bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Високовакуумний нанометричний комплексний спектрометр
Authors: Черніков М.Г. , Чернікова І.Д.
Published: May 2020

Потреби техніки і технологій привели до різкого прискорення дослідно-конструкторських і науково-дослідних робіт для вивчення в високовакуумному середовищі як поверхневих так і об'ємних властивостей твердих тіл. У даній роботі пропонується високовакуумний нанометричний комплексний спектрометр, що дозволяє провидити багатоцільові дослідження поверхневих і об'ємних властивостей твердих тіл в контрольованому середовищі. Наявність системи напуску газу, іонної і електронної гармати дозволяють змінювати структурний стан поверхні досліджуваного об'єкта, а наявність оже-спектрометра контролювати елементний склад на поверхні зразків. Корпускулярна спектрометрія дозволяє визначити енергетичний спектр електронів, а також визначити енергетичні параметри досліджуваної поверхні, що дозволить отриману інформацію широко використовувати для створення напівпровідникових приладів в мікро- і наноелектроніці.
Oсобливості моделювання механічних процесів за допомогою методу скінченних елементів в програмному середовищі COMSOL Multiphysics
Authors: Мелконов Г.Л. , Мелконова І.В.
Published: May 2020

У статті наводиться огляд проблем, що зустрічаються при моделюванні механічних процесів. Так само проведено аналіз застосування модуля «Механіка конструкцій» в програмному середовищі COMSOL Multiphysics для вирішення механічних завдань на прикладі моделі яка представляє собою тонкий металевий лист, який вдавлюється в штамп за допомогою пуансона. При прокаті листового металу явище деформації – є важливим етапом в технологічному процесі. Тому в роботі показана можливість застосування моделювання механічних процесів, як можливість проводити експериментальні дослідження за допомогою COMSOL Multiphysics. Також в роботі поведено аналіз літературних джерел, в яких розглядається питання моделювання механічних і фізичних процесів не тільки в програмному середовищі COMSOL Multiphysics., але і в інших програмних продуктах.
Sistem Informasi Administrasi Surat Masuk Dan Surat Keluar Pada Dinas Pendidikan Kota Medan
Authors: Faisal Ahmad , Khairina Nurul
Published: May 2020

Perkembangan saat ini sangatlah meningkat dibidang teknologi sehingga mengharuskan suatu organisasi ataupun instansi pemerintahan untuk menggunakan suatu sistem yang terkomputerisasi. Dinas Pendidikan Kota Medan, merupakan salah satu instansi pemerintahan, Dinas Pendidikan Kota Medan menangani ratusan surat setiap harinya dari sekolah-sekolah yang aktif di kota medan. Pada sekretariat badan pengurus surat di Dinas Pendidikan Kota Medan masih dilakukan secara pembukuan. Metodologi Penelitian melalui metode pengambilan data  dan metode perancangan untuk membuat dan mendesain sistem informasi yang tepat guna dan efektif dengan yang diinginkan. Hasil yang dicapai  adalah Sistem Informasi Administrasi Surat Masuk dan Surat Keluar Pada Dinas Pendidikan Kota Medan untuk mempermudah dan meningkat kinerja pegawai yang mengurus manajemen surat. Kesimpulannya Sistem Informasi Administrasi Surat Masuk dan Surat Keluar sangatlah penting untuk meningkatkan kinerja dan mempermudah pencarian informasi surat.
Five Years and Count(er)ing: Memoir after Memoir
Authors: Bugeja Norbert
Published: May 2020

In this retrospective piece, the Guest Editor of the first number of CounterText (a special issue titled Postcolonial Springs) looks back at the past five years from various scholarly and personal perspectives. He places particular focus on an event that took place mid-way between the 2011 uprisings across a number of Arab countries and the moment of writing: the March 2015 terror attack on the Bardo National Museum in Tunis, which killed twenty-two people and had a profound effect on Tunisian popular consciousness and that of the post-2011 Arab nations. In this context, the author argues for a renewed perspective on memoir as at once a memorial practice and a political gesture in writing, one that exceeds concerns of genre and form to encompass an ongoing project of political re-cognition following events that continue to remap the agenda for the region. The piece makes a brief final pitch for Europe's need to re-cognise, within those modes of ‘articulacy-in-difficulty’ active on its southern borders, specific answers to its own present quandaries.
Home or Away: Homecoming, Glory, and the Good Death in Homer'sOdyssey
Authors: Rees William
Published: May 2020

This article examines the overlapping themes of the good death ( euthanasia), glory ( kleos), and homecoming ( nostos) as they are deployed in Homer's Odyssey. On both a thematic and a structural level, I argue that the text stages a confrontation between homecoming and glory – between death at home and death in battle – and that this tension is a sustaining force throughout the text. In contrast to the received interpretation that sees the Odyssey as a straightforward tale of nostalgia, I argue that in Homer's epic the relation to homecoming turns out to be surprising and complex – an event that is at once painfully desired and perpetually deferred.
Bilgi Teknolojilerinin Bilgi Erişime Etkileri: Literatüre Dayalı Nitel Bir Çalışma
Authors: CİBAROĞLU Mehmet Oytun
Published: May 2020

İnsanoğlu, varoluşundan beri çevresine uyum sağlamak ve varlığını devam ettirmek adına birtakım faaliyetlerde bulunmuştur. Bu faaliyetler kapsamında, doğada karşılaştığı sorunları çözmek için gözlemlerde bulunmuş, çözülemeyen sorunları da farklı yöntemler deneyerek çözmeye çalışmıştır. İnsanoğlu, zaman içerisinde, içselleştirdiği bu çözüm yollarını kullanarak doğa kurallarının birçoğunu anlamlandırmış ve kısmen de olsa doğaya hükmetmeye başlamıştır. Bilgi çağı olarak adlandırılan ve halen içinde yaşadığımız süreçte ise bilgisayar sistemleri yardımı ile artık çözümler çok daha kısa sürelerde gerçekleşmektedir. Bu noktada odaklanılması gereken, karşılaşılan sorunların çözümünde bilgiye nasıl ulaşılacağı ve onun hangi gereksinimler doğrultusunda nasıl kullanılacağıdır. Bilgi ve İletişim Teknolojilerinin (BİT) getirdiği yeni uygulamalar (dijital dönüşüm vb.) ise bu noktada insanların bilgiye ulaşma çabaları bağlamında yeni yöntemler önermektedir. Bir karşılaştırma yapmak gerekirse, kâğıt tabanlı bir kitaptan, ihtiyaç duyulan bir kelime veya cümleyi bulmak ile OCR (Optical Character Recognition) destekli tarayıcılarda tarandıktan sonra bilgisayar ortamına aktarılan aynı kitaptan bir bilgi edinmek arasında muhakkak zaman (süre) farkı olacaktır. Bu açından bakıldığında, bilgiye erişimde hız kazanıldığı söylenebilir. Bu çalışmada BİT unsurlarının bilgiye erişim süreçlerindeki etki ve katkıları; bilgi, bilgi gereksinimi, bilgi arama davranışları ve modelleri, dijital dönüşüm, dijital okuryazarlık kavramları ve konu ile ilgili yapılan güncel çalışmalar bağlamında açıklanacaktır. Çalışmanın yöntemi olarak betimsel analiz seçilmiştir. Bu kapsamda, EBSCOHost, Web of Science, Scopus, Springerlink, YÖK Ulusal Tez Merkezi, Proquest Tez Veritabanı vb. veritabanlarında; “dijtial dönüşüm”, “dijital dönüşüm ve bilgi erişim”, “bilgi sistemleri ve dijital dönüşüm”, “bilgi arama davranışları”, “teknoloji ve bilgiye erişim”, “içeriklerin çevrimiçi paylaşımı”, “dijitalleşme ve bilişsel süreçler” vb. anahtar kelimeler kullanılarak kaynaklar belirlenmiştir. Yapılan çalışmalarda BİT’in, bireylerin bilgi arama davranışlarını değiştirdiği; bilgiye eriştikten sonra da bunu nasıl kullanılacağına dair yönlendirdiğini göstermiştir. Bilgi arama süreçlerinde, teknoloji desteğinin bilişsel süreçlerdeki aşamaları daha verimli bir hale getirdiği ve böylece bilgiye dayalı karar verme süreçlerinin etkinliğinin arttığı söylenebilir.
Affirmative Action for Whom? An Experiment on Latino Policy Preferences
Authors: Salinas Eduardo
Published: May 2020

Why do Latinos show high opposition toward affirmative action, a policy that benefits them as a group? Using data from a nationally representative survey experiment, I find that racial prejudice drives Latino affirmative action policy preferences to mirror those of non-Hispanic whites – with caveats. My results show that whites oppose affirmative action for both blacks and Latinos, and Latinos oppose affirmative action only for blacks. Both white and Latino opposition to affirmative action is a function of their anti-black racial prejudice. However, I also find evidence that Latino policy attitudes toward affirmative action are also a function of Latino identity. Specifically, among Latinos with a strong Latino in-group identity, we see evidence of a solidarity effect - affirmative action support for both Latinos and blacks.
Kunskapsbedömning genom validering – att ge erkännande åt vuxnas lärande
Authors: Andersson Per
Published: May 2020

Validering är en form av kunskapsbedömning som i första hand riktar sig till vuxna. Den erbjuder möjligheten att få erkännande för sina kunskaper även om de har utvecklats på andra sätt än genom utbildning. Vad är validering? Varifrån kommer intresset för denna företeelse? Hur kan utvecklingen komma att se ut när det gäller validering?
Hubungan Umur dan Konsumsi Makanan Mengandung Zat Besi dengan Anemia pada Ibu Hamil di Puskesmas Talise Palu
Authors: Elviyaningsih Susan , Rafika  , Putu Candriasih
Published: May 2020

Anemia in pregnant women is called a potential that endangers the mother and child, therefore anemia requires serious attention from parties involved in health services. The purpose of this study is to know the relationship of age and consumption of iron-containing foods with the incidence of anemia in pregnant women in Talise Palu Health Center in 2017. The type of research is descriptive comparative using a cross sectional approach. The population of all pregnant women in the Talise Health Center area. The sample in this study amounted to 55 respondents with the sampling technique using consecutive sampling technique. The data collection is done through direct interviews and direct Hb measurements. Data analysis using univariate frequency distribution and bivariate analysis with Fisher's Exact Test. The results of the study of 55 respondents there were 96.4% of pregnant women who had anemia, with the age of pregnant women not at risk of 85.5% and pregnant women who rarely consumed foods containing iron there were 78.2%. The results of statistical tests using Fisher's Exact Test showed that there was a relationship between consumption of iron-containing foods (p = 0.04) with the incidence of anemia in pregnant women at Talise Palu Health Center in 2017 and no age relationship (p = 0.728) with anemia in pregnant women . Conclusion that age has no relationship with the incidence of anemia in pregnant women. Consumption of iron-containing foods is associated with the incidence of anemia in pregnant women. Suggestions for midwives who work at the KIA-KB Poli to continue to provide services according to operational standards during pregnancy examinations so that anemia in pregnant women can be treated and even prevented during pregnancy.
Pengaruh Pemberian Topikal ASI terhadap Pelepasan Tali Pusat di BPM Anatapura dan BPM Setia
Authors: Dwi Yani Ratna Dewi  , Muliani  , Tondong Henrietta Imelda
Published: May 2020

The background of cord care is to keep the umbilical cord clean, dry and help protect newborns from possible infections. The umbilical cord fades faster and reduces the risk of infection. The content of breast milk, namely leukocyte cells, proteolytic enzymes, and immunological substances that can help accelerate the release of the umbilical cord. The study aimed to determine the effect of topical breastfeeding on the length of umbilical cord release in newborns at BPM Anatapura and Setia Palu BPM. The method used was pre-experiment with Static Group Comparison. The study population was all newborns aged 0 days until the cord was released, born at BPM Anatapura and BPM Setia Palu. The sample was divided into 2 groups (intervention and control), the number of samples was 15 for each group, so that a total of 30 samples were taken by consecutive sampling technique. Data analysis used was univariate and bivariate with Independent t-test. The results showed that the mean cord release in the topical breastfeeding group (102.7+ 22.08 hours) was smaller than the open dry treatment group (145, 36+ 37.63 hours) in the 95% CI with ρ-value of 0.001. The topical ASI group had a chance of 1.42 times (42.66 hours) experiencing umbilical cord release more quickly than the open dry treatment group. The conclusion of the study was the effect of topical breastfeeding on the length of umbilical cord release. The results of the study can be used as reference references in providing health services, especially simple umbilical cord care using topical breast milk.
Hubungan Pemberian Asi Eksklusif dan Bayi Berat Lahir Rendah (BBLR) dengan Kejadian Pneumonia pada Balita di Wilayah Puskesmas Kamonji
Authors: Linda
Published: May 2020

Pneumonia is the premiere killer of toddlers in the world and in Indonesia. In Indonesia pneumonia is the cause of 15% of infant mortality is estimated as many as 922,000 under-fives in 2015. Puskesmas Kamonji is a health center that has the highest number of pneumonia cases in the city of Palu is 422 cases in 2015. Based on evidence that the risk factor of pneumonia is the lack of breastfeeding exclusive, malnutrition, indoor air pollution, low birth weight (LBW), population density, and lack of measles immunization. The purpose of this study is known factors associated with the incidence of pneumonia, namely Exclusive breastfeeding and history of low birth weight (LBW). The type of research used is analytical survey with case control approach. The samples in this study were all mothers who had children under 12-59 months in the Kamonji Puskemas Working Area consisted of 70 samples consisting of 35 case samples and 35 control samples. This research uses Chi-square statistical analysis with 5% error rate (α = 0,05) and trust level 95%. The results showed that exclusive breastfeeding (P value = 0.147) and low birth weight (P Value = 1,000) did not correlate with pneumonia occurrence in children aged 12-59 months. The conclusion in this study was no association between exclusive breastfeeding and the incidence of pneumonia and no association between low birth weight infants and the incidence of pneumonia. Suggestions for Health Officers to continue to give counseling about the importance of healthy living behavior teaches the community how important to wash hands with soap and keep the nutritional status of toddlers is always good.
Fenomena Gizi Buruk Di Wilayah Kerja Puskesmas Peusangan
Authors: Wahyuni Liza , Nasution Zuraidah , Tarigan Jitasari
Published: May 2020

Fenomena kasus balita gizi buruk menyerupai layaknya fenomena gunung es, jumlah kasus yang  muncul lebih sedikit. Namun pada hakekatnya masih banyak kasus balita gizi buruk yang tersembunyi yang belum diungkap secara maksimal. Belum lagi kasus lama yang telah tercatat namun mengalami drop out dari pemantauan, penanganan dan pencatatan lanjut dari petugas. Angka ini diperkirakan sama besarnya dengan angka jumlah kasus yang belum tercatat sama sekali. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui fenomena kasus gizi buruk di wilayah kerja Puskesmas Peusangan. Desain penelitian ini adalah kualitatif dengan pendekatan fenomenologi. Penelitian dilaksanakan di Wilayah Kerja\ Puskesmas Peusangan pada tahun 2018. Subjek penelitian sebanyak 12 orang, yaitu ibu balita, Kader, Anggota PKK, Lurah, Tenaga Pelaksana Gizi, Kepala Puskesmas, Petugas Promosi Kesehatan, Bidan Desa, Perawat dan Dokter. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa fenomena kasus gizi buruk di Puskesmas Peusangan dipengaruhi oleh pengetahuan orangtua, pendidikan orangtua, pola asuh orang tua dan pendapatan keluarga.  Sebagai kesimpulan, fenomena kejadian gizi buruk di Wilayah Kerja  Puskesmas Peusangan disebabkan oleh pengetahuan, pendidikan,  pola asuh dan pendapatan keluarga. Disarankan agar petugas kesehatan memotivasi ibu balita untuk membawa anak balita ke posyandu setiap bulan secara rutin.
The Effect of Different Deep Network Architectures upon CNN-Based Gaze Tracking
Authors: Chen Hui-Hui , Hwang Bor-Jiunn , Wu Jung-Shyr , Liu Po-Ting
Published: May 2020

In this paper, we explore the effect of using different convolutional layers, batch normalization and the global average pooling layer upon a convolutional neural network (CNN) based gaze tracking system. A novel method is proposed to label the participant’s face images as gaze points retrieved from eye tracker while watching videos for building a training dataset that is closer to human visual behavior. The participants can swing their head freely; therefore, the most real and natural images can be obtained without too many restrictions. The labeled data are classified according to the coordinate of gaze and area of interest on the screen. Therefore, varied network architectures are applied to estimate and compare the effects including the number of convolutional layers, batch normalization (BN) and the global average pooling (GAP) layer instead of the fully connected layer. Three schemes, including the single eye image, double eyes image and facial image, with data augmentation are used to feed into neural network to train and evaluate the efficiency. The input image of the eye or face for an eye tracking system is mostly a small-sized image with relatively few features. The results show that BN and GAP are helpful in overcoming the problem to train models and in reducing the amount of network parameters. It is shown that the accuracy is significantly improved when using GAP and BN at the mean time. Overall, the face scheme has a highest accuracy of 0.883 when BN and GAP are used at the mean time. Additionally, comparing to the fully connected layer set to 512 cases, the number of parameters is reduced by less than 50% and the accuracy is improved by about 2%. A detection accuracy comparison of our model with the existing George and Routray methods shows that our proposed method achieves better prediction accuracy of more than 6%.
Profiling of Essential Oils Components and Polyphenols for Their Antioxidant Activity of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants Grown in Different Environmental Conditions
Authors: Chrysargyris Antonios , Mikallou Maria , Petropoulos Spyridon , Tzortzakis Nikolaos
Published: May 2020

In the present study, the yield, the chemical composition, and the antioxidant activities of the essential oils (EOs) of eight medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPs) cultivated under two environmental conditions characterized by a different altitude (namely mountainous and plain) were evaluated. Cultivation at different environmental conditions resulted in significant differences in the chemical composition and antioxidant activity for most of the studied species. In particular, high altitudes resulted in increased phenolic compounds’ content and antioxidant activity for artemisia plants, while specific parameters increased in the case of spearmint (total phenols) and rosemary (flavonoids). In contrast, in pelargonium, all the tested parameters were positively affected in the plain area, whereas, for laurel and sage, only flavanols remained unaffected. EO yield in mountainous pelargonium and spearmint decreased while, in mountainous laurel, pelargonium and spearmint increased when compared to plain areas. In addition, the major EO constituents’ content for most of the species were affected by environmental conditions. The 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl-hydrate (DPPH) and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) were variably correlated with total phenols, flavonoids, and flavanols, depending on the species and the altitude. Lastly, in limited cases, antioxidant activity (DPPH or FRAP values) was positively correlated with some EO components (e.g., borneol and β-pinene in artemisia and laurel plants grown in the plain, respectively, or 1,8-cineole in mountainous grown verbena plants). In conclusion, environmental conditions (altitude) affected antioxidants’ content and EO yield and composition of the studied MAPs. These findings can be used to introduce cultivation of MAPs in specific ecosystems for the production of high added value products.
Influence of Detasseling Methods on Seed Yield of Some Parent Inbred Lines of Turda Maize Hybrids
Authors: Ghețe Alexandru Bogdan , Haș Voichița , Vidican Roxana , Copândean Ana , Ranta Ovidiu , Moldovan Cristina Maria , Crișan Ioana , Duda Marcel Matei
Published: May 2020

During the process of maize seed production, in order to ensure the genetic purity of parental forms of hybrid maize, an important work performed is the removal of male inflorescences from plants on mother rows. Hand detasseling has high precision but is labor-intensive. Mechanical detasseling offers the possibility to cover large acreages in a short period of time, but the number of leaves removed has a varying influence on plant performance and seed yield. The aim of this study was to simulate three types of damages on plants similar to those induced through mechanical detasseling and to assess the effects for five inbred lines during the course of three years. Results show that when tassels alone were removed, the average seed yield decreased an average of 4–21%. When two leaves were removed with the tassel, yield decreased an average of 22–31%, while when plants were cut above the main ear, seed yield decreased an average of 31–66%. Environmental conditions influenced seed yield, especially high temperatures during flowering. Yield response to tassel and leaves removal varied between the inbred lines. Genotype controls maize ear and kernel characters, while environmental factors exercise a strong influence on seed yield, due to the succession of years with contrasting weather conditions in a key phenophase. Within the trend of full mechanization in agriculture, identification of inbred lines that cope better with plant damage can assist in optimizing seed production.
Calibration of the Surface Renewal Method (SR) under Different Meteorological Conditions in an Avocado Orchard
Authors: Morán Andrés , Ferreyra Raúl , Sellés Gabriel , Salgado Eduardo , Cáceres-Mella Alejandro , Poblete-Echeverría Carlos
Published: May 2020

The surface renewal method (SR) allows estimating the sensible heat flux (H) using high-frequency thermocouples. Traditionally, SR has been compared and calibrated using standard instruments such as the Eddy covariance system (EC). Calibration involves correcting H measured with SR (H’SR) by means of the calibration factor (α). However, several studies show that α is not constant and could depend on canopy architecture, measurement height, atmospheric stability, and weather conditions. In avocado orchards, there is not enough information about energy fluxes and the application of the SR method. Therefore, the objective of this study is to calibrate the SR method in a mature avocado orchard considering the effect of meteorological conditions on the determination of α. The components of the surface energy balance were measured using an EC system in a commercial avocado orchard (cv. Hass) located in the Aconcagua Valley, Valparaíso Region, Chile. To evaluate the effect of the meteorological conditions on the determination of α, the dataset was classified into nine categories based on solar radiation and wind intensity. The results show that α varies according to meteorological conditions, with significant differences for cloudy days. The use of the variable α reduced the error in estimating H, so, this methodology can be used to have a more precise approximation of the energy balance and therefore to the water requirements.
Influence of SDHI Seed Treatment on the Physiological Conditions of Spring Barley Seedlings under Drought Stress
Authors: Radzikowska Dominika , Grzanka Monika , Kowalczewski Przemysław Łukasz , Głowicka-Wołoszyn Romana , Blecharczyk Andrzej , Nowicki Marcin , Sawinska Zuzanna
Published: May 2020

Seed treatments help reduce the pathogen load and thus improve the condition of plants from their earliest developmental stages, but they can have impacts beyond their basic fungicide protection role. In this study, we investigated how seven spring barley seed treatments affected the plants’ physiological state. The tested seed treatments differed significantly in their impacts on the vigor parameters of barley seeds and on the physiological state of seedlings under drought stress and after regeneration. Seed treatments based on substances from the succinate-dehydrogenase-inhibitors (SDHI) group did not cause inhibition of seedling growth and also display by the highest vigor index values. Using the analysis of photosynthesis-related parameters, we showed that seed treatments from the SDHI group provided a superior tolerance of the imposed drought in spring barley than other treatments. In addition to protection against abiotic stress, SDHI treatments also rendered a higher efficiency of photochemical reactions in the treated plants.
Infectious Disease and Primary Care Research—What English General Practitioners Say They Need
Authors: Lecky Donna M. , Granier Steve , Allison Rosalie , Verlander Neville Q. , Collin Simon M. , McNulty Cliodna A. M.
Published: May 2020

Background: Infections are one of the most common reasons for patients attending primary care. Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is perhaps one of the biggest threats to modern medicine; data show that 81% of antibiotics in the UK are prescribed in primary care. Aim: To identify where the perceived gaps in knowledge, skills, guidance and research around infections and antibiotic use lie from the general practitioner (GP) viewpoint. Design and Setting: An online questionnaire survey. Method: The survey, based on questions asked of Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) members in 1999, and covering letter were electronically sent to GPs between May and August 2017 via various primary care dissemination routes. Results: Four hundred and twenty-eight GPs responded. Suspected Infection in the elderly, recurrent urinary tract infection (UTI), surveillance of AMR in the community, leg ulcers, persistent cough and cellulitis all fell into the top six conditions ranked in order of importance that require further research, evidence and guidance. Acute sore throat, otitis media and sinusitis were of lower importance than in 1999. Conclusion: This survey will help the NHS, the UK National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) and researchers to prioritise for the development of guidance and research for chronic conditions highlighted for which there is little evidence base for diagnostic and management guidelines in primary care. In contrast, 20 years of investment into research, guidance and resources for acute respiratory infections have successfully reduced these as priority areas for GPs.
Examining Safety of Biocolourants from Fungal and Plant Sources-Examples from Cortinarius and Tapinella, Salix and Tanacetum spp. and Dyed Woollen Fabrics
Authors: Räisänen Riikka , Primetta Anja , Nikunen Sari , Honkalampi Ulla , Nygren Heli , Pihlava Juha-Matti , Vanden Berghe Ina , von Wright Atte
Published: May 2020

Biocolourants have been investigated as alternatives to synthetic dyes. However, natural origin per se is not a label of harmlessness and research is needed to obtain safe dyes. We studied the cytotoxicity of the extracts from fungal (Cortinarius semisanguineus, Tapinella atrotomentosa) and plant (Tanacetum vulgare, Salix phylicifolia) sources and the woollen fabrics dyed with the extracts. Cytotoxicity in vitro using hepa-1 mouse hepatoma cells for 24 h and 72 h exposure was observed as the highest tolerated dose. All biocolourants produced intensive colour on fabrics with fastness properties from moderate to good. The Salix and Cortinarius samples did not show any cytotoxic effects, whereas the Tanacetum and Tapinella samples had slightly higher test values but were not interpreted as being significantly toxic. Higher than zero values of the undyed fabrics showed the importance of examining their toxicity as well. It was found that the cytotoxicity of the samples dyed with the biocolourants did not differ significantly from the undyed wool fabric. The concentrations of dyes used in the assays were very low, imitating the dose of the user. In addition to colouring properties, natural dyes may have pharmaceutical and antibacterial properties which would enhance the interest in using them in products for added value.
WRF-Chem Simulation of Winter Visibility in Jiangsu, China, and the Application of a Neural Network Algorithm
Authors: Zong Peishu , Zhu Yali , Wang Huijun , Liu Duanyang
Published: May 2020

In this paper, the winter visibility in Jiangsu Province is simulated by WRF-Chem (Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model coupled with Chemistry) with high spatiotemporal resolutions. Simulation results show that WRF-Chem has good capability to simulate the visibility and related local meteorological elements and air pollutants in Jiangsu in the winters of 2013–2017. For visibility inversion, this study adopts the neural network algorithm. Meteorological elements, including wind speed, humidity and temperature, are introduced to improve the performance of WRF-Chem relative to the visibility inversion scheme, which is based on the Interagency Monitoring of Protected Visual Environments (IMPROVE) extinction coefficient algorithm. The neural network offers a noticeable improvement relative to the inversion scheme of the IMPROVE visibility extinction coefficient, substantially improving the underestimation of winter visibility in Jiangsu Province. For instance, the correlation coefficient increased from 0.17 to 0.42, and root mean square error decreased from 2.62 to 1.76. The visibility inversion results under different humidity and wind speed levels show that the underestimation of the visibility using the IMPROVE scheme is especially remarkable. However, the underestimation issue is essentially solved using the neural network algorithm. This study serves as a basis for further predicting winter haze events in Jiangsu Province using WRF-Chem and deep-learning methods.
Tidal Wave-Driven Variability in the Mars Ionosphere-Thermosphere System
Authors: Thaller Scott A. , Andersson Laila , Pilinski Marcin Dominik , Thiemann Edward , Withers Paul , Elrod Meredith , Fang Xiaohua , González-Galindo Francisco , Bougher Stephen , Jenkins Geoffrey
Published: May 2020

In order to further evaluate the behavior of ionospheric variations at Mars, we investigate the Martian ionosphere-thermosphere (IT) perturbations associated with non-migrating thermal tides using over four years of Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution (MAVEN) in situ measurements of the IT electron and neutral densities. The results are consistent with those of previous studies, namely strong correlation between the tidal perturbations in electron and neutral densities on the dayside at altitudes ~150–185 km, as expected from photochemical theory. In addition, there are intervals during which this correlation extends to higher altitudes, up to ~270 km, where diffusive transport of plasma plays a dominant role over photochemical processes. This is significant because at these altitudes the thermosphere and ionosphere are only weakly coupled through collisions. The identified non-migrating tidal wave variations in the neutral thermosphere are predominantly wave-1, wave-2, and wave-3. Wave-1 is often the dominant wavenumber for electron density tidal variations, particularly at high altitudes over crustal fields. The Mars Climate Database (MCD) neutral densities (below 300 km along the MAVEN orbit) shows clear tidal variations which are predominantly wave-2 and wave-3, and have similar wave amplitudes to those observed.
Clinical Features of Parkinson’s Disease: The Evolution of Critical Symptoms
Authors: Váradi Csaba
Published: May 2020

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a multi-attribute neurodegenerative disorder combining motor and nonmotor symptoms without well-defined diagnostic clinical markers. The presence of primary motor features (bradykinesia, rest tremor, rigidity and loss of postural reflexes) are the most characteristic signs of PD that are also utilized to identify patients in current clinical practice. The successful implementation of levodopa treatment revealed that nonmotor features are the main contributors of patient disability in PD, and their occurrence might be earlier than motor symptoms during disease progression. Targeted detection of prodromal PD symptoms can open up new possibilities in the identification of PD patients and provide potential patient populations for developing novel neuroprotective therapies. In this review, the evolution of critical features in PD diagnosis is described with special attention to nonmotor symptoms and their possible detection.
Evolution of Hemoglobin Genes in a Subterranean Rodent Species (Lasiopodomys mandarinus)
Authors: Sun Hong , Ye Kaihong , Liu Denghui , Pan Dan , Gu Shiming , Wang Zhenlong
Published: May 2020

The Mandarin vole (Lasiopodomys mandarinus), a typical subterranean rodent, has undergone hematological adaptations to tolerate the hypoxic/hypercapnic underground environment. Hemoglobin (Hb) genes encode respiratory proteins functioning principally in oxygen binding and transport to various tissues and organs. To investigate the evolution of α- and β-hemoglobin (Hb) in subterranean rodent species, we sequenced Hb genes of the Mandarin vole and the related aboveground Brandt’s vole (L. brandtii). Sequencing showed that in both voles, α-globin was encoded by a cluster of five functional genes in the following linkage order: HBZ, HBA-T1, HBQ-T1, HBA-T2, and HBQ-T2; among these, HBQ-T2 is a pseudogene in both voles. The β-globin gene cluster in both voles also included five functional genes in the following linkage order: HBE, HBE/HBG, HBG, HBB-T1, and HBB-T2. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the Mandarin vole underwent convergent evolution with its related aboveground species (Brandt’s vole) but not with other subterranean rodent species. Selection pressure analyses revealed that α- and β-globin genes are under strong purifying selection (ω < 1), and branch-site analyses identified positive selection sites on HBAT-T1 and HBB-T1 in different subterranean rodent species. This suggests that the adaptive evolution of these genes enhanced the ability of Hb to store and transport oxygen in subterranean rodent species. Our findings highlight the critical roles of Hb genes in the evolution of hypoxia tolerance in subterranean rodent species.
Exposure of Intestinal Epithelial Cells to 2′-Fucosyllactose and CpG Enhances Galectin Release and Instructs Dendritic Cells to Drive Th1 and Regulatory-Type Immune Development
Authors: Ayechu-Muruzabal Veronica , Overbeek Saskia A. , Kostadinova Atanaska I. , Stahl Bernd , Garssen Johan , van’t Land Belinda , Willemsen Linette E.M.
Published: May 2020

Intestinal epithelial cells (IEC) release immunomodulatory galectins upon exposure to CpG DNA (mimicking bacterial triggers) and short-chain galacto- and long-chain fructo-oligosaccharides (GF). This study aims to investigate the immunomodulatory properties of 2′-fucosyllactose (2′-FL), a non-digestible oligosaccharide (NDO) abundantly present in human milk, using a co-culture model developed to study the crosstalk between IEC and innate and adaptive immune cells. IECs, co-cultured with αCD3/CD28-activated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC), were apically exposed to NDOs and CpG, washed and co-cultured with immature monocyte-derived dendritic cells (moDC). Subsequently, moDC were co-cultured with naïve CD4+ T-cells. In the presence of CpG, both 2′-FL or GF-exposed IEC enhanced Th1-type IFNγ and regulatory IL-10 secretion of PBMCs, compared to CpG alone, while Th2-type IL-13 was reduced. Both NDOs increased IEC-derived galectin-3, -4, -9 and TGF-β1 of CpG-exposed IEC. Only galectin-9 correlated with all modified immune parameters and TGF-β1 secretion. MoDCs exposed to 2′-FL and CpG-conditioned IEC instructed IFNγ and IL-10 secretion by CD4+ T-cells, suggesting the development of a regulatory Th1 response. These results reveal that 2′-FL and GF could contribute to the mucosal immune development by supporting the effect of microbial CpG DNA associated with the modulation of epithelial galectin and TGF-β1 secretion.
Oral Administration of Liquiritigenin Confers Protection from Atopic Dermatitis through the Inhibition of T Cell Activation
Authors: Lee Hyun-Su , Kim Eun-Nam , Jeong Gil-Saeng
Published: May 2020

While liquiritigenin, isolated from Spatholobus suberectus Dunn, is known to possess anti-inflammatory activities, it still remains to be known whether liquiritigenin has a suppressive effect on T cell activation and T cell-mediated disease. Here, we used Jurkat T cells to explore an underlying mechanism of pre-treatment with liquiritigenin in activated T cell in vitro and used atopic dermatitis (AD) in vivo to confirm it. We found liquiritigenin blocks IL-2 and CD69 expression from activated T cells by PMA/A23187 or anti-CD3/CD28 antibodies. The expressions of surface molecules, including CD40L and CD25, were also reduced in activated T cells pre-treated with liquiritigenin. Western blot analysis indicated repressive effects by liquiritigenin are involved in NFκB and MAPK pathways. To assess the effects of liquiritigenin in vivo, an AD model was applied as T cell-mediated disease. Oral administration of liquiritigenin attenuates AD manifestations, including ear thickness, IgE level, and thicknesses of dermis and epidermis. Systemic protections by liquiritigenin were observed to be declined in size and weight of draining lymph nodes (dLNs) and expressions of effector cytokines from CD4+ T cells in dLNs. These results suggest liquiritigenin has an anti-atopic effect via control of T cell activation and exhibits therapeutic potential for T cell-mediated disorders.
Different Impacts of MucR Binding to the babR and virB Promoters on Gene Expression in Brucella abortus 2308
Authors: Borriello Giorgia , Russo Veronica , Paradiso Rubina , Riccardi Marita Georgia , Criscuolo Daniela , Verde Gaetano , Marasco Rosangela , Pedone Paolo Vincenzo , Galiero Giorgio , Baglivo Ilaria
Published: May 2020

The protein MucR from Brucella abortus has been described as a transcriptional regulator of many virulence genes. It is a member of the Ros/MucR family comprising proteins that control the expression of genes important for the successful interaction of α-proteobacteria with their eukaryotic hosts. Despite clear evidence of the role of MucR in repressing virulence genes, no study has been carried out so far demonstrating the direct interaction of this protein with the promoter of its target gene babR encoding a LuxR-like regulator repressing virB genes. In this study, we show for the first time the ability of MucR to bind the promoter of babR in electrophoretic mobility shift assays demonstrating a direct role of MucR in repressing this gene. Furthermore, we demonstrate that MucR can bind the virB gene promoter. Analyses by RT-qPCR showed no significant differences in the expression level of virB genes in Brucella abortus CC092 lacking MucR compared to the wild-type Brucella abortus strain, indicating that MucR binding to the virB promoter has little impact on virB gene expression in B. abortus 2308. The MucR modality to bind the two promoters analyzed supports our previous hypothesis that this is a histone-like protein never found before in Brucella.
MARK4 Inhibited by AChE Inhibitors, Donepezil and Rivastigmine Tartrate: Insights into Alzheimer’s Disease Therapy
Authors: Shamsi Anas , Anwar Saleha , Mohammad Taj , Alajmi Mohamed F. , Hussain Afzal , Rehman Md. Tabish , Hasan Gulam Mustafa , Islam Asimul , Hassan Md. Imtaiyaz
Published: May 2020

Microtubule affinity-regulating kinase (MARK4) plays a key role in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) development as its overexpression is directly linked to increased tau phosphorylation. MARK4 is a potential drug target of AD and is thus its structural features are employed in the development of new therapeutic molecules. Donepezil (DP) and rivastigmine tartrate (RT) are acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitors and are used to treat symptomatic patients of mild to moderate AD. In keeping with the therapeutic implications of DP and RT in AD, we performed binding studies of these drugs with the MARK4. Both DP and RT bound to MARK4 with a binding constant (K) of 107 M−1. The temperature dependency of binding parameters revealed MARK−DP complex to be guided by static mode while MARK−RT complex to be guided by both static and dynamic quenching. Both drugs inhibited MARK4 with IC50 values of 5.3 μM (DP) and 6.74 μM (RT). The evaluation of associated enthalpy change (ΔH) and entropy change (ΔS) implied the complex formation to be driven by hydrogen bonding making it seemingly strong and specific. Isothermal titration calorimetry further advocated a spontaneous binding. In vitro observations were further complemented by the calculation of binding free energy by molecular docking and interactions with the functionally-important residues of the active site pocket of MARK4. This study signifies the implications of AChE inhibitors, RT, and DP in Alzheimer’s therapy targeting MARK4.
Antidepressant-Like Effect of Terpineol in an Inflammatory Model of Depression: Involvement of the Cannabinoid System and D2 Dopamine Receptor
Authors: Vieira Graziela , Cavalli Juliana , Gonçalves Elaine C. D. , Braga Saulo F. P. , Ferreira Rafaela S. , Santos Adair R. S. , Cola Maíra , Raposo Nádia R. B. , Capasso Raffaele , Dutra Rafael C.
Published: May 2020

Depression has a multifactorial etiology that arises from environmental, psychological, genetic, and biological factors. Environmental stress and genetic factors acting through immunological and endocrine responses generate structural and functional changes in the brain, inducing neurogenesis and neurotransmission dysfunction. Terpineol, monoterpenoid alcohol, has shown immunomodulatory and neuroprotective effects, but there is no report about its antidepressant potential. Herein, we used a single lipopolysaccharide (LPS) injection to induce a depressive-like effect in the tail suspension test (TST) and the splash test (ST) for a preventive and therapeutic experimental schedule. Furthermore, we investigated the antidepressant-like mechanism of action of terpineol while using molecular and pharmacological approaches. Terpineol showed a coherent predicted binding mode mainly against CB1 and CB2 receptors and also against the D2 receptor during docking modeling analyses. The acute administration of terpineol produced the antidepressant-like effect, since it significantly reduced the immobility time in TST (100–200 mg/kg, p.o.) as compared to the control group. Moreover, terpineol showed an antidepressant-like effect in the preventive treatment that was blocked by a nonselective dopaminergic receptor antagonist (haloperidol), a selective dopamine D2 receptor antagonist (sulpiride), a selective CB1 cannabinoid receptor antagonist/inverse agonist (AM281), and a potent and selective CB2 cannabinoid receptor inverse agonist (AM630), but it was not blocked by a nonselective adenosine receptor antagonist (caffeine) or a β-adrenoceptor antagonist (propranolol). In summary, molecular docking suggests that CB1 and CB2 receptors are the most promising targets of terpineol action. Our data showed terpineol antidepressant-like modulation by CB1 and CB2 cannabinoid receptors and D2-dopaminergic receptors to further corroborate our molecular evidence.
Biphasic Thyroid-Like Low-Grade Nasopharyngeal Papillary Adenocarcinoma with a Prominent Spindle Cell Component: A Case Report
Authors: Lee Sang Hwa , Kim Hyunjin , Kim Min Ju , Kim Byungwha , Kim Hyun-Soo
Published: May 2020

Thyroid-like low-grade nasopharyngeal papillary adenocarcinoma (TLLG-NPPA) is a distinctly rare malignancy of the nasopharynx. Morphologically and immunophenotypically, TLLG-NPPA resembles papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) and is characterized by a papillary architecture with PTC-like nuclear features and thyroid transcription factor-1 expression. Recently, some cases of TLLG-NPPA with a spindle cell component have been reported. In this study, we report a very interesting case of biphasic TLLG-NPPA that was predominantly composed of spindle cells, with comprehensive analyses of its clinical, pathological, and immunophenotypical features. A 50-year-old woman presented with a sensation of a foreign body in the nasopharynx. Nasopharyngoscopy and computed tomography demonstrated a pedunculated mass arising from the nasopharyngeal roof. Based on the clinical impression of a nasopharyngeal tumor, an excisional biopsy was performed. At low-power magnification, the nasopharyngeal mass consisted of papillary tumor tissue, the growth pattern and architecture of which resembled those of PTC. The papillae were complex and packed tightly with fibrovascular cores. At high-power magnification, each papillary structure was lined with a pseudostratified cuboidal-to-columnar epithelium. The tumor cell nuclei frequently showed a ground-glass appearance, intranuclear grooves, pseudoinclusions, and membrane thickening and irregularity, resembling the characteristic nuclear morphology of PTC. These histological features were compatible with TLLG-NPPA. Intriguingly, in between the papillary components were spindle cells that appeared very similar to the glandular epithelial cells that imperceptibly merged with the papillary component. This spindle cell component comprised two-thirds of the entire tumor volume. The nuclear morphology of the spindle cell component was similar to that of the papillary component. On immunostaining, both the papillary and spindle cell components were diffusely and strongly positive for thyroid transcription factor-1, cytokeratin 7, cytokeratin 19, vimentin, and Hector Battifora mesothelial-1. In contrast, the tumor cells tested negative for p63, p40, smooth muscle actin, S-100, cytokeratin 5/6, thyroglobulin, BRAF V600E, and Epstein–Barr virus-encoded small RNAs. Only two cases of biphasic TLLG-NPPA exhibiting a prominent spindle cell component had been reported previously in the English literature. When the pathologist receives a primary nasopharyngeal mass with the aforementioned histological features, particularly biopsy specimens with predominant spindle cells, biphasic TLLG-NPPA should be considered in the differential diagnosis. By describing its detailed clinicopathological characteristics, we anticipate that this report will expand the existing knowledge on the spindle cell component associated with TLLG-NPPA.
Review of the Design of Current Collectors for Improving the Battery Performance in Lithium-Ion and Post-Lithium-Ion Batteries
Authors: Yamada Mitsuru , Watanabe Tatsuya , Gunji Takao , Wu Jianfei , Matsumoto Futoshi
Published: May 2020

Current collectors (CCs) are an important and indispensable constituent of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) and other batteries. CCs serve a vital bridge function in supporting active materials such as cathode and anode materials, binders, and conductive additives, as well as electrochemically connecting the overall structure of anodes and cathodes with an external circuit. Recently, various factors of CCs such as the thickness, hardness, compositions, coating layers, and structures have been modified to improve aspects of battery performance such as the charge/discharge cyclability, energy density, and the rate performance of a cell. In this paper, the details of interesting and useful attempts of preparing CCs for high battery performance in lithium-ion and post-lithium-ion batteries are reviewed. The advantages and disadvantages of these attempts are discussed.