bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A phytomass-inspired carbon and its importance as an antibacterial agent against human pathogens
Authors: Anvarsha N. , Kalyani P. 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Background
Imprudent use of antimicrobial drugs has resulted in the microbial resistance among the known microbes and hence we foresee a pressing need towards the development of novel, low-cost, and high potent antimicrobials which should be munificent by nature. In the pursuit of the above, phosphoric acid activated low-cost carbon was produced from a renewable phytomass precursor viz., leaves of Vitex negundo L. plant and explored for its antibacterial efficacy against four human pathogens viz., S. aureus, S. pyogenes (Gram-positive bacteria), and E. coli, P. aeruginosa (Gram-negative bacteria) by adopting well diffusion method. Carbon yield, burn-off, phase purity, elemental composition, particle morphology, and surface functionalities have been studied by ultimate elemental analysis, X-ray diffractometry, elemental analysis, scanning electron microscopy, and Fourier transform infrared spectrophotometry respectively. Minimal inhibition concentration (MIC) was also followed. Plausible mechanism of killing the pathogens by the above activated carbon was also provided.

Results
Vitex negundo leaves derived activated carbon (VNLAC) was found to contain large number of O-, S- and N-containing surface groups which are supposedly responsible for bestowing antibacterial properties to the carbon derived from Vitex negundo leaves. It has emerged as a potential antibacterial agent for many Gram-negative as well as Gram-positive bacteria. The inhibition zone of mean diameters ranged from 9 to 25 mm against all the pathogens was significantly (p < 0.05) less than that of the control viz., ciprofloxacin. Thus, the fundamental experimental results may extend the limits of carbon sources but also the conventional idea of obtaining active carbon to apply in technologies where carbon is inevitable.

Conclusion
The work not only demonstrates the promising potential of VNLAC as an efficient antibacterial agent but also presents a feasible mechanism of action of removing pathogens. Vitex negundo-derived carbon may become a cheap substitute for cost-prohibitive drugs. The findings of the work illustrate an easy choice as an antibacterial for topical application at infected sites.
We Cannot Say What the Human Is: The Problem of Anthropology in Adorno’s Philosophy of Art
Authors: Gilchrist Kylie 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
This article investigates a problem in Theodor W. Adorno’s thought: how can Adorno critique advanced capitalist societies for their dehumanizing tendencies while also refusing the possibility of defining the human? Motivating this inquiry is a renewed investigation of philosophical anthropology by thinkers like Axel Honneth and Jürgen Habermas, who explore positive theories of human limits and needs as the basis of social critique. As Adorno consistently refused to define the human on philosophical and political grounds, this article asks whether his work offers an unexamined alternative to philosophical anthropology’s revival. A reconstruction of Adorno’s position shows how Adorno displaces anthropological problems into his philosophy of art, where the principle of mimesis offers a potentially nonanthropological model of human potential. Yet it also reveals how Adorno’s refusal to directly interrogate philosophical anthropology leads him to implicitly prescribe a certain figure of the human, undermining the value of his resistance to anthropological definitions.
The voltage-gated sodium channel β2 subunit associates with lipid rafts by S-palmitoylation
Authors: Cortada Eric , Serradesanferm Robert , Brugada Ramon , Verges Marcel 
Published: February 2021

ABSTRACT
The voltage-gated sodium channel is critical for cardiomyocyte function. It consists of a protein complex comprising a pore-forming α subunit and associated β subunits. In polarized Madin–Darby canine kidney cells, we show evidence by acyl-biotin exchange that β2 is S-acylated at Cys-182. Interestingly, we found that palmitoylation increases β2 association with detergent-resistant membranes. β2 localizes exclusively to the apical surface. However, depletion of plasma membrane cholesterol, or blocking intracellular cholesterol transport, caused mislocalization of β2, as well as of the non-palmitoylable C182S mutant, to the basolateral domain. Apical β2 did not undergo endocytosis and displayed limited diffusion within the plane of the membrane; such behavior suggests that, at least in part, it is cytoskeleton anchored. Upon acute cholesterol depletion, its mobility was greatly reduced, and a slight reduction was also measured as a result of lack of palmitoylation, supporting β2 association with cholesterol-rich lipid rafts. Indeed, lipid raft labeling confirmed a partial overlap with apical β2. Although β2 palmitoylation was not required to promote surface localization of the α subunit, our data suggest that it is likely implicated in lipid raft association and the polarized localization of β2.
Microtubule-independent movement of the fission yeast nucleus
Authors: Ashraf Sanju , Tay Ye Dee , Kelly David A. , Sawin Kenneth E. 
Published: February 2021

ABSTRACT
Movement of the cell nucleus typically involves the cytoskeleton and either polymerization-based pushing forces or motor-based pulling forces. In the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe, nuclear movement and positioning are thought to depend on microtubule polymerization-based pushing forces. Here, we describe a novel, microtubule-independent, form of nuclear movement in fission yeast. Microtubule-independent nuclear movement is directed towards growing cell tips, and it is strongest when the nucleus is close to a growing cell tip, and weakest when the nucleus is far from that tip. Microtubule-independent nuclear movement requires actin cables but does not depend on actin polymerization-based pushing or myosin V-based pulling forces. The vesicle-associated membrane protein (VAMP)-associated proteins (VAPs) Scs2 and Scs22, which are critical for endoplasmic reticulum–plasma membrane contact sites in fission yeast, are also required for microtubule-independent nuclear movement. We also find that in cells in which microtubule-based pushing forces are present, disruption of actin cables leads to increased fluctuations in interphase nuclear positioning and subsequent altered septation. Our results suggest two non-exclusive mechanisms for microtubule-independent nuclear movement, which may help illuminate aspects of nuclear positioning in other cells.
Effects of wave-driven water flow on the fast-start escape response of juvenile coral reef damselfishes
Authors: Roche Dominique G. 
Published: February 2021

ABSTRACT
Fish often evade predators with a fast-start escape response. Studies typically examine this behaviour in still water despite water motion being an inherent feature of aquatic ecosystems. In shallow habitats, waves create complex flows that likely influence escape performance, particularly in small fishes with low absolute swimming speeds relative to environmental flows. I examined how wave-driven water flow affects the behaviour and kinematics of escape responses in juveniles of three coral reef damselfishes (Pomacentridae) with different body morphologies. Tropical damselfishes have similar fin and body shapes during early development, with the exception of body depth, a trait deemed important for postural control and stability. Wave-driven flow increased response latency in two of the three species tested: fish with a fusiform body responded 2.9 times slower in wave-driven flow than in still water, whereas this difference was less pronounced in fish with an intermediate body depth (1.9 times slower response) and absent in fish with a laterally compressed body. The effect of wave-driven flow on swimming performance (cumulative escape distance and turning rate) was variable and depended on the timing and trajectory of escape responses in relation to the wave phase. Given intense predation pressure on juvenile coral reef fishes during settlement, interspecific differences in how wave-driven flow affects their ability to escape predators could influence the distribution and abundance of species across spatial and temporal scales.
Thresholds of polarization vision in octopuses
Authors: Temple Shelby E. , How Martin J. , Powell Samuel B. , Gruev Viktor , Marshall N. Justin , Roberts Nicholas W. 
Published: February 2021

ABSTRACT
Polarization vision is widespread in nature, mainly among invertebrates, and is used for a range of tasks including navigation, habitat localization and communication. In marine environments, some species such as those from the Crustacea and Cephalopoda that are principally monochromatic, have evolved to use this adaptation to discriminate objects across the whole visual field, an ability similar to our own use of colour vision. The performance of these polarization vision systems varies, and the few cephalopod species tested so far have notably acute thresholds of discrimination. However, most studies to date have used artificial sources of polarized light that produce levels of polarization much higher than found in nature. In this study, the ability of octopuses to detect polarization contrasts varying in angle of polarization (AoP) was investigated over a range of different degrees of linear polarization (DoLP) to better judge their visual ability in more ecologically relevant conditions. The ‘just-noticeable-differences’ (JND) of AoP contrasts varied consistently with DoLP. These JND thresholds could be largely explained by their ‘polarization distance’, a neurophysical model that effectively calculates the level of activity in opposing horizontally and vertically oriented polarization channels in the cephalopod visual system. Imaging polarimetry from the animals’ natural environment was then used to illustrate the functional advantage that these polarization thresholds may confer in behaviourally relevant contexts.
Quantum Cheshire cat: a physically realistic interpretation by invoking
entangled correlations
Authors: Saeed Muhammad Haroon , Imran Muhammad , Tariq Hinna , Rameez-ul-Islam  , Ikram Manzoor 
Published: February 2021

The phenomenon of the quantum Cheshire cat (QCC) and its interpretation by Aharanov et al. [New J. Phys. 15, 113015 (2013)NJOPFM1367-263010.1088/1367-2630/15/11/113015], with the conjecture that any quantum entity can be disembodied from its physical attributes, has resulted in a heated debate leading to interpretational controversy as well as practical consequences. Here, we propose an experimentally testable and physically more realistic and logically plausible interpretation. We utilize a specifically engineered Mach–Zehnder-type interferometeric setup that is quite similar to the original QCC setup but with the slight difference that now a single-photon, bipartite entangled state traverses the interferometer such that each path is designated to a photon with different tags. With this specific setup, we demonstrate that the photon’s polarization is never physically separated from the photon itself. Rather, it becomes dormant and hence inaccessible along the designated interferometric path. We also generalize the schematics and show that any precisely oriented photon’s polarization that stands inaccessible or dormant re-emerges along the same spatially separated and isolated arm as we tune the polarization vector away from the selected angle. Thus our proposal persuasively proves that polarization is never stripped off the photon itself and instead becomes inaccessible along the interferometeric arm for a certain particularly selected orientation. The schematics further reveal that this inaccessibility of the photon’s polarization is not permanent, fixed, and universal, but rather it is entirely constrained to a specific orientation in the Hilbert space, governed by the particular pre- and post-selected state under two-state vector formalism.
Voltage tunable mid-wave infrared reflective varifocal metalens via an optomechanic cavity
Authors: Chen Yikun , Pu Shiliang , Wang Chongzhi , Yi Fei 
Published: February 2021

Metalenses enable the multifunctional control of light beams with an optically thin layer of nanoantennas. Efficient on-chip voltage tuning of the focal length is the crucial step toward the integration of metalenses into dynamically tunable optical systems. We propose and numerically investigate the on-chip electrical tuning of a reflective metalens via an optomechanic cavity. Light is focused by an array of silicon nanopillar antennas separated from a deformable metallic reflector by a small air gap. A transparent electrode is inserted into the optomechanic cavity to electrostatically deform the reflector and rearrange the reflection phase profile, resulting in a shift in the focal point. Two modes of voltage tuning via the relative curvature change of the reflector are analyzed. In mode 1, the size of the air gap is modified through the nearly parallel shift of the reflector, whereas in mode 2, the distribution of the air-gap size is tailored by the curvature change of the reflector. With the designed working wavelength of 3.8 µm and the initial focal length of 80.35 µm, the focal length is shifted by 20.3 µm in mode 1 and 7.25 µm in mode 2. Such a device can be used as a free space coupler between quantum cascade lasers and mid-infrared fibers with variable coupling efficiency.
Point-of-care infrared thermal imaging for differentiating venomous snakebites from non-venomous and dry bites
Authors: Sabitha Paramasivam , Bammigatti Chanaveerappa , Deepanjali Surendran , Suryanarayana Bettadpura Shamanna , Kadhiravan Tamilarasu 
Published: February 2021

Background
Local envenomation following snakebites is accompanied by thermal changes, which could be visualized using infrared imaging. We explored whether infrared thermal imaging could be used to differentiate venomous snakebites from non-venomous and dry bites.

Methods
We prospectively enrolled adult patients with a history of snakebite in the past 24 hours presenting to the emergency of a teaching hospital in southern India. A standardized clinical evaluation for symptoms and signs of envenomation including 20-minute whole-blood clotting test and prothrombin time was performed to assess envenomation status. Infrared thermal imaging was done at enrolment, 6 hours, and 24 hours later using a smartphone-based device under ambient conditions. Processed infrared thermal images were independently interpreted twice by a reference rater and once by three novice raters.

Findings
We studied 89 patients; 60 (67%) of them were male. Median (IQR) time from bite to enrolment was 11 (6.5–15) hours; 21 (24%) patients were enrolled within 6 hours of snakebite. In all, 48 patients had local envenomation with/without systemic envenomation, and 35 patients were classified as non-venomous/dry bites. Envenomation status was unclear in six patients. At enrolment, area of increased temperature around the bite site (Hot spot) was evident on infrared thermal imaging in 45 of the 48 patients with envenomation, while hot spot was evident in only 6 of the 35 patients without envenomation. Presence of hot spot on baseline infrared thermal images had a sensitivity of 93.7% (95% CI 82.8% to 98.7%) and a specificity of 82.9% (66.3% to 93.4%) to differentiate envenomed patients from those without envenomation. Interrater agreement for identifying hot spots was more than substantial (Kappa statistic >0.85), and intrarater agreement was almost perfect (Kappa = 0.93). Paradoxical thermal changes were observed in 14 patients.

Conclusions
Point-of-care infrared thermal imaging could be useful in the early identification of non-venomous and dry snakebites.
Biogeographical venom variation in the Indian spectacled cobra (Naja naja) underscores the pressing need for pan-India efficacious snakebite therapy
Authors: Senji Laxme R. R. , Attarde Saurabh , Khochare Suyog , Suranse Vivek , Martin Gerard , Casewell Nicholas R. , Whitaker Romulus , Sunagar Kartik 
Published: February 2021

Background
Snake venom composition is dictated by various ecological and environmental factors, and can exhibit dramatic variation across geographically disparate populations of the same species. This molecular diversity can undermine the efficacy of snakebite treatments, as antivenoms produced against venom from one population may fail to neutralise others. India is the world’s snakebite hotspot, with 58,000 fatalities and 140,000 morbidities occurring annually. Spectacled cobra (Naja naja) and Russell’s viper (Daboia russelii) are known to cause the majority of these envenomations, in part due to their near country-wide distributions. However, the impact of differing ecologies and environment on their venom compositions has not been comprehensively studied.

Methods
Here, we used a multi-disciplinary approach consisting of venom proteomics, biochemical and pharmacological analyses, and in vivo research to comparatively analyse N. naja venoms across a broad region (>6000 km; seven populations) covering India’s six distinct biogeographical zones.

Findings
By generating the most comprehensive pan-Indian proteomic and toxicity profiles to date, we unveil considerable differences in the composition, pharmacological effects and potencies of geographically-distinct venoms from this species and, through the use of immunological assays and preclinical experiments, demonstrate alarming repercussions on antivenom therapy. We find that commercially-available antivenom fails to effectively neutralise envenomations by the pan-Indian populations of N. naja, including a complete lack of neutralisation against the desert Naja population.

Conclusion
Our findings highlight the significant influence of ecology and environment on snake venom composition and potency, and stress the pressing need to innovate pan-India effective antivenoms to safeguard the lives, limbs and livelihoods of the country’s 200,000 annual snakebite victims.
Atividades matemáticas de Francisco Ferreira de Vilhena Alves na revista pedagógica a escola (Belém/Brasil) entre 1900 e 1905
Authors: Abreu Mendes Iran 
Published: February 2021

Este artigo discute como os saberes elementares matemáticos do ensino primário são abordados nas atividades escolares propostas por Francisco Ferreira de Vilhena Alves na revista A Escola: Revista Official de Ensino, entre 1900 e 1905. A pesquisa tomou como referência empírica os arquivos digitalizados da referida revista, que foram interpretados a luz dos conceitos de disciplinação e disciplinarização, saberes profissionais de professores (saberes matemáticos a ensinar e para ensinar), expert e expertise. Os resultados apontam a importância do trabalho de Francisco Ferreira de Vilhena Alves como um expert na elaboração e publicação das atividades de apoio aos professores, principalmente para o Ensino Primário e Escola Normal do Pará naquele momento.
Nociception: the roles of vitamin D
Authors: Gromova O. A. , Torshin I. Yu. , Putilina M. V. , Sardaryan I. S. , Fedotova L. E. , Limanova O. A. 
Published: February 2021

Objective: to carry out a systematic computer-assisted analysis of scientific literature on on the relationships between the effects of vitamin and nociception (including the impact of vitamin D deficiency on the development of pain syndrome.Material and methods. For the query “(pain OR nociception) AND (vitamin D OR cholecalciferol OR VITD OR CALCITRIOL OR HYDROXYVITAMIN OR DIHYDROXYVITAMIN OR ALPHACALCIDOL)", 2318 references, including 77 references on alpha-calcidol, were found in the biomedical publications database PubMed. The computer-assisted analysis of this array of publications was carried out using the current big data analysis methods developed within the topological and metric approaches to recognition/classification problems.Result and discussion. A systematic computer-assisted text analysis of 2318 studies on the relationships between nociception and vitamin D showed that the analgesic effects of the vitamin are by anti-inflammatory action and the regulation of serotonergic, dopaminergic, and opioidergic neurotransmission. The lower blood levels of the major vitamin D metabolite 25 (OH)D is a risk factor for decreased pain threshold in myalgia, fibromyalgia, arthralgia, dorsalgia, and a number of neuralgias.Conclusion. In patients with impaired renal conversion of active vitamin D metabolites (especially in the elderly), the efficacy of cholecalciferol-based drugs is reduced, which makes it necessary to use the active forms of vitamin D.
Role of pathogenetic therapy for diabetic polyneuropathy
Authors: Iskra D. A. , Kovalchuk V. V. , Barantsevich E. R. 
Published: February 2021

In our country, alpha-lipoic acid is widely used as a pathogenetic therapy for diabetic polyneuropathy (DPN).Objective: to compare the efficiency and safety of using oral and injectable α-lipoic acid for DPN.Patients and methods. The investigation enrolled 47 patients with a verified diagnosis of DPN, who were divided into two groups. Group 1 included 23 patients (10 men and 13 women; mean age, 62.9±7.5 years), Group 2 consisted of 24 patients (9 men and 15 women, mean age, 65.5±7.9 years). All the patients used Berlithione: Group 1 received its intravenous doses of 600 mg for 14 days, then oral ones of 600 mg for other 16 days; Group 2 took oral doses of 600 mg for 30 days. The therapy results were assessed using the digital rating scale (DRS), the Douleur Neuropathique 4 (DN4) neuropathic pain rating scale, and the neurological soft signs (NSS), and electroneuromyography (ENMG) data.Results and discussion. Berlithione was found to have a good tolerability. No adverse reactions were detected in any case; and there was no need to discontinue this drug. On day 21 of therapy, there were statistically significant differences in the indicators of pain intensity on DRS in Group 1 patients (p<0.05), some of them (n=8) had positive clinical changes as a reduction in the severity of hypesthesia. Both groups showed a tendency to improve ENMG parameters as a certain increase in excitation propagation velocity and M-response amplitude; however, these changes did not reach a statistical significance level. At the same time, in 6 out of the 8 patients in Group 1 with positive clinical changes, the described ENMG changes correlated with a reduction in the severity of hypesthesia. There were no significant changes on the NSS scale after 3 weeks of therapy. On day 30 of treatment, both groups were recorded to have statistically significant changes in pain intensity measures versus the baseline values, but no significant inter-group differences.Conclusion. Thus, Berlithione demonstrated its efficacy in both patient groups, but its positive effect occurred 1 week earlier in the step therapy group. It is noted that it is expedient to use this drug long (>1 month) for DPN.