bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Les investissements directs étrangers sortants chinois et russes en Europe
Authors: Avioutskii Viatcheslav , Tensaout Mouloud
Published: November 2021

Cet article analyse les déterminants de localisation des IDE chinois et russes en Europe entre 2006 et 2017. Les IDE chinois et russes présentent certaines similitudes. Ils sont attirés par la technologie et l’innovation. Toutefois, contrairement aux EMN russes, les choix des investisseurs chinois sont aussi liés à l’existence d’opportunités offertes par le marché, notamment par la crise des subprimes. En revanche, les IDE russes sont davantage motivés par des considérations géopolitiques. L’impact des variables institutionnelles sur l’IDE chinois est contrasté tandis que les IDE russes ont été attirés par des institutions faibles.
Risk Assessment of Wave Energy Converter At Kuantan Port, Pahang
Authors: Abdullah Muhammad Asyraf , Abidin Noh Zainal , Mat Radzi Zulkifly , Ahmad Mohd Arif , Munikanan Vikneswaran , Razali Mohd Norsyarizad , Ismail Neza
Published: November 2021

Harvesting energy from ocean waves remains an untapped resource, and it is considered a new methodology in renewable energy, especially in Malaysia. This research is based on a project at Kuantan Port that used Wave Energy Converter (WEC) as a platform to generate energy from waves and convert it into electricity. The purpose of this research is to conduct a risk assessment before the execution of the project by referring to the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 31000 and Risk Management Guidelines: Companion to AS/NZS 4360:2004. It started from risk identification and planned a mitigation way to reduce the grade of risk. These mitigations will be monitored throughout the project to avoid any accidents or harm during construction and installation in the future. The assessment will be using a qualitative analysis method that will gather all the possible risks that impact the project and propose the actions to mitigate the risk. The assessment will also consider the likelihood, seriousness, and weightage to determine the risk level. The risk assessment is divided into six clusters: project management, hydrography, mechanical, electrical, civil, and safety and security. After analysis, each cluster has given their feedback on the risk assessment and their cluster-s risk grade. This research has found that the risk grade is at grade C, which needs the risk assessment of this project to reduce the likelihood, seriousness, and required mitigation actions. Eventually, after the mitigation plan is applied to each risk, the grade of risk is reduced to N.
Application of GIS: Maritime Accident Analysis in Malaysian Waters Using Kernel Density Function
Authors: Isnan Sarah , Nordin Nur Hazimah , Rahman Ainul , Rosly Afiqah , Aziz Adenen , Mat Radzi Zulkifly , Zarim Abu , Mohd Abu Muhammad Syafiq Bin
Published: November 2021

Statistics from the Marine Department in Malaysian Territorial waters has shown an increase in maritime accidents. The data of maritime accidents, including latitude and longitude of the locations, are analysed using Geographical Information System with Kernel Density function. This is to visualise, locate and identify the high-risk location of maritime accidents in Malaysian waters. Using the GIS analysis, the findings suggest that the data of the high-risk maritime location is at Malacca Straits. The results showed that GIS analysis is a useful tool to analyse maritime accidents data and can be used as a guidance for navigators to plan their passage in order to avoid maritime accidents.
Acoustic Approach to Determining Seabed Substrates Distribution at Mandi Darah Island, Sabah
Authors: Yusop Mohd Shukri Mohd , Razali Mohd Norsyarizad , Tarmizi Nazirah Md , Yolhamid Mohd Najib Abdul Ghani , Azzeri M.N. , Rahman Ainul Husna Abdul
Published: November 2021

Marine ecosystems and natural habitat play the important role of the Earth’s life support system. They significantly contribute to economies and food safety and help preserve ecological processes. However, the devastation of the marine ecosystem in Malaysia due to the human factor and climate change is quite alarming. Therefore, spatial marine information, especially on the distribution of seabed substrates and habitat mapping, are of utmost importance for marine ecosystem management and conservation. Traditionally, seabed substrate and habitat mapping were classified based on direct observation techniques such as photography, video, sampling, coring and scuba diving. These techniques are often limited due to water clarity and weather conditions and only suitable for smaller scale surveys. In this study, we employed an acoustic approach using the RoxAnn Acoustic Ground Discrimination System (AGDS) with a high-frequency single-beam echo sounder to examine the distribution of seabed substrate at the Mandi Darah Island, Sabah. The acoustic signals recorded by AGDS are translated into hardness and roughness indices which are then used to identify the unique characteristics of the recorded seabed types. The analysis has shown that fifteen types of substrates, ranging from silt to rough/some seagrass, have been identified and classified. The findings demonstrated that the acoustic method was a better alternative for seabed substrate determination than the conventional direct observation techniques in terms of cost and time spent, especially in large scale surveys. The seabed substrate dataset from this study could be used as baseline information for the better management and conservation of the marine ecosystem.
Testing of the Model of Creating a Specialized Tourist Product for Post-COVID Time
Authors: Šerić Neven , Bagarić Lidija , Jakšić Stojanović Anđela , Keković Nevena
Published: November 2021

Specialized tourists offer in the post covid time is an important reason in choosing the destination to travel to. A new perception of this offer puts new challenges to those who design such offers. Most specialized offers are the result of entrepreneurial initiative and intuition. Authors have dealt with the creation of such offers as an important destination concurrent factor in their own cross-border cooperation. Based on their findings, they have developed a model of creating specialized tourism products for post covid time by linking core, additional, and expanded contents with brand creation and the marketing strategy. In this paper authors continue their research by testing that model through two platforms: desk research of the latest cognitions related to the repercussions of Covid-19 on tourist mind, and on a convenient sample of connoisseurs. The testing of the model is connected with one case study in which authors cooperate in practice. The findings have been tested through a survey on a sample of experts (representatives of travel agencies) related to their experiences in sales for 2020 and 2021.They have also found important changes in tourist perception of specialized tourist product. The findings offer the answers as to why the basic contents of the specialized tourist offer is no longer sufficient, as well as a way for developing additional and expanded contents, on which the brand and brand management activities in the post corona period should be primarily  based, i.e. on what to base the marketing strategies in the post covid time.
Impact of Spoofing of Navigation Systems on Maritime Situational Awareness
Authors: Androjna Andrej , Perkovič Marko
Published: November 2021

The development of contemporary navigation and positioning systems have significantly improved reliability and speeds in maritime navigation. At the same time, the vulnerabilities of these systems to cyber threats represent a remarkable issue to the safety of navigation. Therefore, the maritime community has raised the question of cybersecurity of navigation systems in recent years. This paper aims to analyse the vulnerabilities of the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS), Electronic Chart Display Information System (ECDIS) and Automatic Identification System (AIS). The concepts of these systems were developed at a time when cybersecurity issues have not been among the  top priorities. Open broadcasts, the absence of or limited existence of data encryption and authentication can be considered as their primary security weaknesses. Therefore, these systems are vulnerable to cyber-attacks. The GPS as the data source of a ship’s position can relatively easily be jammed and/or spoofed, increasing the vulnerabilities of ECDIS and AIS. A systematic literature review was conducted for this article, supplemented by a SWOT analysis of the AIS service and particular case studies of recent cyber-attacks on these systems. The analysis of selected case studies confirmed that these systems could easily be spoofed and become a subject of data manipulation with significant consequences for the safety of navigation. The paper provides conclusions and recommendations highlighting the necessity for the users to be aware of the vulnerabilities of modern navigation systems.
Environmental DNA metabarcoding for monitoring metazoan biodiversity in Antarctic nearshore ecosystems
Authors: Clarke Laurence J. , Suter Leonie , Deagle Bruce E. , Polanowski Andrea M. , Terauds Aleks , Johnstone Glenn J. , Stark Jonathan S.
Published: November 2021

Antarctic benthic ecosystems support high biodiversity but their characterization is limited to a few well-studied areas, due to the extreme environment and remoteness making access and sampling difficult. Our aim was to compare water and sediment as sources of environmental DNA (eDNA) to better characterise Antarctic benthic communities and further develop practical approaches for DNA-based biodiversity assessment in remote environments. We used a cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) metabarcoding approach to characterise metazoan communities in 26 nearshore sites across 12 locations in the Vestfold Hills (East Antarctica) based on DNA extracted from either sediment cores or filtered seawater. We detected a total of 99 metazoan species from 12 phyla across 26 sites, with similar numbers of species detected in sediment and water eDNA samples. However, significantly different communities were detected in the two sample types at sites where both were collected (i.e., where paired samples were available). For example, nematodes and echinoderms were more likely to be detected exclusively in sediment and water eDNA samples, respectively. eDNA from water and sediment core samples are complementary sample types, with epifauna more likely to be detected in water column samples and infauna in sediment. More reference DNA sequences are needed for infauna/meiofauna to increase the proportion of sequences and number of taxa that can be identified. Developing a better understanding of the temporal and spatial dynamics of eDNA at low temperatures would also aid interpretation of eDNA signals from polar environments. Our results provide a preliminary scan of benthic metazoan communities in the Vestfold Hills, with additional markers required to provide a comprehensive biodiversity survey. However, our study demonstrates the choice of sample type for eDNA studies of benthic ecosystems (sediment, water or both) needs to be carefully considered in light of the research or monitoring question of interest.
Knowledge and Practice of Breast Self-Examination among Undergraduate Midwifery Students of the University for Development Studies, Ghana
Authors: Nukpezah Ruth Nimota , Alenyorige Rita Lariba , Abdul-Wahab Inusah , Asaana Felicia Maltiba , Adinga Grace , Nungbaso Asumah Mubarick , Dzantor Edem Kojo
Published: November 2021

Background: Against the background of the worldwide harm caused by breast cancer, as well as the benefits of early detection through simple techniques such as breast self-examination, this study investigated the knowledge and practice of breast self-examination among, midwifery undergraduate students of the University for Development Studies, Tamale-Ghana.

Methods: The study is an institutional-based descriptive cross-sectional survey conducted among second-year female students at the Midwifery Department of the University for Development Studies. The data was collected through a pre-tested structured paper based-questionnaire. The data were analyzed descriptively and presented in frequencies, percentages, tables and figure.

Results: The study recruited 100 participants with an age range between 20 and 39 years with the majority within 20-24 years. The overall knowledge score was 73.0%, a majority of the participants indicated practising breast self-examination (81.0%), but with a low practice score of (49.0%). The study found significant associations between practices of breast self-examination, age (p= 0.022) and marital status (p=0.001) of study participants.

Conclusion: The study found high knowledge of breast self-examination with the majority of study participants saying that they practise breast self-examination. However, the overall practices score of breast-self-examination was relatively low. Additional efforts by the directorate of health services at universities including our study setting are needed to increase knowledge and practices of breast self-examination among students, irrespective of their programme of study.
Parametric Solutions of System of Linear Diophantine Equations by Crushing Method
Authors: Kameswari P. Anuradha , Belay Aweke
Published: November 2021

There are studies on parametric solutions of system of Linear Diophantine equations based on uni-modular reductions of the coefficient matrix. In this paper we generate parametric solutions, with uni-modular row reductions on the coefficient matrix, based on the steps used in obtaining gcd of the coefficients in a row by crushing method. This application of gcd by crushing specifies an order for the row reductions and enables to give algorithm for the computations.
Pre-Sowing Seed Treatment with Bio Inoculants and Micronutrients on Growth, Yield and Yield Attributing Traits of Lentil
Authors: Amulya Martha , Dayal Abhinav , Rai Prashant Kumar
Published: November 2021

The field experiment entitled “Pre sowing seed treatment of bio inoculants and micronutrients on growth, yield and yield attributing traits of lentil (Lens culinaris L.)” var. Shekhar Masoor-2 was conducted during rabi at central reseach field of the Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture, Technology & Sciences, Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, India during 2020 - 2021. The experiment consisted of 13 treatments which was laid in Randomized Block Design (RBD). Results revealed that seeds treated with T12 (Rhizobium + PSB + KMB + ZnSO4 + Ammonium molybdate) recorded maximum values in growth parameters viz., field emergence (%) 88.72%, plant height at 30, 60, 90 DAS with 6.97, 23.33, 45.2 cm Days to 50% flowering (72.67days), number of branches 5.07 branches per plant, number of pods per plant with 64.07 pods per plant, number of seeds per pod 1.85 seeds per pod. Similar results are observed in yield paramters where highest seed yield per plant was observed in T12 (Rhizobium + PSB + KMB + ZnSO4 + Ammonium molybdate) with 3.79 g and seed yield per plot 107.4 g.
Genetic variation for Vegetative and Reproductive Traits in Mulberry (Morus spp) Accessions
Authors: Sushmitha C. , Chikkalingaiah . , Murali S. , Ahalya B. N.
Published: November 2021

Aims: To assess genetic variability for vegetative and reproductive traits in different seasons.

Study Design: Field experimental design was used.

Place and Duration of Study: The experiment was conducted in different seasons during 2019-20 at Department of Sericulture, University of Agricultural Sciences, GKVK, Bangalore.

Methodology: The present study comprised of Seventy one mulberry accessions.

Results: The mean performance of leaf moisture content (64.41 & 55.42%) and leaf yield (1268.71 & 872.21g) in rainy and winter season, respectively. There are large differences were observed between the minimum and maximum range leaf moisture content was varied from 45.16 to 78.51 per cent and leaf yield was varied from 235.90 to 29008.89 during rainy season. In winter season the range of leaf moisture content was varied from 15.28 to 72.35 per cent and leaf yield was varied from 94.43 to 2975.00 g. Phenotypic coefficient of variation (PCV %) was found to be higher than the respective genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV %) for all the characters denoting variability among genotypes in both the seasons. Estimates of phenotypic and genotypic coefficient of variations were high for leaf yield per plant (98.63, 98.49%) and (89.69, 89.62%) in rainy and winter season, respectively. Maximum heritability was observed for leaf yield per plant (99.71 %), (99.85 %) in rainy and winter season, respectively. High heritability coupled with high genetic advance as percent of mean in respect of number of days for first flower initiation, plant height and single leaf area at 45th, 60th, and 75th DAP, number of branches, leaf moisture content and leaf yield per plant was observed in rainy and winter seasons.
Screening of French Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) Genotypes against Alternaria Leaf Spot Caused by (Alternaria alternata) under Dryland Conditions of Kashmir
Authors: Bashir Sabiya , Mughal Mohammad Najeeb , Rashid Zahida , Majid Shabeena , Naseer Sabeena , A. Dar Zahoor , A. Hakeem Shafeeq , Rasool Faisal
Published: November 2021

Sixty-three genotypes of  french bean was screened against leaf spot (Alternaria  alternata) in sick plots at Research Farm of Dryland Agriculture Research Srinagar, Rangreth during  Kharif  2018 and 2019. The highest mean disease incidence ranged from 0.00 to 85.00 per cent  with  the mean disease intensity ranged from 0.00 to 53.26 per cent .One genotype namely  ‘Local Pulwama’ was highly susceptible in their disease reaction. Among the screened germplasm, ‘Highly Resistant’ genotypes was SKU-R-601, SKUA-R-105, SKU-R-927, DARS-25, DARS-66, DARS-R-615,  while as ‘Susceptible’ genotypes was  DARS-8, DARS-12,  DARS-11, SKUAST-R-155, SKU-R-928, DARS-7, DARS-R-4, Bhaderwah (L),  Local  Kupwara black and Raj Jawala. Local Pulwama was found to be a highly susceptible (HS) genotype.  Twenty nine genotypes namely., DARS-16, DARS-9, DARS-54, DARS-39, VL-125, DARS-63, ENTO-504, SKUAST-204,SKU-R-925, DARS-60, DARS-109, DARS-43, DARS-44, SKU-R-23, DARS-4, DARS-74, SKU-R-105, DARS-40, DARS-23, DARS-18, SKU-R-71, WB-341, SKU-R-605, Uri local, Shopian (L), SKU-R-23, DARS-71, SSGB-729, DARS-R-19 showed resistant reaction to disease. The selection for resistance was based on the reaction of varieties on leaves.
Influence of Nitrogen and Zinc on Growth and Yield of Baby Corn (Zea mays L.)
Authors: Tharaka M. , RaviChandra K. , Singh Vikram
Published: November 2021

An experiment was conducted during the Rabi season of 2020 at Fodder Production Farm of Livestock Research Station (Sri Venkateswara Veterinary University), Lam Farm, Guntur. A.P, to find out the effect of basal application of Nitrogen and Zinc on growth and yield of Baby corn (Zea mays L.). The experiment was laid out in Randomized Block Design with 9 treatments and each treatment replicated thrice. Treatments consisted of combination of three levels of Nitrogen (80,100 and 120kg/ha) and three levels of Zinc (10, 20 and 30 kg/ha). It was observed that application of 100 kg Nitrogen /ha + 30 kg Zinc/ha, was found the best treatment for obtaining growth and yield attributes such as Plant height (178.46 cm), Plant dry weight (105.58 g), No. of leaves per plant (12.00), Leaf area index (3.07), No. of cobs per plant (4.19), Length of cob (20.72 cm), Length of the corn (9.06 cm), Girth of the cob (7.34 cm), Corn girth (3.42), Cob yield (16026.53 kg/ha) and Corn yield (2597.47 kg/ha in Krishna zone of Andhra Pradesh, India.
Phytochemical, Proximate, In-vitro Antimalarial and Antimicrobial screening of leaf Extracts of Justicia carnea Lindl
Authors: Anarado C. E. , Ajiwe V. I. E. , Anarado C. J. O. , Obumselu O. F. , Onuegbu T. U. , Okafor S. E.
Published: November 2021

Aim: To study the phytochemical, proximate, antimicrobial and anti-malarial activities of leaf extracts of Justicia carnea

Methods: The leaf sample of Justicia carnea which has been used in Nigeria folklore in treating malaria, cancer and many other diseases was extracted with methanol, ethyl acetate and n-hexane. The extracts were subjected to qualitative and quantitative phytochemical screening, proximate, anti-malarial and antimicrobial screening.

Results: The results showed that alkaloids, flavonoids, glycosides, phenolic compounds were present. Ethy acetate extract also exhibited the highest suppression against malaria parasite in-vitro, more than chloroquine. This inhibition and high abundance of alkaloids and glycosides gave credence to the therapeutic use of the plant as anti-malaria drug. The three extracts showed a concentration-dependent inhibition against S. aureus, Aspergillus spp and Bacillus spp. S. typhi, K. pneumonia, P. aerogenosa and C. albicans were resistant in all concentrations of the extracts.

Conclusion: The therapeutic use of the leaves of J. carnea in treatment of malaria was validated. Its antimicrobial activity was also affirmed in some of the tested organisms.
Exploration and Thinking on the Information Construction and Management of the Military Key Laboratory
Authors: Song Q. H. , Li C. , Li X. L. , Meng Y. , Sun T.
Published: November 2021

Informatization is the core of modern military development. It is necessary to pay attention to and strengthen the informatization construction of military key laboratory to win the information war. Based on the analysis of the traditional management mode of laboratory and its disadvantages, combined with the practice and exploration of information construction and management of military key laboratory of military underground construction engineering in recent years, this paper comprehensively analyzes and deeply discusses the achievements and experience of laboratory in information construction and management, as well as the existing problems and lessons. Practice shows that the laboratory has made significant progress and benefits in the information construction and management, but there are still some contradictions and problems to be solved.
Knowledge and Attitude towards Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain Treated with Osteopathy
Authors: Al-Shareef Yahya Abdullah Mohammed , Alshareef Ali Abdullah Mohammed , Almoftery Ibrahim Mohammed
Published: November 2021

Background: Chronic pain is a common clinical feature that accompanies osteopathy.  Knowledge and attitudes of both patients and their treating clinicians would influence the patients' outcomes and pain control.

Objective: This systematic review will provide an understanding of the knowledge and attitudes of patients and clinicians towards musculoskeletal pain accompanying osteopathy.

Methods: Different keywords were used to search the medical literature, including: “knowledge” OR “Attitude” AND “Osteopathy” AND “Pain” AND “patient” OR “clinician." The search databases included Medline, Embase PubMed, and SCOPUS. The following step was reviewing the appearing results to ensure that they were original research articles that examined the knowledge and attitudes about chronic musculoskeletal pain with osteopathy. All the eligible studies should mention the type of participants examined (either patients or clinicians).

Results: A total of 89 studies were obtained. After removing review articles and choosing original research studies solely, 11 studies appeared from the filtration process. Eight research articles were eligible. All the included studies had a quantitative cross-sectional design. Only health care professionals were asked about osteopathy, where all the studies included osteopaths from different countries, except one study that included physiotherapists. Osteopaths knew about the benefits of osteopathy, particularly for lower back pain; however, their knowledge about biopsychosocial factors requires improvement.

Conclusion: Knowledge about osteopathy benefits for controlling chronic musculoskeletal pain should be improved even among osteopaths. Awareness campaigns are also needed for patients in orthopedic and physiotherapy clinics about osteopathy.
Overview of Subaxial Cervical Spine Fractures and Dislocations
Authors: Alzahrani AbdulWahab Ahmed , Al Fehaid Mohammad Saeed M. , Alaboudi Abdullah Saleh A. , Abualsaoud Mohammed Ahmed Abed I. , Bintalib Faisal Abdulmohsen A. , Almuallimi Ahmed Asim A. , Alotaibi Nawaf Faisal M. , Aldayhan Othman Yaqoub Yousef , Alshabanat Abdulrahman Nasser A. , Halawi Sama Ali A. , Almadani Osied Hesham M.
Published: November 2021

Injuries of the subaxial cervical spine are among the most common and potentially most devastating injuries involving the axial skeleton. The lower cervical spine can suffer minor bony or ligamentous injury that nevertheless results in severe neurologic injury. Plain radiography, computed tomography (CT) scans, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans are all part of the standard imaging regimen. The delayed timing of dislocation reduction and cost-effectiveness are two issues with routine use of MRI in the diagnosis of cervical facet dislocations. Serval treatment options and approaches can be used. However Orthopedic treatment can be used to reduce the fracture or dislocation returns the vertebral canal to its normal shape and dimensions and decompresses the spinal cord. Immediate treatment should be started if there are signs of spinal cord injury or any factor that could lead to such injuries. In this review we will be looking at epidemiology, causes, evaluation and treatment of such cases.
Analytical Method Development and Validation and Forced Degradation Stability-Indicating Studies of Favipiravir by RP-HPLC and UV in Bulk and Pharmaceutical Dosage Form
Authors: Ali Sayyed Nazifa Sabir , Mobina Lajporiya , Mehfuza Manjra , Seema Patel , Ahmed Aejaz , Khan G. J.
Published: November 2021

Aims: To develop and validate a new, simple, rapid, precise, and accurate An Eco-friendly RP-HPLC and UV-Method Development and Validation for an estimation of Favipiravir in Bulk and pharmaceutical dosage form followed by Forced Degradation Studies.

Study Design: This was employed for UV-visible (200-400 nm and 400-800 nm respectively) and RP-HPLC method development using C 18 inertsil column and optimization of variables for Favipiravir estimation in bulk and formulations.

Place and Duration of the Study: The present work was carried out at Ali-allana College of Pharmacy, Akkalkuwa between the duration of November-2020 to February-2021.

Methodology: UV-Spectroscopic method was developed for the estimation of Favipiravir in the bulk and pharmaceutical dosage form. The solvent selected for the Favipiravir UV analysis was water, the solution in a range of 2-10µg/ml was scanned in the UV region from 200-400 nm and the λmax value was determined. The RP-HPLC method was developed on inertsil ODS-3V C18 150 mm x 4.6mm x 5μ column using buffer pH 3.5: acetonitrile [90:10] as mobile phase at flow rate 1.0 ml/min and PDA detection at 358 nm.

Results: The maximum absorbance was observed at 358 nm. The wavelength 358 nm was selected for further analysis of Favipiravir. The calibration curve was determined using drug concentrations ranging from 2-10 µg/ml. The % recovery for accuracy was 100.50-100.76%. The method was to be precise with a % RSD value 0.51-1.37 and 0.77-1.78 for intraday and Interday respectively. The limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ) was found to be 0.0723 &0.219 µg/ml respectively by UV method. The RP-HPLC method was shown to be linear in the 50-250 μg/ml concentration range. The limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ) was found to be 2.186 & 6.626 μg/ml respectively. The method was to be precise with a % RSD value 0.25-1.53 and 0.86-1.68 for intraday and inter-day respectively.

Conclusion: Here we conclude that the developed UV and RP-HPLC methods are precise, accurate, sensitive, and reproducible for the quantitative estimation of Favipiravir bulk and its formulation. The developed method can be used by the pharmaceutical industries for the routine analysis of Favipiravir, in particular by UV and RP-HPLC. The main features of the proposed method are economic and eco-friendly with less retention time around 5.0 min.
Targeting Omp-A Protein of Acinetobacter Baumannii with the Bio-Active Compounds from Azadirachta Indica - an in-silico Approach
Authors: Nandita R. , Girija A. S. Smiline , Ganesh P. Sankar , Priyadharsini J. Vijayashree
Published: November 2021

Background: Acinetobacter baumannii is a gram negative bacterium which is typically short, round, coccobacillus and was named after the bacteriologist Paul Baumann. It is an emerging dental pathogen since it acquires  drug resistance and expression of several virulence genes. It is an opportunistic pathogen in humans, affecting people with compromised immune systems. Acinetobacter baumannii is an arising nosocomial microorganism causing serious complications because of the propensity of its multi-drug resistant property.

Aim: The aim of the present study was to target omp-A protein of Acinetobacter baumannii with the bio active compounds from Azadirachta indica an in-silico approach.

Materials and Methods: The crystal structure of ompA protein was obtained from the PDB protein data bank. The structures of the bio-active derivatives of A. indica were obtained from the chemsketch software. The generated 3D structures were then optimised. Auto Dock instrument was utilized for docking investigation to interpret the affinity between bio-compounds of A. indica against ompA protein of A. baumannii.

Results: The 3D crystal structure of OmpA-like domain from A.baumannii was retrieved from PDB database and its PDB ID was 3TD3 – A chain. 3D Structure of OmpA visualization using Biovia-Discovery studio visualizer. The 2D structure of compounds from Azadirachta indica was drawn using ACD chemsketch and saved in MDL-mol format and converted to PDB format using open babel converter. The final docked structures for the drug ligand interactions were assessed for their binding energies and hydrogen bonds.

Conclusion: The present study had achieved the anti-biofilm inhibitory effect of imidazole-2-carboxylic acid from A. indica exhibiting a great interaction between activity with ompA utilizing computational investigation.
Identifying sincerity of effort by grip strength ratio of three wrist positions in individuals with upper extremity musculoskeletal disorders
Authors: Nanta Pirun , Bhuanantanondh Petcharatana
Published: November 2021

Objectives

To evaluate whether the grip strength ratio of three wrist positions could determine sincerity of effort (SOE), by differentiating between maximal effort (ME) and submaximal effort (SE), in individuals with upper extremity musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs).

Methods

A total of 19 volunteers with unilateral upper extremity MSDs (9 males, 10 females) participated in this study. Participants performed grip strength tests in neutral, full flexion, and full extension wrist positions for both hands. In each wrist position, they exerted grip force with their ME and preferred SE for three times.

Results

Significant main effects of type of effort, wrist position (P < .001), and hand (P = .005) were observed. The results also showed significant interactions for type of effort × wrist position (P < .001) and wrist positions × hand (P = .001). Moreover, the grip strength ratios of neutral/flexion (N/F) and neutral/extension (N/E) between ME and SE differed significantly (P < .001).

Conclusion

This study suggests that the N/F and N/E grip strength ratios can discriminate between ME and SE in individuals with upper extremity MSDs. Thus, this test might be applicable to use for identifying SOE in clinical setting.
Bioinspired Superhydrophobic Cilia for Droplets Transportation and Microchemical Reaction
Authors: Fan Yuyan , Li Shuyi , Wei Dongsong , Fang Zhengping , Han Zhiwu , Liu Yan
Published: November 2021

In nature, fluid manipulation plays a crucial role in the life of organisms, which has attracted great attentions of research and industry. Here, a functional bionic cilia surface is designed via the simple magnetic field assistance and laser etching technique. Multidirectional droplet transportation occurs on superhydrophobic cilia surface, which has good mechanical, physical, and chemical stability. The as‐prepared surface covered with cilia in the superhydrophobic (WCA of 156 ± 2°) and hydrophobic (WCA of 119 ± 3°) area possess different adhesion state, which can be used for multiple chemical reactions as a microreaction platform. Furthermore, bionic cilia surface can be used as a transport tool in the analysis and detection with average transfer speed of 2.3 cm s−1, which provides new opportunities in the development of small analysis equipment. Importantly, magnetically induced bionic cilia surfaces have broad potential applications in developing smart surfaces, droplet control, lab‐on‐a‐chip, etc.
Graphene‐Based Femtogram‐Level Sensitive Molecularly Imprinted Polymer of SARS‐CoV‐2
Authors: Hashemi Seyyed Alireza , Bahrani Sonia , Mousavi Seyyed Mojtaba , Omidifar Navid , Behbahan Nader Ghaleh Golab , Arjmand Mohammad , Ramakrishna Seeram , Lankarani Kamran Bagheri , Moghadami Mohsen , Firoozsani Mohammad
Published: November 2021

Rapid distribution of viral‐induced diseases and weaknesses of common diagnostic platforms for accurate and sensitive identification of infected people raises an urgent demand for the design and fabrication of biosensors capable of early detection of viral biomarkers with high specificity. Accordingly, molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) as artificial antibodies prove to be an ideal preliminary detection platform for specific identification of target templates, with superior sensitivity and detection limit (DL). MIPs detect the target template with the “lock and key” mechanism, the same as natural monoclonal antibodies, and present ideal stability at ambient temperature, which improves their practicality for real applications. Herein, a 2D MIP platform consisting of decorated graphene oxide with the interconnected complex of polypyrrole‐boronic acid is developed that can detect the trace of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) antigen in aquatic biological samples with ultrahigh sensitivity/specificity with DL of 0.326 and 11.32 fg mL–1 using voltammetric and amperometric assays, respectively. Additionally, the developed MIP shows remarkable stability, selectivity, and accuracy toward detecting the target template, which paves the way for developing ultraspecific and prompt screening diagnostic configurations capable of detecting the antigen in 1 min or 20 s using voltammetric or amperometric techniques.
Tuning Cholesteric Selective Reflection In Situ Upon Two‐Photon Polymerization Enables Structural Multicolor 4D Microfabrication
Authors: Ritacco Tiziana , Aceti Dante M. , De Domenico Gianfranco , Giocondo Michele , Mazzulla Alfredo , Cipparrone Gabriella , Pagliusi Pasquale
Published: November 2021

Effective optical elements with tailored properties often rely on the capability to tune the material's structure at the nanoscale. Thanks to their self‐organized 1D helical arrangement, cholesteric liquid crystals represent a beautiful example of optical materials whose properties are governed by their supramolecular structure. According to the Bragg's law, selective reflection of circular polarized light occurs for wavelengths within the photonic band gap, which, beside the refractive indices, depends on the helix pitch. Here, polymeric microstructures with tailored PBG are demonstrated by two‐photon polymerization direct laser writing in cholesteric reactive mesogens. Turning a renowned disadvantage into an opportunity, the shrinkage upon the layer‐by‐layer photopolymerization is exploited to control the effective helix pitch. Starting from a PBG of the precursor in the near infra‐red, micro‐cylinders which exhibit Bragg selective reflection at lower wavelength ranges, down to the opposite end of the visible spectrum, are fabricated in a single‐step process by tuning the laser exposure parameters. As a proof‐of‐concept, a 4D quick response (QR) micro‐tag, which adds the polarization‐selective structural color and the height of the blocks to the usual 2D black/white QR codes, is demonstrated as a novel paradigm of optical anti‐counterfeiting microdevice.
Ultrafast Lasing Dynamics in a CsPbBr3 Perovskite Microplate
Authors: Wang Ju , Yu Haoran , Liu Guodong , Liu Wei , Duan Yiqun , Cheng Xue , Dai Lun , Wang Shufeng , Gong Qihuang
Published: November 2021

The perovskite microlaser is a competitive candidate of light source for optical communication and integrated photonic circuits. Understanding the fundamental mechanism of lasing is crucial for the upcoming devices. The ultrafast establishment of lasing modes within a 2D perovskite microplate cavity at room temperature is investigated. The transient red shift of lasing modes can be found. Analysis based on electron–hole plasma (EHP) and a dynamic Drude‐like model are carried out with simulations on the transient dielectric response and the mode shift. In addition, the integrated lasing gain profile have a red shift at high excitation intensity, which is explained with EHP‐induced bandgap renormalization. The conflict between the experimental phenomena and the exciton–polariton theory confirms that under intense excitation, the exciton–polariton is ruled out for the origin of lasing. These results provide a direct understanding of the lasing evolving in a 2D perovskite microcavity. Suppressing the EHP‐related transient shift of cavity modes will advance the lasing applications.
How early does the selfing syndrome arise? Associations between selfing ability and flower size within populations of the mixed‐mater Collinsia verna
Authors: McElderry Robert M. , Spigler Rachel B. , Vogler Donna W. , Kalisz Susan
Published: November 2021

Premise

Widespread associations between selfing rate and floral size within and among taxa suggest that these traits may evolve in concert. Does this association develop immediately because of shared genetic and/or developmental control, or stepwise with selection shaping the evolution of one trait following the other? If the former, then association ought to appear within and across selfing populations. We explore this fundamental question in three populations of the mixed‐mater Collinsia verna where autonomous selfing (AS) ability has been shown to be under selection by the pollination environment.

Methods

We grew clonal replicates of C. verna in a controlled environment to characterize broad‐sense genetic correlations among traits within populations and to assess whether divergence in mating system and floral traits among these populations is consistent with their previously observed selection pressures.

Results

As predicted by their respective pollination environments, we demonstrate significant genetic divergence among populations in AS ability. However, patterns of divergence in floral traits (petal, stamen, and style size, stigmatic receptivity, and stigma‐anther distance) were not as expected. Within populations, genetic variation in AS appeared largely independent from floral traits, except for a single weak negative association in one population between flower size and AS rate.

Conclusions

Together, these results suggest that associations between selfing rate and floral traits across Collinsia species are not reflected at microevolutionary scales. If C. verna were to continue evolving toward the selfing syndrome, floral trait evolution would likely follow stepwise from mating system evolution.
High Water Adsorption MOFs with Optimized Pore‐Nanospaces for Autonomous Indoor Humidity Control and Pollutants Removal
Authors: Zhu Neng‐Xiu , Wei Zhang‐Wen , Chen Cheng‐Xia , Xiong Xiao‐Hong , Xiong Yang‐Yang , Zeng Zheng , Wang Wei , Jiang Ji‐Jun , Fan Ya‐Nan , Su Cheng‐Yong
Published: November 2021

The indoor air quality is of prime importance for human daily life and health, for which the adsorbents like zeolites and silica‐gels are widely used for air dehumidification and harmful gases capture. Herein, we develop a pore‐nanospace post‐engineering strategy to optimize the hydrophilicity, water‐uptake capacity and air‐purifying ability of metal‐organic frameworks (MOFs) with long‐term stability, offering an ideal candidate with autonomous multi‐functionality of moisture control and pollutants sequestration. Through variant tuning of organic‐linkers carrying hydrophobic and hydrophilic groups in the pore‐nanospaces of prototypical UiO‐67, a moderately hydrophilic MOF (UiO‐67‐4Me‐NH2‐38 %) with high thermal, hydrolytic and acid‐base stability is screened out, featuring S‐shaped water sorption isotherms exactly located in the recommended comfortable and healthy ranges of relative humidity for indoor ventilation (45 %–65 % RH) and adverse health effects minimization (40–60 % RH). Its exceptional attributes of water‐uptake working capacity/efficiency, contaminants removal, recyclability and regeneration promise a great potential in confined indoor environment application.
Enhancing Photocatalytic Hydrogen Production via the Construction of Robust Multivariate Ti‐MOF/COF Composites
Authors: Chen Cheng‐Xia , Xiong Yang‐Yang , Zhong Xin , Lan Pui Ching , Wei Zhang‐Wen , Pan Hongjun , Su Pei‐Yang , Song Yujie , Chen Yi‐Fan , Nafady Ayman , Sirajuddin  , Ma Shengqian
Published: November 2021

Titanium metal–organic frameworks (Ti‐MOFs), as an appealing type of artificial photocatalyst, have shown great potential in the field of solar energy conversion due to their well‐studied photoredox activity (similar to TiO2) and good optical responsiveness of linkers, which serve as the antenna to absorb visible‐light. Although much effort has been dedicated to developing Ti‐MOFs with high photocatalytic activity, their solar energy conversion performances are still poor. Herein, we have implemented a covalent‐integration strategy to construct a series of multivariate Ti‐MOF/COF hybrid materials PdTCPP⊂PCN‐415(NH2)/TpPa (composites 1, 2, and 3), featuring excellent visible‐light utilization, a suitable band gap, and high surface area for photocatalytic H2 production. Notably, the resulting composites demonstrated remarkably enhanced visible‐light‐driven photocatalytic H2 evolution performance, especially for the composite 2 with a maximum H2 evolution rate of 13.98 mmol g−1 h−1 (turnover frequency (TOF)=227 h−1), which is much higher than that of PdTCPP⊂PCN‐415(NH2) (0.21 mmol g−1 h−1) and TpPa (6.51 mmol g−1 h−1). Our work thereby suggests a new approach to highly efficient photocatalysts for H2 evolution and beyond.
Highly Elastic Interconnected Porous Hydrogels through Self‐Assembled Templating for Solar Water Purification
Authors: Guo Youhong , de Vasconcelos Luize Scalco , Manohar Neha , Geng Jiafeng , Johnston Keith P. , Yu Guihua
Published: November 2021

Interfacial evaporation using porous hydrogels has demonstrated highly effective solar evaporation performance under natural sunlight to ensure an affordable clean water supply. However, it remains challenging to realize scalable and ready‐to‐use hydrogel materials with durable mechanical properties. Here, self‐assembled templating (SAT) is developed as a simple yet effective method to fabricate large‐scale elastic hydrogel evaporators with excellent desalination performance. The highly interconnected porous structure of the hydrogels with low tortuosity and tunable pore size enables high level of tunability on the water transport rate. With superior elasticity, the porous hydrogels are easy to process with a rapid shape recovery after being rolled, folded, and twisted over hundred times, and exhibit highly effective and stable evaporation with an evaporation rate of ≈2.8 kg m−2 h−1 and ≈90 % solar‐to‐vapor efficiency. It is anticipated that this SAT strategy, without the typical need for freeze‐drying, will accelerate the industrialization of hydrogel solar evaporators for practical applications.
Transient behavior of electrical conductivity in low‐density polyethylene in the presence of acetophenone
Authors: Hamedi Hossein , Walker Roger C. , Woodward W. H. Hunter , Rajagopalan Ramakrishnan , Furman Eugene , Lanagan Michael T.
Published: November 2021

The transient current in low‐density polyethylene (LDPE) is studied, particularly in the presence of the small organic molecule acetophenone (ACP). Crosslinked LDPE is used extensively in high‐voltage power transmission, and acetophenone is a common byproduct of the crosslinking chemistry. Time‐dependent current measurements of LDPE with and without ACP soaked into the polymer as well as at one or both electrodes are performed by applying step voltages. The results demonstrate that the presence of ACP causes a deviation in the predicted power‐law current decay, suggesting that electron and hole injection at the anode and cathode, respectively, are affected by the presence of this small organic molecule. ACP contributes both to the ionic conduction and charge hopping mechanism. The charge mobility depends on the applied electric field and the sample thickness. The results suggests that the dispersive charge transport phenomenon influences the measured current. This study shows how such a molecule may alter charge transport in polyethylene.
The genus Simplicillium and Emericellopsis: A review of phytochemistry and pharmacology
Authors: Agrawal Shivankar , Saha Suman
Published: November 2021

The demand for novel and improved medicine from biological sources to cater to the biopharmaceutical sector has increased significantly in recent years. Among the vast and miscellaneous microbial diversity, fungi provide a prolific source of structurally unique and biologically active secondary metabolites. Natural products obtained from fungi have reformed the era of biomedicine, providing effective drugs that have diverse healing potential. In this review, we focus on the isolation, chemical structure, and bioactivity of biomolecules that have been identified and studied for the first time. Further, we also explain in substantial detail that how the vast uninvestigated Emericellopsis and Simplicillium species may serve as a potential treasure trove of chemically diverse compounds.
Selective Anodic Oxidation of Solketal as Acetal‐Protected Glycerol over Nickel Boride in Alkaline Media to Glyceric Acid**
Authors: Cychy Steffen , Lechler Sebastian , Muhler Martin
Published: November 2021

Alkaline anodic oxidation of glycerol suffers from facile C−C bond cleavage, especially when using non‐precious metal electrocatalysts, which limits the yield of more valuable C3 oxygenates. Usually, a high C3 selectivity is a tradeoff with conversion for most catalysts. Thus, we used solketal as the reactant, which is acetal‐protected glycerol with acetone. CV experiments showed that solketal is oxidized over nickel boride (NixB) at potentials where NiOOH is formed. Electrolysis over NixB in a thin‐film spectroelectrochemical flow cell at 1.58 V vs. RHE to avoid pronounced oxygen evolution showed a stable current density of ca. 6 mA cm−2. Simultaneously recorded ATR‐FTIR spectra revealed solketal conversion to solketalate and formate. Indeed, 59 % conversion and 77 % selectivity to glyceric acid were determined by HPLC after acidic cleavage of the acetal, resulting in a yield of 45 %. Therefore, solketal is a promising reactant for the selective electrosynthesis of glyceric acid.