bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Provenance-and machine learning-based recommendation of parameter values in scientific workflows
Authors: Silva Junior Daniel , Pacitti Esther , Paes Aline , de Oliveira Daniel
Published: July 2021

Scientific Workflows (SWfs) have revolutionized how scientists in various domains of science conduct their experiments. The management of SWfs is performed by complex tools that provide support for workflow composition, monitoring, execution, capturing, and storage of the data generated during execution. In some cases, they also provide components to ease the visualization and analysis of the generated data. During the workflow’s composition phase, programs must be selected to perform the activities defined in the workflow specification. These programs often require additional parameters that serve to adjust the program’s behavior according to the experiment’s goals. Consequently, workflows commonly have many parameters to be manually configured, encompassing even more than one hundred in many cases. Wrongly parameters’ values choosing can lead to crash workflows executions or provide undesired results. As the execution of data- and compute-intensive workflows is commonly performed in a high-performance computing environment e.g., (a cluster, a supercomputer, or a public cloud), an unsuccessful execution configures a waste of time and resources. In this article, we presentFReeP—Feature Recommender from Preferences, a parameter value recommendation method that is designed to suggest values for workflow parameters, taking into account past user preferences.FReePis based on Machine Learning techniques, particularly in Preference Learning.FReePis composed of three algorithms, where two of them aim at recommending the value for one parameter at a time, and the third makes recommendations for n parameters at once. The experimental results obtained with provenance data from two broadly used workflows showedFReePusefulness in the recommendation of values for one parameter. Furthermore, the results indicate the potential ofFReePto recommend values for n parameters in scientific workflows.
Los programas de cumplimiento en materia ambiental y el problema del impacto del cambio de circunstancias en su eficacia
Authors: García Machmar Willian , Soto Monteverde Francisca
Published: July 2021

Los programas de cumplimiento ambiental corresponden a un incentivo al cumplimiento de las normas e instrumentos de carácter ambiental, mediante los cuales el presunto infractor se obliga a cumplir un conjunto de metas y acciones para corregir su conducta antijurídica y hacerse cargo de los efectos negativos derivados de su incumplimiento al medio ambiente. En caso de advenir circunstancias no previstas durante la fase de ejecución de estos programas, se afectará primordialmente la eficacia del programa aprobado, de manera que el acto administrativo que aprueba un Programa de cumplimiento debe ser corregido para adecuarse a la realidad. La Superintendencia del Medio Ambiente podrá elegir entre declarar su invalidez, su decaimiento, o bien, modificar el acto administrativo que aprobó el programa.
Incentivos regulatorios para el desarrollo de la energía eólica marina en Chile
Authors: Olivares Gallardo Alberto
Published: July 2021

El trabajo analiza los principales esquemas normativos utilizados por los diversos países para promover la energía eólica marina en sus costas. Ello, con la finalidad de identificar aquellas medidas que pueden ser implementadas en Chile para integrar esta tecnología a su matriz energética, que es vista como una de las fuentes energéticas del futuro
Traditional Architecture in Romanian Philately (VI): the Case Study Regarding Households from Stănești, Straja, Șuici, Șurdești and Tilișca
Authors: Cioruța Bogdan-Vasile , Pop Alexandru Leonard , Coman Mirela
Published: July 2021

In addition to the series dedicated to traditional architecture, through this study aims to present the way in which the households from Stănești, Straja, Șuici, Șurdești and Tilișca are represented at philatelic level. In this approach, stamps, semi-illustrated and illustrated postcards, maximum postcards and other philatelic effects were used. All this was identified, indexed, analyzed, and described in terms of information provided by philatelic catalogs and sites with dedicated content (such as Colnect®, Delcampe®, PicClick®, and StampWorld®). Following the analysis of the identified pieces, it can be concluded that the respective areas (Stănești, Straja, Șuici, Șurdești and Tilișca) are well delimited from a philatelic point of view, both the exterior and the interior are very carefully represented.
Microfactories-Bioproduction of Chemicals and Pharmaceuticals by using Microbes
Authors: Rasool Attiya
Published: July 2021

A variety of organisms, such as bacteria, fungi, and plants, produce secondary metabolites, also known as natural products. Natural products have been a prolific source and an inspiration for numerous medical agents with widely divergent chemical structures and biological activities, including antimicrobial, immunosuppressive, anticancer, and anti-inflammatory activities, many of which have been developed as treatments and have potential therapeutic applications for human diseases. Aside from natural products, the recent development of recombinant DNA technology has sparked the development of a wide array of biopharmaceutical products, such as recombinant proteins, offering significant advances in treating a broad spectrum of medical illnesses and conditions. Fine chemicals that are physiologically active, such as pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, nutritional supplements, flavoring agents as well as additives for foods, feed, and fertilizer are produced by enzymatically or through microbial fermentation. The identification of enzymes that catalyze the target reaction makes possible to synthesis of the desired fine chemical. The genes encoding these enzymes are then introduced into suitable microbial hosts that are cultured with inexpensive, naturally abundant carbon sources, and other nutrients. Metabolic engineering create efficient microbial cell factories for producing chemicals at higher yields. In the present review, we summarize recent studies on bio-based fine chemical production and assess the potential of synthetic bioengineering for further improvement their productivity.
Research and Application of a Novel Nonlinear Grey Bernoulli Simpson Model for Short-Term Coke Production Forecasting
Authors: Cai Yubin , Zhang Lanxi
Published: July 2021

Aims: As a basic energy source, coal occupies a leading position in the production and consumption of energy. If a reasonable coal energy production policy is to be formulated, effective forecasting is essential. Due to the lack of data, effective prediction with small samples has become the key to research.

Study Design: A nonlinear grey Bernoulli Simpson model based on new information priority accumulation method is developed in this work to forecast the coke production in the Anhui China. The introduction of non-linear parameters makes the new model constructed with universality

Place and Duration of Study: School of Science, Southwest University of Science and Technology, Mianyang, between April 2021 and June 2021.

Methodology: This paper has established the nonlinear grey Bernoulli Simpson model with new information priority accumulation. Based on the grid search optimization, the data is divided by the leave-out method to construct a nonlinear problem to solve the nonlinear parameters of the model. Finally, the new model established was applied to the forecast of coke production in Anhui Province, China.

Results: The MAPE and RMSPE of the nonlinear grey Bernoulli Simpson model based on new information priority accumulation method are 1.86% and 2.58%, which are lower than other comparative models.

Conclusion: The application research of coke production shows that the new model proposed in this paper has the advantage of high prediction accuracy, which indicates that this method has great potential in the short-term prediction of energy production.
Evaluation of Raw Groundnuts from Makurdi Markets in Nigeria for Aflatoxin B1
Authors: Ityo I. T. , Nyinoh I. W. , Kukwa R. E. , Okoh M. E.
Published: July 2021

Aims: The contamination of groundnut by aflatoxins (AF) results in financial losses to farmers’ as well as severe food safety and public health challenges globally. This study was carried out to; (i) assess the levels of AFB1 in husked groundnut seeds in Makurdi (ii) determine the relationship between moisture content and AF levels, and (iii) investigate vendors’ knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) of AF and their approach towards groundnut storage.

Study Design: Quantitative research method was employed in this study.

Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted at the Department of Microbiology, Benue State University, Makurdi from May – June 2019.

Methodology: Duplicate groundnut samples were collected from ten market locations in Makurdi and analyzed using Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) quantification method.

Results: The moisture content of the groundnuts was determined, and data on Knowledge Attitude and Practice (KAP) relating to groundnut storage were obtained using mini-questionnaires. The results obtained showed that all the sampled groundnuts were contaminated with AFB1 levels ranging from 17.3 - 35.9 parts per billion (ppb). Furthermore, we found a correlation between high moisture content and high AFB1 levels and vice-versa. The knowledge of AF among the groundnut retailers was low (<40%), and 40.91% of the sellers confirmed that groundnuts were stored for ≤one month before sale.

Conclusion: The levels of AFB1 levels in stored groundnuts are above the permissible limit of 20 ppb for stored groundnut in Nigeria. The data obtained raises concerns for food safety considering that groundnuts are widely consumed in Makurdi. Regular evaluation of AFB1 levels in food should be conducted in Nigeria.
Impact of Curing Methods on the Porosity and Compressive Strength of Concrete
Authors: Gabriel-Wettey Francis Kwesi Nsakwa , Appiadu-Boakye Kennedy , Anewuoh Firmin
Published: July 2021

An experimental investigation was conducted to evaluate the impact of different curing practices on the porosity and compressive strength of concrete. The targeted compressive strength of the concrete at 28-day of curing was 20 N/mm2. Plain concrete cubes were prepared with a mix ratio 1:1.5:3 by weight and 0.6 water-cement ratio. A total of 120 concrete cubes were tested on 7th, 14th, 21st, 28th and 56th day curing periods for slump, porosity and compressive strength. The four curing methods used were immersion, jute sack, plastic sheet and sprinkling which were all carried out in the laboratory under the same average environmental conditions of 27 ± 20°C temperature and 75% relative humidity. The results from the study showed that slump values were within the range of 52mm to 58mm which is within the medium range of 25 to 100mm, hence a true slump was achieved. The porosity of all samples decreased with age (i.e. at the dried state, immersion recorded the lowest 4.35%, followed by jute sack with 5.25%, plastic sheet 5.29% and sprinkling 5.55%). Again, the pattern of increases in concrete density (immersion curing produced concrete with the highest mean densities of 2369 kg/m3, jute 2360 kg/m3 ,plastic sheet 2277 kg/m3, sprinkling 2229 kg/m3 all for 56 days) was similar to that of the compressive strength (i.e immersion curing method yielded the highest compressive strength of 25.43 N/mm2, jute method 23.90 N/mm2, plastic method 23.47 N/mm2 , sprinkling method 22.33 N/mm2 for 56 days curing ages respectively). Therefore, increases in both compressive strength and densities of concrete cube is a function of curing method. The study concludes that the immersion curing method has the greater effect on the properties of concrete since it yielded the highest strengths. The recommendation is made for further studies on the impact of curing methods on the porosity and compressive strength of concrete on the field since this study was done in the laboratory under control conditions.
Challenges in Implementation of Green Chemistry in Indian Pharmaceutical Sector
Authors: Kapoor Arushi , Mehendale Smita
Published: July 2021

The alarming environmental pollution caused by pharmaceutical Industries has led to the growing importance of Green Chemistry in India. It is high time that the pharmaceutical industry that is considered as a red category by the environment ministry, adopts green chemistry & green technology to address this issue. This study aims to find out the major barriers to implementing green technology in the pharmaceutical sector. Integrated Structural Modelling method & MICMAC Analysis has been adopted to identify a structure by which the pharmaceutical industries can implement green technology. An extensive literature review & discussions with industry experts led to identifying ten major challenges to the adoption of green technology in the pharmaceuticals. Economic &financial barriers & regulatory barriers have been identified as the major barriers. This study brought out a lack of consolidation of knowledge in this field as a challenge to the implementation of green practices, which has been largely ignored in previous studies and needs to be addressed.
Arginase, a Possible Therapeutic Target in Prostate Cancer
Authors: Abhang Subodhini , Shelgikar Prachi , Mulgund Shruti
Published: July 2021

With increasing populations, the prevalence of prostate cancer increases. In the future, a significant public health crisis can be recognized in the present incidence of prostate cancer. In order to counter this, markers should be established for the advanced diagnosis and treatment of the illness prognosis. The cells dominate our immune system and grow into a detectable tumour, causing cancer. At this stage in the body, several processes are dominated, governed and deregulated by the tumour. In most cases, immune response undertakes measures by limiting the availability of Arginine. In this context it is fascinating to examine how the levels of Arginine fluctuate with the severity of the disease and the levels of Arginase and NO. Substances and methods: In 25 beginning phases and 25 advanced stage of the prostate cancer patients and compared to 25 healthy controls, 5 ml of the blood were taken and tested for serum levels of Arginina, and nitric oxide. A substantial reduction in arginine (p<0.001) found was detected. In Arginase and levels a substantial increase (p<0.001) was detected. Conclusion: Increased Arginase levels are linked to the illness progression and the result lowers as Arginase uses most phases. Therefore, Arginase inhibition can be promising therapeutic target in prostate cancer.
Use of Kinaesthetic Learning Skills among Slow Learners in Physiology to Improve Their Academic Performance
Authors: Nithiya Devi R. , Palve Suchita , Palve Sachin Bhaskar , Tipandjan Arun
Published: July 2021

Background: Kinaesthetic learning, a form of student-centric active learning technique, takes learning to the next level. Kinaesthetic learning enables better understanding and effective retention of information, especially among students who don't adapt to conventional teaching-learning techniques in large groups and isolated textbook learning.

Methodology: The present study was conducted for three consecutive years among Phase I MBBS students who needed additional curricular support. The students were divided into groups with 4 to 5 students each. They were offered topics to make either a 2D poster or a working model displayed in an exhibition cum competition. A feedback questionnaire was administered to the participants at the end of the competition.

Results: The majority of the students who participated either agreed or strongly agreed that the kinaesthetic learning technique facilitated them to read beyond the conventional textbooks and understand the concepts better. We also observed that the students reported increased confidence to face the exam. Comparing the marks scored by the participants and the non-participants, the students who participated in the kinaesthetic learning exercise scored significantly higher than the non-participants (p=0.002)

Discussion: Kinaesthetic learning skills using 2D posters and 3D working models preparation helped to improve the academic performance among students in need of additional curricular care by enhancing their critical thinking skills and team-building capacity.
Schizophrenia with Co-morbid Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: A Case Series
Authors: Behere Prakash B. , Raikar Pooja , Chowdhury Debolina , Behere Aniruddh P. , Yadav Richa
Published: July 2021

The frequency of co-morbidities like Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is common in schizophrenia. Some studies have reported earlier age of onset, more positive and negative symptoms, more depressive symptoms, and worse prognosis in such patients. The phenomenology and management of OCD in schizophrenia is understudied. Evidence claims that the course of illness of both schizophrenia and bipolar disorders may be affected by obsessive-compulsive disorder whereas in other cases antipsychotic induced obsessive-compulsive symptoms have been observed. A meta-analysis of of schizophrenia and its co-morbid psychiatric conditions, found a prevalence of 12.1% for obsessive compulsive disorder, 9.8% for panic disorders, 12.4% for post-traumatic stress disorder and 14.9% for social phobia. SGAs like amisulpride and aripiprazole are found to be useful in the treatment of comorbid OCD in schizophrenia due to their negligible serotonergic properties. A combination of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) with antipsychotics has been recommended by the American Psychiatric Association (APA) for treatment of comorbid OCD in schizophrenia. Escitalopram at a dose of 20 mg/day has been found to be beneficial in such cases while psychosis worsened with the use of fluvoxamine and clomipramine. Below is a series of seven cases of schizophrenia with co-morbid obsessive-compulsive symptoms who are on treatment for their illness from the psychiatric outpatient department of a rural hospital in central India.
Brain Targeting Through Intranasal Route: An Overview
Authors: Anusha Sorakayala Venkata , Ratna Jonnala , Swarnalatha Srirama , Vidyavathi Maruvajala
Published: July 2021

Brain targeting has always been challenging due to the presence of physiological barriers by Changing the integrity of these barriers, so as to allow the toxic substances, bacteria and viruses into the brain, Which may severely damage the central nervous system .This problem can be reduced by delivering drugs through the intra nasal route, which by passes the blood brain barrier and reaches into the brain. Nasal route is a non-invasive type, widely used for the local treatment as well as used for systemic therapy as drug delivery directly goes in to systemic circulation. Nasal route provides good absorption of small molecules compared to that of large molecules, absorption of small molecules and large molecules can be increased by absorption promoters. Different drug delivery devices are developed for nasal administration like liquids, semi-solid and solid formulation are consider to deliver the drugs to treat most of  the CNS diseases (i.e. Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s disease) because it requires specific targeting of drugs to the brain. This review highlighted the challenges, approaches for brain targeting and various drug delivery systems developed with different drugs targeting to brain through nasal administration.
A Review on Lockdown and its Effects on Mental Health Due to Corona Pandemic
Authors: Dixit Sparsh
Published: July 2021

The Covid-19 pandemic is affecting society in various aspects of life. This outbreak was initiated in a laboratory accident centered in Wuhan, China. People are suffering from psychiatric disorders due to the disturbance in several sectors of the society which includes the most important “socializing”. The abrupt step of lockdown taken by the government authorities has led to a severe social distancing. This social distancing has a direct impact on their psychosocial thinking. Due to this lockdown people have started to overthink on daily normal issues which were not completely dealt with. Now due to the increase in time and isolation from society, the various problems associated with this quarantine have been highlighted. The government has enforced lockdowns from time to time. These lockdowns have created not only mental health issues but also physical and social health problems. Along with health issues, the country suffered economical losses and the GDP went to negatives. Many people suffered losses. There were shortages in food and other day to day facilities. With only the essential services going on, people were in a lot of trouble. But listing down the cons of lockdown, we have to believe that this very lockdown was one of the perfect measures by the government. This very lockdown is the reason that the cases have declined to a great extent.
The Antibacterial Activity of Nanosilver Coupled Edible Plant Extracts Against Streptococcus mutans, the Cause of Dental Caries
Authors: Abdelkader Hayam S. , Alayafi Aisha A. , Ahmed Hanaa E. , Osail Rawan A. Bin
Published: July 2021

Streptococcus mutans strains were found to have a substantial role in the development of caries. The objective of this study is to evaluate the potential antibacterial activity of some edible plant extracts against Streptococcus mutans isolates. Fifty oral dental plaque specimens were obtained from various dental clinics in Jeddah city from 23 males and 27 females with median ages ranging between 19.9 to 51.25 years. All isolates were subjected to microbiological, biochemical, and molecular identification. The results showed that 36.3% of the bacterial isolates were identified as Streptococcus mutans, 4.5% as Streptococcus gallolyticus, and 4.5% as Staphylococcus aureus followed by two Yeast species Candida albicans (45.4%) and Candida glabrata (9.0%). The PCR products of the size of 600 and 517 bp DNA fragments were successfully amplified from 16S rRNA and glucosyltransferase gene (gtfb) from the S. mutans isolates and reference strain ATCC25175. The gtfb sequences were submitted to NCBI and assigned accessions MW491783, MW491784, MW491785, and MW491786. Six plant extracts (Guava leaves, Olive Leaves, Clove, Garlic, Green Ginger, and Cinnamon), Nanosilver 12 nm, and commercial kinds of toothpaste: 15% Sensodyne multi-care and 15% Aloe fresh – menta crystal were evaluated against the S. mutans isolates by agar well diffusion test. Most plant extracts tested exhibited considerable inhibitory effects when coupled with Nanosilver 12 nm (1:1). Clove/SNP; 106.8±4.95, and Garlic/SNP; 105.3±3.2) had the greatest mean values of MIC, whereas (Olive/SNP) exhibited the lowest (56.5±3.89). In conclusion, although there are lot of studies on edible plant extracts, incorporating nanoparticles can synergistically increase its antibacterial effectiveness.
ADP‐heptose enables Helicobacter pylori to exploit macrophages as a survival niche by suppressing antigen‐presenting HLA‐II expression
Authors: Coletta Sara , Battaggia Greta , Della Bella Chiara , Furlani Matteo , Hauke Martina , Faass Larissa , D’Elios Mario M. , Josenhans Christine , de Bernard Marina
Published: July 2021

The persistence of Helicobacter pylori in the human gastric mucosa implies that the immune response fails to clear the infection. We found that H. pylori compromises the antigen presentation ability of macrophages, because of the decline of the presenting molecules HLA‐II. Here, we reveal that the main bacterial factor responsible for this effect is ADP‐heptose, an intermediate metabolite in the biosynthetic pathway of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) that elicits a pro‐inflammatory response in gastric epithelial cells. In macrophages, it upregulates the expression of miR146b which, in turn, would downmodulate CIITA, the master regulator for HLA‐II genes. Hence, H. pylori, utilizing ADP‐heptose, exploits a specific arm of macrophage response to establish its survival niche in the face of the immune defense elicited in the gastric mucosa.
Progressive NO2 Sensors with Rapid Alarm and Persistent Memory‐Type Responses for Wide‐Range Sensing Using Antimony Triselenide Nanoflakes
Authors: Kim Young Been , Jung Sung Hyeon , Kim Dong Su , Deshpande Nishad G. , Suh Hee Won , Lee Hak Hyeon , Choi Ji Hoon , Lee Ho Seong , Cho Hyung Koun
Published: July 2021

Antimony triselenide (Sb2Se3) nanoflake‐based nitrogen dioxide (NO2) sensors exhibit a progressive bifunctional gas‐sensing performance, with a rapid alarm for hazardous highly concentrated gases, and an advanced memory‐type function for low‐concentration (<1 ppm) monitoring repeated under potentially fatal exposure. Rectangular and cuboid shaped Sb2Se3 nanoflakes, comprising van der Waals planes with large surface areas and covalent bond planes with small areas, can rapidly detect a wide range of NO2 gas concentrations from 0.1 to 100 ppm. These Sb2Se3 nanoflakes are found to be suitable for physisorption‐based gas sensing owing to their anisotropic quasi‐2D crystal structure with extremely enlarged van der Waals planes, where they are humidity‐insensitive and consequently exhibit an extremely stable baseline current. The Sb2Se3 nanoflake sensor exhibits a room‐temperature/low‐voltage operation, which is noticeable owing to its low energy consumption and rapid response even under a NO2 gas flow of only 1 ppm. As a result, the Sb2Se3 nanoflake sensor is suitable for the development of a rapid alarm system. Furthermore, the persistent gas‐sensing conductivity of the sensor with a slow decaying current can enable the development of a progressive memory‐type sensor that retains the previous signal under irregular gas injection at low concentrations.
Electrostatic Control of the Thermoelectric Figure of Merit in Ion‐Gated Nanotransistors
Authors: Prete Domenic , Dimaggio Elisabetta , Demontis Valeria , Zannier Valentina , Rodriguez‐Douton Maria Jesus , Guazzelli Lorenzo , Beltram Fabio , Sorba Lucia , Pennelli Giovanni , Rossella Francesco
Published: July 2021

Semiconductor nanostructures have raised much hope for the implementation of high‐performance thermoelectric generators. Indeed, they are expected to make available reduced thermal conductivity without a heavy trade‐off on electrical conductivity, a key requirement to optimize the thermoelectric figure of merit. Here, a novel nanodevice architecture is presented in which ionic liquids are employed as thermally‐insulating gate dielectrics. These devices allow the field‐effect control of electrical transport in suspended semiconducting nanowires in which thermal conductivity can be simultaneously measured using an all‐electrical setup. The resulting experimental data on electrical and thermal transport properties taken on individual nanodevices can be combined to extract ZT, guide device optimization and dynamical tuning of the thermoelectric properties.
Compositional Patterning in Carbon Implanted Titania Nanotubes
Authors: Kupferer Astrid , Holm Alexander , Lotnyk Andriy , Mändl Stephan , Mayr Stefan G.
Published: July 2021

Ranging from novel solar cells to smart biosensors, titania nanotube arrays constitute a highly functional material for various applications. A promising route to modify material characteristics while preserving the amorphous nanotube structure is present when applying low‐energy ion implantation. In this study, the interplay of phenomenological effects observed upon implantation of low fluences in the unique 3D structure is reported: sputtering versus readsorption and plastic flow, amorphization versus crystallization and compositional patterning. Patterning within the oxygen and carbon subsystem is revealed using transmission electron microscopy. By applying a Cahn–Hilliard approach within the framework of driven alloys, characteristic length scales are derived and it is demonstrated that compositional patterning is expected on free enthalpy grounds, as predicted by density functional theory based ab initio calculations. Hence, an attractive material with increased conductivity for advanced devices is provided.
Intermolecular [5+2] Annulation between 1‐Indanones and Internal Alkynes by Rhodium‐Catalyzed C–C Activation
Authors: Zhang Rui , Xia Ying , Dong Guangbin
Published: July 2021

Herein, we report a [5+2] cycloaddition between readily accessible 1‐indanones and internal alkynes through Rh‐catalyzed activation of less strained C−C bonds. The reaction is enabled by a strongly σ‐donating NHC ligand and a carefully modified temporary directing group. A wide range of functional groups is tolerated, and the method provides straightforward access to diverse benzocycloheptenones that are hard to access otherwise. DFT studies of the reaction mechanism imply the migration insertion as the turnover‐limiting step and suggest beneficial π–π interactions in the transition states.
Evaluation of Naturally Occurring HIF‐1 Inhibitors for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension
Authors: Arai Midori A. , Sakuraba Kota , Makita Yoshinori , Hara Yasumasa , Ishibashi Masami
Published: July 2021

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a rare and severe progressive disorder characterized by high pulmonary artery pressure. Chronic hypoxia causes a metabolic disorder and the Warburg effect in pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells (PASMCs). Pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase 1 (PDK1) is a key enzyme in Warburg effect increased by hypoxia‐inducible factor (HIF‐1). We constructed a cell‐based luciferase assay system for HIF‐1 inhibitors. Using this system, six HIF‐1 inhibitors were identified. Among these inhibitors, the effect of tagitinin C (1) on PASMC was investigated. Tagitinin C (1) clearly decreased the amount of HIF‐1β and the HIF‐1 target PDK1. This result indicates that HIF‐1 inhibitors effectively decrease PDK1 activity, which is a cause of the metabolic disorder and Warburg effect observed in PASMCs. Identifying naturally occurring HIF‐1 inhibitors could provide novel insights into the development of PAH medications.
Radiolytic Approach for Efficient, Selective and Catalyst‐free CO2 Conversion at Room Temperature
Authors: Hu Changjiang , Al Gharib Sarah , Wang Yunlong , Gan Pingping , Li Qiuhao , Denisov Sergey A. , Le Caer Sophie , Belloni Jacqueline , Ma Jun , Mostafavi Mehran
Published: July 2021

The present study proposes a new approach for direct CO2 conversion using primary radicals from water irradiation. In order to ensure reduction of CO2 into CO2−. by all the primary radiation‐induced water radicals, we use formate ions to scavenge simultaneously the parent oxidizing radicals H. and OH. producing the same transient CO2−. radicals. Conditions are optimized to obtain the highest conversion yield of CO2. The goal is achieved under mild conditions of room temperature, neutral pH and 1 atm of CO2 pressure. All the available radicals are exploited for selectively converting CO2 into oxalate that is accompanied by H2 evolution. The mechanism presented accounts for the results and also sheds light on the data in the literature. The radiolytic approach is a mild and scalable route of direct CO2 capture at the source in industry and the products, oxalate salt and H2, can be easily separated.
Physiological and proteomic analyses reveal cAMP‐regulated key factors in maize root tolerance to heat stress
Authors: Zhao Yulong , Liu Yanpei , Ji Xiaoming , Sun Jinfeng , Lv Shanshan , Yang Hao , Zhao Xia , Hu Xiuli
Published: July 2021

High temperature constitutes a serious threat to crops. 3′,5′‐cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) is increasingly proved to play important roles in plants. However, the mechanism of cAMP‐mediated thermotolerance in root remains unclear. This study was designed to investigate cAMP roles in thermotolerance of maize root. Adenylyl cyclase (AC) catalyzes ATP to generate cAMP. For two identified maize AC genes, ZmRPP13‐LK3 and ZmPSiP, the predictive ABA response element was found in their promoter fragments. Both ABA and heat stress treatment increased the promoter activity of ZmRPP13‐LK3 and ZmPSiP. In the roots of maize ABA‐deficient mutant vp5, the heat‐caused increase of these two gene expression and cAMP content was obviously less than that in the roots of its wild‐type Vp5. cAMP pretreatment decreased H2O2 and malondialdehyde content, but increased the activities of superoxide dismutase and ascorbate peroxidase in roots compared to no pretreatment under heat stress. By iTRAQ proteomics analysis, 268 cAMP‐mediated differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) were identified from maize roots exposed to heat stress. The integrated analysis of these DEPs showed that cAMP was involved in many important biological processes, including ion uptake, protein degradation via autophagy or ubiquitin–proteasome system, a rapid delivery of stress‐related cargo molecules by vesicle trafficking, and adaptation response by defense proteins. To determine whether the gene expression of these DEPs was regulated by cAMP and ABA, the gene expression of randomly selected 15 DEPs as ion transporters and heat shock proteins was analyzed, and the results indicated that cAMP and ABA pretreatment also enhanced the expression of their genes. Additionally, the cAMP pretreatment increased Ca2+, PO43−, and NO3− uptake, but reduced K+ uptake in roots under heat stress. All above‐mentioned results suggest that ABA‐mediated cAMP signaling may contribute to better thermotolerance in maize roots.
Impact of the COVID‐19 pandemic on older adults mental health services: A mixed methods study
Authors: Bhome Rohan , Huntley Jonathan , Dalton‐Locke Christian , San Juan Norha Vera , Oram Sian , Foye Una , Livingston Gill
Published: July 2021

Objectives

The COVID‐19 pandemic has had a significant impact on older adults mental health care. Our study aimed to explore staff perspectives on key challenges and innovations in order to help inform the delivery of older adults mental health care in subsequent waves of the pandemic.

Methods

A mixed methods online questionnaire developed by National Institute for Health Research Mental Health Policy Research Unit was used to gather staff perspectives on their challenges at work, problems faced by service users and their carers, and sources of help and support. Descriptive statistics were used for quantitative analysis and descriptive content analysis for qualitative analysis.

Results

158 participants, working in either community or inpatient settings, and from a range of professional disciplines, were included. For inpatient staff, a significant challenge was infection control. In the community, staff identified a lack of access to physical and social care as well as reduced contact with friends and families as being challenges for patients. Remote working was seen as a positive innovation along with COVID‐19 related guidance from various sources and peer support.

Conclusion

Our study, with a focus on staff and patient well‐being, helps to inform service development for future waves of the pandemic. We discuss measures to improve infection control in inpatient settings, the role of voluntary organisations in supporting socially isolated community patients, the need for better integration of physical and mental health services at an organisational level, and the importance of training staff to support patients and their families with end of life planning.
Large‐scale circulation features responsible for different types of extreme high temperatures with extreme coverage over South China
Authors: Lin Wenting , Chen Ruidan , Wen Zhiping , Chen Wei
Published: July 2021

This study classifies the summer extreme high temperatures (EHT) over South China into Day‐EHT, Night‐EHT and Mixed‐EHT (corresponding to EHT with extreme coverage only in daytime, only at night and both in daytime and at night) and compares their associated circulation patterns. All types of EHT are associated with the intensification and expansion of western Pacific subtropical high (WPSH). Concurrently, anomalous subsidence occurs over South China, which reduces the cloud cover and favours daytime warming. However, different types of EHT feature different circulation configurations. Day‐EHT are influenced by the northwestward‐extending WPSH and tropical cyclones, manifesting an abnormal anticyclonic‐cyclonic pair. Anomalous northeasterly winds dominate over South China, which cause lower humidity and faster heat dissipation and thus the EHT disappear at night. Night‐EHT are related to the westward‐extending WPSH and intensified East Asian westerly trough, presenting a subtropical anticyclonic anomaly and a mid‐latitude cyclonic anomaly. Anomalous southwesterly and northerly flows meet around South China, favouring more water vapour convergence in situ. The above‐normal humidity results in smaller amplitude of cloud cover reduction and weaker daytime warming compared to Day‐EHT, but favours heat maintenance and Night‐EHT. Moreover, the mid‐high‐latitude wave train preceding Day‐EHT (Night‐EHT) lies more northward (southward) with the upstream high‐pressure anomaly occurring around the Ural Mountains (Caspian Sea). Mixed‐EHT combine the anomalies for Day‐EHT and Night‐EHT and weak humidity anomaly occurs over South China, thus the daytime EHT could persist until night albeit cools down slightly. These distinguished features indicate that different types of EHT should be considered separately for better forecast and projection of EHT.
Cross‐Linked Polymers as Solid‐State Media for Laser Dye‐Doped Elements
Authors: Bezrodna Tamara , Bezrodnyi Volodymyr , Negriyko Anatoliy , Kosyanchuk Lyudmyla , Antonenko Oksana
Published: July 2021

The work presents investigation results on the main operation parameters of laser active elements, based on the xanthene dye and polyurethane matrices, different by their physical properties. The polyurethanes of various chemical contents are studied, in order to reveal the possibility for their efficient applications as active media in the solid‐state dye‐doped laser elements. Due to the solvation effects, the proposed high‐polar aliphatic polyurethane matrix provides a considerable growth of photostability, efficiency, and operation lifetime for the laser dye‐doped elements.
Possible case of partial postmortem fetal extrusion: Preliminary observations on the mummified remains of a turn‐of‐the‐19th‐century noblewoman in Finland
Authors: Väre Tiina , Lipkin Sanna , Kallio‐Seppä Titta , Tranberg Annemari , Junno Juho‐Antti
Published: July 2021

We report a plausible case of partial postmortem fetal extrusion dating to the turn of the 19th century. A fetal skull protruded from the obstetric canal of the partially mummified remains of an adult woman buried in a private burial chapel in Vihti, South Finland. The fetal size implies the mother having died during the early third trimester of her pregnancy. The cause of death was not obvious from the limited external examination of her remains, but the underdeveloped state of the fetal remains renders it unlikely that this case represents a maternal death resulting from dystocia. Rather, the finding should be interpreted as a case of partial postmortem fetal extrusion, a process probably interrupted by decelerated decomposition of the maternal remains before full expulsion of the fetus.
Concrete screws as a post‐installed punching reinforcement
Authors: Spiegl Matthias , Walkner Rupert , Feix Jürgen
Published: July 2021

A major part of central European infrastructure buildings was designed decades ago and has different needs of strengthening. Increasing traffic volume, increasing axle loads, and a growth in transport volume as well as more restrictive design rules are the reasons why the support regions of existing bridges and flat slabs often show a lack of punching resistance today. At the University of Innsbruck, a system for subsequent strengthening by the use of concrete screws was developed. Various laboratory tests showed that the system leads to a significant increase of punching resistance with minimal efforts for its installation. This article deals with the development of a numerical model that can predict the punching loads of unstrengthened and screw‐strengthened punching plates. Further the punching loads from the laboratory tests and the simulations are compared to the predictions of a design approach. The presented novel design approach is an advancement of the existing Eurocode 2 provisions and allows the influence of the screws on the punching resistance to be taken into account. The comparison shows that the numerical model predicts the punching resistances in an appropriate way and the design approach predicts them on the safe side. The presented design approach was included into the technical assessment for the concrete screws of the system reLAST as post‐installed punching reinforcement system [Z‐15.1‐340 (2019)] in order to be applicable in practice.
On alienation of two functional equations of quadratic type
Authors: Ger Roman
Published: July 2021

We deal with an alienation problem for an Euler–Lagrange type functional equation $$\begin{aligned} f(\alpha x + \beta y) + f(\alpha x - \beta y) = 2\alpha ^2f(x) + 2\beta ^2f(y) \end{aligned}$$

f

(
α
x
+
β
y
)

+
f

(
α
x
-
β
y
)

=
2

α
2

f

(
x
)

+
2

β
2

f

(
y
)

assumed for fixed nonzero real numbers $$\alpha ,\beta ,\, 1 \ne \alpha ^2 \ne \beta ^2$$

α
,
β
,

1
≠

α
2

≠

β
2

, and the classic quadratic functional equation $$\begin{aligned} g(x+y) + g(x-y) = 2g(x) + 2g(y). \end{aligned}$$

g
(
x
+
y
)
+
g
(
x
-
y
)
=
2
g
(
x
)
+
2
g
(
y
)
.

We were inspired by papers of Kim et al. (Abstract and applied analysis, vol. 2013, Hindawi Publishing Corporation, 2013) and Gordji and Khodaei (Abstract and applied analysis, vol. 2009, Hindawi Publishing Corporation, 2009), where the special case $$g = \gamma f$$

g
=
γ
f

was examined.
An Euler system for GU(2, 1)
Authors: Loeffler David , Skinner Christopher , Zerbes Sarah Livia
Published: July 2021

We construct an Euler system associated to regular algebraic, essentially conjugate self-dual cuspidal automorphic representations of $${{\,\mathrm{GL}\,}}_3$$

GL

3

over imaginary quadratic fields, using the cohomology of Shimura varieties for $${\text {GU}}(2, 1)$$

GU
(
2
,
1
)

.
The natural history of primary progressive aphasia: beyond aphasia
Authors: Ulugut Hulya , Stek Simone , Wagemans Lianne E. E. , Jutten Roos J. , Keulen Maria Antoinette , Bouwman Femke H. , Prins Niels D. , Lemstra Afina W. , Krudop Welmoed , Teunissen Charlotte E. , van Berckel Bart N. M. , Ossenkoppele Rik , Barkhof Frederik , van der Flier Wiesje M. , Scheltens Philip , Pijnenburg Yolande A. L.
Published: July 2021

Introduction

Primary progressive aphasia (PPA) is divided into three prototypical subtypes that are all characterized by their single core symptom of aphasia. Although later in their course, other cognitive, behavioral, and motor domains may become involved, little is known about the progression profile of each subtype relative to the other subtypes.

Methods

In this longitudinal retrospective cohort study, based on the recent biomarker-supported diagnostic criteria, 24 subjects diagnosed with semantic variant (svPPA), 22 with non-fluent variant (nfvPPA), and 18 with logopenic variant (lvPPA) were collected and followed up for 1–6 years. Symptom distribution, cognitive test and neuropsychiatric inventory scores, and progression into another syndrome were assessed.

Results

Over time, lvPPA progressed with broader language problems (PPA-extended) and nfvPPA progressed to mutism, whereas semantic impairment remained the major problem in svPPA. Apart from linguistic problems, svPPA developed pronounced behavioral disturbances, whereas lvPPA exhibited a greater cognitive decline. By contrast, in nfvPPA motor deficits were more common. Furthermore, within 5 years (IQR = 2.5) after clinical onset, 65.6% of the patients additionally fulfilled the clinical criteria for another neurodegenerative syndrome (PPA-plus). Fourteen out of 24 (58%) svPPA patients additionally met the diagnostic criteria of behavioral variant frontotemporal dementia (5.1 years, IQR = 1.1), whereas the clinical features of 15/18 (83%) lvPPA patients were consistent with Alzheimer disease dementia (4.5 years IQR = 3.4). Furthermore, 12/22 (54%) of the subjects with the nfvPPA progressed to meet the diagnostic criteria of corticobasal syndrome, progressive supranuclear palsy, or motor neuron disease (5.1 years IQR = 3.4).

Discussion

Despite aphasia being the initial and unique hallmark of the syndrome, our longitudinal results showed that PPA is not a language limited disorder and progression differs widely for each subtype, both with respect to the nature of symptoms and disease duration.
Diagnostic performance of chest radiography in high COVID-19 prevalence setting: experience from a European reference hospital
Authors: Flor Nicola , Saggiante Lorenzo , Savoldi Anna Paola , Vitale Renato , Casazza Giovanni , Villa Paolo , Brambilla Anna Maria
Published: July 2021

Purpose

The study’s aim is to analyse the diagnostic performance of chest radiography (CXR) in patients with suspected coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19).

Methods

We retrospectively considered 826 consecutive patients with suspected COVID-19 presenting to our emergency department (ED) from February 21 to March 31, 2020, in a high disease prevalence setting. We enrolled patients who underwent CXR and rhino-oropharyngeal swab for real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (rRT-PCR). CXRs were evaluated by an expert radiologist; a second independent analysis was performed by two residents in consensus. All readers, blinded to rRT-PCR results, classified CXRs positive/negative depending on presence/absence of typical findings of COVID-19, using rRT-PCR as reference standard.

Results

We finally analysed 680 patients (median age 58); 547 (80%) tested positive for COVID-19. The diagnostic performance of CXR, interpreted by the expert reader, was as follows: sensitivity (79.0%; 95% CI: 75.3–82.3), specificity (81.2%; 95% CI: 73.5–87.5), PPV (94.5%;95% CI: 92.0–96.4), NPV (48.4%; 95% CI: 41.7–55.2), and accuracy (79.3%; 95% CI: 76.0–82.2). For the residents: sensitivity (75.1%; 95% CI: 71.2–78.7), specificity (57.9%; 95% CI: 49.9–66.4), PPV (88.0%; 95% CI: 84.7–90.8), NPV (36.2%; 95% CI: 29.7–43.0), and accuracy (71.6%; 95% CI: 68.1–75.0). We found a significant difference between the reporting sensitivity (p = 0.013) and specificity (p < 0.0001) of expert radiologist vs residents. CXR sensitivity was higher in patients with symptom onset > 5 days before ED presentation compared to ≤ 5 days (84.4% vs 70.7%).

Conclusions

CXR showed a sensitivity of 79% and a specificity of 81% in diagnosing viral pneumonia in symptomatic patients with clinical suspicion of COVID-19. Further studies in lower prevalence settings are needed.