bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Análisis de la satisfacción laboral del profesorado de español como lengua extranjera (ELE)
Authors: Méndez Santos María C. , Hidalgo Gallardo Matías , Pano Alamán Ana 
Published: December 2020

En este artículo se presentan los resultados de una investigación cuantitativa de carácter exploratorio sobre el grado de satisfacción del profesorado de ELE sobre sus condiciones laborales y perspectivas profesionales. Se discuten críticamente los datos recogidos mediante un cuestionario distribuido en línea entre 673 docentes, que mide la satisfacción en ocho dimensiones: organizativa, económica, afectiva, motivacional, discriminación, ambiente laboral, realización profesional y beneficios sociales. Los resultados permiten obtener una primera panorámica de las condiciones temporales, organizativas, económicas, sociales y psicológicas de la profesión. A pesar de algunas limitaciones relacionadas con la posible sobrerrepresentación de ciertas áreas geográficas y contextos laborales, este estudio constituye un primer estadio válido para abordar los aspectos cualitativos posteriormente. La principal conclusión extraída es que, en líneas generales y gracias a la fuerte vocación del profesorado, el grado de satisfacción con la profesión es alto. No obstante, esta adolece de problemas estructurales que se describen.
Impact of government policies on Sustainable Petroleum Supply Chain (SPSC): A case study – Part I (Models)
Authors: Ghahremanlou Davoud , Kubiak Wieslaw 
Published: December 2020

Environmental concerns and energy security have led governments to establish legislations to convertConventional Petroleum Supply Chain (CPSC) to Sustainable Petroleum Supply Chain (SPSC). The United States(US), one of the biggest oil consumers in the world, has created regulations to manage ethanol production and con-sumption for the last half century. Though these regulations have created new opportunities, they have also added newburdens to the obligated parties. It is thus key for the government, the obligated parties, and related businesses to studythe impact of the policies on the SPSC. We develop a two-stage stochastic programming model, General Model (GM),which incorporates Renewable Fuel Standard 2 (RFS2), Tax Credits, Tariffs, and Blend Wall (BW) to study the policyimpact on the SPSC using cellulosic ethanol. The model, as any other general model available in the literature, makesit highly impractical to study the policy impact due to the model’s computational complexity. We use the GM to derivea Lean Model (LM) to study the impact by running computational experiments more efficiently and consequently byarriving at robust managerial insights much faster. We present a case study of the policy impact on the SPSC in theState of Nebraska using the LM in the accompanying part II (Ghahremanlou and Kubiak 2020).
Association between TP53 and MDM2 Gene Polymorphisms and Risk of Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Hepatitis C Virus among Egyptian Populations
Authors: Zaky Ahmed Mohamed , Hanafy Shaden Muawia , Bordiny Magdy Mamdouh El- , Wafa Reham Abdel Haleem Abu El- 
Published: December 2020

Background: The Murine double minute 2 (MDM2) gene is overexpressed in several human tumors. The oncogenic potential of MDM2 is partially explained by inhibition of the activity of the tumor suppressor protein P53 (negative regulator of the P53 tumor suppressor protein). A single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in the promoter region of MDM2 gene (T to G exchange at nucleotide 309) and TP53 gene (codon 72 exon 4, rs1042522 encoding either C or G) have been independently associated with increased risk of several cancer types. Few studies have analyzed the role of these polymorphisms in the development of hepatocellular carcinoma among Egyptian patients with chronic hepatitis C virus infection.
Methods: The study consisted in the comparison of the genotype distribution of TP53 and MDM2 SNP309 in 100 viral hepatitis C-related hepatocellular carcinomas (HCC) cases and 100 controls without HCC matched for age, gender and ethnicity. PCR-RFLP (restriction fragment length polymorphism) and real time PCR methods were used to determine the genotype at the MDM2 SNP309T>G locus and TP53 rs1042522.
Results: Overall, our results indicate that frequencies of TP53 alleles (C and G) were not significant different between HCC cases and healthy controls (p=0.093) (Odds Ratio, OR=1.361,95% Confidence Interval, 95% CI=0.949 – 1.951). A significant increase of MDM2 SNP309 G/G and T/G genotypes were observed among HCC cases (Odds Ratio, OR=4.868, 95% Confidence Interval, 95% CI= 2.873 – 8.251).
Conclusions: Our finding suggest that people who have G allele increase the risk by 4.868 folds for developing HCC among Egyptian patients, consequently the MDM2 309T>G polymorphism is an important modulator of hepatocellular carcinoma development in Egyptian patients.
Evaluation of Comparable Crops to Maize in Rain Fed Alfisols of Telangana State
Authors: Lakshmi Y. Siva , Sravanthi D. , Susheela R. , Ramanjaneyulu A. V. , Reddy P. Raghu Rami 
Published: December 2020

Tornala village of Siddipet District (Previously part of Medak district) in Telangana State comes under low rainfall area with an average annual rainfall of 787.6 mm and experiences extreme seasonal variation in rainfall. A new Agricultural Research Station was established in 2014 to meet the agricultural needs of adjoining areas of Siddipet District. Maize is one of the principal crops of the Siddipet District grown in light soils under rain fed situation. Erratic behaviour of rainfall results in moisture stress of both kinds (excess and deficit) during maize growing season which is leading to frequent crop failures. Millets and pulses are gaining importance which can be grown very well under rainfed situation. To create awareness among the farmers about the importance of other drought tolerant crops suitable for the situation and also to promote drought resistant and short duration, nutritional rich pulse crops in place of maize was the primary objective in conducting this trial. Keeping the above in view, a field experiment was conducted to identify a suitable crop comparable/ alternative to maize with a view to reduce the risk of crop failure under rain fed conditions and to realize the nutritive value of millets. Nine crops viz. Bajra, Ragi, Korra, Maize, Green gram, Pigeon pea, Cotton, Castor Hybrid (PCH 111) and Castor variety (Kranthi) were evaluated for three years. Yields of all the crops were converted into maize equivalent yields and economics was worked out. Pooled means were worked out for yield as well as for economic returns. Results showed that higher maize equivalent yield was recorded in Pigeon pea (4354 kg ha-1) followed by Bajra (2804 kg ha-1), ragi (2604 kg ha-1), cotton (2344 kg ha-1) and green gram (2075 kg ha-1). In terms of net returns pigeon pea recorded highest mean net returns (39080 Rs ha-1) followed by bajra (25553 Rs ha-1) and ragi (20614 Rs ha-1) whereas highest mean benefit cost ratio was with bajra (2.44) followed by pigeon pea (2.41) and ragi (2.05) compared to maize (2297 Rs ha-1 and 1.08 respectively). Hence, from the study it can be recommended that Bajra, Pigeon pea and Ragi can be grown in place of maize in low rain fall areas of Siddipet (Dt) under rain fed situation.
Identification of People at Risk of Developing Chronic Kidney Disease among Rural Disadvantageous Population in Bangladesh
Authors: Rahman Tanjina , Chowdhury Akibul Islam , Habib Mohammad Asadul , Rashid Harun Ur- , Arefin Shakib , Shashi Zannatul Ferdous , Tasnim Aidah 
Published: December 2020

Background: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a global disease and the prevalence of CKD is increasing in both developed and developing countries. The current study aimed to assess subjects in the rural areas of Sylhet district in Bangladesh to identify individuals who may be predisposed to at risk for developing CKD.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out among 996 subjects from Sylhet district of Bangladesh. Data were collected by using a standard questionnaire from 82 villages. Data about socio-demographic, medical history and anthropometric and biochemical parameters were collected. Urine dipstick test was done for both albumin and glucose. Descriptive statistics and ANOVA-test were performed for statistical analysis.
Results: The study revealed that people living in rural areas of Sylhet in Bangladesh are at risk of developing CKD and the hidden cause behind it includes not only diabetes and hypertension, but also other lifestyle related factors. Younger participants were found to be at less risk compared to older participants for developing CKD. From urinary dipstick test, 2% and 3.3% subjects had severe traces of albumin and glucose in their urine. Approximately 16% of subjects had hypertension. From the data of 99 out of 996 subjects for urine albumin dipstick test, 98 respondents were identified as stage I CKD patients and only one was identified as stage II CKD patients.
Conclusion: As dialysis and transplants are unsustainable in the long term, it is important to seek preventive strategies when patients are in pre-dialysis state and identify and manage those at high risk. Nutrition and life-style choices can play key roles to achieve this. So, urgent low-cost programs are needed to identify people who are at risk of CKD as well as address their current medical condition to initiate early management of CKD patients.
Thermotogales
Authors: Bonch‐Osmolovskaya Elizaveta 
Published: December 2020

Abstract

Members of the order Thermotogales have an outstanding phylogenetic position within the domain Bacteria, based on their 16S rRNA (ribosomal ribonucleic acid) genes sequences and complete genomes analysis. Some Thermotogales organisms are hyperthermophiles with the upper temperature limit of growth at 90 °C whereas others are extreme or moderate thermophiles. All Thermotogales are obligately anaerobic organotrophs with a fermentative metabolism. Thermotogales are widely distributed all over the world inhabiting terrestrial hot springs, shallow‐water and deep‐sea submarine hot vents, hot subsurface biosphere and thermophilic anaerobic reactors. Many thermostable enzymes of Thermotogales were characterised and could be used in different fields of biotechnology.

Key Concepts

Thermotogales represent one of the most ancient lineages of Bacteria.

Thermotogales have specific cell morphology features ‐ sheaths or bubbles formed by their outer cell membrane.

Thermotogales have the highest growth temperatures among Bacteria.

Thermotogales are widely spread in thermal environments including subsurface and anthropogenic ones.

Thermotogales are anaerobic organotrophs, and their highly thermostable enzymes are widely used in biotechnology.
Immunological Memory
Authors: Zanetti Maurizio 
Published: December 2020

Abstract

Immunological memory is a distinct characteristic of the immune system. This property provides an advantage in the course of protective responses against pathogens and tumour cells. The concept of immunologic memory classically refers to the property of the adaptive branch of the immune system and was described as the development of a response against the same antigen that is greater and faster than the original response. However, there exist two additional types of immunity: transmissible neonatal memory and innate memory or
trained immunity
. Considerable progress has been made in the elucidation of the multiple cellular and molecular mechanisms regulating the induction and maintenance of immunological memory. Although our understanding remains imperfect, the current cumulative information allows one to recognise operational patterns and identify those principles that will aid better understand the role of the immune system in protection against disease and in the design of better vaccines.

Key Concepts

Immunological memory represents an important aspect of the immune system in mammals.

Transmissible neonatal memory refers to antibodies transmitted from mother to newborn which protect against cytopathic and life‐threatening pathogens.

Classical immunological memory is an acquired property of the adaptive branch of the immune system and involves both B lymphocytes (antibody‐producing cells) and T cells.

Innate immunologic memory or
trained immunity
is a form of immunologic memory that relates to the innate branch of the immune system and involves monocytes, macrophages and natural killer (NK) cells.

Memory responses by the immune system occur according to only partially understood operational principles.

Memory responses form the basis for the effectiveness of vaccines against pathogens and cancer cells.

Memory responses protect the individual and the species against the threat of pathogens and cancer cells.
Spatial and dosimetric evaluation of residual distortions of prostate and seminal vesicle bed after image‐guided definitive and postoperative radiotherapy of prostate cancer with endorectal balloon
Authors: Levegrün Sabine , Pöttgen Christoph , Xydis Konstantinos , Guberina Maja , Abu Jawad Jehad , Stuschke Martin 
Published: December 2020

AbstractPurposeTo quantify daily residual deviations from the planned geometry after image‐guided prostate radiotherapy with endorectal balloon and to evaluate their effect on the delivered dose distribution.MethodsDaily kV‐CBCT imaging was used for online setup‐correction in six degrees of freedom (6‐dof) for 24 patients receiving definitive (12 RTdef patients) or postoperative (12 RTpostop patients) radiotherapy with endorectal balloon (overall 739 CBCTs). Residual deviations were evaluated using several spatial and dosimetric variables, including: (a) posterior Hausdorff distance HDpost (=maximum distance between planned and daily CTV contour), (b) point Pworst with largest HDpost over all fractions, (c) equivalent uniform dose using a cell survival model (EUDSF) and the generalized EUD concept (gEUDa with parameter a = −7 and a = −20). EUD values were determined for planned (), daily (), and delivered dose distributions () for plans with 6 mm (=clinical plans) and 2 mm CTV‐to‐PTV margin. Time series analyses of interfractional spatial and dosimetric deviations were conducted.ResultsLarge HDpost values ≥ 12.5 mm (≥15 mm) were observed in 20/739 (5/739) fractions distributed across 7 (3) patients. Points Pworst were predominantly located at the posterior CTV boundary in the seminal vesicle region (16/24 patients, 6/7 patients with HDpost ≥ 12.5 mm). Time series analyses revealed a stationary white noise characteristic of HDpost and relative dose at Pworst. The EUDSF difference between planned and accumulated dose distributions was < 5.4% for all 6‐mm plans. Evaluating 2‐mm plans, EUDSF deteriorated by < 10% (<5%) in 75% (58.5%) of the patients. was well described by the median value of the distribution. PTV margin calculation at Pworst yielded 8.8 mm.ConclusionsAccumulated dose distributions in prostate radiotherapy with endorectal balloon are forgiving of considerable residual distortions after 6‐dof patient setup if they are observed in a minority of fractions and the median value of determined per fraction stays within 95% of prescribed dose. Common PTV margin calculations are overly conservative because after online correction of translational and rotational errors only residual deformations need to be included. These results provide guidelines regarding online navigation, margin optimization, and treatment adaptation strategies.
Photobiologically Directed Assembly of Gold Nanoparticles
Authors: Dietler Julia , Liang Chen , Frank Saskia , Müller Ann‐Kathrin , Greiner Andreas , Möglich Andreas 
Published: December 2020

AbstractIn nature, photoreceptor proteins undergo molecular responses to light, that exhibit supreme fidelity in time and space and generally occur under mild reaction conditions. To unlock these traits for material science, the light‐induced homodimerization of light‐oxygen‐voltage (LOV) photoreceptors is leveraged to control the assembly of gold nanoparticles. Conjugated to genetically encodable LOV proteins, the nanoparticles are monodispersed in darkness but rapidly assemble into large aggregates upon blue‐light exposure. The study establishes a new modality for reaction control in macromolecular chemistry and thus augurs enhanced precision in space and time in diverse applications of gold nanoparticles.
Trilayer Interlinked Graphene Oxide Membrane for Wearable Hemodialyzer
Authors: Rode Richard P. , Chung Henry H. , Miller Hayley N. , Gaborski Thomas R. , Moghaddam Saeed 
Published: December 2020

Abstract2D nanomaterials have long been considered for development of high permeability membranes. However, current processes have yet to yield a viable membrane for practical use due to the lack of scalability and substantial performance improvements over existing membranes. Herein, an ultrathin graphene oxide (GO) membrane with a permeability of 1562 mL h−1 mmHg−1 m−2, two orders of magnitude higher than the existing nanofiltration membranes, and a tight molecular weight cut‐off is presented. To build such a membrane, a new process involving self‐assembly and optimization of GO nanoplatelet physicochemical properties is developed. The process produces a highly organized mosaic of nanoplatelets enabling ultra‐high permeability and selectivity. An adjustable molecular interlinker between the layers enables absolute nanometer‐scale size cut‐offs. These characteristics promise significant improvements to many nanoparticle and biological separation applications. In this work, the performance of the membrane in blood dialysis scenarios is evaluated. Urea and cytochrome‐c sieving coefficients of 0.5 and 0.4 are achieved while retaining 99% of albumin. Hemolysis, complement activation, and coagulation studies exhibit a performance on par or superior to the existing dialysis membrane materials.
Mutational Profile Evaluates Response and Survival to First‐Line Chemotherapy in Lung Cancer
Authors: He Yayi , Song Lele , Wang Hao , Chen Peixin , Liu Yu , Sun Hui , Li Xiaobin , Dang Shiying , Liu Guifeng , Liu Xinyi , Chen Shifu , Zhang Xiaoni , Hofman Paul , Uchino Junji , Park Henry S. , Pacheco Jose M. , Tabbò Fabrizio , Xu Mingyan , Dai Jiawei , He Kan , Yang Yang , Zhou Caicun ,   written on behalf of the AME Lung Cancer Collaborative Group
Published: December 2020

AbstractEvaluating the therapeutic response and survival of lung cancer patients receiving first‐line chemotherapy has always been difficult. Limited biomarkers for evaluation exist and as a result histology represents an empiric tool to guide therapeutic decision making. In this study, molecular signatures associated with response and long‐term survival of lung cancer patients receiving first‐line chemotherapy are discovered. Whole‐exome sequencing is performed on pretherapeutic tissue samples of 186 patients [145 non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and 41 small cell lung cancer (SCLC)]. On the basis of genomic alteration characteristics, NSCLC patients can be classified into four subtypes (C1–C4). The long‐term survival is similar among different subtypes. SCLC patients are also divided into four subtypes and significant difference in their progression free survival is revealed (P < 0.001). NSCLC patients can be divided into three subtypes (S1–S3) based on TMB. A trend of worse survival associated with higher TMB in subtype S3 than in S1+S2 is found. In contrast, no significant correlations between molecular subtype and therapeutic response are observed. In conclusion, this study identifies several molecular signatures associated with response and survival to first‐line chemotherapy in lung cancer.
Organic supramolecular aggregates based on water‐soluble cyclodextrins and calixarenes
Authors: Liu Zhixue , Dai Xianyin , Sun Yonghui , Liu Yu 
Published: December 2020

AbstractMacrocycle‐induced formation of pure organic supramolecular aggregates is a challenge that has attracted considerable attention from researchers in the fields of chemistry, biology, and materials science. In particular, aggregation induced by water‐soluble cyclodextrins and calixarenes, which are two classic of macrocycles with a hydrophobic cavity and a hydrophilic external surface, has attracted interest because these host molecules can form aggregates with guest molecules via various noncovalent interactions, including hydrophobic interactions, van der Waals forces, hydrogen bonds, and electrostatic interactions. In this review, we focus mainly on some impressive recent progress, both by our group and other groups, on the construction of cyclodextrin‐ and calixarene‐based organic supramolecular aggregates, control of their topological morphology, and their use for biological applications such as molecular recognition and bioimaging, photodynamic therapy, light‐harvesting energy transfer, and targeted drug delivery. We also discuss shortcomings of the current reported results and future prospects for the development of multifunctional organic supramolecular aggregates for use in various fields.
AIEgen–lipid structures: Assembly and biological applications
Authors: Cao Hongqian , Yang Yang , Li Junbai 
Published: December 2020

AbstractAggregation‐induced emission (AIE) molecules possess notable advantages outperforming traditional aggregation caused quenching (ACQ) materials on various aspects. They are rapidly developed these years. More and more AIE luminogens (AIEgens) are designed to possess multifunctions such as the abilities of near‐infrared two‐photon absorption and reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, which could be used for deep tissue imaging and photodynamic therapy. The AIEgens exhibit great potential in biological application field. However, despite the photophysics stability and ROS generation ability in aggregated states are favorable conditions, their applications in biological field are retarded by uncontrolled size, single imaging mode, low targeting efficiency, and also poor biocompatibility and dispersibility in physiological environment. The combination of AIEgen and lipid is a straightforward, promising, and intensively used way to solve the above problems. Due to the special amphipathic property of lipid, which results from a hydrophilic head and hydrophobic tail structure, there are various possibilities of combination modes between lipid and AIEgen. Even a little procedure or condition change during the synthesis process will impact the structure of obtained product, which can further influence its application. Herein, we summarize the synthesis methods of different AIEgen–lipid compounds with diverse structures and properties, as well as their biological applications in this contribution, which has not been presented before, being aimed at serving as a synthesis and application reference for these promising AIEgen–lipid compounds applied in biological region.
Nitrogen‐doped carbon dots from Kraft lignin waste with inorganic acid catalyst and their brain cell imaging applications
Authors: Pei Yixian , Chang An‐Yi , Liu Xuan , Wang Hua , Zhang Hongbo , Radadia Adarsh , Wang Yuxin , Yu William W. , Wang Shengnian 
Published: December 2020

AbstractCarbon quantum dots (C‐QDs) show potential to replace traditional semiconductive quantum dots as the next generation of fluorescent probes. We demonstrate here a new C‐QD production process using lignin, a high‐volume but low market‐value industrial waste and/or environmental hazards, as the starting carbon source. By adding a small amount of inorganic acid, the rich phenolic components in lignin were successfully converted to C‐QDs through a coking formation mechanism similar to what happens on solid acid catalysts in traditional fossil fuel cracking process. Their aqueous solution presence of the received lignin C‐QDs is beneficial for brain cell imaging applications, attributing to their fast internalization, low toxicity, tunable photoluminescence by appropriate acidity and reaction temperature during hydrothermal synthesis. This method not only provides a low‐cost C‐QDs production route, but also helps gain extra profit and/or improve environment for many small agricultural business and paper and pulp industry located in rural area.