bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
COVID-19 Australia: Epidemiology Report 26: Fortnightly reporting period ending 27 September 2020
Authors:   COVID-19 National Incident Room Surveillance Team
Published: October 2020

Cumulatively to 27 September there have been 27,095 case notifications and 835 deaths. The number of new cases reported nationally this fortnight was 278, a 67% decrease from the previous fortnight (841). On average, this represented 20 cases notified each day over the reporting period, a decrease from an average of 60 cases per day over the previous reporting period. 82% of all COVID-19 cases for the period (229/278) were reported in Victoria, with smaller numbers of cases reported from New South Wales (32), Western Australia (9), Queensland (6) and South Australia (2). In Victoria, 92% of cases (210/229) were locally acquired with known source, 7% (15/229) were locally acquired with unknown source, and 2% (4/229) were reported as under investigation. Excluding Victoria, there were 49 cases in other jurisdictions. Of these, 69% (34/49) were overseas acquired, 18% (9/49) were locally acquired, and 12% (10/49) were under investigation at this time. The continued decrease in new cases observed this fortnight in Victoria was the result of the public health interventions to minimise transmission. A total of 8 deaths were reported from cases diagnosed in this reporting period, all of whom were >75 years old, and all from Victoria. Although testing rates declined over the past month, they remain high at 10.4 tests per 1,000 population per week. There is variability in the testing rate by jurisdiction; the rate depends on the epidemic context. The overall positivity rate for the reporting period was 0.08%. Victoria reported a positivity rate of 0.18% for this reporting period, while in all other jurisdictions the positivity rate was 0.05% or lower.
Vastaväittäjän lausuntona FL Riitta Nurmen väitöskirjasta "Työikäisten aikuisten liikunta- ja ravintotottumukset ja niiden muodostumiseen yhteydessä olevia tekijöitä"
Authors: Eriksson Katie
Published: October 2020

Virallisen vastaväittäjän lausunto Riitta Nurmen väitöskirjasta "Työikäisten aikuisten liikunta- ja ravintotottumukset ja niiden muodostumiseen yhteydessä olevia tekijöitä"
Kognitiivisesta kurssididaktiikasta kehittävään työntutkimukseen
Authors: Miettinen Reijo
Published: October 2020

Artikkelissa analysoidaan Valtion koulutuskeskuksessa tapahtunutta henkilöstökouluttajien koulutusohjelman sisällöllistä kehitystä. Kehitys on tapahtunut erillisistä lyhytkursseista, kognitiivisen kurssididaktiikan kautta työn teoreettiseen tarkasteluun. Koulutustoiminnan lähtökohdiksi ovat tulossa uusi työn käsite ja kehittävä työntutkimus.
Core curriculum em dermatologia para o curso de medicina: uma revisão narrativa
Authors: Bonacin Mélanie Christine , Prado Maria Rosa Machado
Published: October 2020

A formação médica precisa encontrar o equilíbrio entre os conteúdos que serão elencados no currículo, de forma que eles realmente beneficiem a formação do médico. Percebemos que as queixas dermatológicas são queixas muito frequentes entre os pacientes, não só no Brasil como em outros países. Mesmo assim, até o momento, pouca importância é dada para qual abordagem se dará para as afecções de pele durante a graduação médica, sendo somente destinado 1% do tempo da graduação para ensino da dermatologia. O presente artigo tem como objetivo trazer uma revisão sobre o ensino de dermatologia na Graduação Médica, demostrando como está sendo a formação dos médicos nesta especialidade. O percurso metodológico consistiu em buscar artigos de cinco bases de dados bibliográficas — PubMed, Web of Science, EMBASE, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL) e LILACS dos anos de 1971 a 2018, em português, inglês, espanhol e alemão, com os descritores graduação médica, currículo médico, currículo básico em dermatologia, conteúdo relevante em dermatologia, combinados com as associações e desfechos de interesse. Os artigos selecionados foram utilizados para embasar a escrita sobre os conteúdos de dermatologia relevantes para a formação médica. Ao final, foi demonstrado como alguns países, entre eles, os EUA, Austrália e Suíça, organizam os conteúdos de dermatologia dentro dos seus currículos médicos e assim propiciam a formação de profissionais mais preparados para atuarem na dermatologia.
Microbiological aspects of type C pasteurized milk marketed in the cariri region of the State of Ceará
Authors: Sampaio Ana Caroline Fernandes , Oliveira Adolfo Pinheiro de , Moraes Maria Suiane de , Quirino Dannaya Julliethy Gomes , Barros Nara Vanessa dos Anjos , Silva Edilene Ferreira da , Wanderley Bruna Rafaela Silva Monteiro , Aguiar Renata Amanda Carneiro , Silva Luís Paulo Firmino Romão da , Gregório Mailson Gonçalves
Published: October 2020

The quality of milk is directly linked to a reduced number of deteriorating microorganisms, low somatic cell count and absence of pathogens. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the microbiological quality of type C pasteurized milk, marketed in the Cariri region, in the state of Ceará. The Most Probable Number (MPN) of Coliforms at 45°C and the presence of Salmonella spp were determined, according to the limits established by the Resolution of the Collegiate Board (RCD) number 12, 02/2001. 33 samples of pasteurized type C milk sold in commercial establishments, including supermarkets and bakeries, were collected in different cities in the state of Ceará. The results showed that 39.40%, equivalent to 13 of the samples, were outside the standards established by the current legislation regarding the coliform count at 45°C. Regarding the analysis of Salmonella spp. all samples showed absence of the microorganism.
Temporal analysis of leprosy in the metropolitan region of Aracaju, Sergipe, Brazil: 2001-2013
Authors: Menezes Jurema Cristina Machado de , Araújo Karina Conceição Gomes Machado de , Reis Francisco Prado , Santos José Aislan Correia , Mendes Janine Beltrão Araújo , Santos Victor Santana , Feitosa Vera Lúcia Corrêa
Published: October 2020

The study carried out a temporal analysis and description of the epidemiological profile of leprosy in the metropolitan region of Aracaju, Sergipe, Brazil, from 2001 to 2013. It was a temporal study based on secondary data from the Notifiable Diseases Information System (SINAN). In this study, the variables were analyzed: municipality of residence; number of cases diagnosed per year from 2001 to 2013; age; schooling; race / skin color; operational classification (paucibacillary or multibacillary); clinical form (indeterminate, tuberculoid, dimorphic, virchowian); and degree of disability, assessed at the time of notification and upon medical discharge: Degrees 0, I and II. The data were plotted in a spreadsheet (Microsoft Excel ©) and subsequently analyzed according to the descriptive statistical measure of association and the adhesion test was measured by the Bioestat 5.0 software. For the time trend analysis, it adopted the simple polynomial regression model, the variable time centralization to avoid autocorrelation between the terms of the equations. It was detected a total of 3,519 cases in Aracaju region. The predominant form paucibacillar. Clinical tuberculoid form of leprosy was the most frequent. The temporal analysis showed a declining trend to statistical significance (p <0.05). The multibacillary predominated in the municipalities of Barra dos Coqueiros and Our Lady of Socorro. The results showed that the population did not have access to adequate health program and the Ministry of Health's strategies did not meet the goal of WHO for the elimination of leprosy.
Produção de bolo com substituição parcial da farinha de trigo por pólen apícola produzido na Caatinga-Ceará-Brasil
Authors: Freitas João Vitor de Melo , Souza Francisco Jonas de , Santos Joyce Keller Freire dos , Silva Felipe Sousa da , Silva Roberto Henrique Dias da , Silva Mayara Salgado , Gonsalves Hyngrid Rannielle de Oliveira
Published: October 2020

O pólen apícola é um produto das abelhas que tem ganhado atenção pelas suas características nutricionais e funcionais. As características deste produto variam de acordo com fatores como à vegetação onde as colmeias de abelhas estão inseridas principalmente. Deste modo, este trabalho teve por objetivo avaliar a qualidade nutricional do pólen da caatinga e aplicá-lo no desenvolvimento de bolos. Para tanto, as amostras de pólen foram colhidas de colmeias localizadas na caatinga passando pelas etapas de seleção da matéria prima, secagem em temperaturas de 40°C a 60 °C por 21 dias, catação de matérias estranhas e moagem. Na amostra de farinha produzida foram realizadas as análises de: umidade, proteínas, cinzas, lipídeos, fibras e carboidratos. Em seguida a farinha foi aplicada em formulações de bolo nas proporções de 0, 10, 20 e 30% de substituição da farinha de trigo. Após o preparo, as formulações foram submetidas à análises microbiológicas de Coliforme a 45 °C e Salmonella sp., e analisadas sensorialmente pelos pesquisadores. Ao final pôde-se concluir que a condição de secagem não foi suficiente para adequar o pólen à legislação. Percebeu-se também que o teor de lipídeos do pólen do Nordeste é superior ao registrado para o sul do país. Com relação a aplicação no preparo de bolos, pôde-se concluir que o enriquecimento interfere escurecendo o produto e tornando-o mais macio. Recomenda-se que em pesquisas posteriores seja realizada a análise sensorial afim de ratificar os fatores observados.
Condições higiênicossanitárias de restaurantes comerciais localizados na Zona Norte do Rio de Janeiro
Authors: Souza Juliana Martins Satoriva Chiodi , Silva Rayane de Lima , Bittencourt Julie de Oliveira Alves , Fai Ana Elizabeth Cavalcante , Miyahira Roberta Fontanive
Published: October 2020

Diversos fatores contribuíram para o aumento do consumo de alimentos fora do domicílio e impulsionaram o crescimento dos restaurantes comerciais, segmento que deve oferecer refeições com qualidade adequada. O estudo teve por objetivo avaliar as condições higienicossanitárias de restaurantes comerciais localizados na Zona Norte do município do Rio de Janeiro. Foram avaliados 19 estabelecimentos por meio de lista de verificação composta por 70 itens organizados em seis blocos temáticos baseada na legislação vigente. Os restaurantes foram classificados quanto ao risco sanitário de acordo com o grau de conformidade em satisfatório (76 a 100%), regular (51 a 75%) ou insatisfatório (0 a 50%). Apenas 42% dos restaurantes estudados foram classificados com risco sanitário satisfatório, enquanto que 47% foram classificados como regular e 11% como insatisfatório. As principais não conformidades encontradas foram infraestrutura irregular, comportamento inadequado dos manipuladores de alimentos, falta de monitoramento de temperatura, bem como ausência de manual de boas práticas e de procedimentos operacionais padronizados. Diante dos resultados, orienta-se que as boas práticas sejam revistas e implementadas para garantir a produção de alimentos seguros para a saúde do consumidor.
Avaliação da rede de infraestrutura urbana em uma sub-bacia no Município de Itaperuna, Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Brasil
Authors: Vieira Kerle Borges , Padilha Vinicius da Silva , Rangel Maysa Pontes , Campos Priscila Celebrini de Oliveira
Published: October 2020

O crescimento rápido das médias e grandes cidades brasileiras nas últimas décadas vem intensificando o processo de adensamento e uma das consequências é a ocupação indevida das áreas das bacias hidrográficas urbanas. Este artigo tem como objetivo o diagnóstico urbano de uma sub-bacia de contribuição em Itaperuna, um município de uma área semi-urbanizada de 1.105,341 km² no Noroeste do Estado do Rio de Janeiro. A metodologia fundamentou-se na avaliação da sub-bacia segundo os critérios de infraestrutura (pavimentação e drenagem), social (densidade populacional e habitacional) e ambiental (ocorrência de inundações) com base no levantamento cadastral de campo e análise de banco de dados da rede de infraestrutura urbana. Os resultados apontaram que a sub-bacia apresentou um sistema de infraestrutura deficiente no que se refere à pavimentação e drenagem das vias urbanas, além da conservação e preservação do curso de água existente. A partir do diagnóstico apresentado, espera-se que este estudo contribua adicionalmente como uma ferramenta para tomada de decisão do poder público pertinente, levando em consideração estudos e prerrogativas técnicas fundamentais para a implantação de um sistema de drenagem urbana eficaz, garantindo o bem-estar da população residente na região.
Perfil epidemiológico do câncer do colo do útero diagnosticado entre 2016 a 2019 em Teresina, Estado do Piauí, Brasil
Authors: Freitas Mikhael de Sousa , Guerra Graziely Thamara Rodrigues , Britto Maria Helena Rodrigues Mesquita
Published: October 2020

Objetivo: Avaliar o perfil epidemiológico e citopatológico do câncer do colo do útero diagnosticados no período de 2016 a 2019, em Teresina, Piauí. Metodologia: Para a produção desse estudo, foi realizado um estudo epidemiológico de natureza descritiva e com abordagem quantitativa e retrospectiva. Os dados coletados foram referentes à cidade de Teresina, Piauí, Brasil. Estes dados foram coletados através de dados secundários, extraídas do SISCAN, oriundo do Departamento de Informática do Sistema Único de Saúde (DATASUS). Para identificar as evidências científicas sobre o conhecimento das mulheres acerca do exame preventivo, foram realizadas busca de artigos publicados em periódicos científicos disponíveis online no Scielo e Lilacs. Resultados e Discussão: Após a coleta e análise dos dados, foi possível identificar que a cidade de Teresina apresentou, entre o período de 2016 a 2019 e na faixa etária dos 15 aos 65 anos, um total de 104.966 exames citopatológicos, havendo um aumento significativo a cada ano. A faixa etária predominante onde houve um maior número de exames realizados foi de 35 a 39 anos com cerca de 14.761 (14%) exames. Dentre as alterações celulares benignas (reativas ou reparativas), a inflamação foi o achado mais frequente, cerca de 67.949 (64,7%) exames. Conclusão: O presente estudo evidenciou que a frequência de exames apresentou aumento significativo, com grande variação etária, tendo um declínio na incidência de manifestação do câncer do colo do útero. Também se notou que a falta de informação por parte de muitas mulheres é um fator que dificulta a periodicidade na realização dos exames.
Alcohol and hepatocarcinogenesis
Authors: Taniai Makiko
Published: October 2020

An excessive alcohol intake may result in fatty liver, acute/chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis, and lead to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The aim of this review is to clarify the present condition and the mechanisms of alcohol-related hepatocarcinogenesis and clinical risk factors for alcohol-related HCC. There are several possible mechanisms through which alcohol may induce hepatocarcinogenesis, including the mutagenic effects of acetaldehyde toxicity through the formation of protein and DNA adducts and the production of reactive oxygen species due to the excessive hepatic deposition of iron, changes to lipid peroxidation and metabolism, inflammation and an impaired immune response and modifications to DNA methylation. Furthermore, it has been reported that alcohol accelerates liver carcinogenesis through several signaling pathways including gut-liver axis. From a clinical perspective, it is well known that alcohol interacts with other factors, such as age, gender, viral hepatitis, obesity, and diabetes leading to an increased risk of HCC.
Emergencia y complejidad en los Sistemas Regionales de Innovación: aplicación de una metodología basada en agentes del sector biotecnológico del estado de Sonora
Authors: Arvizu Arvizu María Socorro , Bracamonte Sierra Álvaro
Published: October 2020

Using a dataset gathered through a small sample of biotech firms in the Sonora region, we explore concepts of emergency and complexity inside a RIS (Regional Innovation System), in a development stage through the evolutionary microeconomics framework. For this, we explored the implementation of an ABS (Agent Based System) coded in the NetLogo platform, in which we simulated the behavior of firms in network behavior for the cooperation in the exchange of knowledge and new product development. We found this methodology highly useful for predictive analysis of possible courses of network behavior among different types of firms, as well as future performance of the system. Moreover, the coalescence and modulation of key economic variables for a RIS in development stages in nonlinear systems is an extraordinary and relatively unexplored tool for the study of Regional Innovation Systems (RIS) in developing countries.
Useful Creativity: Vernacular Reviewing on the Video-Sharing Platform Vimeo
Authors: Jaakkola Maarit
Published: October 2020

This article intends to cast light on the phenomenon of non-institutionalised or vernacular reviewing by studying the review videos published on the video-sharing platform Vimeo. The data were automatically retrieved by searching for videos provided with the hashtag #review. The majority of these review videos (N = 1,273) were related to the technical equipment of filming and produced by filmmakers and enthusiastic amateurs interested in camera equipment and digital filming quality. The analysis describes the forms of reviewing in these videos and attempts to place them in the conceptual framework of reviewing, which, as is suggested in the article, reaches beyond the professional reviews commissioned by legacy media. Central questions are the delivery of an opinion or judgement, the imagined audience and the establishment of authority. Vimeo reviewers are characterised as both “professional vernacular” and “amateur vernacular” reviewers, reflecting a two-direction approach to reviewing, the one from cultural production (produsage) and the other from cultural consumption (presumption). The findings call for more conceptual elaboration of vernacularity in cultural critique.
Evidence Legitimacy of Intern Certification Before Primary Consideration in Law Issuance by Judge Within Private Dispute
Authors: Ruslin Ruslin
Published: October 2020

A Custom in society about completing Transaction deals or agreements are confirmed in many ways (oral, written or noted) and somehow proved with piece of paper (Receipt) for transaction as receiver accepts goods or services without cordage of notary / Property officials, in verse 5, act number 5 1960 about Essences of Agriculture determines that; “Agriculture Law upon lands, water, and air are customized act unless limited within nation affair ……. etc,Supreme Court Jurisprudence Number 126K/Sip/1973, dated May Fourth 1976 which stated that ; “ The Legitimacy of Property Purchasing is not merely absolute confirmed in supervision of Property officials “, read also Supreme Court Jurisprudence Number 665K/Sip/1979, dated July twenty second 1980, as follows : “ as The Transaction occurred between Marketer and Customer supervised by authorized chief attended by two witnesses and cost is accepted by the marketer, therefore the purchasing is absolutely legal before the law even not committed in a supervision of Property Officialls. It is alike to Surabaya State Court Issuance Number: 451/Pdt.G/2008/PN.Sby, dated April seventh 2009 with fixed Law Issuance states; “Property transaction is legal as long as completing conditions of act 1320 BW”. Judge Law Consideration about Supremacy or value of Intern Certificate Evidence for one private case among others are frequently occurred in Legitimacy of Internal Certification, therefore there are Evidence Isuance Misperceptions about its supremacy by some Judges (as Supreme Court Issuance Number. 537K/Pdt/1985, but there are some Judge Considerations confirmed as Internal Certification is renowned verification it equals to authentic one (as confirmed by Issuance of Supreme Court number. 4434K/Pdt/1986). However, any Judges stated as the evidence for the certification is created as a primary written record (Stated by Supreme Court Issuance Number. 167K/PDT).

Keywords: legitimacy; intern certification; signature legitimacy
The Application of The Use Integration Technique in Solving An Integral Problem
Authors: Putranti Sri Rejeki Dwi
Published: October 2020

There are many integration techniques that can be used to solve an integral problem.In this material, several integration techniques will be discussed including substitution, the properties of algebra and trigonometry and techniques commonly used in test books.If we are faced with integral problems that cannot be solved by techniques ,what we have learned, we use partial integral techniques. Partial integration technique is obtained by integrating the derivative formula of the product by two functions.

Keywords: integration technique; substitution; partial integration technique
Linearizing Control of a Distributed Actuation Magnetic Bearing for Thin-Walled Rotor Systems
Authors: Chamroon Chakkapong , Cole Matthew O.T. , Fakkaew Wichaphon
Published: October 2020

This paper describes an exact linearizing control approach for a distributed actuation magnetic bearing (DAMB) supporting a thin-walled rotor. The radial DAMB design incorporates a circular array of compact electromagnetic actuators with multi-coil winding scheme optimized for supporting thin-walled rotors. A distinguishing feature is that both the x and y components of the radial bearing force are coupled with all four of the supplied coil currents and so a closed form solution for the linearizing equations cannot be obtained. To overcome this issue, a gradient-based root-finding algorithm is proposed to solve the linearizing equations numerically in real-time. The proposed method can be applied with any chosen constraints on current values to achieve low RMS values while avoiding zero-current operating points. The approach is implemented and tested experimentally on a rotor system comprising two radial DAMBs and a uniform cylindrical shell rotor. The results show that the method achieves more accurate reproduction of demanded bearing forces, thereby simplifying the rotor suspension control design and providing improved stability and vibration control performance compared with implementations based on operating point linearization.
The Objectives of Farm Operations—Evidence from a Region in Poland
Authors: Grzelak Aleksander
Published: October 2020

The objectives set by agricultural producers directly translate into the directions of the development of farms. What is particularly important: Is there a conflict between the economic and environmental objectives of farm operations? This issue is not resolved in the literature on the subject and still is a challenge for policymakers. The main aim of the article is to identify the preferences of farm managers concerning the objectives of farm operations, as well as to examine their mutual relations. The article employs the results of surveys carried out on farms from the Wielkopolska region (Poland). The analysis of Spearman’s rank, cluster analysis, also the classification tree method, and multidimensional scaling were applied. The research shows that the relations between the income and assets objective turned out to be moderate in terms of strength, while the environmental objective turned out to be statistically insignificant related to economic objectives (in the context of their perception by respondents). There are differences in this respect, including also a group of the respondents in which income and environmental objectives have been ranked simultaneously high. It is, however, difficult to state clearly whether there is a complementarity between the income and the environmental objective from the perspective of perception by respondents. Although when the context of the real action is taken into account then the answer should be positive. Therefore, there is a gap between the farmers’ perception of reality—choice of the hierarchy of objectives, and the real activities, e.g., in terms of pro-environmental activities. It is a new issue that points to the need to stimulate the environmental objective, in particular, through support at the level of agricultural policy instruments.
Impact of Maize–Mushroom Intercropping on the Soil Bacterial Community Composition in Northeast China
Authors: Yang Xiaoqin , Wang Yang , Sun Luying , Qi Xiaoning , Song Fengbin , Zhu Xiancan
Published: October 2020

Conservative agricultural practices have been adopted to improve soil quality and maintain crop productivity. An efficient intercropping of maize with mushroom has been developed in Northeast China. The objective of this study was to evaluate and compare the effects of planting patterns on the diversity and structure of the soil bacterial communities at a 0–20 cm depth in the black soil zone of Northeast China. The experiment consisted of monoculture of maize and mushroom, and intercropping in a split-plot arrangement. The characteristics of soil microbial communities were performed by 16S rRNA gene amplicom sequencing. The results showed that intercropping increased soil bacterial richness and diversity compared with maize monoculture. The relative abundances of Acidobacteria, Chloroflexi, Saccharibacteria and Planctomycetes were significantly higher, whereas Proteobacteria and Firmicutes were lower in intercropping than maize monoculture. Redundancy analysis suggested that pH, NO3−-N and NH4+-N contents had a notable effect on the structure of the bacterial communities. Moreover, intercropping significantly increased the relative abundance of carbohydrate metabolism pathway functional groups. Overall, these findings demonstrated that intercropping of maize with mushroom strongly impacts the physical and chemical properties of soil as well as the diversity and structure of the soil bacterial communities, suggesting this is a sustainable agricultural management practice in Northeast China.
Pimenta Oil as a Potential Treatment for Acinetobacter baumannii Wound Infection: In Vitro and In Vivo Bioassays in Relation to Its Chemical Composition
Authors: Ismail Maha M. , Samir Reham , Saber Fatema R. , Ahmed Shaimaa R. , Farag Mohamed A.
Published: October 2020

Bacterial biofilm contributes to antibiotic resistance. Developing antibiofilm agents, more favored from natural origin, is a potential method for treatment of highly virulent multidrug resistant (MDR) bacterial strains; The potential of Pimenta dioica and Pimenta racemosa essential oils (E.Os) antibacterial and antibiofilm activities in relation to their chemical composition, in addition to their ability to treat Acinetobacter baumannii wound infection in mice model were investigated; P. dioica leaf E.O at 0.05 µg·mL−1 efficiently inhibited and eradicated biofilm formed by A. baumannii by 85% and 34%, respectively. Both P. diocia and P. racemosa leaf E.Os showed a bactericidal action against A. baumanii within 6h at 2.08 µg·mL−1. In addition, a significant reduction of A. baumannii microbial load in mice wound infection model was found. Furthermore, gas chromatography mass spectrometry analysis revealed qualitative and quantitative differences among P. racemosa and P. dioica leaf and berry E.Os. Monoterpene hydrocarbons, oxygenated monoterpenes, and phenolics were the major detected classes. β-Myrcene, limonene, 1,8-cineole, and eugenol were the most abundant volatiles. While, sesquiterpenes were found as minor components in Pimenta berries E.O; Our finding suggests the potential antimicrobial activity of Pimenta leaf E.O against MDR A. baumannii wound infections and their underlying mechanism and to be further tested clinically as treatment for MDR A. baumannii infections.
Framework for Developing Bio-Inspired Morphologies for Walking Robots
Authors: Billeschou Peter , Bijma Nienke N. , Larsen Leon B. , Gorb Stanislav N. , Larsen Jørgen C. , Manoonpong Poramate
Published: October 2020

Morphology is a defining trait of any walking entity, animal or robot, and is crucial in obtaining movement versatility, dexterity and durability. Collaborations between biologist and engineers create opportunities for implementing bio-inspired morphologies in walking robots. However, there is little guidance for such interdisciplinary collaborations and what tools to use. We propose a development framework for transferring animal morphologies to robots and substantiate it with a replication of the ability of the dung beetle species Scarabaeus galenus to use the same morphology for both locomotion and object manipulation. As such, we demonstrate the advantages of a bio-inspired dung beetle-like robot, ALPHA, and how its morphology outperforms a conventional hexapod by increasing the (1) step length by 50.0%, (2) forward and upward reach by 95.5%, and by lowering the (3) overall motor acceleration by 7.9%, and (4) step frequency by 21.1% at the same walking speed. Thereby, the bio-inspired robot has longer and fewer steps that lower fatigue-inducing impulses, a greater variety of step patterns, and can potentially better utilise its workspace to overcome obstacles. Hence, we demonstrate how the framework can be used to develop legged robots with bio-inspired morphologies that embody greater movement versatility, dexterity and durability.
In Vitro Assessment of Antiplasmodial and Antitrypanosomal Activities of Chloroform, Ethyl Acetate and Ethanol Leaf Extracts of Oedera genistifolia
Authors: Okaiyeto Kunle , Okoh Anthony I.
Published: October 2020

The high resistance evolution of protozoans to the existing antiparasitic drugs has necessitated the quest for novel and effective drugs against plasmodium and trypanosome parasites. As a result, this study aimed to assess the antiplasmodial and antitrypanosomal potentials of chloroform, ethyl acetate and ethanol leaf extracts of Oedera genistifolia. Standard biochemical procedures were explored for the plant extraction and gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy (GCMS) was used to identify the bioactive compounds in the crude extracts. The cytotoxic effects of the crude extracts were assessed against human cervix adenocarcinoma (HeLa cells) and their antiparasitic activities were investigated against Plasmodium falciparum strain 3D7 and Trypanosoma brucei brucei. GCMS analyses of the crude extracts revealed the bioactive compounds that could be responsible for the biological activities. The extracts had no cytotoxic effect on HeLa cells and demonstrated good antiplasmodial activity (chloroform extract: IC50 = 11.6 µg∙mL−1, ethyl acetate extract: IC50 = 3.3 µg∙mL−1 and ethanol extract: IC50 = 3.7 µg∙mL−1). Likewise, they showed excellent antitrypanosomal activity with IC50 = 0.5 µg∙mL−1 for chloroform and ethyl acetate extracts and IC50 = 0.4 µg∙mL−1 for the ethanol extract. Findings from the present study indicated that O. genistifolia could be a good source of strong antiplasmodial and antitrypanosomal agents.
Impact of High Intensity Interval Training Using Elastic Bands on Glycemic Control in Adults with Type 1 Diabetes: A Pilot Study
Authors: Martín-San Agustín Rodrigo , Laguna Sanz Alejandro José , Bondia Jorge , Roche Enrique , Benítez Martínez Josep C. , Ampudia-Blasco F. Javier
Published: October 2020

High intensity interval training (HIIT) using elastic bands is easy to do, but no data on its impact on glycemic control in people with type 1 diabetes (T1D) are available. Six males with T1D performed three weekly sessions of HIIT using elastic bands for 12 weeks. Each session consisted of eight exercises. Glycemic control was evaluated by using intermittent scanning continuous glucose monitoring two weeks before study onset (baseline) and during the intervention period in the first two (first stage) and last two weeks (last stage). In the 24 h post-exercise, time-in-range (70–180 mg/dL) was reduced from baseline to the end of the study (67.2% to 63.0%), and time-above-range (>180 mg/dL) seemed to increase from baseline across the study (20.8% → 27.5% → 22.1%, from baseline → first → last stage), but did not show any statistical significance. Time in hypoglycemia (either < 70 mg/dL or <54 mg/dL) did not show statistically significant differences. This study shows that a HIIT program with elastic bands is safe and effective to perform in T1D patients, keeping blood glucose levels in a safe range.
Pulsed Electric Fields (PEF) to Mitigate Emerging Mycotoxins in Juices and Smoothies
Authors: Pallarés Noelia , Barba Francisco J. , Berrada Houda , Tolosa Josefa , Ferrer Emilia
Published: October 2020

The development of innovative food processing technologies has increased to answer the growing demand to supply of fresh-like products. The aim of the present study is to investigate the effect of pulsed electric fields (PEF) technology on reducing the emerging mycotoxins (enniatins (ENs) and beauvericin (BEA)) contents in juice and smoothie samples. The products of degradation obtained after PEF treatment were identified and their toxicological endpoint toxicities predicted by Pro Tox-II web. Mycotoxin reduction ranged from 43 to 70% in juices and smoothies, but in water the expected effect was lower. The acidified pH increased BEA reduction in water. The degradation products that were produced were the result of the loss of aminoacidic fragments of the original molecules, such as HyLv, Val, Ile, or Phe. Pro Tox-II server assigned a toxicity class I for enniatin B (ENB) degradation products with a predicted LD50 of 3 mg/Kgbw. The other degradation products were classified in toxicity class III and IV.
Deposition of Copper on Polyester Knitwear Fibers by a Magnetron Sputtering System. Physical Properties and Evaluation of Antimicrobial Response of New Multi-Functional Composite Materials
Authors: Kudzin Marcin H. , Kaczmarek Anna , Mrozińska Zdzisława , Olczyk Joanna
Published: October 2020

In this study, copper films were deposited by magnetron sputtering on poly(ethylene terephthalate) knitted textile to fabricate multi-functional, antimicrobial composite material. The modified knitted textile composites were subjected to microbial activity tests against colonies of Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus) and Gram-negative (Escherichia coli) bacteria and antifungal tests against Chaetomium globosum fungal molds species. The prepared samples were characterized by UV/VIS transmittance, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), tensile and filtration parameters and the ability to block UV radiation. The performed works proved the possibility of manufacturing a new generation of antimicrobial textile composites with barrier properties against UV radiation, produced by a simple, zero-waste method. The specific advantages of using new poly(ethylene terephthalate)-copper composites are in biomedical applications areas.
Low Voltage Delay Element with Dynamic Biasing Technique for Fully Integrated Cold-Start in Battery-Assistance DC Energy Harvesting Systems
Authors: Xie Zushuai , Wu Zhiqiang , Wu Jianhui
Published: October 2020

This paper proposes an ultra-low voltage delay element for battery-assistance DC energy harvesting systems. By inserting a low voltage level shifter (VLS), a wider voltage range is obtained to bias the body of the delay element. Thus, both the voltage transfer curve (VTC) and the DC gain of the delay element are enhanced. Due to the introduction of the VLS, the cold start-up ring oscillator constituted by the proposed delay element can achieve oscillation under an extremely low input voltage. The fully integrated cold start-up ring oscillator with 21 stages of the proposed element is implemented in a standard 180 nm complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) process. The post-layout experimental results indicate that the cold start-up ring oscillator can retain oscillation when the power supply voltage (VDD) is 24 mV under a typical corner at room temperature. The output voltage swing of the cold start-up ring oscillator based on the proposed delay element is improved by more than 55% under VDD = 40 mV compared with a stacked inverter-based cold start-up ring oscillator. Monte Carlo (MC) simulation from 100 samples shows the enhanced output swing with the proposed delay element under process variation.
Fusing Hand Postures and Speech Recognition for Tasks Performed by an Integrated Leg–Arm Hexapod Robot
Authors: Qi Jing , Ding Xilun , Li Weiwei , Han Zhonghua , Xu Kun
Published: October 2020

Hand postures and speech are convenient means of communication for humans and can be used in human–robot interaction. Based on structural and functional characteristics of our integrated leg-arm hexapod robot, to perform reconnaissance and rescue tasks in public security application, a method of linkage of movement and manipulation of robots is proposed based on the visual and auditory channels, and a system based on hand postures and speech recognition is described. The developed system contains: a speech module, hand posture module, fusion module, mechanical structure module, control module, path planning module and a 3D SLAM (Simultaneous Localization and Mapping) module. In this system, three modes, i.e., the hand posture mode, speech mode, and a combination of the hand posture and speech modes, are used in different situations. The hand posture mode is used for reconnaissance tasks, and the speech mode is used to query the path and control the movement and manipulation of the robot. The combination of the two modes can be used to avoid ambiguity during interaction. A semantic understanding-based task slot structure is developed by using the visual and auditory channels. In addition, a method of task planning based on answer-set programming is developed, and a system of network-based data interaction is designed to control movements of the robot using Chinese instructions remotely based on a wide area network. Experiments were carried out to verify the performance of the proposed system.
The Invasion of Bacterial Biofilms into the Dentinal Tubules of Extracted Teeth Retrofilled with Fluorescently Labeled Retrograde Filling Materials
Authors: Rosen Eyal , Elbahary Shlomo , Haj-Yahya Sohad , Jammal Lotof , Shemesh Hagay , Tsesis Igor
Published: October 2020

In this study, we evaluated the invasion of bacteria into the dentinal tubules of retrofilled extracted human teeth, and the influence of different fluorescently labeled retrograde filling materials on the bacterial invasion and viability, by means of confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). The root apices of extracted teeth were cut, prepared, and filled retrogradely using either intermediate restorative material (IRM), mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA), or Biodentine. The roots were filled with Enterococcus faecalis bacteria from their coronal part for 21 days. Then, 3-mm-long apical segments were cut to get root axial slices, and the bacteria were fluorescently stained and evaluated by CLSM. Bacterial penetration into the dentinal tubules favored the bucco-lingual directions. The filling materials penetrated up to 957 µm into the tubuli, and the bacteria, up to 1480 µm (means: 130 and 167 μm, respectively). Biodentine fillings penetrated less and the associated bacteria penetrated deeper into the tubuli compared to MTA or IRM (p = 0.004). Deeper filling penetration was associated with shallower penetration of both dead and live, or live alone, bacteria (p = 0.015). In conclusion, the current study enables better understanding of the microbiological–pathological course after endodontic surgical procedures. It was found that even with retrograde fillings, bacteria invade deep into the dental tubules, where deeper filling penetration prevents deeper penetration of the bacteria and adversely affects the viability of the bacteria.
PlanetCARMA: A New Framework for Studying the Microphysics of Planetary Atmospheres
Authors: Barth Erika
Published: October 2020

The Community Aerosol and Radiation Model for Atmospheres (CARMA) has been updated to apply to atmospheres of the Solar System outside of Earth. CARMA, as its name suggests, is a coupled aerosol microphysics and radiative transfer model and includes the processes of nucleation, condensation, evaporation, coagulation, and vertical transport. Previous model versions have been applied separately to the atmospheres of Solar System bodies and extrasolar planets. The primary advantage to PlanetCARMA is that the core physics routines each reside in their own self-contained modules and can be turned on/off as desired while a separate planet module supplies all the necessary parameters to apply the model run to a particular planet (or planetary body). So a single codebase is used for all planetary studies. PlanetCARMA has also been updated to Fortran 90 modular format. Examples of outer solar system atmosphere applications are shown.
Changes in the Systemic Expression of Sirtuin-1 and Oxidative Stress after Intravitreal Anti-Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor in Patients with Retinal Vein Occlusion
Authors: Hwang De-Kuang , Chang Yuh-Lih , Lin Tai-Chi , Peng Chi-Hsien , Chien Ke-Hung , Tsai Ching-Yao , Chen Shih-Jen , Chen Kuan-Hsuan , Hsu Min-Yen
Published: October 2020

Objectives: Retinal vein occlusions (RVO) are associated with systemic risk factors. However, the ocular occlusive events might also influence a patient’s systemic condition. This study tried to investigate serum biomarkers associated with oxidative stress, before and after intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (aVEGF) therapy in patients with RVOs. Methods: Newly-onset RVO patients were categorized into two groups: comorbid with macular edema requiring aVEGF therapy (treatment group) and no edema (observation group). Age and sex-matched patients (who received cataract surgery) were included as the control group. Intravitreal ranibizumab with a pro-re-nata regimen were administered. Serum samples were collected prior to treatment, at 6 and 12 months after therapy/observation and were collected once before controls who received cataract surgery. mRNA expression of sirtuin-1, its downstream genes, anti-oxidative biomarkers, and proinflammatory cytokines were measured. Results: There were 32, 26, and 34 patients enrolled in the treatment, observation, and control groups, respectively. The expressions of sirtuin-1 and its downstream genes were significantly lower in patients with RVO compared with the control group. Sirtuin-1 gene expression increased after 1 year of aVEGF therapy in the treatment group but remained unchanged in the observation group. Biomarkers of oxidative stress and proinflammatory cytokines were reduced after 1 year of aVEGF therapy. These biomarkers remained with no changes in the observation group. Conclusions: Our study showed that the systemic oxidative stress increased in RVO patients. The aVEGF therapy could alter the gene expression of anti-oxidative proteins and reduce systemic oxidative stress in these patients.
Genetic Factors Associated with Increased Host Defense Antimicrobial Peptide Resistance in Sequence Type 5 Healthcare-Associated MRSA Clinical Isolates
Authors: Kang Kyoung-Mi , Lee Gi Yong , Yang Soo-Jin
Published: October 2020

Sequence type (ST) 72 methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus with staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SCCmec) type IV (ST72-MRSA-IV) and ST5-MRSA-II are the most significant lineages found in community-associated (CA) and healthcare-associated (HA) environments in Korea, respectively. ST5 HA-MRSA-II tend to display enhanced resistance to host defense-cationic antimicrobial peptides (HD-CAPs) compared to ST72 CA-MRSA-IV and ST72 livestock-associated (LA)-MRSA-IV due to mechanisms involving a higher surface positive charge. Thus, the present study explored the genetic factors contributing to the enhanced HD-CAP resistance phenotype in ST5 MRSA strains. The ST5 HA-MRSA-II strains displayed higher levels of mprF and dltABCD expression compared to the ST72 CA-/LA-MRSA-IV strains. The increase in expression of mprF and dltABCD in ST5 HA-MRSA-II strains was correlated with dysregulation of the upstream transcriptional regulator, graRS. However, single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within mprF and graRS ORFs were not involved in the enhanced surface positive charge or the altered expression of mprF/dltABCD.
Do Connexin Mutants Cause Cataracts by Perturbing Glutathione Levels and Redox Metabolism in the Lens?
Authors: Jara Oscar , Minogue Peter J. , Berthoud Viviana M. , Beyer Eric C.
Published: October 2020

Cataracts of many different etiologies are associated with oxidation of lens components. The lens is protected by maintenance of a pool of reduced glutathione (GSH) and other antioxidants. Because gap junction channels made of the lens connexins, Cx46 and Cx50, are permeable to GSH, we tested whether mice expressing two different mutants, Cx46fs380 and Cx50D47A, cause cataracts by impairing lens glutathione metabolism and facilitating oxidative damage. Levels of GSH were not reduced in homogenates of whole mutant lenses. Oxidized glutathione (GSSG) and the GSSG/GSH ratio were increased in whole lenses of Cx50D47A, but not Cx46fs380 mice. The GSSG/GSH ratio was increased in the lens nucleus (but not cortex) of Cx46fs380 mice at 4.5 months of age, but it was not altered in younger animals. Carbonylated proteins were increased in Cx50D47A, but not Cx46fs380 lenses. Thus, both mouse lines have oxidizing lens environments, but oxidative modification is greater in Cx50D47A than in Cx46fs380 mice. The results suggest that GSH permeation through lens connexin channels is not a critical early event in cataract formation in these mice. Moreover, because oxidative damage was only detected in animals with significant cataracts, it cannot be an early event in their cataractogenesis.
Delta Event-Related Oscillations Are Related to a History of Extreme Binge Drinking in Adolescence and Lifetime Suicide Risk
Authors: Ehlers Cindy L. , Wills Derek N. , Karriker-Jaffe Katherine J. , Gilder David A. , Phillips Evelyn , Bernert Rebecca A.
Published: October 2020

Alcohol exposure typically begins in adolescence, and heavy binge drinking is associated with health risk behaviors. Event-related oscillations (EROs) may represent sensitive biomarkers or endophenotypes for early alcohol exposure as well as other risk behaviors such as suicidal thoughts and actions. In this study, young adults (age 18–30 years) of American Indian (AI) (n = 479) and Mexican American (MA) (n = 705) ancestry were clinically assessed, and EROs were generated to happy, sad and neutral faces. Extreme adolescent binge drinking (10+ drinks) was common (20%) in this population of AI/MA and associated with a significantly increased risk of a lifetime history of suicidal acts (SA, suicide attempts, deaths) but not suicidal thoughts (ST, ideation, plans). ST were reported among MA participants, whereas SA were more common among AI young adults. Extreme adolescent binge drinking was also associated with errors in detection of sad and neutral faces, increases in delta ERO energy, and decreases in phase locking (PL), particularly in parietal areas. A lifetime history of ST was associated with increases in delta ERO energy and PL, whereas SA were associated with decreases in both. These studies suggest that ERO measures may represent important potential biomarkers of adolescent extreme binge drinking and risk for suicidal behaviors.
In Situ Generated Nanosized Sulfide Ni-W Catalysts Based on Zeolite for the Hydrocracking of the Pyrolysis Fuel Oil into the BTX Fraction
Authors: Kuchinskaya Tatiana , Kniazeva Mariia , Samoilov Vadim , Maximov Anton
Published: October 2020

The hydrocracking reaction of a pyrolysis fuel oil fraction using in situ generated nano-sized NiWS-sulfide catalysts is studied. The obtained catalysts were defined using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The features of catalytically active phase generation, as well as its structure and morphology were considered. The catalytic reactivity of in situ generated catalysts was evaluated using the hydrocracking reaction of pyrolysis fuel oil to obtain a light fraction to be used as a feedstock for benzene, toluene, and xylene (BTX) production. It was demonstrated that the temperature of 380 °C, pressure of 5 MPa, and catalyst-to-feedstock ratio of 4% provide for a target fraction (IPB −180 °C) yield of 44 wt %, and the BTX yield of reaching 15 wt %.