bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
¿Es la biología funcional eliminable?
Authors: Ginnobili Santiago , Olmos Andrea Soledad
Published: December 2021

Pocas polémicas en el ámbito de la filosofía de la biología han llevado tanto espacio como la que existen alrededor de la explicación funcional y del lenguaje funcional. Varios de los enfoques principales que han tratado de reconstruir este tipo de explicación y elucidar tal lenguaje, aunque fuertemente heterogéneos, comparten la idea de que el lenguaje funcional no es más que un modo de hablar del cual puede prescindirse, pues, asumen que el lenguaje funcional puede ser definido a partir de (o reducido a) lenguaje no funcional. En consecuencia, la explicación funcional sería reducible a (o equivalente a) explicaciones no funcionales. En este trabajo repasaremos tales enfoques, y trataremos de defender que no funcionan en el siguiente sentido: no pueden dar cuenta de la totalidad de las atribuciones funcionales. En consecuencia, aunque pudieran ser útiles para elucidar o reconstruir algunas áreas de la biología, no cumplen con el objetivo de mostrar que el lenguaje funcional es eliminable.

Palabras claves: Lenguaje funcional, explicación funcional, enfoque sistémico, enfoque etiológico, enfoque de contribución al fitness, eliminativismo.
Plutarco - Da virtude e do vício
Authors: De Oliveira Silva Maria Aparecida
Published: December 2021

Περὶ ἀρετῆς καὶ κακίας, ou De virtute et vitio, é o  primeiro tratado listado no Catálogo de Máximo Planudes, sem qualquer referência no de Lâmprias. Tal como é característico ao corpo de tratados plutarquianos intitulado Moralia, nosso autor faz uso de narrativa pedagógica e moralizante. Em Da virtude e do vício, Plutarco exorta seu leitor/ouvinte a cultivar a virtude por meio do estudo da filosofia, instrumento necessário ao desenvolvimento do caráter. O estilo de Plutarco é de uma grande riqueza de imagens, com linguagem adornada e rítmica, que nos remete à arte retórica.

A crítica plutarquiana se destina aos que encontram a felicidade na aquisição de bens (100C), pois estes não educam as paixões e se tornam os homens escravos dos desejos, dos temores e das preocupações (101C); assim, não enxergam o vício que alimentam em suas almas (100D-E). Plutarco afirma que o caminho que leva o homem à virtude é o prazer de filosofar, porque a filosofia conduz o homem ao conhecimento do que é belo e bom (101D), além de gerar alegria e contentamento em qualquer momento da sua vida, quer na riqueza ou na pobreza (101E).
Perspectivas filosóficas e metodológicas acerca do tempo
Authors: Machado Fernando da Silva
Published: December 2021

O presente artigo tem como meta demonstrar de que maneira Gaston Bachelard constrói sua reflexão sobre o tempo em suas obras década de 30, que versam sobre o Instante e a Duração, partindo de uma releitura da perspectiva filosófica bergsoniana da continuidade da duração. Estabeleceremos nosso ponto de vista por meio de uma análisedos respectivos métodos de investigação de cada autor, Dialético em Bachelard e Intuitivo em Bergson. Logo em seguida, tentaremos deixar manifesto de que modo cada método ampara e estabelece a base filosóficada qual emana as reflexões sobre o tempode cada autor, antagônicas, por sinal, e que podem ser resumidas pela seguintedicotomia conceitual: continuidade x descontinuidade. Em um último esforço de síntese, esboçaremos os motivos que tornam a perspectiva bachelardiana sobre o tempo mais rica e ampla que a pesquisa bergsoniana desenvolvidaa a respeito do mesmo fenômeno.
Poincaré sobre generalizações e fatos
Authors: De Paz María
Published: December 2021

Muita da literatura sobre a filosofia da ciência de Poincaré tem estado focada na noção de convenção, um conceito crucial que identifica a sua posição. No entanto, há outras noções que têm recebido menos atenção. Este é o caso das hipóteses verificáveis. Este tipo de hipótese parece ser constituído a partir da generalização de vários fatos observáveis. Assim, para compreender o que são estas hipóteses, temos de saber o que é um fato para Poincaré. Ele divide fatos em brutos e científicos. A caracterização desta dualidade não é de tudo trivial, e nos leva às seguintes questões que discutiremos neste artigo: (1) qual a parte de construção que existe num fato científico e qual a parte de tradução? Isto é, o que permanece do fato bruto no fato científico? E (2) quando concebemos uma hipótese generalizada, a generalização é feita a partir dos fatos científicos ou dos fatos brutos? A clarificação destas questões pode levar a distinguir a parte de construção e a parte de tradução desde os primeiros passos da ciência, o que é essencial para conseguir uma melhor compreensão da concepção de ciência de Poincaré.
Sobre o terrorismo legal de Estado contemporâneo
Authors: De Sousa Nobre Emanuel Lucas
Published: December 2021

O presente artigo se propõe a examinar criticamente o atual e dominante paradigma político, que aqui definiremos como terrorismo legal de Estado. Para tanto, fez-se necessário o recurso a três autores cujas reflexões buscam compreender a sua natureza e os seus principais modos de atuação, a saber, o filósofo italiano Giorgio Agambem, o jurista argentino Raúl Zaffaroni e o sociólogo francês Loic Wacquant. A partir das obras agambenianas Homo Sacer. O poder soberano e a vida nua I e Estado de Exceção, elucidaremos o conceito de estado de exceção e o processo que, ao transformá-lo em prática permanente, marcou o ingresso definitivo do Estado na lógica do terrorismo. A materialização deste exercício de poder se dá – sobretudo nas conjunturas do continente americano, a referência empírica da pesquisa aqui apresentada – principalmente por meio da eliminação pelo encarceramento, levada a cabo por um direito penal punitivista que será compreendido à luz das obras O inimigo no direito penal (Zaffaroni) e Crime e castigo nos Estados Unidos: de Nixon a Clinton (Wacquant).
Una concepción semántica reticular de los valores
Authors: Peris-Viñé Luis Miguel
Published: December 2021

El trasfondo de este trabajo es la conexión entre conocimiento y acción a través de los valores. Los valores contribuyen a diseñar ciertas líneas programáticas de esa conexión. En este trabajo defenderé una concepción general sobre los valores que permite comprender las relaciones entre hechos y valores y superar las restricciones de la dicotomía hecho-valor. Se parte de la distinción entre la identificación de un valor y la evaluación del mismo. Los valores son concebidos como realizaciones de los hechos que pueden ser reconstruidos como propiedades teóricas de los mismos usando los recursos cognitivos con los que manejamos usualmente las propiedades teóricas que asignamos al mundo. Se trata de una concepción semántica de los valores en la que se asume una configuración reticular de las interrelaciones entre valores y sus realizaciones. Creemos que dicha concepción, aunque posee sustentos propios, encuentra apoyos en algunos desarrollos de la filosofía de la ciencia contemporánea. En particular, para defender esta idea, mostraremos cómo la metateoría estructural, el principal desarrollo de los enfoques semánticos de la actual filosofía de la ciencia, posee recursos para expresar ciertos aspectos de la esa concepción sobre los valores. Este resultado de nuestra discusión tiene una consecuencia de largo alcance, pues apoyaría la idea de que la filosofía de la ciencia es una materia relevante para la configuración de la axiología.
El carácter jerárquico de la teoría de la selección natural y sus consecuencias
Authors: Blanco Daniel
Published: December 2021

Reseña de: GINNOBILI, S. La teoría de la selección natural. Una exploración metacientífica. Bernal: Universidad Nacional de Quilmes, 2018
Políticas de Reconhecimento e Identidade a partir de Charles Taylor e Nancy Fraser
Authors: Júnior Nélio Lustosa Santos
Published: December 2021

O presente artigo tem como objetivo articular um diálogo entre as propostas de Charles Taylor e Nancy Fraser acerca das políticas de reconhecimento e identidade. Nesta tarefa, apresentamos a ligação fundamental que Charles Taylor estabelece entre identidade e reconhecimento, a partir de uma dimensão dialógica que privilegia o contato significativo com os outros. Posteriormente, discutimos a concepção de um modelo de status como alternativa ao modelo de identidade na proposta de Nancy Fraser, que compreende o reconhecimento como uma questão de justiça desvinculada de avaliações éticas. Por fim, são contrastadas as concepções de reconhecimento de ambos os pensadores em relação à centralidade da identidade e autorrealização nas políticas de reconhecimento, destacando como as críticas de Fraser a Taylor desconsideram a dimensão intersubjetiva da concepção de identidade do filósofo canadense.
Em Defesa da Matemática
Authors: Barbosa Wesley
Published: December 2021

O presente artigo pretende fazer uma defesa da matemática, em especial, da matemática pura. Partindo de problemas colocados por Kant no que concerne às condições de um pensamento puro a priori, seguindo por indagações promovidas por Leibniz no sentido da construção de uma linguagem artificial capaz de acessar de forma mais segura o mundo, e atormentados pela desconexão estrutural entre a linguagem humana natural e o mundo, elencada pelo debate da Filosofia da Linguagem promovida pela Tradição Analítica, se quis realizar uma investigação no sentido de procurar um conhecimento que fosse essencialmente a priori. Apesar do projeto logicista de Frege, ainda não foi possível uma linguagem totalmente artificial que expressasse o mundo sem suas ambiguidades. Entretanto, pistas indicam que a matemática pura, que tem como substrato a lógica, é uma linguagem formal poderosamente capaz de construir axiomas.
Carta sobre a virtude e a felicidade
Authors: Rebechi João Vitor
Published: December 2021

Em 2012, Jean Starobinski publicou o livro Accuser et Séduire. Essais sur Jean-Jacques Rousseau. Este livro, o último publicado e revisado pelo especialista francês, sobre a filosofia rousseauniana, traz no post-scriptum uma carta de Rousseau, que foi intitulada por Starobinski: La « Lettre sur la vertu », un texte oublié. Como o título sugere, não se trata de uma carta inédita, mas de uma carta, até então, pouco conhecida pelos pesquisadores. Com efeito, essa carta foi publicada pela primeira vez pelo editor Paul Streckeisen-Moultou, em 1861, sob o título Lettres sur la vertu et le bonheur. Nela, Rousseau, ilustre por seu método hipotético dedutivo com o qual reconstitui o primórdio da humanidade no Discurso sobre a origem e os fundamentos da desigualdade entre os homens, insiste mais sobre a ordem civil, como no Contrato social, e menos sobre o estado de natureza, a fim de responder como a virtude e a felicidade estariam ligadas a sociabilidade. Trata-se, portanto, da tradução de uma carta inédita e pouco conhecida no Brasil.
AS GRAVURAS RUPESTRES DA ÁREA ARQUEOLÓGICA DO SERIDÓ, NO ESTADO DO RIO GRANDE DO NORTE, BRASIL
Authors: Martins Alano Jaciguara Dantas de Alencar , Oliveira Daline Lima de , Costa Mizael Manoel Santos da , Júnior Valdeci Dos Santos
Published: December 2021

Este artigo procura mostrar um perfil gráfico preliminar dos registros rupestres com gravuras na área arqueológica do Seridó (setor geográfico do Estado do Rio Grande do Norte), evidenciando as técnicas utilizadas, os suportes rochosos, as temáticas, a cenografia e discutir possíveis fatores ambientais nas escolhas das técnicas dos registros gráficos na paisagem natural das microrregiões (Seridó Oriental e Seridó Ocidental) da área da pesquisa. THE RUPESTRIC ENGRAVINGS OF THE SERIDÓ ARCHAEOLOGICAL AREA, IN THE STATE OF RIO GRANDE DO NORTE, BRAZIL  ABSTRACTThis paper aims to show a preliminary graphic profile of the engraved rupestrian records in the archaeological area of Seridó (geographic sector of the state of Rio Grande do Norte), highlighting the techniques used, the rocky supports, the themes, the scenography and discussing possible environmental factors in the choices of graphic recording techniques in the natural landscape of the micro-regions (Seridó Oriental and Seridó Oeste) of the research area.Keywords: Seridó archaeological area; rock engravings; landscape
ARQUEOLOGIA HISTÓRICA E SERTANEJA NO SERIDÓ POTIGUAR: O Sítio Culumins, Caicó, Rio Grande do Norte, Brasil
Authors: Silva Abrahão Sanderson Nunes Fernandes da , Souza Hozana Danize Lopes de , Batista Kayann Gomes
Published: December 2021

As casas de fazenda, suas estruturas associadas e demais vestígios presentes nesses lugares, foram escolhidos como forma de desenvolver visões sobre as populações sertanejas que habitaram territórios do atual Seridó norte-riograndense, desde as últimas décadas do século XVIII até a primeira metade do século XX. A partir de pesquisas arqueológicas produziram-se dados sobre a tralha doméstica que relacionam o sítio arqueológico Culumins com outros sítios de populações sertanejas, mas ao mesmo tempo o diferencia entre esses devido ao contexto de casa sede de fazenda, abrindo espaço para hipóteses de trabalho sobre o sertão e os sertanejos no Seridó Potiguar. HISTORICAL ARCHEOLOGY AND BACKGROUND IN SERIDÓ POTIGUAR: The Sítio Culumins, Caicó, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil ABSTRACTFarmhouses and their spaces, their associated structures and other traces present, were chosen as a way to develop visions on the “sertanejos” that inhabited territories of the current Seridó “norte-riograndens”, from the last decades of the 18th century to the first half of the 20th century. Based on archaeological research, the data on domestic waste at the Culumins archaeological site relate this space to other sites of “sertanejos”, but also different them among them in view of their household context, opening space for working hypotheses about the “sertão” and the “sertanejos” in Seridó Potiguar.Keywords: Seridó; Farmhouse; Archaeology; History; Sertão
Municipal Financing and Infrastructure: A Critical Analysis of the Cities in West Bengal
Authors: Chowdhury Priya , Samanta Gopa
Published: December 2021

Cities, acting as engines of economic growth and generators of public finance for development, will usher in an urban revolution in the developing world. Such an urban revolution is sure to bring in opportunities to millions through the increasing level of urbanisation. This rising trend of urbanisation coupled with the increasing functional responsibilities of the Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) has been creating serious problems for the provision and financing of urban infrastructure. The resource crunch at each level of government in general, and the local level in particular, has instigated the need for analysing the causes behind such adverse state of municipal finance. Against this background, this paper attempts to evaluate the state of municipal finance in West Bengal by performing a comparative analysis of relevant indices. Acknowledging the potential of municipal finances in improving the delivery of basic services, the present study uses secondary data to demonstrate that the higher availability of essential urban services is associated with higher levels of revenue generation. This study presents a spatial and town class-based pattern analysis of the finances of ULBs of West Bengal in terms of their financial base, its adequacy, and their revenue and expenditure performance. The main thrust of this study is to examine the patterns of finances in ULBs in West Bengal and to present a comparative picture thereof along with per capita analysis of revenue and expenditure components based on size categories of the ULBs.
Strong and Vibrant Social Sector is sine qua non for Social Development
Authors: Bhatt Sanjai
Published: December 2021

As the largest country, India faces several social issues, and all governments— central or states, have supported several welfare and developmental programmes and schemes. Unfortunately, many of these programmes were politicised and resulted in politicising interest and farewell to welfare. As a result, the social sector expenditure has grown just 7.7% of the GDP between 2015 and 2019, and of the total 7.7% GDP expenditure, 3.1% went to education, 1.6% to healthcare and the rest to other social services segments. India has a large social sector compared to many other countries having around 3.9 million NGOs and a substantial social service workforce. While India has announced its vision 2030 to become and is poised to become a five trillion-dollar economy in the next five years, it needs to emphasise that a healthy, strong and vibrant social sector is essential necessity to ensure its citizens' quality of life and happiness.
Chivalry and Bushido, the Samurai Code
Authors: Takeda Shutaro
Published: December 2021

Chivalry is a concept that is both familiar and distant to many Japanese. There is no other social class in the world that resembles knights as much as the samurai in Japan. However, why is there such a gap between the behaviour of knights and samurais, even though they are both a social class with honor? This paper compares chivalry and Bushido, the Japanese Samurai code.
Metabolic Syndrome in Patients of a Psychosocial Care Center in Brazil: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Silva Dandara Almeida Reis da Almeida Reis da , Almeida Ludmila Santana de , Correa Livia Lugarinho , Pimentel Rodrigo Fernandes Weyll , Gomes Antonio Marcos Tosoli , Travassos Ana Gabriela , Viana Adriana Mattos , Cerqueira Monique Monique Magnavita Borba da Fonseca , Souza Marcio Costa de , de Sousa Anderson Reis , Barbosa Paulo José Bastos , Coelho Julita Maria Freitas , Magalhães Lucelia Batista Neves Cunha , D’Oliveira Júnior Argemiro , Cavalcante Neto Jorge Lopes , Santos Charles Souza , França Luiz Carlos Moraes , Brandão Juliana de Lima , Santos Livia Fajin de Mello dos , Gomes Helena Ferraz , Peres Ellen Marcia , Rossi Thais Regis Aranha , Damasceno Kairo Silvestre Meneses , Merces Magno Conceição das
Published: December 2021

Background: Metabolic syndrome (MS) is associated with a greater risk of morbimortality. Ob-jective: To estimate the prevalence of Metabolic Syndrome (MS) and associated factors in patients of a Psychosocial Care Center (CAPS) in the city of Salvador, state of Bahia, Brazil. Method: Cross-sectional study set at CAPS in the city of Salvador-Bahia, between August 2019 and February 2020. MS was evaluated according to the National Cholesterol Education Program's Adult Treatment Panel III. In addition to descriptive statistics, gross and adjusted prevalence ratios were described. Results: MS was found in 100 (35.2%) individuals, 116 (40.9%) were obese and 165 (58.1%) had increased waist circumference. Polypharmacy was identified in 63 (22.3%) patients and 243 (85.9%) used antipsychotics. In the gross evaluation, the female (PR = 1.88; 95% CI: 1.35-2.63) and the use of antidepressants (PR = 1.41; 95%CI: 1.05-1.88) were associated with MS. After logistic re-gression, depression (PR = 1.86; 95%CI: 1.38-2.51), acanthosis (PR = 1.50; 95%CI: 1.18 - 1.90), use of antipsychotics (PR = 1.88; 95%CI: 1.13 - 2.75) and the hypertriglyceremic waist (PR = 3.33; 95%CI: 2.48- 4.46) were associated with MS. Conclusion: The prevalence of MS alerts to multimorbidity among individuals with mental disorders and the need for clinical screening.
Extended ɛ34 Phage TSP Renatures After Urea-acid Unfolding
Authors: Ayariga Joseph , Gildea Logan , Villafane Robert
Published: December 2021

In antimicrobial-peptide/protein engineering, understanding the peptide/protein’s adaptability to harsh environmental conditions such as urea, proteases, fluctuating temperatures, high salts provide enormous insight into the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of the engineered peptide/protein and its ability to survive the harsh internal environment of the human body such as the gut or the harsh external environment to which they are applied. A previous work in our laboratory demonstrated that our cloned Eɛ34 TSP showed potent antimicrobial activity against Salmonella newington, and more so, could prevent biofilm formation on decellularized tissue. In this work, the effects of urea-acid on the Eɛ34 stability is studied, and the results demonstrates that at lower pHs of 3 and 4 with urea the protein was denatured into monomeric species. However, the protein withstood urea denaturation above pH of 5 and thus remained as trimeric protein. The mechanism of denaturation of Eɛ34 TSP seems to show that urea denatures proteins by depleting hydrophobic core of the protein by directly binding to the amide units via hydrogen bonds. The results of our in-silico investigation determined that urea binds with Eɛ34 TSP with relative free energies range of -3.4 to -2.9 kcal/mol at the putative globular head binding domain of the protein. The urea molecules interacts with with the protein’s predicted hydrophobic core, thus, disrupting and exposing the shielded hydrophobic moieties of Eɛ34 TSP to the solvent. We further showed that after the unfolding of Eɛ34 TSP via urea-acid, renaturation of the protein to its native conformation was possible within few hours. This unique characteristic of refolding of Eɛ34 TSP which is similar to that of the P22 phage tailspike protein is of special interest to protein scientists and can also be exploited in antimicrobial-protein engineering.
Combining h-adaptivity with the Element Splitting Method for Crack Simulation in Large Structures
Authors: Song Shi , Braun Moritz , Herrnring Hauke , Wiegard Bjarne , Ehlers Sören
Published: December 2021

H-adaptivity is an effective tool to introduce local mesh refinement in FEM-based numerical simulation of crack propagation. The implementation of h-adaptivity could benefit the numerical simulation of fatigue or accidental load scenarios involving large structures such as ship hulls. In engineering applications, the element deletion method is frequently used to represent cracks. However, the element deletion method has some drawbacks such as strong mesh dependency and loss of mass or energy. In order to mitigate this problem, the element splitting method could be applied. In this study, a numerical method called ‘h-adaptive element splitting’ (h-AES) is introduced. The h-AES method is applied in FEM programs by combining h-adaptivity with the element splitting method. Two examples using the h-AES method to simulate cracks in large structures under linear-elastic fracture mechanics scenario are presented. The numerical results are verified against analytical solutions. Based on the examples, the h-AES method is proven to be able to introduce mesh refinement in large-scale numerical models that consist of structured coarse meshes. By employing the mesh refinement introduced in this paper, very small cracks are well represented in large structures.
Evaluation and Testing Platform for Automotive LiDAR Sensors
Authors: Gomes Tiago , Roriz Ricardo , Cunha Luís , Ganal Andreas , Soares Narciso , Araújo Teresa , Monteiro João
Published: December 2021

The world is facing a great technological transformation towards full autonomous vehicles, where optimists predict that by 2030, autonomous vehicles will be sufﬁciently reliable, affordable and common to displace most human driving. To cope with these trends, reliable perception systems must enable vehicles to hear and see all the surroundings, being light detection and ranging (LiDAR) sensors a key instrument for recreating a 3D visualization of the world in real time. However, perception systems must rely in accurate measurements of the environment. Thus, sensors must be calibrated and benchmarked before being placed on the market or assembled in a car. This article presents an Evaluation and Testing Platform for Automotive LiDAR sensors with the main goal of testing not only commercially available sensors, but also sensor prototypes currently under development in Bosch Automotive Electronics division. The testing system can benchmark any LiDAR sensor under different conditions, recreating the expected driving environment to which such devices are normally subjected. To characterize and validate the sensor under test, the platform evaluates several parameters such as the ﬁeld of view (FoV), angular resolution, sensor’s range, etc. This project results from a partnership between the University of Minho and Bosch Car Multimedia Portugal, S.A.
The Perception of Nursing Leaders towards Communication and Relationship Management Competencies while using Digital Platforms during COVID-19 pandemic in Qatar
Authors: Daradkeh Laith Fihmi , Villar Ralph C. , Nashwan Abdulqadir J. J.
Published: December 2021

Purpose: To evaluate nursing leaders' perception towards communication and relationship management competencies while using digital platforms during the COVID-19 pandemic. Background: Communication and relationship management competencies among nursing leaders will ensure healthcare models are successfully implemented. Nursing leaders can achieve effective leadership by mastering these competencies leading to an overall improvement in the quality of nursing care. However, digital platforms have been rapidly evolving in the healthcare ecosystem and have been significant during the battle with COVID-19. It is crucial to ensure that nursing leaders can use digital platforms to communicate and practice efficient management in their op-erations, especially during a crisis when their services are vital. Design: Descriptive, comparative study. Methods: The study was conducted between February to March 2021. A 5-item Linkert-type questionnaire was adopted from the American Organization for Nursing Executives (2005) and was sent to identified nursing leaders in Hamad Medical Corporation through the official email. Results: Two hundred fifty nurse leaders were invited to participate, but only 116 responded positively, translating to a response rate of 46.4%. The male participants represented a larger proportion of 64.10%, while the female was 35.90%. Regarding the questionnaire, the Cronbach alpha was α ˃ 0.987, indicating that all items revealed a sufficient level of internal consistency. The respondents had a minimum of 0 and a maximum of 52.6n in the communication and relationship management items. Influencing behavior, relationship management, and effective communica-tion had the lowest scores, which indicate low competency. The F value in ANOVA analysis was close to 1.0, implying that the null hypothesis is true. The significance value is <0.5 implying that there is a difference in response on effective communication proficiency of nurse leaders. Conclusions: Digital platforms are communication tools that are widely adopted to engage and reach nurses on numerous topics. Nurse leaders should capitalize on their benefits and generate critical discussions. The continued need to research nursing leadership competencies is critical as healthcare continues to change and evolve. Educational institutions and healthcare organizations must understand that nursing leaders should strive for professional development and knowledge acquisition to improve their communication and management.
Potential of Hydroxybenzoic Acids from Graptopetalum paraguayense for Inhibiting of Herpes Simplex Virus DNA Polymerase – Metabolome Profiling, Molecular Docking and Quantum-chemical Analysis
Authors: Todorova Nadezhda Hristova , Rangelov Miroslav Angelov , Dincheva Ivayla Nedyalkova , Badjakov Ilian Kostadinov , Enchev Venelin Georgiev , Markova Nadezhda Vasileva
Published: December 2021

According to our previous investigation the total methanol extract from Graptopetalum paraguayense E. Walther demonstrates a significant inhibitory effect on HSV-1. To clarify what causes this inhibitory activity on HSV-1, a metabolic profile of the plant was performed. Three main fractions: non-polar substances, polar metabolites and phenolic compounds were obtained and GC-MS analysis was carried out. Since it is well known that phenolic compounds show a significant anti-herpes effect and that viral DNA polymerase (DNApol) appears to play a key role in HSV virus replication, we present a docking and quantum-chemical analysis of the binding of these compounds to viral DNApol amino acids. Fourteen different phenolic acids found by GS/MS analyses, were used in molecular docking simulations. According to the interaction energies of all fourteen ligands in the DNApol pockets based on docking results, DFT calculations were performed on the five optimally interacting with the receptor acids. It was found that hydroxybenzoic acids from phenolic fraction of Graptopetalum paraguayense E. Walther show a good binding affinity to the amino acids from the active site of the HSV DNApol, but significantly lower than that of acyclovir. The mode of action on virus replication of acyclovir (by DNApol) is different from that of the plant phenolic acids one, probably.
Qualitative Modelling for Bridging Expert-Knowledge and the Social-Ecological Dynamics of an East African Savanna
Authors: Cosme Maximilien , Hély Christelle , Pommereau Franck , Pasquariello Paolo , Tiberi Christel , Treydte Anna , Gaucherel Cédric
Published: December 2021

Sub-Saharan social-ecological systems are undergoing changes in environmental conditions, including modifications in rainfall pattern and biodiversity loss. Consequences of such changes depend on complex causal chains which call for integrated management strategies whose efficiency could benefit from ecosystem dynamic modelling. However, ecosystem models often require lots of quantitative information for estimating parameters, which is often unavailable. Alternatively, qualitative modelling frameworks have proved useful for explaining ecosystem response to perturbations, while requiring fewer information and providing more general predictions. However, current qualitative methods have some shortcomings which may limit their utility for specific issues. In this paper, we propose the Ecological Discrete-Event Network (EDEN), an innovative qualitative dynamic modelling framework based on "if-then" rules which generates many alternative event sequences (trajectories). Based on expert knowledge, observations and literature, we use this framework to assess the effect of permanent changes in surface water and herbivores diversity on vegetation and socio-economic transitions in an East African savanna. Results show that water availability drives changes in vegetation and socio-economic transitions, while herbivore functional groups had highly contrasted effects depending on the group. This first use of EDEN in a savanna context is promising for bridging expert knowledge and ecosystem modelling.
Multicomponent Materials to Improve Solubility: Eutectics of Drug Aminoglutethimide
Authors: Saikia Basanta , Seidel-Morgenstern Andreas , Lorenz Heike
Published: December 2021

Here, we report the synthesis and experimental characterization of three drug-drug eutectic mixtures of drug aminoglutethimide (AMG) with caffeine (CAF), nicotinamide (NIC) and ethenzamide (ZMD). The eutectic mixtures (AMG-CAF, AMG-NIC and AMG-ZMD) demonstrate significant melting point depressions ranging from 99.2 to 127.2 °C compared to the melting point of the drug AMG (151°C) and also show significantly higher aqueous solubilities than that of the AMG. The results presented include the determination of the binary melt phase diagrams and accompanying analytical characterization via X-ray powder diffraction, FT-IR spectroscopy and Scanning electron microscopy.
Synthesis and Characterization of Al-doped NiO Nanostructured Thin Films Elaborated by Solar Spray Pyrolysis Technique, for Photovoltaic Cells
Authors: NID Abdelbaki , ZIGHED Lilia , AOUN Yacine , MAAOUI Bedreddine
Published: December 2021

In this experimental work, pure nickel oxide and Al-doped NiO thin films have successfully been elaborated onto glass substrates by solar spray pyrolysis technique. The substrates were heated at around 450°C using a solar heater (furnace). The structural, optical and electrical properties of the elaborated Al-doped films have been studied at different atomic percentage ratios (0, 0.5, 1, 1.5 and 2 at. %). The results of Al-doped NiO films XRD patterns were, the formation of (NiO) phase under a cubic crystalline structure (polycrystalline) with a strong favored orientation along (111) plane were noticed at all sprayed films. When Al doping ratio reaches 1 at.%, an growth in crystallite size over 31.9 nm was obtained denoting the nano-structure of the product, which confirmed by SEM images. In addition, aluminum oxide Al2O3 was clearly observed at 1.5 at.% Al ratio. Otherwise, all thin films have a good optical transmission in the visible region of about 65%, the optical band gap energy decreased from 3.69 to 3.64 eV with increasing Al doping ratio. It is shown that the layer deposited with 0.5 at.% has less disorder with few defects. The investigation on electrical properties of elaborated thin films confirmed that the conductivity of NiO films was improved, after doping them with Al which affirms their p-type character of semiconductor. However, an addition of an excessive quantity of Al content causes the formation of Al2O3 which leads to a decrease in the conductivity. It is worth mentioning that the Al content of 0.5 at.% is the optimum ratio in terms of electrical conductivity and formation defect. Al-doped NiO can be used in various optoelectronic devices due to its good transparency and high electrical conductivity.
Impact of Central Line Bundle Care on Reduction of Central Line Associated-Infections: A Scoping Review
Authors: James-Scott Alisha , Savoy Rachel , Lynch-Smith Donna , McClinton tracy
Published: December 2021

Purpose/Background Central venous catheters (CVC) are typical for critically ill patients in the intensive care unit (ICU). Due to the invasiveness of this procedure, there is a high risk for central line-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI). These infections have been known to increase mortality and morbidity, medical costs, and reduce hospital reimbursements. Evidenced-based interventions were grouped to assemble a central line bundle to decrease the number of CLABSIs and improve patient outcomes. This scoping review will evaluate the literature and examine the association between reduced CLABSI rates and central line bundle care implementation or current use. Methods A literature review was completed of nine critically appraised articles from the years 2010-2021. The association of the use of central line bundles and CLABSI rates was examined. These relationships were investigated to determine if the adherence to a central line bundle directly reduced the number of CLABSI rates in critically ill adult patients. A summary evaluation table was composed to determine the associations related to the implementation or current central line bundle care use. Results Of the study sample (N=9), all but one demonstrated a significant decrease in CLABSI rates when a central line bundle was in place. A trend towards reducing CLABSI was noted in the remaining article, a randomized controlled study, but the results were not significantly different. In all the other studies, a meta-analysis, randomized controlled trial, control trial, cohort or case-control studies, and quality improvement project, there was a significant improvement in CLABSI rates when utilizing a central line bundle. The extensive use of different levels of evidence provided an excellent synopsis that implementing a central line bundle care would directly affect decreasing CLABSI rates. Implications for Nursing Practice Results provided in this scoping review afforded the authors a diverse level of evidence that using a central line bundle has a direct outcome on reducing CLABSI rates. This practice can be implemented within the hospital setting as suggested by the literature review to prevent or reduce CLABSI rates. Implementing a standard central line bundle care hospital-wide helps avoid this hospital-acquired infection.
De la novela al cine: la derrota del punk en «Mensaka» (José Ángel Mañas y Salvador García Ruiz)
Authors: Maíllo Baz Diego
Published: December 2021

En este artículo, se ha procurado descifrar los recursos propios del cine de los que se sirvió Salvador García Ruiz en su adaptación homónima de la novela de José Ángel Mañas, Mensaka. Para ello, se prescinde del fidelity criticism y de otras perspectivas igualmente improductivas, como la auterist approach, para estudiar la cinematización de la temática central de ambas obras: el derrumbamiento de los ideales profesados por un grupo de amigos vinculado al movimiento y a la filosofía punk, los cuales, a pesar de encontrarse en el umbral de la adultez, se resisten a la incorporación al mercado laboral y se dedican a actividades consideradas socialmente indeseables.
Análisis simbólico y estadístico de las ventanas en la poesía de Widad Ben Musa
Authors: Sánchez-Arenas Encarnación
Published: December 2021

Se aporta un estudio simbólico de las ventanas en Widad Ben Musa, basado en diferentes diccionarios de símbolos, y un estudio estadístico basado en dos obras fundamentales: 1ª) «Frecuencias y dispersión léxicas en textos médicos divulgativos en español» (2015) de Leonardo Campillo Llanos e Hiroto Ueda; 2ª) La poesía de Luis Cernuda. Estudio cuantitativo del léxico de «La realidad y el Deseo» (1973) de Juan Alfredo Bellón Cazabán.
Sediment transport modeling at Stono Inlet and adjacent beaches, South Carolina
Authors: Li Honghai , Maze Grace , Conner Kevin , Hazelton John
Published: December 2021

This report documents a numerical modeling investigation for dredged material from nearshore borrow areas and placed on Folly Beach adjacent to Stono Inlet, South Carolina. Historical and newly collected wave and hydrodynamic data around the inlet were assembled and analyzed. The datasets were used to calibrate and validate a coastal wave, hydrodynamic and sediment transport model, the Coastal Modeling System. Sediment transport and morphology changes within and around the immediate vicinity of the Stono Inlet estuarine system, including sand borrow areas and nearshore Folly Beach area, were evaluated. Results of model simulations show that sand removal in the borrow areas increases material backfilling, which is more significant in the nearshore than the offshore borrow areas. In the nearshore Folly Beach area, the dominant flow and sediment transport directions are from the northeast to the southwest. Net sediment gain occurs in the central and southwest sections while net sediment loss occurs in the northeast section of Folly Island. A storm and a 1-year simulation developed for the study produce a similar pattern of morphology changes, and erosion and deposition around the borrow areas and the nearshore Folly Beach area.
An Analytical Model for Predicting Temperature Fields during Fluid Circulation in a Deep-Sea Well
Authors: Zhang L. , Wu B. , Zhang X. , Zhang Z.
Published: December 2021

Accurate prediction of temperatures along a well during deep-sea drilling (DSD) is significant for wellbore stability analysis. In this paper, an analytical model is developed to study the thermal behavior around wellbore during DSD. The analytical solutions for temperatures in the tubing, annulus, and formation are obtained in Laplace space, and their values in time domains are obtained by the numerical Stehfest method. A sensitivity study of temperature distribution under different injection temperature and rate, seawater depth, and wellbore length is carried out, and a comparison is made for the thermal behavior between onshore drilling and DSD. It is found that injection rate plays a dominate role in the bottomhole temperature (BHT), which decreases by more than 40°C after 6 months when it varies from 2 to 20 kg/s. Injection temperature only affects the temperature along wellbore at a depth less than 2000 m. There is large difference in the temperatures along the wellbore between DSD and onshore drilling. The difference in the temperature at the depth of seabed and bottomhole between the two cases reaches 80 and 70°C, respectively, after 1 day. In addition, the analytical model can work as a benchmark for other models predicting the thermal behaviors during DSD.
Comparison of BARD®LIFESTREAM™ Covered Balloon-Expandable Stent Versus GORE® VIABAHN™ Covered Self-Expandable Stent in Treatment of Aortoiliac Obstructive Disease: Study Protocol for a Prospective Randomized Controlled Trial(NEONATAL Trial)
Authors: Qi Yu-Han , Wang Jiarong , Zhao Jichun , Huang Bing , Xiong Fei , Du Xiaojiong , Chen Xiyang , Guo Qiang , Wang Tiehao , Yuan Ding
Published: December 2021

Background

Covered stent has become one of the mainstream therapies for aortoiliac obstructive disease (AIOD), with higher patency rate compared to bare metal stent. Covered balloon-expandable (CBE) stent can be placed more accurately with higher radial support force, while covered self-expanding (CSE) stent has greater elasticity and higher trackability. However, there is no level I evidence regarding the comparison safety and efficacy between the CSE stent and CBE stent in AIOD up to date. Therefore, this study aims to compare the efficacy and safety of CBE stent (BARD®LIFESTR`EAM™) and CSE stent (GORE® VIABAHN™) in AIOD.
Methods

This trial is a prospective, single center, paralleled, non-inferiority, randomized controlled trial. A total of 106 patients will be enrolled and these patients will be randomized to either the CBE stent group or CSE stent group. The primary end point of the study is occurrence of Target Lesion Revascularization (TLR) at 12 months after the intervention.
Discussion

To our knowledge, the NEONATAL trial is the first RCT to compare CBE and CSE stent in AIOD patients. The results of clinical trials may contribute to establishing a strategic guideline for choosing the optimal type of covered stent in treatment of AIOD patients.
Trial registration:

ChiCTR2100046734; Registered on 27 May, 2021 in Chinese Clinical Trials Registry.
Environmental Characterization of Two Ecologically Distinct Gangetic Oxbow Lakes Using Zooplankton Taxonomic Indices In Ecological Monitoring: A Comparative Approach
Authors: Kumari Suman , Lianthuamluaia  , Sarkar U. K. , Mishal P. , Karnatak G. , Meena D. K. , Sandhya K. M. , Hassan M. A. , Jaiswar A. K. , Sharma A. P. , Das B. K.
Published: December 2021

In recent years closed and seasonally open oxbow lakes and river floodplains are subjected to eutrophication due to disconnection from river that compromises the hydro-ecological functions. This requires systematic studies to assess the ecological health of the water bodies using different indices and suggest appropriate strategies to manage the resources. The zooplanktons are closely link with surrounding environment throughout their life cycles and change rapidly in their growth and population when changes occurs in the surrounding, hence act as potential indicator of eutrophication. The present study examined the assemblage pattern of zooplankton community and trophic state of two ecologically distinct oxbow lakes based on eco-hydrological characteristics and community structure of rotifers and planktonic crustaceans seasonally over a period of 2 years. Comprehensive trophic state index (mTSI), rotifer trophic state index (mTSIROT) and Crustacean based indices (TSICR) were used to assess the degree of eutrophication. The Kruskal-Wallis test confirmed the heterogeneity of the eco-hydrological factors between the oxbow lakes. A total of 68 zooplankton species were identified of which rotifers (69%), cladocerans (18%), copepods (3%), ostacods (3%) and protozoans (7%). Seasonal fluctuation of relative abundance and frequency of species in both lakes have been well presented. Both lakes showed transition from high meso-eutrophic to moderately eutrophic state with mTSI, mTSIrot and mTSIcr values of 54.90±11.71 and 56.95±15.64, 59.55±4.54 and 60.26±4.48, 55.79±4.76 and 60.00±4.03 in Khalsi (seasonally open) and Akaipur (closed) respectively. The Canonical Correspondence analysis (CCA) revealed water quality parameters comparison NO3-N, water temperature and pH have contributed more in enhancement of abundance of eutrophication indicator species Brachionus and Keratella. The TSIs values indicated a prompt aquaculture fisheries management measures like stocking of planktivorous fish (Labeo catla and Puntius sp.) for both the lakes before they reach in plunged state at which their restoration might become a challenge. An overview of worldwide use of rotifer and crustacean based indices in assessment of TSI has also been synthesized. The use of these zooplankton indices to evaluate the trophic status of the ecologically distinct lakes is highly recommended for water quality assessment and management. Based on this study strategies could be developed to plan and manage floodplain oxbow lakes for fisheries enhancement programme as well as as conservation of biodiversity.
Incorporating Remote Sensing Techniques To The DRASTIC Index To Assess Groundwater Vulnerability In The Mining Area of the Rio Sonora Aquifer in Northwestern Mexico
Authors: Archundia DENISSE , Vidaña-Guillen Victor , Valenzuela-Munguia Juan , Freaner Francisco elizandro Molina
Published: December 2021

Groundwater metal pollution is a major concern for societies, especially in areas where the mining industry is important. Index-based techniques, as the DRASTIC index, are often used to assess the intrinsic groundwater vulnerability and could be modified to evaluate the aquifer vulnerability to specific contaminants. Mines, mining wastes and related features are detectable with remote sensing techniques. In this work we evaluate the vulnerability of the Rio Sonora Aquifer to metallic pollution by the traditional DRASTIC method and by the addition of a land use (Lu) parameter in which possible sources of metals (detected by remote sensing) were considered (DRASTIC+Lu). The methodology allowed us to locate possible sources of metallic contamination. The Sonora River channel showed the higher vulnerability in both calculated vulnerability indices (DRASTIC and DRASTIC+Lu). Generally, the addition of the land use parameter caused a decrease in vulnerability but also a local increase where possible sources of metals were found. Thus, the modified method facilitated the identification of highly vulnerable areas which is relevant to better protect the studied aquifer.
Electron Transfer based Ultra-bright Organic Afterglow Nanoprobe for Accurate Molecular Imaging in Mice
Authors: Wang Youjuan , Guo Jing , Liao Shiyi , Xu Li , Chen Qian , Song Guosheng , Zhang Xiaobing , Tan Weihong
Published: December 2021

Afterglow luminescence can greatly improve the signal-to-background ratio (SBR) of molecule imaging in living animal owing to the no need of real-time light excitation. However, the relatively low luminescence of afterglow nanoprobe and attenuation of maximum intensity (afterglow photobleaching) usually lead to the insufficient sensitivity and the inaccurate quantification for repeated molecular imaging. Furthermore, the requirement of high power of light excitation (up to 1 W/cm2) may result in the inevitable phototoxicity, and the long acquisition time (up to 1 min) make it difficult to detect the rapid biological events. Herein, we design electron-rich trianthracene derivatives (TA)-based organic afterglow nanoparticles (TA-NPs) for high-sensitive, safe, lossless and longitudinal molecular imaging. Notably, a great enhancement of afterglow luminescence performance over the previous reported afterglow nanoparticles is achieved though electron transfer engineering (Table 1): Specifically, TA-NPs can be excited by room light with ultra-low power (58 µW/cm2) and with ultra-short acquisition time (0.01 s). The luminescent intensity of TA-NPs is ~ 500-fold of commonly used organic MEHPPV-based nanoparticles. Negligible afterglow photobleaching in mice is observed even after re-excitation for more than 15 cycles. Such ultra-bright afterglow enables the deep-tissue imaging (up to 6.0 cm) and the ultra-fast afterglow imaging of freely-moving mice in waken state. Moreover, TA-NPs can dynamically and accurately visualize subcutaneous tumor, orthotopic glioma and distinguish the plaque in carotid atherosclerosis. Finally, we develop an afterglow nanoprobe (TA-BHQ), activated only in the presence of Granzyme B, for tracking the time-sensitive Granzyme B activity as a direct way to monitor immunotherapeutic responses.