bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Studentovo hodnocení výuky: validace a adaptace dotazníku CEQ pro podmínky českých vysokých škol
Authors: Juklová Kateřina , Michek Stanislav , Soukup Petr , Vondroušová Jindra , Vrabcová Daniela 
Published: September 2020

Cílem příspěvku je seznámit s průběhem a výsledky validace a adaptace dotazníku CEQ (Course Experience Questionnaire) a diskutovat jeho využitelnost v aktuálních podmínkách českých vysokých škol. Originální verze dotazníku vznikla na základě intenzivních výzkumů učení studentů koncem 80. let v Austrálii a v současné době je jedním z celosvětově nejužívanějších nástrojů pro hodnocení kvality výuky studentem v terciárním vzdělávání. Vzhledem k aktuální potřebě českých vysokých škol realizovat autoevaluační procesy s použitím validních a spolehlivých nástrojů považujeme ověření psychometrických vlastností dotazníku a jeho adaptaci za jedno z možných řešení. V úvodní části textu je nastíněn kontext a okolnosti vzniku australského originálu včetně teoretických koncepcí, které se staly jeho základem. Proces adaptace a validace byl realizován na Pedagogické fakultě Univerzity Hradec Králové (PdF UHK) a proběhl ve dvou fázích kombinujících kvalitativní a kvantitativní přístup. V prvním kroku proběhla ohnisková skupina se studenty s cílem ověřit soulad mezi pojetím kvality výuky u českých studentů a zaměřením dotazníku. Následně byl přeložený dotazník administrován 661 studentům učitelství z PdF UHK a ověřován z hlediska konstruktové a kriteriální validity a reliability. Analýzy potvrdily originální pětifaktorovou strukturu dotazníku a uspokojivou vnitřní konzistenci všech škál. Výsledky jsou diskutovány a vztaženy ke zjištění zahraničních autorů i ke kontextu příležitostí a omezení pro používání v českém prostředí. V závěru je upozorněno na limity studie a jsou naznačeny další možné směry úprav.
Water Crisis in the Hill Cities of Western Himalayas: A Startling Reality
Authors: Kapri Anju , Chaunsali Pankaj Kumar , Kaushik Sushma 
Published: September 2020

Water is the very basis for the existence of life in earth to the extent that the word life has almost become synonymous to it. But potable water is becoming a scarce resource despite the fact that the overall composition of water is about 70 % of the earth surface as the efforts for salvaging the usable water and using it in a sustainable way is an increasingly troublesome process. Over the years there are several instances of water shortages in various parts of the country, but the most intriguing instance is the water crisis in the Himalayan hill cities despite the fact that it is home to several big glaciers and vast river basins. In the recent years water crisis has been in high proportion in the various Himalayan hill cities. In the Leh district, during the last few years, there are multiple reports of the water shortages during the summer months. There are studies that despite these efforts, the gap between demand and supply of water is likely to double by 2050. Another important aspect is strengthening the governance and planning aspects of local administration for better identification, understanding, adaptation and mitigation efforts. Mountain-specific solutions with consideration for building local knowledge and database for futuristic planning are essential for a better future.
Coinfection of Hepatitis B and C with Human Immunodeficiency Virus in Hemophilia: A Cross Sectional Study
Authors: Espósito T. S. , Paz T. M. M. , Rodrigues L. O. W. , Santos A. C. A. , Almeida R. D. M. , Santos O. F. , Medeiros R. L. , Lopes J. A. S. , Rodrigues D. O. W. 
Published: September 2020

Aims: To identify coinfection by Hepatitis B (HBV), Hepatitis C (HCV) and Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in Hemophiliacs.
Methodology: We included 107 hemophiliacs. For the current analysis, age, type, severity of Hemophilia and serum profile for Hepatitis B, C and HIV were included. The serological tests performed for Hepatitis and HIV were carried out using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method (ELISA) and the confirmatory tests for HIV and HCV were done by the Western Blot and Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). The results of positive and negative serology were compared using the Mann-Whitney test using the Fundação Hemominas reproducibility map of serological reactions, through the CUT-off of each test.
Study Design: A cross-sectional study was carried out on hemophilics to asses the prevalence of infections diseases transmitted by transfusion.
Place and Duration of Study: Department of Hematology, public service on Coagulopathies at Fundação Hemominas Juiz de Fora Brazil, between January 2008 to December 2018.
Results: The average age was 32.77 years with standard deviation (SD)= 16.8 years. In regard to classification, 57.65% of patients with Hemophilia A were severe, and 57% of patients with Hemophilia B were moderate. Laboratory results demonstrated that 24.3% of the patients were HBV positive, and 40.2% were HCV positive, with 21.42% positive by PCR. The prevalence of HIV positive was 11.2%. In general analysis, 44.82% had at least one type of viral infection and 23.4% presented coinfections. HIV positive patients were all positive for HCV (11.2%) and 7.5% of patients were infected by HIV, HCV and HBV. The coexistence of hepatitis C and HIV was statistically relevant with (P = .001), considering the year of birth, most patients with HCV and HIV were born before 1980s (P = .001).
Conclusions: Infections by HBV, HCV and HIV are late complications in patients that received blood products before 1990s. Infection by a viral agent and the year of birth has a direct association, due to the standardization and implantation of tests for HIV and HCV in the 80s and 90s.
Serum Periostin Level in Asthmatic Children with Exercise Induced Bronchospasm
Authors: Soliman Reem M. , Hamza Mohamed B. , El-Shafiey Rasha M. , Elserogy Hesham A. , El-Esawy Nabil M 
Published: September 2020

Background: There are few biomarkers that can be easily accessed in clinical settings and may reflect refractory Th2-eosinophlic inflammation and remodeling of the asthmatic airways. Serum periostin may be one such biomarker to aid our understanding of the patho-bio-physiology of asthma and exercise induced asthma. The aim of the study is to explore the relationship between serum periostin level and exercise induced bronchoconstriction in asthmatic children.
Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out on (90) children both sexes aged from 6 to 15 years including, (60) children with bronchial asthma and (30) children were enrolled as control group in the period from January 2018 to January 2019. Patients were randomly classified into two groups: I) Patient group: divided into 2 groups according to standardized treadmill exercise challenge test: Group A: (30) asthmatic children with positive test. Group B: (30) asthmatic children with negative test. II-Control group: (30) children apparently healthy with no personal or family history of asthma. All children were subjected to the following Investigations: Chest x-ray, pulmonary functions tests (FEV1 & PEFR) except controls, Laboratory investigations as CBC and Serum periostin level.
Results: The mean values of both the percentage of PEFR and FEV1 after exercise in group A were significantly lower than those in group B and the percentage of PEFR and FEV1 after exercise in each group were significantly lower than the percentage before exercise in the same group. The mean value of eosinophilic count in group A was significantly higher than (group B and control group) and the mean value of eosinophilic count in group B was significantly higher than control group. The mean value of serum level of periostin in group A was significantly higher than (group B and control group), however, there was no significant difference between group B and control group as regard to serum level of periostin.
Chest tightness, cough and wheezes after exercise and eosinophilic count in patients with high serum periostin level were significantly higher than patients with low serum periostin level, and both PEFR and FEV1 after exercise in patients with high serum periostin level were significantly lower than patients with low serum periostin level. Also the normal serum periostin levels vary among different age groups.
Conclusion: Serum periostin level can be considered as a useful biomarker for diagnosis of Exercise induced bronchospasm (EIB) in asthmatic children especially when lung function test cannot be done However, cautious is required in evaluating serum periostin levels in children because it varies with age.
Storage of Terminalia superba Engl. & Diels. Seeds
Authors: Asomaning J. M. 
Published: September 2020

Teminalia superba is one of the species receiving priority under the on-going Forest Investment Programme in Ghana. A more comprehensive look at the response of the seeds to storage is therefore important for their use in afforestation, reforestation activities, breeding programmes and long term conservation. Seeds of T. superba were harvested in October, 2016 from Amantia in the Ashanti Region of Ghana and immediately processed. Drawn seed samples were dried over silica gel to reduce seed moisture content to 10% and 5% respectively. Moisture content of seeds was determined by drying in an oven at 103° C for 17 hours. Seeds were placed in two types of storage containers namely, hermetic glass bottles and plastic bottles. These were placed at three different temperature conditions namely; ambient temperature (28-32°C), refrigerator temperature (4-5°C) and freezing temperature (-10°C) and stored for a period of 24 months with the conduction of germination tests every two months at the laboratory and plant house of the Forestry Research Institute of Ghana. Germination tests were conducted in a medium of heat sterilized river sand at the plant house with ambient temperature of 27-33°C. The statistical design used in the investigation was a completely randomized design in a 2 x 2 x 3 factorial (moisture levels × storage containers × storage temperatures). Storage of seeds in hermetic glass bottles was found to have maintained seeds at a higher viability level than storage in plastic bottles. Both freezing and refrigeration temperatures were found to be ideal storage conditions. Storage at 5% moisture content resulted in higher viability of seeds. The electrical conductivity test was found to be an efficient test for distinguishing good quality seeds from poor seeds of the species.
Distribution of Aromatic Volatiles in Young, Recently Matured, Matured and Old Leaves of Ginger (Zingiber officinales) by Electronic Nose
Authors: Ravi Ramasamy , Sunil . , Pitchay Dharma 
Published: September 2020

Aims: Ginger aromatic volatiles generally extracted and quantified by various laboratory techniques analysis and instruments. Possibility of few highly volatiles loss coupled with the formation of different compounds during various extraction process due to changes in the natural chemical profiles of the ginger tissue samples. Thus, a study was carried out to explore and quantify the distribution of various natural volatiles present in young, recently matured, matured and old leaves of ginger.
Study Design: Ginger seedlings and plants were grown in 100% biochar substrate and fertigated with 50 mg.L-1 of 20% N:4.3% P:16.6% K water soluble fertilizer. Five months old ginger plant leaves were harvested and washed with distilled water and separated by various physiological leaf stages.
Place and Duration of Study: Tennessee State University, Nashville, USA.
Methodology: Aromatic volatiles were analyzed and quantified by using Alpha Soft V14 electronic nose. Volatiles with more than 1% concentration by fresh mass were 20, 21, 20, and 29 in young, recently matured, matured and old leaves respectively.
Results: Young, recently matured, matured and old leaves of ginger showed major volatiles like benzaldehyde, 1, 8- cineole, myrcene, butane-2, 3-dione, 1 S-α- pinene, Z-3-Hexen-1-ol acetate, butanol and 1-Propanal, 2-methyl- volatiles were identified. A significant variation in the composition, quantity and distribution of volatiles was found across the various leaf tissue samples of ginger.
Conclusion: The distribution of aromatic volatiles in this study would provide better insight and guidance to the consumers for maximum utilization ginger plant tissues beside rhizome; as a source of aromatic volatiles. Utilization of other plant tissues especially could be considered as an important byproduct will definitely contribute to the sustainability of ginger production and marketing in the near future.
Immune Responses: Primary and Secondary
Authors: Riddell Natalie E 
Published: September 2020

Abstract

Immune responses to antigens may be categorised as primary or secondary responses. The primary immune response to antigen occurs on the first occasion it is encountered. This response can take up to 14 days to resolve and leads to the generation of memory cells with a high specificity for the inducing antigen. The humoral response, mediated by B cells with the help of T cells, produces high‐affinity and antigen‐specific antibodies. In contrast, the CD8 T‐cell response leads to the generation of large numbers of antigen‐specific cells that are capable of directly killing infected cells. Antigen‐specific CD4 T cells, which provide help to B cells, can also be expanded upon antigenic stimulation.
The secondary response of B‐ and T cells following subsequent encounter with the same antigen is more rapid due to the activation of previously generated memory cells. This has quantitative and qualitative differences from the primary response.

Key Concepts

The innate immune system is the first line of defence against infectious agents. When this is breached, the adaptive immune system provides a more efficient response to clearing pathogens.

The adaptive immune system has the capacity to ‘remember’ previous antigens, a process termed immunological memory.

Antigen‐specific T cells are selected during a primary immune response and expand to produce clones of T cells with high specificity for the activating antigen.

In a B cell primary response to a thymus‐dependent antigen, the immune system selects B cells with a high affinity and specificity for the antigen and these become memory cells.

The selection of B cells with a high affinity for a given antigen occurs in the germinal centres of secondary lymphoid follicles and requires the enzyme activation‐induced cytidine deaminase (AID) and interactions with other immune cells.

The ability to change the isotype of antibody produced (class switching) by a B cell also occurs in germinal centres and requires AID.

In a secondary response to the same antigen, memory cells are rapidly activated. This process is quicker and more effective than the primary response.
Luteovirids
Authors: Boissinot Sylvaine , Brault Véronique , Herrbach Etienne 
Published: September 2020

Abstract

Members of the
Luteoviridae
family, or luteovirids, are plant viruses that can infect a wide range of host plants, including many important crops such as cereals, potato, sugar beet, cucurbits, legumes and sugarcane. Their icosahedral virions contain a single positive‐sense ribonucleic acid genome in a capsid composed of two structural proteins. They are limited to phloem cells in host plants and are only transmitted by aphids in a circulative and nonpropagative mode with high specificity.

More data are accumulating on plant–luteovirid relationships and in particular on the mechanism developed by the virus to overcome plant defence. The tight interaction between luteovirids, their aphid vector and their host plant are also extensively studied. Information from these studies together with a better understanding of the epidemiology of luteovirids will help to combat their detrimental effects on crops.

Key Concepts

Luteovirids have a highly compacted genome and use a diversity of translation mechanisms to express viral proteins.

Function of the viral gene products is known, but their plant and aphid partners have not been fully identified.

Luteovirids are confined to phloem tissue, but the causes of their phloem restriction are not completely deciphered.

Luteovirids circulate in the vector aphid's body, without any replication, by crossing the gut and the accessory salivary gland epithelia.

Epidemiology of luteovirids reveals a high complexity of mutual ecological interactions between virus, plant and vector, influenced by multiple biotic and abiotic factors.

Control of luteoviral diseases includes cultural practices, insecticidal measures, natural and biotechnological plant resistance, and epidemiology‐based forecasting systems.
Aging and immunotherapies: New horizons for the golden ages
Authors: Hamilton Jamie A.G. , Henry Curtis J. 
Published: September 2020

AbstractThe life expectancy of the world's elderly population (65 and older) continues to reach new milestones with older individuals currently comprising greater than 8.5% (617 million) of the world's population. This percentage is predicted to approach 20% of the world's population by 2050 (representing 1.6 billion people). Despite this amazing feat, many healthcare systems are not equipped to handle the multitude of diseases that commonly manifest with age, including most types of cancers. As the world's aging population grows, cancer treatments continue to evolve. Immunotherapies are a new drug class that has revolutionized our ability to treat previously intractable cancers; however, their efficacy in patients with compromised immune systems remains unclear. In this review, we will discuss how aging‐associated losses in immune homeostasis impact the efficacy and safety of immunotherapy treatment in preclinical models of aging. We will also discuss how these findings translate to elderly patients receiving immunotherapy treatment for refractory and relapsed cancers, as well as, strategies that could be explored to improve the efficacy of immunotherapies in aged patients.
Nanoporous Anodic Alumina Platforms for Drug Delivery Applications: Recent Advances and Perspective
Authors: Kapruwan Pankaj , Ferré‐Borrull Josep , Marsal Lluis F. 
Published: September 2020

AbstractFor several decades, nanoporous anodic alumina (NAA) has been prepared through inexpensive electrochemical anodization of aluminum to prepare diversified periodically ordered nanostructures. It acts as an excellent drug reservoir due to its excellent physical and chemical properties hence minimizing the drug loss and increasing bioavailability to the target site. A rapid increase in exploiting different NAA structures as a drug carrier has been published recently, justifying its potential use in localized drug delivery. In this review, advanced drug releasing structures based on NAA, in vivo and in vitro studies based on their chemical modification, biocompatibility, drug loading, and release kinetics with main focus on recent advances, its progress, and future outlook toward biomedical applications are discussed.
Multicomponent Transition Metal Dichalcogenide Nanosheets for Imaging‐Guided Photothermal and Chemodynamic Therapy
Authors: Zhu Yu , Wang Yingjie , Williams Gareth R. , Fu Liyang , Wu Jingjing , Wang Hui , Liang Ruizheng , Weng Xisheng , Wei Min 
Published: September 2020

AbstractTransition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) have received considerable attention due to their strong absorption in the near‐infrared (NIR) region, strong spin‐orbit coupling, and excellent photothermal conversion efficiency (PCE). Herein, CoFeMn dichalcogenide nanosheets (CFMS NSs) are prepared via facile vulcanization of a lamellar CoFeMn‐layered double hydroxide (LDH) precursor followed by polyvinyl pyrrolidone modification (to give CFMS‐PVP NSs), and found to show excellent photoacoustic (PA) imaging and synergistic photothermal/chemodynamic therapy (PTT/CDT) performance. The as‐prepared CFMS‐PVP NSs inherit the ultrathin morphology of the CoFeMn‐LDH precursor and exhibit an outstanding photothermal performance with a η of 89.0%, the highest PCE reported to date for 2D TMD materials. Moreover, 50% of maximum catalytic activity (Michaelis–Menten constant, Km) is attained by CFMS‐PVP NSs with 0.26 × 10−3 m H2O2 at 318 K, markedly lower than the endogenous concentration of H2O2 inside tumor cells. In addition, complete apoptosis of HepG2 cancer cells and complete tumor elimination in vivo are observed after treatment with CFMS‐PVP NSs at a low dose, substantiating the NSs’ remarkable PTT/CDT efficacy. This work provides a new and facile approach for the synthesis of high‐quality multicomponent TMD nanosheets with precise process control, the potential for mass production, and outstanding performance, providing great promise in cancer theranostics.
MYSM1 Suppresses Cellular Senescence and the Aging Process to Prolong Lifespan
Authors: Tian Mingfu , Huang Yuqing , Song Yunting , Li Wen , Zhao Peiyi , Liu Weiyong , Wu Kailang , Wu Jianguo 
Published: September 2020

AbstractAging is a universal feature of life that is a major focus of scientific research and a risk factor in many diseases. A comprehensive understanding of the cellular and molecular mechanisms of aging are critical to the prevention of diseases associated with the aging process. Here, it is shown that MYSM1 is a key suppressor of aging and aging‐related pathologies. MYSM1 functionally represses cellular senescence and the aging process in human and mice primary cells and in mice organs. MYSM1 mechanistically attenuates the aging process by promoting DNA repair processes. Remarkably, MYSM1 deficiency facilitates the aging process and reduces lifespan, whereas MYSM1 over‐expression attenuates the aging process and increases lifespan in mice. The functional role of MYSM1 is demonstrated in suppressing the aging process and prolonging lifespan. MYSM1 is a key suppressor of aging and may act as a potential agent for the prevention of aging and aging‐associated diseases.
Polymeric Nano‐Blue‐Energy Generator Based on Anion‐Selective Ionomers with 3D Pores and pH‐Driving Gating
Authors: Zhu Xuanbo , Zhong Jundong , Hao Junran , Wang Yuzhang , Zhou Jiajia , Liao Jingwen , Dong Yujie , Pang Jinhui , Zhang Haibo , Wang Zizhun , Zhang Wei , Zheng Weitao , Jiang Zhenhua , Zhou Yahong , Jiang Lei 
Published: September 2020

AbstractBlue energy as a renewable, substantial energy resource has attracted scientists who are interested in discovering abundant membrane materials to achieve high power density. For decades, ionomers have been used as ion‐exchange membrane to harvest this energy. Though extensive studies have been conducted, the underlying mechanism of ionic transmembrane behavior is still under debate. Here, the ionic transmembrane properties through membranes with 3D pores prepared by ionomers (polyphenylsulphone with pyridine pendants (PPSU‐Py)) are systematically studied. A series of PPSU‐Py with tunable porosities and surface charge densities is obtained simply by adjusting the percentages of the pendant. Nanoscale morphologies of the ionomers are simulated with the dissipative particle dynamic method, which is in agreement with the experimental data. Then, nanofluidic behaviors of as‐prepared porous membranes are studied, which exhibit anion selectivity, pH gating, and modulated transmembrane conductance. Furthermore, a series of salinity gradient power harvesters based on the ionomers are constructed, of which the output power density is improved by tuning the charge density with the maximum output power density that reaches up to 1.44 W m‐2. The impact of the ionomer on nanofluidic behavior is systematically discussed, and it is believed this work will shed light on nanofluidic materials and blue energy generator design.