bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Phase‐sampled detection of hybrid modulation impaired by gamma‐gamma turbulence
Authors: Sahoo Pritam K. , Yadav Ajay K. , Prajapati Yogendra K. , Tripathi Rajeev 
Published: June 2019

AbstractThis article presents an alternative, though not innovative detection technique for a hybrid modulation technique based on binary pulse position modulation (PPM). Authors have numerically derived the error performance results of a hybrid modulation called pulse position modulation‐minimum shift keying using phase‐sampled detection technique and aperture averaging (AA). Furthermore, the said hybrid modulation is judged against binary phase shift keying and PPM techniques under weak to strong free space optical environment turbulence channels. For both weak and strong atmospheric turbulence, the error performance is studied using log‐normal channel model and the gamma‐gamma channel model. Furthermore, atmospheric fading probabilities in the form of outage probabilities of all modulation techniques are evaluated for log‐normal turbulence model.
Exploring biomarkers in the overactive bladder: Alterations in miRNA levels of a panel of genes in patients with OAB
Authors: Fırat Elif , Aybek Zafer , Akgün Şakir , Küçüker Kürşat , Akça Hakan , Aybek Hülya 
Published: June 2019

AbstractAimsIt has been demonstrated that there are abundant stable microRNAs (miRNAs) in plasma, which is potentially disease‐specific. Adrenergic and muscarinic pathways play an important role in voiding physiology. Alterations in the levels of miRNAs are thought to influence the regulation of these pathways at the molecular level. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship of miRNAs with overactive bladder pathogenesis and to provide a new perspective to treatment approaches.MethodsThis study included patients with an overactive bladder (OAB) diagnosis and a healthy control group. All patients completed a validated OAB‐V8 questionnaire. The relative expression levels of 12 miRNAs were examined in plasma by PCR. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were generated to evaluate the diagnostic qualification of miRNAs.ResultsThe relative expression levels of let‐7b‐5p, miR‐92a‐3p, miR‐98‐5p, miR‐142‐3p, and miR‐200c‐3p were significantly upregulated and miR‐139‐5p was significantly downregulated in patients with OAB and no correlation was determined between the levels of miRNAs with OAB symptom score. Among the miRNAs, miR‐98‐5p provided the highest diagnostic accuracy alone (area under curve [AUC] = 0.79) in ROC analysis. The combination of miR‐98‐5p + miR‐139‐5p was seen to be a good indicator (AUC = 0.839).ConclusionsThese results suggest that alteration of the miRNA levels can be used as auxiliary parameters to explain the pathophysiology of OAB syndrome and could shed light on new treatment options.
Antimicrobial peptides under clinical investigation
Authors: Koo Hye Been , Seo Jiwon 
Published: June 2019

AbstractOveruse of conventional antibiotics as well as the slow pace of new antibiotic drug development leads to antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Because infections with multi‐drug resistant (MDR) pathogens have become a public health issue, the need for a novel class of antibiotics is urgent. Recently, antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) have emerged as a promising platform to fight against MDR bacteria ensuring broad‐spectrum antimicrobial activity and relatively low resistance emergence. Currently, a number of AMPs are undergoing clinical and preclinical trials against various infectious diseases. This review lists the 36 AMPs (27 clinical and 9 preclinical) with brief information about their origin, structure, mechanism, and development status. From the examples of AMPs under clinical investigation, we categorized several improvement strategies and highlighted directions for the future design of AMPs.
Detection of a ryanodine receptor target‐site mutation in diamide insecticide resistant fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda
Authors: Boaventura Debora , Bolzan Anderson , Padovez Fernando EO , Okuma Daniela M , Omoto Celso , Nauen Ralf 
Published: June 2019

AbstractBACKGROUNDFall armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith), a major lepidopteran pest in Latin and North America, has very recently invaded the continents of Africa and Asia. FAW has evolved resistance to different insecticides and transgenic corn expressing Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) toxins. Here, we investigated the extent and mechanisms of resistance to diamide insecticides in a Brazilian field‐collected FAW strain selected using chlorantraniliprole.RESULTSContinuous laboratory selection of a field‐collected FAW strain with chlorantraniliprole resulted in resistance ratios of 225‐fold and > 5400‐fold against chlorantraniliprole and flubendiamide, respectively, when compared with a susceptible strain. Pre‐exposure to different synergists known to inhibit detoxification enzymes did not result in significantly increased larval toxicity, suggesting a minor role for metabolic resistance. Sequencing of the FAW ryanodine receptor (RyR) C‐terminal domains II to VI revealed a single nucleotide polymorphism, resulting in a I4734M mutation recently said to confer target‐site resistance to diamides in lepidopteran pests. Genotyping by pyrosequencing of field‐collected FAW larvae sampled in the 2018 crop season suggests a low resistance allele frequency. Furthermore, we developed a fluorescent polymerase chain reaction (PCR)‐based allelic discrimination assay for rapid genotyping of field‐collected FAW samples, because diamides are increasingly used in Bt−/non‐Bt corn.CONCLUSIONSRecently, the identified RyR mutation has been shown to confer field resistance in other lepidopteran pests such as diamondback moth, tomato leafminer and striped rice stem borer. The developed PCR‐based allelic discrimination assay will help to monitor the frequency and future spread of diamide resistance allele in FAW field populations and help to implement appropriate resistance management measures. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry
Quercetin reduced the formation of N‐acetyl‐p‐benzoquinoneimine, a toxic metabolite of paracetamol in rats and isolated rat hepatocytes
Authors: Pingili Ravindrababu , Pawar A. Krishnamanjari , Challa Siva Reddy 
Published: June 2019

N‐acetyl‐p‐benzoquinoneimine (NAPQI) is toxic metabolite of paracetamol formed primarily by cytochrome P4502E1 (CYP2E1) metabolic pathway when administered at therapeutic doses or overdose. The influence of quercetin (flavonoid) on the bioactivation of paracetamol to NAPQI was investigated using rat liver microsomes and rats in vivo. Paracetamol (80 mg/kg) was administered orally without or with silymarin (100 mg/kg), a known inhibitor of CYP2E1, CYP3A4 and quercetin (10 and 20 mg/kg) to rats for 15 consecutive days. Area under the plasma concentration–time curve (AUC0‐∞) and the peakplasma concentration (Cmax) of paracetamol were dose‐dependently increased with quercetin (10 and 20 mg/kg) compared to paracetamol control group (p < 0.001). On the other hand, the AUC0‐∞ and Cmax of NAPQI were decreased significantly with quercetin. The same results were observed with silymarin also. The elevated liver and kidney functional enzymes/compounds were significantly reduced by quercetin and silymarin compared to paracetamol control group. The formation of NAPQI was reduced in the incubation samples in presence of quercetin in experiment using isolated rat hepatocytes. The presentstudy results revealed that quercetin might be inhibited the CYP2E1‐mediated metabolism of paracetamol; thereby decreased the formation of NAPQI and protected the liver and kidney.
Synthesis, Biological Evaluation and In Silico Studies of 1,2,4‐Triazole and 1,3,4‐Thiadiazole Derivatives as Antiherpetic Agents
Authors: Goma'a Hebat‐Allah M. , Ghaly Mariam A. , Abou‐zeid Laila A. , Badria Farid A. , Shehata Ihsan A. , El‐Kerdawy Mohamed M. 
Published: June 2019

AbstractTwo isosteric series of 1,2,4‐triazole and 1,3,4‐thiadiazole derivatives were designed and synthesized in this work to be evaluated for their antiviral activity. Compounds 2–9 and 11–19 were synthesized and their antiviral activity was tested against herpes simplex virus type 1, HSV‐1, using acyclovir, ACV, as a reference drug. In addition, molecular docking into the active site of HSV‐1 thymidine kinase was performed to interpret the data obtained from biological testing, and all compounds were subjected to an in silico screening of their physicochemical properties to estimate their drug‐likeness and safety. The results revealed that compound 7 was able to reduce the viral plaques by 50% at a dose of 80 μM, but interestingly, retained high selectivity compared to ACV (>200 μM vs. 80 μM). The best effective and safe compound in this study, 7, was further tested for its combined effects with ACV on the anti‐HSV‐1 activity in the plaque reduction assay. Compound 7 proved to improve the selectivity of ACV and reduce its effective dose that produced 100% inhibition of viral plaques. The triazolopyrimidine 7 is suggested to be a promising candidate for further development as an antiherpetic agent. Molecular docking into the active site of HSV‐1 thymidine kinase emphasized the superior interaction of compound 7.
Rapid in Situ Self‐Assembly of Carbon Fibers/ZIF‐8 Composite for Efficient Adsorption Enhancement of Congo Red
Authors: Xiong Su‐Qin , Li Jia‐Le , Wang Yu , Gao Yu‐Hang , Jin Chun‐Xin , Dong Wei‐Wei , Zhao Jinhua , He Miao , Li Donghao , Shang Hai‐Bo 
Published: June 2019

AbstractAlthough carbon fibers (CFs) are born with special physicochemical properties, the common CFs show the poor adsorption performance owing to the lack of adsorption sites and porosity with low specific surface area. As emerging functional materials, metal‐organic frameworks (MOFs) have attracted significant attention due to excellent properties, which has the ability of remedying drawbacks of other materials. In this study, zeolitic imidazolate framework‐8 (ZIF‐8) was rapidly coated on the surface of carbon fibers (CFs) (CF/ZIF‐8) via in‐situ self‐assembly approach in 10 min. The scanning electron microscope (SEM) images show ZIF‐8 film on CF is dense and homogeneous due to the low reactivity of zinc acetate and the coordination interaction between Zn2+ and carboxyl of CF treated by nitric acid (CF‐COOH). The Brunauer‐Emmett‐Teller (BET) surface area of CF/ZIF‐8 composite is about 30 times larger than that of pristine CF. The adsorption selectivity of CFs was increased after the modification of ZIF‐8 demonstrating by adsorbing different dyes. The CF/ZIF‐8 composites were applied to remove congo red (CR) from aqueous solutions with the adsorption capacity 40 times more than that of pristine CF and CF‐COOH, because of the increasing specific surface, electrostatic interaction and π‐π interaction between ZIF‐8 and CR molecule. The MOFs/CFs composites we fabricated also have great promise applications in micro‐preconcentration and electrochemistry.
The role of school race/ethnic composition in mental health outcomes: A systematic literature review
Authors: DuPont‐Reyes Melissa J. , Villatoro Alice P. 
Published: June 2019

ABSTRACTIntroductionThis systematic literature review provides evidence concerning the association of school race/ethnic composition in mental health outcomes among adolescents (ages 11–17 years). A range of mental health outcomes were assessed (e.g., internalizing behaviors, psychotic symptoms) in order to broadly capture the relationship between school context on mental health and psychological wellbeing. Methods: A search across six databases from 1990 to 2018 resulted in 13 articles from three countries (United States, United Kingdom, and the Netherlands) that met inclusion criteria following a two step review of titles/abstracts and full‐text. Results: The existing research on school race/ethnic composition and mental health point to two distinct measures of school composition: density—the proportion of one race/ethnic group enrolled in a school, and diversity—an index capturing the range and size of all race/ethnic groups enrolled in a school. Overall, higher same race/ethnic peer density was associated with better mental health for all adolescents. In contrast, there was no overall strong evidence of mental health advantage in schools with increased diversity. Conclusions: Theoretical and methodological considerations for future research towards strengthening causal inference, and implications for policies and practices concerning the mental health of adolescent‐aged students are discussed.
Tumour sidedness and clinicopathological features of resected colon cancer in rural population of Northern Pakistan: single institutional analysis
Authors: Khan Shah Zeb , Fatima Ismat 
Published: June 2019

Abstract
Objectives Different clinicopathological and molecular features have been demonstrated between right and left sided colon cancers. We aimed to characterize colon cancer and sidedness among a North-Pakistani rural population diagnosed with colon cancer in our institution.
Methods Seventy patients were included in the study that received adjuvant chemotherapy at Bannu Institute of Nuclear Medicine Oncology and Radiotherapy) Bannu, Pakistan from January 2014 to December 2017. Chi-square test was used for significance of categorical variables. p-Values less than 0.05 were considered significant.
Results Mean age at diagnosis for right side colon cancer patients was 43.94 years and for left side colon cancer, it was 49.83 with no significant difference. Male patients were presented more with right (77% vs. 54%, p = 0.044) and females with predominantly left sided tumours i.e. (46% vs. 23%, p = 0.044). Right sided cancer tended to be more poorly differentiated (20% vs. 0%, p = 0.020). Mucinous adenocarcinoma was seen mostly in right sided colon cancer (37% vs. 3%, p ≤ 0.001). There were more locally advanced presentation of right side colon cancer with more node positive (83% vs. 60%, p = 0.025) and lymphovascular invasion (51% vs. 37%, p = 0.016). Sigmoid colon was the most common tumour subsite involved.
Conclusion Our study is the first report of colon cancer in a rural population in North-Pakistan. An earlier onset of tumours (44–50 years) was observed in comparison with global data.
Hypersonic flow over spherically blunted cone capsules for atmospheric entry. Part 1. The sharp cone and the sphere
Authors: Hornung H. G. , Martinez Schramm Jan , Hannemann Klaus 
Published: June 2019

Depending on the cone half-angle and the inverse normal-shock density ratio $\unicode[STIX]{x1D700}$, hypersonic flow over a spherically blunted cone exhibits two regimes separated by an almost discontinuous jump of the body end of the sonic line from a point on the spherical nose to the shoulder of the cone, here called sphere behaviour and cone behaviour. The inflection point of the shock wave in sphere behaviour is explained. In Part 1 we explore the two elements of the capsule shape, the sphere and the sharp cone with detached shock, theoretically and computationally, in order to put the treatment of the full capsule shape on a sound basis. Starting from the analytical expression for the shock detachment angle of a cone given by Hayes & Probstein (Hypersonic Flow Theory, 1959, Academic Press) we make a hypothesis for the sharp cone, about the functional form of the dependence of dimensionless quantities on $\unicode[STIX]{x1D700}$ and a cone angle parameter, $\unicode[STIX]{x1D702}$. In the critical part of atmospheric entry the shock shape and drag of the capsule are insensitive to viscous effects, so that much can be learned from inviscid studies. Accordingly, the hypothesis is tested by making a large number of Euler computations to cover the parameter space: Mach number, specific heat ratio and cone angle. The results confirm the hypothesis in the case of the dimensionless shock stand-off distance as well as for the drag coefficient, yielding accurate analytical functions for both. This reduces the number of independent parameters of the problem from three to two. A functional form of the shock stand-off distance is found for the transition from the $90^{\circ }$ cone to the sphere. Although the analysis assumes a calorically perfect gas, the results may be carried over to the high-enthalpy real-gas situation if the normal-shock density ratio is replaced by the density ratio based on the average density along the stagnation streamline (see e.g. Stulov, Izv. AN SSSR Mech. Zhidk. Gaza, vol. 4, 1969, pp. 142–146; Hornung, J. Fluid Mech., vol. 53, 1972, pp. 149–176; Wen & Hornung, J. Fluid Mech., vol. 299, 1995, pp. 389–405).
Enamel hypoplasia and dental wear of North American late Pleistocene horses and bison: an assessment of nutritionally based extinction models
Authors: Barrón-Ortiz Christina I. , Jass Christopher N. , Barrón-Corvera Raúl , Austen Jennifer , Theodor Jessica M. 
Published: June 2019

AbstractApproximately 50,000–11,000 years ago many species around the world became extinct or were extirpated at a continental scale. The causes of the late Pleistocene extinctions have been extensively debated and continue to be poorly understood. Several extinction models have been proposed, including two nutritionally based extinction models: the coevolutionary disequilibrium and mosaic-nutrient models. These models draw upon the individualistic response of plant species to climate change to present a plausible scenario in which nutritional stress is considered one of the primary causes for the late Pleistocene extinctions.In this study, we tested predictions of the coevolutionary disequilibrium and mosaic-nutrient extinction models through the study of dental wear and enamel hypoplasia ofEquusandBisonfrom various North American localities. The analysis of the dental wear (microwear and mesowear) of the samples yielded results that are consistent with predictions established for the coevolutionary disequilibrium model, but not for the mosaic-nutrient model. These ungulate species show statistically different dental wear patterns (suggesting dietary resource partitioning) during preglacial and full-glacial time intervals, but not during the postglacial in accordance with predictions of the coevolutionary disequilibrium model. In addition to changes in diet, these ungulates, specifically the equid species, show increased levels of enamel hypoplasia during the postglacial, indicating higher levels of systemic stress, a result that is consistent with the models tested and with other climate-based extinction models. The extent to which the increase in systemic stress was detrimental to equid populations remains to be further investigated, but suggests that environmental changes during the late Pleistocene significantly impacted North American equids.
Visual Scoring of Starch in Coffea Arabica L. II. Starch in Bearing and Non-Bearing Branches
Authors: Wormer T. M. , Ebagole H. E. 
Published: June 2019

SummaryThe amount of starch in branches of Coffea arabica L. was studied by means of a method of visual scoring. In cropping branches, the variation in starch level was greatly, but not completely, determined by the growth of the crop. More knowledge of the formation and distribution of the products of photosynthesis is needed before a satisfactory explanation can be offered. Starch levels in non-cropping branches were higher than those in the cropping branches, but followed the same pattern of fluctuation. In general, translocation of starch occurred rapidly throughout the tree but some exceptions to this rule were found.
THE SOUND AND MEANING OF GOD'S WORD: AFFIRMATION IN AN OLD CAIRO QURʾAN LESSON
Authors: Mouftah Nermeen 
Published: June 2019

AbstractFor centuries Muslims have asked whether the Qurʾan should be recited and memorized first and foremost, or whether one must prioritize understanding the meaning of its complex language. What is the best way to encounter God's Word? To explore this question, a women's Qurʾan lesson in a slum of Old Cairo illustrates modern Muslim anxieties over the place of discursive meaning in encounters with the Qurʾan. This article elaborates the concept of affirmation as an analytic to grasp how the women relate to the truth of revelation. Affirmation is a performative and discursive hermeneutic practice that deploys Qurʾanic citation, situates Qurʾanic concepts in daily life, and sutures the efficacy of Qurʾan education with correct language and with right action. Their lessons are indicative of reformist trends in Qurʾan education that open onto questions of meaning and understanding in relation to human interactions with divine speech.
The Convention on the Settlement of Investment Disputes between States and Nationals of Other States
Authors: Sassoon David M. 
Published: June 2019

It has been asserted by Gunnar Myrdal, the renowned Swedish economist, that one of the three major obstacles to the satisfactory progress of international economic cooperation and integration is that the methods of settling international disputes are ineffective and primitive.That the lack of adequate institutional facilities for the settlement of investment disputes has in particular hampered the flow of capital from the affluent to the developing nations (at a time when the revolution of rising expectations so extensively depends upon it) cannot be seriously doubted. As pointed out by one writer: “It does not appear realistic to expect a foreign investor to allow adjudication of his grievance before a tribunal of the nation in which the grievance arises, or before a tribunal of a nation allegedly causing the grievance… For similar reasons, a nation which is a party to a grievance will not normally allow its rights to be adjudicated by a tribunal of a nation of which a complaining foreign investor is a national.”
Milk cathelicidin and somatic cell counts in dairy goats along the course of lactation
Authors: Tedde Vittorio , Bronzo Valerio , Puggioni Giulia Maria Grazia , Pollera Claudia , Casula Antonio , Curone Giulio , Moroni Paolo , Uzzau Sergio , Addis Maria Filippa 
Published: June 2019

AbstractThis research communication reports the evaluation of cathelicidin in dairy goat milk for its relationship with the somatic cell count (SCC) and microbial culture results. Considering the limited performances of SCC for mastitis monitoring in goats, there is interest in evaluating alternative diagnostic tools. Cathelicidin is an antimicrobial protein involved in innate immunity of the mammary gland. In this work, half-udder milk was sampled bimonthly from a herd of 37 Alpine goats along an entire lactation and tested with the cathelicidin ELISA together with SCC and bacterial culture. Cathelicidin and SCC showed a strong correlation (r = 0.72; n = 360 milk samples). This was highest in mid-lactation (r = 0.83) and lowest in late lactation (r = 0.61), and was higher in primiparous (0.80, n = 130) than in multiparous goats (0.71, n = 230). Both markers increased with stage of lactation, but cathelicidin increased significantly less than SCC. In addition, peak level in late lactation was lower for cathelicidin (5.05-fold increase) than for SCC (7.64-fold increase). Twenty-one (5.8%) samples were positive to bacteriological culture, 20 for coagulase-negative staphylococci and one for Streptococcus spp.; 18 of them were positive to the cathelicidin ELISA (85.71% sensitivity). Sensitivity of SCC >500 000 and of SCC >1 000 000 cells/ml was lower (71.43 and 23.81%, respectively). Therefore, the high correlation of cathelicidin with SCC during the entire lactation, along with its lower increase in late lactation and good sensitivity in detecting intramammary infection (IMI), indicate a potential for monitoring subclinical mastitis in dairy goats. However, based on this preliminary assessment, specificity should be improved (40.41% for cathelicidin vs. 54.57 and 67.85% for SCC >500 000 and >1 000 000 cells/ml, respectively). Therefore, the application of cathelicidin for detecting goat IMI will require further investigation and optimization, especially concerning the definition of diagnostic thresholds.