bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Urbanization processes drive divergence at the major histocompatibility complex in a common waterbird
Authors: Pikus Ewa , Włodarczyk Radosław , Jedlikowski Jan , Minias Piotr
Published: October 2021

Urban sprawl is one of the most common landscape alterations occurring worldwide, and there is a growing list of species that are recognised to have adapted to urban life. To be successful, processes of urban colonization by wildlife require a broad spectrum of phenotypic (e.g., behavioural or physiological) adjustments, but evidence for genetic adaptations is much scarcer. One hypothesis proposes that different pathogen-driven selective pressures between urban and non-urban landscapes leads to adaptations in host immune genes. Here, we examined urbanization-related differentiation at the key pathogen-recognition genes of vertebrate adaptive immunity-the major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-in a common waterbird, the Eurasian coot (Fulica atra). Samples were collected from an old urban population (established before the 1950s), a new urban population (established in the 2000s), and two rural populations from central Poland. We found strong significant divergence (as measured with Jost’s D) at the MHC class II between the old urban population and the remaining (new urban and rural) populations. Also, there was a moderate, but significant divergence at the MHC between the new urban population and two rural populations, while no divergence was found between the two rural populations. The total number of MHC alleles and the number of private (population-specific) MHC alleles was lower in old urban populations, as compared to the rural ones. These patterns of differentiation at the MHC were not consistent with patterns found for neutral genetic markers (microsatellites), which showed few differences between the populations. Our results indicate that MHC allele composition depended on the level of anthropogenic disturbance and the time which passed since urban colonization, possibly due to the processes of genotype sorting and local adaptation. As such, our study contributes to the understanding of genetic mechanisms associated with urbanization processes in wildlife.
El texto de Hch 6,5—8,2 en el primer encomio de Esteban (In Sanctum Stephanum I) de Gregorio de Nisa
Authors:   Facultat de Geografia i Història, Departament d'Història i Arqueologia, Universitat de Barcelona, Chiriatti Mattia C.
Published: October 2021

El relato neotestamentario de los Hechos de los Apóstoles sobre el protomártir Esteban (At., 6,5-8,2), constituye el punto de partida de una posterior tradición hagiográfica sobre el santo, y que encuentra, en uno de los dos βασιλικοὶ λόγοι de Gregorio de Nisa (Greg. Nyss., In sanctum Stephanum I, ed. O Lendle, 1990, 75,4 - 94,14), una brillante representación literaria. El padre capadocio, siguiendo al pie de la letra los preceptos teorizados por Menandro de Laodicea sobre cómo componer un encomio (Rhet., 368,1 - 437,5), adapta la narración neotestamentaria a un nuevo género literario, el panegírico cristiano, en el cual se dejan atrás los componentes del elogio clásico (patria, educación, actos) para encarecer las virtudes propias de un nuevo modelo de fe.
Socio-economic and Psychological Profile of Farmers Practicing Integrated Farming Systems (IFS) in Andhra Pradesh
Authors: Chandana T. Sri , Praveena P. L. R. J. , Lakshmi T. , Subramanyam D. , Reddy B. Ravindra
Published: October 2021

Agriculture is always been considered as the backbone of our country. In India, 70 per cent of the rural population is engaged in agriculture and 80 per cent of the population lives directly or indirectly on agriculture. There are 115 million operational holdings in the country and about 80 per cent are marginal and small farmers [1]. Indian agriculture has been taken the responsibility of providing food and employment to its millions of people. The present study described the socio-economic and psychological profile of Integrated Farming System practicing farmers in Chittoor from Rayalaseema region, East Godavari from North East Coastal region and Srikakulam from North Coastal region. The sample constituted to a total of 189 farmers. The farmers practicing Integrated Farming System were middle aged (52.38%), completed graduation (26.98%), were small land holders (43.39%) with high experience in IFS (55.56%), had nuclear family (88.89%) and with fair cropping pattern (69.31%). The major occupation of the IFS farmers was cultivation (51.85%) with medium family size (67.72%), annual income (49.21%), extension contact (43.39%), mass media exposure (43.92%), economic motivation (54.50%), decision making ability (46.03%), risk preference (53.44%), enterprise combination (100.00%) and members of at least one organization (65.08%).
The Effect of Work Motivation and Compensation towards Performance of Non-Civil Servant Employee with Job Satisfaction as a Mediation Variable
Authors: Sedik Kosmas
Published: October 2021

Human resource in the organization is one of the functions in the application of management in order to realize the vision, mission, and goals of the organization. One of parts of human resource is the employees including the non-civil servant of Public Health Center in Tambrauw Regency. The performance of non-civil servant can be known through the performance of the Public Health Center that will have an impact on the performance of the health office. Thus, work motivation, compensation, and job satisfaction are several factors that support the implementation of non-civil servant employee performance in order to provide good service quality. This study aims to determine the effect of work motivation towards non-civil servant’s employee performance and job satisfaction, compensation towards employee performance and job satisfaction, and job satisfaction on employee performance. This study uses a quantitative approach. Respondents in this study were 109 Public Health Center employees in Tambrauw Regency, West Papua Province. The data used in this study are primary data obtained from the questionnaire filling results. The data from the filling results were then analyzed using SEM-AMOS. The results show that (1) work motivation positively and significantly affects non-civil servants’ employee performance, (2) compensation positively and significantly affects non-civil servants’ employee performance, (3) work motivation positively and significantly affects job satisfaction, (4) compensation positively and significantly affects job satisfaction, (5) job satisfaction positively and significantly affects non-civil servants’ employee performance, (6) work motivation positively and significantly affects performance mediated by job satisfaction, and (7) compensation positively and significantly affects performance mediated by job satisfaction. The conclusion is that the higher the work motivation of the non-civil servant employee of Public Health Center, the higher the performance and the job satisfaction; the higher the compensation of the non-civil servant employee of Public Health Center, the higher their performance and job satisfaction; and the higher the job satisfaction, the higher their performance.
The Contribution of Fisheries Sector in Regional Development of Karo Regency North Sumatra Province, Indonesia
Authors: T. C. Tarigan Rivaldo , Rizal Achmad , Bachtiar Eri , Gumilar Iwang
Published: October 2021

This research aims to analyze the growth of the fisheries sector, analyze the commodity market strength of the fisheries sector and analyze the strength of the fisheries sector's base and non-base sectors in regional development in Karo Regency. The method used in this study was a quantitative method using secondary data cross-section and time series which were then analyzed using descriptive statistics, and qualitative methods using primary data obtained through interview questionnaires. Analysis of the data used was growth index analysis, Trade area capture (TAC) analysis, full factor analysis (PF) and minimum requirement approach (MRA) analysis. The results of the growth index analysis show that the Gross Domestic Product (GDP)of the fisheries sector in the Karo Regency has increased by 95% in the period 2009-2018. The results of the 2009-2018 TAC analysis showed that the TAC value> population indicated that the regency was able to capture the opportunities of trade in fisheries products in other regions. PF value of the fisheries sector> 1 can attract customers from other regions and has a specialization in terms of fishery product markets. MRA analysis results in 2017 obtained the largest base multiplier in Bulang District with a value of 12.9 which means that every 120 workers in the base sector are expected to create 9 workers in the non-base sector.
Anti-inflammatory and Analgesic Activities of the Methanolic Extract and the Residual Fraction of the Stem Bark of Daniellia oliveri (Fabaceae)
Authors: Traore Mariam , Coulibaly Adjaratou C. , Traore Kadiatou T. , Boly Abdoul G. L. , Kabre Esther W. L. M. B. , Ouedraogo Noufou , Kiendrebeogo Martin , Sawadogo Richard W.
Published: October 2021

Aims: The aim of this study was to evaluate the anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities of Daniellia oliveri methanolic extract and its fractions in NMRI mice.

Study Design: In vivo acute toxicity, anti-inflammatory and analgesic assays.

Place and Duration of Study: The work was carried out in the Department of Traditional Pharmacopoeia and Pharmacy (MEPHATRA / PH) of the Research Institute for Health Sciences (IRSS) Ouagadougou (Burkina- Faso) between December 2020 and February 2021.

Methodology: The toxicity of the extracts was assessed according to OECD guideline 423 of 2001 at a single dose of 2000 mg / kg body weight. Analgesic effect was evaluated on the number of abdominal contortions induced by the intraperitoneal injection of acetic acid and the anti-inflammatory activity using the Carrageenan anti-edematous test was determined according to Winter.

Results: The results of the acute oral toxicity study in mice showed no clinical signs of toxicity at dose of 2000 mg/kg b.w. The lethal dose (LD50) value estimated to 5000 mg/kg. The extracts reduced edema from the first hour, then by the third hour and maximum inhibition was achieved by the fifth hour after the injection of carrageenan. Extract and methanolic fraction at different doses showed significant inhibition of abdominal contortions in mice in a dose dependent manner. At 200mg the analgesic effect of methanolic fraction and crude extract was 53.70±1.29% and 41.38±1.25% respectively. At 400 mg/kg, the methanolic fraction inhibited carragenaan-induced edema by 85.97±5.67%.

Conclusion: Daniellia oliveri is an important source of anti-inflammatory and analgesic compounds, justifying the use of this plant in traditional medicine for the treatment of inflammatory diseases.
Prevalence of Malaria from Blood Smears: A Four-Year Retrospective Study from the Jean Claude Handrault Hospital, Southern Gabon
Authors: Moundounga Kenguele Hilaire , Ngossanga Barclaye , Ndong Mba Thièry , Kombila Angélique , Bisseye Cyrille
Published: October 2021

Background: Malaria remains a public health concern in developing nations despite the reduction of its burden worldwide. In Gabon, the prevalence of malaria has declined in major urban cities due to the implementation of the preventive strategies recommended by the World Health Organization. However, the few studies conducted in rural areas have revealed that malaria still poses threats. The scarcity of data on rural areas of Gabon in general, and the Haut-Ogooué province, in particular, has led us to conduct the present study. The main objective of this four-year retrospective study was to determine the slide positivity rate of malaria at JC ANDRAULT hospital of Mounana, Southern Gabon.

Methods: Sociodemographic and clinical data from malaria suspected patients were collected from laboratory annual reports and analyzed.

Results: The results revealed a mean annual prevalence of 67.43%, no statistical difference was recorded among the years. The mean malaria cases of female (896) patients were nearly double of that of male patients (467), and patients aged 5-18, and older than 18 were the most affected; both results were found to be statistically significant. Although two peaks malaria cases were recorded during the great rainy season (482) and small dry season (476), the difference among seasons was not statistically significant.

Conclusion: The results of this study revealed that malaria transmission is high in the study area and thus preventive measures should be strengthen and extended to the older patients. This study is the first one to ever report the prevalence of malaria in a rural area of the Haut-Ogooué province.
Diabetes in the Context of Stroke (Local Study)
Authors: Mostafa Magda , Aladlany Mohamad , Sherif Mohamad , Abbas Mohammed
Published: October 2021

Background: Cerebrovascular diseases (CVD), including stroke, are considered as a high burden heath issue around the world. Diabetes is a well-established risk factor for stroke that affects both severity and outcome.

Objectives: The objective of this study is to evaluate cerebral stroke in diabetic patients and the impact of diabetes mellitus on the severity and outcome of all types of strokes.

Patients and Methods: This study included 500 patients with the first attack stroke who were classified into two groups; Group A: 404 diabetic patients & Group B: 96 non-diabetic patients. All patients were diagnosed clinically and with base line CT (Computed Tomography) brain and stroke severity was evaluated by NIHSS within 24 hours of admission.

Results: The mean NIHSS in the diabetic cases was 10.35 ± 2.51 which was statistically significant higher as compared with the non-diabetic cases (7.25 ± 1.02) (P <0.001). The percentage of cases with infarction stroke was higher in the diabetic group, however it did not detect major dissimilarity between the 2 groups.

Conclusion: Cardiovascular complications including cerebral strokes occur in higher rates in diabetic patients as compared with the non-diabetic. The outcomes of cerebral strokes were worse as compared with the non-diabetic.
A Validated Reversed-Phase HPLC Analytical Method for the Analysis of Fenofibrate in Bulk Drug and Tablet Dosage Formulation
Authors: Pimpale Awdhut , Kakde Rajendra , Kakde Ishwar
Published: October 2021

Aims: A accurate, precise, and stability-indicating Reversed-Phase HPLC technique has been established for the estimation of fenofibrate in tablet formulation.

Study Design:  Experimental study.

Place and Duration of Study: Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, RTM Nagpur University, Nagpur-440033, Maharashtra, India between June 2019 and March 2020.

Methodology: The chromatographic separation was attained on RP Princeton column (C18) (250 mm x 4.6 mm, 5 µ) with mobile solvent system as a mixture of water (pH 3.0 along o-phosphoric acid) and acetonitrile in the proportion (40:60) v/v, flow rate 1.0 ml per minute, at 240 nm. The retention time of fenofibrate was 3.905 minutes.

Results: The method demonstrated linearity in the concentration range of 87-232 µg/ml with a coefficient of correlation (r2) of 0.9994. The % RSD was ˂2% and percentage recovery was found to be 99.13-100.74%. The assay of marketed tablet formulations was found to be 99.98%.

Conclusion: The developed and validated technique as per ICH rules for specificity, accuracy, precision, linearity, and system suitability. Reverse Phase-HPLC technique was utilized to the market formulation.
Metabolic Ketoacidosis in a Gravida Diagnosed with COVID-19: A Case Report
Authors: Madaan Sparsh , Talwar Dhruv , Kumar Sunil , Jaiswal Arpita , Acharya Neema , Acharya Sourya , Halani Dhruva
Published: October 2021

We present a case of term pregnancy which presented with chief complaint of Breathlessness, chest pain as well as a one day history of vomiting. She tested positive for COVID19 through reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction of nasopharyngeal swab and the symptoms were attributed to Pneumonia caused due to COVID19.However,the arterial blood gas showed metabolic acidosis with high anion gap. This was a non lactate acidosis with no hypoxemia. Most reasonably the state of pregnancy with increased energy demands along with increased metabolic maternal demand due to infection coupled with maternal starvation had resulted in this Ketoacidosis . In view of non progression of labor caesarian section was carried out and a healthy neonate was delivered. There was an initial improvement in maternal ketoacidosis post partum however optimal management of COVID19 pneumonia required oxygen support and use of corticosteroids. Thus we highlight how an unusual metabolic demands of pregnancy might mimic COVID 19.
Land Subsidence Potential Detection in Yogyakarta International Airport using Sentinel-1 Insar Data
Authors: Dewanto Bondan Galih , Haryanto Yanuar , Purnomo Sanidhya Nika
Published: October 2021

On January 27, 2017, the Indonesian Government started building a new international airport in Yogyakarta Province, named Yogyakarta International Airport (YIA) to replace Adisucipto International Airport. YIA is located near the beach, which means that an awareness of natural disasters, such as coastal flooding, is essential. One of the causes of sea water flooding is land subsidence phenomenon. This land subsidence phenomenon can be monitored by using Sentinel-1 Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR) data. To monitor the crustal deformation, the data used in this research are from years 2016-2019. The data were processed through LiCSBAS software which is published by the COMET in the UK. In the processing scheme, interferograms with many unwrapping errors are detected and removed via loop closure. Reliable time series and velocities are extracted using several noise indices, with the help of masking. The results show the subsidence phenomenon in the YIA area (up to 25 mm).
Facet Junction Engineering for Photocatalysis: A Comprehensive Review on Elementary Knowledge, Facet‐Synergistic Mechanisms, Functional Modifications, and Future Perspectives
Authors: Sun Shaodong , He Liping , Yang Man , Cui Jie , Liang Shuhua
Published: October 2021

A facet junction (also called facet heterojunction or surface heterojunction) is defined as a complex polyhedral single crystal exposed to two, three, or four types of crystallographic planes, and is a promising platform for achieving multifunctional photocatalysis. Compared with simple polyhedral counterparts enclosed by the same crystallographic planes or conventional heterogeneous junctions, facet junctions have notable facet‐crosslinking effects arising from different electronic structures of heterogeneous facets, which is beneficial for promoting the transfer and separation of photogenerated charge carriers in a single‐crystalline semiconductor without the introduction of external species or interfaces. However, there are few specialized review articles on facet junction engineering of photocatalysts. Herein, an overview of facet junction‐based photocatalysts is provided based on the following aspects: elementary knowledge, microstructural features, intrinsic facet‐synergistic mechanisms, functional modifications, enhanced photocatalytic mechanisms, challenges and issues, and directions for future investigations. This review article will act as a theoretical base for researchers who are focused on facet‐dependent effects to design and fabricate new photocatalysts.
Lossless, Passive Transportation of Low Surface Tension Liquids Induced by Patterned Omniphobic Liquidlike Polymer Brushes
Authors: Soltani Mohammad , Golovin Kevin
Published: October 2021

Surfaces enabling directional liquid transportation are of great interest for a wide range of applications such as water collection, microfluidics, and heat transfer systems. Surfaces capable of lossless, long‐range passive transportation of low surface tension (LST) liquids using wettability patterned, liquidlike coatings with minimal contact angle hysteresis are reported. Lossless LST droplet travel distances over 150 mm are achieved, enabled by a two‐phase transportation mechanism: morphological transformation from a bulge to a channel shape, followed by directional transportation along the asymmetrical wedge‐shaped channel. The developed surfaces can split, merge, and precisely transport various low‐surface tension liquids, including alcohols, alkanes, and solvents. The developed transportation strategy can also enhance LST liquid dropwise condensation through continuous removal of the condensate, even on horizontally positioned surfaces without the assistance of gravity.
Aggregation‐Induced Emission‐Active Poly(phenyleneethynylene)s for Fluorescence and Raman Dual‐Modal Imaging and Drug‐Resistant Bacteria Killing
Authors: Su Xiang , Liu Ruihua , Li Ying , Han Ting , Zhang Zhijun , Niu Niu , Kang Miaomiao , Fu Shuang , Wang Deliang , Wang Dong , Tang Ben Zhong
Published: October 2021

Poly(phenyleneethynylene) (PPE) is a widely used functional conjugated polymer with applications ranging from organic optoelectronics and fluorescence sensors to optical imaging and theranostics. However, the fluorescence efficiency of PPE in aggregate states is generally not as good as their solution states, which greatly compromises their performance in fluorescence‐related applications. Herein, a series of PPE derivatives with typical aggregation‐induced emission (AIE) properties is designed and synthesized. In these PPEs, the diethylamino‐substituted tetraphenylethene units function as the long‐wavelength AIE source and the alkyl side chains serve as the functionalization site. The obtained AIE‐active PPEs with large π‐conjugation show strong aggregate‐state fluorescence, interesting self‐assembly behaviors, inherently enhanced alkyne vibrations in the Raman‐silent region of cells, and efficient antibacterial activities. The PPE nanoparticles with good cellular uptake capability can clearly and sensitively visualize the tumor region and residual tumors via their fluorescence and Raman signals, respectively, to benefit the precise tumor resection surgery. After post‐functionalization, the obtained PPE‐based polyelectrolyte can preferentially image bacteria over mammalian cells and possesses efficient photodynamic killing capability against Gram‐positive and drug‐resistant bacteria. This work provides a feasible design strategy for developing functional conjugated polymers with multimodal imaging capability as well as photodynamic antimicrobial ability.
A Modular Biomaterial Scaffold‐Based Vaccine Elicits Durable Adaptive Immunity to Subunit SARS‐CoV‐2 Antigens
Authors: Langellotto Fernanda , Dellacherie Maxence O. , Yeager Chyenne , Ijaz Hamza , Yu Jingyou , Cheng Chi‐An , Dimitrakakis Nikolaos , Seiler Benjamin T. , Gebre Makda S. , Gilboa Tal , Johnson Rebecca , Storm Nadia , Bardales Sarai , Graveline Amanda , White Des , Tringides Christina M. , Cartwright Mark J. , Doherty Edward J. , Honko Anna , Griffiths Anthony , Barouch Dan H. , Walt David R. , Mooney David J.
Published: October 2021

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic demonstrates the importance of generating safe and efficacious vaccines that can be rapidly deployed against emerging pathogens. Subunit vaccines are considered among the safest, but proteins used in these typically lack strong immunogenicity, leading to poor immune responses. Here, a biomaterial COVID‐19 vaccine based on a mesoporous silica rods (MSRs) platform is described. MSRs loaded with granulocyte‐macrophage colony‐stimulating factor (GM‐CSF), the toll‐like receptor 4 (TLR‐4) agonist monophosphoryl lipid A (MPLA), and SARS‐CoV‐2 viral protein antigens slowly release their cargo and form subcutaneous scaffolds that locally recruit and activate antigen‐presenting cells (APCs) for the generation of adaptive immunity. MSR‐based vaccines generate robust and durable cellular and humoral responses against SARS‐CoV‐2 antigens, including the poorly immunogenic receptor binding domain (RBD) of the spike (S) protein. Persistent antibodies over the course of 8 months are found in all vaccine configurations tested and robust in vitro viral neutralization is observed both in a prime‐boost and a single‐dose regimen. These vaccines can be fully formulated ahead of time or stored lyophilized and reconstituted with an antigen mixture moments before injection, which can facilitate its rapid deployment against emerging SARS‐CoV‐2 variants or new pathogens. Together, the data show a promising COVID‐19 vaccine candidate and a generally adaptable vaccine platform against infectious pathogens.
Acceptor Modulation Strategies for Improving the Electron Transport in High‐Performance Organic Field‐Effect Transistors
Authors: Chen Jinyang , Yang Jie , Guo Yunlong , Liu Yunqi
Published: October 2021

High‐performance ambipolar and electronic type semiconducting polymers are essential for fabricating various organic optoelectronic devices and complementary circuits. This review summarizes the strategies of improving the electron transport of semiconducting polymers via acceptor modulation strategies, which include the use of single, dual, triple, multiple, and all acceptors as well as the fusion of multiple identical acceptors to obtain new heterocyclic acceptors. To further improve the electron transport of semiconducting polymers, the introduction of strong electron‐withdrawing groups can enhance the electron‐withdrawing ability of donors and acceptors, thereby facilitating electron injection and suppressing hole accumulation. In addition, the relationships between the molecular structure, frontier molecular orbital energy levels, thin film morphology, microstructure, processing conditions, and device performances are also comprehensively discussed. Finally, the challenges encountered in this research area are proposed and the future outlook is presented.
Atomic Structure Evolution of Pt–Co Binary Catalysts: Single Metal Sites versus Intermetallic Nanocrystals
Authors: Li Xing , He Yanghua , Cheng Shaobo , Li Boyang , Zeng Yachao , Xie Zhenhua , Meng Qingping , Ma Lu , Kisslinger Kim , Tong Xiao , Hwang Sooyeon , Yao Siyu , Li Chenzhao , Qiao Zhi , Shan Chongxin , Zhu Yimei , Xie Jian , Wang Guofeng , Wu Gang , Su Dong
Published: October 2021

Due to their exceptional catalytic properties for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and other crucial electrochemical reactions, PtCo intermetallic nanoparticle (NP) and single atomic (SA) Pt metal site catalysts have received considerable attention. However, their formation mechanisms at the atomic level during high‐temperature annealing processes remain elusive. Here, the thermally driven structure evolution of Pt–Co binary catalyst systems is investigated using advanced in situ electron microscopy, including PtCo intermetallic alloys and single Pt/Co metal sites. The pre‐doping of CoN4 sites in carbon supports and the initial Pt NP sizes play essential roles in forming either Pt3Co intermetallics or single Pt/Co metal sites. Importantly, the initial Pt NP loadings against the carbon support are critical to whether alloying to L12‐ordered Pt3Co NPs or atomizing to SA Pt sites at high temperatures. High Pt NP loadings (e.g., 20%) tend to lead to the formation of highly ordered Pt3Co intermetallic NPs with excellent activity and enhanced stability toward the ORR. In contrast, at a relatively low Pt loading (<6 wt%), the formation of single Pt sites in the form of PtC3N is thermodynamically favorable, in which a synergy between the PtC3N and the CoN4 sites could enhance the catalytic activity for the ORR, but showing insufficient stability.
Label‐Free Cell Viability Assay and Enrichment of Cryopreserved Cells Using Microfluidic Cytometry and On‐Demand Sorting
Authors: Zhong Jianwei , Li Peixian , Liang Minhui , Ai Ye
Published: October 2021

Cryopreservation is essential for the long‐term storage of primary cell samples and enables accessing primary cells anytime via a simple thawing process. However, low viability and cell fragmentation are the major issues for cryopreserved cell samples due to the toxicity of cryoprotective agents and crystallization of intracellular contents during cooling at low temperature. Human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) in high viability are critical for pathophysiological and therapeutic research of infectious diseases, especially for the current worldwide pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019. Conventional viability enrichment techniques for primary PBMC samples provoke either cryoinjury caused by cell sorting mechanism or substantial cell loss due to multiple sample preparation steps. Here, a label‐free viability assessment and on‐demand enrichment system for cryopreserved primary human PBMCs with validation by fluorescent label‐based flow cytometry, is demonstrated. It can provide consistent viability assays by discriminating viable PBMCs from apoptotic, DMSO toxicity‐induced dead cells and cell debris, and deliver over 90% viability of sorted samples in one step after thawing. This integrated cell viability assay and on‐demand enrichment of viable cells has broad applications in diverse cellular biology research and cell‐related biomedical diagnostics.
Rainbows at the End of Subwavelength Discontinuities: Plasmonic Light Trapping for Sensing Applications
Authors: Farid Sidra , Dixon Katelyn , Shayegannia Moein , Ko Remy H. H. , Safari Mahdi , Loh Joel Y. Y. , Kherani Nazir P.
Published: October 2021

This article presents recent advances in plasmonic multiwavelength rainbow light trapping, a field that has evolved over the last decade and today is an active area of research interest encompassing a manifold of potential applications which include optical biosensing, photodetection, spectroscopy, and medicine. Conventional plasmonic devices are designed and optimized to enhance optical performance at single wavelengths, and as such are not suitable for applications that require electromagnetic field localization at multiple frequencies or broad frequency ranges of interest. To overcome these limitations, the ability to slow and trap light at multiple wavelengths and at different spatial locations has attracted significant scientific attention and opened up new research endeavors. Herein, fundamental principles of plasmonic light localization are presented, recent advances using breakthrough metamaterials are discussed—as well as major achievements and diverse device configurations used in the design and fabrication of plasmonic multiwavelength light trapping platforms with an emphasis on sensing applications. A presentation of salient works in this field is encapsulated, including the earliest invention of the concept of trapped rainbow, current trends, future directions, and emergent allied themes. This review also scrutinizes key developments and technical challenges vis‐à‐vis the physics of electromagnetic spectral localization and device fabrication which together provides insights and will inspire scientists and engineers to innovate and further develop the field.
Adsorption of Water Molecules on Pristine and Defective NiPX3 (X: S, Se) Monolayers
Authors: Wu Zhicheng , Xu Sifan , Zhou Yong , Guo Qilin , Dedkov Yuriy , Voloshina Elena
Published: October 2021

Layered transition metal trichalcogenides MPX3 (M: transition metal; X: S, Se) demonstrate a wide spectrum of properties and are widely proposed as effective materials for the water splitting reactions. Among these materials, NiPX3 are the most promising ones because their electronic structures, band gaps and positions of the valence and conduction bands edges fit to the potentials characteristic for the oxygen and hydrogen evolution reactions. Here, first steps of a detailed theoretical description on the adsorption of water molecules on pristine and defected (chalcogen vacancies) surfaces of NiPX3 are presented and it is shown that in all cases a physisorption takes the place with adsorption energies do not exceeding −650 meV and water dissociative adsorption is unfavorable. This work provides a general description for water molecules interaction with MPX3 and can serve as a basis for further studies on more complicated water/MPX3 reactions.
Largely invariant communities of bacterial endophytes in the nonphotosynthetic mycoheterotrophic plant Pterospora andromedea
Authors: Miller Steven L. , Gans Maya R.
Published: October 2021

Premise

Mycoheterotrophic plants rely on fungi to obtain their carbon requirements. Recent experiments demonstrated the presence of endophytic bacteria associated with mycoheterotrophs. Although mycoheterotrophs show high specificity for their fungal partners, it is not known whether they also show high specificity for associated bacteria or whether the bacteria have a definite function in the symbiosis.

Methods

Two 16S rRNA sequencing experiments were designed to explore endophytic microbial community composition and function in root ball fractions of the mycoheterotroph Pterospora andromedea (Ericaceae), and rhizosphere soil and control soil 5 m away from each plant. One experiment compared microbial assemblages in fractions of six plants to those in rhizosphere and control soil samples. Another experiment documented bacterial endophyte diversity in root balls of 97 plants from across North America.

Results

Soil samples were similar in bacterial community structure but were significantly more diverse and less consistently structured than were bacterial communities within root balls. The proportion of endophytic bacterial species varied slightly but not their community composition despite differences in P. andromedea lineage, geography, conifer species, and fungi. Predictive metagenomic profiling of the endophytes in P. andromedea‐only root ball fractions showed many of the bacterial endophytes likely function in N‐metabolism and N‐fixation.

Conclusions

Our results document a consistent and largely invariant community of endophytic bacteria in P. andromedea across biotic and abiotic environmental conditions at a continental scale. It is unknown what role these bacteria may play in the quad‐partite symbiotic network centered on P. andromedea; however, the predictive metagenomic profiling suggests a possible function in N‐metabolism or N‐fixation. Discovery of a ubiquitous community of endophytic bacteria with a putative function centered on N‐metabolism or N‐fixation could have a previously unrecognized impact on understanding of mycoheterotroph ecophysiology.
Immunohistochemistry of kangaroo rat hindlimb muscles
Authors: Ross Chanel D. , Meyers Ron A.
Published: October 2021

Kangaroo rats (Dipodomys spp.) use specialized bipedal hopping like that of kangaroos. In contrast to kangaroos that have elastic tendons capable of storing energy, kangaroo rats have inelastic tendons that are unable to store large amounts of energy. Thus, the musculature of the ankle joint provides the greatest power contribution to kangaroo rat hopping. Skeletal muscle can be characterized by several fiber types, including slow twitch (Type I) and fast twitch (Type II) fibers. Fast fibers are found in higher concentration in muscles that perform quick, dynamic movements, whereas slow fibers are found in higher proportion in muscles that perform slow, endurant movements. Using fiber type specific antibodies, we identified four pure (Types I, IIA, IIB, and IIX) and two hybrid (Types I/IIA and IIA/IIX) fiber types in six hindlimb muscles from three kangaroo rats (Dipodomys merriami) to investigate the relationship between fiber composition and hindlimb muscle function. Hindlimb muscles (except soleus) were dominated by Type IIB fibers, which were largest in cross‐sectional area, and are known to be best suited for rapid and explosive movements. Oxidative Type IIA and Type IIX fibers were found at moderate concentrations and likely function in maintaining continual saltatory locomotion. Thus, kangaroo rats can use these two fiber type populations as “gears” for both endurant and explosive behaviors.
Porous Organic Polymers for Catalytic Conversion of Carbon Dioxide
Authors: Du Jing , Ouyang Huang , Tan Bien
Published: October 2021

To overcome the challenges of global warming and environmental pollution, it is necessary to reduce the concentration of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere, which is mainly accumulated in the air through the burning of fossil fuels. Therefore, the development of environmentally friendly strategies to capture carbon dioxide and convert it into value‐added products offers a promising way forward for reducing carbon dioxide concentration in the atmosphere. In this context, POPs (porous organic polymers) have shown great potential as CO2selective adsorbents due to their high specific surface area, chemical stability, nanoscale porosity and structural diversity, as well as POPs based heterogeneous catalysts for CO2conversion. This review provides a concise account of preparation methods of various POPs, challenges and current development trends of POPs in photocatalytic CO2reduction, electrocatalytic CO2reduction and chemical CO2conversion.
Nonorographic inertia‐gravity waves over New Zealand's Southern Alps: A case study
Authors: Yang Yang , Carey‐Smith Trevor , Moore Stuart , Revell Mike , Uddstrom Michael
Published: October 2021

Wind profiles from radiosondes launched over New Zealand on June 29, 2014 during the Deep Propagating Gravity Wave Experiment (DEEPWAVE; June–July 2014) showed an interesting feature of two sharp peaks in wind speed: one in the upper troposphere and the other in the lower stratosphere. Analysis showed that the lower peak at around 11.5 km was associated with the upper‐tropospheric jet. Inertia‐gravity waves (IGWs) were found over the South Island from the upper troposphere to the lower stratosphere. The IGWs perturbed the environmental winds, leading to strong and weak wind layers that were tilted in a westerly direction and extended from 10 to 16 km in the IGW zone over the South Island. As a result, the upper wind peak was observed at ~14.5 km and the weak winds immediately below at ~13 km in the IGW zone. These IGWs had vertical wavelengths of ~3 km, horizontal wavelengths of 300–400 km, periods of 9–10 h, and a phase speed of ~11 m∙s−1. Numerical experiments showed that airflow over New Zealand's Southern Alps was not the main source for these IGWs. Further analysis suggested that the source of these IGWs in the lower stratosphere was likely due to the spontaneous adjustment of airflow associated with the upper‐tropospheric jet streak.
Monitoring Programs Are an Evolving Process: Detection of T&O in Filter Media
Authors: Adams Hunter , Reeder Sam , Southard Mark
Published: October 2021

Key Takeaways

The City of Wichita Falls, Texas, has experienced 13 taste and odor (T&O) events in the past five years, with one especially significant cyanobacterial bloom occurring in 2020.

Thanks to Cypress Environmental Laboratory's thorough and effective T&O monitoring program developed in 2016, in each of the 13 cases, drinking water with elevated T&O concentrations was detected and treated before being released to the public.

Laboratory staff further improved the monitoring program in January 2021, learning from steps they took to address an odor in the water at one of Wichita Falls’ treatment plants.
Improving Manganese Removal Across Surface Water Biofilters
Authors: Evans Ashley N. , Hakes Lyda , Ha Cynthia , Kirisits Mary Jo , Russell Caroline G. , Knocke William R.
Published: October 2021

Key Takeaways

Since late 2012, Alameda County Water District (ACWD) has observed manganese breakthrough across its anthracite biofilters following winter shutdowns.

Decreased manganese removal was observed across ACWD's biofilters when water temperatures dropped below 15 °C, even for biofilters that remained online.

Source water quality, shutdown protocols, and empty bed contact time appeared to affect manganese removal across biofiltration at these lower temperatures.

Utilities with measurable biofilter influent manganese should consider more frequent monitoring (e.g., at least weekly) and consult The Water Research Foundation Project 4749.
Influence of calcium and magnesium elimination on plant biomass and secondary metabolites of Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni
Authors: Ahmad Muhammad Arslan , Deng Xu , Adeel Muhammad , Rizwan Muhammad , Shakoor Noman , Yang Yuesuo , Javed Rabia
Published: October 2021

This study reports the increment in the secondary metabolites in Stevia rebaudiana plant after exposure to the elimination of Ca and Mg from Murashige and Skoog culture medium. The effect of nutrient stress on regenerants of S. rebaudiana is measured, which reveals significantly enhanced growth parameters, steviol glycosides (SGs) content, and nonenzymatic antioxidants; total phenolic content, total flavonoid content, total antioxidant capacity, total reducing power, and DPPH‐free radical scavenging activity as compared with the control treatment. However, significantly highest amounts are obtained in a medium with only Ca deficiency. The amount of rebaudioside A (Reb A) and stevioside (ST) obtained in the case of Ca‐deficient medium is 4.08 and 0.69%, respectively. It is followed by the results obtained from both Ca‐ and Mg‐deprived medium [Reb A (3.23%) and ST (0.52%)] and the lowest values are obtained from medium lacking Mg only [Reb A (2.60%) and ST (0.40%)]. The most probable adaptation mechanism might be the production of reactive oxygen species by nutrients’ stress, which results in secondary metabolites production as defensive moieties to overcome stress situation. This effective protocol needs to be refined to apply on an industrial scale in bioreactors for increasing quantities of commercially important pharmaceutical compounds.
Photophysical properties of anti‐inflammatory piroxicam and its Cu(II) complex
Authors: Choi Jungkweon , Ahn Mina , Wee Kyung‐Ryang , Cho Dae Won
Published: October 2021

Piroxicam (PRX), a nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drug, exhibits a large Stokes‐shift emission owing to the excited‐state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) from enol‐PRX to keto‐PRX. In contrast, the Cu‐coordinated PRX complex (CuPRX) does not show any emission at 300 K. In the time‐resolved transient absorption (TA) spectra, PRX showed two positive TA bands at 430 and 700 nm, corresponding to the S1–Sn transitions of keto‐PRX* and a negative bleaching band at 540 nm due to ESIPT emission. These TA bands decayed with a lifetime of approximately 50 ps. CuPRX showed similar TA features, but no bleaching band was observed for CuPRX and decayed rapidly within 3 ps, indicating a rapid intersystem crossing process owing to the heavy atom effect. Based on the experimental results and theoretical calculations, the fate for excited keto‐PRX is discussed in terms of the ESIPT and reverse ESIPT processes.
Pharmacokinetic and metabolic profiling studies of osmundacetone in rats by UPLC–MS/MS and UPLC–QE–Orbitrap–HRMS
Authors: Wu Hao , Cao Yijia , Wang Jiaqi , Liu Runhua , Sun Yu , Zhang Chenning , Sun Yikun
Published: October 2021

Osmundacetone is a potential medicinal substance existing in ferns and has excellent antioxidant effects. This research aims to obtain the pharmacokinetic data for and metabolite products of osmundacetone. An UPLC–MS/MS quantitative method was established for the measurement of osmundacetonein in rat plasma over a linear range of 6.72–860.00 ng/ml. The signal to noise ratio of the lower limit of quantification was 60:1, the precision was <9.74% and the method had good selectivity and stability. The established method was successfully applied to the pharmacokinetic study of osmundacetone for the first time. Osmundacetone reached a peak at 0.25 h with a maximum value of 3283.33 μg/L. The apparent volume of distribution not multiplied by the bioavailability was 127.96 L/kg, and the half‐life of osmundacetone was 5.20 h. At the same time, an UPLC–QE–Orbitrap–HRMS method was established to identify metabolites in plasma, urine and feces for the first time. A total of 30 metabolites were identified and the metabolic profile of osmundacetone was defined. In general, we have established a mass spectrometry quantitative method for osmundacetone for the first time and characterized its metabolic characteristics in rats.
Systematic Evaluation of Fluorination as Modification for Peptide‐Based Fusion Inhibitors against HIV‐1 Infection
Authors: Huhmann Susanne , Nyakatura Elisabeth K. , Rohrhofer Anette , Moschner Johann , Schmidt Barbara , Eichler Jutta , Roth Christian , Koksch Beate
Published: October 2021

With the emergence of novel viruses, the development of new antivirals is more urgent than ever. A key step in human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV‐1) infection is six‐helix bundle formation within the envelope protein subunit gp41. Selective disruption of bundle formation by peptides has been shown to be effective; however, these drugs, exemplified by T20, are prone to rapid clearance from the patient. The incorporation of non‐natural amino acids is known to improve these pharmacokinetic properties. Here, we evaluate a peptide inhibitor in which a critical Ile residue is replaced by fluorinated analogues. We characterized the influence of the fluorinated analogues on the biophysical properties of the peptide. Furthermore, we show that the fluorinated peptides can block HIV‐1 infection of target cells at nanomolar levels. These findings demonstrate that fluorinated amino acids are appropriate tools for the development of novel peptide therapeutics.
Improvement of abnormal cervical cytology possibly due to a graft‐versus‐tumor effect: A case report and literature review
Authors: Hayashi Natsuki , Kato Yasuhito , Miyakawa Hiroe , Nakata Toshiyuki , Tamate Kenichi , Kikuchi Tomoki , Obata Masahiko
Published: October 2021

The cervical cytology of our patient transformed from squamous cell carcinoma to negative for intraepithelial lesion or malignancy, possibly due to the graft‐versus‐tumor effect following allogeneic stem cell transplantation.
Herpes‐like skin lesion after AstraZeneca vaccination for COVID‐19: A case report
Authors: Ardalan Mohammadreza , Moslemi Hamidreza , Shafiei Shervin , Tabrizi Reza , Moselmi Mohammadreza
Published: October 2021

Recurrent herpes simplex virus or varicella zoster virus infection should be considered as one of the rare complications after AstraZeneca vaccination for COVID‐19.
Cryptococcal meningitis in an immunocompetent individual: A case report
Authors: Acharya Suman , Yadav Sushil Kumar , Singh Prabesh Bikram , Bhandari Siddhartha , Gautam Jeevan , Pathak Santosh , Nepal Gaurav , Sah Ranjit , Ojha Rajeev
Published: October 2021

Cryptococcal meningitis (CM) is mostly seen in immune‐compromised patients and rarely occurs in immune‐competent individuals. Immunocompetent individuals with CM present with indolent neurological disease and have better clinical outcomes after treatment. However, misdiagnosis is common and these patients may suffer from serious complications with high mortality.
Schuurs‐Hoeijmakers syndrome in a patient from Iraq ‐ Kirkuk
Authors: Abdulqader Sahar Adnan , Wli Wafaa Abdulqader , Qaryaqos Samer Habeeb
Published: October 2021

Schuurs‐Hoeijmakers syndrome is a very rare disorder with less than 60 cases reported worldwide. This is a case report of a patient with SHMS from Iraq, the first in the area of the Middle East. He had epilepsy during his first days of life and a subsequent neurodevelopmental delay.
Surgical repair of left‐sided partial anomalous pulmonary venous connection associated with situs inversus totalis
Authors: Al‐Dairy Alwaleed , Shammout Reem , Al habbal Raiean
Published: October 2021

The recognition of situs inversus is of great importance to avoid possible surgical mishaps that may result from the failure to recognize reversed anatomy or an atypical history. The repair of associated PAPVC with situs inversus totalis needs special attention during surgery due to the reversed anatomy.ss