bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluating disease-modifying effects of a sigma-1 receptor agonist in an animal model of ALS
Authors: Estevez-Silva Hector , Mediavilla Tomás , Lima-Giacobbo Bruno , Sultan Fahad , Marcellino Daniel
Published: July 2020

Around 12-20% of familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (fALS) are related to mutations in Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase (SOD1) that produce degeneration of motor neurons by a toxic gain-of-function. The insertion of the human SOD1 G93A mutation in transgenic mice produces cachexia, hindlimb paralysis and subsequent death due to SOD1 protein misfolding and aggregation. The sigma-1 receptor (S1R) prevents aberrant protein conformations by acting as a molecular chaperone. In addition, some mutations in S1R are linked to juvenile ALS indicating an important role for S1R. Here, we used a delayed onset G93A mouse model that allowed for a prolonged monitoring of preclinical symptoms before onset of the severe phenotype with subsequent death at 28-32 weeks. At 18 weeks of age, and prior to the appearance of any symptoms, S1R agonist or vehicle was continuously administered during 4 weeks by subcutaneous osmotic pumps. Mice were monitored weekly and three behavioral tests were used to monitor muscle strength, motor coordination and balance: Inverted Screen Test (IST), the Pole Test (PT) and Gait Analysis. We found that mice treated with S1R agonist were resistant to weight loss observed in vehicle treated mice and this negatively affected performance in IST and PT, where significant differences between groups were not observed. However, 5 weeks after S1R agonist treatment had ended, improved parameters in Gait Analysis were observed in treated mice compared to untreated mice. Our results indicate that a S1R agonist can modify the progression of ALS-associated motor deficits in a delayed onset SOD-1 G93A mouse model.
Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi as mitigating agents of salt stress in Formosa papaya seedlings
Authors: Oliveira Filho Francisco Sales , Medeiros José Francismar , Gurgel Marcelo Tavares , Abrantes Ewerton Gonçalves , Rolim Hermano Oliveira , Cassimiro Carlos Alberto Lins
Published: July 2020

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effect of mycorrhization on the nutritional, hydric and biochemical components of papaya seedlings, Carica papaia L., from the Formosa Group, Hybrid Tainung Nº 1, submitted to irrigation with saline water. The research was conducted at the Federal Institute of Paraíba, Sousa Campus, from March to December 2018. The experimental design used completely randomized blocks, with treatments arranged in a 4 x 5 factorial scheme, referring to the fungi species: Gigaspora candida, Acaulospora scrobiculata, Dentiscutata heterogama and without mycorrhizae, and the five salt concentrations in irrigation water: 0.0; 10.0; 20.0; 30.0 and 40.0 mmolc L-1 in four repetitions. The characteristics evaluated were: relative water content, water saturation deficit, membrane damage, photosynthetic pigments, concentration and accumulation of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, sodium and the relationship between potassium and sodium concentrations in leaf tissue. The species D. heterogama and G. candida presented the highest rates of leaf hydration and the lowest damage to biomembranes at all saline levels. Mycorrhizae increased the absorption of N and P, especially from 30 mmolc L-1 of salt. A greater relationship between potassium and sodium concentrations was evidenced in seedlings mycorrhized with D. heterogama.
Biometrics, physiology, production, and quality of Cantaloupe melons grown with saline waters under semi-arid conditions
Authors: Lima Reivany Eduardo Morais , Araújo Laíse F , Farias Luciana F. de L. , Bezerra Marlos A
Published: July 2020

Brazilian Northeast region emerges as both producer and exporter relevant of cantaloupe melon to several countries; however, this region is vulnerable to salinization problems due to it is inserted in a semi-arid area. This study aimed to evaluate the biometrics, physiological, production and quality of new cantaloupe melon hybrids cultivated with different saline waters under semi-arid conditions. The experiment was conducted using a drip irrigation system in a split-plot randomized design. The plot was different irrigation water electrical conductivity (ECw) levels: 0.5, 2.0, 3.5, and 5.0 dS m-1, while the subplot was two new cantaloupe melon hybrids: Zielo and SV1044. Plant biometrics (stems and leaves analysis), plant physiology (solutes accumulation and gas exchange in leaves), fruit production (number, weight, and yield), and fruit quality (physical and chemical analysis) were investigated. Stem length, leaf numbers, leaf area, and shoot dry mass decreased when ECw increased from 0.5 to 5.0 dS m-1. Also, there was an increase of Na and Cl concentration and reduction of K concentration in leaves due to ECw increase. Gas exchange reduction, losses in fruit numbers, weight, yield, and in quality were observed with the ECw increase. It is possible to conclude that the ECw increase salinizes the soil and increases Na and Cl concentration in plants causing reduction in gas exchange, in growth, and in fruit production and quality. However, the response of cultivated hybrids regarding salinity may be different, as in our study that the Zielo hybrid was less affected by the increase in ECw.
Pineapple quality in a traditional cultivation system in different soil classes
Authors: Ramos Michele Ribeiro , Freire Talita Maia , Dos Santos Francisca Marta Barbosa , Uhlmann Alexandre , Dos Santos Danilo Marcelo Aires , Campos Lorena dos Santos
Published: July 2020

Pineapple (Ananas comosus (L.) Merril) is considered one of the most important fruits of the tropical and subtropical regions, and the third most-produced in the world due to its high commercial expansion in the world market, in recent years. Therefore, this work aimed to evaluate the influence of landscape position on pineapple quality. The work was developed at the Providência Farm, located in the municipality of Miracema do Tocantins. The following soil parameters were evaluated: hydraulic conductivity - KS, soil bulk density – DS, and total porosity – TP, as well as the following quality attributes: titratable acidity - TA, length and diameter of infructescences, total fresh mass - TM, fresh mass of infructescences – IM, and soluble solids – SS. The analyses were performed at the Agri-Environmental Laboratory of the Agricultural Sciences Complex of the Federal University of Tocantins. Less massive infructescences developed on more porous soils. The variation in the mass of infructescences is not associated with soil types, but rather with soil porosity. Soils with higher KS tend to increase the chances of producing infructescences with high acidity and high levels of soluble solids. The DS did not result in a significant association with the pineapple quality attributes. The infructescences were not affected by the landscape position. No position in the landscape influenced fruit quality. In general, the infructescences showed low acidity and low levels of soluble solids, with length and diameter of infructescences below the standard of the cultivar ‘Pérola’.
Allometry and morphophysiology of papaya seedlings in a substrate with polymer under irrigation with saline water
Authors: NASCIMENTO NETO EXPEDITO CAVALCANTE , Bezerra Francisco Thiago Coelho , Bezerra Marlene Alexandrina Ferreira , Pereira Walter Esfrain , Cavalcante Lourival Ferreira , Oliveira Flaviano Fernandes de
Published: July 2020

The availability and quality of the irrigation water are among the limitations for the development of agriculture in the semiarid. Aiming at gathering information on these limitations, this work aimed to evaluate the association between a water-absorbing polymer and water salinity in irrigation frequencies, as well as container volumes on the allometric and morphophysiological indices of seedlings of the papaya (Carica papaya) cultivar ‘Sunrise Solo’. The treatments were obtained from the combination between the water-absorbing polymer (0.0; 0.2; 0.6; 1.0, and; 1.2 g dm-3), the electrical conductivity of the irrigation water (0.3; 1.1; 2.7; 4.3, and; 5.0 dS m-1), and irrigation frequencies (daily and alternate), plus two additional treatments (0.75 and 1.30 dm3) to study the effects of the container volume, distributed in a randomized block design. At 55 days after sowing, the following characteristics were evaluated: ratio between stem height and diameter; ratio between shoot and root dry matter; root density; leaf blade area; ratio between total leaf area and root dry mass; specific leaf area; leaf area ratio; leaf mass ratio; and Dickson quality index. The allometric and morphophysiological indices were damaged by the increase of water electrical conductivity and favored by the application of the polymer and a higher irrigation frequency. In the production of papaya seedlings, a daily irrigation frequency must be prioritized, using containers of 0.75 or 1.30 dm-3, water with electrical conductivity up to 2.6 and 1.9 dS m-1 when irrigated daily or in alternate days, respectively, and 0.6 g dm-3 of polymer.
Radish production under different shading screens and mulching
Authors: Cavalcante Fábio , Sousa Geocleber Gomes de , Freire Márcio Henrique da Costa , Cruz Filho Elizeu Matos da , Ribeiro Rute Maria Rocha , Leite Kelly Nascimento
Published: July 2020

Shading Screens and mulching may provide a favorable environment for radish growing in regions of adverse climates. This work aimed to evaluate the radish productivity under the influence of different shading screens associated with the presence and absence of mulch in two different years. The experiment was carried out in two different seasons (2017 dry season and 2018 rainy season), in the vegetable garden of Liberdade campus, at the University of International Integration of Afro-Brazilian Lusophony (Unilab), municipality of Redenção-CE. The experimental design was in randomized blocks in a split-plot arrangement, with four repetitions, in which the plots consisted of growing with and without mulching and in the subplots, five shading screens: 50% Black Shading Screen (50% BSS), 50% Red Shading Screen (50% RSS), 30% White Shading Screen (30% WSS), 70% Black Shading Screen (70% BSS) ), and full sunlight (FS). The red shading screens 50% and white 30%, in addition to cultivation under full sunlight, provide higher performance in terms of the number of leaves, tuberous root diameter, tuberous root matter, and the radish crop productivity, regardless of the evaluated period. The applied mulch does not influence the productivity of the rabante, influencing only the gain of dry mass of the aerial part, soluble solids and length of the tuberous root.
Os profissionais de saúde e a prática de preceptoria na atenção básica
Authors: Ribeiro Patrícia Kecianne Costa , Firmo Wellyson da Cunha Araújo , Sousa Mércia Helena Salgado Leite , Figueiredo Ivan Abreu , Pacheco Marcos Antônio Barbosa
Published: July 2020

Tendo em vista os grandes desafios do SUS, sobretudo em contextos de crises, a formação de seus profissionais passa a ser tema de mais alta relevância. Nesse sentido, a preceptoria é uma atividade essencial para a formação de profissionais de saúde e tem cada vez mais ocupado papel de destaque nas discussões acadêmicas, desta maneira, as práticas de preceptoria dos profissionais da Atenção Básica devem se tornar alvo da atenção dos centros formadores dos profissionais de saúde. O objetivo do trabalho foi analisar o perfil dos profissionais de saúde das Unidades Básicas do município de São Luís (MA) que exercem a prática de preceptoria na Atenção Básica e avaliar a percepção destes profissionais sobre sua prática de preceptoria e possíveis contribuições no processo de formação. Trata-se de uma pesquisa qualitativa, exploratória, descritiva, de natureza analítica. Os sujeitos envolvidos no estudo foram profissionais de saúde das Unidades Básicas que exercem ou já exerceram atividades de preceptoria há no mínimo 1 ano. A coleta de dados ocorreu por meio de entrevistas semiestruturadas e pela aplicação de questionário sociodemográfico. A análise de dados ocorreu a partir das entrevistas e questionários, sendo utilizado o critério de saturação temática.  Foi possível identificar a percepção dos preceptores sobre sua prática apontando para um modelo de professor fora dos muros da escola e a importância da Atenção Básica como cenário de transformação e formação diferenciada dos futuros profissionais de saúde. A presença do estudante significa para o preceptor um estímulo ao seu próprio crescimento profissional. Foi possível também identificar a importância da Atenção Básica como cenário de formação e transformação para os futuros profissionais da área de saúde, demonstrando estar de acordo com o que é proposto nas Diretrizes Curriculares Nacionais dos cursos de graduação em saúde.
Identifikasi Caesio cuning berdasarkan Karakterisasi Morfometrik dan DNA Barcoding yang didaratkan di Pasar Ikan Muara Baru, Jakarta
Authors: Zuhdi Muhammad Fahmi , Madduppa Hawis
Published: July 2020

Yellow-tailed fish (Caesio cuning) have morphologically similarities with Lutjanidae families, it causes ambiguity on species authentication process. The process of species identification using morphological characteristic does not provide a precise information related to the species.This study was aimed to identify the morphometric and molecular of Yellow-tailed fish (Caesio cuning) which landed on Muara Baru Fish Market, Jakarta using COI gene. A total 30 fishes were observed their nineteen morphometric characters, and 1 fish sample was taken from the fins for DNA extraction, amplification using PCR method, electrphoresis visualization, and sequensing. Sample was analyzed by MEGA 6 software. Based on morphological analysis showed that sampel are Yellow-tailed fish which part of Caesio genus and Caesionidae family. While, genetic analysis using COI gene showed has similarities with database of Genbank NCBI. It can be concluded that identification using morphological character and DNA barcoding methode showed the species belong to Yellow-tailed fish (Caesio cunning).  Ikan Ekor Kuning (Caesio cuning) memiliki kemiripan morfologi dengan anggota famili Lutjanidae lainnya, hal tersebut menyebabkan kesulitan dalam proses autentikasinya.  Proses identifikasi pada suatu spesies menggunakan karakteristik morfologinya belum mampu memberikan informasi yang akurat terkait spesies tersebut. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengidentifikasi ikan ekor kuning (Caesio cuning) yang didaratkan di Pasar Muara Baru, Jakarta melalui kajian karakteristikmorfometrik dan DNA barcoding menggunakan marka gen COI. Total 30 ikan diamati karakter morfometriknya, dan 1 sampel ikan diambil bagian siripnya untuk dilakukan ekstraksi DNA, amplfikasi PCR, elektroforesis, sekuensing dan dianalisis menggunakan aplikasi MEGA 6. Hasil analisis morfologi menunjukkan sampel ikan berasal dari genus Caesio dan termasuk famili Caesionidae. Sedangkan berdasarkan analisis secara molekuler menggunakan marka gen COI, didapatkan hasil bahwa spesies yang diamati (Caesio cuning) memiliki kemiripan dengan database GenBank NCBI. Dapat simpulkan bahwa identifikasi secara morfologi dan DNA menunjukkan bahwa spesies yang di peroleh yaitu Ikan ekor kuning (Caesio cuning).
Penambahan Gliserol terhadap Karakteristik Bioplastik dari Komposit Pati Aren dan Glukomanan
Authors: Purnavita Sari , Subandriyo Dyionisius Yoga , Anggraeni Ayu
Published: July 2020

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui pengaruh rasio glukomanan dan pati aren dengan penambahan gliserol terhadap karakteristik bioplastik yang dihasilkan. Pembuatan bioplastik dilakukan dengan mencampurkan larutan glukomanan dan larutan pati aren, selanjutnya dilakukan penambahan gliserol dan poli vinil alkohol. Campuran tersebut dipanaskan pada suhu 80°C selama 20 menit, hasil pencampuran kemudian dimasukkan cetakan dan dikeringkan dengan oven hingga menjadi lembaran, Selanjutnya bioplastik tersebut diuji karakteristiknya yang meliputi ketahanan air, tensile strength dan tensile elongation. Rasio glukomanan terhadap pati aren yaitu 1:0,5 ; 1:1 ; 1:1,5 ; dan 1:2 Serta jumlah penambahan gliserol yaitu : 0 ml dan 10 ml. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa berbagai rasio glukomanan dan pati aren dengan penambahan gliserol berpengaruh terhadap karakteristik bioplastik. Pada penambahan gliserol 0 ml (tanpa gliserol), komposit bioplastik dengan perbandingan glukomanan : pati aren sebesar 1:1 menghasilkan nilai ketahanan terhadap air yang tertinggi , nilai tensile strength yang cukup tinggi, dan morfologi yang baik, tetapi nilai tensile elongation rendah. Sedangkan pada percobaan dengan penambahan gliserol 10 ml, komposit bioplastik dengan perbandingan glukomanan : pati aren sebesar 1:1 menghasilkan nilai tensile elongatiom yang tertinggi, morfologi bagus tetapi nilai tensile strength dan ketahanan airnya rendah. Aim of this research to determine the effect of glucomannan ratio and sugar palm starch with the addition of glycerol to the bioplastic characteristics. Making of bioplastics by mixing glucomannan solution and sugar palm starch solution, then addition of glycerol and polyvinyl alcohol. The mixture is heated at 80° C for 20 minutes, the result of mixing afer that put into a mold and dried in the oven until it becomes a sheet. After that, the characteristics of the bioplastics were tested which included water resistance, tensile strength and tensile elongation. The ratio of glucomannan to sugar palm starch is 1:0.5; 1:1; 1:1,5; and 1:2 And the amount of glycerol addition are: 0 ml and 10 ml. The results showed that the ratio of sugar palm starch and glucomannan with the addition of glycerol affected the bioplastic characteristics. At the addition of glycerol 0 ml, bioplastic composites with glucomane: palm starch ratio of 1:1 produce the highest water resistance value, high tensile strength value, and good morfology but low tensile elongation value. Whereas in experiments with the addition of 10 ml of glycerol, bioplastic composites with a glucomane: palm starch ratio of 1:1 produced the highest tensile elongatiom value and good morfology result but the value of tensile strength and water resistance was low
Educational language policy in an African country: Making a place for code-switching/translanguaging
Authors: Agbozo G. Edzordzi , ResCue Elvis
Published: July 2020

In Ghana, plurilingual language use is the norm rather than the exception. It follows that the multilingual linguistic practices of bilingual and multilingual Ghanaians should be reflected in language planning and languages-in-education policies. The study explores the nature of Ghana’s complex sociolinguistic ecology and details the shifts in language-in-education policies from the colonial era to the present. A closer look at the policies presents two opposing models: policies that draw on monolingual ideologies involving the use of English only as a medium of instruction from pre-school to higher levels, and policies that promote a bilingual approach where Ghanaian indigenous languages and English are used concurrently in the lower grade classes (grades 1–3), with a transition to English-only instruction from grade 4 onwards. The paper argues that instabilities in languages-in-education policies occur through the effects of ideology and policy formulation that do not take into account the linguistic ecologies of different communities, or indeed, the linguistic ecology of the Ghanaian classroom. It is proposed that rigid policies can be productively modified by recognizing the reality of code-switching in classrooms and shifting focus to the creative learning possibilities that translanguaging opens up.
Lnc-PICSAR contributes to cisplatin resistance by miR-485-5p/REV3L axis in cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Wang Dan , Zhou Xiaoqiang , Yin Jing , Zhou Yang
Published: July 2020

Background

Dysregulation of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) is associated with drug resistance in multiple cancers. We explored the roles of lncRNA p38 inhibited cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma-associated lincRNA (PICSAR) in cisplatin (DDP) resistance of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC).

Methods

Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was employed to measure the expression of lnc-PICSAR, miR-485-5p and reversionless 3-like (REV3L) mRNA. The cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay was conducted to evaluate DDP resistance and cell viability. The transwell assay was performed to determine cell migration and invasion. Western blot assay and immunohistochemistry (IHC) staining assay were carried out to measure protein levels. The dual-luciferase reporter assay was used to investigate the association between miR-485-5p and lnc-PICSAR or REV3L. Murine xenograft model was constructed to explore the function of lnc-PICSAR in vivo. The morphology of exosomes was analyzed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA).

Results

Lnc-PICSAR was elevated in DDP-resistant CSCC cells. Lnc-PICSAR silencing suppressed cell viability, DDP resistance, migration and invasion in DDP-resistant CSCC cells. MiR-485-5p acted as a target of lnc-PICSAR, and miR-485-5p inhibition reversed the impacts of lnc-PICSAR silencing on DDP resistance and cell progression in DDP-resistant CSCC cells. Lnc-PICSAR promoted REV3L expression via sponging miR-485-5p. Moreover, REV3L overexpression overturned the effects of lnc-PICSAR on cell progression and DDP resistance. Lnc-PICSAR knockdown suppressed DDP resistance in vivo. In addition, lnc-PICSAR was increased in the exosomes derived from CSCC patients’ serum and CSCC cells.

Conclusion

Lnc-PICSAR enhanced DDP resistance via miR-485-5p/REV3L axis in DDP-resistant CSCC cells. Besides, exosome-mediated lnc-PICSAR might be involved in the regulation of drug resistance in CSCC.
Circ_001569 regulates FLOT2 expression to promote the proliferation, migration, invasion and EMT of osteosarcoma cells through sponging miR-185-5p
Authors: Xiao Bin , Zhang Xusheng , Li Xiaojuan , Zhao Zhipeng
Published: July 2020

Osteosarcoma (OS) is a common malignant tumor in the world. Circular RNAs are endogenous non-coding RNAs that have been linked to the development of cancer. However, the role of circ_001569 in OS progression is still unclear. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was used to detect the expression of circ_001569, microRNA-185-5p (miR-185-5p) and flotillin-2 (FLOT2). The abilities of cell proliferation, migration and invasion were evaluated by the 3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2-H-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) and Transwell assays, respectively. Also, western blot analysis was performed to assess the levels of epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT)-related proteins and FLOT2 protein. Besides, the dual-luciferase reporter assay was used to verify the interactions among circ_001569, miR-185-5p and FLOT2. Circ_001569 expression was increased in OS tissues and cells, and its knockdown reduced the proliferation, migration, invasion and EMT of OS cells. MiR-185-5p could interact with circ_001569. Inhibition of miR-185-5p could recover the suppression effects of silenced-circ_001569 on the proliferation and metastasis of OS cells. Furthermore, FLOT2 was a target of miR-185-5p. Overexpressed FLOT2 could restore the inhibition effects of miR-185-5p mimic on the proliferation and metastasis of OS cells. Also, FLOT2 expression was regulated by circ_001569 and miR-185-5p. In addition, circ_001569 knockdown also reduced the OS tumor growth in vivo. Circ_001569 might act as an oncogene in OS progression by regulating the miR-185-5p/FLOT2 axis, which provided a reliable new approach for the treatment of OS patients.
Design of a wearable four-channel near-infrared spectroscopy system for the measurement of brain hemodynamic responses
Authors: Arivudaiyanambi Janani , Mohan Sasikala , Cherian Sunaina Mariam , Natesan Kumaravel
Published: July 2020

This work describes the design and development of a four-channel near-infrared spectroscopy system to detect the oxygenated and deoxygenated hemoglobin concentration changes in the brain during various motor tasks. The system uses light-emitting diodes corresponding to two wavelengths of 760 nm and 850 nm sensitive to deoxygenated and oxygenated hemoglobin concentration changes, respectively. The response is detected using a photodetector with an integrated transimpedance amplifier. The system is designed with four channels for functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) signals acquisition. Two experiments were conducted to demonstrate the ability of the system to detect the changes in hemodynamic responses of different tasks. In the first experiment, the hemodynamic changes during motor execution and imagery of right- and left-fist clenching tasks were acquired by the developed system and validated against a standard multichannel NIRS system. In another experiment, the fNIRS signals during rest and motor execution of right-fist clenching task were acquired using the system and classified. The results demonstrate the ability of the designed system to detect the brain hemodynamic changes during various tasks. Also, the activation patterns obtained by the developed system with a minimum number of channels are on par with those obtained by the commercial system. The developed four-channel NIRS system is user-friendly and has been designed with inexpensive components, unlike the commercially available NIRS instruments that are cumbersome and expensive.
Speakers are creative, within limits — a response to Peter Uhrig
Authors: Hoffmann Thomas
Published: July 2020

In his contribution to the present volume, Uhrig (2020. Cognitive Semiotics 13, 1) focusses on an interesting question: When is a novel utterance considered “creative” and when is it seen as “wrong?” As I will show, Uhrig offers many important answers to this question. At the same time, I argue 1) that deliberateness is not (always) important for linguistic creativity; 2) that appropriateness requires a closer look; and 3) that frequency does not (always) play the most important role.
COVID-19: making the right diagnosis
Authors: Schiff Gordon , Mirica Maria
Published: July 2020

The commentary below was written by Dr. Gordon Schiff and Maria Mirica for the PRIDE (Primary Care Research in Diagnostic Errors) project, an initiative of the Betsy Lehman Center for Patient Safety and Brigham and Women's Hospital Center for Patient Safety Research and Practice with support from the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation. It highlights some of the key issues related to diagnostic accuracy issues for COVID-19 and beyond.
Angular position control system of pneumatic artificial muscles
Authors: Takosoglu Jakub
Published: July 2020

This article presents a test stand used to determine the angle control of a pair of pneumatic artificial muscles PAM, which work antagonistically like natural muscles, e.g. in the human arm. The muscles were designed and produced at the Kielce University of Technology. The technical and functional parameters of the muscles were determined on the basis of experimental research. The Ziegler-Nichols method of tuning a PID controller on the basis of the step response measurement of the open system is also presented for the analysed problem. Experimental research was performed on angle control of a pair of pneumatic muscles with a PID controller.
Determination of the carbonyl index of polyethylene and polypropylene using specified area under band methodology with ATR-FTIR spectroscopy
Authors: Almond Jasmine , Sugumaar Piriya , Wenzel Margot N. , Hill Gavin , Wallis Christopher
Published: July 2020

The current measurement techniques described in the literature for the determination of the carbonyl index (CI) for polyolefins such as polyethylene and polypropylene were compared and contrasted. These were all found to be inconsistent or inaccurate and were not capable of differentiating significant changes in carbonyl peak evolution throughout accelerated ageing. As a consequence of these findings, a methodology, specified area under band (SAUB) is presented here to more accurately represent the CI as a general means of reporting. The increased precision in the methodology is explained and compared to other methodologies for determining CI. The SAUB method is also shown to be capable of elucidating the differences in relative extent and rates of CI for different polyolefins, exposed to the same conditions over the same time period.
Morning specimen is not representative of metabolic control in Tunisian children with phenylketonuria: a repeated cross-sectional study
Authors: Ben Abdelaziz Rim , Tangour Nizar , Ben Chehida Amel , Haj Taieb Sameh , Feki Moncef , Azzouz Hatem , Tebib Neji
Published: July 2020

Objective and methods

To evaluate variation of capillary phenylalanine concentrations over the day in patients treated for phenylketonuria and the reliability of the morning sample to assess metabolic control, we conducted a repeated cross-sectional study in 25 Tunisian patients on phenylalanine-low diet. For each patient, we collected nine capillary samples over the day. Phenylalanine was dosed by fluorimetry.

Results

There was a wide variability of phenylalanine concentrations over the day (p<0.001). Compared to morning sample, phenylalanine concentration was significantly lower before lunch (p=0.038), after lunch (p=0.025), before dinner (p<0.001), after dinner (p=0.035) and at 4:00 a.m. (p=0.011). Compared to the 24 h sampling, the morning sample had a 68% to identify unbalanced patients. 60% of patients, had peak phenylalanine concentration after the morning. Half of the patients with normal morning phenylalanine concentration had low phenylalanine values over 8–20 h. Percentages of high phenylalanine concentrations over the last semester were higher in patients with poor metabolic control over the 24 h (21% ± 43 vs. 0% ± 9%); p=0.043.

Conclusion

A single morning sample gives an incomplete information on metabolic control in phenylketonuric patients. Using four pre-prandial samples on the day should be considered as alternative in patients with good metabolic control.
Individualized dosimetry in children and young adults with differentiated thyroid cancer undergoing iodine-131 therapy
Authors: Kumar Praveen , Damle Nishikant Avinash , Agarwala Sandeep , Dwivedi Sada Nand , Bal Chandrasekhar
Published: July 2020

Objectives

The amount of Iodine-131 to treat young patients with differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) has not been established so far. The purpose of this study was to perform and compare blood dosimetry by “Hanscheid’s approach”and lesion dosimetry by “Maxon’s approach”.

Methods

Seventy-one DTC patients ≤21 years were given diagnostic activity of 74 MBq 131I followed by whole-body scan (WBS) at 2 h (pre-void), 24 h, 48 h, and ≥72 h. Pre-therapy blood and lesion dosimetry were conducted to determine the absorbed doses to blood and lesions and to predict the therapeutic activity. The administered activities were varied from 1.11–5.55 GBq of 131I depending on disease extent. Post therapy dosimetries were again performed by acquiring WBS data at 24 h, 48 h, and ≥72 h.

Results

In blood dosimetry, the difference between predicted therapy activity (PTA) and actual therapeutic activity (ATA) was statistically significant in remnant and lung lesions but insignificant in nodal metastases (p=0.287). In lesion dosimetry, the difference between PTA and ATA was statistically significant for lung metastasis patients; however, not significant in remnant (p=0.163) and nodal metastases (p=0.054). The difference between predicted and observed absorbed dose was insignificant in blood dosimetry whereas, significant in lesion dosimetry.

Conclusions

The PTA based on 0.3 Gy recommendations of Hanscheid et al. may be adequate for patients with remnant or nodal metastases but inadequate for lung metastases. Lesion dosimetry demonstrated that there is scope to decrease the 131I empiric ATA for remnant and nodal metastases; at the same time, there is scope to increase in lung metastasis patients.
Screening for celiac disease among children with overweight and obesity: toward exploring celiac iceberg
Authors: Calcaterra Valeria , Regalbuto Corrado , Manuelli Matteo , Klersy Catherine , Pelizzo Gloria , Albertini Riccardo , Vinci Federica , Larizza Daniela , Leonard Maureen M. , Cena Hellas
Published: July 2020

Objectives

The coexistence of celiac disease (CD) and obesity/overweight is not unusual. We investigate the prevalence and clinical presentation of CD, detected by screening, among children with excessive weight gain.

Methods

We enrolled 200 children referred for overweight/obesity to our outpatient clinic. Medical history during pregnancy and childhood and lifestyle variables were recorded. Patients were screened for CD with total immunoglobulin A (IgA), IgA anti-transglutaminase (tTG-IgA) and IgA anti-endomysial antibodies (EMA-IgA). In subjects with positive autoantibodies, esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGDS) was performed and genetic testing for HLA DQ2 and/or DQ8 haplotypes was tested.

Results

CD positive antibodies (tTg-IgA and EMA-IgA) were detected in eight patients (4%); in all subjects CD diagnosis was confirmed by HLA-DQ2 and/or DQ8 compatibility and EGDS. No association between CD and medical history during pregnancy and childhood or lifestyle variables was noted; however, a dietary difference was identified with those testing positive for CD also reporting a lower weekly consumption of fruits and vegetables (p=0.04). Headache was reported more frequently in patients with than without CD (p=0.04). Familiar positivity for autoimmune diseases was revealed in CD patients (p=0.01).

Conclusion

CD should be considered in children with excessive weight gain. Familial predisposition to other autoimmune diseases may represent a risk factor for development of CD. Even though the relationship between headache and CD is not well defined, the patients with headache of unknown origin should be screened for CD.
Effect of an interval rehabilitation program with home-based, vibration-assisted training on the development of muscle and bone in children with cerebral palsy – an observational study
Authors: Duran Ibrahim , Martakis Kyriakos , Stark Christina , Schafmeyer Leonie , Rehberg Mirko , Schoenau Eckhard
Published: July 2020

Objectives

In children with cerebral palsy (CP), the most common cause of physical impairment in childhood, less muscle and bone growth has been reported, when compared with typically developing children. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of an intensive rehabilitation program including physiotherapy in combination with 6 months of home-based, vibration-assisted training on muscle and bone growth in children with CP.

Methods

We included children with CP, who participated in a rehabilitation program utilizing whole-body vibration (WBV). Muscle mass was quantified by appendicular lean mass index (App-LMI) and bone mass by total-body-less-head bone mineral content (TBLH-BMC) assessed by Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) at the beginning of rehabilitation and one year later. To assess the functional muscle-bone unit, the relation of TBLH-BMC to TBLH lean body mass (TBLH-LBM) was used.

Results

The study population included 128 children (52 females, mean age 11.9 ± 2.7). App-LMI assessed in kg/m2 increased significantly after rehabilitation. The age-adjusted Z-score for App-LMI showed no significant change. TBLH-BMC assessed in gram increased significantly. The Z-scores for TBLH-BMC decreased lesser than expected by the evaluation of the cross-sectional data at the beginning of rehabilitation. The parameter

T
B
L
H
−
B
M
C

T
B
L
H
−
L
B
M

$\frac{TBLH-BMC}{TBLH-LBM}$

did not change relevantly after 12 months.

Conclusions

Muscle growth and to a lesser extent bone growth could be increased in children with CP. The intensive rehabilitation program including WBV seemed to have no direct effect on the bone, but the observed anabolic effect on the bone, may only been mediated through the muscle.
On-chip nanophotonics and future challenges
Authors: Karabchevsky Alina , Katiyi Aviad , Ang Angeleene S. , Hazan Adir
Published: July 2020

On-chip nanophotonic devices are a class of devices capable of controlling light on a chip to realize performance advantages over ordinary building blocks of integrated photonics. These ultra-fast and low-power nanoscale optoelectronic devices are aimed at high-performance computing, chemical, and biological sensing technologies, energy-efficient lighting, environmental monitoring and more. They are increasingly becoming an attractive building block in a variety of systems, which is attributed to their unique features of large evanescent field, compactness, and most importantly their ability to be configured according to the required application. This review summarizes recent advances of integrated nanophotonic devices and their demonstrated applications, including but not limited to, mid-infrared and overtone spectroscopy, all-optical processing on a chip, logic gates on a chip, and cryptography on a chip. The reviewed devices open up a new chapter in on-chip nanophotonics and enable the application of optical waveguides in a variety of optical systems, thus are aimed at accelerating the transition of nanophotonics from academia to the industry.
Highly transparent and conductive metal oxide/metal/polymer composite electrodes for high-efficiency flexible organic light-emitting devices
Authors: Li Yun-Fei , Liu Xiaofeng , Feng Jing , Xie Yu , Zhao Fangchao , Zhang Xu-Lin , Pei Qibing , Sun Hong-Bo
Published: July 2020

Ultrathin metal films emerge as an innovative category of transparent electrodes in recent decades, holding great promises enabling the next-generation flexible organic light-emitting devices (OLEDs). Although metal thin films with polymer nucleation inducers have been extensively studied in OLEDs, satisfying the requirements of both superior optoelectrical and high optical outcoupling characteristics is still challenging. Here, we demonstrate a metal oxide/ultrathin Ag/polymer (MAP) composite electrode with low sheet resistance of 15.1 Ω/sq, high transmittance of 87.4% at 550 nm, and smooth morphology with surface roughness of 0.768 nm. Besides, the composite electrodes significantly enhance the outcoupling of the light trapped in OLEDs due to the relatively high-refractive index polymer. Flexible OLEDs with the MAP anodes exhibit over 2.3 times enhancement in efficiency to that of indium tin oxide (ITO)-based OLEDs. The flexible OLEDs can survive 1000 bending cycles at a bending radius of 8 mm with negligible decrease in electroluminescent performance.
Nanolaser-based emulators of spin Hamiltonians
Authors: Parto Midya , Hayenga William E. , Marandi Alireza , Christodoulides Demetrios N. , Khajavikhan Mercedeh
Published: July 2020

Finding the solution to a large category of optimization problems, known as the NP-hard class, requires an exponentially increasing solution time using conventional computers. Lately, there has been intense efforts to develop alternative computational methods capable of addressing such tasks. In this regard, spin Hamiltonians, which originally arose in describing exchange interactions in magnetic materials, have recently been pursued as a powerful computational tool. Along these lines, it has been shown that solving NP-hard problems can be effectively mapped into finding the ground state of certain types of classical spin models. Here, we show that arrays of metallic nanolasers provide an ultra-compact, on-chip platform capable of implementing spin models, including the classical Ising and XY Hamiltonians. Various regimes of behavior including ferromagnetic, antiferromagnetic, as well as geometric frustration are observed in these structures. Our work paves the way towards nanoscale spin-emulators that enable efficient modeling of large-scale complex networks.
Chemiluminescent carbon nanodots as sensors for hydrogen peroxide and glucose
Authors: Shen Cheng-Long , Zheng Guang-Song , Wu Meng-Yuan , Wei Jian-Yong , Lou Qing , Ye Yang-Li , Liu Zhi-Yi , Zang Jin-Hao , Dong Lin , Shan Chong-Xin
Published: July 2020

Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is an important product generated in the body and related to many pathophysiological processes and glucose metabolism disorder can cause many fatal diseases in living bodies. Therefore, the sensing of H2O2 and glucose is of great significance in disease diagnostics and treatment. Fluorescent carbon dots (CDs) are one new class of nanoprobes for H2O2 and glucose. Nevertheless, the CD-based sensor is always based on its fluorescence response, which is influenced by the auto-fluorescent interference. Herein, efficient fluorescent CDs were synthesized by one-pot solvothermal method, and the CDs exhibit bright and persistent deep-red (DR) chemiluminescence (CL) in bis(2,4,6-trichlorophenyl) oxalate and H2O2 solution with a CL quantum yield of (8.22 ± 0.30) × 10−3, which is amongst the highest values in ever reported nanomaterials for chemical analysis. Employing the CDs as CL nanoprobes, sensitive sensing for H2O2 has been achieved with a detection limit of 11.7 μM, and further for glucose detection with a detection limit of 12.6 μM. The DR CL CDs is promising to be applied in blood glucose analysis or in vivo biosensor.
The crystal structure of acetoximium 1′-hydroxy-1H,1H′-5,5′-bitetrazole-1-olate monohydrate, C5H11N9O4
Authors: Rubian Cao , Lizhen Chen , Jianlong Wang , Luting Wang
Published: July 2020

C5H11N9O4, monoclinic, P21/c (no. 14), a = 7.4259(5) Å, b = 6.6115(5) Å, c = 21.9579(14) Å, β = 93.073(2)°, V = 1076.50(13) Å3, Z = 4, R
gt(F) = 0.0545, wR
ref(F
2) = 0.1234, T = 170 K.
Molecular studies for drought tolerance in some Egyptian wheat genotypes under different irrigation systems
Authors: Mansour Hani A. , El Sayed Mohamed Salwa , Lightfoot David A.
Published: July 2020

This research work was carried out to evaluate drought stress for the differentiation of bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) genotypes in their ability to tolerate drought. An experiment was carried out on six genotypes (‘Sides 1’, ‘Shindwell 1’, ‘Gemmiza 9’, ‘Sakha 93’, ‘Saheel 1’ and ‘Masr 2’). A randomized complete block design with three replications along two separate tests under the drip and the sprinkler irrigation systems was used in this experiment. One of the irrigation treatments applied the normal amount of irrigation water and the other applied end-season drought stress conditions through two successful agricultural seasons 2016/2017 and 2017/2018. The impact on biomass, grain yield and water productivity of the six genotypes was measured. Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers were used to evaluate genetic variation among the six genotypes. PCR–RAPD analysis showed that there were several differences in both the size and number of bands between the varieties. Based on these markers, genetic similarity coefficients were calculated and a dendrogram was constructed. The dendrogram analysis delineated three major clusters. The current study showed that RAPD markers are useful in the assessment of the genetic diversity among the wheat genotypes. The drip irrigation system gave the highest values of both the biomass and the grain yield for the six genotypes, while the sprinkler irrigation gave the lowest values. Comparing the six genotypes in terms of the biomass, grain yield and water productivity, it was concluded that, the highest water productivity (WP) genotype was Sides 1, except during water stress with the sprinkler irrigation system. It was followed by genotype Sakha 93, then genotype Shindwell 1, while genotype Gemmiza 9 gave the lowest in all cases, except without water stress under drip irrigation.
Water confined in solutions of biological relevance
Authors: Bellissent-Funel Marie-Claire
Published: July 2020

In many relevant situations, water is not in its bulk form but instead attached to some substrates or filling some cavities. We shall call water in the latter environment confined water as opposed to bulk water. It is known that the confined water is essential for the stability and the function of biological macromolecules. In this paper, we provide a review of the experimental and computational advances over the past decades concerning the understanding of the structure and dynamics of water confined in aqueous solutions of biological relevance. Examples involving water in solution of organic solutes (cryoprotectants such as dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO), sugars such as trehalose) are provided.
Accurate determination of production data of the non-standard positron emitter 86Y via the 86Sr(p,n)-reaction
Authors: Uddin M. Shuza , Scholten Bernhard , Basunia M. Shamsuzzhoha , Sudár Sandor , Spellerberg Stefan , Voyles Andrew S. , Morrell Jonathan T. , Zaneb Haleema , Rios Jesus A. , Spahn Ingo , Bernstein Lee A. , Neumaier Bernd , Qaim Syed M.
Published: July 2020

In view of several significant discrepancies in the excitation function of the 86Sr(p,n)86g+xmY reaction which is the method of choice for the production of the non-standard positron emitter 86Y for theranostic application, we carried out a careful measurement of the cross sections of this reaction from its threshold up to 16.2 MeV at Forschungszentrum Jülich (FZJ) and from 14.3 to 24.5 MeV at LBNL. Thin samples of 96.4% enriched 86SrCO3 were prepared by sedimentation and, after irradiation with protons in a stacked-form, the induced radioactivity was measured by high-resolution γ-ray spectrometry. The projectile flux was determined by using the monitor reactions natCu(p,xn)62,63,65Zn and natTi(p,x)48V, and the calculated proton energy for each sample was verified by considering the ratios of two reaction products of different thresholds. The experimental cross section data obtained agreed well with the results of a nuclear model calculation based on the code TALYS. From the cross section data, the integral yield of 86Y was calculated. Over the optimum production energy range Ep = 14 → 7 MeV the yield of 86Y amounts to 291 MBq/μA for 1 h irradiation time. This value is appreciably lower than the previous literature values calculated from measured and evaluated excitation functions. It is, however, more compatible with the experimental yields of 86Y obtained in clinical scale production runs. The levels of the isotopic impurities 87mY, 87gY, and 88Y were also estimated and found to be <2% in sum.
Concentration of folic acid (FA) in serum of Japanese pregnant women
Authors: Mise Nathan , Ohtsu Mayumi , Ikegami Akihiko , Hosoi Yoko , Nakagi Yoshihiko , Yoshida Takahiko , Kayama Fujio
Published: July 2020

Objectives

Exposure to inorganic arsenic (iAs) is a world-wide health concern. We reported that Japanese children and pregnant women are exposed to moderate levels of iAs through food. Reducing iAs contamination from foods of high iAs is an important issue unique in Japan. Integrated iAs is methylated to less toxic organic forms, and S-adenosyl-L-methyonine (SAM), a common methyl-donor of DNA and histones, is utilized in this process. Chronic consumption of SAM by iAs metabolism due to exposure to iAs might alter the epigenetic modification of genome. The SAM biosynthesis pathway is dependent on folate cycle, and it is possible that ingestion of sufficient folic acid (FA) is protective to iAs induced toxicity.

Methods

In the course of our cross-sectional body burden analyses of Pb and iAs in Japanese children and pregnant women, termed “PbAs study”, FA concentration in serum of 104 pregnant women was measured.

Results

Mean (±SEM) of serum FA concentration was 15.8 ± 1.3 (ng/mL). There are significant number of people showing very high FA (>30 ng/ mL), and large fraction of them were taking supplements daily.

Conclusions

These results suggested that level of FA ingestion of Japanese pregnant women is high for supporting normal fetal development.