bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Deletion of Wt1 during early gonadogenesis leads to differences of sex development in male and female adult mice
Authors: Torres-Cano Alejo , Portella-Fortuny Rosa , Müller-Sánchez Claudia , Porras-Marfil Sonia , Ramiro-Pareta Marina , Chau You-Ying , Reina Manuel , Soriano Francesc X. , Martínez-Estrada Ofelia M.
Published: June 2022

Assessing the role of the WT1 transcription factor (WT1)during early gonad differentiation and its impact on adult sex development has been difficult due to the complete gonadal agenesis and embryonic lethality exhibited byWt1KOmouse models. Here, we generatedWt1LoxP/GFP;Wt1Cremice, the firstWt1KOmouse model that reaches adulthood with a dramatically reducedWt1expression during early gonadogenesis.Wt1LoxP/GFP;Wt1Cremice lacked mature gonads and displayed genital tracts containing both male and female genital structures and ambiguous genitalia. We found that WT1 is necessary for the activation of both male and female sex-determining pathways, as embryonic mutant gonads failed to upregulate the expression of the genes specific for each genetic programme. The gonads ofWt1LoxP/GFP;Wt1Cremice showed a lack of production of Sertoli and pre-granulosa cells and a reduced number of germ cells. NR5A1 and the steroidogenic genes expression was modulated differently in XY and XXWt1LoxP/GFP;Wt1Cregonads, explaining the mutant phenotypes. Further studies of the XXWt1LoxP/GFP;Wt1Cregonads revealed that deletion of WT1 at an early stage impaired the differentiation of several cell types including somatic cells and the ovarian epithelium. Through the characterisation of thisWt1KOmouse model, we show that the deletion ofWt1during early gonadogenesis produces dramatic defects in adult sex development.
Tobacco and other risk factors for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma in Lilongwe Malawi: Results from the Lilongwe esophageal cancer case: Control study
Authors: Kaimila Bongani , Mulima Gift , Kajombo Chifundo , Salima Ande , Nietschke Peter , Pritchett Natalie , Chen Yingxi , Murphy Gwen , Dawsey Sanford M. , Gopal Satish , Phiri Kamija S. , Abnet Christian C.
Published: June 2022

Objective

Esophageal cancer is the second commonest cancer in Malawi, and 95% of all cases are esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). Very little is known about the epidemiology of ESCC in Malawi including risk factors. The main objective of the study was to evaluate and describe risk factors of ESCC in Malawi.

Methods

We conducted a case-control study from 2017 to 2020 at two hospitals in Lilongwe, Malawi and consenting adults were eligible for inclusion. Endoscopy was conducted on all cases and biopsies were obtained for histological confirmation. Controls were selected from patients or their guardians in orthopedic, dental and ophthalmology wards and they were frequency matched by sex, age, and region of origin to cases. An electronic structured questionnaire was delivered by a trained interviewer. Multivariate conditional logistic regression models were used to assess the associations between subject characteristics, habits, and medical history and risk of ESCC.

Results

During the study period, 300 cases and 300 controls were enrolled into the study. Median age of cases and controls was 56 years and 62% of the cases were male. Among cases, 30% were ever cigarette smokers as were 22% of controls. Smoking cigarettes had an adjusted odds ratio of 2.4 (95% CI 1.4–4.2 p = 0.003). HIV+ status was present in 11% of cases and 4% controls, which resulted in an adjusted odds ratio was 4.0 (95% CI 1.8–9.0 p = 0.001). Drinking hot tea was associated with an adjusted odd ratio of 2.9 (95% CI 1.3–6.3 p = 0.007). Mold on stored grain has an adjusted odd ratio of 1.6 (95% CI 1.1–2.5 p = 0.021).

Conclusion

Reducing smoking cigarettes, consumption of scalding hot tea, and consumption of contaminated grain, could potentially help reduce the burden of ESCC in Malawi. Further investigation of the association between HIV status and ESCC are warranted.
SARS-CoV-2 antibody prevalence in a pediatric cohort of unvaccinated children in Mérida, Yucatán, México
Authors: Ayora-Talavera Guadalupe , Kirstein Oscar D. , Puerta-Guardo Henry , Barrera-Fuentes Gloria A. , Ortegòn-Abud Desiree , Che-Mendoza Azael , Parra Manuel , Peña-Miranda Fernando , Culquichicon Carlos , Pavia-Ruz Norma , Beheshti Afshin , Trovão Nídia S. , Granja-Pérez Pilar , Manrique-Saide Pablo , Vazquez-Prokopec Gonzalo M. , Earnest James T.
Published: June 2022

The prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 exposure in children during the global COVID-19 pandemic has been underestimated due to lack of testing and the relatively mild symptoms in adolescents. Understanding the exposure rates in the pediatric population is essential as children are the last to receive vaccines and can act as a source for SARS-CoV-2 mutants that may threaten vaccine escape. This cross-sectional study aims to quantify the prevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 serum antibodies in children in a major city in México in the Spring of 2021 and determine if there are any demographic or socioeconomic correlating factors. We obtained socioeconomic information and blood samples from 1,005 children from 50 neighborhood clusters in Mérida, Yucatán, México. We then tested the sera of these participants for anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG and IgM antibodies using lateral flow immunochromatography. We found that 25.5% of children in our cohort were positive for anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies and there was no correlation between age and antibody prevalence. Children that lived with large families were statistically more likely to have antibodies against SARS-CoV-2. Spatial analyses identified two hotspots of high SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence in the west of the city. These results indicate that a large urban population of unvaccinated children has been exposed to SARS-CoV-2 and that a major correlating factor was the number of people within the child’s household with a minor correlation with particular geographical hotspots. There is also a larger population of children that may be susceptible to future infection upon easing of social distancing measures. These findings suggest that in future pandemic scenarios, limited public health resources can be best utilized on children living in large households in urban areas.
Leishmania braziliensis causing human disease in Northeast Brazil presents loci with genotypes in long-term equilibrium
Authors: Silva Juliana A. , Pinheiro Ana Isabelle , Dourado Maria Luiza , Medina Lilian , Queiroz Adriano , Guimarães Luiz Henrique , Lessa Marcus Miranda , Lago Ednaldo L. , Machado Paulo Roberto L. , Wilson Mary E. , Carvalho Edgar M. , Schriefer Albert
Published: June 2022

Background

Leishmaniases are neglected tropical diseases that inflict great burden to poor areas of the globe. Intense research has aimed to identify parasite genetic signatures predictive of infection outcomes. Consistency of diagnostic tools based on these markers would greatly benefit from accurate understanding of Leishmania spp. population genetics. We explored two chromosomal loci to characterize a population of L. braziliensis causing human disease in Northeast Brazil.

Methodology/Principal findings

Two temporally distinct samples of L. braziliensis were obtained from patients attending the leishmaniasis clinic at the village of Corte de Pedra: (2008–2011) primary sample, N = 120; (1999–2001) validation sample, N = 35. Parasites were genotyped by Sanger’s sequencing of two 600 base pairs loci starting at nucleotide positions 3,074 and 425,451 of chromosomes 24 and 28, respectively. Genotypes based on haplotypes of biallelic positions in each locus were tested for several population genetic parameters as well as for geographic clustering within the region. Ample geographic overlap of genotypes at the two loci was observed as indicated by non-significant Cusick and Edward’s comparisons. No linkage disequilibrium was detected among combinations of haplotypes for both parasite samples. Homozygous and heterozygous genotypes displayed Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (HWE) at both loci in the two samples when straight observed and expected counts were compared by Chi-square (p>0.5). However, Bayesian statistics using one million Monte-Carlo randomizations disclosed a less robust HWE for chromosome 24 genotypes, particularly in the primary sample (p = 0.04). Fixation indices (Fst) were consistently lower than 0.05 among individuals of the two samples at both tested loci, and no intra-populational structuralization could be detected using STRUCTURE software.

Conclusions/Significance

These findings suggest that L. braziliensis can maintain stable populations in foci of human leishmaniasis and are capable of robust genetic recombination possibly due to events of sexual reproduction during the parasite’s lifecycle.
Prevalence of diabetes in pregnancy and microvascular complications in native Indonesian women: The Jogjakarta diabetic retinopathy initiatives in pregnancy (Jog-DRIP)
Authors: Widyaputri Felicia , Lim Lyndell L. , Utami Tiara Putri , Harti Annisa Pelita , Agni Angela Nurini , Nurdiati Detty Siti , Widayanti Tri Wahyu , Supanji  , Wardhana Firman Setya , Prayogo Mohammad Eko , Sasongko Muhammad Bayu
Published: June 2022

Objectives

To report the prevalence of total diabetes in pregnancy (TDP) and diabetes-related microvascular complications among Indonesian pregnant women.

Methods

We conducted a community-based cross-sectional study with multi-stage, cluster random sampling to select the participating community health centers (CHC) in Jogjakarta, Indonesia between July 2018-November 2019. All pregnant women in any trimester of pregnancy within the designated CHC catchment area were recruited. Capillary fasting blood glucose (FBG) and blood glucose (BG) at 1-hour (1-h), and 2-hour (2-h) post oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) were measured. TDP was defined as the presence of pre-existing diabetes or diabetes in pregnancy (FBG ≥7.0 mmol/L, or 2-h OGTT ≥11.1 mmol/L, or random BG ≥11.1 mmol/L with diabetes symptoms). Disc and macula-centered retinal photographs were captured to assess diabetic retinopathy (DR). Blood pressure, HbA1c and serum creatinine levels were also measured.

Results

A total of 631/664 (95%) eligible pregnant women were included. The median age was 29 (IQR 26–34) years. The prevalence of TDP was 1.1% (95%CI 0.5, 2.3). It was more common in women with chronic hypertension (p = 0.028) and a family history of diabetes (p = 0.015). Among the TDP group, 71% had a high HbA1c, but no DR nor nephropathy were observed.

Conclusions

Although a very low prevalence of TDP and no diabetes-related microvascular complications were documented in this population, there is still a need for a screening program for diabetes in pregnancy. Once diabetes has been identified, appropriate management can then be provided to prevent adverse outcomes.
Legal implications of the climate-health crisis: A case study analysis of the role of public health in climate litigation
Authors: Toolan Narayan , Marcus Hannah , Hanna Elizabeth G. , Wannous Chadia
Published: June 2022

Background

Strong scientific evidence affirms that climate change is now a public health emergency. Increasingly, climate litigation brought against governments and corporations utilizes international human rights, environmental and climate laws and policies to seek accountability for climate-destructive and health-harming actions. The health impacts of climate change make litigation an important means of pursuing justice and strategically challenging legal systems. Yet there is scant documentation in the literature of the role that public health has played in climate litigation and the legal weight public health narratives are given in such contexts. Therefore, we assessed to what extent courts of law have used public health harm in legal adjudication and sought to provide practical recommendations to address barriers to positioning legal arguments in public health-centric frames.

Methods

We reviewed legal databases to identify all publicly reported, documented, cases of climate litigation filed in any country or jurisdiction between 1990 and September 2020. For the 1641 cases identified, we quantified the frequency of cases where health concerns were explicitly or implicitly raised.

Findings

Case numbers are trending upwards, notably in high income countries. Resolution remains pending in over half of cases as the majority were initiated in the past three years. Cases were primarily based in climate and human rights law and brought by a wide range of groups and individuals predominantly against governments. About half of the decided cases found in favour for the plaintiffs. Based on this, we selected the 65 cases that were directly linked to public health. We found economic forces and pricing of health risks play a key role, as courts are challenged by litigants to adjudicate on the responsibility for health impacts.

Conclusions

While courts of law are receptive to public health science, significant legal reform is needed to enhance leveraging of public health evidence in legal judgements of climate litigation cases. The integration of a public health mandate into a new eco-centric legal paradigm will optimize its potential to promote human well-being—the core objective underpinning both international law, human rights, and public health. Existing legal doctrines and practices can be enhanced to increase the weight of public health arguments in climate legal action and consequently ensure legal rulings in climate litigation prioritize, protect and promote public health.
The vicious circle of stereotypes: Teachers’ awareness of and responses to students’ gender-stereotypical behaviour
Authors: Gajda Aleksandra , Bójko Agnieszka , Stoecker Ewa
Published: June 2022

The study was conducted using a mixed methods approach combining lesson observations and interviews with teachers. A total of 204 hours of observation in 34 classes of 7th and 8th graders (aged 13–14 in the Polish primary school system) were conducted to investigate teachers’ behaviour that may exacerbate gender stereotypes and gender bias in the classroom. Moreover, the 25 female teachers conducting the observed lessons were interviewed to identify: (i) teachers’ awareness of stereotypical behaviours of girls and boys during classes; (ii) teachers’ awareness of possible causes of these behaviours; (iii) teachers’ responses to these behaviours, including actions that could deepen gender stereotypes; and (iv) teachers’ sensitivity to the gender polarised content of school textbooks. The results of the study show that teachers, although they are aware of the existence of gender stereotypes and declare their willingness to counteract them, tend to strengthen rather than eliminate these stereotypes with the strategies and actions undertaken. They have difficulty recognising possible reasons for the occurrence of stereotypical student behaviour and have little awareness of the gender-polarised content of school textbooks. The results of the study are discussed, inter alia, in light of the concept of the vicious circle of stereotypes and self-fulfilling prophecies in education.
Changes in intensification of religious involvement during the COVID-19 pandemic in Poland
Authors: Boguszewski Rafał , Makowska Marta , Podkowińska Monika
Published: June 2022

Introduction

The emergence of the virus Sars-CoV-2, and subsequent COVID-19 pandemic, caused a global threat to public health. In such challenging and worrying situations it can be expected that people will seek comfort in religion. However, before the pandemic there were never such wide world disruptions of religious practice–because of social distancing regulations, religiosity cannot be practiced in the same way as it was before the pandemic.

Methods

Two anonymous online surveys were conducted of adult Poles, one during the second wave (N = 1072; November 2020) and one during the third wave of the pandemic (N = 1080; April 2021). The survey samples of participants reflected the Polish population structure in terms of age, sex, size of place of residence, education, and province.

Results

Participation in institutional religious practices fell threefold to 11.9% during the pandemic, as compared to pre-pandemic times (31.2%). The number of people who did not go to church at all increased from 23.1% to 57.0%. Between the second and third waves, there was a small return to regular practice (from 10.1% to 14.1%). Based on the subjective assessment of the amount of time devoted to prayer, fewer people reporting an increase (10.6%) than a decrease (20.1%) in religious commitment during the pandemic. Logistic regressions showed that an increase in religious commitment can be predicted by older age, more frequent participation in religious practices before the pandemic, and higher life satisfaction. A decrease in religious commitment can be predicted by younger age, less frequent participation in religious practices before the pandemic, and greater number of children in the household.

Conclusion

Our research indicates a deintensification of religious practices during the COVID-19 pandemic in Poland. The pandemic has accelerated process of polarization of Polish religiosity.
MP-Net: Deep learning-based segmentation for fluorescence microscopy images of microplastics isolated from clams
Authors: Park Ho-min , Park Sanghyeon , de Guzman Maria Krishna , Baek Ji Yeon , Cirkovic Velickovic Tanja , Van Messem Arnout , De Neve Wesley
Published: June 2022

Environmental monitoring of microplastics (MP) contamination has become an area of great research interest, given potential hazards associated with human ingestion of MP. In this context, determination of MP concentration is essential. However, cheap, rapid, and accurate quantification of MP remains a challenge to this date. This study proposes a deep learning-based image segmentation method that properly distinguishes fluorescent MP from other elements in a given microscopy image. A total of nine different deep learning models, six of which are based on U-Net, were investigated. These models were trained using at least 20,000 patches sampled from 99 fluorescence microscopy images of MP and their corresponding binary masks. MP-Net, which is derived from U-Net, was found to be the best performing model, exhibiting the highest mean F1-score (0.736) and mean IoU value (0.617). Test-time augmentation (using brightness, contrast, and HSV) was applied to MP-Net for robust learning. However, compared to the results obtained without augmentation, no clear improvement in predictive performance could be observed. Recovery assessment for both spiked and real images showed that, compared to already existing tools for MP quantification, the MP quantities predicted by MP-Net are those closest to the ground truth. This observation suggests that MP-Net allows creating masks that more accurately reflect the quantitative presence of fluorescent MP in microscopy images. Finally, MAP (Microplastics Annotation Package) is introduced, an integrated software environment for automated MP quantification, offering support for MP-Net, already existing MP analysis tools like MP-VAT, manual annotation, and model fine-tuning.
PR interval duration is associated with the presence of white matter hyperintensities: Insights from the epidemiologic LIFE-Adult Study
Authors: Kornej Jelena , Friedrich Katrin , Schroeter Matthias L. , Witte A. Veronica , Polyakova Maryna , Villringer Arno , Löffler Markus , Zeynalova Samira
Published: June 2022

Background

PR interval prolongation is a preliminary stage of atrial cardiomyopathy which is considered as an intermediate phenotype for atrial fibrillation (AF). AF is a known risk factor for cerebrovascular adverse outcomes including stroke. Cerebral ischemia is one cause of white matter hyperintensities (WMHs), and cognitive dysfunction.

Aim

To analyze the relationship between PR interval and WMHs.

Materials and methods

We performed a cross-sectional analysis with individuals from the LIFE-Adult-Study (a population-based cohort study of randomly selected individuals from Leipzig, Germany) with available brain MRI and ECG. The Fazekas stages were used to quantify WMHs (0 = none; 1 = punctate foci; 2 = beginning confluence; 3 = large confluent areas). Stages 2–3 were defined as advanced WMHs. The PR interval was measured from resting 12-lead ECG. PR duration >200ms was defined as PR interval prolongation. We used a binary logistic regression for statistical analysis. We examined the relationship between MRI and ECG measures and adjusted them for clinical risk factors.

Results

We included 2464 individuals (age 59±15 years, 47% women) into analyses. The median PR interval was 160ms (interquartile range 143–179), and 319 (13%) individuals with advanced WMHs, were significantly older, had more cardiovascular comorbidities and risk factors compared to individuals without WMHs (all p<0.005). On univariable analysis, PR interval duration (OR 1.01, 95%CI 1.01–1.02, p≤0.001) and PR interval ≥160 ms (OR 2.1, 95%CI 1.6–2.7, p≤0.001) were associated with advanced WMHs. In multivariable analysis, while PR interval duration was not associated with WMHs in the whole cohort, individuals with PR ≥160ms had higher risk for WMHs.

Conclusion

PR interval duration is associated with advanced WMHs beside advanced age, hypertension, and history of stroke. Further research is needed to determine whether changes in PR interval indices are clinically relevant for changes in WMHs.
Molecular characterization of plant growth-promoting vermi-bacteria associated with Eisenia fetida gastrointestinal tract
Authors: Andleeb Saiqa , Shafique Irsa , Naseer Anum , Abbasi Wajid Arshad , Ejaz Samina , Liaqat Iram , Ali Shaukat , Khan Muhammad Fiaz , Ahmed Fayaz , Ali Nazish Mazhar
Published: June 2022

Earthworms are highly productive invertebrates and play a vital role in organic farming and improving soil structure and function. The gastrointestinal tract of earthworms possessed agricultural important bacteria. So, the current research aimed was to examine, screen, and identify the plant growth promoting bacteria existing in the digestive tract of Eisenia fetida called plant growth promoting vermi-bacteria. The plant growth promoting traits such as siderophore, phytohormone, and hydrolytic enzymes production, and phosphate solubiliation were assessed. Eleven vermi-bacteria i.e. Bacillus mycoides, B. aryabhattai, B. megaterium, Staphylococcus hominis, B. subtilis, B. spizizenii, B. licheniformis, B. mojavensis, B. toyonensis, B. anthracis, B. cereus, B. thuringiensis, and B. paranthracis were isolated and identified based on microscopic studies, biochemical tests, ribotyping, and agricultural traits. All vermi-bacteria are Gram-positive rods except Staphylococcus hominis and produce different compounds such as siderophore, indole acetic acid, catalase, oxidase, proteases, amylases, and lipases. All vermi-bacteria also act as phosphate solubilizers. Therefore, all isolated vermi-bacteria could be used as potential microbial biofertilizers to enhance crops production in Pakistan.
Improving water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH), with a focus on hand hygiene, globally for community mitigation of COVID-19
Authors: Berendes David , Martinsen Andrea , Lozier Matthew , Rajasingham Anu , Medley Alexandra , Osborne Taylor , Trinies Victoria , Schweitzer Ryan , Prentice-Mott Graeme , Pratt Caroline , Murphy Jennifer , Craig Christina , Lamorde Mohammed , Kesande Maureen , Tusabe Fred , Mwaki Alex , Eleveld Alie , Odhiambo Aloyce , Ngere Isaac , Njenga M. Kariuki , Cordon-Rosales Celia , Garzaro Contreras Ana Paulina , Call Douglas , Ramay Brooke M. , Skewes Ramm Ronald Eduardo , Then Paulino Cecilia Jocelyn , Schnorr Charles Daniel , De St. Aubin Michael , Dumas Devan , Murray Kristy O. , Bivens Nicholas , Ly Anh , Hawes Ella , Maliga Adrianna , Morazan Gerhaldine , Manzanero Russell , Morey Francis , Maes Peter , Diallo Yagouba , Ilboudo Marcelin , Richemond Daphney , El Hattab Omar , Oger Pierre Yves , Matsuhashi Ayuko , Nsambi Gertrude , Antoine Jeremie , Ayebare Richard , Nakubulwa Teddy , Vosburgh Waverly , Boore Amy , Herman-Roloff Amy , Zielinski-Gutierrez Emily , Handzel Tom
Published: June 2022

Continuity of key water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) infrastructure and WASH practices—for example, hand hygiene—are among several critical community preventive and mitigation measures to reduce transmission of infectious diseases, including COVID-19 and other respiratory diseases. WASH guidance for COVID-19 prevention may combine existing WASH standards and new COVID-19 guidance. Many existing WASH tools can also be modified for targeted WASH assessments during the COVID-19 pandemic. We partnered with local organizations to develop and deploy tools to assess WASH conditions and practices and subsequently implement, monitor, and evaluate WASH interventions to mitigate COVID-19 in low- and middle-income countries in Latin America and the Caribbean and Africa, focusing on healthcare, community institution, and household settings and hand hygiene specifically. Employing mixed-methods assessments, we observed gaps in access to hand hygiene materials specifically despite most of those settings having access to improved, often onsite, water supplies. Across countries, adherence to hand hygiene among healthcare providers was about twice as high after patient contact compared to before patient contact. Poor or non-existent management of handwashing stations and alcohol-based hand rub (ABHR) was common, especially in community institutions. Markets and points of entry (internal or external border crossings) represent congregation spaces, critical for COVID-19 mitigation, where globally-recognized WASH standards are needed. Development, evaluation, deployment, and refinement of new and existing standards can help ensure WASH aspects of community mitigation efforts that remain accessible and functional to enable inclusive preventive behaviors.
A Facile Catalytic One-Pot Synthesis of Benzimidazole and Benzothiazole
Compounds using Amberlite IRA 400-Cl Resin as Green Catalyst
Authors: Amalraj S. David , Harichandran G. , Bhakiaraj D. , Amalorpavadoss A.
Published: June 2022

A series of pharmaceutically valuable functionalized fused heteroaromatic compounds such as
benzimidazoles and benzothiazoles have been synthesized via catalytic cyclocondensation between
1,2-phenylenediamine or 2-aminothiophenol and aryl aldehydes at ambient conditions. The Amberlite
IRA400-Cl resin have been proved to be an efficient green catalyst in this protocol. The salient features
of this method are the mild condition, easy work-up, an excellent yield of product, green catalyst and
reusability of the catalyst.
A Brief Overview on Facile Synthesis and Challenging Properties of Graphene Nanocomposite: State-of-the-art
Authors: Behera Tapan Kumar , Pradhan Snehalata , Behera Priyanka , Satapathy Pramod Kumar , Mohapatra Priyabrata
Published: June 2022

This review work aims to present a brief study on the unique carbon allotrope graphene and its composite with nanoparticles. Graphene plays an important role in physics, chemistry, biotechnology, medical science, materials science and many more fields. The wide applications of graphene are based on its unique structure, exceptional physical properties, chemical tunability and dramatically electronic arrangement. The current world demands the energy conversion, digital technology and medical diagnoses in lower potential value, low cost, high reproducibility and high portability. Graphene nanocomposite possessing the above criteria and able to fulfill the worlds demand and become the most rising shining star in the horizon of material science research field. This review elaborates about historical background, structural feature, developed synthesis process, unique properties, characterizations and its different magnificent biosensor applications. In particular, the general overview study of its different fascinating properties such as mechanical, optical, magnetic, quantum hall effect, electronic transport properties and these makes graphene nanocomposite a rising tool for different biosensor applications.
Green Synthesis of Copper Nanoparticles and Evaluation of its
Antioxidant and Antibacterial Efficacy
Authors: Moulana Kareem Md. , Lakshmi G. Vijaya
Published: June 2022

The current study presents a simple and green method for the optimal synthesis of copper nanoparticles
(CuNPs) using Cu(CH3COO)2 and aqueous extract of Terminalic chebula fruit as a reducing and
capping agent. UV-vis spectroscopy absorbance at 580 nm was used to characterize the resultant
CuNPs. Further FT-IR analysis revealed that the existence of phytochemicals, which reduce Cu2+ ions
to Cu and stabilize the resultant CuNPs. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron
microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) were employed to investigate the shape and crystalline
phase of CuNPs. The CuNPs were spherical in shape and averaged 23.68 nm in size. The copper
nanoparticles inhibited Gram-negative E. coli more efficiently than Gram-positive S. aureus with the
inhibition zones of 14.5 and 9.2 mm, respectively. Furthermore, these CuNPs exhibited dose-dependent
free radical scavenging activity, with an EC50 for DPPH of 44.65 μg/mL.
Extraction and Characterization of Natural Lignocellulosic
Fiber from Borassus flabellifer Leaf Sheath
Authors: Seenidurai Panneer Selvam , Arasu Ponnusamy Thillai , Murugan Arumugam
Published: June 2022

A natural lignocellulosic fiber has been extracted from Borassus flabellifer leaf sheath (BFSE) fibers
and they characterized for its chemical composition, morphology, crystallinity, density, single fiber
tensile strength and thermal property through standard analytical method using Fourier-transform
infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscope (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD),
pycnometer, universal testing machine and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The chemical
compositions of BFSF were found as cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin contents of 48.20 ± 0.95,
25.92 ± 0.83 and 23.83 ± 0.34%, respectively. The SEM micrograph confirmed the presence of textured
surface of fiber. TGA indicates that the fibers are thermally stable up to 208 ºC. The crystallinity and
single fiber tensile strength were calculated as 33.15% and 170-220 MPa, respectively.
Synthesis of Substituted 5-Phenyltriazolylquinazolinylamino Nicotinic Acid Esters,
Screened their Antibacterial Activity and Molecular Docking Studies
Authors: Mood Shilpa , Boda Uma , Guguloth Hanmanthu
Published: June 2022

Quinazolines and imidazoles are substantial attention because of the several varieties of their biological
activities. Substituted 5-phenyl-[1,2,4]triazolo[4,3-c]quinazolin-3-yl)amino)nicotinates were
synthesized from anthranilamide as starting material by cyclization with benzaldehyde gave
2-phenyl-2,3-dihydroquinazolin-4(1H)-one, then followed by treated with Lawesson’s reagent and
hydrazine hydrate to produce hydrazine by replaced the sulfur atom. 5-Phenyl-[1,2,4]triazolo[4,3-
c]quinazolin-3-amine obtained by cyclization of hydrazine compound with cyanogen bromide, followed
by amidation with substituted 6-fluoronicotinates in the presence of DIPEA in DMSO solvent to get
corresponding the title compounds. These compounds further evaluated for their in vitro antibacterial
activity studies and molecular docking studies. Some of the newly synthesized compounds were found
to possess excellent growth inhibition activity compared to commercial standards drugs like penicillin-G
and streptomycin. All the synthesized compounds were confirmed by their elemental analysis, infrared,
1H, 13C NMR and mass spectral data.
In vitro Antioxidant and Antidiabetic Activities of the
Bark Extracts of Kandelia candel (L.) Druce
Authors: Habeebulla M. Muhammed , Velraj Malarkodi
Published: June 2022

In present study, various extracts using different solvents such as petroleum ether, ethyl acetate and
ethanol were subjected to in vitro antioxidant and antidiabetic activities. Ethanolic extract showed the
highest activities in all antioxidant studies such as DPPH scavenging, ABTS scavenging and nitric
oxide methods but it is comparatively weaker than standard drug ascorbic acid. In vitro antidiabetic
activities were performed by using α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibition in both method ethanolic
extract showed highest activity, but the standard drug acarbose showed more potent than all other
extracts. The highest antioxidant and antidiabetic activity of ethanolic extract may be due to the highest
content phenols and flavanoids. Therefore, the ethanolic extracts contains potent antioxidant and
antidiabetic compounds their isolation will help the invention of a new potent drug for the treatment
diabetes and oxidative stress.
Upaya Meningkatkan Kemampuan Motorik Halus Anak Melalui Kegiatan Menggambar di Kelompok B2 TK Pertiwi Margorejo Tempel Sleman Tahun Pelajaran 2019/2020
Authors: Amini Titik
Published: June 2022

developing fine motor skills, this is because children feel that motor activities are very boring, teachers do not use interesting/varied learning media and tools, provide guidance and motivation to children, good learning atmosphere. less fun and the teacher does not carry out development activities gradually, repeatedly and integratively in accordance with the development of children's fine motor skills. This type of research is Classroom Action Research, which uses two cycles with each cycle consisting of four stages, namely (1) planning, (2) implementation, (3) observation, (4) reflection. The subjects of this study were group B TK Pertiwi Margorejo Tempel Sleman with 15 children, consisting of 9 boys and 6 girls. The object of this research is an effort to improve children's fine motor skills through drawing activities. Data analysis was obtained through demonstration, performance, assignment, observation and documentation. The results of increasing fine motor skills through drawing activities in the first cycle of children who developed very well 71% increased to 85.43%. In the second cycle the fine motor skills of children who developed very well 50% increased to 93.71%..
Problematika Peran MGMP dalam Implementasi KMA 183 dan KMA 184 Tahun 2019
Authors: Tsuroyya Elfa
Published: June 2022

The subject of Islamic Cultural History undergoes many curriculum changes that continue to move dynamically. One of these changes is the emergence of KMA 183 and KMA 184 in 2019. This article aims to reveal the problems faced by MGMP SKI MA DIY in implementing KMA 183 and KMA 184 in 2019. Qualitative research with descriptive-analytical methods is the type of research used. Data analysis using analytic-qualitative type. The research location was taken in Yogyakarta with the subject of MGMP SKI MA DIY having its address at PSBB MAN 3 Sleman Jl. Magelang KM 3.5 Sinduadi Mlati Sleman Yogyakarta. Structured interviews, documentation and observation carried out the data collection technique. A triangulation test is used to ensure the reliability of the data obtained. The results showed that the problems faced by teachers in the learning process were divided into three aspects: problems in socializing policy implementation, problems in implementing policy implementation, and problems in monitoring policy implementation.
Peningkatan Kemampuan Guru Madrasah Tsanawiyah Dalam Menyusun RPP di Masa Pandemi Covid-19 Melalui in House Training (iHT)
Authors: Arifin Widad
Published: June 2022

This research is a Surveillance Action Research (PTKp) with four main steps, namely: action planning, action implementation, observation and reflexes. The research subjects were 8 teachers at Madrasah Tsanawiyah Negeri 2 Sukabumi consisting of 6 classroom teachers and 2 subject teachers. It can be concluded that the application of iHT with the Google Meeting Application has proven to be able to improve the ability of teachers in preparing lesson plans during the Covid 19 pandemic. The average score for the LESS criteria in the initial state is 49.44, increasing to 70.83 for the ENOUGH criteria in cycle I and 90.56 for GOOD criteria in the second cycle. Regarding the capacity of teachers at Madrasah Tsanawiyah Negeri 2 Sukabumi in preparing individual lesson plans during the Covid 19 pandemic, in the initial conditions no teachers were declared complete, but in cycle 1 five teachers (55.56 percent) were declared complete, and nine teachers (100 percent) is declared complete in cycle 2.
Strategi Penguatan Pemahaman Pembelajaran Jarak Jauh Pada Materi Listrik DC Melalui Percobaan Berbantu Lab Virtual Phet Aplication Program dan Media Sosial Telegram
Authors: Puspita Ida
Published: June 2022

This study aims to analyze the strategy of strengthening distance learning understanding on DC electrical materials through the virtual Phet application program lab assisted experiment, and Telegram Social Media. This research is a classroom action research conducted on students of class XII science in the odd semester of the 2020/2021 academic year. The results of the study show that: 1) There is a solution for implementing experiments in distance learning; 2) Students are more enthusiastic, with indications of collecting assignments on time, all assignments given are completed by all students; 3) Students can match the final results of the experiment using the PhET circuit-construction-kit-ac with quantitative calculations using the applicable DC electrical equations. As a result, students have more confidence in the learning outcomes that have been carried out; 4) Improved learning outcomes.
Journal Review: Perbandingan Pemodelan Perangkat Lunak Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) untuk Teknologi Energi
Authors: Arba Yasfina , Thamrin Suyono
Published: June 2022

Perubahan bentuk energi menjadi bentuk yang lain memberikan pengaruh terhadap lingkungan yang dapat menyebabkan permasalahan kerusakan lingkungan. Permasalahan lingkungan yang ditimbulkan ialah seperti timbulnya polusi udara yang dapat menyebabkan hujan asam, asap, perubahan iklim, pemasanan global, dan sebagainya. Adanya hal tersebut diperlukannya teknologi serta sistem yang dapat meminimalisir timbulnya berbagai masalah. Metode Life Cycle Assesstment (LCA) adalah metode yang sering digunakan oleh industri untuk mengukur dampak lingkungan berdasarkan bahan mentah yang digunakan hingga proses produksi. Dalam menggunakan metode LCA diperlukan perangkat lunak yang mendukung. Keberadaan perangkat lunak pemodelan LCA sangat beragam serta memiliki karakteristiknya masing – masing sehingga setiap industri disarankan untuk tepat dalam memilih dan menggunakan jenis perangkat lunak sesuai dengan produksinya. Jenis perangkat lunak yang sering digunakan ialah SimaPro, GaBi, dan OpenLCA. Ketiga perangkat tersebut akan penulis lakukan perbandingan melalui studi literatur. Adanya metode LCA dapat membantu dalam mempercepat tujuan Indonesia menuju Net Zero Emission (NZE) dan mewujudkan transisi energi menuju energi hijau yang lebih ramah lingkungan. Dalam hal ini, teknologi energi perlu dilakukan analisis dampak lingkungan terlebih dahulu menggunakan metode LCA yang mudah dan memberikan hasil secara sistematis dan transparan. Selain itu, metode LCA telah terindeks dalam ISO 14040 dan ISO 14044 sehingga tidak perlu dikhawatirkan karena tentunya hasil penilaian dampak lingkungan dapat diakui secara global.
Employment Protection, Workforce Mix and Firm Performance
Authors: Ardito Chiara , Berton Fabio , Pacelli Lia , Passerini Filippo
Published: June 2022

We measure the impact of employment protection reduction in an uncertain framework on firms’ hires and performance, exploiting the Italian 2015 Jobs Act. Results indicate that firms (1) stabilize workforce mainly through contract transformations of low-tenure and low-human-capital incumbent workers performing high-physical and low-intellectual tasks; (2) apply a cost-saving strategy that increases profits and decreases value added per-head. Effects are stronger among non-exporting and non-innovative firms. Our evidence casts doubts on the effectiveness of employment protection reductions in enhancing productivity in the long run.
Do Elite Appeals to Negative Partisanship Stimulate Citizen Engagement?
Authors: Costa Mia , Frater Hannah K. , Barales-Lopez Melissa , Bhalla Naina , Cho John J. , Christie Katherine E. , Jun Chris , Paul Thomas C. , Wagner Emma M.
Published: June 2022

Scholars have extensively studied whether campaign attack advertisements –messages that attack individual candidates– mobilize or demobilize voters with mixed results. We argue that group-oriented partisan affect in campaigns –messages about the parties in general– is just as important given increasing trends of affective polarization. We use two survey experiments, one right before the 2020 presidential election and the other before the subsequent Georgia Senate runoff election, to examine the effects of partisan rhetoric on several measures of civic engagement. In the presidential election, neither positive partisan, negative partisan, nor personal apartisan appeals had a statistically significant effect on voters’ enthusiasm, likelihood to volunteer, or likelihood to seek out more information about engaging in the election. In the second study, negative partisan appeals led registered voters in Georgia to report much higher levels of enthusiasm about their preferred candidate, but this result was driven by Republicans only. The findings contribute new insights about electoral context and asymmetric affective polarization to the literature documenting the mobilizing effects of negativity in campaigns.
Correlation studies among morphological and yield-related traits in sunflower
Authors: Chaudhary Maham , Tahir Zainab , Zulfiqar Saba , Tahir Aqsa
Published: June 2022

Pakistan is in dire need of an oil and oil-based products For this, the prime objective is to pay serious attention to oilseed crops and mainly towards sunflower because the oil is of very good quality in terms of nutrition value; also the cake can be used as feed for animals. The crop can trim the import bill of edible oil. It takes only 130 days to reach maturity with comparatively less cost and highly divined in sense of plentiful yield. Thus breeders are trying to produce good quality accessions that may also fulfil the need of quantity where climate change is also the main issue. The present research was conducted at the Raja wala farm situated near the Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad during the year 2020–21. Twenty accessions of sunflower were sown in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications. From each line, five plants were tested to check the genetic variability, correlation coefficient analysis for different morphological characters and yield-related traits of sunflower. The data of quantitative traits were recorded i.e. plant height (cm), the number of leaves/plant, head diameter (cm), internodal length (cm), leaf area (cm), 100 seed weight (g), total yield per plant (%), oil content (%) and protein content (%). Analysis of variance and mean comparisons of sunflower accessions had highly significant differences for all traits. Most of the character’s ranges are comparable with the ranges found in the literature. The accession G-32 showed good performance for oil content, protein content and head diameter. So, this breeding material can be used in the breeding program for the enhancement of sunflower yield. The accessions G-38, G-28 and G-32 showed good performance for total seed weight, 100 seed weight, oil content and protein content.
Adaptive Single Carrier Modulation scheme based MLI supported TDVC for Voltage Quality enhancement
Authors: Ravi Mohanasundaram , Rajapandian Chendur Kumaran
Published: June 2022

In this article, An Adaptive Single Carrier Modulation (ASCM) scheme based Multilevel Inverter (MLI) is proposed for the Transformerless Dynamic Voltage Compensator (ASCM-MLITDVC) to enhance the load Voltage Quality (VQ). The enhancement of VQ includes voltage sag, swell, unbalance and reducing Total Harmonic Distortion (THD). The Pulse Generation Unit (PGU) require more Carrier Waves (CW) for higher levels of MLI with respect to the number of switches used. This made the PGU complex, hence a carrier wave modulation scheme is proposed which can use it fornnumber of levels. The Position of CW is altered automatically with respect to the amplitude of Reference Staircase Waveform (RSW). The RSW is created by utilizing the Half Height Method and optimized NLM scheme which makes the least possible output THD is achieved. This scheme is implemented utilizing a real-time simulator OP4500. The results are obtained by conducting Power Hardware in Loop (P-HIL) test method to prove ASCM-MLITDVC can enhance load VQ with reduced THD.
Complementary and alternate therapies (CAM) in the management of novel Corona virus (COVID-19): protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Maheshkumar Kuppusamy , Venugopal Vijayakumar. , Geethanjali Sankar , Poonguzhali Shanmugam , Silambanan Santhi , Padmavathi Ramaswamy , Venkateswaran Sankaralingam Thirupathy
Published: June 2022

Background:In December 2019, a new corona-virus (COVID-19) infection broke out in the Chinese province of Wuhan. With the rampant spread of virus around the world, COVID-19 was declared as a global pandemic in the following year. Many complementary and alternate therapies (CAM) were used experimentally alongside conventional treatments for effective management of COVID-19.

Aim:This paper presents a protocol for the systematic review and meta-analysis of the studies with various CAM therapies for the management of COVID-19 pneumonia.

Methods:Electronic databases such as PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) could be used for searching the relevant trials and studies with keywords related to COVID-19 and CAM therapies. Two independent reviewers would screen a list of all the trials and extract the relevant variables. Additionally, we would also evaluate the risk of bias of the selected studies. Review Manager software (RevMan; version 5.3.5) and R statistical software (version 3.6.1) would be used for the data analysis.

Results:Risk ratio (RR) would be estimated for dichotomous outcomes, and the mean differences (MD) would be measured for continuous outcomes. Heterogeneity with the help of I2statistic would be used for the assessment of inconsistency across studies with the level of significance at P< 0.10. We would also assess publication bias using funnel plots and Egger’s test for the selected studies.

Conclusion:The protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis would investigate the beneficial and possible adverse effects of various CAM therapies in the prevention and management of COVID-19 associated pneumonia.
BioChemUDM: a unified data model for compounds and assays
Authors: Kappler Michael A. , Lowden Christopher T. , Culberson J. Chris
Published: June 2022

We present a simple, biochemistry data model (BioChemUDM) to represent compounds and assays for the purpose of capturing, reporting, and sharing data, both biological and chemical. We describe an approach to register a compound based solely on a stereo-enhanced sketch, thereby replacing the need for additional user-specified “flags” at the time of compound registration. We describe a convention for string-based labels that enables inter-organizational compound and assay data sharing. By co-adopting the BioChemUDM, we have successfully enabled same-day exchange and utilization of chemical and biological information with various stakeholders.