bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Design of a thermoelectric energy source for water pumping applications: A case study in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
Authors: Obaid Waleed , Hamid Abdul-Kadir , Ghenai Chaouki , Assad Mamdouh El Haj
Published: August 2021

There are many water pumping power systems that exist nowadays relying on conventional and renewable energy sources such as mechanical windmills, solar photovoltaic (PV) panels, wind turbines, and diesel generators. Few designs utilize thermoelectric modules for the purpose of enhancing the reliability and the performance of the system in order to provide water supply to isolated zones continuously. The use of thermoelectric (TE) modules is increasing due to their reduced prices and the possibility of using them in different applications depending on the required specifications of motors and other connected loads. This paper proposes a renewable energy system design for water pumping applications in Sharjah (Latitude 25.29°N and Longitude 55°E), United Arab Emirates. The system involves TE modules for operating the three-phase AC water pumping motor, voltage regulator, voltage boost converter, and three-phase power inverter while considering the changes of temperature values which affect the performance of the thermoelectric generator (TEG) modules. The aim is integrating TEG modules to cover the increasing demand of water in rural areas since rainy days in Sharjah are limited and the temperature is high. The performances of the proposed system will be demonstrated using Simulink simulations for the overall blocks of the proposed system.
Design and analysis of multiple read port techniques using bank division with XOR method for multi-ported-memory on FPGA platform
Authors: Kumar S. Druva , M. Roopa
Published: August 2021

The multiple read and write operations are performed simultaneously by multi-ported memories and are used in advanced digital design applications on reprogrammable field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) to achieve higher bandwidth. The Memory modules are configured by block RAM (BRAMs), which utilizes more area and power on FPGA. In this manuscript, the techniques to increase the read ports for multi-ported memory modules are designed using the bank division with XOR (BDX) approach. The read port techniques like two read-one write (2R1W) memory, hybrid mode approach either 2R1W or 4R memory, and hierarchical BDX (HBDX) Approach using 2R1W/4R memory are designed on FPGA platform. The Proposed work utilizes only slices and look-up table (LUT's) rather than BRAMs while designing the memory modules on FPGA, which reduces the computational complexity and improves the system performance.  The experimental results are analyzed on Artix-7 FPGA. The performance parameters like slices, LUT utilization, maximum frequency (Fmax), and hardware efficiency are analyzed by concerning different memory depths. The 4R1W memory design using the HBDX approach utilizes 4% slices and works at 449.697 MHz operating frequency on Artix-7 FPGA. The proposed work provides a better platform to choose the proper read port technique to design an efficient modular multiport memory architecture.
The effect green YF3:ER3+,YB3+ phosphor on luminous flux and color quality of multi-chip white light-emitting diodes
Authors: Nguyen Thi My Hanh , Phuong Loan Nguyen Thi , Bui Thuc Minh , Le Anh Tuan
Published: August 2021

The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate the advantages of the green phosphor YF3:Er3+,Yb3+ combined with multi-chip package to the enhancement of lighting efficiency of modern WLEDs. In an effort to improve the quality of WLEDs and create a new generation of lighting device, green phosphor YF3:Er3+,Yb3+ is added into the phosphor compounding of the WLED package to improve the color quality and lighting capacity. Through experiments, WLEDs with YF3:Er3+,Yb3+ green phosphor has shown improved results in lighting performance specifically in color homogeneity and light output of WLEDs in the ACCT range from 5600-7000 K. However, the color quality scale (CQS) declines gradually. Therefore, if the appropriate concentration and size of YF3:Er3+,Yb3+ are determined, the performance of MCW-LEDs will be enhanced and become more stable.
Measurement push and pull forces on automatic liquid dispensers
Authors: Sitorus Agustami , Pramono Eko K. , Siregar Yusnan H. , Rahayuningtyas Ari , Susanti Novita D. , Cebro Irwin S. , Bulan Ramayanty
Published: August 2021

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, automated liquid dispensers have been increasingly developed to assist transmission prevention. However, data availability of automatic liquid dispenser mechanism's technical characteristics is not yet widely available. This causes frequent over or under design in its development. Therefore, we specifically measure push and pull forces engineering characteristics generated by the automatic liquid dispenser mechanism. A wire mechanism-based automatic liquid dispenser apparatus was used to experiment. A load-cell sensor was used to detect the force that occurs from a servo motor controlled by a microcontroller. The force data (push and pull) will be sent directly to the database server cloud with a recording frequency of every second. Three types of fluid treatment levels are used i.e. water, liquid soap, and hand sanitizer gel. Three types of fluid volume treatment levels used were 50 ml, 150 ml, and 250 ml. Each treatment level combination is carried out at the servo motors rotation steps 180°, 150°, 120°, 90°, 60°, and 30°. The results show that no significant differences were found in maximal forces required to release the water, liquid soap, and hand-sanitizer gel. It is also known that the volume of the fluid has a very significant effect on the amount of push and pull forces generated.
Aiming to the superior of phosphor pattern: Influence of SiO2 nanoparticles on photoluminescence intensification of YAG:Ce
Authors: Thi My Hanh Nguyen , Bui Thuc Minh , Anh Nguyen Doan Quoc
Published: August 2021

Yttrium aluminum garnet (YAG: RE) rare-earth-doped phosphors have great photoluminescence (PL) characteristics and are commonly used in light-emitting rectifying tubes. The RE elements used in these phosphors, however, are precious and in shortage. The production of phosphorus containing a limited amount of RE content is therefore essential. One solution is to manufacture Nano composite phosphors that use an inexpensive and more easily available content as a matrix for RE oxide. In this research, we developed a YAG: Ce/SiO2 Nano composite using a sol-gel procedure; in order to impulse micelle formation and agglomeration, poly (ethylene glycol) and urea have been added, respectively. X-ray diffraction, scanning and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy were used to characterize the Nano composites. In proposing an explanation for this enhancement, we defined the concentration of SiO2 that produced optimum PL enhancement and used geometric models as well as the characterization consequences. Our results demonstrated that a 10% SiO2 concentration produced a 120% PL intensity of pure YAG:Ce. TEM analysis revealed that SiO2 nanoparticles filled the voids between the YAG:Ce crystals' single grain borders, hence inhibiting light scattering, resulting in increased PL. This procedure would be beneficial for the synthesis of low-RE and high-PL phosphors on a wide scale.
Decentralised PI controller design based on dynamic interaction decoupling in the closed-loop behaviour of a flotation process
Authors: Tshemese-Mvandaba Nomzamo , Tzoneva R. , Mnguni M. E. S.
Published: August 2021

An enhanced method for design of decenralised proportional integral (PI) controllers to control various variables of flotation columns is proposed. These columns are multivariable processes characterised by multiple interacting manipulated and controlled variables. The control of more than one variable is not an easy problem to solve as a change in a specific manipulated variable affects more than one controlled variable. Paper proposes an improved method for design of decentralized PI controllers through the introduction of decoupling of the interconnected model of the process. Decoupling the system model has proven to be an effective strategy to reduce the influence of the interactions in the closed-loop control and consistently to keep the system stable. The mathematical derivations and the algorithm of the design procedure are described in detail. The behaviour and performance of the closed-loop systems without and with the application of the decoupling method was investigated and compared through simulations in MATLAB/Simulink. The results show that the decouplers - based closed-loop system has better performance than the closed-loop system without decouplers. The highest improvement (2 to 50 times) is in the steady-state error and 1.2 to 7 times in the settling and rising time. Controllers can easily be implemented.
Communication system improvement with control performance based on link quality in wireless sensor actuator networks
Authors: Tawfeeq Nada N. , Mahmood Sawsan D.
Published: August 2021

New communication and networking paradigms started with wireless sensor actuator networks (WSANs) to introduce new applications. One of these is the automatic gain control system (AGC). It will enable a high degree of the decentralized and mobile control. In this study, neural networks (NN) with fuzzy logic (one of the techniques of artificial intelligence (AI)) is used to enhance the control performance depending on the link quality. The NN and fuzzy inference system (FIS) with Mamdani’s method used to build a model reference, adaptive controller, for recompensing for delay time packets losses, and improving the reliability of WSAN. Between 88.62% and 99.99%, validation data is obtained for the medium and high conditions of operation with the proposed algorithm. Experimental and simulation results show a promising approach.
Signalling load reduction in 5G network based on cloud radio access network architecture
Authors: Waheed Mohammed Abbas , Saeed Azzad Bader , Abd Thanaa Hussein
Published: August 2021

The rapid growth of both mobile users and application numbers has caused a huge load on the core network (CN). This is attributed to the large numbers of control messages circulating between CN entities for each communication or service request, however, making it imperative to develop innovative designs to handle this load. Consequently, a variety of proposed architectures, including a software defined network (SDN) paradigm focused on the separation of control and data plans, have been implemented to make networks more flexible. Cloud radio access network (C-RAN) architecture has been suggested for this purpose, which is based on separating base band units (BBU) from several base stations and assembling these in one place. In this work, a novel approach to realize this process is based on SDN and C-RAN, which also distributes the control elements of the CN and locates them alongside the BBU to obtain the lowest possible load. The performance of this proposed architecture was evaluated against traditional architecture using MATLAB simulation, and. the results of this assessment indicated a major reduction in signalling load as compared to that seen in the traditional architecture. Overall, the number of signalling messages exchanged between control entities was decreased by 53.19 percent as compared to that seen in the existing architecture.
Unmanned aerial vehicle-aided cooperative regenerative relaying network under various environments
Authors: Nguyen Thanh-Luan , Ha Duy-Hung , Tin Phu Tran , Cong Hien Dinh
Published: August 2021

This paper studies a cooperative relay network that comprises an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) enabling amplify-and-forward (AF) and power splitting (PS) based energy harvesting. The considered system can be constructed in various environments such as suburban, urban, dense urban, and high-rise urban where the air-to-ground channels are model by a mixture of Rayleigh and Nakagami-m fading. Then, outage probability and ergodic capacity are provided under different environment-based parameters. Optimal PS ratios are also provided under normal and high transmit power regimes. Finally, the accuracy of the analytical results is validated through Monte Carlo methods.
Clustered chain founded on ant colony optimization energy efficient routing scheme for under-water wireless sensor networks
Authors: Moussaoui Djilali , Hadjila Mourad , Hadj Irid Sidi Mohammed , Souiki Sihem
Published: August 2021

One challenge in under-water wireless sensor networks (UWSN) is to find ways to improve the life duration of networks, since it is difficult to replace or recharge batteries in sensors by the solar energy. Thus, designing an energy-efficient protocol remains as a critical task. Many cluster-based routing protocols have been suggested with the goal of reducing overall energy consumption through data aggregation and balancing energy through cluster-head rotation. However, the majority of current protocols are concerned with load balancing within each cluster. In this paper we propose a clustered chain-based energy efficient routing algorithm called CCRA that can combine fuzzy c-means (FCM) and ant colony optimization (ACO) create and manage the data transmission in the network. Our analysis and results of simulations show a better energy management in the network.
Automated object detection of mechanical fasteners using faster region based convolutional neural networks
Authors: Karthikeyan M. , Subashini T. S.
Published: August 2021

Mechanical fasteners are widely used in manufacturing of hardware and mechanical components such as automobiles, turbine & power generation and industries. Object detection method play a vital role to make a smart system for the society. Internet of things (IoT) leads to automation based on sensors and actuators not enough to build the systems due to limitations of sensors. Computer vision is the one which makes IoT too much smarter using deep learning techniques. Object detection is used to detect, recognize and localize the object in an image or a real time video. In industry revolution, robot arm is used to fit the fasteners to the automobile components. This system will helps the robot to detect the object of fasteners such as screw and nails accordingly to fit to the vehicle moved in the assembly line. Faster R-CNN deep learning algorithm is used to train the custom dataset and object detection is used to detect the fasteners. Region based convolutional neural networks (Faster R-CNN) uses a region proposed network (RPN) network to train the model efficiently and also with the help of Region of Interest able to localize the screw and nails objects with a mean average precision of 0.72 percent leads to accuracy of 95 percent object detection
Finding the best tour for travelling salesman problem using artificial ecosystem optimization
Authors: Nguyen Quyen Thi , Bui Minh-Phung
Published: August 2021

This paper presents a new method based on the artificial ecosystem optimization (AEO) algorithm for finding the shortest tour of the travelling salesman problem (TSP). Wherein, AEO is a newly developed algorithm based on the idea of the energy flow of living organisms in the ecosystem consisting of production, consumption and decomposition mechanisms. In order to improve the efficiency of the AEO for the TSP problem, the 2-opt movement technique is equipped to enhance the quality of the solutions created by the AEO. The effectiveness of AEO for the TSP problem has been verified on four TSP instances consisting of the 14, 30, 48 and 52 cities. Based on the calculated results and the compared results with the previous methods, the proposed AEO method is one of the effective approaches for solving the TSP problem.
Recommendation system using the k-nearest neighbors and singular value decomposition algorithms
Authors: Hssina Badr , Grota Abdelkader , Erritali Mohammed
Published: August 2021

Nowadays, recommendation systems are used successfully to provide items (example: movies, music, books, news, images) tailored to user preferences. Amongst the approaches existing to recommend adequate content, we use the collaborative filtering approach of finding the information that satisfies the user by using the reviews of other users. These reviews are stored in matrices that their sizes increase exponentially to predict whether an item is relevant or not. The evaluation shows that these systems provide unsatisfactory recommendations because of what we call the cold start factor. Our objective is to apply a hybrid approach to improve the quality of our recommendation system. The benefit of this approach is the fact that it does not require a new algorithm for calculating the predictions. We are going to apply two algorithms: k-nearest neighbours (KNN) and the matrix factorization algorithm of collaborative filtering which are based on the method of (singular-value-decomposition). Our combined model has a very high precision and the experiments show that our method can achieve better results.
Detergent waste treatment through the modification of biofilter reactors
Authors: Suprijandani Suprijandani , Hadi Suryono , Narwati Narwati
Published: August 2021

The use of detergent in households is practiced by almost all people. These conditions make the quality of the environment, especially water bodies, more disturbed when the detergent waste disposal without prior processing. Hazard by detergent can interfere with human health such as digestive system disorders, skin irritation, and even one of the causes of cancer. The aimed of this research was to design a modified biofilter reactor to reduce levels of detergent and other organic substances in domestic wastewater. This research was a pre-experimental design research with designs used is pre-test, treatment, and post-test. The research media used were bioball because bioball has more space on its surface for bacterial growth that will form bacterial phylum, while activated carbon serves to increase efficiency in reducing levels of organic matter and to reduce the concentration of surfactants dissolved. The process is more effective if given a treatment with a process of coagulation, flocculation, and sedimentation. The results showed a decrease in detergent content from 14.56 mg/L to 0.86 mg/L (94.1%). These results indicate that the Bio Filter reactor was effective in reducing detergent levels to meet the detergent waste standard requirements based on East Java Governor Regulation No. 72/2013.
Magnesium deficiency associated with diabetic retinopathy in type 2 diabetes mellitus: A meta-analysis
Authors: Adiwinoto Ronald Pratama , Adiwinoto Robert Dwitama , Prajitno Jongky Hendro
Published: August 2021

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is the major cause of visual impairment in the working-age population with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Magnesium (Mg) is involved in various metabolic processes and in experimental animal studies; Mg has shown essential roles in physiological eye function. Magnesium deficiency is common in T2DM; therefore we analyzed the association between serum Mg status and the presence of DR in T2DM patients. Systematic literature searching in several databases, from 1988 to September 2020, was performed using search terms: “serum magnesium” or “hypomagnesemia” and “diabetic retinopathy” or “retinopathy”. A total of 3,227 patients from 17 studies were included in this meta-analysis. Hypomagnesemia was associated with increased risk of developing DR (OR 4.52 [2.08, 9.81], p=0.0001) in T2DM patients. Serum Mg levels also lower in patients with DR than those without DR (MD –0.30 mg/dL [–0.44, –0.15], p<0.0001). Additionally, serum Mg levels were lower in patients with proliferative DR (PDR) than those with non-proliferative DR (NPDR) (MD-0.21 mg/dL [–0.34, –0.09], p=0.0009). Leave-one-out sensitivity analysis did not change the overall effect. Hypomagnesemia or low serum Mg levels in T2DM patients increased the risk of developing DR.
Gestão em saúde: nova disciplina nos cursos de medicina
Authors: Slawka Eric , Novais Mário Emmanuel
Published: August 2021

Introdução: Para acompanhar as exigências da contemporaneidade, os programas pedagógicos, os quais contém as exigências curriculares, dos cursos de medicina deveriam ser revistos. Seria interessante que, além dos ensinamentos técnicos, a matriz curricular incluísse preceitos não técnicos, também, do ponto de vista da medicina, que permitam aos médicos melhor desempenho na profissão, conforme reforçado por Diretriz governamental21, e uma carreira médica que se estenda para além da medicina. Método: Realizou-se uma análise das disciplinas relacionadas à gestão ofertadas em dezoito (18) dentre os vinte (20) principais cursos de medicina do país, segundo o Ranking Universitário da Folha 2019, com o objetivo de observar a inserção de disciplinas que beneficiem a gestão de serviços de saúde. Resultados: Dos 18 objetos de análise, apenas oito (8) ofertavam matérias nessa área, totalizando vinte e oito (28) disciplinas, sendo sete (7) obrigatórias e vinte e uma (21) eletivas. Verificou-se, ainda, a falta de padronização de conteúdo naquelas que já ministram tais disciplinas, o que dificulta a criação de normas ou resoluções pelo Ministério da Educação (MEC) ou pelo Conselho Federal de Medicina (CFM) que incluam, de fato, esses conteúdos nas grades curriculares. Conclusão: O ensino de gestão e de empreendedorismo no país, então, não contempla a totalidade do território nacional e, quando presente, não consegue contemplar plenamente preceitos importantes à formação acadêmica do médico contemporâneo.
Efeito do treinamento de força e fisioterapia sobre parâmetros morfofuncionais e qualidade de vida de pacientes com dor lombar crônica inespecífica do Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS)
Authors: Silva Rafael Pereira da , Marcelo Henrique Izaias , Castoldi Robson Chacon , Zanuto Everton Alex Carvalho
Published: August 2021

Introdução: Nos últimos anos, a dor lombar é considerada uma das principais doenças crônicas não transmissíveis que acometem a sociedade. Objetivo: Analisar os efeitos do treinamento de força e fisioterapia nos aspectos morfofisiológicos e qualidade de vida dos pacientes atendidos pelo Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS) que apresentam dor lombar crônica inespecífica. Métodos: Participaram 15 pacientes de ambos em sexos com idade superior a 40 anos, atendidos pelo SUS. Os voluntários foram submetidos a entrevista e avaliação para identificação da dor lombar inespecífica como crônica, capacidade funcional, qualidade de vida, dor local, antropometria e mensuração da força. Posteriormente foram alocados nos grupos de treinamento de força (n=8) e fisioterapia (n=7). Resultado: Observou-se aumento de força na região da lombar (p=0,006) e membros inferiores (MMII) (p=0,018), diminuição da dor local (p=0,009), melhora da capacidade funcional (p=0,023), redução das limitações por aspectos físicos (p=0,036) e limitações por aspectos emocionais (p=0,015), em ambas modalidades. Discussão: Houve corroboração entre a faixa etária escolhida com a idade de maior acometimento, segundo a literatura. Com relação as intervenções, identificou-se diversos benefícios morfofuncionais, assemelhando-se aos estudos já publicados. Conclusão: Sendo assim, tanto o treinamento de força, quanto a fisioterapia convencional, proporcionaram melhora da dor lombar crônica em pacientes adultos atendidos pelo SUS, bem como aumento da qualidade de vida em alguns domínios da qualidade de vida e ganho de força nos MMII e lombar.
Comparação entre o Teste de Senso de Posição Articular (TSPA), Teste do Diapasão (TD), Exame do Monofilamento de Semmes-Weinstein (EMSW) e Instrumento de Rastreio de Neuropatia de Michigan (QMNSI) na sensibilidade do diagnóstico da polineuropatia diabética
Authors: Sebastianes Fernando Moreno , Zanoni Patrícia Helena , Feitosa Alina Coutinho Rodrigues , Nery Márcia , Parisi Maria Cândida
Published: August 2021

Objetivos: Comparar, em uma população com neuropatia diabética, a prevalência de alterações no teste da percepção da posição do hálux (teste do senso de posição articular - TSPA) com o teste do diapasão de 128 Hz (TD), exame do monofilamento de Semmes-Weinstein (EMSW) e os resultados do questionário elaborado para avaliação dos sintomas neuropáticos que faz parte do Instrumento de Rastreio de Neuropatia de Michigan (QMNSI). Casuística e métodos: Estudo retrospectivo de 35 pacientes ambulatoriais com polineuropatia diabética periférica confirmada por estudos de condução nervosa. Todos os pacientes foram submetidos à avaliaçao com TD, EMSW, QMNSI e TSPA. Neuropatia grave foi definida como polineuropatia periférica com ausência de resposta à estimulação elétrica por qualquer um dos nervos sensitivos ou motores. Resultados: A prevalência de anormalidade no TD (63%) e no QMNSI (69%) em pacientes com neuropatia diabética foi significativamente maior do que as alterações no TSPA (25,7%). A prevalência de anormalidade do TSPA e do TD foi maior em pacientes com anormalidades graves no estudo da condução nervosa. A avaliação simultânea com TD, EMSW e QMNSI foi a estratégia mais sensível para o diagnóstico de neuropatia diabética (sensibilidade, 89%). EMSW teve uma sensibilidade particularmente baixa (40%). As anormalidades do TSPA foram significativamente mais prevalentes nos pacientes com antecedente de ulcerações (p = 0,006). No entanto, a SPA não identificou um número maior de pacientes com ulcerações prévias quando comparado aos outros testes. Conclusões: O uso de apenas um teste clínico para triagem de neuropatia diabética, especialmente o TSPA e o EMSW, pode levar a uma sensibilidade consideravelmente menor quando comparado ao uso combinado de vários testes. Anormalidades do TSPA têm o potencial de indicar um quadro de neuropatia mais grave e com maior risco de ulcerações.
Deslocamento epifisário de úmero em recém-nascido por trauma intraparto: um relato de caso
Authors: Fernandes Bruna , Oliveira Dagna Karen de , Banovski Dyayne Carla , Dal’Negro Sadana Hillary , Duessmann Diana Loch , Futagami Renata Bragato , Futagami Paula Bragato , Erdmann Karin , Pereira Suelin
Published: August 2021

Introdução: A separação traumática intraparto da epífise distal do úmero é uma fratura extremamente rara. Essa lesão resulta de forças de cisalhamento rotacional empregadas ao úmero distal que resulta em fratura tipo I de Salter-Harris por rotação vigorosa do antebraço com o cotovelo fletido ou hiperextensão do cotovelo. Objetivo: Relatar um caso de fratura transfisária distal do úmero em recém-nascido do sexo masculino. Descrição do caso: Recém-nascido, masculino, gemelar, prematuro tardio, nascido de parto cirúrgico, em apresentação pélvica, diagnosticado no quinto dia de vida com deslocamento epifisário póstero-medial do úmero distal direito (Salter-Harris tipo I) e submetido a redução incruenta com fixação percutânea com fio de Kirschner. Conclusão: A fratura Salter-Harris tipo I em recém-nascido possui elevado potencial de remodelamento ósseo e rápida recuperação quando diagnosticada precocemente e manejada de forma adequada ainda que seja uma lesão rara, de difícil diagnóstico, de interpretação radiológica complexa e de sinais inespecíficos.
Long-Term Cardiovascular Disease Risk in Women After Hypertensive Disorders of Pregnancy: Recent Advances in Hypertension
Authors: Khosla Kavia , Heimberger Sarah , Nieman Kristin M. , Tung Avery , Shahul Sajid , Staff Anne Cathrine , Rana Sarosh
Published: August 2021

Patients with a history of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) suffer higher rates of long-term cardiovascular events including heart failure, coronary artery disease, and stroke. Cardiovascular changes during pregnancy can act as a natural stress test, subsequently unmasking latent cardiovascular disease in the form of HDP. Because HDP now affect 10% of pregnancies in the United States, the American Heart Association has called for physicians who provide peripartum care to promote early identification and cardiovascular risk reduction. In this review, we discuss the epidemiology, pathophysiology, and outcomes of HDP-associated cardiovascular disease. In addition, we propose a multi-pronged approach to support cardiovascular risk reduction for women with a history of HDP. Additional research is warranted to define appropriate blood pressure targets in the postpartum period, optimize the use of pregnancy history in risk stratification tools, and clarify the effectiveness of preventive interventions. The highest rates of HDP are in populations with poor access to resources and quality health care, making it a major risk for inequity of care. Interventions to decrease long-term cardiovascular disease risk in women following HDP must also target disparity reduction.
Low
THRB
(thyroid hormone receptor beta) Promoter Methylation Levels in Peripheral Blood Leukocytes Induced By Systematic Inflammation Are Involved in Low Thyroid Hormone Function in Metabolic Syndrome
Authors: Cui Bing , Xiao Xiao , Wang Jin’e , Wang Hongrui , Wu Cunjin , Yan Yupeng , Zheng Jun , Wang JingJun , Zong Yuru , Zhang Yu , Hui Rutai , Gerdes A. Martin , Wang Yibo
Published: August 2021

Abnormal thyroid hormone (TH) function has been observed in all components of metabolic syndrome (MetS), but the mechanisms remain unclear. Altered genomic methylation status is closely related to MetS. Our aim was to determine whether methylation regulation in TH function–related genes is involved in MetS. In a small strictly selected cohort, low TH function was observed in MetS group, as well as lower
THRB
promoter methylation levels in peripheral blood leukocytes in a genome-wide methylation screening by Illumina 450K beadchip. The results of beadchip assay were then confirmed by Sequenom MassARRAY. Low
THRB
promoter methylation levels and low TH function in MetS were confirmed in another big-size validation cohort. Lower methylation levels were associated with higher
THRB
expression in peripheral blood leukocytes, and altered
THRB
promoter methylation status influenced its promoter activity and expression. In the MetS rat models constructed by high fat and high fructose diet, lower TH function was also observed, as well as lower
Thrb
promoter methylation levels. Furthermore, systematic inflammation observed in MetS was found to induce decreased
THRB
promoter methylation levels as well as corresponding
THRB
expression. Additionally, oral treatment with a physiological T3 dose mitigated hypertension and insulin resistance and partially alleviated hepatic steatosis and adipocyte hypertrophy in MetS rats. Low methylation levels of
THRB
promoter in peripheral blood leukocytes induced by systematic inflammation were involved in low TH function in MetS, whereas low TH function deteriorates MetS. This might serve as a novel therapeutic target of MetS.
Diplomats, Activists, and the Hauntology of American Empire in Martial Law Taiwan
Authors: Sheridan Derek
Published: August 2021

Despite open US support for the Kuomintang (kmt) during the martial law period, opposition and pro-independence politics to this day have been haunted by the spectre of the American empire. Imaginings of US power and intentions, however, have often exceeded the actual institutional traces of US presence, both extending and subverting US power. In this article, I explore how imperial conditions during martial law were imagined through the relationships Taiwan dissidents had with two kinds of US expatriates: foreign service officers and civilian anti-kmt activists. While the former were formally bound to the principle of ‘non-interference’ despite local appeals, the latter justified ‘intervention’ as resistance against existing US support of the kmt. Based on a close reading of memoirs and historical surveys by former diplomats and activists, I examine how the micro-politics of the Cold War US presence contributed to spectres of American empire beyond the intentions of its putative planners.
Apoptosis-promoting properties of miR-3074-5p in MC3T3-E1 cells under iron overload conditions
Authors: Feng Yi , He Pei-Yan , Kong Wei-Dong , Cen Wan-Jing , Wang Peng-Lin , Liu Chang , Zhang Wu , Li Shu-Shu , Jiang Jian-Wei
Published: August 2021

Background

Iron overload can promote the development of osteoporosis by inducing apoptosis in osteoblasts. However, the mechanism by which miRNAs regulate apoptosis in osteoblasts under iron overload has not been elucidated.

Method

The miRNA expression profile in MC3T3-E1 cells under iron overload was detected by next generation sequencing. qRT-PCR was used to determine the expression of miR-3074-5p in MC3T3-E1 cells under iron overload. The proliferation of MC3T3-E1 cells was tested using CCK-8 assays, and apoptosis was measured using flow cytometry. The miRanda and TargetScan databases were used to predict the target genes of miR-3074-5p. Interaction between miR-3074-5p and the potential target gene was validated by qRT-PCR, luciferase reporter assay and western blotting.

Results

We found that iron overload decreased the cell viability and induced apoptosis of MC3T3-E1 cells. The results of next generation sequencing analysis showed that miR-3074-5p expression was significantly increased in MC3T3-E1 cells under iron overload conditions, which was confirmed by further experiments. The inhibition of miR-3074-5p attenuated the apoptosis of iron-overloaded MC3T3-E1 cells. Furthermore, the expression of Smad4 was decreased and was inversely correlated with miR-3074-5p expression, and overexpression of Smad4 partially reversed the viability inhibition of iron-overloaded MC3T3-E1 cells by relieving the suppression of ERK, AKT, and Stat3 phosphorylation, suggesting its regulatory role in the viability inhibition of iron-overloaded MC3T3-E1 cells. The luciferase reporter assay results showed that Smad4 was the target gene of miR-3074-5p.

Conclusion

miR-3074-5p functions as an apoptosis promoter in iron-overloaded MC3T3-E1 cells by directly targeting Smad4.
Utilizing inquiry-driven science outreach to curate Natural Trap Cave fossils and inspire the pursuit of STEM careers
Authors: Redman Cory M. , Tomiya Susumu , Bitterman Kathleen , Cain Kacia , Meachen Julie A.
Published: August 2021

Despite the rising emphasis on STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) education in the last two decades, the United States has seen little change in student performance, based on international assessments. Transforming science education from the more traditional, lecture-format classes to inquiry-driven exercises is central for improving student’s STEM literacy and competency at all grade levels. This paper describes an outreach program that was developed for upper-level U.S. high school students (10th–12th grade) and centers around hands-on, inquiry-driven exercises using the large-bodied (> 3 kg) mammalian fossils from Natural Trap Cave (NTC). The objectives of this program were for the students to develop an understanding of the morphological adaptations of the vertebrate skeleton, preservational biases in the fossil record, and to participate in each of the curatorial steps used for the long-term preservation of fossils. Students from Des Moines Public School Central Campus came to Des Moines University 2 hours a week for a semester, receiving high school and community college credit for participating. The NTC outreach program has been offered for 11 semesters since the fall of 2014. Thirty-four high school students have participated, consisting of 24 women and 10 men, with 19 of the students belonging to African American, Middle Eastern, Asian, and Hispanic ethnicities. The students helped to identify and curate 3,700 NTC fossil specimens. Several of the students presented posters on the work they did during this outreach program at the multiple district and state science fairs in Iowa and received accolades. Only the 2017–2019 students were surveyed, but all the students reported gaining a deeper understanding of the scientific process and the utility of paleontology. One student even reported changing their career goal from undecided to a STEM field. The framework developed for the NTC outreach program can be easily modified to fit the needs or structure of another research project, community partnership, science laboratory, or museum facility, with the target audience being students from middle school to undergraduate. This type of STEM outreach program can also help improve scientific literacy and generate much-needed excitement and interest in science, at a time when many students are exploring potential career paths.
Genome-wide survey of the phosphofructokinase family in cassava and functional characterization in response to oxygen-deficient stress
Authors: Wang Haiyan , Zhao Pingjuan , Shen Xu , Xia Zhiqiang , Zhou Xincheng , Chen Xin , Lu Cheng , WenquanWang
Published: August 2021

Background

Glycolytic pathway is common in all plant organs, especially in oxygen-deficient tissues. Phosphofructokinase (PFK) is a rate-limiting enzyme in the glycolytic pathway and catalyses the phosphorylation of fructose-6-phosphate to fructose-1,6-bisphosphate. Cassava (M. esculenta) root is a huge storage organ with low amount of oxygen. However, less is known about the functions of PFK fromM. esculenta(MePFK). We conducted a systematic analysis ofMePFKgenes to explore the function of theMePFKgene family under hypoxic stress.

Results

We identified 13MePFKgenes and characterised their sequence structure. The phylogenetic tree divided the 13 genes into two groups: nine wereMePFKs and four were pyrophosphate-fructose-6-phosphate phosphotransferase (MePFPs). We confirmed by green fluorescent protein fusion protein expression that MePFK03 and MePFPA1 were localised in the chloroplast and cytoplasm, respectively. The expression profiles of the 13MePFKs detected by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction revealed thatMePFK02,MePFK03,MePFPA1,MePFPB1displayed higher expression in leaves, root and flower. The expression ofMePFK03,MePFPA1andMePFPB1in tuber root increased gradually with plant growth. We confirmed that hypoxia occurred in the cassava root, and the concentration of oxygen was sharply decreasing from the outside to the inside root. The expression ofMePFK03,MePFPA1andMePFPB1decreased with the decrease in the oxygen concentration in cassava root. Waterlogging stress treatment showed that the transcript level of PPi-dependentMePFPandMeSuSywere up-regulated remarkably and PPi-dependent glycolysis bypass was promoted.

Conclusion

A systematic survey of phylogenetic relation, molecular characterisation, chromosomal and subcellular localisation and cis-element prediction of MePFKs were performed in cassava. The expression profiles of MePFKs in different development stages, organs and under waterlogging stress showed that MePFPA1 plays an important role during the growth and development of cassava. Combined with the transcriptional level ofMeSuSy, we found that pyrophosphate (PPi)-dependent glycolysis bypass was promoted when cassava was under waterlogging stress. The results would provide insights for further studying the function of MePFKs under hypoxic stress.
Differences in lipid homeostasis and membrane lipid unsaturation confer differential tolerance to low temperatures in two Cycas species
Authors: Zheng Yanling , Yang Yongqiong , Wang Meng , Hu Shijun , Wu Jianrong , Yu Zhixiang
Published: August 2021

Background

C. panzhihuaensis is more tolerant to freezing than C. bifida but the mechanisms underlying the different freezing tolerance are unclear. Photosynthesis is one of the most temperature-sensitive processes. Lipids play important roles in membrane structure, signal transduction and energy storage, which are closely related to the stress responses of plants. In this study, the chlorophyll fluorescence parameters and lipid profiles of the two species were characterized to explore the changes in photosynthetic activity and lipid metabolism following low-temperature exposure and subsequent recovery.

Results

Photosynthetic activity significantly decreased in C. bifida with the decrease of temperatures and reached zero after recovery. Photosynthetic activity, however, was little affected in C. panzhihuaensis. The lipid composition of C. bifida was more affected by cold and freezing treatments than C. panzhihuaensis. Compared with the control, the proportions of all the lipid categories recovered to the original level in C. panzhihuaensis, but the proportions of most lipid categories changed significantly in C. bifida after 3 d of recovery. In particular, the glycerophospholipids and prenol lipids degraded severely during the recovery period of C. bifida. Changes in acyl chain length and double bond index (DBI) occurred in more lipid classes immediately after low-temperature exposure in C. panzhihuaensis compare with those in C. bifida. DBI of the total main membrane lipids of C. panzhihuaensis was significantly higher than that of C. bifida following all temperature treatments.

Conclusions

The results of chlorophyll fluorescence parameters confirmed that the freezing tolerance of C. panzhihuaensis was greater than that of C. bifida. The lipid metabolism of the two species had differential responses to low temperatures. The homeostasis and plastic adjustment of lipid metabolism and the higher level of DBI of the main membrane lipids may contribute to the greater tolerance of C. panzhihuaensis to low temperatures.
Perioperative temperature management: a survey of 6 Asia–Pacific countries
Authors: Koh Wenjun , Chakravarthy Murali , Simon Edgard , Rasiah Raveenthiran , Charuluxananan Somrat , Kim Tae-Yop , Chew Sophia T. H. , Bräuer Anselm , Ti Lian Kah
Published: August 2021

Background

Anesthesia leads to impairments in central and peripheral thermoregulatory responses. Inadvertent perioperative hypothermia is hence a common perioperative complication, and is associated with coagulopathy, increased surgical site infection, delayed drug metabolism, prolonged recovery, and shivering. However, surveys across the world have shown poor compliance to perioperative temperature management guidelines. Therefore, we evaluated the prevalent practices and attitudes to perioperative temperature management in the Asia–Pacific region, and determined the individual and institutional factors that lead to noncompliance.

Methods

A 40-question anonymous online questionnaire was distributed to anesthesiologists and anesthesia trainees in six countries in the Asia–Pacific (Singapore, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand, India and South Korea). Participants were polled about their current practices in patient warming and temperature measurement across the preoperative, intraoperative and postoperative periods. Questions were also asked regarding various individual and environmental barriers to compliance.

Results

In total, 1154 valid survey responses were obtained and analyzed. 279 (24.2%) of respondents prewarm, 508 (44.0%) perform intraoperative active warming, and 486 (42.1%) perform postoperative active warming in the majority of patients. Additionally, 531 (46.0%) measure temperature preoperatively, 767 (67.5%) measure temperature intraoperatively during general anesthesia, and 953 (82.6%) measure temperature postoperatively in the majority of patients. The availability of active warming devices in the operating room (p < 0.001, OR 10.040), absence of financial restriction (p < 0.001, OR 2.817), presence of hospital training courses (p = 0.011, OR 1.428), and presence of a hospital SOP (p < 0.001, OR 1.926) were significantly associated with compliance to intraoperative active warming.

Conclusions

Compliance to international perioperative temperature management guidelines in Asia–Pacific remains poor, especially in small hospitals. Barriers to compliance were limited temperature management equipment, lack of locally-relevant standard operating procedures and training. This may inform international guideline committees on the needs of developing countries, or spur local anesthesiology societies to publish their own national guidelines.
Protective effects of dexmedetomidine on cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury via the microRNA-214/ROCK1/NF-κB axis
Authors: Liu Wenyi , Shao Cuihua , Zang Chuanshan , Sun Jian , Xu Min , Wang Yuna
Published: August 2021

Background

Cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury (CIRI) is a complication of surgical procedure associated with high mortality. The protective effect of dexmedetomidine (DEX) on CIRI has been explored in previous works, yet the underlying molecular mechanism remains unclear. Our study explored the protective effect of DEX and its regulatory mechanism on CIRI.

Methods

A CIRI rat model was established using middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). Neurological deficit scores for rats received MCAO modeling or DEX treatment were measured. Cerebral infarction area of rats was detected by TTC staining, while damage of neurons in hippocampal regions of rats was determined by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining. Apoptosis rate of neurons in hippocampal regions was examined by TUNEL staining. The dual-luciferase assay was performed to detect the binding of microRNA-214 (miR-214) to Rho-associated kinase 1 (ROCK1).

Results

DEX treatment significantly reduced infarction area of MCAO rats and elevated miR-214 expression. Injection of miR-214 inhibitor attenuated the effect of DEX in MCAO rats by increasing the area of cerebral infarction in rats and apoptosis rate of hippocampal neurons. ROCK1 was targeted and negatively regulated by miR-214. The overexpression of ROCK1 led to activation of NF-κB to aggravate CIRI.

Conclusion

Therapeutic effects of DEX on CIRI was elicited by overexpressing miR-214 and impairing ROCK1 expression and NF-κB activation. Our finding might provide novel insights into the molecular mechanism of DEX in rats with CIRI.
Identification of novel biomarkers in Hunner’s interstitial cystitis using the CIBERSORT, an algorithm based on machine learning
Authors: Lu Kaining , Wei Shan , Wang Zhengyi , Wu Kerong , Jiang Junhui , Yan Zejun , Cheng Yue
Published: August 2021

Background

 Hunner’s interstitial cystitis (HIC) is a complex disorder characterized by pelvic pain, disrupted urine storage, and Hunner lesions seen on cystoscopy. There are few effective diagnostic biomarkers. In the present study, we used the novel machine learning tool CIBERSORT to measure immune cell subset infiltration and potential novel diagnostic biomarkers for HIC.

Methods

The GSE11783 and GSE57560 datasets were downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus for analysis. Ten HIC and six healthy samples from GSE11783 were analyzed using the CIBERSORT algorithm. Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) was performed to identify biological processes that occur during HIC pathogenesis. Finally, expression levels of 11 T cell follicular helper cell (Tfh) markers were compared between three healthy individuals and four patients from GSE57560.

Results

Six types of immune cells in HIC from GSE11783 showed significant differences, including resting mast cells, CD4+ memory-activated T cells (CD3+ CD4+ HLA-DR+ cells), M0 and M2 macrophages, Tfh cells, and activated natural killer cells. Except for plasma cells, there were no significant differences between Hunner’s lesion and non-Hunner’s lesion areas in HIC. The GSEA revealed significantly altered biological processes, including antigen–antibody reactions, autoimmune diseases, and infections of viruses, bacteria, and parasites. There were 11 Tfh cell markers with elevated expression in patients from GSE57560.

Conclusion

This was the first demonstration of Tfh cells and CD3+ CD4+ HLA-DR+ cells with elevated expression in HIC. These cells might serve as novel diagnostic biomarkers.