bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Simulated Breathing: Application of Molecular Dynamics Simulations to Pulmonary Lung Surfactant
Authors: Dziura Maksymilian , Mansour Basel , DiPasquale Mitchell , Chandrasekera P. Charukeshi , Gauld James W. , Marquardt Drew
Published: July 2021

In this review, we delve into the topic of the pulmonary surfactant (PS) system, which is present in the respiratory system. The total composition of the PS has been presented and explored, from the types of cells involved in its synthesis and secretion, down to the specific building blocks used, such as the various lipid and protein components. The lipid and protein composition varies across species and between individuals, but ultimately produces a PS monolayer with the same role. As such, the composition has been investigated for the ways in which it imposes function and confers peculiar biophysical characteristics to the system as a whole. Moreover, a couple of theories/models that are associated with the functions of PS have been addressed. Finally, molecular dynamic (MD) simulations of pulmonary surfactant have been emphasized to not only showcase various group’s findings, but also to demonstrate the validity and importance that MD simulations can have in future research exploring the PS monolayer system.
Wormhole Solutions in Symmetric Teleparallel Gravity with Noncommutative Geometry
Authors: Hassan Zinnat , Mustafa Ghulam , Sahoo Pradyumn Kumar
Published: July 2021

This article describes the study of wormhole solutions in f(Q) gravity with noncommutative geometry. Here, we considered two different f(Q) models—a linear model f(Q)=αQ and an exponential model f(Q)=Q−α1−e−Q, where Q is the non-metricity and α is the model parameter. In addition, we discussed the existence of wormhole solutions with the help of the Gaussian and Lorentzian distributions of these linear and exponential models. We investigated the feasible solutions and graphically analyzed the different properties of these models by taking appropriate values for the parameter. Moreover, we used the Tolman–Oppenheimer–Volkov (TOV) equation to check the stability of the wormhole solutions that we obtained. Hence, we found that the wormhole solutions obtained with our models are physically capable and stable.
Nonlinear Dynamics of an Unsymmetric Cross-Ply Square Composite Laminated Plate for Vibration Energy Harvesting
Authors: Jiang Guoqing , Dong Ting , Guo Zhenkun
Published: July 2021

The nonlinear behaviors and energy harvesting of an unsymmetric cross-ply square composite laminated plate with a piezoelectric patch is presented. The unsymmetric cross-ply square composite laminated plate has two stable equilibrium positions by applying thermal stress, thus having snap-through with larger amplitude between the two stable equilibrium positions relative to the general laminated plate. Based on the von-Karman large deformation theory, the nonlinear electromechanical coupling equations of motion of the unsymmetric composite laminated plate with a piezoelectric patch are derived by using Hamilton’s principle. The influence of the base excitation amplitude on nonlinear behaviors and energy harvesting are investigated. For different base excitation amplitudes, the motions of the system demonstrate periodic motion, quasi-periodic motion, chaotic motion and snap-through, and two single-well chaotic attractors and a two-well chaos attractor coexist. Moreover, the power generation efficiency is optimal when the excitation amplitude is in a certain range due to its own unique nonlinear characteristics. The unsymmetric cross-ply square composite laminated plate subjected to thermal stress can actually be called a kind of bistable composite shell structure that has a broad application prospect in combination with morphing aircraft, large deployable antenna and solar panel, which are very likely to have nonlinear vibration.
A Nonparametric Lack-of-Fit Test of Constant Regression in the Presence of Heteroscedastic Variances
Authors: Gharaibeh Mohammed M. , Sahtout Mohammad , Wang Haiyan , Wang Suojin
Published: July 2021

We consider a k-nearest neighbor-based nonparametric lack-of-fit test of constant regression in presence of heteroscedastic variances. The asymptotic distribution of the test statistic is derived under the null and local alternatives for a fixed number of nearest neighbors. Advantages of our test compared to classical methods include: (1) The response variable can be discrete or continuous regardless of whether the conditional distribution is symmetric or not and can have variations depending on the predictor. This allows our test to have broad applicability to data from many practical fields; (2) this approach does not need nonlinear regression function estimation that often affects the power for moderate sample sizes; (3) our test statistic achieves the parametric standardizing rate, which gives more power than smoothing-based nonparametric methods for moderate sample sizes. Our numerical simulation shows that the proposed test is powerful and has noticeably better performance than some well known tests when the data were generated from high frequency alternatives or binary data. The test is illustrated with an application to gene expression data and an assessment of Richards growth curve fit to COVID-19 data.
Particle-Based Dynamic Water Drops with High Surface Tension in Real Time
Authors: Kim Ki-Hoon , Lee Jung , Kim Chang-Hun , Kim Jong-Hyun
Published: July 2021

Surface tension has a great influence on the shape of the fluid interface, and is an important physical characteristic in expressing not only liquids but also liquid metals such as mercury and gallium. In the field of physics-based particle fluid simulations, it is a challenging problem to express the high surface tension generated by fluid-air or fluid-solid interaction in real time. The main reasons for this are (1) The magnitude of the force that can be stably expressed in real-time fluid simulation is limited, so when the magnitude of the surface tension increases at a large time-step, the simulation stability decreases, and (2) If we use a small time-step, a stronger force can be expressed. However, it becomes difficult to operate in real time because the computational cost increases. Techniques were proposed to solve this problem for a few specific scenes, but there has not yet been a general approach that can reliably express high surface tension in various scenarios. In this paper, we propose a real-time particle-based fluid simulation framework that can efficiently and stably express high surface tension. Unlike the previous methods, we newly model the surface tension so that the strong surface tension force generated in the droplet area with a large curvature is applied evenly in the normal and tangent directions regardless of the size of the droplet. We also propose new pressure constraints that converge quickly and accurately using this force. Our method can be effectively used in various physics-based simulation scenarios because it can easily express and control surface tension effects that appear in materials such as liquid metal as well as water.
Base Catalysis of Sodium Salts of [Ta6−xNbxO19]8− Mixed-Oxide Clusters
Authors: Kikkawa Soichi , Tsukada Mio , Shibata Kanako , Fujiki Yu , Shibusawa Kazuki , Hirayama Jun , Nakatani Naoki , Yamamoto Takafumi , Yamazoe Seiji
Published: July 2021

The solid base catalysis of sodium salts of Lindqvist-type metal oxide clusters was investigated using a Knoevenagel condensation reaction. We successfully synthesized the sodium salts of Ta and Nb mixed-oxide clusters Na8−nHn[(Ta6−xNbx)O19]·15H2O (Na-Ta6−xNbx, n = 0, 1, x = 0–6) and found them to exhibit activity for proton abstraction from nitrile substrates with a pKa value of 23.8, which is comparable to that of the conventional solid base MgO. The Ta-rich Na-Ta6 and Na-Ta4Nb2 exhibited high activity among Ta and Nb mixed-oxide clusters. Synchrotron X-ray diffraction (SXRD) measurements, Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, and X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) revealed the structure of Na-Ta6−xNbx: (1) The crystal structure changed from Na7H[M6O19]·15H2O to Na8[M6O19]·15H2O (M = Ta or Nb) by the anisotropic expansion of the unit cell with an increase in Ta content; (2) Highly symmetrical Lindqvist [Ta6−xNbxO19]8− was generated in Na-Ta4Nb2 and Na-Ta6 because of the symmetrical association of Na+ ions with [Ta6−xNbxO19]8− in the structure. DFT calculation revealed that the Lindqvist structures with high symmetry have large NBO charges on surface oxygen species, which are strongly related to base catalytic activity, whereas the composition hardly affects the NBO charges. The above results showed that the Brønsted base catalysis was sensitive to the symmetry of the Lindqvist [Ta6−xNbxO19]8− structure. These findings contribute to the design of solid base catalysts composed of anionic metal oxide clusters with alkaline-metal cations.
Nonlocal Symmetry, Painlevé Integrable and Interaction Solutions for CKdV Equations
Authors: Xia Yarong , Yao Ruoxia , Xin Xiangpeng , Li Yan
Published: July 2021

In this paper, we provide a method to construct nonlocal symmetry of nonlinear partial differential equation (PDE), and apply it to the CKdV (CKdV) equations. In order to localize the nonlocal symmetry of the CKdV equations, we introduce two suitable auxiliary dependent variables. Then the nonlocal symmetries are localized to Lie point symmetries and the CKdV equations are extended to a closed enlarged system with auxiliary dependent variables. Via solving initial-value problems, a finite symmetry transformation for the closed system is derived. Furthermore, by applying similarity reduction method to the enlarged system, the Painlevé integral property of the CKdV equations are proved by the Painlevé analysis of the reduced ODE (Ordinary differential equation), and the new interaction solutions between kink, bright soliton and cnoidal waves are given. The corresponding dynamical evolution graphs are depicted to present the property of interaction solutions. Moreover, With the help of Maple, we obtain the numerical analysis of the CKdV equations. combining with the two and three-dimensional graphs, we further analyze the shapes and properties of solutions u and v.
Asymmetrization of a Set of Degressively Proportional Allocations with Respect to Lexicographic Order. An Algorithmic Approach
Authors: Łyko Ewa , Łyko Janusz , Maciuk Arkadiusz , Szczeciński Maciej
Published: July 2021

In the case of the proportional allocation of goods and burdens, the shares of all agents with respect to their values are equal, i.e., they form a constant sequence. In a degressively proportional allocation this sequence is nondecreasing when agents are increasingly ordered according to their values. The division performed according to this principle is ambiguous, and its selection requires many negotiations among participants. The aim of this paper is to limit the range of such negotiations when the problem is complex, i.e., the set of feasible solutions has high cardinality. It can be done thanks to a numerical analysis of the set of all feasible solutions, and eliminating allocations favoring or disfavoring some coalitions of agents. The problem is illustrated by the case study of allocating seats in the European Parliament in its 2019–2024 term.
Metallization of Thermoplastic Polymers and Composites 3D Printed by Fused Filament Fabrication
Authors: Romani Alessia , Mantelli Andrea , Tralli Paolo , Turri Stefano , Levi Marinella , Suriano Raffaella
Published: July 2021

Fused filament fabrication allows the direct manufacturing of customized and complex products although the layer-by-layer appearance of this process strongly affects the surface quality of the final parts. In recent years, an increasing number of post-processing treatments has been developed for the most used materials. Contrarily to other additive manufacturing technologies, metallization is not a common surface treatment for this process despite the increasing range of high-performing 3D printable materials. The objective of this work is to explore the use of physical vapor deposition sputtering for the chromium metallization of thermoplastic polymers and composites obtained by fused filament fabrication. The thermal and mechanical properties of five materials were firstly evaluated by means of differential scanning calorimetry and tensile tests. Meanwhile, a specific finishing torture test sample was designed and 3D printed to perform the metallization process and evaluate the finishing on different geometrical features. Furthermore, the roughness of the samples was measured before and after the metallization, and a cost analysis was performed to assess the cost-efficiency. To sum up, the metallization of five samples made with different materials was successfully achieved. Although some 3D printing defects worsened after the post-processing treatment, good homogeneity on the finest details was reached. These promising results may encourage further experimentations as well as the development of new applications, i.e., for the automotive and furniture fields.
Placental Transfer and Composition of Perfluoroalkyl Substances (PFASs): A Korean Birth Panel of Parent-Infant Triads
Authors: Kang Habyeong , Kim Hee-Sun , Yoon Yeong , Lee Jeongsun , Kho Younglim , Lee Jisun , Chang Hye , Cho Yoon , Kim Young
Published: July 2021

Exposure to perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) is of public concern due to their persistent exposure and adverse health effects. Placental transfer of PFASs is an important excretion pathway of these chemicals in pregnant women and exposure route in fetuses. We measured PFAS concentrations in maternal, paternal, and umbilical cord serum collected from 62 pregnant Korean women and matched biological fathers of the fetuses. Placental transfer rates (cord to maternal serum ratio) of PFASs were also calculated. Demographics and pregnancy-related factors determining the placental transfer rates were identified using linear regression models. Maternal, paternal, and cord serum showed different PFASs compositions. Among the PFASs, perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) showed the highest concentrations in maternal and paternal serum, while perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) showed the highest concentration in cord serum. There was a higher proportion of perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids (PFCAs) with 9–12 carbon chains than those with 13–14 carbon chains in maternal and paternal serum, but this proportion was in the opposite direction in cord serum. PFOA and perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHxS) had higher placental transfer rates (means of 0.32 and 0.36, respectively) than PFOS (mean of 0.12), which is in line with the results of previous studies. Gestational age and birth weight were positively associated with placental transfer rate of PFOA, PFHxS, and PFOS, while pre-pregnant BMI and weight were inversely associated with PFOS. This study showed that placental transfer of PFASs differs by compounds and is associated with pregnancy-related factors. Further studies on novel PFASs are warranted for Korean pregnant women.
Identification of 2C-B in Hair by UHPLC-HRMS/MS. A Real Forensic Case
Authors: Matey José Manuel , López-Fernández Adrián , García-Ruiz Carmen , Montalvo Gemma , Zapata Félix , Martínez María A.
Published: July 2021

The analysis of drugs of abuse in hair and other biological matrices of forensic interest requires great selectivity and sensitivity. This has been traditionally achieved through target analysis, using one or more analytical methods that include different preanalytical stages, and more complex procedures followed by toxicological laboratories. There is no exception with 2C-series drugs, such as 2C-B, a new psychoactive substance (NPS), which use has emerged and significantly increased, year by year, in the last decades. Continuously new analytical methods are required to selectively detect and identify these new marketed substances at very low concentrations. In this case report, one former case of a polydrug consumer (charged of a crime against public health in Spain) was reanalyzed in hair matrix. In this reanalysis, 2C-B has been positively detected and identified using liquid chromatography coupled to high-resolution mass spectrometry (UHPLC-HRMS/MS). The most selective analytical UHPLC-HRMS/MS method alongside a universal and simpler pretreatment methodology has opened up more possibilities for the detection of substances of different chemical structure and optimization of different HRMS/MS detection approaches allowing the identification of 2-CB in the hair of a real forensic case.
The Ionization Energies of Dust-Forming Metal Oxide Clusters
Authors: Gobrecht David , Sindel Jan Philip , Lecoq-Molinos Helena , Decin Leen
Published: July 2021

Stellar dust grains are predominantly composed of mineralic, anorganic material forming in the circumstellar envelopes of oxygen-rich AGB stars. However, the initial stage of the dust synthesis, or its nucleation, is not well understood. In particular, the chemical nature of the nucleating species, represented by molecular clusters, is uncertain. We investigated the vertical and adiabatic ionization energies of four different metal-oxide clusters by means of density functional theory. They included clusters of magnesia (MgO)n, silicon monoxide (SiO)n, alumina (Al2O3)n, and titania (TiO2)n with stoichiometric sizes of n = 1–8. The magnesia, alumina, and titania clusters showed relatively little variation in their ionization energies with respect to the cluster size n: 7.1–8.2 eV for (MgO)n, from 8.9–10.0 eV for (Al2O3)n, and 9.3–10.5 eV for (TiO2)n. In contrast, the (SiO)n ionization energies decrease with size n, starting from 11.5 eV for n = 1, and decreasing to 6.6 eV for n = 8. Therefore, we set constraints on the stability limit for neutral metal-oxide clusters to persist ionization through radiation or high temperatures and for the nucleation to proceed via neutral–neutral reactions.
The Mechanism behind Influenza Virus Cytokine Storm
Authors: Gu Yinuo , Zuo Xu , Zhang Siyu , Ouyang Zhuoer , Jiang Shengyu , Wang Fang , Wang Guoqiang
Published: July 2021

Influenza viruses are still a serious threat to human health. Cytokines are essential for cell-to-cell communication and viral clearance in the immune system, but excessive cytokines can cause serious immune pathology. Deaths caused by severe influenza are usually related to cytokine storms. The recent literature has described the mechanism behind the cytokine–storm network and how it can exacerbate host pathological damage. Biological factors such as sex, age, and obesity may cause biological differences between different individuals, which affects cytokine storms induced by the influenza virus. In this review, we summarize the mechanism behind influenza virus cytokine storms and the differences in cytokine storms of different ages and sexes, and in obesity.
Hepatitis C Virus Infection in Persons Who Inject Drugs in the Middle East and North Africa: Intervention Strategies
Authors: Khalsa Jag H. , Mathur Poonam
Published: July 2021

There is a high incidence and prevalence of hepatitis C viral infection in persons with or without substance use disorders (SUDs) in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, but only a small number receive comprehensive care. Highly effective direct-acting antiviral (DAA) medications are available at substantially lower costs; however, complete elimination of the hepatitis C virus (HCV) can only be achieved if integrated care strategies target those at highest risk for HCV infection and transmission and improve access to care. Due to the high prevalence of SUD in the MENA region, strategies to eliminate HCV must focus on integrated healthcare across multiple subspecialties, including addiction medicine, psychiatry, infectious diseases, hepatology, and social work. In this invited manuscript, we review the epidemiology of HCV in the MENA region and highlight intervention strategies to attain the WHO’s goal of HCV eradication by 2030.
Human APOBEC3 Variations and Viral Infection
Authors: Sadeghpour Shiva , Khodaee Saeideh , Rahnama Mostafa , Rahimi Hamzeh , Ebrahimi Diako
Published: July 2021

Human APOBEC3 (apolipoprotein B mRNA-editing catalytic polypeptide-like 3) enzymes are capable of inhibiting a wide range of endogenous and exogenous viruses using deaminase and deaminase-independent mechanisms. These enzymes are essential components of our innate immune system, as evidenced by (a) their strong positive selection and expansion in primates, (b) the evolution of viral counter-defense mechanisms, such as proteasomal degradation mediated by HIV Vif, and (c) hypermutation and inactivation of a large number of integrated HIV-1 proviruses. Numerous APOBEC3 single nucleotide polymorphisms, haplotypes, and splice variants have been identified in humans. Several of these variants have been reported to be associated with differential antiviral immunity. This review focuses on the current knowledge in the field about these natural variations and their roles in infectious diseases.
Dynamic Assay for Profiling Anti-SARS-CoV-2 Antibodies and Their ACE2/Spike RBD Neutralization Capacity
Authors: Phelan Thomas , Dunne Jean , Conlon Niall , Cheallaigh Clíona Ní , Abbott W. Mark , Faba-Rodriguez Raquel , Amanat Fatima , Krammer Florian , Little Mark A. , Hughes Gerry , Bergin Colm , Kerr Colm , Sundaresan Sudharshana , Long Aideen , McCormack William , Brady Gareth
Published: July 2021

Serological assays have been widely employed during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic to measure antibody responses to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and to track seroconversion in populations. However, currently available assays do not allow determination of neutralization capacity within the assay protocol. Furthermore, commercial serology assays have a high buy-in cost that is inaccessible for many research groups. We have replicated the serological enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 antibody isotypes, developed at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York. Additionally, we have modified the protocol to include a neutralization assay with only a minor modification to this protocol. We used this assay to screen local COVID-19 patient sera (n = 91) and pre-COVID-19 control sera (n = 103), and obtained approximate parity with approved commercial anti-nucleoprotein-based assays with these sera. Furthermore, data from our neutralization assay closely aligns with that generated using a spike-based pseudovirus infection model when a subset of patient sera was analyzed.
A New Enterobacter cloacae Bacteriophage EC151 Encodes the Deazaguanine DNA Modification Pathway and Represents a New Genus within the Siphoviridae Family
Authors: Morozova Vera , Jdeed Ghadeer , Kozlova Yuliya , Babkin Igor , Tikunov Artem , Tikunova Nina
Published: July 2021

A novel Enterobacter cloacae phage, EC151, was isolated and characterized. Electron microscopy revealed that EC151 has a siphovirus-like virion morphology. The EC151 nucleotide sequence shows limited similarity to other phage genomes deposited in the NCBI GenBank database. The size of the EC151 genome is 60,753 bp and contains 58 putative genes. Thirty-nine of them encode proteins of predicted function, 18 are defined as hypothetical proteins, and one ORF identifies as the tRNA-Ser-GCT-encoding gene. Six ORFs were predicted to be members of the deazaguanine DNA modification pathway, including the preQ0 transporter. Comparative proteomic phylogenetic analysis revealed that phage EC151 represents a distinct branch within a group of sequences containing clades formed by members of the Seuratvirus, Nonagvirus, and Vidquintavirus genera. In addition, the EC151 genome showed gene synteny typical of the Seuratvirus, Nonagvirus, and Nipunavirus phages. The average genetic distances of EC151/Seuratvirus, EC151/Nonagvirus, and EC151/Vidquintavirus are approximately equal to those between the Seuratvirus, Nonagvirus, and Vidquintavirus genera (~0.7 substitutions per site). Therefore, EC151 may represent a novel genus within the Siphoviridae family. The origin of the deazaguanine DNA modification pathway in the EC151 genome can be traced to Escherichia phages from the Seuratvirus genus.
Immunity and Viral Infections: Modulating Antiviral Response via CRISPR–Cas Systems
Authors: Brezgin Sergey , Kostyusheva Anastasiya , Bayurova Ekaterina , Volchkova Elena , Gegechkori Vladimir , Gordeychuk Ilya , Glebe Dieter , Kostyushev Dmitry , Chulanov Vladimir
Published: July 2021

Viral infections cause a variety of acute and chronic human diseases, sometimes resulting in small local outbreaks, or in some cases spreading across the globe and leading to global pandemics. Understanding and exploiting virus–host interactions is instrumental for identifying host factors involved in viral replication, developing effective antiviral agents, and mitigating the severity of virus-borne infectious diseases. The diversity of CRISPR systems and CRISPR-based tools enables the specific modulation of innate immune responses and has contributed impressively to the fields of virology and immunology in a very short time. In this review, we describe the most recent advances in the use of CRISPR systems for basic and translational studies of virus–host interactions.
Cysteine Mutations in the Ebolavirus Matrix Protein VP40 Promote Phosphatidylserine Binding by Increasing the Flexibility of a Lipid-Binding Loop
Authors: Johnson Kristen A. , Bhattarai Nisha , Budicini Melissa R. , LaBonia Carolyn M. , Baker Sarah Catherine B. , Gerstman Bernard S. , Chapagain Prem P. , Stahelin Robert V.
Published: July 2021

Ebolavirus (EBOV) is a negative-sense RNA virus that causes severe hemorrhagic fever in humans. The matrix protein VP40 facilitates viral budding by binding to lipids in the host cell plasma membrane and driving the formation of filamentous, pleomorphic virus particles. The C-terminal domain of VP40 contains two highly-conserved cysteine residues at positions 311 and 314, but their role in the viral life cycle is unknown. We therefore investigated the properties of VP40 mutants in which the conserved cysteine residues were replaced with alanine. The C311A mutation significantly increased the affinity of VP40 for membranes containing phosphatidylserine (PS), resulting in the assembly of longer virus-like particles (VLPs) compared to wild-type VP40. The C314A mutation also increased the affinity of VP40 for membranes containing PS, albeit to a lesser degree than C311A. The double mutant behaved in a similar manner to the individual mutants. Computer modeling revealed that both cysteine residues restrain a loop segment containing lysine residues that interact with the plasma membrane, but Cys311 has the dominant role. Accordingly, the C311A mutation increases the flexibility of this membrane-binding loop, changes the profile of hydrogen bonding within VP40 and therefore binds to PS with greater affinity. This is the first evidence that mutations in VP40 can increase its affinity for biological membranes and modify the length of Ebola VLPs. The Cys311 and Cys314 residues therefore play an important role in dynamic interactions at the plasma membrane by modulating the ability of VP40 to bind PS.
The Mycobacteriophage Ms6 LysB N-Terminus Displays Peptidoglycan Binding Affinity
Authors: Gigante Adriano M. , Olivença Francisco , Catalão Maria João , Leandro Paula , Moniz-Pereira José , Filipe Sérgio R. , Pimentel Madalena
Published: July 2021

Double-stranded DNA bacteriophages end their lytic cycle by disrupting the host cell envelope, which allows the release of the virion progeny. Each phage must synthesize lysis proteins that target each cell barrier to phage release. In addition to holins, which permeabilize the cytoplasmic membrane, and endolysins, which disrupt the peptidoglycan (PG), mycobacteriophages synthesize a specific lysis protein, LysB, capable of detaching the outer membrane from the complex cell wall of mycobacteria. The family of LysB proteins is highly diverse, with many members presenting an extended N-terminus. The N-terminal region of mycobacteriophage Ms6 LysB shows structural similarity to the PG-binding domain (PGBD) of the φKZ endolysin. A fusion of this region with enhanced green fluorescent protein (Ms6LysBPGBD-EGFP) was shown to bind to Mycobacterium smegmatis, Mycobacterium vaccae, Mycobacterium bovis BGC and Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Ra cells pretreated with SDS or Ms6 LysB. In pulldown assays, we demonstrate that Ms6 LysB and Ms6LysBPGBD-EGFP bind to purified peptidoglycan of M. smegmatis, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Bacillus subtilis, demonstrating affinity to PG of the A1γ chemotype. An infection assay with an Ms6 mutant producing a truncated version of LysB lacking the first 90 amino acids resulted in an abrupt lysis. These results clearly demonstrate that the N-terminus of Ms6 LysB binds to the PG.
First Detection of SARS-CoV-2 B.1.1.7 Variant of Concern in an Asymptomatic Dog in Spain
Authors: Barroso-Arévalo Sandra , Rivera Belén , Domínguez Lucas , Sánchez-Vizcaíno José M.
Published: July 2021

Natural SARS-CoV-2 infection in pets has been widely documented during the last year. Although the majority of reports suggested that dogs’ susceptibility to the infection is low, little is known about viral pathogenicity and transmissibility in the case of variants of concern, such as B.1.1.7 in this species. Here, as part of a large-scale study on SARS-CoV-2 prevalence in pets in Spain, we have detected the B.1.1.7 variant of concern (VOC) in a dog whose owners were infected with SARS-CoV-2. The animal did not present any symptoms, but viral loads were high in the nasal and rectal swabs. In addition, viral isolation was possible from both swabs, demonstrating that the dog was shedding infectious virus. Seroconversion occurred 23 days after the first sampling. This study documents the first detection of B.1.1.7 VOC in a dog in Spain and emphasizes the importance of performing active surveillance and genomic investigation on infected animals.
Efficiency in COVID-19 Vaccination Campaigns—A Comparison across Germany’s Federal States
Authors: Götz Georg , Herold Daniel , Klotz Phil-Adrian , Schäfer Jan Thomas
Published: July 2021

Vaccination programs are considered a central pillar of the efforts to stop COVID-19. However, vaccine doses are scarce and several organizational and logistical obstacles, such as the timing of and reserves for second shots and delivery failures, apparently slow down vaccination roll-outs in several countries. Moreover, it is an open question as to where vaccines are administered as efficiently as possible (vaccination centers, hospitals, doctor’s offices, pharmacists, etc.). The first aim of our study was to systematically evaluate the efficiency of a country’s vaccination campaign. The second aim was to analyze how the integration of doctors’ offices into a campaign that formerly relied only on vaccination centers affected the speed of that campaign. Using data on vaccine deliveries and vaccinations given in Germany, we find considerable differences across federal states in terms of efficiency, defined as the ability to administer the most vaccinations out of a given number of available doses. Back-of-the-envelope calculations for January to May 2021 show that vaccinations would have been 3.4–6.9% higher if all federal states had adopted a similar ratio between vaccinations given and vaccines stored, as the most efficient states did. This corresponds to 1.7–3.3% of Germany’s total population. In terms of our second research goal, we find evidence that the integration of doctors’ offices into the vaccination campaign significantly increased the ratio of vaccinations administered out of a given stock of vaccine doses. On average, there appears to be a structural break in this ratio after doctors’ offices were integrated into the vaccination campaign on 5 April 2021. On average, an additional 11.6 out of 100 available doses were administered each week compared to the period prior to that date. We conclude that there are considerable regional differences in the efficiency of the vaccination roll-out. Systematic efficiency analyses are one step to detecting inefficiencies and to identify best practices that can be adopted to eventually speed up the vaccination roll-out in a country.
Avocado cv. Hass Needs Water Irrigation in Tropical Precipitation Regime: Evidence from Colombia
Authors: Erazo-Mesa Edwin , Ramírez-Gil Joaquín Guillermo , Sánchez Andrés Echeverri
Published: July 2021

The primary natural source of water for the Hass avocado crop in the tropics is precipitation. However, this is insufficient to provide most crops’ water requirements due to the spatial and temporal variability. This study aims to demonstrate that Hass avocado requires irrigation in Colombia, and this is done by analyzing the dynamics of local precipitation regimes and the influence of Intertropical Convergence Zone phenomena (ITCZ) on the irrigation requirement (IR). This study was carried out in Colombia’s current and potential Hass avocado production zones (PPA) by computing and mapping the monthly IR, and classifying months found to be in deficit and excess. The influence of ITCZ on IR by performing a metric relevance analysis on weights of optimized Artificial Neural Networks was computed. The water deficit map illustrates a 99.8% of PPA requires water irrigation at least one month a year. The movement of ITCZ toward latitudes far to those where PPA is located between May to September decreases precipitation and consequently increases the IR area of Hass avocado. Water deficit visualization maps could become a novel and powerful tool for Colombian farmers when scheduling irrigation in those months and periods identified in these maps.
Estimation of the G2P Design Storm from a Rainfall Convectivity Index
Authors: Balbastre-Soldevila Rosario , García-Bartual Rafael , Andrés-Doménech Ignacio
Published: July 2021

The two-parameter gamma function (G2P) design storm is a recent methodology used to obtain synthetic hyetographs especially developed for urban hydrology applications. Further analytical developments on the G2P design storm are presented herein, linking the rainfall convectivity n-index with the shape parameter of the design storm. This step can provide a useful basis for future easy-to-handle rainfall inputs in the context of regional urban drainage studies. A practical application is presented herein for the case of Valencia (Spain), based on high-resolution time series of rainfall intensity. The resulting design storm captures certain internal statistics and features observed in the fine-scale rainfall intensity historical records. On the other hand, a direct, simple method is formulated to derivate the design storm from the intensity–duration–frequency (IDF) curves, making use of the analytical relationship with the n-index.
Effects of Lanthanum Modified Bentonite and Polyaluminium Chloride on the Environmental Variables in the Water and Sediment Phosphorus Form in Lake Yanglan, China
Authors: Su Ling , Zhong Chen , Gan Lei , He Xiaolin , Yu Jinlei , Zhang Xiumei , Liu Zhengwen
Published: July 2021

The application of lanthanum modified bentonite (Phoslock®) and polyaluminium chloride (PAC) is popular in the restoration of European temperate lakes; however, the effects of the application on the concentrations of phosphorus (P) in both the water and the sediments have been poorly evaluated to date. We studied the effects of the application of Phoslock® + PAC on the concentrations of total phosphorus (TP), particulate phosphorus (PP), soluble reactive phosphorus (SRP), total suspended solids (TSS) and chlorophyll a (Chla) in the water, and different P forms in the sediments, in an isolated part of Lake Yanglan. The results showed that the concentrations of TP, PP, SRP, TSS and Chla decreased significantly after the addition of Phoslock® + PAC. Moreover, the concentrations of labile-P, reductant-soluble-P and organic-P in the sediments were also significantly decreased after the Phoslock® + PAC application. However, the concentrations of both the stable apatite-P and residual-P in the sediments after application of Phoslock® + PAC were much higher than the pre-addition values, while the concentrations of metal-oxide-P did not differ significantly between the pre- and post- application conditions. Our findings imply that the combined application of Phoslock® and PAC can be used in the restoration of subtropical shallow lakes, to reduce the concentrations of P in the water and suppress the release of P from the sediments.
mulheres escravizadas na Odisseia
Authors: Frade Gustavo , Figueiredo Lima Anna Clara , De Oliveira Vallejo Gabriela , Nasser Rodrigues Raphaella
Published: July 2021

O objetivo deste estudo é investigar a representação das mulheres escravizadas na narrativa da Odisseia e como ela manifesta o modo aristocrático grego arcaico de conceber a escravidão. Para isso, consideram-se as relações entre gênero e classe na Antiguidade, assim como as entre propriedade (oîkos), comunidade e ordem cósmica. A leitura rastreia, a partir das evidências no texto, a situação geral das mulheres escravizadas na propriedade de Odisseu e trata da construção de Euricleia como personagem, de sua interação com Odisseu no reconhecimento da cicatriz, das cenas de Melanto e do enforcamento das mulheres que mantiveram relações sexuais com os pretendentes. A Odisseia constrói interações entre personagens baseadas num modelo de moralidade que exige não só a subordinação do interesse e das ações das mulheres escravizadas aos interesses do senhor, mas mesmo a afeição delas pelo senhor e por sua família. Ainda assim, a hierarquia e a autoridade no oîkos são estabelecidas pela violência.
Introduction
Authors: Sportel Iris
Published: July 2021

The state is an important presence in the lives of many minority families. This special issue aims to investigate the interactions of minority families with law and state institutions from a socio-legal perspective, with a particular focus on issues relating to children. This introduction focuses on two observations. First of all, minority families tend to get into contact with law and state institutions relatively often. For migrant and transnational families, migration law can have a large and enduring impact on many aspects of their lives. Furthermore, marginalisation of minorities and differences in decision-making by state actors can contribute to an overrepresentation of minority families in state interventions such as the child protection or criminal justice systems. Secondly some minority families tend to avoid state law and institutions. Especially in family matters such as marriage or divorce, minority family members may look for alternative options outside of the state, concluding religious marriages or divorces.
PENGARUH MENDENGARKAN AL-QUR’AN DAN MUSIK KLASIK TERHADAP PENURUNAN TEKANAN DARAH PADA MASYARAKAT RT 05 RW 12 KELURAHAN TANGKERANG SELATAN KOTA PEKANBARU TAHUN 2020
Authors: Priwahyuni Yuyun , Gloria Purba Christine Vita , Alamsyah Agus , Ikhtiaruddin Ikhtiaruddin
Published: July 2021

Tekanan darah adalah suatu tekanan yang terdapat didalam pembuluh darah yang terjadi saat jantung memompakan darah keseluruh tubuh. Kenaikan pada arteri secara normal sampai dengan 120 mmHg disebut tekanan sistol yang terjadi saat jantung berkontraksi untuk memompakan darah pada saat relaksasi dimana ventrikel tekanan aorta cendrung akan menurun sampai dengan 80 mmHg, yang disebut tekanan diastole. Prevalensi hipertensi di Riau (29,2%) (Riskesdas, 2018). Lantunan Al-Qur’an mengandung unsur suara manusia, yang merupakan instrument penyembuhan yang menakjubkan dan alat yang paling mudah dijangkau. Mendengarkan musik juga dapat menstimulasi hipotalamus, yang merupakan pusat pengaturan berbagai mekanisme tubuh, sehingga akan mempengaruhi tekanan darah, nadi, respirasi, dan mood. Hasil Survei di RT 05 RW 12 Kelurahan Tangkerang Selatan Kota Pekanbaru terhadap 35 Masyarakat didapatkan hasil 20 (57%) yang memiliki tekanan darah diatas 120/80 mmHg. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui pengaruh terapi mendengarkan Al-Qur’an dan musik klasik terhadap penurunan tekanan darah pada Masyarakat RT 05 RW 12 Kelurahan Tangkerang Selatan Kota Pekanbaru Tahun 2020. Jenis penelitian analitik dengan desain quasi eksperiment. Populasi sebanyak 20 orang dengan tekanan darah diatas 120/80 mmHg, sampel adalah total populasi Pengolahan data secara komputerisasi. Analisis data yang digunakan adalah analisis univariat dan bivariat dengan uji paired t test. Terjadi penurunan tekanan darah pada kelompok mendengarkan Al-Qur’an dan kelompok mendengarkan musik klasik,  perbandingan penurunan tekanan darah pada kelompok mendengarkan Al-Qur’an lebih besar yakni 8,7 dibandingkan dengan kelompok mendengarkan musik klasik yakni sebesar 1,7. nilai signifikansi (2-tailed) adalah 0,0001 sehingga hasil tes awal dan tes akhir mengalami perubahan yang signifikan (berarti). Diharapkan kepada Ketua RT dan perangkatnya dapat berkoordinasi dengan pihak puskesmas setempat untuk dapat melaksanakan kegiatan pemeriksaan tekanan darah secara berkala agar penyakit degeneratif seperti hipertensi dapat dikendalikan.

Kata Kunci        : tekanan darah, murotal Al-Qur’an surat Ar-Rahman, musik klasik
Corporate Governance and Risk Management: A Study of Board Structure in Indonesian and Singapore Companies
Authors: Muhammad Muhammad , Narullia Dwi
Published: July 2021

This study aims to determine the effect of the board structure on business risk management. One indicator that can show the implementation of risk management is risk disclosure by the company. This study uses a quantitative approach with the research population being companies in Indonesia and Singapore included in the ASEAN Stars 2015 – 2018. Furthermore, this study uses a regression analysis technique to examine the effect of the board structure on corporate risk management. The results of this study indicate that although the structure of the board of companies included in ASEAN STARS in Indonesia and Singapore has differences, the results of the analysis of the two are not much different. This study shows that an independent board of commissioners and the frequency of meetings have a significant effect on the company's risk management. Otherwise, the composition of the female board of commissioners is proven not to affect the risk management. Overall, the results also show an increase in corporate governance activities and an increase in risk management activities. The results of this study can be used as input for potential investors to evaluate quantitative information, and other qualitative information such as the role of the board of commissioners and risk disclosure can be useful in decision making.
O coordenador pedagógico como articulador da formação continuada de professores: o que pesquisas publicadas entre 2010-2020 indicam
Authors: Michelson Martins Diessica , Bianchi Vidica , Stiebbe Callai Julia
Published: July 2021

Resumo: A incessante busca por uma Educação de qualidade reflete-se na gama de pesquisas que estão disponibilizadas no meio virtual. Indo ao encontro disso, este estudo tem como objetivo apresentar uma revisão investigativa, do tipo Estado do Conhecimento, de produções científicas que abordam a formação continuada de professores com o coordenador pedagógico como mediador e articulador dessa ação nas escolas. O levantamento de dados foi realizado por meio do Portal de Periódicos da Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior e da Biblioteca Digital Brasileira de Teses e Dissertações por intermédio dos descritores: “formação continuada de professores” e “coordenador pedagógico”. A natureza da pesquisa é qualitativa e segue os argumentos da Análise Textual Discursiva. Integraram-se no corpus da pesquisa 39 trabalhos que após serem selecionados foram organizados em categorias criadas indutivamente. Emergiram as seguintes categorizações: a) formação continuada; b) professores: formação e o ato reflexivo; c) formação, função e saberes do coordenador pedagógico; e d) relação coordenador-professor. Os resultados apontam para a percepção de que a formação in loco possui relevância para a constituição do ensino/práxis docente e eficácia da aprendizagem dos estudantes. Destarte, realizar esses momentos é papel do coordenador pedagógico, o qual precisa também de desenvolvimento profissional constante para estar apto a atuar como formador de professores nas escolas.
Palavras-chave: Formação docente. Coordenação pedagógica. Educação básica.
Assessment of Vulnerability of Rice farmers to Climate Variability in Kogi State, North Central Nigeria: A Vulnerability Composite Index Approach
Authors: Ocheni B. A. , Ndanitsa M. A. , Baba K. M. , Ojo M. A.
Published: July 2021

Vulnerability assessments to climate change are a possible criterion for adaptation and have a long history on multidisciplinary research. Identification and assessing the degree of vulnerability as a result of climate change is an essential pre-requisite for reducing climate change impacts. The study focuses on vulnerability of rice farmers to climate change in Kogi State, Nigeria. Data for the study were obtained from primary and secondary sources with the aid of structured questionnaire administered to 123 rice farmers from across the four agricultural zones in the State. A total of 15 environmental and socio-economic indicators were identified and analyzed to measure vulnerability status in the agricultural zones. Composite Climate Change Vulnerability Index computed from the hazards, sensitivity and adaptive capacity components revealed that all the rice farmers’ were vulnerable to climate change but vary in the degrees of vulnerability. Scores of Exposure-Sensitivity Index (ESI) suggest that rice farmers in Owolikpa and Igalaogba were most prone and susceptible to climate change whereas, Baganna, Ikande, Odoepe, and Iluke were least exposed and sensitive to climate change. Kpancehe, Kakanda, Girinya, Eggan,and Aiyetoro were categorized under very high to high degree of vulnerability while Iya, Baganna and Echa were rated low vulnerable to climate change. These prioritized areas, based on rank and degree of vulnerability, should be given immediate consideration, and measures should be taken by internalizing region specific needs to address the growing challenge of climate change.
Pollen Viability and Germinability of Gamma Irradiated M4 Lines of Sesame
Authors: Audu M. A. I. , Falusi O. A. , Muhammad M. L. , Daudu O. A. Y. , Abubakar A.
Published: July 2021

Pollen viability and germinability are indispensable criteria in plant breeding programmes. This research evaluated eleven M4 mutant lines of gamma irradiated sesame (Sesamum indicum) for some pollen parameters. Seeds were obtained from the Department of Plant Biology, Federal University of Technology, Minna and were raised to maturity alongside their respective checks in a randomized complete block design (RCBD). The field experiment was conducted at the experimental field of the Upper Niger River Basin Development Authority, Minna. Pollen viability and diameter were determined using standard procedure. The germinability test was done using three different sucrose concentrations (10 %, 20 % and 30 %) with 1 % nutrient agar solution. The results revealed that all the M4 mutant lines had adequate pollen viabilities (over 80%) with ML-10 having the highest (97.56 %) viability followed by ML-7 (95.61 %), ML-8 (95.01 %) and Check-2 (95.60 %). The highest pollen germinability was recorded at 20 % sucrose concentration for all the mutant lines with line ML-7 (39.70 %) having the highest percentage. Check-1 at 10 % sucrose concentration recorded the least percentage (11.46 %) across the concentration and treatments. Highest pollen diameter (169.52μm) was recorded in Check-1. Suboblate shapes with 10-13 colpi was observed in all the mutant lines and the checks. Pollens from all the lines comprised of circular and elliptic pollens except in ML-7 and the checks where the pollens were solely circular in polar view. The study revealed that gamma-irradiation could be a reasonable tool for inducing variability in sesame and advantageous in increasing the pollen viability.