bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Degradation of basic violet 16 dye by electro-activated persulfate process from aqueous solutions and toxicity assessment using microorganisms: determination of by-products, reaction kinetic and optimization using Box–Behnken design
Authors: Hasani Kamal , Moradi Mina , Mokhtari Seiyed Ahmad , sadeghi Hadi , Dargahi Abdollah , Vosoughi Mehdi
Published: February 2021

This study was performed to determine the efficiency of the electro/persulfate process to remove basic violet 16 (BV16) dye and COD from aqueous solutions. The present study was experimentally performed on a laboratory scale. The effect of pH on the process was investigated independently, and after performing the experiments, the effect of voltage (volts), the dose of persulfate (g/L), initial concentration of BV16 dye, and electrolysis time was investigated with the model presented by Box Behnken design, and optimal conditions for BV16 dye removal was obtained. Under optimal conditions, COD removal efficiency and toxicity changes during the process were calculated, and the effect of distance between electrodes and surface of electrodes on process efficiency was investigated. By-products of oxidative degradation were determined with LS-MS. The amount of electrical energy consumed by the process was investigated by voltage changes and then the kinetics of the process was investigated by a pseudo-first-order model. The results showed that the electro/persulfate process in optimal conditions including pH of 5, a voltage of 11.43 V, persulfate dose of 0.09 g/L, initial BV16 concentration of 45 mg/L, and electrolysis time of 48.5 min could provide BV16 dye removal efficiency of 95% and COD removal efficiency of 57.14%. Findings of electrical energy consumption showed that with increasing voltage, the efficiency of the process increased, but the amount of energy consumption also increased. Under optimal conditions, increasing distance between the electrodes was led to a decrease in removal efficiency, but the removal efficiency increased with the increasing surface of the electrodes. Based on the kinetic results, the electro/persulfate process followed pseudo-first-order kinetics with R
2 = 0.9956. The present study showed that the electro/persulfate process as a useful technique has high efficiency in removing BV16 dye and its toxicity from aqueous solutions and can be effective and useful in removing the COD of solution.
CFD simulation of ultrasonic atomization pyrolysis reactor: the influence of droplet behaviors and solvent evaporation
Authors: Wang Jian , Wu Jichuan , Yuan Shouqi , Yan Wei-Cheng
Published: February 2021

Previous work showed that particle behaviors in ultrasonic atomization pyrolysis (UAP) reactor have a great influence on the transport and collection of particles. In this study, the effects of droplet behaviors (i.e. droplet collision and breakage) and solvent evaporation on the droplet size, flow field and collection efficiency during the preparation of ZnO particles by UAP were investigated. The collision, breakage and solvent evaporation conditions which affect the droplet size distribution and flow pattern were considered in CFD simulation based on Eulerian-Lagrangian method. The results showed that droplet collision and breakage would increase the droplet size, broaden the droplet size distribution and hinder the transport of droplets. Solvent evaporation obviously changed the flow pattern of droplets. In addition, both droplet behaviors and solvent evaporation reduced the collection efficiency. This study could provide detail information for better understanding the effect of droplet behaviors and solvent evaporation on the particle production process via UAP reactor.
Suppression of very fast transients in 245 kV gas insulated substation
Authors: Visakan Subramania Prasad , Rao Mandava Mohana , Kumar Mritunjay , Sunitha Karakkad
Published: February 2021

Very Fast Transient Over voltages (VFTOs) generate during operation of the disconnector switches or circuit breakers in a gas insulated substation (GIS). These transient voltages stress the insulation system in GIS and further result in mal-operation of the control circuitry as well as the secondary equipment connected to it. Since the VFTOs affect the reliability of GIS, it is necessary to mitigate them. This paper presents the mitigation of the very fast transient over voltages and the associated very fast transient currents (VFTCs) using the nano-crystalline rings in a 245 kV GIS. The mitigation in the peak amplitude of VFTOs and VFTCs at various locations in the GIS for various switching configurations are analyzed in this paper. The nano-crystalline rings of different geometries and permeabilities are considered to understand the damping effect being offered. The nano-crystalline rings are considered at all the possible switches of 245 kV GIS bays. An equivalent circuit model of the nano-crystalline ring is obtained through an iterative algorithm. The very fast transients have been calculated using Electromagnetic Transients Program software. Further, attenuation in the dominant frequency components of VFTOs and VFTCs at different GIS components is also studied for various switching configurations with nano-crystalline rings.
Connections between measured and assessed fluency in L2 peer interaction: a problem-solving perspective
Authors: Peltonen Pauliina
Published: February 2021

This article examines the connections between ratings and measures of second language (L2) fluency based on dialogue data, extending previous studies on L2 individual fluency. The links between fluency and strategic competence are studied from a problem-solving perspective. Fifteen raters’ assessments and comments of individual fluency, interactional fluency, and strategic competence based on six samples of L2 peer interaction were examined. Fluency measures corresponded to the rated dimensions. In a mixed-methods analysis, correlational analyses across the ratings and between the ratings and fluency measures were performed. The raters’ comments were analyzed qualitatively. The results demonstrated correlations between the ratings and measures of fluency for individual and interactional fluency, but not for strategic competence. The mean length of turn pauses correlated strongly with interactional fluency ratings. The raters’ comments revealed a multifaceted conceptualization of interactional fluency and strategic competence. The results have implications for L2 fluency measurement and assessment.
Protective effect of Elateriospermum tapos in maternal obesity-induced deficit cognitive function of the offspring
Authors: Abidin Azrina Zainal , Rosli Nurain Syahirah , Segaran Santhra , Jasni Azmiza Syawani , Bahari Hasnah
Published: February 2021

Objectives

Pre-pregnancy obesity is a serious epidemics concern that negatively affects the neurodevelopmental of the offspring. Elateriospermum tapos (E. tapos) commonly used to enhance weight loss in obesity treatment. This study was aimed to investigate the influence of E. tapos supplement in obese maternal prior pregnancy on the offspring’s bodyweight, lipid metabolism and memory function.

Methods

Thirty female Sprague Dawley rats were used. Six rats were assigned to the normal diet group (DND). The remaining rats were fed with a high-fat and cafeteria diet (HFCD) to generate obesity for 5 weeks. Obese rats were further divided into four groups: Negative Control (DNC; HFCD), Positive Control (DPC; Orlistat 200 mg/kg), treatment 1 (DTX1; E. tapos seed 200 mg/kg) and treatment 2 (DTX2, E. tapos shell 200 mg/kg) were given daily, for 6 weeks prior to mating. At weaning, offspring of both genders were designated into six groups according to their dam’s group (n=6/group). All groups were fed with a cafeteria diet except for the control group. Memory tasks for object and place recognition were conducted on offspring at eighth weeks of age. The offspring were cull at the 12th week of age for their blood sample.

Results

Both offspring genders from DTX2 significantly reduce bodyweight, calorie intake and triglyceride level. In memory tasks, offspring from DTX2 showed a significant increase in exploration rate in place test as compared to offspring from the DNC group.

Conclusions

This study highlights E. tapos shell as an anti-obesity agent and protecting memory deficit in obese dam’s offspring.
Historical account of endocrinal disorders in Unani medicine
Authors: Alam Md Anzar , Quamri Mohd Aleemuddin , Sofi Ghulamuddin
Published: February 2021

Hippocratic doctrine of four humors and qualities is implicated to be a pioneer of modern endocrinology because of the concept of dyscrasia. Imbalance in humors causes disease. Unani scholars were aware of endocrinological disorders like endocrinologic syndrome (i.e., association of amenorrhea and galactorrhoea in a non-pregnant woman), castration, contraceptives techniques, infertility, obesity, diabetes etc., and also their mode of remedy, albeit with a phenomenological approach. Their understanding of the symptoms and signs related to endocrinologic syndromes, which were explained in detail in the recent account of the endocrine system, is presented here with historical chronology. The survey was carried out from the literature of the Unani system of medicine, and the same was analyzed from the observations reported in various indexed journals and reputed books. The paper details the account of endocrinologic syndrome from the Greek era to the end of the medieval ages.
Analysis three dispersion compensation techniques using DCF
Authors: Kheris Saliha , Bouabdallah Badra
Published: February 2021

Dispersion is one of the very important parameters that effect on the performance of optical fiber communication systems. It causes pulse broadening, limiting of transmission distance and low bit rate. Dispersion compensation fiber (DCF) is widespread used in the dispersion compensation scheme. In this paper, the suggested DCF included (pre–post-symmetrical) schemes with various bit rates (10–60 Gbit/s), and the positive dispersion accumulated over the length of the fiber at 100 km of optical fiber with 21.25 km of DCF. Optisystem software version 7 is used to design simulation model. The performances have been compared on the basis of parameters such as Q factor, bit error rate (BER) and eye height which used to evaluate the performance analysis of the system. We concluded that the symmetrical compensation techniques are better than the other compensation schemes when the Q factor is 14.9536 and BER is 1.759842.10−0.22, these at 60 Gbit/s and the input cw laser frequency equal 193.1 THz.
International Relations, New Global Studies, and the Epistemic Power of the Image
Authors: Durante Tommaso
Published: February 2021

We live in an ever increasingly globalized and highly mediatized world dominated by images, in which machine learning helps the pervasive real cameras to scan and analyze our daily life. At the same time, visual media technologies and global echo-chambers are able to support revolutions or mobilize protest movements across the globe. Yet, in the field of international relations and new global studies, the dynamics of globalization are still generally approached by means of textual-philosophical investigation and the unit of analysis of the nation-state or the global cities, by looking with suspicion at, if not disregarding, the surplus of value of the image. In challenging some of the basic assumptions of globalization hypothesis, this study addresses the following research question: how has globality been transformed by globalized spatial practices of resistance? Informed by theory and methodologically articulated, this article calls for the epistemic function and power of images in the study of globalization. It also highlights strengths and weaknesses of a visual approach in the meaning-making process of the symbolic and social construction of the common sense of the global in people’s everyday life, under present conditions.
Reflections on the Relationship between the Government and Civil Society Organizations during the Covid-19 Pandemic: The Israeli Case
Authors: Schmid Hillel
Published: February 2021

The paper analyzes the relations between the government and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) during the COVID-19 pandemic in Israel. The paper presents the inconsistent policy of the government, which has been influenced by various interest groups and the very limited financial support allocated to CSOs during the health, economic and social crisis. The paper describes the government’s alienated attitude toward the CSOs as well as the reasons for that behavior. Special attention is devoted to the government’s misunderstanding of the mission and roles of CSOs in modern society, especially at times of crisis and national disasters. The paper also analyzes the organizational and strategic behavior of CSOs toward the government, which has also contributed to the alienated attitude of the government toward them. I argue that relations between CSOs and the government should be based on more trust, mutuality, and understanding on the part of both actors in order to change power-dependence relations, and that there is a need to establish more cross-sectoral partnerships for the benefit of citizens.
Detection of metal ions in biological systems: A review
Authors: Zheng Xian , Cheng Wenyu , Ji Chendong , Zhang Jin , Yin Meizhen
Published: February 2021

Metal ions are widely present in biological systems and participate in many critical biochemical processes such as material transportation, energy conversion, information transmission and metabolic regulation, making them indispensable substance in our body. They can cause health problems when deficiency or excess occurs. To understand various metabolic processes and facilitate diseases diagnosis, it is very important to measure the content and monitor the distribution of metal ions in individual cells, tissues and whole organisms. Among the various methods for metal ion detection, fluorescent sensors with organic dyes have attracted tremendous attention due to many advantages such as high fluorescence quantum yield, facile modification approaches and biocompatibility in addition to operation ease, high sensitivity, fast detection speed, and real-time detection. This review summarizes the recent progress on the detection and imaging of the metal ions in biological systems including Na+, K+, Ca2+, Mg2+, Fe2+/Fe3+, Zn2+, and Cu2+ provides an opinion on remaining challenges to be addressed in this field.
Recent advances in animal origin identification of gelatin-based products using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry methods: A mini review
Authors: Deng Guiya , Guo Shangwei , Zaman Fakhar , Li Tianyu , Huang Yaqin
Published: February 2021

Gelatin, a natural functional material obtained from animal connective tissues, has been broadly applied in health-related products such as food, pharmacy, and cosmetic. But unclear labelling and false information of animal origin of gelatin in those products would violate religious rules and increase public health risks. Recently, animal origin identification of gelatin-based products has drawn more and more concerns. Among various identification methods, liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) has specifically become a research hotspot for animal origin identification and quantitative analysis of gelatin-based products due to its superior reliability, selectivity, and sensitivity. The main desideratum of the current treatise is to review the recent progress on this subject with respect to: (1) the identification of animal in halal gelatin-based products, (2) the determination of the authenticity of gelatinous medicines from animal, especially from the highly homologous family species, and (3) the quantification of gelatin in gelatin-based products, using LC-MS method. We hope that this review could provide theoretical guidance and advanced strategies for developing animal origin identification technologies for gelatin-based products.
Psychedelic drugs and perception: a narrative review of the first era of research
Authors: Aday Jacob S. , Wood Julia R. , Bloesch Emily K. , Davoli Christopher C.
Published: February 2021

Psychedelic drugs are well-known for transiently altering perception, and in particular, for their visual effects. Although scientific interest into the substances’ effects on perception increased during the first era of psychedelic research during the early to mid-20th century, there is currently no source where these findings have been synthesized. In addressing this gap, the current narrative review found that psychedelics were examined for their influences across all levels of the visual system (e.g., retinal, cortical, subcortical, simple visual processing, complex imagery, hallucinations). Psychedelics were also shown to affect auditory discrimination/generalization, neural correlates of auditory processing, and led to auditory hallucinations in subsets of participants. Several studies demonstrated that psychedelics can distort representations of body schema and time perception. Concerns regarding methodological standards of this era are a limitation to the findings and are discussed. Collectively, this review preserves and increases the accessibility of the work done by pioneering psychedelic/perception researchers, synthesizes findings, and critically analyzes areas of discrepancy to inform future studies.
Optogenetic and chemogenetic modulation of astroglial secretory phenotype
Authors: Salmina Alla B. , Gorina Yana V. , Erofeev Alexander I. , Balaban Pavel M. , Bezprozvanny Ilya B. , Vlasova Olga L.
Published: February 2021

Astrocytes play a major role in brain function and alterations in astrocyte function that contribute to the pathogenesis of many brain disorders. The astrocytes are attractive cellular targets for neuroprotection and brain tissue regeneration. Development of novel approaches to monitor and to control astroglial function is of great importance for further progress in basic neurobiology and in clinical neurology, as well as psychiatry. Recently developed advanced optogenetic and chemogenetic techniques enable precise stimulation of astrocytes in vitro and in vivo, which can be achieved by the expression of light-sensitive channels and receptors, or by expression of receptors exclusively activated by designer drugs. Optogenetic stimulation of astrocytes leads to dramatic changes in intracellular calcium concentrations and causes the release of gliotransmitters. Optogenetic and chemogenetic protocols for astrocyte activation aid in extracting novel information regarding the function of brain’s neurovascular unit. This review summarizes current data obtained by this approach and discusses a potential mechanistic connection between astrocyte stimulation and changes in brain physiology.
Progression of Gait Changes in Older Adults With Mild Cognitive Impairment: A Systematic Review
Authors: Masse Fernando Arturo Arriagada , Ansai Juliana Hotta , Fiogbe Elie , Rossi Paulo Giusti , Vilarinho Ana Carolina Gonçalves , Takahashi Anielle Cristhine de Medeiros , Pires de Andrade Larissa
Published: February 2021

Background and Purpose:

The identification of altered gait and its progression over time is important to gaining a better understanding of the clinical aspects of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in older adults. The aim of the present systematic review was to determine changes in gait variables over time among older adults with MCI.

Methods:

The PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Science Direct databases were searched for relevant articles using the following keywords and Medical Subject Headings: Aged AND “Mild cognitive impairment” AND (gait OR locomotion). A hand search was also performed of the reference lists of the selected articles in an attempt to find additional records. The following were the inclusion criteria: longitudinal studies and clinical trials involving a control group without intervention; samples of individuals 65 years or older; and characterization of gait using a single or dual task.

Results and Discussion:

The initial search led to the retrieval of 6979 studies, 9 of which met the inclusion criteria. The duration of follow-up among the studies ranged from 6 months to 2 years. Most trials investigated gait speed. Other gait variables were step length, time required to walk a given distance, and mean weekly gait speed. Altered gait progressed in older adults with MCI. The main alterations were gait speed and variability in daily number of steps in follow-up periods lasting more than 1 year. No significant changes in gait variables were found in shorter follow-up periods (up to 6 months).

Conclusions:

The progression of gait changes in older adults with MCI has been underinvestigated. MCI leads to reduced gait speed in longer follow-up periods. Such information can contribute to the determination of motor interventions for older adults with MCI, especially in the early stages.
Mixed-Methods Approach to Understanding Determinants of Practice Change in Skilled Nursing Facility Rehabilitation: Adapting to and Sustaining Value With Postacute Reform
Authors: Gustavson Allison M. , LeDoux Cherie V. , Stutzbach Julie A. , Miller Matthew J. , Seidler Katie J. , Stevens-Lapsley Jennifer E.
Published: February 2021

Background and Purpose:

Postacute care reform is driving physical and occupational therapists in skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) to change how they deliver care to produce better outcomes in less time. However, gaps exist in understanding determinants of practice change, which limits translation of evidence into practice. This study explored what determinants impacted change in care delivery at 2 SNFs that implemented a high-intensity resistance training intervention.

Methods:

We used a mixed-methods, sequential explanatory design to explain quantitative findings using qualitative methods with a multiple-case study approach. Quantitative data were collected on therapists' attitudes toward evidence-based practice and aspects of intervention implementation. We conducted focus groups with therapists (N = 15) at 2 SNFs, classified as either high- (SNF-H) or low-performing (SNF-L) based on implementation fidelity and sustainability.

Results and Discussion:

Determinants of SNF rehabilitation practice change included the organizational system, team dynamics, patient and therapist self-efficacy, perceptions of intervention effectiveness, and ability to overcome preconceived notions. A patient-centered system, positive team dynamics, and ability to overcome preconceived notions fostered practice change at SNF-H. While self-efficacy and perception of effectiveness positively impacted change in practice at both SNFs, these determinants were not enough to overcome challenges at SNF-L. To adapt to changes and sustain rehabilitation value, further research must identify the combination of determinants that promote application of evidence-based practice.

Conclusions:

This study is the first step in understanding what drives change in SNF rehabilitation practice. As SNF rehabilitation continues to face changes in health care delivery and reimbursement, therapists will need to adapt, by changing practice patterns and adopting evidence-based approaches, to demonstrate value in postacute care.
Use of Backward Walking Speed to Screen Dynamic Balance and Mobility Deficits in Older Adults Living Independently in the Community
Authors: Taulbee Logan , Yada Trishia , Graham Lauren , O'Halloran Allison , Saracino Dawn , Freund Jane , Vallabhajosula Srikant , Balasubramanian Chitralakshmi K.
Published: February 2021

Background and Purpose:

Older adults who live independently in the community are higher functioning and routinely ambulate in the community. Unrestricted community ambulation increases the likelihood of encountering precarious situations challenging balance. Sufficient dynamic balance is necessary to avoid falls. Currently used balance and mobility assessments may not sufficiently challenge dynamic balance to uncover mobility deficits in independent community-dwelling older adults. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether backward walking speed (BWS) can serve as an outcome measure to screen dynamic balance and mobility deficits in independent community-dwelling older adults.

Methods:

A convenience sample of 30 older adults (73.68 ± 6.54 years) participated in this cross-sectional study. Participants walked backward on an instrumented walkway to record BWS. Other outcomes included forward walking speed (FWS), Community Balance and Mobility (CB&M) Scale, Falls Efficacy Scale-International (FES-I), Timed Up and Go (TUG) test, and 7-day average step count (ASC). A multivariate analysis of variance investigated the overall group differences between older adults at fall risk and those not at risk and was followed up by univariate tests. Pearson and spearman coefficients investigated associations between study outcomes. Youden's index assessed diagnostic accuracy.

Results and Discussion:

Backward walking speed, CB&M, FES-I, ASC discriminated older adults at fall risk from those not at risk (P < .01) whereas FWS and TUG did not. Backward walking speed strongly correlated with challenging assessments of balance and mobility (CB&M, FES-I, and ASC) but only moderately correlated with the TUG. The CB&M Scale independently explained 53% variance in the BWS performance (P < .01). Youden's index was highest (Y = 0.6, sensitivity = 93%, and specificity = 67%) for BWS (0.73 m/s) compared with other study outcomes.

Conclusions:

Preliminary results suggest that BWS can screen for dynamic balance and mobility deficits in independent community-dwelling older adults. Accurate screening is the first step to capture early decline in function for independent community-dwelling older adults. Longitudinal follow-up studies are warranted to validate BWS as a screening tool.
A Population Based Study on the Healthcare Seeking Behaviour During the COVID-19 Outbreak
Authors:   CMH Lahore Medical College and Institute of Dentistry (NUMS), Lahore, Pakistan, Arshad Abdul Rehman , Bashir Imtiaz ,   CMH Lahore Medical College and Institute of Dentistry (NUMS), Lahore, Pakistan, Tariq Ahmad ,   Punjab Institute of Cardiology, Lahore, Pakistan, Ijaz Farhat ,   CMH Lahore Medical College and Institute of Dentistry (NUMS), Lahore, Pakistan, Aftab Rana Khurram ,   Akhtar Saeed Medical and Dental College, Lahore, Pakistan, Farooq Omair ,   Akhtar Saeed Medical and Dental College, Lahore, Pakistan
Published: February 2021

Amidst a time when there is the global pandemic of COVID-19 and high levels of stress and anxiety among people, it was pertinent to study if people have modified their health-seeking behavior. A questionnaire-based cross-sectional study was performed in Lahore to assess the change in behaviors of people before and during the pandemic. The results show that the health seeking behavior of the people has changed during the pandemic, resulting in an increased trend of self-medication and a decreased number of people visiting the hospital for their ailments. People preferred private health providers over the government facilities. This might be due to the misinformation, panic, and uncertainties spread by the social media. Governmental health care providers should consider these aspects while addressing the polices related to the pandemic.
Civility’s Unfinished Revolution: Comments on John Keane, “Hopes for Civil Society,” Global Perspectives (2020)
Authors: Lechterman Theodore M.
Published: February 2021

Keane offers a conception of civil society more nuanced and more attractive than leading contenders. But Keane’s conception also leaves certain questions for reexamination. Keane says little about what role his vision of civil society allows for governments. Many may struggle to share Keane’s optimism about the role of digital technology in helping to realize this vision. And one might also question how well the attitude of political hope that Keane urges ultimately serves us.
“As Often as His Heart Beat, the Name Moved”
Authors: Smith Rachel
Published: February 2021

This essay considers an instance of medieval fictionality through the devotional text The Life of the Servant by the Dominican Henry Suso, specifically, through an examination of the “Servant’s” attempt to identify with Christ. Two forms of doubleness issue from this attempt, namely, the human servant seeking to embody the divine without remainder and his figuration as sinner and savior. Insofar as the text allows for a play between these polarities, the servant’s devotional practice can be understood as inhabiting the “as if,” or a kind of fictionality. The temptations of a devotional literalism—fiction striving to overcome its fictionality—is portrayed in the Life alongside a vision of devotion that retains the suspensions and play of the fictional.
The Ambiguity of Devotion
Authors: Craig Eleanor
Published: February 2021

This article offers a reading of Theresa Hak Kyung Cha’s 1982 experimental text DICTEE as performing purposefully ambiguous devotional work. As a meditation on unfinished struggles against colonial and patriarchal violence, DICTEE registers devotion’s role in both oppression and liberation. Cha’s engagements with female martyrs, Korean mudang shamanic practice, and colonial languages demonstrate the inseparability of structures of domination and traditions of resistance. The essay argues that even as DICTEE wrestles with inescapable forms of complicity, its efforts to transform perception denaturalize the violence of racial, gendered, and political divisions.
TRANSICIÓN EPITELIO-MESÉNQUIMA INDUCIDA POR VIRUS
Authors: Hincapie Victoria , Gallego-Gómez Juan Carlos
Published: February 2021

La Transición Epitelio-Mesénquima (EMT) es un proceso de dediferenciación altamente conservado en vertebrados. Este ocurre en células epiteliales con la activación progresiva de la pérdida de la polaridad, la adquisición de motilidad individual y la capacidad invasiva a otros tejidos. La EMT es un proceso normal durante el desarrollo; no obstante, en condiciones patológicas está relacionada con la inducción de metástasis, lo cual representa una vía alterna al desarrollo de procesos oncogénicos tempranos. Aunque la EMT es activada principalmente por factores de crecimiento, también se puede desencadenar por infecciones de patógenos intracelulares mediante la activación de rutas moleculares inductoras de este proceso. Por lo tanto, una infección bacteriana o viral pueda generar predisposición al desarrollo de tumores. Nuestro interés está enfocado principalmente encaracterizar la relación virus-hospedero, y en el caso de los virus, varios ya se han descrito como inductores de la EMT. En este artículo de revisión se describenelfenómeno de la plasticidad celular y la ocurrencia detallada del proceso de EMT, los patógenos virales reportados como inductores, los mecanismos moleculares usados para ello y las vías de regulación mediante miRNAs. Por último, se discute cómo esta relación virus-hospedero puede explicar la patogénesis de la enfermedad causada por Dengue virus, favoreciendo la identificación de blancos moleculares para terapia, estrategia conocida como Antivirales dirigidos a blancos celulares o HTA (Host-targeting antivirals).
TEST OF THE ISLAND BIOGEOGRAPHY THEORY WITH BOULDERS IN A SEAGRASS BED
Authors: Rincon Ana Maria del Pilar , Gomez Valentina , Garcia Camilo B.
Published: February 2021

We used shore boulders that had been previously colonized, and were scattered in a seagrass bed as models for islands. We tested two predictions of Island Biogeography theory: (1) small boulders harbored fewer species than large boulders, and (2) small boulders had higher rates of extinction than large boulders, as reflected in higher faunal replacement variability. We detected a definite relation between species richness and boulder size although not for all statistical models. We did not confirm higher compositional variability in small boulders.
SALT TOLERANT PLANTS AS A VALUABLE RESOURCE FOR SUSTAINABLE FOOD PRODUCTION IN ARID AND SALINE COASTAL ZONES.
Authors: HOLGUIN PEÑA RAMON JAIME , MEDINA-HERNÁNDEZ DIANA , GHASEMI MOJTABA , Rueda Puente Edgar Omar
Published: February 2021

This review focuses on the potential of halophytes for food, fodder and biofuels production, as well as their impacts on the environment and societies. Moreover, to open new areas in production systems using novel technologies such as halophytes in a desert agriculture. We are faced with the crisis and the shortage of freshwater in arid, semi-arid and desert regions. For this reason, we have to apply sustainable systems for human food, fodder and biofuels. Halophytes are naturally resistant to salt and develop on the coastal coast and arid-saline areas. We present a complete summary of the current situation of human population growth and food demand, a sustainable alternative such as halophilic crops of agro-industrial importance compared with conventional crops and how they can be incorporated into agriculture sustainable in arid, desert and coastal areas, basing the above on success stories.
BIOLOGÍA REPRODUCTIVA DEL BOCACHICO Prochilodus magdalenae (PROCHILODONTIDAE) EN EL RÍO SAN JORGE, COLOMBIA
Authors: Doria-González María Alejandra , Espitia-Galvis Andrea Marcela , Segura-Guevara Fredys Fernando , Olaya-Nieto Charles William
Published: February 2021

Se estudió la biología reproductiva del Bocachico, Prochilodusmagdalenae, en el río San Jorge, Colombia. La especie es un pez con proporción sexual hembra: macho de 1,2:1, diferente a lo esperado. Presenta desarrollo ovocitario sincrónico en dos grupos, un desove anual que se extiende de abril a septiembre asociado al ciclo hidrológico del río San Jorge,  talla media de madurez sexual estimada en 30,2 cm LT, ovocitos grandes de 950 µm y fecundidad promedio de 109 972 ovocitos, cuya ecuación fue F =7271,6 WO0,60, r =0,93, n =14.
Predation of Brevicoryne brassicae and Aphis craccivora by Eriopis connexa depending on availability
Authors: Dos Santos Djison Silvestre , Trindade Roseane Cristina Predes , Torres Jorge Braz , De Lima Mauricio Silva , Dos Santos Lindinalva , Batista Felipe Colares
Published: February 2021

Predator species under field conditions can face different and variable densities of prey species. This work evaluated the functional response of the neotropical lady beetle Eriopis connexa(Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) subjected to different densities of the aphids Brevicoryne brassicaeand Aphis craccivora(Hemiptera: Aphididae). Thus, predation rates were analyzed of fourth-instar larvae and one-day old adults of the lady beetle preying upon the aphids at constant densities of 20, 40, 50, 60, and 70 aphids with 15 repetitions per density. The aphids were offered on 5 cm leaf discs of each plant host. The handling times and attack rates were 0.03 h-1and 0.27 h-1for larvae and 0.03 h-1and 0.15 h-1for adults fed B. brassicae and 0.59 h-1and 0.35 h-1for larvae and 0.70 h-1and 0.95 h-1for adults fed A. craccivora, respectively. Both larva and adult lady beetles increasedpredation rate as a function of prey density offered, with an estimated maximum number of prey consumed of 30.3 and 31.6 B. brassicae and 36.3 and 34.6 of A. craccivora by larva and adult lady beetles at the highest prey density, respectively. In conclusion, larvae and adults of E. connexaexhibited a type II functional response.
AISLAMIENTO E IDENTIFICACIÓN DE Lactobacillus spp. (LACTOBACILLACEAE) RESISTENTES A Cd(II) Y As(III) RECUPERADOS DE FERMENTO DE CACAO
Authors: Rodríguez-López Claudia Milena , Guzmán-Beltrán Ana María , Lara-Morales María Camila , Castillo Elianna , Brandão Pedro F. B.
Published: February 2021

El objetivo de este estudio fue aislar e identificar a partir de cacao fermentado en Caldas Colombia, bacterias con potencial de aplicación en procesos biotecnológicos, como la detoxificación de cadmio (Cd(II)) y arsénico (As(III)) en el organismo humano. En total se recuperaron 36 aislados de los cuales se recuperaron 11 en presencia de 1,0 mg/L de Cd(II) y 25 en presencia de 0,1 mg/L de As(III). Su identificación molecular determinó que la mayoría de los aislados son del género Lactobacillus. Los ensayos de crecimiento en presencia de diferentes concentraciones de los elementos evaluados permitió determinar que gran parte de los aislamientos presentan resistencia a mayores concentraciones de As(III) (300 mg/L) que de Cd(II) (10 mg/L). En ensayos de tolerancia a la acidez (pH 2,5) se encontró que la cepa tipo Lactobacillus plantarumJCM 1055, junto con los aislamientos nativos L. plantarumA19, A26 y C16, mostraron la mayor tolerancia, por lo que se seleccionaron para evaluar su tolerancia a condiciones de salinidad. Las bacterias evaluadas mostraron crecimiento en concentraciones de hasta 4 g/L de sales biliares. Se concluye que los L. plantarumevaluados en este trabajo tienen un gran potencial para futuros ensayos en los que se busque demostrar la disminución de la bioaccesibilidad de Cd(II) y As(III) en condiciones in vitro del sistema digestivo humano debido a su resistencia a altas concentraciones de estos elementos y su tolerancia a condiciones de acidez y salinidad. Esto, junto con el reconocido potencial probiótico que tienen estos microorganismos, permitirá a futuro su uso en procesos biológicos de mitigación de Cd(II) y As(III).
COMPOSICIÓN MICOQUÍMICA Y ACTIVIDAD ANTIOXIDANTE DE LA SETA Pleurotus ostreatus EN DIFERENTES ESTADOS DE CRECIMIENTO
Authors: Beltrán Delgado Yaixa , Morris Quevedo Humberto Joaquin , Oliva Dominguez Daliannis , Batista Corbal Pedro , Llaurado Maury Gabriel
Published: February 2021

Pleurotussp. es un género de basidiomicetos ampliamente distribuido a nivel mundial, con especies que revisten importancia, no solo desde el punto de vista comercial por su valor nutricional, sino también por sus propiedades medicinales. Sin embargo, aún son insuficientes los estudios micoquímicos y se desconoce su relación con las propiedades antioxidantes de bioproductos obtenidos de estas setas durante diferentes estados de crecimiento. En el presente trabajo, se determinó el contenido de proteínas, carbohidratos, azúcares reductores, fenoles totales y flavonoides, así como la actividad antioxidante in vitro(ensayos de captación de radicales DPPH y estimación del poder reductor) de extractos acuosos de Pleurotus ostreatusen dos estados de crecimiento (primordios y cuerpos fructíferos maduros) durante la fermentación sólida. El contenido de proteínas, azúcares reductores y flavonoides fue superior en el extracto acuoso de cuerpos fructíferos maduros, mientras que los carbohidratos y fenoles totales fueron mayores en el extracto de primordios. Los valores de EC50en los ensayos de DPPH y los de poder reductor fueron de 1,72 mg/mL y 3,27 mg/mL para el extracto de primordios y de 0,44 mg/mL y 0,48 mg/mL para el de cuerpos fructíferos maduros, respectivamente. Los resultados sugieren que las propiedades antioxidantes de extractos acuosos de Pleurotus ostreatus(primordios y cuerpos fructíferos maduros) reflejan las variaciones en la concentración de moléculas bioactivas, teniendo en cuenta las particularidades fisiológicas de las fases de crecimiento. Ello podría resultar de utilidad para el diseño de protocolos de obtención de bioproductos de Pleurotus ostreatuscon aplicaciones potenciales como antioxidantes en las industrias alimentaria y farmacéutica.
BIOACTIVITY OF EXTRACTS FROM SOLANACEAE AGAINST Zabrotes subfasciatus
Authors: Gonçalves Gabriel Luiz Padoan , De Lira Simone Possedente , Gissi Danilo Soares , Vendramim José Djair
Published: February 2021

The botanical family Solanaceae has many species producing compounds with insecticidal properties, e.g. nicotine and capsaicin, which are used for pest management in agriculture. This fact provides perspectives to identify insecticidal compounds in Brazilian native species of Solanaceae. In this study, we performed a screening with 25 ethanolic extracts from 17 Solanaceae species in order to evaluate their bioactivity against the Mexican bean weevil, Zabrotes subfasciatus(Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Bruchinae). The bioactivity of Solanaceae ethanolic extracts (2500 mg kg-1) was tested with residual contact bioassays. Adults ofZ. subfasciatus were exposed to treated bean grains, and adult mortality, oviposition, F1progeny and damages on grains were quantified. Most of the ethanolic extracts from Solanaceae reduced the number of eggs per sample, the egg-adult viability, the F1progeny and the damages on bean grains promoted byZ. subfasciatus, but none of them interfered on its sex ratio. Ethanolic extract from leaves of Solanum lycocarpumA. St.-Hil promoted the most promissory effects on Z. subfasciatus. This ethanolic extracts can be a suitable alternative to control Z. subfasciatus in stored beans, mainly for small farmers and organic farmers.
La reorientación afectiva de la nación en tiempos de la seguridad democrática (2002-2010) y sus efectos de verdad sobre la escuela
Authors: Jaramillo Marín Jefferson , Amaya Sierra Andres Felipe
Published: February 2021

Este artículo de reflexión indaga cómo la seguridad democrática y la revolución educativa, como programas educativos bandera del Gobierno de Álvaro Uribe Vélez (2002-2010), lograron posicionar una lectura polémica de la realidad sociopolíticadel país, además de sus posibles efectos de verdad en la escuela. A partir de algunos trazos teóricos y metodológicos provenientes de la perspectiva genealógica buscamos comprender las prácticas, los saberes y los poderes en juego en la relectura del pasado reciente realizada por la seguridad democrática. Como hipótesis se sostiene que esta reorientación afectiva está vinculada a diversos dispositivos escolares e ideologemas, así como a políticas de olvido del maestro como trabajador de la cultura. La principal conclusión del artículo es que más que negación de la enseñanza la historia, el Gobierno de la seguridad democrática buscó una instrumentalización de esta mediante la movilización de emociones políticas y la domesticación de una interpretación del pasado reciente en Colombia.
Factors Influencing the Professional Conduct of Auditors in the Dialogue on Going Concerns: A Study of the Banking Sector
Authors: Amanzholova Bibigul , Babayan Irina , Knyazhevskaya Ekaterina , Ovchiinikova Natalia
Published: February 2021

This article is dedicated to exploring the dialogue between shareholders, management, partners, government and auditors regarding the status of banking sector entities as ‘going concerns’. The purpose of this article is to develop and validate an approach to the study of factors influencing auditors’ opinion on going concerns.The authors identify factors which affect auditors’ professional conduct in establishment of an opinion on an entity as a going concern. Articles were retrieved from the Scopus and Web of Science databases and analysed for relevant factors, and a number of research hypotheses are formulated, among which the modification of legislative regulations on bankingand auditing activity is identified as a key factor. The state of auditing activity and the banking sector during 2009-2019 is evaluated. Additionally, in order to identify periods during which a significant influence of a selected factor is expected, a novel analytical method was devised based on the nature of modifications of legislative regulation of bankingand auditing activity and the period of such modification.The following factors are significant influences on auditors’ decisions on the going concern status of credit organisations: evolution of auditing standards, implementation of external audit quality control, development of banking regulation and supervision, and interaction of auditors with financial institutions and regulators. Evidence was also discovered ofconclusions recorded against entities inconsistent with the real conditions of individual banks.The authors have established a basis for an integrated study of the influence of factors on the professional conduct of auditors in providing opinions on the going concern status of audited entities, and have proposed further research prospects as related to establishing and measuring the relationship between audit report types based on bank statements andfactors describing the results of their activities.
Development and optimisation of low-power magnetic flux leakage inspection parameters for mild steel welds
Authors: Watson J M , Liang C W , Sexton J , Missous M
Published: February 2021

Magnetic particle and other magnetic flux leakage (MFL)-based methods for the detection and evaluation of surfacebreaking flaws in ferromagnetic materials typically use high-strength (≥0.5 T RMS), low-frequency (≤50 Hz) magnetic fields. The rationale behind this is the ready availability
of strong permanent magnets and mains power for high-strength electromagnets. This high field strength is needed to saturate the sample and compensate for the relatively low sensitivity of magnetic particle detection media, silicon Hall sensors, coils and other magnetic transducers used in
such methods. Consequently, frequencies greater than 50 Hz and applied magnetic fields less than 100 mT strength have not been widely explored for MFL due to the lack of commercially available sensors capable of detecting the leakage fields (typically in the nT and μT range) with adequate
versatility to cope with the variations in inspection parameters, such as changes in liftoff, material properties, etc, which are inherent to non-destructive testing and evaluation (NDT&E) settings. In this study, the MFL response of surface-breaking longitudinal cracks from a ground mild
steel weld validation sample, within the DC to 1 kHz and 5 mT to 100 mT RMS applied magnetic field operating range, was explored. This was carried out to determine whether any optimal frequency response exists, better accommodating the inherent sample material properties (for example magnetic
permeability and electrical conductivity) and MFL mechanism and attributing phenomena such as electromagnetic skin effect and eddy current contributions. Contrary to previous work published in Insight last year, this study found no particular optimal frequency within this operating range,
with explanations to justify the disproval of previously reported conclusions about optimal frequencies within this range. Also, the iteratively developed quantitative analysis performed in this study can be used to help further understand the underlying mechanisms of AC MFL and provide best
practice regarding the optimisation of MFL.
Time-to-peak of time derivative signals of pulsed eddy current testing for evaluating the thickness of ferromagnetic samples
Authors: Wen Dongdong , Wang Shuchen , Zhang Lei , Zhang Jianhua
Published: February 2021

The time-to-peak serves as a popular signal feature of pulsed eddy current (PEC) signals and is widely used in thickness measurement and defect detection. In order to further improve the ability of time-to-peak independent of the lift-off effect, a time derivative processing method
is proposed in this paper to obtain a better time-to-peak feature of time derivative signals of PEC for reducing the lift-off effect. The method is used to improve the thickness measurement accuracy of ferromagnetic samples. The results of simulation and experimentation demonstrate that a
time-to-peak feature of time derivative signals of PEC can be obtained using the time derivative processing method and the timeto-peak obtained from time derivative signals of PEC can be used to measure the thickness and improve the thickness measurement accuracy of ferromagnetic samples.
This means that the use of the time-to-peak of time derivative signals of PEC is feasible for high-precision evaluation of the thickness of ferromagnetic samples.