bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A narrative review on current duodenoscope reprocessing techniques and novel developments
Authors: Heuvelmans Maarten , Wunderink Herman F. , van der Mei Henny C. , Monkelbaan Jan F.
Published: December 2021

Duodenoscopy-associated infections occur worldwide despite strict adherence to reprocessing standards. The exact scope of the problem remains unknown because a standardized sampling protocol and uniform sampling techniques are lacking. The currently available multi-society protocol for microbial culturing by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the American Society for Microbiology, published in 2018 is too laborious for broad clinical implementation. A more practical sampling protocol would result in increased accessibility and widespread implementation. This will aid to reduce the prevalence of duodenoscope contamination. To reduce the risk of duodenoscopy-associated pathogen transmission the FDA advised four supplemental reprocessing measures. These measures include double high-level disinfection, microbiological culturing and quarantine, ethylene oxide gas sterilization and liquid chemical sterilization. When the supplemental measures were advised in 2015 data evaluating their efficacy were sparse. Over the past five years data regarding the supplemental measures have become available that place the efficacy of the supplemental measures into context. As expected the advised supplemental measures have resulted in increased costs and reprocessing time. Unfortunately, it has also become clear that the efficacy of the supplemental measures falls short and that duodenoscope contamination remains a problem. There is a lot of research into new reprocessing methods and technical applications trying to solve the problem of duodenoscope contamination. Several promising developments such as single-use duodenoscopes, electrolyzed acidic water, and vaporized hydrogen peroxide plasma are already applied in a clinical setting.
Pathways to recovery from COVID-19: characterizing input–output linkages of a targeted sector
Authors: Temel Tugrul , Phumpiu Paul
Published: December 2021

At present, the world is facing an unprecedented employment challenge due to the COVID-19 pandemic. International Labor Organization of the United Nations expects the largest amount of youth unemployment at the global level to take place in manufacturing, real estate, wholesale, and accommodation sectors. This paper has two objectives. The first is to introduce a graph-theoretic method for identifying upstream and downstream pathways of a targeted sector and characterize them in ways that help respond to and recovery from the adverse effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. The second is to apply this method in the context of China, Japan, India, Russia, Germany, Turkey, UK and USA, which together account for about 60 percent of the world GDP. Based on the analysis of most recent input–output data from 2015, manufacturing sector is found to be top priority sector to be targeted in all the eight countries, followed by real estate and wholesale sectors, and these sectors should be coupled with isolated communities of sectors to capture external employment and growth effects. Characterizing the critical pre-COVID-19 linkages of a targeted sector should inform policy makers regarding the design of employment and growth strategies to recover from the pandemic.
A multilevel analysis of the role personality play between work organization conditions and psychological distress
Authors: Parent-Lamarche Annick , Marchand Alain , Saade Sabine
Published: December 2021

Background

Psychological distress in the workplace is usually attributed to work-related variables as well as non-work-related variables. Individuals working in the same organization can differ in terms of their appraisal of work-related stressors and coping strategies used to face them. The present study aims to evaluate the moderating role personality plays between work organizations conditions and psychological distress in a large sample of Canadian participants working in various occupations and workplaces.

Methods

Multilevel regression analyses were conducted on a sample that followed a hierarchical structure with workers (N1 = 1958) nested in workplaces (N2 = 63). The direct contribution of workplace and personality was tested in a variance component model as a first step. Following this initial step, we introduced interaction variables by blocks of 11. Those interaction variables refer to each interaction combined with a specific personality variable.

Results

Psychological demands, number of hours worked, job insecurity, neuroticism, and agreeableness were associated with higher levels of psychological distress. Inversely, decision authority, job recognition, self-esteem, locus of control were associated with lower levels of psychological distress. Lastly, agreeableness played a moderating role between low social support garnered from one’s supervisor and psychological distress.

Conclusions

To intervene on work-related variables, organizations could reduce psychological demands, minimize the number of hours worked through job redesign, allow teleworking and encourage work schedule flexibility. To reduce job insecurity, organizations could explicitly communicate future organizational plans. In the same vein, decision authority could be targeted by reducing hierarchical steps and increasing autonomy. Lastly, the results pertaining to agreeableness stand in contrast with those of previous studies. We assumed that workers scoring high on agreeableness tend to put themselves last and please others first. These tendencies could make them more susceptible to health issues. With that said, work environments still need workers who are agreeable and nice to be around. To prevent high levels of agreeableness leading to psychological distress, training and information workshops are recommended. Those include stress management interventions and workshops pertaining to time management and relaxation techniques.
Contralateral nodal failures in oropharyngeal cancers after TORS and unilateral neck management: A retrospective study
Authors: Sahovaler Axel , Lee John J. W. , Xu Wei , Su Susie , Hosni Ali , Bayley Andrew , Goldstein David P. , de Almeida John R.
Published: December 2021

Background

Report the incidence of contralateral nodal failure rates in well-lateralized oropharyngeal carcinoma treated with upfront surgery and unilateral neck management.

Methods

Lateralized oropharyngeal carcinomas treated with upfront surgery using transoral robotic surgery (TORS) and unilateral neck management (unilateral neck dissection ± unilateral radiation treatment) were identified. Primary endpoint was contralateral regional control (CRC). Secondary endpoints were local control (LC), and overall survival (OS).

Results

Thirty-two patients were included. Pathologic T categories included 66% pT1, 31% pT2 and 3% pT3. Nodal diseases comprised 41% N0 and 47% N1 (AJCC 8th). Twenty-three (72%) patients had HPV related tumors. 3-years CRC, LC and OS were 100%, 96% (89–100) and 96% (CI 89–100). One patient developed a second primary with contralateral nodal disease. Only one patient died from another primary cancer.

Conclusion

In selected patients with lateralized oropharyngeal cancer, treatment with TORS and ipsilateral management of the neck may be oncologically safe without significant risk of contralateral failure. Level of evidence: Level 2.

Graphical Abstract
Neurodegenerative brain changes are associated with area deprivation in the United Kingdom: findings from the Brains for Dementia Research study
Authors: Hamilton Calum A. , Matthews Fiona E. , Erskine Daniel , Attems Johannes , Thomas Alan J.
Published: December 2021

Socioeconomic disadvantage is associated with greater risk of dementia. This has been theorised to reflect inequalities in cognitive reserve, healthcare access, lifestyle, and other health factors which may contribute to the clinical manifestation of dementia. We aimed to assess whether area deprivation in the United Kingdom was associated with greater risk or severity of the specific neurodegenerative diseases which lead to dementia in a multi-centre cohort with autopsy assessment. Participants underwent clinical assessment prior to brain tissue donation post-mortem. Each then underwent detailed, standardised neuropathological assessment. National area deprivation statistics were derived for each participant’s neighbourhood, for use as a predictor in binary and ordinal logistic models assessing the respective presence and severity of staging of key neuropathological changes, adjusting for theorised confounders. Individuals from among the 20% most deprived neighbourhoods in the United Kingdom had significantly higher neurofibrillary tangle and neuritic plaque staging, and increased risk of cerebral amyloid angiopathy. These findings were not explained by a greater risk of diabetes or hypertension, APOE genotype, alcohol misuse or tobacco smoking, sex, or age differences. A sensitivity analysis conditioning on baseline cognitive impairment did not meaningfully change the observed association. Socioeconomic disadvantage may contribute to dementia incidence through a greater severity of specific neuropathological changes (neurofibrillary tangles, neuritic plaques, and cerebral amyloid angiopathy), independent of other indirect influences. Mechanisms through which deprivation is associated with these require further exploration.
Efficacy of platelet-rich fibrin in promoting the healing of extraction sockets: a systematic review
Authors: Al-Maawi Sarah , Becker Kathrin , Schwarz Frank , Sader Robert , Ghanaati Shahram
Published: December 2021

Purpose

To address the focused question: in patients with freshly extracted teeth, what is the efficacy of platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) in the prevention of pain and the regeneration of soft tissue and bone compared to the respective control without PRF treatment?

Methods

After an electronic data search in PubMed database, the Web of Knowledge of Thomson Reuters and hand search in the relevant journals, a total of 20 randomized and/or controlled studies were included.

Results

66.6% of the studies showed that PRF significantly reduced the postoperative pain, especially in the first 1–3 days after tooth extraction. Soft tissue healing was significantly improved in the group of PRF compared to the spontaneous wound healing after 1 week (75% of the evaluated studies). Dimensional bone loss was significantly lower in the PRF group compared to the spontaneous wound healing after 8–15 weeks but not after 6 months. Socket fill was in 85% of the studies significantly higher in the PRF group compared to the spontaneous wound healing.

Conclusions

Based on the analyzed studies, PRF is most effective in the early healing period of 2–3 months after tooth extraction. A longer healing period may not provide any benefits. The currently available data do not allow any statement regarding the long-term implant success in sockets treated with PRF or its combination with biomaterials. Due to the heterogeneity of the evaluated data no meta-analysis was performed.
Physiological Responses to Low-Volume Interval Training in Women
Authors: Skelly Lauren E. , Bailleul Celine , Gillen Jenna B.
Published: December 2021

Interval training is a form of exercise that involves intermittent bouts of relatively intense effort interspersed with periods of rest or lower-intensity exercise for recovery. Low-volume high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and sprint interval training (SIT) induce physiological and health-related adaptations comparable to traditional moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT) in healthy adults and those with chronic disease despite a lower time commitment. However, most studies within the field have been conducted in men, with a relatively limited number of studies conducted in women cohorts across the lifespan. This review summarizes our understanding of physiological responses to low-volume interval training in women, including those with overweight/obesity or type 2 diabetes, with a focus on cardiorespiratory fitness, glycemic control, and skeletal muscle mitochondrial content. We also describe emerging evidence demonstrating similarities and differences in the adaptive response between women and men. Collectively, HIIT and SIT have consistently been demonstrated to improve cardiorespiratory fitness in women, and most sex-based comparisons demonstrate similar improvements in men and women. However, research examining insulin sensitivity and skeletal muscle mitochondrial responses to HIIT and SIT in women is limited and conflicting, with some evidence of blunted improvements in women relative to men. There is a need for additional research that examines physiological adaptations to low-volume interval training in women across the lifespan, including studies that directly compare responses to MICT, evaluate potential mechanisms, and/or assess the influence of sex on the adaptive response. Future work in this area will strengthen the evidence-base for physical activity recommendations in women.
Influence of an increased content of pea and yellow lupin protein in the diet of pigs on meat quality
Authors: Cebulska Aleksandra , Jankowiak Hanna , Weisbauerová Eva , Nevrkla Pavel
Published: December 2021

Background

The aim of the study was to test the effect of replacing soya beans with pea and yellow lupin seeds in the diet of pigs on meat quality. The meat for the tests was obtained from 60 fattening crossbred pigs F1 (Polish Large White × Polish Landrace)  × F1 (Pietrain × Duroc). The animals belonged to three feeding groups depending on the feed used with the total share of soybeans and its reduction. Water holding capacity, colour, and tenderness were measured and visual and tactile evaluation (colour, marbling and firmness) was performed for meat samples collected from the longissimus lumborum muscle. The chemical composition of the meat and the content of minerals were determined. The content of amino acids, fatty acids and cholesterol was determined.

Results

There was no significant differences among the assessed physicochemical characteristics of the meat. The obtained meat was of good quality, regardless of the proportion of proteins from legumes in the diet of pigs. The results of the subjective evaluation of meat, its colour, and the content of muscle pigments were uniform in all food groups. Similarly, a uniform, high protein content was found in all tested groups (C—24.98%; E1—24.82%; E2—25.09%) and the content of macro- and micronutrients in the tested meat was equivalent. The profile of fatty acids was not significantly affected by dietary treatment. Palmitoleic acid content was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in the E2 group compared to the E1 group (3.279% compared to 2.844%). The content of amino acids in meat samples was influenced by dietary treatment. Almost all the monitored essential amino acids (threonine, valine, leucine, phenylalanine and lysine) and some of nonessential amino acids’ proportion was increased in the experimental groups (E1, E2).

Conclusion

Replacing soya bean protein in the pigs’ diet with legume protein (peas and yellow lupin) did not adversely affect meat quality. This applies to both the physicochemical characteristics, the basic composition and the fatty acid profile. The meat of fattening pigs fed with the highest proportion of pea and lupin in the ration was characterized by more favourable proportion of essential amino acids.
Bibliometric analysis of China’s contribution to the knowledge system of cerebrovascular intervention
Authors: Ma Hongyu , Li He , Liu Peng , Liu Pei , Zhang Xiaoxi , Zhang Yongxin , Li Zifu , Zhao Rui , Hong Bo , Liu Jianmin , Yang Pengfei
Published: December 2021

Background

Cerebrovascular disease has become the leading cause of death in China. The purpose of this article is to analyze China’s contribution to the interventional treatment of cerebrovascular diseases.

Methods

Bibliometric analysis was used for evaluating the quantity, quality, research hotspots, and cooperation network of publications regarding interventional treatment of cerebrovascular diseases from China. These articles were searched from the database of Web of Science Core Collection. The authors, publication years, citation times, regions, and source journals of retrieved articles were recorded. Network analysis and visualization were performed on Citespace5.6.

Results

From 1991 to 2019, a total of 5052 articles regarding cerebrovascular intervention were contributed by Chinese researchers. The number of publications from China grew fastest annually in the latest 5 years among countries. These publications were cited 61,216 times, with 12.12 average citations per item. The h-index was 82. Affiliated hospitals of Capital Medical University contributed most articles. Cerebral ischemia and intracranial aneurysm were the most popular keywords over the three decades. The timeline view of keywords indicated that cerebral ischemia always was a hot spot. Stent techniques were the main treatment tools and still had a strong developing trend. Neural regeneration and neuroprotection were the hot topics of basic researches related to cerebrovascular intervention.

Conclusions

The number of researches grows rapidly in China over the decades, but the quality still needs further improvement. The increasing contributions of Chinese researchers to the global knowledge system of cerebrovascular intervention are promising.
High-yield production of secoisolariciresinol diglucoside from flaxseed hull by extraction with alcoholic ammonium hydroxide and chromatography on microporous resin
Authors: Zhuang Cong-Cong , Liu Chun-Rui , Shan Cheng-Bin , Liu Zheng , Liu Ling , Ma Chao-Mei
Published: December 2021

This study used alcoholic ammonium hydroxide to directly hydrolyze and extract secoisolariciresinol diglucoside (SDG) from flaxseed hull in a one pot reaction. The optimal extraction conditions, including the concentration of ammonium hydroxide, extraction time, and temperature, were examined in single factor experiments, followed by response surface methodology (RSM) with 3-level, 3-factor Box-Behnken experiments. As a result, the optimal extraction conditions were determined as follows: material-liquid ratio 1:20, percentage of reagent ammonium hydroxide (25–28% of NH3 in water) in ethanol 33.7% (pH = 12.9), extraction time 4.9 h, and extraction temperature 75.3 °C. Under these conditions, the yield of SDG, as measured by ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry, was 23.3 mg/g, consistent with the predicted content of SDG in flaxseed hull (23.0 mg/g). Further, 30.0 g of pulverized flaxseed hull was extracted under the optimal conditions, and the extract was subjected to a single run of macroporous resin chromatography to obtain 772.1 mg of a fraction with an SDG content exceeding 76.1%. Subsequent chromatography on Sephadex LH20, yielded 602.8 mg SDG of 98.0% purity, and the yield was 20.1 mg/g (2.0%) from flaxseed hulls. Thus, one-pot hydrolysis and extraction of SDG using alcoholic ammonium hydroxide is simple, and of high-yield.

Graphical abstract
A perfect probe: Resonance of underdamped scaled Brownian motion
Authors: Luo Yuhui , Zeng Chunhua , Li Baowen
Published: December 2021

We numerically investigate the resonance of the underdamped scaled Brownian motion in a bistable system for both cases of a single particle and interacting particles. Through the velocity autocorrelation function and mean squared displacement of a single particle, we find that for the steady state, diffusions are free ballistic motion in short time, become the transitions between superdiffusion and subdiffusion in intermediate time, and converge to zero at long times. Via the power spectrum density corresponding to the transitions between superdiffusion and subdiffusion, we find that there exists a nontrivial resonance. For interacting particles, we find that the interaction between the probe particle and other particles can lead to the resonance, too. Thus we propose the system with the Brownian particle as a probe, which can detect the temperature of the system and identify the number of the particles or the types of different coupling strengths in the system. The probe is potentially useful for detecting microscopic and nanometer-scale particles.
A stop or go switch: glycogen synthase kinase 3β phosphorylation of the kinesin 1 motor domain at Ser314 halts motility without detaching from microtubules
Authors: Banerjee Rupkatha , Chakraborty Piyali , Yu Michael C. , Gunawardena Shermali
Published: December 2021

It is more than 25 years since the discovery that kinesin 1 is phosphorylated by several protein kinases. However, fundamental questions still remain as to how specific protein kinase(s) contribute to particular motor functions under physiological conditions. Because, within an whole organism, kinase cascades display considerable crosstalk and play multiple roles in cell homeostasis, deciphering which kinase(s) is/are involved in a particular process has been challenging. Previously, we found that GSK3β plays a role in motor function. Here, we report that a particular site on kinesin 1 motor domain (KHC), S314, is phosphorylated by GSK3β in vivo. The GSK3β-phosphomimetic-KHCS314D stalled kinesin 1 motility without dissociating from microtubules, indicating that constitutive GSK3β phosphorylation of the motor domain acts as a STOP. In contrast, uncoordinated mitochondrial motility was observed in CRISPR/Cas9-GSK3β non-phosphorylatable-KHCS314A Drosophila larval axons, owing to decreased kinesin 1 attachment to microtubules and/or membranes, and reduced ATPase activity. Together, we propose that GSK3β phosphorylation fine-tunes kinesin 1 movement in vivo via differential phosphorylation, unraveling the complex in vivo regulatory mechanisms that exist during axonal motility of cargos attached to multiple kinesin 1 and dynein motors.
Long distance homing in the cane toad (Rhinella marina) in its native range
Authors: Shaykevich Daniel A. , Pašukonis Andrius , O'Connell Lauren A.
Published: December 2021

Many animals exhibit complex navigation over different scales and environments. Navigation studies in amphibians have largely focused on species with life histories that require accurate spatial movements, such as territorial poison frogs and migratory pond-breeding amphibians that show fidelity to mating sites. However, other amphibian species have remained relatively understudied, leaving open the possibility that well-developed navigational abilities are widespread. Here, we measured short-term space use in non-territorial, non-migratory cane toads (Rhinella marina) in their native range in French Guiana. After establishing site fidelity, we tested their ability to return home following translocations of 500 and 1000 m. Toads were able to travel in straight trajectories back to home areas, suggesting navigational abilities similar to those observed in amphibians with more complex spatial behavior. These observations break with the current paradigm of amphibian navigation and suggest that navigational abilities may be widely shared among amphibians.
The Rise of the Female Warfighter: Physiology, Performance, and Future Directions
Authors: GIERSCH GABRIELLE E. W. , CHARKOUDIAN NISHA , MCCLUNG HOLLY L.
Published: December 2021

Since 1948, the United States military has been open to both men and women as permanent party service members. However, in the majority of the time since, there have been a subset of military occupational specialties (MOS), or job descriptions, open only to men. In particular, jobs requiring more intense physical and/or environmental strain were considered to be beyond the physiological capabilities of women. In the present analysis, we review the literature regarding neuromuscular, physical performance, and environmental physiology in women, to highlight that women have no inherent limitation in their capacity to participate in relevant roles and jobs within the military, within accepted guidelines to promote risk mitigation across sexes. First, we discuss performance and injury risk: both neuromuscular function and physical capabilities. Second, physiological responses to environmental stress. Third, we discuss risk as it relates to reproductive health and nutritional considerations. We conclude with a summary of current physiological, performance, and injury risk data in men and women that support our overarching purpose, as well as suggestions for future directions.
Ο ρόλος του εκπνεόμενου μονοξειδίου του αζώτου (ΝΟ) και της σιρτουίνης 1 στην παθογένεια της Χρόνιας Αποφρακτικής Πνευμονοπάθειας (ΧΑΠ) και των βρογχοεκτασιών
Authors: Γκουβάνη Αντωνία
Published: December 2021

Εισαγωγή: Βάσει της βιβλιογραφίας το FENO και η SIR1 σχετίζονται με τους παθοφυσιολογικούς μηχανισμούς της ΧΑΠ και των βρογχεκτασιών.Η ΧΑΠ και οι βρογχεκτασίες συνυπάρχουν συχνά και η αναγνώριση της συνύπαρξης τους είναι σημαντική για τον καθορισμό της θεραπευτικής γραμμής αυτών των ασθενειών.Σκοπός: Σκοπός της παρούσας διδακτορικής διατριβής αποτέλεσε η διερεύνηση του ρόλου της σιρτουίνης στον ορό και του εκπνεόμενου ΝΟ στην παθογένεια της χρόνιας αποφρακτικής πνευμονοπάθειας και των βρογχιεκτασιών. Μεθοδολογία: Ειδικότερα, υπολογίστηκαν τα επίπεδα της σιρτουίνης 1 στον ορό και τα επίπεδα εκπνεόμενου ΝΟ στις ακόλουθες ομάδες ασθενών: ασθενείς με ΧΑΠ, ασθενείς με βρογχεκτασίες και ασθενείς με συνύπαρξη βρογχεκτασιών και ΧΑΠ. Τα επίπεδα σιρτουίνης 1 και εκπνεόμενου ΝΟ θα μετρώνται στην παρόξυνση της νόσου και μετά το πέρας αυτής.Το FeNO μετρήθηκε με τον ασθενή να εκπνέει σε σταθερή ροή στα 50 ml / sec για 6-10 δευτερόλεπτα μετά την εισπνοή αέρα προς τη συνολική χωρητικότητα των πνευμόνων.Για τον προσδιορισμό των επιπέδων σιρτουίνης 1 πραγματοποιήθηκε ανοσοπροσροφητική μέθοδο ELISA. Αποτελέσματα: Σύμφωνα με τα ευρήματα οι ασθενείς με συνύπαρξη ΧΑΠ / βρογχιεκτασίεςκαι οι ασθενείς με ΧΑΠ εμφάνισαν χαμηλότερα επίπεδα FEV1%pred σε σχέση με τους ασθενείς οι οποίοι είχανβρογχιεκτασίες. Ακόμη, διαπιστώθηκε πως τα επίπεδα FeNO ήταν διαφορετικά σε ασθενείς με ΧΑΠ κατά την εισαγωγή τους έναντι των επιπέδων FeNO κατά την έξοδο τους. Συγχρόνως, τα επίπεδα FeNO μειώθηκαν σημαντικά κατά την έξοδο σε σύγκριση με την εισαγωγή σε ασθενείς με βρογχιεκτασίες και σε ασθενείς με συνύπαρξη ΧΑΠ / βρογχιεκτασίες.Αναφορικά με τη σιρτουίνη 1 συγκρίνοντας τους ασθενείς με τους υγιείς μάρτυρες διαπιστώθηκε ότι τα επίπεδα διέφεραν στους ασθενείς σε σχέση με τους υγιείς μάρτυρες κατά την εισαγωγή τους. Συγκρίνοντας την κάθε ομάδα ασθενών κατά την εισαγωγή τους στο νοσοκομείο έναντι της ομάδας των υγειών μαρτύρων ως προς τα επίπεδα της σιρτουίνης 1 παρατηρήθηκε ότι οι ασθενείς με ΧΑΠ εμφάνιζαν στατιστικά σημαντικά υψηλότερη μέση τιμή σιρτουίνης 1 έναντι των υγιών μαρτύρων και ομοίως οι ασθενείς με βρογχιεκτασίες εμφάνιζαν και αυτοί στατιστικά σημαντικά υψηλότερη μέση τιμή σιρτουίνης 1 έναντι των υγιών εθελοντών κατά την εισαγωγή τους. Συμπεράσματα: Συμπερασματικά, τα ευρήματα της παρούσας εργασίας είναι ενδεικτικά ενός πιθανού ρόλου του μονοξειδίου του αζώτου (FeNO) και της σιρτουίνης 1 στην παθογένεια της Χρόνιας Αποφρακτικής Πνευμονοπάθειας και των Βρογχεκτασιών. Τα αποτελέσματα βέβαια θα πρέπει να αναπαραχθούν σε μεγαλύτερες ομάδες προτού εξαχθούν οριστικά συμπεράσματα.
5G Millimeter-Wave Beamforming System using Substrate Integrated Waveguide
Authors: Md Jizat Noorlindawaty , Yusoff Zubaida , A/L Nallasamy Arevinthran , Yamada Yoshihide
Published: December 2021

Beamforming is a key element of 5G that uses advanced antenna technologies to focus a wireless signal to a defined direction. Butler Matrix (BM) as a beamforming network is used to control the beam direction by utilizing the amplitude and the output phase. A particular technique for designing BM is through substrate integrated waveguide (SIW), which is used to realize the bilateral edge wall vias where the waveguide mode propagates through to support the current flow and reduce the loss of surface wave. Unlike conventional BM, the proposed design requires only hybrid couplers and phase shifter without any crossover. In this BM structure, the SIW hybrid coupler is designed, with two phase shifters of -90°, and one phase shifter of -180° to control the amplitude and phase shifting. This results in an optimized transmission amplitude and output phase difference. The BM also circumvents any crossover, to provide minimal losses. The hybrid coupler exhibits Sii and Sij characteristics at 28 GHz, with values of -27.35 dB for return loss, -3.9 dB for insertion loss, -3.2 dB for coupling, and -26.54 dB for the isolation. In the BM design, high transmission efficiency is observed where the return loss is less than -10 dB, while minimal transmission amplitudes are obtained within the values of ‒6 ± 3 dB. The three-port BM is designed using SIW with minimal loss and the phase difference at each respective output port of the BM shows values of 0°, -120°, and 120°. The three consecutive beams with the gains of 11.1 dBi for port 1 excitation, 9.06 dBi for port 2 excitation and 10.4 dBi for port 3 excitation is achieved when the antenna array is fed to the BM, and each of the radiated beams has beam angles of 0, -27 and 27 degrees.
Antibacterial, antibiofilm, and cytotoxic activities and chemical compositions of Peruvian propolis in an in vitro oral biofilm
Authors: Millones Gómez Pablo Alejandro , Tay Chu Jon Lidia Yileng , Maurtua Torres Dora Jesús , Bacilio Amaranto Reyma Evelyn , Collantes Díaz Ingrit Elida , Minchón Medina Carlos Alberto , Calla Choque Jaeson Santos
Published: December 2021

Background: Natural products with antibacterial potential have begun to be tested on biofilm models, bringing us closer to understanding the response generated by the complex microbial ecosystems of the oral cavity. The objective of this study was to evaluate the antibacterial, antibiofilm, and cytotoxic activities and chemical compositions of Peruvian propolis in an in vitro biofilm of Streptococcus gordonii and Fusobacterium nucleatum.

Methods: The experimental work involved a consecutive, in vitro, longitudinal, and double-blinded study design. Propolis samples were collected from 13 different regions of the Peruvian Andes. The disk diffusion method was used for the antimicrobial susceptibility test. The cytotoxic effect of propolis on human gingival fibroblasts was determined by cell viability method using the MTT (3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5 diphenyl tetrazolium bromide) assay, and the effect of propolis on the biofilm was evaluated by confocal microscopy and polymerase chain reaction (PCR).

Results: The 0.78 mg/mL and 1.563 mg/mL concentrations of the methanolic fraction of the chloroform residue of Oxapampa propolis showed effects on biofilm thickness and the copy numbers of the srtA gene of S. gordonii and the radD gene of F. nucleatum at 48 and 120 hours, and chromatography (UV, λ 280 nm) identified rhamnocitrin, isorhamnetin, apigenin, kaempferol, diosmetin, acacetin, glycerol, and chrysoeriol.

Conclusions: Of the 13 propolis evaluated, it was found that only the methanolic fraction of Oxapampa propolis showed antibacterial and antibiofilm effects without causing damage to human gingival fibroblasts. Likewise, when evaluating the chemical composition of this fraction, eight flavonoids were identified.
A computational biology approach for the identification of potential SARS-CoV-2 main protease inhibitors from natural essential oil compounds.
Authors: Hasib Rizone Al , Ali Md. Chayan , Rahman Md. Shahedur , Rahman Md. Mafizur , Ahmed Fee Faysal , Mashud Md. Abdullah Al , Islam Md. Azizul , Jamal Mohammad Abu Hena Mostofa
Published: December 2021

Background: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has fomented a climate of fear worldwide due to its rapidly spreading nature, and high mortality rate. The World Health Organization (WHO) declared it as a global pandemic on 11th March, 2020. Many endeavors have been made to find appropriate medications to restrain the SARS CoV-2 infection from spreading but there is no specific antiviral therapy to date. However, a computer-aided drug design approach can be an alternative to identify probable drug candidates within a short time. SARS-CoV-2 main protease is a proven drug target, and it plays a pivotal role in viral replication and transcription.

Methods: In this study, we identified a total of 114 essential oil compounds as a feasible anti-SARS-CoV-2 agent from several online reservoirs. These compounds were screened by incorporating ADMET profiling, molecular docking, and 50 ns of molecular dynamics simulation to identify potential drug candidates against the SARS-CoV-2 main protease. The crystallized SARS-CoV-2 main protease structure was collected from the RCSB PDB database (PDB ID 6LU7).

Results: According to the results of the ADMET study, none of the compounds have any side effects that could reduce their druglikeness or pharmacokinetic properties. Out of 114 compounds, we selected bisabololoxide B, eremanthin, and leptospermone as our top drug candidates based on their higher binding affinity scores, and strong interaction with the Cys 145-His 41 catalytic dyad. Finally, the molecular dynamics simulation was implemented to evaluate the structural stability of the ligand-receptor complex. MD simulations disclosed that all the hits showed conformational stability compared to the positive control α-ketoamide.

Conclusions: Our study showed that the top three hits might work as potential anti-SARS-CoV-2 agents, which can pave the way for discovering new drugs, but for experimental validation, they will require more in vivo trials.
Modelling charge profiles of electric vehicles based on charges data
Authors: Andrenacci Natascia , Karagulian Federico , Genovese Antonino
Published: December 2021

Background: The correct design of electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructures is of fundamental importance to maximize the benefits for users and infrastructure managers. In addition, the analysis and management of recharges can help evaluate integration with auxiliary systems, such as renewable energy resources and storage systems. EV charging data analysis can highlight informative behaviours and patterns for charging infrastructure planning and management.

Methods: We present the analysis of two datasets about the recorded energy and duration required to charge Electric Vehicles (EV) in the cities of Barcelona (Spain) and Turku (Finland). In particular, we investigated hourly, daily and seasonal patterns in charge duration and energy delivered. Simulated scenarios for the power request at charging stations (CSs) were obtained using statistical parameters of the Barcelona dataset and non-parametric distributions of the arrivals. Monte Carlo simulations were used to test different scenarios of users’ influx at the CSs, and determine the optimal size of an integrated renewable energy system (RES).

Results: This study highlighted the difference between fast and slow charging users’ habits by analysing the occupancy at the charging stations. Aside from the charge duration, which was shorter for fast charges, distinct features emerged in the hourly distribution of the requests depending on whether slow or fast charges are considered. The distributions were different in the two analysed datasets. The investigation of CS power fluxes showed that results for the investment on a RES could substantially vary when considering synthetic input load profiles obtained with different approaches. The influence of incentives on the initial RES cost were investigated.

Conclusions: The novelty of this work lies in testing the impact of different simulated profiles as input in the economic criterion of the net present value (NPV) for determining the size of a photovoltaic (PV) system installed at a charging infrastructure.
technical level of small-town shoemaking in Gdańsk Pomerania in the 14th century
Authors: Blusiewicz Karolina
Published: December 2021

Based on the late medieval leather artefacts from Puck, Gniew, Lębork and Chojnice, an attempt was made to assess the level of shoemaking production at that time. Microscopic analyses of leather goods and production waste proved that in the field of tanning the activities related to the mechanical treatment of leather were carefully performed, although with insufficient professional knowledge concerning the process. The results of the identification of the animal origin of the leather confirmed the purposeful selection of raw material with different properties for individual footwear elements and the ability to properly cut it. The quality of the shoemaking products was highly rated in terms of technology and style. However, in the analysed collections a clearly perceptible difference in craftsmanship and assortment of products from Gniew and the other three towns was noticed.
Administracyjne procedury postępowania w przypadkach kradzieży, zagubienia, nadużycia bądź fałszerstwa pieczęci w 20-leciu międzywojennym.
Authors: Jankowska Jagoda
Published: December 2021

Poprawne i przejrzyste działanie aparatu administracyjnego państwa jest istotne dla jego ogólnego funkcjonowania. Jednym z elementów administracji państwa jest system używanych przez nią pieczęci. Poniższy artykuł został poświęcony zjawiskom zaburzającym poprawne funkcjonowanie państwowego systemu sfragistycznego. Porusza on kwestie zagubień, kradzieży i fałszerstw pieczęci urzędowych w okresie dwudziestolecia międzywojennego. Uwaga tekstu skupia się na administracyjnych procedurach postępowania w zaistniałych sytuacjach. W pierwszej części tekstu zaprezentowano normatywy, które regulowały sankcje karne wobec osób dopuszczających się przestępstw w odniesieniu do pieczęci urzędowych oraz normatywy regulujące kwestie systemu sfragistycznego państwa. Przeanalizowane pod tym kątem prawo II Rzeczypospolitej nie określało jednak procedur działań na płaszczyźnie administracyjno-biurowej w przypadkach wykrycia nadużyć pieczęci. Obraz takich procedur rysują materiały archiwalne w sprawach zagubień, kradzieży i fałszerstw pieczęci urzędowych. Przedstawiony w drugiej części tekstu obraz tych procedur został zarysowany przede wszystkim na podstawie materiałów archiwalnych z zasobów archiwów państwowych w Bydgoszczy i Toruniu. Materiał uzupełniający opis omawianych procedur administracyjnych stanowiły wojewódzkie dzienniki urzędowe i umieszczane w nich informacje dotyczące poruszanych w artykule naruszeń bezpieczeństwa systemu sfragistycznego państwa polskiego.
Rola nowoczesnego archiwum uczelnianego w budowaniu tożsamości szkoły wyższej
Authors: Jablońska Marlena
Published: December 2021

Archiwa szkół wyższych to jednostki organizacyjne, których zadaniem jest zabezpieczenie dokumentacji wytworzonej przez szkołę po okresie jej bieżącego wykorzystania, ale także zabezpieczenie materiałów dokumentujących najważniejsze dla uczelni wydarzenia. Są miejscem, w którym teraźniejszość łączy się z przeszłością, technologia z tradycją a historia z bieżącą pracą administracyjną. Te atrybuty sprawiają, że archiwa odgrywają istotną rolę w procesie zachowania pamięci, budowania tożsamości i kształtowania wizerunku szkoły wyższej. Ich aktywna rola, współpraca z innymi podmiotami, zaangażowanie i wiedza pracowników oraz umiejętności wykorzystania dostępnych technologii komunikacyjnych definiują nowoczesne archiwum uczelniane. W artykule zostały omówione przykłady ilustrujące postawę proaktywną archiwów, które wpisują się idealnie w założenia teoretyczne działań wizerunkowych uczelni, przedstawiono ciekawe projekty i nieoczywiste inicjatywy.
VIII Wiosenne Spotkania Archiwalne: „Dobre praktyki zarządzania dokumentacją", Toruń, 20–21 V 2021 r.
Authors: Pepłowska Katarzyna
Published: December 2021

Sprawozdanie z konferencji VIII Wiosenne Spotkania Archiwalne: „Dobre praktyki zarządzania dokumentacją”, Toruń, 20–21 V 2021 r.
Pobyt w Archiwum Polskiego Muzeum w Rapperswilu
Authors: Guzman Daniel
Published: December 2021

W artykule uzupełniam historię Muzeum Polskiego w Rapperswilu, przedstawioną na początku XXI wieku przez Annę Krochmal, o czasy współczesne. Bazując na własnych obserwacjach i doświadczeniach charakteryzuję zasób archiwum niniejszej instytucji, jej personel oraz opisuję zadania które tam zrealizowałem jako archiwista podczas dwumiesięcznego stażu. Wyjaśniam specyficzną strukturę własnościową i finansową Muzeum oraz związanego z nim Towarzystwa, a także uświadamiam o niezwykle trudnej współczesnej sytuacji placówki.
Na granicy kultur i światów
Authors: Masłowska Ewa
Published: December 2021

Recenzja: Piotr Braszak, Na rozstajnych drogach, około północy. Doświadczenia graniczne we wschodniosłowiańskich i polskich pieśniach ludowych, Wydawnictwo Naukowe UAM, Poznań 2021.
Educación emprendedora y filosofía de la educación.
Authors: Azqueta-Díaz de Alda Arantxa , Sanz-Ponce Roberto
Published: December 2021

Desde hace unas décadas la educación emprendedora se ha ido incorporado de manera progresiva en el currículo de todas las etapas educativas. Su inclusión es heterogénea y no está exenta de controversias. Uno de los objetivos es asentar y definir el marco teórico para consolidar esta materia en las aulas. El artículo realiza una recopilación de las principales relaciones de la educación emprendedora con las diferentes filosofías de la educación: la educación liberal, la filosofía postestructuralista, el constructivismo y el aprendizaje experiencial. Se emplea un enfoque analítico e interpretativo, fundamentado en la literatura académica. Se concluye que la educación emprendedora no se encuadra con nitidez con una corriente filosófica concreta, porque el interés por esta disciplina nace en el ámbito político y económico y no en el educativo. Además, tanto la filosofía como la tarea emprendedora proceden de ámbitos de conocimiento dispares. Se requiere llevar a cabo una fundamentación antropológica de esta materia que guíe y fundamente los planteamientos pedagógicos del desarrollo humano y no se limite a legitimar como materia de interés educativo lo que goza de racionalidad instrumental o contribuye al progreso de la ciencia y de la tecnología.
Dimensiones de la competencia intercultural en el aprendizaje de lenguas extranjeras.
Authors: Carrillo-López Carolina
Published: December 2021

Este artículo tiene como propósito comprender una revisión respecto a los aportes teóricos y metodológicos que se han hecho entorno a la competencia intercultural. Para ello, la estrategia metodológica se desarrolló con un análisis de diseño cualitativo e interpretativo, documental, construida a partir del estado del arte. Empezando desde la interculturalidad, se ve que ésta no llega a ser exclusiva de un campo en particular, debido a que es utilizada y trabajada desde varias disciplinas como las ciencias humanas y sociales. En el marco de la educación, varios autores que han fungido como promotores de la interculturalidad en la enseñanza de lenguas han hecho evidente la contraposición al modelo de civilización, tomando posición como una nueva parte de la cultura que implica el desarrollo de las capacidades, conocimientos y saberes que le posibiliten al aprendiente regular sus relaciones con las personas pertenecientes a culturas diferentes a la suya. Tras identificar diversas clasificaciones de autores en torno a la competencia intercultural se analizaron cada una de las tipologías, para después integrar una nueva clasificación con sus principales elementos. Así, surgieron cuatro dimensiones de la competencia intercultural: la simbólica, la comunicativa, la conductual y la personal. Éstas con el fin de que posibiliten analizar el nivel de desarrollo de la competencia intercultural que desarrollan los aprendientes de una lengua extranjera.
School Improvement by Addressing Bullying: Α Case Study in Greece
Authors: Ioannis A.
Published: December 2021

The main purpose of this study case is to investigate the contribution of the school community to the improvement of the school. In that context, a two-phase research was conducted. In the first phase, the self-evaluation process was implemented during the first year of the research with the participation of the school community. An overall picture of the school was created, with its strong and weak points reflected in the school's final self-evaluation report. Upon the completion of the school self-evaluation process the school community decided on the implementation of actions in order to reduce a number of dysfunctional behaviors, such as bullying incidents that occurred in the school on the part of some students. The school actions and the relevant results constituted the second phase of the research work. The results showed that some of the dysfunctional behaviors were found to be decreased to a statistically significant level after action was taken by the school community.
Review of the genus Oncocephala Agassiz 1846 (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Cassidinae: Oncocephalini) in Africa, excluding Madagascar
Authors: CALCETAS ORLANDO A. , STAINES CHARLES L. , ADORADA JESSAMYN R. , CALILUNG VENUS J. , CAOILI BARBARA L. , JAMIAS SERLIE B.
Published: December 2021

The genus Oncocephala Agassiz, 1846 (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Cassidinae: Oncocephalini) is reviewed for Africa, except Madagascar. Twenty-four species are treated. Two new synonyms were proposed, Oncocephala kolbei Gestro, 1899a is synonymized with O. promontorii Péringuey, 1898 and O. scabrosa Gestro, 1905 is synonymized with O. severinii Gestro, 1899(1901). Six new species are proposed:  Oncocephala susanstainesae Calcetas, Staines & Adorada sp. nov. from Namibia, Oncocephala deleoni Calcetas, Staines and Adorada sp. nov. from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Oncocephala camachoi Calcetas, Staines & Adorada sp. nov. from Cameroon, Oncocephala eborai Calcetas, Staines & Adorada sp. nov. from Equatorial Guinea, Oncocephala dimaculanganae Calcetas, Staines & Adorada sp. nov. from Cameroon and Oncocephala demesai Calcetas, Staines and Adorada sp. nov. from Togo. Oncocephala methneri Uhmann, 1928 and O. madoni Pic, 1941 are treated as incerte sedis. The genus Oncocephala in Africa is divided into seven species groups (Gestroi, Perrieri, Insignis, Senegalensis, Promentorii, Cuneata and Angusticollis) based on the similarity of their elytral characters. A key to the species groups and species of Oncocephala is provided.
REASSEMBLING TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER IN INDONESIA
Authors: Maludin Syafrizal , Syarief Rizal , Rifin Amzul , Rochman Nurul Taufiqu
Published: December 2021

This article aims to provide a dynamic picture of the technology transfer process in public research institutions in Indonesia that has been updated by establishing the National Research and Innovation Agency in August 2021. This body is directly under the President of the Republic of Indonesia based on Presidential Regulation number 78 of 2021. During the research period, there was a change in the landscape of technology transfer actors. Some of these changes are in line with the results of the analysis, namely increasing the role of GFRI and research and development agencies under the ministry. This change is referred to as technology transfer reassembly. The arrangement of technology transfer leads to a new form. The research was initiated in October 2017 using the AHP to determine the best institutional arrangement for integrating research. The AHP results show the rank of institutional arrangements from highest to lowest as Government Funded Research Institutes (GFRI) (0.27833), a research division under the Ministerial Office (0.24890), universities (0.17966), private R&D (0.13589) and foreign agencies (0.07214). Government Funded Research Institutes are the top choice of experts for having a significant role in the technology transfer process. The core function of GFRI in the technology transfer system is to plan, conduct and develop technology and they have contributed significantly to the policy-making process by providing information and policy recommendations. This research enriched the application of the recommendations by establishing the National Research and Innovation Agency as the most influential actor in building a national technology transfer system.