems
Authors: Almalki Sultan , T. Sheldon Frederick
Published: October 2022

The emergence of Cooperative Intelligent Transportation Systems (cITS) simplifies the exchange of traffic situational information among vehicles within "close" proximity, which facilitates smooth traffic flow, reduces the congestion and saves energy. However, with such advantages come challenges represented by attackers who would compromise the vehicle system components, spoof false telemetry and/or control signals causing serious problems such as congestion and/or accidents. There is need for security mechanism that can identify and detect such misbehavior in cITSs more dependably. Several studies have proposed Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS) for cITS depending on the contextual data exchanged between neighboring nodes. Those solutions rely on classifiers trained and readjusted online to reflect the dynamic nature of the cITS environment. These models are usually trained with a set of features selected based on insufficient data. This makes the feature significance estimation inaccurate due to data insufficiency collected from the online systems immediately after the model was updated. In this paper we address this issue by introducing a Proportional Conditional Redundancy Coefficient (PCRC) technique. The technique is used in the Enhanced Joint Mutual Information (EJMI) feature selection for better feature significance estimation. At each iteration, the PCRC increases the redundancy of the candidate feature proportional to the number of already-selected features while taking into consideration the class label. Such conditional redundancy is estimated for the individual features, which gives the feature selection technique the ability to perceive the attack characteristics regardless of the common characteristics of the attack. Unlike existing works, the proposed technique increases the weight of the redundancy term proportional to the size of the selected set. Consequently, the likelihood that a feature is redundant, given the class label, increases when more features are added to the selected set. By applying the proposed EJMI to select the features from the Next Generation Simulation (NGSIM) dataset of cITS, more accurate IDS has been trained as shown by the evaluation results. This helps to better protect the nodes in cITS against the cyberattacks (e.g., falsified data).
KADAR ANTIOKSIDAN DAN UJI KESUKAAN TERHADAP MINUMAN KOMBINASI DAUN KELOR DAN BUAH KURMA UNTUK MENINGKATKAN PERFORMA ATLET
Authors: Violeta Dyan , Mardiana Mardiana
Published: October 2022

Latar belakang: Sumber potensial terbentuknya stress oksidatif adalah olahraga yang memiliki latihan dengan intensitas tinggi yang akan mengakibatkan adanya ketidakseimbangan prooksidan dan antioksidan dalam tubuh atlet yang berisiko pada penurunan performa atlet. Tujuan: penelitian bertujuan untuk mengembangkan formulasi minuman daun kombinasi daun kelor dan buah kurma terhadap kadar antioksidan dan penerimaan uji kesukaan oleh atlet sepak bolaMetode: penelitian ini merupakan penelitian kuantitatif, dengan 3 kali perlakuan yaitu Formula 1 (75 g daun kelor dan 10g buah kurma), Formula 2 (100g daun kelor dan 10g buah kurma) serta Formula 3 (125g daun kelor dan 10g buah kurma) dan 2 kali pengulangan. penilaian kandungan antioksidan menggunakan metode DPPH, serta uji kesukaan dengan panelis tidak terlatih sebanyak 25 orang. pengolahan data menggunakan analisis data kruskall walls dan dilanjutkan dengan uji mann whitney jika diketahui hasil uji kruskall walls menunjukkan terdapat pengaruh nyata.Hasil: Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa formula dengan kadar antioksidan tertinggi adalah formula 3 (125g daun kelor dan 10g buah kurma) ) menghasilkan kadar antioksidan yaitu 26 ppm termasuk kedalam kategori sangat kuat, hasil menunjukkan tidak ada perbedaan signifikan (p=0,952) antar variasi formula minuman kombinasi daun kelor dan buah kurma dan uji organoleptik yang paling dominan disukai pada masing perlakuan adalah Formula 3 (75 g daun kelor dan 10g buah kurma) dengan warna coklat terang, aroma tidak terlalu langu dan tidak menyengat, tekstur cair dan rasa yang tidak pahit.Simpulan: Kombinasi formula daun kelor dan buah kurma dengan kadar antioksidan tertinggi yaitu formula 3 dengan 125gram daun kelor dan 10gram buah kurma menghasilkan nilai 26ppm. Sedangkan uji kesukaan didominasi oleh Formula 1 (75gram daun kelor dan 10gram kurma) dengan warna coklat muda, tidak terlalu menyengat, tekstur cair dan tidak pahir rasanya.Kata Kunci: Antioksidan; Buah kurma; Daun kelor; Uji kesukaan
SOSIO EKONOMI ORANG TUA, UANG SAKU, DAN MEDIA SOSIAL BERHUBUNGAN DENGAN PERILAKU KONSUMSI FAST FOOD PADA REMAJA PUTRI DI KOTA KUPANG
Authors: Zogara Asweros Umbu , Loaloka Meirina Sulastri , Pantaleon Maria Goreti
Published: October 2022

Latar Belakang: Konsumsi makanan yang kurang sehat, contohnya fast food, akan mempengaruhi kesehatan remaja putri. Fast food mengandung kalori, lemak, protein, gula dan garam yang relatif tinggi dan rendah serat. Jika fast food dikonsumsi secara berlebihan dapat mengakibatkan masalah gizi lebih dan penyakit degeneratif di masa mendatangTujuan: Penelitian ini dilakukan untuk menganalisis hubungan antara sosio ekonomi orang tua, uang saku dan media sosial dengan konsumsi fast food pada remaja putri di Kota Kupang.Metode: Penelitian ini menggunakan desain cross sectional yang dilakukan pada bulan Januari sampai Mei 2022 di Kota Kupang. Sampel penelitian adalah remaja putri di Kota Kupang sebanyak 349 orang yang dipilih dengan teknik accidental sampling. Variabel bebas yaitu sosio ekonomi orang tua, uang saku dan penggunaan media sosial, sedangkan variabel terikat yaitu konsumsi fast food. Uji statistik yang digunakan yaitu uji chi square (p-value <0,05) dan dilanjutkan dengan uji multivariat menggunakan uji regresi logistik (p-value <0.05). Hasil: Sebanyak 58,2% remaja putri mengkonsumsi fast food >3x seminggu. Faktor-faktor yang berhubungan dengan konsumsi fast food pada remaja putri adalah pendidikan ayah (p value<0,001; OR=3,587), pendidikan ibu (p value<0,001; OR=3,069), uang saku (p value=0,035; OR=1,660) dan media sosial (p value=0,011; OR=1,857)Simpulan: Pendidikan orang tua, uang saku dan media sosial berhubungan dengan konsumsi fast food pada remaja putri. Orang tua memiliki peran penting dalam mengontrol konsumsi fast food dengan cara mengatur jumlah uang saku remaja dan dapat menyiapkan lebih banyak makanan sehat di rumah sehingga remaja tidak sering membeli fast food.Kata kunci: Fast food; Media sosial; Sosio ekonomi; Uang saku,
Delivery technique for the pedicled transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous flap
Authors: Lee Jin Sun , Kwon Hyeokdong , Lee Won Suk , Oh Sang-Ha
Published: October 2022

The pedicled transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous (TRAM) flap is often used during breast reconstruction. After completely elevating the flap, a medial tunnel is created to connect the dissection area to the mastectomy defect. This tunnel should typically accommodate four of the surgeon’s fingers, although this may vary depending on flap volume. Wider tunneling facilitates flap delivery, but can damage the breast and inframammary fold. Therefore, we introduce a technique to move the flap easily and safely through a small tunnel. During breast reconstruction using a pedicled TRAM flap, a tunnel was made in the mastectomy defect along the meridian of the breast. This tunnel accommodated a width of three of the surgeon’s fingers (6 cm). After completely elevating the flap, it was inserted into a funnel with an inner surface made of polymeric vinyl and a hydrophilic coating. The flap was propelled into the mastectomy defect via the funnel. Our novel technique for pedicled TRAM flap delivery using a funnel was easy and safe, and it is deemed to be suitable for delivering a pedicled TRAM flap.
Delayed purulent infected breast after a large-volume Aquafilling filler injection in an HIV-positive transgender patient: a case report
Authors: Kim Min Young , Kim Jin Woo , Sun Hook , Yun Ji Young , Chung Eui Han
Published: October 2022

Known to be chemically inert, Aquafilling filler has been widely used in local aesthetic clinics in South Korea for breast augmentation. However, Aquafilling is only approved as a dermal filler and is not approved as an injectable filler for breast augmentation by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration or the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety. Several reports of complications following large-volume Aquafilling injections in the breast have been published. In this study, an HIV (human immunodeficiency virus)-infected transgender patient presented to the emergency room with a purulent infection of the breast and systemic fever. The patient had a history of large-volume Aquafilling injection in both breasts 3 years earlier to obtain a feminized appearance of the breasts. After using intravenous antibiotics and performing several surgical debridements over 4 weeks, the overall inflammatory response subsided. The skin defect site was covered successfully using an Integra Wound Matrix Dressing and there were no recurrent complications over 2 years of follow-up visits. Before injecting Aquafilling to augment patients’ breasts, a thorough consultation is mandatory, and doctors must notify patients that the risk of complications may be relatively high. Furthermore, any fillers including Aquafilling must not be used for unapproved purposes.
Successful reconstruction using a de-epithelialized rectangular flap on a nipple necrosis site after DIEP flap-based breast reconstruction: a case report
Authors: Seo Hyun Joon , Park Sung Oh , Chang Lan Sook , Kim Yeon Hwan , Min Kyunghyun
Published: October 2022

Postmastectomy nipple necrosis is a factor that leads to a poor aesthetic outcome in breast reconstruction because of the unique projective structure of the nipple. We present a case of successful nipple reconstruction using a de-epithelialized rectangular flap. A 45-year-old woman was diagnosed with left breast cancer. She had a vertical scar below the nipple-areolar complex due to previous reduction mammoplasty. She underwent nipple-sparing mastectomy, breast reconstruction with a deep inferior epigastric artery perforator (DIEP) flap, and contralateral reduction. After the operation, the nipple gradually necrotized, and full-thickness nipple necrosis was observed on postoperative day 12. For nipple reconstruction, we designed a 38×23 mm rectangular flap from the DIEP flap considering the contralateral nipple diameter (12 mm), protrusion (2 mm), and ipsilateral mastectomy skin flap thickness (15 mm). The area in contact with the mastectomy skin flap was placed in the defect area after de-epithelialization. The reconstruction was successful and the nipple survived with a slight loss of projection. When unexpected nipple necrosis occurs after DIEP-based breast reconstruction, designing a de-epithelialized rectangular flap using the DIEP flap tissue is a feasible reconstructive method to consider.
Case series of keloid wedge resection in the ear: a focus on aesthetic aspects
Authors: Yoon Sihyun , Song Seung Han , Choi Youngwoong
Published: October 2022

Keloid scars may cause a range of symptoms and aesthetic problems. The ear is one of the most frequent sites of keloids, and the earlobe and ear helix account for more than 80% of ear keloids. There are various surgical methods for removing keloids in the ear. Standard keloidectomy and core excision can be effective surgical methods compared to wedge resection since they preserve normal tissue surrounding the keloid. However, ears often show various types of asymmetry by default, which can be relatively difficult to detect, so wedge resection continues to be a useful surgical method for ear keloids. Here, we report four cases of keloids in the earlobe and ear helix that were successfully treated by wedge resection without a postoperative deformity or recurrence.
“Writing-to-learn”: the influence of task repetition on CSL writers’ attention to form
Authors: Cui Yachong , Luo Shaoqian
Published: October 2022

The “writing-to-learn” dimension of the second language (L2) writing has generated theoretical and empirical intrigue in the past decade. Task repetition is one variable of interest; however, little attention has been given to its role in individuals’ writing processes. This study explores the influence of task repetition on L2 Chinese learners’ attention to form by analyzing their writing processes. Four advanced learners of Chinese as a second language (CSL) were asked to complete one writing task twice in 10 days under think-aloud conditions. Language-related episodes (LREs), the representation of writers’ attention to form, in participant-produced think-aloud protocols were analyzed along three dimensions: language-related problems, problem-solving strategies, and depth of processing. Results indicated that task repetition in individual writing contributed to learners’ Chinese acquisition, as learners 1) attended closely to the typological characteristics and new/complex forms of Chinese; 2) strove for precise language expression; and 3) were granted time to access external resources and expand their linguistic repertoire. Implications related to task repetition in L2 writing, L2 Chinese instruction, and associated research are discussed.
Cube test applied to the study of orthogonal projections: spatial development promoted by Qubism 3D Modeling
Authors: Chivai Cacilda , Soares A.A. , Catarino P.
Published: October 2022

Education benefits from the globalization of effective tools that facilitate student learning. Education in Mozambique is still traditional without any technological resources, such as computers, data show, applied software and smartphones. This traditional model drives some difficulties in 3D perception in technical drawing (TD) subjects. Technological tools with 3D visualization allow the enhancement of the learning process in an interactive and innovative way, giving the teacher the power to select the most appropriate technological resource for the desired subject. Qubism 3D modeling (Q3DM) and the cube test (CT) are the technological resources selected for this study, as they present usability features capable of promoting 3D spatial skills in the study of orthogonal projections (OP). The research was conducted in a secondary school in southern Mozambique, it is a quasi-experimental case study, supported by a mixed quantitative and qualitative approach. The instruments used were a pre-test and a post-test applied to two groups of students; one experimental and one control. Fifty students solved practical exercises on OP and their level of spatial visualization was measured with the CT. The study aims to investigate whether the use of Q3DM as a teaching-learning tool promotes 3D spatial visualization of objects in the context of technical drawing. From the analysis of the CT results it is inferred that the students who used Q3DM had better results on the cube test.
Fractal dimension of wood pores from pore size distribution
Authors: Tibebu Dessie T. , Avramidis Stavros
Published: October 2022

Understanding wood pore geometry and distribution is the basis for studying its macroscopic properties. This research investigated the pore fractal dimension using the pore size distribution of selected softwoods and hardwoods. Mercury intrusion porosimetry explored the detailed structural parameters of wood pore size distributions and assessed their fractal dimension. The results revealed significant variability in pore size distribution, porosity, pore volume, and fractal dimension values. The threshold pressure extracted from porosimetry data can be used as the main parameter to distinguish the pore size distribution regions. Pore sizes ranged from 3 to 35,000 nm, with a corresponding porosity that ranged from 58 to 76%. Three pore size classes were determined and ranged as: macropores (radius 350,000–5000 nm), mesopores (radius 5000–100 nm), and micropores (radius 100–3 nm). The fractal dimension values in the corresponding macropore, mesopore, and micropore size intervals were 2.98–2.998, 2.6–2.92, and 2.53–2.72, respectively, indicating a higher degree of complexity for larger pores.
Bio-lubricant production based on epoxidized oleic acid derived dated palm oil using in situ peracid mechanism
Authors: Tunku Ozir Tunku Arif Zafri , Bin Ab Kadir Mohd Zulkipli , Azmi Intan Suhada , Yeop Mohamad Zarqani , Rahman Siti Mariam A. , Jalil Mohd Jumain
Published: October 2022

In recent years, research on the epoxidation of fatty acids has attracted a great deal of attention due to the increased need for eco-friendly epoxides generated from vegetable oils. The purpose of this research is to produce bio-lubricant from optimized epoxidized oleic acid by alcoholysis with methanol, tert-butyl alcohol, and ethanolamine. Epoxidation is carried out using in situ performic acid formation under a constant temperature of 60 °C where formic acid acts as an oxygen carrier and hydrogen peroxide acts as an oxygen donor. The determination of the optimum process parameters uses one factor at a time (OFAT) method and is based on the optimized process parameters until the maximum relative conversion to oxirane of 65% is achieved. The bio-lubricants are confirmed using the Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) analysis and the results show that the hydroxyl group is present at 3400 cm−1 of wavenumber. A kinetic modeling is performed using the MATLAB optimization tool. After 100 iterations, the reaction rate constant based on optimized epoxidized dated palm oil production were obtained as follows: k
11 = 0.4251 mol⋅L−1⋅min−1, k
12 = 11.345 mol⋅L−1⋅min−1, and k
2 = 0.6761 mol⋅L−1⋅min−1.
Comparative toxic effect of bulk zinc oxide (ZnO) and ZnO nanoparticles on human red blood cells
Authors: Salami Maryam , Khosravi Maryam , Zarei Mohammad Hadi
Published: October 2022

Metal oxide nanoparticles (NPs) are a member of nanomaterials family that have been produced on a large scale and their toxicity affected by their high surface-to-volume ratio. The hemolytic toxic effects of metal oxide NPs may be completely different from those observed in their bulk counterparts. So, the main purpose of this research was to measure the difference between the hemolytic effects of ZnO (NPs and bulk) on isolated human red blood cells (RBCs). Hemolysis was measured after incubation of human RBCs with 0.01–1 mM of ZnO (bulk and NPs) for 6 h. For measurement of other variables, human RBCs were treated with 0.1 mM of ZnO (NPs and bulk) for 1, 2, and 3 h. Our results demonstrate that bulk ZnO did not show any toxic effects in the concentrations tested, while ZnO NPs caused toxic hemolytic effects through formation of ROS, lipid peroxidation, and glutathione depletion.
Prokop, ein glaubwürdiger Berichterstatter? Der Gotenkrieg im Ager Gallicus und im Picenum und seine Auswirkungen auf die Region
Authors: Oswald Pascal Dominic
Published: October 2022

By applying both traditional source analysis and archeological research this paper examines two questions related to the Gothic War in Picenum and Ager Gallicus: First, it deals with the credibility of Procopius’ reporting; second, it looks at the scope of the destructions caused by the 20-year-long conflict in the region and, hence, sheds light on the problem of whether the changes this war brought about – especially in contrast with the following invasion of the Lombards – justify the claim that its end clearly marked the transition from antiquity to the Middle Ages.
Crystal structure of (E)-3-(2-(4-(diethylamino)-2-hydroxystyryl)-3,3-dimethyl-3H-indol-1-ium-1-yl)propane-1-sulfonate – methanol (1/2), C25H32N2O4S⋅2CH3OH
Authors: Zhao Wen-Ze
Published: October 2022

C27H40N2O6S, monoclinic, P21/c (no. 14), a = 11.2654(15) Å, b = 21.630(3) Å, c = 12.2868(17) Å, β = 111.422(3)°, V = 2787.1(7) Å3, Z = 4, R
gt(F) = 0.0493, wR
ref(F
2) = 0.1313, T = 198(2) K.
Coordinated Regulation of CB1 Cannabinoid Receptors and Anandamide Metabolism Stabilizes Network Activity during Homeostatic Downscaling
Authors: Ye Michael , Monroe Sarah K. , Gay Sean M. , Armstrong Michael L. , Youngstrom Diane E. , Urbina Fabio L. , Gupton Stephanie L. , Reisdorph Nichole , Diering Graham H.
Published: October 2022

Neurons express overlapping homeostatic mechanisms to regulate synaptic function and network properties in response to perturbations of neuronal activity. Endocannabinoids (eCBs) are bioactive lipids synthesized in the postsynaptic compartments to regulate synaptic transmission, plasticity, and neuronal excitability primarily through retrograde activation of presynaptic cannabinoid receptor type 1 (CB1). The eCB system is well situated to regulate neuronal network properties and coordinate presynaptic and postsynaptic activity. However, the role of the eCB system in homeostatic adaptations to neuronal hyperactivity is unknown. To address this issue, we used Western blotting and targeted lipidomics to measure adaptations in eCB system to bicuculline (BCC)-induced chronic hyperexcitation in mature cultured rat cortical neurons, and used multielectrode array (MEA) recording and live-cell imaging of glutamate dynamics to test the effects of pharmacological manipulations of eCB on network activities. We show that BCC-induced chronic hyperexcitation triggers homeostatic downscaling and a coordinated adaptation to enhance tonic eCB signaling. Hyperexcitation triggers first the downregulation of fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH), the lipase that degrades the eCB anandamide, then an accumulation of anandamide and related metabolites, and finally a delayed upregulation of surface and total CB1. Additionally, we show that BCC-induced downregulation of surface AMPA-type glutamate receptors (AMPARs) and upregulation of CB1 occur through independent mechanisms. Finally, we show that endocannabinoids support baseline network activities before and after downscaling and is engaged to suppress network activity during adaptation to hyperexcitation. We discuss the implications of our findings in the context of downscaling and homeostatic regulation ofin vitrooscillatory network activities.
Give Us Seltzer, That We May Drink
Authors: Malin James Edward
Published: October 2022

From Hippocrates to Hannibal to the Perrier bottle on a French bistro’s table, drinking seltzer may be as widespread in Western culinary history as eating bread. However, seltzer has had different meanings for various cultures and eras. Today’s New York Ashkenazi Jews, for example, see seltzer as a food icon—a comestible metaphor for their own assimilation and success. (After all, seltzer is the “Jewish Champagne.”) Unlike most Jewish food icons, however, which have some connection to the old world, seltzer seems to have become Jewish suddenly in New York around the 1880s. This article explores thirst as a motivating factor for seltzer’s adoption into Ashkenazi heritage. In the absence of anything provably Judaic about the beverage, this article hypothesizes that seltzer was accessioned into the Jewish gastronomic pantheon by circumstance. New York’s abundant, aqueduct-fed water supply, although completed in the 1840s, was not often tapped by immigrant inhabitants of tenement buildings. Instead, for decades tenement dwellers were forced to make do with the city’s scarce, polluted, or simply undrinkable natural resources. Meanwhile, the city’s popular seltzer industry had begun to adjust, plying seltzer toward poorer masses. Around the time of the Jews’ diaspora, seltzer became the cheapest it had ever been. With seltzer now attainable for poor immigrants, the industry became an ad hoc water infrastructure, ascending into ubiquity among Jewish New Yorkers. Once Jews assimilated into the dominant American culture, seltzer, no longer needed for hydration, became an icon for the Jewish dichotomy of remembering historical strife whilst celebrating abundance.
Intramembrane client recognition potentiates the chaperone functions of calnexin
Authors: Bloemeke Nicolas , Meighen‐Berger Kevin , Hitzenberger Manuel , Bach Nina C , Parr Marina , Coelho Joao PL , Frishman Dmitrij , Zacharias Martin , Sieber Stephan A , Feige Matthias J
Published: October 2022

One‐third of the human proteome is comprised of membrane proteins, which are particularly vulnerable to misfolding and often require folding assistance by molecular chaperones. Calnexin (CNX), which engages client proteins via its sugar‐binding lectin domain, is one of the most abundant ER chaperones, and plays an important role in membrane protein biogenesis. Based on mass spectrometric analyses, we here show that calnexin interacts with a large number of nonglycosylated membrane proteins, indicative of additional nonlectin binding modes. We find that calnexin preferentially bind misfolded membrane proteins and that it uses its single transmembrane domain (TMD) for client recognition. Combining experimental and computational approaches, we systematically dissect signatures for intramembrane client recognition by calnexin, and identify sequence motifs within the calnexin TMD region that mediate client binding. Building on this, we show that intramembrane client binding potentiates the chaperone functions of calnexin. Together, these data reveal a widespread role of calnexin client recognition in the lipid bilayer, which synergizes with its established lectin‐based substrate binding. Molecular chaperones thus can combine different interaction modes to support the biogenesis of the diverse eukaryotic membrane proteome.
A tribute to Dr. Archibald Wilson McCulloch, former NSIS president and NRC research scientist
Authors: Walter John
Published: October 2022

N/A
Sydney Harbour: Seiches, tides and mean circulation
Authors: Petrie Brian
Published: October 2022

Beginning with observations from 1901, sea level elevations and currents from Sydney Harbour are examined across a broad frequency range. The mean currents, annual components of sea level, tides and seiches, mainly in the South Arm, are the focus. Tidal and mean currents are ~0.01 m s-1. The general circulation is estuarine-like with a thin, near-surface outflow layer and a thicker, deeper inflow. The distribution of contaminants in bottom sediments suggests the circulation, though weak, plays a retentive role in the Arm, transporting sediments towards its head. Analysis of 11-years of sea level data indicates a strong annual cycle, more energetic during winter than from late spring to early fall. The increased energy occurred at all frequencies except for tides. Seiches, with periods of ~0.5 to 2 h, emerge as a strong contributor to sea level and currents. The distributions of elevation and flow amplitudes associated with seiches were derived. With maximum observed values of 0.74 m and 0.24 m s-1, seiche displacements and currents can exceed those associated with tides and the mean circulation. While earlier studies identified only the dominant fundamental seiche mode, recent sea level data sampled at 1-minute show that modes 2-4 occur. Keywords: Sydney Harbour, sea level, mean circulation, tides, seiches
Twenty years of ecological research in Nova Scotia wilderness areas and nature reserves: A review of studies, 2002 to 2022
Authors: Cameron Robert P.
Published: October 2022

The following paper is a review of the research undertaken over the last twenty years in Wilderness Areas and Nature Reserves in Nova Scotia. A brief summary is presented of the main findings of each research project conducted by the author or contributed to by the author in a significant way. Inventories have included eleven bioblitzes and over four thousand plots from systematic transects. These have revealed significant new records for species including those of conservation concern. Results suggest there are many species than have not been identified in protected areas. Geographical Information System (GIS) Ecological Land Classification was completed for Nova Scotia and this led to ecosystem gap analysis to determine ecosystems that are not well represented in the current protected areas system. Long-term monitoring, using biodiversity transects and lichens, indicates that air quality is good throughout the protected areas system. Forests are returning to a more climax condition and with the exception of a few instances, non-native plants are generally not problematic. Carbon modeling of protected areas suggests that they will be a carbon sink for the next one hundred years and would be a carbon source if managed for forestry. Protected areas are well suited to provide ideal optimal settings in which climate change adaptation and mitigation can take place.  Planning for climate change within protected areas can be facilitated by a Climate Change Adaptation Framework.Research on species of special concern in protected areas has included turtles, Mainland Moose, Canada Lynx, America Marten, Lichens, Atlantic Coastal Plain Flora, forest plants and Piping Plover. Research on rare, sensitive, vulnerable ecosystems has involved predictive modeling and identification and characterization of heathlands, forest wetlands and Jack pine woodlands. Old Growth Forest research has included predictive modeling, biological inventories, dendrochronology studies and scoring using indicators. Human activities adjacent to protected areas can cause deleterious edge effects. An ongoing study in the Cloud Lake Wilderness Area is measuring the effect of adjacent forestry on birds and plants within the Wilderness Area. Several studies on connectivity have looked at the increase in connectivity caused by the establishment of protected areas in Nova Scotia. Other efforts on connectivity have identified key nodes of connectivity within the province which require protection. Human use of protected areas can lead to damage of ecosystems and so investigations on human use of protected areas has been focussed on motorized vehicles and to a lesser extent on human foot traffic. Although there have been many ecological studies in protected areas over the last twenty years, it is evident that there still is a great deal that is unknown about the biodiversity of protected areas.
Precise thinking tools and the impact of computer science on professional practice
Authors:   Kuban State Technological University, Trofimov Victor Maratovich
Published: October 2022

Introduction. The main intellectual competence of IT professionals includes culture of thinking, the ability to generalize, analyze, and perceive information. But what do we mean by the culture of thinking today? If it is based on consistency and creativity, as leading IT-companies require from university graduates, it immediately indicates the complexity and even inconsistency of the requirements for the expected qualities of thinking from newly-qualified professionals. Because, on the one hand, they need to be able to systematize the available data into a certain structure; on the other hand, they have to abandon the existing one and achieve a fundamentally different solution. The purpose of this article is to identify the core of thinking tools in professional practice and describe precisely them using set-theoretical analysis. Materials and Methods. We proceed from the fact that thinking, as a part of the nature of reality, reaches the level required for professional practice when it satisfies at least three conditions: stability, accuracy and completeness of the description of a particular system or process. Since we cannot extract thinking from historical and cultural way of cognition, which is sometimes called an episteme, it is necessary, first of all, to rely on examples of such a context as the evolution of the linguistic state of the human population and the evolution of the architecture of the design of distributed systems in the information space. The mathematical basis is taken from the experience of teaching and using the set-theoretical method in mathematics disciplines within computer fields of study. Results. Within the framework of the proposed methodology, some important tools of professional thinking are formulated in the precise language of computer science. The structures of stable retention of objective thinking, the accuracy of retention of meaning, the minimum completeness of the system, bricolage and the option of the basic figure of creativity visualization are described. This methodology allows to see the logic of branching in the evolution of different languages, as well as the logic of the evolution of software systems. Conclusions. The set-theoretical tools of thinking reveal the logic within the development of distributed systems in the modern information environment and, apparently, significantly affect the tools of thinking in various fields of knowledge.
Inter-university collaboration as an impetus for improving the quality of language education and promoting academic mobility
Authors:   Kutafin Moscow State Law University, Martynenko Irina Anatolievna , Aleshko-Ozhevskaya Svetlana Sergeyevna ,   Lomonosov Moscow State University
Published: October 2022

Introduction. The article focuses on theoretical and practical aspects of conducting an online inter-university seminar to improve collaboration among students. The purpose of the article is to analyse and describe the main advantages and role of blended learning and to propose ways of assisting collaboration, communication and cooperation in higher education. Materials and Methods. The study is based on the analysis of scholarly literature on foreign language teaching methods. An educational experiment was carried out and a survey was conducted. The data obtained through experiment contributed to Russian and foreign research in the area. The empirical data are analyzed and generalized. Results. The research has revealed the advantages of conducting online inter-university seminars. It is shown that inter-university collaboration enhances development of student communication skills, as well as the abilities to search, select and process information in a foreign language, improves the efficiency of group work and allows for a greater number of student participation. The student motivation is increased, language acquisition is facilitated. The authors have shown that the negative aspects include the differences in foreign language skills and in the in-depth knowledge of the subject matter. The difference in the number of participants from two universities also affects collaborative learning results. Conclusions. The article concludes that blended learning plays an important role in modern higher education allowing students to master communicative and creative skills.
An Analysis of Pronunciation of the Nasal Sound /n/ Followed by the Bilabial Nasal Consonant /m/ at Indonesian Japanese Learners
Authors: Febriyanti Rike , Virdaus Nurica
Published: October 2022

The purpose of this study was to find out how the pronunciation of the nasal sound /ɴ/was followed by the nasal bilabial consonant /m/ by Indonesian Japanese learners. This study uses a descriptive qualitative approach. This research data is in the form of audio recordings of 13 students learning Japanese at Brawijaya University, which is compared with the pronunciation of the same sentence in the Suzuki-kun feature in OJAD. The analysis results found sound assimilation (on'in datsuraku), so the nasal sound produced in the middle of the vocabulary was the nasal bilabial /m/. The presence of sound assimilation causes the duration when pronouncing the nasal bilabial /m/to be quite long, with a duration range of /m/ 0.121208 – 0.161208 seconds. The nasal sound is produced if it is seen from the presence or absence of the insertion of /ɴ/. The duration, it is found in the pronunciation of [kammoɴ] and [semmenʑo], respectively, that 3 out of 13 students agree with the pronunciation of OJAD, while in the pronunciation of [ kiɕokɯmammeɴ], only 1 in 13 students qualified. So it can be said that students still tend to pronounce the nasal sound /ɴ/ followed by the nasal bilabial sound /m/ with a nasal sound other than the bilabial /m/.