bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Late Eocene–early Miocene evolution of the southern Australian subtropical front: a marine palynological approach
Authors: Hoem Frida S. , Sauermilch Isabel , Hou Suning , Brinkhuis Henk , Sangiorgi Francesca , Bijl Peter K.
Published: October 2021

Abstract. Improvements in our capability to reconstruct ancient surface-ocean conditions based on organic-walled dinoflagellate cyst (dinocyst) assemblages from the Southern Ocean provide an opportunity to better establish past position, strength and oceanography of the subtropical front (STF). Here, we aim to reconstruct the late Eocene to early Miocene (37–20 Ma) depositional and palaeoceanographic history of the STF in the context of the evolving Tasmanian Gateway as well as the potential influence of Antarctic circumpolar flow and intense waxing and waning of ice. We approach this by combining information from seismic lines (revisiting existing data and generating new marine palynological data from Ocean Drilling Program (ODP) Hole 1168A) in the western Tasmanian continental slope. We apply improved taxonomic insights and palaeoecological models to reconstruct the sea surface palaeoenvironmental evolution. Late Eocene–early Oligocene (37–30.5 Ma) assemblages show a progressive transition from dominant terrestrial palynomorphs and inner-neritic dinocyst taxa as well as cysts produced by heterotrophic dinoflagellates to predominantly outer-neritic/oceanic autotrophic taxa. This transition reflects the progressive deepening of the western Tasmanian continental margin, an interpretation supported by our new seismic investigations. The dominance of autotrophic species like Spiniferites spp. and Operculodinium spp. reflects relatively oligotrophic conditions, like those of regions north of the modern-day STF. The increased abundance in the earliest Miocene of Nematosphaeropsis labyrinthus, typical for modern subantarctic zone (frontal) conditions, indicates a cooling and/or closer proximity of the STF to the site . The absence of major shifts in dinocyst assemblages contrasts with other records in the region and suggests that small changes in surface oceanographic conditions occurred during the Oligocene. Despite the relatively southerly (63–55∘ S) location of Site 1168, the rather stable oceanographic conditions reflect the continued influence of the proto-Leeuwin Current along the southern Australian coast as Australia continued to drift northward. The relatively “warm” dinocyst assemblages at ODP Site 1168, compared with the cold assemblages at Antarctic Integrated Ocean Drilling Program (IODP) Site U1356, testify to the establishment of a pronounced latitudinal temperature gradient in the Oligocene Southern Ocean.
Wind-induced seismic noise at the Princess Elisabeth Antarctica Station
Authors: Frankinet Baptiste , Lecocq Thomas , Camelbeeck Thierry
Published: October 2021

Abstract. Icequakes are the result of processes occurring within
the ice mass or between the ice and its environment. Studying icequakes
provides a unique view on ice dynamics, specifically on the basal
conditions. Changes in conditions due to environmental or climate changes are reflected in icequakes. Counting and characterizing icequakes is thus essential to monitor them. Most of the icequakes recorded by the seismic
station at the Belgian Princess Elisabeth Antarctica Station (PE) have small
amplitudes corresponding to maximal displacements of a few nanometres. Their
detection threshold is highly variable because of the rapid and strong
changes in the local seismic noise level. Therefore, we evaluated the
influence of katabatic winds on the noise measured by the well-protected PE
surface seismometer. Our purpose is to identify whether the lack of icequake detection during some periods could be associated with variations in the
processes generating them or simply with a stronger seismic noise linked to
stronger wind conditions. We observed that the wind mainly influences
seismic noise at frequencies greater than 1 Hz. The seismic noise power
exhibits a bilinear correlation with the wind velocity, with two different
slopes at a wind velocity lower and greater than 6 m s−1 and with, for example at a period of 0.26 s, a respective variation of 0.4 dB (m −1 s) and 1.4 dB (m −1 s). These results allowed a synthetic frequency and wind-speed-dependent noise model to be presented that explains the behaviour of the wind-induced seismic noise at PE, which shows that seismic noise amplitude increases
exponentially with increasing wind speed. This model enables us to study the influence of the wind on the original seismic dataset, which improves the observation of cryoseismic activity near the PE station.
Head’s Leadership Styles and Effectiveness of School Teams: Exploring the Role of Motivational Mechanisms
Authors: Anjum Allah Wasaya , Awan Riffat un Nisa , Muhammad Zulqarnain
Published: October 2021

The literature reveals that participative leadership style (PLS) is overwhelmingly advantageous over the contrasting directive leadership style (DLS). Therefore, the key objective of this study was to find out the relative effect of a PL style as compared to a DL style on the  motivational mechanism (organizational commitment and empowerment) and effectiveness (innovation and in-role performance) of school staff teams. However, the mediating role of motivational mechanism in the relationship between school heads’ leadership styles and effectiveness of school staff teams had also been studied. The data were collected through a questionnaire based cross-sectional survey. The data were collected from the 402 teachers working in 80 academic teams. The SEM results revealed that DLS was significantly related to teams’ in-role performance and organizational commitment. While, PLS was significantly related to in-role performance, team’s innovation, organizational commitment and personal empowerment. Teachers’ personal empowerment partially mediated the relationship between heads’ PLS and team innovation. But, organizational commitment fully mediated the relationship between heads’ PLS and teams’ in-role performance. However, organizational commitment partially mediated the relationship between heads’ DLS and teams’ in-role performance. It is suggested that heads might concurrently combine participative and directive leadership behaviors to make their school teams more effective.
Curtailing Job Insecurity and Counterproductive Work Behaviours as Bullying Effects in Pakistani Academia: Work Engagement as a Moderator
Authors: Ashraf Fatima , Khan Muhammad Asif
Published: October 2021

Judging from persistent changes, drive for performance and widespread uncertainty that characterize the Pakistani higher education system, this study sought to confirm whether workplace bullying – a by-product of relentless change – triggers job insecurity and counterproductive work behaviours in the bullied faculty, and whether these damaging outcomes are moderated by work engagement. Using convenience sampling, we sought data from 337 faculty members from the higher education sector. Analysis confirmed that bullying triggers job insecurity and counterproductive work behaviours while mixed findings emerged for the hypothesized moderation effects of work engagement. The study mainly stresses infusing work engagement within a work environment where bullying prevails. Managers may design jobs to augment engagement in a pressurized work environment with an aim to curtail job insecurity and counterproductive work behaviours for sustained performance in a changing work environment.
El martillo y el yunque. La memoria cultural de la Guerra Civil y la dictadura franquista en la historieta española (1975-2020)
Authors: Hernández Cano Eduardo
Published: October 2021

Este trabajo estudia la contribución de la historieta para adultos a la construcción de una memoria cultural en España, desde su origen durante los años de la Transición a la democracia hasta el presente. A través del análisis de las representaciones en este medio tanto de la Guerra Civil como de la dictadura franquista, con particular atención a la violencia política, este artículo se propone identificar las características específicas de esta producción cultural dentro de la memoria histórica reciente, entre las que destaca su atención a la represión y resistencia desde y sobre la vida cotidiana. En todo momento analizaremos además las posiciones políticas tomadas por los autores en tanto que intelectuales públicos en respuesta a los cambios en el debate público sobre el pasado reciente.
La balada del norte: Estudio de caso
Authors: Zapico Alfonso
Published: October 2021

La balada del norte es una novela gráfica en cuatro volúmenes dedicada a la revolución socialista de Asturias en 1934 y a la singular sociedad donde enraizó. No fue algo heroico ni romántico, ni tampoco condenable: fue más complejo que todo eso. Suena a balada final, a homenaje de despedida y cierre de alguien ensamblado en una cultura industrial que camina hacia la extinción.
Agudín Menéndez, José Luis: Una guerra civil incruenta. Germanofilia y aliadofilia en Asturias en torno a la I Guerra Mundial (1914-1920). Oviedo, Real Instituto de Estudios Asturianos, 2019, 243 pp.
Authors: Acosta López Alejandro
Published: October 2021

Reseña de la obra de Agudín Menéndez, José Luis: Una guerra civil incruenta. Germanofilia y aliadofilia en Asturias en torno a la I Guerra Mundial (1914-1920). Oviedo, Real Instituto de Estudios Asturianos, 2019, 243 pp.
Espino Jiménez, F. M. y Calvo Manzano Julián, M. (coords.): La problemática de la tierra en España durante la Historia Contemporánea. Sevilla, Editorial Egregius, 2019, 168 pp.
Authors: Fernández-Paradas Mercedes
Published: October 2021

Reseña de la obra de Espino Jiménez, F. M. y Calvo Manzano Julián, M. (coords.): La problemática de la tierra en España durante la Historia Contemporánea. Sevilla, Editorial Egregius, 2019, 168 pp.
Hora, Roy: ¿Cómo pensaron el campo los argentinos? Y cómo pensarlo hoy, cuando ese campo ya no existe. Buenos Aires, Siglo XXI, 2018. 240 pp.
Authors: Fernán Rey Nicolás
Published: October 2021

Reseña de la obra de Hora, Roy: ¿Cómo pensaron el campo los argentinos? Y cómo pensarlo hoy, cuando ese campo ya no existe. Buenos Aires, Siglo XXI, 2018. 240 pp.
Martínez Martín, Laura: Voces de la ausencia. Las cartas privadas de los emigrantes asturianos a América (1856-1936), Gijón, Trea, 2019. 285 pp.
Authors: Adámez Castro Guadalupe
Published: October 2021

Martínez Martín, Laura: Voces de la ausencia. Las cartas privadas de los emigrantes asturianos a América (1856-1936), Gijón, Trea, 2019. 285 pp.
Molinero, Carme, Ysàs, Pere (Eds.): De dictaduras a democracias. Portugal, España, Argentina y Chile. Granda, Comares Historia, 2020. 192 pp.
Authors: Latorre Manglano Diego
Published: October 2021

Reseña de la obra de Molinero, Carme, Ysàs, Pere (Eds.): De dictaduras a democracias. Portugal, España, Argentina y Chile. Granda, Comares Historia, 2020. 192 pp.
La trabajadora social del Sistema Público de Servicios Sociales: selfies para el conocimiento y la enunciación
Authors: Martín-Estalayo Maribel , Muriel-Saiz Mercedes , García-Giráldez Teresa
Published: October 2021

El siguiente artículo tiene como objetivo principal conocer y enunciar aspectos y tiempos de la vida cotidiana del Trabajo Social y sus profesionales a partir de veinte discursos de trabajadoras sociales del Sistema Público de Servicios Sociales del área geográfica de Madrid. A modo de selfie, se presentan y analizan una secuencia de imágenes sobre quiénes son y qué hacen, cómo se reconocen y cómo quieren ser reconocidas, esto es, preguntas sobre la configuración profesional en un contexto institucional determinado. Una de las ideas que atraviesan el texto es que las representaciones actuales del Trabajo Social, en la universidad y en la profesión, reflejan unas relaciones de poder desiguales y subalternas, como históricamente han acompañado los oficios desempeñados por mujeres. Ni los Servicios Sociales se han convertido nunca en derechos subjetivos, ni se transformaron a fondo los contenidos académicos universitarios tras la Declaración de Bolonia. Entre las aspiraciones del deber ser y las realidades del ser, todavía falta un verdadero ejercicio de autoconocimiento y cuidado que permita ganar margen a la libertad y emprender una acción política concreta y coherente con las demandas y necesidades de las personas usuarias.
Pioneras del Trabajo Social: Políticas de género, racialización y conocimiento en la disciplina
Authors: García Dauder Dau
Published: October 2021

Recuperar la historia de las trabajadoras sociales es un ejercicio de justicia epistémica que puede contribuir a repensar la identidad profesional de la disciplina. A través de un recorrido histórico con perspectiva feminista, este artículo analiza cómo las políticas de género y racialización han guiado las políticas de conocimiento. Atendemos a los procesos de segregación sexual disciplinar en la institucionalización de la ciencia social: entre una sociología teórico-académica, masculinizada y legitimada, y su cara práctico-aplicada, feminizada y desvalorizada, convertida en trabajo social. Así mismo, mostramos las estrategias y negociaciones de las pioneras articulando, desde centros sociales como la Hull House, la investigación sociológica con la reforma sociopolítica. En concreto, presentamos los aportes teórico-prácticos de las pioneras del trabajo social, principalmente en Estados Unidos, centrándonos en: Edith Abbott y Sophonisba Breckinridge, por su papel en la institucionalización de la disciplina, y en las trabajadoras sociales afroamericanas, por la invisibilización de sus experiencias y resistencias.
Manifestações Dermatológicas da COVID-19
Authors: Alves MO , Lupi O
Published: October 2021

A nova doença causada por um coronavírus em 2019 (COVID-19), foi inicialmente observada em Wuhan, na China, e espalhou-se pelo mundo, sendo declarado pandemia pela Organização Mundial da Saúde (OMS) em março de 2020. O patógeno, um beta coronavírus, denominado Síndrome Respiratória Aguda Grave Coronavírus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), foi isolado de amostras do trato respiratório inferior de pacientes infectados. Em 18 meses foi responsável pela morte de 4 milhões de pessoas.
Seção Caso Clínico Infarto Esplênico como Complicação do Cateterismo
Authors: Galvão-Alves J , Galvão-Alves MLC , Souza BC
Published: October 2021

Pacientes com aterosclerose extensa apresentam risco aumentado de desenvolver complicações tromboembólicas decorrentes da cineangiocoronariografia (CAT). Uma delas, o infarto esplênico, é uma rara causa de dor abdominal, e sua prevalência exata é desconhecida. Sua manifestação mais comum é a dor localizada em quadrante superior esquerdo do abdome, o que por vezes pode confundir-se com o território renal. A confirmação diagnóstica requer um exame de imagem, sendo a angiotomografia o método de escolha, quando disponível. A observação de um caso, que relataremos a seguir, chamou a nossa atenção pela etiologia incomum, resultante de um evento ateroembólico, o qual apresentou boa evolução com o tratamento clínico conservador.
Sessão 9 de setembro de 2021: Sistemas de Saúde Pública – Desafios para o Futuro
Authors:   Academia Nacional de Medicina
Published: October 2021

Em encontro na Academia Nacional de Medicina, médicos sanitaristas e especialistas brasileiros e ingleses rememoraram as bases de criação do Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS), desde seus primórdios e sua implantação a partir da Constituição de 1988; e seu modelo inspirador, o National Health Service (NHS) do Reino Unido, que foi criado em 1948. A incorporação de novas tecnologias em ambos os sistemas, os custos e efetividade, o acesso universal e a equidade foram aspectos predominantes abordados pelos convidados.
Sessão 16 de setembro de 2021: Homenagem aos Acadêmicos Nonagenários: Silvano Raia
Authors:   Academia Nacional de Medicina
Published: October 2021

O acadêmico nonagenário foi homenageado em simpósio “Posso dizer que ele é um dos mais aguerridos. É um exemplo de sucesso e de brilhantismo durante décadas. Ele fez muitas contribuições relevantes durante a vida inteira e continua fazendo. Seus planos para o futuro são fantásticos. Nesse evento, ele juntou, graças ao seu carisma, os melhores nomes que representam a medicina, a literatura e a cultura,” declarou o presidente da Academia Nacional de Medicina (ANM), Rubens Belfort Jr, na abertura do simpósio “Homenagem aos Acadêmicos Nonagenários”, realizado de forma online, dia 16 de setembro de 2021, que, nessa edição, homenageou o acadêmico Silvano Raia.
Sessão 21 de setembro de 2021: Transplantes no Brasil
Authors:   Academia Nacional de Medicina
Published: October 2021

A Academia Nacional de Medicina e o Cremerj discutiram o tema captação e transplantes de órgãos no Brasil em simpósio realizado no dia 21 de setembro. A sessão contou com abertura do presidente da ANM, acadêmico Rubens Belfort Jr, e Dr. Walter Palis Ventura, presidente do Cremerj, e a coordenação foi liderada pelos acadêmicos José de Jesus Camargo e Rossano Fiorelli; e pelos professores Joaquim Ribeiro, da Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, e Ricardo Ribas, da PUC-Rio, ambos também do Cremerj.
Krzysztof MALAGA, Karolina SOBCZAK: Mikroekonomia. Ujęcie statyczne i dynamiczne
Authors: Lach Łukasz
Published: October 2021

Recenzja
Modeling and Sensitivity Analysis of Dynamical Transmission of Lassa Fever
Authors: Omoloye Musibau Abayomi , Sanusi Akeem Olatoye , Sanusi Iyabo Olamide
Published: October 2021

Lassa fever is an acute viral disease which occurs across West Africa regions. In view of this a non-linear deterministic model was considered to study dynamics spread of Lassa fever. Existence and uniqueness of the model were determined and the basic reproduction number of the model was computed using next-generation matrix, and sensitivity analysis of the model was performed and shows that the most sensitive parameters to the dynamical spread of Lassa fever are human birth rate bH, followed by average number of female partners acquired by susceptible male c2, and transmission rate resulting from sexual interaction between infected male and susceptible female h2 have the highest values. It concludes that average number of female partners acquired by susceptible male and sexual transmission rate between the infected male and susceptible female should be reduced.

Keywords: Existence and Uniqueness, disease free equilibrium, basic reproduction numbers and sensitivity analysis.
From Colonial Policy to National Treasure: Tracing the Making of Audiovisual Heritage in the Philippines
Authors: Patino Bernadette Rose Alba
Published: October 2021

This study traces the history and construction of institutionalized cultural and audiovisual heritage in the Philippines and investigates how evolving views of heritage have shaped the country’s audiovisual archiving and preservation movement in the last fifty years. It examines the impact of naturalized definitions of heritage, as globalized by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), and the implementation of audiovisual archival institution building, cultural policies, and archival priorities in the Philippines under the heritage banner set out by the organization. Considering the formation of what heritage scholars call “authorized heritage discourse” (AHD), this paper argues that a heritage hierarchy emerged in the country’s contemporary audiovisual archiving landscape, privileging an industrial view of cinema while marginalizing other forms of moving image practice. The study calls for an awareness of and resistance to institutionalized archives’ claims to social, cultural, and political power in their heritage construction and discourse.
Artsibo at Sineng Bayan: Pagpapanatili ng Kolektibong Alaala at Patuloy na Kolektibong Pagsalungat sa Kasinungalingan at Panunupil
Authors: Roque Rosemarie O.
Published: October 2021

Sineng Bayan (People’s Cinema) is a salient part of Philippine alternative cinema, which is in stark contrast to the dominant commercial cinema. It is an important aspect in the pursuit of a more serious Philippine cinema. Political film collectives that arose in the early 1980s and flourished during the Marcos dictatorship gave way to Sineng Bayan. This article focuses on the archival audiovisual works of AsiaVisions Media Foundation (AVMF), a non-government organization which primarily utilized film documentaries in its propaganda-education work, and Alternative Horizons (AlterHorizons), the first media cooperative in the country. This study on Sineng Bayan and the Archives forwards the discourse on film as an effective cultural weapon of the Filipino people in their struggle for national freedom and genuine democracy. Capturing the people’s experiences and struggles through audio-visual presentations, videos, and films, the works of these political film collectives are part of the collective memory and documentary heritage of the country.
Morphology, Properties and Application of Iron Oxide/Polycaprolactone Nanocomposites
Authors: Khalid Saeed Khalid Saeed , Noshi Khan Noshi Khan , Tariq Shah and Muhammad Sadiq Tariq Shah and Muhammad Sadiq
Published: October 2021

Polycaprolactone (PCL) and Fe2O3/PCL nanocomposites sheets/films were prepared by solution casting method. The morphological study illustrated that Fe2O3 nanoparticles were dispersed and embedded well within the PCL matrix. The size of Fe2O3 nanoparticles were below 250 nm. The thermal stability of Fe2O3/PCL nanocomposites was lower than neat PCL, which might be due to Fe2O3 (act as catalyst during the thermal degradation of PCL). The differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analyses show that the crystallization temperature of the nanocomposites was slightly enhanced as compared to neat PCL. The polarized optical microscopy (POM) analyses showed that the size of Fe2O3/PCL nanocomposites spherulites were smaller than neat PCL. The photodegradation study presented that the nanocomposites photodegraded higher quantity of rhodamine B dye as compared to neat PCL. The neat PCL degraded about 24 and 72% while Fe2O3 (6 wt%)/PCL nanocomposites degraded about 72 and 98% of dye within 2 and 10 h, respectively.
Thermodynamic Properties of Rifampicin Redox Current Peaks in Human Blood Samples Using Nano-Sensor (Carbon Nanotubes / Glassy Carbon Electrode)
Authors: Sura Ali AL ASADI Sura Ali AL ASADI , Muhammed Mizher RADHI and Wisam Hindawi HOIDY Muhammed Mizher RADHI and Wisam Hindawi HOIDY
Published: October 2021

The cyclic voltammetric electrochemical technique was utilized to investigate the effect of different temperatures on the redox current peaks of rifampicin (RF), a drug commonly used to treat many diseases including tuberculosis (TB), in vitro for human blood medium. A modified working electrode of glassy carbon electrode (GCE) with carbon nanotube (CNT) (CNT / GCE) was used as a sensitive nano-sensor to evaluate the impact of temperature on the blood medium in the presence of RF ions.
The results confirmed the presence of two oxidation and one reduction current peaks of RF in blood medium at 0.5, 1, and -0.5 V respectively. The redox current peaks of RF ions in blood medium were enhanced with increasing the temperature from 20 to 36oC. The activation energy (E*) values were determined by applying Arrhenius equation with oxidative and anti-oxidative peaks of Ea*(Ipa)= 9.252 and 11.026 kJ.mol-1.K-1,respectively. Other thermodynamic functions such as the change in each of activation Enthalpy (ΔH*), activation Gibbs energy (ΔG*) and activation Entropy (ΔS*) values were estimated using Eyring equation. The present results of the effects of different temperatures on the blood status in presence of RF lead to the explanation of the oxidative stress of the drug which used in an inflammatory of blood at different temperature.
Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles Supported Atomically Precise Palladium Nanoclusters Catalyzed Aerobic Oxidation of Alcohols in Water
Authors: Taiping Gao Taiping Gao , Xiaolin Ma Xiaolin Ma , Xin Li Xin Li , Qiang Xu and Yubao Wang Qiang Xu and Yubao Wang
Published: October 2021

The first mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) supported atomically precise palladium nanoclusters catalyzed alcohol oxidation reactions in water have been achieved. The catalysts was synthesized with simple impregnation method and well characterized by TEM, FT-IR, XPS anddiffuse reflectance optical spectrum and the results proved that the Pd nanoclustersimmobilized into the pores of MSNs.The as-prepared catalyst show excellent activity for the alcohol oxidation reactions with high yield under extremely mild aqueous conditions utilizes 1 atmosphere of molecular oxygen as sole oxidant. The features of clean system, gram-scale oxidation and easy recovery catalyst make this method cost effectively and environmentally benign.
Synthesis and Characterization of Sm-Ho-CeO2 Compounds Produced by Different Synthesis Methods
Authors: Ahmet Hamdi BAKIR and Handan ZL TORUN Ahmet Hamdi BAKIR and Handan ZL TORUN
Published: October 2021

The most important part of a solid oxide fuel cell is the ceramic electrolyte. In this study, cerium oxide (CeO2) was used as the ceramic electrolyte, and different dopant types were used to increase total conductivity. In this study, the most commonly used Sm, and the less frequently used Ho elements were doped simultaneously. As a result, the effect of dope and different synthesis methods on electrolyte properties was evaluated. Three rates were studied with the total amount of Sm-Ho being 20%. The effect of the dopant types on conductivity with critical radius effect was investigated. These dope types were placed in a CeO2 crystal lattice by using the sol-gel and hydrothermal methods. After synthesis, the stable phase was obtained at room temperature. X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) was used for phase determination. The thermogravimetry (TG) determined mass change. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used in the analysis of surface morphology. Total conductivity measurements were measured by the four-probe dc method. After synthesis processes, cubic compounds were obtained. The total conductivity values of the cubic phases samples obtained by two different synthesis methods were compared. The highest conductivity was observed in the sol-gel compounds. The highest electrical conductivity Ce0.80Sm0.10Ho0.10O2 system sol- gel; 6.92x10-3(Ωcm)1- at 655 oC. It was found that the compound obtained as a result of the evaluations could be used ceramic electrolyte application.
Silver Doped Zinc Oxide Thin Film Production by Thermionic Vacuum Arc (TVA) Technique
Authors: Mehmet zkan Mehmet zkan , Sercen Sadik Erdem Sercen Sadik Erdem
Published: October 2021

In this paper, silver (Ag)doped Zinc Oxide(ZnO) thin films were prepared on glass and silicon substrate by using a thermionic vacuum arc technique. The surface, structural, optical characteristics of silver doped thin films have been examined by X-Ray diffractometer (XRD), field emission scanning emission electron microscopy (FESEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), and UV-Visible spectrophotometer. As a result of these measurements, Ag, Zn and ZnO reflection planes were determined for thin films formed on Si and glass substrate. Nano crystallites have emerged in FESEM and AFM images. The produced films have low transparency. The optical band gap values were measured by photoluminescence devices at room temperature for thin films produced on silicon and glass substrate. The band gap values are very close to 3.10 eV for Ag doped ZnO thin films. The band gap of un-doped ZnO thin film is approximately 3.3 eV. It was identified that Ag doped changes the properties of the ZnO thin film.
Evaluating the Effect of Sewage Sludge on Bioactive Components of Momordicacharantia
Authors: Zohaib Saeed Zohaib Saeed , Ikram Ahmad Ikram Ahmad , Shahid Iqbal Shahid Iqbal , Umer Younas Umer Younas , Muhammad Pervaiz Muhammad Pervaiz , Rana Rashad Mahmood Khan Rana Rashad Mahmood Khan , Shahzad Sharif Shahzad Sharif , Abdullah M Asiri Abdullah M Asiri , Sher Bahadar Khan and Tahseen Kamal Sher Bahadar Khan and Tahseen Kamal
Published: October 2021

Momordicacharantia L. belongs to the family Cucurbitaceae. This plant has widely been reported for use in traditional medical systems for the treatment of diabetes, rheumatism, intestinal gas and malaria. The ethnicity of M. charantiais Asia, Africa and some parts of Europe where it is considered edible. Sewage sludge, a by-product of waste water treatment plant, contains several nutrients. These nutrients are known as beneficial for the better growth and good yield of the plants. The objective of this study is to optimize soil with different ratios of sewage sludge for increased growth of bioactive components in M. charantia. The plant was grown at six places; in soil containing 20%, 40%, 60% and 80% sewage sludge ratio as well as in pure soil and in pure sewage sludge. Fruit harvesting was carried out after 75 days. Methanol extract of M. charantia (Fruit) was subjected to analysis using GC-MS. Comparative quantification of 7,11-hexadecadienal, oleic Acid and stigmasterol were carried out. It has been found that the soil containing 60% sewage sludge yielded maximum quantity of 7,11-hexadecadienal, oleic Acid and stigmasterol. Therefore, optimization of soil with different ratios of sewage sludge is carried out and 60% ratio of sewage sludge in soil is recommended for the promising growth of Momordicacharantia.
Heavy Metal Resistant Bacteria from Soil as Potential Bioremediation Targets: Isolation, Screening andamp; Biochemical Identification
Authors: Khalid Khan and Zahid Khan Khalid Khan and Zahid Khan
Published: October 2021

This study investigates the role of bacterial species capable of mitigating metal-induced toxicity by bioaccumulation and biotransformation. Study focuses on five metals including Pb+2, Ni+2, Cd+2, Cr+2, and Cu+2 in a range of 50-300and#181;g/ml of concentration initially in qualitative (metal-specific) and subsequently quantitative (dose-specific) approach, but results turned out to be much in favor of a quantitative impact of the study. Thirty 30 bacterial strains from soil were isolated and biochemically identified that showed promising metal-resisting behavior. Identification of bacterial strain was based upon biochemical (phenotypic) method. The isolate number 1, 12, 29 and 30 showed high degree of resistance against all metals of concentration up to 300and#181;g/ml suggesting the potential possibility of these species of bacteria to provide some beneficial tools for bio-mining, and bioremediation as well as removing of metal contaminations from heavy metal contaminated sites.
Utility of Spectroscopic Studies for Quantification of Cefditoren Pivoxil in Commercial Samples
Authors: Salma Ali Al Tamimi Salma Ali Al Tamimi , Norah Sultan Abdulaziz Al Motlaq and Fatma Ahmed Aly Norah Sultan Abdulaziz Al Motlaq and Fatma Ahmed Aly
Published: October 2021

The current study is devoted to suggest new simple spectrophotometric probes for the estimation and quantification of cefditoren pivoxil (CFP) either in authentic or in commercial samples. Three simple kinetic and derivatize sensitive spectrophotometric methods were established. Two kinetic techniques (method A) and (method B) were based on the estimation of CFP using the oxidation properties of alkaline potassium permanganate at ambient temperature and the relation between the reduction in the absorbance of KMnO4 and the added CFP were also investigated. The intensity of absorbance (A) of the colored MnO4- ions were recorded at wavelengths 610 and 525 NM for the two methods, respectively. Method C was based on derivatization of CFP with 1,2-naphthoquinone-4-sulphonate reagent in a basic solution (pH=11) to produce an orange red colored solution exhibited the highest absorption peak (λmax) at 411 nm. The proposed systems displayed linearity over the concentration ranges of 1.0-16.0, 1.0-10.0 and 0.5-7.0 and#181;g mL-1.The suggested systems were validated obeying analytical methodology guidelines and the acceptance criteria for accuracy, precision, linearity, selectivity, and robustness were met in all cases.
Adsorption of the Orange Methyl Dye and Lead (II) by the Cationic Resin Amberliteand#174;IRC-50: Kinetic Study and Modeling of Experimental Data
Authors: Jaouad Bensalah Jaouad Bensalah , Mohamed Berradi Mohamed Berradi , Amar Habsaoui Amar Habsaoui , Omar Dagdag Omar Dagdag , Adblhay El Amri Adblhay El Amri , Omar El Khattabi Omar El Khattabi , Ahmed Lebkiri and El Housseine Rifi Ahmed Lebkiri and El Housseine Rifi
Published: October 2021

During this present study, we tested the adsorption performance of heavy metal ions; bivalent lead (Pb (II)) and the anionic dye (methyl orange (MO)) from model aqueous solutions with the ion exchange resin of the Amberliteand#174;IRC-50 type. This performance was evaluated using inductively coupled plasma (ICP) and atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS). The pH of the solution was adjusted to 6.5 for the bath temperature, the initial mass concentration of Pb (II) and MO was adopted at 20 mg/L, the mass of the resin-type adsorbent Amberliteand#174;IRC-50 was taken at 0.1g and the adsorption capacity Qe was studied. The results obtained during this study show that the kinetic study of the adsorption was obtained at the contact time t = 30 min for the metal Pb (II) and at t = 60 min for the dye MO. These results also showed that the equilibrium of adsorption was reached at time t = 60 min with an adsorption performance of around 99% for Pb (II) and around 96% for MO. Note that the parameters of different mathematical models indicate that the adsorption process is spontaneous in the second degree.
Spatial Structure of the Acth-(6-9)-PGP Molecule
Authors: Namiq Akhmedov Namiq Akhmedov , Leyla Agayeva Leyla Agayeva , Gulnara Akverdieva Gulnara Akverdieva , Rena Abbasli and Larisa Ismailova Rena Abbasli and Larisa Ismailova
Published: October 2021

The spatial structure of ACTH-(6-9)-PGP molecule has been investigated using theoretical conformational analysis method. Amino acid sequence of the N-terminal pentapeptide fragment of His-Phe-Arg-Trp-Pro of this molecule conforms to the fragment 6-9 of ACTH hormone. Calculations of conformational states of this molecule are carried out regarding nonvalent, electrostatic and torsional interactions and the energy of hydrogen bonds. The spatial structure of the His-Phe-Arg-Trp-Pro-Gly-Pro molecule was estimated on the low–energy conformations of the N-terminal tetrapeptide fragment His-Phe-Arg-Trp and C-terminal tripeptide fragment Pro-Gly-Pro of this molecule. It is shown that the spatial structure of heptapeptide molecule can be presented by 11 low-energy forms of the main chain. The low–energy conformations of this molecule, the values of dihedral angles of the backbone and side chains of the amino acid residues were founded and the energies of intra- and inter-residual interactions were determined.
Effect of Salt on the Stability of Vegetable Oil-in-Water Emulsions Stabilized by Soybean Protein and Microgel
Authors: Samuel Olalekan Olusanya Samuel Olalekan Olusanya , Gbenga Joseph Adebayo Gbenga Joseph Adebayo , Samuel Olutayo Afolabi and Adewumi Oluwasogo Dada Samuel Olutayo Afolabi and Adewumi Oluwasogo Dada
Published: October 2021

The preparation of vegetable oil-water emulsions stabilized by soybean protein and microgel is described. The soybean protein was obtained from n-hexane-defatted soybean powder using a Soxhlet extractor. Using equal volumes of oil and water, vegetable oil-water emulsions were formed either by handshaking the mixture or homogenizing the mixture using a Lab homogenizer. The emulsion was characterized using a drop test and microscopy observation. The drop test shows that the preferred emulsion is vegetable oil-in-water (o/w). The effect of salt and emulsifier concentration on the stability and emulsion drop size was investigated. Emulsions stabilized by soybean protein without addition of salt breakdown after 3 days of preparation because of decomposition of the protein. For emulsions stabilized by microgel in the absence of salt, phase separation occurred within 1 hour. At a fixed salt concentration, it was found that increasing the emulsifier concentration has a significant effect on the stability and drop size of the emulsions stabilized by both protein and microgel. For emulsions stabilized by soybean protein, the stability of emulsions increased with increasing salt concentration without any significant influence on the drop size. The results obtained from the surface tension measurement revealed that different mechanisms of stabilization exist in emulsions stabilized by the protein and microgel.
Expression and prognosis analysis of JMJD5 in human cancers
Authors: Li Hui , Li Qun , Jing Hong , Zhao Jianghai , Zhang Hui , Ma Xuhui , Wei Lunshou , Dai Rujiang , Sun Weihong , Suo Zhimin
Published: October 2021

Background: JumonjiC (JmjC) domain-containing protein 5 (JMJD5) plays an important part in cancer metabolism. However, the prognostic value of JMJD5 in most human cancers is unknown yet. We aimed to examine the expression level and prognostic value of JMJD5, immune cell infiltration in cancer patients, and simultaneously to examine the correlations among them. Materials and methods: The mRNA and protein expression of JMJD5 were analyzed through online Tumor Immune Estimation Resource (TIMER) or immunohistochemistry (IHC) of tissue microarray sections (TMAs) in cancer versus normal tissues. The Kaplan–Meier Plotter databases were used to assess the prognostic values. The connection between the expression of JMJD5 and the abundances of six infiltrating immune cells were explored by TIMER in breast cancer (BRCA), liver hepatocellular carcinoma (LIHC), lung squamous cell carcinoma (LUSC), lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) and stomach adenocarcinoma (STAD). We used the Cox proportional hazards model to investigate the correlations among clinical outcome, the abundance of immune cell infiltration and JMJD5 expression. Results: We found that the JMJD5 expression was obviously lower in BRCA, LIHC and lung cancer (LUC) but higher in STAD than in normal tissues. High expression of JMJD5 had a better prognosis only in BRCA, LIHC and LUC but a worse prognosis in STAD. The expression of JMJD5 has a significant connection with the abundance of six kind of infiltrating immune cells. The expression of JMJD5 plus the number of immune-infiltrating B cells or macrophages may jointly serve as a prognostic marker in the above four cancers. Conclusion: We provided novel evidence of JMJD5 as an essential prognostic biomarker and perspective therapeutic target in BRCA, LUAD, LIHC and STAD.
Identification of key factors shaping integrated levels of ACE2 and TMPRSS2 expression in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Zheng Tianyu , Yue Peipei , Han Tongtong , Zhang Kaige , Jiang Yiming , Wang Sijian , Jiang Lulu , Zhao Baohong , Zhang Xinwen , Yan Xu
Published: October 2021

Objectives: To quantify the integrated levels of ACE2 and TMPRSS2, the two well-recognized severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) entry-related genes, and to further identify key factors contributing to SARS-CoV-2 susceptibility in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSC). Methods: We developed a metric of the potential for tissue infected with SARS-CoV-2 (“TPSI”) based on ACE2 and TMPRSS2 transcript levels and compared TPSI levels between tumor and matched normal tissues across 11 tumor types. For further analysis of HNSC, weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA), functional analysis, and single sample gene set enrichment analysis (ssGSEA) were conducted to investigate TPSI-relevant biological processes and their relationship with the immune landscape. TPSI-related factors were identified from clinical and mutational domains, followed by lasso regression to determine their relative effects on TPSI levels. Results: TPSI levels in tumors were generally lower than in the normal tissues. In HNSC, the genes highly associated with TPSI were enriched in viral entry-related processes, and TPSI levels were positively correlated with both eosinophils and T helper 17 (Th17) cell infiltration. Furthermore, the site of onset, human papillomaviruses (HPV) status, and nuclear receptor binding SET domain protein 1 (NSD1) mutations were identified as the most important factors shaping TPSI levels. Conclusions: This study identified the infection risk of SARS-CoV-2 between tumor and normal tissues, and provided evidence for the risk stratification of HNSC.
80MAP17 promotes the tumorigenesis of papillary thyroid carcinoma by reducing the stability of p53
Authors: Yu Kun , Lu Hongjiang , Chen Yanhong , Xin Ying , Tan Zhuo , Yang Qiong
Published: October 2021

Background: Papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) is an endocrine malignancy whose incidence has increased rapidly worldwide. MAP17 (PDZKIP1) is a small protein related to tumor progression. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of MAP17 in PTC and the underlying molecular mechanism. Methods: Bioinformatics, Western blotting and immunohistochemistry were used to analyze the expression of MAP17 in PTC. The gene transcription was measured by qPCR. Cell viability was determined by CCK8 assay. Cell growth was measured by clonal formation assay. Cell apoptosis was measured by TUNEL. Wound healing assay and transwell assay were used to measure the mobility of cells. The expression of E-cadherin and N-cadherin was determined by immunofluorescence. The effect of MAP17 on tumor growth was determined in animal experiments. Results: The results showed that MAP17 was up-regulated in PTC, which significantly promoted the growth and motility of PTC cells, but inhibited cell apoptosis. Besides, overexpression of MAP17 accelerated cycloheximide (CHX, a protein synthesis inhibitor)-induced p53 degradation, while low expression of MAP17 slowed down CHX-induced p53 degradation, suggesting that MAP17 can regulate p53 stability. Notably, NUMB exhibited an opposite effect on P53 stability. Interestingly, p53 overexpression reversed the effects of MAP17 overexpression on cell viability, motility, and apoptosis, indicating that p53 was involved in the progression of PTC. In vivo studies have shown that tumor growth was positively correlated with MAP17 expression and negatively correlated with p53 expression. Conclusion: Our findings revealed that MAP17 exhibited carcinogenic effects through interacting with NUMB to reduce the stability of p53, demonstrating that MAP17 may serve as a potential prognostic biomarker for PTC treatment.
Effective inhibition of coronavirus replication by Polygonum cuspidatum
Authors: Xu Huan , Li Jing , Song Shidong , Xiao Zhen , Chen Xuanqing , Huang Boxuan , Sun Mengsi , Su Guoqing , Zhou Demin , Wang Guanyu , Hao Ran , Wang Na
Published: October 2021

Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has infected more than 210 million individuals globally and resulted in over 4 million deaths since the first report in December 2019. The early use of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for light and ordinary patients, can rapidly improve symptoms, shorten hospitalization days and reduce severe cases transformed from light and normal. Many TCM formulas and products have a wide application in treating infectious and non-infectious diseases. Polygonum cuspidatum Sieb. et Zucc. (P. cuspidatum), is an important Traditional Chinese Medicine with actions of clearing away heat and eliminating dampness, draining the gallbladder to relieve jaundice, removing blood stasis to alleviate pain, resolving phlegm and arrest cough. In the search for anti-SARS-CoV-2, P. cuspidatum was recommended as as a therapeutic drug of COVID-19 pneumonia.In this study, we aimed to identifies P. cuspidatum is the potential broad-spectrum inhibitor for the treatment of coronaviruses infections. Methods: In the present study , we infected human malignant embryonal rhabdomyoma (RD) cells with the OC43 strain of the coronavirus, which represent an alternative model for SARS-CoV-2 and then employed the cell viability assay kit for the antiviral activity. We combined computer aided virtual screening to predicte the binding site and employed Surface plasmon resonance analysis (SPR) to comfirm the interaction between drugs and coronavirus. We employed fluorescence resonance energy transfer technology to identify drug’s inhibition in the proteolytic activity of 3CLpro and Plpro. Results: Based on our results, polydatin and resveratrol derived from P. cuspidatum significantly suppressed HCoV-OC43 replication. 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) values of polydatin inhibited SARS-CoV-2 Mpro and Plpro, MERS Mpro and Plpro were 18.66, 125, 14.6 and 25.42 μm, respectively. IC50 values of resveratrol inhibited SARS-CoV-2 Mpro and Plpro, MERS Mpro and Plpro were 29.81 ,60.86, 16.35 and19.04 μM, respectively. Finally, SPR assay confirmed that polydatin and resveratrol had high affinity to SARS-CoV-2, SARS-CoV 3Clpro, MERS-CoV 3Clpro and PLpro protein. Conclusions: we identified the antiviral activity of flavonoids polydatin and resveratrol on RD cells. Polydatin and resveratrol were found to be specific and selective inhibitors for SARS-CoV-2, 3CLpro and PLpro, viral cysteine proteases. In summary, this study identifies P. cuspidatum as the potential broad-spectrum inhibitor for the treatment of coronaviruses infections.
Exploration of the active components and pharmacological mechanism of Compound Longmaining for the treatment of myocardial infarction
Authors: Li Jia , Wang Xiao , Bu Diaodiao , Zou Junbo , Xun Shining , Wang Yao , Jia Yanzuo , Yu Shangshang , Wang Wenfei , Zheng Jiahui , Hou Jiejun , Zhang Xiaofei , Wang Changli
Published: October 2021

Background: Myocardial Infarction (MI) is a cardiovascular disease with a high morbidity and mortality rate. While MI is currently treated with pharmaceuticals, there is a need for new treatment options: compound Chinese medicines may have unique advantages for the treatment of MI. Methods: A combination of network pharmacology and experimental verification is used to identify the ingredients and mechanism of Compound Longmaining (CLMN) for treating MI. Network pharmacology combined with the gene expression omnibus (GEO) chip method is used to analyze the primary pathway of CLMN for treating MI, and then molecular docking is used to verify the affinity of key target proteins in the primary pathway that bind to active molecules. The major active compounds of CLMN are screened using the docking score results. The CIBERSORT algorithm is used to evaluate immune cell infiltration in MI, and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) is used to control the quality of the components. Finally, a mouse model is established to verify the molecular mechanism of CLMN for treating MI using hematoxlyn eosin (HE) staining and immunohistochemistry. Results: By utilizing network pharmacology combined with molecular docking, the mechanism of action of CLMN for the treatment of MI was found to possibly be related to the ingredients of puerarin, daidzein, ferulic acid, chrysin, and galangin. These molecules regulate the NF-Kappa B signaling pathway and the expression of RELA, IKBKB, NKBIA, and other targets. The CIBERSORT algorithm and ggplot2 package analysis were used to distinguish the immune cells, such as neutrophils, macrophages, and T cells, that play a key role in the development of MI. HPLC controlled the quality of the screened medicinal ingredients. An immunohistochemical analysis showed that the TNF-α and TRAF-2 expression levels in MI of the CLMN-treated mice were decreased, while IkBα was increased. HE staining showed CLMN reduced inflammation in mouse cardiomyocytes and decreased fibrosis. Conclusions: This study showed that CLMN treatment of MI is a process that involves multi-components, multi-targets and multi-pathways, and the established multi-index component content measurement of the CLMN decoction can be used for quality control of CLMN.