bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Análisis filogenético del gen Spike del virus de la diarrea epidémica porcina en Colombia, 2014-2015
Authors: Sandoval I. , Infante J. , Torres O. , Herrera-Ibatá D.M.
Published: September 2022

Se reportaron brotes de diarrea epidémica porcina en Colombia durante 2014-2015. En el presente análisis, se descargaron secuencias de nucleótidos completas del Genbank para el gen Spike de las cepas del virus de la diarrea epidémica porcina (PEDV) reportadas en Colombia. En el árbol filogenético basado en proteínas de espiga de PEDV, las cepas de Colombia se agruparon en los genotipos G2a y S-INDEL, las cepas mostraron alta homología (> 99,9%) con cepas de Estados Unidos (Colorado / 2013, OH851), como así como inserciones y deleciones en el dominio S1 del gen Spike presente tanto en cepas colombianas como en cepas de referencia. Se han identificado varias sustituciones de aminoácidos en los epítopos neutralizantes de las cepas colombianas en comparación con la cepa de referencia CV777. Estos estudios podrían ayudar a rastrear las posibles rutas de introducción del PEDV en Colombia, reconocer las relaciones filogenéticas de las cepas que circulan en el país e implementar estrategias de control y prevención.
Seismic Inversion
Authors: Sen Mrinal K.
Published: September 2022

Seismic inversion is now commonly used on post-stack and pre-stack seismic data for estimating rock properties used in reservoir characterization. While seismic migration is aimed at imaging the reflectors or the interfaces at their correct subsurface locations, seismic inversion attempts to estimate elastic and flow properties of the layers bounded by these interfaces. Seismic data are sensitive essentially to seismic wave velocity and density contrasts in the subsurface rocks. Because of significant overlap in elastic properties among different rock types, mapping of these elastic properties to rock types and estimating porosity are not trivial.

Thus, seismic inversion is best done by combining data of all types such as seismic, well log, petrophysics and production history. The results of seismic inversion can be best interpreted by a team of geologists, geophysicists and reservoir engineers. The goal of this book is to explain the fundamental principles of seismic exploration, seismic wave propagation, and inversion in a language that is understandable by geoscientists and engineers alike so that the team is aware of the significance and limitations of the inversion results.
Reservoir Simulation: History Matching and Forecasting
Authors: Gilman James R. , Ozgen Chet
Published: September 2022

Reservoir simulation is a major activity for many oil companies, although there are pitfalls in the technology. Flow simulation combined with modern reservoir characterization has proven to be a very effective means for managing the development of reservoirs when properly applied. Reservoir Simulation: History Matching and Forecasting is intended to be a concise introduction to the areas of history matching and reservoir forecasting for those who interact with the reservoir engineer (e.g., geoscientists, production engineers, managers), as well as those who need to interpret or use the results of flow simulation in their work. Following an introductory section, the book is organized according to the major steps for undertaking a simulation study: (1) building the initial geological reservoir and fluid models, (2) choosing the reservoir simulator, (3) improving and validating the reservoir model through history matching, and (4) forecasting and managing/quantifying uncertainties associated with proposed development plans. A final chapter discusses the authors’ view of future trends in reservoir flow simulation and history matching.
Waterflooding: Chemistry
Authors: Chappell Dave
Published: September 2022

Used successfully for more than a century, waterflooding remains the most widely performed process relying on an external energy source to maximize reservoir recovery. Multiple factors across a wide range of disciplines contribute to the delivery of a fully optimized project, but not all of these critical success factors have been well-documented. A focus on further optimizing all the varying parts of the process has emerged over time to deliver project success. Waterflooding: Chemistry explores in detail the significant impacts that chemistry-related issues can have on the progress of waterflood projects.
Prospects and limitations of using LiMAx test in patients undergoing extended liver resections – a prospective single-centre study
Authors: Rühlmann Felix , Azizian Azadeh , Moosmann Christian , Bernhardt Markus , Keck Jan , Flebbe Hannah , Grade Marian , Al-Bourini Omar , Hosseini Ali Seif Amir , Lorf Thomas , Ghadimi Michael , Perl Thorsten , Gaedcke Jochen
Published: September 2022

Background
Postoperative liver failure (PLF) is a serious complication of extended liver surgery. The need for clinical bedside tests to predict sufficient liver function in the remnant liver tissue after surgery and to monitor liver function and its potential for regeneration is vital to increase the safety of patients in the perioperative setting.
Methods
The liver maximum capacity (LiMAx) test was prospectively applied both preoperatively (n = 40) and postoperatively (n = 19) for 40 patients who underwent extended liver surgery (≥3 segments). LiMAx values were correlated with liver-specific blood parameters as well as with volumetric analysis regarding their potential as predictors of the clinical outcome and for monitoring the liver functional capacity.
Results
The majority of patients (n = 33; 82.5%) had high preoperative LiMAx values (> 315 µg/kg/h), while only seven patients (17.5%) had medium values (140–315 µg/kg/h), and none of the patients had low values (< 140 µg/kg/h). According to the LiMAx algorithm and preoperative volumetry, expected and measured postoperative LiMAx were compared. They differed in 7 out of 13 patients (53.8%) with a cut-off ≥10%. After surgery, patients with an uneventful recovery (n = 12) showed a typical trend in the LiMAx values, with a drop after surgery followed by an increase until 14 days after surgery. This course was reflected similarly by blood-based tests (e.g., prothrombin time). In patients with postoperative complications, a decrease in LiMAx was associated with a prolonged recovery.
Conclusions
For patients undergoing extended liver surgery within the 0.5% rule, which is the clinical gold standard, LiMAx values do not offer any additional information. Additionally, LiMAx may reflect liver recovery but it did not deliver additional information regarding postoperative liver recovery. The clinical use of LiMAx might be relevant in selected patients beyond the 0.5% rule.
Biodegradation of Monoaromatic hydrocarbons Toluene and Xylene through native bacterial strain Bacillus subtilis RD20
Authors: Doley Ruby , Barthakur Manoj
Published: September 2022

A bacterial strain designated as RD20 isolated from oil contaminated soil and identified as Bacillus subtilis through biochemical tests and 16S rDNA sequence analysis, have the ability to degrade toluene and xylene, the mono-aromatic hydrocarbons of petroleum contaminant. FTIR (Fourier Transform Infrared) analysis showed characteristic peaks, that reveals that the bacterial strain was able to degrade toluene and xylene efficiently within 7 days of incubation periods. Intermediate metabolites of toluene degradation in treated culture media were detected as benzeneacetic acid, acetic acid, 2-Propanol, 1,3-benzenediol, pivalic acid, terephthalic acid, hexanoic acid, pentane, propiolic acid, cyclopentane-1,2-diol, hexanedioic acid and propionic acid through GC-MS (Gas Chromatography and Mass Spectrometry). Whereas Xylene degradation products detected through GC-MS were 4,4-dimethyl-2-pentanol, propane, cyclopropane, hexane, acetic acid, benzyl alcohol, formic acid, propane, ethane, cyclobutane carboxylic acid, phenol, propanedioic acid, pentane, phthalic acid and succinic acid, respectively, which further confirms the biodegradation of the monoaromatic hydrocarbons. This bacteria is thus, suitable for application in bioremediation process in hydrocarbon contaminated sites.
Human biomonitoring of trace metals from different altitudinal settings of Pakistan
Authors: Eqani Syed Ali Musstjab Akber Shah , Alamdar Ambreen , Khanam Tasawar , Hayder Qurat Ul Ain , Sohail Muhammad , Katsoyiannis Ioannis A , Shen Heqing
Published: September 2022

Human bio-monitoring (HBM) and assessing the body burden of potentially toxic trace elements is of critical importance for Public health. Thus, appropriate selection of bio-marker to consider broad spectrum of encountered environmental contaminants is of great importance. The current study aims to access the potentially toxic level in trace metals, Cadmium (Cd), Cobalt (Co), Chromium (Cr), Copper (Cu), Manganese (Mn), Nickel (Ni), Lead (Pb) and Zinc (Zn) and were assessed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) in nail and hair samples (N = 178, N = 180 respectively). Samples were taken from four different ecological zones of Pakistan which include frozen mountain zone (FMZ), wet mountain zone (WMZ), riverine delta zone (RDZ) and low-lying zone (LLZ). A total of 134 male and 46 females between 15–40 years of age participated. Hair analysis showed higher concentration of Zn (281.15 ppm), Co (0.136 ppm) and Mn (5.65 ppm) in FMZ, Cr (1.37 ppm), Mn (7.83 ppm) and Ni (1.22 ppm) in WMZ, Co (0.15 ppm), Mn (11.89 ppm) and Ni (0.99 ppm) in RDZ, Mn (8.99 ppm) and Ni (0.90 ppm) in LLZ. While in case of nails Mn (9.91 ppm) in FMZ, Mn (9.38 ppm) and Ni (10.69 ppm) in WMZ, Mn (24.03 ppm) and Ni (8.89 ppm) in RDZ, Mn (12.46 ppm) and Ni (12.59 ppm) in LLZ showed higher concentration. Overall most abundant toxic trace element were Mn and Ni (Mn > Ni) in both hair and nail samples exceeded the WHO prescribed tolerable guideline (Mn; 0.63–3.3, Ni; ≈6). In general, in case of hair, elevated trace metals from different districts of Pakistan were generally found higher in mountainous zones (i.e., FMZ and WMZ) whereas in nails, elevated metal levels were observed in RDZ and LLZ zones. Spatial analysis for trace elements concentrations revealed that metal levels in hair tend to increase with increasing latitudes as well as increasing longitudes except Mn. Furthermore, trace metals in nail samples tend to decrease at higher latitudes and longitudes, except Zn, which showed opposite behavior. Estimated daily intake showed that dust and food had the highest contribution to Pb and Zn in all zones. Whereas, for Mn, Co, Cr, Cu and Cd, water act as main exposure medium.
Supervision of redeployed surgical trainees during the COVID-19 pandemic: What have we learnt and how can we improve?
Authors: Wright Esther V , Haden Nicholas D , Dalrymple Kirsten
Published: September 2022

Objective
When cases of patients presenting with Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) overwhelmed existing services in the United Kingdom (UK), surgical trainees were redeployed to assist frontline efforts. This project characterises the effects of redeployment on the supervision of these trainees. The resulting generation of practical recommendations could be implemented for future crises.
Design
A qualitative approach was utilised, comprised of seven phenomenological interviews with surgical and intensive care consultants, as well as redeployed surgical trainees. Interview recordings were transcribed and subsequently analysed using Thematic Analysis.
Setting
The project utilised participants currently in surgical training within the London deanery across a variety of surgical specialties representing several UK National Health Service (NHS) Trusts.
Participants
Three types of participants were interviewed. Four interviews were conducted with redeployed surgical trainees, across all stages of training, in full time employment who were redeployed for two weeks or more. One interview was conducted with an educational supervisor of multiple redeployed trainees. The third group comprised two consultant intensivists who supervised redeployed trainees within their respective departments.
Results
Four themes were developed: ‘Responding to an unforeseen crisis’, ‘Maintaining surgical identity and culture; A fish out of water?’, ‘Trainee supervision and support’ and ‘Preparation and sequelae’. Participants described a sense of obligation to the pandemic effort. Many described a significant interruption to training, however communication of this to surgical supervisors was suboptimal with minimal mitigation. Supervisors on the frontline were challenged by the assessment of trainee competence and acceptance into a new community of practice. Both trainees and supervisors described the management of uncertainty, advocating for the use of reflective practice to ensure preparation for the future.
Conclusion
This project presents an insight into several potentially long-lasting effects on surgical training. The recommendations generated may be applicable to trainees returning to work from time out of training, increasing the utility of this work.
Independent qualitative evaluative study of Calmbirth® antenatal classes
Authors: Crowther Susan , Hollingshead Brooke , Couper Judith McAra , Donald Heather , Hotchin Claire
Published: September 2022

Background/problem: High childbirth intervention rates impose unnecessary risk to women and infants. It is imperative that ways to mitigate this are found. Antenatal classes show promise yet the variability in their structure, content, acceptability, and impact require further examination.
Aim: To explore the acceptability and experiences of attending Calmbirth® antenatal classes.
Methods: A qualitative evaluation was completed on data gathered from Calmbirth® participants. Eighteen individual and/or couple postnatal interviews were conducted. Template analysis was used, with a psycho-emotional conceptual framework applied to analyse interview data.
Results: The main finding of the evaluation was that the Calmbirth® courses empowered the participants, increased their health literacy, and provided them with more personal psychosocial coping strategies. Whilst some participants found the classes were not helpful for the majority their attendance proved to be a positive reframing of childbirth transforming their experience. In addition, learnt tools and strategies may have modified interventions although this remains to be proven.
Discussion: Calmbirth® is acceptable and experienced positively by most women and partners who attended courses. Although the Calmbirth® programme is a possible strategy that may modify childbirth interventions and outcomes leading to a change in birthing culture, this requires further examination to make any causative claims. Moreover, for Calmbirth® to really make a difference there needs to be re-examination of the broader socio-cultural influences in places of birth with a focus on development of culturally aligned, user friendly, accessible classes that are funded for equity.
Conclusion: Calmbirth® courses are acceptable and are a strategy that can empower and impact positively on childbirth experience.
Methylprednisolone pulses as an initial treatment in hyperinflammatory syndrome after COVID-19 in children: evaluation of laboratory data, serial echocardiography and outcome: a case series.
Authors: Sadeghi Payman , Gorji Mojtaba , assari raheleh , tahghighi fatemeh , Raeeskarami Seyed Reza , Ziaee Vahid
Published: September 2022

Background. Hyper-inflammatory syndrome in children and young adult occur 2-6 weeks after COVID-19 infection or closed contact with COVID-19 persons. In this study, the laboratory data and echocardiography and abdominal sonography assessments were evaluated by Methylprednisolone pulse as an initial treatment of hyper-inflammatory syndrome.
Method. In this retrospective study, the demographic status, clinical features, laboratory data, echocardiography, abdominal ultrasound, treatment and outcome of 31 pediatric patients under 16 years old, with inflammatory process after COVID-19 were evaluated. The clinical assessments, laboratory data, sonography and echocardiography were evaluated before and after methylprednisolone pulse. The patients were divided in two age group <and≥7 years old and the clinical manifestations were compared with each other. These patients with fever and hyper-inflammation features admitted to the referral pediatric rheumatology ward in Children Medical Center of Tehran University of medical sciences, from April 2020 to May 2021 were assessed.
Result. The mean age ± SD were (5.94 ±3) and 51.6% (16) patients were male and 48.4% (15) patients were female. The most documented of previous COVID infection were antibody positive in about 27 (87 %) patients. Moreover, 1(3.8%) was PCR positive, 2(7.7%) were positive in both PCR and serology and 3(11.5%) had closed contact with COVID-19 patients. About 9(29%) of patients were admitted in Intensive Care Unit (ICU). There were significant correlation between days of delay in starting treatment and ICU admission (P-Value= 0.02). The mortality rate was negative in patients and no re-hospitalization was documented. There were significant differences (P-Value < 0.05) between lymphocytes, platelet, Erythrocyte Sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein, Aspartate transaminase, Alanine transaminase and ferritin before and after treatment. Skin rashes and cardiac involvement totally as carditis (myocarditis,vulvulitis and pericarditis) (33.3%) and coronary involvements (53.3%) were the most prominent initial presentation in patients. There were near significant correlation (P-value = 0.066) between ferritin level and carditis before treatment. Cervical lymphadenopathy was seen significantly more in ≥7 years old (P-Value = 0.01).
Conclusion: Methyl prednisolone pulse could be effective as a first step of treatment of hyper inflammatory syndrome after SARS-COV-2 infection in children.
Modelling and Forecasting of 5MW Solar Photovoltaic Plant using Artificial Neural Networks
Authors: . Vignesh Gopalan , . A.K.Bakthavatsalam , . Kalaiselvan Narasimman
Published: September 2022

This work illustrates Artificial neural network (ANN) based energy modelling and forecasting of a 5MW Solar Photo Voltaic Plant. The objective of the research work is to identify the impact of various atmospheric parameters on the Solar PV energy generation. The Simulation was performed using Neural network(nn) tool box in MATLAB simulation. The input parameters are total solar radiation, surface pressure, wind speed, Insolation Clearness Index, cloud amount, shortwave diffuse irradiance and total insolation index which were collected from National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) database. The output parameters were collected from five-year production data of 5 MW solar PV plant in Tamilnadu, India. Six different network structures namely Cascade forward backdrop, ELMAN back prop, Feed forward back prop, Feed forward Distribute Time delay, Layer current and Regression Analysis were used. Individual models have been developed using above ANN structures and results are analysed. The model validation has been performed by comparing model predictions with power output data during the testing. Single input weather parameters have been fed and tested to find the impact of individual weather parameter on the power output of the plant. Multiple input parameters are fed and tested for improving the model. Regression analysis has shown a better performance comparing with other networks. These solar forecasting techniques help to design the electrical storage management and plan maintenance activities of smart grid system.
Implications of the seismicity monitoring in the western part of Central Seismic Gap of Garhwal- Kumaun Himalaya, India
Authors: Paul Ajay , Tiwari Anil
Published: September 2022

The Garhwal-Kumaun region in the Himalaya in India lies in the Central Seismic Gap i.e. between the two great earthquakes of 1934 Bihar-Nepal and 1905 Kangra. This region is being continuously monitored through a seismic network and the geodetic data from GPS suggests a strong possibility of occurrence of Great earthquake occurring in this region. Two seismicity clusters are prominently observed and the one near Chamoli region is exhibiting rapid increase in seismicity. Magneto-telluric investigations have shown the presence of subsurface fluids beneath Chamoli region which has been validated by low frictional coefficient evaluated through stress tensor inversion. The lateral and depth wise variation in the b-value, further substantiates the possibility of the Chamoli region as the probable location for the great earthquake.
Cost effectiveness, nitrogen and phosphorus removal in field-based woodchip bioreactors treating agricultural drainage water
Authors: Plauborg Finn , Skjødt Maja Hørning , Audet Joachim , Hoffmann Carl Christian , Jacobsen Brian H.
Published: September 2022

Nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) losses to surface and coastal waters are still critically high across Europe and globally. Measures to mitigate and reduce these losses are presently implemented both at the cultivated land surface and at the edge-of-fields. Woodchip bioreactors represent a novel alternative for treating agricultural drainage water, and the present study based on two years of data from five Danish field-based bioreactors determined N removal rates varying from 1.49 to 5.37 g N m− 3 d− 1 and a mean across all bioreactors and years of 2.90 g N m− 3 d− 1. The loss of phosphorus was relatively high the first year after bioreactor establishment with rates varying from 298.4 to 890.8 mg P m− 3 d− 1, but in the second year the rates varied from 12.2 to 77.2 mg P m− 3 d− 1. The investments and the costs of the bioreactors were larger than expected based on Danish standard investments. The cost efficiency analysis found the key issues to be the need for larger investments in the bioreactor itself combined with higher advisory costs. For the four woodchip bioreactors considered in the cost efficiency analysis, the N removal cost was around DKK 350 per kg N (€ 47 per kg N), which is ca. 50% higher than the standard costs defined by the Danish authorities. Based on the estimated costs of the four bioreactor facilities included in this analysis, a bioreactor is one of the most expensive nitrogen measures compared to other mitigation tools.
Characterization of ototoxic-induced prestin burst in the blood and implications for developing prestin as an ototoxicity biomarker
Authors: Harrison Megan S , Driscoll Brittany G , Farnsworth Jason , Hinton Ashley , Peppi Marcello , McLean Will , Parham Kourosh
Published: September 2022

In the clinical realm, we primarily rely on audiological measures for diagnosis and surveillance of sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) and have limited therapeutic options. We have proposed a blood-based biomarker approach to overcome this challenge by measuring the outer hair cell’s (OHC) electromotile protein, prestin, in the blood. In a guinea pig model of cyclodextran (CDX) ototoxicity, using western blots, we show that prestin in the blood may have several different forms and specifically the ~ 134 kDa form spikes after ototoxin ablation of OHCs. This form appears to be a glycosylated dimer likely secreted by the inner ear as exosomes reflecting increased expression after ototoxin exposure. These results suggest that the ~ 134 kDa dimer may serve as a biomarker for early detection of ototoxicity in the clinical setting. However, because prestin can still be measured in the blood after total ablation of OHCs, its ability to inform on OHC health is restricted to a narrow window after ototoxin-induced injury. Monitoring prestin, when using therapeutics with ototoxic properties, could guide dosage and administration schedule to minimize damage.
miR-34a/DRP-1-mediated mitophagy participated in cisplatin-induced ototoxicity via increasing oxidative stress
Authors: Wang Haiyan , Lin Hanqing , Kang Weibiao , Huang Lingfei , Gong Sisi , Zhang Tao , Huang Xiaotong , He Feinan , Ye Yongyi , Jia Haiying , Yang Haidi
Published: September 2022

Purpose
Cisplatin is a widely and effectively chemotherapy agent for most of solid malignant tumors. However,cisplatin induced ototoxicity is a common adverse effect,which limited the therapeutic efficacy of tumors in clinic.To date,the specific mechanism of ototoxicity is not fully elucidated and the management of cisplatin-induced ototoxicity also is an urgent challenge.Recently,some authors believed that miR34a and mitophagy played a role in age-related and drug-induced hearing loss.Our study is aimed at exploring the involvement of miR-34a/DRP-1 mediated mitophagy on cisplatin-induced ototoxicity.
Methods
In this study,C57BL/6 mices and HEI-OC1 cells were treated with cisplatin,miR-34a and DRP-1 level was analyzed by qRT-PCR and western blot,and assessed mitochondrial function via oxidative stress,JC-1 and ATP content.Subsequently,we detected DRP-1 level and observed mitochondrial function through modulating miR-34a expression in HEI-OC1 cells,to determine the effect of miR-34a on DRP-1 mediated mitophagy.
Results
MiR-34a expression increased and DRP-1 level decreased in C57BL/6 mice and HEI-OC1 cell treated with cisplatin,and mitochondria dysfunction was involved in the process.Furthermore,miR-34a mimic decreased DRP-1 expression,enhanced cisplatin-induced ototoxicity and aggravated mitochondrial dysfunction.We further verified that miR-34a inhibitor increased DRP-1 expression, partially protected aganist cisplatin-induced ototoxicity and improved mitochondrial function.
Conclusion
MiR-34a/DRP-1-mediated mitophagy was related to cisplatin induced ototoxicity and might be a novel target for investigating the treatement and protection of cisplatin-induced ototoxicity.
DT-CWT and Type-2 Fuzzy-HSAPF for Harmonic Compensation in Distribution System
Authors: Mishra Alok Kumar , Nanda Pradip Kumar , Ray Prakash Kumar , Das Soumya Ranjan , Patra Akshaya Kumar
Published: September 2022

Extensive utilization of power electronics in different applications injects harmonics into degrading the power quality. Harmonics can be eliminated in distribution systems using low-cost passive filters, but, they become bulky and complex in design with the increase in harmonic order. Hence, the active power filters (APFs) are proposed as a voltage source converter (VSC) for providing better compensation but, active filtering is costly. To minimize such demerits, this article represents a hybrid shunt active power filter (HSAPF). For reference current calculation, Dual Tree-Complex Wavelet Transform (DT-CWT) is used here and conventional proportional-integral (CPI), Type-1 and Type-2 Fuzzy Logic Controllers (T1FLC & T2FLC) are employed for parameter optimization of HSAPF, to enhance the harmonics compensation ability and power factor. The case studies are performed in both simulations as well as real-time experimental setup using dSPACE and it is analyzed that the proposed DT-CWT and Type-2 Fuzzy-based HSAPF provide better compensation performance in comparison to other controllers under different operating conditions.
A Novel Deep Reinforcement Learning Model for Resilient Road Network Recovery from Multiple Hazards
Authors: Fan Xudong , Zhang Xijin , Wang Xiaowei , Yu Xiong
Published: September 2022

As the backbone and the ‘blood vessel’ of modern cities, road networks provide critical support for community activities and economic growth, with their roles even more crucial due to the dramatic progress in urbanization. The service of road networks is subjected to the increasing frequency of high-consequence natural hazards such as earthquakes, floods, hurricanes, etc. Identifying resilient restoration sequences is essential to mitigate the disruption of such important infrastructure networks. This paper investigates a novel decision-support model to optimize post-disaster road network repair sequence. The model, named as GCN-DRL model, integrates the advantages of deep reinforced learning (DRL) with graph convolutional neural network (GCN), two emerging artificial intelligence (AI) techniques to achieve efficient recovery of road network service. The model is applied to analyze two cases of community road networks in the US that are subjected to different types of hazards, i.e., earthquakes and flooding. The performance of repair sequence by the GCN-DRL model is compared with two commonly used methods, i.e., repair sequence by the genetic algorithm and by prioritization based on graph importance with betweenness centrality. The results showed the decision sequence by GCN-DRL model consistently achieved superior performance in road network restoration than the conventional methods. The AI-based decision model also features high computational efficiency since the GCN-DRL model can be trained before the hazard. With a pre-trained GCN-DRL model, a close to optimal decision-making process can be made available rapidly for different types of new hazards, which is advantageous in efficiently responding to hazards when they happen. This study demonstrates the promise of a new AI-based decision support model to improve the resilience of road networks by enabling efficient post-hazards recovery.
Common mouse models of tauopathy reflect early but not late human disease
Authors: Wenger Kathrin , Viode Arthur , Schlaffner Christoph N. , Zalm Patrick van , Cheng Long , Dellovade Tammy , Langlois Xavier , Bannon Anthony , Connors Theresa R. , Oakley Derek , Renard Bernhard , Rappsilber Juri , Hyman Bradley , Steen Hanno , Steen Judith
Published: September 2022

Background:
Mouse models that overexpress human mutant Tau (P301S and P301L) are commonly used in preclinical studies of Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) and while several drugs showed therapeutic effects in these mice, they were ineffective in humans. This leads to the question to which extent the murine models reflect human Tau pathology on the molecular level.
Methods:
We isolated pathological Tau species from two common AD mouse models during different stages of disease and characterized the modification landscape of the aggregated Tau using targeted and untargeted mass spectrometry-based proteomics. The results were compared to human AD and to human carriers of the P301L Tau mutation that suffered from early onset dementia.
Results:
Both mouse models accumulate pathological Tau species during disease. The Tau aggregation is driven by progressive phosphorylation within the proline rich domaine and the C-terminus of the protein. This is reflective of early disease stages of human AD and of the pathology of human P301L carriers. However, Tau ubiquitination and acetylation, which are important to late-stage human AD are not represented in the mouse models.
Conclusion:
AD mouse models that overexpress human Tau using risk mutations are a suitable tool for testing drug candidates that aim to intervene in the early formation of pathological Tau species promoted by increased phosphorylation of Tau.
Characterization of the VRN-A1 allele introgressed from T. aestivum ssp. petropavlovskyi that influences the heading time in bread wheat
Authors: chumanova evgeniya , Efremova Tatyana , Vavilova Valeriya
Published: September 2022

The optimal timing of the heading stage, mainly determined by the VRN genes, contributes to the wide spread of bread wheat and the realization of adaptive and breeding potential. Wild wheat species are valuable sources for expanding the bread wheat genetic diversity by the introgression of new gene alleles, including VRN genes. In this study, a near-isogenic line of the winter wheat cultivar Bezostaya 1 with a VRN-A1 dominant allele was obtained with a T. aestivum ssp. petropavlovskyi accession as the donor. Using known PCR markers for the promoter and first intron sequences of the VRN-1 gene and subsequent sequencing of PCR fragments, the presence of the Langdon deletion was revealed in the first intron (Vrn-A1L allele), previously described only for tetraploid wheat. The allele composition of VRN genes was determined in T. aestivum ssp. petropavlovskyi accessions and the presence of the Vrn-A1L dominant allele was established in all accessions. It was shown that the Vrn-A1L dominant allele increased the shoots-heading period under long- and short-day conditions, which is associated with a prolongation before the first node formation. The comparative study of productivity characteristics of isogenic lines with Vrn-A1a and Vrn-A1Ldominant alleles on spike and plant productivity is presented.
The male-heterogametic sex determination system on chromosome 15 of Salix arbutifolia and Salix triandra reveals ancestral male heterogamety and subsequent turnover events in the genus Salix
Authors: He Li , Wang Yi , Cai Xinjie , Zhang Yue , Hörandl Elvira , Zhang Zhixiang
Published: September 2022

Dioecious Salix evolved more than 45 million years ago, but have homomorphic sex chromosomes, suggesting that turnover event(s) prevented major differentiation. Sex chromosome turnover events have been inferred in the sister genus, Populus. The genus Salix includes two main clades, Salix and Vetrix, with several previously studied Vetrix clade species having female-heterogametic (ZW) sex-determining systems (SDSs) on chromosome 15, while two Salix clade species have male-heterogametic (XY) SDSs on chromosome 7. We here studied two basal taxa of the Vetrix clade, S. arbutifolia and S. triandra. Analyses of whole genome resequencing data for genome-wide associations (GWAS) with the sexes and genetic differentiation between the sexes (FST values) showed that both species have male heterogamety with a sex-determining locus on chromosome 15, suggesting an early turnover event within the Vetrix clade, perhaps promoted by sexually antagonistic or (and) sex-ratio selection. Changepoint analysis based on FST values identified small sex-linked regions of ~3.33 Mb and ~2.80 Mb in S. arbutifolia and S. triandra, respectively. The molecular mechanism of sex-determination remains unknown. Ancestral state reconstruction of SDS and stamen numbers suggests that at least two turnover events occurred in Salix. Willows with XY SDS usually have multiple stamens, while ZW species have two stamens.
The association of severe COVID anxiety with poor social functioning, quality of life, and protective behaviours among adults in United Kingdom: A cross-sectional study.
Authors: King Jacob D , McQuaid Aisling , Leeson Verity C , Samuel Oluwaseun , Grant Josiah , Azeem Muhamad Saad Imran , Barnicot Kirsten , Crawford Mike J
Published: September 2022

Background: Anxiety about COVID-19 is common. For most people this is an appropriate response to the loss of livelihoods and loved-ones, disruptions to social networks, and uncertainty about the future. However, for others these anxieties relate to contracting the virus itself. Little is known about the characteristics of people with severe COVID anxiety or the impact it has on their daily lives.
Methods: We conducted a two-phase cross-sectional survey of people aged 18 or over who were living in United Kingdom, self-identified as anxious about COVID-19, and had a score of ≥9 on the Coronavirus Anxiety Scale. We recruited participants nationally through online adverts and locally via primary care services in London. Data on demographic and clinical factors were used in multiple regression modelling to examine the greatest contributors to functional impairment, poor health-related quality of life and protective behaviours in this sample of individuals with severe COVID anxiety.
Results: We recruited 306 people with severe COVID anxiety between January and September 2021. Most were female (n = 246, 81.2%); they had a median age of 40 (range = 18-83). The majority of participants also had generalised anxiety (n = 270, 91.5%), depression (n = 247, 85.5%), and a quarter (n = 79, 26.3%) reported a physical health condition which put them at increased risk of hospitalisation with COVID-19. Half had severe social dysfunction (n = 151, 52.4%). One in ten reported never leaving their home, one in three washed all items brought into their house, one in five washed their hands constantly, and one in five of those with children reported not sending them to school because of fears of COVID-19. Increasing co-morbid depressive symptoms best explained functional impairment and poor quality of life after controlling for other factors.
Conclusions: This study highlights the high degree of co-occuring mental health problems, and the extent of functional impairment and poor health-related quality of life among people with severe COVID anxiety. Further research is needed to establish the course of severe COVID anxiety as the pandemic progresses, and steps that can be taken to support people who experience this distress.
Nitration of Chemokine CXCL8 acts as a natural mechanism to limit acute inflammation
Authors: Thompson Sarah , Pang Chong Yun , Sepuru Krishna Mohan , Cambier Seppe , Hellyer Thomas P , Scott Jonathan , Simpson A. John , Proost Paul , Kirby John A. , Rajarathnam Krishna , Sheerin Neil S. , Ali Simi
Published: September 2022

Chemokine CXCL8 is a key facilitator of the human host immune response, mediating neutrophil migration and activation at the site of infection and injury. The oxidative burst is an important effector mechanism which leads to the generation of reactive nitrogen species (RNS), including peroxynitrite. The current study was performed to determine the potential for nitration to alter the biological properties of CXCL8 and its detection in human disease. Here, we show peroxynitrite nitrates CXCL8 and thereby regulates neutrophil migration and activation. The nitrated chemokine was unable to induce transendothelial neutrophil migration in vitro and failed to promote leukocyte recruitment in vivo. This reduced activity is due to impairment in both G protein-coupled receptor signaling and glycosaminoglycan binding. Using a novel antibody, nitrated CXCL8 was detected in broncheoalveolar lavage samples from patients with pneumonia. These findings were validated by mass spectrometry. Our results provide the first direct evidence of chemokine nitration in human pathophysiology and suggest a natural mechanism that limits acute inflammation.
Acalculous cholecystitis is a common extrahepatic manifestation of hepatitis E and suggests a more serious condition
Authors: Cao Xuemei , Jiang Wei , Shi Lingfeng , Wang Yanping , Chen Jie , Huang Wenxiang , Zhang Shujun
Published: September 2022

Background: The purpose of this study was to understand the incidence and clinical significance of acalculous cholecystitis in acute hepatitis E.
Patients and methods: A single center enrolled 114 patients with acute hepatitis E. All these patients had imaging of the gallbladder, and patients with gallstones and cholecystectomy were excluded.
Results: Acalculous cholecystitis was found in 66 patients (57.89%) with acute hepatitis E. The incidence of males was 63.95%, which was significantly higher than that of females (39.29%) (P=0.022). The mean hospital stays and the incidence of spontaneous peritonitis in patients with cholecystitis were significantly higher than those in patients without cholecystitis 20.12 ± 9.43 days and 9.09%, respectively, and significantly higher than those in patients without cholecystitis 12.98 ± 7.26 days and 0% (P<0.001 and P=0.032, respectively). ALB, TB, DB, CHE and PTA in patients with cholecystitis were significantly inferior to those without cholecystitis (P<0.001, P<0.001, P<0.001, P<0.001 and P= 0.003, respectively).
Conclusion: Acalculous cholecystitis is very common in patients with acute hepatitis E, and it may serve as a predictor of increased peritonitis, synthetic decompensation, and longer hospital stay with hepatitis E.
The Role of Multiple Sclerosis Therapies on the Dynamic of Human Gut Microbiota
Authors: Vacaras Vitalie , Muresanu Dafin F , Buzoianu Anca-Dana , Nistor Cristina , Vesa Stefan Cristian , Paraschiv Andreea Cristina , Botos-Vacaras Daniela , Vacaras Cristiana , Vithoulkas George
Published: September 2022

Gut microbiota, the total microorganisms in our gastrointestinal tract, might have an implication in multiple sclerosis (MS), a demyelinating neurological disease. Our study included 50 MS patients and 21 healthy controls (HC). Twenty patients received a disease modifying therapy (DMT), interferon beta1a or teriflunomide, 19 DMT combined with homeopathy and 11 patients accepted only homeopathy. We collected in total 142 gut samples, two for each individual: at the study enrolment and eight weeks after treatment. We compared MS patients’ microbiome with HC, we analysed its evolution in time and the effect of interferon beta1a, teriflunomide and homeopathy. There was no difference in alpha diversity, only two beta diversity results related to homeopathy. Compared to HC, untreated MS patients had a decrease of Actinobacteria, Bifidobacterium, Faecalibacterium prauznitzii and increased Prevotella stercorea, while treated patients presented lowered Ruminococcus and Clostridium. Compared to the initial sample, treated MS patients had a decrease of Lachnospiraceae and Ruminococcus and an increased Enterococcus faecalis. Eubacterium oxidoreducens was reduced after homeopathic treatment. The study revealed that MS patients may present dysbiosis. Treatment with interferon beta1a, teriflunomide or homeopathy implied several taxonomic changes. DMTs and homeopathy might influence the gut microbiota.
Partnership and domestic resource mobilization in Sudan for cVDPV2 outbreak response amidst multiple emergencies in 2020-2021
Authors: Mashal Mohammed Taufiq , Eltayeb Dalya , Higgins-Steele Ariel , Sheikh Ismael Suleiman El , Saeed Abid Ni’ma , Shukla Hemant , Machado Leonard
Published: September 2022

Background: During 2020 and immediately prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, Sudan was experiencing multiple emergencies including violence, seasonal flooding, and vector-borne disease outbreaks. After more than ten years since its last case of wild poliovirus, Sudan declared a circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 (cVDPV2) outbreak on 9 August 2020.
Methods: cVDPV2 outbreak response data and programme documents of the Federal Ministry of Health and WHO were reviewed. Surveillance data was verified through WHO-recommended procedures for detecting and characterizing polioviruses from stool and sewage samples collected from AFP cases and the environment.
Results: This outbreak in Sudan led to a total of 58 confirmed cases of cVDPV2 from 15 of the 18 states. Two nationwide vaccination campaigns were held to increase immunity of children under-five against poliovirus type 2. Funding challenges were overcome by intense additional resource mobilization from domestic resources and partnerships. The funding gap was bridged from domestic resources (49%) sourced through GPEI partners, and in-country humanitarian funding mechanisms.
Conclusions: During an outbreak response and challenge of funding shortfall, mobilizing domestic resources is possible through coordinated approaches and systematic communication with in-country partners, disaggregation of needs, and diverse interventions. A cVDPV2 outbreak requires a fast, resourced, and quality response to stop virus circulation.
Simulation studies on line, light and human following robots using Arduino in Proteus Schematic
Authors: Jebaselvi G. D. Anbarasi , Narmadha R. , Anand Vishwajeet , Tathagat Harshit
Published: September 2022

This technical paper describes about the robots which follows the path, light and human gestures and their simulation using Arduino and Proteus. The line following robot is constructed to proceed in a predefined path using IR sensor. The light following robot is designed to follow the light source LDR, the light dependent resistor. The human following robot traces the human heat and moves in the direction of human motion or gesture by means of IR, the infra-red sensor. Their applications involve in the fields of remote sensing, mobile communications and biomedical instrumentation and so on. The key merits include its’ lightweight, automated, cheap, easy to use, etc. Here the Proteus schematic has been drawn and its simulation uses Arduino software.
Optical and electronic properties enhancement via chalcogenides: Promising materials for DSSC applications
Authors: Deogratias Geradius , Al−Qurashi Ohoud S. , Wazzan Nuha
Published: September 2022

Comparatively, sensitizers featuring the chalcogen family are less heavily investigated despite their known electronic properties in metal-based materials. In this work, an array of optoelectronic properties is reported using quantum chemical methods. Red-shifted bands within the UV − vis absorption spectrum with absorption maxima > 500 nm in the order of increasing chalcogenides atomic size were observed. There is a monotonic down-shift in the LUMO and ESOP energy consistent with atomic orbital energies (p orbitals) which increases down the group O 2p, S 3p, Se 4p toTe 5p. The excited-state lifetime and free energies of charge injection follow the decreasing order of chalcogenides electronegativity. Adsorption energies of dyes on TiO2 anatase (101) are in the range of − 0.08 to − 0.77 eV. Based on evaluated properties, selenium and tellurium-based materials hold promise for their futuristic device applications; therefore, this work motivates continued investigation of the chalcogenides sensitizers and their application.
The invariant ion-acoustic waves in the plasma
Authors: Saberian Ehsan
Published: September 2022

We have formulated the invariant ion-acoustic waves (IAWs) in the astrophysical plasmas including the pure thermodynamic features of the background particles. Here, we have used the modern version of the kappa distribution formalism, where it is labeled with an invariant kappa index as of the zero dimensionality spectral index, κ0. Two contexts for studying the invariant IAWs have been employed, i.e., the kinetic theory formalism and the hydrodynamic fluid description. At first, we have employed the Vlasov-Poisson equations at the low frequency band of the weakly damped ion waves, where the most generalized formalism of the ion-sound speed has been confirmed in terms of the extended polytropic indices of the plasma species, γj. Furthermore, the Landau damping of IAWs has been formulated in terms of κ0, the wavelength, and the temperatures of the plasma species. In the hydrodynamic description, we have normalized the fluid parameters by using the extended quantities, including the generalized ion-sound speed and Debye length. Then, by using the perturbation theory in the linear and nonlinear regimes, some missing issues in the formulation of the invariant IAWs have been emphasized, such as the effect of the perturbed potential degrees of freedom, and the combined effects of the wave steepening and dispersion. The second feature has been analyzed by deriving a generalized KdV equation and its solitary wave solutions in an invariant formalism. Here, farther/near-equilibrium regions, corresponding to the thermodynamic evolutions, have been characterized by 0 < κ0 < 1 (0 < γj < 0.5) and κ0 > 1 (0.5 < γj < 1), respectively, where we have analyzed the IAWs in the anti-equilibrium state at κ0 → 0 (γj → 0) towards the equilibrium state at κ0 ≫ 1 (γj → 1). Our numerical analysis confirms the distinction between the IAWs diagrams in two regions, where the transition from far-equilibrium states to the near-equilibrium states occurs in the vicinity κ0 ∼ 1 (γj ∼ 0.5), denoting the escape state of the evolution.