bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
VARIANT OF OTP CIPHER WITH SYMMETRIC KEY SOLUTION
Authors: Luu Hong Dung
Published: August 2022

The paper proposes a solution to construct symmetric–key cryptographic algorithms based on OTP cipher developed based on the cipher One – Time Pad (OTP). Advantages of the algorithms built according to the proposed new solution is to have secure and efficient implementation as OTP cipher, but the establishment, management - distribution and usage of keys are exactly the same as the Symmetric key cryptosystems in practice (DES, AES,. . . ).
ANALYTIC HIERARCHY PROCESS DALAM PENGAMBILAN KEPUTUSAN TEMPAT KHUSUS PARKIR DI KABUPATEN CILACAP
Authors: Wijaya Shadu Satwika , Rosyadi Slamet , Atika Zaula Rizqi , Sutikno Chamid
Published: August 2022

The implementation of public services is the core business of public administration. In an effort to provide public services, local governments are required to pay more attention to public needs, one of which is the need for transportation. For this reason, accurate decision making is needed to ensure the effectiveness and efficiency of public administration. Cilacap is increasingly developing towards an industrial and service area so that community mobility is getting higher in line with economic movements. Therefore, there is a buildup and crowds in several areas that become agglomeration nodes caused by the presence of parking vehicles on the road. To prevent this buildup from increasing, local governments need to respond by providing parking building services. However, given the limited budget they have, the local government must make a decision to prioritize the construction of parking building services in the most feasible locations to be built. For this reason, this study aims to identify priority locations for special parking spaces in several Cilacap agglomeration areas, namely Majenang, Kroya and Cilacap Kota. Using by the Analytic Hierarchy Process method, results with high accuracy can be obtained in determining the priority of parking building service locations in Cilacap.
Study on efficacy of commercially available mouth wash
Authors: RAJ A LEYON SELVIN , BERA JIGNASA H , BHAINE KUSHANI GIRISHBHAI , N PATEL DHARA
Published: August 2022

ABSTRACT  
Mouthwash is an aqueous solution with antibacterial, deodorant, and refreshing properties. Four different kinds of commercial mouthwashes were compared in this study to test their efficacy using the disc diffusion method; a total of forty-three oral swabs were collected. Compared to the inhibition zones of four mouthwash brands, the chlorhexidine gluconate-containing mouthwash had a better antibacterial effect.
Keywords: Mouth wash, disc diffusion method, antimicrobial, antiseptic
Public health and the role of advancement in laboratory
Authors: RAJ A LEYON SELVIN , N PATEL DHARA
Published: August 2022

ABSTRACT
Disease surveillance and diagnosis are essential aspects of public health management, and the role of laboratories contributes to this. Progress in the laboratory plays an essential role in public health through efficient and effective diagnosis, leading to better public health management. In this article, we have discussed how advancements in laboratories have contributed to public health by being efficient to diagnose and cost-effective, available to all economic strata.
Keywords: Public health, Diagnosis, Laboratories.
Prescription trend of antidiabetics among physicians and their selection according to lab investigations and physical parameters
Authors: Saba Rafique  , Danish Shakoor  , Ayesha Amjad  , Syeda Zonish Ziadi  , Ismat Younus  , Maria Manan
Published: August 2022

While writing this article we observed 300 prescriptions of patients suffering from a number of different diabetic complications. Patients were from different family backgrounds but most of them belonged to Middle-class. We go through from the prescriptions and also analyzed them from their laboratory values and physical parameters. In the laboratory Investigations, we basically gave importance to Cholesterol level, ALT, Hba1c and creatinine levels .We asked from patients either they are taking their recommended medicines regularly ,we also asked them about the effect of medicines they observed . Most of the people were taking their medicines regularly but some were skipping their doses. After completing our survey we analyzed our data from different perspectives. We determined the generics mostly prescribed and then rank them according to their percentage of usage. After that we analyzed the change in trend of prescriptions due to disturbance in any of the above mentioned lab values. We also observed the changing trend of prescriptions according to their Body Mass Index(BMI) . In the end we gave it a conclusion that some of the classes of anti-diabetics are being prescribed in specific conditions and the rest of them are rarely used.
Retinoid based nanoemulsions: Preparation to therapeutic applications
Authors: Ayesha Rauf  , Muhammad Jamshaid  , Mahmood Ahmad  , Irfan Bashir
Published: August 2022

Modern mode of drug delivery system has been constructed to defeat the main issues linked with the traditional drug delivery system. This particular review will give an idea about the retinoid based nanoemulsion system. The main focus is to briefly explain the different aspects of nanoemulsion formulations, procedure of preparation, portrayal procedures with special focus on different utilizations of nanoemulsion in various area. Nanoemulsions are colloidal dispersion system that are composed of two non-miscible mixtures mixed along with surfactants and co-surfactants emulsifier to develop a single phase which is thermodynamically balanced. Nanoemulsion droplet sizes commonly fall in the range of 20-200 nm and show thin size distributions. Nanoscale dispersions of droplets of one liquid in another insoluble liquid can be achieved by using extreme emulsification procedures. Retinoid, better known as vitamin A are lipophillic in nature. They are vastly used for therapeutic purpose in skin disorders. Retinoid are among one of the fundamental compound found in cosmeceuticals. They are the most investigated compound with sufficient information supporting them. Retinoid include natural or synthetic derivatives that decrease hyperpigmentation and limit collagen breaking enzymes. Nanoemulsions comprise of tiny oil-in-water globules, havingless than 100 nm diameter. They are delicate frameworks by nature. Traditional formulations are restricted becauseof irritation, poor aqueous solubility and high instability of retinoid. But administration of retinoid in aqueous mediais enabled due to nanoemulsion based formulation, decreasing degradation, controlled release, high stability,improve targeting and enhance efficacy. Nanoemulsion show incredible guarantee for the future of beauty careproducts, diagnostics, treatments, and biotechnologies. The unique properties of nanoemulsions such as highstability, translucent appearance and efficient drug delivery attribute has attracted researchers interest which is oneof the reason why the usage of nanoscale emulsion has grown rapidly during the recent decades. Nanoemulsionformulation might be considered as viable, safe and with enhanced bioavailability. Comparing to the conventionaltopical formulation, nanoemulsion possess advance transdermal permeation of various drugs such as gels andemulsions. Nanoemulsion is significantly important in modern pharmaceutical industry and provide many benefitsin drug delivery systems. This review is focused on the most recent literature on developments of retinoid basednanoemulsions.
Preparation and evaluation of microspheres with dual polymeric film to minimize burst effect of highly water soluble drug
Authors: Liaqat Ali  , Mahmood Ahmad  , Usman Minhas  , Jawad Ahmad Khan  , Muhammad Yousuf  , Muhammad Sohail  , Khaleeq Anwer
Published: August 2022

Double-layered controlled release microspheres of venlafaxine were prepared using ethyl cellulose (EC) as a wall forming hydrophobic polymer. Usually, it is difficult to control initial sudden release of highly water-soluble drugs. In this regard, double-layered microparticles were prepared not only for controlling initial burst effect but also to sustain the release of venlafaxine for an extended period of time. Solvent evaporation technique based on O/O emulsion was applied to prepare modified release microparticles. To minimize initial burst effect, developed microparticles were again coated with same hydrophobic polymer. Percent recovery, drug loading efficiency and particle size were measured. FTIR, SEM and kinetic models were applied to characterize venlafaxine microspheres. Packing and flow properties of microparticles were satisfactory. FTIR spectra of EC, venlafaxine and venlafaxine loaded microspheres were recorded. SEM analysis showed the formation of spherical microspheres with slightly rough surface. Burst effect of venlafaxine was significantly retarded in double-layered microparticles. Drug release databased on highest values of correlation coefficient, was suitably explained by Higuchi kinetics and mechanism of release was Fickian diffusion. This study strongly suggests that double-layered microspheres can successfully be applied for controlling the dose dumping and sustaining the release of highly water-soluble drug for an extended period of time.
Tuberculosis in geriatric patients
Authors: Hafiza Maryam Mukhtar  , Misbah Shaheen  , Ayesha Ashraf  , Attofa Afzel  , Mehr-un-Nisa  , Hafiza Sidra Yaseen
Published: August 2022

Tuberculosis is developing as a noteworthy medical problem in geriatrics. The indications are frequently non-particular and prompt postponed finding. Propelled infection state exhibit at the time of determination and regularly the analysis made at autopsy instead of amid life. Aging factors and presence of co-morbidities additionally modify the clinical picture. The doctors need a high record of doubt for the finding of tuberculosis in regards to geriatric patients give non-particular and misty side effects. Extraordinary consideration must be given to the observing for patients consistence with treatment, reactions of medications and medication associations.
Corporate Governance and Firm Performance: Empirical Evidence from Pakistan Banking Sector
Authors: Nizam Kehkashan
Published: August 2022

Corporate governance is important in developing a culture of integrity in an organization that enhances the performance of business resulting in sustainability in the business of the organization. The purpose of this study is to investigate the impact of corporate governance factors on bank performance in Pakistan. The data was collected from 15 banks from the period of 2010 to 2020. The data was collected from the financial reports of the banks. The dependent variable was returning on assets as a proxy of firm performance and the independent variables were corporate governance factors (namely, the board size, firm size, independent directors, CEO duality, and leverage). The technique was applied for this research included the Co-integration test, the Hausman test to determine Random or Fixed Effect, and the Panel Least Square Regression to check the relationship between variables The result found that board size has a significant effect on return on assets indicated that optimum board size in an organization increases the ROA. The results found board independence has a significant effect on return on assets indicating the independency of directors is involved in creating greater value for shareholders. The results found that CEO/Chairman duality has an insignificant impact on return on assets. The results found leverage has a significant impact on return on assets indicating that having high leverage earns more profit. The results found a positive impact of firm size on return on assets. Results can be concluded that improvement in corporate practices increases the firm performance shows the positive revenue generates by the company and the company used its assets through business. Good CG practices make firm-healthy
Developing Prediction Model for Children’s Social Competence Using Machine Learning
Authors: Lee Geun Ae
Published: August 2022

Objectives: This study aims to identify the types of latent classes of children’s social competence, and to develop a model using machine learning to predict the type and identify relatively important variables.Methods: Data were collected from 466 children aged three to five years and their mothers. Children’s social competence was classified by level. Latent class analysis, machine learning model construction, and performance evaluation were performed using R 3.6.1 and R-Studio 1.2.5033. The machine learning algorithms used were logistic regression, lasso logistic regression, random forest, and gradient-boosted decision tree models.Results: First, according to the characteristics of the latent class of children’s social competence, it was classified into two types: ‘high level’ and ‘low level’. Second, a machine learning algorithm was applied according to the latent class. The best performing model was the random forest model. Third, the most important variable in predicting the social competence type was identified as ‘harm avoidance’ in the children’s temperament. Fourth, another major variable was a ‘shift’ in the children’s executive functions.Conclusion: This study is meaningful as it suggests the possibility of predicting and discriminating children’s social competence and various developmental aspects by applying machine learning, the latest technique, to predict the types of children’s social competence.
Maternal Mediation on Children’s Smartphone Overdependence: A Moderated Moderation Model of Mother-Child Communication and Children’s Gender
Authors: Park Bokyung , Shin Nana , Kim Minjoo , Kim Soyoung , Han Yookyung
Published: August 2022

Objectives: This study examined the effects of maternal mediation and mother-child communication on children’s smartphone overdependence. It also explored the moderated moderation effect of mother-child communication and children’s gender on the relationship between maternal mediation and children’s smartphone overdependence.Methods: A total of 411 first to third grade elementary school students and their mothers participated in this study. Mothers responded to questionnaires. Data were analyzed using multiple regression analysis with SPSS 21.0 and using model 3 in PROCESS macro version 3.4.Results: First, maternal active mediation only affected girls’ smartphone overdependence, while maternal restrictive mediation affected both boys’ and girls’ smartphone overdependence. That is, the more active mediation mothers showed, the less dependent girls were on smartphones. Moreover, the more restrictive mediation mothers showed, the less dependent both boys and girls were on smartphones. Second, problematic communication influenced both boys’ and girls’ smartphone overdependence; that is, the more problematic communication they had with their mothers, the more they depended on smartphones. Lastly, the effect of maternal active mediation on children’s smartphone overdependence was different depending on open communication and children’s gender. Specifically, its effect on children’s smartphone overdependence was greater when they communicated more openly with their mothers, and this effect was only found in the case of girls.Conclusion: This study confirmed that maternal mediation and mother-child communication are important to effectively prevent or intervene in children’s smartphone overdependence. It also suggests that prevention or intervention should be approached differently depending on children’s gender.
Grundrechte
Authors: Michael Lothar , Morlok Martin
Published: August 2022

Das Lehrbuch orientiert sich bei der Darstellung der Grundrechte strikt am Prüfungsaufbau: Fragen des Schutzbereichs, des Eingriffs und der Rechtfertigung werden jeweils en bloc in dieser Reihenfolge behandelt. Da die Grundrechte europäischen Einflüssen unterliegen, befassen sich die Autoren in einem eigenen Teil mit der Grundrechtsgeltung im europäischen Mehrebenensystem und erläutern die praktisch wichtigen Aspekte einzelner europäischer Grundrechtsgarantien.
Engineering Students’ Affective Response to Climate Change
Authors: Warford Elisa ,   Philosophy Documentation Center
Published: August 2022

In an engineering writing course whose theme is climate change and engineering, I foreground climate change as an ethical problem. At the end of the semester, I ask students to compare their attitudes toward climate change from when they began the course to their attitudes at the end. Some report that, as a result of knowing more about the difficulty and scale of the problem, they have become more pessimistic about our ability to solve it. Climate change despair has been studied from several disciplinary perspectives. Here, I approach the issue from an ethical perspective. My question is, how should I address students’ affective responses to climate change? After providing background on the course and the students’ attitudes, I review the literature on the ethics of climate change despair, hope, and false hope. I then argue for a pedagogy that guides students toward a critical hope and engineering praxis.
Work addiction among employees and self-employed workers: An investigation based on the Italian version of the Bergen Work Addiction Scale
Authors: Molino Monica , Kovalchuk Liliya Scafuri , Ghislieri Chiara , Spagnoli Paola
Published: August 2022

The increasing interest in work addiction is connected to recent changes in the work culture and work habits. Despite this interest, knowledge pertaining to this phenomenon and measures to assess it are still limited. This study aims to contribute by examining the psychometric features of the Italian version of the Bergen Work Addiction Scale, a unidimensional scale based on the perspective of addiction. The research method consisted in two steps: in the first cross-sectional study, a convenience sample of 1,035 workers filled in a self-report questionnaire; the second step was a two-wave longitudinal study that involved a convenience sample of 292 workers. Results confirmed the psychometric properties of the scale across employees and self-employed groups. Moreover, results showed a significantly higher level of work addiction among self-employed workers than employees. This study provides support for the evaluation of workaholism in the Italian context among different kind of professions.
Self-esteem and adolescent bullying/cyberbullying and victimization/cybervictimization behaviours: A person-oriented approach
Authors: Palermiti Anna L. , Bartolo Maria G. , Musso Pasquale , Servidio Rocco , Costabile Angela
Published: August 2022

Although previous studies seemed to recognize negative associations between self-esteem and bullying/cyberbullying and victimization/cybervictimization behaviours, the findings are controversial. The current study tried to shed light on this issue by using a person-oriented approach among Italian adolescents. Participants included 936 students aged 13-16 years. Different domains of self-esteem and bullying/cyberbullying and victimization/cybervictimization behaviour during the previous 2-3 months were assessed through a self-administered questionnaire. The results suggested four self-esteem profiles, i.e., school/family-oriented, consistently high, self-derogation, and body/peer-oriented. Students in the consistently high self-esteem profile seemed to be more protected against bullying/cyberbullying and victimization/cybervictimization behaviours compared to those in the self-derogation profile. The findings showed that among adolescents there is a degree of heterogeneity in the self-esteem domain associated with different levels of bullying/cyberbullying and victimization/cybervictimization behaviour. This suggests that different domains of self-esteem and their interdependencies play a crucial role during adolescence, with consequences also in terms of diverse patterns of active and passive aggressive behaviour.
Towards resilient manufacturing ecosystems through artificial intelligence :
Authors: St. Pierre James A
Published: August 2022

In 2020, the National Science and Technology Council (NSTC) Subcommittee on Advanced Manufacturing and Subcommittee on Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence articulated cross-agency interest in the value and timeliness of organizing a symposium to outline benefits of AI adoption in manufacturing and identify issues that inhibit widescale adoption. In response, the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) sponsored a three-workshop Symposium entitled Strategy for Resilient Manufacturing Ecosystems Through Artificial Intelligence (AI) to seek input from industry, academia, and government experts. The workshops focused on potential roles of each sector in performing research and development (R&D) and ideas for implementation of AI in manufacturing that could inform the development of the U.S. Advanced Manufacturing strategic plan. This paper documents the Symposium recommendations with a roadmap organized to overcome the current lack of industry tools, trust, confidence, and experience with industry R&D focused on the barriers to AI scaling and deployment. There are eight specific recommendations for collaborative actions by industry, government, and academia: 1. Establish new and/or expanded Public Private Partnerships (PPPs) to facilitate a broad range of R&D. 2. Research, develop, and demonstrate advanced software tools, models, and infrastructure for AI/ML implementation and scale-up in manufacturing. 3. Establish programs that achieve industry collaboration on an integrated and trusted set of shared capabilities. 4. Initiate R&D to enable industry-wide scaling and deployment of AI applications in manufacturing. 5. Educate and train a digital-savvy manufacturing workforce with software and hardware tools needed to deploy and scale the use of data and AI with trust and confidence. 6. Enable digital capabilities at small and medium-sized manufacturers (SMMs). 7. Incentivize AI adoption throughout established supply chains. 8. Promote new business models for AI adoption. As this adoption cycle takes hold, the market-driven forces of entrepreneurship and investment capital will ultimately lead to industry-wide adoption of AI technology, and the U.S. manufacturing industry will be on its way to achieving global leadership and resilient supply chains.
Thermal and gas mixture composition measurements preceding backdrafts in a 2/5th scale compartment
Authors: Falkenstein-Smith Ryan
Published: August 2022

This report documents real-time and time-averaged temperature, global and local equivalence ratios, and oxygen, carbon dioxide, and carbon monoxide concentration measurements made at various positions in an isolated 2/5th scale compartment prior to a backdraft
Evaluating the usefulness of the estimated glomerular filtration rate for determination of imipenem dosage in critically ill patients
Authors: Mitton B , Paruk F , Gous A , Chausse J , Milne M , Becker P , Said M
Published: August 2022

Background. Antibiotic dosing in critically ill patients is complicated by variations in the pharmacokinetics of antibiotics in this group. The dosing of imipenem/cilastatin is usually determined by severity of illness and renal function.Objectives. To determine the correlation between estimated glomerular filtration rates (eGFRs) calculated with the Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration (CKD-EPI) equation and imipenem trough levels in critically ill patients.Methods. This prospective observational study was done in the surgical intensive care unit (ICU) at Steve Biko Academic Hospital, Pretoria, South Africa. Imipenem trough levels were measured by high-performance liquid chromatography and compared with eGFRs calculated with the CKD-EPI equation. Correlation was evaluated by the Pearson product-moment correlation coefficient.Results. The study population consisted of 68 critically ill patients aged between 18 and 81 years; 43 (63%) were male, and the mean weight was 78 kg (range 40 - 140). On admission, 30 patients (44%) had sepsis, 16 (24%) were admitted for trauma, and 22 (32%) were admitted for miscellaneous surgical conditions. Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHE II) scores ranged from 4 to 39 (mean 18). The 28-day mortality rate was 29%. The mean albumin level was 16 g/L (range 7 - 25), the mean creatinine level 142 μmol/L (range 33 - 840), and the mean eGFR 91 mL/min/1.73 m2 (range 6 - 180). Imipenem trough levels ranged between 3.6 and 92.2 mg/L (mean 11.5). The unadjusted Pearson product-moment correlation coefficient between eGFR and imipenem trough level was –0.04 (p=0.761).Conclusion. Considering the high mortality rate of sepsis in ICUs and the rapid global increase in antimicrobial resistance, it is crucial to dose antibiotics appropriately. Owing to the variability of antibiotic pharmacokinetics in critically ill patients, this task becomes almost impossible when relying on conventional dosing guidelines. This study found that eGFRs do not correlate with imipenem blood levels in critically ill patients and should not be used to determine the dose of imipenem/cilastatin. Instead, the dose should be individualised for patients through routine therapeutic drug monitoring.
Adult pure red cell aplasia at Universitas Academic Hospital, Bloemfontein, South Africa: A 9-year review
Authors: Thibile S , Barrett C , Potgieter S , Joubert G , Malherbe J
Published: August 2022

Background. Pure red cell aplasia (PRCA) is characterised by severe normochromic, normocytic anaemia and partial or complete absence of reticulocytes from the peripheral blood. With bone marrow of normal cellularity, an almost complete absence of erythroblasts but preservation of other cell lines is observed. It may be congenital or acquired, with the latter presenting as a primary haematological disorder or secondary to various contributing factors. Management focuses on treatment of the underlying cause and supportive transfusions. Occasionally, immunosuppression or intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) is required.Objectives. To describe the clinical characteristics, treatment and outcomes of adult patients diagnosed with PRCA at Universitas Academic Hospital (UAH) in Bloemfontein, South Africa, from 2010 to 2018.Methods. A retrospective descriptive file review was performed. All adult patients diagnosed with PRCA and treated in the Division of Clinical Haematology at UAH during the study period were included. Variables recorded included demographic information, clinical details of the PRCA diagnosis, classification of the PRCA, HIV and parvovirus B19 test results, results of special investigations, medical and drug history, treatment and response to treatment.Results. Twenty-seven patients’ files were included, with a female predominance (n=22; 81.5%). The median age at diagnosis was 35 years (range 20 - 62). The median number of days from onset of symptoms to date of diagnosis was 61 days (range 27 - 114). Approximately half (n=13; 48.2%) of the patients presented with a haemoglobin concentration of 1 - 3 g/dL. Most patients (n=26; 96.3%) were infected with HIV, with 76.9% (n=20) having a suppressed viral load. Parvovirus B19 infection accounted for 44.4% of cases (n=12), and all these patients were HIV positive. Lamivudine was a probable cause of PRCA in 18.5% of cases, although the true causal relationship was uncertain. Corticosteroids and IVIG were first-line therapy in 44.4% (n=12) and 37.0% (n=10) of cases, respectively. Thirteen patients (48.2%) achieved a complete response and 7 (25.9%) a partial response, while 2 (7.4%) showed no response, with continued transfusion dependence.Conclusion. In this population, women were disproportionately affected by PRCA. HIV was the single most important cause of acquired PRCA, which was independent of virological control. Parvovirus B19 and drugs were also important causes of acquired PRCA and played a critical part in the evaluation and work-up of PRCA. Nearly half of the patients achieved a complete response to therapy, which was sustained over 24 months.
Myopia – a 21st-century pandemic leaving our children shortsighted?
Authors: Munsamy A J , Govender-Poonsamy P
Published: August 2022

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The Verification of Differentially Expressed Genes Related to Feather Colour in Quail Embryos by RT-qPCR Based on RNA-seq
Authors: Hu Yunqi , Zhang Xiaohui , Pang Youzhi , Qi Yanxia , Wang Qiankun , Zhao Yiwei , Yuan Zhiwen , Wang Tao , Huo Linke , Ren Shiwei
Published: August 2022

Many differentially expressed genes associated with feather colour in quail embryos can be screened using RNA-seq technology. The aim of this study was to verify the accuracy of RNA-seq using RT-qPCR. The transcriptome of embryonic skin tissues of quails were sequenced by Illumina HiSeq TM2000 sequencing platform. As a result, 2512 differentially expressed genes were found. Among them, 950 differentially expressed genes were up-regulated in the skin tissues of white-feather quail embryos, and 1562 differentially expressed genes were down-regulated. The candidate genes were analyzed by RT-qPCR method to verify the accuracy and reliability of the RNA-seq. The results showed that the relative expression levels of ASIP and DDC in white-feather quails were significantly increased, while HOXD1, CTSD, KRT2, MBD2 and MT1 were significantly decreased, which was consistent with the results of RNA-seq. The validation results of the candidate genes can also provide some ideas to explain the difference in feather colour between maroon-feather quails and white-feather quails.
The Arabidopsis SAC9 enzyme is enriched in a cortical population of early endosomes and restricts PI(4,5)P2 at the plasma membrane
Authors: Lebecq Alexis , Doumane Mehdi , Fangain Aurelie , Bayle Vincent , Leong Jia Xuan , Rozier Frédérique , Marques-Bueno Maria del , Armengot Laia , Boisseau Romain , Simon Mathilde Laetitia , Franz-Wachtel Mirita , Macek Boris , Üstün Suayib , Jaillais Yvon , Caillaud Marie-Cécile
Published: August 2022

Membrane lipids, and especially phosphoinositides, are differentially enriched within the eukaryotic endomembrane system. This generates a landmark code by modulating the properties of each membrane. Phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate [PI(4,5)P2] specifically accumulates at the plasma membrane in yeast, animal, and plant cells, where it regulates a wide range of cellular processes including endocytic trafficking. However, the functional consequences of mispatterning PI(4,5)P2 in plants are unknown. Here, we functionally characterized the putative phosphoinositide phosphatase SUPPRESSOR OF ACTIN9 (SAC9) in Arabidopsis thaliana (Arabidopsis). We found that SAC9 depletion led to the ectopic localization of PI(4,5)P2 on cortical intracellular compartments, which depends on PI4P and PI(4,5)P2 production at the plasma membrane. SAC9 localizes to a subpopulation of trans-Golgi Network/early endosomes that are enriched in a region close to the cell cortex and that are coated with clathrin. Furthermore, it interacts and colocalizes with Src Homology 3 Domain Protein 2 (SH3P2), a protein involved in endocytic trafficking. In the absence of SAC9, SH3P2 localization is altered and the clathrin-mediated endocytosis rate is reduced. Together, our results highlight the importance of restricting PI(4,5)P2 at the plasma membrane and illustrate that one of the consequences of PI(4,5)P2 misspatterning in plants is to impact the endocytic trafficking.
Decoding mechanism of action and sensitivity to drug candidates from integrated transcriptome and chromatin state
Authors: Carraro Caterina , Bonaguro Lorenzo , Schulte-Schrepping Jonas , Horne Arik , Oestreich Marie , Warnat-Herresthal Stefanie , Helbing Tim , De Franco Michele , Haendler Kristian , Mukherjee Sach , Ulas Thomas , Gandin Valentina , Goettlich Richard , Aschenbrenner Anna C , Schultze Joachim L , Gatto Barbara
Published: August 2022

Omics-based technologies are driving major advances in precision medicine, but efforts are still required to consolidate their use in drug discovery. In this work, we exemplify the use of multi-omics to support the development of 3-chloropiperidines, a new class of candidate anticancer agents. Combined analyses of transcriptome and chromatin accessibility elucidated the mechanisms underlying sensitivity to test agents. Furthermore, we implemented a new versatile strategy for the integration of RNA- and ATAC-seq (Assay for Transposase-Accessible Chromatin) data, able to accelerate and extend the standalone analyses of distinct omic layers. This platform guided the construction of a perturbation-informed basal signature predicting cancer cell lines’ sensitivity and to further direct compound development against specific tumor types. Overall, this approach offers a scalable pipeline to support the early phases of drug discovery, understanding of mechanisms, and potentially inform the positioning of therapeutics in the clinic.
Fatal Pneumonia Caused by Omicron Subvariant BA.2 of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 with the Pulmonary Tuberculosis
Authors: Heo Jin-Haeng , Park Young-Il , Ko Young San , Song Ho Suk , Ham Suk Hoon , Kwon Hoon , Na Joo-Young
Published: August 2022

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic resulted from severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Variants of SARSCoV-2 have caused distinct COVID-19 surges worldwide. The Omicron variant has replaced other variants as a cause of COVID-19 in the Republic of Korea. Fortunately, COVID-19 patients infected with Omicron have a decreased disease severity. Tuberculosis (TB) remains a major public health threat worldwide, and the incidence of TB is still high in the Republic of Korea. We report the case of a deceased illegal migrant who died at home. An autopsy revealed fatal pneumonia with pulmonary TB caused by the Omicron subvariant BA.2 of SARS-CoV-2. We assumed that a superimposed SARS-CoV-2 infection caused this fatal pneumonia with a previous TB infection. After a comprehensive postmortem (PM) examination, including gross dissection, microscopic studies, PM computed tomography, and PM laboratory tests, the cause of death was determined to be pneumonia, and the death manner was natural. We present this case with a comprehensive PM examination from the perspective of forensic pathology and the public healthcare system.
Death from Malignant Transformation of Untreated Mucinous Borderline Tumor: Case Report
Authors: Jang Wooyoung , Kang Tae Mo , Kim Yehlim , Wang Ah Rha , Yoon Hye Ryung , Ko Kwang Soo , Choi Jinhyuk
Published: August 2022

Mucinous borderline tumors (MBT) of the ovary with mild to moderately atypical epithelial cells that produce mucin rarely recur and very rarely become malignant after surgery. Due to their low malignant potential and large tumor size, most cases are diagnosed in stage I and have a good prognosis. The authors reported a case of MBT, which had been left untreated after diagnosis, progressed to stage IV, and caused massive pleural effusion (>3,000 mL) resulting in death. Grossly, severe abdominal swelling, a huge multiloculated cystic mass in the left ovary, and a metastatic mucinous mass in the pleura and peritoneum were observed. Histological findings include gastrointestinal type epithelial cells with mucin secretion, degenerative and autolytic nuclei, and occasional infiltration of inflammatory cells. Because sufficient sections cannot be made according to the clinical pathology criteria in forensic autopsy, efficient decisions are required during autopsy for diagnosis.
Non-synonymous to synonymous substitutions suggest that orthologs tend to keep their functions, while paralogs are a source of functional novelty
Authors: Escorcia-Rodríguez Juan M. , Esposito Mario , Freyre-González Julio A. , Moreno-Hagelsieb Gabriel
Published: August 2022

Orthologs separate after lineages split from each other and paralogs after gene duplications. Thus, orthologs are expected to remain more functionally coherent across lineages, while paralogs have been proposed as a source of new functions. Because protein functional divergence follows from non-synonymous substitutions, we performed an analysis based on the ratio of non-synonymous to synonymous substitutions (dN/dS), as proxy for functional divergence. We used five working definitions of orthology, including reciprocal best hits (RBH), among other definitions based on network analyses and clustering. The results showed that orthologs, by all definitions tested, had values of dN/dS noticeably lower than those of paralogs, suggesting that orthologs generally tend to be more functionally stable than paralogs. The differences in dN/dS ratios remained suggesting the functional stability of orthologs after eliminating gene comparisons with potential problems, such as genes with high codon usage biases, low coverage of either of the aligned sequences, or sequences with very high similarities. Separation by percent identity of the encoded proteins showed that the differences between the dN/dS ratios of orthologs and paralogs were more evident at high sequence identity, less so as identity dropped. The last results suggest that the differences between dN/dS ratios were partially related to differences in protein identity. However, they also suggested that paralogs undergo functional divergence relatively early after duplication. Our analyses indicate that choosing orthologs as probably functionally coherent remains the right approach in comparative genomics.
The effect of local pozzolans and lime additions on the mineralogical, physical and mechanical properties of compressed earth blocks in Argentina
Authors:   Grupo de Investigación y Desarrollo en Técnicas de Construcción con Tierra, Universidad Tecnológica Nacional, Facultad Regional Santa Fe (Argentina), Cabrera Santiago , Elert Kerstin ,   Departamento de Mineralogía y Petrología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Granada (España), Guilarducci Anabela ,   Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo para la Construcción y la Vivienda, Universidad Tecnológica Nacional, Facultad Regional Santa Fe (Argentina), Margasin Andrea ,   Grupo de Investigación y Desarrollo en Técnicas de Construcción con Tierra, Universidad Tecnológica Nacio-nal, Facultad Regional Santa Fe (Argentina)
Published: August 2022

The purpose of this research is to evaluate the mineralogical, physical, and mechanical properties of compressed earth blocks (CEB) stabilized with lime and mineral admixtures easily obtained in Argentina: natural pozzolans and brick powder. the admixture mineralogical composition and their pozzolanic potential as well as the development of hydraulic phases upon reaction with calcium hydroxide (lime) were determined, emphasizing the formation of hydrated cementing compounds. Samples with different percentages of lime and mineral additions were prepared in order to test their compressive strength, wet erosion resistance, and water absorption, and contrasting the results with those of their counterparts stabilized exclusively with lime or cement. The results obtained allow us to affirm that both the brick powder and the pozzolan used have pozzolanic properties and, in combination with calcium hydroxide, form amorphous phases of C-(A)-S-H. However, the use of small amounts of both additions in combination with hydrated air lime in the manufacture of CEB, compared to CEB samples stabilized only with hydrated air lime, adversely affected their physical and mechanical properties.
An Interesting Case of Bell’s Palsy in Pregnancy Associated with COVID-19 Infection
Authors: Dolkar Disket , Nimodia Vinika
Published: August 2022

Recent studies have reported that Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) can be the cause of peripheral facial paralysis and neurological symptoms may be the only manifestation of the disease. Hereby, the authors report an interesting case of a pregnant COVID-19 positive female with Bell's palsy, in third trimester of pregnancy. A 33-year-old female, G3P0L0A2, presented with left-side deviation of angle of mouth, excessive lacrimation and redness of right eye for the past three days. She had involuntary drooling on right and left side labial commissural deviation, absence of forehead frowning, inability to close her right eye (positive Bell’s phenomena), and ipsilateral lagophthalmos. No lesions were seen on the external ear and otoscopy was normal. She was confirmed to have right-sided facial nerve palsy. She had an uneventful course of pregnancy till term and underwent caesarean section at 40 weeks, in view of foetal distress. Pregnancy and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection, both are immunocompromised state, and hence could be a risk factor for Bell’s palsy. But larger studies with more cases are required to prove the causal association.
How do we sleep while our beds are burning? Impacts of the 2019–20 mega-fires on a rainforest dependent species – the Golden-tipped Bat Phoniscus papuensis
Authors: Madani G. , Turbill C. , Lloyd A. , Gonsalves L. , Brassil T. , Law B.
Published: August 2022

The Australian summer of 2019/20 was impacted by megafires of a magnitude and severity never previously recorded. Whilst low severity fire has positive benefits for increased insectivorous bat activity and diversity, little information is available on the impact on rainforest specialised clutter dependant species such as the Golden-tipped Bat Phoniscus papuensis. Our aims were to assess the effects of fire on occupancy of habitat across the geographic range of P. papuensis in NSW, to determine the smaller scale effects of fire on use of diurnal roosts in rainforest through radio tracking and to trial the use of artificial structures to temporarily increase roost availability in burnt habitat. We observed that widespread fire encroaching on rainforest has a negative association with occupancy by P. papuensis, with this metric ~78% lower than in unburnt forest. In burnt areas, P. papuensis preferentially used unburnt refugia for their roosting sites in suspended bird nests and the loss of these habitat structures likely contributes to the disappearance of P. papuensis from the landscape. Artificial roosts were not used in the short-term (< 2 years post fire) and do not appear to be a feasible management tool. With the increasing frequency and extent of wildfires the most important factor for P. papuensis to persist in the landscape into the future is the protection of its habitat through ensuring sensitive management of large tracts of connected rainforest to help buffer against the encroachment of future mega-fires.
Poisson type operators on the Fock space of type B and in the Blitvic model
Authors:   Mathematical Institute, University of Wroclaw, pl. Grunwaldzki 2/4, 50-384 Wroclaw, Poland, Ejsmont Wiktor
Published: August 2022

Biane proposed a new statistic on set partitions which he called restricted crossings. In a series of papers Anshelevich showed that this statistic is an essential tool to investigate stochastic processes on q-Fock space. In particular, Anshelevich constructed operators whose moments count restricted crossings and used these operators to develop a beautiful theory of noncommutative q-Levy processes. In the present paper following Anshelevich we define gauge operators on (α,q)-Fock and cumulants which are governed by statistics on partitions of type B.
Timber in Scottish buildings, 1450–1800
Authors: Crone Anne , Mills Coralie M
Published: August 2022

This paper examines the dendrochronological data from Scottish buildings in terms of the proxy evidence it provides for the timber trade and condition of the woodland resource in the centuries under review. The bulk of the timber used in the construction of high status buildings during this period was either oak or pine, imported mainly from Scandinavia and the countries bordering the eastern Baltic. The documentary record for timber imports in Scotland is examined and compared with the physical evidence from the timbers themselves. The poor state of the native deciduous woodlands during this period is reflected in the dendrochronological data and explains the predominance of imported timber. While native Scottish pine has a long history of domestic use, exploitation escalated from the 17th century; there is much more pine in Scottish buildings of post-medieval date, both imported and native, and the difficulties and successes in identifying native pine in buildings is discussed. For the architectural historian and archaeologist, the relationship between the felling date of the timber and the construction of the building is critical to the interpretation of dendrochronological data. The issues which bear upon that relationship, seasoning, transportation times, stockpiling and recycling are considered in a Scottish context.
Experimental Study on Impact Pressure at the Crown Wall of Rubble Mound Seawall and Velocity Fields using Bubble Image Velocimetry
Authors: Na Byoungjoon , Ko Haeng Sik
Published: August 2022

To investigate varying wave impact pressure exerting at the crest wall of rubble mound seawall, depending on breaking wave properties, regular waves with different wave periods were generated. Wave velocity fields and void fraction were measured using bubble image velocimetry and simple combined wave gauge system (Na and Son, 2021). For the waves with shorter wave period, maximum horizontal velocity was less reduced compared to incident wave speed while breaking-induced air entrainment was occurred intensely, leading to a significant reduction of wave impact pressure at the crest wall. For the waves with longer wave periods, less air wave entrained and the wave structure followed a flip-through mode (Cooker and Peregrine, 1991), resulting in an abrupt increase of the impact pressure.
Práticas conservadoras e educação brasileira: reflexões sobre a ditadura militar (1964-1985) e o século XXI
Authors: Enzweiler Deise Andréia , Hass da Silva Eduardo Cristiano
Published: August 2022

o presente artigo tem o objetivo de analisar as relações entre conservadorismo e educação brasileira em diferentes contextos históricos, especialmente entre a Ditadura Militar (1964-1985) e o cenário pós-eleições de 2018. Para a realização de tal análise, recorremos ao conceito ferramenta de prática. Foram mobilizados estudos sobre o cenário atual, os quais apontam a relação entre neoliberalismo e neoconservadorismo, bem como fontes históricas referentes ao período de ditadura, sendo elas o texto da Reforma do Ensino de 1971 e um volume da Enciclopédia Didática de Pesquisa. De forma geral, o texto encontra-se dividido em 4 partes. Na primeira parte, apresentamos as influências que o conservadorismo e o neoliberalismo têm exercido na Educação brasileira, bem como apresentamos o conceito de prática como ferramenta teórico-metodológica. Na sequência, apresentamos algumas características do período anterior ao Golpe Militar de 1964, identificando a emergência da significativa polarização entre as esquerdas e a direitas. No terceiro tópico, apresentamos as práticas de cunho conservador adotadas pelo Estado em relação à educação, durante o período de ditadura. Para finalizar, analisamos o exemplar de Educação Moral e Cívica, integrante de um conjunto de livros referentes às disciplinas escolares, publicados pela Editora Didática Paulista LTDA, de São Paulo. Os resultados, ainda iniciais, apontam para a existência de práticas atuais que, de alguma forma, possuem emergência em períodos históricos autoritários, apesar de suas diferenças.