bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An Introduction of Biomimetic System and Heat Pump Technology in Food Drying Industry
Authors: Yousaf Khurram , Chen Kunjie , Azam Khan Muhammad
Published: December 2020

Drying of food products is a relatively complex, nonlinear, and dynamic process due to simultaneous heat and mass transfer, rapid moisture evaporation, and biological and chemical reactions. Therefore, the monitoring of food quality during the drying process using bio-inspired technologies can play a vital role. The demand for high-quality dried food products and the rapid growth of energy in food processing are attracting new and renewable sources of energy. Energy efficiency, improved food product quality, and less environmental impact are always the main priorities of any drying system development. In-depth knowledge of biomimetic systems and drying kinetics would be helpful to design new dryers and technologies. Due to the excellent features (controllable drying temperature, drying time, drying air velocity, and relative humidity), heat pump drying systems have been used widely to ensure food and agricultural product quality. This chapter helps to understand the relationship between bio-inspired technologies and the role of heat pump technology in the food drying industry in terms of cost-effectiveness, energy saving, and better food product quality.
Antidiabetic Activities of Terminalia Species in Nigeria
Authors: Nonso Iheagwam Franklyn , Elizabeth Dania Omoremime , Michael-Onuoha Happiness Chijioke , Olujoke Ogunlana Olubanke , Nwodo Chinedu Shalom
Published: December 2020

Terminalia species are well recognised in traditional medicine. They are known for producing fruits and nuts which are edible and possess pharmacotherapeutic properties. They also have ornamental purposes in urban areas where they are found. These species are used by traditional healers in the treatment and management of diabetes mellitus, its complications and other related ailments that are involved in the pathophysiological process of this disease. Research has been extensively done to validate these antidiabetic claims scientifically as well as understand the mechanism and mode of antidiabetic action. This chapter proposes to highlight the antidiabetic activities of Terminalia species found in Nigeria.
Wavelet Based Multicarrier Modulation (MCM) Systems: PAPR Analysis
Authors: Zakaria Jamaluddin , Fadzli Mohd Salleh Mohd
Published: December 2020

Orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) is a prominent system in transmitting multicarrier modulation (MCM) signals over selective fading channel. The system offers to attain a higher degree of bandwidth efficiency, higher data transmission, and robust to narrowband frequency interference. However, it incurs a high peak-to-average power ratio (PAPR) where the signals work in the nonlinear region of the high-power amplifier (HPA) results in poor performance. Besides, an attractive dynamic wavelet analysis and its derivatives such as wavelet packet transform (WPT) demonstrates almost the same criteria as the OFDM in MCM system. Wavelet surpasses Fourier based analysis by inherent flexibility in terms of windows function for non-stationary signal. In wavelet-based MCM systems (wavelet OFDM (WOFDM) and Wavelet packet OFDM (WP-OFDM)), the constructed orthogonal modulation signals behaves similar to the fast Fourier transform (FFT) does in the conventional OFDM (C-OFDM) system. With no cyclic prefix (CP) need to be applied, these orthogonal signals hold higher bandwidth efficiency. Hence, this chapter presents a comprehensive study on the manipulation of specified parameters using WP-OFDM, WOFDM and C-OFDM signals together with various wavelets under the additive white Gaussian noise (AWGN) channel.
Effectiveness of Anaerobic Technologies in the Treatment of Landfill Leachate
Authors: Ahmad Imran , Abdullah Norhayati , Chelliapan Shreeshivadasan , Yuzir Ali , Koji Iwamoto , Al-Dailami Anas , Arumugham Thilagavathi
Published: December 2020

Improper Solid Waste Management leads to the generation of landfill leachate at the landfills. To reduce the negative impacts of highly toxic and recalcitrant leachate on the environment, several techniques have been used. A lot of research is conducted to find suitable methods for the treatment of landfill leachate such as biological processes, chemical oxidation processes, coagulation, flocculation, chemical precipitation, and membrane procedures. The biological process is still being used widely for the treatment of leachate. The current system of leachate treatment consists of various unit processes which require larger area, energy and cost. In addition, the current aerobic treatment is not able to treat entirely the pollutants which require further treatment of the leachate. Anaerobic wastewater treatment has gained considerable attention among researchers and sanitary engineers primarily due to its economic advantages over conventional aerobic methods. The major advantages of anaerobic wastewater treatment in comparison to aerobic methods are: (a) the lack of aeration, which decreases costs and energy requirements; and (b) simple maintenance and control, which eliminates the need for skilled operators and manufacturers. Several anaerobic processes have been used for leachate treatment such as up-flow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) reactor, anaerobic filter, hybrid bed reactor, anaerobic sequencing batch reactor and Anaerobic baffled reactor. The following chapter provides an insight to the solid waste management at the landfills, generation of leachate and details of some of the highly efficient anaerobic treatment systems that are used for the overall treatment of landfill leachate.
Considering Harmful Algal Blooms
Authors: E. Jalgaonwala Ruby
Published: December 2020

Problematic harmful algal bloom is wide and tenacious, upsetting estuaries, coasts, and freshwaters system throughout the ecosphere, alongside disturbing human health, social life as well as national economy. Particular environmental factors supports growth of algal blooms, temperature always is significant when speaking about water-ecosystem. Disparity in temperature also found to affect the interaction of physical, chemical and biological parameters so it is equally imperative to consider effects of climate change, as change in climatic conditions supports unwanted growth of algae. Also inconsistency in climate equally contributes to the apparent increases of HAB, therefore effects of climate change needs to be totally comprehended along with development of the risk assessments and effective management of HABs. Increased HAB activities have a direct negative effect on ecosystems and they can frequently have a direct commercial impact on aquaculture, depending on the type of HAB. Causing economic impact also, as there is still insufficient evidence to resolve this problem. Therefore this chapter considers the effects of past, present and future climatic variability on HABs along with impacts of toxins release by them, on marine organism as well as human beings correspondingly, mitigation of HAB with help of suitable biological agents recognized.
TransgenicAtCKXCentaury Plants GrownIn Vitro
Authors: Trifunović-Momčilov Milana , Motyka Václav
Published: December 2020

The production and breeding of plants with desired properties are possible by a fundamental biotechnological technique, genetic engineering. Applying and developing of genetic engineering procedures also enable preservation and improvement of plant species endangered in nature, including medicinal plant common centaury (Centaurium erythraea Rafn.). Numerous developmental processes in plants are controlled by cytokinins (CKs). The only so far known enzyme involved in CK catabolism is cytokinin oxidase/dehydrogenase (CKX). Genes coding for two Arabidopsis CKX isoforms, AtCKX1 and AtCKX2, were successfully introduced into centaury root explants. Subsequently, the contents of endogenous CKs in AtCKX-overexpressing centaury plants grown in vitro were investigated. Simultaneous secondary metabolite analyses showed antibacterial and antifungal activity of transgenic centaury plants and suggested their use as potential producers of anti-cancer compounds. Considering that centaury can inhabit saline soils in natural habitats, following investigations included evaluation of salinity tolerance in vitro. All obtained and summarized results indicated that transgenic AtCKX centaury plants could serve as a suitable model for studies of numerous physiological and developmental processes under endogenous phytohormonal control.
DNA Repair Defects in Sarcomas
Authors: Riyahi Niknam , Reza Saadatzadeh M. , Bijangi-Vishehsaraei Khadijeh , Barghi Farinaz , H. Pandya Pankita , E. Pollok Karen
Published: December 2020

DNA repair pathway is considered to be one of the most important mechanisms that protect cells from intrinsic and extrinsic stresses. It has been established that DNA repair activity has a crucial role in the way that cancer cells respond to treatment. Sarcomas are a group of tumors with mesenchymal origin in which their association with DNA repair aberrations has been reported in numerous studies. Special attention has been focused on exploiting these alterations to improve the patient’s overall survival and overcome drug resistance in cancer. While there is a large degree of heterogeneity among different types of sarcomas, DNA repair alteration is found to be a common defect in the majority of patients. In this chapter, we will introduce and review some of the most important dysregulated components involved in the DNA repair system, and discuss their association with tumorigenesis, cancer aggressiveness, drug resistance, and overall prognosis in the patients with sarcomas.
Peculiarities of the Fundamental Solution of Parabolic Systems with a Negative Genus
Authors: Antonovich Litovchenko Vladyslav
Published: December 2020

For the parabolic Shilov-type systems with a negative genus, a method of studying the properties of a fundamental solution of the Cauchy problem is proposed. This method allows to improve the known estimates of Zhitomirskii fundamental solution for systems with dissipative parabolicity and describe the features of this solution more accurately. It opens wide possibilities for constructing a classical theory of the Cauchy problem for parabolic systems with negative genus and variable coefficients.
Human Consciousness: The Role of Cerebral and Cerebellar Cortex, Vagal Afferents, and Beyond
Authors: Abdulrhman Al Abdulgader Abdullah
Published: December 2020

Human Consciousness is one of most elusive issues in the scientific history. Its nature created major historical debate started thousands of years ago and still ongoing. Despite the explosive developments in the last 6 decades to explore its nature, the knowledge about it is still deficient. The important advances in the twentieth and 21st centuries in understanding cerebral cortex dynamics fortified by the dominant materialistic philosophical approach of the era dictated its impact on consciousness science, which is understood as sole human brain function. This chapter is a call for holistic perception of human consciousness incorporating the ancient wisdom of the human civilizations with the massive current advances in different disciplines of applied sciences. The description of René Descartes in the 17th century of the Cartesian dualism is timely to revisit with new holistic perspective, in view of the major advances of our understanding of heart brain communications, astrophysical resonances with, human heart and central nervous system frequencies, and signaling between humans and their large environment. Neural and psychological correlates of human consciousness which dominate the consciousness research nowadays should undergo revolutionary conceptual understanding to perceive consciousness as a massive universal event expanding from human genes to galaxies with cerebral cortex as major player.
Together Apart during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Assessing Students’ Readiness for Online Assessments Using an E-Learning System
Authors: H.E. Gay Glenda
Published: December 2020

Electronic learning (e-learning) is an indispensable management system that supports face-to-face, blended, or fully online courses. In January 2020, 258 students in a second-year management course at a regional university were evaluated on their preparedness for online lectures via e-learning. However, by mid-semester, the COVID-19 pandemic halted face-to-face teaching, pushed final assessments to an online modality, and forced some governments to quickly repatriate their students. This chapter evaluates students’ level of e-learning readiness (e-readiness) and whether it had any effect on their performance in the final assessment. The results show that six percent of the cohort had returned to their home country, six percent had no privacy to take their final online assessments, while 31% depended on Wi-Fi. However, although two-thirds of the cohort preferred the online modality, only a third had acceptable levels of e-readiness. E-ready students felt the disruption in their study routine most, while those who were not e-ready found more time to study after the curfew restrictions were in place. E-ready students attempted their final online assessment earlier than those who were not yet e-ready, but the two groups had similar assessment grades. Evaluating students’ level of e-readiness is vital in providing support for those who have challenges with online learning.
Responsiveness of Occupational Health Risk and Preventive Measures Practice by the Workers Employed in Tannery Occupation in Kanpur, India
Authors: Chandra Kashyap Gyan , Chokhandre Praveen , Kant Singh Shri
Published: December 2020

Occupational health covers all aspects of health and safety in the workplace and has a strong focus on primary prevention of hazards. The objective of the study was to understand the extent of awareness about occupational health risks involved in tannery occupation and adopted preventive measures by the tannery workers of Kanpur, India. Information for the present research was strained from a cross-sectional household study of tannery workers in the Jajmau area of Kanpur. The survey was piloted through the period January–June 2015, and 284 samples were collected. The prevalence of awareness of tannery work is very hazardous in nature varies from 73–93% among the tannery workers. Tannery workers having a middle-school level of education were 3.01 times more likely to be aware of the hazards as compared to the illiterate workers. Tannery workers aged 36 and above were less likely to aware of a hazardous work environment. Further, tannery workers who belong to the younger cohort (16–24 years) reported a higher awareness of respiratory problems (38%), skin complaints (59%), and gastrointestinal issues (21%) than those aged 36 years and above. About one-third of Beam house workers (33%) and over a quarter (26%) of the wet finishing had moderate to high dermal contact with the chemicals. The study’s outcomes give a clear indication of the effect of the workstation environment on the health status of workers and require the use of adequate measures to improve the facilities and thereby the health status of tannery workers.
Hydrogen Fuel Cell Implementation for the Transportation Sector
Authors: Yeetsorn Rungsima , Maiket Yaowaret
Published: December 2020

Global transportation possesses have compelling rationales for reducing the consumption of oil, emissions of carbon dioxide, and noise pollution. Transitions to alternative transportation technologies such as electric vehicles (EVs) have gained increased attention from the automotive industries. A fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV) occupying a hydrogen engine is one of the most stupendous technologies, since it is suitable for a large-scale transportation. However, its performance limitations are in question due to voltage degradation in long term operations through steady conditions under constant load and dynamic working conditions. Other drawbacks of using fuel cells in EVs are energy balances and management issues necessary for vehicle power and energy requirements. An efficient solution to accommodate driving behavior like dynamic loads comprises of hybridizing PEMFCs with energy storage devices like supercapacitors and batteries. This opening chapter reviews the projected gist of FCEV status; considers the factors that are going to affect how FCEVs could enter commercialization, including the importance of fuel cells for EV technologies; the degradation diagnoses using accelerated stress test (AST) procedures; FCEV hybridization; and the contribution of an energy storage device for charging EVs. The article also addresses case studies relating to material degradation occurring from driving behavior. Information about material degradation can be compiled into a database for the improvement of cell component performance and durability, leading to the creation of new materials and new fuel cell hybridization designs. To support the growth of EV technologies, an energy storage is required for the integrated alternative electricity generations. A redox flow battery is considered as a promising candidate in terms of attractive charging station for EVs or HEVs.
Applying Clustering and Topic Modeling to Automatic Analysis of Citizens’ Comments in EGovernment
Authors:   Institute of Information Technology, Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences Address: AZ1141, B. Vahabzade street, 9A, Baku, Azerbaijan, Iskandarli Gunay Y.
Published: December 2020

The paper proposes an approach to analyze citizens' comments in e-government using topic modeling and clustering algorithms. The main purpose of the proposed approach is to determine what topics are the citizens' commentaries about written in the e-government environment and to improve the quality of e-services. One of the methods used to determine this is topic modeling methods. In the proposed approach, first citizens' comments are clustered and then the topics are extracted from each cluster. Thus, we can determine which topics are discussed by citizens. However, in the usage of clustering and topic modeling methods appear some problems. These problems include the size of the vectors and the collection of semantically related of documents in different clusters. Considering this, the semantic similarity of words is used in the approach to reduce measure. Therefore, we only save one of the words that are semantically similar to each other and throw the others away. So, the size of the vector is reduced. Then the documents are clustered and topics are extracted from each cluster. The proposed method can significantly reduce the size of a large set of documents, save time spent on the analysis of this data, and improve the quality of clustering and LDA algorithm.
Arte e infância: inspirações para novos possíveis em tempos de pandemia
Authors: Mariano Carmem Lúcia Sussel , Prado Renata Lopes Costa , Noguera Renato
Published: December 2020

Apresentação do Dossiê "Arte e infância em contextos de epidemia e pandemia"
Essas mãos: uma experiência teatral com mulheres em situação de violência doméstica em Minas Gerais (SIAME)
Authors: Ferraz Mirela Ferreira
Published: December 2020

Resumo: Este relato de experiência apresenta a minha vivência docenteno projeto Essas Mãos, realizado no Serviço Interprofissional de Atendimento à Mulher (SIAME), enquanto prática docente no curso de Artes Cênicas – Licenciatura, na Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto (UFOP), em 2010. Sendo assim, são abordados aspectos da memória e procedimentos práticosno exercício da docência em teatro. O referente projeto atendeu mulheres que sofreram violência doméstica e tinha como principal objetivo exaltar a valorização do “ser mulher”, tendo em vista o sofrimento de corpos violentados por seus antigos companheiros, através de práticas corporais lúdicas e poéticas. O trabalho teve como principal base a poesia da letrista brasileira Cora Coralina, que fez com que as mulheres participantes, por meio da narrativa, compartilhassem suas histórias de vida para as outras, criando, assim, um espaço de diálogo, escuta, identificação e acolhimento.
Cultivating Digitization Competencies
Authors: O'Hara Gayle , Lapworth Emily , Lampert Cory
Published: December 2020

This article is a case study of how six digitization competencies were developed and disseminated via grant-funded digitization projects at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas Libraries Special Collections and Archives. The six competencies are project planning, grant writing, project management, metadata, digital capture, and digital asset management. The authors will introduce each competency, discuss why it is important, and describe how it was developed during the course of the grant project, as well as how it was taught in a workshop environment. The differences in competency development for three different stakeholder groups will be examined: early career grant staff gaining on-the-job experience; experienced digital collections librarians experimenting and innovating; and a statewide audience of cultural heritage professionals attending grant-sponsored workshops.
La pérdida de la vivienda habitual en la doctrina del TEDH: una injerencia extrema en el derecho al respeto del domicilio
Authors: Macho Carro Alberto
Published: December 2020

La vivienda habitual ha encontrado una importante vía de tutela en la interpretación extensiva que el TEDH ha venido haciendo del artículo 8 CEDH. Esta exégesis ha permitido ampliar su contenido hasta incluir en él algunas vertientes más sociales de lo habitual en un clásico derecho de libertad. En concreto, desde Connors c. Reino Unido, el TEDH ha sostenido que esta disposición impone una serie de obligaciones positivas sobre los Estados parte cuando una persona corra el riesgo de perder su vivienda habitual, incluso si tal pérdida tiene lugar conforme a causas legalmente tasadas. Además, el Tribunal ha ido desarrollando en su jurisprudencia el contenido de estas obligaciones, que en principio implicaban exigencias puramente procedimentales, para irlas dotando de un contenido más sustantivo en lo que parece una tímida aproximación a la tutela brindada por ciertos órganos internacionales de garantía de derechos sociales en materia de vivienda.  

One´s habitual home has found a relevant way of protection through the ECHR´´ s interpretation of the right to respect for one´´ s home (art. 8 ECHR). This interpretation has allowed an extension of the content of this right by including in it some considerations that are more “social” than usual for a classical liberty. In particular, from the case of Connors v. the United Kingdom onwards, the ECHR has held that this right imposes upon States a series of positive obligations when a person risks losing his home, even if this loss is in accordance with national law. Moreover, the ECHR has developed the content of these obligations throughout its case law, evolving from pure procedural requirements to a more substantive approach, in which seems like a shy approximation to the protection of the right to housing granted by some international committees.
L'identité hybride dans 'Tous les hommes désirent naturellement savoir' (2018) de Nina Bouraoui
Authors: Borge Robles Ariadna
Published: December 2020

Dans Tous les hommes désirent Naturellement savoir (2018) de Nina Bouraoui mène la recherche de son identité. Une identité hybride qui naît d’une nature lesbienne et qui se construit avec les expériences de l’enfance, en Algérie, et de l’adolescence, en France. Utilisant la mémoire, la narratrice effectue une recherche personnelle pour répondre à la question philosophique : « Qui suis-je ? ». Pour trouver la réponse, Bouraoui commence son écriture en présent, ce qui nous place dans le contexte de sa recherche et qui permet de comprendre l’argumentaire et la connexion thématique du livre. La division s’établit entre « Se souvenir », « Devenir », « Être » et « Connaître ». Le roman se termine en annonçant un avenir incertain et reflète un passé dont nous sommes tous héritiers. L’objectif de cet article, L’identité hybride dans 'Tous les hommes désirent naturellement savoir' (2018) de Nina Bouraoui, c’est de découvrir de quoi se compose l’identité de la narratrice.
Le Acque Sotterranee scorrono e talvolta confluiscono
Authors: Cerutti Paolo
Published: December 2020

È arrivato dicembre (il numero di) ed Acque Sotterranee si è preparata per il 2021 sotto i nuovi auspici del continuo rinnovamento avviato ad inizio 2020: dopo aver riorganizzato l’Editorial Board nei mesi scorsi, abbiamo ora allargato la Direzione Scientifica ad una persona di sicura fama e di riferimento per l’Idrogeologia italiana: Daniela Ducci, che a nome di tutti ringrazio per aver accettato un ruolo con molti oneri, è un’amica di molti di noi (non serve aggiungere altro) e oltre a tutto il resto è anche Presidente dell’Italian Chapter di IAH (Int. Ass. Hydrogeologists). Mi preme sottolineare che questo allargamento, oltre ad estendere ed innalzare ulteriormente la qualità del nostro Italian Journal of Hydrogeology, aggiunge un’architrave a una struttura che si va via via evolvendo come risultato tanto di una precisa volontà della Direzione Scientifica e dell’Editore, quanto della collaborazione tra organizzazioni: nel caso specifico, quella tra il già citato Italian Chapter di IAH, da una parte, ed Acque Sotterranee, l’associazione (affiliata ANIPA) Editrice di questa sua omonima rivista, dall’altra [...].
Crossing the Borders of the Literary Markets
Authors: Wenusch Monica
Published: December 2020

Det er en uomtvistelig kendsgerning, at Knut Hamsun har opnået status som en af de mest fremtrædende norske repræsentanter for verdenslitteraturen. Hans værker er blevet oversat og distribueret internationalt og pådrager sig stadig verdensomspændende opmærksomhed. Et centralt aspekt af hans internationale anerkendelse er hans egen overskridelse af grænser, dvs. hans rejser og ophold udenfor Norge, ikke mindst i et af samtidens litterære centre, Paris. Her opholdt Hamsun sig to gange mellem april 1893 og juni 1895. Det var også her, han lærte sin fremtidige tyske forlægger, Albert Langen, at kende. Langens forlag blev efter sigende oven i købet grundlagt pga. Hamsun. Ikke desto mindre udkom Hamsuns første bog i tysk oversættelse hos S. Fischer Verlag. Begge forlag var kendt for deres indsats for udbredelsen af især skandinavisk litteratur i tysk oversættelse. Denne artikel fokuserer på de afgørende betingelser for den tidlige transmission, formidling og cirkulation af Hamsuns værker i Tyskland samt den afgørende rolle, som nøglefigurer som formidlere og oversættere spillede i denne sammenhæng.
Lack of guilt, shame, and remorse following weight stigma expression: a real-time assessment pilot study
Authors: Trojanowski Paige J. , Breithaupt Lauren , Negi Sonakshi , Wonderlich Joseph , Fischer Sarah
Published: December 2020

Objective

Weight stigma is pervasive and is associated with negative health and psychological outcomes. Few studies have examined weight stigma perpetration or the emotions individuals experience after perpetrating weight stigma. This study used experience sampling to explore the nature and frequency of weight stigma behaviors and cognitions and moral emotions (shame, guilt, remorse, pride) in the perpetrator following weight stigma perpetration.

Methods

Participants were college students (N = 31, 77.1% female). Participants completed baseline measures of anti-fat attitudes and one week of experience sampling phone prompts assessing: (1) weight stigma behaviors and cognitions and (2) moral emotions. Generalized estimating equation analyses were used to model trajectories of moral emotions after weight stigma events.

Results

Thirty-one participants reported 1,008 weight stigma events over 7.5 days. Feelings of guilt, shame, and remorse decreased after weight stigma perpetration. Individuals also reported feeling less proud after engaging in weight stigma.

Conclusions

Weight stigma occurs frequently as reported by perpetrators. A lack of remorse, guilt, and shame is evident in undergraduates after they express weight stigma; however, individuals in this study also reported feeling less pride after perpetration. This study highlights the need for future studies to explore the expression of weight stigma from the perspective of perpetrators instead of targets. Results highlight the pervasiveness and normative nature of weight stigma perpetration in everyday life and the need to better understand the emotional response following weight stigma perpetration as a potential mechanism of its perpetuation.
Assessment of Severity and Outcome of COVID-19 Cases by Haematological and Biochemical Markers at Tertiary Care Centre in India
Authors: Singh Amresh Kumar , Pandey Jayesh , Adhikari Indra Prasad , Gaur Vivek , Kumar Ankur , Prakash Satya , Tiwari Rajju
Published: December 2020

Background: In December 2019, a cluster of pneumonia cases caused by a novel corona virus (2019-nCov), later named as severe acute respiratory syndrome corona virus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) was detected in China. In India, 30th January 2020 first positive case ofSARS-CoV-2was reported from Kerala. The reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) is the standard method of choice for diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Certain biomarker molecules that are being evaluated for assessment of severity and prognosis are; D-dimer, C reactive protein (CRP), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), complete blood counts (CBC) and serum ferritin. The elevated levels of these biomarkers were associated with extent of inflammation.

Objective: This prospective study was designed to assess the severity and prognosis of pneumonia cases caused by SARS-CoV-2 using different haematological and biochemical biomarkers.

Materials and Methods: This study was conducted among 242 participants attending covid-19 facility of BRD Medical College Gorakhpur, after confirmation by RT-PCR. Different haematological and biochemical biomarkers were analyzed using 5 ml fasting venous blood samples and these were analysed in auto analysers using standard protocol as per manufacturer’s instructions. Finally result was analyzed using standard statistical calculation by %positivity, confidence interval, p values and ≤ 0.05 is considered as statistically significant.

Results: Among a total of 242 COVID-19 cases based on different haematological and biomarkers assessment; 92 were critically ill and 150 non-critically ill. The mean ±SD of various haematological parameters among critically ill cases were; haemoglobin (13.0±1.8),TLC (13846.13±3903.76),PLT (92213.48±61415.07),NLR(36.5±30.4).The mean ±SD of the biochemical parameters of critically ill participant was; CRP 44.7±35.4 (95%CI 25.06,2.93),D. dimer 2.9±2.6 (95%CI 1.69,0.10), serum ferritin 1204.7±750.7 (95%CI 581.8,60.1),LDH 397.2±180.8 (95% CI 133.01,0.0163). The level of different haematological and biochemical parameters was raised also in non-critically ill cases but at lower side. Out of these 242 cases; 106 (43.8%) were died and 136 (56.2%) survived but the mortality was high in critically ill cases.

Conclusion: Our findings show that level of D-dimer, LDH, CRP, NLR and serum ferritin,can be used to assess the severity and prognosis of COVID-19 cases. Among these biomarkers; D-dimer levels correlate more precisely with severity and can be considered as a reliable prognostic marker.
Interfacial Engineering for Improved Photocatalysis in a Charge Storing 2D Carbon Nitride: Melamine Functionalized Poly(heptazine imide)
Authors: Kröger Julia , Jiménez‐Solano Alberto , Savasci Gökcen , Rovó Petra , Moudrakovski Igor , Küster Kathrin , Schlomberg Hendrik , Vignolo‐González Hugo A. , Duppel Viola , Grunenberg Lars , Dayan Cem B. , Sitti Metin , Podjaski Filip , Ochsenfeld Christian , Lotsch Bettina V.
Published: December 2020

Carbon nitrides constitute a class of earth‐abundant polymeric semiconductors, which have high potential for tunability on a molecular level, despite their high chemical and thermal inertness. Here the first postsynthetic modification of the 2D carbon nitride poly(heptazine imide) (PHI) is reported, which is decorated with terminal melamine (Mel) moieties by a functional group interconversion. The covalent attachment of this group is verified based with a suite of spectroscopic and microscopic techniques supported by quantum–chemical calculations. Using triethanolamine as a sacrificial electron donor, Mel‐PHI outperforms most other carbon nitrides in terms of hydrogen evolution rate (5570 µmol h−1 g−1), while maintaining the intrinsic light storing properties of PHI. The origin of the observed superior photocatalytic performance is traced back to a modified surface electronic structure and enhanced interfacial interactions with the amphiphile triethanolamine, which imparts improved colloidal stability to the catalyst particles especially in contrast to methanol used as donor. However, this high activity can be limited by oxidation products of donor reversibly building up at the surface, thus blocking active centers. The findings lay out the importance of surface functionalization to engineer the catalyst–solution interface, an underappreciated tuning parameter in photocatalytic reaction design.
Electrochemical Supercapacitors: From Mechanism Understanding to Multifunctional Applications
Authors: Chen Jingwei , Lee Pooi See
Published: December 2020

Electrochemical supercapacitors (SC) with high power and long cycle life have been extensively studied and applied in certain areas. However, a majority of the efforts have been devoted to developing SCs with improved performance through novel electrode/electrolytes design. The full mechanistic understanding of SCs based on different electrode materials has not yet been realized. In addition, exploration of new functions for SCs to widen their applications must be accelerated. In this essay, the use of advanced characterization methods (in situ X‐ray diffraction, in situ X‐ray scattering, in situ atomic force microscopy, in situ nuclear magnetic resonance, in situ Raman/infrared spectroscopy, electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance, scanning electrochemical microscopy, etc.) to unveil the electrochemical process of SCs from different aspects will be discussed. The working principles, information to be extracted, and case studies of respective methods will be presented. The multipronged mechanism studies of electrode properties inspire and enable exploration of extra functions within the same electrochemical SCs. Realization of mechanically deformable, low‐temperature, color tunable, self‐healable, and self‐chargeable SCs; integrated SC‐sensors; and SC‐actuators with adoption of new electrode/electrolyte/current collectors/configurations are showcased. The remaining issues hindering the wide exploitation of SCs and the future development trend of SCs are also discussed.
Usage of peptidases by SARS‐CoV‐2 and several human coronaviruses as receptors: A mysterious story
Authors: Shatizadeh Malekshahi Somayeh , Yavarian Jila , Shafiei‐Jandaghi Nazanin‐Zahra
Published: December 2020

Coronaviruses recognize a variety of host receptors to infect many humans and animals. Newly emerged severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) recognizes angiotensin‐converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) to gain entry into different cells. Interestingly, besides SARS‐CoV2, four other human coronaviruses (HCoVs) use three different ectopeptidases (ACE2, dipeptidyl peptidase 4, and aminopeptidase N) as receptors independent of their common peptidase activity. This issue has led to the important question “why do several HCoVs rely on peptidases as their receptors?.” In this paper, we discussed to answer this question. Mostly, it seems that the use of peptidases by HCoVs may be more related to their widespread presence on target cells and also viruses prefer to take advantage of molecules with relatively low affinity for their natural ligands through evolving a stronger binding affinity to the surface receptors for entry and endocytosis. Meanwhile evolutionary conservation of these receptors may allow HCoVs to switch between different host species. Finally, the choice of peptidases by HCoVs may reflect the “trial and error” nature of evolution. In conclusion, substantial efforts are needed to get a strong picture of this fascinating question and poorly explored area. Detailed understanding of the entry mechanisms offers opportunities for the development of refined strategies to stop viruses.
Homology modeling and molecular docking study of biogenic Muga silk nanoparticles as putative drug‐binding system
Authors: Asapur Prithvi C. , Sahare Purushottam D. , Mahapatra Santosh Kumar , Banerjee Indrani
Published: December 2020

The recent emergence of natural biopolymers as drug delivery vehicles is attributed to their biodegradability and less systemic toxicity. Muga silk nanoparticles were prepared using microwave radiolysis method and were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, circular dichroism, X‐ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy. To find the applicability in the drug delivery system of these nanoparticle and to know the binding site(s), a computational study was carried out. The structure of the Muga protein is predicted using homology modeling, which is further used for molecular docking. The in silico molecular docking between the Muga silk nanoparticles and three United States Food and Drug Administration‐approved model drugs of doxorubicin, remdesivir and dexamethasone was performed. The binding capabilities and binding energy of the Muga silk proteins with these drugs are determined. The basic idea of the active site and the residues involved in the binding of the drugs/ligands is also studied. Doxorubicin showed the highest binding affinity of −8.7 kcal/mol and that of the remdesivir and dexamethasone are found to be −7.2 and −7.9 kcal/mol, respectively. Such high binding affinity(ies) would help for slow drug release kinetics and the other two drugs can be loaded when the requirement is for sustained drug release. The data were also validated using the UV–vis. spectroscopy.
Validation of International Working Group response criteria in higher‐risk myelodysplastic syndromes: A report on behalf of the MDS Clinical Research Consortium
Authors: Komrokji Rami S. , Al Ali Najla H , Sallman David , Padron Eric , DeZern Amy E. , Barnard John , Roboz Gail J. , Garcia‐Manero Guillermo , List Alan , Steensma David P. , Sekeres Mikkael A.
Published: December 2020

The utility of the International Working Group (IWG) 2006 response criteria for myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) as a surrogate endpoint for outcomes is unclear. We assessed the validity of the IWG 2006 response criteria in a large cohort of higher‐risk MDS patients (pts) treated at centers from the MDS Clinical Research Consortium. The best overall response rate (ORR) by IWG 2006 criteria to first‐line therapy among 597 evaluable pts was 38% and include complete response (CR) 16%, marrow CR (mCR) 2%, partial response (PR) 10%, hematological improvement (HI) 10%, stable disease (SD) 33%, and progressive disease (PD) 24%. CR was associated with a better overall survival (OS) compared to all other response groups (P < 0.001). Among 470 pts treated with hypomethylating agent (HMA) as first‐line therapy, the overall Response Rate, defined as HI or better was 39%. The median OS from time of best response was 21 mo, 8 mo, 14 mo, 12 mo, 13 mo, and 8 mo for CR, mCR, PR, HI, SD, and PD, respectively (P < 0.001). We validated those results in a separate cohort of 539 higher‐risk MDS pts treated at Moffitt Cancer Center who received first‐line HMA therapy, particularly addressing the value of mCR and mCR+HI. mCR alone without HI, SD, and PD outcomes were inferior to CR, PR, mCR+HI, and HI. In conclusion, CR by IWG 2006 response criteria can be used as a surrogate endpoint for OS in higher‐risk MDS pts. Any response associated with restoration of effective hematopoiesis is associated with better outcome.
AL amyloidosis: The effect of fluorescent in situ hybridization abnormalities on organ involvement and survival
Authors: Ozga Michael , Zhao Qiuhong , Benson Don , Elder Patrick , Williams Nita , Bumma Naresh , Rosko Ashley , Chaudhry Maria , Khan Abdullah , Devarakonda Srinivas , Kahwash Rami , Vallakati Ajay , Campbell Courtney , Parikh Samir V. , Almaani Salem , Prosek Jason , Bittengle Jordan , Pfund Katherine , LoRusso Samantha , Freimer Miriam , Redder Elyse , Efebera Yvonne , Sharma Nidhi
Published: December 2020

Background

Systemic light chain (AL) amyloidosis is a clonal plasma‐cell neoplasm that carries a poor prognosis. Although AL amyloidosis and Multiple Myeloma (MM) can co‐exist and share various cytogenetic chromosomal abnormalities, little is known about Fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) and its prognostic relevance in AL amyloidosis.

Aim:

The study aims to evaluate the most prevalent FISH cytogenetic abnormalities in AL patients as independent prognostic factors, and assess the impact of cytogenetics on the survival of high‐risk cardiac AL patients.

Materials & Methods

This retrospective study reviewed 113 consecutive AL patients treated at The Ohio State University (OSU). Patients were divided into subgroups based on FISH data obtained within 90 days of diagnosis. Hyperdiploidy was defined as trisomies of at least 2 chromosomal loci. Primary endpoints were progression free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). Kaplan Meier curves were used to calculate PFS and OS. The log‐rank test and Cox proportional hazard models were used to test the equality of survival functions and further evaluate the differences between groups.

Results

FISH abnormalities were detected in 76% of patients. Patients with abnormal FISH trended toward lower overall survival (OS) (p=0.06) and progression free survival (PFS) (p=0.06). The two most prevalent aberrations were translocation t(11;14) (39%) and hyperdiploidy‐overall (38%). Hyperdiploidy‐overall was associated with worsening PFS (p=0.018) and OS (p=0.03), confirmed in multivariable analysis. Patients with del 13q most frequently had cardiac involvement (p=0.006) and was associated with increased bone marrow plasmacytosis (p=0.02). Cardiac AL patients with no FISH abnormalities had much improved OS (p=0.012) and PFS (p=0.018)

Conclusions

Our findings ultimately reveal the association of hyperdiploidy on survival in AL amyloidosis patients, including the high‐risk cardiac AL population.
An enigmatic soft tissue creeping phenomenon: The spontaneous peri‐implant mucosa margin and papilla growth. A retrospective clinical study
Authors: Agabiti Ivo , Apaza Alccayhuaman Karol Alí , Nakajima Yasushi , Botticelli Daniele
Published: December 2020

Objectives

The aim of the present retrospective study was to evaluate papillae filling rate and buccal margins coronal growth in implant‐supported prostheses which were over‐contoured at the apical buccal third to form a rearmost collar zone, thus mimicking a false root.

Material and methods

The influence of adjacent elements, teeth, implants, or pontics was examined. One‐hundred and three crowns have been assessed in photographs taken on 61 patients after prosthesis delivering and at last follow‐up (mean 2.8 years). The Jemt index was adopted to evaluate papillae growth at the baseline and follow‐up as follows: 0, absence of papilla; 1, less than half of interdental embrasure height; 2, more than half of interdental embrasure height; 3, fully papilla filled interdental embrasure. Index score 4, papilla hyperplasia was not included. Moreover, the coronal growth (or recession) of buccal mucosa in implant‐supported crowns was assessed.

Results

At baseline, a total of 29 papillae had a 0 score, while only two scored 3 with complete papilla formation. On follow‐up, only one papilla scored 0, while 46 scored 3 with complete interdental embrasures filling. The highest papilla score was registered from first year crown insertion and likewise in interdental embrasures located between two implants or implants and pontics. Moreover, the buccal margin growth was observed in almost 80% of crowns. Such findings seem to indicate that buccal margin and papilla around implant‐supported crowns presented a coronal growth over time, especially during its first year. The average papilla growth between two implants was no lower than that observed in papilla present between implants and natural teeth.

Conclusions

Recessed areas at collar of implant‐supported prostheses appear to positively influence papillae and buccal margin growth, especially in its first year. Papilla growth between two implants was similar to that observed between implants and natural teeth.
Metal‐Organic Frameworks as Sorption Materials for Heat Transformation Processes
Authors: Steinert Dominik Moritz , Ernst Sebastian‐Johannes , Henninger Stefan K. , Janiak Christoph
Published: December 2020

Cyclic physical adsorption and desorption processes on porous materials can be used for the conversion of heat in heat transformation processes, which is the working principle in adsorption heat pumps (AHPs). Environmentally benign water with its high enthalpy of evaporation is the working fluid of choice in AHPs. Metal‐organic frameworks, MOFs can adsorb large amounts of water or methanol, up to their own weight. MOFs could be alternative materials to silica gels, zeolites, or aluminum phosphates for low‐temperature heat transformations in AHPs.
Heteroleptic 1,4‐Diazabutadiene Complexes of Ruthenium: Synthesis, Characterization and Utilization in Catalytic Transfer Hydrogenation
Authors: Saha Rumpa , Mukherjee Aparajita , Bhattacharya Samaresh
Published: December 2020

Reaction of [Ru(trpy)Cl3] with 1,4‐diazabutadienes (p‐RC6H4N=C(H)‐(H)C=NC6H4R‐p; R = OCH3, CH3, H and Cl; abbreviated as L‐R) in refluxing ethanol in the presence of triethylamine has afforded a family of complexes, isolated as perchlorate salts, of type [Ru(trpy)(L‐R)Cl]ClO4 [depicted as complexes 1 (R = OCH3), 2 (R = CH3), 3 (R = H) and 4 (R = Cl)]. Crystal structures of complexes 1, 2 and 4 have been determined, and structure of complex 3 has been optimized by DFT method. The 1,4‐diazabutadiene ligand in each complex is bound to ruthenium as a N,N‐donor forming five‐membered chelate. Complexes 1–4 catalyze transfer hydrogenation of aryl aldehydes to the corresponding alcohols with high (ca. 106) TON. They are also found to catalyze transfer hydrogenation of aryl ketones to corresponding secondary alcohols, but with much less efficiency. Catalytic transfer hydrogenation of nitroarenes to the corresponding amines has also been achieved.