bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Induced Genetic Variations in Stomatal Density and Size of Rice Strongly Affect Water-Use Efficiency, Drought Tolerance, and Responses to Abiotic Stresses
Authors: Pitaloka Mutiara K. , Caine Robert S. , Hepworth Christopher , Harrison Emily L. , Sloan Jen , Chutteang Cattleya , Phuntong Chutima , Nongngok Rungsan , Toojinda Theerayut , Ruengpayak Siriphat , Arikit Siwaret , Gray Julie E. , Vanavichit Apichart
Published: July 2021

BackgroundRice (Oryza sativa) is one of the world’s most important crops and is especially important in Asia. Because irrigated rice consumes about 34–43% of the total water used for irrigation globally, increasing drought and global temperature will increase the risk of rice crop loss. However, rice is among the least efficient crops in terms of water use, whereby most of the uptaken water is used for transpirational cooling via stomatal pores on the leaf blades and sheaths. To increase the water-use efficiency of rice, alterations in stomatal density and size may help to reduce transpiration and thereby increase water-use efficiency (WUE). ResultsWe identified four stomatal model lines—with either high-density (HD) or low-density (LD) stomata and small-sized (SS) or big-sized (BS) stomata—from the Mutant Core Collection (MCC) of 216 mutants. Gas exchange analysis revealed that the stomatal model lines have similar photosynthetic assimilation (A) and chlorophyll fluorescence. With increasing CO2 concentration, A of all stomatal model lines was observed to respond similarly at 100–600 ppm CO2, but beyond this point, SS was more responsive to increasing CO2 concentration than the other stomatal model lines. HD had higher stomatal conductance (gs) and gsmax than the other stomatal model lines. In response to a mild heat at 30 °C, both SS and LD had higher canopy temperature than HD, BS, and JHN-wt as a result of heat retention. All stomatal model lines are also similar in their rhythmic stomatal responses to ten-minute dark/light transition cycles, except that initial stomata closure in SS was more rapid than in BS. The stomatal model lines did not show any significant differences in the response to short-term water stress. Long-term water stress had less impact on leaf drying, Fv/Fm, grain yield, and harvest index in LD and SS. In the field, all stomatal model lines and JHN-wt had similar WUE in the sufficient-water treatment. LD had the highest WUE and biomass/plant than any stomatal model lines in the long-term restricted-water treatment. ConclusionsTaken together, our results suggest that induced alterations in stomata density and size influence rice WUE and the responses to drought and heat stresses, providing further understanding of the roles of stomata density and size in related processes. The low-density and small stomata lines have high potential as genetic donors for improving WUE and drought in climate-ready rice.
Kangiella Shandongensis Sp. Nov., A Novel Species Isolated From Saltern In Yantai, China
Authors: Peng Li-Yang , Yin Rui , Gao Shu-Kun , Jiang Hui-Ning , Liu Xiao-Xiao , Ma Yu , Zhou Yan-xia
Published: July 2021

A Gram-stain-negative, wheat, rod-shaped, motile, non-spore forming, and aerobic bacterium, designated as strain PIT, was isolated from saline silt samples collected in saltern in Yantai, Shandong, China, and subjected to a polyphasic taxonomic study. The 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis revealed a clear affiliation of strain PIT with the genus Kangiella. Strain PIT showed the closest phylogenetic relationship with Kangiella taiwanensis KT1T with the highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity of 98.3%. The genome size of the strain PIT was 2809662 bp consisting of 2653 genes which include 39 tRNAs genes, 2 sRNA genes and 4 rRNA genes. The major cellular fatty acids of strain PIT were identified as iso-C15:0, iso-C11:0, iso-C11:0 3-OH and Summed Feature 9 (iso-C17:1ω9c), and the major respiratory isoprenoid quinone was Q8. The major polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol (DPG), phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), phosphatidylmonomethylethanolamine (PME) and phosphatidylinositol (PI). The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 45.8 mol%. The Average Amino Acid identity (AAI) value between strain PIT and Kangiella sediminilitoris was 83.9%. The Average Nucleotide Identity (ANI) values between strain PIT and Kangiella sediminilitoris, Kangiella aquimarina and Kangiella taiwanensis were 76.9%, 71.0% and 74.6%, respectively. The digital DNA-DNA Hybridization (dDDH) values between strain PIT and Kangiella sediminilitoris, Kangiella aquimarina and Kangiella taiwanensis were 19.8%, 19.1% and 18.7%, respectively. The results of 16S rRNA gene phylogeny, phenotypic characterizations, chemotaxonomic characterization and genome features indicate that strain PIT represents a novel specie of the genus Kangiella, for which the name Kangiella shandongensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is PIT (KCTC 82509T = MCCC 1K04352T).
FCER1G Positively Relates To Macrophage Infiltration In Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma And Contributes To Unfavorable Prognosis By Regulating Tumor Immunity
Authors: Dong Keqin , Chen Wenjin , Pan Xiuwu , Wang Hongru , Sun Ye , Qian Cheng , Chen Weijie , Wang Chao , Yang Fu , Cui Xingang
Published: July 2021

Background: Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) are closely related to unfavorable prognosis of patients with clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC). However, the important molecules in the interaction between ccRCC and TAMs are unclear.Methods: TCGA-KIRC gene expression data of tumor tissues and normal tissues adjacent to tumor were compared to identify differentially expressed genes in ccRCC. TAMs related genes were discovered by analyzing the correlation between these differentially expressed genes and common macrophage biomarkers. Gene set enrichment analysis was performed to predict functions of TAMs related gene. The findings were further validated using RNA sequencing data obtained from the CheckMate 025 study and immunohistochemical analysis of samples from 350 patients with ccRCC. Kaplan–Meier survival curve, Cox regression analysis and Harrell’s concordance index analysis were used to determine the prognostic significance.Results: In this study, we applied bioinformatic analysis to explore TAMs related differentially expressed genes in ccRCC and identified 5 genes strongly correlated with all selected macrophage biomarkers: STAC3, LGALS9, TREM2, FCER1G, and PILRA. Among them, FCER1G was abundantly expressed in tumor tissues and showed prognostic importance in patients with ccRCC who received treatment with Nivolumab; however, it did not exhibit prognostic value in those treated with Everolimus. We also discovered that high expression levels of FCER1G are related to T cell suppression. Moreover, combination of FCER1G and macrophage biomarker CD68 can improve the prognostic stratification of patients with ccRCC from TCGA-KIRC. Based on the immunohistochemical analysis of samples from patients with ccRCC, we further validated that FCER1G and CD68 are both highly expressed in tumor tissue and correlate with each other. Higher expression of CD68 or FCER1G in ccRCC tissue indicates shorter overall survival and progression-free survival; patients with high expression of both CD68 and FCER1G have the worst outcome. Combining CD68 and FCER1G facilitates the screening of patients with a worse prognosis from the same TNM stage group.Conclusions: High expression of FCER1G in ccRCC is closely related to TAMs infiltration and suppression of T cell function. Combining the expression levels of FCER1G and macrophage biomarker CD68 may be a promising postoperative prognostic index for patients with ccRCC.
Cross-Condition and Cross-Platform Remaining Useful Life Estimation Via Adversarial-Based Domain Adaptation
Authors: Zhao Dongdong , Liu Feng
Published: July 2021

Supervised machine learning is a traditionally remaining useful life (RUL) estimation tool, which requires a lot of prior knowledge. For the situation lacking labeled data, supervised methods are invalid for the issue of domain shift in data distribution. In this paper, a adversarial-based domain adaptation (ADA) architecture with convolution neural networks (CNN) for RUL estimation of bearings under different conditions and platforms, referred to as ADACNN, is proposed. Specifically, ADACNN is trained in source labeled data and fine-tunes to similar target unlabeled data via an adversarial training and parameters shared mechanism. Besides a feature extractor and source domain regressive predictor, ADACNN also includes a domain classifier that tries to guide feature extractor find some domain-invariant features, which differents with traditional methods and belongs to a unsupervised learning in target domain, which has potential application value and far-reaching significance in academia. In addition, according to different first predictive time (FPT) detection mechanisms, we also explores the impact of different FPT detection mechanisms on RUL estimation performance. Finally, according to extensive experiments, the results of RUL estimation of bearing in cross-condition and cross-platform prove that ADACNN architecture has satisfactory generalization performance and great practical value in industry.
UbiSites-SRF: Ubiquitination Sites Prediction Using Statistical Moment with Random Forest Approach
Authors: Murad Shazia , Mashat Arwa , Mahfooz Alia , Khan Sher Afzal , Barukab Omar
Published: July 2021

Ubiquitination is the process that supports the growth and development of eukaryotic and prokaryotic organisms. It is helpful in regulating numerous functions such as the cell division cycle, caspase-mediated cell death, maintenance of protein transcription, signal transduction, and restoration of DNA damage. Because of these properties, its identification is essential to understand its molecular mechanism. Some traditional methods such as mass spectrometry and site-directed mutagenesis are used for this purpose, but they are tedious and time consuming. In order to overcome such limitations, interest in computational models of this type of identification is therefore being developed. In this study, an accurate and efficient classification model for identifying ubiquitination sites was constructed. The proposed model uses statistical moments for feature extraction along with random forest for classification. Three sets of ubiquitination are used to train and test the model. The model is assessed through 10-fold cross-validation and jackknife tests. We achieved a 10-fold accuracy of 100% for dataset-1, 99.88% for dataset-2 and 99.84% for the dataset-3, while with Jackknife test we got 100% for the dataset-1, 99.91% for dataset-2 and 99.99%. for the dataset-3. The results obtained are almost the maximum, which is far better as compared to the pre-existing models available in the literature.
Analysis of Abrasives On Cutting Edge Preparation By Drag Finishing
Authors: Lv Dejin , Wang Yongguo , Yu Xin , Chen Han , Gao Yuan
Published: July 2021

Cutting edge preparation has become more important for tool performance. The micro-shape, radius and surface topography of the cutting edge plays a significant role in the machining process. The cutting edge of solid carbide end mills have some micro-defects after grinding. For eliminating aforementioned problem, this study investigates drag finishing (DF) preparation for solid carbide end mills reconstruct cutting edge micro-geometry. This paper is to present the design of DF experimental set-up and analysis the characterization of various abrasive media (K3/600, K3/400, HSC 1/300 and HSO 1/100) on the evolution of the surface /roughness along the cutting edge. In parallel, the mechanism of material removal and the kinematics trajectory of the drag finishing are presented. In fact, the form factor (also called as “K-factor”) of the cutting edge micro-geometry is quantified. Comparing with four lapping media, the higher material removal rate (MRR) and the lower surface roughness are obtained by HSO 1/100 abrasive process. The results show that the cutting edge K-factor, MRR and surface topography are influenced by the abrasive particles size, composition and process time. The cutting edge micro-geometry is measured through Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and 3D Optical measuring instrument.
The Intermediation Role of Central Cyclooxygenase Products TXA2, PGF2α, PGE, and PGD in Orexin-evoked Cardiovascular Effects
Authors: Altınbaş Burçin , Bayram Gökcen Guvenc , Yalcin Murat
Published: July 2021

Centrally injected some prostaglandins (PG) and orexin (OX) produce similar cardiovascular responses. We have recently reported that both central cyclooxygenase (COX) and central lipoxygenase (LOX) enzymes mediate the cardiovascular effects of OX. In the current study, we aimed to investigate the mediating effects of thromboxane (TX) A2, PGD, PGE, and PGF2a, as COX pathway subproducts known to be active in cardiovascular control, on cardiovascular responses elicited by OX. Intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) injection of OX increased cardiovascular levels in normotensive male Sprague Dawley rats. Moreover, central pretreatment with the TXA2 synthesis inhibitor furegrelate, PGF2α receptor antagonist, PGF2α-dimethylamine, PGE, and PGD receptor antagonist AH6809 partially attenuated the centrally administered OX -induced pressor and tachycardic cardiovascular responses in rats. In conclusion, our results show that i.c.v. injection of OX increases blood pressure and heart rate. Moreover, TXA2, PGF2α, PGE, and PGD mediate, at least in part, the centrally applied OX -evoked pressor and tachycardic responses. The results suggest that centrally injected OX -evoked pressor and tachycardia responses may also be mediated by arachidonic acid metabolites other than TXA2, PGF2α, PGE, and PGD.
Informal Employment and Poor Self-Perceived Health in Latin America and The Caribbean: A Gender-Based Comparison Between Countries and Welfare States in A Pooled Analysis Of 176,786 Workers
Authors: Utzet Mireia , Botías Ferran , Silva-Peñaherrera Michael , Tobías Aurelio , Benavides Fernando G.
Published: July 2021

Background: More than half of the working population in Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) countries is engaged in informal employment. The few previous studies indicate that this employment condition could have negative consequences for workers' health. The aim of the present study was to estimate the association between self-perceived health and informality in LAC countries according to gender and welfare state type.Methods: The cross-sectional study based on different working conditions and health national surveys was carried out in 13 LAC countries between 2012 and 2018. A sample of 176,786 workers was selected from these surveys. The association between health and informality was estimated using Poisson regression. Finally, a random effects meta-analysis was carried out by country. All results were stratified by sex and type of welfare state (statalist or familialist).Results: Informal workers reported significantly worse health than formal workers, for both women (1.28 [95% CI 1.14-1.43]) and men (1.30 [1.12-1.50]). This difference was broader and more significant in countries with statalist welfare state regimes, among both women (1.40 [1.22-1.60]) and men (1.51 [1.30-1.74]), than in familialist regime countries (1.19 [1.03-1.38] and 1.24 [1.03-1.49], respectively).Conclusions: This study provides strong evidence of the association between informal employment and worker health. Welfare states appear to have a modifying effect on this association. The transition from the informal to the formal labour market in LAC is essential to improving the health of the population.
Study Protocol For A Cluster Randomized Trial of A School, Family and Community Intervention For Preventing Drug Misuse Among Older Adolescents in the Cherokee Nation
Authors: Komro Kelli A , Kominsky Terrence K. , Skinner Juli R. , Livingston Melvin D , Livingston Bethany J. , Avance Kristin , Lincoln Ashley N. , Barry Caroline M. , Walker Andrew L. , Pettigrew Dallas W. , Merlo Lisa J. , Cooper Hannah L.F. , Wagenaar Alexander C.
Published: July 2021

Background: The national opioid crisis has disproportionately burdened rural White populations and American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) populations. Therefore, Cherokee Nation and Emory University public health scientists have designed an opioid prevention trial to be conducted in rural communities in the Cherokee Nation (northeast Oklahoma) with AI and other (mostly White) adolescents and young adults. Our goal is to implement and evaluate a theory-based, integrated multi-level community intervention designed to prevent the onset and escalation of opioid and other drug misuse. Two distinct intervention approaches—community organizing as implemented in our established Communities Mobilizing for Change and Action (CMCA) intervention protocol, and universal school-based brief intervention and referral, as implemented in our established CONNECT intervention protocol—will be integrated with skill-based training for adults to strengthen social support for youth and strategic media. Further, we will test systems for sustained implementation within existing organizational structures of the Cherokee Nation and local schools and communities. This study protocol describes the cluster randomized trial, designed to measure implementation and evaluate effectiveness on primary and secondary outcomes.Methods: Using a cluster randomized controlled design and constrained randomization, this trial will allocate 20 high schools and surrounding communities to either an intervention or delayed-intervention comparison condition. With a proposed sample of 20 high schools, all enrolled 10th grade students in fall 2021 will be eligible for participation. During the trial, we will: (1) implement interventions through the Cherokee Nation, and measure implementation processes and fidelity; (2) measure opioid and other drug use and secondary outcomes every six months among a cohort of high school students followed over three years through their transition out of high school; (3) test via a cluster randomized trial the effect of the integrated CMCA-CONNECT intervention; and (4) analyze implementation costs. Discussion: This trial will expand upon previous research advancing the scientific evidence regarding prevention of opioid and other drug misuse during the critical developmental period of late adolescent transition to young adulthood among a sample of American Indian and other youth living within the Cherokee Nation reservation.Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04839978. Registered April 9, 2021, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04839978
NFĸB Targeting in Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cell-Mediated Support of Age-Linked Hematological Malignancies.
Authors: Rameshwar Pranela , Sherman Lauren S. , Patel Shyam A. , Castillo Marianne , Unkovic Rachel , Taborga Marcello , Gergues Marina , Patterson Shaun , Etchegaray Jean-Pierre , Jaloudi Mohammed , Nehra Anupama , Kra Joshua , Rojas Darling P. , Chang Victor T.
Published: July 2021

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) can become dysfunctional in patients with hematological disorders. An unanswered question is whether age-linked disruption of the bone marrow (BM) microenvironment is secondary to hematological dysfunction or vice versa. We therefore studied MSC function in patients with different hematological disorders and found decreased MHC-II except from one sample with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). The patients’ MSCs were able to exert veto properties except for AML MSCs. While the expression of MHC-II appeared to be irrelevant to the immune licensing of MSCs, AML MSCs lost their ability to differentiate upon contact and rather, continued to proliferate, forming foci-like structures. We performed a retrospective study that indicated a significant increase in MSCs, based on phenotype, for patients with BM fibrosis. This suggests a role for MSCs in patients transitioning to leukemia. NFĸB was important to MSC function and was shown to be a potential target to sensitize leukemic CD34+/CD38- cells to azacitidine. This correlated with their lack of allogeneic stimulation. This study identified NFĸB as a potential target for combination therapy to treat leukemia stem cells and showed that understanding MSC biology and immune response could be key in determining how the aging BM might support leukemia. More importantly, we show how MSCs might be involved in transitioning the high risk patient with hematological disorder to AML.
Process Development and Validation of Expanded Regulatory T Cells for Prospective Applications: An Example of Manufacturing a Personalized Advanced Therapy Medicinal Product
Authors: Lavazza Cristiana , Budelli Silvia , Montelatici Elisa , Viganò Mariele , Ulbar Francesca , Catani Lucia , Cannone Marta Giulia , Savelli Sara , Groppelli Elisa , Lazzari Lorenza , Lemoli Roberto M. , Cescon Matteo , Manna Gaetano La , Giordano Rosaria , Montemurro Tiziana
Published: July 2021

BACKGROUND: A growing number of clinical trials have shown that regulatory T (Treg) cells transfer may have a favorable effect on the maintenance of self-tolerance and immune homeostasis in different conditions such as graft-versus-host disease (GvHD), solid organ transplantation, type 1 diabetes, and others. In this context, the availability of a robust manufacturing protocol that is able to produce a sufficient number of functional Treg cells represents a fundamental prerequisite for the success of a cell therapy clinical protocol. However, extended workflow guidelines for nonprofit manufacturers are currently lacking. Despite the fact that different successful manufacturing procedures and cell products with excellent safety profiles have been reported from early clinical trials, the selection and expansion protocols for Treg cells vary a lot. The objective of this study was to validate a Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP)-compliant protocol for the production of Treg cells that approaches the whole process with a risk-management methodology, from process design to completion of final product development. High emphasis was given to the description of the quality control (QC) methodologies used for the in-process and release tests (sterility, endotoxin test, mycoplasma, and immunophenotyping).RESULTS: The GMP-compliant protocol defined in this work allows at least 4.11 × 109 Treg cells to be obtained with an average purity of 95.75 ± 4.38% and can be used in different clinical settings to exploit Treg cell immunomodulatory function.CONCLUSIONS: These results could be of great use for facilities implementing GMP-compliant cell therapy protocols of these cells for different conditions aimed at restoring the Treg cell number and function, which may slow the progression of certain diseases.
Natural History of Von Hippel-Lindau Disease-associated and Sporadic Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma: a Comparative Study
Authors: Wang Jie , Zhang Lei , Qiu Jianhui , Li Ziao , Wu Yucai , Zhang Cuijian , Yao Lin , Gong Kan , Li Xuesong , Zhou Liqun
Published: July 2021

Purpose: To compare the tumor growth kinetics between sporadic clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) and Von Hippel-Lindau disease-associated renal cell carcinoma (VHL-associated RCC). To analyze predictive markers for the growth rate of these two types of RCC.Methods: The clinical data of patients with renal tumors who received active surveillance were collected retrospectively. Immunohistochemical staining was utilized to analyze the expression levels of VHL, PBRM1, H3K36me3, and BAP1 in the postoperative specimens.Results: The age of the VHL group was significantly younger than that of the sporadic group (P<0.0001). The mean linear growth rate (LGR) was significantly faster in the sporadic group (P=0.0004). The tumors of those in the sporadic group tended to have a higher histologic grade (P=0.0011). In the sporadic group, tumor histologic grade was an independent predictor for rapid mean LGR (P=0.0022). In the VHL group, tumor initial MTD was the only independent predictor for rapid mean LGR (P＜0.0001). Tumors with low VHL expression and negative PBRM1 expression showed a faster growth rate in the sporadic group (P=0.001 and P=0.008, respectively). The expression levels of the 4 biomarkers showed no impact on the tumor growth rate in the VHL group.Conclusion: Sporadic ccRCC grew faster than VHL-associated RCC. High histologic grade, low VHL expression and negative PBRM1 expression were predictors of faster growth in sporadic ccRCC. A large initial MTD was a predictor of faster growth for VHL-associated RCC.
Identifying Prescription Patterns and Iron Supplementation With Chinese Herbal Medicine for Uterine Myoma in Taiwan: A Social Network Analysis of the Chang Gung Research Database
Authors: Kuo Shun-Li , Chen Wei-Chun , Kao Ming-Chen , Lin Hsin-Yu , Chiang Yen-I , Chiu Ming-Jung , Wu Wen-Jie
Published: July 2021

Background: Uterine myoma is a common gynecological disease in women of reproductive age. Owing to surgery and treatment-related complications, many patients opt for alternative therapy, such as traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). However, there is no standard treatment protocol for TCM. This study aimed to investigate the prescription patterns of TCM for uterine myoma and compare differences between the Chang Gung Research Database (CGRD) and the National Health Insurance Research Database (NHIRD). Methods: Data of 217040 patients newly diagnosed with uterine myoma between 2005 and 2014 were retrieved from the CGRD using the International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification code for myoma and related symptoms. We analyzed patient demographics, frequencies and average daily doses of prescribed Chinese herbal formulas and single herbs, and iron supplementation doses. Associations between Chinese herbal formulas and single herbs commonly used for uterine myoma were analyzed by association rule mining (ARM) and social network analysis (SNA).Results: In total 45,436 patients used TCM. Most participants (49.1%) were aged 30–44 years. Jia-Wei-Xiao-Yao-San (28.2%; average daily dose 4.85 g) and Xiang-Fu (22.0%; average daily dose 1.10 g) were the most frequently prescribed herbal formula and single herb, respectively. Additionally, the Si-Wu-Tang decoction was often used for uterine fibroids. Common prescription patterns and herbal pairs were identified. Western medicine (WM) outpatient visits (12 ± 19.6) and iron supplement prescriptions (prescription code PLB001M, 62.5 ± 115.3 pills; PLB012M, 24.6 ± 78 pills) were more prevalent in the combined therapy group than in the WM-only group (outpatient visits: 5.9 ± 6.7 times; iron supplements: PLB001M, 48.3 ± 98.4 pills; PLB012M, 20.9 ± 67.5) in the CGRD. Conclusions: We characterized the prescription patterns for uterine myoma in the CGRD. Chinese herbal medicine prescriptions may aim to improve anemia related to hypermenorrhea caused by uterine myoma. Ours is the first study of TCM myoma treatment within the CGRD, and we compared our findings to the TCM NHIRD myoma study results. ARM and SNA of TCM prescription patterns provide an evidence base to inform medical education and medical decision-making.
Docking-designed Green Synthesis and In-Vitro Anticancer Studies of New Binuclear Se-N-Heterocyclic Carbene Adducts and their Azolium Salts
Authors: Atif Muhammad , V Mansoureh Nazari , Ahamed Mohamed B Khadeer , Aslam Maryam , Majid Aman Shah Abdul , Iqbal Muhammad Adnan
Published: July 2021

Two binuclear selenium adducts (5 and 6) were designed using molecular docking approach while finding their promising interaction to four angiogenic factor-proteins including COX-1 (Cyclooxygenase-1), VEGF-A (vascular endothelial growth factor A), HIF (Hypoxia-inducible factor) and EGF (human epidermal growth factor). They were consequently synthesized using In-situ coordination approach. The green synthetic approach was employed for coordination as it was carried out in water instead of organic solvents. The synthesized adducts as well as their respective bis-benzimidazolium salts (2 and 4) were confirmed by 1H and 13C-NMR along with FT-IR spectroscopy. The both were, then, subjected to In-vitro anticancer activities against breast adenocarcinoma cell line (MCF-7), cervical cancer cell line (Hela), mouse melanoma cell line (B16F10) and retinal ganglion cell line (RGC-5) using MTT assay while comparing their activities with a commercially established standard-drug 5-Fluorouracil. However, the exceptional activities of both adducts and bis-benzimidazolium salts were explored.
Evaluation of Bolt and Guide Rail Considering Surface Roughness and Bionics in Reciprocating Motion
Authors: Xu Jian , Yang Zhen , Li Qiang , Li Zhongming
Published: July 2021

The temperature rise in the contact area of the sliding friction pair is an important factor that causes the sliding friction pairs to adhere and affect the movement, and the temperature of the sliding friction pair is affected by many factors. The influential trend of these factors on the temperature is analyzed by using the finite element software, the bolt and guide rail of a Gatling weapon is simulated under the condition of considering the surface roughness and bionics. The results demonstrate that the stress of the result decreases a lot when the bolt is bionic, which is 41.1% lower than the normal condition. However, the displacement increases slightly, only 0.0016mm. Bionics has more benefits than roughness in reducing stress. In the thermal situation analysis of the 10000 firing rate, the combination which comes from the general guide rail and the bionics bolt is 168.130, but the combination which comes from the general guide rail and general bolt is 86.2580. This also explains why modern Gatling weapons do not use the bionics structure, because, with the friction, its temperature is high. For continuous firing weapons, too high a temperature is a problem. If the firing rate is lower, a bionics structure can be used.
Clinical Prediction Rule for Bacteremia Among Patients with Pyelonephritis and Hospitalization Judgment: Chi-Squared Automatic Interaction Detector (CHAID) Decision Tree Analysis Model
Authors: Fukui Sayato , Inui Akihiro , Saita Mizue , Kobayashi Daiki , Naito Toshio
Published: July 2021

Background: Positive risk factors for bacteremia among patients with pyelonephritis have not been defined using a Chi-Squared Automatic Interaction Detector (CHAID) Decision Tree Analysis Model. Purpose: We sought to identify predictive factors for bacteremia among patients with pyelonephritis and therefore which patients need hospitalization.Methods: This retrospective cross-sectional survey was performed at the Juntendo University Nerima Hospital, Tokyo, Japan and comprised all patients with pyelonephritis from whom blood cultures were taken from January 1, 2010 to July 31, 2020. At the time of blood culture sample collection, clinical information was obtained from medical charts, along with vital signs, quick Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (qSOFA), subjective symptoms, objective physical findings, laboratory findings, and results of blood and urine cultures. Factors potentially predictive of bacteremia among patients with pyelonephritis were analyzed using the Student’s t-test or chi-squared test and the CHAID decision tree analysis model.Results: A total of 198 patients (male:female, 60 (30.3%):138 (69.7%), ages (mean±SD) 74.69±15.27 years) were included in this study, of whom 92 (46.4%) had positive blood culture results. The CHAID decision tree analysis revealed that patients with White blood cell >21,000/μL had a quite-high-risk (89.5%) of developing bacteremia. Patients with White blood cell ≤21,000/μL plus Chill plus Aspartate aminotransferase >19 IU/L represented a high-risk group (69.0%). Conversely, patients with White blood cell ≤21,000/μL plus non-Chill plus Albumin >3.60 g/dL were at a low risk (16.3%) of developing bacteremia.Conclusion: Our results emphasize the importance of hospitalization among high-risk and quite-high-risk groups of pyelonephritis patients.
Effects of Zinc Ions Released from Ti-NW-Zn Surface on Osteogenesis and Angiogenesis in Vitro and in an in Vivo Zebrafish Model
Authors: Zhu Wen-qing , Li Kang , Su Shan , Chen Wei , Liu Yao , Qiu Jing
Published: July 2021

Objective: Zinc-modified titanium materials have been widely applied in oral implants, among them, our previous studies have also successfully prepared a novel acid-etched micro-structured titanium surface modified with zinc-containing nanowires (Ti-NW-Zn). However, there are very few reports concerned about the biological safeties of zinc ions released from material surface and the appropriate concentration range of released zinc ions which was more conducive to angiogenesis and bone regeneration. Danio rerio (Zebrafish) represents a powerful alternative in vivo model to study both angiogenesis and osteogenesis. Then, the aim of this study is to investigate the effects of zinc ions released from Ti-NW-Zn surfaces on angiogenesis and osteogenesis via zebrafish model, and further revealed the relationship between angiogenesis and osteogenesis via HUVECs and MC3T3-E1s in vitro models.Materials and methods: Tg (Fli‐1:EGFP)y1 zebrafish embryos were used to investigate the in vivo angiogenesis exposure to zinc ions, Wild-type Zebrafish (Danio rerio) adult fish and their embryos were used to investigate the in vivo bone regeneration and survival rate. Cell experiments including proliferation, adhesion, osteogenic differentiation and signaling pathway experiments were carried out by CCK-8, Laser scanning confocal microscope and Western blot, etc. Zinc ion release assay was detected by a Zinc assay kit.Results: The zinc ions released from Ti-NW-Zn surfaces were far lower than median lethal concentrations (LCs) of both embryos and adult fish, which was beneficial to osteogenesis and angiogenesis promotion of zebrafish model. Moreover, the appropriate concentration range of zinc ions was 1-2 ppm in vitro models, which could induce HUVECs proliferations, and the conditioned medium (CM) collected from the supernatant of 1-2 ppm zinc ions-induced HUVECs medium could obviously promote MC3T3-E1 osteoblasts behaviors via activated the MAPK/ERK signaling pathway.Conclusion: Zinc ions released from Ti-NW-Zn surfaces was at a biological safe and appropriate concentration, which could promote the angiogenesis and osteogenesis in vivo and vitro. The positive effects of the appropriate concentration of zinc ions on osteoblast behaviors might be regulated by activating the MAPK/ERK signaling pathway.
Food insecurity and common mental disorders in perinatal women living in low socio-economic settings in Cape Town, South Africa during the COVID-19 pandemic: a cohort study
Authors: Abrahams Zulfa , Lund Crick
Published: July 2021

Objective: Common mental disorders (CMDs) such as depression and anxiety are highly prevalent during the perinatal period, and are associated with food insecurity, domestic violence and lack of social support. This study explores the relationship between household food insecurity, mental health status and several adverse social and economic factors experienced by perinatal women during the COVID-19 pandemic.Design: Cohort study, using telephonic interviews at two time-points, three months apart. Logistic regression analysis was used to model the associations of several baseline risk factors with the occurrence of household food insecurity at follow-up as the outcome.Setting: Midwife obstetric units or basic antenatal care units in Cape Town, South Africa.Participants: The sample comprised of 880 perinatal women at baseline and 660 women at follow-up. Results: At baseline 23% were pregnant, 54% were unemployed, 13% had a probable CMD, 43% were severely food insecure and 21% experienced domestic abuse in the past year. Of the 660 women interviewed at follow-up, 71% were unemployment, 3.5% were pregnant, 7% had a probable CMD, and 32% were severely food insecure. In the multivariate regression model, after controlling for ethnicity, number of children, being HIV-infected, and having a planned pregnancy, the odds of being food insecure were greater in women who were unemployed (OR=1.88; p=0.001) or had probable CMD (OR=2.20; p=0.019) at baseline. Conclusions: This study highlights a range of socio-demographic and mental health related variables that predict food insecurity among perinatal women during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Spatial and Seasonal Structure of Bacterial Communities Within Alpine Vineyards: Trentino as a Case Study.
Authors: Guzzon Raffaele , Bertoldi Daniela , Roman Tomas , Zanzotti Roberto , Franciosi Elena
Published: July 2021

Bacterial microbiota has a fundamental role in determining the fitness of a grapevine, the composition of grapes and the features of wines but, at present, little information is available. In this work, the bacterial microbiota that colonizes the different portions of a grapevine (bark, leaves and grapes) was explored in the vineyards of the Alpine region of Trentino, considering the impact of different environmental and agronomical variables. The six vineyards included in the work were identified considering different geographical positions, vine training systems and agronomical approaches, to explore the whole variability of the vine ecosystem. Moreover, the surface amount of copper was measured on grapes and leaves during the vegetative growth, to test its relation with microbiota development. Microbiological assays, performed using plate counts and Illumina MiSeq, started in May until October revealing an increase in the concentration of grape microbiota proportional to the ripening. Conversely, the peak of bacterial concentration onto leaves and bark occurred in August, probably due to the more favorable environmental conditions. In bark samples, the microbiota reached the 7 log UFC/cm2, while 6 log UFC/g were measured in grape samples. A remarkable biodiversity was observed, with 47 genera/species of bacteria present. The presence of the main microbial groups (Alphaproteobacteria, Desulfovibrionaceae, Clostriadiales, Oscillospira, Lachnospiraceae and Bacteroidales) was ubiquitous in vineyards, but differences in terms of relative abundance were observed according to the period, altitude of vineyard and training system. Bacteria having oenological implication (Lactobacillus, Pediococcus and Oenococcus) were detected only in grape samples collected in August. The data revealed a complex bacterial ecosystem inside the vineyard that, while maintaining common traits, evolves according to environmental and agronomical inputs. This study contributes to define the role of bacteria in the complex balance established in each vineyard between human actions and agricultural environment, known as terroir.
High-Performance Photodetectors Based on Lateral Monolayer MoS2/WS2 Heterojunctions
Authors: Li Caihong , Zhu Juntong , Du Wen , Huang Yixuan , Xu Hao , Zhai Zhengang , Zou Guifu
Published: July 2021

Monolayer transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) show promising potential for next-generation optoelectronics due to excellent light capturing and photodetection capabilities. Photodetectors, as important components of sensing, imaging and communication systems, are able to perceive and convert optical signals to electrical signals. Herein, the large-area and high-quality lateral monolayer MoS2/WS2 heterojunctions were synthesized via the one-step liquid-phase chemical vapor deposition (CVD) approach. Systematic characterization measurements have verified good uniformity and sharp interfaces of the channel materials. As a result, the photodetectors enhanced by the photogating effect can deliver competitive performance, including responsivity of ~ 567.6 A/W and detectivity of ~ 7.17 x 1011 Jones. In addition, the 1/f noise obtained from the current power spectrum is adverse to the development of photodetectors, which is considered as originating from charge carrier trapping/detrapping. Therefore, this work may contribute to efficient optoelectronic devices based on lateral monolayer TMD heterostructures.
THE USE OF DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY IN SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT
Authors:   St. Petersburg State Marine Technical University, Malyshev E. , Malysheva T. ,   St. Petersburg State Marine Technical University
Published: July 2021

This article provides an overview of the event management concept in supply chains. The management of organizational change in supply chains can be based on five basic approaches. Supply Chain Event Management is the creation and management of supply chain events. The concept of SCEM involves tracing objects, which are defined as reference points, across multiple events. SCEM is an integration of the following aspects: monitoring; notification; modelling; control; measurement. The study shows that this system is beneficial for supply chain management
MODERN TRENDS AND PROSPECTS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF RURAL TOURISM IN RUSSIA
Authors:   Federal State Budget Scientific Institution «Federal Rostov Agrarian Scientific Center», Miroshnichenko Т. , Podgorskaya S. ,   Federal State Budget Scientific Institution «Federal Rostov Agrarian Scientific Center»
Published: July 2021

The development of rural tourism is a global trend. In order to support this trend, the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) has declared 2020 the year of rural and eco-tourism, which has attracted the attention of travelers to the countryside and will entail the development of rural areas. For Russia, the development of this area is becoming particularly relevant, which is due to the need to diversify the rural economy, the desire to increase employment and sources of income of the rural population, overcome rural poverty, and attract investment to improve infrastructure in rural areas. It is determined that a significant constraint on the development of the sub-sector is the imperfection of the regulatory framework and the vagueness of direct state support, legislation in the field of rural tourism is only being formed, the existing assistance measures do not meet the request of society. The prospects of rural tourism are connected with the process of active formation of the institutional environment and the development of tools for targeted state support. The paper notes that the main directions of development of the sub-sector will be determined by the national project “Tourism and Hospitality”. As new tools for the development of the direction are grants “Agrotourism”, concessional lending at the rate of 3-5% per annum, cashback for tours in Russia. The new impetus to realize the potential of agrotourism is associated with the coronavirus pandemic and the demand for domestic travel. As conclusions, the need to improve the system of state regulation and support for the development of rural tourism is established and the main measures that will contribute to the realization of the potential of this type of non-agricultural activity as a promising direction for sustainable development of rural areas are identified
Impact of Western Economic Sanctions on Iran’s Economic Policy System
Authors:   University of Tehran, Rasulinezhad E. , Khosseinianzarnagi M. ,   University of Tehran
Published: July 2021

Economic sanctions in recent decades have become one of the most desirable policy tools in the world and a suitable alternative to conventional wars, especially after World War II. One of the important and controversial consequences of the sanctions is the structural and significant transformation of the macroeconomic system and political economy of the target country. Iran, as one of the largest economies in West Asia, has undergone this transformation due to the experience of Western economic sanctions in recent decades. In this study, we will look at this issue in Iran. The main hypothesis of this study follows from the main research question “What impact did the economic sanctions of the West have on the political economy of Iran?” The results of this descriptive study show that Western economic sanctions have led to the development of an alternative import economy and an increase in the competitiveness of domestic goods relative to foreign goods. Based on the results of this study, proposals are presented such as promoting two goals: Iranizing the manufacturing economy and diversifying export and import markets
Phosphates of the Streltsovsky ore field of South-Eastern Transbaikalia (Part II)
Authors:   Transbaikal State Universit, Pavlenko Yu.
Published: July 2021

The reliability of the conclusions of geologists who created the largest uranium ore base in the country on the territory of the Streltsovsky ore field (SRP) in South-Eastern Transbaikalia, about the spatially isolated phosphate mineralization and powerful industrial mineralization belonging to a single final stage of Late Mesozoic tectonomagmatitic activation, is clarified. The relevance of the research is the need to study the geological materials on the PSA and the surrounding area to assess the prospects for involving in the exploitation of phosphate mineralization developed on the flanks of uranium deposits developed under the state program of the TOP. The object of study is the “blind” Argun and Zherlovoe deposits and their western flanks on the surface, and the subject is the phosphate mineralization developed in the block of terrigenous-carbonate rocks. The purpose of the research is to clarify the time and features of the phosphates’ formation, and the task is to assess the industrial significance of phosphate mineralization to make a decision on the feasibility of additional study of this scarce raw material. The methodology of scientific research is based on the interpretation of geological facts given in the literature and stock materials, use of concepts, terms, creation of hypotheses and their consequences, consistency of the comparison of which with the established facts determines the relatively high reliability of geological results. The author has used a descriptive method that takes into account a system of interrelated consistent positions, and a method of theoretical modeling, which raises the strategic goals of nature cognition to a higher scientific level. The results of the research are presented in three articles (parts). The second part describes the characteristics of uranium-molybdenum deposits, phosphates of the region and PSA, and the Talan manifestation of apatites. It is established that the Talan manifestation, despite the limited volume of the estimated reserves, has extremely favourable conditions for the economic feasibility of its study and, possibly, industrial development. Phosphate mineralization belongs to the complex of Precambrian metamorphic rocks. Apatite-carbonate and apatite-silicate subtypes of the phosphate sorption-biogenic metalliferous formation combine the promising second and third most important industrial types of apatite deposits. It is recommended to perform geological exploration of the estimated stage on an area of 20 hectares, paying special attention to the development of technology for processing mineral raw materials and to test the electrothermal method for producing effective fused phosphate-magnesium fertilizers used in the project of the Seligdar mining and Chemical Complex