bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An approach for Risk Assessment Score of Suicide Attempt (RASSA)
Authors: Fructuoso Ana , Fierro Inmaculada , Jiménez-Serranía María-Isabel , Garcia-Pando Alfonso Carvajal
Published: February 2021

Background: Suicide remains a leading cause of death and psychiatric population is often at increased risk for suicide. Therefore, there is a persistent need for well-designed clinical instruments that allows us to identify relevant risk factors. Our study aims to improve patient follow-up and identify possible suicide risk markers from a passage to self-harm among hospitalized psychiatric patients. Methods: This case-control study included the review of psychiatric, sociodemographic, drug use, and other health-related data, retrieved from 1,680 psychiatric patients’ health records. Differences between comparative groups were examined, and stepwise logistic regression analyses were performed to identify suicide risk factors within this population.Results: From the analysis of 560 suicide attempters’ clinical records, thirteen risk items were included in our final model, named as Risk Assessment Score of Suicide Attempt (RASSA). The factors that scored the highest in this model were ‘not taking antipsychotic medication’, ‘somatic comorbidity’, and ‘a family history of suicide’. Suffering from depression has a high score, and treatment with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) is also involved in the risk of a suicide attempt. Regarding medication use, opioid analgesics decreased the risk score, while taking non-opioid analgesics increased it. In terms of commonly abused substances, alcohol, cocaine, and amphetamine dependence increased the score. A higher risk was also associated with cannabis dependence, while tobacco use reduced it. As for demographics, the risk was significantly greater for women and subjects who were unmarried. Conclusions: The proposed model of risk assessment score of suicide attempt (RASSA) offers the possibility of establishing a suicide attempt risk based on data directly gathered from the health records of psychiatric patients. Therefore, it might be used as an initial screening test before patient evaluation and psychometric tests.
Integrative Analysis of CircRNA Expression and Associated ceRNA Network in Graves’ Disease
Authors: Jiang Zhengrong , Huang Linghong , Chen Lijun , Zhou Jingxiong , Bai Xuefeng , Liang Bo , Cai Qinyan , Chen Xiaoyu , Huang Huibin
Published: February 2021

ObjectiveGraves’ disease (GD) is the most common subtype of autoimmune thyroid disease which have the involvement of circular RNAs (circRNAs) in the pathogenesis. However, it is largely unknown about the role of circRNAs in GD. In present study, we performed a comprehensive study of the circRNAs in GD by bioinformatics analyses.MethodsCircRNAs were detected in plasma of 3 newly diagnosed GD patients and 3 healthy controls. We selected 2 up-regulated and 1 down-regulated circRNAs with different expression in GD for validation by transcriptase-quantitative polymerase chain reaction in both GD and healthy control subjects. The GTRD base was used for predicting the transcript factors of the different expression of circRNAs. Then the competing endogenous RNAs(ceRNAs) network was assembled and the analysis of the Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes were performed to predict the functions of different expression of circRNAs.ResultsA total of 366 different expression of circRNAs were detected in GD. The exonic circRNA hsa_circ_0090364 was validated as an up-regulated molecule in GD. 82 transcript factors in promoter region for hsa_circ_0090364 were predicted. The ceRNAs network revealed that the miR-378 family members acted as the target microRNAs of hsa_circ_0090364 and its downstream genes, and also unveiled the involvement of hsa_circ_0090364 in pathogenesis of GD.ConclusionsHsa_circ_0090364 might play a role of ceRNA through sponging up miR-378 family members, which demonstrated that circRNAs had an effect on regulation in GD.
Salinization Depresses Soil Enzyme Activity in Metal-polluted Soils Through Increases in Metal Toxicity
Authors: Fayez Raiesi , Azadi Nahid
Published: February 2021

Salinity may increase metal mobilization and toxicity with a potentially significant consequence for soil enzymatic activity and nutrient cycling. The goal of this study was to investigate changes in soil enzyme activity in response to salinization of a clay loam soil artificially polluted with cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) during an incubation experiment. Soil samples were polluted with Cd, Pb, and a combination of Cd and Pb, pre-incubated for aging, and then salinized with three levels of NaCl solution, and were finally incubated for 120 days. NaCl salinity consistently increased the mobilization of Cd and Pb with greater increases at high than low salinity levels. While the increased Cd mobilization was greater in co-polluted than Cd-polluted soils, the increase of Pb mobilization was lower in co-polluted than Pb-polluted soils at high salinity level. The salinity-induced increases in metal mobilization and toxicity significantly depressed soil microbial respiration, microbial biomass content and enzymatic activities. The increased soil electrical conductivity, Cd mobilization and pH after salinization were the most important factors governing microbial activity and biomass in metal-polluted soils. Changes in microbial biomass and mobile metal pool with increasing salinity had the major effects on enzyme activities, particularly under the combined metals. Secondary salinization of metal polluted soils would impose an additional toxicity stress on enzymatic activities as biochemical indicators of soil quality, and therefore should be avoided for the maintenance of soil microbial and biochemical functions, especially in arid regions. In metal-polluted soils, the observed responses of enzymes to salinity can be used to advance our knowledge of microbial processes when modelling the carbon and nutrient cycling.
Wear and Frictional Behavior of Al 7075/FA/SiC Hybrid MMC’s using Response Surface Methodology
Authors: Mandava Ravi Kumar , Reddy Vajram Venkata , Rao Veeravalli Rama Koteswara
Published: February 2021

In the present research work an effort has been made to study the wear and frictional behavior of Aluminium Metal Matrix composite (Al 7075 as a base alloy and fly ash (FA) and silicon carbide (SiC) as reinforcements) by using the stir casting method. To carry out this work, the wt. % of reinforcements FA (2.5%, 5%, 7.5% and 10%) and SiC (2.5%, 5%, 7.5% and 10%)have been used 5%, 10%, 15% and 20%. Initially, the mechanical studies have been conducted and the best mechanical properties obtained at 20 wt. % of FA and SiC. Later on, the composite was fabricated by 20 wt. % of FA, SiC reinforcements are used to check the wear and frictional behavior on a pin-on-disc machine at the dry condition. The dry sliding wear behavior was carried out at various input parameters such as applied force (10N, 20N, and 30N), sliding velocity (1.5m/s, 3m/s, and 4.5m/s), and sliding distance (1000 m, 2000 m, and 3000 m). Further, a scanning electron microscope (SEM) are used to observe the mixing of reinforcements and examine the worn surfaces. A response surface methodology (RSM) is the reasonable and accurate method for conducting the experiments and identifying the optimal wear parameters. Moreover, the RSM was helped to identify the most significant factor, which was the influence on the wear rate. Finally, it is decided that the applying force is the utmost significant factor that leaves an effect on wear rate. The sliding velocity and distance are acting as the lesser influence on the performance indicator.
Petroleum Hydrocarbon Concentrations in the Surface Sediments of Two Major Sea Ports, Bay of Bengal, India
Authors: Arumugam Sundaramanickam , Balachandar Kumar , Saravanan Kumaresan , Idayachandiran Gopalsamy , Nithin Ajith
Published: February 2021

This investigation was made to assess the seasonal accumulation pattern of total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH) in sediments along the two major ports such as Ennore and Tuticorin, located in Southeast coast of India. The level of TPH was found to vary from 2.05µg g− 1to 17.47 µg g− 1. To establish the relationship among the TPH with total organic carbon (TOC) and sediment components, the techniques of correlation analysis and principal component analysis (PCA) were used. The higher accumulation of TPH during monsoon season indicates that all wastes discharged on land was washed and got deposited on the Ennore coast. The significant positive correlation with TOC was noticed and the evidences indicated that the sedimentary organic carbon is acting as a strong binding agent for TPH.
Evaluation of the Role of Staphylococci in the Pathomechanism of Conjunctivitis
Authors: Jasińska Ewa , Bogut Agnieszka , Magryś Agnieszka , Olender Alina
Published: February 2021

Purpose: Determination of the association between ica genes and phenotypic biofilm formation in staphylococcal isolates involved in conjunctivitis, their antibiotic resistance as well as detection of selected virulence characteristics: adhesion to epithelial cells and in vitro cytotoxicity.Methods: The study included 26 Staphylococcus aureus (SA) and 26 Staphylococcus epidermidis (SE) isolates. The presence of icaAD genes and ica operon was determined by the PCR assay. Phenotypic biofilm formation was verified using the microtiter plate assay. Antibiotic resistance was performed using the disc diffusion method. Staphylococcal ability to attach to host cells was assessed by flow cytometry. Cytotoxicity on epithelial cells was evaluated by LDH assay.Results: The ica genes were detected in 26.9% of SE and in 42.3% of SA isolates. Only 15.3% of isolates (SE) were positive for both the icaAD and the ica operon. Phenotypically, 19.2% of SE isolates were strong biofilm producers, among which three were both icaAD- and ica operon-positive. 26.9% of SA isolates were strong biofilm producers. Methicillin resistance (MR) was detected in 34.6% of SE and 26.9% of SA isolates. 75% of MR isolates were multidrug resistant. SA isolates adhered to host cells more extensively than SE. SA isolates released higher level of LDH than SE.Conclusions: Adherence abilities were commonly observed in staphylococci associated with conjunctivitis. However, low prevalence of isolates positive for a complete and functional ica locus and low prevalence of strong biofilm producers was detected. SA adhered to a greater extent to eukaryotic cells than SE and were more cytotoxic.
Psychometrics of Persian Version of the 11 items De Jong Gierveld Loneliness Scale among an Iranian Older Adults Population during COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Hosseini Lida , Nia Hamid Sharif , Froelicher Erika Sivarajan , Farahani Mansoureh A.
Published: February 2021

Background: Due to the urgent emphasis on quarantine during the COVID-19 pandemic, the possibility of feelings of loneliness, especially in older adults, became an important nursing priority. Therefore, is important to identify loneliness quickly and respond appropriately to prevent, reduce or treat it. In order to do so, the aim of this study was to translate and evaluated the Persian version of De Jong Gierveld Loneliness Scale for older adults. Method: The original scale was translated into Persian using the World Health Organization protocol of forward-backward translation technique. Face validity and content validity; followed by EFA and CFA. The sample was 400 olddr adults including who were recruited via online data gathering. Lastly, reliability was assessed through the Average Inter-Item Correlation (AIC), Cronbach’s alpha and McDonald’s omega.Results: The results showed that Persian version of Loneliness Scale had two factors namely social loneliness (5 items) and emotional loneliness (3 items) and the combined score explained 45.66% of the total variance of this scale. In addition, all goodness of fit indices confirmed a two factors model fit and all of the reliability indices were excellent.Conclusion: The Persian version of the Loneliness Scale is useful and suitable for detecting social loneliness and emotional loneliness in older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Cold-water Coral Microbiome and Environmental Microbial Communities in a Remote NE Atlantic Submarine Canyon Setting: Microbial Diversity, Coral Health and Prospects
Authors: Appah J. K. M. , Dillane E. , Lim A. , ’Riordan R. O , O’Reilly L. , Macedo L. , Wheeler A. J.
Published: February 2021

In the Porcupine Bank Canyon, Lophelia pertusa and Madrepora oculata are the main framework-forming corals producing three dimensional structures which provide a home for a range of benthic fauna and microbial communities. To understand the roles and functions that microbes perform in coral health in the Porcupine Bank Canyon, three groups of samples (corals, sediment and water) were collected between 600–800 m depth. DNA was extracted from these samples and metabarcoding was performed on the V3-V4 region of the 16S RNA gene using Illumina technology. The coral microbiome showed greater microbial diversity than both the surrounding sediment and water communities. The genera Pseudomonas, Pseudoalteramonas and Photobacterium were the bacterial communities conserved at 100% coverage of coral samples whereas at the order-level classification Clostridiales, Bacteroidales, Flavobacteriales, Rhodobacterales and Rickettsiales were in high abundance in all the coral samples. A disproportionate distribution of probiotic and pathogenic bacterial groups at the different levels of classification was observed on the corals. Corals do not appear, at present, to be stressed by climate induced changing environmental conditions in the upper Porcupine Bank Canyon. Overall, the corals in the Porcupine Bank Canyon are in a healthy state despite the detection of pathogenic bacterial groups. However, the current trend of climate change and subsequent deep-sea warming could shift the bacterial composition towards a more dominant pathogenic bacterial community, with serious implications for coral health and stability of this important ecosystem.
Machine Learning Analysis of Volatolomic Profiles in Breath Can Identify Non-invasive Biomarkers of Liver Disease
Authors: Thomas Jonathan , Roopkumar Joanna , Patel Tushar
Published: February 2021

Disease-related effects on hepatic metabolism can alter the composition of chemicals in the circulation and subsequently in breath. The presence of disease related alterations in exhaled volatile organic compounds (VOC) could provide a basis for non-invasive biomarkers of hepatic disease. This study examined the feasibility of combining global VOC (volatolomic) profiles from breath analysis and machine learning to develop signature pattern-based biomarkers for cirrhosis. Breath samples were analyzed using thermal desorption-gas chromatography-field asymmetric ion mobility spectroscopy to generate volatolomic profiles. Samples were collected from 35 persons with cirrhosis, 4 with non-cirrhotic portal hypertension, and 11 healthy participants. Molecular features of interest were identified to determine their ability to classify cirrhosis or portal hypertension. A molecular feature score was derived that increased with the stage of cirrhosis and had an AUC of 0.78 for detection. Chromatographic breath profiles were utilized to generate machine learning-based classifiers. Algorithmic models could discriminate presence or stage of cirrhosis with a sensitivity of 88-92% and specificity of 75%. These results demonstrate the feasibility of volatolomic profiling to classify clinical phenotypes without identifying specific compounds. These studies will pave the way in developing non-invasive biomarkers of liver disease based on volatolomic signatures found in breath.
Design and Experimental Study of Pressure Compensation System for Full-Ocean-Depth Gas-Tight Sediment Sampler
Authors: Liu GuangPing , Jin Yongping , Peng You-duo , Wan Bu-yan
Published: February 2021

Aiming at the requirement of the full-ocean-depth (operating water depth 11000 meters) manned submersible to carry out the gas-tight sampling operation of the abyss seabed sediment, a kind of full-ocean-depth carrier submersible mechanical hand-held, full-ocean-depth gas-tight sediment sampler (GTSS) with the function of pressure-retaining and coring is designed. Firstly, the volume change model of pressure compensator is established, and it is pointed out that the volume of pressure compensator is about 16.14% equal to the volume of gas-tight sediment sampler (GTSS). Secondly, the pressure compensator is analyzed and calculated, and the relationship between the precharge pressure of the pressure compensator, the nominal volume of the pressure compensator and the pressure holding effect of the gas-tight sediment sampler (GTSS) is studied. The results show that with the increase of gas precharge pressure in the pressure compensator, the final pressure of the sampler also increases. Under the same precharge pressure condition, the larger the nominal volume of the pressure compensator, the greater the final pressure of the sampler. Finally, the air tightness test method is designed by using the developed gas tightness sampler of the full-ocean-depth product, and the change of the final pressure in the gas tight sampler under different precharge pressure is observed. The test results are consistent with the simulation results, indicating the correctness of the pressure compensation system (PCS) model.
Distinctive Alteration of Neuropeptide Y Expression Responsible for Neuro-Proliferation Following Zebrafish Spinal Cord Injury
Authors: Cui Chun , Wang Lin-Fang , Huang Shu-Bing , Zhao Peng , Chen Yong-Quan , Wu Yi-Bo , Qiao Chen-Meng , Zhao Wei-Jiang , Shen Yan-Qin
Published: February 2021

In strong contrast to the limited repair within the mammalian central nervous system, the spinal cord of adult zebrafish is capable of regeneration following injury. Understanding the mechanism underlying neural regeneration and functional recovery in spinal cord-injured zebrafish may lead to effective therapies for human spinal cord injury (SCI). Since neuropeptide Y (NPY) plays a protective role in the pathogenesis of several neurological diseases, in the present study, the effects of NPY on neuronal repair and subsequent recovery of motor function in adult zebrafish post-SCI were evaluated. Real-time quantitative PCR (qRT-PCR), in situ hybridization (ISH) and immunostaining of NPY revealed decreased NPY expression at 12 hours (h), 6 days (d) and 21 d after SCI. Double-immunostaining for NPY and Islet-1, a motoneuron marker, showed that NPY was expressed in spinal cord motoneurons. NPY morpholino (MO) treatment resulted in suppressed locomotor recovery and axon regrowth. PCNA and Islet-1 double-staining showed suppressed motoneuron proliferation in NPY-MO zebrafish. Similar to NYP, the mRNA level for NPY1R was also expressed within motoneurons and downregulated at 12 h and 21 d after SCI. Collectively, these data suggest that NPY expression in motoneurons promotes locomotor recovery and axon regrowth in adult zebrafish, possibly by regulating motoneuron proliferation through the activation of NPY1R.
Analysis on The Risk of Respiratory Virus Transmission By Air Conditioning System Operation-Based on Experimental Evidence
Authors: Jia Yonghong , Xiang Yue , Guo Shurui , Guo Lei , Guo Luyao , Cheng Zhu , Zhang Yin , Zhang Li , Long Enshen
Published: February 2021

It is important to know whether SARS-CoV-2 is spread through the air-conditioning systems. Taking the central air-conditioning system as an example, we analyze the mechanism and potential health risk of respiratory virus transmission in air-conditioned rooms, and propose a method to study the risk of virus transmission in central air-conditioning systems by investigating the data from medical experiments. The virus carrying capacity and the decay characteristics of indoor pathogen droplets are studied in this research. Additionally, the effects of air temperature and relative humidity on the virus survival in the air or on surfaces are investigated. The removal efficiency of infectious droplet nuclei by air-conditioning filter was then determined. Thus, the transmission risk during the operation of centralized air-conditioning system is evaluated. The results show that the indoor temperature and humidity are controlled in the range of 20-25℃ and 40%-70% by central air-conditioning during the epidemic period, which not only benefits the health and comfort of residents, but also weakens the vitality of the virus. The larger the droplet size, the longer the viruses survive. Since the filter efficiency of air-conditioning filter increases with the increase of particle size, increasing the number of air changes of the circulating air volume can accelerate the removal of potential pathogen particles. Therefore, scientific operation of centralized air conditioning systems during the epidemic period has more advantages than disadvantages.
One Pot Synthesis, Quantum Chemical Stimulation and Anticancer Evaluation of Some New 8-Azacoumarin Derivatives
Authors: Rizk Sameh , Megahed Mohamed , Badawy Monda , Aly Mohamed
Published: February 2021

New anticancer agents are highly needed to overcome cancer cell resistance. Synthesis of newly pyrazole, derivatives via heterocyclic ring opening of azacoumarin promoted with grinding and ultrasonic reaction conditions. Efficient solvent less one pot synthesis can be well progressed to afford the good yield of new heterocyclic products that were characterized by IR, 1H-NMR, MS and micro-analytical data. Anticancer evaluation for the synthesized compounds exhibited good cytotoxiciy. The anti-liver cancer activity of all compounds was screened in vitro against hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cell lines (HepG-2) by viability assay. The synthesized compounds were evaluated for their anticancer activity and found to exhibit promising activities. All new compounds were tested for possible anti-cancer activity against HepG-2 cell lines in comparison to the reference drug doxorubicin (DOX). Compound 8 was the most active against the liver carcinoma cell line (HepG-2) giving promising half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) value of 27.5 ± 1.3 μg/mL, compared with DOX with IC50 value of 0.36 ± 0.02 μg/mL. However it has weak cytotoxic effects against normal rat hepatocytes with 50% cytotoxic concentration (CC50) = 1820.5 µg/ml (= > 500 µg/ml). Compound 8 was selected to be tested in combination with ionizing gamma radiation. Gene expression levels of the cell cycle inhibitor p21 and caspase-3 was quantified. As well as, Oxidative stress was quantified by measuring the concentration of malondialdehyde (MDA), and antioxidant activity of reduced gluthatione (GSH). This study concluded that the new derivative of the azacomarin compound has an effective anti-cancer effect and it was found that using the new compound with ionizing radiation at a dose of 8 Gy improves the effectiveness of the compound on liver cancer cells.
A Novel Collaboration-Oriented Requirement Model Mapping and Classification Method Based on Domain Knowledge for Complex Mechatronic Products
Authors: Yue Jiguang , Wu Fuchao , Liu Jun , Wang Ping , Cui Zhaxin , Zou Hongyu
Published: February 2021

Complex mechatronic products include inter-disciplinary, inter-field, and inter-departmental requirement information. Aiming at the low digitization rate of existing product requirement information, a structured and digital product requirement model (RM) is defined. Besides, a collaboration-oriented requirement model mapping and classification method for complex mechatronic products is proposed, which realizes the automatic generation of the domain requirement models and the mapping between the requirement models and knowledge graph, thus improving the digitization rate of the product in the requirement phase. A simulated military plane horizontal tail control system is used as a case study to prove the effectiveness and feasibility of this method. Based on Hoteam PLM8.0 platform, a management architecture and the display path of product requirement model are given, which can provide a reference for the research and development of product lifecycle model management (PLMM) system.
State of Conservation and Population Structure of Bird Species Inhabiting in Various Subtropical Urban Forests
Authors: Rajpar M. N. , Zakaria M.
Published: February 2021

To determine the conservation status and population structure of avian species living in various subtropical broadleaved urban forests, namely Dob Ghar, Kamal Khan, Kityari, Palamar, Seya Sar and Shahabad of Pakistan, we aimed to use the distance sampling line transect process. To avoid double counting of the same bird individual, a total of 180 counting points were set at 250 m from each other. In all, between December 2017 and November 2018, 2,879 individuals representing 53 species, 28 families and 9 orders were detected. One species was vulnerable (VU) out of 53 bird species, while the remaining 52 species were the least concerned (LC). In particular, the results of the distance analysis indicate that, in six subtropical broad-leaved forests, the bird population can vary. For eg, Palamar (0.954 ± 0.221 birds/ha) and Kityari (0.938 ± 0.162 birds/ha) were densely populated by bird species, while Kamal Khan (0.102 ± 0.178 birds/ha) was less concerm. Similarly, the CAP findings showed that bird species in Dob Ghar were more diverse (H’ = 33.92 ± 1.368) and equally distributed (E = 0.9657 ± 0.004) and that the Shahabad ecosystem was rich in bird species (R1 = 8.007 ± 0.053) compared to other habitats. In addition, the length of the twigs and topological changes in the dendrogram have shown that bird diversity may vary from habitat to habitat. The bird species were classified into eight foraging guilds. Insectivores were the most abundant bird species using all habitats in abundance. By cons, Carnivore/Piscivore/Insectivore averted to use the forest habitats Dob Ghar and Frugivore Kamal Khan and Dob Ghar. The findings of this study revealed that broad-leaved subtropical urban forests are home to a wide range of avian species. However, habitat selection among bird species varied across habitats according to vegetation structure and composition, food resources, adjoining habitats, and human settlements.
Co-occurrence of Relapsing Polychondoritis and Autoimmune Thyroid Diseases
Authors: Nakajima Toshiki , Yoshifuji Hajime , Yamano Yoshihisa , Yurugi Kimiko , Miura Yasuo , Maekawa Taira , Yoshida Tsuneyasu , Handa Hiroshi , Ohmura Koichiro , Mimori Tsuneyo , Terao Chikashi
Published: February 2021

BackgroundRelapsing polychondritis (RP) is a rare inflammatory disease characterized by recurrent inflammation and destruction of cartilageous tissues. RP has characteristics of autoimmune disease and some reports have noted co-occurrence with autoimmune thyroid disease (AITD), consisting of Graves’ disease (GD) and Hashimoto thyroiditis (HT). However there have been no detailed studies on the co-occurrence of RP and AITD. In this study, we aimed to determine whether patients with RP tend to be complicated with AITD. We also analyzed clinical and genetic profiles of patients in whom these diseases co-occur. MethodsWe recruited 117 patients with RP and reviewed their medical records. Furthermore, we genotyped Human Leucocyte Antigen (HLA)-A, B Cw, DRB1, DQB1 and DPB1 alleles for 93 of the 117 patients. The prevalence of AITD among the patients with RP was compared with that among the general Japanese population. We also analyzed the clinical and genetic features of the patients with both RP and AITD. ResultsThe prevalence of GD among the patients with RP was 4.3% (5 among 117 patients), significantly higher than that among Japanese (0.53%) (p=2.49×10-3, odds ratio (OR) 8.27). RP patients with GD tended to have nasal involvement (p=0.023) (OR 2.58) and HLA-DPB1*02:02 (p=0.035, OR 10.41). We did not find significant enrichment of HT in patients with RP. ConclusionsPatients with RP appear to be at elevated risk of GD. Nasal involvement and HLA-DPB1*02:02 characterize the subset of RP patients with GD, which may guide attempts to characterize distinct subtype of RP for precision medicine.
Effect of Fe Doping on The Structural, Morphological, Optical, Magnetic and Dielectric Properties of BaSnO3
Authors: John Jibi , S Suresh , S Savitha Pillai , Philip Reji , Pillai V. P. Mahadevan
Published: February 2021

Doping at the possible A or B site in the ABO3 perovskite can alter the structural, morphological and optical properties of the compounds. Perovskite alkaline earth stannate BaSnO3 doped with Fe resulted in BaSn1-xFexO3 compounds having different concentrations (x=0.00, 0.01, 0.02, 0.03, 0.05 and 0.07) were prepared by solid-state method. The Rietveld analyzes were performed to determine the phase purity and the changes in structural parameters. Morphological analysis identifies the formation of hexagonal nanorods with doping. The non linear optical property of the prepared samples shows optical power limiting behaviour. Magnetic property signifies the existence of ferromagnetic order and EPR studies reveal the possible ferromagnetic ordering of Fe doped samples. Dielectric loss decreases with Fe doping and has a gradual decrease in the higher frequency regime and has applications in high frequency devices.
Enhancing Bioethanol Production by Deleting Phosphoenolpyruvate Synthase and ADP-Glucose Pyrophosphorylase, and Shunting Tricarboxylic Acid Cycle In Synechocystis Sp. PCC 6803
Authors: Gao E-Bin , Ye Penglin , Qiu Haiyan , Wu Junhua , Chen Huayou
Published: February 2021

Background: The outstanding ability of directly assimilating carbon dioxide and sunlight to produce biofuels and chemicals impels photosynthetic cyanobacteria to become attractive organisms for the solution to the global warming crises and the world energy growth. The cyanobacteria-based method for ethanol production has been increasingly regarded as alternatives to food biomass-based fermentation and traditional petroleum-based production. Therefore, we engineered the model cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 to synthesize ethanol and optimized the biosynthetic pathways for improving ethanol production under photoautotrophic conditions.Results: In this study, we successfully achieved the photosynthetic production of ethanol from atmospheric carbon dioxide by an engineered mutant Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 with over-expressing the heterologous genes encoding Zymomonas mobilis pyruvate decarboxylase (PDC) and Escherichia coli NADPH-dependent alcohol dehydrogenase (YqhD). The engineered strain was further optimized by an alternative engineering approach to improve cell growth, and increase the intracellular supply of the precursor pyruvate for ethanol production under photoautotrophic conditions. This approach includes blocking phosphoenolpyruvate synthetic pathway from pyruvate, removing glycogen storage, and shunting carbon metabolic flux of tricarboxylic acid cycle. Through redirecting and optimizing the metabolic carbon flux of Synechocystis, a high ethanol-producing efficiency was achieved (248 mg L-1 day-1) under photoautotrophic conditions with atmospheric CO2 as the sole carbon source. Conclusions: The engineered strain SYN009 (∆slr0301/pdc-yqhD, ∆slr1176/maeB) would become a valuable biosystem for photosynthetic production of ethanol and for expanding our knowledge of exploiting cyanobacteria to produce value chemicals directly from atmospheric CO2.
Sphagnum response to nitrogen deposition and nitrogen saturation – a meta-analysis
Authors: Zhou Yinying , Huang Yuxin , Peng Xiaoxue , Xu Junfeng , Hu Yuekai
Published: February 2021

Background: Sphagnum plants are sensitive to nitrogen deposition changes. However, previous literature is inconclusive on the response of Sphagnum species to nitrogen deposition, little is known about the nitrogen saturation of Sphagnum growth, and the effects of climatic, spatial and fertilization variables on the response of Sphagnum plants are still unclear.Methods: We conducted a meta-analysis of 66 experiments on nitrogen application to Sphagnum plants. The combined effect size of a random-effects model was used to analyze the effect of nitrogen deposition on Sphagnum growth. A mixed-effects model was established to determine the significance of each factor for the response of Sphagnum plants to nitrogen deposition. The nitrogen saturation value for Sphagnum species was obtained by fitting the regression function.Results: Sphagnum growth is promoted by moderate nitrogen deposition, and when nitrogen deposition exceeds the saturation value, Sphagnum growth is inhibited. The current nitrogen deposition saturation value for Sphagnum species is 19.34 kg ha-2 yr-1 globally and varies in different latitudinal zones. When Sphagnum plants are affected by excessive nitrogen deposition, low-water-table microhabitats and excessive temperature and precipitation can all exacerbate Sphagnum growth inhibition.Conclusions: Excessive nitrogen deposition will inhibit Sphagnum growth, and the nitrogen saturation values we obtained for Sphagnum species can be used to adjust fertilizer applications to protect Sphagnum plants from excessive chemical fertilizer application.
Parametric investigation of the cyclic response of hysteretic steel dampers in braced buildings
Authors: Gandelli Emanuele , Domenico Dario De , Quaglini Virginio
Published: February 2021

Hysteretic steel dampers have been effectively used to improve the seismic performance of framed buildings by confining the dissipation of seismic energy into sacrifical, replaceable devices which are not part of the gravity framing system. The number of cycles sustained by the dampers during the earthquake is a primary design parameter, since it can be associated to low-cycle fatigue, with ensuing degradation of the mechanical properties and potential failure of the system. Current standards, like e.g. the European code EN 15129, indeed prescribe, for the initial qualification and the production control of hysteretic steel dampers, cyclic tests in which the devices are assessed over ten cycles with amplitude equal to the seismic design displacement dbd. This paper presents a parametric study focused on the number of effective cycles of the damper during a design earthquake in order to assess the reliability of the testing procedure proposed by the standards. The study considers typical applications of hysteretic steel dampers in low- and medium rise steel and reinforced concrete framed buildings and different ductility requirements. The results point out that the cyclic engagement of the damper is primarily affected by the fundamental period of the braced building and the design spectrum, and that, depending on these parameters, the actual number of cycles can be substantially smaller or larger that that recommended by the standards. A more refined criterion for establishing the number of cycles to be implemented in testing protocols is eventually formulated.
Abnormal Spontaneous Brain Activity and Functional Connectivity of the Default Mode Network in Patients with Bipolar Disorder
Authors: Zhao Lei , Bo Qijing , Zhang Zhifang , Li Feng , Zhou Yuan , Wang Chuanyue
Published: February 2021

Background: No consistent evidence on the specific brain regions is available in the default mode network (DMN), which show abnormal spontaneous activity in bipolar disorder (BD). We aim to identify this region that is particularly impaired in patients with BD by using several different indices measuring spontaneous brain activity and then investigate its functional connectivity (FC).Methods: A total of 56 patients with BD and 71 healthy controls (HC) underwent resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging. Three commonly used functional indices were used to identify the brain region showing abnormal spontaneous brain activity in BD. Then, this region served as the seed region for resting-state FC analysis to identify its functional networks altered in BD.Results: The BD group exhibited decreased fALFF, ReHo, and DC values in the left precuneus. The BD group had decreased rsFC within the DMN, indicated by decreased resting-state FC within the left precuneus and between the left precuneus and the medial prefrontal cortex. The BD group had decreased negative connectivity between the left precuneus and the left putamen, extending to the left insula.Conclusions: The findings provide convergent evidence for the abnormalities in the DMN of BD, particularly located in the left precuneus. Decreased FC within the DMN and the disruptive anticorrelation between the DMN and the salience network are found in BD. These findings suggest that the DMN is a key aspect for understanding the neural basis of BD, and the altered functional patterns of DMN may be a potential candidate biomarker of BD.
Associations of Symptomatic- and Anatomical-Based Severity of Chronic Rhinosinusitis With Patients' Anxiety and Depression
Authors: Lei Chenyang , Sun Zeyu , Yao Jiashu , Luo Xiandan , Xiong Gaoyun
Published: February 2021

Background Patients with chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) have a high incidence rate of anxiety and depression. However, changes in anxiety and depression with different severities of CRS,and the effects of symptoms and anatomical factors on the anxiety and depression of CRS patients remain unclear.Methods A total of 112 patients were enrolled in the study. The Sino-Nasal Outcome Test-20 (SNOT-22) score, Lund-Mackay scale and Lund-Kennedy scale were used to assess the severity of CRS, and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) and Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) were used to evaluate anxiety and depression in patients. Results In the univariate analysis, SNOT-20 scores, nasal symptom scores, facial/ear symptom scores and sleep scores are significantly positively correlated with patients’ GAD-7 scores (all P<0.05); the patients’ SNOT-20 scores, nasal symptom scores, facial/ear symptom scores, sleep scores, and the higher side of the anterior ethmoid sinus and frontal sinus Lund-Mackay scores were significantly positively correlated with the patients’ PHQ-9 scores (all P<0.05). In a multivariate linear regression model, however, none of the covariates were found to be statistically associated with GAD-7. Another multivariate model indicated associations among the SNOT-20 sleep domain scores, the higher side of frontal sinus Lund- Mackay scores and PHQ-9 scores (both P < 0.01). Conclusions Exacerbated nasal and facial/ear symptoms, sleep dysfunction increase patients’ depression and anxiety. Lesions of the frontal sinus and anterior ethmoid sinus may be related to patients' depression. Treatment should be tailored to patients with these symptoms.
Tunable Yellow-Red Emission via Energy Transfer in Dy3+, Mn4+: NaLaMgWO6 Phosphors for UV-Excited LED
Authors: wu yonghua , Yang Fugui , Yan Fengpo , Zuo Ruijuan
Published: February 2021

The Dy3+, Mn4+: NaLaMgWO6 phosphors are synthesized successfully using the technique of solid-state reaction at 1150 ℃. The XRD and SEM-EDS are measured to analyze the phase purity. The concentrations of Dy3+, Mn4+, Mg2+, Na+, La3+ and W6+ are measured by ICP. The absorption and excited spectra are presented, which indicate the 390 nm is suitable for the tunable yellow-red light excitation. Using the 390 nm LED as the excitation source, the emission spectra with different doped concentrations ratios of Dy3+to Mn4+ are obtained, which shows good tunable yellow-red emission performance.
Allelopathic and Competitive Interactions Between Native and Alien Plants
Authors: Yuan Ling , Li Junmin , Yu Feihai , Oduor Ayub , Kleunen Mark van
Published: February 2021

The novel-weapons and homeland-security hypotheses are based on the idea that aliens and natives are not adapted to each other’s allelochemicals as they did not co-evolve. However, as only a few studies have tested this, it remains unclear how important co-evolutionary history is in determining the strength of allelopathic interactions between aliens and natives. Here, we tested for potential pairwise allelopathic effects on each other of five alien and five native herbaceous species in China. We did a germination and a competition experiment. In the germination experiment, we tested whether aqueous extracts of the ten study species had allelopathic effects on each other’s seed germination. In the competition experiment, we tested whether the alien and native species differed in their competitive effects and responses, and whether these were changed by the presence of activated carbon –a presumed allelopathy neutralizer– in the soil. Plant extracts had negative allelopathic effects on seed germination. This was particularly the case for extracts from the native species. Moreover, aqueous extracts had slightly stronger negative effects on germination of the aliens than on germination of the natives. In the competition experiment, on the other hand, the natives suffered more from competition than the alien species did, but we could not relate this to allelopathy. Alien plants had negative competitive and allelopatic effects on native plants, and the reverse was also true. These alien-native interactions, however, were not consistently stronger or weaker than native-native interactions or alien-alien interactions.
Optimization and Effectiveness of The Placement of Energy Dissipators In Rc Frame Structures 
Authors: Dominguez David Jesus
Published: February 2021

This document explores and analyzes the optimization of the use and placement of energy dissipators in the bays of frame structures located in seismic zones. This study may be applied to new and existing buildings. In order to do this, three RC frames of 5, 10 and 15 stories are analyzed and compared, using four brace arrangements (Chevron braces San Andrés cross and diagonal braces (two cases)). The behavior of these frames is analyzed in terms of modal parameters, capacity curves (Push-over) and dynamic analyses (Time-History). For the study, the Lorca record of mean magnitude was used, also in this case, hysteretic dissipators have been used as they are cheap and easy to install solutions. The efficiency of the energy dissipators is improved as the frames increase in height. In the lower height frames, the use of braced solutions without any device improves the structural behavior. The ductility of all frames increases with the placement of dissipators.
Enhanced Phase-Change Condensation Using Inverse Opals
Authors: Adera Solomon , Mandsberg Nikolaj K. , Naworski Lauren , Shneidman Anna V. , Alvarenga Jack , Aizenberg Joanna
Published: February 2021

Phase-change condensation is commonplace in power and process engineering. Due to high surface energy, most condenser surfaces exhibit filmwise mode wherein the condensate is removed due to gravity when the weight overcomes pinning forces. Here, we use cracks (fabrication defects), which form when a copper tube is coated with inverse opals, to transport the condensate away from the condensing surface. Our visualization and experiments show that the cracks have high hydraulic conductivity that preferentially transports the condensate towards the ends of the copper tube. This improves the heat transfer coefficient to ~ 80 kW/m2·K from ~ 12 kW/m2·K for filmwise condensation on smooth copper tubes. Additionally, when the porous inverse opals are impregnated with a lubrication film, the heat transfer coefficient increases by an additional 30% to 103 kW/m2·K. Repeated experiments show that our material design is durable. The insights gained from this work informs the rational design of condenser surfaces.
Investigating Ecosystem Service Trade-offs/synergies and their Influencing Factors: A Case Study in the Yangtze River Delta region of China
Authors: Li Cheng , Zhao Jie , Yang Wenfu
Published: February 2021

A comprehensive understanding of the trade-off/synergy relationships that exist among multiple ecosystem services (ESs) has become increasingly important for ecological management and sustainable development. However, the determination of the factors that promote trade-off/synergy relationships and the extent to which the driving factors affect these complex relationships have not been well studied, limiting the effectiveness of sustainable ecosystem management. This study employed the Yangtze River Delta region in China as the study area and investigated the spatiotemporal changes in three ESs, namely, carbon storage (CS), water purification (WP), and habitat quality (HQ), from 2005 to 2015. A trade-off/synergy degree (TSD) indicator was developed that allowed for the quantification of the trade-off/synergy intensity, and the spatial pattern of the TSD between ESs in the YRD region was analyzed. Furthermore, a geographically weighted regression (GWR) model was used to analyze the relationship between the driving factors and trade-offs/synergies. The results revealed that CS, WP, and HQ decreased by 1.17%, 2.49%, and 3.38%, respectively. The TSD indicator showed that the trade-off/synergy relationships and their magnitudes were spatially heterogeneous. The coefficients of the natural and socioeconomic factors obtained from the GWR indicated that their impacts on the trade-offs/synergies vary spatiotemporally. The impact factors had both positive and negative effects on the trade-offs/synergies. The values of R2 and AIC implied that the selected factors had significant explanatory power for the trade-off/synergy relationships between paired ESs. The findings could improve the understanding of the spatiotemporal dynamics of trade-offs/synergies and their spatially heterogeneous correlations with related factors.
Horizontal Transfer of Domains in ssrA gene Among Enterobacteriaceae
Authors: ¹ Tamilmaran Nagarajan , ¹ Ramamoorthy Sankaranarayanan , Selvakumar Punitha , Munavar M. Hussain Munavar
Published: February 2021

BackgroundThe tmRNA (transfer messenger RNA), encoded by ssrA gene, is involved in rescuing of stalled ribosomes by a process called trans-translation. Additionally, regions of the ssrA gene act as recognition sites for various integrases. Variations in ssrA genes were widely reported among the members of Enterobacteriaceae, but the functional relevance in the course of evolution are not well understood. In this study, we investigated the horizontal gene transfer of tmRNA among the members of Enterobacteriaceae. Methods and ResultsHorizontal gene transfer in tmRNA was found by predicting recombination signals in the tmRNA belong to Enterobacteriaceae using recombination detection program (RDP5). Our results revealed 7 recombination signals in tmRNA among different species. We further showed that the recombination signals was more in the domains present in the 3’ end than the domains in the 5’ end of tmRNA. Of note, the mRNA region, which codes for the peptide tag was reported in many recombination signals. Further, members belonging to genera Yersinia, Erwinia, Dickeya, and Enterobacter were highly represented in the recombination signatures.Conclusions Taken together, our results revealed a high level of recombination among specific regions of tmRNA of Enterobacteriaceae and suggest the possible role of recombination in the diversification of SsrA function in proteolysis and other pathways.