bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Extensão universitária e curricularização da extensão: considerações sobre a formação em serviço social
Authors: Bertollo Kathiuça
Published: October 2024

O presente artigo problematiza a extensão universitária enquanto um desafio à formação em Serviço Social na atualidade dando ênfase à obrigatoriedade do cumprimento da Meta 12.7 da Lei nº 13.005/2014 - que aprova o Plano Nacional de Educação 2014-2024. Este processo tem sido denominado de ‘curricularização da extensão’ e determina que o/a discente cumpra ao longo da sua graduação 10% do total da carga horária em ações extensionistas. Tal ação assume um caráter contraditório ao que se refere à extensão universitária enquanto um dos âmbitos da formação acadêmico-profissional. De um lado, a compulsoriedade de cumprimento desta meta sem maiores condições objetivas por parte das Instituições de Ensino e pelos/as discentes, e por outro, a luta e defesa da extensão enquanto um momento importante do processo de ensino-aprendizagem de novas assistentes sociais. A linha que separa e une estas questões é tênue. Diante disso, aponta-se a importância de que a graduação seja de qualidade a partir da efetiva articulação entre as dimensões do ensino, da pesquisa e da extensão, e socialmente referenciada e alinhada aos legítimos interesses da classe trabalhadora materializando no âmbito da formação acadêmica o exposto e defendido no Projeto ético-político profissional das assistentes sociais.  Assim, reitera-se a importância e necessidade de que a extensão universitária assuma e se oriente pelo caráter popular e classista.
A experiência de desenvolvimento de um curso de extensão por licenciandos de espanhol
Authors: Corrêa Arlindo Júnior , Vaz Isabella Loubach , Ferreira Thalita Gabrielle , Assis Joziane Ferraz de
Published: October 2024

Neste artigo, apresentamos os resultados do curso de extensão El movimiento girasol. Curso de introducción a la lengua española, realizado na Universidade Federal de Viçosa (UFV). O curso teve como objetivo geral apresentar a língua espanhola para os alunos da Licenciatura em Educação do Campo (LICENA). A metodologia do trabalho consistiu em estudos teóricos sobre formação de professores, Educação do Campo e interdisciplinaridade; definição de questões logísticas do curso, como a dinâmica de organização dos participantes e bolsistas-professores nas duas turmas formadas, a carga horária e a disponibilidade de horários para sua realização; o planejamento e a execução do curso. Os resultados do trabalho demonstraram que o objetivo foi alcançado e ainda foram apontadas como positivas a contextualização do curso com o campo, o que facilitou o diálogo e a aprendizagem e promoveu a troca de experiências entre estudantes de Letras e LICENA; a opção temática pela identidade latino-americana e a abordagem metodológica utilizada, com discussões e trabalhos em grupo.
Vivências de extensão em tempos de pandemia: Relato de uma experiência
Authors: Santos Emily , Silva Jessica , Freitas Ariane , Morais Núbia , Priore Silvia
Published: October 2024

A educação alimentar e nutricional é fator importante para a promoção de saúde e prevenção de doenças, sendo que projetos de extensão podem realizar ações visando à qualidade de vida da população. O objetivo deste artigo é descrever as atividades desenvolvidas por um grupo de pesquisa da Universidade Federal de Viçosa (UFV) no projeto de extensão “Atendimento nutricional a adolescentes de um Colégio de Aplicação: ações educativas de promoção da saúde e prevenção de doenças” no contexto da pandemia da COVID-19. O projeto tem o objetivo de promover a saúde e qualidade de vida dos estudantes de um colégio de ensino médio da UFV. Em razão da pandemia, as ações foram adaptadas ao contexto remoto, abrangendo reuniões em plataforma digital, elaboração de posts para redes sociais e desenvolvimento de resumos para eventos. Dessa forma, as ações contribuíram para orientar os adolescentes acerca da alimentação e nutrição e para promover visibilidade ao projeto, sendo essencial, também, na formação da bolsista, permitindo o desenvolvimento de habilidades quanto às plataformas digitais, produção de conteúdo e oratória. Portanto, a realização de atividades de extensão no período pandêmico constituiu-se um desafio e, ao mesmo tempo, demonstrou-se de grande relevância para a promoção da saúde.
Entrepot Development and Diversification: A comparativecase study of Singapore and Dubai
Authors: Subramoni Adithya
Published: October 2024

This study conducts a qualitative comparative case study analysis of Singapore and Dubai, two city-stateswith similar entrepot histories and development approaches, to examine the factors contributing to theirdifferent economic diversification outcomes. Despite implementing comparable policies during the sameperiod, Singapore diversified into high-technology manufacturing and a knowledge-intensive economy, whileDubai developed a service-based economy as a global logistics and regional finance hub. Using the 'mostsimilar systems design', this study identifies theoretically significant differences between the two cases, suchas Dubai's hydrocarbon revenues, its high dependence on expatriates, and Singapore's geographic location inJapan's industrialisation zone. This study aims to understand how these differences in inputs affect theoutcomes of their development models, pushing beyond limitations in historical data and potential criticismsof comparing a successful Middle Eastern economy to a prominent Asian economy. By evaluating theinteraction between development policies and businesses, this study contributes to the literature on late-development, highlighting the importance of factors within and outside policymakers' control, such as humancapital development, resource wealth, history, and regional development. The findings provide valuableinsights for economic historians and development practitioners in understanding the nuances of developmentapproaches in different contexts.
Spatial Planning and Urban Sprawl in Latvia: A Case of ‘Pierīga’ Status, Opinions and Future Perspectives
Authors: Lukstiņa Gunta , Šavraka Ilona , Cimdiņš Rūdolfs , Zadovskis Gundars
Published: October 2024

Since 2000, a rapid but poorly planned and managed urban expansion process has been observed around Riga, the capital of Latvia. The article reflects the opinions and efforts of municipalities in spatial and social transformation, residents’ rating of the urban and social environment and the results of spatial and morphological analysis, studying three suburban areas. It states that the spatial development policies of all levels have not been adequately implemented in local government spatial plans, creating a suburban built environment with low accessibility, availability, density, diversity and nodality, and outlines the first attempts of urban sprawl repair, calling for planning at the neighbourhood scale and activation of communities.
One N-glycan regulates natural killer cell antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity and modulates Fc γ receptor IIIa/CD16a structure
Authors: Kremer Paul G , Lampros Elizabeth A , Blocker Allison M , Barb Adam W
Published: October 2024

Both endogenous antibodies and a subset of antibody therapeutics engage Fc gamma receptor (FcγR)IIIa/CD16a to stimulate a protective immune response. Increasing the FcγRIIIa/IgG1 interaction improves the immune response and thus represents a strategy to improve therapeutic efficacy. FcγRIIIa is a heavily glycosylated receptor and glycan composition affects antibody-binding affinity. Though our laboratory previously demonstrated that natural killer (NK) cell N-glycan composition affected the potency of one key protective mechanism, antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC), it was unclear if this effect was due to FcγRIIIa glycosylation. Furthermore, the structural mechanism linking glycan composition to affinity and cellular activation remained undescribed. To define the role of individual amino acid and N-glycan residues, we measured affinity using multiple FcγRIIIa glycoforms. We observed stepwise affinity increases with each glycan truncation step, with the most severely truncated glycoform displaying the highest affinity. Removing the N162 glycan demonstrated its predominant role in regulating antibody-binding affinity, in contrast to four other FcγRIIIa N-glycans. We next evaluated the impact of the N162 glycan on NK cell ADCC. NK cells expressing the FcγRIIIa V158 allotype exhibited increased ADCC following kifunensine treatment to limit N-glycan processing. Notably, an increase was not observed with cells expressing the FcγRIIIa V158 S164A variant that lacks N162 glycosylation, indicating that the N162 glycan is required for increased NK cell ADCC. To gain structural insight into the mechanisms of N162 regulation, we applied a novel protein isotope labeling approach in combination with solution NMR spectroscopy. FG loop residues proximal to the N162 glycosylation site showed large chemical shift perturbations following glycan truncation. These data support a model for the regulation of FcγRIIIa affinity and NK cell ADCC whereby composition of the N162 glycan stabilizes the FG loop and thus the antibody-binding site.
The dominance of global phase dynamics in human cortex, from delta to gamma
Authors: Alexander David M , Dugué Laura
Published: October 2024

The organization of the phase of electrical activity in the cortex is critical to inter-site communication, but the balance of this communication across macroscopic (>15cm), mesoscopic (1 to 15cm) and microscopic (<1cm) ranges is an open question. Traveling waves in the cortex are spatial phase gradients, such that phase values change smoothly through the cortical sheet over time. Macroscopic cortical traveling waves have been understudied compared to micro- or mesoscopic waves. The spatial frequencies (i.e., the characteristic scales) of cortical waves have been characterized in the grey-matter for micro- and mesoscopic scales of cortex and show decreasing spatial power with increasing spatial frequency. This research, however, has been limited by the size of the measurement array, thus excluding macroscopic traveling waves. Obversely, poor spatial resolution of extra-cranial measurements prevents incontrovertible macroscopic estimates of spatial power via electroencephalogram and magnetoencephalogram. We apply a novel method to estimate the spatial frequency spectrum of phase dynamics in order to quantify the uncertain macroscopic scale. Stereotactic electroencephalogram is utilized to leverage measurements of local-field potentials within the grey matter, while also taking advantage of the sometimes large extent of spatial coverage. Irregular sampling of the cortical sheet is offset by use of linear algebra techniques to empirically estimate the spatial frequency spectrum. We find the spatial power of the phase is highest at the lowest spatial frequencies (longest wavelengths), consistent with the power spectra ranges for micro- and meso-scale dynamics, but here shown up to the size of the measurement array (15-25cm), i.e., approaching the entire extent of cortex. Low spatial frequencies dominate the cortical phase dynamics. This has important functional implications as it means that the phase measured at a single contact in the grey-matter is more strongly a function of global phase organization than local. This result arises across a wide range of temporal frequencies, from the delta band (2Hz) through to the high gamma range (100Hz).
Inference technique for the synaptic conductances in rhythmically active networks and application to respiratory central pattern generation circuits
Authors: Molkov Yaroslav I , Borgmann Anke , Koizumi Hidehiko , Hama Noriyuki , Zhang Ruli , Smith Jeffrey C
Published: October 2024

Unraveling synaptic interactions between excitatory and inhibitory interneurons within rhythmic neural circuits, such as central pattern generation (CPG) circuits for rhythmic motor behaviors, is critical for deciphering circuit interactions and functional architecture, which is a major problem for understanding how neural circuits operate. Here we present a general method for extracting and separating patterns of inhibitory and excitatory synaptic conductances at high temporal resolution from single neuronal intracellular recordings in rhythmically active networks. These post-synaptic conductances reflect the combined synaptic inputs from the key interacting neuronal populations and can reveal the functional connectome of the active circuits. To illustrate the applicability of our analytic technique, we employ our method to infer the synaptic conductance profiles in identified rhythmically active interneurons within key microcircuits of the mammalian (mature rat) brainstem respiratory CPG and provide a perspective on how our approach can resolve the functional interactions and circuit organization of these interneuron populations. We demonstrate the versatility of our approach, which can be applied to any other rhythmic circuits where conditions allow for neuronal intracellular recordings.
Bacteriophage infection drives loss of β-lactam resistance in methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus
Authors: Tran My , Hernandez Viera Angel J , Tran Patricia Q , Mo Charlie Y
Published: October 2024

Bacteriophage (phage) therapy has been proposed as a means to combat drug-resistant bacterial pathogens. Infection by phage can select for mutations in bacterial populations that confer resistance against phage infection. However, resistance against phage can yield evolutionary trade-offs of biomedical use. Here we report the discovery of staphylococcal phages that cause different strains of methicillin-resistant
Staphylococcus aureus
(MRSA) to become sensitized to β-lactams, a class of antibiotics against which MRSA is typically highly resistant. MRSA cells that survive infection by these phages display significant reductions in minimal inhibitory concentration against different β-lactams compared to uninfected bacteria. Phage-treated MRSA further exhibited attenuated virulence phenotypes in the form of reduced hemolysis and clumping. Sequencing analysis revealed that the different MRSA strains evolved unique genetic profiles during infection. These results suggest complex evolutionary trajectories in MRSA during phage predation and open up new possibilities to reduce drug resistance and virulence in MRSA infections.
Emergence of planar cell polarity from the interplay of local interactions and global gradients
Authors: Singh Divyoj , Ramaswamy Sriram , Jolly Mohit Kumar , Rizvi Mohd Suhail
Published: October 2024

Planar cell polarity (PCP) – tissue-scale alignment of the direction of asymmetric localization of proteins at the cell-cell interface – is essential for embryonic development and physiological functions. Abnormalities in PCP can result in developmental imperfections, including neural tube closure defects and misaligned hair follicles. Decoding the mechanisms responsible for PCP establishment and maintenance remains a fundamental open question. While the roles of various molecules – broadly classified into ‘global’ and ‘local’ modules – have been well-studied, their necessity and sufficiency in explaining PCP and connecting their perturbations to experimentally observed patterns have not been examined. Here, we develop a minimal model that captures the proposed features of PCP establishment – a global tissue-level gradient and local asymmetric distribution of protein complexes. The proposed model suggests that while polarity can emerge without a gradient, the gradient not only acts as a global cue but also increases the robustness of PCP against stochastic perturbations. We also recapitulated and quantified the experimentally observed features of swirling patterns and domineering non-autonomy, using only three free model parameters - rate of protein binding to membrane, the concentration of PCP proteins, and the gradient steepness. We explain how self-stabilizing asymmetric protein localizations in the presence of tissue-level gradient can lead to robust PCP patterns and reveal minimal design principles for a polarized system.
SIV-specific neutralizing antibody induction following selection of a PI3K drive-attenuated nef variant
Authors: Yamamoto Hiroyuki , Matano Tetsuro
Published: October 2024

HIV and simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) infections are known for impaired neutralizing antibody (NAb) responses. While sequential virus-host B cell interaction appears to be basally required for NAb induction, driver molecular signatures predisposing to NAb induction still remain largely unknown. Here we describe SIV-specific NAb induction following a virus-host interplay decreasing aberrant viral drive of phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K). Screening of seventy difficult-to-neutralize SIV
mac239
-infected macaques found nine NAb-inducing animals, with seven selecting for a specific CD8
+
T-cell escape mutation in viral
nef
before NAb induction. This Nef-G63E mutation reduced excess Nef interaction-mediated drive of B-cell maturation-limiting PI3K/mammalian target of rapamycin complex 2 (mTORC2).
In vivo
imaging cytometry depicted preferential Nef perturbation of cognate Envelope-specific B cells, suggestive of polarized contact-dependent Nef transfer and corroborating cognate B-cell maturation post-mutant selection up to NAb induction. Results collectively exemplify a NAb induction pattern extrinsically reciprocal to human PI3K gain-of-function antibody-dysregulating disease, and indicate that harnessing the PI3K/mTORC2 axis may facilitate NAb induction against difficult-to-neutralize viruses including HIV/SIV.
Lipid discovery enabled by sequence statistics and machine learning
Authors: Christensen Priya M , Martin Jonathan , Uppuluri Aparna , Joyce Luke R , Wei Yahan , Guan Ziqiang , Morcos Faruck , Palmer Kelli L
Published: October 2024

Bacterial membranes are complex and dynamic, arising from an array of evolutionary pressures. One enzyme that alters membrane compositions through covalent lipid modification is MprF. We recently identified that
Streptococcus agalactiae
MprF synthesizes lysyl-phosphatidylglycerol (Lys-PG) from anionic PG, and a novel cationic lipid, lysyl-glucosyl-diacylglycerol (Lys-Glc-DAG), from neutral glycolipid Glc-DAG. This unexpected result prompted us to investigate whether Lys-Glc-DAG occurs in other MprF-containing bacteria, and whether other novel MprF products exist. Here, we studied protein sequence features determining MprF substrate specificity. First, pairwise analyses identified several streptococ-cal MprFs synthesizing Lys-Glc-DAG. Second, a restricted Boltzmann machine-guided approach led us to discover an entirely new substrate for MprF in
Enterococcus
, diglucosyl-diacylglycerol (Glc
2
-DAG), and an expanded set of organisms that modify glycolipid substrates using MprF. Overall, we combined the wealth of available sequence data with machine learning to model evolutionary constraints on MprF sequences across the bacterial domain, thereby identifying a novel cationic lipid.
Purging viral latency by a bifunctional HSV-vectored therapeutic vaccine in chronically SIV-infected macaques
Authors: Wen Ziyu , Li Pingchao , Yuan Yue , Wang Congcong , Li Minchao , Wang Haohang , Shi Minjuan , He Yizi , Cui Mingting , Chen Ling , Sun Caijun
Published: October 2024

The persistence of latent viral reservoirs remains the major obstacle to eradicating human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). We herein reported that recombinant herpes simplex virus type I (HSV-1) with ICP34.5 deletion could more effectively reactivate HIV latency than its wild-type counterpart. Mechanistically, HSV-ΔICP34.5 promoted the phosphorylation of HSF1 by decreasing the recruitment of protein phosphatase 1 (PP1α), thus effectively binding to the HIV LTR to reactivate the latent reservoirs. In addition, HSV-ΔICP34.5 enhanced the phosphorylation of IKKα/β through the degradation of IκBα, leading to p65 accumulation in the nucleus to elicit NF-κB pathway-dependent reactivation of HIV latency. Then, we constructed the recombinant HSV-ΔICP34.5 expressing simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) env, gag, or the fusion antigen sPD1-SIVgag as a therapeutic vaccine, aiming to achieve a functional cure by simultaneously reactivating viral latency and eliciting antigen-specific immune responses. Results showed that these constructs effectively elicited SIV-specific immune responses, reactivated SIV latency, and delayed viral rebound after the interruption of antiretroviral therapy (ART) in chronically SIV-infected rhesus macaques. Collectively, these findings provide insights into the rational design of HSV-vectored therapeutic strategies for pursuing an HIV functional cure.
Genetic Stability of Mycobacterium smegmatis under the Stress of First-Line Antitubercular Agents: Assessing Mutagenic Potential
Authors: Molnár Dániel , Surányi Éva Viola , Trombitás Tamás , Füzesi Dóra , Hirmondó Rita , Tóth Judit
Published: October 2024

The sustained success of
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
as a pathogen arises from its ability to persist within macrophages for extended periods and its limited responsiveness to antibiotics. Furthermore, the high incidence of resistance to the few available antituberculosis drugs is a significant concern, especially since the driving forces of the emergence of drug resistance are not clear. Drug-resistant strains of
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
can emerge through
de novo
mutations, however, mycobacterial mutation rates are low. To unravel the effects of antibiotic pressure on genome stability, we determined the genetic variability, phenotypic tolerance, DNA repair system activation, and dNTP pool upon treatment with current antibiotics using
Mycobacterium smegmatis.
Whole-genome sequencing revealed no significant increase in mutation rates after prolonged exposure to first-line antibiotics. However, the phenotypic fluctuation assay indicated rapid adaptation to antibiotics mediated by non-genetic factors. The upregulation of DNA repair genes, measured using qPCR, suggests that genomic integrity may be maintained through the activation of specific DNA repair pathways. Our results, indicating that antibiotic exposure does not result in
de novo
adaptive mutagenesis under laboratory conditions, do not lend support to the model suggesting antibiotic resistance development through drug pressure-induced microevolution.
On the discovered Cancer Driving Nucleotides (CDNs)–Distributions across genes, cancer types and patients
Authors: Zhang Lingjie , Deng Tong , Liufu Zhongqi , Chen Xiangnyu , Wu Shijie , Liu Xueyu , Shi Changhao , Chen Bingjie , Hu Zheng , Cai Qichun , Liu Chenli , Li Mengfeng , Tracy Miles E , Lu Xuemei , Wu Chung-I , Wen Haijun
Published: October 2024

A central goal of cancer genomics is to identify, in each patient, all the cancer driving mutations. Among them, point mutations are referred to as Cancer Driving Nucleotides (CDNs), which recur in cancers. The companion study shows that the probability of
i
recurrent hits in
n
patients would decrease exponentially with
i
; hence, any mutation with
i
≥ 3 hits in the TCGA database is a high-probability CDN. This study characterizes the 50∼150 CDNs identifiable for each cancer type of TCGA (while anticipating 10 times more undiscovered ones) as follows:
i
) CDNs tend to code for amino acids of divergent chemical properties.
ii
) At the genic level, far more CDNs (>5-fold) fall on non-canonical than canonical cancer driving genes (CDGs). Most undiscovered CDNs are expected to be on unknown CDGs.
iii
) CDNs tend to be more widely shared among cancer types than canonical CDGs, mainly because of the higher resolution at the nucleotide than the whole-gene level.
iv
) Most important, among the 50∼100 coding region mutations carried by a cancer patient, 5∼8 CDNs are expected but only 0∼2 CDNs have been identified at present. This low level of identification has hampered functional test and gene targeted therapy. We show that, by expanding the sample size to 10
5
, most CDNs can be identified. Full CDN identification will then facilitate the design of patient-specific targeting against multiple CDN-harboring genes.
Kapittel 6: Steds- og planfagleg konsolidering 2008–2024
Authors: Aarsæther Nils , Kvalvik Karoline Jacobsen , Nilsen Ragnar E.
Published: October 2024

2008 er eit år dei fleste forbind med den globale finanskrisa. Men 2008 er også året då ny plan- og bygningslov vert vedteke i Norge. Ut frå eit idealis­tisk resonnement kunne vi tenkje oss at den globale finanskrisa tydeleggjorde svikten i marknadsliberalismen som styringsgrunnlag, og at dette ville opne moglegheiter for planbasert styring. Ein kunne sjå føre seg ei gjenreising og fornying av plantenking basert på fellesskap og miljøomsyn. I forlenginga av dette kunne vi glede oss over at det politiske Norge var særleg godt rusta til å møte den nye tida sine utfordringar, utstyrt med ei fersk og oppdatert planlovgiving. Men gjekk det slik? Og vart det eit løft for planutdanninga i Tromsø i tida etter ny lovgiving i 2008?
Myrmozercon mites are highly host specific: two new species of Myrmozercon Berlese associated with sympatric Camponotus ants in southern Quintana Roo, Mexico
Authors: Pérez-Lachaud Gabriela , Klompen Hans , Kazemi Shahrooz , Lachaud Jean-Paul
Published: October 2024

Two new species of Myrmozercon, M. serratus sp. nov. and M. spatulatus sp. nov., are described based on adults and deutonymphs collected in association with ants in Mexico. They represent the first records of this genus from the Neotropic s.s. faunal region. Both new species are associated with hosts in the genus Camponotus from the same small area of a coastal lagoon, which share the same nesting habit preferences, providing strong evidence for host specificity. All but one colony of C. atriceps hosted mites, whereas they occurred in only half of the colonies of C. rectangularis. There was a significant positive correlation between the abundance of C. atriceps sexual ants and the abundance of mites. We summarize the known host associations for the genus Myrmozercon and discuss host specificity. Larvae of both mite species were collected on the wings of males and gynes suggesting that egg laying occurs on the hosts reproductive caste. Two hypotheses explaining this observation are discussed, larvae may be phoretic on winged sexuals, favoring mite co-dispersal with hosts, or larvae reside on the alates as a refuge from predation.
Surgical Approaches to Proximal Ureteral Stones >1 Cm: A Comparative Study of M-PCNL and Semirigid URSL
Authors: Gupta Dipesh Kumar , Neupane Sagar , Jaiswal Deepak , Siddiqui Saharoj
Published: October 2024

Background: For the management of proximal ureteric calculi modalities like Extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy, mini-Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy, UreteroRenoscopic Lithotripsy, and Retrograde Intra-Renal Surgery have been commonly used. The objective of this study is to compare the efficacy and safety of mini-Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy and semirigid Ureterorenoscopic Lithotripsy in terms of the total operation time, stone clearance rate, duration of hospital stays, post-operative hemoglobin drop, and peri-operative complications.
Methods: This study was a hospital-based, prospective, comparative study conducted in the Urology Unit of Nepalgunj Medical College (NGMC). Eighty patients were included in the study, divided into two groups: 40 patients in the m-PCNL group (Group A) and 40 patients in the URSL group (Group B).
Results: The mean age of the total patients was 36.34 ± 12.68 years. The mean duration of surgical procedure in m-PCNL Group was 26.93±9.43 minutes and in URSL it was 20.88±7.06 minutes. The mean duration of hospital stay in m-PCNL Group was 3.63±1.10 days and in URSL group it was 2.70±1.24 days. In m-PCNL, 5 cases (12.5%) had fever, 2 cases (5%) had hematuria and in URSL, 10 cases (25%) had a fever, 7 cases (17.5%) had hematuria and 1 case (2.5%) had dyspnea because of pulmonary complication.
Conclusion: Our findings demonstrate that both m-PCNL and URSL can be done for proximal ureteric calculi >1cm but m-PCNL has significantly better stone clearance with no residual stone and thus concludes m-PCNL is better than semirigid URSL for the management of proximal ureteric calculi greater than 1cm.
Acute Toxicity and In vivo Antidiarrhoeal Activity of Ethanol Extract and Fractions of Ipomoea triloba by Model Infection and Protection Tests in Mice against Selected Clinical Diarrhoeagenic Bacterial Isolates
Authors: Alozie MF , Ekong US , Anwana UI , Udofa EJ , Akinjogunla OJ , Mirabeau TY
Published: October 2024

Aim: This research work was aimed at investigating the acute toxicity and in vivo antidiarrhoeal activity of the extracts and fractions of Ipomoea triloba, a plant used locally for the treatment of acute infectious diarrhoea in order to investigate its safety profile.
Study Design: 20 diarrhoeaic Clinical stool samples were collected and implicating organisms were isolated.
Place and Duration of Study:  Department of Pharmaceutical Microbiology and Biotechnology, University of Uyo AkwaIbom State, South-South Nigeria between May 2021-December, 2022.
Methodology: Antibiogram, Plasmid curing and Intraperitoneal assay of acute toxicity and mouse protection test of the ethanol extract of plant were carried out on the bacterial-diarrhoeaic isolates.
Results: Antibiogram by the agar-diffusion technique indicated a predominant resistance by the isolates. Plasmid curing assessment for antidiarrhoeal activity indicated a predominantly plasmid-borne resistance. Combined antidiarrhoeal activity of the ethanol extract and fractions of Ipomoea triloba with standard antibiotic (tetracycline), assessed by the activity index profile (AIP), showed a reduction in the in antagonistic activity and an increase in protective efficacy after plasmid curing.  Acute toxicity (LD50) assay in albino mice (15.0-18-0 g body weight) indicated that the ethanol extract of Ipomoea triloba showed relative non-toxicity with an estimated value of 946.68 mg/kg body weight. In vivo antidiarrhoeal activity and protection efficacy of the ethanol extract assayed by mouse protection test (MPT) infection model offered appreciable (50.0 - 83.3%) protection to the bacterial-diarrhoeaic isolates challenged mice, compared with the relatively moderate (33.3 - 50.0%) protection by the control.
Conclusion: There is need for further studies to elucidate the active principles responsible for the antidiarrhoeal activity of Ipomoea triloba in order to establish its structure activity relationship, this then can be introduced into the treatment regimen as a plausible remedy against acute hypersecretory infectious diarrhoea because of its safety profile which has been established in this work.
Evaluation of Promising Lines of Lai Patta (Brassica juncea var rugosa L.) Suitable for Cultivation in North Eastern India
Authors: Bora G C , Rajkhowa D , Buragohain N , Goswami P K , Kalita U C
Published: October 2024

The present study was carried out with ten accessions of laipatta (Brassica juncea var rugosa L.) in Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat in order to identify suitable high yielding variety(s) with desirable quality characters. The accessions viz., JorMLG-1, JorMLP-2, MLG-3, MLP-4, MLG-5, MLP-6, ShLG-7, KjLP-8, ChL-9 (Check), and KL-10(Check) were collected from different districts of Assam and North East. They were evaluated consecutively for three years in station trials in the Dept. of Horticulture, AAU, Jorhat for plant yield and other quantitative and quality characters. The accessions were tested in Multilocation trials in five research stations. In these trials. among all genotypes JorMLG-1 and JorMLP-2 were found to be the best for plant yield and other component characters. The On Farm trials conducted in 12 farmers’ fields in Jorhat and Kokrajhar districts of the state exhibited average plant yield of 350.1 q/ha in JorMLG-1 and 318.2 q/ha in JorMLP-2 with 34 – 48% yield increase over the best check variety (ChL-9). JorMLG-1was a green leaf variety whereas JorMLP-2 was a greenish purple variety. The edible leaves could be harvested upto 60 days in JorMLG-1 and 55 days in JorMLP-2 after transplanting till the initiation of bolters. However, the best check variety ChL-9 showed bolting at 25 days after transplanting. Estimation of quality characters revealed 147.6 mg ascorbic acid, 186 mg calcium and 11.21 mg iron per 100g in JorMLG-1 whereas 145.2 mg ascorbic acid, 176 mg calcium and 10.61 mg iron per 100g in JorMLP-2. They have been recommended in the Zonal Research Committee Meeting and Annual Technical Committee Meeting held at Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat during 2019-20 for release in the state of Assam. In view of yield performance, consumer preference and taste, the varieties are spreading very fast and getting popularity throughout entire NE states. However, more study is required on quality traits, genetic parameters and molecular aspects.
Trade Dress: Possíveis Formas De Proteção E Desafios
Authors: Grespan Carolina De Castro , Marin João Paulo
Published: October 2024

O termo trade dress, na literatura jurídica e na jurisprudência brasileira, é empregado para se referir ao denominado conjunto-imagem, ou seja, o conjunto de elementos visuais que compõem a aparência de um produto ou serviço, tais como a forma, a embalagem, as cores, o design. No Brasil, a Lei de Propriedade Industrial não trata especificamente do trade dress. Por isso, o reconhecimento da sua existência em relação a determinado produto ou serviço e a extensão da sua proteção ocorre exclusivamente no âmbito do Poder Judiciário e tem como base jurisprudencial as decisões do Superior Tribunal de Justiça. Desse modo, o objetivo deste artigo é abordar sobre a proteção do trade dress no âmbito da jurisprudência e da doutrina, identificando os requisitos necessários para sua caracterização e possível violação. Este é um estudo qualitativo e classifica-se como bibliográfico e documental. Para tanto, realizou-se uma revisão de literatura pautada em livros e artigos científicos, bem como uma análise jurisprudencial e doutrinária. Os resultados evidenciam que o trade dress é um importante elemento para as empresas estabelecerem sua identidade visual e, portanto, efetuar sua proteção é relevante, a fim de evitar atos de concorrência desleal, copiando o conjunto-imagem do outro e tendo ganhos indevidos. Na legislação brasileira observa-se não haver normas específicas sobre trade dress, contudo, o tema é recorrente nos tribunais brasileiros, que então consideram o disposto sobre concorrência desleal na Lei da Propriedade Industrial, jurisprudências e conceitos doutrinários, para resolver litígios com supostas violações. Mesmo não havendo normas, é importante considerar que é possível proteger e pleitear indenizações caso seja violado o trade dress, visando assim evitar a concorrência desleal
Disentangling Global Warming, Multidecadal Variability, and El Niño in Pacific Temperatures
Authors: Wills Robert C. , Schneider Tapio , Wallace John M. , Battisti David S. , Hartmann Dennis L.
Published: January 2018

A key challenge in climate science is to separate observed temperature changes into components due to internal variability and responses to external forcing. Extended integrations of forced and unforced climate models are often used for this purpose. Here we demonstrate a novel method to separate modes of internal variability from global warming based on differences in time scale and spatial pattern, without relying on climate models. We identify uncorrelated components of Pacific sea surface temperature variability due to global warming, the Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO), and the El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO). Our results give statistical representations of PDO and ENSO that are consistent with their being separate processes, operating on different time scales, but are otherwise consistent with canonical definitions. We isolate the multidecadal variability of the PDO and find that it is confined to midlatitudes; tropical sea surface temperatures and their teleconnections mix in higher‐frequency variability. This implies that midlatitude PDO anomalies are more persistent than previously thought.
Space Weather Operation at KASI With Van Allen Probes Beacon Signals
Authors: Lee Jongkil , Kim Kyung‐Chan , Giuseppe Romeo , Ukhorskiy Sasha , Sibeck David , Kessel Ramona , Mauk Barry , Giles Barbara , Gu Bon‐Jun , Lee Hyesook , Park Young‐Deuk , Lee Jaejin
Published: January 2018

The Van Allen Probes (VAPs) are the only modern National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) spacecraft broadcasting real‐time data on the Earth's radiation belts for space weather operations. Since 2012, the Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute (KASI) has contributed to the receipt of these data via a 7 m satellite‐tracking antenna and used these beacon data for space weather operations. An approximately 15 min period is required from measurement to acquisition of Level‐1 data. In this paper, we demonstrate the use of VAP data for monitoring space weather conditions at geostationary orbit (GEO) by highlighting the Saint Patrick's Day storm of 2015. During that storm, Probe‐A observed a significant increase in the relativistic electron flux at 3 RE. Those electrons diffused outward resulting in a large increase of the electron flux >2 MeV at GEO, which potentially threatened satellite operations. Based on this study, we conclude that the combination of VAP data and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration‐Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (NOAA‐GOES) data can provide improved space environment information to geostationary satellite operators. In addition, the findings obtained indicate that more data‐receiving sites would be necessary and data connections improved if this or a similar system were to be used as an operational data service.
Light‐Driven Rotation of Plasmonic Nanomotors
Authors: Shao Lei , Käll Mikael
Published: January 2018

Colloidal metal nanocrystals exhibit distinct plasmonic resonances that can greatly enhance optical forces and torques. This article highlights the recent application of such particles as light‐driven rotary motors at the nanoscale. By using laser tweezers, it is possible to achieve unprecedented rotation performance in solution, providing a variety of exciting possibilities for applications ranging from nanomechanics to biochemical sensing. Recent developments in this emerging field are discussed, and the physics behind the rotation mechanism, the Brownian dynamics, and the photothermal heating effects influencing the performance of the plasmonic nanomotors are introduced. Possible applications, open questions, and interesting future developments are also discussed.
Small Molecule Interlayers in Organic Solar Cells
Authors: Li Xiaodong , Zhang Wenjun , Usman Khurram , Fang Junfeng
Published: January 2018

This review provides an up‐to‐date review about the small molecule interlayers (SMIs) in organic solar cells (OSCs). Compared to polymer interlayers, SMIs exhibit intrinsic advantages such as easy synthesis and purification, monodispersity, well‐defined chemical structure, and high batch‐to‐batch reproducibility. Recently, various SMIs have been reported with landmark efficiencies of over 10% in both conventional and inverted OSCs, exhibiting promising potential in commercial application. In this review, the authors summarize the progress of SMIs from a device fabrication point of view, paying particular attention to the material categories, molecular design, preparation process, and applicable device structure. In addition, the working mechanisms of different SMIs are also discussed, including the structure–property relationships and the corresponding impact on device performance. Finally, a brief outlook is provided that includes opportunities and challenges in this emerging area.
Understanding the Role of Cesium and Rubidium Additives in Perovskite Solar Cells: Trap States, Charge Transport, and Recombination
Authors: Hu Yinghong , Hutter Eline M. , Rieder Philipp , Grill Irene , Hanisch Jonas , Aygüler Meltem F. , Hufnagel Alexander G. , Handloser Matthias , Bein Thomas , Hartschuh Achim , Tvingstedt Kristofer , Dyakonov Vladimir , Baumann Andreas , Savenije Tom J. , Petrus Michiel L. , Docampo Pablo
Published: January 2018

Adding cesium (Cs) and rubidium (Rb) cations to FA0.83MA0.17Pb(I0.83Br0.17)3 hybrid lead halide perovskites results in a remarkable improvement in solar cell performance, but the origin of the enhancement has not been fully understood yet. In this work, time‐of‐flight, time‐resolved microwave conductivity, and thermally stimulated current measurements are performed to elucidate the impact of the inorganic cation additives on the trap landscape and charge transport properties within perovskite solar cells. These complementary techniques allow for the assessment of both local features within the perovskite crystals and macroscopic properties of films and full devices. Strikingly, Cs‐incorporation is shown to reduce the trap density and charge recombination rates in the perovskite layer. This is consistent with the significant improvements in the open‐circuit voltage and fill factor of Cs‐containing devices. By comparison, Rb‐addition results in an increased charge carrier mobility, which is accompanied by a minor increase in device efficiency and reduced current–voltage hysteresis. By mixing Cs and Rb in quadruple cation (Cs‐Rb‐FA‐MA) perovskites, the advantages of both inorganic cations can be combined. This study provides valuable insights into the role of these additives in multiple‐cation perovskite solar cells, which are essential for the design of high‐performance devices.
Functional Hydride Transfer by a Thiolate‐Containing Model of Mono‐Iron Hydrogenase featuring an Anthracene Scaffold
Authors: Kerns Spencer A. , Magtaan Anne‐Clarisse , Vong Pisey R. , Rose Michael J.
Published: January 2018

We report the synthesis, X‐ray structure and functional biomimetic activity of a model complex of mono‐iron hydrogenase (Hmd). To achieve the desired biomimetic fac‐CNS(thiolate) ligation motif, an anthracene framework is used to provide the requisite donors in a single chelate. A bulky aryl thiolate (ortho dimethylphenyl) is included to achieve mononuclearity. In addition to exhibiting structural (X‐ray) and spectroscopic (NMR, IR) similarity to the enzyme, the complex is competent for H2 activation (heterolysis) and hydride transfer to a model substrate—mimicking the functional behavior of the enzyme in a biomimetic CNS coordination sphere for the first time.
Palladium‐Catalyzed Reductive Coupling Reaction of Terminal Alkynes with Aryl Iodides Utilizing Hafnocene Difluoride as a Hafnium Hydride Precursor Leading to trans‐Alkenes
Authors: Takahashi Keita , Ogiwara Yohei , Sakai Norio
Published: January 2018

Herein, we describe a reductive cross‐coupling of alkynes and aryl iodides by using a novel catalytic system composed of a catalytic amount of palladium dichloride and a promoter precursor, hafnocene difluoride (Cp2HfF2, Cp=cyclopentadienyl anion), in the presence of a mild reducing reagent, a hydrosilane, leading to a one‐pot preparation of trans‐alkenes. In this process, a series of coupling reactions efficiently proceeds through the following three steps: (i) an initial formation of hafnocene hydride from hafnocene difluoride and the hydrosilane, (ii) a subsequent hydrohafnation toward alkynes, and (iii) a final transmetalation of the alkenyl hafnium species to a palladium complex. This reductive coupling could be chemoselectively applied to the preparation of trans‐alkenes with various functional groups, such as an alkyl group, a halogen, an ester, a nitro group, a heterocycle, a boronic ester, and an internal alkyne.
Bimetallic d10‐Metal Complexes of a Bipyridine Substituted N‐Heterocyclic Carbene
Authors: Kaub Christoph , Lebedkin Sergei , Li Alina , Kruppa Sebastian V. , Strebert Patrick H. , Kappes Manfred M. , Riehn Christoph , Roesky Peter W.
Published: January 2018

The hybrid ligand 3‐(2,2′‐bipyridine‐6‐ylmethyl)‐1‐mesityl‐1H‐imidazolylidene (NHCBipy) featuring both carbene and N‐donor sites, was selectively complexed with various d10 metal cations in order to examine its coordination behavior with regard to homo and heterometallic structures. Respective silver complexes can be obtained by the silver oxide route and are suitable transmetallation reagents for the synthesis of gold(I) compounds. Starting from the mononuclear complexes [(NHCBipy)AuCl], [(NHCBipy)Au(C6F5)] and [(NHCBipy)2Au][ClO4], open‐chain as well as cyclic heterobimetallic complexes containing Cu+, Ag+, Zn2+, Cd2+, and Hg2+ were synthesized. Furthermore, the homobimetallic species [(NHCBipy)2M2][ClO4]2 (M=Cu, Ag) were obtained. All bimetallic compounds were fully characterized including single‐crystal X‐ray analysis. Their photoluminescence (PL) properties were investigated in the solid state at temperatures between 15 and 295 K and compared with those of the mononuclear species. There is a clear difference in PL properties between the open chain and the cyclic heterobimetallic complexes. The latter species show different PL properties, depending on the metals involved. In addition, collision‐induced dissociation (CID) experiments were performed on electrosprayed cations of the cyclic heterobimetallic compounds, to compare the metal binding at the carbene and N‐donor sites.
Solution, Solid‐State, and Computational Analysis of Agostic Interactions in a Coherent Set of Low‐Coordinate Rhodium(III) and Iridium(III) Complexes
Authors: Knighton Richard C. , Emerson‐King Jack , Rourke Jonathan P. , Ohlin C. André , Chaplin Adrian B.
Published: January 2018

A homologous family of low‐coordinate complexes of the formulation trans‐[M(2,2′‐biphenyl)(PR3)2][BArF4] (M=Rh, Ir; R=Ph, Cy, iPr, iBu) has been prepared and extensively structurally characterised. Enabled through a comprehensive set of solution phase (VT 1H and 31P NMR spectroscopy) and solid‐state (single crystal X‐ray diffraction) data, and analysis in silico (DFT‐based NBO and QTAIM analysis), the structural features of the constituent agostic interactions have been systematically interrogated. The combined data substantiates the adoption of stronger agostic interactions for the IrIII compared to RhIII complexes and, with respect to the phosphine ligands, in the order PiBu3>PCy3>PiPr3>PPh3. In addition to these structure–property relationships, the effect of crystal packing on the agostic interactions was investigated in the tricyclohexylphosphine complexes. Compression of the associated cations, through inclusion of a more bulky solvent molecule (1,2‐difluorobenzene vs. CH2Cl2) in the lattice or collection of data at very low temperature (25 vs. 150 K), lead to small but statistically significant shortening of the M−H−C distances.
Relation of Adhesion and Cleaning of Microparticles on Structured Surfaces
Authors: Dreßler Inka , Jin Xin , Budelmann Harald , Kasal Bo
Published: January 2018

Die Adhäsion von Mikropartikeln auf Oberflächen ist in vielen Industriezweigen von Interesse. Sollen unerwünschte Partikel in einem Reinigungsvorgang entfernt werden, geht man bisher davon aus, dass die Adhäsionskraft zwischen dem Partikel und der Oberfläche überwunden werden muss. Es wird vermutet, dass die Reinigbarkeit von Oberflächen mit den mit dem Rasterkraftmikroskop gemessenen Adhäsionskräften zusammenhängen. Untersuchungen werden an Edelstahl‐ und Siliziumproben mit variierenden Oberflächeneigenschaften im nicht‐immergierten System durchgeführt. Eine Auswertung der Faktoren, die die Adhäsion und die Reinigbarkeit wesentlich beeinflussen, erfolgt.
Microwaves Induced Thermolysis of Petroleum under Contact with Heterogenous Catalysts
Authors: Muradova Peri A. , Zulfugarova Sima M. , Graser Elmara , Strekov Anatoliy S. , Litvishkov Yuriy N.
Published: January 2018

In der Umgebung von Baku (Aserbaidschan) fanden die ersten industriellen Erdölbohrungen der Menschheitsgeschichte statt. Bis zu Beginn des 20. Jahrhundert produzierte die Balachany‐Sabunchu‐Ramany Region mehr als 60 % des bakinischen Öls. Diese Erdölquellen sind weitgehend ausgebeutet und beinhalten nun Erdölfraktionen, die schwer zu fördern sind. Experimente mit Erdölproben aus diesen Quellen zeigen, dass eine Mikrowellenbestrahlung unter Verwendung von Magnetit‐Katalysatoren zu einer Verringerung der Erdölviskosität führt. Dies ist ein neuer Ansatz in der intensiven Erdölgewinnung.