bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Chemical and technological investigation on the isolation of betulin from birch bark
Authors: L Enkh-Amgalan , L Munkhgerel , B Bayarmaa
Published: January 2021

The main objective of this work was to choose an effective, low-cost, and time-saving method for high-purity and highyield betulin from the bark of the deciduous birch (Betula platyphylla). Betulin was extracted in three different variants, whichincluding extracting birch bark with 96% ethanol after degreasing, extracting 96% ethanol with alkali, and extracting 96% ethanol after alkaline hydrolysis. From the three tested variants, it was found that the birch bark was extracted by 96% ethanol after alkaline hydrolysis, which can be to produce 27% yield and high-purity betulin. The purification of the extracted betulin was determined by thin-layer chromatography, melting point, and IR spectra compared with standard betulin. Extracting the 96% ethanol, after the alkaline hydrolysis method is more efficient and economical, therefore, this method is suitable for mass production and introduce into the food and cosmetic industries.

Хусны үйснээс бетулин гарган авах технологийн судалгаа

Хураангуй: Энэхүү судалгааны ажилд Хавтаг навчит хус (Betula platyphylla) модны үйснээс гарц өндөртэй, цэвэршил сайтай бетулиныг ялган авах өртөг багатай, цаг хугацаа хэмнэсэн арга зүйг сонгох зорилт тавьж ажилласан болно.Бетулиныг, хусны үйсийг тосгүйжүүлсэний дараа 96%-ийн этанолоор хандлах; шүлтжүүлсэн 96%-ийн этанолоор хандлах; шүлтийн гидролизэд оруулсны дараагаар 96%-ийн этанолоор хандлах гэсэн гурван хувилбараар хандалж гарган авсан. Туршсан гурван хувилбараас хусны үйсийг шүлтийн гидролизэд оруулсны дараагаар 96%-ийн этанолоор хандлах нь хамгийн тохиромжтой болохыг тогтоов. Дээрх хувилбараар 27%-ийн гарцтай бетулиныг ялган авч, цэвэршилтийг нь стандарт бетулинтэй харьцуулан нимгэн үеийн хроматографи, хайлах температур болон нил улаан туяаны спектрометрийн аргаар тодорхойлов. Шүлтийн гидролиз явуулсны дараагаар 96%-ийн этанолоор хандлах арга нь цаг хугацаа хэмнэсэн, өртөг багатай тул цаашид бетулиныг их хэмжээгээр ялган авч, хүнс, гоо сайхны үйлдвэрлэлд нэвтрүүлэхэд илүү тохиромжтой гэж үзлээ.

Түлхүүр үг: Хавтаг навчит хус (Betula platyphylla), нимгэн үеийн хроматографи, хайлах температур, нил улаан туяаны спектрометр
Preface - 8
Authors: L Jargalsaikhan
Published: January 2021

No abstract available
The Body at the Turn of the Centuries: Ageing and the Decline of the Western Civilization in Michel Houellebecq’s Novels
Authors: Klik Marcin
Published: January 2021

In Michel Houellebecq’s fi ction, the theme of the decline of the modern civilization is closely linked with refl ections on ageing and death. The writer’s concern with the cult of youth, the fear of ageing and death, obsessive body care, the stigmatization of the elderly and their elimination from social life can be seen as part of a broader refl ection on the transformation of the western society in the second half of the 20th century. From this perspective, the negative social trends described by the author can be perceived as logical consequences of the decreasing impact of religion and the traditional value system. Concomitantly, the recurrent descriptions of ageing bodies metaphorize a gradual decline of the West.
Greece as a NATO Member in the Longue Durée
Authors: Kotoulas Ioannis
Published: January 2021

Greece entered NATO in order to guarantee its existence against the revisionism of the Balkan communist states during the Cold War. The rise of Greek-Turkish rivalry during the 1950s and 1960s and its climax, the 1974 Turkish invasion of Cyprus, caused Greece’s withdrawal from NATO structure from 1974 to 1980. After the end of the Cold War Greece attempted to form a multilateral approach in its foreign policy and secure its interests in both the Balkan area and the Eastern Mediterranean. The new unstable environment of the early 21st century and Greece’s economic crisis complicated Greece’s position in NATO. Still the macro-historic parameters of Greece’s identity as a sea power confirm its ties to the Atlantic world and predict a possible realignment of Greece in an increasingly unstable European framework that could well see the demise of the European Union.
René Ménil’s Myths of Origin and Labor Activism in the French Antilles
Authors: Joseph-Gabriel Annette ,   Caribbean Philosophical Association
Published: January 2021

Between January and February 2009, the longest general strike in French history took place in Guadeloupe and Martinique. The labor movement had far reaching implications for the relationship between France and its overseas departments. In particular, they brought to the fore France’s colonial history in the Antilles, with attendant questions of race, citizenship and sovereignty that highlighted once again the cracks in the image of Antilleans as full French citizens. René Ménil’s essays provide a unique lens through which to read the philosophical underpinnings of the 2009 labor movements in the Antilles. Ménil’s articulation of “a non-mythological elsewhere” posits a three-fold process of excavating history in order to articulate a myth of origin that in turn allows for the possibility of reclaiming a non-colonized identity.
Yeniçağ’daki Spiritüel Cevher Anlayışına De La Mettrie’nin İtirazı
Authors: Altinörs S. Atakan ,   Kilikya Felsefe Dergisi
Published: January 2021

Yeniçağ felsefesinde spiritüel cevher, Descartes gibi düalist ya da Berkeley gibi immateryalist filozoflar tarafından savunulduğu kadar, maddî dünyanın mevcudiyetini kerhen tasdik eden Leibniz ve Malebranche gibi filozoflarca da savunulmuş bir görüştür. Düalistler nezdinde fiziksel-maddî cevher ile birlikte mevcut, ama mahiyeti bakımından ondan kökten farklı addedilen; Leibniz ile Malebranche içinse “fiziksel” denen fenomenlerin dayanağı olan spiritüel bir substratum faraziyesi, Hıristiyanlığın resmî öğretisine uygun düşmesi itibariyle çok sayıda taraftar bulmuştur. Böylece, düşünme, hissetme, irade gibi yetilere sahip ve uzamlı olmayan spiritüel cevher, söz konusu yetilerden yoksun ve uzamlı maddî cevher karşısında yüceltilmiş ve kutsanmıştır. Bu anlayış, düşünce tarihinin farklı dönemlerinde olduğu gibi, anti-tezine eleştirel hareket noktası sağlamıştır ve böylece yegâne cevherin maddî olduğunu savunan bir grup Yeniçağ filozofu sahneye çıkmıştır. Hobbes ve Locke gibi dinibütün görünen materyalistlerden bir asır sonra, Aydınlanma döneminde çok sayıda filozof dinsel dogmaların insan aklının önünde engel teşkil ettiğini savunarak materyalist ve ateist bir tavır takınacaktır. Makalemizde, “Fransız materyalistleri” diye anılanların öncüsü De La Mettrie’nin spiritüel cevhere itirazını inceledik. De La Mettrie “ruh” adlandırmasının, hakkında hiçbir ideaya sahip bulunmadığımız boş bir terimden ibaret olduğunu savunur. Ona göre bizlerdeki düşünen kısmı kastetmek üzere kullanılan bu sözümona “ruh”a atfedilen bütün yetiler de aslında beynin ve bedenin organlaşmasına tâbidir. Dolayısıyla da duyumsayan varlık neticede, düalistlerin ve spiritüalist monistlerin savunduğunun aksine, organlaşmış maddedir. Böylece madde, De La Mettrie’nin nezdinde var olan tek cevherdir.
Stoacı Alegori: Herakles ve İşleri
Authors: Molaci Melike ,   Kilikya Felsefe Dergisi
Published: January 2021

Bir metnin alegoriler, semboller ya da mecazlar aracılığıyla söylediğini gizlemesi ya da söylediğinden başkasını söylemek istemesi, hakikatin doğrudan anlaşılamayacağını ya da aktarılamayacağını gösterir. Hermenuetik tarihinde alegorik yorumun üstünlüğünü vurgulayan ve onu düzanlama mahkûm etmeyen pek çok örneğe rastlanır. Alegorileri bir araç, alegorik yorumu da bir yöntem olarak benimseyen bu örneklerin en önemlilerinden biri de hiç kuşkusuz bu çalışmanın konusunu oluşturan Stoacılardır. Alegorilere olan yaklaşımları ve alegorik yorumu bir yöntem olarak kullanmalarıyla hermenuetik tarihinde önemli bir yer işgal eden Stoacılar, kadim metinlerde kullanılan alegorilerin söylediklerinden ötesini imlediklerini ve şairle filozofun aslında birbirinden çok da farklı olmadıklarını düşünürler. Mitoslara dair yorumlarıyla hem felsefi kuramlarını temellendirmeyi hem de bu kuramlar aracılığıyla geleneğe yönelik eleştirileri ortadan kaldırmayı amaçlayan Stoacılar, geleneksel imgeleri de belirli bakımlardan dönüştürürler. Alegorilerin felsefi bir araç olarak nasıl kullanıldığı, temellendirmelerde onlardan ne ölçüde yararlanıldığı, alegorik yorum ile neyin amaçlandığı ve geleneksel imgelerin nasıl dönüştürülebileceği, Stoacıların alegorik yoruma ilişkin yaklaşımlarında dikkate aldıkları hususlardır. Alegorik yorumun pek çok probleme cevap veren özgün bir yöntem olduğu öncülünden hareket eden bu yazıda, Stoacıların alegorik yorum etkinlikleri, geleneksel bir imgenin dönüşümü aracılığıyla tartışılmakta ve alegorinin üçlü işlevi temellendirilmeye çalışılmaktadır. Bu amaç doğrultusunda mitosların, tragedyaların ve komedyaların eşsiz kahramanı Herakles’e dair Stoacı alegorik yorum örnekleri, alegorinin işlevi, anlamı ve kapsamıyla ilgisinde ele alınmaktadır. Bu iddia, izlek ve amaç doğrultusunda çalışmada ilkin Stoacılık öncesi mitoslarda, tragedyalarda ve felsefi metinlerde Herakles’in nasıl alımlandığı incelenmekte, ardından Stoacıların semboller ve metaforları kullanarak Herakles’in çoklu kişiliklerini felsefi açından nasıl yorumladıkları ve bu imgeyi nasıl dönüştürdükleri tartışılmaktadır.
Feminist Tarihyazımında Soykütüksel Yaklaşım
Authors: Durğun Serpil ,   Kilikya Felsefe Dergisi
Published: January 2021

Amerikalı feminist tarihçi Joan Wallach Scott kadın deneyimlerine yer vermeyen ideolojik, kısmi ve çarpık tarihi aşan yeni bir tarihyazımının geliştirilmesini ister. Bu doğrultuda Scott, toplumsal yapıdaki ayrışma ve hiyerarşi kategorilerinden biri olarak ele alınan toplumsal cinsiyet kategorisinin, sınıf, ırk, etnik köken gibi diğer hiyerarşi kategorilerini de kapsayacak şekilde yeniden tanımlanmasını önerir. Tarihi, zamansız olma iddiasındaki düşünceleri sorgulamamızı sağlayan ve böylece değişim hakkında düşünme imkânının yolunu açan bir disiplin olarak gören Scott, bu görüşünü özgürleştirici ancak sabit olmayan eleştirel tarih projesi olarak adlandırır. Söz konusu proje, Foucault’nun şimdinin tarihi dediği soykütüksel yaklaşıma karşılık gelir. Doğruluğundan şüphe edilmeyen doğal ya da verili olduğu kabul edilen kavram ve kategorilerin soruşturulmasını içeren soykütüksel yaklaşımda tarihsel soruşturmaya şimdiden başlanır. Şimdiden geçmişe belirli bir kırılmaya ya da dönüşüme ulaşıncaya kadar gidilir ve ardından yakalanan kırılma ya da dönüşümün izi takip edilerek şimdiye gelinir. Böylece, insanın kendisini tanımasını sağlayacak olayların, diğer bir ifadeyle insanın düşündüğü, dile getirdiği, yaptığı şeylerle kendisini bir özne olarak nasıl kurduğuna ilişkin olayların tarihsel bir soruşturmadan geçirilmesi mümkün olur. Bu kapsamda makale, feminist tarihyazımında farklılığın birtakım amaçlara hizmet eden belirli bir tarihsel temsil olarak görülmesinde, Foucault’nun soykütük düşüncesinin yerini anlama amacına yöneliktir.
Emancipation in Capitalist Society
Authors: Dişci Zeliha ,   Kilikya Felsefe Dergisi
Published: January 2021

This study aims to reveal the meaning of sovereignty in the context of Georges Bataille’s critique of capitalist society. In order to determine how Bataille thinks about sovereignty, it firstly touches upon the conception of the capitalist society of the thinker. It draws attention to the nature of the practices here limited to capitalist production and profit/usefulness. This limit causes people to be alienated and enslaved. Then, in the face of the limited, that is, homogeneous structure of capitalist society, this study deals with the heterogeneous structure of existence in Bataille’s view. It points out that the heterogeneous structure of existence is the primary condition of sovereignty and emancipation. It then clarifies the relationship of sovereignty with renunciation by determining the content of sovereignty. From the viewpoint of Bataille, sovereignty becomes visible through non-productive activities and therefore it is in contrast with the homogeneous society that exists with only productive activities. Pure productive activities are the most important activities that enslave humans and cancel sovereignty. According to Bataille, sovereignty dies in the life where concern bows to the future and the production. The way of capturing sovereignty in capitalist society is hidden in actions that give up being productive. Thus sovereignty is defined by the notion of expenditure rather than accumulation. The expenditure means renouncing possession and accumulation. To leave behind the forms of existence which are demanded by the capitalist society is to relinquish them. Consequently, the expenditure and relinquishing appear as two overlapping activities in sovereignty.
Theatre Against Stagnation
Authors: Seppälä Mikko-Olavi
Published: January 2021

This article explores theatrical exchanges across the Baltic Sea in the 1930s as part of the cultural diplomacy of recently independent Finland. The Finnish National Theatre visited the Estonia Theatre in Tallinn in 1931 and in 1937, and the Royal Dramatic Theatre in Stockholm in 1936. These theatre visits were different in terms of the visiting production. In Stockholm in 1936, and in Tallinn in 1937, the Finnish National Theatre showcased its work, while during the bilateral exchange with the Estonia Theatre in 1931, the main actors of two of the productions visited the other theatre and the audiences saw two hybrid performances of the two productions. Therefore, the visits are discussed in terms of international and transnational exchange.
Reflexiones acerca de 'tweetchat' #FFpaciente desde la perspectiva de los profesionales de la información
Authors: Traver Vallés Paula
Published: January 2021

El 18 de diciembre tuvo lugar un debate en Twitter, también llamado tweetchat, organizado por #ffpaciente, una iniciativa pensada para facilitar la interacción entre los pacientes activos y los profesionales de la salud.
Ungueal melanoma and a generalized vitiligo: Is this a rare association?
Authors: Daflaoui Hanane , Omahsan Loubab , Lachkar Adnane , Najib Abdelouahed , Dikhaye Siham , Zizi Nada
Published: January 2021

We report an observation of a good prognosis ungual melanoma showed up 10 years after the onset of a generalized vitiligo. It’s a 66ans years old male, with a history of a rapidly progressing vulgar vitiligo showed up 10 years earlier. The patient has been referred to us for the management of a nail melanoma, retained on clinical and histological data, with a vitiligo extended to 70% Body Surface Area. The assessment of locoregional and distant extension was without abnormalities. Several authors have reported the association of vitiligo and other autoimmune disorders, non-melanoma skin cancers, or as part of a particular syndrome. The association of ungueal melanoma and generalized vitiligo was rarely reported in literature. Across this observation, we illustrate that The association of cutaneous melanoma and vitiligo is not rare and may be a factor of good prognosis.
Anti-Russian sanctions due to the Ukrainian crisis of 2014: assessment of consequences and prospects
Authors: Krivov Sergei Valer'evich , Baranova Tat'yana Vladimirovna , Starkin Sergey Valer'evich
Published: January 2021

The subject of this research is the sanctions imposed by Western countries against Russia in response to the Ukrainian events of 2014. Leaning on the available empirical data and expert assessments conducted by various financial and analytical structures, an attempt is made to identify the nature and severity of impact of sanction pressure upon different economic sectors of the Russian Federation, implemented for achieving the foreign policy goals. Emphasis is placed on the absence of uniform sanctions policy due to the specificity of foreign policy goals and peculiarities of sanction mechanisms used by the United States and the European Union. It is underlined that anti-Russian sanctions and Russia’s response in many instances are substantiated by the preceding trends in strategic vision of foreign and domestic policy by the Russian Federation, as well as the nature of its relations with the West. The conclusion is made that the focus in studying the problem of sanctions has shifted towards the political analysis and further analytical and scientific examination. The author believes that in the conditions of uncertainty of the economic effects and absence of common approaches towards understanding the prospects of sanctions policy by the Western countries the two main scenarios of its further development. It would either gradually fade out without “renewed efforts”, slowly negating its practical effect, and prompt the United States and the European Union intensify the dialogue with Russia, avoiding the problematic issues on the status of Crimea, implication in the events in South-Eastern Ukraine, etc.; or it can lead to full “politicization” of sanctions polity and its integration into the negotiation process on settlement of the Ukrainian situation and turning into a powerful tool for conducting negotiations.
Identification of ligand-specific G protein-coupled receptor states and prediction of downstream efficacy via data-driven modeling
Authors: Fleetwood Oliver , Carlsson Jens , Delemotte Lucie
Published: January 2021

Ligand binding stabilizes different G protein-coupled receptor states via a complex allosteric process that is not completely understood. Here, we have derived free energy landscapes describing activation of the β2 adrenergic receptor bound to ligands with different efficacy profiles using enhanced sampling molecular dynamics simulations. These reveal shifts toward active-like states at the Gprotein-binding site for receptors bound to partial and full agonists, and that the ligands modulate the conformational ensemble of the receptor by tuning protein microswitches. We indeed find an excellent correlation between the conformation of the microswitches close to the ligand binding site and in the transmembrane region and experimentally reported cyclic adenosine monophosphate signaling responses. Dimensionality reduction further reveals the similarity between the unique conformational states induced by different ligands, and examining the output of classifiers highlights two distant hotspots governing agonism on transmembrane helices 5 and 7.
Stem cell transplantation rescued a primary open-angle glaucoma mouse model
Authors: Xiong Siqi , Kumar Ajay , Tian Shenghe , Taher Eman E , Yang Enzhi , Kinchington Paul R , Xia Xiaobo , Du Yiqin
Published: January 2021

Glaucoma is a leading cause of irreversible blindness. In this study, we investigated if transplanted stem cells are able to rescue a glaucoma mouse model with transgenic myocilin Y437H mutation and explored the possible mechanisms. Human trabecular meshwork stem cells (TMSCs) were intracamerally transplanted which reduced mouse intraocular pressure, increased outflow facility, protected the retinal ganglion cells and preserved their function. TMSC transplantation also significantly increased the TM cellularity, promoted myocilin secretion from TM cells into the aqueous humor to reduce endoplasmic reticulum stress, repaired the TM tissue with extracellular matrix modulation and ultrastructural restoration. Co-culturing TMSCs with myocilin mutant TM cells in vitro promoted TMSCs differentiating into phagocytic functional TM cells. RNA sequencing revealed that TMSCs had upregulated genes related to TM regeneration and neuroprotection. Our results uncovered therapeutic potential of TMSCs for curing glaucoma and elucidated possible mechanisms by which TMSCs achieve the treatment effect.
A 10- or 14-day Bismuth-containing Quadruple Therapy as a First-line Helicobacter pylori Eradication Therapy: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Authors: Kim Sung Eun , Jung Hye-Kyung , Kang Seung Joo , Lee Yong Chan , Yang Hyo-Joon , Park Seon-Young , Shin Cheol Min , Lim Hyun Chul , Kim Jie-Hyun , Nam Su Youn , Shin Woon Geon , Park Jae Myung , Choi Il Ju , Kim Jae Gyu , Choi Miyoung ,   Korean College of Helicobacter and Upper Gastrointesinal Research
Published: January 2021

Background/Aims: The eradication rate of the first-line standard triple therapy (STT) for Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection has decreased since 2000; therefore, other first-line therapies are required. This study was aimed at investigating the efficacy of bismuth-containing quadruple therapy (PBMT) for first-line H. pylori eradication compared to STT, sequential therapy (SQT), and concomitant therapy (CT).Materials and Methods: The Ovid-MEDLINE, Koreamed, EMBASE, KMBASE, and Cochrane Library databases were searched from January 2008 to July 2018. All identified randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing PBMT and non-PBMT for first-line H. pylori eradication therapy were included in the final analysis.Results: A total of 3,653 patients from seven RCTs were enrolled. The pooled eradication rates of PBMT by intention-to-treat (ITT) and per-protocol (PP) analyses were 82.1% (95% CI, 68.2~90.8%) and 88.8% (95% CI, 77.1~94.9%), respectively. However, no statistically significant difference was observed in eradication rates of the 10- or 14-day PBMT as compared to 14-day STT, 10-day SQT, and 10-day CT in ITT and PP analyses. PBMT was significantly higher in adverse events than in the other eradication regimens (RR, 1.64; 95% CI, 1.11~2.44). Considerable heterogeneity in adverse events was observed among studies (χ2=88.7; P<0.001, I2=93%).Conclusions: PBMT can be the first-line treatment for H. pylori eradication in Korea when other first-line options, including STT, SQT, or CT, are unavailable due to their high adverse event rates.
Explainable stock prices prediction from financial news articles using sentiment analysis
Authors: Gite Shilpa , Khatavkar Hrituja , Kotecha Ketan , Srivastava Shilpi , Maheshwari Priyam , Pandey Neerav
Published: January 2021

The stock market is very complex and volatile. It is impacted by positive and negative sentiments which are based on media releases. The scope of the stock price analysis relies upon ability to recognise the stock movements. It is based on technical fundamentals and understanding the hidden trends which the market follows. Stock price prediction has consistently been an extremely dynamic field of exploration and research work. However, arriving at the ideal degree of precision is still an enticing challenge. In this paper, we are proposing a combined effort of using efficient machine learning techniques coupled with a deep learning technique—Long Short Term Memory (LSTM)—to use them to predict the stock prices with a high level of accuracy. Sentiments derived by users from news headlines have a tremendous effect on the buying and selling patterns of the traders as they easily get influenced by what they read. Hence, fusing one more dimension of sentiments along with technical analysis should improve the prediction accuracy. LSTM networks have proved to be a very useful tool to learn and predict temporal data having long term dependencies. In our work, the LSTM model uses historical stock data along with sentiments from news items to create a better predictive model.
MKL-GRNI: A parallel multiple kernel learning approach for supervised inference of large-scale gene regulatory networks
Authors: Wani Nisar , Raza Khalid
Published: January 2021

High throughput multi-omics data generation coupled with heterogeneous genomic data fusion are defining new ways to build computational inference models. These models are scalable and can support very large genome sizes with the added advantage of exploiting additional biological knowledge from the integration framework. However, the limitation with such an arrangement is the huge computational cost involved when learning from very large datasets in a sequential execution environment. To overcome this issue, we present a multiple kernel learning (MKL) based gene regulatory network (GRN) inference approach wherein multiple heterogeneous datasets are fused using MKL paradigm. We formulate the GRN learning problem as a supervised classification problem, whereby genes regulated by a specific transcription factor are separated from other non-regulated genes. A parallel execution architecture is devised to learn a large scale GRN by decomposing the initial classification problem into a number of subproblems that run as multiple processes on a multi-processor machine. We evaluate the approach in terms of increased speedup and inference potential using genomic data fromEscherichia coli,Saccharomyces cerevisiaeandHomo sapiens. The results thus obtained demonstrate that the proposed method exhibits better classification accuracy and enhanced speedup compared to other state-of-the-art methods while learning large scale GRNs from multiple and heterogeneous datasets.
Enhancement of small doppler frequencies detection for LFMCW radar
Authors: Ghanem Sameh
Published: January 2021

Detection of targets with small Doppler frequencies of linear-frequency modulated continuous wave radars is the main task of this article. The moving target indicator (MTI) is used to reject the fixed targets and high-speed targets through the radar research area. In this work, targets with small Doppler frequencies can be detected perfectly based on the frequency response of a single delay line canceller followed by single delay line integrator. An enhancement of the proposed algorithm is achieved using a filter in the range direction of the range-Doppler processor scheme. The proposed filter is chosen with certain coefficients after the first fast Fourier transform processor in range to enhance the radar performance. The evaluation of the proposed algorithm is achieved at different slow Doppler scenarios of the target and compared with the traditional algorithm which uses only MTI processor. Another aspect that is important for evaluation of the proposed algorithm is the detection performance of the algorithms through the receiver operating characteristic curves. Implementation of the proposed algorithm using FPGA is performed in real time applications and it is found that it meets the simulation results.
Analysis of Means by Ranks: Modification and Application in Contract Acquisition Analysis
Authors: Bakir Saad T.
Published: January 2021

Analysis of Means by Ranks is a nonparametric statistical test procedure that was developed in Bakir (1989) but has rarely been applied in practice. This paper modifies and applies Analysis of Means by Ranks to a case study data involving the comparison of three contract proposals. For comparison purposes, we analyze the same data using the well-known Analysis of Variance, Analysis of Means, and the Kruskal-Wallis test. Analysis of Variance and Analysis of Means are two parametric (assume data to be samples from normal populations) test procedures whereas Kruskal-Wallis and Analysis of Means by Ranks are two nonparametric (or distribution-free) procedures. This paper shows that the parametric tests fail to detect a significant difference among three contract proposals, while the nonparametric tests do.  The conclusions of the parametric tests are in doubt because a descriptive statistics analysis indicates that the required normality assumption is in doubt; the nonparametric conclusions are more trustful because the normality assumption is not required by nonparametric procedures.
Heterosis and Combining Ability for Yield and Yield Attributing Traits in Tossa Jute (Corchorus olitorius L.)
Authors: Roy Anita , Dasgupta Kumaresh , Hazari Sourav , Bhattacharya Sudip , Das Arpita
Published: January 2021

Jute is one of the important bast fibre crop in the World next to cotton. Yield potential of this fibre crop is still under exploited and this natural fibre is facing challenges from synthetic products which calls for immediate attention to restore breeding works in a comprehensive manner. The present research has been contemplated with ten hybrids evolved from five lines of Tossa jute following half diallel matting design to ascertain gene action, combining ability and heterotic potential of the hybrids in respect of fibre yield and yield attributing traits. Methods comprised of growing of parents as well as F1s along with standard check in randomized complete block design (RCBD) maintaining three replications followed by recording observation on fibre yield and other yield attributing traits. Results revealed that most of the studied traits were governed by non-additive gene action which justified exploitation of heterosis utilizing these traits in this crop. The specific combining ability (SCA) components of variance (σ2 SCA) were larger than the general combining ability (GCA) components of variance (σ2 GCA) for all of the five traits under study which further implied the preponderance of non-additive components of variance towards the expression of these traits. JRO 524 was detected as the best general combiner considering the economically important trait. Finally, considering dry fibre and stick yield, three hybrids, namely OIN 24 × JRO 524, OIN 39 × OIN 46 and OIN 39 × JRO 524 has been identified to be superior over their better parent as well as standard check regarding these traits. Additionally, all these three hybrids exhibited positive and significant SCA effects. These three promising specific combiners can be advanced to get better Tossa jute lines for bolstering economic returns of the farming community in future.
Physical Abuse in Its Extreme form Seen in a 12-Year-Old Female Adolescent
Authors: Obinna Ajaegbu , Onuorah Okike Clifford , Vivian Muoneke Uzoamaka
Published: January 2021

Background: Child abuse occurs very frequently in Nigeria with approximately 6 out of every 10 children experiencing some form of violence. An estimate of 1 in every 4 girls and 1 in every 10 boys have undergone some form of sexual violence. Unfortunately this human violation often elicits little or no attention particularly where the abuser happens to be a close relative.

Case: A 12 year old female adolescent was admitted into the children emergency room of a Nigerian tertiary institution with high grade fever and bilateral painful leg swelling following physical abuse by her biological father. This was buttressed with the findings made on examination.

Parenteral anti-inflammatory and antibiotics were administered with surgical drainage of the lesions. The mental state of the Patient was evaluated by the Psychological Medicine Experts /Psychiatrist and also had counselling sessions during the course of treatment and shortly before discharge. Patient responded well to treatment and was discharged to the care of the women and children welfare unit of the State Ministry of Women Affairs.

Conclusion: This case report underscores the need for continuous awareness creation on the inherent dangers of child abuse for both the general public and the Health practitioners.
Better alone? A demographic case study of the hemiparasite Castilleja tenuiflora (Orobanchaceae): A first approximation
Authors: Granados‐Hernández Luisa A. , Pisanty Irene , Raventós José , Márquez‐Guzmán Judith , Mandujano María C.
Published: January 2021

Castilleja tenuiflora is a facultative root hemiparasitic plant that has colonized a disturbed lava field in central Mexico. To determine the effects of hemiparasitism on the population dynamics of the parasite, we identified a set of potential hosts and quantified their effects on the vital rates of C. tenuiflora during 2016–2018. Connections between the roots of the hemiparasite and the hosts were confirmed with a scanning electron microscope. Annual matrices considering two conditions (with and without potential hosts) were built based on vital rates for each year, and annual stochastic finite rate growth rates (λs) were calculated. Plants produced more reproductive structures with hosts than without hosts. A Life Table Response Experiment (LTRE) was performed to compare the contributions of vital rates between conditions. We identified 19 species of potential hosts for this generalist hemiparasite. Stochastic lambda with hosts λs = 1.02 (CI = 0.9999, 1.1) tended to be higher than without them λs = 0.9503 (CI = 0.9055, 0.9981). The highest elasticity values correspond to survival. LTRE indicated that the most important parameters are survival and fecundity; the total contribution of fecundity (0.0192) to the difference in growth was three times lower than that of survival (0.0603). Piqueria trinervia was the most abundant host, and C. tenuiflora had a higher lambda with it than with other species. Individuals can grow alone, but hosts can have a positive effect on the vital parameters of C. tenuiflora and on λ.
Molecular profiles of response to neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy in oesophageal cancers to develop personalized treatment strategies
Authors: de Klerk Leonie K. , Goedegebuure Ruben S. A. , van Grieken Nicole C. T. , van Sandick Johanna W. , Cats Annemieke , Stiekema Jurrien , van der Kaaij Rosa T. , Farina Sarasqueta Arantza , van Engeland Manon , Jacobs Maarten A. J. M. , van Wanrooij Roy L. J. , van der Peet Donald L. , Thorner Aaron R. , Verheul Henk M. W. , Thijssen Victor L. J. L. , Bass Adam J. , Derks Sarah
Published: January 2021

Identification of molecular predictive markers of response to neoadjuvant chemoradiation could aid clinical decision‐making in patients with localized oesophageal cancer. Therefore, we subjected pretreatment biopsies of 75 adenocarcinoma (OAC) and 16 squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) patients to targeted next‐generation DNA sequencing, as well as biopsies of 85 OAC and 20 OSCC patients to promoter methylation analysis of eight GI‐specific genes, and subsequently searched for associations with histopathological response and disease‐free (DFS) and overall survival (OS). Thereby, we found that in OAC, CSMD1 deletion (8%) and ETV4 amplification (5%) were associated with a favourable histopathological response, whereas SMURF1 amplification (5%) and SMARCA4 mutation (7%) were associated with an unfavourable histopathological response. KRAS (15%) and GATA4 (7%) amplification were associated with shorter OS. In OSCC, TP63 amplification (25%) and TFPI2 (10%) gene promoter methylation were associated with an unfavourable histopathological response and shorter DFS (TP63) and OS (TFPI2), whereas CDKN2A deletion (38%) was associated with prolonged OS. In conclusion, this study identified candidate genetic biomarkers associated with response to neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy in patients with localized oesophageal cancer.
Transparent Light‐Driven Hydrogel Actuator Based on Photothermal Marangoni Effect and Buoyancy Flow for Three‐Dimensional Motion
Authors: Pan Deng , Wu Dong , Li Peng‐Ju , Ji Sheng‐Yun , Nie Xuan , Fan Sheng‐Ying , Chen Guo‐Yang , Zhang Chen‐Chu , Xin Chen , Xu Bing , Zhu SuWan , Cai Ze , Hu YanLei , Li JiaWen , Chu JiaRu
Published: January 2021

Marangoni‐effect‐driven actuators (MDAs) have the advantages of direct light‐to‐work conversion and convenient operation, which makes it widely researched in the cutting‐edge fields including robots, micromachines, and intelligent systems. However, the MDA relies on the surface tension difference and it only works on the 2D liquid–air interface. Besides, the MDAs are normally pure black due to the light‐absorption material limitation. Herein, a transparent light‐driven 3D movable actuator (LTMA) and a 3D manipulation strategy are proposed. The LTMA is composed of photothermal nanoparticles‐doped temperature‐responsive hydrogel, whose surface energy changes as the nanoparticles absorb light energy. The 3D manipulation strategy combines Marangoni effect with photothermal buoyancy flow for realizing complex self‐propellant and floating/sinking motions. The LTMA can perform more advanced tasks such as 3D obstacle avoidance and 3D sampling. Benefiting from the porous structure of hydrogel, LTMA can naturally absorb the chemical molecules for remote sampling and automated drug delivery. The light‐driven, transparent, three‐dimensionally movable, and programmable actuator has promising prospects in the field of micromachines and intelligent systems.
Highly Stable Ag–Au Core–Shell Nanowire Network for ITO‐Free Flexible Organic Electrochromic Device
Authors: Huang Shengyun , Liu Yannan , Jafari Maziar , Siaj Mohamed , Wang Haining , Xiao Shuyong , Ma Dongling
Published: January 2021

Solid and flexible electrochromic (EC) devices require a delicate design of every component to meet the stringent requirements for transparency, flexibility, and deformation stability. However, the electrode technology in flexible EC devices stagnates, wherein brittle indium tin oxide (ITO) is the primary material. Meanwhile, the inflexibility of metal oxide usually used in an active layer and the leakage issue of liquid electrolyte further negatively affect EC device performance and lifetime. Herein, a novel and fully ITO‐free flexible organic EC device is developed by using Ag–Au core–shell nanowire (Ag–Au NW) networks, EC polymer and LiBF4/propylene carbonate/poly(methyl methacrylate) as electrodes, active layer, and solid electrolyte, respectively. The Ag–Au NW electrode integrated with a conjugated EC polymer together display excellent stability in harsh environments due to the tight encapsulation by the Au shell, and high area capacitance of 3.0 mF cm−2 and specific capacitance of 23.2 F g−1 at current density of 0.5 mA cm−2. The device shows high EC performance with reversible transmittance modulation in the visible region (40.2% at 550 nm) and near‐infrared region (−68.2% at 1600 nm). Moreover, the device presents excellent flexibility (>1000 bending cycles at the bending radius of 5 mm) and fast switching time (5.9 s).
A Magnetically Guided Self‐Rolled Microrobot for Targeted Drug Delivery, Real‐Time X‐Ray Imaging, and Microrobot Retrieval
Authors: Nguyen Kim Tien , Go Gwangjun , Jin Zhen , Darmawan Bobby Aditya , Yoo Ami , Kim Seokjae , Nan Minghui , Lee Sang Bong , Kang Byungjeon , Kim Chang‐Sei , Li Hao , Bang Doyeon , Park Jong‐Oh , Choi Eunpyo
Published: January 2021

Targeted drug delivery using a microrobot is a promising technique capable of overcoming the limitations of conventional chemotherapy that relies on body circulation. However, most studies of microrobots used for drug delivery have only demonstrated simple mobility rather than precise targeting methods and prove the possibility of biodegradation of implanted microrobots after drug delivery. In this study, magnetically guided self‐rolled microrobot that enables autonomous navigation‐based targeted drug delivery, real‐time X‐ray imaging, and microrobot retrieval is proposed. The microrobot, composed of a self‐rolled body that is printed using focused light and a surface with magnetic nanoparticles attached, demonstrates the loading of doxorubicin and an X‐ray contrast agent for cancer therapy and X‐ray imaging. The microrobot is precisely mobilized to the lesion site through automated targeting using magnetic field control of an electromagnetic actuation system under real‐time X‐ray imaging. The photothermal effect using near‐infrared light reveals rapid drug release of the microrobot located at the lesion site. After drug delivery, the microrobot is recovered without potential toxicity by implantation or degradation using a magnetic‐field‐switchable coiled catheter. This microrobotic approach using automated control method of the therapeutic agents‐loaded microrobot has potential use in precise localized drug delivery systems.
Strong Chemical Interaction between Lithium Polysulfides and Flame‐Retardant Polyphosphazene for Lithium–Sulfur Batteries with Enhanced Safety and Electrochemical Performance
Authors: Chen Peng , Wu Zhen , Guo Tong , Zhou Yan , Liu Mingliang , Xia Xifeng , Sun Jingwen , Lu Lude , Ouyang Xiaoping , Wang Xin , Fu Yongsheng , Zhu Junwu
Published: January 2021

The shuttle effect of lithium polysulfides (LiPS) and potential safety hazard caused by the burning of flammable organic electrolytes, sulfur cathode, and lithium anode seriously limit the practical application of lithium–sulfur (Li–S) batteries. Here, a flame‐retardant polyphosphazene (PPZ) covalently modified holey graphene/carbonized cellulose paper is reported as a multifunctional interlayer in Li–S batteries. During the discharge/charge process, once the LiPS are generated, the as‐obtained flame‐retardant interlayer traps them immediately through the nucleophilic substitution reaction between PPZ and LiPS, effectively inhibiting the shuttling effect of LiPS to enhance the cycle stability of Li–S batteries. Meanwhile, this strong chemical interaction increases the diffusion coefficient for lithium ions, accelerating the lithiation reaction with complete inversion. Moreover, the as‐obtained interlayer can be used as a fresh 3D current collector to establish a flame‐retardant “vice‐electrode,” which can trap dissolved sulfur and absorb a large amount of electrolyte, prominently bringing down the flammability of the sulfur cathode and electrolyte to improve the safety of Li–S batteries. This work provides a viable strategy for using PPZ‐based materials as strong chemical scavengers for LiPS and a flame‐retardant interlayer toward next‐generation Li–S batteries with enhanced safety and electrochemical performance.
PPTS‐Catalyzed Bicyclization Reaction of 2‐Isocyanobenzaldehydes with Various Amines: Synthesis of Diverse Fused Quinazolines
Authors: Meng Xiang‐He , Wu Dan‐Ni , Zhang Yu‐Jia , Zhao Yu‐Long
Published: January 2021

A PPTS (pyridinium p‐toluenesulfonate)‐catalyzed bicyclization reaction of 2‐isocyanobenzaldehydes as 1,5‐dielectrophiles with various amines has been developed. The reaction not only provides a simple and efficient strategy for the assembly of structurally diverse fused quinazoline derivatives from readily available substrates under metal‐free and mild conditions in a single step with only water and hydrogen as the by‐products, but also opens the way to the application of o‐formyl arylisocyanides in the synthesis of nitrogen‐containing heterocycles.

magnified image
Continuous Demixing Transition of Binary Liquids: Finite‐Size Scaling from the Analysis of Sub‐Systems
Authors: Pathania Yogyata , Chakraborty Dipanjan , Höfling Felix
Published: January 2021

A binary liquid near its consolute point exhibits critical fluctuations of local composition and a diverging correlation length. The method of choice to calculate critical points in the phase diagram is a finite‐size scaling analysis, based on a sequence of simulations with widely different system sizes. Modern, massively parallel hardware facilitates that instead cubic sub‐systems of one large simulation are used. Here, this alternative is applied to a symmetric binary liquid at critical composition and different routes to the critical temperature are compared: 1) fitting critical divergences of the composition structure factor, 2) scaling of fluctuations in sub‐volumes, and 3) applying the cumulant intersection criterion to sub‐systems. For the last route, two difficulties arise: sub‐volumes are open systems, for which no precise estimate of the critical Binder cumulant is available. Second, the boundaries of the simulation box interfere with the sub‐volumes, which is resolved here by a two‐parameter finite‐size scaling. The implied modification to the data analysis restores the common intersection point, yielding , universal for cubic Ising‐like systems with free boundaries. Confluent corrections to scaling, which arise for small sub‐system sizes, are quantified and the data are compatible with the universal correction exponent .
Optoelectrical Switching of Nonfullerene Acceptor Y6 and BPQD‐Based Bulk Heterojunction Memory Device through Photoelectric Effect
Authors: Gu Minchao , Zhao Zhizheng , Wang Kexin , Huang Yuelin , Zhang Bin , Zou Yingping , El‐Khouly Mohamed E. , Chen Yu
Published: January 2021

The as‐prepared BPDQs:Y6:PVP blends, in which Y6 acts as nonfullerene acceptor, black phosphorus quantum dots (BPQDs) serve as donor, and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) as a polymer matrix, can respond to both the electrical and optical stimuli. Using these blends as the active layer, the first bulk heterojunction device with the functions of organic photovoltaics and information storage, Al/BPQDs:Y6:PVP/indium tin oxide, is fabricated. When the applied voltages vary from 0 to −0.8 V, this device exhibits both the photoinduced resistive state changes and volatile photoresponse characteristic in the broadband visible region. The light illumination gives rise to the significantly decrease of the device resistance. Furthermore, it is also found that, when the applied voltages are changed from 0 to ± 3 V, this device shows a typical nonvolatile rewritable memory performance in the dark, with an ON/OFF current ratio of 8 × 103, a switching‐on voltage of −1.68 V, and a smaller switching bias window. Upon illumination with different wavelength light, both the switching‐on voltage and the ON/OFF current ratio of the device are found to be greatly decreased. This work can be expected to open a way to the integration of information storage, modulating and demodulating functions, photovoltaic effect, and photoelectric detection in an optoelectronic device.
Delineating the Lithium–Electrolyte Interfacial Chemistry and the Dynamics of Lithium Deposition in Lithium–Sulfur Batteries
Authors: Nanda Sanjay , Manthiram Arumugam
Published: January 2021

Stabilizing the metallic lithium anode is the major roadblock to realizing long cycle life lithium‐sulfur (Li–S) batteries with high energy density. The chemistry of the dynamically evolving solid‐electrolyte interphase layer on the lithium surface is critical to achieving reversible plating and stripping of lithium. Herein, electrolyte formulations are carefully varied and employed to modulate the composition, and thereby, the properties of the lithium‐electrolyte interface. The impact of these changes in the interfacial chemistry on the dynamics of lithium deposition is evaluated by tracking cyclability in an anode‐free full cell configuration. Critical insights are revealed on the role of different components of the electrolyte and their interplay, including various functional groups in the electrolyte salt, oxidizing effect of lithium nitrate, and the intrinsically stabilizing effect of polysulfide species, in determining the characteristics of lithium deposition and lithium cycling efficiency. The study illuminates the key elements underlying the unique chemistry of the lithium–electrolyte interface in Li–S batteries and it can spur further development of novel strategies toward stabilizing the lithium‐metal anode in the Li–S system.
Triorganotin (IV) carboxylates as potential anticancer agents: Their synthesis, physiochemical characterization, and cytotoxic activity against HeLa and MCF‐7 cancer cells
Authors: Uddin Noor , Rashid Faisal , Haider Ali , Tirmizi Syed Ahmed , Raheel Ahmad , Imran Muhammad , Zaib Sumera , Diaconescu Paula L. , Iqbal Jamshed , Ali Saqib
Published: January 2021

Three triorganotin (IV) cyclopentane carboxylates were synthesized and structurally characterized by in solid state by Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy and single crystal diffraction, and in solution by NMR (1H, 13C, and 119Sn) spectroscopy. The complexes were tested for their anticancer activity against MCF‐7 and HeLa cells along with normal BHK‐21 cells. As revealed by MTT assay, complex 2 was identified as the most potent derivative with an IC50 value of 2.59 and 0.051 μM against HeLa and MCF‐7 cells, respectively. The results were compared with cisplatin as reference drug. Fluorescent microscopic studies using 4′,6‐diamidino‐2‐phenylindole (DAPI) and propidium iodide (PI) staining confirmed the occurrence of apoptosis in HeLa cells treated with the most active complex 2. The complex 2 also triggered the release of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in treated HeLa and MCF‐7 cells whereas a luminescence assay displayed a remarkable increase in the activity of caspase‐9 and ‐3. Moreover, flow cytometric results revealed that complex 2 caused G0/G1 arrest in the treated HeLa cells. The complexes were further screened for DNA binding studies through UV‐vis spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry. The high activity of complex 2 was attributed to its higher Lewis acidity as indicated by natural bond orbital (NBO) analysis. Theoretical modelling and molecular docking studies were also conducted to study the reactivity of complexes against VEGFR 2 Kinase.