bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Transient Current Behaviour during Multiple Lightning strokes on Multiple Unit Trains
Authors: Minja Kelvin Melckzedeck , Chombo Pius Victor , Promvichai Narupon , Marungsri Boonruang
Published: March 2022

This paper studies transient current behaviour during multiple lightning strokes on Multiple Unit trains in pantograph. 2×25 kV AC, 50 Hz Catenary Contact System on double-track elevated railway system which connects Phayathai BTS station in the Centre with Suvarnabhumi Airport in the East of Bangkok was used in the study. This paper investigates effectively in order to reduce breakdown due to overvoltage condition caused by transient current during multiple lightning strokes. The magnitude, front times and tail times of multiple lightning strokes were studied. The assumption of studies based on the return multiple lightning strokes current ranging 1–200 kA, front time of multiple lightning strokes between 1–3 μs, elevated pole resistance of 50 Ω and grounding resistance of 5 Ω. The Catenary Contact System on elevated railway system with Multiple Unit trains and multiple lightning strokes were modelled in ATP-EMTP software. The effect of varying front time of multiple lightning strokes, transient current and mast induced voltage were studied in simulations. Simulations showed that the peak amplitude of mast induced voltage tend to increase when the negative multiple lighting strokes on Multiple Unit trains in pantograph at elevated pole than it is between elevated poles in different front times.
Reactive Power Adjustment in MV Distribution Systems Integrating with Wind-Turbine Power Plants
Authors: Treekijjanon Mongkol , Marungsri Boonruang , Kulworawanichpong Thanatchai , Leeton Uthen
Published: March 2022

This paper illustrates optimal reactive power setting for voltage stability in power distribution system affected from wind turbine operation. This paper shows the implementation of disturbance analysing device to compare before and after result of setting reactive compensator. In this research, to optimize the overall voltage limitation, three decision variables are participated. They are i) active/reactive power generated from wind turbine farm plants, ii) specified voltage magnitude all node limitation and iii) power factor control. Classical optimization technique is well-known and widely accepted for solving the problem. “WA-YU” wind turbine farm project has rated at 8.0 MW, 22-kV which is a wind turbine power plant of Provincial Electric Authority (PEA) of Thailand in Nakhon Ratchasima at feeder no. 10 was employed as a case study. The result showed that appropriate reactive power is efficiently related to the best power factor. The voltage limitation is controlled within ±5% range of nominal voltage (22 kV) as the PEA regulation. The controlled voltage provides benefits which are not affected other power users that is consuming power from the same feeder circuit.
An In-silico analysis of the molecular interactions between PmCBP-VP24 and PmCBP-VP28 protein complex to understand the initial initiating events of shrimp WSSV infection
Authors: ISLAM Sk Injamamul , MOU Moslema Jahan , SANJİDA Saloa , SAROWER-E-MAHFUJ Md. , ALAM Md. Ashraful , ARA Yeasmin
Published: February 2022

The White Spot Syndrome Virus (WSSV) has been the most pathogenic virus in the shrimp and other crustacean industries across the world in terms of production and financial benefits. Invertebrate vectors, freshwater, and sediments spread it horizontally as well as vertically from diseased brood stocks to post larvae. It is an exceedingly contagious disease that may cause entire mortality within 3–10 days of an outbreak under standard culture conditions. The sequencing and characterization of several WSSV strains has begun to reveal information regarding pathogen biology, pathogenicity, and WSSV must bind to the shrimp digestive system in order to infect it, and failure to do so results in ineffective infection. The peneaus monodon chitin binding protein (PmCBP) as well as the viral envelope proteins VP24 and VP28 are required for viruses to bind to shrimp digestive system. In this study, we have shown the molecular interactions between PmCBP-VP24 and PmCBP-VP28 complex and speculated about first steps of virus ingression in shrimps for the first time.
Chemical composition, biological activity and factors influencing the quality of Algerian bee-honey (Apis mellifera)
Authors: Djahida Nabti  , Tichati Lazhari
Published: February 2022

For centuries, honey, the main bee-hive product, has been widely used as an effective therapeutic agent against several health disorders, in addition to its extensive uses as a natural-healthy and energetic food. Further, bee-honey is a beneficial substance when we explore the many uses in medicine, including bacteria-and-virus killing such as Covid-19, body-protecting chemicals, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-cancer activities. Honey is characterized by complex and variable chemical compositions depending on several fac-tors; botanical origin, climatic condition, bee health, and other stress factors, in particular, uncontrolled use of pesticides and adulteration in this product. Additionally, honey contains an important number of bioactive compounds (carbohydrates, lipids, amino acids, proteins, vitamins, and minerals) whose main roles are involved in medical therapies and wound healing. Thus, this review summarizes the literature about the chemical composition, biological activity, and factors affecting bee-honey production and quality.
Antagonistic activity of three species of bacteria against Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. albedinis, the causal agent of Bayoud disease on date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.)
Authors: Belaidi Hakima Toufik , Benzohra Ibrahim , Toumi-Benali Fawzia , Megateli Mohamed , Megherbi Aicha , Bouzidi Mohamed Ali , Boumaaza Boualem
Published: February 2022

This work has the objective to study the antagonistic capacity of three bacte-rial species (Bacillus subtilus, B. amyloliquefasciens, and Pseudomonas pleco-glossicida), on mycelia growth of 20 isolates of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. Albedinis (Foa), the causal agent of bayoud disease on date palm. We tested the inhibition of mycelial growth by dual confrontation method using these three bacteria species. A significant effect (P<0,05) of these microorganisms was observed on mycelial growth of 20 isolates of Foa, with the inhibition rates varied between 28,05 and 64,2%. The confirmation of this inhibition was observed by creation of inhibition zones in the Foa colonies confronted by these bacteria. The obtained results lead us to think about the possibility to apply these bacterial species as biofungicide in the control of Bayoud dis-ease in our contaminated groves and can be considerate as another alterna-tive fungicide in the efficient integrated disease management strategy.
Morphological variation in three species of Alpheid shrimps in Palk Bay
Authors: Thangaraj M , A. Kartick  , V.G. Anil Kumar  , D. Annadurai  , T. Ramesh
Published: February 2022

Morphological characterization and morphological variation studies between and within species is very important to assess the biodiversity in a particular geographical area. In this work, we have collected three Alpheus species from Palk Bay region and measured the morphometric characters and ana-lysed subsequently. Based on the standard identification keys, the collected specimens were identified as Alpheus serenei, A. strenuus and A. parvirostris. Among the fourteen morphometric characters, ocular hood width (OW) in relation to abdominal length (AL) and dactyl length of the major chela (MdL) in relation to propodus length of the major chela (MpL) are showed no sig-nificant variation in all the three species. Most of the characters like AI2 (%ASL), AI3 (%ASL), TIP (%TIL), TID (%TIL), MpH (%MpL), MhH (%MdL), NpH (%NpL) and NdL (%NpL) are significantly similar in A. serenei and A. strenuus. The first and second principal component loading value confirmed more pos-itive weights for AI2 (%ASL), AI3 (%ASL), TIP (%TIL), TID (%TIL) and MdL MpL) in all the three species. The outlier values of some individual specimens of A. serenei and A. strenuus on the first and second principal components have over lapped on the score plot. Further research is warranted to confirm these species using molecular tool like DNA barcoding.
Analysis of Five Mathematical Models for Crop Yield Prediction
Authors: Neetu Rani  , Bamel Kiran , Abhinav Shukla  , Nandini Singh
Published: February 2022

A review of mathematical models used for the prediction of crop yield has been presented. Though there are many other non-mathematical techniques also available for the purpose, but mathematical modeling used for any real world problem opens many perspectives and provides many possible solu-tions of the problem for the betterment of human race. Five mathematical models (remote sensing followed by mathematical modeling, fuzzy logic based model, multiple linear regression mechanistic model, linear algebra based descriptive model and growth model based on TOMGRO mechanistic model) have been extracted and analyzed critically. These models are based on different mathematical concepts and techniques (non-linear optimization, fuzzy logic, linear predictor functions, linear algebra and differential calculus) covering a wide range of mathematical modeling. The general forms of these models have been derived. Average accuracy of presented models was found to be in the range 90% - 99% that strongly favors the optimum usage of mathematical modeling for crop yield forecasting processes. The section giving gaps and future research prospects presents the comparative analysis of the models. Development of new and moderated mathematical models for more precision and better accuracy has also been suggested using new mathematical techniques and hybridization or modifying the existing models.
Evaluation of the effect of vitamin D on acyclovir-induced renal injury in adult male albino rat
Authors: Badawi Marwa
Published: February 2022

Acyclovir (ACV) is a commonly used antiviral drug useful in the treatment of several viral infections. However, its clinical application is limited by severe nephrotoxicity. Vitamin D (VD) regulates cell growth, cell differentiation, and the immune system and prevents neoplastic transformation. Recent studies reported that vitamin D and its analogs have protective effects in renal dis-eases. The present study aimed to examine the protective effect of vitamin D on acyclovir-induced nephrotoxicity in rats. 40 adult male albino rats were divided into 4 groups. Group I (control group). Group ІІ animals received vita-min D intraperitoneally at a dose of 0.5 μg/kg per day for 10 days. Group ІІI animals received acyclovir intraperitoneally at a dose of 150 mg/kg per day for 10 days. Group ІV animals received vitamin D (0.5 μg/kg/day) and acyclo-vir (150 mg/kg/day) for 10 days. At the end of the experiment, the kidneys were removed, weighed, and sampled for histopathological, immunohisto-chemical, and biochemical studies. Vitamin D decreased elevated serum cre-atinine, blood urea nitrogen, renal malondialdehyde (MDA) and immunoex-pression of the proapoptotic protein (Bax) induced by ACV. It increased re-duced glutathione (GSH), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), superoxide dis-mutase (SOD), and immunoexpression of the antiapoptotic protein (Bcl2). It also ameliorated the morphological changes induced by ACV. ACV has ne-phrotoxic effects as indicated by biochemical, histological, and immunohisto-chemical alterations. VD was found to have protective effects against ACV-induced nephrotoxicity through the improvement of kidney function, and histopathological changes in rat kidney.
In vitro effect of cholinergic agonists and antagonists, activators and blockers of voltage-sensitive Ca++-channels and Na+-channels on arylalkylamine N-acetyltransferase 2 mRNA levels in pineal organ of the catfish, Clarias gariepinus
Authors: Pynnehlang Warjri  , Nonibala Hijam  , Braj Bansh Prasad Gupta
Published: February 2022

The fish pineal organ is innervated by cholinergic nerve fibres. But there is no information on cholinergic regulation of aanat2 gene in the fish pineal organ. Therefore, we investigated in vitro effect of specific agonists and antagonists of cholinergic receptors on aanat2 mRNA levels in the pineal organ of catfish Clarias gariepinus. Acclimatized mature male fish was decapitated and the pineal organ was rapidly removed and placed in culture medium and pre-incubated for 1h. After pre-incubation, the culture medium was replaced with the culture medium containing desired concentrations of specific ago-nists and antagonists of cholinergic receptors, blockers and activators of volt-age-sensitive Ca++ channels and Na+ channels for 1h, after which the pineal organs were collected and processed for measuring relative expression of aanat2 gene by measuring AANAT2 mRNA with the help of Real Time RT-PCR. Acetylcholine and nicotine produced dose-dependent inhibitory and stimulatory effect on aanat2 transcript levels, while carbachol increased aa-nat2 transcript levels in a dose-dependent manner. In vitro treatment of the pineal organ with atropine, hexamethonium, the blockers of voltage-sensitive Ca++ channels and Na+ channels significantly blocked the stimulato-ry effect of carbachol and nicotine on aanat2 transcript levels, respectively. Based on these findings, we suggest that cholinergic mechanism plays an important and direct role in regulation of aanat2 gene expression in the fish pineal organ, and stimulates the gene transcription via both muscarinic and nicotinic receptors. Further, muscarinic and nicotinic receptors seem to in-crease aanat2 transcript levels by affecting voltage-sensitive Ca++ channels and Na+ channels, respectively.
İş Sağlığı ve Güvenliği Performans Değerlendirmesi: Uçak Bakım Organizasyonu Üzerine Bir Araştırma
Authors: TEZCAN Mevlüt Coşkun , AKTAŞ Beste Büşra
Published: February 2022

İş sağlığı ve Güvenliği (İSG) çalışma endüstrisini bir bütün halde kapsayan ve sağlık, mühendislik, hukuk, ekonomi ile çevre gibi çeşitli disiplinlerle ilişkili multidisipliner bir alan olarak, işyerlerinde olası iş kazalarının önlenmesi, çalışanların fiziksel, ruhsal ve sosyal açıdan korunması ile güvenli çalışma ortamının oluşturulmasına yönelik yürütülen teknik çalışmalar bütünüdür. Çalışma hayatını iş sağlığı ve güvenliği açısından düzenlemek amacıyla düzenlenen gerek ulusal mevzuat gerek Türkiye’nin taraf olduğu uluslararası sözleşmelerin varlığına ve her geçen gün ulusal eğitim seviyesinin yükselmesine karşın, istatistiki verilere göre iş kazaları ve meslek hastalıklarının artması İSG konusunda farkındalık sorunu yaşandığının temel bir göstergesidir. Bu çalışma ile meslek hastalığı ve iş kazalarının oluşumunda direkt ve endirekt birçok parametreyi barındıran uçak bakım faaliyetlerinin yürütüldüğü bir organizasyonda Avrupa Parlamentosu ve Konsey Direktiflerine paralel ‘Önceden Sağlanan Sağlık ve Güvenlik Önlemleri Yönetmeliği’ne uygun uygulamalara yönelik İSG performans değerlendirmesinin yapılması amaçlanmaktadır. Bu amaç doğrultusunda ilgili kuruluş bünyesinde uçak bakım teknisyeni olarak çalışan personele uygulanan İSG performans değerlendirme ölçeği ile toplanan veriler IBM SPSS 22 istatistik programında çeşitli test ve SmartPLS programında Yapısal Eşitlik Modellemesi kullanılarak analiz edilmiştir. Elde edilen bulgular 2 yıldan az çalışma deneyimine sahip meslekte yeni ve 11 yıldan fazla süre çalışma deneyimine sahip kıdemli teknisyenlerin İSG farkındalık düzeylerinin ve aldıkları İSG eğitimleri etki düzeyinin diğer gruplara kıyasla düşük olduğunu göstermektedir. Ayrıca kuruluşun İSG uygulamaları konusunda genel olarak yüksek performans gösterdiği, geliştirilmesi gereken olgunun ise yalnızca yönetim ve çalışanlar arasındaki işbirliği olduğu tespit edilmiştir.
De Quiróz y Campo-Sagrado felicita al Virrey de Azanza. Edición de una carta y dos poemas inéditos del poeta novohispano durante su época de silencio
Authors: BONILLA JAVIER PUERMA
Published: February 2022

La vida y la obra del poeta Manuel de Quiróz y Campo-Sagrado han constituido durante dos siglos un gran vacío de conocimiento en la literatura de la Nueva España preindependiente. Este trabajo consigna, edita y estudia correspondencia y obra inéditas, pertenecientes al año 1798, dentro de uno de los periodos de silencio del autor (1797-1801). La importancia de esta investigación de carácter histórico-filológico estriba, por tanto, en a) ampliar la nómina del autor con dos nuevas obras, hasta donde tenemos constancia, no conocidas, b) consignar nueva correspondencia con el breve virrey De Azanza, y c) editarlas.
Magda Donato y la renovación del teatro infantil de preguerra en España:primeras obras dramáticas (1925-1934)
Authors: SASTRE MOISÉS SELFA
Published: February 2022

Magda Donato es una de las principales autoras que emprendieron la renovación del género dramático infantil en la España del primer tercio del siglo XX. La composición de diferentes piezas por esta escritora, en colaboración con Salvador Bartolozzi, responde a la voluntad de formación del joven espectador, que va más allá de una rebuscada moraleja que este espectador no llegaba ni siquiera a entender. Entre sus primeras obras encontramos tres de fundamentales: El Duquesito de Rataplán (1925), El cuento de la buena Pipa (1925) y Pipo y Pipa contra el infame Gurriato (1934). En ellas, Donato realiza una revisión de los cuentos tradicionales y de los personajes del imaginario infantil. Además, se acerca a sus espectadores a través de dos estrategias fundamentales: el uso del humor, que predomina a lo largo de toda la acción dramática, y la utilización de un lenguaje cercano al registro oral, que provocaba la interacción con el potencial receptor de la obra.
Incremental Value of Cardiac Biomarkers in Mid-term Prognosis of Patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome
Authors: Serafimov Aleksandar , Donevski Darko , Karakolevska Ilova Marija , Joveva Elena , Todosieva Serafimova Kristina , Kedev Sasko , Vavlukis Marija
Published: February 2022

Background: Given the number of prognostic studies, both short- and long-termed, in patients with myocardial infarction (MI), the data on predicting major adverse cardiac events (MACE) following discharge still remains limited. Aim: to identify early predictors of MACE in MI patients, that underwent Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (pPCI), with special emphasis on multiple cardiac biomarkers. Materials and methods: we analysed clinical, LV functional, angiographic variables, as well cardiac troponin, a marker of myocardial necrosis, natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), a marker of myocardial stress, and white blood cells (WBC), as a marker of inflammation. The study population were 150 consecutive patients treated for acute myocardial infarction. Results: The average follow-up period was 31 months. In total, 26 patients suffered from at least one MACE. Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified several independent predictors: NT-proBNP (p=0,07), number of diseased vessels (p=0,027), and need for loop diuretic therapy (p=0,050). ROC curve demonstrated excellent discriminatory function for MACE of NT-proBNP and WBC (area under the curve .640, and .658, p=0.025 and 0.011 respectively). Conclusion: The combination of biomarkers for myocardial stress and inflammation improves the prediction of major adverse cardiac events in MI survivors.
Keywords: myocardial infarction, cardiac biomarkers, cardiac troponin, natriuretic peptide, prognosis, major adverse cardiac events (MACE), cardiac death
The Validity of Carotid Doppler Peak Velocity and Inferior Vena Cava Collapsibility Index in Identifying the Fluid Responders in Mechanically Ventilated Septic Shock Patients
Authors: Soliman Mohamed , Magdi Ahmed , Fatthy Moataz , El-Sherif Rania
Published: March 2022

Introduction: Measures of carotid artery flow or inferior vena cava diameter were recently shown to predict fluid responsiveness. Both are relatively superficial large vessels which can provide straightforward ultrasound evaluation & high-qualityimages.Methods: Our study is a prospective observational study on 30 mechanically ventilated septic shock patients in ICUto assess the fluid responsivenessby measuring carotid Doppler peak velocity&respiratory variation in inferior vena cava diameter against the increase in the cardiac index by echocardiographic calculations as a reference. All patients were given a fluid bolus 7 ml/ Kg crystalloid solution within 30 minutes, static and dynamic indices which include CVP, MAP, pulse pressure, difference between diameter of IVC during inspiration and expiration (ΔIVC- d) & carotid Doppler peak velocity in a single respiratory cycle (ΔCDPV) were measured before (T0) & after (T1). Vasoactive drugs infusion rate and ventilation settings did not changed during follow up. Patients were categorized either fluid responders “R” or non-responders “NR” according to an increase in cardiac output “CO” (increase in CO > 15 %.Results: Comparing responders & Non responders group we found a significant difference in Cardiac output measures,MAP & Δ CDPV pre & post fluid boluses as (5.26±4.42 L/min Vs. 10.62±5.73 L/min, 69.48±9.70 mmHg Vs. 84.90±10.36 mmHg&24.43±11.87%Vs33.22±11.00%) respectively with P-value (0.007, 0.05&0.01) respectively, on the other side , ΔD-IVC & Δ CVP pre & post fluid boluses didn’t show any statistical difference as (11.91±9.41 % Vs. 13.51±9.56 %, 5.86±5.22 cmH2O Vs 7.22±4.82 cmH2O) with P-value (0.87&0.68)respectively.Δ CDPV increase in response to increased intravascular volume in R group showed sensitivity 81%, specificity 66.7%. APACHE II, SOFA day 0,5 didn’t showed any difference between the R & NR group (16.05±3.23 Vs 18.44±3.81, 11.48±2.82Vs12.11±2.80& 12.95±3.68Vs12.56±3.97) respectively with P-value (0.164,  0.625 & 0.79) respectively. Conclusion: ΔCDPV was a more precise & even easier assessment tool with better sensitivity and specificity for evaluation of fluid responsiveness than the ΔD-IVC in patients with septic shock upon mechanicalventilation. Also, ΔCDPV has a high correlation with SVI increasing parameters assessed by echocardiography after fluid boluses. On the other hand and in comparison, CVP showed low accuracy in predicting fluid responsiveness.
Stem Cell Marker Aldehyde Dehydrogenase 1A1 Expression in Triple-negative Breast Carcinoma
Authors: Mohamed Marwa Abdel Nasser , Ibrahim Badawia Bayoumi , El Sheikh Samar Abdel Monem , Magid Mona Salah Abdel
Published: March 2022

Background: Increasing evidence has proposed that tumor contains tumor initiating cells or cancer stem cells (CSCs) are responsible for its progression and relapse. Aldehyde dehydrogenase 1A1 (ALDH1A1) has recently been identified as a marker for cancer stem cells in some human malignancies including breast cancer.Triple negative breast carcinomas (TNBCs) are group of primary breast tumors with aggressive clinical behavior that have no targeted therapy at present.
Aim: The assessment of immunohistochemical expression of ALDH1A1 in triple negative breast carcinoma and its correlation with the clinicopathological features of TNBC.
Material and Methods: This study consisted of 60 cases of TNBC. Immunohistochemical reactions were carried out by using ALDH1A1 monoclonal antibody. A total score of ALDH1A1 expression is obtained by multiplying the score of staining intensity & percentage of stained cells to obtain score ranging from 0 up to 300. Due to the relatively large number of positive cases, a statistical analysis was performed with a negative (score ≤ 10) and positive (score > 10) cutoff [1].
Results: Evaluation of the results of immunostaining for ALDH1A1 showed 88.3% of totalcases (53 cases) having a positive cytoplasmic reactivity. Statistical analysis for a possible correlation between ALDH1A1 expression and prognostic clinicopathological parameters; age, size, tumor grade, histologic subtypes, lymphovascular invasion, intraductal components, tumor infiltrating lymphocytes and TNM stage grouping revealed a non-significant correlation.
Conclusion: ALDH1A1 couldn’t be used solely as a diagnostic or prognostic marker In TNBCs. Further research combining with other biomarkers and with a greater number of patients is necessary to confirm the role of ALDH1A1 in TNBC.
Key words: Cancer stem cells (CSCs), Aldehyde dehydrogenase 1A1 (ALDH1A1), Triple Negative Breast   cancer (TNBC).
Local Anesthetics Lidocaine and Bupivacaine as Pre-emptive Analgesia in Lumbar Region Degenerative Spinal Surgery Patients with Posterior Approach
Authors: Yudistira Andhika , Budhi Prasetio Agustinus , Siahaan Lasa Dhakka , Sugiarto Muhammad Alwy
Published: March 2022

BACKGROUND: Pain management with pre-emptive analgesia is a pain management strategy to reduce acute post-operative pain.

AIM: This research aimed to determine the effectiveness of local anesthetics Lidocaine and Bupivacaine to reduce acute pain after the lumbar spine degenerative surgery using a posterior approach.

METHODS: This study was observational research with a prospective cohort and was carried out in 2021 at RSUD Dr. Saiful Anwar Malang with a sample of 12 in each test. The samples obtained were in accordance with the inclusion and exclusion criteria.

RESULTS: This assessment used was the Visual Analogue Score (VAS); an instrument for measuring the degree of pain experienced by patients with a value range of 0–10. Bupivacaine group achieved a lower VAS score more than lidocaine and the control group with VAS score 2; however, in another group, mostly was dominated by 3–5 VAS score during fullow-up periode.

CONCLUSION: This research showed that pre-emptive analgesia administration using local infiltration of Lidocaine or Bupivacaine before incision in degenerative surgery of the lumbar spine with a posterior approach had a significant effect on the scale of acute post-operative pain. Bupivacaine reduces the post-operative pain scale more effectively than Lidocaine up to 48 h postoperatively.
Karyotype characteristics and gene COI sequences of Chironomus bonus Shilova et Dzhvarsheishvili, 1974 (Diptera, Chironomidae) from the South Caucasus (Republic of Georgia, Paravani river)
Authors: Karmokov Mukhamed Kh.
Published: March 2022

The study presents data on the karyotype characteristics and the mitochondrial gene COI sequences of the non-biting midge Chironomus bonus Shilova et sDzhvarsheishvili 1974 (DipteraChironomidae) from the South Caucasus. The species belongs to the Ch. plumosus group of sibling species one of the most widespread and successful groups in the genus Chironomus Meigen 1803. The karyotype of the studied population is monomorphic. The morphological and chromosomal characteristics of Ch. bonus from the Caucasus are similar to those previously described for this species (Kiknadze et al. 1991a). In the phylogenetic tree based on the COI gene sequences one can observe several clear clusters. We named them Palearctic Ch. plumosus Far Eastern Ch. borokensis-Ch. suwai and Nearctic Ch. entis-Ch. plumosus clusters. The calculated K2P genetic distances within each cluster have not exceeded the 3% threshold for the genus Chironomus. Contrary to this the distances between the clusters exceed this range and correspond to separate species. The Ch. bonus sequences belong to the cluster consisting of Ch. plumosus (Linnaeus 1758) sequences from European populations
and do not form a separate clade of the phylogenetic tree. One can suppose that the origin of the Ch. plumosus group of sibling species dates back to 5.75–3.43 million years ago (Mya)
the epochs of Late Miocene (7,3–5,3 Mya) and early Pliocene (5,3–2,58 Mya). On the other hand Palearctic Ch. plumosus Far Eastern Ch. borokensis-Ch. suwai and Nearctic Ch. entis-Ch. plumosus clusters appeared relatively recently in the Middle Pleistocene
1.288–0.307 Mya. The possible relationship between the climate changes in the Pliocene and the origin of the Ch. plumosus group are discussed. Chironomidae
In vitro assessments of antimicrobial potential and cytotoxicity activity of an orthodontic adhesive doped with nano-graphene oxide
Authors: Pourhajibagher Maryam , Ghorbanzadeh Roghayeh , Salehi-Vaziri Abbas , Bahador Abbas
Published: March 2022

Introduction: Formation of white spots and initial carious lesions are the most important complications of fixed orthodontic treatment. Preparation of orthodontic adhesives containing antimicrobial agents might be a practical solution for the prevention of the mentioned defects. 

Aim: The current study aims to assess the antimicrobial and cytotoxicity effects of a conventional orthodontic adhesive containing different concentrations of nano-graphene oxide (N-GO).

Materials and methods: 50 Transbond XT orthodontic adhesive discs containing 0, 1, 2, 5, and 10% N-GO were prepared and sterilized by 25 kGy Gamma irradiation. After determination of cytotoxicity potential of modified orthodontic adhesive on human gingival fibroblast (HGF) cells, antimicrobial effects of the modified orthodontic adhesive against Streptococcus mutans in the preformed cariogenic biofilms was investigated using eluted components from composite discs by comparing the viable counts of bacteria after 3, 7, 15, 30, and 60 days of the aging process in artificial saliva.

Results: Based on the results, there was no cytotoxic effects of modified orthodontic adhesive on HGF cells (p>0.05). Transbond XT orthodontic adhesive containing 5 and 10 wt% N-GO reduced considerably the mean total viable counts of S. mutans up to 30 days (p<0.05). However, at 60 days, only 10 wt% N-GO could statistically decrease the colony-forming unit (CFU)/mL of test microorganisms. Antimicrobial activity of eluted components from modified orthodontic adhesive discs against S. mutans was in line with the concentration of N-GO.

Conclusions: At 5% and 10% concentrations, a modified orthodontic adhesive containing N-GO has a significant antimicrobial activity against S. mutans in cariogenic biofilms. 
Catecholamine-induced cardiomyopathy - a clinical case
Authors: Vladimirova-Kitova Ludmila , Kitov Spas , Uchikov Petar , Pavlov George
Published: March 2022

A 27-year-old patient presented with a 3-month history of episodic headaches and persistently rising blood pressure (up to 240/120). The clinical, laboratory, and instrumental findings (episodes of severe hypertension, increased levels of metanephrine in urine, and MRI showing a mass of 5.1×5.5 cm in diameter) led us to the diagnosis of pheochromocytoma of the right adrenal grand. Preoperative medication included alpha blockers, calcium channel blockers, and plasma. The right adrenal gland was completely removed using the retroperitoneal access. During the extraction of the tumour, a ventricular tachycardia was recorded after which acute heart failure issued. In the first few hours, echocardiographic imaging showed a reduced EF of 9% – catecholamine-induced cardiomyopathy. The patient underwent a complex and adequate reanimation in the intensive care unit which lasted 20 days. A slow but steady increase in the ejection fraction along with a decrease in congestion was observed. Magnetic resonance imaging was used to confirm the normalisation of myocardial morphology. A German histological laboratory was used to confirm the benign form of the tumour. For the next three months, the patient was on a standard therapy with beta blockers, angiotensin-converting-enzyme inhibitor and mineralocorticoid antagonists. Тhe catecholamine surge during the removal of a large pheochromocytoma could lead to severe cardio-vascular complication, even with a complete and adequate preoperative protective medication. The reversibility of the process implies the necessity of an adequate and timely postoperative treatment for a complete involution of the pathomorphological changes.
Drivers of snow leopard poaching and trade in Pakistan and implications for management
Authors: Din Jaffar Ud , Bari Fathul , Ali Hussain , Rehman Ejaz ur , Adli Durriyyah Sharifah Hasan , Abdullah Nurul Ashikin , Norma-Rashid Yusoff , Kabir Muhammad , Hameed Shoaib , Nawaz Doost Ali , Nawaz Muhammad Ali
Published: March 2022

The snow leopard is one of the highly valued species from high-altitude mountain ecosystems of Central and Southeast Asia, including Pakistan. This keystone species is facing a myriad of conventional and emerging threats, including poaching and trade, that are poorly documented in Pakistan. To understand the dynamics and drivers of the poaching and trading of snow leopards in Pakistan, we investigated the issue in depth through a multifaceted survey in the snow leopard range of the country. We recorded 101 snow leopard poaching incidences from 11 districts during 2005–2017. The reported poaching incidences varied spatially (x̄ = 9 ± 2.6 [95% Cl: 3–15]) and temporally (x̄ = 7.8 ± 1.09) and accounted for 2–4% annual population loss (n = 200–420) in a period of 13 years. Poaching and trade together constituted 89% of the total incidence reported and animals were mostly shot (66%), poisoned (12%), snared (12%) and captured (4%), respectively. Only a fraction (3%) of the incidences were reported to the relevant law enforcement agencies. Trade routes included large cities and neighbouring countries, even the Middle East and Europe. The average base and end prices for each item were 245 ± 36 USD and 1,736 ± 520 USD, respectively, while maximum monetary fines set as per the law were 275 USD. Our results establish the need for developing multi-stakeholder coordination mechanisms at regional, national and international levels and information sharing to curb this menace. Improving the existing laws and surveillance system, while taking the local communities onboard, will further help to this end.
Impact of Tofacitinib on Components of the ACR Response Criteria: Post Hoc Analysis of Phase III and Phase IIIb/IV Trials
Authors: Bessette Louis , Mysler Eduardo , Kinch Cassandra D. , Kwok Kenneth , Lukic Tatjana , On Phu Vinh , van Vollenhoven Ronald F.
Published: March 2022

Objective.

To evaluate the effect of tofacitinib (TOF) on American College of Rheumatology (ACR) response criteria components in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methods.

This post hoc analysis pooled data from RA phase III randomized controlled trials (RCTs) assessing TOF 5 or 10 mg BID, adalimumab (ADA), or placebo, with conventional synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs, and a phase IIIb/IV RCT assessing TOF 5 mg BID monotherapy, TOF 5 mg BID with methotrexate (MTX), or ADA with MTX. Outcomes included proportions of patients achieving ACR20/50/70 responses and ≥ 20/50/70% improvement rates in ACR components at week 2 and months 1, 3, and 6; and mean percent improvement in ACR components and Clinical or Simplified Disease Activity Index (CDAI or SDAI) low disease activity or remission rates, at month 3, for ACR20/50/70 responders.

Results.

Across treatment groups, ≥ 20/50/70% improvement rates were numerically higher for most physician- vs patient-reported measures. In phase III RCTs, at earlier timepoints, ≥ 50/70% improvements in patient global assessment of disease activity, pain, and physician global assessment were similar. Among ACR20 responders receiving TOF, mean percent improvements for tender and swollen joint counts were > 70% at month 3. CDAI/SDAI remission was achieved at month 3 by 27.8–45.0% of ACR70 responders receiving TOF.

Conclusion.

Among ACR20 responders treated with TOF, physician-reported components particularly exceeded 20% response improvement. At month 3, disease state generally did not corroborate ACR70 response criteria. Divergences between physician- and patient-reported measures highlight the importance of identifying appropriate patient-reported outcome targets to manage RA symptoms in clinical practice. (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT00847613/NCT00856544/NCT00853385/NCT02187055)
COVID-19 Update for the GRAPPA 2021 Annual Meeting: Focus on COVID-19 Vaccination
Authors: Mease Philip J. , Winthrop Kevin , Olsder Wendy , Curtis Jeffrey R.
Published: March 2022

The efficacy and safety of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination in patients with autoimmune inflammatory diseases (AIRDs) who are treated with immunomodulatory therapies was the focus of a symposium at the 2021 virtual annual meeting of the Group for Research and Assessment of Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis (GRAPPA). The keynote address was delivered by Dr. Jeffrey Curtis, chair of the American College of Rheumatology COVID-19 Vaccine Clinical Guidance task force, detailing what we do and do not know about vaccine efficacy and safety in patients with AIRDs and providing guidance about the need for modification of dosing in some immunomodulatory medications for optimal vaccine response. A consensus of the task force was that all patients with AIRDs should be vaccinated as soon as it is allowed in their respective locations, since the benefits of increased protection against COVID-19 infection outweigh the potential for vaccination reactions, including flares of underlying disease, or for reduced efficacy of vaccination because of disease state or medications. Key issues among patient research partners with psoriatic disease expressed in the premeeting survey and panel discussion/question-and-answer period included: vaccine efficacy and safety, the need to continue safe social habits and masking, how to assess efficacy of vaccination, how to deal with vaccine hesitancy among social contacts, medication management relative to vaccination, and concerns about the adequacy of ongoing telehealth visits vs the convenience of that technology.
Diffusion-driven instability of both the equilibrium solution and the periodic solutions for the diffusive Sporns-Seelig model
Authors: Xiang Nan , Wan Aying , Lin Hongyan
Published: March 2022

In this paper, a reaction-diffusion Sporn-Seelig model subject to homogeneous Neumann boundary condition in the one dimensional spatial open bounded domain is considered. Of our particular interests, we are concerned with diffusion-driven instability of both the positive constant equilibrium solution and the Hopf bifurcating spatially homogeneous periodic solutions. To strengthen our analytical results, we also include some numerical simulations. These results allow for the clearer understanding the mechanisms of the spatiotemporal pattern formations of this chemical reaction model.
A Hong-Krahn-Szegö inequality for mixed local and nonlocal operators
Authors: Biagi Stefano ,   Dipartimento di Matematica, Politecnico di Milano, Via Bonardi 9, 20133 Milano, Italy, Dipierro Serena , Valdinoci Enrico , Vecchi Eugenio ,   Department of Mathematics and Statistics, University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, WA 6009 Crawley, Australia,   Dipartimento di Matematica, Università di Bologna, Piazza di Porta San Donato 5, 40126 Bologna, Italy
Published: March 2022

Given a bounded open set $ \Omega\subseteq{\mathbb{R}}^n $, we consider the eigenvalue problem for a nonlinear mixed local/nonlocal operator with vanishing conditions in the complement of $ \Omega $. We prove that the second eigenvalue $ \lambda_2(\Omega) $ is always strictly larger than the first eigenvalue $ \lambda_1(B) $ of a ball $ B $ with volume half of that of $ \Omega $. This bound is proven to be sharp, by comparing to the limit case in which $ \Omega $ consists of two equal balls far from each other. More precisely, differently from the local case, an optimal shape for the second eigenvalue problem does not exist, but a minimizing sequence is given by the union of two disjoint balls of half volume whose mutual distance tends to infinity.
A multilayer-multiplexer network processing scheme based on the dendritic integration in a single neuron
Authors: Lorenzo Jhunlyn ,   Laboratoire ImViA EA7535, Université de Bourgogne, 9 Avenue Alain Savary, 21078 Dijon, France, Binczak Stéphane , Jacquir Sabir ,   College of Engineering and Information Technology, Cavite State University, Indang, 4122, Philippines,   Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS, Institut des Neurosciences Paris-Saclay, 91400, Saclay, France
Published: March 2022

Advances in neuronal studies suggest that a single neuron can perform integration functions previously associated only with neuronal networks. Here, we proposed a dendritic abstraction employing a dynamic thresholding function that models the spatiotemporal dendritic integration process of a CA3 pyramidal neuron. First, we developed an input-output quantification process that considers the natural neuronal response and the full range of dendritic dynamics. We analyzed the IO curves and demonstrated that dendritic integration is branch-specific and dynamic rather than the commonly employed static nonlinearity. Second, we completed the integration model by creating a dendritic abstraction incorporating the spatiotemporal characteristics of the dendrites. Furthermore, we predicted the dendritic activity in each dendritic layer and the corresponding somatic firing activity by employing the dendritic abstraction in a multilayer-multiplexer information processing scheme comparable to a neuronal network. The subthreshold activity influences the suprathreshold regions via its dynamic threshold, a parameter that is dependent not only on the driving force but also on the number of activated synapses along the dendritic branch. An individual dendritic branch performs multiple integration modes by shifting from supralinear to linear then to sublinear. The abstraction includes synaptic input location-dependent voltage delay and decay, time-dependent linear summation, and dynamic thresholding function. The proposed dendritic abstraction can be used to create multilayer-multiplexer neurons that consider the spatiotemporal properties of the dendrites and with greater computational capacity than the conventional schemes.
Reflexão sobre políticas públicas e gestão de acervos em instituições de memória em Portugal
Authors: Filipe Graça , Serôdio Conceição , Borges Leonor Calvão , Silva Ana Margarida Dias da
Published: March 2022

Este artigo, suscitado pela partilha de conhecimentos e de experiências profissionais, pretende contribuir para uma reflexão em torno das políticas de incorporação e desincorporação das instituições de memória (arquivos, bibliotecas e museus), num contexto em que estas se procuram adaptar a problemas estruturais agravados pela pandemia covid-19. Como a gestão da memória coloca a todas as instituições que a promovem o problema da sua relação com o esquecimento, componentes indissociáveis em todas as sociedades e culturas, e reconhecendo que nem todos os processos de incorporação de bens culturais são irreversíveis, a nossa reflexão abarca esta problemática e pretende salientar a necessidade de políticas sustentáveis de desenvolvimento das coleções. Com base na legislação e tendo por referência bibliografia científica e académica e estudos sobre a matéria, procura-se problematizar: a questão da gestão das coleções e arquivos em cada uma das instituições de memória; as diferenças e as similaridades existentes entre cada uma elas; e o posicionamento de cada uma face à comunicação em ambiente digital. Conclui-se que a desincorporação, processo inverso à incorporação, pode ser um procedimento necessário e que os dois são complementares, num plano estratégico e programático das instituições. Mas a questão está longe de gerar consensos e tem-se demonstrado que requer profunda reflexão e debate científico, tanto no campo profissional, tendencialmente mais sujeito ao confronto direto com situações de crise, como no âmbito académico, porventura com maior margem crítica e prospetiva.
Current challenges for African cultural heritage: a case study of Guinea-Bissau
Authors: Temudo Ana
Published: March 2022

The restitution of cultural heritage to countries of origin has occupied the recent international political agenda. This article analyses the different perspectives from which this question has been approached, in Portugal and abroad, namely in the legislative field governing heritage institutions, in the academic field and in the public sphere. This analysis aims to understand the current meanings attributed to African heritage in museums and other Western heritage institutions, as well as in the countries of origin. As a case study it presents the heritage reality of Guinea-Bissau and indicates different possibilities for a fair representation of today’s diasporic communities, aiming to contribute to an informed debate on the impact of the return and relocation of African heritage to their countries of origin on future representations of African culture and identity on a global scale.
Políticas culturais de museus em Portugal: ciclos e processos de reflexão estratégica participada
Authors: Neves José Soares
Published: March 2022

Podem ser identificados dois ciclos nas políticas culturais no Portugal democrático: um de crescimento até 2008 e outro, posterior, de crise. Neste artigo, em que coloco o foco analítico nas políticas públicas de museus, sustento que parece desenhar-se um novo ciclo de crescimento a partir de 2019. Com esta hipótese em mente revisito, numa abordagem comparativa a partir da bibliografia disponível e da análise documental, em especial legislação, duas iniciativas emblemáticas de reflexão – a Estrutura de Projeto que viria a criar a Rede Portuguesa de Museus (RPM) em 2000 e o Grupo de Projeto Museus no Futuro, criado em 2019. Concluo que pensamento estratégico participado e financiamento são algumas das principais bases de sustentação das políticas públicas centrais de museus neste novo ciclo. Trata-se de um ciclo agora mais direcionado para os museus, palácios e monumentos com tutela da cultura, mas sem esquecer o panorama museológico nacional, ou seja, a ação da RPM por via da defesa da sua revitalização. Refiro a este propósito duas grandes orientações de políticas culturais – democracia cultural, que associo à RPM, e democratização da cultura, no qual se filiará predominantemente o GPMF – e o paradigma participativo nas políticas públicas, presente em ambas.
Deep Sea Soil Sinkage Simulation and Experimental Studies for Development of Deep Water Mining Machine
Authors: Janarthanan Chinnapaiyan , Kuttikrishnan Gopkumar , Sundaramoorthi Veluchamy , Chandran Vasu , Ramadass Gidugu Ananda
Published: February 2022

Abstract Technology is being developed to harvest polymetallic nodules from depths of 4,000‐6,000 m in the Central Indian Ocean Basin. Polymetallic nodules are found on the surface and just below the surface of the abyssal plains of the ocean. A deep-water polymetallic
nodule mining machine has to reliably move on the soft soil seabed and collect the nodules. The seabed soil is water saturated, soft, and cohesive with a shear strength typically less than 2 kPa. It is vital to design and develop a mining machine and nodule harvesting systems considering the
seabed soil environment, with regard to machine supportability, locomotion resistance, traction capability, and locomotion control. Thus, understanding of soil-machine interaction is important in the development of a deep-water mining machine. This study aims to simulate numerically static
sinkage in very soft clay of shear strength less than 2 kPa and compare the results with experimental tests under various loading conditions. Finite Element Method‐based simulation using ABAQUS software using Coupled Eulerian Lagrangian technique has been used to predict the sinkage
in various layers of soil having different strengths (from previously tested parameters) in close simulation of the actual seabed conditions. The paper includes a study undertaken with two types of grousers to observe the deformation of the soil. The effects of different bearing pressures
on layered soil strength conditions with different grousers have been simulated in deducing the sinkage results.
The Importance of JEDI to the Blue Economy
Authors: Watson-Wright Wendy
Published: February 2022

Abstract The Blue Economy (BE) is attracting increased global attention, but there are differing opinions as to how it is defined and what it entails. The recent publication, Preparing a Workforce for the New Blue Economy: People, Products and Policies (Hotaling &
Spinrad, 2021), puts forth an explicit definition of the New BE, which has sustainability and social justice at its core. The importance of language and of including Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion in the development of the BE is discussed here.