bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Theme-Based Teaching to Promote Oral Fluency in a University in Colombia
Authors: Velásquez-Hoyos Angela Patricia
Published: July 2021

The present qualitative study with an action research orientation focuses on the strengthening of students’ oral fluency in English through the implementation of six theme-based teaching workshops. The participants were students of an EFL pre-intermediate English language course in the institute of foreign languages at the Technological University of Pereira, in Risaralda State, Colombia. Besides the implementation of theme-based teaching, this study includes the speaking phases of rehearsal, performance, and debriefing to impact students’ oral fluency. This project emerged from an exhaustive needs analysis which showed that the university’s students, as future professionals, had difficulties with their oral performance i.e. their being unable to speak about topics related to their university life in English; hence, the need of including themes aligned with their academic contexts was highlighted with the purpose of helping them improve their oral fluency in English. The findings indicate that the students improved in their oral fluency in terms of vocabulary, intonation, and a reduction in the number of long pauses when speaking in English.
Promotion of Critical Reading through the Use of Political Cartoons
Authors: Mora-Menjura Willian Alexander
Published: July 2021

Critical exploration of socio-political issues has been a topic strongly carried out in English classrooms in the last decades. This article is the result of a research study that shows what the use of political cartoons reveals about the promotion of critical reading in an EFL classroom at a private university in Colombia. The study was developed with fourteen students under a qualitative case study method. Workshops, teacher journals and focus-group interviews were used to collect data. The emerging categories show the positive results of using political cartoons and the change that the students had in their thoughts and actions in both the academic and social context. In the results, the students portray how they have perceived the ELT classroom, the importance of being a critical reader of texts and contexts, and how the different activities helped them construct their own critical awareness concerning social and political issues.
Feminism in a Female Teacher’s Discourse in an EFL Classroom
Authors: Patarroyo-Fonseca Monica
Published: July 2021

This research article on feminism gives an account of the interaction between a female teacher and her students at a public university in Tunja, Colombia. The study aims to evidence features of feminism within an English as a foreign language classroom by analyzing the transcriptions of the teacher’s discourse using the Feminist Poststructuralist Discourse Analysis. As a result of the study, it can be stated that feminism is not determined by gender, but rather, it is an individual choice that is socially constructed and transmitted through power relationships. Findings suggest that being female or male does not guarantee having a definite position towards feminism; instead, it is mostly demarcated by the specific situations and circumstances that each individual experiences within a society.
Editorial
Authors: Lucero-Babativa Edgar
Published: July 2021

Editorial
A sokkterjedés szerkezeti jellemzőinek változásai a fejlett gazdaságok között
Authors: Iloskics Zita , Sebestyén Tamás
Published: July 2021

A globalizálódó világgazdaság a válságok terjedése szempontjából azt a kockázatot rejti, hogy a több dimenzió mentén szorosan összekapcsolódó régiók, nemzetgazdaságok sérülékenyebbé válnak a lokálisan jelentkező válságtünetekkel szemben: a sűrűbb gazdasági kapcsolatrendszer a különböző zavarok gyorsabb terjedéséhez vezet. Az utóbbi időben egyre népszerűbb hálózatelemzés hasznos eszköz lehet e kapcsolatrendszer feltérképezésében, annak különböző jelenségekre gyakorolt hatásának megismerésében. A kapcsolatok feltérképezhetők az egyes országok gazdasági idősorai szinkronizáltságának vizsgálatával. Korábbi elemzések e szinkronizáltság növekedését diagnosztizálják, kiemelve, hogy két ok állhat a háttérben: 1. a világgazdaság nagy részét érintőglobális sokkok gyakoribbá válása vagy 2. a gazdasági szereplők viszonyrendszerének átrendeződése. A szerzők a világgazdaság 25 országának kapcsolatrendszerét térképezik fel a bruttó hazai termék (gross domestic product, GDP) növekedési ütemeinek együttmozgásán keresztül, 1961 és 2019 közötti negyedéves bontású adatokon. Az országok közötti hálózati kapcsolatokat páronkénti korrelációt és Granger-okságot tesztelő eljárásokkal definiálják, majd az ezekből felépített hálózatok szerkezetét, annak változását elemzik standard hálózati mutatók segítségével. Eredményeik szerint a sokkok országok közötti terjedésének jelentős átrendeződése figyelhető meg a nagyobb válságok – elsősorban a 2008-as válság – során. Mindez azt a hipotézist támasztja alá, hogy a szinkronizáltság növekedése mögött az integráltság fokának aszimmetrikus változása, így a bilaterális viszonyrendszerek átrendeződése áll.
The effects of royal jelly protein on bone mineral density and strength in ovariectomized female rats
Authors: Hattori Satoshi , Omi Naomi
Published: July 2021

[Purpose] Sex hormones deficiency leads to dramatically bone loss in particular postmenopausal women. Royal jelly has anti-osteoporosis effect due to maintain bone volume in that condition. We hypothesized that royal jelly protein (RJP, a latent residue after extracting royal jelly) also prevents bone deficient in ovariectomized (OVX) female rats, the animal model of postmenopausal women. [Methods] Female Sprague-Dawley rats (n = 30, 6 weeks age old) were sham operated (Sham; sham operated group, n = 7), OVX control group (OC, n = 7), OVX with low RJP intake group (ORL, n = 8), and OVX with high RJP intake group (ORH, n = 8) during 8 weeks experimental periods. In the end point of this experiment, the bone samples (lumbar spine, tibia, and femur) were surgically removed under anesthesia. These bone samples were evaluated bone mineral density (BMD) and bone strength.[Results] BMD of lumbar spine in RJP intake groups (ORL, ORH) were higher than that in OC group (p < 0.05 and p < 0.01) in RJP intake volume dependent manner. BMD of tibial proximal metaphysis and diaphysis in RJP intake groups were also higher than these in OC group (p < 0.01 and p < 0.01 / p < 0.05 and p < 0.001). In addition, breaking force of femur in RJP intake groups were significantly increase compared with that in OC group (p < 0.001 respectively). [Conclusion] These findings indicate that RJP contribute to prevent sex hormone related bone abnormality
Polyploidy induction by colchicine treatment in garlic (Allium sativum L.), and effects of polyploidy on some traits
Authors: Pillai Priyadarshini , Ahmed Ameera , Ambika J. , Sailas Aksab , Anthima M. , Parveen Asbana , Chaitrashree G. N. , Hinduja N. V. , Farheen Saba
Published: July 2021

The garlic plant (Allium sativum L) is a suitable indicator plant for the determination of potential genotoxic agents in the samples taken from the environment. Polyploidy has the utmost importance in horticulture for the development of new varieties with desirable morphological traits referring to plant size and vigor, leaf thickness, larger flowers with thicker petals, intense color of leaves and flowers, long lasting flowers, compactness, dwarfness and restored fertility. Polyploidy may occur naturally due to the formation of unreduced gametes or can be artificially induced by doubling the number of chromosomes in somatic cells. Usually, natural polyploid plants are unavailable, so polyploidy is induced synthetically with the help of mitotic inhibitors. Colchicine is a widely used mitotic inhibitor for the induction of polyploidy in plants during their cell division by inhibiting the chromosome segregation. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of various concentrations and duration of colchicine treatment on root length, number of roots and stomatal densities Allium sativum L.
Lindernia dubia (L.) Pennell (Linderniaceae): A new record for the flora of Gujarat State, India
Authors: Prajapati Kishan I. , Patel Darsh K. , Joshi Ekta P.
Published: July 2021

Lindernia dubia (L.) Pennell has been reported first time from two districts (i.e., Sabarkantha and Kheda) of Gujarat State. It was recorded along with the wetland margins from both the localities. Detail morphological description, distribution, flowering and fruiting period, remarks and macro photographs of key characters are also provided for easy identification of species.
Remotely Delivered Exercise to Rural Older Adults with Knee Osteoarthritis: A Pilot Study
Authors: Patel Kushang V. , Hoffman Elise V. , Phelan Elizabeth A. , Gell Nancy M.
Published: July 2021

Enhance®Fitness (EF) is an evidence-based exercise program recommended for management of osteoarthritis (OA). However, access to EF is limited in rural areas. Accordingly, we evaluated the feasibility and acceptability of remotely delivered EF in rural, community-dwelling older adults with symptomatic knee OA. A single arm pilot trial of remotely delivered EF classes was conducted. Videoconferencing was used to livestream the instructor-led, 1-hour EF classes 3 days/week for 12 weeks. Outcomes were assessed at baseline and immediately post-intervention. A total of 15 participants were enrolled with a median age of 70 years (interquartile range [IQR]: 67-75) and 14 (93%) were women. Median EF class attendance rate was 91% (IQR: 85-94%). Knee pain, as measured by the Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS), improved significantly from baseline to 12-week endpoint (mean difference=-11.4 [95% CI:-20.9, -2.0); P=0.02). In addition, participants’ self-reported knee function improved significantly (mean difference in KOOS Function score=-11.8 [95% CI:-18.4, -5.2]; P<0.01) as well as their physical capacity (mean difference in Timed Up and Go test time=1.8 seconds [95% CI: 0.2, 3.4]; P=0.03). All participants (100%) were very satisfied with remotely delivered EF classes and there were no serious adverse events. Findings from this pilot trial indicate that remotely delivered EF is feasible and acceptable in rural older adults with knee OA.
Experience in the use of absorption and biochemical installations for cleaning ventilation emissions in foundry production
Authors: Pribylov A. V. , Shapovalov Yu. P. , Glushen E. M.
Published: July 2021

The relevance of the use of gas cleaning equipment in foundry production is considered. Examples are given of equipping the casting, cooling and knocking areas of molds and rods manufactured according to ALFASET and Cold-box-amin processes with absorption-biochemical installations (ABCHI) for cleaning the ventilation air from pollutants. The technical and economic parameters of the ABCHI operation are considered. The list of the enterprises successfully operating ABHI is given. The advantages of using ABCHI in comparison with alternative methods are considered.
Influence of the hydraulic pump unit on the quality of the rolled surface
Authors: Glazunova N. A. , Potapenko Yu. A.
Published: July 2021

To ensure the competitiveness of rolled metal in the modern market, the decisive factor is the quality of the rolled surface (defects with a depth of no more than 0.2 mm are allowed without stripping). Rolling processing is a source of formation of small surface defects, most of which are obtained in the process of deformation of a continuously cast billet (hereinafter referred to as CCB, billet) at hot rolling mills in the presence of areas with non-removed furnace scale. This is the main reason for the formation of such types of surface defects as rolled scale, ripple, scale shells, which reduces the quality of the rolled surface and increases the sorting of metal with surface defects. In addition, the scale not removed from the surface of the CCB has a negative impact not only on the quality of metal products, but also on the operation of rolling equipment.

One of the directions that allows to achieve high quality of the surface of long products in production conditions is the effective removal of scale from the surface of the initial billet before hot deformation. Scale removal from the surface of the workpiece is carried out on the installation of a hydraulic descaling unit, but not always a satisfactory (complete) scale removal occurs.

To determine the cause of poor – quality scale removal before hot deformation, the efficiency of the hydraulic descaling unit and the state of the metal – scale interface surface were investigated.
Preparation of silicon and aluminum nanoparticles in an aqueous solution
Authors: Anisovich A. G. , Laskovnev A. P. , Markevich M. I. , Malyshko A. N. , Zhuravleva V. I.
Published: July 2021

The interest in nanomaterials is due to a significant change in their physical properties compared to massive materials. Changes in the physical and chemical properties of particles containing several hundred or thousands of atoms are determined by changes in the density of electronic states.

Aqueous solutions of aluminum and silicon nanoparticles were obtained by laser ablation. Pulsed laser treatment was performed in the mode of double pulses in distilled water. The invested energy was: for aluminum 1000–1500 J, the exposure time is 10–25 min., for silicon-50–1000 J with exposure times from 1 to 10 min.

The features of the morphology of the obtained particles, as well as the surface of polycrystalline aluminum and silicon craters, were determined by scanning electron microscopy. It is shown that an ensemble of particles of different sizes from 20 nm to 2.0 microns is formed. Some aluminum particles are cut, which allows us to talk about their cristallinity. It is shown that the structure of the target surface after laser exposure consists of grains separated from each other by thermal etching grooves, since the evaporation of the material occurs primarily along the grain boundaries.
Activation of diffusion during the formation of boride layers on the surface of steel parts
Authors: Usherenko S. M. , Dashkevich V. G. , Usherenko Yu. S.
Published: July 2021

The features of structure formation of diffusion layers obtained by the technology, including preliminary surface treatment of steel products and subsequent thermal diffusion boriding in powder media, have been investigated. Pretreatment consisted in surface activation by superdeep penetration with a powder composition based on SiC of steel samples made of У8 steel. The features of the activation zones and their distribution over the surface are noted. The features of the activation zones and their quantitative characteristics are noted. A structural analysis of the obtained diffusion layers for the variants of low-temperature (650 °C) and high-temperature (920 °C) boration has been carried out. The chemical composition of the layer and the distribution of the main elements in it are analyzed. In both cases, a change in morphology was noted, consisting in the formation of a more compact diffusion layer and rounding of boride needles in the zone adjacent to the base metal. An increase in the layer thickness by 20–50 % and an increase in the proportion of the high-boron FeB phase relative to the variant of borating without preliminary activation were established.
Influence of Geometry and Boundary Conditions in Area of Cohesion between Materials on the Reflection of an Ultrasonic Beam. Part 1. Theoretical research
Authors: Bayev A. R. , Mayorov A. L. , Levkovich N. V. , Shavlovskiy D. V. , Asadchaya M. V.
Published: July 2021

The improvement of efficiency, reliability and productivity of ultrasonic testing of objects with cohesion between materials connected by welding, soldering, gluing, etc. is 'an important problem of the modern production technologies. The purpose of the paper is to determine in 3D space the conditions for increasing the sensitivity and reliability of the flaw detection in the cohesion zone between materials when the form of defect interface can be different.

In the first part of the theoretical study the features of the formation of the acoustic fields of ultrasonic waves scattered from solid's interface when spot of an acoustic beam crosses the boundary of the defective region in the shape of an ellipse or a long strip have been investigated. In this case, the boundary conditions in the defect area change discretely or linearly.

It was suggested to use a phase shift between reflected waves from the defect and defect-free interfaces as the more informative parameter depending on the cohesion between materials. There is shown that there are conditions to achieve sufficiently high sensitivity detection of interface defects when the scattered waves receiving are to be at angles outside the main directivity lobe of the scattering field pattern. The evolution features of the scattering field structure which are needed for the development of the method of evaluation the cohesion of materials has been got.
MODEL OF MANAGEMENT ACCOUNTING ON THE CENTERS OF RESPONSIBILITY AT THE ENTERPRISES OF POWER INDUSTRY OF REPUBLIC OF BELARUS
Authors: SAMOSYUK N.
Published: July 2021

In article allocation in the system of accounting and the reporting at the enterprises of power of management accounting, formation of the administrative reporting and introduction of internal administrative control is proved. The model of management accounting on the centers of responsibility is offered. For management accounting at the enterprises of power industry of Republic of Belarus application of a standard method of accounting of expenses and a poperedelny method of calculation of prime cost is offered.
THE METAMORPHOSIS OF ECONOMIC SCIENCE AND PRACTICE OR, ON TO POLITICAL ECONOMY
Authors: LEMESHHENKO P.
Published: July 2021

It is wellknown that A. Montchretien initiated the beginning of the science of political economy. In the past, 2015, therefore, mankind celebrated the 400th anniversary of the release of his "Treatise on political economy". Accounting the historical and practical significance expressed at that difficult time, ideas, Deputy editor of the recently converted and in a paper version for a long time published in the electronic version of journal "Questions of political economy", Doctor of Economic Sciences, Professor, head of chair of political economy of the National metallurgical Academy (Dnepropetrovsk), V. N. Tarasevich asked a few questions in accordance event, the graduate of the Department of political economy, Belarusian State University, now Professor, head of the Department of theoretical and institutional Economics P. S. Lemeshenko. The replies to a fundamentally new events and changes are given both in reality and in theoretical economic doctrines.
CODE OF J. KEYNES OR ABOUT VALID INTERPRETATIONS OF ECONOMIC TEXTS
Authors: SOLODOVNIKOV S.
Published: July 2021

The article is devoted to issues of codification economic textes. There are revealed the gnoseological difficulties of scientific interpretation of these texts in this context. J. Keynes'striple code is revealed.
EDUCATION AS A DIVERSIFIED SPHERE OF AN “EXPENSIVE PERSON” REPRODUCTION
Authors: SORVIROV B.
Published: July 2021

The problem of development of the economy of education as a diversified sphere of the human capital reproduction is considered. The tendency and the basic fundamental change making the basis of a modern economic paradigm is shown – the economic activities reorientation on an optimum mode of development and motivation of a creative and talented worker
SYNTHETIC MODEL OF THE NATIONAL ECONOMIC SYSTEM OF THE REPUBLIC OF BELARUS BASED ON MODIFIED TABLES "COSTS-OUTPUT"
Authors: KOROTKEVICH A.
Published: July 2021

The article has developed a synthetic model of national economic system on the basis of modification of tables "cost Issue", which will allow for forecasting and planning for the development of the country at the level of economic activities, grounded approach to the formation of transformation scenarios and quantify the impact of decisions in this regard
METHODICAL SUPPORT FOR INCREASING THE ECONOMIC EFFICIENCY OF THE REPRODUCTIVE CYCLE OF THE ENTERPRISE FOR THE PRODUCTION OF GOODS OF INTENSIVE RENEWAL
Authors: SERHIYEVICH T.
Published: July 2021

The article is devoted to the theoretical and methodical foundations of the collaboration in the production of goods of intensive renewal as a factor in increasing the economic efficiency of the enterprise's reproductive cycle. Essential characteristics of seven types of collaboration are revealed. Methodical support of increasing the economic efficiency of the reproductive cycle of an enterprise for the production of goods of intensive renewal is proposed, consisting of methods for calculating the economic effect of various types of collaborations. The factors of their realization and the arising risks are identified in the context of management of the company's reproductive cycle on the basis of a change in competitive advantages due to the advanced growth of labor potential.
Identification of Nucleus Sterility Candidate Genes using a Resequencing Technique in Sweet Pepper Sterile Line AB91
Authors: MENG YANING , Yan libin , zhang hongxiao , Fan Yanqin
Published: July 2021

Breeding hybrids with nuclear malesterile lines is an important method for the cross breeding of sweet peppers. To date, few reports have been published on the nuclear malesterility gene of sweet pepper.Yet, there are approximately 20 pepper nuclear malesterility lines in the world. Using the self-developed testing material, sweet pepper nuclear malesterile dual-purpose line AB91, the genome-wide resequencing technique was applied to find that the mutation site causing the abortion of sweet pepper nuclear malesterility AB91 is on chromosome #5. The mutation gene Capana05g000747 was filtered out and validated by the flight mass spectrometry genotyping and quantitative real-time PCR method and determined to be the gene causing the abortion of sweet pepper nuclear male sterility AB91.The gene Capana05g000747 mutation site is a non-synonymous mutation site located at the 6th exon,the base C mutated into A, and the amino acid changed from alanine to serine. The three-dimensional protein structure of fertile and sterile plant Capana05g000747 was predicted. The results showed that the three-dimensional structure of the two proteins was differed significantly. Sequence alignment analysis showed that the gene Capana05g000747 has a similar function to gene At2g02148. The gene At2g02148 contains a pentatricopeptide repeatprotein which has important physiological functions in the gene expression process of organelles and is closely related to the performance of malesterility genes. Therefore, Capana05g000747 was selected as an important candidate gene for sweet pepper nuclear male sterile testingmaterial AB91.
Designing magnetic field sensor based on tapered photonic crystal fibre assisted by a ferrofluid
Authors: Taghizadeh Mostafa , Bozorgzadeh Forough
Published: July 2021

A novel magnetic field sensor is proposed based on the combination of in-line tapered photonic crystal fibre (PCF) MachZehnder interferometer (MZI) and magnetic nanoparticles. The sensor is theoretically investigated and experimentally realized. The effect of the mechanical strain and the magnetic field on the sensitivity of the sensor is studied. It is found that the proposed sensor shows a wavelength-sensitivity of −0.072nm/mT and a strain-sensitivity of 1pm/µε . To evaluate the effect of the magnetic nanoparticles on the output light intensity, the sensitivity response of the device has been measured under different magnetic field strengths for different length scales. The experimental results show refractive index changes of the magnetic nanoparticles-infiltrated PCF - acting as fibre cladding - under the applied magnetic field leads to variations of the interferometric output. The sensitivity of magnetic field measurement with the sensor with 30mm and 40mm PCF could reach up to 0.021dB/mT and 0.017dB/mT, respectively. The results show a very good linear response that is an essential requirement for the practical sensors. The proposed magnetic field sensor finds applications in various areas, such as optical sensing, military, power industry, and tunable photonic devices.
Performance Study of LabVIEW Modelled PV Panel and its Hardware Implementation
Authors: Bhatti Salim , Ohri Jyoti
Published: July 2021

Decarbonizing the vitality area and diminishing carbon discharges to confine environmental change are the primary worries of 21st century. Renewable energy and efficiency interventions, supported by rapid electrification, will provide more than 90% of the reducing CO2 emissions planned by 2050. The transition of energy will also raise gross domestic product by 2.5% and overall jobs by 0.2% worldwide by 2050. Conventional Poly crystalline roof top solar PV has an efficiency of 22.7%. Tropic of cancer passes through eight states of India, The temperature in summers varies from 40 degree C to 50 degree C which results in decrease in efficiency of solar panel. So we require efficient MPPT controllers to overcome this gap. In Ghaziabad, the experimental test is performed with latitude of 28, 6692 (N) and longitude 77, 4538 (E). Solar PV simulator is designed using LabVIEW software. Effect of variations of temperature, irradiations, series resistance and shunt resistance on solar panel has been studied. Simulated results are tested using experimental setup with help of Arduino interfaced LabVIEW.
SARS-CoV2 infects pancreatic beta cells in vivo and induces cellular and subcellular disruptions that reflect beta cell dysfunction
Authors: Millette Katelyn , Cuala Janielle , Wang Peiyu , Marks Carolyn , Woo Veronica , Hayun Maya , Kang Harsimar , Martin Martin , Dhawan Sangeeta , Chao Lily , Fraser Scott , Junge Jason , Lewis Mark , Georgia Senta
Published: July 2021

Increasing evidence of new-onset diabetes during the COVID19 pandemic indicates that the SARS-CoV2 virus may drive beta-cell dysfunction leading to diabetes, but it is unclear if it is a primary or secondary effect. Here, we present evidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection of pancreatic beta cells in vivo using a robust and reproducible non-human primates model of mild to moderate COVID19 pathogenesis. Pancreas from SARS-CoV-2 infected subjects were positive for the SARS-CoV2 spike protein by immunohistochemistry and structures indicative of viral replication were evident by electron microscopy. Total beta cell area was decreased in SARS-CoV-2-infected pancreas, attributable to beta cell atrophy. Beta cell granularity was decreased. These histologic phenotypes persisted beyond the duration of the clinical disease course. Detailed electron microscopy of SARS-CoV-2 infected beta-cells revealed ultrastructural hallmarks of beta cell stress that are seen in islets of patients with Type 2 diabetes, including disrupted mitochondria and dilated endoplasmic reticulum. To assess the metabolic status of beta cells from SARS-CoV-2-infected subjects, we used fluorescence life-time imaging to measure the ratio of free and bound NADH as a surrogate of glycolytic and oxidative metabolism. We report an increase in free NADH levels, suggesting that beta cells from SARS-CoV-2-infected subjects adopt a more glycolytic metabolic profile. Taken together, we conclude that SARS-CoV-2 infection induces beta cell stress that may compromise beta-cell function beyond the duration of the disease course. This raises the possibility that the beta cell stress and injury may have clinical implications of the long-term future health of patients that have recovered from COVID19.
The Income-Related Distribution of Cognitive Function And Its Mobility Among The Chinese Elderly Over 14 Years
Authors: Zhou Yiting , Xu Yongjian , Zhu Liang
Published: July 2021

Background:With population aging, cognitive function among the elderly has been growing public health concern in China. This study aimed to investigate the trend of income-related inequality in cognitive function, and to track the health-related income mobility among the Chinese elderly. Methods: The data were drawn from the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey (CLHLS) in 2005, 2008, 2011, 2014 and 2018, with a sample of 10203 Chinese aged 65 and older. The cognitive function was evaluated by the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). The cross-sectional and longitudinal concentration indices were used to measure the magnitudes of inequalities at different length of time. The mobility index was used to capture the discrepancy between the short-term and long-term measures. The contribution of determinants to mobility was estimated by decomposition analysis. Results:The results showed that, the cognitive function among the Chinese elderly scored 21.13 at the baseline. Men, activities, daily living ability, education, marriage status, income, community service, vision and hearing condition were positively associated with cognitive function, whereas age, negative well-being and drinking were negatively associated with cognitive function. The cross-sectional concentration index was positive and significant only at the baseline. In the long run, however, the concentration indices were all positive and became larger over time. After five waves, the mobility reached -4.84. The largest negative contributor to the mobility index was daily living ability, followed by relaxing activity, domestic activity and hearing condition. The two largest positive contributors were negative well-being and income. Conclusion:Our study found that, as a whole, the cognitive function was not performed well among the Chinese elderly. In the long term, the weighted cross-sectional concentration indices underestimated the inequality in cognitive function and good cognitive performance was concentrated more among the rich. When formulating intervention measures, the Chinese government could give priority to vulnerable groups, especially the elderly who are poor or downwardly income mobile.
Baicalin Regulates Autophagy to Intervene with Intestinal Acute Graft-Versus-Host Disease via AMPK/Mtor Pathway and Abnormal Intestinal Flora
Authors: sun xiaoqi , Pisano Michael , Xu Longjin , Sun Fumou , Xu Jie , Zheng Wei , Liu Xiujuan , Zhang Yanyu , Sun Runjie , Cui Xing
Published: July 2021

Acute graft versus host disease (aGVHD) is the main complication of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and the main cause of death. To verify if baicalin can protect the intestinal mucosal barrier by regulating abnormal autophagy and interfering with acute intestinal graft-versus-host disease, a mouse model of aGVHD was established. CB6F1 mice were transplanted with a mononuclear cell suspension from Balb/c donor mice bone marrow and spleen via vein injection after treatment with 60co X rays. After treatment with different doses of baicalin for 15 days, survival time, survival time,the serum level of TNF-α and IL-10, the autophagy markers from intestinal and bacterial flora were detected.A intestinal barrier dysfunction cell model was also used to verify the effect of baicalin.The results showed that baicalin could significantly prolong survival time, reduced aGVHD score compared to the model control group, significantly reduce TNF-α level, and increase IL-10 level. TEM examination showed that baicalin treatment increased the number of autophagic vacuoles and led to recovery of mitochondrial structure in the intestinal mucosal epithelial cells of mice and in Caco-2 cells. Western blot results showed that baicalin treatment enhanced autophagy in vivo by regulating the AMPK/mTOR autophagy pathway. Similar results were observed in vitro in Caco-2 cells. Furthermore, the effect of baicalin was reduced after combined treated with autophagy inhibitors 3-MA.The results of intestinal microbial sequencing also confirmed that there were significant changes in the type and quantity of bacterial flora before and after the application of baicalin. Baicalin can reduce the severity of intestinal acute graft-versus-host disease by regulating autophagy with influencing the unbalanced inflammatory cytolines and bacterial flora, which may be a new treatment for aGVHD.
Comparative Analysis of Optical Coherence Tomography and Ultrasound Biomicroscopy Imaging Diagnosis of Anterior Segment of Keratoconus in Acute Stage
Authors: zhao yun , guo jinxi , wang jianmin , xu jianfeng , xie ming , wei wei
Published: July 2021

Background To compare and analyze the imaging differences between anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT) and ultrasound biomicroscopy (UBM) in acute keratoconus. Method The features of AS-OCT and UBM images of acute keratoconus patients in Hebei Eye Hospital were analyzed retrospectively. Result From May 2016 to December 2020, 38 patients (38 eyes) with acute keratoconus were treated in Hebei Eye Hospital. Both AS-OCT and UBM images showed rupture of the posterior elastic layer of cornea, edema and thickening of stroma layer, and cracks formed in it to communicate with anterior chamber. AS-OCT image showed that corneal epithelium was intact, and 26 cases had subcutaneous effusion. UBM images showed delamination of the posterior elastic layer interface in 26 cases. Paired t test showed that there was significant difference between preoperative and postoperative best corrected visual acuity in all patients (t = 11.861, P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in preoperative and postoperative best corrected visual acuity between group 1 and group 2 by independent sample t test (t = 0.751, P> 0.05, t = 0.219, P > 0.05). There was significant difference in the height of rupture between group 1 and group 2 (t =-7.533, P < 0.001). Pearson correlation analysis showed that there was a significant correlation between fracture size and fracture height (r = 0.766, P < 0.001), but no correlation between fracture size and post-elastic layer delamination (r =-0.107, P > 0.05). No corneal perforation was found in 38 cases (38 eyes). In the healing stage after deep lamellar keratoplasty, obvious stroma scar appeared, accompanied by corneal stroma thickening and corneal flattening. Conclusion AS-OCT and UBM can complement each other, provide accurate corneal imaging images and parameter measurement, and predict and evaluate the development of the disease.
Psychological Impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic on One-month Postpartum Mothers: A Retrospective Study from a Consecutive Database in a Metropolitan Area of Japan
Authors: Takubo Youji , Tsujino Naohisa , Aikawa Yuri , Fukiya Kazuyo , Iwai Momoko , Uchino Takashi , Ito Megumu , Akiba Yasushi , Mizuno Masafumi , Nemoto Takahiro
Published: July 2021

Background:The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has recently become the most important issue in the world. Very few reports in Japan have examined the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on peripartum mental health. We examined the current status of postpartum mental health in a metropolitan area.Methods:The subjects were women who had completed a maternity health check-up at a core regional hospital in Yokohama during the period from April 1, 2017, to December 31, 2020. We collected the subjects’ scores for the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) and the Mother-to-Infant Bonding Scale (MIBS) at one month postpartum. The subjects were divided into four groups (three Before COVID-19 groups and a During COVID-19 group). MANOVA and post-hoc tests were used to determine mental health changes in the postpartum period among the four groups.Results:The Before and During COVID-19 groups contained 2844 and 1095 mothers, respectively. There were no significant difference in the total scores of the EPDS and MIBS among the four groups. However, the EPDS items related to anxiety factors were significantly higher and the EPDS items related to anhedonia and depression factors (excluding thoughts of self-harm) were significantly lower in the During COVID-19 group.Conclusion:The EPDS scores changed in connection with the COVID-19 pandemic. Anxiety, which represent hypervigilance, was significantly higher and anhedonia and depression were significantly lower in the During COVID-19 group. Our results may reflect COVID-19-related health concerns and a lack of social support caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Analysis of Bronchial And Vascular Patterns In Left Upper Lobes To Explore The Genesis of Mediastinal Lingular Artery And Its Influence On Pulmonary Anatomical Variation
Authors: Gao Chuan , Xu Wen-zheng , Li Zhi-hua , Chen Liang
Published: July 2021

Background: For thoracic surgeons, three-dimensional computed tomography bronchography and angiography (3-DCTBA) is a convenient way to analyze pulmonary variations before segmentectomy. Mediastinal lingular artery (MLA) is one of the representative variations Methods: The 3-DCTBA data of left upper lobe（LUL）were collected from patients who underwent pulmonary surgery from January 2018 to December 2019. We reviewed the patterns of bronchi and pulmonary vessels and grouped them according to different classifications. Results: Among all the 404 cases of 3-DCTBA, mediastinal lingular artery (MLA) was found in 107 cases (26.49%). The patterns of B3 and the vein in left upper division (LUD) are distinct between mediastinal (M-type) group and interlobar (IL-type) group. The patterns of bronchi and veins in lingular division, as well as the pattern of pulmonary artery in LUD, have no differences between M-type and IL-type groups. Conclusions: Mediastinal lingular artery is speculated to originate from the variation of B3, and the MLA independently influences the venous pattern in LUD in turn.
Resuming In-Person Psychotherapy Sessions with Perinatal Women amid the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Multistakeholder Perspective
Authors: Andrejek Nicole , Hossain Sabrina , Schoueri-Mychasiw Nour , Saeed Gul , Zibaman Maral , Niño Angie Puerto , Meltzer-Brody Samantha , Silver Richard , Vigod Simone N. , Singla Daisy Radha
Published: July 2021

BACKGROUND: During the COVID-19 pandemic, essentially all outpatient psychotherapy with perinatal patients transitioned to telemedicine. The aim of this study was to examine how to resume in-person psychotherapy with perinatal patients within the Scaling Up Maternal Mental healthcare by Increasing access to Treatment (SUMMIT) trial as the pandemic abates. METHODS: We conducted focus groups and individual interviews with perinatal participants (n=23), providers (n=28), and a range of stakeholders (n=18) who participated in the SUMMIT trial from August 2020 to March 2021. Content analysis was used to examine (1) previous barriers that impacted perinatal participants access or decision to access in-person healthcare during COVID-19; (2) perceived future barriers for perinatal participants to attend in-person sessions; and (3) potential facilitators to resuming in-person sessions with perinatal participants. RESULTS: Perinatal participants (69.6%) and providers (57.1%) reported that COVID-19 previously impacted perinatal SUMMIT patients’ access or decision to access in-person healthcare. Specifically, “external barriers” such as institutional regulations due to COVID-19 (100% perinatal participants and 68.8% providers) and “internal barriers” such as concerns about being exposed to COVID-19 (75.0% perinatal participants and 56.3% providers) impacted perinatal participants access to in-person care. Perceived barriers to resuming in-person psychotherapy sessions included concerns about virus exposure in a hospital setting (77.8% stakeholders, 73.9% perinatal participants, 71.4% providers); virus exposure while taking public transportation (50.0% stakeholders, 26.1% perinatal participants, 25.0% providers). Stakeholders (50.0%) were more likely than providers (25.0%) and participants (13.0%) to endorse wearing a mask during sessions as a barrier. Key facilitators to resuming in-person psychotherapy sessions were the implementation and effective communication of robust safety protocols (72.2% stakeholders, 47.8% perinatal participants, 39.3% providers) and providing alternative locations to where sessions are delivered, e.g., using large rooms (44.4% stakeholders, 32.1% providers, 17.4% perinatal participants). CONCLUSION: The results suggest that a significant majority of perinatal participants experienced barriers to accessing in-person healthcare during the pandemic, and concerns about contracting the virus within and en route to the hospital remain while the COVID-19 pandemic persists. To overcome these barriers, our study suggests that implementing and effectively communicating robust safety protocols may be the most effective methods to address these concerns when resuming in-person psychotherapy sessions.
Antibacterial Activity of Biosynthesized Ferric Oxide Nanoparticles Using Cissus Quadrangularis Extract
Authors: Anandam Sankareswari , Indira K.
Published: July 2021

Green chemistry plays a significant role in protecting and improving the global environment. Green chemistry is a process in which a reducing agent usually a chemical is replaced by an extract of a natural product such as stems, leaves, fruits and its peels etc., of plants for the synthesis of nanoparticles. The metal and metal oxide nanoparticles produced from a plant extract are usually stable for a period of time. The present research work focuses on the synthesis of iron oxide [Fe2O3] nanoparticles using Cissus Quadrangularis commonly known as veldt grape (pirandai in Tamil) plant extract by precipitation method. The structural, surface morphological and optical properties of the synthesized Fe2O3 nanoparticles were studied by XRD, SEM and UV-Vis spectroscopy. Further the antibacterial activity of the prepared Fe2O3 nanoparticles was studied against gram - negative bacteria (Salmonella and Escherichia coli) and gram - positive bacteria (Bacillus subtili and Staphylococcus aureus) by disc diffusion method. X-ray diffraction analysis reveals that the prepared nanoparticles have hexagonal wurtzite structure with preferential orientation along (1 0 4) plane. The crystalline size of the synthesized Fe2O3 nanoparticles is 12.324 nm. SEM analysis shows that iron oxide nanoparticles have pebble shape. EDX result confirms the presence of Fe and O in the prepared Fe2O3 nanoparticle samples. The band gap value of biosynthesized Fe2O3 nanoparticles is 2.57eV. Antibacterial studies reveal that the ferric oxide nanoparticles display significant inhibition activities against all tested pathogens.
Band Gap Analysis of Ca3MgSi2O8:Dy3+ Nanorod Arrays By A Solid State Reaction Method
Authors: Dewangan Pradeep , Bisen D. P. , Brahme Nameeta , Sharma Shweta , Tamrakar Raunak Kumar , Upadhyay Kanchan
Published: July 2021

Present study throuws light on solid state synthesis, phase and band properties of a Dy3+ doped Ca3MgSi2O8. Crystal phase of the phosphor was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and surface morphology was crystal size was determined by using scanning elelctron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) respectively. To detemine the band gap behaviour of the crystal absorption spectra was used, which was further analyzed by using Tauc plot. The band gap is calculated ≈4.5eV, which decreases on increasing doping concentration of Dy3+.
Seasonal Variation of Atmospheric Carbon Dioxide Over Suburban Site of Pune, India
Authors: Patil M N , Dharmaraj T , Waghmare R T , Pawar S D
Published: July 2021

Increase in greenhouse gases including carbon dioxide (CO2) concentrations in the atmosphere, is the responsible factor for the global warming. This increase is caused by the anthropogenic activities like combustion of petroleum products, biomass burning, etc. In recent years, measurement network of greenhouse gases has been expanded globally. In this study, we measured the CO2 and water vapor (H2O) concentrations along with wind and air temperature over suburban site of Pune, in the year of 2018-2019 comprising the four seasons : pre-monsoon (months of March, April and May (MAM)), summer monsoon (months of June, July, August and September (JJAS)), post-monsoon (months of October and November (ON)) and winter (months of December, January and February (DJF)). Using these observations, the diurnal and seasonal variations of CO2 concentrations and fluxes were analyzed. The mean CO2 concentration was observed in the range of 380.7 – 443.6 ppm. The seasonal mean of CO2 concentration was 400, 421.5, 395.4 and 384.7 ppm in pre-monsoon, monsoon, post-monsoon and winter seasons, respectively. It is found that the height of planetary boundary layer and photosynthesis process plays a major role in seasonal variation of CO2.
The Effects of Rosmarinic Acid on Expression of Akt Genes in the Hippocampus of Diabetic Rats and DNA Glycation Inhibition.
Authors: Alrubaye Ameer , Motovali-Bashi Majid , Miroliaei Mehran
Published: July 2021

Non-enzymatic glycation of DNA and the associated effects are among pathogenic factors in diabetes mellitus. Natural polyphenols have anti-diabetic activity. Herein, the protective role of one of the phytochemicals, rosmarinic acid (RA), was evaluated in glycation (with fructose) of human DNA and expression of Akt genes in the hippocampus of diabetic rats. In-vitro studies using fluorescence, agarose gel electrophoresis, fluorescence microscopy, and thermal denaturation analyses revealed that glycation causes DNA damage and that RA inhibits it. In-vivo studies were performed by induction of diabetes in rats using streptozotocin. The diabetic rats were given RA daily through gavage feeding. The expression of Akt genes (inhibitors of apoptosis) in the hippocampus was evaluated using RT-qPCR. In diabetic rats, Akt1 and Akt3 were significantly down-regulated compared to the control group. Treating the diabetic rats with RA returned the expression of Akt1 and Akt3 relatively to the normal condition. Past studies have shown that diabetes induces apoptosis in the hippocampal neurons. Given that glycation changes the genes expression and causes cell death, apoptosis of the hippocampal neurons can be due to the glycation of DNA. The results also suggest that RA has reliable potency against the gross modification of DNA under hyperglycemic conditions.
Identifying sex-specific genetic effects across 733 traits in UK Biobank
Authors: Han James , Jiang Wei , Ye Yixuan , Zhao Hongyu
Published: July 2021

Sex-specificity has been reported in a wide range of diseases and complex traits. While sex-specific genetic effects have been documented for certain traits, the genetic mechanisms underlying sex differences in most traits remain largely unexplored. With its large sample size and wide range of diseases and traits, the UK Biobank—a large, prospective cohort study containing health history, phenotypic measurements, and genetic data for over 500,000 individuals—provides an opportunity to explore sexually dimorphic genetic architectures in a large number of traits and diseases. Here, we present a sex-specific analysis of 733 sex-stratified complex trait GWAS for 361,194 white British individuals in the UK Biobank, and report 16 traits with significant sex-specific differences in heritability. These 16 candidate traits with sex-specific genetic effects belong to 5 distinct groups: body fat mass and distribution, blood pressure, creatinine levels, snoring, and birth weight. Using a systematic sex-specific discovery-replication analysis, we identify 47 (31 novel) loci showing sex-specific effects on the traits related with body fat mass/distribution, blood pressure, and birth weight, and discover 74 potential sex-specific biological pathways from the enrichment analyses based on associated genes from QTL analysis. In addition, we present further evidence for significant sex-specific genetic effects in 13 traits spanning three trait groups (body fat mass/distribution, blood pressure, and birth weight) by comparing the prediction performance of sex-specific polygenic risk scores.