bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Leaving Country for Living: Household Level Welfare Assessment from the Destination Preference Lens in Bangladesh
Authors: Shaeba Mashrura Kabir , Farjana Fariha , Datta Subrata Kumar
Published: March 2020

Down memory lane of the economy of Bangladesh, international migration has been a pillar to the economy. Firstly, the study deals with the factors affecting destination preference of the migrant-sending household and then it tries to screne out the impact of international migration on the household welfare from the lens of diversified destination preferences. Considering sample size of 3782 household, the study conducted the entire research with the secondary data of Household Income and Expenditure Survey Bangladesh, 2016. Sorting the migrated countries among seven regions, Multinomial Logistic Regression has been used to find out the determinants behind migrants’ destination preferences. Additionally, to measure the household welfare based on migrant’s destination preference, the Ordinary Least Squares regression model and Quantile regression model have been used. Therefore, the result exhibits that migrant characteristic like age, gender, years of schooling, and household characteristics like heads’ age, sex, schooling year, region, and earning status plays a significant role in deciding the migration destination. It is also evident that economic and subjective welfare varies among the households for sending migrants in different regions. Total expenditure and wealth index decrease to the households who send migrants to South-East Asia rather than Middle-East. The wealth score is higher for the households who send migrants to Europe, North-America, and Oceania over Middle-East. Subjective welfare index also varies among the household based on choosing migration destination. Therefore, it can be concluded that destination preference affects the economic and subjective welfare of the household.
The Influence of Users’ Popular Traditions in Residential Design The Case of Mlalakuwa Settlement in Dar es Salaam City, Tanzania
Authors: Bahendwa Fortunatus
Published: March 2020

It is mostly noted that the design for residential purpose is professionally considered universal, distinct and specific. The socio-economic, cultural and traditional aspects which affect the house users’ requirements and hence the residential designs seem to be considered by professionals’ standpoint as a mere user’s ignorance and lack of access to suitable designs. In this respect, the attributes of vernacular and traditional architecture are sought to unpack the intrinsic relevance to contemporary architecture of residential design within the local context. The case study has been conducted in Dar es Salaam city assessing the local residential house owners’ requirements aiming to understand the social, economic and cultural factors which impact the architecture of residential designs. The findings show that residential designs and use are dynamic and likely to transform based on the owners’ evolving socio-cultural, economic and spatial requirements which highlight the relevance of vernacular and traditional architecture. This trend raises the professional concern on the need for further interrogation of current residential architecture approach. Thus, it has been concluded that professionals perspective should opt for less control of residential requirements and emphasise the recognition of socio-economic and cultural aspects which aspire for flexibility of form, function and spatial organization and facilitate design control by the house owner. Such revelation indicate the validity of vernacular and traditional architectural approach which integrate the local knowledge, optimum utilization of resources, nature and built environment.
The Necessity of Preparing Urban Design Guidelines to Improve Quality of Life – For Thao Dien, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Authors: Hwang Sun Ah , Shin Eun Ho.
Published: March 2020

The ultimate goal of urban design is to improve the 'Quality of human life'. Although it may be called urban design by referring to all the outputs and processes of development, it is more useful to use the term urban design by limiting the development process and results in ‘enhancing quality’. However, the history of urban design is not long all over the world, and there are not many countries that are not institutionalized yet. The purpose of this study is to clarify and reflect the needs and requirements of residents in to suggest the right guidelines of urban design that have the most direct effect on improving the quality of human life. The study site was limited to Thao Dien, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
Current Agricultural and Environmental Policies in Benin Republic
Authors: Dayou Ephrème D. , Zokpodo Barnabé K. L. , Montcho Marthe , Ajav Emmanuel A. , Bamgboye Isaac A. , Kakaï Romain L. Glèlè
Published: March 2020

The need to feed the population growth conducts to the development of material intensive production systems in many countries. However the absence of adequate policies has adverse consequences on the environment and the performance of the agricultural and rural sectors. Benin Republic, through its Strategic Plan for Agricultural Sector Development (PSDSA) focuses on improving food and nutrition security, improving farm level income and building resilience to climate change within the Government Action Plan (PAG Bénin Révélé) 2016-2021. The aim of this study is to analyze the current agricultural policies and his link with the current environmental policies in Benin Republic. The data from Ministries and Structures in charge of Agriculture, Environment, Health and Human being were used. Reports from some international organizations such as FAO, PNUD and FIDA were also used. It is observed and planed an increase in cultivation area, all crops yields and crops production from 2016 to 2021. That will involve the more use of agricultural machinery, fertilizers and pesticides. Added to the current environment challenges, it appears the risk of soil degradation, deforestation, water and air pollution, then global impact on the environment when this plan will be implemented. It is right that some Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) are purposed for many of the actions. However, these EIA are sometime neglected and sacrificed for the profitability of agricultural production. To achieve this agricultural goal without affect the environment, the respect of the adequate law and EIA for each single activity becomes necessary.
Tuberculosis in a Spanish cohort of children living with HIV: the CHOTIS study (Childhood HIV & TB study)
Authors: López-Medina E. M. , Sainz T. , de Ory S. Jiménez , Mellado-Peña M. J. , González-Tomé M. I. , Gil E. Colino , Cucurull T. Vallmanya , Neyra Falcón , Frick M. A. , Martínez-Pérez J. , Andrés A. G. Andrés , Alonso M. Bustillo , Laleona C. Guerrero , Hernández M. Méndez , Hernández P. Collado , Amador J. T. Ramos , Gómez M. L. Navarro , Santiago-García B. ,   TB-HIV working group of the National Network,   National Pediatric TB Network (pTBred) of Spa,   Translational Research Network in Pediatric I
Published: March 2020

BACKGROUND: Tuberculosis (TB) is the leading opportunistic infection in children with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), but is uncommon in low prevalence regions. We aim to describe the changing epidemiology and clinical presentation of TB-HIV co-infection in a cohort of HIV-infected
children in Spain.METHODS: Children diagnosed with TB between 1995 and 2016 in the paediatric HIV cohort were identified. The incidence and clinical presentation were compared in three periods: 1995–1999 (P1, before initiation of combined antiretroviral therapy, cART), 2000–2009
(P2, increase in immigration), and 2010–2016 (P3, decrease in immigration).RESULTS: We included 29 TB cases among 1183 children aged <18 years (2.4%, 243/100 000 person-years). The proportion was stable in P1 and P2 (1.3%), but decreased in P3 (0.8%). The median
age at TB diagnosis was 6.4 years (IQR 4–10.6); most children in P3 were aged >10 years (20% vs. 23.1% vs. 83.3%, P = 0.01). TB was diagnosed at HIV presentation in 11/29 children (37.9%). Foreign-born children accounted for respectively 0%, 8% and 67% of the total number of
children in each period (P ≤ 0.0001). One third had extrapulmonary TB; four children died (13.8%).CONCLUSION: In our cohort, the incidence of TB-HIV co-infection decreased with decline in immigration. In regions with adequate cART coverage and low TB transmission, paediatric
TB-HIV coinfection is uncommon, but associated with significant morbidity. Strategies for TB surveillance, diagnosis and treatment in this vulnerable population should be reinforced.
New records of beetle species (Coleoptera) from the Polish part of Białowieża Forest with special emphasis on the genus Episernus C.G. Thomson, 1863 (Ptinidae) in Central Europe
Authors: Plewa Radosław , Jaworski Tomasz , Tarwacki Grzegorz , Sućko Krzysztof , Konwerski Szymon , Królik Roman , Lasoń Andrzej , Melke Andrzej , Przewoźny Marek , Ruta Rafał , Szołtys Henryk , Dodelin Benoit , Hilszczański Jacek
Published: March 2020

This paper presents data on 23 beetle species recorded for the first time from the Białowieża Forest (Polish part), and among them two species new for the fauna of Poland. All the beetles were collected using multifunnel (Lindgren) traps, placed in the the selected sites of the study area in 2018. Collected species belong to 13 families: Carabidae (1 species), Corylophidae (1), Curculionidae (1), Dermestidae (1), Elateridae (2), Eucnemidae (1), Laemophloeidae (1), Latridiidae (2), Nitidulidae (1), Ptinidae (3), Staphylinidae (7), Throscidae (1) and Trogossitidae (1). Episernus angulicollis C. G. Thomson, 1863 and E. tatarinovae Toskina et Nikitsky, 2003 (Ptinidae) are recorded for the first time from Poland, and Microrhagus pyrenaeus Bonvouloir, 1872 (Elateridae) and Leptusa norvegica Strand, 1941 (Staphylinidae), for the second time. Distribution of all the above species in Poland is briefly discussed and details on the biology of some of them are given. An identification key for the species of the genus Episernus C. G. Thomson, 1863 from Central Europe is presented. Species diversity of beetles in the Polish part of Białowieża Forest is estimated based on published data.
Die Frauenzielgrößen des GgTFMF
Authors: Minderjahn Niclas
Published: March 2020

„The women’s quota is the largest contribution to equal rights since the introduction of women’s suffrage”, Minister Maas commented on the introduction of the GgTFMF [German Act on Equal Participation of Women and Men in Leadership Positions in the Private and Public Sectors], which, in addition to the fixed quota of 30%, contains the obligation to set targets for increasing the proportion of women, particularly for the Supervisory Board and Board of Directors (so called flexible quota). If the self-imposed targets are not achieved, the companies must justify this.

The implementation of the flexible quota was largely left unregulated, resulting in legal problems that need to be solved. The legislator is also breaking new ground with this legislation: by waiving sanctions in the event of the target being missed, he is using a soft-law approach that is comparable to voluntary regulation.

The aim is to examine whether this is an effective and constitutionally permissible enforcement mechanism. Is its idea convincing in theory, and has it proven itself in practice?
Quis custodiet ipsos custodes
Authors: Müller-Mürnseer Felix
Published: March 2020

Der Aufsichtsrat der Aktiengesellschaft ist kein reines Aufsichtsorgan, sondern berät und begleitet die Geschäftsführung des Vorstands eng. Verletzt der Aufsichtsrat seine Pflichten, so haften seine Mitglieder später auf Schadensersatz. Doch kann sich die Gesellschaft bereits im Vorfeld schützen, wenn ihr Aufsichtsrat im Begriff ist, einen Fehler zu begehen? Die Arbeit untersucht, ob und durch wen der Aufsichtsrat überwacht wird. Sie zeigt, dass die Aktiengesellschaft einen Anspruch auf Pflichterfüllung gegen ihre Aufsichtsratsmitglieder hat, den der Vorstand durchsetzen kann, noch bevor ein Schaden entsteht. Durch umfassende historische Analyse löst die Arbeit so ein über hundert Jahre altes Problem auf Basis geltenden Rechts. Der Praxisteil beschreibt auf Grundlage der Ergebnisse der Arbeit, wie Aufsichtsräte außerhalb eines Schadensersatzprozesses Rechtssicherheit gewinnen können, wenn sie von der Verfolgung von Ansprüchen absehen, die nach den „ARAG/Garmenbeck“-Grundsätzen des BGH verfolgungsreif wären.
Arbeitnehmerschutz durch und für angestellte Betriebsärzte
Authors: Halfmann, LL.B Lukas
Published: March 2020

Das Werk bietet eine aktuelle Komplettabhandlung aller arbeitsrechtlichen wie auch arbeitssicherheitsrechtlichen Besonderheiten der Beschäftigungs- und Berufungsverhältnisse von angestellten Betriebsärzten. Insbesondere wird dazu die doppelte Rechtsbeziehung zum Arbeitgeber, das arbeitssicherheitsrechtliche Amt und die arbeitsvertragliche Anstellung, in ihren wechselseitigen Abhängigkeiten untersucht.

Gleichzeitig bietet das Werk einen Einblick in Amts- und Kündigungsschutzvorschriften, die für Arbeitgeber von Betriebsärzten zu beachten sind. Zuletzt wird außerdem die betriebsverfassungsrechtliche Komponente betriebsärztlicher Tätigkeit hervorgehoben, sowohl im Rahmen der täglichen Zusammenarbeit von Betriebsrat und Betriebsarzt als auch im Hinblick auf die zum Teil notwendigen Mitbestimmungsrechte des Betriebsrates bei Bestellung, Abberufung und auch indirekt der Kündigung des Betriebsarztes.
Zásada subsidiarity ve vztahu k Úřadu evropského veřejného žalobce
Authors: Kořínek Štěpán
Published: March 2020

Příspěvek se zaobírá problematikou zásady subsidiarity ve vztahu k Úřadu evropského veřejného žalobce (ÚEVŽ). Právě zásada subsidiarity představovala bodový zlom v procesu konstituování ÚEVŽ, který vedl až k současnému stavu přijetí ÚEVŽ na základě posílené spolupráce. Subsidiarita jako klíčový právní princip hojně prostupuje celou materií evropského práva, přičemž se samozřejmě dotýká jeho institutů (jako ÚEVŽ). Příspěvek je rozčleněn do třech částí, kterým předchází úvod a uzavírá závěr. První část se věnuje zásadě subsidiarity a jejímu charakteristickému vymezení, přičemž subsumuje teoretické definice pojmu subsidiarita, různé vědní přístupy, dílčí aspekty zásady subsidiarity a samozřejmě zásadu subsidiarity z pohledu evropského práva. Druhá kapitola je sondou do druhého vůdčího principu evropského práva – proporcionality jako komplementarity k subsidiaritě. Třetí kapitola je posléze reflektují rozhodnou kauzu otázky narušení subsidiarity při konstituování ÚEVŽ.
Potrebujeme nový trestný čin - „Femicide“?
Authors: Záhora Jozef
Published: March 2020

Problematika rodovo podmieneného násilia vo svete je starým problémom, možno povedať starým ako ľudstvo samo. Osobitnou kategóriou rodovo podmieneného násilia je vražda, obeťou ktorej je manžel, resp. druh či bývalý manžel. V ostatných rokoch bola táto problematika predmetom skúmania viacerých výskumov. Autor vymedzuje základné metodologické východiská a predstavuje výsledky medzinárodných a zahraničných výskumov týkajúcich sa „femicide“. Predstavuje štatistické ukazovatele vrážd intímnym partnerom v podmienkach Českej republiky a Slovenskej republiky. Vzhľadom na nízky index vrážd žien intímnym partnerom v Slovenskej republike a znaky skutkovej podstaty trestného činu vraždy, autor prichádza k záverom, že situácia v Slovenskej republike nevyžaduje osobitné legislatívne riešenie pre vraždy žien intímnym partnerom. Vraždu intímneho partnera je možné postihnúť ako vraždu s použitím kvalifikovanej skutkovej podstaty – usmrtenie chránenej osoby – blízkej osoby alebo spáchanie trestného činu z osobitného motívu – z nenávisti pre pohlavie, s trestom odňatia slobody na dvadsať rokov až dvadsaťpäť rokov alebo trestom odňatia slobody na doživotie.
Justifikace lidských práv a is-ought problém
Authors: Hapla Martin
Published: March 2020

Objasnění přechodu od faktů k normám patří mezi klíčové problémy právní filosofie i etiky. Autor v článku zkoumá, jakým způsobem se jej pokouší vyřešit různé justifikační teorie lidských práv. Nejprve charakterizuje lidská práva jako kritická morální práva a objasňuje, v jakém smyslu o nich můžeme říci, že existují. Následně popisuje samotný is-ought problém a analyzuje, proč se s ním některé přístupy nedokáží adekvátně vypořádat. Nejdříve se soustředí na justifikaci lidských práv prostřednictvím konceptu základních potřeb a schopností, posléze na explikativně-existenciální zdůvodnění Roberta Alexyho. Největší pozornost však věnuje justifikační teorii, kterou zkonstruoval jeden z hlavních reprezentantů etického racionalismu Alan Gewirth. Podle autora se totiž jedná o zatím nejvíce promyšlený pokus, jak se s uvedeným problémem na poli lidských práv vyrovnat. V poslední části článku autor formuluje své vlastní stanovisko k němu. Východiskem podle něj je přestat klást na zdůvodnění těchto práv absolutní požadavky, ale začít posuzovat jeho silné a slabé stránky ve vztahu ke koncepcím, které mu konkurují.
Volby do obecních zastupitelstev 2018 – analýza volební judikatury krajských soudů
Authors: Ferfecký Jan , Scheuer Jan , Šíp Josef
Published: March 2020

Článek se zabývá analýzou soudního přezkumu voleb do obecních zastupitelstev v roce 2018 napříč jednotlivými krajskými soudy, přičemž se soustředí na dva významné procesní aspekty návrhů na takový přezkum – účastníky řízení (včetně detailnějšího rozboru osoby navrhovatele, tj. aktivní legitimací k podání návrhu) a posouzením druhů návrhů ze strany krajských soudů, neboť toto posouzení má vliv na následný přezkum, který soud provádí. To vše článek analyzuje na základě kvantitativního sběru dat – všech rozhodovaných věcí týkajících se přezkumu voleb do obecních zastupitelstev v roce 2018.
Ambivalence, Gender, and Censorship in two Spanish Translations of Little Women
Authors: Giugliano Marcello , Hernández Socas Elia
Published: March 2020

In our study we analyse two Spanish translations of Louisa May Alcott’s well-known novelLittle Women. The first one was published in 1948, the second in 2004, both titledMujercitas. The choice fell to this book for several reasons. To begin,Little Womenwas first published in 1868–1869 and, though it was an immediate success in the USA, it was reedited and modified by the publisher and the author in 1880. The result was a softened and censored version that rounded the edges of the first edition and toned down its subversive or controversial elements, especially in relation to the image and role of women in North American society at that time. The first translation in Spain was published in 1948, appearing at a particularly dramatic moment in Spanish history, in the decade after the end of the Civil War, when censorship of foreign and home literature was particularly harsh.Mujercitas(1948) may thus be the product of a second and even third degree of censorship (the translator’s self-censorship and the institutional censorship respectively). By comparing this translation with a more recent one, which, moreover, was advertised in the Spanish publishing market as being the first Spanish translation of the original 1868–1869 source text, we attempt to identify the censored elements in the translations by focusing more specifically on the image of womanhood in the novel. The result should prompt reflections on how the ideological discourse behind the source text(s), related to the position and role of women in society, was imported and adapted to the dominant ideology in Franco’s Spain and whether such discourse has undergone significant changes in the second translation, half a century after the first one and almost thirty years after the end of the regime and of the beginning of the democratic era in Spain.
Taking a close look at a large-pore channel
Authors: Gaete Pablo S , Contreras Jorge E
Published: March 2020

The structure of pannexin 1, a channel protein with a large pore, has been determined for the first time.
A spatially explicit model for predicting the probability of occurrence of zero-catch quadrants in the tuna purse seine fishery of the Eastern Tropical Pacific Ocean
Authors: Marín-Enríquez Emigdio , Moreno-Sánchez Xchel G , Urcádiz-Cázares Francisco J , Morales-Bojórquez Enrique , Ramírez-Pérez J Saúl
Published: March 2020

Null purse seine sets (those in which the catch is zero) are common in every tuna fishery in the world. Current evidence suggests that different environmental factors can influence the occurrence of null sets. In this study, we used a long-term (2003–2015) database from the tuna purse seine fishery in the eastern Pacific Ocean to analyze the temporal and spatial variability of the occurrence of 1º × 1º quadrants where the retained tuna catch was zero (“null cells”). We fitted a logistic generalized additive model to predict the occurrence of null cells as a function of environmental and operational covariates. Results of the modeling process suggested that high probabilities of null cell occurrence exist mainly in 2 environmentally different zones: the entrance to the Gulf of California, Mexico, and off the coast of Central America. The final statistical model suggested that operational variables (number of sets, type of fishing indicator) are more important to null cell occurrence than environmental factors (sea surface temperature, chlorophyll concentration, sea level anomaly, and El Niño events).
An Analysis of Theory of Organisational Typologies and their Application in Higher Education Institutional Settings
Authors: Salihu Muftahu Jibirin
Published: March 2020

This research examined the different theories of organisational typologies and their conceptualised application to higher education institutions. The paper is divided into two main parts. The first part is the literature review which discusses each of the organisational typologies and their basic characteristics. Specific examples are also given for each of organisational typology alongside the proponent of each type. Four different types of typologies presented by Miles and Snow [1], Burns and Stalker [2], Morgan [3] and Hoy and Miskel [4] are discussed in the review section. The second part practically synthesised how each of the organisational typologies could apply to the higher educational institutions. A mind map was created to prove how a specifically higher institution may be classified as a ‘defender’ type of organisation.
Drug Resistant Tuberculosis in Oyo State, Nigeria: A Retrospective Study
Authors: Adetunji Stephen Oluwasegun
Published: March 2020

Aim: The focus of this work was to evaluate the prevalence of rifampicin resistant tuberculosis in Oyo State, Nigeria.

Study Design:  A cross sectional retrospective study

Place and Duration of Study: St Mary’s Catholic Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria, between October 2016 and March 2018

Methodology: In this study, 1044 patients diagnosed in the GeneXpert laboratory was conducted using the laboratory register. The age, gender, HIV Status, MTB analysis results and resistance to rifampicin were collected and analyzed.

Results: Of the 1044 tested, 177 (17%) tested positive for TB while 19 (10.7%) of the 177 were resistant to rifampicin. Fourteen (73.7%) of the 19 were male and 5 (26.3%) were female. Fourteen (73.7%) of the 19 fell between 21 - 40 years of age. Seven (36.8%) of the 19 resistant to rifampicin were HIV positive. Of the total 1044 patients tested, 601 (57.6%) were females and 443 (44.4%) were male.

Conclusion: This study showed that rifampicin resistant tuberculosis is high in Nigeria especially among the economically productive age group in the country. More attention should be committed to quick accessibility of diagnosis, treatment and monitoring by the policymakers.
Physicochemical Properties of Soil Analysis under Rangeland Traditional Management Practice on Shilavo District, Somali Regional State, East Ethiopia
Authors: Hassan Mowlid , Tadesse Zawde , Abdikader Mohamed , Sharif Dinow
Published: March 2020

Traditional management practice is emerging as one of the strategies to rehabilitate and restore degraded soils. In this study the important roles of area enclosure with comparison to an open sites were investigated for physicochemical properties of soil in rangeland of Shilabo district Somali region, east Ethiopia. The management types (5 yrs enclosures, 10 yrs enclosure and open grazing land) were taken as treatments. The sand, silt and clay content of CGL, 5E and 10E were 78, 76 and 75%; 8.67, 12.00 and 14.67% and 14.67, 10.33 and 10.33% respectively. Where the mean value of N, P and K for CGL, 5E and 10E were 0.04, 0.14 and 0.16%; 3.72, 3.91 and 5.96 mg/L and 0.16, 1.05 and 1.53 (cmol (+)/Kg soil respectively. The soil variable results revealed that soil organic matter, CECs, exchangeable Cat ions and soil moisture were significantly improved as a result of the enclosure. This study generally shows that area enclosure is a promising strategy to rehabilitate degraded environments as it is fast, cheap and lenient.
The nutritional potential of grape by-products from the area of Slovakia and Austria
Authors: Hanušovský Ondrej , Gálik Branislav , Bíro Daniel , Šimko Milan , Juráček Miroslav , Rolinec Michal , Zábranský Luboš , Philipp Christian , Puntigam Reinhard , Slama Julia Andrea , Gierus Martin
Published: March 2020

Current experiments with farm animals showed that it is possible to use grape by-products as a source of nutrients in animal nutrition. In the present experiment, we hypothesize that one reason for the variation among feeding trials, besides production steps affecting byproduct quality in winery, the variation among cultivars may have substantial contribution. The main aim of this study was to analyse grape pomace and stems from the area of Slovak Republic and Austria to evaluate their nutritional value for animals. In total, 54 samples of 3 grape varieties from 6 different locations were analysed. In each variety basic nutrients, antioxidant activity, total phenols, condensed tannins and proteins participation was determined according to standard analytical methods. The results show that the grape pomace had the highest ratio of crude proteins, crude fat and crude fibre with the solid concentrations of sugars, except of variety from red grape. Then, the grape stem is characterised with balanced content of crude protein, crude fibre and nitrogen free extracts with residual sugars and the highest antioxidant activity. By-products from the winery production have average nutritional value because of higher content of lignin that could be limiting factor for the digestibility. Neverthelles, there are interactions between the fibre fractions, condensed tannins, total polyphenols and antioxidant activity. Analysed data shows, that grape by-products have a potential in animal nutrition as a source of bioactive compounds, however there exists differences between the locations and varieties.
Prospects and perspectives of virtual in-vitro toxicity studies on herbal extracts of Terminalia arjuna with enhanced stratagem in Artemia salina model: a panacea to explicit the credence of solvent system in brine shrimp lethality bioassay
Authors: Meena D. K. , Sahoo A. K. , Swain H. S. , Borah S. , Srivastava P.P. , Sahu N.P. , Das B. K.
Published: March 2020

An in-vitro toxicity study was undertaken for the validation, laydown the standards, supplement some of the information on assessment and define the nature of toxicity of different solvent extracts of Terminalia arjuna considering Artemia salina model, as a case study. In the present study, experimental conditions such as yellow color light of 100 W at 5% salinity for 48 hours with pH 8.0-8.5 at 30 0C, picking up of nauplii with 3mL dropper cut at its tip, 24 hours incubation in same experimental conditions and visualization with 50X magnifying glass were modified unlike previous studies.   Functional screening of solvent extracts with their mother solvents revealed that hex, Etac, Chlo, Acet, Etoh, and Meoh exhibited, the LC50 values as 118.50, 101.75, 93.36, 278.32, 528.78 and 477.67 ppm, respectively, designating them as; medium, medium, high, medium, low, medium toxic, while in their solvent extract forms the toxicity nature gets changed indicating the effectiveness of the extracts. Study, also defines the toxicity level for universal solvents such as DMSO and Dw as to be non-toxic as per the Meyers toxicity index and Clarkson’s toxicity criterion. Among solvent extracts of T. arjuna, all were found to be toxic as per Meyers toxicity index. However, with reference to Clarkson’s toxicity criterion, solvent extracts comprehended extended toxicity classes as low,  medium and high toxic. The PCA 1 and 2 showed, 69.46% and 19.74% variations indicating strong correlation between the parameters. The results confirmed that LC50 of any solvent extract could be treated as relative LC50, which is the fraction of mother solvent and could be treated as absolute LC50,  which is the actual potential of the solvent extracts that might be positive for less effective and negative for highly effective solvent extracts. For smoothening of experimental results, negative sign was ignored. Relative LC50, relative LC50%, absolute LC50, and absolute LC50% could find liner relation with their % fractions and inverse relation with their counterparts. Thus present study advocates the inclusion of relative LC50, relative LC50%, , absolute LC50, absolute LC50%, considerating 95% upper and lower fiducial class intervals and TI values while fixing the nature of toxicity and designating the safety aspect to the host. Also, the study recommends for the collective effort to make BSLA as an internationally accepted and robust standard by revisiting and supplementing the existing toxicity criterion for the BSLA.
Resisting Arrest: The Evolution of UNStudio
Authors: Daniell Thomas
Published: March 2020

The design philosophies of UNStudio are ones of interdisciplinary cross‐ pollination and an interest in flows wherever they are found. Thomas Daniell, Professor of Architectural Theory and Criticism at Kyoto University, discusses the Amsterdam‐based practice's contributions to the development of methodologies to accommodate vehicular and human flows in the contexts of large transport interchanges and the Asian city.
Augmenting Reality: (Big‐)Data‐informed Urban Design and Planning
Authors: Tunçer Bige
Published: March 2020

Data‐mining of people's movement around cities and their social media feeds is seen by many as invasive and controlling. Bige Tunçer, founder of Singapore University of Technology and Design's Informed Design Lab, describes how such data and its augmented‐reality projections can be used to facilitate better urban design strategies and understandings.
A Perennial Practice: Designing Between Urban Landscape and Urban Network
Authors: Belesky Philip
Published: March 2020

Quickly growing and deepening data mines are forcing the designers of urban landscapes to work in real time, constantly readjusting their software tools, professional insights and disciplinary boundaries. Philip Belesky, who lectures in Landscape Architecture at RMIT in Melbourne, explores this ‘living’ and ‘live’ aspect of our digitalised environment and introduces some new design concepts.
Evidence of Tunable Fano Resonance in a Liquid Crystal‐Based Colloidal Metamaterial
Authors: Bhardwaj Amit , Sridurai Vimala , Puthoor Navas Meleth , Nair Aswathi B. , Ahuja Tripti , Nair Geetha G.
Published: March 2020

A colloidal metamaterial composite, realized by dispersing sub‐micrometer‐sized high refractive index dielectric resonators (selenium) in a nematic liquid crystal medium, exhibits electrically tunable Mie resonances in the optical regime. Darkfield hyperspectral imaging reveals that when the nematic liquid crystal (NLC) molecules reorient from the pristine planar state on application of an AC electric field, the scattered image from the particle splits into two, owing to the birefringence of the NLC medium. At higher voltages, a doughnut‐shaped scattering pattern is obtained, indicating the occurrence of Fano resonance. The analysis of the darkfield scattering spectra based on the “Multi‐pole Fano interference model” confirms the presence of Fano resonance arising due to the interference between the broad electric dipolar and narrow electric quadrupolar modes. With increasing voltage, the value of Fano parameterqdecreases and approaches unity corresponding to an ideal Fano shape. Thus, the inherent optical anisotropy of the NLC medium and Fano coupling between the Mie resonant modes lead to highly reversible changes in the far‐field scattering pattern with potential applications in refractive index sensing, wave‐guiding, etc.
Senescence‐related translocation of nonstructural carbohydrate in rice leaf sheaths under different nitrogen supply
Authors: Zakari Shamsu Ado , Asad Muhammad‐Asad‐Ullah , Han Zhanyu , Guan Xianyue , Zaidi Syed‐Hassan‐Raza , Gang Pan , Cheng Fangmin
Published: March 2020

The translocation of nonstructural carbohydrates (NSC) from leaf sheaths to filling grains after anthesis contributed greatly to the grain yield of cereal crops. In this study, the effect of nitrogen (N) supply levels on the accumulation and translocation of NSC in leaf sheath tissues and its relationship with the initiation and progression of leaf senescence during grain filling was investigated using two rice (Oryza sativa L.) genotypes, namely, premature flag leaf senescence mutant (psf) and its wild‐type. Three N treatment levels were used to examine N‐supply induced alteration in the activities of several key enzymes involved in NSC translocation and N assimilation in different leaf sheaths. The results show that the NSC translocation rate in leaf sheaths under low nitrogen (LN) treatment was significantly higher than those under normal nitrogen (NN) and high nitrogen (HN) treatments. However, the positive effect of LN on the NSC translocation in leaf sheath was closely associated with its negative effect on grain yield, due to accelerated leaf senescence and shortened leaf longevity. Comparatively, the upper‐positional sheath had a lower NSC amount and higher NSC translocation rate than the lower‐leaf sheaths after heading. High N suppressed sucrose‐phosphate synthase (SPS) activity in leaf sheaths, but enhanced the activity of key enzymes involving in N assimilation in leaf sheaths. The upper sheath had higher activity of sucrose‐metabolizing enzymes and lower activity of N‐assimilating enzymes. Hence, the upper‐leaf sheath had a relatively weak N assimilation and stronger NSC translocation than the lower‐leaf sheaths.
Wolff–Parkinson–White syndrome: De novo variants and evidence for mutational burden in genes associated with atrial fibrillation
Authors: Coban‐Akdemir Zeynep H. , Charng Wu‐Lin , Azamian Mahshid , Paine Ingrid S. , Punetha Jaya , Grochowski Christopher M. , Gambin Tomasz , Valdes Santiago O. , Cannon Bryan , Zapata Gladys , Hernandez Patricia P. , Jhangiani Shalini , Doddapaneni Harsha , Hu Jianhong , Boricha Fatima , Muzny Donna M. , Boerwinkle Eric , Yang Yaping , Gibbs Richard A. , Posey Jennifer E. , Wehrens Xander H. T. , Belmont John W. , Kim Jeffrey J. , Miyake Christina Y. , Lupski James R. , Lalani Seema R.
Published: March 2020

Background

Wolff–Parkinson–White (WPW) syndrome is a relatively common arrhythmia affecting ~1–3/1,000 individuals. Mutations in PRKAG2 have been described in rare patients in association with cardiomyopathy. However, the genetic basis of WPW in individuals with a structurally normal heart remains poorly understood. Sudden death due to atrial fibrillation (AF) can also occur in these individuals. Several studies have indicated that despite ablation of an accessory pathway, the risk of AF remains high in patients compared to general population.

Methods

We applied exome sequencing in 305 subjects, including 65 trios, 80 singletons, and 6 multiple affected families. We used de novo analysis, candidate gene approach, and burden testing to explore the genetic contributions to WPW.

Results

A heterozygous deleterious variant in PRKAG2 was identified in one subject, accounting for 0.6% (1/151) of the genetic basis of WPW in this study. Another individual with WPW and left ventricular hypertrophy carried a known pathogenic variant in MYH7. We found rare de novo variants in genes associated with arrhythmia and cardiomyopathy (ANK2, NEBL, PITX2, and PRDM16) in this cohort. There was an increased burden of rare deleterious variants (MAF ≤ 0.005) with CADD score ≥ 25 in genes linked to AF in cases compared to controls (P = .0023).

Conclusions

Our findings show an increased burden of rare deleterious variants in genes linked to AF in WPW syndrome, suggesting that genetic factors that determine the development of accessory pathways may be linked to an increased susceptibility of atrial muscle to AF in a subset of patients.
Copper‐Catalyzed C−S Coupling of Quaternary Ammonium Salts and Dialkylcarbamodithioic Acid Salts
Authors: Chen Hongyi , Zhang Qiaoling , Zheng Wenting , Yang Hongqin , Zeng Qingle
Published: March 2020

An efficient synthesis of (chiral) alkyl dialkylcarbamodithioates via a CuI‐catalyzed C−S cross‐coupling reaction of (chiral) quaternary ammonium salts and (chiral) dialkylcarbamodithioic acid salts has been developed. C−S coupling products were obtained with extremely high ee values and yields, with enantioenriched arylmethyl trimethylammonium triflates affording the inverse absolute configuration.
New Radical Borylation Pathways for Organoboron Synthesis Enabled by Photoredox Catalysis
Authors: Qi Jing , Zhang Feng‐Lian , Jin Ji‐Kang , Zhao Qiang , Li Bin , Liu Lin‐Xuan , Wang Yi‐Feng
Published: March 2020

Radical borylation using N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC)‐BH3 complexes as boryl radical precursors has emerged as an important synthetic tool for organoboron assembly. However, the majority of reported methods are limited to reaction modes involving carbo‐ and/or hydroboration of specific alkenes and alkynes. Moreover, the generation of NHC‐boryl radicals relies principally on hydrogen atom abstraction with the aid of radical initiators. A distinct radical generation method is reported, as well as the reaction pathways of NHC‐boryl radicals enabled by photoredox catalysis. NHC‐boryl radicals are generated via a single‐electron oxidation and subsequently undergo cross‐coupling with the in‐situ‐generated radical anions to yield gem‐difluoroallylboronates. A photoredox‐catalyzed radical arylboration reaction of alkenes was achieved using cyanoarenes as arylating components from which elaborated organoborons were accessed. Mechanistic studies verified the oxidative formation of NHC‐boryl radicals through a single‐electron‐transfer pathway.
Discovery of Chemicals to Either Clear or Indicate Amyloid Aggregates by Targeting Memory‐Impairing Anti‐Parallel Aβ Dimers
Authors: Lee Jinny Claire , Kim Hye Yun , Lee Sejin , Shin Jisu , Kim Hyunjin Vincent , Kim Kyeonghwan , Baek Seungyeop , Lee Donghee , Jeon Hanna , Kim DaWon , Yang Seung‐Hoon , Han Gyoonhee , Park Keunwan , Choi Jaeho , Park Jinwoo , Moss Jason A. , Janda Kim D. , Kim YoungSoo
Published: March 2020

Amyloid‐β (Aβ) oligomers are implicated in Alzheimer disease (AD). However, their unstable nature and heterogeneous state disrupts elucidation of their explicit role in AD progression, impeding the development of tools targeting soluble Aβ oligomers. Herein parallel and anti‐parallel variants of Aβ(1–40) dimers were designed and synthesized, and their pathogenic properties in AD models characterized. Anti‐parallel dimers induced cognitive impairments with increased amyloidogenesis and cytotoxicity, and this dimer was then used in a screening platform. Through screening, two FDA‐approved drugs, Oxytetracycline and Sunitinib, were identified to dissociate Aβ oligomers and plaques to monomers in 5XFAD transgenic mice. In addition, fluorescent Astrophloxine was shown to detect aggregated Aβ in brain tissue and cerebrospinal fluid samples of AD mice. This screening platform provides a stable and homogeneous environment for observing Aβ interactions with dimer‐specific molecules.
A Hydrogen‐Deficient Nickel–Cobalt Double Hydroxide for Photocatalytic Overall Water Splitting
Authors: Wang Min , Wang Jia‐Qi , Xi Cong , Cheng Chuan‐Qi , Zou Cheng‐Qin , Zhang Rui , Xie Ya‐Meng , Guo Zhong‐Lu , Tang Cheng‐Chun , Dong Cun‐Ku , Chen Yong‐Jun , Du Xi‐Wen
Published: March 2020

Developing highly efficient and low‐cost photocatalysts for overall water splitting has long been a pursuit for converting solar power into clean hydrogen energy. Herein, we demonstrate that a nonstoichiometric nickel–cobalt double hydroxide can achieve overall water splitting by itself upon solar light irradiation, avoiding the consumption of noble‐metal co‐catalysts. We employed an intensive laser to ablate a NiCo alloy target immersed in alkaline solution, and produced so‐called L‐NiCo nanosheets with a nonstoichiometric composition and O2−/Co3+ ions exposed on the surface. The nonstoichiometric composition broadens the band gap, while O2− and Co3+ ions boost hydrogen and oxygen evolution, respectively. As such, the photocatalyst achieves a H2 evolution rate of 1.7 μmol h−1 under AM 1.5G sunlight irradiation and an apparent quantum yield (AQE) of 1.38 % at 380 nm.
Gamma‐Ray Irradiation to Accelerate Crystallization of Mesoporous Zeolites
Authors: Chen Xinqing , Qiu Minghuang , Li Shenggang , Yang Chengguang , Shi Lei , Zhou Shiju , Yu Gan , Ge Lixia , Yu Xing , Liu Ziyu , Sun Nannan , Zhang Kun , Wang Hui , Wang Mouhua , Zhong Liangshu , Sun Yuhan
Published: March 2020

Gamma‐ray (γ‐ray) irradiation was introduced into zeolite synthesis. The crystallization process of zeolite NaA, NaY, Silicalite‐1, and ZSM‐5 were greatly accelerated. The crystallization time of NaA zeolite was significantly decreased to 18 h under γ‐ray irradiation at 20 °C, while more than 102 h was needed for the conventional process. Unexpectedly, more mesopores were created during this process, and thus the adsorption capacity of CO2 increased by 6‐fold compared to the NaA prepared without γ‐ray irradiation. Solid experimental evidence and density function theory (DFT) calculations demonstrated that hydroxyl free radicals (OH*) generated by γ‐rays accelerated the crystallization of zeolite NaA. Besides NaA, mesoporous ZSM‐5 with MFI topology was also successfully synthesized under γ‐ray irradiation, which possessed excellent catalytic performance for methanol conversion, suggesting the universality of this new synthetic strategy for various zeolites.
From K‐O2 to K‐Air Batteries: Realizing Superoxide Batteries on the Basis of Dry Ambient Air
Authors: Qin Lei , Xiao Neng , Zhang Songwei , Chen Xiaojuan , Wu Yiying
Published: March 2020

Although using an air cathode is the goal for superoxide‐based potassium‐oxygen (K‐O2) batteries, prior studies were limited to pure oxygen. Now, the first K‐air (dry) battery based on reversible superoxide electrochemistry is presented. Spectroscopic and gas chromatography analyses are applied to evaluate the reactivity of KO2 in ambient air. Although KO2 reacts with water vapor and CO2 to form KHCO3, it is highly stable in dry air. With this knowledge, rechargeable K‐air (dry) batteries were successfully demonstrated by employing dry air cathode. The reduced partial pressure of oxygen plays a critical role in boosting battery lifespan. With a more stable environment for the K anode, a K‐air (dry) battery delivers over 100 cycles (>500 h) with low round‐trip overpotentials and high coulombic efficiencies as opposed to traditional K‐O2 battery that fails early. This work sheds light on the benefits and restrictions of employing the air cathode in superoxide‐based batteries.
Multiple Light Control Mechanisms in ATP‐Fueled Non‐equilibrium DNA Systems
Authors: Deng Jie , Bezold Dominik , Jessen Henning J. , Walther Andreas
Published: March 2020

Fuel‐driven self‐assemblies are gaining ground for creating autonomous systems and materials, whose temporal behavior is preprogrammed by a reaction network. However, up to now there has been a lack of simple external control mechanisms of the transient behavior, at best using remote and benign light control. Even more challenging is to use different wavelengths to modulate the reactivity of different components of the system, for example, as fuel or building blocks. Success would enable such systems to navigate along different trajectories in a wavelength‐dependent fashion. Herein, we introduce the first examples of light control in ATP‐fueled, dynamic covalent DNA polymerization systems organized in an enzymatic reaction network of concurrent ATP‐powered ligation and restriction. We demonstrate concepts for light activation and modulation by introducing caged ATP derivatives and caged DNA building blocks, making it possible to realize light‐activated fueling, self‐sorting in structure and behavior, and transition across different wavelength‐dependent dynamic steady states.
Integration of VEK‐30 peptide enhances fibrinolytic properties of staphylokinase
Authors: Bhando Timsy , Singh Satish , Hade Mangesh Dattu , Kaur Jagdeep , Dikshit Kanak L
Published: March 2020

Staphylokinase (SAK), a 136 amino acid bacterial protein with profibrinolytic properties, has emerged as an important thrombolytic agent because of its fibrin specificity and reduced inhibition by α‐2 antiplasmin. In an attempt to enhance the clot dissolution ability of SAK, a 30 amino acid peptide (VEK‐30) derived from a plasminogen (Pg) binding protein (PAM), was fused at the C‐terminal end of SAK with a RGD (Arg–Gly–Asp) linker. The chimeric protein, SAKVEK, was expressed in E. coli and purified as a soluble protein. Pg activation by equimolar complexes of SAKVEK and SAK with plasmin revealed that the fusion of VEK‐30 peptide has significantly enhanced the catalytic activity of SAK. The kinetic constant, kcat/Km, of SAKVEK for the substrate Pg appeared 2.7 times higher than that of SAK and the time required for the fibrin and platelet rich clot lysis was shortened by 30% and 50%, respectively. The binary activator complex of SAKVEK with plasmin gets inhibited by α2‐ antiplasmin but remains protected in the presence of fibrin, very similar to SAK. Thus, the present study suggests that SAKVEK is more potent and effective as a thrombolytic agent due to its higher catalytic activity for Pg activation in a fibrin‐specific manner and its ability to clear platelet‐rich plasma clot faster than SAK.
Generative time telling in adults with disabilities: A matrix training approach
Authors: Curiel Emily S. L. , Curiel Hugo , Li Anita
Published: March 2020

Matrix training is a teaching strategy designed to facilitate generative responding through a process termed recombinative generalization. A skill that has yet to be addressed with matrix training is tacting time increments. Given the two‐component features of time telling (i.e., hours and minutes) and the numerous teaching targets, matrix training was implemented for such behavior with two adults with developmental disabilities. This study used a 12 × 12 matrix that consisted of 144 time increments. Participants were taught 12 time increments, and probes were conducted to assess the remaining 132 untrained time increments. The participants responded correctly to approximately 50% of the untrained time increments during the post‐assessment phase. Limitations and future research are discussed.