bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
RESEARCH OF CHARACTERISTICS OF DURABILITY OF THE ALLOY OF Co–Cr–Ni–W–Ta SYSTEM, OBTAINED BY SLM
Authors:   Federal State Unitary Enterprise «All-Russian Scientific-Research Institute of Aviation Materials» of National Research Center «Kurchatov Institute», Gorbovets M.A. , Golynets S.A. ,   Federal State Unitary Enterprise «All-Russian Scientific-Research Institute of Aviation Materials» of National Research Center «Kurchatov Institute», Sukhov D.I. ,   Federal State Unitary Enterprise «All-Russian Scientific-Research Institute of Aviation Materials» of National Research Center «Kurchatov Institute», Monin S.A. ,   Federal State Unitary Enterprise «All-Russian Scientific-Research Institute of Aviation Materials» of National Research Center «Kurchatov Institute»
Published: March 2022

Additive manufacturing is increasingly used in the aviation industry. Its main feature is the manufacture of parts of complex external and internal geometric shapes without increasing the cost of their production. To calculate the resource of nodes and reliable operation of new equipment, it is necessary to have a set of calculated values of characteristics of structural strength, including the characteristics of tensile, creep rupture and high-cycle fatigue (HCF). The study of characteristics of tensile, creep rupture and HCF of the Co–Cr–Ni–W–Ta alloy obtained by the method of selective laser melting (SLM) is presented in this paper.
FEATURES OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF TECHNOLOGIES FOR THE MANUFACTURE AND REMOVAL OF CERAMIC CORES BASED ON FUSED QUARTZ FOR CASTING TURBINE BLADES FROM SUPERALLOYS
Authors:   Federal State Unitary Enterprise «All-Russian Scientific-Research Institute of Aviation Materials» of National Research Center «Kurchatov Institute», Rassokhina L.I. , Bityutskaya O.N. ,   Federal State Unitary Enterprise «All-Russian Scientific-Research Institute of Aviation Materials» of National Research Center «Kurchatov Institute», Gamazina M.V. ,   Federal State Unitary Enterprise «All-Russian Scientific-Research Institute of Aviation Materials» of National Research Center «Kurchatov Institute», Avdeev V.V. ,   Federal State Unitary Enterprise «All-Russian Scientific-Research Institute of Aviation Materials» of National Research Center «Kurchatov Institute»
Published: March 2022

Technological parameters of removal of ceramic cores based on fused quartz from the inner cavity of turbine blade castings are selected and investigated. The results of studies of technological parameters of removal of ceramic cores based on fused quartz are presented, according to the results of which optimal technological parameters are selected and a technology for removing ceramic rods from fused quartz from the inner cavity of turbine blade castings is developed.
Dynamique du carbone organique du sol et de l’azote dans une chronoséquence de plantation de Acacia auriculiformis A. Cunn. ex Benth. (Fabaceae), à Bambou-Mingali (République du Congo)
Authors: François Mankessi , Merveillia Gilfarde Malonga Kiantouba , Suspense Averti Ifo
Published: March 2022

Dans le contexte international de réchauffement global, plusieurs initiatives sont prises par les pays, les organismes internationaux pour apporter une réponse appropriée qui permettrait de limiter la hausse de la température à 1,5° C, comme le recommande le rapport 1,5° du GIEC. La République du Congo est un pays fortement engagé dans les questions de lutte contre les changements climatiques à travers la gestion durable de ses forêts, la mise en place des plantations domaniales et industrielles, à base d’espèces endogènes et exotiques à croissance rapide dont de Acacia auriculiformis A. Cunn. ex Benth. Pour évaluer l’impact des plantations de Acacia auriculiformis A. Cunn. ex Benth sur la restitution du carbone et de l’azote au sol, une étude portant sur la dynamique du carbone et de l’azote organique du sol dans les plantations de la réserve foncière de Bambou-Mingali a été réalisée. Des échantillons de sol ont été prélevés sur les horizons 0-15 cm et 15-30 cm, d’une chronoséquence de 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, et 8 ans de celles-ci ainsi que sur une savane pure, conformément aux directives du GIEC qui encouragent de collecter les échantillons sol entre 0 et 30 cm de profondeur. L’objectif général de ce travail a été d’évaluer le stock de carbone organique du sol sur une chronoséquence de sept âges de plantations de Acacia auriculiformis A. Cunn. ex Benth.
Status sołectwa z perspektywy atrybutów związku samorządowego
Authors: Lisowski Piotr , Ostapski Adam
Published: March 2022

Sołectwo jest podmiotem administracji publicznej, który — pomimo braku w aktualnym stanie prawnym możliwości pełnego odwzorowania statusu jednostki samorządu terytorialnego — zasługuje na kwalifikację w randze związku samorządowego (a przy okazji — związku publicznoprawnego). Wykazanie takiego statusu w tym przypadku wymaga elastycznego podejścia do konstrukcji związku samorządowego, z koniecznością wykazania posiadania niezbędnego minimum atrybutów z zakresu korporacyjności i samorządności.
Increasing Accessibility to Academic Support in Higher Education for Diverse Student Cohorts
Authors: Bornschlegl Madeleine , Caltabiano Nerina Jane
Published: March 2022

Academic support at Australian universities has become an important aspect of higher education, as student cohorts continue to diversify, and universities need to ensure the students’ success and the institutions’ reputations. Often, students in need do not access academic support services and little is known about what influences students’ decisions to seek academic support. This small-scale qualitative study aims to clarify why students (do not) engage in support and what could be changed to make services more accessible and engaging. Semi-structured interviews revealed that the promotion of services needs to be improved and public stigma about seeking academic help should be addressed to normalise accessing academic support services at university. A high standard of ease of use and the opportunity to participate in support in various modes (e.g. online, face-to-face, peer learning, individual learning) contribute to the helpfulness and the overall positive perception of academic support services.
New Report on The Occurrence of Gregarine Parasites in Wild Species of Macrobrachium rosenbergii from Setiu Lagoon, Terengganu, Malaysia
Authors: Zakariah Mohd Ihwan , Daud Hassan Haji Mohd , Abdullah Mhd. Ikhwanuddin , Wahab Wahidah , Abdullah Farizan , Mohammed Yusoff Nor Asma Husna , Draman Ahmad Shuhaimi , Hassan Marina
Published: March 2022

Highlight ResearchThis is the first report of the occurrence of gregarine species in Peninsular Malaysia.The information of these findings will lead to the identification of species using genetic analysis.This information can help to solve the cultured problem of the Macrobrachium rosenbergii industry worldwide. AbstarctStudies on the parasite of prawn are likely to be important due to the commercial value of the prawn. Investigation study about gregarine parasites of M. rosenbergii in Malaysia is still lacking. Objective of this study is to determine the occurrence of gregarine parasites in shrimp, M. rosenbergii from Setiu Lagoon, Terengganu. The study was done specifically to observe the prevalence and the mean intensity of the parasites which include the morphological prevalence and parasitological study. Prevalence of the parasites in this study is 42.4% with 95% Cumulative Index (CI) 25.6% to 59.3% and value of Odd Ratio (OR) is 0.74 (CI = 0.29 to 1.88). Two structures of the gregarine which is gamont and syzygy found in this study are closely related to morphology characteristic of gregarine in the previous report.
The Sustainability of Saltworks Integration in Pati Regency, Central Java
Authors: Sriwati Sriwati , Bambang Aziz Nur , Hutabarat Johannes , Mile Haeruddin Daeng , Agustini Tri Winarni
Published: March 2022

Highlight ResearchThe rainfall intensity can affect the phenomenon of salt farmers, so farmers must have adaptation strategiesSalt Business Group (SBG) is a group of people who have saltworks activities with a minimum number of administratorsThe profit sharing system between the owners and the farmers (called pemadak) is an important factor affecting the income of salt farmersThe function of the kite diagram is to position the value of the sustainability status from the ecological, technological, economic, social and institutional (etesi) aspectsAbstractSaltworks integration is one of the government's efforts as a breakthrough in saltworks technology innovation. Saltworks integration in Pati Regency has been conducted for 4 (four) years starting from 2017 to 2020. The aim of this research was to analyze the sustainability of saltworks integration in terms of ecological, technological, economic, social, and institutional (ETESI) aspects. The research was conducted for 9 (nine) months from March to November 2020. The research locations for saltworks integration were in Raci Village - Batangan Subdistrict, Genengmulyo Village - Juwana Subdistrict, Tluwuk Village - Wedarijaksa Subdistrict, and Kertomulyo Village - Trangkil Subdistrict. Sustainability analysis was performed using Rapfish method. Through the R software, the anchor was created automatically so that users only need to input data through Microsoft Excel, then the Rapfish analysis was carried out automatically by the R software. The results of the sustainability index analysis of saltworks integration in the ecological aspects of Raci Village, Batangan Subdistrict showed a sustainable index value. Genengmulyo Village - Juwana Subdistrict, Tluwuk Village - Wedarijaksa Subdistrict, and Kertomulyo Village - Trangkil Subdistrict had an opportunity of attaining sufficiently sustainable status by considering indicators that affect its sustainability. Technological, economic, social and institutional aspects in all villages, where saltworks integration was located, showed a sufficiently sustainable status.
Recent progress of sulfide electrolytes for all-solid-state lithium batteries
Authors: Su Han , Jiang Zhao , Liu Yu , Li Jingru , Gu Changdong , Wang Xiuli , Xia Xinhui , Tu Jiangping
Published: March 2022

Solid electrolytes are recognized as being pivotal to next-generation energy storage technologies. Sulfide electrolytes with high ionic conductivity represent some of the most promising materials to realize high-energy-density all-solid-state lithium batteries. Due to their soft nature, sulfides possess good wettability against Li metal and their preparation process is relatively effortless. High cell-level sulfide-based all-solid-state lithium batteries have gradually been realized in recent years. However, there are still several disadvantages that sulfide electrolytes need to overcome, including their sensitivity to humid air and instability to electrodes. Herein, the recent progress for sulfide electrolytes, with particular attention given to electrolyte synthesis mechanisms, electrochemical and chemical stability, interphase stabilization and all-solid-state lithium batteries with high cell-level energy density, is presented.
Pengaruh Media Pertumbuhan dan pH Terhadap Aktivitas Biosurfaktan dari Bakteri Serratia marcescens strain MBC 1 pada Minyak Jelantah
Authors:   Universitas Lampung, Damayanti Berliana , Sumardi Sumardi , Arifiyanto Achmad , Handayani Kusuma , Kanedi M. , Handerlin Putri Meishy , Lukyta Ratih Riyanto Cindy
Published: March 2022

Campuran minyak dan bahan kimia pada surfaktan yang dibuang langsung ke lingkungan akan mengakibatkan penurunan kesuburan tanah sertamenghambat proses degradasi oleh mikroorganisme. Oleh karena itu dibutuhkan senyawa alami yang mampu mampu meningkatkan kelarutan minyak jelantah dalam air seperti biosurfaktan. Salah satu bakteri penghasil biosurfaktan yaitu Serratia marcescens. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui aktivitas biosurfaktan bakteri dari Serratia marcescens strain MBC 1 yang ditumbuhkan di media fermentasi tryptone water, limbah cair jagung dan limbah cair singkong dengan pH 6,7 dan 8. Uji yang dilakukan diantaranya uji emulsifikasi, oil displacement dan drop collapse. Hasil penelitian menunjukan biosurfaktan Serratia marcescens strain MBC 1 mampu meningkatkan kelarutan minyak jelantah dalam air. Hasil produksi pada media limbah jagung dengan pH 7 menunjukan aktivitas emulsifikasi paling optimum yaitu sebesar 49,26%.
Akurasi dan Presisi Metode Sekunder Pengukuran Konduktivitas Menggunakan Sel Jones Tipe E untuk Pemantauan Kualitas Air Minum
Authors:   BSN, Hindayani Ayu , Hamim Nuryatini
Published: March 2022

Konduktivitas menjadi salah satu parameter yang digunakan dalam pemantauan kualitas air minum dan berfungsi sebagai indikator keberadaan polutan dalam air. Nilai konduktivitas yang tinggi pada air minum menunjukkan banyaknya padatan atau logam terlarut yang berbahaya bagi kesehatan. Hasil pengukuran konduktivitas yang salah akan mempengaruhi proses pengambilan keputusan yang secara langsung berdampak pada kesehatan manusia serta lingkungan. Hasil pengukuran konduktivitas yang akurat dan presisi dapat diperoleh dengan mengkalibrasi konduktometer menggunakan larutan standar yang tertelusur. Pengembangan pembuatan larutan standar konduktivitas di Indonesia untuk pemantauan kualitas air minum telah dimulai oleh Laboratorium Elektrokimia, SNSU – BSN sebagai lembaga metrologi nasional. Metode yang digunakan yaitu metode sekunder pengukuran konduktivitas menggunakan Sel Jones tipe E. Metode ini tertelusur ke Sistem Satuan Internasional melalui larutan standar primer CRM1811 dari DFM, Denmark. Sel Jones tipe E merupakan tabung gelas berisi dua lingkaran elektroda platina berdiameter 20 mm dengan jarak antara dua elektroda sebesar 20 mm yang dapat digunakan pada rentang pengukuran konduktivitas 100 µS/cm – 1 mS/cm. Akurasi dan presisi metode ini telah diperiksa terlebih dahulu menggunakan larutan standar sekunder ZMK-CRM-EC-147 sebelum digunakan pada pengukuran nilai konduktivitas larutan standar yang dibuat. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan metode sekunder menggunakan Sel Jones tipe E memiliki akurasi dan presisi yang baik dengan nilai bias 0,1 µS/cm dan RSD 0,04%.
Verifikasi Metode Uji COD secara Spektrofotometri UV-Vis untuk Low Concentration dan High Concentration
Authors:   Universitas Islam Indonesia, Ramadhan Iqbal , Rohyami Yuli , Ahdiaty Rahmi
Published: March 2022

Telah dilakukan verifikasi metode uji chemical oxygen demand (COD) dengan metode spektrometri UV-Vis secara refluks tertutup. Verifikasi metode ini dilakukan untuk mengkonfirmasi metode SNI 6989.2:2019 untuk nilai COD low concentration dan high concentration. Parameter verifikasi metode meliputi penentuan lineritas, method detection limit, limit of quantification, presisi, dan akurasi. Berdasarkan hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa metode penentuan COD untuk low concentration dan high concentration memiliki lineritas yang telah memenuhi persyaratan keberterimaan dalam standar dengan koefisien korelasi masing-masing -0,9985 dan 0,9993. Metode ini memiliki sensitivitas yang tinggi dengan nilai MDL pada low concentration dan high concentration masing-masing 2,05 dan 53,57 mg/L dan LOQ 6,53 dan 170,43 mg/L. Nilai MDL untuk low concentration telah memenuhi persyaratan keberterimaan dengan nilai % RSD 10,41%, % Recovery sebesar 99,20 %, nilai signal to noise sebesar 9,60 dan nilai 10% spike sebesar 0,63. Nilai MDL pada high concentration juga memenuhi persyaratan keberterimaan dengan nilai % RSD 10,52%, % Recovery 100,20 %, nilai signal to noise sebesar 9,50 dan nilai 10% spike sebesar 16,20. Pengujian COD pada low concentration dan high concentration memiliki presisi yang tinggi dengan % RSD masing-masing 3,70 dan 4,34 % yang berada di bawah nilai CV Horwitz. Hasil uji varian dengan selang kepercayaan 95% menunjukkan bahwa kedua metode ini memiliki presisi pengukuran yang tidak berbeda secara signifikan. Kedua metode ini juga memiliki akurasi yang tinggi dengan % Recovery masing-masing 101,02 dan 101,98%. Hasil uji rerata dengan selang kepercayaan 95% juga menunjukkan bahwa kedua metode ini memiliki akurasi yang tidak berbeda secara signifikan.
Financial policy of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences as a factor of successful publication of scientific journals (2001–2010)
Authors: Panchenko A. M.
Published: March 2022

The article is the first to consider the problem of financing publication of scientific journals in the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences (SB RAS) in 2001–2010. The purpose of the study is to analyze the financial policy of SB RAS as a factor determining publication of scientific journals in the Siberian Branch.The tasks are to compile a list of journals published at the expense of SB RAS, to identify other sources of their financing and to analyze normative-legislative acts of the Presidium of SB RAS on the questions of sharing finances for publishing scientific periodicals. The source base of the study consists of archival documents, regulatory legal acts of the Presidium of SB RAS, and also looked through de visu by the author all published at the expense of SB RAS scientific journals and the newspaper “Science in Siberia”.The data revealed make it possible to identify the basic sources of financing scientific journals in SB RAS: 1) purposeful funding the publication of scientific journals in SB RAS; 2) means from the institutes – founders of scientific journals; 3) subscription for journals; 4) income from cooperation with the International Academic Publishing Company “Science”; 5) grants, funds; 6) sponsorship; 7) financial support of the Federal Targeted Programs.The article makes more exact the amount of funding for scientific journals depending on their circulation. The data obtained specify and supplement the picture of publishing scientific journals in the region and the country as a whole. The experience gained in ensuring the financing of publishing scientific journals in SB RAS presented in this work can be useful even today when solving such issues.
Software Failure Analysis and Mitigation Techniques: Featuring Complexity, Safety, Quality and Resilience
Authors: Prakash Bhanu
Published: March 2022

Studies have found critical software malfunctions responsible for some of the worst accidents in recent times. These malfunctions are often only minor defects that snowball into large problems; a few lines of code is all it takes. Complexity, safety, quality, and resilience are among the key attributes defining a software’s operational success. There are many leading factors for complexity, such as increases in the product size, the rate of requirement changes, and the number and type of stakeholders, and failure to manage these issues efficiently always has the same consequence, i.e., massive failure and sometimes technological catastrophe. This work analyzes some of the architecture, design, and implementation guidelines used as detection and mitigation techniques. It also discusses the safety considerations, as considering how the steam industry has handled safety issues could offer some guidance for ensuring safety. Complexity in such systems also causes some of the worst side effects from the quality auditor's perspective. While failures in the software are hard to predict, one of the most significant ways of showing preparedness is practicing software resilience. New mitigation areas, such as the fragility spectrum and failure obviation, and their usage for building a safer system are analyzed. Also discussed are various architecture styles in practice and the dramatic effect human factors can have on the success of the software being developed.
Trends in Excess Winter Mortality (EWM) From 1900/01 to 2019/20—Evidence for a Complex System of Multiple Long-Term Trends
Authors: Jones Rodney P. , Ponomarenko Andrey
Published: March 2022

Trends in excess winter mortality (EWM) were investigated from the winter of 1900/01 to 2019/20. During the 1918-1919 Spanish flu epidemic a maximum EWM of 100% was observed in both Denmark and the USA. During the Spanish flu epidemic in the USA 70% of excess winter deaths were coded to influenza. EWM steadily declined from the Spanish flu peak to a minimum around the 1970’s to 1980’s. There is evidence that this decline was accompanied by a shift in deaths away from the winter, and that the EWM calculation shifted from a maximum around April to June in the early 1900’s to around March since 1967. EWM has a good correlation with the number of estimated influenza deaths, but in this context influenza pandemics after the Spanish flu only had an EWM equivalent to that for seasonal influenza. Using data from 1980 onward the effect of influenza vaccination on EWM was examined using a large international data set. No effect of increasing influenza vaccination could be discerned; however, there are multiple competing forces influencing EWM which will obscure any underlying trend, e.g., increasing age at death, multimorbidity, dementia, polypharmacy, diabetes, and obesity – all of which either interfere with vaccine effectiveness or are risk factors for influenza death. After adjusting the trend in EWM in the USA influenza vaccination can be seen to be masking higher winter deaths among a high morbidity US population. Winter deaths are clearly the outcome of a complex system of competing long-term trends.
A Classical Based Scalar Field Model Provides a Fundamental Bridge Between General Relativity Effects and Quantum Mechanics
Authors: Austin Rickey
Published: March 2022

Herein is introduced a simple scalar field model derived from classical based kinetic energy, gravitational potential energy, and Special Relativity’s rest mass energy. By applying a classical orbit over the scalar field, relativistic effects are predicted. The scalar field is then applied to a classical model of the Hydrogen atom resulting in a relativistic effect equal to the binding energy of the Hydrogen atom. In addition, the model derives the fine structure constant due to the gravitational effect. The relativistic effects are then discretized in increments equal to the model’s gravitational induced constant. The discretization produces the Hydrogen atom spectral emissions and an angular moment equal to Planck’s reduced constant. The model is not presented as a replacement for current theory, rather it is for inspection and illustration of how a simplistic model may offer a fundamental bridge between the more complex, time proven theories of General Relativity and Quantum Mechanics.
Influence of Graphene Oxide Nanoparticles on Bond-Slip Reponses between Fiber and Geopolymer Mortar
Authors: Intarabut Darrakorn , Sukontasukkul Piti , Phoo-ngernkham Tanakorn , Zhang Hexin , Yoo Doo-Yeol , Limkatanyu Suchart , Chindaprasirt Prinya
Published: March 2022

In this study, the influence of graphene oxide nanoparticles on the bond-slip behavior of fiber and fly ash based geopolymer paste was examined. Geopolymer paste incorporating graphene oxide nanoparticles solution was cast in half briquetted specimens and embedded with a fiber. Three types of fibers were used: steel, polypropylene, and basalt. The pullout test was performed at two distinct speeds: 1 mm/second and 3 mm/second. Results showed that the addition of graphene oxide increased the compressive strength of geopolymer by about 7%. The bond-slip responses of fibers embedded in geopolymer mixed with graphene oxide exhibited higher peak stress and toughness as compared to those embedded in normal geopolymer. Each fiber type also showed different mode of failure. Both steel and polypropylene fibers showed full bond-slip responses due to their high ductility. Basalt fiber, on the other hand, because of its brittleness, failed by fiber fracture mode which showed no-slip in pull out responses. Both bond strength and toughness were found to be rate sensitive. The sensitivity was higher in graphene oxide/geopolymer than in conventional geopolymer.
The Role of Seawater and Saline Solutions in Treatment of Respiratory Conditions
Authors: Štanfel Danijela , Kalogjera Livije , Ryazantsev Sergej V. , Hlača Kristina , Radtsig Elena Y. , Teimuraz Rashidov , Hrabač Pero , Popovich Vasyl I.
Published: March 2022

The history of saline nasal irrigation (SNI) is indeed a long one, beginning from the ancient Ayurvedic practices and starting to gain a foothold in the west at the beginning of 20th century. Today, there is a growing number of papers covering effects of SNI from in vitro studies to randomized clinical trials and literature overviews. Based on the recommendations of most of the European and American professional associations, seawater, alone or in combination with other preparations, has its place in treatment of numerous conditions of the upper respiratory tract (URT), primarily in chronic (rhino)sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, acute URT infections and postoperative recovery. Additionally, taking into account its multiple mechanisms of action and mounting evidence from recent studies, locally applied seawater preparations may have an important role in prevention of viral and bacterial infections of the URT. Therefore, in this review we discuss results published in the past years focused on the seawater preparations and their use in clinical and everyday conditions, since such products are superior to saline, have an excellent safety profile and are recommended by most professional associations in the field of otorhinolaryngology.
The Selenoprotein Glutathione Peroxidase 4: From Molecular Mechanisms to Novel Therapeutic Opportunities
Authors: Weaver Kamari , Skouta Rachid
Published: March 2022

The selenoprotein glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) is one of the main antioxidant mediators in the human body. Its central function involves the reduction of complex hydroperoxides into their respective alcohols often using reduced Glutathione (GSH) as a reducing agent. GPX4 has become a hotspot therapeutic target in biomedical research following its characterization as a chief regulator of ferroptosis, and its subsequent recognition as a specific pharmacological target for the treatment of an extensive variety of human diseases including cancers and neurodegenerative disorders. Several recent studies have provided insights into how GPX4 is distinguished from the rest of the glutathione peroxidase family, the unique biochemical properties of GPX4, how GPX4 is related to lipid peroxidation and ferroptosis, and how the enzyme may be modulated as a potential therapeutic target. This current report aims to review the literature underlying all these insights and present an up-to-date perspective on the current understanding of GPX4 as a potential therapeutic target.
Alteration in Long Noncoding RNAs in Response to Oxidative Stress and Ladostigil in SH-SY5Y Cells
Authors: Zohar Keren , Giladi Eliran , Eliyahu Tsiona , Linial Michal
Published: March 2022

Microglia activation causes neuroinflammation, which is a hallmark of neurodegenerative disorders, brain injury, and aging. Ladostigil, a bifunctional reagent with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, reduced microglial activation and enhanced brain functioning in elderly rats. In this study, we studied SH-SY5Y, a human neuroblastoma cell line, and tested viability in the presence of hydrogen peroxide and Sin1 (3-morpholinosydnonimine), which generates reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (ROS/RNS). Both stressors caused significant apoptosis and necrotic cell death that was attenuated by ladostigil. Our results from RNA-seq experiments show that long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) account for 30% of all transcripts in SH-SY5Y cells treated with Sin1 for 24 hours. Altogether, we identify 94 differently expressed lncRNAs in the presence of Sin1, including MALAT1, a highly expressed lncRNA with anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic functions. Additional activities of Sin-1 upregulated lncRNAs include redox homeostasis (e.g., MIAT, GABPB1-AS1), energy metabolism (HAND2-AS1), and neurodegeneration (e.g., MIAT, GABPB1-AS1, NEAT1). Four lncRNAs implicated as enhancers were significantly upregulated in cells exposed to Sin1 and ladostigil. Finally, we show that H2O2 and Sin1 increased the expression of DJ-1, a redox sensor and modulator of Nrf2 (nuclear factor erythroid 2–related factor 2). Nrf2 (NFE2L2 gene) is a major transcription factor regulating antioxidant genes. In the presence of ladostigil, DJ-1 expression is restored to its baseline. The mechanisms governing SH-SY5Y cell survival and homeostasis are highlighted by the beneficial role of ladostigil in the crosstalk involving Nrf2, antioxidant transcription factor DJ-1, and lncRNAs. Stress-dependent induction of lncRNAs represents an underappreciated regulatory level that contributes to cellular homeostasis and the capacity of SH-SY5Y to cope with oxidative stress.
Experiences and Perspectives of Marketing Authorisation Holders Towards the Monitoring of Medication Safety during Pregnancy: A Qualitative Analysis on a Pan-European Level
Authors: Sillis Laure , Foulon Veerle , Verbakel Jan Y. , Ceulemans Michael
Published: March 2022

Although marketing authorization holders (MAHs) are involved in monitoring medication safety, it was unclear how they experience their role and current monitoring activities in pregnancy. Therefore, a qualitative study using online focus groups with MAHs and the Belgian umbrella organisation of MAHs was conducted in June-July 2021. In total, 38 representatives of nine organisations participated. Overall, participants reported multiple difficulties with data collection, including underreporting, collection of incomplete information and loss to follow-up. The limited number of high-quality data collected, the unknown denominator and the lack of comparator data complicate MAHs’ data processing activities, preventing them to timely provide evidence in the pregnancy label. Three ‘conflicts’ inherent to the specific position of MAHs were identified explaining the difficulties they experience, i.e., 1) mistrust from patients and healthcare professionals (HCPs); 2) MAHs’ legal obligations and regulatory framework; 3) MAHs’ position outside the healthcare context. To overcome these barriers, MAHs suggested that data registration should occur in close collaboration with patients and HCPs, organized within the healthcare context and performed by using a user-friendly system. In conclusion, the reported difficulties and underlying conflicts of MAHs highlight the need for more effective, collaborative data collection strategies to generate new evidence on this topic.
Modulation of Metabolic Hormone Signaling via a Circadian Hormone and Biogenic Amine in Drosophila melanogaster
Authors: Braco Jason T. , Nelson Jonathan M. , Saunders Cecil J. , Johnson Erik C.
Published: March 2022

In insects, Adipokinetic hormone is the primary hormone responsible for the mobilization of stored energy. While a growing body of evidence has solidified role of Adipokinetic hormone (AKH) in modulating the physiological and behavioral responses to metabolic stress, little is known about the upstream endocrine circuit that directly regulates AKH release. We evaluated the AKH-producing cell (APC) transcriptome to identify potential regulatory elements controlling APC activity, and found that a number of receptors show consistent expression levels, including all known dopamine receptors and the Pigment Dispersing Factor receptor (PDFR). We tested the consequences of targeted genetic knockdown and found that AKH expression of RNAi elements corresponding to each dopamine receptor caused a significant reduction in survival under starvation. In contrast, PDFR knockdown significantly extended lifespan under starvation whereas expression of a tethered PDF in APCs resulted in a significantly shorter lifespan. These manipulations caused various changes in locomotor activity under starvation. We used live-cell imaging to evaluate the acute effects of the ligands for these receptors on APC activation. Dopamine application led to a transient increase in intracellular calcium in a sugar-dependent manner. Furthermore, co-application of dopamine and ecdysone led to a complete loss of this response, suggesting that these two hormones act antagonistically. We also found that PDF application led to an increase in cAMP in APCs, and that this response was dependent on expression of the PDFR in APCs. Together these results suggest a complex circuit in which multiple hormones act on APCs to modulate metabolic state.
Identification of Candidate Cancer Predisposing Genes by Whole-Exome Sequencing of Families at High-Risk of Glioma
Authors: Kinnersley Ben , Broderick Peter , Chubb Daniel , Bødtcher Hanne , Labreche Karim , de Bernardi Axel , Chinot Olivier , Johansen Christoffer , Sanson Marc , Houlston Richard
Published: March 2022

The genetic aetiology of familial glioma is largely unknown. To gain further insight into the role of rare disruptive variants we performed whole exome sequencing (WES) of 17 glioma families, identifying two families where loss of function mutations in dynein axonemal heavy chain 11 (DNAH11) co-segregated with glioma (DNAH11 p.Ser1470ArgfsTer6 and p.Thr3900Lys) and single families implicating Telomere Replication Complex Component 1 (CTC1 p.Leu1058ProfsTer32) and filamin alpha (FLNA p.Ser1356Phe). We complemented linkage analysis by WES of 150 additional unrelated familial glioma cases and conducting gene burden tests leveraging WES data on 691 cases of glioma from TCGA. Our analysis does not provide support for a hitherto unidentified major cancer gene for glioma but highlights a series of novel candidate predisposition variants/genes, worthy of further investigation to shed light on glioma risk.
A Numerical Investigation of Emissions Generated by Alternative Aircraft Fuels Using Spice Transport Approach
Authors: López Tobi Iho
Published: March 2022

The present is a study of the CFD simulations intended to simulate the emissions of pollutants that are generated after the combustion of proposed alternative aircraft fuels (Hydrogen, Ethanol and Methane) to compare with the emissions generated after the combustion of Kerosene and Benzene in a 2D cylindrical combustion chamber. Given that air traffic is a main contributor to not only 3% of man-made greenhouse effects but also of the generation of smog over heavy air traffic urban areas generating an impact on the air quality and the population of those areas.
Stable Laboratory Culture System for the Ctenophore Mnemiopsis leidyi
Authors: Soto-Àngel Joan Josep , Nordmann Eva-Lena , Sturm Daniela , Sachkova Maria , Pang Kevin , Burkhardt Pawel
Published: March 2022

Ctenophores are marine organisms attracting significant attention from evolutionary, molecular biology and ecological research. Here we describe an easy and affordable set-up to maintain a stable culture of the ctenophore Mnemiopsis leidyi. The challenging delicacy of the lobate ctenophores can be met by monitoring the water quality, providing the right nutrition, and adapting the handling and tank set-up to their fragile gelatinous body plan. Following this protocol allows stable laboratory lines, a continuous supply of embryos for molecular biological studies, and independence from population responses to environmental fluctuations.
SIR-Solution for Slowly Time-Dependent Ratio between Recovery and Infection Rates
Authors: Kröger Martin , Schlickeiser Reinhard
Published: March 2022

The temporal evolution of pandemics described by the susceptible-infectious-recovered (SIR)-compartment model is sensitively determined by the time dependence of the infection (a(t)) and recovery (u(t)) rates regulating the transitions from the susceptible to the infected and from the infected to the recovered compartment, respectively. Here approximated SIR-solutions for different time dependencies of the infection and recovery rates are derived which are based on the adiabatic approximation assuming time-dependent ratios k(t)=u(t)/a(t) varying slowly in comparison to the typical time characteristics of the pandemic wave. For such slow variations the available analytical approximations from the KSSIR-model, valid for a stationary value of the ratio k, are used to insert a-posteriori the adopted time-dependent ratio of the two rates. Instead of investigating endless different combinations of the time dependencies of the two rates a(t) and u(t) a suitably parameterized reduced time dependence of the ratio k(tau) is adopted. Together with the definition of the reduced time this parameterized ratio k(tau) allows us to cover a great variety of different time dependencies of the infection and recovery rates. The agreement between the solutions from the adiabatic approximation in its four different studied variants and the exact numerical solutions of the SIR-equations is remarkably good providing strong confidence in the accuracy of the proposed adiabatic approximation.
Quantitative MR Markers in Non-Myelopathic Spinal Cord Compression: A Narrative Review
Authors: Valošek Jan , Bednařík Petr , Keřkovský Miloš , Hluštík Petr , Bednařík Josef , Svátková Alena
Published: March 2022

Degenerative spinal cord (SC) compression is a frequent pathological condition with increasing prevalence throughout aging. Initial non-myelopathic cervical SC compression (NMDC) might progress over time into potentially irreversible degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM). While quantitative MRI (qMRI) techniques demonstrated the ability to depict intrinsic tissue properties, longitudinal in-vivo biomarkers to identify NMDC patients who will eventually develop DCM are still missing. Thus, we aim to review the ability of qMRI techniques (such as diffusion MRI, diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), magnetization transfer (MT) imaging, magnetic resonance spec-troscopy (1H-MRS)) to serve as prognostic markers in NMDC. While DTI in NMDC patients con-sistently detected lower fractional anisotropy and higher mean diffusivity at compressed levels caused by demyelination and axonal injury, MT and 1H-MRS along with advanced and tract-specific diffusion MRI recently revealed microstructural alterations also rostrally pointing to Wallerian degeneration. Recent studies also disclosed significant relationship between micro-structural damage and functional deficits, assessed by qMRI and electrophysiology, respectively. Thus, tract-specific qMRI in combination with electrophysiology critically extend our under-standing of the underlying pathophysiology of degenerative SC compression and may provide predictive markers of DCM development for accurate patient management. However, the prog-nostic value must be validated in longitudinal studies.
Transcriptomics Reveals Granulosa Cell’s Coping through Redox, Inflammatory, Metabolic and Cytoskeleton Mechanisms under Acute Heat Stress
Authors: Sammad Abdul , Luo Hanpeng , Hu Lirong , Zhu Huabin , Wang Yachun
Published: March 2022

Heat stress affects the granulosa cells (GCs) and ovarian follicular microenvironment, causing poor oocyte developmental competence and fertility. This study aimed to investigate the physical responses and global transcriptomic changes in bovine GCs to acute heat stress (43 ℃ for 2 h) in-vitro and gave essential insights into the general interaction at cell–stress nexus. Heat-stressed GCs exhibited transient proliferation senescence, resumed proliferation at 48 h post-stress. While post-stress immediate culture-media change had a relatively positive effect on proliferation resumption. Increased accumulation of reactive oxygen species and apoptosis was observed in heat stress group. In spite of the upregulation of pro-apoptotic and caspase executioner genes, antioxidants and anti-apoptotic genes were also upregulated in heat-stressed GCs. Progesterone and Estrogen hormones along with steroidogenic genes expression, declined significantly, in spite of the upregulation of genes involved in cholesterol synthesis. Out of 12385 differentially expressed genes (DEGs), 330 significant DEGs (75 upregulated, 225 downregulated) were subjected to KEGG functional pathway annotation, gene ontology enrichment, and STRING network analyses. Based on the manual query of DEGs, pathway and enrichment analyses, a vast interplay observed among all major signaling pathways strongly evidence the repression of cellular transcriptional and proliferation activity, averting the effects of heat stress through remodeling of cellular structural proteins and energetic-homeostasis. This study presents detailed responses of acute heat-stressed GCs at physical, transcriptional, and pathway levels and presents interesting insights into future studies regarding GCs adaptation and their interaction with oocyte and reproductive system at ovarian level.
Effect of Kinematic Algorithm Selection on the Conceptual De-Sign of Orbitally Delivered Vehicles
Authors: Cole David , Sands Timothy
Published: March 2022

A particular challenge in the conceptual design of direct-from orbit delivery systems is the seemingly well-known kinematics retain fallacies whose efficacies are reduced over great distances. Rotation about the local wing of an aerospace vehicle is almost never the pitch angle, yet modern application of kinematics often assumes such (with accompanying angular error). The same assertion is usually true about the nature of roll and yaw angles. Expressing motion in coordinates of rotating reference frames necessitates transformation between reference frames, and one such transformation is embodied in the Direction Cosine Matrices (DCM) formed by a sequence of three successive frame rotations. One of two ubiquitous sequences of three rotations used to construct the DCM involves first a rotation around the inertial z-axis, then intermediate y-axis, then finally about the body’s x-axis; a sequence commonly called the “aerospace sequence” or the a “3-2-1 rotation sequence”. The second ubiquitous sequence is the so-called “orbital sequence” or “3-1-3 rotation sequence” with rotations about the inertial z axis first, then about the intermediate x-axis, then finally about the body z-axis. This manuscript evaluates which sequence is the most advantageous for an object starting in space and then travels through the atmosphere to a target on the Earth’s surface. Six degrees of freedom of vehicle motion were simulated starting in orbit with a given thrust and commanded maneuver. The simulation performs all twelve possible rotation sequences (transforming inertial coordinates to body coordinates) with comparison by computational burden and error representing rotations about body axes (roll, pitch, and yaw respectively). Simulation precision is validated using the quaternion normalization condition indicating near machine precision (0.9\times{10}^{-15}) and reveals the so-called 132 rotation is the most accurate with an average error of 0.14° and a computational time of 0.013 seconds: resulting in a 97.95% increase in accuracy over the so-called 321 rotation and a 99.84% increase over the so-called 313 rotation.
A Critical Review on the Development and Utilization of Energy Systems in Uganda
Authors: Bongomin Ocident , Nziu Patrick
Published: March 2022

We live in the world that is completely entangled on energy and thus, Humankind can no longer do without it, power. With electricity being the main form of energy today, this has increased the complexity of our life today. In Uganda, electricity generation is mainly through hydropower which put the country in the bottleneck of over dependence on one source of energy. Yet, there are many energy systems out there that country can diversify its electricity generation. Therefore, the need to understand, the level of development and utilization of various energy systems has been the underlying question for this present study. Comprehensive literature survey was conducted from the electronic databases including ScienceDirect, Wiley, Sage, Scopus, Taylor & Francis, and Google Scholar. The publications in form of reports, conference papers, working papers, discussion papers, journal articles, book sections and textbooks were considered in this study. In total, 11 energy systems including human and animal energy, solid biomass (firewood), hydropower, wind, geothermal, solar, nuclear, peat, coal, petroleum, and non-solid biomass (methanol, hydrogen, ethanol, biodiesel, and biogas) are described. The current and the future development and utilization of these energy systems has been described. The challenges with their development and utilization were elaborated and the solution the challenges were presented. The hydropower with River Nile being the main river for large hydropower plant construction is the dominance energy system in Uganda. Nuclear energy will be the salvation for the country’s electric energy supply in the near future. Therefore, Uganda needs to bet big on nuclear energy.
‘True’ COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Hesitancy among Healthcare Workers: A Retrospective Observational Study in Singapore
Authors: Koh Sky Wei Chee , Tan Hwei Ming , Lee Wayne Han , Matthews Jancy , Young Doris
Published: March 2022

Background: COVID-19 booster uptake remained poor among healthcare workers (HCW) despite evidence of improved immunity against Delta and Omicron variants. While most studies used a questionnaire to assess hesitancy, this study aimed to identify factors affecting true booster hesitancy by examining actual vaccine uptake across time. Method: COVID-19 vaccination database records among HCW working at 7 Singaporean public primary care clinics between January to December 2021 were extracted, with gender, profession, place of practice, vaccination type and dates. Time to booster was calculated from the date of vaccination minus date of eligibility. Chi-square test was used to compare relationship between 1st dose and booster hesitancy, Kaplan-Meier method and Log-rank test were adopted to evaluate differences in cumulative booster uptake. Multivariate cox regression was used to investigate predictors for timely booster vaccination. Vaccination rate was charted across time and corroborated with media releases pertaining to legislative changes. Results: 877 of 891 (98.9%) primary care HCW were fully vaccinated, 73.8% of eligible HCW had taken the booster. HCW were less booster hesitant [median 16 (5-31.3) days] compared to the 1st dose [median 39 (13-119.3) days]. 1st dose hesitant HCW were more likely to be booster hesitant (OR=3.66, 95%CI 2.61-5.14). Adjusting for sex, workplace and time to 1st dose, ancillary (HR=1.53, 95%CI 1.03-2.28), medical (HR=1.8, 95%CI 1.18-2.74) and nursing (HR=1.8, 95%CI 1.18-2.37) received boosters earlier compared with administrative staff. No temporal relationship was observed between booster uptake, legislative changes and COVID-19 infection numbers. Conclusion: Vaccine hesitancy among HCW had improved from booster to 1st dose, with timely booster vaccination among medical and nursing staff. Tailored education, risk messaging and strategic legislation might help to reduce delayed booster vaccination.