bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Transfer from Soil to Grass and Statistical Analysis of Natural Occurring Radionuclides in Soil from Phosphate Mining and Processing Sites in Maritime Region of Togo.
Authors: Hazou Eyakifama , Zorko Benjamin , Dzagli Milohum Mikesokpo , Haliba Essolakina Manakrihèa , Shouop Cebastien Joel Guembou , Moyo Maurice Ndontchueng , Tchakpele Paalamwé Komi
Published: March 2021

Natural radionuclides activity concentrations of 226Ra, 228Ra, and 40K in soil and grass samples, statistical analysis of these radionuclides and transfer factors (TFs) from soil to the grass were carried out from phosphate mining and processing sites in southern areas of Togo using gamma-ray spectrometry-based High Purity Germanium (HPGe) detector. The average activity concentrations of 226Ra, 228Ra, and 40K were found within the range usually measured worldwide. Statistical analysis was done by investigating the skewness, the kurtosis, and the density distribution of radionuclides in the study areas. Both skewness and kurtosis displayed that the activity concentrations of soil and grass samples in the dischargement waste site (Kpémé) and mining site (Hahotoé) exhibited slightly positively skewed, negatively skewed, leptokurtic, and platykurtic distributions. The TFs for 226Ra, 228Ra, and 40K from dischargement waste soil to grass were evaluated. The average transfer factors of 226Ra, 228Ra, and 40K in the phosphate processing area were found to be 0.16, 0.32, and 8.42, respectively. 226Ra and 228Ra TFs values were found to within the limit of worldwide measure values while that of 40K was to be larger than the values measured in other countries. The average TF value of 8.42 for 40K was 8 times higher than the average value of unity, showing its large intake by vegetables. The high TFs for 40K could be explained by the extensive application of phosphate fertilizers to soils when growing vegetables.
Divergent responses of biomass accumulation and its allocation to the altered precipitation regimes among different degraded grasslands in China
Authors: Yang Tianxue , Chen Junda , Zhong Xiaoyue , Yang Xuechen , Wang Gui , Yao Yuan , Sternberg Marcelo , Sun Wei
Published: March 2021

Purpose Climate models predict shifts in precipitation patterns characterized by increased precipitation amount and decreased frequency for semi-arid grasslands in northeast China. However, under these novel climatic conditions, potential differences in plant biomass and its allocation among different degraded grasslands remain unclear.Methods We conducted a mesocosm experiment to test the effects of higher precipitation amount (increased by 50% from the long-term mean) and lower frequency (decreased by 50%) on plant biomass and allocation in the lightly degraded (LDG), moderately degraded (MDG), and severely degraded grasslands (SDG).Results Lower precipitation frequency promoted belowground biomass (BGB), while reducing aboveground biomass (AGB) allocation through enhancing soil water variability. Higher precipitation amount enhanced AGB in LDG and MDG, but not in SDG due to less soil inorganic nitrogen. Lower precipitation frequency weakened the positive effects of higher precipitation amount on biomass. Under altered precipitation, adjustment of AGB vs. BGB allocation was the primary biomass allocation strategy in LDG and SDG. However, to maintain water acquirement, plants in MDG preferred to adjust root vertical distribution, and allocated more roots to the deep soil layer where had a relatively stable water source. This strategy was driven by the changes in plant community composition of the dominant species in MDG.Conclusions The findings of this research emphasized the importance of considering the degradation level of grasslands when predicting the responses of the ecosystem functions to the projected changes in precipitation regime. These findings are critical for making feasible decisions for the sustainable management of degraded grasslands.
White matter variability, cognition, and disorders: a systematic review.
Authors: Forkel Stephanie J. , Friedrich Patrick , de Schotten Michel Thiebaut , Howells Henrietta
Published: March 2021

Inter-individual differences can inform treatment procedures and - if accounted for - have the potential to significantly improve patient outcomes. However, when studying brain anatomy, these inter-individual variations are commonly unaccounted for, despite reports of differences in gross anatomical features, cross-sectional and connectional anatomy. Brain connections are essential to facilitate functional organisation and, when severed, cause impairments or complete loss of function. Hence the study of cerebral white matter may be an ideal compromise to capture inter-individual variability in structure and function. We reviewed the wealth of studies that associate functions and clinical symptoms with individual tracts using diffusion tractography. Our systematic review indicates that tractography has proven to be a sensitive method in neurology, psychiatry and healthy populations to identify variability and its functional correlates. However, the literature may be biased, as we determined that the most commonly studied tracts are not necessarily those with the highest sensitivity to cognitive functions and pathologies. Additionally, the side of the studied tract is often unreported, thus neglecting functional laterality and hemispheric asymmetries. Finally, we demonstrate that tracts, as we define them, are not usually correlated with only one, but rather multiple cognitive domains or pathologies. While our systematic review identified some methodological caveats, it also suggests that tract-function correlations might be a promising biomarker for precision medicine. It characterises variations in brain anatomy, differences in functional organisation, and predicting resilience or recovery in patients.
Mathematical modeling shows that ball-rolling dung beetles can use dances to avoid competition
Authors: Yin Zhanyuan , Zinn-Brooks Leif
Published: March 2021

Ball-rolling dung beetles shape a portion of dung into a ball and roll it away from the dung pile for later burial and consumption. These beetles perform dances (rotations and pauses) atop their dung balls in order to choose an initial rolling direction and to correct their rolling direction (reorient). Previous mathematical modeling showed that dung beetles can use reorientation to move away from the dung pile more efficiently. In this work, we study if reorientation can help beetles avoid competition (i.e., avoid having their dung balls captured), and if so, under what circumstances? This is investigated by implementing a model with two different type of beetles, a roller with a dung ball and a searcher which seeks to capture that dung ball. We show that reorientation can help rollers avoid searchers in a wide range of conditions, but that there are some circumstances in which rolling without reorienting can be a beetle's optimal strategy. We also show that rollers can minimize the probability that their dung ball is captured without making precise measurements of the time interval between dances or the angular deviation for dances.
Distribution of Nutrients and Chlorophyll-a in coastal waters and mesotidal estuary of Ilaje, Ondo state, South Western, Nigeria.
Authors: Oyatola Opeyemi Otolorin , Nubi Olubunmi Ayoola , Popoola Samuel Olatunde , Adekunbi Falilu Olaiwola , Unyimadu John Paul
Published: March 2021

The nutrients (nitrate, nitrite, phosphate and silicate) of thirty-two stations in Ilaje, coastal waters and estuaries of Ondo state, Nigeria were studied in the month of August (during the wet season). The stations consist of two estuaries; Awoye (A1-A6), Abereke (AB1-AB7), anthropogenic impacted stations (I1-I12) and control stations (C1-C7). The aim of this study is to evaluate the eutrophication status of Ilaje coastal waters and estuaries in response to the stress caused by anthropogenic inputs from land use changes, agriculture, and industrial effluents. Our study reveal highest nitrate (3.20-6.98 mg/l) and phosphate (11.59-17.48mg/L) concentrations at the Abereke Estuaries. The significant correlation of nitrate with chlorophyll-a (p<0.01, r= +0.886) and the low N/P (<0.25) ratio suggest that nitrate is the primary limiting nutrient for phytoplankton production, and accounted for the high chlorophyll-a concentrations in the study area. The strong correlation of nitrite and silicate from the statistical bi-plots at the impacted stations, and the accompanied lowest dissolved oxygen (<5 mg/L) and acidic pH (<6) values suggest nitrite and silicate are sourced from anthropogenic effluents. The mean nitrite concentrations of 0.13mg/L at the impacted stations above the maximum permissible limit of nitrite (0.06 mg/L) for Tilapia production suggest an unfavorable environment for the Tilapia growth at the impacted stations. The chlorophyll-a concentrations scale further showed that the study area is characterized as bad eutrophication status (> 2.21 µg/L) an indication of the presence of heterogeneous phytoplankton community during the wet season. The study highlights the use of nutrients and chlorophyll-a scaling to determine the eutrophication status of coastal area.
Lithospheric thinning due to hydration and
melting at oceanic transform plate boundaries
Authors: Wang Zhikai , Singh Satish , Prigent Cecile , Gregory Emma , Marjanovic Milena
Published: March 2021

Transform plate boundaries, one of the key elements of plate tectonics, accommodate lateral motions and produce large earthquakes, but their nature at depth remains enigmatic. Using ultra-long offset seismic data, here we report the presence of a low-velocity anomaly extending down to ~60 km depth beneath the Romanche transform fault in the equatorial Atlantic Ocean. Our result indicates the presence of deep penetration of water leading to extensive serpentinization down to 16 km, followed by a shear mylonite zone down to 32 km over a low-temperature water induced-melting zone, elevating the lithosphere-asthenosphere boundary and hence thinning the lithosphere significantly beneath the transform fault. The presence of a thinned lithosphere and the melt underneath could lead to volcanism, migration and mixing of the water-induced melt with the high-temperature melt beneath the ridge axis, and small-scale convections beneath transform boundaries. Hence, a thinned lithosphere will have a major impact on the dynamics of ridge-transform system, and will influence the evolution of fracture zones and oceanic lithosphere.
Analysis of platelet-derived growth factor receptor A and oligodendrocyte transcription factor 2 markers following Hydroxychloroquine administration in animal induced multiple sclerosis model
Authors: Safaei Hajar Amin , Eftekhari Seyed Mehdi , Aliomrani Mehdi
Published: March 2021

Background: It has been shown that following demyelination, Oligodendrocyte Progenitor Cells (OPCs) migrate to the lesion site and begin to proliferate, and differentiate. This study aimed to investigate the effects of Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) on the expression of OLIG-2 and PDGFR-α markers during the myelination process.Method and Materials: C57BL/6 mice were fed cuprizone pellets for 5 weeks to induce demyelination and return to a normal diet for 1 week to stimulate remyelination. During the Phase I all of the animals except CPZ and Vehicle groups were exposed to HCQ (2.5, 10, and 100mg/kg) via drinking water. At the end of the study, animals were euthanized, perfused and the brain samples were assessed for myelination and immunohistochemistry evaluation.Results: What is remarkable is the high rate of Olig2+ cells in the groups treated with 10 and 100 mg/kg HCQ in the demyelination phase and its decreasing trend in the remyelination phase. However, there was no significant difference between groups during phase I and Phase II based on the percentage of olig-2+ / total cells in the corpus callosum region. The number of PDGFR-α+ cells in the group treated with 10 mg/kg HCQ was significant in the first phase (pvalue<0.05).Discussion: Considering that the 100 mg/kg HCQ group had the highest level of PDGFR-α as well as the highest level of myelin repair in LFB staining, it could be inferred that it was the most effective dose in inducing proliferation and migration of OPCs.
Could the Long-Term Oncological Safety of Laparoscopic Surgery in Low Risk Endometrial Cancer be also valid for the High Intermediate and High-Risk Patients? A Multi-center Turkish Gynecologic Oncology Group Study Conducted with 2745 Endometrial Cancer Cases. (TRSGO-End-001)
Authors: Vardar Mehmet Ali , Guzel Ahmet Baris , Taşkın Salih , Güngör Mete , Özgül Nejat , Salman Mehmet Coşkun , Gulec Ümran Kucukgoz , Khatib Ghanim , Taşkıran Cağatay , Dünder Ilkkan , Ortaç Fırat , Yüce Kunter , Terek Coşan , Şimşek Tayup , Özsaran Aydın , Onan Anıl , Şerbetcioğlu Gonca Çoban , Topuz Samet , Demirkıran Fuat , Takmaz Özgüç , Köse Mehmet Faruk , Göçmen Ahmet , Şeydaoğlu Gülşah , Gumurdulu Derya , Ayhan Ali
Published: March 2021

Could the Long-Term Oncological Safety of Laparoscopic Surgery in Low Risk Endometrial Cancer be also valid for the High Intermediate and High-Risk Patients? A Multi-center Turkish Gynecologic Oncology Group Study Conducted with 2745 Endometrial Cancer Cases. (TRSGO-End-001)Aim: to compare the long-term oncological outcomes of laparotomy and laparoscopic surgeries in endometrial cancer under the light of 2016 ESMO-ESGO-ESTRO risk classification system with particular focus on the high intermediate and high-risk categories.Methods: Using multicentric database between January 2005 and January 2016, disease-free and overall survivals of 2745 endometrial cancer cases were compared according to the surgery route, laparotomy vs laparoscopy. The high intermediate and high-risk patients were defined with respect to the 2016 ESMO-ESGO-ESTRO risk classification system and they were analyzed with respect to difference in survival rates.Results: Of the 2745 patients 1743 (63.5%) were operated by laparotomy, and the remaining were operated with laparoscopy. The total numbers of high intermediate and high-risk endometrial cancer cases were 734 (45%) patients in the LT group and 307 (30.7%) patients in the LS group. Disease-free and overall survivals were not statistically different when compared between laparoscopy and laparotomy groups in terms of low, intermediate, high intermediate and high-risk endometrial cancer.Conclusions: Regardless of the endometrial cancer risk category, long-term oncological outcomes of laparoscopic approach were found to be comparable to those treated with laparotomy. Our results are encouraging to consider laparoscopic surgery for high intermediate and high-risk endometrial cancer cases.
WITHDRAWN: Concomitant polymorphs of aryl-ether amine via catemer and dimer carboxylic acid supramolecular interactions and their effect on optical properties
Authors: Pannipara Mehboobali , Al-Sehemi Abdullah G
Published: March 2021

Carboxylic acid supramolecular synthon exhibited dimer or catemer motifs in the crystal lattice depend on the substituent and other functional groups present in the structure. In general, presence of other competing functional groups produced catemer motifs whereas unsubstituted acids showed dimer. In this manuscript, we have synthesized a new aryl ether amine-based Schiff base with carboxylic acid functionality ( 1 ) and demonstrated polymorphic structure via catemer ( 1a ) and dimer ( 1b ) motifs in the solid state. In both the structure, carboxylic acid group adopted different orientation in the crystal lattice. The different H-bonding lead to modulation of optical properties that was further supported highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) and lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) calculation. Further the stability calculation indicates that catemer structure was more stable by 8.54 kcal/mole relative to dimer motifs. In contrast, naphthyl group attached carboxylic acid structure did not show neither dimer nor catemer motifs in the crystal lattice as compared to diethylaminophenyl group, which confirm the presence of other substituent or competing functional groups strongly influence on the motifs of supramolecular interactions.
Tyrosinase enzyme mediated: Synthesis and larvicidal activity of 1,5-diphenyl pent-4-en-1-one derivatives against Culex quinquefasciatus and investigation of Ichthyotoxicity against O. mossambicus
Authors: Chidambaram SathishKumar , Ali Daoud , Alarifi Saud , Radhakrishnan Surendra Kumar , Akbar Idhayadhulla
Published: March 2021

Larvicidal activity of 1,5-diphenylpent-4-en-1-one derivatives were synthesized via grindstone method, tyrosinase enzyme used as a catalyst of this process. This method offers high yields with mild reaction conditions. Synthesized compounds were conformed from FTIR, 1H NMR, 13C NMR, mass spectral and elemental analysis. In this study, a total of 17 compounds (1a–1q) were synthesized, and their larvicidal and antifeedant activities were evaluated. Compound 1i (1-(5-oxo-1,5-diphenylpent-1-en-3-yl)-3-(3-phenylallylidene)thiourea) was extremely active (LD50: 12.09 µg/mL) against Culex quinquefasciatus compared with temephos and permethrin, whereas compounds 1i at 100 µg/mL generated 0% mortality within 24h against Oreochromis mossambicus in an antifeedant screening, and Ichthyotoxicity was determined as the death ratio (%) at 24 h. The compounds 1a, 1e, 1f, 1j, and 1k were found to be highly toxic whereas the 1i was not toxic in antifeedant screening. Therefore, 1i was found to have a high larvicidal activity against C. quinquefasciatus, and was non-toxic to non-target aquatic species. Molecular docking studies also supported the finding that 1i is a potent larvicide with more binding energy than the control (-10.0 vs. -7.6 Kcal/mol) in the 3OGN protein. The lead molecule is very important to larvicidal properties and insecticides.
Unintended pregnancy: its proportion and associated factors among rural women in Bench Maji zone south west Ethiopia: Community based cross sectional study
Authors: Feyisa Mulugeta , Regea Tariku , Nigussie Tadesse , Asefa Adane , Abebe Lemi , Agegnehu Wubetu , Getachew Dawit , Mamo Yitagesu , Feyisa Desalegn , Birhanu Mahilet , Nigusse Wondwosen
Published: March 2021

Background: Globally, unintended pregnancy affects life of thousands of women annually. It harms the health of both the mother and baby. By avoiding unwanted pregnancies, it is possible to save thousands of mothers from premature pregnancy-related deaths. Objectives: to assess level of unintended pregnancy and associated factors among rural women in Bench Maji zone south west Ethiopia.Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 829 pregnant women from March to June 2018 in the Bench Maji Zone, southwest Ethiopia. A multistage sampling technique was used to select study participants. The data were collected by trained data collectors using a structured and pre-tested questionnaire. Data were entered into the epi data manager version 4.0.2.101, and then exported to SPSS version 21 for analysis. Multivariable binary logistic regression was done and variables with a p-value < 0.05 were factors associated with unintended pregnancy. Results: Of the 829 interviewed women, 109 (13.1%) of them became pregnant without their intention. Factors associated with unintended pregnancy were having exposure to media (radio) [AOR=5.06: 95% CI: 1.89-13.53], having 3 and more children [AOR=2.34: 95CI:1.19-4.64], place of recent delivery [AOR=2.07, 95%CI: 1.12-3.84], and having post-natal care utilization for recent delivery AOR=4.03, 95% CI: 2.09-7.79].Conclusion: The magnitude of unintended pregnancy was significant in number in the study area. Interventions have to take based on exposure to media (radio), number of born children, place of recent delivery, and post-natal care utilization for recent delivery of the women.
Pain knowledge of patients and family caregivers as predictors of pain management outcomes in cancer patients: a multicenter study in China
Authors: Ma Xiaoxiao , Yu Wenhua , Lu Yuhan , Yang Hong , Li Xin , Kang Dongqin
Published: March 2021

Purpose The purposes of this study were to evaluate the current situation of pain management outcomes, patients’ pain knowledge and family caregivers’ pain knowledge in China. And explore the impact of pain knowledge of patients and family caregivers on pain management outcomes.Methods A multicenter cross-sectional survey was conducted. A total of 410 patient-family caregiver dyads completed questionnaires, which included basic characters of patients and family caregivers, Brief Pain Inventory (BPI), the Pain Knowledge subscales of Patient Pain Questionnaire(PPQ) and Family Pain Questionnaire(FPQ). The difference in pain management outcomes was analyzed using the two independent-samples t test, one way ANOVA analysis and Wilcoxon rank sum test. Variables with statistical significance in bivariate analysis were included in multivariable linear regression analysis.Results The majority of the patients were male (57.1%), with the mean (SD) age of 59.34 (12.59). And strong opioids has been prescribed for 72.4% of the patients. The mean (SD) age of 410 family caregivers was 48.25(13.27) and nearly half of participants were female (54.9%). The average patient pain score in the last 24h was 3.23(SD = 2.16). The total average score on pain knowledge of 410 patients and family caregivers were 3.60 ± 1.90 and 3.57 ± 1.76. Taking strong opioids, patients’ perceived moderate performance, patients’ pain knowledge and family caregivers’ pain knowledge were the main factors influencing the pain management outcomes.Conclusion The findings of this study revealed that patients pain are at a moderate level and not satisfactory. Pain knowledge of patients and family caregivers are also at a moderate level. Moreover, this study reveals that pain management outcomes are obviously influenced by analgesics, performance status and pain knowledge of patients and family caregivers. Advancing pain management by standardizing and individualizing pain treatment, implementing tailored education program to patients and family caregivers are important to improve cancer pain management outcomes.
Antibacterial activity of the sea cucumber Holothuria leucospilota whole body extract against Staphylococcus aureus strains MRSA, SEA, and SEB
Authors: Arfatahery Noushin , Khabbazan Mohammad M.
Published: March 2021

Aquatic organisms are a source of organic compounds that hold various features such as medical and nutritional activities. Within the framework of an antimicrobial activity study of marine macro-organisms from the Persian Gulf, bioactive compounds of the sea cucumber Holothuria leucospilota were extracted from the whole body using chloroform and methanol. The extracts were evaluated for their antibacterial effects against methicillin-resistant (MRSA) and staphylococcal enterotoxins producing (SEA, SEB) Staphylococcus aureus strains. Activities have been determined using three methods: disk diffusion tests, minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC), and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC). The results demonstrate that methanol and chloroform extracts have an inhibitory effect on the growth of all strains at MIC concentrations up to 100 mg/ml. Also, chloroform extracts demonstrate bactericidal activity against SEB in concentrations of about 100 mg/ml. The extracts also show bactericidal effects against MRSA and SEB below 100 mg/ml concentrations. The highest antibacterial activity was found in methanol extract. Therefore, sea cucumber extracts are good candidates for the identification of new antimicrobials. Yet, comprehensive investigations are needed to separate and identify the active components for Holothuria leucospilota from the Persian Gulf.
Temporal Air Quality (NO2, O3 and PM10) Changes in Urban and Rural Stations in Catalonia During COVID-19 Lockdown: An Association with Human Mobility and Satellite Data
Authors: Gorrochategui Eva , Hernandez Isabel , Pérez-Gabucio Eva , Lacorte Sílvia , Tauler Romà
Published: March 2021

In this study, changes in air quality by NO2, O3 and PM10 in Barcelona metropolitan area and other parts of Catalonia during the COVID-19 lockdown with respect to pre-lockdown and to previous years (2018 and 2019) were evaluated. Selected air monitoring stations included 3 urban (Gràcia, Vall d’Hebron and Granollers), 1 control site (Observatori Fabra), 1 semi-urban (Manlleu), and 3 rural (Begur, Bellver de Cerdanya, and Juneda). NO2 lockdown levels showed a diminution, which in relative terms was maximum in two rural stations (Bellver de Cerdanya, -63% and Begur, -61%), presumably due to lower emissions from the ceasing hotel and ski resort activities during eastern holidays. In absolute terms and from an epidemiologic perspective, decrease in NO2 was more relevant in the urban stations around Barcelona. O3 levels increased in the transited urban stations (Gràcia, +42%, and Granollers, +64%) due to the lower titration effect by NOx. PM10 lockdown levels decreased, mostly in Gràcia, Vall d’Hebron and Granollers (-35, -39% and -39%, respectively) due to traffic depletion (-90% in Barcelona's transport). Correlation among mobility index in Barcelona (-100% in retail & recreation) and contamination was positive for NO2 and PM10 and negative for O3 (P<0.001). Satellite images evidenced two hotspots of NO2 in Spain (Madrid and Barcelona) in April 2018 and 2019 that disappeared in 2020. Overall, the benefits of lockdown on air quality in Catalonia were evidenced with NO2, O3 and PM10 levels below WHOAQG values in most of stations opposed to the excess registered in previous years.
Numerical Simulation and Analysis of the Three-Step Excavation of an Extra-Large Cross-Section and a Low Flat-Ratio Railway Tunnel
Authors: Huo Wenxing , Shifeng Xue , Zhao Zongzhi , Gao Zhiyu , Shao Mingyue
Published: March 2021

The Xinbaishiyan tunnel in the reconstruction Chengdu-Kunming railway Ermeishan-Mipan section mainly runs through dolomite with dolomitic limestone, with an excavation area of 260 m2, a maximum span of 22.3 m, a maximum height of 14.4 m, a vector height of 7 m, and a rise-span ratio of 0.31. The tunnel has an extra-large cross-section and it is a low flat-ration railway tunnel. This paper mainly describes the the finite element analysis for this tunnel excavation that was used to guide the construction. Finite element software was used to model the tunnel according to the engineering geological conditions of the tunnel. These engineering geological conditions included the rock mass, system bolts, middle pipe shed, steel arch and shotcrete, grouting layer, second lining and so on. Nonlinear construction phase analysis was adopted. The results showed that the maximum vertical deformation of the tunnel vault and the middle of the invert was about 34 mm. The vertical deformation of the tunnel could be divided into an acceleration deformation section, linear deformation section, deceleration deformation section, and stable deformation section. The maximum horizontal deformation in the middle of the side wall was about 12.3 mm. Under the effect of the initial support, the equivalent stress of the side wall gradually increased with the excavation of the steps and the increase of the support structure. The axial force of the bolt in the middle of the side wall was larger than that in other places and the axial force of the middle pipe shed went along with the excavation of the tunnel in waves. The steel arch and the shotcrete had the maximum effective stress at the arch shoulder, which played the role of the deformation and pressure for the surrounding rock. During the construction, the length and height of the three-step method had to be set reasonably. The middle pipe shed and the system bolt supported the rock mass together. In the construction of the extra-large cross section and the flat tunnel, there was no need to set up temporary support, which was convenient for mechanical excavation.
Promoting sustainable proliferation of NK cells by up-regulating IL2 and IL12 through CRISPR-CAS9Promoting sustainable proliferation of NK cells by up-regulating IL2 and IL12 through CRISPR-CAS9
Authors: Huang Changxin , Yang Lili , Wang Congjie , Gao Lanlan , Zhu Ying , Li Yongqiang , Shi Yanfei , Zhang Siyu , Ge Zuanmin , Su Meng , Wang Xuechun , chen lingzhi
Published: March 2021

NK cells are an important part of human immunity and are often used in clinical antitumor adoptive cell immunotherapy.However, the small number and low activity of NK cells in the tumor microenvironment limit its clinical efficacy.Studies have found that cytokines IL2 and IL12 play key roles in the proliferation of NK cells and the improvement of the activity of killing tumor cells, the toxic and side effects, however, are relatively large when the systemic application reaches the effective concentration. To study the effect of autocrine secretion of IL2 and IL12 on proliferation and anti-tumor activity of NK92 cell lines by editing NK cells' genes, and to construct NK92 cells with sustainable proliferation. Lentivirus was transfected into NK92 cells through the synergistic effect of crispr/cas9 localization gene editing technology and VP64 transcriptional activation domain to construct NK92-IL2-IL12 cell lines. The expression levels of IL2 and IL12 in the cell lines were detected by qPCR and ELISA.NK92 cell lines were inoculated into mouse tumor and the proliferation and anti-tumor effect of NK cells in tumor were observed. The vector plasmids IL2 and IL12 were successfully transferred into NK92 cells, which activated the up-regulated expression of IL2/IL12 in NK92, significantly increased the activity and lethality of NK92 cells, and sustained the proliferation of NK92 cells in mouse tumor.IL2 and IL12 can significantly promote the proliferation and killing activity of NK92 cell lines through autocrine, which have stronger anti-tumor activity than the wild-type ones, with continuous proliferation in the tumor.
Comparing inductive and deductive methods to understand health service implementation problems: A case study of childhood vaccination barriers
Authors: Bonner Carissa , Tuckerman Jane , Kaufman Jessica , Costa Daniel , Durrheim David N , Trevena Lyndal , Thomas Susan , Danchin Margie
Published: March 2021

Background

Effective implementation requires a comprehensive understanding of individual, organisational and system determinants. This study aimed to compare inductive and deductive approaches to understand a complex implementation issue. We used childhood vaccination as a case study, an issue with wide-ranging barriers contributing to low vaccine uptake internationally.
Methods

The study is based on the Behaviour Change Wheel framework, which was derived from several levels of theory: the three components of the COM-B model (capability, opportunity and motivation) can be mapped to the 14 domains of the Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF), which is based on 84 underlying constructs. We first conducted a review of systematic reviews of parent-level barriers to childhood vaccination. Subsequently we: 1) inductively coded these barriers into a data-driven framework, using thematic analysis; and 2) deductively mapped the barriers to COM-B and TDF domains and constructs. These processes were undertaken by two authors independently, and discrepancies were resolved through discussion. Inductive and deductive results were compared.
Results

The inductive process coded 583 descriptions of barriers identified from the literature into a framework of 74 barriers in 7 categories. The initial definitions used to map the barriers to deductive domains/constructs led to 89% agreement at the domain level. Resolving discrepancies required further definitions at the construct level. Of the 14 TDF domains, 10 were clearly identified in the data from the barrier reviews. Some domains were not specific enough to differentiate between types of barriers (e.g. Environmental Context and Resources), while other domains were not represented in the review data (e.g. Behavioural Regulation).
Conclusions

Using both inductive and deductive approaches can help achieve a more comprehensive understanding of barriers to health service implementation. The inductive categories represented the review data in a clearer way than the theoretical domains, with better differentiation; but the missing deductive domains were useful as a way to identify additional issues to investigate further. Both approaches resulted in a comprehensive list of barriers to vaccination that would not have been achieved using either approach alone. This will inform a diagnostic tool to measure the causes of under-vaccination, and has implications for refining theory.
Flow analysis of groundwater with seasonal variation of temperature, electric conductivity, and oxygen isotope for heat utilization in Sho River alluvial fan, Toyama, Japan
Authors: Iwatake Kaname , Ueda Akira
Published: March 2021

Seasonal variation of water temperature, electric conductivity, and oxygen isotope composition was determined in the Sho River alluvial fan, western Toyama Prefecture, to examine groundwater heat utilization for indoor climate control. Samples were collected at 31 sites every 2 months for 1 year and at 11 representative sites monthly. The groundwater sources are a mixture of river water and precipitation. The contribution of precipitation to groundwater is generally small along the Sho River but reaches as much as 80% along the Oyabe River and in the south and west of the alluvial fan. Though the origin of the groundwater differs regionally, water temperature is fixed at about 15°C throughout the year in the northern part of the alluvial fan, and open ground source heat pump systems can be used for cooling and heating there.
Habitual and meal-specific carbohydrate quality index and their relation to metabolic syndrome in a sample of Iranian adults
Authors: Majdi Maryam , Imani Hossein , Bazshahi Elham , Hosseini Fatemeh , Djafarian Kurosh , Lesani Azadeh , Akbarzade Zahra , Shab-Bidar Sakineh
Published: March 2021

Objective: Most studies on diet quality have focused on the habitual and overall intake of foods without considering intakes at specific eating occasions. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between habitual and meal-specific carbohydrate quality index (CQI) and metabolic syndrome (MetS) in Iranian adults.Methods: In this cross-sectional study, data from 850 participants were analyzed. Dietary information was obtained from a 3-day non-consecutive 24 hours recall. CQI was calculated from three criteria: dietary fiber, glycemic index, and solid carbohydrate/available carbohydrate ratio. The association between CQI and MetS was assessed by logistic regression.Results: The prevalence of MetS in the lowest and highest tertile of CQI were 30.1 and 33.7, respectively (P=0.6). We identified, the trend of elevated FBG with CQI in dinner meal was statistically significant. In habitual diet and all three meals, we failed to find any significant association between tertiles of CQI and MetS either before or after adjustment for covariates.Conclusion: The results of this study showed that CQI was not associated with MetS and its components. Further investigations into the mechanisms underlying the role of carbohydrate quality in developing metabolic disorders are warranted.
Amplifying the Response of a Driven Resonator via Nonlinear Interaction with a Secondary Resonator
Authors: Rosenberg Sahar , Shoshani Oriel
Published: March 2021

We study the dynamics of a resonantly driven nonlinear resonator (primary) that is nonlinearly coupled to a non-resonantly driven linear resonator (secondary) with a relatively short decay time. Due to its short relaxation time, the secondary resonator adiabatically tracks the primary resonator and modifies its response. Our model, which is motivated by experimental studies on the interaction between nano- and microresonators, is relatively simple and can be analyzed analytically and numerically to show that the driven response of the primary resonator can be enhanced significantly due to the interaction with the secondary resonator. Such an arrangement may pave the way for systematic control of driven responses and signal amplification in engineering applications involving nano- and micro-electro-mechanical-systems.
High Prevalence of viral and bacterial coinfections in malaria in Venezuela
Authors: Forero-Peña David Alberto , Mora Marisol Sandoval de , Rodríguez Iván D. Amaya , Gamardo Ángel F. , Chavero Melynar , Figuera Luisamy , Camejo-Avila Natasha A. , Marcano María V. , Hidalgo Mariana , Arenas Cariagne J. , Arévalo-Herrera Myriam , Herrera Sócrates
Published: March 2021

Background

Malaria remains a significant public health problem worldwide. Simultaneous infections with other pathogens complicate its diagnosis and can also change the clinical course of the disease. The similarities in the clinical presentation of malaria and other infections and the superimposed endemicity result in underdiagnosis of coinfections and increase mortality. No studies have focused on the presence of coinfections in patients with malaria in Venezuela.
Methods

Between June and November 2018, we conducted a cross-sectional study in patients with malaria who presented to any of the three reference medical centers in Ciudad Bolívar, Venezuela. A clinical and laboratory evaluation searching for coinfections with Dengue (DENV), Chikungunya (CHIKV), Viral Hepatitis (VH) (A, B, and C), and Leptospirosis (LEP) was performed using ELISA to test each patient.
Results

We studied a total of 161 patients of whom 106 (65.8%) presented P. vivax infection, 43 (26.7%) P. falciparum, and 12 (7.5%) had mixed malaria infections. Coinfections were found in 55/161 (34.2%) patients and were more frequent in patients with P. falciparum (48.8%) than in those with P. vivax (29.2%), or mixed infection (25%) [OR = 2.43; 95% CI = 1.39–4.25; p = 0.018]. The most prevalent coinfection was with DENV (14.9%), followed by HAV (11.8%), HBV (6.2%), CHIKV (5.5%), and LEP (3.7%). Coinfection with HCV was absent. Complicated malaria was significantly more frequent in coinfected individuals (56.4%) than those without coinfection (35.8%) [OR: 2.31; 95% CI = 1.18–4.92; p = 0.013].
Conclusion

We found a high prevalence of coinfections in patients with malaria in this region, which was related to a worse outcome. Further prospective studies with samples at different points of infection and the use of molecular tools are needed.
Efficiently Enhancing Low-dielectric Properties and Chemical Resistances of Addition-cure Liquid Silicone Rubber by Filling With Silicone-modified Eucommia Gum Nanofiller
Authors: Li Chaohua , Su Shengpei , Wang Bikui , Zhou Jijia
Published: March 2021

It is of great interest and remains a challenge to simultaneously improve the low-dielectric properties and chemical resistances of addition-cure liquid silicone rubber (ALSR). In this work, we proposed an efficient approach to address this issue by filling silicone-modified eucommia gum nanofiller (SEUG) into ALSR. By adding 5 wt% SEUG, the dielectric constant of the SEUG/ALSR composite rubber was significantly lower than that of neat ALSR both at 102 Hz, 103 Hz and 104 Hz. Simultaneously, the SEUG/ALSR composite rubber exhibited better mechanical and insulation properties than the neat ALSR after HCl, NaCl, and oil resistance tests. Our findings demonstrated the great potential for fabricating silicone rubber with low-dielectric properties and erosion resistance by the utilization natural biomass rubber material, endowing it with excellent mechanical performance and degradability.
Phylogenetic Analysis of Kobuvirus and Astrovirus From Korean Wild Boars: 2016-2018
Authors: Shin Jihye , Choe SeEun , Hyun Bang-Hun , An Dong-Jun
Published: March 2021

The prevalence of porcine kobuvirus (PKoV) and porcine astrovirus (PAstV) in 845 Korean wild boars (KWB) during 2016-2018 were 28.0% and 10.6%, respectively, and co-infection of two viruses showed 5.1%. Phylogenetic tree analysis also revealed that 236 PKoVs from KWB were divided to diverse lineages within Aichivirus C group but the one strain (WKoV16CN-8627) was included the same cluster with bovine kobuvirus (Achivirus B). Eighty-nine PAstVs from KWB was belonged predominantly to lineage PAstV4 and only one strain (WAst17JN-10931) included novel to lineage PAstV2. Two viruses are epidemic more in young (≤ 12 months) than in old pigs (> 12 months).
Observed changes in temperature and precipitation extremes and their association with atmospheric circulation patterns on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau
Authors: Wang Xuyang , Li Yuqiang , Li Yulin , Wang Mingming , Lian Jie , Luo Yongqing , Duan Yulong , Wang Lilong
Published: March 2021

The Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, also known as the Earth’s “third pole”, is sensitive to climate change due to its extensive areas at high elevation, which are presently dominated by snow and ice. Based on daily maximum and minimum surface air temperature and precipitation records at 94 meteorological stations throughout the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, the spatial and temporal variation of 16 temperature and 11 precipitation extremal indices were investigated during 1960 to 2016. The warmth indices, including the numbers of warm days, warm nights, summer days, and tropical nights showed significantly increasing trends. In contrast, the cold indices, including the numbers of cool days, cool nights, ice days, and frost days significantly decreased. The number of frost day and ice days showed the fastest decrease (3.9 and 2.7 days/decade, respectively), whereas the growing season length showed the fastest growth trend (2.8 days/decade). The frequency and intensity of cold temperature events increased at high elevations, whereas warm temperature events showed the opposite trend. The regionally averaged monthly maximum 1-day precipitation and maximum consecutive 5-day precipitation increased by 0.17 and 0.70 mm per decade, respectively. In contrast, the number of consecutive dry days (CDD) and consecutive wet days (CWD) decreased at rates of 1.11 and 0.03 days per decade, respectively. The extreme precipitation events were more frequent in low-latitude and high-longitude regions. The strengthening Subtropical High Area (SHA) and Subtropical High Intensity (SHI), westward movement of Subtropical High Western Ridge Point (SHW) have contributed to the changes in climate extremes on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.
A Small Natural Light-induced Bidirectional Promoter of Rapeseed (Brassica Napus)
Authors: Zhu Ruijia , Zhang Li , Wei Tao , Jiang Xuefei , Wang Maolin
Published: March 2021

A bidirectional promoter is an intergenic region located between a pair of adjacent and oppositely transcribed genes (‘head-to-head’ genes) that concurrently promote both genes expression. In the genome of Brassica napus, we identified a bidirectional promoter (265bp long), named PBn265. PBn265 was located between the transcription initiation codons (ATG) of two genes that encode the homeodomain protein SHH2, and chloroplast GROUP II intron splicing factor CFM3. Its bidirectional promoting activity was verified by transient expression of Nicotiana benthamiana leaf tissue via Agrobacterium-mediated transformation of PBn265-F::EGFP and PBn265-R::mCherry. The expression of both reporter genes, EGFP linked to one end and GUS on the other end of the PBn265 sequence, was observed in the various tissues of the transgenic Arabidopsis thaliana using histochemical staining and fluorescence microscopy. Furthermore, we also found that the promoting activity of this sequence was regulated by illumination. Considering its short sequence length and light inducible regulation, this promoter likely has application potential in bioengineering and agricultural molecular breeding.
Convolutional Neural Network Optimize the Application of Diffusion Kurtosis Imaging in Parkinson’s Disease
Authors: Sun Junyan , Chen Ruike , Tong Qiqi , Ma Jinghong , Gao Linlin , Fang Jiliang , Zhang Dongling , Chan Piu , He Hongjian , Wu Tao
Published: March 2021

Objectives: This work attempted to assess the feasibility of deep-learning based method in detecting the alterations of diffusion kurtosis measurements associated with Parkinson's disease (PD). Methods: A group of 68 PD patients and 77 healthy controls (HCs) were scanned on the scanner-A (3T Skyra) (DATASET-1). Meanwhile, an additional 5 healthy travelling volunteers were scanned with both the scanner-A and an additional scanner-B (3T Prisma) (DATASET-2). Diffusion kurtosis imaging (DKI) of DATASET-2 has an extra b shell than that of DATASET-1. In addition, a 3D convolutional neural network (CNN) was trained from Dataset 2 to harmonize the quality of scalar measures of scanner-A to a similar level of scanner-B. Whole-brain unpaired t-test and Tract-Based Spatial Statistics (TBSS) was performed to validate the differences between PD and control groups with model fitting method and CNN method respectively. We further clarified the correlation between clinical assessments and DKI results.Results: In the left substantia nigra (SN), an increase of mean diffusivity (MD) was found in PD group. In the right SN, fractional anisotropy (FA) and mean kurtosis (MK) values were negatively correlated with Hoehn & Yahr (H&Y) scales. In the putamen, FA values was positively correlated with H&Y scales. It is worth noting that, these findings were only observed with the deep-learning method. There was neither group difference, nor correlation with clinical assessments in the SN or striatum exceeding the significant level by using the conventional model fitting method.Conclusions: CNN method improves the robustness of DKI and can help to explore PD-associated imaging features.
Analytic modeling and risk assessment of aerial transmission of SARS-CoV-2 virus through vaping expirations in shared micro-environments
Authors: Sussman Roberto , Golberstein Eliana , Polosa Riccardo
Published: March 2021

Background. E-cigarettes are an important harm reduction tool that provides smokers an alternative for nicotine consumption that is much safer than smoking. It is important to asses its safety under preventive and containment measures undertaken during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods. We develop a theoretical risk model to assess the contagion risk by aerial transmission of the SARS-CoV-2 virus carried by e–cigarette aerosol (ECA) in shared indoor spaces, a home and restaurant scenarios, with natural and mechanical ventilation, with and without face masks. We also provide the theoretical elements to explain the visibility of exhaled ECA, which has important safety implications. Results. In a home or restaurant scenarios bystanders exposed to ECA expirations by an infectious vaper (and not wearing face masks) face a 1% increase of risk of contagion with respect to a “control case” scenario defined by exclusively rest breathing without vaping. This relative added risk becomes 5 - 17% for high intensity vaping, 44 - 176% and over 260% for speaking for various periods or coughing (all without vaping). Mechanical ventilation significantly decrease infective emissions but keep the same proportionality in risk percentages. Face masks of common usage effectively protect wearers from respiratory droplets and droplet nuclei possibly emitted by mask-less vapers as long as they avoid direct exposure to the visible exhaled vaping jet. Conclusions. Vaping emissions in shared indoor spaces involve only a minuscule added risk of COVID-19 contagion with respect to the already existing (unavoidable) risk from continuous breathing, significantly less than speaking or coughing. Protection of bystanders from this contagion does not require extra preventive measures besides those already recommended (1.5 meters separation and wearing face masks).