bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The slippery paths of commemoration and Heritage tourism: the Netherlands, Ghana, and the rediscovery of Atlantic slavery
Authors: Oostindie Gert
Published: April 2021

Reflects upon the commemoration of the Atlantic slave trade and American slavery. Author describes how the slave trade and slavery was recently "rediscovered", as a part of Dutch history, and he compares this to the attention to this history in other European countries once engaging in slavery. He argues that despite the fact that the history of the slave trade and slavery is worthy of attention in itself, contemporary political and social factors mainly influence attention to the slave trade and slavery, noting that in countries with larger Afro-Caribbean minority groups the attention to this past is greater than in other once slave-trading countries. He further deplores the lack of academic accuracy on the slave trade and slavery in slavery commemorations and in the connected search for African roots among descendants of slaves, and illustrates this by focusing on the role of Ghana, and the slave fortress Elmina there, as this fortress also has become a much visited tourist site by Afro-Americans. According to him, this made for some that Ghana represents the whole of Africa, while African slaves in the Caribbean, also in the Dutch colonies, came from various parts of Africa. Author attributes this selectivity in part to the relatively large Ghanaian community in the Netherlands.
Bookshelf 2004
Authors: Price Sally , Price Richard
Published: April 2021

A selection of books reviewed by Richard and Sally Price.
The position and residential patterns of ethnic groups in Paramaribo’s development in the twentieth century
Authors: Bruijne Ad de , Schalkwijk Aart
Published: April 2021

Analyses ethnic residential patterns, in terms of spatial segregation, in Paramaribo, as these developed historically, and their correlation to the changing socioeconomic position of the various ethnic groups. Authors first point out how Paramaribo is at present one of the most multiethnic and multicultural cities of the Caribbean, and discuss the continuing importance of ethnic identity and boundaries. They further describe the history of Paramaribo's development since the period of slavery and after abolition, when many Creoles migrated to the city. Hindustani started migrating in higher numbers to Paramaribo since the early 20th c., mainly to the urban periphery, and since the 1960s also more Javanese. More recently (since the 1980s) migrants to Paramaribo include Maroons, Amerindians, Chinese, and Brazilians. Authors examine in how far the residential patterns were determined by socioeconomic factors, and/or by ethnicity. They conclude that socioeconomic factors have overall become more influential in residential patterns than ethnicity. They point out that residential ethnic mixing has increased, as almost half of Paramaribo's neighbourhoods are mixed, with no dominant ethnic group, although some ethnic concentration continues, as a quarter of the neighbourhoods can be called Creole, one-fifth of them Hindustani, and Creoles (and Maroons) reside for a higher percentage in the city centre, and Hindustani and Javanese more in the urban periphery.
Restricting Freedom of Expression for Religious Peace: On the echr’s Approach to Blasphemy
Authors: Hauksdóttir Eva
Published: April 2021

The ECtHR’s ruling in ES v Austria raises questions about the Court’s methodology in blasphemy cases. The ECtHR interprets Article 9 of the Convention as including a right to respect for religious feelings and presumes that ‘justified indignation’ may disrupt ‘religious peace’. Therefore, expression counting as ‘gratuitously offensive’ to religious feelings is not granted protection under Article 10. es v Austria reveals certain problems that arise when criticism of religion is driven by hatred and when religious insult merges with political criticism. This article argues that Strasbourg’s approach to blasphemy increases uncertainty about the boundaries of free speech. The terms ‘religious feelings’ and ‘religious peace’ are scrutinised, and the political context of es v Austria analysed. It concludes that by failing to distinguish clearly between blasphemy and incitement to hatred, and by upholding the criminalisation of questioning the Prophet Muhammad’s morals, the Court has jeopardised freedom of expression in Europe.
Moral Formation and the Book of Judges
Authors: Miller Paul
Published: April 2021

The article recognises the place of Judges as Scripture and explores its value for ethics by invoking the concept of irony. The book shows the horror of life without God. It invites us to reflect on our situation when we become estranged from God. Suggestions are made regarding the private nature of morality, the imposing of alien ideologies on Scripture, and the danger of making impersonal, institutional responses to personal moral and spiritual issues.
Turning the World Upside Down in 1 Corinthians 15: Apocalyptic Epistemology, the Resurrected Body and the New Creation
Authors: Johnson Andrew
Published: April 2021

This article shows how Paul’s apocalyptic epistemology in 1 Corinthians 2 relates to an issue of ontology that arises in 1 Corinthians 15 (i.e., the nature of the resurrected body). Using the psychikon/pneumatikon terminology in both contexts, Paul’s rhetoric in 1 Corinthians 15 turns the cosmological hierarchy held to by ‘some’ in his audience upside down. Paul argues that the fleshly human body, rather than being at the bottom of a cosmological hierarchy with no place in the afterlife, will be elevated by God to the level of what will be redeemed/transformed in the new creation. This, in turn, suggests a definite material continuity between ‘this age’ and the new creation and that the discontinuity between them does not have to do with fleshly existence per se, but rather with how Sin has corrupted our current fleshly existence. The article concludes by suggesting that Paul’s rhetoric in this chapter ought to shape our contemporary eschatological imagination in a particular way. It should compel us not only to imagine the redemption of the material composing our body at death, but also the redemption of our body’s unfolding history along with the unfolding history of the cosmos.
Vellozia inselbergae (Velloziaceae), a new species from the Brazilian Atlantic Forest inselbergs†

Authors: CABRAL ANDRESSA , MAGRI RENATO ALBUQUERQUE , LOPES JENIFER DE CARVALHO
Published: April 2021

Vellozia inselbergae Mello-Silva ex Andr.Cabral, a new species of Velloziaceae endemic to the Atlantic Forest inselbergs in the Brazilian state of Bahia, is here described. The new species is morphologically similar to Vellozia armata and Vellozia luteola, putatively belonging to the same clade, but is distinguished from them mainly by the longer pedicel, cylindrical-ellipsoid hypanthium, white and larger tepals, stamen number, longer anthers and style, and larger capsules. Detailed morphological and anatomical descriptions, illustration and photographic plates, distribution map, and conservation status of Vellozia inselbergae are provided.
Two new species of Tingidae (Insecta: Heteroptera) from Papua New Guinea
Authors: GUILBERT ERIC
Published: April 2021

Two species of Tingidae (Heteroptera) sampled by fogging at Baiteta, Papua New Guinea, are described as new to science. Comments on their distribution and host-plants as well as an identification key to species of the genera concerned are provided.
A new species of palaemonid prawn Macrobrachium ramae sp.nov. (Malacostraca:Decapoda:Palaemonidae) from Rupnarayana River, West Bengal, India with its molecular profiles
Authors: DAS MITALI , PAHARI PRITI RANJAN , BHATTACHARYA TANMAY
Published: April 2021

A new species Macrobrachium ramae is described from Rupnarayana river, West Bengal, India along with its molecular characterization and Scanning electron microscopy. The species shares certain characters with M.gurudeve, M.jayasreei, M.kunjuramani and M.saengphani but differs remarkably from these species in the structure and shape of rostrum, telson, appendix masculina and in the size of the proximal segment of the antennular peduncle. Molecular characterization and phylogenetic analysis of M.ramae with mitochondrial COI and 16S rRNA genes reinforce the morphological conclusion and supports the view that it is a new species.
Review of the Taiwanese Laccobius Erichson, 1837 (Coleoptera: Hydrophilidae), with description of a new species
Authors: LIU HSING-CHE , FIKÁČEK MARTIN
Published: April 2021

Taiwanese species of the genus Laccobius Erichson, 1837 (Coleoptera: Hydrophilidae) are reviewed based on newly collected material and published records. Five species classified in two subgenera are recorded for the region, including L. (Glyptolaccobius) politus Gentili, 1979, L. (Microlaccobius) formosus Gentili, 1979, L. (M.) hammondi Gentili, 1984, L. (M.) roseiceps Régimbart, 1903 and a new species from central and southern Taiwan: L. (M.) hoi. sp.nov. Laccobius philipinus Gentili, 2005 is excluded from Taiwanese fauna. We failed to re-collect Laccobius fragilis Nakane, 1966 despite sampling the area from which it was recorded, and its occurrence in Taiwan hence needs re-confirmation. Distribution data of all Taiwanese species is summarized, and a key of Taiwanese Laccobius and photographs of all species are provided.
Mantodea (Insecta) of Uruguay: diversity and distribution
Authors: TRILLO MARIANA C. , AGUDELO ANTONIO A. , GUERRERO JOSÉ C. , MIGUEL LUCÍA , LORIER ESTRELLITA
Published: April 2021

Praying mantises (Order Mantodea) are charismatic insects thanks to their diverse and peculiar appearance and surprising behaviors. However, studies on this order are scarce, particularly in the Southern Neotropical Region. Here we present the first catalogue of praying mantises from Uruguay. We revised Mantodea specimens deposited at Colección de Entomología, Facultad de Ciencias (FCE-MN), Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay. We recorded information about distribution and notes on the biology of the species. Nineteen species are reported for Uruguay, including new family, genera or species for the country. We report the presence of six taxa for first time: the family Mantoididae, genus Pseudovates, Musoniella and Metaphotina, the species Mantoida beieri, Eumusonia livida, Musoniella argentina, Metaphotina brevipennis, Parastagmatoptera theresopolitana and Pseudovates iheringi. We could confirm four species previously reported for the country, but eight species are based on dubious records or species and we cannot confirm their current occurrence in this work. More studies are needed in the country for further investigations of Mantodea in the country and the region.
Taxonomy of the North Moroccan and Iberian species of the subgenus Amblypteraca (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae: Pimeliinae: Pimelia)
Authors: MAS-PEINADO PALOMA , RUIZ JOSÉ L. , MERKL OTTÓ , BUCKLEY DAVID , GARCÍA-PARÍS MARIO
Published: April 2021

The subgenus Amblypteraca Mas-Peinado, Buckley, Ruiz & García-París, 2018 of Pimelia Fabricius, 1775, is restricted to the southern Iberian Peninsula and western Maghreb (northern and western Morocco). The distribution of Amblypteraca throughout the African-European edges overlaps largely with the geographic range of the subgenus Amblyptera, which is sister to the clade grouping subgenera Amblypteraca and Ecphoroma Solier, 1836. Delimiting species boundaries in the speciose genus Pimelia is often challenging, and the taxonomic status of some groups within the aforementioned subgenera is still a matter of debate. Here, we aim to stabilize some of the available names in Amblypteraca, and to correct some previous misidentifications. For that purpose, we discuss the composition and taxonomic structure within Amblypteraca by (i) assessing the phylogenetic congruence between mitochondrial and nuclear markers, and (ii) examining external morphological traits in 568 Amblypteraca specimens under the light of the phylogenetic hypotheses proposed here. Based on our results, Amblypteraca consists of three species: P. rotundipennis Kraatz, 1865, P. fairmairii Kraatz, 1865 and P. chrysomeloides Pallas, 1781. Both molecular and morphological data revealed four lineages within P. chrysomeloides: P. chrysomeloides chrysomeloides, distributed on both sides of the Strait of Gibraltar; P. chrysomeloides fornicata Herbst, 1799 from Portugal (Troia region); P. chrysomeloides bathyglypta Antoine, 1949, restricted to a narrow strip between Larache and Arbaoua (northern atlantic Moroccan coast), and P. chrysomeloides subris Koch, 1941 from Kenitra-La Mamora forest (Morocco). We designate a neotype of Tenebrio chrysomeloides Pallas, 1781 and propose the synonymy of P. chrysomeloides (Pallas, 1781) = P. obesa Solier, 1836 syn. n. Pimelia tristis Haag-Rutenberg, 1875, previously misidentified and included in Amblypteraca, is now transferred back to Amblyptera. Further studies with ad hoc sampling designs and analytical tools would be in need to delimit the exact geographic ranges of these taxa, and to analyse the patterns of diversity within and among species and subspecies.
Deep-sea Ophiuroidea (Echinodermata) from the Danish Galathea II Expedition, 1950–52, with taxonomic revisions
Authors: STÖHR SABINE , O’HARA TIMOTHY D.
Published: April 2021

The brittle star samples collected by the Danish cruise ‘Galathea II’ (1950–52) had not been studied completely. We examined the remaining deep-sea samples (>400 m) and present the species inventory, discussing taxonomic issues in relation to recent phylogenetic data. About 235 samples were examined, over 9,300 individuals, from 67 species and 74 sampling localities, at depths of 425–5340 m. The species complex Amphiophiura bullata (Thomson, 1877) is morphologically not well separated, but molecular data suggest at least two clades. We propose to apply A. bullata for Atlantic and Australian populations and A. convexa (Lyman, 1878) for the North Pacific clade. We consider A. bullata pacifica Litvinova, 1971 conspecific with A. convexa. Ophiuroglypha irrorata (Lyman, 1878) and its subspecies are a polyphyletic group with unclear morphological boundaries. We propose to transfer Ophiura ossiculata (Koehler, 1908), Ophiura plana (Lütken & Mortensen, 1899) and Ophiura scomba Paterson, 1985 to Ophiuroglypha. Silax Fell, 1962, until now synonymised with Amphioplus Verrill, 1899, is proposed as a valid genus with the species S. verrilli (Lyman, 1879), S. consors (Koehler, 1908), S. daleus (Lyman, 1879), S. patulus (Lyman, 1879) and S. magnificus (Koehler, 1907). Triplodia Turner & Hallen, 2011 (a replacement name for Triodia A. M. Clark, 1970, due to homonymy) is synonymised with Silax, and possible specimens of its type species Triodia abdita A. M. Clark, 1970 are analysed. The species limits of Ophiacantha cosmica Lyman, 1879 and Ophiacantha pacifica Lütken & Mortensen, 1899 could not be confirmed morphologically, but published molecular data suggest two clades. We propose to apply O. pacifica to the Northern/Central Pacific population and O. cosmica to the Southern Pacific/Antarctic population.
Fast and Accurate Control Strategy for Portable Nucleic Acid Detection (PNAD) System Based on Magnetic Nanoparticles
Authors: Fang Yile , Liu Haoran , Wang Yue , Su Xiangyi , Jin Lian , Wu Yanqi , Deng Yan , Li Song , Chen Zhu , Chen Hui , He Nongyue
Published: April 2021

Portable nucleic acid detection (PNAD) systems are performed for sample processing, amplification and detection automatically in an individual device realizing "sample in, answer out." For this goal, numerous function modules should be integrated in a diminutive device, in which temperature
controller is one of the most important modules. In a nucleic acid detection process, both sample processing and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) require fast and accurate temperature control to increase concentration and purity of the extraction product and to improve amplification efficiency.
In this paper, a dual-channel temperature controller for PNAD systems is developed, which contains a printed circuit board (PCB) and an integrated control program with a fast and accurate control strategy. According to the principle of nucleic acid detection based on magnetic nanoparticles,
the controller can work in different modes such as high-precision heating control for nucleic acid extraction, rapid thermal cycle control for PCR, and rate adjustable constant heating/cooling control for melting curve. Evaluatively, the average heating/cooling rate of the module can exceed
about 6 C/s, while the temperature fluctuation was less than ± 0.1°C, which can meet the demands of PNAD systems very well.
Polyethyleneimine- -Tocopherol Hydrogen Succinate/Hyaluronic Acid-Quercetin (PEI-TOS/HA-QU) Core–Shell Micelles Delivering Paclitaxel for Combinatorial Treatment of MDR Breast Cancer
Authors: Qian Jin , Liu Shuo , Yang Tianshu , Xiao Yi , Sun Jiabin , Zhao Juanjuan , Zhang Ze'an , Xie Yan
Published: April 2021

Multidrug resistance (MDR) remains a significant impediment to chemotherapy during cancer therapy. In this study, the amphiphilic biomaterials PEI-TOS and HA-QU were synthesized to self-assemble into PEI-TOS/HA-QU core–shell micelles for the targeted codelivery of paclitaxel (PTX)
and quercetin (QU) to alleviate multidrug drug resistance and enhance therapeutic efficacy. The PTX-loaded micelles possessed a uniform particle size (167.60 ± 8.185 nm), stable negative charge (–19.13 ± 0.321 mV), and pH-responsive drug release with good compatibility.
The drug-loaded micelles increased the chemosensitivity of MDR tumor cells (MDA-MB-231/MDR1) to PTX and activated mitochondria-dependent apoptotic pathways (the IC50 was 2.22-fold lower than that of PTX alone). Moreover, PEI-TOS/HA-QU micelles increased the cellular uptake of lipophilic
antitumor drugs by downregulating P-gp expression in MDA-MB-231/MDR1 cells. Compared with Taxol, PTX-loaded PEI-TOS/HA-QU micelles presented excellent antitumor efficacy in tumor-bearing mice, with an average tumor size that was 3.7-fold lower than that of the control group. The drug-loaded
formulation showed low in vitro / in vivo toxicity and better tumor accumulation than the free drug, which led to a high tumor inhibition rate of 80.56% and considerable biocompatibility. This work describes a new platform for the codelivery of lipophilic anticancer drugs and natural active
ingredients such as PTX and QU for the treatment of MDR cancer cells.
Interleukin-6 Promotes Cervical Cancer Development Through Janus Kinase 2/Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription 6 Signaling Pathway
Authors: Zhang Jie , Tang Xiuwu , Jin Zhixing , Zhang Hong
Published: April 2021

Interleukin (IL)-6 regulates several cellular processes such as proliferation, differentiation and immune regulation. The pathogenesis of cervical cancer is closely related to abnormal secretion and regulation of cytokines. IL-6 in the pathogenesis of cervical cancer was investigated
in the present study. In our work, we collected cervical cancer tissues and adjacent normal tissues first and then established mouse model of cervical cancer for following assays. Immunohistochemistry and Western blot analysis were performed to detect IL-6, JAK3 and STAT6 and qRT-PCR determined
VEGF, MMP-2, MMP-9 and others in adjacent tissues and cancer tissues. MTT was used to detect the capability of proliferation, invasion and migration. Chromatin immunoprecipitation was employed to verify the binding of STAT6 to IL-6. The effect of STAT6 inhibitors, AS1517499 on JAK3/STAT6 axis
was also detected through in vivo experiments. Except IL-6, the related proteins were upregulated in cervical cancer tissues. IL-6 (25–100 ng/mL) accelerated the growth of Hela cells. IL-6 improved cell migratory and invasive ability when recombinant IL-6 promoted phosphory-lation and
JAK3/STAT6. The activity of IL-6 in Hela was mediated by JAK3/STAT6 signaling pathway as AS1517499 inhibited IL-6-induced JAK3/STAT6 phosphorylation and STAT6 bound to the IL-6 promoter. STAT6 inhibitors significantly suppressed tumor growth and reduced p-STAT3 level. IL-6 contributes to cervical
cancer through JAK3/STAT6 signaling which could be a cornerstone of subsequent anti-cervical cancer treatment.
Analysis of the Correlation Between the Tissue Metabolism of Sodium Alginate Microspheres and the Interventional Therapy of Liver Cancer
Authors: Xiao Jin , Liu Xin , Xie Min , Wu Rong
Published: April 2021

To explore the tissue metabolism of sodium alginate microspheres in treating liver cancer using alginate microspheres. Rabbit liver cancer model was established by direct inoculation of liver cancer tissues. Rabbits of experimental group were treated with hepatic arterial embolization
(HAE) as follows: sodium alginate microspheres was injected through femoral artery to three targeting sites which was 0.5 cm (proximal group), 2 cm (middle group), and 3.5 cm (distal group) far from the lesion, respectively, to block the tumor’s nutrient supply. Short-term clinical efficacy,
3 month survival rate, 6-month mortality rate, 1-year survival rate, and adverse reactions were used as parameters to analyze the prognosis. The complete remission rates of proximal group, middle group, and distal group was 80%, 40%, and 20%, respectively. The complete remission rate of proximal
group was significantly higher than other two groups, and the complete remission rate of middle group was significantly higher than distal group (P < 0.05). In terms of progress, a significant difference was observed between proximal group and distal group (P < 0.01). 3-month
and 1-year survival rates were increased along with decrease of distance from injection position to the lesion with a correlation equation of y = −15.567x + 104.47 (R2 = 0.9429) and y = −13.333x + 91.133 (R2 =0.9639). Six-month
mortality rate decreased along with the decrease of distance from injection position to the lesion with the correlation equation of y = 15.343x−5.9967 (R2 = 0.9943). The prognosis is correlated with the injection position of alginate microspheres. The
closer the injection position to the lesion, the better prognosis.
Research on Anisotropic Fracture Mechanical Behavior of Cortical Bone with Combined Method of Fractal and Gray Level Co-Occurrence Matrix
Authors: Yin Dagang , Chen Bin , Zhou Huifen
Published: April 2021

The irregular fracture surface of cortical bone, which is caused by complex multilevel micro-nanostructure, reflects the mechanical properties and fracture mechanisms. It is of great significance to characterize some characteristic parameters from the fracture surfaces of bone. In this
research, anisotropic fracture mechanical properties of bovine femoral cortical bone along transverse, longitudinal and radial direction are firstly obtained by three-point bend experiment. Then the fracture routes and fracture surfaces are observed by scanning electron microscope. The observation
shows that the formed fracture surfaces, which are caused by different crack routes, are extremely rough and have complex textures. Lastly, the combined method of fractal and gray level co-occurrence matrix are adopted to describe the morphology of fracture surface of cortical bone objectively
and quantitatively. It is shown that the fracture surface of cortical bone has obvious fractal characteristics and four statistical texture feature parameters (contrast,angular second moment, correlation and entropy) of GLCM of fracture surfaces can describe a certain fracture texture character.
The relationship between the characteristic parameters and macroscopic mechanical properties are established. The quantitative analysis and automatic class identification for the fracture surfaces of cortical bone can be achieved.
Depth Dependent Variations in Human Achilles Tendon as a Result of Active Smoking: An Elastographic Study
Authors: Al-Qahtani Mahdi , Mirza Eraj Humayun , Siddiqui Rimsha , Almijalli Mohammed , Javed Ravish
Published: April 2021

Current study was set to determine the impact of active smoking on Achilles Tendon (AT) as soft tissue using an elastographic technique. This study comprises of 54 male individuals having sedentary lifestyle. Volunteers were categorized into two groups of smokers (n = 20) and non-smokers
(n = 34). Body composition analysis was performed to evaluate the physiological changes in human body mass indexes. Ultrasound Strain Elastog-raphy (USE) technique was used to find the stiffness along with anatomical images to envisage the anomalous status of Achilles tendon. Statistical analysis
of data obtained through body composition, tendon anatomy and Strain Elastography (SE) was used to scrutinize the physiological, anatomical and elasticity variations within the tendon. A reduction in Fat Free Mass Index (FFMI) was observed among smokers with a significant difference (P = 0.042).
Further, an increased significant difference (P = 0.029) was found in AT Strain Ratios (SR) of smokers as compared to non-smokers. Lightening in tendon mass and dilution in tendon stiffness indicates that smoking mechanism may generate excessive apoptosis and decrease the density of tenocytes.
Nicotine is the key element that inhibits the functional capacity of Tendon Stem Cells and is highly responsible for tendinopathy, eventually leading to tendon rupture and injury.
Investigating the Effects of Ogawa Master Drive AI Automated Massage on Blood Circulation and Sleep Quality
Authors: Paul Ayan , Wee Lai Khin , Usman Juliana , Yazed Ahmad Mohd , Hamidreza Mohafez , Maryam Hadizadeh , Ong Zhi Chao
Published: April 2021

Sleep and stress-related disorders are increasingly becoming more prevalent among adult population. Massage therapy (MT) may assist in improving the peripheral circulation through mechanical manipulation of soft tissues and passively act upon reducing stress stimuli as well as induce
relaxation and sleep. For the purpose of evaluating the efficacy of massage chair therapy (MCT), this study is divided into two parts. First, 15 participants (mean age = (21.00 ±2.00) years; body mass index (BMI) = (19.22 ±2.23)) were enrolled in a randomized controlled, cross-over,
and single-blinded trial on pre- and post-treatment based sessions where skin blood flow (SBF) was measured. Except for the control mode (p > 0.05), all other mode-variants exhibit significantly increased SBF between pre-post sessions (p < 0.05). Furthermore, compared to
the blood circulation and sweet dreams massage modes, deep tissue massage mode exhibited a significantly increase in SBF values (p < 0.05). In the second part of the study, 5 participants (age 24.00±3.00 years; weight 73.10±5.63 kg; height 178.28 ±10.08 cm; BMI
22.49 ±1.89) underwent MCT with only sweet dreams mode. Richards-Campbell Sleep Questionnaire and wrist actigraph were used to assess pre- and post-treatment sleep quality. After undergoing massage all subjects showed improvement in overall sleep quality. These results are suggestive
that the automated MCT may potentially improve blood circulation and promote relaxation and sleep.
Effects of Copper Nanoparticles on mRNA and Small RNA Expression in Human Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HepG2) Cells
Authors: Thai Sheau-Fung , Jones Carlton P. , Robinette Brian L. , Ren Hongzu , Vallant Beena , Fisher Anna , Kitchin Kirk T.
Published: April 2021

With the advancement of nanotechnology, nanoparticles are widely used in many different industrial processes and consumer products. Copper nanoparticles (Cu NPs) are among the most toxic nanomaterials. We investigated Cu NPs toxicity in Human Hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG2) cells by
examining signaling pathways, and microRNA/mRNA interactions. We compared the effects of exposures to Cu NPs at various concentrations and CuCl2 was used as a control. The number of differentially expressed mRNA did not follow a linear dose-response relationship for either Cu NPs
or CuCl2 treatments. The most significantly altered genes and pathways by Cu NPs exposure were NRF2 (nuclear factor erythroid 2 related factor 2)-mediated oxidative stress response, protein ubiquitination, Tumor protein p53 (p53), phase I and II metabolizing enzymes, antioxidant
proteins and phase III detoxifying gene pathways.Messenger RNA-microRNA interaction from MicroRNA Target Filter Analyses revealed more signaling pathways altered in Cu NPs treated samples than transcriptomics alone, including cell proliferation, DNA methylation, endoplasmic reticulum (ER)
stress, apoptosis, autophagy, reactive oxygen species, inflammation, tumorigenesis, extracellular matrix/angiogenesis and protein synthesis. In contrast, in the control (CuCl2) treated samples showed mostly changes in inflammation mainly through regulation of the Nuclear Factor
Kappa-light-chain-enhancer of Activated B-cells (NFκB). Further, some RNA based parameters that showed promise as biomarkers of Cu NPs exposure including both well and lesser known genes: heme oxygenase 1 (HMOX1), heat shock protein, c-Fos proto-oncogene, DNA methyltransferases,
and glutamate-cysteine ligase modifier subunit (GCLM, part of the glutathione synthesis pathway). The differences in signaling pathways altered by the Cu NPs and CuCl2 treatments suggest that the effects of the Cu NPs were not the results of nanomaterial dissolution to soluble copper
ions.
Bubble-Liquid Membrane Method for Preparing Spherical Calcium Carbonate Nanoparticles
Authors: Ma Jun-Xian , Lei Xue-Feng , Jiang Sha , Wang Jian-Chun , Wang Yue-Hui
Published: April 2021

In this work, we describe the principle and operation of a bubble-liquid membrane reactor, and use of the reactor to prepare spherical calcium carbonate nanoparticles. The products were characterized by X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy,
and laser particle size analysis. The effects of additives to control crystal morphology, coating agents, and the stirring speed of the bubble-liquid membrane reactor were investigated. Spherical calcium carbonate nanoparticles with uniform dispersion and no agglomeration were obtained when
a disodium hydrogen phosphate/ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid disodium salt mixture (1:1 mass ratio) was used as the additive, oleic acid was used as the coating agent (1.5 wt%), and the stirring speed was 5000–6000 r/min. The results indicate that the bubble-liquid membrane reactor
may be suitable for continuous industrial production of calcium carbonate nanoparticles.
A Study on the Etching and Surface Characteristics of SiOC Thin Films After C6F12O Plasma Etching
Authors: Lee Junmyung , Choi Yeonsik , Nam Yunho , Lee Byung Jun , Lee Hyun Woo , Kwon Kwang-Ho
Published: April 2021

Silicon oxycarbide (SiOC) film was etched using a CF4/C6F12O/O2 mixed gas plasma through an inductively coupled plasma etcher. Changes in the dielectric constant and surface chemical bonding properties were investigated using ellipsometry
and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Plasma diagnosis was carried out using a double Langmuir probe, ultraviolet detector, and residual gas analyzer. The physical and chemical plasma properties of CHF3 and C6F12O exhibited similar trends. However, the
C6F12O mixed plasma exhibited a smaller change in dielectric constant compared to that of a conventional CHF3 mixed plasma, because of the lower ion density, ion energy flux, and UV intensity and thinner fluorocarbon-based polymer formation. Therefore, the
liquefied C6F12O gas can substitute for the existing etching process gas and reduce the change in dielectric constant.
Silver-Doped BaSrTiO3 Nanocomposite: Synthesis, Characterization, Antibacterial and Photocatalytic Activities
Authors: Shirmohammadzadeh Leila , Moafi Hadi Fallah , Shojaei Abdollah Fallah
Published: April 2021

In this research, strontium titanate (SrTiO3), barium titanate (BaTiO3), barium strontium titanate (BaSrTiO3), and Ag-doped BaSrTiO3 nanocomposites with different Ag contents were fabricated using the sol–gel chemical route. The prepared
samples were characterized by several techniques including scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), differential reflectance spectroscopy (DRS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR),
inductively coupled plasma spectroscopy (ICP), and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) measurement. The EDS results indicated that the synthesized nanoparticles had a cube perovskite-like structure. The EDS and ICP results revealed that Ag was doped into the Ba0.5Sr0.5TiO3
structure. The SEM and TEM images demonstrated that the particle size of 15 mol% Ag-doped Ba0.5Sr0.5TiO3 was smaller than that of pure Ba0.5Sr0.5TiO3 as confirmed by surface area results. The photocatalytic properties of undoped
titanate samples and Ag-doped Ba0.5Sr0.5TiO3 were studied by the photodecomposition of Eosin yellowish (EY) and methylene blue (MB) dyes. The results illustrated that the photodegradation efficiency of the Ag-doped Ba0.5Sr0.5TiO3
was far higher than the undoped titanate sample, and the optimum Ag doping was 15 mol%. The antibacterial activities of pure Ba0.5Sr0.5TiO3 and Ag-doped Ba0.5Sr0.5Ti03 were studied against Staphylococcus aureus as Gram-positive
(+) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli as Gram-negative (−) bacteria. In comparison with the bare Ba0.5Sr0.5TiO3 nanoparticles, the Ag-doped sample showed a significant enhancement in antibacterial activities against both Gram-negative
and Gram-positive bacterial strains.
Increased Production of Short-Chain Fatty Acids in Microbacteria Fermentation Treated by Fullerenols
Authors: Sun Hui , Zhang Jiaxin , Kong Jianglong , Yuan Hui , Liang Yuelan , Chen Kui , Bai Xue , Chang Yanan , Li Juan , Xing Gengmei
Published: April 2021

Fullerenol nanoparticles were found to significantly modulate the gut microbiota and selectively enrich the short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) production by adjusting the gut microbacteria in mice models. In this research, we screened theC. butyricumfrom seven strains and investigated the interactions and mechanism between theC. butyricumand fullerenol NPsin vitrofermentation. The results shows that fullerenol NPs increased the amounts of acetate and butyrate ofC. butyricumwithout significant bacteria growth in the complete medium. The activities of the butyryl-CoA: acetate CoA transferase (BUT), which are the main pathway to produce butyrate, were reduced while the activities of the butyrate kinase (BUK) were enhanced simultaneously. Surprisingly, fullerenol NPs promoted the growth ofC. butyricumandL. lactisin low glucose medium, but they could not be direct carbon source in the culture. Moreover, when cocultured withC. butyricumand the bifidobacterial strains in fullerenols, the biomass and acetate production ofC. butyricumwere markedly increased while butyrate was decreased significantly.
Microwave Synthesis of Magnetite Nanoparticles and Mg-Doped Magnetite Nanoparticles by Precipitation of Fe2+ Ions
Authors: Ochmann Martin , Machala Libor , Kašlík Josef
Published: April 2021

This study is focused on a simple and fast synthesis of nonstoichiometric magnetite nanoparticles with the chemical formula Fe3−XO4 and magnesium ferrite nanoparticles (Mg1−XFe2+XO4). The nanoparticles
were prepared with Fe2+ ions (FeSO4 · H2O) alkalised by KOH under oxidative conditions and in a microwave field. X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) and 57Fe transmission Mössbauer spectroscopy were used to determine the phase composition
and crystal structure in detail. The presence of synthetic magnetite, maghemite, goethite, and magnesium ferrite was observed. Room temperature Mössbauer spectroscopy revealed the existence of ferromagnetic sublattices and superparamagnetic fraction. The superparamagnetic component corresponds
to magnesium ferrite nanoparticles. Low temperature Mössbauer spectroscopy was used to locate the blocking temperature of superparamagnetic nanoparticles and to separate the sublattices. The presumed spherical morphology of nanoparticles and their size under 100 nm have been confirmed
by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The obtained results were used to provide possible reaction scheme, which serves to tailor the synthesis to a desired application.
Controllable Synthesis of Enhanced Visible Light Responded Fe, N, Co Tri-TiO2@MCM-41 Nanocomposites and Its Photocatalytic Performance
Authors: Niu Yanhui , Liu Guanyu , Xia Huiyun , Zhao Xu , Zhang Gengtong , Song Lifang , Chen Huaxin
Published: April 2021

A novel method for in situ synthesis of Fe, N, Co tri-TiO2 (DT) loading on MCM-41 composite photocatalyst was proposed. Fe, N, Co tri-TiO2@MCM-41 (DTM) with adsorption-degradation synergy was prepared by adjusting tetrabutyl titanate (TBOT) concentrations, the
alcohol-water ratio in the atmosphere of the reaction chamber. The influence of preparation parameters on the texture structure, catalytic activity, and the synergism of adsorption and degradation of the DTM was discussed, the optimal parameters were determined. The DTM was characterized by
XRD, TEM, BET, FT-IR, and UV-Vis. Besides, the DTM exhibited obvious redshift and visible catalytic activity compared with undoped TiO2@MCM-41 (TM), which possessed excellent performance in the degradation of gaseous and liquid pollutants. The degradation rate of methylene blue
(MB) and nitric oxide (NO) was 96.39% and 56.75%, respectively. Furthermore, DTM photocatalyst exhibited excellent reusability. The degradation efficiency of MB and NO after five cycles decreased by 4.54% and 5.89%, respectively.
Effects of Boron Oxide Concentration and Carbon Nanotubes Reinforcement on Bioactive Glass Scaffolds for Bone Tissue Engineering
Authors: Dixit Kartikeya , Sinha Niraj
Published: April 2021

In this work, the effect of varying content of B2O3 with respect to SiO2 on mechanical and bioactivity properties have been evaluated for borosilicate bioactive glasses containing SiO2, B2O3, CaO and P2O5.
The bioactive glasses have been synthesized using the sol–gel technique. The synthesized glasses were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and Field Emission Scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). These bioactive glasses were fabricated
as scaffolds by using polymer foam replication method. Subsequently, in vitro bioactivity evaluation of borosilicate bioactive glass was done. Based on the XRD and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) results showing good apatite-formation ability when soaked in simulated body
fluid (SBF), one of the bioactive glass (BG-B30 containing 30 mol% B2O3) was selected for further study. The compressive strength of the bioactive glass scaffolds was within the range of trabecular bone. However, it was found near the lower limit of the trabecular bone
(0.2–12 MPa). Therefore, BG-B30 scaffold was reinforced with carbon nanotubes (CNTs) to allow for mechanical manipulation during tissue engineering applications. The compressive strength increased from 1.05 MPa to 7.42 MPa (a 606% increase) after reinforcement, while the fracture toughness
rose from 0.12 MPa √ m to 0.45 MPa √ m (a 275% increase). Additionally, connectivity of the pores in the CNT reinforced BG-B30 scaffolds were evaluated and the pores were found to be well connected. The evaluated properties of the fabricated scaffolds demonstrate their potential
as a synthetic graft for possible application in bone tissue engineering.
Laser Assisted Catalytic Growth of Silicon Nanowires Using Gold and Nickel Catalysts
Authors: Nyembe Sanele , Ndlovu Gebhu , Shumbula Poslet , Harris Richard , Moloto Nosipho , Sikhwivhilu Lucky
Published: April 2021

Laser assisted synthesis of silicon nanowires (SiNWs) was successfully achieved through the use of gold and nickel as catalysts. The diameter of the resulting SiNWs was found to be dependent on that of the catalyst in the case of gold catalyst. The gold catalysed silicon nanowires were
unevenly curved and branched owing to the high kinetic energy possessed by gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) at relatively high processing temperature. The use of nickel as catalyst resulted in the formation of several SiNWs on a single nickel catalyst crystallite due to interconnection of the nickel
metal crystallites at processing temperature. The morphology of SiNWs catalysed by both nickel and gold was controlled by optimising the laser energy during ablation.
The Intensity-dependence of Tropical Cyclone Intensification Rate in a Simplified Energetically Based Dynamical System Model
Authors: Wang Yuqing , Li Yuanlong , Xu Jing , Tan Zhe-Min , Lin Yanluan
Published: April 2021

In this study, a simple energetically based dynamical system model of tropical cyclone (TC) intensification is modified to account for the observed dependence of the intensification rate (IR) on the storm intensity. According to the modified dynamical system model, the TC IR is controlled by the intensification potential (IP) and the weakening rate due to surface friction beneath the eyewall. The IP is determined primarily by the rate of change in the potential energy available for a TC to develop, which is a function of the thermodynamic conditions of the atmosphere and the underlying ocean, and the dynamical efficiency of the TC system. The latter depends strongly on the degree of convective organization within the eyewall and the inner-core inertial stability of the storm. At a relatively low TC intensity, the IP of the intensifying storm is larger than the frictional weakening rate, leading to an increase in the TC IR with TC intensity in this stage. As the storm reaches an intermediate intensity of 30-40 m s-1, the difference between IP and frictional weakening rate reaches its maximum, concurrent with the maximum IR. Later on, the IR decreases as the TC intensifies further because the frictional dissipation increases with TC intensity at a faster rate than the IP. Finally, the storm approaches its maximum potential intensity (MPI) and the IR becomes zero. The modified dynamical system model is validated with results from idealized simulations with an axisymmetric nonhydrostatic, cloud-resolving model.
The Globally Coherent Pattern of Autumn Monsoon Precipitation
Authors: Ramesh Nandini , Nicolas Quentin , Boos William R.
Published: April 2021

Over most tropical land areas, the annual peak in precipitation occurs during summer, associated with the local monsoon circulation. However, in some coastal regions in the tropics the bulk of annual precipitation occurs in autumn, after the low-level summer monsoon westerlies have abated. Examples include the Nordeste region of Brazil, southeastern India and Sri Lanka, and coastal Tanzania. Unlike equatorial regions, they receive little rainfall during local spring. Such regions are present along the eastern coasts of nearly all continents, suggesting that they comprise a coherent yet previously unrecognized global phenomenon.

In this study, we identify eight tropical locations that experience an “autumn monsoon” and show that this unusual seasonal cycle is generated by similar mechanisms in all of these. When these regions receive their peak rainfall, they lie poleward of the ITCZ in easterly low-level winds. The spatial structure of precipitation in these regions can be explained by their placement to the east of mountain ranges that organize moist convection on their windward sides. However, orographic forcing alone cannot explain their unique seasonal cycle: despite similarities in wind direction, surface humidity, and sea surface temperatures (SSTs) between autumn and spring, these regions receive significantly more rainfall in autumn than in spring. We show that this is due to differences in the large-scale atmospheric stability between the equinoctial seasons, which can be captured by a relative SST metric and is influenced by SSTs in the remote eastern upwelling zones of the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans.
Rainfall-induced attenuation correction for two operational dual-polarization C-band radars in the Netherlands
Authors: Overeem Aart , de Vries Hylke , Al Sakka Hassan , Uijlenhoet Remko , Leijnse Hidde
Published: April 2021

The Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute (KNMI) operates two operational dual-polarization C-band weather radars providing 2-D radar rainfall products. Attenuation can result in severe underestimation of rainfall amounts, particularly in convective situations that are known to have high impact on society. In order to improve the radar-based precipitation estimates, two attenuation correction methods are evaluated and compared: 1) Modified Kraemer (MK) method, i.e. Hitschfeld-Bordan where parameters of the power-law Zh–kh relation are adjusted such that reflectivities in the entire dataset do not exceed 59 dBZh and attenuation correction is limited to 10 dB; 2) using two-way path-integrated attenuation computed from the dual-polarization moment specific differential phase Kdp (Kdp method). In both cases the open-source Python library wradlib is employed for the actual attenuation correction. A radar voxel only contributes to the computed path-integrated attenuation if its height is below the forecasted freezing level height from the numerical weather prediction model HARMONIE-AROME. The methods are effective in improving hourly and daily quantitative precipitation estimation (QPE), where the Kdp method performs best. The verification against rain gauge data shows that the underestimation diminishes from 55% to 37% for hourly rainfall for the Kdp method when the gauge indicates more than 10 mm of rain in that hour. The improvement for the MK method is less pronounced, with a resulting underestimation of 40%. The stability of the MK method holds a promise for application to data archives from single-polarization radars.
An Analysis of Patients Dead on Arrival in the American College of Surgeons Trauma Quality Program Participant Use File Data Set
Authors: Elkbuli Adel , Rowe Scott , Raslan Shahm , Ali Aleeza , Boserup Brad , McKenney Mark
Published: April 2021

Background

Trauma patient care begins on-scene as field triage and mode of transportation are determinants of patient outcomes. This study evaluates the US national patterns of dead on arrival (DOA) among the trauma population.

Methods

A cross-sectional review of the American College of Surgeons (ACS) Trauma Quality Program Participant Use File (TQP-PUF) data set (2013-2017) was performed. Trauma patients reported as DOA were stratified by ISS into low (<15), intermediate (15-24), or high (≥25) severity. Each group was then subdivided by patient demographics, mechanism, type of injury, and mode of transportation.

Results

Of the 4 336 816 injury cases in the TQP-PUF data set, 33 199 were DOA (.77%). 77.1% (25 604/33 199) of DOAs were male. In the low-ISS group, .36% (13 272/3 639 811) were DOA; in the intermediate-ISS group, 1.2% (4868/421 994) were DOA; and in the high-ISS group, 5.5% (15 059/275 011) were DOA. Motor vehicle collisions (MVCs) (11 262) and firearms (8894) were the most common injury types, equating to 60.7% of DOAs. Falls accounted for 9.1% of all DOAs. The most common DOA age-group was 18-64 years, followed by ≥65 years.

Conclusion

DOA trauma patients are predominately adult men suffering fatal blunt force injuries most frequently via MVC. DOAs are caused by all ranges of injury severity. We recommend further development of prevention programs thereby reducing the prevalence of common traumatic injuries, notably MVC, falls, and firearms to improve survival. Future studies should also investigate the access to and distribution of trauma centers and the role of helicopter, ground, and police transport modalities and transport time on and reducing DOAs and improving trauma patient outcomes.