bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Adaptation Resources for Agriculture A Case Study: Organic Dairy in Wisconsin
Authors: Dowling Adam
Published: November 2020

Like many producers in Wisconsin, R & G Miller & Sons is already seeing an increase in intense precipitation events particularly in spring. This delays planting and prevents early season grazing due to possible damage/compaction from cow traffic on saturated pastures. Extended wet periods (e.g. 5 in of rain or more/week) and big deluge rains also lead to ponding in some areas of fields, which in turn leads to reduced productivity of pastures.
Assisted Migration
Authors: Handler Stephen , Pike Carrie , St. Clair Brad , Abbotts Hannah , Janowiak Maria
Published: November 2020

Evidence suggests that species have responded individually during historic periods of dramatic
climate change through geographic migrations to and from unique glacial refugia [1, 2, 3]. Recent
research has demonstrated that many tree species are already undergoing distribution shifts in
response to climate change, with different studies highlighting species that are moving poleward
and higher in elevation [4], or moving east-west to track changes in moisture availability [5].
Drought in the U.S. Caribbean: Impacts on Coastal Estuary Ecosystems
Authors: Murry Brent , Garcia-Bermudez Miguel , Crausbay Shelley , Malpeli Kate
Published: November 2020

This fact sheet is part of a series examining what we know about the impacts of drought on ecosystems and agriculture in the U.S. Caribbean.
Drought in the U.S. Caribbean: Impacts on Freshwater Ecosystems
Authors: Myers Bonnie
Published: November 2020

This fact sheet is part of a series examining what we know about the impacts of drought on ecosystems
and agriculture in the U.S. Caribbean.
Drought in the U.S. Caribbean: Impacts on Crops
Authors: Holupchinski Eva , Álvarez-Berríos Nora , Gould William , Fain Josh
Published: November 2020

This fact sheet is part of a series examining what we know about the impacts of drought on ecosystems
and agriculture in the U.S. Caribbean.
GEOPHYSICAL INVESTIGATION OF POTENTIAL FELDSPAR DEPOSITS IN MOKWA, NIGERIA FOR ECONOMIC BENEFITS
Authors: Usman Yusuf Tanko
Published: November 2020

The geophysical technique of Electrical Resistivity in mineral rocks investigation has been found to be one of the very effective and convenient methods. It was therefore applied using Schlumberger configuration to investigate the location, depth and the economic viability of Feldspar mineral deposits at the study location in Mokwa, Niger State, Nigeria. This research is aimed at determining the location and economic viability of Feldspar deposits in Mokwa that can serve as Industrial fillers or induce the development and sustainability of both small and medium scale paint, plastic, rubber and adhesive Industries within and outside the study area. 30 Vertical Electrical Soundings (VES) were acquired in 6 profiles using ABEM SAS 4000 Terrameter with 50 m spacing in between each profiles. The results revealed that Profile 1 VES point 5, profile 2 VES point 2, profile 4 VES point 4 and profile 5 VES point 5 are underlined with rocks of Low electrical resistivity values which implied possible Feldspar deposits. The highest Feldspar Deposits with average thickness of 7.87 m was discovered in profile 1, while profile 4 exhibited the lowest deposits with thickness of 2.50 m. On the average, the depths of these minerals rocks from the surface fell in the interval of 0.06 m to 8.00 m. However, the discovered feldspar deposits are not of much economically viable for Industrial filler exploration capable of influencing any Industrial development in either small or medium scale capacity.
COVID-19 Australia: Epidemiology Report 28: Fortnightly reporting period ending 25 October 2020
Authors:   COVID-19 National Incident Room Surveillance Team
Published: November 2020

Nationally, there was a continuing downward trend in notifications of COVID-19. The daily average number of cases for this reporting period was 13 compared to an average of 18 cases per day in the previous fortnight. There were 176 cases of COVID-19 and 7 deaths this fortnight, bringing the cumulative case count to 27,582 and 905 deaths. New South Wales reported the highest proportion of cases this fortnight (42%; 74/176), the majority of which were overseas acquired (52). Locally-acquired cases accounted for 31% (54/176) of all cases reported this fortnight. While the majority of these were reported from Victoria (33/54), there continues to be a decrease in new cases in this state resulting from public health interventions. Testing rates increased during the reporting period and remain high overall at 10.3 tests per week per 1,000 persons. There was variability in the testing rate by jurisdiction, with testing rates depending on the epidemic context. The overall positivity rate for the reporting period was 0.05%, with Western Australia reporting a positivity rate of 0.21% for this reporting period. In all other jurisdictions the positivity rate was ≤ 0.06%.
Clima organizacional y la satisfacción laboral en los empleados de la Empresa Municipal Cuerpo de Bomberos de Ambato - Empresa Pública
Authors: Fabara Geovanna , Jaramillo Carolina , Falcón Rosa
Published: November 2020

El clima organizacional ha sido una temática muy estudiada por distintos académicos como Kurt Lewin (1939) y Alfred Adler (1870-1937), debido a la importancia que éste supone en el desempeño, conducta y comportamiento de los trabajadores de una organización. Los Cuerpos de Bomberos al ser instituciones públicas con un modelo de gestión complejo, resultan ser casos interesantes de estudio al no existir antecedentes investigativos al respecto. La metodología aplicada es descriptiva y correlacional de tipo transversal. Fundamentado en cuerpos de conocimiento sustanciales de autores como Chiang, Martín y Núñez (2010) y una serie de contribuciones académicas que formulan y demuestran la relación entre el clima organizacional y la satisfacción laboral, se plantea la hipótesis de investigación al personal administrativo y operativo de la institución. Los resultados obtenidos mediante la aplicación del Coeficiente de Pearson (0,85; p-valor < 0.05), empleado para medir la correlación de las variables de estudio, determinaron una asociación positiva fuerte y significativa entre el clima organizacional y satisfacción laboral. Las conclusiones derivadas de la investigación infieren que los constructos comunicación interna (Sig. 0.025 < p-valor 0.05) y toma de decisiones (Sig. 0.000 < p-valor 0.05) son factores elementales del clima organizacional a ser considerados por las Unidades Administrativas del Talento Humano como condicionantes de la satisfacción laboral.
New floristic records from Central Europe 6 (reports 81-98)
Authors: Dudáš Matej , Eliáš Pavol , Eliáš jun. Pavol , Górecki Artur , Hrivnák Matúš , Hrivnák Richard , Malovcová-Staníková Miroslava , Marcinčinová Margaréta , Pliszko Artur
Published: November 2020

The presented sixth part of the series includes 18 new chorological records of vascular plants, five from Poland and thirteen from Slovakia. In Poland, the first spontaneous occurrence of Clinopodium nepeta subsp. nepeta outside cultivation is reported from Kraków. Also new localities of Euphorbia maculata, Panicum capillare, Plantago coronopus and Symphyotrichum ciliatum from southern Poland were found. In Slovakia, new records of alien Cardamine occulta, Lindernia dubia, Nigella damascena, Pistia stratiotes (with map of known records), Sagittaria latifolia, Senecio inaequidens, Silybum marianum and Vinca major were done as well as autochthonous Cotoneaster melanocarpus, Herniaria hirsuta, Verbascum speciosum and Xeranthemum annuum.
Hyperglycemia Inhibits Recovery From Disuse-Induced Skeletal Muscle Atrophy in Rats
Authors: KATAOKA H. , NAKANO J. , MORIMOTO Y. , HONDA Y. , SAKAMOTO J. , ORIGUCHI T. , OKITA M. , YOSHIMURA T.
Published: November 2020

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of hyperglycemia on skeletal muscle recovery following disuse-induced muscle atrophy in rats. Wistar rats were grouped as streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats and non-diabetic rats. Both ankle joints of each rat were immobilized to induce atrophy of the gastrocnemius muscles. After two weeks of immobilization and an additional two weeks of recovery, tail blood and gastrocnemius muscles were isolated. Serial cross sections of muscles were stained for myosin ATPase (pH 4.5) and alkaline phosphatase activity. Serum insulin and muscle insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) levels were also measured. Serum insulin levels were significantly reduced in the diabetic rats compared to the non-diabetic controls. The diameters of type I, IIa, and IIb myofibers and capillary-to-myofiber ratio in the isolated muscle tissue were decreased after immobilization in both treatments. During the recovery period, these parameters were restored in the non-diabetic rats, but not in the diabetic rats. In addition, muscle IGF-1 levels after recovery increased significantly in the non-diabetic rats, but not in the diabetic rats. We conclude that decreased levels of insulin and IGF-1 and impairment of angiogenesis associated with diabetes might be partly responsible for the inhibition of regrowth in diabetic muscle.
Decrease in Serum Interleukin-21 Levels Is Associated With Disease Activity Improvement in Patients With Recent-Onset Rheumatoid Arthritis
Authors: SGLUNDA O. , MANN H. F. , HULEJOVÁ H. , PECHA O. , PLEŠTILOVÁ L. , RŮŽIČKOVÁ O. , FOJTÍKOVÁ M. , ŠLÉGLOVÁ O. , FOREJTOVÁ Š. , PAVELKA K. , VENCOVSKÝ J. , ŠENOLT L.
Published: November 2020

Interleukin-21 (IL-21) plays an important role in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The aim of our study was to assess serum levels of IL-21 in patients with recent-onset RA in relation to disease activity and response to treatment. We analyzed serum levels of IL-21 in 51 RA patients, both before and 12 weeks after the initiation of treatment and in 36 healthy individuals. Disease activity was assessed at baseline and at weeks 12 and 24 using the Disease Activity Score for 28 joints, serum levels of C-reactive protein, and the total swollen joint count. We found that IL-21 levels were not increased in patients with recent-onset RA compared with healthy controls, but they had significantly decreased from baseline to week 12 during treatment. Baseline levels of IL-21 significantly correlated with measures of disease activity (p<0.02 for all). Although IL-21 levels did not predict achievement of remission, decrease in IL-21 levels correlated with improvement in disease activity after 12 weeks (p<0.02) and also after 24 weeks (p<0.04) of treatment. Our data suggest that circulating IL-21 levels may serve as a biomarker of disease activity and better outcome in early phase of RA.
Study of Automotive Brands Popularity in Indonesia Using Twitter Data
Authors: Efendi Stevent , Erwin Alva , Eng Kho I
Published: November 2020

Social media has been a widespread phenomenon in the recent years. People shared a lot of thought in social media, and these data posted on the internet could be used for study and researches. As one of the fastest growing social network, Twitter is a particularly popular social media to be studied because it allows researchers to access their data. This research will look the correlation between Twitter chatter of a brand and the sales of brands in Indonesia. Factors such as sentiment and tweet rate are expected to be able to predict the popularity of a brand. Being one of the biggest industries in Indonesia, automotive industry is an interesting subject to study. A wide range of people buys vehicles, and even gather as communities based on their car or motorcycle brand preference. The Twitter results of sentiment analysis and tweet rate will be compared with real world sales results published by GAIKINDO and AISI.
THE EFFECT OF READING INTEREST IN CLASS IV LIBRARY SD NEGERI 7 PARDUGUL LEARNING YEAR 2019/2020
Authors: Tampubolon Lenni , Lumbangaol Rumiris , Simarmata Ester , Silaban Patri Janson
Published: November 2020

Based on the results of data analysis and hypothesis testing and discussion, the following conclusions can be drawn: This study aims to determine the effect of reading interest in the library on learning outcomes in class IV SD Negeri 7 Pardugul in the 2019/2020 Learning Year. The study population was all students totaling 50 students. The sample in this study amounted to 50 students. This research uses a quantitative method of survey type. The method used in this research is quantitative method. Type to test the hypothesis using the hypothesis technique, the hypothesis technique used is the hypothesis t test. The results showed that there was a significant influence between reading interest in the library on the learning outcomes of fourth grade students of SD Negeri 7 Pardugul in the 2019/2020 learning year. This is evident from the value of tcount> ttable, namely 3.204> 1.675. So thus Ho is accepted, that is, there is a significant influence between reading interest in the library and student learning outcomes. From the results of this study it can be concluded that reading interest in the library has an influence on student learning outcomes. Keywords: Influence, Reading Interest, Learning Outcomes
Atherosclerosis: Egy ősi folyamat új értelmezésben
Authors: Reiber István
Published: November 2020

Az atherosclerosis folyamata gyermekkorban kezdôdik és a szervezet haláláig tart. A legtöbb cardiovascularis betegség és halálozás hátterében atheroscleroticus érelváltozások állnak. A folyamat maga több ezer éves, de komplex patofiziológiáját csak mára kezdjük ismerni és érteni. A ma rendelkezésre álló bizonyítékok alapján úgy gondoljuk, hogy az atherosclerosis a nagy és közepes artériák olyan krónikus gyulladásos betegsége, amelyet oxidatív és egyéb módosulást szenvedett lipoproteinek, im­munsejtek és az extracelluláris mátrix subendothelialis felhalmozódása jellemez. A veleszületett és a szerzett immunitás az atherogenesis olyan összetett szabályozó rendszere, amely adott esetben a pro­athe­rogen gyulladásos és az atheroprotectiv gyulladásellenes folyamatokat irányítva fokozza a plakkok progresszióját, vagy éppen stabilizálja azokat. Az atherogenesis folyamatairól nyert egyre bôvülô ismereteinkkel tovább javíthatjuk a cardiovascularis rizikóállapotok meghatározását, és ennek következtében személyre szabottabb terápiás stratégiákat alkalmazhatunk.
Jacobin Allegory in Thelwall's The Rock of Modrec
Authors: Cameron Michael
Published: November 2020

This essay seeks to show that The Rock of Modrec occupies an important place in Thelwall's oeuvre and in the early development of Jacobin ‘seditious allegory’. While scholarship has thus far ignored The Rock of Modrec on account of its apparent juvenilia and ostensible apoliticism, I argue that Thelwall's chivalric romance allegorizes the British spirit as a champion of liberty and universal emancipation, and that it does so for a popular audience. Furthermore, its protagonist serves as a model for Jacobin allegorical reading practices: Sir Eltram begins as a passive receiver of ‘politico-sentimental’ appeals but eventually becomes an active allegorical interpreter, capable of reading into texts the universal truth of democratic liberty for which the British Jacobins strove. The Rock of Modrec thus serves as both an early example of Thelwall's use of ‘seditious allegory’ and a meta-textual commentary on the importance of allegorical reading as Jacobin radical praxis.
Experience of using idarucizumab, specific antagonist of dabigatran, in Russia
Authors: Pecherina T. B. , Larionov M. V. , Khan D. S. , Shpagina L. A. , Pudov E. V. , Barbarash O. L.
Published: November 2020

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common type of arrhythmias in clinical practice. It has been proven that the presence of AF increases the risk of stroke by five times relative to the population of people without AF. One of the important issues in the management of patients with atrial fibrillation is the management of the risk of thromboembolic complications, namely the optimal selection of anticoagulant therapy. Most oral anticoagulants (dabigatran, apixaban, rivaroxaban) are the most effective and safest drug in patients with nonvalvular AF compared to warfarin. However, even with the use of new oral anticoagulants, there is a proven risk of bleeding, which ranges from minor to life-threatening. Currently, there are approved non-specific strategies for reversing and replenishing clotting factors associated with the use of oral anticoagulants, with certain indications in a patient with severe or life-threatening bleeding, emergency surgery, or before thrombolytic therapy. Over the past few years, specific oral anticoagulants antagonists have been actively studied. Of the specific oral anticoagulants antagonists, only idarucizumab has been approved in Russia (registration of the drug in Russia since September 2018), which makes it safer to use dabigatran in real clinical practice. The article presents clinical cases illustrating the effectiveness of the use of a specific antagonist dabigatran etexilate (idarucizumab) in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation. Clinical examples illustrate the difficulties of managing patients with atrial fibrillation and hemorrhagic complications while taking oral anticoagulants.
Drug-induced atrioventricular blockages
Authors: Kulikova M. I. , Ostroumova O. D. , Komarova A. G.
Published: November 2020

Atrio-ventricular (AV) blockages are a serious violation ofthe heart rhythm. One of the reasons for the development ofthis pathology may be taking medications. This effect has asignificant number of drugs used for the treatment of diseasesof the cardiovascular system, central nervous system, generaland local anesthetics, antineoplastic drugs, and many others.The main mechanism for the development of drug-induced AVblockades is the inhibition of AV node conduction. The mostcommon risk factors for the development of drug-inducedAV blockades are taking two and more drugs that have aninhibitory effect on AV conduction, the initial duration of thePQ interval more than 0.2 second, initial dysfunction of the AVnode, increased plasma concentration of a potential inducerdrug due to the presence of kidney and/or liver disease, drugdrug interactions, and specific risk factors for individual drugs.Special attention in solving this problem should be paid to bothstopping the developed AV conduction disorder – medicationor using an electric cardiostimulator, and its prevention. Thisarticle systematizes the literature data on drug-induced AVblockades in order to increase the awareness of practitionersand patients about their prevalence, risk factors, approachesto diagnosis, treatment and prevention.
PENINGKATAN AKTIFITAS DAN PRESTASI BELAJAR SISWA SMA MATEMATIKA MATERI LIMIT MELALUI MODEL TUTOR TEMAN SEBAYA (TTS) VARIASI
Authors: Rosetti Eni
Published: November 2020

IMPROVEMENT OF LEARNING ACTIVITIES AND ACHIEVEMENTS OF SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS ON LESSONS OF LIMIT THROUGH VARIATION PEER-TEACHING MODELSThis research aims to improve Mathematics learning activities and improve mathematics learning achievement of the Limit material through the variation peer-teaching models model for class XI MIPA 3 students in the 2018/2019 academic year. This research was conducted at SMA Negeri 9 Bogor. This research was conducted from January 2019 to June 2019. The subjects in this Classroom Action Research were students of SMA Negeri 9 Bogor in class XI MIPA 3, totaling 35 students consisting of 13 male students and 22 female students. Data collection techniques with written tests and observations. Data analysis using comparative description analysis and qualitative description. The results of this Classroom Action Research are: students' mathematics learning activities in the initial conditions, cycle I and cycle II have increased. The average score of student learning activities in the initial conditions of 2.74 increased to 3.77 in the first cycle and increased to 4.30 in the second cycle, while the mathematics learning achievement of students in the initial conditions, cycle I and cycle II increased. The average value of student achievement in the initial conditions of 39.13 increased to 71.17 in the first cycle and increased to 88.13 in the second cycle. The percentage of students who completed also increased, in the initial condition, students who completed learning were only 17.14%, increasing to 50% in cycle I and increasing to 80% in cycle II. This increase is due to the variation peer-teaching models learning method, all students can be actively involved in learning. Students who are appointed as tutors are active in helping their group members overcome learning difficulties. Students who have difficulty learning actively ask questions and discuss with tutors who are their own friends.
TO THE SUBSTANTIATION OF THE STORAGE BUNKER DESIGN FOR A HIGH-ACCURACY VOLUMETRIC DOSING DEVICE
Authors: Khan Guil Nam , Rusin Evgeny P.
Published: November 2020

The paper substantiates the design of one of the main components of a high-precision volumetric dosing device for bulk materials - its storage hopper. It is determined that hopper structural design should avoid possible hang-ups of the product processed and maintain rather uniform dense packing of the material on its way to the dosing area. The process of bulk material flow in a storage hopper was studied numerically by discrete element method. It is concluded that hopper design should be axially symmetric, with defect-free walls, and expanding at an angle of 2-4° to its base.
ON THE CHANGE OF ELASTIC PARAMETERS OF SOILS IN THE SIDES OF COAL CUTS UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF NATURAL AND CLIMATIC FACTORS
Authors: Yushkin Vladimir F.
Published: November 2020

The article describes the change in the elastic parameters of soils in the sides of a coal mine during the development of mechanical erosion processes in the marginal part of the Quaternary deposits under the influence of natural and climatic factors. According to the records of seismic vibrations on the profile of the ledge, the limits of the seasonal change in the dynamic modulus of elasticity during freezing of the surface layer of wet soil are determined. An increase of almost 3 times the dynamic Young's modulus is established. The presented results confirm the increase in the activity of natural destruction of soils of the edge part of the sides of the coal mine under the influence of seasonal climatic factors.
RESEARCH OF DYNAMICS OF MOVEMENT OF ELECTROMAGNETIC HAMMER BATTLE IN VISCOUS LIQUID
Authors: Kordubaylo Alexey O. , Simonov Boris F. , Shapovalov Alexander A.
Published: November 2020

Many Russian oil fields enter the final stage of development. They implement enhanced oil recovery methods (EOR). Promising EOR include wave effect on the formation by a downhole vibration source based on an electromagnetic hammer. The paper presents the results of a numerical study of the dynamics of striker movement in transformer oil. The dependences of striking speed on oil viscosity, configuration and area of a bypass hole are determined.
Minorities in dictatorship and democracy.
Authors: Samsonov Arseniy
Published: November 2020

How does the level of democracy in a country affect the government’s treatment of ethnic minorities? I find that, on average, when the largest ethnic group in a society exceeds half of the population, ethnic minorities are treated better in autocracies and full democracies than in semi-democratic countries. The intuition is that under autocracy a leader needs little popular support, and therefore a coalition of several minorities can rule. By contrast, in a semi-democracy, the leader needs the support of more people, so a coalition of small ethnic groups is insufficient; the largest group is enough and no other groups are necessary. Finally, highly democratic countries require broad support, and most ethnic groups get benefits. My model is based on the Baron-Ferejohn bargaining game and my empirical tests use the Ethnic Power Relations dataset.
Immunization With Outer Membrane Vesicles Derived From Major Outer Membrane Protein-Deficient Salmonella Typhimurium Mutants for Cross Protection Against Salmonella Enteritidis and Avian Pathogenic Escherichia coli O78 Infection in Chickens
Authors: Chen Yuxuan , Jie Kaiwen , Li Biaoxian , Yu Haiyan , Ruan Huan , Wu Jing , Huang Xiaotian , Liu Qiong
Published: November 2020

Colibacillosis is an economically important infectious disease in poultry, caused by avian pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC). Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis (S. Enteritidis) is a major cause of food-borne diseases in human circulated through poultry-derived products, including meat and chicken eggs. Vaccine control is the mainstream approach for combating these infections, but it is difficult to create a vaccine for the broad-spectrum protection of poultry due to multiple serotypes of these pathogens. Our previous studies have shown that outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) derived from S. enterica serovar Typhimurium mutants with a remodeled outer membrane could induce cross-protection against heteroserotypic Salmonella infection. Therefore, in this study, we further evaluated the potential of broad-spectrum vaccines based on major outer membrane protein (OMP)-deficient OMVs, including ΔompA, ΔompC, and ΔompD, and determined the protection effectiveness of these candidate vaccines in murine and chicken infection models. The results showed that ΔompA led to an increase in the production of OMVs. Notably, ΔompAΔompCΔompD OMVs showed significantly better cross-protection against S. enterica serovar Choleraesuis, S. Enteritidis, APEC O78, and Shigella flexneri 2a than did other omp-deficient OMVs, with the exception of ΔompA OMVs. Subsequently, we verified the results in the chicken model, in which ΔompAΔompCΔompD OMVs elicited significant cross-protection against S. Enteritidis and APEC O78 infections. These findings further confirmed the feasibility of improving the immunogenicity of OMVs by remodeling the outer membrane and provide a new perspective for the development of broad-spectrum vaccines based on OMVs.
Utilization of Natural History Information in Evidence based Herpetoculture: A Proposed Protocol and Case Study with Hydrodynastes gigas (False Water Cobra)
Authors: Loughman Zachary J.
Published: November 2020

Herpetocultural practices are based on norms driven by economy of space and time for keepers, with little scientific inference backing their practice. In recent years, a subset of herpetoculturalists have promoted evidence-based husbandry that relies on science and experimental design to generate husbandry practice. A theoretical framework and protocol are proposed herein that enables any individual who has access to the internet the ability to use various outlets of natural history information (scientific literature databases, social media sources, and weather websites) and previously published husbandry reports as evidence to drive the creation of novel herpetocultural practice. A case study is provided which compares readily available information on the care of Hydrodynastes gigas (false water cobra), such as online care sheets for the species, with the proposed evidence based herpetocultural protocol founded on natural history information and published care and captive breeding reports. Results were assessed for protocol efficacy and determined that the natural history informed evidence-based approach increased animal welfare and generated new information specific to the natural history of H. gigas.
“None of Them Could Say They Ever Had Seen Them, but Only Had It from Others”: Encounters with Animals in Eighteenth-Century Natural Histories of Greenland
Authors: Parish Helen
Published: November 2020

The pages of early modern natural histories expose the plasticity of the natural world, and the variegated nature of the encounter between human and animal in this period. Descriptions of the flora and fauna reflect this kind of negotiated encounter between the world that is seen, that which is heard about, and that which is constructed from the language of the sacred text of scripture. The natural histories of Greenland that form the basis of this analysis exemplify the complexity of human–animal encounters in this period, and the intersections that existed between natural and unnatural, written authority and personal testimony, and culture, belief, and ethnography in natural histories. They invite a more nuanced understanding of the ways in which animals and people interact in the making of culture, and demonstrate the contribution made by such texts to the study of animal encounters, cultures, and concepts. This article explores the intersection between natural history and the work of Christian mission in the eighteenth century, and the connections between personal encounter, ethnography, history, and oral and written tradition. The analysis demonstrates that European natural histories continued to be anthropocentric in content and tone, the product of what was believed, as much as what was seen.
Utilizing Camera Traps, Closed Circuit Cameras and Behavior Observation Software to Monitor Activity Budgets, Habitat Use, and Social Interactions of Zoo-Housed Asian Elephants (Elephas maximus)
Authors: Fazio Jilian M. , Barthel Tony , Freeman Elizabeth W. , Garlick-Ott Kay , Scholle Anne , Brown Janine L.
Published: November 2020

Accredited zoos and aquariums value superior animal husbandry and strive to ensure that the physical, psychological, and social needs of animals are met. In North America, the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) relies on species-specific standards to ensure facilities provide the best care for collection animals. The AZA also makes explicit recommendations for long-term monitoring of welfare. Data collected through behavioral observations can be used to modify management as animals respond over time to social, environmental, or physical changes. In long-lived, social species like elephants, it is particularly important to document herd dynamics, calf development, geriatric health, and social bonds throughout their lifetimes. The Smithsonian’s National Zoological Park housed one male and six female Asian elephants in dynamic social groupings. Behavioral observations were conducted on all elephants for two years using two methods involving ZooMonitor, closed circuit cameras, and camera traps. The goal was to compare how these two methods function to provide individual activity budgets, habitat use, and social interactions. Methodologies such as these, alone or in combination, have the potential to produce valuable data about potential changes in welfare over time in a zoological setting and can be performed either by staff or volunteers with high reliability.
In Vitro Comparison of Surgical Implant Placement Accuracy Using Guides Fabricated by Three Different Additive Technologies
Authors: Anunmana Chuchai , Ueawitthayasuporn Chananchida , Kiattavorncharoen Sirichai , Thanasrisuebwong Prakan
Published: November 2020

Various three-dimensional (3D) printing technologies are commercially available on the market, but the influence of different technologies on the accuracy of implant-guided surgery is unclear. Thus, three printing technologies: Stereolithographic (SLA), Digital light processing (DLP), and Polyjet were evaluated in this study. An entire 30 polyurethane models replicated the clinical situation. Ten surgical guides were printed by SLA, DLP, and PolyJet. Then, implant-guided surgery was performed, and their accuracy outcomes were measured concerning angular deviation, 3D deviation at the entry point, and apex. On top of that, the total processing time was also compared. For the angular deviation, the mean deviation was not statistically significant among all technologies. For the 3D deviation, PolyJet was statistically more accurate than DLP (p = 0.002) and SLA (p = 0.017) at the entry point. PolyJet was also statistically more accurate than DLP (p = 0.007) in regards to 3D deviation at the apex. Within the limitation of this study, the deviations from the experiment showed that PolyJet had the best outcome regarding the 3D deviations at the entry point and at the apex, meanwhile, the DLP printer had the shortest processing time.
An Investigation of Structure-Activity Relationships of Azolylacryloyl Derivatives Yielded Potent and Long-Acting Hemoglobin Modulators for Reversing Erythrocyte Sickling
Authors: Omar Abdelsattar M. , Abdulmalik Osheiza , Ghatge Mohini S. , Muhammad Yosra A. , Paredes Steven D. , El-Araby Moustafa E. , Safo Martin K.
Published: November 2020

Aromatic aldehydes that bind to sickle hemoglobin (HbS) to increase the protein oxygen affinity and/or directly inhibit HbS polymer formation to prevent the pathological hypoxia-induced HbS polymerization and the subsequent erythrocyte sickling have for several years been studied for the treatment of sickle cell disease (SCD). With the exception of Voxelotor, which was recently approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat the disease, several other promising antisickling aromatic aldehydes have not fared well in the clinic because of metabolic instability of the aldehyde moiety, which is critical for the pharmacologic activity of these compounds. Over the years, our group has rationally developed analogs of aromatic aldehydes that incorporate a stable Michael addition reactive center that we hypothesized would form covalent interactions with Hb to increase the protein affinity for oxygen and prevent erythrocyte sickling. Although, these compounds have proven to be metabolically stable, unfortunately they showed weak to no antisickling activity. In this study, through additional targeted modifications of our lead Michael addition compounds, we have discovered other novel antisickling agents. These compounds, designated MMA, bind to the α-globin and/or β-globin to increase Hb affinity for oxygen and concomitantly inhibit erythrocyte sickling with significantly enhanced and sustained pharmacologic activities in vitro.
Antitumour Activity of the Ribonuclease Binase from Bacillus pumilus in the RLS40 Tumour Model Is Associated with the Reorganisation of the miRNA Network and Reversion of Cancer-Related Cascades to Normal Functioning
Authors: Mohamed Islam Saber Ead , Sen’kova Aleksandra V. , Nadyrova Alsu I. , Savin Innokenty A. , Markov Andrey V. , Mitkevich Vladimir A. , Makarov Aleksander A. , Ilinskaya Olga N. , Mironova Nadezhda L. , Zenkova Marina A.
Published: November 2020

The important role of miRNA in cell proliferation and differentiation has raised interest in exogenous ribonucleases (RNases) as tools to control tumour-associated intracellular and extracellular miRNAs. In this work, we evaluated the effects of the RNase binase from Bacillus pumilus on small non-coding regulatory RNAs in the context of mouse RLS40 lymphosarcoma inhibition. In vitro binase exhibited cytotoxicity towards RLS40 cells via apoptosis induction through caspase-3/caspase-7 activation and decreased the levels of miR-21a, let-7g, miR-31 and miR-155. Intraperitoneal injections of binase in RLS40-bearing mice resulted in the retardation of primary tumour growth by up to 60% and inhibition of metastasis in the liver by up to 86%, with a decrease in reactive inflammatory infiltration and mitosis in tumour tissue. In the blood serum of binase-treated mice, decreases in the levels of most studied miRNAs were observed, excluding let-7g, while in tumour tissue, the levels of oncomirs miR-21, miR-10b, miR-31 and miR-155, and the oncosuppressor let-7g, were upregulated. Analysis of binase-susceptible miRNAs and their regulatory networks showed that the main modulated events were transcription and translation control, the cell cycle, cell proliferation, adhesion and invasion, apoptosis and autophagy, as well as some other tumour-related cascades, with an impact on the observed antitumour effects.
Chatting While Walking Does Not Interfere with Topographical Working Memory
Authors: Piccardi Laura , Bocchi Alessia , Palmiero Massimiliano , Boccia Maddalena , D’Amico Simonetta , Nori Raffaella
Published: November 2020

In the present study, we employed the dual task technique to explore the role of language in topographical working memory when landmarks are present along the path. We performed three experiments to mainly test the effects of language but also motor, spatial motor and spatial environment interferences on topographical working memory. We aimed to clarify both the role of language in navigational working memory per se and the extent to which spatial language interferes with the main task more than the other types of interference. Specifically, in the three experiments we investigated the differences due to different verbal interference sources (i.e., articulatory suppression of nonsense syllables; right and left, up and bottom; and north, south, east and west). The main hypothesis was that the use of spatial language affected more landmark-based topographical working memory than both the verbalization of nonsense syllables and other types of interference. Results show no effect of spatial language, only spatial environmental interference affected the navigational working memory performance. In general, this might depend on the scarce role of spatial language in online navigational working memory tasks. Specifically, language is more important for learning and retrieval of the cognitive map. Implications and future research directions are discussed.
Do the Bugs in Your Gut Eat Your Memories? Relationship between Gut Microbiota and Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Borsom Emily M. , Lee Keehoon , Cope Emily K.
Published: November 2020

The human microbiota is composed of trillions of microbial cells inhabiting the oral cavity, skin, gastrointestinal (GI) tract, airways, and reproductive organs. The gut microbiota is composed of dynamic communities of microorganisms that communicate bidirectionally with the brain via cytokines, neurotransmitters, hormones, and secondary metabolites, known as the gut microbiota–brain axis. The gut microbiota–brain axis is suspected to be involved in the development of neurological diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease (AD), Parkinson’s disease, and Autism Spectrum Disorder. AD is an irreversible, neurodegenerative disease of the central nervous system (CNS), characterized by amyloid-β plaques, neurofibrillary tangles, and neuroinflammation. Microglia and astrocytes, the resident immune cells of the CNS, play an integral role in AD development, as neuroinflammation is a driving factor of disease severity. The gut microbiota–brain axis is a novel target for Alzheimer’s disease therapeutics to modulate critical neuroimmune and metabolic pathways. Potential therapeutics include probiotics, prebiotics, fecal microbiota transplantation, and dietary intervention. This review summarizes our current understanding of the role of the gut microbiota–brain axis and neuroinflammation in the onset and development of Alzheimer’s disease, limitations of current research, and potential for gut microbiota–brain axis targeted therapies.
Short-Interval Intracortical Facilitation Improves Efficacy in nTMS Motor Mapping of Lower Extremity Muscle Representations in Patients with Supra-Tentorial Brain Tumors
Authors: Zhang Haosu , Julkunen Petro , Schröder Axel , Kelm Anna , Ille Sebastian , Zimmer Claus , Pitkänen Minna , Meyer Bernhard , Krieg Sandro M. , Sollmann Nico
Published: November 2020

Navigated transcranial magnetic stimulation (nTMS) is increasingly used for mapping of motor function prior to surgery in patients harboring motor-eloquent brain lesions. To date, single-pulse nTMS (sp-nTMS) has been predominantly used for this purpose, but novel paired-pulse nTMS (pp-nTMS) with biphasic pulse application has been made available recently. The purpose of this study was to systematically evaluate pp-nTMS with biphasic pulses in comparison to conventionally used sp-nTMS for preoperative motor mapping of lower extremity (lE) muscle representations. Thirty-nine patients (mean age: 56.3 ± 13.5 years, 69.2% males) harboring motor-eloquent brain lesions of different entity underwent motor mapping of lE muscle representations in lesion-affected hemispheres and nTMS-based tractography of the corticospinal tract (CST) using data from sp-nTMS and pp-nTMS with biphasic pulses, respectively. Compared to sp-nTMS, pp-nTMS enabled motor mapping with lower stimulation intensities (61.8 ± 13.8% versus 50.7 ± 11.6% of maximum stimulator output, p < 0.0001), and it provided reliable motor maps even in the most demanding cases where sp-nTMS failed (pp-nTMS was able to provide a motor map in five patients in whom sp-nTMS did not provide any motor-positive points, and pp-nTMS was the only modality to provide a motor map in one patient who also did not show motor-positive points during intraoperative stimulation). Fiber volumes of the tracked CST were slightly higher when motor maps of pp-nTMS were used, and CST tracking using pp-nTMS data was also possible in the five patients in whom sp-nTMS failed. In conclusion, application of pp-nTMS with biphasic pulses enables preoperative motor mapping of lE muscle representations even in the most challenging patients in whom the motor system is at high risk due to lesion location or resection.
Role of SOX Protein Groups F and H in Lung Cancer Progression
Authors: Olbromski Mateusz , Podhorska-Okołów Marzenna , Dzięgiel Piotr
Published: November 2020

The SOX family proteins are proved to play a crucial role in the development of the lymphatic ducts and the cardiovascular system. Moreover, an increased expression level of the SOX18 protein has been found in many malignances, such as melanoma, stomach, pancreatic breast and lung cancers. Another SOX family protein, the SOX30 transcription factor, is responsible for the development of male germ cells. Additionally, recent studies have shown its proapoptotic character in non-small cell lung cancer cells. Our preliminary studies showed a disparity in the amount of mRNA of the SOX18 gene relative to the amount of protein. This is why our attention has been focused on microRNA (miRNA) molecules, which could regulate the SOX18 gene transcript level. Recent data point to the fact that, in practically all types of cancer, hundreds of genes exhibit an abnormal methylation, covering around 5–10% of the thousands of CpG islands present in the promoter sequences, which in normal cells should not be methylated from the moment the embryo finishes its development. It has been demonstrated that in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cases there is a large heterogeneity of the methylation process. The role of the SOX18 and SOX30 expression in non-small-cell lung cancers (NSCLCs) is not yet fully understood. However, if we take into account previous reports, these proteins may be important factors in the development and progression of these malignancies.
Succinate Dehydrogenase and Ribonucleic Acid Networks in Cancer and Other Diseases
Authors: Moreno Cerena , Santos Ruben Mercado , Burns Robert , Zhang Wen Cai
Published: November 2020

Succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) complex connects both the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle and the electron transport chain (ETC) in the mitochondria. However, SDH mutation or dysfunction-induced succinate accumulation results in multiple cancers and non-cancer diseases. The mechanistic studies show that succinate activates hypoxia response and other signal pathways via binding to 2-oxoglutarate-dependent oxygenases and succinate receptors. Recently, the increasing knowledge of ribonucleic acid (RNA) networks, including non-coding RNAs, RNA editors, and RNA modifiers has expanded our understanding of the interplay between SDH and RNA networks in cancer and other diseases. Here, we summarize recent discoveries in the RNA networks and their connections to SDH. Additionally, we discuss current therapeutics targeting SDH in both pre-clinical and clinical trials. Thus, we propose a new model of SDH–RNA network interaction and bring promising RNA therapeutics against SDH-relevant cancer and other diseases.
Current Concepts in Multi-Modality Imaging of Solid Tumor Angiogenesis
Authors: Soliman Moataz A. , Guccione Jeffrey , Reiter Anna M. , Moawad Ahmed W. , Etchison Ashley , Kamel Serageldin , Khatchikian Aline D. , Elsayes Khaled M.
Published: November 2020

There have been rapid advancements in cancer treatment in recent years, including targeted molecular therapy and the emergence of anti-angiogenic agents, which necessitate the need to quickly and accurately assess treatment response. The ideal tool is robust and non-invasive so that the treatment can be rapidly adjusted or discontinued based on efficacy. Since targeted therapies primarily affect tumor angiogenesis, morphological assessment based on tumor size alone may be insufficient, and other imaging modalities and features may be more helpful in assessing response. This review aims to discuss the biological principles of tumor angiogenesis and the multi-modality imaging evaluation of anti-angiogenic therapeutic responses.
Effect of Temperature on the Hydrotreatment of Sewage Sludge-Derived Pyrolysis Oil and Behavior of Ni-Based Catalyst
Authors: Alekseeva (Bykova) Maria V. , Bulavchenko Olga A. , Saraev Andrey A. , Kremneva Anna M. , Shashkov Mikhail V. , Zaikina Olesya O. , Gulyaeva Yuliya K. , Grachev Andrey N. , Kikhtyanin Oleg , Kubička David , Yakovlev Vadim A.
Published: November 2020

The high-energy potential of wastewater sewage sludge (SS) produced in large amounts around the world makes it an attractive feedstock for fuels and energy sectors. Thermochemical valorization relying on pyrolysis of SS followed by hydrotreatment of pyrolysis oil (Py-SS) might even allow the integration of SS into existing oil refineries. In the present study, catalytic hydrotreatment of Py-SS was performed over a NiCuMo-P-SiO2 catalyst in a batch reactor at temperatures in the range of 200–390 °C. Due to sulfur presence in the feed, the increasing reaction temperature induced in situ transformation of metallic Ni into Ni3S2 in the catalyst. In contrast, the Ni3P active phase possessed remarkable stability even at the harshest reaction conditions. The oxygen content in the reaction products was decreased by 59%, while up to 52% of N and 89% of S were removed at 390 °C. The content of free fatty acids was greatly reduced by their conversion to n-alkanes, while the larger amount of volatile aromatics was generated from high molecular mass compounds. The quality of oil-derived products greatly changed at elevated temperatures, providing strong evidence of effective upgrading via decarboxy(ny)lation, hydrogenation, and hydrocracking transformations.
Enhanced Electrocatalytic Activity of Stainless Steel Substrate by Nickel Sulfides for Efficient Hydrogen Evolution
Authors: Youn Jong-Sang , Jeong Sangmin , Oh Inhwan , Park Sunyoung , Mai Hien Duy , Jeon Ki-Joon
Published: November 2020

Water splitting is one of the efficient ways to produce hydrogen with zero carbon dioxide emission. Thus far, Pt has been regarded as a highly reactive catalyst for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER); however, the high cost and rarity of Pt significantly hinder its commercial use. Herein, we successfully developed an HER catalyst composed of NiSx (x = 1 or 2) on stainless steel (NiSx/SUS) using electrodeposition and sulfurization techniques. Notably, the electrochemical active surface area(ECSA) of NiSx/SUS was improved more than two orders of magnitude, resulting in a considerable improvement in the electrochemical charge transfer and HER activity in comparison with stainless steel (SUS). The long-term HER examination by linear scan voltammetry (LSV) confirmed that NiSx/SUS was stable up to 2000 cycles.