bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Spatiotemporal Changes in Rainfall and Droughts of Bangladesh for 1.5º and 2ºc Temperature Rise Scenarios of CMIP6 Models
Authors: Kamal A S M Maksud , Hossain Farhad , Shahid Shamsuddin
Published: May 2021

An alteration of rainfall variability and changes in rainfall driven extremes have been noticed across the globe with rising earth temperature. Such changes will undoubtedly be more devastating for agriculture-based developing countries. Possible changes in rainfall and droughts due to 1.5º and 2ºC temperature rise scenarios have been evaluated in this study for Bangladesh, which is widely referred to globally most climate change susceptible country. Projections of global climate models (GCMs) of the coupled model intercomparison project phase 6 (CMIP6) for two shared socioeconomic pathway (SSP) scenarios, SSP-119 and SSP-126 were used for this purpose. The results showed an increase in annual rainfall over Bangladesh for both scenarios. However, the changes in rainfall variability would cause a drastic change in the drought pattern. Overall, drought frequency may decrease in the drought-prone western region up to -50% and increase in the east up to 50 to 70%, making droughts more homogeneously distributed over the country. However, a higher increase in the east than a decrease in the west for SSP119 indicates a possible shift in the country's drought-prone region. Comparison of drought scenarios for SSP119 and SSP126 revealed a 0.5ºC further rise in temperature might cause an increase in extreme drought frequency by 30% in the central-eastern region. Bangladesh should take effective drought mitigation measures to sustain its agricultural development.
Novel Detection of Diesel Adulteration using Silver coated Surface Plasmon Resonance Sensor
Authors: Jabin Md. Asaduzzaman , Rana Md. Juwel , Al-Zahrani Fahad Ahmed , Paul Bikash Kumar , Ahmed Kawsar , Bui Francis Minhthang
Published: May 2021

In this study, we propose a silver-coated (SPR-surface plasmon resonance) based biosensor for the detection of diesel adulteration for the first time in the field of bio-sensing. Here, the numerical analysis is done by COMSOL Multiphysics V-5.1 and fully simulation software MATLAB-V16 on 30190 mesh elements, 2792 boundary elements, and 206593 degrees of freedom using finite element method (FEM) at 250C (298 K) for different concentration level. Moreover, the entire experiment on SPR-PCF is done for the major optical parameters for instance- Birefringence (Bi), Coupling-length (Lc), Power-fraction (Pf ), Confinement-loss (αc), Amplitudesensitivity (Sa), Wavelength-sensitivity (Sw), Resolution (Rl), Transmittance (Tx), Transmittance variance (Tv), Relative-sensitivity (Sr), Figure-of-merit (FOM) and Resonance (R2) etc which are respectively to their corresponding maximum performance profiles of 2.5 🞩 10-3, 1300 μm, 99.93%, 1200 –1600 dB/cm, -7950 RIU-1 , 49941.169 nm/RIU, 6.319 🞩 10-4 RIU, -180 dB, 170 dB/RIU, 97.25%, 980, and 0.98312 at operating wavelength 0.5–2 μm. Therefore, it is noticed that the proposed sensor can be able to establish itself as one of the toughest candidates in fiber sensing. Also, diesel adulteration sensing including the entire working procedure using a SPR platform will be regarded as a novel procedure for diesel sensing in the history of photonics.
Synergistic Effect of Pistachio Shell Powder and Nano-Zerovalent Copper for Chromium Remediation from Aqueous Solution
Authors: Kumar Sandeep , Brar Ravinderdeep Singh , Babu J Nagendra , Dahiya Amarjeet , Saha Sandip , Kumar Avneesh
Published: May 2021

Pistachio shell powder supported nano-zerovalent copper (ZVC@PS) material prepared by borohydride reduction, was characterized using SEM, FTIR, XRD, TGA/DTA, BET, and XPS. SEM, XRD, and XPS revealed the nano-zerovalent copper to consist of a core-shell structure with CuO shell and Cu(0) core with a particle size of 40–100 nm and spherical morphology aggregated on PS biomass. ZVC@PS was found out to contain 39% (w/w %) Cu onto the pistachio shell biomass. Batch sorption of Cr(VI) from the aqueous using ZVC@PS were studied, and was optimized for dose (0.1–0.5 g/L), initial Cr(VI) concentration(1–20 mg/L) and pH (2–12). Optimized conditions were 0.1 g/L doses of sorbent and pH = 3 for Cr(VI) adsorption. Langmuir and Freundlich adsorption isotherm models fitted well to the adsorption behavior of ZVC@PS for Cr(VI) with a pseudo-second-order kinetic behavior. ZVC@PS (0.1g/L) exhibits qmax for Cr(VI) removal up to 111.1 mg/g. XPS and other spectroscopic evidence suggest the adsorption of Cr(VI) by pistachio shell powder, coupled with reductive conversion of Cr(VI) to Cr(III) by ZVC particles to produce a synergistic effect for the efficient remediation of Cr(VI) from aqueous medium.
A New Hyperspectral Redundant Band Detection Method Based on Local Hurst Exponent
Authors: Li Jianhui , Li Qiaozhi , Wang Fang , Liu Fan
Published: May 2021

Hyperspectrum reflectance is a curve in a certain wavelength range. Its complex dynamic structure reflects rich information of the object at variable bands. However, the potential redundancy will seriously affect accurate extraction of spectral features, therefore, information redundancy detection is a critical pretreatment for spectral analysis. In this paper, by using the local detrended fluctuation analysis, we propose a new method to detect the redundant bands. The method focuses on the spectral auto-correlation represented by local Hurst exponent in moving windows. Thus, the redundant band can be determined by the comparison of auto-correlation between two adjacent windows. To test our method, using the fractal feature of the removing redundant bands as augment, rapeseed oleic acid's prediction model is constructed based on random decision forest method. As comparison, the same feature of the original spectrum is also employed as augment for the model. The result shows that the feature of removing the redundant bands will bring better model performance than the feature of original spectrum does.
Characterization of Membrane-associated Progesterone Receptor Component-2 (MAPRC2) From Trichinella spiralis and Its Interaction With Progesterone and Mifepristone
Authors: Aleem Muhammad Tahir , Jiawen Shi , Yu Zheng Qing , Wen Zhao hai , Yang Zhang , Meng Liang , Lakho Shakeel Ahmed , Haseeb Muhammad , Ali Haider , Hassan Muhammad Waqas , Song Xiao Kai , Xiangrui Li , Xu Li Xin , Yan Ruo Feng
Published: May 2021

Background: Trichinellosis is a food-borne zoonotic disease caused by nematode viz., Trichinella spiralis. Physiologically, the high progesterone (P4) doses cause new borne larvae (NBL) mortality in the parasite, while the low doses maintain pregnancy. In contrast, Mifepristone (RU486) works as an antagonist against the progesterone receptor (PR) and possesses abortifacient activities. Methods: In the present study, T. spiralis membrane-associated progesterone receptor component-2 (Ts-MAPRC2) gene was cloned and characterized by protein sequencing. Furthermore, the expression, purification, immunoblot assay, binding ability with progesterone antibody, and immunofluorescence assay were performed. A direct effect of progesterone (P4) and mifepristone (RU486) on the Ts-MAPRC2 gene was determined using in-vitro cell culture that showed different expression levels at all developmental stages [muscle larvae (ML), female adult worm (F-AL), male adult worm (M-AL) and new borne larvae (NBL)]. Subsequently, the in-vitro phenotypic effect of P4, RU486, and rTs-MAPRC2-Ab on F-AL and ML stages were measured. Later on, the in-vivo phenotypic effect and relative mRNA expression of mifepristone on the F-AL stage were studied. Results: Our results revealed that the Ts-MAPRC2 gene is critical to maintaining pregnancy in the female adult worm (F-AL) of T. spiralis. The P300 ng/mL of P4 and M100 ng/mL of RU486 showed downregulation of the Ts-MAPRC2 gene in F-AL (P ≤ 0.05). This plays an important role in abortion and possibly decreases the worm burden of T. spiralis in the host. Only P30 ng/mL showed significant upregulation in F-AL (P ≤ 0.05). Conclusions: The current study provides new insights regarding the antihormone (P4 & RU486) drug design and vaccine therapy of recombinant (rTs-MAPRC2) protein as well as their combined effects to control T. spiralis infection.
Tumor Cells Talk to Normal Cells Through Exosomes to Rebuild the Tumor Microenvironment
Authors: Pu Chunwen , Wang Qi , Sun Aijun , Sun Ping , Huang Hui , Zhang Qiqi , Sun Xueying , Wang ZhiDong , Zhang Yong
Published: May 2021

BackgroundExosomes play a key role in the growth of normal cells and various diseases such as cancer. Tumor exosomes regulate the connection between normal cells and cancer cells in the tumor microenvironment, thereby promoting the growth and invasion of cancer cells.MethodsWe used HepG2 cells silenced by shRNA targeting GPC3, LO2 and HepG2 cells treated with different concentrations of GPC3. We determined the effects of GPC3 on cell proliferation, apoptosis and invasion using CCK8, flow cytometry and Transwell, and Western blotting Method to determine the expression of GPC3/WNT3A/β-catenin.HepG2 exosomes (Exo) and HepG2 exosomes treated with shRNA targeting GPC3 (sh-GPC3-Exo) were used to treat LO2 and HepG2 cells separately. Cell proliferation was measured by CCK8 experiment.The cell cycle and apoptosis were measured by flow cytometry. The cell invasion ability was analyzed by Transwell. The expression of GPC3/WNT3A/β-catenin signal protein was determined by Western blotting.ResultsThis is the first study to prove the bidirectional regulation of GPC3 between normal cells and liver cancer cells. After treatment of LO2 cells and HepG2 cells with GPC3, the LO2 cell cycle was blocked in the G0/G1 phase, while inhibiting cell proliferation, promoting cell apoptosis and invasion, but for HepG2 cells it appeared to promote proliferation.Silencing GPC3 can inhibit the proliferation and invasion, and promote cell apoptosis of HepG2. Subsequent experiments found that the expression of GPC3 was found in both LO2 and HepG2 exosomes, and the expression of GPC3 in HepG2 exosomes was significantly higher than that in LO2 exosomes. These suggest that GPC3 in exosomes has the potential to become a biomarker of HCC.In addition, HepG2 exosomes (Exo) can inhibit the proliferation of LO2 cells and promote apoptosis and invasion, which is consistent with the effect of GPC3 treatment. We also found that GPC3 is contained in HepG2 exosomes (shGPC3-Exo) that have silenced GPC3, which has the same effect on LO2 cells as HepG2 exosomes (Exo), but the degree of influence is reduced. shGPC3-Exo showed a promoting effect on the proliferation of HepG2 cells, but inhibited cell invasion. Therefore, GPC3 in Exo plays a role in the proliferation of LO2 cells and HepG2 cells. Further studies have shown that GPC3 in liver cancer exosomes regulates the proliferation, apoptosis and invasion of LO2 and HepG2 cells through the Wnt /β-catenin signaling pathway.ConclusionGPC3 in the exosomes of liver cancer cells inhibits the proliferation of normal liver cells and promotes apoptosis by activating the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, promotes the proliferation of liver cancer cells, and assists the occurrence and development of HCC.
Role of Reactive Thrombocytosis After Primary Cytoreductive Surgery in Advanced Ovarian Cancer
Authors: Baek Seung Hun , Kim Myeong-Seon , Noh Joseph J. , Shim Jung In , Kang Jun Hyeok , Jeong Soo Young , Choi Chel Hun , Kim Tae-Joong , Lee Jeong-Won , Lee Yoo-young
Published: May 2021

Background: We investigated the incidence of reactive thrombocytosis after maximal cytoreductive surgery in advanced epithelial ovarian cancer and its role on survival. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed electronic medical records of patients who underwent primary cytoreductive surgery for advanced epithelial ovarian/fallopian cancer or peritoneal cancer from January 1, 2012, and December 31, 2017. In addition to known clinical prognostic factors, we analyzed the correlation serum platelet counts and prognosis at various time points including before surgery, during peri-operative period, and on each cycle of adjuvant chemotherapy.Results: 474 patients were eligible for the analysis. Median age was 54 years (18-88). 401 patients (84.6%) were FIGO stage III and 405 patients (85.4%) were serous adenocarcinoma. 79 patients (22.6%) had splenectomy and optimal cytoreduction (residual < 1 cm) was achieved at 326 patients (68.8%). A week after surgery, thrombocytosis was observed in 229 patients (48.3%) patients in the entire cohort. Especially, higher platelet counts were observed in patients with splenectomy compared with patients without splenectomy at various time points after surgery. Subgroup of patients who had persistent thrombocytosis during adjuvant chemotherapy showed poor survivals. In particular, thrombocytosis on 5th cycle of adjuvant chemotherapy showed most significant impact on overall survival (HR; 1.871, 95%CI; 1.034-3.386, p = 0.038) among various time points in multivariate analysis. In a logistic regression model, splenectomy (p < 0.001) significantly attributed to thrombocytosis on 5th cycle. Conclusion: Reactive thrombocytosis after primary cytoreductive surgery is associated with poor survival in advanced epithelial ovarian cancer, particularly when thrombocytosis was observed during adjuvant chemotherapy.
The Italian National Registry for FSHD: An Enhanced Data Integration and an Analytics Framework Towards Smart Health Care and Precision Medicine for a Rare Disease
Authors: Bettio Cinzia , Salsi Valentina , Orsini Mirko , Calanchi Enrico , Magnotta Luca , Gagliardelli Luca , Bergamaschi Sonia , Tupler Rossella
Published: May 2021

BACKGROUNDThe Italian Clinical network for FSHD (ICNF) has established the Italian National Registry for FSHD (INRF), collecting data from patients affected by Facioscapulohumeral dystrophy (FSHD) and their relatives. The INRF has gathered data from molecular analysis, clinical evaluation, anamnestic information, and family history from more than 3500 participants. METHODSA data management framework, called MOMIS FSHD Web Platform, has been developed to provide charts, maps and search tools customized for specific needs. Patients’ samples and their clinical information derives from the Italian Clinical network for FSHD (ICNF), a consortium consisting of fourteen neuromuscular clinics distributed across Italy. The tools used to collect, integrate, and visualize clinical, molecular and natural history information about patients affected by FSHD and their relatives are described.RESULTSThe INRF has collected the molecular data of FSHD conducted on 7197 subjects, and identified 3362 individuals carrying a DRA: 1634 are unrelated individuals, 602 isolated cases. In 1032 cases the molecular testing has been extended to 3747 relatives, 1728 carrying a DRA. Since 2009 molecular analysis has been accompanied by clinical evaluation based standardized evaluation protocols. In total 3577 clinical forms have been collected, 2059 follow the Comprehensive Clinical Evaluation form (CCEF). The integration of standardized clinical information and molecular data has made possible to demonstrate the wide phenotypic variability of FSHD. The MOMIS (Mediator Environment for Multiple Information Sources) data integration framework allowed performing genotype-phenotype correlation studies, and generated information of medical importance either for clinical practice or genetic counseling.CONCLUSIONThe platform implemented for the FSHD Registry data collection based on OpenClinica meets the requirement to integrate patient/disease information, as well as the need to adapt dynamically to security and privacy concerns. Our results indicate that the quality of data collection in a multi-integrated approach is fundamental for clinical and epidemiological research in a rare disease and allows to redefine diagnostic criteria and disease markers for FSHD.
Factors Associated With Prolonged Hospital Stay: a Retrospective Study for Imported Malaria Cases
Authors: Huang Liang , Jin Hong , Zhang Hong , Liu Yang , Shi Xinxing , Kang Xintong , Zeng Yilan , Wang Lin
Published: May 2021

BackgroundChina had entered post-elimination era for malaria, however, the imported cases are continuously are a public health concern as the increasing number of cases. In this study we studied the potential predictive factors for prolonged hospital stay for imported malaria patients. Material and MethodsWe retrospectively collected patients of imported malaria cases data from 2017-2020 in our hospital. we analyzed the data from clinical, epidemiological, geographical, and seasonal points of view, and used cox proportional hazard model to find the predictive factors for prolonged hospital stay.ResultsWe found most of imported cases were from Democratic Republic of the Congo(23%, 34/150) and most cases 74%(26/34) were infected by P. falciparum. Through Edwards Test, no significant seasonality of imported cases were found(χ2 =2.51 p-value= 0.28). We found bacterial infection(HR=0.58, p-value=0.01) and thrombocytopenia(HR=0.66, p-value=0.02) were protective factors for discharge, that were, the risk factors for prolonged hospital stay.ConclusionsThe imported cases are the major risk of malaria in post-elimination era of China. The bacterial infection and thrombocytopenia were the risk factors for prolonged hospital stay.
sVAP-1 and Adropin Levels in Male Patients With Obstructive Sleep Apnea: Likely Predictions of Endothelial Dysfunction and Severity of Disease
Authors: Liu Yuehong , Kong Zhongyu , Shi Song
Published: May 2021

Background: The main purpose of this study was to determine sVAP-1 levels in patients with moderate and severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) compared with healthy controls, and further determine the relationship between sVAP-1 concentration and biomarkers of vascular endothelial dysfunction (ED), including adropin and inflammatory factors.Methods: In this study, we included 50 male patients with OSA (25 moderate and 25 severe) and 20 age- and sex-matched control subjects. The OSA patients underwent polysomnography and all subjects underwent fasting sampling of peripheral blood for laboratory analyses.Results: Serum sVAP-1 levels and inflammatory biomarkers (IL-6, TNF-α, hsCRP) were significantly higher in patients with severe OSA in comparison with the moderate OSA and control groups, whereas plasma adropin levels presented a completely reverse trend. Moreover, sVAP-1 levels were in significant positive correlation with levels of AHI, ODI, TNF-α, IL-6 and hsCRP. However, it was significantly negative correlated with adropin levels. Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) analysis showed that AUC for sVAP-1levels in predicting OSA was 0.876 (P <.001,95% CI 0.784−0.968). Serum sVAP-1 cutoff value more than 445.5ng/mL provided 88% sensitivity and 80% specificity for the detection of OSA status. A multivariate regression analysis showed that sVAP-1 remained as a significant positive predictor of severe OSA status.Conclusions: Serum sVAP-1 concentration significantly correlates with indices of OSA severity and biomarkers of ED, suggesting that sVAP-1 plays a vital role in the pathophysiology of ED-related diseases.
Engineering Micro Oxygen Factory to Slow Tumor Progression by Hyperoxia Microenvironment
Authors: Wang Weili , Zheng Huizhen , Jiang Jun , Li Zhi , Gao Meng , Cai Xiaoming , Xia Tian , Li Ruibin
Published: May 2021

While hypoxia promotes carcinogenesis, tumor aggressiveness, metastasis, and resistance to oncological treatments, the impacts of hyperoxia on tumors are rarely explored because in vivo long-lasting oxygen supply is a big challenge. Herein, we constructed a micro oxygen factory, namely photosynthesis microcapsules (PMCs) by encapsulation of acquired cyanobacteria and upconversion nanoparticles in alginate microcapsules. This system enabled long-lasting oxygen supply by converting external radiations into red emissions for photosynthesis in cyanobacteria. PMC treatment suppressed NF-kB pathway, HIF-1α production and cancer cell proliferation. Hyperoxia microenvironments created by in vivo PMC implants inhibited hepatocarcinoma growth and metastasis, synergized the effects of anti-PD-1 in breast cancer. The engineered oxygen factory offers potential for tumor biology study in hyperoxia microenvironments and will inspire the exploration of oncological treatments.
Influence of Epstein–Barr virus and Human Papillomavirus Infection On Macrophage Migration Inhibitory Factor and Macrophage Polarization in Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma
Authors: Feng Guofei , Xu Yifei , Ma Ning , Midorikawa Kaoru , Oikawa Shinji , Kobayashi Hatasu , Nakamura Satoshi , Ishinaga Hajime , Zhang Zhe , Huang Guangwu , Takeuchi Kazuhiko , Murata Mariko
Published: May 2021

Background: To assess the effects of Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) and human papillomavirus (HPV) infection on the tumor microenvironment, we examined the relationship between viral infection status, macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF), and tumor-associated macrophages in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). Methods: A tissue microarray containing 150 cores from 90 patients with NPC and six with chronic inflammation was used. EBV and HPV status were detected using in situ hybridization with commercial EBER1 and HPV16/18 probes. Immunofluorescence double staining of MIF, pan-macrophage marker CD68, M1 macrophage marker CD11c, and M2 macrophage marker CD163 were analyzed using the same tissue microarray. The levels of these markers between NPC and inflammation cases and between tumor nests and stroma were compared. Correlations among these markers were analyzed. Results: We found EBER1(+) cases in 90% of NPC patients, including 10% EBV/HPV co-infection. M1 macrophages mainly infiltrated the tumor nest, while M2 macrophages infiltrated the tumor stroma. We found a significant positive correlation between EBER1 levels and MIF levels in tumor nests and a significant positive correlation between HPV16/18 and CD11c(+) cell levels in NPC tissues.Conclusions: It is suggested that MIF is associated with EBV, and M1 macrophage infiltration is affected by HPV status in NPC.
Refeeding Syndrome in Schizophrenia: a Case Report From an Emerging Economy
Authors: Dordoye Eugene Kobla , Fiagbe Delali , Alalbila Thelma Mpoku , Stiles-Darko Josephine
Published: May 2021

BackgroundRecent studies have shown growing concern for refeeding syndrome (RFS) among patients suffering other medical conditions although the exact incidence in this population is unknown. The phenomenon is also present among patients with mental health conditions characterized by poor feeding, poor appetite, catatonic features and poor cognitive functioning. Generally, RFS occurs with the reintroduction of calories to severely malnourished patients which doing so may be intuitive but life-threatening. It becomes critical for clinicians to have a high incidence of suspicion for prompt diagnosis and appropriate management to keep them alive if the poor feeding did not take their lives.Case presentationWe report a case of a 53-year-old man with an 8-year history of schizophrenia and a 3-month history of poor feeding. He was admitted on account of refusal to feed or drink for two weeks prior to presentation. He was severely malnourished and feeding was started while dealing with his psychotic symptoms. He gained about 2kg within a week of admission but that was fraught with metabolic derangements which included, but not limited to, hypophosphatemia, hypomagnesaemia and hypocalcaemia. We revised his diagnosis to RFS in schizophrenia and managed as such.ConclusionThere are no agreed biomarkers for the diagnosis of Refeeding Syndrome and diagnosis is still based on a constellation of electrolyte deficiencies and clinical presentation. Unfortunately, one of the cardinal electrolyte deficiencies, hypophosphatemia, does not have readily available formulations for its correction and this can lead to neurological, cardiovascular and other complications including sudden death. Delay in diagnosis worsens the prognosis and the intuitive desire to zealously feed a starved patient rather leads them to their death.
Distributed Data Hiding in A Single Cloud Storage Environment
Authors: MOSSEBO Stéphane Willy , METCHEKA Leonel MOYOU , NDOUNDAM Rene
Published: May 2021

Information has always constituted a prized commodity over time, with the strong globalization of exchanges and communications. The provenance, acquisition, protection and integrity of information has always asked major questions, with the strong growth of security needs in many areas around the world. Numerous approaches have been proposed with a view mainly to increase information security. One of them is steganography, where the goal is to conceal the very presence of secret information in a media during a communication. However, this one generally modifies the properties of the cover media used to conceal secret information. Thus, this modification constitutes a vulnerability during the detection and extraction of information concealed in the media, by various steganography attacks. To overcome this problem, Moyou and Ndoundam have proposed a distributed method of data hiding in a multi-cloud storage environment that preserves the property of the cover media, by using different types of media as an index of a part of the secret. However, a security problem is revealed when sharing key between the participating entities in the communication, and the process of managing cloud storage environments between the participating entities can turns to be tedious, depending on the number of cloud accounts used in the method. In order to solve these problems, in this paper we propose a new approach of the method that uses a single cloud storage environment, and strengthens the security of key sharing between the participating entities.
How can the landscape ecological security pattern be quantitatively optimized and effectively evaluated? An integrated analysis with the granularity inverse method and landscape indicators
Authors: Guan Dongjie , Jiang Yanan , Cheng Lidan
Published: May 2021

The optimization of the landscape ecological security pattern aims to construct a suitable ecological environment and promote the harmonious development between humans and nature. The optimization model of the ecological security pattern for the main urban area of Chongqing was constructed with the granularity inverse method, minimum cumulative resistance model, and spatial network analysis method. We used ecological nodes to optimize the landscape ecological security pattern by organically combining the landscape quantity and spatial structure. The results were as follows: (1) The optimal granularity for selecting the ecological source in the study area was 500 m. There were 220 ecological sources with a total area of 188691.03 hm2 and a minimum area of 75.15 hm2. (2) The ecological buffer zone, protection and utilization zone, key development zone, coordinated control zone, and restricted development zone accounted for 57.78%, 20.87%, 12.36%, 6.48% and 2.50%, respectively, of the total area. (3) The constructed of the landscape ecological security pattern contained 70 ecological corridors with a total length of 415.89 km. The longest and shortest ecological corridors had lengths of 20.33 km and 1153.23 m, respectively. There were 17 ecological nodes of corridor-resistance and 27 ecological nodes of corridor-corridor. (4) 41 ecological node service areas were constructed, with a total area of approximately 236.0723 hm2, accounting for 0.04% of the total study area, and the largest and smallest ecological node areas were 6.0744 hm2 and 0.0057 hm2, respectively. (5) The optimized result of the landscape ecological security pattern converted 209.1384 hm2 of nonecological land into ecological land.
Respond to the COVID-19 pandemic: strategies comparison in six countries
Authors: Chen Haiqian , Shi Leiyu , Zhang Yuyao , Wang Xiaohan , Jiao Jun , Yang Manfei , Sun Gang
Published: May 2021

Objective This study aimed to examine the effectiveness of the containment strategy and mitigation strategy taken by six countries.Methods We extracted publicly available data from various official websites, summarized the strategies implemented in these six countries, and assessed the effectiveness of the prevention and control measures adopted by these countries.Results Responding to an unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic, China, South Korea, and Singapore adopted containment strategies, and China and Singapore had a similar epidemic curve and the new daily cases. As of December 31, 2020, the new daily cases of China and Singapore were below less than 100 with the mortality rates per 100,000 population 0.3% and 0.5% respectively. But the new daily cases of South Korea as high as 1029 with the mortality rates per 100,000 1.8%. In contrast, the United States, the United Kingdom, and France responded with mitigation strategies, and had similar epidemic curves and mortality rates per 100,000 population. The United States had up to 234,133 new confirmed cases per day and a mortality rate per 100,000 population was 107%, while the UK had 56,029 new confirmed cases per day and a mortality rate per 100,000 population was 108%, and France had 20,042 new cases per day, with a mortality rate per 100,000 population of 99%.Conclusions In response to the COVID-19 outbreak that is still spreading globally, countries can consider policy alternatives and novel solutions developed by other countries and adapt them base on their domestic circumstances and resources.
Pollution and Probabilistic Human Health Risk Assessment of Potentially Toxic Elements in the Soil-water-plant System in the Bolkar Mining District, Niğde, South-central Turkey
Authors: Lermi Abdurrahman , Sunkari Emmanuel Daanoba
Published: May 2021

Globally, potentially toxic elements (PTEs) are regarded as an important group of pollutants for the wider environment because of their intrinsic toxicity and probable accumulation in the soil-water-plant system. In this regard, this study assessed the pollution levels and probable human health risks of PTEs in the soil-water-plant system in the Bolkar mining district of the Niğde Province in south-central Turkey. Pollution assessment using contamination factor, enrichment factor, index of geoaccumulation, and soil pollution index reveals moderate to extremely high pollution of PTEs in the soil, exposing the soils to extreme toxicity levels. The areas that fall under the toxic to extremely toxic categories are in proximity to the ore slags and agricultural lands towards the central and southern domains of the study area. The water hazard index (WHI) values indicate that 100% of the samples collected in both winter and fall seasons are of extreme toxicity (WHI > 15). Arsenic is the dominant contaminant among the PTEs in the soil and water samples. The bioconcentration factor values of the PTEs in most of the fruit plants are > 1, indicating very high levels of element transfer from the soil and water to the plants. The probabilistic human health risk assessment involved exposure to arsenic in groundwater (a major pathway to humans) since it is the only carcinogenic element in this study. The estimated daily intake of arsenic-contaminated water exceeds the safe limit of 5 × 10− 8 mg/kg/day. About 33.3% and 55.6% of the groundwater samples have higher hazard quotient and carcinogenic risk values of arsenic in the winter and fall seasons, respectively. This implies that the people are more exposed to the carcinogenic effects of drinking arsenic-contaminated water.
The Synchronization and Synchronization Transition of Coupled Fractional-order Neuronal Networks
Authors: Yang Xin , Zhang GuangJun , Li XueRen , Wang Dong
Published: May 2021

Different from the previous researches on the synchronization and synchronization transition of neuronal networks constructed by integer-order neuronal models, the synchronization and synchronization transition of fractional-order neuronal network are investigated in this paper. The fractional-order ring neuronal network constructed by fractional-order HindmarshRose (HR) neuronal models without electromagnetic radiation are proposed, and it’s synchronization behaviors are investigated numerically. The synchronization behaviors of two coupled fractional-order neuronal models and ring neuronal network under electromagnetic radiation are studied numerically. By research results, several novel phenomena and conclusions can be drawn. First, for the fractional-order HR model’s ring neuronal network without electromagnetic radiation, if the fractional-order q is changed, the threshold of the coupling strength when the network is in perfect synchronization will change. Furthermore, the change of fractional-order can induce the transition of periodic synchronization and chaotic synchronization. Second, for the two coupled neurons under electromagnetic radiation, the synchronization degree is influenced by fractional-order and the feedback gain parameter k1 . In addition, the fractional-order and parameter k1 can induce the synchronization transition of bursting synchronization, perfect synchronization and phase synchronization. For the perfect synchronization, the synchronization transition of chaotic synchronization and periodic synchronization induced by q and parameter k1 is also observed. Especially, When the fractionalorder is small, like 0.6, the synchronization behavior will be more complex. Third, for the ring neuronal network under electromagnetic radiation, with the change of memory-conductance parameter β, parameter k1 and fractional-order q of electromagnetic radiation, the synchronization behaviors are different. When β > 0.02 , the synchronization will be strengthened with the decreasing of fractional-order. The parameter k1 can induce the synchronization transition of perfect periodic10 synchronization, perfect periodic-7 synchronization, perfect periodic-5 synchronization and perfect periodic4 synchronization. It is hard for the system to synchronize and q has little effect on the synchronization when −0.06 < β < 0.02 . When β < −0.06 , the network moves directly from asynchronization to perfect synchronization, and the synchronization factor goes from 0.1 to 1 with the small change of fractional-order. Larger the factional-order is, larger the range of synchronization is. The synchronization degree increases with the increasing of k1.
Cerebral Palsy In Children: Subtypes, Motor Function And Associated Impairments; Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Authors: Tsige Selamenesh , Moges Ayalew , Mekasha Amha , Abebe Workeabeba , Forssberg Hans
Published: May 2021

Background: Cerebral Palsy is one of the most common developmental disabilities among children seeking health care services in Ethiopia as well as in other low income countries. Yet, there is no national data relating to CP in Ethiopia. The overall aim of this study is to describe the clinical subtype, gross and fine motor function and presence and pattern of associated impairments and possible risk factors in children with Cerebral Palsy aged 2 to 18 years in Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Methods: A hospital based descriptive cross-sectional study conducted among 207 children with Cerebral Palsy. Surveillance for Cerebral Palsy in Europe (SCPE) decision tree was used to include 174 illegible children then a pretested and pre-coded questionnaire administered to caregivers assessing socio demographic characteristics, associated impairments and possible risk factors; evaluated with proper neurologic examination to classify them; and severity of gross and fine motor impairment was assessed by evaluating level of function by grading according to GMFCS and MACS. The IBM SPSS V.21 was used for data analysis, and a significance level of 0.05 was chosen. Result: A total of 174 children who fulfilled the clinical criteria were included sampled consecutively. Mean age 5.6 (SD 3.6) year; Males 55.2%. Under five children were 50.6%. Majority of the children had Bilateral spastic CP (60.4%) followed by unilateral spastic CP 21.8%, Dyskinetic CP 10.4%, Ataxic CP 3.4% and 4% were unclassifiable. Of all the children 95.4% had speech and language impairments, 87.4% learning disabilities; 60.9% epilepsy, 24.7% Visual impairment and 8.6% has hearing impairment. On gross motor functions and manual ability assessment 75.3% of the children had level 4and 5 functional impairment. More than 80% of the mothers had complications during delivery (fetal distress followed by PROM). Half of the neonates did not cry immediately after birth; 77 neonates were resuscitated with BMV at birth and 111 immediately admitted to NICU. Subsequently during the first month of life; 50% had infection, 62% trouble feeding, 49.4 % difficulty breathing, 35% seizure and 13.8% had deep jaundice. Conclusion; the severe forms of CP prevail and most children are dependent on their parents for routine activities and cannot communicate well. Multidisciplinary care approach and focused functional rehabilitation services need to be instituted. Causal relationship cannot be drawn from this study but makes a strong argument for improving maternal and child health care.
Light-triggered and phosphorylation-dependent 14-3-3 association with
NON-PHOTOTROPIC HYPOCOTYL 3 is required for hypocotyl phototropism
Authors: Reuter Lea , Schmidt Tanja , Manishankar Prabha , Throm Christian , Keicher Jutta , Bock Andrea , Oecking Claudia
Published: May 2021

NON-PHOTOTROPIC HYPOCOTYL 3 (NPH3) is a key component of the auxin-dependent plant phototropic growth response. We show that NPH3 directly binds polyacidic phospholipids, required for plasma membrane association in darkness. We further demonstrate that blue light induces an immediate phosphorylation of a C-terminal 14-3-3 binding motif in NPH3. Subsequent association of 14-3-3 proteins is causal for the light-induced release of NPH3 from the membrane and required for NPH3 dephosphorylation. In the cytosol, NPH3 dynamically transitions into membrane-less condensate-like structures. The dephosphorylated state of the 14-3-3 binding site and NPH3 membrane recruitment are recoverable in darkness. NPH3 variants that constitutively localize either to the membrane or to condensates are non-functional, revealing a fundamental role of the 14-3-3 mediated dynamic change in NPH3 localization for auxin-dependent phototropism. This novel mechanism of regulation might be of general nature, given that several members of the NPH3-like family interact with 14-3-3 via a C-terminal motif.
A multi-method approach for beam characterization of microfading testers used in cultural heritage conservation science
Authors: Swit Pawel , Gargano Marco , Hoyo-Meléndez Julio M. del
Published: May 2021

Microfading testers have become widely accepted by the conservation science community for establishing and recommending appropriate lighting conditions that minimize damage to collections. These devices offer the opportunity of measuring the photostability of cultural heritage objects due to their optical setup, which allows to conduct and quantify accelerated photoaging over a spot of approximately 0.5 mm. Also, by using a high sensitivity photodetector it is possible to measure spectrocolorimetric change before it is perceived by the human eye. Although a considerable amount of testing is currently performed with these instruments, there are still safety concerns in terms of possible damage to the objects due to the use of a high intensity spot during testing. Nevertheless microfadeometry is widely considered a nondestructive technique. The advantages and disadvantages of several methods used to determine the beam shape and intensity profiles are described with the aim of providing various options to microfading researchers interested in characterizing their irradiation spots. Conventional and imaging methods were employed and are compared in terms of their accuracy, cost, reliability, and technical features. It has been found that both methods provide beam width measurements in satisfactory agreement within experimental error.
On-the-job vocational training of nonprofessional ethnic health workers of a primary health care team improves their sense of coherence
Authors: Katona Cintia , Bíró Éva , Vincze Szilvia , Kósa Karolina
Published: May 2021

Objectives
A Primary Care Model Programme had been implemented in Hungary between 2013–2017 in which group practices were established that employed – among others – nonprofessional health workers (health mediators, similar to community health workers) to facilitate access for the most disadvantaged population groups. The health of mediators, themselves mostly disadvantaged ethnic Roma, was monitored every odd year of the Programme.
Methods
A repeated cross-sectional health interview survey had been implemented inviting all health mediators who were employed at the time of the survey. The same questionnaire was used in all 3 surveys with items from the European Health Interview Survey 2009 and validated versions of other scales.
Results
Positive changes occurred in the health status of mediators during 5 years of follow-up, especially among those who completed vocational training in the Programme. By 2017, significant increase in sense of coherence was observed among those who obtained vocational qualification as opposed to those who did not. The proportion of highly stressed mediators showed a significant increase among those with no vocational training. Improvement was detected in all mediators in health awareness, dysfunctional attitudes, psychological stress and smoking prevalence.
Conclusions
Positive changes among those who obtained on-the-job vocational qualification were observed during follow-up of ethnic Roma health mediators in the programme in which they were equal members of the primary health care team. Employment of health mediators in primary care teams not only contributed to improving access to care for disadvantaged groups but also improved the mental health of mediators themselves.
Confirmatory Efficacy and Safety Trial of Magnetic Seizure Therapy for Depression (CREST – MST): Study Protocol for a Randomized Non-Inferiority Trial of Magnetic Seizure Therapy versus Electroconvulsive Therapy
Authors: Daskalakis Zafiris , Tamminga Carol , Throop Alanah , Palmer Lucy , Dimitrova Julia , Farzan Faranak , Thorpe Kevin E. , McClintock Shawn M. , Blumberger Daniel M.
Published: May 2021

BackgroundElectroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is well-established and effective for treatment resistant depression (TRD), but in Canada and the United States, less than 1% of patients with TRD receive ECT mainly due to its cognitive adverse effects (i.e., amnesia). Thus, new treatment alternatives for TRD are urgently needed. One such treatment is Magnetic Seizure Therapy (MST). ECT involves applying a train of high frequency electrical stimuli to induce a seizure, whereas MST involves applying a train of high frequency magnetic stimuli to induce a seizure. MethodsIn this manuscript, we introduce our international, two-site, double-blinded, randomized, non-inferiority clinical trial to develop MST as an effective and safe treatment for TRD. This trial will compare the efficacy of MST to right unilateral ultra-brief pulse width electroconvulsive therapy (RUL-UB-ECT) with a combined primary endpoint of remission of depression and superior cognitive adverse effects in 260 patients with TRD. Amelioration of suicidal ideation will be assessed as a secondary endpoint. Inpatients or outpatients, over 18 years of age with a MINI International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI) diagnosis of non-psychotic major depressive disorder (MDD) can be enrolled in the study provided that they meet illness severity and full eligibility criteria. Participants are randomized to receive MST or RUL-UB ECT, 2-3 days per week over seven weeks, or a maximum of 21 treatments. The study will involve before-, during-, and after-treatment assessments of depression severity, suicidal ideation, subjective side-effects, and cognitive performance consistent with an intent-to-treat study design approach. DiscussionPositive results from this trial could have an immediate and tremendous impact for patients with TRD. If MST demonstrates comparable antidepressant treatment efficacy to ECT, but with greater cognitive safety, it could rapidly be adopted into clinical practice. Indeed, given that the administration of MST is nearly identical to ECT, the majority of ECT facilities in North America could readily adopt MST. Furthermore, the potential for cognitive safety could lead to improved treatment acceptability. Healthcare providers, patients and care partners, and policymakers would therefore demand this form of convulsive therapy.Trial RegistrationClinical Trials Gov NCT03191058, Registered June 19, 2017
Geometric Changes in Aortic Root Replacement Using Freestyle Prosthesis
Authors: Osswald Anja , Zubarevich Alina , Rad Arian Arjomandi , Vardanyan Robert , Zhigalov Konstantin , Wendt Daniel , Schmack Bastian , Mashhour Ahmed , Ruhparwar Arjang , Weymann Alexander
Published: May 2021

Background: The Medtronic freestyle prosthesis has proven to be a promising recourse for aortic root replacement in various indications. The present study aims to evaluate clinical outcomes and geometric changes of the aorta after Freestyle implantation.Methods: Between October 2005 and November 2020, the computed tomography angiography (CTA) data of 32 patients were analyzed in a cohort of 68 patients that underwent aortic root replacement using Freestyle prosthesis. The minimum and maximum diameters and areas of the aortic annulus, aortic root, ascending aorta, and the proximal aortic arch were measured at a plane perpendicular to the long axis of the aorta using 3D multiplanar reconstruction in both the preoperative (n=32) and postoperative (n=10) CTAs. Moreover, volumetric changes of the aortic root and ascending aorta were quantified. Results: Mean age was 64.6 ± 10.6 years. Indications for surgery using Freestyle prosthesis were combined aortic valve pathologies, aortic aneurysm or dissection, and endocarditis, with concomitant surgery occurring in 28 out of 32 patients. In-hospital mortality was 18.6%. Preoperative diameter and area measurements of the aortic annulus strongly correlated with the implanted valve size (p<0.001). Bicuspid valve was present in 28.1% of the patients. Diameter and areas of the aortic root decreased after freestyle implantation, resulting in a reduction of the aortic root volume (45.6 ± 26.3 cm3 to 18.7 ± 4.5 cm3, p=0.029). Volume of the aortic root and the ascending aorta decreased from 137.3 ± 65.2 cm3 to 54.5 ± 21.1 cm3 after Freestyle implantation (p=0.023). Conclusion: Implantation of the Freestyle prosthesis presents excellent results in restoring the aortic geometry. Pre-operative CTA measurements are beneficial to the surgical procedure and valve selection and therefore, if available, should be considered in pre-operative planning.