bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Digital Free Tourism (DFT) o desconectar para volver a conectar: una oportunidad económica y turística
Authors: Arenas-Escaso Juan Francisco , Folgado-Fernández José A. , Palos-Sánchez Pedro R.
Published: July 2022

Introducción/objetivo: La industria del sector turístico está diseñando productos y servicios para aquellos usuarios que, conscientemente, deseen reducir o renunciar a la tecnología durante sus viajes y puedan convertirlo en realidad. Esto ha provocado la aparición de una nueva tendencia denominada Digital Free Tourism (DFT) o turismo de desconexión digital, concebido como una mejora de las propias relaciones, la vida social y el bienestar del turista. El principal objetivo de esta investigación es dar a conocer una vía investigadora para el mundo académico y proporcionar un análisis centrado en la oferta DFT en el mercado español por ser uno de los países con más turistas internacionales a nivel mundial. Metodología: Se emplea una metodología de búsquedas de contenidos en bases de datos bibliográficas. Resultados: Los resultados y hallazgos encontrados son limitados y apenas existen conexiones en destinos que reúnen elementos DFT, lo que puede suponer un nicho de mercado emergente y la oportunidad económica de generar una red de servicios turísticos DFT. Conclusiones: Las implicaciones de este trabajo pueden resultar útiles para los gestores y administradores del sector turístico para la generación de sinergias y alianzas estratégicas y ser un prólogo para nuevos estudios y líneas de investigación.
A Review on the Recent Breakthrough Methods and Influential Parameters in the Biodiesel Synthesis and Purification
Authors: Silviana S. , Anggoro Didi Dwi , Hadiyanto H. , Salsabila Cantika Aulia , Aprilio Kevin , Utami Anisa Widia , Sa'adah Afriza Ni'matus , Dalanta Febio
Published: July 2022

Biodiesel has recently received much attention as an energy source with numerous benefits such as high degradability, negligible toxicity, and minimal emissions of carbon monoxide gases as well as particulates. Therefore, this research aims to compare, review, and summarize the conventional and advanced methods of biodiesel production. Currently, some emerging processes that were developed for advanced biodiesel production include microwave-assisted synthesis, ultrasonic-assisted synthesis, supercritical transesterification, and liquid phase plasma discharge technology. The types of feedstocks, catalysts, and operating conditions as the influential parameters in biodiesel synthesis are also discussed. Moreover, in the purification process, the effectiveness of purification depends on the type of catalyst applied in the synthesis process. This research also reviewed and compared several commonly used purification methods such as wet and dry washing, ion exchange and precipitation, complexation, and membrane-based separation that have shown significant results along with the impacts of biodiesel production on environmental and economic sectors
Ethnobotanical exploration of medicinal plants for the treatment of migraine in Dakshina Kannada district of Western Ghats, Karnataka, India
Authors: Yogeesha A , Krishnakumar G
Published: July 2022

Migraine is a recurrent neurological disorder of humans affecting approximately 15% of the population globally. It frequently appears in childhood, particularly around puberty and affects women more than men. Traditional medicine has a key role in primary health care system of people residing in remote and rural regions. This study has been carried out in Western Ghats of Dakshina Kannada district, Karnataka state, India during 2018 - 2021 to document ethno-medicinal plants used by traditional practitioners to treat migraine. Most people prefer herbal folk therapies against this chronic disorder. Ethnobotanical study was carried out by repeated field visits. Information pertaining to the migraine was gathered by open-ended discussions with local traditional healers through a semi-structured questionnaire. All together 67 key informants shared their unique method of treatment against migraine. A total of 53 plant species belonging to 29 families are being used by local folk practitioners. Data was analyzed by quantitative tools like Relative frequency of citation (RFC) and Family importance value (FIV) to compare the importance of reported plants. Leaves are the mostly used plant parts in the preparation of herbal formulation. Internal mode of application was more prevalent to treat migraine. Documentation of traditional knowledge of using plants in primary health care systems will be necessary in order to face new challenges by the modern medical world.
Stratification of risk of atherosclerotic plaque using Hu’s moment invariants of segmented ultrasonic images
Authors: Balakrishnan Smitha , Joseph Paul K.
Published: July 2022

Myocardial infarction is one of the major life-threatening diseases. The cause is atherosclerosis i.e. the occlusion of the coronary artery by deposition of plaque on its walls. The severity of plaque deposition in the artery depends on the characteristics of the plaque. Hence, the classification of the type of plaque is crucial for assessing the risk of atherosclerosis and predicting the chances of myocardial infarction. This paper proposes prediction of atherosclerotic risk by non-invasive ultrasound image segmentation and textural feature extraction. The intima-media complex is segmented using a snakes-based segmentation algorithm on the arterial wall in the ultrasound images. Then, the plaque is extracted from the segmented intima-media complex. The features of the plaque are obtained by computing Hu’s moment invariants. Visual pattern recognition independent of position, size, orientation and parallel projection could be done using these moment invariants. For the classification of the features of the plaque, an SVM classifier is used. The performance shows improvement in accuracy using lesser number of features than previous works. The reduction in feature size is achieved by incorporating segmentation in the pre-processing stage. Tenfold cross-validation protocol is used for training and testing the classifier. An accuracy of 97.9% is obtained with only two features. This proposed technique could work as an adjunct tool in quick decision-making for cardiologists and radiologists. The segmentation step introduced in the preprocessing stage improved the feature extraction technique. An improvement in performance is achieved with much less number of features.
The golden alloy Cu5Zn5Al1Sn: effect of immersion time and anti-corrosion activity of cysteine in 3.5 wt% NaCl solution
Authors: Shinato Kebede W. , Huang Feifei , Jin Ying , Huang Siya
Published: July 2022

The effect of cysteine on the corrosion characteristics of Cu5Zn5Al1Sn alloy in 3.5 wt% NaCl solution has been studied by electrochemical and surface characterization techniques in various immersion times. The results of electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) revealed that the degradation of Cu5Zn5Al1Sn alloy occurred in 3.5 wt% NaCl and was aggravated with increasing immersion time. The results of inhibition efficiency calculated from EIS data showed that cysteine can act as an effective anti-corrosion substance, which was also proved by the less eroded morphology of the alloy surface observed on scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Furthermore, the elemental analysis of alloy surfaces was investigated by Raman, electron dispersion spectroscopy (EDS), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), which confirmed the presence of S and N species. An adequate adsorption isotherm and inhibition mechanism was also suggested based on EIS results.
On distance-regular graphs withc2= 2
Authors: Makhnev Alexandr A. , Nirova Marina S.
Published: July 2022

LetΓbe a distance-regular graph of diameter 3 withc2= 2 (any two vertices with distance 2 between them have exactly two common neighbors). Then the neighborhoodΔof the vertexwinΓis a partial line space. In view of the Brouwer–Neumaier result eitherΔis the union of isolated (λ+ 1)-cliques or the degrees of verticesk≥λ(λ+ 3)/2, and in the case of equalityk= 5,λ= 2 andΓis the icosahedron graph. A. A. Makhnev, M. P. Golubyatnikov and Wenbin Guo have investigated distance-regular graphsΓof diameter 3 such thatΓ3is the pseudo-geometrical network graph. They have found a new infinite set {2u2−2m2+ 4m− 3,2u2−2m2,u2−m2+ 4m−2;1, 2,u2−m2} of feasible intersection arrays for such graphs withc2= 2. Here we prove that some distance-regular graphs from this set do not exist. It is proved also that distance-regular graph with intersection array {22, 16, 5; 1, 2, 20} does not exist.
Minimal contact circuits for characteristic functions of spheres
Authors: Reďkin Nikolay P.
Published: July 2022

We study the complexity of implementation of the characteristic functions of spheres by contact circuits. By the characteristic functions of the sphere with center at a vertex σ̃ = (σ
1, …, σn
), σ
1, …, σn
∈ {0, 1}, we mean the Boolean function

$\begin{array}{}
\varphi^{(n)}_{\tilde\sigma}
\end{array} $

(x
1, …, xn
) which is equal to 1 on those and only those tuples of values that differ from the tuple σ̃ only in one digit. It is shown that the number 3n − 2 of contacts is necessary and sufficient for implementation of

$\begin{array}{}
\varphi^{(n)}_{\tilde\sigma}
\end{array} $

(x̃) by a contact circuit.
Five genetic polymorphisms of cytochrome P450 enzymes in the Czech non-Roma and Czech Roma population samples
Authors: Dlouhá Lucie , Adámková Věra , Šedová Lenka , Olišarová Věra , Hubáček Jaroslav A. , Tóthová Valérie
Published: July 2022

Objectives

Cytochromes P450 play a role in human drugs metabolic pathways and their genes are among the most variable in humans. The aim of this study was to analyze genotype frequencies of five common polymorphisms of cytochromes P450 in Roma/Gypsy and Czech (non-Roma) population samples with Czech origin.

Methods

Roma/Gypsy (n=302) and Czech subjects (n=298) were genotyped for CYP1A2 (rs762551), CYP2A6 (rs4105144), CYP2B6 (rs3745274) and CYP2D6 (rs3892097; rs1065852) polymorphisms using PCR-RFLP or Taqman assay.

Results

We found significant allelic/genotype differences between ethnics in three genes. For rs3745274 polymorphism, there was increased frequency of T allele carriers in Roma in comparison with Czech population (53.1 vs. 43.7%; p=0.02). For rs4105144 (CYP2A6) there was higher frequency of T allele carriers in Roma in comparison with Czech population (68.7 vs. 49.8%; p<0.0001). For rs3892097 (CYP2D6) there was more carriers of the A allele between Roma in comparison with Czech population (39.2 vs. 38.2%; p=0.048). Genotype/allelic frequencies of CYP2D6 (rs1065852) and CYP1A2 (rs762551) variants did not significantly differ between the ethnics.

Conclusions

There were significant differences in allelic/genotype frequencies of some, but not all cytochromes P450 polymorphisms between the Czech Roma/Gypsies and Czech non-Roma subjects.
Prognostic indicators in critically ill poisoned patients: development of a risk-prediction nomogram
Authors: Amirabadizadeh Alireza , Nakhaee Samaneh , Jahani Firoozeh , Soorgi Sima , Hoyte Christopher O. , Mehrpour Omid
Published: July 2022

Objectives

The prognosis of acutely poisoned patients is a significant concern for clinical toxicologists. In this study, we sought to determine the clinical and laboratory findings that can contribute to predicting the medical outcomes of poisoned patients admitted to intensive care units (ICUs).

Methods

This retrospective study was performed from January 2009 to January 2016 in the ICU of Vali-e-Asr Hospital in Birjand, Iran. We included all patients with the diagnosis of acute poisoning admitted to the ICU. Demographic data, laboratory results, the Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA), and acute physiology score + age points + chronic health points (APACHE) II, and the Simplified Acute Physiology Score (SAPS) II, and outcome were collected. Univariate analysis (Mann–Whitney or t-test), multiple logistic regression, receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve analysis, and Pearson’s correlation test were performed using SPSS, STATA/SE 13.0, and Nomolog software programs.

Results

The multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that five factors were significant for predicting mortality including age (OR 95% CI: 1.1[1.05–1.12], p<0.001), Glasgow Coma Score (GCS) (OR 95% CI: 0.71[0.6–0.84], p<0.001), white blood cell (WBC) count (OR 95% CI: 1.1[1.01–1.12], p=0.04), serum sodium (Na) (OR 95% CI: 1.08[1.01–1.15], p=0.02), and creatinine levels (Cr) (OR 95% CI: 1.86 [1.23–2.81], p=0.003). We generated a five-variable risk-prediction nomogram which could both predict mortality risk and identify high-risk patients.

Conclusions

Age, GCS, WBC, serum creatinine, and sodium levels are the best prognostic factors for mortality in poisoned patients admitted to the ICU. The APACHE II score can discriminate between non-survivors and survivors. The nomogram developed in the current study can provide a more precise, quick, and simple analysis of risks, thereby enabling the users to predict mortality and identify high-risk patients.
Related expression of TRKA and P75 receptors and the changing copy number ofMYC-oncogenes determine the sensitivity of brain tumor cells to the treatment of the nerve growth factor in combination with cisplatin and temozolomide
Authors: Chernov Alexandr N. , Alaverdian Diana A. , Glotov Oleg S. , Talabaev Michael V. , Urazov Stanislav P. , Shcherbak Sergei G. , Renieri Alessandra , Frullanti Elisa , Shamova Olga
Published: July 2022

Objectives

Oncological diseases are an urgent medical and social problem. The chemotherapy induces not only the death of the tumor cells but also contributes to the development of their multidrug resistance and death of the healthy cells and tissues. In this regard, the search for the new pharmacological substances with anticancer activity against drug-resistant tumors is of utmost importance. In the present study we primarily investigated the correlation between the expression of TrkA and p75 receptors with the nerve growth factor (NGF) and cisplatin or temozolomide sensitivity of anaplastic astrocytoma (AA), glioblastoma (GB) and medulloblastoma (MB) cell cultures. We then evaluated the changing of copy numbers ofMYCCandMYCNand its correlation with cytotoxicity index (CI) in MB cells under NGF exposition.

Methods

The primary cell cultures were obtained from the tumor biopsy samples of the patients with AA (n=5), GB (n=7) or MB (n=25) prior to radiotherapy and chemotherapy. The cytotoxicity effect of NGF and its combinations with cisplatin or temozolomide, the relative expression of TrkA and p75 receptors, its correlations with CI in AA, GB and MB primary cell cultures were studied by trypan blue cytotoxicity assay and immunofluorescence staining respectively. The effect of NGF onMYCCandMYCNcopy numbers in MB cell cultures was studied by fluorescencein situhybridization.

Results

We found that the expression of TrkA and p75 receptors (p=0.03) and its ratio (p=0.0004) depends on the sensitivity of AA and GB cells to treatment with NGF and its combinations with cisplatin or temozolomide. NGF reduces (p<0.05) the quantity of MB cells with six or eight copies ofMYCNand three or eight copies ofMYCC. Besides, NGF increases (p<0.05) the quantity of MB cells containing two copies of both oncogenes. The negative correlation (r=−0.65, p<0.0001) is established betweenMYCCaverage copy numbers and CI of NGF in MB cells.

Conclusions

The relative expression of NGF receptors (TrkA/p75) and its correlation with CI of NGF and its combinations in AA and GB cells point to the mechanism involving a cell death signaling pathway. NGF downregulates (p<0.05) some increased copy numbers ofMYCCandMYCNin the human MB cell cultures, and upregulates normal two copies of both oncogenes (p<0.05).
A study of the pharmacokinetics of moxifloxacin by the dynamics of its distribution in the blood plasma and saliva of healthy volunteers: a comparative analysis and possible extrapolation methods
Authors: Kondratenko Svetlana N. , Zolkina Irina V. , Shikh Eugenia V.
Published: July 2022

Objectives

The pharmacokinetics of moxifloxacin in plasma and saliva was investigated in this study.

Methods

The pharmacokinetics of two specialty drugs of moxifloxacin – reference (Ref) and test (Test) preparation – was studied in 18 healthy volunteers after a single oral dose of 400 mg.

Results

It was found that the concentration of moxifloxacin in saliva 3–24 h after taking the drugs was statistically significantly higher than that in plasma. A high correlation was observed between the concentration of moxifloxacin in plasma and saliva of volunteers after taking of Ref and Test. Some pharmacokinetic parameters, calculated by the concentration of moxifloxacin in saliva and plasma, are statistically different. A technique is proposed for extrapolating the concentration of moxifloxacin in plasma according to its concentration in saliva using the established linear relationship between the moxifloxacin in plasma and saliva of volunteers in time interval of 3–24 h after taking Ref. Based on the obtained extrapolated concentration of moxifloxacin, the pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated for two studied drugs and did not statistically differ from the parameters calculated according to the data in plasma.

Conclusions

The developed method of concentration extrapolation allows the use of saliva for pharmacokinetic studies of the tablet preparations of moxifloxacin.
Role of purinergic signaling pathways in the adaptogenic-like activity of methyl jasmonate in rats exposed to unpredictable chronic mild stress
Authors: Aluko Oritoke M. , Umukoro Solomon
Published: July 2022

Objectives

Purinergic signaling pathway has been implicated in maladaptation of animals subjected to chronic stress. Previous studies have shown that methyl jasmonate (MJ) exhibited adaptogenic properties in mice exposed to unpredictable chronic mild stress (UCMS) via antioxidant and neuroprotective-related mechanisms.

Methods

This study evaluated the role of purinergic system in adaptogenic-like activity of MJ. Male Wistar rats were treated intraperitoneally with vehicle (10 mL/kg) or MJ (25, 50, or 100 mg/kg) 30 min prior exposure to UCMS. Thereafter, rats were assessed for swimming endurance in forced swim test (FST) and post-swimming motor coordination on beam walk test (BWT) apparatus. The rats’ brains were processed for adenosine triphosphate (ATP), adenosine diphosphate (ADP), adenosine deaminase, and arginase quantification. Hematological parameters, cholesterol, triglyceride, creatinine, and urea nitrogen were also determined.

Results

MJ prolonged swimming endurance time and reversed stress-induced post-swimming motor dysfunction. The altered hematological parameters induced by UCMS in rats were significantly (p<0.05) attenuated by MJ. MJ also reversed UCMS-induced alterations of total cholesterol, triglyceride, creatinine, and urea nitrogen levels. MJ averted UCMS-induced alterations in purinergic system by decreasing ATP and ADP hydrolysis, adenosine deaminase, and arginase activities in rats’ brains.

Conclusions

Overall, these findings further suggest that MJ has adaptogenic-like activity in rats exposed to UCMS, which may be related to modulation of the purinergic signaling pathway.
Rutin ameliorates scopolamine-induced learning and memory impairments through enhancement of antioxidant defense system and cholinergic signaling
Authors: Ishola Ismail O. , Olubodun-Obadun Taiwo G. , Ojulari Mariam A. , Adeyemi Olufunmilayo O.
Published: July 2022

Objectives

The brain’s cholinergic system occupies a central role in normal cognition and age-related cognitive decline, including Alzheimer’s disease (AD). This study sought to investigate the role of antioxidant defense and cholinergic systems on rutin-induced antiamnesia in mice.

Methods

Rutin (1, 5, or 50 mg/kg, p.o.) or vehicle (10 ml/kg, p.o.) was administered for three consecutive days. One hour post-treatment on day 3, scopolamine (3 mg/kg, i.p) was given, 5 min post-scopolamine injection, open field, Y-maze, or Morris water maze (MWM) (five days consecutive training sessions) tasks was carried out. The mice were sacrificed on day 7 to assays for biomarkers of oxidative stress and cholinergic system.

Results

Scopolamine significantly reduced spontaneous alternation behavior in Y-maze and prolonged escape latency in MWM tasks when compared to vehicle-treated control indicative of working memory and spatial learning deficits. However, the pretreatment of mice with rutin (1, 5, or 50 mg/kg) prevented scopolamine-induced working memory and spatial learning impairments without affecting spontaneous locomotor activity. Scopolamine-induced nitrosative/oxidative stress and increased acetylcholinesterase activity in the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus were significantly attenuated by the pretreatment of mice with rutin.

Conclusions

rutin restored cognitive function in scopolamine-induced amnesia through enhancement of antioxidant defense and cholinergic systems.
Diosmin attenuates schizophrenia-like behavior, oxidative stress, and acetylcholinesterase activity in mice
Authors: Okubo Eneni Aya-Ebi , Ben-Azu Benneth , Mayowa Ajayi Abayomi , Oladele Aderibigbe Adegbuyi
Published: July 2022

Objectives

Diosmin (DSM), commonly isolated from various plants, is a citrus nutrient that has been shown to increase intracellular antioxidant capacity and assuage symptoms associated with neurological disorders. Deficiency in the antioxidant system has been implicated in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia. The use of antioxidants as neuroprotectants to suppress schizophrenia pathology is increasingly being sought. Hence, this study investigated the effects of DSM on schizophrenia-like behavior and the underlying changes in biomarkers of oxidative stress and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity in mice.

Methods

The acute antipsychotic effect of DSM (25, 50, and 100 mg/kg, intraperitoneally [i.p.]), haloperidol (1 mg/kg, i.p.), and risperidone (RIS) (0.5 mg/kg, i.p.) was investigated on stereotyped behaviors induced by apomorphine (2 mg/kg, i.p.) and ketamine (10 mg/kg, i.p.). The effect of DSM on ketamine-induced hyperlocomotion, immobility enhancement, and its woodblock cataleptogenic potential was evaluated. Also, the subacute antipsychotic potential of DSM was assessed following intraperitoneal injection of DSM (25–100 mg/kg, i.p.) alone and in combination with ketamine (20 mg/kg, i.p.) for 10 days. The behaviors of the animals were assessed in the open-field, Y-maze, and forced swim tests. Brains of the animals were afterward processed for spectrophotometric assay of oxidative stress and AChE contents.

Results

DSM (25, 50, and 100 mg/kg) attenuated apormorphine-induced stereotypy and devoid of cataleptogenic effect. DSM and RIS reversed acute and subacute ketamine-induced schizophrenia-like behaviors. Disomin alone increased cognitive function and reduced despair-like phenotype. Furthermore, DSM increased superoxide dismutase and glutathione and decreased malondialdehyde and AChE levels in naïve and ketamine schizophrenic mice.

Conclusions

DSM prevents schizophrenia-like behavior, attenuates oxidative stress, and AChE activity in naïve and ketamine schizophrenic mice.
Drug–drug interaction of rivaroxaban and calcium channel blockers in patients aged 80 years and older with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation
Authors: Sychev Dmitry , Mirzaev Karin , Cherniaeva Marina , Kulikova Maria , Bochkov Pavel , Shevchenko Roman , Gorbatenkova Svetlana , Golovina Olga , Ostroumova Olga , Bahteeva Damirya , Rytkin Eric
Published: July 2022

Objectives

For revealing the peculiarities of the drug–drug interaction of rivaroxaban (substrate CYP3A4 and P-gp) and calcium channel blockers (CCBs) (verapamil – inhibitor CYP3A4 and P-gp and amlodipine – substrate CYP3A4) in patients 80 years and older with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (NAF) we studied 128 patients.

Methods

All patients were divided into groups depending on the therapy taken: the 1st – rivaroxaban + amlodipine (n=51), the 2nd – rivaroxaban + verapamil (n=30), the control group – rivaroxaban without CCBs (n=47). A trough steady-state plasma concentration (C
min,ss) of rivaroxaban, prothrombin time (PT) in the blood plasma and the event of clinically relevant non-major (CRNM) bleeding were assessed for each patient.

Results

Patient in group 2 had higher C
min,ss of rivaroxaban, PT and CRNM than subjects in the control group (Me 73.8 [50.6–108.8] ng/mL vs. 40.5 [25.6–74.3] ng/mL; Me 14.8 [13.4–17.3] s vs. 13.8 [12.6–14.4] s; 34% vs. 13%, respectively, p<0.05 for all). When compared, the PT and complication rate in group 1 with the control group C
min,ss of rivaroxaban were practically the same (p>0.05 for all).

Conclusions

In patients ≥80 years with NAF, the use of rivaroxaban in combination with verapamil may not be safe and can lead to CRNM bleeding.
Herbal approach for the management of C0VID-19: an overview
Authors: Fatima Sana , Haider Nafis , Alam Md Anzar , Gani Mohd Abdul , Ahmad Rafeeque , Murtada Taha
Published: July 2022

COVID-19 is the most recently discovered coronavirus infectious disease and leads to pandemic all over the world. The clinical continuum of COVID-19 varies from mild illness with non-specific signs and symptoms of acute respiratory disease to extreme respiratory pneumonia and septic shock. It can transmit from animal to human in the form of touch, through the air, water, utensils, fomite and feco-oral route blood. The pathogenesis and clinical features of COVID-19 be the same as the clinical manifestation associated epidemic Fever. In Unani medicine, various herbal drugs are described under the caption of epidemic disease. Great Unani scholar also Avicenna (980–1037 AD) recommended that during epidemic condition movement should be restricted, self-isolation, fumigation around the habitant with perfumed herbs (Ood, Kafoor, Sumbuluttib, Saad Kofi, Loban, etc.), and use of appropriate antidotes (Tiryaqe Wabai) and vinegar (Sirka) as prophylaxis. Herbal approach is based on single (Unnab—Ziziphus jujuba, Sapistan—Cordia myxa, Bahidana—Cydonia oblonga, Khatmi—Althea officinalis, Khubazi—Malva sylvestris, Zafran—Crocus sativus, Sibr—Aloe barbedensis, Murmuki—Commiphora myrrha, Darchini—Cinnamomum zeylanicum, Qaranfal—Syzygium aromaticum, Rihan—Oscimum sanctum, Habtus Sauda—Nigella sativa, Aslus Sus—Glycyrrhiza glabra, Maghze Amaltas—Cassia fistula and Adusa—Adhatoda vasica) and compound drugs (Habbe Bukhar, Sharbat Khaksi, Sharbat Zanjabeel, Naqu Nazla, Majoon Chobchini, Jawrish Jalinus and Khamira Marvareed) most of them are claimed for anti-viral, anti-pyretic, blood purifier, cardioprotective and expectorant activities. Traditionally most of the herbal practitioners are using it.
Quality control, HPTLC analysis, antioxidant and antimicrobial activity of hydroalcoholic extract of roots of qust (Saussurea lappa, C.B Clarke)
Authors: Ansari Shabnam , Maaz Mohammad , Ahmad Iftekhar , Hasan Syed Kazim , Bhat Sajad Ahmad , Naqui Syed Kazim , Husain Mohammad
Published: July 2022

Objectives

Saussurea lappa, CB Clarke (S.lappa) is a perennial herb of the Compositae family. The root of S.lappa has been used for the treatment of various diseases such as hepatitis, jaundice, intestinal worms, bronchial asthma, and a variety of skin diseases. The aim of the study was to ensure quality control of S.lappa and its preparation HAESL (hydroalcoholic extract of S.lappa) along with assessment of HAESL antimicrobial and antioxidant activities in vitro.

Methods

HAESL was prepared with 50% ethanol, (v/v). Physiochemical analysis of the root of S.lappa, and phytochemical screening, thin-layer chromatography (TLC), high-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC), and in vitro antimicrobial and antioxidant activity of HAESL were performed using the standard protocol.

Results

Physiochemical and phytochemical assessments of S.lappa and HAESL showed the greater quality of the drug. HAESL showed the presence of many phytochemical constituents corresponding to colorful spots, peaks, area under the curve, and corresponding Rf values as evident in the TLC and HPTLC analysis. HAESL showed a concentration-dependent effect on radical scavenging activity against DPHH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) and hydroxyl radical with IC50 value of 19.10 μg/mL and 82.23 μg/mL, respectively. HAESL exhibited antimicrobial activity against the growth of micro-organisms such as Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella typhi, Aspergillus flavus, and Candida albicans. HASEL showed no antimicrobial activity against Aspergillus niger.

Conclusions

The procured and an identified sample of Saussurea lappa was good in quality and the prepared HAESL contained many phytochemical compounds. HAESL substantiated significant antioxidant and antimicrobial activity in vitro.
Fear of Hypoglycemia in Adults with diabetes mellitus switching to Treatment with IDegAsp Co-formulation to Examine real-world setting: an observational study (The HATICE study)
Authors: Topaloğlu Ulaş Serkan , Topaloğlu Hatice Kayış , Kızıltepe Melih , Kılıç Mesut , Bahçebaşı Sami , Ata Sibel , Yıldız Şeyma , Şimşek Yasin
Published: July 2022

Objectives

To evaluate the clinical results of insulin degludec/aspart (IDEgAsp) therapy and its effect on the fear of hypoglycemia.

Methods

A prospective observational study has been conducted through surveys of 36 patients using insulin because of type 2 diabetes mellitus who initiated treatment with IDegAsp switching from other insulins. Patients, 18–75 years old, were recruited to the study, consecutively. Participants’ age, gender, height, weight, body mass index (BMI), daily insulin dose, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), hypoglycemia rate, hypoglycemia fear survey (HFS) were recorded at the beginning of the study. By the end of 12th month, data was re-measured and compared with each other.

Results

HbA1c was declined by mean of −1.59% (95% CI −1.06 to −2.12, p<0.001). There was also a significant decrease in mean, daily insulin dose, weight and BMI values of patients via IDegAsp. While there was an increase in the amount of dipeptidyl peptidase 4-inhibitors (DPP4-i) and sodium-glucose co-transporter 2-inhibitors (SGLT2-i), there was a decrease in daily injection frequency. There was also a significant decrease in the median values of monthly hypoglycemia rate (from 2.0 to 1.0, p<0.001) and the entire HFS scores (HFS-T: from 1.09 to 0.73, p<0.001; HFS-B: from 0.83 to 0.60, p<0.001; HFS-W: from 1.33 to 0.88, p<0.001). There was a strong positive correlation between ΔHFS-B and daily injection frequency (Rho: 0.398; P: 0.016).

Conclusions

IDegAsp co-formulation, combined with DPP4-i and/or SGLT2-i, can provide usefulness in terms of rates of hypoglycemia, reduced HbA1c, less injection administration, and decreased the fear of hypoglycemia in diabetics.
TCF7L2 rs7903146 C>T gene polymorphism is not associated with hypoglycemia in sulfonylurea-treated type 2 diabetic patients
Authors: Ragia Georgia , Katsika Evgenia , Ioannou Charalampia , Manolopoulos Vangelis G.
Published: July 2022

Objectives

Hypoglycemia is the most common adverse effect of sulfonylureas (SUs) and a major concern when using these drugs. Transcription factor 7-like 2 (TCF7L2) rs7903146 C>T polymorphism is an established and well characterized genetic marker of type 2 diabetes (T2DM) risk. The aim of the present study was to analyze the potential association of TCF7L2 rs7903146 C>T polymorphism with SU-induced hypoglycemia in a well characterized cohort of SU-treated patients previously genotyped for cytochrome P450 2C9 (CYP2C9) and P450 oxidoreductase (POR).

Methods

The study group consisted of 176 SU-treated T2DM patients of whom 92 had experienced at least one drug-associated hypoglycemic event. Polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) was used for TCF7L2 rs7903146 genotyping.

Results

TCF7L2 rs7903146 C>T genotype and allele frequency did not differ between cases and controls (p=0.745 and 0.671, respectively). In logistic regression analysis adjusted for other factors affecting hypoglycemia, including CYP2C9 and POR genotypes, TCF7L2 rs7903146 C>T polymorphism did not increase the risk of hypoglycemia (OR=1.238, 95% C.I.=0.750–2.044, p=0.405).

Conclusions

TCF7L2 rs7903146 C>T polymorphism is not associated with SU-induced hypoglycemia. Identifying additional gene polymorphisms associated with SU-induced hypoglycemia is crucial for improving T2DM patient therapy with SUs.
Jenseits von Affektivismus und Intellektualismus
Authors: Noller Jörg
Published: July 2022

In recent times, Kant’s theory of the moral feeling of respect has increasingly come to the centre of Kant research. His diverse and seemingly contradictory characterisations of this feeling in particular have led to continued controversial discussion. While a number of scholars try to understand the special role of respect in Kant by isolating this feeling from its conceptual context or solely referring to its role as moral motivation, I will concentrate on the systemic position of respect within the framework of Kant’s theory of the autonomy of reason. Furthermore, I will try to elucidate the different characterisations of respect given by Kant, referring not only to his ethics, but also to his general theory of transcendental idealism. Examining the special place of respect within Kant’s transcendental idealism, I will plead for a compatibilist reading of respect, according to which the “intellectualist” as well as the “affectivist” view both hold true. This is motivated by interpreting respect as a volitional structure featuring rational as well as emotional dimensions.
Negative Globalität der Angst
Authors: Frankenberg Günter
Published: July 2022

The article traces and analyses the negative globality of pandemic fears. It follows them through literary texts, psychological theories of individual and collective fears as well as legal documents. Rather than treating fears as law’s other, notably pandemic fears are included in the controversial discussion on how law protects (or should protect) peoples’ freedom in a pandemic. In closing, the article presents different forms of fear defence and fear denial such as conspiracy myths.
Wer muss draußen bleiben?
Authors: Jaster Romy , Keil Geert
Published: July 2022

The Special Focus on invitation policy at universities contains a target article by Romy Jaster and Geert Keil, five commentaries, and a response. The question under discussion is what disqualifies a person from being invited to speak at a university. On liberal, Millian approaches, the epistemic benefits of free speech preclude no-platforming policies. More restrictive approaches demand the exclusion of speakers who are considered racist or otherwise hostile against marginalized groups. Jaster and Keil take a virtue-based approach to invitation policy: A person is ineligible as a speaker if she exhibits specific intellectual vices that are detrimental to the pursuit of truth, the university’s raison d’être. The five critics raise various concerns. Birgit Recki deems the virtue-based approach too restrictive: It is prone to exclude some speakers who make intellectually stimulating contributions. Eva von Redecker and Daniel Loick deem the criterion too permissive: It allows for contributions that should have no place on campus. Dieter Schönecker and Maria-Sibylla Lotter object that the approach is silent on all recent actual cases of ‘cancelling’ at universities. In their response, Jaster and Keil address these concerns and clarify their position.
Characterization of dual-band circularly polarized mushroom-shaped monopole antenna with modified ground plane
Authors: Kumar Yatendra , Gangwar Ravi Kumar , Kanaujia Binod Kumar
Published: July 2022

In this manuscript, an antenna design configured for dual-band circularly polarized (DBCP) characteristics is presented. The proposed design is quite compact (0.63 λ
g × 0.63 λ
g × 0.04 λ
g) and comprises a mushroom-shaped monopole with a modified ground structure (MGS). In the proposed antenna structure, dual-band CP behavior is generated through a tunable side stub joined orthogonally with the feed patch and reshaping the wide square slot. The impedance bandwidth is measured as 2900 MHz ranging from 1.32 to 4.22 GHz in the lower frequency band (Band 1); however, 980 MHz from 4.78 to 5.76 GHz in the higher frequency band (Band 2). The 3-dB AR bandwidth is measured as 370 MHz (from 3.54 to 3.91 GHz)in the lower frequency band; whereas, it is measured as 650 MHz (from 5.07 to 5.72 GHz) in the higher frequency band. The measured gains spread from 2.5 to 8.3 dBi with a maximum gain of 8.3 dBi in the lower frequency band, whereas 4.8 to 7.05 dBi with a 7.05 dBi maximum gain in the higher frequency band, respectively. The cross-polar rejection is observed greater than 14 dB. Besides, 3-dB half-power beamwidths are seen as 86° & 84°, and 87° & 86° in the x-z and y-z planes for the lower and higher frequency bands, respectively.
Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty: relevant radionuclides
Authors: Geer L.-E. De
Published: July 2022

With the first version of the IDC

IDC is the acronym for the International Data Centre, IMS for the International Monitoring System and CTBT for the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty.

software all known radionuclides, less the natural ones and one “naturalised” man-made one, caused a spectrum measured in the IMS* network to be characterised as interesting from a CTBT* point of view. But this is really not true for the majority of nuclides, so a change has been made to let only nuclides from a limited set of so called CTBT relevant nuclides have an impact on the characterization scheme. In the present paper the concept of CTBT relevance is analysed and a set of 96 relevant nuclides are defined. Out of these 51 are fission products and 41 are neutron activation products. There are also 4 nuclides which are residues from the nuclear fuel itself or added tracers.
Evaluation of the International Monitoring System and International Data Centre of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization
Authors: Denier P. , Toivonen H.
Published: July 2022

Evaluation and quality assurance activities of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO) are reviewed with special emphasis on radionuclide technologies. The CTBTO carries out detailed evaluation in all fields of technical verification of the Treaty. The goal is to provide States Signatories with confidence in the quality of data from the International Monitoring System and data products of the International Data Centre. The largest technical evaluation effort has been the quality assessment of the operational software. About 1.3 million lines of source code and scripts were checked. Software characteristics, such as maintainability, were assessed using automated tool-based techniques and improvements were suggested. Specific to radionuclide technologies, several methods have been developed to cope with the large amounts of spectra produced each day by 80 radionuclide monitoring stations around the world. Some of the key evaluation results, such as the peak detection capability of the operational software are presented in detail.
Kapitän zur See Hans Langsdorff – »the Captain who defied Hitler«?
Authors: Epkenhans Michael
Published: July 2022

Der Aufsatz zeichnet die Geschichte des Panzerschiffs »Admiral Graf Spee« und seines Kommandanten, Kapitän zur See Hans Langsdorff, nach. Einerseits geht es um die Entscheidung zur Selbstversenkung, andererseits aber auch um die Rezeption dieser Entscheidung und Langsdorffs Suizids. Zugleich untersucht der Artikel auch die Langsdorff-Rezeption nach 1945 im Ausland und in der Bundesrepublik. Warum wurde Langsdorff zu einem Mythos, und inwieweit ist es aufgrund bisher nicht berücksichtigter Quellen notwendig, diesen zu dekonstruieren?
Modules with fusion and implication based over distributive lattices: Representation and duality
Authors: Calomino Ismael , Zuluaga Botero William J.
Published: July 2022

In this paper, we study the class ofmodules with fusion and implication based over distributive lattices, orFIDL-modules, for short. We introduce the concepts of FIDL-subalgebra and FIDL-congruence as well as the notions of simple and subdirectly irreducible FIDL-modules. We give a bi-sorted Priestley-like duality for FIDL-modules and moreover, as an application of such a duality, we provide a topological bi-spaced description of the FIDL-congruences. This result will allows us to characterize the simple and subdirectly irreducible FIDL-modules.
Some exponential diophantine equations II: The equationx2–Dy2=kzfor evenk
Authors: Fujita Yasutsugu , Le Maohua
Published: July 2022

LetDbe a nonsquare integer, and letkbe an integer with |k| ≥ 1 and gcd(D,k) = 1. In the partIof this paper, using some properties on the representation of integers by binary quadratic primitive forms with discriminant 4D, M.-H. Le gave a series of explicit formulas for the integer solutions (x,y,z) of the equationx2–Dy2=kz, gcd(x,y) = 1,z> 0 for 2 ∤kor |k| is a power of 2. In this part, we give similar results for the other cases ofk.
On concomitants of generalized order statistics from generalized FGM family under a general setting
Authors: Abd Elgawad Mohamed A. , Alawady Metwally A.
Published: July 2022

In this work, we study the distributional and moment properties of concomitants of dual generalized order statistics and consequently generalized order statistics. When the parameters are assumed to be pairwise different from Bairamov-Kotz-Becki Farlie-Gumbel-Morgenstern (BKB-FGM) family. Furthermore, an example of progressive type-II censored order statistics of BKB-FGM family under uniform distribution is obtained. Moreover, the joint distribution of dual generalized order statistics and record values of concomitants for this family are discussed. Finally, an application is given for some well-known distributions such as exponential, Pareto, and power function distributions.
First-principle calculation of electronic structure and optical properties of (P, Ga, P–Ga) doped graphene
Authors: Zhang Ying , Fu Yangchen , Mao Qingguo , Zhang Guohua , Zhang Wenchao , Wang Yi , Yang Wenlong
Published: July 2022

First-principle calculations are used to study the electronic structures, electronic and optical properties of pure, phosphorus-doped, aluminum-doped, and phosphorus and aluminum co-doped graphene. The gap between the conduction band and valence band of intrinsic graphene is zero. However, when graphene is doped with P, Ga, and P–Ga, the gap in energy will be opened and to a different extent. In the three different doping results, the gap values between the conduction and valence bands of P, Ga, and P–Ga graphene are 0.11, 0.35, and 0.39 eV, respectively. When graphene is doped with P–Ga, more electrons (1.40 e) will be gained by carbon atoms compared to P-doped graphene (0.61 e), while fewer electrons (1.49 e) will be transferred to carbon atoms compared to Ga-doped graphene (1.75 e). After doping with P, Ga, and P–Ga, the overall intensity of the graphene absorption peak is weakened and more pronounced relative to the low-frequency peaks. This result can fully demonstrate that the band gap of the doped graphene system can be better tuned by adding phosphorus and gallium atoms.
The properties of 3D printed poly (lactic acid) (PLA)/poly (butylene-adipate-terephthalate) (PBAT) blend and oil palm empty fruit bunch (EFB) reinforced PLA/PBAT composites used in fused deposition modelling (FDM) 3D printing
Authors: Ayob Nor Amira Izzati , Mohammad Rawi Nurul Fazita , Abd Aziz Azniwati , Azahari Baharin , Mohamad Kassim Mohamad Haafiz
Published: July 2022

Poly (lactic acid) (PLA) is amongst the preferable materials used in 3D printing (3DP), especially in fused deposition modelling (FDM) technique because of its unique properties such as good appearance, higher transparency, less toxicity, and low thermal expansion that help reduce the internal stresses caused during cooling. However, PLA is brittle and has low toughness and thermal resistance that affect its printability and restricts its industrial applications. Therefore, PLA was blended with various content of polybutylene adipate terephthalate (PBAT) at 20, 50 and 80 wt% via twin-screw extruder to improve the ductility and impact properties of PLA. The addition of PBAT increased the elongation at break of PLA with a linear increasing amount of PBAT. However, 20 wt% PBAT was selected as the most promising and balance properties of PLA/PBAT because although it has a slight increment in its elongation at break but it exhibits higher impact strength than that of PLA. The tensile strength and tensile modulus of sample with 20 wt% PBAT is greater than 50 and 80 wt% PBAT. Then, PLA/PBAT (80/20, 50/50 and 20/80) and PLA/PBAT/EFB (80/20/10) were printed using FDM machine and were characterized in tensile, impact and morphological properties. The tensile result indicated that the addition of PBAT decreased the tensile strength and tensile modulus of PLA/PBAT-3DP. The terephthalate group in the PBAT affects the mechanical properties of PLA/PBAT-3DP, resulting in high elongation at break but relatively low tensile strength. Besides, the tensile strength and tensile modulus of PLA/PBAT/EFB-3DP decreased and lower than PLA-3DP and PLA/PBAT-3DP. The impact test resulted in high impact strength in PLA/PBAT-3DP, where 50/50-3DP and 20/80-3DP are unbreakable. The impact strength of PLA/PBAT/EFB-3DP is also increased from PLA-3DP but lower than PLA/PBAT-3DP. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) results revealed that the filament layering on 80/20-3DP was oriented than 50/50-3DP and 20/80-3DP. Besides, the SEM images of PLA/PBAT/EFB-3DP revealed the inhomogeneous and large agglomeration of EFB particle in PLA/PBAT matrix. Therefore, in the future, the polymer blend and polymer blend composite from PLA, PBAT and EFB can be developed where the properties will be based on the study and this study also shed light on the importance of extrusion settings during the manufacture of filament for 3D printing.
Clean energy consumption and economic growth in China: a time-varying analysis
Authors: Bahramian Pejman , Saliminezhad Andisheh , Fethi Sami
Published: July 2022

Assessing the causal relationships between clean energy consumption and economic growth in China, a central actor in the world’s climate future, have received considerable attention among scholars. However, due to the lack of methodological rigour in the causality analysis, available literature failed to provide solid inferences on the links between the variables. Therefore, this study aims to re-examine the variables’ dynamic linkages with a more well-established approach from 1965 to 2020. We use a time-varying framework that relaxes the assumption of parameter stability, a remarkable feature that distinguishes our paper from the previous studies. Utilizing the conventional Granger causality test, we fail to detect causation between the variables. However, the evidence of substantial time variation in the causal relationships implies that the standard framework’s inference is unreliable. The findings of our time-varying analysis indicate different forms of causality flows in various subperiods. This can be a dependable reason for China to follow its enhanced carbon neutrality target safely. The results of our study also emphasize the significance of considering time-varying causality tests to avoid the risk of misleading inferences.