bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Bioguided isolation of antiplasmodial secondary metabolites from Persea americana Mill. (Lauraceae)
Authors: Waleguele Christine Claire , Tchuente Tchuenmogne Marthe Aimée , Fotsing Fongang Yannick Stéphane , Ngatchou Jules , Kezetas Bankeu Jean Jules , Ngouela Augustin Silvère , Tsamo Etienne , Sewald Norbert , Krause Rui Werner Maçedo , Lenta Bruno Ndjakou 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
The antiplasmodium assay-guided investigation of the roots, stem bark, and leaves of Persea americana Mill. led to the isolation of a new fatty alcohol, perseatriol (1), along with six known compounds (2–7). Their structures were elucidated based on the analysis of their NMR and MS data. All crude extracts and fractions exhibited good antiplasmodial activity on Plasmoduim falciparum 3D7 with IC50 values ranging from 0.76 to 10.5 μg/mL; they also displayed cytotoxicity against HeLa cells with low selectivity indexes (SIs). A preliminary Plasmodium lactate dehydrogenase (pLDH) assay was also performed on the isolated compounds. 9,9′-Di-O-feruloyl-5,5′-dimethoxysecoisolariciresinol (4) turned out to be non-toxic and displayed the best activities on P. falciparum with an IC50 value of 0.05 μM, comparable to the reference drug chloroquine with an IC50 value of 0.03 μM. Furthermore, besides compound 4, this work reports the first isolation of lutein (2) and scopoletin (3) from P. americana. The crude extracts of roots, stem bark, and leaves of P. americana, their fractions and compounds completely suppressed the growth of P. falciparum. The observed activity supports the use of P. americana in folk medicine for the treatment of malaria.
Another Look at Devaluation and the Trade Balance in China
Authors: McGee Ethan , Upadhyaya Kamal P , Bhandari Rabindra N 
Published: November 2021

This paper estimates the effect of Chinese Yuan devaluation on the trade balance of China. For that a regression equation is developed in which domestic income, foreign income, domestic money supply, foreign money supply and real effective exchange rate are used as explanatory variable with trade balance as the dependent variable. In order to test the J-curve phenomenon the lagged values of exchange rata are also included. Quarterly time series data from 1999 to 2016 are used. Before estimating the model the time series properties of the data are diagnosed and an error correction model is developed and estimated. The estimated results show that the contemporaneous effect of devaluation is positive, but the total effect is insignificant. A J-curve pattern of adjustment of the trade balance is also detected.
Role of Focus and Managerial Ownership in Financial Performance of REITs: An Empirical Examination
Authors: Al-Shimmiri Turki Badi , Bhuyan Rafiqul , Sbeiti Wafaa 
Published: November 2021

In this research, we examine the effect of focus and managerial ownership on the financial performance of REITs. Results demonstrate a positive relationship between focus and financial performance in this sector that are consistent with the findings in current literature. Impact of managerial ownership, however, seems weak on REITs performance. Our findings provide direct support for the convergence-of-interests hypothesis. We also examine the curvilinear relationship between firm performance and managerial ownership already documented in the literature. Our results show that this relation is not supported in the REITs sector. Our results do not support the entrenchment hypothesis. In addition, when agency conflicts drive the increase in focus strategy is investigated, we find that the agency conflict explanation for increase in focus strategy is warranted.
On the History of Old Believer in Lithuania in 19th Century: Rimkai Old Believer Church Assembly in 1856 and its Resolutions
Authors: Morozova Nadežda 
Published: November 2021

The history of Old Believers in Lithuania in the 19th century is insufficiently studied. Well, we know the main centers, events and names of the most important figures, the key moments in the history of the Old Believer society are identified. But there are any generalizing monographs in this field and now the main task is to accumulate empirical material and try to put them in a future common historical narrative.
The Old Believer community of Rimkai is one of the oldest in the central part of present-day Lithuania. In 1856 an Old Believers’ church assembly was held in the village of Rimkai. This assembly has so far been unknown in historiography, so this is the first time information about the meeting is being introduced into scientific circulation. The resolutions of the assembly are preserved in the only manuscript, which i s now held at the Russian State Library as part of E. V. Barsov’s collection no. 1025. The resolutions consist of 33 articles discussing the Old Believers’ iconolatry as well as regulation of ritual and everyday norms of behaviour applicable to both church leaders and ordinary parishioners. The documents were signed by 13 Old Believers’ spiritual fathers and monks from Lithuania and East Prussia.
This study contains a diplomatic edition of Rimkai resolutions too. The text of the document is supplemented by historical commentary and source analysis.
Assessing the influence of Mathematics in Teaching and Learning Physics Subject in Secondary Schools in Tanzania
Authors: Malaki Sospeter Shikulu 
Published: November 2021

Learning Mathematics is a key fundamental in every education system that aims to prepare its citizens for a productive life in the 21st century. As a nation, the development of a highly-skilled and well-educated manpower is critical to support an innovation and technology-driven economy. A strong grounding in Mathematics and a talent pool in Mathematics are essential to support the wide range of value-added economic activities and innovations. In this vein, a study intended to assess the influence of Mathematics in teaching and learning Physics, a case study of secondary education. A study was guided by two specific objectives; to determine the applications of Mathematics in Physics and to investigate the relationship between Mathematics and Physics. The qualitative and quantitative approaches were used in getting categorical and numerical data in line with the triangulation research design employed. Students and science teachers were targeted in the collection of data which made a total of 60 participants. The questionnaire, observation and documentary review were key devices used in data collection processes. The collected data were analyzed by using SPSS and the research findings revealed that there is statistically very strong positive relationship between Mathematics and Physics. . In other words, the influence of Mathematics in Physics subject is enormous to the extent that students are encouraged not to drop Mathematics in their early classes. This will assist to increase number of Tanzanian engineers and geologists in various sectors for extracting our natural resources.
Using local micro-biota to extract biodegradable plastics from food waste through a natural fermentation process
Authors: Tsegay Merhawi K. , Sukhenko L. T. 
Published: November 2021

The main problems of mankind in recent decades are the accumulation of various industrial, agricultural, and food production wastes. Their ineffective disposal and management practices have a detrimental effect on human health and cause environmental pollution, which requires urgent action. Food waste has become a complex phenomenon lately, attracting the attention of scientists, consumers, and activists. This study aims to apply the biotechnology of converting food waste into crystals of polylactic acid (PLA), a monomer for biodegradable plastic. A food waste sample is taken from the student canteen; wash, to remove impurities and fermentation of carbohydrate waste by autotrophic lactic acid bacteria in a natural process for about seven days in the optimal temperature range. Finally, lactic acid molecules polymerized by condensation reaction to form poly L-lactic acid (PLA) crystals, and then a biodegradable bioplastic.
Monitoring the state and prospects of development of the industrial market segment and the production sector of the national economy
Authors: Krivenko E. I. 
Published: November 2021

The production sectors and markets of the dairy and grape-wine sectors are of great strategic importance not only for the sustainable and balanced functioning of the entire consumer segment, but also for ensuring the food and national security of our country at the proper level. At the beginning of the study, an analysis of the development of domestic dairy production in historical retrospect was carried out. Further, a multifactorial assessment of the main problems and risk situations inherent in modern dairy production was carried out. In particular, it was found that today one of the key constraining factors for the sustainable development of dairy cattle breeding in the Russian Federation is the lack of a clear organization and effective work in the field of reproductive and breeding farming. They also identified internal reasons that hinder the development of domestic dairy farming and identified strategic directions in the context of the organization of high-tech enterprises in the field of dairy cattle breeding. Further, the assessment of the milk and dairy products market itself was carried out (the dynamics of production and consumption, the balance of imports and exports, the level of self-sufficiency, prices, main producers, the structure of production by categories of farms). In addition, the issue related to the loss of milk in the areas of production and consumption was worked out. The key factors that will influence the development of the domestic industry market in the short term are identified. The assessment of the world market of milk and dairy products (production volumes, consumption, market leaders, strategic goals, tasks and development scenarios in the long term) was carried out. The monitoring of the grape and wine sector included the following estimated parameters (the volume of grape harvest, the area of vineyard planting, sales of wine products, the main problems and factors constraining sustainable development). In particular, special attention was paid to the problem of illegal use of imported wine material. In conclusion, a set of state initiative solutions was proposed in order to give a stable trend to the development of the domestic wine industry.
Pediatric Back Pain Associated with Bertolotti Syndrome
Authors: Dhanjani Suraj , Altaleb Mohammad , Margalit Adam , Puvanesarajah Varun , Jain Amit 
Published: November 2021

Case:
Three pediatric patients with back pain associated with Bertolotti syndrome are presented. After failing conservative management, 1 patient underwent mega-apophysis resection, another underwent resection with decompression, and the final underwent posterior fusion. All patients had complete resolution of back pain and returned to full activity at final follow-up.

Conclusion:
Lumbosacral transitional vertebrae are congenital anomalies spanning a spectrum from partial/complete L5 sacralization to partial/complete S1 lumbarization with varying clinical presentations. Identification of variable anatomy and symptoms guides surgical management. We present 3 cases with differing surgical techniques including pseudoarticulation resection, arthrodesis of the involved levels, and neuroforaminal decompression.
The dynamic chirality flips of Skyrmion bubbles
Authors: Yao Yuan , Ding Bei , Liang Jinjing , Li Hang , Shen Xi , Yu Richeng , Wang Wenhong 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
Magnetic skyrmion, a topological magnetic domain with complex non-coplanar spin texture, appears a disk-like structure in two dimensions. Exploring three-dimensional spin texture and related chirality switching has drawn enormous interests from the perspective of fundamental research. Here, the three-dimensional magnetic moment of the skyrmion bubbles in centrosymmetric Mn-Ni-Ga were reconstructed with the vector field tomography approach via Lorentz transmission electron microscopy. The type of the bubbles was determined from investigating the magnetic vectors in entire space. We found that the bubbles switched their chirality easily but still keep the polarity to remain the singularity of the bubbles within the material. Our results offer valuable insights into the fundamental mechanisms underlying the spin chirality flips dynamics of skyrmion bubbles.
Whole-Genome Sequencing on 220 Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) Accessions Identified Loci Associated with Fall Dormancy
Authors: Zhang Fan , Kang Junmei , Long Ruicai , Li Mingna , Sun Yan , He Fei , Jiang Xueqian , Yang Changfu , Yang Xijiang , Kong Jie , Wang Zhen , Zhang Zhiwu , Yang Qingchuan 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
Fall dormancy (FD) is one of the most important traits of alfalfa (Medicago sativa) for cultivar selection to overcome winter damage. Regrowth plant height following autumn clipping is an indirect way to evaluate FD. Although transcriptomics, proteomics analysis, and QTL mapping have revealed some important genes correlated with FD, the genetic architecture of this trait is still unclear. There are no applicable genes or markers for selection, which hinders progress in the genetic research and molecular breeding for the trait. We conducted whole-genome sequencing (WGS) on 220 alfalfa accessions at 10x depth. Among the 875,023 SNPs, seven of them were associated with FD using genome-wide association study (GWAS). One SNP located on chromosome 6 is in linkage disequilibrium with dehydration-responsive element-binding protein 1C (DREB1C). Furthermore, seven DREB genes are clustered in this region, one of which has previously been shown to enhance freezing tolerance in the model plant Medicago truncatula. The candidate genes uncovered by our research will benefit the transgenic and CRISPR-Cas9 research of FD in alfalfa. This gene will also be useful for marker development and assisted selection of FD for alfalfa.
Responses of Alpine Grassland Plant Functional Groups To Environmental Changes In The Altunshan At North Qinghai-Tibet Plateau
Authors: Zhang Ailin , Wu Shixin , Zeng Fanjiang , Jiang Yong , Wang Ruzhen , Li Li , Lin Lisha , Li Xiangyi 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
Purpose: In grassland ecosystems, plant functional group (PFG) is an important bridge connecting individual plant to community system. Grassland ecosystem is the main ecosystem type on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, so the change of community structure of grassland vegetation.Methods: The Altun Mountains in the northern part of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau were used as the study area to investigate the PFGs of a high-altitude (> 3700m) grassland in desert areas and their response to temperature and moisture.Results: The main functional groups were forbs and grasses, and the importance values (IV) accounted for more than 50%. Plant species diversity of the community was influenced by the functional groups of legumes IV, and the increase of legumes would promote the increase of plant community diversity. The C, N, P of plant communities were mainly influenced by forbs and grasses, and the relationship between forbs and C, N, P was opposite to that of grasses. There was a positive correlation between forbs and soil TP; a negative correlation between grasses and soil TP; a positive correlation between legumes with soil SOC and TN; and a positive correlation between sedge and soil SOC. However, under the influence of different hydrothermal conditions, forbs and grasses as dominant functional groups had stronger correlation with community and soil nutrients. Conclusions: This indicated that the PFGs with the largest proportion in the community had the greatest influence on the community. This provides a basis for the study of alpine grassland community development and ecosystem function under alpine grassland.
Quantum Tunnelling based Ultra-compact and Energy Efficient Spiking Neuron enables Hardware Liquid State Machine
Authors: Singh Ajay , Saraswat Vivek , Baghini Maryam Shojaei , Ganguly Udayan 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
Low-power and low-area neurons are essential for hardware implementation of large-scale SNNs. Various novel physics based leaky-integrate-and-fire (LIF) neuron architectures have been proposed with low power and area, but are not compatible with CMOS technology to enable brain scale implementation of SNN. In this paper, for the first time, we demonstrate hardware implementation of LSM reservoir using band-to-band-tunnelling (BTBT) based neuron. A low-power thresholding circuit and current-to-voltage converter design are proposed. We further propose a predistortion technique to linearize a nonlinear neuron without any area and power overhead. We establish the equivalence of the proposed neuron with the ideal LIF neuron to demonstrate its versatility. To verify the effect of the proposed neuron, a 36-neuron LSM reservoir is fabricated in GF-45nm PDSOI technology. We achieved 5000x lower energy-per-spike at a similar area, 50x less area at a similar energy-per-spike, and 10x lower standby power at a similar area and energy-per-spike. Such overall performance improvement enables brain scale computing.
De-implementation of Urinary Catheters in Neurosurgical Patients During the Operation and on the Ward: a Mixed-methods Study Protocol
Authors: Nollen Jeanne-Marie , Brunsveld-Reinders Anja H. , Peul Wilco , Furth Wouter van 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
BackgroundIndwelling urinary catheters (IDUCS) are frequently routinely inserted during transsphenoidal pituitary gland tumour surgery or spinal fusion surgery despite literature stating that there are no indications for using IDUCS during or after these surgeries. The aim of the study is to reduce the number of inappropriately inserted IDUCs in during or after transsphenoidal pituitary gland tumour surgery and spinal fusion surgery with an operation time of <4 hours. Methods A pragmatic, before-and-after mixed-methods observational study including medical chart analysis, satisfaction surveys with patients and healthcare professionals and multidisciplinary group interviews to assess the effectiveness of and experiences with various non-invasive de-implementation strategies aimed to decrease the number of inappropriate IDUCS inserted during and after transsphenoidal pituitary gland tumour surgery and spinal fusion surgery in a multicentre context. Discussion This paper presents the study protocol of a multi-centred before and after trial that aims to reduce inappropriate IDUC use after transsphenoidal pituitary gland tumour surgery and spinal fusion surgery, and thereby reducing UTIs, shortening hospital stay and increasing patient comfort. The results can be used to de-implement IDUCs after a broad range of surgeries on several wards.Trial registration The study has been submitted to the Dutch Trial Register (NTR).
Intelligent SMOTE Based Machine learning Classification for Fetal State on Cardiotocography Dataset
Authors: Dutta Pijush , Paul Shobhandeb , Majumder Madhurima 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
A major contributor to under-five mortality is the death of children in the 1st month of life. Intrapartum complications are one of the major causes of perinatal mortality. Fetal cardiotocograph (CTGs) can be used as a monitoring tool to identify high-risk women during labor. The objective of this study was to study the precision of machine learning algorithm techniques on CTG data in identifying high-risk fetuses. CTG data of 2126 pregnant women were obtained from the University of California Irvine Machine Learning Repository. Out of 2126 CTG dataset 78% of them were normal, 14% were suspect, and 8 % had a pathological fetal state. To improve data imbalance SMOTE is applied followed by five different machine learning classification models were trained using CTG data. Sensitivity, precision, and F1 score for each class and overall accuracy of each model were obtained to predict normal, suspect, and pathological fetal states. For the model validity two statistical parameters MCC & kappa (k) are used. SMOTE based all the classification algorithm provides the higher degree of accuracy with minimum value is 96% and RF algorithm had the highest prediction accuracy about 98.01% which is quite satisfactory. Model validation statistical parameters MCC & kappa is maximum achieved by RF about 0.968 & 1 and for SVC is 0.977 & 1 respectively. Finally proposed work also compared with previous state of art techniques.
Gut-Derived Butyrate Suppresses Ocular Surface Inflammation
Authors: Schaefer Laura , Hernandez Humberto , Coats Rosalind A. , Yu Zhiyuan , Pflugfelder Stephen C. , Britton Robert A. , De Paiva Cintia S. 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
Dry eye is a common ocular inflammatory disorder characterized by tear film instability and reduced tear production. There is increasing evidence that homeostasis of the ocular surface is impacted by the intestinal microbiome. We are interested in investigating the potential role of microbially produced small molecules in mediating the interaction between the intestinal microbiota and the ocular surface. One such molecule is butyrate, a short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) produced by certain members of the gut microbiota through fermentation of dietary fiber. Here we show that SCFA transporter Slc5a8 is expressed in vivo in murine conjunctival and corneal epithelium. Pre-treatment of in vitro corneal epithelial cultures or bone marrow-derived dendritic cells (BMDCs) with phenylbutyrate (PBA) reduces lipopolysaccharide-induced pro-inflammatory Tnf expression. Corneal epithelial cultures and BMDCs isolated from Slc5a8 knockout mice are unable to respond to PBA pre-treatment, suggesting that Slc5a8 is required for the protective effect of PBA. Finally, the treatment of mice undergoing desiccating stress with oral tributyrin, a prodrug form of butyrate, reduces inflammation at the ocular surface in vivo, and this effect partially requires Slc5a8. Together these data support our hypothesis that SCFAs produced in the gut participate in the maintenance of ocular surface homeostasis.
Mammalian HEMK1 Methylates Glutamine Residue of the GGQ Motif of Mitochondrial Release Factors
Authors: Fang Qi , Kimura Yusuke , Shimazu Tadahiro , Suzuki Takehiro , Dohmae Naoshi , Iwasaki Shintaro , Shinkai Yoichi 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
Despite limited reports on glutamine methylation, methylated glutamine is found to be highly conserved in a "GGQ" motif in both prokaryotes and eukaryotes. In bacteria, glutamine methylation of peptide chain release factors 1/2 (RF1/2) by the enzyme PrmC is essential for translational termination and transcript recycling. Two PrmC homologs, HEMK1 and HEMK2, are found in mammals. In contrast to those of HEMK2, the biochemical properties and biological significance of HEMK1 remain largely unknown. In this study, we demonstrated that HEMK1 is an active methyltransferase for the glutamine residue of the GGQ motif of all four putative mitochondrial release factors (mtRFs)—MTRF1, MTRF1L, MRPL58, and MTRFR. In HEMK1-deficient HeLa cells, GGQ motif glutamine methylation was absent in all the mtRFs. We examined cell growth and mitochondrial properties, but disruption of the HEMK1 gene had no considerable impact on the overall cell growth, mtDNA copy number, and mitochondrial membrane potential. Furthermore, mitochondrial protein synthesis was not affected in HEMK1 KO cells. Our results suggest that HEMK1 mediates the GGQ methylation of all four mtRFs in human cells; however, this specific modification seems mostly dispensable in cell growth and mitochondrial protein homeostasis under standard culture conditions.