bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
RNA Viruses in Aquatic Unicellular Eukaryotes
Authors: Sadeghi Mohammadreza , Tomaru Yuji , Ahola Tero
Published: February 2021

Increasing sequence information indicates that RNA viruses constitute a major fraction of marine virus assemblages. However, only 12 RNA virus species have been described, infecting known host species of marine single-celled eukaryotes. Eight of these use diatoms as hosts, while four are resident in dinoflagellate, raphidophyte, thraustochytrid, or prasinophyte species. Most of these belong to the order Picornavirales, while two are divergent and fall into the families Alvernaviridae and Reoviridae. However, a very recent study has suggested that there is extraordinary diversity in aquatic RNA viromes, describing thousands of viruses, many of which likely use protist hosts. Thus, RNA viruses are expected to play a major ecological role for marine unicellular eukaryotic hosts. In this review, we describe in detail what has to date been discovered concerning viruses with RNA genomes that infect aquatic unicellular eukaryotes.
The Atypical Kinase RIOK3 Limits RVFV Propagation and Is Regulated by Alternative Splicing
Authors: Havranek Katherine E. , White Luke Adam , Bisom Thomas C. , Lanchy Jean-Marc , Lodmell J. Stephen
Published: February 2021

In recent years, transcriptome profiling studies have identified changes in host splicing patterns caused by viral invasion, yet the functional consequences of the vast majority of these splicing events remain uncharacterized. We recently showed that the host splicing landscape changes during Rift Valley fever virus MP-12 strain (RVFV MP-12) infection of mammalian cells. Of particular interest, we observed that the host mRNA for Rio Kinase 3 (RIOK3) was alternatively spliced during infection. This kinase has been shown to be involved in pattern recognition receptor (PRR) signaling mediated by RIG-I like receptors to produce type-I interferon. Here, we characterize RIOK3 as an important component of the interferon signaling pathway during RVFV infection and demonstrate that RIOK3 mRNA expression is skewed shortly after infection to produce alternatively spliced variants that encode premature termination codons. This splicing event plays a critical role in regulation of the antiviral response. Interestingly, infection with other RNA viruses and transfection with nucleic acid-based RIG-I agonists also stimulated RIOK3 alternative splicing. Finally, we show that specifically stimulating alternative splicing of the RIOK3 transcript using a morpholino oligonucleotide reduced interferon expression. Collectively, these results indicate that RIOK3 is an important component of the mammalian interferon signaling cascade and its splicing is a potent regulatory mechanism capable of fine-tuning the host interferon response.
HBV-Integration Studies in the Clinic: Role in the Natural History of Infection
Authors: Pollicino Teresa , Caminiti Giuseppe
Published: February 2021

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a major global health problem causing acute and chronic liver disease that can lead to liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). HBV covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA) is essential for viral replication and the establishment of a persistent infection. Integrated HBV DNA represents another stable form of viral DNA regularly observed in the livers of infected patients. HBV DNA integration into the host genome occurs early after HBV infection. It is a common occurrence during the HBV life cycle, and it has been detected in all the phases of chronic infection. HBV DNA integration has long been considered to be the main contributor to liver tumorigenesis. The recent development of highly sensitive detection methods and research models has led to the clarification of some molecular and pathogenic aspects of HBV integration. Though HBV integration does not lead to replication-competent transcripts, it can act as a stable source of viral RNA and proteins, which may contribute in determining HBV-specific T-cell exhaustion and favoring virus persistence. The relationship between HBV DNA integration and the immune response in the liver microenvironment might be closely related to the development and progression of HBV-related diseases. While many new antiviral agents aimed at cccDNA elimination or silencing have been developed, integrated HBV DNA remains a difficult therapeutic challenge.
Serological and Molecular Investigation of Batai Virus Infections in Ruminants from the State of Saxony-Anhalt, Germany, 2018
Authors: Cichon Nicole , Eiden Martin , Schulz Jana , Günther Anne , Wysocki Patrick , Holicki Cora M. , Borgwardt Joachim , Gaede Wolfgang , Groschup Martin H. , Ziegler Ute
Published: February 2021

Arthropod-borne Batai virus (BATV) is an Orthobunyavirus widely distributed throughout European livestock and has, in the past, been linked to febrile diseases in humans. In Germany, BATV was found in mosquitoes and in one captive harbor seal, and antibodies were recently detected in various ruminant species. We have, therefore, conducted a follow-up study in ruminants from Saxony-Anhalt, the most affected region in Eastern Germany. A total of 325 blood samples from apparently healthy sheep, goats, and cattle were tested using a BATV-specific qRT-PCR and SNT. Even though viral RNA was not detected, the presence of antibodies was confirmed in the sera of all three species: sheep (16.5%), goats (18.3%), and cattle (41.4%). Sera were further analyzed by a glycoprotein Gc-based indirect ELISA to evaluate Gc-derived antibodies as a basis for a new serological test for BATV infections. Interestingly, the presence of neutralizing antibodies was not directly linked to the presence of BATV Gc antibodies. Overall, our results illustrate the high frequency of BATV infections in ruminants in Eastern Germany.
Analysis of Genetic Diversity in Indian Isolates of Rhipicephalus microplus Based on Bm86 Gene Sequence
Authors: Parthasarathi Balasamudram Chandrasekhar , Kumar Binod , Nagar Gaurav , Manjunathachar Haranahally Vasanthachar , de la Fuente José , Ghosh Srikant
Published: February 2021

The control of cattle tick, Rhipicephalus microplus, is focused on repeated use of acaricides. However, due to growing acaricide resistance and residues problem, immunization of animals along with limited use of effective acaricides is considered a suitable option for the control of tick infestations. To date, more than fifty vaccine candidates have been identified and tested worldwide, but two vaccines were developed using the extensively studied candidate, Bm86. The main reason for limited vaccine commercialization in other countries is genetic diversity in the Bm86 gene leading to considerable variation in vaccine efficacy. India, with 193.46 million cattle population distributed in 28 states and 9 union territories, is suffering from multiple tick infestation dominated by R. microplus. As R. microplus has developed multi-acaricide resistance, an efficacious vaccine may provide a sustainable intervention for tick control. Preliminary experiments revealed that the presently available commercial vaccine based on the BM86 gene is not efficacious against Indian strain. In concert with the principle of reverse vaccinology, genetic polymorphism of the Bm86 gene within Indian isolates of R. microplus was studied. A 578 bp conserved nucleotide sequences of Bm86 from 65 R. microplus isolates collected from 9 Indian states was sequenced and revealed 95.6–99.8% and 93.2–99.5% identity in nucleotides and amino acids sequences, respectively. The identities of nucleotides and deduced amino acids were 94.7–99.8% and 91.8–99.5%, respectively, between full-length sequence (orf) of the Bm86 gene of IVRI-I strain and published sequences of vaccine strains. Six nucleotides deletion were observed in Indian Bm86 sequences. Four B-cell epitopes (D519-K554, H563-Q587, C598-T606, T609-K623), which are present in the conserved region of the IVRI-I Bm86 sequence, were selected. The results confirm that the use of available commercial Bm86 vaccines is not a suitable option against Indian isolates of R. microplus. A country-specific multi-epitope Bm86 vaccine consisting of four specific B-cell epitopes along with candidate molecules, subolesin and tropomyosin in chimeric/co-immunization format may provide a sustainable option for implementation in an integrated tick management system.
K-Ras Peptide Mimotope Induces Antigen Specific Th1 and B-Cell Immune Responses against G12A-Mutated K-Ras Antigen in Balb/c Mice
Authors: Siak Pui Yan , Wong Kuan Yee , Song Adelene Ai-Lian , Rahim Raha Abdul , In Lionel Lian Aun
Published: February 2021

KRAS G12A somatic point mutation in adenocarcinomas is categorized clinically as ineligibility criteria for anti-epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) monoclonal antibody therapies. In this study, a modified G12A-K-ras epitope (139A) with sequence-specific modifications to improve immunogenicity was developed as a potential vaccine against G12A-mutant KRAS cancers. Additionally, coupling of the 139A epitope with a tetanus toxoid (TTD) universal T-cell epitope to improve antigenicity was also reported. To facilitate convenient oral administration, Lactococcus lactis, which possesses innate immunomodulatory properties, was chosen as a live gastrointestinal delivery vehicle. Recombinant L. lactis strains secreting a G12A mutated K-ras control and 139A with and without TTD fusion were generated for comparative immunogenicity assessment. BALB/c mice were immunized orally, and high survivability of L. lactis passage through the gastrointestinal tract was observed. Elevations in B-cell count with a concomitant titre of antigen-specific IgG and interferon-γ secreting T-cells were observed in the 139A treated mice group. Interestingly, an even higher antigen-specific IgA response and interferon-γ secreting T-cell counts were observed in 139A-TTD mice group upon re-stimulation with the G12A mutated K-ras antigen. Collectively, these results indicated that an antigen-specific immune response was successfully stimulated by 139A-TTD vaccine, and a TTD fusion was successful in further enhancing the immune responses.
Musculoskeletal Driver Model for the Steering Feedback Controller
Authors: Schenk Lydia , Chugh Tushar , Bruzelius Fredrik , Shyrokau Barys
Published: February 2021

This paper aims to find a mathematical justification for the non-linear steady state steering haptic response as a function of driver arm posture. Experiments show that different arm postures, that is, same hands location on the steering wheel but at different initial steering angles, result in a change in maximum driver arm stiffness. This implies the need for different steering torque response as a function of steering angle, which is under investigation. A quasi-static musculoskeletal driver model considering elbow and shoulder joints is developed for posture analysis. The torque acting in the shoulder joint is higher than in the elbow. The relationship between the joint torque and joint angle is linear in the shoulder, whereas the non-linearity occurs in the elbow joint. The simulation results qualitatively indicate a similar pattern as compared to the experimental muscle activity results. Due to increasing muscle non-linearity at high steering angles, the arm stiffness decreases and then the hypothesis suggests that the effective steering stiffness is intentionally reduced for a consistent on-center haptic response.
Molecular Diversity of Hard Tick Species from Selected Areas of a Wildlife-Livestock Interface Ecosystem at Mikumi National Park, Morogoro Region, Tanzania
Authors: Damian Donath , Damas Modester , Wensman Jonas Johansson , Berg Mikael
Published: February 2021

Ticks are one of the most important arthropod vectors and reservoirs as they harbor a wide variety of viruses, bacteria, fungi, protozoa, and nematodes, which can cause diseases in human and livestock. Due to their impact on human, livestock, and wild animal health, increased knowledge of ticks is needed. So far, the published data on the molecular diversity between hard ticks species collected in Tanzania is scarce. The objective of this study was to determine the genetic diversity between hard tick species collected in the wildlife-livestock interface ecosystem at Mikumi National Park, Tanzania using the mitochondrion 16S rRNA gene sequences. Adult ticks were collected from cattle (632 ticks), goats (187 ticks), and environment (28 ticks) in the wards which lie at the border of Mikumi National Park. Morphological identification of ticks was performed to genus level. To identify ticks to species level, molecular analysis based on mitochondrion 16S rRNA gene was performed. Ticks representing the two genera (Hyalomma and Rhipicephalus) were identified using morphological characters. Six species were confirmed based on mitochondrion 16S rRNA gene, including Rhipicephalus microplus, Rhipicephalus evertsi, Hyalomma rufipes, Hyalomma truncatum, Hyalomma marginatum, and Hhyalomma turanicum. The presence of different clusters of tick species reflects the possible biological diversity of the hard ticks present in the study region. Further studies are however required to quantify species of hard ticks present in the study region and the country in general over a larger scale.
Presence of Rickettsia Species in Ticks Collected from Companion Animals in Northeastern Georgia, United States
Authors: Stanley Hannah , Rhodes DeLacy V. L.
Published: February 2021

Tick-borne diseases are a major threat to both humans and their pets; therefore, it is important to evaluate the prevalence of pathogens carried by ticks on companion animals. In this study, attached and unattached Ixodid ticks were removed from companion animals by a veterinary practice in Hall County, Georgia. DNA was extracted from unengorged adult ticks and each was screened for the presence of Rickettsia spp. by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and sequenced to determine the species present. Two hundred and four adult hard-bodied ticks were identified to species and Rickettsia spp. were found in 19.6% (n = 38) of the 194 analyzed DNA extracts. Rickettsia montanensis was found in Dermacentor variablis (14.7%; n = 25), Amblyomma maculatum (33.3%; n = 2), and Rhipicephalus sanguineus s.l. ticks (25%; n = 4). One Amblyomma americanum tick contained Rickettsia amblyommatis, while Rickettsia felis was found in one Dermacentor variablis tick, serving as the first report of Rickettsia felis in a tick in this region and within this tick vector. This study suggests that there is a risk of companion animals contracting a species of Rickettsia from a tick bite in northeastern Georgia, indicating a need for more investigation and highlighting the importance of tick prevention on pets.
Optimal Solutions for the Use of Sewage Sludge on Agricultural Lands
Authors: Iticescu Catalina , Georgescu Puiu-Lucian , Arseni Maxim , Rosu Adrian , Timofti Mihaela , Carp Gabriel , Cioca Lucian-Ionel
Published: February 2021

The use of sewage sludge in agriculture decreases the pressure on landfills. In Romania, massive investments have been made in wastewater treatment stations, which have resulted in the accumulation of important quantities of sewage sludge. The presence of these sewage sludges coincides with large areas of degraded agricultural land. The aim of the present article is to identify the best technological combinations meant to solve these problems simultaneously. Adapting the quality and parameters of the sludge to the specificity of the land solves the possible compatibility problems, thus reducing the impact on the environment. The physico-chemical characteristics of the fermented sludge were monitored and optimal solutions for their treatment were suggested so as to allow that the sludge could be used in agriculture according to the characteristics of the soils. The content of heavy metals in the sewage sludge was closely monitored because the use of sewage sludge as a fertilizer does not allow for any increases in the concentrations of these in soils. The article identifies those agricultural areas which are suitable for the use of sludge, as well as ways of correcting some parameters (e.g., pH), which allow the improvement of soil quality and obtained higher agricultural production.
Optimization Methodology for Estimating Pump Curves Using SCADA Data
Authors: Salomons Elad , Shamir Uri , Housh Mashor
Published: February 2021

Water distribution systems (WDSs) deliver water from sources to consumers. These systems are made of hydraulic elements such as reservoirs, tanks, pipes, valves, and pumps. A pump is characterized by curves which define the relationship of the pump’s head gain and efficiency with its flow. For a new pump, the curves are provided by the manufacturer. However, due to its operating history, the performance of a pump deteriorates, and its curves decline at an estimated rate of about 1% per year. Pump curves are key elements for planning and management of WDSs and for monitoring system efficiency, to determine when a pump should be rehabilitated or replaced. In practice, determining pump curves is done by field tests, which are conducted every few years. This leaves the pump’s performance unmonitored for long time periods. Moreover, these tests often cover only a small range of the curves. This study demonstrates that in the era of IoT and big data, the data collected by Supervisory Control And Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems can be used to continuously monitor pumps’ performance and derive updated pump characteristic curves. We present and demonstrate a practical methodology to estimate fixed and variable speed pump curves in pumping stations. The proposed method can estimate individual pump curves even when the measurements are given only for the pumping station as a whole (i.e., total flow, pumping station head gain). The methodology is demonstrated in a real-world case study of a pumping station in southern Israel.
Vegetation and Geomorphic Connectivity in Mountain Fluvial Systems
Authors: Cienciala Piotr
Published: February 2021

Rivers are complex biophysical systems, constantly adjusting to a suite of changing governing conditions, including vegetation cover within their basins. This review seeks to: (i) highlight the crucial role that vegetation’s influence on the efficiency of clastic material fluxes (geomorphic connectivity) plays in defining mountain fluvial landscape’s behavior; and (ii) identify key challenges which hinder progress in the understanding of this subject. To this end, a selective literature review is carried out to illustrate the pervasiveness of the plants’ effects on geomorphic fluxes within channel networks (longitudinal connectivity), as well as between channels and the broader landscape (lateral connectivity). Taken together, the reviewed evidence lends support to the thesis that vegetation-connectivity linkages play a central role in regulating geomorphic behavior of mountain fluvial systems. The manuscript is concluded by a brief discussion of the need for the integration of mechanistic research into the local feedbacks between plants and sediment fluxes with basin-scale research that considers emergent phenomena.
Eutrophication and Geochemistry Drive Pelagic Calcite Precipitation in Lakes
Authors: Khan Hares , Laas Alo , Marcé Rafael , Sepp Margot , Obrador Biel
Published: February 2021

Pelagic calcification shapes the carbon budget of lakes and the sensitivity of dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) responses to lake metabolism. This process, being tightly linked to primary production, needs to be understood within the context of summer eutrophication which is increasing due to human stressors and global change. Most lake carbon budget models do not account for calcification because the conditions necessary for its occurrence are not well constrained. This study aims at identifying ratios between calcification and primary production and the drivers that control these ratios in freshwater. Using in situ incubations in several European freshwater lakes, we identify a strong relationship between calcite saturation and the ratio between calcification and net ecosystem production (NEP) (p-value < 0.001, R2 = 0.95). NEP-induced calcification is a short-term process that is potentiated by the increase in calcite saturation occurring at longer time scales, usually reaching the highest levels in summer. The resulting summer calcification event has effects on the DIC equilibria, causing deviations from the metabolic 1:1 stoichiometry between DIC and dissolved oxygen (DO). The strong dependency of the ratio between NEP and calcification on calcite saturation can be used to develop a suitable parameterization to account for calcification in lake carbon budgets.
Electrically Induced Liquid–Liquid Phase Transition in a Floating Water Bridge Identified by Refractive Index Variations
Authors: Fuchs Elmar , Woisetschläger Jakob , Wexler Adam , Pecnik Rene , Vitiello Giuseppe
Published: February 2021

A horizontal electrohydrodynamic (EHD) liquid bridge (also known as a “floating water bridge”) is a phenomenon that forms when high voltage DC (kV·cm−1) is applied to pure water in two separate beakers. The bridge, a free-floating connection between the beakers, acts as a cylindrical lens and refracts light. Using an interferometric set-up with a line pattern placed in the background of the bridge, the light passing through is split into a horizontally and a vertically polarized component which are both projected into the image space in front of the bridge with a small vertical offset (shear). Apart from a 100 Hz waviness due to a resonance effect between the power supply and vortical structures at the onset of the bridge, spikes with an increased refractive index moving through the bridge were observed. These spikes can be explained by an electrically induced liquid–liquid phase transition in which the vibrational modes of the water molecules couple coherently.
Optimization of a Completely Mixed Anaerobic Biofilm Reactor (CMABR), Based on Brewery Wastewater Treatment
Authors: Zhong Dan , Zhu Kai , Ma Wencheng , Li Jinxin , Li Kefei , Dai Changlei
Published: February 2021

In this study, brewery wastewater was used as the treatment in exploring the optimal conditions and maximum processing efficiency of the completely mixed anaerobic biofilm reactor (CMABR) under the conditions of hydraulic retention time (HRT) (18 h, 24 h, and 30 h) with a rotational speed (70 rpm, 100 rpm, and 130 rpm) and influent total alkalinity (TA) (20 mmol/L, 25 mmol/L, and 30 mmol/L), which was measured by the response surface methodology (RSM). The results indicated that the maximum chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal ratio was achieved under the following conditions: HRT of 21.42 h, rotational speed of 101.34 rpm, and influent TA of 25.22 mmol/L. Analysis by scanning electron microscope (SEM) showed that the microorganisms were successfully immobilized on the polyurethane fillers before the reactor began operation. High-throughput sequencing indicated that Methanothrix and Methanospirillum were the dominant contributors for COD removal in the CAMBR under these optimum conditions.
Effect of the Particle Size of Clinoptilolite Zeolite on Water Content and Soil Water Storage in a Loamy Sand Soil
Authors: Ibrahim Hesham M. , Alghamdi Abdulaziz G.
Published: February 2021

Limited water resources in arid and semi-arid regions require innovative management to maintain crop production while minimizing the amounts of water used for irrigation. We investigated the impact of the particle size of natural clinoptilolite zeolite (CZ) on water content (WC) and hydraulic properties of a loamy sand soil. WC was measured using 5TE sensors installed at five depths (10, 20, 30, 40, and 50 cm) in soil columns (7.4 cm ID, 56 cm length). Three sizes of macro- and nano-CZ particles (20, 2.0, and 0.2 µm) were added to the soil at an application rate of 1%. The columns were subject to 14 wetting/drying cycles from 24 February to 8 December 2020. The HYDRUS-1D model was used to simulate WC and soil water storage inside the soil columns. WC increased with the decreasing particle size of CZ, especially when columns were subject to long drying periods. The larger surface area and smaller pore size of CZ altered the pore-size distribution of the loamy sand soil and increased the amount of microporosity inside the soil system, leading to increased water retention. Available water and soil water storage were increased by 3.6–14.7% and 6.8–10.5%, respectively, with larger increases with the decrease in CZ particle size. Variations in infiltration rate and hydraulic conductivity were statistically significant only with the smallest CZ particle size, with a reduction of 25.6% and 19.3% compared to the control, respectively. The HYDRUS-1D model accurately simulated WC and soil water storage, with only slight overestimation of WC (2.4%) at depths ≤ 30 cm. The results suggest that, in light-textured soils, the application of CZ in the ultra-fine nanoparticle size would increase water-holding capacity and reduce hydraulic conductivity, which would enhance the efficiency of water use and contribute to water conservation in dry regions.
Modeling and Optimizing of NH4+ Removal from Stormwater by Coal-Based Granular Activated Carbon Using RSM and ANN Coupled with GA
Authors: Yu Aixin , Liu Yuankun , Li Xing , Yang Yanling , Zhou Zhiwei , Liu Hongrun
Published: February 2021

As a key parameter in the adsorption process, removal rate is not available under most operating conditions due to the time and cost of experimental testing. To address this issue, evaluation of the efficiency of NH4+ removal from stormwater by coal-based granular activated carbon (CB-GAC), a novel approach, the response surface methodology (RSM), back-propagation artificial neural network (BP-ANN) coupled with genetic algorithm (GA), has been applied in this research. The sorption process was modeled based on Box-Behnben design (BBD) RSM method for independent variables: Contact time, initial concentration, temperature, and pH; suggesting a quadratic polynomial model with p-value < 0.001, R2 = 0.9762. The BP-ANN with a structure of 4-8-1 gave the best performance. Compared with the BBD-RSM model, the BP-ANN model indicated better prediction of the response with R2 = 0.9959. The weights derived from BP-ANN was further analyzed by Garson equation, and the results showed that the order of the variables’ effectiveness is as follow: Contact time (31.23%) > pH (24.68%) > temperature (22.93%) > initial concentration (21.16%). The process parameters were optimized via RSM optimization tools and GA. The results of validation experiments showed that the optimization results of GA-ANN are more accurate than BBD-RSM, with contact time = 899.41 min, initial concentration = 17.35 mg/L, temperature = 15 °C, pH = 6.98, NH4+ removal rate = 63.74%, and relative error = 0.87%. Furthermore, the CB-GAC has been characterized by Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET). The isotherm and kinetic studies of the adsorption process illustrated that adsorption of NH4+ onto CB-GAC corresponded Langmuir isotherm and pseudo-second-order kinetic models. The calculated maximum adsorption capacity was 0.2821 mg/g.
Principal Determinants of Aquatic Macrophyte Communities in Least-Impacted Small Shallow Lakes in France
Authors: Labat Frédéric , Thiébaut Gabrielle , Piscart Christophe
Published: February 2021

Small shallow lakes (SSL) support exceptionally high and original biodiversity, providing numerous ecosystem services. Their small size makes them especially sensitive to anthropic activities, which cause a shift to dysfunctional turbid states and induce loss of services and biodiversity. In this study we investigated the relationships between environmental factors and macrophyte communities. Macrophytes play a crucial role in maintaining functional clear states. Better understanding the factors determining the composition and richness of aquatic plant communities in least-impacted conditions may be useful to protect these shallow lakes. We inventoried macrophyte communities and collected chemical, climatic, and morphological data from 89 least-impacted SSL widely distributed in France. SSL were sampled across four climatic ecoregions, various geologies, and elevations. Hierarchical cluster analysis showed a clear separation of four macrophyte assemblages strongly associated with mineralization. Determinant factors identified by distance-based redundancy analysis (db-RDA) analysis were, in order of importance, geology, distance from source (DIS, a proxy for connectivity with river hydrosystems), surface area, climate, and hydroperiod (water permanency). Surprisingly, at a country-wide scale, climate and hydroperiod filter macrophyte composition weakly. Geology and DIS are the major determinants of community composition, whereas surface area determines floristic richness. DIS was identified as a determinant in freshwater lentic ecosystems for the first time.
Do football hooligans have human rights?
Authors: Marcheva Deyana
Published: February 2021

Human rights are the “last utopia” of our time that achieved contemporary prominence on the ruins of the last political utopias of twentieth century. All the international projects after World War 2 aspire to achieve a just balance between the basic individual rights and public interest. The human rights protection mechanisms introduce exceptions and qualifications to most of the human rights to allow for their restrictions proportional to the legitimate aims of the states. This article explores the human rights of the football hooligans starting with an analysis clarifying the historical, cultural and sociological aspects of the term “football hooligan”. Afterwards a detailed review of the case law of the European court of human rights is offered to reveal the status of the so called football hooligans as people whose basic rights could be restricted by the states upon wide discretion of the national authorities.
Podocyte Lipotoxicity in CKD
Authors: Kim Jin-Ju , Wilbon Sydney S. , Fornoni Alessia
Published: February 2021

CKD represents the ninth most common cause of death in the United States but, despite this large health burden, treatment options for affected patients remain limited. To remedy this, several relevant pathways have been identified that may lead to novel therapeutic options. Among them, altered renal lipid metabolism, first described in 1982, has been recognized as a common pathway in clinical and experimental CKD of both metabolic and nonmetabolic origin. This observation has led many researchers to investigate the cause of this renal parenchyma lipid accumulation and its downstream effect on renal structure and function. Among key cellular components of the kidney parenchyma, podocytes are terminally differentiated cells that cannot be easily replaced when lost. Clinical and experimental evidence supports a role of reduced podocyte number in the progression of CKD. Given the importance of the podocytes in the maintenance of the glomerular filtration barrier and the accumulation of TG and cholesterol-rich lipid droplets in the podocyte and glomerulus in kidney diseases that cause CKD, understanding the upstream cause and downstream consequences of lipid accumulation in podocytes may lead to novel therapeutic opportunities. In this review, we hope to consolidate our understanding of the causes and consequences of dysregulated renal lipid metabolism in CKD development and progression, with a major focus on podocytes.
Своєрідність архетипу шляху в романі Г. Свіфта «Світло дня»
Authors: Бондар Наталія Юріївна
Published: February 2021

У статті розглядається своєрідність архетипу шляху в романі Г. Свіфта «Світло дня». Мета статті – визначити своєрідність архетипу дороги як реального шляху героя, як життєвого шляху в ретроспекції і уявного, або віртуального, шляху (роздуми головного героя) в романі Г. Свіфта «Світло дня» в індивідуально-авторському трактуванні. Цей об’єкт дослідження обраний тому, що саме через нього можна осягнути філософський аспект твору, специфіку психології головного героя – нашого сучасника – і ту культурну базу та художні особливості, які відрізняють стилістику і світосприйняття автора. У роботі використана комплексна дослідницька методологія: синтез порівняльно-історичного методу, цілісного аналізу, елементів міфопоетичного і герменевтичного методів. Враховувалися постструктуралістські підходи, а також техніка «close reading». У романі Г. Свіфта «Світло дня» актуальний шлях оповідача представлений у вигляді кругового лабіринту, в той час як його ретроспективний життєвий, і уявний шляхи представляють собою заплутаний лабіринт з безліччю стежок, з якого герой намагається знайти вихід. Своєрідність архетипу дороги тут полягає в тому, що він багатошаровий, складається з декількох ярусів: життєвий шлях представлений в ретроспективі спогадів, але ці спогади фрагментарні і переплітаються з роздумами про кохання, подружні зради, про історичні особистості. У пошуках виходу з лабіринту персонаж використовує не тільки свій життєвий досвід, але й приймає життєвий досвід інших людей – наприклад, своєї доньки. Життєвий шлях героя хоча й представлений у вигляді лабіринту через побутові колотнечі (звільнення, численні зв’язки зі своїми клієнтками тощо), проте завдяки справжньому коханню з’являється надія, що в недалекому майбутньому з’явиться світло в кінці тунелю. Виявлено, що лабіринт багатошаровий і непередбачуваний. Всі роздуми – це уявний шлях оповідача, і аналізуючи минуле, він намагається знайти вихід з чергового глухого кута, користуючись уже накопиченим життєвим досвідом як ниткою Аріадни. Фрагментарність оповіді служить посиленню естетичного і філософського впливу на читача, оскільки він мимоволі подумки заповнює прогалини і таким чином активно включається в пошуки виходу. Хоча це може здатися парадоксальним, але в цьому романі хитромудрі ходи лабіринтів дозволяють читачам досягти катарсису найкоротшим шляхом. Такий ефект досягається за допомогою «тривимірної» структури лабіринтів, зустрічі минулого і сьогодення, реального та віртуального, а також зворотного зв’язку читача як обов’язкової складової художньої цілісності.
Динаміка сприйняття тварин Девідом Лур’є у романі Джона Максвелла Кутзее «Безчестя»
Authors: Полторацька Алла Яківна
Published: February 2021

Мета статті – прослідкувати метаморфозу Девіда Лур’є та його ставлення до тварин у романі Джона Максвелла Кутзее «Безчестя». Теоретичну базу дослідження становлять праці Дж. Агамбена, Ж. Симондона, Ж. Дерріди, Т. Інгольда, Л. Калоф, А. Ліппіт, Е. Фадж, Р. Брайдотті та ін. Вони забезпечили комплексний підхід до розуміння проблеми та системність дослідження. Із огляду на мету й предмет дослідження в роботі використано: порівняльний аналіз критичних праць для окреслення основних тенденцій специфіки творчості Дж.М. Кутзее в українському та зарубіжному літературознавстві; герменевтичний аналіз художнього тексту, необхідний для виявлення специфіки ставлення Девіда Лур’є до тварин. Крім того, застосовано елементи описового й рецептивно-інтерпретаційного методів. Традиційно людство трактувало тварину як істоту, яка підпорядковувалася людині і стояла на одному з нижніх щаблів ієрархічної драбини. Ч. Дарвін виступив проти цієї опозиції та змінив узвичаєне сприйняття людини. Його праці поставили під сумнів трактування тварини як «автомата» без мови, без почуттів та без розуму. Сучасні письменники прагнуть переосмислити протистояння людини й тварини. Джон Максвелл Кутзее в романі «Безчестя» теж не оминає цю проблему. Автор констатує кризу антропоцетричного світогляду. У романі «Безчестя» він прагне показати трансформацію світогляду головного персонажа під впливом життя на фермі. На початку твору Девід – впевнений чоловік і не цікавиться тваринами; проте наприкінці твору він зовсім інший. Переворот у розумінні світу професора пов’язаний із кількома визначальними моментами його життя: завершенням відносин із коханкою Серайєю, домаганнями до студентки, спілкуванням із Люсі, роботою в притулку та смертю собаки. Таким чином, взаємодія між головним персонажем та тваринами впливає на світосприйняття Девіда та розуміння ним світу природи, світу тварин та місце людини на Землі. Кутзее пропонує власну теорію про тварин, яка спонукає людство до переосмислення свого місця у світі. Роман Кутзее відкриває новий етап осмислення взаємодії між людиною та твариною, що потребує детального вивчення та становить перспективу наших подальших досліджень.
Effect of an 810 nm Diode Laser on the Healing of a Periapical Abscess
Authors: Anbari Fahimeh , Asfia Mehrnaz , Forouzani Gelareh , Talebi Rafsanjan Katayoun
Published: February 2021

Introduction: The golden standard of the treatment of radicular cysts is mainly root canal therapy or surgical excision with apicectomy. The root canals are usually disinfected by the mechanical and chemical actions of instruments and chemical irrigating solutions respectively. To improve the efficacy of the root canal disinfection process, many techniques have been used and many researchers are still trying to reach the quickest and most convenient way to achieve this goal. Diode lasers have shown antibacterial activity on dentinal tubules, and they can penetrate more than 1000 μm into the dentin. Case Presentation: Our patient was a 25-year-old female with an infraorbital abscess caused by a non-vital maxillary canine with periapical radiolucency. After completing the conventional treatment, the optical fiber was inserted into the canal according to the working length previously measured. An 810 nm diode laser at the output power of 4 W was used to irradiate the root canals, with a 300 μm fiber. The patient was free of pain within a few days. The lesion was resolved in radiographic follow-ups, 3 and 6 months after the root canal treatment. Conclusion: A combination of conventional root canal therapy and an 810 nm diode laser is an effective treatment for non-vital teeth with periapical lesions.
Effect of Different Nd:YAG Laser Power Outputs on Bond Strength of Resin Cement to Zirconia in Comparison to Sandblasting
Authors: Ghoveizi Rahab , Parsirad Rozbeh , Tavakolizadeh Sara , Beyabanaki Elaheh
Published: February 2021

Introduction: This study investigated the effect of various laser powers on the shear bond strength (SBS) of resin cement to the zirconia surface. Methods: Seventy-five zirconia disks were prepared and assigned to five groups including no surface treatment (control group), sandblasting with 50 µ Al2 O3 particles (second group), and Nd:YAG laser treatments with 2 W, 2.5 W and 3 W powers respectively (third, fourth and fifth groups). Afterwards, composite resin cylinders were cemented on zirconia disks using dual-curing resin cement. Before thermocycling (2000 cycles, 5-55°C), all samples were placed in distilled water at 37°C for 24 hours. Using a universal testing machine at the crosshead speed of 0.5 mm/min, the SBS was examined. Also, using a stereomicroscope, the failure type was determined. Data analyses were performed using Welch and Games-Howell tests (P< 0.05). Results: The mean bond strength difference between the control group and the other groups was significant. The respective bond strength from the highest to the lowest was observed in the sandblast group, the laser group with 2.5 W power, the laser group with 3 W power, the laser group with 2 W power, and finally the control group. However, no significant difference was observed between different laser groups (P< 0.05). Also, there was no significant difference between the sandblast and laser groups with 2.5 W and 3 W power (P< 0.05). Most of the failures in the sandblasting and laser groups with powers of 2.5 W and 3 W were mixed, but in the control and 2 W laser groups, most of the failures were of adhesive nature. Conclusion: The highest bond strength was achieved by sandblasting with Al2 O3 particles and then using an Nd: YAG laser with a power of 2.5 W.
Efficacy of Photobiomodulation Therapy for Orthodontic Pain Control Following the Placement of Elastomeric Separators: A Randomized Clinical Trial
Authors: Mirhashemi AmirHossein , Rasouli Seyedreza , Shahi Shiva , Chiniforush Nasim
Published: February 2021

Introduction: Controlling pain in orthodontic patients has gained special attention. This study assessed the efficacy of photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) for pain control following the placement of elastomeric separators. Methods: This split-mouth single-blind randomized clinical trial evaluated 30 orthodontic patients who required posterior elastomeric separators. The two maxillary quadrants were randomized into the laser and control groups. In the laser quadrant, an 808 nm diode laser (400 mW, 15.60 J/cm2 , 11 seconds, continuous-wave, contact mode) was irradiated to the cervical third of the maxillary first molar roots 24 hours prior to the placement of separators. The control quadrant received placebo radiation by a light-curing unit. The patients received the second laser cycle right before the placement of separators 24 hours later. The level of self-perceived pain was recorded at 0, 2, 6, 24, and 72 hours and 5 days after the intervention in the laser and control quadrants using a visual analog scale (VAS). Data were analyzed using the analysis of variance (ANOVA) and paired-samples t test. Results: The trend of change in the pain score was similar in both groups. The pain score was significantly lower in the laser group than the control group at all-time points (P<0.05) except at time 0. The pain score increased in the first 6 hours and reached its maximum level in 24 hours in both groups. Conclusion: PBMT by an 808 nm diode laser can effectively decrease pain following the placement of elastomeric separators.
The Combined Effect of Photobiomodulation and Curcumin on Acute Skin Wound Healing in Rats
Authors: Amini Abdollah , Soleimani Hasan , Rezaei Fatemehalsadat , Ghoreishi Seyed Kamran , Chien Sufan , Bayat Mohammad
Published: February 2021

Introduction: Abnormal wound repair is a cause for considerable expense, as well as patient morbidity and mortality. Here, we investigated the combined impact of photobiomodulation (PBM) and curcumin on a rat experimental model of an acute skin wound. Methods: A round full-thickness wound was created on the back of each rat. We divided the rats into the following four groups. Group one was the control group. Group two received pulse wave (PW) PBM at a dose of 890 nm, 80 Hz, and 0.2 J/cm2 . Group 3 received 40 mg/kg curcumin by gastric gavage and group 4 were treated with PWPBM + curcumin. We measured the wound area on days 4, 7, and 15, and performed microbiological and tensiometric examinations. Results: There was markedly improved wound contraction in the curcumin (7.5 ± 0.57; P=0.000), PBM (8.5 ± 1.2; P=0.000), and PBM + curcumin (14.5 ± 4.3; P=0.002) groups relative to the control group (25 ± 6). PBM (100 ± 7.3; P=0.005), and PBM + curcumin (98 ± 6; P=0.005) groups meaningfully improved tensile strength relative to the control group (61 ± 8.2). On day 15, the PBM (10 ± 5; P=0.000), curcumin (14 ± 4.5, P=0.000), and PBM + curcumin (27.3 ± 8.3; P=0.000) groups meaningfully decreased microbial flora relative to the control group (95 ± 6). Conclusion: We concluded that the PBM and PBM + curcumin groups meaningfully accelerated wound healing of the acute skin wound in the rats. The results of the PBM group were statistically more effective than the curcumin alone and PBM + curcumin-treated groups.
Anticommutativity and n-schemes
Authors: Mbarga Brice Réné Amougou
Published: February 2021

The purpose of this paper is two-fold. A first and more concrete aim is to give new characterizations of equivalence distributive Goursat categories (which extend 3-permutable varieties) through variations of the little Pappian Theorem involving reflexive and positive relations. A second and more abstract aim is to show that every finitely complete category E satisfying the n-scheme is locally anticommutative.
Gull Alpha Power of the Ampadu-Type: Properties and Applications
Authors: Ampadu Clement Boateng
Published: February 2021

This paper introduces a new statistical distribution called Gull Alpha Power of the Ampadu Type (GAPA-G for short). The new distribution is inspired by the Gull Alpha Power of [1] and the Ampadu-G of [2]. Some properties with application are investigated.
Pengaruh Pedidikan Kesehatan Dengan Meda Video Terhadap Kecemasaan Menghadapi Menarche Pada Siswi Kelas V Di Sekolah Dasar Negeri 88 Palembang Tahun 2019
Authors: Wahyuni Elvi Eka , Majid Yudi Abdul , Dekawaty Ayu
Published: February 2021

Pubertas merupakan masa perubahan antara masa kanak-kanak dan masa remaja. Pada masa pubertas organ-organ reproduksi mulai berfungsi. Pada masa pubertas terjadi perubahan fisik yang ditandai dengan menarche. Kejadian menarche yang cenderung lebih awal ditambah dengan kurangnya pengetahuan menimbulkan kecemasan, bingung, tidak nyaman bahkan menggap bahwa menarche adalah suatu penyakit. Tujuan penelitian : Untuk mengetahui pengaruh pendidikan kesehatan dengan media vidio terhadap kecemasan siswi menghadapi menarche di SD Negeri 88 Palembang. Metode penelitian : Bentuk penelitian ini merupakan penelitian pre eksperimet dengan rancangan one group pre post test without control dengan teknik kuantitatif menggunakan kuesioner HARS, teknik sampling adalah total sampling. Jumlah responden adalah 120. Hasil penelitian : Hasil penelitian menunjukan bahwa rata-rata nilai kecemasan sebelum diberikan pendidikan kesehatan adalah 24,00 dan kecemasan setelah diberikan pendidikan kesehatan adalah 14,00 sedangkan Pvalue : 0,000 hal ini menunjukan terdapat penurunan kecemasan secara signifikan antara sebelum dan setelah diberikan pendidikan kesehatan. Kesimpulan : Ada Pengaruh pendidikan kesehatan dengan media video terhadap kecemasan sisiwi dalam menghadapi menarche.