bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Design, Synthesis and In Vitro Trypanocidal and Leishmanicidal Activities of 2‐(2‐Arylidene)hydrazono‐4‐oxothiazolidine‐5‐acetic Acid Derivatives
Authors: Haroon Muhammad , Akhtar Tashfeen , da S. Santos Aline C. , Pereira Valéria R. A. , Ferreira Luiz F. G. R. , Hernandes Marcelo Z. , Rocha Rafael E. O. , Ferreira Rafaela S. , de M. Gomes Paulo A. T. , de Sousa Fabiano A. , de B. Dias Mabilly C. H. , Tahir Muhammad N. , Hameed Shahid , Leite Ana C. L.
Published: December 2019

Trypanosomatids are protozoan parasites responsible for leishmaniasis, Chagas disease and sleeping sickness. The design of new antitrypanosomatid drugs with trypanosomicidal and leishmanicidal activities is an effective perspective. The thiazolidinone ring is an important scaffold for several biological disorders. Herein, 4‐oxothiazolidine‐5‐acetic acids (1 a‐1 w) have been synthesized from respective thiosemicarbazone and maleic anhydride. Some of these 4‐oxothiazolidine‐5‐acetic acids were toxic for trypomastigotes without affecting macrophages viability. From this series, compounds 1 e (IC50=10 μM), 1 u (IC50=8.94 μM), 1 g (IC50=5.65 μM) and 1 w (14.06 μM) showed the best anti‐T. cruzi activity for trypomastigote form, while 1 e, 1 u and 1 g showed SI higher than benznidazole (BZD). Similarly, against epimastigote the compound 1 q (IC50epi= 4.70 μM) has been found more selective and most active than benznidazole. However, evaluation against T. cruzi revealed that most of the active compounds have a low inhibition profile and weak leishmanicidal activity. In silico data suggests a good drug‐likeness profile, high chemical stability and demonstrate the use of these compounds in the designing of new anti‐T. cruzi and anti‐Leishmanial drugs.
Improvement of the Biological Activity of a New Cobalt(III) Complex through Loading into a Nanocarrier, and the Characterization Thereof
Authors: Talebi Sanaz , Amani Vahid , Saber‐Tehrani Mandana , Abedi Anita
Published: December 2019

In an effort to use a polymer carrier for the maintenance of biological activity of metal complexes; in this report, a novel cobalt(III) complex, trans‐[Co(en)2(mtzt)2]NO3 (1) was prepared (en=ethylenediamine and Hmtzt=1‐methyl‐1‐H‐1,2,3,4‐tetrazol‐5‐thiol) and fully characterized. A biocompatible di‐block polymer, containing poly lactic‐co‐glycolic acid and poly ethylene glycol (PLGA‐PEG), was employed as the nanocarrier of complex 1 to achieve more efficacy and controlled drug release. Results illustrated that the successful loading of the cobalt complex on the PLGA‐PEG polymer as well as pH dependent drug release with approximately 17%, 58% and 74% release within 168 hours at pH=7.4, 5.8 and 4.8 respectively. Antibacterial properties of complex 1 and corresponding nanocarrier have been determined against gram‐negative (Escherichia coli) and gram‐positive (Staphylococcus aureus) bacteria where the loading of the complex on nanocarrier enhances its antibacterial activity. Their anticancer activity was also evaluated over human ovarian carcinoma cells and compared with cisplatin.
Exfoliated Graphene Sheets: Polymer Nanoparticles as a Tool and Their Anti‐Proliferative Activity
Authors: Siddique Jamal A. , Attia Nour F. , Tyagi Nisha , Geckeler Kurt E.
Published: December 2019

A facile one‐pot and environment‐friendly method has been developed for the synthesis of graphene sheets. Poly(vinylpyrrolidone) nanoparticles with a size range of 23–57 nm are used for the exfoliation process of graphene sheets in conjunction with ultrasonication. The polymer nanoparticle size played a significant role in the exfoliation yield of the graphene sheets. The small nanoparticle size of 23 nm was found to be the most effective size for the exfoliation. Thus, high quality individualized graphene sheets were obtained and the sheet thickness was found to be 4 nm. The polymer nanoparticles contributed to stable graphene dispersions through wrapping on the surface of the sheets. The graphene sheets have been characterized by using Raman and UV‐Vis spectroscopy and their morphology visualized by transmission electron microscopy. In addition, the as‐prepared graphene sheets were investigated as a potential cytotoxic drug and their anti‐proliferative activity was studied in vitro by the MMT assay. The results showed a remarkable lethality rate of 87% for human colon cancer cells (HCT‐116) and biocompatibility to normal mouse embryonic fibroblast NIH‐3T3 cells.
Biotransformation of Host Plant Flavonoids by the Fungal Endophyte Epicoccum nigrum
Authors: Harwoko Harwoko , Hartmann Rudolf , Daletos Georgios , Ancheeva Elena , Frank Marian , Liu Zhen , Proksch Peter
Published: December 2019

Fermentation of the fungus Epicoccum nigrum isolated from leaves of Salix sp. on green lentil solid medium yielded the flavonol kaempferol (3) as well as two kaempferol O‐diglycosides (1 and 2) including the new compound 1. The fungal flavonoids bear strong structural similarities to kaempferol derivatives such as kaempferol O‐glycoside (4) being present in green lentils. Furthermore, feeding experiments were conducted by adding flavonoids (kaempferol and rutin) as precursors to solid rice media followed by HPLC and LC‐MS analyses. Fermentation of the fungus on flavonoid free solid rice medium afforded flavonoid free extracts indicating that the fungal flavonoids originate through hydrolytic cleavage of kaempferol glycosides such as 4 followed by glycosylation and acetylation. This study suggests that E. nigrum is capable of biotransformation reactions of plant derived flavonoids whereas de novo biosynthesis of flavonoids is less likely.
Synthesis of a Stable, Water‐Tolerant, Short Mesoporous Organic Biguanide, Strong Solid Base and Its Application in Catalysis
Authors: Pan Langsheng , Zhao Xiaoyu , Wu Mei , Xiang Fuyun , Li Yongfei , Liu Yuejin
Published: December 2019

Firstly, both a short mesopore thin plate molecular sieve of Zr‐doped SBA‐15 and a strong organic base of bi‐guanides DIC‐TMG were respectively prepared. Then, the organic bi‐guanides DIC‐TMG was grafted onto the short mesopore thin plate molecular sieve to prepare a highly efficient and stable water‐tolerant short mesoporous organic bi‐guanides strong solid base DIC‐TMG/Zr‐SBA‐15 which was used to catalyze the transesterification of renewable bio‐oils to biodiesel under mild reaction conditions. The prepared DIC‐TMG/Zr‐SBA‐15 was elaborately investigated by XRD, BET, SEM, TEM, FT‐IR and Elemental analysis. The obtained results showed that compared with TMG/Zr‐SBA‐15 and DIC‐TMG/SBA‐15, DIC‐TMG/Zr‐SBA‐15 exhibited the best catalytic activity with 95% of biodiesel yield at reaction temperature 75 °C and catalyst dosage 5 wt%. Especially, unlike some other usually solid metal‐based catalysts, this alkaline organic bi‐guanidines DIC‐TMG supported on Zr‐SBA‐15 support catalyst has certain water‐tolerant. With 1 wt% of water content existed in the reaction system, the biodiesel yield still reached 90%, and after five recycles of the catalyst, the biodiesel yield was still more than 80%.
Synthesis and Evaluation of Acid‐base Bi‐functional MOFs Catalyst Supported on PVDF Membrane for Glucose Dehydration to 5‐HMF
Authors: Yan Changhao , Zhang Yunlei , Da Zulin , Wie Yanan , Li Bing , Meng Minjia , Yuan Shouqi , Yan Yongsheng
Published: December 2019

Metal‐organic frameworks (MOFs) catalysts loaded on carriers with acid‐base functional active sites could be applied widely to heterogeneous catalysis, which can promote stability and activity. In this work, we report a modulated hydrothermal (MHT) method for the direct synthesis of acid‐base bifunctional UiO‐66 catalysts grafted to modified polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF). Firstly, PVDF was modified by dopamine hydrochloride (PDA) in trimethylol aminomethane (tris) buffer, named as PDA@PVDF. Secondly, UiO‐66 material was produced via the coordination of organic ligands with zirconium ions, and could be directly loaded onto PDA@PVDF. Moreover, MHT synthetic approach can be used to synthesize other identical structures MOFs with acid, base and acid‐base catalysts by adjusting the ratio of monosodium 2‐sulfoterephthalate and/or 2‐aminoterephthalic. The obtained materials were characterized, and the catalytic performances of glucose to 5‐hydroxymethylfurfural (5‐HMF) have been evaluated. The developed facile reaction system with UiO‐66 MOFs catalysts offers a new route to large‐scale economical viable processes of carbohydrates conservation to 5‐HMF.
Synthesis of Gemini‐QA N‐Chloramine Biocides for Antibacterial Applications
Authors: Li Lingdong , Wang Hande , Jia Dongxue , Wang Pengfei
Published: December 2019

Gemini‐quaternary ammonium (QA) N‐chloramines were synthesized by covalently bonding two N‐chloramine units via a Gemini‐QA core with varied alkyl linkers. Preliminary antibacterial tests showed that Gemini‐QA N‐chloramine exerted superior biocidal efficacy in contrast to previous developed QA N‐chloramine counterpart probably by means of “team effort” contact killings. Futhermore, the analog with linker of ‐(CH2)10‐ exhibited the highest antibacterial efficacy probably caused by its favorable membrane penetration. This work may provide vital references to develop multi‐cationic N‐chloramines with even higher biocidal activity, which may be indispensable for combateing with bacteria resiatance.
Thermal Performance and Interfacial Aspects of Kaolinite‐Based Stearic Acid Composite in the Presence of Nitric Acid
Authors: Li Jianwen , Yang Huaming , Zuo Xiaochao , Zhao Xiaoguang , Tang Aidong , Li Daokui , Chen Deliang
Published: December 2019

The effect of nitric acid on the thermal performance of stearic acid/kaolinite (SA/Kaol) composite phase change materials (PCMs) was studied. SA/Kaol was subjected to HNO3 manipulations at different acidity conditions. The results indicated that inferior thermal properties were detected at the acid‐treated composites with pH < 2. The latent heat value of SA/Kaol‐0.5 demonstrated an obvious reduction of about 30% compared with that of SA/Kaol, and its supercooling extent could reach as many as 11.2 °C while that of SA/Kaol was only 1.4 °C. Based on interfacial reaction analysis, the reduced crystallinity of SA should be attributed to the confinement effect originated from acid molecular clusters, while the supercooling behavior was caused by external ions. These ions could hinder SA molecules from adsorbing to the surface of crystal nucleus and thus delay the solidification process. As a result of segregation effect, the latent heat value of acid‐treated samples was deteriorated but the supercooling extent was relieved during thermal cycles. This work was the first that reported the effect of nitrogen oxides on PCMs. We believe that the results could play an enlightening role in the stability study of thermal property during PCMs practical applications.
Isotopic Oxygen Exchange between CeO2 and O2: A Heteroexchange Mechanism
Authors: Han Jun , Chen Dandan , Zhu Jun
Published: December 2019

Isotopic oxygen exchange (IOE) is a crucial reaction required in the purification of 238PuO2 which has been used as an important fuel in space exploration. Experimental studies on the IOE between 238PuO2 and O2 are costly and hazardous due to the radioactivity. With extremely similar crystal structures, CeO2 could be a fair surrogate for 238PuO2 in the investigation of physicochemical properties. Here, we perform density functional theory calculations to simulate the IOE between CeO2 and O2, wherein a heteroexchange mechanism is proposed. Estimated reaction barriers for CeO2/O2 and 238PuO2/O2 systems are comparable (25.8 and 29.3 kcal mol−1 respectively), indicating CeO2 is a potential substitute for 238PuO2 in an IOE reaction. Our study could be useful for experimental chemists to probe more complicated IOE mechanisms for both CeO2/O2 and PuO2/O2.
Rechargeable High‐Capacity Aluminum‐Nickel Batteries
Authors: Du Yiqun , Zhao Shimeng , Li Jialin , Chen Haixia , Xu Cheng , Zhang Wenyang , Li Pan , Jin Huixin , Zhang Youjian , Zhang Jianxin
Published: December 2019

In this paper, we designed a novel rechargeable Al−Ni battery. Nickel foil was firstly used as a cathode material for aluminum batteries and realized a reversible electrode reaction in a weak Lewis acidic electrolyte. Al−Ni battery can provide a high discharge capacity of more than 0.4 mA h cm−2 and exhibit excellent stability. Furthermore, the electrode reaction mechanism and proposed reasonable reaction equations of Al−Ni battery was studied deeply. We also explored the failure process of Al−Ni batteries and obtained the composition of side reaction products. This Al−Ni battery could offer a high reversible capacity of 0.66 mA h at a current density of 0.5 mA cm−2. Even at 1 mA cm−2, it still delivers a capacity of 0.415 mA h (0.27 mA h cm−2) after 100 cycles.
Photolysis Behaviors of Anthryl Derivative Aggregation Mediated by Sulfato‐β‐Cyclodextrin
Authors: Zhao Xuan , Chen Yong , Guan Xin‐Ran , Li Pei‐Yu , Zhou Wei‐Lei , Liu Yu
Published: December 2019

A photo‐responsive supramolecular assembly was prepared using sulfato‐β‐cyclodextrin (SCD) as the macrocyclic host and pyridinium‐modified anthracene (Anpy) as the guest molecule, and its assembly and photolysis behaviors were fully investigated by mass spectrometry, UV‐vis, dynamic light scattering, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electronic microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and powder X‐ray diffraction, etc. Without SCD, the disruption of polycyclic aromatic structure in Anpy was relatively slow via a photo‐oxidation reaction under UV irradiation at 365 nm. Interestingly, the photo‐oxidation rate significantly increased 5.2 times after the supramolecular assembly of Anpy with SCD. This result will provide a supramolecular method for the efficient elimination of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.
Accelerating Effect of DMAP on CuI Catalyzed Buchwald‐Hartwig C‐N Coupling: Mechanistic Insight to the Reaction Pathway
Authors: Roy Subhasish , Dutta Mintu Maan , Sarma Manas Jyoti , Phukan Prodeep
Published: December 2019

An efficient methodology has been developed for C−N cross‐coupling reaction between aryl halide and amine using a catalytic system comprised of CuI and N,N‐dimethyl amino pyridine (DMAP). Coupling reactions were carried out in DMSO at 120 °C in presence of 5 mol% CuI, 20 mol% DMAP and 2.5 equivalent of KOH. Addition of DMAP was found to be beneficial in accelerating the rate of reaction significantly. Both aryl iodides and aryl bromides could be successfully coupled with different primary and secondary amines to furnish the desired cross‐coupling product in high yield. A copper complex [Cu(DMAP)4I]I made by combining CuI and DMAP was found to produce superior result for the Buchwlad‐Hartwig cross coupling reaction. The use of 2 mol% of the copper complex is sufficient to produce high yield of the product.
Dual Light and Temperature Responsive Micrometer‐Sized Structural Color Actuators
Authors: Belmonte Alberto , Ussembayev Yera Ye , Bus Tom , Nys Inge , Neyts Kristiaan , Schenning Albertus P. H. J.
Published: December 2019

Externally induced color‐ and shape‐changes in micrometer‐sized objects are of great interest in novel application fields such as optofluidics and microrobotics. In this work, light and temperature responsive micrometer‐sized structural color actuators based on cholesteric liquid‐crystalline (CLC) polymer particles are presented. The particles are synthesized by suspension polymerization using a reactive CLC monomer mixture having a light responsive azobenzene dye. The particles exhibit anisotropic spot‐like and arc‐like reflective colored domains ranging from red to blue. Electron microscopy reveals a multidirectional asymmetric arrangement of the cholesteric layers in the particles and numerical simulations elucidate the anisotropic optical properties. Upon light exposure, the particles show reversible asymmetric shape deformations combined with structural color changes. When the temperature is increased above the liquid crystal‐isotropic phase transition temperature of the particles, the deformation is followed by a reduction or disappearance of the reflection. Such dual light and temperature responsive structural color actuators are interesting for a variety of micrometer‐sized devices.
Socially Just Training and Development for Housing Employees and Leaders
Authors: Holmes Aja C. , Oldham Kyle W.
Published: December 2019

This chapter describes the opportunities for building socially justice centered training and development opportunities for all levels of staff.
Bioinspired electrochemical devices toward organic iontronics
Authors: Onoda Mitsuyoshi
Published: December 2019

Currently, a paradigm shift of technology from ‘hard and dry’ to ‘soft and wet’ is taking place, that is, the industrial importance is moving from heavy materials and silicon semiconductors to artificial intelligence (AI) and life science. Electronic materials of hard and dry technologies are silicon and inorganic semiconductors; electrons are playing the role of functions. Of course, the materials for soft and wet are organics, and ions are working with electrons. In other words, the recent progress witnessed by ground‐breaking research in the robotics by AI and tissue engineering by induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cell made it hard to anticipate about the future social life. However, food, life‐sustaining biomaterials (hormone, virus, enzyme, etc.), and energy, which are essential for life, are constantly being improved based on existing materials and technology. Biologically active organic compounds control various life functions; therefore, a fusion of biomaterials, energy, and informatics are expected to provide an efficient novel system for our sustainable growth and development. Biological functions can be imitated by dynamic control of mass and ion transfer, including conventional electronics. The author is sure that this review article will provide key technologies in the future to solve the issues on environmental protection and energy problems for the life sustainability and the need to be organized successively. The main purpose of this review article is to provide an opportunity for researchers who are interested in organic ‘iontronics’, to come together in an informal and friendly atmosphere and exchange their technical information and experiences. © 2019 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Experimental investigation of groundwater contamination by surface sources: Determination of adsorption capacity, diffusion, and sorption potential of selected anions in different soils
Authors: Remya Neelancherry , Roshni Thendiyath , Yadav Rohit Ranjan , Shukla Neha
Published: December 2019

The present study investigated the fate and transport of two significant anions through soil to explore their potential as groundwater contaminants. The retention properties of chloride and sulfate in soils having several significantly different characteristics (soil‐1 and soil‐2) were determined using adsorption test and adsorption‐diffusion column experiments. The maximum adsorption capacity of chloride was 3.7 and 1.16 mg/g, respectively, in soil‐1 and soil‐2, with organic matter (OM) content of 3.92% and 4.69%, respectively. The sulfate adsorption obtained was 24.09% and 13.83%, respectively, in the two soils. The anions exhibited monolayer adsorption in the soils with replacement of hydroxyl ions from soils as the major mechanism of adsorption. On the other hand, the adsorption capacities obtained from the adsorption‐diffusion column experiment were about 100 times lower compared to that of the column tests of both of the soils. The maximum adsorption capacity of chloride was 0.03 mg/g and 0.01 mg/g, respectively, in soil‐1 and soil‐2, whereas that of sulfate was 0.04 mg/g and 0.03 mg/g. The empirical relation for depth of penetration (d) from a known spillage onto the soil surface was determined as a function of sorption capacity (S) and initial anion concentration (C) as d = 0.0073e(−57S)C and d = 0.0038e(−35S)C for chloride and sulfate, respectively.
Polymer‐mediated gene therapy: Recent advances and merging of delivery techniques
Authors: Salameh Janelle W. , Zhou Le , Ward Sarah M. , Santa Chalarca Cristiam F. , Emrick Todd , Figueiredo Marxa L.
Published: December 2019

The ability to safely and precisely deliver genetic materials to target sites in complex biological environments is vital to the success of gene therapy. Numerous viral and nonviral vectors have been developed and evaluated for their safety and efficacy. This study will feature progress in synthetic polymers as nonviral vectors, which benefit from their chemical versatility, biocompatibility, and ability to carry both therapeutic cargo and targeting moieties. The combination of synthetic gene carrying constructs with advanced delivery techniques promises new therapeutic options for treating and curing genetic disorders.

This article is characterized under:

Therapeutic Approaches and Drug Discovery > Nanomedicine for Oncologic Disease

Therapeutic Approaches and Drug Discovery > Emerging Technologies
Does a Responsible University Need a Third Mission?
Authors: Karlsen James , Larrea Miren
Published: December 2019

There are different positions in the discourse about how the university can contribute to innovation, economic development and regional development. One position regards regional development as a new third mission. Another position argues for the integration of the regional role within the first two roles, which are teaching and research. Both positions are normative and rest on the assumption that the university is a homogeneous organisation and that transforming the role of the university into a regional development role is simple. However, if the university is a loosely coupled organisation, the transformation is more challenging. This chapter addresses this organisational challenge by arguing for the integration of regional development into teaching using the approach of responsible research and innovation. This approach requires that individuals assume personal responsibility for their actions while also reinforcing university institutional responsibility for setting policies, such as regional development policies. Regional responsibility in practice involves the co-generation of knowledge between university actors and regional actors. An action research case from the University of Agder, Norway, shows how the regional development role was integrated into the teaching mission.
Cohesion and Conflict in Transnational Merchant Families
Authors: Moghaddari Sonja
Published: December 2019

How do people negotiate the diversity of positionalities within kin groups? Through a diachronic approach, I investigate how Ali and Jalal, two merchants with Azeri and Gilaki ethnic identifications who came to Hamburg in the 1930s, mobilized kin to generate capital along the lines of generation, gender, and age. The reader simultaneously learns about the local history of Iranian immigration. Building on literature about historical merchant networks, the social organization of the Iranian marketplace (bazaar), the anthropology of kinship and transnational families, I question the social cohesion on which Aihwa Ong’s study of flexible capital creation relies. The material suggests that the experience of family relations influences agents’ positioning in the local Iranian social field.
An Association Between Diversity and Exoticism
Authors: Moghaddari Sonja
Published: December 2019

Focusing on contemporary Iranian artists and intellectuals, I examine the creation of collective identifications from an internal perspective. Drawing on research on migrant associations and ethnic and racial boundaries in Germany, the ethnographic account alternates between internal relations, member’s participation in the transnational field of Iranian artists, and representative activities in the German public sphere. It explains how the members’ unequal resources and varying politics of value caused a shift in the association’s system of value. From a critique of assimilationism and the promotion of the value of diversity, the group came to largely comply with the system of value prevailing in the German public sphere, sustained by its intersection with the one that shapes the transnational social field of Iranian artists.
Versorgung von Kindern und Jugendlichen mit Diabetes an Österreichs Schulen
Authors:   Österreichische Arbeitsgruppe Pädiatrische Endokrinologie und Diabetologie, Hofer Sabine E. ,   Österreichische Gesellschaft für Kinder- und Jugendheilkunde (ÖGKJ),   Österreichische Diabetesgesellschaft (ÖDG), Rami-Merhar Birgit , Fröhlich-Reiterer Elke , Damm Lilly , Karall Daniela , Kautzky-Willer Alexandra
Published: December 2019

Dieses Positionspapier gibt eine umfassende Orientierung im Umgang und in der Betreuung von Kindern und Jugendlichen mit Diabetes in Schulen, um bestehende Informationsdefizite zu kompensieren und das Problembewusstsein für die Thematik zu erhöhen. Die steigende Zahl an Schulkindern mit Diabetes sowie die längere Aufenthaltsdauer in Schulen und schulnahen Einrichtungen machen eine offizielle Stellungnahme der Österreichischen Diabetesgesellschaft und der Österreichischen Gesellschaft für Kinder- und Jugendheilkunde notwendig, um eine standardisierte Betreuung von Kindern und Jugendlichen mit Diabetes bundesweit an allen Schulen in Österreich zu gewährleisten.
Differences in MHC-B diversity and KIR epitopes in two populations of wild chimpanzees
Authors: Maibach Vincent , Langergraber Kevin , Leendertz Fabian H. , Wittig Roman M. , Vigilant Linda
Published: December 2019

The major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I genes play a critical role within the immune system, both by the presentation of antigens from intracellular pathogens to immunocompetent cells and by the interaction with killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIR) on natural killer cells (NK cells). Genes of the MHC are highly diverse, and MHC variation can have effects on the immune functionality of individuals; hence, comparisons of MHC diversity among closely related phylogenetic taxa may give insight into the factors responsible for the shaping of its diversity. The four geographically separated chimpanzee subspecies differ in their overall genetic diversity, have different population histories, and are confronted with different pathogens in their natural habitat, all of which may affect MHC class I DNA sequence diversity. Here, we compare theMHC-Bexon two DNA sequence diversity from 24 wild western and 46 wild eastern chimpanzees using necropsy and noninvasively collected fecal samples, respectively. We found a higherMHC-Bexon two nucleotide diversity, in our western than eastern chimpanzees. The inclusion of previously publishedMHC-Bexon two data from other western and eastern chimpanzees supported this finding. In addition, our results confirm and extend the finding of a very low C1 epitope frequency at eastern chimpanzee MHC-B molecules, which likely affects the ability of these molecules to interact with NK cells. While the understanding of the differing pathogen environments encountered by disparate populations of a species is a challenging endeavor, these findings highlight the potential for these pathogens to selectively shape immune system variation.
A rational method for determining intermittency in the transitional boundary layer
Authors: Veerasamy Dhamotharan , Atkin Chris
Published: December 2019

A new rational procedure is proposed for determining the intermittency in the streamwise direction. One of the key parameters for the intermittency determination is the selection of a threshold value, which often involves a certain level of subjectivity. Here, a reliable way of choosing the threshold value in a more objective manner is proposed. The proposed approach involves a single threshold value, equal to the magnitude of the maximum laminar perturbation in the transitional flow. The results obtained are validated with the widely used dual-slope method. In this paper, the measurements are carried out on an experimental arrangement, involving the interaction of an upstream aerofoil wake with a downstream flat plate boundary layer. As a by-product of the study, a scaling parameter has been identified which captures the length of the transition zone as the proximity of the aerofoil in the wall-normal direction is varied.

Graphic abstract
Cell Size Decrease and Altered Size Structure of Phytoplankton Constrain Ecosystem Functioning in the Middle Danube River Over Multiple Decades
Authors: Abonyi András , Kiss Keve Tihamér , Hidas András , Borics Gábor , Várbíró Gábor , Ács Éva
Published: December 2019

Reduced body size is among the universal ecological responses to global warming. Our knowledge on how altered body size affects ecosystem functioning in ectothermic aquatic organisms is still limited. We analysed trends in the cell size structure of phytoplankton in the middle Danube River over a 34-year period at multiple levels: (1) average cell size of assemblages (ACS), (2) within the centric diatom community and (3) in the dominant centric diatom taxon: Stephanodiscus. We asked whether global warming and human impacts affected the average cell size of phytoplankton. Also, whether the altered size structure affected how chlorophyll-a, as an ecosystem functioning measure, relates to the ACS of phytoplankton. The cell size of phytoplankton decreased significantly at all organisation levels, and the assemblages became more dispersed in cell size over time. Environmental variables related to global warming and human impacts affected the ACS of phytoplankton significantly. The relationship between chlorophyll-a and the ACS of phytoplankton shifted from negative linear to broad and then narrow hump shape over time. Longer water residence time, warming and decline in nutrients and suspended solids decrease the ACS of phytoplankton in the middle Danube and expectedly in other large rivers. Our results suggest that cell size decrease in phytoplankton, especially of centric diatoms, constrains planktic algal biomass production in large rivers, independently of algal density. Such cell size decrease may also affect higher trophic levels and enhance the more frequent occurrence of “clear-water” plankton in large, human-impacted rivers under global change.
Gab es eine „Kölner Schule“ der bundesrepublikanischen Soziologie? Zu René Königs Professionalisierung der Soziologie
Authors: Moebius Stephan , Griesbacher Martin
Published: December 2019

Nach dem 2. Weltkrieg etablierten sich mehrere Zentren der bundesrepublikanischen Soziologie. Neben den Frankfurtern Theodor W. Adorno und Max Horkheimer und dem Münsteraner Helmut Schelsky war es René König, der in Köln die Soziologie neu ausrichtete und wesentlichen Anteil an ihrer Institutionalisierung und Professionalisierung hatte. Oft wurde im Zusammenhang dieser „Ausgangskonstellation“ (Lepsius) von „drei Soziologien“ (Dahrendorf) gesprochen, wobei auch explizit von einer „Kölner Schule“ die Rede war. Inwiefern kann jedoch von einer bundesrepublikanischen „Kölner Schule“ tatsächlich ausgegangen werden? Der folgende Beitrag möchte die verbreitete Bezeichnung „Kölner Schule“ sowie deren Merkmale kritisch hinterfragen und diskutieren. Nach einer Auseinandersetzung mit soziologiegeschichtlichen Konzepten zur Erfassung wissenschaftlicher Kollektive wird anhand des soziologischen Schulenbegriffs geprüft, ob die Kölner Soziologie von 1945 bis Mitte der 1970er-Jahre zentrale Kriterien einer Schule erfüllt hat. Dabei wird erstens René König als „charismatischer Stifter“ der kognitiven Leitideen (sowohl theoretischer als auch methodischer Art) der Kölner Soziologie positioniert. Zweitens werden die Institutionalisierungs- und Professionalisierungsprozesse in Köln und deren Öffentlichkeitswirkung anhand einer knappen Geschichte des Instituts, derKölner Zeitschrift für Soziologie und Sozialpsychologie(KZfSS) sowie einiger weiterer „Flaggschiffpublikationen“ wie dasFischer-Lexikonund dasHandbuch der empirischen Sozialforschungskizziert. Drittens wird auf die Bindung weiterer soziologischer Akteure (Schüler) durch die Lehre René Königs eingegangen. Wie bei dem Lexikon, den Handbüchern oder derKZfSS(und insbesondere ihrer Sonderhefte) zeigt sich eine breite Palette an Themen und Schülern, die der üblichen Reduzierung des Kerns der „Kölner Schule“ auf empirische Sozialforschung nicht gerecht wird. Der Beitrag zeigt stattdessen, dass der schulenbildende Kern der Kölner Soziologie vielmehr in der von König ins Leben gerufenen, dezidiert empirisch orientierten, problemzentrierten Ausdifferenzierung, Spezialisierung und Professionalisierung der bundesrepublikanischen Soziologie gesehen werden muss. Insofern umfasste die von König initiierte „Kölner Schule“ durchaus die Kriterien eines soziologiegeschichtlichen Schulenbegriffs, was aber aus heutiger Sicht aufgrund der schlussendlichen Popularisierung und Veralltäglichung ihrer Leitideen im soziologischen Betrieb aus dem Blick geriet.
High Canonical Wnt/β-Catenin Activity Sensitizes Murine Hematopoietic Stem and Progenitor Cells to DNA Damage
Authors: Wang Yiting , Cui Hui , Tao Si , Zeng Ting , Wu Jianying , Tao Zhendong , Zhang Liu , Zou Bing , Chen Zhiyang , Garside George B. , Tang Duozhuang
Published: December 2019

Aging is characterized by the accumulation of DNA damage and a decrease in stem cell functionality, yet molecular mechanisms that limit the maintenance of stem cells in response to DNA damage remain to be delineated. Here we show in mouse models that DNA damage leads to a transient over-activation of Wnt signaling in hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs), and that high activity of canonical Wnt/β-catenin signaling sensitizes HSCs to DNA damage induced by X-irradiation which results in preferential maintenance of HSCs with low levels of Wnt signaling. The study shows that genetic or chemical activation of canonical Wnt signaling enhances radiosensitivity of HSCs while inhibition of Wnt signaling decreases it. Together, these results indicate that levels of Wnt signaling activity mediate heterogeneity in the sensitivity of HSCs to DNA damage induced depletion. These findings could be relevant for molecular alterations and selection of stem cells in the context of DNA damage accumulation during aging and cancer formation.
The validity of two widely used commercial and research-grade activity monitors, during resting, household and activity behaviours
Authors: O’Driscoll R. , Turicchi J. , Hopkins M. , Gibbons C. , Larsen S. C. , Palmeira A. L. , Heitmann B. L. , Horgan G. W. , Finlayson G. , Stubbs R. J.
Published: December 2019

Wearable devices are increasingly prevalent in research environments for the estimation of energy expenditure (EE) and heart rate (HR). The aim of this study was to validate the HR and EE estimates of the Fitbit charge 2 (FC2), and the EE estimates of the Sensewear armband mini (SWA). We recruited 59 healthy adults to participate in walking, running, cycling, sedentary and household tasks. Estimates of HR from the FC2 were compared to a HR chest strap (Polar) and EE to a stationary metabolic cart (Vyntus CPX). The SWA overestimated overall EE by 0.03 kcal/min−1 and was statistically equivalent to the criterion measure, with a mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) of 29%. In contrast, the FC2 was not equivalent overall (MAPE = 44%). In household tasks, MAPE values of 93% and 83% were observed for the FC2 and SWA, respectively. The FC2 HR estimates were equivalent to the criterion measure overall. The SWA is more accurate than the commercial-grade FC2. Neither device is consistently accurate across the range of activities used in this study. The HR data obtained from the FC2 is more accurate than its EE estimates and future research may focus more on this variable.
New hybrid method for heart disease diagnosis utilizing optimization algorithm in feature selection
Authors: Nourmohammadi-Khiarak Jalil , Feizi-Derakhshi Mohammad-Reza , Behrouzi Khadijeh , Mazaheri Samaneh , Zamani-Harghalani Yashar , Tayebi Rohollah Moosavi
Published: December 2019

The number and size of medical databases are rapidly increasing, and the advanced models of data mining techniques could help physicians to make efficient and applicable decisions. The challenges of heart disease data include the feature selection, the number of the samples; imbalance of the samples, lack of magnitude for some features, etc. This study mainly focuses on the feature selection improvement and decreasing the numbers of the features. In this study, imperialist competitive algorithm with meta-heuristic approach is suggested in order to select prominent features of the heart disease. This algorithm can provide a more optimal response for feature selection toward genetic in compare with other optimization algorithms. Also, the K-nearest neighbor algorithm is used for the classification. Evaluation result shows that by using the proposed algorithm, the accuracy of feature selection technique has been improved.
Real-time water quality monitoring through Internet of Things and ANOVA-based analysis: a case study on river Krishna
Authors: Pujar Prasad M. , Kenchannavar Harish H. , Kulkarni Raviraj M. , Kulkarni Umakant P.
Published: December 2019

In this paper, an attempt has been made to develop a statistical model based on Internet of Things (IoT) for water quality analysis of river Krishna using different water quality parameters such as pH, conductivity, dissolved oxygen, temperature, biochemical oxygen demand, total dissolved solids and conductivity. These parameters are very important to assess the water quality of the river. The water quality data were collected from six stations of river Krishna in the state of Karnataka. River Krishna is the fourth largest river in India with approximately 1400 km of length and flows from its origin toward Bay of Bengal. In our study, we have considered only stretch of river Krishna flowing in state of Karnataka, i.e., length of about 483 km. In recent years, the mineral-rich river basin is subjected to rapid industrialization, thus polluting the river basin. The river water is bound to get polluted from various pollutants such as the urban waste water, agricultural waste and industrial waste, thus making it unusable for anthropogenic activities. The traditional manual technique that is under use is a very slow process. It requires staff to collect the water samples from the site and take them to the laboratory and then perform the analysis on various water parameters which is costly and time-consuming process. The timely information about water quality is thus unavailable to the people in the river basin area. This creates a perfect opportunity for swift real-time water quality check through analysis of water samples collected from the river Krishna. IoT is one of the ways with which real-time monitoring of water quality of river Krishna can be done in quick time. In this paper, we have emphasized on IoT-based water quality monitoring by applying the statistical analysis for the data collected from the river Krishna. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and two-way ANOVA were applied for the data collected, and found that one-way ANOVA was more effective in carrying out water quality analysis. The hypotheses that are drawn using ANOVA were used for water quality analysis. Further, these analyses can be used to train the IoT system so that it can take the decision whenever there is abnormal change in the reading of any of the water quality parameters.
Hydrodynamic Resistance of Intracranial Flow-Diverter Stents: Measurement Description and Data Evaluation
Authors: Csippa Benjamin , Gyürki Dániel , Závodszky Gábor , Szikora István , Paál György
Published: December 2019

Purpose

Intracranial aneurysms are malformations forming bulges on the walls of brain arteries. A flow diverter device is a fine braided wire structure used for the endovascular treatment of brain aneurysms. This work presents a rig and a protocol for the measurement of the hydrodynamic resistance of flow diverter stents. Hydrodynamic resistance is interpreted here as the pressure loss versus volumetric flow rate function through the mesh structure. The difficulty of the measurement is the very low flow rate range and the extreme sensitivity to contamination and disturbances.

Methods

Rigorous attention was paid to reproducibility, hence a strict protocol was designed to ensure controlled circumstances and accuracy. Somewhat unusually, the history of the development of the rig, including the pitfalls was included in the paper. In addition to the hydrodynamic resistance measurements, the geometrical properties—metallic surface area, pore density, deployed and unconstrained length and diameter—of the stent deployment were measured.

Results

Based on our evaluation method a confidence band can be determined for a given deployment scenario. Collectively analysing the hydrodynamic resistance and the geometric indices, a deeper understanding of an implantation can be obtained. Our results suggest that to correctly interpret the hydrodynamic resistance of a scenario, the deployment length has to be considered. To demonstrate the applicability of the measurement, as a pilot study the results of four intracranial flow diverter stents of two types and sizes have been reported in this work. The results of these measurements even on this small sample size provide valuable information on differences between stent types and deployment scenarios.
Ultrasonography-Based Qualitative and Quantitative Evaluation Approaches for Pompe Disease
Authors: Lee Yueh-Hui , Chiou Hong-Jen , Bau Da-Tian , Niu Dau-Ming , Hsu Ting-Rong , Huang Hsuan-En , Shih Tzu-Ching
Published: December 2019

Purpose

The aim of this study was to propose the qualitative and quantitative approaches to evaluate the skeletal muscle ultrasound images of 23 Pompe disease (i.e., acid maltase deficiency, AMD) patients and 14 normal subjects.

Methods

A cohort of 23 AMD patients and 14 normal subjects has been investigated. We compared the B-mode echo intensity of the rectus femoris muscle with that of its surrounding fat (subcutaneous fat) and proposed a qualitative grading method. Quantitative analysis of the region of interest (ROI) with the echo intensity and the segmented area was also performed.

Results

Qualitative results showed that AMD patients without clinical symptoms (without undergoing ERT) had the highest distribution of Grade 1, and AMD patients undergoing ERT had the widest distribution of Grade 2, and control group (n = 14) with the highest distribution of Grade 1. Using the segmented area approach, quantitative results showed that AMD patients undergoing ERT had the largest and widest distribution. Meanwhile the control subjects (normal subjects) had the lowest and the narrowest areas. The echo intensity of the segmented ROI of AMD patients undergoing ERT displayed the highest and widest (inhomogeneous) distributions. By contrast, the echo intensity of AMD patients without clinical symptoms was slightly increased and with low inhomogeneity.

Conclusion

The proposed ultrasonography-based qualitative and quantitative approach may be used to evaluate the severity of muscle destruction for AMD patients. Besides, the quantitative segmented area with regression analysis could help predict the incidence of onset of Pompe disease patients.
Designing a New Endoscope for Panoramic-View with Focus-Area 3D-Vision in Minimally Invasive Surgery
Authors: Kim Dinh Thai , Cheng Ching-Hwa , Liu Don-Gey , Liu Kai Che Jack , Huang Wayne Shih Wei
Published: December 2019

Purpose

The minimally invasive surgery (MIS) has shown advantages when compared to traditional surgery. However, there are two major challenges in the MIS technique: the limited field of view (FOV) and the lack of depth perception provided by the standard monocular endoscope. Therefore, in this study, we proposed a New Endoscope for Panoramic-View with Focus-Area 3D-Vision (3DMISPE) in order to provide surgeons with a broad view field and 3D images in the surgical area for real-time display.

Method

The proposed system consisted of two endoscopic cameras fixed to each other. Compared to our previous study, the proposed algorithm for the stitching videos was novel. This proposed stitching algorithm was based on the stereo vision synthesis theory. Thus, this new method can support 3D reconstruction and image stitching at the same time. Moreover, our approach employed the same functions on reconstructing 3D surface images by calculating the overlap region’s disparity and performing image stitching with the two-view images from both the cameras.

Results

The experimental results demonstrated that the proposed method can combine two endoscope’s FOV into one wider FOV. In addition, the part in the overlap region could also be synthesized for a 3D display to provide more information about depth and distance, with an error of about 1 mm. In the proposed system, the performance could achieve a frame rate of up to 11.3 fps on a single Intel i5-4590 CPU computer and 17.6 fps on a computer with an additional GTX1060 Nvidia GeForce GPU. Furthermore, the proposed stitching method in this study could be made 1.4 times after when compared to that in our previous report. Besides, our method also improved stitched image quality by significantly reducing the alignment errors or “ghosting” when compared to the SURF-based stitching method employed in our previous study.

Conclusion

The proposed system can provide a more efficient way for the doctors with a broad area of view while still providing a 3D surface image in real-time applications. Our system give promises to improve existing limitations in laparoscopic surgery such as the limited FOV and the lack of depth perception.
Trust and kinship: experimental evidence from rural India
Authors: Yashodha
Published: December 2019

The evidence on the welfare effects of kinship is mixed, suggesting both positive and adverse effects of kinship. This study looks into the differential effects of kinship on trusting and trustworthy behaviour by investigating the subjects’ motives and drivers of differential behaviour towards kin and non-kin. We conducted an economic experiment with households of rural India. We found that kin are trusted more than non-kin and that differential trust towards kin and non-kin is mainly driven by higher other-regarding preferences towards kin rather than being due to differences in expected reciprocity between kin and non-kin. We observed a heterogeneous effect of kin on trustworthy behaviour: kin exhibit low trustworthiness when they are not close to other kin, while they exhibit higher trustworthiness when they have close kin in the network.
Traditional methods of harvesting termites used as poultry feed in Burkina Faso
Authors: Dao Aïchatou Nadia Christelle , Sankara Fernand , Pousga Salimata , Coulibaly Kalifa , Nacoulma Jacques Philippe , Ouedraogo Somalgré , Kenis Marc , Somda Irénée
Published: December 2019

Termites are commonly used by smallholder farmers in West Africa to feed their poultry. A survey was carried out among poultry farmers in Burkina Faso to gather knowledge on the traditional methods used to obtain termites for poultry feed, to assess which termite genera are collected with which techniques and evaluate prospects for optimising and improving the collection and trapping methods. Data were collected among 1100 poultry farmers in eight regions of Burkina Faso on the harvesting techniques, the termite species and their local names as well as on the use of residues. After the interviews, termite samples were collected with the farmers and identified in the laboratory. At least five termite species were found. Species of the genera Odontotermes, Trinervitermes and Macrotermes are commonly given to chickens and guinea fowls whereas a Cubitermes species is sometimes used to feed guinea fowls. Two categories of methods are used to obtain termites, the direct collection by breaking termite mounds and the trapping of termites in containers filled with organic matters. The harvesting method varies with the termite genus, the region and the season. Different techniques with various types of containers and organic matters are used in the country and these techniques should be tested and compared to recommend the most efficient ones. The enhancement of termite trapping methods and their integration in poultry feed have the potential to significantly improve traditional poultry farming in Burkina Faso.