bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Drill Bit Stick-Slip Vibration Experiment Research and Analysis of Influencing Factors
Authors: Ba Dejun , Chen Guangwu , Li Peng , An Kexin , Liu Xiaobao
Published: January 2022

Stick-slip vibration of the bit in ultra-deep wells will seriously affect drilling potency, increase extra costs, and even cause drilling accidents. The study of the inner mechanism and external influencing factors of stick-slip vibration is of nice significance to the analysis on the suppression of stick-slip vibration. During this paper, Firstly, the interaction between the bit and rock stratum is analyzed through theoretical analysis. Based on the principle of J. Boussinesq elastic theory solution and Coulomb-Navier criterion, the damage process of the rock and the critical conditions for the incidence of stick-slip vibration of the bit were analyzed. Next, an analysis of the axial force variation of the drill column was carried out based on the establishment of an equivalent axial force variation model of the drill column torque transmission system, and the placement most strongly affected by the stick-slip vibration was located. Then, from the perspective of energy transformation of stick-slip vibration, it is analyzed that the undamped state of the bit at the instant of rock breaking is an important factor leading to the incidence of stick-slip vibration. Finally, it is verified through semi-physical experiments that adding damping to the bit at the instant of rock breaking can directly and effectively suppress the incidence of stick-slip vibration.
Four and a half LIM domain protein 1 as a Novel Prognostic Biomarker and Correlation with Immune Infiltration Levels in Lung Adenocarcinoma
Authors: Zhang Jingtao , Guo Minghao , Zhang Jing , Zhang Guangming , Sun Ning , Cui Wenqiang , Xu Fei
Published: January 2022

Background: We aimed to investigate the prognostic value of Four and a half LIM domain protein 1 (FHL1) and its correlation with FHL1 and tumor-infiltration immune cells (TIICs) in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD). Methods: FHL1 expression status and its influence on clinical characteristics in LUAD and Lung squamous cell carcinoma (LUSC) were collected based on GEPIA, TCGA, GEO, CPTAC, the HPA database, and the GTEx Portal. The ROC curve and Kaplan-Meier plots were used to assess the value of FHL1 expression levels in the diagnosis and prognosis of LUAD and LUSC. The interaction network revealed the related genes and proteins of FHL1 by GeneMANIA and STRING. The functional enrichment analysis based on FHL1 and FHL1-related differentially expression genes (DEGs) was conducted by the “clusterProfile” package and Metascape, respectively. The correlation analysis between FHL1 expression and tumor immunity was performed using TISIH, TIMER, and TISIDB. cBioPortal was used to investigate the mutation status between FHL1 and representative immune checkpoints. Results: The results showed that FHL1 expression was significantly lower in tumors relative to adjacent standard samples, and downregulated FHL1 predicted a worse prognosis for LUAD than that for LUSC. Additionally, FHL1 participated in the interleukin 15 mediated signaling pathway, response to interleukin-9, and neutrophil-mediated cytotoxicity. It was also positively correlated with TIICs (B cells, CD8+T, CD4+T cells, macrophages, neutrophils, and DC), immune checkpoints (CD80, CD48, VTCN, and PVR), and chemokines (CCL5, CCL17, CCL20 and CXCL8). Conclusion: FHL1 is a powerful prognostic biomarker of immune infiltration.
A novel theoretical approach for characterizing pore size distribution of wood cell wall using DSC technique
Authors: ZHONG XIANG , Ma Erni
Published: January 2022

The pore size distribution of wood cell wall is crucial for wood modification and drying in practice. This study proposed a novel approach to characterize continuous cell wall pore size distribution by solving the differential equation of the water amount melting inside wood obtained from the differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) technique. Compared with the method using the isothermal process, this approach gained a more accurate pore size distribution, and overcome the disadvantages of long-time measurement. Chinese fir (Cunninghamia lanceolata (Lamb.) Hook.) was investigated with this novel method to analyze the cell wall pore size distribution at the fiber saturation point (FSP). The results showed that most pores of the cell wall were below 10 nm. With the increase of pore size, the pore volume decreases sharply, and the cell wall pores above 20 nm hardly existed. The relation between cell wall pore size and volume had the similar trend between the discontinuous and continuous methods. However, there was a quantity gap in pore volume of 9.4-52.4 times between the two methods.
Ab Initio Determination on Diffusion Coefficient and Viscosity of FeNi Fluid Under Earth’s Core Condition
Authors: Li Wei-Jie , Li Zi , Zhang Ping , Lu Yong , Wang Cong , Ma Zhe , Jia Qian , Cheng Xue-Bin , Hu Han-Dong
Published: January 2022

The Earth’s outer core is mainly composed of Fe and Ni. The compositional stratification and geodynamo of the Earth’s core are closely correlated with the transport properties of the fluid in the Earth core. We selected the typical FeNi fluid, and systemically calculated its diffusion coefficient and viscosity under Earth’s core condition by quantum molecular dynamics simulation. The diffusion coefficients and viscosity are almost constant along the core adiabatic curve. The self-diffusion coefficients of Ni along the core adiabatic range from 8.37\(\times\)10−9 m2s−1 to 8.87\(\times\)10−9 m2s−1. The diffusion coefficient increases with temperature increase, while viscosity decrease with temperature increase. The calculations on the transport properties suggest that the Ni impurities have a negligible effect on the diffusion coefficient and viscosity of Earth’s core. Combining the self-diffusion coefficient of Ni and the diffusion equation, the thickness of compositional stratification at the top of the core is 138.5 km.
Neuromodulatory Role of L-arginine; Nitric Oxide Precursor Against Thioacetamide Induced-Hepatic Encephalopathy in Rats via Downregulation of Nrf-2/NF- κB -mediated Apoptosis
Authors: Sedik Ahmed , Hassan Azza , Saleh Dalia
Published: January 2022

The goal of the current study was to investigate the impact of arginine (ARG); a NO precursor, on thioacetamide (TAA)-induced HE. To achieve this goal, rats received TAA (100 mg/kg, i.p) thrice weekly for six consecutive weeks to induce HE. TAA-injected rats were administered ARG (100 mg/kg/day; p.o.) concurrently with TAA for six consecutive weeks. Blood was then withdrawn and rats were sacrificed, liver and brain tissues were isolated. Results of the present study demonstrated that ARG administration to TAA-induced HE in rats revealed a restoration in the serum and brain ammonia levels as well as serum AST, ALT, ALP and T. bilirubin levels as well as behavioral alterations evidenced by restoration in locomotor activity, motor skill performance, and memory impairment. ARG showed also attenuation in hepatic and brain biochemical biomarkers, pro-inflammatory cytokines and oxidative stress biomarkers. All these results were confirmed by histopathological evaluation as well as ultra-structural image of the cerebellum using a transmission electron microscope. Furthermore, treatment with ARG exhibited ameliorated immunological reactivity of Nrf2 and cleaved caspase-3 proteins in cerebellum and hepatic tissue. From all the previous findings, it can be concluded that ARG showed a beneficial role in modulating the adverse complications associated with TAA-induced hepatic encephalopathy in rats via reducing hyperammonemia and downregulating ROS and Nrf-2/NF- κB -mediated apoptosis.
Risk factors and prognostic nomogram for patients with second primary cancers after lung cancer using classical statistics and machine learning
Authors: luo lianxiang , Lin Haowen , Lin Baixin , Huang Fangfang , Luo Hui
Published: January 2022

Background: Previous studies have revealed an increased risk of secondary primary cancers (SPC) after lung cancer. The prognostic prediction models for SPC patients after lung cancer are particularly needed to guide screening. Therefore, we study retrospectively analyzed the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database using classical statistics and machine learning to explore the risk factors and construct a novel OS prediction nomogram for patients with SPC after lung cancer.Methods: Data of patients with SPC after lung cancer, covering 2000 to 2016, were gathered from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database. The incidence of SPC after lung cancer was calculated by Standardized incidence ratios (SIRs). Cox proportional hazards regression, Kaplan-Meier methods and log-rank tests were conducted to identify the independent prognostic factors for predicting OS. These significant prognostic factors were used for the development of an OS prediction nomogram. Results: Totally, 10487 SPC samples gathered from the SEER database were divided into training cohort and validation cohort (score construction and internal validation) at random. Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that age, sex, race, grade, marital status, CT (chemotherapy), TNM stage, radiation, lung cancer surgery and SPC surgery were independent risk factors for OS in SPC patients. The prognostic nomogram we constructed was also for OS. The concordance index (C-index) in the training cohort and validation cohort were 0.715(95%CI:0.710-0.718) and 0.716(95%CI:0.712-0.720). Additionally, calibration curves and decision curve analysis (DCA) curves revealed that the nomogram has excellent clinical utility. In the random forest (RF) model, SPC site and T stage were the two most important variables, which was consistent with the nomogram. And, the random forest (RF) model had slightly better prediction performance than the Cox risk regression model (AUC: 0.748 vs. AUC: 0.719).Conclusions: The prognosis characteristics of SPC following the lung cancer was systematically reviewed. The nomogram we constructed can provide survival predictions to assist clinicians in making individualized decisions for appropriate treatment.
E3 Ubiquitin Ligase TRIM9 Ubiquitin Modified-Beclin1 Regulates Autophagy to Relieve Myocardial Ischemia Reperfusion Injury
Authors: Wang Limeiting , Wang Nan , Rao Peng , Li Changyan , Liu Xiang , Song Wenting , Sun Lin , Lu Di
Published: January 2022

TRI partite motif (TRIM) family proteins are RING finger domain-containing proteins, which are related with the maintenance of cellular functions. TRIM9, a pivotal E3 ubiquitin ligase, has been implicated in the pathogenesis of many diseases. However, the role of TRIM9 in myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury (MIRI) remains unknown. In this study, we found that TRIM9 expression is up-regulated in MIRI in vivo and in vitro model. The inhibition of TRIM9 expression further increased the protein levels of LC3II and p62, while they were elevated in the process of MIRI, suggesting the disruption of autophagic flow. Mechanistically, TRIM9 down-regulated the expression of Beclin1, a crucial protein in autophagy, and promoted the ubiquitination of Beclin1, followed by the decreased expression of LC3II and p62. Collectively, our data revealed that TRIM9 can protect against MIRI and might be a novel and potential therapeutic target for cardiovascular disease.
A strategy to achieve the inherently flame-retardant PA56 by copolymerization with DDP
Authors: Yang Tingting , Gao Yuanbo , Liu Xiucai , Wang Xueli , Yu Jianyong , Huang Shuohan , Ma Bomou , He Yong
Published: January 2022

As a bio-based polyamide, PA56 is restricted in many fileds due to its flammability. In this research, flame-retardant PA56 copolymers (FRPA56s) were designed and successfully synthesized with the introduction of 9,10-dihydro-10-[2,3-di(hydroxy carbonyl)propyl]-10-phosphaphenanthrene-10-oxide (DDP) unit. The thermal properties, thermal degradation and flame behavior of the resultant copolymer were investigated by DSC, TGA, LOI, UL-94 and cone calorimeter tests, respectively. Compared to PA56, the peak value of heat release rate and total heat release of FRPA56 containing 1.2 mol% DDP decrease by 35 % and 19 %, respectively, indicating the high flame-retardant efficiency of DDP. It is also found that FRPA56 with only 1.0 mol% DDP passes V-0 grade in the UL-94 test while its thermal performance is almost the same as homopolymer PA56. The pyrolysis products in both the condensed and gas phases were further systematically analyzed by SEM, Raman, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and TGA-GC/MS. The flame-retardant mechanism was also proposed for FRPA56s.
Integrated Transcriptome Analysis for the Hepatic and Jejunal Mucosa Tissues of Broiler Chickens Raised Under Heat Stress Conditions
Authors: Kim Deok Yun , Lim Byeonghwi , Kim Jun Mo , Kil Dong Yong
Published: January 2022

Background

Heat stress (HS) is one of the most important threats for the current poultry industry. Therefore, many efforts have been made to ameliorate the adverse effect of HS on poultry production; however, physiological and molecular mechanisms pertaining to HS are still limited in poultry. Therefore, the objective of the current study was to investigate functional alterations based on individual and integrated transcriptomes in the liver and jejunal mucosa tissues of broiler chickens exposed to HS conditions.
Results

Broiler chickens exposed to HS showed decreased growth performance and increased corticosterone concentrations in the feather. In the transcriptome analysis, the number of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified in the liver and jejunal mucosa by HS conditions. In the liver, genes related to amino acid oxidation, tryptophan metabolism, lipid metabolism, oxidative phosphorylation, and immune responses were altered by HS, which support the reason why heat-stressed poultry had decreased productive performance. In the jejunal mucosa, genes related to defense systems, glutathione metabolism, detoxification of xenobiotics, and immune responses were differently expressed by HS conditions. The integrated transcriptome analysis with DEGs found in the liver and jejunal mucosa showed a considerable connectivity between the core nodes in the constructed networks, which includes glutathione metabolism, xenobiotic metabolism, carbon metabolism, and several amino acid metabolisms.
Conclusions

The core network analysis may indicate that increased requirement of energy and amino acids in the jejunal mucosa of broiler chickens exposed to HS conditions is likely compromised by increased oxidation and synthesis of amino acids in the liver. Therefore, our results may provide comprehensive insights for molecular and metabolic alterations of broiler chickens raised under HS conditions, which can aid in the development of the novel strategies to ameliorate the negative effect of HS on poultry productivity and health.
Transmission of Human Papillomavirus Type 124 from Horses to Humans Working on a Stud Farm
Authors: Tong Panpan , Palidan Nuerlan , Song Xiaozhen , Jia Chenyang , Deng Haifeng , Duan Ruli , Tian Shuyao , Yang Enhui , Pan Juanjuan , kuang Ling , Jia Erken , Xie Jinxin
Published: January 2022

Human papillomavirus type 124 (HPV124) is a betapapillomavirus that is associated with viral warts, actinic keratosis, and squamous cell carcinoma incidence. No reports of HPV124 infection in mainland China have been reported to date. In a survey of Chinese horses, we detected HPV124 via next-generation sequencing (NGS) in nasal swabs from 4% (2/56) of thoroughbred horses, and 7% (2/30) of the Akhal-Teke horses, suggesting that horses can serve as a reservoir species for this virus. In addition, HPV124 was detected in 17/50 lung tissue samples from aborted Yili horse fetuses that were initially found to be negative for equid herpesviruses and equine arteritis virus, suggesting that this pathogen may potentially contribute to abortion incidence among horses. Further investigation showed that all workers involved in Yili mare production of farm B were positive for HPV124, while all other assessed individuals in farm B or without any history of contact with horses were negative for this virus. indicating that this HPV124 strain may be transmissible from horses to human workers at an HPV124-positive farm. Sequence analyses of E6 gene sequences from 18 Chinese HPV124 samples were performed, revealing that the 7 of 18 HPV124 strain identified among horses in the present study shared 100% sequence identity with previously published HPV124 isolate. Phylogenetic analyses based on E6 gene sequences in GenBank further revealed that the HPV124 isolate identified herein was closely related to the NJ3900 HPV124 reference strain, clustering together with the established Beta 1 HPV lineage. These results provide new evidence that HPV124 can infect Chinese horses, may function as a causative agent for abortions in Yili horses, and may also infect humans laboring in Yili mare stables.
What is the Link Between Emotional Intelligence and Emotion Regulation? Behavioural and Resting-State Functional Connectivity Evidences
Authors: Zanella Federico , Monachesi Bianca , Grecucci Alessandro
Published: January 2022

A converging body of behavioural findings supports the hypothesis that the dispositional use of Emotion Regulation (ER) strategies depends on trait Emotional Intelligence (trait EI) levels. Unfortunately, neuroscientific investigations of such relationship are missing. To fill this gap, we analysed behavioural and resting state data from 79 healthy participants to corroborate whether the same neural circuit predicting trait EI, also predicts specific ER strategies. An unsupervised machine learning approach (Independent Component Analysis) was used to decompose resting-sate functional networks and to assess whether they predict trait EI and specific ER strategies. Behavioural results showed that total trait EI index significantly predicts and negatively correlates with the frequency of use of typical dysfunctional ER strategies (suppression and self-blame). Crucially, we observed that an increased BOLD temporal variability within sensorimotor and language networks predicts both high trait EI and the frequency of use of cognitive reappraisal. By contrast, a decreased variability in language network predicts the use of suppression. These findings support the tight connection between high trait EI and individual tendency to use functional ER strategies, and provide the first evidence that modulations of BOLD temporal variability in specific brain networks may be pivotal in explaining this relationship.
Oxidative Stress Induced Endothelial Cells-Derived Exosomes Accelerate Skin Flap Survival Through Lnc NEAT1-Mediated Promotion of Endothelial Progenitor Cell Function
Authors: Guo Linlin , Chen Yuxuan , Feng Xiaoling , Sun Di , Sun Jiaming , Mou Shan , Zhao Kangcheng , An Ran
Published: January 2022

Background: Flap transplantation iscommonly used in reconstructive surgery. A prerequisite for skin flap survival is sufficient blood supply.However, such approaches remain unclear. This study aimed to explore theunderlying mechanisms of exosomes derived from human umbilical vascular endothelial cells (HUVECs) exposed to oxidative stress on endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) and their subsequent influence on the survival of skin flaps.Methods: HUVECs were treated with various concentrations of H2O2 to establish an oxidative stress model. To investigate the effects of H2O2-HUVEC-Exos and HUVEC-Exos, Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK8), tube formation, invasion assays, and Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) were performed in EPCs. Arat skin flap model was used to determine the role of the exosomes in skin flap survival in vivo. Microarray analysis was used to reveal the differentially expressed long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs)inthe H2O2-HUVEC-Exos and HUVEC-Exos. Furthermore, gene silencing and western blotting were employedto determine the mechanism behindlncRNAnuclear enrichment enriched transcript 1 (LncNEAT1)in EPCs.Results: HUVECs were stimulated with 100 μmol/L H2O2 for 12 h to establish an oxidative stress model. H2O2-HUVEC-Exos promoted the proliferation, tube formation, and invasion of EPCsand remarkably increased skin flap survival compared to the HUVEC-Exosand control groups. Sequencing of exosome RNAs revealed that the LncNEAT1 level was dramatically increased in the H2O2-HUVEC-Exos, leading to activation of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. Comparatively,knockdown of Lnc NEAT1 in HUVEC-Exos suppressed the biological behavior of the EPCs and inhibitedWnt/β-catenin signalingpathway, which could be partially reversed with use of Wnt agonist.Conclusions: Exosomes derived from HUVECs stimulated by oxidative stress significantly promoted the pro-angiogenic ability of EPCs through the Wnt/β-cateninsignaling pathway mediated by Lnc NEAT1 and hence enhanced random flap survivalin vivo. Therefore, the application of H2O2-HUVEC-Exosmay serve as an alternative therapy for improving random skin flap survival.
Pain pupillary index to prognosticate outcome in comatose cardiac arrest patients
Authors: Macchini Elisabetta , Bertelli Alessandra , Bogossian Elisa Gouvea , Annoni Filippo , Minini Andrea , Cornejo Armin Quispe , Creteur Jacques , Taccone Fabio Silvio , Peluso Lorenzo
Published: January 2022

Background: The Neurologic Pupil Index (NPi), derived from automated pupillometry, can accurately predict poor neurological outcome in post-anoxic brain injury. The prognostic role of another index, called Pupillary Pain Index (PPI), remains unknown in this setting. Methods: Monocentric study in adult comatose cardiac arrest (CA) patients. Quantitative PPI and NPi were concomitantly recorded on day 1 and day 2 after CA. The primary study outcome was to assess the prognostic value of PPI to predict 3-month unfavourable outcome (UO, defined as Cerebral Performance Category of 3–5). Secondary outcome was the agreement between PPI and NPi to predict unfavourable outcome. Results: A total of 102 patients were included; 69 patients (68%) patients had UO. Patients with UO showed a lower NPi (4.2 [3.5-4.5] vs. 4.6 [4.3-4.7]; p<0.01 on day 1 - 4.3 [3.8-4.7] vs 4.6 [4.3-4.8] on day 2), and PPI (3 [1-6] vs. 6 [3-7]; p<0.01 on day 1 - 3 [1-6] vs 6 [4-8]; p<0.01 on day 2) than others. PPI and NPi had similar predictive accuracy on day 1 and day 2 for UO. A PPI=1 on day 2 showed a sensitivity of 26 [95% CI 16-38]%, a specificity of 100 [95% CI 89-100]%, a NPV of 39 [95% CI 36-43]% and a PPV of 100% [95% CI 100-100]% to predict UO. On day 2, a total of 6 patients had concomitant PPI=1 and NPi ≤2, while 12 showed NPi>2 and PPI=1; the coefficient of agreement was 0.42. Moreover, NPi and PPI values showed a moderate correlation both on day 1 and day 2. Conclusions: In this study, PPI=1 on day 2 could accurately predict UO in comatose CA patients, with 100% specificity and a higher sensitivity than NPi. The agreement between PPI and NPi values was moderate.
Expression and prognosis analyses of PEA3 subfamily in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma via integrated bioinformatics
Authors: wei mei , wang wei , ni guangjian
Published: January 2022

Backgroud:

The PEA3 subfamily belongs to the first category of the ETS family, and it consists of three family members, namely, ETV1, ETV4, and ETV5. These members were implicated in the progression of many cancers. But their prognostic roles in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) remain to be characterized.
Methods

Data from multiple open databases were used to analyze the expression, regulation, mutations, immune infiltration, and functional networks of the PEA3 subfamily in patients with HNSCC.
Results

The results demonstrated that these patients showed downregulated ETV1 and upregulated ETV4/5 compared with healthy subjects. Furthermore, high expression of ETV4/5 and low expression of ETV1 were linked to the shortened overall survival in patients with HNSCC. The immune infiltration in B cells stimulated the prognosis, and it may have a prognostic medical significance linked to the PEA3 subfamily in HNSCC. These results showed that data mining efficiently revealed the expression of the PEA3 subfamily in HNSCC, but this study requires further large-scale genomic and basic research.
Conclusions

This study provided new insight into the prognostic roles of PEA3 subfamily in HNSCC with potential mechanistic values.
Determination of Genome Size and Chromosome Number of a Ziziphus Species (Z. mauritiana Lam.) from Eastern Senegal
Authors: Sakhanokho Hamidou F. , Islam-Faridi Nurul , Smith Barbara J.
Published: January 2022

Ziziphus mauritiana Lam. is a widespread shrub or tree of the Sahel region, where it grows wild and is used for various purposes, including nutrition, medicine, and firewood. Current domestication programs focus on using the local species as rootstock for the improved imported Asian cultivars to provide tolerance to pests and diseases. The plant plays an increasing economic role in the livelihoods of local Sahelian populations, but despite this there is little genetic information about it. The purpose of our study was to determine the genome size estimate and chromosome numbers of Z. mauritiana germplasm collected from eastern Senegal, West Africa. Genome size estimates were determined using flow cytometry, and chromosome count was achieved using chromosome spreads of actively growing root tips. The mean, median, minimum, and maximum genome size estimates (1Cx-DNA) of Z. mauritiana were 418.74 Mb, 417.45 Mb, 410.72 Mb, and 432.12 Mb, respectively. Plants of the germplasm investigated were found to be octoploid with a chromosome number of 2n = 8x = 96. The genetic information gathered in this study can be useful for phylogenetic studies, sequencing projects, and domestication programs that focus on controlled pollination for the development of improved Z. Mauritania cultivars in the Sahel region.
Variable Manganese Rates Influence the Performance of Huanglongbing-affected Citrus Trees in Florida
Authors: Kwakye Samuel , Kadyampakeni Davie M. , van Santen Edzard , Vashisth Tripti , Wright Alan
Published: January 2022

Improving nutrient uptake and tree health play an important role in managing Huanglongbing (HLB)-affected citrus trees in Florida. A greenhouse experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of increasing rates of manganese (Mn) on growth and development of sweet orange [Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck] trees at the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Citrus Research and Education Center in Lake Alfred, FL. Half the trees were graft-inoculated with the HLB pathogen and the remainder were used as the HLB-free (non HLB) control trees. Four rates of Mn (0.0 kg·ha−1 Mn (Control), 5.6 kg·ha−1 Mn (1x—standard rate), 11.2 kg·ha−1 Mn (2x—standard rate), and 22.4 kg·ha−1 Mn (4x—standard rate) were split applied quarterly to both sets of the trees in a completely randomized design. There were seven single tree replicates for each treatment. Response variables measured were trunk diameter, tree height, leaf Mn concentration, plus above- and belowground biomass. The accumulated Mn in leaf tissues significantly increased trunk diameter but did not affect tree height for both HLB-affected and non-HLB trees, the 2x rate had the maximum value for trunk diameter relative to the 4x rate. This study established a positive correlation between soil available Mn with Fe and Cu, but negative correlation with B and Zn. A strong correlation of −0.76, −0.69, and 0.65 was observed between soil Mn and B, Zn, and Cu, respectively, as compared with 0.49 with Mn and Fe. Among HLB-affected trees, the 2x rate gave the most belowground dry matter, which was 3% greater than the control and 5% greater than 4x. Aboveground dry matter had at least 30% more biomass than belowground matter among all treatments within HLB-affected trees. For small and medium roots, Mn accumulation increased with Mn application until 2x rate and decreased thereafter for HLB-affected trees. The results from our study showed an Mn rate of 8.9–11.5 kg·ha−1 Mn, as the optimum Mn level for young ‘Valencia’ HLB-affected trees in Florida.
Dark matter in astrophysics/cosmology
Authors: Green Anne
Published: January 2022

These lecture notes aim to provide an introduction to dark matter from the perspective of astrophysics/cosmology. We start with a rapid overview of cosmology, including the evolution of the Universe, its thermal history and structure formation. Then we look at the observational evidence for dark matter, from observations of galaxies, galaxy clusters, the anisotropies in the cosmic microwave background radiation and large scale structure. To detect dark matter we need to know how it's distributed, in particular in the Milky Way, so next we overview relevant results from numerical simulations and observations. Finally, we conclude by looking at what astrophysical and cosmological observations can tell us about the nature of dark matter, focusing on two particular cases: warm and self-interacting dark matter.
Multi-step-ahead prediction of river flow using NARX neural networks and deep learning LSTM
Authors: Hayder Gasim , Iwan Solihin Mahmud , Najwa M. R. N.
Published: January 2022

Kelantan river (Sungai Kelantan in Malaysia) basin is one of the essential catchments as it has a history of flood events. Numerous studies have been conducted in river basin modelling for the prediction of flow and mitigation of flooding events as well as water resource management. Therefore, having multi-step-ahead forecasting for river flow (RF) is of important research interest in this regard. This study presents four different approaches for multi-step-ahead forecasting for the Kelantan RF, using NARX (nonlinear autoregressive with exogenous inputs) neural networks and deep learning recurrent neural networks called LSTM (long short-term memory). The dataset used was obtained in monthly record for 29 years between January 1988 and December 2016. The results show that two recursive methods using NARX and LSTM are able to do multi-step-ahead forecasting on 52 series of test datasets with NSE (Nash–Sutcliffe efficiency coefficient) values of 0.44 and 0.59 for NARX and LSTM, respectively. For few-step-ahead forecasting, LSTM with direct sequence-to-sequence produces promising results with a good NSE value of 0.75 (in case of two-step-ahead forecasting). However, it needs a larger data size to have better performance in longer-step-ahead forecasting. Compared with other studies, the data used in this study is much smaller.
Revising green roof design methods with downscaling model of rainfall time series
Authors: Pons V. , Muthanna T. M. , Sivertsen E. , Bertrand-Krajewski J.-L.
Published: January 2022

Historically, green infrastructure for stormwater management has been event-based designed. This study aims to realign the green infrastructure design strategies with principles for robust decision making, through the example of green roofs design with the variational method and exemplified using the Norwegian context of the 3-step approach (3SA) for stormwater management. The 3SA consists of planning solutions to handle day-to-day rain at site scale through infiltration (step 1) and detention (step 2), and extreme events with safe floodways (step 3). An innovative framework based on downscaling of rainfall timeseries is suggested as follows: (i) long duration continuous simulation for retention variation and day-to-day discharge, corresponding to step 1 in the 3SA; (ii) intensive sampling of local extreme events to estimate reliability and robustness of solutions, corresponding to steps 2 and 3 in the 3SA. Comparing the traditional variational method to Highly-Informed-Design-Evaluation-Strategy (HIDES), it was found that the variational method possibly leads to incorrect decisions while the suggested novel approach was found to give more informed and reliable results by suggesting a design based on both operating mode and failure mode. It allows to embed solutions within the urban water system by facilitating the link between the steps of the 3SA. Such a framework was found to be data-wise applicable in the Norwegian context.
INCREASING THE EFFICIENCY OF THE ORGANIZATION'S ACTIVITIES WITH THE USE OF LEAN MANUFACTURING PRODUCTION TOOLS
Authors: Kafiiatullina Iuliia Nasikhovna , Panfilova Elena Evgenevna
Published: January 2022

The article discusses key approaches to evaluating and measuring the effectiveness of the processes taking place in the organization. The scheme for analyzing the effectiveness of subsystems and processes in the organization is presented. The factors influencing the efficiency of using lean manufacturing tools in the company are identified. A step-by-step approach to minimizing the main types of losses in the organization is presented according to the Lean concept.
The need for people with disabilities due to coronary heart disease in medical and social rehabilitation and the results of its implementation
Authors: Shmakova N. N.
Published: January 2022

The study of the need for people with disabilities due to coronary artery dis-ease in various types of medical and social rehabilitation over a 7-year observation period showed that disabled people needed medical rehabilitation in 100% of cas-es, in professional – in 43.2%, in social – 88.6%, in technical means of rehabilita-tion in 7.6%. In the section of medical rehabilitation, 89.3% of disabled people needed inpatient rehabilitation treatment, 91.1% – outpatient treatment, 46.3% – in sanatorium treatment. Rational employment was needed by 44.8% of disabled persons of group III, 6.1% – disabled persons of group II. 86.4% of disabled peo-ple needed information and consulting services, 77.6% needed legal assistance, 39.8% needed psychological assistance. The proportion of implemented IPRAs was 98.4%, of which in the section of medical rehabilitation – 98.3% of cases, in pro-fessional – 16.6%, in social – 77.7%. The IPRA was fully implemented in 69.6% of cases, partially in 27.3%, and the non-implemented IPRA was 3.1%. As a result of the implementation of these measures, 6.3% of disabled people achieved full com-pensation for impaired functions, 46.8% – partial compensation for impaired func-tions, 8.5% of disabled people achieved full self-service ability, 12.4% – partial, 17, 2% of disabled people are provided with employment. When assessing the need for people with disabilities due to coronary artery disease in various types of reha-bilitation, the leading role of medical rehabilitation with active dynamic control and psychological assistance, the need for motivation for vocational rehabilitation was determined.
effect of cash holding, profitability, and financial leverage on firm value with earnings management as moderating variables in manufacturing companies listed on the Indonesia stock exchange
Authors: Irawan Doddy , Widiyanti Marlina , Fuadah Luk Luk , Adam Mohamad
Published: January 2022

This study aims to determine the effect of cash holding, profitability (ROA), financial leverage (DER) on firm value (PBV) with earnings management as a moderating variable in manufacturing companies listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange. The sample of this research is 24 companies in the manufacturing sector with a research period from 2015-2020. The data analysis technique used in this study is moderated regression analysis (MRA). The results showed that cash holding and earnings management did not affect firm value (PBV). Profitability, as measured by return on assets (ROA) and financial leverage as measured by debt to equity ratio (DER), has a significant positive effect on firm value (PBV). The results also conclude that earnings management does not have a moderating role in the effect of cash holding, profitability (ROA), financial leverage (DER) on firm value (PBV).
Developing a mHealth intervention to reduce COVID-19 associated psychological distress among healthcare workers in Nigeria: Protocol for a Design and Feasibility Study (Preprint)
Authors: Akinsulore Adesanmi , Aloba Olutayo , Oginni Olakunle , Oloniniyi Ibidun , Ibigbami Olanrewaju , Seun-Fadipe Champion , Opakunle Tolulope , Owojuyigbe Afolabi M. , Olibamoyo Olushola , Mapayi Boladale , Okorie Victor Ogbonnaya , Adewuya Abiodun
Published: January 2022

BACKGROUND

Background: Globally, COVID-19 related psychological distress (CRPD) is seriously eroding healthcare workers’ (HCWs) mental health and wellbeing especially in the developing country like Nigeria. Mobile health interventions (mHealth) are now increasingly recognized as an innovative approach that can potentially improve mental health and wellbeing. Therefore, this project aims to develop a mHealth psychological intervention(mPsyl) to reduce CRPD among HCWs in Nigeria.

OBJECTIVE

Objective: To develop and assess the feasibility, acceptability, and pilot-test a mPsyI to reduce CRPD among HCWs in Nigeria

METHODS

Methods: A mixed-method study in which HCWs will be recruited from two tertiary healthcare facilities in southwestern Nigeria. The study is divided into four phases which involve: (i) quantitative survey to assess the levels and factors associated with CRPD; (ii) qualitative survey to explore HW experience of CRPD; (iii) the development of the mPsyI, and (iv) feasibility, acceptability, and pilot testing of the mPsyI. The primary outcome will be statistically significant reductions in levels of CRPD.

RESULTS

Results: This study was funded in November 2020 by the UK Medical Research Council and is currently ongoing.

CONCLUSIONS

Conclusions: This is the first study to report the development of a mHealth-based CRPD reducing intervention among HCWs in Nigeria.
A protocol for a hybrid effectiveness-implementation study to assess the feasibility, acceptability and protective efficacy of implementing seasonal malaria chemoprevention in Nampula province, Mozambique (Preprint)
Authors: Baker Kevin , Aide Pedro , Bonnington Craig , Rassi Christian , Richardson Sol , Roca-Feltrer Arantxa , Rodrigues Maria , Sitoe Mercia , Tarquino Ivan , Enosse Sonia , Platt Abigail , McGugan Caitlin , Carvalho Eva , Saute Francisco , Mayor Alfredo , Candrinho Baltazar
Published: January 2022

BACKGROUND

Seasonal malaria chemoprevention (SMC) is a highly effective community-based intervention to prevent malaria infections in areas where the malaria burden is high and transmission occurs mainly during the rainy season. In Africa, so far, SMC has been implemented in the Sahel region. Mozambique contributes 4% of global malaria cases, and malaria represents one out first four causes of death in the country. Based on recommendations in the Malaria Strategic Plan, Malaria Consortium, in partnership with the Mozambican National Malaria Control Program (NMCP), initiated a phased SMC implementation study in the northern province of Nampula. It is as a two-year implementation study, with the first phase, conducted in 2020-2021, focusing on the feasibility and acceptability of SMC and the second phase on demonstrating impact. This paper describes phase 2 of the implementation study.

OBJECTIVE

Thsi study aims to test the feasibility, effectiveness and chemopreventive efficacy of SMC with SPAQ in a province of Mozambique, Nampula, where malaria transmission is highly seasonal.

METHODS

This type 2 hybrid effectiveness-implementation study uses a convergent mixed-methods approach. SMC will be implemented in four monthly cycles between December 2021 and March 2022 in four districts of Nampula province. Phase 2 will include four components: a cluster randomized control trial (cRCT) to establish confirmed malaria cases, a prospective cohort to determine whether SPAQ provides 28 days of protection from infection, and whether drug concentrations and/or resistance influence the duration of protection, a resistance markers study in children aged 3–59 months to describe changes in resistance marker prevalence over time. Finally, a process evaluation will determine feasibility and acceptability of SMC.

RESULTS

Ethical approval was granted by Comité Nacional de Bioética para a Saùde (CNBS) of MoH of Mozambique (Ref: 803/CNBS/21) and by Research Ethics Committee of the Hospital Clinic of Barcelona (Ref: HCB/2021/0944). Data collection begins in mid-January 2022, and data analysis is expected to be completed by August 2022.

CONCLUSIONS

This is the first effectiveness trial of SMC implemented in Mozambique. The findings from this trial will be crucial to policy change and program expansion to other suitable geographies outside the Sahel. The chemoprevention efficacy cohort study is a unique opportunity to better understand SMC drug efficacy in this new SMC environment.

CLINICALTRIAL

The trial has been registered on clinicaltrials.gov (Ref: NCT05186363).
Hiding under the ROC Curve:
Detection of Malicious Cyberattacks in EHR Data from Model Prediction Variance (Preprint)
Authors: Bouayad Lina , Padmanabhan Balaji , Schultz Susan
Published: January 2022

BACKGROUND

Machine learning models are increasingly being used in healthcare settings. If integrity of the data used to build these models is impacted by cybersecurity attacks, the results of these predictive models become questionable.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the risks associated with false data injections in provider progress notes, and to evaluate the potential of exploiting variance in predictions of text mining methods at detecting such data integrity issues.

METHODS

A simulation of false data injection scenarios was conducted on a set of provider notes. Common statistical text mining (STM) methods were used to assess the mental health severity of patients described in the falsified notes. The simulation experiment focused on 1) assessing the overall classification stability across the different types of false data injections, 2) identifying the classification algorithms that are robust against these attacks, and 3) evaluating the potential of STM methods at signaling data integrity issues.

RESULTS

A simulation experiment using a training dataset of 96 severe psychiatric provider notes, 337 non-severe notes revealed that the performance of classification models drops with false data injection attacks. The accuracy of single models such as support vector machines and decision trees significantly dropped (average drop of 16.41%) by injection of a sole screening template. Ensemble models such as bagging and boosting were robust against sole screening template injections with an average drop of the accuracy level by about 0.513%. The performance of all models dropped significantly when false data exceeded 50% of the size of the note.

CONCLUSIONS

While STM methods can be useful at assessing the severity of the mental health conditions expressed in provider notes, the performance of such models can drop significantly with false data injections. Traditionally, such non-robust behavior of STM models is undesirable. Counter-intuitively, we show here that such a lack of robustness can be leveraged to generate signals of malicious false data injections into EHR systems. Hence prediction variance of these models can potentially be used to signal data integrity issues.
The Long-term Effects of Immersive Virtual Reality Reminiscence in People With Dementia: Longitudinal Observational Study (Preprint)
Authors: Huang Ling-Chun , Yang Yuan-Han
Published: January 2022

BACKGROUND

Novel nonpharmacological therapies are being developed to prevent cognitive decline and reduce behavioral and psychological symptoms in patients with dementia. Virtual reality (VR) reminiscence was reported to improve anxiety, apathy, and cognitive function immediately after intervention in individuals at residential aged care facilities. However, its effect on elderly patients with dementia and how long this effect could last remain unknown.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this paper is to investigate the effect of immersive VR reminiscence in people with dementia both immediately after and 3-6 months after intervention.

METHODS

A pilot study was conducted in 2 dementia care units. VR reminiscence therapy sessions were conducted twice per week for a 3-month period. Cognitive function, global status, depressive symptoms, and caregiver burden were assessed before and immediately after VR intervention in 20 participants. Subsequently, 7 participants were reassessed 3-6 months after the VR intervention. Wilcoxon sign-rank test was used for statistical comparisons of the changes.

RESULTS

There were no significant changes in cognitive function, global status, and caregiver burden immediately after the VR intervention, but there was a significant reduction in depressive symptoms (P=.008). Moreover, compared with the cognitive function immediately after VR, it kept declining 3-6 months after.

CONCLUSIONS

Immersive VR reminiscence can improve mood and preserve cognitive function in elderly patients with dementia during the period of the intervention. Studies using a control group and comparing the use of VR with traditional forms of reminiscence should be conducted in the future to confirm and expand on these findings.
LEVANTAMENTO BIBLIOMÉTRICO DOS ESTUDOS COM MEDIDAS DE CONTROLE QUÍMICO E BIOLÓGICO DE Xanthomonas vasicola pv. vasculorum
Authors: Nepomoceno Taiane Aparecida Ribeiro , Pietrobon Alex Junior , Castanheira Leonardo Trevizan
Published: January 2022

A estria bacteriana do milho (Xanthomonas vasicola pv. vasculorum) está presente em regiões produtoras do mundo, afetando a milhocultura e causando impactos econômicos. Contudo, pelo fato de ser uma patologia recente na cultura do milho as medidas de controle para o manejo dessa bacteriose são escassas. Partindo desse contexto, o levantamento dos estudos referentes aos tipos de controle para essa bacteriose, pode oferecer informações sobre os produtos e espécies mais estudadas no mundo. O principal objetivo deste artigo foi levantar informações bibliométricas sobre o controle químico e biológico de Xanthomonas vasicola pv. vasculorum, no âmbito nacional e internacional. Para isso realizou-se uma varredura em cinco bases de dados, considerando-se estudos no idioma inglês, português e espanhol, em um recorte temporal de 2016 a 2021. O levantamento apontou que o Brasil é o único país com pesquisas publicadas sobre controle químico e biológico para esta bacteriose. Apenas três publicações foram localizadas segundo os critérios de inclusão, publicadas em 2018, 2020 e 2021. Dentre os produtos químicos mais eficientes no controle da bactéria em questão têm-se aqueles formulados com amônia quaternária, óxido cuproso, oxicloreto de cobre e casugamicina. Em relação ao controle biológico Pseudomonas aeruginosa e Gluconacetobacter diazotrophicus apresentaram potencial antibiótico contra Xanthomonas vasicola pv. vasculorum. No entanto, os achados confirmam a necessidade de maior dispêndio em pesquisas e desenvolvimento de métodos para o controle da estria bacteriana do milho, pois, atualmente existem poucas pesquisas e informações disponíveis na literatura sobre as técnicas de controle químico e biológico para esta espécie.