bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Statistical and Numerical Study of Chipping and Cracking in Segmental Lining
Authors: Mohtadinia Mohammad , Ahmadi Mohammad Hossein , Fasaghandis Milad Manafi , Dibavar Behnaz Hallaji , Davarpanah Seyed Morteza
Published: June 2020

Some of the most frequent damages of concrete segments in shield tunnels are chipping and cracking, which are followed by degradation of lining system. In this paper, these types of damages are studied in four subway and two water conveyance tunnels. More than 2100 concrete rings are examined for chipping inspection and another 3000 for determination of the cracking. Statistical analysis of the research data showed that corners of the key and counter-key segments carry the highest number of chipping, while most of the cracking occur in the middle zones and shape of the segments and number of trust jacks affect the cracking pattern. Two kinds of numerical models are used to examine the underlying damages, which are based on geometrical characteristics of tunnel lining and boring machine besides operational mistakes. Findings of the numerical simulation revealed that installation of segmental lining with the least amount of erection tolerances results in low amount of chipping, this is while using key-segments with 12–17 degrees of insertion angle reduces total magnitude of damage due to tensile and compressive stresses. Furthermore, the deviation angle of TBM’s jack and segment’s axis should never be more than 5 degrees; otherwise even high-quality concrete segments wouldn’t remain undamaged. Employment of boring machines with articulated system is proposed in this case.
Possible climate-induced environmental impacts on parasite-infection rates of northern shrimp Pandalus borealis eggs in the Gulf of Maine
Authors: Chang HY , Klose R , Chen Y
Published: June 2020

The Gulf of Maine northern shrimp Pandalus borealis population once supported a significant commercial winter fishery for the New England states. However, the fishery has been on moratorium since 2014 due to consecutive recruitment failures. The issue of parasite-infected eggs, so-called ‘white eggs,’ has long been identified for the Gulf of Maine northern shrimp, which makes shrimp eggs nonviable and subsequently hampers the recruitment potential. Furthermore, the proportion of infected females was observed to increase with water temperature. As Gulf of Maine temperatures have been increasing for decades, it is important to re-visit issues related to white eggs to evaluate possible impacts of climate-induced environmental changes on the white egg infection rates. We used biological samples collected by the Northeast Fisheries Science Center in 2012-2016 to evaluate the probability that a female shrimp was infected (Pinf) and the proportion of white eggs in an infected female shrimp (pwe). Although Pinf was high, with an average of 73.81% over the Gulf of Maine, pwe was mostly <5%. The variation in both Pinf and pwe examined in this study was not well explained by environmental factors or female body size. However, the average rates of both Pinf and pwe observed in this study were higher than those observed in the 1960s when the bottom temperatures were cooler. The results can be used to account for egg mortality and provide information on potential impacts of possible climate-induced variability on shrimp population dynamics.
Relationship between Primary School Children’s Physical Fitness, Physical Activity and their Parents’ Physical Activity
Authors: Vainauskas Tomas , Dilys Laurynas , Šukys Saulius , Miežienė Brigita , Emeljanovas Arūnas , Karanauskienė Diana , Česnaitienė Vida Janina
Published: June 2020

Background. Healthy lifestyle skills instilled in childhood remain into adulthood. Parental physical activity skills are directly related to their children’s physical activity which strengthens their children’s physical fitness. The aim of the study was to determine and evaluate the relationship between parents’ and children’s physical activity and to evaluate the links between children’s physical activity and physical fitness.Methods. The study involved 486 primary school children aged 7 to 10 years (240 boys and 241 girls) and their parents from Kaunas district. The study was conducted in 2018 in Kaunas district schools. Parental physical activity was assessed using Godin Leisure-Time Exercise Questionnaire-GLTEQ (Godin & Shephard, 1985). Physical activity of primary school children was assessed by submitting a questionnaire to parents developed by researchers Bacardi-Gascón, Reveles-Roy, Woodward-Lopez, Crawford, and Jiménez-Cruz (2012). Schoolchildren’s physical fitness was assessed by 9 physical fitness tests (Fjørtoft, Pedersen, Sigmundsson, & Vereijken, 2011).Results. Having assessed the physical activity of children according to WHO (2010) recommendations, we found that the vast majority of the surveyed children (93.6% of boys and 86.3 of girls) were physically active, i.e. they engaged in physical activity for more than 1 hour during the day. Comparing the schoolchildren’s physical fitness by gender we found that boys were more physically fit than girls when performing long jumps, two-legged jumps, throwing a tennis ball, and running for six minutes (p < .05). Comparing the results of schoolchildren’s physical fitness by grades (Table 3), we observed that the older children were, the more physically fit they were. Correlation analysis of the research results showed a statistically significant direct relationship between father’s and mother’s physical activity (r = .487, p = .0001). A significant relationship was found between the results of children’s physical activity and tennis ball throwing (r = .170, p = .018) and the results of 10 * 5m running tests (r = –.150, p = .019). Higher physical activity was directly associated with better scores on these tests.Conclusion. Schoolchildren’s and their parents’ physical activity has no relation with schoolchildren’s physical fitness.Keywords: healthy, lifestyle, physical activity, physical fitness.
Interfaces of Student Lifestyle and Perceived Stress
Authors: Vizbaraitė Daiva , Stanionytė Gintarė , Ossowsky Zbigniew
Published: June 2020

Background. It is becoming obvious that healthy lifestyle of students in higher education institutions is an important factor contributing to the duration of their professional career as well as for general health (Bolotin & Bakayev, 2015). High academic expectations increase tension and pose a threat to physical and mental health of students (Shamsuddin et al., 2013). During studies young people are more vulnerable to developing harmful habits, they do not follow proper nutrition, and do not look after their health (Tarejeva, Žagminas, & Serapinas, 2015), therefore, it is important to understand the association between lifestyle of a young person and daily perceived stress.Methods. The study included 155 students of the Lithuanian Sports University. In order to establish nutrition and harmful habits among students, the analysis of nutrition and harmful habits questionnaire was used. Physical activity of students was evaluated using the short version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ-LT). The analysis of stress was based on the questionnaire using the Stress in Academic Life Scale. The results were processed using methods of mathematical statistics. The statistical analysis of the data was performed using the SPSS software version 23.0.Results. Statistically significant difference of physical activity was determined between genders – females were more active than males (p < .05). The frequency of the consumption of breakfast, sweets, meat, beer, and wine statistically significantly differed between females and males (p < .05). Perceived stress of students was associated with physical activity, consumption of cereal grains, sweets, carbonated beverages, and smoking (p < .05).Conclusions. The majority of students were sufficiently physically active. Females more frequently had breakfast, consumed sweets, while males more frequently consumed meat. Regular breakfast consumption was reported by 88.6% of females and 73.1% of males. Males more frequently had intake of beer, while females – wine. Significant relationship between perceived stress and physical activity among students was determined in the study. Keywords: students, stress, nutrition, physical activity, harmful habits.
Effect of Uni and Bilateral High-Intensity Sustained Isometric Contraction Exercise on Fatigue Related Changes in Quadriceps Femoris
Authors: Jurgelaitienė Giedrė , Šatas Andrius , Mickevičienė Dalia , Skurvydas Albertas
Published: June 2020

Background. It is well established that different types of exercise can provide central and peripheral fatigue. However, there are conflicting findings in the literature, and a consensus has not been reached regarding the different patterns of different ways of performing exercises when the muscle works at long and short lengths and unilaterally and bilaterally. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of muscle length and the high-intensity physical exercise when performing unilaterally and bilaterally on fatigue.Methods. Thirteen young healthy physically active volunteering males participated in the study.  Maximal voluntary and involuntary contraction was observed during the performance of sustained maximal (uni-)bilateral isometric contraction at long and short quadriceps muscle length. Capillary blood lactate concentration and perceived exertion was observed after high-intensity physical exercise.Results. Maximal voluntary contraction (MVC)% decreased significantly and greatly in (uni-)bilateral exercise at long muscle length. CAR% at the appearance of fatigue was greater at long muscle length and did not depend on (uni-)bilateral contraction.Conclusion. When both legs generate force (bilateral contraction), it is possible to observe a decrease in the rate of force development (RFD) but not in the MVC. Movement performed at long muscle length and (uni-)bilaterally has an effect on a greater motor cortex activation and a sense of movement effort and lactate concentration in capillary blood. Keywords: high intensity interval exercise, sustained isometric contraction, central fatigue, peripheral fatigue, bilateral and unilateral contraction.
On the subject field and methodological foundations of legal and political science.
Authors: I.O. Kresina
Published: June 2020

Legal and political science is a relatively new trend in political science, which began to emerge in Ukraine only in the late 1990s and early 2000s. The current stage of conceptualization and institutionalization of legal political science is characterized by the formation of its own theoretical base, the expansion of the circle of researchers dealing with this issue. It is necessary to identify the sources of the formation of legal and political science, its object and object, tasks and functions, that is, to create a fundamental theoretical concept that reflects the level of knowledge achieved and is a kind of basis for further scientific research in this direction.

The transformative processes that took place in society and science in the second half of the XX century had a decisive influence on the process of designing legal and political science into an independent field of knowledge. and which eventually led to: 1) increased attention of scholars to the consideration of politics and law in the unity of their value-meaning characteristics; 2) the identification of political law as an independent area of ​​scientific research; 3) intensifying the development of interdisciplinary political and legal studies.

Legal and political science is, in fact, a post-nonclassical stage in the development of political science, which determines its originality in terms of subject and methodological aspects. Formed on the border of political science and jurisprudence, legal and political science is an integrative system of knowledge that combines the cognitive resources of both sciences.

Legal and political science aims to cover a fairly wide range of issues of state-legal construction. At the same time, the specificity of legal political science is that it focuses on the study of the political constituent of law, studying the socio-political conditions of the exercise of law, the influence of political phenomena and processes on the creation and functioning of legal norms. That is, it is interested in law not as a set of certain norms, their nature and character, but above all the political conditionality of law thr
Interconnections for Additively Manufactured Hybridized Printed Electronics in Harsh Environments
Authors: Neff Clayton , Elston Edwin , Schrand Amanda
Published: June 2020

The ability to fabricate functional 3D conductive elements via additive manufacturing has opened up a unique sector of ‘hybridized printed electronics’. In doing so, many of the rigid standards (i.e., planar circuit boards, potting, etc.,) of traditional electronics are abandoned. However, one critical challenge lies in producing robust and reliable interconnections between conductive inks and traditional hardware, especially when subjected to harsh environments. This research examines select material pairings for the most resilient interconnection. The method of test is wire bond pull testing that would represent a continuous strain on a connection and high acceleration testing of up to 50,000 g that would represent a sudden shock that electronics may experience in a drop or crash. Although these two environments may be similar to an overall energy exerted on the connection, the rate of force exerted may lead to different solutions. The results of this research provide insight into material selection for printed electronic interconnections and a framework for interconnection resiliency assessment, which is a critical aspect in realizing the production of next generation electronics technologies for the most demanding environments.
Defining and Defending the Middle Ages with C. S. Lewis
Authors: Murdoch Brian
Published: June 2020

The scholarly writings of C. S. Lewis (1898–1963) have both inspired the study of the Middle Ages and confirmed the relevance to the humanities that medieval literary texts can have for the present. He was aware that the straitjacket implied by periodisation can blind us to the universal values presented in medieval literature. Qualitative assumptions made about the (usually undefined) Middle Ages include an alienating remoteness, and also a general ignorance, especially of science and technology. Lewis drew attention to the knowledge of astronomy, for example, and pointed out that medieval technical skills in architecture, agriculture and medicine are important for us to be aware about. Three medieval works illustrate this universality with respect to technical skills (the Völundarkviða); identity and the self (the Hildebrandslied); and the popular love-song (the courtly love-lyric). Lewis cautioned against pejorative terms like ‘Dark Ages’, noted problems of perspective in assessing all pre-modern literature, and showed that earlier works have a continuing value and relevance.
Special Issue: From Natural Polyphenols to Synthetic Bioactive Analogues
Authors: Tringali Corrado
Published: June 2020

In recent years, phenolic compounds from plant sources, commonly referred to as ‘plant polyphenols’, have been the subject of an impressive number of research studies, to a large extent focused on the healthy properties attributed to diet polyphenols, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antineoplastic, antidiabetic, neuroprotective, and other biological activities [...]
Subcritical Water Extraction of Chestnut Bark and Optimization of Process Parameters
Authors: Gagić Tanja , Knez Željko , Škerget Mojca
Published: June 2020

The aim of the work was the optimization of the subcritical water extraction process of chestnut bark using Box–Behnken response surface methodology. The influence of process parameters, such as temperature, extraction time and solvent-solid ratio, on extraction yield, yield of the main compounds, total phenol content, total tannin content and antioxidant activity has been investigated. The identified compounds were ellagic and gallic acids, ellagitannins (vescalagin, castalagin, 1-o-galloyl castalagin, vescalin and castalin), sugars (maltose, glucose, fructose and arabinose) and sugar derivatives (5-HMF, furfural and levulinic acid). Finally, the optimal process conditions for obtaining the bark extract highly rich in ellagic acid and with satisfactory levels of total phenols and total tannins have been determined.
Biological Effect Evaluation of Glutathione-Responsive Cyclodextrin-Based Nanosponges: 2D and 3D Studies
Authors: Argenziano Monica , Foglietta Federica , Canaparo Roberto , Spagnolo Rita , Della Pepa Carlo , Caldera Fabrizio , Trotta Francesco , Serpe Loredana , Cavalli Roberta
Published: June 2020

This study aims to evaluate the bioeffects of glutathione-responsive β-cyclodextrin-based nanosponges (GSH-NSs) on two- (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) cell cultures. The bioeffects of two types of GSH-NS formulations, with low (GSH-NS B) and high (GSH-NS D) disulfide-bond content, were evaluated on 2D colorectal (HCT116 and HT-29) and prostatic (DU-145 and PC3) cancer cell cultures. In particular, the cellular uptake of GSH-NS was evaluated, as their effects on cell growth, mitochondrial activity, membrane integrity, cell cycle distribution, mRNA expression, and reactive oxygen species production. The effect of GSH-NSs on cell growth was also evaluated on multicellular spheroids (MCS) and a comparison of the GSH-NS cell growth inhibitory activity, in terms of inhibition concentration (IC)50 values, was performed between 2D and 3D cell cultures. A significant decrease in 2D cell growth was observed at high GSH-NS concentrations, with the formulation with a low disulfide-bond content, GSH-NS B, being more cytotoxic than the formulation with a high disulfide-bond content, GSH-NS D. The cell growth decrease induced by GSH-NS was owing to G1 cell cycle arrest. Moreover, a significant down-regulation of mRNA expression of the cyclin genes CDK1, CDK2, and CDK4 and up-regulation of mRNA expression of the cyclin inhibitor genes CDKN1A and CDKN2A were observed. On the other hand, a significant decrease in MCS growth was also observed at high GSH-NS concentrations, but not influenced by the nanosponge disulfide-bond content, with the MCS IC50 values being significantly higher than those obtained on 2D cell cultures. GSH-NSs are suitable nanocarries as they provoke limited cellular effects, as cell cycle arrest only occurred at concentrations significantly higher than those used for drug delivery.
Optimal Extraction of Ocimum basilicum Essential Oil by Association of Ultrasound and Hydrodistillation and Its Potential as a Biopesticide Against a Major Stored Grains Pest
Authors: da Silva Moura Eridiane , D’Antonino Faroni Lêda Rita , Fernandes Heleno Fernanda , Aparecida Zinato Rodrigues Alessandra , Figueiredo Prates Lucas Henrique , Lopes Ribeiro de Queiroz Maria Eliana
Published: June 2020

The essential oil of basil (Ocimum basilicum) has significant biological activity against insect pests and can be extracted through various techniques. This work aimed to optimize and validate the extraction process of the essential oil of O. basilicum submitted to different drying temperatures of the leaves and extracted by the combination of a Clevenger method and ultrasound. The biological activity of the extracted oil under different conditions was evaluated for potential control of Sitophilus zeamais. The extraction method was optimized according to the sonication time by ultrasound (0, 8, 19, 31 and 38 min) and hydrodistillation (20, 30, 45, 60 and 70 min) and drying temperature (20, 30, 45, 60 and 70 °C). The bioactivity of the essential oil was assessed against adults of S. zeamais and the effects of each variable and its interactions on the mortality of the insects were evaluated. The best yield of essential oil was obtained with the longest sonication and hydrodistillation times and the lowest drying temperature of leaves. Higher toxicity of the essential oil against S. zeamais was obtained by the use of ultrasound for its extraction. The identification and the relative percentage of the compounds of the essential oil were performed with a gas chromatograph coupled to a mass selective detector. The performance of the method was assessed by studying selectivity, linearity, limits of detection (LOD) and quantification (LOQ), precision and accuracy. The LOD and LOQ values for linalool were 2.19 and 6.62 µg mL−1 and for estragole 2.001 and 6.063 µg mL−1, respectively. The coefficients of determination (R2) were >0.99. The average recoveries ranged between 71 and 106%, with coefficient of variation ≤6.4%.
Correction: Kovanda, L., et al. In Vitro Antimicrobial Activities of Organic Acids and Their Derivatives on Several Species of Gram-Negative and Gram-Positive Bacteria. Molecules 2019, 24, 3770
Authors: Kovanda Lauren , Zhang Wen , Wei Xiaohong , Luo Jia , Wu Xixi , Atwill Edward Robert , Vaessen Stefan , Li Xunde , Liu Yanhong
Published: June 2020

The authors wish to make the following corrections to this paper published in Molecules [...]
Formulation of More Efficacious Curcumin Delivery Systems Using Colloid Science: Enhanced Solubility, Stability, and Bioavailability
Authors: Zheng Bingjing , McClements David Julian
Published: June 2020

Curcumin is a bioactive constituent isolated from turmeric that has historically been used as a seasoning, pigment, and herbal medicine in food. Recently, it has become one of the most commonly studied nutraceuticals in the pharmaceutical, supplement, and food areas because of its myriad of potential health benefits. For instance, it is claimed to exhibit antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antiparasite, and anticancer activities when ingested as a drug, supplement, or food. Toxicity studies suggest that it is safe to consume, even at relatively high levels. Its broad-spectrum biological activities and low toxicity have meant that it has been widely explored as a nutraceutical ingredient for application in functional foods. However, there are several hurdles that formulators must overcome when incorporating curcumin into commercial products, such as its low water solubility (especially under acidic and neutral conditions), chemical instability (especially under neutral and alkaline conditions), rapid metabolism by enzymes in the human body, and limited bioavailability. As a result, only a small fraction of ingested curcumin is actually absorbed into the bloodstream. These hurdles can be at least partially overcome by using encapsulation technologies, which involve trapping the curcumin within small particles. Some of the most commonly used edible microparticles or nanoparticles utilized for this purpose are micelles, liposomes, emulsions, solid lipid particles, and biopolymer particles. Each of these encapsulation technologies has its own benefits and limitations for particular product applications and it is important to select the most appropriate one.
Fabrication and Performance of Self-Supported Flexible Cellulose Nanofibrils/Reduced Graphene Oxide Supercapacitor Electrode Materials
Authors: He Wen , Wu Bo , Lu Mengting , Li Ze , Qiang Han
Published: June 2020

With the rapid development of portable and wearable electronic devices, self-supporting flexible supercapacitors have attracted much attention, and higher requirements have been put forward for the electrode of the device, that is, it is necessary to have good mechanical properties while satisfying excellent electrochemical performance. In this work, a facile method was invented to obtain excellent self-supported flexible electrode materials with high mechanical properties and outstanding electrochemical performance by combining cellulose nanofibrils (CNFs) and reduced graphene oxide (RGO). We focused on the effect of the ratio of the addition of CNFs and the formation process of the film on the electrochemical and mechanical properties. The results show that the CNFs/RGO12 (where the ratio of CNFs to GO is 1:2) film displayed outstanding comprehensive properties; its tensile strength and conductivity were up to 83 MPa and 202.94 S/m, respectively, and its CA value was as high as 146 mF cm−2 under the current density of 5 mA cm−2. Furthermore, the initial retention rate of the specific capacitance was about 83.7% when recycled 2000 times; moreover, its capacitance did not change much after perpendicular bending 200 times. Therefore, the films prepared by this study have great potential in the field of flexible supercapacitors.
Antiviral Natural Products for Arbovirus Infections
Authors: Goh Vanessa Shi Li , Mok Chee-Keng , Chu Justin Jang Hann
Published: June 2020

Over the course of the last 50 years, the emergence of several arboviruses have resulted in countless outbreaks globally. With a high proportion of infections occurring in tropical and subtropical regions where arthropods tend to be abundant, Asia in particular is a region that is heavily affected by arboviral diseases caused by dengue, Japanese encephalitis, West Nile, Zika, and chikungunya viruses. Major gaps in protection against the most significant emerging arboviruses remains as there are currently no antivirals available, and vaccines are only available for some. A potential source of antiviral compounds could be discovered in natural products—such as vegetables, fruits, flowers, herbal plants, marine organisms and microorganisms—from which various compounds have been documented to exhibit antiviral activities and are expected to have good tolerability and minimal side effects. Polyphenols and plant extracts have been extensively studied for their antiviral properties against arboviruses and have demonstrated promising results. With an abundance of natural products to screen for new antiviral compounds, it is highly optimistic that natural products will continue to play an important role in contributing to antiviral drug development and in reducing the global infection burden of arboviruses.
Lasianosides F–I: A New Iridoid and Three New Bis-Iridoid Glycosides from the Leaves of Lasianthus verticillatus (Lour.) Merr.
Authors: Al-Hamoud Gadah Abdulaziz , Orfali Raha Saud , Takeda Yoshio , Sugimoto Sachiko , Yamano Yoshi , Al Musayeib Nawal M. , Fantoukh Omer Ibrahim , Amina Musarat , Otsuka Hideaki , Matsunami Katsuyoshi
Published: June 2020

A series of iridoid glycosides were isolated from the leaves of Lasianthus verticillatus (Lour.) Merr., belonging to family Rubiaceae. A new iridoid glycoside, lasianoside F (1), and three new bis-iridoid glycosides, lasianosides G–I (2–4), together with four known compounds (5–8) were isolated. The structures were established by spectroscopic methods, including 1D and 2D NMR experiments (1H, 13C, DEPT, COSY, HSQC, HMBC, and NOESY) in combination with HR-ESI-MS and CD spectra.
Design and Synthesis of Organic Molecules as Antineoplastic Agents
Authors: Boga Carla , Micheletti Gabriele
Published: June 2020

The fight against cancer is one of the most challenging tasks currently for lots of researchers in many fields, such as pharmaceuticals, medicine, and chemicals [...]
Cultivation of Mushrooms and Their Lignocellulolytic Enzyme Production Through the Utilization of Agro-Industrial Waste
Authors: Kumla Jaturong , Suwannarach Nakarin , Sujarit Kanaporn , Penkhrue Watsana , Kakumyan Pattana , Jatuwong Kritsana , Vadthanarat Santhiti , Lumyong Saisamorn
Published: June 2020

A large amount of agro-industrial waste is produced worldwide in various agricultural sectors and by different food industries. The disposal and burning of this waste have created major global environmental problems. Agro-industrial waste mainly consists of cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin, all of which are collectively defined as lignocellulosic materials. This waste can serve as a suitable substrate in the solid-state fermentation process involving mushrooms. Mushrooms degrade lignocellulosic substrates through lignocellulosic enzyme production and utilize the degraded products to produce their fruiting bodies. Therefore, mushroom cultivation can be considered a prominent biotechnological process for the reduction and valorization of agro-industrial waste. Such waste is generated as a result of the eco-friendly conversion of low-value by-products into new resources that can be used to produce value-added products. Here, we have produced a brief review of the current findings through an overview of recently published literature. This overview has focused on the use of agro-industrial waste as a growth substrate for mushroom cultivation and lignocellulolytic enzyme production.
Development of ‘Lignin-First’ Approaches for the Valorization of Lignocellulosic Biomass
Authors: Korányi Tamás I. , Fridrich Bálint , Pineda Antonio , Barta Katalin
Published: June 2020

Currently, valorization of lignocellulosic biomass almost exclusively focuses on the production of pulp, paper, and bioethanol from its holocellulose constituent, while the remaining lignin part that comprises the highest carbon content, is burned and treated as waste. Lignin has a complex structure built up from propylphenolic subunits; therefore, its valorization to value-added products (aromatics, phenolics, biogasoline, etc.) is highly desirable. However, during the pulping processes, the original structure of native lignin changes to technical lignin. Due to this extensive structural modification, involving the cleavage of the β-O-4 moieties and the formation of recalcitrant C-C bonds, its catalytic depolymerization requires harsh reaction conditions. In order to apply mild conditions and to gain fewer and uniform products, a new strategy has emerged in the past few years, named ‘lignin-first’ or ‘reductive catalytic fractionation’ (RCF). This signifies lignin disassembly prior to carbohydrate valorization. The aim of the present work is to follow historically, year-by-year, the development of ‘lignin-first’ approach. A compact summary of reached achievements, future perspectives and remaining challenges is also given at the end of the review.
Hybrid Gold(I) NHC-Artemether Complexes to Target Falciparum Malaria Parasites
Authors: Ouji Manel , Barnoin Guillaume , Fernández Álvarez Álvaro , Augereau Jean-Michel , Hemmert Catherine , Benoit-Vical Françoise , Gornitzka Heinz
Published: June 2020

The emergence of Plasmodium falciparum parasites, responsible for malaria disease, resistant to antiplasmodial drugs including the artemisinins, represents a major threat to public health. Therefore, the development of new antimalarial drugs or combinations is urgently required. In this context, several hybrid molecules combining a dihydroartemisinin derivative and gold(I) N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) complexes have been synthesized based on the different modes of action of the two compounds. The antiplasmodial activity of these molecules was assessed in vitro as well as their cytotoxicity against mammalian cells. All the hybrid molecules tested showed efficacy against P. falciparum, in a nanomolar range for the most active, associated with a low cytotoxicity. However, cross-resistance between artemisinin and these hybrid molecules was evidenced. These results underline a fear about the risk of cross-resistance between artemisinins and new antimalarial drugs based on an endoperoxide part. This study thus raises concerns about the use of such molecules in future therapeutic malaria policies.
1,3,4-Thiadiazole-Containing Azo Dyes: Synthesis, Spectroscopic Properties and Molecular Structure
Authors: Kudelko Agnieszka , Olesiejuk Monika , Luczynski Marcin , Swiatkowski Marcin , Sieranski Tomasz , Kruszynski Rafal
Published: June 2020

Three series of azo dyes derived from 2-amino-5-aryl-1,3,4-thiadiazoles and aniline, N,N-dimethylaniline and phenol were synthesized in high yields by a conventional diazotization-coupling sequence. The chemical structures of the prepared compounds were confirmed by 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, IR, UV-Vis spectroscopy, mass spectrometry and elemental analysis. In addition, the X-ray single crystal structure of a representative azo dye was presented. For explicit determination of the influence of a substituent on radiation absorption in UV-Vis range, time-dependent density functional theory calculations were performed.
Compatibility of Phase Change Materials and Metals: Experimental Evaluation Based on the Corrosion Rate
Authors: Ostrý Milan , Bantová Sylva , Struhala Karel
Published: June 2020

The construction and maintenance of building stock is responsible for approximately 36% of all CO2 emissions in the European Union. One of the possibilities of how to achieve high energy-efficient and decarbonized building stock is the integration of renewable energy sources (RES) in building energy systems that contain efficient energy storage capacity. Phase Change Materials (PCMs) are latent heat storage media with a high potential of integration in building structures and technical systems. Their solid-liquid transition is specifically utilized for thermal energy storage in building applications. The typically quite old example is the use of ice that serves as long-term storage of cold. Large pieces of ice cut in winter were stored in heavily insulated spaces and prepared for cooling of food or beverages in summer. In the contemporary use of the principle, the PCMs for building applications and tested in this study must have a melting range close to the desired temperature in the occupied rooms. As the PCMs need to be encapsulated, several types of metal containers have been developed and tested for their thermal conductivity and resistance to mechanical damage, which enhances the performance of these so-called latent heat thermal energy storage (LHTES) systems. Long-term compatibility of metals with PCMs depends, i.e., on the elimination of an undesirable interaction between the metal and the specific PCM. Heat storage medium must be reliably sealed in a metal container, especially if the LHTES is integrated into systems where PCM leaks can negatively affect human health (e.g., domestic hot water tanks). The aim of this study is to evaluate the interactions between the selected commercially available organic (Linpar 17 and 1820) and inorganic (Rubitherm SP22 and SP25) PCMs and metals widely used for PCM encapsulation (aluminum, brass, carbon steel, and copper). The evaluation is based on the calculation of the corrosion rate (CR), and the gravimetric method is used for the determination of the weight variations of the metal samples. The results show good compatibility for all metals with organic PCMs, which is demonstrated by a mass loss as low as 2.1 mg in case of carbon steel immersed in Linpar 1820 for 12 weeks. The exposure of metals to organic PCMs also did not cause any visual changes on the surface except for darker stains, and tarnishing occurred on the copper samples. More pronounced changes were observed in metal samples immersed in inorganic PCMs. The highest CR values were calculated for carbon steel exposed to inorganic PCM Rubitherm SP25 (up to 13.897 mg·cm−2·year−1). The conclusion of the study is that aluminum is the most suitable container material for the tested PCMs as it shows the lowest mass loss and minimal visual changes on the surface after prolonged exposure to the selected PCMs.
Multiscale Structure of Starches Grafted with Hydrophobic Groups: A New Analytical Strategy
Authors: Volant Chloé , Gilet Alexandre , Beddiaf Fatima , Collinet-Fressancourt Marion , Falourd Xavier , Descamps Nicolas , Wiatz Vincent , Bricout Hervé , Tilloy Sébastien , Monflier Eric , Quettier Claude , Mazzah Ahmed , Rolland-Sabaté Agnès
Published: June 2020

Starch, an abundant and low-cost plant-based glucopolymer, has great potential to replace carbon-based polymers in various materials. In order to optimize its functional properties for bioplastics applications chemical groups need to be introduced on the free hydroxyl groups in a controlled manner, so an understanding of the resulting structure-properties relationships is therefore essential. The purpose of this work was to study the multiscale structure of highly-acetylated (degree of substitution, 0.4 < DS ≤ 3) and etherified starches by using an original combination of experimental strategies and methodologies. The molecular structure and substituents repartition were investigated by developing new sample preparation strategies for specific analysis including Asymmetrical Flow Field Flow Fractionation associated with Multiangle Laser Light Scattering, Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR), Raman and Time of Flight Secondary Ion Mass spectroscopies. Molar mass decrease and specific ways of chain breakage due to modification were pointed out and are correlated to the amylose content. The amorphous structuration was revealed by solid-state NMR. This original broad analytical approach allowed for the first time a large characterization of highly-acetylated starches insoluble in aqueous solvents. This strategy, then applied to characterize etherified starches, opens the way to correlate the structure to the properties of such insoluble starch-based materials.
Monitoring the Seasonal Hydrology of Alpine Wetlands in Response to Snow Cover Dynamics and Summer Climate: A Novel Approach with Sentinel-2
Authors: Carlson Bradley Z. , Hébert Marie , Van Reeth Colin , Bison Marjorie , Laigle Idaline , Delestrade Anne
Published: June 2020

Climate change in the European Alps during recent years has led to decreased snow cover duration as well as increases in the frequency and intensity of summer heat waves. The risk of drought for alpine wetlands and temporary pools, which rely on water from snowmelt and provide habitat for specialist plant and amphibian biodiversity, is largely unknown and understudied in this context. Here, we test and validate a novel application of Sentinel-2 imagery aimed at quantifying seasonal variation in water surface area in the context of 95 small (median surface area <100 m2) and shallow (median depth of 20 cm) alpine wetlands in the French Alps, using a linear spectral unmixing approach. For three study years (2016–2018), we used path-analysis to correlate mid-summer water surface area to annual metrics of snowpack (depth and duration) and spring and summer climate (temperature and precipitation). We further sought to evaluate potential biotic responses to drought for study years by monitoring the survival of common frog (Rana temporaria) tadpoles and wetland plant biomass production quantified using peak Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI). We found strong agreement between citizen science-based observations of water surface area and Sentinel-2 based estimates (R2 = 0.8–0.9). Mid-summer watershed snow cover duration and summer temperatures emerged as the most important factors regulating alpine wetland hydrology, while the effects of summer precipitation, and local and watershed snow melt-out timing were not significant. We found that a lack of summer snowfields in 2017 combined with a summer heat wave resulted in a significant decrease in mid-summer water surface area, and led to the drying up of certain wetlands as well as the observed mortality of tadpoles. We did not observe a negative effect of the 2017 summer on the biomass production of wetland vegetation, suggesting that wetlands that maintain soil moisture may act as favorable microhabitats for above treeline vegetation during dry years. Our work introduces a remote sensing-based protocol for monitoring the surface hydrology of alpine wetland habitats at the regional scale. Given that climate models predict continued reduction of snow cover in the Alps during the coming years, as well as particularly intense warming during the summer months, our conclusions underscore the vulnerability of alpine wetlands in the face of ongoing climate change.
A New Washable UHF RFID Tag: Design, Fabrication, and Assessment
Authors: Moraru Aurelian , Ursachi Corneliu , Helerea Elena
Published: June 2020

This paper deals with the design and fabrication of durable radio frequency identification (RFID) passive tag with inductive coupling, operating at ultra-high frequencies, dedicated to the identification and monitoring of professional textile products. A reliable architecture for the tag transponder is proposed, featuring a minimal number of galvanic contacts: The two pins of the integrated circuit are connected to the terminals of the inductive coupling loop by using surface mount technology welding. The transponder is encapsulated with an electrically insulating material which is waterproof and resistant to mechanical, thermal, and chemical stress. The antenna is inductively coupled to the transponder through a double loop which substantially reduces the length of the tag and significantly improves the coupling factor, enabling the tag to operate at a low power level. The reliability and flexibility of the tag is obtained by using appropriate materials and manufacturing methods for the ultra-high frequency (UHF) antenna by embroidering a multifilament stainless steel wire on textile support. The washing cycle tests have validated the applicability of this flexible and washable RFID tag, and its electromagnetic performance was experimentally assessed in an independent laboratory.
An Opportunity to END TB: Using the Sustainable Development Goals for Action on Socio-Economic Determinants of TB in High Burden Countries in WHO South-East Asia and the Western Pacific Regions
Authors: Satyanarayana Srinath , Thekkur Pruthu , Kumar Ajay M. V. , Lin Yan , Dlodlo Riitta A. , Khogali Mohammed , Zachariah Rony , Harries Anthony David
Published: June 2020

The progress towards ending tuberculosis (TB) by 2035 is less than expected in 11 high TB burden countries in the World Health Organization South-East Asia and Western Pacific regions. Along with enhancing measures aimed at achieving universal access to quality-assured diagnosis, treatment and prevention services, massive efforts are needed to mitigate the prevalence of health-related risk factors, preferably through broader actions on the determinants of the “exposure-infection-disease-adverse outcome” spectrum. The aim of this manuscript is to describe the major socio-economic determinants of TB and to discuss how there are opportunities to address these determinants in an englobing manner under the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) framework. The national TB programs must identify stakeholders working on the other SDGs, develop mechanisms to collaborate with them and facilitate action on social-economic determinants in high TB burden geographical areas. Research (to determine the optimal mechanisms and impact of such collaborations) must be an integral part of this effort. We call upon stakeholders involved in achieving the SDGs and End TB targets to recognize that all goals are highly interlinked, and they need to combine and complement each other’s efforts to end TB and the determinants behind this disease.
¿De movimientos religiosos a organizaciones políticas? La relevancia política del evangelismo en América Latina
Authors: Del Campo María Esther , Resina Jorge
Published: June 2020

Los movimientos evangélicos adquieren protagonismo en América Latina desde mediados de los años ochenta. El importante crecimiento de iglesias y su relevancia social ha hecho que estos movimientos, es- pecialmente los neopentecostales, hayan sido objeto de estudio frecuente desde diferentes enfoques: an- tropológico, cultural y sociológico. Sin embargo, no existen apenas análisis de su papel político, de su presencia en las instituciones de la región o de su transformación en organizaciones políticas. El objetivo de este documento de trabajo es cubrir esta brecha y abordar el auge de los movimientos evangélicos desde una perspectiva politológica, a partir de las siguientes hipótesis: 1) la identidad religiosa no genera automá- ticamente identidad política; 2) la propuesta de alternativas políticas evangélicas depende tanto del peso demográfico de estas iglesias en algunos países (caso centroamericano), como del debilitamiento progresivo de los partidos políticos tradicionales, envueltos en casos de corrupción, de forma que la crisis institucional abre el espacio político a estas organizaciones, que solidifican nuevos principios de agregación, y 3) el evan- gelismo ha mostrado un elevado pragmatismo y desarrollado nuevas estrategias políticas, aliándose con fuerzas conservadoras, en defensa de lo que denominamos “una nueva agenda moral”, extremadamente tradicionalista y reaccionaria. En torno a esta agenda, se estaría conformando en la región una triple alianza conservadora, entre el evangelismo neopentecostal, el catolicismo más ortodoxo y la derecha neoliberal, que adquiere un renovado interés en el contexto de lucha contra la COVID-19.
Developing Bid-Ask Probabilities for High-Frequency Trading
Authors: Ingber Lester
Published: June 2020

Methods of path integrals are used to develop multi-factor probabilities of bid-ask variables to be used in high-frequency trading (HFT). Adaptive Simulated Annealing (ASA) is used to fit the nonlinear forms, so developed to a day of BitMEX tick data. Maxima algebraic code is used to develop the path integral codes into C codes, and a sampling code is used for the fitting process. After these fits, the resultant C code is very fast and useful for forecasting upcoming ‘ask’, bid, midprice, etc., when narrow and wide windows of incoming data are used. A bonus is the availability of canonical momenta indicators (CMI) useful to forecast direction and strengths of these variables.
ПРАКТИЧНА ПІДГОТОВКА МАЙБУТНІХ ФАХІВЦІВ СОЦІАЛЬНОЇ ГАЛУЗІ ДО ПРОФІЛАКТИКИ ДЕЗАДАПТАЦІЇ УЧНІВ: ЗА РЕЗУЛЬТАТАМИ ЕКСПЕРИМЕНТУ
Authors: Костіна В. В.
Published: June 2020

У роботі висвітлено тенденції у практичній підготовці фахівців соціальної галузі до професійної діяльності з профілактики дезадаптації учнів у різних соціальних осередках, проаналізовано та узагальнено ідеї науковців та практичний досвід з проблеми дослідження. Подано результати перевірки експериментальних умов та розробленого науково-методичне забезпечення процесу практичної професійної підготовки майбутніх соціальних педагогів і соціальних працівників до профілактики дезадаптації учнів у різних соціальних інституціях. Охарактеризовано суть і особливості змісту підготовки до даного виду професійної діяльності під час організації практики та діяльності студентського наукового товариства, визначено вплив запроваджених експериментальних умов на показники особистісно-професійного потенціалу майбутніх фахівців, а також наведено результати математичної обробки результатів, що дозволяють визначити ефективність експериментальної роботи. Представлено зміст доповнення програм практики майбутніх фахівців соціальної галузі у системі різних соціальних інституцій, наведено особливості його реалізації в умовах навчальної, виховної та науково-дослідницької діяльності майбутніх соціальних педагогів і соціальних працівників. Надано методичні рекомендації з організації освітньо-професійного простору підготовки майбутніх соціальних педагогів в умовах закладу вищої освіти та партнерської мережі соціальних інституцій, що здійснюють функцію профілактики дезадаптації учнів: участь студентів-практикантів у районних засіданнях методичних об’єднань соціальних педагогів закладів загальної середньої освіти (ЗЗСО), семінарах і круглих столах соціальних працівників центрів соціальних служб для сім’ї, дітей та молоді (ЦСССДМ) з питань профілактики девіацій серед учнів; проходження студентами-практикантами під час практики у ЗЗСО тренінгового курсу «Практична готовність майбутніх фахівців соціальної галузі до профілактичної роботи із вразливими контингентами»; надання студентам можливостей для організації та проведення заходів у межах власного наукового дослідження, не обмежуючись терміном власне практики.