bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
One-step fermentation for producing xylo-oligosaccharides from wheat bran by recombinant Escherichia coli containing an alkaline xylanase
Authors: Liu Jiawen , Liu Cong , Qiao Shilei , Dong Zhen , Sun Di , Zhu Jingrong , Liu Weijie
Published: September 2021

One-step fermentation is a cheap way to produce xylo-oligosaccharides (XOS), where production of xylanases and XOS is integrated into a single process. In spite of having cost advantage, one-step fermentation is still short in yield so far due to the limited exploration. To cope with this issue, production of XOS from wheat bran by recombinant Escherichia coli through one-step fermentation was investigated here. A xylanase gene belonging to glycoside hydrolase family 11 of Bacillus agaradhaerens was employed to construct recombinant E. coli. This xylanase showed maximal activity at 60°C and pH 8.0. Its activity retained more than 60% after incubation at 70°C for 4 hours, showing a good stability. The recombinant E. coli successfully secreted xylanases that directly hydrolyzed wheat bran to XOS in fermentation medium. The generated XOS consisted of xylose, xylobiose and xylotriose accounting for 23.1%, 37.3% and 39.6%, respectively. Wheat bran concentration was found to be the most crucial factor affecting XOS production. The yield reached 5.3 mg/mL at 10% of wheat bran, which is higher than previous reports employing one-step fermentation. Nitrogen source type could also affect XOS yield by changing extracellular xylanase activity, and glycine was found to be the best one for fermentation. Optimal fermentation conditions were finally studied by response surface optimization. The maximal yield emerged at 44.3°C, pH 7.98, which is affected by characteristics of the xylanase and growth conditions of E. coli. This work indicates that the integrated fermentation using recombinant E. coli is highly competitive in cost and yield for production of XOS.
A Combined Model Based on Society Cognitive Optimization Algorithm for Wind Speed Forecasting
Authors: He Zhaoshuang , Chen Yanhua , Li Min
Published: September 2021

Wind energy, as renewable energy, has drawn the attention of society. The use of wind power generation can reduce the pollution to the environment and solve the problem of power shortage in offshore islands, grassland, pastoral areas, mountain areas, and highlands. Wind speed forecasting plays a significant role in wind farms. It can improve economic and social benefits and make an operation schedule for wind turbines in large wind farms. At present, researchers have proposed a variety of methods for wind speed forecasting; artificial neural network (ANN) is one of the most commonly used methods. This paper proposes a combined model based on the existing artificial neural network algorithms for wind speed forecasting at different heights. We first use the wavelet threshold method to the original wind speed data set for noise reduction. After that, the three artificial neural networks, extreme learning machine (ELM), Elman neural network, and Long Short-Term Memory neural network (LSTM), are applied for wind speed forecasting. In addition, variance reciprocal method and society cognitive optimization algorithm (SCO) are used to optimize the weight coefficients of the combined model. In order to evaluate the forecasting performance of the combined model, we select wind speed data at three heights (20m, 50m, and 80m) in National Wind Technology Center M2 Tower. The experimental results show that the forecasting performance of the combined model is better than the single model, and it has a good forecasting performance for the wind speed at different heights.
Alzheimer’s Disease Results in Salivary Redox Imbalance Towards Oxidation Reactions
Authors: Zalewska Anna , Klimiuk Anna , Zięba Sara , Wnorowska Olga , Rusak Małgorzata , Waszkiewicz Napoleon , Szarmach Izabela , Dzierżanowski Krzysztof , Maciejczyk Mateusz
Published: September 2021

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is associated with the deposition of β-amyloid in the brain. AD accounts for over 50% of cases of dementia which results from disturbances in redox homeostasis. Indeed, increased intensity of protein oxidation and nitration as well as lipid peroxidation is observed in brain areas with considerable amounts of amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles. However, little is known about the oxidoreductive balance of salivary glands in AD patients. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the antioxidant barrier and oxidative/nitrosative stress biomarkers in stimulated saliva and blood of AD patients. The study was participated by 25 AD patients and 25 non-demented controls without neurological diseases or cognitive impairment, matched by age and gender to the study group. The number of patients was determined based on a previous pilot study (test power = 0.9). We found a significant decrease in the activity of erythrocyte superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx), increased activity of catalase (CAT) and reduced concentration of plasma non-enzymatic antioxidants (uric acid, UA and reduced glutathione, GSH). In contrast, in the stimulated saliva of AD patients we observed significantly decreased activity of all antioxidant enzymes (SOD, CAT and GPx) as well as concentration of GSH compared to the control group. The content of lipid (malondialdehyde, MDA) and protein (advanced oxidation protein products, AOPP; advanced glycation end-products, AGE) oxidation products as well as biomarkers of nitrosative stress (peroxynitrite, nitrotyrosine) was significantly higher in both saliva and plasma of AD patients compared to the controls. In AD patients, we also observed a considerable decrease in stimulated saliva secretion and salivary total protein content, and an increase in salivary β-amyloid concentration.In conclusion, AD results in redox imbalance towards oxidative reactions, both at the level of the oral cavity and the entire body. General redox balance disturbances do not coincide with salivary redox balance disturbances. Reduction in stimulated saliva secretion in AD patients reflects secretory dysfunction of the parotid glands.
A Real-Time Dressing Method for Metal Lapping Pads Based on the Thermal-Deformation Effect
Authors: Zhao Lingyu , Zhao Huiying , Wang Hairong , Xie Ruiqing , Chao Mingchen , Zhang Mingzhuang , Zhao Shijie
Published: September 2021

The surface shape and accuracy of the metal lapping pad are important factors that affect the performance of the lapping process for flat optical components. A real-time control system for metal-lapping-pad surface shape (RCLPS) based on the bimetal thermal-deformation effect is proposed. Unlike traditional dressing methods (e.g., turning dressing with a diamond tool), real-time dressing based on the RCLPS system is a material-loss-free and in-process dressing method. A full-aperture lapping turntable based on the RCLPS system was designed, and the working heat was analyzed. A thermal-deformation model was established through regression analysis. Finally, experiments were conducted to verify the functionality of the RCLPS system. During turning dressing (turntable rotational speed nm = 100 rpm), the thermal-deformation error caused by the working heat of the turntable-shaft system was compensated by the RCLPS system. During the lapping process for optical elements (nm ≤ 20 rpm), the real-time dressing of the lapping-pad surface shape was controlled by the coolant temperature of the RCLPS system, permitting optimization and adjustment of the process performance of the plane optical component. The effectiveness and practicality of the RCLPS system were demonstrated experimentally.
Investigation Report On Endoscopic Management of Esophagogastric Variceal Bleeding By Chinese Endoscopists
Authors: Zhang Wenhui , Wang Yanling , Chu Jindong , Liu Yingdi , LingHu Enqiang
Published: September 2021

Background: To explore potential differences in the endoscopic management of esophagogastric variceal bleeding (EGVB) in China.Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted. Endoscopists from 85 hospitals in 62 cities from 26 provinces were contacted by email. The items in questionnaire involved academic experience, screening, esophagogastric varix (EGV) classification, emergency treatment, and primary and secondary prevention of EGVB by endoscopists with different lengths of experience.Results: A total of 85 questionnaires were collected. There was no statistical difference in the selection of items (P > 0.05). The majority of endoscopists (95.29%) offered EGV screening for patients with liver cirrhosis. LDRf classification was selected by 82.35% of endoscopists. Endoscopy + medication was preferred (42.35%) for primary prevention of moderate-to-severe EGVs. There was no statistical difference in emergency intervention time for active EGVB (P > 0.05). The first choice of emergency treatment for EGVB was combination treatment (40%). Tissue adhesive embolization was selected for gastric variceal bleeding by 74.12% of endoscopists; TIPS/PTVE were selected as remedial measures by 48.23%–52.94% of endoscopists. In addition, 67.06% of endoscopists selected secondary prophylaxis and treatment within 1 week after hemostasis. Endoscopy and endoscopy + medication were selected by 44.71% and 49.41% of endoscopists, respectively, for secondary prevention. The choice of laboratory indicators did not differ with length of experience (P > 0.05).Conclusions: There was no statistical difference in endoscopic management of EGVB among Chinese endoscopists. The choice of diagnosis/treatment schemes was mainly based on guidelines and physician experience.
Critical COVID-19 Pneumonia with Acute Respiratory Failure in a Healthy 12-year-old Girl
Authors: Dolezalova Karolina , Tamara Cabelova , Hecht Tomas , Heinige Pavel
Published: September 2021

The authors present a case report of an otherwise healthy, fully immunized 12-year-old girl who had a critical course of COVID-19 infection with acute respiratory failure. The epidemiologic history was positive for COVID-19, and she tested PCR positive resulting from a nasopharyngeal swab. She was presented with fever and cough to a regional pediatric department, and she was immediately intubated and transferred to a pediatric ICU in a University Hospital. CT of the thorax revealed bilateral consolidation with the tree-in-bud signs. Her condition required artificial ventilation support for 13 days. Remdesivir, pronation, high dose Ascorbic acid with Thiamine, and combined antimicrobial therapy were successfully used. The patient made a full clinical recovery. This case report is unique because of a very scarce critical course of COVID-19 infection in children. It demonstrates the successful use of a combined therapeutic approach with artificial ventilation, pronation, Remdesivir, and combined antimicrobial therapy. Clinical symptoms, laboratory results, imaging methods, and therapeutic attitude are mentioned to share our experience with the medical community.
Dark matter, fine-tuning and (g-2)_{\mu} in the pMSSM
Authors: van Beekveld Melissa , Beenakker Wim , Schutten Marrit , De Wit Jeremy
Published: September 2021

In this paper we perform for the first time an in-depth analysis of
the spectra in the phenomenological supersymmetric Standard Model that
simultaneously offer an explanation for the
(g-2)_{\mu}(g−2)μ
discrepancy \Delta a_{\mu}Δaμ,
result in the right dark-matter relic density
\Omega_{DM} h^2ΩDMh2
and are minimally fine-tuned. The resulting spectra may be obtained
from [1]. To discuss the experimental exclusion potential for our
models, we analyse the resulting LHC phenomenology as well as the
sensitivity of dark-matter direct detection experiments to these
spectra. We find that the latter type of experiments with sensitivity to
the spin-dependent dark-matter–nucleon scattering cross section
\sigma_{SD,p}σSD,p
will probe all of our found solutions.
Problems of estimating the neutral interest rate: conclusions for Ukraine
Authors: Danylyshyn Bohdan , Bohdan Ivan
Published: September 2021

Estimation of the actual and projected level of the neutral interest rate is a central issue in the application of modern monetary theory in the practical context of monetary policy. Views on the role and key drivers of neutral interest rates have evolved over time in parallel with the development of the theory of capital, money, credit and economic growth. Therefore, the paper is aimed at generalizing methods for assessing the neutral interest rate for open economies with emerging markets and formulating recommendations for improving the existing methodological tools for estimating the neutral rate in Ukraine. To achieve this goal, theoretical sources, advisory and research materials of international organizations, central banks and statistical databases were analyzed. It is established that the key issue of the current discussion about the tools for estimating the level of neutral interest rates in countries with small open economies is the relationship between the effects of external and internal factors. The paper identifies the advantages and disadvantages of the method for estimating the level of the neutral rate on the basis of uncovered interest parity rule used by the National Bank of Ukraine within the semi-structural macroeconomic model. The expediency of methodological tools introducing into the practice of monetary regulation of Ukraine for estimating the neutral rate of Ukraine based on the Laubach-Williams approach has been proved with adaptation to the conditions of an open economy, which will consider сinternal factors of economic development – changes in potential GDP and savings.
Reconstruction of Industrial Processes for Cultivating CHO Cells in a Scale-Down Bioreactor Model
Authors: Morozov A.N. , Zakharov Z.V. , Kalenov S.V. , Khamitov R.A.
Published: September 2021

According to generally accepted international standards, the characterization and confirmation of the quality of biological pharmaceutical substances requires the use of not only a combination of physicochemical and biological tests, but also an in-depth knowledge of the production process and its control. The study of such an industrial process involves considerable expenditure of time and material resources. Gaining a deep knowledge of the production process is greatly facilitated by using laboratory models of industrial installations that effectively reproduce large-scale processes in a research laboratory. On the basis of a laboratory bioreactor for the cultivation of eukaryotic cells with a working volume of 2 L, a scale-down model of a pilot bioreactor has been developed, linearly scalable to a production volume of 1000 L. The laboratory model reproduces the key parameters of cultivation on a pilot scale: the ratio of the geometric dimensions of the reactor, the peripheral speed of the mixer, the specific power input, the coefficient of oxygen mass transfer, the type and intensity of aeration, strategies for defoaming, feeding and maintaining the pH level. Experiments using the developed model showed high similarity in the kinetics of cell growth, productivity and quality of the expressed monoclonal antibodies in laboratory and pilot bioreactors.

Key words: cultivation, CHO cells, monoclonal antibodies, scale-down model
Screening of Sugar Beet Regenerants for the Heavy Metal Resistance MTP4 Gene
Authors: Mikheeva N.R. , Nalbandyan A.A. , Cherkasova N.N.
Published: September 2021

The MTP4 (Metal Tolerance Protein 4) gene, which controls the resistance of sugar beet plants to heavy metals and is located on the 3rd chromosome has been studied. Micro clones grown in vitro with lethal Cd doses were used as explants. For PCR, specific primers MTP4A F/R and MTP4B F/R, covering the 2nd, 3rd and 4th exons and introns between them in the MTP4 gene, were used. Samples with resistance to heavy metals (in particular, Cd) contained some nucleotide changes in the 4th exon resulting in amino acid substitutions in the polypeptide chain. Based on the results of the bioinformatics analysis, it can be assumed with a high probability that the resistance of the studied breeding materials to heavy metals arose due to the presence of certain polymorphisms in the analyzed sugar beet gene. Geneious Prime software as a tool for the MTP4 gene sequence analysis will probably allow the in vitro selection of resistant forms for the subsequent use in the breeding scheme.

Key words: sugar beet, МТР genes, genetic polymorphism, PCR, molecular genetic markers, breeding, DNA
The Expression Potential of New Yeast Strains of the Komagataella Genus
Authors: Borschevskaya L.N. , Feday T.V. , Tkachenko A.A. , Sineoky S.P.
Published: September 2021

The expression potential of various strains from the Collection of the National Bio-Resource Center (BRC VKPM) collection belonging to the species Komagataella kurtzmanii, K. phaffii, K. mondaviorum has been assessed by the level of production of the heterologous enzyme Citrobacter freundii phytase. Heterologous expression in the K. mondaviorum strains was observed for the first time. The strains of K. phaffii Y-4288, K. mondaviorum Y-4331 and K. phaffii Y-4287 were identified with a high level production of the heterologous enzyme, a high growth rate, the ability to accumulate a large amount of biomass and moderate thermotolerance. It was shown that the average productivity of the transformants based on K. phaffii Y-4288, K. mondaviorum Y-4331, and K. phaffii Y-4287 strains exceeds that of the commercial industrial recipient strain K. phaffii GS115 Y-2837 by more than 3, 5 and 6 times, respectively. The K. phaffii Y-4287 and K. mondaviorum Y-4331 strains exhibited moderate thermotolerance and the ability to accumulate a heterologous product at 37° C. The high expression potential of the identified strains opens up the possibility of creating recipient strains on their basis for high-level production of heterologous proteins.

Key words: Komagataella, Pichia pastoris, thermotolerance, expression of heterologous proteins

Funding - This work was supported by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation (grant no. 075-15-2019-1658 dated October 31, 2019) and was carried out using the resources of the Unique Scientific Facility of the "All-Russian Collection of Industrial Microorganisms" National Bio-Resource Center, NRC «Kurchatov Institute»---GOSNIIGENETIKA.
Selection of Criteria for Assessing Protective Immunity at Different Times of Experimental Tularemia in a Mouse Model
Authors: Titareva G.M. , Mokrievich A.N. , Kombarova T.I. , Vakhrameeva G.M. , Mironova R.I. , Kravchenko T.B. , Silkina M.V. , Pavlov V.M. , Firstova V.V.
Published: September 2021

It is known that the body's defense against infection by the intracellular bacterium Francisella tularensis is provided by the activation of the cellular and humoral immune response. However, their role in long-term protection (25 years and more) against virulent strains of F. tularensis is not well understood. The identification of clear criteria for assessing protective immunity to the tularemia causative agent at different times after vaccination will make it possible to more efficiently develop new genetically determined vaccine strains. The goal of our research was to select and assess immunological parameters reflecting the protective properties of the vaccine strain F. tularensis 15 NIIEG and its derivatives, F. tularensis 15/23-1∆recA and F. tularensis 15/ 23-1/sodB∆recA, in the long term after immunization. To assess the functional activity of T and B cells, flow cytometry was used.The assessment of the production of cytokines IFN-γ, IL-4, IL-10, IL-17A and titers of specific class G immunoglobulins to F. tularensis lipopolysaccharide (LPS)in blood serum was performed by ELISA on days 30, 60, 90 and 180 after immunization. Evaluation of the protective properties of vaccine preparations in the above-mentioned terms was carried out after subcutaneous infection with test-infecting virulent strains, Schu and 503 of tularensis and holarctica subspecies, respectively. It was shown that vaccination with the studied strains in 100% of cases protected from infection with the strain 503 of the holarctica subspecies, analogous to the vaccine strain. When infected with a virulent Schu strain of the hetrologous tularensis subspecies, a decrease in the effectiveness of protection was observed starting from 60 days after immunization. Evaluation of immunological parameters showed that at all studied periods after immunization, IgG antibodies to F. tularensis LPS were detected in the blood sera of immunized mice. In vitro experiments on stimulation of immune response in spleen lymphocytes of vaccinated mice to the F. tularensis antigen showed a significant increase in the level of secreted IFN-γ, a slight increase in secreted IL-10 and an enhanced expression of the CD69 molecule on the surface of T and B cells. Thus, the level of IFN-γ and the expression of the CD69 molecule on the surface of T and B cells in response to restimulation of lymphocytes of immune animals with tularemia antigen can serve as criteria for immune protection in experimental tularemia in a mouse model at different times after vaccination.

Key words: vaccine strain, Fransicella tularensis, immunogenicity, protection, memory T cells, IgG, cellular immunity

Funding - The work was supported by the Branch Program of the Russian Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing.
Biodegradation of Guar Gum in Hydraulic Fracturing Fluid under the Action of Enzyme Preparations of Basidiomycetes
Authors: Kozhevnikova E.Yu. , Shnyreva A.V. , Barkov A.V. , Topolyuk Yu.A. , Grishina I.N. , Magadova L.A. , Voronin D.V.
Published: September 2021

Guar gum is a polymer that is widely used as a gelling agent for technological liquids in the petroleum industry. In this paper, we have studied the potential for the environmentally friendly biodegradation of guar gum by enzymes of basidiomycetes for efficient disposal of oil industry wastes. For the first time, we compared the enzymatic activity towards guar gum of seven basidiomycete strains, namely Trametes hirsuta MT-24.24, Lactarius necator, Trametes hirsuta MT-17.24, Schizophyllum commune MT-33.01, Fomes fomentarius MT-4.05, Fomitopsis pinicola MT-5.21, and Trametes versicolor It-1. This comparison showed that the preparation based on Fomitopsis pinicola MT-5.21 fungal mycelium at a concentration of 0.05% provides the most efficient decomposition of a frac fluid containing guar gum. By varying the enzyme concentration in this fluid it is possible to control the decrease in its viscosity over time. The developed enzyme preparation is an efficient and environmentally friendly guar gum biodegradant and can be used to process waste fracturing fluids based on polysaccharides in order to reuse water resources.

Key words: biodegradants, basidiomycetes, guar gum, enzymatic hydrolysis, enzyme destructors, fracturing fluids.

Funding - The work was financially supported by the National University of Oil and Gas "Gubkin University" (Internal grant no. 120720 "Development of New Biotechnological Methods and Materials for Environmental Protection and Biomedicine").
Optimization of friction stir processing parameters for enhanced microhardness of AA5083/Al-Fe in-situ composites via Taguchi technique
Authors: Jain Vivek Kumar , Yadav Manoj Kumar , Siddiquee Arshad Noor , Khan Zahid A.
Published: September 2021

Friction stir processing (FSP) is a novel technique to fabricate metal matrix composites (MMCs) and surface composites (SCs). In the present study, Taguchi’s technique is used for attaining the optimum value of microhardness for AA5083/Al-Fe in-situ surface composites (SCs) via FSP using 40 hours mechanical alloyed Fe-40wt% Al powder mixture. Three different process parameters i.e. tool shoulder diameter, tool rotational speed, and tool traverse speed each having three levels were selected for optimizing the microhardness of SCs. The experimental study was accomplished by employing Taguchi's L9 orthogonal array. The Microhardness of the fabricated composites was confirmed using Vickers tester after the single-pass FSP. The outcomes of the study were examined and studied using signal to noise (S/N) ratio. The analysis also confirms the results and displayed that the optimum value of microhardness of 123.3 Hv was obtained with the selected parameter of tool shoulder diameter of 21 mm, tool rotational speed of 900 rpm, and traverse speed of 63 mm/min.
Application of multi-model ensemble averaging techniques for groundwater simulation: synthetic and real-world case studies
Authors: Jafarzadeh A. , Pourreza-Bilondi M. , Akbarpour A. , Khashei-Siuki A. , Samadi S.
Published: September 2021

Growing demands in arid regions have increased groundwater vulnerabilities necessitating appropriate modeling and management strategies to understand and sustain aquifer system behaviors. Sustainable management of aquifer systems, however, requires a proper understanding of groundwater dynamics and accurate estimates of recharge rates which often cause error and uncertainty in simulation. This study aims to quantify the uncertainty and error associated with groundwater simulation using various multi-model ensemble averaging (MEA) techniques such as simple model averaging, weighted averaging model, multi-model super ensemble, and modified MMSE. Two numerical solutions, i.e., finite difference and finite element (FE), were first coupled under three schemes such as explicit scheme (ES), implicit scheme, and Crank-Nicolson Scheme to numerically solve groundwater simulation problems across two case studies, synthetic and real-world (the Birjand aquifer in Iran) case studies. The MEA approach was considerably successful in calibrating a complex arid aquifer in a way that honors complex geological heterogeneity and stress configurations. Specifically, the MEA techniques skillfully reduced the error and uncertainties in simulation, particularly those errors associated with water table variability and fluctuation. Furthermore, a coupled FE-ES method outperformed other approaches and generated the best groundwater-level simulation for the synthetic case study, while stand-alone FE was particularly successful for the Birjand aquifer simulation as a real-world case study.
Thermal and chemical disinfection of water and biofilms: only a temporary effect in regard to the autochthonous bacteria
Authors: Nocker Andreas , Lindfeld Elisa , Wingender Jost , Schulte Simone , Dumm Matthias , Bendinger Bernd
Published: September 2021

Thermal and chemical disinfection of technical water systems not only aim at minimizing the level of undesired microorganisms, but also at preventing excessive biofouling, clogging and interference with diverse technical processes. Typically, treatment has to be repeated in certain time intervals, as the duration of the effect is limited. The transient effect of disinfection was demonstrated in this study applying different treatments to water and biofilms including heat, chlorination, a combination of hydrogen peroxide and peracetic acid and monochloramine. Despite the diverse treatments, the reduction in live bacteria was followed by regrowth in all cases, underlining the universal validity of this phenomenon. The study shows that autochthonous bacteria can reach the concentrations given prior to treatment. The reason is seen in the nutrient concentration that has not changed and that forms the basis for regrowth. Nutrients are released by disinfection from lysed cells or are still fixed in dead biomass that is subsequently scavenged by necrotrophic growth. Treatment cycles therefore only provide a transient reduction of water microbiology if nutrients are not removed. When aiming at greater sustainability of the effect, biocidal treatment has to be equally concerned about nutrient removal by subsequent cleaning procedures as about killing efficiency.
PCA driven watershed prioritization based on runoff modeling and drought severity assessment in parts of Koel river basin, Jharkhand (India)
Authors: Chaudhary Stuti , Pandey Arvind Chandra
Published: September 2021

Global warming influencing regional climate is playing a significant role in triggering recurrent drought. The current study demonstrates a PCA (Principal Component Analysis) driven watershed prioritization in a part of Koel river basin by runoff computation during monsoon season along with assessment of Vegetation Health Index (VHI) derived from MODIS satellite data during the period from 2000 to 2017. Koel river catchment area of 7,261 sq km was divided into 82 sub-watersheds based on drainage networks derived from a Survey of India (SOI) topographical map at scale 1: 50,000. High resolution satellite image of Sentinel-2 was used to prepare a land use land cover map. Soil conservation service curve number method (SCS CN) was used to estimate runoff. The result obtained from runoff estimation of 82 sub watersheds shows high runoff (50 to 60% of rainfall) with 290,000 m3 total runoff volume in the upper and middle parts of the catchment dominated by agricultural/fallow and barren lands, whereas low runoff was estimated (20 to 30%) with 29,467 m3 in the lower catchments where a large area is covered with forests. The value of satellite based VHI ranges between 23 to 53 with major parts of the area exhibiting values less than 30, reflecting poor vegetation health. Most of the sub-watersheds in parts of Ranchi, Lohardaga, Gumla and Khunti districts experienced high total runoff, with poor vegetation health index reflecting more proneness to drought. Watershed prioritization was done based on correlation among four parameters viz., rainfall, drought zones, direct runoff and total runoff through PCA. Strong correlation between total runoff volume and drought areas was used for watershed prioritization, which indicated 42 sub-watersheds (4,703 sq km) in the upper catchment required high prioritization. The outcomes of the study would help proper planning of water resources and soil moisture management to overcome the recurrent drought conditions at watershed level.
Recharge área maps from precipitation isoscapes. Case study: Aburrá Valley, Colombia
Authors: Ossa Juliana , Campillo Ana Karina , Omar Cristian , Betancur Teresita
Published: September 2021

The environmental isotopes are a tool for interpreting the hydrological processes related to underground environments. These are used for the validation of hydrogeological models, in terms of recharge, transit and discharge zones, as well as the identification of groundwater interactions with other water bodies and groundwater residence time in the hydrogeological units. The determination of the recharge processes have usually been validated from knowledge about the stable isotopes present in the water molecule (18O and 2H). At the regional level, this evaluation has been addressed through the construction of isoscapes combined with an understanding of the hydrological characteristics present in the study area and knowledge of conceptual hydrogeological models. The objective of this study is to apply a scheme for the analysis of potential groundwater recharge zones, from 18O and 2H spatial variability in precipitation, baseflow and groundwater, using spatial modelling tools. Based on a preliminary work done for the Antioquia department, a strategic area was chosen in which the results are more forceful and have greater implications in groundwater management: the Aburrá Valley-Colombia.
Use of radon-222 to assess the groundwater inflow in a phreatic lake of a dune field (San Luis, Argentine)
Authors: Vanina Echegoyen Cecilia , Lecomte Karina Leticia , Campodonico Verena Agustina , Yaciuk Pablo Agustín , Jobbágy Esteban Gabriel , Heider Guillermo , Sepúlveda Laura Daniela , Pasquini Andrea Inés , De Micco Georgina , Bohé Ana Ester
Published: September 2021

In the southeastern portion of San Luis Province (33°53’10’’-34°19’00’’ S and 65°42’00’’-65°20’00’’ W), the sand dune landscape hosts a lacustrine system with more than 200 water bodies, where the water table reaches the surface and fills the deepest depressions. The aim of this study is to analyze surface-groundwater interactions using the radioactive isotope radon-222 (222Rn) in a lake known as “Los Pocitos”. During September 2017, in situ 222Rn determinations were performed in the air; in the water/sediment interface and in surface waters at 6 sampling stations, as well as in 4 groundwater samples collected in the dune and the lake mudflat using the RAD-7 equipment (Durridge Co.). Surface waters are of the HCO3 - - Na+ - K+ type, with mean pH and electrical conductivity in Lake Los Pocitos of 8.7 and 1232 μS cm-1, respectively, whereas the groundwater is of the HCO3 - - Ca+2 type, with variable pH and electrical conductivity values. In the northern portion of the lake, concentrations of 222Rn in surface water were ~ 70 Bq m-3, one order of magnitude greater than those of the southern sector, which registered values < 5 Bq m-3. By means of a 222Rn mass balance model it was possible to determine that the groundwater discharge occurs in the northern sector, with an inflow discharge rate of about 185.3 ± 39.1 m3 d-1, whereas in the southern sector, an outflow from the lake to the surrounding aquifers can be detected. The intense groundwater inflow into these lakes may explain their relatively low salinity under a semi-arid climate in which evaporation by far exceeds direct rainfall input.
Distribution maps of stable isotopes in the Pampean aquifer in the Southeast of Buenos Aires province (Argentina)
Authors: Quiroz Londoño Orlando Mauricio , Martínez Daniel Emilio
Published: September 2021

The relatively recently developed isotopic maps (isoscapes) are used to visualize large-scale and spatiotemporal distributions of stable isotope ratios in various environmental matrices or reservoirs such as rainfall, tap water, oceans, rocks, plants and animals. In this context the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) financed the project “Groundwater recharge processes inferred from isoscapes in the Buenos Aires Province, Argentina”. In the development of this research project, groundwater isoscapes in the southeast of Buenos Aires province were carried out, considering 787 groundwater sampling sites. In the generation of these maps, geostatistical techniques have been used in order to establish patterns of spatial self-correlation. The models obtained were tested using leave-one-out cross-validation. The results obtained are being integrated into the conceptual hydrogeological model of the region, generating tools that contribute to the management of surface and ground water resources. Additionally, it is expected that the results of this study will serve as an input in different research areas that use water traceability to study different environmental processes in the region.
Helena Potiguara: biografia da educadora indígena (1954-2009)
Authors: Pereira Arliene Stephanie Menezes , Sousa Ana Carolina Braga de , Fialho Lia Machado Fiuza
Published: September 2021

A pesquisa trata da biografia de Maria Helena Gomes, conhecida como Helena Potiguara, mulher educadora indígena de liderança reconhecida, na etnia Potiguara, por seu protagonismo educacional na cidade de Crateús-CE. Situado no campo da História da Educação, com aporte teórico na História Cultural, o estudo objetiva compreender a formação educativa e as práticas políticas, tecidas pela educadora Helena Potiguara, que lhe conferiram destaque na comunidade Potiguara (1954-2009). Por meio da metodologia da história oral de vida entrecruzada com fontes documentais, elabora-se uma narrativa biográfica hermenêutica com ênfase na trajetória formativa e política de Helena Potiguara. Os resultados demonstram que Helena Potiguara rompeu com o silenciamento de suas origens étnicas a partir dos trabalhos com as comunidades eclesiais de base da igreja católica, protagonizando uma educação indígena diferenciada, o que lhe permitiu liderar mobilizações coletivas nas representações identitárias sobre os indígenas na cidade de Crateús.
Educação integral e formação docente: questões conceituais e legais
Authors: Colares Maria Lília Imbiriba Sousa , Cardozo Maria José Pires Barros , Arruda Elenise Pinto de
Published: September 2021

O presente artigo discorre sobre a educação integral e a formação docente para atuação na Educação Básica, de acordo com os programas voltados para a educação integral. A partir de estudos bibliográficos e documentais abordamos as concepções de educação integral, os programas para o fomento da educação integral e as questões voltadas para a formação inicial e continuada dos docentes para atuarem na educação básica, conforme os indicadores previstos para os programas de educação integral para o ensino fundamental e ensino médio. A priori conclui-se que a formação que conceba o aluno na sua totalidade deve considerar a escola como uma comunidade educativa, independentemente do aumento do tempo escolar.
Programa Nacional de Tecnologia Educacional – PROINFO: pensar a política educacional para além da implementação na escola pública
Authors: Gomes Roberta Mirnas de Oliveira , Santos Jean Mac Cole Tavares , Medeiros Emerson Augusto de
Published: September 2021

Este artigo tem por objetivo analisar a política do Programa Nacional de Tecnologia Educacional (PROINFO) em diferentes contextos, considerando as articulações – disputas e embates –, para a sua idealização e seu desenvolvimento, passando por sua atuação na comunidade escolar. Para isso, apropria-se da pesquisa bibliográfica, a partir da abordagem do ciclo de políticas e da teoria da atuação de Stephen Ball e colaboradores, quando apresentam as políticas educacionais em processos de construção e significação em ciclos diferentes. Entende-se que a trajetória da política educacional PROINFO é marcada, sobretudo, pelas múltiplas demandas, discursos, significados, interpretações e atuações observadas desde o contexto da influência, perpassando pelo contexto da produção de texto e pelo contexto da prática escolar. Identifica-se, nesses contextos, o PROINFO como parte de uma agenda social, em que diferentes grupos de poder disputam espaços a fim de legitimar suas ideias sobre fundamentos desta proposta que não é, simplesmente, implementada na escola pública.
Didática da literatura: problematização de uma tendência em vias de hegemonização
Authors: Dalvi Maria Amélia , Ponce Rosiane de Fátima
Published: September 2021

À luz da epistemologia materialista histórica, investigamos como as chamadas “Estratégias de Leitura” têm sido apresentadas e utilizadas em pesquisas científicas e em documentos oficiais concernentes à interface educação e literatura; demonstramos, com base em análises de dados objetivos, que, ao longo de mais de uma década, ela vem se ampliando e encontra-se em construção de hegemonia. Buscamos compreender tal processo, instituindo, como marco decisivo, sua chegada aos documentos oficiais (que, no caso concreto em estudo, orientam o processo de educação escolar a partir de uma base nacional curricular, comum às redes públicas e privadas). Em seguida, problematizamos a incorporação das “Estratégias de Leitura” no texto da Base Nacional Comum Curricular; nas conclusões, apontamos que, para resolver os problemas do ensino de leitura no Brasil, e particularmente do ensino de leitura literária, o trabalho pedagógico orientado pela “internalização e automatização” de estratégias (meta)cognitivas de leitura precisa ser superado.
Libros ilustrados de no ficción y formación de lectores: un análisis desde la voz de futuros docentes
Authors: Romero Oliva Manuel Francisco , Trigo Ibáñez Ester , Heredia Ponce Hugo
Published: September 2021

Este trabajo está centrado en establecer las bases de un modelo de formación de lectores sustentado por el libro ilustrado de no ficción (TABERNERO, 2018). Se considera poner el foco de análisis en la voz de los futuros mediadores de la promoción de la lectura en la escuela, de ahí que en este estudio se haya optado por una visión diacrónica de la figura del docente que partiera de la formación inicial y llegara a su desempeño profesional. Nuestra investigación es de corte cualitativo, mediante entrevistas semiestructuradas a estudiantes de magisterio (en sus diversos momentos formativos: grado y posgrado) y a docentes en activo. La visión de los participantes desde narrativas biográficas (CHÁRRIEZ, 2012) servirá para aunar el concepto de libro de no ficción y prácticas sociales de lectura (RUBIO, 2007). que evidencian los cambios experimentados a los que debe atender el sistema educativo para formar lectores.
Totally Implantable Venous Access Port Systems: Implant Depth-based Complications in Breast Cancer Therapy - A Comparative Study
Authors: Chen Kuo , Beeraka Narasimha M. , Gu Yuanting , Li Jingruo , Sinelnikov Mikhail , Han Nan , Lu Pengwei
Published: September 2021

Background:

Totally implantable venous access port system (TIVAPS) is widely used in breast cancer
therapy; TIVAPS has several associated complications depending on the depth of implantation in breast cancer
(BC) patients during continuous infusional chemotherapy regimens. The purpose of this study is to find out
the optimal depth of TIVAPS implantation to reduce the incidence of complications during infusional chemotherapy.

Methods:

This study reviewed the depth of TIVAPS implantation in the internal jugular vein in 1282 breast cancer
patients over a ten-year period (2009-2019), and associated complications. We segregated the patients as 5
groups: ‘Group A (depth<4 mm), Group B (depth of 4-8 mm), Group C (depth of 8-12 mm), and Group D
(depth of 12-16 mm), and Group E (depth of > 16 mm)’. Consequently, the ‘internal complications’ such as infection,
venous thrombotic syndrome, catheter folding & migration, extravasation, whereas the ‘external complications’
viz., inflammation, local hematoma, local cutaneous reactions, and port exteriorization were significantly
analyzed during TIVAPS implantation at different depths in BC patients.

Results:

Overall incidence of ‘internal complications’ such as infections (8.6%, 2/23 cases), venous thrombotic
syndrome (7.69%, 1/13 cases), catheter folding & migration (8.3%, 1/12 cases), and extravasation (8.3%, 1/12
cases) was comparatively lesser in Group C (8-12 mm) (p<0.01) than the Group A, Group B, Group D, and
Group E respectively. Mainly, the external complications such as inflammation in Group C (8-12 mm) (pp<
0.01) was lesser (6.8%, 3/44 cases) than Group A, Group B, Group D, Group E. On the similar note, the local
hematoma, and local cutaneous reaction, and port exteriorization were observed as ‘5% (1/20 cases), 4.2%
(2/47 cases), and (3.2%, 1/31 cases)’ in Group C patients (p<0.01), which were comparatively lesser than the
other groups.

Conclusion:

Subcutaneous implantation of TIVAPS at a depth of 8-12 mm could be preferred due to the lowest
incidence of internal and external complications compared to the incidence of these complications in other
groups; this depth could be referred to as the safe and convenient implantation depth for the effective delivery
of chemotherapy regimen in BC patients without difficulty in transcutaneous access to the port.
Exploring the SARS-Cov-2 Main Protease (Mpro) and RdRp Targets by
Updating Current Structure-based Drug Design Utilizing Co-crystals to
Combat COVID-19
Authors: Nandi S. , Tarannum H. , Rashmi K.M.
Published: September 2021

:

The unprecedented pandemic of COVID-19 caused by the novel strain of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) engulfs millions of death worldwide. It has di-rectly hit the socio-economic status of the affected countries. There are more than 219 countries badly affected by the COVID-19. There are no particular small molecule inhibitors to combat the dreadful virus. Many antivirals, antimalarials, antiparasitic, antibacterials, immunosuppressive anti-inflammatory, and immune stimulatory agents have been repurposed for the treatment of COVID-19. But the exact mechanism of action of these drugs towards COVID-19 targets has not been experi-mented with yet. Under the effect of chemotherapeutics, the virus may change its genetic material and produces various strains, which are the main reasons behind the dreadful attack of COVID-19. The nuclear genetic components are composed of main protease and RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) which are responsible for producing nascent virion and viral replication in the host cells. To explore the biochemical mechanisms of various small molecule inhibitors, structure-based drug de-sign can be attempted utilizing NMR crystallography. The process identifies and validates the target protein involved in the disease pathogenesis by the binding of a chemical ligand at a well-defined pocket on the protein surface. In this way, the mode of binding of the ligands inside the target cavity can be predicted for the design of potent SARS-CoV-2 inhibitors.
Hygiene Hypothesis and Occupational Asthma to Vegetable Textile Dusts:
A Pilot Study
Authors: Sridi Chayma , Maoua Maher , Kacem Imene , Jammeli Imene , Chouchane Asma , Aloui Asma , Brahem Aicha , Kalboussi Houda , El Maalel Olfa , Chatti Souhail , Mrizek Najib
Published: September 2021

Background:

Over the last decades, the prevalence of allergic manifestations has increased
significantly. To explain the increase in the prevalence of asthma, Strachan advanced the
Hygiene Hypothesis, which states that decreased exposure to infectious microorganisms in infancy
may have contributed to changes in the maturation of the immune system during childhood. To the
best of our knowledge, no analytical studies detailing the links between the Hygiene Hypothesis
and occupational allergy have been carried out to date.

Objective:

To study the relations between the factors involved in the Hygiene Hypothesis and the
occurrence of occupational asthma (OA) to vegetable textile dusts.

Methods:

A case-control study was conducted from September 2017 to September 2018. The cases
and controls were enrolled from the occupational medicine department of the University Hospital
“Farhat Hached” of Sousse (Tunisia) among patients attending from 2009 to 2016. The case group
was composed of patients diagnosed with OA to vegetable textile dusts. Controls were age and gender
matched, working in the textile sector and not suffering from any allergic diseases.

Results:

A total of 57 OA cases and 112 controls were enrolled. Four factors involved in the Hygiene
Hypothesis were independently associated with OA to vegetable textile dusts: the lowest
rank in siblings (p=0.037; ORa=0.14; 95% CI= [0.02-0.90]); contact with animals (p=0.006;
ORa=0.22; 95% CI= [0.08-0.65]) especially cats; history of parasitic and/or mycotic infections in
childhood (p=0.004; ORa=0.035; 95% CI= [0.004-0.35]) and history of viral infections in childhood
(p<10-3; ORa=0.028; 95% CI= [0.01-0.14]). Other factors had a protective effect, such as the
parents' low socioeconomic level and the father's occupation as a farmer.

Conclusion:

The microorganism-rich environment during childhood is an important model for understanding
the mechanisms involved in the development of allergic asthma. Our data suggest that
prevention of OA in adults might require early intervention in childhood.
Recent Advances in the Development of Pyrazolopyridines as Anticancer Agents
Authors: Gu Xiaotong , Ma Shutao
Published: September 2021

Cancer, especially malignant tumor, is a serious threat to people's life and health. It is recognized as an
enormous challenge in the 21st century. Continuous efforts are needed to overcome this problem. Pyrazolopyridine
nucleus, similar in structure to purine, shows a variety of biological activities, which is mainly attributed to the
antagonistic nature towards the natural purines in many biological processes. This has aroused enormous attention for
many researchers. At present, a large number of new chemical entities containing pyrazolopyridine nucleus have been
found as anticancer agents. In this review we summarize novel pyrazolopyridine-containing derivatives with biological
activities. Furthermore, we outline the relationships between the structures of variously modified pyrazolopyridines
and their anticancer activity.