bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ficus cunia Buch.-Ham. ex Roxb. (leaves): An experimental evaluation of the cytotoxicity, thrombolytic, analgesic and neuropharmacological activities of its methanol extract
Authors: Hasanat Abul , Kabir Mohammad Shah Hafez , Ansari Md. Alam , Chowdhury Tanvir Ahmad , Hossain Mohammed Munawar , Islam Mohammad Nazmul , Ahmed Shabbir , Chy Md. Nazim Uddin , Adnan Md. , Kamal A.T.M. Mostafa
Published: July 2019

Background

The aim of this experiment was to evaluate the cytotoxic, thrombolytic, analgesic, sedative-hypnotic and anxiolytic activities of the methanolic extract of Ficus cunia leaves.

Methods

Primary phytochemical screening was accomplished by using established methods. Cytotoxicity was studied by brine shrimp lethality test, and the thrombolytic assay was conducted through clot lysis method with human blood. The in vivo action was done using mice of both sexes. The analgesic activity was evaluated by acetic acid-induced writhing test and formalin-induced paw licking test. Open field, hole cross and thiopental Na-induced sleeping time test were used to examine the sedative-hypnotic activity, and elevated plus maze (EPM) and hole board test were used to identify the anxiolytic activity.

Results

The results elicited that the extract contained several phytochemicals such as alkaloid, flavonoid, and tannin. The extract was found to have a median lethal concentration (LC50) value of 55.48 μg/mL in the brine shrimp lethality bioassay. It was also assessed for antithrombotic activity when compared with streptokinase; it has significant (p < 0.001) thrombolytic effect (34.72 ± 1.74%) contrasted with standard streptokinase (67 ± 1.56%). The extract at doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg produced inhibition of 32.58% and 46.63% in acetic acid-induced pain and 45.88 and 61.18% in formalin-induced pain. The sedative and hypnotic activities on the central nervous system of the methanol extract of F. cunia (MEFC) leaves were evaluated. The extract delivered critical sedative impact at the doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg (by oral route) treated with reference to the substance diazepam, and the hypnotic impact was also observed in the case of mice. MEFC at its maximum dose (400 mg/kg) significantly (p < 0.01) increased the time spent in the open arms of the EPM. In the hole board test, there was a dose-dependent (at 200 and 400 mg/kg) and a significant (p < 0.05 and p < 0.01) increase in the number of head pokes in comparison to control.

Conclusions

The results of the present study gave a helpful baseline in progression for the possible use of MEFC as a cytotoxic, thrombolytic, analgesic, sedative-hypnotic and anxiolytic drug.
Glial pathology in neuropsychiatric disorders: a brief review
Authors: Mayegowda Shilpa Borehalli , Thomas Christofer
Published: July 2019

Neurons have been considered the major functional entities of the nervous system that are responsible for most of the functions even though glial cells largely outnumber them. However, recent reports have proved that glial cells do not function just like glue in the nervous system but also substantially affect neuronal function and activities, and are significantly involved in the underlying pathobiology of various psychiatric disorders. Dysfunctional astrocytes and degeneration of glial cells are postulated to be critical factors contributing to the aggravation of depressive-like symptoms in humans, which was proved using animal models. Alteration in glial cell function predominantly targets three main brain regions – the prefrontal cortex, limbic areas including the hippocampus, and the amygdala, which have been extensively studied by various researchers across the globe. These studies have postulated that failure in adopting to the changing neurophysiology due to stress will lead to regressive plasticity in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex, but to progressive plasticity in the amygdala. In this present review, an effort has been made to understand the different alterations in chronic stress models in correlation with clinical conditions, providing evidence on the defective maintenance of glial function and its potential role in the precipitation of neuropsychiatric disorders.
Protective mechanisms of protocatechuic acid against doxorubicin-induced nephrotoxicity in rat model
Authors: Molehin Olorunfemi R. , Adeyanju Anne A. , Adefegha Stephen A. , Oyeyemi Ajibade O. , Idowu Kehinde A.
Published: July 2019

Background

Doxorubicin (DOX) induces toxicity in many tissues/organs, including the heart, kidney and so on. This study was designed to evaluate the modulatory effects of protocatechuic acid (PCA) against DOX-induced nephrotoxicity in rats. Animals were randomly grouped into five groups.

Methods

Group 1 served as the normal control (CTR). A single dose of DOX at 20 mg/kg was administered intraperitoneally (i.p.) to animals in Group 2. Groups 3 and 4 were pretreated with PCA for 5 days (doses of 10 and 20 mg/kg body weight, respectively) after which DOX was injected (PCA-10 + DOX and PCA-20 + DOX). Group 5 received PCA only at a dose of 20 mg/kg body weight (PCA-20).

Results

The results revealed significant elevations (p < 0.05) in malondialdehyde content, expressions of inducible nitric oxide (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX2) in the kidney. Likewise, increased serum levels of creatinine and urea of DOX group were observed. A significant decrease (p < 0.05) in glutathione (GSH) level and antioxidant enzymes: superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and glutathione s- transferase (GST) activities in the kidney were observed compared with the control. Pretreatment with PCA (10 and 20 mg/kg, p.o.) for 5 days prior to the i.p. injection of DOX reduced MDA levels, modulated iNOS and COX2 activities and improved kidney function markers as well as oxidative stress parameters. Findings from the histopathology studies confirms the protective effects of PCA on DOX-induced damage on the kidney cells.

Conclusions

This study has demonstrated the anti-inflammatory and antioxidative properties of PCA, which could be part of its possible protective mechanisms against nephrotoxicity induced by DOX.
Directional Beam Based LED Deployment for a Short Range Indoor LED Light Communication System
Authors: Sharma Ram , Charan Kumari A. , Aggarwal Mona , Ahuja Swaran
Published: July 2019

There is now an increasing awareness about the possibility of health hazards due to excessive electromagnetic radiations around us within the indoor environment. Hence, the alternative communication technologies such as indoor mobile communication system based on LED lighting are gaining more attention in the present scenario. The dual use of LEDs i. e. for illumination as well as for setting up of an indoor communication network infrastructure simultaneously makes it an attractive preposition. The LED lighting based communication system is qualified to be part of green technology networks. This paper investigates the optimal LED placement strategy for such a system to optimize the overall communication system parameters including the transmit power optimization. It is observed that the overall optimization of LEDs improve the signal to noise ratio and also a significant reduction in root mean square delay at lower semi-angle values besides improving the mobile coverage area.
Radio over Fibre Transport of Alamouti-coded MIMO Signals with Self-Recovery Capability
Authors: Kaur Jaswinder , Sharma Vishal
Published: July 2019

Radio over Fibre (RoF) transport of high-speed wireless data provides a comprehensive solution for the forthcoming highly-reliable and spectral-efficient wireless systems. MIMO is one of the most widely used wireless technologies to increase the system reliability and capacity without any increased demand of power/bandwidth. However, the inherent non-linearities of RoF link and the multipath fading of the wireless channel can degrade the overall performance of the wireless system. In this work, authors demonstrate RoF transport of adaptively modulated MIMO signals and report the improvement in spectral efficiency under the impact of RoF link non-linearity. The transmitter of the proposed RoF based wireless system selects the appropriate modulation scheme with the assumption of perfect channel state information to achieve the acceptable BER at the subscriber end. The spectral efficiency improvement by this self-recovering MIMO-RoF system is evaluated by incorporating orthogonal Space-Time Block Code with 2 × 2 antenna configuration over the frequency-selective Rayleigh fading channel.
DP-QPSK Technique for Ultra-high Bit-rate DWDM FSO System
Authors: Pradhan Subhrajit , Patnaik Bijayananda , Panigrahy Rashmita Kumari
Published: July 2019

This paper proposes an ultra-high capacity free space optical communication (FSO) system, employing optical dual polarization quadrature phase shift keying (DP-QPSK) modulation format. It is a 16-channel dense wavelength division multiplexing (DWDM) system with 120 Gbps/channel bit rate. The FSO system is analyzed with three optical advanced modulation schemes; such as 4-quadrature amplitude modulation (4-QAM), quadrature phase shift keying (QPSK) and DP-QPSK. The main focus of the projected system is to improve the FSO setup performance in terms of eye diagram, bit error rate (BER), high received power and Q-factor. The center channel wavelength used for the proposed system is 1550 nm. In the present wireless communication world, the proposed system will be highly helpful as an ultrahigh capacity wireless system.
Charge transfer and electromagnetic enhancement processes revealed in the SERS and TERS of a CoPc thin film
Authors: Chen Yu-Ting , Pan Lin , Horneber Anke , van den Berg Marius , Miao Peng , Xu Ping , Adam Pierre-Michel , Meixner Alfred J. , Zhang Dai
Published: July 2019

Phthalocyanines are frequently used as probing molecules in the field of single-molecule surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) and tip-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (TERS). In this work, we systematically compare the SERS and TERS spectra from a thin cobalt phthalocyanine (CoPc) film that is deposited on a Au film. The contributions from electromagnetic (EM), resonance, and charge-transfer enhancements are discussed. Radially and azimuthally polarized vector beams are used to investigate the influences of molecular orientation and the localized surface plasmon resonance (SPR). Furthermore, two different excitation wavelengths (636 and 532 nm) are used to study the resonant excitation effect as well as the involvement of the charge-transfer processes between CoPc and the Au substrate. It is shown that the Raman peaks of CoPc are mostly enhanced by 636 nm excitation through a combination of resonant excitation, high EM enhancement, and chemical enhancement via charge transfer from the metal to the molecule. At 532 nm excitation, however, the SERS and TERS spectra are dominated by photoluminescence, which originates from a photo-induced charge-transfer process from the optically excited molecule to the metal. The contributions of the different enhancement mechanisms explain the optical contrasts seen in the TERS images of Au nanodisks covered by the CoPc film. The insight achieved in this work will help to understand the optical contrast in sub- or single-molecule TERS imaging and apply SERS or TERS in the field of photocatalysis.
Functionalized polysaccharides with aminoguaiacol: a competition between associative behavior and antibacterial and antioxidant activities
Authors: Dulong Virginie , Kouassi Marie-Carole , Picton Luc
Published: July 2019

In a previous study, we presented the development of a series of functionalized carboxymethylpullulan (CMP) grafted with aminoguaiacol (derivative of guaiacol with known antibacterial and antioxidant activities) leading to CMP-G derivatives with various degrees of substitution [DS(Ga)] from 0.16 to 0.58. Our results have shown the efficiency of the grafting both with the evidence of antioxidant and antibacterial activities (Staphylococcus aureus) of the CMP-G derivatives. Nevertheless, an important result has shown surprisingly that such biological activity was not clearly improved with the DS(Ga) unlike the antioxidant activity. These results were probably correlated with a peculiar associative behavior of the derivative (i.e. amphiphilic character) due to the grafted hydrophobic guaiacol groups leading to preferential intramolecular association which was particularly important in the more concentrated regime (polysoap behavior). To complete this study, we propose here two strategies in order to diminish the associative character and notably the polysoap behavior: (i) decrease the DS(Ga) of CMP derivative with a CMP-G0.05 [grafted with a DS(Ga) = 0.05], (ii) conduct the functionalization onto a more rigid polysaccharide backbone as alginate. Our results show a good correlation of the associative physicochemical behaviors with both antioxidant and antibacterial activities. They also confirm the availability of these strategies mainly for the first one (i.e. CMP-G0.05). The main result indicates that the lower is the DS(Ga), the better is the antibacterial activity thanks to a lower associative character. Finally, this study also shows that the grafting of aminoguaiacol is possible onto another anionic polysaccharide (i.e. alginate).
Documentation and Recordkeeping Issues Affecting Refugees in Turkey: A Review
Authors: Jiménez Krystell
Published: July 2019

This report examines the recordkeeping issues facing refugees, displaced persons, and asylum seekers who have either applied for asylum while residing in Turkey or transiting through. There is a high degree of interdependency between types of documents, particularly birth certificates, marriage certificates, and identity documents. The challenges faced by Syrian and non-Syrian refugees can be distinctive, suggesting a need for more targeted interventions. The report’s recommendations confirm Sakena Alalawi and Anne Gilliland’s findings and point to a pressing need for archive-to-archive collaboration to increase accessibility of records; to lobby those who make policy, adjudicate asylum cases and vet refugees for resettlement to consider alternate forms of documentation that might be presented by a records advocate working on a case; and to develop new forms of certification for relevant digitized documents.
The Digital Preservation of Intangible Cultural Heritage in China: A Survey
Authors: Zhou Yaolin , Sun Jingqiong , Huang Yujing
Published: July 2019

The digital preservation of intangible cultural heritage has become a major emphasis and challenge in China. This study investigated the state of the field by examining the activities of the local Intangible Cultural Heritage Protection Centers at Nanyang, Kaifeng, Xianning, Chibi, Sanming and Jingdezhen, using semi-structured interviews to document the status of digital preservation of intangible cultural heritage in China. This study found that the digital preservation system of Chinese cultural heritage has a clear structure and pluralistic components. The centers are rich in digital resources, but disordered in their storage, and are supported by policies, but weak in the area of management. It is necessary to further clarify these institutions’ rights and responsibilities, formulate storage standards, build shared platforms, and strengthen digital preservation management.
Technology Use in Designing Curriculum for Archivists: Utilizing Andragogical Approaches in Designing Digital Learning Environments for Archives Professional Development
Authors: Wright Trudi , Benoit III Edward
Published: July 2019

Technology has a significant impact in archival institutions. The creation and need to preserve digital records require archivists to have the necessary training, and ongoing professional development. In addition, technology is embedded in many archival processes, making knowledge of technology use vital for archivists. While technology may be a challenge for archivists in terms of archival management, it also presents a useful means to support training and professional development. This paper is based on the experimental research conducted by the researchers, as instructors, in developing curriculum based on theories of andragogy for the purposes of developing intentional curriculum for professional development of archivists in digital learning environments. In this article, we will focus on the application of technology for the purposes of training archives professionals. We have explored archives training through the application of andragogy theory in online training through Louisiana State University and Mohawk College. In addition, we will review the literature relating to the use of technology to support both outreach and marketing to educate clients of archival institutions. Social media tools offer a broad means to engage clients, as these platforms already function as “community hubs for activity, featuring many users, regular updates, and active forum discussions” (Terras). The literature suggests that there is have been significant inroads in developing intentional curriculum for digital learning environments.
Celebrating a Decade of Archival Education and Research: The Tenth Annual Archival Education and Research Institute
Authors: Sutherland Tonia
Published: July 2019

On July 9–13, 2018, the School of Library and Information Studies (SLIS) at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA, hosted the tenth annual Archival Education and Research Institute (AERI). A week-long institute designed to strengthen archival education and research and support academic cohort-building and mentoring, AERI is open to all academic faculty and students working in archival studies, both nationally and internationally, as well as others engaged in archival education, research, and scholarship, broadly conceived. Attended by researchers, educators, doctoral students, and students enrolled in the AERI-affiliated Emerging Archival Scholars Program (EASP), this tenth anniversary gathering marked the Institute’s first meeting in the Southeast. Alabama provided a valuable lens for considering critical archival issues: discussions of memory, community activism, and representation were particularly vivid in a region that continues to consider its past, and its continued influence on present social, political, and economic environments. In this introduction, the Co-Chair of the Institute and Guest Editor of this issue, Tonia Sutherland, provides a brief overview of the conference highlights and introduces the papers presented in the Special Issue.
Relativity in the electronic structure of the heaviest elements and its influence on periodicities in properties
Authors: Pershina Valeria
Published: July 2019

Theoretical chemical studies demonstrated crucial importance of relativistic effects in the physics and chemistry of superheavy elements (SHEs). Performed, with many of them, in a close link to the experimental research, those investigations have shown that relativistic effects determine periodicities in physical and chemical properties of the elements in the chemical groups and rows of the Periodic Table beyond the 6th one. They could, however, also lead to some deviations from the established trends, so that the predictive power of the Periodic Table in this area may be lost. Results of those studies are overviewed here, with comparison to the recent experimental investigations.
Metal organic framework (La-PDA) as an effective adsorbent for the removal of uranium(VI) from aqueous solution
Authors: Tian Kun , Zhuang Shuting , Wu Jinling , Wang Jianlong
Published: July 2019

A two-dimensional lanthanum(III) porous coordination polymer was prepared, characterized and applied as an efficient adsorbent for the removal of uranium from aqueous solution. Lanthanum(III) was the metal center of MOFs, and the deprotonated anions of pyridine-2,6-dicarboxylic acid (H2PDA), PDA2− was the organic ligand, this MOF was name as La-PDA, which was synthesized by hydrothermal reaction method. Scanning electron microscope (SEM), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) and thermal gravimetric (TG) analysis were used for characterization, and the results indicated that the La-PDA composites were successfully prepared. Compared with traditional adsorbents of uranium, La-PDA showed excellent adsorption properties. The adsorption capacity was 247.6 mg g−1 at 298 K and pH 4.0. The adsorption equilibrium achieved within 120 min, and the adsorption process was exothermic and spontaneous. The absorption mechanism of La-PDA was also explored, from the XPS spectra, the pyridine-like nitrogen atoms (C=N–C) and carboxyl oxygen atoms (–COO–) contributed to the adsorption of uranium. The results suggested that PDA2− was a potential ligand of uranium adsorption, La-PDA composites were effective adsorbents for the removal of uranium from aqueous solution.
Feasibility and interface migration characteristics of friction stir lap welding of LA141 Mg-Li alloy
Authors: Li Hui , Xu Rongzheng , Hou Yanxi , Cui Shenglin , Wei Zhicheng
Published: July 2019

2 mm-thick LA141 plates were successfully friction stir lap welded (FSLW). The similar FSLWLA141Mg-Li alloy joint appeared a downward hook on the advanced side and an upward cold lap on the retreating side. The load of lap-shear tensile testing reached 2.8 kN, and the joints failed in the interface defects. The interface migration of LA141/LA141 lap joint during FSLW process was driven by forces at interface, such as a frictional force paralleled to the thread, a downward pressure perpendicular to the surface of the thread, the resistance from unsoftened metal and its own gravity. Moreover, the FSLWof AZ31/LA141 and LA141/AZ31 furtherly verified that forces at the interface were critical factors in determining the interface migration during FSLW process.
Tomorrow’s HIV Prevention Trials of Vaccines and Antibodies
Authors: Follmann Dean
Published: July 2019

Effective HIV prevention has the potential to change the landscape of HIV prevention trials. Low infection rates will make superiority studies necessarily large while non-inferiority trials will need some evidence that a counterfactual placebo group had a meaningful HIV infection rate in order to provide evidence of effective interventions. This paper explores these challenges in the context of immune related interventions of mAbs and vaccines. We discuss the issue of effect modification in the presence of PrEP, where subjects on PrEP may have less of a benefit of a mAb or (vaccine) than subjects off PrEP. We also discuss different methods of placebo infection rate imputation. We estimate infection risk as a function of mAb level (or vaccine induced immune response) in the mAb (or vaccine) arm and then extrapolate this infection risk to zero mAbs as a proxy for the placebo infection rate. Important aspects are the use of triangulation or multiple methods to impute the placebo infection rate, concern about extrapolation if few mAbs are close to zero, and the use of currently available data with placebo groups to rigorously evaluate the accuracy of imputation methods. We also discuss use of historical controls and some generalizations of the idea of (DMurray, J. 2019. “Regulatory Perspectives for Streamlining HIV Prevention Trials.” Statistical Communications in Infectious Diseases.) to use rectal gonorrhea rates to impute HIV infection rate. Generalizations include regression adjustment to calibrate for potential differences in baseline covariates for ongoing vs historical studies and the use of the gonorrhea, HIV relationship in a contemporaneous observational study. Examples of recent and ongoing trials of malaria chemoprophylaxis and HPV vaccines, where extremely effect prevention methods are available, are provided.
Roots don’t select, categorial heads do: lexical-selection of PPs may vary by category
Authors: Merchant Jason
Published: July 2019

The vast majority of roots in English show uniform selectional properties across their various instantiations in verbs, nouns, or adjectives:relyV\textit{rely}_{\textrm{V}}on, relianceN_{\textrm{N}}on, reliantA_{\textrm{A}}on. This paper reports a new discovery: there are more than a hundred roots that display nonuniform selectional behavior. Their selectional class depends on whether the root is realized as a verb, a noun, or an adjective:prideV_{\textrm{V}}oneselfon, prideN_{\textrm{N}}in, proudA_{\textrm{A}}of. I argue that this is best modeled if the categorizing node itself determines selection.
Constraining long-distance allomorphy
Authors: Božič Jurij
Published: July 2019

This paper presents a cross-linguistic survey of non-local allomorphy and it develops a formal model that accounts for the observed patterns. The distance between the trigger and target of allomorphy in non-local patterns is much more conservative than expected. A model of Vocabulary Insertion is developed, where the limited distance follows from the basic linear computational properties of the PF-interface.
Verb-raising and VP-fronting in Japanese
Authors: Funakoshi Kenshi
Published: July 2019

It is challenging to make empirical arguments either for or against the existence of verb-raising in head-final languages like Japanese since word order facts are not informative in such languages unlike in head-initial languages such as English and French. This article aims to make a novel argument for the existence of verb-raising in Japanese, based on facts about VP-fronting.
Notes on Expletive There
Authors: Kayne Richard S.
Published: July 2019

Sentences with the verb exist and with a lexical DP in subject position show no definiteness effect. This suggests that the definiteness effect is keyed in English to the presence of expletive there. More strongly put, a definiteness effect is invariably found whenever expletive there (or a counterpart of it in other languages, whether pronounced or not) is present. This effect may in some languages be limited to the case of unstressed pronouns.

Expletive there and its counterparts originate within the associate (in a way that accounts for the expletive being there, and not then). In part, this conclusion is driven by anti-homophony. Freeze noted that English is exceptional in having expletive there in subject position. The proposal will be that this is related to English allowing preposition-stranding under A-movement.

The definiteness effect itself results from a blocking effect, probably not specific to existential sentences, that certain determiners such as the impose on the movement of expletive there from its DP-internal position up to a sentential subject position.
Bifurcation Dynamics and Pattern Formation of a Three-Species Food Chain System with Discrete Spatiotemporal Variables
Authors: Zhang Huayong , Pan Ge , Huang Tousheng , Meng Tianxiang , Wang Jieru , Huang Hai
Published: July 2019

The bifurcation dynamics and pattern formation of a discrete-time three-species food chain system with Beddington–DeAngelis functional response are investigated. Via applying the centre manifold theorem and bifurcation theorems, the occurrence conditions for flip bifurcation and Neimark–Sacker bifurcation as well as Turing instability are determined. Numerical simulations verify the theoretical results and reveal many interesting dynamic behaviours. The flip bifurcation and the Neimark–Sacker bifurcation both induce routes to chaos, on which we find period-doubling cascades, invariant curves, chaotic attractors, sub–Neimark–Sacker bifurcation, sub–flip bifurcation, chaotic interior crisis, sub–period-doubling cascade, periodic windows, sub–periodic windows, and various periodic behaviours. Moreover, the food chain system exhibits various self-organized patterns, including regular and irregular patterns of stripes, labyrinth, and spiral waves, suggesting the populations can coexist in space as many spatiotemporal structures. These analysis and results provide a new perspective into the complex dynamics of discrete food chain systems.
Efficient Solution Processed CH3NH3PbI3 Perovskite Solar Cells with PolyTPD Hole Transport Layer
Authors: Höcker Julian , Kiermasch David , Rieder Philipp , Tvingstedt Kristofer , Baumann Andreas , Dyakonov Vladimir
Published: July 2019

The organic and hydrophobic polymer poly[N, N′-bis(4-butilphenyl)-N, N′-bis(phenyl)-benzidine] (polyTPD) represents a promising hole transport layer (HTL) for perovskite photovoltaics due to its suitable energy levels, whereby its highest occupied molecular orbital level matches well with the valence band level of methylammonium lead triiodide (CH3NH3PbI3, MAPbI3) perovskite. However, processing a perovskite layer from the solution on the surface of this organic material, is found to be difficult due to the surface properties of the latter. In this study, we evaluate efficient p-i-n type MAPbI3 perovskite solar cells employing differently processed polyTPD layers. We found that the surface coverage of the MAPbI3 perovskite layer strongly depends on the preparation method of the underlying polyTPD layer. By varying the solvents for the polyTPD precursor, its concentration, and by applying an optimised two-step perovskite deposition technique we increased both the surface coverage of the perovskite layer as well as the power conversion efficiency (PCE) of the corresponding solar cell devices. Our simple solvent-engineering approach demonstrates that no further interface modifications are needed for a successful preparation of efficient planar photovoltaic devices with PCEs in the range of 15 %–16 %.
Hydrogen Sulfide Gas Sensor Based on Copper/Graphene Oxide Composite Film-Coated Tapered Single-Mode Fibre Interferometer
Authors: Yu Jiahao , Yang Xiaozhan , Feng Wenlin
Published: July 2019

A hydrogen sulfide (H2S) gas sensor based on copper (Cu) nanoparticle deposited graphene oxide (GO) composite membrane with two waist-enlarged tapers is proposed. Three segments of the single-mode fibres (SMFs) are sequentially fused to obtain two waist-enlarged bitapers of Mach–Zehnder interferometer (MZI). When the light of a broadband light source transmits through the first bitaper, some light enters the fiber cladding; the lights of core mode and cladding mode are coupled at the second taper and an MZI is successfully fabricated. The copper/graphene oxide (Cu/GO) composite sensing film is coated on the surface of the second SMF, and the effective refractive index of the coating is changed when the sensitive film adsorbs the target gas. The correlation between the gas concentration and the wavelength shift is achieved and the H2S can be measured effectively. The results show that a uniform Cu/GO film is successfully coated on the surface of the fiber, and when the thickness of the sensitive film is about 1.2 μm, the sensor has a sensitivity of 4.42 pm/ppm and a good linearity and selectivity for H2S in the range of 0–60 ppm, and the limit of detection is 2.79 ppm. The response time and recovery time are approximately 31 and 48 s, respectively. The sensor has the advantages of small volume, low cost, simple structure, and easy manufacture and so on, which is suitable for on-line monitoring of H2S.
Schmoeckel, Mathias, Vom „gerechten” zum „heiligen Krieg”? Rechtfertigung der ersten Kreuzzüge im kanonischen Recht
Authors: Schmoeckel Mathias
Published: July 2019

From "just war" to the "holy war"? Justification of the first crusades in medieval Canon law. The European history of public international law has often dealt with the concept of "just war", almost never with the "holy war". This seems to be rather an Islamic phenomenon. But ever since Urban II called for the first crusade in 1095, Europe too knew the idea of justifying war with religious reasons. Until now this phenomenon has been used to denounce the cruelty of Christianity. We need, therefore, a new critical access to this topic. The origin of the idea in 1095 has to be linked with the development of penancy and indulgencies in their terms and concepts. We will see how skeptically the canonists of the age reacted and how little representative this immediately afterwards abandoned idea was of its time. Because Europe, in the end, rejected the idea of a "holy war", this topic is an important facette of the European evolution of public international law and does not prove the cruelty of the church. This article is part of a greater research project on the influence of medieval Canon law on public international law.
Condorelli, Orazio, I foedera pacis e il principio pacta sunt servanda. Note di ricerca nel pensiero dei giuristi dei secoli XII–XV
Authors: Condorelli Orazio
Published: July 2019

The foedera pacis and the principle pacta sunt servanda. Researches on the doctrines of medieval jurists (12th–15th c.). The foedera pacis (peace accords) belong to the core of the fundamental themes of the ius gentium. Some passages of Isidore from Seville and Augustine, handed down in Gratian's Decretum, and some fragments contained in Justinian's Digest (Gaius, Hermogenianus, Ulpianus) were the main sources on which the medieval jurists elaborated their doctrines concerning the foundations of the foedera pacis (pactum and fides) and the effects arising from these premises. The doctrines of medieval jurists on the foedera pacis represent one of the roots that nourished the reflections of the Fathers of modern international law (Grotius' thought is here examined).
Rüfner, Thomas, Recht und Religion in der europäischen Rechtstradition I: Sedes iustitiae und zweiter Dom im Rheinland. Die Konstantin-Basilika als Kristallisationspunkt von Recht und Religion in Trier
Authors: Rüfner Thomas
Published: July 2019

Seat of Justice and Second Cathedral of the Rhineland. The Basilica of Constantine as a point of encounter of law and religion in Trier. The Aula Palatina in Trier was part of the residence of the Roman Emperors and as such a place of legislation and jurisdiction. Notably, the trial of Priscillian of Avila, often labelled the first heresy trial in church history, was likely conducted in the Aula Palatina. Centuries later, the Roman building was converted into Trier's first protestant church. Caspar Olevianus, the Trier-born jurist and Calvinist reformer, is remembered nearby. The so-called Basilica of Constantine provides thus a peculiarly apt venue for exploring the mutual influences and entanglements of law and Christian religion in European history.
Zimmermann, Reinhard, Recht und Religion in der europäischen Rechtstradition II: Römisches Recht und Römische Kirche: Ein rechtshistorischer Streifzug
Authors: Zimmermann Reinhard
Published: July 2019

Roman Law and Roman Church. A Foray in the Field of Legal History. This is the slightly amended text of a public lecture delivered at the invitation of the organizers of the 42nd German Legal History Conference in September 2018 in Trier. After briefly sketching the enormous range of the discipline of legal history, the lecture focuses on the law of contract and the law of succession; and it seeks to demonstrate the importance of Rome on the development of European private law: both the Rome of pagan antiquity and of the Christian Church.
Bertram, Martin, Die Handschriften des Liber Clementinarum des Johannes de Imola (1404)
Authors: Bertram Martin
Published: July 2019

The manuscripts of the Liber Clementinarum of Johannes de Imola (1404). As the author of this contribution has already argued in other occasions, in this paper he would like to highlight once more the importance of manuscripts for research in the literature of late medieval canon law. Manuscript witnesses of canon law literature after 1234 have never been subject of systematic review. This offers an explanation for the fact that this period has been largely disregarded in modern research. The example, chosen for this paper, shows that in particular the makeup and the external features of the manuscripts provide insights which paradoxically may be more revealing than the text itself: The commentary on the Constitutiones Clementinae by the Bolognese doctor utriusque iuris Iohannes de Imola (ca. 1375-1436) is preserved in more than 30 manuscripts, which contain an amazing amount of information regarding dates, scribes, commissioners and owners; last but not least, these manuscripts were continued seamlessly by a series of early printed editions. Altogether, they offer a vivid picture of the making, the proliferation and the use of Iohannes's work.
Neuheuser, Hanns Peter, Vom utensilium zum insignium. Zur rechtlichen und ästhetischen Ordnung der spätmittelalterlichen Kanonikergewandung
Authors: Neuheuser Hanns Peter
Published: July 2019

From utensilium to insignium: The juridical and esthetic order of the canons' vestment. The paper deals with the inner structure of the institutes of secular canons and the regulations of their specific vestments. As the liturgical vestment set for celebrating mass (alb, stole, chasuble resp. dalmatic) and for the liturgy of the office of the hours in the choir (alb, surplice, cope) was common for the whole clergy, in the (high) middle ages tendencies were shown to establish elements as insignia of a canon, e.g. the material, form, colour and wearing of the often hooded almuce. Topics of the research are the medieval goals to further an image of unity of the institution, to underline the hierarchic function of a single canon, and at last to show, where is the ecclesiastical instance to establish a juridical rule.
Lauener, Michael, Schutz der Kirche und Stabilität des Staates durch Absenz von religiöser ,Seichtigkeit': die religionspolitischen Anschauungen von Jeremias Gotthelf und Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel aus dem Geist der Versöhnung
Authors: Lauener Michael
Published: July 2019

Protection of the church and state stability through the absence of religious 'shallowness': views on religion-policy of Jeremias Gotthelf and Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel out of a spirit of reconciliation. The article re-examines a thesis of Paul Baumgartner published in 1945: "Jeremias Gotthelf's, 'Zeitgeist and Bernergeist', A Study on Introduction and Interpretation", that if the Swiss writer and keen Hegel-opponent Jeremias Gotthelf had read any book of the philosopher Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel, some of this would have received his recognition. Both Gotthelf and Hegel see the Reformation to be the cause of the emergence of a strong state. For Gotthelf, this marks the beginning of a process of strengthening the state at the expense of the church. Hegel, on the other hand, considers the modern state to be the reality of freedom, produced by the Christian 'religion of freedom' (Rph, §270 Z., p. 430). In contrast to Gotthelf, for whom only Christ can reconcile the state and religion, Hegel praises the French Revolution as "reconciliation of the divine with the world". For Gotthelf, the French Revolution was only a poor imitation of the process of spiritual and political liberation initiated by the Reformation, through which Christ reduced people to their original liberty. Nevertheless, both Gotthelf and Hegel want to protect the state and the church from falling apart, they reject organizational unity of state – religion – church in the sense of a theocracy, and demand the protection of church communities.
Partial Selfing Can Reduce Genetic Loads While Maintaining Diversity During Experimental Evolution
Authors: Chelo Ivo M , Afonso Bruno , Carvalho Sara , Theologidis Ioannis , Goy Christine , Pino-Querido Ania , Proulx Stephen R , Teotónio Henrique
Published: July 2019

Partial selfing, whereby self- and cross- fertilization occur in populations at intermediate frequencies, is generally thought to be evolutionarily unstable. Yet, it is found in natural populations. This could be explained if populations with partial selfing are able to reduce genetic loads and the possibility for inbreeding depression while keeping genetic diversity that may be important for future adaptation. To address this hypothesis, we compare the experimental evolution of Caenorhabditis elegans populations under partial selfing, exclusive selfing or predominant outcrossing, while they adapt to osmotically challenging conditions. We find that the ancestral genetic load, as measured by the risk of extinction upon inbreeding by selfing, is maintained as long as outcrossing is the main reproductive mode, but becomes reduced otherwise. Analysis of genome-wide single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) during experimental evolution and among the inbred lines that survived enforced inbreeding indicates that populations with predominant outcrossing or partial selfing maintained more genetic diversity than expected with neutrality or purifying selection. We discuss the conditions under which this could be explained by the presence of recessive deleterious alleles and/or overdominant loci. Taken together, our observations suggest that populations evolving under partial selfing can gain some of the benefits of eliminating unlinked deleterious recessive alleles and also the benefits of maintaining genetic diversity at partially dominant or overdominant loci that become associated due to variance of inbreeding levels.
Mapping of Novel Leaf Rust and Stem Rust Resistance Genes in the Portuguese Durum Wheat Landrace PI 192051
Authors: Aoun Meriem , Kolmer James A , Rouse Matthew N , Elias Elias M , Breiland Matthew , Bulbula Worku Denbel , Chao Shiaoman , Acevedo Maricelis
Published: July 2019

Leaf rust caused by Puccinia triticina Erikss. (Pt) and stem rust caused by Puccinia graminis f. sp. tritici Erikss. & E. Henn (Pgt) are serious constraints to production of durum wheat (Triticum turgidum L). The objective of this study was to identify leaf rust resistance (Lr) and stem rust resistance (Sr) genes/QTL in Portuguese durum landrace PI 192051. Four Pt-isolates, representing three virulence phenotypes (BBBQJ, BBBSJ & EEEEE) and six Pgt-races TTKSK, JRCQC, TKTTF, QFCFC, TPMKC and TMLKC were used to evaluate 180 recombinant inbred lines (RILs) derived from the cross Rusty (rust susceptible) × PI 192051-1 (rust resistant) at the seedling stage. The RILs were also phenotyped at the adult-plant stage in a stem rust nursery in Ethiopia in 2017. The RILs were genotyped using the Illumina iSelect 9K wheat SNP array. PI 192051-1 carries a previously unidentified major Sr gene designated as QSr.ace-7A on chromosome arm 7AS and Lr gene Lr.ace-4A in the pericentromeric region of chromosome 4A. In addition, three minor Sr QTL QSr.ace-1A, QSr.ace-2B and QSr.ace-4A were mapped in PI 192051-1 on chromosomes 1AL, 2BL, and 4A, respectively Lr.ace-4A could be co-located or tightly linked to QSr.ace-4A. Markers linked to the identified QTL/genes can be used for marker assisted selection. These findings enrich the genetic basis of rust resistance in both durum and common wheat.
Variants of the Transverse Plane Block and Quadratus Lumborum Block (Review)
Authors: Makharin O. A. , Zhenilo V. M. , Skoblo M. L.
Published: July 2019

Eﬀective implementation of the fast track concept after surgical treatment is impossible without control of pain in the early postoperative period. Regional methods might signiﬁcantly improve the quality of postoperative analgesia and accelerate patient recovery as a component of multimodal pain therapy. The implementation of ultrasonic navigation in peripheral nerve blockade protocols has signiﬁcantly increased the eﬃciency and safety of the blockade. Nevertheless, each method of regional anesthesia has its own indications, contraindications, and complications. The purpose of this review is to help with the right choice of the type of blockade of the anterior abdominal wall, depending on the surgery performed.
Application of Accelerated Activation in Retroperitoneal Video Endoscopic Adrenalectomy for Cushing Syndrome
Authors: Neimark M. I. , Kiselev R. V.
Published: July 2019

Purpose.To improve the immediate results of surgical treatment of endogenous hypercorticism throughoptimizing the perioperative management of patients using accelerated rehabilitation protocols.Materials and methods.A randomized prospective study of 53 patients with a body mass index 35 kg/m2 was carried out. In the control group (n=27), TIVA based on propofol was used with postoperative analgesia by systemic administration of opioids. In the accelerated rehabilitation protocol group (n=26), we used anesthesia based on low-flow inhalation of desflurane with sympatholytic mixture infusion in intra- and postoperative periods, multimodal postoperative analgesia, and use of accelerated rehabilitation protocol in the perioperative period. The time of patients' achievement of BIS90 index, time of extubation, time of achievement of 10 points by the Aldrete scale and 0 points by the Bidway test, duration of stay in the in-patient hospital, number of postoperative complications were assessed. Effectiveness of analgesia was evaluated by the time of the first analgesia requirement, consumption of narcotic analgesic, VAS and Verbal Descriptor scale.Results.The study revealed that the time of awakening and reaching 10 points by the Aldrete scale in patients of group 2 was significantly shorter than in group 1: 3 (2; 6) and 6.5 (3.5; 9) min respectively (P=0.046). They had fewer postoperative complications, shorter hospitalization time — 58 (39; 71) hours compared to the control group with 74.5 (58.5; 87) hours (P=0.032).

Conclusion.Perioperative management of obese patients after retroperitoneal video endoscopic adrenalectomy with the use of accelerated rehabilitation protocols contributed to earlier mobilization, reduction of the number of complications in the early postoperative period, reduction of the duration of stay in the in-patient hospital, which together facilitates improving the immediate results of surgical treatment of endogenous hypercorticism.
Prophylaxis of Reperfusion Complications in Treatment of Acute Myocardial Infarction in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients
Authors: Kornienko E. A.
Published: July 2019

Purpose — to identify the possibility of improving the outcome of multimodality treatment of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) patients by use of a succinate-containing drug.Materials and methods. The results of examination and treatment of 86 men aged 40 to 70 years with clinical diagnosis of AMI and concomitant type 2 DM were analyzed. The patients were split into two groups depending on use of the succinate-containing drug. Patients of the control group (38 men, 58.3±7.1 years old) received the standard treatment that included percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). In the main group under study (48 men, 57.6±7.6 years old), the standard therapy complex was complemented with administration of a succinate-containing drug (1.5% succinic acid solution), which was administered first 30–60 minutes prior to PCI intravenously at a dose of 10–12 ml/kg; then, daily once a day, for 5 days at a dose of 5–6 ml/kg. Peculiarities of the AMI clinical course, dynamics of myocardial contractility, values of acid-base balance (ABB), glucose and lactate content, lipid peroxidation (LPO) and antioxidant system (AOS), rheological properties of the blood were evaluated.Results. During AMI type 2 DM patients developed compensated metabolic lactic acidosis and oxidative distress that manifested in considerable activation of LPO and insufficient activity of the enzymatic component of AOS, blood viscosity grew, elasticity of red blood cells fell. Decreased local and global myocardial contractility was noted as well. During PCI in this category of patients, cardiac rhythm disorders developed in 47.4% of cases, 23.7% of which were life threatening, such as multifocal ventricular extra systole and ventricular fibrillation. Conclusion. Administration of a succinate-containing drug during performance of PCI provided correction of the lipid peroxidation processes and rheological properties of the blood in the population studied, facilitated improvement of left ventricle’s systolic and diastolic function, reduced the risk of reperfusion complications.