bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Basics of Clay Minerals and Their Characteristic Properties
Authors: Kumari Neeraj , Mohan Chandra
Published: July 2021

Clay minerals such as kaolinite, smectite, chlorite, micas are main components of raw materials of clay and formed in presence of water. A large number of clays used to form the different structure which completely depends on their mining source. They are known as hydrous phyllosilicate having silica, alumina and water with variable amount of inorganic ions like Mg2+, Na+, Ca2+ which are found either in interlayer space or on the planetary surface. Clay minerals are described by presence of two-dimensional sheets, tetrahedral (SiO4) and octahedral (Al2O3). There are different clay minerals which are categorized based on presence of tetrahedral and octahedral layer in their structure like kaolinite (1:1 of tetrahedral and octahedral layers), smectite group of clay minerals (2:1 of tetrahedral and octahedral layers) and chlorite (2:1:1 of tetrahedral, octahedral and octahedral layers). The particle size of clay minerals is <2microns which can be present in form of plastic in presence of water and solidified when dried. The small size and their distinctive crystal structure make clay minerals very special with their unique properties including high cation exchange capacity, swelling behavior, specific surface area, adsorption capacity, etc. which are described in this chapter. Due to all these unique properties, clay minerals are gaining interest in different fields.
Multiple Facets of Open: A Different View on Open Science
Authors: Weilenmann Anne-Katharina
Published: July 2021

Open – a well-known word, but with multiple facets: open, open-minded… In the publishing industry, “open” and “openness” describe a movement which has been setting the scene over the last decades, however the opening of science is not a new momentum. Writing down our thoughts and ideas is regarded as a first indicator of opening the human mind. To cope with information overload, paper slips were used as a favourite device - a precursor to modern index cards and card catalogs. The internet opens the doors to disseminate and share knowledge in a fast and easy way. Now, science is emerging in cyberspace and an innovative level of science is shaping, the evolution of Cyberscience. Science is shifting into the open, Open Science is developing as an additional form of doing research. These diverse perspectives are part of a colorful picture of an evolving scientific landscape, which will rise awareness of changing work behaviors.
Evaluation of Physical and Chemical Pretreatment Methods to Improve Efficiency of Anaerobic Digestion of Waste Streams from Grain Processing
Authors: Satyavolu Jagannadh , Lupitskyy Robert
Published: July 2021

Globally, Anaerobic Digestion (AD) industry is booming and biogas, the most sustainable biofuel, produced via AD is in an exponential market growth curve. According to a November 2020 report from US Energy Information Administration (EIA), “25 large dairies and livestock operations in the United States produced a total of about 224 million kWh (or 0.2 billion kWh) of electricity from biogas”. However, the growth of AD and the cost-effective use of the generated biogas are hindered by the inconsistencies (composition, suspended solids, flow rate, etc.) of the incoming waste stream and the associated biogas quality (due to the presence of hydrogen sulfide gas). A pretreatment step prior to an AD unit can promote consistency in the incoming stream, minimize the suspended solids; and thereby insures the efficiency of AD. In this study, we evaluated the method of pretreatment of waste streams from three grain processing industries, where 1) we adjusted the pH of a stream corresponding to its isoelectric point (zero zeta-potential), 2) removed solids (and their corresponding COD) that precipitated, and 3) produced a consistent composition stream to feed the AD process. For grain processing industry, the precipitated solids can be returned to their process – thus integrating the pretreatment with the rest of the process. The pH pre-treatment should not add any additional cost to the plant since the pH of the waste streams from grain processing plant needs to be raised per plant permits prior to disposal. Our lab and pilot AD studies showed a positive effect of such pretreatment on these waste streams in terms of increased biogas production (11–60%) and COD removal (12–60%), and in some instances reduction in H2S content in biogas (8%). This study clearly demonstrated that such a pretreatment method is economical and is effective to improve AD performance on waste waters from grain processing industries.
MEMS Humidity Sensors
Authors: Alfaifi Ahmad , Zaman Adnan , Alsolami Abdulrahman
Published: July 2021

This chapter reviews MEMS humidity sensors fabricated using microfabrication technologies. It discusses the operation principle, different designs, and the fabrication technologies for the different sensing mechanisms. Sensing humidity using capacitive sensors is first reviewed with a highlight on the different sensing materials and how their permittivity and physical parameters affect the sensor performance. Then the chapter discusses the piezoelectric humidity sensing method, wherein piezoelectric sensors the dynamic mode measurement is used. In these sensors, the mass changes corresponding to the humidity, resulting in resonance frequency shift and amplitude change. Finally, the chapter reviews the resistive humidity sensors where the change in the resistivity of various materials is used as an indication of humidity change in the environment.
Examining Social Robot Acceptability for Older Adults and People with Dementia
Authors: Whelan Sally , Casey Dympna
Published: July 2021

Social robots that aim to support the independence and wellbeing of older adults and people with dementia are being introduced into dementia care settings. However, the acceptability of robots varies greatly between people and the rate that robots are deployed into practice is currently low. This chapter defines robot acceptability and provides an overview of theoretical technology acceptance models. It reviews the empirical literature and identifies the individual and contextual factors that impact acceptability in relation to the needs of older adults and people with dementia, focusing on what potential robot users need to motivate them to accept robots into their everyday lives. Then the literature is discussed in the light of current discourses in gerontology, recommending what is needed to increase the acceptability of robots. The capacity of robots, to communicate in a human-like way needs to increase and robots need to be designed with in-depth end-user collaboration, to be person-centred and deployed in ways that enhance the strengths of people with dementia. Guidance for good practice in participatory design is provided. Longitudinal research that uses triangulated data from multiple sources. is recommended to identify the needs of individuals, significant others, and wider contextual factors.
Pesticide Residues: Impacts on Fauna and the Environment
Authors: Riyaz Muzafar , Ahmad Shah Rauf , Sivasankaran Kuppusamy
Published: July 2021

Pesticide residues are the traces of pesticide compounds that remain on or in the crop, water, soil and air after the application. Pesticide residues get into the environment as a result of application or by accident and can be found in the air, water and soil. Pesticide residues, if present in air, soil and water can pose a serious threat to biological diversity and human health. After depositing in the environment, the pesticides start to break down and forms metabolites that are more or less toxic. Pesticide residues decline as the pesticide breaks down over time, therefore the levels of residues are highest immediately after the application and diminish as the crops continue to grow. When exposed to sunlight or microorganisms in the soil, most pesticides degrade easily however, the utmost number of pesticides after application scatter into non-target areas or leach into groundwater or move in surface runoff by misuse and misapplication while handling or spraying. The impact of widespread usage of chemical pesticides has made an uncountable number of effects on human health, environment and other life forms and has turned into a serious issue across the globe. The present study aims to present an introduction to the environmental pesticide residues and various aspects highlighting their impact on nature and biodiversity.
Diagnosis of Dry Eye
Authors: Shrinkhal  , Verma Rupal , Singh Anupam
Published: July 2021

Dry eye is a multifactorial disease and hence single test cannot diagnose dry eye. Diagnosis of dry eye needs careful assessment of the symptoms along with battery of investigations. Many questionnaires have been developed to assess the symptoms of dry eye disease (DED). Some of the important questionnaires are Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI), Dry Eye Questionnaire (DEQ-5), Impact of Dry Eye on Everyday Living (IDEEL), National Eye Institute’s Visual Function Questionnaire (NEI VFQ-25) and Dry Eye-Related Quality-of-Life Score (DEQS). Investigations for dry eye mainly target on the tear secretion, tear clearance, tear volume, tear film stability, tear evaporation, ocular surface damage, lipid layer of the tear film, chemical properties of the tear film and inflammation of the ocular surface. There are many investigations that target on the above parameters and helps in accurate diagnosis of Dry eye disease (DED).
Design, Characterisation and Prospect of Piezoelectric Microfluidic Technology
Authors: Chen Song , Zhang Zhonghua , Kan Junwu , Li Jianping , Wen Jianming
Published: July 2021

Fluidic driving device plays an important role in the delivery and distribution of minute amount of the liquid in the micro-fluidic system. Due to the unique advantages of simple structure, short response time, and low power consumption, piezoelectric actuation was employed to implement the microfluidic transportation. A piezoelectrically driven microfluidic device, piezoelectric pump, was developed and widely applied in many fields in last three decades. As a kind of displacement pump, piezoelectric pumps is able to realize accurate transportation of the liquid because of per stroke of output fluid is equal to the volumetric change of pumping chamber. And the output flow rate and pressure is easily to be controlled through adjusting the driving voltage or frequency. In this chapter, the design, structure, working principle and the characterisation of piezoelectric pumps with single chamber and multiple chambers are introduced.
Endometrial Receptivity in Patients with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
Authors: Albu Alice , Albu Dragoș
Published: July 2021

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a frequent disorder affecting women of reproductive age characterized by infertility. Affected endometrial receptivity seems to contribute to decreased fertility of these patients as suggested by several studies. Understanding the mechanism behind this reduced endometrial receptivity could contribute to discovery of new therapeutic targets for infertility of PCOS. The aim of the paper is to review the current data regarding endometrial receptivity in PCOS patients, the potential mechanisms involved with particular focus on recent findings as the impact of gut microbiota on endometrium, the relationship between vitamin D and endometrial receptivity and the different impact of letrozole and clomiphene citrate on endometrial receptivity in infertile PCOS women.
Polyphenols of Salvia miltiorrhiza in Aging-Associated Cardiovascular Diseases and Cancer
Authors: Cheng Yu-Chen , Hung Yu-Chiang , Hu Wen-Long
Published: July 2021

With the increasing lifespan of human, cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) and cancer are the main diseases leading to the death in the world. Aging is related to a progressive decline in cardiovascular function and structure. While human body suffer from oxidative stress, reactive oxygen species (ROS) are generated as metabolic by-products, which lead to inactivate proteins, damage nucleic acids, and alter the fatty acids of lipids. The accumulation of this oxidative damage contributes to the development of heart disease, diabetes, chronic inflammatory diseases, and cancer. Polyphenols have been widely studied as an anti-oxidant agent in the world. Danshen, the dried root or rhizome of Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge. is a common Traditional Chinese medicine used in cardiovascular disease and cancer. The main polyphenols in Danshen are phenolic acids (including Salvianolic acids A and B, rosmarinic acid, and their derivatives) and flavonoids. Salvianolic acids have potent anti-oxidative capabilities due to their polyphenolic structure and exhibit cardiovascular protection through mechanisms of ROS scavengers, reduction of leukocyte-endothelial adherence, inhibition of inflammation and indirect regulation of immune function. Salvianolic acids A and B have been reported to owe anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory activities not only through inducing apoptosis, halting cell cycle and adjourning metastasis by targeting multiple deregulated signaling networks of cancer but also sensitizing cancer cells to chemotherapeutic agents.
Technological Approach to Ensure Ethical Procurement Management
Authors: Fourie David , Malan Cornel
Published: July 2021

Various studies have reported a positive connection between the public procurement and economic performance of a country, in terms of value for money, enhanced human welfare and improved economic growth. According to the World Bank, a distinction can be made between accountable governments where public procurement’s share of the GDP is over fourteen percent, medium accountability countries with a share of thirteen percent and low accountability countries with less than twelve percent. In response to the ever-increasing complexity of procurement, many disruptive innovations as well as rapid developments in digitalization are reforming global supply chains. The principles of a sound procurement system include accountability, competitive supply, and consistency, which when viewed together with ethics and good governance, become the corners stones of an effective, efficient, transparent, and reliable procurement system. Ethical risks are possible in every stage of the procurement process; however, e-procurement has become a powerful tool to curb fraud, corruption, and unethical behaviour in public procurement as it reinforces the ethics of transparency, accountability, and integrity in procurement functions. With e-procurement being a relatively new form of procuring goods and services, it has been up against several challenges, notwithstanding the proven benefits of using electronic means in procurement. The movement to e-procurement has been a slow process globally, but various countries such as Germany, Korea, Brazil, and Zambia have already started to reap the fruits of their efforts. The main benefit of introducing e-procurement recorded by the World Bank has been a marked upturn in transparency and competition. This chapter aims to unpack the link between technology, procurement, and ethics towards the provision of goods and services by governments for the greater good of all.
Science-Based Technological Transfer as a Key Tool in Public Health
Authors: Ureta Dumont Alonso , Trebotich Zúñiga Jovanka
Published: July 2021

Only a small portion of all the projects that are funded with public grants reaches the market, due to a gap known as “Death Valley” between the public and private source of resources. Know Hub Chile (KH) is a non-profit organization founded to transform scientific research results into goods and services available to the market and for the benefit of society. When the Covid-19 emergency reached Chile, the organization launched the “KH Bridge” a program of proof-of-concept and selected three technologies able to support hospitals in solving their needs. The first one was a smart shift planning platform of medical staff for reducing the virus spreading probability; the second solution aimed to assess the use of masks, and counting capacity and physical distance of patients by using video camera analytic technology in real-time; and the third project selected was an innovative design of personal protection equipment made with copper nanoparticles. All these solutions were piloted and validated into public hospitals for three months with a USD 25.000 budget. The KH Bridge experience has shown that the pandemic scenario has been an opportunity to validate university technologies in real environments and in shorter time frames, contributing to public health operations.
Cast Out
Authors: Hoyt Joanna Michal ,   After Dinner Conversation
Published: July 2021

How do you deal with generalized fears? How do you learn to overcome a mental health issue so you can serve others? In this work of philosophical short fiction, Verity suffers from irrational fears. She is afraid the fire in her fireplace will catch her mattress on fire so she puts out the fire and rolls her mattress into the snow outside. A friend comes over, but she is too distraught to spend time with them. She heads to the community building and is told, “Tell truth and shame the devil.” And so she does. She stops trying to hide her mental health issues and, bit by bit, they get better. She gets a job helping the local healer. Eventually, when those from the neighboring community have childbirth issue that need help on the outskirts of town, she is asked to go in the place of the healer. The neighboring community members tell of a “fear plague” that has stricken communities they are fleeing. Time passes, and, eventually, a strange mist comes to the town; the fear plague. When a neighbor goes briefly missing the community jumps to the conclusion it was caused by the strangers on the outside of town. The fear has taken hold of them, everyone is a suspect, and everyone is at risk. Verity rush to the front of the group, talks sense into them, and calms them down. The missing community member is found.
Para leer la espiritualidad de san Agustín. Elementos culturales
Authors: Grossi Vittorino ,   Order of Augustinian Recollects
Published: July 2021

The article offers an outline of the context of the classical culture in which Christianity developed in the first three centuries, highlighting the humanistic culture of Seneca, the neo-Pythagorean school of the Sextii and the popular preaching of the Cynical Philosophers. On the other hand, the context of classical culture in Christianity of the 4th and 5th centuries is addressed, to highlight the problems that arose when trying to combine “culture” and Christianity. As an example of this problem, the case of Basil the Great and his Discourse to the young is offered. Subsequently, the article presents a series of open questions about the future of spirituality in relationship with «culture / cultures». The article ends with a discussion about Roman Paideia and the Christian Paideia.
El diácono y su espiritualidad en los escritos de Agustín de Hipona
Authors: Grossi Vittorino ,   Order of Augustinian Recollects
Published: July 2021

In this article, the figure of the Deacon in the Church of the IV and V Century is presented, starting mainly from the Augustinian sources to reveal fundamentally four elements. In the first place, the fact that the Deacon exercised different functions subordinate to the Bishop. Secondly, the conditions for being accepted in the group of Deacons in the time of Saint Augustine are revealed. Thirdly, the theological and liturgical background of Deacons in Late Antiquity is pointed out. Later, the figure of the Deacon in the Donatist controversy is addressed, and the article ends with some observations on the liturgical clothing of the Deacons.
Controlling Gaze, Chess Play and Seduction in Dance
Authors: Karoblis Gediminas ,   Philosophy Documentation Center
Published: July 2021

The article introduces the phenomenological idea of 'natural attitude' in the field of dance. Three phenomena, which very clearly show the embodiment of the natural attitude and its resistance to the requirements of dance, are analyzed. The 'controlling gaze' is the natural tendency to look at the limbs andfollow their movements instead of proprioceptive control The 'chess play' is a natural tendency of moving on the flat surface and ignoring the volume of movement. The 'seduction' is a natural tendency to lose the body-self because of an interference with the others body. The dancing body has constantly to deal with these natural inclinations. And a dance teacher has to understand this split between 'ought' and 'is'.
Agency, Identity and Technology
Authors: Pauley John ,   Philosophy Documentation Center
Published: July 2021

America has become a spiritual wasteland. Three aspects of the human condition are crucial for human beings to recognize if they are to develop a proper identity and agency within the world: these aspects are finitude, contingency, and the spiritual (which follows from the other two). The notion of the spiritual can be filled out with an understanding of faith. American culture is antithetical to faith, as is demonstrated through a discussion of the basic human practice of conversation. In America, conversation works against faith because conversation has become brutal. Contemporary debate literally works against faith because conversation has become brutal Contemporary debate literally works to annihilate the reality of others. These reflections support the conclusion that brutality is the antithesis of faithfulness.
Potential of Portland pozzolana cement in the stabilization of an expansive soil subjected to alternate cycles of wetting and drying
Authors: James Jijo , Natesan Anupriya , Manohar Aswini , Subramanian Vishvaa
Published: July 2021

Cement/lime stabilization of soils is one of the common techniques adopted for improving its geotechnical properties. Lately, the focus of investigation has shifted to blended stabilization with industrial wastes as auxiliary additives. However, the role of blended cement in stabilization of soil has been studied insufficiently despite the fact that it is manufactured under controlled conditions. This investigation deals with the use of Portland pozzolana cement (PPC) instead of ordinary Portland cement (OPC) in the stabilization of an expansive soil subjected to alternate cycles of wetting and drying. Unconfined compression strength (UCS) test specimens of dimensions 38mm x 76mm were cast and cured for periods of 7, 14 and 21 days. Then, the specimens were subjected to 1, 2 and 3 cycles of wetting and drying and the UCS of the specimens were determined. Based on the results of the investigation, it was found that OPC performed significantly better than PPC under normal conditions. However, under conditions of wetting and drying, PPC stabilized soil performed much better than OPC stabilized soil when sufficient binder content was available.
Construction of the shopping center Ada Mall in Belgrade
Authors: Ristić Mihajlo
Published: July 2021

Ada Shopping Mall is located at the corner of Radnička and Paštrovićeva Street in Belgrade, closed to Lake Ada Ciganlija. The building has a gross area of about 100.000m². It consisted of reinforced concrete structure with three underground and four above-ground levels and a steel roof structure. The foundation pit protection was made by bored and bored secant piles in combination with two different Top-Down methods during construction. The excavation depth was up to 25 m. As the building was built in rock mass, during excavation blasting was applied. During construction a monitoring system was implemented. This paper provides an overview of the construction process of shopping mall.
'Sketch, it is me' on (agreeable) impossibility of classification
Authors: Ristić Ivan
Published: July 2021

The sketches of Bogdan Bogdanović are and are not associated with the designs of the monument entities. The architect would arrive to numerous conceptual solutions while conscientiously taking the side paths. Undoubted poetic multi-layeredness requires trans-disciplinary approach in studying this exceedingly rich chest of works. The study that follows points out to certain examples from the sketcher's practice, without the aspiration of setting forth the methodological guidelines.
Structures in the space of Platonic and Archimedean solids
Authors: Vörös László
Published: July 2021

This paper gives a classification of Platonic and Archimedean solids related to more-dimensional cubes. A general infinite net structure for space-filling mosaics created from the above solids has been derived and the node elements for grid structures based on our groups of solids have been described within the frame of constructive geometry. The topic is related to arts and design and raises further geometrical questions.
Split level horizontal house plan in the Balkan vernacular architecture
Authors: Obradović Tihomir
Published: July 2021

Analysing traditional residential architecture in the Balkan region, we notice a widespread use of a split level horizontal house plan. The paper studies and presents examples found in Greece, Macedonia, Bulgaria, Serbia, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia. Based on spatial, functional and structural analysis of the house plans, depending on the reasons for the horizontal floor level split and the types of its implementation, there are different groups of buildings. One group features a structural floor level split in order to match the line of the terrain; because of the implemented floor structure; or because of a bay window or a projection construction on the façade. In the other group of buildings the reasons are of a functional nature rooted in climate, social or religious sphere. Here the floor level difference is achieved by applying secondary construction elements and certain interior details. Having conducted the analysis, we can conclude that the implementation of various horizontal floor plan level in traditional, vernacular architecture is quite significant and inspirational for the modern design process in residential houses. It shows how dynamism and complexity can be achieved in a simple way, without any partitions, giving a picturesque effect of a basic interior space.
The death of the author | the death of the architect: Meaning in architecture and the role of users
Authors: Franke Julian
Published: July 2021

In his work The Death of the Author (1967), Roland Barthes creates a new definition of authorship, in that the author is not the real originator of meaning in literature, but rather the reader. This questions the influence and responsibility of originators in creative fields in general. This paper applies Barthes's thesis to the profession of architecture. Therefore the role of users is discussed, as well as meaning and language in architecture. With the help of the semiotic work by Umberto Eco and texts by Roman Ingarden and Jonathan Hill, the paper will attempt to show how the sole image of the architect is challenged, but also what makes him/her still recognisable and responsible.
Architecture, space and ideology: Between Adorno and Lefebvre
Authors: Kurir Mateja
Published: July 2021

Can architecture become a site of resistance to the machinery of estrangement and alienation? The German philosopher Theodor Adorno found art, where he included specific forms of architecture, to be the only exit from the dominance of machinery of the total system. If architecture in Adorno's philosophy could, with its negative position, step behind the screens into an autonomous art, the French philosopher and sociologist, Henri Lefebvre, developed a more radical notion: the distinctive scenery of architecture, everyday life, is intensely subjected to alienation. As much as Lefebvre puts focus on abstract and social space as a specific production of social relations, he also argued that every architecture is a priori ideological. Introducing the status architecture was given by Adorno and Lefebvre in the age of the birth of neoliberalism, thus paralleling the concepts of cultural industries with arts, social with abstract space, the paper outlines the basic entry point of two distinctive representatives of NEO-Marxism into architecture, in order to suggest an epistemology of architecture, which starts at a foremost critical point.
Covid 19, threatened humanity and the latent desire to consume fashion items: the eternal return of desire?
Authors: Costa Flávia Zimmerle da Nóbrega , Camargo Andréa Barbosa
Published: July 2021

In the first post-lockdown commercial reopening that aimed to minimize the contagion of Sars-CoV-2, in several world capitals, we witnessed tumultuous scenes of agglomeration caused by anxious consumers. They awaited the opening of stores of major fashion brands and, as a result, generated relevant revenue for these companies. Based on the thinking of philosophers: Lipovetsky, Deleuze and Foucault, we promote a reflection on such behavior. Considering the threatening context and, at that time, the exposure to a risk of unknown proportions, we asked ourselves: what drives this desire to consume? We deal with the logic that governs the capitalist and fashion systems, whose historical relationship gave rise to a desiring consumer. Fleeing from dichotomous thinking, we consider that the reason-system is a condition constitutively produced by the subject, which has its maximum expression in the fashion culture. We conclude that, as fashion culture is the culture of Being, this was sought as an essential consumption.
Living with a partly amputated face, doing facial difference
Authors: Yaron Gili
Published: July 2021

Disability studies as an academic field has long sought to highlight the lived experiences of people with disabilities, thereby giving voice to a population that has been the object of much discourse but rarely its subject. Despite the field’s engagement with various conditions, there is limited scholarly work on the personal meanings of amputation and prosthetics usage. Experiences associated with the loss of part(s) of the face, in particular, have remained uncharted.  In this article, I address this lacuna by drawing on interviews with twenty affected individuals. Situating their accounts in contemporary scholarship on bodily difference within the humanities and social sciences, I demonstrate that losing part(s) of the face calls for various ways of ‘doing’  difference in everyday life. This empirical-philosophical analysis serves three purposes. On an empirical level, the article unpacks the everyday doing of facial difference, showing it simultaneously involves social, embodied, and material dimensions. On a practical level, this integrative understanding of facial difference complements prevalent approaches to ‘disfi gurement’ that construe it as an individual—biomedical or psychosocial—problem. On a theoretical level the article clarifi es and advances the concept of doing, which plays a key role in gender studies, phenomenology, and science and technology studies.
Molecular dynamics analysis of shock wave-induced nanobubble collapse in water
Authors: Wang Xiao-Feng , Tao Gang , Xu Ning , Wang Peng , Li Zhao , Wen Peng ,   School of Energy and Power Engineering, Nanjing University of Science and Technology, Nanjing 210094, China,   32381 Uint, PLA, Beijing 100072, China,   63961 Uint, PLA, Beijing 100012, China
Published: July 2021

The nanobubbles contained in the human body are induced to collapse by the shock wave, and thus produce a strong impact and high-speed nanojet, resulting in trauma to human tissues. The collapse of nanobubbles in water caused by shock waves is investigated by molecular dynamics. Nanobubbles are divided into three types: vacuum nanobubble, carbon dioxide nanobubble, and oxygen nanobubble. The influence of factors such as the number of gas molecules, the diameter of the nanobubbles, and the impulse of the shock wave on the bubble collapse are considered separately. The results show that the addition of gas molecules to vacuum nanobubbles does not affect the propagation of shock waves. However, before the nanobubbles are completely collapsed, the maximum velocity of the nanojet formed by the collapse of nanobubbles containing 718 carbon dioxide molecules (or 733 oxygen molecules) is larger than that of vacuum and nanobubbles containing 1368 carbon dioxide molecules (or 1409 oxygen molecules). After the nanobubbles are completely collapsed, the gas molecules cause the velocity of the nanojet to decay, and finally the maximum velocity of the nanojet containing gas molecules is less than that of the vacuum nanojet. In addition, it is also found that the collapse time of nanobubbles is short at high impulse, and the density and pressure when the shock wave passes at the same time are both greater. After the bubble collapses, the maximum velocity of the nanojet is larger, and the impact force is much stronger than that at a small impulse. Larger diameter nanobubble has a longer collapse time, and the density and pressure when the shock wave passes at the same time are both smaller, and the shock wave propagation is slower, but the maximum speed of the nanojet is larger. The impact is stronger. The greater the maximum velocity of the nanojet, the greater the distance that is dispersed by the gas molecules of the gas-containing nanobubbles in the impact direction will be and the deeper the depression.
Hvordan blir demens forstått? En dokumentanalyse
Authors: Mittner Lilli , Bockwoldt Juliane , Lotherington Ann Therese
Published: July 2021

Globalt får demens økende oppmerksomhet (OECD 2018). I Norge har myndighetene publisert en rekke dokumenter som skal veilede helse- og omsorgssektoren og gi råd til samfunnet om hvordan demens kan forstås og møtes.

Målet med denne rapporten er å utforske hvordan demens blir forstått på tvers av sektorer og hvilke anbefalinger som gis til helsepersonell, pårørende og andre som i hverdagen møter mennesker som lever med demens.

Følgende dokumenter har blitt med i utvalget:

Demensplan 2020 og Demensplan 2025 (Helse- og omsorgsdepartementet)

Nasjonal faglig retningslinje 2020 (Helsedirektoratet)

Leve hele livet. En kvalitetsreform for eldre 2017-2018 (Stortingsmelding)

Film «Hva er demens?» 2018 (Nasjonalforeningen for folkehelsen)

Film «Hva er demens?» 2020 (Nasjonal kompetansetjeneste for aldring og helse)

I kapittel 2 presenterer vi først utvalget av dokumenter, deretter utdrag fra dokumentene som viser hvordan demens blir forstått og hvilke tiltak som anbefales. I kapittel 3 diskuterer vi resultatene basert på en analysemetode utviklet av Carol Bacchi (2009). Denne metoden er et verktøy utviklet for å undersøke hvordan et fenomen blir forstått og hva spesifikke forståelser av fenomenet betyr for de mulighetene og begrensningene vi har for konkret handling. Rapporten gir dermed innsikt i hvordan demens blir forstått i de enkelte dokumentene, hvilke premisser forståelsene bygger på, og hvilke effekter de aktuelle forståelsene av demens får for utvikling og iverksetting av tiltak.
FlexiDig – Flexible Digital Classroom
Authors: Reitan Janne Beate , Chaudhuri Arnab
Published: July 2021

This article presents an ongoing research project regarding blended education; Flexible Digital Class­room (FlexiDig), and a survey on full-time and part-time students’ experiences with blended education in a master’s degree programme in Art and Design Education. To optimise educational resources, the lectures for the full-time students were recorded, including the dialogue between the students and the lecturers, and made digitally available for all students. Generally, both the part- and full-time students participating in the questionnaire expressed their experience as “satisfactory” for the availability of the recorded lectures. Moreover, the capture of dialogues in the recording was found to be extremely useful for better understanding and learning, according to the students. This idea forms a basis to develop FlexiDig as simple as possible with a transfer value to other educational situations based on the approach of Student-Centered Learning and Teaching in Higher Education (SCLT).
Own Grown Food Concept - Perception of Urbanites of Twin Cities of Telangana State
Authors: Savitha B. , Kumar T. Mahesh , Ravi G.
Published: July 2021

The present study entitled ‘Own Grown Food Concept - Perception of Urbanites of Twin Cities about Urban Farming’ has been conducted to assess the perception of the urbanites about the urban farming and its relationship with profile characteristics. An Ex-post facto research design was followed for the study. The investigation was carried out in twin cities of Telangana namely, Hyderabad and Secunderabad comprising Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation, because twin cities have large number of active urban farming practitioners compared to all other towns and cities in Telangana, in addition to this, Urban Farming Division, Department of Horticulture, Telangana organized trainings in urban farm management and distributed urban farming kits to urbanites in twin cities. All the six zones comprising twin cities (L.B Nagar, Charminar, Khairatabad, Secunderabad, Serilingampally and Kukatpally) having large number of urban farming practitioners was selected purposively. 120 urban farming practitioners having more than three years experience was selected from above six zones randomly at the rate of 20 respondents from each zone. The data were collected by a personal interview method with the help of structured interview schedule and data was analyzed by employing suitable statistical methods. The findings of the study revealed that, majority of the respondents (58.33%) had medium perception level, followed by high (21.67%), and low (20.00%) level of perception about urban farming. Correlation analysis between perception and profile of the urbanites revealed that there was a positive and significant relationship between perception and independent variables viz., education and family support. Whereas, the variables namely, preference of crops, cropping intensity and innovativeness had a significant correlation with perception about urban farming. A negative and non-significant relationship was observed between perception and age, experience in urban farming and annual income.
Relationship between the Intensity of Latex Harvesting and the Tapping Panel Dryness Expression of Clone GT 1 of Hevea brasiliensis Muell Arg in South-East Côte d'Ivoire
Authors: Samuel Obouayeba , Djezou Konan , Moussa Diarrassouba , Irénné Lehi Malidy , Antoine Koffi , Kouadio Ballo Esperence , Christophe Adou Bini Yao , Lopez Essehi Jean
Published: July 2021

Tapping panel dryness is an important limiting factor in rubber productivity of Hevea brasiliensis. In order to assess the sensitivity to this syndrome, the effect of two intensive latex harvesting technologies on moderately metabolized GT1 clone, has been studied in the South-Eastern region of Côte d'Ivoire. The rubber trees were planted according to the experimental mono-tree device, "One tree one plot design" a tree constituting a repetition, and 31 trees per treatment, selected on circumference and health status criteria. The parameters measured were rubber production, circumference increase, physiological profile and tapping panel dryness sensitivity. The results showed that induction of tapping panel dryness in latex harvesting system, S/2 d/3 6d/7 ET 10 % Pa 1 (1) 1/ w) was significantly low (0.18 ± 0,22 %) than that of the control (S d/1 6d/7 unstimulated, 1.43 ± 1.45 %). Productivity of this particular system was also good (62 ± 16.32 g.a-1.s-1) and it especially has less stress that can cause physiological fatigue, or even the notch dry. Otherwise, Rubber production, radial vegetative growth, physiological parameters of the latex and the tapping panel dryness rate were influenced by the two treatments applied to GT 1. In addition, the medium and high sucrose contents (16.5 ± 3.01%) and thiol group (0.51 ± 0.13 mmol.l-1) of the latex in the treatment (S/2 d/3 6d/7 ET 10% Pa 1 (1) 1 / w), were instrumental in the response to this stimulation. The sensitivity to the tapping panel dryness is in very close linear relation with the harvest intensity of the latex to which the GT 1 clone has been subjected. These results corroborate and confirm the moderate sensitivity to the tapping panel dryness of GT 1 clone.
A Comprehensive Study of Medicinal Plants with Antidiabetic Properties
Authors: Alam Faruk , Amin Ruhul , Islam Mohidul , Borgohain Republica , Judder Moidul Islam , Sethi Aswini kumar
Published: July 2021

The purpose of this research is to assess the anti-diabetic effects of several medicinal herbs. Herbal medicine has grown in popularity in both developing and developed countries over the last several years, owing to its natural origins and lack of negative effects. Even though medicinal plants have been utilized to treat diabetes mellitus from ancient times, they have been offered as abundant but untapped prospective sources for anti-diabetic medicines. It's a reality that diabetes can't be cured, and no one has ever claimed to be completely free of the disease. Diabetes mellitus is becoming a severe hazard to human health in all regions of the world due to its fast growing occurrence. Furthermore, several novel bioactive compounds derived from plants have demonstrated antidiabetic action with greater efficacy than oral hypoglycemic medicines already utilized in clinical therapy in recent years. Despite the fact that many plants are recommended, further pharmacological and chemical study is needed to fully understand the mechanism of hypoglycemic action.
Antinociceptive and Anti-Inflammatory Activities of Ethanolic Stem Bark Extract of Smilax zeylanica Linn. in Wistar Rats
Authors: Shaik Rasheed Ahemad , Ahmad Fazil , Aleem Mohammed Abdul
Published: July 2021

Background: Smilax zeylanica Linn (Smilaceae) is a woody climbing shrub native to Asia's tropical and subtropical highlands. Traditionally, this plant has been widely used to cure a variety of ailments. Smilax zeylanica stem bark was extracted with ethanol to test its antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory properties.

Objective: To study the antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities of ethanolic stem bark extract of Smilax zeylanica Linn. in Wistar rats.

Methods: The antinociceptive activity has been assessed in mice by formalin-induced paw licking, Eddy’s hot-plate, and acetic-acid induced abdominal stretching models. Carrageenan-induced paw oedema in rats has been conducted to explore the anti-inflammatory activity. Tween 80 (10ml/kg, p.o) was given to the control group, test drug group received ethanol extract of Smilax zeylanica (EESZ) orally at doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg, and standard drugs morphine (5 mg/kg, s.c), diclofenac sodium (10 mg/kg, i.p) were injected to the standard drug group.

Results: Oral administration of ethanolic extract of Smilax zeylanica (EESZ) at test doses (200 and 400 mg/kg), produced a significant decrease of the paw licking time for 2 phases (neurogenic and inflammatory) in the formalin test, upsurge of the reaction time in Eddy’s hot plate test, and significantly decreased the abdominal stretching in the acetic acid-induced  writhes test. Ethanol extract of Smilax zeylanica significantly decreased the carrageenan-induced paw oedema.

Conclusion: The ethanol extract of Smilax zeylanica possesses antinociceptive, anti-inflammatory activity, probably involving central and peripheral pathways
Sulphoconjugation of steroids in porcine liver
Authors: Gower D.B. , Cooke G.M. , Ferguson Susan E.
Published: July 2002

Steroid sulphotransferase activities for 5α‐androst‐16‐en‐3β‐ol and pregnenolone in porcine liver cytosol have been assayed using 3′‐phosphoadenosine‐5′‐phospho[35S]sulphate as sulphate donor. 5α‐Androst‐16‐en‐3β‐ol sulphotransferase activity was obtained from porcine liver cytosol by gel filtration chromatography; activity was linear with time up to about 5 min., the optimum pH was near 8.0 and optimum temperature 37°C. Pregnenolone sulphotransferase activity was partially purified from porcine liver cytosol using DEAE‐cellulose chromatography with an ionic gradient of KCl. This enzyme activity was linear with time up to 10 min and had optimum pH and temperature of 8.0 and 37°C, respectively.
Dihydropyridines as potent calcium channel blockers in neuronal cells
Authors: Takahashi Masami , Ogura Akihiko
Published: July 2002

Nicardipine, one of the dihydropyridine derivatives, in a nanomolar concentration range suppressed the high K+‐induced neurotransmitter from cultured neuronal cells (chick embryonic neural retina cells and clonal rat pheochromocytoma cells). The high K+‐induced Ca2+ uptake into pheochromocytoma cell was also blocked by nicardipine in the same concentration range. [3H]Nitrendipine, another dihydropyridine derivative, bound specifically to pheochromocytoma cell homogenate in a saturable manner. We concluded that dihydropyridines block and bind to the high K+‐sensitive Ca2+ channels in neuronal cells.
A sensitive and specific radioimmunoassay for leukotriene C4
Authors: Lindgren Jan Åke , Hammerström Sven , Goetzl Edward J.
Published: July 2002

A sensitive and specific radioimmunoassay suitable for direct measurement of leukotrine C4 was developed. Acetylated leukotriene C4 was coupled to polyamino bovine serum albumin using 1‐ethyl‐3‐(3‐dimethylamino‐propyl) carbodiimide hydrochloride as coupling agent. The conjugate in complete or incomplete Freund's adjutant was injected into New Zealand white rabbits. At a final antiplasma dilution of 1 : 1050 the lowest detection limit of leukotriene C4 was 0.046 pmol. The antiplasma cross‐reacted <1% with leukotrienes D4, E4 and F4, while high relative cross‐reaction (86–100%) was obtained with leukotrienes C3, C5 and 11‐trans leukotriene C4. In experiments where known amounts of leukotriene C4 were added to leukocytes suspensions, 67–100% of the added amount was recovered by the method. The radioimmunoassay was used to study leukotriene C4 formation after stimulation of leukocyte suspensions with the ionophore A23187.
Isolation and partial characterization of gamone 1 of Euplotes octocarinatus
Authors: Weischer Annette , Freiburg Manfred , Heckmann Klaus
Published: July 2002

A polypeptide, termed gamone 1, was isolated and purified to homogeneity from culture filtrates of mating type VII of the freshwater ciliate Euplotes octocarinatus. The gamone induces intraclonal conjugation in cells of certain other mating types. The isolation and purification of the gamone was carried out by a combination of two chromatographic steps. The purified gamone was found to be still effective in a concentration of approx. 10−15M.
A gamma 3 hinge region probe: first specific human immunoglobulin subclass probe
Authors: Huck S. , Keyeux G. , Ghanem N. , Lefranc M.-P. , Lefranc G.
Published: July 2002

We report the first specific human immunoglobulin subclass probe which was obtained by subcloning the gamma 3 hinge region. This specific γ3 probe allowed us to identify with certainty the Cγ3 gene on Southern genomic blots to describe the first Cγ3 restriction fragment length polymorphism (EZZ γ3 RF) and to show that an IgG3 selective deficiency previously described serologically was not due to a deletion of the C3 gene. Such a probe should be particularly useful for screening libraries from individuals with IgG3 immunodeficiencies or presenting unusual Cγ3 genes and consequently for studying the Cγ gene evolution. Immunoglobulin
IgCH gene (Human) Gm allotype
Restriction fragment length polymorphism
Immunoglobulin G3 deficiency
Hinge
Chronic exercise training alters kinetic properties of rat skeletal muscle and myocardial lactate dehydrogenase
Authors: Ji Li L. , Stratman Frederick W. , Lardy Henry A.
Published: July 2002

10 weeks of treadmill running dramatically altered the kinetic properties of lactate dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.1.27) in skeletal muscle and myocardium in the rat. These changes, including V
max, K
m and optimal concentrations for pymvate and lactate, indicate that exercise training induces the formation of H‐isozyme in skeletal muscle and M‐isozyme in the heart and represent metabolic adaptations of these tissues to chronic aerobic exercise.