bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A importância da música sacra no reinado de Leopoldo I (1658-1705)
Authors:   UNESP, Griman Caio Amadatsu , Kerr Dorotéa
Published: January 2021

Quando Leopoldo I foi coroado imperador do Sacro Império Romano-Germânico, em 1658, a maior parte da Europa ainda estava em processo de recuperação econômica decorrente da chamada “crise geral do século XVII”. Dentro deste contexto, coube a Leopoldo e aos demais membros da Casa de Habsburgo a tarefa de reorganização e de solidificação do absolutismo na Áustria. Para tal fim, o imperador encontrou na música sacra uma ferramenta eficaz de convencimento, propaganda e exibição do poder imperial. Neste trabalho procuramos demonstrar o papel produções musicais ligadas às atividades da Contrarreforma no reinado de Leopoldo I. Inicialmente, discorremos acerca da criação religiosa de Leopoldo, assim como sobre seu interesse particular pela música e pela composição. E, em seguida, examinamos a influência da imperatriz viúva Leonor de Gonzaga-Nevers (madrasta de Leopoldo I) para o desenvolvimento da música austríaca, principalmente em relação à sua participação no estabelecimento do sepulcro em Viena.
Considerações sobre a teoria, poética e análise da música antiga
Authors:   Universidade do Estado de Santa Catarina - Udesc/Estágio de Pós-doutorado, Barros Cassiano
Published: January 2021

A teoria musical, como categoria de pensamento sobre a música, constitui-se historicamente como conceito representativo das formas consideradas válidas de se conhece-la, diretamente condicionado pela cultura que o produz. No contexto da música antiga, esse conceito esteve associado a outros, tais como a poética e a prática musical, que definiam, conforme finalidades específicas, as possibilidades de realização e compreensão da música. Partindo de uma perspectiva hermenêutica, à maneira de um estudo de caso, este artigo apresenta uma investigação sobre o conceito de teoria musical no contexto específico da música luterana seiscentista e avalia a relação dele com os conceitos de poética e análise musical, no marco do tratado intitulado Musica Poetica (1606), de Joachim Burmeister.
Figuras retórico-musicais no Te Deum de Luís Álvares Pinto
Authors:   Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo, Figueiredo Denise Lima Santiago , Vermes Mónica , Leite Leni Ribeiro
Published: January 2021

A retórica tem seu nascimento e desenvolvimento na Grécia e posteriormente em Roma, alcançando toda a Europa no final da Antiguidade e se estendendo ao medievo, contribuindo para o enriquecimento de várias esferas do conhecimento humano, bem como da música. O contato entre as duas artes se dá, a partir do século XVI por meio dos tratados que vão desde compositores alemães, franceses, italianos, até os portugueses, chegando então, aos músicos brasileiros estudantes na metrópole, o conhecimento consciente da utilização de elementos e técnicas que estabelecem, entre outras possibilidades, uma maior aderência junto à plateia. Situado neste quadro está Luís Álvares Pinto, compositor e professor brasileiro que, por meio de seu contato com os estudos humanísticos, trouxe à sua obra Te deum Laudamus possíveis figuras de elocução que caracterizam a aplicabilidade da retórica em sua música.
Ponto contra ponto: o debate sobre a nacionalização musical no Brasil e o Café
Authors:   Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Breunig Tiago Hermano
Published: January 2021

O presente artigo procura analisar as perspectivas envolvidas nos embates entre erudito e vanguarda, de um lado, e popular e folclore, de outro, em torno da politização da arte e da nacionalização musical no Brasil da primeira metade do XX, especialmente a partir de H. J. Koellreutter. Para tanto, confrontamos as perspectivas de autores como T. W. Adorno e Antonio Gramsci, H. J. Koellreutter e Mário de Andrade, recorrendo aos acervos documentais destes para compreender como a musicalização de Café, de Mário de Andrade, por H. J Koellreutter, se inscreve no debate sobre o nacionalismo musical brasileiro.
Psychological Diagnosis of Master Students' Personal, Professional Development in the Context of Modern Education
Authors: Laura Shalabayeva , Saya Baisultanova , Saule Alimbayeva , Magripa Ibrayeva , Ulzharkyn Abdigapbarova
Published: January 2021

The article's psychological diagnosis of master students' personal, professional development is considered a process of professional socialization and professional development. Undergraduates, as future researchers, teachers of educational activity are required to have certain professional qualities.
The research aims to determine the dynamics of professional development of graduates in science and pedagogical process.
For this purpose, the method Cattell (16PF, scale C), the diagnostic questionnaire of personality status and traits (FPI), a questionnaire of Otto Lipmann (1 variant), the questionnaire of "The level of subjective control," by J. Rotter have been used. While studying, it was underlined that master students possess: increased externalities trends in personal and industrial relations (i.e., the main areas for the teacher relationship), strengthening conservative tendencies in behavior, as opposed to radicalism and other professional qualities for teaching and research activities.
Successful undergraduate is characterized by a greater tendency to depression, compared to less successful, he is more sensitive, competent, internality, and responsible for achieving, and creative. It was noted that the factor structure of variant individuality-personal features of undergraduates includes the factors of "professional competence," "professional motivation," and "professional internality."
Database "Parceling and Building System of Moscow Bely Gorod in the 18th Century": a New Tool to Study Historical Landscapes
Authors: Kim Olga
Published: January 2021

The article presents the goals and the structure of the database "Parceling and Building System of Moscow Bely Gorod in the 18th century”, created within the framework of the project "Spatial reconstruction of the historical landscape of Moscow Bely Gorod in the 16th - 18th centuries (with the use of modern information technologies)". The database was created in MS Access DBMS and accumulates text and graphic sources characterizing parceling, planning and development of the eastern part of Moscow Bely Gorod in the 18th century as well as urban planning and personal information obtained from the analysis of these sources. The database is the basis for creating spatial 3D reconstruction and one of the main components of the geographic information system being developed. The database as a tool for systematizing text and graphic historical information is a new method to study and reconstruct historical landscapes. It presents sources that served the basis for the reconstruction in an organized way thus greatly simplifying the verification of conclusions and results of the study. The article describes the main objects of the database (historical sources including graphic, town-planning objects (driveways, households, buildings) and personalities (owners of courtyards)) and their interconnections and methods of data formalization. The article pays special attention to the features associated with the processing of property owners' biographical and genealogical information.
International Conference "Historical Research in the Context of Data Science: Information Resources, Analytical Methods and Digital Technologies"
Authors: Borodkin Leonid , Vladimirov Vladimir , Garskova Irina Markovna
Published: January 2021

The word "data" has recently become one of the key words in the semantic field of modern science. This happened due to a sharp increase in information flows in the economy and social sphere and the ongoing breakthrough in the development of methods and technologies for processing and analyzing data in the context of large-scale digitalization and the need to work with big data. This has led to the rapid development of data science. Historical science has been affected by these processes as well. The article discusses the course and results of the 17th international conference of the interregional association "History and Computer" held under the title "Historical Research in the Context of Data Science: Information Resources, Analytical Methods and Digital Technologies". Researchers from 7 countries took part in the conference held on-line. The article characterized the structure of the conference in details and the most interesting speeches of its participants. There were two plenary meetings, two round tales and 9 sections. The conference results show that historical computer science has entered a new stage of its development and has ceased to be perceived as a kind of "niche" area of historical science. New researchers are being involved in its development, the geography of scientific centers of historical computer science is expanding, their studies touch upon the most important issues of Russian and foreign history.
Improving the Training of Primary School Teachers: Agreements and Disagreements Between Active Teachers and University Professors
Authors: Sureda-Negre Jaume , Oliver-Trobat Miquel , Comas-Forgas Rubén
Published: January 2021

Within an action research framework involving primary teachers and university professors, based on a Delphi study, those in charge of training future primary school teachers (at a Spanish university) identified and agreed upon measures that they thought were appropriate for improving
the training programs in which they participated. A total of 84 different items were presented and discussed. A reasonable level of consensus was reached regarding 45 of these items. Data gathered includes guidelines on how to improve the training program and shows the benefit of having teachers
and university professors reflect, contrast and assess their points of view.
Paisagem e Socionatureza: olhares geográfico-filosóficos
Authors: Souza Reginaldo José de
Published: January 2021

A obra resultou de uma pesquisa de pós-doutoramento realizada no Centro de Filosofia da Universidade de Lisboa. O enfoque é a compreensão das bases filosóficas de um conceito amplamente utilizado na pesquisa e no ensino de Geografia: a paisagem. A partir da abordagem filosófica, que a considera como dimensão da existência e de um possível retorno ao sentimento de natureza em uma sociedade econômica e ecologicamente em crise, o objetivo da obra é discorrer sobre a paisagem enquanto potencialidade para a leitura crítica da realidade e busca de um mundo socialmente justo. A essência da natureza é constituída pela dialética ordem-caos e, enquanto movimento incessante, subjuga tudo e todos à dissolução no tempo e no espaço. No cerne da democrática condenação natural à morte, a sociedade hierárquica pode encontrar meios para realizar sua própria humanidade: sem guerras, sem degradação, sem riquezas acumuladas através de empobrecimento e fome. A compreensão da paisagem pode ser a porta de entrada para a estética da beleza que deve haver no mundo, em nós, nas relações humanas e na maneira de transformar a natureza.
Synergism between calcium nitrate applications and fungal endophytes to increase sugar concentration in Festuca sinensis under cold stress
Authors: Zhou Lianyu , Li Chunjie , White James F. , Johnson Richard D.
Published: January 2021

Epichloë endophytes have been shown to increase tolerance to biotic and abiotic stresses in many cool-season grasses. We investigated the impact of endophyte infection of Festuca sinensis, on root metabolic activity, photosynthetic pigments, leaf relative water content (RWC) and soluble carbohydrates in a field experiment carried out during chilling and irrigation with Ca(NO3)2. A highly significant (P < 0.001) correlation for Epichloë endophytes was observed for root metabolic activity. Ca(NO3)2affectedverysignificantly root metabolic activity and total chlorophyll (P < 0.001). Low temperature led to highly significant (P < 0.001) reductions in root metabolic activity, RWC, total chlorophyll, chlorophyll a/b ratio, and carotenoid contents. In addition, the fructose concentrations of shoots were greater on the 14th day than on the 28th day and before treatment, whilst the glucose concentration of roots was much higher on the 28th day than before and after 14 days treatment. Moreover, our results indicated that the addition of calcium nitrate contributed to higher levels of total chlorophylls, soluble sugars, sucrose, fructose or glucose in the shoots and roots in both E+ and E- plants during long periods of chilling. These results suggest that Epichloë endophyte infection and/or exogenous calcium nitrate can confer better tolerance to cold stress.
Nutrient and anti-nutrient composition of processed crayfish (Atya gabonensis) from river Benue, Nigeria.
Authors: Iwar Micheal , Amu Comfort Msurshima
Published: January 2021

The species of crayfish  identified as (Atya gabonensis) along River Benue Nigeria and were captured and analyzed for nutrient and antinutrient content including, proximate composition (crude protein, crude fat, crude fiber, ash, and moisture content), as well as vitamin A, Vitamin B components, Vitamin C, Vitamin D, vitamin E, Vitamin K and select mineral concentrations. Additionally, some important antinutrients in crayfish were also examined. The proximate composition showed that moisture content was (9.54%), protein was (7.46%), Crude fibre was (5.60%), fat was (1.57%) and ash was (2.47%) respectively. This was found to be rich in protein and considerably high amount of moisture content. The anti-nutrient composition analysis revealed the presence of Saponin (0.471mg/100g), Alkaloid (3.905mg/100g), flavonoid (0.675mg/100g), tannin (0.017mg/100g), Phytate (0.060mg/100g), Oxalate (0.005mg/100g) and others, all of which are below toxic level. For mineral and vitamin compositions, potassium was significantly (P>0.05) higher than iron, zinc, magnesium, calcium and phosphorus while vitamin C was (4.920mg/100g) which is higher than all other vitamins evaluated. Based on these findings crayfish (Atya gabonensis) is recommended for consumption and for further investigation as a potential raw material for the  pharmaceutical industry.Keywords: Atya gabonensis, Nutrient, Anti nutrient, River Benue,composition
Kinetics of H2 Adsorption at the Metal–Support Interface of Au/TiO2 Catalysts Probed by Broad Background IR Absorbance
Authors: Mahdavi‐Shakib Akbar , Kumar K. B. Sravan , Whittaker Todd N. , Xie Tianze , Grabow Lars C. , Rioux Robert M. , Chandler Bert D.
Published: January 2021

H2 adsorption on Au catalysts is weak and reversible, making it difficult to quantitatively study. We demonstrate H2 adsorption on Au/TiO2 catalysts results in electron transfer to the support, inducing shifts in the FTIR background. This broad background absorbance (BBA) signal is used to quantify H2 adsorption; adsorption equilibrium constants are comparable to volumetric adsorption measurements. H2 adsorption kinetics measured with the BBA show a lower Eapp value (23 kJ mol−1) for H2 adsorption than previously reported from proxy H/D exchange (33 kJ mol−1). We also identify a previously unreported H‐O‐H bending vibration associated with proton adsorption on electronically distinct Ti‐OH metal‐support interface sites, providing new insight into the nature and dynamics of H2 adsorption at the Au/TiO2 interface.
Untangling the Complexity of Mixed Lithium/Magnesium Alkyl/Alkoxy Combinations Utilised in Bromine/Magnesium Exchange Reactions
Authors: Bole Leonie J. , Judge Neil R. , Hevia Eva
Published: January 2021

While it is known that the addition of Group 1 alkoxides to s‐block organometallics can have an activating effect on reactivity, the exact nature of this effect is not that well understood. Here we describe the activation of sBu2Mg towards substituted bromoarenes by adding one equivalent of LiOR (R=2‐ethylhexyl), where unusually both sBu groups can undergo efficient Br/Mg exchange. Depending on the substitution pattern on the bromoarene two different types of organometallic intermediates have been isolated, either a mixed aryl/alkoxide [{LiMg(2‐FG‐C6H4)2(OR)}2] (FG=OMe; NMe2) or a homoaryl [(THF)4Li2Mg(4‐FG‐C6H4)4] (FG=OMe, F). Detailed NMR spectroscopic studies have revealed that these exchange reactions and the formation of their intermediates are controlled by a new type of bimetallic Schlenk‐type equilibrium between heteroleptic [LiMgsBu2(OR)], alkyl rich [Li2MgsBu4] and Mg(OR)2, with [Li2MgsBu4] being the active species performing the Br/Mg exchange process.
Iron(III) complexes based on tetradentate thiosemicarbazones: Synthesis, characterization, radical scavenging activity andin vitrocytotoxicity on K562, P3HR1 and JURKAT cells
Authors: Kalındemirtaş Ferdane Danışman , Kaya Büşra , Bener Mustafa , Şahin Onur , Kuruca Serap Erdem , Demirci Tülay Bal , Ülküseven Bahri
Published: January 2021

Nine iron(III) complexes, [Fe(L)Cl], were synthesized starting from S‐alkyl‐thiosemicarbazones and some substituted aldehydes. The L ligands formed by template condensation are N2O2‐chelating structures and named N1‐acetylacetone‐N4‐R‐salicylidene‐S‐alkyl‐thiosemicarbazidato (L2−) where alkyl = methyl, propyl, or allyl and R = 3‐methoxy, 4‐methoxy, or 3,5‐dichloro. The complexes were characterized using elemental analysis, IR, and ESI‐MS. X‐ray diffraction analysis of complexFe8(as a representative sample) indicated a square pyramid environment of the iron ion. The cytotoxicity performances of the complexes were determined using chronic myelogenous leukemia (K562), Burkitt's lymphoma (P3HR1), and T‐cell leukemia (JURKAT) cell lines. For comparison, the noncancerous cell lines, human umbilical vein endothelial (HUVEC) and diploid fibroblast (3T3), and imatinib as positive control were included in the study. MTT results revealed that complexesFe2,Fe5,Fe7, andFe8with methoxy (OCH3) substituent have remarkable cytotoxic effects on K562 and P3HR1 cells at relatively low concentrations in the ranges of 4.81–14.05 and 5.61–11.98 μM, respectively. The radical scavenging activities of the complexes were measured for DPPH, superoxide anion (O2•−), hydroxyl (•OH) radicals, and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). ComplexesFe2,Fe3,Fe5, andFe8, which exhibited selective cytotoxicity, were able to compete also with vitamin E in terms of ROS scavenging activities.
Foreign exchange rate volatility smiles and smirks
Authors: Choi Sun‐Yong , Kim Jeong‐Hoon , Yoon Ji‐Hun
Published: January 2021

We study the implied volatilities of three foreign exchange (FX) option markets: EUD/USD, GBP/USD, and AUD/USD. We find that they are distinct from each other. The implied volatilities of the EUD/USD market tend to be more U‐shaped than those of other markets. Local volatility models such as the constant elasticity of variance (CEV) model and stochastic volatility models, such as the Heston model, may fail to capture this type of convexity. We choose a stochastic‐local volatility model to obtain an implied volatility formula for the corresponding FX options. The formula is given by the CEV formula with additional terms reflecting the (pure) stochastic volatility nature of FX rates. Based on this result, we show that the stochastic‐local volatility model is a suitable universal choice for the pricing of these FX options.
A peptide‐based coating toolbox to enable click chemistry on polymers, metals, and silicon through sortagging
Authors: Nöth Maximilian , Zou Zhi , El‐Awaad Islam , de Lencastre Novaes Letícia C. , Dilarri Guilherme , Davari Mehdi D. , Ferreira Henrique , Jakob Felix , Schwaneberg Ulrich
Published: January 2021

A versatile peptide‐based toolbox for surface functionalization was established by a combination of a universal material binding peptide (LCI‐anchor peptide) and sortase‐mediated bioconjugation (sortagging). This toolbox facilitates surface functionalization either as a one‐ or a two‐step strategy. In the case of the one‐step strategy, the desired functionality was directly introduced to LCI. For the two‐step strategy, LCI was modified with a reactive group, which can be further functionalized (e.g., employing “click” chemistry). Sortagging of LCI, employing sortase A from Staphylococcus aureus, was achieved with six different amine compounds: dibenzocyclooctyne amine, biotin‐polyethylene glycol amine, Cyanine‐3 amine, kanamycin, methoxypolyethylene glycol amine (Mn = 5000 Da), and 2,2,3,3,4,4,4‐Heptafluorobutylamine. The purification of LCI‐amine sortagging products was performed by a negative purification using Strep‐tag II affinity chromatography, resulting in LCI‐amine conjugates with purities >90%. For the two‐step strategy, the LCI‐dibenzocyclooctyne sortagging product was purified and enabled, through copper‐free azide–alkyne “click” chemistry, universal surface functionalization of material surfaces such as polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate, stainless steel, gold, and silicon. The click reaction was performed before or after surface binding of LCI‐dibenzocyclooctyne. Finally, in the case of the one‐step strategy, polypropylene was directly functionalized with Cyanine‐3 and biotin‐polyethylene glycol amine.
Multi‐omics analysis of hiPSCs‐derived HLCs matured on‐chip revealed patterns typical of liver regeneration
Authors: Danoy Mathieu , Tauran Yannick , Poulain Stéphane , Jellali Rachid , Bruce Johanna , Leduc Marjorie , Le Gall Morgane , Gilard Francoise , Kido Taketomo , Arakawa Hiroshi , Araya Karin , Mori Daiki , Kato Yukio , Kusuhara Hiroyuki , Plessy Charles , Miyajima Atsushi , Sakai Yasuyuki , Leclerc Eric
Published: January 2021

Maturation of human‐induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs)‐derived hepatocytes‐like cells (HLCs) toward a complete hepatocyte phenotype remains a challenge as primitiveness patterns are still commonly observed. In this study, we propose a modified differentiation protocol for those cells which includes a prematuration in Petri dishes and a maturation in microfluidic biochip. For the first time, a large range of biomolecular families has been extracted from the same sample to combine transcriptomic, proteomic, and metabolomic analysis. After integration, these datasets revealed specific molecular patterns and highlighted the hepatic regeneration profile in biochips. Overall, biochips exhibited processes of cell proliferation and inflammation (via TGFB1) coupled with anti‐fibrotic signaling (via angiotensin 1‐7, ATR‐2, and MASR). Moreover, cultures in this condition displayed physiological lipid‐carbohydrate homeostasis (notably via PPAR, cholesterol metabolism, and bile synthesis) coupled with cell respiration through advanced oxidative phosphorylation (through the overexpression of proteins from the third and fourth complex). The results presented provide an original overview of the complex mechanisms involved in liver regeneration using an advanced in vitro organ‐on‐chip technology.
Rapid determination of 20 bile acids in human serum by ultra performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry
Authors: Jia Yongjuan , Liu Xingli , Xu Li , Ni Junjun , Sun Liang , Li Changkun
Published: January 2021

A method was established for the simultaneous determination of 20 kinds of bile acids in human serum employing ultraperformance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry. Chromatographic conditions and sample preparation were optimized to achieve good separation and maximum sensitivity for these analytes. The linearity, accuracy and repeatability of the development method were validated with a series of experiments. Under the optimum conditions, good linearities were achieved in the quantitative range for each bile acid with the correlation coefficients (r2) >0.9901. The limit of detections (signal–noise ratio 3) of the method were in a range from 0.02 to 0.57 nmol/L. The recoveries were in the range of 88.1–109.9%, RSD < 6.12%. This method was successfully applied for the determination of bile acids in a human serum sample with simple operation, high sensitivity and good accuracy, and provides a reference for the clinical determination of bile acid content.
Transition towards and of sustainability—Understanding sustainability as performative
Authors: Hallin Anette , Karrbom‐Gustavsson Tina , Dobers Peter
Published: January 2021

Our purpose is to explore the concept of “sustainability” when understood from a performative perspective, i.e. as a concept that is filled with meaning across time. Drawing on a 10 year‐long study of the digital footprint of Stockholm Royal Seaport, claimed to be northern Europe's largest sustainable urban development district, we show that “sustainability” emerged as the project became associated with particular places, projects, histories, and technologies. This means that “sustainability” waslocalin that it was situated in the particular spatial context of the project;temporalin that it was situated in a particular time; andpoliticalin that it expressed particular values and perspectives. The study contributes to explaining why “sustainability” remains—and always will remain—a contested concept, which is why sustainability transitions are complex. Consequently, we suggest that the transitiontowardssustainability always involves the transitionofsustainability, something that needs to be acknowledged in order for a transition to actually become sustainable.
A simulation and experiment coassisted learning platform for understanding electromagnetic interaction in a smart grid
Authors: Huang Qi , Xu Xinhao , Li Jian , Zhang Zhenyuan , Hu Weihao
Published: January 2021

An innovative current measurement method in power systems has attracted more attention from both the industry and academia. Nevertheless, students can feel challenged when assigned to learn new concepts with the currently already difficult engineering courses. Therefore, in this paper, a training platform is designed based on finite element analysis simulation and laboratory experiments. With this training platform, simple and effective simulations and experiments can be performed. In addition, extended applications of this training platform are presented such as design of the magnetic shielding structure, magnetic flux density visualization and calculation of overhead power lines. This design can help engineering students to better understand the application of electromagnetics and the novel current measurement research field.
Computational thinking: Enhancing STEAM and engineering education, from theory to practice
Authors: Dolgopolovas Vladimiras , Dagienė Valentina
Published: January 2021

This publication provides an editorial introduction to a special issue of Computer Applications in Engineering Education journal entitled Computational Thinking for STEM and Engineering Education. It provides introductory remarks to the issue and a commentary on the published material, as well as presents the views of the special issue editors in the field of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education and research. This special issue is structured as follows. It contains articles related to the topics of computational thinking (CT), STEM, and engineering education. It starts with three overview articles based on systematic reviews, giving a structured overview of CT concepts in terms of practical educational approaches in introductory science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics (STEAM) education. Subsequent articles present practical approaches to CT and STEAM education in such educational areas as general engineering, programming and software engineering, physical computing, robotics, electronics, mechanical, and power engineering.
Inhibition of zoledronic acid derivatives with extended methylene linkers on osteoclastogenesis involve downregulation of JNK and Akt pathways
Authors: Peng Ying , Liu Qingzhu , Xu Dong , Li Ke , Li Hang , Qiu Ling , Lin Jianguo
Published: January 2021

Bisphosphonates (BPs), especially zoledronic acid (ZOL), are clinically used to treat osteolytic bone lesions. However, serious side‐effects may be also induced during the therapeutic process. To improve the BPs drugs, here, we investigated the effects of a series of ZOL derivatives with increasing number of methylene linker between the imidazole ring and the P–C–P backbone named IPrDP, IBDP, IPeDP, and IHDP on cell viability and receptor activator of nuclear factor‐κB ligand (RANKL)‐induced osteoclast differentiation, function and apoptosis induction in mouse bone marrow‐derived macrophages (BMMs). Our results suggested that IPeDP and IHDP, which contains 4 and 5 methylene linkers, respectively, exerted lower toxicity on BMMs compared with ZOL, IPrDP, and IBDP, which contains 1, 2, and 3 methylene linkers respectively. At concentrations below cytotoxicity threshold, IPeDP and IHDP possessed strong abilities of antiosteoclast formation, antibone absorption, and inducing osteoclast apoptosis, which were similar to ZOL and more powerful than IPrDP and IBDP. The mechanism behind these effects of IPeDP and IHDP might involve the interference of small GTPases prenylation through suppression of mevalonate pathway. The downregulation of JNK and Akt phosphorylation and subsequent inhibition of the expression of c‐Fos and NFATc1 might also be involved. Our results supported the potential usage of IPeDP and IHDP to treat bone‐related disorders involving increased osteoclastogenesis. Our attempt to extend the methylene linker between the imidazole ring and the P–C–P backbone of ZOL also reveals some regularities between the structure and properties of the BPs drugs.
Tunable Anticancer Activity of Furoylthiourea‐Based RuII–Arene Complexes and Their Mechanism of Action
Authors: Swaminathan Srividya , Haribabu Jebiti , Kalagatur Naveen Kumar , Nikhil Maroli , Balakrishnan Nithya , Bhuvanesh Nattamai S. P. , Kadirvelu Krishna , Kolandaivel Ponmalai , Karvembu Ramasamy
Published: January 2021

Fourteen new RuII–arene (p‐cymene/benzene) complexes (C1–C14) have been synthesized by varying the N‐terminal substituent in the furoylthiourea ligand and satisfactorily characterized by using analytical and spectroscopic techniques. Electrostatic potential maps predicted that the electronic effect of the substituents was mostly localized, with some influence seen on the labile chloride ligands. The structure–activity relationships of the Ru–p‐cymene and Ru–benzene complexes showed opposite trends. All the complexes were found to be highly toxic towards IMR‐32 cancer cells, with C5 (Ru–p‐cymene complex containing C6H2(CH3)3 as N‐terminal substituent) and C13 (Ru–benzene complex containing C6H4(CF3) as N‐terminal substituent) showing the highest activity among each set of complexes, and hence they were chosen for further study. These complexes showed different behavior in aqueous solutions, and were also found to catalytically oxidize glutathione. They also promoted cell death by apoptosis and cell cycle arrest. Furthermore, the complexes showed good binding ability with the receptors Pim‐1 kinase and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2, commonly overexpressed in cancer cells.
Multi‐functional, Low Symmetry Pd2L4 Nanocage Libraries**
Authors: Lewis James E. M.
Published: January 2021

Although many impressive metallo‐supramolecular architectures have been reported, they tend towards high symmetry structures and avoid extraneous functionality to ensure high fidelity in the self‐assembly process. This minimalist approach, however, limits the range of accessible structures and thus their potential applications. Herein is described the synthesis of a family of ditopic ligands wherein the ligand scaffolds are both low symmetry and incorporate exohedral functional moieties. Key to this design is the use of CuI‐catalysed azide‐alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC) chemistry, as the triazole is capable of acting as both a coordinating heterocycle and a tether between the ligand framework and functional unit simultaneously. A common precursor was used to generate ligands with various functionalities, allowing control of electronic properties whilst maintaining the core structure of the resultant cis‐Pd2L4 nanocage assemblies. The isostructural nature of the scaffold frameworks enabled formation of combinatorial libraries from the self‐assembly of ligand mixtures, generating a statistical mixture of multi‐functional, low symmetry architectures.
Antihypertensives and their relation to mortality by SARS‐CoV‐2 infection
Authors: Singh Sandeep , Widrich Christine , Nap Martijn , Schokker Emile , Zwinderman Aeilko H. , Pinto‐Sietsma Sara‐Joan
Published: January 2021

The role of antihypertensives, especially Renin–Angiotensin–Aldosterone System inhibitors, is still debatable in COVID‐19‐related severity and outcome. Therefore, we search for a more global analysis of antihypertensive medication in relation to SAS‐CoV‐2 severity using prescription data worldwide. The association between the percentage use of different types of antihypertensive medications and mortality rates due to a SARS‐CoV‐2 infection during the first 3 weeks of the pandemic was analyzed using random effects linear regression models for 30 countries worldwide. Higher percentages of prescribed angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) (β, 95% confidence interval [CI]; −0.02 [−0.04 to −0.0012]; p = .042) and calcium channel blockers (CCBs) (β, 95% CI; −0.023 [−0.05 to −0.0028]; p = .0304) were associated with a lower first 3‐week SARS‐CoV‐2‐related death rate, whereas a higher percentage of prescribed angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEis) (β, 95% CI; 0.03 [0.0061–0.05]; p = .0103) was associated with a higher first 3‐week death rate, even when adjusted for age and metformin use. There was no association between the amount of prescribed beta‐blockers (BBs) and diuretics (Diu) and the first 3‐week death rate. When analyzing the combination of drugs that is used by at least 50% of antihypertensive users, within the different countries, countries with the lowest first 3‐week death rates had at least an angiotensin receptor blocker as one of the most often prescribed antihypertensive medications (ARBs/CCBs: [β, 95% CI; −0.02 [−0.03 to −0.004]; p = .009], ARBs/BBs: [β, 95% CI; −0.03 [−0.05 to −0.006]; p = .01]). Finally, countries prescribing high‐potency ARBs had lower first 3‐week ARBs. In conclusion, ARBs and CCB seem to have a protective effect against death from SARS‐CoV‐2 infection.
In silico analyses on the comparative sensing of SARS‐CoV‐2 mRNA by the intracellular TLRs of humans
Authors: Choudhury Abhigyan , Das Nabarun Chandra , Patra Ritwik , Mukherjee Suprabhat
Published: January 2021

The coronavirus disease‐2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus‐2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) has already resulted in a huge setback to mankind in terms of millions of deaths, while the unavailability of an appropriate therapeutic strategy has made the scenario much more severe. Toll‐like receptors (TLRs) are crucial mediators and regulators of host immunity and the role of human cell surface TLRs in SARS‐CoV‐2 induced inflammatory pathogenesis has been demonstrated recently. However, the functional significance of the human intracellular TLRs including TLR3, 7, 8, and 9 is yet unclear. Hitherto, the involvement of these intracellular TLRs in inducing pro‐inflammatory responses in COVID‐19 has been reported but the identity of the interacting viral RNA molecule(s) and the corresponding TLRs have not been explored. This study hopes to rationalize the comparative binding of the major SARS‐CoV‐2 mRNAs to the intracellular TLRs, considering the solvent‐based force‐fields operational in the cytosolic aqueous microenvironment that predominantly drives these interactions. Our in silico study on the binding of all mRNAs with the intracellular TLRs depicts that the mRNA of NSP10, S2, and E proteins of SARS‐CoV‐2 are possible virus‐associated molecular patterns that bind to TLR3, TLR9, and TLR7, respectively, and trigger downstream cascade reactions. Intriguingly, binding of the viral mRNAs resulted in variable degrees of conformational changes in the ligand‐binding domain of the TLRs ratifying the activation of the downstream inflammatory signaling cascade. Taken together, the current study is the maiden report to describe the role of TLR3, 7, and 9 in COVID‐19 immunobiology and these could serve as useful targets for the conception of a therapeutic strategy against the pandemic.
Glial cell line‐derived neurotrophic factor increases matrix metallopeptidase 9 and 14 expression in microglia and promotes microglia‐mediated glioma progression
Authors: Huang Yimin , Zhang Baole , Haneke Hannah , Haage Verena , Lubas Malgorzata , Yuan Yang , Xia Pengfei , Motta Edyta , Nanvuma Cynthia , Dzaye Omar , Hu Feng , Kettenmann Helmut
Published: January 2021

Glial cell line‐derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) is released by glioma cells and promotes tumor growth. We have previously found that GDNF released from the tumor cells is a chemoattractant for microglial cells, the immune cells of the central nervous system. Here we show that GDNF increases matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) 9 and MMP14 expression in cultured microglial cells from mixed sexes of neonatal mice. The GDNF‐induced microglial MMP9 and MMP14 upregulation is mediated by GDNF family receptor alpha 1 receptors and dependent on p38 mitogen‐activated protein kinase signaling. In organotypic brain slices, GDNF promotes the growth of glioma and this effect depends on the presence of microglia. We also previously found that MMP9 and MMP14 upregulation can be mediated by Toll‐like receptor (TLR) 2 signaling and here we demonstrate that GDNF increases the expression of TLR1 and TLR2. In conclusion, GDNF promotes the pro‐tumorigenic phenotype of microglia.
H19 gene polymorphisms and Wilms tumor risk in Chinese children: a four‐center case‐control study
Authors: Li Wenya , Hua Rui‐Xi , Wang Mi , Zhang Da , Zhu Jinhong , Zhang Songyang , Yang Yang , Cheng Jiwen , Zhou Haixia , Zhang Jiao , He Jing
Published: January 2021

Background

Wilms tumor is the most common pediatric renal cancer. However, genetic bases behind Wilms tumor remain largely unknown. H19 is a critical maternally imprinted gene. Previous studies indicated that single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the H19 can modify the risk of several human malignancies. Epigenetic errors at the H19 locus lead to biallelic silencing in Wilms tumors. Genetic variations in the H19 may be related to Wilms tumor susceptibility.

Methods

We conducted a four‐center study to investigate whether H19 SNP was a predisposing factor to Wilms tumor. Three polymorphisms in the H19 (rs2839698 G > A, rs3024270 C > G, rs217727 G > A) were genotyped in 355 cases and 1070 cancer‐free controls, using Taqman method. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated to evaluate the strength of the associations.

Results

We found that all of these three polymorphisms were significantly associated with Wilms tumor risk alterations. The rs2839698 G > A polymorphism (AG vs. GG: adjusted OR = 0.74, 95% CI = 0.57–0.96, p = 0.024; AA vs. GG: adjusted OR = 1.52, 95% CI = 1.05–2.22, p = 0.027), the rs3024270 C > G polymorphism (CG vs. CC: adjusted OR = 0.61, 95% CI = 0.46–0.81, p = 0.0007; and the rs217727 polymorphism (AG vs. GG: adjusted OR = 0.76, 95% CI = 0.58–0.99, p = 0.035). The Carriers of 1, 2, and 1–2 risk genotypes were inclined to develop Wilms tumor compared with those without risk genotype (adjusted OR = 1.36, 95% CI = 1.02–1.80, p = 0.037; adjusted OR = 1.84, 95% CI = 1.27–2.67, p = 0.001; adjusted OR = 1.50, 95% CI = 1.17–1.92, p = 0.002, respectively). The stratified analysis further revealed that rs2839698 AA, rs217727 AA, and 1–2 risk genotypes could strongly increase Wilms tumor risk among children above 18 months of age, males, and with clinical stage I+II disease.

Conclusion

Our findings indicate that genetic variations in the H19 may confer Wilms tumor risk.
Lung ultrasound in the diagnosis and monitoring of 30 children with coronavirus disease 2019
Authors: Musolino Anna Maria , Supino Maria Chiara , Buonsenso Danilo , Papa Raffaele Edo , Chiurchiù Sara , Magistrelli Andrea , Barbieri Maria Antonietta , Raponi Massimiliano , D'Argenio Patrizia , Villani Alberto , Tomà Paolo ,   The LUS COVID Group
Published: January 2021

Background

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) has caused a new global pandemic and is responsible for millions of infections and thousands of deaths in the world. The lung ultrasound (LUS) is a noninvasive and easily repeatable tool and can be carried out by the pediatrician at the bedside of children with a consequent reduction in the risk of transmission of the virus.

Objective

We hypothesized that ultrasound findings in these patients would (1) be associated with their disease severity and (2) change over time in alignment with clinical outcome.

Methods

The study was made in the emergency department (ED) in a tertiary level pediatric hospital. All patients with swab‐confirmed COVID‐19 infection were subjected to a LUS within 6 h from admission and after 96 h.

Results

Among a total of 30 children, 18 (60%) were males, 4 reported exertional dyspnea, and only 1 chest pain. The mean oxygen saturation was 98.8 ± 1.0% in ambient air in the ED and no patient needed oxygen therapy during hospitalization. Children with moderate disease presented more B line (p = .03).

After 96 h, we had observed ultrasound abnormality only in 20% of the children. We found a statistically significant reduction in pleural irregularities (30% vs. 16.7; p = .001) and in B lines (50% vs. 20%; p = .008).

Conclusions

The LUS is a useful, feasible, and safe tool for the clinician to complement the clinical evaluation and to monitor the evolution of lung disease in children with COVID‐19.
Uniform Lipschitz Functions on the Triangular Lattice Have Logarithmic Variations
Authors: Glazman Alexander , Manolescu Ioan
Published: January 2021

Uniform integer-valued Lipschitz functions on a domain of size N of the triangular lattice are shown to have variations of order $$\sqrt{\log N}$$

log
N

. The level lines of such functions form a loop O(2) model on the edges of the hexagonal lattice with edge-weight one. An infinite-volume Gibbs measure for the loop O(2) model is constructed as a thermodynamic limit and is shown to be unique. It contains only finite loops and has properties indicative of scale-invariance: macroscopic loops appearing at every scale. The existence of the infinite-volume measure carries over to height functions pinned at the origin; the uniqueness of the Gibbs measure does not. The proof is based on a representation of the loop O(2) model via a pair of spin configurations that are shown to satisfy the FKG inequality. We prove RSW-type estimates for a certain connectivity notion in the aforementioned spin model.
Complex Evolution of the Mismatch Repair System in Eukaryotes is Illuminated by Novel Archaeal Genomes
Authors: Hofstatter Paulo G. , Lahr Daniel J. G.
Published: January 2021

Repairing DNA damage is one of the most important functions of the ‘housekeeping’ proteins, as DNA molecules are constantly subject to different kinds of damage. An important mechanism of DNA repair is the mismatch repair system (MMR). In eukaryotes, it is more complex than it is in bacteria or Archaea due to an inflated number of paralogues produced as a result of an extensive process of gene duplication and further specialization upon the evolution of the first eukaryotes, including an important part of the meiotic machinery. Recently, the discovery and sequencing of Asgard Archaea allowed us to revisit the MMR system evolution with the addition of new data from a group that is closely related to the eukaryotic ancestor. This new analysis provided evidence for a complex evolutionary history of eukaryotic MMR: an archaeal origin for the nuclear MMR system in eukaryotes, with subsequent acquisitions of other MMR systems from organelles.
Crick Wobble and Superwobble in Standard Genetic Code Evolution
Authors: Yarus Michael
Published: January 2021

Wobble coding is inevitable during evolution of the Standard Genetic Code (SGC). It ultimately splits half of NN U/C/A/G coding boxes with different assignments. Further, it contributes to pervasive SGC order by reinforcing close spacing for identical SGC assignments. But wobble cannot appear too soon, or it will inhibit encoding and more decisively, obstruct evolution of full coding tables. However, these prior results assumed Crick wobble, NN U/C and NN A/G, read by a single adaptor RNA. Superwobble translates NN U/C/A/G codons, using one adaptor RNA with an unmodified 5′ anticodon U (appropriate to earliest coding) in modern mitochondria, plastids, and mycoplasma. Assuming the SGC was selected when evolving codes most resembled it, characteristics of the critical selection events can be calculated. For example, continuous superwobble infrequently evolves SGC-like coding tables. So, continuous superwobble is a very improbable origin hypothesis. In contrast, late-arising superwobble shares late Crick wobble’s frequent resemblance to SGC order. Thus late superwobble is possible, but yields SGC-like assignments less frequently than late Crick wobble. Ancient coding ambiguity, most simply, arose from Crick wobble alone. This is consistent with SGC assignments to NAN codons.
Carbon stable isotope ratio as a revealer of incomplete decarbonation for particulate organic carbon measurement in river plumes
Authors: Blasco Thierry , Migon Christophe , Morin Guillaume , Dufour Aurélie , Vigier Nathalie , Marty Sabine , Doxaran David
Published: January 2021

The characterization of particles in suspension in river plumes contributes to the assessment of net particulate organic carbon (POC) fluxes and to a better understanding of the anthropogenic and climatic impact on blue carbon. Prior to POC analysis in natural waters, inorganic carbon (in the form of carbonates) must be removed. This step is generally carried out by acid leaching. However, the presence of mineral matrices (in turbid waters) may hinder total decarbonation, which may result in biased measurements. This work checks the quality of decarbonation through the analysis of carbon stable isotope ratio (δ13C), considering suspended particles discharged by three rivers into coastal waters under flooding conditions. Carbonates were removed by adding variable volumes of 2N hydrochloric acid (HCl) to filters. Carbon concentrations and stable isotopic ratios were analyzed. Values of δ13Corg (stable isotope ratio of organic carbon) allow the identification of incompletely decarbonated samples. If a small amount of detrital carbonates resists the usual decarbonation treatment, δ13Corg can be significantly shifted towards less negative values, suggesting the need of more efficient decarbonation methods in order to improve the accuracy of organic carbon measurements. Even in the case of a high Corg/Ctotal ratio, the impact of remaining carbonates on the δ13Corg value is strong because δ13Cinorg is significantly different. The sensitivity of δ13Corg measurement might therefore be used to validate POC measurements in estuarine and coastal waters.
A regenerated fiber from rennet-treated casein micelles
Authors: Thill Sebastian , Schmidt Thomas , Wöll Dominik , Gebhardt Ronald
Published: January 2021

Casein as the major protein of milk is a promising protein source for biopolymer fibers. Current casein-based fibers are fabricated by dissolving caseins in alkaline media and wet spinning in a coagulation bath containing harsh chemicals. In milk, casein is present in so-called casein micelles (CMs). Based on the rennet-induced aggregation, we developed a process that can be applied for the spinning of micellar casein fibers in a sustainable way without the use of harsh chemicals. Fabricated fibers show a surface with a characteristic microstructure, which can also be detected embedded in a network structure inside the fiber. The fibers are stable under acidic and neutral conditions and decompose in alkaline media down to aggregates with sizes comparable to the characteristic microstructure. The so far reached tensile properties of the micellar fiber are between low and mid double-digit percentage range compared to casein azlons.