bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Preparation and Biochemical Evaluation of Functionalized Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes with Punica granatum Extract
Authors: Haroun Ahmed A. , Mossa Abdel-Tawab H. , Mohafrash Samia M.M. 
Published: June 2018

Background:
Funcionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes (ox-MWCNTs) were used for
the preparation of therapeutic nanoparticles for delivery of some bioactive compounds. Consequently,
this work deals with the preparation of grafted MWCNTs with n-vinyl caprolactam in the presence of
pomegranate peel extract (P. granatum), titanium dioxide (TiO2) and/or silver nanoparticeles and their
toxic effects on male mice using in vivo biological examination (liver and kidney dysfunction biomarkers)
and the histopathological analysis.

Methods:
P. granatum extract was immobilized onto functionalized MWCNTs using simple adsorption
technique. Moreover, The prepared materials were analyzed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy
(FTIR), scanning electron microscope (SEM). In vivo examination using liver and kidney dysfunction
biomarkers was investigated. In addition, the histopathological study was carried out.

Results:
The ox-MWCNTs induced significant elevation in the liver enzymes including AST, ALT and
ALP relative to the control group. While, the treatment with P. granatum extract only did not induce
any change in the liver and kidney biomarkers. In other words, P. granatum extract loaded onto functionalized
MWCNTs showed low effects on liver enzymes and kidney function biomarkers in the
treated mice in comparison with ox-MWCNTs and extract separately. Moreover, histopathological
analysis revealed that the P. granatum extract functionalized MWCNTs exhibited normal renal tissue
with no histopathological alteration.

Conclusion:
The grafted MWCNTs with n-vinyl caprolactam in the presence of pomegranate peel extract
(P. granatum), titanium dioxide (TiO2) and/or silver nanoparticeles were successfully prepared.
SEM-micrographs showed complete coating of MWCNTs fiber with the extract. The prepared materials
resulted in no toxic effects and the histopathological findings were confirmed by inflammation of the
liver and kidney tissues.
Phenolic Content, Antibacterial and Antioxidant Activities of Moroccan propolis
Authors: Belmehdi Omar , Douhri Badia , Bouyahya Abdelhakim , Laghmouchi Yousif , Senhaji Nadia S. , Abrini Jamal 
Published: June 2018

Background:Propolis contains compounds with antibacterial and antioxidant capacities, such as phenolic compounds and flavonoids. The aim of this study was to investigate the antibacterial and antioxidant effects of six propolis samples from northern Morocco and to determine their content of polyphenols and flavonoids.Methods:The total polyphenols and flavonoids of Ethanol Extracts (EEP) were evaluated by colorimetric assays. To test the antibacterial activity, the well diffusion and micro-dilution methods were adopted. The kinetic of bacterial growth in the presence of EEP was tested. The antioxidant activity was evaluated using three techniques: reducing power, β-carotene bleaching test, and DPPH scavenging capacity assay.Results:The EEPs were found to have high total phenolic content (65.09 - 122.00 mg GAE/g) and flavonoids (41.95 - 50.44 mg QE/g). The screening of the antibacterial activity showed that all tested bacteria were sensitive to EEP except Escherichia coli. The inhibitory zones varied from 11.50 ± 0.70 to 32.00 ± 0.70 mm, and MIC and MBC ranged from 0.07 to 5 mg/mL and 0.07 to >5 mg/mL, respectively. The antioxidant activity was proportional to the phenolic content of propolis. The IC50 varied from 48.70 to 156.00 mg/mL and the RAA% ranged from 75.07 to 96.68 %.
A Comparative Study of Determination the Spectral Characteristics of Serum Total Protein Among Laser System and Spectrophotometric: Advantage and Limitation of Suggested Methods
Authors: Zahra AL-Timimi 
Published: June 2018

Background and Objective:Laser spectroscopy is becoming an increasingly paramount analytical tool. Scientists today have at their disposal many various types of laser-based analytical techniques. In this article, the possibility of using capabilities of a laser to analyze and find the concentration of Serum Total Protein (STP) was studied.Materials and Methods:The laser system includes a diode laser with 532 nm wavelength, with maximum output power being 5 mW. Laser bandwidth ranges around (524 nm – 546 nm) experimentally justified using a monochromator. A simple variable resistance with a range from zero to10Ω for obtaining a range of laser output power, detector, parallel variable resistance with the range from zero to 5 kΩ and meter for measuring the percentage of transmittance. The absorption spectroscopy of STP samples was measured by double beam spectrophotometer.Results:Maximum absorbance of STP is at the range (520-580 nm) and the peak at (500) nm. Laser system measurements included the study of absorbance of STP as a function of cuvet thickness, transmittance as a function of cuvet thickness and absorbance as a function of laser power. In order to ascertain our calculations, the results have been compared with the results of the spectrophotometer. The Relative Standard Deviation (RSD%) values are about (0.67-17.18).Conclusion:The diode laser system is a highly efficient and easy system and allows access to a range of powers. Since the divergence of the laser beam is very low. All results are in good agreement with conventional double beam spectrophotometer.
The Influence of Memory-Aware Computation on Distributed BLAST
Authors: Hajibaba Majid , Sharifi Mohsen , Gorgin Saeid 
Published: June 2018

Background:One of the pivotal challenges in nowadays genomic research domain is the fast processing of voluminous data such as the ones engendered by high-throughput Next-Generation Sequencing technologies. On the other hand, BLAST (Basic Local Alignment Search Tool), a longestablished and renowned tool in Bioinformatics, has shown to be incredibly slow in this regard.Objective:To improve the performance of BLAST in the processing of voluminous data, we have applied a novel memory-aware technique to BLAST for faster parallel processing of voluminous data.Method:We have used a master-worker model for the processing of voluminous data alongside a memory-aware technique in which the master partitions the whole data in equal chunks, one chunk for each worker, and consequently each worker further splits and formats its allocated data chunk according to the size of its memory. Each worker searches every split data one-by-one through a list of queries.Results:We have chosen a list of queries with different lengths to run insensitive searches in a huge database called UniProtKB/TrEMBL. Our experiments show 20 percent improvement in performance when workers used our proposed memory-aware technique compared to when they were not memory aware. Comparatively, experiments show even higher performance improvement, approximately 50 percent, when we applied our memory-aware technique to mpiBLAST.Conclusion:We have shown that memory-awareness in formatting bulky database, when running BLAST, can improve performance significantly, while preventing unexpected crashes in low-memory environments. Even though distributed computing attempts to mitigate search time by partitioning and distributing database portions, our memory-aware technique alleviates negative effects of page-faults on performance.
Estratégias e incidência empresarial na atual política educacional brasileira: O caso do movimento ‘Todos Pela Educação’
Authors: Martins Erika Moreira , Krawczyk Nora Rut 
Published: June 2018

Atualmente, observa-se na política educativa brasileira a influência constante de organizações empresariais que se entrelaçam com os quadros políticos, de entre as quais se destaca o Movimento Todos pela Educação (TPE). Procura-se aqui apresentar o TPE, discutindo seus objetivos e suas principais estratégias para incidir na política educativa brasileira. Utilizou-se vasta pesquisa documental e entrevistas com os principais atores do movimento. O TPE age como uma ampla coalizão, organiza-se em uma densa rede e atua como um Think Tank da educação. O presente artigo identifica indícios de um novo estágio de reestruturação do espaço público e de suas instituições. Em tal estágio, o empresariado busca o fortalecimento da capacidade de execução do aparelho estatal e institucional, tomando as rédeas desse processo, em nome da necessidade do controle social.Palavras-chave: Reformas educativas; Educação e empresários; Políticas educativas; Advocacy; Brasil ABSTRACTWe can observe, in the current Brazilian education policy, the influence of entrepreneurial organizations that interweave with the political scenario, among which the ‘All for Education’ movement (‘Movimento Todos pela Educação’ - TPE) stands out. We used extensive documentary research and interviews with the main actors of the organization. We aim to introduce this movement and discuss its objectives and main strategies concerning the Brazilian education policy. The TPE Movement acts as a broad coalition, organizing itself in a dense network and acting as a ‘Think Tank’ on education. This study identifies signs of a new restructuration phase of public space and institutions, where entrepreneurs seek to strength the operational capability of governmental and institutional apparatus, assuming the command of this process in the name of the social control demand. Keywords: Education Reforms; Education and entrepreneurs; Education policies; Advocacy; Brazil
Revezamentos entre teoria e prática: Movimentos que acionam outros modos de pensar o ensino da arte
Authors: De Oliveira Marilda Oliveira , Cardonetti Vivien Kelling , Dos Santos Cláudia Aparecida , Garlet Francieli Regina 
Published: June 2018

Este texto abordará algumas experimentações que temos realizado no Ensino Superior com as turmas de graduação e também com turmas de pós-graduação. Nosso desafio tem sido: como fazer um revezamento entre teoria e prática de maneira a que essas instâncias não aconteçam de formas separadas? Para tanto, temos procurado sobrepô-las de modo a que aconteçam concomitantemente. Essas experimentações têm se dado na forma de elaborar os projetos de estágio e nas próprias aulas de estágio curricular supervisionado, onde os professores em formação assumem uma turma na escola ou em outro espaço educativo. Igualmente no que se refere aos procedimentos de fazer pesquisa, procura-se que a dissertação e a tese também sejam operadas a partir deste revezamento e concomitância. Para a realização desta escrita empreendeu-se um estudo teórico-conceitual de cunho bibliográfico em autores filiados nas bases teóricas das filosofias da diferença. Desse modo, buscou-se a despersonalização dos autores para falar de uma vida que é escrita por atravessamentos e encontros, ou seja, pensar a vida como a própria elaboração do texto, uma escrita biografemática, seguindo a proposta de Roland Barthes. Assim fomos compondo, com o vivido, com as leituras, as falas nos encontros e as visualidades, os apontamentos, e a partir dessa materialidade é que ensaiamos esse texto.Palavras-chave: Filosofias da diferença; Ensino da arte; Biografemática; Educação ABSTRACTThis text will approach some experimentations we have developed in higher education with groups of undergraduate and graduate students. Our challenge has been: how to alternate theory and practice in a way that these instances do not happen apart from each other? To do so, we have sought to overlap them so that they happen concomitantly. These experimentations have occurred as elaborations of practice projects, in the classes of the supervised teaching practice, where teacher candidates are responsible for a school group or other. Equally, as far as research procedures are concerned, Master’s dissertations and PhD theses are also operated through this alternation and concomitance. To the accomplishment of this writing, a theoretical-conceptual bibliographic study has been developed with authors aligned with the theoretical basis of the philosophies of difference. Hence, we sought for the depersonalization of authors to speak of a life written by crossings and encounters, i.e. to think life as the very own elaboration of text, a biographematic writing, as Roland Barthes proposes. This way we started composing, with the experienced, the readings, the speeches in the encounters and the visualities, the notes, and through this materiality we wrote this text.Keywords: Philosophies of difference; Art teaching; Biographematics; Education
MICROBICIDAL POTENTIALITY OF PURIFIED ANTHOCYANIN FROM IN VITRO CULTURE OF CLERODENDRON INFORTUNATUM L. AGAINST SELECTED PATHOGENS
Authors: V. G. Meenu Krishnan , Murukan Greeshma , M. Aswathy J. , Lawarence Bosco , K. Murugan 
Published: June 2018

Objective: Clerodendron infortunatum L. is a widely used medicinal herb over centuries for curing many skin-borne disorders. The present study was designed to validate the tribal knowledge by evaluating antimicrobial potential of purified anthocyanin extracted from in vitro cell suspension culture.Methods: The explants were inoculated on murashige and skoog (MS) medium mixed with various combinations of 2, 4-D a+BAP for callus induction. Green compact callus was initiated within 30 d from the explants on MS medium fortified with benzylaminopurine (BAP) (2.0 mg/l)+2, 4-D (0.5 mg/l). Subsequently, anthocyanin was triggered from the compact callus by subculturing in the medium containing 2, 4-D and Kinetin. Cell suspension culture was also developed. Anthocyanin production was enhanced by elicitation using salicylic acid and others. Three chromatographic methods such as solid phase extraction by Sepharose C18 column, Oasis-MCX and Amberlite XAD 7+Sephadex LH 120 sorbents were used to purify the in vitro synthesized anthocyanin from the cell cultures. HPLC and molar absorptivity assay were carried to check the purity. Antimicrobial analysis was also carried using standard protocols to check minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum killing concentration (MKC).Results: The mean purity values obtained by high-performance thin layer chromatography (HPLC) were 90.9%±1.9, 80.60%±2.3 for Oasis MCX, Amberlite XAD-7+Sephadex LH-20 column respectively. However, the purity by molar absorptivity was found to be less. HPLC chromatogram revealed 12 fractions of anthocyanin. Inhibition zone diameter, MIC and MKC values obtained for the purified anthocyanin revealed its antimicrobial potentiality but at different levels among the selected bacteria and fungi. C. albicans, S. aureus, P. aerugenosa showed significant values followed by MRSA, E. coli and A. flavus. The results are comparable with the synthetic antibiotics. However, E. faecalis was more resistance. Mode of action was confirmed from the results of intracellular potassium leakage and bacterial membrane integrity analysis.Conclusion: Thus, the study confirms the efficacy of anthocyanin as natural antimicrobial and suggests the possibility of employing it as drugs for the treatment of infectious diseases caused by the pathogens.
IN VIVO AND IN VITRO EVALUATION OF TEPHROSIA CALOPHYLLA FOR ANTI-DIABETIC PROPERTIES
Authors: C Ramesh , A Prameela Rani 
Published: June 2018

Objective: The objective the present work was to investigate in vivo and in vitro anti-diabetic potentials of methanol extract of Tephrosia calophylla against alloxan-induced diabetes in albino rats.Methods: For in vivo evaluation, diabetes was induced in albino rats by administering a single dose of alloxan. The study was designed to test the acute effect of methanol extract of Tephrosia calophylla (TCME) to reduce blood glucose in OGTT. The chronic study of 21 d was performed against diabetic rats and blood glucose was determined at 1st, 7th, 14th and 21st day. In chronic in vivo study, serum concentrations of insulin, urea, creatinine, total cholesterol, triglycerides, ALT and AST were also estimated at 21st day. The in vitro α-glucisidase inhibitory activity and α-amylase inhibitory activity were performed and IC50 values of the extract was determined. The glucose uptake by rat hemidiaphragm model was also used test potentials of the extract to increase utilization of the glucose by tissues.Results: In OGTT, standard glibenclamide and TCME at 400 mg/kg treated animals have shown significant reduction in blood glucose at 90 min but at 120 min, blood glucose level (BGL) was significantly reduced in glibenclamide and TCME at 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg treated animals compared to diabetic control group. In chronic modelthe methanol extract effectively reduced blood glucose levels (P<0.001) at 14 th and 21st day of study in therapeutic groups and effect was comparable to that of standard. The extract could also significantly (P<0.001) reduce concentrations of SGOT, triglycerides (TGs), Total cholesterol (TC) and urea in serum and significantly (P<0.001) increased the insulin level in blood which proves beneficial effects of the extract in diabetes. The change in concentrations of SGPT and urea were less significant (P>0.01). In vitro studies, against both glucosidae and amyalase inhibitory activities, extract has shown significant IC50 values and it also enhanced glucose utilization by rat hemidaphragm.Conclusion: The results obtained from the present study suggest that, the methanol extract of Tephrosia calophylla possess significant in vivo anti-diabetic properties against alloxan induced diabetes in rats. The results also suggests that, TCME also possess the significant in vitro anti-dabetic potentials.
Diabetes and Trajectories of Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate: A Prospective Cohort Analysis of the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study
Authors: Warren Bethany , Rebholz Casey M. , Sang Yingying , Lee Alexandra K. , Coresh Josef , Selvin Elizabeth , Grams Morgan E. 
Published: June 2018

OBJECTIVE
To characterize long-term kidney disease trajectories in persons with and without diabetes in a general population.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS
We classified 15,517 participants in the community-based Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) study by diabetes status at baseline (1987–1989; no diabetes, undiagnosed diabetes, and diagnosed diabetes). We used linear mixed models with random intercepts and slopes to quantify estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) trajectories at four visits over 26 years.

RESULTS
Adjusted mean eGFR decline over the full study period among participants without diabetes was −1.4 mL/min/1.73 m2/year (95% CI −1.5 to −1.4), with undiagnosed diabetes was −1.8 mL/min/1.73 m2/year (95% CI −2.0 to −1.7) (difference vs. no diabetes, P &lt; 0.001), and with diagnosed diabetes was −2.5 mL/min/1.73 m2/year (95% CI −2.6 to −2.4) (difference vs. no diabetes, P &lt; 0.001). Among participants with diagnosed diabetes, risk factors for steeper eGFR decline included African American race, APOL1 high-risk genotype, systolic blood pressure ≥140 mmHg, insulin use, and higher HbA1c.

CONCLUSIONS
Diabetes is an important risk factor for kidney function decline. Those with diagnosed diabetes declined almost twice as rapidly as those without diabetes. Among people with diagnosed diabetes, steeper declines were seen in those with modifiable risk factors, including hypertension and glycemic control, suggesting areas for continued targeting in kidney disease prevention.
Educators' Preparation to Teach, Perceived Teaching Presence, and Perceived Teaching Presence Behaviors in Blended and Online Learning Environments
Authors: Gurley, PhD, RN, CNE, COI Lisa E 
Published: June 2018

Teaching in blended and online learning environments requires different pedagogical approaches than teaching in face-to-face learning environments. How educators are prepared to teach potentially impacts the quality of instruction provided in blended and online learning courses. Teaching presence is essential to achieving student learning outcomes, yet previous research has focused on student perceptions of teaching presence. Therefore, the purpose of this mixed methods convergent parallel study was to explore educators’ preparation to teach, perceived teaching presence, and perceived teaching presence behaviors in blended and online learning environments. The study was designed to examine the differences in educators’ perceived teaching presence and preparation to teach in blended and online learning environments. An adapted Community of Inquiry Survey Instrument was used to measure faculty perceptions of teaching presence. Results indicated a statistically significant difference between perceived teaching presence of facilitation for faculty that completed certification courses in preparation to teach in blended and online learning environments, as compared to faculty that only received on-the-job training. Qualitative responses to corresponding interview questions supported the findings. The findings of this study provide information to university educators and administrators supporting the importance of faculty preparation specific to teaching in blended and online learning environments.
Exigencias y modelación de la cinética metabólica de calcio y fósforo en ovinos: revisión
Authors: PATIÑO, P RENE , DA SILVA FILHO JOSÉ C , PEREZ, P. JORGE 
Published: June 2018

En la actualidad, la producción animal debe ser realizada buscando minimizar su impacto negativo sobre el ambiente. El fósforo es un mineral esencial para la vida animal, por lo tanto debe ser ofrecido en cantidades adecuadas para los animales logren cumplir con las metas productivas establecidas. Sin embargo, es necesario cuidar que la oferta dietética del mineral no sea superior a la necesidad, para evitar excesos en las cantidades excretadas por las heces, que son la principal vía para eliminar el mineral del organismo en los rumiantes, y evitar efectos contraproducentes al ambiente. En relación a las exigencias, tanto de calcio como de fósforo, existen varios modelos de predicción que están siendo usados. Recientemente los modelos más antiguos han sido modificados, intentando disminuir la oferta del mineral. La técnica de la modelación, usada para estudiar la cinética metabólicas de estos minerales, está siendo permanentemente evaluada, y estudios recientes permiten conocer más detalles acerca del metabolismo de estos minerales. A pesar de las diferencias entre algunos modelos, resulta importante su aplicación para formular estrategias de alimentación que permitan optimizar la nutrición mineral y disminuir la excreción de minerales al ambiente, además de mejorar la economía de las empresas de producción animal.
La Mojana: realidades que son inocultables
Authors: DE LA OSSA, V JAIME 
Published: June 2018

En la página web del Ministerio del Ambiente y Desarrollo Sostenible, se lee una noticia de fecha 9 de julio de 2012, en la cual anuncian: <<Que La junta del Fondo de Adaptación del Protocolo de Kioto aprobó el proyecto: Reducción del riesgo y la vulnerabilidad al cambio climático en la región de La Mojana. Diseñado y presentado por el Ministerio de Ambiente y Desarrollo Sostenible, el Instituto de Hidrología, Meteorología y Estudios Ambientales - IDEAM, la Cancillería y el apoyo de PNUD>>, y que se le otorgará a este proyecto la suma no despreciable de 8,5 millones de dólares. Que es un monto importante, pero no suficiente cuando se habla de cambio climático.