bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Annealing Effects on the Crystallinity of Carbon Fiber-Reinforced Polyetheretherketone and Polyohenylene Laminate Composites Manufactured by Laser Automatic Tape Placement
Authors: RISTESKA Svetlana , PETKOSKA Anka T. , SAMAK Samoil , DRIENOVSKY Marian
Published: March 2020

In situ consolidation of thermoplastic composites by Automated Tape Placement (ATP) is challenging. High quality ATP grade pre-preg material and tape head equipped with an efﬁcient heat sources like lasers offer an opportunity towards high deposition rates and improved mechanical properties of composite materials. In this study uni-directional carbon fiber/ polyphenylene sulfide (UD tape prepreg CF/PPS), carbon fiber/polyetheretherketone (UD tape prepreg CF/PEEK) as well as blend of carbon fiber/polyetheretherketone/polyphenylene sulfide (UD tapes prepregs CF/PEEK/PPS) laminates are compared in terms of their properties after beeing processed by ATP technology. CF/PPS, CF/PEEK and blend CF/PPS/PEEK laminate specimens were processed using in-situ laser-assisted ATP (LATP) process. LATP processing parameters used in this study were chosen based on a preliminary trials; the results provide a basis for reﬁnement of these parameters and prepreg material with an optimal and balanced set of final mechanical properties. This study showed an attempt how to manage the processing parameters for LATP process and to obtain composite materials with tailored properties. The process for production of thermoplastic plates with LATP head in general is a process that is governed by many parameters such as: laser power, angle of incidence, roller pressure and temperature, placement speed, tool temperature, then types of the roller material and the tool material. These parameters are not subject of discussing in this paper; they are kept constant, and the goal of the paper is to manage the crystallinity level within the composite thermoplastic material during annealing step at different temperatures after LATP process. Also, the void content during the production process could be controlled. More particularly, the authors showed that composites based on PPS matrix manufactured with LATP process possess higher flexural strength, with less void content compared to samples based on PEEK matrix. These samples showed also higher crystallinity after annealing step.
One Step Synthesis of Au Nanoparticles Supported on Graphene Oxide Using an Eco-Friendly Microwave-Assisted Process
Authors: MARINOIU Adriana , ANDREI Radu , VAGNER Irina , NICULESCU Violeta , BUCURA Felicia , CONSTANTINESCU Marius , CARCADEA Elena
Published: March 2020

Microwave (MW) assisted processes become more and more used in the synthesis and alteration of graphene materials. This technique brings some various advantages compare to the classical ones because it is a green, low-cost, environmentally-friendly process. Moreover, no toxic solvent is necessary for the production of high-quality graphene-based materials. This eco-friendly process has recently received important attention as uniform, fast, energy efficient and scalable approach to synthesis noble metals supported on graphene oxide. A facile, rapid, low cost and efficient method to prepare gold supported on reduced graphene oxide (Au/rGO) is presented in this paper. The Au/rGO samples were produced using the microwave power of 800 W and two temperatures, 60 and 80°C, for 30 minutes only. The physical characterization showed that the Au nanoparticles were grafting on the graphene surface. Additionally, the nitrogen adsorption–desorption isotherms show a high pore volume and specific surface suggesting that a larger mesoporous volume have been achieved. The presence of interconnections between micropores and mesopores is beneficial to the mass transport process in PEMFC by creating a facile access of the reactants. Moreover, the accelerated stability tests (AST) of the catalysts showed that the catalysts are stable and no remarkable change in the shape of the voltammetry curve could be observed after 200 cycles.
El proceso intencional/decisorio migratorio desde una aproximación cualitativa longitudinal
Authors: Hosnedlová Renáta
Published: March 2020

La perspectiva longitudinal cualitativa, aunque potencialmente adecuada, no ha recibido mucha atención en el campo de la migración internacional. Especialmente, las intenciones y decisiones residenciales de los migrantes se suelen estudiar desde un punto de vista estático, lo cual no permite explicar el fenómeno como proceso. El presente artículo demuestra la necesidad de una aproximación dinámica y cualitativa para explicar cómo se forman, mantienen o reformulan las intenciones / decisiones a lo largo del proyecto migratorio. Para ello, se utiliza un estudio de caso ucraniano en la Comunidad de Madrid, realizado en 4 oleadas entre los años 2009 y 2016. Mediante este estudio que articula las dimensiones temporales, espaciales y relacionales a la vez, se explican las aportaciones, pero también las dificultades y los retos conceptuales, metodológicos y analíticos de esta aproximación. Entre otros, se destaca la capacidad de observar los procesos causales cognitivos, lo que posibilita una mayor profundización sobre cómo se modelan las intenciones y toman decisiones residenciales.The qualitative longitudinal approach, although potentially adequate, has not received much attention in the field of international migration. Especially, the residential intentions and decisions of migrants are usually studied from a static point of view, which does not explain the phenomenon as a process. This article demonstrates the need for a dynamic and qualitative perspective to explain how intentions / decisions are formed, maintained or reformulated throughout the migratory project. For this, we use the Ukrainian case study in the Community of Madrid, carried out in 4 waves, between 2009 and 2016. Through this study that hat articulates the temporal, spatial and relational dimensions at the same time; we discuss the conceptual, methodological and analytical contributions and challenge of this approach. Among others, we highlight the ability to observe the cognitive causal processes, which allows a deeper understanding of how intentions are modelled and residential decisions are made.
Crónica del I Congreso Internacional de Derecho Procesal titulado “postmodernidad y proceso europeo: el principio de oportunidad en el ámbito de la responsabilidad de las empresas”
Authors: Alonso Furelos Juan Manuel
Published: March 2020

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Meeting Users Where They Are
Authors: Sherriff Graham , DeSanto Dan , Benson Daisy , Atwood Gary S.
Published: March 2020

Campus portals are one of the most visible and frequently used online spaces for students, offering one-stop access to key services for learning and academic self-management. This case study reports how instruction librarians at the University of Vermont collaborated with portal developers in the registrar’s office to develop high-impact, point-of-need content for a dedicated “Library” page. This content was then created in LibGuides and published using the Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) for LibGuides boxes. Initial usage data and analytics show that traffic to the libraries’ portal page has been substantially and consistently higher than expected. The next phase for the project will be the creation of customized library content that is responsive to the student’s user profile.
Comparison of Oral Health Status and Behaviors Between Children with Autistic Spectrum Disorder and Healthy Children in Rasht City, Iran
Authors: DANESHVAR Seyedeh Hediyeh , KAVİANFAR Alaleh , MASOOMİ Seyed Hossein , DANESHVAR Mir Mahdi
Published: March 2020

Objectives: In this study, the caries experience, gingivitis and behaviors of 6-12 year old children with Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) were investigated according to the Frankl scale during dental examination, and then compared with healthy children.Materials and Methods: Totally, 55 children with ASD (including 49 males and 6 females) and 165 healthy children (including 83 males and 82 females) were assessed in Rasht, Iran. Before clinical examination, their parents were asked to complete a questionnaire consisting of several questions about parental education level, nutritional status and oral hygiene status. The number of decayed, missing and filled teeth, gingival status and behaviors of the children were recorded during the dental examination. The obtained data were analyzed using Chi-square and Mann Whitney U Test. P-value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant.Results: Our results implied that the children with ASD had higher DMFT/dmft scores compared with healthy children (p<0.001). Also, the prevalence of localized and generalized gingivitis was higher in children with ASD than that in healthy children (p=0.014). Most of the children with ASD behaved in negative or definitely negative manner during dental examination (p=0.001). The results showed that the mean level of parental education and oral hygiene habits (such as frequency of brushing and flossing) in healthy children were higher than that in the children with ASD.Conclusions: According to the results, the children with ASD had higher caries experience and gingivitis compared with healthy children and most of them behaved in negative or definitely negative manner during dental examination.
Evaluation of Penetration Depth of Sodium Hypochlorite Into Dentinal Tubules After Passive Ultrasonic Irrigation Compared to Er;Yag Laser Activation. An In-Vitro Study
Authors: RAİES Abdullah , ALMARRAWI Khetam , AL NESSER Salma
Published: March 2020

Objectives: The aim of this study was to compare
penetration depth of sodium hypochlorite into dentinal tubules after passive
ultrasonic agitation or ER; YAG activated irrigant.Materials and Methods: Twenty-four single rooted human
mature mandibular premolars were decoronated and accessed. After locating the
apex and determining the working length, preparation of root canal was done up
to #35 file using Mtwo system and with 5.25 NaOCl irrigation. Teeth were then
sealed apically with wax and submerged in a crystal violet dye for 48 hours to
stain dentin. NaOCl Irrigation was activated with either Ultrasonic or ER;YAG laser.
Specimens were sectioned longitudinally and depth of bleached zone was
evaluated under a stereomicroscope 40X.Results: Penetration depth was significantly
higher in overall root canal in ultrasonic group than ER; YAG laser group (P=.000).
In ER;YAG Laser group, the highest penetration depth was in the coronal third
followed by middle and third, with significant difference between apical third
and both middle and coronal thirds (P=.009, .003 respectively), and no
significant difference between middle and coronal thirds (P=.083).

Highest penetration depth was seen
in middle third for no significant deference in penetration depth between the
three thirds of the root canal activated with Ultrasonic (P=.664).  Conclusion: ultrasonic activation can lead to more NaOCl
penetration into dentinal tubules than activation with ER;YAG.
The Research Into the Influence of Non-Resident Drivers on the Critical Headway and Follow-Up Headway at an Unsignalised Intersection
Authors: Stanimirović Dragan , Bogdanović Vuk , Drašković Danislav
Published: March 2020

The input parameters in the procedure for calculating the minor movement capacity of the unsignalised intersection are the values of conflict flow, critical haedway and follow-up headway. The conflict flow value is established in exact measuring, on the basis of flow values on approaches and their distribution by driving directions. On the other hand, the values of the critical headway and the follow-up headway are the parameters which depend on the estimate and the behaviour of the drivers doing the minor movement. On account of that, these parameter values depend on different factors and influences, therefore, they are not identical at all intersections. In the procedures for calculating the capacity of two-way stop controlled inersections, the values of critical headway and follow-up headway are given as recommendations. Some of the methods for capacity calculations, such as Highway Capacity Manual, recommend the research on these parameter values in local conditions, considering different influences. This paper presents the results of the research into the influence of non-resident drivers on the features and values of critical headway and follow-up headway, and thereby on the intersection capacity as well.
Bus Drivers Whole-body Vibration Exposure, Evaluation Procedures, Prevention and Control
Authors: Ćurčić Nebojša
Published: March 2020

Public transport bus drivers are exposed to a wide range of hazards which can endanger their occupational safety and health. Risks of possible traffic accidents, stress (due to traffic jams, pace of work, conflicts with passengers and other road users, etc.), fatigue, long sitting hours, vibration, noise, exposure to air pollution, adverse microclimatic conditions are just some of the factors that can endanger a driver’s health and are characterized by a different likelihood of occurrence and consequence severity. Whole-body vibration transferred to human over many years of exposure have the potential to endanger health with respect to the onset of musculoskeletal disorders, especially in synergy with prolonged sitting. In addition, whole-body vibration exposure is a possible source of discomfort, which, combined with other factors, can contribute to the negative effect on the general physical and mental state of the driver, and therefore the occurrence of fatigue and stress.In order to manage the exposure of bus drivers to vibration, it is necessary to evaluate the exposure, using methodologies defined by international standards, based on expert analysis and measurements. The paper presents the dominant health risks arising from the whole-body vibration of professional bus drivers, the parameters of exposure evaluation, measurements and evaluation procedure in accordance with European Directive 2002/44/EC and ISO standards, as well as an overview of the precautions to be taken in to reduce the risk associated with bus drivers occupational whole-body vibration exposure.
Antibacterial activity of essential oil of Juniperus communis L.
Authors: Kalaba Vesna , Marjanović-Balaban Željka , Kalaba Dragana , Lazić Dijana , Gojković Cvjetković Vesna
Published: March 2020

Many herbal raw materials have been used for centuries as a means of treating various types of diseases. Herbal preparations in pharmaceutical forms for oral and external use show a wide range of effects, among which one of the most important antimicrobials. The effect of such herbal preparations on various microorganisms is the subject of many scientific research today, which is mainly fueled by the fact that the high use of antibiotics in more than half a century has led to resistance to microorganisms. Enriched with new results and knowledge of chemistry and the activity of active ingredients derived from plants, today we are experiencing a growing use of herbs in various industries. The Republic of Srpska has a great potential of woody greenery as a possible raw material for the production of essential oils. Therefore, the aim of this study is to define antibacterial effect of juniper berries (Juniperus communis L.) essential oil, obtained by the hydrodestilation process in industrial production conditions. A boiler with capacity of 2000 liters has been used in the hydrodistillation process (hydromodule1:3), the temperature was 102°C, pressure of 0.5 bar, and the time of hydrodistillation process was 2 hours. The yield of essential oil was 1.3 %.The antibacterial effect of the essential oil of the juniper berries was tested using the agar diffusion method on the reference cultures of Salmonella enterica WDCM 00030, Pseudomonas aeruginosa WDCM 00024, Escherichia coli WDCM 00013, Staphylococcus aureus WDCM 00032, Bacilus cereus WDCM 00151- (CEST- Coleccion Espanola De CultivosTipo, Espana), as well as clinical isolates of Providenciastuarti, coagulase positive staphylococci, streptococcus group D and Salmonella spp. from the collection of microbiological laboratory of the Veterinary Institute “Dr Vaso Butozan” Banja Luka.The juniper berries essential oil in a concentration of 20 μl showed antibacterial activity only on the clinical isolate of coagulase-positive staphylococci with an inhibition zone of 12.00 mm, while at a concentration of 100 μl it was shown antibacterial activity on all investigated pathogens (with an inhibition zone of 8.33 mm to 18.00 mm), except on P.aeruginosa and E. coli. The research results indicate to better effect of essential oils compared to reference antibiotics.
Harmful Chemicals in the Work Environment
Authors: Ilić Predrag , Nešković Markić Dragana , Farooqi Zia Ur Rahman
Published: March 2020

For hospital personnel, a number of harmful chemicals exist. The paper deal with very different harmful chemicals, but all chemicals are important and continuing problems where the risks to health, if uncontrolled, are serious. In the research was used descriptive statistical operations and multivariate statistical method, factor analysis (FA), i.e. principal component analysis (PCA). An analysis of 24 organic and inorganic parameters was performed. Results of the correlation analysis suggest that these pollutants pairs might have similar sources or have been affected by similar factors. PCA she confirmed that the mutually correlated elements constitute a group of elements with a similar origin.
Purkinje cell misfiring generates high-amplitude action tremors that are corrected by cerebellar deep brain stimulation
Authors: Brown Amanda M , White Joshua J , van der Heijden Meike E , Zhou Joy , Lin Tao , Sillitoe Roy V
Published: March 2020

Tremor is currently ranked as the most common movement disorder. The brain regions and neural signals that initiate the debilitating shakiness of different body parts remain unclear. Here, we found that genetically silencing cerebellar Purkinje cell output blocked tremor in mice that were given the tremorgenic drug harmaline. We show in awake behaving mice that the onset of tremor is coincident with rhythmic Purkinje cell firing, which alters the activity of their target cerebellar nuclei cells. We mimic the tremorgenic action of the drug with optogenetics and present evidence that highly patterned Purkinje cell activity drives a powerful tremor in otherwise normal mice. Modulating the altered activity with deep brain stimulation directed to the Purkinje cell output in the cerebellar nuclei reduced tremor in freely moving mice. Together, the data implicate Purkinje cell connectivity as a neural substrate for tremor and a gateway for signals that mediate the disease.
Genetic consequences of pond production of a pikeperch (Sander luciopercaL.) stock with natural origin: the effects of changed selection pressure and reduced population size
Authors: Molnár Tamás , Benedek Ildikó , Kovács Balázs , Zsolnai Attila , Lehoczky István
Published: March 2020

The pikeperch (Sander luciopercaL.) possesses great potential for diversifying European aquaculture. However, studies on the genetic risk of stocking natural waters with farmed individuals of this species have been limited. Even the effect of pond culture on the genetic composition of stocks with natural-origin has not yet been determined. Our study aimed to compare the genetic variability of a wild living pikeperch population, a pond cultured broodstock (originating from the wild population) and its offspring generation. We also aimed to detect the potential signs of selection using three different methods. By analyzing the molecular data with 14 microsatellite markers, we illustrated that the impact of pond culture on the genetic diversity of fish stocks is similar to hatchery rearing due to its diversity reducing effect caused by using lower effective population sizes. Although the heterozygosity was similar in all populations (Ho= 0.68–0.71), the average number of alleles and allelic richness were significantly lower in the pond cultured stocks (NA = 7.5 and 6; AR = 7.5 and 5.9) compared to the wild population (NA = 11.00, AR = 10.47). Despite the semi-natural conditions of the present study, we detected changing selection pressure in one of the 14 microsatellite markers.
Climatic variation in Africa and Europe has combined effects on timing of spring migration in a long-distance migrant Willow WarblerPhylloscopus trochilus
Authors: Remisiewicz Magdalena , Underhill Les G.
Published: March 2020

Background

The arrival of many species of migrant passerine in the European spring has shifted earlier over recent decades, attributed to climate change and rising temperatures in Europe and west Africa. Few studies have shown the effects of climate change in both hemispheres though many long-distance migrants use wintering grounds which span Africa. The migrants’ arrival in Europe thus potentially reflects a combination of the conditions they experience across Africa. We examine if the timing of spring migration of a long-distance migrant, the Willow Warbler, is related to large-scale climate indices across Africa and Europe.

Methods

Using data from daily mistnetting from 1 April to 15 May in 1982–2017 at Bukowo (Poland, Baltic Sea coast), we developed an Annual Anomaly metric (AA, in days) to estimate how early or late Willow Warblers arrive each spring in relation to their multi-year average pattern. The Willow Warblers’ spring passage advanced by 5.4 days over the 36 years. We modelled AA using 14 potential explanatory variables in multiple regression models. The variables were the calendar year and 13 large-scale indices of climate in Africa and Europe averaged over biologically meaningful periods of two to four months during the year before spring migration.

Results

The best model explained 59% of the variation in AA with seven variables: Northern Atlantic Oscillation (two periods), Indian Ocean Dipole, Southern Oscillation Index, Sahel Precipitation Anomaly, Scandinavian Index and local mean temperatures. The study also confirmed that a long-term trend for Willow Warblers to arrive earlier in spring continued up to 2017.

Discussion

Our results suggest that the timing of Willow Warbler spring migration at the Baltic Sea coast is related to a summation of the ecological conditions they had encountered over the previous year during breeding, migration south, wintering in Africa and migration north. We suggest these large-scale climate indices reflect ecological drivers for phenological changes in species with complex migration patterns and discuss the ways in which each of the seven climate indices could be related to spring migration at the Baltic Sea coast.
Identification of WRKY gene family and characterization of cold stress-responsive WRKY genes in eggplant
Authors: Yang Yan , Liu Jun , Zhou Xiaohui , Liu Songyu , Zhuang Yong
Published: March 2020

Background

WRKY proteins play a vital role in the plants response to different stresses, growth and development. Studies of WRKY proteins have been mainly focused on model plant Arabidopsis and a few other vegetable plants. However, the systematical study of eggplant WRKY transcription factor superfamily is scarce.

Methods

Bioinformatics has been used to identify and characterize the eggplant WRKY gene family. For the exploration of the differentially expressed WRKY genes, two cultivars with different cold-tolerance were used. Finally, we performed a virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) experiment to verify the functions of SmWRKY26 and SmWRKY32.

Results

Fifty eight (58) genes encoding eggplant WRKY proteins were identified through searching the eggplant genome. Eggplant WRKY proteins could be classified into three groups or seven subgroups in accordance with other plants. WRKY variants were identified from the eggplant. Gene structure analysis showed that the number of intron in eggplant WRKY family was from 0 to 11, with an average of 4.4. Conserved motif analysis suggested that WRKY DNA-binding domain was conserved in eggplant WRKY proteins. Furthermore, RNA-seq data showed that WRKY genes were differentially expressed in eggplant response to cold stress. By using VIGS, the two differentially expressed genes-SmWRKY26 and SmWRKY32 were verified in response to cold stress.

Discussions

This study provides a foundation for further exploring the functions of WRKY proteins in eggplant response to stresses and eggplant genetic improvement in stresses.
Orb-weaving spiders are fewer but larger and catch more prey in lit bridge panels from a natural artificial light experiment
Authors: Gomes Dylan G.E.
Published: March 2020

Artificial light at night is rapidly changing the sensory world. While evidence is accumulating for how insects are affected, it is not clear how this impacts higher trophic levels that feed on insect communities. Spiders are important insect predators that have recently been shown to have increased abundance in urban areas, but have shown mixed responses to artificial light. On a single bridge with alternating artificially lit and unlit sections, I measured changes in the orb-weaving spiderLarinioides sclopetarius(Araneidae) web abundance, web-building behavior, prey-capture, and body condition. In artificially lit conditions, spiders caught more prey with smaller webs, and had higher body conditions. However, there were fewer spiders with active webs in those lit areas. This suggests that either spiders were not taking advantage of an ecological insect trap, perhaps due to an increased risk of becoming prey themselves, or were satiated, and thus not as active within these habitats. The results from this natural experiment may have important consequences for both insects and spiders in urban areas under artificial lighting conditions.
Prevalence and Practice of Self-medication among University Students in Pakistan through Online Resources
Authors: Mehmood Asim , Adnan Sherjeel , Khan Maseer , Karunamoorthi Kaliyaperumal , Azeez Fahad Khan
Published: March 2020

Background: Self-medication or self-care is regarded as an unhealthy practice. However, it is widely accepted and practiced in the low and middle-income countries (LMICs) due to scarcity of health resources.

Objectives: To assess the prevalence and practice of self-medication among university students in Pakistan through online resources.

Methodology: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted between May 2017 and August 2017 by involving 991 university students. A questionnaire was administered to obtain data.

Results: The majority 85.9% (852/991) of the respondents knew aboutonline medicines and their uses of self-medication. Overall, 68% (674/991) of them have to travel long-distances to access essential health services. Nearly half (41.7%) of the respondents procured drugs through the online sources, while only 15.6% of them obtained through pharmacies.

Conclusions: The rampant irrational use of drugs without medical guidance could contribute to adverse consequences viz.; the emergence of multi-drug resistance, adverse drug reactions, drug interactions etc. Strict regulations must be enforced to limit public access to online-drugs by the law-enforcement agencies.
Evaluation of Conventional Cultivars and Hybrid Rice Varieties by Their Morpho-physiological Performance during Aman Season
Authors: Islam Ariful , Akhter Nasima , Rahman Md. Saidur , Rahman Md. Mofizur
Published: March 2020

Aims: The objectives of the research work were to evaluate the morpho-physiological characteristics of selected local and high yielding varieties (HYV) of rice. 

Study Design: The research used randomized complete block design (RCBD) with four replications.

Place and Duration of Study: Central research field of Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Dhaka-1207 during June to December 2017.

Methodology: In this research we used seven conventional rice cultivars (Kanchancni, Chinisagar, Sunashail, Ranjay, Lohadang, Haldijan, Kohabinni) and three high yielding rice varieties (BR11, BRRI dhan46 and BRRI dhan51) where different morpho-physiological data were taken for evaluation their performance. Obtaining data were analyzed by using analysis of variance technique and subsequently, least significance difference (LSD at 5%) for comparing the treatment means by MSTAT-C software.

Results: The morpho-physiological characters showed the considerable variation during the experimentation. Among the different growth parameter, the highest plant height and flag leaf area was found from Lohadang, number of leaves hill-1 and number of tillers hill-1 from Ranjay, crop growth rate and absolute grain growth rate from Sunashail, flag leaf dry weight from Kanchancni and SPAD value of flag leaf and specific leaf weight from BRRI dhan51. Meanwhile, the minimum days to anthesis, days from anthesis to maturity and life duration from germination to maturity were recorded from BRRI dhan46 and Kanchancni, respectively.

Conclusions: The results showed that among the conventional rice cultivars Kanchancni and the HYV varieties, BRRI dhan46 exhibit better morpho-physiological performance than others.
Growth, Yield, Seed and Seedling Quality Parameters of Rapeseed-mustard Varieties under Different Seed Priming Options
Authors: Das Rupa , Biswas Saikat , Biswas Utpal , Dutta Amitava
Published: March 2020

Rationale: Crop production and quality of produce get affected by drought, stand establishment and low availability of nutrients. Apart from various prevailing methods, seed treatment through priming now-a-days has been found to noticeably improve crop establishment for increasing seed yield and quality.

Aim: To study the effect of various seed priming options on rapeseed-mustard varieties.

Place of Study: A field experiment was conducted at AB Block Farm, Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya, Kalyani, Nadia, West Bengal, India during winter season of 2017-2018.

Methodology: Experiment comprised six rapeseed-mustard varieties (Anushka, Sanchita, TBM-143,TBM-204, Kranti and Pusa Bold) in main plot and five seed priming options (KH2PO4 @ 0.15 mol 100 ml water-1 5 g seeds-1, KNO3 @ 0.1 mol 100 ml water-1 5 g seeds-1, PEG 6000 @ -0.3 MPa 100 ml water-1 5 g seeds-1, hydro priming @ 100 ml 5 g seeds-1 and control) in subplot, replicated thrice in a split plot design. Observations on growth and yield contributing parameters were recorded from the field. Further, various quality parameters of seed and seedlings were evaluated in the laboratory. Data on all the parameters were finally statistically analyzed.

Results: Among the varieties, Pusa Bold performed better in terms of growth, yield contributing parameters and seed yield under seed priming through either KH2PO4 @ 0.15 mol 100 ml water-1 5 g seeds-1 or PEG 6000 @ -0.3 MPa 100 ml water-1 5 g seeds-1. Seed and seedling quality parameters such as root and shoot lengths, seedling fresh and dry weights, germination % and vigour index were also improved under the same.

Conclusion: Cultivation of mustard variety, Pusa Bold by seed priming through any of those two chemicals (KH2PO4 or PEG 6000) can be recommended for New alluvial zone of West Bengal, India.
Intradural Intramedullary Metastasis of Small Cell Lung Cancer: A Case Report
Authors: Liu-Yuan  , Li-Yuguo  , Guo-Runsheng
Published: March 2020

Intradural metastasis of small cell lung carcinoma in conus medullaris is an uncommon disease. We report a case of lung cancer complicated with intradural metastasis in conus medullaris with just a symptom of hypoesthesia of the lower-right limb and lower extremity weakness. The patient was initially suggested a clinical diagnosis of spinal meningioma or astrocytoma, according to the clinical symptom and the diseased region in imaging manifestation. Confirmed diagnosis was performed by histopathology and immunohistochemistry, revealing to be a malignant metastasis of small cell lung carcinoma. The patient underwent complete resection, and recovered well, although with pulmonary primary lesion to be treated. The tumor was 0.5 × 0.5 × 0.3 cm in size and in contact with the conus medullaris. The aim of this study is to emphasize the importance of careful and comprehensive radiologic examination and to reflect the difficulty of tumor resection. After the orthopedic surgery, the patient recovered well and got referral to pneumology department for follow-up treatment.
Complement in malaria: immune evasion strategies and role in protective immunity
Authors: Kiyuka Patience Kerubo , Meri Seppo , Khattab Ayman
Published: March 2020

The malaria parasite has for long been thought to escape host complement attack as a survival strategy. However, it was only recently that complement evasion mechanisms of the parasite were described. Simultaneously, the role of complement in antibody‐mediated naturally acquired and vaccine‐induced protection against malaria has also been reported. Such findings should be considered in future vaccine design, given the current need to develop more efficacious vaccines against malaria. Parasite antigens derived from molecules mediating functions crucial for parasite survival, such as complement evasion, or parasite antigens against which antibody responses lead to an efficient complement attack could present new candidates for vaccines. In this review, we discuss recent findings on complement evasion by the malaria parasites and the emerging role of complement in antibody‐mediated protection against malaria. We emphasize that immune responses to vaccines based on complement inhibitors should not only induce complement‐activating antibodies but also neutralize the escape mechanisms of the parasite.
Environment and Gender
Authors: Nightingale Andrea J.
Published: March 2020

Conceptualizations of environment and gender have transformed significantly over the past 50 years, contributing important insights to wider social science debates of environment–society questions along the way. This entry traces the history of thinking on environment and gender from 1970s ecofeminism through historical materialist contributions and the current “new” feminist political ecologies. The scholarship on environment and gender has helped reconceptualize how boundaries are drawn between humans and environment by linking it to colonial legacies of domination and subordination of other ways of knowing and being, as well as what gender itself means. The themes of politics, intersectionality, and co‐emergence are used to frame the key concepts that run through the field.
Future of National Development Banks
Authors: Griffith‐Jones Stephany , Ocampo José Antonio
Published: March 2020

There are two areas where national development banks (NDBs) play crucial roles. The first relates to their contribution to economic, social, and green development. This includes their direct contribution to supporting innovative sectors with long‐term funding. We highlight the role of NDBs linked to structural change. The support of innovation with long‐term financing is complementary to other functions of these institutions, including supporting the provision of public goods, particularly through investments that help combat climate change, and financial inclusion. NDBs should not supplant private financing but complement it and leverage additional private funds. The second major contribution of NDBs relates to their role in helping avoid risks associated with boom‐bust cycles in domestic private financing. NDBs should also be active in the provision of countercyclical financing, especially during and after financial crises, when private finance grows less.
Transcriptional and Functional Changes of the Human Microvasculature during Physiological Aging and Alzheimer Disease
Authors: Bersini Simone , Arrojo e Drigo Rafael , Huang Ling , Shokhirev Maxim N. , Hetzer Martin W.
Published: March 2020

Aging of the circulatory system correlates with the pathogenesis of a large spectrum of diseases. However, it is largely unknown which factors drive the age‐dependent or pathological decline of the vasculature and how vascular defects relate to tissue aging. The goal of the study is to design a multianalytical approach to identify how the cellular microenvironment (i.e., fibroblasts) and serum from healthy donors of different ages or Alzheimer disease (AD) patients can modulate the functionality of organ‐specific vascular endothelial cells (VECs). Long‐living human microvascular networks embedding VECs and fibroblasts from skin biopsies are generated. RNA‐seq, secretome analyses, and microfluidic assays demonstrate that fibroblasts from young donors restore the functionality of aged endothelial cells, an effect also achieved by serum from young donors. New biomarkers of vascular aging are validated in human biopsies and it is shown that young serum induces angiopoietin‐like‐4, which can restore compromised vascular barriers. This strategy is then employed to characterize transcriptional/functional changes induced on the blood–brain barrier by AD serum, demonstrating the importance of PTP4A3 in the regulation of permeability. Features of vascular degeneration during aging and AD are recapitulated, and a tool to identify novel biomarkers that can be exploited to develop future therapeutics modulating vascular function is established.
Metal‐Based Nanomaterials in Biomedical Applications: Antimicrobial Activity and Cytotoxicity Aspects
Authors: Makvandi Pooyan , Wang Chen‐yu , Zare Ehsan Nazarzadeh , Borzacchiello Assunta , Niu Li‐na , Tay Franklin R.
Published: March 2020

Microbial colonization on material surfaces is ubiquitous. Biofilms derived from surface‐colonized microbes pose serious problems to the society from both an economical perspective and a health concern. Incorporation of antimicrobial nanocompounds within or on the surface of materials, or by coatings, to prevent microbial adhesion or kill the microorganisms after their attachment to biofilms, represents an important strategy in an increasingly challenging field. Over the last decade, many studies have been devoted to preparing meta‐based nanomaterials that possess antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal activities to combat pathogen‐related diseases. Herein, an overview on the state‐of‐the‐art antimicrobial nanosized metal‐based compounds is provided, including metal and metal oxide nanoparticles as well as transition metal nanosheets. The antimicrobial mechanism of these nanostructures and their biomedical applications such as catheters, implants, medical delivery systems, tissue engineering, and dentistry are discussed. Their properties as well as potential caveats such as cytotoxicity, diminishing efficacy, and induction of antimicrobial resistance of materials incorporating these nanostructures are reviewed to provide a backdrop for future research.
Buckling Instability Control of 1D Nanowire Networks for a Large‐Area Stretchable and Transparent Electrode
Authors: Kim Byoung Soo , Kwon Hyowon , Kwon Hyun Jeong , Pyo Jun Beom , Oh Jinwoo , Hong Soo Yeong , Park Jong Hyuk , Char Kookheon , Ha Jeong Sook , Son Jeong Gon , Lee Sang‐Soo
Published: March 2020

A commonly used strategy to impose deformability on conductive materials is the prestrain method, in which conductive materials are placed on prestretched elastic substrates and relaxed to create wavy or wrinkled structures. However, 1D metallic nanowire (NW) networks typically result in out‐of‐plane buckling defects and NW fractures, due to their rigid and brittle nature and nonuniform load transfer to specific points of NW. To resolve these problems, an alternative method is proposed to control the elastic modulus of 1D NW networks through contact with various solvents during compressive strain. Through solvent contact, the interface interactions between the NWs and between the NW and substrate can be controlled, and it is shown that the surface instability of the 1D random network is formed differently from a uniform bilayer film, which also can vary with the modulus of the network. For modulus values lower than the critical point, slippage and rearrangement of NW strands mainly occur and individual strands in the network show an in‐plane wavy configuration, which is ideal for structural stretchability. Based on the solvent‐assisted prestrain method, letter‐sized, large‐area stretchable, and transparent electrodes with high transparency and conductivity are achieved, and stretchable and transparent alternating current electroluminescent devices for stretchable display applications are also realized.
Homotypic Targeting Delivery of siRNA with Artificial Cancer Cells
Authors: Zhang Lingmin , Deng Sai , Zhang Yanfen , Peng Qingsheng , Li Huan , Wang Ping , Fu Xiaomei , Lei Xueping , Qin Aiping , Yu Xiyong
Published: March 2020

The camouflage with cell membrane bestows nanoparticles with cell‐like functions, such as specific recognition, long blood circulation, and immune escaping. For cancer therapy, the nanoparticles camouflaged with cancer cell membrane (CCM) from homologous cells show homotypic targeting delivery of small molecule compounds, photosensitizers, or enzymes to the tumors. However, effective gene therapy encounters difficulties by this approach due to the properties of nucleic acids. Herein, a cancer cell‐like gene delivery system is developed using an excellent polymer poly(β‐amino ester) (PBAE) to condense small interfering RNA (siRNA) (targeting to Plk1 gene) into nanoparticles (PBAE/siPlk1) as the core, which is further camouflaged with CCM. These novel biomimetic nanoparticles CCM/PBAE/siPlk1 (CCMPP) demonstrate highly specific targeting to homotypic cancer cells, effective downregulation of PLK1 level, and inducing apoptosis of cancer cells. Based on the homotypic binding adhesion molecules on the CCM, the cellular internalization and homotypic‐targeting accumulation to the tumors are clearly improved. CCMPP induces highly efficient apoptosis of cancer cells both in vitro and in vivo and results in significant tumor inhibition. The artificial cancer cells with homotypic properties can serve as a biomimetic delivery system for cancer‐targeted gene therapy.
Vertically Aligned NiCo2S4 Nanosheets Deposited on N‐Doped Graphene for Bifunctional and Durable Electrode of Overall Water Splitting
Authors: Lee Hyun Sun , Pan Jing , Gund Girish Sambhaji , Park Ho Seok
Published: March 2020

Developing non‐noble metal electrocatalysts with high catalytic activity and stability is very important for practical water splitting technology. Herein, electrocatalytically active, bifunctional, and durable electrodes, are reported where NiCo2S4 nanosheets deposited onto nitrogen‐incorporated reduced graphene oxide (N‐rGO) are assembled onto 3D Ni foam. These freestanding binder‐free electrodes exhibit excellent bifunctional catalytic activity for both hydrogen evolution and oxygen evolution reactions in alkaline condition, as well as overall water splitting reaction measured in a two‐electrode configuration. The cell voltage is as low as 1.63 V to achieve a current density of 10 mA cm−2 and this value is well preserved with negligible overpotential for more than 50 h. The results open a door to design bifunctional durable electrode based on non‐noble metals for practical alkaline water electrolyzers.
Smart Textile‐Based Personal Thermal Comfort Systems: Current Status and Potential Solutions
Authors: Tabor Jordan , Chatterjee Kony , Ghosh Tushar K.
Published: March 2020

Thermophysiological comfort in humans is sought universally but seldom achieved due to biological and physiological variances. Most people in developed parts of the world rely on highly energy‐intensive, and inefficient central heating/cooling systems to achieve thermophysiological comfort which is rarely satisfactory. A potential solution to this issue is a wearable personal thermal comfort system (PTCS) consisting of textile‐based temperature and moisture sensors, thermal and moisture responsive actuators, and/or heating/cooling devices, that can sense the environment and physiology of the wearer, and accordingly provide an individualized thermal environment. Moving thermal regulation away from the built environment to the microclimate surrounding the human body using textiles has the potential to provide personalized thermal comfort and energy savings. Such a system may employ thermal comfort models and leverage the Internet of Things (IoT) and machine learning (ML) to understand individuals' comfort requirements. Herein, the current state of textile‐based active and passive comfort systems/technologies are summarized, including their environmental impact, major thermal comfort models, and factors influencing comfort. Also, active and passive textile‐based devices (sensors, actuators, and flexible heating/cooling devices) that may be incorporated into a textile‐based wearable PTCS are comprehensively discussed with an emphasis on their advantages, limitations, and prospects.
Highly Customizable Transparent Silver Nanowire Patterning via Inkjet‐Printed Conductive Polymer Templates Formed on Various Surfaces
Authors: Park Jongjang , Kim Geonhee , Lee Byeongmoon , Lee Seunghwan , Won Phillip , Yoon Hyungsoo , Cho Hyeon , Ko Seung Hwan , Hong Yongtaek
Published: March 2020

Silver nanowires (AgNWs) have been considered as replacements of indium tin oxide (ITO) due to superior optoelectronic properties and mechanical stability for flexible electronics. However, high cost and process complexity of patterning process disturb their applicability to commercial products. Herein, a facile patterning method of AgNWs by using inkjet‐printed conductive polymer templates is developed, which can be applied on various surfaces including super hydrophobic light‐emitting organic layer. Combination of inkjet and transfer printing processes rendered high degree of freedom both in customizing patterns and in tuning transparency and conductivity simultaneously. AgNWs are selectively transferred from a donor elastomer onto formulated adhesive conductive polymer patterns. By changing thickness of the AgNW networks flood‐coated on the elastomer, their transparency and conductivity can be tuned during the transfer process. AgNW transparent electrodes on plastic substrates have much higher figure of merit than that of ITO on plastic substrate. The selective transfer process simultaneously solves inherent issues of the AgNW electrodes such as poor adhesion to various surfaces, surface roughness, and fine pattern formation. Finally, with superior optoelectronic property and mechanical flexibility of the electrodes, various flexible electronic applications are demonstrated.
Multilevel Spherical Photonic Crystals with Controllable Structures and Structure‐Enhanced Functionalities
Authors: Wang Juan , Le‐The Hai , Shui Lingling , Bomer Johan G. , Jin Mingliang , Zhou Guofu , Mulvaney Paul , Pinkse Pepijn W. H. , van den Berg Albert , Segerink Loes I. , Eijkel Jan C. T.
Published: March 2020

Spherical photonic crystals (SPCs) with tailorable multiscale structure, versatile surface morphology, and controllable optical properties of both photonic stop band (PSB) and surface plasmon resonance (SPR), have been fabricated using a robust and facile method. The fabricated SPCs consist of well‐spaced gold nanocrystals (AuNCs) (3rd‐tier) anchored on silica nanopatterns (2nd‐tier) confined in microspherical templates (1st‐tier). Droplet microfluidics is used to produce microdroplets containing silica nanoparticles (SiO2NPs) which assemble to form two‐tier SPCs. Subsequently, three‐tier SPCs are obtained by thermal dewetting and evaporation of metal films deposited on the two‐tier SPCs, with the 3rd‐tier morphology being controlled by the deposited film morphology and programmed thermal annealing. Optical PSB and SPR properties of the prepared SPCs can be on‐demand tailored by the 2nd and 3rd‐tier morphology and their corresponding constituent materials. It is found that the scattering from AuNC arrays on the SPCs can be amplified by tailoring the PSB properties. The hierarchical SPCs manufactured by this method take advantages of low‐cost, high controllability, and further processability. The manufacturing of flexible film encapsulated well‐assembled SPCs as anticounterfeiting stamps, which are easy to be identified using the mobile phone with a flash, is demonstrated.