bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of a modified method of extraction, purification, and characterization of lipopolysaccharide (O antigen) from Salmonella Typhimurium
Authors: Hassan Heba M. , Fadel Mai A. , Soliman Mohamed A.
Published: November 2020

Background and Aim: Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is an integral part of the outer cell membrane complex of Gram-negative bacteria. It plays an important role in the induction and stimulation of the immune system. Various LPS purification protocols have been developed. However, analysis of their efficacy is limited by contamination during downstream applications or the public health hazard of LPS. The aim of this study was to evaluate a modified method for extracting LPS as well as assess the purity of the extracted LPS by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis. Further, we evaluated its immunopotentiating function by measuring the relative RNA expression levels of splenic immune-related genes such as interleukin 1β (IL-1β) and interferon-γ (IFN-γ), after intramuscular injection of increasing concentrations of the extracted LPS in specific pathogen-free (SPF) chick.

Materials and Methods: Isolation, identification, and serotyping of Salmonella Typhimurium were performed using chicken flocks. We then performed molecular typing of Salmonella isolates using conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR). A new protocol for purification of LPS from Salmonella isolate (S. Typhimurium) was conducted. HPLC analysis of the extracted LPS in the current study was compared to existing methods. An in vivo study was performed to evaluate the ability of LPS to induce an immune response by measuring relative IFN-γ and IL-1β gene expression after injecting increasing concentrations of the extracted LPS into SPF chicks.

Results: Isolation and serotyping revealed that Salmonella enterica was of the serovar Typhimurium. Confirmation was conducted by molecular typing through conventional PCR. Fractionation of the LPS extract by HPLC revealed a high degree of purity comparable with standard commercial LPS. These results demonstrate the high purity of extracted LPS based on our modified method using propanol and sodium hydroxide mixture. Intramuscular injection of the extracted LPS in 22 day-old SPF chicks, compared to the negative control, revealed significant upregulation of IFN-γ and slight downregulation of IL-1β.

Conclusion: The new modified method can be used for high purity LPS extraction and demonstrates effective immunopotentiating activity.
The Effect of Pressure on the Structure and Electronic Properties of Hydrated Calcium Carbonates
Authors: Byzova E.S. , Korabel’nikov D.V.
Published: November 2020

This paper studies the effect of pressure on the structure and electronic properties of CaCO3-H2O and CaCO3-6H2O crystalline hydrates. The study is based on the density functional theory (DFT) and the linear combination of atomic orbitals (LCAO) method. Calculations are performed using the CRYSTAL17 software package and the PBE gradient functional. The calculated lattice parameters of hydrated calcium carbonates and their dependence on external hydrostatic pressure are shown to be in good agreement with the available experimental measurements. Dependencies of linear compressibility on the direction are obtained using the calculated pressure dependencies of the structural parameters. It is demonstrated that the linear compressibility of calcium carbonate hexahydrate, in contrast to calcium carbonate monohydrate, is highly anisotropic (the smallest and largest compressibility values are correlated as K max /K min ~ 4). In this case, the maximum compressibility is located between crystallographic axes (between the axes a and c) and not along the crystallographic axes. The bulk modulus for the monohydrate (CaCO3-6H2O) is greater than for the hexahydrate (CaCO3-6H2O). Total and partial densities of electronic states for CaCO3-H2O and CaCO3-6H2O are calculated. Also, dependencies of the band gap width on pressure for hydrated calcium carbonates are established. It is shown that, with increasing pressure, the increase of the band gap is greater for CaCO3-6H2O than for CaCO3-H2O.
Structural and Energy Characteristics of NiAl Alloys with Deviations from Stoichiometric Composition. Part 2
Authors: Potekaev A.I. , Chaplyginа A.A. , Starostenkov M.D. , Klopotov A.A. , Kulagina V.V.
Published: November 2020

The analysis of the atomic and phase structure confirmed the difference between the structural-phase states at the heating and cooling stages. Based on the analysis of the influence of the deviation of the atomic composition from the stoichiometric condition of the intermetallic compound during cooling, it is established that the deviation is a significant factor in the area of low-stability pre-transitional structural-phase states before the transformation. The behavior of the long-range parameter temperature dependence curves during the cooling of alloys of non-stoichiometric compositions differs significantly from the behavior of the corresponding alloy curve of a stoichiometric composition alloy. It is shown that in the case of cooling of alloys of non-stoichiometric compositions, a significant supercooling is required to establish a long-range order, and the appearance of ordered phases occurs at significantly lower temperatures. It is found that the temperature dependence curve of the long-range parameter of the Ni45Al55 alloy is significantly lower than the corresponding curve of the Ni55Al45 alloy. This indicates different mechanisms for establishing the long-range order of alloys with non-stoichiometric compositions. It is noted that the deviation of the system composition from the stoichiometric one causes a significant reduction of ordered and disordered regions. This article is a continuation of the work published earlier in the journal Izvestiya AltGU. 2020. №1 (111).
Potentiodynamic Study of the Anodic Behavior of Zn5Al Alloy Doped with Manganese
Authors: Rakhimov F.A. , Obidov Z.R. , Amini R.N. , Ganiev I.N. , Novozhenov V.A. , Strucheva N.E.
Published: November 2020

The widespread use of zinc-aluminum alloys as protective coatings for structures, products, and structures requires studying the effect of various additives in such alloys on their corrosion resistance in various environments. In studying the anode behavior of alloys, potentiodynamic methods are widely used to select methods of protection and increase the stability of anode alloys under given operating conditions. The article presents the results of a potentiodynamic study of the corrosion-electrochemical behavior of Zn5Al alloys doped with manganese in various electrolytes. An increase in the manganese concentration within the studied concentrations leads to a shift in the standard potential and pitting potential to a positive region compared to the initial Zn5Al alloy, which indicates a decrease in the corrosion rate of the studied alloys by 2-2.5 times with respect to the base alloy. An increase in the concentration of chloride ions in the electrolyte leads to a decrease in the electrochemical potentials of corrosion and pitting formation of alloys, which indicates an increase in their anode stability. An increase in the anode stability of the protective coatings of alloys depends on the time spent in an aggressive environment: the longer the time, the lower the rate of anode dissolution.
Mathematical Modeling in the Study of the Ricci Operator on Four-Dimensional Locally Homogeneous (Pseudo)Riemannian Manifolds with Isotropic Weyl Tensor
Authors: Klepikova S.V. , Makhaeva T.P.
Published: November 2020

It is known that a locally homogeneous manifold can be obtained from a locally conformally homogeneous (pseudo)Riemannian manifolds by a conformal deformation if the Weyl tensor (or the Schouten-Weyl tensor in the three-dimensional case) has a nonzero squared length. Thus, the problem arises of studying (pseudo)Riemannian locally homogeneous and locally conformally homogeneous manifolds, the Weyl tensor of which has zero squared length, and itself is not equal to zero (in this case, the Weyl tensor is called isotropic).

One of the important aspects in the study of such manifolds is the study of the curvature operators on them, namely, the problem of restoring a (pseudo)Riemannian manifold from a given Ricci operator.

The problem of the prescribed values of the Ricci operator on 3-dimensional locally homogeneous Riemannian manifolds has been solved by O. Kowalski and S. Nikcevic. Analogous results for the one-dimensional and sectional curvature operators were obtained by D.N. Oskorbin, E.D. Rodionov, and O.P Khromova.

This paper is devoted to the description of an example of studying the problem of the prescribed Ricci operator for four-dimensional locally homogeneous (pseudo) Riemannian manifolds with a nontrivial isotropy subgroup and isotropic Weyl tensor.
Computer Modelling of Temporal Networks for Bike Sharing Usage Patterns Analysis
Authors: Maulit A. , Tlebaldinova A.S. , Nugumanova A.B. , Baiburin Ye.M.
Published: November 2020

This paper presents the results of analyzing the time load of stations in bike-sharing systems using temporal networks. Temporal networks have many applications in the study of the behavior of complex dynamic systems that have a network structure. In particular, they can be used to analyze and predict many dynamic indicators of transport networks, for example, such as the intensity of transport and passenger flows, traffic congestion, capacity of transport nodes, turnover of vehicles, etc. In this work, the indicators of the centrality of stations and clusters of a bike-sharing network are estimated using temporal networks. Based on the obtained estimates, visual models (Heat maps and Time Series) are constructed to demonstrate the spatial and temporal features of the bike network in a clear and compact form. The station centralities are estimated on the basis of the betweenness measure, and the cluster centralities are estimated on the basis of the Freeman centralization. Experiments confirming the applicability of the built models are conducted using open data from the CitiBike New York system for April 2019. They demonstrated the presence of daily and monthly patterns among both individual stations and more large station clusters.
On Estimation of Parameters of a Three-Dimensional Uniform Regression Model
Authors: Ponomarev I.V.
Published: November 2020

Typically, a researcher faces computational difficulties in assessing the parameters of a certain model when modeling the relationship between different indicators of analysis. A suitable model is generally obtained by a sequential refinement of the features included in its composition and, therefore, by performing multiple repetitions of computational algorithms. At the same time, the computational complexity of these algorithms begins to play a significant role in modeling. A certain set of indicators is used to reduce the number of iterations. These indicators are responsible for the quality of the constructed model and capable of “signaling" about the need to adjust the model. The model parameters and the quality functional value are such indicators in regression modeling. They are able to answer the question of the appropriateness of building a particular model and are indicators of the quality of the resulting functional dependence.

In this paper, we study methods and algorithms for constructing and evaluating the main indicators of L∞-regression — a quality indicator and model parameters. The first part of the paper describes the most efficient computational procedures for determining parameters in the case of a three-dimensional uniform regression model, indicates the complexity of these algorithms, and gives a geometric interpretation. In the second part of the paper, a series of theorems on estimating the values of the parameters of threedimensional L∞-regression is presented, and a formula for calculation of an indicator of sample uniformity is provided.
Comparison of the Angular Compartment of Hip Flexion Before and After Training in 11 to 12-Year-old Soccer Players.
Authors: Burboa G Jair , Inostroza M Mauricio , Bahamondes F Matías , Lillo U Paloma , Hinzpeter C Jaime
Published: November 2020

An anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury is an important cause of rest in athletes. In most cases, ACL injuries do not require external contact and they are associated with biomechanical risk factors that increase ACL tension. The increase of the hip flexion angle (HF) is included within these. The ACL requires cooperation of the periarticular musculature of the knee, muscle groups, hip stabilizers and CORE muscles; consequently, fatigue caused by exercise would alter the balance and put this ligament at risk.

The objective of the study is to determine the angular behavior for HF before and after a physical load (a standardized training) in children between 11 and 12 years old.

A non-randomized clinical study was carried out. The sample consisted of 50 soccer school students born between 11 and 12 years old. The angular behavior of HF was compared before and after performing a training session. The angular behavior was measured through the Drop Jump test (DJ), with data obtained by inertial sensors.

After the exercise, there was a significant increase in HF. It was concluded that the angular behavior of HF increases significantly in both extremities after training and that preventive measures must be applied for neuromuscular control of the hip.
Musik & politischer Konflikt aus der Türkei
Authors: Seidlitz Kirsten
Published: November 2020

In Deutschland leben zahlreiche Musiker*innen aus der Türkei, die in ihrem Herkunftsland aus politischen Gründen nicht uneingeschränkt leben und musizieren könnten. Sie verließen die Türkei aufgrund des Militärputsches von 1980, der Diskriminierung ihrer kurdischen und/oder alevitischen Identität oder des gescheiterten Gezi-Protests und erneuter Einschränkungen von Minderheitsgruppierungen im Musikleben. Kirsten Seidlitz untersucht, wie sie von Deutschland aus mit ihrem musikalischen Schaffen politisch kommentieren möchten, inwiefern die deutsche Gesellschaft mit Musik erreicht, aufgeklärt und beeinflusst werden kann, und ob die in Deutschland produzierte Musik in die Türkei zurückgelangen soll.
Enterotoxigenic Escherichia Coli Detection Using the Design of a Biosensor
Authors: Narayana V. Lakshman , Gopi A. Peda
Published: November 2020

The food industry and clinical analysis, among other sectors, require the development of techniques and devices that detect pathogens, while the development of implantable devices needs biocompatible materials with low degradation in biological environment to increase the lifetime of the device. Throughout this work, hydrogenated amorphous silicon-carbon alloy is proposed, obtained, characterized and incorporated into the development of a proposed interdigitated microelectrode array (PIMA) to capture the bacteria of enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (E. coli, ETEC). a-SixC1-x:H is obtained by the technique of plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) using methane and silane as precursor gases under high hydrogen dilution and low power density in order to improve its biocompatibility. Functionally the PIMA is a transducer based on electrical impedance, namely the capture of E. coli bacteria causes changes in the electrical properties of the medium between and on the microelectrodes of the array, which are associated with changes in electrical impedance. The simulations were made with the purpose of knowing the operation that the PIMA would have under operating conditions (with bacterial environment) and of analyzing the design aspects that could affect or increase the sensitivity of the array.
Modeling and Control of Power System Containing PV System and SMES using Sliding Mode and Field Control Strategy
Authors: Assam Boudia , Sabir Messalti , Abdelghani Harrag
Published: November 2020

Although the great advance in power system production and operation, storage energy technologies and its control techniques can be considered as one of the most important and critical topics of power companies , government and consumers, especially when the power system containing renewable source and storage system simultaneously. In this paper, a novel electrical grid structure including photovoltaic system and storage system based on Superconducting Magnetic Energy Storage (SMES) has been proposed and investigated. The SMES produced power is injected in power system during specific time or when it required. Two control strategies for exchanged power Grid- SMES have been proposed and analyzed, the first uses sliding mode and the second uses field oriented control based on PI controller, also the injected SMES power is controlled by PID controller. In addition, the photovoltaic system operates at the MPP employing PID MPPT method. The proposed control strategies have been tested successfully in which many scenarios have been studied: standby and discharging of SMES, injection of SMES storage energy for variable and constant load and control of grid containing PV system. In addition, a comparative study of exchanged power Grid- SMES control using Sliding mode and field oriented control based on PI controller has been presented and discussed.
Preparation and Heat Transfer Performance of Steel Ball Phase Change Concrete
Authors: Chang Hong , Jin Lihan
Published: November 2020

Accompanied by a large amount of heat absorption and release during the phase change process, phase change concrete has the advantages of high energy storage density, low volume expansion ratio and approximate isotherm in the heat exchange. It is widely used in the building field. For this, using steel balls as the carrier material and butyl stearate as the phase change material (PCM), the authors combined the phase change energy storage material with the energy pile to prepare a new type of concrete energy pile enhanced with the PCMs. Then, the tests and numerical simulations were conducted to study the optimal mix ratio and thermal conductivity of the phase change concrete. The results show that adding steel balls (10% of the coarse aggregate volume), and slag and fly ash (5% of the cementitious material mass) to the ordinary concrete C30 can greatly improve the heat transfer efficiency of the energy pile. The research findings provide a guidance for engineering practice.
Impactos e percepções sociais das mudanças climáticas na comunidade indígena Tentami da Bolívia
Authors: Dávalos Nelson Eduardo , Pereira Filho Saulo Rodrigues
Published: November 2020

Nos últimos anos, os efeitos da mudança climática aumentaram drasticamente, causando uma série de impactos afetando principalmente a vida da população mais pobre do planeta. Entre eles está o povo indígena Guarani de Tentami Bolívia, que devido às variações de temperatura e precipitação na região; a sua agricultura, alimentação, disponibilidade de água e saúde viram-se afetadas, colocando-os em uma situação de emergência e alta vulnerabilidade que se agrava, ainda mais, por fatores sociais e culturais internos, como costumes e percepções que as pessoas mantêm. Evidenciou-se que estas tendem a diminuir subjetivamente os riscos existentes em seu contexto pela cotidianidade dos fatos, se expondo a doenças de veiculação hídrica.
Efecto del envejecimiento de mezclas asfálticas en el ciclo de vida del pavimento desde el aspecto técnico y ambiental. Revisión del estado de conocimiento
Authors: Castellanos Guerrero Wendy Madeleyne , Chaves Pabón Saieth Baudilio
Published: November 2020

Los pavimentos muestran cambios reológicos y químicos durante su ciclo de vida, principalmente a causa del envejecimiento a largo plazo (LTA), además de este fenómeno, pueden verse afectados por la influencia de los componentes de las mezclas asfálticas, presentando fallos como grietas, ahuellamiento, huecos, baches, entre otros; debido generalmente a variables externas (radiación solar, temperatura, humedad) e internas (materiales, aglomerantes, aditivos). Este artículo de revisión sistemática busca compilar investigaciones publicadas en los últimos 5 años, que tienen como objetivo analizar múltiples condiciones de envejecimiento y determinar las variables más estudiadas por parte de los autores. El propósito del documento es ser un punto de inicio como parte del estado del arte para futuros proyectos de tipo experimental, a partir de los hallazgos que se han sintetizado.
Wybory edukacyjno-zawodowe uczniów gimnazjów w tym uczniów ze specjalnymi potrzebami edukacyjnymi w kontekście kondycji doradztwa zawodowego
Authors: Kozielska Joanna
Published: November 2020

The proposed text is an illustration of research conducted in the first half of 2016 years of empirical verification planning future educational and vocational secondary school and upper secondary youth in Gniezno. When analyzing the situation of the local labor market and its prospects for the group of respondents was done between other high school students, because they are in a few years will include the labor market and indirectly (now) affect its shape. The awareness of their plans but allows us to predict, and thus the possibility of remedying causing difficulties in the labor market. In proposed project groups of respondents they were done as teenagers of secondary schools, directors of secondary schools and the largest local employers. Article focuses on students with special educational needs and on  issues concerning the condition of vocational education and educational and professional choices of young people, taken over their strategies in relation to the current needs of the local labor market
Specjalne i nie-specjalne. Dylematy współczesnego podejścia do potrzeb osób z niepełnosprawnością
Authors: Podgórska-Jachnik Dorota
Published: November 2020

The article is devoted to the problems of disability seen through the prism of needs, both those referred to as special (special educational, developmental, professional needs), as well as those universal. The term (special) needs were analyzed, in particular the problem of losing its basic, psychological significance in the special pedagogy of recent years, as well as its theoretical and practical explorations in relation to nursing-compensating, educational and therapeutic activities. Text points attention to the need to update analyzes consistent with the idea of inclusion, in relation to the issue of the needs of people with disabilities, as a motivating factor and compensation area.
False-positive dengue IgM test result in a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus: a case report
Authors: Kamolratanakul Supitcha , Thungthong Pravinwan , Nakhakes Chajchawan , Kittiyanpanya Chokchai , Chonsawat Putza , Chamnanchanunt Supat
Published: November 2020

Dengue virus infection most commonly has mild-to-moderate nonspecific clinical presentations that overlap with other diseases. Dengue-specific tests are commonly used for those patients with acute febrile illness in dengue-endemic areas. There is one study in vitro that showed a false-positive dengue-immunoglobulin M (dengue IgM) test for blood from a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Here, we demonstrated a false-positive dengue IgM test in a patient with SLE. The patient had fever, cytopenia, and a skin rash, but her clinical variables more closely matched with the criteria for SLE than the dengue infection. Vasculitis-like-lesions supported prednisolone administration and her clinical symptoms improved. This case highlights that some patients with SLE can be misdiagnosed as having a viral infection. These two diseases have similar clinical findings, such as acute febrile illness, but they are different in terms of their treatments and disease prognosis.
Evaluating the performance of an updated high-sensitivity troponin T assay with increased tolerance to biotin
Authors: von Meyer Alexander , Albert Gesa , Kunzelmann Stefan , Rank Christopher , Zerback Rainer , Imdahl Roland
Published: November 2020

Objectives

Biotin >20 ng/mL may interfere with the Elecsys® Troponin T-high sensitive assay (cTnT-hs; Roche Diagnostics International Ltd). We evaluated the performance of an updated assay, cTnT-hs*, which was designed to reduce biotin interference.

Methods

cTnT-hs* assay performance was assessed using up to two applications (18 min/9 min) on three analyzers (cobas e 411/cobas e 601/cobas e 801). Biotin interference was determined by measuring recovery in an 11-sample series dilution with biotin ranging from 0–3600 ng/mL. Repeatability/reproducibility were evaluated in five serum sample pools (n=75 each). Method comparisons tested: cTnT-hs* vs. cTnT-hs (18 min/cobas e 601); cTnT-hs* assay 18 vs. 9 min (cobas e 601); cTnT-hs* (18 min) on cobas e 601 vs. cobas e 411 and cobas e 601 vs. cobas e 801. Concordance at the 99th percentile decision limit between cTnT-hs* and cTnT-hs (9 min/cobas e 601) was calculated using 300 lithium-heparin plasma samples and a 14 ng/L assay cutoff.

Results

cTnT-hs* assay (18 min/cobas e 601) recovery was ≥96% for biotin ≤1250 ng/mL. Across all applications/analyzers, coefficients of variation for repeatability/reproducibility with the cTnT-hs* assay were <5% in most serum sample pools (mean cardiac troponin T: 8.528–9484 ng/L). High correlation (Pearson’s r=1.000) was demonstrated for all method comparisons. Concordance at the 99th percentile decision limit was high between the cTnT-hs* and cTnT-hs assays.

Conclusions

The updated cTnT-hs* assay may provide greater tolerance to biotin interference, and shows good analytical and clinical agreement/concordance with the previous cTnT-hs assay.
The green synthesis of N-hydroxyethyl-substituted 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinolines with acidic ionic liquid as catalyst
Authors: Guo Hui , Li Haonan , Cao Xiaoyue , Wang Zuoyao , Zhang Qian , Zhang Guobao
Published: November 2020

N-Hydroxyethyl-substituted 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinolines were synthesized by the reaction of 2-(phenylamino)ethanol with unsaturated ketone catalyzed by acidic ionic liquid N-methyl-2-pyrrolidonium dihydrogen phosphate [NMPH]H2PO4, obviating the need for toxic and expensive catalysts. The acidic ionic liquid not only showed superior performance over H3PO4 but also was stable and could be reused at least five times with a slight loss of activity. It provided a straightforward and efficient protocol for the synthesis of 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinoline derivatives.
Abortion’s Coded Visibility
Authors: Minarich Megan
Published: November 2020

Censor Joseph Breen took issue with Ellen Berent, the lead character in Leave Her to Heaven (1945), terminating her pregnancy by dramatically throwing herself down a flight of stairs, even though the Production Code would not explicitly forbid on-screen abortions until 1951. Yet the abortion ultimately made it into the final print because, by Breen’s logic, an abortion is unrecognizable as such so long as it is not named. However, archival research suggests that Breen was wrong on both counts. Considering a wide array of archival records—Production Code Administration files and correspondence, early script drafts, audience preview screening responses, reviews, and more—this article argues that the discrepancies between Leave Her to Heaven’s censorship history and its reception illustrate popular morality eclipsing prescribed morality. The film was both a catalyst of the 1951 Code amendment banning abortion and an early harbinger of the dissolution of the PCA’s stranglehold over abortion as taboo.
A Sleight of Hair
Authors: Stevenson A.E.
Published: November 2020

This essay considers the presence of Black women’s hair as a necessary fact of embodiment that disrupts postfeminist romantic comedies. It focuses on Something New (2006), notable as the first film in which the director, producer, writer, and star were all Black women, arguing that the ontological ruptures created by Kenya, the main character, disrupt the film’s neat classification into the postfeminist romantic comedy genre. The article argues that the Black female body, through the signifier of Black natural hair, invites a chaos into the narrative that makes the film’s contribution to the genre invisible. This calls for a critique of the social order that the genre treats as essential to its foundation.
I Think We’re Alone Now
Authors: Nunoda Erin
Published: November 2020

This article examines YouTube videos (primarily distributed by a user named Cecil Robert) that document so-called dead malls: unpopulated, unproductive, but not necessarily demolished consumerist sites that have proliferated in the wake of the 2008 recession. These works link digital images of mall interiors with pop-song remixes so as to re-create the experience of hearing a track while standing within the empty space; manipulating the songs’ audio frequencies heightens echo effects and fosters an impression of ghostly dislocation. This article argues that these videos locate a potentiality in abandoned mall spaces for the exploration of queer (non)relations. It suggests that the videos’ emphasis on lonely, unconsummated intimacies questions circuitous visions of the public sphere, participatory dynamics online, and the presumably conservative biopolitics (both at its height and in its memorialization) of mall architecture.
A Simple Method for Finding Optimal Paths of Hot and Cold Streams inside Shell and Tube Heat Exchangers to Reduce Pumping Cost in Heat Exchanger Network Problems
Authors: Sadri V. , Soltani Hadi , Rahimzadeh S.
Published: November 2020

In this paper, a simple method is presented for the synthesis and retrofit of heat exchanger networks (HENs) by considering pressure drop as well as finding proper path of streams inside heat exchangers (HEs) to reduce the pumping cost of network. Generally, HEN problems lead to MINLP models which have convergence difficulties due to the existence of both continuous and integer variables. In this study, instead of solving these variables simultaneously, a combination of Genetic Algorithm (GA) with Quasi Linear Programming (QLP) and Integer Linear Programming (ILP) was used for solving the problem. GA was used to find optimal HENs structure and streams paths, whereas continuous variables were solved by QLP. For the retrofit of HENs, a modified ILP model was used. Results show that the proposed method has the ability to reduce the cost of annual pumping due to considering optimal paths for streams in the HEs compared to the literature.
Nitrogen Removal by HN-AD Bacteria Immobilized on Modified Absorbent Stone
Authors: Zhang Wen , Zhang Zhen , Wang Sufeng
Published: November 2020

How to simplify the nitrogen removal process, reduce the cost and improve the efficiency has become an urgent problem to be solved. In this research, the isolated HNAD (heterotrophic nitrification and aerobic denitrification) bacteria were used to remove

the nitrogen in wastewater. Modified absorbent stone was used as high-efficiency and

low-cost immobilized material. The modification effect was determined by the changes

in mechanical strength, Zeta potential, pore structure, micrographs and biomass. The

practicability of the modified carrier was further proved by experiments of environmental effect and reuse. The modified carrier had excellent performance. By comparing the

degradation effects of immobilized microorganism and free microorganism, it was proved

that the immobilized microorganisms have broad application prospects and strong adaptability to environmental factors. Under the optimum conditions (temperature of 30 oC,

pH of 7, dissolved oxygen of 3.5 mg L–1), the removal efficiency of ammonia nitrogen

reached 100 % in 40 hours, the removal efficiency of total nitrogen reached 60.11 % in

50 hours, and the removal rate of total nitrogen was 2.404 mg-NL–1 h–1 by immobilized

microorganisms with the treatment of simulated nitrogen-containing wastewater. This

research provides new material for the immobilization of HN-AD bacteria and a new way for nitrogen removal.
Genomic classification of benign adrenocortical lesions
Authors: Faillot Simon , Foulonneau Thomas , Néou Mario , Espiard Stéphanie , Garinet Simon , Vaczlavik Anna , Jouinot Anne , Rondof Windy , Septier Amandine , Drougat Ludivine , Hécale-Perlemoine Karine , Ragazzon Bruno , Rizk-Rabin Marthe , Sibony Mathilde , Bonnet-Serrano Fidéline , Guibourdenche Jean , Libé Rosella , Groussin Lionel , Dousset Bertrand , de Reyniès Aurélien , Bertherat Jérôme , Assié Guillaume
Published: November 2020

Benign adrenal tumors cover a spectrum of lesions with distinct morphology and steroid secretion. Current classification is empirical. Beyond a few driver mutations, pathophysiology is not well understood. Here, a pangenomic characterization of benign adrenocortical tumors is proposed, aiming at unbiased classification and new pathophysiological insights. Benign adrenocortical tumors (n = 146) were analyzed by transcriptome, methylome, miRNome, chromosomal alterations and mutational status, using expression arrays, methylation arrays, miRNA sequencing, SNP arrays, and exome or targeted next-generation sequencing respectively. Pathological and hormonal data were collected for all tumors. Pangenomic analysis identifies four distinct molecular categories: (1) tumors responsible for overt Cushing, gathering distinct tumor types, sharing a common cAMP/PKA pathway activation by distinct mechanisms; (2) adenomas with mild autonomous cortisol excess and non-functioning adenomas, associated with beta-catenin mutations; (3) primary macronodular hyperplasia with ARMC5 mutations, showing an ovarian expression signature; (4) aldosterone-producing adrenocortical adenomas, apart from other benign tumors. Epigenetic alterations and steroidogenesis seem associated, including CpG island hypomethylation in tumors with no or mild cortisol secretion, miRNA patterns defining specific molecular groups, and direct regulation of steroidogenic enzyme expression by methylation. Chromosomal alterations and somatic mutations are subclonal, found in less than 2/3 of cells. New pathophysiological insights, including distinct molecular signatures supporting the difference between mild autonomous cortisol excess and overt Cushing, ARMC5 implication into the adreno-gonadal differentiation faith, and the subclonal nature of driver alterations in benign tumors, will orient future research. This first genomic classification provides a large amount of data as a starting point.
50th anniversary of the first clinical trial with ICI 46,474 (tamoxifen): then what happened?
Authors: Jordan V Craig
Published: November 2020

Following the discovery and approval of the oral contraceptive, the pharmaceutical industry sought new opportunities for the regulation of reproduction. The discovery of the first non-steroidal anti-oestrogen MER25, with antifertility properties in laboratory animals, started a search for ‘morning-after pills’. There were multiple options in the 1960s, however, one compound ICI 46,474 was investigated, but found to induce ovulation in subfertile women. A second option was to treat stage IV breast cancer. Although the patent for ICI 46,474 was awarded in the early 1960s in the UK and around the world, a patent in the USA was denied on the basis that the claims for breast cancer treatment were not supported by evidence. A trial at the Christie Hospital and Holt Radium Institute in Manchester, published in 1971, showed activity compared with alternatives: high-dose oestrogen or androgen treatment, but the US Patent Office was unswayed until 1985! The future of tamoxifen to be, was in the balance in 1972 but the project went forward as an orphan drug looking for applications and a translational research strategy was needed. Today, tamoxifen is known as the first targeted therapy in cancer with successful applications to treat all stages of breast cancer, male breast cancer, and the first medicine for the reduction of breast cancer incidence in high-risk pre- and post-menopausal women. This is the unlikely story of how an orphan medicine changed medical practice around the world, with millions of women’s lives extended.
Syncytialization and prolonged exposure to palmitate impacts BeWo respiration
Authors: Easton Zachary J W , Delhaes Flavien , Mathers Katherine , Zhao Lin , Vanderboor Christina M G , Regnault Timothy R H
Published: November 2020

Placental villous trophoblast mitochondrial respiratory function is critical for a successful pregnancy and environmental influences such as maternal obesity have been associated with respiratory impairment at term. More recently, a gestational high fat diet independent of maternal body composition, has been highlighted as a potential independent regulator of placental mitochondrial metabolism. The current study aimed to characterize the direct impact of a prolonged and isolated exposure to the dietary fatty acids Palmitate (PA) and Oleate (OA) upon placental cell mitochondrial respiratory function. BeWo cytotrophoblast (CT) and syncytiotrophoblast (SCT) cells were treated for 72 h with 100 µM PA, OA or PA+OA (P/O). Live-cell metabolic function was analyzed via the Seahorse XF Mito and Glycolysis Stress tests. Immunoblots and spectrophotometric activity assays were utilized to examine the protein expression and function of electron transport chain (ETC) complexes and key mitochondrial regulatory enzymes. Syncytialization of BeWo cells resulted reduced respiratory activity in conjunction with altered complex I and II activity and decreased pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH) protein expression and activity. PA and P/O treatments were associated with increased basal and maximal respiratory activities in BeWo CT cells without alterations in protein expression or activity of individual ETC complexes and mitochondrial substrate regulators. The metabolic suppression in BeWo SCTs was consistent with that previously observed in primary human trophoblast cell cultures, while the observed increases in respiratory activity in PA-treated BeWo CTs may be indicative of an early timepoint of specific dietary saturated fat-mediated placental cell mitochondrial dysfunction.
Germ cell nests in adult ovaries and an unusually large ovarian reserve in the naked mole-rat
Authors: Place Ned J , Prado Alexandra M , Faykoo-Martinez Mariela , Brieño-Enriquez Miguel Angel , Albertini David F , Holmes Melissa M
Published: November 2020

The naked mole-rat (NMR, Heterocephalus glaber) is renowned for its eusociality and exceptionally long lifespan (> 30 y) relative to its small body size (35–40 g). A NMR phenomenon that has received far less attention is that females show no decline in fertility or fecundity into their third decade of life. The age of onset of reproductive decline in many mammalian species is closely associated with the number of germ cells remaining at the age of sexual maturity. We quantified ovarian reserve size in NMRs at the youngest age (6 months) when subordinate females can begin to ovulate after removal from the queen’s suppression. We then compared the NMR ovarian reserve size to values for 19 other mammalian species that were previously reported. The NMR ovarian reserve at 6 months of age is exceptionally large at 108,588 ± 69,890 primordial follicles, which is more than 10-fold larger than in mammals of a comparable size. We also observed germ cell nests in ovaries from 6-month-old NMRs, which is highly unusual since breakdown of germ cell nests and the formation of primordial follicles is generally complete by early postnatal life in other mammals. Additionally, we found germ cell nests in young adult NMRs between 1.25 and 3.75 years of age, in both reproductively activated and suppressed females. The unusually large NMR ovarian reserve provides one mechanism to account for this species’ protracted fertility. Whether germ cell nests in adult ovaries contribute to the NMR’s long reproductive lifespan remains to be determined.
Efectos económicos de la deserción en la gestión universitaria: el caso de una universidad pública chilena
Authors: Améstica-Rivas Luis , King-Domínguez Andrea , Sanhueza Gutiérrez Daniela Andrea , Ramírez González Víctor
Published: November 2020

La deserción es una realidad para las universidades en todo el mundo, especialmente en Latinoamérica. La deserción causa pérdidas de recursos difíciles de cuantificar, sobre todo para las universidades, cuya gestión financiera depende en gran parte de los ingresos provenientes de sus carreras de pregrado, en las que este fenómeno se da como un hecho cierto, sin existir una medida de valoración de los efectos económicos que crea para cada institución. En este contexto, se pretende cuantificar los costos de la deserción de una universidad estatal chilena, con base en sus datos académicos y financieros, entre 2016 y 2019. Se evidenció un abandono de 2900 estudiantes en el periodo, lo que representa un 7,67 % promedio de deserción respecto a la matrícula total. El motivo principal de la deserción es la pérdida de carrera asociada a rendimiento académico y al hecho de que la mayoría de los estudiantes desertores tenía como fuente de financiamiento la beca de gratuidad, que representa un alto costo para el Estado. En términos monetarios, el costo de la deserción a 2019 alcanza los USD 23 428 287,14.
Funciones isoelásticas de utilidad, rejillas trinomiales, volatilidad y aversión al riesgo cambiante: Un modelo de valuación con opciones reales de empresas de base tecnológica
Authors: S. Milanesi Gastón
Published: November 2020

La valoración de inversiones en I&D, intangibles y empresas de base tecnológica (ebt) requiere de modelos que valoren: flexibilidad estratégica, volatilidad cambiante según ciclo de vida y riesgos sin activos financieros gemelos. En mercados incompletos e imperfectos, los riesgos deben valorarse con funciones de utilidad del inversor. Por lo expuesto, se propone un modelo de valuación de opciones reales con rejillas trinomiales, volatilidad cambiante, funciones isoelásticas de utilidad y aversión al riesgo variable. Mediante un análisis de caso y estudio de sensibilidad sobre valuación de ebt, es ilustrado su funcionamiento. Los resultados obtenidos demuestran su versatilidad. El modelo captura riesgos “privados” y flexibilidad estratégica, como herramienta de valuación para este tipo de inversiones dentro de mercados ambiguos, imperfectos e incompletos.
Análisis de la Responsabilidad Social Universitaria: un estudio comparativo en Latinoamérica
Authors: Bernal Escoto Blanca Estela , Díaz Rojas María Paula
Published: November 2020

La presente investigación analiza las prácticas que han tomado las instituciones de Educación educación Superior superior (ies) de acuerdo con la Responsabilidad responsabilidad Social social Universitaria universitaria (rsu) se plantea una investigación documental, con un seguimiento a su enfoque medioambiental; por lo cual se realiza un estudio comparativo con un sistema de indicadores para la medición de las áreas referentes al ámbito de protección del medio ambiente en dos universidades de Latinoamérica. El análisis de este estudio dio como conclusión que las universidades participantes si han aplicado medidas técnicas para el cuidado del medio ambiente y han tenido un buen manejo y compromiso con el mismo; se les aconseja proponer nuevas políticas y estrategias para tener un mejor uso y cuidado del medio ambiente en las instituciones.
Las armas de la poesía: los poemas de los Diálogos de la pintura de Carducho
Authors: Sáez Adrián J.
Published: November 2020

Dentro de los Diálogos de la pintura (1633) de Carducho, se incluyen una serie de poemas de sentido altamente contextual e intención fuertemente polémica, que merecen examinarse tanto por la galería de poetas en acción (todos del entorno de Lope) como por los argumentos artísticos manejados y su relación directa con los grabados del libro, que presenta los textos como poesía xilográfica, y, por lo tanto, doblemente artística.
La ilustre fregona de Sánchez enciso y Lion-Depetre
Authors: Aranda Arribas Victoria
Published: November 2020

El presente artículo analiza La ilustre fregona (1973), adaptación de la novela ejemplar (1613) de Cervantes realizada por Luis Sánchez Enciso y Álvaro Lion-Depetre para el programa Hora 11 de Televisión Española. Se enfatizarán aquellos aspectos que separan a este mediometraje del texto base, en especial en lo que atañe al tratamiento del amor cortés y la picaresca.
New Reports of Gastrotricha for the North-Eastern Ukraine
Authors: Trokhymchuk Roman
Published: November 2020

Gastrotricha is poor known phylum of small metazoans. Information about Ukrainian gastrotrichs’ fauna is old. In total 9 species are reported in this paper. Chaetonotus (Hystricochaetonotus) hystrix, Chaetonotus (Primochaetus) heideri,Chaetonotus (Zonochaeta) bisacer, Lepidodermella minor minor, Lepidodermella squamata, Ichthydium maximum and Haltidytes festinans are new to the Ukraine fauna. This investigation is giving also additional information for Chaetonotus (Chaetonotus) maximus, Chaetonotus(Hystricochaetonotus) macrochaetus, which have been previously reported to the Ukraine fauna but are new for Kharkiv oblast. We provide short description of all species and some ecology aspects.
Morphotype and Multivariate Analysis of the Occlusal Pattern of the First Lower Molar in European and Asian Arvicoline Species (Rodentia, Microtus, Alexandromys)
Authors: Synyavska I. O. , Peskov V. N.
Published: November 2020

We studied the morphotypic variation of the occlusal pattern of m1 in 13 arvicoline species (genera Microtus and Alexandromys). As a result, 22 m1 morphotypes were identified. In Alexandromys, five morphotypes of m1 were found, while in Microtus only seven. The morphological diversity of m1 morphotypes (H) in voles of the genus Microtus is significantly lower compared to Alexandromys. The largest number of m1 morphotypes and the highest morphological diversity of m1 were revealed in the Mongolian vole (14 morphotypes and H = 2.134), while the lowest values (two morphotypes and H = 0.285) occur in the population of M. levis from Orlov Island. An attempt of ecological and taxonomical interpretation of interspecific differences was made based on the m1 morphotypes.
Morphological Characteristics of Dicrocoelium dendriticum (Digenea, Dicrocoeliidae), Parasitizing Three Host Species in the Central Regions of Ukraine
Authors: Kruchynenko Oleh , Mykhailiutenko S. M. , Klymenko O. S. , Kanivets N. S. , Korchan L. M.
Published: November 2020

Distribution of trematodes of the species Dicrocoelium dendriticum (Rudolphi, 1819) Looss, 1899 (Digenea: Dicrocoeliidae) parasitizing cattle (Bos taurus Linnaeus, 1758), sheep (Ovis aries Linnaeus, 1758) and goat (Capra aegagrus hircus Linnaeus, 1758) was studied in the Poltava and Kirovohrad regions of Ukraine. The recorded prevalence of infection is 26.9 % in cattle, 28.42 % in sheep and 24.5 % in goat. D. dendriticum is the only species of the genus Dicrocoelium which infects domestic animals in the central regions of Ukraine. The trematodes obtained from cattle are significantly different from those isolated from sheep and goat by length, width and area of body, and length of vitelline ducts.
Trichinellosis of Wild Animals in Ukraine and its Danger to the Public
Authors: Akimov I. A. , Didyk Yu. M.
Published: November 2020

Trichinellosis is one of the most dangerous helminthic diseases common to humans and animals. It is caused by the nematodes from the Trichinella complex. Trichinella infections found in almost all mammal species, as well as reptiles and birds. In Ukraine Trichinella infection was detected in humans, domestic pigs and games. More than 1 500 cases of human trichinellosis were found in Ukraine over the past 30 years. Infected game are the main source of human Trichinella infection in recent time. Trichinella infection detected in all regions of Ukraine. Larvae were found in 3% of investigated wild boars, 15.5% wolves, 16% red foxes, 12% martens, 10% badgers and 20% raccoon dogs. Wolves and foxes were found to be the main reservoir of Trichinella in a sylvatic cycle. Our studies demonstrate the presence of tree species of Trichinella in Ukraine: T. britovi (ITRC codes: ISS1590, 1591, 1592, 1593) was found in wild boars, wolves, foxes and martens in all Ukraine; T. spiralis (ISS1594) was found in wild boars from Zhytomir and Mykolaiv regions; T. nativa (ISS1595) was found in wolves and foxes from Chernihiv, Sumy, Poltava and Kherson regions. Mixed infections (T. britovi-T. spiralis) were found in southern regions.