bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Feasible QoS Routing for Ubiquitous Network
Authors: Chavan Chandrashekhar Pomu , Venkataram Pallapa
Published: March 2021

This article describes the design and development of an efficient event-based link-state QoS routing protocol using an Event Condition Action (ECA) scheme by incorporating novel agent technology. The event-based link-state QoS routing protocol includes two types of agents like Optimized Link State Routing (OLSR) protocol acts as a static agent and Multi-Point Relays (MPR) acts as a mobile agent. The OLSR agent creates and dispatches MPR agents across the network. MPR agents migrate and visit every mobile node in the network hosted by an OLSR agent to accumulate and supply mobile node and network status information to the OLSR agent. The OLSR agent collates information about neighboring nodes and network status information from MPR agents and provides it to the ECA scheme to establish a QoS route to transmit reliable data from the originator to the intended target node. Based on the information provided by the OLSR agent, the ECA scheme selects an efficient QoS route based on metrics such as minimal bandwidth, less error rate, better throughput, minimal latency, and low mobility rate required for the applications (for instance, audio, video, image, etc.) during transmission. The proposed scheme is tested by considering different types of OLSR routing events. Eventually, we evaluated the performance and compared ECA-QoS-OLSR with conventional OLSR routing protocols and the simulation results reveal the effectiveness of the proposed ECA scheme.
Association of Triglycerides With Systemic Lupus Erythematosus-associated Kidney Injury
Authors: Yu Haitao , Li Danyang , Li Jiajia , Han Hengtong , Jiang Lili
Published: March 2021

Background: Kidney injury of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) contributes to major mortality of SLE. To explore biomarkers is necessary for diagnosing and supervising SLE-associated kidney injury. However, few effective biomarkers can be used for it.Methods: Apriori algorithm of association rules was employed to identify laboratory biomarkers related to SLE-associated kidney injury. Logistic regression analysis was conducted to identify its risk factors, and spearman correlation analysis was used to evaluate the correlation between biomarkers and disease activity of SLE-associated kidney injury.Results: Ten biomarkers were mined by association rule mining. Among them, triglycerides, lactate dehydrogenase and α-hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase were significantly higher, and haemoglobin and haematocrit were significantly lower in patients with SLE-associated kidney injury than in those without kidney injury. Furthermore, triglycerides were an independent risk factor for SLE-associated kidney injury. There were more patients with SLE-associated kidney injury, SLE disease activity index 2000, blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, proteinuria and urine pathology cast (P-CAST) in the high-triglyceride group. Triglycerides were positively correlated with proteinuria and P-CAST, and they were negatively correlated with albumin and immunoglobulin G. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for triglycerides was 0.72,and the optimal cut-off level was 1.84 mmol/l, which provided 64.4% sensitivity and 75.9% specificity in predicting SLE-associated kidney dysfunction. 50% SLE-associated kidney injuries patients with negative proteinuria could be identified by high triglyceride levels. In addition, higher levels of triglycerides were found at the time of onset of kidney injury. With the change in SLE-associated kidney injury, the variation in triglyceride levels is opposite to the evaluated glomerular filtration rate.Conclusion: triglycerides are associated with SLE-associated kidney injury and may be a potential biomarker for auxiliary diagnosis of SLE-associated kidney injury.
Computational Structural, Electronic and Optical Properties of the Palmitic Acid in its C Form
Authors: Santos J. G. S. , MACEDO-FILHO A. , Silva A. M. , Sousa F. F. de , Caetano E. W. S. , Silva M. B. da , Freire V. N.
Published: March 2021

In this work, we report a theoretical study of the structural, electronic, and optical properties of palmitic acid crystal in its C form under DFT calculations level. Palmitic acid is a fatty acid that constitutes the large majority of vegetable oils with recognized potential applications in medicine, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics technology, foods, and fuel. As a main result, we have found that the electronic bandstructure reveals indirect gap $3.713eV$ ($E \longrightarrow B \,\, \textrm{and} \,\,E \longrightarrow \Gamma$), as a main bandgap, while the secondary bandgaps found were $4.175eV$ ($\gamma_{1} \longrightarrow \Gamma$) and $4.172eV$ ($\gamma_{2} \longrightarrow B$). It behaves like a wide bandgap semiconductor, which points to potential applications in optoelectronic devices.
Comparing the Effect of Dexmedetomidine and Etomidate Administration with Acute Height Stress on Spatial Memory in Male Mice
Authors: Tarbiat Masoud , Rezaei Mahmoud , Emam Amir Hossein , Sarihi Abdolrahman
Published: March 2021

Background: Nowadays, anesthetic drugs are widely used in anesthesia and surgical procedures and their effects on memory have been the focus of attention for a very long time. The effects of these common drugs include Dexmedetomidine (DEX) and Etomidate (ETO), on memory are controversial. In this study, the effects of these two drugs, co-administrated with heights stress, were evaluated on short-term and long-term spatial memory. 48 male mice were divided into 6 experimental groups consisting of Control, Control+heightstress (H.S), ETO, ETO+H.S, DEX+H.S. Drugs were administered Intra-peritoneal with doses of 0.3-0.4 mg/kg and 11 mg/kg for DEX and ETO respectively, and spatial memory was assessed using the Barnes Model.Results: DEX improved acquisition and retention of spatial reference memory, whereas ETO showed no such effects. In addition, DEX and ETO showed excitatory effects on short-term spatial memory, however DEX was more effective than ETO.Conclusion: the results suggested the neuoprotective, synaptic plasticity and memory improving effects of DEX on spatial reference and working memory. However, the precise neuronal and molecular mechanisms of these effects and their relation to the anti-stress system is still unknown and requires further research.
A Model Proposal For Digital Twin Development: Essential Oil Extraction Perspective
Authors: de Andrade Matheus Antonio Nogueira , Lepikson Herman Augusto , Machado Carlos Alberto Tosta
Published: March 2021

Introduction: Digital twins are becoming a powerful tool to enhance industrial processes worldwide. This paper proposes a model for the creation of industrial processes’ digital twins using a steam distillation process for essential oil extraction as a case study. Case Description: A grey box modeling is suggested combining a machine learning based model with physical modeling to improve the process. Real time simulation and a hybrid control strategy are used, linked to reinforcement learning and proportional integral derivative control, focusing on the yield increase and optimization. Computer Vision and Artificial Intelligence enhancements were suggested. Discussion and Evaluation: Digital twins, in combination with Artificial Intelligence can be of great help to support companies with the decision-making challenges. Furthermore, some benefits that Artificial Intelligence can bring to the process were enlightened. Computer Vision approaches were also discussed. Conclusions: A creation method is elaborated to support other applications of digital twins in industrial processes in the future. In order to apply it to different processes, generalization capabilities must be proved.
Cardiothoracic Ratio Measurement Using Artificial Intelligence: Observer and Method Validation Studies
Authors: Saiviroonporn Pairash , Rodbangyang Kanchanaporn , Tongdee Trongtum , Chaisangmongkon Warasinee , Yodprom Pakorn , Siriapisith Thanogchai , Wonglaksanapimon Suwimon , Thiravit Phakphoom
Published: March 2021

Background

Artificial Intelligence (AI) technique for cardiothoracic ratio (CTR) measurement is a promising tool that has been technically validated but not clinically evaluated on a large dataset. This study observes and validates AI and manual methods for CTR measurement on a large dataset and investigates the clinical utility of the AI method.
Results

Five thousand normal chest x-rays and 2,517 images with cardiomegaly and CTR values, were analyzed using manual, AI-assisted, and AI only methods. AI methods obtained CTR values from a VGG-16 U-Net model. An in-house software was used to aid the study and to record measurement time. Intra and inter-observer experiments were performed on manual and AI-assisted methods and the average of each method was employed in a method variation study. AI outcomes were graded in the AI-assisted method as excellent (accepted by both users independently), good (required adjustment), and poor (failed outcome). Bland-Altman plot with coefficient of variation (CV), and coefficient of determination (R-squared) were employed to evaluate agreement and correlation between measurements. Finally, the performance of a cardiomegaly classification test was evaluated using a CTR cutoff at the standard (0.5), optimum, and maximum sensitivity. Manual CTR measurements on cardiomegaly data were comparable to the previous radiologist reports (CV of 2.13% vs 2.04%). The observer and method variations from the AI method were about three times higher than from the manual method (CV of 5.78% vs 2.13%). AI assistance resulted in 40% excellent, 56% good, and 4% poor grading. AI assistance significantly improved agreement on inter-observer measurement compared to manual methods (CV; bias: 1.72%; -0.61% vs 2.13%; -1.62%) and was faster to perform (2.2 ± 2.4 secs vs 10.6 ± 1.5 secs). R-squared and classification-test were not reliable indicators to verify that the AI method could replace manual operation.
Conclusion

AI alone is not suitable to replace manual operation due to its high variation, but it is useful to assist the radiologist because it can reduce observer variation and operation time. Agreement of measurement should be used to compare AI and manual methods, rather than R-square or classification performance tests.
Facile Preparation of Commercial Bi2O3 Nanoparticle Decorated Activated Carbon for Pseudocapacitive Supercapacitor Applications
Authors: Üner Osman , Aslan Naim , Sarıoğlu Akın , Semerci Fatih , Koc Mumin Mehmet
Published: March 2021

In this work, a facile method to prepare commercial nano-Bi2O3/carbon composites with high pseudocapacitive properties was presented. The inorganic-organic composites synthesized by using commercial bismuth oxide and active carbon with different weight ratio. The composites were characterized using microscopic, spectroscopic, and diffractive methods. Our assessments confirmed that active carbons were successfully doped with commercial Bi2O3 nanoparticles with different dopant rates. The composites exhibited a maximum specific capacitance of 517 F/g at a current density of 1 A/g for 20% Bi2O3 nanoparticle doped activated carbon samples. Augmented discharging time was also achieved for increased Bi2O3 nanoparticle doping rate. Increased Bi2O3 dopant rate also increased the calculated specific capacitance.
An Almahata Sitta EL3 fragment: Implications for the Unique Thermal History of Enstatite Chondrites
Authors: Kimura Makoto , Weisberg Michael K. , Takaki Asako , Imae Naoya , Yamaguchi Akira
Published: March 2021

Almahata Sitta is a polymict breccia, consisting of many kinds of clasts. Here we present our mineralogical and petrological results on an EL3 fragment, MS-177 from Almahata Sitta. This fragment shows a typical type 3 chondritic texture, consisting of well-defined chondrules often with olivine, isolated silicate minerals, and opaque nodules. Although these components are typical of EL3 chondrites, the mineral abundances and compositions are different from the other EL3s. Diopside is highly abundant. On the other hand, perryite and daubreelite were not found. The major pyroxene is orthoenstatite, and the silica phase is quartz. Fe-Ni metal has relatively high P contents. Troilite is enriched in Cr and Mn. Keilite and buseckite are present in MS-177. From the mineralogy and texture, MS-177 experienced a high-temperature event under subsolidus conditions. Shock-induced heating for a short duration might explain this high-temperature event. This is supported by shock-induced darkened feature of MS-177. We suggest that other E3 chondrites also experienced heating events under such subsolidus conditions on their parent bodies. On the other hand, the high abundance of diopside cannot be explained by a secondary thermal event and may have been a primary feature of MS-177, formed before accretion to the parent body.
Is it true aleurone in the thick aleurone rice mutant?
Authors: Yu Ronald , Wu Xiaoba , Howitt Crispin A. , Bird Anthony R. , Liu Chun-Ming , Larkin Philip J.
Published: March 2021

Background Diet-related non communicable diseases (NCDs) impose a heavy burden on human health worldwide. Rice is a good target for diet-related disease prevention strategies because it is widely consumed. Liu et al. demonstrated that increasing the number of cell layers and thickness of putative aleurone in ta2-1 (thick aleurone 2-1) mutant rice enhances simultaneously the content of multiple micronutrients. However, the increases of aleurone-associated nutrients were not proportional to the increases in the aleurone thickness. Results In this study, first, cytohistological analyses and transmission electron microscopy demonstrated that the multilayer in ta2-1 exhibited aleurone cell structural features. Second, we detected an increase in insoluble fibre and insoluble bound-phenolic compounds, a shift in aleurone-specific NNSP (neutral non-starch polysaccharide) profile, enhancement of phytate and minerals such as iron, zinc, potassium, magnesium, sulphur, and manganese, enrichment of triacylglycerol and phosphatidylcholine but slight reduction in free fatty acid, and an increase in oleic fatty acid composition. Conclusion These findings support our hypothesis that the expanded aleurone-like layers in ta2-1 maintained the distinctive aleurone features and composition associated with true aleurone. We provide perspectives to achieve even greater filling of this expanded micronutrient sink to alleviate the burden of NCDs.
Serum and Aqueous Humor Levels of Brain-Derived Neurotrophic factor in Patients with Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma and Normal Tension Glaucoma
Authors: Cha Yu Wan , Kim Seong Taeck
Published: March 2021

PurposeThis study designed to compare the levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in the serum and aqueous humor (AH) of patients with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) and normal-tension glaucoma (NTG).MethodsThis prospective, observational study consists of 30 patients with POAG, 30 patients with NTG, and 30 healthy controls. The serum and AH BDNF levels were assessed using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.ResultsBDNF levels in serum and AH were markedly lower in the glaucoma groups (POAG and NTG) than in the control group (p < 0.05). When comparing the NTG and POAG groups, the average serum BDNF level was significantly lower in the NTG group than in the POAG group (p < 0.05). The difference in the mean BDNF levels in AH between the POAG and NTG groups was not statistically significant. (p = 0.538).ConclusionWe confirmed that serum BDNF levels were lower in patients with NTG than in those with POAG. BDNF could be a causative systemic biomarker in NTG.
V-ATPase Deficiency Aggravates Hypoxia-induced Spermatogenesis Reduction by Promoting Spermatocyte Apoptosis via the JNK/c-Jun Pathway in Mice
Authors: jun yin , He juan Wen , Han Fei , Gao Zhi qi , Deng Fang , Liao Wei gong , Zhang Meng jie , Hu Qiu , Li Zhi fang , Zhang Gang , Ni Bing
Published: March 2021

Spermatocyte apoptosis is the primary cause of poor outcome after hypoxia-triggered spermatogenesis reduction (HSR). The vacuolar H+-ATPase (V-ATPase) has been found to be involved in the regulation of hypoxia-induced GC-2 cells apoptosis. However, the mechanism of V-ATPase regulating spermatocyte apoptosis after HSR hasnot been well elucidated. In this study, HSRmodel was established by hypoxia exposure in vivo in V-ATPase-knockout (V-ATPase-/-) and wild-type (WT) mice to investigate theeffectof V-ATPase deficiency on spermatocyte apoptosis. GC-2, amouse pachytene spermatocyte-derived cell line, was introduced in vitro experiments. The sperm count and spermatogenic apoptosis were recorded after 60 d of hypoxia exposure in HSR model. The apoptosis of GC-2 cells was detected by flow cytometry and TUNEL staining. The expression of JNK/c-Jun was evaluated by RNA-seq or western blot. The expression of DR5 and caspase-8 was evaluated by RT-qPCR and western blot. The expression of V-ATPase was determined by western blot in the presence and absence ofLenti-transcription factor EB (TFEB).C-Jun interference was used for evaluating the role of JNK in regulating the apoptosis of GC-2 cells byTUNEL and flow cytometry. The in vivo results suggested that hypoxia induced spermatogenesis reduction and downregulation of V-ATPase. Moreover, V-ATPase deficiency resulted in moresevere spermatogenesis reduction after hypoxia exposure. The spermatogenesis reduction was associated with exacerbation of spermatocyte apoptosis. Hypoxia down-regulated the transcription of V-ATPase through inhibiting TFEB and its nuclear translocation. The mRNA and protein expressions of V-ATPaseincreased after TFEB overexpression in GC-2 cells. Moreover, V-ATPase deficiency enhanced JNK/c-Jun activation and related DR-apoptotic pathwayin GC-2 cells.However,inhibition of c-Jun attenuated V-ATPase deficiency-induced GC-2 cells apoptosis in vitro and HSR in vivo. In conclusion, JNK/c-Jun was involved in the enhancement of V-ATPase-mediated HSR in V-ATPase -/- mice. V-ATPase deficiency aggravates spermatocyte apoptosis, which may account forthe poor spermatogenesis outcomes of V-ATPase-/- mice. The discoveredfunction of V-ATPase modulating spermatocyte apoptosis indicates its potential therapeutic effect against HSR.
Connectedness between crude oil and US equities: The impact of COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Maghyereh Aktham , abdoh hussein
Published: March 2021

In this paper, we exploit multifractal detrended cross-correlation analysis (MF-DCCA) to investigate the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the cross-correlations between oil and US equity market (as represented by the S&P 500 index). First, we examine the detrended moving average cross-correlation coefficient between oil and S&P 500 returns before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. The correlation analysis shows that US stock markets became more correlated with oil during the pandemic in the long term. Second, we find that the pandemic has caused an increase in the long range cross correlations over the small fluctuations. Third, the MF-DCCA method shows that the pandemic caused an increase of multifractality in cross-correlations between the two markets. In sum, the pandemic caused a closer correlation between oil and US equity in the long range and a deeper dynamical connection between oil and US equity markets as indicated by the multifractality tests.
The Association Between Hypocalcemia and Outcome in COVID-19 Patients: a Retrospective Study
Authors: Patidar Bhagwan Singh , Mukhopadhayay Tapasyapreeti , Subramanian Arulselvi , Aggarwal Riicha , Soni Kapil Dev , Nischal Neeraj , Sahoo Debasis , Surbhi Surbhi , Pandey Ravindra Mohan , Wig Naveet , Malhotra Rajesh , Trikha Anjan
Published: March 2021

Background: Calcium has been shown to have a vital role in the pathophysiology of SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV diseases but less is known about hypocalcemia in COVID-19 patients and its association with the disease severity and the final outcome. Therefore, this study was conducted with an aim to assess the clinical features in the COVID-19 patients having hypocalcemia and to observe its impact on COVID-19 disease severity and final outcome.Method: In this retrospective study, consecutive COVID-19 patients of all age groups were enrolled. Demographical, clinical and laboratory details were collected and analysed. On the basis of albumin-corrected calcium level patients were classified into normocalcemic (n=51) and hypocalcemic (n=110). Death was the primary outcome. Results: The mean age of hypocalcemic were significantly lower (p<0.05). A significantly higher number of normocalcemic patients had severe COVID-19 disease(92.73%, p<0.01), had comorbidities (82.73%, p<0.05) and required ventilator support(39.09%, p<0.01)compared to the hypocalcemic patients. The mortality rate was significantly higher (33.63%, p<0.05) in the hypocalcemic patients when compared with the normocalcemic patients (15.69%). Haemoglobin (p<0.01), hematocrit (p<0.01) and red cell count (p<0.01) were significantly lower with higher levels of absolute neutrophil count (<0.05) and neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (p<0.01) in the hypocalcemic patients. Albumin-corrected calcium level had a significant positive correlation with haemoglobin level, haematocrit, red cell count, total protein, albumin and albumin to globulin ratio and a significant negative correlation with absolute neutrophil count and neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio.Conclusion: The disease severity, ventilator requirement and mortality were considerably higher in hypocalcemic COVID-19 patients.
Bauhiniastatin-1 alleviates diet induced obesity and lipid accumulation through modulating PPAR-γ/AMPK expressions: In-vitro, in-vivo and in-silico studies.
Authors: Sankaran Karunakaran Reddy , Oruganti Lokanatha , Ganjayi Muni Swamy , Chintha Venkataramaiah , Muppuru Muni Kesavulu , Chippada Appa Rao , Badri Kameswara Rao , Meriga Balaji
Published: March 2021

Background: Consumption of energy dense foods and sedentary lifestyles have led to high prevalence of obesity and associated disorders. Intensive research efforts have focussed to develop effective alternative therapeutics from plant sources. Bauhiniastatins have been reported to possess antineoplastic activity. In the present study, Bauhiniastatin-1 (BSTN1) was isolated and purified from Bauhinia purpurea and evaluated for its therapeutic efficacy against adipogenesis and obesity using high fat diet (HFD)-induced obese rodent model and 3T3-L1 cells.Methods: We performed in-vitro experiments like MTT assay, Oil Red O (ORO) stain, cellular lipid content, glycerol release and RT-PCR analysis in 3T3-L1 cells. In-vivo parameters like body weight gain, body composition, plasma adipokines, serum & liver lipid profiles, liver marker enzymes, western blot analysis and histopathological examination were conducted in rat model. In addition, molecular docking studies were also performed to understand interaction of BSTN1 with peroxisome proliferator-activated gamma receptor (PPAR-γ) and AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) which supported our experimental results.Results: BSTN1 at 20 μM significantly (p<0.001) inhibited cell differentiation and lipid accumulation of 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Mechanistic studies showed that mRNA expression of key adipogenic markers, PPAR-γ, fatty acid synthase (FAS) and sterol-regulatory element-binding protein-1 (SREBP1) were down-regulated while AMPK was up-regulated by BSTN1. Oral administration of BSTN1 (5 mg/kg. b.wt.) to HFD-induced obese rats substantially decreased body weight gain, fat mass, serum and liver lipid levels and promoted integrity of hepatic and adipose tissue architecture compared to HFD-control rats. In BSTN1 administered groups, decreased serum aspartate transaminase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels, decreased plasma leptin but increased adiponectin levels were noted. Western blot analysis of adipose and hepatic tissues collected from BSTN1 treated rats showed decreased expression level of PPAR-γ but increase in AMPK expression relative to the untreated group. In-silico studies showed strong binding interactions of BSTN1 against PPAR-γ and AMPK, the key molecules of adipogenesis and obesity.Conclusions: Taken together, the results suggest that BSTN1 could be promising molecule for the treatment of diet-induced obesity and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).
A Comparison of Two Assessment Tools Used in Overviews of Systematic Reviews: ROBIS versus AMSTAR-2
Authors: Perry Rachel , Whitmarsh Alex , Leach Verity , Davies Philippa
Published: March 2021

Background:AMSTAR-2 is a 16-item assessment tool to check the quality of a systematic review and establish whether the most important elements are reported. ROBIS is another assessment tool which was designed to evaluate the level of bias present within a systematic review. Our objective was to compare, contrast and establish both inter-rater reliability and usability of both tools as part of two overviews of systematic reviews. Strictly speaking, one tool assesses methodological quality (AMSTAR-2) and the other assesses risk of bias (ROBIS), but there is considerable overlap between the tools in terms of the signalling questions. Methods:Three reviewers independently assessed 31 systematic reviews using both tools. The inter-rater reliability of all sub-sections using each instrument (AMSTAR-2 and ROBIS) were calculated using Gwet’s agreement coefficient (AC1 for unweighted analysis and AC2 for weighted analysis).Results:Thirty-one systematic reviews were included. For AMSTAR-2 the median agreement for all questions was 0.61. Eight of the 16 AMSTAR-2 questions had substantial agreement or higher (>0.61). For ROBIS, the median agreement for all questions was also 0.61. Eleven of the 24 ROBIS questions had substantial agreement or higher. Conclusion:ROBIS is an effective tool for assessing risk of bias in systematic reviews and AMSTAR-2 is an effective tool at assessing quality. The median agreement between raters for both tools was identical (0.61). Reviews that included a meta-analysis were easier to rate with ROBIS; however, further developmental work could improve its use in reviews without a formal synthesis. AMSTAR-2 was more straightforward to use, however, more response options would be beneficial.
Novel Ferrocenyl Chalcone Derivatives as Antibacterial Agents: Is There a Solution to the Problem?
Authors: Henry Elecia Jaime , Bennet Charles Thomas , Collins Michael , Cassella John
Published: March 2021

Increased infection spread is partly facilitated by reduced new drug development. Because of their antimicrobial properties, ferrocenyl chalcone derivatives were assessed in a previous study. However, dilutions of stock ferrocenyl chalcone solution with Mueller-Hinton broth (MHB) resulted in particle formation, and a colour change from deep red to dark-brown. Results of the current study confirmed particle formation, which suggested the chelation of casein hydrolysate, a component of MHB, by iron ion. After solubilisation in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), each of the iodine-containing compounds, also changed from deep red to dark-brown. Mean rates of colour change (RA) in polypropylene tubes at 37oC were the highest (0.0102 ± 0.0005 ΔA/min – 0.0041 ± 0.0009 ΔA/min) while the same observed reaction in borosilicate glass tubes 21oC ± 1 were the lowest (0.0024 ± 0.0007 ΔA/min – 0.0021 ± 0.0003 ΔA/min). Antimicrobial activity of two randomly selected ferrocenyl chalcone compounds (hexyl and heptyl) was unaffected after colour change occurred (0.016 mg/ml – 0.125 mg/ml). Although these findings potentially indicate that short-term storage of antimicrobials is unaffected, further work is required to assess whether antimicrobial activity is affected by longer storage conditions.
Comparative Analyses of the Influence of TEOS Additives on the Sintering Kinetics of Nd: YAG Transparent Ceramics
Authors: Jia Wentao , Wei Qinlei , Zhang Hongbo , Su Chunhui , Ren Guozhong , Zhao Mengjie , Ma Chaoyu
Published: March 2021

In this work, the sintering kinetics of Nd: YAG transparent ceramics under the vacuum environment was studied by the high-temperature solid phase method. The effects of different sintering temperatures and TEOS content on the densification process of Nd: YAG ceramics were studied. Meanwhile, the crystal structure of Nd: YAG transparent ceramics doped with different contents of TEOS was studied by X-ray diffractometer (XRD) and differential thermal analysis (DTA). The micrographs of ceramics samples were analyzed by scanning electron microscope (SEM). The green sample is heated to 1450~1650°C for 0~2 h at a heating rate of 20°C/min in a vacuum environment (P T ≤ 10 -6 Pa), and the shrinkage of ceramic samples was analyzed in the vacuum atmosphere by the Johnson sintering model. The sintering activation energy of Nd: YAG transparent ceramics doped with different contents of TEOS was obtained. The results indicated that the addition of TEOS promoted the densification of ceramic samples. The grain size and relative density of ceramic samples increased, and the sintering activation energy decreased with the increase of TEOS content.
Polydopamine assisting the continuous growth of zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 on electrospun polyacrylonitrile fibers as efficient adsorbent for improved removal of Cr(VI)
Authors: Yang Xu , Zhou Yuhong , Sun Zhaojie , Yang Chunhui , Tang Dongyan
Published: March 2021

Polydopamine‑functionalized polyacrylonitrile (PAN) fibers and integration zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 (ZIF-8) into electrospun fibers both have been proved the greater potential in removal Cr(VI) ions from aqueous solution, based on our previous works. Here, an efficiency adsorbent was facilely fabricated by polydipamine (PDA) coating assisting ZIF-8 growth on the electrospun PAN fibers. Benefiting from abundant functional groups (including amino and hydroxyl) of PDA coating, the ZIF-8 nanoparticles rapidly and effectively grew on the fiber surface, and thicker ZIF-8 layer was obtained by prolonging the reaction time. The obtained composite ZIF-8@PDA/PAN fibers retained high surface area (299.9 m2·g− 1) and pore size, and exhibited super-hydrophilicity and high water-stability, which were vital for the Cr(VI) removal. The composite fiber exhibited significant removal efficiency (more than 90% at lower initial Cr(VI) concentrations), good adsorption capacity (212.7 mg·g− 1) and excellent recyclability.
Tuning the physio-chemical properties of ZnO nanoparticles through annealing process and their photocatalytic activity for dye degradation
Authors: Srid C , Suguna A. , Prabhu S. , Geerthana M. , Silambarasan A. , Ramesh R. , Sri C.
Published: March 2021

Hexagonal phase zinc oxide nanostructures were synthesized via hydrothermal method and annealed at different temperatures viz., 200, 400, 600, 800 and 1000°C. The prepared nanostructures were characterized by XRD, FTIR, FESEM, HR-TEM and UV-DRS techniques. The annealing seems to have a profound effect on the crystallinity, morphology and properties of nanostructures. The lattice strain (ε) is calculated from Williamson-Hall (W-H) plot; for nanostructure with small crystallite size the strain is caused by compressive force (intercept is negative) whereas for the large crystallite size tensile force (intercept is positive) determines the lattice strain. The photocatalytic performances were studied by analyzing the degradation of methylene blue (MB) in an aqueous solution. ZnO annealed at 1000°C exhibited better photocatalytic activity due to enhanced crystallinity, comparatively lower bandgap and high oxygen vacancy. Thus, ZnO nanostructures prepared here provide a potential solution to general wastewater treatment and drinking water purification.
New Criteria for Extrauterine Growth Restriction in Very Low-birth-weight Preterm Children and Neuropsychological Development at the Beginning of Primary School.
Authors: Solís Gonzalo , Fernández-Baizán Cristina , Álcantara Leticia , González-García Lara , García-López Enrique , Arias Jorge Luis , Méndez Marta
Published: March 2021

Controversy between short-term neonatal growth of very low birth-weight preterm (VLBW) and neurodevelopment may be affected by new criteria of intra- and extrauterine growth restriction (IUGR and EUGR). Objective: To determine if IUGR and IUGR classic and new criteria are related to the neuropsychological development in VLBW. Patients and methods: 87 VLBW were studied at 5–7 years. Neuropsychological assessment included RIST test and NEPSY-II tests. Results of these tests were related to IUGR and EUGR classification using Fenton and INTERGROWTH-21 (IGW-21) graphs and standards. Results: Weight IUGR by Fenton and IGW-21 was 37.9 and 39.1% (Kappa 0.879). Classic (static) EUGR was 89.7% and 75.9%, respectively (Kappa 0.532). “True” EUGR was 52.9% and 36.8% (Kappa 0.683). Result of the RIST index was correlated with Fenton´s z-score weight (0.034), length (< 0.001) and head circumference (HC) (< 0.001) at birth; with IGW-21´s length (0.002) at birth; with Fenton´s weight (0.004) and length (0.003) at neonatal discharge; and with IGW-21´s weight (0.004) and length (0.003) at neonatal discharge. We found statistically significant differences in IQ when comparing cases with and without IUGR of weight, length and HC by Fenton; and length and HC by IGW-21; also we found differences in static EURG for length and HC for Fenton and IGW-21. In NEPSY-II subtasks we found some relationship in inhibitory control and visuospatial abilities. Conclusion: IUGR and EUGR classic and new concepts show different classification percentages of VLBW. This should be considered when assessing relationships with risk of alterations in neuropsychological tests at school initiation, due to the different results found depending on the classification criteria chosen.
Capital Inflows, Financial Development and Growth in Ecowas Countries: A New Empirical Insight
Authors: Orji Anthony , Ogbuabor Jonathan E. , Okolomike Chiamaka F. , Anthony-Orji Onyinye I.
Published: March 2021

This paper empirically investigated the impact of foreign capital inflows and financial development on economic growth in ECOWAS countries. The study made use of quarterly data series from 2000 to 2017 for the analysis. Adopting the panel fixed-effect regression, the empirical results showed that Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), net domestic credit (CRE), Gross Capital Formation (GCF), and Foreign Aid (AID) increase economic growth in ECOWAS region while labour force (LF) and Trade Openness (OPEN) revealed otherwise. The study therefore recommended that concerned policy makers in the ECOWAS region should pursue financial deepening and strengthen policies that will enhance the operations of the financial system. Also member countries should create a conducive socio-political and economic environment for foreign investors to invest in the economies. This can be done by reducing the corruption prevalent in the system, ethnic unrest, introduction of tax holidays, stability of policies introduced by the government, among others. In this era of Covid-19 many have lost their jobs and the economy of ECOWAS needs to be revitalized by following these economic prescriptions, among others.JEL Classification: F21; F36; F38; F43; G15; O16
In-Vitro Acclimatization of Curcuma Zedoaria Under Iso-Osmotic Treatments, Ex-Vitro Adaptation and Agronomic Traits in Greenhouse Conditions
Authors: Tisarum Rujira , Bayaraa Unenzaya , Sotesaritkul Thanyaporn , Hleepongpanich Thipmanee , Samphumphuang Thapanee , Cha-um Suriyan
Published: March 2021

Low survival rate, poor adaptation to ex-vitro environments, and time required for hardening the plants to cope with fluctuated environments of field trial are identified as major barriers in this technology. In present study, iso-osmotic adjustment in the culture medium using sucrose and/or mannitol was applied to the in-vitro cloning of Curcuma zedoaria (white turmeric) plants, which were transferred to ex-vitro conditions and subsequently cultivated in the greenhouse conditions prior to harvest after 9 months. During both in-vitro and ex-vitro development of plant, growth and physiological traits under 3% sucrose (Suc) + 2.5% mannitol (Man) were lower than those in control (3% Suc; conventional tissue culture). Interestingly, pseudostem height and root length in acclimatized plantlets under 3% Suc + 2.5% Man were sharply dropped by 60.13% and 92.37% over control, respectively, resulting in a decrease in the ex-vitro adaptation by 56.27% and 33.33% over the control. A positive relationship between reduction of net photosynthetic rate (Pn) and sucrose concentration in the leaf tissues was evidently observed. Remarkably, the morphological and physiological traits of aboveground and underground parameters of acclimatized plantlets under 3% Suc + 2.5% Man were maximized over control, leading to high yield of curcuminoids (229.4 mg plant− 1) in the dry rhizome (31 g plant− 1) when cultivated under greenhouse microenvironments for 9 months. Based on this investigation, we propose that plantlets of C. zedoaria micropropagated using 3% Suc + 2.5% Man can readily acclimatize under ex-vitro conditions and subsequently develop as healthy plants with compact and uniform size.
Clinical Verification of Body Mass Index and Tumor Immune Response in Patients With Breast Cancer Receiving Preoperative Chemotherapy
Authors: Takada Koji , Kashiwagi Shinichiro , Asano Yuka , Goto Wataru , Kouhashi Rika , Yabumoto Akimichi , Ishihara Sae , Morisaki Tamami , Shibutani Masatsune , Tanaka Hiroaki , Hirakawa Kosei , Ohira Masaichi
Published: March 2021

PurposeThe body mass index (BMI) is commonly used as a simple indicator of obesity; patients with early-stage breast cancer who are obese (OB) per BMI measurements have been shown to have high postoperative recurrence and low survival rates. On the other hand, it has been shown that lymphocytes present in the vicinity of malignant growths that are involved in the tumors’ immune responses influence the efficacy chemotherapy. Therefore, we hypothesized that OB patients with breast cancer have a lower density of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs), which may influence the therapeutic effect of preoperative chemotherapy (POC). In this study, we measured pretreatment BMI and TILs in patients with breast cancer who underwent POC, examined the correlations between these two factors, and retrospectively analyzed their therapeutic outcomes and prognoses.MethodsThe participants in this study were 421 patients with breast cancer who underwent surgical treatment after POC between February 2007 and January 2019. The patient’s height and weight were measured before POC to calculate the BMI (weight [kg] divided by the square of the height [m2]). According to the World Health Organization categorization, patients who weighed under 18.5 kg/m2 were classified as underweight (UW), those ≥18.5 kg/m2 and >25 kg/m2 were considered normal weight (NW), those ≥25 kg/m2 and <30 kg/m2 were overweight (OW), and those ≥30 kg/m2 were OB. The TILs were those lymphocytes that infiltrated the tumor stroma according to the definition of the International TILs Working Group 2014.ResultsThe median BMI was 21.9 kg/m2 (range, 14.3–38.5 kg/m2); most patients (244; 64.5%) were NW. Among all 378 patients with breast cancer, the TIL density was significantly lower in OB than in NW and OW patients (vs. NW: p=0.001; vs. OW: p=0.003). Furthermore, when examining patients with each breast cancer type individually, the OS of those with TNBC who had low BMIs was significantly poorer than that of their high-BMI counterparts (log rank p=0.031).Conclusions﻿Our data did not support the hypothesis that obesity affects the tumor immune microenvironment; however, we showed that being UW does affect the tumor immune microenvironment.
Security Assessment Using SPA-VFS and Obstacle Factors Diagnosis of Water-Energy-Food Nexus Based on A PSR Framework
Authors: Ji Juan , Chen Junfei , Ding Tonghui
Published: March 2021

In the context of population growth and increasingly scarce resources, the sustainability of water-energy-food nexus (WEFN) has been considered as a major global challenge. This study presented the evaluation index system of WEFN security based on the pressure-state-response (PSR) model. The set pair analysis and variable fuzzy sets (SPA-VFS) were supplied to evaluate WEFN security, which analyzed the situation and obstacles of WEFN security in Northwest China from 2008 to 2017. The results showed that, (1) In the WEFN, the pressure-subsystem in Shaanxi and Inner Mongolia was in a critical safe level; in the state-subsystem, the security level of Shaanxi was the best and the response-subsystem in Inner Mongolia and Gansu is in an unsafe level; (2) Over the years, the safety level of WEFN in the five provinces of Northwest China had obvious spatio-temporal characteristics, which was always between critical safety and unsafety, but the overall trend was positive. (3) The results of obstacle degree of three subsystems were compared as follows: pressure-subsystem state-subsystem response-subsystem. And, their obstacle factors were almost all related to water. The key to improving WEFN security in Northwest China in the future is to deal with the serious mismatch between water resources and energy resources.
Metal-Alkali Catalytic Valorization of Lignocellulose Towards Aromatics and Small Molecular Alcohols and Acids in a Holistic Approach
Authors: Lv Wei , Zhu Yuting , Mai Weiqi , Zhu Changhui , Pi Qifeng , Wang Chenguang , Xu Ying , Zhang Qi , Ma Longlong
Published: March 2021

In this work, we developed an approach of one-pot completely catalytic conversion of woody biomass into two value product streams: lignin-derived aromatics (68.54% monomer and 29.65% oligomer yields of lignin) and (semi-)cellulose-derived small molecular alcohols (about 59.60% of biomass mass). These could be afforded by conducting lignocellulose depolymerization over metal-alkaline catalysts in a mixture n-butanol/H2O solvent system at 250 °C and 30 bar H2. In the valorization process, the homogenous mixture of n-butanol-H2O solvents extract and depolymerize both lignin and hemicellulose, while the catalysts and H2 are essential to cleave the inter-/intramolecular linkages of lignocellulose into target products. After the reaction, phase separation of n-butanol and H2O takes place when systematic temperature at room temperature, providing a mild and effective strategy to isolate lignin-derived aromatics (n-butanol phase) from small molecular alcohols/acids (aqueous phase). Ru/C and alkali catalysts are collected by filtration from n-butanol phase and H2O phase, respectively. Meanwhile, the effect of metal-alkali coupled catalysts enables facilitating the cleavage of β-O-4 linkage of lignin and increasing the attainability of (semi-)cellulose-derived oligomers and the small molecular alcohols. This catalytic system provides a versatile valorization approach for biomass catalytic to bio-based chemicals.
Syntheses of MnW12/TiO2 Microflowers and Nanorods for Photocatalytic H2 Evolution
Authors: Guo Ningning , Liu Shixian , Zhang Niuniu , Wu Xia , Wang Guan , Zhao Yuan
Published: March 2021

MnW12/TiO2 microflower has been successfully synthesized by the one-pot method and the microflower could be converted to nanorods by thermal treatment. The hydrogen evolution efficiency of MnW12/TiO2 nanorods is higher than that of MnW12/TiO2 microflowers by means of the photocatalysis test. These results suggest that the photocatalytic property of MnW12/TiO2 could be enhanced by controlling morphology. In addition, massive control experiments have been conducted to explore the effect factors of morphologies. Therefore, the successful preparations in this work not only open up new directions for the structural diversity of isopolyoxometallate based nano/micro materials, but also provide us with an irradiative way to increase the photocatalytic performance of POM/TiO2 nano/micro composite.
Complete plastid genome of Angelica, Ostericum and related species (Apiaceae): genomic evolution and phylogenetic implications
Authors: Jiang Qiu-Ping , Price Megan , Guo Xian-Lin , Gou Wei , Zhou Song-Dong , He Xing-Jin
Published: March 2021

Background

Subtribe Angelicinae is a large and taxonomically complex group of Apiaceae, encompassing Angelica, Archangelica, Coelopleurum, Conioselinum, Czernaevia, Glehnia, Levisticum and Ostericum that are distributed in the Northern Hemisphere, and whether this taxa is natural is debatable, especially between Angelica and Ostericum. To determine genommic evolution and phylogenetic relationships between Angelica, Ostericum, and related species, we newly assembled the complete plastid genome sequences of eight subtribe Angelicinae species and Melanosciadium pimpinelloideum using next-generation sequencing technology.
Results

The nine plastid genomes we sequenced were conserved, and their size ranged from 146765 bp to 164329 bp, showing the typical quadripartite circular structure with an overall GC content of 37.5–37.8%. IR boundary analyses showed that the genes in the LSC region transfer into the IR regions and the SSC region was relatively stable. Codon usage patterns were similar among these species and we identified 66–86 SSRs, with the most abundant SSR being mononucleotide. The Pi analyses showed that petA-psbJ(0.02778), atpI-atpH(0.17333) and petA-psbJ(0.04726) intergenic regions had the highest Pi values in Angelica, Ostericum, and ten species, respectively.
Conclusions

Ostericum exhibited significant differences in size of genomes, content of genes and tRNAs, GC content, some type of SSRs, and IR boundaries to Angelica, and phylogenetic analyses found the relatedness between Angelica and Ostericum is more distant in protein-coding genes of the plastid genomes trees and nrITS trees.
A Survey of Medical Students’ Attitudes Concerning Career Decisions
Authors: Sugiyama Kayo , Watanuki Hirotaka , Futamura Yasuhiro , Okada Masaho , Nishimura Minori , Makino Satoshi , Matsuyama Katsuhiko
Published: March 2021

Background
There is currently a chronic shortage of surgeons, particularly cardiac surgeons, in Japan and worldwide. Additionally, the number of female medical students has been increasing worldwide; half of our university’s medical students are females. We assessed the attitudes of medical students regarding preferred lifestyles and specialties, aiming to identify strategies for increasing the number of surgeons in Japan.
Methods
We conducted a questionnaire survey among second- and fifth-year medical students at Aichi Medical University, to assess their career priorities and ideal lifestyles when choosing specialties. In total, 71 second-year (male:female, 36:35) and 55 fifth-year (male:female, 27:28) students were surveyed. Differences were compared between school year and sex.
Results
Few students considered becoming general surgeons (19%) or cardiac surgeons (14%). Most students were more interested in how interesting (92%) and rewarding a particular field (88%) would be, rather than in dedication to work (7%) or career advancement (6%), regardless of school year or sex. Females were particularly concerned about a heavy workload (79% vs 68%) and were less likely to prefer surgery (9% vs 27%) compared with males. The importance of acquiring useful skills (77% vs 95%) and wanting to train in the neighboring Tokai area tended to increase (21% vs 60%) with increasing grade.
Conclusions
Most students had decided their ideal career path in the lower grades and desired controlled lifestyle. To increase the number of surgeons, it is necessary to improve surgeons’ lifestyles, reduce their workloads, develop medical students’ interest in surgery, and ensure development of useful skills.