bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Guided filtering-based nonlocal means despeckling of optical coherence tomography images
Authors: Zhou Quan , Guo Jingmin , Ding Mingyue , Zhang Xuming
Published: August 2020

This Letter presents a guided filtering (GF)-based nonlocal means (NLM) method for despeckling of optical coherence tomography (OCT) images. Unlike existing NLM methods that determine weights using image intensities or features, the proposed method first uses the GF to capture both grayscale information and features of the input image and then introduces them into the NLM for accurate weight computation. The boosting and iterative strategies are further incorporated to ensure despeckling performance. Experiments on the real OCT images demonstrate that our method outperforms the compared methods by delivering sufficient noise reduction and preserving image details well.
Nested-ring doping for highly efficient 1907  nm short-wavelength cladding-pumped thulium fiber lasers
Authors: Barber Matthew J. , Shardlow Peter C. , Barua Pranabesh , Sahu Jayanta K. , Clarkson W. Andrew
Published: August 2020

Cladding-pumped Tm-doped fiber lasers operating below 1950 nm have difficulty matching the high-efficiency, power-scalable output that can be achieved at longer wavelengths. This challenge arises due to the strong three-level behavior at short wavelengths and strong competition from higher-gain long wavelength emission. In this Letter, we demonstrate a nested-ring fiber design in which a highly doped Tm ring is embedded within a larger undoped core. The fiber is specifically tailored for highly efficient and high power short-wavelength operation (

<

1950

n
m

). The nested-ring Tm fiber laser has generated 62 W of single-mode 1907 nm output with up to 65% (70%) slope efficiency with respect to launched (absorbed) pump power.
Nanoparticle trapping and manipulation using a silicon nanotrimer with polarized light
Authors: Guo Ying , Liao Yi , Yu Yefeng , Shi Yuzhi , Xiong Sha
Published: August 2020

Optical tweezers based on plasmonics experience a tremendous development on manipulating nanoparticles but are unable to avoid the problem of Joule heating. In this Letter, we report a silicon nanotrimer to optically trap and manipulate nanoparticles with negligible local heating. The optical forces and trapping potential of the nanotrimer are investigated using the finite-difference time-domain method. The results indicate that the trapping position can be shifted by tuning the polarization of the incident light. Furthermore, the silicon nanotrimer enables simultaneous trapping of multiple nanoparticles using circularly polarized illumination. Our work provides a promising building block for an integrated all-dielectric platform to realize optically driven nanomanipulation, which offers new possibilities for on-chip optical applications.
DFG-based mid-IR tunable source with 0.5  mJ energy and a 30  pm linewidth
Authors: Stoychev Lyubomir I. , Cabrera Humberto , Suárez-Vargas Jose J. , Baruzzo Marco , Gadedjisso-Tossou Komlan S. , Nikolov Ivaylo P. , Sigalotti Paolo , Demidovich Alexander A. , Mocchiutti Emiliano , Pizzolotto Cecilia , Niemela Joseph , Toci Guido , Danailov Miltcho B. , Vacchi Andrea
Published: August 2020

We report on a laser system based on difference frequency generation (DFG) to produce tunable, narrow-linewidth (

<

30

p
m

), and comparatively high-energy mid-IR radiation in the 6.8 µm region. The system exploits a lithium thioindate (

L
i
I
n
S

2

) nonlinear crystal and nanosecond pulses generated by single-frequency Nd:YAG and Cr:forsterite lasers at 1064 and 1262 nm, respectively. Two experimental configurations are used: in the first one, single-pass, the mid-IR energy achieved is 205 µJ. Additional increments, up to 540 µJ, are obtained by performing double-pass through the nonlinear crystal. This laser has been developed for high-resolution photon-hungry spectroscopy in the mid-IR.
Identification Of Aquatic Plant Species From Bantimurung Waterfall And Their Phytochemical Compounds Analysis
Authors: Nugraha Media Fitri Isma , Maharani Fasya Hadaina , Novita Hessy , Rajamuddin Muh Alias L , Yunita Rossa , Reflinur Reflinur , Enggarini Wening , Julzarika Atriyon , Elya Berna Elya
Published: August 2020

A total of 21 aquatic plant species were collected from Bantimurung waterfall areas, South Sulawesi, Indonesia, in October 2017. These plant materials were subjected to both species and phytochemicals identification. The aims of this study were to determine the species or taxonomic rank of Indonesian aquatic plants collected from Bantimurung waterfall, South Sulawesi, Indonesia and to identify their chemical compounds (phytochemicals) as a candidate for new herbal medicine. Plant genetic materials used in this study were collected from Bantimurung Bulusaraung waterfall and were then identified based on standard botanical techniques for species identification in the Herbarium Bogoriense, Research center for Biology Indonesian Institute of Science (LIPI), Cibinong, West Java. The samples were subjected to the phytochemistry screening such as alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, saponins, glycosides, terpenoids and anthraquinone followed the procedures of Indonesian Materia Medika and Harborne.  Results showed that all collected aquatic plant samples were able to be identified, including their species names. Phytochemical screening of each sample revealed the presence of glycoside in all of the tested species. However, no alkaloids, anthraquinones, and terpenoids were observed in those tested plant samples. Of the total 21 aquatic plants, 14 species contained flavonoids, 8 species contained phenol compound, and 10 species contained saponins. Among these species Donnax canniformis possessed good antioxidant activity, which correlated to its total phenolic and flavonoid contents. Our results would be beneficial for any future effort in the development of new herbal drugs derived from aquatic plants.
Development of Mice Embryo (Mus musculus L.) after Closed Pulled Straw Vitrification in CZB Medium
Authors: Gunawan Muhammad , Kaiin Ekayanti Mulyawati , Rusherdiannita Raden Cindy , Alipin Kartiawati
Published: August 2020

The objective of our present experiment was to investigate the effects of closed pulled straw (CPS) vitrification on the viability and development of mouse embryo. The experiment was arranged according to completely randomized design (CRD) consisting of 4 treatments, namely not vitrification (NV) is control, CPS 1 (mCZB Hepes + 20% Bovine Serum Albumin (BSA) +0.5 M sucrose + 10% EG + 10% DMSO), CPS 2 (mCZB Hepes + 20% BSA + 0.5 M sucrose + 15% EG + 15% DMSO), and CPS 3 (mCZB Hepes + 20% BSA +0.5 M sucrose + 20% EG + 20% DMSO) with 6 replications. The viability of embryos (%) was determined after 24 - 72 h of the culture period, while we also observed the percentage of embryos reaching the blastocyst stage (early blastocyst, expanded, hatching, and hatched). As a result, the treatments did not give a significant difference in the viability of embryos (P<0,05) but showed significant effects on embryo development (P<0,05). Furthermore, this present work conclusively found that CPS vitrification in CZB medium with cryoprotectants ethylene glycol (EG) and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) noticeably influenced the development of mice embryo to reach the blastocyst stage, but showed no remarkable difference in the viability of embryo after culture for 24 – 72 h.
Cytotoxic Activity of Flavonoid Compounds Isolated from Tetrameles Nudliflora Leaves
Authors: Megawati Megawati , Darmawan Akhmad , Fajriah Sofa
Published: August 2020

Tetrameles nudliflora is one of the endemic plants in Wallace region, especially in Mekongga Forest, Southeast Sulawesi, Indonesia. As part of our project in the field of natural drug discovery based on local bioresources, this study aimed to isolate secondary metabolite compounds from the ethyl acetate fractions of the leaves of T. nudiflora and evaluate their cytotoxic activities against breast carcinoma cancer lines, MCF-7. The methods used were various chromatography techniques such as vacuum column chromatography, gravitation column chromatography, thin layer chromatography, preparative thin layer chromatography, and re-crystallization using two different organic solvents. In the present study, two flavonoid compounds, kaempferol (1) and quercetin (2) were identified. The structures of 1-2 were determined using serial spectroscopic techniques, including mass spectrometry, one- and two-dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance. Moreover, using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5 diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay method, both compounds showed in vitro cytotoxic activity IC50 of 34.162 and 133.148 μg mL-1, respectively against MCF-7 cell lines.
Overexpression of Sugarcane Sucrose Transporter 1 (SoSUT1) Gene Increases Rice Yield
Authors: Putri Cesha Ananda , Soegiharto Bambang , Dewanti Parawita
Published: August 2020

The growth and development of plants are determined by photosynthesis, which ultimately results in sucrose. Sucrose is synthesized in the source then translocated to all parts of the plant (sink). The translocation process of sucrose from source to sink is controlled by sucrose protein called sucrose transporter. SoSUT1 is a gene that encodes a sucrose transporter 1 (SUT1) protein in sugarcane. Rice transformation with the SoSUT1 causes overexpression SUT, which is expected to increase the translocation of sucrose into the seed of rice plants. This research was conducted by introducing SoSUT1 in rice plants Inpari 14 SS. Transformation using Agrobacterium tumefaciens vector in apical bud explant Indica rice cv. Inpari 14 SS results in 26 events positive rice contains genes SoSUT1. This study aims to elucidate the inheritance of transgene in the next generation and to characterize its effect on the morphology and the yields of a subsequent generation. The study is conducted by planting the seeds of T1 and T2 plants in media containing Hygromycin and using PCR analysis for further analysis. As the results, from 26 events on the T1 plant, only 3 events of T3 plants were confirmed on the T3 plant. The overexpression of the SoSUT1 gene could increase the number of tillers, the number of productive tillers, panicle length, and panicle exit length, also increasing the number of spherical grains, reducing the number of empty grains and increasing the weight of 1000 grains.
Antidiabetic, Antioxidants and Antibacterial Activities of Lactic Acid Bacteria (LAB) from Masin (Fermented Sauce from Sumbawa, West Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia)
Authors: Manguntungi Baso , Saputri Dinar Suksmayu , Mustopa Apon Zaenal , Ekawati Nurlaili , Nurfatwa Maritsa , Prastyowati Anika , Irawan Shasmita , Vanggy Leggina Rezzy , Fidien Khadijah Alliya
Published: August 2020

The study aimed to determine the effectiveness of metabolites from Lactic Acid Bacteria (LAB) derived Masin (fermented sauce from Sumbawa) as antioxidant, antidiabetic, and antibacterial compounds. The LAB isolates were isolated from various strains of Staphylococcus piscifermentan which consisted of Staphylococcus piscifermentans strain CIP103958 (code: 2), strain BULST54 (code: 17), strain SK03 (code: 11), strain ATCC 51136 (code: 34), strain PCM 2409 (code: 28) and strain PU-87 (code: 5). The Metabolites of LAB were analyzed by the bioprospecting test to indicate antidiabetic, antioxidant and antibacterial activities. The isolate (Code: 5) at 500 ug/ml showed the most effective antioxidant activity up to 71%. The isolate (code: 28), at  300 ug/ml revealed to have the most antidiabetic activity up to  43 %. The isolate (code: 2) showed moderate antibacterial activity with  the inhibition zone of 5.59 mm. The results of the antidiabetic, antioxidant and antibacterial activity showed that the  secondary metabolites produced by LAB from the Masin have broad activities as an  antidiabetic, antioxidant and antibacterial.
Ética e moral na Contemporaneidade
Authors: Cremonese Dejalma
Published: August 2020

Este artigo trata sobre a dimensão da ética e da moral na contemporaneidade. Por ética entendemos princípios, valores, hábitos e costumes que foram criados pelo homem para que pudesse viver em sociedade. Por outro lado, a moral está ligada a ações mais particulares, permeada de um forte apelo religioso. Veremos que a ética é sempre relativa e muda de acordo com o tempo, o espaço e a cultura. O que pode ser antiético para uma comunidade pode ser bem-aceito para outra. A ética está sempre ligada ao “cuidado” com o outro, respeitando da maneira como ele é, sem aliená-lo e instrumentalizá-lo. Por fim, descrevemos alguns argumentos sobre a evolução da moral na história do Ocidente, a começar pela medieval, moderna e contemporânea. A primeira segue a filosofia cristã, a segunda, a dimensão da técnica e da ciência, e, por fim, a dimensão da moral pós-moderna fundamentada no relativismo, no fim do esforço e da disciplina, no hiperindividualismo e no egocentrismo.
Impact of Famotidine Use on Clinical Outcomes of Hospitalized Patients With COVID-19
Authors: Mather Jeffrey F. , Seip Richard L. , McKay Raymond G.
Published: August 2020

INTRODUCTION:

To compare outcomes in patients hospitalized with coronavirus (COVID-19) receiving famotidine therapy with those not receiving famotidine.

METHODS:

Retrospective, propensity-matched observational study of consecutive COVID-19–positive patients between February 24, 2020, and May 13, 2020.

RESULTS:

Of 878 patients in the analysis, 83 (9.5%) received famotidine. In comparison to patients not treated with famotidine, patients treated with famotidine were younger (63.5 ± 15.0 vs 67.5 ± 15.8 years, P = 0.021), but did not differ with respect to baseline demographics or preexisting comorbidities. Use of famotidine was associated with a decreased risk of in-hospital mortality (odds ratio 0.37, 95% confidence interval 0.16–0.86, P = 0.021) and combined death or intubation (odds ratio 0.47, 95% confidence interval 0.23–0.96, P = 0.040). Propensity score matching to adjust for age difference between groups did not alter the effect on either outcome. In addition, patients receiving famotidine displayed lower levels of serum markers for severe disease including lower median peak C-reactive protein levels (9.4 vs 12.7 mg/dL, P = 0.002), lower median procalcitonin levels (0.16 vs 0.30 ng/mL, P = 0.004), and a nonsignificant trend to lower median mean ferritin levels (797.5 vs 964.0 ng/mL, P = 0.076). Logistic regression analysis demonstrated that famotidine was an independent predictor of both lower mortality and combined death/intubation, whereas older age, body mass index >30 kg/m2, chronic kidney disease, National Early Warning Score, and higher neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio were all predictors of both adverse outcomes.

DISCUSSION:

Famotidine use in hospitalized patients with COVID-19 is associated with a lower risk of mortality, lower risk of combined outcome of mortality and intubation, and lower levels of serum markers for severe disease in hospitalized patients with COVID-19.

JOURNAL/ajgast/04.03/00000434-202010000-00017/inline-graphic1/v/2023-08-12T031515Z/r/image-tiff
A fotomontagem no Brasil: uma trajetória possível
Authors: Fabris Annateresa
Published: August 2020

Esta palestra aborda a utilização de processos de montagem pelos estúdios fotográficos brasileiros, que têm como resultado retratos duplos e múltiplos, retratos-mosaico, retratos sem cabeça e fotografias espíritas, entre outras. Além disso, são analisadas as singularidades de algumas fotomontagens de Valério Vieira e Gilberto Rossi e o uso de processos de montagem na produção de cartões-postais nas primeiras décadas do século XX.
A “cinemática cenográfica” de Jacques Polieri e sua influência na história da cena contemporânea
Authors: Lírio Gurgel Monteiro Gabriela
Published: August 2020

O artigo aborda a obra artística e teórica de Jacques Polieri (1928-2011), diretor, teórico do teatro e cenógrafo francês que, por meio de uma perspectiva pluridisciplinar, concebeu e investigou diversos espetáculos multimídias, nos quais renovou a ideia de representação. A hipótese aqui apresentada é de que sua obra é decisiva para o desenvolvimento de técnicas relativas ao uso das imagens em sua relação com o espaço, configurando uma abordagem teórico-prática fundamental para o desenvolvimento do teatro em campo expandido na contemporaneidade.
M’achado biógrafo: da investigação de uma revista a um texto inédito
Authors: Garcia Teixeira Cristiane
Published: August 2020

São ainda imensuráveis as informações que se podem encontrar nas páginas amareladas dos periódicos do século XIX. A imprensa é parte intrínseca da construção do país, e o trabalho com essa fonte reflete a riqueza e as incontáveis possibilidades do fazer histórico. A proposta deste artigo consiste em apresentar o resultado do trabalho historiográfico que teve como objeto de pesquisa o impresso O Espelho: Revista Semanal de Literatura, Modas, Indústria e Artes (1859-1860) e evidenciar como o caminho metodológico que compreende a análise e o estudo da distribuição geográfica dos autores e textos nesse periódico pôde elucidar tanto questões acerca de autorias duvidosas como a descoberta de um possível texto inédito do aclamado escritor da literatura brasileira Joaquim Maria Machado de Assis.
Revista Brasileira de Educação Física: a Moderna Ginástica Sueca no Brasil (1944-1952)
Authors: Baía Anderson Cunha , Moreno Andrea
Published: August 2020

O presente estudo teve como objetivo analisar a circulação da “Moderna Ginástica Sueca” na Revista Brasileira de Educação Física, no período da sua existência, 1944-1952. A ginástica sueca, criada por Pehr Henrik Ling no início do século XIX, passou por uma reconfiguração na Europa dando forma a uma “Moderna Ginástica Sueca”, que circulou no Brasil. A Revista Brasileira de Educação Física constituiu-se em um veículo no qual diferentes sujeitos que se dedicavam ao ensino da ginástica, apontavam uma forma de ginástica que contrapunha à rígida e monótona ginástica de Ling. Circula no Brasil, portanto, outra possibilidade de educar o corpo em um momento que a educação física brasileira debatia sobre a definição de um método adequado para o campo.
“Novas rotas” de circulação das cartilhas no extremo sul de Mato Grosso
Authors: Silva Thaise da , Bertoletti Estela Natalina Mantovani
Published: August 2020

Neste estudo, analisa-se a circulação de livros didáticos de alfabetização, também denominados de cartilhas, na escola primária da região conhecida como Colônia Agrícola Nacional de Dourados, localizada no extremo sul do estado de Mato Grosso, entre as décadas de 1950 e 1970. Para tanto, realizou-se uma pesquisa qualitativa de base documental, na qual foram examinados documentos da 6ª Delegacia de Ensino Primário de Dourados e algumas cartilhas. A partir dos documentos investigados, buscou-se compreender a circulação de cartilhas localizadas apenas nesta região do estado. Os resultados alcançados indicam que a circulação destes artefatos nesta região se diferenciou das demais devido à influência do Governo Federal, repercutindo na educação, na cultura e no desenvolvimento local.
“Tão longe tudo no tempo, e aqui tudo presente, tão vivo, me acorrendo ao bico da pena” . Escrita autobiográfica e educação piauiense na obra de Cristino Castelo Branco (1892- 1931)
Authors: Sousa Jane Bezerra
Published: August 2020

Este artigo tem como objetivo analisar a escrita autobiográfica e a educação piauiense por intermédio de uma pesquisa bibliográfica nas obras, Frases e Notas e Escritos de Vário Assunto, de autoria de Cristino Castelo Branco. Como referencial teórico de análise, este estudo fundamenta-se nos pressupostos dos seguintes autores: Brito (1996); Mendes (2012); Queiroz (2008); Ferro (1996); Lopes (2006, 2010); e Gomes (2010), entre outros. Como recorte temporal, designou-se o ano de 1892, data de seu nascimento, e o ano de 1931 como término, devido ao seu ingresso como Desembargador no Tribunal de Justiça do Estado do Piauí. As análises empreendidas neste trabalho levam a reflexões sobre a escrita de si, o constituir-se professor, os espaços escolares e os ideais educacionais piauienses durante a Primeira República, a partir da obra de Cristino Castelo Branco.
Combining the NER-OCR methods to improve information retrieval efficiency in the Indonesian posters
Authors: Rosidy Ahmad Syarif , Akhriza Tubagus Mohammad , Husni Mochammad
Published: August 2020

Event organizers in Indonesia often use websites to disseminate information about these events through digital posters. However, manually processing for transferring information from posters to websites is constrained by time efficiency, given the increasing number of posters uploaded. Also, information retrieval methods, such as Named Entity Recognition (NER) for Indonesian posters, are still rarely discussed in the literature. In contrast, the NER method application to Indonesian corpus is challenged by accuracy improvement because Indonesian is a low-resource language that causes a lack of corpus availability as a reference. This study proposes a solution to improve the efficiency of information extraction time from digital posters. The proposed solution is a combination of the NER method with the Optical Character Recognition (OCR) method to recognize text on posters developed with the support of relevant training data corpus to improve accuracy. The experimental results show that the system can increase time efficiency by 94 % with 82-92 % accuracy for several extracted information entities from 50 testing digital posters.
International Experience of Applying Transparency Rules in Arbitration Processes Between Investors and States
Authors: Al Enizi Ziad Kh. , Mahameed Waleed Fuad
Published: August 2020

Following modern worldwide trend of transparency, the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) adopted the UNCITRAL Rules on Transparency in Treaty-based Investor-State Arbitration, which were incorporated in UNCITRAL Arbitration Rules. The Convention on Transparency (the Mauritius Convention) adopted later was an attempt to resolve the situation with treaties, which were concluded prior to April 1, 2014. As soon as few previous studies covered this issue, the research is aimed to assess the extent to which the Rules on Transparency are applicable and inevitable. By way of qualitative analysis of documents covering the transparency issue in investor-state treaties and arbitration was revealed that like the treaties concluded after April 1, 2014, which were automatically covered by the scope of application, the treaties made prior to that date were dropped out of the Rules on Transparency and the parties thereto have to express an explicit will to apply the Rules on Transparency. The Mauritius Convention designated to resolve this problem still requires a member state to join the Convention to make the Rules applicable to all treaties with such member state. On the other hand, both discussed documents provide the parties with options to avoid transparency in arbitration. Thus, despite increasing mandatory transparency in national legislations, the transparency of investor-state arbitration proceedings remains the matter of a good will of the parties. This study provides the foundation for stakeholders to conduct investor-state agreements as well as arbitration processes in line with transparency. The issue of transparency in investor-state agreements and arbitration processes in different countries can be illustrated in the following studies based on this study.
Tax Policy and Toxic Housing Bubbles in China
Authors: Jia Pengfei , Lim King Yoong
Published: August 2020

This paper explores the effects of a government tax policy in a growth model with economic transition and toxic housing bubbles applied to China. Such a policy combines taxing entrepreneurs with a one-time redistribution to workers in the same period. Under the tax policy, we find that the welfare improvement for workers is non-monotonic. In particular, there exists an optimal tax at which social welfare is maximized. Moreover, we consider the welfare effects of setting the tax at its optimum. We show that the tax policy can be welfare-enhancing, comparing to the case without active policies. The optimal tax may also yield a higher level of welfare than the case even without housing bubbles. In addition, our simple numerical exercise shows that the optimal tax rate is about 23%;, and social welfare is significantly improved with such a tax policy. Finally, we extend the benchmark economy to a multi-period setting and calibrate the model to China. Our results show that a 20%; tax rate can speed up economic transition and increase output growth. Between 1998 and 2012, aggregate consumption is 4.86%; higher under active tax policies.
Long-Run Growth, Speed of Convergence and the Specification of Technology
Authors: Gómez Manuel A.
Published: August 2020

This note analyzes the effect that the specification of technology has on the long-run growth rate and the asymptotic speed of convergence in the one-sector endogenous-growth model. We compare three otherwise identical economies – with the same baseline and parameter values – but with different production technologies: CES, VES or Sobelow, respectively. The long-run growth rate and the asymptotic convergence speed under CES production are lower than the corresponding ones under Sobelow production which, in turn, are lower than those under VES production. This is because a higher elasticity of substitution entails a higher easiness to substitute capital for labor which, in the end, results in a higher long-run growth rate.
Lipopolysaccharides promote pulmonary fibrosis in silicosis through the aggravation of apoptosis and inflammation in alveolar macrophages
Authors: Tan Shiyi , Yang Shang , Chen Mingke , Wang Yurun , Zhu Li , Sun Zhiqian , Chen Shi
Published: August 2020

Alveolar macrophages (AMs) play an important defensive role by removing dust and bacteria from alveoli. Apoptosis of AMs is associated with lung fibrosis; however, the relationship between this apoptotic event and environmental factors, such as the presence of lipopolysaccharides (LPSs) in the workplace, has not yet been addressed. To investigate whether exposure to LPS can exacerbate fibrosis, we collected AMs from 12 male workers exposed to silica and incubated them in the presence and absence of LPS for 24 h. We show that the levels of cleaved caspase-3 and pro-inflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha were increased in these AMs following LPS treatment. Moreover, we demonstrate that LPS exposure aggravated apoptosis and the release of inflammatory factors in AMs in a mouse model of silicosis, which eventually promoted pulmonary fibrosis. These results suggest that exposure to LPS may accelerate the progression of pulmonary fibrosis in silicosis by increasing apoptosis and inflammation in AMs.
A Novel Conceptual Model for the Dual Role of FOF1-ATP Synthase in Cell Life and Cell Death
Authors: Nath Sunil
Published: August 2020

The mitochondrial permeability transition (MPT) has been one of the longstanding enigmas in biology. Its cause is currently at the center of an extensive scientific debate, and several hypotheses on its molecular nature have been put forward. The present view holds that the transition arises from the opening of a high-conductance channel in the energy-transducing membrane, the permeability transition pore (PTP), also called the mitochondrial megachannel or the multiconductance channel (MMC). Here, the novel hypothesis is proposed that the aqueous access channels at the interface of the c-ring and the a-subunit of FOin the FOF1-ATP synthase are repurposed during induction of apoptosis and constitute the elusive PTP/ MMC. A unifying principle based on regulation by local potentials is advanced to rationalize the action of the myriad structurally and chemically diverse inducers and inhibitors of PTP/MMC. Experimental evidence in favor of the hypothesis and its differences from current models of PTP/MMC are summarized. The hypothesis explains in considerable detail how the binding of Ca2+to a β-catalytic site (site 3) in the F1portion of ATP synthase triggers the opening of the PTP/MMC. It is also shown to connect to longstanding proposals within Nath’s torsional mechanism of energy transduction and ATP synthesis as to how the binding of MgADP to site 3 does not induce PTP/MMC, but instead catalyzes physiological ATP synthesis in cell life. In the author’s knowledge, this is the first model that explains how Ca2+transforms the FOF1-ATP synthase from an exquisite energy-conserving enzyme in cell life into an energy-dissipating structure that promotes cell death. This has major implications for basic as well as for clinical research, such as for the development of drugs that target the MPT, given the established role of PTP/MMC dysregulation in cancer, ischemia, cardiac hypertrophy, and various neurodegenerative diseases.
Electrochemical evaluation of the antioxidant capacity of natural compounds on glassy carbon electrode modified with guanine-, polythionine-, and nitrogen-doped graphene
Authors: Fu Yafen , You Zongyi , Xiao Aiping , Liu Liangliang , Zhou Weien
Published: August 2020

An electrochemical sensor based on guanine-, polythionine-, and nitrogen-doped graphene modified glassy carbon electrode (G/PTH/NG/GCE) was fabricated and applied for antioxidant capacity evaluation of natural compounds and complexes in electrochemical method since natural sources of active compounds exhibited various antioxidant activities. When the antioxidants existed in the system, the generated hydroxyl radicals were scavenged and the damage to guanine immobilized on the electrode was reduced less resulting in the oxidation peak current increased in square wave voltammetry. After the modifications of polythionine- and nitrogen-doped graphene, the oxidation peak current was improved. The effects of pH, incubation time, and concentrations of guanine and Fe2+ ions on the performances of the electrode were investigated and optimized. The G/PTH/NG/GCE showed good linearity, reproducibility, and storage stability for antioxidant capacity evaluation of ascorbic acid at the optimum conditions. The antioxidant capacities of three flavonoids and three plant extracts were measured using the G/PTH/NG/GCE and DPPH methods. Myricetin showed the highest antioxidant capacity in both electrochemical and DPPH methods. The proposed G/PTH/NG/GCE exhibited easy fabrication procedure, rapid detection time, and low cost for the detection of antioxidant activity for various kinds of samples.
Words, constructions and corpora: Network representations of constructional semantics for Mandarin space particles
Authors: Chen Alvin Cheng-Hsien
Published: August 2020

In this study, we aim to demonstrate the effectiveness of network science in exploring the emergence of constructional semantics from the connectedness and relationships between linguistic units. With Mandarin locative constructions (MLCs) as a case study, we extracted constructional tokens from a representative corpus, including their respective space particles (SPs) and the head nouns of the landmarks (LMs), which constitute the nodes of the network. We computed edges based on the lexical similarities of word embeddings learned from large text corpora and the SP-LM contingency from collostructional analysis. We address three issues: (1) For each LM, how prototypical is it of the meaning of the SP? (2) For each SP, how semantically cohesive are its LM exemplars? (3) What are the emerging semantic fields from the constructional network of MLCs? We address these questions by examining the quantitative properties of the network at three levels: microscopic (i.e., node centrality and local clustering coefficient), mesoscopic (i.e., community) and macroscopic properties (i.e., small-worldness and scale-free). Our network analyses bring to the foreground the importance of repeated language experiences in the shaping and entrenchment of linguistic knowledge.
Joint numerical ranges: recent advances and applications minicourse by V. Müller and Yu. Tomilov
Authors: Müller V. , Tomilov Yu.
Published: August 2020

We present a survey of some recent results concerning joint numerical ranges ofn-tuples of Hilbert space operators, accompanied with several new observations and remarks. Thereafter, numerical ranges techniques will be applied to various problems of operator theory. In particular, we discuss problems concerning orbits of operators, diagonals of operators and their tuples, and pinching problems. Lastly, motivated by known results on the numerical radius of a single operator, we examine whether, given bounded linear operatorsT1, . . .,Tnon a Hilbert spaceH, there exists a unit vectorx ∈ Hsuch that|〈Tjx,x〉|is “large” for allj= 1, . . . ,n.
Tracking down chemical phenomena with the usage of mobile phone slow-motion videos
Authors: Sieve Bernhard F.
Published: August 2020

Some experiments in chemistry occur too fast to make out the central phenomena. Using common digital cameras or mobile phones with high-speed options, one can slow down the process and make the vital observations visible and capable for the students. This article introduces the research project SloMoChem and will show the benefits of using this digital technology to understand the combustion concept in a much better way.
Pooled prevalence estimates of malocclusion among Indian children and adolescents: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Mehta Abhishek , Negi Anurag , Verma Aditi , Jain Kittu
Published: August 2020

Objectives

To estimate the pooled prevalence estimates of the malocclusion among child and adolescent population of India.

Contents

A comprehensive electronic search was carried to find studies related to assessing malocclusion in Indian children and adolescent population. Indices and classifications considered for pooled analysis were Dental Aesthetic Index, Index of Orthodontic Treatment Needs, Angles classification and terminal plane relationship of primary secondary molars. An eligibility criterion was prepared and quality assessment was done for all the eligible studies. Initial search produced 1090 titles. After removal of duplicates, 850 records were left for further screening. Eighty one articles were found eligible for full text reading. Finally 60 studies were included in this meta-analysis. Pooled prevalence was used to estimate overall effect, with 95% confidence intervals (CI). Statistical difference between the two genders was calculated using chi square test.

Summary and outlook

The high prevalence of malocclusion is a public health problem around the world. The current status of burden of malocclusion among Indian children and adolescents is not known. Results of this pooled analysis showed that prevalence of malocclusion among Indian children and adolescents has increased since the last national oral health survey. Prevalence of malocclusion ranged from 28.4% (CI 25.02, 31.9) to 66.7% (CI 50.7, 81.06) depending on the type of index or classification used for recording. Boys recorded higher cumulative prevalence than girls. These findings can be utilized by oral health policy makers to draft measures required for reducing this burden of malocclusion.
Synchronization control between discrete uncertain networks with different topologies
Authors: Lü Ling , Zou Cunming , Zhang Fuli
Published: August 2020

Based on open-loop–closed-loop technology, we researched the outer synchronization between discrete uncertain networks with different topologies. In order to make the drive and response networks realize the synchronization, a special Lyapunov function is constructed and the open-loop–closed-loop controller is designed. At the same time, we designed an effective parameter identification law to accurately identify the uncertain parameters in the response network. The simulation results show that the synchronization strategy is simple and practical.
Approximate controllability of fractional stochastic evolution equations with nonlocal conditions
Authors: Ding Yonghong , Li Yongxiang
Published: August 2020

This paper deals with the approximate controllability for a class of fractional stochastic evolution equations with nonlocal initial conditions in a Hilbert space. We delete the compactness condition or Lipschitz condition for nonlocal term appearing in various literatures, and only need to suppose some weak growth condition on the nonlocal term. The discussion is based on the fixed point theorem, diagonal argument and approximation techniques. In the end, an example is presented to illustrate the abstract theory.
Effects of pragmatic instruction on EFL teenagers’ apologetic email writing: Comprehension, production, and cognitive processes
Authors: Lin Ming-Fang , Wang Yu-Fang
Published: August 2020

This study examined the effects of explicit instruction on EFL learners’ apologetic email writing in terms of comprehension, production, and cognitive processes in pragmatic performance. Participants were 30 Taiwanese EFL eighth graders who received a 10-week pragmatic training on email apologies. Research instruments were a multiple-choice test (MCT), a written discourse completion task (WDCT), and retrospective verbal reports (RVRs). The results showed that the participants obtained higher scores in the MCTs after the instruction, illustrating the facilitative effects on the learners’ comprehension of email writing. As for the production, the learners made overall progress in email writing in the posttest. Regarding the cognitive processes, analysis of the RVRs revealed that after the treatment, the learners’ pragmalinguistic awareness was promoted in their paying more attention to pragmalinguistic features and planning their email writing according to the email moves more frequently. The findings were discussed with implications for pedagogy and future research.
The effect of doping on the electrons and holes in quantum dot semiconductor optical amplifiers
Authors: Flayyih Ahmed H.
Published: August 2020

The doping effect on the reservoir carrier temperature of the electron and hole in quantum dot optical amplifiers (QD SOAs) has been formalized and modeling, taking into account the most of carrier heating (CH) contributions such as; free carrier absorption, carrier heating time relaxation, interdot relaxation time, occupation probability of dot level, injected current and electron-hole interaction. The theoretical simulation shows the carrier temperature increasing straight forward with increasing the surface density of the donor and accepter which had not studied earlier as the best of our knowledge. It clears that, the surface carrier concentration of donor or acceptor atoms supplying more hot carriers for wetting layer (WL) which is leading an increasing the carrier temperature. In other word, the long life time of carriers from WL to Quantum Dot (QD) states is very high. Consequently, the collision of carriers and nonradiative relaxation are increasing the CH effect. Also, the majority of carrier is responsible on the increasing of electron or hole temperature, so the variation electron temperature in N-type is higher than hole in valence band, while the reverse is done with doping with P-type.
Crystal structure of 4-[(3-methoxyphenyl)carbamoyl]butanoic acid, C12H15NO4
Authors: Sirajuddin Muhammad , Hanifa Bibi , Ullah Sharif , Lo Kong Mun , Tiekink Edward R.T.
Published: August 2020

C12H15NO4, triclinic, P1̄ (no. 2), a = 5.0167(2) Å, b = 7.9264(5) Å, c = 15.2073(7) Å, α = 98.909(4)°, β = 92.060(4)°, γ = 101.800(4)°, V = 583.36(5) Å3, Z = 2, R
gt(F) = 0.0403, wR
ref(F
2) = 0.1179, T = 293(2) K.
Structure, processing and performance of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (IUPAC Technical Report). Part 1: characterizing molecular weight
Authors: Bucknall Clive , Altstädt Volker , Auhl Dietmar , Buckley Paul , Dijkstra Dirk , Galeski Andrzej , Gögelein Christoph , Handge Ulrich A. , He Jiasong , Liu Chen-Yang , Michler Goerg , Piorkowska Ewa , Slouf Miroslav , Vittorias Iakovos , Wu Jun Jie
Published: August 2020

The aim of this project was to study the efficacy of current methods of quality control and quality assurance for ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) products, and find improvements where possible. Intrinsic viscosity (IV) tests were performed on three grades of polyethylene with weight average relative molar masses

M
̅

$̅{M}$

w of about 6 × 105, 5.0 × 106 and 9.0 × 106. Results from three laboratories showed substantial scatter, probably because different methods were used to make and test solutions. Tensile tests were carried out to 600 % extension at 150 °C under both constant applied load and constant Hencky strain rate, on compression mouldings made by a leading manufacturer of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene. They gave low values of

M
̅

$̅{M}$

w, suggesting incomplete entanglement at ‘grain boundaries’ between powder particles. Results from conventional melt-rheology tests are presented, and their relevance to quality control and assurance is discussed. Attempts to calculate molecular weights from these data met with limited success because of extended relaxation times. Suggestions are made for improving international standards for IV testing of UHMWPE, by investigating the various factors that can cause significant errors, and by introducing methods for checking the homogeneity (and hence validity) of the solutions tested. Part 2 addresses characterization of crystallinity and structure. Part 3 covers mechanical properties, and Part 4 focuses on the sporadic crack propagation behaviour exhibited by all three grades of UHMWPE in fatigue tests on 10 mm thick compact tension specimens.
Some probability effects in the classical context
Authors: Rocchi Paolo , Panella Orlando
Published: August 2020

This article gives an account of a theoretical research subdivided into three parts. The first stage recalls the theorem of large numbers and the theorem a single number which demonstrate how the frequentist and the subjective models of probability can be used according to distinct assumptions. Based on these achievements, the second stage describes the temporal evolution of the random outcome (this article distinguishes the outcome from the random event or phenomenon that produces it). It is proved that the outcome of a single unpredictable event switches from the indeterministic to the deterministic state when the event winds up. The third stage means to show how the theoretical results apply to physical situations.
Subversive compliance and embodiment in remedial interchanges
Authors: Cekaite Asta
Published: August 2020

This study examines normativity of affect and the affective embeddedness of normativity, instantiated as verbal and embodied stances taken by the participants in adult-child remedial interchanges. The data are based on one year of video fieldwork in a first-grade class at a Swedish primary school. An ethnographically informed analysis of talk and multimodal action is adopted. The findings show that the children’s affective and normative transgressions provided discursive spaces for adult moral instructions and socialization. However, the children’s compliant responses were resistant and subversive. They were designed as embodied double-voiced acts that indexed incongruent affective and moral stances. The findings further revealed several ways of configuring embodied double-voiced responses. The children juxtaposed multiple modalities and exploited the expectations of what constitutes appropriate temporal duration, timing, and shape of nonverbal responses. They (i) combined up-scaled verbal and embodied hyperbolic rhetoric when the teachers’ talk required but minimal responses, and (ii) configured antithetical affect displays, e.g., crying and smiling, or overlaid bodily displays of moral emotion (sadness, seriousness, and smiling) with aligning but exaggerated gestures and movements. Subversive, embodied double-voiced responses simultaneously acquiesced with and deflected the responsibility and effectively derailed a successful closure of remedial interchange.
Corona-Bonds und EU-Verschuldung: Zukunftsvision oder Europäische Naivität?
Authors: Herzog Bodo
Published: August 2020

This article studies the current debate on Coronabonds and the idea of European public debt in the aftermath of the Corona pandemic. According to the EU-Treaty economic and fiscal policy remains in the sovereignty of Member States. Therefore, joint European debt instruments are risky and trigger moral hazard and free-riding in the Eurozone. We exhibit that a mixture of the principle of liability and control impairs the present fiscal architecture and destabilizes the Eurozone. We recommend that Member States ought to utilize either the existing fiscal architecture available or establish a political union with full sovereignty in Europe. This policy conclusion is supported by the PSPP-judgement of the Federal Constitutional Court of Germany on 5 May 2020. This ruling initiated a lively debate about the future of the Eurozone and Europe in general.
Inklusive Beschäftigungspolitik: Fakten, Herausforderungen und neue Ideen zur Regulierung von Berufen
Authors: Rostam-Afschar Davud
Published: August 2020

Occupational licensing aims to restrict access for providing products and services to only those who promise a minimal level of quality by imposing time and cost-intensive barriers. This can be reasonable to verify personal experience, but bear substantial costs, which need to be justified with proven quality improvements. A series of studies shows that occupational licensing reduces self-employment and overall employment, may lead through limiting geographical and social mobility to higher wages, inequality, and unfair market entry. A more efficient and inclusive guarantee of quality could be achieved with focused, permeable, and independently verifiable occupational licensing.
Synthesis, properties and crystal structure of novel Copper(II) ammine complex with [Pd(CN)4]2− building blocks
Authors: Grzimek Veronika , Kuchár Juraj
Published: August 2020

The title compound [Cu4(NH3)12-(µ2-CN)8-Pd4(CN)8] was prepared from the aqueous solution Cu2+ – N,N,N′,N′-tetraethylethane-1,2-diamine – [Pd(CN)4]2−, where the addition of excess amounts of ammonia caused the dissolution of the precipitate formed during reaction. Using this method, we prepared and structurally characterized the new complex of Cu(II) containing ammine ligand with tetracyanidopalladate(II) anion incorporated within the molecule. The crystal structure of compound is molecular; the unit cell contains centrosymmetric octanuclear molecules in which all central atoms lies on mirror plane. Generally, the structure of the molecule can be divided into central cyclic part and terminal pendants. The structure contains nitrogen atoms derived from the ammonia molecules coordinated to Copper(II) atoms. They are involved in the formation of N-H···N hydrogen bonds type.
Sobre a cor das palavras e das línguas
Authors: Dos Anjos Aroldo Garcia
Published: August 2020

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A constituição humana na linguagem: um olhar para o homem e sua relação com os esquemas culturais
Authors: Diedrich Marlete Sandra
Published: August 2020

Este artigo se ocupa da noção de esquemas culturais mobilizados pela língua no seio da vida social. Tem por objetivo discutir, a partir dessa noção, a realização da propriedade de significância da língua em sua relação com o homem na sociedade. Para tanto, baseia-se na tríade homem-linguagem-cultura, a partir da qual se constitui a natureza antropológica da linguagem. O homem inventa e compreende símbolos de tal forma que se estabelece um elo entre viver e significar. Assim, a língua no discurso revela o uso particular que os homens fazem da língua a partir de determinados direcionamentos, os quais definem, em parte, os modos de enunciar. Isso é possível porque a vida social e cultural se imprime na língua a partir dos esquemas vivenciados no deslocamento do homem em sua vivência marcada pela linguagem, os quais constituem a historicidade humana na linguagem.