bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
POSTAWY POLSKICH UŻYTKOWNIKÓW INTERNETU WOBEC NADZORU OBECNEGO W SIECI
Authors: Juza Marta
Published: March 2021

W ostatnich latach w debacie publicznej poświęca się wiele uwagi kwestiom związanym z wykorzystywaniem internetu w celu zbierania danych osobowych, co można nazwać internetową inwigilacją lub nadzorem. Nadzór ten może być prowadzony w różnych celach przez różne podmioty prywatne i publiczne. W odróżnieniu od dawnego panoptycznego modelu nadzoru, jednostki obecnie same chętnie poddają się obserwacji. Badania dotyczące postaw związanych z internetową inwigilacją przeprowadzono w 2017 i 2019 roku. Ujawniły one dość dużą skłonność badanych do poddawania się obserwacji, zmniejszający się poziom związanego z nią lęku i zwiększający się poziom nadziei na pewne korzyści, a także wiedzy na temat internetowej inwigilacji. Jej stosowanie w pewien sposób dowartościowuje też znaczną część respondentów. Nasuwają się wnioski, że użytkownicy akceptują internetowy nadzór, chętnie mu się poddają, ale i oczekują jakiejś rekompensaty w zamian za ujawniane przez siebie informacje, ponieważ wiedzą, że stanowią one źródło zysku nadzorujących.
MUZUŁMAŃSKA MNIEJSZOŚĆ CZAM W KAMBODŻY – ODRODZENIE PO LUDOBÓJSTWIE
Authors: Brataniec Katarzyna Agnieszka
Published: March 2021

Artykuł przedstawia miejsce muzułmańskiej mniejszości Czam w Kambodży jako odrębnej grupy etnicznej i religijnej. Czamowie, członkowie trzech grup o odmiennym pochodzeniu, dzielili z Khmerami los zgotowany im przez rządy Czerwonych Khmerów. Jako muzułmanie Czamowie zostali uznani za zagrożenie dla polityki kolektywizacji przez komunistycznych przywódców. Pomimo utraty dziedzictwa materialnego i połowy wspólnoty Czamowie od lat dziewięćdziesiątych XX wieku dokonali odbudowy większości zniszczonych meczetów i szkół koranicznych przy pomocy rządów państw muzułmańskich z regionu i Bliskiego Wschodu. Wspólnota otworzyła się także na salafickie interpretacje islamu. Islam Czamów odzwierciedla różne prądy islamu sunnickiego. Radykalizm niektórych odłamów nie zagroził jak dotąd dobrym i przyjaznym relacjom Czamów z buddyjską większością.
WYBRANE ASPEKTY ŚWIATA ISLAMU I MUZUŁMANÓW
Authors: Stojkow Maria
Published: March 2021

Stosunkowo duży wzrost liczby ludności muzułmańskiej we współczesnym świecie, kryzys migracyjny i aktywność różnego rodzaju islamskich grup ekstremistycznych powoduje, że muzułmanie stają się dziś tematem debaty politycznej w wielu krajach, również w tych, gdzie diaspora muzułmańska jest niewielka. Wiele kwestii związanych z islamem i muzułmanami żyjącymi zarówno w krajach muzułmańskich, jak i diasporach rozsianych po całym świecie, pozostaje nadal nieznanych szerszej publiczności. Kwestie związane dziś z odradzającym się islamem w miejscach, gdzie przez pewien czas był on totalnie wykorzeniony, kwestie obecności i praw różnych dyskryminowanych grup oraz dyskryminacja ze względu na płeć stają się dziś ważnymi tematami w dyskusji naukowej nad światem.
TOGETHER OR SEPARATED? THE SEGREGATIVE AND INTEGRATIVE MODEL OF CULTURAL ACCESSIBILITY FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES
Authors: Dubiel Monika
Published: March 2021

Culture takes an increasingly important position in the debate about the accessibility of public space for persons with disabilities. Many questions about how to include them in cultural life have emerged. The subject of the present article is a theoretical reflection on actions taken in this area by cultural institutions and non-governmental organizations. Basing on a comparative analysis of two events of such kind, and using the achievements of special pedagogy, I present two models of cultural accessibility for persons with disabilities: the separative and integrative model. I ponder on their advantages and disadvantages. I conclude by claiming that both can be useful in the process of making culture accessible for persons with disabilities, providing that the beneficiaries will be allowed to choose what kind of events they will attend. These considerations accord with the recently burgeoning field of accessibility studies, while disability studies serves as a broad theoretical frame.
Integrating morphological and molecular approaches for characterizing four species of Dactylogyrus (Monogenea: Dactylogyridae) from Moroccan cyprinids, with comments on their host specificity and phylogenetic relationships
Authors: Řehulková Eva , Rahmouni Imane , Pariselle Antoine , Šimková Andrea
Published: March 2021

Cyprinid fishes are known to harbour highly host-specific gill-associated parasites of Dactylogyrus. High similarity in the morphology of sclerotized structures among Dactylogyrus species, especially those parasitizing congeneric cyprinoids, makes their identification difficult. In this paper, four previously known species of Dactylogyrus are characterized and illustrated under a reliable taxonomic framework integrating morphological and molecular evidence, and their phylogenetic relationships are investigated using molecular data. The species are as follows: D. borjensis from Luciobarbus zayanensis; D. draaensis from Luciobarbus lepineyi; D. ksibii from Luciobarbus ksibi and Luciobarbus rabatensis; and D. marocanus from Carasobarbus fritschii, L. ksibi, L. zayanensis and Pterocapoeta maroccana. Our results revealed intraspecific genetic variability among specimens of D. ksibii collected from two different hosts and geographically distant basins. Phylogenetic reconstruction showed that Dactylogyrus spp. parasitizing Moroccan cyprinids are representatives of three main lineages corresponding to morphological differences and host specificity. Our records of D. marocanus on L. zayanensis and P. maroccana increase the range of available host species i.e.,eight species of four cyprinid genera representing two phylogenetic lineages (i.e., Barbinae and Torinae).
Association between uric acid lowering and renal function progression: a longitudinal study
Authors: Liu Liyi , You Lili , Sun Kan , Li Feng , Qi Yiqin , Chen Chaogang , Wang Chuan , Lao Guojuan , Xue Shengneng , Tang Juying , Li Na , Feng Wanting , Yang Chuan , Xu Mingtong , Li Yan , Yan Li , Ren Meng , Lin Diaozhu
Published: March 2021

Background

This study aimed to explore the association between uric acid lowering and renal function.

Materials and Methods

We conducted a population-based cohort study with 1,534 subjects for 4 years from 2012 to 2016. The population was divided into four groups according to the interquartile range of changes in serum uric acid with quartile 1 representing lower quarter. Renal function decline was defined as eGFR decreased more than 10% from baseline in 2016. Renal function improvement was defined as eGFR increased more than 10% from baseline in 2016. Cox regression analysis was used to calculate the hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence interval (CI).

Results

In the adjusted Cox regression models, compared to quartile 4, quartile 1 (HR = 0.64, 95% CI [0.49–0.85]), quartile 2 (HR = 0.65, 95% CI [0.50–0.84]) and quartile 3 (HR = 0.75, 95% CI [0.58–0.96]) have reduced risk of renal function decline. An increasing hazard ratio of renal function improvement was shown in quartile 1 (HR = 2.27, 95% CI [1.45–3.57]) and quartile 2 (HR = 1.78, 95% CI [1.17–2.69]) compared with quartile 4.

Conclusions

Uric acid lowering is associated with changes in renal function. The management of serum uric acid should receive attention in clinical practice and is supposed to be part of the treatment of chronic kidney disease.
Subsoiling increases aggregate-associated organic carbon, dry matter, and maize yield on the North China Plain
Authors: Shen Ying , Zhang Tingting , Cui Jichao , Chen Siyu , Han Huifang , Ning Tangyuan
Published: March 2021

Background

Soil degradation is one of the main problems in agricultural production and leads to decreases in soil quality and productivity. Improper farming practices speed this process and are therefore not conducive to food security. The North China Plain (NCP) is a key agricultural area that greatly influences food security in China. To explore the effects of different tillage measures on aggregate-associated organic carbon (AOC), the accumulation and transport of dry matter, and maize yield, and to identify the most suitable tillage method for use on the NCP, a field experiment was conducted at Shandong Agricultural University from 2016–2017 using plots that have been farmed using conservation tillage since 2002.

Methods

In this study, Zhengdan 958 summer maize was used as the test material and undisturbed soil and plant samples were obtained under four tillage methods—no-tillage (NT, tillage depth: 0 cm); rotary tillage (RT, tillage depth: 10 cm); conventional tillage (CT, tillage depth: 20 cm); subsoiling (SS, tillage depth: 40 cm)—which were used to determine the AOC and dry matter contents, as well as the yields of two summer maize growing seasons. Each sample was replicated three times and the AOC content was determined via potassium dichromate oxidation colorimetry. Potassium dichromate oxidized organic carbon in organic matter was employed to reduce hexadecent chromium into green trivalent chromium. Colorimetry was then used to determine the amount of reduced trivalent chromium and calculate the organic matter content.

Results

The resulting data were statistically analyzed and the results showed that, compared with CT, the AOC contents with NT and SS increased by 5.65% and 9.73%, respectively, while that with RT decreased by 0.12%. Conventional tillage resulted in the highest mean dry matter weight when the maize reached maturity, which was 19.19%, 9.83%, and 3.38% higher than those achieved using NT, RT, and SS, respectively. No significant difference was found between CT and SS treatments, both of which tended to increase the accumulation of dry matter as well as its contribution of assimilates to grain yield post-anthesis. Compared with CT, the mean yield increased at a rate of 0.18% with SS, while yields declined at rates of 17.17% and 11.15 with NT and RT, respectively. The yield with NT was the lowest, though the harvest indices with NT and SS were higher than those with RT and CT. Overall, SS increased the accumulation of dry matter and its contribution of assimilates to grain yields post-anthesis, as well as the AOC content and yields, making it the ideal tillage method for the NCP.
LabVIEW Software Platform for Kinematics Analyse in Robotics
Authors:   University Politehnica of Bucharest, Romania, Olaru A. , Dobrescu T. , Olaru S. , Mihai I.
Published: March 2021

The paper shown one new LabVIEW software platform for the Kinematics analyse in Robotics. This platform contents some more important type of robots and the positions, velocities and accelerations assisted analyse. The program contains a case-type structure with the various types of analysed robots, which also include related Cartesian systems applied in all joints. The front panel of the program contains a two-dimensional table with the input data of all relative position vectors between all joints, clusters for defining all robot modules and clusters for defining all parameters of the trapezoidal characteristics of relative motion in all robot’s joints. The clusters that define the robot modules contain information on the translation or rotation couple, the angular or linear home position and respectively the axes of movement by rotation or translation. The results are shown by 3D graphics of space trajectory, of space movement of the velocities and acceleration vectors. With this platform will be possible to quickly analyse some different variants of the movement like simultaneously, successive and complex combination between them and choose the best variant for one good dynamic behaviour without vibration, without pick of moments and forces. This software platform solves one small part of the complex problems of the robot’s kinematics.
Quartz‐Enhanced Photoacoustic Spectroscopy for Trace Gas Sensing
Authors: Patimisco Pietro , Spagnolo Vincenzo
Published: March 2021

Photoacoustic spectroscopy (PAS) was established itself over the last decades as a powerful detection technique, capable of measuring trace gas concentrations at part‐per‐billion level. The basic principles of laser PAS are provided with a discussion on photoinduced acoustic wave generation and its detection. Quartz‐enhanced photoacoustic spectroscopy (QEPAS), where a quartz tuning fork (QTF) is used to detect acoustic waves, is presented in detail as an improvement of the conventional microphone‐based PAS. QEPAS does not require an optical detector, requires extremely small volumes, laser wavelength independent, and immune to environmental noise. The discussion covers several aspects of QTF resonance properties, regarding flexural modes, dissipation processes, and quality factor (
Q
‐factor). The main advantages achievable by exploiting custom QTFs for QEPAS sensing and novel approaches such as the excitation of overtone modes are highlighted and discussed. Finally, the most performant QEPAS sensors for real‐world applications are reviewed. Environmental monitoring of CH
4
, CO, and N
2
O and a QEPAS sensor for leak detection in mechatronic systems as well as hydrocarbon detection in petrochemical industry are few examples of QEPAS sensors already tested in out‐of‐laboratory environments. The obtained results clearly demonstrate the potential of QEPAS‐based sensors for in situ operations.
Sustainable Materials for Fused Deposition Modeling 3D Printing Applications
Authors: Rett Jennifer P. , Traore Yannick L. , Ho Emmanuel A.
Published: March 2021

The technology of 3D printing offers a customizable manufacturing method, while decreasing material waste. The sustainability of this industry is important as it grows into a more important role in the manufacturing market. The use and development of recyclable, biodegradable, and sustainably sourced materials for extrusion‐based 3D printing may allow for a decrease in environmental impacts and demonstrate the importance of this technology as a sustainable method of manufacturing. The goal of this article is to provide an insight into the state of the development of sustainable materials for 3D printing, such as recyclable, biodegradable, and cellulose‐based feedstock.
Ultrafine‐Grained Laminated Metal Composites: A New Material Class for Tailoring Cyclically Stressed Components
Authors: Kümmel Frank , Höppel Heinz Werner , Göken Mathias
Published: March 2021

The service life of technical components is often limited by the fatigue strength of the deployed materials. The accumulative roll bonding (ARB) process, which has the ability to produce ultrafine‐grained (UFG) laminated metal composites with tailored properties, offers a unique method to significantly enhance the fatigue life of materials that are cyclically loaded in three‐point bending. Detailed microstructural investigations reveal the material‐ and load‐specific deformation and damage mechanisms. Composites that have a sufficiently high difference in strength between the different constituent layers exhibit a significantly impeded crack growth and therefore an extended fatigue life at high stress amplitudes compared with those laminates with a rather similar strength of the different constituents. In the former composites, the fatigue crack is deflected at the material interface as it propagates from the softer to the harder layer. At low stress amplitudes, a prolonged fatigue life of the composites is mainly because of a significantly increased resistance to crack initiation. On the one side, this is as a result of the introduction of an UFG microstructure. On the other side, a load transfer toward stiffer layers in the interior of the composites also accounts for the enhanced fatigue life, if elastically dissimilar materials are combined in the right manner.
Wireless Dual Stimuli Actuation of Dye Sensitized Conducting Polymer Hybrids
Authors: Melvin Ambrose Ashwin , Gupta Bhavana , Tieriekhov Kostiantyn , Nogala Wojciech , Garrigue Patrick , Reculusa Stephane , Kuhn Alexander
Published: March 2021

Actuators controlled by external stimuli have received a lot of attention in recent years. Herein a polymer based dual stimuli actuator is reported, triggered by light and an electric field. This allows better control of actuation, enlarging the field of potential applications, like, for example, in the frame of soft robotics. The actuator is composed of polypyrrole and TiO2 modified with methylene blue. In an aqueous solution, the resulting freestanding hybrid film shows reversible actuation due to the synergy of light and an applied electric field. Illumination with light produces electron‐hole pairs in the TiO2 layer, which are shuttled to the opposite ends of the actuator by the potential gradient present in the solution. This results in electrochemical oxidation and reduction reactions at the two extremities and consequently in site selective swelling of the polymer, which finally leads to a controlled motion of the actuator, following the principles of logic gate operations. Such synergistically induced switching allows developing original actuation schemes for performing complex mechanical tasks triggered by more than one stimulus.
Tailoring Single Plasmonic Resonance for RGB‐NIR Imaging Using Nanoimprinted Complementary Plasmonic Structures of Nanohole and Nanodisk Arrays
Authors: Ahn Myeong‐Su , Hwang Charles Soon Hong , Jeong Ki‐Hun
Published: March 2021

Plasmonic nanohole arrays (NHA) can serve as an efficient alternative for ultrathin color filters due to their high color tunability, robust stability, and simple nanofabrication. However, the periodic nanostructures inherently exhibit multiple resonances in the visible and near‐infrared ranges. Here large‐area and single‐resonance plasmonic spectral filter for RGB‐NIR imaging using nanoimprinted complementary plasmonic structures (CPS) is reported. The CPS comprise self‐aligned metallic nanohole and nanodisk arrays in regular (rCPS) or inverse (iCPS) configuration, where unfavorable resonances of nanohole arrays are substantially attenuated by an extinction resonance of nanodisk arrays. The experimental results show the CPS exhibit single peaks in 437 (blue), 515 (green), 644 (red), and 912 nm (NIR), respectively. The color purity is highly increased by up to six times and thus the color reproduction range is expanded up to four times, compared to NHA. The CPS spectral filters clearly demonstrate RGB‐NIR tetrachromatic imaging, resulting from the true color imaging and recognition of distinctive NIR features. This unique configuration can serve as large‐scale plasmonic spectral filters that can drive multispectral or hyperspectral imaging applications.
Triflic Acid‐Catalyzed Chemo‐ and Site‐Selective C−H Bond Functionalization of Phenols With 1,3‐Dienes
Authors: Liu Zhenli , Li Guanghui , Yao Tengfei , Zhang Junliang , Liu Lu
Published: March 2021

Herein, a Brønsted acid‐catalyzed C(sp2)−H functionalization of free phenols with 1,3‐dienes has been developed. In this transformation, triflic acid promoted C−H bond functionalization under mild conditions in a site‐selective manner.

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Nanoscale Terahertz Monitoring on Multiphase Dynamic Assembly of Nanoparticles under Aqueous Environment
Authors: Yu Eui‐Sang , Lee Sang‐Hun , Lee Geon , Park Q‐Han , Chung Aram J. , Seo Minah , Ryu Yong‐Sang
Published: March 2021

Probing the kinetic evolution of nanoparticle (NP) growth in liquids is essential for understanding complex nano‐phases and their corresponding functions. Terahertz (THz) sensing, an emerging technology for next‐generation laser photonics, has been developed with unique photonic features, including label‐free, non‐destructive, and molecular‐specific spectral characteristics. Recently, metasurface‐based sensing platforms have helped trace biomolecules by overcoming low THz absorption cross‐sectional limits. However, the direct probing of THz signals in aqueous environments remains difficult. Here, the authors report that vertically aligned nanogap‐hybridized metasurfaces can efficiently trap traveling NPs in the sensing region, thus enabling us to monitor the real‐time kinetic evolution of NP assemblies in liquids. The THz photonics approach, together with an electric tweezing technique via spatially matching optical hotspots to particle trapping sites with a nanoscale spatial resolution, is highly promising for underwater THz analysis, forging a route toward unraveling the physicochemical events of nature within an ultra‐broadband wavelength regime.
Hierarchical spline for time series prediction: An application to naval ship engine failure rate
Authors: Moon Hyunji , Choi Jinwoo
Published: March 2021

Predicting equipment failure is important because it could improve availability and cut down the operating budget. Previous literature has attempted to model failure rate with bathtub‐formed function, Weibull distribution, Bayesian network, or analytic hierarchy process. But these models perform well with a sufficient amount of data and could not incorporate the two salient characteristics: imbalanced category and sharing structure. Hierarchical model has the advantage of partial pooling. The proposed model is based on Bayesian hierarchical B‐spline. Time series of the failure rate of 99 Republic of Korea Naval ships are modeled hierarchically, where each layer corresponds to ship engine, engine type, and engine archetype. As a result of the analysis, the suggested model predicted the failure rate of an entire lifetime accurately in multiple situational conditions, such as prior knowledge of the engine.
Visible Light Induced Solubility Modulation of Polynorbornene Bearing Bridged 1,2‐Diketones
Authors: Kim Kyungrae , Seo Donghwa , Kim Dowan , Lim Jeewoo
Published: March 2021

We herein report the synthesis and photoinduced solubility modulation of a poly(norbornene) bearing bridged 1,2‐diketone units in the repeating unit. Selective irradiation of the n to π* absorption band of the monomer using a blue LED light source emitting at 455 nm lead to a rapid and quantitative decarbonylation at the diketone bridge, yielding the corresponding anthracene derivative. Identical photoinduced decarbonylation was observed in the polymer obtained from the ring‐opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) of the photoreactive monomer. The polymer displayed photoinduced solubility change wherein irradiation of the polymer solution in various solvent systems with a blue LED light source led to the precipitation of the polymer, producing polymer nanoparticles. The solubility change is attributed to the change in the free volume of the polymer and constitutes a method of photoinduced solubility modulation in which only gaseous byproducts are generated from the photocleavage reaction.
Design of an In‐Cell Protein Crystal for the Environmentally Responsive Construction of a Supramolecular Filament
Authors: Abe Satoshi , Pham Thuc Toan , Negishi Hashiru , Yamashita Keitaro , Hirata Kunio , Ueno Takafumi
Published: March 2021

Protein assemblies can be designed for development of nano–bio materials. This has been achieved by modulating protein–protein interactions. However, fabrication of highly ordered protein assemblies remains challenging. Protein crystals, which have highly ordered arrangements of protein molecules, provide useful source matrices for synthesizing artificial protein assemblies. Here, we describe construction of a supramolecular filament structure by engineering covalent and non‐covalent interactions in a protein crystal. Performing in‐cell crystallization of Trypanosoma brucei cysteine protease cathepsin B (TbCatB), we achieved a precise arrangement of protein molecules while suppressing random aggregation due to disulfide bonds. We succeeded in synthesizing bundled filament from the crystals by autoxidation of cysteinyl thiols after the isolation of the crystals from living cells.
Potent Cyclic Tetrapeptide for Lead Detoxification
Authors: Mohammed Tagwa A. , Meier Christoph M. , Kalvoda Tadeáš , Kalt Martina , Rulíšek Lubomír , Shoshan Michal S.
Published: March 2021

Lead (Pb) is a ubiquitous poisonous metal, affecting the health of vast populations worldwide. Medications to treat Pb poisoning suffer from various limitations and are often toxic owing to insufficient metal selectivity. Here, we report a cyclic tetrapeptide that selectively binds Pb and eradicates its toxic effect on the cellular level, with superior potency than state‐of‐the‐art drugs. The Pb‐peptide complex is remarkably strong and was characterized experimentally and computationally. Accompanied by the lack of toxicity and enhanced stability of this peptide, these qualities indicate its merit as a potential remedy for Pb poisoning.
Redox‐Neutral Selenium‐Catalysed Isomerisation of para‐Hydroxamic Acids into para‐Aminophenols
Authors: Chuang Hsiang‐Yu , Schupp Manuel , Meyrelles Ricardo , Maryasin Boris , Maulide Nuno
Published: March 2021

A selenium‐catalysed para‐hydroxylation of N‐aryl‐hydroxamic acids is reported. Mechanistically, the reaction comprises an N−O bond cleavage and consecutive selenium‐induced [2,3]‐rearrangement to deliver para‐hydroxyaniline derivatives. The mechanism is studied through both 18O‐crossover experiments as well as quantum chemical calculations. This redox‐neutral transformation provides an unconventional synthetic approach to para‐aminophenols.
1,3,5‐Triazine: A versatile pharmacophore with diverse biological activities
Authors: Singh Saumya , Mandal Milan K. , Masih Anup , Saha Ashmita , Ghosh Surajit K. , Bhat Hans R. , Singh Udaya P.
Published: March 2021

1,3,5‐Triazine and its derivatives have been the epicenter of chemotherapeutic molecules due to their effective biological activities, such as antibacterial, fungicidal, antimalarial, anticancer, antiviral, antimicrobial, anti‐inflammatory, antiamoebic, and antitubercular activities. The present review represents a summarized report of the crucial biological activities possessed by substituted 1,3,5‐triazine derivatives, with special attention to the most potent compounds.
Qualitative and quantitative characterization of municipal waste in Tunisia: a case study of metropolitan Tunis
Authors: Othman Afef Ben , Wafi Taieb , Fattoumi Fatma , Besbes Mongi
Published: March 2021

Municipal solid waste management has evolved into a promising approach to climate issues and to the growing energy demand in Tunisian cities. However, energy recovery from organic waste in the Metropolis of Tunis is still complex. This is due to the city's unpredictable economy, urbanization level, and population growth rates. So far, this unpredictability has constrained access to accurate data about organic waste. This has led to slow progress in harnessing organic waste for renewable energy production. This study focuses on the conversion of the city's organic waste to biogas as a local energy supply. The potential quantity of organic waste and its theoretical energy content were estimated based on a case study in four areas in the Metropolis encompassing 12 municipalities, official records, and literature reviews. The aim of this mixed method was to enhance data quality and optimize the long‐term viability of a small‐scale biogas plant in the city. The results show that the area generates a considerable amount of organic waste (55–66%) with an annual theoretical energy content of 224.18 GWh. The yearly financial gain from the 25.5 MW biogas plant could reach 40 352 400 USD. The estimated organic waste with its considerable potential energy content represents a significant renewable energy source in the Metropolis of Tunis. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd
A simple alternative and improved HPLC method for the estimation of doravirine, lamivudine, and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate in solid oral dosage form
Authors: Kokkirala Tej Kumar , Kancherla Prasad , Alegete Pallavi , Suryakala Duvvuri
Published: March 2021

A novel method was developed for the simultaneous estimation of the doravirine, lamivudine, and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate in the pharmaceutical dosage form. The chromatogram was run through an Ascentis C18 column (150 × 4.6 mm, 2.7  μm), with the mobile phase consisting of a phosphate buffer and acetonitrile in the ratio of 50:50 (v/v). The mobile phase was pumped through the column at a flow rate of 1 mL/min. The column temperature was maintained at 30°C. The optimized wavelength for doravirine, lamivudine, and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate was 230.0 nm. The retention times for doravirine, lamivudine, and tenofovir disoproxil were 2.222, 2.764, and 3.403 min, respectively; the relative standard deviation (%) values of method precision for doravirine, lamivudine, and tenofovir disoproxil were 0.6, 0.6, and 0.1, respectively. The % recovery was 100.20%, 100.15%, and 100.36% for doravirine, lamivudine, and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate, respectively. The limit of detection and limit of quantification values were obtained from regression equations of doravirine, lamivudine, and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate, and were 0.24 and 0.73 ppm, 0.53 and 1.60 ppm, and 0.47 and 1.43 ppm, respectively. The regression equations of doravirine, lamivudine, and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate were y = 17,541x + 117,303, y = 15,555x + 10,791, and y = 15,250x + 31,663, respectively. The method developed was accurate, simple, precise, sensitive, and economical. Hence, it could be adopted for regular quality control for estimation of doravirine, lamivudine, and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate in pharmaceutical industries.
Establishment and characterization of fibroblast cultures derived from a female common hippopotamus (Hippopotamus amphibius) skin biopsy
Authors: Wang Tao , Li Zelong , Wei Jinpu , Zheng Dongmin , Wang Chen , Xu Chang , Chen Wu , Wang Bo
Published: March 2021

The population decline of the common hippopotamus (Hippopotamus amphibius) has necessitated the preservation of their genetic resources for species conservation and research. Of all actions, cryopreservation of fibroblast cell cultures derived from an animal biopsy is considered a simple but efficient means. Nevertheless, preserving viable cell cultures of the common hippopotamus has not been achieved to our knowledge. To this end, we established and characterized fibroblast cell cultures from the skin sample of a newborn common hippopotamus in this study. By combining the tissue explant direct culture and enzymatic digestion methods, we isolated a great number of cells with typical fibroblastic morphology and high viability. Neither bacteria/fungi nor mycoplasma was detectable in the cell cultures throughout the study. The population doubling time was 34 h according to the growth curve. Karyotyping based on Giemsa staining showed that the cultured cells were diploid with 36 chromosomes in all, one pair of which was sex chromosomes. The amplified mitochondrial cytochrome C oxidase subunit I gene sequence of the cultured cells was 99.26% identical with that of the registered H. amphibius complete mitochondrial DNA, confirming the species of origin of the cells. Flow cytometry and immunofluorescence staining results revealed that the detected cells were positive for fibroblast markers, S100A4, and vimentin. In conclusion, we generated the fibroblast cell cultures from a common hippopotamus and identified their characteristics using multiple techniques. We believe the cryopreserved cells could be useful genetic materials for future research.
Methylation of miR‐19b‐3p promoter exacerbates inflammatory responses in sepsis‐induced ALI via targeting KLF7
Authors: Jiang Lingzhi , Wang Mingshan , Sun Renhua , Lin Zongbin , Liu Renyang , Cai Hanhui , Tang Zhiyun , Zhang Run
Published: March 2021

Sepsis‐induced acute lung injury is associated with dysregulated inflammatory reactions. MiR‐19b‐3p level was reported to be downregulated in patients with sepsis. To evaluate the role of miR‐19b‐3p in sepsis, cecum ligation and puncture‐induced mouse sepsis model and lpopolysaccharide (LPS)‐treated pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells (PMVECs) were used. For in vivo study, lung tissue was harvested for hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining, tumor necrosis factor‐α, interleukin‐6 (IL‐6), IL‐1β, and p‐p65, p‐IκB measuring. Cell apoptosis was assessed by TUNEL assay. For in vitro study, cell proliferation and apoptosis were detected by CCK‐8 and flow cytometry, respectively. Methylation of miR‐19b‐3p promoter was measured by methylation‐specific PCR (MSP) assay. The target of miR‐19b‐3p was determined by dual‐luciferase reporter gene assay. The level of miR‐19b‐3p was determined to be downregulated in vitro and in vivo. In addition, miR‐19b‐3p protected mice from inflammation injury through inhibiting NF‐κB signaling pathway. Overexpression of miR‐19b‐3p increased cell viability, decreased apoptosis, and proinflammatory cytokines secretion in LPS‐treated PMVECs. Besides these, Krüppel‐like factor 7 (KLF7) was confirmed as the target of miR‐19b‐3p. And methylation of miR‐19b‐3p was the reason of decreased miR‐19b‐3p level. In conclusion, miR‐19b‐3p protected cells from sepsis‐induced inflammation injury via inhibiting NF‐κB signaling pathway, and KLF7 was a potential target.
Dissociated response related to corticosteroids in lung cancer treated by immunotherapy: A case report
Authors: Thomas Quentin Dominique , Sinoquet Léa , Maraver Antonio , Quantin Xavier
Published: March 2021

We report the case of a patient with a complete metastatic adrenal response on Pembrolizumab for metastatic lung cancer. Treatment with a systemic corticosteroid‐induced a time‐dependent progression at his metastatic site. Surprisingly, after stopping the corticosteroid, we observed a new complete response in long‐term adrenal metastases.
Friedreich ataxia in a family from Mali, West Africa/Friedreich ataxia in a Malian family
Authors: Cissé Cheick A. K. , Cissé Lassana , Ba Hamidou O. , Samassékou Oumar , Simaga Assiatou , Taméga Abdoulaye , Diarra Salimata , Diallo Seybou H. , Coulibaly Thomas , Diallo Salimata , Yalcouyé Abdoulaye , Maiga Alassane B. , Keita Mohamed , Fischbeck Kenneth H. , Traoré Sékou F. , Guinto Cheick O. , Landouré Guida ,   from the H3Africa Consortium
Published: March 2021

Friedreich ataxia is the most common inherited ataxia in the world, but yet to be reported in black African. We report the first genetically confirmed case in a West African family. Studying genetic diseases in populations with diverse backgrounds may give new insights into their pathophysiology for future therapeutic targets.
A case of concomitant pulmonary embolism and pulmonary tuberculosis in the era of COVID 19, a matter of cautious approach
Authors: Dakhlia Sinda , Iqbal Phool , Abubakar Muhammad , Zara Sabeen , Murtaza Muhammad , Al Bozom Adel , Neffati Nedia
Published: March 2021

Tuberculosis (TB) is known to the world for many years. It is associated with various complications and rarely with pulmonary embolism. However, due to its commonalities of presenting features with COVID 19, it can easily be missed and may be life threatening.
Highly Efficient Bipolar Membrane CO2 Electrolysis
Authors: Mandal Mrinmay
Published: March 2021

CO2 reduction reaction (CO2RR) is a promising way to convert CO2 into value‐added products. Membrane‐based gas‐phase CO2RR offers several advantages like high selectivity and energy efficiency. However, high product crossover and poor CO2 utilization in anion exchange membranes (AEMs) prevents the utilization of AEMs for CO2RR. The acidic environment of the cation exchange membrane can negatively influence the CO2 reduction reaction (CO2RR) activity by favoring the competing hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). Hence, it is necessary to manipulate the local pH environment of the electrodes to yield maximum productivity. Bipolar membranes (BPMs) with a cation exchange layer (CEL) and an anion exchange layer (AEL) help in maintaining different local pH environments at each electrode. Now, a bipolar membrane fabrication with a weak‐acid cation exchange layer removes the possibility of competing HER without affecting CO2RR.
Investigation of Small‐Pore Zeolites via Vapor‐Phase Adsorption of n‐Hexane
Authors: Chen Cong‐Yan , Zones Stacey I.
Published: March 2021

Cage‐based small‐pore zeolites are promising catalysts for catalytic applications such as methanol‐to‐olefins to produce light olefins and selective catalytic reduction to mitigate NOx emissions. The present paper reports our recent studies on vapor‐phase adsorption of n‐hexane in a series of small‐pore zeolites with cages such as 3A, 4A, 5A, ITQ‐29, SSZ‐13, SSZ‐16, SSZ‐17, SSZ‐36, SSZ‐50, ITQ‐12, ZK‐5, and Rho. The effects of zeolite compositions and crystal sizes on the adsorption kinetics and capacity are investigated, demonstrating that n‐hexane adsorption is a useful tool for characterizing the effective pore sizes and volumes of small pore zeolites.
En route to personalized medicine: uncovering distinct IgE reactivity pattern to house dust mite components in Brazilian and Austrian allergic patients
Authors: Pinheiro Carina S. , Silva Eduardo S. , de Andrade Belitardo Emília M. M. , Pacheco Luis G. C. , Aguiar Eric R. G. R. , Alcantara‐Neves Neuza M. , Gadermaier Gabriele , Ferreira Fatima
Published: March 2021

Aim

Molecular sensitization profile analyses of allergic individuals to the house dust mites (HDM) Blomia tropicalis and Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus from Brazil and Austria, in the attempt to comprehend the individual contribution of the molecular components in the diagnosis of HDM allergy.

Methodology

These analyses were made using a new in vitro multiplex allergen assay which allows simultaneous measurement of specific IgE against the whole allergen extract as well its components.

Results and Conclusion

The data showed that in Brazil the inclusion of the molecular components Blo t 5 and/or Blo t 21 major allergens and Blo t 2 can increase the sensitivity and specificity of the assay for the diagnosis of allergy to B. tropicalis, using matrix‐based methodologies. Also we highlighted, for the first time, the importance of Blo t 2 analysis for a sensitive diagnosis, since some individuals were sensitized only to this molecular component. Regarding the sensitization profile of individuals sensitized to D. pteronyssinus, we point out the importance of analyzing the molecular components Der p23 and Der p 7, in addition to Der p 1 and Der p 2 for an accurate diagnosis based on matrices.
Colloidal Assembly and Separation under UV‐Induced Convective Flows and on Inclines
Authors: Kauffman Joshua E. , Tansi Benjamin M. , LaSalle Christopher , Manna Raj Kumar , Shklyaev Oleg E. , Balazs Anna C. , Sen Ayusman
Published: March 2021

Achieving directed motility and separation of colloidal particles is a crucial requirement in a range of technological areas. Herein, we describe a system that exploits the photothermal properties of plasmonic nanoparticles for the assembly and separation of larger microparticles. Irradiating an aqueous suspension of gold or silver nanoparticles with UV light generates thermal convection which can be used to move and organize larger particles. Moving the UV light source allows the relocation of the particle cluster. In addition, thermal convection can be used to separate inert particles of different sizes on an inclined plane. Since fluid motion stems from thermal convection, collection and separation can be reversed simply by turning off the UV light enabling a rapid on‐demand response system.
Phase‐field Determination of NaSICON Materials in the Quaternary System Na2O−P2O5−SiO2−ZrO2: The Series Na3Zr3–xSi2PxO11.5+x/2
Authors: Loutati A. , Sohn Y. J. , Tietz F.
Published: March 2021

Two types of solid electrolytes have reached technological relevance in the field of sodium batteries: ß/ß”‐aluminas and NaSICON‐type materials. Today, significant attention is paid to room‐temperature stationary electricity storage technologies and all‐solid‐state Na batteries used in combination with these solid electrolytes are an emerging research field besides sodium‐ion batteries. In comparison, NaSICON materials can be processed at lower sintering temperatures than the ß/ß”‐aluminas and have a similarly attractive ionic conductivity. Since Na2O−SiO2−ZrO2−P2O5 ceramics offer wider compositional variability, the series Na3Zr3–xSi2PxO11.5+x/2 with seven compositions (0≤x≤3) was selected from the quasi‐quaternary phase diagram in order to identify the predominant stability region of NaSICON within this series and to explore the full potential of such materials, including the original NaSICON composition of Na3Zr2Si2POl2 as a reference. Several characterization techniques were used for the purpose of better understanding the relationships between processing and properties of the ceramics. X‐ray diffraction analysis revealed that the phase region of NaSICON materials is larger than expected. Moreover, new ceramic NaSICON materials were discovered in the system crystallizing with a monoclinic NaSICON structure (space group C2/c). Impedance spectroscopy was utilized to investigate the ionic conductivity, giving clear evidence for a dependence on crystal symmetry. The monoclinic NaSICON structure showed the highest ionic conductivity with an optimum ionic conductivity of 1.22×10−3 at 25 °C for the composition Na3Zr2Si2PO12. As the degree of P5+ content increases, the total ionic conductivity is initially enhanced until x=1 and then decreases again. Simultaneously, the increasing amount of phosphorus leads a decrease in the sintering temperatures for all samples, which was confirmed by dilatometry measurements. The thermal and microstructural properties of the prepared samples are also evaluated and discussed.
Androgen receptor decreases renal cell carcinoma bone metastases via suppressing the osteolytic formation through altering a novel circEXOC7 regulatory axis
Authors: Gong Dongkui , Sun Yin , Guo Changcheng , Sheu Tzong‐jen , Zhai Wei , Zheng Junhua , Chang Chawnshang
Published: March 2021

Background

Clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) has gender differences, with the androgen receptor (AR) linked positively with metastasis to the lung. Its linkage to ccRCC bone metastases (RBMs), however, remains unclear.

Methods

In the current study, five human RCC and five RCC bone metastasis tissues were deeply sequenced using Arraystar human circRNA V2.0 microarray. We conducted gain‐of‐function screening in vitro and in vivo to elucidate the AR's role in the RBM. Loss/gain‐of‐function was also implemented to verify the roles of related non‐coding RNAs and proteins.

Results

We uncovered that RBM also has a gender difference showing higher AR expression may be linked to fewer RBMs, which might involve suppressing osteolytic formation. Mechanism dissection indicates that AR can decrease the circular RNA EXOC7 (circEXOC7), expression via enhancing transcription of DHX9, a regulatory protein in circRNA biogenesis. The circEXOC7 can sponge/suppress miR‐149‐3p resulting in suppressing the CSF1 expression by directly binding to the 3′UTR region of CSF1 mRNA. Results from clinical epidemiological surveys also found that AR has a positive correlation with miR‐149‐3p and a negative correlation with CSF1 in AR‐positive ccRCC tissues. Preclinical studies with Balb/c nude mouse model also validated that targeting this newly verified AR/DHX9/circEXOC7/miR‐149‐3p/CSF1 signaling via altering circEXOC7 or AR could lead to suppressing the RBM progression.

Conclusions

These data showed that AR/DHX9/circEXOC7/miR‐149‐3p/CSF1 signaling acts as a valuable feature in the bone metastasis of renal cancer, which may benefit in suppressing the RBM progression.
Learn from the leadership of the COVID‐19 healthcare workers
Authors: Hodges Dawn Z.
Published: March 2021

On Dec. 17, 2020 of last year, I woke up with a tickle in my throat. Later it became a cough. I took cough syrup. By the weekend, I had cold‐like symptoms and began taking medicine for cold and flu. On Monday I was nauseated; I took Pepto‐Bismol. I lay on the couch getting sicker and sicker. I tried to drink juice or ginger ale, but could keep nothing down. I canceled Christmas dinner with my son and his family. By Christmas Day, I'd lost 15 pounds.
Advanced liver fibrosis and the metabolic syndrome in a primary care setting
Authors: Schreiner Andrew D. , Zhang Jingwen , Durkalski‐Mauldin Valerie , Livingston Sherry , Marsden Justin , Bian John , Mauldin Patrick D. , Moran William P. , Rockey Don C.
Published: March 2021

Aims

The fibrosis‐4 index (FIB‐4) and NAFLD fibrosis score (NFS) are noninvasive and accessible methods for assessing advanced liver fibrosis risk in primary care. We evaluated the distribution of FIB‐4 and NFS scores in primary care patients with clinical signals for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).

Materials and Methods

This retrospective cohort study of electronic record data between 2007 and 2018 included adults with at least one abnormal aminotransferase and no known (non‐NAFLD) liver disease. We calculated patient‐level FIB‐4 and NFS scores, the proportion of patients with mean values exceeding advanced fibrosis thresholds (indeterminate risk: FIB‐4 > 1.3, NFS > −1.455; high‐risk: FIB‐4 > 2.67, NFS > 0.676), and the proportion of patients with a NAFLD International Classification of Diseases‐9/10 code. Logistic regression models evaluated the associations of metabolic syndrome (MetS) components with elevated FIB‐4 and NFS scores.

Results

The cohort included 6506 patients with a median of 6 (interquartile range: 3–13) FIB‐4 and NFS scores per patient. Of these patients, 81% had at least two components of MetS, 29% had mean FIB‐4 and NFS scores for indeterminate fibrosis risk, and 11% had either mean FIB‐4 or NFS scores exceeding the high advanced fibrosis risk thresholds. Regression models identified associations of low high‐density lipoprotein, hyperglycemia, Black race and male gender with high‐risk FIB‐4 and NFS values. Only 5% of patients had existing diagnoses for NAFLD identified.

Conclusions

Many primary care patients have FIB‐4 and NFS scores concerning for advanced fibrosis, but rarely a diagnosis of NAFLD. Elevated FIB‐4 and NFS scores may provide signals for further clinical evaluation of liver disease in primary care settings.
Dhole pack size variation: Assessing the effect of Prey availability and Apex predator
Authors: Bhandari Aishwarya , Ghaskadbi Pallavi , Nigam Parag , Habib Bilal
Published: March 2021

In multipredator systems, group sizes of social carnivores are shaped by the asymmetric intraguild interactions. Subordinate social carnivores experience low recruitment rates as an outcome of predation pressure. In South and Southeast Asia, the Tiger (Panthera tigris), Dhole (Cuon alpinus), and Leopard (Panthera pardus) form a widely distributed sympatric guild of large carnivores, wherein tigers are the apex predators followed by dhole and leopard. In this study, we attempted to understand the variation in pack size of a social carnivore, the dhole, at two neighboring sites in the Central Indian landscape. We further evaluated local‐scale patterns of variation in pack size at a larger scale by doing a distribution‐wide assessment across the dhole ranging countries. At the local scale, we found an inverse relationship between the density of tiger and pack size of dhole while accounting for variability in resources and habitat heterogeneity. Larger dhole packs (16.8 ± 3.1) were observed at the site where the tiger density was low (0.46/100 km2), whereas a smaller pack size (6.4 ± 1.3) was observed in the site with high tiger density (5.36/100 km2). Our results for the distribution‐wide assessment were concordant with local‐scale results, showing a negative association of pack size with the tiger densities (effect size −0.77) and a positive association with the prey abundance (effect size 0.64). The study advances our understanding to answer the age‐old question of “what drives the pack size of social predators in a multipredator system?” This study also highlights the importance of understanding demographic responses of subordinate predator for varying competitor densities, often helpful in making informed decisions for conservation and management strategies such as population recovery and translocation of species.