bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
How many species of Eranthis (Ranunculaceae) are there in Siberia and Far East part of Russia? An integrative taxonomic approach
Authors:   Central Siberian Botanical Garden, SB RAS (Novosibirsk, Russia), Erst A.S. ,   Tomsk State University (Tomsk, Russia), Mitrenina E.Yu. ,   Tomsk State University (Tomsk, Russian Federation), Wang W. ,   State Key Laboratory of Systematic and Evolutionary Botany, Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences (Beijing, China), Skaptsov M.V. ,   Altai State University (Barnaul, Russia), Kostikova V.A. ,   Central Siberian Botanical Garden, SB RAS (Novosibirsk, Russia); Tomsk State University (Tomsk, Russia)
Published: November 2020

For Siberian and Far East Eranthis systematics and taxonomy problems solving the integrative approach which includes morphometrical, cytological, molecular-philogenetical and biochemical methods has been applied. Complex obtained data has showed the genus population heterogeneity within the territory under study. Based on integrative taxonomy the new species – Eranthis tanhoensis was described. Our further research will allow study hybrids and evolution of Siberian and Far East taxa.
Decision Making Model Based on the Z-Information
Authors:   Moscow Bauman State Technical University, Moscow, 105005, Russian Federation, Poleshchuk O. M.
Published: November 2020

A model of multicriteria decision making is developed taking into account the reliability of the data obtained. To formalize the information containing the data and assess their reliability, Z-numbers are used, the definition of which was given by Lotfie Zadeh in 2011. Most of the well-known decision models based on Z-numbers are limited by the assumption of a probabilistic assessment of the reliability of the data, which significantly narrows the scope of these models. This article partially removes the restrictive requirements when working with Z-numbers. For components of Z-numbers, aggregate indicators are calculated using a-cuts, based on which the similarity indicator between Z-numbers is determined. Choosing the best alternative is based on the minimum indicator of similarity with the ideal alternative. A numerical example is presented that shows the operation of the model and its effectiveness under conditions of multi-criteria selection.
Architectural Features of Neural Network Forecasting Software Systems with Continuous Training
Authors:   St. Petersburg Institute for Informatics and Automation of the Russian Academy of Sciences, St. Petersburg, 199178, Russian Federation, Miloserdov D. I.
Published: November 2020

In recent years, a method of neural network event forecasting has been developed, based on the use of a pair of recurrent neural networks with controlled elements. This method allows you to make predictions without interrupting training. However, for its full use, a reasonable software implementation is necessary. This study considers the problem of searching for a software architecture that implements the method of neural network forecasting with continuous learning. Offers an improved prediction method that significantly reduces the required amount of memory. A procedure for accelerated calculation of the weights of neural network synapses has been developed. To assess the effectiveness of the proposed architectural solutions, a comparative analysis of various variants of software implementations was conducted. In systems developed with the proposed innovations, the requirements for memory and computing resources are much lower than in software implementations of the prototype method. For example, the amount of memory required has decreased by an average of 15 times, and system initialization has taken 16 times less time. At the same time, the strategy of maximum memory saving in such systems proved to be unproductive compared to the combined approach. Based on the obtained comparison results, recommendations are given for the use and choice of architectures depending on the specific tasks facing the end user, and the hardware and software environment in which the forecasting systems are supposed to operate.
THE GENDER ASPECT OF ASSURANCE OF DEMOCRATIC CIVIL CONTROL IN THE SECTOR OF SECURITY AND DEFENSE OF THE STATE
Authors: Bobrova J. , Bobrov J.
Published: November 2020

The effective command and control of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and other elements of the defense forces with the aim toachieve the high-level of defense capability of the state which are inextricably related with the appropriate normalization andexercising the practical events of democratic civil control of the military organization of the state.The process of reforming the defense sector is aimed at transforming the system of unified command and control andmilitary command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The establishment of a new system of command and control provides for aclear delimitation of authority between the Ministry of Defense and the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the functioning of new typesand branches of troops (forces). Additionally, it is provided for the separation of the functions of planning, generation andimplementation of means and forces within the Armed Forces, and the Ministry of defense has transformed from the body ofmilitary command to the central body of executive authority, responsible for the reform and implementation of the state policy inthe military sphere and the sphere of defense, the military policy in terms of staff, the technical policy and the policy in terms ofdefense purchases etc. One of the major tasks of the Ministry of Defense is the exercise within the framework of authority ofdemocratic civil control of the activity of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the military-political and administrative command andcontrol of the military organization.The gender equality requires the establishment of equal rights and opportunities for men and women in the matters ofmilitary service, participation in the protection of the state – not only on a legislative but also on a practical level. For a longperiod of time the military profession was solely masculine. It has been related with the significant physical, moral-psychologicalpressure on a human being, the necessity to be firm in overcoming the hard and difficult daily military routine. Currently, the roleof the woman in a society has undergone significant changes. The latter have also touched the military sphere. It is therefore theissue of democratic civil control of the military organization of the state is to be considered through the prism of its genderaspect. For the sole, gender element of this control is the finest measure of its effectiveness, the indicator of absolute control ofcivic society in the military sphere, which assures the accountability of military to civil personnel and totally includes thepossibility of a military coup d’état in a state.
COMPARATIVE EVALUATION OF THE ORIGIN, EVOLUTION, TRANSMISSION, DIAGNOSIS, AND VACCINE DEVELOPMENT OF THREE HIGHLY PATHOGENIC HUMAN CORONAVIRUSES (SARS-COV, MERS-COV AND SARS-COV-2)
Authors:   Prasanna School of Public Health, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Eshwar Nagar, Manipal, Udupi, Karnataka - 576104, India, Shaw Prabhu Dutta , Patel Nicky ,   Indian Institute of Public Health Gandhinagar, Opp to Airforce station HQ, Lekawada, Gandhinagar, Gujarat - 382042, India, Patil Shailee ,   Indian Institute of Public Health Gandhinagar, Opp to Airforce station HQ, Lekawada, Gandhinagar, Gujarat - 382042, India, Samuel Richard ,   Indian Institute of Public Health Gandhinagar, Opp to Airforce station HQ, Lekawada, Gandhinagar, Gujarat - 382042, India, Khanna Prateek ,   Indian Institute of Public Health – Delhi, Plot No. 47, Sector 44, Institutional Area, Gurugram - 122002, India, Prajapati Bhumika ,   Indian Institute of Public Health Gandhinagar, Opp to Airforce station HQ, Lekawada, Gandhinagar, Gujarat - 382042, India, Sharun Khan ,   Division of Surgery, ICAR-Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar, Bareilly-243 122, Uttar Pradesh, India, Tiwari Ruchi ,   Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Immunology, College of Veterinary Sciences, Uttar Pradesh Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Pashu Chikitsa Vigyan Vishwavidyalaya Evam Go Anusandhan Sansthan (DUVASU), Mathura, India –281001, India., Dhama Kuldeep ,   Division of Pathology, ICAR-Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar, Bareilly- 243 122, Uttar Pradesh, India, Natesan Senthilkumar ,   Indian Institute of Public Health Gandhinagar, Opp to Airforce station HQ, Lekawada, Gandhinagar, Gujarat - 382042, India
Published: November 2020

Coronavirus infection in humans is not uncommon. The first coronavirus (HCoV-229E) in humans was isolated in 1965. Subsequently, three more coronaviruses were recognized: HCoV-NL63, HCoV-HKU1, and HCoV-229E. These viruses are endemic in humans and cause common cold and mild respiratory infections throughout the year. The three coronaviruses, SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV, and SARS-CoV-2 are highly pathogenic coronaviruses that cause very severe respiratory diseases in human. SARS-CoV-2 is a newly emerging coronavirus posing pandemic COVID-19 disease that has disrupted the human life in many ways. In this review, the origin, evolution, transmission, vaccine development, and clinical characteristics of these highly pathogenic human coronaviruses are compared and discussed to understand the common and different features of these viruses and their relevance to develop a successful vaccine to control the pandemic COVID-19.
Effect of Starter Culture on the Fatty Acid and Amino Acid Profile of Fermented Parkia biglobosa Seeds
Authors: Atere Ayowole Victor , Oyetayo Victor O. , Akinyosoye Felix A.
Published: November 2020

Iru
, a condiment used for seasoning soup is often obtained from the fermentation of Parkiabiglobosa seeds. The present study therefore investigates the effect of different starter culture on the amino and fatty acid profile of Parkiabiglobosa seed fermented to produce iru. Starter culture of Lactobacillus plantarum, Bacillus subtilis and Leuconostoc sp were used to ferment Parkiabiglobosa seeds. The bacterial load increased from 0.00 log10cfu/g in boiled raw sample to 8.67 log10cfu/g in naturally fermented sample. Fermentation significantly (P<0.05) increased the quantity of the amino acids in fermented samples. Aspartic acid (25.85 g/100g) and linoleic acid (42.99 %) were the highest amino and fatty acids respectively in the fermented samples. The result from this study reveals that fermentation significantly increase the amino and fatty acid profile of Parkiabiglobosa fermented to produce iru, a Nigerian condiment.
INTERCROPPING OF GRASSES OR LEGUME SPECIES IN MAIZE CROP IN THE CERRADO
Authors: TAKASU ANDERSON TERUO , ARF ORIVALDO , MEIRELLES FLÁVIA CONSTANTINO , DE LIMA MILHOSSI EDER NUNES , PORTUGAL JOSÉ ROBERTO , DE SOUZA BUZO FERNANDO , KANEKO FLÁVIO HIROSHI , FERREIRA RODRIGUES RICARDO ANTÔNIO
Published: November 2020

In grain crop production systems, the cultivation of maize intercropped with grasses or legumes, together with soil management, can provide sustainability without reducing maize yield in the low altitude Cerrado. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the effects of sowing maize intercropped with grasses or legume species, in two soil management systems, on the agronomic characteristics and yield of maize, in the first crop season in physically limited soil in the Cerrado. The experiment was developed in the agricultural years of 2015/16, 2016/17 and 2017/18, in the municipality of Selvíria, in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul, in typical dystrophic Red Latosol, with clay texture. The randomized block experimental design was used, in a 2x5 factorial scheme, consisting of soil management systems (no-tillage and minimum tillage) and maize intercropped or not (sole maize; maize + Urochloa ruziziensis; maize + U. brizantha; maize + Crotalaria spectabilis; and maize + Cajanus cajan). The intercropping of maize with legumes or grasses sown simultaneously in the interrow spacing, when implemented and conducted properly, did not affect the average maize yield. Regardless of soil management and maize intercropping systems, the high soil density and penetration resistance, observed in the experimental area, were not impediments to satisfactory maize grain yield.
Book Review-American Philanthropic Foundations: Regional Difference and Change
Authors: Fugiel Gartner Michele
Published: November 2020

American Philanthropic Foundations: Regional Difference and Change David C. Hammack and Steven Rathgeb Smith (Eds.) Indiana University Press (2018) Reviewed by: Michele Fugiel Gartner
Impact of COVID-19 on Employee Behavior: Stress and Coping Mechanism During WFH (Work From Home) Among Service Industry Employees
Authors: Sahni Dr. Jolly
Published: November 2020

The continuing crisis of Coronavirus-19 disease (COVID-19) has changed our lives considerably; imposing the need for various modifications for organizations and individuals to cope up in this testing time. This study is undertaken to have an insight on how organizations and individuals adapt to these changes and challenges. The impact of coronavirus on human body is well known and more research is underway but what it does to the human behavior and the psychosocial effects are yet to be unraveled. To dive deep into the behavioral consequences of such pandemic, 23 in-depth interviews (Male 12; female 13, average age of 39 years) were conducted with middle level managers in public and private service industry of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Using the Conservation of resource theory (COR), this paper explores the employee’s perception of different types of stressors and examine a variety of coping mechanisms including the type of organizational support provided during this crisis. The findings of the interview suggest that the stress levels were moderate to high among all the participants. The main themes emerged from the interviews were categorized into five; (i) Triggers of stress (ii) Organizational support (iii) Coping strategies & resources (iv) Blurred boundaries during WFH and (v) Positivity in this crisis. The study presents an integrated Stress Model with key triggers, coping strategies (resources), organization support and outcome. The triggers inducing stress includes fear of unknown, ineffective communication at work, lack of clarity and direction, interruptions during WFH resulting in loss of resources like time and energy. All this might disturb employee’s mental health leading to prolonged stress or even psychosomatic diseases. Therefore, it is an important issues which need to be given priority in all organizations. The findings support the notion that there is a dire need for psycho-social support, community support and an effective system of organizational support to sustain employee’s emotional and mental wellbeing. The findings of the study are valuable and have urgent policy implications for devising a special EAP for crisis like COVID-19 and any future cases. Although the lockdown would be gradually eased, organizations need to rethink about different alternatives to work. The need of the hour is to be more agile and flexible to foster creativity and innovation.
Evaluasi Penyimpanan Obat di Gudang Farmasi RSUD Ratu Zalecha Martapura
Authors: Lestari Octa Linda , Kartinah Nani , Hafizah Noor
Published: November 2020

Penyimpanan adalah kegiatan untuk menghindari obat dari kerusakan baik fisik dan kimia serta memastikan kualitas obat tetap terjamin. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengevaluasi penyimpanan obat di Instalasi Gudang Farmasi RSUD Ratu Zalecha Martapura berdasarkan indikator USAID. Penelitian bersifat deskriptif non-eksperimental dengan rancangan penelitian cross sectional dan pengambilan data dilakukan secara prospektif. Indikator yang dievaluasi yaitu tingkat akurasi persediaan obat, tingkat akurasi penempatan obat, tingkat akurasi pengambilan obat, waktu pemrosesan permintaan obat, pemanfaatan ruang penyimpanan, serta tingkat keamanan di lokasi penyimpanan menurut USAID. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan persentase tingkat akurasi persediaan obat 100%, persentase tingkat akurasi penempatan obat sebesar 85%, dan persentase tingkat akurasi pengambilan obat 97%. Waktu yang diperlukan oleh petugas gudang dalam pemrosesan permintaan obat yaitu 3 - 66 menit, persentase pemanfaatan gudang untuk menyimpan obat sebesar 43%, dan terdapat Standar Prosedur Operasional terkait tingkat keamanan obat di gudang penyimpanan obat. Dapat disimpulkan bahwa hasil evaluasi berdasarkan indikator USAID menunjukkan penyimpanan obat di Gudang Farmasi RSUD Ratu Zalecha Martapura masih belum efisien karena masih terdapat indikator yang belum memenuhi standar yaitu indikator tingkat akurasi penempatan obat dan tingkat akurasi pengambilan obat. Storage of medicine is an activity to prevent drugs from physical and chemical damage and to guarantee the quality of drugs. This study aims to evaluate the drug storage at the Installation of Pharmacy in Ratu Zalecha Martapura Hospital based on USAID indicators. This research is a descriptive non-experimental study with a cross-sectional study and prospectively data. The indicators evaluated are the accuracy of drug supplies, the accuracy of drug placement, the accuracy of drug collection, the processing time for drug requests, the utilization of storage space, and the level of security at storage locations according to USAID. The results showed an accurate rate of drug supplies was 100%, percent of the accuracy rate of drug placement was 85%, and percent of the accuracy of drug-taking was 97%. The time required by warehouse officers in processing drug requests is 3 - 66 minutes, the percentage of warehouse used to store drugs is 43%, and there are Standard Operating Procedures related to the safety level of drugs in drug storage warehouses. The conclusion of this research is the evaluation based on USAID indicators show that drug storage in the Pharmacy Warehouse of the Ratu Zalecha Martapura Hospital is still inefficient because there are still indicators that do not meet the standards, namely indicators of the accuracy of drug placement and the accuracy of drug-taking.Keywords :   Drug Storage, Warehouse, USAID Indicator, Pharmaceutical Managemen
Analisis Pengaruh Penggunaan Depot Medroxyprogesterone Acetate Terhadap Kenaikan Berat Badan Akseptor di Puskesmas Perumnas II Pontianak
Authors: Nurmainah Nurmainah , Wahdaningsih Sri , Innas Syaazaratul Qamelia
Published: November 2020

Kontrasepsi suntik merupakan salah satu kontrasepsi hormonal yang masih menjadi pilihan akseptor dalam mengatur kehamilan. Namun demikian, penggunaan kontrasepsi suntik Depot Medroxyprogesterone Acetate (DMPA) diketahui dapat meningkatkan berat badan selama pemakaian enam (6) bulan atau lebih. Tujuan penelitian ini dilakukan untuk menganalisis pengaruh penggunaan DMPA terhadap kenaikan berat badan akseptor. Penelitian ini merupakan penelitian observasional dengan rancangan penelitian potong lintang (cross sectional) yang bersifat analitik. Populasi dalam penelitian ini adalah seluruh akseptor baru suntik DMPA di Puskesmas Perumnas II Pontianak pada bulan Januari 2018 hingga Maret 2019. Variabel dari penelitian ialah usia, pekerjaan, paritas, dan kenaikan berat badan. Analisis dilakukan dengan menggunakan analisis paired t-test. Teknik pengambilan sampel yang digunakan ialah purposive sampling. Jumlah sampel yang memenuhi kriteria inklusi dan ekslusi sebanyak 81 akseptor. Dari hasil penelitian ini diperoleh bahwa sebagian besar akseptor berusia 20-35 tahun (71,6%), bekerja sebagai ibu rumah tangga (97,5%), mempunyai 2 anak atau lebih (77,8%), dan memiliki kenaikan berat badan 0-2 kg (44,4%). Berdasarkan hasil analisis paired t-test bahwa penggunaan suntik KB 3 bulan (DMPA) memiliki pengaruh terhadap kenaikan berat badan akseptor dengan nilai p=0,001. Kesimpulan dari penelitian ini bahwa terdapat pengaruh penggunaan DMPA terhadap kenaikan berat badan akseptor. Injectable contraception is a hormonal contraceptive used by acceptors in regulating pregnancy. However, the use of Depot Medroxyprogesterone Acetate (DMPA) is known to increase body weight after six months of use or more.. The purpose of this study was to analysis the effect of using DMPA on weight gain. This study was an observational study with cross sectional analytic study design. The population in this study were all new acceptors who used DMPA at the Perumnas II Pontianak Public Health Care in January 2018 to March 2019. Variables from the study were age, occupation, parity, and weight gain. Analysis was performed using paired t-test analysis. The sampling technique used was purposive sampling, where the number samples that met the inclusion and exclusion criteria were 81 acceptors. The results showed that most of the acceptors were aged 20-35 years (71,6%), work as housewives (97,5%), had 2 or more children (77,8%), and gained weight 0-2  kg (44,4%). Based on the results of paired t-test analysis, the use of DMPA has an effect on the acceptor’s weight gain with a value of p = 0.001. The conclusion of this study is that there is an effect of the use of DMPA on acceptor weight gain.Keywords: Acceptors, DMPA, weigt gain
Aktivitas Antioksidan Ekstrak Etanol Muntingia calabura dengan Variasi Laju Pengadukan Menggunakan Macerator-Magnetic Stirrer (M-MS)
Authors: Zaini Muhammad , Hidriya Hajrah , Japeri Japeri
Published: November 2020

Maserasi merupakan salah satu metode ekstraksi yang digunakan untuk menarik kandungan kimia dari bahan alam. Macerator Magnetic Stirrer (M-MS) merupakan alat yang dikembangkan untuk memaksimalkan proses maserasi melalui pengadukan secara berkesinambungan. Tujuan penelitian ini adalah untuk mengetahui efektivitas penggunaan M-MS dalam proses ekstraksi senyawa bahan alam. Parameter yang digunakan yaitu persentase zat terekstraksi (% rendemen) dan aktivitas antioksidan (IC50) ekstrak etanol Muntingia calabura (EEMC) menggunakan metode DPPH (2,2-Diphenyl-1-Picrylhydrazil). Pengujian dilakukan terhadap simplisia daun Muntingia calabura yang  dimaserasi selama 24 jam menggunakan etanol 95% dengan maserator konvensional, M-MS dengan laju pengadukan 200 rpm dan 300 rpm. Pengadukan dengan maserator konvensional dilakukan sebanyak 3 kali setiap 8 jam, sedangkan dengan M-MS dilakukan secara kontinyu selama 24 jam. Nilai % rendemen EEMC dari maserator konevnsional, M-MS 200 rpm dan 300 rpm secara berturut-turut adalah 7,6 %, 8,4 % dan 10,2 %. Hasil uji aktivitas antioksidan menghasilkan nilai IC50 EEMC dengan maserator konvensional sebesar 18,19 ppm, M-MS 200 rpm adalah 14,35 ppm dan 300 rpm adalah 7,85 ppm. Nilai IC50 untuk masing-masing uji menunjukan < 50 ppm yang termasuk dalam kategori sangat kuat. Ekstraksi EEMC paling efektif adalah menggunakan M-MS dengan laju pengadukan 300 rpm. The maceration is one of the extraction methods used to extract chemical content from natural compounds. Macerator Magnetic Stirrer (M-MS) is a tool developed to maximize the maceration process through continuous stirring. The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of using M-MS in the process of extracting natural compounds. The parameters used were the percentage of extracted substance (% yield) and antioxidant activity (IC50) of ethanol extract of Muntingia calabura (EEMC) using the DPPH method (2,2-Diphenyl-1-Picrylhydrazil). Tests were carried out on the simplicia of Muntingia calabura leaves which were macerated for 24 hours using 95% ethanol with a conventional macerator, M-MS with a stirring rate of 200 rpm and 300 rpm. Stirring with a conventional macerator was carried out 3 times every 8 hours, while with M-MS it was done continuously for 24 hours. EEMC yield value respectively of conventional macerator, M-MS at 200 rpm and 300 rpm showed 7.6 %, 8.4% and 10.2 %. The results of the antioxidant activity test resulted in the IC50 EEMC value with a conventional macerator is 18.19 ppm, M-MS 200 rpm is 14.35 ppm and 300 rpm is 7.85 ppm. The IC50 value for each test shows <50 ppm which is included in the very strong category. The most effective EEMC extraction is using M-MS with a stirring rate of 300 rpm.Keywords: maceration, M-MS, EEMC, antioxidant
Lectotypification of Porpax scaposa (Orchidaceae)
Authors:   Suranaree University of Technology, Nakhon Ratchasima 3000, Thailand, Watthana Santi , Suddee Somran ,   Forest Herbarium, Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, Chatuchak, Bangkok, 10900 Thailand
Published: November 2020

Porpax scaposa is lectotypified. This species is endemic to northern Thailand, and was based on Garrett 717 (BKF, K) when published. We here select the Kew sheet, K000913725, as the lectotype.
Why Blood Group A Individuals Are at Risk Whereas Blood Group O Individuals Might Be Protected from SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) Infection: A Hypothesis Regarding How the Virus Invades the Human Body via Abo(H) Blood Group-Determining Carbohydrates
Authors: Arend Peter
Published: November 2020

While the angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) protein is defined as the primary severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) receptor, the viral serine molecule might be mobilized by the host's transmembrane protease serine subtype 2 (TMPRSS2) enzyme from the viral spike (S) protein and hijack the host’s N-acetyl-D-galactosamine (GalNAc) metabolism. The resulting hybrid, serologically A-like/Tn (T-nouvelle) structure potentially acts as a host–pathogen functional molecular bridge. In humans, this intermediate structure will hypothetically be replaced by ABO(H) blood group-specific, mucin-type structures, in the case of infection hybrid epitopes, implicating the phenotypically glycosidic accommodation of plasma proteins. The virus may, by mimicking the synthetic pathways of the ABO(H) blood groups, bind to the cell surfaces of the blood group O(H) by formation of a hybrid H-type antigen as the potential precursor of hybrid non-O blood groups, which does not affect the highly anti-glycan aggressive anti-A and anti-B isoagglutinin activities, exerted by the germline-encoded nonimmune immunoglobulin M (IgM). In the non-O blood groups, which have developed from the H-type antigen, these IgM activities are downregulated by phenotypic glycosylation, while adaptive immunoglobulins might arise in response to the hybrid A and B blood group structures, bonds between autologous carbohydrates and foreign peptides, suggesting the exertion of autoreactivity. The non-O blood groups thus become a preferred target for the virus, whereas blood group O(H) individuals, lacking the A/B phenotype-determining enzymes and binding the virus alone by hybrid H-type antigen formation, have the least molecular contact with the virus and maintain the critical anti-A and anti-B isoagglutinin activities, exerted by the ancestral IgM, which is considered the humoral spearhead of innate immunity.
Imidocarb Dipropionate Lacks Efficacy against Theileria Haneyi and Fails to Consistently Clear Theileria Equi in Horses Co-Infected With T. Haneyi
Authors: Sears Kelly , Knowles Donald , Dinkel Kelcey , Msheli Wayuta Philip , Onzere Cynthia , Silva Marta , Fry Lindsay
Published: November 2020

Control of Theileria equi, the primary cause of equine theileriosis, is largely reliant on acaracide use and chemosterilization with imidocarb dipropionate (ID). However, it is currently unknown if ID is effective against Theileria haneyi, the recently identified second causative agent of equine theileriosis, or if the drug maintains effectiveness against T. equi in the presence of T. haneyi co-infection. The purpose of this study was address these questions using ID treatment of the following three groups of horses: 1. Five T. haneyi infected horses; 2. Three T. haneyi-T. equi infected horses; and 3. Three T. equi-T. haneyi infected horses. Clearance was first evaluated using nPCR for each Theileria sp. on peripheral blood samples. ID failed to clear T. haneyi in all three groups of horses, and failed to clear T. equi in 2/3 horses in group two. For definitive confirmation of infection status, horses in groups two and three underwent splenectomy post-treatment. The T. equi-nPCR-positive horses in group two developed severe clinical signs and were euthanized. Remaining horses exhibited moderate signs consistent with T. haneyi. Our results demonstrate that ID therapy lacks efficacy against T. haneyi, and T. haneyi-T. equi co-infection may interfere with ID clearance of T. equi.
Epigenetic Modulation of SPCA2 Reverses Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition in Breast Cancer Cells
Authors: Makena Monish Ram , Ko Myungjun , Dang Donna Kimberly , Rao Rajini
Published: November 2020

The secretory pathway Ca2+-ATPase SPCA2 is a tumor suppressor in triple receptor negative breast cancer (TNBC), a highly aggressive molecular subtype that lacks tailored treatment options. Low expression of SPCA2 in TNBC confers poor survival prognosis in patients. Previous work has established that re-introducing SPCA2 to TNBC cells restores basal Ca2+ signaling, represses mesenchymal gene expression, mitigates tumor migration in vitro and metastasis in vivo. In this study, we examined the effect of histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACi) in TNBC cell lines. We show that the pan-HDACi vorinostat and the class I HDACi romidepsin induce dose-dependent upregulation of SPCA2 transcript with concurrent downregulation of mesenchymal markers and tumor cell migration characteristic of epithelial phenotype. Silencing SPCA2 abolished the ability of HDACi to reverse epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT). Independent of ATPase activity, SPCA2 elevated resting Ca2+ levels to activate downstream components of non-canonical Wnt/Ca2+ signaling. HDACi treatment led to SPCA2-dependent phosphorylation of CAMKII and -catenin, turning Wnt signaling off. We conclude that SPCA2 mediates the efficacy of HDACi in reversing EMT in TNBC by a novel mode of non-canonical Wnt/Ca2+ signaling. Our findings provide incentive for screening epigenetic modulators that exploit Ca2+ signaling pathways to reverse EMT in breast tumors.
An Improved Method for Physical Separation of Cerebral Vasculature and Parenchyma Enables Detection of Blood-Brain-Barrier Dysfunction
Authors: Matthes Frank , Matuskova Hana , Arkelius Kajsa , Ansar Saema , Lundgaard Iben , Meissner Anja
Published: November 2020

The neurovascular niche is crucial for constant blood supply and blood-brain barrier (BBB) function and is altered in a number of different neurological conditions, making this an intensely active field of research. Brain vasculature is unique for its tight association of endothelial cells with astrocytic endfeet processes. Separation of the vascular compartment by centrifugation-based methods confirmed enrichment of astrocytic endfeet processes, making it possible to study the entire vascular niche with such methods. Several centrifugation-based separation protocols are found in the literature; however, with some constraints which limit their applicability and the scope of the studies. Here, we describe and validate a protocol for physically separating the neurovascular niche from the parenchyma, which is optimized for smaller tissue quantities. Using endothelial, neuronal and astrocyte markers, we show that quantitative Western blot-based target detection can be performed of both the vascular and parenchymal fractions using as little as a single mouse brain hemisphere. Validation of our protocol in rodent stroke models by detecting changes in serum albumin signals and astrocyte activation, i.e. increased glial fibrillary acidic protein expression, between the ipsilateral and the lesion-free contralateral hemisphere demonstrates this protocol as a new way of detecting BBB breakdown and astrogliosis, respectively.
Quantum Web of Gravity
Authors: Machusky Eugene
Published: November 2020

The recently proposed and logically developed paradigm of deep genetical affinity of scientific terms "energy-entropy-information" harmonizes classical and quantum physics with general and special theories of relativity. For the first time in engineering practice, a complex vector-tensor-matrix description of gravitational, thermal and electromagnetic fields in ideal solid, liquid and gaseous media was performed analytically and without preliminary measurements. The basic set of fundamental quantum constants of the standard physical model has been computed with an extreme precision of 1/10^64, which is a natural limit arising due to elementary recursive arithmetic and elementary functional analysis in digital notation.
Метод сверхбыстрого расчета состава и термодинамики многокомпонентной плазмы
Authors: Белов Александр Александрович , Belov Aleksandr Aleksandrovich , Димаков В С , Dimakov V S , Козлитин Иван Алексеевич , Kozlitin Ivan Alekseevich
Published: November 2020

Детально описан алгоритм расчета состава плазмы на основе улучшенного метода
Райзера. Проведено сравнение результатов расчетов по данному методу и с помощью решения системы уравнений Саха с учетом вырождения электронов. Предложен метод поиска корня уравнения одной переменной, не уступающий по надежности методу дихотомии и превосходящий по скорости метод Брента в задаче расчета состава многокомпонентной плазмы. Приведены формулы расчета термодинамических функций плазмы.
O lugar dos livros didáticos e os desafios do ensino de História do Tempo Presente
Authors: Cardoso Maria Abadia
Published: November 2020

A proposta deste artigo é investigar o “lugar” que os livros didáticos ocupam nas preocupações da escrita História do Tempo Presente em seus vieses de produção acadêmica e de conhecimento histórico escolar. Para tanto, serão efetivados dois movimentos: situar historicamente as preocupações com o conteúdo dos livros didáticos de história no que se refere ao golpe de 1964 e a institucionalização do regime militar; e analisar as formas de abordagem do referido conteúdo. Sob este último aspecto e considerando os limites da reflexão aqui proposta, serão eleitas duas coleções: História de Ronaldo Vainfas, Sheila de Castro Faria, Jorge Ferreira e Georgina dos Santos e Olhares da História: Brasil e Mundo de Cláudio Vicentino e Bruno Vicentino.
Rios de Marielle: uma experiência de formação de professores/as entre direitos humanos, patrimônio e cidade
Authors: Costa Carina Martins
Published: November 2020

O artigo apresenta uma experiência desenvolvida na disciplina Estágio Supervisionado, do curso de Licenciatura em História (UERJ), baseado no uso da cidade e do patrimônio da cidade do Rio de Janeiro. O ensino de Direitos Humanos foi o eixo central pela abordagem das memórias e esquecimentos em torno da vereadora assassinada Marielle Franco (PSOL/RJ) e das lutas em prol da defesa de igualdade de gênero, educação antirracista e direito à cidade. A metodologia utilizada foi a pesquisa-ação, com a proposição de roteiros pedagógicos, materiais didáticos e performances, na perspectiva sócio-histórica de ensino-aprendizagem. Foram acionadas políticas públicas brasileiras sobre Direitos Humanos e formação de professores/as, teóricos da área e a produção acadêmica de Marielle Franco. Por fim, o artigo pretendeu analisar algumas produções culturais e refletir sobre a avaliação do processo formativo realizada pelos/as professores/as em formação. Palavras-chave: Direitos Humanos, Formação de professores, Educar na cidade, Patrimônio
How does the self-reported health of undergraduate nursing students change during their degree programme? Survey results from a Scottish University
Authors: Evans Josie , Andreis Federico , Cameron Dawn M , Eades Claire E
Published: November 2020

Background: The lifestyle behaviours, and the physical and mental health of nurses, are poorer than those of other allied health professionals, and of the general population. However, these were no less favourable among first year undergraduate nursing students at a Scottish Higher Education Institution (HEI) than among similar people of the same age. We compared health and health behaviours among the same cohort of undergraduate nursing students over the course of their degree. Methods: An anonymous self-complete cross-sectional survey was administered during a timetabled teaching session at three time-points to undergraduate nursing students at the start of Years 1, 2 and 3 of their programme. They had received written information about the study previously. Results: Self-reported health did not change significantly over time, but there was a decline over the three years in the proportions of students rating their mental health as excellent/very good/good and a concomitant increase in those rating their mental health as fair/poor. Correspondingly, the mean WEMWBS wellbeing score declined over the three years, with the proportion of students with a score of <46 (indicating either high risk of major depression, or in high risk of psychological distress and increased risk of depression) increasing from one quarter to one half. This effect was captured and described using a Bayesian regression analysis. The most noticeable change in health behaviours was a decline in physical activity levels over the study period. The proportion of students managing 150 minutes of weekly physical activity decreased from three quarters to two thirds. This was reflected in higher self-reported sedentary time, although there were no observable trends over time in mean BMI, or proportions of students categorised as overweight or obese. Conclusions: This paper suggests that there may be a decline in mental health and in participation in physical activity among nursing students over the course of their degree. We recommend the incorporation of an intervention into the undergraduate nursing curriculum that promotes and encourages regular physical activity, offering students the opportunity to learn about health promotion and lifestyle change in practice, to improve their own physical health, and to address mental wellbeing.
The Impact of Irregular Corneal Shape Parameters on Visual Acuity and Contrast Sensitivity
Authors: Liduma Sanita , Luguzis Artis , Krumina Gunta
Published: November 2020

Background: The image optical quality is affected by changes in corneal shape of patients with keratoconus. The goal of this study was to explore which corneal parameters determine the visual quality in keratoconus subjects, which corneal slope parameter has the strongest correlation with visual quality and contrast sensitivity. Methods: The study covered eyes of 77 subjects, graded from the first to third keratoconus stages. To characterize the shape of cornea, we obtained measurements in two ways: (a) projected two perpendicular axes onto a cornea – the main axis passed through the central point of the cornea (visual axis projection) and keratoconus apex, while the second axis was perpendicular to the main axis – and read elevation values at points on theses axis; (b) projected circles with different diameters around the central part of the cornea (1, 2 and 3 mm) and read elevation values at points equally displaced on these circles. The measurements were used to calculate various elevation change (slope) parameters. Results: According to the acquired data, the visual acuity of a corrected eye does not have a strong correlation with the measured keratoconus apex slope. Contrast sensitivity displayed a strong correlation with keratoconus slope in the central part of the cornea (with a radius of 1 mm). Correlations in different spatial frequencies ranging from 0.47 to 0.6. Conclusion: Contrast sensitivity is more important parameter which describes the visual quality of keratoconus subjects than visual acuity. The most important region which determines the visual quality in keratoconus subjects is the region with a 1 mm radius of the corneal centre in the opposite direction of keratoconus apex.
SMARCA4 deficient tumours are vulnerable to KDM6A/UTX and KDM6B/JMJD3 blockade
Authors: Romero Octavio , Vilarrubi Andrea , Alburquerque-Bejar Juan , Gomez Antonio , Andrades Alvaro , Trastulli Deborah , Pros Eva , Verdura Sara , Farre Lourdes , Martin-Tejera Juan , Llabata Paula , Oaknin Ana , Saigi Maria , Piulats Josep , Matias-Guiu Xavier , Medina Pedro , Vidal August , Villanueva Alberto , Sanchez-Cespedes Montse
Published: November 2020

Despite the genetic inactivation of SMARCA4, a core component of the SWI/SNF-complex commonly found in cancer, there are no therapies that effectively target SMARCA4-deficient tumours. Here, we show that, unlike the cells with activated MYC oncogene, cells with SMARCA4 inactivation are refractory to the histone deacetylase inhibitor, SAHA, leading to the aberrant accumulation of H3K27me3. This is associated with impaired transactivation and significantly reduced levels of the histone demethylases KDM6A/UTX and KDM6B/JMJD3, and with a strong dependency on these histone demethylases, so that its inhibition compromises cell viability in the SMARCA4-mutant cells. Administering the KDM6 inhibitor GSK-J4 to mice orthotopically implanted with SMARCA4-mutant lung cancer cells or primary small cell carcinoma of the ovary, hypercalcaemic type (SCCOHT), had strong anti-tumour effects. Our results highlight the vulnerability of KDM6 inhibitors as a characteristic that could be exploited for treating SMARCA4-mutant cancer patients.
Transcription factor network analysis identifies REST/NRSF as an intrinsic regulator of CNS regeneration
Authors: Cheng Yuyan , Yin Yuqin , Zhang Alice , Bernstein Alexander , Kawaguchi Riki , Gao Kun , Potter Kyra , Gilbert Hui-ya , Ao Yan , Ou Jing , Fricano-Kugler Catherine , Goldberg Jeffrey , Woolf Clifford , Sofroniew Michael , Benowitz Larry , Geschwind Daniel
Published: November 2020

The inability of neurons to regenerate long axons within the CNS is a major impediment to improving outcome after spinal cord injury, stroke, and other CNS insults. Recent advances have uncovered an intrinsic program that involves coordinate regulation by multiple transcription factors that can be manipulated to enhance growth in the peripheral nervous system. Here, we used a system-genomics approach to characterize regulatory relationships of regeneration-associated transcription factors, identifying RE1-Silencing Transcription Factor (REST; Neuron-Restrictive Silencer Factor, NRSF) as a predicted upstream suppressor of a pro-regenerative gene program associated with axon regeneration in the CNS. We validate our predictions using multiple paradigms, showing that mature mice bearing cell type-specific deletions of REST or expressing dominant-negative mutant REST showed improved regeneration of the corticospinal tract and optic nerve, accompanied by upregulation of regeneration-associated genes in cortical motor neurons and retinal ganglion cells, respectively. These analyses identify a novel role for REST as an upstream suppressor of the intrinsic regenerative program in the CNS and demonstrate the power of a systems biology approach involving integrative genomics and bio-informatics to predict key regulators of CNS repair.
Activation pathway of a G protein-coupled receptor uncovers conformational intermediates as novel targets for allosteric drug design
Authors: He Xinheng , Yang Zhao , Chai Zong-Tao , Wang Junyan , Rehman Ashfaq , Ni Duan , Pu Jun , Sun Jinpeng , Zhang Jian , Lu Shaoyong
Published: November 2020

G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are the most frequent targets of approved drugs. A complete mechanistic elucidation of large-scale conformational transitions underlying the activation mechanisms of GPCRs is of critical importance for therapeutic drug development. Here, we utilized a combined computational and experimental framework that integrated extensive molecular dynamics simulations, Markov state models, and site-directed mutagenesis for investigating the conformational landscape of activation of the angiotensin II (AngII) type 1 receptor (AT1R), a prototypical class A GPCR. Our findings suggested a synergistic transition mechanism of AT1R activation. Importantly, a key intermediate state was found in the activation pathway. We discovered a novel “cryptic” binding site in the intracellular region of the receptor in the intermediate state. Furthermore, a bioluminescence resonance energy transfer analysis revealed the insensitivity of the endogenous AngII octapeptide agonist in the activation of the downstream Gq signaling and β-arrestin-mediated pathways, upon mutations of the predicted cryptic binding site, thereby suggesting an allosteric regulatory mechanism. Together, these findings not only provide a deeper understanding of AT1R activation at an atomic level, but also open potential avenues for the design of allosteric AT1R modulators. Consequently, this will provide a broad range of applications for GPCR biology, biophysics, and medicinal chemistry.
BEAR reveals that increased fidelity variants can successfully reduce the mismatch-tolerance of adenine but not cytosine base editors
Authors: Tálas András , Simon Dorottya , Kulcsár Péter , Varga Éva , Welker Ervin
Published: November 2020

Adenine and cytosine base editors (ABE, CBE) are designed to generate single base mutations in genes without necessarily generating DNA double-strand breaks and undesired indel mutations. However, the activity of base editors employing an inactive (dead) SpCas9 is generally low, which may be increased only at the expense of generating undesired indels by using a nickase SpCas9. We have increased the efficiency of dead base editors to a level comparable to that of nickase base editors by enriching cells labelled for efficient base editing using Base Editor Activity Reporter (BEAR), a plasmid-based, fluorescent tool. Furthermore, by exploiting the semi-high-throughput potential of BEAR, we have examined the applicability of increased fidelity variants to decrease Cas9-dependent off-target effects that revealed that CBE remains active on off-targets where increased fidelity mutations and/or mismatches decrease the activity of ABE, making the strategy of applying increased fidelity variants more beneficial for ABE than for CBE.
Online-Synchronized Clinical Simulation: An efficient teaching-learning option for the COVID-19 pandemic time and beyond.
Authors: Díaz-Guio Diego Andrés , Ríos-Barrientos Elena , Santillán-Roldan Pablo Andrés , Díaz-Gómez Ana Sofía , Ricardo-Zapata Alejandra , Mora-Martinez Santiago , Barrientos-Aguiñaga Adrián , Martínez-Elizondo Joel Alejandro , Arroyo-Romero Maria Nathalie , Rodríguez-Morales Alfonso J.
Published: November 2020

Introduction: A powerful methodology for teaching, learning, and researching is clinical simulation, which has positioned itself in recent decades in health science education. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, social distancing has forced institutions to leave simulation centers and make use of new alternatives that allow the continuation of educational programs through virtual environments.Methods: We carried out a before-and-after design study that used online-synchronized clinical simulation (OSCSim) in three Latin American clinical simulation centers (Colombia, Ecuador, and Mexico). The educational intervention included briefing, COVID-19 simulated cases, and structured debriefing through a meeting platform. We assessed the participants' learning and performance in diagnosis, treatment, and nontechnical skills for the management of patients with COVID-19. Satisfaction and learning perception were measured. The debriefing quality was evaluated from the student's perspective.Results: We had 106 participants. 46.2% from Colombia, 31.1% from Mexico, and 22.6% from Ecuador. A total of 51.9% were men, and the median age was 23 years (IQR: 22-26). A total of 34.9% were fourth-year students of medicine, 38% were fifth-year students, and 21.7% were anesthesia residents. Fourteen OSCSim sessions were performed; cognitive engagement was 43.4%, mainly interactive. A relationship was found between cognitive engagement, learning, situational awareness, and realism in the simulation. The quality of debriefing was ranked high by the participants, and they also agreed with the OSCSim methodology.Conclusion: OSCSim is an active and social learning activity that enables training and improvement of nontechnical skills and declarative knowledge about COVID-19 management. Nevertheless, it needs to be complemented in the procedural aspect in simulation centers.