bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Latent Digital Divides and Its Drivers in E-Learning: Among Bangladeshi Student During COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Badiuzzaman Md , Rafiquzzaman Md. , Rabby Md Insiat Islam , Rahman Mohammad Mustaineer
Published: June 2021

The devastating COVID-19 pandemic forced academia to go virtual. Educational institutions around the world have stressed online learning programs in the aftermath of the pandemic. However, because of insufficient access to ICT, a substantial number of students failed to harness the opportunity of online learning. This study explores the latent digital divide exhibited during the COVID-19 pandemic while online learning activities are emphasized among Bangladeshi students. It also explores the digital divide exposure and the significant underlying drivers of the divide. A cross-sectional survey was employed to collect quantitative data mixed with open-ended questions to collect qualitative information from the student community. The findings revealed that despite the majority of students have physical access to ICT but only 32.5% of students could attend online classes seamlessly, 34.1% of the students reported the data prices as the critical barrier, and 39.8% of students identified the poor network infrastructure is the significant barrier for them to participate in online learning activities. This paper aimed to explore the underlying issues of the digital divide among Bangladeshi students to assist relevant stakeholders (e.g., the Bangladesh government, Educational Institutions, Researchers) in providing the necessary insights to arrange for students to undertake online learning activities successfully.
How Well do European Patients Understand Cancer-Associated Thrombosis? A Patient Survey
Authors: Elalamy Ismail , Falanga Anna , Girvalaki Charis , Monreal Manuel , Easaw Jacob C. , Young Annie
Published: June 2021

Ongoing concerns regarding the morbidity and mortality from cancer-associated thrombosis led the European Cancer Patient Coalition (ECPC), the voice of cancer patients across Europe, to create a pan-European cancer-associated awareness patient survey to assess CAT knowledge among a large population of patients with cancer. The ECPC survey represents the largest of its kind amongst patients/caregivers with CAT and identified significant gaps in patient awareness and knowledge of CAT. It also identified a need for educational CAT-related discussions and interventions between healthcare professionals and patients with cancer and their caregivers. The aim of this paper is to highlight these gaps and to provide healthcare professionals with awareness of what information should be shared with patients/caregivers as well as how and when that information should be provided. Notably, the importance of providing information on CAT risk and risk factors, how to reduce their risk of CAT, the role of anticoagulant prophylaxis and treatment (short- and long-term) including possible side-effects, and finally how to early identify CAT symptoms. Here we outline what type of information should be provided, as well as when and how to best discuss CAT with our oncology patients and their caregivers along the cancer care continuum, to reduce the risk of CAT and associated complications with a goal of improving patient outcomes.
Leaf Area Index Variations in Ecoregions of Ardabil Province, Iran
Authors: Andalibi Lida , Ghorbani Ardavan , Moameri Mehdi , Hazbavi Zeinab , Nothdurft Arne , Jafari Reza , Dadjou Farid
Published: June 2021

The leaf area index (LAI) is an important vegetation biophysical index that provides broad information on the dynamic behavior of ecosystems productivity and related climate, topography, and edaphic impacts. The spatio-temporal changes of LAI were assessed throughout Ardabil Province, a host of relevant plant communities within the critical ecoregion of a semi-arid climate. In a comparative study, novel data from Google Earth Engine- GEE was tested against traditional ENVI measures to provide LAI estimations. Besides, it is of important practical significance for institutional networks to quantitatively and accurately estimate LAI at large areas in a short time and using appropriate baseline vegetation indices. Therefore, LAI was characterized for ecoregions of Ardabil Province using remote sensing indices extracted from Landsat 8 Operational Land Imager (OLI), including Enhanced Vegetation Index calculated in GEE (EVIG) and ENVI5.3 software (EVIE), as well as Normalized Difference Vegetation Index estimated in ENVI5.3 software (NDVIE). Besides, a new field measurement method, i.e., the LaiPen LP 100 portable device (LP 100), was used to evaluate the accuracy of the derived indices. Accordingly, the LAI was measured on June and July 2020 in 822 ground points distributed in 16 different ecoregions-sub ecoregions having various Plant Functional Types (PFTs) of the shrub, bush, and tree. The analyses revealed heterogeneous spatial and temporal variability in vegetation indices and LAIs within and between ecoregions. The mean (standard deviation) value of EVIG, EVIE, and NDVIE at Province scale yielded 1.1 (0.41), 2.20 (0.78), and 3.00 (1.01), respectively in June, and 0.67 (0.37), 0.80 (0.63), and 1.88 (1.23), in that respect in July. The highest mean values of EVIG-LAI, EVIE-LAI, and NDVIE-LAI in June are found in Meshginshahr (1.40), Meshginshahr (2.80), and Hir (4.33) ecoregions and in July are found in Andabil ecoregion respectively with values of 1.23, 1.5, and 3.64. The lowest mean values of EVIG-LAI, EVIE-LAI, and NDVIE-LAI in June were observed for Kowsar (0.67), Meshginshahr (1.8), and Neur (2.70), ecoregions and in July were for Bilesavar ecoregion respectively with values of 0.31, 0.31, and 0.81. High correlation and determination coefficients (r>0.83 and R2>0.68) between LP 100 and remote sensing derived LAI were observed in all three PFTs (except for NDVIE-LAI in June with r=0.56 and R2=0.31). On average, all three examined LAI measures tended to underestimation compared to LP 100-LAI (r>0.42). The findings of the present study can be promising for effective monitoring and proper management of vegetation and land use in Ardabil Province and other similar areas.
Effects of Some Weather Parameters on Oil Palm Production in the Peninsular Malaysia
Authors: Ahmed Abubakar , Yusoff Ishak Mohd , Kamal Uddin Mohd , Yusoff Abd Samad Mohd , Mukhtar Suleiman , Shehu Danhassan Samir
Published: June 2021

Abstract: The effect of some weather parameters (rainfall and temperature) on the production of oil palm in Peninsular Malaysia was investigated. Data were analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS 20.0 version), with descriptive statistics, time series analysis, and multiple linear regression (MLR) carried out. SPSS and Microsoft Excel 2010 were used to analyse the results. The MLR model determined the strength of the relationship between oil palm yield (dependent variable) and the changing variables of temperature and rainfall (independent variables). The regression output returned three components; regression coefficients, regression statistics and ANOVA. The findings of the study revealed medium to high rainfall variability at the rate of 0.0008. This implies that rainfall is increasing over time with variations in its amount and intensity. As rainfall increases oil palm FFB production is predicted to increase at a slow rate of 0.0009. The estimation of average annual temperature indicated an increase of 5.6℃ at the rate of 0.0357℃ per year with a temperature maximum of 32.01℃ and minimum of 25.45℃. The result also revealed an increase in oil palm yield at the rate of 0.2581 per year with a mean value of 176247.6. Overall, there is a significant difference in the impact of rainfall and temperature on oil palm yield. This signifies that rainfall has a significant impact on oil palm yield (FFB) compared to temperature.
Padişah Çocuklarının Doğumu Üzerine Bir İnceleme: Sultan Abdülaziz’in Velâdeti
Authors: GENÇ Nermin
Published: June 2021

Osmanlı Devleti’nde veladet-i hümayun adı verilen padişah çocuklarının doğumları hem saray hem de halk arasında büyük sevinçlerin yaşanmasına ve çeşitli eğlencelerin tertip edilmesine neden olurdu. Doğum vesilesiyle ihsanlar dağıtılırdı. Bu makalede bir padişah çocuğunun aynı zamanda ileride padişah olacak olan Sultan Abdülaziz’in doğumu ele alınmıştır. Şehzade ve sultanların doğumu, doğum sonrasında yapılan adetler, şehzade ve sultan doğumlarının ne şekilde gerçekleştiği ve halka nasıl duyurulduğu hakkında bilgiler verilmiştir. Osmanlı Devleti’nde şehzade ve sultan doğumlarının öneminden bahsedilerek örnekler verilmiş ve merasimlerde uygulanan bazı teşrifat değişikliklerinden söz edilmiştir. Makalenin konusunu oluşturan Sultan Abdülaziz’in doğum tarihi, doğum yeri hakkında bilgiler verilmiş ve Sultan Abdülaziz’in doğumuna düşürülen tarihler gösterilmiştir. Sultan Abdülaziz’in doğumu sırasında ve doğum sonrasında yapılan işlemler ayrıntılarıyla ele alınmıştır. Daha sonra Sultan Abdülaziz’in doğumundan sonra verilen hediyeler, dağıtılan bahşişler ele alınmakta, şehzadenin doğumundan sonra alınan el izi bu çerçevede konu içinde yer almaktadır.
H.1249/M.1833 Tarihli D.CMH.d.27300 Numaralı Cizye Muhasebe Defterine Göre Kıbrıs’ta Gayrimüslimler
Authors: ÇALIŞKAN Adem
Published: June 2021

Bu çalışma, Türkiye Cumhuriyeti Cumhurbaşkanlığı Devlet Arşivleri Başkanlığı'nda bulunan H.1249/M.1833 Tarihli D.CMH.d.27300 Numaralı Kıbrıs Cizye Muhasebe Defteri’ne göre Ada’da yaşayan gayrimüslimlerin Osmanlı Devleti’ne ödedikleri cizye vergisi miktarı hakkında literatüre katkı sağlamayı amaçlamaktadır. Osmanlı 1571 yılında Kıbrıs’ı fethettikten hemen sonra burada yaşayan gayrimüslimlerden cizye vergisi tahsil etmiştir. Nitekim incelenen cizye muhasebe defterine göre Ada’da yaşayan gayrimüslimler cizyelerini âlâ, evsât ve ednâ olarak ödemiş ve mezkûr yılda toplam 21.039 kişiden bu vergi tahsili geçekleşmiştir. Buna göre gayrimüslimlerden tahsil edilmesi muhtemel cizye vergisi 636.628 kuruştur. Ada’daki gayrimüslimlerin cizye vergisini çoğunlukla âlâ sınıfında ödemesi ekonomik olarak iyi durumda olduklarını göstermesi açsından önemlidir. Nitekim 1833 Tarihli Kıbrıs Temettuât Defteri de Kıbrıs’ta yaşayan gayrimüslimlerin tarım ve ticaret açısından Müslümanlara göre daha iyi durumda olduklarını göstermektedir. Ayrıca incelenen deftere göre gayrimüslimlerin Kıbrıs’ın bütün kazalarında yaşadıkları da tespit edilmiştir.
Ebeveyn Tutumlarının Tanrı Tasavvuru İle İlişkisi Üzerine Bir Araştırma
Authors: HACIKELEŞOĞLU Hızır , KARACA Faruk
Published: June 2021

Dinamik bir yapı olarak Tanrı Tasavvuru, sürekli yenilenen, değişen ve kümülatif ilerleyen bir süreci barındırmaktadır. Tanrı’yı zihinde tasavvur etmek, bilişsel ve duygusal birçok yönü bulunan, ayrıca bireysel ve sosyal faktörlerin müdahil olduğu geniş bir alanı kapsamaktadır. Bu sürecin belki de en kritik aşamalarından birini ebeveynlerin çocuklarına yönelik tutumları oluşturmaktadır. Bu çerçevede mevcut araştırmanın temel problemi, belirleyici bir değişken olarak düşünülen ebeveyn tutumları ile Tanrı tasavvuru arasında bir farklılaşma olup olmadığını incelemektir.

Araştırma, nicel araştırma yöntemlerinden ilişkisel tarama modeline göre tasarlanmıştır. Araştırma verileri tesadüfî örneklem yoluyla seçilen katılımcılardan elde edilmiştir. Araştırma bulguları ebeveyn tutumları ile Tanrı tasavvuru arasında anlamlı düzeyde ilişkiler olduğunu göstermektedir. Bu çerçevede duygusal sıcaklık eksenli ebeveyn tutumları ile dengeli ve sevgi yönelimli Tanrı tasavvuru arasında; reddedici ebeveyn tutumları ile korku-ceza yönelimli ve ilgisiz Tanrı tasavvuru arasında pozitif yönde anlamlı ilişkiler tespit edilmiştir. Ayrıca ebeveyn tutumlarının Tanrı tasavvuru üzerinde yordayıcı bir etkiye sahip olduğu görülmüştür.
Utrametric diffusion equation on energy landscape to model disease spread in hierarchic socially clustered population
Authors: Khrennikov Andrei
Published: June 2021

We present a new mathematical model of disease spread reflecting some specialities of the covid-19 epidemic by elevating the role of hierarchic social clustering of population. The model can be used to explain slower approaching herd immunity, e.g., in Sweden, than it was predicted by a variety of other mathematical models and was expected by epidemiologists; see graphs Fig. \ref{fig:minipage1},\ref{fig:minipage2}. The hierarchic structure of social clusters is mathematically modeled with ultrametric spaces having treelike geometry. To simplify mathematics, we consider trees with the constant number $p>1$ of branches leaving each vertex. Such trees are endowed with an algebraic structure, these are $p$-adic number fields. We apply theory of the $p$-adic diffusion equation to describe a virus spread in hierarchically clustered population. This equation has applications to statistical physics and microbiology for modeling {\it dynamics on energy landscapes.} To move from one social cluster (valley) to another, a virus (its carrier) should cross a social barrier between them. The magnitude of a barrier depends on the number of social hierarchy's levels composing this barrier. We consider {\it linearly increasing barriers.} A virus spreads rather easily inside a social cluster (say working collective), but jumps to other clusters are constrained by social barriers. This behavior matches with the covid-19 epidemic, with its cluster spreading structure. Our model differs crucially from the standard mathematical models of spread of disease, such as the SIR-model; in particular, by notion of the probability to be infected (at time $t$ in a social cluster $C).$ We present socio-medical specialities of the covid-19 epidemic supporting our model.
Reconstruction for Chronic ACL Tears with or without Anterolateral Structure Augmentation in Patients at High Risk for Clinical Failure
Authors: Chen Jiebo , Xu Caiqi , Cho Eunshinae , Huangfu Xiaoqiao , Zhao Jinzhong
Published: June 2021

Background:

The purpose of this trial was to determine whether anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) with anterolateral structure augmentation (ALSA) would result in better clinical outcomes in patients with a high risk of clinical failure.

Methods:

From February 2017 to June 2018, 120 young, active adults with chronic anterior cruciate ligament injury and high risk of clinical failure were randomized. The patients were followed for >2 years, with 5 being lost to follow-up and 1 being withdrawn from the study. Clinical characteristics, operative findings, and postoperative clinical outcomes were analyzed.

Results:

The analysis included data from 114 patients, including 95 men and 19 women with a mean age (and standard deviation) of 30.1 ± 6.7 years in the ACLR group and 30.1 ± 6.4 years in the ALSA group. The rate of clinical failure was 20.4% (11 of 54 patients) and 3.3% (2 of 60 patients) in the ACLR and ALSA groups, respectively (difference, 17.1%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 5.3% to 29.8%; p = 0.007). Significantly higher rates of return to the preinjury level of sports (48.3% versus 27.8%; difference, 20.5%; 95% CI, 2.7% to 36.6%; p = 0.024) and to a competitive level of play (63.3% versus 42.6%; difference, 22.3%; 95% CI, 4.1% to 38.8%; p = 0.027) was found in the ALSA group.

Conclusions:

Compared with isolated ACLR, combined ACLR and ALSA resulted in a reduction in persistent rotatory laxity and higher rates of return to preinjury and competitive levels of play at 2 years of follow-up in the population studied. Our study suggests that patients with high risk of clinical failure appear to be candidates for the ALSA approach.

Level of Evidence:

Therapeutic Level I. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
Fracture Initiation Mechanisms of Multibranched Radial-Drilling Fracturing
Authors: Bai Yu , Liu Shangqi , Xia Zhaohui , Chen Yuxin , Liang Guangyue , Shen Yang
Published: June 2021

Compared with conventional hydraulic fracturing, radial-drilling fracturing presents remarkable advantages and can effectively develop low-permeability reservoirs. The radial borehole can reduce formation fracture pressure and guide the fracture initiation and propagation. Due to the large radial borehole azimuth or the strong anisotropy of the reservoir, the single radial borehole may not efficiently guide the fracture propagation. The researchers proposed multibranched radial-drilling fracturing. However, the research on fracture initiation of multibranched radial-drilling fracturing is inadequate. Radial boreholes usually need certain dip angles to avoid penetrating the interlayer, but the effect of dip angle on the stress field has never been considered before. In this paper, an analytical model for predicting stress distribution around the main wellbore with multiradial boreholes of arbitrary dip angle, azimuth angle, and phase angle is established for the first time, taking full account of the influences of in situ stress, internal pressure, and fracture fluid infiltration on the stress field. The model is utilized to calculate the fracture initiation pressure (FIP) and point out the specific fracture initiation location (FIL). The influences of azimuth angle, dip angle, phase angle, depth difference, and the stress profile radius on fracture initiation pressure, fracture initiation location, and maximum tensile stress distribution are investigated, and a series of sensitivity analyses are carried out. The results show that the areas between the radial boreholes and closer to the walls of radial boreholes are more prone to tensile failure, which provides a theoretical basis for radial boreholes guiding fracture initiation. The reduction of phase angle and depth difference enhances the interference between radial wells, which is conductive to the formation of hydraulic fracture networks between them. As the dip angle increases, the stress becomes increasingly concentrated, and the preferential rock tensile failure becomes increasingly easy. The farther the stress profile is from the main wellbore axis, the smaller it will be influenced by the main wellbore. When the distance exceeds 2R, the maximum tensile stress distribution on the profile remains constant. The research enriches the fracture initiation mechanism of multibranched radial-drilling fracturing and provides guidance for optimizing radial borehole layout parameters of hydraulic fracturing directed by multiradial boreholes.
Multistage Fractional Crystallization in the Continental Arc Magmatic System: Constraints from the Appinites in Tengchong Block, Southeastern Extension of Tibet
Authors: Zhao Shao-Wei , Yang Chao , Lai Shao-Cong , Pei Xian-Zhi , Li Zuo-Chen , Zhu Ren-Zhi
Published: June 2021

The petrogenesis and evolution process of continental arc magmatism provide insight into discovering the formation and differentiation of continental crust. Therefore, the geochemical, isotopic, and mineralogical analyses were conducted for coeval continental arc igneous rocks in the Tengchong Block to clarify their evolution process in the continental arc magmatic systems. The Middle Triassic appinites in the Tengchong Block, southeastern extension of Tibet, were generated at the subduction setting with zircon U-Pb age of ca. 243 Ma. The Nb/Yb, Zr/Yb, and Ta/Yb ratios along with depleted zircon Hf isotopic compositions indicate a source with an N-MORB affinity for the appinites. However, relatively enriched whole-rock Sr-Nd isotopic compositions with the characteristic of high Sr/Nd, Ba/Th, Th/La, and Th/Nd ratios suggest the source was metasomatized by ~2% subducted sediment-derived fluid. According to the REE ratios modeling, the primary magma of Nabang appinites was due to 5-10% partial melting of such metasomatized mantle source. The appinites are characterized by variable compositions, such as SiO2 contents of 47.82-61.74 wt.% and MgO of 10.61-2.61 wt.%, which resulted from the polybaric and multistage fractional crystallization of a slightly hydrous primary magma in a thick crust. At lower crustal pressures, clinopyroxene was the main fractionating phase, and at middle crustal pressures, amphibole+magnetite were the dominant fractionating phases; predominant plagioclase fractionation occurred at the magma emplacement level. This process could be an effective mechanism to induce the differentiation of continental crust. The fractionation of clinopyroxene and amphibole, accompanied by suppressing plagioclase at lower-middle crustal pressures, induces the high alumina in the evolved melt and forms high-alumina basaltic to andesitic magma.
WITHDRAWN: Proxalutamide (GT0918) Reduces the Rate of Hospitalization and Death in COVID-19 Male Patients: A Randomized Double-Blinded Placebo-Controlled Trial.
Authors: McCoy John , Goren Andy , Cadegiani Flavio Adsuara , Vaño-Galván Sergio , Kovacevic Maja , Fonseca Daniel , Dorner Edinete , Onety Dirce Costa , Zimerman Ricardo Ariel , Wambier Carlos Gustavo
Published: June 2021

Background: Antiandrogens have demonstrated a protective effect for COVOD-19 patients in observational and interventional studies. The goal of this study was to determine if proxalutamide, an androgen receptor antagonist, could be an effective treatment for men with COVID-19 in an outpatient setting. Study design and methods: A randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled clinical trial was conducted at two outpatient centers (Brasilia, Brazil). Patients were recruited from October 21 to December 24, 2020 (ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT04446429). Male patients with confirmed COVID-19 but not requiring hospitalization (COVID-19 8-point ordinal scale <3) were administered proxalutamide 200mg/day or placebo for up to 7 days. The primary endpoint was hospitalization rate at 30 days post-randomization.Results: A total of 268 men were randomized in a 1:1 ratio. 134 patients receiving proxalutamide and 134 receiving placebo were included in the intention-to-treat analysis. The 30-day hospitalization rate was 2.2% in men taking proxalutamide compared to 26% in placebo, P<0.001. The 30-day hospitalization risk ratio was 0.09; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.03 to 0.27. Patients in the proxalutamide arm more frequently reported gastrointestinal adverse events, however, no patient discontinued treatment. In placebo group, 6 patients were lost to follow-up, and 2 patients died from acute respiratory distress syndrome.Conclusion: The hospitalization rate in proxalutamide treated men was reduced by 91% compared to usual care. Trial Registration: NCT04446429
Provenance of the Zhou Dynasty Bronze Vessels Unearthed from Zongyang County, Anhui Province, China: Determined by Lead Isotopes and Trace Elements
Authors: Wang Yanjie , Wei Guofeng , Li Qiang , Zheng Xiaoping , Wang Danchun
Published: June 2021

Thirteen Zhou Dynasty bronze vessels and two slags from Zongyang County along the north bank of the Yangtze River in Anhui were analyzed by LA-MC-ICP-MS and EDXRF. The results of the lead isotope analysis showed that there were two kinds of lead materials in the Zongyang bronzes. Class Ⅰ which could have originated from the Wannan region were mainly used in the Western Zhou and the following Spring and Autumn periods; while Class Ⅱ, possibly from the local mines in Zongyang County, were mainly present in the Warring States period. Such a shift in the ore material sources is also revealed by the analysis of the trace elements of the Zongyang bronzes. With reference to relevant historical documents, it can be inferred that the transformation of the bronze material sources could be related to the changes of the political situation during the Zhou Dynasty.
Hot–Dog Structured Protective Nanocoating for Multifunctional Cotton Fabric Through Spray Assisted Layer–by–Layer Assembly
Authors: Zeng Fanxin , Xu Xian , Shen Yueying , Liu Yeping , Shan Xueshi , QIN Zongyi
Published: June 2021

Multifunctional cotton fabric was preparation by low–cost and environmental–friendly spray–assisted layer–by–layer assembly to achieve simultaneously excellent self–extinguishing ability, antistatic property and antimicrobial activity. Especially, a novel hot–dog structured protective coating was designed through introducing polyaniline nanofibers into graphene nanosheets, which can exhibit unique structural advantages and give full play to the compound synergetic effect. More clearly, 3–aminopropyl triethoxysilane, ammonium polyphosphate and polyaniline were selected for phosphorus–silicon–nitrogen synergism in the assembled layer, while PANI nanofibers doped with various organic acids were penetrated into the graphene nanosheets for constructing more stable and efficient protective space. The optimized coated fabric exhibited the excellent self–extinguishing ability for 5 composite layers including phytic acid doped nanofiber, and a significantly enhanced LOI to 35.1 % from 18.1 % for neat cotton fabrics. Moreover, the peak heat release rate and the total heat release values were significantly declined by 78.3 % and 49.0 %, respectively. Furthermore, a low sheet resistance of 264.7 kΩ/sq for antistatic property, as well as remarkable growth inhibition of E. coli and S. aureus can be achieved. In addition, the fabrics also displayed the good washing durability. Therefore, such eco–friendly and facile large–scale fabrication approach has great potentials in application for multifunctional advanced textiles and could be employed to various other cellulose fibers.
Angiographic Findings in Cases with a History of Severe Retinopathy of Prematurity Treated with anti-VEGFs Follow-up to Age 6 Years
Authors: Celiker Hande , Sahin Ozlem
Published: June 2021

Purpose: To report the effects of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) treatment in vascular development for cases of acute retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) using fluorescent angiography (FA) and to present the results of our observational approach to retinal sequelae.Methods: A total of 31 eyes in 19 patients with a history of treatment with anti-VEGF agents for classic type 1 ROP and aggressive posterior ROP who underwent FA between March 2014 to February 2020 were reviewed. Angiograms of retinal developmental features of patients aged 4 months to 6 years were examined. Results: The patients mean gestational age were 26.06±1.90 weeks and the mean birth weight were 837.68±236.79g. All cases showed various abnormalities at the vascular and avascular retina, and the posterior pole. All but one case showed a peripheral avascular area on FA evaluation during the follow-up period. We did not apply prophylactic laser treatment to these avascular retina. On the final examination, except one case, we did not observe any late reactivation in any patients. Conclusion: FA is an important tool for assessing vascular maturation in infants. Every leakage should not be assumed to be evidence of late activation, as some leaks may be related to vascular immaturity. Retinal vascularization may not be completed in all patients, however this does not mean that all these patients need prophylactic laser application. Our observational approach may be more daring than the reports frequently encountered in the literature, but it should be noted that unnecessary laser treatment will also eliminate all the advantages of anti-VEGF treatment.
Omnidirectional connectivity for the Andean bear (Tremarctos ornatus) across the Colombian Andes
Authors: Hohbein Rhianna Rachelle , Nibbelink Nathan P.
Published: June 2021

Context Conserving or restoring connectivity is a common objective of landscape-scale conservation initiatives. However, precise species occurrence or movement data to inform or validate spatial models are often lacking. Objectives Our objectives were to 1) produce the first approximation of country-wide connectivity for Andean bears ( Tremarctos ornatus ) in Colombia and 2) demonstrate a novel approach for model validation which uses publicly available web and social media records of a flagship species. Methods We used general knowledge about Andean bear habitat associations and indices of ecological integrity to construct a resistance surface across the Colombian Andes. We used this resistance surface to model omnidirectional connectivity using circuit theory. We validated our model with coarse location data acquired from local news stories and social media posts. Results Our model was most sensitive to changes in the resistance values of agricultural landcover and the mid-elevational zone, but uncertainty analysis demonstrated these had little impact on our conclusions regarding the municipalities most conducive to Andean bear movement. Just over one-third of those areas most conducive to Andean bear movement were within protected areas, while 8% coincided with agricultural landcover. Conclusions We constructed a model of connectivity that did not rely on independent, empirically derived location data. Our model is coarse (1 km resolution) but can still provide useful information to practitioners in Colombia who are working with scarce ecological data. More information about how Andean bears move through agricultural landscapes would help improve our understanding of connectivity for this species in Colombia.
Characterization of the Groundwater Quality in Udham Singh Nagar of Kumaun Himalaya, Uttarakhand
Authors: Singh Somvir , Gautam Param , Sarkar Tandrila , Taloor Ajay Kumar
Published: June 2021

The Udham Singh Nagar district is affluent in fertile land, water resources, and even favoured for industrial advancement, thereby resulting in a rapid increase of industrialization and urban growth, which are the inevitable causes for groundwater contamination. During recent years the increased rate of urbanization and the establishment of Integrated Industrial Estate (IIE) at Pantnagar, Kashipur and Sitarganj area (of the district) have increased the demand for groundwater. A proper groundwater resource planning and monitoring on a regional scale is required to cope with the pace of rapid urbanization and industrialization along with dire irrigation needs. To suffice this strategy, the spatial distribution of water quality shall determine the kind of sustainable approach to be implemented in an area. The objective of this research is to assess the hydrochemical quality of the groundwater in Udham Singh Nagar district (areal extent 3055 Km2), Uttarakhand. The groundwater samples collected from the aquifer have shown anomalous values of Total Hardness (TH), Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), Magnesium (Mg2+), Iron (Fe2+), and Lead (Pb2+) on undergoing major elemental analysis which confirms about degradation in the groundwater quality. Moreover, the Piper Trilinear Diagram (PTD) has identified the hydrochemical facies, and characterization of groundwater. Based on the interpretation of TDS, most groundwater samples <500 mg/l dissolved solids, making it desirable for drinking. Therefore, this phenomenon attributes to suitable drinking water present in the aquifer of Udham Singh Nagar district, Uttarakhand.
Effects of a Biomechanical-based Tai Chi Program on Gait and Posture in People With Parkinson’s Disease: Study Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Law Nok-Yeung , Li Jing Xian , Zhu Qingguang , Nantel Julie
Published: June 2021

BackgroundParkinson’s disease (PD) is associated with changes in gait and posture that can lead to a higher frequency of falls and injuries in this population. Research has shown a positive effect of tai chi (TC) training on the movement capacity for those with PD, however the understanding of the impact of TC training on gait and postural stability in PD is lacking. This study aims to examine the impact of a biomechanical-based TC training on dynamic postural stability and how it relates to walking performance.Methods/DesignWe will conduct a prospective, single-blind, randomized control trial of 40 individuals with early-stage PD (Hoehn & Yahr stages 1 to 3). Those with PD will be randomly assigned to either a TC group or a control group. The TC group will participate in a biomechanical-based TC training program that is formed based on the movement analysis of TC and will be practiced two to three times a week for 12 weeks. The control group will be asked to engage or maintain their regular physical activity (PA) for a period of 12 weeks. The primary and secondary outcomes will be assessed at baseline, 6-week, and 12-week after commencing the study protocol. The primary outcome measures will include gait speed, cadence, step length during level surface walking (simple task) and fixed-obstacle crossing (challenging task); the dynamic postural stability will be indicated by the center of mass and center of pressure (COM-COP) separation distance and clearance distance measured during fixed-obstacle crossing. The secondary measures will be the Unified Parkinson’s disease Rating scale (UPDRS-III), single leg-stance test with eyes open and closed, and three cognitive scores (Stroop Test, Trail Making Test- Part B, and the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test). DiscussionThis protocol could lead to the development of an original and innovative TC training program for improvement of gait and postural stability among individuals with PD, which could help to improve or preserve the participants’ self-confidence, active participation in social activities, and therefore be beneficial to their overall quality of life.Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov (registry), NCT04644367 (registration number), November 25, 2020 (date of registration).
A Survey On Missing Data in Machine Learning
Authors: Emmanuel Tlamelo , Maupong Thabiso , Mpoeleng Dimane , Semong Thabo , Banyatsang Mphago , Tabona Oteng
Published: June 2021

Machine learning has been the corner stone in analysing and extracting information from data and often a problem of missing values is encountered. Missing values occur as a result of various factors like missing completely at random, missing at random or missing not at random. All these may be as a result of system malfunction during data collection or human error during data pre-processing. Nevertheless, it is important to deal with missing values before analysing data since ignoring or omitting missing values may result in biased or misinformed analysis. In literature there have been several proposals for handling missing values. In this paper we aggregate some of the literature on missing data particularly focusing on machine learning techniques. We also give insight on how the machine learning approaches work by highlighting the key features of the proposed techniques, how they perform, their limitations and the kind of data they are most suitable for. Finally, we experiment on the K nearest neighbor and random forest imputation techniques on novel power plant induced fan data and offer some possible future research direction.
COVID-19 Disposable Face Masks: a Precursor for Synthesis of Valuable Bioproducts
Authors: Oginni Oluwatosin
Published: June 2021

Disposable face mask has become a mandatory personal protective equipment in order to prevent contracting COVID-19. With the significant surge in its usage, its adverse environmental impact is becoming a source of concern. Disposable face masks are made from thermoplastic polymers and therefore they can be safely converted into valuable bioproducts. This paper discussed the possibility of converting waste/contaminated face masks into valuable bioproducts, which will essentially eliminate secondary transmission of the coronavirus and the concerns of environmental pollution.
Pyrolysis Treatment Enables Safe Application of Sewage Sludge in Horticulture – Tracking Potentially Toxic Elements Through the Biochar-Soil-Plant System in Tomato
Authors: Tahervand Samaneh , Jalali Mohsen , Buss Wolfram
Published: June 2021

Biochar production via pyrolysis is a promising option to be used for sewage sludge treatment. Here we investigated the uptake of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) from sewage sludge and its biochar (450°C) into cherry tomato plants and its fruits in pot experiments (2, 5 and 10%) to assess the health risks associated with fruit consumption. We further studied the ability of the PTE-rich amendments to immobilize PTEs already present in soil through spiking of soil (pH 7.4) with Cd, Cu and Zn. Our findings suggest that tomato consumption is not a human health risk when grown in soil amended with sewage sludge and its biochar; in most treatments PTE uptake into fruits was similar to the control. Vegetative plant growth was highest in sewage sludge-amended soils. Yet 5 and 10% biochar-amended soils significantly increased tomato fruit yield compared to untreated sewage sludge application (400–500% higher than 10% sewage sludge-amended soil) and significantly decreased fruit uptake of Cu and Zn. Importantly, biochar also significantly immobilized PTEs present in contaminated (spiked) soil. As expected, available (DTPA-extractable) PTE contents were typically lower in biochar-amended soil and sequential extraction indicated that the PTEs were predominantly bound in more recalcitrant soil fractions (organic matter associated and Fe-Mn oxides-bound). We conclude that pyrolysis can be a key technology for sewage sludge treatment and subsequent use of the biochar in urban, and potentially even contaminated, horticultural sites.
Effect of Slow-Release Non-Protein Nitrogen Produced from Agro-Industrial Byproducts on Bio Gas Production, Feed Digestibility and Inoculum Parameters
Authors: Amani-Yengejeh Masoumeh , Taghizadeh Akbar , Mohammadzadeh Hamid , Hosseinkhani Ali , Shirmohammadi Shahram , Abachi Soheila
Published: June 2021

In the recent decades, air and surface water pollution by nitrogen from agro-industrial discards has become a global environmental concern. Generally, these byproducts and or discards are nutrient rich and could inexpensively be utilized for various purposes marginally helping with mitigation strategies. In this context, our study was conducted in two phases: producing lactosylurea from agro-industrial by-products and subsequently evaluating the possibility of using lactosylurea as a non-protein nitrogen source in the ruminant’s diet and its effect on feed digestibility as well as ruminal parameters. Gas production test and in-vitro disappearance method were used to describe the kinetics of digestion in both dry matter (DM) and crude protein (CP) of the four experimental treatments. Protozoa count and total volatile fatty acids concentration were utilized to evaluate the ruminal parameters. The treatments were 1) basal diet + urea (BDU), 2) basal diet+ lactosylurea (BDL), 3) basal diet+ concentrated lactosylurea (BDCL), 4) basal diet+ Optigen (slow release NPN) (BDO). According to our findings, produced gas, DM, and CP disappearance in were significantly higher in concentrated lactosylurea and positive control groups than the other treatments (P<0.05). Moreover, estimated metabolizable energy, digestible organic matter and short chain fatty Acid were significantly higher for the same treatments (P<0.05). The values for protozoa count (2.66×106 organism/ml) and total volatile fatty acids concentration (30.96 mmol/L) were significantly lower and for urea treatment compared with others (P<0.05). In conclusion, lactosylurea as agro-industrial by-products can be a good alternative for urea or Optigen to reduce environmental contamination.
Genome-Wide Differences in Gene Expression and Alternative Splicing in Developing Embryo and Endosperm, and Between F1 Hybrids and Their Parental Pure Lines in Sorghum
Authors: Zhang Meishan , Li Ning , Yang Weiguang , Liu Bao
Published: June 2021

Differential regulation of gene expression and alternative splicing (AS) are major molecular mechanisms dictating plant growth and development, as well as underpinning heterosis in F1 hybrids. Here, using deep RNA-sequencing we analyzed differences in genome-wide gene expression and AS between developing embryo and endosperm, and between F1 hybrids and their pure-line parents in sorghum. We uncover dramatic differences in both gene expression and AS between embryo and endosperm with respect to gene features and functions, which are consistent with the fundamentally different biological roles of the two tissues. Accordingly, F1 hybrids showed substantial and multifaceted differences in gene expression and AS compared with their pure-line parents, again with clear tissue specificities including extents of difference, genes involved and functional enrichments. Our results provide useful transcriptome resources as well as novel insights for further elucidation of seed yield heterosis in sorghum and related crops.
Evaluation of Target Autocrop Function in Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma SIB IMRT Plan
Authors: Duan Xiaojuan , chen Lu , Zhou Yibing
Published: June 2021

Purpose
A new target autocrop function was introduced in the Varian Eclipse™ treatment planning software (version 15.5 above). The study aimed to evaluate this new target autocrop impact on nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) plan quality and delivery efficiency.
Methods
Randomly 66 approved NPC simultaneous integrated boost (SIB) intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) treatment plans were retrospectively studied. The manual cropping-based plans served as reference and were designed using sliding-window IMRT. Reference plans were re-optimized with identical planning parameters following the institutional clinical protocol except for the optimization objective of the manual cropping targets deleted. Additionally, each target within 5mm of another had one lower objective at 100% volume and one upper objective at 0% volume for the autocrop plans. Plan quality was assessed based on selected parameters, including TCP (tumor control probability), NTCP (normal tissue complication probability), conformality index (CI), homogeneity index (HI), and dose-volume characteristics. Additionally, the delivery efficiency, the total plan treatment time defined as a sum of monitor units (MUs) for each treated field, and delivery accuracy, γ passing rate of treatment plan quality assurance (QA) also were compared.
Results
Both the manual cropping plans and the autocrop plans could be approved by an experienced oncologist. Overall, the autocrop plans could provide approximately a 13% reduction in linac MU while maintaining comparable plan quality, radiobiological ranking, and accuracy to that of the manual cropping plans.
Conclusions
The new target autocrop tip facilitated the SIB IMRT plans for nasopharyngeal cancer patients. The autocrop could guarantee the quality and delivery accuracy of the radiotherapy plan, improved the planning efficiency, treatment efficiency, and reduced machine wear and tear. It was a promising tool for optimal plan selection for NPC SIB IMRT.
All-fiber ultrafast image detection enabled by deep learning
Authors: Liu Zhoutian , Wang Lele , Meng Yuan , He Tiantian , He Sifeng , Yang Yousi , Wang Liuyue , Tian Jiading , Li Dan , Yan Ping , Gong Mali , Liu Qiang , Xiao Qirong
Published: June 2021

Detection of dynamical scenes at ultrafast speeds serves as a foundation for modern engineering, chemistry, material science and biomedicine, et al. For biomedical applications, in vivo microscopic imaging is often required, which has led to the development of fiber-probe-based endoscopy. However, the combination of ultrafast image acquiring with fiber endoscopy has not yet been achieved, which is vital for exploration of transient biomedical phenomena. Here, we propose a scheme of all-fiber image detection at an ultrafast speed without any free-space optical elements. Image detection is achieved based on the transformation of two-dimensional spatial information into one-dimensional temporal pulsed signal streams by leveraging the high intermodal dispersion in a multimode fiber. Deep learning algorithms are subsequently deployed to reconstruct the images detected by the fiber probe from the temporal waveforms acquired at the other end of the fiber. The fiber probe can directly detect micron-scale objects without any bulk objective, and image detection has been experimentally realized with a high frame rate (15 Mfps), a large frame depth (104) and extremely short shutter time (30 ps) simultaneously. This ultrafast detection scheme, combined with high mechanical flexibility and high level of integration, can stimulate future research on exploring various in-vivo ultrafast phenomena.
Morphological And Molecular Identification of Double Flowered Stock (Matthiola Incana R. Br) Cultivars With High Fertility
Authors: Ho Un-Hyang , Ri Jong-Hyang , Ri Chol-Jun
Published: June 2021

Garden stock (Matthiola incana R. Br.) is a commercially important horticultural crop owing to its ornamental effect. There are different stock cultivars varied in color and shape, especially flowered phenotype is an essential index evaluating its commercial value, because double flowered cultivars have more brilliant flowers compared to single flowered one. The present work aimed: (1) to make superior cultivars with different colors, high fertility, being capable of early selecting only double flowered seedlings by leaf color and to investigate morphological characteristics and (2) to select RAPD and ISSR primers for the cultivar certification and identification to culture and produce good commercial stock cultivars. Here we obtained new double flowered stock cultivars with different colors including pink, pale pink and white, through outcrossing between “white” cultivar (high fertile but unable to select double flower phenotype) and “pink” cultivar (vice. versa). Among newly obtained stock cultivars, single and double flower seedlings are distinguishable from each other by leaf color, having about 70% of fertility. Moreover RAPD and ISSR markers selected in this study can be applied to identify different stock cultivars in seed production, culture and to establish cultivar certification system.
Effects of Laser Shock Peening on Microstructure and Properties in 32CrNi3MoVE Steel
Authors: Sun Boyu , Zhao Jibin , Qiao Hongchao , Lu Ying
Published: June 2021

The authors have requested that this preprint be removed from Research Square.
Application of Fuzzy Best Worse Multi Criteria Decision Making Method for Flood Prioritization
Authors: Meshram Sarita Gajbhiye , Ildoromi Ali reza , Sepehri Mehdi
Published: June 2021

Flood is one of the major problems of the sad ekbatan watershed, northern of Hamadan province, Iran. This problem imposes high damages to the economic issue. Therefore, prioritization of the study area based on the flooding degree can be considered for identifying hot spot flooded areas for performing soil and water conservation practices. In this study, in order to prioritize sub-watersheds of the case study from viewpoint of flooding degree, five flood-related criteria i.e. entropy of drainage network (En), index of connectivity (IC), stream power index (SPI), curvature (C) and curve number (CN) were considered, then fuzzy based Best Worse Multi Criteria Decision Making (F-BWM) Method was used to assigning weights to used criteria and combination them to achieve flooding degree for each sub-watershed. The results of prioritization of sub-watersheds indicated that the sub-watersheds 14 and 21 are most and least susceptibility areas to flooding correspondingly.
Atomic Non-Locality Dynamics of Two Moving Atoms In A Hybrid Nonlinear System: Concurrence, Uncertainty-Induced Non-Locality And Bell Inequality
Authors: Mohamed A.-B. A. , Khalil E.M.
Published: June 2021

The paper explores the non-locality dynamics of two moving atoms in a hybrid nonlinear system, which describes a nondegenerate parametric amplifier cavity containing two moving atoms with Stark shift interactions. Based on the Bell function, uncertainty-induced non-locality and concurrence, the two moving atomic non-locality is calculated numerically, when the cavity is filled initially by pair coherent fields. The results showed that the hybrid nonlinear qubit-cavity interactions have a high ability to generating quantum correlations. The amount of the generated quantum correlation can be improved and accelerated significantly with the increase of the time-dependent qubit location parameter. The increase of the Stark shift ratio and the difference between the mean-number photons of the two cavity fields leads to a clear deterioration of the generated quantum correlation.