bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Understanding the binding conformation of ceftolozane/tazobactam with Metallo‐β‐lactamases VIM‐5 and IMP‐7 of Pseudomonas aeruginosa: A molecular docking and virtual screening process
Authors: Kullappan Malathi , Mallavarapu Ambrose Jenifer , Surapaneni Krishna Mohan 
Published: March 2021

AbstractPseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa) is one of the community‐acquired and healthcare‐associated infections causing organisms. It has become resistant to most of the available antibiotics and is termed multi‐drug resistance (MDR). There are a limited number of antibiotics are available to treat such MDR organism causing infections. The ceftolozane/tazobactam is one among the combination drug therapy (CDT) prescribed for the treatment of MDR causing infections. The resistance for the same CDT was observed in the MDR P. aeruginosa harboring VIM‐5 and IMP‐7 Metallo beta (β)‐lactamases (MBLs). To explore the resistance mechanism at the molecular level, docking studies were carried out for antibiotics against VIM‐5 and IMP‐7 MBLs. The Zn2 metal ions carry out the nucleophile attack on the carbonyl carbon of the β‐lactam ring along with conserved water molecules. To find lead compounds against the MBLs, a virtual screening process was carried out. We have employed MODELLER for structure modeling, AutoDock for molecular docking and AutoDock Vina, Molinspiration, PASS prediction & admetSAR in virtual screening. The search of low binding energy ceftolozane analogs against VIM‐5 and IMP‐7 MBLs has resulted in the ZINC000029060075 and ZINC000009163636 analogs. Similarly, the screening of high binding energy inhibitors against VIM‐5 and IMP‐7 MBLs has resulted in ZINC000003831503 and ZINC000000897247 tazobactam analogs respectively. The ADMET prediction results in the non‐toxicity of the lead compounds. Our study may provide new insights for the scientist who are designing novel drugs against MDR P. aeruginosa causing infections.
Novel silicone laminating materials for improved index matching in automotive display applications
Authors: Lee Seung‐A. , Kim Young Jun 
Published: March 2021

AbstractTo improve display performance, refractive index matching between a laminating material and the substrate was considered a crucial interfacial issue in optical stack design. To control the refractive index of the silicone optical laminating material, phenyl groups were introduced into the polymer component. and novel vinyl‐ and phenyl‐terminated MTQ (MviTphQ or MTPQ) resins were prepared by hydrolysis and condensation‐polymerization of a mixture of ethyl polysilicate, phenyltriethoxysilane, and divinyltetramethyl disiloxane to enhance the performance of optical laminating materials.These synthesized resins were utilized to formulate novel high‐refractive‐index silicone optical laminate compositions. The influence of refractive index on light transmittance was measured and compared with theoretical values. The influence of s‐MTPQ resin content on humidity resistance and transparency retention during aging were evaluated as crucial characteristics of an optical laminating material for automotive display applications.
Choke ring horn antenna design for satellite payload data transmitters
Authors: Akan Volkan 
Published: March 2021

AbstractIn low earth orbiting satellite communication systems, antennas are key elements for radio frequency transmitters and receivers. There are different types of antennas used on satellite communication systems. One of them is the antenna used in payload data transfer communication subsystem. Payload data transmitters for space segment should utilize the radio frequency power efficiently due to the limited power budget of the spacecraft. For low elevation angles of a low earth orbiting satellite, the free space loss increases as expected and it should be compensated. One way of this compensation is to employ an antenna having isoflux pattern. Therefore, in this paper, a circularly polarized X‐Band choked ring horn antenna is designed, optimized and manufactured due to its isoflux radiation characteristic and medium power handling capability. Initially, an analytical approach from the literature is explained and then the physical dimensions of the proposed antenna are optimized, iteratively, employing a commercially available electromagnetic solver. Next, a prototype has been manufactured to verify the radiation, return loss and port isolation characteristics and they are presented in the related section. Moreover, the results of the presented antenna have been compared to the ones available in the literature. These comparisons show that gain of the designed antenna at ±64° elevation angle has higher gain with respect to the compared ones. In addition, its axial ratio value is smaller than 6.5 dB for different azimuth angles between 8025 and 8400 MHz. Unlike the other studies given in the literature that have gain higher than 2 dB at ±64° elevation angle, in this study all design parameters have been presented to utilize through the operating bandwidth.
Free‐breathing simultaneous T1, T2, and T2∗ quantification in the myocardium
Authors: Hermann Ingo , Kellman Peter , Demirel Omer B. , Akçakaya Mehmet , Schad Lothar R. , Weingärtner Sebastian 
Published: March 2021

AbstractPurposeTo implement a free‐breathing sequence for simultaneous quantification of , , and for comprehensive tissue characterization of the myocardium in a single scan using a multi‐gradient‐echo readout with saturation and preparation pulses.MethodsIn the proposed Saturation And ‐prepared Relaxometry with Navigator‐gating (SATURN) technique, a series of multi‐gradient‐echo (GRE) images with different magnetization preparations was acquired during free breathing. A total of 35 images were acquired in 26.5 ± 14.9 seconds using multiple saturation times and preparation durations and with imaging at 5 echo times. Bloch simulations and phantom experiments were used to validate a 5‐parameter fit model for accurate relaxometry. Free‐breathing simultaneous , , and measurements were performed in 10 healthy volunteers and 2 patients using SATURN at 3T and quantitatively compared to conventional single‐parameter methods such as SASHA for , ‐prepared bSSFP, and multi‐GRE for .ResultsSimulations confirmed accurate fitting with the 5‐parameter model. Phantom measurements showed good agreement with the reference methods in the relevant range for in vivo measurements. Compared to single‐parameter methods comparable accuracy was achieved. SATURN produced in vivo parameter maps that were visually comparable to single‐parameter methods. No significant difference between , , and times acquired with SATURN and single‐parameter methods was shown in quantitative measurements (SATURN , , ; conventional methods: , , ; )ConclusionSATURN enables simultaneous quantification of , , and in the myocardium for comprehensive tissue characterization with co‐registered maps, in a single scan with good agreement to single‐parameter methods.
Dual polarity encoded MRI using high bandwidth radiofrequency pulses for robust imaging with large field inhomogeneity
Authors: Mullen Michael , Garwood Michael 
Published: March 2021

PurposeThe ability to use dual polarity encoded MRI with the missing pulse steady‐state free precession (MP‐SSFP) sequence is demonstrated to perform robust MRI with low radiofrequency (RF) amplitude, where the field is distorted by embedding metallic screws in an agar phantom. Image‐based estimation of the 3D ΔB0 map and image distortion correction is shown to require ~1 minute to perform.Theory and methodsDual polarity encoded MP‐SSFP was implemented at 1.5T and used to image agar phantoms with one stainless steel and one titanium screw embedded inside. A multispectral fast spin‐echo acquisition was performed for comparison. Self‐consistent ΔB0 estimation is performed iteratively using a 3D B‐spline basis, which is compared to the ΔB0 estimate generated by the multispectral sequence.ResultsDual polarity encoded MP‐SSFP yields image quality similar to the multispectral sequence used with substantially less imaging time, provided the MP‐SSFP experimental parameters are chosen well. The multispectral sequence appears to visualize modestly closer in proximity to the metallic screws used, despite the spectral bins covering the same bandwidth as the pulses used in MP‐SSFP. However, MP‐SSFP avoids ripple artifacts characteristic of the multispectral sequence. The ΔB0 estimate generated by MP‐SSFP is qualitatively similar to that generated by the multispectral sequence but larger in magnitude.ConclusionDespite longer processing time compared to multispectral imaging, MP‐SSFP yields similar image quality with significantly lower acquisition times in the absence of parallel imaging. The work herein demonstrates the ability to perform 3D ΔB0 estimation and image correction within a reasonable amount of time, ~1 minute.
From Sorcery to Laboratory: Pandemics and Yanyuwa Experiences of Viral Vulnerability
Authors: Norman Dinah , Miller Jemima , Timothy Mavis , Friday Graham , Norman Leonard , Friday Gloria , Friday Adrianne , Timothy Warren , Miller Joanne , Norman Lettie , Raggett Noeleen , Charlie Colleen , Hammer Rhoda , Timothy Marlene , Mawson Peggy , Kearney Amanda , Bradley John 
Published: March 2021

ABSTRACTThe COVID‐19 pandemic has prompted renewed attention among health professionals, Aboriginal community leaders, and social scientists to the need for culturally responsive preventative health measures and strategies. This article, a collaborative effort, involving Yanyuwa families from the remote community of Borroloola and two anthropologists with whom Yanyuwa have long associations, tracks the story of pandemics from the perspective of Aboriginal people in the Gulf region of northern Australia. It specifically orients the discussion of the current predicament of ‘viral vulnerability’ in the wake of COVID‐19, relative to other pandemics, including the Hong Kong flu in 1969 and the Spanish flu decades earlier in 1919. This discussion highlights that culturally nuanced and prescribed responses to illness and threat of illness have a long history for Yanyuwa. Yanyuwa cultural repertoires have assisted in the process of making sense of massive change, in the form of past pandemics and the onset of sickness, the threat of illness with COVID‐19 and the attribution of ‘viral vulnerability’ to this remote Aboriginal community. The aim is to centralise Yanyuwa voices in this story, as an important step in growing understandings of Aboriginal knowledge of pandemics and culturally relevant and controlled health responses and strategies for communal well‐being.
Discretion on the frontlines of the implementation of the Ghana School Feeding Programme: Street‐Level Bureaucrats adapting to austerity in northern Ghana
Authors: Mohammed Abdul‐Rahim 
Published: March 2021

AbstractGhana's economy faltered in 2012, culminating in the country requesting a bailout from the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Typical of IMF financial assistance, the approval of this bailout was hinged on the government agreeing to implement some conditionalities. In fulfilment of the IMF conditionalities, the government in 2015 adopted fiscal austerity. Using Michael Lipsky's Street‐Level Bureaucrat conceptual framework, this paper investigates the implications of Ghana's fiscal austerity programme for the implementation of the country's school feeding programme. Specifically, the paper examines the coping strategies adopted by the service providers to endure the challenges of delivering the programme within the climate of austerity. The findings highlight how financial challenges can lead to inadequate service delivery, as the service providers adopt a host of discretionary practices such as compromising the quality of meals served, the delivery of cheaper‐to‐prepare diets and an inconsistent service delivery regime.
The diagnostic potential of targeted imaging of the fetal pancreas
Authors: Gilboa Yinon , Sukenik‐Halevy Rivka , Kassif Eran , Kivilevitch Zvi , Bardin Ron , Lopian Miriam , Achiron Reuven , Perlman Sharon 
Published: March 2021

AbstractObjectiveTo report our experience with targeted scans of the fetal pancreas.MethodsTargeted scans were performed in 16 cases referred for anatomical or genetic conditions associated with structural pancreatic malformations.ResultsFour fetuses were evaluated for nephromegaly and macroglossia. In three of them, the pancreas circumference was >90th percentile. Genetic testing revealed Beckwith–Wiedemann syndrome. In the fourth case, the pancreas circumference was normal; exome sequencing revealed two heterozygous ETFDH gene mutations consistent with glutaric acidemia type II. In a case referred for non‐visualization of the gallbladder, the fetal pancreas was not visualized and genetic analysis revealed a mutation in the ONECUT1 gene encoding for HNF6. Targeted scan for heterotaxia revealed three cases with variable degrees of agenesis of the pancreas, one case with a normally structured right sided pancreas and one case with a normal pancreas. Cases referred following a genetic diagnosis included a case of maternal nesidioblastosis with an extremely large fetal pancreas; and five fetuses diagnosed with a TCF2 deletion all with a normal pancreas.ConclusionsPrenatal assessment of the fetal pancreas may be a significant factor in prenatal diagnosis and counselling in cases presenting with anatomical and genetic conditions reported post‐natally to be associated with pancreatic structural and functional abnormalities.
A multi‐phase scale simulation of electrochemical chloride extraction in crack‐self‐healing concrete
Authors: Xu Jun , Peng Chen , Wang Guihua , Wang Peng‐gang 
Published: March 2021

AbstractElectrochemical chloride extraction (ECE) is an effective method to remove chloride ions in reinforced concrete. In addition, cracks in concrete have self‐healing properties. The self‐healing properties of concrete may affect the ECE process. Based on moving mesh technology, this paper simulates the ion migration process of ECE in crack‐self‐healing concrete. According to the simulation results, the distribution of ions in the reinforced concrete and the electric potential change law inside the concrete are analyzed during the ECE process. The effects of cracks or no cracks in the anode area of ECE, self‐healing or no self‐healing, and different self‐healing rates on the efficiency of ECE were discussed. This research will have a positive impact on ECE's research.
The Indian surge into South Africa and Brazil: The economic opportunity triad
Authors: Gouvea Raul , Kapelianis Dimitri , Padovani Fernando 
Published: March 2021

AbstractIn the past two decades, Brazil, South Africa, and India have designed closer economic and political ties. Since the early 2000s, India has become an important economic and political partner for both Brazil and South Africa. International trade and foreign direct investment amongst them have expanded considerably, and closer political ties have evolved over the past two decades. This article elaborates on the increasing economic interdependence between India, Brazil and South Africa, addressing challenges, opportunities, and synergies between the three countries and their multinationals.
Polymorphism, expression and structure analysis of key genes in the ovarian steroidogenesis pathway in sheep (Ovis aries)
Authors: Hu Wen‐Ping , Liu Ming‐Qiu , Tian Zhi‐Long , Liu Qiu‐Yue , Zhang Zhuang‐Biao , Tang Ji‐Shun , He Xiao‐Yun , Zhu Yan‐Yan , Wang Yuan‐Yuan , Chu Ming‐Xing 
Published: March 2021

AbstractBackgroundLitter size is an important factor that significantly affects the development of the sheep industry. Our previous TMT proteomics analysis found that three key proteins in the ovarian steroidogenesis pathway, STAR, HSD3B1, and CYP11A1, may affect the litter size trait of Small Tail Han sheep.ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to better understand the relationship between polymorphisms of these three genes and litter size.Material and MethodSequenom MassARRAY detected genetic variance of the three genes in 768 sheep. Real‐time qPCR of the three genes was used to compare their expression in monotocous and polytocous sheep in relevant tissues. Finally, bioinformatics analysis predicted the protein sequences of the different SNP variants.ResultAssociation analysis showed that there was a significant difference in litter size among the genotypes at two loci of the CYP11A1 gene (p < 0.05), but no significant difference was observed in litter size among all genotypes at all loci of the STAR and HSD3B1 genes (p > 0.05). However, STAR expression was significantly different in polytocous and monotocous sheep in the pituitary (p < 0.01). Tissue‐specific expression in the ovary was observed for HSD3B1 (p < 0.05), but its expression was not different between polytocous and monotocous sheep. Bioinformatics analysis showed that the g.33217408C > T mutation of CYP11A1 resulted in major changes to the secondary and tertiary structures. In contrast, gene polymorphisms in STAR and HSD3B1 had minimal impacts on their protein structures.DiscussionThis may explain why the CYP11A1 variant impacted litter size while the others did not. The single nucleotide polymorphism of the CYP11A1 gene would serve as a good molecular marker when breeding to increase litter size in sheep. Our study provides a basis for further revealing the function of the ovarian steroidogenesis pathway in sheep reproduction and sheep breeding.
Aquatic ecosystem metabolism as a tool in environmental management
Authors: Jankowski Kathi Jo , Mejia Francine H. , Blaszczak Joanna R. , Holtgrieve Gordon W. 
Published: March 2021

AbstractRecent advances in high‐frequency environmental sensing and statistical approaches have greatly expanded the breadth of knowledge regarding aquatic ecosystem metabolism—the measurement and interpretation of gross primary productivity (GPP) and ecosystem respiration (ER). Aquatic scientists are poised to take advantage of widely available datasets and freely‐available modeling tools to apply functional information gained through ecosystem metabolism to help inform environmental management. Historically, several logistical and conceptual factors have limited the widespread application of metabolism in management settings. Benefitting from new instrumental and modeling tools, it is now relatively straightforward to extend routine monitoring of dissolved oxygen (DO) to dynamic measures of aquatic ecosystem function (GPP and ER) and key physical processes such as gas exchange with the atmosphere (G). We review the current approaches for using DO data in environmental management with a focus on the United States, but briefly describe management frameworks in Europe and Canada. We highlight new applications of diel DO data and metabolism in regulatory settings and explore how they can be applied to managing and monitoring ecosystems. We then review existing data types and provide a short guide for implementing field measurements and modeling of ecosystem metabolic processes using currently available tools. Finally, we discuss research needed to overcome current conceptual limitations of applying metabolism in management settings. Despite challenges associated with modeling metabolism in rivers and lakes, rapid developments in this field have moved us closer to utilizing real‐time estimates of GPP, ER, and G to improve the assessment and management of environmental change.This article is categorized under:
Water and Life > Nature of Freshwater Ecosystems
Water and Life > Conservation, Management, and Awareness
Advances in single‐molecule fluorescent nanosensors
Authors: Liu Meng , Qiu Jian‐Ge , Ma Fei , Zhang Chun‐Yang 
Published: March 2021

AbstractSingle‐molecule detection represents the ultimate sensitivity in measurement science with the characteristics of simplicity, rapidity, low sample consumption, and high signal‐to‐noise ratio and has attracted considerable attentions in biosensor development. In recent years, a variety of functional nanomaterials with unique chemical, optical, mechanical, and electronic features have been synthesized. The integration of single‐molecule detection with functional nanomaterials enables the construction of novel single‐molecule fluorescent nanosensors with excellent performance. Herein, we review the advance in single‐molecule fluorescent nanosensors constructed by novel nanomaterials including quantum dots, gold nanoparticles, upconversion nanoparticles, fluorescent conjugated polymer nanoparticles, nanosheets, and magnetic nanoparticles in the past decade (2011–2020), and discuss the strategies, features, and applications of single‐molecule fluorescent nanosensors in the detection of microRNAs, DNAs, enzymes, proteins, viruses, and live cells. Moreover, we highlight the future direction and challenges in this area.This article is categorized under:
Diagnostic Tools > Biosensing
Diagnostic Tools > In Vitro Nanoparticle‐Based Sensing
Diagnostic Tools > Diagnostic Nanodevices
Income Inequality, Socio-Economic Status, and Residential Segregation in Greater Cairo: 1986–2006
Authors: Mohamed Abdelbaseer A. , Stanek David 
Published: March 2021

AbstractGreater Cairo is a primate, monocentric metropolis with significant socio-economic disparities among its population and neighborhoods. This chapter examines the relationship between income inequality, the welfare regime, centralized governance, settlement type, housing policies, occupational status, and socio-economic segregation. Using data from the 1986, 1996, and 2006 censuses, we report the dissimilarity index to demonstrate the distribution of residents in the Greater Cairo Region by occupational status, we show patterns of socio-economic segregation based on the distribution of the population by categories of occupations across census tracts and employ the location quotient to compare the concentration of the top/bottom groups in each census tract relative to the city average. The results show that growing economic inequality does not necessarily result in greater socio-economic segregation. The results also suggest that social class contributes to residential clustering. While the poorer strata of the Greater Cairo Region were pushed to the periphery and the older urban core, affluent inhabitants were more likely to settle voluntarily in segregated enclaves to isolate themselves from the general population.
Quality assessment of pellets and briquettes made from glued wood waste
Authors: Cesprini Emanuele , Greco Rosa , Causin Valerio , Urso Tiziana , Cavalli Raffaele , Zanetti Michela 
Published: March 2021

AbstractIn accordance with sustainable economic and social development, Europe supports the use of energy from renewable sources to decrease the use of fossil fuels. Among renewable energy sources, wood, especially production wood waste from the supply chain, represents an exploitable source in line with a circular economy development. In this context, processing of residues produced by wood companies becomes an important resource. This work deals with the possible energy recovery of glued wood wastes. Two solid biofuels were produced from glued wood wastes: pellets and briquettes. They have been produced in collaboration with a local company and analyzed according to the applicable EN ISO international standards. The results were compared with the limits imposed by the standards in order to identify their quality class and their applicability to the current market. The amount of adhesive present in the wood wastes does not negatively affect the intrinsic characteristics of the material that is suitable for the production of solid biofuels. In addition, the amount of wood waste containing cross-linked polyurethane was calculated in order not to compromise the quality of solid biofuels made therefrom.