bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Genetic Diversity Studies in Drought Tolerant Rice (Oryza sativa L.) Genotypes
Authors: Sheeba A. , Mohan S.
Published: November 2021

Background: Assessing the genetic diversity and relationship among breeding materials isan invaluable aid for any crop improvement programme. Principal component analysis (PCA) is a multivariate statistical technique attempt to simplify and analyze the inter relationship among a large set of variables in term of a relatively a small set of variables or components without losing any essential information of original data set. Methods: The present investigation was carried out to study the genetic diversity and relationship among the sixty five rice genotypes including popular rice varieties of Tamil Nadu, drought tolerant rice varieties, aerobic rice genotypes and land races. These genotypes were raised at Rice Research Station, Tiruvallur, during kharif, 2015 in randomized block design with three replications under aerobic condition. Data on eight yield and yield attributing traits were recorded and subjected to principal component analysis and association analysis. Result: In principal component analysis, PC1accounted for 22.91% and PC2 accounted for 19.53% of the total variation. The traits panicle length, no. of grains per panicle, plant height, days to 50% flowering, no of productive tillers per plant from the first two principal components accounted for major contribution to the total variability. Cluster analysis grouped the genotypes into six discrete clusters. The association analysis revealed that the traits viz., no. of productive tillers/plant, panicle length and hundred seed weight had positive association with higher direct effect on plot yield which could be used as selection criteria for developing high yielding rice varieties. The results of the present study have revealed the high level of genetic variation existing in the genotypes studied and explains the traits contributing for this diversity.
​Body Size Traits and Association with the Genetic Polymorphism of Melatonin Receptor 1A (MTNR1A) Gene in Shuxuan Cattle
Authors: Wang Wei , Jia Xian-bo , Gan Jia , Fang Dong-hui , Shi Yi , He Fang , Yi Jun
Published: November 2021

Background: Shuxuan cattle is one newly cultivated dual-purpose breed in Sichuan province, China, by crossing the indigenous Xuanhan cattle with external breeds. Body sizes have been widely regarded as the important breed characteristics in cattle. The current study was aimed to evaluate the body sizes and its molecular inherite marker for futhure herd improvement. Methods: In the present study, we first investigated a total of 11 body size traits and their overall distribution and pairwise relationships of 169 healthy Shuxuan cattle. Subsequently, the SNP c.A455G of melatonin receptor 1A (MTNR1A) gene were genotyped among 169 Shuxuan cattle and subjected to association analysis with body size traits. Result: We revealed that adult females have the mean withers height of 113.5 cm, body length of 131.8 cm, chest girth of 157.5 cm and hip height of 104.8 cm, respectively. Among all these traits, the highest correlation was observed in withers height and hip height with spearman’s coefficient of 0.85. We found that Shuxuan cattle had an average heterozygosity of 0.5008 and polymorphism information content of 0.3747. Accordingly to the very stringent criterion of Bonferroni multiple adjustments, only chest width was associated with different genotypes of this candidate SNP (P less than 0.05). The results provide an overall profile of the morphological and growth characteristics in Shuxuan cattle.
PEMBERDAYAAN PETERNAK SAPI POTONG MENUJU KEMANDIRIAN
Authors: Wulandari Lany Sonia , Subekti Sri
Published: November 2021

Empowerment is needed to support the selfreliance and progress of beef cattle farmers so that beef cattle farmers can develop. The selfreliance of beef cattle farmers through livestock gapoktan has a role to help the progress of farmers in the form of feed concentrates and modern technologies such as life scales and feed making machines in developing their businesses. This study aims to determine the empowerment of beef cattle farmers through livestock gapoktan in Karanganyar Village, Tegalampel District, Bondowoso Regency. Location selection was determined purposively (purposive method), with the reason that there was an advanced and largest livestock gapoktan in Bondowoso District. The research conducted is qualitative research with data analysis using the method of Miles and Huberman analysis and the determination of informants using purposive sampling. The results showed that the empowerment of farmers can be seen from three things, namely voice, choice (rational choice), which is able to increase selfreliance. Voice is the voice of beef cattle breeders who are able and courageous to convey the aspirations of farmers to progress, the need for raising livestock, giving ideas or ideas, conveying interests and demands in performance in livestock gapoktan. In a rational choice, farmers are brave enough to choose rationally in raising cattle and join with livestock gapoktan based on their goals and values ​​and take action so that the goals can be achieved. The ability of beef cattle farmers to deliver their voices and make rational choices is a process of increasing selfreliance. The selfreliance of cattle breeders can be seen as the ability of farmers to fulfill their daily needs, collaborate and think sustainably.

 

Keywords: empowerment, voice, choice, selfrelience
DAMPAK PENGGUNAAN KERAMBA JARING APUNG PADA PEMBUDIDAYA IKAN KERAPU BERDASARKAN PERSPEKTIF SOSIAL EKONOMI
Authors: Widjayanthi Lenny , Widayanti Yeni Anggun
Published: November 2021

Grouper fish is a type of reef fish that is exported as a commodity to various countries such as Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore and China. Grouper fish can be cultivated using floating net cages and have a high selling price (high profit) but also have a high risk (high risk), thus affecting the market and the number of grouper aquaculture. The purpose of this research is to determine the socioeconomic impact of the use of floating net on grouper farmers. The determination of the research area was carried out deliberately in Situbondo Regency. The study was conducted with a qualitative approach. Data collection is done by observation and depth interview. The informants of the research were determined intentionally, namely grouper fish farmers who do aquaculture with floating net cages. The data analysis method uses Milles and Huberman. The results showed that the use of floating nets for grouper culture had social and economic impacts. The social impact on grouper farmers is the formation of grouper farmers, thus creating a social network in the form of interaction between farmers; construction of supporting facilities for the development of aquaculture businesses but also raises social prejudices between farmers because of frequent theft of fish in floating nets. While the economic impact is based on increasing grouper production which has a direct impact on the income of grouper farmers.

Keywords : Floating net, grouper fish farmers, socio-economic impacts
HUBUNGAN MOTIVASI DAN PRODUKTIVITAS KERJA BURUH SADAP KARET KEBUN BANJARSARI PTPN XII DI KECAMATAN BANGSALSARI KABUPATEN JEMBER
Authors: Rofii Ahmad , Hani Evita Soliha
Published: November 2021

Rubber tapping workers are piece workers in which these workers receive wages based on the volume of work or units of work. One of the plantation companies managed by BUMN is PTPN XII. One of the gardens that was the highest revenue contributor for the company was the PTPN XII Banjarsari Garden in Bangsalsari District, Jember Regency. The problem that often arises in piece workers such as rubber tapping workers is the problem of wages. The productivity of the rubber tapping workers affects the wages earned by the rubber tapping workers. Research at the Banjarsari Plantation of PTPN XII, aims to determine: (1) The work motivation of PTPN XII's Banjarsari rubber tapping laborers, (2) The work productivity of PTPN XII's Banjarsari rubber tapping workers in, (3) The relationship between work motivation and work productivity of rubber tapping laborers in the Banjarsari Plantation of PTPN XII. The results of the analysis show that: (1) The level of work motivation of rubber tapping workers at Banjarsari Plantation PTPN XII is high, (2) The productivity level of rubber tapping workers at Banjarsari Plantation PTPN XII is high, (3) There is a significant and unidirectional relationship between motivation. and labor productivity of rubber tapping at PTPN XII's Banjarsari Plantation.

Keywords: Rubber Tapping, Motivation, Productivity, Relationship between work motivation and work productivity
Toxic Effect of Robusta Coffee Extract (Coffea canephora) on Bali Cattle Spermatozoa After Equilibration
Authors: Fiqih Adam Fahmi , Soeharsono Soeharsono , Yunita Maya Nurwartanti , Dhamayanti Yeni , Yudhana Aditya
Published: November 2021

The aim of this study was examine the effect of robusta coffee in bali cattle semen. A total of six cattles cement were given four treatments each P0 without adding Robusta coffee extract, P1 was given an additional 5%, P2 10%, and P3 15%. The results are observed by assessing motility, viability, and abnormalities. The data obtained were analyzed by Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and continued with the duncan. Based on the analysis of variance in obtaining the results of the study, it was shown motility of P0 was significantly different from P1, P2, and P3 (p<0.05). Viability of P0 (control) different significantly from P1 , P2, and P3 (p<0.05). P3 motility different significantly from P0, P1, and P2 (p<0.05). Addition of robusta coffee extract of 10% and 15% decreased spermatozoa quality.
Suppementation of Kelor Leaf (Moringa oleifera) Aqueous Extract Increase on Post-Thawed Limousin Bull Sperm Quality
Authors: Wajdi Syuhuud Arumbinang , Utomo Budi , Rimayanti Rimayanti , Safitri Erma , Suprayogi Tri Wahyu , Wurlina Wurlina
Published: November 2021

The purpose of this research was to determine the best dosage of Moringa oleifera Aqueous extract in egg yolk skim milk extender for post thawed Limousin Bull sperm quality on aspect viability, and the level of. The treatment was divided into five groups: egg yolk and skim milk diluter (P0), 2,5% M. oleifera aqueous ekstract in 4 ml egg yolk skim milk (P1), 5% M. oleifera aqueous ekstract in 4 ml egg yolk skim milk (P2), 10% M. oleifera aqueous ekstract in 4 ml egg yolk skim milk (P3), 20% M. oleifera aqueous ekstract in 4 ml egg yolk skim milk (P4). The sperm quality was observed post thawing. The data were analyzed using ANOVA and Duncant Test. The best sperm motility showed on P2 with 43b ± 5,70, the best sperm viability showed on P3 with 58,20b ± 8,72 and than the lowest level of malondialdehyde showed on P4 with 5,434a ± 1,034. In conclusion addition of M. oleifera on dose 10% can increase quality of Limousin Sperm Post Thawed.
Sarcoptes sp. Infection in Turtledoves (Geopelia striata) at Banyuwangi
Authors: Rahmadani Rahmadani , Kusnoto Kusnoto , Yudhana Aditya
Published: November 2021

This study aimed to explain the case of ectoparasite infection and the life cycle of parasites in turtledoves (Geopelia striata). Sarcoptes sp. one of the ectoparasites belonging to the phylum Arthropods, the Arachnid class, and the order Acarina.Sarcoptes sp. can infect the skin of the host through direct contact with infected animals and the environment. Sarcoptes sp. infects by forming a lump under the skin and severe infection causes a crust to form on the skin and is accompanied by itching. Physical examination was carried out by means of inspection of the infected skin area. Subsequent examinations were carried out on the dead skin cells mixed with fresh manure macroscopically and microscopically. Macroscopic examination was done by observing the condition of the skin that is discraped. Microscopic examination using native examination. Based on the negative examination, it was found that there were Sarcoptes sp. mites on an objective microscope with a 40x magnification. Geopelia striata can be infected with Sarcoptes sp. through direct contact with sick animals. The incubation period of Sarcoptes sp. after infection from infected animals was 3-6 weeks.
Awareness and Readiness of COVID-19 among Bangladeshi Residents: A Rapid Rise Period Study
Authors: Saha Mili , Saha Goutam
Published: November 2021

This article explores the knowledge about preventions, perceptions of infections, and the responsive actions to the Covid-19 situation of the young age groups residing in Bangladesh. Quantitative data were collected online using an MCQ questionnaire from around 932 participants. Results show the population is generally aware of the symptoms, keeping social distance by staying home and are concerned about re-spreading after the lock-down period. However, they are quite unsure about the possible medicines frequently talked about in the media and the necessity of avoiding animal protein.
The Informational Physical Model and Fundamental Problems in Physics
Authors: Shevchenko Sergey , Tokarevsky Vladimir
Published: November 2021

This article is the review of results that were obtained at 2007-2021 years development of “The Information as Absolute” concept and the informational physical model, which is based on the concept; including a number of fundamental physical problems are briefly considered in framework of the conception and the model. Recently in physics there are several publications, that present lists of the problems. However, those lists are essentially incomplete, for at least two reasons. Firsts of all, a number of phenomena are studied traditionally by philosophy, and so corresponding problems are usually considered to be “metaphysical”. However, they relate also to some concrete physical phenomena. For example, physics evidently studies Matter, and so the metaphysical problems “what is ontology of Matter”, “what is “Space”, “Time” and a few other physical phenomena and notions as well, are really a Meta-physical problem “what does physics study?” There are other fundamental physical problems, which are not considered as such in physics, and are absent in the “fundamental problems lists”. Those include the problems, which really exist, yet are incorporated into standard physical theories, and so are fundamental “implicitly”, which in physics are “solved by default”. Note, though, that a number of “Meta-physical”, and concrete fundamental, problems in detail are considered in the paper “The Informational Conception and Basic Physics”, arXiv:0707.4657, v5 (2021), so in this paper some selected common physical problems are considered, and, besides, the problems “What is Life” and “Cosmology”.
Generic Framework for the Optimal Implementation of Flexibility Mechanisms in Large-Scale Smart Grids
Authors: del Real Alejandro J. , Pastor Andrés , Durán Jaime
Published: November 2021

This paper aims to provide the smart grid research community with an open and accessible general mathematical framework to develop and implement optimal flexibility mechanisms in large-scale network applications. The motivation of this paper is twofold. On the one hand, flexibility mechanisms are currently a hot topic of research, which is aimed to mitigate variation and uncertainty of electricity demand and supply in decentralised grids with a high aggregated share of renewables. On the other hand, a large part of such related research is performed by heuristic methods, which are generally inefficient (such methods do not guarantee optimality) and difficult to extrapolate for different use cases. Alternatively, this paper presents an MPC-based (Model Predictive Control) framework explicitly including a generic flexibility mechanism which is easy to particularise to specific strategies such as Demand Response, Flexible Production and Energy Efficiency Services. The proposed framework is benchmarked with other non-optimal control configurations to better show the advantages it provides. The work of this paper is completed by the implementation of a generic use case which aims to further clarify the use of the framework and thus, to ease its adoption by other researchers in their specific flexibility mechanisms applications.
Discent perspectives on the teaching and learning process in a technology course in legal services in distance education modality
Authors: Vieira Priscila Santana , Mazzafera Bernadete Lema
Published: November 2021

The general objective of the study was to describe and analyze students' perspectives on the teaching and learning process in a technology course in legal services in distance education. The study also aimed to identify the profile of the student in the Legal Services course; describe the mastery of digital information and communication technologies by the students of the course; describe the teaching and learning process in the analyzed course; and to analyze the learning difficulties described by the students. Descriptive research with a quantitative and qualitative approach to data analysis was carried out with students from the second, third and fourth semesters of the technology course in Legal Services at a distance from a private university center in northern Paraná. The results obtained indicate that the greatest difficulties that students encounter in this context are of a personal nature. Within this category, academic difficulties predominate, followed by socioeconomic and structural difficulties that obtained the same percentage and difficulties in motivation. Despite indicating that the greatest learning difficulty is of a personal nature, when asked what could make them learn better, the majority indicated changes in instructional design.
Penentuan Episentrum dan Hiposentrum Gempa Bumi Menggunakan Metode Grid Search di Antelope Valley, California
Authors: Wibisono Ambrosius Hernawan , Ahadi Restu Wildanu , Al Ghifari Sultan , Dani Ilham , Rasimeng Syamsurijal
Published: November 2021

Penentuan titik episenter (titik gempa terekam di permukaan bumi) dan hiposenter (titik gempa terekam di bawah permukaan bumi) dapat dilakukan dengan perhitungan numerik. Penelitian ini menentukan titik episenter dan titik hiposenter gempa yang terjadi di Antelope Valley, California, Amerika Serikat tahun 2021 dengan kekuatan sebesar magnitudo 6.0 pada geografis lintang 38.507o LU dan bujur 119.499o BB. Gempa terekam di tiga stasiun terdekat, yaitu stasiun NV31, PASC, dan CMB. Perkiraan titik gempa berada di tengah-tengah ketiga stasiun tersebut, sehingga data perekaman gempa pada ketiga stasiun tersebut sangat penting karena dianggap paling akurat. Penelitian ini menggunakan metode Grid Search dengan plotting 2D dan 3D. Pengolahan data menggunakan Google Colaboratory, dan SeisGram2K v7. Data perhitungan merujuk informasi resmi dari situs USGS (United States Geological Survey). Berdasarkan perhitungan, diperoleh hasil plotting 2D bahwa titik episenter pada lintang 39.255⁰ LU dan bujur 119.833⁰ BB. Hasil plotting 3D menunjukkan titik hiposenter pada lintang 38.627⁰ LU, bujur 119.788⁰ BB, dengan kedalaman 18 Km.
Teaching Individuals with Down Syndrome and Moderate or Severe Intellectual Disability with The Aim of Their Acquiring, Retaining and Recalling Knowledge: An Intervention Programme for Discovering and Understanding The Environment
Authors: Lappa Christina S , Mantzikos Constantinos N
Published: November 2021

Three adults with Down syndrome (DS, hereafter) and moderate or severe intellectual disability were taught the growth stages of wheat (cultivation, tillage, threshing), the products that are derived from it and how this staple human food grain is produced, with the aim of their acquiring knowledge, retaining it and being able to recall it from memory. A quasi-experimental baseline design was implemented. The participants were taught using questions and images, and their answers were examined and re-examined after withdrawing the initial training tools (questions and images) in order to show whether they were able to acquire, retain and recall the knowledge. The intervention programme lasted two months. In order to check the effectiveness of the intervention and the maintenance of the new information, as well as to draw the respective conclusions, evaluations were carried out before the intervention, immediately after it and two weeks after its completion. The results showed that the three participants acquired knowledge about the growth stages of wheat, its products and this staple human food, they retained that knowledge and were able to recall and narrate it in two subsequent probes conducted one and two weeks after the initial probe without the help of questions and images. The results of this intervention show that individuals with DS and moderate or severe intellectual disability can be educated and acquire knowledge, as well as retain and recall it. An additional important finding is that repeated recalling of knowledge promotes long-term retention. 
Acute Visual Loss in Young Boy
Authors:   Pediatric Medicine Department, King Fahad Armed Forces Hospital, KSA., Saeed Muhammad , Mohiuddin Memona ,   Pediatric Medicine Department, King Fahad Armed Forces Hospital, KSA., Al-Sumaili Mohammad Hassan ,   Pediatric Medicine Department, King Fahad Armed Forces Hospital, KSA.
Published: November 2021

Abstract: Objective: Multiple sclerosis is immune mediated disorder of central nervous system (CNS). Diagnosis of multiple sclerosis is based on clinical findings and investigations, like MRI of CNS. Herein, we presents a 13-year old boy who presented with sudden loss of vision in both eyes for two days duration. The concurrent phenomenon of optic neuritis and multiple sclerosis is less common in children and rarely reported. Keywords: Multiple sclerosis (MS), Optic neuritis (ON), Child, Steroids, Visual loss, Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) brain, Fundoscopy.
Interim-Guidelines for COVID-19 Vaccination in Hematological Malignancies and Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant Recipients
Authors:   Department of Clinical Hematology, Armed Forces Bone Marrow Transplant Centre, Rawalpindi, Punjab, Pakistan., Iftikhar Raheel , Zaidi Uzma ,   Department of Clinical Hematology, National Institute of Blood Disease & Bone Marrow Transplantation, Karachi, Pakistan.
Published: November 2021

Abstract: Objective: Hematologic malignancies such as Acute Leukemias, Myelodysplastic Syndromes (MDS), Myeloproliferative Neoplasms (MPNs), Lymphomas and Multiple Myeloma (MM) can be treated with chemotherapy, Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant (HSCT) or Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-cell (CAR-T) therapies with either a curative intent or to prolong survival. The hematologic malignancy itself or the anti-cancer therapies can result in long-term immunodeficiency; COVID-19 infection in this population is associated with a significantly higher risk of hospitalization and death [1]. Given lack of available data on COVID-19 vaccination from Pakistan, this guidance is based on the review of safety and efficacy of FDA and CDC approved vaccines for the prevention of COVID-19 disease and recommendations of European Society for Blood and Marrow Transplant (EBMT), American Society for Transplantation and Cellular Therapies (ASTCT) and British Society of Hematology (BSH) for the use of COVID vaccination in HSCT recipients and those with hematological malignancies. The American Society of Hematology (ASH), EBMT, ASTCT and BSH recommends the desired access to vaccines for this highly susceptible group along with care takers, family members, and domestic& everyday contacts when vaccine supply is available. Keywords: COVID-19 vaccination, Hematological malignancies, Hematopoietic stem cell transplant, mRNA vaccine, Acute leukemia, Chemotherapy.
Effect of Electronic Health Records on Patient Satisfaction and Waiting Time at Selected Hospitals, in Addis Ababa
Authors: Kitesa Garoma , Mamo Ephrem , Teshome Ayele , Binu Wakgari , Abi Habtimer , Abdisa Fekadu
Published: November 2021

Background: Electronic health records provide a great potential for improving the delivery of health services and decision-making abilities for all hospital stakeholders and for prudent management of health care resources.The main objective was to assess the effect of EHR on patient satisfaction and waiting time at Selected Hospitals, Addis Ababa.Methods: An institutional-based comparative cross-sectional study was conducted. The sample size was calculated using a double population-proportion formula, which comprised 184. Statement to confirm that all methods were carried out in accordance with relevant guidelines and regulations. After receiving ethical clearance from the Institutional Ethics Review Board and the Addis Ababa Health Bureau IRB, formal letters were written to Yekatit12 Hospital and Menelik II Referral Hospital.Written consent was taken for participants. Epidata V3.1 and SPSS software V25 were used for data entry and analysis respectively. Both bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to assess the presence and degree of association between dependent and independent variables. Statistically significant variables were declared using an adjusted odds ratio with a 95% confidence interval.Result: The mean waiting time at Yekatit 12 HMC was 60.2 ± 48.2 minutes and 82 ± 56.8 minutes at Menelik. Similarly, 74 (83.1%) at Yekatit 12 HMC and 31.8% at Menelik II Referral Hospital were satisfied with the service. Eye contact, clear communication, accessibility of the service, explanations of the medical procedures, involving patients in clinical decisions regarding their health care, and active listening to their opinions and questions had statistical significance.Conclusion: Though patient satisfaction is not limited to those variables, overall client satisfaction and waiting time at Yekatit 12 Hospital Medical College were higher than those at Menelik II Referral Hospital, that could be attributable to the installation of EHR. As a result, the federal MOH and the respective RHBs should implement EHR in all health-care facilities.
Reduction of Perioperative Blood Loss and Operating Time for Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair by Intravenous Administration of Tranexamic Acid
Authors: Kawaguchi Shinji , Fukuta Shoji , Kano Masashi , Sairyo Koichi
Published: November 2021

(Background) Tranexamic acid (TXA) is widely used in hip and knee arthroplasty to reduce perioperative bleeding. Recently, its use has been expanded to arthroscopic surgery. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of preoperative use of TXA in arthroscopic rotator cuff repair (RCR).(Methods) A cohort comprising 129 consecutive patients who underwent arthroscopic primary RCR at our institution was retrospectively investigated according to whether they received TXA (April 2018 to December 2020, TXA group, n=64) or did not receive TXA (April 2016 to March 2018, non-TXA group, n=65). TXA was administered at a dose of 1 g intravenously. Rotator cuff tears were repaired by the suture bridge technique. Videos of the arthroscopic procedures were reviewed and rated for visual clarity using a 10-point numeric rating scale. Arthroscopic procedures were divided into glenohumeral, resection of bursal tissue and acromioplasty, and RCR steps. Each step was rated separately. Age, sex, body mass index, hemoglobin level before and on days 1 and 7 after surgery, operating time, mean arterial pressure, tear size, and number of anchors used for cuff repair were compared between the two groups. (Results) There were no statistically significant differences in the patient demographic data. The operating time was significantly shorter in the TXA group than in non-TXA group (97.8 ± 21.8 min vs 116.2 ± 26.0 min). The clarity of the visual field was similar between the two groups during the glenohumeral phase but was significantly higher in the TXA group during the resection of bursal tissue and acromioplasty and RCR phases. Hemoglobin level was not significantly different between the groups on postoperative day 1 but was significantly higher in the TXA group on day 7.(Conclusion) Administration of a single intravenous dose of TXA improved visual clarity in arthroscopic RCR, decreased the total operating time, and reduced hemoglobin loss on postoperative day 7.
Construction of a Novel Prognostic Immune-Related LncRNA Risk Model for Gastric Cancer
Authors: Yang Gen-hua
Published: November 2021

Background and AimStudies have recently shown that immune-related lncRNAs play a vital role in the occurrence and development of human malignancies. However, the study in gastric cancer (GC) remains unclear. Here, we aimed to identify immune-related lncRNAs and construct a risk score model to predict the prognosis of GC patients.Methods:RNA expression data and clinical characteristics of GC were download from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. Immune genes were obtained from the Molecular Signatures Database (MSigDB). Immune-related lncRNAs were acquired by correlation coefficient between the immune genes and lncRNAs using “limma R” package and Cytoscape 3.6.1. The risk score model was constructed by univariate and multivariate Cox regression, and its prognostic value was verified in TCGA cohort. Results:A total of 146 immune-related lncRNAs were obtained compared 375 GC samples with 32 normal samples. A five immune-related lncRNA (AP001528.2, LINC02542, LINC02526, PVT1 and LINC01094) risk score model was constructed to predict prognosis of GC patients by Cox regression analysis. Moreover, GC patients with higher risk score had a poorer overall survival than that with lower risk score (P<0.001). Furthermore, ROC analysis revealed that the risk score model had the best predictive effect compared with clinicopathological features during 5 years followed-up (AUC = 0.679). Indeed, PCA analysis showed that the patients in the low- and high- group were significantly distinguished in different directions based on the risk score model. Conclusion:This study indicated that a five immune-related lncRNA risk score model possessed a satisfactory predictive prognosis, which might be potential prognostic biomarkers and immunotherapy targets for GC patients in future.
Oral Susceptibility to Ivermectin is Over Fifty Times Greater in a Wild Population of Anopheles Albimanus Mosquitoes from Belize than the STECLA Laboratory Reference Strain of A. Albimanus
Authors: Dreyer Staci M. , Morin Kelsey J. , Magaña Marla , Pott Marie , Leiva Donovan , Achee Nicole L. , Grieco John P. , Vaughan Jefferson A.
Published: November 2021

Background: The STECLA strain of Anopheles albimanus Wiedemann has been in continuous colony for many years and is the reference strain on which genomic studies for the species are based. Recently, the STECLA strain was demonstrated to be much less susceptible to ivermectin ingested in a blood meal (LC 50 of 1468 ng/ml) than all other Anopheles species tested to-date (LC 50 values range from 7 – 56 ng/ml). The ability of A. albimanus to survive ingestion of ivermectin at concentrations far beyond that typically found in the blood of ivermectin-treated people or livestock ( i.e ., 30 – 70 ng/ml) could invalidate the use of ivermectin as a malaria vector control strategy in areas where A. albimanus is a primary vector. Methods: To investigate this, we captured host-seeking A. albimanus in northern Belize and conducted membrane feeding bioassays of ivermectin, using the same methods as described earlier with the STECLA strain. Results: Field-collected A. albimanus in Belize were 55 times more susceptible to ingested ivermectin than were the STECLA reference strain. Oral susceptible to ivermectin in wild A. albimanus from Belize (LC 50 of 26 ng/ml) was equivalent to that of other Anopheles species tested. Conclusion: Contrary to our initial assessment using a highly inbred laboratory strain of mosquito, we show that ivermectin treatment of livestock could reduce A. albimanus populations in areas of Central America and the Caribbean where malaria transmission may occur. Future toxicity screening of ivermectin and other systemic parasiticides for malaria control should consider examining wild populations of the vector species being targeted.
Model Construction of Material Distribution System Based on Digital Twin
Authors: Wang Yunrui , Jiang Ziqiang , Yue Wu
Published: November 2021

Aiming at the problems of poor periodicity of workshop material distribution, difficult prediction of station material demand time node and redundant distribution route, this paper proposes a model construction method of material distribution system based on digital twin. Build a material distribution control mode based on digital twin, and establish a full cycle material distribution mechanism on this basis to comprehensively optimize the distribution cycle from the material preparation stage, dynamic replenishment stage and data transmission stage of adjacent distribution cycles. Build the digital twin model of material distribution system, establish the material demand time node prediction operation mechanism based on LSTM, accurately predict the station material demand time node, establish the material distribution route optimization model with the lowest total cost, and optimize the AGV route. Finally, it is applied to the asynchronous card line workshop of A enterprise to verify the effectiveness of this method.
Cryo-EM structures of the translocational binary toxin complex CDTa-bound CDTb-pore from Clostridioides difficile
Authors: Kawamoto Akihiro , Yamada Tomohito , Yoshida Toru , Kato Takayuki , Tsuge Hideaki
Published: November 2021

Besides two large cytotoxins (TcdA and TcdB), certain Clostridioides difficile strains also produce a binary toxin, called C. difficile toxin (CDT) composed of an enzymatic subunit involved in actin ADP-ribosylation (CDTa) and translocation pore (CDTb) that delivers CDTa into host cells through receptor-mediated endocytosis. CDTb is proposed to be a di-heptamer, but its physiological heptameric structure has not been reported to date. Here, we report the CDTa-bound CDTb-pore (heptamer) as a physiological complexes using cryo-EM. The high-resolution structure of the CDTa-bound CDTb-pore at 2.56-Å resolution revealed that CDTa binding to CDTb-pore induces partial unfolding and tilting of the first CDTa a-helix, and the translocation. In the CDTb-pore, the NSS-loop exists in “in” and “out” conformations, suggesting their involvement in substrate translocation through formation of weak, non-specific interactions. This structural information provides insights into drug design against hypervirulent C. difficile strains.
Economic Evaluations of Cervical Cancer Screening Methods: a Systematic Review
Authors: Sefuthi Thatohatsi , Nkonki Lungiswa Leonora
Published: November 2021

Background: Cervical cancer screening is an important public health priority with the potential to improve the detection of pre-cancerous lesions in high-risk females for early intervention and disease prevention. Test performance and cost-effectiveness differs based on the specific screening method used across different platforms. There is a need to appraise existing economic evaluations of cervical cancer screening. The objective of the present systematic review was to identify primary and model-based economic evaluations of cervical cancer screening methods, and to provide a contextual summary of associated outcomes associated with screening modalities. Methods: The review considered primary-based and model-based full economic evaluations of cervical cancer screening methods. Such evaluations methods include cost-effectiveness analysis, cost-utility analysis, cost-minimization analysis, cost-benefit analysis, and cost-consequence analysis. We searched the following databases for full economic evaluations of cancer screening methods globally: SCOPUS, Pubmed, National Health Economic Evaluation Database (NH EED), Cochrane, and Health Economic Evaluation Database (HEED). No date restrictions were applied. Model-based and primary-based full economic evaluations were included. A critical appraisal of included studies was performed by the main investigator, while a second independent reviewer assessed critical appraisal findings for any inconsistencies. Data were extracted using a standardized data extraction tool for economic evaluations. Data extracted from included studies were analysed and summarised to answer the study objective using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) Dominance Ranking Matrix (DRM).Results: Out of 671 screened studies, 44 met the study inclusion criteria. Forty-three studies were cost-effectiveness analyses while two studies reported cost-utilities of cervical cancer screening methods.HPV DNA testing was reported as a dominant standalone screening test by 14 studies, while 5 studies reported VIA as a dominant standalone screening test. Primary HPV screening strategies were dominant in 21 studies, while three studies reported Cytology-based screening strategies as the dominant screening method. Conclusions: Evidence indicates that HPV-based and VIA testing strategies are cost-effective, but this is influenced by setting. Our review suggests the limited cost-effectiveness of cytology-based testing, which may be due in part to the need for specific infrastructures and human resources. Systematic Review Prospero Registration: CRD42020212454. The review protocol may also be found on Prospero.
tPRiors: A tool for prior elicitation and obtaining posterior distributions of true disease prevalence
Authors: Pateras Konstantinos , Kostoulas Polychronis
Published: November 2021

Background: Tests have false positive or false negative results, which, if not properly accounted for, may provide misleading apparent prevalence estimates based on the observed rate of positive tests and not the true disease prevalence estimates. Methods to estimate the true prevalence of disease, adjusting for the sensitivity and the specificity of the diagnostic tests are available and can be applied, though, such procedures can be cumbersome to researchers with or without a solid statistical background.Objective: To create a web-based application that integrates statistical methods for Bayesian inference of true disease prevalence based on prior elicitation for the accuracy of the diagnostic tests. This tool allows practitioners to simultaneously analyse and visualize results while using interactive sliders and output prior/posterior plots.Methods: Three methods for prevalence prior elicitation and four core families of Bayesian methods have been combined and incorporated in this web tool. |tPRiors| user interface has been developed with R and Shiny and may be freely accessed on-line.Results: |tPRiors| allows researchers to use preloaded data or upload their own datasets and perform analysis on either single or multiple population groups clusters), allowing, if needed, for excess zero prevalence. The final report is exported in raw parts either as .rdata or .png files. We utilize a real multiple-population and a toy single-population dataset to demonstrate the robustness and capabilities of |tPRiors|.Conclusions: We expect |tPRiors| to be helpful for researchers interested in true disease prevalence estimation and they are keen on accounting for prior information. |tPRiors| acts both as a statistical tool and a simplified step-by-step statistical framework that facilitates the use of complex Bayesian methods. The application of |tPRiors| is expected to aid standardization of practices in the field of Bayesian modelling on subject and multiple group-based true prevalence estimation.
Detection of Low-Level Parental Somatic Mosaicism for Clinically Relevant Snvs and Indels Identified in a Large Exome Sequencing Dataset
Authors: Domogala Daniel David , Gambin Tomasz , Zemet Roni , Wu Chung Wah , Schulze Katharina , Yang Yaping , Wilson Theresa A. , Machol Ido , Liu Pengfei , Stankiewicz Pawel
Published: November 2021

Background
Due to the limitations of the current routine diagnostic methods, low-level somatic mosaicism with variant allele fraction (VAF) <10% is often undetected in clinical settings. To date, only a few studies have attempted to analyze tissue distribution of low-level parental mosaicism in a large clinical exome sequencing (ES) cohort.
Methods
Using a customized bioinformatics pipeline, we have analyzed apparent de novo single nucleotide variants or indels identified in the affected probands in ES trio data at Baylor Genetics clinical laboratories. Clinically relevant variants with VAFs between 30-70% in probands and lower than 10% in one parent were studied. DNA samples extracted from saliva, buccal cells, redrawn peripheral blood, urine, hair follicles, and nail, representing all three germ layers, were tested using PCR amplicon next generation sequencing (amplicon NGS) and droplet digital PCR (ddPCR).
Results
In a cohort of 592 clinical ES trios, we have found 61 trios, each with one parent suspected of low-level mosaicism. In 21 parents, the variants were validated using amplicon NGS and seven of them by ddPCR in peripheral blood DNA samples. The parental VAFs in blood samples varied between 0.08–9%. The distribution of VAFs in additional tissues ranged from 0.03% in hair follicles to 9% in re-drawn peripheral blood.
Conclusions
Our study illustrates the importance of analyzing ES data using sensitive computational and molecular methods for low-level parental somatic mosaicism for clinically relevant variants previously diagnosed in routine clinical diagnostics as apparent de novo.
Optoelectronic and Birefringence Properties of Weakly Mg Doped ZnO Thin lms Prepared By Spray Pyrolysis.
Authors: Bouachibaa Yassine , MAMMERI ABDELOUADOUD , Bouabellou Abderrahmane , Oualid Rabia , Saidi Saber , Taabouche Adel , Rahal Badis , Benharrat Lyes , Serrar Hacene , Boudissa Moukhtar
Published: November 2021

Zinc Oxide (ZnO) is is a multipurpose semiconductor with many uses such as ultra-capacitor electrode [1], spintronic devices [2], multigas sensing [3–6], piezoelectric devices [7], ultra-violet LEDs [8], detectors [9] as well as waveguides [10–12]. In its thin film form, ZnO has a large adaptation to several deposition methods such as chemical vapor deposition [13], pulsed laser deposition [14], spray pyrolysis [15], dip-coating [16] and electrochemical deposition [17]. ZnO has very interesting characteristics for application in electronics and optoelectronics devices, especially its exciton binding energy of 60 meV at 300K, a wide direct band gap of 3.37 eV [18]. In addition to an ordinary and extraordinary refractive indexes of ne = 2.006 and no = 1.990 respectively [19]. To modify its electrical properties, ZnO was doped with Group III elements such as Al, Ga and In which acted as donor dopants to reinforce its n-type electrical nature and group V elements such as N, P, As and Sb which acted as acceptor dopants which changed ZnO to be a p-type semiconductor [20]. Controlling the refractive index of ZnO thin films was achieved by several ways including thermal annealing [21] and doping with In [22], Te, N [23] and Mg [24]. However, the e↵ect of dopants on the optical and electrical properties of ZnO is still not well understood.
Sensory Neuron Expressed TRPC3 Mediates Acute and Chronic Itch
Authors: Liu Yan , Liu Yutong , Narang Claire , Limjunyawong Nathachit , Jamaldeen Hanna , Yu Shimeng , Patiram Shivanie , Nie Hong , Caterina Michael J. , Dong Xinzhong , Qu Lintao
Published: November 2021

Background: Chronic pruritus is a prominent symptom of allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) and represent a huge unmet health problem. However, its underlying cellular and molecular mechanisms remain largely unexplored. TRPC3 is highly expressed in primary sensory neurons and has been implicated in peripheral sensitization induced by proinflammatory mediators. However, the role of TRPC3 in acute and chronic itch is still not well defined. Methods: RNAscope in situ hybridization and immunohistochemical staining were performed on mouse trigeminal ganglion (TG) neurons. Fura-2 calcium imaging was used to characterize the function of TRPC3 in dissociated TG neurons. In native mice, the TRPC3 agonist and pruritogens were subcutaneously injected to the cheek and nape of the neck of mice, respectively. Site directed scratching and/or wiping behaviors were video recorded. Contact hypersensitivity (CHS) model was induced in mouse ears by topical application of SADBE or DNCB. Spontaneous scratching behaviors were recorded by video monitoring. Global and conditional Trpc3 knockout mice were employed to determine the contribution of TRPC3 to acute and chronic itch. The mRNA expression levels of Trpc3 and proinflammatory cytokines were assayed by quantitative real-time PCR. H&E. staining was used for the evaluation of the thickness of mouse ears. Flow cytometry was performed to assess immune cell infiltration in mouse ear tissues. Results: Among mouse TG neurons, RNAscope assay revealed that Trpc3 mRNA was predominantly expressed in nonpeptidergic small diameter neurons. Moreover, Trpc3 mRNA signal was present in the majority of itch sensing neurons. TRPC3 agonism induced TG neuronal activation and acute nonhistaminergic itch- and pain-like behaviors in naïve mice. In addition, genetic deletion of Trpc3 attenuated acute itch evoked by certain common nonhistaminergic pruritogens, including endothelin-1 and SLIGRL-NH2. In a murine model of CHS, Trpc3 mRNA expression level and function were upregulated in the TG following CHS. Pharmacological inhibition and global knockout of Trpc3 significantly alleviated spontaneous scratching behaviors without affecting concurrent cutaneous inflammation in the CHS model. Furthermore, conditional deletion of Trpc3 in primary sensory neurons but not in keratinocytes produced similar antipruritic effects in this model. Conclusions: These findings suggest that TRPC3 expressed in primary sensory neurons may contribute to acute and chronic itch via a histamine independent mechanism and that targeting neuronal TRPC3 might benefit the treatment of chronic itch associated with ACD and other inflammatory skin disorders.
A Neurotechnological Aid For Semi-Autonomous Suction In Robotic-Assisted Surgery
Authors: Barragan Juan Antonio , Yang Jing , Yu Denny , Wachs Juan P.
Published: November 2021

Adoption of Robotic-Assisted Surgery has steadily increased as it improves the surgeon’s dexterity and visualization. Despite these advantages, the success of a robotic procedure is highly dependent on the availability of a proficient surgical assistant that can collaborate with the surgeon. With the introduction of novel medical devices, the surgeon has taken over some of the surgical assistant’s tasks to increase their independence. This, however, has also resulted in surgeons experiencing higher levels of cognitive demands that can lead to reduced performance. In this work, we proposed a neurotechnology-based semi-autonomous assistant to release the main surgeon of the additional cognitive demands of a critical support task: blood suction. To create a more synergistic collaboration between the surgeon and the robotic assistant, a real-time cognitive workload assessment system based on EEG signals and eye-tracking was introduced. A computational experiment demonstrates that cognitive workload can be effectively detected with an 80% accuracy. Then, we show how the surgical performance can be improved by using the neurotechnological autonomous assistant as a close feedback loop to prevent states of high cognitive demands. Our findings highlight the potential of utilizing real-time cognitive workload assessments to improve the collaboration between an autonomous algorithm and the surgeon.