bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Could lateral decubitus position improve the cement distribution of unilateral percutaneous kyphoplasty in patients with osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture?
Authors: Wu Tao , Qin Hu , Tang Xiaohui , Bai Yunfeng , Jin Zhen , Liu Jun
Published: April 2021

Background: To determine the influence of lateral decubitus position on cement distribution of unilateral percutaneous kyphoplasty (PKP) in patients with osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture (OVCF).Methods: A retrospective review was performed on patients who underwent PKP for OVCF at the Spine Department of our hospital between January 2016 and January 2020. Unilateral PKP were performed by the same senior spinal surgeon team under local anesthesia. Patients were divided into two group according to positions with injecting cement. Complete symptom and radiographic evaluation information were gathered from each patient since the initial presentation. Then, the radiographic and symptomatic indexes between two groups were compared.Results: There were 190 patients included in this study. Ninety-four patients used to receive cement injection in lateral decubitus position while 96 patients were in prone position. A significantly longer surgical time (28.7±4.5 min vs. 26.8±4.3min) and more cement volume (6.14±0.66ml vs. 5.69±0.69ml) were found in lateral decubitus group. And visual analogue scale (VAS) scores were significantly lower (p <0.05) in lateral decubitus group one week after surgery. Compared with prone group, lateral decubitus group showed a significantly higher proportion of grade III cement distribution (18.2% vs. 7.3%, p<0.05) and a significantly lower cement leakage rate (13.8% vs. 26%, p<0.05).Conclusion: It is possible that lateral decubitus position can improve cement distribution, relieve acute pain more and decrease leakage incidence in OVCF patients with unilateral PKP，although it might be slightly time-consuming. It was recommended that position could be switched to lateral decubitus position during cement injection for unilateral PKP, especially when extraversion angle was small.
Modeling long-term volcanic deformations at the Kusatsu-Shirane and Asama volcanoes, Japan using the GNSS coordinate time series
Authors: Munekane Hiroshi
Published: April 2021

Long-term deformations of the Kusatsu-Shirane and Asama volcanoes in central Japan were investigated using Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) measurements. Large postseismic deformations caused by the 2011 Tohoku earthquake — which obscure the long-term volcanic deformations — were effectively removed by approximating the postseismic and other recent tectonic deformations in terms of quadrature of the geographical eastings/northings. Subsequently, deformation source parameters were estimated by the Markov Chain Monte-Carlo (MCMC) method and linear inversion. The deformation source of the Kusatsu-Shirane volcano was found to be a sill-like oblate spheroid located a few kilometers northwest of the Yugama crater at a depth of approximately five km, while that of Asama was also estimated to be a sill-like oblate spheroid located at the western flank of the edifice at a depth of approximately 13 km, along with the previously reported shallow east-west striking dike at a depth of approximately 1 km. It was revealed that 1) volume changes of the Kusatsu-Shirane deformation source and the shallow deformation source of Asama were correlated with the volcanic activities of the corresponding volcanoes, and 2) the Asama deep source has been steadily losing volume, which may indicate that the volcano will experience less eruptions in the near future.
Genome Comparison and Phylogenetic Analysis of Mastitis-Related Staphylococci with a Focus on Adhesion, Biofilm, and Regulatory-Related Genes
Authors: Pizauro Lucas José Luduverio , Almeida Camila Chioda , Silva Saura Rodrigues , MacInnes Janet I. , Kropinski Andrew M. , Zafalon Luiz Francisco , Avila Fernando Antônio , Varani Alessandro Mello
Published: April 2021

Bovine mastitis is the costliest diseases on dairy farms and is caused by different Staphylococcus species. However, staphylococci associated with clinical mastitis infections are different from subclinical ones, indicating a complex mechanism related to bovine mastitis pathogenesis. Here, we performed genomic analyses to determine the prevalence of adhesion, biofilm, and regulatory genes in 478 staphylococcal spp. associated with clinical and subclinical mastitis deposited in public databases. The most prevalent adhesin genes were the ebpS, atl, pls, sasH and sasF genes found in both clinical and subclinical isolates. However, the ebpS gene is absent in subclinical isolates of Staphylococcus arlettae, S. succinus, S. sciuri, S. equorun, S. galinarum, and S. saprophyticus. In constrast, the coa, eap, emp, efb, and vWbp genes were present more frequently in clinical mastitis isolates and highly correlated with the presence of the icaABCD and icaR biofilm genes. We also revealed that many adhesins, biofilm, and associated regulatory genes were potentially horizontally disseminated between clinical and subclinical isolates. Taken together, our results indicate that several adhesins, biofilm, and regulatory-related genes have been overlooked in previous studies and that these virulence factors may arise in staphylococcal species not generally associated with clinical mastitis by horizontal gene transfer.
Prediction of autism spectrum disorder diagnosis using nonlinear measures of language-related EEG at 6 and 12 months
Authors: Peck Fleming C. , Gabard-Durnam Laurel J. , Wilkinson Carol L , Bosl William , Tager-Flusberg Helen , Nelson Charles A.
Published: April 2021

Background: Early identification of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) provides opportunity for early intervention and improved outcomes. Electroencephalography (EEG) use in infants has shown promise in predicting later ASD diagnoses and in identifying neural mechanisms underlying the disorder. Given the high co-morbidity with language impairment, we and others have speculated that infants who are later diagnosed with ASD have altered language learning, including phoneme discrimination. Phoneme learning occurs rapidly in infancy, so altered neural substrates either during or after the first year may serve as early, accurate indicators of later autism diagnosis. Methods: Using longitudinal EEG data collected during a passive phoneme task in infants with high familial risk for ASD, we compared the predictive accuracy of a combination of feature selection and machine learning models at 6 months (during phoneme learning) versus 12 months (after phoneme learning), and identified a single model with strong predictive accuracy (100%) for both ages. Samples at both ages were matched in size and diagnoses (n=14 with later ASD; n= 40 without ASD). Features included a combination of power and nonlinear measures across 10-20 electrodes and 6 frequency bands. Predictive features at each age were compared both by feature characteristics and EEG scalp location. Results: Using a combination Pearson correlation feature selection and support vector machine classifier 100% predictive diagnostic accuracy was observed at both 6 and 12 months. Predictive features differed between the models trained on 6- versus 12- month data. At 6-months, predictive features were biased to measures from central electrodes, power measures, and measures in the alpha range. At 12-months, predictive features were more distributed between power and nonlinear measures, and biased toward measures in the beta range. Conclusions: These results demonstrate that speech processing EEG measures can facilitate earlier identification of ASD but emphasize the need for age-specific predictive models with large sample sizes to develop clinically relevant classification algorithms.
Functional characteristics of a novel odorant binding protein in the legume pod borer, Maruca vitrata (Lepidoptera: Crambidae)
Authors: Ai Hui , Liu Yuying , Long Guangyan , Yuan Yuan , Huang Shaopei , Chen Yan
Published: April 2021

Insect olfaction system plays a key role in the foraging food, pollination, mating, oviposition, reproduction and other insect physiological behavior. Odorant binding protein are widely found in the various olfactory sensilla of different insect antennae and involved in chemical signals discrimination from natural environment. In this study, a novel OBP gene, MvitOBP3 is identified from the legume pod borer, Maruca vitrata, which it mainly harms important legume vegetables including cowpea, soybean and lablab bean. Real-time PCR results demonstrated that MvitOBP3 gene was abundantly expressed in the antennal tissue of M. vitrata, while low levels were distributed in the head, thorax, abdomen, leg and wing of adult moths. The recombinant OBP3 protein was purified using the prokaryotic expression and affinity chromatography system. Fluorescence competitive binding experiments indicated that that MvitOBP3 protein exhibited greater binding affinities with host-plant flower volatiles including Butanoic acid butyl ester, Limonene, 1H-indol-4-ol and 2-methyl-3-phenylpropanal, highlighting they may have attractant activities for the oviposition of female moths on the legume vegetables. Moreover, protein homology modeling and molecular docking analysis revealed that there are six amino acid sites of MvitOBP3 involved in the binding of the host-plant volatiles. These findings will further promote to understand the key role of odorant binding protein during host perception and oviposition of M. vitrata moths, which improve the efficiency of semiochemical-based prevention and monitoring for this pest in the legume vegetables field.
Short leukocyte telomeres predict 25-year Alzheimer’s disease incidence in non-APOE ε4-carriers
Authors: Hackenhaar Fernanda Schäfer , Josefsson Maria , Adolfsson Annelie Nordin , Landfors Mattias , Kauppi Karolina , Hultdin Magnus , Adolfsson Rolf , Degerman Sofie , Pudas Sara
Published: April 2021

Background: Leukocyte telomere length (LTL) has been shown to predict Alzheimer's disease (AD), albeit inconsistently. Failing to account for the competing risks between AD, other dementia types, and mortality, can be an explanation for the inconsistent findings in previous time-to-event analyses. Furthermore, previous studies indicate that the association between LTL and AD is non-linear and may differ depending on apolipoprotein E ( APOE ) ε4 allele carriage, the strongest genetic AD predictor. Methods: We analysed whether baseline LTL in interaction with APOE ε4 predicts AD, by following 1306 initially non-demented subjects for 25 years. Gender- and age-residualized LTL (rLTL) was categorized into tertiles of short, medium, and long rLTLs. Two complementary time-to-event models that account for competing risks were used; the Fine-Gray model to estimate the association between the rLTL tertiles and the cumulative incidence of AD, and the cause-specific hazard model to assess the cause-specific risk of AD between rLTL groups. Vascular dementia and death were considered competing risk events. Models were adjusted for baseline lifestyle-related risk factors, gender, age, and non-proportional hazards. Results: After follow-up, 149 were diagnosed with AD, 96 were diagnosed with vascular dementia, 465 died without dementia, and 596 remained healthy. Baseline rLTL and other covariates were assessed on average 8 years before AD onset (range 1-24). APOE ε4-carriers had significantly increased incidence of AD, as well as increased cause-specific AD risk. A significant rLTL- APOE interaction indicated that short rLTL at baseline was significantly associated with an increased incidence of AD among non- APOE ε4-carriers (subdistribution hazard ratio = 3.24, CI 1.404–7.462, P = 0.005), as well as borderline associated with increased cause-specific risk of AD (cause-specific hazard ratio = 1.67, CI 0.947–2.964, P = 0.07). Among APOE ε4-carriers, short or long rLTLs were not significantly associated with AD incidence, nor with the cause-specific risk of AD. Conclusions: Our findings from two complementary competing risk time-to-event models indicate that short rLTL may be a valuable predictor of the AD incidence in non- APOE ε4-carriers, on average 8 years before AD onset. More generally, the findings highlight the importance of accounting for competing risks, as well as the APOE status of participants in AD biomarker research.
Synthesis of Pb3O4-SiO2-ZnO-WO3 glasses and their fundamental properties for gamma shielding applications
Authors: Shaaban kh. S. , Wahab E. A Abdel , Alomairy Sultan , Mutuwong C. , Al-Buriahi Mohammed Sultan
Published: April 2021

In this research, we prepared zinc lead silicate glass system with the composition 35Pb3O4-60SiO2- (5-x) ZnO-xWO3 (0 ≤ x ≤ 5 mol %) via the melt-quench method. XRD is explored the nature of the glass system. Ultrasonic velocity, and elastic modulus were experimentally investigated and then the results were confirmed by using the theoretical calculations. It was found that because of molar volume reduction inter-ionic distance\({R}_{i}\), polaron radius \({r}_{p}\), and inter-nuclear distance, \({r}_{i}\)of the investigated glasses are reduced with WO3 content. The basic attenuation factors; mass and linear coefficients denoted by µ/ρ and µ, respectively, were determined employing several simulations for each energy via FLUKA code. As WO3 content increased from 0 to 5 mol %, the µ increased from 0.728 cm− 1 to 0.856 cm− 1 achieving high shielding performance for the sample with x = 5 mol %. At 0.6 MeV with x = 5 mol %, we found that the dose rate of the prepared glass system decreases from 2.35 × 107 R/h at 1 mm to 4.71 × 106 R/h at 4 mm. The values of MFP and HVL are lower than those of the conventional photon shields indicating that our prepared glass samples (especially G5 glass sample) have promising shielding properties to use for x/gamma rays applications.
Anti-quorum sensing activity of quercetin in combination with imipenem and ciprofloxacin against Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1
Authors: Taghavi Tabasom , Zeighami Habib , Heidari Azam , Gholami Mina , Rafiee Farzaneh , Haghi Fakhri
Published: April 2021

Background

The inhibition of quorum sensing (QS) is considered as a novel strategy for development of antipathogenic agents and management of nosocomial infections caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The present study aimed to investigate the anti-quorum sensing activity of sub-MIC concentrations of quercetin (Q), imipenem (IPM) and ciprofloxacin (CIP) alone and in combination against P. aeruginosa.
Methods

We determined the MIC and synergistic activity of Q, IPM and CIP against P. aeruginosa PAO1. The effect of sub-MIC (1/4 and 1/16 MIC) concentrations of Q, IPM and CIP alone and in combination on QS related virulence factors and expression of lasI and lasR genes was also determined.
Results

The addition of Q decreased the MIC of IPM and CIP and there was additive effect from these combinations. Quercetin did not show significant effects on cell growth at concentrations of 1/4 and 1/16 MIC. However, sub-MIC concentrations (1/4 and 1/16 MIC) of Q in combination with IPM or CIP showed the significant reduction in QS dependent phenotypes (P < 0.001). The combination of Q with IPM or CIP at the concentrations of 1/4 MIC showed the greatest reduction in the expression levels of lasI compared with untreated control (P < 0.001). The docking results suggested that quercetin has potential to inhibit the LasR protein.
Conclusion

Considering the beneficial biological effects of quercetin and its inhibitory effects on QS related virulence traits, the combination of this natural compound with imipenem or ciprofloxacin may be used as an effective approach for managing of multidrug resistant infections of P. aeruginosa.
New phenoxyacetohydrazones against Trypanosoma cruzi
Authors: Capelini Camila , de Souza Kátia , Barbosa Juliana , Salomão Kelly , Junior Policarpo , Murta Silvane , Wardell Solange , Wardell James , Silva Edson da , Carvalho Samir Aquino
Published: April 2021

Herein, we reported the design, synthesis, antitrypanosomal and cytotoxic evaluation of a new phenoxyacetohydrazones series. All derivatives were assayed against bloodstream trypomastigote forms of T. cruzi (Y strain) and intracellular amastigotes using the model of L-929 cells infected with trypomastigotes of the Tulahuen strain. Compound (E)-N'-(3.4-dihydroxybenzylidene)-2-phenoxyacetohydrazide (11) showed an activity against trypomastigotes (IC50/24 h = 10.3 µM) equivalent to that of benznidazole and with selectivity index (SI) = 46. Against infected cultures, (E)-N'-((5-nitrofuran-2-yl) methylene)-2-phenoxyacetohydrazide (19) was active at the nanomolar range (IC50/96 h = 100 nM), being about 15-fold more active than the standard drug and with SI equal to 1000. Thus, derivatives 11 and 19 could be considered good prototype for the development of new candidates for Chagas disease therapy.
Ficus Carica Mediated Synthesis of Simulated Solar Light Driven Nano-sized Zinc Stannate Photocatalyst for the Degradation of Methylene Blue
Authors: Naqeeb Asia , Haq Sirajul , Ehsan Rimsha , Shahzad Muhammad Imran , Shahzad Nadia , Rehman Wajid , Waseem Muhammad , Ahmad Pervaiz , Khalilov Umedjon
Published: April 2021

The synthesis of zinc stannate nanocomposite (Zn2SnO4 NC) was carried out using an environment friendly process that included the use of Ficus carica (F. carica) leaves extract as a capping and reducing agent. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis was used to analyze the structural and crystallographic parameters, and the crystallite was discovered to have cubic geometry. The elemental composition of the studied Zn2SnO4 NC was investigated using energy dispersive X-ray (EDX), which revealed that it was extremely pure. The band gap (3.12 eV) was calculated through Tauc plot using diffuse reflectance (DRS) data where the functional groups were explored through Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. Prior to the photocatalytic reaction, some preliminary experiments were performed, which proposed that pH 9 is suitable for the mineralization of methylene blue (MB) (10 ppm) in the presence of 20 mg of Zn2SnO4 NC and simulated solar light. The 96 % of MB was degraded in 80 min with the degradation rate of 0.038 min-1.
Forensic facial reconstruction using CBCT – A systematic review
Authors: JAYAKRISHNAN JIJIN MEKKADATH
Published: April 2021

Objectives

This systematic review evaluated whether CBCT is a better diagnostic tool in facial forensic reconstruction. Forensic facial reconstruction is a technique to reconstruct human face from unidentified face from skull remains for human identification and facial recognition.
Materials and methods

Article selection and data extraction was done based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria devised for the study. The articles were screened from PubMed, ProQuest, Google scholar, Science direct and Scopus.
Result

Three hundred and thirty-nine articles were initially identified from which seven articles were full text reviewed and included in the review. All the articles included in this study suggest that the facial reconstruction done using CBCT are reliable.
Conclusion

The computerized 3D modeling method produces reliable facial reconstructions which involves the images scanned from CBCT and the combination method. The computerized 3D modeling method produces facial reconstruction which almost mimics the original resemblance.
Novel P2-Type Layered Medium-Entropy Ceramics Oxide as Cathode Material for Sodium Ion Batteries
Authors: Luo S.H. , Yan Sheng-xue , Yang Liu , Feng Jian , Li Peng-wei , Wang Qing , Zhang Ya-hui , Liu Xin
Published: April 2021

Similar to high-entropy oxides (HEOs), medium-entropy oxides (MEOs) are a new type of single-phase solid solution material. As a positive electrode material for sodium ion batteries (SIBs), it has been rarely reported. Here, we first proposed the concept of the application of MEOs in SIBs. P2-type 3-cation oxide Na2/3Ni1/3Mn1/3Fe1/3O2 (NaNMF) and 4-cation oxide Na2/3Ni1/3Mn1/3Fe1/3−xAlxO2 (NaNMFA) were prepared by solid-state method, rather than the doping technology. In addition, the importance of the concept of entropy stabilization in material performance and battery cycling was demonstrated by testing 3-cation oxide (NaNMF) and 4-cation oxide in (NaNMFA) the same system. As a result, NaNMFA can provide a reversible capacity of about 125.6 mAh g–1 in the voltage range of 2-4.2 V, and has enhanced cycle stability. The capacity and decay law of the mid-entropy oxide battery indicate that the configuration entropy (1.28R (NaNMFA) > 1.10R (NaNMF)) of the cationic system is the main factor affecting the structural stability and cycle stability of the electrode material. This work emphasizes that the rational design of MEOs with novel structures and different electrochemically active elements may be an effective strategy for exploring high-performance SIBs cathode materials in next-generation energy storage devices.
Research on Evaluation Method of Rockburst Proneness Based on Energy Principles
Authors: Sun Feiyue , Wu Wenlong
Published: April 2021

The study of rockburst criterion is the key to predict whether rockburst occurs or not. First of all, based on the energy principle and taking the rock strength and overall failure criterion as the benchmark, the rockburst proneness criterion of rock mass unit under compression and tension was established. The criterion took into account the integrity factors, mechanical factors, brittleness factors and energy storage factors in the process of rockburst inoculation, and three rockburst classification thresholds (2, 11 and 110) for four grades of none, weak, moderate and severe rockburst were proposed. Second, Taking the typical rockburst disaster as examples, the rationality of the existing classical rockburst criterions and the rockburst proneness criterion proposed in this paper were tested, and the results showed that this criterion had good engineering applicability. Finally, the numerical simulation analysis of rockburst disaster in 2# diversion tunnel of Jinping II hydropower station was carried out by using this criterion. The results were basically consistent with the actual situation, which verified the accuracy and effectiveness of the rockburst proneness criterion proposed in this paper. The research results can provide reference for the evaluation and prediction of rockburst disaster in deep underground engineering.
Phase synchronization and criticality in a network of neural mass models
Authors: Kazemi Sheida , Jamali Yousef
Published: April 2021

Synchronization has an important role in neural networks, and their dynamics are mostly accompanied by cognitive activities such as memory, learning, and perception. These activities arise from the collective neural behaviors and are not totally understood yet. This paper aims to investigate a cortical model from this perspective. In this paper, we investigated a network of neural populations in a way the dynamics of each node corresponded to the Jansen-Rit neural mass model. First, we put this dynamic on a single mass of four different input levels. Then, we considered a Watts-Strogatz network of Jansen-Rit oscillators. We observed an epileptic activity in the weak input level. The network to change various parameters is considered. The detailed results including the mean times series, phase spaces and power spectrum revealed a wide range of different behaviors such as epilepsy, unimpaired, and a transition between synchrony and asynchrony states. Since the critical state is a dynamic candidate for healthy brains, we considered some measures of criticality and investigated them on phase transition points. We showed that the criticality hypothesis is not all or nothing theory. It means that due to the nature of specific indicators selected for studying the criticality, the phase transition point can be a critical point or not. Indeed, some markers of criticality can exist in phase transition points, and others may not. As a result, we do not claim that neural models show criticality or not, but we can only admit that they have a percentage of criticality.
In vivo monitoring of viable bacteria by SPECT using 99mTc-HYNIC(GH)2-UBI 29-41 and 99mTc-HYNIC(Tricine)2-UBI 29-41
Authors: Nishiyama Yuri , Uehara Tomoya , Okazaki Kenichi , Maki Hideki , Abe Kohji , Arano Yasushi , Momosaki Sotaro
Published: April 2021

Background: The number of bacterial infections that—for various reasons—are challenging to cure continues to increase. One such reason is persister cell infection. To investigate persister formation and persister infections, viable bacteria must be evaluated in the same animal over time. In this study, the feasibility of monitoring viable bacteria by SPECT using two labeled peptides was evaluated. Results: Two types of ubiquicidin (UBI) 29-41 labeled with technetium-99m, 99mTc-HYNIC(GH)2-UBI 29-41 and 99mTc-HYNIC(Tricine)2-UBI 29-41, were synthesized. The in vitro binding of these labeled peptides to Staphylococcus aureus was measured. For the in vivo study, each labeled peptide was injected into S. aureus infected mouse thigh after treatment with various doses of ciprofloxacin (CPFX). Two hours after injection, the accumulation of each labeled peptide at the infection site was assessed by SPECT, and then the number of viable bacteria was determined from the accumulation detected. The peptide labeling was successful, and the radiochemical purity was 91±9% (GH, n=8) and 100% (Tricine, n=8). The in vitro binding of the labeled peptides to S. aureus (5×108 cfu) without serum was 78.9% (GH) and 85.5% (Tricine) of the total 99mTc activity. With serum, the binding rate was 67.5% (GH) and 13.3% (Tricine). The accumulation of labeled peptide was calculated from the SPECT images, and that in the bacterial infection site (left thigh) was higher than that in the non-infection site (right thigh) for both peptides. Good correlation was found between the target-to-non-target (T/NT) ratios of each labeled peptide and the viable bacterial count at the infection site, and 99mTc-HYNIC(Tricine)2-UBI 29-41 had a wider range than 99mTc-HYNIC(GH)2-UBI 29-41.Conclusion: Using the SPECT/labeled peptide method, it was possible to monitor viable bacterial count in the range 103–108 cfu, which is appropriate for tracking viable bacterial counts in the same animal over time.
Equilibrium studies on the uptake of nitrate and phosphate ion onto low-cost adsorbent prepared via radiation-induced graft polymerization and hydrazine hydrate functionalization
Authors: ANIAGOR CHUKWUNONSO , Sokker H.H. , Hashem A.I. , El-Hamaki Y.M. , El-Degwi M.H. , Abdel-Halim E.S. , Hashem A.
Published: April 2021

In the study, cellulosic fabric waste-based anion exchanger (‘Cell-AE’), with abundant N+(CH3)2 functional groups were prepared by graft copolymerization of acrylonitrile (AN) onto cotton fabric waste using γ radiation 60Co, followed by chemical modification with hydrazine hydrate and alkylation with dimethyl sulfate. Factors affecting the grafting process, such as radiation dose and monomer concentration, was investigated. The main adsorbent (‘Cell-AE’) and its intermediate precursors were characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and scan electron microscopy (SEM). The nitrate and phosphate sorption potentials of the Cell-AE further evaluated via batch mode. Based on the results obtained, ‘Cell-AE’ showed higher adsorption affinity towards phosphate ion (19.56 mg/g), when compared to that of the nitrate ion (11.23 mg/g). Similarly, the phosphate and nitrate ion adsorption onto ‘Cell-AE’ obeys both Dubinin–Radushkevich (D-R) and Redlich-Peterson (R-P) isotherm models, respectively. The present study conclusively proffered a potential mitigation approach to cotton fabric waste management.
Application of Solid Waste As An Adsorbent For Capture of 137Cs, 85Sr and 131I From Environmental Water
Authors: Metwally Sayed , El-Din A.M. Shahr , Hamed M.M.
Published: April 2021

Cesium, strontium, and iodine radionuclides are produced from uranium fission and easily soluble in water through accidents or leakages, as those occurred at Chernobyl, Three Mile Island, and Fukushima. Thus, developing an economical and effective process for removing these radioisotopes from real water is a progressively important issue. Hence, adsorption of 137Cs, 85Sr, and 131I radionuclides was achieved using solid waste adsorbent. The solid waste adsorbent is granular activated carbon (GAC) gained from the wasted household water filters (from the second stage). After the adsorption process, the gained data illustrated that the percentages of uptake for 137Cs, 85Sr, and 131I were 87.6, 85.6, and 82.7 %, respectively. Application of GAC for the decontamination of real water as groundwater, river water, tap water, and seawater was achieved. The findings revealed that GAC has the ability to be employed effectively as a hopeful material for the decontamination of radioactive 137Cs, 85Sr, and 131I from the environmental water.
Spectral Shaping of Advanced Optical Filters with Integrated Coupled Sagnac Loop Reflectors in a Self-Coupled Nanowire
Authors: Arianfard Hamed , wu jiayang , juodkazis saulius , moss david
Published: April 2021

We propose and theoretically investigate integrated photonic filters based on coupled Sagnac loop reflectors (SLRs) formed by a self-coupled wire waveguide. By tailoring coherent mode interference in the device, three different filter functions are achieved, including Fano-like resonances, wavelength interleaving, and varied resonance mode splitting. For each function, the impact of device structural parameters is analyzed to facilitate optimized performance. Our results theoretically verify the proposed device as a compact multi-functional integrated photonic filter for flexible spectral shaping.
Integral order photonic RF and microwave signal processors based on Kerr micro-combs
Authors: tan mengxi , xu xingyuan , Moss David
Published: April 2021

Soliton crystal micro-combs are powerful tools as sources of multiple wavelength channels for radio frequency (RF) signal processing. They offer a compact device footprint, large numbers of wavelengths, very high versatility, and wide Nyquist bandwidths. Here, we demonstrate integral order RF signal processing functions based on a soliton crystal micro-comb, including a Hilbert transformer and first- to third-order differentiators. We compare and contrast results achieved and the tradeoffs involved with varying comb spacing, tap design methods, as well as shaping methods.
Wearable Magnetic Induction-based Approach Toward 3D Motion Tracking
Authors: Golestani Negar , Moghaddam Mahta
Published: April 2021

Activity recognition using wearable sensors has gained popularity due to its wide range of applications, including healthcare, rehabilitation, sports, and senior monitoring. Tracking the body movement in 3D space facilitates behavior recognition in different scenarios. Wearable systems have limited battery capacity, and many critical challenges have to be addressed to gain a trade-off among power consumption, computational complexity, minimizing the effects of environmental interference, and achieving higher tracking accuracy. This work presents a motion tracking system based on magnetic induction (MI) to tackle the challenges and limitations inherent in designing a wireless monitoring system. We integrated a realistic prototype of an MI sensor with machine learning techniques and investigated one-sensor and two-sensor configuration setups for motion reconstruction. This approach is successfully evaluated using measured and synthesized datasets generated by the analytical model of the MI system. The system has an average distance root-mean-squared error (RMSE) error of 3 cm compared to the ground-truth real-world measured data with Kinect.
Performance Analysis of Coal Cleaning Operations: Relationship Between Probable Error in Separation and Organic Efficiency Performance Analysis of Coal Cleaning Operations: Relationship Between Probable Error in Separation and Organic Efficiency
Authors: Paul Subha Ranjan , Bhattacharya Sumantra
Published: April 2021

Separation efficiency of coal cleaning equipment is typically assessed by Probable Error in Separation (Ep) and Organic Efficiency (Eorg). The first one is determined on the basis of precise cut point density of separation and implies that for ideal separation the error is zero. The second one is calculated on the basis of yield of clean coal/ middling at the target ash and implies that for ideal separation the efficiency is 100%. Plant operators worldwide being accountable for the tonnage of the clean coal and middling produced regularly monitor Eorg with some application in plant design in India. Ep is universally used as an equipment selection criterion from among the vendors, in commercial contracts and sometimes for performance analysis of coal cleaning equipment carried out at the plants. Since both are performance measures there should possibly be a relationship between the two for specific cleaning equipment or for a particular type of density separators. Such relationships are however rarely observed. Moreover there are many instances where high to very high Eorg does not translate into low to very low Ep. Therefore, is there a dichotomy between the two performance measures?
Consumption of Cucurbitaceae Seeds Oils is Better in Risk of Cardiovasular Disease Prevention on Rats Than The Consumption of Refined Palm Oil
Authors: OUATTARA Howélé , Atsamo Albert , Ouattara Bazoumanan , Koné Vazoumana , Kati-Coulibaly Séraphin
Published: April 2021

Background: Palm oil, because of its high saturated fatty acid content, is enhanced cardiovascular disease risk (CVD).We sought to propose Cucurbitaceae seeds oils (CSO) as reducing CVD risk and a good source of icome.Methods : Physicochemical parameters, composition and nutritional value of Citrullus lanatus seeds oil (HCL), Lagenaria siceraria seeds oil (HLS), Cucumeropsis mannii seeds oil (HCM) and refined palm oil (RPO) were compared among them. Four diets differing to the oil were formulated by using one of the CSO extracted or RPO. These diets served to feed four homogeneous groups of young rats (six per group) during 45 days. Diets consumption and efficacy were evaluated. Blood sample collected at the end of the experimentation were used to measure out heamatological parameters, glyceamia, urea, creatinine, lipids parameters, Aspartate Aminotransferase, Alanine Aminine Transferase, sodium and calicium. Viscera were collected and weighed.Results : Peroxide index and specific gravity were in accordance to the norm. Free fatty acid content of RPO and HLS were in the norm but acid values of the fourth oils were lower than the safe limit for consumption. Grading of most unsaturated fatty acid content was HCL, HCM, RPO and HLS respectively. Plasma parameters, organ weight and the coefficients calculated were not different (p > 0.05) to each other, but according to atherogenicity index, the grading of high inducing cardiovascular disease was HCM, RPO, HCL and HLS respectively.Conclusion : Without no technological treatment CSO compete with RPO. There are possibility that refined CSO reduced CDV than RPO.
Photonic orthogonally polarized RF and microwave equalizers and single sideband generator
Authors: tan mengxi , xu xingyuan , Moss David
Published: April 2021

We report narrowband orthogonally polarized optical RF single sideband generators as well as dual-channel RF equalization, both based on high-Q integrated ring resonators. The devices operate in the optical telecommunications C-band and enable RF operation over a range of either fixed or thermally tunable frequencies. They operate via TE/TM mode birefringence in the resonator. We achieve a very large dynamic tuning range of over 55 dB for both the optical carrier-to-sideband ratio and the dual-channel RF equalization for both the fixed and tunable devices.
A clinical analysis and diagnosis course of children with PURA-related neurodevelopmental disorders in Tianjin, China
Authors: Zhang Wenshuang , Li Yanan
Published: April 2021

PURA-related neurodevelopmental disorders are characterised by moderate to severe neurodevelopmental delay, and their morbidity rate is clinically low in children. We retrospectively conducted a clinical analysis and diagnosis course of neurodevelopmental disorders and found it was related to PURA by whole-exome sequencing (WES). A 35-day male infant was found to have mutations in the PURA gene, and the clinical manifestations were laryngeal sputum, feeding difficulties, insufficient power during crying, high tension, hypothermia (the highest anal temperature monitored was only 37.2℃), poor circulation, postnatal weight loss (abnormal weight loss) and apnoea. WES found mutations for c.154dupG (p.L54Afs*147), which caused frameshift mutations of the amino acid, resulting in a preliminary diagnosis of pathogenic mutation on a site that has not been reported before. Conclusions: The clinical manifestations of PURA gene mutations lack specificity, which are always manifested as multiple system involvement. Gene detection is helpful to improve the level of clinical diagnosis. According to the literature review, the disease onset age was mostly less than 18 years old, and each system is affected. At present, the treatment measures for this gene mutation and its long-term prognosis are unclear. However, to date, the maximum follow-up can reach 27 years. No literature suggests that the clinical phenotype and prognosis are related to genotype, indicating that the prognosis can be improved with appropriate symptomatic treatment and surgical intervention. What is known: PURA-related neurodevelopmental disorders are a rare variety of autosomal dominant diseases, which include PURA syndrome and 5q31.3 deletion syndrome. Both are characterised by moderate to severe neurodevelopmental delay and other nonspecific clinical manifestations. What is new: 1.No more than 100 cases of neurodevelopmental disorders associated with PURA have been reported to date. 2.This work is the first time a complete case has been followed for such a long time period. 3. The site of c.154dupG (p.L54Afs*147) of the PURA gene has not been reported to date.
Machine learning prediction models based on hub genes related to immune phenotypes in muscle-invasive bladder cancer treated with immune checkpoint blockade
Authors: Li Peiheng , Chen Zhi-Xin , Wang Dong , Zheng Zhi , Ji Zhi-Gang
Published: April 2021

Background

Bladder cancer is one of the most frequent cancers in the world. Muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) is the aggressive subtype with higher morbidity and mortality. Immune check point blockade (ICB) therapy has shown its potential for treating MIBC, but is limited due to the lack of predictive biomarkers.
Methods

1601 MIBC transcriptomic profiles were obtained from 10 datasets. Unsupervised clustering of immune phenotypes in MIBC was performed based on immune-related signature genes selected by us. We analyzed the characteristics including microenvironments, metabolic pathways, and survival rates in different phenotypes. Multi-omics analysis and WGCNA plus protein-protein interaction (PPI) analysis were performed to identify hub genes of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) distinguishing phenotypes related to prognosis. The hub DEGs were further validated by real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR). A model was established and CART was employed to predict the responses of patients treated with ICB.
Results

Of various immune phenotypes, cluster 3C was the most “inflamed” subcluster with the best prognosis, while cluster 1A was associated with “non-inflammation” and worst prognosis. There was no intersection of hub DEGs selected by WGCNA plus PPI analysis and multi-omics analysis. WGCNA plus PPI analysis identified 5 hub genes related to the survival rate of patients, IFNG, CXCR6, IL2RB, LCK, and PSMB10. Real-time qPCR results indicated that the expression levels of 5 hub genes were significantly lower in tumors. The 5 hub genes were further utilized for prognostic score model and decision tree analysis. The areas under the curve (AUC) of the ROC curves predicting 5-year endpoint generated from the risk-based prediction model were 0.652. The mean accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity of CART for predicting stable disease/progressive disease were 70.1%, 70.0% and 71.7%.
Conclusions

The 5 hub genes and generated models showed the potential for predicting the prognosis for patients receiving ICB therapy. The molecular mechanisms regulating the expression of the hub genes require further studies in the future.
Prevalence of UL97 gene mutations in cytomegalovirus reactivation in the colon associated with or without ulcerative colitis
Authors: Tamura Satoshi , Osawa Satoshi , Ishida Natsuki , Miyazu Takahiro , Tani Shinya , Yamade Mihoko , Iwaizumi Moriya , Hamaya Yasushi , Kosugi Isao , Furuta Takahisa , Sugimoto Ken
Published: April 2021

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) reactivation in the colon is common in patients with severe ulcerative colitis (UC). Ganciclovir (GCV) resistance conferring CMV UL97 gene mutations have been reported in recent years. However, the prevalence of UL97 gene mutations in GCV-naive CMV infection in the colon remains unknown. We investigated the prevalence of CMV UL97 gene mutations in patients with colonic CMV infection associated with or without UC. Twenty-two GCV-naive patients with colonic CMV infection, 15 with UC and 7 with other diseases, were enrolled. Frozen biopsy samples or formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded samples were used for nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of the UL97 gene. Sanger DNA sequencing was performed. UL97 mutations were frequently detected in codons T75A (95.5%), Q126L (86.4%), and D605E (86.4%), and less frequently (< 10%) in L228P, D263G, A53S, R137C, A140V, G188S, A674T, and T675A. However, no known GCV resistance mutations were found. There seemed to be no difference between the ratio of mutations in patients with and without UC. In conclusions, we did not detect UL97 gene mutations associated with GCV resistance in GCV-naive patients with or without UC. T75A, Q126L, and D605E mutations may be used as genetic markers for CMV in East Asian countries.
Tax incentives for innovation in the context of macroeconomic stability: an analysis of causality
Authors: Samoilikova Anastasiia , Lieonov Serhiy , Huseynova Alida
Published: April 2021

The article deals with the topical issue of R&D tax incentives and their impact on the level of innovation development and macroeconomic stability. The research is based on causality analysis and estimation of the strength, time lags and directions of mutual influence of R&D tax incentives and macro indicators. Systematization literary sources and approaches for solving this problem indicates that R&D tax incentives are studied in fragments in the context of macroeconomic stability. The research's main purpose is to improve the methodological bases of substantiation of the choice of relevant instruments of innovation stimulation considering causal relations of R&D tax incentives and macro indicators. The paper presents the results of dynamic analysis of R&D tax incentives in 13 European countries, for which OECD statistics for 2007-2017 are freely available. The significance, strength, and nature of the relationship between these indicators and the following macro indicators are determined: the level of the country's innovation development, the share of investment in GDP (in general and in the corporate sector in particular), net international investment position, the share of the business sector in the cost structure of R&D. Pearson and Spearman correlation coefficients were calculated depending on the variable subordination to the law of normal distribution (verified by the Shapiro – Wilk test) on the admissible calculation interval taking into account time lags from 0 years to 3 years. The causality of the studied indicators was established using the Granger causality test. The calculations are important for the prioritization of instruments for the implementation of innovation support. The highest priority should be given to the establishment of tax incentives for R&D, as this tool's impact on all studied macro indicators in most countries was direct. Its effect was manifested in the shortest possible time (with a lag of 0-3 years). The second priority should be given to setting hidden rates of business tax subsidies on R&D, as this indicator's impact on most of the studied indicators was statistically significant and direct with a time lag of 0–3 years. The paper substantiates the inefficiency of direct public financial support, as the impact of this indicator on most of the analyzed macro-indicators was reversed with a lag of 0–2 years. Thus, it is more expedient for the state to help entrepreneurs by providing tax benefits to provide innovation development and macro stability than through direct reimbursement of costs. Moreover, lag regression models were built for those countries where identified links were the most important (Belgium, Denmark, the Netherlands, and the Czech Republic). They take into account inflation rates and interest rates on long-term liabilities and the number of labour resources in the country as control variables.
Employer brand management: methodological aspects
Authors: Zhylinska Oksana , Firsova Svitlana , Bilorus Tetiana , Aksom Herman
Published: April 2021

The paper aims to develop applied aspects of the methodological support of a reasonable selection of the company responsible for the formation and promotion of the employer brand using the tools of multicriteria analysis and evaluation of the functionality of outsourcing companies based on the criteria that determine their competitive advantage. Consequently, the need to attract external resources to manage the employer brand has been substantiated. The authors schematized the decision-making process on a reasonable selection of outsourcing companies. The system of the criteria for the implementation of such a choice, which includes the requirements for both the outsourcing company and the future project: the rate of successful previous projects, the rate of customer satisfaction, the experience of work in Ukraine, the average cost of project development services, project development duration, the comprehensiveness of the developed recommendations for the employer brand promotion, project duration, project flexibility, the complexity level of project implementation, average monthly expenditures during the project period has been formed. Moreover, the paper systematizes the main metrics of outsourcing companies' projects on the employer brand formation and promotion, which include: a range of services for attracting, selecting, retaining, developing and evaluating staff; competitor analysis, HR-advertising, HR-marketing, systems of search engine management, leadership development programs, adaptation programs; differentiation of those organizational metrics that distinguish the customer company as an employer from the nearest competitors and separation of competitive advantages of the customer, values and the emotional component of the brand; development of its unique brand identification system – corporate style, brand book, etc.; formation of the key employer branding metrics: Employer Value Proposition (EVP), Employer Brand Personality, Employer Brand Positioning; insight formation - deep understanding of the relationship between the brand and the target audience, positioning and repositioning the employer brand on the labour market. The outsourcing company's direct selection is proposed to be based on multicriteria optimization, particularly using the analytical hierarchy methods (Saati, T.) to determine the weight coefficients of criteria and VIKOR to construct the resulting indicator. Thus, the method application result is to make justified ratings of outsourcing companies, which will allow customer companies to choose the best alternatives on the market of outsourcing services.