bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The PRDM14–CtBP1/2–PRC2 complex regulates transcriptional repression during the transition from primed to naïve pluripotency
Authors: Yamamoto Maiko , Suwa Yoshiaki , Sugiyama Kohta , Okashita Naoki , Kawaguchi Masanori , Tani Naoki , Matsubara Kazumi , Nakamura Akira , Seki Yoshiyuki
Published: July 2020

The pluripotency-associated transcriptional network is regulated by a core circuitry of transcription factors. The PR domain-containing protein PRDM14 maintains pluripotency by activating and repressing transcription in a target gene-dependent manner. However, the mechanisms underlying dichotomic switching of PRDM14-mediated transcriptional control remain elusive. Here, we identified C-terminal binding protein 1 and 2 (CtBP1 and CtBP2; generically referred to as CtBP1/2) as components of the PRDM14-mediated repressive complex. CtBP1/2 binding to PRDM14 depends on CBFA2T2, a core component of the PRDM14 complex. The loss of Ctbp1/2 impaired the PRDM14-mediated transcriptional repression required for pluripotency maintenance and transition from primed to naïve pluripotency. Furthermore, CtBP1/2 interacted with the PRC2 complexes, and the loss of Ctbp1/2 impaired Polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2) and H3K27me3 enrichment at target genes after Prdm14 induction. These results provide evidence that the target gene-dependent transcriptional activity of PRDM14 is regulated by partner switching to ensure the transition from primed to naïve pluripotency.

This article has an associated First Person interview with the first author of the paper
Neurodegenerative disease-associated protein aggregates are poor inducers of the heat shock response in neuronal cells
Authors: San Gil Rebecca , Cox Dezerae , McAlary Luke , Berg Tracey , Walker Adam K. , Yerbury Justin J. , Ooi Lezanne , Ecroyd Heath
Published: July 2020

Protein aggregates that result in inclusion formation are a pathological hallmark common to many neurodegenerative diseases, including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Parkinson's disease and Huntington's disease. Under conditions of cellular stress, activation of the heat shock response (HSR) results in an increase in the levels of molecular chaperones and is a first line of cellular defence against inclusion formation. It remains to be established whether neurodegenerative disease-associated proteins and inclusions are themselves capable of inducing an HSR in neuronal cells. To address this, we generated a neuroblastoma cell line that expresses a fluorescent reporter protein under conditions of heat shock transcription factor 1 (HSF1)-mediated HSR induction. We show that the HSR is not induced by exogenous treatment with aggregated forms of recombinant α-synuclein or the G93A mutant of superoxide dismutase-1 (SOD1G93A) nor intracellular expression of SOD1G93A or a pathogenic form of polyglutamine-expanded huntingtin (Htt72Q). These results suggest that pathogenic proteins evade detection or impair induction of the HSR in neuronal cells. A failure of protein aggregation to induce an HSR might contribute to the development of inclusion pathology in neurodegenerative diseases.

This article has an associated First Person interview with the first author of the paper.
Relationship between neighbourhood cohesion and disability: findings from SWADES population-based survey, Kerala, India
Authors: Saju M.D. , Benny Anuja Maria , Preet Allagh Komal , Joseph Binoy , Amuthavalli Thiyagarajan Jotheeswaran
Published: July 2020

Background: The burden of disability on individuals and society is enormous in India, and informal care systems try to reduce this burden. This study investigated the association between neighbourhood cohesion and disability in a community-based population in Kerala, India. To the best of our knowledge, no previous studies have examined this association in India.  

Methods: A cross-sectional household survey was conducted with 997 participants aged 30 years and above, in Kerala. Neighbourhood cohesion was assessed by three scales: trust, community participation, and perceived safety. Functional ability was measured by WHODAS 2.0. Explanatory covariates included chronic disease conditions, age, gender, education, income, and mental health conditions.

Results: Of 997 participants (37% male; mean age, 53.9 [range, 30–90] years), the majority were married or cohabiting. Univariate analysis showed functional ability to be positively associated with most demographic and health characteristics. However, after adjustment, only social cohesion, age, income, education, chronic diseases and mental health conditions remained significant. Mediation analysis showed the effect of personal and health characteristics on functional ability as mediated by social cohesion.

Conclusion: Social cohesion is an important moderator of functional ability. Interventions targeting the creation of stronger ties among neighbours and a sense of belonging should be scaled-up and evaluated in future research.
Negotiating a Postmemory Dichotomy: Nostalgia and Aversion in Malta
Authors: Cassar George , Avellino Marie
Published: July 2020

The island of Malta has served as a strategic colony since the dawn of history. Since Phoenician and Roman times, the island has been an important base in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea. Its last colonisers, the British, spent about 180 years using the islands for their imperial needs. The official closing of the British base on 31 March 1979 heralded a new economic and social reality supposedly unhampered by the exigencies of foreigners. Two major post-memory reactions kicked in – nostalgia and aversion to ex-colonial life. The postcolonial Maltese generations exhibit a range of reactions oscillating between love and hate for the British. On the other hand, British ex-service personnel and their families have continued to feel an affinity with the island base which they had come to acknowledge as a second home. This allows for a new type of relationship between the Maltese people and their British visitors where issues of colonial post-memory are negotiated. These are seen at their best in the local tourism industry. Malta woos British tourists and goes to great effort to attract them. It uses to its advantage the colonial affinity to create an attractive destination for the British which benefits the locals and the Maltese economy. In Malta post-memory has evolved in line with necessity and expediency, where animosity, though manifestly tangible, has gradually morphed into a rather benign residue in the collective reaction to the colonial past.
Simulation of realistic nephrology case scenarios to facilitate intra-professional team learning
Authors: Watson Kathryn , Gosling Nicholas , Broom Christopher , Snelgrove Huon , Popoola Joyce
Published: July 2020

Background

Learning in the workplace maximises relevance to clinical practice and facilitates the education of the whole multiprofessional team. Provision of structured teaching is becoming increasingly challenging with shift pattern working and staff shortages. This article describes a simulation course designed to facilitate team learning to improve the care of nephrology patients, and presents outcome data over 2 years.

Methods

A full-day course, using high fidelity manikins, was designed for nephrology specialty trainees and nurse specialists. Nineteen learners (eleven specialty trainees and eight nurse specialists) and nine multidisciplinary team faculty members attended. Evaluation used pre- and post-course assessments, with a 1-year follow-up questionnaire.

Results

Following the course, improved knowledge scores, 56% to 72% (P<0.05), and confidence scores, 57% to 71% (P<0.005), were demonstrated. Qualitative analysis found ‘intra-disciplinary interaction’, ‘reflection’ and ‘practical skills’ were the greatest enablers of learning. In the 1-year follow-up questionnaire, specialty trainees reported that the course improved clinical practice and helped preparation for consultant roles.

Conclusions

This course improved knowledge and confidence in managing nephrology scenarios across the multidisciplinary learning group, and the model could be used in other hospital specialties.
Body dysmorphic disorder is important, but are we missing other serious dysmorphias?
Authors: Sandler Deborah
Published: July 2020

In recent years, there has been a shift in focus towards aesthetic patients with potential mental health issues. One such illness is body dysmorphic disorder. Deborah Sandler outlines the disorder and also details other potential dysmorphias that aesthetic practitioners could miss
Early Undergraduate Emirati Female Students’ Beliefs about Learning Mathematics Using Technology
Authors: Belbase Shashidhar
Published: July 2020

Covid-19 has accelerated the speed of technocratic transformation in teaching and learning. Previous researches on whether technology enhances students’ motivation towards learning or burdens them with additional layer of anxiety in learning the nitty gritty of technology itself have mixed results. The purpose of this study was to explore early undergraduate students’ beliefs about learning mathematics with technology. These research participants were first-year female undergraduate students in a public university in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The study comprised of phase one with qualitative task-based interviews with four female first-year undergraduate students. Phase two included a quantitative belief survey with a sample of 62 students from the same institution. I constructed four major belief categories from the iterative process of interview data analysis– technology for computing and graphing, technology for speed and accuracy, technology for a short-cut but not for meaning, and affective aspects of beliefs. The quantitative survey result demonstrated that a majority of participants (about 75.8%) were found to be using some kinds of technological tools while learning mathematics. About 90% of them reported using a calculator while learning mathematics. A majority of participants (54.9%) believed that technology helps them in learning mathematics, and about 50% of them also believed that the use of technology improves their learning of mathematics.
The Salwa Canal and the Island of Qatar
Authors: Temsamani Rabia M’Rabet
Published: July 2020

On April 5, 2018 Saudi Arabia announced the Salwa Canal project to inaugurate a new generation of shipping canals that has nothing to do with advancing maritime navigation, but rather for changing Qatar's geography and isolating it. If executed as planned, the Salwa Canal would be built completely on Saudi territory 1 km from its border with the Qatar peninsula. The latter would see its only land border disappear and turn the State of Qatar into an island State. The following questions arise: insofar as international law is concerned, would Saudi Arabia be within its rights to execute this project? Would Qatar have a legal case in international forums to halt the project on grounds that its geography would be adversely impacted? On another level, would Qatar, as the injured State, be able to refer the matter to the International Court of Justice to discuss possible environmental damage? What impacts does this project, if executed, have on other possible cases such as Malaysia, should Thailand decide to construct a canal that would connect the province of Satun with the gulf of Thailand and Songkhla province to directly access the Strait of Malacca, or on the claimed city of Gibraltar, if Spain decides to connect the Bay of Algeciras with the Alboran Sea via a sea canal? This article attempts to shed some light on such novel matters in light of the Salwa Canal project and its legal impacts under international law.
Scheme of coherent optical chaos communication
Authors: Wang Longsheng , Mao Xiaoxin , Wang Anbang , Wang Yuncai , Gao Zhensen , Li Songsui , Yan Lianshan
Published: July 2020

We propose and numerically demonstrate a scheme of coherent optical chaos communication using semiconductor lasers for secure transmission of optical quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM) signals. In this scheme, a laser intensity chaos and its delayed duplicate are used to amplitude-quadrature modulate a continuous-wave light to generate a chaotic carrier. High-quality chaotic carrier synchronization between the transmitter and receiver is guaranteed by laser intensity chaos synchronization, avoiding laser phase fluctuation. Decryption is implemented by a 90 deg optical hybrid using the synchronous chaotic carrier as local light. Secure transmission of an optical 40 Gb/s 16QAM signal is demonstrated by using a laser intensity chaos with a bandwidth of 11.7 GHz. The system performances are evaluated by analyzing a bit error ratio with different masking coefficients, signal rates, synchronization coefficients, parameter mismatches, and dispersion compensation. It is believed that this scheme can pave a way for high-speed optical chaos communication.
Multipoint acoustic impedance sensing based on frequency-division multiplexed forward stimulated Brillouin scattering
Authors: Zheng Zhou , Li Zhengying , Fu Xuelei , Wang Lixing , Wang Honghai
Published: July 2020

Acoustic impedance sensing based on forward stimulated Brillouin scattering (FSBS) in fiber has attracted the attention of researchers in recent years. Here, we propose a novel, to the best of our knowledge, multipoint sensing scheme based on FSBS, which explores frequency-division multiplexing. Since the resonance center frequencies of the FSBS-invoked acoustic modes are dependent on the fiber diameter, different fiber sections can be differentiated using carefully selected representative peaks in the FSBS spectrum. With a Sagnac loop structure, continuous-wave light is adopted for FSBS excitation, reducing the required fiber length for efficient opto-acoustic interaction. By evaluating the linewidths of representative peaks, simultaneous acoustic impedance sensing at multiple locations is realized with 0.8 m sensor size.
Loss assessment in random crystal polarity gallium phosphide microdisks grown on silicon
Authors: Saleem-Urothodi Rasool , Le Pouliquen Julie , Rohel Tony , Bernard Rozenn , Pareige Christelle , Lorenzo-Ruiz Alejandro , Beck Alexandre , Létoublon Antoine , De Sagazan Olivier , Cornet Charles , Dumeige Yannick , Léger Yoan
Published: July 2020

III-V semiconductors grown on silicon recently appeared as a promising platform to decrease the cost of photonic components and circuits. For nonlinear optics, specific features of the III-V crystal arising from the growth on the nonpolar Si substrate and called antiphase domains (APDs) offer a unique way to engineer the second-order properties of the semiconductor compound. Here we demonstrate the fabrication of microdisk resonators at the interface between a gallium-phosphide layer and its silicon substrate. The analysis of the whispering gallery mode quality factors in the devices allows the quantitative assessment of losses induced by a controlled distribution of APDs in the GaP layer and demonstrates the relevance of such a platform for the development of polarity-engineered III-V nonlinear photonic devices on silicon.
Continuous-wave terahertz reflective ptychography by oblique illumination
Authors: Rong Lu , Tang Chao , Zhao Yuchen , Tan Fangrui , Wang Yunxin , Zhao Jie , Wang Dayong , Georges Marc
Published: July 2020

Massive usage scenarios prompt the prosperity of terahertz (THz) reflective imaging methods. In this Letter, we apply ptychography to continuous-wave THz reflective imaging. Our scheme has a compact lensless layout and uses a full-field oblique-illumination recording mode. Diffraction patterns are corrected through tilted plane correction. This method can be used to retrieve the complex-valued object function and to suppress the negative effect of non-uniform illumination. The feasibility is investigated using two metal samples.
Aprendizaje basado en proyectos por medio de la plataforma YouTube para la enseñanza de matemáticas en Educación Primaria
Authors: Del Valle-ramón David , García-Valcárcel Muñoz-Repiso Ana , Basilotta Gómez-Pablos Verónica
Published: July 2020

El Aprendizaje basado en proyectos (ABP) es una metodología que puede mejorar la práctica educativa, ya que ofrece estrategias a los estudiantes para aprender mediante la investigación de forma activa y dinámica en situaciones más cercanas a la realidad, y que culminan con la elaboración de productos auténticos y reales. El objetivo de este trabajo es comprobar la eficacia de la metodología ABP en la adquisición de conocimientos en la asignatura de matemáticas en educación primaria y en la mejora de la satisfacción de los alumnos. Para ello, se ha diseñado y evaluado una propuesta didáctica que integra cinco sesiones y que utiliza YouTube como recurso didáctico. Se ha empleado un diseño de investigación cuasi-experimental con medidas pre-test y post-test, utilizando grupo experimental y control. La muestra la conforman 40 estudiantes de 5º. de educación primaria (entre 9 y 10 años) de un centro educativo de León (España). La intervención, centrada en actividades de aprendizaje a través de diversos recursos educativos, presenta resultados positivos en matemáticas. Las diferencias encontradas entre el pre-test y post-test en el grupo experimental son estadísticamente significativas y superiores a las presentadas en el grupo control, de modo que se concluye que los alumnos que trabajan las matemáticas a través de la metodología ABP integrando el uso de YouTube consiguen un mayor avance en su aprendizaje y están más satisfechos.
Application strategies of saline water and nitrogen doses in mini watermelon cultivation
Authors: Silva Saulo Soares da , Lima Geovani Soares de , Lima Vera Lúcia Antunes de , Gheyi Hans Raj , Soares Lauriane Almeida dos Anjos , Fernandes Pedro Dantas
Published: July 2020

Salt stress is highlighted as one of the limiting factors for the establishment of agriculture in the semiarid region of Northeastern Brazil. In this context, it is essential to look for new strategies aiming at minimizing the effects of salt stress on the crops. The present work aimed to evaluate the photochemical efficiency, photosynthetic pigments, and growth of the watermelon cv. Sugar Baby under different use strategies with saline waters and nitrogen fertilization. The experiment was conducted in a protected environment at the Center of Technology and Natural Resources of the Federal University of Campina Grande, municipality of Campina Grande, Paraíba. An experimental design in randomized blocks was adopted, arranged in a 6 x 2 factorial scheme, with six management strategies of water salinity and two nitrogen doses (corresponding to 50 and 100% of the recommendation), with five replications. Two salinity levels of the irrigation water were studied, one with low and another with a high level of electrical conductivity of the water (ECw = 0.8 and 3.2 dS m-1). The watermelon cv. Sugar Baby expressed higher sensitivity to salt stress in the flowering phase, with a decrease in the synthesis of chlorophyll b, chlorophyll total, and carotenoids. The 50% dose of N provided an increment in the initial fluorescence, stem diameter, and the number of leaves of the watermelon cv. Sugar Baby. The length of the main branch of the watermelon plants decreased with the salt stress applied in the fructification phase; however, the fertilization with 100% of N stimulated a higher growth when the irrigation with saline waters was performed at the vegetative and flowering phases.
Phenology and productive performance of chamomile in sowing dates and spacing between plants
Authors: Silva Jocélia Rosa da , Heldwein Arno Bernardo , Puhl Andressa Janaína , Amarante Adriana Almeida do , Salvadé Daniella Moreira , Leonardi Mateus , Rocha Leidiana da
Published: July 2020

The present work has aimed to evaluate phenology and productive performance of chamomile in a subtropical weather region, sown in different dates and spacings in between plants. The experiment took place in Santa Maria – RS with four sowing dates in the year 2017 (18/03, 28/04, 30/06 and 31/08) and seven spacings along plants in rows (5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30 and 40 cm), spaced 30 cm between each other. Phenological observations were made every two or three days in two plants per portion while also accounting for the number of nodes in the main stem. The harvest of chamomile floral chapters was performed manually from the beggining of flowering and repeated biweekly until plant maturation. Productivity of dry floral chapters as well as content and productivity of essential oils were evaluated. It was established that sowing dates affect the productivity of dry floral chapters, content and productivity of essential oil from cv. Mandirituba chamomile, with the sowings of March 18th and April 28th presenting the highest values for such variables. Increasing the space between plants from the 10 cm line to 40 cm in lines spaced in 30 cm has shown a linear tendency of decreasing the productivity of dry floral chapters. Spacings between plants did not affect the phenological development of chamomile, however, sowing dates interfered in the thermal time of six evaluated subperiods regarding plastochron and the final number of nodes.
Biofertilizer in leaf and drip applications: an alternative to increase tomato productivity
Authors: Oliveira Roberta Camargos , Luz José Magno Queiroz , Lana Regina Maria Quintão , Queiroz Angelica Araújo , Bertoldo Danielle Lima
Published: July 2020

The tomato is a species of undetermined growth and extremely demanding in nutrients Therefore, the search of new ways to maximize the use and supply of fertilizers sources and their application mechanisms are important to improve the tomato culture management. The aim of this study was to evaluate the application methods of liquid biofertilizer (BF) and the harvest times throughout cultivation. The experiment was carried out in a randomized block design, in a 3x6 factorial with subdivided plot and seven replications. The treatments were foliar and drip BF application and a control, without application of BF, and harvesting time (85; 92; 99; 106; 113; 120 days after transplanting-DAT). Leaf application resulted in a class I production increase in the second week of harvest (92 DAT), while drip application reflected higher class II and III production in the fourth week (106 DAT). In all treatments, at 92 DAT higher production of large fruits (class I) was observed. Production of average fruits (class II) occurred at 92 and 113 DAT and small fruit (class III) production was concentrated at 113 DAT. The adoption of BF, regardless of the application form, provides an increase in total productivity, with an income up to 35% higher. Therefore, biofertilizer is a good source for nutrition implementation aiming at yields and returns in the tomato production chain.
Kelangsungan Hidup Ikan setelah Meloloskan Diri pada Alat Tangkap Bubu di Perairan Desa Wakal, Kabupaten Maluku Tengah
Authors: Hehanussa Kedswin Gerson , Siahainenia Stany Rachel , Paillin Jacobus Bunga , Tawari Ruslan Husen Saban , Haruna Haruna , Riyanto Mochammad
Published: July 2020

Fishermen in Wakal Village still water is pot to catch coral fish species. The pot is made from woven bamboo with small hexagonal-shaped cracks. The type of fish that are targeted by the catch usually after being caught in the traps suffer injuries to their bodies as they try to escape through small gaps that are hexagonal. The purpose of this study is to analyze the viability of fish after escaping to the cover net. The data were collected by experimental fishing using four units of pots that were cover net in 20 repetitions. The research was conducted from September to December 2018 in Wakal Village, and Central Maluku Regency. The total number of fish caught is only 2.83% of fish that escape into the net cover. Fish that escaped are divided into 7 species including Plectrypops lima, Pinjalo lewisi, Ephinephelus tauvina, Chaetodon kleini, Centropyge bicolor, Priolepis cincta, Paraluteres prionurus. The cause of fish death is not only assessed from the wounds on the body of the fish when escaping or the wounds resulting from contact with other fish but the stress from the fish itself. The environmental factors that greatly affect the survival of fish when escaping are temperature and salinity.  Nelayan di Perairan Desa Wakal menggunakan alat tangkap bubu untuk menangkap ikan karang. Bubu terbuat dari anyaman bambu dengan celah-celah berukuran kecil berbentuk hexagonal. Jenis ikan yang menjadi target tangkapan biasanya setelah tertangkap oleh bubu mengalami luka pada tubuhnya karena berupaya meloloskan diri melalui celah-celah kecil yang berbentuk hexagonal. Luka yang terdapat pada tubuh ikan dapat mengakibatkan kondisi yang buruk bagi kelangsungan hidup. Tujuan dari penelitian ini adalah Menganalisis kelangsungan hidup ikan setelah meloloskan diri ke cover net. Pengumpulan data dilakukan dengan uji coba penangkapan menggunakan 4 unit bubu buton yang dipasang cover net sebanyak 20 kali ulangan. Penelitian dilakukan pada bulan September-Desember 2018 di Desa Wakal, Kabupaten Maluku Tengah. Total jumlah keseluruhan ikan yang tertangkap hanya 2.83% ikan yang meloloskan diri masuk ke dalam cover net. Ikan yang lolos terbagi dalam 7 spesies diantaranya Plectrypops lima, Pinjalo lewisi, Ephinephelus tauvina, Chaetodon kleini, Centropyge bicolor, Priolepis cincta, Paraluteres prionurus. Penyebab kematian ikan bukan saja dinilai dari luka pada tubuh ikan saat meloloskan diri ataupun luka akibat dari kontak dengan ikan lainnya namun stress dari ikan itu sendiri. Adapun faktor-faktor lingkungan yang sangat berpengaruh terhadap kelangsungan hidup ikan saat meloloskan diri yaitu suhu dan salinitas.
The story behind the discovery: integrating short historical stories in science teaching
Authors: Kortam Naji , Hugerat Muhamad , Mamlok-Naaman Rachel
Published: July 2020

The use of the historical approach in teaching science has been studied for many years. Many researchers claimed that this approach has the power to improve students’ understanding of the nature of science (NOS) by emphasizing not only the products of science but also the evolution of its ideas. In this paper we will deal with historical stories which were integrated into the science curriculum of primary, middle, and secondary school students from Arab schools in the Israeli Galilee (270 students). Integrating short historical stories in science teaching is a pedagogical approach in which teachers use the chronological story of scientific discoveries and the evolution of scientific ideas in order to render students’ perceptions of the conceptual aspects of science, its processes and contexts more accurately. The stories in this paper refer to discoveries by four scientists: Galvani (the discovery of the electrical current), Fleming (the discovery of penicillin), Archimedes (the discovery of the floating principle), and Kekulé (the discovery of the structure of the benzene ring). At the completion of enacting this curriculum, the students were asked to write their reflections. By reading the students’ reflections we found out that they noticed that certain circumstances must be present in order to enable a scientist to make his discovery.
Scalar linear impulsive Riemann-Liouville fractional differential equations with constant delay-explicit solutions and finite time stability
Authors: Hristova Snezhana G. , Tersian Stepan A.
Published: July 2020

Riemann-Liouville fractional differential equations with a constant delay and impulses are studied in this article. The following two cases are considered: the case when the lower limit of the fractional derivative is fixed on the whole interval of consideration and the case when the lower limit of the fractional derivative is changed at any point of impulse. The initial conditions as well as impulsive conditions are defined in an appropriate way for both cases. The explicit solutions are obtained and applied to the study of finite time stability.
Influence mechanism of pulse frequency on the corrosion resistance of Cu–Zn binary alloy
Authors: Zhao Zuofu , Li Xin , Liu Liang , Chen Minghua , Ma Xiaobo , Qi Jingang , Wang Bing
Published: July 2020

In this work, the influence of pulse frequency on the corrosion resistance of Cu–Zn binary alloy has been investigated by using electrochemical workstation, scanning electron microscope and X-ray diffraction. The results have shown that after the electric pulse treatment, the average grain size in the microstructure of high-zinc binary brass decreased and the corrosion resistance increased. The thickness of dezincification layer decreased from 49.8 to 30.8 µm. The diameter of capacitive reactance arc increased from 741.1 to 2898.0 µm. The corrosion potential increased from −0.2719 to −0.2378 V, and the corrosion current density decreased from 6.3147 × 10−6 to 4.6971 × 10−7 A cm−2 by one magnitude order.
Structural evidence of complex formation in liquid Pb–Te alloys
Authors: Akasofu Toru , Kusakabe Masanobu , Takeda Shin’ichi , Tamaki Shigeru
Published: July 2020

The former analysis of the structural data in liquid Pb–Te alloys, based on the neutron diffraction measurements for this system, was insufficient to obtain the microscopic and spatial configurations in this system. In order to obtain these configurations, we have newly analyzed by using the Reverse Monte Carlo simulations and the method of Voronoi polyhedron. The partial structure factors {S}_{ij}(Q) and thereby {g}_{ij}(r) are newly estimated by using the former data of neutron diffraction measurements, which are now exactly reproduced by the obtained total structure factors S(Q). From these results, it is concluded that the liquid Pb0.5Te0.5 is spatially configured by the mixture of some sorts of covalent-type formation of PbTe molecules and dissociated Pb and/or Te ions with conduction electrons, which result is completely consistent with results of electrical resistivity measurements and also with the thermodynamic analysis.
An overview of high-mobility group box 1, a potent pro-inflammatory cytokine in asthma
Authors: Kianian Farzaneh , Kadkhodaee Mehri , Sadeghipour Hamid Reza , Karimian Seyed Morteza , Seifi Behjat
Published: July 2020

High-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1), also called amphoterin, HMG1 and p30, is a highly conserved protein between different species that has various functions in nucleus such as stabilization of nucleosome formation, facilitation of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) bending and increasing the DNA transcription, replication and repair. It has also been indicated that HMGB1 acts as a potent pro-inflammatory cytokine with increasing concentrations in acute and chronic inflammatory diseases. Asthma is a common chronic respiratory disease associated with high morbidity and mortality rates. One central characteristic in its pathogenesis is airway inflammation. Considering the inflammatory role of HMGB1 and importance of inflammation in asthma pathogenesis, a better understanding of this protein is vital. This review describes the structure, cell surface receptors, signaling pathways and intracellular and extracellular functions of HMGB1, but also focuses on its inflammatory role in asthma. Moreover, this manuscript reviews experimental and clinical studies that investigated the pathologic role of HMGB1.
Bacopa monnieri alleviates aluminium chloride-induced anxiety by regulating plasma corticosterone level in Wistar rats
Authors: Murugaiyan Senthil Murugan , Bhargavan Rajesh
Published: July 2020

Objectives

Aluminium is present in food preparations, antacids and many medications. It causes neurodegeneration thereby resulting in a spectrum of neurological disorders such as dementia, Alzheimer’s disease and anxiety. Bacopa monnieri (BM) is widely used in ayurvedic medicine to improve memory functions. Its anxiolytic property was investigated in this study by using elevated plus maze (EPM) and plasma corticosterone level.

Methods

Thirty rats were assigned into five groups. Control group received distilled water, and 0.5% tween 80, AlCl3 group received Aluminium Chloride (AlCl3), Protective groups (BM100 + AlCl3 group and BM200 + AlCl3 group) received AlCl3 and BM at two different doses, and the BM200 group received BM. The EPM experiment was performed at the end of the 4th week of oral administration of BM and AlCl3 followed by the measurement of plasma corticosterone.

Results

Oral administration of AlCl3 to rats increases the levels of anxiety as seen in a decrease in the percentage of entries into the open arms of EPM, an increase in grooming frequency and defecation index. However, the rats in the protective groups shown an increase in the percentage of open arm entries and rearing frequency, and decreased grooming frequency and defecation index. AlCl3 alone treated group showed a significant increase in the plasma corticosterone levels compared to the control group. Whereas the protective groups have shown a significant decrease in the plasma corticosterone levels than the AlCl3 alone treated group.

Conclusions

Hence the BM has potential role in reverting the anxiogenic effect of AlCl3 in the amygdala as it is evident from the plasma corticosterone levels and the EPM parameters of different groups under study.
Timing, prevalence, and dynamics of thyroid disorders in children and adolescents affected with Down syndrome
Authors: Calcaterra Valeria , Crivicich Erica , De Silvestri Annalisa , Amariti Rossella , Clemente Andrea Martina , Bassanese Francesco , Regalbuto Corrado , Vinci Federica , Albertini Riccardo , Larizza Daniela
Published: July 2020

Objectives

Limited data on the evolution of thyroid disorders (TD) in Down syndrome (DS) are available. We characterized the timing, prevalence, and dynamics of TD in patients with DS during a long-term follow-up.

Methods

We retrospectively evaluated 91 children and adolescents with DS (12.5 ± 8.3; follow-up 7.5 ± 6.2). Children were monitored at birth, 6, and 12 months of age and twice a year thereafter. Thyroid status and autoimmunity were periodically investigated.

Results

TD were detected in 73.6% of patients, in particular congenital hypothyroidism (CH), autoimmune thyroid diseases (ATD) and subclinical hypothyroidism (SH) were recorded in 16.4, 31.8, and 25.3%, respectively. CH was diagnosed at newborn screening in 86.7% of cases and in the first 6 months of life in the remaining 13.3%; the condition was persistent in 61.5% of patients. In more than 30% of CH cases, glandular hypoplasia was also revealed. In the ATD group, 63.1% of patients with Hashimoto’s disease (HD, 82.6%) were treated with levothyroxine and subjects with Graves’ Disease (GD, 17.4%) started therapy with methimazole. DS with SH were treated in 42.1% of cases. A thyroid hypogenic echopattern, without autoantibody positivity was identified in 27.6% of SH patients.

Conclusions

The high prevalence and evolution of TD in SD requires frequent monitoring starting in the first months of life. CH can be misdiagnosed at screening. In DS subjects, there is a high prevalence of ATD and non-autoimmune diseases with early antibody-negative phases should not be excluded.
Porto-systemic shunt – a rare cause of hyperandrogenism in children. Two case reports and review of literature
Authors: Danko Mikołaj , Malinowska Anna , Moszczyńska Elżbieta , Pawłowska Joanna , Szarras-Czapnik Maria , Walewska-Wolf Małgorzata , Wątrobińska Urszula , Szalecki Mieczysław
Published: July 2020

Objectives

The main cause of hyperandrogenism in children is congenital adrenal hyperplasia, adrenal and gonadal tumors, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOs) and Cushing’s disease. In the last 20 years several descriptions of girls with hyperandrogenism and venous porto-systemic shunts appeared in literature.

Case presentation

First case is an eleven and a half-year-old girl, was admitted to Department of Endocrinology because of symptoms of hyperandrogenism. Laboratory tests revealed high serum testosterone, androstenedione, and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS). The ammonia concentration was also increased. In the abdominal angio-CT scans persistent umbilical vein which connected portal and femoral vein was found. The second case was a seven-year-old boy with symptoms of precocious puberty. Blood tests also revealed high concentration of testosterone, androstenedione, DHEAS and ammonia. Imaging studies showed persistent ductus venosus.

Conclusion

Although pathophysiological relation is not clear, porto-systemic shunts should be considered as a cause of hyperandrogenism of unknown origin in children.
A novel age-biomarker-clinical history prognostic index for heart failure with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction
Authors: Li Hao , Cui Yuan , Tian Jin , Yang Hong , Zhang Qing , Wang Ke , Han Qinghua , Zhang Yanbo
Published: July 2020

Purpose

A model for predicting the prognosis of patients with heart failure with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (HFrEF) is currently not available. This study aimed to develop an age-biomarker-clinical history prognostic index (ABC-PI) and validate it for the assessment of individual prognosis.

Patients and methods

A total of 5,974 HFrEF patients were enrolled and 1,529 were included in this study after excluding missing values and loss to follow-up. Variables that significantly contributed to prediction of all-cause mortality were assessed by Cox regression and latent trait analysis (LTA) was used to validate discrimination of variables.

Results

After Cox regression, the following seven most significant variables were selected: age, N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide, renal dysfunction, left ventricular mass index, percutaneous coronary intervention, atrial fibrillation, and New York Heart Association (C-index: 0.801 ± 0.013). After verification by LTA, discrimination of these seven variables was proven. A nomogram was used to form the ABC-PI, and then the total score was set to 100 points. A lower score indicated a higher risk. After verification, the 3-year mortality rate was 34.7% in the high-risk group and only 2.6% in the low-risk group.

Conclusion

Our novel ABC-PI shows a good performance and does not require re-input in the original model. The ABC-PI can be used to effectively and practically predict the prognosis of HFrEF patients.
Language learning through an intersectional lens: Gender, migrant status, and gain in symbolic capital for Syrian refugee women in Turkey
Authors: Rottmann Susan Beth , Nimer Maissam
Published: July 2020

This paper sheds light on Syrian refugee women’s negotiation strategies in language learning classrooms and in their broader social contexts from an intersectional perspective. Drawing on in-depth interviews and focus groups complemented by participatory observation in language classes, we use a post-structuralist approach to examine gendered language socialization. Our research combines an intersectional framework and a Bourdieusian perspective on symbolic capital to show how women perform gender and negotiate their roles in classrooms, within families and vis-à-vis the host society. The findings demonstrate that being a woman and a migrant presents particular challenges in learning language. At the same time, learning language allows for the re-negotiation of gender relations and power dynamics. We find that gender structures women’s access to linguistic resources and interactional opportunities as they perform language under social pressure to conform to prescribed roles as mothers, wives and virtuous, and shy women. Yet, these roles are not static: gender roles are also reconstituted in the process of language learning and gaining symbolic capital.
2D GeP-based photonic device for near-infrared and mid-infrared ultrafast photonics
Authors: Wang Zhenhong , Guo Jia , Zhang Yue , Liu Jun , Ponraj Joice Sophia , Dhanabalan Sathish Chander , Zhai Tianyou , Liu Xinke , Song Yufeng , Zhang Han
Published: July 2020

Germanium phosphide (GeP), a rising star of novel two-dimensional (2D) material composed of Group IV–V elements, has been extensively studied and applied in photonics thanks to its broadband optical absorption, strong light–matter interaction and flexible bandgap structure. Here, we show the strong nonlinear optical (NLO) properties of 2D GeP nanoflakes in the broadband range with open-aperture Z-scan technique to explore the performance of 2D GeP microfiber photonic devices (GMPDs) in near-infrared (near-IR) and mid-infrared (mid-IR) ultrafast photonics. Our results suggest that employing the GMPD as an optical device in an erbium-doped fiber laser (EDFL) system results in ultrashort pulses and rogue waves (RWs) at 1.55 μm. Likewise, by the incorporation of GMPD into a thulium-doped fiber laser (TDFL) system, stable ultrashort pulse operation is also achieved at 2.0 μm. We expect these findings to be an excellent GMPD that can be applied in mode-locked fiber lasers to open up new avenues for its development and application in ultrafast photonics.
Crystal structure of dichlorido-bis(dimethyl sulphoxide-κO)-bis(4-methylbenzyl-κC
1)tin(IV), C20H30Cl2O2S2Sn
Authors: Lo Kong Mun , Lee See Mun , Tiekink Edward R.T.
Published: July 2020

C20H30Cl2O2S2Sn, monoclinic, P21/n (no. 14), a = 8.2430(1) Å, b = 13.7471(1) Å, c = 11.1619(2) Å, β = 110.864(2)°, V = 1181.90(3) Å3, Z = 2, R
gt(F) = 0.0164, wR
ref(F
2) = 0.0445, T = 100(2) K.
Crystal structure of 2,2,4,4,6,6-hexakis(4-chlorophenyl)-1,3,5,2,4,6-trithiatristanninane, C36H24Cl6S3Sn3
Authors: Lo Kong Mun , Lee See Mun , Tiekink Edward R.T.
Published: July 2020

C36H24Cl6S3Sn3, monoclinic, P21/c (no. 14), a = 10.3180(1) Å, b = 18.1008(1) Å, c = 20.9015(2) Å, β = 94.536(10)°, V = 3891.42(6) Å3, Z = 4, R
gt(F) = 0.0177, wR
ref(F
2) = 0.0448, T = 100(2) K.
“We Were Like Slaves, All Women. But We Won’t Come Back.” On the Rebellions Sparked by the Disappearance of the Hacienda in an Afro-Ecuadorian Community
Authors: Morales Troya Ana María
Published: July 2020

In Ecuador, there were rebellions of enslaved men and women who organized to free themselves and improve their living conditions from the beginning of slavery. In the memory of past Afro-descendant workers of cane-producing haciendas in the northern Ecuadorian highlands, the Agrarian Reform of 1964 is associated with “the end of slavery” even though slavery was abolished in 1851. Until the 1960s, working conditions on the hacienda were still regarded by the population as akin to slavery. This article discusses a revolt in the ’60s in the Santa Ana hacienda, now an Afro-Ecuadorian community of the same name. Here, the master’s sexual abuse led to a rebellion by a working adolescent. The rebellion led to an insurrection by the workers who, in addition to fighting for the end of the landlord system and the distribution of land, fought for the dismissal and disappearance of the master. Together, these events redefined ideas of development, of private property, and domestic labor especially by women.
Desymmetrization in geometry optimization: application to an ab initio study of copper(I) hydration
Authors: Pye Cory C. , Whynot Daniel C. M. , Corbeil Christopher R. , Mercer Darren J. W.
Published: July 2020

Group theoretical arguments are used to find the subgroup corresponding to symmetry reduction along a particular irreducible representation of a group. The results are used to guide the search for stationary points on the potential energy surface of hydrated copper(I) ion at the HF/6-31G∗, HF/6-31+G∗, HF/6-311+G∗, MP2/6-31G∗, MP2/6-31+G∗, MP2/6-311+G∗, B3LYP/6-31G∗, B3LYP/6-31+G∗, and B3LYP/6-311+G∗ levels. The better levels give the most stable coordination number of two. The effect of desymmetrization on the Cu-O distances and stretching frequencies has been examined.
Promoting inclusiveness in exoskeleton robotics: Addressing challenges for pediatric access
Authors: Fosch-Villaronga Eduard , Čartolovni Anto , Pierce Robin L.
Published: July 2020

Pediatric access to exoskeletons lags far behind that of adults. In this article, we promote inclusiveness in exoskeleton robotics by identifying and addressing challenges and barriers to pediatric access to this potentially life-changing technology. We first present available exoskeleton solutions for upper and lower limbs and note the variability in the absence of these. Next, we query the possible reasons for this variability in access, explicitly focusing on children, who constitute a categorically vulnerable population, and also stand to benefit significantly from the use of this technology at this critical point in their physical and emotional growth. We propose the use of a life-based design approach as a way to address some of the design challenges and offer insights toward a resolution regarding market viability and implementation challenges. We conclude that the development of pediatric exoskeletons that allow for and ensure access to health-enhancing technology is a crucial aspect of the responsible provision of health care to all members of society. For children, the stakes are particularly high, given that this technology, when used at a critical phase of a child’s development, not only holds out the possibility of improving the quality of life but also can improve the long-term health prospects.
Synthesis, molecular structure and BSA-binding properties of a new binuclear Cd(II) complex based on 2-(1H-tetrazol-1-methyl)-1H-imidazole-4,5-dicarboxylic acid
Authors: Yan Hai-Yan , Li Ya-Xue , Yang Huai-Xia , Li Xue-Ju
Published: July 2020

A new binuclear Cd(II) complex, [Cd2(H2tmidc)4(H2O)2]·6H2O (1) based on 2-(1H-tetrazol-1-methyl)-1H-imidazole-4,5-dicarboxylic acid (H3tmidc) has been synthesized and structurally characterized. The single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis has revealed that there are two crystallographically distinct H2tmidc– anions in complex 1, one of which is coordinated to Cd(II) ion in a terminal fashion, while the other acts as a bis-connector linking two Cd(II) cations to form the dinuclear structure. The dimeric units are stabilized by intra-molecular O–H···O hydrogen bonds and π-π stacking interactions and are further connected into a three-dimensional supramolecular architecture through inter-molecular hydrogen bonds and π-π stacking interactions. The interactions of complex 1 with bovine serum albumin (BSA) were analyzed by fluorescence measurements under physiological conditions. The results have indicated that the fluorescence intensity of BSA was decreased considerably upon the addition of complex 1 through a static quenching mechanism. The synchronous fluorescence spectrum suggested that the interaction of complex 1 with BSA affects the conformations of tryptophan and tyrosine residues and thereby has an influence on the conformation of BSA.
Diseño, producción e implementación del ambiente de aprendizaje basado en WEB, AABW
Authors: Gallego Torres Rómulo Andrés
Published: July 2020

El trabajo que aquí se presenta, forma parte de la necesidad de contribuir a la educación en ciencias a través de las TIC. En este sentido, se diseñó un Ambiente Basado en la WEB, el cual presenta en su estructura una estrategia didáctica de andamiaje de tipo metacognitivo, el cual, se diseñó en el contexto de aprendizaje de ciertos contenidos de tipología textual en relación con las Ciencias Naturales. La investigación planteó un diseño cuasiexperimental de tipo factorial 2x3, con grupos previamente conformados pertenecientes a dos cursos regulares de un colegio privado de la ciudad de Bogotá. La experiencia consistió en exponer a los grupos de estudiantes a un Ambiente Basado en la WEB para el fortalecimiento de la comprensión lectora y las competencias científicas. Los resultados de esta investigación aportan a docentes, terapeutas y en general a la Comunidad educativa elementos frente al uso de un andamiaje metacognitivo en un Ambiente Basado en la WEB, como estrategia didáctica para el desarrollo de los procesos metacognitivos y el logro de aprendizaje. Dicha estrategia integrada junto con el estilo cognitivo en la dimensión DFI de los estudiantes podría predecir el éxito académico de los aprendices cuando interactúan con este tipo de ambientes.