bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Toponymy of the Argentine Islands area, the Kyiv Peninsula (West Antarctica)
Authors:   State Institution National Antarctic Scientific Center of the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine, Kyiv, 01601, Ukraine, Yevchun H. ,   National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy, Kyiv, 04655, Ukraine, Fedchuk А. ,   State Institution National Antarctic Scientific Center, Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine, Kyiv, 01601, Ukraine, Drohushevska І. ,   Ukrainian Cartographic Group LLC, Kyiv, 02105, Ukraine, Pnyovska O. ,   State Institution National Antarctic Scientific Center, Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine, Kyiv, 01601, Ukraine, Chernyshenko M. ,   State Institution National Antarctic Scientific Center, Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine, Kyiv, 01601, Ukraine, Parnikoza I. ,   State Institution National Antarctic Scientific Center, Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine, Kyiv, 01601, Ukraine,   Institute of Molecular Biology and Genetics of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Kyiv, 03680, Ukraine,   National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy, Kyiv, 04655, Ukraine
Published: February 2022

The Argentine Islands – Kyiv Peninsula region is one of the birthplaces of Antarctic research. It lacks any aboriginal people, and so much of the toponymy was contributed by the first expeditions. As the official Ukrainian toponymy of Antarctica is still being worked out, it is important to foster further development of this branch of geography. Outside of this region, there are only a few geographical features given internationally recognized placenames honouring Ukraine and Ukrainians. Thus, the paper aims to prepare the official Ukrainian spelling for the already established toponyms and to propose new ones, including microtoponyms, for the yet-nameless objects of the Argentine Islands area (West Antarctica), considering the already amassed experience of other countries and the current requirements for writing the geographical names. To achieve this, there were used such methods, singly or in combination: transliteration, transcription, adaptive transcoding, and translation. The underlying research presented the history of the local placenames, whereupon they were collected and their standardized Ukrainian written representations spelled out. Based on the history of the Ukrainian contribution to the Antarctic studies, the region's toponymic traditions, and characteristic features of topography, flora and fauna of the Argentine Islands, it was proposed a list of names for the nameless geographical features and microtoponyms in the central Argentine Islands region. The list is far from exhaustive, but rather the first attempt to develop Ukrainian Antarctic toponymy. The results will allow unifying placenames use, help to present the expeditions' findings, and make information searches for the geographical features easier.
A Study on Verification of Equivalence and Effectiveness of Non-Pharmacologic Dementia Prevention and Early Detection Contents : Non-Randomly Equivalent Design
Authors: Jeong Hyun-Seok , Kim Oh-Lyong , Koo Bon-Hoon , Kim Ki-Hyun , Kim Gi-Hwan , Bai Dai-Seg , Kim Ji-Yean , Chang Mun-Seon , Kim Hye-Geum
Published: February 2022

Objective : The aim of this study was to verify the equivalence and effectiveness of the tablet-administered Korean Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (K-RBANS) for the prevention and early detection of dementia.Methods : Data from 88 psychiatry and neurology patient samples were examined to evaluate the equivalence between tablet and paper administrations of the K-RBANS using a non-randomly equivalent group design. We calculated the prediction scores of the tablet-administered K-RBANS based on demographics and covariate-test scores for focal tests using norm samples and tested format effects. In addition, we compared the receiver operating characteristic curves to confirm the effectiveness of the K-RBANS for preventing and detecting dementia.Results : In the analysis of raw scores, line orientation showed a significant difference (t=-2.94, p<0.001), and subtests showed small to large effect sizes (0.04–0.86) between paper- and tablet-administered K-RBANS. To investigate the format effect, we compared the predicted scaled scores of the tablet sample to the scaled scores of the norm sample. Consequently, a small effect size (d≤0.20) was observed in most of the subtests, except word list and story recall, which showed a medium effect size (d=0.21), while picture naming and subtests of delayed memory showed significant differences in the one-sample t-test. In addition, the area under the curve of the total scale index (TSI) (0.827; 95% confidence interval, 0.738–0.916) was higher than that of the five indices, ranging from 0.688 to 0.820. The sensitivity and specificity of TSI were 80% and 76%, respectively.Conclusion : The overall results of this study suggest that the tablet-administered K-RBANS showed significant equivalence to the norm sample, although some subtests showed format effects, and it may be used as a valid tool for the brief screening of patients with neuropsychological disorders in Korea.
A importância de ligas acadêmicas no contexto pandêmico da COVID-19: um relato de experiência
Authors: Souza Larissa Castro de , Paiva Fernanda Farias , Gatinho Fernanda Gomes , Costa Jessica Rayane de Miranda , Cardoso Michelle Quaresma , Ferreira Patricia  da Silva , Martins Luana Gomes de Lima , Cruz Fernanda Tainá Oliveira da , Veras Nathália Lorena Pinheiro , Furtado Amanda  Beatriz Gomes
Published: February 2022

O presente estudo objetiva relatar a experiência vivenciada por acadêmicos de enfermagem acerca da importância das ligas acadêmicas durante a pandemia da COVID-19, buscando analisar qual a percepção em relação às atividades realizadas de forma remota e quais suas implicações. Trata-se de um relato de experiência com abordagem qualitativa, desenvolvido por meio de um formulário eletrônico para coleta de dados e analisado pela teoria de análise de Bardin. Houve retorno com 18 formulários respondidos e destes, foram levantados dados referentes a importância da liga acadêmica no contexto pandêmico. A partir do formulário, 13 alunos consideram os encontros da liga como uma experiência positiva. Também foi observado que a pandemia implicou alguns impasses para a maioria dos ligantes (67%), visto que estes relataram que sentiram dificuldade em entrar em uma liga, mostrando que a existência da pandemia afetou de modo significativo a entrada de acadêmicos em ligas. O formulário também abordou quais aspectos positivos proporcionados pela liga durante a pandemia e para esta indagação, a maioria dos discentes relataram o compartilhamento de conhecimentos, incentivo à pesquisa, participação de eventos online, socialização e produção científica. Portanto, nota-se que apesar da pandemia, a liga desempenha um importante papel na atualidade, mantendo seus objetivos voltados ao ensino, pesquisa e extensão, oferecendo aos discentes novos formatos de ensino no cenário que estamos vivendo.
Different periods of inclusion of acetic acid in broiler drinking water
Authors: Dourado Maira Rodrigues , Oliveira Jean Marcos de Morais , Santos Gabriela Rocha , Reati Lucas de Almeida , Germano Ricardo de Melo , Garcia Elis Regina de Moraes , Amaral Patrícia Franco Gonçalves Previato do , Bondezan Maria Augusta Dorigan , Mezalira Taniara Suelen , Otutumi Luciana Kazue
Published: February 2022

The objective of this experiment was to evaluate the benefits of acetic acid in different periods of inclusion in broiler drinking water on broiler performance, pH, and microbiota, especially the morphometry of the jejunum of broiler chickens. For this, 240 chickens of the Cobb500® lineage of 21 days of age were used and distributed in boxes in an experimental broiler house, considering a completely randomized design, with four treatments and four replications of 15 birds each (experimental unit). The treatments were: T1 - Control (chlorinated water at 3 ppm); T2 - chlorinated and acidified water with acetic acid in the period from 21 to 42 days of age; T3- chlorinated and acidified water with acetic acid in the period from 28 to 42 days of age; T4 - chlorinated and acidified water with acetic acid in the period from 35 to 42 days of age. The results were analyzed using Analysis of Variance, followed by Tukey's post-test, considering a significance level of 5%. No differences in performance were observed in the period from 21 to 42 days of age, pH, and Lactobacillus spp. counts of the crop at 42 days of age and height of villi and jejunum crypt depth in the same age. However, there was a reduction (P<0.05) in the enterobacteria count in the crop at 42 days of age, which could contribute to the reduction of intestinal enterobacteria counts and, in turn, reduce the contamination of the carcass of broiler chickens.
Análise da dinâmica espacial e temporal do uso e ocupação do solo no município de Condado-PB (1989- 2018)
Authors: Rodrigues Renato de Bozzano , Araújo Sérgio Murilo Santos de , Bezerra Maddiel Ferreira , Sousa Lázaro Avelino de
Published: February 2022

A adaptação do meio ambiente às necessidades humanas altera a configuração natural das paisagens ao longo dos anos, refletindo as formas de uso e ocupação do solo. Os processos de uso e ocupação inerentes a configuração das paisagens são concomitantes, uma vez que a deflagração do primeiro processo (uso) altera o panorama do segundo (ocupação). Nesse sentido, as ações antrópicas sobre o meio ambiente estão no centro dessa problemática. No Semiárido Brasileiro o processo de uso e ocupação do solo sofre influência de práticas tradicionais peculiares àquela região, a exemplo da agricultura de sequeiro e da pecuária tradicional. Com o intuito de avaliar a influência destas práticas na configuração espaço-temporal das paisagens, este trabalho teve como objetivo analisar a dinâmica espaço-temporal do uso e ocupação do solo no município de Condado-PB, no período de 1989 a 2018, através do Índice de Vegetação Ajustado ao Solo (IVAS). Esta técnca de Sensoriamento remoto permitiu a elaboração e análise de mapas de uso e ocupação do solo através do processamento digital de imagens dos satélites Landsat 5 – TM e Landsat 8 – OLI. Foram identificadas 5 classes de uso e ocupação, sendo a vegetação classificada em arbórea, arbustiva e gramínea (ou herbácea), além das classes solo exposto e corpos d’água. Os resultados mostraram aumento nas classes de vegetação arbórea (105,44%), gramínea/herbácea (386,96%) e nos corpos d’água (179,33%). A vegetação arbustiva e o solo exposto diminuíram 2,92% e 62,6% respectivamente. No geral, a vegetação cresceu em área ocupada de 44,9% em 1989, para 70,9% em 2018.
Consumo de bebida alcoólica, qualidade de vida e nível de atividade física entre universitários do curso de Educação Física
Authors: Ribeiro João Antônio , Miranda Denise Coutinho de , Leite Luciano Bernardes , Isoldi Mauro César , Cabral Thalita Azevedo , Oliveira Renata Aparecida Rodrigues de , Lavorato Victor Neiva
Published: February 2022

O consumo de bebida alcoólica é um costume antigo e está presente na vida de parte dos jovens brasileiros de hoje. Nos dias atuais, o álcool tem sido precursor de diversas doenças no planeta. Nesse sentido, o objetivo do presente estudo foi verificar o consumo de bebidas alcoólicas, bem como sua associação com o nível de atividade física e a qualidade de vida em estudantes do curso de Educação Física. Foi realizado um estudo descritivo com 26 universitários regularmente matriculados no curso de Educação Física, sendo aplicados três questionários: um que analisa a percepção subjetiva da qualidade de vida (WHOQOL); outro para avaliar padrões de consumo de bebida alcóolica (AUDIT), e, por fim, um que avalia o nível de atividade física (IPAQ). Pós coleta dos dados feita pelo Google Forms®, esses foram analisados. Os resultados mostram que a maioria dos estudantes foram classificados na zona de “Baixo risco” (80,77%), e que 87,5% desses são considerados fisicamente ativos. Além disso, não foram encontradas diferenças entre os domínios da qualidade de vida para os estudantes dos grupos classificados como “Baixo risco” ou “Uso de risco”. Conclui-se que a maior parte dos avaliados foi classificada como ativa e Baixo risco de consumo de bebidas alcoólicas. O consumo de bebidas alcoólicas não influenciou a qualidade de vida da amostra analisada.
Análise sobre os impactos do desenvolvimento de lesão renal aguda em pacientes internados em Unidade de Terapia Intensiva
Authors: Leite Airton César , Silva Mariana Pereira Barbosa , Sousa Geovana Maria Rodrigues de , Machado Bruno Abilio da Silva , Sousa Maria Vitalina Alves de , Santos Samuel Lopes dos , Alves Winícius de Carvalho , Freitas Maciélia Carvalho de , Sobrinho Weberton Dorásio , Melo Lairton Luís Pinheiro de , Lages Luana Pinheiro , Henrique Giuliano Araújo , Negreiros Aline Oliveira , Carvalho Mayara Rayla Silva de , Silva Thayna Moreno da , Oliveira Lyanne Isabelle Fonteneles , Sousa Juliana da Silva , Silva Gabriel Oliveira da , Dias Débora Miranda , Afonso Jéssica Nunes , Abrantes Nayara Silva , Toussaint Luciana Spindola Monteiro , Moreiras Felipe de Sousa , Furtado Érida Zoé Lustosa , Vale Carolina Silva , Silva Erika Lana Soares da , Ferreira Laís Christina Araújo , Ribeiro Aclênia Maria Nascimento
Published: February 2022

Analisar as evidências científicas publicadas sobre os impactos do desenvolvimento de lesão renal aguda em pacientes internados em Unidade de Terapia Intensiva. O presente estudo trata de uma revisão bibliográfica do método revisão integrativa da literatura, realizado nos meses entre agosto de 2021 a janeiro de 2022. A busca efetuou-se, através da Plataforma da Biblioteca Virtual em Saúde - BVS, utilizando as bases de dados LILACS, BDENF, por meio da SCIELO, aderindo-se através dos descritores e palavras/chaves: “Cuidados de Enfermagem”, “Lesão Renal Aguda”, “UTI”, combinados com o operador booleano “AND”. A lesão renal aguda tem representatividade significativa na morbimortalidade dos pacientes na Unidade de Terapia Intensiva (UTI) e está associada a piores desfechos até mesmo após a alta hospitalar. Os pacientes críticos são mais suscetíveis a desenvolvê-la principalmente por conta da instabilidade clínica e fatores de riscos prévios, como a idade avançada, sepse, hipovolemia, cirurgias, uso de medicamentos nefrotóxicos, entre outros. O enfermeiro que exerce o papel de cuidado do paciente crítico tem por dever acompanhar, analisar e identificar o desenvolvimento de LRA. A identificação precoce da LRA, ou melhor, a determinação de fatores relacionados ou a definição de características definidoras permitem estabelecer as primeiras diretrizes para a assistência de enfermagem. A equipe de enfermagem que assiste um paciente em cuidados intensivos deve ter acima de tudo comprometimento com a profissão sinalizado pelo cuidado seguro à vida humana, pois mesmo aqueles pacientes assistidos estão predispostos ao desenvolvimento da LRA e agravo do quadro clínico, prognóstico e desfecho.
Influência dos fatores climáticos sobre o desempenho, qualidade de carcaça e carne de suínos: revisão bibliográfica
Authors: Araújo Raiane Gomes Rodrigues , Guimarães Tiago Pereira , Gomes Márcia Rosa
Published: February 2022

Diante do crescimento da suinocultura e considerando que para garantir a efetividade da intensificação da produtividade é fundamental identificar possibilidades para tornar o ambiente no qual os animais vivem agradável e proveitoso. Objetivou-se investigar a influência do ambiente térmico no desempenho de suínos em diferentes etapas da cadeia produtiva, qualidade de carne e carcaça. Para isso, foi realizada uma revisão bibliográfica, com foco na termogênese, mecanismos de termorregulação, ambiência, avaliação do estresse e efeitos do estresse térmico. Os resultados do estudo confirmaram que o estresse térmico exerce efeitos negativos sobre o desempenho produtivo dos suínos, desencadeando perdas significativas desde a produção até o produto final, impactando no desempenho dos animais e na qualidade da carne e de carcaça. Nesse sentido, o estudo reforça a necessidade de se conhecer os inúmeros fatores que podem exercer efeitos diretos e/ou indiretos sobre os animais, ao longo da cadeia produtiva, acarretando redução da produtividade e consequentes prejuízos econômicos. Ademais, fortalece a importância da adoção de estratégias de manejo que possam amenizar os efeitos do estresse térmico na produção animal, considerando que o bem-estar e o conforto térmico são primordiais para a manutenção de altos níveis de produtividade.
Repercussões da pandemia SARS-CoV-2 para estudantes de medicina do Ceará - Brasil
Authors: Campos Bárbara Calisto , Oliveira Marina Leite de , Rocha Thaine Mirla , Borges Laís Rêgo , Campos Beatriz Calisto , Ferreira Lucas Fortaleza de Aquino , Façanha Joyce Rodrigues , Peixoto Junior Arnaldo Aires , Peixoto Raquel Autran Coelho
Published: February 2022

Objetivos: Avaliar repercussões psicológicas e a percepção de preparo para atuar no atendimento a pacientes na pandemia de COVID-19 entre estudantes de medicina de Fortaleza-CE, Brasil. Metodologia: Trata-se de estudo transversal, analítico, de dezembro de 2020 até fevereiro de 2021. Estudantes de medicina do pré-internato e internato de três escolas médicas brasileiras preencheram voluntariamente um questionário online sobre dados sociodemográficos, percepção de risco pela pandemia COVID-19 e sintomas de estresse pós-traumático avaliados pela Impact of Event Scale (IES) em sua versão brasileira validada. Todos assinaram termo de consentimento livre e esclarecido. O estudo foi aprovado no Comitê de Ética e Pesquisa das Instituições. Ao comparar grupos, utilizou-se testes de Spearman e Kruskal Wallis, com erro alfa menor que 5%. Resultados: 94 estudantes participaram, sendo 60,6% do sexo feminino e 86,2% de universidades particulares. 53,3% tinham percepção de alto risco de contágio com o vírus e 40,2% relataram qualidade de sono insatisfatória. A pontuação média da IES dos participantes foi 14,8 +/- 5,78, demonstrando que houve um impacto estressante. Houve associação do escore da IES com percepção do risco de contágio, qualidade do sono, tipo de universidade e acompanhamento psicológico. Conclusão: A pandemia do Covid-19 gerou impacto estressante nos estudantes de medicina avaliados, com associação significante com percepção do risco de contágio, qualidade do sono, tipo de universidade e acompanhamento psicológico. Esses fatores são importantes para futuras intervenções psicológicas entre estudantes.
Fatores genéticos associados à fibromialgia: uma revisão narrativa
Authors: Merino Amanda Susin , Simon Daniel
Published: February 2022

A fibromialgia é uma desordem reumática que tem como principal sintoma a dor crônica generalizada acompanhada de um conjunto de sintomas como distúrbio do sono, depressão e fadiga crônica, entre outros. Sua fisiopatologia é complexa, de origem multifatorial, incluindo a influência de fatores genéticos. Já foi demonstrado que indivíduos com fibromialgia apresentam um padrão de agregação familiar e que a probabilidade de um indivíduo desenvolver essa condição é cerca de 50% atribuída a fatores genéticos. Neste sentido, o presente artigo tem por objetivo realizar uma revisão narrativa da literatura sobre os aspectos genéticos da fibromialgia em seu desenvolvimento e gravidade dos sintomas. Para tal foram feitas buscas nas bases de dados PubMed e Scopus, com a utilização de descritores específicos: “fibromyalgia” e “polymorphism”. Polimorfismos que influenciam na modulação da dor, como os que ocorrem em genes da via monoaminérgica ou do metabolismo das catecolaminas, são encontrados com frequência em estudos de associação com a fibromialgia. Porém, outros genes-alvo têm surgido, relacionados às vias responsáveis pelos mecanismos dos mais diversos sintomas que podem acometer esses pacientes, como neuroplasticidade, neurotransmissão, inflamação, vascularização, estresse oxidativo, ciclo celular, entre outros.
Information and Communication Technology to Help Students Create Their Own Books the Dialogic Way
Authors:   Universitas Negeri Malang Indonesia, Ivone Francisca Maria , Jacobs George M ,   International Association for the Study of Cooperation in Education Singapore, Santosa Made Hery ,   Universitas Pendidikan Ganesha Indonesia
Published: February 2022

The use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in language learning allows students to be more engaged and innovative. The present article explores the potential use of technology in the planning, drafting, reviewing, and publishing stages of students’ own book creation. First, the use of digital tools to create books in an interactive and engaging process and format is discussed. Then, the varieties of multimedia books created using ICT are explored. Next, the use of technology for sharing ideas, communicating opinions, collaborating, and reviewing others’ books is explained. The article also describes some collaborative methods students may employ in creating books. Finally, it discusses learners’ development of technology and media literacy in the creation of their own books.
Evaluation of Fungicides against Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. lycopersici the Cause of Fusarium Wilt of Tomato
Authors: Ahmad Salman , Anjum Romana , Raza Waqas , Ali Yasir , Rehman Malik Abdul
Published: February 2022

Tomato is very significant and full of nutrition vegetable crop. It is enriched with vitamin a and C, lycopene, and protects from prostate cancer, cardiovascular diseases. Tomato wilt disease (TWD) caused by F. oxysporum f.sp. lycopersici (Fol) is a serious threat to tomato crop in Pakistan and spreading to those areas in which it was not previously present. The current research was planned to evaluate the fungi-toxic activity of fungicides against F. oxysporum in vitro and under greenhouse conditions. Four fungicides which include Carbendazim, Benomyl, Curzate and Nativo, at 500ppm, 750ppm and 1000ppm concentrations, were evaluated using food poison technique. The overall results showed that all fungicides significantly (P < 0.05) inhibited mycelial growth of F. oxysporum, however, Nativo proved to be best followed by Carbendazim, Benomyl at all concentrations. The reduction in colony growth of pathogen gradually increased by increasing the fungicide concentration. Two fungicides, Nativo and Carbendazim and their concentrations 750 and 1000 ppm, which proved to be effective in laboratory conditions, also evaluated under greenhouse conditions. Both fungicides effectively controlled TWD under greenhouse conditions. The present research revealed that Nativo and Carbendazim at 750 and 1000 ppm concentrations are effective against Fol, thus may be included in management strategy of TWD.
Peran Pendidikan Dan Pelatihan, Kegiatan Non Diklat, Promosi Dan Motivasi Terhadap Kinerja Pegawai Pada UPTD KPH UNIT XXIV Gularaya Dinas Kehutanan Provinsi Sulawesi Tenggara
Authors: Prayudi Dharma , Rommy Nursaban , Zaid Sudirman
Published: February 2022

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect; 1) The effect of education and training on employee performance. 2) The influence of non-education and training activities on employee performance. 3) The effect of promotion on employee performance and 4) The influence of technology motivation on employee performance. The research method is to use quantitative research. The data used are secondary and primary data. Data analysis usingSPSS software version 20. The sampling technique uses saturated sample amounted to 50 employees at UPTD KPH UNIT XXIV Gularaya Forestry Service of Southeast Sulawesi Province. The results showed that; 1) education and training have a positive and significant effect on employee performance. 2) non-education and training activities have a positive and significant effect on employee performance. 3) promotion has a positive and significant effect on employee performance. 4) motivation has a positive and significant effect on employee performance.
PENGARUH KUALITAS PRODUK, HARGA DAN PROMOSI TERHADAP KEPUTUSAN PEMBELIAN PADA PENGRAJIN TENUN BINAAN DINAS KOPERASI UKM DAN TENAGA KERJA KABUPATEN WAKATOBI
Authors: Syah Arif Rahman , Sukotjo Endro , Zaid Sudirman , Saleh Salma , TN Valentinus Amstrong , Madi Riski Amalia
Published: February 2022

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of product quality, price and promotion on purchasing decisions of woven fabrics, influence of product quality on purchasing decisions of woven fabrics, influence of price on purchasing decisions of woven fabrics and the influence of promotions on purchasing decisions of woven fabrics. The object of this research is the Department of Cooperatives, Small and Medium Enterprises and Manpower of Wakatobi Regency. The approach used in this research is a quantitative approach (mainstream approach). The sample/respondent used in this study were 100 respondents. The analytical tool used is Multiple Regression Analysis. Data collection methods in this study used a questionnaire and data analysis tools using software SPSSThe results of this study can be concluded that product quality, price and promotion together have a strong and significant influence in improving the purchasing decision of Wakatobi woven fabrics, product quality significantly affects the improvement of fabric purchasing decisions, price significantly affects the increase of woven fabric purchasing decisions and Promotion significantly affects the increase in purchasing decisions for Wakatobi woven fabrics.
CLASSIFICATION OF TRANSPORT SYSTEMS DEVELOPMENT FACTORS
Authors: Ternyuk Mykola , Krasnoshtan Olexander
Published: February 2022

The classification of the factors promoting and counteracting development of transport systems and the certain kinds of actions which can be applied for the directed management of process are proposed. The nature of the influence on the process of development, manifestation in time, attitude to the subjects of the system and the main types of substances that form the basis of these subjects are chosen as classification features.
THE TRANS-EUROPEAN TRANSPORT NETWORK: INITIATIVES OF THE NEW EU MEMBER STATES
Authors: Novikova Alla
Published: February 2022

The European Union transport policy concerning the Trans-European core and comprehensive transport network is considered. Priorities for modes transport development are considered. The main projects of the transport network of new EU member states, united by the initiative of the Three Seas: Baltic, Black and Adriatic Seas (3SI) are analyzed, The core network of Ukraine and its indicative projects until 2030 are considered. The 3SI projects in which Ukraine is interested, have been identified.
Venom Immunotherapy and Aeroallergen Immunotherapy: How Do Their Outcomes Differ?
Authors: Incorvaia Cristoforo , Ridolo Erminia , Mauro Marina , Pucciarini Francesco , Heffler Enrico , Canonica Giorgio Walter
Published: February 2022

Allergen immunotherapy (AIT) and venom immunotherapy (VIT) are meant to work on the causes of allergies, respectively, to respiratory allergens and Hymenoptera venom, inducing tolerance to the allergens and modifying the natural history of allergy. Both types of immunotherapies have evidence of efficacy, but actually they present wide differences in both effectiveness and safety. Indeed, as far as the effectiveness of VIT is concerned, if the protection against fatal reactions to stings is considered as the primary objective, more than 40 years of clinical practice demonstrate complete success. The clinical success of AIT is measurable on the basis of reduction or disappearance of allergic symptoms. The difference between the two treatments is even higher as regards safety: AIT has been concerned in the past by a series of fatal reactions caused, which underwent a progressive decrease when it was understood that they were related to the presence of uncontrolled asthma. However, fatal reactions related to failure to recognize the presence of risk factors or administration errors are still reported. Similarly to what has been observed for efficacy, VIT has never been affected by fatal reactions to the administration of venom, and the most important risk of anaphylaxis, which is the concomitance of mastocytosis, is now identified by measuring its marker serum tryptase. To date, mechanisms of hypersensitivity reactions that differentiate respiratory allergy from Hymenoptera venom allergy have not been successfully demonstrated. We have examined the past and present literature in order to propose reasonable hypotheses about the mechanisms actually involved.
Scaffold Geometry-Imposed Anisotropic Mechanical Loading Guides the Evolution of the Mechanical State of Engineered Cardiovascular Tissues in vitro
Authors: Hermans L. H. L. , Van Kelle M. A. J. , Oomen P. J. A. , Lopata R .G. P. , Loerakker S. , Bouten C. V. C.
Published: February 2022

Cardiovascular tissue engineering is a promising approach to develop grafts that, in contrast to current replacement grafts, have the capacity to grow and remodel like native tissues. This approach largely depends on cell-driven tissue growth and remodeling, which are highly complex processes that are difficult to control inside the scaffolds used for tissue engineering. For several tissue engineering approaches, adverse tissue growth and remodeling outcomes were reported, such as aneurysm formation in vascular grafts, and leaflet retraction in heart valve grafts. It is increasingly recognized that the outcome of tissue growth and remodeling, either physiological or pathological, depends at least partly on the establishment of a homeostatic mechanical state, where one or more mechanical quantities in a tissue are maintained in equilibrium. To design long-term functioning tissue engineering strategies, understanding how scaffold parameters such as geometry affect the mechanical state of a construct, and how this state guides tissue growth and remodeling, is therefore crucial. Here, we studied how anisotropic versus isotropic mechanical loading—as imposed by initial scaffold geometry—influences tissue growth, remodeling, and the evolution of the mechanical state and geometry of tissue-engineered cardiovascular constructs in vitro. Using a custom-built bioreactor platform and nondestructive mechanical testing, we monitored the mechanical and geometric changes of elliptical and circular, vascular cell-seeded, polycaprolactone-bisurea scaffolds during 14 days of dynamic loading. The elliptical and circular scaffold geometries were designed using finite element analysis, to induce anisotropic and isotropic dynamic loading, respectively, with similar maximum stretch when cultured in the bioreactor platform. We found that the initial scaffold geometry-induced (an)isotropic loading of the engineered constructs differentially dictated the evolution of their mechanical state and geometry over time, as well as their final structural organization. These findings demonstrate that controlling the initial mechanical state of tissue-engineered constructs via scaffold geometry can be used to influence tissue growth and remodeling and determine tissue outcomes.
Phyto-Mediated Copper Oxide Nanoparticles for Antibacterial, Antioxidant and Photocatalytic Performances
Authors: Ssekatawa Kenneth , Byarugaba Denis K. , Angwe Martin Kamilo , Wampande Eddie M. , Ejobi Francis , Nxumalo Edward , Maaza Malik , Sackey Juliet , Kirabira John Baptist
Published: February 2022

The greatest challenge of the current generation and generations to come is antimicrobial resistance, as different pathogenic bacteria have continuously evolved to become resistant to even the most recently synthesized antibiotics such as carbapenems. Resistance to carbapenems limits the therapeutic options of MDR infections as they are the only safe and effective drugs recommended to treat such infections. This scenario has complicated treatment outcomes, even to the commonest bacterial infections. Repeated attempts to develop other approaches have been made. The most promising novel therapeutic option is the use of nanomaterials as antimicrobial agents. Thus, this study examined the efficacy of Camellia sinensis extract (CSE) and Prunus africana bark extract (PAE) green synthesized Copper oxide nanoparticles (CuONPs) against carbapenem-resistant bacteria. Furthermore, the photocatalytic and antioxidant activities of CuONPs were evaluated to determine the potential of using them in a wide range of applications. CuONPs were biosynthesized by CSE and PAE. UV vis spectroscopy, X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Dynamic light scattering (DLS), Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) were used to characterize the nanoparticles. CuONPs susceptibility tests were carried out by the agar well diffusion method. The photocatalytic and antioxidant activities of the CuONPs were determined by the methylene blue and DPPH free radical scavenging assays, respectively. UV vis absorbance spectra registered surface plasmon resonance peaks between 272 and 286 nm, confirming the presence of CuONPs. The XRD array had nine strong peaks at 2θ values typical of CuONPs. FTIR spectra exhibited bands associated with organic functional groups confirming capping and functionalization of the CuONPs by the phytochemicals. DLS analysis registered a net zeta potential of +12.5 mV. SEM analysis revealed that the nanoparticles were spherical and clustered with a mean diameter of 6 nm. Phytosynthesized CuONPs exhibited the highest growth suppression zones of 30 mm with MIC ranging from 30 to 125 μg/ml against MDR bacteria. Furthermore, the CuONPs achieved a methylene blue dye photocatalysis degradation efficiency of 85.5% and a free radical scavenging activity of 28.8%. PAE and CSE successfully bio-reduced copper ions to the nanoscale level with potent antimicrobial, photocatalysis, and antioxidant activities.
Glucose/Xylose Co-Fermenting Saccharomyces cerevisiae Increases the Production of Acetyl-CoA Derived n-Butanol From Lignocellulosic Biomass
Authors: Lee Yeon-Jung , Hoang Nguyen Tran Phuong , Ko Ja Kyong , Gong Gyeongtaek , Um Youngsoon , Han Sung Ok , Lee Sun-Mi
Published: February 2022

Efficient xylose catabolism in engineered Saccharomyces cerevisiae enables more economical lignocellulosic biorefinery with improved production yields per unit of biomass. Yet, the product profile of glucose/xylose co-fermenting S. cerevisiae is mainly limited to bioethanol and a few other chemicals. Here, we introduced an n-butanol-biosynthesis pathway into a glucose/xylose co-fermenting S. cerevisiae strain (XUSEA) to evaluate its potential on the production of acetyl-CoA derived products. Higher n-butanol production of glucose/xylose co-fermenting strain was explained by the transcriptomic landscape, which revealed strongly increased acetyl-CoA and NADPH pools when compared to a glucose fermenting wild-type strain. The acetate supplementation expected to support acetyl-CoA pool further increased n-butanol production, which was also validated during the fermentation of lignocellulosic hydrolysates containing acetate. Our findings imply the feasibility of lignocellulosic biorefinery for producing fuels and chemicals derived from a key intermediate of acetyl-CoA through glucose/xylose co-fermentation.
Lab-on-Chip Microsystems for Ex Vivo Network of Neurons Studies: A Review
Authors: Zhang Hongyong , Rong Guoguang , Bian Sumin , Sawan Mohamad
Published: February 2022

Increasing population is suffering from neurological disorders nowadays, with no effective therapy available to treat them. Explicit knowledge of network of neurons (NoN) in the human brain is key to understanding the pathology of neurological diseases. Research in NoN developed slower than expected due to the complexity of the human brain and the ethical considerations for in vivo studies. However, advances in nanomaterials and micro-/nano-microfabrication have opened up the chances for a deeper understanding of NoN ex vivo, one step closer to in vivo studies. This review therefore summarizes the latest advances in lab-on-chip microsystems for ex vivo NoN studies by focusing on the advanced materials, techniques, and models for ex vivo NoN studies. The essential methods for constructing lab-on-chip models are microfluidics and microelectrode arrays. Through combination with functional biomaterials and biocompatible materials, the microfluidics and microelectrode arrays enable the development of various models for ex vivo NoN studies. This review also includes the state-of-the-art brain slide and organoid-on-chip models. The end of this review discusses the previous issues and future perspectives for NoN studies.
Hydrothermal Pretreatment of Lignocellulosic Feedstocks to Facilitate Biochemical Conversion
Authors: Martín Carlos , Dixit Pooja , Momayez Forough , Jönsson Leif J.
Published: February 2022

Biochemical conversion of lignocellulosic feedstocks to advanced biofuels and other bio-based commodities typically includes physical diminution, hydrothermal pretreatment, enzymatic saccharification, and valorization of sugars and hydrolysis lignin. This approach is also known as a sugar-platform process. The goal of the pretreatment is to facilitate the ensuing enzymatic saccharification of cellulose, which is otherwise impractical due to the recalcitrance of lignocellulosic feedstocks. This review focuses on hydrothermal pretreatment in comparison to alternative pretreatment methods, biomass properties and recalcitrance, reaction conditions and chemistry of hydrothermal pretreatment, methodology for characterization of pretreatment processes and pretreated materials, and how pretreatment affects subsequent process steps, such as enzymatic saccharification and microbial fermentation. Biochemical conversion based on hydrothermal pretreatment of lignocellulosic feedstocks has emerged as a technology of high industrial relevance and as an area where advances in modern industrial biotechnology become useful for reducing environmental problems and the dependence on fossil resources.
Autophagy in the Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinoses (Batten Disease)
Authors: Kim William D. , Wilson-Smillie Morgan L. D. M. , Thanabalasingam Aruban , Lefrancois Stephane , Cotman Susan L. , Huber Robert J.
Published: February 2022

The neuronal ceroid lipofuscinoses (NCLs), also referred to as Batten disease, are a family of neurodegenerative diseases that affect all age groups and ethnicities around the globe. At least a dozen NCL subtypes have been identified that are each linked to a mutation in a distinct ceroid lipofuscinosis neuronal (CLN) gene. Mutations in CLN genes cause the accumulation of autofluorescent lipoprotein aggregates, called ceroid lipofuscin, in neurons and other cell types outside the central nervous system. The mechanisms regulating the accumulation of this material are not entirely known. The CLN genes encode cytosolic, lysosomal, and integral membrane proteins that are associated with a variety of cellular processes, and accumulated evidence suggests they participate in shared or convergent biological pathways. Research across a variety of non-mammalian and mammalian model systems clearly supports an effect of CLN gene mutations on autophagy, suggesting that autophagy plays an essential role in the development and progression of the NCLs. In this review, we summarize research linking the autophagy pathway to the NCLs to guide future work that further elucidates the contribution of altered autophagy to NCL pathology.
Bacterial Toxin and Effector Regulation of Intestinal Immune Signaling
Authors: Woida Patrick J. , Satchell Karla J. F.
Published: February 2022

The host immune response is highly effective to detect and clear infecting bacterial pathogens. Given the elaborate surveillance systems of the host, it is evident that in order to productively infect a host, the bacteria often coordinate virulence factors to fine-tune the host response during infection. These coordinated events can include either suppressing or activating the signaling pathways that control the immune response and thereby promote bacterial colonization and infection. This review will cover the surveillance and signaling systems for detection of bacteria in the intestine and a sample of the toxins and effectors that have been characterized that cirumvent these signaling pathways. These factors that promote infection and disease progression have also been redirected as tools or therapeutics. Thus, these toxins are enemies deployed to enhance infection, but can also be redeployed as allies to enable research and protect against infection.
Loss of Function of mtHsp70 Chaperone Variants Leads to Mitochondrial Dysfunction in Congenital Sideroblastic Anemia
Authors: Vishwanathan Vinaya , D’Silva Patrick
Published: February 2022

Congenital Sideroblastic Anemias (CSA) is a group of rare genetic disorders characterized by the abnormal accumulation of iron in erythrocyte precursors. A common hallmark underlying these pathological conditions is mitochondrial dysfunction due to altered protein homeostasis, heme biosynthesis, and oxidative phosphorylation. A clinical study on congenital sideroblastic anemia has identified mutations in mitochondrial Hsp70 (mtHsp70/Mortalin). Mitochondrial Hsp70 plays a critical role in maintaining mitochondrial function by regulating several pathways, including protein import and folding, and iron-sulfur cluster synthesis. Owing to the structural and functional homology between human and yeast mtHsp70, we have utilized the yeast system to delineate the role of mtHsp70 variants in the etiology of CSA’s. Analogous mutations in yeast mtHsp70 exhibited temperature-sensitive growth phenotypes under non-respiratory and respiratory conditions. In vivo analyses indicate a perturbation in mitochondrial mass and functionality accompanied by an alteration in the organelle network and cellular redox levels. Preliminary in vitro biochemical studies of mtHsp70 mutants suggest impaired import function, altered ATPase activity and substrate interaction. Together, our findings suggest the loss of chaperone activity to be a pivotal factor in the pathophysiology of congenital sideroblastic anemia.
Spectroscopy, Morphology, and Electrochemistry of Electrospun Polyamic Acid Nanofibers
Authors: Hamnca Siyabulela , Chamier Jessica , Grant Sheila , Glass Timothy , Iwuoha Emmanuel , Baker Priscilla
Published: February 2022

Polyamic acid (PAA) nanofibers produced by using the electrospinning method were fully characterized in terms of morphology and spectroscopy. A PAA nanofiber–modified screen-printed carbon electrode was applied to the detection of selected sulfonamides by following an electroanalytical protocol. The polyamic acid (PAA) nanofibers were characterized using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy to study the integrity of polyamic acid functional groups as nanofibers by comparing them to chemically synthesized polyamic acid. A scanning electron microscope (SEM) was used to confirm the morphology of the produced nanofibers and 3D arrangement at the electrode interface. The Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) method was used to determine the surface area of the nanofibers. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) was used to study the porosity and surface roughness of the nanofibers. Electrochemical evaluation based on diffusion-controlled kinetics was applied to determine the number of electrons transferred in the system, the surface concentration of the deposited PAA thin film (2.14 × 10−6 mol/cm2), and the diffusion coefficient (De) for the PAA nanofiber–modified screen-printed carbon electrode (9.43 × 10−7 cm−2/s). The reported LODs for sulfadiazine and sulfamethazine detection are consistent with requirements for trace-level monitoring by early warning diagnostic systems.
Equipping Coiled-Coil Peptide Dimers With Furan Warheads Reveals Novel Cross-Link Partners
Authors: Miret-Casals Laia , Van De Putte Sander , Aerssens Dorien , Diharce Julien , Bonnet Pascal , Madder Annemieke
Published: February 2022

Using a coiled-coil peptide dimer as a model system to explore furan reactivity, we describe novel cross-link partners of furan warheads for site-specific cross-linking. We demonstrate that replacement of weak interhelical ionic contacts with a furan moiety and its potential cross-link partner affords covalently connected coiled-coil motifs upon furan activation. We describe for the first time the reaction of the activated furan warhead with cysteine and tyrosine, besides the previously reported lysine, thus enhancing the versatility of the furan cross-link methodology by the possibility to target different amino acids. The present in vitro validation of “furan-armed” α-helices provides further grounds for exploiting furan technology in the development of furan-modified ligands/proteins to target proteins in a covalent way through various amino acid side chains.
Combustion Characteristics of Low Calorific Value Biogas and Reaction Path of NOx Based on Sensitivity Analysis
Authors: Zuo Zongliang , Qi Chuanjia , Ma Jinshuang , Sun Huiping , Luo Siyi , Ren Dongdong , Zhang Yifan , Guo Jianxiang , Cheng Zhanjun , Li Chang
Published: February 2022

The combustion mechanism of biogas mixture is unclear, which leads to the lack of basis for the control of operating parameters. Combustion characteristics and reaction path of typical low calorific value biogas with variation of preheating temperature and air equivalence ratio (Φ) are discussed in this paper. Preheating can not only improve the flame propagation speed and flame temperature, but also increase the proportion of NO in the product at the end of combustion flame. To some extent, improving combustion efficiency and NOx control are contradictory operating parameters. The amount of NO increases with the increase in flame distance. The maximum value of NO appears when Φ is 1.1. NO formation rate is improved by preheating the biogas. The paths of N2 → N2O →NO, N2 → NNH →NO, and N2 →NO are all enhanced. When the equivalence ratio changes from 1.0 to 0.8, NO formation rates decrease.
Degradation and Detection of Endocrine Disruptors by Laccase-Mimetic Polyoxometalates
Authors: Chen Kun , Liu Shengqiu , Zhang Qiongyu
Published: February 2022

Endocrine disruptors are newly identified water contaminants and immediately caught worldwide concern. An effort has been made to degrade endocrine disruptors in the water body by relying on laccase-assisted approaches, including laccase-mediated catalytic systems, immobilized laccase catalytic systems, and nano-catalytic systems based on atypical protein enzymes. Analogous to laccases, polyoxometalates (POMs) have a similar size as these enzymes. They are also capable of using oxygen as an electron acceptor, which could assist the removal of endocrine disruptors in water. This perspective begins with a brief introduction to endocrine disruptors and laccases, summarizes current approaches employing laccases, and focuses on the nano-catalytic systems that mimic the function of laccases. Among the inorganic nanoparticles, POMs meet the design requirements and are easy for large-scale production. The catalytic performance of POMs in water treatment is highlighted, and an example of using polyoxovanadates for endocrine disruptor degradation is given at the end of this perspective. Exploring laccase-mimetic POMs will give key insights into the degradation of emergent water contaminants.