bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of X-rays on structural, physicochemical and functional properties of gluten protein
Authors: Chandra Durga , Dabade Ashish , Damgude Gauri , Malhotra Chetali
Published: April 2021

Abstract The gluten protein was exposed to the X-ray radiations for different time range, comprising 1 and 3 seconds. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of x-ray radiations on the physicochemical properties of gluten protein. Different functional properties of proteins like water and oil holding capacities, protein solubility, emulsification activity, and stability index, foaming action and stability, water solubility, protein, and moisture content, along with SDS PAGE, FTIR, Xeta potential net charge was carried out to evaluate the effect of X-ray radiation on gluten protein. Results showed that the enhancement of water holding capacity up to 38.12%, as well as oil holding capacity up to 35% could be seen, whereas a significant decrease in emulsification activity and stability index, foaming capacity and stability, even protein content could be observed in treated samples. The net charge on protein in water solution was found to increase towards the positive side. The structure of the protein remained unchanged based on no change was observed in SDS PAGE electrograph, FTIR secondary structure region. Hence, X-ray treatment can be a possible way to alter the protein structure for “tailor-made applications” in food industries.
Resilience to dealing with COVID-19: university perspective in a low-income health Brazilian region
Authors: Godoi Bruno Bastos , Santos Delba Fonseca
Published: April 2021

Abstract The COVID-19 pandemic draws into focus the need to rebuild resilient health systems with increased access to quality health services. Reaction ability to changing demand is crucial. Resilience is relevant because all countries have vulnerable communities. One could push the argument further, using as an example the resilience particularly present on the agenda of meetings of the World Health Organization. More critical than ever, it is to take stock of the lessons learned. The stakeholders need to work together to accelerate progress towards universal access to essential health information through resilience. Regarding major societal challenges, which have a local dimension, universities have a key role to play in the knowledge creation of innovative products and services. The need for timely, accurate, and reliable data about the Vale do Jequitinhonha in the health system is unarguably overdue for a real-time, technology-driven, surveillance and reporting infrastructure to respond effectively to public health emergencies. Health system resilience is one of the focuses in low-income region framework and it is an indispensable university strategy for managing the health risks of older adults, and chronic disease patients. COVID-19 can cause disruption in health systems. Disruptions to health service infrastructure can result in loss of life, negative economic impact, and harm to communities. Focused actions include investing in Primary Health Care (PHC) and this encompasses basic preventive, promotive, and curative health cares for enhancing the health status of the people by reducing morbidity and mortality rates. Given the key role of such information for health, the university located in a low-income health region has a fundamental role. The reflections and shreds of evidence showed during this essay can serve as a framework for health policies in post-pandemic reality and university acting in the population.
Avaliação de desempenho docente: culpar, punir ou desenvolver profissionalmente?
Authors: Jardilino José Rubens Lima , Sampaio Ana Maria Mendes , Oliveri Andressa Maris Rezende
Published: April 2021

Resumo Esse artigo tem por objetivo discutir a ADD – Avaliação de Desempenho Docente, sob a perspectiva do DPD – Desenvolvimento Profissional Docente, mediante dados levantados em pesquisa realizada junto ao Grupo de Pesquisa Formação e Profissão Docente, do Programa de Pós-Graduação em Educação, da Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto. As análises apresentadas são resultados de grupos focais, realizados com 27 professores da rede pública municipal de ensino da cidade de Mariana – MG. Os resultados apontam que a ADD, quando alicerçada na valência formativa com fins de desenvolvimento profissional, configura-se como uma importante política, no contexto educacional. Entretanto, por vezes, a mesma vem sendo restrita a veículo de domínio e de controle do sistema sobre as carreiras dos professores. Realidade que desperdiça a promoção de mudanças nas práticas pedagógicas e no contexto socioeducativo.
Políticas educacionais e o financiamento dos centros concertados na Espanha*
Authors: Moreira Jani Alves da Silva , Souza Ângelo Ricardo de , Díaz José María Hernández
Published: April 2021

Resumo O artigo é resultado de uma pesquisa exploratória e documental, que teve como objetos as políticas educacionais, a gestão e o financiamento dos Centros Concertados de Educação Infantil e Educação Primária na Espanha. Investigam-se os aspectos históricos e políticos quanto à estrutura e à organização da política educativa, a partir do processo de descentralização, naquele país, bem como o papel do Conselho Escolar na formulação da política educacional espanhola. Ademais, o artigo busca compreender os aspectos relacionados com a manutenção do ensino nos Centros Concertados de Educação Infantil e de Educação Primária, a fim de apreender os pressupostos orçamentários. O resultado evidenciou a necessidade de manutenção da participação coletiva para a construção de políticas educacionais mais equitativas e não segregatórias na Espanha.
Performance of lambs under four levels of dietary supplementation and artificially mix-infected with Haemonchus contortus and Trichostrongylus colubriformis
Authors: Carvalho Nadino , Neves José Henrique das , Pennacchi Caio Santos , Castilhos Andre Michel de , Amarante Alessandro Francisco Talamini do
Published: April 2021

Abstract The effect of four diets on the performance of Dorper lambs that were artificially mix-infected with 1000 infective larvae (L3) of Haemonchus contortus and 1000 L3 of Trichostrongylus colubriformis every three days for 12 weeks was evaluated. For each diet, one infected group (n = 7) and one control group (n = 4) were set up. The four diets contained the following proportions of hay (H) and concentrate (C): Diet 1 - 100%H; Diet 2 - 75%H:25%C; Diet 3 - 50%H:50%C; Diet 4 - 25%H:75. All the infected groups showed decreases in mean packed cell volume (PCV) and total plasma protein, especially the Diet 1-infected, which was also the group with the highest fecal egg count. The diets and infection had significant effects (P < 0.05) on daily body weight gain (DBWG), cold carcass weight and daily food consumption. The control and infected groups had mean DBWG (in kg), respectively, of 0.048 and 0.025 with Diet 1; 0.082 and 0.067 with Diet 2; 0.188 and 0.189 with Diet 3; and 0.303 and 0.221 with Diet 4. In conclusion, the infection affected the productive performance regardless of the diet; however, with increased metabolizable protein and energy, the risk of occurrence of anemia and hypoproteinemia diminished.
On adequacy of parameters of strip cross-section profile. Part 2. Local thickenings and thinnings
Authors: Bel’skii S. M. , Shopin I. I. , Shkarin A. N.
Published: April 2021

At present, the cross-section profile of the rolled strip is characterized by geometrical parameters such as wedge, convex, difference of thickness, displacement of convex, and edge wedge. Some of these parameters are redundant. Techniques for calculating the values of these parameters are known and generally accepted. However, there are features of the cross-section profile of rolled strips, such as local thickenings/thinnings, the methods of calculating values of which are not common: practically every scientific school of rolling scientists or specialists of rolling production use their own techniques, which often produce different results for the same cross-section profiles. The problem of identifying and calculating the local thickenings/ thinnings parameters of the rolled strips cross-section profile is to define a so-called “zero level”, the excess/understatement of which is a sign of local thickenings/thinnings. The paper continues to analyze the accuracy and adequacy of the calculation of the cross-section profile parameters of rolled strips for local thickenings/thinnings. A new method based on statistical methods is proposed. The target function that the thickness distribution across the width of the rolled strip must correspond to is a symmetrical quadratic parabola. However, the actual distribution is always different from the target one for a number of reasons, such as ring wear of the work rolls. In the first step, in the proposed technique, the Walter-Shuhart procedure (control cards) eliminates as emissions of strip thickness values that are dramatically different from the target distribution. But since without excluding the nonlinear (parabolic) component of the measured cross-section profile this procedure cannot be applied, it applies to the first derivative of the cross- section profile thickness distribution function. To determine the “zero level,” after calculating the upper and lower limits of the allowed values of the first derivative, all thicknesses associated with these emissions were eliminated. The result of the repetitive process is a “zero level” according to which the local thickening/thinning parameters are calculated.
Taxonomical and chorological notes 10 (98–110)
Authors: Király Gergely , Hohla Michael , Süveges Kristóf , Hábenczyus Anna Alida , Barina Zoltán , Király Angéla , Lukács Balázs András , Türke Ildikó J. , Takács Attila
Published: April 2021

The present part of the series provides new records of locally introduced native species in Hungary (Apium repens, Crypsis schoenoides, Limonium gmelinii, Rumex confertus, Sagina apetala). The spread of Crypsis schoenoides and Limonium gmelinii on roadsides is due to winter salting of roads, whereas the appearance of Apium repens and Sagina apetala is likely the consequence of the use of soil or peat material containing their seeds. The reports of Knautia dipsacifolia from the northern part of the Great Hungarian Plain and Spiraea crenata from the Hungarian–Romanian–Ukrainian border region is ascertained here concluding that the report of the first taxon was based on a misidentifi cation of K. drymeia, whereas the record of Spiraea crenata is a consequence of mislocation. New records of two spreading aliens (Eragrostis virescens, Sporobolus vaginifl orus) are discussed here along with a herbarium revision of Eragrostis, which showed that all previous Hungarian records of Eragrostis parvifl ora refer to E. virescens. Further species discussed in the paper escaped from cultivation (Asparagus verticillatus, Euphorbia characias, Nassella tenuissima, the latter two new for the country). The first record of the sedge hybrid Carex ×leutzii in Hungary is also presented.
OBJECTS OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY IN N. N. BLOKHIN NATIONAL MEDICAL RESEARCH CENTER OF ONCOLOGY CREATED IN 2019–2020
Authors: Tarasova О. I. , Ryzhova A. A. , Savinova М. I. , Borodin V. D.
Published: April 2021

The results of the intellectual activity of the researchers of the N. N. Blokhin National Medical Research Center  of Oncology of the Ministry of Health of the Russia in 2019–2020 are presented in the short message. It is high‑ lighted that the number of patents is an index of an innovative level in the organization.
Fabrication and Characterization of 3D Bioprinted Triple-layered Human Alveolar Lung Models
Authors: Ng Wei Long , Ayi Teck Choon , Liu Yi-Chun , Sing Swee Leong , Yeong Wai Yee , Tan Boon-Huan
Published: April 2021

The global prevalence of respiratory diseases caused by infectious pathogens has resulted in an increased demand for realistic in-vitro alveolar lung models to serve as suitable disease models. This demand has resulted in the fabrication of numerous two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) in-vitro alveolar lung models. The ability to fabricate these 3D in-vitro alveolar lung models in an automated manner with high repeatability and reliability is important for potential scalable production. In this study, we reported the fabrication of human triple-layered alveolar lung models comprising of human lung epithelial cells, human endothelial cells, and human lung fibroblasts using the drop-on-demand (DOD) 3D bioprinting technique. The polyvinylpyrrolidone-based bio-inks and the use of a 300 µm nozzle diameter improved the repeatability of the bioprinting process by achieving consistent cell output over time using different human alveolar lung cells. The 3D bioprinted human triple-layered alveolar lung models were able to maintain cell viability with relative similar proliferation profile over time as compared to non-printed cells. This DOD 3D bioprinting platform offers an attractive tool for highly repeatable and scalable fabrication of 3D in-vitro human alveolar lung models.
FORMAÇÃO PROFISSIONAL E DESENVOLVIMENTO LOCAL: RELAÇÕES E OPORTUNIDADES A PARTIR DA ELABORAÇÃO DO PROJETO EDUCATIVO DE UM MUNICÍPIO PORTUGUÊS
Authors: Alcoforado Joaquim Luís Medeiros , Frias Mafalda , Cordeiro António Manuel Rochette
Published: April 2021

As políticas de formação profissional, ao alinharem-se com as inovações tecnológicas, transformações produtivas e com a organização do trabalho, procuram definir estratégias que resultem numa efetiva participação do indivíduo no seu ambiente produtivo. Com uma intenção integradora e, tendo em consideração as mudanças dos processos e contextos dos setores da economia, as entidades de formação profissional, ao adotarem uma visão mais ampla de ação deverão orientar-se para o desenvolvimento de iniciativas formativas ajustadas às reais necessidades da sociedade e, principalmente, da comunidade local, na qual os cidadãos atuam. Nesta linha de pensamento, no âmbito de um projeto estratégico para a educação em contexto municipal - Projeto Educativo Local - desenvolvido entre a Universidade de Coimbra e um município da Área Metropolitana de Lisboa (Sintra), e ainda numa fase de diagnóstico, recorrendo à técnica Grupo Focal, foi realizada uma auscultação da perceção de representantes das empresas e entidades de formação do território municipal em torno da caracterização do tecido empresarial e suas necessidades ao nível dos recursos humanos e respetivas áreas de formação. Partindo do pressuposto de que o desenvolvimento local apela à participação de todos os agentes e de todas as pessoas, a partir de uma preparação holística, a formação profissional, enquanto contributo vital para o desenvolvimento económico, social e cultural, torna-se um fenómeno multidimensional focado, essencialmente, na promoção de capacidades de ação e no reforço das condições de participação individual e grupal, nos processos de desenvolvimento integrado e sustentado, a partir das realidades das pessoas e das suas comunidades.
Controle Robusto por Meio de LMIs Aplicado a Motores Síncronos de Ímãs Permanentes com Parâmetros Incertos
Authors: Koch Gustavo G. , Osório Caio R. D. , Scalcon Filipe P. , Gabbi Thieli S. , Oliveira Ricardo C. L. F. , Montagner Vinícius F
Published: April 2021

Este artigo trata do projeto e da validação experimental de controladores robustos aplicados à regulação de velocidade de motores síncronos de ímãs permanentes. O motor é descrito por um modelo politópico, considerando que os parâmetros elétricos e mecânicos podem variar dentro de intervalos limitados. As equações dinâmicas do motor para as correntes id, iq e para a velocidade wm são discretizadas incluindo o atraso de implementação digital e uma ação integral sobre o erro de rastreamento da referência. Desigualdades matriciais lineares são utilizadas para obter rapidamente, de forma offline, ganhos de controle por realimentação de estados para as duas malhas de controle de corrente e para a malha de velocidade, em uma estratégia de projeto que só demanda do projetista a escolha de dois parâmetros, limitados entre zero e um, que estabelecem uma região para alocação dos polos de malha fechada. Resultados experimentais para um motor comercial de 11 kW ilustram um bom rastreamento de correntes e uma boa regulação de velocidade. Estudos comparativos mostram desempenho dinâmico superior ao de controladores PIs da literatura, sem demandar aumento no número de sensores, permitindo também a redução do acoplamento cruzado entre os eixos direto e em quadratura.
Condições socioambientais relacionadas com a (In)Segurança Alimentar e Nutricional de quilombolas de uma Reserva Extrativista Marinha
Authors: Cruz Edileide Santana da , Silva Isabella de Matos Mendes da , Freitas Fernanda , Oliveira Fábio Santos de , Camilo Valéria Macedo Almeida
Published: April 2021

Existe íntima relação entre saúde, ambiente e alimentação. Condições precárias de vida influenciam na saúde, inclusive na Segurança Alimentar e Nutricional. Objetivou-se avaliar os aspectos socioambientais relacionados com a Segurança Alimentar e Nutricional de quilombolas de uma Reserva Extrativista Marinha. No período de junho de 2014 a setembro de 2016 foi aplicada entrevista semiestruturada, com questões sobre o perfil socioeconômico das famílias e de infraestrutura da comunidade e coletadas amostras de água estuarina. Observou-se que 65,2% tinham as famílias chefiadas por mulheres, 56,5% possuíam ensino fundamental incompleto e 47,9% tinham a renda mensal de até um salário mínimo. O saneamento básico era precário, pois inexistia coleta de lixo e o esgotamento sanitário era a céu aberto em 91,3% dos domicílios. A contagem de coliformes totais e termotolerantes variou de 0,88 a 1,64 log NMP.100mL-1 e 0,72 a 1,55 log NMP.100mL-1 respectivamente, com valores acima do permitido no período chuvoso nos pontos 1, 2 e 3 para coliformes termotolerantes no 90o percentil. As condições precárias de saneamento básico, a contaminação microbiológica da água estuarina próxima aos domicílios e a baixa escolaridade dos moradores demonstraram a vulnerabilidade socioambiental da comunidade estudada, estando diretamente relacionadas com a Insegurança Alimentar e Nutricional.
PENGARUH PREVENTIF EKSTRAK DAUN DEWANDARU (Eugenia uniflora. L) TERHADAP KADAR Malondialdehyde (MDA) DAN HISTOPATOLOGI DUODENUM PADA TIKUS PUTIH (Rattus norvegicus) MODEL GASTROENTERITIS INDUKSI Escherichia coli
Authors: Fajeria Aidia Latifatul
Published: April 2021

Daun dewandaru (Eugenia uniflora L.) memiliki kandungan utama tannin, flavonoid dan saponin. Kandungan zat yang bersifat antibakteri dan antioksidan pada dewandaru mampu mengurangi penggunaan antibiotik dalam mengobati penyakit gastroenteritis. Gastroenteritis merupakan suatu inflamasi yang terjadi pada saluran pencernaan melibatkan lambung dan usus yang ditandai dengan muntah, diare. Gastroenteritis disebabkan oleh Escherichia coli yang memiliki endotoksin berupa Lipopolisakarida (LPS). Tujuan dari penelitian ini adalah untuk mengetahui pengaruh preventif ekstrak daun dewandaru (Eugenia uniflora L.) dalam menurunkan kadar Malondialdehyde (MDA) dan perbaikan histopatologi duodenum pada tikus putih (Rattus norvegicus) model gastroenteritis hasil infeksi Escherichia coli. Penelitian ini bersifat eksperimental menggunakan Rancangan Acak Lengkap (RAL) dan terdiri dari lima kelompok, yaitu kontrol negatif, kontrol positif (diinjeksi Escherichia coli) dan tiga kelompok preventif (diinjeksi Escherichia coli dan preventif dengan dosis ekstrak daun dewandaru yang berbeda yaitu 300, 400, dan 500 mg/kg BB). Induksi Escherichia coli dengan dosis 1 x 106 cfu/mL peroral sebanyak 1 mL pada hari kedelapan penelitian, yang sebelumnya telah diberi preventif ekstrak daun dewandaru selama 7 hari. Parameter yang diamati dalam penelitian ini adalah histopatologi duodenum dan kadar Malondialdehyde (MDA). Data yang diperoleh dianalisis menggunakan dianalisis secara statistik menggunakan one-way ANOVA (α=0,05). Hasil dari penelitian ini menunjukkan bahwa ekstrak daun dewandaru tidak dapat menghambat adanya kerusakan pada duodenum dan kenaikan kadar MDA. Kesimpulan penelitian ini ekstrak daun dewandaru tidak berpengaruh mencegah gastroenteritis hasil induksi Escherichia coli berdasarkan kerusakan duodenum dan kenaikan kadar MDA.
Prevalensi Bakteri Coliform pada Susu Kedelai yang Dibeli dari Penjual Lokal di Surabaya, Indonesia
Authors: Firdaus Dea Zulfia Bidari
Published: April 2021

Susu kedelai diolah dari ekstrak kedelai. Susu kedelai terkenal di kalangan orang yang intoleransi terhadap produk susu. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk memverifikasi higienis dan keamanan susu kedelai yang disiapkan oleh penjual lokal. Penentuan keberadaan mikroba dalam 30 produk susu kedelai menggunakan teknik streak plate dengan media agar MacConkey. Identifikasi bakteri dikonfirmasi dengan uji biokimia menggunakan uji triple sugar iron, uji indol, uji sitrat, uji metil merah, uji voges proskauer, uji motilitas. Dari 30 sampel, 40% sampel terkontaminasi bakteri coliform. Di antara mereka yang terkontaminasi coliform, 3% terkontaminasi Escherichia coli dan 40% terkontaminasi Enterobacter. Implikasi dari penelitian kami adalah kualitas produk susu kedelai dari penjual lokal perlu dipantau untuk menghindari penularan infeksi ke pembeli. Oleh karena itu, penyuluhan tentang higienis dan keamanan produksi pangan akan diperlukan untuk memastikan produk susu kedelai bebas dari mikroorganisme patogen di masa mendatang.
Ethical limits to placebo use and access to Covid-19 vaccines as a human right
Authors: Greco Dirceu B
Published: April 2021

The world is currently facing another severe pandemic, Covid-19, just four decades after the start of AIDS, and the still increasing incidence of HIV infection continues to be one of the greatest global health challenges. The way the latter was confronted is of fundamental importance for a serious discussion on global health, ethics and human rights, and this experience could and can still be applied to Covid-19. The Covid-19 pandemic has specific characteristics and these will be discussed, in relation to vaccine research and especially to the global right to equal access to products proven to be safe and effective. The article focusses primarily on issues related to Covid-19 vaccines, especially the appropriate use and limits on placebo, the right to post-trial access to placebo arm participants, and the use of an active control for subsequent Phase-3 trials after the approval of other safe and efficacious vaccines. Most importantly, it will emphasise that access to Covid-19 vaccines is a human right, which presupposes the establishment of appropriate ethical standards to ensure universal, equal, and affordable access to healthcare and to vaccines for all, and the imperative need for suspension of patents for products developed for Covid-19. It will consider the role of social determinants that contribute to the severity of Covid-19 and that must be addressed to effectively curb the current syndemic.
INDIVIDUAL IDENTIFICATION SYSTEM DESIGN THROUGH VOICE USING LINEAR PREDICTIVE CODING METHOD AND K-NEAREST NEIGHBOR
Authors: Fadhilah Davita Nadia , Magdalena Rita , Sa’idah Sofia
Published: April 2021

Humans have a variety of characteristics that are different from one another. Characteristics possessed by humans are genuine which can be used as a differentiator between one individual and another, one of which is sound. Voice recognition is called speech recognition. In this study, it was developed as an individual voice recognition system using a combination of the Linear Predictive Coding (LPC) method of feature extraction and K-Nearest Neighbor (K-NN) classification in the speech recognition process. Testing is done by testing changes in several parameters, namely the LPC order value, the number of frames, the K value, and different distance methods. The results of the parameter combination test showed a fairly good presentation of 73.56321839% with the combination parameter or LPC 8, the number of frames 480, the value of K 5, with the distance method used by Chebychev.
Structural, Functional, and Metabolic Brain Differences as a Function of Gender Identity or Sexual Orientation: A Systematic Review of the Human Neuroimaging Literature
Authors: Frigerio Alberto , Ballerini Lucia , Del C. Valdés Hernández Maria
Published: April 2021

This review systematically explored structural, functional, and metabolic features of the cisgender brain compared with the transgender brain before hormonal treatment and the heterosexual brain compared to the homosexual brain from the analysis of the neuroimaging literature up to 2018, and identified and discussed subsequent studies published up to March 2021. Our main aim was to help identifying neuroradiological brain features that have been related to human sexuality to contribute to the understanding of the biological elements involved in gender identity and sexual orientation. We analyze 39 studies on gender identity and 24 on sexual orientation. Our results suggest that some neuroanatomical, neurophysiological, and neurometabolic features in transgender individuals resemble those of their experienced gender despite the majority resembling those from their natal sex. In homosexual individuals the majority resemble those of their same sex heterosexual population rather than their opposite sex heterosexual population. However, it is always difficult to interpret findings with non-invasive neuroimaging. Given the gross nature of these measures, it is possible that more differences too subtle to measure with available tools yet contributing to gender identity and sexual orientation could be found. Conflicting results contributed to the difficulty of identifying specific brain features which consistently differ between cisgender and transgender or between heterosexual and homosexual groups. The small number of studies, the small-to-moderate sample size of each study, and the heterogeneity of the investigations made it impossible to meta-analyze all the data extracted. Further studies are necessary to increase the understanding of the neurological substrates of human sexuality.
Study of Dependence of Kinetic Freezeout Temperature on Production Cross-Section of the Particles in Various Centrality Intervals in Au-Au and Pb-Pb Collisions at High Energies
Authors: waqas Muhammad , Peng Guang Xiong
Published: April 2021

Transverse momentum spectra of +, p, Λ, Ξ or ¯Ξ+, Ω or ¯Ω+ and deuteron (d) in different centrality intervals in Gold-Gold (Au-Au) and Lead-Lead (Pb-Pb) collisions at 62.4 GeV and 2.76 TeV respectively, are analyzed by the blast wave model with Boltzmann Gibbs statistics. We extracted Kinetic freeze out temperature,transverse flow velocity and kinetic freezeout volume from the transverse momentum spectra of the particles. It is observed that the non-strange and strange (multi-strange) particles freezeout separately due to different reaction cross-sections. While the freezeout volume and transverse flow velocity are mass dependent which decrease with the rest mass of the particles. The present work reveals the scenario of double kinetic freezeout in collisions at STAR and ALICE Collaborations. Furthermore, the kinetic freezeout temperature and freezeout volume are larger in central collisions than the peripheral collisions and they decrease from central to periphery. However the transverse flow velocity remains almost unchanged from central to peripheral collisions.
Human Endogenous Retrovirus as Therapeutic Targets in Neurologic Disease
Authors: Giménez-Orenga Karen , Perron Hervé , Oltra Elisa
Published: April 2021

Human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) are ancient retroviral DNA sequences established into germline. They contain regulatory elements and encoded proteins few of which may provide benefits to hosts when co-opted as cellular genes. Their tight regulation is mainly achieved by epigenetic mechanisms which can be altered by environmental factors, e.g. viral infections, leading to HERV activation. Aberrant expression of HERVs associates with neurological disease, such as multiple sclerosis (MS) or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), inflammatory processes and neurodegeneration. This review summarizes recent advances on the epigenetic mechanisms controlling HERV expression and the pathogenic effects triggered by HERV derepression. The article ends describing new promising therapies targeting HERV elements, one of which, temelimab, has completed phase II trials with encouraging results in treating MS. The information gathered here may turn helpful in the design of new strategies to unveil epigenetic failures behind HERV-triggered disease, opening new possibilities for druggable targets and/or for extending the use of temelimab to treat other associated diseases.
Isolation and Characterization of Phosphate Solubilizing Streptomyces Endemic From Sugar Beet Fields Of the Beni-Mellal Region In Morocco
Authors: Aallam Yassine , Dhiba Driss , Lemriss Sanaâ , Souiri Amal , Karray Fatma , Rasafi Taoufik El , Saïdi Nezha , Haddioui Abdelmajid , El Kabbaj Saâd , Virolle Marie Joëlle , Hanane Hamdali
Published: April 2021

In this research, we isolated and characterized Streptomyces strains, endemic from sugar beet fields of the Beni-Mellal region, able to use natural rock phosphate (RP) and tricalcium phosphate (TCP), as sole phosphate source. Ten Streptomyces isolates yielded a comparable biomass in the presence of these two insoluble phosphate sources, indicating that they were able to extract similar amount of phosphorus (P) from the latter for their own growth. Interestingly, five strains released soluble P in large excess from TCP in their culture broth whereas only two strains, BP, related to Streptomyces bellus and BYC, related to Streptomyces enissocaesilis, released a higher or similar amount of soluble P from RP than from TCP, respectively. This indicated that the rate of P released from these insoluble phosphate sources exceeded its consumption rate for bacterial growth and that most strains solubilized TCP more efficiently than RP. Preliminary results suggested that the solubilization process of BYC, the most efficient RP and TCP solubilizing strain, involves both acidification of the medium and excretion of siderophores. Actinomycete strains possessing such interesting RP solubilizing abilities may constitute a novel kind of intrans beneficial for plant nutrition and more environmentally friendly than chemical fertilizers in current use.
Mechanical Calculation of Flexible Wires Taking into Account Taps to Electrical Apparatuses
Authors: Bladyko Y. V. , Ponomarenko E. G.
Published: April 2021

A method is proposed for the mechanical calculation of flexible wires of substation in the presence of one tap to an electrical apparatus located in the middle of the span, taking into account its real location. The technique takes into account the presence of tension insulators strings, different heights of the suspension of wires. The loads on the conductor and tap depend on the climatic regime and take into account wind and icy conditions, as well as temperature changes. The transition to another climatic regime is performed by solving the equation of state, taking into account the coefficients of the horizontal and vertical load of the given and initial regimes. Formulas are given for calculating load factors that take into account weight, wind and ice cover loads on wires and insulator strings, as well as the slope of the span. They are calculated for each climatic mode based on the actual location of the tap to the electrical apparatus and the forces from it to the busbar. It is shown that the calculation results are in good agreement with the proposed method and the computer program. Formulas are given for calculating the sag and horizontal deviations of the wires when the tap is located in the middle of the span. A method is proposed for calculating the components of the forces on the busbar from the tap, taking into account its real location in substation. Formulas for calculating these components are given for different variants of the tap orientation. Knowledge of the values of the components of concentrated forces from the tap allows to increase the accuracy of calculating the sag and tension of the substation wires. Formulas are given for calculating the coefficients of increasing the sag, taking into account the components of the forces from the tap.
Performance assessment of static and dynamic routings using 6LoWPAN on small scenarios applied to monitoring of Barranquilla flash flood
Authors: Gabriel Piñeres -Espitia , butt shariq aziz , Francisco Estévez -Ortiz , Alejandro Cama -Pinto
Published: April 2021

The Internet of Things (IoT) is growing rapidly due to the wireless network that provides connectivity to devices at anytime and anywhere. Currently, the wireless sensor network is involved in many research fields like smart health monitoring, smart cities, and smart industries. From all of these, flood monitoring is the most important field in the IoT wireless network to alert about the occurrence of any abnormalities. To monitor the environment wireless sensor network needs a decision-making protocol that sense and route the information timely. The present work includes numerous use of Low Power Wireless Personal Area Networks (6LoWPAN) with IPv6 protocol defined by the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) due to its different test conditions, analysing static and dynamic routing and its impact on different performance metrics such as latency and packet losses for their application in monitoring system of the flash floods in any region. In this study, we are using IPv6 6LoWPAN to develop a wireless warning system before a flood event in “The Brigade” in Barranquilla city. The basic purpose for making system is to secure the city from costly damage and life loss. Different types of traffic and different 1-/2-hops scenarios have been considered. In order to implement our system, we use the well-known TelosB platform jointly with TinyOS, BLIP 2.0 and LPL. The experiment result shows that time on 512 ms and 1024 ms with a packet of 120 B obtain good performance on the metrics used for the tests.
Estimating the Parameters of the Epileptor Model for Epileptic Seizure Suppression
Authors: Brogin João Angelo Ferres , de Abreu Jean Faber Ferreira , Bueno Douglas Domingues
Published: April 2021

Epilepsy is one of the most common brain disorders worldwide, affecting millions of people every year. Given the partially successful existing treatments for epileptiform activity suppression, dynamic mathematical models have been proposed with the purpose of better understanding the factors that might trigger an epileptic seizure and how to mitigate it, among which Epileptor stands out, due to its relative simplicity and high prediction ability. Recent studies using such a model have provided evidence that establishing a feedback-based control approach is possible. However, for this strategy to work properly, Epileptor's parameters, which describe the dynamic characteristics of a seizure, must be known beforehand. Therefore, this work proposes a methodology for estimating such parameters based on a successive optimization technique. The results show that it is feasible to approximate their values, and integrating this system identification approach with observers and controllers can be carried out, which might provide an interesting alternative for seizure suppression in practice in the future.
Randomized clinical trial to assess the protective efficacy of a Plasmodium vivax CS synthetic vaccine
Authors: Herrera Socrates , Arevalo-Herrera Myriam , Larmart-Delgado Michelle , Caicedo Maria Alejandra , Henao-Geraldo Juliana , Castellanos Angelica , Gaitan Xiomara , Herrera Sonia , Devaud Jean-Christophe , Panatier André , Oñate Jose , Corradin Giampietro
Published: April 2021

A randomized, double-blind, controlled clinical trial was conducted to assess the safety and protective efficacy of the Plasmodium vivax circumsporozoite (CS) protein. A total of 35 healthy adults, either malaria-naïve (n=17) or P.vivax semi-immune (n=18), were enrolled and immunized intramuscularly (i.m.) at months 0, 2, and 6, with the PvCS (150 μg) formulated in Montanide ISA-51 adjuvant. Most volunteers developed PvCS specific antibody and T-cell responses and were subjected to a P. vivax sporozoite controlled human malaria infection (CHMI) 30 days after the last immunization. Sterile protection was observed in five of 11 naïve (42%) and four of 11 semi-immune (36%) volunteers by showing no parasitemia during the 60 days follow-up, as did a semi-immune control (1/5) volunteer. All non-protected volunteers developed malaria symptoms 10-19 days after CHMI and were immediately treated with antimalarial drugs. This is the first study of a P. vivax sub-unit vaccine demonstrating sterile protection against P. vivax infection.
Randomized clinical trial to assess the protective efficacy of a Plasmodium vivax CS synthetic vaccine
Authors: Arevalo-Herrera Myriam , Larmart-Delgado Michelle , Caicedo Maria Alejandra , Henao-Giraldo Juliana , Castellanos Angelica , Gaitan Xiomara , Devaud Jean-Christophe , Pannatier André , Herrera Sonia , Oñate Jose , Corradin Giampietro , Herrera Socrates
Published: April 2021

A randomized, double-blind, controlled clinical trial was conducted to assess the safety and protective efficacy of the Plasmodium vivax circumsporozoite (CS) protein. A total of 35 healthy adults, either malaria-naïve (n=17) or P.vivax semi-immune (n=18), were enrolled and immunized intramuscularly (i.m.) at months 0, 2, and 6, with the PvCS (150 μg) formulated in Montanide ISA-51 adjuvant. Most volunteers developed PvCS specific antibody and T-cell responses and were subjected to a P. vivax sporozoite controlled human malaria infection (CHMI) 30 days after the last immunization. Sterile protection was observed in five of 11 naïve (42%) and four of 11 semi-immune (36%) volunteers by showing no parasitemia during the 60 days follow-up, as did a semi-immune control (1/5) volunteer. All non-protected volunteers developed malaria symptoms 10-19 days after CHMI and were immediately treated with antimalarial drugs. This is the first study of a P. vivax sub-unit vaccine demonstrating sterile protection against P. vivax infection.
Silent world under COVID-19 — a comprehensive impact analysis based on human mobility
Authors: Wang Shaobin , Tong Yun , Fan Yupeng , Liu Haimeng , Wu Jun , Wang Zheye , Fang Chuanglin
Published: April 2021

Since spring 2020, the human world seems to be exceptionally silent due to mobility reduction caused by COVID-19 pandemic. To better measure real-time decline of human mobility and changes of socio-economic activities in a timely manner, we constructed a silent index (SI) based on Google’s mobility data. We systematically investigated the relations between SI, new COVID-19 cases, government policy, and the level of economic development. Results showed a drastic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on increasing SI. The impact of COVID-19 on human mobility varied significantly by country and places. Bi-directional causality between SI and the new COVID-19 cases was detected, with a lagging period of one to two weeks. The travel restriction and social policies could immediately affect SI in one week; however, could not effectively sustain in the long run. Underdeveloped countries are more affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
APOE4 Regulates Synaptic Function by Directly Modulating the SNARE Complex Assembly
Authors: Chen Feng , Chen Yanting , Chen Huiyi , Wang Yongxiang , Wei Wenyan , Cai Yujie , Liang Chunmei , Cao Hao , Chen Xiongjin , Ji Yao , Zhang Dandan , Sun Yuanhong , Wang Yan , Cui Lili
Published: April 2021

Background: The ε4 allele of the Apolipoprotein E (APOE) gene is a major genetic risk determinant of sporadic Alzheimer's disease (AD). Its protein product APOE4 has been demonstrated to coffers deleterious effects for various neurodegenerative disorders related to cognitive impairment, including AD. A line of evidence implied that APOE4 affects these diseases partly through its synaptic damage. However, the mechanisms underlying this have not been fully interpreted.Methods: Proteomics analysis, Co-immunoprecipitation assay (Co-IP), Bimolecular fluorescence complementation (BIFC), and Proximity ligation assay (PLA) assays were used to screen and verify the interactome of APOE, which in an APOE4-priority manner. The molecular docking and molecular dynamic analysis were conducted to elucidate the molecular mechanisms that APOE3 differs from APOE4 in the binding ability of VAMP2. Adeno-associated virus expressing APOE3 and APOE4 was stereotaxically injected into the Hippocampus of Apoe-/- mice, and in vitro recombinant proteins experiments were conducted to verify the AOPE on soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor attachment protein receptor (SNARE) complex assemble. FM4-64 fluorescent dye labeling assay was explored in hippocampus from APOE3-TR and APOE4-TR mice to study the APOE genotype effect on synaptic vesicle release.Results:Using proteomics analysis, we screened interactomes of APOE3 and APOE4 in neurons, respectively. Then, VAMP2 protein was selected for further analysis through related bioinformatics analysis. Via Co-IP, BIFC, and PLA assays,we demonstrated that APOE directly interacts with VAMP2 in an E4 > E3 manner in vitro and in vivo. The molecular docking and molecular dynamic analysis suggested that the APOE4-VAMP2 complex was more stable and had higher affinity than APOE3-VAMP2, may due to the increased contribution of hydrogen bonding, hamper VAMP2 to form the SNARE complex. The further in vitro and in vivo results suggest that APOE4 blocks the SNARE complex assembly, negatively regulating synaptic vesicle release, finally contributing to the synaptic damage and cognitive impairment.Conclusions:Our findings identify SNARE protein as an APOE interactor, and APOE4 isoform effects on SNARE complex formation, mediates APOE4-induced synaptic dysfunction. Our results provide insights into APOE4-mediated synapse toxicity, and suggested new avenues for specifically targeting early presynaptic dysfunction in AD.
Influence of pH on Structural, Morphological, Optical, Photocatalytic, and Antibacterial Properties of Yttrium Oxide Nanoparticles via Co-Precipitation Method
Authors: Parangusan Kiruthika , Subramanium Venkat , Sundarabharathi Lakshmanaperumal , Kannan Karthik , Radhika Devi
Published: April 2021

Yttrium oxide nanoparticles with multiform morphologies have been synthesized by the co-precipitation method. The structure, morphology, functional groups, optical and photoluminescence properties were examined through X-ray diffraction (XRD), Scanning electron microscope (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectrometer (FTIR), UV-Visible (UV-Vis), Photoluminescence spectra (PL). The XRD patterns obtained for the samples synthesized at various pH values confirmed the cubic structure of Y2O3. The patterns obtained on the samples at pH values of 8 and 9 appeared as have sharp peaks suggested, that the samples were well crystallized. From UV-vis spectra, it revealed that the bandgap energy exhibits a blue shift in the absorption edge for the samples with the increase of pH due to their changing morphologies and surface structures. In the PL spectra, the obtained Y2O3 samples demonstrate an intense and bright UV and blue emission under the excitation wavelength range of 250 nm. The photocatalytic degradation of the Y2O3 nanostructure was studied against the Methylene blue (MB) dye under sunlight irradiation. The results showed good recital under solar light irradiation. Further, the antimicrobial activities of Y2O3 nanostructure against foodborne pathogens (Staphylococcus aureus and Salmonella typhi) were examined by using the disc diffusion method. Moreover, the Y2O3 nanostructure was found to be biocompatible.
Pressure Assisted Development and Characterization of Al-Fe Interface for bi-metallic Composite Castings: An Experimental and Statistical Investigation for Low Pressure Regime
Authors: Rashid Tayyiba , Saleem Muhammad Qaiser , Mufti Nadeem Ahmad , Asif Noman , Ishfaq Kashif , Naqvi Maham
Published: April 2021

Review of the available literature indicates that development of metal reinforced castings present intriguing prospects but carry inherent challenges owing to differences in thermal coefficients, chemical affinities, diffusion issues and varying nature of intermetallic compounds. It is supported that pressure application during solidification may favorably influence the dynamics of the aforementioned issues, nevertheless, not only certain limitations have been cited but also some pressure and process regimes have not been found to be investigated and optimized. This work employs the pressure-assisted approach for bi-metallic steel reinforced aluminum composite castings at low-pressure regime and thoroughly investigates the role of three process parameters namely pouring temperature (800°C-900°C), pressure (10–20 bars) and holding time (10–20 sec) for producing sound interfaces. Taguchi L9 orthogonal array has been employed as DOE while dominant factors have been determined via ANOVA and Grey relational analysis multi-objective optimization technique. Supplementary analysis through optical micrographs, SEM and EDS has been relied upon to quantify interfacial layer thicknesses and to study microstructural and compositional aspects of the interface. Nano-indentation tests under static and dynamic loading have also been performed for mechanical strength characterization. It has been found that uniform interfaces with verifiable diffusion are obtainable with pouring temperature being the most influential parameter (PCR 92.84%) in this pressure regime. Optimum parameters determined from the work, yield ~ 328% thicker interface layer, 19.42% better nano-hardness and 19.10% improved cooling rate when compared to the process conditions with least parametric levels.
Bioresorbable Plate Fracture After Cranioplasty Caused by Head Injury, a Pediatric Case 
Authors: Igarashi Kohei , Kuge Atsushi , Homma Hiroshi , Yamaki Tetsu , Kondo Rei , Saito Shinjiro , Sonoda Yukihiko
Published: April 2021

Background: Recently, bone fixation materials have been developed as surgical materials. Bioabsorbable materials offers several advantages over other materials and are widely used. We report a rare case of the fracture of bioresorbable plates caused by head injury, and describe some considerations.Case description: A day, six-year-old boy suffered from consciousness disturbance. He was admitted our hospital and diagnosed with left frontal subcortical hemorrhage due to ruptured arteriovenous malformation (AVM). He was received the surgery of removal of the AVM with decompressive craniectomy. He was discharged without any neurologic deficit and underwent the cranioplasty 4 months after the initial surgery. Two months after the last treatment, he was fallen and hit his left frontal head. The next day, he noticed an abnormal bulge in the injured area. We diagnosed the bulging as the cerebrospinal fluid leakage because of the dural tear. The repairment of dural tear was performed. We found that two bioresorbable plates used by cranioplasty were both cracked and the dura mater beneath them was teared. We repaired the damaged dura with an artificial dura mater. After surgery, cerebrospinal fluid leakage did not occur. Conclusion: It has been reported that the durability of bioresorbable plate is no less than that of titanium plate. We experienced a relatively rare case in which bioabsorbable plate used for bone fixation was damaged due to head trauma. After craniotomy or cranioplasty using bioresorbable plates, special attention should be paid to head trauma that involves bone flap sinking force and side bending stress.