bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The theory of the "four functions of folklore" in world folklore studies
Authors:   Ankara Hacı Bayram Veli UniversityAnkara,Turkey, Nuriman Bekarys ,   E-mail: bekarysnuriman@gmail.com
Published: September 2021

Research in the field of philological science is primarily closely related to text recognition. The search and comprehensive research in this direction marked the beginning of the emergence of new views and judgments, theories and research methods. One of them, that is, the theory of the “Four Functions of Folklore", as a native point of view on the differentiation of texts of oral folk art. His birth was caused by the conclusion of a scientist named B. K. Malinowski in the early twentieth century and the opinion of anthropologists. Then, 20-30 years later, his conclusion became a theory and was proposed as a new method of studying the folklore text. The first person who raised this topic was an American folklore scholar – William Bascom in 1953-1954. Since then, this topic has been actively discussed among scientists-members of the "Society of American Folklore" the results of the study were published in the scientific publication "Journal of American Folklore". The scientist W. Bascom, generalizing the texts of oral folk art, studies its place in the life of the people. As a result, four main functions of the folklore text are distinguished: protection of traditions, customs, education and upbringing, support for going beyond the established views. It was formed as a theory and already then began to be used in scientific research and educational programs. This topic will be studied by Turkish scientists after the 2000s and included in the content of education. Such views have been mentioned in the works of Kazakh scientists since the beginning of the twentieth century, although it is not called "the four functions of folklore". However, due to the lack of close relations between American and Soviet scientists, many research works were ignored. Therefore, this article discusses the theory of the" four functions of folklore", the history of its origin and study. For this purpose, the research of B. K. Malinowski, who first expressed his opinion on the topic, and W. Bascom, who justified the theory and the work of other scientists, are taken as a basis. The issues related to this topic are reasoned by the opinion of Kazakh scientists. As a result of the study, the four functions of folklore voiced by the scientist U. Bask are comprehensively shown, its connections with Kazakh folklore are differentiated. This, in turn, will allow us to study samples of oral Kazakh folk art within the framework of new humanitarian knowledge and on the basis of world scientific relations. In addition, it can be used in the training of industry specialists.
SIMULTANEOUS ESTIMATION OF METFORMIN HYDROCHLORIDE AND REPAGLINIDE BY HPLC METHOD
Authors: Borole T. , Dewani M. , Gandhi S. , Damle M. ,   Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, AISSMS College of Pharmacy Kennedy Road, Near RTO Pune – 411001, Maharashtra.
Published: September 2021

A reverse phase high performance liquid chromatographic method is developed for the simultaneous determination of metformin hydrochloride and repaglinide. Chromatography was carried out at ambient temperature and separation of these drugs was achieved on neosphere C18 column (150 x 4.6 mm i.d, 3.5 mcgm) as stationary phase with a mobile phase comprising of methanol: 0.05 M acetate buffer (pH 3.5) in ratio of (80:20 V/V) at flow rate 0.8 mL/min. The detection wavelength for metformin hydrochloride and repaglinide was 242 nm. The retention times for metformin hydrochloride and repaglinide were 1.8 0.2 min and 8.9 0.2 min respectively. The linearity of metformin hydrochloride and repaglinide was in the range of 2-10 mcg/mL and 5-25 mcg/mL respectively. The recovery was calculated by standard addition method. The proposed method was found to be suitable for simultaneous determination of metformin hydrochloride and repaglinide.
Knowledge and awareness of genetic test available for risk of breast cancer among female students in UiTM
Authors: Syed Hussin Sharifah Norliana
Published: September 2021

Background: Malaysians are less likely to be highly exposed of the information regarding genetic tests as compared to citizens of developed countries in the world. In addition to that, little is known about the level of knowledge and awareness of the genetic testing for risk of breast cancer detection among the students in University Technology Mara (UiTM).

Materials and methods: A cross-sectional with correlational design study using a self-administered questionnaire was conducted among medical and non-medical undergraduate students of University Technology Mara (UiTM). The population from which the convenience sample gathered were those who fulfilled the inclusion criteria of this study.

Results: Three hundred and eighty six (386) respondents were involved in present study, (50.8%) of them were familiar with the existence of the test while the remaining (49.2%) did not know about the genetic tests available for detecting gene mutations. Regards their interest in genetic testing to detect inheritable mutations, (35.8%) of them were definitely interest in the test, (38.3%) of them were probably interest in the test, (20.7%) of them were considering the test and the remaining (5.2%) have no interest in the test at all. About their awareness of the genetic test available for mutations detections, majority of them, (67.9%), agreed to get tested in order to learn of their own risk in getting breast cancer. In terms of their reason to avoid being tested, many of them, (40.7%) mentioned that the main reason is if the result comes out positive for genetic mutations, it will disrupt their daily lives.

Conclusion: There were mild level of knowledge and moderate level of awareness about breast cancer genetic tests, but the respondents showed high level of interest towards genetic test available for breast cancer risk detection. Educational materials and programs may increase knowledge and awareness about the genetic test available for detection of inheritable mutations. The effectiveness of the educational strategies shall be tested in the future.
New Targets for Drug Therapy in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Mohammed Samer Shukur , Asmaa Saleem Muhammed  , Muhammed Amina Saleem
Published: September 2021

The prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) has been increasing at an alarming rate. With an increased understanding of the pathophysiology of T2DM, various new therapeutic options have been developed and evaluated to bind different key targets in T2DM. The discovery of novel therapies through many approaches such as unprecedented drug combinations, modified drug molecules, and improved delivery systems can nullify some of the undesirable side effects of traditional agents, in addition to enhancing their effectiveness. Newer drug targets such as protein kinase B (Akt/PKB), AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), sirtuin (SIRT), and others are novel approaches that act via different mechanisms and possibly treating T2DMof distinct variations and etiologies. Other therapies such as end barrier, gene therapy, and stem cell technology utilize advanced techniques to treat T2DM, and the potential of these therapies is still not well explored. Molecular targets in T2DM are also extensively studied as they could target the defects at the molecular level. In this regard, antibody therapies and vaccinations are also developed against T2DM; however, the ongoing clinical trials are scanty, and the developmental progress is slower. There are many therapies designed to cure T2DM, each of them has its advantages and disadvantages. The preference for the treatment plan usually depends on the health status of the patient and the treatment goal. To consider an ideal treatment option, one should worry about many factors. These include patient compliance, drug efficacy and potency, bioavailability, and other pharmacological and non-pharmacological properties among others.
A new species of Otukaia (Calliostomatidae) from Alaska
Authors: Tuskes Paul , Clark Roger
Published: September 2021

A new species of Otukaia from the eastern Bering Sea is described from Alaska and is the first member of the genus to be found in the Northeastern Pacific. This species shares many traits with Otukaia kiheizebisu (Otuka,1939) from Japan, which is the type for the genus, but exhibits numerous distinctive characteristics.
Introduction to Neutrosophic Genetics
Authors:   University of New Mexico Mathematics, Physical and Natural Science Division 705 Gurley Ave., Gallup, NM 87301, USA, Smarandache Florentin
Published: September 2021

Neutrosophic Genetics is the study of genetics using neutrosophic logic, set, probability, statistics, measurement, and other neutrosophic tools and procedures. In this paper, based on the Neutrosophic Theory of Evolution (that includes degrees of Evolution, Neutrality (or Indeterminacy), and Involution) – as an extension of Darwin’s Theory of Evolution, we show the applicability of neutrosophy in genetics, and we present within the frame of neutrosophic genetics the following concepts: neutrosophic mutation, neutrosophic speciation, and neutrosophic coevolution
Generalized Possibility Neutrosophic Soft Set And Its Application
Authors:   Avinashilingam Institute for Home Science and Higher Education for Women, INDIA, Bhuvaneshwari S. , Sweety C. Antony Crispin ,   Avinashilingam Institute for Home Science and Higher Education for Women, INDIA
Published: September 2021

Today, experts are emphasizing establishing innovative ideas to cope with the complexity, imprecision, and ambiguity that exist in practical problems, together with suitable examples to elucidate their hypotheses. The neutrosophic set and its hybridizations are broadly adopted in many decision-making challenges. More researchers are working to discuss the validity of neutrosophy and its combinations in decision-making issues. In this work, we develop a new hybridized structure of neutrosophic soft set named Generalized Possibility Neutrosophic Soft Set (GPNSS) and discuss its basic properties. We define set-theoretical operations between two possibility neutrosophic soft sets and study some of their features. We also present the GPNS decision-making approach, which is based on the AND-product of GPNSS. Finally, we provide a numerical example to demonstrate how the technique may be effectively applied to the circumstances investigated.
Neutrosophic Differential Equations That Translate Into Linear
Authors:   Deanship of the Preparatory Year, Prince Sattam bin Abdulaziz University, KSA, Alhasan Yaser Ahmad , Alfahal Abuobida ,   Deanship of the Preparatory Year, Prince Sattam bin Abdulaziz University, KSA
Published: September 2021

In this paper, the Bernoulli’s neutrosophic differential equations by a neutrosophic thick function are introduced.The main objective is defining a neutrosophic differential equations that translate into linear based on the thick function and finding solutions for this equation. Enough examples are provided to illustrate each idea.
Introduction to Neutrosophic Reliability Theory
Authors:   Department of Mathematics, College of Education for Pure Science, University of Babylon, Iraq, Alhasan Kawther F. , Salama A.A. ,   Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, Port Said University, Egypt, Smarandache Florentin ,   Dept. Math and Sciences, University of New Mexico, Gallup, NM, USA
Published: September 2021

Reliability is one of the most important indicators of the quality of any system or product, ranging from the simplest machines as a product in any factory to the most complex system, such as phone or aircraft or missile engines, etc. The accuracy of these products indicates their high reliability, and therefore the customer or business owner will have confidence in products and will request more quantity. To reach the highest level of accuracy for the reliability of any system, the corresponding data must be very accurate. For this purpose, we proposed to add accuracy to reliability by adding data that contains more pieces of information about a specific product or problem. We introduced a new logic (Neutrosophic logic) of data instead of classical logic which gives us more accuracy of data that contain indeterminacy such as extremist, vague, and unclear data. We defined the neutrosophic reliability according to the modern neutrosophic logic by constructing a neutrosophic reliability function. We have used the type of series as an application of neutrosophic reliability and introduced some examples. Neutrosophic reliability theory can be applied in computer science and decision support systems.
Neutrosophic Soft Tri-Topological Spaces
Authors:   Department of Mathematics, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Kastamonu University, Turkey, Dadas Hasan , Demiralp Sibel ,   Department of Mathematics, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Kastamonu University, Turkey
Published: September 2021

In this study, the concept of neutrosophic soft tri-topological space is defined as a generalization of neutrosophic soft bitopological space. Then neutrosophic soft tri-open and tri-closed sets are defined and in this space. Also, some basic properties of these new types of open and closed sets are investigated and supported by many examples to further clarify the study.
Terapia de substituição renal: qualidade de vida dos pacientes de um hospital de ensino
Authors: Barbosa Taís Pagliuco , Jacon João César , Parro Maria Cláudia , Moraes Adriani Izabel de Souza , Coneglian Tatiane Veteri , Iembo Francielly Aparecida Correa
Published: September 2021

Objetivo: avaliar a qualidade de vida dos pacientes com insuficiência renal crônica no decorrer do tratamento hemodialítico e diferenças em relação ao sexo.Material e Método: estudo descritivo, quantitativo, desenvolvido no setor de Terapia Renal Substitutiva de um hospital escola, constituído por 78 pacientes. Critérios de inclusão: pacientes maiores de 18 anos em tratamento hemodialítico. Foram excluídos pacientes com comprometimento cognitivo. A coleta de dados ocorreu entre junho e julho de 2018, por meio de um questionário com perguntas sobre aspectos sociodemográficos e caracterização clínica dos participantes do estudo. O outro instrumento destinou-se à qualidade de vida, com a utilização do WHOQOL-bref. Os dados foram organizados no Excel® 2016 (Microsoft®). Estudo aprovado pelo Comitê de Ética em Pesquisa envolvendo seres humanos.Resultados: 51,3% sexo feminino e 48,7% masculino; 96,2% não possuiam vínculo empregatício. Verificada a média dos domínios do WHOQOL-bref, sendo constatado que aspectos físicos, psicológicos, relações sociais e meio ambiente obtiveram a média em torno de 3,2 a 3,6, classificando a qualidade de vida média. Conclusão: o estudo identificou uma qualidade de vida média nos pacientes em terapia de substituição renal.
Social Innovation Hackathon for Driving Innovation in Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR)
Authors: Dabral Ambika , Bajwa Sukhreet , Shioyama Satsuki , Chatterjee Ranit , Shaw Rajib
Published: September 2021

Time and again, disasters bring forth various challenges concerning risk communication, disaster-resilient infrastructure, last-mile delivery, disaster reporting, etc. These challenges often highlight the existing gap between research and academicians, and the policymakers and practitioners. Secondly, it brings forth the lack of adequate collaboration among experts and practitioners of different fields. Most of these challenges require innovative and low-cost solutions catering to local and contextualized problems, and calls for a multi- and transdisciplinary approach and collaboration.

With this vision, amidst the current pandemic of COVID-19, Resilience Innovation Knowledge Academy (RIKA) India, Indo-Japan Laboratory (Keio University, Japan) and four partnering universities have launched the Social Innovation Online Hackathon (SIOH) 2020. SIOH aims to provide a unique virtual platform to student innovators and mission-driven entrepreneurs from different fields like architecture, engineering, disaster management, etc., to collaborate and develop innovative solutions for tackling the pandemic and future disasters.

The paper aims to introduce SIOH and its four-step process as a tool of multi-disciplinary collaboration to promote innovation for Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR). Besides the critical outcomes of the SIOH, the paper seeks to flag some indirect positive impacts of such an exercise. Among others, these include, firstly, the introduction of the field of DRR to academicians and practitioners of other sectors, thereby paving the way for its mainstreaming in other sectors. Secondly, such an exercise involving young students envisages to invoke a spirit of inquiry and innovation, which is crucial for bringing social change. Thirdly, it highlights the critical role of proper sectoral mentorship in handholding the young innovators in their journey of building resilient societies.
Minerando Motivações para Aplicação de Extract Method: Um Estudo Preliminar
Authors: Henrique Jalisson , Dósea Marcos , Sant’Anna Cláudio
Published: September 2021

As refatorações são operações realizadas no código fonte visando melhorar a capacidade de manutenção de um sistema de software. Apesar da literatura conter diversos estudos sobre as refatorações, são poucos os trabalhos que investigaram as motivações para tais refatorações ocorrerem. Esta pesquisa buscou investigar as motivações por trás das operações de extract method em um sistema real. Para isso, um estudo experimental foi conduzido, buscando minerar as refatorações do tipo extract method e analisar as mensagens de commit visando capturar as motivações por trás das refatorações. Também foi verificado a relação entre as refatorações e a métrica de número de linhas de código (LOC). Os resultados apontaram 11 motivações diferentes para a utilização do extract method. Além disso, foi visto que apenas 35% das refatorações que ocorreram foram com intenção de melhorar a qualidade do código. Também foi identificado que as refatorações com intenção de melhorar a qualidade do código ocorreram com maior frequência em métodos com valores de LOC na faixa de 21 a 40 e foram menos frequentes em métodos com valores entre 61 a 80.
BOHR - Uma Ferramenta para a Identificação de Átomos de Confusão em Códigos Java
Authors: Mendes Wendell , Viana Windson , Rocha Lincoln
Published: September 2021

A atividade de compreensão do código-fonte é fundamental no desenvolvimento e manutenção de software. Nesse contexto, Átomos de Confusão (AC) surgem como a menor porção de código capaz de causar confusão em desenvolvedores nesse processo. Neste artigo, é apresentado o BOHR - The Atoms of Confusion Hunter, uma ferramenta que tem como objetivos: (i) auxiliar a identificação de AC em sistemas Java; (ii) fornecer relatórios sobre a prevalência desses AC; e (iii) fornecer uma API para o desenvolvimento de novos buscadores customizados para a captura de novos AC e, também, melhorias em suas identificações. Nesta primeira versão, o BOHR é capaz de detectar 8 dos 13 tipos de AC apontados por Langhout e Aniche. Uma avaliação preliminar do BOHR foi conduzida em três sistemas reais, de código aberto, largamente adotados pela comunidade de desenvolvimento de softwares Java (Picasso, greenDAO e Socket.IO-client Java). Os resultados iniciais mostraram que o BOHR conseguiu detectar com precisão os AC existentes nesses sistemas analisados, apontando de forma correta os snippets dos AC, assim como o seu tipo, nome da classe que era pertencente e o número da linha de código de sua ocorrência. No total, foram encontrados 105 AC, sendo 37 no Picasso, 25 no greenDAO e 43 no Socket.IO-client Java.
Familiarity and Trust: Explaining Trust in Government through Ethno-racial Differences
Authors: Vaidelytė Eglė , Butkevičienė Eglė , Morkevičius Vaidas , De Vries Michiel
Published: September 2021

The paper investigates whether generalized trust in government varies among ethnic groups in a society. Theories on trust predominantly explain such institutional trust by the capabilities and intentions of the trusted actors and research into trust is mostly done at the individual level measuring whether individual characteristics of the trustee and trusted one have explanatory power. Meanwhile this paper analyzes the institutional trust at the macro (country) level. Based on a comparative study among 29 countries, this paper argues that there are significant differences between ethnic groups regarding their trust in the country‘s government and that significant effects are visible with the country‘s income inequality and one of Hofstede‘s dimensions of national culture, namely ‘power distance‘. This is an important finding as it calls for multilevel analyses when explaining institutional trust. Trust is not only dependent on individual characteristics of the trusted one and the trustee, but also on macro-level variables.
Moterų karių karjera Lietuvos kariuomenėje: moterų puskarininkių nuomonė
Authors: Pleskys Deimantas , Guščinskienė Jūratė
Published: September 2021

Šio straipsnio tikslas – ištirti moterų karių karjeros galimybes Lietuvos kariuomenėje. Straipsnyje aptariama karjeros samprata, karių karjeros teisinis reglamentavimas. Empirinė straipsnio dalis remiasi originaliu moterų puskarininkių nuomonės tyrimu, kuris buvo atliktas 2019 m. pabaigoje mechanizuotoje pėstininkų brigados vadovybėje „Geležinis Vilkas“. Ištyrus moterų puskarininkių nuomonę nustatyta, kad teisinė bazė, reglamentuojanti karių karjerą Lietuvos kariuomenėje, yra vienoda tiek moterims, tiek vyrams, tačiau dalis tyrimo dalyvių nurodė, kad ši bazė yra nepakankamai palanki nėščioms ir vaikų priežiūros atostogose esančioms moterims, nes, pavyzdžiui, vaikų priežiūros atostogose esančios moterys neretai perkeliamos į personalo rezervą, o jų pareigas užima kiti kariai ir pan. Tiriamųjų nuomonė apie moterų galimybes, lyginant su vyrais, siekti karjeros Lietuvos kariuomenėje išsiskyrė, nes dalis tyrimo dalyvių manė, jog moterų ir vyrų galimybės yra lygios visose jų profesinės veiklos srityse, o kitos teigė, kad galimybės lygios tik administravimo, aptarnavimo ir panašiose sferose. Nustatyta, kad daliai moterų puskarininkių yra sunku lygiomis sąlygomis su vyrais siekti vertikalios kario karjeros, kad mažai moterų karių užima vadovaujančias pareigas kariuomenėje, t. y. siekiant vertikalios karjeros moterys neretai susiduria su „stiklinių lubų“ fenomenu. Taip pat nustatyta, kad kariuomenėje moterims karėms egzistuoja geresnės galimybės siekti horizontalios karjeros. Prie moterų karjerą kariuomenėje skatinančių veiksnių galima priskirti jų asmeninę motyvaciją bei finansines, materialines ir nematerialines paskatas, o prie trukdančių – kariuomenėje vis dar egzistuojančius stereotipus, vadų asmeniškumus, moterų neįtraukimą į sprendimų priėmimo procesą ir kt.
One-Dimensional Modeling of Triple-Pass Concentric Tube Heat Exchanger in the Parabolic Trough Solar Air Collector
Authors: Minh Phu Nguyen , Thien Tu Ngo
Published: September 2021

The parabolic trough solar collector has a very high absorber tube temperature due to the concentration of solar radiation. The high temperature leads to large heat loss to the environment which reduces efficiency of the parabolic trough collector. The heat loss reduction can be obtained by adopting a multi-pass fluid flow arrangement. In this chapter, airflow travels in three passes of the receiver to absorb heat from the glass covers and absorber tube to decrease surface temperatures. 1D mathematical model is developed to evaluate effective efficiency and the temperature distribution of surfaces and fluid. The mathematical modeling is based on air temperature gradients and solved by a numerical integration. Diameter ratios of outer glass to inner glass (r23) and inner glass to absorber tube (r12), Reynolds number (Re), and tube length (L) are varied to examine the efficiency and the temperature distribution. Results showed that the highest efficiency is archived at r23 = 1.55 and r12 in the range of 1.45 to 1.5. The efficiency increases with Re and decreases with L due to dominant heat transfer in terms of thermohydraulic behavior of a concentrating solar collector. With the optimum ratios, absorber tube temperature can reduce 15 K compared with another case.
Potential Therapeutic Options and Perspectives for Alleviation of Endometrial Estrogen Dominance and Progesterone Resistance in Endometriosis
Authors: Cristina Russu Manuela
Published: September 2021

Endometriosis is a chronic disease, influenced by internal and external environment, with long duration from intrauterine life with acme during childbearing, when it is associated to chronic pelvic pains, and infertility/subfertility. DNA hypermethylation of endometrial promoter PRs Hox genes and DNA hypomethylation of promoter ERβ gene is a possible explanation of estrogen dominance, progressive loss of progesterone signaling, followed by progesterone resistance in ectopic, and progesterone attenuance in eutopic endometrium, for failure of hormone therapy (HT), repeated recurrences after surgery, cancers after long time evolution. Animal models, human trials demonstrated progesterone (P4) and progestins influences over progression of disease pathological characteristics, associated to endometrial ER, PR aberrant expressions: ERα loss, and abnormal PRB/PRA ratio. P4 supplementation before mice induced-endometriosis protected from PRs depletion, action that can be translated in women according to the difference of 7 to 12 years between histologic onset and clinical symptoms/signs, parallel to progressive loss of PRs and PR-mediated signaling in ectopic and eutopic endometria. The animal studies have shown that a DNA methylation inhibitor alleviates lesion growth, and induces PRs target gene expression restoration. Continuous/extended contraceptives, dienogest- a new progestin, GnRH agonists/antagonists, aromatase inhibitors, SERM, SPRM, combinated molecules are therapeutic options/perspectives aiming restoration endometrial estrogen-progesterone balance, without disease’s cure. HT may be active alone, or surgery associated.
Advanced Sample Preparation Techniques for Surface Spectroscopy Analysis of Organic: Inorganic Hybrid Silica Particles
Authors: Panigrahi Harekrishna , Mishra Smrutirekha , Kumar Tripathy Suraj
Published: September 2021

Silica due to its large inorganic amorphous wall and hydrophilic surface properties renders its suitability for designing different varieties of organic–inorganic silica-based materials. Characterization of such hybrid silica-based materials is one of the fascinating as well as challenging topics to be covered. Surface analysis of these hybrid materials can be done utilizing various techniques, out of which X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), 29Si Solid-state Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) is the most ideal ones. Thus, before analyzing these silica materials, it requires a massive study on its sample preparation for appropriate characterization of the organic molecules present in the inorganic network. Hence, this chapter will give a brief elucidation of the sample preparation techniques for analyzing the hybrid materials utilizing the above instrumentation techniques.
Natural Products Altering GABAergic Transmission
Authors: Banerjee Sayani , Manisha Chennu , Murugan Deepthi , Justin Antony
Published: September 2021

Gamma-amino butyric acid (GABA) is a major inhibitory neurotransmitter found in several regions of the brain and known to have various significant physiological roles as a potent bioactive compound. Malfunction of GABAergic neuronal signaling prompts to cause severe psychiatric symptoms in numerous mental disorders. Several drugs are available in clinical practice for neuropsychiatric disorders targeting through GABAergic pathway, with notable adverse effects. Interestingly, in recent years, researchers are focusing on natural compounds altering GABAergic neurotransmission for various psychiatric disorders due to its wide range of therapeutic efficacy and safety. The enormous variety of natural compounds, namely alkaloids, flavonoids, terpenoids, polyacetylenic alcohols, alkanes and fatty acids were reported to alter the GABAergic transmission through its receptors and or by influencing the transmission, synthesis and metabolism of GABA. Natural compounds are able to cross the blood brain barrier and influence the GABA functions in order to treat anxiety, mania, schizophrenia and cognitive disorders. Therefore, this current chapter describes on natural products which have the potential to alter the GABAergic neurotransmission and its therapeutical benefits in treating several neuropsychiatry disorders using various pharmacological methods.
Performance Evaluation of Geometric Modification on the Stability of Road Cut Slope Using FE Based Plaxis Software
Authors: Ayalneh Mekonnen Fentahun
Published: September 2021

Slope failures are among the common geo-environmental natural hazards in the hilly and mountainous terrain of the world. Specially it is the major difficulty for the development of construction as it causes considerable damage on the infrastructure, human life and property. Different causes of slope failure and stabilization methods are proposed by different scholars. In this study the performance of geometric modification in slope stability was investigated using numerical method. The study uses slope height, slope angle and slope profile i.e. single slope, multi slope and bench slope as a governing parameter in the performance evaluation of geometric modification on the slope stability. The evaluation was conducted on a newly constructed road cut slope using a finite element based plaxis software. The result from performance evaluation of slope profiles show that geometric modification provides better and economical slope stability. The stability of slope decreases with increase in slope height and slope angle leading to an uneconomical design of high slopes in a single slope profile. However, the use of benching improves the stability of cut slope (i.e. the use of 2 m and 3 m bench improves the factor of safety by 7.5% and 12% from single slope profile). The method is more effective in steep slopes. Similarly, the use of a multi slope profile improves the stability of slope in stratified soil with varied strength. The performance is more significant when it is used in combination with benches. The study also provides comparison of slope profiles based on different criteria’s and recommend the selection profile based on site-specific considerations.
The Domino Effects of Synbiotic: From Feed to Health
Authors: Pelá Flávia
Published: September 2021

Around of 60,000 tons per year of antibiotics are consumed to produce our food through subtherapeutic dosage usage which aim is improve healthy and performance of animal in intensive system production. If the use of antibiotics allowed greater access to food, on the other hand, it allowed a selective pressure of antimicrobial resistant strains, the superbugs. Considered a worldwide public health problem, this ultimately led to the prohibition of antibiotics as growth enhancers in animal production and the synbiotic, prebiotic and probiotic, is claimed to be effective alternative to withdraw of antibiotics in poultry farm. Hence, in this chapter, an antimicrobial resistance, animal health regulatory affairs and synbiotic influences will be summarized. The results of scientific assays and field trials from our synbiotics commercial formulations will be described to concerning the effect of zootechnical performance and sanitary control in the poultry production.
Catalytic Fast Pyrolysis of Lignocellulosic Biomass to Benzene, Toluene, and Xylenes
Authors: H. Gong William
Published: September 2021

Catalytic Fast Pyrolysis is a rapid method to depolymerize lignocellulose to its constituent components of hemicellulose, cellulose, and lignin. The pyrolysis reaction in absence of oxygen occurs at a very high heating rate to a targeted temperature of 400 to 600 °C for very short residence time. Vapors which are not condensed and are then contacted with a catalyst that is efficient to deoxygenate and aromatize the pyrolyzed biomass. One class of highly valuable material that is produced is a mixture of benzene, toluene, and xylenes. From this mixture, para-xylene is extracted for further upgrading to polyethylene terephthalate, a commodity polyester which has a demand in excess of 80 million tonnes/year. Addressed within this review is the catalytic fast pyrolysis, catalysts examined, process chemistry, challenges, and investigation of solutions.
Soybean and Other Legume Proteins Exhibit Beneficial Physiological Effects on Metabolic Syndrome and Inflammatory-Related Disorders
Authors: Kohno Mitsutaka
Published: September 2021

There is currently a trend in Western countries to increase the intake of plant proteins. In this chapter, the author explains that this is due to the beneficial physiological functions of plant proteins, based on the latest literature review and our own research results. Among plant proteins, soy protein has been reported to have many beneficial effects on the improvement and prevention of metabolic syndrome. This chapter outlines the excellent effects of soy protein on renal function [improvement of early symptoms of diabetic nephropathy], which is closely related to metabolic syndrome, and the effects of combining these effects as complementary medicine. In addition, recent findings about the anti-inflammatory and immune activation effects of soy protein as hydrolyzed peptides are outlined. A brief introduction of the recent results of other legume-derived proteins that have replaced soy proteins are also explained. By further deepening our understanding of the superior physiological functions of plant proteins, it is hoped that their use expands even further.
The Role of Ultrasound in Hypothyroidism, Technique, Differential Diagnosis and Follow-Up
Authors: Baş Hakan
Published: September 2021

In hypothyroidism, which is as old as humanity, ultrasound has been the first and most important imaging examination in recent decades. This disease is involved in almost all steps in the spectrum from inflammatory diseases to cancer of the thyroid gland. Thyroid ultrasound is a critical tool in the differential diagnosis of hypothyroidism. If thyroid antibodies are negative. It is helpful to determine whether the thyroid is present and to visualize the parenchyma. In a hypothyroid patient, the US may lead to cost savings. If a typical autoimmune pattern is present on US, as a cost-reducing move, further investigations may not be required for the diagnosis of Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. Moreover, the ultrasound image may contribute to the decision process whether to treat patients with positive antithyroid antibodies who are euthyroid or have only a mild subclinical hypothyroidism.
Simulated Moving Bed Technology: Overview and Use in Biorefineries
Authors: Sharma Deepak
Published: September 2021

Synthesis of chemical compounds oftentimes produce a mixture of desired and undesired components. The ease of purification and recovery of the desired component more often than not determines the viability of the production technology. Simulated Moving Bed (SMB) technology is a continuous purification and separation technique with better performance (less solvent consumption and higher throughput) than traditional batch chromatography. SMB is a continuous separation technology which can be used to achieve the desired product purity with considerably lower power and raw material consumption. A lot of research and development is undergoing in the SMB technology which is enabling the search for more economical and carbon neutral ways of producing industrial chemicals. SMB has proven to be of great assistance in extracting products produced in biorefinery fermentation processes in an economical and energy efficient fashion. This chapter outlines the various processes the author has developed using SMB technology, its use in biorefineries, and prospective use in the future.
Consistency and Shifts in Gettier Cases
Authors: Stephens Andreas ,   Romanian Academy - Iasi Branch
Published: September 2021

Two Gettier cases are described in detail and it is shown how they unfold in terms of reflective and reflexive desiderata. It is argued that the Gettier problem does not pose a problem for conceptions of knowledge as long as we are consistent in how we understand justification and knowledge. It is only by reading the cases with a reflective understanding of justification but a reflexive understanding of knowledge, without acknowledging that this takes place, that the cases become ‘problems.’
Trends in Baldwin Criticism, 2017–19
Authors: Dean Terrance
Published: September 2021

Reading works on Baldwin from 2017 to 2019, the author tracks the significance of Baldwin within the Black Lives Matter movement and our growing need for police reform in conjunction with a revaluation of the lives of racial and ethnic minorities within the oppressive systemic biases of American social and political life.
Y-stent-assisted coiling with Neuroform Atlas stents for wide-necked intracranial bifurcation aneurysms: A preliminary report
Authors: Kim Dongkyu , Chung Joonho
Published: September 2021

Objective: To report our experience on Neuroform Atlas Y-stenting for coiling of unruptured wide-neck bifurcation aneurysms.Methods: From March 2018 to January 2021, we treated 473 aneurysms in 436 patients with coil embolization, of which 15 cases with wide-necked bifurcation aneurysms were treated by Y-stent-assisted coiling with two Neuroform Atlas stents. We retrospectively reviewed the characteristics of patients and aneurysms, procedure-related complications, radiographic results, and clinical outcomes.Results: All 15 cases using Neuroform Atlas Y-stenting were successful. Patients included 6 men and 9 women with a mean age ± standard deviation of 56.4±6.6 years. The mean dome and neck sizes were 6.4±3.1 mm and 4.7±1.8 mm, respectively. Immediate post-procedural angiograms showed complete occlusion in 46.7%, neck remnant in 13.3%, and incomplete occlusion in 40% of cases. No treatment-related morbidity or mortality occurred in any patients. All patients had good clinical outcomes (Glasgow Outcome Score 5) at both discharge and during a mean 12.3-month (range 1-28 months) follow-up. All aneurysms showed improved or stable occlusion on follow-up imaging. Further, the latest follow-up angiography showed complete occlusion in 73.3%, neck remnant in 6.7%, and incomplete occlusion in 20%.Conclusions: Y-stent-assisted coiling with Neuroform Atlas stents might be a feasible and safe option for wide-necked bifurcation aneurysms.
A tightly coupled dipole array used for radiation power improvement on finite radiation aperture
Authors: Tong San-Qiang , Wang Bing-Zhong , Wang Ren ,   Institute of Applied Physics, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 611731, China
Published: September 2021

Radiation power of an electromagnetic wave plays a decisive role in its transmission distance. Traditionally, the radiation power can be improved by expanding the radiation aperture size of the antenna array or increasing input power of the unit cell. However, the radiation aperture size is always restricted by assembly space. The input power improvement of the unit cell is always limited by the signal source. It is difficult to improve radiation power on a finite radiation aperture. However, the radiation power on a finite radiation aperture is related closely to the number of antenna elements and the radiation efficiency of the antenna array. It is useful to arrange more elements and improve radiation efficiency of the antenna array to improve the radiation power on a finite radiation aperture. Wideband wide-angle scanning phased array is able to make full use of a finite radiation aperture. The wide-angle scanning properties make it possible for the radiated power to cover a wide area. In this paper, a compact wideband wide-angle scanning tightly coupled dipole array (TCDA) is proposed. A high permittivity substrate and compact wideband balun are used for miniaturizing the antenna array. The period of the unit cell is only 0.144λhigh × 0.144λhigh (λhigh is the wavelength at the highest operation frequency in free space). Parameters of the balun are optimized to improve impedance matching between the balun and the antenna array. Two bilateral frequency selective surfaces (FSSs) are used to replace traditional dielectric superstrate to improve the impedance matching between the antenna array and free space. A low-loss dielectric substrate is used to reduce dielectric loss of the antenna array. In these ways, the radiation efficiency is greatly improved. The simulation results show that the proposed antenna array operates at 1.7–5.4 GHz (3.2:1) while scanning up to 65° in the E plane, 45° in the H plane and 60° in the D plane with following a rigorous impedance matching criterion (active VSWR < 2). A 16 × 16 prototype array is fabricated and measured. Good agreement is achieved between the simulation results and the measurement results. Compared with the designs in the literature, the proposed antenna array has an excellent performance in radiation power on a finite radiation aperture.
An open label randomized controlled trial of tamoxifen combined with amphotericin B and fluconazole for cryptococcal meningitis
Authors: Ngan Nguyen Thi Thuy , Thanh Hoang Le Nhat , Vi Vi Nguyen Ngo , Van Ninh Thi Thanh , Mai Nguyen Thi Hoang , Van Anh Duong , Trieu Phan Hai , Lan Nguyen Phu Huong , Phu Nguyen Hoan , Chau Nguyen Van Vinh , Lalloo David G , Hope William , Beardsley Justin , White Nicholas J , Geskus Ronald , Thwaites Guy E , Krysan Damian , Tai Luong Thi Hue , Kestelyn Evelyne , Binh Tran Quang , Hung Le Quoc , Tung Nguyen Le Nhu , Day Jeremy N
Published: September 2021

Background:

Cryptococcal meningitis has high mortality. Flucytosine is a key treatment but is expensive and rarely available. The anticancer agent tamoxifen has synergistic anti-cryptococcal activity with amphotericin in vitro. It is off-patent, cheap, and widely available. We performed a trial to determine its therapeutic potential.

Methods:

Open label randomized controlled trial. Participants received standard care – amphotericin combined with fluconazole for the first 2 weeks – or standard care plus tamoxifen 300 mg/day. The primary end point was Early Fungicidal Activity (EFA) – the rate of yeast clearance from cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Trial registration https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03112031.

Results:

Fifty patients were enrolled (median age 34 years, 35 male). Tamoxifen had no effect on EFA (−0.48log10 colony-forming units/mL/CSF control arm versus −0.49 tamoxifen arm, difference −0.005log10CFU/ml/day, 95% CI: −0.16, 0.15, p=0.95). Tamoxifen caused QTc prolongation.

Conclusions:

High-dose tamoxifen does not increase the clearance rate of Cryptococcus from CSF. Novel, affordable therapies are needed.

Funding:

The trial was funded through the Wellcome Trust Asia Programme Vietnam Core Grant 106680 and a Wellcome Trust Intermediate Fellowship to JND grant number WT097147MA.
Crystal Structure, Hirshfeld Surfaces and Energy Framework Studies of a Biologically Active Compound (3E)-3- (2,4- dimethoxybenzyldene) -2,3-dihydro- 4H-chromen-4-one
Authors: Hemalatha J. , Jonathan D. Reuben , Shirmila D. Angeline , Priya M. Krishna , Laavanya K. , Usha G.
Published: September 2021

A new chalcone derivative (3E)-3-(2,4-dimethoxybenzyldene)-2,3-dihydro-4H-chromen-4-one (DBDB) has been synthesized by following the Claisen-Schmidt condensation reaction method at ambient temperature using the slow evaporation technique. The 3D crystal structure was solved using the single-crystal X-ray diffraction method (XRD). XRD intensity data reveal that the title compound crystallizes in an orthorhombic crystal system with non-centrosymmetric space group P21 21 21. The crystallographic parameters such as bond lengths, bond angles, torsion angles were estimated and are found to be in the normal range and comparable with the literature values. The unit cell packing of the molecules shows that the adjacent molecules are linked via C-H…O hydrogen bonds. Hirshfeld surfaces namely dnorm, electrostatic potential, shape index, and curvedness were analyzed to visualize and to evaluate the weak intermolecular interactions, positive and negative potential regions, C-H…π, and π…π stacking interactions, respectively. The 2D fingerprint plots for the whole and delineated interactions were generated and analyzed to estimate their contributions to the total Hirshfeld surfaces. The pairwise intermolecular interactions were calculated as the sum of four scaled energy components namely electrostatic (Eele), polarization (Epol), dispersion (Edis), and exchange-repulsion (Erep) and graphically represented as energy frameworks. The energy frameworks analysis reveals that the total stabilizing energy is highly influenced by dispersion (Edis) energy than the other components. In-vitro and in-silico investigations have also been performed for the title molecule which discloses the efficacious for use as a drug in inhibiting breast cancer cells without affecting the normal cells.
Identification of Five Acylated Anthocyanins and Determination of Antioxidant Contents of Total Extracts of a Purple-Fleshed Ipomoea batatas L. Variety Grown in Burkina Faso
Authors: Saga Kaboré Dominique , Héma Adama , Kabré Elie , Bazié Raoul , Sakira Abdoul Karim , Koala Moumouni , Koussao Somé Paul-André , Palé Eloi , Issa Somé Touridomon , Duez Pierre
Published: September 2021

Anthocyanins are bioactive compounds, which thanks to their anti-free radical properties, can protect the human body against oxidative stress. The latter can cause many diseases, such as cancer, aging. The extract of the green cap purple variety of the sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas L.) is active against the radical ABTS. Its antioxidant content is estimated at 0.183 mg E TEAC/ g fresh material. The characterization of anthocyanins was performed by high performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry-UV (HPLC-MS-UV) and high performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS) analyses.  These analyses allowed the identification of five anthocyanic compounds. These are: cyanidin 3-(6''-caffeoyl- 6'''-p-hydroxybenzoyl sophoroside) -5-glucoside; cyanidin 3-(6''-feruloyl 6'''-caffeoyl sophoroside) -5-glucoside; peonidin 3-(6'''-caffeoyl sophoroside)-5-glucoside; peonidin 3-(6''-caffeoyl-6'''-p-hydroxybenzoyl sophoroside) -5-glucoside; and peonidin 3-(6''-feruloyl -6'''-caffeoyl sophoroside)-5-glucoside.