bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
First Autochthonous Infection of a Cat with Dirofilaria immitis in Austria
Authors: Kulmer Lisa-Maria , Unterköfler Maria Sophia , Fuehrer Hans-Peter , Janovska Varvara , Pagac Matus , Svoboda Michaela , Venco Luigi , Leschnik Michael
Published: August 2021

This case report is about a seven-year-old male neutered European Shorthair cat infected by Dirofilaria immitis as the first reported autochthonous Dirofilaria immitis infection in Austria. There was no history of periods abroad. Echocardiography showed suspected D. immitis in the right cardiac chamber with increased pulmonary pressure and ascites. Surgical removal of the heartworms was performed. Twenty adult heartworms were removed by transvenous jugular approach under general anesthesia and stored in 4% formalin. Five out of 20 specimens were examined via light and stereomicroscopy and feline heartworm infection was confirmed. Amplification of a 203 bp or 724 bp fragment of the cytochrome c oxidase subunit I gene was unsuccessful. After surgery the cat developed acute renal failure but recovered quickly. One year later, the cat underwent a control examination including echocardiography and blood work. There were no more D. immitis detectable at echocardiography. Lung pressure was mildly increased. Complete blood count and creatinine were unremarkable. The Knott’s test and Dirofilaria-Antigen-test produced negative results. The cat did not show any clinical signs during the follow-up period. The aim of this case report is to highlight the growing risk of acquiring infection with D. immitis not only for Austrian dogs, but also for cats. This case report represents the first report of autochthonous D. immitis infection in Austria. Moreover, even if the prognosis in cats with caval syndrome due to feline heartworm disease is guarded to poor, surgical removal of the filariae can be a successful treatment option.
An Overview of the Pathogenesis, Transmission, Diagnosis, and Management of Endemic Human Coronaviruses: A Reflection on the Past and Present Episodes and Possible Future Outbreaks
Authors: Kayode Adeoye J. , Banji-Onisile Folasade O. , Olaniran Ademola O. , Okoh Anthony I.
Published: August 2021

The outbreak of the 2019 coronavirus pandemic caught the world by surprise in late 2019 and has held it hostage for months with an increasing number of infections and deaths. Although coronavirus was first discovered in the 1960s and was known to cause respiratory infection in humans, no information was available about the epidemic pattern of the virus until the past two decades. This review addresses the pathogenesis, transmission dynamics, diagnosis, management strategies, the pattern of the past and present events, and the possibility of future outbreaks of the endemic human coronaviruses. Several studies have described bats as presumptive natural reservoirs of coronaviruses. In essence, the identification of a diverse group of similar SARS coronaviruses in bats suggests the possibility of a future epidemic due to severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS-like) coronaviruses originating from different reservoir hosts. The study also identified a lack of vaccines to prevent human coronavirus infections in humans in the past, however, the recent breakthrough in vaccine discovery and approval for emergency use for the treatment of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 is commendable. The high rates of genomic substitution and recombination due to errors in RNA replication and the potential for independent species crossing suggest the chances of an entirely new strain evolving. Therefore, rapid research efforts should be deployed for vaccination to combat the COVID-19 pandemic and prevent a possible future outbreak. More sensitization and enlightenment on the need to adopt good personal hygiene practices, social distancing, and scientific evaluation of existing medications with promising antiviral effects against SARS-CoV-2 is required. In addition, intensive investigations to unravel and validate the possible reservoirs, the intermediate host, as well as insight into the ability of the virus to break the species barrier are needed to prevent future viral spillover and possible outbreaks.
Crosstalk of the Wnt/β-Catenin Signaling Pathway in the Induction of Apoptosis on Cancer Cells
Authors: Trejo-Solis Cristina , Escamilla-Ramirez Angel , Jimenez-Farfan Dolores , Castillo-Rodriguez Rosa Angelica , Flores-Najera Athenea , Cruz-Salgado Arturo
Published: August 2021

The Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway plays a major role in cell survival and proliferation, as well as in angiogenesis, migration, invasion, metastasis, and stem cell renewal in various cancer types. However, the modulation (either up- or downregulation) of this pathway can inhibit cell proliferation and apoptosis both through β-catenin-dependent and independent mechanisms, and by crosstalk with other signaling pathways in a wide range of malignant tumors. Existing studies have reported conflicting results, indicating that the Wnt signaling can have both oncogenic and tumor-suppressing roles, depending on the cellular context. This review summarizes the available information on the role of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway and its crosstalk with other signaling pathways in apoptosis induction in cancer cells and presents a modified dual-signal model for the function of β-catenin. Understanding the proapoptotic mechanisms induced by the Wnt/β-catenin pathway could open new therapeutic opportunities.
Side Effects of mRNA-Based COVID-19 Vaccine: Nationwide Phase IV Study among Healthcare Workers in Slovakia
Authors: Riad Abanoub , Hocková Barbora , Kantorová Lucia , Slávik Rastislav , Spurná Lucia , Stebel Adam , Havriľak Michal , Klugar Miloslav
Published: August 2021

mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccines such as BNT162b2 have recently been a target of anti-vaccination campaigns due to their novelty in the healthcare industry; nevertheless, these vaccines have exhibited excellent results in terms of efficacy and safety. As a consequence, they acquired the first approvals from drug regulators and were deployed at a large scale among priority groups, including healthcare workers. This phase IV study was designed as a nationwide cross-sectional survey to evaluate the post-vaccination side effects among healthcare workers in Slovakia. The study used a validated self-administered questionnaire that inquired about participants’ demographic information, medical anamneses, COVID-19-related anamnesis, and local, systemic, oral, and skin-related side effects following receiving the BNT162b2 vaccine. A total of 522 participants were included in this study, of whom 77% were females, 55.7% were aged between 31 and 54 years, and 41.6% were from Banska Bystrica. Most of the participants (91.6%) reported at least one side effect. Injection site pain (85.2%) was the most common local side effect, while fatigue (54.2%), headache (34.3%), muscle pain (28.4%), and chills (26.4%) were the most common systemic side effects. The reported side effects were of a mild nature (99.6%) that did not require medical attention and a short duration, as most of them (90.4%) were resolved within three days. Females and young adults were more likely to report post-vaccination side effects; such a finding is also consistent with what was previously reported by other phase IV studies worldwide. The role of chronic illnesses and medical treatments in post-vaccination side effect incidence and intensity requires further robust investigation among large population groups.
Expression Analysis of α5 Integrin Subunit Reveals Its Upregulation as a Negative Prognostic Biomarker for Glioblastoma
Authors: Etienne-Selloum Nelly , Prades Julien , Bello-Roufai Diana , Boone Mathieu , Sevestre Henri , Trudel Stéphanie , Caillet Pascal , Coutte Alexandre , Desenclos Christine , Constans Jean-Marc , Martin Sophie , Choulier Laurence , Chauffert Bruno , Dontenwill Monique
Published: August 2021

Integrin α5β1 was suggested to be involved in glioblastoma (GBM) aggressiveness and treatment resistance through preclinical studies and genomic analysis in patients. However, further protein expression data are still required to confirm this hypothesis. In the present study, we investigated by immunofluorescence the expression of integrin α5 and its prognostic impact in a glioblastoma series of patients scheduled to undergo the Stupp protocol as first-line treatment for GBM. The integrin α5 protein expression level was estimated in each tumor by the mean fluorescence intensity (MFI) and allowed us to identify two subpopulations showing either a high or low expression level. The distribution of patients in both subpopulations was not significantly different according to age, gender, recursive partitioning analysis (RPA) prognostic score, molecular markers or surgical and medical treatment. A high integrin α5 protein expression level was associated with a high risk of recurrence (HR = 1.696, 95% CI 1.031–2.792, p = 0.0377) and reduced overall survival (OS), even more significant in patients who completed the Stupp protocol (median OS: 15.6 vs. 22.8 months; HR = 2.324; 95% CI 1.168–4.621, p = 0.0162). In multivariate analysis, a high integrin α5 protein expression level was confirmed as an independent prognostic factor in the subpopulation of patients who completed the temozolomide-based first-line treatment for predicting OS over age, extent of surgery, RPA score and O-6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) promoter methylation (p = 0.029). In summary, for the first time, our study validates that a high integrin α5 protein expression level is associated with poor prognosis in GBM and confirms its potential as a therapeutic target implicated in the Stupp protocol resistance.
Black Phosphorus, an Emerging Versatile Nanoplatform for Cancer Immunotherapy
Authors: Liu Hao , Mei Yijun , Zhao Qingqing , Zhang Aining , Tang Lu , Gao Hongbin , Wang Wei
Published: August 2021

Black phosphorus (BP) is one of the emerging versatile nanomaterials with outstanding biocompatibility and biodegradability, exhibiting great potential as a promising inorganic nanomaterial in the biomedical field. BP nanomaterials possess excellent ability for valid bio-conjugation and molecular loading in anticancer therapy. Generally, BP nanomaterials can be classified into BP nanosheets (BPNSs) and BP quantum dots (BPQDs), both of which can be synthesized through various preparation routes. In addition, BP nanomaterials can be applied as photothermal agents (PTA) for the photothermal therapy (PTT) due to their high photothermal conversion efficiency and larger extinction coefficients. The generated local hyperpyrexia leads to thermal elimination of tumor. Besides, BP nanomaterials are capable of producing singlet oxygen, which enable its application as a photosensitizer for photodynamic therapy (PDT). Moreover, BP nanomaterials can be oxidized and degraded to nontoxic phosphonates and phosphate under physiological conditions, improving their safety as a nano drug carrier in cancer therapy. Recently, it has been reported that BP-based PTT is capable of activating immune responses and alleviating the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment by detection of T lymphocytes and various immunocytokines, indicating that BP-based nanocomposites not only serve as effective PTAs to ablate large solid tumors but also function as an immunomodulation agent to eliminate discrete tumorlets. Therefore, BP-mediated immunotherapy would provide more possibilities for synergistic cancer treatment.
Liposome Photosensitizer Formulations for Effective Cancer Photodynamic Therapy
Authors: Fahmy Sherif Ashraf , Azzazy Hassan Mohamed El-Said , Schaefer Jens
Published: August 2021

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a promising non-invasive strategy in the fight against that which circumvents the systemic toxic effects of chemotherapeutics. It relies on photosensitizers (PSs), which are photoactivated by light irradiation and interaction with molecular oxygen. This generates highly reactive oxygen species (such as 1O2, H2O2, O2, ·OH), which kill cancer cells by necrosis or apoptosis. Despite the promising effects of PDT in cancer treatment, it still suffers from several shortcomings, such as poor biodistribution of hydrophobic PSs, low cellular uptake, and low efficacy in treating bulky or deep tumors. Hence, various nanoplatforms have been developed to increase PDT treatment effectiveness and minimize off-target adverse effects. Liposomes showed great potential in accommodating different PSs, chemotherapeutic drugs, and other therapeutically active molecules. Here, we review the state-of-the-art in encapsulating PSs alone or combined with other chemotherapeutic drugs into liposomes for effective tumor PDT.
Lung Targeted Lipopolymeric Microspheres of Dexamethasone for the Treatment of ARDS
Authors: Kotta Sabna , Aldawsari Hibah Mubarak , Badr-Eldin Shaimaa M. , Binmahfouz Lenah S. , Bakhaidar Rana Bakur , Sreeharsha Nagaraja , Nair Anroop B. , Ramnarayanan Chandramouli
Published: August 2021

Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), a catastrophic illness of multifactorial etiology, involves a rapid upsurge in inflammatory cytokines that leads to hypoxemic respiratory failure. Dexamethasone, a synthetic corticosteroid, mitigates the glucocorticoid-receptor-mediated inflammation and accelerates tissue homeostasis towards disease resolution. To minimize non-target organ side effects arising from frequent and chronic use of dexamethasone, we designed biodegradable, lung-targeted microspheres with sustained release profiles. Dexamethasone-loaded lipopolymeric microspheres of PLGA (Poly Lactic-co-Glycolic Acid) and DPPC (Dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine) stabilized with vitamin E TPGS (D-α-tocopheryl polyethylene glycol succinate) were prepared by a single emulsion technique that had a mean diameter of 8.83 ± 0.32 μm and were spherical in shape as revealed from electron microscopy imaging. Pharmacokinetic and biodistribution patterns studied in the lungs, liver, and spleen of Wistar rats showed high selectivity and targeting efficiency for the lung tissue (re 13.98). As a proof-of-concept, in vivo efficacy of the microspheres was tested in the lipopolysaccharide-induced ARDS model in rats. Inflammation markers such as IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α, quantified in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid indicated major improvement in rats treated with dexamethasone microspheres by intravenous route. Additionally, the microspheres substantially inhibited the protein infiltration, neutrophil accumulation and lipid peroxidation in the lungs of ARDS bearing rats, suggesting a reduction in oxidative stress. Histopathology showed decreased damage to the pulmonary tissue upon treatment with the dexamethasone-loaded microspheres. The multipronged formulation technology approach can thus serve as a potential treatment modality for reducing lung inflammation in ARDS. An improved therapeutic profile would help to reduce the dose, dosing frequency and, eventually, the toxicity.
Antimicrobial Properties of Lepidium sativum L. Facilitated Silver Nanoparticles
Authors: Haj Bloukh Samir , Edis Zehra , Abu Sara Hamid , Alhamaidah Mustafa Ameen
Published: August 2021

Antibiotic resistance toward commonly used medicinal drugs is a dangerously growing threat to our existence. Plants are naturally equipped with a spectrum of biomolecules and metabolites with important biological activities. These natural compounds constitute a treasure in the fight against multidrug-resistant microorganisms. The development of plant-based antimicrobials through green synthesis may deliver alternatives to common drugs. Lepidium sativum L. (LS) is widely available throughout the world as a fast-growing herb known as garden cress. LS seed oil is interesting due to its antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory activities. Nanotechnology offers a plethora of applications in the health sector. Silver nanoparticles (AgNP) are used due to their antimicrobial properties. We combined LS and AgNP to prevent microbial resistance through plant-based synergistic mechanisms within the nanomaterial. AgNP were prepared by a facile one-pot synthesis through plant-biomolecules-induced reduction of silver nitrate via a green method. The phytochemicals in the aqueous LS extract act as reducing, capping, and stabilizing agents of AgNP. The composition of the LS-AgNP biohybrids was confirmed by analytical methods. Antimicrobial testing against 10 reference strains of pathogens exhibited excellent to intermediate antimicrobial activity. The bio-nanohybrid LS-AgNP has potential uses as a broad-spectrum microbicide, disinfectant, and wound care product.
Anti-Cancer Nanopowders and MAPLE-Fabricated Thin Films Based on SPIONs Surface Modified with Paclitaxel Loaded β-Cyclodextrin
Authors: Puiu Rebecca Alexandra , Balaure Paul Cătălin , Constantinescu Ema , Grumezescu Alexandru Mihai , Andronescu Ecaterina , Oprea Ovidiu-Cristian , Vasile Bogdan Stefan , Grumezescu Valentina , Negut Irina , Nica Ionela Cristina , Stan Miruna Silvia
Published: August 2021

Globally, cancer is the second most common cause of death, and Europe accounts for almost 25% of the global cancer burden, although its people make up only 10% of the world’s population. Conventional systemically administered anti-cancer drugs come with important drawbacks such as inefficiency due to poor bioavailability and improper biodistribution, severe side effects associated with low therapeutic indices, and the development of multidrug resistance. Therefore, smart nano-engineered targeted drug-delivery systems with tailored pharmacokinetics and biodistribution which can selectively deliver anti-cancer agents directly to the tumor site are the solution to most difficulties encountered with conventional therapeutic tools. Here, we report on the synthesis, physicochemical characterization, and in vitro evaluation of biocompatibility and anti-tumor activity of novel magnetically targetable SPIONs based on magnetite (Fe3O4) nanoparticles’ surface modified with β-cyclodextrin (CD) and paclitaxel (PTX)–guest–host inclusion complexes (Fe3O4@β-CD/PTX). Both pristine Fe3O4@β-CD nanopowders and PTX-loaded thin films fabricated by MAPLE technique were investigated. Pristine Fe3O4@β-CD and Fe3O4@β-CD/PTX thin films were physicochemically characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), thermal analysis, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The biocompatibility of bare magnetic nanocomposite thin films was evaluated by MTT cell viability assay on a normal 3T3 osteoblast cell line culture and by measuring the level of NO in the culture medium. No significant modifications, neither in cell viability nor in NO level, could be observed, thereby demonstrating the excellent biocompatibility of the SPIONs thin films. Inverted phase-contrast microscopy showed no evident adverse effect on the morphology of normal osteoblasts. On the other hand, Fe3O4@β-CD/PTX films decreased the cell viability of the MG-63 osteosarcoma cell line by 85%, demonstrating excellent anti-tumor activity. The obtained results recommend these magnetic hybrid films as promising candidates for future delivery, and hyperthermia applications in cancer treatment.
Fast Correction of “Finite Aperture Effect” in Photoacoustic Tomography Based on Spatial Impulse Response
Authors: Luo Xiaofei , Xiao Jiaying , Wang Congcong , Wang Bo
Published: August 2021

Photoacoustic computed tomography (PACT) is a fast-developing imaging technique, which can provide structural and functional information in biological tissues with high-resolution beyond the depth of the optical diffusion limit. However, the most current PACT reconstruction method generally employs a point detector assumption, whereas in most PAT systems with circular or spherical scanning modes, the transducer is mostly flat and with a finite size. This model mismatch leads to a notable deterioration in the lateral direction in regions far from the rotation center, which is known as the “finite aperture effect”. In this work, we propose to compensate a novel Back-projection (BP) method based on the transducer’s spatial impulse response (SIR) for fast correction of the “finite aperture effect”. The SIR accounts for the waveform change of the transducer for an arbitrary point source due to the geometry of the detection surface. Simulation results showed that the proposed SIR-BP method can effectively improve the lateral resolution and signal to noise ratio (SNR) in the off-center regions. For a target 4.5 mm far from the rotation center, this new method improved the lateral resolution about five times along with a 7 dB increase in the SNR. Experimental results also showed that this SIR-BP method can well restore the image angular blur to recover small structures, as demonstrated by the imaging of leaf veins. This new method offers a valuable alternative to the conventional BP method, and can guide the design of PAT systems based on circular/spherical scan.
Antifungal Activity of the Extract of a Macroalgae, Gracilariopsis persica, against Four Plant Pathogenic Fungi
Authors: Pourakbar Latifeh , Moghaddam Sina Siavash , Enshasy Hesham Ali El , Sayyed R. Z.
Published: August 2021

Nowadays, the extract of seaweeds has drawn attention as a rich source of bioactive metabolites. Seaweeds are known for their biologically active compounds whose antibacterial and antifungal activities have been documented. This research aimed to study the profile of phenolic compounds using the HPLC method and determine biologically active compounds using the GC-MS method and the antifungal activity of Gracilariopsis persica against plant pathogenic fungi. G. persica was collected from its natural habitat in Suru of Bandar Abbas, Iran, dried, and extracted by methanol. The quantitative results on phenolic compounds using the HPLC method showed that the most abundant compounds in G. persica were rosmarinic acid (20.9 ± 0.41 mg/kg DW) and quercetin (11.21 ± 0.20 mg/kg DW), and the least abundant was cinnamic acid (1.4 ± 0.10 mg/kg DW). The GC-MS chromatography revealed 50 peaks in the methanolic extract of G. persica, implying 50 compounds. The most abundant components included cholest-5-en-3-ol (3 beta) (27.64%), palmitic acid (17.11%), heptadecane (7.71%), and palmitic acid methyl ester (6.66%). The antifungal activity of different concentrations of the extract was determined in vitro. The results as to the effect of the alga extract at the rates of 200, 400, 600, 800, and 1000 μL on the mycelial growth of four important plant pathogenic fungi, including Botrytis cinerea, Aspergillus niger, Penicillium expansum, and Pyricularia oryzae, revealed that the mycelial growth of all four fungi was lower at higher concentrations of the alga extract. However, the extract concentration of 1000 μL completely inhibited their mycelial growth. The antifungal activity of this alga may be related to the phenolic compounds, e.g., rosmarinic acid and quercetin, as well as compounds such as palmitic acid, oleic acid, and other components identified using the GC-MS method whose antifungal effects have already been confirmed.
Comparative Analysis of Detectors and Feature Descriptors for Multispectral Image Matching in Rice Crops
Authors: Forero Manuel G. , Mambuscay Claudia L. , Monroy María F. , Miranda Sergio L. , Méndez Dehyro , Valencia Milton Orlando , Gomez Selvaraj Michael
Published: August 2021

Precision agriculture has greatly benefited from advances in machine vision and image processing techniques. The use of feature descriptors and detectors allows to find distinctive keypoints in an image and the use of this approach for agronomical applications has become a widespread field of study. By combining near infrared (NIR) images, acquired with a modified Nikon D80 camera, and visible spectrum (VIS) images, acquired with a Nikon D300s, a proper crop identification could be obtained. Still, the use of different sensors brings an image matching challenge due to the difference between cameras and the possible distortions from each imaging technique. The aim of this paper is to compare the performance of several feature descriptors and detectors by comparing near infrared and visual spectral bands in rice crop images. Therefore, a group of 20 different scenes with different cameras and growth stages in a rice crop were evaluated. Thus, red, green, blue (RGB) and L, a, b (CIE L*a*b*) channels were extracted from VIS images in order to compare the matches obtained between each of them and the corresponding NIR image. The BRISK, SURF, SIFT, ORB, KAZE, and AKAZE methods were implemented, which act as descriptors and detectors. Additionally, a combination was made between the FAST algorithm for the detection of keypoints with the BRIEF, BRISK, and FREAK methods for features description. BF and FLANN matching methods were used. The algorithms were implemented in Python using OpenCV library. The green channel presented the highest number of correct matches in all methods. In turn, the method that presented the highest performance both in time and in the number of correct matches was the combination of the FAST feature detector and the BRISK descriptor.
Biosynthesis and Characterization of ZnO Nanoparticles Using Ochradenus arabicus and Their Effect on Growth and Antioxidant Systems of Maerua oblongifolia
Authors: Shaikhaldein Hassan O. , Al-Qurainy Fahad , Khan Salim , Nadeem Mohammad , Tarroum Mohamed , Salih Abdalrhaman M. , Gaafar Abdel-Rhman Zakaria , Alshameri Aref , Alansi Saleh , Alenezi Norah Arrak , Alfarraj Norah S.
Published: August 2021

Zincoxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) are among the most produced and used nanomaterials worldwide, and in recent times these nanoparticles have also been incorporate in plant science and agricultural research. The present study was planned to synthesize ZnO NPs biologically using Ochradenus arabicus leaves and examine their effect on the morphology and physiology properties of Maerua oblongifolia cultured in vitro. ZnO NPs were characterized by UV–visible spectroscopy (UV–vis), X-ray diffractometer (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), and transmission electron microscopy, which demonstrated hexagonal shape nanoparticles of size ranging from 10 to 50 nm. Thus, the study uncovered an efficient, eco-friendly and simple technique for biosynthesis of multifunctional ZnO NPs using Ochradenus arabicus following growth of Maerua oblongifolia shoots in different concentrations of ZnO NPs (0, 1.25, 2.5, 5, 10, or 20 mg L−1) in Murashige and Skoog medium. Remarkable increases in plant biomass, photosynthetic pigments, and total protein were recorded up to a concentration of 5 mg L−1; at the same time, the results demonstrated a significant reduction in lipid peroxidation levels with respect to control. Interestingly, the levels of proline and the antioxidant enzyme catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione reductase (GR) activities were increased significantly in response to all ZnO NP treatments. These findings indicate that bioengineered ZnO NPs play a major role in accumulation of biomass and stimulating the activities of antioxidant enzymes in plant tissues. Thus, green-synthesized ZnO NPs might be of agricultural and medicinal benefit owing to their impacts on plants in vitro.
Designing Materials and Processes for Strong Polyacrylonitrile Precursor Fibers
Authors: Ahn Hyunchul , Yeo Sang Young , Lee Byoung-Sun
Published: August 2021

Although polyacrylonitrile (PAN)-based carbon fibers have been successfully commercialized owing to their excellent material properties, their actual mechanical performance is still much lower than the theoretical values. Meanwhile, there is a growing demand for the use of superior carbon fibers. As such, many studies have been conducted to improve the mechanical performance of carbon fibers. Among the various approaches, designing a strong precursor fiber with a well-developed microstructure and morphology can constitute the most effective strategy to achieve superior performance. In this review, the efforts used to modulate materials, processing, and additives to deliver strong precursor fibers were thoroughly investigated. Our work demonstrates that the design of materials and processes is a fruitful pathway for the enhancement of the mechanical performance of carbon fibers.
Development and Characterization of Biocompatible Membranes from Natural Chitosan and Gelatin for Pervaporative Separation of Water–Isopropanol Mixture
Authors: Kulkarni Akshay S. , Sajjan Ashok M. , Khan T. M. Yunus , Badruddin Irfan Anjum , Kamangar Sarfaraz , Banapurmath Nagaraj R. , Ayachit Narasimha H. , Ashwini M. , Sharanappa A.
Published: August 2021

Natural polymers have attracted a lot of interest in researchers of late as they are environmentally friendly, biocompatible, and possess excellent characters. Membranes forming natural polymers have provided a whole new dimension to the separation technology. In this work, chitosan-gelatin blend membranes were fabricated using chitosan as the base and varying the amount of gelatin. Transport, mechanical, and surface characteristics of the fabricated membranes were examined in detail by means of the characterizing techniques such as Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, differential scanning colorimetry, wide angle X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscope, and thermogravimetric analysis. In order to analyze the water affinity of the developed blend chitosan-gelatin membranes, the percentage degree of swelling was examined. Out of the fabricated membranes, the membrane loaded with 15 mass% of gelatin exhibited the better pervaporation performance with a pervaporation separation index value of 266 at 30 °C for the solution containing 10% in terms of the mass of water, which is the highest among the contemporary membranes. All the fabricated membranes were stable during the pervaporation experiments, and permeation flux of water for the fabricated membranes was dominant in the overall total permeation flux, signifying that the developed membranes could be chosen for efficient separation of water–isopropanol mixture on a larger scale.
Effect of Powder on Tribological and Electrochemical Properties of Nylon 66 and Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene in Water and Seawater Environments
Authors: Xu Wanxing , Yang Tian , Zhan Shengpeng , Jia Dan , Ma Lixin , Ma Saisai , Duan Haitao
Published: August 2021

Polymer materials are used increasingly in marine machinery and equipment; their tribological properties and effect on the water environment have garnered significant attention. We investigate the effect of water or seawater environment containing powder on tribology and electrochemistry of polymer materials. A friction test involving nylon 66 (PA66) and an ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) pin–disc (aluminum alloy) is performed in seawater or water with/without polymer powder, and the solution is analyzed electrochemically. The results show that the tribological properties of the UHMWPE improved by adding the powder to the solution, whereas the PA66 powder demonstrates abrasive wear in a pure water environment, which elucidates that the synergistic effect of powder and seawater on UHMWPE reduces the wear, and the synergistic effect of pure water and powder aggravates the wear. The results of electrochemical experiments show that after adding powder in the friction and wear tests, the powder can protect the pin by forming a physical barrier on the surface and reducing corrosion, and the changes are more obvious in seawater with powder in it. Through electrochemical and tribological experiments, the synergistic effect of solution environment and powder was proved.
Curing Behavior and Thermomechanical Performance of Bioepoxy Resin Synthesized from Vanillyl Alcohol: Effects of the Curing Agent
Authors: Wang Zhenyu , Gnanasekar Pitchaimari , Nair Sandeep Sudhakaran , Yi Songlin , Yan Ning
Published: August 2021

In order to reduce the dependency of resin synthesis on petroleum resources, vanillyl alcohol which is a renewable material that can be produced from lignin has been used to synthesize bioepoxy resin. Although it has been widely reported that the curing reaction and properties of the cured epoxies can be greatly affected by the molecular structure of the curing agents, the exact influence remains unknown for bioepoxies. In this study, four aliphatic amines with different molecular structures and amine functionalities, namely triethylenetetramine (TETA), Tris(2-aminoethyl)amine (TREN), diethylenetriamine (DETA), and ethylenediamine (EDA), were used to cure the synthesized vanillyl alcohol–based bioepoxy resin (VE). The curing reaction of VE and the physicochemical properties, especially the thermomechanical performance of the cured bioepoxies with different amine functionalities, were systematically investigated and compared using different characterization methods, such as DSC, ATR–FTIR, TGA, DMA, and tensile testing, etc. Despite a higher curing temperature needed in the VE–TETA resin system, the cured VE–TETA epoxy showed a better chemical resistance, particularly acidic resistance, as well as a lower swelling ratio than the others. The higher thermal decomposition temperature, storage modulus, and relaxation temperature of VE–TETA epoxy indicated its superior thermal stability and thermomechanical properties. Moreover, the tensile strength of VE cured by TETA was 1.4~2.6 times higher than those of other curing systems. In conclusion, TETA was shown to be the optimum epoxy curing agent for vanillyl alcohol–based bioepoxy resin.
Polysaccharides as Support for Microbial Biomass-Based Adsorbents with Applications in Removal of Heavy Metals and Dyes
Authors: Blaga Alexandra Cristina , Zaharia Carmen , Suteu Daniela
Published: August 2021

The use of biosorbents for the decontamination of industrial effluent (e.g., wastewater treatment) by retaining non-biodegradable pollutants (antibiotics, dyes, and heavy metals) has been investigated in order to develop inexpensive and effective techniques. The exacerbated water pollution crisis is a huge threat to the global economy, especially in association with the rapid development of industry; thus, the sustainable reuse of different treated water resources has become a worldwide necessity. This review investigates the use of different natural (living and non-living) microbial biomass types containing polysaccharides, proteins, and lipids (natural polymers) as biosorbents in free and immobilized forms. Microbial biomass immobilization performed by using polymeric support (i.e., polysaccharides) would ensure the production of efficient biosorbents, with good mechanical resistance and easy separation ability, utilized in different effluents’ depollution. Biomass-based biosorbents, due to their outstanding biosorption abilities and good efficiency for effluent treatment (concentrated or diluted solutions of residuals/contaminants), need to be used in industrial environmental applications, to improve environmental sustainability of the economic activities. This review presents the most recent advances related the main polymers such as polysaccharides and microbial cells used for biosorbents production; a detailed analysis of the biosorption capability of algal, bacterial and fungal biomass; as well as a series of specific applications for retaining metal ions and organic dyes. Even if biosorption offers many advantages, the complexity of operation increased by the presence of multiple pollutants in real wastewater combined with insufficient knowledge on desorption and regeneration capacity of biosorbents (mostly used in laboratory scale) requires more large-scale biosorption experiments in order to adequately choose a type of biomass but also a polymeric support for an efficient treatment process.
Physical-Mechanical Properties of Bamboo Fiber Composites Using Filament Winding
Authors: Zhang Wenfu , Wang Cuicui , Gu Shaohua , Yu Haixia , Cheng Haitao , Wang Ge
Published: August 2021

In order to study the performance of the bamboo fiber composites prepared by filament winding, composites reinforced with jute fiber and glass fiber were used as control samples. The structure and mechanical properties of the composites were investigated by scanning electric microscope (SEM), tensile testing, bending testing, and dynamic mechanical analysis. The results demonstrated that the bamboo fiber composites exhibited lower density (0.974 g/cm3) and mechanical properties in comparison of to fiber composite and glass fiber composite, because the inner tissue structure of bamboo fiber was preserved without resin adsorbed into the cell cavity of fibrous parenchyma. The bamboo fibers in composites were pulled out, while the fibers in the surface of composites were torn, resulting in the lowest mechanical performance of bamboo fiber composites. The glass transition temperature of twisting bamboo fiber Naval Ordnance Laboratory (TBF-NOL) composite (165.89 °C) was the highest in general, which indicated that the TBF circumferential composite had the best plasticizing properties and better elasticity, the reason being that the fiber-reinforced epoxy circumferential composite interface joint is a physical connection, which restricts the movement of the molecular chain of the epoxy matrix, making the composite have a higher storage modulus (6000 MPa). In addition, The TBF-NOL had the least frequency dependence, and the circumferential composite prepared by TBF had the least performance variability. Therefore, the surface and internal structures of the bamboo fiber should be further processed and improved by decreasing the twisting bamboo fiber (TBF) diameter and increasing the specific surface area of the TBF and joint surface between fibers and resin, to improve the comprehensive properties of bamboo fiber composites.
Feasibility and safety of a symptom-based strategy to discontinue infection control precautions for patients hospitalised with COVID-19 – a retrospective study
Authors: Grandmaison Gaël , Baumberger Marine , Pellaud Charlotte , Erard Véronique , Chuard Christian
Published: August 2021

Background: Various recommendations exist concerning the discontinuation of contact and droplet precautions (CDP) for patients hospitalised with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Some are based on repeated negative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) results, whereas other are based on clinical criteria. The feasibility and safety of these recommendations are poorly documented. Method: We conducted a retrospective study to assess the feasibility and safety of a symptom-based strategy to discontinue CDP for patients hospitalised with COVID-19. We reviewed the clinical charts of all symptomatic patients hospitalised in our institution with RT-PCR-confirmed COVID-19 to assess the application of a symptom-based strategy for the implementation and discontinuation of CDP. The patients with discontinuation of CDP in accordance with the symptom-based strategy were cross-referenced with patients with potential hospital-acquired COVID-19 in order to assess the safety of this strategy. Results: Among the 147 patients included in our study, our symptom-based strategy was respected in 95 cases (64.6%). Discontinuation of CDP in accordance with the recommendations occurred in 39 patients (26.5%). After the discontinuation of CDP, patients remained hospitalised for a median time of 18 days, with exposure to a median number of three patients, resulting in a total number of 588 days ‘patient-day-exposition’. No hospital-acquired COVID-19 was detected in contact patients. Discussion: The use of a symptom-based strategy to discontinue CDP is applicable and safe. This symptom-based strategy was applicable regardless of patient’s age or COVID-19 severity.
Power Relations and Sexual Violence on the Campus
Authors: Irianto Sulistyowati
Published: August 2021

Sexual violence on campus is a crime against humanity that is difficult to uncover because of professors’ power relations and domination over students. Power relations also manifest at the structural level so that sexual violence is often dismissed and silenced by the administrators. The campus environment’s hierarchy of status and positions makes sexual crime cases go on for years without any accountability. On the other hand, there are efforts such as the collective action of lecturers across faculties to protect victims from the perpetrators and bring the perpetrators to justice. This study describes the author’s experience in dealing with sexual violence on campus and using a reflexive approach in addressing sexual violence in Indonesia.
The Political Personal Realm in the Draft Law on the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Indonesia
Authors: Tambunsaribu Risna Desimory , Widiantini Ikhaputri
Published: August 2021

This article is using a critical interpretation based on radical feminist theory to analyze the issue of sexual violence against women in Indonesia. Based on data from Komnas Perempuan in 2020, the number of victims of sexual violence is increasing. The root of sexual violence comes from the biological differences between women and men that has been constructed in society. Men are considered to have sexual dominance on women. The existence of sexual politics maintains by the state have taken away women’s authority both in private and public spheres. Using the critical and praxis feminist approach, this article assesses the data research from Komnas Perempuan, especially related to cases of sexual violence. The analysis and criticism of sexual politics in this article also highlights the Draft Law on the Elimination of Sexual Violence. The analysis proves the importance of state involvement in ensuring the lives of Indonesian female citizens, especially concerning protection from sexual violence.
RESEARCH OF THE INFLUENCE OF LEALED TECHNICAL LIGNOSULPHANATES ON THE PHYSICAL-MECHANICAL AND TECHNOLOGICAL PROPERTIES OF LIQUID-GLASS MIXTURES
Authors: Kidalov N. A. , Grigorieva N. V. , Orlova A. V.
Published: August 2021

The paper presents the results of a study of the effect of technical alkalized lignosulfonates on the physicomechanical and technological properties of liquid glass mixtures. As a result of the study, a composition was selected that achieved the lowest residual strength. Using a two-beam scanning electron microscope "Versa 3D", the structure of liquid glass films on a refractory quartz filler is examined with the aim of defects that provide a decrease in residual strength.
Analisis Semiotik Pada Pelaporan Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Saat Pandemi Covid-19 Di Pertamina TBBM Baubau
Authors: Pratiwi Endang Tri
Published: August 2021

The Indonesian Government's efforts in dealing with the Covid-19 outbreak require support from private sector/other institutions with adequate funding capacity. One of the BUMNs that actively contributed to the handling of the outbreak was PT. Pertamina. This study aims to determine the semiotic analysis of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) reporting during the Covid-19 pandemic at Pertamina TBBM Baubau. The population were all of Pertamina TBBM Baubau CSR reports, while the sample was Pertamina TBBM Baubau CSR reporting during the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020. Data collection methods were through interviews, documentation, and literature study. The data analysis used is semiotic analysis through a descriptive analytic approach in accordance with the meaning of symbols, words and sentences in the sustainability reporting of Pertamina TBBM Baubau. The results showed that there were four CSR programs that were fully transferred to the handling of Covid-19 at Baubau City in 2020. This condition is a synergy between the Government and managers for efforts to handle Covid-19 through the distribution of CSR funds.
Blockchain-Based Secure Credit Card Storage System for E-Commerce
Authors: SÜZEN Ahmet Ali , DUMAN Burhan
Published: August 2021

Recently, serious damages have occurred in e-commerce applications due to rapidly increasing data leaks and end-user vulnerabilities. Although the source of the vulnerabilities is different, attacks result in the theft of unsafe data. In particular, the theft of credit card information reveals a financial loss. In this study, a blockchain-based secure storage model has been developed in order to prevent the theft of credit card information in e-commerce applications as a result of a possible data leak. In the sample e-commerce application developed with ASP.NET, data other than credit cards are stored. Credit card data is transmitted to the blockchain over the API with SSL protection in the e-commerce application. The blockchain model was developed using MongoDB with the BigchainDB framework. The data in each block of the blockchain is encrypted with Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) 256 bits. The data integrity of the block is provided by the SHA256 algorithm. it is aimed to protect credit card data from a possible data leak with the proposed BigchainDB-based blockchain model.
A Curve Fitting Modelling Approach to Forecast Long-Term Electrical Energy Consumption: Case Study of Turkey
Authors: KASULE Abdal , ŞEKER Selim , AYAN Kürşat
Published: August 2021

For Turkey to achieve the targets of Vision 2023 of being in the top ten economies of the world, the eleventh National Development Plan (NDP11) focuses on ensuring uninterrupted, high-quality, sustainable, reliable and affordable energy supply. In this regard medium- and long-term energy supply-demand planning is regarded as a key input to the planning process. Medium and long-term planning is possible only when reliable forecasts are available. Using Turkey’s electrical energy consumption data from 1970 to 2015, this study presents novel Gaussian, Fourier and Exponential curve fitting and extrapolation approaches to forecast Turkey’s electrical energy consumption up to the year 2025. Major interest is put on how the model forecasts electrical energy consumption for year 2023 because this year marks a century of the establishment of the Republic of Turkey and all strategic plans are focused on how to achieve the targets as outline in Vision 2023. We evaluate the performance of the models on how best they forecast electrical energy consumption for the year 2023. Our forecasts for the year 2023 are 352.7TWh, 377.4 TWh, and 460.1TWh for the Gaussian, Fourier and Exponential models respectively which compare well with NDP11’s estimated 375.8 TWh electrical energy consumption in 2023.
ON THE INVASION OF THE GENUS MARENZELLERIA (POLYCHAETA, SPIONIDAE) REPRESENTATIVES INTO THE CASPIAN SEA BASIN
Authors: Mikhailova A. V. , Popova E. V. , Shipulin S. V. , Maximov A. A. , Plotnikov I. S. , Aladin N. V.
Published: August 2021

In 2018, in the bottom fauna of the Caspian Sea, single specimens of a previously unknown species of polyhaetes were discovered. Since 2019, pelagic larvae of this species have been recorded in zooplankton samples. These worms are also found in the nutrition of migratory and semi-migratory fish species. According to morphological features, this polychaete species is identified as Marenzelleria arctia , an Arctic species dominating in the Gulf of Finland and probably invaded the Caspian along the Volga-Caspian invasion corridor.
THE FIRST RECORD OF ALIEN SPECIES LIMNODRILUS MAUMEENSIS BRINKHURST ET COOK, 1966 (OLIGOCHAETA, TUBIFICIDAE) FROM RUSSIA
Authors: Prokin A. A. , Potyutko O. M.
Published: August 2021

Nearctic species Limnodrilus maumeensis Brinkhurst et Cook, 1966 (Oligochaeta, Tubificidae) recorded from Russia for the first time from the Don River near Rostov-on-Don. Variations of penis sheath of sexually mature specimens are measured and illustrated by photographs. Data on macrozoobenthos community in the sampling site are provided, including species composition, number and biomass of the species.