bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Development and Validation of Sibutramine Determination in Drug Products by Capillary Electrophoresis
Authors: Sukhanova A. M. , Perova I. B. , Eller K. I. , Rodioinova G. M. , Chernova S. V. , Kuzina V. N.
Published: November 2020

Introduction. Recently, there has been a growing trend in the number of obese and overweight patients. To date, sibutramine is the most effective drug for treating obesity and overweight. The drug is an inhibitor of the reuptake of serotonin and norepinephrine, which leads to a decrease in hunger, and therefore, to weight loss.

Aim. To develop and validate a methodology for the determination of sibutramine in drugs by capillary electrophoresis (CE) using an ultraviolet diode array detector.

Materials and methods. Quantitative determination of sibutramine in drugs was carried out using the CE method with an ultraviolet diode array detector. A solution of phosphate buffer 50 mmol pH = 7.0 was used as a solvent and working electrolyte; to separate the peaks – quartz capillary 56 cm, 50 μm.

Results and discussion. The developed method was validated according to the following parameters: specificity, linearity, correctness, precision, limit of detection and limit of quantification.

Conclusion. A method for the quantitative determination of sibutramine in drugs by the CE method using an ultraviolet diode array detector has been developed and validated. This method meets all the requirements of General Pharmacopoeia Monograph 1.1.0012.15 «Validation of the analytical method» and can be used to control the quality of drugs, the active pharmaceutical substance of which is sibutramine.
Development and Validation of Pomalidomide Determination in Human Plasma by HPLC-MS/MS Method
Authors: Komarov T. N. , Shohin I. E. , Tokareva M. A. , Archakova O. A. , Bogdanova D. S. , Aleshina A. A. , Bagaeva N. S. , Davydanova V. V. , Sadchikova N. P.
Published: November 2020

Introduction. B-cell malignancies of the plasma cell leads to the second most spread hematological malignancy disease, called multiple myeloma. Pomalidomide is used in case of previous multiple myeloma ineffective treatment. Pomalidomide is a thalidomide synthetic derived, approved as immunomodulatory drug by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Nowadays, detection of pomalidomide in blood plasma by high performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS) is not spread. Moreover, the detection and the experimental setting accumulated data are varying greatly. This investigation provides development and validation of pomalidomide aiming to determine human blood plasma by HPLC-MS/MS method. The samples were processed by methanol protein precipitation.

Aim. The aim of this study is to develop a method for the pomalidomide in human plasma by HPLC-MS/MS for pharmacokinetic studies.

Materials and methods. Determination of pomalidomide in plasma by HPLC-MS/MS. The samples were processed by methanol protein precipitation.

Results and discussion. This method was validated by next parameters: selectivity, matrix effect, calibration curve, accuracy, precision, spike recovery, lower limit of quantification, detection limit, carry-over and stability. Conclusion. The method of the determination of pomalidomide in human plasma was developed and validated by HPLC-MS/MS. The linearity in plasma sample was achieved in the concentration range of 1,00 – 500,00 ng/ml. Method could be applied to pomalidomide determination in plasma for PK and BE studies.
Pharmacokinetic and Bioequivalence Study of Telzap AM® (Telmisartan/amlodipine Fixed-dose Combination) and Coadministered Mikardis® (Telmisartan) and Norvask® (Amlodipine) in Healthy Subjects
Authors: Kubesh V. , Khokhlov A. L. , Shitova A. M. , Dzhurko Yu. A. , Kazey V. I. , Khokhlov A. A. , Miroshnikov A. E. , Lebedeva O. V. , Klaus I. K. , Zyatenkov A. V.
Published: November 2020

Introduction. A fixed dose combination of telmisartan and amlodipine is widely used in clinical practice during hypertension treatment. Combination of telmisartan and amlodipine demonstrates potentiating synergistic effect on blood pressure decrease. A bioequivalence study of Telzap® AM with coadministered Mikardis® and Norvask® was conducted with 60 volunteers.

Aim. The purpose of the bioequivalence trial was a comparative study of the pharmacokinetics and evidence of the bioequivalence of the fixed dose combination drug product Telzap® AM (telmisartan + amlodipine, tablets, 80 + 10 mg, Zentiva ks company, Czech Republic) and coadministrated monocomponent drug products Mikardis® (telmisartan, tablets 80 mg, Beringer Ingelheim International GmbH, Germany) and Norvask® [amlodipine, tablets 10 mg, Pfizer HCP Corporation (USA), Russia] in healthy volunteers after a single administration under fasting.

Materials and methods. To prove bioequivalence, an open label, comparative, randomized, crossover four-period replicate clinical trial was conducted. The concentrations of amlodipine and telmisartan in plasma samples were determined by a validated HPLC-MS/MS method. A pharmacokinetic and statistical analysis was performed and confidence intervals for the pharmacokinetic parameters Cmax and AUC0-72 were calculated.

Results and discussion. It can be concluded that the studied formulations are bioequivalent in terms of pharmacokinetic parameters of amlodipine and telmisartan. All 90 % confidence intervals for the estimated pharmacokinetic parameters of amlodipine were in the range of 80–125 %, 90 % confidence intervals for telmisartan were within the bioequivalence range of 80–125 % for AUC0-72, and 76.73–130.32 % for Cmax.

Conclusion. Thus, according to the criteria used in the study, the formulations are proved to be bioequivalent.
Technologic Considerations of Creation Dosage Form of Original Substance 3,7-diazabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane
Authors: Brkich G. E. , Pyatigorskaya N. V. , Zyryanov O. A. , Demina N. B. , Bakhrushina E. O. , Krasnyuk I. I.
Published: November 2020

Introduction. An innovative pharmaceutical substance based on the 3,7-diazabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane derivative provides long-term activation of AMPA receptors and the production of neurotrophic factors, which makes it possible to use it for the treatment of cognitive impairments and rehabilitation of patients who have undergone acute brain hypoxia. Given that this substance is able to be absorbed through the walls of the gastrointestinal tract and pass through the blood-brain barrier, there are no restrictions on the development of an oral dosage form. In addition, the oral dosage form has significant advantages when used in geriatric and pediatric practice.

Aim. The aim of the work was to carry out a comparative study of the possibility of using gelatin and hypromellose capsules for the development of the composition and technology for obtaining a dosage form containing a pharmaceutical substance based on a 3,7-diazabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane derivative.

Materials and methods. The study of the «Dissolution» test of gelatinous and hypromellose capsules was carried out on an ERWEKA DT 720 «Paddle stirrer» apparatus at a stirrer rotation speed of 50 rpm in three media: pH 1.2, pH 4.5 and pH 6.8. The content of the substance in each sample was determined by high performance liquid chromatography with UV detection.

Results and discussion. The results of the development and testing of capsules containing an original pharmaceutical substance of nootropic action based on a derivative of 3,7-diazabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane, which has low pharmaceutical and technological characteristics and is practically insoluble in water, are presented. The D/S value was ≥250.00 ml in each physiological pH range. The results of determining the dissolution of the developed dosage form in three media at pH values of 1.2, 4.5 and 6.8 showed a positive effect of the technology used on the solubility of the substance.

Conclusion. A significant increase in the solubility of the practically insoluble substance of the 3,7-diazabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane derivative in the developed dosage form was shown, which is the result of the use of a well-founded complex of excipients and the technology of moisture-activated granulation. According to the results obtained, (77.60 ± 2.50) % of the substance passes into the dissolution medium with a pH of 4.5 in 45 minutes. The research results are used to develop a technological scheme for obtaining a finished dosage form, its indicators and quality standards.
Projective Curvature Tensor on N($\kappa$)-Contact Metric Manifold Admitting Semi-Symmetric Non-Metric Connection
Authors: ALTIN Mustafa
Published: November 2020

The object of the present paper is to classify $N(\kappa)$-contact metric manifolds admitting the semi-symmetric non-metric connection with certain curvature conditions the projectively curvature tensor. We studied projective flat, $\xi- $projectively flat, $\phi- $projectively flat $N(\kappa )$-contact metric manifolds admitting the semi-symmetric non-metric connection. Also, we examine such manifolds under some local symmetry conditions related to projective curvature tensor.﻿
Caracterização dos compostos voláteis do kiwi empregando-se HS-SPME/CG-MS
Authors: Assunção Drielle Alves da , Pinto Beatriz Gomes , Leal Ana Cláudia Duarte , Augusti Rodinei , Melo Júlio Onésio Ferreira , Ramos Sabrina Alves , Silva Mauro Ramalho , Capobiango Michely
Published: November 2020

O fruto kiwi (Actinidia deliciosa) possui maior importância comercial dentre as 70 espécies do gênero Actinidia. Quando maduro, o kiwi produz um conjunto de compostos voláteis que compõem o aroma característico e o sabor doce da variedade da Actinidia deliciosa, sendo muito apreciados pela população. O presente estudo teve como objetivo detectar os compostos voláteis em amostras de um cultivar comercial de kiwi utilizando a microextração em fase sólida no modo headspace (HS-SPME) combinada com a cromatografia gasosa acoplada à espectrometria de massas (CG/MS). Por este método foram encontrados 10 compostos voláteis, sendo estes das classes químicas dos álcoois, aldeídos, ésteres, terpenos e cetonas. Os ésteres representaram a classe química predominante, correspondendo a 57,10% da composição relativa dos compostos voláteis identificados. Conclui-se que a caracterização dos compostos voláteis do kiwi foi eficaz pelo emprego da HS-SPME/CG-MS, permitindo identificar que a classe química predominante nesse fruto é representada por ésteres.
Práticas de ajardinamento em espaços de convivência em comunidades rurais como instrumento de Educação Ambiental
Authors: Menegaes Janine Farias , Nishijima Toshio , Backes Fernanda Alice Antonello Londero , Benetti Cláudia Cisiane
Published: November 2020

A ornamentação de espaços de convivência social proporciona a seus usuários vários benefícios em comunidade, especialmente, o embelezamento destes espaços, tornando-os mais prazerosos e uteis. O presente trabalho teve como objetivo desenvolver ações relacionadas à Educação Ambiental por meio de práticas de paisagismo e ajardinamento de espaços de convívio social de comunidades rurais. Valorizando a cultura e a preservação da vegetação destes espaços, através de oficinas, que ocorreram em conjunto com a Prefeitura e a EMATER/RS-ASCAR Regional de Faxinal do Soturno, RS, em dois momentos: manhã e tarde. O período da manhã foi destinado à parte teórica e a tarde a parte prática. Observou-se boa receptividade sobre a temática abordada durante a oficina, tanto na parte teórica com exposição técnica e debate sobre a importância do meio ambiente e os espaços de convívio, como na parte prática com ótima participação na elaboração e implantação do ajardinamento dos espaços escolhidos. Verificou-se que a interdisciplinaridade característica da Educação Ambiental possibilita por diversos instrumentos, em nosso trabalho as práticas de paisagismo e jardinagem, o despertar da conscientização dos participantes sobre a importância do meio ambiente, independentemente do tamanho e da abrangência dos espaços de convívio social para uma boa qualidade de vida.
Análise da carga térmica de resfriamento e aquecimento por meio de simulação computacional em dois sistemas construtivos: Light Steel Frame e alvenaria de blocos cerâmicos
Authors: Gallardo Nuria  Perez , Ferreira Lygia Maria Policarpio , Souza Tamara Daiane de , Mendes Múcio dos Santos Alves , Silva Maurício Sanches Duarte , Borges Alan Monteiro
Published: November 2020

A otimização de recursos é imperativa na construção civil, cuja finalidade está diretamente relacionada à redução de perdas nos processos e consequente aumento na produtividade. Estes fatores estão diretamente relacionados a eficiência do ambiente construído, onde se destaca o comportamento térmico. O presente trabalho tem como objetivo avaliar a carga térmica de resfriamento e aquecimento de quatro modelos construtivos por meio de simulação computacional, sendo: um modelo construído com sistema de alvenaria de blocos cerâmicos e três modelos em Light Steel Frame (LSF), utilizando diferentes combinações de materiais. A simulação, usando o software Autodesk Revit® 2020, foi realizada sob condições climáticas da cidade de Marabá-PA. Os resultados obtidos mostram um melhor comportamento térmico no método LSF com telha termoacústica, o qual seria capaz de proporcionar melhor conforto térmico aos usuários e potencializar a eficiência energética da edificação.
The relationship of self-confidence and body image with personal fable of students in FKIP Universitas Muslim Nusantara Al-Washliyah
Authors: Handayani Aminda Tri
Published: November 2020

This study took the relationship of self-confidence and body image to students at FKIP UMN Alwashliyah. In this case, self-confidence and body image as independent variables and personal fable as dependent variables. Adolescence is one of the stages in human life which is a period of transition from childhood to adulthood. At this stage adolescents will experience changes both physically, cognitively and psychosocial. In line with physical changes, young women tend to develop a high level of concern for their physical changes. The way adolescents perceive their physical condition will affect the level of their personal ability. With high trust and a positive body image will increase the personal level of the teenager. The objectives of this study were to determine: (i) the relationship between self-confidence and body image with personal fable in UMN AW students; (ii) The relationship between self-confidence and personal ability in UMN AW students; (iii) The relationship between body image and personal fable in UMN AW students. The research method used in this research is quantitative method with a sample of 2 classes from semester 2, each class totaling 30 people. Thus the data taken is in the form of a questionnaire, using Pearson Correlation analysis. Data analysis was performed using SPSS 23 for windows.
Efficacy and safety of ledipasvir/sofosbuvir in 5,028 Mongolian patients infected with genotype 1 hepatitis C virus: A multicenter study
Authors: Baatarkhuu Oidov , Lee Jae Seung , Amarsanaa Jazag , Kim Do Young , Ahn Sang Hoon , Naranzul Nyamsuren , Enkhtuya Damba , Choijamts Nagir , Batbayar Purev , Otgonbayar Radnaa , Saruul Bat-Ulzii , Gantuul Chuluunbaatar , Gegeebadrakh Baljinnyam , Tuvshinbayar Narangerel , Badamsuren Dorjgotov , Ulzmaa Galsan , Otgonbold Jamiyandorj , Han Kwang-Hyub
Published: November 2020

Background/Aims: Ledipasvir/sofosbuvir (LDV/SOF) shows high efficacy and safety in patients with genotype 1-hepatitis C virus (HCV). We aimed to investigate the efficacy and safety of LDV/SOF in real-world Mongolian patients.Methods: Between 2015 to 2019, 23 (0.5%) and 5,005 patients (99.5%) with genotype 1a and 1b HCV, respectively, were treated with a fixed-dose tablet containing 90 mg ledipasvir and 400 mg sofosbuvir for 12 weeks, and 81 patients (1.6%) with previous experience of interferon (IFN)-based treatment received additional 1,000 mg ribavirin. HCV RNA was measured at 4, 12, and 24 weeks after the first dose to determine rapid virologic response, end of treatment response (ETR), and sustained virologic response at 12 weeks after end of treatment (SVR12).Results: Most patients (n=5,008; 99.6%) achieved ETR and SVR12 without virologic relapse. Patients with genotype 1a showed low rates of ETR and SVR12 in only 16 patients (69.6%). There was no significant difference in SVR12 rate between patients regardless of IFN experience (n=81; 1.6%), cirrhosis (n=1,151; 22.9%), HCV RNA >6×106 IU/mL (n=866; 17.2%), or liver stiffness >9.6 kPa (n=1,721; 34.2%) (100.0%, 99.3%, 99.4%, and 99.4%, respectively). No severe adverse events (AEs) were reported, and there was no dose reduction or interruption due to AE. The most common AEs were headache (n=472; 9.4%), fatigue (n=306; 6.2%), abdominal discomfort (n=295; 5.9%), and skin rash (n=141; 2.8%).Conclusions: LDV/SOF showed high efficacy and safety for patients with genotype 1, especially 1b HCV, in Mongolia. The real-world data might be applicable to patients in other Asian-Pacific countries.
Chest Compression Duration May Be Improved When Rescuers Breathe Supplemental Oxygen
Authors: Clebone Anna , Reis Katherine , Tung Avery , OConnor Michael , Ruskin Keith J.
Published: November 2020

BACKGROUND: At sea level, performing chest compressions is a demanding physical exercise. On a commercial flight at cruise altitude, the barometric pressure in the cabin is approximately equal to an altitude of 2438 m. This results in a Po2 equivalent to breathing
an FIo2 of 15% at sea level, a condition under which both the duration and quality of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) may deteriorate. We hypothesized that rescuers will be able to perform fewer rounds of high-quality CPR at an FIo2 of 15%.METHODS:
In this crossover simulation trial, 16 healthy volunteers participated in 2 separate sessions and performed up to 14 2-min rounds of chest compressions at an FIo2 of either 0.15 or 0.21 in randomized order. Subjects were stopped if their Spo2 was
below 80%, if chest compression rate or depth was not achieved for 2/3 of compressions, or if they felt fatigued or dyspneic.RESULTS: Fewer rounds of chest compressions were successfully completed in the hypoxic than in the normoxic condition, (median [IQR] 4.5 [3,8.5]) vs. 5 [4,14]).
The decline in arterial Spo2 while performing chest compressions was greater in the hypoxic condition than in the normoxic condition [mean (SD), 6.19% (4.1) vs. 2% (1.66)].DISCUSSION: Our findings suggest that the ability of rescuers to perform chest compressions
in a commercial airline cabin at cruising altitude may be limited due to hypoxia. One possible solution is supplemental oxygen for rescuers who perform chest compressions for in-flight cardiac arrest.Clebone A, Reis K, Tung A, OConnor M, Ruskin KJ. Chest compression duration may
be improved when rescuers breathe supplemental oxygen. Aerosp Med Hum Perform. 2020; 91(12):918922.
Sexual Behavioral Patterns of Kenyan University Student-Athletes: Implications for Sports Managers
Authors: G. Rintaugu Elijah , K. Thangu Edna , Oyeyemi Adewale , A. Monyeki Makama
Published: November 2020

Background. The debate on whether participation in sports enhances or curtails risky sexual behavior among athletes continues. The purpose of the study was to establish the sexual behavior patterns and associated high risks among University student-athletes.

Methods. A cross-sectional survey research design was used to collect self-report data on sexual behaviors from university student-athletes (n = 151) who participated in a University sports tournament. Descriptive statistics of frequencies and proportions and inferential statistics of chi-square test of independent measures were used to analyze the data. Majority (65%) of the student-athletes were taking part in Ball games and Racket games (13.9%).

Results. About a third (33%) of the student-athletes had their first sexual debut while aged between 18 and 20 years, 60% had regular sexual partners, over 30% had more than one sexual partner and 67% would have sexual intercourse with strangers; only 58% of these would seek the sexual history of the strangers. More than half (55%) of the student-athletes frequently used condoms to prevent pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases, but only 39% of them always used condoms with their sexual partners in the last six months. The participants’ sexual behaviors differed significantly (p < .05) by their gender. Males tended to start having sexual intercourse earlier (p < .002), had more than one sexual partner (p < 0.001) and would always use condoms (p < .001) than females, but more females than males would have sexual intercourse with a stranger (p < .001).

Conclusions. Kenyan University student-athletes are sexually active and are faced with high risk sexual behaviors like multiple sexual partners and sexual intercourse with strangers. The difference in patterns of sexual behavior between male and female student-athletes calls for gender specific interventions by programmers, policy makers and health workers.

Keywords:  sexual behaviors, student-athletes, sexually transmitted diseases (STD’s).
If really “without school and inheritors”?
Authors: Ilnytskyi Mykola
Published: November 2020

The paper analyzes the return of Bohdan Ihor Antonych’s name to the literature after several decades of suppression and prohibition by the Soviet totalitarian regime. The author also focuses on the interpretation of the poet’s work in Ukrainian and foreign literary studies.

The researcher points out the following historical and cultural factors: partial liberalization of the communist regime in the Soviet Union; high appreciation of Antonych’s work by leading poets and literary critics in Ukraine and the Ukrainian diaspora; translations of works into foreign languages, in particular, Slavic ones; the influence of the poet’s work on the generations of the 1960s—1980s.

Special attention is paid to the cooperation of American scholars and translators Watson Kirkconnell and Constantine H. Andrysyshen in translating the Ukrainian poet’s texts into English.

The researcher traces the changes in views on Antonych’s poetry: the claims that he was a talented poet who did not have time to fully realize his talent due to his early death were eventually substituted by recognition of his poetry’s kinship with the works of Western European modernist poets such as R. M. Rilke, T. S. Eliot, F. G. Lorca, Cz. Miłosz.

The paper also highlights the discussion on the stylistic dominant of Antonych’s poetry and focuses on the elements of different literary movements, namely futurism, imagism, and surrealism. It is emphasized that the poet was not only interested in the issues of style but also shaped the different styles of the time with his special features. He characterized impressionism as the relation of color to light, pointed out the idea of movement in futurism, focused on the geometric outlines of real objects in cubism, appreciated pure harmony of geometric patterns in suprematism. Moreover, Antonych’s poetry was related to creating myths, based on the tradition of the national folklore worldview.
LITERATURE AND POST-TRUTH
Authors: Polishchuk Yaroslav
Published: November 2020

The author examines the current state of literature, which has been marginalized by the boom of modern media and the free market. Literature is called to restore a worthy place in the system of cultural communication of society. It is contradicted by the experience of postmodernism, which has led to disorientation in the system of art values. Postmodernism was an important formation of the transition period. Three aspects of the postmodern worldview ― dehumanization of art, lack of truths' hierarchy and their plurality, and the loss of the author’s authority ― have led to a long-lasting crisis in the post-Soviet literatures, but in the wider context, it was a crisis of relations with society and public opinion. The continuation of this crisis is stimulated by the use of technologies aimed at producing the post-truth. In the contemporary world, dominated by mass media and popular culture, fiction is not fully responsible for the crisis of society. The author of the paper considers examples that confirm the relevance of literature to ideological conflicts and propaganda rhetoric. The novelties of Ukrainian, Russian, and Belarusian literatures provide good material for the study of the post-truth in its Eastern European modifications. Nowadays fiction is seeking its place once again; its potential means of influencing the human consciousness in the post-truth world are being renewed. This process should be seen dialectically, with its probable positive and negative consequences. The post-truth world gives literature a chance to leave the shadows of media and restore its authority in the cultural sphere. At the same time, the confluence of literary fiction with post-truth poses a considerable danger, since it may be applied in modern manipulative technologies. The establishment of social and psychological communication, which became one of the priority tasks of modern literature, should not be implemented at the cost of human degradation.
High-Level Design and Rapid Implementation of a Clinical and Non-clinical Blockchain-Based Data Sharing Platform for COVID-19 Containment
Authors: Saleh Sohag , Shayor Farabi
Published: November 2020

As the world has moved toward rigorous containment measures due to the spread of a novel coronavirus, it is crucial to push the boundaries of clinical data obtaining methods using real-time capturing facilities. During this time of crisis, data-centric technologies that could provide authenticity and immediate access to patient data are essential. A blockchain-based digital health protocol for access to real-time data with user-centric data protection measures can achieve these aims. Immediate and secure access to biomedical data can provide credible insights and also help in discovering intelligence to expediate the development of effective therapeutics. It also aids in altering policies for restrictions by extracting key insights required for modeling studies. This paper delivers a high-level design of a blockchain-based clinical research data collection and health service intervention platform, where the users can exercise control of data. This application also provides a platform to deliver technology-based interventions which would assist in streamlining aid for vulnerable users to prevent the NHS from being overwhelmed. Further steps are also recommended to achieve a data compliant solution for rapid deployment, based on available resources, allowing a collaborative effort, which is extremely necessary at times of such crisis.
A Route to Commons-Based Democratic Monies? Embedding the Governance of Money in Traditional Communal Institutions
Authors: Barinaga Ester
Published: November 2020

The financial crisis of 2008 resulted, among other, on a popular awareness that the monetary system was not working for the interest of the many. The blockchain technology that was launched soon after offered monetary activists and entrepreneurs a tool to re-imagine, re-claim and re-organize money along a vague ideal of a commons paradigm. A wave of monetary experimentation ensued that took a most concrete form in two entrepreneurial spaces: crypto-currencies with global ambitions and local currencies based on communal democracy. Seemingly distinct on the outset, both strands share a determination to develop a monetary system that serves the many. This has led participants on both sides to reach out toward each other. The article looks at one such attempt: the Sarafu community crypto-currencies in Kenya. These currencies are embedding the creation of money in traditional community savings groups. Using Eleanor Ostrom’s framework and building on interview and ethnographic material, the article identifies the economic logic of mutualization proper of the savings groups as one that transforms private assets (one’s savings) into a financial commons for the group. To build on this logic, the Sarafu model in-the-making is embedding the production and governance of the new community cryptocurrencies in these saving groups. In that doing, Sarafu has the potential to advance a new architecture of money. However, findings suggest that the standardization and automation of the new monetary rules through smart contracts impose neoliberal ideas that slipped into the code, risking the erosion of the very communal decision-making processes that made savings groups interesting anchors of a money commons in the first place.
Visual Analytics for Operation-Level Construction Monitoring and Documentation: State-of-the-Art Technologies, Research Challenges, and Future Directions
Authors: Kim Jinwoo
Published: November 2020

Operation-level vision-based monitoring and documentation has drawn significant attention from construction practitioners and researchers. To automate the operation-level monitoring of construction and built environments, there have been much effort to develop computer vision technologies. Despite their encouraging findings, it remains a major challenge to exploit technologies in real construction projects, implying that there are knowledge gaps in practice and theory. To fill such knowledge gaps, this study thoroughly reviews 119 papers on operation-level vision-based construction monitoring, published in mainstream construction informatics journals. Existing research papers can be categorized into three sequential technologies: (1) camera placement for operation-level construction monitoring, (2) single-camera-based construction monitoring and documentation, and (3) multi-camera-based onsite information integration and construction monitoring. For each technology, state-of-the-art algorithms, open challenges, and future directions are discussed.
Roles of Aminoacyl-tRNA Synthetases in Cancer
Authors: Zhou Zheng , Sun Bao , Nie Anzheng , Yu Dongsheng , Bian Meng
Published: November 2020

Aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases (ARSs) catalyze the ligation of amino acids to their cognate transfer RNAs (tRNAs), thus playing an important role in protein synthesis. In eukaryotic cells, these enzymes exist in free form or in the form of multi-tRNA synthetase complex (MSC). The latter contains nine cytoplasmic ARSs and three ARS-interacting multifunctional proteins (AIMPs). Normally, ARSs and AIMPs are regarded as housekeeping molecules without additional functions. However, a growing number of studies indicate that ARSs are involved in a variety of physiological and pathological processes, especially tumorigenesis. Here, we introduce the roles of ARSs and AIMPs in certain cancers, such as colon cancer, lung cancer, breast cancer, gastric cancer and pancreatic cancer. Furthermore, we particularly focus on their potential clinical applications in cancer, aiming at providing new insights into the pathogenesis and treatment of cancer.
A Quantum-Mechanical Looking Behind the Scene of the Classic G·C Nucleobase Pairs Tautomerization
Authors: Brovarets' Ol'ha O. , Muradova Alona , Hovorun Dmytro M.
Published: November 2020

For the first time, at the MP2/6-311++G(2df,pd)//B3LYP/6-311++G(d,p) level of theory, a comprehensive quantum-mechanical investigation of the physico-chemical mechanism of the tautomeric wobblization of the four biologically-important G·C nucleobase pairs by the participation of the monomers in rare, in particular mutagenic, tautomeric forms (marked with an asterisk) was provided. These novel tautomeric transformations (wobblization or shifting of the bases within the pair) are intrinsically inherent properties of the G·C nucleobase pairs. In this study, we have obtained intriguing results, lying far beyond the existing representations. Thus, it was shown that Löwdin's G*·C*(WC) base pair does not tautomerize according to the wobblization mechanism. Tautomeric wobblization of the G*·C*(rWC) (relative Gibbs free energy ΔG = 0.00/relative electronic energy ΔE = 0.00 kcal·mol−1) (“r”—means the configuration of the base pair in reverse position; “WC”—the classic Watson-Crick configuration) and G*t·C*(H) (ΔG = −0.19/ΔE = 0.29 kcal·mol−1) (“H”—Hoogsteen configuration;”t” denotes the O6H hydroxyl group in thetransposition) base pairs are preceded by the stages of the base pairs tautomerization by the single proton transfer (SPT). It was established that the G*t·C*(rH) (ΔG = 2.21/ΔE = 2.81 kcal·mol−1) base pair can be wobbled through two different pathwaysviathe traditional one-stage mechanism through the TSs, which are tight G+·C−ion pairs, stabilized by the participation of only two intermolecular H-bonds. It was found out that the G·C base pair is most likely incorporated into the DNA/RNA double helix with parallel strands in the G*·C*(rWC), G·C*(rwwc), and G*·C(rwwc) (“w”—wobble configuration of the pair) tautomeric forms, which are in rapid tautomeric equilibrium with each other. It was proven that the G*·C*(rWC) nucleobase pair is also in rapid tautomeric equilibrium with the eight tautomeric forms of the so-called Levitt base pair. It was revealed that a few cases of tautomerizationviathe DPT of the nucleobase pairs by the participation of the C8H group of the guanine had occurred. The biological role of the obtained results was also made apparent.
iTRAQ-Based Phosphoproteomic Analysis of Toxoplasma gondii Tachyzoites Provides Insight Into the Role of Phosphorylation for its Invasion and Egress
Authors: He Cheng , Xu Mei-zhen , Pan Shuai , Wang Hui , Peng Hong-juan , Liu Zhuan-zhuan
Published: November 2020

The invasion and egress are two key steps in lytic cycle vital to the propagation of Toxoplasma gondii infection, and phosphorylation is believed to play important roles in these processes. However, the phosphoproteome of T. gondii at these two stages has not been characterized. In this study, we profiled the phosphoproteome of tachyzoites at the stages of “just invading” (JI) and “prior to egress” (PE) based on iTRAQ quantitative analysis, in which a total of 46 phosphopeptides, 42 phosphorylation sites, and 38 phosphoproteins were detected. In the comparison of PE vs. JI, 10 phosphoproteins were detected with their phosphorylation level significantly changed, and four of them were demonstrated to be significantly down-regulated at the transcriptional level. Bioinformatic analysis of these identified phosphoproteins suggested that phosphorylation-mediated modulation of protein function was employed to regulate the pathway of toxoplasmosis and metabolism and cellular processes correlated with tachyzoite’s binding, location, and metabolism, and thus play vital roles in the parasite lytic cycle. Moreover, cytoskeletal network (CN)-associated Inner Membrane Complex (IMC1, IMC4, IMC6 and IMC12), Intravascular Network (IVN)-related GRAs (GRA2, GRA3, GRA7 and GRA12), and Parasitophorous Vacuole Membrane (PVM)-localized ROP5 were shown to be enriched at the central nodes in the protein interaction network generated by bioinformatic analysis, in which the phosphorylation level of IMC4, GRA2, GRA3, and GRA12 were found to be significantly regulated. This study revealed the main cellular processes and key phosphoproteins crucial for the invasion and egress of T. gondii, which will provide new insights into the developmental biology of T. gondii in vitro and contribute to the understanding of pathogen-host interaction from the parasite perspective.
Early Context-Conditioned Orthographic Knowledge in European Portuguese: The Spelling of the Schwa
Authors: Vale Ana Paula , Perpétua Rafaela
Published: November 2020

This longitudinal study examined how the phonemic-orthographic context affects the spelling of the schwa (/ɨ/) by Portuguese beginning spellers at two time points in the first school grade. The schwa is phonetically unstable and phonologically ill-defined, has an unpredictable realization, is frequently deleted at the syllable's end, and is often spelt as , a very high frequency grapheme with numerous phonological renditions. In addition to cognitive and other alphabetic tasks, 41 first graders were asked to spell 40 consistent words of medium-low frequency: 5 CV.CV (consonant, vowel. consonant, vowel) with well-articulated vowels; 10 C/ɨ/C.VC, the first vowel being a schwa, thereby creating potential phonological consonantal clusters, half legal (/fɨliʃ/, /fliʃ/), half illegal (/pɨdal/, /pdal/); 10 CV.C/ɨ/, the last vowel being a schwa, potentially creating phonological monosyllables half with a legal coda (/mɔlɨ/, /mɔl/) and half with an illegal coda (/n'avɨ/), (/nav/); in addition, the children spelt 15 CVC ending with /l/, /ɾ/ and /ʃ/, the only legal Portuguese codas. Participants were also asked to spell equivalent pseudowords at a second point in time. Our results show that children were sensitive to allowable letter patterns from the Time 1 assessment point. Although alphabetic spelling was not entirely mastered, children used  more in first syllables than at the end of the word, and more in illegal than in legal phonological consonantal clusters, although the pattern of significant differences did change over time. The results were similar for pseudowords. Also, children used  more at the CV.C/ɨ/ words whose last C was /l/, than in monosyllabic CVC words ending with /l/. This was not observed with pseudowords, where the grapheme  was used with a similar frequency in the two types of items. Overall, these results show that children's acquisition of this kind of context-conditioned orthographic knowledge occurs simultaneously with alphabetic letter-sound learning and depend largely on intuitive statistical learning reflecting the regularities of the written code to which they are exposed.
Environmental Gradients and Spatial Patterns of Calanoid Copepods in the Southeast Pacific
Authors: González Carolina E. , Medellín-Mora Johanna , Escribano Rubén
Published: November 2020

Understanding the mechanisms maintaining the biodiversity of plankton communities in marine ecosystems subject to a strongly variable ocean has become a critical issue for modern oceanography. Here, we used data on distribution of calanoid copepods in the upper layer of the ocean (0–500 m), a widely distributed taxonomic group in the pelagic realm, to assess the effects of changing oceanographic conditions on their diversity patterns and family and species richness. Copepods abundance and occurrence were evaluated from 2002 to 2015 covering the region extended between the coastal upwelling zone (CUP-Z) and the offshore region of Chile at subtropical and temperate areas. We used spatial analyses of community structure descriptors, such as abundance and diversity (family and species richness), multivariate analysis and General Additive Models (GAMS) in order to study the effect of surface temperature and its gradients, mixed layer depth, salinity and Chlorophyll-a on copepod diversity. Seventeen families were identified comprising 151 species distributed in 3 predefined zones in the onshore-offshore gradient covering the coastal upwelling, the coastal transition and the oligotrophic zones, whereas over the alongshore gradient, same families were majorly linked to the northern and southern portions of the sampled area (20–40°S). Families and species were significantly structured over the zonal gradient, revealing the dominant habitat for each of the families. Spatial patterns revealed the presence of transitional zones comprised by mixed taxa. Over the alongshore gradient this transition zone was linked to the subtropical convergence (30°S). The spatial variation of sea surface temperature (SST) revealed strong environmental zonation of temperature gradients across onshore-offshore and alongshore dimensions. Mean SST combined with mean mixed layer depth explained about 40% and about 29% of variation in family and species richness, respectively over the onshore-offshore axis. We thus conclude that the environmental zonation imposed by SST and its spatial gradients, considered as ecological barriers, is the key driver for maintaining diversity of copepods in the southeast Pacific.
Relative Conservation Status of Bird Orders With Special Attention to Raptors
Authors: McClure Christopher J. W. , Rolek Brian W.
Published: November 2020

Birds, especially raptors, play important roles in ecosystems. We examine the International Union for the Conservation of Nature’s (IUCN) Red List to determine which orders of birds have proportionally more or fewer species listed as threatened or declining compared to the Class-wide average. We further examine whether raptors are more threatened or declining than non-raptors and whether the order Accipitriformes is particularly threatened even when excluding Old World vultures – which are especially imperiled. Our results reveal heterogeneity across bird orders in proportions of threatened and declining species, with some orders having greater or lower proportions than the Class-wide proportion. We also show that the proportions of threatened species in each order are correlated with the proportion of declining species. Raptors have both greater proportions of threatened and declining species than non-raptors and Accipitriformes has greater-than-average proportions of threatened and declining species, even if Old World vultures are removed from the analysis. Our results should serve as a framework for discussion of the relative conservation status of bird orders, especially raptors, which are in need of increased conservation attention.
Identification of QTLs/Defense Genes Effective at Seedling Stage Against Prevailing Races of Wheat Stripe Rust in India
Authors: Pradhan Anjan Kumar , Kumar Sundeep , Singh Amit Kumar , Budhlakoti Neeraj , Mishra Dwijesh C. , Chauhan Divya , Mittal Shikha , Grover Monendra , Kumar Suneel , Gangwar Om P. , Kumar Subodh , Gupta Arun , Bhardwaj Subhash C. , Rai Anil , Singh Kuldeep
Published: November 2020

Resistance in modern wheat cultivars for stripe rust is not long lasting due to the narrow genetic base and periodical evolution of new pathogenic races. Though nearly 83 Yr genes conferring resistance to stripe rust have been cataloged so far, few of them have been mapped and utilized in breeding programs. Characterization of wheat germplasm for novel sources of resistance and their incorporation into elite cultivars is required to achieve durable resistance and thus to minimize the yield losses. Here, a genome-wide association study (GWAS) was performed on a set of 391 germplasm lines with the aim to identify quantitative trait loci (QTL) using 35K Axiom® array. Phenotypic evaluation disease severity against four stripe rust pathotypes, i.e., 46S119, 110S119, 238S119, and 47S103 (T) at the seedling stage in a greenhouse providing optimal conditions was carried out consecutively for 2 years (2018 and 2019 winter season). We identified, a total of 17 promising QTl which passed FDR criteria. Moreover these 17 QTL identified in the current study were mapped at different genomic locations i.e. 1B, 2A, 2B, 2D, 3A, 3B, 3D, 4B, 5B and 6B. These 17 QTLs identified in the present study might play a key role in marker-assisted breeding for developing stripe rust resistant wheat cultivars.
A Chromosome-Level Genome Assembly of the Anglerfish Lophius litulon
Authors: Lv Meiqi , Zhang Yaolei , Liu Kaiqiang , Li Chang , Wang Jiahao , Fan Guangyi , Liu Xin , Yang Huanming , Liu Changlin , Mahboob Shahid , Liu Junnian , Shao Changwei
Published: November 2020

Anglerfishes are a highly diverse group of species with unique characteristics. Here, we report the first chromosome-level genome of a species in the order Lophiiformes, the yellow goosefish (Lophius litulon), obtained by whole genome shotgun sequencing and high-throughput chromatin conformation capture. Approximately 97.20% of the assembly spanning 709.23 Mb could be anchored to 23 chromosomes with a contig N50 of 164.91 kb. The BUSCO value was 95.4%, suggesting that the quality of the assembly was high. A comparative gene family analysis identified expanded and contracted gene families, and these may be associated with adaptation to the benthic environment and the lack of scales in the species. A majority of positively selected genes were related to metabolic processes, suggesting that digestive and metabolic system evolution expanded the diversity of yellow goosefish prey. Our study provides a valuable genetic resource for understanding the mechanisms underlying the unique features of the yellow goosefish and for investigating anglerfish evolution.
Involvement of DNA Repair Genes and System of Radiation-Induced Activation of Transposons in Formation of Transgenerational Effects
Authors: Yushkova Elena
Published: November 2020

The study of the genetic basis of the manifestation of radiation-induced effects and their transgenerational inheritance makes it possible to identify the mechanisms of adaptation and possible effective strategies for the survival of organisms in response to chronic radioactive stress. One persistent hypothesis is that the activation of certain genes involved in cellular defense is a specific response of the cell to irradiation. There is also data indicating the important role of transposable elements in the formation of radiosensitivity/radioresistance of biological systems. In this work, we studied the interaction of the systems ofhobotransposon activity and DNA repair in the cell under conditions of chronic low-dose irradiation and its participation in the inheritance of radiation-induced transgenerational instability inDrosophila. Our results showed a significant increase of sterility and locus-specific mutability, a decrease of survival, fertility and genome stability (an increase the frequency of dominant lethal mutations and DNA damage) in non-irradiated F1/F2offspring of irradiated parents with dysfunction of themus304gene which is responsible for excision and post-replicative recombination repair and repair of double-stranded DNA breaks. The combined action of dysfunction of themus309gene and transpositional activity ofhoboelements also led to the transgenerational effects of irradiation but only in the F1offspring. Dysfunction of the genes of other DNA repair systems (mus101andmus210) showed no visible effects inherited from irradiated parents subjected tohobotranspositions. Themei-41gene showed specificity in this type of interaction, which consists in its higher efficiency in sensing events induced by transpositional activity rather than irradiation.
QTL Analysis and Fine Mapping of a Major QTL Conferring Kernel Size in Maize (Zea mays)
Authors: Wang Guiying , Zhao Yanming , Mao Wenbo , Ma Xiaojie , Su Chengfu
Published: November 2020

Kernel size is an important agronomic trait for grain yield in maize. The purpose of this study is to map QTLs and predict candidate genes for kernel size in maize. A total of 199 F2and its F2:3lines from the cross between SG5/SG7 were developed. A composite interval mapping (CIM) method was used to detect QTLs in three environments of F2and F2:3populations. The result showed that a total of 10 QTLs for kernel size were detected, among which were five QTLs for kernel length (KL) and five QTLs for kernel width (KW). Two stable QTLs,qKW-1, andqKL-2, were mapped in all three environments. Three QTLs,qKL-1, qKW-1, andqKW-2, were overlapped with the QTLs identified from previous studies. In order to validate and fine mapqKL-2, near-isogenic lines (NILs) were developed by continuous backcrossing between SG5 as the donor parent and SG7 as the recurrent parent. Marker-assisted selection was conducted from BC2F1generation with molecular markers nearqKL-2. A secondary linkage map with six markers around theqKL-2region was developed and used for fine mapping ofqKL-2.Finally,qKL-2was confirmed in a 1.95 Mb physical interval with selected overlapping recombinant chromosomes on maize chromosome 9 by blasting with the Zea_Mays_B73 v4 genome. Transcriptome analysis showed that a total of 11 out of 40 protein-coding genes differently expressed between the two parents were detected in the identifiedqKL-2interval. GRMZM2G006080 encoding a receptor-like protein kinase FERONIA, was predicted as a candidate gene to control kernel size. The work will not only help to understand the genetic mechanisms of kernel size of maize but also lay a foundation for further fine mapping and even cloning of the promising loci.