bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Secretion of Iron(III)-Reducing Metabolites during Protein Acquisition by the Ectomycorrhizal Fungus Paxillus involutus
Authors: Shah Firoz , Gressler Markus , Nehzati Susan , Op De Beeck Michiel , Gentile Luigi , Hoffmeister Dirk , Persson Per , Tunlid Anders
Published: December 2020

The ectomycorrhizal fungus Paxillus involutus decomposes proteins using a two-step mechanism, including oxidation and proteolysis. Oxidation involves the action of extracellular hydroxyl radicals (•OH) generated by the Fenton reaction. This reaction requires the presence of iron(II). Here, we monitored the speciation of extracellular iron and the secretion of iron(III)-reducing metabolites during the decomposition of proteins by P. involutus. X-ray absorption spectroscopy showed that extracellular iron was mainly present as solid iron(III) phosphates and oxides. Within 1 to 2 days, these compounds were reductively dissolved, and iron(II) complexes were formed, which remained in the medium throughout the incubation. HPLC and mass spectrometry detected five extracellular iron(III)-reducing metabolites. Four of them were also secreted when the fungus grew on a medium containing ammonium as the sole nitrogen source. NMR identified the unique iron(III)-reductant as the diarylcyclopentenone involutin. Involutin was produced from day 2, just before the elevated •OH production, preceding the oxidation of BSA. The other, not yet fully characterized iron(III)-reductants likely participate in the rapid reduction and dissolution of solid iron(III) complexes observed on day one. The production of these metabolites is induced by other environmental cues than for involutin, suggesting that they play a role beyond the Fenton chemistry associated with protein oxidation.
Prebiotic Combinations Effects on the Colonization of Staphylococcal Skin Strains
Authors: Di Lodovico Silvia , Gasparri Franco , Di Campli Emanuela , Di Fermo Paola , D’Ercole Simonetta , Cellini Luigina , Di Giulio Mara
Published: December 2020

Background: An unbalanced skin microbiota due to an increase in pathogenic vs. commensal bacteria can be efficiently tackled by using prebiotics. The aim of this work was to identify novel prebiotic combinations by exerting species-specific action between S. aureus and S. epidermidis strains. Methods: First, the antimicrobial/antibiofilm effect of Xylitol-XYL and Galacto-OligoSaccharides–GOS combined with each other at different concentrations (1, 2.5, 5%) against S. aureus and S. epidermidis clinical strains was evaluated in time. Second, the most species-specific concentration was used to combine XYL with Fructo-OligoSaccharides–FOS, IsoMalto-Oligosaccharides–IMO, ArabinoGaLactan–LAG, inulin, dextran. Experiments were performed by OD600 detection, biomass quantification and LIVE/DEAD staining. Results: 1% XYL + 1% GOS showed the best species-specific action with an immediate antibacterial/antibiofilm action against S. aureus strains (up to 34.54% ± 5.35/64.68% ± 4.77) without a relevant effect on S. epidermidis. Among the other prebiotic formulations, 1% XYL plus 1% FOS (up to 49.17% ± 21.46/37.59% ± 6.34) or 1% IMO (up to 41.28% ± 4.88/36.70% ± 10.03) or 1% LAG (up to 38.21% ± 5.31/83.06% ± 5.11) showed antimicrobial/antibiofilm effects similar to 1% XYL+1% GOS. For all tested formulations, a prevalent bacteriostatic effect in the planktonic phase and a general reduction of S. aureus biofilm formation without loss of viability were recorded. Conclusion: The combinations of 1% XYL with 1% GOS or 1% FOS or 1% IMO or 1% LAG may help to control the balance of skin microbiota, representing good candidates for topic formulations.
Common Problems and Pitfalls in Fluid Inclusion Study: A Review and Discussion
Authors: Chi Guoxiang , Diamond Larryn W. , Lu Huanzhang , Lai Jianqing , Chu Haixia
Published: December 2020

The study of fluid inclusions is important for understanding various geologic processes involving geofluids. However, there are a number of problems that are frequently encountered in the study of fluid inclusions, especially by beginners, and many of these problems are critical for the validity of the fluid inclusion data and their interpretations. This paper discusses some of the most common problems and/or pitfalls, including those related to fluid inclusion petrography, metastability, fluid phase relationships, fluid temperature and pressure calculation and interpretation, bulk fluid inclusion analysis, and data presentation. A total of 16 problems, many of which have been discussed in the literature, are described and analyzed systematically. The causes of the problems, their potential impact on data quality and interpretation, as well as possible remediation or alleviation, are discussed.
High Content of Boron in Curative Water: From the Spa to Industrial Recovery of Borates? (Poland as a Case Study)
Authors: Chruszcz-Lipska Katarzyna , Winid Bogumiła , Madalska Gabriela Anna , Macuda Jan , Łukańko Łukasz
Published: December 2020

Boron minerals are a sought-after raw material. The European Union’s total dependence on imported borates means that this has been a critical material since 2014. Due to the increased use of borates in modern economies, data on the predicted boron demand in the coming years indicate that it may become a critical element on a global scale. Formerly, the high boron content in groundwater was the basis for qualifying it as medicinal water (boric water). Nevertheless, the current information on the potential toxicity of boron and the narrow margin between deficiency and toxicity of boron in the human body has caused a tightening of the limits of this element in water intended for human consumption. For this reason, metaboric acid has lost its position as a specific component of curative waters. However, despite the fact that boron is not currently a specific component of curative waters, it is found in measureable concentrations in Polish medicinal water considered therapeutic based on other valuable specific components. High boron content in curative water may be the cause of the problems in some spas when obtaining certificates confirming the therapeutic properties of waters. Literature data indicate that waters with high boron content (above 25 mg/L) should not be freely available for drinking in pump rooms and other places in health resorts. To identify the situation with Polish health resorts, the content of boron in 248 curative water samples was analyzed. In 154 of these samples, the boron concentration was relatively low and did not exceed 5 mg/L. However, in the remaining 94 samples, the boron content exceeded 5 mg/L, and 38 samples had boron content exceeding 30 mg/L. Ten of the 248 samples of curative water had a boron concentration above 100 mg/L, which may be a potential source of boron for industrial recovery. The highest concentration of boron was noticed in a water sample from the Wysowa health resort and was 187.6 mg/L. Unfortunately, most of water intakes with a high concentration of boron (above 100 mg/L) are low-yielding wells. Based on the data collected, Rabka appears to be the best candidate for small-scale boron production in terms of boron content and water resources values.
A Novel Chemical Profile of a Selective In Vitro Cholinergic Essential Oil from Clinopodium taxifolium (Kunth) Govaerts (Lamiaceae), a Native Andean Species of Ecuador
Authors: Espinosa Sandra , Bec Nicole , Larroque Christian , Ramírez Jorge , Sgorbini Barbara , Bicchi Carlo , Cumbicus Nixon , Gilardoni Gianluca
Published: December 2020

A novel chemical profile essential oil, distilled from the aerial parts of Clinopodium taxifolium (Kunth) Govaerts (Lamiaceae), was analysed by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS, qualitative analysis) and Gas Chromatography with Flame Ionization Detector (GC-FID, quantitative analysis), with both polar and non-polar stationary phase columns. The chemical composition mostly consisted of sesquiterpenes and sesquiterpenoids (>70%), the main ones being (E)-β-caryophyllene (17.8%), α-copaene (10.5%), β-bourbonene (9.9%), δ-cadinene (6.6%), cis-cadina-1(6),4-diene (6.4%) and germacrene D (4.9%), with the non-polar column. The essential oil was then submitted to enantioselective GC analysis, with a diethyl-tert-butyldimethylsilyl-β-cyclodextrin diluted in PS-086 chiral selector, resulting in the following enantiomeric excesses for the chiral components: (1R,5S)-(−)-α-thujene (67.8%), (1R,5R)-(+)-α-pinene (85.5%), (1S,5S)-(−)-β-pinene (90.0%), (1S,5S)-(−)-sabinene (12.3%), (S)-(−)-limonene (88.1%), (S)-(+)-linalool (32.7%), (R)-(−)-terpinen-4-ol (9.3%), (S)-(−)-α-terpineol (71.2%) and (S)-(−)-germacrene D (89.0%). The inhibition activity against acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) of C. taxifolium essential oil was then tested, resulting in selective activity against BChE with an IC50 value of 31.3 ± 3.0 μg/mL (positive control: donepezil, IC50 = 3.6 μg/mL).
Novel Polyhedral Silsesquioxanes [POSS(OH)32] as Anthracycline Nanocarriers—Potential Anticancer Prodrugs
Authors: Piorecka Kinga , Kurjata Jan , Stanczyk Wlodzimierz A.
Published: December 2020

Anthracyclines belong to the anticancer drugs that are widely used in chemotherapy. However, due to their systemic toxicity they also exert dangerous side effects associated mainly with cardiovascular risks. The pathway that is currently often developed is their chemical and physical modification via formation of conjugated or complexed prodrug systems with a variety of nanocarriers that can selectively release the active species in cancer cells. In this study, six new nanoconjugates were synthesized with the use of polyhedral oligosilsesquioxanes [POSS(OH)32] as nanocarriers of the anticancer drugs anthracyclines—doxorubicin (DOX) and daunorubicin (DAU). These prodrug conjugates are also equipped with poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) moieties of different structure and molecular weight. Water-soluble POSS, succinic anhydride modified (SAMDOX and SAMDAU) with carboxylic function, and PEGs (PEG1, PEG2 and PEGB3) were used for the synthesis. New nanoconjugates were formed via ester bonds and their structure was confirmed by NMR spectroscopy (1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, 1H-13C HSQC, DOSY and 1H-1H COSY), FTIR and DLS. Drug release rate was evaluated using UV-Vis spectroscopy at pH of 5.5. Release profiles of anthracyclines from conjugates 4–9 point to a range of 10 to 75% (after 42 h). Additionally, model NMR tests as well as diffusion ordered spectroscopy (DOSY) confirmed formation of the relevant prodrugs. The POSS-anthracycline conjugates exhibited prolonged active drug release time that can lead to the possibility of lowering administered doses and thus giving them high potential in chemotherapy. Drug release from conjugate 7 after 42 h was approx. 10%, 33% for conjugate 4, 47% for conjugate 5, 6, 8 and 75% for conjugate 9.
Dendritic Polymers as Promising Additives for the Manufacturing of Hybrid Organoceramic Nanocomposites with Ameliorated Properties Suitable for an Extensive Diversity of Applications
Authors: Douloudi Marilina , Nikoli Eleni , Katsika Theodora , Vardavoulias Michalis , Arkas Michael
Published: December 2020

As the field of nanoscience is rapidly evolving, interest in novel, upgraded nanomaterials with combinatory features is also inevitably increasing. Hybrid composites, offer simple, budget-conscious and environmental-friendly solutions that can cater multiple needs at the same time and be applicable in many nanotechnology-related and interdisciplinary studies. The physicochemical idiocrasies of dendritic polymers have inspired their implementation as sorbents, active ingredient carriers and templates for complex composites. Ceramics are distinguished for their mechanical superiority and absorption potential that render them ideal substrates for separation and catalysis technologies. The integration of dendritic compounds to these inorganic hosts can be achieved through chemical attachment of the organic moiety onto functionalized surfaces, impregnation and absorption inside the pores, conventional sol-gel reactions or via biomimetic mediation of dendritic matrices, inducing the formation of usually spherical hybrid nanoparticles. Alternatively, dendritic polymers can propagate from ceramic scaffolds. All these variants are covered in detail. Optimization techniques as well as established and prospected applications are also presented.
Performance Enhancement and Applications Review of Nano Light Emitting Device (LED)
Authors: Perlman Harel , Eisenfeld Tsion , Karsenty Avi
Published: December 2020

A nano light emitting device (LED) has been developed and is presented. This new LED, entitled LENS (Light Emitting Nano-pixel Structure), is a new nano-pixel structure designed to enable high-resolution display. It serves as the building block of a more complex structure called LENA (Light Emitting Nano-pixel Array), dedicated to nano-display applications, such as augmented and virtual reality (AVR). Previously designed and studied with a platform for ray tracing optimization, a complementary simulations study was performed using the Comsol Multi-Physics Platform in order to check for opto-electronics performance and physical nanoscale investigations. In addition to the physical complementary analysis, several studies have focused on optimizations: optimal geometry for a pixel (cylindrical or conical shape), and wavelength adaptation (optical communication). In addition to numerical simulation results, an analytical model has been developed. This new device holds the potential to enhance the light efficiency for military, professional and consumer applications, and can serve as a game changer in the world of nano-displays with high resolution.
Basolateral Secretion from Caco-2 Cells Pretreated with Fecal Waters from Breast Cancer Patients Affects MCF7 Cell Viability
Authors: Bobin-Dubigeon Christine , Bard Jean-Marie , Luu Trang-Huyen , Le Vacon Françoise , Nazih Hassan
Published: December 2020

We hypothesized that the role of microbiota in breast cancer relates to its influence on gut lipid metabolism. This was tested in an in vitro model combining MCF-7 and Caco-2 cells. A total of 32 women newly diagnosed for breast cancer before any treatment and 28 healthy women provided their stools. Bacterial DNA was amplified by qPCR targeting 16s rRNA specific to Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes phyla, Lactobacillales sp., Clostridium cluster IV, Faecalibacterium prausnitzii, Clostridium cluster XIVa, Roseburia intestinalis, Blautia sp., Lactonifactor longoviformis, Bifidobacterium sp., Coriobacteriaceae, Eggertella lenta, Escherichia, and Shigella. Fecal waters (FW) were quantified for short chain fatty acids (SCFA). Caco-2 cells grown on filter inserts were incubated apically with 10% FW for 24 h, and LXR, apolipoproteins AIV, and E gene expression were estimated by real time (RT) qPCR. Then, MCF-7 cells were incubated with the whole basolateral medium for 24 h, and their viability was estimated by 3-(4,5-Dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) test. Regression models were used to determine the correlation between MCF-7 viability and bacteria relative abundance, Caco-2 cells lipid metabolism gene expression and stool composition, as well as microbiota composition and short chain fatty acids. Logistic regression models established disease odds ratios (OR) for MCF-7 viability and Caco-2 gene expression. The OR of MCF-7 viability was 1.05 (1.01–1.10) (OR (5th–95th), p = 0.04), while that of apo AIV gene expression was 0.63 (0.39–1.01), p = 0.055). Viability correlated with % Bifidobacterium sp. (21.18 ± 7.66, p = 0.008) and valerate (−2.849 ± 1.048, p = 0.009) (β ± s.d.). This study suggests that microbiota interacts with intestine cell lipid metabolism. Since these metabolites can reach breast cells by systemic circulation, we hypothesized that they may influence cancer disease.
High-Fiber Diet during Pregnancy Characterized by More Fruit and Vegetable Consumption
Authors: Pretorius Rachelle , Palmer Debra
Published: December 2020

Higher dietary fiber intakes during pregnancy may have the potential health benefits of increasing gut microbiome diversity, lowering the risk of glucose intolerance and pre-eclampsia, achieving appropriate gestational weight gain, and preventing constipation. In this observational cohort study, we have assessed the dietary fiber intakes of 804 women in late pregnancy, using a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire (SQ-FFQ). Overall, the median (interquartile range) dietary fiber intake was 24.1 (19.0–29.7) grams per day (g/day). Only 237/804 (29.5%) women met the recommended Adequate Intake (AI) of dietary fiber during pregnancy of 28 g/day. Women consuming the highest quartile of fiber intakes (34.8 (IQR 32.1–39.5) g/day) consumed more fruit, especially apples and bananas, than women consuming the lowest quartile of fiber intakes (15.9 (IQR 14.4–17.5) g/day). These women in the highest fiber-intake quartile were older (p < 0.01), more had completed further education after secondary school (p = 0.04), and they also consumed more vegetables (67 g/day) compared to the women in the lowest fiber consumption quartile (17 g vegetables/day). Bread intakes of 39–42 g/day were consistent in quantities consumed across all four fiber-intake quartiles. Our findings suggest that antenatal education advice targeting increased fruit and vegetable consumption before and during pregnancy may be a simple strategy to achieve increased total dietary fiber intakes to reach recommended quantities.
Discovery of Potent Dual EGFR/HER2 Inhibitors Based on Thiophene Scaffold Targeting H1299 Lung Cancer Cell Line
Authors: Elrayess Ranza , Abdel Aziz Yasmine M. , Elgawish Mohamed Saleh , Elewa Marwa , Yassen Asmaa S. A. , Elhady Sameh S. , Elshihawy Hosam A. , Said Mohamed M.
Published: December 2020

Dual targeting of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and human EGFR-related receptor 2 (HER2) is a proven approach for the treatment of lung cancer. With the aim of discovering effective dual EGFR/HER2 inhibitors targeting non-small cell lung cancer cell line H1299, three series of thieno[2,3-d][1,2,3]triazine and acetamide derivatives were designed, synthesized, and biologically evaluated. The synthesized compounds displayed IC50 values ranging from 12 to 54 nM against H1299, which were superior to that of gefitinib (2) at 40 µM. Of the synthesized compounds, 2-(1H-pyrazolo[3,4-b]pyridin-3-ylamino)-N-(3-cyano4,5,6,7-tetrahydrobenzo[b]thiophen-2-yl)acetamide (21a) achieved the highest in vitro cytotoxic activity against H1299, with an IC50 value of 12.5 nM in situ, and 0.47 and 0.14 nM against EGFR and HER2, respectively, values comparable to the IC50 of the approved drug imatinib (1). Our synthesized compounds were promising, demonstrating high selectivity and affinity for EGFR/HER2, especially the hinge region forming a hydrophobic pocket, which was mediated by hydrogen bonding as well as hydrophobic and electrostatic interactions, as indicated by molecular modeling. Moreover, the designed compounds showed good affinity for T790M EGFR, one of the main mutants resulting in acquired drug resistance. Furthermore, both pharmacokinetic and physicochemical properties of the designed compounds were within the appropriate range for human usage as predicted by the in Silico ADME study. The designed compound (21a) might serve as an encouraging lead compound for the discovery of promising anti-lung cancer agents targeting EGFR/HER2.
Combined Effect of Caspase-Dependent and Caspase-Independent Apoptosis in the Anticancer Activity of Gold Complexes with Phosphine and Benzimidazole Derivatives
Authors: Rouco Lara , Sánchez-González Ángeles , Alvariño Rebeca , Alfonso Amparo , Vázquez-López Ezequiel M. , García-Martínez Emilia , Maneiro Marcelino
Published: December 2020

Since the potential anticancer activity of auranofin was discovered, gold compounds have attracted interest with a view to developing anticancer agents that follow cytotoxic mechanisms other than cisplatin. Two benzimidazole gold(I) derivatives containing triphenylphosphine (Au(pben)(PPh3)) (1) or triethylphosphine (Au(pben)(PEt3)) (2) were prepared and characterized by standard techniques. X-ray crystal structures for 1 and 2 were solved. The cytotoxicity of 1 and 2 was tested in human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells. Cells were incubated with compounds for 24 h with concentrations ranging from 10 µM to 1 nM, and the half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) was determined. 1 and 2 showed an IC50 of 2.7 and 1.6 µM, respectively. In order to better understand the type of cell death induced by compounds, neuroblastoma cells were stained with Annexin-FITC and propidium iodide. The fluorescence analysis revealed that compounds were inducing apoptosis; however, pre-treatment with the caspase inhibitor Z-VAD did not reduce cell death. Analysis of compound effects on caspase-3 activity and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in SH-SY5Y cells revealed an antiproliferative ability mediated through oxidative stress and both caspase-dependent and caspase-independent mechanisms.
Antibacterial Layer-by-Layer Coatings for Medical Implants
Authors: Escobar Ane , Muzzio Nicolas , Moya Sergio Enrique
Published: December 2020

The widespread occurrence of nosocomial infections and the emergence of new bacterial strands calls for the development of antibacterial coatings with localized antibacterial action that are capable of facing the challenges posed by increasing bacterial resistance to antibiotics. The Layer-by-Layer (LbL) technique, based on the alternating assembly of oppositely charged polyelectrolytes, can be applied for the non-covalent modification of multiple substrates, including medical implants. Polyelectrolyte multilayers fabricated by the LbL technique have been extensively researched for the development of antibacterial coatings as they can be loaded with antibiotics, antibacterial peptides, nanoparticles with bactericide action, in addition to being capable of restricting adhesion of bacteria to surfaces. In this review, the different approaches that apply LbL for antibacterial coatings, emphasizing those that can be applied for implant modification are presented.
Oral Delivery of Biologics via the Intestine
Authors: New Roger
Published: December 2020

Biologics are currently one of the most promising avenues for therapeutic interventions in conditions such as metabolic disease, ageing and inflammatory disorders, and for chronic ailments, oral delivery of such medicines has for years been recognised as an important goal. Despite decades of intensive research, oral delivery of biologics is only just starting to prove feasible. There has been much talk about the barriers to uptake of biologics, and indeed, one function of the intestine is to prevent, in one way or another, passage of unwanted materials across the gut, and yet, grams of biological agents both large and small pass across the intestinal cell wall every day. This review first describes the functioning of the gut under normal circumstances, then identifies the principle biological mechanisms which have been harnessed successfully, to date, to achieve oral uptake, outlining the pros and cons of each approach. Examples with different biologics are given, and information on result of the latest clinical trials is provided, where available.
Effect of Ni(NO3)2 Pretreatment on the Pyrolysis of Organsolv Lignin Derived from Corncob Residue
Authors: Wang Wenli , Liu Yichen , Wang Yue , Liu Longfei , Hu Changwei
Published: December 2020

The thermal degradation of lignin for value-added fuels and chemicals is important for environment improvement and sustainable development. The impact of pretreatment and catalysis of Ni(NO3)2 on the pyrolysis behavior of organsolv lignin were studied in the present work. Samples were pyrolyzed at 500 ∘C with an upward fixed bed, and the characteristics of bio-oil were determined. After pretreatment by Ni(NO3)2, the yield of monophenols increased from 23.3 wt.% to 30.2 wt.% in “Ni-washed” and decreased slightly from 23.3 wt.% to 20.3 wt.% in “Ni-unwashed”. Meanwhile, the selective formation of vinyl-monophenols was promoted in “Ni-unwashed”, which indicated that the existence of nickel species promoted the dehydration of C-OH and breakage of C-C in pyrolysis. In comparison with “Water”, HHV of bio-oil derived from “Ni-unwashed” slightly increased from 27.94 mJ/kg to 28.46 mJ/kg, suggesting that the lowering of oxygen content in bio-oil is associated with improved quality. Furthermore, the content of H2 in gas products dramatically increased from 2.0% to 7.6% and 17.1%, respectively.
Theological Field Education as a Bridge across Disciplines
Authors: Lizardy-Hajbi Kristina I.
Published: December 2020

Theological field education—also known as contextual education—operates as the explicitly embodied nexus of seminary-based learning, placing both practical theological and broader theological, religious, and/or spiritual educational frameworks in dialogue with one’s experiences within a particular site context. Drawing upon the example of the events that took place in March 1965 at the Edmund Pettus Bridge connecting Selma to Montgomery, as well as the bridge’s enduring function as a material and symbolic site of transformation, connections are made to the ways that theological field education bridges both practical theology and other areas of theological education, generally and as actualized specifically within one theological school’s field education program, through three overarching themes: Embodiment, reflection, and formation. In the acts of bridging that occur in each of these areas, points of commonality are discussed and illustrated. Finally, initial suggestions for further bridging between disparate academic fields and theological field education are offered toward the cultivation of a more integrative, transformative curriculum.
Theist–Atheist Encounters in Les Misérables, The Brothers Karamazov, and The Plague
Authors: Admirand Peter
Published: December 2020

Turning to the novels, Les Misérables, The Brothers Karamazov, and The Plague, this article focuses on theist–atheist encounters within fiction as guides and challenges to contemporary atheist–theist dialogue. It first provides a discussion of definitions pertinent to our topic and a reflection on the value and limitations of turning to fiction for the study and development of theist–atheist dialogue specifically, and interreligious dialogue more broadly. In examining each of the novels, I will first provide a very brief historical context of when each novel was written, the time and place the covered scenes transpire in the novel, and the authors’ positions toward religion(s) when writing their books. I will close the article on some lessons to glean from these fictional dialogues for contemporary theist–atheist dialogue.
What Was in the “Precious Casket Seal”?: Material Culture of the Karaṇḍamudrā Dhāraṇī throughout Medieval Maritime Asia
Authors: Lee Seunghye
Published: December 2020

Material evidence from late medieval China attests that Buddhist of the Wuyue kingdom and Liao empire participated in the pan-Buddhist practice of dhāraṇīs and, more specifically, the cult of textual relics. What formed the basis of the cult is the Sūtra of theDhāraṇī of the Precious Casket Seal of the Concealed Complete-body Relics of the Essence of All Tathāgatas. I argue that the rhetoric of completeness, which is brought to the fore in the sutra’s title and reiterated throughout the text, lay at the heart of the success that it achieved. I trace the transfer of the text from South Asia to East Asia along the maritime routes, while closely examining designs and material forms, and various structuring contexts of the text. By doing so, I contribute to the scholarship on the cult of dhāraṇīs as relics of the dharma across Buddhist Asia.
Parsimonious Predictive Mortality Modeling by Regularization and Cross-Validation with and without Covid-Type Effect
Authors: Barigou Karim , Loisel Stéphane , Salhi Yahia
Published: December 2020

Predicting the evolution of mortality rates plays a central role for life insurance and pension funds. Standard single population models typically suffer from two major drawbacks: on the one hand, they use a large number of parameters compared to the sample size and, on the other hand, model choice is still often based on in-sample criterion, such as the Bayes information criterion (BIC), and therefore not on the ability to predict. In this paper, we develop a model based on a decomposition of the mortality surface into a polynomial basis. Then, we show how regularization techniques and cross-validation can be used to obtain a parsimonious and coherent predictive model for mortality forecasting. We analyze how COVID-19-type effects can affect predictions in our approach and in the classical one. In particular, death rates forecasts tend to be more robust compared to models with a cohort effect, and the regularized model outperforms the so-called P-spline model in terms of prediction and stability.
Seasonal Cropland Trends and Their Nexus with Agrometeorological Parameters in the Indus River Plain
Authors: Zhou Qiming , Ismaeel Ali
Published: December 2020

The fine-scale insights of existing cropland trends and their nexus with agrometeorological parameters are of paramount importance in assessing future food security risks and analyzing adaptation options under climate change. This study has analyzed the seasonal cropland trends in the Indus River Plain (IRP), using multi-year remote sensing data. A combination of Sen’s slope estimator and Mann–Kendall test was used to quantify the existing cropland trends. A correlation analysis between enhanced vegetation index (EVI) and 9 agrometeorological parameters, derived from reanalysis and remote sensing data, was conducted to study the region’s cropland-climate nexus. The seasonal trend analysis revealed that more than 50% of cropland in IRP improved significantly from the year 2003 to 2018. The lower reaches of the IRP had the highest fraction of cropland, showing a significant decreasing trend during the study period. The nexus analysis showed a strong correlation of EVI with the evaporative stress index (ESI) during the water-stressed crop season. Simultaneously, it exhibited substantial nexus of EVI with actual evapotranspiration (AET) during high soil moisture crop season. Temperature and solar radiation had a negative linkage with EVI response. In contrast, a positive correlation of rainfall with EVI trends was spatially limited to the IRP’s upstream areas. The relative humidity had a spatially broad positive correlation with EVI compare to other direct climatic parameters. The study concluded that positive and sustainable growth in IRP croplands could be achieved through effective agriculture policies to address spatiotemporal AET anomalies.
Validating and Comparing Highly Resolved Commercial “Off the Shelf” PM Monitoring Sensors with Satellite Based Hybrid Models, for Improved Environmental Exposure Assessment
Authors: Lesser Dan , Katra Itzhak , Dorman Michael , Harari Homero , Kloog Itai
Published: December 2020

Particulate matter is a common health hazard, and under certain conditions, an ecological threat. While many studies were conducted in regard to air pollution and potential effects, this paper serves as a pilot scale investigation into the spatial and temporal variability of particulate matter (PM) pollution in arid urban environments in general, and Beer-Sheva, Israel as a case study. We explore the use of commercially off the shelf (COTS) sensors, which provide an economical solution for spatio-temporal measurements. We started with a comparison process against an A-grade meteorological station, where it was shown that under specific climatic conditions, a number of COTS sensors were able to produce robust agreement (mean R2=0.93, average SD=17.5). The second stage examined the COTS sensors that were proven accurate in a mobile measurement campaign. Finally, data collected was compared to a validated satellite prediction model. We present how these tests and COTS sensor-kits could then be used to further explain the continuity and dispersion of particulate matter in similar areas.
Extraction of Natural Pigments from Gardenia Jasminoides J.Ellis Fruit Pulp Using CO2-Expanded Liquids and Direct Sonication
Authors: Sakai Hiroki , Ono Kento , Tokunaga Shinichi , Sharmin Tanjina , Aida Taku Michael , Mishima Kenji
Published: December 2020

In this work, a carbon dioxide-expanded liquid (CXL) extraction system was used with or without direct sonication for the extraction of highly polar natural pigments (crocin-1 and crocin-2) from Gardenia jasminoides Ellis fruit pulp. The effects of different parameters, including modifiers (ethanol, water, aqueous ethanol), temperature (5–25 °C), pressure (8–14 MPa), and sonication time (0–200 s) on extraction concentrations were examined using the CXL system. Aqueous ethanol (50% or 80%, v/v) was selected for the CXL system as a modifier due to its efficiency. The best conditions for extraction were found at 25 °C and 10 MPa. The CXE 80% extraction system with direct sonication extracted a significantly higher amount of crocin-1 and crocin-2, 13.63 ± 0.5 and 0.51 ± 0.05 μg/mL, respectively, compared to conventional solid–liquid methanol extraction (10.43 ± 0.3 and 0.37 ± 0.02 μg/mL, respectively). Under these conditions, a water-rich phase, an ethanol-rich phase, and a CO2-rich gas phase coexisted in the high-pressure cell in the CXE 80% extraction system, which was vigorously disrupted by the addition of sonication, resulting in a compressed aqueous ethanol phase and an aqueous ethanol-modified CO2-rich phase, and may have a positive influence on extraction.
A Novel Method to Enhance Sustainable Systems Security in Cloud Computing Based on the Combination of Encryption and Data Mining
Authors: He Qian , He Hong
Published: December 2020

Due to the increasing growth of technologies and the diversity of user needs in the field of information technology, the position of cloud computing is becoming more apparent. The development of computing infrastructure in any organization requires spending a lot of money, time, and manpower, which sometimes does not fit into the operational capacity of an organization. Therefore, organizations tend to use such technologies to advance their goals. A fully open and distributed structure in cloud computing and its services makes it an attractive target for attackers. This structure includes multiple service-oriented and distributed paradigms, multiple leases, multiple domains, and multi-user autonomous management structures that are more prone to security threats and vulnerabilities. In this paper, the basic concepts of the cloud computing and its applications have been investigated regarding to the importance of security issues. The proposed algorithm improves the level of security in the cloud computing platform through data mining and decision tree algorithm. Low computational burden and client numbers independency help to effectively implement the proposed algorithm in reality.
Navigating Governance Tensions to Enhance the Impact of Partnerships with the Private Sector for the SDGs
Authors: Pfisterer Stella , Van Tulder Rob
Published: December 2020

Partnering with the private sector is a key modality in development cooperation to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Despite their increasing importance, such Public-Private Partnerships for Development (PPPD) experience major challenges in defining, assessing and reporting on their actual impact. This paper explores why, and how this can be improved. We engage in a qualitative synthesis review of academic, gray literature and evaluation reports of public-private programs of development agencies. We identify challenges, tensions and contradictions that affect a proper understanding and assessment of the impacts of such partnerships. The analysis shows that the main challenge in understanding and assessing impacts is the double governance logic that emerges in PPPD monitoring and evaluation (M&E). While M&E functions as an accountability and risk mitigation approach, it should also support collaborative characteristics of PPPDs such as trust and power-sharing, in order to enhance impactful PPPDs. Enhancing the impact of PPPDs for the SDGs requires bridging the divide between (a) result-based, upward accountability monitoring and evaluation approaches and (b) emerging learning, participatory and complexity-based approaches. The paper provides suggestions on how to navigate these governance tensions by using a paradoxical lens.
Measuring Accessibility Based on Improved Impedance and Attractive Functions Using Taxi Trajectory Data
Authors: Huang Helai , Wu Jialing , Liu Fang , Wang Yiwei
Published: December 2020

Accessibility has attracted wide interest from urban planners and transportation engineers. It is an important indicator to support the development of sustainable policies for transportation systems in major events, such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Taxis are a vital travel mode in urban areas that provide door-to-door services for individuals to perform urban activities. This study, with taxi trajectory data, proposes an improved method to evaluate dynamic accessibility depending on traditional location-based measures. A new impedance function is introduced by taking characteristics of the taxi system into account, such as passenger waiting time and the taxi fare rule. An improved attraction function is formulated by considering dynamic availability intensity. Besides, we generate five accessibility scenarios containing different indicators to compare the variation of accessibility. A case study is conducted with the data from Shenzhen, China. The results show that the proposed method found reduced urban accessibility, but with a higher value in southern center areas during the evening peak period due to short passenger waiting time and high destination attractiveness. Each spatio-temporal indicator has an influence on the variation in accessibility.
Cultural Ecosystem Services: The Case of Coastal-Rural Area (Nemunas Delta and Curonian Lagoon, Lithuania)
Authors: Marcinkevičiūtė Lina , Pranskūnienė Rasa
Published: December 2020

The benefits or harms of external and internal consequences for the viability of ecosystems are revealed through the impact on the quality of human life. The issues of assessing these benefits or harms are significant for the whole society and are therefore analyzed from both theoretical and practical perspectives. The article seeks to theoretically examine the coherence between humans and ecosystems, ensuring the social and economic well-being of present and future generations in the context of cultural ecosystem services (CES). As well, the article seeks to present the empirical research, carried out on the possibilities of adapting human activities to CES in the specific area, i.e., coastal-rural area, evaluating the past, present and future CES potential in the Lithuanian coastal zone, Nemunas Delta and Curonian Lagoon in Lithuania. Elderships located near the Curonian Lagoon or within the protected area of the Nemunas Delta Regional Park were selected for the study. For this purpose, the empirical study involved representatives of different (public and private) sectors and stakeholders. The research was carried out in local tourism cultural centers and elderships with four group respondents (tourists, farmers, entrepreneurs, eldership employees). The research revealed the past and the current situation of CES potential and showed the possible CES potential future development directions. The article described the opportunities for the rural population (a potential supply of cultural ecosystems) to achieve diversification of economic activities and the needs of tourists (a potential demand for cultural ecosystems) to achieve service differentiation. Therefore, the recommendations have been formulated on how to exploit future CES of a specific territory by “employing” available natural resources, i.e., the ecosystems.
ИССЛЕДОВАНИЕ КОМПОЗИТНЫХ МАТЕРИАЛОВ, ПОЛУЧЕННЫХ С
ПРИМЕНЕНИЕМ ВТОРИЧНЫХ ПОЛИМЕРОВ
Authors: Белкина И.
Published: December 2020

Во введении указан объект исследования – полимерпесчаный материал, полученный с
применением полимерных отходов. Произведен анализ литературных источников по теме
исследования в области применения отходов в строительном материаловедении.
Актуальным направлением переработки является использование полимерных отходов в
качестве вяжущего для полимерпесчаного композита. Существующие же технологии
основаны на использовании слабозагрязненных вторичных пластмасс. Использование отходов
различных пластиков без предварительной подготовки не позволяет добиться стабильных
результатов. Цель работы – определить возможность использования различных полимерных
отходов без предварительной подготовки при создании полимерпесчаных материалов. В
основной части работы произведен подбор оптимального соотношения вяжущего и
заполнителя в полимерпесчаном материале, на основе полиструктурной теории.
Представлены изображения внутренней поверхности изготовленных образцов.
Проанализированы результаты испытаний на прочность при сжатии и изгибе. Выявлена
зависимость прочностных характеристик от соотношения вяжущего и заполнителя в
композите и принято оптимальное значение. Для состава с наилучшими прочностными
показателями были определены дополнительные характеристики, после чего произведено
сравнение с параметрами аналогичных бетонных изделий. Сделан вывод о целесообразности
использования оптимального состава при изготовлении различных эффективных
строительных изделий. Результаты исследований могут быть использованы нв
предприятиях, а также в учебных и научно-исследовательских учреждениях
КОМПЕТЕНТНОСТНЫЙ ПОДХОД В ФОРМИРОВАНИИ ПРОЕКТНОИССЛЕДОВАТЕЛЬСКОЙ КОМПЕТЕНТНОСТИ
У СТУДЕНТОВ КОЛЛЕДЖА
Authors: Таникулова А.М.
Published: December 2020

В этой статье раскрываются понятия «компетенция»,
«компетентность», и рассматривается содержание понятия компетентностного подхода
в формировании проектно-исследовательской компетентности у студентов колледжа.
Также сформулированы положения, отражающие общую сущность компетентностного
подхода как нового способа моделирования результатов образования.
СОВЕРШЕНСТВОВАНИЕ ПРОЦЕССА ФОРМИРОВАНИЯ
ПОЗНАВАТЕЛЬНОЙ САМОСТОЯТЕЛЬНОСТИ СТУДЕНТОВ ПРИ
ИЗУЧЕНИИ ИНФОРМАТИКИ
Authors: Усенова Р.К.
Published: December 2020

В данной работе дается подход к решению первой задачи модели научнотеоретической основы формирования познавательной самостоятельности студентов -
формирование мотивов и потребностей, на основе кейс-технологии.
НЕКОТОРЫЕ ВИДЫ СИСТЕМ РЕЗЕРВНОГО ЭЛЕКТРОСНАБЖЕНИЯ
Authors:   Кыштообаев Э.Б.
Published: December 2020

В XXI веке, несмотря на то, что мировой прогресс сделал огромный шаг
на пути к решению проблемы перебоев в электроэнергии, к сожалению, эта проблема все еще
остается очень актуальной, именно поэтому многие задумываются о том, что же такое
система резервного электроснабжения?
УПРАВЛЕНИЕ ЭЛЕКТРОПОТРЕБЛЕНИЕМ РАССРЕДОТОЧЕННЫХ
НА ПРОИЗВОДСТВЕННЫХ ОБЪЕКТАХ
Authors:   Рырсалиев А.С., Болот кызы Р.
Published: December 2020

В статье предусмотрены вопросы по совершенствованию
сельскохозяйственных машин и механизмов, улучшение комплектования, использования и
обслуживания электроустановок, т.е. непосредственное повышение эффективности
эксплуатации электрооборудования в сельскохозяйственном секторе.
Принципи взаємодії органів державної влади і громадських структур як основа гармонізації суспільства
Authors: Ундір В. О.
Published: December 2020

Охарактеризовано рівні співпраці між державними і громадськими структурами: інформування про діяльність державних органів влади, яке здатне видозмінити уявлення про владу, що склалося в суспільній думці, а отже, сформувати позитивний або негативний імідж; консультування, коли влада запитує громадськість щодо думки про конкретну політику, напрями розвитку чи інші державні ініціативи;  діалог як двосторонню комунікацію про потенційно спільні цілі з метою розробки конкретної політики; партнерство як вищий рівень спільного державно-громадського управління із взаємними обов’язками кожної сторони. Визначено три основні принципи взаємовідносин органів державної влади з громадськістю, без дотримання яких співпраця буде неефективною: 1) участь громадськості у процесі прийняття державно-управлінських рішень; 2)  соціальна довіра, яка передбачає повагу, взаємну надійність і чесну взаємодію між суб’єктами та секторами громадянського суспільства та органами державної влади; 3) відповідальність, прозорість та підзвітність. Обґрунтовано основні перешкоди для дотримання принципів забезпечення ефективної координації та співробітництва між державними органами влади та громадськими структурами. На основі аналізу функцій та принципів взаємовідносин між досліджуваними суб’єктами визначено основні шляхи подолання бар’єрів, які утруднюють необхідну співпрацю.
Проблемні аспекти процесу впровадження публічних механізмів розвитку територіальних громад
Authors: Блажівська М. А.
Published: December 2020

Розглянуто сучасні проблемні аспекти проведення децентралізації в Україні. Доведено необхідність вирішення зазначених проблем для подальшої оптимізації регіонального зростання. Визначено особливості впровадження публічних механізмів в умовах неврегульованого розвитку територіальних громад.
DETERMINATION OF RHEOLOGICAL PARAMETERS OF POLYMERIC MATERIALS USING NONLINEAR OPTIMIZATION METHODS
Authors: Yazyev S. , Chepurnenko A. , Litvinov S.
Published: December 2020

The article is devoted to the problem of processing the experimental creep curves of polymers. The task is to determine their rheological characteristics from tests for any of the simplest types of deformation. The basis for the approximation of the experimental curves is the nonlinear Maxwell-Gurevich equation.

The task of finding the rheological parameters of the material is posed as a nonlinear optimization problem. The objective function is the sum of the squared deviations of the experimental values on the creep curve from the theoretical ones. Variable input parameters of the objective function are the initial relaxation viscosity and velocity modulus m*. A theoretical creep curve is constructed numerically using the fourth-order Runge-Kutta method. The nonlinear optimization problem is solved in the Matlab environment using the internal point method. The values m* and are found for which the objective function takes the minimum value.

To test the technique, the inverse problem was solved. For given values of the rheological parameters of the material, a theoretical curve of creep under bending was constructed, and the values m* and were found from it. The technique was also tested on experimental stress relaxation curves of secondary polyvinyl chloride and creep curves of polyurethane foam with a pure shear.

A higher quality approximation of experimental curves is shown in comparison with existing methods. The developed technique allows us to determine the rheological characteristics of materials from tests for bending, central tension (compression), torsion, shear, and it is enough to test only one type of deformation, and not a series, as was suggested earlier by some researchers