bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
People in the News
Authors: Galloway Ann-Christe
Published: May 2020

Thomas R. CaswellAndrew HartJennifer L. MurrayDevin SavageK. T. VaughanCarrie CullenSamuel LemleyJoelle PittsKristen Weischedel
Fast Facts
Authors: Pattillo Gary
Published: May 2020

Academic library pandemic responsesContinuing digital divideLibrary employmentACT testHistorically Black Colleges and Universities
Crayfish population genetic studies: assessment and trends
Authors: Figiel Chester R.
Published: May 2020

I surveyed the peer-reviewed literature for studies on crayfish population genetics over the last 20 years (1996 to 2015). My objectives were to determine if there is research disparities based on crayfish conservation status, ecological group, geographic location, and genetic methods used. Additionally, I wished to determine overall trends in crayfish genetics related to population variability, systematics, and technique development. An extensive literature search yielded 201 peer-reviewed articles with genetic information published on 335 of the 590 crayfish species found worldwide. The majority of peer-reviewed articles took place in Europe and Australia/Oceania despite the fact that crayfish biodiversity is greatest in North America. Crayfish within each ecological group (primary burrowers, lotic inhabitants, lentic inhabitants, and stygobitic species) are represented in these published papers. I found published articles on ~ 57% of the estimated 590 extant species. Further, of the 173 species listed as critically endangered, endangered, vulnerable, or as near threatened by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, I found published research on ~ 62% of these species in these classifications thus indicating a knowledge gap for many imperiled species. This lack of basic genetic (and ecological) information is significant as species designation is often used to determine where we should focus our conservation actions. Understanding what constitutes a single interbreeding population and identifying taxonomic designations are priorities for defining conservation management plans.
Lo Schopenhauer “romantico” nella novella "Eva" del giovane Horkheimer
Authors: Zanghi Daniele
Published: May 2020

The purpose of the present paper is to clarify the different ways in which the young Max Horkheimer received Schopenhauer’s philosophy in his early writings Aus der Pubertät. The text analysis reveals that the young Horkheimer adopted during the 1914-1916 period a romantic perspective and a more illuministic one in the 1917-1918 period. This paper specifically focuses on a novel from the first period, Eva, from which it appears that Horkheimer subscribed to Schopenhauer’s doctrine of the aesthetical genius in an original way.
Apresentação - Dossiê O "Parmênides" de Platão
Authors: Silva José Lourenço Pereira da
Published: May 2020

Este trabalho não apresenta resumo.
O "Parménides" como diálogo aporético
Authors: Santos José Gabriel Trindade
Published: May 2020

O objetivo deste texto é evidenciar o papel desempenhado pela noção de “aporia” no Parménides de Platão. Depois de ter descrito alguns dos usos da noção nos diálogos platónicos, o texto concentra-se no Parménides, analisando: 1. O debate de Sócrates com Zenão; 2. O conjunto de objeções apresentadas por Parménides ao uso por Sócrates das noções de “separação” e “participação”, focadas em particular no “Argumento do Terceiro Homem”; 3. Algumas conclusões paradoxais resultantes das oito “Hipóteses sobre o Um”, na segunda parte do diálogo. Com o objetivo de sustentar a unidade da Obra, argumentando a favor do uso dos “resultados atingidos na II parte do diálogo para resolver os problemas levantados na I”, defendemos que o exercício de Parménides sobre o Um e os Outros propõe uma reformulação da dialética, denunciando a deficiência da prática atribuída a Zenão, de reduzir ao absurdo as consequências da hipótese “Se há muitos”. Em vez disso, o Eleata examina as consequências de “Se há Um”, mediante a relacionação do Um consigo próprio e com cada um dos Outros; depois dos Outros consigo próprios e com quaisquer outros, primeiro afirmando, depois negando, a hipótese.
Múltiplas coisas ou Coisas Múltiplas? - Dois sentidos para o Paradoxo de Zenão no "Parmênides" de Platão
Authors: Matoso Renato
Published: May 2020

Neste artigo, examino a duplicidade de sentidos que a tese pluralista “os seres são múltiplos” ou “se há múltiplos seres” (πολλά ἐστι τὰ ὄντα) comporta: pode significar uma multiplicade numérica, isto é: a tese de que há mais de uma coisa no mundo, assim como pode significar que uma mesma coisa possui mais de um atributo. Incialmente, argumento que Sócrates estava consciente desta ambiguidade, pois as duas compreensões de pluralismo representam perspectivas complementares de uma mesma posição filosófica. Segundo minha interpretação, o reconhecimento dessa ambiguidade permite melhor entender a crítica de Sócrates ao monismo eleático, sua defesa da Teoria das Ideias e sua distinção entre Formas transcendentes e propriedades imanentes. Estes dois sentidos de multiplicidade farão ainda parte da estratégia utilizada por Parmênides na sua contra-argumentação à solução socrática ao paradoxo de Zenão.
Uma reflexão sobre a temporalidade no "Parmênides" de Platão
Authors: Filho Gérson Pereira
Published: May 2020

A passagem 140e-141d do diálogo Parmênides nos remete a uma das conseqüências lógicas em relação ao “um”, isto é, estar fora do tempo, como parte da demonstração argumentativa do filósofo eleata ao admitir a primeira hipótese de que “o um é” e as conseqüências disso para si mesmo. Aceitar a existência do “um” implica, segundo o método de análise utilizado por Parmênides, verificar cada uma das hipóteses possíveis nesses casos, em relação às suas predicações, para si e para outras coisas. Igualmente, o mesmo exercício deve ser feito se a hipótese for oposta, “se o um não é”. Como podemos identificar na estrutura do diálogo nesta parte, duas hipóteses são levantadas em que “o um é” e suas nove consequências; no primeiro movimento (137c-142a), as possíveis predicações para este são negadas, e no segundo movimento (142b-155e) tais predicações e seus desdobramentos são reconhecidos. É a partir desse posicionamento que desenvolvemos nossa análise sobre a questão da temporalidade presente no diálogo e suas implicações metodológicas e teóricas.
A interpretação lógica do “Parmênides” de Platão no médio platonismo
Authors: Bonuglia Chiara
Published: May 2020

Neste artigo, mostrarei alguns argumentos que reforçam a ideia de que o Parmênides foi considerado um diálogo lógico durante o médio platonismo. Vou considerar o que alguns autores dizem, embora em diferentes épocas, sobre como o Parmênides de Platão foi lido. Meu objetivo é também mostrar que eles estiveram em um acordo geral: na verdade, dadas essas concordâncias, a probabilidade de que esta obra tenha sido classificada entre os diálogos lógicos se torna muito mais plausível. A principal fonte para estabelecer isso é representada por Proclo, que, em seu Comentário sobre o Parmênides de Platão, discute as tradições de interpretação relacionadas a este diálogo, propondo uma classificação na qual também está incluído o ‘modo lógico’. Com base na análise de algumas passagens do Didaskalikos de Alcino (cap. 6) e de algumas referências presentes na Vitae Philosophorum de Diógenes Laércio (III, 49), e com algumas indicações em Albino (Isagoge, III, 148, 19 e segs., VI, 151, 5-7), é possível supor com certo grau de verdade que o Parmênides, para alguns médios platonistas, em alguns aspectos, e mais geralmente para o médio platonismo, representava um ‘diálogo explicativo’ ou ‘diálogo expositivo’ (ὑφεγηματικός) que continha as indicações para aprender o método lógico, fornecendo ao mesmo tempo um exemplo de como se exercitar para aprendê-lo.
Plotino e o argumento do terceiro homem
Authors: Pitteloud Luca
Published: May 2020

This paper proposes to pose the question of a possible position of Plotinus with regard to the Argument of the Third Man (TMA): first, we will examine if it is possible to attribute to Plotinus a position as regards TMA such as it appears in the Parmenides, in particular with regard to the premise which affirms the self-predication (SP) of the Forms. Next, we will briefly consider how the question of the soul-body relationship can, to some extent, provide a better understanding of why Plotinus does not bother to give an explicit objection to TMA. Finally, we will analyze how the theory of two kinds of resemblance strikes a fatal blow to the spirit of TMA.
Marques ilustrando as imagens do "Sofista" de Platão
Authors: Mesti Diogo Noberto
Published: May 2020

O objetivo deste artigo é retomar a leitura de Marcelo Marques do conceito de imagem do Sofista de Platão, tendo como recorte o capítulo sobre a “Aporía” do livro Platão, pensador da diferença. Além de retomar essa leitura, pretende-se reconstruir as pontes sugeridas pelas epígrafes que o comentador retirou de Faulkner e de Guimarães Rosa para ilustrar o estatuto paradoxal das imagens, que são definidas no diálogo platônico como um tipo de ser que é, mas que não é aquilo que é. Com isso, pretende-se avaliar algumas imagens literárias utilizadas para falar de imagens na teoria filosófica de Platão.
A new late Carboniferous calamitacean sphenophyte from South Wales, United Kingdom
Authors: Cleal Cristopher J , Shute Cedric H
Published: May 2020

A new calamitacean sphenotype is described from the middle Westphalian coal-bearing strata of South Wales; Asterophyllites tayloriorum sp. nov. (leafy shoots) and Palaeostachya wagneri sp. nov. (cone-bearing shoots). Both the leafy shoots and cones are characterised by relatively small leaves/bracts in whorls of four. Although the leafy and cone-bearing shoots occur in close association, and were almost certainly parts of the same parent plant species, the case is made for assigning them to separate fossil-taxa
Pseudorhapydionininae of the Iberian Ranges (Cenomanian, Iberian Peninsula)
Authors: Consorti Lorenzo , Calonge Amelia , Caus Esmeralda
Published: May 2020

Pseudorhapydionina laurinensis, P. dubia, P. anglonensis and Pseudorhipidionina casertana (Subfamily Pseudorhapydionininae) from the Iberian Range are restudied. The age of the deposits containing these species is late Cenomanian. However, a small Pseudorhapydionina (named in this work as P. aff. laurinensis) occurs in the lower Cenomanian deposits suggesting that the origin of the group is in the earliest Cenomanian
Osteological identification criteria for Capra pyrenaica and Capra hircus validated with DNA
Authors: Galindo-Pellicena Mª Ángeles , Ureña Irene , Valdiosera Cristina , Arsuaga Juan Luis
Published: May 2020

The taxonomic identification of Capra hircus and Capra pyrenaica from bone remains is essential in order to be able to infer a prehistoric society’s subsistence strategy. Although osteometry is the criterion that is typically used to distinguish both of these species, Sarrión (1988) also defined morphological characteristics for distinguishing them. The objective of this work is to validate these morphological criteria with the genetic identification of ovicaprine bone remains from Palaeolithic and Neolithic levels of the Chaves site (Sierra de Guara, Huesca). The preliminary results indicate that the astragalus and calcaneus are more adequate for identifying Capra pyrenaica and Capra hircus and the discrimination criteria of mandibles and metacarpals are called into question
Early Paleogene agglutinated foraminifera from the Middle East (Egypt and Arabia) and their distribution in the Tethys
Authors: Anan Haidar Salim
Published: May 2020

Thirty-two small benthic foraminiferal species belonging to sixteen genera are originally described from the Paleogene rocks (mainly Paleocene and Eocene) from three countries of the Middle East: Egypt, Jordan and United Arab Emirates (UAE). Some of these species are also recorded in other localities of the Tethys, i.e. United States of America (USA), France, Hungary, Tunisia, Qatar, Yemen and Pakistan. Some of these taxa extend into younger stratigraphic horizons than the Paleogene. The palaeontology, stratigraphy, palaeoenvironment and palaeogeography of these species in the Middle East and other Tethyan localities are presented
Education policy as an element of “soft power” in Great Brittan
Authors: Petrovich-Belkin Oleg Konstantinovich , Sergevtseva Alina Spartakovna , Goretskaya Vera Vadimovna
Published: May 2020

Usage of “soft power” as a foreign policy resource is currently present in majority of countries, but the effectiveness and response from the soft power strategy among leading countries is much higher than that of emerging centers of power. This article presents the analysis of the transition from “hard power” to “soft power”, examining the most competitive area – education policy, which represents the key vector of humanitarian diplomacy on advancement of national interests. In addition to assessment of the British education potential, the article also demonstrates how Brittan’s policy affects the foreign policy and country’s position in the port, defines the potential of influence upon other countries in the context attractiveness of British national culture and values, as well as sets the global trends for education policy. In the course of daily research of the resource of “soft power”, the research employs the data on measurement of “hard-soft power”, ratings of assessment of the index of “soft power” (The Soft Power 30), QS World University Ranking; utilizes the data on the number of foreign students in UK; conducts comparative analysis of the changes in the UK education policy in the conditions of Brexit. The relevance of this research is defined by the heightened interest towards soft-power component, which allows to not only be more flexible in the approach towards advancement of national interests, but also contributes to influence of other countries in the context of “soft power”.
Enhancing flavonoid production by promiscuous activity of prenyltransferase, BrPT2 from Boesenbergia rotunda
Authors: Liew Yvonne Jing Mei , Lee Yean Kee , Khalid Norzulaani , Rahman Noorsaadah Abd , Tan Boon Chin
Published: May 2020

Flavonoids and prenylated flavonoids are active components in medicinal plant extracts which exhibit beneficial effects on human health. Prenylated flavonoids consist of a flavonoid core with a prenyl group attached to it. This prenylation process is catalyzed by prenyltranferases (PTs). At present, only a few flavonoid-related PT genes have been identified. In this study, we aimed to investigate the roles of PT in flavonoid production. We isolated a putative PT gene (designated as BrPT2) from a medicinal ginger, Boesenbergia rotunda. The deduced protein sequence shared highest gene sequence homology (81%) with the predicted homogentisate phytyltransferase 2 chloroplastic isoform X1 from Musa acuminata subsp. Malaccensis. We then cloned the BrPT2 into pRI vector and expressed in B. rotunda cell suspension cultures via Agrobacterium-mediated transformation. The BrPT2-expressing cells were fed with substrate, pinostrobin chalcone, and their products were analyzed by liquid chromatography mass spectrometry. We found that the amount of flavonoids, namely alpinetin, pinostrobin, naringenin and pinocembrin, in BrPT2-expressing cells was higher than those obtained from the wild type cells. However, we were unable to detect any targeted prenylated flavonoids. Further in-vitro assay revealed that the reaction containing the BrPT2 protein produced the highest accumulation of pinostrobin from the substrate pinostrobin chalcone compared to the reaction without BrPT2 protein, suggesting that BrPT2 was able to accelerate the enzymatic reaction. The finding of this study implied that the isolated BrPT2 may not be involved in the prenylation of pinostrobin chalcone but resulted in high yield and production of other flavonoids, which is likely related to enzyme promiscuous activities.
Modelo analítico de governança regional de turismo - MAGRET
Authors: Conceição Cálidon Costa
Published: May 2020

No Brasil a estrutura institucional relacionada as organizações contemporâneas que envolvem o cenário das políticas públicas de turismo, atua deliberadamente sobre o formato de instâncias de governanças regionais de turismo a partir de 2004 com o advento do Programa de Regionalização do Turismo (PRT) até os dias atuais. Neste sentido o presente estudo tem como objetivo apresentar o Modelo Analítico de Governanças Regionais de Turismo - MAGRET, que permita compreender as inter-relações dos seus atores nas múltiplas escalas dos poderes público, privado e do terceiro setor. O modelo foi aplicado em três regiões turísticas Brasileiras, a Costa Verde e Mar – SC, Região das Hortênsias – RS, e Polo Costa das Dunas – RN. Esses procedimentos perpassaram por etapas de natureza qualitativa e quantitativa, com qualificações exploratórias e explicativas, envolveram a pesquisa bibliográfica, documental e internet (base de dados). As análises utilizaram 14 categorias e 4 dimensões analíticas. As informações foram obtidas junto aos membros efetivos das governanças regionais, assim como dos documentos oficiais tais como (lei/decreto, regimento e estatuto). As análises ocorreram com aplicação do modelo analítico construído com auxílio das categorias e dimensões analíticas. O modelo foi aplicado através do uso da espiral de análise construída para compreender a gestão das governanças regionais. Os resultados foram classificados como efetivas e não efetivas. As efetivas são consideradas consolidadas, tendo o cuidado de mantê-las de forma equilibrada. As não efetivas, devendo ser aprimoradas, utilizando sempre a base das dimensões que apontaram quais as categorias necessitam de maior atenção.
Fatores que influenciam a participação dos consumidores no Turismo Eletrônico
Authors: Santos Fernanda dos , Lunardi Guilherme Lerch , Maia Cláudia Rodrigues , Añaña Edar da Silva
Published: May 2020

Os recentes avanços nas Tecnologias da Informação e Comunicação (TIC) transformaram a indústria do turismo num setor essencial do comércio eletrônico. Nesse contexto, muitas empresas têm procurado entender os principais motivos que levam os consumidores a participar do turismo eletrônico (e-turismo). Assim, objetivou-se nesta pesquisa analisar diferentes fatores que influenciam a participação dos consumidores no e-turismo, seja escolhendo um site, recomendando-o ou comprando produtos turísticos. O estudo se caracteriza como uma pesquisa survey, aplicada a uma amostra de 251 membros de grupos de turismo da Internet, cujo modelo proposto foi testado através da técnica de modelagem de equações estruturais. Os resultados apontaram como preditores da participação dos usuários no e-turismo, a satisfação com experiências prévias e a qualidade dos produtos turísticos, sendo estes os aspectos que mais influenciam a intenção de comprar e recomendar o site. A satisfação com experiências prévias destaca-se como o principal preditor em ambas as situações. As descobertas aqui obtidas aprofundam a compreensão acerca das atitudes do consumidor de serviços de turismo online, servindo de referência para gestores e pesquisadores interessados nesta temática
Fatores que afetam o apoio dos residentes ao desenvolvimento do turismo em áreas naturais protegidas
Authors: Medeiros Carla Stefânia , Nascimento Marcos Antônio Leite do , Marques Junior Sérgio
Published: May 2020

O objetivo deste artigo é analisar os fatores capazes de influenciar o apoio dos residentes ao desenvolvimento do turismo em Unidade de Conservação (UC) da Natureza. Para tanto, foi desenvolvido um estudo hipotético-dedutivo, de natureza descritiva, com abordagem analítica quantitativa do tipo Survey. A amostra utilizada foi composta de 180 respondentes residentes na localidade de Natal/RN que se encontravam em visita a unidade estadual Parque das Dunas. Esta amostra foi coletada de maneira não probabilística por conveniência e utilizando-se a sistematização como critério de seleção dos respondentes. Os dados coletados foram analisados por meio da técnica de Modelagem de Equações Estruturais (MEE) para a verificação dos inter-relacionamentos entre constructos, baseando-se no modelo de verificação das intenções comportamentais proposto por Chen e Tsai (2007). Os resultados encontrados sugerem que a qualidade do local é o atributo que possui o maior impacto na explicação do apoio ao desenvolvimento do turismo em UC da natureza e observou-se também que o constructo Valor apresenta interações significativas com os demais constructos analisados, influenciando de maneira direta o apoio. Desta forma, como contribuição, esta pesquisa, possibilitou reforçar a compreensão de que quando há percepção do valor socioambiental os indivíduos estão mais propensos ao apoio ao desenvolvimento do turismo.
Land Use Influence on Some Soil Physical and Chemical Properties of an Alfisol at Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria
Authors: Onemayin J. J. , Olayiwola V. A. , Abiodun F. O. , Musa F. B. , Idris R. S.
Published: May 2020

Land use is characterized by the arrangements, activities and inputs people undertake in a certain land cover type to produce, change or maintain it. Changes in land use cover also have a drastic effect on chemical and biological properties of soil and hence change the quality of the soil. A study was conducted to examine the effect of land use types on soil physical and chemical properties within an Alfisol in the arboretum of Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria (FRIN). Soil samples were collected at two soil depths (0-15cm and 15-30 cm soil depths) under these plantations: Nauclea diderrichii (NP), Gmelina arborea (GP), Terminalia superba (TP), Arable crop land (AC) and a Fallowed Land (FL) and were analysed for some selected soil physical and chemical properties. The experiment was a completely randomize design (CRD) with six replications. Data collected was subjected to Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and means were separated using Duncan Multiple Range Test (DMRT). Results revealed that higher content of clay was recorded in 0 to 15 cm depth of both GP (15.00%) and FL (15.00%) plantation lands whereas higher clay content was recorded at 15 to 30 cm depth in Arable crop land (23.00%) and Nauclea plantation land (21.00%). Higher total nitrogen (TN) was observed in FL (1.44%)  while  TN availability decreases in the order AC>GP>NP>TP. Higher values of soil Organic Carbon (16.74%), Available phosphorus (2.15 Cmol/kg)  and Organic matter (28.86%) were obtained under FL as compared to the other land use fields at 0 to 15 cm depth. Bulk density and porosity were highly variable among different land use types and ranged from (1.039 - 1.415) g cm−3 and (17.99 - 48.87)%. The information generated from the present study suggested fallowed land use as the best land use system because of its higher soil organic matter management, as it improves the soil structure and this will assist in developing sustainable and ecologically stable land use management strategies for the study area.
TiO2 Nanoparticles Enhancing Germination, Growth and Yield of Rice
Authors: Debnath Keya , Das Aparajita , Das Bimal , Karfoma J.
Published: May 2020

Background: Titanium dioxide (TiO2) NPs are used in agriculture to increase seeds germination and seedlings growth and can improve yield by approximately 30%. The present experimental investigation demonstrated the effect of nanoparticles (NPs) Anatase - TiO2 (<100 nm size) on germination, seedling growth and yield attributing traits of rice.

Methods: Rice seeds were treated with six concentrations (0, 10, 20, 50, 80 and 100 ppm) of nanoTiO2 and placed in Petri plates. Some amount was sown in the field following Randomized Block Design (RBD) with three replications for each treatment.

Results: Application of TiO2 NPs significantly enhanced germination, seedling growth and yield traits for most of the concentrations as compared to the control. About 85% significant improvement of seed germination occurred by 20 ppm of TiO2 NPs. The results of TiO2 treated samples were higher in almost all the growth parameters, but the treatment was highly effective for 20 ppm followed by 50 ppm for grain yield. The response to nano-treatment on seed germination along with yield traits suggested the optimum TiO2 dose limit on these characters on rice.
Relationship between Students’ Achievement in Essay and Practical Tests on Biology in Nsukka Education Zone
Authors: Adonu Ifeanyi I. , Obiora Ekene H.
Published: May 2020

This study investigated the relationship between students’ achievement in practical and essaytests on biology. Two research questions were formulated- (i) what is the difference in the mean score of students in practical and essay tests in mock biology examinations? (ii) what is the measure of relationship (correlation coefficient) of students’ achievement in practical and essay aspects of biology tests? The research was conducted among public secondary schools in Nsukka Education Zone of Enugu State with a sampled population of 560 biology students (321 males and 239 females) from randomly sampled schools from the three local government areas in the zone.The Correlation survey research design was adopted for this study and the instrument of data collection were the results of the 2018 students’ mock practical and theoretical tests on biology from the sampled schools.The data collected were analysed using Descriptive statistics (mean and standard deviation) for research question 1, while the Pearson Product-Moment Correlation Coefficient analysis was used for research question 2. The findings of the study revealed that a weak positive association existed between the students’ achievementin practical and essay biology tests. So, the achievement in one aspect does not in any way influence the achievement in the other. The study thus recommends that: (1) teachers should have good mastery and evaluation techniques of all components of biology so that students would approach them with equal ability; (2) parents should encourage the students to develop interest and ability in the different components of biology; and (3) government should provide and equip biology laboratories to ensure students’ utilization of same.
A Cross-sectional Assessment of Quality of Life among Pharmacy Academics
Authors: Iqbal Muhammad Shahid , Al-Saikhan Fahad I. , Iqbal Muhammad Zahid
Published: May 2020

Introduction:  These days, living a good quality life has become a luxury rather than a necessity and investigating the quality of life (QoL) across teaching professionals seems to be beneficial. This study aimed to determine the association between demographic and socioeconomic variables and the QoL among pharmacy academics.

Methods: Stratified random sampling was applied to collect data using a pre-validated and self-administered questionnaire the Duke Health Profile (DHP). Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) ver. 22.0 was used to analyze the descriptive and inferential data.

Results: One hundred and fifty-five pharmacy academics were included in this study where majority 98 (63.2%) were males and 57 (36.8%) were females. The majority 74.2% weremarried and 68.4% were having more than 5 years of teaching experience. A total of 123 ofthe pharmacy academics were more than 35 years old which accounted for 79.4% of the respondents. Various determinants like age, residence, gender, administrative position, marital status,             monthly income, and teaching experience are the main factors affecting QoL among pharmacy academics.

Conclusion: From the present study it could be concluded that QoL among pharmacy academics was significantly influenced by numerous socio-economic and demographic determinants.
Association between extremely long working hours and musculoskeletal symptoms: A nationwide survey of medical residents in South Korea
Authors: Sung Hyoju , Kim Ja Young , Kim Ji-Hwan , Punnett Laura , Lee Hyemin , Kim Seung-Sup
Published: May 2020

Objectives

It has been reported that South Korea ranked as one of the longest-working nations among OECD countries. This study sought to examine the association between long working hours and musculoskeletal pain among Korean medical residents.

Methods

We analyzed a cross-sectional survey of 1,077 medical residents in South Korea. Working hours per week were categorized as follows: <60, 60-79, 80-99, and ≥100. Musculoskeletal pains (ie, upper limb, lower limb, and low back pain) over the past 3 months were categorized into three groups: no pain, pain without interfering with work, and pain interfering with work. Multinomial logistic regression was used to examine the association between long working hours and musculoskeletal pains after adjusting for covariates.

Results

We found that the average working hours of medical resident was 85.6 hours per week in South Korea. Compared to the medical residents working <60 hours, those working ≥100 hours per week were more likely to have upper limb pain (PR: 1.77, 95% CI: 1.37, 2.30) interfering with work or low back pain (PR: 2.15, 95% CI: 1.51, 3.06) interfering with work, whereas no statistically significant association was observed in the analysis of lower limb pain.

Conclusions

This study suggests that extremely long working hours are associated with upper limb and low back pain interfering with their work among Korean medical residents.
The impact of extended half‐life factor concentrates on prophylaxis for severe hemophilia in the United States
Authors: Malec Lynn M. , Cheng Dunlei , Witmer Char M. , Jaffray Julie , Kouides Peter A. , Haley Kristina M. , Sidonio Robert F. , Johnson Kelsey , Recht Michael , White Gilbert , Croteau Stacy E. , Ragni Margaret V.
Published: May 2020

With licensure of extended half‐life (EHL) factor products and the changing landscape of available hemophilia products, patients and providers have options for less treatment‐intense prophylaxis. The impact of these products in clinical practice to date remains understudied.

We aimed to quantify the use of EHL products in prophylaxis in the US using the ATHN‐dataset, a database of 145 ATHN‐affiliated hemophilia treatment centers (HTCs). Further, we aimed to quantify the impact of EHL on key hemophilia indicators including annualized bleed rates (ABRs), hemophilia joint health scores (HJHS) and quality of life (QOL) metrics. The use of EHL vs standard half‐life (SHL) products in severe hemophilia was compared between June 2018 and March 2019 using the ATHN‐dataset. A cohort of patients was also recruited from seven participating HTCs in order to compare ABR, HJHS and QOL between product classes.

By March 2019 the number of individuals with severe Hemophilia A (SHA) receiving EHLs remained relatively stable (28.4%), whereas the number of prescribed non‐factor products increased to 7.1%, with a diminishing majority of patients (64.0%) continuing to receive SHLs. The majority of patients with severe hemophilia B (SHB) received treatment with EHLs including 57.5% by March 2019. There was a trend toward lower ABR with use of EHLs in SHA and SHB, although this did not result in improved HJHS nor QOL.

EHL use in the United States in severe hemophilia continues to increase, although at a slower rate in SHA with the availability of non‐factor therapy. The impact of the EHL therapies in clinical practice should continue to be examined prospectively.
Biosynthesis of vitamin B12 by Propionibacterium freudenreichii subsp. shermanii ATCC 13673 using liquid acid protein residue of soybean as culture medium
Authors: Assis Dener Acosta de , Matte Carla , Aschidamini Bruno , Rodrigues Eliseu , Záchia Ayub Marco Antônio
Published: May 2020

Vitamin B12 deficiency still persists, mainly caused by low intake of animal food products affecting vegetarians, vegans, and populations of underdeveloped countries. In this study, we investigate the biosynthesis of vitamin B12 by potential probiotic bacterium using an agroindustry residue, the liquid acid protein residue of soybean (LAPRS), as a low‐cost, animal derivate‐free alternative culture medium. Cultures of Propionibacterium freudenreichii subsp. shermanii ATCC 13673 growing in LAPRS for vitamin B12 biosynthesis were studied using the Plackett–Burman experimental approach, followed by a central composite design 22 to optimize the concentration of significant variables. We also performed a proteolytic treatment of LAPRS and evaluated the optimized–hydrolyzed medium influence on the microbial growth and metabolism in shaker flask and bioreactor experiments. In this all‐plant source medium, P. freudenreichii subsp. shermanii produced high concentrations of cells and high amounts of vitamin B12 (0.6 mg/g cells) after process optimization. These results suggest the possibility of producing vitamin B12 by a potential probiotic bacterium in a very cheap, animal derivate‐free medium to address the needs of specific population groups, at the same time reducing the production costs of this essential vitamin.
Design, Synthesis and Bioevaluation of Two Series of 3‐[(1‐Benzyl‐1H‐1,2,3‐triazol‐4‐yl)methyl]quinazolin‐4(3H)‐ones and N‐(1‐Benzylpiperidin‐4‐yl)quinazolin‐4‐amines
Authors: Lan Ta Thu , Anh Duong Tien , Pham‐The Hai , Dung Do Thi Mai , Park Eun Jae , Jang Sun Dong , Kwon Joo Hee , Kang Jong Soon , Thuan Nguyen Thi , Han Sang‐Bae , Nam Nguyen‐Hai
Published: May 2020

Two series of 3‐[(1‐benzyl‐1H‐1,2,3‐triazol‐4‐yl)methyl]quinazolin‐4(3H)‐ones and N‐(1‐benzylpiperidin‐4‐yl)quinazolin‐4‐amines were designed initially as potential acetylcholine esterase inhibitors. Biological evaluation demonstrated that N‐(1‐benzylpiperidin‐4‐yl)quinazolin‐4‐amines significantly inhibited AChE activity. Especially, two compounds of them were found to be the most potent with relative AChE inhibition percentages of 87 % in comparison to donepezil. The docking studies with AChE showed similar interactions between donepezil and four derivatives. N‐(1‐Benzylpiperidin‐4‐yl)quinazolin‐4‐amines also exhibited significant DPPH scavenging effects. The two series of compound also exerted moderate to good cytotoxicity against three human cancer cell lines, including SW620 (human colon cancer), PC‐3 (prostate cancer), and NCI−H23 (lung cancer), with 3‐[(1‐benzyl‐1H‐1,2,3‐triazol‐4‐yl)methyl]quinazolin‐4(3H)‐one being the most cytotoxic agent. 3‐[(1‐Benzyl‐1H‐1,2,3‐triazol‐4‐yl)methyl]quinazolin‐4(3H)‐one significantly induced early apoptosis and arrested the SW620 cells at G2/M phase. From this study, two compounds of N‐(1‐benzylpiperidin‐4‐yl)quinazolin‐4‐amines could serve as new leads for further design and AChE inhibitors, while 3‐[(1‐benzyl‐1H‐1,2,3‐triazol‐4‐yl)methyl]quinazolin‐4(3H)‐one could serve as a new lead for the design and development of more potent anticancer agents.
The roles of SHANK1 in the development of colon cancer
Authors: Wang Lei , Lv Ying , Liu Guoqin
Published: May 2020

SH3 and multiple ankyrin repeat domains protein 1 (SHANK1) belongs to a family of postsynaptic scaffolding proteins. In this study, we found that SHANK1 was abnormally high expressed in colon cancer tissues compared to normal tissues. Colon cancer patients with low SHANK1 expression had better prognosis. Furthermore, the expression of SHANK1 was knocked down in human colon cancer cell lines HCT116 and HT29 and the role of SHANK1 was investigated in colon cancer tumorigenesis. Our results showed that the knockdown of SHANK1 inhibited the survival and proliferation of both cells. The migration of these two cell lines was significantly reduced and the apoptosis was induced compared with control cells. The Bax/Bcl‐2 ratio in both cell lines that SHANK1 was knocked down was increased, which is a signal that the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway was triggered. In addition, we observed that knockdown of SHANK1 reduced the expression of phosphorylated forms of AKT and mTOR. These data suggested that loss of SHANK1 inhibited viability and induced apoptosis of HCT116 and HT29 cells through the AKT/mTOR signaling pathway. Our data revealed that SHANK1 played important roles in the growth of colon cancer cells and may be used as a novel strategy for colon cancer therapy.

Significance of the study

Herein, we reported that SHANK1 was abnormally high expressed in colon cancer tissues and associated with worse prognosis of patients. In addition, knockdown of SHANK1 inhibited viability and induced apoptosis in colon cancer cell lines through AKT/mTOR signaling pathways. These data suggest that SHANK1 may be a new oncogene in colon cancer. This study reveals the role of SHANK1 in addition to neuronal development and cognitive development. And it provides a new potential target for the prediction and treatment of colon cancer.
Bidentate N‐based Ligands for Highly Reusable, Ligand‐coordinated, Supported Pt Hydrosilylation Catalysts
Authors: Chen Linxiao , Ali Iyad S. , Tait Steven L.
Published: May 2020

A significant challenge in designing supported metal‐ligand catalysts for solution‐phase reactions is the stabilization of the metal active sites against leaching into solution. Here, we examine alkene hydrosilylation reactions as model systems to improve the stability of highly dispersed Pt using a metal‐ligand coordination strategy on high surface area oxide supports. By evaluating a series of bidentate N‐based ligands, we demonstrate several design strategies to improve stability of the highly dispersed Pt2+ centers against leaching, while maintaining a high level of catalytic activity, selectivity, and recyclability for alkene hydrosilylation batch reactions under mild conditions. These involve a bi‐functional approach to ligand design, which considers interaction to the support and a well‐defined coordination environment for the metal active site. Three strategies are reported: modifying ligands for stronger interaction with oxide surfaces, mixing ligands, and pre‐depositing an “anchoring ligand” to the support before loading the metal‐ligand catalyst. Each of these is successful in enhancing Pt recyclability. Particularly, two Pt‐phenanthroline catalysts exhibit excellent reusability for multiple batch reaction cycles, due to high stability of the active Pt species. Addressing the active site leaching problem significantly enhances the utility of ligand‐coordinated supported metal catalysts as highly stable and selective catalysts for solution‐phase reactions.
Chronic Inhibition of CYP3A is Temporarily Reduced by Each Hemodialysis Session in Patients With End‐Stage Renal Disease
Authors: Egeland Erlend Johannessen , Witczak Bartlomiej J. , Zaré Hasse Khiabani , Christensen Hege , Åsberg Anders , Robertsen Ida
Published: May 2020

Drug dosing is challenging in patients with end‐stage renal disease. Not only is renal drug elimination reduced, but nonrenal clearance pathways are also altered. Increasing evidence suggest that uremia impacts drug metabolizing enzymes and transporters leading to changes in nonrenal clearance. However, the exact mechanisms are not yet fully understood, and the acute effects of dialysis are inadequately investigated. We prospectively phenotyped cytochrome P450 3A (CYP3A; midazolam) and P‐glycoprotein (P‐gp)/organic anion‐transporting proteins (OATP; fexofenadine) in 12 patients on chronic intermittent hemodialysis; a day after (“clean”) and a day prior to (“dirty”) dialysis. Unbound midazolam clearance decreased with time after dialysis; median (range) reduction of 14% (−3% to 41%) from “clean” to “dirty” day (P = 0.001). Fexofenadine clearance was not affected by time after dialysis (P = 0.68). In conclusion, changes in uremic milieu between dialysis sessions induce a small, direct inhibitory effect on CYP3A activity, but do not alter P‐gp/OATP activity.
Tall willow thickets return to northern Yellowstone
Authors: Painter Luke E. , Tercek Michael T.
Published: May 2020

Northern Yellowstone National Park provides an example of passive restoration, as wetlands and riparian areas there lost most tall willows in the 20th century, due to intensive herbivory by elk (Cervus canadensis). Following large carnivore restoration in the late 1990s, elk numbers decreased, and some researchers reported willows growing taller with reductions in browsing, evidence of a shift toward willow recovery. Others questioned the extent and significance of these changes. To investigate how willow heights have changed in northern Yellowstone since the 1990s, and to assess the importance of browsing as a driver of willow height and canopy cover, we compared data from three time periods: 1988 to 1993 when elk densities were high and most willows very short, 2001 to 2004 when willows may have begun to recover, and 2016 to 2018. We found a strong contrast between sites along streams, compared to wet meadows (meadow sites). Willows in meadow sites did not increase in height, but willows in stream sites increased significantly, exceeding 200 cm mean height in summer by 2001–2004, and in spring by 2016, a height indicative of recovery. Where height did not increase, this was due to loss of annual growth to herbivory. Overall willow height distribution changed from mostly short to become clearly bimodal, with a new peak around 300–400 cm. Bison increased, and in some sites where bison congregate willows remained suppressed at heights below 120 cm, a condition strongly correlated with summer browsing. We also located and measured willow thickets (groups of 5 of more willows >200 cm spring height and <2 m apart) along streams in the study area. We found willow thickets in all stream reaches surveyed, a significant change from past conditions. Thickets occupied >80% of willow patches in some sites, but as little as 22% in others. Tall willow thickets are an important habitat feature and an indicator of willow recovery. Our results demonstrate that the reduction of elk herbivory over the last two decades in northern Yellowstone has allowed willows to grow taller in many places, despite a warming and drying climate, while increased herbivory by bison continues to suppress willows in some locations.
Expanded clinical‐grade membrane‐bound IL‐21/4‐1BBL NK cell products exhibit activity against acute myeloid leukemia in vivo
Authors: Zhao Xiang‐Yu , Jiang Qian , Jiang Hao , Hu Li‐Juan , Zhao Ting , Yu Xing‐Xing , Huang Xiao‐Jun
Published: May 2020

Background

Adoptive NK cell infusion is a promising immunotherapy for acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients. The aim of this study was to test the activity of clinical‐grade membrane‐bound IL‐21/4‐1BBL‐expanded NK cell products against AML in vivo.

Methods

Fresh peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were incubated with equal numbers of irradiated membrane‐bound IL‐21/4‐1BBL‐expressing K562 cells for 2–3 weeks to induce clinical‐grade NK cell expansion.

Results

Expansion for 2 and 3 weeks produced ∼4 and 8 × 109 NK cells from 2 × 107 PBMCs. The production of CD107a and TNF‐α in NK cell products in response to AML cell lines and primary blasts was higher than that observed in resting NK cells. The 2‐week expanded NK cell products were xenografted into immunodeficient mice with leukemia and were persistently found in the BM, spleen, liver, lung, and peripheral blood for at least 13 days; furthermore, these expanded products reduced the AML burden in vivo. Compared with matched AML patients with persistent or relapsed minimal residual disease (MRD+) who underwent regular consolidation therapy, MRD+ patients who underwent NK treatment had better overall survival and showed no major adverse events.

Conclusions

Clinical‐grade mbIL‐21/4‐1BBL‐expanded NK cells exhibited antileukemic activity against AML in vitro and in vivo.
Ruthenium N‐Heterocyclic Carbene Complexes for Chemoselective Reduction of Imines and Reductive Amination of Aldehydes and Ketones
Authors: Kathuria Lakshay , Samuelson Ashoka G.
Published: May 2020

Chemoselective reduction of imines to secondary amines is catalyzed efficiently by tethered and untethered, half‐sandwich ruthenium N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC) complexes at room temperature. The untethered Ru‐NHC complexes are more efficient as catalysts for the reduction of aldimines and ketimines than the tethered complexes. Using the best untethered complex as a catalyst, electronic and steric demands on the reaction was probed using a series of imines. Chemoselectivity of the catalyst towards imine reduction was tested by performing inter and intramolecular competitive reactions in a variety of ways. The catalyst exhibits a very high TON and TOF under anaerobic conditions.
Dietary Supplementation of Tetracarpidium conophorum (African Walnut) Seed Enhances Muscle n‐3 Fatty Acids in Broiler Chickens
Authors: Adeyemi Kazeem D. , Abdulrahman Abdulraheem , Ibrahim Sulyman O. , Zubair Marili F. , Atolani Olubunmi , Badmos Abdulhammed A.
Published: May 2020

The influence of dietary Tetracarpidium conophorum (African Walnut) seed meal (TCSM) on fatty acids, productivity parameters, and physicochemical properties of breast and thigh muscles in broiler chickens are assessed. A total of 180, 28‐d‐old Arbor acre broiler chickens are randomly assigned to dietary treatments containing 0% (control), 2.5%, and 5% w/w TCSM, fed for 28 d, and euthanized. Dietary TCSM reduces (p < 0.05) feed intake, body weight gain (BWG), carcass weight, and abdominal fat. Diet does not affect feed efficiency and hematological parameters. The control birds have higher (p < 0.05) serum total cholesterol and triglycerides than do the supplemented birds. Diet has no effect on pH, water holding capacity, carbonyl and malondialdehyde contents, and organoleptic properties of breast and thigh muscles. The 5% TCSM has higher redness in breast muscle than do other treatments. Dietary TCSM improves (p < 0.05) the concentration of C18:3n‐3 (4.80–8.76% vs 1.56%), C20:5n‐3 (0.54–0.79% vs 0.39%), C22:5n‐3 (0.64–0.89% vs 0.18%), and C22:6n‐3 (0.75–0.97% vs 0.19%), and reduces (p <  0.05) the fat content (2.15–2.45% vs 3.15%) in breast and thigh muscles. Dietary TCSM enhances muscle n‐3 fatty acids without instigating oxidative deterioration, but reduces BWG in broiler chickens.

Practical Application: Albeit that broiler meat is rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), its omega 6 (n‐6)/omega 3 (n‐3) is >4. Elevated n‐6/n‐3 could have adverse effect on human physiology thereby promoting the pathogenesis of certain diseases. This heightens the need to enhance the n‐3 PUFA content of broiler meat. Dietary TCSM induced up to a fourfold increase in n‐3 PUFA content of the breast and thigh muscles in broiler chickens. Moreover, dietary TCSM induced up to a tenfold decrease in the n‐6/n‐3 of the breast and thigh muscles in broiler chickens. This finding assumes great significance because the health concerns regarding dietary fat are the foremost factors responsible for the bad image suffered by meat. These results provide insights on the potential of TCSM to improve the nutritional quality without compromising the oxidative shelf life, organoleptic traits, and physicochemical properties of broiler meat.
Electrophoretic measurement of water charge density and ion hydration
Authors: Barger James P. , Dillon Patrick F.
Published: May 2020

Water exchange between bulk water and water‐ion complexes will be at equilibrium when the charge density of the complex surface equals the charge density of bulk water, producing a constant radius water‐ion complex. This complex will migrate in an electric field at a velocity proportional to the complex radius. CE velocity is the sum of the complex charge‐dependent velocity and the buffer electro‐osmotic flow. Simultaneous use of both a base (1.07 mM imidazole) and an acid (1.5 mM MOPS) buffer negates EOF at pH 7.4. Electric fields below 300 V/cm (potassium, calcium) and 400 V/cm (magnesium) yield migration velocities with no dehydration of the water‐ion complexes. The number of waters per complex increase with the ion charge density: K+ 1.90, Ca++ 5.90, Mg++ 6.59 waters/ion. The charge densities of the complexes are similar: K+ 1.24, Ca++ 1.43, Mg++ 1.21 e/nm2, for an average bulk water charge density of 1.29 ± 0.11 (SD) e/nm2. The addition of 0.1% Triton increases the number of waters for Mg++ to 25.33 and lowers the charge density to 0.497 e/nm2. High electric field dehydration shows that calcium will be fully dehydrated at 638.3 V/cm and magnesium fully dehydrated at 925.5 V/cm, which occur at 6.15 and 5.78 nm from the membrane. Dehydrated magnesium will then bind to calcium channels leading to decreased smooth muscle activation.