bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Grain Size Characteristics of Sediments Found in Typical Landscapes in the Playa of Ebinur Lake, Arid Central Asia
Authors: Wu Na , Ge Yongxiao , Abuduwaili Jilili
Published: October 2021

A playa usually refers to a salt desert landscape mainly composed of loose and fine lacustrine sediments. Severe wind erosion on a playa causes the playa to become a source of dust and salt dust and poses a threat to vast areas downwind. Currently, little is known about the impact of wind erosion on the particle size distribution of sediments in different landscapes in the playa. In the present study, six dominant different landscapes in a natural state with the same sedimentary environment in the playa of Ebinur Lake were selected to provide insights into the different characteristics of particle size distribution under the effect of long-term wind erosion. The results reveal that the grain-size composition clearly differed among different landscapes. All samples had a common dominant size group consisting of very fine sand and sand. The very fine sand and sand content of Haloxylon ammodendron desert zone (LS5) was the lowest, while the clay and silt content was the highest at both depths among the six landscapes. The lowest clay and silt fraction and highest sand fraction appeared in the herbal desert zone (LS3) at both depths. Almost all of the sediment samples were of a bimodal distribution mode, with significant differences. The cumulative curve showed a similar S-shape, while the probability cumulative curve showed an inverted S-shape with three subpopulations of granularity characteristics. The smallest mean particle diameter appeared in LS5. The majority of the sediments were moderately to poorly sorted. The mean particle size of the sediments from the six landscapes was significantly different (p < 0.05), while no significant difference was observed among the other three parameters. Generally, it can be inferred that LS5 can reduce wind speed effectively, probably due to the smaller leaves and dense branches of Haloxylon ammodendron, which results in a high level of coverage. The results of the present study will have some implications for the grain size characteristics for changes in intensity in regional wind erosion environment and will also have some basis for wind erosion prevention and control in the playa of Ebinur Lake.
Quantification of Resilience Considering Different Migration Biographies: A Case Study of Pune, India
Authors: Link Ann-Christine , Zhu Yuanzao , Karutz Raphael
Published: October 2021

Urbanization proceeds globally and is often driven by migration. Simultaneously, cities face severe exposure to environmental hazards such as floods and heatwaves posing threats to millions of urban households. Consequently, fostering urban households’ resilience is imperative, yet often impeded by the lack of its accurate assessment. We developed a structural equation model to quantify households’ resilience, considering their assets, housing, and health properties. Based on a household survey (n = 1872), we calculate the resilience of households in Pune, India with and without migration biography and compare different sub-groups. We further analyze how households are exposed to and affected by floods and heatwaves. Our results show that not migration as such but the type of migration, particularly, the residence zone at the migration destination (formal urban or slum) and migration origin (urban or rural) provide insights into households’ resilience and affectedness by extreme weather events. While on average, migrants in our study have higher resilience than non-migrants, the sub-group of rural migrants living in slums score significantly lower than the respective non-migrant cohort. Further characteristics of the migration biography such as migration distance, time since arrival at the destination, and the reasons for migration contribute to households’ resilience. Consequently, the opposing generalized notions in literature of migrants either as the least resilient group or as high performers, need to be overcome as our study shows that within one city, migrants are found both at the top and the bottom of the resilience range. Thus, we recommend that policymakers include migrants’ biographies when assessing their resilience and when designing resilience improvement interventions to help the least resilient migrant groups more effectively.
PAI Materials Synthesized by 4,4′-Diaminodiphenyl ether/2,2′-Bis (trifluoromethyl)-4,4′-diaminophenyl ether and Their Properties
Authors: Yang Haiyang , Li Duxin , Yang Jun , Wang Jin , Gan Shunchang
Published: October 2021

In this paper, 4,4′-diaminodiphenyl ether and 2,2′-bis (trifluoromethyl)-4,4′-diaminophenyl ether are selected for molecular structure design, and PAI materials are synthesized by acyl chloride method. 2,2′-bis (trifluoromethyl)-4,4′-diaminophenyl ether has the same main chain structure as 4,4′-diaminodiphenyl ether, but the side chain contains two trifluoromethyl groups, which has high fluorine content. PAI terpolymers were prepared by compounding two diamine monomers, and the effects of trifluoromethyl on heat resistance, friction and wear properties, hydrophobic properties and mechanical properties of PAI materials were studied. The results showed that with the increase of trifluoromethyl content, the Tg of PAI material first increased and then changed little, and the Td5% would decrease and the tensile properties would also decrease. The wear mechanism of PAI varied with the content of trifluoromethyl. With the increase of the amount of fluorinated diamine monomer, the adhesive wear degree of PAI materials gradually increased, and reached the maximum when the molar ratio of the two monomers was 5:5, and then decreased gradually. Different trifluoromethyl content had little effect on friction coefficient, and the friction coefficient increased slightly when the molar ratio of 4,4′-diaminodiphenyl ether to 2,2′-bis (trifluoromethyl)-4,4′-diaminophenyl ether is 1:9. With the increase of trifluoromethyl content, the wear of PAI material would increase. With the increase of the amount of trifluoromethyl, the water absorption of PAI material decreased and the water contact angle increased, which indicated that the hydrophobic property of PAI material was improved. To sum up, the results of this study showed that the introduction of trifluoromethyl into the side chain provided an effective way to prepare PAI materials with low water absorption. Considering the comprehensive properties such as heat resistance, friction and wear, tensile properties, etc., the appropriate addition amount is 10–30%.
Structure-Activity Relationships of Holothuroid’s Triterpene Glycosides and Some In Silico Insights Obtained by Molecular Dynamics Study on the Mechanisms of Their Membranolytic Action
Authors: Zelepuga Elena A. , Silchenko Alexandra S. , Avilov Sergey A. , Kalinin Vladimir I.
Published: October 2021

The article describes the structure-activity relationships (SAR) for a broad series of sea cucumber glycosides on different tumor cell lines and erythrocytes, and an in silico modulation of the interaction of selected glycosides from the sea cucumber Eupentacta fraudatrix with model erythrocyte membranes using full-atom molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. The in silico approach revealed that the glycosides bound to the membrane surface mainly through hydrophobic interactions and hydrogen bonds. The mode of such interactions depends on the aglycone structure, including the side chain structural peculiarities, and varies to a great extent. Two different mechanisms of glycoside/membrane interactions were discovered. The first one was realized through the pore formation (by cucumariosides A1 (40) and A8 (44)), preceded by bonding of the glycosides with membrane sphingomyelin, phospholipids, and cholesterol. Noncovalent intermolecular interactions inside multimolecular membrane complexes and their stoichiometry differed for 40 and 44. The second mechanism was realized by cucumarioside A2 (59) through the formation of phospholipid and cholesterol clusters in the outer and inner membrane leaflets, correspondingly. Noticeably, the glycoside/phospholipid interactions were more favorable compared to the glycoside/cholesterol interactions, but the glycoside possessed an agglomerating action towards the cholesterol molecules from the inner membrane leaflet. In silico simulations of the interactions of cucumarioside A7 (45) with model membrane demonstrated only slight interactions with phospholipid polar heads and the absence of glycoside/cholesterol interactions. This fact correlated well with very low experimental hemolytic activity of this substance. The observed peculiarities of membranotropic action are in good agreement with the corresponding experimental data on hemolytic activity of the investigated compounds in vitro.
COVID-19 and Alzheimer’s Disease: A Literature Review
Authors: Hardan Louis , Filtchev Dimitar , Kassem Ratiba , Bourgi Rim , Lukomska-Szymanska Monika , Tarhini Hassan , Salloum-Yared Fouad , Mancino Davide , Kharouf Naji , Haikel Youssef
Published: October 2021

There are a number of potential implications for the field of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) stemming from the global spread of “SARS-COV-2”. Many studies that were conducted by Cleveland Clinic researchers identified a link between COVID-19 infection and brain abnormalities seen in people with AD. This article explains the association between COVID-19 and AD and how people with AD are affected by COVID-19, whether directly or indirectly. First, this article begins by explaining AD and its types, then giving an overview about COVID-19, its symptoms and the associated complications. Then, direct and indirect consequences of COVID-19 on people experiencing AD are discussed briefly. Some management strategies are recommended at the end of this article in addition to a future perspective on this topic. This article concludes by summarizing the main points mentioned about the association between COVID-19 and AD.
Deformation Behavior and Dynamic Recrystallization of Mg-1Li-1Al Alloy
Authors: Feng Xiaoyan , Pang Xue , He Xu , Li Ruihong , Jin Zili , Ren Huiping , Liu Tingting
Published: October 2021

In this paper, the hot workability of Mg-1Li-1Al (LA11) alloy is assessed through a uniaxial compression test in a temperature range from 200 to 400 °C and a strain rate, έ, of 1–0.01 s−1. The present study reveals that flow stress increases when the strain rate increases and deformation temperature decreases. Based on the hyperbolic sine equation, the flow stress constitutive equation of this alloy under high-temperature deformation is established. The average activation energy was 116.5 kJ/mol. Avrami equation was employed to investigate the dynamic recrystallization (DRX). The DRX mechanism affected by the deformation conditions and Zener–Hollomon parameters is revealed. Finally, the relationship between DRX volume fraction and deformation parameter is verified based on microstructure evolution, which is consistent with the theoretical prediction.
The Recovery of Metallic Tin from an Industrial Tin-Bearing By-Product Containing Na2SO4 by Reduction Smelting Process
Authors: Chang Jongshin , Sohn Hosang
Published: October 2021

Tin was recovered in metal from an industrial tin-bearing byproduct containing Na2SO4 by carbothermic reduction smelting, and the effects of basicity (Na2O/SiO2), temperature, and reaction time on the recovery of tin were studied. Na2SO4 was reduced by carbon and formed into sodium silicate slag (Na2O–SiO2) in the presence of SiO2. Tin content in slag decreased with the increase of Na2O/SiO2 ratio in slag, temperature, and reaction time, but the recovery of tin was affected by volatilization of tin in high temperature and high silica region of basicity. In this study, the maximum recovery rate of tin was 94.8% at the experimental condition of 1200 °C, 2 h, and 0.55 of Na2O/SiO2 ratio. The major impurities in produced metal were Bi, Pb, Cu, Fe, and most of Bi, Pb, Cu were distributed to the metal phase, but the distribution of Fe was closely related to basicity.
Optimization of the Cutting Regime in the Turning of the AISI 316L Steel for Biomedical Purposes Based on the Initial Progression of Tool Wear
Authors: del Risco-Alfonso Ricardo , Pérez-Rodríguez Roberto , Zambrano Robledo Patricia del Carmen , Rivas Santana Marcelino , Quiza Ramón
Published: October 2021

The development of biomedical devices has improved the quality of life for millions of people. The increase in life expectancy generates an increase in the demand for these devices. One of the most used materials for these purposes is 316 L austenitic stainless steel due to its mechanical properties and good biocompatibility. The objective of the present investigation was to identify the dependence between the main cutting force, the initial speed of the tool wear, the surface roughness, and the parameters of the cutting regime. Based on these dependencies, a multi-objective optimization model is proposed to minimize the energy consumed and initial wear rate, as well as to maximize productivity, maintaining the surface roughness values below those established by the ISO 5832-1 standard. The wear of the cutting tool was measured on a scanning electron microscope. For the optimization process, a genetic algorithm based on NSGA-II (Non-nominated Sorting Genetic Algorithm) was implemented. The input variables were the cutting speed and the feed in three levels. The cutting force and surface roughness were set as restrictions. It is concluded that the mathematical model allows for the optimization of the cutting regime during dry turning and with the use of MQL (Minimum Quantity Lubrication) with BIDEMICS JX1 ceramic tools (NTK Cutting Tools, Wixom, MI, USA), of AISI 316 L steel for biomedical purposes. Pareto sets and boundaries allow for choosing the most appropriate solution according to the specific conditions of the workshop where it is applied, minimizing the initial progression of tool wear and energy consumed, and maximizing productivity by guaranteeing the surface roughness values established for these types of parts according to the standard.
Quantification of the Adhesion Strength of Candida albicans to Tooth Enamel
Authors: Gunaratnam Gubesh , Dudek Johanna , Jung Philipp , Becker Sören L. , Jacobs Karin , Bischoff Markus , Hannig Matthias
Published: October 2021

Caries is one of the most prevalent diseases worldwide, which is caused by the degradation of the tooth enamel surface. In earlier research the opportunistic pathogen Candida albicans has been associated with the formation of caries in children. Colonization of teeth by C. albicans starts with the initial adhesion of individual yeast cells to the tooth enamel surface. In this study, we visualized the initial colonization of C. albicans yeast cells on pellicle-covered enamel by scanning electron microscopy. To quantitatively unravel the initial adhesion strength, we applied fluidic force microscopy-based single-cell force spectroscopy to examine the key adhesion parameters adhesion force, rupture length and de-adhesion work. We analyzed single saliva-treated or untreated yeast cells on tooth enamel specimens with or without salivary pellicle. Under all tested conditions, adhesion forces in the lower nanonewton range were determined. Furthermore, we have found that all adhesion parameters were enhanced on the pellicle-covered compared to the uncovered enamel. Our data suggest that initial adhesion occurs through a strong interaction between yeast cell wall-associated adhesins and the salivary pellicle. Future SCFS studies may show whether specific management of the salivary pellicle reduces the adhesion of C. albicans on teeth and thus contributes to caries prophylaxis.
Qualitative Evaluation of Causes for Routine Salmonella Monitoring False-Positive Test Results in Dutch Poultry Breeding Flocks
Authors: Costa Eduardo , Elbers Armin , Koene Miriam , Steentjes Andre , Wisselink Henk , Wijnen Peter , Gonzales Jose
Published: October 2021

The Salmonella monitoring program, as outlined in the EU Commission regulation 200/2010, asks for repeated sampling in order to ascertain progress in achievement of the EU target. According to Article 2.2.2.2.c of this regulation, the competent authority may decide to do a resample and retest when it has reasons to question the results of initial testing. In the Netherlands, the competent authorities have been resampling and retesting all initial positive samplings for several years because of doubts about false positive initial test results. An analysis of population data in the period 2015–2019 indicates that 48% of initial samplings at the farm were classified as false positive after resampling and retesting by the competent authorities. A qualitative analysis, assessing factors that could be associated with the occurrence of false positives, indicates that cross-contamination during the sampling process by the poultry farmer is probably the most likely source. Cross-contamination of samples during transport from the farm to the laboratory and/or cross-contamination at the laboratory are also considered possible sources. Given the slightly non-optimal system-specificity of the Salmonella monitoring program, there is good reason to make, or consider, standard resampling and retesting of initial positive results by the competent veterinary authorities possible within the EU.
Identification of Potential Inhibitors of MurD Enzyme of Staphylococcus aureus from a Marine Natural Product Library
Authors: Zheng Xiaoqi , Zheng Tongyu , Liao Yinglin , Luo Lianxiang
Published: October 2021

Staphylococcus aureus is an opportunistic pathogen that can cause fatal bacterial infections. MurD catalyzes the formation of peptide bond between UDP-N-acetylehyl-l-alanine and d-glutamic acid, which plays an important role in the synthesis of peptidoglycan and the formation of cell wall by S. aureus. Because S. aureus is resistant to most existing antibiotics, it is necessary to develop new inhibitors. In this study, Schrodinger 11.5 Prime homology modeling was selected to prepare the protein model of MurD enzyme, and its structure was optimized. We used a virtual screening program and similarity screening to screen 47163 compounds from three marine natural product libraries to explore new inhibitors of S. aureus. ADME provides analysis of the physicochemical properties of the best performing compounds during the screening process. To determine the stability of the docking effect, a 100 ns molecular dynamics was performed to verify how tightly the compound was bound to the protein. By docking analysis and molecular dynamics analysis, both 46604 and 46608 have strong interaction with the docking pocket, have good pharmacological properties, and maintain stable conformation with the target protein, so they have a chance to become drugs for S. aureus. Through virtual screening, similarity screening, ADME study and molecular dynamics simulation, 46604 and 46608 were selected as potential drug candidates for S. aureus.
Statistically Optimum HKUST-1 Synthesized by Room Temperature Coordination Modulation Method for the Adsorption of Crystal Violet Dye
Authors: Wijaya Christian J. , Ismadji Suryadi , Aparamarta Hakun W. , Gunawan Setiyo
Published: October 2021

Due to its excellency and versatility, many synthesis methods and conditions were developed to produce HKUST-1 ([Cu3(BTC)2(H2O)3]n). However, the diversity of HKUST-1 was actually generated both in terms of characteristics and morphologies. Hence, the consistency of HKUST-1 characteristics and morphologies needs to be maintained. The statistical analysis and optimization provide features to determine the best synthesis condition. Here, a room-temperature coordination modulation method was proposed to maintain the morphology of HKUST-1 while reducing energy consumption. In addition, response surface methodology (RSM) was used to demonstrate the statistical analysis and optimization of the synthesis of HKUST-1. The molar ratio of ligand to metal, reaction time, and acetic acid concentration were studied to determine their effects on HKUST-1. The optimum HKUST-1 was obtained by the synthesis with a molar ratio of ligand to metal of 0.4703 for 27.2 h using 5% v/v acetic acid concentration. The statistical analysis performed a good agreement with the experimental data and showed the significance of three desired parameters on HKUST-1. The optimum HKUST-1 had the adsorption capacity of 1005.22 mg/g with a removal efficiency of 92.31% towards CV dye. It could be reused up to 5 cycles with insignificant decrease in performance.
Flavonoid/Polyphenol Ratio in Mauritia flexuosa and Theobroma grandiflorum as an Indicator of Effective Antioxidant Action
Authors: Carmona-Hernandez Juan Carlos , Le Mai , Idárraga-Mejía Ana María , González-Correa Clara Helena
Published: October 2021

Studies on polyphenols and flavonoids in natural products reveal benefits in the prevention of multiple diseases. Proper extraction, treatment of extracts, and quantification of polyphenols and flavonoids demand attention from the scientific community in order to report more specific biological action. Total polyphenol content (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC) (measured at three different times) of ethanol, methanol and acetone extracts of Mauritia flexuosa (aguaje) and Theobroma grandiflorum (copoazú) fresh pulp, from the Colombian Amazon region, were evaluated with the purpose of focusing in the polyphenol/flavonoid proportion and its effective antioxidant activity. This objective could help to explain specific flavonoid biological action based on higher flavonoid proportion rather than higher total polyphenol content. Differences in extracting solvents resulted in statistically significant different yields; the highest TPC was observed with acetone 70% in Mauritia flexuosa and ethanol 80% for T. grandiflorum. The best flavonoid/polyphenol ratio in M. flexuosa was about 1:2.4 and 1:12.8 in T. grandiflorum and the antioxidant efficacy was proportionally higher for flavonoids extracted from T. grandiflorum. HPLC analysis revealed 54 µg/g of the flavonoid kaempferol in M. Flexuosa and 29 µg/g in T. grandiflorum. Further studies evaluating this proportionality, in seeds or peel of fruits, as well as, other specific biological activities, could help to understand the detailed flavonoid action without focusing on the high total polyphenol content.
Computational Evaluation of Abrogation of HBx-Bcl-xL Complex with High-Affinity Carbon Nanotubes (Fullerene) to Halt the Hepatitis B Virus Replication
Authors: Khan Abbas , Ahsan Omar , Wei Dong-Qing , Ansari Jawad Khaliq , Najmi Muzammil Hasan , Muhammad Khalid , Waheed Yasir
Published: October 2021

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is the world’s most prevalent chronic viral infection. More than 350 million individuals are chronic carriers of the virus, with an estimated 2 billion infected persons. For instance, the role of HBx protein in attachment and infection is very obvious and consequently deemed as an important druggable target. Targeting the interface and discovering novel drugs greatly advanced the field of therapeutics development. Therefore, in the current study, HBx to Bcl-xL is abrogated on high-affinity carbon nanotubes using computational structural biology tools. Our analysis revealed that among the total 62 carbon fullerenes, only 13 compounds exhibited inhibitory activity against HBx, which was further confirmed through IFD-based rescoring. Structural dynamics investigation revealed stable binding, compactness, and hydrogen bonds reprogramming. Moreover, the binding free energy calculation results revealed that the top hits1-4 possess the total binding energy of −54.36 kcal/mol (hit1), −50.81 kcal/mol (hit2), −47.09 kcal/mol (hit3), and −45.59 kcal/mol for hit4. In addition, the predicted KD values and bioactivity scores further validated the inhibitory potential of these top hits. The identified compounds need further in vitro and in vivo validation to aid the treatment process of HBV.
Synergistic Effects of Magnetic Nanomaterials on Post-Digestate for Biogas Production
Authors: Tetteh Emmanuel Kweinor , Amo-Duodu Gloria , Rathilal Sudesh
Published: October 2021

Digestate is characterized by high water content, and in the water and wastewater treatment settings, necessitates both large storage capacities and a high cost of disposal. By seeding digestate with four magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs), this study aimed to recover biogas and boost its methane potential anaerobically. This was carried out via biochemical methane potential (BMP) tests with five 1 L bioreactors, with a working volume of 80% and 20% head space. These were operated under anaerobic conditions at a temperature 40 °C for a 30 d incubation period. The SEM/EDX results revealed that the morphological surface area of the digestate with the MNPs increased as compared to its raw state. Comparatively, the degree of degradation of the bioreactors with MNPs resulted in over 75% decontamination (COD, color, and turbidity) as compared to the control system result of 60% without MNPs. The highest biogas production (400 mL/day) and methane yield (100% CH4) was attained with 2 g of Fe2O4-TiO2 MNPs as compared to the control biogas production (350 mL/day) and methane yield (65% CH4). Economically, the highest energy balance achieved was estimated as 320.49 ZAR/kWh, or 22.89 USD/kWh in annual energy savings for this same system. These findings demonstrate that digestate seeded with MNPs has great potential to improve decontamination efficiency, biogas production and circular economy in wastewater management.
Biocidal Activity of a Nanoemulsion Containing Essential Oil from Protium heptaphyllum Resin against Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae)
Authors: Faustino Cleidjane Gomes , de Medeiros Fernando Antônio , Galardo Allan Kardec Ribeiro , Rodrigues Alex Bruno Lobato , da Costa Anderson Luiz Pena , Martins Rosany Lopes , Brandão Lethicia Barreto , Santos Lizandra Lima , de Medeiros Marcos Antônio Alves , de Castro Cantuária Patrick , Farias Ana Luzia Ferreira , Cruz Jader Santos , da Silva de Almeida Sheylla Susan Moreira
Published: October 2021

This work aimed to prepare a nanoemulsion containing the essential oil of the Protium heptaphyllum resin and evaluate its biocidal activities against the different stages of development of the Aedes aegypti mosquito. Ovicide, pupicide, adulticide and repellency assays were performed. The main constituents were p-cymene (27.70%) and α-pinene (22.31%). The developed nanoemulsion showed kinetic stability and monomodal distribution at a hydrophilic–lipophilic balance of 14 with a droplet size of 115.56 ± 1.68 nn and a zeta potential of −29.63 ± 3.46 mV. The nanoemulsion showed insecticidal action with LC50 0.404 µg·mL−1 for the ovicidal effect. In the pupicidal test, at the concentration of 160 µg·mL−1, 100% mortality was reached after 24 h. For adulticidal activity, a diagnostic concentration of 200 µg·mL−1 (120 min) was determined. In the repellency test, a concentration of 200 µg·mL−1 during the 180 min of the test showed a protection index of 77.67%. In conclusion, the nanobiotechnological product derived from the essential oil of P. heptaphyllum resin can be considered as a promising colloid that can be used to control infectious disease vectors through a wide range of possible modes of applications, probably as this bioactive delivery system may allow the optimal effect of the P. heptaphyllum terpenes in aqueous media and may also induce satisfactory delivery to air interfaces.
Green Synthesis of Iron-Doped Cobalt Oxide Nanoparticles from Palm Kernel Oil via Co-Precipitation and Structural Characterization
Authors: Ngnintedem Yonti Cedrik , Kenfack Tsobnang Patrice , Lontio Fomekong Roussin , Devred Francois , Mignolet Eric , Larondelle Yvan , Hermans Sophie , Delcorte Arnaud , Lambi Ngolui John
Published: October 2021

In this study, a bio-derived precipitating agent/ligand, palm kernel oil, has been used as an alternative route for the green synthesis of nanoparticles of Fe-doped Co3O4 via the co-precipitation reaction. The palm oil was extracted from dried palm kernel seeds by crushing, squeezing and filtration. The reaction of the palm kernel oil with potassium hydroxide, under reflux, yielded a solution containing a mixture of potassium carboxylate and excess hydroxide ions, irrespective of the length of saponification. The as-obtained solution reacts with an aqueous solution containing iron and cobalt ions to yield the desired metallo-organic precursor, iron cobalt carboxylate. Characterization of the precursors by IR and gas chromatography (GC) attests to the presence of carboxylate fatty acids in good agreement with the proportion contained in the oil, and ICP confirms that the metallic ratios are in the proportion used during the synthesis. Analysis of the products thermally decomposed between 400 °C and 600 °C by XRD, EDX, TEM and ToF-SIMS, established that cobalt iron oxide nanoparticles (Co(1−x)Fex)3O4 were obtained for x ≤ 0.2 and a nanocomposite material (Co(1−x)Fex)3O4/Fe3O4 for x ≥ 0.2, with sizes between 22 and 9 nm. ToF-SIMS and XRD provided direct evidence of the progressive substitution of cobalt by iron in the Co3O4 crystal structure for x ≤ 0.2.
Analysis of Decoherence in Linear and Cyclic Quantum Walks
Authors: Jayakody Mahesh N. , Nanayakkara Asiri , Cohen Eliahu
Published: October 2021

We theoretically analyze the case of noisy Quantum walks (QWs) by introducing four qubit decoherence models into the coin degree of freedom of linear and cyclic QWs. These models include flipping channels (bit flip, phase flip and bit-phase flip), depolarizing channel, phase damping channel and generalized amplitude damping channel. Explicit expressions for the probability distribution of QWs on a line and on a cyclic path are derived under localized and delocalized initial states. We show that QWs which begin from a delocalized state generate mixture probability distributions, which could give rise to useful algorithmic applications related to data encoding schemes. Specifically, we show how the combination of delocalzed initial states and decoherence can be used for computing the binomial transform of a given set of numbers. However, the sensitivity of QWs to noisy environments may negatively affect various other applications based on QWs.
Ethical Tenets of PRN Medicines Management in Healthcare Settings: A Clinical Perspective
Authors: Vaismoradi Mojtaba , Fredriksen Moe Cathrine , Vizcaya-Moreno Flores , Paal Piret
Published: October 2021

Prescription and administration of pro re nata (PRN) medications has remained a poorly discussed area of the international literature regarding ethical tenets influencing this type of medication practice. In this commentary, ethical tenets of PRN medicines management from the clinical perspective based on available international literature and published research have been discussed. Three categories were developed by the authors for summarising review findings as follows: ‘benefiting the patient’, ‘making well-informed decision’, and ‘follow up assessment’ as pre-intervention, through-intervention, and post-intervention aspects, respectively. PRN medicines management is mainly intertwined with the ethical tenets of beneficence, nonmaleficence, dignity, autonomy, justice, informed consent, and error disclosure. It is a dynamic process and needs close collaboration between healthcare professionals especially nurses and patients to prevent unethical practice.
Turning Traditional Wisdom of Culture around: Making a Possible Transition to a Wiser World Driven by Culture of Wisdom Inquiry Real
Authors: Pandit Giridhari Lal
Published: October 2021

In this article I discuss the problem of how we can change our world into a wiser world that is driven by a culture of wisdom inquiry (CWI), i.e., a world that frees humanity from a looming totalitarian catastrophe. How best can we interrogate the traditional wisdom of culture (TWC) that is responsible for the academic institutions of learning, among other kinds of institutions, dogmatically and solely aiming at the acquisition of knowledge and technological prowess (technologisches koennen), instead of the promotion of wisdom and human well-being? What kind of strategic transformations of institutional design, policy and goals within diverse institutions, particularly academic institutions of learning, regionally and globally, are imperative? This article argues from the principle of universal interconnectedness across nature/universe and the fundamental asymmetry of human well-being interests and nature’s well-being interests. From this, the development of a culture of wisdom inquiry as an overarching (allumfassend) methodology of institutional change from within at two levels of analysis is proposed, viz., (1) at the level of the ecological–economic analysis of safeguarding nature’s abundant ecosystems from human greed; and (2) at the level of the transformation of the educational, academic and political–economic institutions, as well as international institutions, that must be dedicated to human well-being.
The Antifungal Activity of Ag/CHI NPs against Rhizoctonia solani Linked with Tomato Plant Health
Authors: Al-Surhanee Ameena A. , Afzal Muhammad , Bouqellah Nahla Alsayed , Ouf Salama A. , Muhammad Sajid , Jan Mehmood , Kaleem Sidra , Hashem Mohamed , Alamri Saad , Abdel Latef Arafat Abdel Hamed , Ali Omar M. , Soliman Mona H.
Published: October 2021

Pathogenic infestations are significant threats to vegetable yield, and have become an urgent problem to be solved. Rhizoctonia solani is one of the worst fungi affecting tomato crops, reducing yield in some regions. It is a known fact that plants have their own defense against such infestations; however, it is unclear whether any exogenous material can help plants against infestation. Therefore, we performed greenhouse experiments to evaluate the impacts of R. solani on 15- and 30-day old tomato plants after fungal infestation, and estimated the antifungal activity of nanoparticles (NPs) against the pathogen. We observed severe pathogenic impacts on the above-ground tissues of tomato plants which would affect plant physiology and crop production. Pathogenic infection reduced total chlorophyll and anthocyanin contents, which subsequently disturbed plant physiology. Further, total phenolic contents (TPC), total flavonoid contents (TFC), and malondialdehyde (MDA) contents were significantly increased in pathogen treatments. Constitutively, enhanced activities were estimated for catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) in response to reactive oxygen species (ROS)in pathogen-treated plants. Moreover, pathogenesis-related genes, namely, chitinase, plant glutathione S-transferase (GST), phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL1), pathogenesis-related protein (PR12), and pathogenesis-related protein (PR1) were evaluated, with significant differences between treated and control plants. In vitro and greenhouse antifungal activity of silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs), chitosan nanoparticles, and Ag NPs/CHI NPs composites and plant health was studied using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrophotometry. We found astonishing results, namely, that Ag and CHI have antifungal activities against R. solani. Overall, plant health was much improved following treatment with Ag NPs/CHI NPs composites. In order to manage R. solani pathogenicity and improve tomato health, Ag/CHI NPs composites could be used infield as well as on commercial levels based on recommendations. However, there is an urgent need to first evaluate whether these NP composites have any secondary impacts on human health or the environment.
Bliss beyond All Limit: On the Apabhraṃśa Dohā in Tantric Buddhist Texts
Authors: Stephenson Jackson Barkley
Published: October 2021

The Apabhraṃśa dohā is a literary medium from Indian antiquity, with early examples appearing in Kālidāsa’s plays around the 5th century and continuing in later Hindi-language Jain and Bhakti works in the early modern period. However, it was within Tantric Buddhist texts and traditions that the dohā truly came into its own as a literary genre. Particularly within the “Yoginī Tantra” strata of the Tantric Buddhist canon, Apabhraṃśa dohās appear in notable and formulaic ways, used within ritual contexts and other significant junctures, signaling the underexamined use of this literary form and its language of composition. This paper examines the use of dohās attributed to the mahāsiddha Saraha as they are used in the Hevajra Tantra, the Buddhakapāla Tantra, and some associated texts. In doing so, this paper demonstrates that as a literary genre, Apabhraṃśa dohās perform a similar function to mantras and dhāraṇīs, but are unique in their attention to phonology and discursive meaning. By examining the uses of these dohās during particular moments of Tantric Buddhist ritual syntax, this paper will then reflect on the later trajectory of these verses after the death of institutional Buddhism in India, and the reasons for their survival.
Kinematic Assessment to Measure Change in Impairment during Active and Active-Assisted Type of Robotic Rehabilitation for Patients with Stroke
Authors: Hwang Donghwan , Shin Joon-Ho , Kwon Suncheol
Published: October 2021

Analysis of kinematic features related to clinical assessment scales may qualitatively improve the evaluation of upper extremity movements of stroke patients. We aimed to investigate kinematic features that could correlate the change in the Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA) score of stroke survivors through upper extremity robotic rehabilitation. We also analyzed whether changes in kinematic features by active and active-assisted robotic rehabilitation correlated differently with changes in FMA scores. Fifteen stroke patients participated in the upper extremity robotic rehabilitation program, and nine kinematic features were calculated from reach tasks for assessment. Simple and multiple linear regression analyses were used to characterize correlations. Features representing movement speed were associated with changes in FMA scores for the group that used an active rehabilitation robot. In contrast, in the group that used an active-assisted rehabilitation robot, features representing movement smoothness were associated with changes in the FMA score. These estimates can be an important basis for kinematic analysis to complement clinical scales.
Intelligent Techniques for Detecting Network Attacks: Review and Research Directions
Authors: Aljabri Malak , Aljameel Sumayh S. , Mohammad Rami Mustafa A. , Almotiri Sultan H. , Mirza Samiha , Anis Fatima M. , Aboulnour Menna , Alomari Dorieh M. , Alhamed Dina H. , Altamimi Hanan S.
Published: October 2021

The significant growth in the use of the Internet and the rapid development of network technologies are associated with an increased risk of network attacks. Network attacks refer to all types of unauthorized access to a network including any attempts to damage and disrupt the network, often leading to serious consequences. Network attack detection is an active area of research in the community of cybersecurity. In the literature, there are various descriptions of network attack detection systems involving various intelligent-based techniques including machine learning (ML) and deep learning (DL) models. However, although such techniques have proved useful within specific domains, no technique has proved useful in mitigating all kinds of network attacks. This is because some intelligent-based approaches lack essential capabilities that render them reliable systems that are able to confront different types of network attacks. This was the main motivation behind this research, which evaluates contemporary intelligent-based research directions to address the gap that still exists in the field. The main components of any intelligent-based system are the training datasets, the algorithms, and the evaluation metrics; these were the main benchmark criteria used to assess the intelligent-based systems included in this research article. This research provides a rich source of references for scholars seeking to determine their scope of research in this field. Furthermore, although the paper does present a set of suggestions about future inductive directions, it leaves the reader free to derive additional insights about how to develop intelligent-based systems to counter current and future network attacks.
New Frontiers on Adjuvants Drug Strategies and Treatments in Periodontitis
Authors: Isola Gaetano , Polizzi Alessandro , Santonocito Simona , Dalessandri Domenico , Migliorati Marco , Indelicato Francesco
Published: October 2021

Causes of the progression of periodontitis such as an imbalance between the immune response by the host by the release of inflammatory mediators in the response of the oral pathogenic dysbiotic biofilm have been identified. New insights on specific cell signaling pathways that appear during periodontitis have attracted the attention of researchers in the study of new personalised approaches for the treatment of periodontitis. The gold standard of non-surgical therapy of periodontitis involves the removal of supra and subgingival biofilm through professional scaling and root planing (SRP) and oral hygiene instructions. In order to improve periodontal clinical outcomes and overcome the limitations of traditional SRP, additional adjuvants have been developed in recent decades, including local or systemic antibiotics, antiseptics, probiotics, anti-inflammatory and anti-resorptive drugs and host modulation therapies. This review is aimed to update the current and recent evolution of therapies of management of periodontitis based on the adjunctive and target therapies. Moreover, we discuss the advances in host modulation of periodontitis and the impact of targeting epigenetic mechanisms approaches for a personalised therapeutic success in the management of periodontitis. In conclusion, the future goal in periodontology will be to combine and personalise the periodontal treatments to the colonising microbial profile and to the specific response of the individual patient.
Understanding Social and Environmental Hazards in Urban Areas: An Analysis from Barranquilla, Colombia
Authors: Martínez-González Marina B. , Milanes Celene B. , Moreno-Gómez Jorge , Padilla-Llano Samuel , Vásquez Alex , Lavell Allan , Saltarín-Jiménez Ana , Suárez Andrés
Published: October 2021

The present research aims to understand the challenges faced by a Colombian city in the context of multidimensional risk scenarios, given the existing demographic and socio-economic conditions and local perspectives and perceptions regarding socio-environmental risks. The research was undertaken in the city of Barranquilla, northern Colombia. A survey was designed to analyze (1) the general socio-economic and vulnerability conditions of a communities’ sample, (2) information related to hazards and disaster risk in their neighbourhoods, and (3) information on actions to mitigate risk. Three hundred and ninety-one people were surveyed. Likert scale and Pearson's Chi-square test and descriptive, inferential statistical methods, regression models, and the Mann–Whitney U test were used to process the results. Respondents lived, in general, under precarious socio-economic conditions (such as low income or lack of infrastructure and others). Given socio-environmental constraints, the research revealed that hazards such as urban stream flooding and robbery were the most negatively associated with the respondent’s quality of life. Regarding the actions to avoid losses, 84% of respondents had not implemented any preventive action. Respondents also have low awareness of the need to implement risk prevention actions. Social risks and the configuration of anthropic hazards stand out as principal centres for concern.
Autopoiesis and Its Efficacy—A Metacybernetic View
Authors: Yolles Maurice , Frieden B. Roy
Published: October 2021

This paper seeks to explain the nature of autopoiesis and its capacity to be efficacious, and to do this, it uses agency theory as embedded in metacybernetics. Agency, as a generalised intelligent adaptive living system, can anticipate the future once it has internalised a representation of an active contextual situation through autopoiesis. The role of observation and the nature of internalisation will be discussed, explaining that the latter has two states that determine agency properties of cognition. These are assimilation and accommodation. Assimilation is an information process and results in implicit cognition and recognition, whereas accommodation uses assimilated information delivering explicit cognition, recognition, and conscious awareness with rationality. Similarly, anticipation, a required property of the living, has two states, weak and strong, and these correspond to the two states of internalisation. Autopoiesis has various properties identifiable through the lenses of three autonomous but configurable schemas: General Collective Intelligence (GCI), Eigenform, and Extreme Physical Information (EPI). GCI is a pragmatic evolutionary approach concerned with a contextually connected purposeful and relatable set of task processes, each undertaken by a team of subagencies seeking collective fitness. Eigenform is a symbolic approach that is concerned with how observations can be suitably internalised and thus be used as a token to determine future behaviour, and how that which has been internalised can be adopted to anticipate the future. Extreme Physical Information (EPI) is an empirical approach concerned with acquiring information through observation of an unknown parameter through sampling regimes. The paper represents the conceptualisations of each schema in terms of autopoietic efficacy, and explores their configurative possibilities. It will adopt the ideas delivered to enhance explanations of the nature of autopoiesis and its efficacy within metacybernetics, providing a shift in thinking about autopoiesis and self-organisation.
Cervical Spine Pedicle Screw Accuracy in Fluoroscopic, Navigated and Template Guided Systems—A Systematic Review
Authors: Mahmoud Arin , Shanmuganathan Kanatheepan , Rocos Brett , Sedra Fady , Montgomery Alexander , Aftab Syed
Published: October 2021

Background: Pedicle screws provide excellent fixation for a wide range of indications. However, their adoption in the cervical spine has been slower than in the thoracic and lumbar spine, which is largely due to the smaller pedicle sizes and the proximity to the neurovascular structures in the neck. In recent years, technology has been developed to improve the accuracy and thereby the safety of cervical pedicle screw placement over traditional fluoroscopic techniques, including intraoperative 3D navigation, computer-assisted Systems and 3D template moulds. We have performed a systematic review into the accuracy rates of the various systems. Methods: The PubMed and Cochrane Library databases were searched for eligible papers; 9 valid papers involving 1427 screws were found. Results: fluoroscopic methods achieved an 80.6% accuracy and navigation methods produced 91.4% and 96.7% accuracy for templates. Conclusion: Navigation methods are significantly more accurate than fluoroscopy, they reduce radiation exposure to the surgical team, and improvements in technology are speeding up operating times. Significantly superior results for templates over fluoroscopy and navigation are complemented by reduced radiation exposure to patient and surgeon; however, the technology requires a more invasive approach, prolonged pre-operative planning and the development of an infrastructure to allow for their rapid production and delivery. We affirm the superiority of navigation over other methods for providing the most accurate and the safest cervical pedicle screw instrumentation, as it is more accurate than fluoroscopy and lacks the limitations of templates.