bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Biological pretreatment of wheat straw: Effect of fungal culturing on enzymatic hydrolysis of carbohydrate polymers
Authors: Knežević Aleksandar , Đokić Ivana , Tosti Tomislav , Popović Slađana , Milojković-Opsenica Dušanka , Vukojević Jelena
Published: February 2021

The aim of the study was comparative analysis of degradation of wheat straw lignin by white-rot fungi and its implications on the efficiency of enzymatic hydrolysis of holocellulose. Cyclocybe cylindracea, Ganoderma resinaceum, Irpex lacteus, Pleurotus ostreatus and Trametes versicolor were the species studied. Peroxidases were predominantly responsible for lignin degradation even though high laccase activities were detected, except in the case of Irpex lacteus where laccase activity was not detected. Studied fungal species showed various ability to degrade lignin in wheat straw which further affected release of reducing sugars during enzymatic saccharification. The highest rate of lignin degradation was noticed in sample pretreated with Irpex lacteus (50.9 ± 4.1%). Among all tested species only Ganoderma resinaceum was suitable lignin degrader with the 2-fold higher hydrolysis yield (51.1 ± 4.7%) than in the control, and could have significant biotechnological application due to lower cellulose loss. A key mechanism of carbohydrate component convertibility enhancement was lignin removal in the biomass. Long time consumption, the low sugar yields and unpredictable fungal response still remain the challenge of the fungal pretreatment process.
Diverse recruitment to a globally structured atmospheric microbiome
Authors: Archer Stephen , Lee Kevin , Caruso Tancredi , Leung Marcus , Tong Xinzhao , Hinchliffe Graham , Maki Teruya , Santl-Temkiv Tina , Warren-Rhodes Kimberley , Gomez-Silva Benito , Hyde Kevin , Liu Celine , Alcamí Antonio , Al-Mailem Dina , Araya Jonathan , Cary Stephen , Cowan Don , Dempsey Jessica , Etchebehere Claudia , Gantsetseg Batdelger , Hartery Sean , Harvey Mike , Hayakawa Kazuichi , Hogg Ian , Inoue Mutsoe , Kansour Mayada , Lawrence Tim , Lee Charles , Leopold Mathius , McKay Christopher , Nagao Seiya , Poh Yan Hong , Ramond Jean-Baptiste , Rastrojo Alberto , Sekiguchi Toshio , Sim Joo Huang , Stahm William , Sun Henry , Tang Ning , Vandenbrink Bryan , Walther Craig , Lee Patrick , Pointing Stephen Brian
Published: February 2021

Atmospheric transport is critical to dispersal of microorganisms between habitats and this underpins resilience in terrestrial and marine ecosystems globally 1,2. Conventional dogma that this is a neutral process involving ubiquitous distribution in air has been challenged by recent advances 3–5. However, the lack of standardized methods and analytical frameworks have impeded synthesis and global perspective. A key unresolved question is whether microorganisms assemble to form a taxonomically distinct, geographically variable and functionally adapted atmospheric microbiome. Here we characterized global-scale patterns of microbial taxonomic and functional diversity in air within and above the atmospheric boundary layer and in underlying soils. Bacterial and fungal assemblages in air were taxonomically structured and deviated significantly from purely stochastic assembly processes. Fungi dominated above tropical, temperate and continental biomes whilst bacteria did so above oceans and drylands. At high altitudes bacterial diversity declined but fungal diversity was greatest. Source-tracking indicated a complex recruitment process involving local soils plus globally distributed inputs from drylands and the phyllosphere. Assemblages displayed stress-response and metabolic traits relevant to survival in air, and taxonomic and functional diversity were correlated with macroclimate and atmospheric variables. Our findings highlight a structured global atmospheric microbiome that is central to understanding regional and global ecosystem connectivity.
Daily Light Integral Influences Rooting of Herbaceous Stem-tip Culinary Herb Cuttings
Authors: Kohler Annika E. , Lopez Roberto G.
Published: February 2021

Domestic production of culinary herbs continues to increase in the United States. Culinary herbs are primarily propagated by seed; however, some herbs have poor germination rates and slow growth. Thus, there are advantages of propagating herbs by vegetative stem-tip cuttings as they lead to true-to-type plants and a shortened production time. Previous research of ornamental young plants and finished culinary herbs have shown a reduction in rooting time and increases in plant quality with increases in the photosynthetic daily light integral (DLI). To our knowledge, little to no research has addressed how the DLI influences culinary herb liner quality. Therefore, the objectives of this study were to quantify morphological traits of five economically important culinary herbs when grown under DLIs ranging from 2.8 to 16.4 mol·m−2·d−1. Stem-tip cuttings of Greek oregano (Origanum vulgare var. hirtum), rosemary ‘Arp’ (Rosmarinus officinalis), sage ‘Extrakta’ (Salvia officinalis), spearmint ‘Spanish’ (Mentha spicata), and thyme ‘German Winter’ (Thymus vulgaris) were excised from stock plants and rooted under no shade or aluminum shading of 36%, 56%, or 76% to create a range of DLI treatments. After 9 days (spearmint) or 16 days (all other genera) of DLI treatments, the root, shoot, and total dry mass of all culinary herb liners generally increased by 105% to 449%, 52% to 142%, and 82% to 170%, respectively, as the DLI increased from 2.8 to 16.4 mol·m−2·d−1 or genus-specific DLI optimums. Stem length of oregano, spearmint, and thyme decreased by 37%, 28%, and 27%, respectively, as the DLI increased from 2.8 to 16.4 mol·m−2·d−1. However, stem length of rosemary and sage were unaffected by the DLI. The quality index of all genera was greatest at DLIs from 10.4 to 16.4 mol·m−2·d−1. Furthermore, all culinary herbs grown under a DLI of ≤6 mol·m−2·d−1 had low root and shoot dry mass accumulation; and oregano, spearmint, and thyme were generally taller. Therefore, DLIs between 10 to 12 mol·m−2·d−1 should be maintained during culinary herb propagation, because a DLI ≥16 mol·m−2·d−1 may be deleterious and energy inefficient if supplemental lighting use is increased.
QTL Mapping of Cucurbit yellow stunting disorder virus Resistance in Melon Accession PI 313970
Authors: Tamang Prabin , Ando Kaori , Wintermantel William M. , McCreight James D.
Published: February 2021

Cucurbit yellow stunting disorder virus (CYSDV) is a devastating viral disease of melon that can cause significant yield and quality losses. This disease has recently emerged as a major concern in the southwest United States and major melon-growing regions across the world. Coinfection of melon by Cucurbit chlorotic yellows virus (CCYV) was recognized in Imperial Valley and neighboring production areas of California and Arizona in 2018, but its importance remains largely unknown. Identifying and deploying CYSDV resistance from elite germplasm is an economical and effective way to manage the disease. A F2:3 population was developed from a cross of susceptible ‘Top Mark’ with CYSDV-resistant PI 313970, which was shown to possess a single recessive gene for resistance to CYSDV. The F2:3 population was phenotyped in the field in response to natural, mixed infections by the two viruses, CYSDV and CCYV in the Fall melon seasons of 2018 and 2019. Phenotypic data (foliar yellowing) from both years were not useful for mapping CYSDV resistance quantitative trait loci (QTL), as PI 313970 and CYSDV-resistant F2:3 plants exhibited yellowing symptoms from CCYV coinfection. QTL analysis of the relative titer of CYSDV calculated from reverse transcriptase quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) data identified one locus on chromosome 3 at the physical location of S5-28,571,859 bp that explained 20% of virus titer variation in 2018 but was undetected in 2019. A locus on chromosome 5 between S5-20,880,639 to S5-22,217,535 bp explained 16% and 35% of the variation in CYSDV titer in 2018 and 2019, respectively. One or both of the markers were present in six of 10 putative melon CYSDV resistance sources. Markers flanking the 2019 QTL were developed and can be used in marker-assisted breeding of CYSDV-resistant melons.
Structure of basaltic glass at pressures up to 18 GPa
Authors: Ohashi Tomonori , Sakamaki Tatsuya , Funakoshi Ken-ichi , Hattori Takanori , Hisano Naoki , Abe Jun , Suzuki Akio
Published: February 2021

The structures of cold-compressed basaltic glass were investigated at pressures up to 18 GPa using in situ X-ray and neutron diffraction techniques to understand the physicochemical properties of deep magmas. On compression, basaltic glass changes its compression behavior: the mean O-O coordination number (CNOO) starts to rise while maintaining the mean O-O distance (rOO) above about 2–4 GPa, and then CNOO stops increasing, and rOO begins to shrink along with the increase in the mean coordination number of Al (CNAlO) above ~9 GPa. The change around 9 GPa is interpreted by the change in contraction mechanism from bending tetrahedral networks of glass to increasing oxygen packing ratio via the increase in CNAlO. The analysis of the oxygen packing fraction (ηO) under high pressure reveals that ηO exceeds the value for dense random packing, suggesting that the oxygen-packing hypothesis recently proposed cannot account for pressure-induced structural transformations of silica and silicate glasses. The rise of the CNOO at 2–4 GPa reflects the elastic softening of fourfold-coordinated silicate glass, which may be the origin of anomalies of elastic moduli in basaltic glass at ~2 GPa previously reported by Liu and Lin (2014).

The widths of both the first sharp diffraction peak and the principal peak show contrastive compression behaviors between modified silicate and silica glasses. This result suggests that modified silicate glasses represent different pressure evolutions in the intermediate- and extended-range order structures from those of silica glass, likely due to the presence of modifier cations and the resultant formations of smaller rings and cavity volume.
The Holographic Nature of Null Infinity
Authors: Laddha Alok , Prabhu Siddharth , Raju Suvrat , Shrivastava Pushkal
Published: February 2021

We argue that, in a theory of quantum gravity in a four dimensional asymptotically flat spacetime, all information about massless excitations can be obtained from an infinitesimal neighbourhood of the past boundary of future null infinity and does not require observations over all of future null infinity. Moreover, all information about the state that can be obtained through observations near a cut of future null infinity can also be obtained from observations near any earlier cut although the converse is not true. We provide independent arguments for these two assertions.
Similar statements hold for past null infinity. These statements have immediate implications for the information paradox since they suggest that the fine-grained von Neumann entropy of the state defined on a segment (-infty,u) of future null infinity is independent of u. This is very different from the oft-discussed Page curve that this entropy is sometimes expected to obey.
We contrast our results with recent discussions of the Page curve in the context of black hole evaporation, and also discuss the relation of our results to other proposals for holography in flat space.
A study of collider signatures for two Higgs doublet models with a Pseudoscalar mediator to Dark Matter
Authors: Butterworth Jonathan , Habedank Martin , Pani Priscilla , Vaitkus Andrius
Published: February 2021

Two Higgs doublet models with an additional pseudoscalar particle coupling to the Standard Model and
to a new stable, neutral particle, provide an attractive and fairly minimal route to solving the problem
of Dark Matter. They have been the subject of several searches at the LHC.
We study the impact of existing LHC measurements on such models, first in the benchmark regions addressed by searches
and then after relaxing some of their assumptions and broadening the parameter ranges considered.
In each case we study how the new parameters change the potentially visible signatures at the LHC, and identify
which of these signatures should already have had a significant impact on existing measurements.
This allows us to set some first constraints on a number of so far unstudied scenarios.
Öğrenme Güçlüğü Olan Ortaokul Öğrencilerine Uygulanan Matematik Problemi Çözme Müdahaleleri: Kapsamlı Alanyazın İncelenmesi
Authors: ÖZKUBAT Ufuk , KARABULUT Alpaslan , SERT Cihan
Published: February 2021

Giriş: Öğrenme güçlüğü olan öğrencilere yönelik matematik problemi çözme müdahaleleri içeren çalışmaların incelenmesi, bu öğrencilere destek sağlayacak uygulamaların belirlenmesi için önemli görülmektedir. Ayrıca müdahale çalışmalarının yöntemsel olarak belirli kalite standartları çerçevesinde değerlendirilmesi, uygulamaların yinelenebilirliği ve sonuçların güvenirliği hakkında bilgi sağlamaktadır. Bu araştırmada, a) son 20 yılda, ortaokul düzeyinde bulunan öğrenme güçlüğü olan öğrencilere yönelik uygulanan matematik problemi çözme müdahalelerinin derlenmesi, b) bu araştırmaların özelliklerinin betimsel olarak listelenmesi ve c) bu araştırmaların kalite göstergeleri açısından incelenmesi amaçlanmaktadır.Yöntem: Elektronik veri tabanları, dergi indeksleri ve araştırma referansları temel alınarak kapsamlı bir tarama gerçekleştirilmiştir. Katılımcı makalelerin bu araştırmaya dahil edilmesine ve dışlanmasına ilişkin bazı temel seçim ölçütleri doğrultusunda toplam 9 makale; betimsel analiz ve kalite göstergeleri bağlamında incelenmiştir. Araştırmaların; betimsel analizi yapılarak özellikleri ortaya konulmuş, tek denekli deneysel desenlerin kullanıldığı araştırmalar için belirlenen kalite göstergeleri doğrultusunda incelenerek kalite düzeyleri belirlenmiştir.Bulgular: Bu araştırmada incelenen çalışmaların görsel grafiklerinin ve yazılı bulgularının incelenmesi sonucunda, çeşitli problem çözme öğretim müdahalelerinin (doğrudan öğretim, somut-yarı somut-soyut stratejisi, şema temelli yaklaşım, öz düzenleme stratejisi ve ipucu kartları, STAR stratejisi, açık anlatım, LAP stratejisi, görsel stratejiler, Solve It! ve SOLVE stratejisi) problem çözme becerilerinin kazanımında etkili olduğu belirlenmiştir. Çalışmalar kalite göstergeleri açısından genel olarak değerlendirildiğinde, temel kalite göstergelerinin başlama düzeyi, deneysel kontrol/iç geçerlik ve dış geçerlik bileşenlerinde tüm çalışmalar belirlenen ölçütleri karşılamaktadır. Diğer bileşenler için %44 ile %78 arasında değişen orandaki çalışmanın, belirlenen ölçütleri karşıladığı görülmüştür. Sadece bir çalışmanın kalite göstergelerinin tümünü karşıladığı görülmüştür.Tartışma: Araştırma bulguları, ilgili alanyazın ve teorik görüşler çerçevesinde tartışılmıştır. Öğretmenlere, uygulamaya ve alanda çalışan araştırmacılara ileride yapılacak araştırmalara yönelik önerilerde bulunulmuştur. Bu doğrultuda, öğrenme güçlüğü olan öğrenciler ile çalışan uzmanların, problem çözme aşamaları, şematik düzenleyiciler, bilişsel ve üstbilişsel stratejiler ile sesli düşünme teknikleri gibi öğrencilerin başarılı bir şekilde problem çözümünü kolaylaştıracak stratejileri içeren müdahale programları oluşturması gerektiği belirtilmiştir.
GÊNERO Cryptostegia: FITOQUÍMICA, ATIVIDADES BIOLÓGICAS E APLICAÇÕES INDUSTRIAIS
Authors: Morais Selene , Pinheiro Hamanda , Rebouças-Filho José , Cavalcante Gessica , Bonilla Oriel
Published: February 2021

CRYPTOSTEGIA GENUS: PHYTOCHEMISTRY, BIOLOGIAL ACTIVITIES AND INDUSTRIAL APPLICATIONS. The genus Cryptostegia comprises two species, C. madagascariensis (Bojer) and C. grandiflora (Roxb. Ex R. Br) that belong to the Apocynaceae family and are widely distributed in the tropics, as in Australia, New Zealand, India and Brazil, where they cause great socioeconomic and environmental damage, as they are invaders causing damage, mainly in the cultivation of carnaúba, a native plant of great importance in the wax and derivatives industry in Northeast Brazil. Both are perennial shrubs, native to the island of Madagascar, have abundant latex and are known as rubber vine. The plants have the potential for pharmacological, biological and industrial applications. This is due to a rich source of chemical compounds (proteins, phenols, flavonoids, steroids, triterpenoids, cardiac glycosides, etc.) resulting from primary and secondary metabolism. The plants of the Cryptostegia genus showed many activities against bacteria, fungi, insects, Ae. aegypti larvae, Shistosoma sp., as well as for human health as analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and antitumoral, and for industrial purposes acting as fibrinogenolytic, hydrolytic, anticorrosive, coagulant and depilatory for leather. Nevertheless, the toxicity is a limitation for the plant use then in order to stand out the economic potential a detailed research on toxicity and management of growing conditions is necessary.
COMPOSIÇÃO QUÍMICA E ATIVIDADES FOTOPROTETORA E ANTIRADICALAR IN VITRO DOS GALHOS DE Platonia insignis (CLUSIACEAE)
Authors: Silva Andréia , Moreira Rodrigo , Sousa Renato , Filho Evaldo , Veras Marcia , Chaves Mariana , Freitas Sâmya
Published: February 2021

CHEMICAL COMPOSITION AND PHOTOPROTECTIVE AND ANTIRADICAL ACTIVITIES OF THE BRANCHES OF Platonia insignis (CLUSIACEAE). The chemical study of the branches of Platonia insignis enabled the isolation of the biflavonoid morelloflavone and the identification, by mass spectrometry, of over 14 polyphenols, including seven biflavonoids and three derivatives, two benzophenones, and one xanthone. The in vitro biological tests of solar photoprotection and antiradical activities against the crude extract and Hex and AcOEt fractions showed relevant results, which confirm the high pharmaceutical potential of the species.
The Сonsumption Level in the Impoverished Center of Russia and the Causes of the Russian Revolution
Authors:   Institute of History and Archeology of the Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Nefedov S. A.
Published: February 2021

The article shows that the general dynamics of consumption was oscillatory in nature and there were significant provincial differences. Two methods are used to identify these differences. The first method is based on a direct calculation of the grain remaining in the provinces by taking into account the crop, import and export. The second method is based on anthropometry data, on data on the growth of recruits in various provinces. This second method allows you to determine the dynamics of the standard of living in various provinces in the half-century before the revolution as well. Both methods indicate the existence of a large area of low consumption in the Central Black Earth region, and the standard of living in this area has a downward trend. These results are consistent with the findings of the 1901 Commission, which characterized the region as an “area of impoverishment”. Correlation analysis shows that “impoverishment” was due to the fact that in the first half of the 19th century this region had the largest percentage of serfs; it was an area of distribution of corvée latifundia. During the liberation, serfs received small allotments, which decreased with population growth. At the same time, the remaining large landowners exported their bread to other regions and outside the country. The combination of peasant low land and export-oriented large farms led to agrarian conflicts. Here was the epicenter of peasant uprisings in 1905 and 1917, and these provinces became Bolshevik “fortresses” during the Civil War.
Leningrad City Health Department and Leningrad Front Military Sanitary Department: Problems of Interaction in 1941–1942
Authors:   St. Petersburg State University, Tverdyukova E. D.
Published: February 2021

The article covers the problems of relations between the Leningrad City Health Department and the Military Sanitary Department of the Leningrad Front in 1941–1942. The medical institutions of the Front Evacuation Point were located within city limits due to the unfavorable combat situation. This led to conflicts between military and civilian medical agencies, both at the stage of medical support of military mobilization and deployment of a network of evacuation hospitals in the first months of the war and later. The lack of clarity on subordination, rights, and obligations had a negative impact on the deployment and ongoing activities of evacuation hospitals, the conduct of anti-epidemic measures, and personnel policies. This could undermine the combat capacity of the troops and, ultimately, threatened Leningrad. However, attempts to redistribute powers between civilian and military medical institutions were not motivated by personal self-interest of their leaders, but by the interests of the service personnel. Most likely, personal responsibility for implementing instructions of parent bodies forced them to concentrate all control in their hands to use resources promptly to avoid lengthy inter-agency coordination. Despite difficult relations and differences, the health care system of blockaded Leningrad was able to solve its main task: to ensure the sanitary and epidemiological well-being of troops and the population and to restore combat losses of the army units defending the city.
“Pure Nonsense!” War Minister A. N. Kuropatkin about the Proceedings of Japanese Nationalists
Authors:   Institute of History, Archaeology and Ethnography of the Peoples of the Far East, Far-Eastern Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Avilov R. S.
Published: February 2021

This article based on a large body of unpublished documents from the Russian State Military Historical Archive (RSMHA). The author analyzes the history of the acquaintance Russian Minister of War A. N. Kuropatkin with publications by the Japanese ultra-nationalist society Kokuryūkai in 1901. Despite weaknesses of Russian intelligence in the Far East before the Russo-Japanese War, the service was been able to obtain a highly valued materials, such as the second volume of Bulletin of Amur River Society. An analysis of this publication reveals that the authors and the journals founder, Uchida Ryōhei, had a high level of knowledge about Russian society. The Japanese discovered all the weak spots of Imperial governance, finance, economy, educational system, and domestic and foreign policies of the Russian Empire. The article shows how the Minister of War read a translation of Japanese edition and noted the authors’ conclusions. We conclude that the Japanese state was able to organize these investigations of Russia using materials from nationalist organizations that sometimes took different positions from those of the Russian government, in Russian. In contrast, Russian officials were not able to do a normal analysis of observations from official channels, And Kuropatkin often did not understand the value of such materials that were passed on to him.
Communist Party of Bolsheviks as a Soviet Social Elevator in the Context of the New Economic Policy
Authors:   Institute of History, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Morozova T. I. , Shishkin V. I. ,   Institute of History, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences,   Novosibirsk State University
Published: February 2021

The authors analyze and interpret the processes that occurred during the New Economic Policy (NEP) period in the Russian Communist Party (bolsheviks) (RCP(b)) — All-Union Communist Party (bolsheviks) (AUCP(b)) as a “social elevator” from the standpoint of the theory of social mobility. The article takes into account the achievements of national historiography and is based on a wide range of published and unpublished sources. The authors reveal conditions that the party leadership imposed on those who wanted to “enter” the elevator; the number and social composition of replacements; the mechanisms, instruments, and procedures used to carry out movements between floors, as well as the volume of these movements; the transformation of the party as a social elevator; and its impact on mobility in Soviet society. The authors conclude that, thanks to the mass recruitment of workers, the height of the party pyramid quickly increased, and its structure and profile became more complex, which increased the potential for internal mobility. The forced promotion of young Communists into leading party bodies and the expansion of the number of party committees artificially caused upward intra-party mobility and the formation of a new generation of middle-level elites. The use of the nomenklatura system for appointing to the upper floors of the party hierarchy completed the process of rebuilding the RCP(b) — AUCP(b) as a social elevator controlled by Stalin’s Central Committee. As a result, by the end of NEP, the party’s influence social stratification in Soviet society became decisive.
Memory Policy and Historical Science: Scientific Results of the Year Dedicated to the Centenary of the Republic of Bashkortostan
Authors:   Bashkir State University, Frolova I. V. , Urazova A. I. ,   Bashkir State University
Published: February 2021

The article explores the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Republic of Bashkortostan in the context of the politics of memory and historical science. The major scientific events dedicated to the anniversary are analyzed. The authors turn to an analysis of the ideology and content of the International Scientific Forum “Unity. Citizenship. Patriotism”, which was held on March 22–23, 2019 in Ufa. Within its framework several topics were discussed: features of the legal status of the Bashkir people in historical retrospective; the Soviet project as an experience of nation-state building; the role of industrial modernization for the fate of the peoples of the USSR; spiritual and cultural development of the peoples of Russia in the 20th century; Bashkortostan in Russian military history in the 20th century; socio-economic realities and development prospects of Bashkortostan at the turn of the millennium; and national policy as a tool to strengthen common identity in the Republic of Bashkortostan. Next, the concept of the Russian nationwide Scientific and Practical Conference “Republic of Bashkortostan: History and Present”, held on October 9–10, 2019, is considered. The aim of the conference was to comprehend the issues of the historical development of Bashkortostan, to study the centuries-old experience of its development as a republic, and to analyze the modern development of our region.
Europe and Russia in the post-coronavirus world
Authors:   National Research University Higher School of Economics, Bordachev Timofei
Published: February 2021

The article analyzes the interaction between central phenomena of the science of international relations such as the balance of power and international institutions on the example of the development of the European Union (EU) and Russia-EU relations in a changing global context, which was catalyzed by the coronavirus pandemic in 2020. The change in the balance of power and its significance in the development of institutions of cooperation at the regional and global levels leads, in the author’s opinion, to the necessity to reassess the possibilities of institutional interaction and the stability of institutions as such. After the end of the Cold War, relations between Russia and the EU developed, within the framework of the author’s main theoretical paradigm, as part of attempts to include Russia in the balance of power underlying European integration. Current trends point to a relative decrease of the importance of this problem in the context of realizing the main interests of Russia and the leading EU states, which in the long term may allow them to move towards a more stable common European order. The new order would be less dependent on the actual bilateral relations between Russia and the European Union, but more dependent on the interests of both actors in a wide global environment.
Brzezinski and Mackinder theories: Role and influence on the political construction of Eurasia
Authors:   Institute for Global International Relations, Aoyama Gakuin University, Singh Akanksha
Published: February 2021

International relations theories act as the guiding lantern to provide a simple yet powerful description of international phenomena such as war, expansionism, alliances and cooperation. Thus, the primary objective of this article is to analyze international relations theories, their roles and influence on global politics hereby bridging the gap between the abstract world of theory and the real world of policy. The article utilizes the Grand Chess Board and Heartland theories on the regional geopolitical processes in Eurasia. The core argument of the article is that theoretical perception creates regional identities, and states use these emerged identities to influence geopolitical traditions. The Grand Chess Board theory of Brzezinski states that in order to sustain its position as a global hegemon, the US needs to control and manage Eurasia. Moreover, this article analyses American foreign policy in Eurasia under the umbrella of the Grand Chess Board theory. The Chinese strategy towards Eurasia through the prism of Mackinder’s Heartland theory is also explored. By analyzing initiatives such as One Belt One Road (OBOR), the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and the energy push in Central Asia, this article can serve as an examination into the Chinese taking up the mantle of the heartland to emerge as the land power of the 21st century
Physicochemical assessment of urban wastewater of Cotonou (Benin)
Authors: Daouda Mohamed M. Arêmou , Hounkpè S. Peace , Djihouessi M. Belfrid , Akowanou A. V. Onesime , Aïna Martin Pépin , Drogui Patrick
Published: February 2021

The present study aims to fill the data gap analysis in urban wastewaters characteristics in Benin and its statistical analysis. Physicochemical parameters such as pH, electrical conductivity (EC), Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD5), Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen (TKN), Total Phosphorus (TP) and UV Absorbance at 254 nm, were determined on domestic (greywater and blackwater) and industrial (hospital, pharmaceutical and commercial laundry) wastewater in Cotonou city. Analysis of variance showed a strong significant difference in the physico-chemistry of the various effluents. The pharmaceutical wastewater has the highest concentration of organic pollution (COD = 5,912 ± 1,026 mg/L, Abs.UV254 = 2.667 ± 0.327 cm−1). The organic load of blackwater is mainly in particulate and biodegradable form. Besides, the correlation study showed the limits of pH and EC as an indicator of organic load. Furthermore, the choice of COD or BOD5 as the main design parameter would be limited to blackwater treatment. Abs.UV254 was found to be the parameter having a strong relationship with other parameters of all effluents except blackwater. It then takes priority over COD for the treatment of greywater and industrial wastewater. For future wastewater treatment plant design, we recommend to consider Abs.UV254 as an important parameter.
A Nanoinformatics Approach to Evaluate the Pharmacological Properties
of Nanoparticles for the Treatment of Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Nawaz Muhammad Zohaib , Attique Syed Awais , Qurat-ul-Ain  , Alshammari Fahdah Ayed , Alhamdi Heba Waheeb , Alghamdi Huda Ahmed , Yan Wei
Published: February 2021

Background:

Alzheimer’s disease is a nervous system destructive disease which causes structural, biochemical and electrical abnormalities inside the human brain and results due to genetic and various environmental factors. Traditional therapeutic agents of Alzheimer’s disease such as tacrine and physostigmine has been found causing adverse effects to the nervous system and gastrointestinal tract. Nanomaterials like graphene, metals, carbon-nanotubes and metal-oxides are gaining attention as potential drugs against Alzheimer’s disease due to their properties such as large surface area which provides clinical efficiency, targeted drug designing and delivery.

Objectives:

Designing new drugs by using experimental approaches are time-consuming, tedious and laborious processes which also require advanced technologies. This study aims to identify the novel drug candidates against Alzheimer’s disease with no or less associated side effects using molecular docking approaches.

Methods:

In this study, we utilized nanoinformatics based approaches for evaluating the interaction properties of various nanomaterials and metal nanoparticles with the drug targets including TRKB kinase domain, EphA4 and histone deacetylase. Furthermore, drug-likeness of carbon nanotubes was confirmed through ADME analysis.

Results:

Carbon nanotubes, either single or double-walled in all the three-configuration including zigzag, chiral, and armchair forms are found to interact with the target receptors with varying affinities.

Conclusion:

This study provides a novel and clearer insights into the interaction properties and drug suitability of known putative nanoparticles as potential agents for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease.
The Therapeutic Effects of Dihydroartemisinin on Cisplatin-Resistant
Gastric Cancer Cells
Authors: Zhang Suyun , Feng Rui , Yuan Fang , Luo Qiong , Chen Xiangqi , Li Nan , Yang Sheng
Published: February 2021

Background:

Dihydroartemisinin (DHA) exhibited anti-tumor effect in a variety of cancer
cells, but its mechanism of action is unclear.

Objective:

To investigate the therapeutic effects of DHA on Cisplatin (DDP)-resistant gastric cancer
cell strain SGC7901/DDP and the possible molecular mechanism.

Methods:

Cells were treated with DHA in a dose- and time-dependent manner, after which their proliferation,
apoptosis, invasion, and migration abilities were evaluated. We further evaluated autophagy
with mRFP-GFP-LC3 adenovirus transfection and transmission electron microscopy and also detected
the expression levels of proteins (related to autophagy and apoptosis) via western blot. Meanwhile, the
influence of DHA on cisplatin resistance was detected through a sensitization test and the evaluation of
P-gp expression levels.

Results:

DHA effectively inhibited the proliferation, invasion, and migration of SGC7901/DDP cells
and induced cell apoptosis which was accompanied by caspase-8/9/3 activation. Furthermore, exposure
to DHA resulted in a pronounced increase in autophagy proteins, including Beclin-1 and LC3 II with
PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway inhibition. Additionally, enhancement of cisplatin sensitivity occurred in
SGC7901/DDP cells treated with DHA, which was accompanied by P-gp downregulation.

Conclusion:

DHA exerts an anti-cancer effect on SGC7901/DDP cells and the mechanisms possibly
include enhancement of autophagy via PI3K/AKT/mTOR inhibition, inducement of apoptosis through
caspase-dependent and mitochondrial pathway, and enhancement of cisplatin sensitivity through P-gp
inhibition.
A Comprehensive Review of Garcinia pedunculata Roxb. and its Therapeutic
Potential
Authors: Bhattacharjee Swarnali , Devi Rajlakshmi
Published: February 2021

Garcinia pedunculata Roxb.(GP) belongs to the family of Clusiaceae and is an evergreen
tree that grows in semi-wild conditions and is widely distributed throughout the Northeastern part of
India. Traditionally, this plant is believed to be of immense medicinal importance and is used for the
treatment of various ailments. In Assam, the acidic fruit of GP is effectively used in folklore medicine
to treat gastrointestinal disorders and is an integral part of ethnic Assamese cuisine. The ripe fruit,
seldom consumed fresh or raw, is cut into thin slices, sun-dried for preservation as it is believed that
the medicinal property of the fruit increases as it ages. With much traditional claims and beliefs regarding
the medicinal properties of this plant, many therapeutic potentials of GP have been explored
through research till now, including its antioxidant, antibacterial, antifungal, anthelmintic, hypolipidemic,
antidiabetic, hepatoprotective, neuroprotective, and nephroprotective properties. Moreover,
the presence of polyphenols, flavonoids along with bioactive components like hydroxycitric acid, garcinol,
and cambogin have also been reported from this plant, thereby increasing its research avenues.
Even with the available knowledge, there is a huge lacking in the understanding of its underlying molecular
mechanism responsible for the therapeutic properties, pharmacological mode of action, and its
effect in different pathological conditions, along with detailed information about its chemical composition.
This review mainly aims to summarise the potentially beneficial properties of GP that have
already been reported, along with identifying the new avenues that still need to be addressed, thereby
increasing the future prospect for in-depth research on this plant, along with its distribution and conservation
status.
NIPAM/PEG/ MoS2 Nanosheets for Dual Triggered Doxorubicin Release and Combined Chemo-photothermal Cancer Therapy
Authors: Soltani Elham Reza , Tahvildari Kambiz , Moniri Elham , Panahi Homayoun Ahmad
Published: February 2021

Introduction:

Among different 2-D nanostructures, molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) has
shown great potential as a good candidate in drug delivery systems. However, their biocompatibility
and water dispersibility are the main issues for these purposes. With the aim of improving the
MoS2 dispersibility, a novel drug delivery system based on polymer-modified MoS2 nanosheets
was successfully prepared and characterized.

Methods:

In this study, MoS2 nanosheets were prepared using a simple oleum treatment exfoliation
approach and then modified by grafting thermos-responsive polymer N- isopropylacrylamide (NIPAM)
and polyethylene glycol (PEG). The structural and morphological properties of the MoS2/NIPAM/
PEG nanosheets were characterized via Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), X-Ray Diffraction
(XRD), Fourier- Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), and Thermogravimetric analysis
(TGA/DSC). Initially, the adsorption behavior of the grafted nanoadsorbent was assessed for
sorption of doxorubicin as an anticancer drug model. The influence of various parameters such as
pH, temperature, and contact time was evaluated. Different kinetic and isotherm models were employed
to investigate the (DOX) adsorption mechanism.

Results:

The obtained results revealed that the DOX adsorption onto the MoS2/NIPAM/ PEG followed
the Langmuir isotherm and pseudo-second-order models. In the next step, polymer grafted
MoS2 nanosheets were used as thermos-sensitive drug nanocarriers for near-infrared (NIR) photothermal
therapy. The combination of chemotherapy and photothermal therapy was also investigated,
which indicated a remarkable improvement of cell apoptotic rate compared to monotherapy. Also,
MTT assays showed that the MoS2/NIPAM/ PEG had high biocompatibility.

Conclusion:

The novel thermo-responsive MoS2/NIPAM/ PEG showed great potential for targeted
and controlled drug delivery.
Synthesis of Novel Pyrazole Tagged Pyridine Derivatives; Their
Antimicrobial Activity
Authors: Bhoomandla Srinu , Gundla Rambabu , Kanuparthy Phani Raja
Published: February 2021

:

Novel pyrazole tagged pyridine derivatives 5a-n synthesized starting from 3-cyano-4-trifluoromethyl-6- thiophenyl 2(1H) pyridone 1. Compound 1 on hydrolysis followed by decarboxylation resulted in 4-trifluoro-methyl-6- thiophenyl 2(1H)pyridone 2. Compound 2 treated with POCl3 to get 2- chloro-4-trifluoromethyl-6- thiophenyl pyridine 3 further reaction with hydrazine hydrate, which resulted in the formation of compound 4. Compound 4 on reaction with different substituted 1,3-diketones in ethanol reflux condition to afford pyrazole substituted pyridine derivatives 5a-n. All derivatives were tested against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial strains and different Candida strains by well diffusion method, compounds 5k and 5l showed significant activity. The binding mode of 5k and 5l also studied by molecular docking studies.
Emerging Molecular Functions of MicroRNA-9: Cancer Pathology and Therapeutic Implications
Authors: Tapeh Behnam Emamgolizadeh Gurt , Mosayyebi Bashir , Mansoori Behzad , Gravand Zahra Alipoor , Sarvnaz Hamzeh , Mohammadi Ali
Published: February 2021

MiRNAs that are characterized by small non-coding RNAs orchestrate the expression of important
genes involved in cancer cell development processes, including apoptosis, proliferation, angiogenesis, metastasis,
and drug resistance at the post-transcriptional level. Dysregulation of miR-9 in various cancers has been reported.
Recently, miR-9 has been considered as a key miRNA in various malignancies. However, its importance
in the pathogenesis of different neoplasms is not yet well defined. Accordingly, this study was conducted
in order to clarify the potential roles of miR-9 in the development of various cancers, prognosis, and treatment
approaches. We have shown that a large number of miR-9 targets play fundamental roles in carcinogenesis, and
that is dysregulated in various cancer cells. Our findings werefound aberrant miR-9 expression in a majority of
cancers. This review article generally emphasizesthe critical roles of miR-9 in cancer cell progression. Additionally,
we intended to investigate the effects of down-regulation or up-regulation of miR-9 in different types of
cancers. It is hoped that a good understanding of the regulatory roles of miR-9 in various cancers ishelpful for
using miR-9 in clinical settings, including prognosis, diagnosis, and miRNA-based target therapy.
Optimization of Nutritional Parameters by One-Factor-At-A-Time Method for the Biosynthesis of Alkaline Protease from the Isolated Strain Alternaria alternata TUSGF1
Authors: Polley Tapasi , Ghosh Uma
Published: February 2021

Background:

Alkaline proteases are essential enzymes that have several applications in
our industry.

Objective:

The aim was optimization of nutritional parameters by one-factor-at-a-time (OFAT) method in solid-state fermentation.

Method:

Production of protease by employing our laboratory's new isolate, Alternaria alternata
TUSG1 (strain accession number- MF401426) under solid-state fermentation was optimized. The
nutritional factors were investigated, and only one agricultural residue (cauliflower leaves) with different
particle sizes was checked.

Results:

Highest enzyme production was obtained with a medium particle size of cauliflower
leaves (610 U/gds) followed by coarse waste (603U/gds) and fine waste (596 U/gds) using 106
spores/ml as inoculum at 30° C for 7 days. The organism utilized carbon sources 0.5% (w/w) dextrose,
fructose, maltose, sucrose, lactose, and starch. Among them, maltose was found to be the
best carbon source. A variety of inorganic and organic media components were investigated for nitrogen
sources of 0.3% (w/w), and skim milk was turned out to the best.

Conclusion:

The maximum enzyme activity was obtained with 1% maltose, 0.5% skim milk and 0.05% MgSO4. With optimized media 1.53 fold increase in the protease production at agricultural residue cauliflower leaves was obtained.
Pleiotropic Regulatory Genes as A Tool for Streptomyces Strains Bioprospecting and Improvement
Authors: Ostash Bohdan
Published: February 2021

Many taxa within class Actinobacteria, most notably genus Streptomyces, are known for
the abundant presence of specialized biosynthetic pathways that convert essential cellular metabolites
(amino acids, acyl moieties, such as acetyl-CoA, nucleotides etc.) into diverse natural products
(NPs). NPs remain one of the pillars of modern pharmaceutical industry, and use of NPs as
antibiotics is perhaps the most notable example of the commercial success of NPs. Nowadays, as
humankind faces a formidable challenge to counter the rise of antimicrobial resistance and viral infections,
there is renewed interest in streptomycetes as a source of novel NPs. This prompted the investigation
of a variety of approaches to discover novel NPs and to improve the production of
known ones. The focus of this review is on the use of regulatory genes to discover novel NPs. The
two-layered scheme of regulation of NP biosynthesis is described and terms referring to cryptic NP
gene cluster are detailed. Major players in global regulatory network are described as well as how
their manipulation may be used to access the secondary metabolomes of Streptomyces and Actinobacteria
in general. The value of studying the NP regulation in the era of synthetic biology is
summarized in the last section.
Withdrawal Notice: An Efficient Modified Taylor Wavelet Galerkin Method for One Dimensional Partial Differential Equations
Authors: Kumar Ankit , Verma Sag Ram
Published: February 2021

The article has been withdrawn at the request of the authors and editor of the journal Recent Advances in
Electrical and Electronic Engineering due to incoherent content.

Bentham Science apologizes to the readers of the journal for any inconvenience this may have caused.

The Bentham Editorial Policy on Article Withdrawal can be found at https://benthamscience.com/editorial-policies-main.php

Bentham Science Disclaimer:

It is a condition of publication that manuscripts submitted to this journal have not been published and will
not be simultaneously submitted or published elsewhere. Furthermore, any data, illustration, structure or
table that has been published elsewhere must be reported, and copyright permission for reproduction
must be obtained. Plagiarism is strictly forbidden, and by submitting the article for publication the authors
agree that the publishers have the legal right to take appropriate action against the authors, if plagiarism
or fabricated information is discovered. By submitting a manuscript, the authors agree that the copyright
of their article is transferred to the publishers if and when the article is accepted for publication.
O português lá fora: algumas reflexões sobre a circulação da literatura de língua portuguesa
Authors: Mourinha Marisa
Published: February 2021

The dissemination of a literary work depends on several factors, but its availability to the public is a sine qua non and, for that reason, translation plays a capital role in this process. However, literary works from periph-eral systems will thus have particular difficulty in finding its way to their potential readers. We know that a translation into a central language may be a way for a work from a peripheral system to reach others of a similar dimension or condition (Sapiro 2008), but central systems do tend to leave little space for translated literature (Even-Zohar 1990). One should not be surprised, then, to learn that for Casanova “Translation is the major prize and weapon in international literary competition” (Casanova 2004: 133). How, in that case, can Portuguese language literature aspire to a place which could grant it more visibility? What are the main actors involved in the process? This paper tries to assess what circuits do these cultural products have access to, and how the selection of works and authors to be translated mirrors, if at all, a cultural project and/or policy.
Escrituras em Negro: cânone, tradição e sistema
Authors: Inácio Emerson
Published: February 2021

This article intends, based on some basic phenomena of the Brazilian and Portuguese literary canons, on how the emerging Afroportuguese written production is inserted in the productive and cultural system of Portuguese Language Literatures. If such a diction somehow results from the long silences imposed by the colonial system, after all what ties link it to the perspectives of the literary tradition that is always so dear?
Rachel Queiróz e Conceição de "O Quinze": Mulheres que buscam refundar a tradição por meio da insubordinação feminina
Authors: Dias Gerusa Alves dos Santos , Oliva Osmar Pereira
Published: February 2021

From the perspective of cultural and gender studies and feminist theory, this brief study aims to contribute to the deconstruction of the canonical discourse produced by the male imagination from a reinterpretation of O Quinze, by Rachel de Queiróz, taking the dissenting voice and the fragmented body of the protagonist Conceição as a place of resistance and female insubordination.