bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Active Antibiotics Production by Actinomycetes Indigenous To Saudi Arabia Soils
Authors: Fetoon M. Alkhelaiwi  , Ismet Ara  , Nadine Moubayed  
Published: November 2021

Streptomyces are the most popular among the Actinomycetes groups and found in soils worldwide. They form an important part of the soil ecology within the Actinomycetales order. Streptomyces are diverse as secondary antibiotic metabolites such as Novobiocin, Amphotericin, Vancomycin, Neomycin, Gentamicin, Chloramphenicol, Tetracycline, Erythromycin and Nystatin. Thus, the current study was aimed to isolate, identify and assess the active antibiotic metabolites produced by different actinomyces sp. found in Saudi Arabian soils. Six samples were collected from desert soils of the Al Thumamah area and analyzed using GS-MS. Scanning Electron Microscopy was used to identify the bacterial strains along with their antibiotic metabolites effectiveness of secondary metabolites (antibiotics) against different Gram-positive (Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus), negative pathogens (Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Salmonella suis, and Shigella sonnei) as well as the fungal strain Candida albicans was investigated. Thirty active bacterial (F1-30) strains were isolated from the soil samples and the strains F3, F7, F22, F30 have white, gray, pink, yellow and red colours respectively. Only ten strains (F13, F14, F15, F16, FI7, F18, F19, F20, F21, and F22) were found to have antimicrobial activity against at least one pathogen. The optimum growth environment was pH 4-10, temperature (300C), and NaCl (7% w/v) concentration. According to our findings, the extreme desert environment of Al Thumamah from Saudi Arabia is rich in its actinobacterial population with diverse colouring groups and various physiological and biochemical properties. This shows it’s capability of generating secondary metabolite elements that could inhibit pathogenic microorganisms.
Business Strategy, Corporate Social Responsibility Activities, and Financial Performance
Authors: Ho Joanna L. , Hsu Fu-Hsuan , Lee Chia-Ling 
Published: November 2021

ABSTRACT
This study examines how the alignment between business strategy (prospector versus defender) and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) affects company performance. While some CSR involves internal stakeholders, others involve external stakeholders. External CSR may bring public visibility and company prestige, and internal CSR can strengthen employee relations. Using data from U.S. publicly listed companies, which is readily available, we find a stronger positive relation between external (internal) CSR and financial performance for prospector (defender) companies than for defenders (prospectors). These results are robust using alternative measures for strategy, internal CSR, and external CSR. Also, the positive relation is more pronounced for multinational companies than for domestic companies. Our study contributes to the extant literature on international accounting, CSR, and business strategy. Our findings have significant implications for managers in global markets because they demonstrate that different types of CSR can increase company competitive advantages and simultaneously advance social and economic conditions.
JEL Classifications: G30; L10; M4; M14.
Reasons for reperfusion delay in ST-elevation myocardial infarction and their impact on mortality
Authors: Rubartelli Paolo , Bartolini Davide , Bellotti Sandro , Fedele Massimiliano , Iannone Alessandro , Masini Marta , Crimi Gabriele 
Published: November 2021

Aims
The impact of reperfusion delay in ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is well known. We aimed to describe the specific reasons for delay to primary percutaneous coronary intervention (pPCI), and their impact on mortality after adjusting for confounders, using the first-medical-contact-to-device (FMCTD) time to measure the delay.

Methods
Between January 2006 and December 2019, 2149 STEMI patients underwent pPCI at our centre. Delayed pPCI was defined as FMCTD > 90 min or > 120 min in the case of inter-hospital transfer. The causes of delay were classified as system-related (related to the network organization) or patient-related (related to the clinical condition of the patient). Primary outcome was 1-year all-cause mortality.

Results
The pPCI was timely in 69.9% of patients, delayed for system-related causes in 16.4% or for patient-related causes in 13.7%. Different patient-related causes induced variable median FMCTD time (from 114 min for technically difficult pPCI to 159 min for ECG and/or symptom resolution). By multivariable Cox-regression models, the main independent risk factors for mortality were delay due to comorbidities [hazard ratio (HR) 2.19 (1.22–3.91)], or hemodynamic instability [HR 2.05 (1.25–3.38)], after adjusting for Global Registry of Acute Coronary Events risk score tertiles and angiographic success. The difference in risk of mortality is maintained over the entire spectrum of time from symptom onset.

Conclusions
Different causes of delay had different impacts on mortality, generally more important than the length of the delay. Causes of delay such as hemodynamic instability and comorbidities should prompt specific programs of performance improvement. Timely pPCI maintains prognostic advantages after several hours from symptom onset, mandating prompt reperfusion also in late-presenter patients.
Akkermansia muciniphila – obiecujący kandydat na probiotyk nowej generacji
Authors: Markowska Emilia , Kiersztan Anna 
Published: November 2021

Abstrakt
W ostatnich czasach można zaobserwować duży wzrost zainteresowania relacjami między człowiekiem a mikroorganizmami zasiedlającymi jego organizm. Licznie występują w oraz na ciele człowieka, a ich liczba przekracza liczbę komórek ludzkiego organizmu. Udoskonalenie technik badawczych pozwala lepiej zrozumieć molekularne podłoże tych oddziaływań, co być może pozwoli na wykorzystanie w terapiach tych mikroorganizmów, które korzystnie wpływają na organizm człowieka. W artykule podsumowano dotychczasową wiedzę na temat fizjologii licznie występującej w przewodzie pokarmowym bakterii Akkermansia muciniphila i jej wpływu na organizm gospodarza. Opisano właściwości A. muciniphila, jej funkcjonowanie w środowisku przewodu pokarmowego oraz relacje (zarówno antagonistyczne jak i symbiotyczne) z innymi tam bytującymi mikroorganizmami. Przedstawiono także mechanizmy oddziaływania A. muciniphila na barierę jelitową, układ immunologiczny oraz metabolizm energetyczny gospodarza. Ponadto opisano jej rolę w patogenezie i terapii chorób, w tym m.in. cukrzycy typu 2, nieswoistego zapalenia jelit, zaburzeń neurologicznych, astmy, a także jej wpływ na odpowiedź pacjenta na terapie przeciwnowotworowe oparte na działaniu układu odpornościowego. Duże zainteresowanie tą bakterią, a także przytoczone wyniki badań, w tym tych sprawdzających bezpieczeństwo jej stosowania, wskazują, że A. muciniphila może być obiecującym kandydatem na probiotyk nowej generacji. Niewątpliwie jednak przed dopuszczeniem A. muciniphila do powszechnego stosowania konieczne są dalsze badania z udziałem ludzi, a także wnikliwa ocena bezpieczeństwa jej stosowania.
Potencjalne możliwości wykorzystania berberyny w przeciwdziałaniu insulinooporności i w cukrzycy typu 2
Authors: Mróz Michalina , Pastusiak Katarzyna , Bogdański Paweł 
Published: November 2021

Abstrakt
Insulinooporność to stan zmniejszonej wrażliwości tkanek docelowych na działanie insuliny, mimo jej prawidłowego lub podwyższonego stężenia w surowicy krwi. Jest ważnym czynnikiem w patogenezie zespołu metabolicznego, w tym stanu przedcukrzycowego i cukrzycy typu 2, a także chorób sercowo-naczyniowych oraz zespołu policystycznych jajników. Wzrasta zainteresowanie wykorzystaniem środków pochodzenia roślinnego w leczeniu pacjentów z chorobami metabolicznymi. Jednymi z nich są rośliny z rodziny berberysowatych zawierające alkaloidy izochinolinowe, takie jak berberyna. Sugeruje się, iż berberyna może wpływać na zmniejszenie insulinooporności, gospodarkę węglowodanową oraz metabolizm lipidów. Naukowcy wykazali, że ten roślinny alkaloid może tłumić różnicowanie adipocytów i wspomagać redukcję masy ciała. Inne właściwości berberyny obejmują działanie hipotensyjne oraz ochronne wobec śródbłonka naczyniowego. W artykule skoncentrowano się przede wszystkim na przedstawieniu potencjalnych możliwości wykorzystania berberyny w przeciwdziałaniu insulinooporności w cukrzycy typu 2.
Thermomechanical Slip in Elastic Contact Between Identical Materials
Authors: Streliaiev Yurii , Martynyak Rostyslav , Chumak Kostyantyn 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
The contact problem for interaction between an elastic sphere and an elastic half-space is considered taking into account partial thermomechanical frictional slip induced by thermal expansion of the half-space. The elastic constants of the bodies are assumed to be identical. The Amontons–Coulomb law is used to account for friction. The problem is reduced to non-linear boundary integral equations that correspond to the initial stage of mechanical loading and the subsequent stage of thermal loading. The dependences of the contact stress distribution, relative displacements of the contacting surfaces, dimensions of the stick and slip zones on temperature of the half-space are studied numerically. It was revealed that an increase in temperature causes increases in the shear contact stress and the relative shear displacements of the contacting surfaces. The absolute values of the shear contact stress reach their maximum at the boundaries of the stick zones. The greatest value of the moduli of the relative shear displacements are reached at the boundary of the contact region. The stick zone radius decreases monotonically according to a nonlinear law with increasing temperature.
Design of Decoupled Pi Controllers for Two-Input Two-Output Networked Control Systems with Intrinsic and Network-Induced Time Delays
Authors: Vall Ould Mohamed Mohamed 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
Proportional integral controller design for two-input two-output (TITO) networked control systems (NCSs) with intrinsic and network-induced time delays is studied in this paper. The TITO NCS consists of two delayed sub-systems coupled in a 1-1/2-2 pairing mode. In order to simplify the controller design, a decoupling method is first applied to obtain a decoupled system. Then, the controllers are designed based on the transfer function matrix of the obtained decoupled system and using the boundary locus method for determining the stability region and the well-known Mikhailov criterion for the stability test. A comparative analysis of the designed controllers and other controllers proposed in previous literature works is thereafter carried out. To demonstrate the validity and efficacy of the proposed method and to show that it achieves better results than other methods proposed in earlier literature works, the implementation in simulation of Wood–Berry distillation column model (methanol–water separation), a well-known benchmark for TITO systems, is carried out.
A Review of Compressed Air Engine in the Vehicle Propulsion System
Authors: Korbut Michal , Szpica Dariusz 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
Engines powered by compressed air as a source of propulsion are known for many years. Nevertheless, this type of drive is not commonly used. The main reason for not using commonly is the problem with the low energy density of the compressed air. They offer a number of advantages, primarily focusing on the possibility of significantly lowering the emissions of the engine. Their emissivity mainly depends on the method of obtaining compressed air. This also has an impact on the economic aspects of the drive. Currently there are only a few, ready to implement, compressed air powered engine solutions available on the market. A major advantage is the ability to convert internal combustion engines to run with compressed air. The study provides a literature review of solutions, focusing on a multifaceted analysis of pneumatic drives. Increasing vehicle approval requirements relating to their emissions performance are encouraging for the search of alternative power sources. This creates an opportunity for the development of unpopular propulsion systems, including pneumatic engines. Analysing the works of some researchers, it is possible to notice a significant increase in the efficiency of the drive, which may contribute to its popularisation.
Seasonal dynamics of bird assemblages in commercial plantations of Pinus radiata in southern-central Chile
Authors: Zúñiga Alfredo H. , Sandoval Rodolfo , Fuenzalida Víctor 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
Forest plantations are a relatively new environment in Chile, with impacts of different magnitude on different taxa. Birds are one of the taxa mostly used as ecological indicators to evaluate the effect of different types of disturbances, due to their level of specialization in the use of different microhabitats. We assessed the effect of the age of Pinus radiata plantations (2 sites of 8 and 12 years, respectively) and seasonal (three seasons) on the diversity of bird assemblages. The abundance of species from both sites was assessed through acoustic and visual survey records, which were also compared at trophic guild level. Differences were observed at both sites, with higher diversity calculated for Cerro Ñielol (8 years) compared to Rucamanque (12 years). In seasonal terms, diversity was not affected in Cerro Ñielol, while in Rucamanque significant differences were observed during fall. Guild composition of both localities also showed differences, resulting in higher diversity for Cerro Ñielol in most cases. Despite the fact that the younger plantation presented the highest diversity, elements associated with the landscape are discussed, as well as particularities in the use of space by the species.
Population density, habitat preference, and breeding biology of Chukar Partridge (Alectoris chukar) in Malakand division, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
Authors: Ullah Atta , Khan Khurshaid 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
The field biology of Chukar Partridge (Alectoris chukar) was studied in Malakand division, which is an important range of its distribution in Pakistan. The abundance of the species at different altitudes was studied using both transect trails of various lengths and point counts at certain spots. The average monthly population density was estimated to be 1.448±0.466 birds/ha. The population density in August, September, and October 2020 was significantly (P<0.05) higher, as compared to the rest of the months. Chukar Partridge sightings were the lowest in December, with mean±SD = 0.996±0.147 birds/ha and the highest in October 2.333±0.202 birds/ hae in all the study sites. At each study site, maximum activity habitats were marked and selected for breeding ecology study. Data was collected on breeding time, nest site selection, nest size, incubation period, and hatching success. The breeding season in this species starts in February, with the peak months being March and April, when calls are frequently heard. The frequency of calls varied from 0.15 to 0.3 per minute. Throughout the breeding season, twelve nests were observed using binoculars and camera traps from a distance to avoid disturbance, wherever possible and without disrupting the species. Nesting sites were mostly on slopes under the eaves of Dodonea viscosa, Calotropis procera and Zizyphus oxyphylla. Dry leaves of Poa annua, Cynodon dactylon, Dichanthium annulatum, small twigs of bushes, and downy feathers were used as nesting materials. The average diameter of nest (n=12) was 25.43±3.4 (mean±SD) cm. Overall, the mean clutch size was 94.5±30.187 egg/nest with an incubation period of 22–24 days. The hatching success rate was 82% with 315 successfully hatched chicks, while the fledging rate was 83% (265 fledged out of 315 hatched in, n=42 nests).
The wing phalanges (Phalanx proximalis digiti majoris) of European Accipitriformes and Falconiformes
Authors: Horváth Ida , Kessler Jenő Eugen , Pecsics Tibor 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
The authors compared the first phalanx of the second wing finger of 33 European diurnal raptors. The importance of studying this bone lies in the fact that, although it has diagnosable characteristics, it was practically neglected by osteologists and paleontologists. Thus, fossil materials can be identified through them, as well as those from owl pellets. The comparison was made possible by the comparative avian skeleton collection of the Hungarian Natural History Museum. In a preliminary investigation we examined the morphological diversity of the first phalanx of the second wing finger among the different species. We used principal component (PC) analyses on measurements. The PC described the curvature of the anterior surface of the bone and the relative size of the distal and proximal epiphyses. The principal component analysis showed slightly overlapping in shape between the taxons but the accipitriform and falconiform birds diverged in the morphospace. The attributes and geometry of the first phalanx of the second wing finger reflects more on taxonomic background than flying behaviour. The avian wing is a complex and highly modulable structure, therefore, probably body mass and size affect flying performance than the other morphological features of this bone. The text is supplemented by 6 figures and one size table.
Breeding phenology of Common Redstart (Phoenicurus phoenicurus) and its reproduction biology with artificial nests in Northeastern Ukraine
Authors: Yarys Olena , Chaplygina Angela , Kratenko Roman 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
The paper describes investigations on the reproduction biology (nesting, clutching, hatching, fledglings` departure) of the Common Redstart (Phoenicurus phoenicurus) in artificial nest boxes (AN) in Northeastern Ukraine. There were three sites of research: Hetman NNP, NPP “Gomilshansky Forests”, and RLP “Feldman Ecopark”. The research was performed during the nesting period from the first week of April to the first week of July in 2015‒2020. Annually, 5‒8 bird counts were conducted at each site. The first complete egg clutches at Hetman NNP were observed from 08.05 to 17.05 (2015‒2020) and at NPP “Gomilshansky Forests” from 02.05 to28.05 (2017‒2020). Dates of the first egg laying, at various conditions, had inter-annual variability because of unstable weather conditions in May. The average parameters of nests in AN at Hetman NNP were the following: diameter of nests (D) ‒ 124.1±6.3 mm; diameter of trays (d) ‒ 61.5±1.7 mm; nest height (H) ‒ 63.5±9.4 mm; depth of trays (h) ‒ 48.6±2.7 mm; nest mass (m) ‒ 43.7±3.8 mm. The size of complete clutches in Northeastern Ukraine was calculated when eggs were incubated. According to the average indicators, during 2015‒2020, the average size of the clutch was 6.9±0.3 (5‒8) eggs at Hetman NNP, 6.2±0.4 (6‒8) eggs at NPP “Gomilshansky Forests” and 8.5±0.5 (8‒9) eggs at RLP “Feldman Ecopark”. Incubation period of Ph. phoenicurus lasted on average for 15‒20 days.
Migration of Firecrest (Regulus ignicapilla) in Hungary
Authors: Bozó László , Csathó András István , Gyurácz József , Huber Attila , Csörgő Tibor 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
The Firecrest (Regulus ignicapilla) is a regular, but small-number breeder in spruce and coniferous forests in the mountainous and hilly areas of Hungary, but is found in all parts of the country during migration. Despite this, only sporadic field observation data and ringing results in Western Hungary have been published so far. The aim of this study was to investigate the migration of this species on a national scale. In our work, we processed field observation data collected on the Csanádi-hát and capture-recapture data from three bird ringing stations (Szalonna, Tömörd and Ócsa) from the second half of the 1980s to 2021. We also used archive published field observation data from different parts of Hungary. Our results show that the spring migration of the species in the study areas took place between mid-March and late April – early May, and its timing did not differ significantly between regions. In contrast, the autumn migration was earlier in mountainous areas than in lowland areas. The small numbers and short duration of recaptured birds suggested a rapid migration in both periods. In autumn, we obtained a significant difference between the annual number of birds captured in Tömörd and Szalonna. In both periods, males were caught in greater numbers than females. In southern Hungary, the timing of migration in spring has not changed, but in autumn the species migrated earlier than a few decades ago.
Sports Diplomacy Research in Poland, Czechia and Slovakia. Emerging Field of Study?
Authors: Zákravský Jiří , Kobierecki Michał Marcin , Štulajter Ivan 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
Sport is a complex phenomenon that academics across many social sciences are focusing on. The interest in sports has been observable for a long time by historians, anthropologists and sociologists. Scientists in the field of international relations are no exception. A typical way sport is studied in international relations is by paying attention to sports diplomacy. The study of sports diplomacy has become a pretty popular part of the research since the second decade of the 21st century and it is possible to observe the dominance of the authors from the American and British universities in sports diplomacy research. Based on the Web of Science dataset, at first sight, the study of sports diplomacy is not seen as a popular field of research in the Central European countries. On the other hand, this statistical measure does not describe a complex situation of what the sports diplomacy research looks like, how it is formed or how it reflects the thinking of the politicians on national public/sports diplomacy. Thus, the article aims to map sports diplomacy research in the Central European states, specifically in Poland, Czechia and Slovakia.
Brain paracoccidioidomycosis in an immunosuppressed patient with systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Kamer Carolina , Pretto Barbara Janke , Livramento Carlos Rafael , da Silva Rafael Carlos 
Published: November 2021

Background:
Brain paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM) or neuroparacoccidioidomycosis (NPCM) is a fungal infection of the central nervous system (CNS) caused by Paracoccidioides brasiliensis, a dimorphic fungus. The CNS involvement is through bloodstream dissemination. The association between NPCM and systemic lupus erythematous (SLE) is rare. However, SLE patients are under risk of opportunistic infections given their immunosuppression status.

Case Description:
The aim of this case report is to present a 37-year-old female with diagnosis of SLE who presented with progressive and persistent headache in the past 4 months accompanied by the right arm weakness with general and neurologic examination unremarkable. The computerized tomography of the head showed left extra-axial parietooccipital focal hypoattenuation with adjacent bone erosion. The brain magnetic resonance imaging reported left parietooccipital subdural collection associated with focal leptomeningeal thickening with restriction to diffusion and peripheral contrast enhancement. The patient underwent a left craniotomy and dura mater biopsy showed noncaseous granulomatosis with multinucleated giant cells with rounded birefringent structures positive for silver stain, consistent with PCM. Management with itraconazole 200 mg daily was started with a total of 12 months of treatment, with patient presenting resolution of headache and right arm weakness.

Conclusion:
The diagnosis of NPCM is challenging and a high degree of suspicious should be considered in patients with persistent headache and immunosuppression.