bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Regression Analysis On Ground Motion Parameters For The Earthquakes (Mw≥4.0) in NE India With Special Emphasis On 3 Jan 2016 M6.7 Tamenglong Earthquake
Authors: Gogoi Ashim , Baruah Saurabh , Sharma Sangeeta
Published: October 2021

In the present study, ground motion parameters are estimated by processing 26 number of Earthquake events which contain 128 accelerogram records with 384 components of earthquakes that originated in NE, India and its vicinity with special emphasis on 3 Jan 2016 M6.7, Tamenglong Earthquake. It is observed that the peak ground acceleration (PGA) is dependent on distance, site conditions, and site characteristics. The linear regression relations developed for GMPs with distance can be applied to characterize sites having three kinds of geology- Quaternary, Tertiary, and Precambrian. Attenuation relation curves of ground motion parameters (PGA, PGV, Ia, Ic, CAV, HI, EDA, ASI) of three different magnitudes (Mw=5.4, 5.5, and 5.8) are estimated for NS and EW components. The average response acceleration of horizontal components for all these sites is equivalent to 0.0485g for 5% damping with reference to the average period of 0.234s and for the vertical component is around 0.026g to the average period of 0.18s. January 3, 2016, Mw=6.7, Tamenglong earthquake, Manipur is one of the highest magnitudes in NER used in this study. Estimated Peak Ground Acceleration (PGA) at Itanagar, Jorhat, Kohima, Lekhapani, Mokokchung and Tadong sites are 0.0289g, 0.0145g, 0.053g, 0.00510g, 0.022g, 0.00159g respectively, while the Peak Ground Velocity (PGV) values are 0.0166m/s, 0.0097m/s, 0.050m/s, 0.0022m/s, 0.0195868m/s, 0.0009498m/s respectively. The PGA estimated for the event is found to be maximum at Kohima. Response spectra indicate that response acceleration mostly varies with periods 0.2s and 0.5s, and beyond 2s there is no effective response acceleration. The maximum effective response accelerations for all the sites are observed within the frequency range of 0.5 Hz to 5 Hz. Pseudo response acceleration (0.2802g at 1.72 Hz) along with estimated engineering parameters was observed to be higher in Kohima site situated on hard rock with a low epicentral distance of about 120 km. These relations help to forecast an average value for the GMPs estimated at a particular site at a certain distance from a source which is a prime input for seismic hazard analyses and the development of design ground motions.
Associating Sleep Problems With Advanced Cancer Diagnosis, and Immune Checkpoint Treatment Outcomes: a Pilot Study
Authors: Sillah Arthur , Peters Ulrike , Watson Nathaniel F. , Tykodi Scott S. , Hall Evan T. , Silverman Allison , Malen Rachel C , Thompson John A. , Lee Sylvia M. , Bhatia Shailender , Veatch Joshua , Warner Jeannie , Thornton Timothy , Phipps Amanda I.
Published: October 2021

Background: Sleep problems (SP) are common in cancer patients but have not been previously assessed in patients receiving immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI).Methods: We collected questionnaire data on sleep apnea risk, insomnia and general sleep patterns. We used an adjusted multivariate Poisson regression to calculate prevalence ratios (PRs) and associated 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for associations between these SP and metastatic versus localized cancer stage (M1 vs M0), and adjusted logistic regression models to calculate ORs for associations between SP with the number of ICI infusions completed (6+ vs. <6).Results: Among 32 patients who received ICI treatment, the prevalence of low, intermediate, and high-risk OSA risk was 36%, 42%, and 21%, respectively. Overall, 58% of participants reported clinically significant insomnia. We did not find a significant association between intermediate or high risk OSA (vs. low risk) and metastatic cancer status [PR=1.01 (95% CI: 0.28, 3.67)]. Patients in the cohort who reported taking >15 minutes to fall asleep were 3.6 times more likely to be diagnosed with metastatic cancer compared to those reporting shorter sleep latency [95% CI (1.74, 7.35)]. We did not find a significant association between SP and number of ICI infusions completed.Conclusion: Our data associating sleep apnea risk, insomnia and sleep patterns with more advanced cancer encourages further exploration in larger-scale observational studies and suggests interventional clinical trials focused on sleep quality improvement could result in better outcomes for these patients.
Prediction of death after multiple wasp stings with a clinical prognostic model
Authors: Wang Maohe , Qin Mei , Wang Amanda Y , Zhao Jia Wei , Deng Fei , Li Guisen , Wang Wei
Published: October 2021

Background
We aimed to assess the utility of the poisoning severity score (PSS) as early prognostic predictors in patients with wasp stings, and to explore a reliable and simple predictive tool for short-term outcomes.
Methods
From January 2016 to December 2018, 363 patients with wasp stings in Suining Central Hospital were taken as research subjects. In the first 24h of hospital admission, the PSS and Chinese expert consensus on standardized diagnosis and treatment of wasp stings (CECC) were used as the criterion for severity classification, and their correlation was analyzed. The patients were divided into survival and death groups according to the state of discharge. The factors that affect outcome were analyzed by logistic regression analysis. A clinical prognostic model of death was constructed according to the risk factors, and 1000 times repeated sampling was done to include the data to verify the model internally.
Results
The mortality of wasp sting patients was 3.9%. There was a correlation between PSS and CECC (r=0.435, P<0.001) for severity classification. Sex, age, number of stings, and PSS were independent risk factors for death. Based on the 4 independent risk factors screened by the above regression analysis, a nomogram model was constructed to predict the risk of death in wasp sting patients. The predicted value C-index was 0.962, and the internally verified AUC was 0.962(95%C.I. 0.936-0.988, P<0.001).
Conclusions
PSS is helpful in the early classification of the severity of wasp stings. Sex, age, number of stings, and PSS were independent risk factors for death in wasp sting patients. The nomogram model established in this study can accurately predict the occurrence of the risk of death.
CEST MRI Provides Amides/amines Surrogate Biomarkers for Treatment-naïve Glioma Sub-typing
Authors: Mancini Laura , Casagranda Stefano , Gautier Guillaume , Peter Philippe , Lopez Bruno , Thorne Lewis , McEvoy Andrew , Miserocchi Anna , Samandouras George , Kitchen Neil , Brandner Sebastian , De Vita Enrico , Torrealdea Francisco , Rega Marilena , Schmitt Benjamin , Liebig Patrick , Sanverdi Eser , Golay Xavier , Bisdas Sotirios
Published: October 2021

PurposeAccurate gliomas classification affects patient management and is challenging on non- or low-enhancing gliomas. This study investigated the clinical value of different Chemical Exchange Saturation Transfer (CEST) metrics for glioma classification and assessed the diagnostic effect of the presence of abundant fluid in gliomas subpopulations.MethodsForty-five treatment-naïve glioma patients with known isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) mutation and 1p/19q codeletion status received CEST MRI at 3T. Magnetisation transfer ratio asymmetry and CEST metrics (amides: offset range 3-4ppm, amines: 1.5-2.5ppm, amides/amines ratio) were calculated with two models: ‘asymmetry-based’ (AB) and ‘fluid-suppressed’ (FS). Presence of T2/FLAIR mismatch was noted.ResultsIDH-wildtype had higher amides/amines ratio than IDH-mutant_1p/19qcodel (p<0.022). Amides/amines ratio and amines levels differentiated IDH-wildtype from IDH-mutant (p<0.0045) and from IDH-mutant_1p/19qret (p<0.021). IDH-mutant_1p/19qret had higher amides and amines than IDH-mutant_1p/19qcodel (p<0.035). IDH-mutant_1p/19qret with AB/FS mismatch had higher amines than IDH-mutant_1p/19qret without AB/FS mismatch (p<0.016). In IDH-mutant_1p/19qret, the presence of AB/FS mismatch was closely related to the presence of T2/FLAIR mismatch (p=0.014).ConclusionsCEST-derived biomarkers for amides, amines and their ratio can help with histomolecular staging in gliomas without intense contrast enhancement. T2/FLAIR mismatch is reflected in the presence of AB/FS CEST mismatch. The AB/FS CEST mismatch identifies glioma sub-groups that may have prognostic and clinical relevance.
Modification of the Luedeking and Piret Model with a Delay Time Parameter for Biotechnological Lactic Acid Production
Authors: Groff María Carla , Scaglia Gustavo , Ortiz Oscar A. , Noriega Sandra E.
Published: October 2021

Objectives
To obtain a mathematical model that adequately describes the time lag between biomass generation and lactic acid production of lactic fermentations.
Methods
Seven experimental kinetics from other research works were studied to validate our proposal: four studies of Fungal Submerged Fermentation and three cases of Bacterial Submerged Fermentation, including the data recollected by Luedeking and Piret.
Results
We introduce a modification to the Luedeking and Piret model that consist in the introduction of a time delay parameter in the model, this parameter would account for the lag time that exists between the production of biomass and lactic acid. It is possible to determine this time delay in a simple way by approximating the biomass and product formation considering that they behave as a first order plus dead time system. The duration of this phenomenon, which is not described with the classical Luedeking and Piret model, is a function of microorganism physiology (ease of biomass growth), environment (nutrients) and type of inoculum.
Conclusion
The Luedeking and Piret with delay model applications reveal an increase of the R2 in all cases, evidencing the quality of fit and the simplicity of the method proposed. These model would improve the accuracy of bioprocess scaling up.
3-Indolepropionic Acid Prevented Chlorpyrifos-Induced Hepatorenal Toxicities in Rats By Improving Anti-Inflammatory, Antioxidant And Apoptotic Responses and Abating DNA Damage
Authors: Owumi Solomon E. , Najophe Eseroghene S. , Otunla Moses T.
Published: October 2021

We examined the individual and combined effect of 3-Indolepropionic acid (IPA) and Chlorpyrifos (CPF) on rat hepatorenal function. The experimental cohorts (n=6) were treated per os for 14 consecutive days as follows: Control (Corn oil 2 mL/kg body weight), CPF alone (5 mg/kg), IPA alone (50 mg/kg) and the co-treated cohorts (CPF: 5 mg/kg + IPA: 25 or 50 mg/kg). Biomarkers of hepatorenal damage, antioxidant and myeloperoxidase (MPO) activities, the levels of nitric oxide (NO), lipid peroxidation (LPO) and reactive oxygen and nitrogen (RONS) species were spectrophotometrically evaluated. Besides, the concentration of tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF- α), interleukin-1 β (IL-1β) and caspase-3 activity and 8-hydroxy-2’-deoxyguanosine adducts (8-OHdG) was also assessed by Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay. Treatment with CPF alone increased biomarkers of hepatorenal toxicity was significantly (p<0.05) alleviated in rats co-exposed to CPF and IPA. Moreover, the decrease in antioxidant status as antioxidant elevation in RONS and LPO were lessened (p<0.05) in rats co-treated with CPF and IPA. CPF mediated increases in TNF-α, IL-1β, NO, MPO and caspase-3 activity were reduced (p<0.05) in the liver and kidney of rats co-exposed to CPF and IPA. In addition, 8-OHdG adducts formation were reduced in rats treated with 3-IPA dose-dependently. Light microscopic examination showed that histopathological lesions severity induced by CPF were alleviated in rats co-exposed to IPA and CPF. In conclusion, the results demonstrated that rats co-exposed to IPA and CPF exhibited reduced CPF-induced oxidative stress, inflammation, DNA damage and caspase-3 activation of the liver and kidney.
Temporal Evolution of The Resistance Genotypes of Plasmodium Falciparum in Isolates From Equatorial Guinea During 20 Years (1999 to 2019).
Authors: Berzosa Pedro , Fuente Irene Molina-de la , Tang Thuy-Huong Ta , Gonzalez Vicenta , Garcia Luz , Rodriguez-Galet Ana , Diaz-Regañon Ramón , Galan Rosario , Cerrado-Gálvez Laura , Ncogo Policarpo , Riloha Matilde , Benito Agustin
Published: October 2021

Background: Malaria is one of the deadliest disease in the world, particularly in Africa. The resistance to antimalarial drugs is one of the most important problems to global malaria control. The study assess the evolution of the different resistance markers over time and the possible influence of the interventions and treatment changes that have been made in Equatorial Guinea.Methods: 1223 biological samples distributed from 1999 to 2019 were included in the study. The screening of the mutations in pfdhfr, pfdhps, pfmdr1 and pfcrt genes were carried out by nested PCR and RFLPs, and the study of pfk13 genes was carried out by nested PCR, followed by sequencing to determine the presence of mutations Results: the haplotypes partially and fully resistant (pfdhfr + pfdhps) increase over time. In 2019, the fully resistant is increasing although super resistant remains lower. There is also a continued decline over time in pfmdr1 and pfcrt gene mutations. Since 2008, when ACTs were introduced in the country, the number of mutations detected in pfk13 has been increasing over time, with more mutations being observed in 2019. In this year, were detected 2 synonymous and 5 non-synonymous mutations, although are not related to resistance to ACTs. In addition, the non-synonymous A578S mutation, the most frequent on the African continent, was detected in 2013, although it has not been detected in the following years.Conclusions: The withdrawal of the use of CQ as a treatment in the country has been effective over time, as wild-type parasite populations outnumber mutant populations. The upward trend observed in SP resistance markers evidence its misuse alone or in combination with AS or AQ in some areas of the country, this allows selective pressure from SP to continue. SNPs 540E and 581G do not exceed the limit of 50% and 10% respectively, which means that SP as an IPT is still effective in the country. As for the pfk13 gene, no mutations have been detected in relation to resistance to ACTs. However, in 2019 there is a greater accumulation of non-synonymous mutations compared to years prior to 2008.
Gradient Optimized Physics-Informed Neural Networks (GOPINNs): A Deep Learning Method For Solving The Complex Modified KdV Equation
Authors: Li Jiaheng , Chen Junchao , Li Biao
Published: October 2021

Recently, the physics-informed neural networks (PINNs) has received more and more attention because of it's ability to solve nonlinear partial differential equations (NPDEs) via only a small amount of data to quickly obtain data-driven solutions with high accuracy. However, despite their remarkable promise in the early stage, their unbalanced backpropagation gradient calculation leads to drastic oscillations in the gradient value during model training, which is prone to unstable prediction accuracy. Based on this, we develop a gradient optimization algorithm, which proposes a new neural network structure and balances the interaction between different terms in the loss function during model training by means of gradient statistics, so that the newly proposed network architecture is more robust to gradient fluctuations. In this paper, we take the complex modified KdV equation as an example and use the gradient optimised PINNs (GOPINNs) deep learning method to obtain data-driven rational wave solution and soliton molecules solution. Numerical results show that the GOPINNs method effectively smooths the gradient fluctuations, and reproduces the dynamic behavior of these data-driven solutions better than the original PINNs method. In summary, our work provides new insights for optimizing the learning performance of neural networks and improves the prediction accuracy by a factor of 10 to 30 when solving the complex modified KdV equation.
International Tourism, Digital Infrastructure, and CO2 Emissions: Fresh Evidence From Panel Quantile Regression Approach
Authors: Wei Liu , ullah Sana
Published: October 2021

The main motivation behind this study is the importance of the tourism sector and digitalization in the economic development of a country and their potential effects on the country's environmental quality. For empirical analysis, the study applies FMOLS, DOLS, and quantile regression techniques for Asian economies. The findings of the study confirmed that tourism and digitalization improve environmental quality in FMOLS and DOLS models. In the basic quantile regression model, the estimates attached to tourism arrival are positive 5th quantile to 40th quantile and then turn negative from 60th quantile and onwards. Likewise, the estimates attached to tourism receipts in the robust quantile regression model are positive from quantile 5th to quantile 20 and negative and increasing from quantile 30 and onwards. Conversely, the estimates of digital infrastructure are insignificant in the basic quantile model at all quantiles except 95th. However, the estimated coefficients of digital infrastructure in the robust model are negative and rising from 40th quantile to 70th quantile and negative and declining from 80th quantile to 95th quantile. In general, we can say that as the tourism and digital sectors grow, the CO2 emissions decline.
Clear consensus among international public for government action at COP26: Patriotic and public health frames produce marginal gains in support
Authors: Buchanan Tessa , Ackland James , Lloyd Sam , Linden Sander van der , de-Wit Lee
Published: October 2021

This work surveys over 14,000 respondents in seven countries to assess support for government action to protect the environment, and for different policies at the 2021 UN Climate Change Conference (COP26) in Glasgow. Baseline results reveal overwhelming support for action. At least nine out of ten respondents in six countries, and 79% in the USA, agree that all governments should do more. In each country, at least 50% of respondents express support for four policies: protecting wildlife; planting trees; spending more on clean technologies; and reducing the production of greenhouse gases over thirty years. A survey-experiment tests whether support changes when respondents are exposed to short texts framed in different ways. On average, exposure to a patriotism or public health text significantly raises support for action, albeit by only 1.6 and 1.3 percentage points respectively. On policies, exposure to either a public health text or a text based on current UN messaging increases support for tree-planting by 2.3 and 2.9 percentage points respectively. These results suggest that international public opinion is overwhelmingly in favour of government action at COP26. They highlight policies that are likely to attract majority support, and suggest that message-framing can have a very small impact.
Diagnosis of Premature Rupture of Membranes Using Vaginal Fluid Urea and Creatinine
Authors: Alao Abayomi Ibukun , Afolabi Adeola Folashade , Akunaeziri Uche Augustine , Tunde-Olatunji Olubunmi Abidemi , Igwemadu Gerald Tochukwu , Odutola Omoteniola Similoluwa
Published: October 2021

Purpose: The diagnosis of premature rupture of membranes (PROM) can be difficult in equivocal cases. This study was designed to test the validity of vaginal fluid urea and creatinine in the diagnosis of PROM against the gold standard which is the Amnisure test.Methods: The study was a prospective observational study. All consenting eligible pregnant women between gestational ages of 28 weeks to 41weeks + 6 days were recruited from the obstetrics emergency and antenatal clinic of the Federal medical centre, Keffi. Patients with a history of drainage of liquor were recruited as the case group, and controls that match for age, parity and gestational age were recruited from the antenatal clinic to constitute the control group. Vaginal fluid aspirated was assessed in the laboratory for urea and creatinine levels and an Amnisure test done. The sensitivity, specificity, negative and positive predictive values of vaginal fluid urea and creatinine were assessed in the diagnosis of PROM.Results: Vaginal fluid urea and creatinine had sensitivity, specificity, Negative predictive value (NPV), Positive predictive value (PPV) respectively of 94%, 82%, 93.18%, 83.93% and 98%, 90%, 97.82%, 90.74%. The cut-off value for vaginal fluid urea and creatinine were 1.25 mg/dl and 20.3 mmol/l respectively.Conclusions: This study has found that vaginal fluid urea and creatinine are very effective tests in diagnosis of PROM. It is a cheaper and more readily available alternative to the Amnisure test. It is especially useful in our environment, especially in cases of equivocal PROM, as a cost-effective means to confirm the diagnosis.
Bibliometric Analysis of Global Research Progress on Electrochemical Degradation of Organic Pollutants
Authors: Santos José Ribamar Nascimento Dos , Alves Ismael Carlos Braga , Marques Aldaléa L. Lopes Brandes , Marques Edmar Pereira
Published: October 2021

As a result of anthropogenic action, an increasing amount of toxic organic compounds has been released into the environment. These pollutants have adverse effects on human health and wildlife, which has motivated the development of different types of technologies for the treatment of effluents and contaminated environments. The electrochemical degradation of organic pollutants has attracted the interest of research centers around the world for its environmental compatibility, high efficiency and affordable cost. In the present study, a bibliometric analysis was performed using the Web of Science database in order to assess the progress of publications related to electrochemical degradation of organic pollutants between the years 2001 and 2021. The data retrieved showed a significant increase in publications related to the topic in the last 20 years. Electrochimica Acta was the magazine responsible for the largest number of publications (230, 7.22%). The studies mainly included the areas of chemistry, engineering and electrochemistry. China with a total of 1004 (31.49%) publications dominated research in this area, followed by Spain (282, 8.85%) and Brazil (255, 8.00%). The institutions with the highest number of contributions were the University of Castilla-la Mancha and the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and the most productive authors were Rodrigo MA and Martines-Huitle CA. The results of this study provide important references and information on possible research directions for future investigations on electrochemical degradation of organic pollutants.
High Neutrophil-To-Albumin Ratio Predicts Postoperative Pneumonia in Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage
Authors: Zhang Xin , Zhang Sheng , Wang Congkai , Liu Ran , Li Aimin
Published: October 2021

Background & Aim
: Although there are a variety of risk factors for postoperative pneumonia (POP) in patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH), objective and easily accessible biomarkers are still lacking. In this study, we evaluated the relationship between the neutrophil-to-albumin ratio (NAR) and POP in patients with aSAH.
Methods
We retrospectively assessed 395 consecutive patients who underwent clipping or coiling of the aneurysm, analyzed the existing population data and baseline variables of these patients. Patients were divided into POP and did not occur. The recipient operation feature (ROC) curve and logic regression analysis are used to identify independent predictors.
Results
Among the 395 patients, POP occurred in 78(19.7%) in this cohort. Patients with POP had significantly higher NAR than those without (0.31[0.25–0.39] vs 0.23[0.18–0.28]; P < 0.001). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that NAR (odds ratio = 2.94; 95% confidence interval, 1.141–7.574; P = 0.026) on admission was independently associated with POP after adjusting for confounders. Besides, the predictive performances of NAR for POP was significantly (AUC [95% CI] 0.775 [0.717–0.832]; P < 0.001).
Conclusions
NAR elevation at admission might be informative for predicting POP in patients with aSAH.
Emerging Strategies for the Sustainable Development of Solar Energy Sector in Turkey: A SWOT Analysis
Authors: Tırmıkçı Ceyda Aksoy
Published: October 2021

This paper performs a strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT) analysis to present some recommendations for future renewable energy roadmap of Turkey with respect to legal and regulatory framework, science and technology capacities, markets and industries. The following queries are addressed to identify internal and external parameters: the contribution of latest legal regulations to the installed solar capacity, the most excessive burdens for solar PV system developers, the current situation in PV research, the level of coordination between PV-dedicated institutions, the level of coordination between PV-dedicated institutions and industry, the science and technology capacity for manufacturing related issues, the response of locals regarding solar energy systems, the main pillars of the national energy strategy. In conclusion, possible strategies are recommended to maintain the strengths, improve the weaknesses, seize the opportunities and overcome the threats for the sustainable development of the solar energy sector in Turkey.
Local, distal, proximal, and contralateral effects of low-load blood flow restriction training on upper extremity neuromuscular performance of healthy women: randomized placebo-controlled trial protocol
Authors: Jales Maycon Thomas Moises , Júnior Wellington Dos Santos Lima , Pinheiro Yago Tavares , Barbosa Germanna Medeiros , de Souza Marcelo Cardoso , Lins Caio Alano de Almeida
Published: October 2021

BackgroundLow-load blood flow restriction (BFR) training may induce positive neuromuscular adaptations, but proximal BFR effects are unclear. This study aims to investigate chronic effects of low-load resistance training (LLRT) with BFR on upper extremity neuromuscular performance of healthy women.MethodsThis protocol for clinical trial will include 78 volunteers randomized into three groups of 26 participants: LLRT (LLRT without BFR); LLRT + placebo blood flow restriction (20% BFR); and LLRT + 60% BFR. All groups will perform four sets of 15 repetitions at 20% of one-repetition maximum for each of the following muscles: serratus anterior, lateral shoulder rotators, and lower trapezius. Participants will be assessed before protocol, after completing eight weeks of protocol, and after a four-week follow-up. Primary outcome will be muscle strength, and secondary outcomes will be muscle excitation, perimetry, pain, subjective perceived exertion, affective valence with exercise, and power of upper extremity muscles.DiscussionExercises are often used to prevent and treat upper limb disorders. However, only two studies analyzed the effects of these exercises associated with BFR. Therefore, this protocol aims to fill the gaps in these studies and propose more reliable results on the subject.Trial registration: EnsaiosClinicos.gov.br (Identifier: RBR-3pd52f).
Green and Sustainable Mobile Robots Design - a MCDM Approach
Authors: Sathiya V. , Chinnadurai M. , Ramabalan S.
Published: October 2021

To safeguard the environment, products and technologies are made friendlier to it. In this context, more research works were already done in computing and supply chain management fields. But, only less amount of research happened in Robotics field. Particularly green robotics was not addressed well. This research work tries to address green robotics with two real world case studies. Further correlation between green robotics, green computing and green supply chain is also discussed. The strategies which are bringing sustainability in robotics are discussed. Adoption of green concepts from first stage (robot design and fabrication) to final stage (robot application) is addressed. The metrics used to verify green concepts are discussed. The criteria used in this study are green material selection (as per international standards), energy saving, cost saving and green computing. Two numerical examples – design of two educational mobile robots are presented. The problems were solved in a MCDM approach. A hybrid method, ISM-ANP was employed to crack the problems. The simulation results ensure that effectiveness of the proposed MCDM method.
Prediction of 131i Therapeutic Dose and Prognosis in Hyperthyroidism Patients Using Mechanical Learning Model
Authors: Gao Han , Yuan Weiye , Gao Yunan , Wang Yidi , Yao Jie , Gao linfeng , Sun Liang
Published: October 2021

ObjectiveMultiple mechanical learning models were used to predict the therapeutic dose of 131I radionuclide in patients with hyperthyroidism, and to compare the calculation results of each prediction model to obtain the optimal model for dose prediction. Meanwhile, the classification model was used to classify the prognosis of the existing clinical hyperthyroidism case data in order to evaluate the administration results and provide reference for the dose given by clinicians.MethodsAccording to the data of hyperthyroidism patients treated with 131I in nuclear medicine department of many hospitals, a prediction model was established based on MATLAB. Firstly, the prediction results of BP neural network, radial basis function (RBF) neural network and support vector machine (SVM) were compared with small sample data, and then the optimal model was selected to predict the drug dose. BP-AdaBoost, SVM and random forest were used to classify the patients after recovery and evaluate whether the dose was accurate.ResultsThe average errors of BP neural network, RBF neural network and SVM models trained with small samples were 6.58%, 17.25% and 14.09% respectively. After comparison, BP neural network was selected to establish the prediction model. The data of 30 cases were randomly selected to verify BP neural network, and average error of the prediction results was 11.99%. Using SVM, BP-AdaBoost and random forest models, 100 groups of case data were selected as the training set and 10 groups as the test set. The classification accuracy were 80%, 90% and 100% respectively. The random forest model with the highest accuracy was selected as the large sample prediction. When 318 groups of cases were trained and 35 groups of cases were used for the test, the classification accuracy was 97.14%.ConclusionThis study compared the prediction effects of various prediction models on 131I therapeutic dose in patients with hyperthyroidism and the accuracy of prognosis classification. BP neural network and random forest achieved the best results respectively. The two models provide reference for clinicians when giving the dose, which has clinical practical significance.
Alanine-specific Appetite in Slow Growing Chickens is Associated with Impaired Glucose Transport and TCA Cycle
Authors: Niknafs Shahram , Fortes Marina R S , Cho Sungbo , Black John L , Roura Eugeni
Published: October 2021

Background: The rate of protein accretion and growth affect amino acid requirements in young animals. Differences in amino acid metabolism contribute to individual variations in growth rate. This study aimed at determining how amino acid needs may change with growth rates in broiler chickens. Experiment 1 consisted of testing amino acid choices in two chicken groups with extreme growth rates (the slowest –SG- or fastest –FG- growing birds in a flock). Essential (EAA) (methionine, lysine and threonine) or non-essential (NEAA) (alanine, aspartic acid and asparagine) amino acids were added to a standard control feed (13.2MJ/kg; 21.6% crude protein). The chickens were offered simultaneous access to the control feed and a feed supplemented with one of the two amino acid mixes added at 73% above standard dietary levels. Experiment 2 consisted of the selection of the bottom 5 SG and top 5 FG chickens from a flock of 580 to study differences in amino acid metabolism using the proventriculus representing gut sensing mechanism. In this experiment, transcriptomic, proteomic, and genomic analyses were used to compare the two groups of chickens. Results: SG preferred NEAA, while they rejected EAA supplemented feeds (P < 0.05). However, FG rejected NEAA (P < 0.05), and they were indifferent to EAA supplemented feed (P > 0.05). Transcriptomic and proteomic analyses identified 909 differentially expressed genes and 146 differentially abundant proteins associated with differences in growth rate (P < 0.05). The integration of gene expression and protein abundance patterns showed the downregulation of sensing and transport of alanine and glucose associated with increased alanine catabolism to pyruvate in SG chickens. Conclusion: Dietary preferences for NEAA in the SG group are associated with a potential cytosolic depletion of alanine following an upregulation of the catabolism into TCA cycle intermediates.
Rhus Coriaria L. (Sumac) Leaves as an Antibacterial Agent
Authors: Joseph Gili , Koltai Hinanit , Ron Eliora , Azzam Naiel , Hazan Haim , raskin Ilya , Mengeritsky Galina , Mazuz Moran , Shalev Nurit , Biran Dvora , Poulev Alexander , Fridlender Bertold
Published: October 2021

Background

Rhus coriaria L. has various medicinal effects, exhibiting antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antioxidant, antiviral, anti-ischemic, hypolipidemic and antibacterial activity. Its antibacterial activity has been extensively studied, revealing terpenoids, flavonoids and hydrolysable tannins as the main active compounds. Most of these studies have been performed on fruit, and a few on leaves and seeds.
Methods

Extract of R. coriaria leaves was fractionated into six fractions by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Two active fractions (Rc1 and Rc2) were subfractionated into fractions Rs1–3 and Rs4–6, respectively. The active subfraction Rs5 was subjected to LCMS analysis. Antibacterial activity of the extracts was assessed by well and disk-diffusion methods, and minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) by tetrazolium (TTC) test and minimal bactericidal concentration (MBC) by drop test were determined. Subfraction Rs5 was further incorporated into an eye drop formulation and tested for antibacterial activity, and leaf extract was also tested against the fungus Botrytis cinerea.
Results

Crude leaf extract, fractions Rc1 and Rc2 and subfractions Rs1–6 showed antibacterial activity, with MIC values ranging from 0.2–3.1 mg/mL and MBC values from 0.3–6.2 mg/mL, depending on the fraction and the bacteria. Subfraction Rs5 had the strongest antibacterial activity with a MIC of 0.4 mg/mL and MBC of 0.6–2 mg/mL, depending on the bacterium being tested. Rs5 incorporated into an eye drop formulation also showed antibacterial activity. The leaf extract further showed antifungal activity against the agricultural pest Botrytis cinerea.
Conclusions

The crude leaf extract and its fractions exhibited antibacterial and antifungal activity. The antibacterial activity increased in the fractions and subfractions of the leaf extract compared to the crude extract, suggesting enrichment of the active antibacterial compounds during purification. Leaves, which are much more readily available, and in greater quantities than fruit, throughout the year, may therefore serve as an inexpensive and effective source for an antibacterial product that can be used in the food and agricultural industries.
Revealing Coupling Strength in Biological Plasmon-Exciton Systems through Far-Field Microscopy
Authors: Yuan Zhiyi , Huang Shih-Hsiu , Qiao Zhen , Gong Chaoyang , Liao Yikai , Kim Munho , Birowosuto Muhammad , Dang Cuong , Wu Pin Chieh , Chen Yu-Cheng
Published: October 2021

Optical coupling plays a pivotal role in nanophotonic systems, which can be divided into weak, intermediate, and strong coupling regimes. Determining coupling strength is, therefore, the key to understanding light-matter interactions. State-of-the-art approaches based on spectral-based measurements suffer from relatively large background noise or long accumulation time at single-cavity level, without being able to perform high-throughput characterizations. Here, we report an efficient far-field optical imaging technique that can directly reveal coupling strength in a plasmon-exciton systems, allowing multiple nanocavity emissions to be detected, imaged, and quantified individually. A light harvesting biomolecule- chlorophyll a was employed to study dynamic light-matter interactions in strongly-coupled bio-plasmonic nanocavities. Identification of coupling strength was achieved by extracting RGB values from dark-field images and enhancement factor from fluorescence images. Lastly, we demonstrate the ability to quantify excitons and subtle changes of week coupling interactions in the bioplasmonic nanocavity. Our findings may deepen our understanding of fundamental science of light-matter interactions, paving new avenues toward real-world applications in quantum-based biosensing and imaging.
Microsurgical Management of Complex Hypothalamic Hamartomas in the Era of Minimally Invasive Therapy: A Case Series and Narrative Review
Authors: Lehner Kurt R , D'Amico Randy S. , Rahme Ralph , Schneider Julia R. , Privler Gloria G. , Faltings Lukas J. , Du Victor X. , Boockvar John A. , Rekate Harold L. , Langer David J.
Published: October 2021

IntroductionRecently, there has been a paradigm shift in the management of hypothalamic hamartoma (HH) from traditional microsurgical techniques to less invasive alternatives such as stereotactic radiosurgery and laser interstitial thermal therapy. However, large and extensive HH may fail to respond to minimally invasive therapies, ultimately necessitating microsurgery.MethodsAll patients who underwent microsurgical resection of a complex HH by the 2 senior authors (D.J.L., H.L.R.) in 2011-2017 were included. Charts were retrospectively reviewed and demographic, clinical, imaging, and outcome data were recorded.Results8 patients, 7 children and 1 adult, with a mean age of 7 years (10 months-27 years), were included. Of those, 2 had failed previous treatments. All 7 children presented with pharmacoresistant gelastic seizures and cognitive dysfunction, 6 exhibited central precocious puberty, and 3 had behavioral problems. Other seizure types affected 6/8 patients. Mean lesion size was 21.6 mm (14-31), all with interpeduncular extension and 5 with intraventricular extension (Delalande type I: 3, type III: 4, type IV: 1). A frontotemporal orbitozygomatic (FTOZ) approach with optic nerve decompression was used in all patients, supplemented by another approach in 3 (endoscopic transventricular: 3, transcallosal: 1). Gross total resection was achieved in 6 patients and subtotal resection in 2. Transient complications occurred in 3 patients (37.5%): self-limited sodium imbalance (n=3), subdural hygroma (n=2). Permanent complications occurred in 2 patients (25%): perforator infarct (n=1), short-term memory loss (n=1). All patients experienced seizure resolution postoperatively with preserved hypothalamic-pituitary axis function. After a mean follow-up of 41 months (2-66), 7 patients remain seizure-free, while 1 has rare recurrent seizures. Cognitive and behavioral symptoms improved significantly in all patients.Conclusion﻿For large HH with interpeduncular extension, microsurgery via the FTOZ approach is a safe and highly effective treatment modality.
Phenotypic and Genotypic within-host Diversity of Pseudomonas Aeruginosa Urinary Isolates
Authors: Cottalorda Agnès , Dahyot Sandrine , Soares Anaïs , Alexandre Kevin , Zorgniotti Isabelle , Etienne Manuel , Jumas-Bilak Estelle , Pestel-Caron Martine
Published: October 2021

Objectives: This study aimed to assess phenotypic and molecular inter-patient and within-host diversity of Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates responsible for urinary tract infection (UTI) or asymptomatic bacteriuria (AB).Methods: Clinical data of 120 consecutive P. aeruginosa UTI (n = 40) and AB (n = 80) were prospectively analyzed. Up to five P. aeruginosa isolates per sample were collected. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) was determined for all isolates (n = 591); a subset of 358 was characterized by multilocus sequence typing.Results: 444 isolates (75%) were non-multidrug resistant (MDR), 113 (19%) were MDR, and 34 (6%) were extensively drug resistant. A genetically highly diverse population was observed (64 sequence types [STs]), without strict correlation between genotypes and clinical settings. 35 patients (28%; 12 UTIs and 23 ABs) presented distinct antimicrobial resistance (AMR) profiles within a given urine sample, significantly associated with previous carbapenem and fluroquinolones exposure; five of them also exhibited polyclonal UTI or AB (with isolates belonging to two STs). Conclusions: P. aeruginosa urinary isolates of these 120 patients were highly diverse, in terms of AMR as well as genetic background. Both within-host AMR and molecular diversity can complicate AST, treatment and control of P. aeruginosa UTI.
Loss of DDRGK1 Impairs IRE1α UFMylation to Promote IRE1α Degradation, ER Stress and Apoptosis in ATDC5 Cells
Authors: Yang Xiao , Zhou Tangjun , Xia Ying , Tian Haijun , Cheng Xiaofei , Cao Yu , Ma Hui , Qin An , Zhao Jie
Published: October 2021

Background

Spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia (SEMD) is a rare disease that is caused by the impaired development of cartilage. Although mutations in the DDRGK1 domain-containing (DDRGK1) gene have been found to be one of the causes of this disease, the underlying mechanism remains poorly understood. Here, we used the ATDC5 cell line to investigate the effects of the loss of DDRGK1 expression on chondrocyte physiology and cartilage development, with specific focus on endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress.
Methods

DDRGK1-knockout ATDC5 cells were produced using the CRISPR/Cas9 technique, before their responsiveness to the loss of DDRGK1 was evaluated using Cell Counting Kit-8, and the apoptosis rate was measured using flow cytometry and Hoechst staining. ATDC5 chondrogenesis was evaluated using high-density pellet culture, followed by Alcian blueand terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling staining. The potential interaction between DDRGK1 and inositol-requiring enzyme 1 α (IRE1α), in addition to the possible tagging of the ubiquitin-fold modifier 1 protein (UFMylation) and ubiquitylation of IRE1α, were measured using a co-immunoprecipitation assay. Expression of components in the ER stress and apoptosis signaling pathways was determined using reverse transcription-quantitative PCR and western blotting.
Results

DDRGK1 was found to interact with IRE1α on multiple sites, where it facilitates the UFMylation of IRE1α. Knocking out DDRGK1 expression led to increased IRE1α ubiquitylation and subsequent degradation, which in turn enhanced ER stress and activated the apoptosis signaling pathway. Loss of DDRGK1 also induced apoptosis whilst inhibiting the chondrogenic ability of ATDC5 cells. In addition, DDRGK1 knockout reduced the expression of SRY-box transcription factor 9 and aggrecan in ATDC5 pellets but aggravated ER stress.
Conclusions

Loss of DDRGK1 was concluded to impair the UFMylation of IRE1α, which then increases IRE1α ubiquitylation and degradation to promote chondrocyte apoptosis due to enhanced ER stress.
Medial Versus Lateral Approach for Laparoscopic Colectomy in Colorectal Cancer Surgery
Authors: Abou-Ashour Hady Saleh , Elsisi Alaa Abdelazeem , Shahin Mahmoud Ahmed , Moustafa ASem Fayed
Published: October 2021

Background: Colorectal cancer is considered the 3rd common malignancy worldwide responsible for 9% of all cancer incidence. Currently laparoscopy is widely practiced in colorectal cancer surgery. It is related to the surgeon's experience to do either lateral-to-medial or medial-to-lateral approach. The two laparoscopic approaches are currently practiced and there are conflicts of superiority of this over that and vice versa. We aimed to show the superiority of one procedure over the other regarding short-term outcomes.Patient and Methods: This is a prospective randomized study of laparoscopic colorectal surgery. One hundred patients were included in this study.Patients were divided to 2 equal groups medial to lateral (M-L) and lateral to medial group (L-M), 50 patients each. The study was conducted from Feb 2017 to May 2021 in Menoufia university hospital, in the general surgery department.The study endpoint was: The feasibility, technical efficacy, operative time, vascular or ureteric injury and other complications of both techniques. We collected data according to patient demographics, technique of laparoscopic mobilization, surgery duration, hospital stay, operative and post-operative complications and lymph node retrieval.Results: One hundred patients with comparable demographics criteria had laparoscopic colorectal cancer surgery. Sixty-one patients were males (61%) and 39 patients (39%) were females. Fifty patients (50 %) were performed using M-L technique and the other 50 patients (50.0%) were operated upon using the L-M approach. Lateral approach had an average 10±3 (4–22) lymph nodes with specimen compared to 17±4 (9–31) in the medial approach. There was no statistically significant difference in the major complication rate (Clavien-Dindo IV) between the two approaches. M-L approach showed significant shorter operative time than L-M approach in anterior resection and Rt hemicolectomy in favor of M-L approach p<0.05. L-M approach showed a significant higher rate of conversion to open surgery and injury to the ureter and gonadal vessels. p<0.05. Patients in the M-L approach had a mean hospital stay of 5±1 days (range 3–52) compared to 5± 2 days (range 3–56) in the L-M approach. P >0.05Conclusion: Both approaches were feasible for colon cancer surgery. Laparoscopic M-L approach was found technically easier, and had less surgery related complications than the L-M approach.
Discovery of Solabiose Phosphorylase and its Application for Enzymatic Synthesis of Solabiose from Sucrose and Lactose
Authors: Saburi Wataru , Nihira Takanori , Nakai Hiroyuki , Kitaoka Motomitsu , Mori Haruhide
Published: October 2021

Glycoside phosphorylases (GPs), which catalyze the reversible phosphorolysis of glycosides, are promising enzymes for the efficient production of glycosides. Various GPs with new catalytic activities, derived from uncharacterized proteins phylogenetically distant from known enzymes, have been discovered in the past decade. In this study, we characterized the PBOR_28850 protein, belonging to glycoside hydrolase family 94, from Paenibacillus borealis. Screening of acceptor substrates for reverse phosphorolysis using α-d-glucose 1-phosphate as the donor substrate revealed that the recombinant PBOR_28850 produced in Escherichia coli specifically utilized d-galactose as an acceptor and produced solabiose (b-d-Glcp-(1→3)-d-Gal). This indicates that PBOR_28850 is a new GP, solabiose phosphorylase. PBOR_28850 catalyzed the phosphorolysis and synthesis of solabiose through a sequential bi-bi mechanism involving the formation of a ternary complex. The production of solabiose from lactose and sucrose has been established. Lactose was hydrolyzed to d-galactose and d-glucose by β-galactosidase. Phosphorolysis of sucrose and synthesis of solabiose were then coupled by adding sucrose, sucrose phosphorylase, and PBOR_28850 to the reaction mixture. Using 210 mmol lactose and 280 mmol sucrose, 207 mmol of solabiose was produced. Yeast treatment degraded the remaining monosaccharides and sucrose without reducing solabiose. Solabiose with a purity of 93.7% was obtained without any chromatographic procedures.