bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Detection and Biodetoxification of Aflatoxins in Food
Authors: Aishwarya B. , Vaidyanathan G.S. , Manivannan Avaya , Sha Allan M. Jaswanth , Kulkarni Seema A. , Selvam S. Periyar , Kumar M. Mahesh
Published: September 2021

Harmful agents such as toxins, chemicals and pollution are causing public health hazards around the
world. The food and agriculture sectors in particular are highly sensitive to exposure to toxic waste.
Among the various toxic products of microbial extraction, aflatoxin is a deadly mycotoxin produced
by the species Aspergillus. Aflatoxin contamination is common in commercial foodstuffs, veterinary
foods as well as in cosmetics. However, some viable strategies related to the screening and detection
are considered an important response by the scientific community to prevent early-stage contamination,
followed by detection or screening approaches. This article presents current study that emphasizes the
effectiveness of biosensors as a good indicator of aflatoxin detection strategies and also the detoxification
of the identified aflatoxins, which causes food spoilage and industrial losses by physical, chemical
and biological methods
Synthesis of (E)-1-(2,4-Bis((1-phenyl-1H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)methoxy)phenyl)-
3-phenylprop-2-en-1-one Derivatives and their Antimicrobial Activity
Authors: Umapathi Nalla , Jalapathi Pochampally , Raghavender Matta , Shankar Bhookya
Published: September 2021

A new series of chalcone based bis 1,4-disubstituted 1,2,3-triazole heterocyclic molecules (6a-j) were
synthesized via the reaction of 1-(2,4-bis((1-phenyl-1H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)methoxy)phenyl)ethanone
(6a-e) with substituted benzaldehyde. All the molecules were characterized by IR, 1H and 13C NMR
and MS spectra spectral data. Compounds 6a-j were evaluated for their antimicrobial effects using a
broth disc diffusion method. The compounds were evaluated for their in vitro antimicrobial potential
against Gram-positive (Micrococcus luteus, Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus
subtilis and Bacillus cereus), Gram-negative (Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae,
Escherichia coli and Proteus vulgaris) bacterial and fungal (Microsporum canis, Microsporum gypseum
and Epidermophyton floccosum) strains by comparison of the reference drugs, zentamycin sulphate
(antibacterial) and nystatin (antifungal). The screened compounds 6f, 6e, 6c and 6i were found to be
the most active against all the tested bacterial and fungal strains.
Inhibitory Potential of Ferula assafoetida Extract on L-type Calcium Channel
Protein Revealed by Zebrafish Studies and Molecular Docking
Authors: Misra Sayantani , Kootery Kaviya Parambath , Sarojini Suma
Published: September 2021

Ferula assafoetida is a part of many herbal formulations and hence it is pertinent to check the safety of
its components specially to growing embryos. Zebrafish (Danio rerio) is considered to be one of the
best models to study human embryonic development and metabolic pathways as its genome is fully
sequenced and it possesses easily detectable developmental properties. In present study, the embryos
of Danio rerio were treated with different concentrations of methanolic extract of Ferula assafoetida
(MEFA) and its effects were checked at different post fertilization periods. Decreased heart beat rates,
shrinkage of the chorion wall and other developmental abnormalities leading to the death of the embryos
were observed. The methanolic extract of Ferula assafoetida was subjected to GC-MS to determine
the different compounds present. Cardiotoxicity of these compounds were studied as it is one of the
important factors for the retraction of a drug from the market. Molecular docking studies with L-type
calcium channel (LTCC), a protein important for cardiac functioning, showed strong binding to the
phytochemicals in the extract, with the maximum binding affinity observed with 26-hydroxycholesterol.
The study proves that the methanolic extract of Ferula assafoetida contains phytochemicals which
have the potential to cause cardiotoxicity in zebrafish embryos by interfering with the functions of
LTCC possibly leading to arrhythmia. Altogether, our data suggest that the usage of these extracts in
drug formulations should be done with caution. This is also indicative of the possible cytotoxic effect
of the extract which could be tapped in the search for anticancer drugs.
Impact of Aluminium on ZnO Thin Films for Antimicrobial Activity
Authors: Anandh BA. , Sakthivel R. , Ganesh A. Shankar , Subramani S. , Rajamanickam A.T.
Published: September 2021

Thin films of pure zinc oxide (ZnO) and aluminium (Al) doped ZnO were deposited by two step
SILAR technique. Pure and Al (1%, 3%, 5%) doped ZnO thin film’s structural, morphology and
optical properties were analyzed. Diffraction peaks of all the samples were indexed to hexagonal
Wurtizite structure. The crystallite size, lattice parameters, dislocation density and microstrain were
calculated for the prepared thin films. Morphology study using FESEM shows spherical shaped structure
of pure ZnO and hexagonal faced rod like structure for Al doped ZnO thin films. The UV-vis absorption
spectrum for the thin films was also studied. There is decrease in bandgap as the Al doping ratio
increases from 1% to 5%. Photoluminescence studies confirmed that oxygen ion vacancy and interstitial
Zn+ ion were present. The maximum zone of inhibition was studied against the Gram-negative (E.
coli) and Gram-positive (S. aureus) bacteria by agar diffusion method. Significant antimicrobial results
were seen in pure and Al doped ZnO. Aluminium doped ZnO shows more antimicrobial activity over
pure ZnO.
Hydrogen to Deuterium Exchange Rate Measurement in
Ionic Liquid-Water Mixture Using NMR
Authors: Singh Balvinder
Published: September 2021

The rate of hydrogen (H) to deuterium (D) exchange in an aqueous system or bulk water is faster,
making it challenging to estimate the rate of H to D exchange using nuclear magnetic resonance
spectroscopy (NMR). Confined water behaves differently than bulk water in high viscous media, such
as some room temperature ionic liquids and the H/D exchange rate becomes slow, which can be
measured via NMR. Here, we used selective inversion recovery method to confined water in ionic
liquid ([BMIM][BF4])-water-deuterium oxide mixture and measured exchange rate. The numerical
value of exchange rate obtained using non-linear curve fitting of the experimental data is 1.34 s–1.
An overview of fish disease and parasite occurrence in the cage culture of Oreochromis niloticus: A case study in Lake Victoria, Kenya
Authors: Mwainge Venny Mziri , Ogwai Caleb , Aura Christopher Mulanda , Mutie Alice , Ombwa Veronica , Nyaboke Hilda , Oyier Kennedy Ngoko , Nyaundi Joseph
Published: September 2021

Cage aquaculture has been on a steady rise in Lake Victoria, Kenya, since 2016, resulting in the current culturing of over 3,600 cages of Tilapia (O. niloticus) (Orina et al., 2018). Unfortunately, there has been limited, if any, focus on fish health aspects. Rise in intensification and commercialization predisposes fish stocks to disease due to rise in stress levels and consequent reduction in the fish immunity. Nutrient rich surroundings create a conducive environment for rapid proliferation of bacterial and saprophytic fungal growth leading to net clogging and consequently a low biological oxygen demand. Such conditions predispose the stocks to infections. This study was conducted to provide a baseline analysis of the health conditions/status of the cultured fish in this region. It encompassed studies from 2016 to 2018 on tilapia of the genus O. niloticus using both experimental (using standard procedures and protocols) and socio-economic studies (using structured questionnaires, see annexure 1). Results found the following occurrences; bacterial infections (10%), fungal infestations (12.5%), myxosporean parasites in the gills (5%), parasitic copepods (10%) and fin rot (2.5%) in the stocks. There were no significant differences between abiotic parameters in the cage locations and the wild (p > 0.05). Additionally, 90% of the respondents had no fish disease training or clue on the treatment action necessary whenever fish diseases struck. Findings from this study put to the fore the significance of fish diseases in a cage culture system in light of commercialization of the industry and the importance of biosecurity and maintenance of optimal environmental conditions within the scope of Blue Economy growth in this region. This study did not detect any disease or parasite of zoonotic importance.
Socioeconomic dynamics and characterization of land-based aquaculture in Western Kenya
Authors: Abwao Jacob , Musa Safina , Ondiba Robert , Ogari Zach
Published: September 2021

With the global decline in capture fisheries, aquaculture remains alternative in bridging the gap and meeting the demand for fisheries products. Currently, aquaculture contributes approximately 50% of world total fishery production, hence becoming an important intervention in promoting food and nutritional security, and employment creation. Western Kenya is suitable for aquaculture production due to favorable climate and good soil as well as high demand for fish. The present survey purposed to assess the Socio-demographic characteristics of fish farmers, fish feed and seed producers in 9 Counties within Western Kenya. The information obtained included socio economic dynamics and challenges to fish farming. Fish farming mainly occur in rural areas in Western Kenya where the most dominant system is earthen ponds, measuring 300 m2. Aquaculture in the region is male dominated and majority of players practice individual enterprises. The majority of the hatcheries are authenticated and the lack of credit facility was mentioned as the most important challenge. However, for feed producers lack of adequate raw materials was the most important bottle neck. From this study, both environmental and social factors in the region must be synergized to achieve aquaculture sustainability. There is need for empowerment of farmers through capacity building and availability of credit facilities whereas hatcheries and feed producers must be empowered with adequate skills and infrastructure in order to adhere to good standards.
The role of women in freshwater aquaculture development in Kenya
Authors: Awuor Fonda Jane
Published: September 2021

For many years, aquaculture has been erroneously viewed as a male-dominated sector, offering women inadequate opportunities partly due to the high capital investment requirement and or the technologies linked to the venture. Women work in all areas of the aquaculture value chain but their opportunities have not kept pace with aquaculture growth. Hence, they form a larger component of the poor, limiting their income-generating activities and asset building potential. Gender disaggregated statistics that could track women’s engagement in aquaculture activities in Kenya are scanty. Hence, women’s presence, influence and interests are invisible. All aquaculture labour practices should embrace the Sustainable Development Goals 5 that focus on gender equality and empowerment of all women and girls. To that end, gender equality must be mainstreamed into aquaculture planning, development, monitoring and evaluation. This will require concerted political efforts by sector leaders, advocates and gender champions, supported by new technical instruments for implementation. The study leverages on incorporating gender lens and making gender visible in every phenomenon, questioning if, how and why processes, opportunities and standards differ systematically for women and men and not solely for women. Finally, it proposes sections where women’s engagements can be strengthened to increase the importance of aquaculture production in Kenya.
Kenya marine fisheries: The next frontier for economic growth?
Authors: Njiru James , Omukoto Johnston O. , Kimani Edward N. , Aura Christopher Mulanda , Van der Knaap Martin
Published: September 2021

The economic potential of Kenya marine resources is critical for the socioeconomic development. The current study reports fisheries output from marine systems in Kenya as a priority for Blue Economy investment in order to rival the current production from inland systems as a trigger for sustainable development. The assessment of fish landings and economic value was based on Catch Assessment Surveys, cruises and secondary literature. Kenya’s inland capture fisheries contributes about 83%, aquaculture 12%, and marine artisanal fisheries 5%. Lake Victoria that contributes up to 90% of inland capture fish production has shown decline in catches in the recent past and the trend indicates that the fishery may not be sustainable. The Kenya Exclusive Economic Zone has a coast line of about 647 km and an area of 142,000 km2 that constitutes about 42% of the country’s surface area and has several commercially important species that are barely exploited; yet it produces a paltry 26,000 mt annually that is estimated at an export value of about USD 50 million. However, recent estimates have found that Kenya Exclusive Economic Zone could contain up to 2 million mt of fish that is valued at about USD 130 million. Furthermore, additional worth along the value chain and with substantial trickle-down effect that could have a positive impact on the Blue Growth in Kenya and other developing nations with oceanic potential – triggering the possibility for sustainable exploitation.
Gas exchanges and chlorophyll content in green pepper plants under bio-fertilization and times of application
Authors: Leal Ygor Henrique , Jardelino Dias Thiago , Souza Aline das Graças , Bezerra Ana Carolina , Soares Rodrigues Lucas , Bandeira de Albuquerque Manoel , Da Silva Leal Marcia Paloma , Da Silva Adjair José , Ribeiro de Lucena Marcos Fabrício
Published: September 2021

This study aimed to determine the gas exchange and the chlorophyll content of green pepper plants under doses and times of application of bio-fertilizers based on manure and enriched organic compost. Two experiments were carried out simultaneously with applications of bio-fertilizers prepared from manure and enriched organic compost, one using cattle manure (CBF) and the other sheep manure (SBF). For these, four doses of biological fertilizers (100, 200, 300 and 400 dm³ ha-1), three application times (0, 30 and 60 days after transplantation - DAT) and absolute control, referring to the absence of fertilization, were used. treatments. were arranged in a randomized block design, totaling 13 treatments. The variables evaluated were: the relative chlorophyll a, b and total content; liquid photosynthesis (A); stomatal conductance (gs); internal CO2 concentration (Ci); instant carboxylation efficiency (iCE - A/Ci); transpiration rate (T); intrinsic water use efficiency (iWUE - A/gs); and water use efficiency (WUE - A/E). Gs, A and T, showed significant effect at 60 DAT with the application of SBF and Ci at 30 DAT with CBF. The dose of 400 dm³ ha-1 of SBF provided greater gas results, and the doses of 200 and 300 dm³ ha-1 of CBF promoted a greater Ci, greater stomatal conductance, greater liquid photosynthesis and better water use efficiency, which results in a greater plant fresh weight at the time of flowering induction.
Alternative products to control powdery mildew in soybeans culture in field
Authors: Gabardo Gislaine , Dalla Pria Maristella , Luis da Silva Henrique , Gabrielle Harms Mônica
Published: September 2021

The occurrence of powdery mildew (Microsphaera diffusa) in soybean (Glycine max L.) has increased in the last harvests. In order to study the efficiency of powdery mildew control due to the application of alternative products and conventional fungicide, trials were conducted in Ponta Grossa, PR, Brazil, during the 2013/2014 and 2014/2015 growing seasons. The design used was randomized blocks with four replications. The treatments for the experiments were: 1 - control; 2 - acibenzolar-S-methyl (Bion 500 WG®); 3 - calcium (Max Fruit®); 4 - Micronutrients: copper, manganese and zinc (Wert Plus®); 5 - Micronutrients: manganese, zinc and molybdenum (V6®); 6 - NK fertilizer (Hight Roots®); 7 - Ascophyllum nodosum (Acadian®) and 8 - fungicide (azoxystrobin + cyproconazole) (Priori XTRA®) with the addition of the adjuvant. Four applications of alternative products (phenological stages V3, V6, R1 and R5.1) and two of fungicide (phenological stages R1 and R5.1) were carried out. The parameters evaluated were powdery mildew severity and productivity. The severity data made it possible to calculate the area under the disease progress curve (AUDPG). Alternative products didn’t reduce powdery mildew in the two harvests. The conventional fungicide treatment was the only one that controlled powdery mildew and didn’t reduce the productivity in both experiments.
THE IMPLEMENTATION OF DISTANCE TECHNOLOGIES OF LEARNING A FOREIGN LANGUAGE AS A CONDITION OF INNOVATION OF THE EDUCATIONAL STRATEGIES OF A UNIVERSITY
Authors:   St. Petersburg Academy of In-Service Pedagogical Education, St. Petersburg, Russian Federation, Suvorova S.L. , Khilchenko T.V. ,   Shadrinsk State Pedagogical University, Shadrinsk, Russian Federation, Olar Yu.V. ,   Shadrinsk State Pedagogical University, Shadrinsk, Russian Federation
Published: September 2021

The article presents the authors’ experience of implementing distance learning in the information and educational environment of the higher educational institution as one of the conditions of its innovative strategies. Based on the latest research on introducing distance learning in teaching foreign languages in the modern conditions of the COVID-19 pandemic, the authors identified the key semantic fields of the problem, namely: positioning the process of introducing distance learning for teaching a foreign language as a prerequisite for the innovative development of the university as a whole and its strategic planning in particular; identification of universal technologies and platforms that can be used in the educational process of the university: videoconferencing implemented on Zoom, Discord, Skype; television and satellite technology based on the use of interactive television: television and radio lectures, videoconferences, virtual practical exercises; email technology; network technologies for posting various educational materials; case studies. The article describes specific models for the implementation of distance learning technologies in organizing practical classes in English. It describes a step-by-step algorithm for using Zoom platform, a model for integrating this technology with network technologies that provide an opportunity to use educational and methodological materials of electronic information educational environment of the university. The authors carried out a comprehensive analysis of the experience of introducing distance learning technologies in the process of foreign language teaching of two universities of the Ural Federal District – Shadrinsk State Pedagogical University and the Ural State Pedagogical University and concluded that it is necessary to use these technologies as a condition for the innovativeness of educational strategies of the university.
Integrating design thinking into instructional design: The #OpenTeach case study
Authors: Ní Shé Caitríona , Farrell Orna , Brunton James , Costello Eamon
Published: September 2021

Online education is becoming the norm in higher education. Effective instructional design methods are required to ensure that “ever-connected” students’ needs are being met. One potential method is design thinking: an agile methodology that stresses the importance of empathy with the student. The #OpenTeach fully online course was designed using design thinking principles and delivered in Spring 2020. This article reports on a case study which focused on the use of design thinking to design and develop the #OpenTeach course. The five iterative stages of design thinking (empathy, define, ideate, prototype and test) were integrated into the design and development of the course materials. The findings of this study indicate that the use of the design thinking process may be used by instructional designers to achieve empathy with their learners, which will ensure learners successfully engage and achieve the learning objectives of the course.

Implications for practice or policy:

A rich case study of the successful integration of design thinking within the instructional design methodology of an online teacher education project is valuable to educationalists who wish to follow a user-cntred empathetic approach.

Instructional designers should focus on empathising with their student cohort to successfully engage students in the content that has been designed, and developed, as part of an online course.
Local Governance Lessons from Turkey’s System: Enhancing Local Governance in Afghanistan
Authors: Saqib Mustafa
Published: September 2021

Historically Turkey and Afghanistan have had strong centralist administrative systems that demonstrate relative institutional flaws at the local level. Afghanistan as a country that is emerging from decades of instabilities has adopted a new legal framework for its local administration under the 2004 Constitution. Likewise, Turkey’s local administrative system has applied various reforms under the 1982’s Constitution. Although both countries’ constitutions delegate a certain amount of authorities and responsibilities at the sub-national level, local administrations are subjected to strong administrative and financial tutelage of central governments in both countries. In Turkey, local elections matter relatively on the functionality of public institutions and local democracy, whereas in Afghanistan, major local authorities still representing central government, and people at the local level have no role in making public decisions. Since Turkey’s experience on modern state-building has had a significant influence on shaping the first constitution of Afghanistan, recent reformations, successful or failed, can be lessons for Afghanistan as a country that is in the process of state-building to empower its public institutions, bring peace and rehabilitate participatory governance. This paper aims to compare the evolution, structure, and function of the local government system in Turkey and Afghanistan to clarify the question of authority and autonomy level for local governance in both countries. The author in this research examines constitutional provisions, legislation, policies of both countries regarding the interrelationship of the central government and local unites to highlight the mechanism of people’s engagement with states and offers specific recommendations at the end of this paper.
Partial migration in diadromous fishes drives the allocation of subsidies across the freshwater-marine ecotone
Authors: Saboret Grégoire , Buckle Duncan J. , King Alison J. , Douglas Michael M. , Crook David A.
Published: September 2021

Migratory animals can act as cross-boundary subsidies sustaining ecosystem functioning, such as diadromous fishes that migrate between fresh water and seawater and carry nutrients and energy across the freshwater-marine ecotone. Frequency and timing of migration are however highly variable within and among populations. We hypothesized that in catadromous fishes (i.e., diadromous fishes that grow in freshwater and spawn in the sea, such as eels), the import of subsidies by migratory juveniles could outweigh the export of subsidies by adults due to skipped spawning migration. We used the diamond mullet Planiliza ordensis, as a model species, and determined life-history traits using a combination of length-to-age data, acoustic telemetry and otolith (fish ear stone) microchemistry. We used a mass balance approach to model individual mass acquisition and allocation, and extended our model to other life-history strategies. Our results showed high intra-population variation of migratory behaviour in P. ordensis, with few individuals migrating every year to spawn. We estimated that an individual P. ordensis acted as a net 42.6g biomass subsidy in fresh water, representing a retention of more than 50% of the juvenile mass at freshwater entry. Our model predicts that skipped spawning is likely to alter the allocation of subsidies in diadromous species, highlighting the important effects of individual variation in migratory behaviour on fluxes of energy and nutrient at ecosystem scales. We encourage future studies to consider how variation in migratory behaviour is likely to affect the direction and magnitude of biomass fluxes across ecotone boundaries.
Equilibrium & kinetic studies of reactive extraction of trans-aconitic acid using sunflower oil with tri-n-octylamine
Authors: Nimmakayala Rajesh , Pal Dharm , Singh Dhananjay , Prajapati Abhinesh Kumar
Published: September 2021

In order to design an efficient extraction system for the separation of biochemically produced trans-aconitic acid (TAH) from fermentation broth; equilibrium and kinetics of reactive extraction of TAH from aqueous solutions was investigated using tri-n-octylamine (TOA) as an extractant and sunflower oil as a diluent. Through the equilibrium studies stoichiometry (acid, extractant) of complex formations was determined with the help of loading ratio. Formation of (1, 1), (2, 1), & (3, 1) stoichiometry complexes were observed having complexation constants values 179.73 kmol−1 m3, 9512.58 kmol−2 m6, and 614,407.02 kmol−3 m9, respectively. Kinetics experiments were performed in Lewis type stirred cell and results confirmed that reaction between TAH and TOA in sunflower oil fall in regime 1, i.e. slow reaction occurring in bulk organic phase. The overall order of reaction is pseudo first order with rate constant (K

mn
) 1.78 × 10−5 (kmol m−3)−0.71 s−1 and physical mass transfer coefficient (K

l
) 4.22 × 10−5 m s−1.
Calcitonin and complementary biomarkers in the diagnosis of hereditary medullary thyroid carcinoma in children and adolescents
Authors: Eckelt Felix , Pfaeffle Roland , Kiess Wieland , Kratzsch Juergen
Published: September 2021

Objectives

Medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) is a rare malignancy that is effectively curable by surgery. Unlike in adults, hereditary MTC has a predominant role in children. A fast and safe diagnosis is important to assure the good prognosis for the patients. A major cornerstone is the assessment of biomarkers, but the interpretation must respect their pre-, post- and analytical features. Especially calcitonin (Ctn) is a challenging biomarker in daily laboratory diagnostics. However, Ctn is of particular relevance for the diagnostic in MTC. The American Thyroid Association recommends thyroidectomy if the upper reference range of Ctn is exceeded. Interestingly, age-dependent reference ranges for children and adolescents have become available only recently for Ctn assays. With this review, we aim to highlight the importance of a timely diagnosis of MTC in children and adolescents.

Content

Recent developments in pediatric biochemical diagnostics of MTC were summarized. This includes guidance on interpretation of RET, Ctn, procalcitonin, carcinoembryonic antigen, carbohydrate antigen 19-9, and chromogranin A.

Currently, Ctn is the most investigated biomarker in the diagnosis of MTC in children and adolescents. Other biomarkers as PCT suggest complementary evidence about pediatric MTC but their interpretation based largely on adult’s data. A successful treatment of MTC requires, besides results of biomarkers, information about medical history, RET gene analysis and recent guideline knowledge.

Outlook

More research is required to validate complementary biomarkers of Ctn in children. Additionally, the effect of different confounder on pediatric Ctn levels has to be further clarified.
Evaluation of mulberry branch waste as raw material for nanocellulose synthesis: effects of the synthesis method on product properties
Authors: Zhao Hui , Tao Wenjuan , Gu Haoming , Guo Lifang , Han Mai , Zhai Huamin , Ren Hao
Published: September 2021

The mechanical pulp of mulberry branches was evaluated as a raw material for the production of cellulose II and its subsequent conversion to nanocellulose via high-pressure homogenization, 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl radical (TEMPO)-oxidation, and sulfuric acid hydrolysis. The morphology, chemical structure, crystallinity, and thermal stability of the nanocellulose samples prepared by each method were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, field-emission scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis. The results showed that nanocellulose prepared by high-pressure homogenization exhibited higher aspect ratio (>100), and the weight loss peak in the DTG chart was 361 °C, with the best thermal stability, whereas that prepared by sulfuric acid hydrolysis featured shorter fiber length (96±31 nm) and a higher crystallinity (78.2 %).The TEMPO oxidized nanocellulose (TOCN) had smaller width (5.5±1.6 nm) and high carboxyl content (1.5 mmol/g). In addition, we have further studied the application of TOCN in the wet end of papermaking, replacing the colloidal SiO2 in CPAM/ colloidal SiO2/APAM retention system with the same amount (3600 ppm) of TOCN. The study found that the strength of the paper obtained by adding TOCN instead of the traditional wet end additives is similar, and the water drainage and retention properties of the pulp are improved.
Orthonormal Canonical Correlation Analysis
Authors: Lipovetsky Stan
Published: September 2021

Complex managerial problems are usually described by datasets with multiple variables, and in lack of a theoretical model, the data structures can be found by special multivariate statistical techniques. For two datasets, the canonical correlation analysis and its robust version are known as good working research tools. This paper presents their further development via the orthonormal approximation of data matrices which corresponds to using singular value decomposition in the canonical correlations. The features of the new method are described and applications considered. This type of multivariate analysis is useful for solving various practical problems of applied statistics requiring operating with two data sets, and can be helpful in managerial estimations and decision making.
Device for investigating thermal stability of characteristics of voltage-to-frequiency converters
Authors: Zavadsky V. A. , Kharchenko R. Yu. , Dranchuk S. M. , Tsatsko V. I.
Published: September 2021

The article presents the research results on a device for automatic measurement of the temperature stability of the output characteristics of voltage-to-frequency converters. The device can be used to measure mechanical stresses in the ship's hull.
The main source of information on the state of the mechanical stress on the hull of the ship is the integrated monitoring system. Monitoring methods are based on measuring the frequency of the output signals from the sensors based on strain gages, which have a wide scatter of values for parameters and characteristics and depend on external factors. A possible solution to this problem is to use a device that would convert the analog sensor signal into a more noise-immune signal of another type, for example, voltage-to-frequency converter. It is for such systems based on synchronous integrated converters that the authors have developed a device for automatic measurement of the temperature stability of the output characteristics of frequency converters.
Such device can measure the thermal stability of the convertor automatically, which makes it possible to analyze the effect of temperature on the output characteristics of the converter and to experimentally study the sensors in a wide range of operating temperatures (from room temperature to 70℃).
The study of the thermal stability of the characteristics of such sensors made it possible to confirm the quality of its electronic components and to determine which parameters need to be adjusted. The device is a set of units, one of them being a control circuit based on the ATmega-16 RISC microcontroller. This design and the developed algorithm for the device operation makes it possible to determine the output frequency with a high accuracy (with a measurement time of 1 sec, the accuracy reaches 0.05%).
The developed device allows finding the ways to increase the thermal stability of mechanical stress sensors based on integral converters.
Intrauterine Growth Restriction Causes Abnormal Embryonic Dentate Gyrus Neurogenesis in Mouse Offspring That Leads to Adult Learning and Memory Deficits
Authors: Brown Ashley S. , Wieben Matthew , Murdock Shelby , Chang Jill , Dizon Maria L. V. , St. Pierre Mark , Chavez-Valdez Raul , Dorsky Richard I. , Fung Camille M.
Published: September 2021

Human infants who suffer from intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), which is a failure to attain their genetically predetermined weight, are at increased risk for postnatal learning and memory deficits. Hippocampal dentate gyrus (DG) granule neurons play an important role in memory formation; however, it is unknown whether IUGR affects embryonic DG neurogenesis, which could provide a potential mechanism underlying abnormal postnatal learning and memory function. Using a mouse model of the most common cause of IUGR, induced by hypertensive disease of pregnancy, we first assessed adult learning and memory function. We quantified the percentages of embryonic hippocampal DG neural stem cells (NSCs) and progenitor cells and developing glutamatergic granule neurons, as well as hippocampal volumes and neuron cell count and morphology 18 and 40 d after delivery. We characterized the differential embryonic hippocampal transcriptomic pathways between appropriately grown and IUGR mouse offspring. We found that IUGR offspring of both sexes had short-term adult learning and memory deficits. Prenatally, we found that IUGR caused accelerated embryonic DG neurogenesis and Sox2+neural stem cell depletion. IUGR mice were marked by decreased hippocampal volumes and decreased doublecortin+neuronal progenitors with increased mean dendritic lengths at postnatal day 18. Consistent with its known molecular role in embryonic DG neurogenesis, we also found evidence for decreased Wnt pathway activity during IUGR. In conclusion, we have discovered that postnatal memory deficits are associated with accelerated NSC differentiation and maturation into glutamatergic granule neurons following IUGR, a phenotype that could be explained by decreased embryonic Wnt signaling.
Bidirectional Control of Orienting Behavior by the Substantia Nigra Pars Reticulata: Distinct Significance of Head and Whisker Movements
Authors: Hormigo Sebastian , Zhou Ji , Castro-Alamancos Manuel A.
Published: September 2021

Detection of an unexpected, novel, or salient stimulus typically leads to an orienting response by which animals move the head, in concert with the sensors (e.g., eyes, pinna, whiskers), to evaluate the stimulus. The basal ganglia are known to control orienting movements through tonically active GABAergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars reticulata (SNr) that project to the superior colliculus. Using optogenetics, we explored the ability of GABAergic SNr neurons on one side of the brain to generate orienting movements. In a strain of mice that express channelrhodopsin (ChR2) in both SNr GABAergic neurons and afferent fibers, we found that continuous blue light produced a robust sustained excitation of SNr neurons which generated ipsiversive orienting. Conversely, in the same animal, trains of blue light excited afferent fibers more effectively than continuous blue light, producing a robust sustained inhibition of SNr neurons which generated contraversive orienting. When ChR2 expression was restricted to either GABAergic SNr neurons or GABAergic afferent fibers from the striatum, blue light patterns in SNr produced only ipsiversive or contraversive orienting movements, respectively. Interestingly, whisker positioning and the reaction to an air-puff on the whiskers were incongruent between SNr-evoked ipsiversive and contraversive head movements, indicating that orienting driven by exciting or inhibiting SNr neurons have different behavioral significance. In conclusion, unilateral SNr neuron excitation and inhibition produce orienting movements in opposite directions and, apparently, with distinct behavioral significance.
Aperiodic and Periodic Components of Ongoing Oscillatory Brain Dynamics Link Distinct Functional Aspects of Cognition across Adult Lifespan
Authors: Thuwal Kusum , Banerjee Arpan , Roy Dipanjan
Published: September 2021

Signal transmission in the brain propagates via distinct oscillatory frequency bands but the aperiodic component, 1/f activity, almost always co-exists which most of the previous studies have not sufficiently taken into consideration. We used a recently proposed parameterization model that delimits the oscillatory and aperiodic components of neural dynamics on lifespan aging data collected from human participants using magnetoencephalography (MEG). Since healthy aging underlines an enormous change in local tissue properties, any systematic relationship of 1/f activity would highlight their impact on the self-organized critical functional states. Furthermore, we have used patterns of correlation between aperiodic background and metrics of behavior to understand the domain general effects of 1/f activity. We suggest that age-associated global change in 1/f baseline alters the functional critical states of the brain affecting the global information processing impacting critically all aspects of cognition, e.g., metacognitive awareness, speed of retrieval of memory, cognitive load, and accuracy of recall through adult lifespan. This alteration in 1/f crucially impacts the oscillatory features peak frequency (PF) and band power ratio, which relates to more local processing and selective functional aspects of cognitive processing during the visual short-term memory (VSTM) task. In summary, this study leveraging on big lifespan data for the first time tracks the cross-sectional lifespan-associated periodic and aperiodic dynamical changes in the resting state to demonstrate how normative patterns of 1/f activity, PF, and band ratio (BR) measures provide distinct functional insights about the cognitive decline through adult lifespan.
Functional Characterization of Ovine Dorsal Root Ganglion Neurons Reveal Peripheral Sensitization after Osteochondral Defect
Authors: Chakrabarti Sampurna , Ai Minji , Wong Katherine , Newell Karin , Henson Frances M. D. , Smith Ewan St. John
Published: September 2021

Knee joint trauma can cause an osteochondral defect (OD), a risk factor for osteoarthritis (OA) and cause of debilitating pain in patients. Rodent OD models are less translatable because of their smaller joint size and open growth plate. This study proposes sheep as a translationally relevant model to understand the neuronal basis of OD pain. A unilateral 6-mm deep OD was induced in adult female sheep. Two to six weeks after operation, lumbar dorsal root ganglia (DRG) neurons were collected from the contralateral (Ctrl) and OD side of operated sheep. Functional assessment of neuronal excitability and activity of the pain-related ion channels transient receptor potential vanilloid receptor 1 (TRPV1) and P2X3 was conducted using electrophysiology and Ca2+imaging. Immunohistochemistry was used to verify expression of pain-related proteins. We observed that an increased proportion of OD DRG neurons (sheep,N = 3; Ctrl neurons,n = 15, OD neurons,n = 16) showed spontaneous electrical excitability (Ctrl: 20.33 ± 4.5%; OD: 50 ± 10%;p = 0.009, unpairedttest) and an increased proportion fired a greater number of spikes above baseline in response to application of a TRPV1 agonist (capsaicin) application (Ctrl: 40%; OD: 75%;p = 0.04, χ2test). Capsaicin also produced Ca2+influx in an increased proportion of isolated OD DRG neurons (Ctrl: 25%; OD: 44%;p = 0.001, χ2test). Neither protein expression, nor functionality of the P2X3 ion channel were altered in OD neurons. Overall, we provide evidence of increased excitability of DRG neurons (an important neural correlate of pain) and TRPV1 function in an OD sheep model. Our data show that functional assessment of sheep DRG neurons can provide important insights into the neural basis of OD pain and thus potentially prevent its progression into arthritic pain.
Unsupervised Methods for Detection of Neural States: Case Study of Hippocampal-Amygdala Interactions
Authors: Cocina Francesco , Vitalis Andreas , Caflisch Amedeo
Published: September 2021

The hippocampus and amygdala are functionally coupled brain regions that play a crucial role in processes involving memory and learning. Because interareal communication has been reported both during specific sleep stages and in awake, behaving animals, these brain regions can serve as an archetype to establish that measuring functional interactions is important for comprehending neural systems. To this end, we analyze here a public dataset of local field potentials (LFPs) recorded in rats simultaneously from the hippocampus and amygdala during different behaviors. Employing a specific, time-lagged embedding technique, named topological causality (TC), we infer directed interactions between the LFP band powers of the two regions across six frequency bands in a time-resolved manner. The combined power and interaction signals are processed with our own unsupervised tools developed originally for the analysis of molecular dynamics simulations to effectively visualize and identify putative, neural states that are visited by the animals repeatedly. Our proposed methodology minimizes impositions onto the data, such as isolating specific epochs, or averaging across externally annotated behavioral stages, and succeeds in separating internal states by external labels such as sleep or stimulus events. We show that this works better for two of the three rats we analyzed, and highlight the need to acknowledge individuality in analyses of this type. Importantly, we demonstrate that the quantification of functional interactions is a significant factor in discriminating these external labels, and we suggest our methodology as a general tool for large, multisite recordings.
Somatostatin-Positive Interneurons Contribute to Seizures inSCN8AEpileptic Encephalopathy
Authors: Wengert Eric R. , Miralles Raquel M. , Wedgwood Kyle C.A. , Wagley Pravin K. , Strohm Samantha M. , Panchal Payal S. , Idrissi Abrar Majidi , Wenker Ian C. , Thompson Jeremy A. , Gaykema Ronald P. , Patel Manoj K.
Published: September 2021

SCN8Aepileptic encephalopathy is a devastating epilepsy syndrome caused by mutantSCN8A, which encodes the voltage-gated sodium channel NaV1.6. To date, it is unclear if and how inhibitory interneurons, which express NaV1.6, influence disease pathology. Using both sexes of a transgenic mouse model ofSCN8Aepileptic encephalopathy, we found that selective expression of the R1872WSCN8Amutation in somatostatin (SST) interneurons was sufficient to convey susceptibility to audiogenic seizures. Patch-clamp electrophysiology experiments revealed that SST interneurons from mutant mice were hyperexcitable but hypersensitive to action potential failure via depolarization block under normal and seizure-like conditions. Remarkably, GqDREADD-mediated activation of WT SST interneurons resulted in prolonged electrographic seizures and was accompanied by SST hyperexcitability and depolarization block. Aberrantly large persistent sodium currents, a hallmark ofSCN8Amutations, were observed and were found to contribute directly to aberrant SST physiology in computational modeling and pharmacological experiments. These novel findings demonstrate a critical and previously unidentified contribution of SST interneurons to seizure generation not only inSCN8Aepileptic encephalopathy, but epilepsy in general.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTSCN8Aepileptic encephalopathy is a devastating neurological disorder that results fromde novomutations in the sodium channel isoform Nav1.6. Inhibitory neurons express NaV1.6, yet their contribution to seizure generation inSCN8Aepileptic encephalopathy has not been determined. We show that mice expressing a human-derivedSCN8Avariant (R1872W) selectively in somatostatin (SST) interneurons have audiogenic seizures. Physiological recordings from SST interneurons show thatSCN8Amutations lead to an elevated persistent sodium current which drives initial hyperexcitability, followed by premature action potential failure because of depolarization block. Furthermore, chemogenetic activation of WT SST interneurons leads to audiogenic seizure activity. These findings provide new insight into the importance of SST inhibitory interneurons in seizure initiation, not only inSCN8Aepileptic encephalopathy, but for epilepsy broadly.
CDKL5 Deficiency Augments Inhibitory Input into the Dentate Gyrus That Can Be Reversed by Deep Brain Stimulation
Authors: Hao Shuang , Wang Qi , Tang Bin , Wu Zhenyu , Yang Tingting , Tang Jianrong
Published: September 2021

Cognitive impairment is a core feature of cyclin-dependent kinase-like 5 (CDKL5) deficiency, a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by early epileptic seizures, intellectual disability, and autistic behaviors. Although loss of CDKL5 affects a number of molecular pathways, very little has been discovered about the physiological effects of these changes on the neural circuitry. We therefore studied synaptic plasticity and local circuit activity in the dentate gyrus of bothCdkl5−/yandCdkl5+/−mutant mice. We found that CDKL5 haploinsufficiency in both male and female mice impairs hippocampus-dependent learning and memory in multiple tasks.In vivo, loss of CDKL5 reduced LTP of the perforant path to the dentate gyrus and augmented feedforward inhibition in this pathway;ex vivoexperiments confirmed that excitatory/inhibitory input into the dentate gyrus is skewed toward inhibition. Injecting the GABAergic antagonist gabazine into the dentate improved contextual fear memory inCdkl5−/ymice. Finally, chronic forniceal deep brain stimulation rescued hippocampal memory deficits, restored synaptic plasticity, and relieved feedforward inhibition inCdkl5+/−mice. These results indicate that CDKL5 is important for maintaining proper dentate excitatory/inhibitory balance, with consequences for hippocampal memory.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTCognitive impairment is a core feature of cyclin-dependent kinase-like 5 (CDKL5) deficiency disorder. Although CDKL5 deficiency has been found to affect a number of molecular pathways, little is known about its physiological effects on the neural circuitry. We find that CDKL5 loss reduces hippocampal synaptic plasticity and augments feedforward inhibition in the perforant path to the dentate gyrusin vivoinCdkl5mutant mice. Chronic forniceal deep brain stimulation rescued hippocampal memory deficits, restored synaptic plasticity, and relieved feedforward inhibition inCdkl5+/−mice, as it had previously done with Rett syndrome mice, suggesting that such stimulation may be useful for other neurodevelopmental disorders.