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Herein, an accurate and simple spectrophotometric method for investigating cefixime in different formulations is reported. The proposed method elaborates on the complexation of cefixime with vanadyl sulfate in acidic media. The yellow color complexation product manifested its maximum absorbance peak at around 321 nm, and obeyed Beer's law in 2 × 10−6–1 × 10−4 M cefixime concentration. Obtained spectroscopic data were used to calculate standard deviation (S), limit of detection (LOD), limit of quantification (LOQ), and relative standard deviation (RSD) as 6.5 × 10−5, 1.96 × 10−4, 6.5 × 10−4 M, and 0.057%, respectively. In addition, the formation constant associated with the complex obtained, calculated as 5.7 × 1016, indicates that the final complex was remarkably stable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Starting from a Black feminist standpoint, this reflexive article uniquely draws on empirical data and recollections from two research studies to consider experiences of researching Pakistani communities from the assumed position of an insider. In doing so the article provides a first-hand account of insider-outsider experiences in the field from the perspective of a qualitative researcher (who is a woman of minority ethnic background). Examples from the data reveal how factors such as a deep understanding of social and religious practices constitute types of insider knowledge necessary for gathering culturally relevant and fine-grained information. The methodological and ethical advantages and dilemmas of conducting research positioned as an insider include, knowledge of place and cultural identification as aiding access to and research with communities seldom heard in research, but also how commonalities–gender, race– can fuel participant reluctance and hostility. The articles main contribution, however, is to expose the shifting nature of the insider-outsider position whereby in some instances the assumed insider can become an outsider. This has methodological and ethical implications such as profound emotional impacts on the researcher and potentially destabilising effects on research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using data from a large primarily qualitative research project on how people from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) communities experience and access health services, this methodological article focuses on the role of the community gatekeeper – a role that has significance for research teams globally when attempting to involve those facing multiple forms of exclusion. Drawing on standpoint feminist principles and using a reflexive approach, researcher positionality, situated knowledges, and the power dynamics between researchers, participants, and community gatekeepers are reflected upon. Addressing a gap in the literature by providing real-life examples of the power and influence of gatekeepers at all stages of the research process, the findings reveal: the extent to which gatekeepers of research with BAME participants are facilitative or obstructive during the research process; how they affect processes such as the recruitment of participants, access to community venues, the conduct of the research interview, and the dissemination of findings; and finally, the implications for future research with so called “hard-to-reach” groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Starting from a Black feminist standpoint, this reflexive article uniquely draws on empirical data and recollections from two research studies to consider experiences of researching Pakistani communities from the assumed position of an insider. In doing so the article provides a first-hand account of insider-outsider experiences in the field from the perspective of a qualitative researcher (who is a woman of minority ethnic background). Examples from the data reveal how factors such as a deep understanding of social and religious practices constitute types of insider knowledge necessary for gathering culturally relevant and fine-grained information. The methodological and ethical advantages and dilemmas of conducting research positioned as an insider include, knowledge of place and cultural identification as aiding access to and research with communities seldom heard in research, but also how commonalities-gender, race-can fuel participant reluctance and hostility. The articles main contribution, however, is to expose the shifting nature of the insider-outsider position whereby in some instances the assumed insider can become an outsider. This has methodological and ethical implications such as profound emotional impacts on the researcher and potentially destabilising effects on research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Zika virus (ZIKV) is a kind of flavivirus emerged in French Polynesia and Brazil, and has led to a worldwide public health concern since 2016. ZIKV infection causes various neurological conditions, which are associated with fetus brain development or peripheral and central nervous systems (PNS/CNS) functional problems. To date, no vaccine or any specific antiviral therapy against ZIKV infection are available. It urgently needs efforts to explore the underlying molecular mechanisms of ZIKV-induced neural pathogenesis. ZIKV favorably infects neural and glial cells specifically astrocytes, consequently dysregulating gene expression and pathways with impairment of process neural cells. In this study, we applied a model for ZIKV replication in mouse primary astrocytes (MPAs) and profiled temporal alterations in the host transcriptomes upon ZIKV infection. Among the RNA-sequencing data of 27,812 genes, we examined 710 genes were significantly differentially expressed by ZIKV, which lead to dysregulation of numerous functions including neurons development and migration, glial cells differentiation, myelinations, astrocytes projection, neurogenesis, and brain development, along with multiple pathways including Hippo signaling pathway, tight junction, PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, and focal adhesion. Furthermore, we confirmed the dysregulation of the selected genes in MPAs and human astroglioma U251 cells. We found that PTBP1, LIF, GHR, and PTBP3 were upregulated while EDNRB and MBP were downregulated upon ZIKV infection. The current study highlights the ZIKV-mediated potential genes associated with neurodevelopment or related diseases. Author summary: Zika virus (ZIKV) infection causes serious neurological disorders of central and peripheral nervous system, and fetal brain development disorders including microcephaly. There are still uncovered explorations for the underlying molecular mechanism of ZIKV-infected pathogenesis. This study reveals a series of dysregulation of neuropathic genes mRNA and protein expression in mouse and human astrocytes upon ZIKV infection. As an ideal ZIKV infection model in mouse primary astrocytes (MPAs), RNA-seq was performed to profile transcriptome alteration by ZIKV infection. Bioinformatics analysis demonstrated the significant alterations of the 710 genes that were linked to glial cell differentiation and projection, neurogenesis and migration of neurons, myelination, as well as synaptic control. Among the top selected differentially expressed genes, such as PTBP1, LIF, GHR, PTBP3, EDNRB, and MBP, the mRNA and protein expressions were confirmed to identify the dysregulation of the transcriptome in MPAs upon ZIKV infection. Furthermore, ZIKV infection altered the mRNA and protein expression of these astrocytic genes involved in neurodevelopment in U251 cells following the analysis of the transcriptome. In conclusion, the alteration of astrocytic gene functions or associated-pathways suggest a novel clue of a mechanism involved in the ZIKV-induced neurodevelopment disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using data from an empirical study involving in-depth interviews with five qualitative researchers, a conceptual lens based on power dynamics and imbalances is applied to explore the researcher: participant encounter, within particular settings and conditions. The research relationship rests on the assumption that the researcher occupies a more powerful position than the participant and the knowledgeable and powerful researcher questions the participant whose position is automatically assumed to shift to that of vulnerable participant. However, this paper seeks to show the flip side, whereby research encounters unfold in such a way that the researcher becomes the 'vulnerable'. Although acknowledging the privilege and power of the researcher's position, this article reveals that power is multifaceted and manifests itself in complex ways: as a researcher, fear of being on unfamiliar territory; researcher anxiety about the unpredictability of participants; and researcher feelings of powerlessness to help; and so on – all impacts which are underexplored. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many older adults try to avoid age discrimination by hiding visible signs of aging. But using cosmetic procedures to conceal one's age also incurs negative evaluations. This paradox prompted us to ask whether people can detect age concealment and, if so, whether they would either negatively evaluate concealers due to age-concealment stigmas or positively evaluate concealers because they look better. Across four studies with targets who underwent age-concealment procedures, we found that people could detect age concealment. Although people negatively evaluated concealers when thinking about them abstractly, they favored concealers over nonconcealers if they saw photos of them. Moreover, seeing photos of concealers improved subsequent evaluations of new concealers. The visual benefits of age-stigma concealment may therefore attenuate its stigma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drawing on the author's experiences and reflections of researching vulnerable people for a housing research project, this article explores the ethical dilemmas, and the health and safety challenges, of conducting in-depth, qualitative interviews with 'vulnerable' research participants in their own homes. Vulnerability, in a housing research context, takes account of: living in poverty; insecure housing/employment situations; poor health and/or mental ill health; alcohol and /or drug dependency, etc. Diary notes are used to illustrate the challenging situations that can unfold when working alone in the field in disadvantaged areas, with vulnerable people, which can present physical and emotional risk. Concern with risk and the potential impact on individuals is two-fold: that on the participant; and that on the researcher. Through reflexivity and revisiting of experiences in the field, this paper explains the difficulties and negotiations, and it provides some suggestions for better research practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Metal objects spark in the microwaves, exposing metals to melting point temperatures. The resulting heat can be utilized for the pyrolysis of biomass into upgraded bio oil. In this work pyrolysis was carried out both in the presence and absence of catalyst and the upgradation of bio oil was found the combine action of microwave heating, microwave effects and the catalytic activity of cement. Catalytic pyrolysis of biomass was carried out by mixing powdered biomass with fine powder of cement and placing the resulting mixture in an aluminum coil located in the baked clay reactor followed by its exposure to the microwaves. In this process aluminum coil was used as microwave receiving and heat generating antenna. All these experiments were carried out in a modified domestic microwave oven. The amount of product fractions like bio-oil, biogas and biochar was determined in terms of the mass of catalyst, time of reaction and the gauge of aluminum wire used for the preparation of coil. The bio oil obtained under the optimum conditions was analyzed using Gas chromatography mass spectrometry and the gaseous product was analyzed using chemical tests. Significant difference was observed in the chemical composition of bio oils prepared by catalytic and non-catalytic processes. Further, the oxygen contents of both types of the bio oil were found less than those to be obtained by conventional pyrolysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The electrochemical redox reactions of the oxytocin and fish scale protein which are mainly collagen were exploited for the preparation of a rechargeable protein battery named as fish scale battery. This battery was found to depend upon the concentration of oxidizing and reducing agents, voltage of the charger and the time for charging. Some of these parameters were optimized using a single cell of this battery and some others were optimized by using five cell battery. The five cell protein battery gives a maximum and stable voltage of 8500 millivolt. The way of charging and theoretical aspects of the battery is also discussed in this communication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite recognizing the need for social change in areas such as social equality and environmental protection, individuals often avoid supporting such change. Researchers have previously attempted to understand this resistance to social change by examining individuals' perceptions of social issues and social change. We instead examined the possibility that individuals resist social change because they have negative stereotypes of activists, the agents of social change. Participants had negative stereotypes of activists (feminists and environmentalists), regardless of the domain of activism, viewing them as eccentric and militant. Furthermore, these stereotypes reduced participants' willingness to affiliate with 'typical' activists and, ultimately, to adopt the behaviours that these activists promoted. These results indicate that stereotypes and person perception processes more generally play a key role in creating resistance to social change. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives. Despite the rapid expansion of the antiaging cosmetic industry in recent years, little is known about the current social judgment consequences of concealing one’s age. In two studies, we examined perceivers’ evaluations and mental representations of individuals who engage in age concealment. Methods. In Study 1, we assessed young and older adults’ reactions toward a middle-aged or older adult target who engaged in mild or major forms of age concealment. In Study 2, we examined the social consequences of age concealment in greater detail by including younger middle-aged targets and expanding the range of concealment procedures used. Results. Targets received less favorable evaluations (a) to the extent that they engaged in invasive procedures, (b) when they were viewed by young adults rather than by older adults, and to some degree, (c) if they were middle-aged adults rather than older adults. Participants held different expectations concerning aging and age concealment depending on the age of the target and the antiaging technique used. Discussion. These findings suggest that reactions to age concealment vary according to the concealment technique used, the age of the perceiver, and to some extent, the age of the target. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Presents the case of the fictional character, Gollum, from "The Lord of the Rings" and asks if he is physically or mentally ill. Symptoms of social aggression, anti-social behaviour and obsession; Mental state examination; Diagnosis suggestions for the physical symptoms; Support for the mental diagnosis of schizophrenia which the authors reject; Suggestion that he fulfills seven of the nine criteria for schizoid personality disorder.

[Display omitted] • Our review explores recent advances in inorganic multifunctional nanomaterials for energy applications, shedding light on the latest developments in the field. • We highlight the diverse range of applications of inorganic nanomaterials in energy storage, conservation, transmission, and conversion, showcasing their versatility and potential impact on various sectors. • The manuscript discusses the exceptional thermal, mechanical, optical, and electrical properties of inorganic nanomaterials, emphasizing their significance in advancing next-generation energy technologies. • We provide insights into future research directions and challenges in scaling relationships within energy devices and inorganic nanomaterials, paving the way for continued innovation in the field. • Our review underscores the potential of inorganic nanomaterials to revolutionize energy applications and address pressing societal challenges related to energy utilization, highlighting their importance in shaping the future of sustainable energy systems. Nowadays, one of the most promising and significant challenges for our society is achieving highly efficient energy utilization. To address the upcoming demands in energy applications, which demonstrate considerable potential for future trends, continuous efforts are necessary to develop improved and higher-performing inorganic multifunctional nanomaterials. Multifunctional inorganic nanomaterials have been extensively researched to meet the requirements of various energy applications or to enhance them further. Specific attention is given to inorganic nanomaterials for advanced energy storage, conservation, transmission, and conversion applications, which strongly rely on the optical, mechanical, thermal, catalytic, and electrical properties of energy materials. At the nanometer-scale range, triboelectric, piezoelectric, thermoelectric, electrochromic, and photovoltaic materials have made significant contributions to numerous energy sector applications. Functional inorganic materials possess unique properties, including excellent thermal and electrical conductivity, chemical stability, and a large surface area, which enhance their competitiveness in energy-related applications. Herein, recent research, development, and advances in inorganic multifunctional nanomaterials to enhance their performance are discussed, highlighting how devices combine the functionalities of nanomaterials. In this manner, we aim to provide insights into future applications and elucidate the ongoing research challenges currently facing this field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new protocol for the spectrophotometric determination of chloramben using online diazotization has been investigated. The diazotization reaction and coupling reaction were carried out online in flow assembly by injecting chloramben in a nitrite stream followed by coupling with β-naphthol. The resulting azo dye was measured at 475 nm. The calibration plot is linear in the concentration range investigated, with a molar absorptivity of 2.64 × 104 L mol-1 cm-1 and sample throughput of 90 h-1. The proposed method is simple, rapid, and sensitive. The LOD and LOQ were calculated and were found to be 0.01 and 0.04 µg mL-1, respectively, with an RSD value of 8.3. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) is a highly transmittable and pathogenic viral infection caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), which emerged in Wuhan, China and spread around the world. Genomic analysis revealed that SARS-CoV-2 is phylogenetically related to severe acute respiratory syndrome-like (SARS-like) bat viruses, therefore bats could be the possible primary reservoir. The intermediate source of origin and transfer to humans is not known, however, the rapid human to human transfer has been confirmed widely. There is no clinically approved antiviral drug or vaccine available to be used against COVID-19. However, few broad-spectrum antiviral drugs have been evaluated against COVID-19 in clinical trials, resulted in clinical recovery. In the current review, we summarize and comparatively analyze the emergence and pathogenicity of COVID-19 infection and previous human coronaviruses severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) and middle east respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV). We also discuss the approaches for developing effective vaccines and therapeutic combinations to cope with this viral outbreak. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a neurotropic virus, human Enterovirus 71 (EV71) infection causes hand-foot-and-mouth disease (HFMD) and may develop severe neurological disorders in infants. Toll-like receptor 7 (TLR7) acts as an innate immune receptor and is also a death receptor in the central nervous system (CNS). However, the mechanisms underlying the regulation of TLR7-mediated brain pathogenesis upon EV71 infection remain largely elusive. Here we reveal a novel mechanism by which EV71 infects astrocytes in the brain and induces neural pathogenesis via TLR7 and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in C57BL/6 mice and in human astroglioma U251 cells. Upon EV71 infection, wild-type (WT) mice displayed more significant body weight loss, higher clinical scores, and lower survival rates as compared with TLR7-/- mice. In the cerebral cortex of EV71-infected mice, neurofilament integrity was disrupted, and inflammatory cell infiltration and neurodegeneration were induced in WT mice, whereas these were largely absent in TLR7-/- mice. Similarly, IL-6 production, Caspase-3 cleavage, and cell apoptosis were significantly higher in EV71-infected WT mice as compared with TLR7-/- mice. Moreover, EV71 preferentially infected and induced IL-6 in astrocytes of mice brain. In U251 cells, EV71-induced IL-6 production and cell apoptosis were suppressed by shRNA-mediated knockdown of TLR7 (shTLR7). Moreover, in the cerebral cortex of EV71-infected mice, the blockade of IL-6 with anti-IL-6 antibody (IL-6-Ab) restored the body weight loss, attenuated clinical scores, improved survival rates, reduced the disruption of neurofilament integrity, decreased cell apoptotic induction, and lowered levels of Caspase-3 cleavage. Similarly, in EV71-infected U251 cells, IL-6-Ab blocked EV71-induced IL-6 production and cell apoptosis in response to viral infection. Collectively, it's exhibited TLR7 upregulation, IL-6 induction and astrocytic cell apoptosis in EV71-infected human brain. Taken together, we propose that EV71 infects astrocytes of the cerebral cortex in mice and human and triggers TLR7 signaling and IL-6 release, subsequently inducing neural pathogenesis in the brain. Author summary: Enterovirus 71 (EV71) infection causes aseptic meningitis, poliomyelitis-like paralysis and fatal encephalitis in infants. Besides an immune receptor, toll-like receptor 7 (TLR7) serves as a death receptor in central nervous system (CNS). However, the role of TLR7 in EV71-induced neural pathogenesis remains ambiguous. This study reveals a distinct mechanism by which EV71 induces neurodegeneration via TLR7 and interleukin-6 (IL-6). Upon EV71 infection, TLR7-/- mice displayed less body weight loss, lower clinical score, and higher survival rate as compared with wild-type (WT) mice. Meanwhile, a severer histopathologic neurofilaments disruption, neurodegeneration and cell apoptosis were observed in brain of EV71-infected WT mice. IL-6 release, cell apoptosis, and Caspase-3 cleavage were attenuated by shRNA targeting TLR7 (shTLR7) in EV71-infected U251 cells. Moreover, anti-IL-6 antibody (IL-6-Ab) suppressed EV71-induced body weight loss, clinical score increase, and survival rate decrease as well as neurofilaments disruption and neurodegeneration in mice, and it also attenuated EV71-induced cell apoptosis and Caspase-3 cleavage in U251 cells. It's retrospectively observed that TLR7 upregulation, IL-6 induction and astrocytic cell apoptosis in EV71-infected human brain. Therefore, TLR7 is required for neural pathogenesis by IL-6 induction upon EV71 infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]