bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
UTILIZATION OF NON-BIODEGRADABLE PLASTIC WASTE FOR THE PLASTIC-BITUMEN MIX: A REVIEW
Authors:   GBPUAT, Bhatt Divyanshu , Markuna Suman ,   GBPUAT
Published: June 2022

—Disposal of solid waste becomes a global issue due to it contains a large amount of non-degradable polymers. The use of plastic waste in the construction of flexible pavement found to be an excellent alternate conventional method for the extraction and recycling of non-biodegradable polymers from solid waste. Recycling techniques are alternatives and advancements in the plastic waste management process. Alternative techniques nowadays used for raw material creation for construction and another purpose. The paper reviews the performance and properties of plastic modified bitumen based on a comparative study conducted based on past research work. Physical properties of unmodified and plastic (LDPE, PET, and SBS) coated aggregate compared, the use of plastic enhanced the physical properties i.e. decreased moisture content, soundness value and bulk density, increased toughness, hardness, and strength of aggregate. The dry process suggested because high workability achieved during mixing the aggregate with plastic and bitumen. Replacing the bitumen binder with fine plastic waste reduces the different construction cost i.e. hauling cost, additional bitumen cost. Plastic modified bitumen found to be suitable for flexible pavement construction. The modification process for plastic-bitumen mix discussed and sorted based on their effectiveness and workability. This approach is economic and environment friendly can be adapted to modification in construction techniques.
PHOTOGRAPHY WITH NANODRONE
Authors:   Shri Siddheshwar Women’S Polytechnic, B. Andeli Vrushali , D. Mashalkar Shubhangi ,   Shri Siddheshwar Women’S Polytechnic
Published: June 2022

Developments and modifications play a vital role in the technological advancements. Since last few years the aerial vehicles or drones have been a trending topic considering photography. Because of its wide range of applications and the day to day advancements in their feature drones have gained more popularity. In this paper, you will see how to build a Photography with nano drone, which can able to capture photo, video, flip image this application helps to make the rescuing process easy and safe, drones are implemented to extinguish the fire, disaster management, Agriculture, Aerial hotography, Movie production, measuring the scale of natural disaster, getting a glimpse of the unknown lands etc.
MODELING OF REDUCTION OF ITAKPE OXIDE PELLETS IN FURNACE REACTOR
Authors:   Federal University of Petroleum Resources,, O Olayebi , S. E Ogbeide ,   University of Benin
Published: June 2022

The multiple gas solid reactions, the physico-chemical, transport and thermal phenomena taking place in the Direct reduction furnace of the Delta Steel plant was modelled using the shrinking core model on Itakpe ore with a view to improving on the efficiency of the reduction process. The mathematical description of the detailed physical, chemical, transport and thermal phenomena occurring in the furnace was carried out and the models described the fluid/solid flows through the moving bed reactor system and was conjugated with heat transfer, specie transport which included the solid oxide pellet feed and the reducing gases. The effect of the diffusion resistances, the intra-particle diffusion and kinetic phenomena coupled with other operating parameters on the overall particle conversion were examined and the Shrinking Core Model was able to correctly describe the heterogeneous process. The models were validated with data obtained in the reduction of the local Itakpe iron ore pellets. The simulated particles in this process was the 1.2cm diameter Itakpe pellet. The results of the reduction of the Itakpe iron ore were in close conformance with the behaviour of most worldwide iron oxides used in the direct reduction process.
A REVIEW ON SMART HEALTHCARE USING MEDICAL CHATBOTS
Authors:   JD College of Engineering and Management,, Moiz Baig, Mirza , Meshram Ameer , Bansod Abhishek , Mishra Nikhil , Bagde Komal , Lad Mohini ,   JD College of Engineering and Management
Published: June 2022

In the current situation people’s are getting more concerned about well being and good health of themselves and their families. During this pandemic situation of COVID-19 the peoples are scared of visiting hospitals and lack proper medication. In recent years many technologies have been evolved in the medical field one of which is Medical Chatbot. An automatized medical chatbot is a system with human interaction using natural language diagnosis to provide medical aid. Use of NLP, NLU, AI, ML concepts are being done in development of chatbots. A person can keep an eye on his health using these chatbots. The following paper is a review over the technologies and applications of various proposed chatbots in recent years.
Language of web: bynet discourse and Belarusian netspeak
Authors: Mojeiko Marina A.
Published: June 2022

It is proved that the modern Internet space creates a fundamentally new communication environment (social networks, chats, etc.), the capabilities of which, in turn, act as a trigger for linguistic transformations. It is the language of Internet communications that is today the field where new trends in language development are most actively formed. The functioning of the language in the network gives rise to a number of new phenomena. So, Internet discourse gives rise to such phenomena as massive abbreviations and an abundance of neologisms (including game ones), acronyms and backronyms, syngrahemics and supragrahemics, interlanguage hybrids, new tools for expressing subject-subject relations (formulas of politeness, for example) and many others. This poses new problems for both linguistics and philosophy of language. For example, it is shown that in the context of Internet communications, the classic dichotomy of verbal speech and written forms of language is blurred: on the one hand, in chats and forums, the language is formally represented by written texts, on the other – interactive dialogues actually set living one-time communication, which allows one to speak simultaneously, interrupt the interlocutor, respond immediately, etc., and all these are characteristic of verbal speech. It is concluded that if until now the main presenter of language in culture has clearly been fiction as embodying the established norm of the correct language, then today language practices (usus) come to the fore, reflecting the trends of linguistic evolution that are forming in the present continuous, that sets a new accentuation in modern culture, namely the prevalence of descriptive linguistics over prescriptive.
Superweak biophoton emission: possible biological significance and ways of practical use
Authors: Kostyuk Vladimir A.
Published: June 2022

Widespread in nature ability of biological objects to emit photons (biophotons) made it possible to create devices for non-invasive and continuous monitoring of the metabolism of organs and tissues, used as a powerful clinical diagnostic tool, as well as for visualisation and spatio-temporal analysis of functioning organs and, in particular, the brain. Numerous experimental data indicating the participation of biophotons in the processes of inter- and intracellular communication served as a theoretical basis for the medical use of low-intensity light therapy for the effective treatment of a wide range of diseases, including delayed wound healing, pain in arthritis, and acute stroke.
Features fruit set higbush blueberry depending on the cultivar specifications and weather and climatic conditions
Authors: Drozd Olga V.
Published: June 2022

On the basis of four-year data, the features of fruit set are shown for 15 cultivars of highbush blueberry. The average yield of ripe berries from the number of flowers varies within a fairly wide range and averages from 46 % (Chandler) to 83 % (Sunrise) for highbush blueberry cultivars. The degree of variability in berry setting indices in the taxa under study varied significantly over the years: from a low level (Bluejay, Nui, Puru, Spartan, Sunrise) to a very high level (Bonus). It was revealed that the lower the level of variability of the fruit setting indicator, the higher the adaptive ability of the taxon to changing weather and climatic conditions. The setting of highbush blueberry fruits is influenced by such weather and climatic factors as humidity and air temperature. Precipitations falling within the range close to the mean annual values or slightly higher than them, and the air temperature close to the climatic norm, contribute to better fruit setting. A pronounced shortage of precipitation, especially against the background of an increased average daily temperature, during flowering and growth of fruits, as well as heavy precipitation during the period of mass flowering of blueberries, have a negative effect on berry setting. At the same time, the main limiting temperature factor during flowering and formation of blueberry fruits is a decrease in air temperature to minus indicators (freesing).
HUKUKUN ARAÇSALLAŞTIRILMASI YOLUYLA HUKUK DEVLETİ İLKESİNDE AŞINMA: AVRUPA KONSEYİ ÜLKELERİNDEN DENEYİMLER
Authors: ÖZKAN Zeynep , UZUNPINAR Çiğdem Serra
Published: June 2022

Günümüzde devletlerin otoriterleşme eğiliminin küresel boyuta ulaştığı, hak temelli kamu politikaları yerine popülist söylemlerin kabul gördüğü ve yöneticilerin iktidarlarını sürdürebilmek adına hukuku göz ardı eden eylem ve işlemlerle otoritelerini pekiştirdikleri açıktır. Bu otoriterleşmenin, - Huntington’ın ifadesi ile - demokratikleşmenin Üçüncü Dalgsı’nda bir Ters Dalga nitelendirmesini hak ettiğini söylemek olanaklıdır. Çalışmada otoriterleşme ve hukuk devleti ilkesinden geriye gidişin sıklıkla dile getirildiği Rusya Federasyonu, Macaristan ve Polonya’daki gelişmeler incelenmiştir. Her üç ülkede de demokratikleşme ve hukuk devleti ilkesinden açık bir ayrılış yaşanmaktadır. Bu ayrılış Rusya’daki gelişmelerle başlayıp, çığlaşma biçiminde diğer ülkelere sıçramıştır. Bu durum özellikle, anayasa yargısının tasarımı ile yargı bağımsızlığı alanında gerçekleşmektedir. Üçüncü Dalga’daki geriye gidiş, görece en zararsız olan yargı erkinde gerçekleşmekte ve bunun hukukun araçsallaştırılması yoluyla yapılmaktadır. Bu çerçevede anayasanın üstünlüğü bahanesiyle insan haklarını koruyucu ulusal üstü mekanizmaların işlevsiz hale getirildiği ve bu durum egemenlik meselesi gibi gösterilerek Sözleşme sisteminden kopuşun perdelendiği gözlenmektedir. Bu gerilemenin onarılamaz sosyal, siyasal, toplumsal ve ekonomik sonuçları olacaktır. Bu çalışmada elde edilen tespitler sonucunda yargının diğer erklerden yönelen müdahalelerden kurtarılarak hakların korunmasındaki gerçek rolüne kavuşturulması, bu amaçla ulus devletlerin insan haklarını korumaya yönelik ulusal üstü mekanizmalarla yeniden bütünleşmesi gerekliliğine işaret edilmektedir.
ROBOT VERGİSİ: TEORİK BİR TARTIŞMA
Authors: KİREÇTEPE Burhanettin Onur
Published: June 2022

Robotlar gün geçtikçe daha gelişmiş bir hale gelmekte ve daha kompleks görevleri icra edebilmektedirler. Robotların gelişimine paralel olarak, emek üzerinden gelir elde eden işçilere yönelik emek piyasasındaki talep de azalmaktadır. OECD ülkelerinin kamu gelirlerinin ortalama olarak %50’sinin emek üzerinden alınan vergiler ve sosyal güvenlik primleri olduğu göz önüne alındığında, teknolojik işsizliğin ulaşabileceği boyutlar doğrudan doğruya kamu gelirlerinin azalması sonucunu doğurabilecektir. Bu azalmaya ek olarak, teknolojik işsizlik ile birlikte işsiz kalanlara yönelik olarak yapılacak işsizlik maaşı ödemeleri ve yeniden meslek edindirmeye yönelik yapılacak harcamalar da kamu harcamalarında olağanüstü bir artışın olmasını kaçınılmaz kılmaktadır. Teknolojik işsizliğin ciddi boyutta sefalet yaratabilme ihtimali de vardır. Bu sefaletin etkisini azaltmak veya ortadan kaldırmak için ise herkese temel gelir garanti edilmesi önerilmektedir. Bu uygulamanın sefaleti azaltabilecek bir etkisinin yanı sıra kamu harcamalarını da arttırıcı bir etkisi de olacaktır. Bütün bunların bir neticesi, teknolojik işsizliğin doğrudan sebebi olarak değerlendirilebilecek robotlaşmanın ve robotların vergilendirilmesi önerilmesidir. Bu sayede kamu gelirlerindeki azalışı durdurabilecek ve artacak kamu harcamalarının finansmanını sağlayabilecek bir araç elde edilmiş olacaktır. Teknolojik gelişmeler ve bunların etkilerinden dolayı robot vergisi kavram olarak tartışılır hale gelmiştir. Bu çalışmada öncelikle kısaca robot ve elektronik kişi kavramları açıklanacaktır, bunları robot vergisinin fiskal ve ekstra-fiskal amacının irdelenmesi takip edecektir. Ardından robot vergisinin çeşitli vergi türleri açısından değerlendirilmesine çalışılacak ve son olarak vergi dışı kamu gelirleri karşısında robotun durumu da açıklanmaya çalışılacaktır. Çalışma ile konuya yönelik tartışmalara bütünsel bir bakış açısı ile katkı sağlanmaya gayret edilmiştir.
Sphenoid wing metastasis of prostate cancer: a rare case
Authors: Akdemir Fatih
Published: June 2022

A sphenoid metastasis of prostate cancer is an extremely rare entity and it is not an expected finding especially in the first presentation. It is difficult to demonstrate the metastasis on skull base. Sometimes, it may cause neurological and vision problems, and can be easily omitted by clinician. When prostate carcinoma is accompanied by neurological and vision problems, one should keep in mind that these may be related to intracranial metastasis, and should perform necessary imaging studies. Patients with symptoms related to intracranial metastasis can take receive palliative radiotherapy but prognosis is generally poor. In this report, we discussed a 75 years-old patient with prostate cancer and sphenoid metastasis under the light of current literature. Keywords: prostate cancer, sphenoid bone, metastasis
Después de la conquista
Authors: García González Víctor
Published: June 2022

La conquista de Orán en 1732 es uno de los grandes momentos de un reinado controvertido como el de Felipe V y como episodio militar ha recibido tradicionalmente la atención de la historiografía. Aunque han aparecido interesantes estudios sobre la sociedad oranesa de la Edad Moderna en las últimas décadas, existen sin embargo pocas investigaciones recientes sobre la defensa de Orán posterior a 1732. Este artículo busca arrojar luz sobre este contexto, haciendo hincapié en otro aspecto poco conocido: las relaciones con la población local de dentro y fuera de la plaza. Para ello se han consultado los testimonios de testigos de primera mano como el gobernador José Vallejo o los ingenieros militares que sirvieron en Orán durante ese período.
Preference of Broiler Chicken for Cassava-Moringa Based Diet
Authors: TUEN ANDREW ALEK , TOH LYDIA POI HUONG , BANDONG ERVYNNA CHRISTY
Published: June 2022

The poultry industry is under pressure from the rising cost of imported feed ingredients. In order for the industry to be profitable and sustainable, it has to reduce the cost of production by using locally available feedstuff. A study was carried out to evaluate feed preference of broiler chicken for cassava root chip, for three diets made by mixing different proportion in percentage of cassava root chip and ground Moringa leaf (90:10, 80:20, 70:30) and compare it to the preference for commercial starter diet. These diets were offered as free choice to five 20-days old chicken, one at a time over a period of five days. The three feed preference criteria assessed were (i) the visiting frequency to each diet station, (ii) time spent feed at each diet station, and (iii) amount of different treatment diet consumed. The hypothesis is that the preferred food will be visited more often; the chicken will spend longer time feeding on it and therefore consume it more. We found that broiler chicken consumed cassava root chip the least (2 g), visited it less often (9 visits) and spent less time (3.5 minutes) feeding on it. In contrast, feed consumption (6.12 g) and time spent (17 minutes) was highest for mixed diet containing 80% cassava and 20% Moringa leaf meal. Visiting frequency was highest for commercial starter diet (29 visits) and second highest (24 visits) for mixed diet of 80% cassava: 20% Moringa and 70% cassava: 30% Moringa. It is concluded that broiler chicken preferred the diet containing 80% cassava root chip and 20% Moringa leaf meal among all diets on offer.
Diet Analysis of Sympatric Colobine Monkeys from Bako National Park, Sarawak, Borneo
Authors: WAN AZMAN WAN NUR SYAFINAZ , KHAN FAISAL ALI ANWARALI
Published: June 2022

Habitat quality and abundant of food resources are among the key factors influencing the continued existence of primates in the wild. Although much has been studied on primate habitats and their diets, little is known about the nutritional value of the colobines’ foods. This study aimed to assess the dietary nutrient compositions of two sympatric colobine monkeys, Trachypithecus cristatus and Nasalis larvatus, in Bako National Park using proximate analysis of faecal, leaf and fruit samples of eight dominant tree species in Bako NP. Five nutrient parameters, namely crude protein, crude fat, crude fibre, ash, phosphorus, and energy content, were choosen to assess the nutritional demands of the monkeys in the wild.  The faecal samples showed significantly higher percentage of crude fibre (27.58%) in N. larvatus compared to T. cristatus. In contrast, crude fat (8.52%), ash content  (1.79%) and phosphorus (5.76 mg/g) were found to be significantly higher in the faecal samples of T. cristatus than in N. larvatus. The nutrient composition of leaves samples from the tree species consumed by N. larvatus and T. cristatus showed a significantly higher percentage of crude protein (14.56%) in Barringtonia asiatica (sea poison tree) and higher ash (13.70%) in Morinda citrifolia (Indian mulberry). Meanwhile, nutrient composition in fruit samples showed highest percentage of crude fibre (32.58%) and crude fat (12.35%) in Calophyllum inophyllum (Alexandrian laurel), whereas higher phosphorus (5.76%) and energy (24.26 KJ) were recorded in Ceriops tagal (Yellow mangrove). The higher crude fiber detected in N. larvatus’ faecal samples compared to T. cristatus  may indicates that N. larvatus experiences lower digestibility as they are incapable of completely digesting the tough leaves or fruits. This study provides useful information for the conservation and management of these primate species especially on their dietary requirements in captivity or in  a new habitat.
Sanitasi Terminal pada Era New Normal : Studi Kasus Terminal Tipe A Simbuang Mamuju
Authors: Islam Fahrul , Erwin Ashari Agus , Ahmad Haeranah
Published: June 2022

Poor access to sanitation is one of the causes of disease in public places including at bus station. This research uses observational methods with a descriptive approach. The purpose of this study was to determine the sanitary condition of Simbuang Mamuju Type A Station.  The object of this study is The Environmental Sanitation Facility of the Simbuang Type A Station, Mamuju Regency. The instrument used is an assessment instrument for environmental health examination of public transportation infrastructure by the Health Human Resources Education Center in 2018. The results showed that the condition of the clean water supply facilities was qualified with a percentage of the total score of 70%, but there were still components that did not meet the requirements, namely the components of periodic clean water quality inspection in the lab. Toilet conditions are not eligible with a percentage of the total score below 70%, which is 65%. unqualified components are toilets that are not clean and smelly. The condition of the waste disposal facility is qualified with a percentage of the total score of 87.5%, but there are still components that do not meet the requirements, namely the waste component is disposed of / transported > every 3 days. Conclusion: The Sanitation Condition of the Simbuang Type A Station is not healthy yet. Suggestion: all components that are not qualified to be paid more attention to.
A Journey through Homes: Relooking the Looking-Glasses of Geographical Partition
Authors: Roy Debashis
Published: June 2022

The paper addresses Conrad’s The Shadow-Line and Ghosh’s The Shadow Lines to bring out the conflict between the Orient and the Occident in the former (with the movement of the naval officer from doubt towards fulfilment) and that of the classical mapping of East and the West in the latter (with the movement away from the ‘cultural/classical’ fulfilment towards unsatiated doubt). The paper criticizes and counters the absence of any discussion about the common human experiences/events and/or subaltern histories in Midnight’s Children by focusing on nationalistic criticism present in The Shadow Lines.
Thus, the paper holds implications and displays a journey through historical events that dismantled and suffocated ‘sensibilities’. Furthermore, the paper intends to prove that any journey/trip once taken complicates/problematizes one’s identity by making the swift flow between the old and new, past and present gradually impossible. Life, therefore becomes an unending trip forward and backward either by choice or by a lack of choice.
Human Factor in Safe Health Care
Authors: Voskanyan Yury , Shikina Irina , Gasparyan Arthur , Davidov David
Published: June 2022

Over the past half century, health care has seen incredible progress related to reducing the frequency and severity of harm to patient health and life in the delivery of health care. Nevertheless, the attention of health care scientists and practitioners has begun to increase. The sources of adverse events have come to the attention of health care scientists and practitioners, such as human factor, extra-organizational causes, self-destructive behavior of the patient, which today changes the distribution of sources of adverse events.
The foundation for building a strategic ladder of safe health care should have been based on the management of deviations related to illness, effective communication, patient education, and others.
Applications of Human-Computer Interaction in Health Psychology
Authors: Jain Sapna , Alam M
Published: June 2022

The Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) manages the plan, assessment and utilization of data and correspondence advancements. From man-made consciousness to social robots and robots for sexual problems, HCI covers a wide scope of uses. Abilities an interdisciplinary methodology, in light of the joint effort between intellectual mechanical technology and kid brain research, for oneself supporting plan of intellectual and conduct abilities in engineered intellectual specialists, including robots, that is animated by thoughts and formative systems found in kids. Cyberpsychology examines every one of the ones mental peculiarities which are identified with age and pursuits to examinations the strategies of substitute welcomed on through the exchange among fellow and the fresh out of the box new media. This paper discusses how artificial intelligence and HCI applications are handling psychological issues that affect health in an efficient manner. The paper explains how AI and human consciousness are interlinked and different factors play a very important role to provide the support for behavioral issues and diseases. The contribution of Artificial Intelligence in transforming HCI is discussed through case studies, applications and systems in the paper.
Recent Advances of Pullulan and/or Dextran-Based Materials for Bone Tissue Engineering Strategies in Preclinical Studies: A Systematic Review
Authors: Ahmed Omar Naïma , Amédée Joëlle , Letourneur Didier , Fricain Jean-Christophe , Fenelon Mathilde
Published: June 2022

Bone tissue engineering (BTE) strategies are increasingly investigated to overcome the limitations of currently used bone substitutes and to improve the bone regeneration process. Among the natural polymers used for tissue engineering, dextran and pullulan appear as natural hydrophilic polysaccharides that became promising biomaterials for BTE. This systematic review aimed to present the different published applications of pullulan and dextran-based biomaterials for BTE. An electronic search in Pubmed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases was conducted. Selection of articles was performed following PRISMA guidelines. This systematic review led to the inclusion of 28 articles on the use of pullulan and/or dextran-based biomaterials to promote bone regeneration in preclinical models. Sixteen studies focused on dextran-based materials for bone regeneration, six on pullulan substitutes and six on the combination of pullulan and dextran. Several strategies have been developed to provide bone regeneration capacity, mainly through their fabrication processes (functionalization methods, cross-linking process), or the addition of bioactive elements. We have summarized here the strategies employed to use the polysaccharide scaffolds (fabrication process, composition, application usages, route of administration), and we highlighted their relevance and limitations for BTE applications.
Engineering Glucose-to-Glycerol Pathway in Klebsiella pneumoniae and Boosting 3-Hydroxypropionic Acid Production Through CRISPR Interference
Authors: Liu Hexin , Zhao Peng , Tian Pingfang
Published: June 2022

The recent decline of the international biodiesel industry has led to decreased production and therefore increased the price of glycerol, which is a major by-product of biodiesel but a substrate for production of 3-hydroxypropionic acid (3-HP), that is, glycerol as a feedstock has no advantage over glucose in price. Hence, we engineered glucose to the glycerol pathway and improved 3-HP production by CRISPR interference (CRISPRi). To begin with, we cloned the genes encoding glycerol 3-phosphate dehydrogenase (gpd1) and glycerol 3-phosphatase (gpp2) from Saccharomyces cerevisiae, which jointly catalyze glucose into glycerol. The genes gpd1 and gpp2 were co-expressed in K. pneumoniae with the dCas9 gene integrated in genome, and this recombinant strain produced 2 g/L glycerol in the shake flask. To minimize the glucose consumption by competing pathways including the EMP pathway, glycerol oxidation pathway, and by-products pathways, we developed an CRISPRi system in aforementioned recombinant K. pneumoniae strain to inhibit the expression of the glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase gene (gapA) and 2,3-butanediol production gene (budA), resulting in a bi-functional strain harboring both glucose-to-glycerol pathway and CRISPRi system. Reverse transcription and quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) results showed that this engineered CRISPRi system transcriptionally inhibited gapA and budA by 82% and 24%, respectively. In shake flask cultivation, this bi-functional strain produced 2.8 g/L glycerol using glucose as the carbon source, which was 46.6% increase compared to the strain without the engineered CRISPRi system. Moreover, this bi-functional strain produced 0.78 g/L 3-HP using glucose as the sole carbon source. In fed-batch cultivation, this bi-functional strain produced 1.77 g/L 3-HP. This study provides insights for co-utilization of distinct carbon sources.
Asexual Blood-Stage Malaria Vaccine Candidate PfRipr5: Enhanced Production in Insect Cells
Authors: Correia Ricardo , Fernandes Bárbara , Castro Rute , Nagaoka Hikaru , Takashima Eizo , Tsuboi Takafumi , Fukushima Akihisa , Viebig Nicola K. , Depraetere Hilde , Alves Paula M. , Roldão António
Published: June 2022

The malaria asexual blood-stage antigen PfRipr and its most immunogenic fragment PfRipr5 have recently risen as promising vaccine candidates against this infectious disease. Continued development of high-yielding, scalable production platforms is essential to advance the malaria vaccine research. Insect cells have supplied the production of numerous vaccine antigens in a fast and cost-effective manner; improving this platform further could prove key to its wider use. In this study, insect (Sf9 and High Five) and human (HEK293) cell hosts as well as process-optimizing strategies (new baculovirus construct designs and a culture temperature shift to hypothermic conditions) were employed to improve the production of the malaria asexual blood-stage vaccine candidate PfRipr5. Protein expression was maximized using High Five cells at CCI of 2 × 106 cell/mL and MOI of 0.1 pfu/cell (production yield = 0.49 mg/ml), with high-purity PfRipr5 binding to a conformational anti-PfRipr monoclonal antibody known to hold GIA activity and parasite PfRipr staining capacity. Further improvements in the PfRipr5 expression were achieved by designing novel expression vector sequences and performing a culture temperature shift to hypothermic culture conditions. Addition of one alanine (A) amino acid residue adjacent to the signal peptide cleavage site and a glycine-serine linker (GGSGG) between the PfRipr5 sequence and the purification tag (His6) induced a 2.2-fold increase in the expression of secreted PfRipr5 over using the expression vector with none of these additions. Performing a culture temperature shift from the standard 27–22°C at the time of infection improved the PfRipr5 expression by up to 1.7 fold. Notably, a synergistic effect was attained when combining both strategies, enabling to increase production yield post-purification by 5.2 fold, with similar protein quality (i.e., purity and binding to anti-PfRipr monoclonal antibody). This work highlights the potential of insect cells to produce the PfRipr5 malaria vaccine candidate and the importance of optimizing the expression vector and culture conditions to boost the expression of secreted proteins.
Sustainable Production of Bioethanol Using Levulinic Acid Pretreated Sawdust
Authors: Nawaz Ali , Huang Rong , Junaid Farah , Feng Yiwei , Haq Ikram Ul , Mukhtar Hamid , Jiang Kankan
Published: June 2022

The sustainability and economic viability of the bioethanol production process from lignocellulosic biomass depend on efficient and effective pretreatment of biomass. Traditional pretreatment strategies implicating the use of mineral acids, alkalis, and organic solvents release toxic effluents and the formation of inhibitory compounds posing detrimental effects on the environment and interfering with the enzymatic saccharification process, respectively. Ionic liquids (ILs) as green solvents were used to overcome this issue, but the deep eutectic solvent as an emerging class of ionic liquids performed better in terms of making the process environmentally and economically viable. The green solvent-based pretreatment strategy applied in the current research was levulinic, acid-based natural deep eutectic solvent (NADES). Three different hydrogen bond acceptors (HBAs)—acetamide, betaine, and choline chloride—in combination with levulinic acid as hydrogen bond donor (HBD) in (HBD: HBA) molar ratio 2:1, were screened for biomass pretreatment. The best deep eutectic solvent was levulinic acid: choline chloride in an optimized molar ratio of 1:0.5, resulting in 91% delignification. The physicochemical parametric optimization of saccharification exhibited maximum enzymatic hydrolysis of 25.87% with 125 mg of pretreated sawdust via simultaneous addition of three thermostable cellulases [i.e., endo-1,4-β-D-glucanase (240 U), exo-1,4-β-D-glucanase (180 U), and β-glucosidase (320 U)] for 5 h of incubation at 75°C. The reducing sugar slurry obtained from the saccharified biomass was then added to a fermentation medium for bioethanol production, and a maximum of 11.82% of production was obtained at 30°C, 72 h, and 180 rpm using a 2.5% 24 h old Saccharomyces cerevisiae seed culture. The current study revealed that the levulinic-based deep eutectic solvent exhibited remarkable delignification, which led to the efficient enzymatic hydrolysis of sawdust and hence bioethanol production. Furthermore, it will prospect new avenues in bioethanol production using a deep eutectic solvent. Deep eutectic solvent overcame the issues posed by ionic liquids: toxicity, expensive and complex preparation, and non-biodegradability.
Large-Eddy Simulations of Wind-Driven Cross Ventilation, Part1: Validation and Sensitivity Study
Authors: Hwang Yunjae , Gorlé Catherine
Published: June 2022

Natural ventilation is gaining popularity in response to an increasing demand for a sustainable and healthy built environment, but the design of a naturally ventilated building can be challenging due to the inherent variability in the operating conditions that determine the natural ventilation flow. Large-eddy simulations (LES) have significant potential as an analysis method for natural ventilation flow, since they can provide an accurate prediction of turbulent flow at any location in the computational domain. However, the simulations can be computationally expensive, and few validation and sensitivity studies with respect to simulation parameters such as grid resolution and boundary conditions have been reported. The objectives of this study are to validate LES of wind-driven cross-ventilation and to quantify the sensitivity of the solution to the grid resolution and the inflow boundary conditions. We perform LES for an isolated building with two openings, using three different grid resolutions and two different inflow conditions with varying turbulence intensities. Predictions of the ventilation rate are compared to a reference wind-tunnel experiment available from literature, and we also quantify the age of air and ventilation efficiency. For the cross-ventilation case modeled in this paper, the prediction of the mean ventilation flow rate is very robust, showing negligible sensitivity to the grid resolution or the inflow characteristics with the maximum error of 1.9 and 1.3% for each sensitivity study. However, a sufficiently fine grid resolution is required to obtain accurate predictions of the detailed flow pattern and the age of air as they show comparably larger errors of 10 and 20% in the grid sensitivity study, and the standard deviation of the instantaneous ventilation rate is affected by the turbulence in the inflow condition with showing 44% difference.
Force Transmission in Disordered Fibre Networks
Authors: Ruiz-Franco José , van Der Gucht Jasper
Published: June 2022

Cells residing in living tissues apply forces to their immediate surroundings to promote the restructuration of the extracellular matrix fibres and to transmit mechanical signals to other cells. Here we use a minimalist model to study how these forces, applied locally by cell contraction, propagate through the fibrous network in the extracellular matrix. In particular, we characterize how the transmission of forces is influenced by the connectivity of the network and by the bending rigidity of the fibers. For highly connected fiber networks the stresses spread out isotropically around the cell over a distance that first increases with increasing contraction of the cell and then saturates at a characteristic length. For lower connectivity, however, the stress pattern is highly asymmetric and is characterised by force chains that can transmit stresses over very long distances. We hope that our analysis of force transmission in fibrous networks can provide a new avenue for future studies on how the mechanical feedback between the cell and the ECM is coupled with the microscopic environment around the cells.
Laboratory Screening of Control Agents Against Isolated Fungal Pathogens Causing Postharvest Diseases of Pitaya in Guizhou, China
Authors: Li Yong , Chen Haijiang , Ma Lan , An Youshan , Wang Hui , Wu Wenneng
Published: June 2022

Pitaya, or dragon fruit, is a typical tropical fruit with an appealing taste and diverse health benefits to humans. The plantation of pitaya in Guizhou province in China has greatly boosted the income of local farmers and alleviated poverty. However, the frequent occurrence of postharvest diseases has brought large economic loss. To find a solution, we set out to identify the postharvest disease-causing agents of Guizhou pitaya. Several fungi were isolated from diseased pitaya and identified as species based on the ITS1 sequence similarity. Of them, Penicillium spinulosum, Phoma herbarum, Nemania bipapillata, and Aspergillus oryzae were, for the first time, found to cause dragon fruit disease. In consideration of their prevalence in postharvest fruit diseases, Alternaria alternata H8 and Fusarium proliferatum H4 were chosen as representative pathogens for the drug susceptibility test. Among the tested drugs and plant extracts, 430 g/L tebuconazole and 45% prochloraz were found to be the most potent fungicides against H8 and H4, respectively. The research provides insights into the mechanism and control of postharvest diseases of dragon fruits in Guizhou, China, and thus could be of economic and social significance to local farmers and the government.
Electronic, Magnetic, and Optical Properties of Metal Adsorbed g-ZnO Systems
Authors: Shen Yang , Yuan Zhihao , Cui Zhen , Ma Deming , Yang Kunqi , Dong Yanbo , Wang Fangping , Du Ai , Li Enling
Published: June 2022

2D ZnO is one of the most attractive materials for potential applications in photocatalysis, gas and light detection, ultraviolet light-emitting diodes, resistive memory, and pressure-sensitive devices. The electronic structures, magnetic properties, and optical properties of M (Li, Na, Mg, Ca, or Ga) and TM (Cr, Co, Cu, Ag, or Au) adsorbed g-ZnO were investigated with density functional theory (DFT). It is found that the band structure, charge density difference, electron spin density, work function, and absorption spectrum of g-ZnO can be tuned by adsorbing M or TM atoms. More specifically, the specific charge transfer occurs between g-ZnO and adsorbed atom, indicating the formation of a covalent bond. The work functions of M adsorbed g-ZnO systems are obviously smaller than that of intrinsic g-ZnO, implying great potential in high-efficiency field emission devices. The Li, Na, Mg, Ca, Ga, Ag, or Au adsorbed g-ZnO systems, the Cr adsorbed g-ZnO system, and the Co or Cu adsorbed g-ZnO systems exhibit non-magnetic semiconductor proprieties, magnetic semiconductor proprieties, and magnetic metal proprieties, respectively. In addition, the magnetic moments of Cr, Co, or Cu adsorbed g-ZnO systems are 4 μB, 3 μB, or 1 μB, respectively, which are mainly derived from adsorbed atoms, suggesting potential applications in nano-scale spintronics devices. Compared with the TM absorbed g-ZnO systems, the M adsorbed g-ZnO systems have more obvious absorption peaks for visible light, particularly for Mg or Ca adsorbed g-ZnO systems. Their absorption peaks appear in the near-infrared region, suggesting great potential in solar photocatalysis. Our work contributes to the design and fabrication of high-efficiency field emission devices, nano-scale spintronics devices, and visible-light responsive photocatalytic materials.
Fabrication of Ag/ZnO@N-Carbon Core@Shell Photocatalyst for Efficient Photocatalytic Degradation of Rhodamine B
Authors: Yang Xiaobing , Hu Jiapeng , Pan Junjie , Shen Yongbin , Cheng Kejun
Published: June 2022

Photocatalytic degradation method has been recognized as an effective way to eliminate the contamination of environment. However, developing photocatalysts with excellent photocatalytic properties are still a big challenge. In this paper, Ag doped ZnO coating with a layer of N doped porous carbon (Ag/ZnO@N-carbon) was successfully synthesized by using polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP) modified ZIF-8 as precursor via adsorption, hydrothermal treatment, in situ growth and carbonization processes. The physical and chemical properties of all samples were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), electron transmission microscopy (TEM) and so on. The results show that Ag doping does not change the crystallinity of ZnO, but broaden its photo-response property. The coating of N doped carbon can improve the specific surface area of photocatalyst. The photocatalytic activity of all samples was evaluated by degradation of rhodamine B (RhB) solution under UV light irradiation for 25 min. Ag/ZnO@N-carbon exhibits the highest photocatalytic activity for degradation of RhB with a degradation of 98.65%. Furthermore, Ag/ZnO@N-carbon also has high stability. Based on the characterization, possible mechanism for degradation of RhB by Ag/ZnO@N-carbon under UV light irradiation was proposed.
Tackling Multiple-Drug-Resistant Bacteria With Conventional and Complex Phytochemicals
Authors: Suganya Thangaiyan , Packiavathy Issac Abraham Sybiya Vasantha , Aseervatham G. Smilin Bell , Carmona Areanna , Rashmi Vijayaragavan , Mariappan Subramanian , Devi Navaneethan Renuga , Ananth Devanesan Arul
Published: June 2022

Emerging antibiotic resistance in bacteria endorses the failure of existing drugs with chronic illness, complicated treatment, and ever-increasing expenditures. Bacteria acquire the nature to adapt to starving conditions, abiotic stress, antibiotics, and our immune defense mechanism due to its swift evolution. The intense and inappropriate use of antibiotics has led to the development of multidrug-resistant (MDR) strains of bacteria. Phytochemicals can be used as an alternative for complementing antibiotics due to their variation in metabolic, genetic, and physiological fronts as well as the rapid evolution of resistant microbes and lack of tactile management. Several phytochemicals from diverse groups, including alkaloids, phenols, coumarins, and terpenes, have effectively proved their inhibitory potential against MDR pathogens through their counter-action towards bacterial membrane proteins, efflux pumps, biofilms, and bacterial cell-to-cell communications, which are important factors in promoting the emergence of drug resistance. Plant extracts consist of a complex assortment of phytochemical elements, against which the development of bacterial resistance is quite deliberate. This review emphasizes the antibiotic resistance mechanisms of bacteria, the reversal mechanism of antibiotic resistance by phytochemicals, the bioactive potential of phytochemicals against MDR, and the scientific evidence on molecular, biochemical, and clinical aspects to treat bacterial pathogenesis in humans. Moreover, clinical efficacy, trial, safety, toxicity, and affordability investigations, current status and developments, related demands, and future prospects are also highlighted.
The Complete Mitochondrial Genome of Pennella sp. Parasitizing Thunnus albacares
Authors: Liu Hongyan , Fu Zhengyi , Zhou Shengjie , Hu Jing , Yang Rui , Yu Gang , Ma Zhenhua
Published: June 2022

In the study, the parasite from the yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares) was separated, and morphological observation and molecular identification were carried out. Our results showed that the parasite was similar to Pennella sp. Its cephalothorax was covered by spherical to spherical non-branched nipples of almost the same size, which were very similar in shape and arrangement. A pair of slightly larger, the unbranched antenna was present on the outer margin of the small papillae-covered area. The gene sequence of COX1 with a length of 1,558 bp in the mitochondria of the parasite was 100% similar to Pennella sp. (MZ934363). The mitochondrial genome had a total length of 14,620 bp. It consisted of 36 genes (12 protein-coding, 22 transfer RNAs and 2 ribosomal RNAs) and a dummy control region, but the mitochondrial genome had no ATP8 gene. Morphological observation showed that Pennella sp. was dark red, with a convex cephalothorax, with a total length of 8.42 cm, parasitic on the dorsal side of yellowfin tuna. Pennella sp. included the cephalothorax, neck, trunk, abdomen and egg belt. This study was the first report on the mitochondrial genome of Pennella sp. The results provide basic data for further identifying the parasites of Pennella genus.
Towards Biocatalytic Oxidation of Secondary Alcohols to Carbonyl Products of Relevance for Flavors and Fragrances
Authors: Puchľová Eva , Hilberath Thomas , Vranková Kvetoslava , Hollmann Frank
Published: June 2022

Non-enantioselective alcohol dehydrogenases (ADHs) are rarely found in the biocatalysis portfolio. Generally, highly enantioselective ADHs are sought for. Using such ADHs for the oxidation of racemic alcohols generally results in a kinetic resolution of the starting material, which is unfavourable if the ketone represents the product of interest. In the current contribution we report the ADH from Sphingobium yanoikuyae (SyADH) as non-enantioselective ADH for the complete oxidation or rac-heptan-2-ol (representing further 2-alkanols).
Sex Differences in Intracranial Atherosclerotic Plaques Among Patients With Ischemic Stroke
Authors: Yan Xuejiao , Tang Min , Gao Jie , Wang Lihui , Li Ling , Ma Niane , Shi Xiaorui , Lei Xiaoyan , Zhang Xiaoling
Published: June 2022

Objective

High-risk intracranial arterial plaques are the most common cause of ischemic stroke and their characteristics vary between male and female patients. However, sex differences in intracranial plaques among symptomatic patients have rarely been discussed. This study aimed to evaluate sex differences in intracranial atherosclerotic plaques among Chinese patients with cerebral ischemia.

Methods

One hundred and ten patients who experienced ischemic events underwent 3T cardiovascular magnetic resonance vessel wall scanning for the evaluation of intracranial atherosclerotic disease. Each plaque was classified according to its likelihood of causing a stroke (as culprit, uncertain, or non-culprit). The outer wall area (OWA) and lumen area of the lesion and reference sites were measured, and the wall and plaque areas, remodeling ratio, and plaque burden (characterized by a normalized wall index) were further calculated. The composition (T1 hyperintensity, enhancement) and morphology (surface irregularity) of each plaque were analyzed. Sex differences in intracranial plaque characteristics were compared between male and female patient groups.

Results

Overall, 311 plaques were detected in 110 patients with ischemic stroke (81 and 29 male and female patients, respectively). The OWA (P < 0.001) and wall area (P < 0.001) of intracranial arterial lesions were significantly larger in male patients. Regarding culprit plaques, the plaque burden in male patients was similar to that in female patients (P = 0.178, odds ratio [OR]: 0.168, 95% confidence interval [CI]: −0.020 to 0.107). However, the prevalence of plaque T1 hyperintensity was significantly higher than that in female patients (P = 0.005, OR: 15.362, 95% CI: 2.280–103.49). In the overall ischemic stroke sample, intracranial T1 hyperintensity was associated with male sex (OR: 13.480, 95% CI: 2.444–74.354, P = 0.003), systolic blood pressure (OR: 1.019, 95% CI: 1.002–1.036, P = 0.031), and current smoker (OR: 3.245, 95% CI: 1.097–9.598, P = 0.033).

Conclusion

For patients with ischemic stroke, the intracranial plaque burden in male patients was similar to that in female patients; however, the plaque characteristics in male patients are associated with higher risk, especially in culprit plaques.