bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Rumen-protected glucose stimulates the secretion of reproductive hormones and the mTOR/AKT signaling pathway in the ovaries of early postpartum
Authors: Wang Yan , Han Xuefeng , Tan Zhiliang , Wang Zheng , Kang Jinhe
Published: November 2022

This study was conducted to determine the response of the reproductive hormones and the mTOR/AKT pathway in the ovaries of post-partum dairy cows with the dietary rumen-protected glucose (RPG) supplementation. Twelve Holstein cows were randomly assigned to two groups (n = 6 / group): control group (CT) and RPG group. Cows were fed with the diets from 1 week prepartum to 2 weeks postpartum, and euthanized on d 22 postpartum. Blood samples were collected from cows in each group on d 1, 7 and 14 after calving. The plasma hormones were determined using a bovine specific enzyme linked immimosorbent assay method. The gene expressions of the reproductive hormone receptors and mTOR/AKT pathway in the ovarian tissues were detected using real-time polymerase chain reaction, Western blot, and immunohistochemistry, respectively. The results showed that the RPG addition significantly increased the plasma LH, E2, and P4 concentrations on d14 after calving. The mRNA and protein expressions of the estrogen receptor alpha (ERα), estrogen receptor beta (ERβ), 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (17β-HSD), FSHR, LHR and cytochrome p450 (CYP17A1) were upregulated, while the mRNA and protein expression of steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR) was downregulated in cows of the RPG group compared with the CT group. Immunohistochemical analysis identified higher expressions of the FSHR and LHR in the ovaries of RPG-fed cows versus CT cows. Furthermore, the ratios of the protein expressions of p-AKT to total AKT and p-mTOR to total mTOR ratio were significantly increased in the ovaries of RPG-fed cows compared with the CT group cows. The current results indicated that dietary RPG supplementation regulated the secretion of gonadal hormones, and stimulated the expressions of hormone receptors and the mTOR/AKT pathway in the ovaries of early postpartum dairy cows, and might beneficial for ovarian activity recovery in the post-calving dairy cows.
Development of Two Smart Acoustic Yam Quality Detection Devices Using a Machine Learning Approach
Authors: Audu John , Dinrifo Rufus R. , Adegbenjo Adeyemi , Anyebe Peter S , Alonge A. F. Folarin Akindele
Published: November 2022

Quality detection has been a major problem in the agriculture and food industries. This operation is mostly done by a subjective sensory method which is prone to high error and food destruction. Therefore, there is a need to apply artificial intelligence using a machine learning approach. This study developed two intelligent acoustic yam quality detection and classification devices using two sound-generating techniques. The software (multi-wave frequency generator) sound-generating technique generated sound from a laptop to a speaker inside a detecting chamber. This sound passes through the yam and was received on the opposite side by a microphone, into another laptop for analysis using visual analyzer software. The impact sound-generating technique used sound generated from a gentle impact of the yam on a flat surface placed inside the detection chamber. The sound produced was picked up by a microphone into a laptop for analysis. Acoustic properties considered were amplitude, frequency, sound velocity, wavelength, period and sound intensity. Discriminant analysis algorithm only was used in this first stage of the study to prove the applicability of machine learning. Three qualities (good, diseased damaged and insect-damaged) of two yam varieties (white and yellow yam) were tested. The device's performance of white yam was 79 % and 68.7 %, yellow yam was 82.3 % and 68.7 % for the software sound generation-technique and surface impact sound-generating technique, respectively. The study shows that the software sound-generating technique performed better in terms of overall yam quality detection and also proves the applicability of machine learning.
Investigation of B-atp6-orfH79 distributing in Chinese populations of Oryza rufipogon and analysis of its chimeric structure
Authors: Zhang Xuemei , Chen Shuying , Zhao Zixian , Ma Cunqiang , Liu Yating
Published: November 2022

Background: The cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS) of rice is caused by chimeric mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) that is maternally inherited in the majority of multicellular organisms. Wild rice (Oryza rufipogon Griff.) has been regarded as the ancestral progenitor of Asian rice (Oryza sativa L.). To investigate the distribution of original CMS source, and explore the origin of gametophytic CMS gene, a total of 427 individuals with seventeen representative populations of O. rufipogon were collected in from Dongxiang of Jiangxi Province to Sanya of Hainan Province, China, for the PCR amplification of atp6, orfH79 and B-atp6-orfH79, respectively.
Results: The B-atp6-orfH79 and its variants (B-atp6-GSV) were detected in five among seventeen populations (i.e. HK, GZ, PS, TL and YJ) through PCR amplification, which could be divided into three haplotypes, i.e., BH1, BH2, and BH3. The BH2 haplotype was identical to B-atp6-orfH79, while the BH1 and BH3 were the novel haplotypes of B-atp6-GSV. Combined with the high-homology sequences in GenBank, a total of eighteen haplotypes have been revealed, only with ten haplotypes in orfH79 and its variants (GSV) that belong to three species (i.e. O. rufipogon, Oryza nivara and Oryza sativa). Enough haplotypes clearly demonstrated the uniform structural characteristics of the B-atp6-orfH79 as follows: except for the conserved sequence (671 bp) composed of B-atp6 (619 bp) and the downstream followed the B-atp6 (52 bp, DS), and GSV sequence, a rich variable sequence (VS, 176 bp) lies between the DS and GSV with five insertion or deletion and more than 30 single nucleotide polymorphism. Maximum likelihood analysis showed that eighteen haplotypes formed three clades with high support rate. The hierarchical analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) indicated the occurrence of variation among all populations (FST = 1; P < 0.001), which implied that the chimeric structure occurred independently. Three haplotypes (i.e., H1, H2 and H3) were detected by the primer of orfH79, which were identical to the GVS in B-atp6-GVS structure respectively. All seventeen haplotypes of the orfH79, belonged to six species based on our results and the existing references. Seven existed single nucleotide polymorphism in GSV section can be translated into eleven various amino acid sequences.
Conclusions: Generally, this study, indicating that orfH79 was always accompanied by the B-atp6, not only provide two original CMS sources for rice breeding, but also confirm the uniform structure of B-atp-orfH79, which contribute to reveling the origin of rice gametophytic CMS genes, and the reason about frequent recombination of mitochondrial DNA.
Suspicion and Persistence: ﻿A Case of Deficiency ﻿of Adenosine Deaminase 2 ﻿in a 6-Year-Old Girl
Authors: FENG KAI , Hao Jing , ZHANG KEQING
Published: November 2022

The clinical presentation in patients with deficiency of adenosine deaminase 2 (DADA2) has many faces at vary widely age and the highly variable clinical presentation renders early diagnosis difficult. We report the case of a child with DADA2 has atypical manifestations, which is easy to be misdiagnosed. Therefore, we share the diagnosis process of this case in order to improve the understanding of the disease and reduce misdiagnosis. The case report highlights the persistence and suspicion of the clinician that ultimately allowed the diagnosis to be revealed as well as some of the key features of the underlying disease.
Do the Owner-horse Pairs Have Similar Personality Traits According to the Short Inventory of the Horse Personality?
Authors: Chariatte Cyril , Maigrot Anne-Laure , Sutter Elena , Freymond Sabrina Briefer
Published: November 2022

The personality of a horse is thought to influence the quality of horse-human relationship. In this study, we developed a questionnaire to assess horse’s personality. For validation, 2431 horse-owners filled it out for their horse along with an existing questionnaire to determine their personality. Out of this sample, 39 horses were tested in personality tests, to monitor the owners' responses to the questionnaires. We then compared the results of the equine questionnaire to the results of the personality tests and then investigated which components of the equine personality and of the owner, were similar. Personality scores obtained from the questionnaire showed, first, that owners with a higher Emotional stability score perceived their horses to be also easily stressed (r = 0.26, N = 2431, p < 0.05) and secondly that Conscientious owners described their horses as Conscientious as well (r = 0.26, N = 2431, p < 0.05). The personality tests confirmed the scores for the Emotional stability trait, i.e. easily stressed horses were more active during personality tests (r = 0.56, N = 39, p < 0.05). These results do not allow us to exclude the effect of the owner's personality on his horse in the long term.
A bioinformatic methodology to investigating possible genes linked to the recurrence of atrial fibrillation
Authors: Qi Dan , Sun Haiyan , Nie Xiaolu , zhang jianjun
Published: November 2022

Among arrhythmias, atrial fibrillation is one of the most prevalent. The most popular procedure for treating atrial fibrillation is now surgery. The prognosis is significantly impacted by postoperative atrial fibrillation recurrence, regardless of whether it is treated with maze or radiofrequency ablation. Genes are linked to the onset, progression of AF, as well as to individual variability in recurrence. Through bioinformatics analysis of open data sets, we sought to uncover probable important genes associated with AF recurrence in the current study. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were found using the GSE176166 microarray data set that was downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. Based on the Gene Ontology (GO), Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) and Disease Ontology (DO) resources, functional enrichment studies were conducted. Using the STRING database, a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was created. Possible essential genes were then chosen using the important bioinformatics data given before. The association of possible key genes with AF recurrence (AFR) was investigated using the comparative toxicogenomics database (CTD). In comparison to controls with sinus rhythm, we discovered 27 DEGs with |log2 FC|≥1 and 7 with |log2 FC|≥3.5 fold changes in gene expression in AFR patients. The probable bringing great were TNNC1, GABARAPL1, GNAS, PHLPP1, ELL2, SNORD108 and miR-548v. With AF, CTD revealed that TNNC1, GABARAPL1, GNAS,PHLPP1, and ELL2 had increased scores. The 4 possible risk factors for AFR, TNNC1, GABARAPL1, GNAS and PHLPP1 may be connected. Our research revealed novel genetic, molecular etiology, and treatment targets of AFR.
Cognitive Test Performance in Chronic Cannabis Flower Users, Concentrate Users, and Non-Users
Authors: Cuttler Carrie , Petrucci Aria S. , LaFrance Emily M.
Published: November 2022

Extremely high-potency cannabis concentrates are becoming increasingly available and popular among consumers. While prior research indicates these products are perceived to have greater detrimental effects relative to cannabis flower, few studies have examined their relative objective effects, and no existing studies have compared the cognitive test performance of sober flower users, concentrate users, and non-users. A total of 198 healthy young adults (98 non-users, 46 exclusive flower users, and 54 concentrate users) were administered a battery of tests of memory, psychomotor speed, attention, and executive functioning under sober laboratory-controlled conditions. Significant group differences were detected on tests of verbal free recall and episodic prospective memory, with both the flower users and concentrate users demonstrating significantly worse performance than non-users. Concentrate (but not flower) users performed worse than non-users on measures of source memory and episodic recall, but contrary to our hypothesis, there were no significant differences between flower and concentrate users on any of the cognitive tests. Results indicate that, under sober conditions, individuals who regularly use concentrates are no more cognitively impacted than those who exclusively use flower. These null findings may reflect the tendency for concentrate users to self-titrate and use significantly lower quantities of concentrates than flower.
Numerical investigation on diffusion length, suspending time, and forces acting on COVID-19 virus particles in an indoor environment
Authors: Dehaghi Mahdi Bagherian , Shams Mehrzad
Published: November 2022

The purpose of this study is to study two-dimensional CFD simulations of the COVID-19 virus two-phase flow in steady air with the Euler-Lagrange method. This was accomplished by developing CFD programs in MATLAB and simulations in COMSOL software. Brownian, drag, Saffman, and weight forces are considered for studying the dynamics of virus flow. In order to study the motion of viruses, Brownian, drag forces, and the weight of viruses play an important role. In this study, three different diameters of virus particles were considered, with three different initial conditions and three different initial velocities. The diffusion length and suspending time of viruses in the air have been computed in each of the nine states.
Micro-second Time-resolved X-ray Single-molecule Internal Motions of SARS-CoV-2 Spike Variants
Authors: Sasaki Daisuke , Arai Tatsuya , Yang Yue , Kuramochi Masahiro , Furuyama Wakako , Nanbo Asuka , Sekiguchi Hiroshi , Morone Nobuhiro , Mio Kazuhiro , Sasaki Yuji C.
Published: November 2022

Single-molecule intramolecular dynamics were successfully measured for three variants of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, alpha: B.1.1.7, delta: B.1.617, omicron: B.1.1.529, with a time resolution of 100 microseconds using X-rays and we compared the results in respects to the magnitude and directions of motions for three variants. The largest 3-D intramolecular movement (=40 mrad2/ms) were observed for the omicron variant with and without ACE2 receptor binding. The smallest movement (=20 mrad2/ms) was observed in the alpha variant. A more detailed analysis of the intramolecular motions revealed that the intramolecular motion distribution state of the three variants showed a complete difference in binding and nonbinding to the ACE2 receptor. Interestingly, in the spike variant without ACE2 receptors, the alpha and delta variants showed a clockwise bias in the direction of rotational motions, while only the omicron variant showed an anticlockwise bias in rotational motion. However, when the ACE2 receptor was bound, all variants exhibited an anticlockwise-biased rotational motion. This information is very important for early assessment of the cell invasion process and the infectivity of the variants.
Effects of Dietary Selenized Bacillus subtilis Peptidoglycan on Growth Performance Immunity and Antioxidant Function of Carp (Cyprinus carpio haematopterus)
Authors: Yang Zhixiang , Zhang Yong , Yin Haicheng , Wang Jinrong
Published: November 2022

The purpose of this experiment was to study the effect of adding selenized Bacillus subtilis peptidoglycan (Se-PG) in feed on the growth performance, immunity, and antioxidant function of carp (Cyprinus carpio haematopterus). Healthy carp were fed with five experimental diets supplemented with 0 (control group), 50, 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg Se-PG for 56 days. Each group had three replicates with 30 fish per replicate. The results were as follows. The weight gain rate and specific growth rate of the experimental group were significantly higher than those of the control group (P < 0.05). Compared with the control group, the IgE, IgG, IgM, complement 3, and interleukin 10 (IL-10) contents of the experimental group significantly increased (P < 0.05), whereas the interleukin 1β (IL-1β), interleukin 2 (IL-2), and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) in the serum of the experimental group significantly decreased (P < 0.05). Compared with the control group, the total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) and catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione peroxidase activities (GPx) in the hepatopancreas of the experimental group significantly increased (P < 0.05). The results indicated that adding Se-PG in feed can remarkably promote immunity and antioxidant function to increase the growth of carp, and 400 mg/kg Se-PG is the optimum dose.
A Continuous Toolpath Strategy from Offset Contours for Robotic Additive Manufacturing
Authors: Nguyen Xuan Anh , King Peter , Vargas-Uscategui Alejandro , Lohr Hans , Chu Clement
Published: November 2022

Toolpath planning is an essential component of robotic additive manufacturing. An efficient toolpath strategy allows parts to be made that are geometrically accurate, free of defects, have good mechanical properties and low residual stress. Toolpaths for cold spray additive manufacturing have some technical constraints that need to be considered compared to their counterpart designed for conventional 3D printing machines. This study presents an automated toolpath planning method based on offset contours. The generated toolpath is globally continuous, layer-wise setting, making it suitable for robotic cold spray additive manufacturing. The toolpath algorithm was tested on a variety of geometries to demonstrate its robustness. One model was selected for printing using a commercial high pressure cold spray system. The experimental results show that our method is applicable to cold spray robotic additive manufacturing. The method is particularly good for web-rib structures.
Relationship of Maastrichtian–Thanetian benthic foraminiferal species diversity, palaeooxygenation and palaeoproductivity in shallow waters of Western Desert, Egypt
Authors: Farouk Sherif , Jain Sreepat , Al-Kahtany Khaled , Ahmad Fayez , Abdeldaim Ahmed
Published: November 2022

Benthic foraminiferal analysis (315 samples, 16,271 specimens) of the shallow water (< 100 m) Maastrichtian–Thanetian rocks from the Dakhla Oasis (Western Desert, Egypt) were studied to infer the inter–relationships between species diversity, palaeooxygenation, palaeoproductivity, and palaeodepth and changes at the Cretaceous–Paleogene (K/Pg) boundary. Positive and significant correlations are noted between these proxies, suggesting a well–oxygenated oligotrophic environment. However, a brief interval (mid– lower Maastrichtian) of increased palaeoproductivity with reduced diversity and oxygenation (ventilation) is noted (a characteristic of mesotrophic–eutrophic settings) that coincides with very shallow waters during a Highstand System Tract (HST), and dominated by the dysoxic agglutinated species Ammobaculites khargaensis. The diversity index, Fisher’s α (< 5) and paleodepth proxy (foraminiferal wall structure types) also suggests a shallow neritic (largely littoral) depth for the entire study interval. At the bottom of the study section (Planktic Foraminiferal Zones CF8b-CF7), species diversity, palaeooxygenation, and palaeoproductivity are high. From the K/Pg boundary to the post K/Pg period, these variables are low and fluctuating with moderate species dominance. According to the available data, a 40% total extinction rate was seen after the K/Pg hiatus, with 38% of agglutinated species and 40% of calcareous extinct species. The period immediately following the K/Pg boundary is characterised by increased basinal ventilation and decreased palaeoproductivity, which are attributable to changes in sea level and concurrent regional subsidence. However, as stable as the community structure was (at or just after K/Pg), the changes in species composition (assemblage) were dramatic marked by a change from a pre–K/Pg agglutinated–dominated fauna (Haplophragmoides–Ammobaculites) to a post–K/Pg calcareous assemblage (Cibicodoides–Cibicides–Anomalinoides).
Viable Cryopreserved Human Bone Graft Exhibit Superior Osteogenic Properties In Mandibular Lateral Augmentation
Authors: Deluiz Daniel , Delcroix Gaëtan J.-R. , Fraga Samira R. G. , D’Ippolito Gianluca , Grau-Monge Cristina , Bonnin-Marquez Andrea , Reiner Teresita , Amadeu Thaís , Tinoco Eduardo M. B. , Schiller Paul Christian
Published: November 2022

Lack of bone volume to place dental implants is frequently a problem in the reconstruction of edentulous patients. Even though autografts are the gold standard for jaw regeneration, morbidity associated with the harvesting site stimulates the demand for other substitutes. The aim of this study is to characterize the incorporation and the osteogenic ability of a viable cryopreserved human bone graft (VC-HBG) in the mandibular augmentation in rats. Bone chips from fresh human vertebrae cadaveric donors were processed, cryoprotected and deep-frozen at -80oC maintaining its cell viability. A jaw augmentation model was used in 20 athymic nude rats allocated into 2 groups to either receive the VC-HBG or an acellular graft as control. The assessment of the grafts' incorporation was performed at 4 and 8 weeks by micro-CT, histomorphometry and immunohistochemistry. Bone volume gain was significantly higher for the VC-HBG group at both time points. At 4 weeks, the acellular group presented significantly higher mineral density, but at 8 weeks, the VC-HBG group showed significantly higher values than the acellular. There was no statistical difference between VC-HBG and acellular groups at 4-weeks for remaining graft particles, while at 8 weeks, the VC-HBG group showed significantly less graft remnants. Collagen I, osteopontin and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) expression were significantly higher in the VC-HBG group at both time points, while osteocalcin expression was significantly higher in the VC-HBG group at 8-weeks compared to the acellular group. This experimental research demonstrated that the VC-HBG shows positive osteogenic properties, greater bone formation, higher rate of bone remodeling and a better overall incorporation in rats' mandibles compared to the acellular graft.
Microtomographic analysis of surgically-created bone defects in rats: manual versus predefined region-of-interest definition
Authors: Pitorro Tássio Edno Atanásio , Irie Milena Suemi , Bites Clara de Oliveira Barbosa , Spin-Neto Rubens , Soares Priscilla Barbosa Ferreira
Published: November 2022

Micro-computed tomography (micro CT) is a high-resolution radiographic modality that has been widely used in bone-tissue research. This study assessed whether there is an agreement between the manual and predefined region-of-interest (ROI) definition methods during the three-dimensional analysis of bone defects by micro-CT. Bone defects of 2.3 mm in diameter were created in the left tibiae of Wistar rats. After 14 days, the tibiae were collected and scanned. During the analysis by CtAnalyser® software, the ROI was defined in two different ways for each sample: manually (manualROI) and based on a predefined circular shape (circularROI). Data corresponding to bone volume fraction (BV/TV) and trabecular number (Tb.N) were analyzed. No difference was found between the groups for both BV/TV (p = 0.51) and Tb.N (p = 0.38), with an excellent correlation for BV/TV (r = 0.9). A non-significant correlation was observed for Tb.N (p = 0.1). The Bland–Altman analysis showed a low systematic error for BV/TV (1.2%) and Tb.N (0.2/mm). The manualROI was more time-consuming (512.8 ± 60.5 seconds) than the circularROI method (95.4 ± 9.4 seconds). Both methods provided similar results, therefore, predefined formats for ROI definition of regular lesions are indicated, considering their use is less time-consuming.
The effects of yoga interventions on sleep quality in adults people with depression and anxiety : a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
Authors: Zhou Tian , He Li , Huang Tian
Published: November 2022

Background: Depression is a public health problem affecting older people and causes many health problems. We aim to estimate the effects of yoga interventions on depression, anxiety and sleep quality in adults using meta‐analysis.
Methods: Four digital databases were searched from the inception of databases to March 2022, including Web of Science, Cochrane Library, PubMed and Embase. The Cochrane Collaboration recommendations assessed the publication bias of the included studies. And all test models used a 95% confidence interval (CI).
Results: A total of 10 studies with 582 patients were included in this meta-analysis. The results demonstrated that the depression relief rate of experimental group was better than that of control group ( depression (SMD = -0.20, 95% CI (-0.63 - 0.23)， p<0.001), anxiety(SMD = -0.55, 95% CI (−1.29 to 0.19 )p<0.001). In addition, there was a significant improvement in sleep quality in the yoga group(SMD=-0.46,95% CI (-0.88,-0.05)p <0.001 ).
Conclusions: This review synthesized current evidence using yoga interventions to reduce negative emotion in adults, especially concerning targeting the applicability between different populations or intervention methods. In addition, yoga interventions are safe and convenient, which have great feasibility and potential to be used as an aspect of psychotherapy for clinical and nursing to improve well-being in adults.
Quality of life and anxiety in an underdeveloped city in IRAN during the COVID-19 pandemic: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Abdi Mohammadamin , Dahouei Arefeh Arabpour , Araghi Navid Mirzakhani
Published: November 2022

Purpose: Studies have widely explored the quality of life in wealthy communities during the COVID-19 pandemic; the present study selected the earthquake-prone and underdeveloped city, of Zarand (Iran) to examine the quality of life and anxiety.
Methods: 291 patients who were infected with COVID-19 in the last 14 days were included in the study. They were selected using systematic non-random sampling. The quality of life and anxiety of the participants were evaluated using the online WHO-Quality of Life-BREF and Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) respectively. The analysis was not limited to the significance and also included the effect size. Data were analyzed by SPSS software version 26 using Spearman's correlation, T-test, and Kruskal-Wallis.
Results: The quality of life scores were less than 50 out of 100 on average. 58% of patients reported moderate to severe anxiety and there was a negative correlation between all of the four physical(P value<0.001), psychological(P value<0.001), social(P value<0.007), and environmental(P value<0.001) domains of quality of life and anxiety, respectively. Education and quality of life were positively correlated in all domains except for the environmental domain. Participants' age ranged from 18 to 58 and the correlation between age and the physical and psychological domain was significant. No significant correlation was found between the quality of life, sex, and marital status.
Conclusions: The current study provides evidence of low Quality of life and high levels of anxiety in patients who experienced COVID-19. This implicates immediate considerations to be taken into account by policymakers and officials.
Learning curve and short-term clinical outcomes of a new seven-axis robot-assisted total knee arthroplasty system: A propensity-score-matched retrospective cohort study
Authors: Duan Xudong , Kong Ning , Cao Ruomu , Guan Huanshuai , Li Yiyang , Zhao Yiwei , Ali Umair , Wang Kunzheng , Yang Pei , Tian Run
Published: November 2022

Robot-assisted total knee arthroplasty (RA-TKA) requires a lot of training from surgeons to master it. The purpose of the present study was to determine the learning curve for a novel seven-axis RA-TKA system, and to explore whether it could provide superior short-term clinical and radiological outcomes compared with conventional surgery. In the present retrospective study, 180 patients from our hospital with primary unilateral TKA were included, from January 2021 to June 2022. Of these, 90 patients underwent RA-TKA and were included in robot-assisted system (RAS) group, while the remaining 90 patients underwent conventional TKA and were included in the conventional group. The learning curve for the RA-TKA system was evaluated by cumulative sum (CUSUM) and risk-adjusted cumulative sum (RA-CUSUM) methods. Depending on the learning curve data, the RAS group patients were categorized as either in a learning or proficiency group. In addition, the proficiency group was compared with the conventional group using propensity score matching. There was no significant difference in postoperative Hip–Knee–Ankle (HKA) angle, or deviations in the postoperative HKA angle, component tibial coronal angle (CTCA), component femoral coronal angle (CFCA), sagittal tibial component angle (STCA), or sagittal femoral component angle (SFCA) between the learning and proficiency phases in RA-TKA group patients. A total of 49 patients in the proficiency group were matched with 49 patients from the conventional group. The indicators representing the accuracy of the prosthetic installation differ between the proficiency group and conventional group. (P < 0.05). From the learning curve data, 20 cases are required for a surgeon using a novel seven-axis RA-TKA system to enter the proficiency phase. In the proficiency group, compared with the conventional group using propensity score matching, the RAS was found to be superior to the conventional group in prosthesis and lower limb alignment.
Prevention of in Situ Recurrence and Distant Metastasis in Feline Mammary Carcinoma Treated with Plasmonic Photothermal Therapy
Authors: Elsabagh Rasha H. , Farghali Haithem A. M. , Emam Ibrahim A. , Abdelrahman Hams , Ragab Eman , Nada Abdelfattah A. , Selim Salah. A.
Published: November 2022

Background
Clinical studies indicated the role of Breast Cancer Stem Cells (BCSCs) with the phenotype of CD44+/CD24− and/or CD133+ in the promotion of invasive and metastatic mammary tumors. Where BCSCs are resistant against the conventional chemo and radiotherapies, the gold nanorods (AuNRs)-mediated plasmonic photothermal therapy (PPTT) selectively eradicated BCSCs. A change in CTCs number predicts response to therapy. Among felines, most of the queens with mammary carcinoma (MC) exhibit an aggressive metastatic phenotype. Thus, indicated the importance of developing a rapid, accurate and noninvasive approach for prediction and monitoring of metastasis in cats. In this study, we investigated for the first time the anti-tumor activity of AuNRs PPTT by Flow Cytometry Analysis (FCA) of the circulatory BCSCs in cats with spontaneous metastatic and non-metastatic forms of MC.
Methods
The PPTT was applied on each animal in this investigation either alone (GA) or in combination with mastectomy (GB). PB was collected from all diseased cats before the treatment and 2 weeks after every PPTT cycle. BCSCs were identified in each sample as CD133+ in one test and CD44+/CD24− combination in another test using the FCA. Cells counts were compared between groups and across time. The correlation between BCSCs values and metastasis was evaluated using Spearman's correlation test. Survival analysis was performed, and prognostic cutoff points were established using ROC analysis.
Results
With survival rate of 50%, the non-metastatic cats in GA revealed complete tumor ablation 6–8 weeks of treatment and complete wound healing in GB, no in situ recurrence or distant metastasis over the observation period with a statistically significant drop in cBCSCs counts (P = 0.00512). Progression-free survival (PFS) was of a mean of 9 months (GA) and 6.6 months (GB) with median overall survival (OS) of 10.5 months (GA) and 9.5 months (GB). Lung metastasis persisted in metastatic cats in GA &GB with short PFS of 4 months. Prognostic significant cutoff values were > 996 for (CD44+/CD24−) phenotypes and > 110 for CD133+ cells.
Conclusion
BCSCs are highly susceptible to PPTT in non-metastatic queens unlike the metastatic cats as a treatment modification is required to systemically deliver the AuNRs to the metastatic sites. FC enumeration of cTCs with the CD44+/CD24− or CD133+ phenotypes has a prognostic value as an accurate and non-invasive method for therapy monitoring in FMC.
Bacterial Leaf Spot of Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) detection using Image Processing and Convolution Neural Network
Authors: CV Aravinda , Shah Mohd Asif , Shetty Jyothi , Kini Anitha , Shetty Saritha , Lin Meng
Published: November 2022

In many regions of the world, lack of infrastructure makes it challenging to promptly assess plant diseases, which is a major threat to agricultural output. Recognizing disease on crops is an essential and tedious operation in agricultural techniques. It requires a significant period of time as well as skilled effort. Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs) are the state-of-the-art in image detection, so they can produce a clear and precise assessment. Image classification in farming is becoming feasible due to the new transformation in device adoption and computer vision models. Combining computer vision and deep learning models, this paper proposes an intelligent and efficient approach for detecting crop damage. The objective of the proposed paper is to use leaves of tomatoes to identify bacterial infections. In agriculture, it is essential to diagnose pathogens as quickly as possible. We designed a convolutional neural network model to detect the problem in real time. Our model was able to identify both normal and infected tomatoes. For training purposes, we have 18,345 images in each category approximately 1000 images for each to test our model.On a held-out test set, the trained model achieves an accuracy of 96.35 \%, demonstrating the validity of this methodology.
Machine learning algorithm to predict mortality in Critically Ill Patients With Sepsis-Associated Acute Kidney Injury
Authors: Li Xunliang , Wu Ruijuan , Zhao Wenman , Shi Rui , Zhu Yuyu , Wang Zhijuan , Pan Haifeng , Wang Deguang
Published: November 2022

Background
This study aimed to establish and validate a machine learning (ML) model for predicting in-hospital mortality in patients with sepsis-associated acute kidney injury (SA-AKI).
Methods
This study collected data on SA-AKI patients from 2008 to 2019 using the Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care IV. After employing Lasso regression for feature selection, six ML approaches were used to build the model. The optimal model was chosen based on precision and area under curve (AUC). In addition, the best model was interpreted using SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP) values and Local Interpretable Model-Agnostic Explanations (LIME) algorithms.
Results
There were 8,129 sepsis patients eligible for participation; the median age was 68.7 (interquartile range: 57.2–79.6) years, and 57.9% (4,708/8,129) were male. After selection, 24 of the 44 clinical characteristics gathered after intensive care unit admission remained linked with prognosis and were utilized developing ML models. Among the six models developed, the eXtreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost) model had the highest AUC, at 0.794. According to the SHAP values, the sequential organ failure assessment score, respiration, simplified acute physiology score II, and age were the four most influential variables in the XGBoost model. Individualized forecasts were clarified using the LIME algorithm.
Conclusions
We built and verified ML models that excel in early mortality risk prediction in SA-AKI and the XGBoost model performed best.
Virtual Physical Education: Google Meet as an alternative tool for skill-based concepts
Authors: Lobo Joseph
Published: November 2022

Google Meet is a videoconferencing application integrated with Google Classroom that may be used for synchronous classes. As supported by previous scholars, it is one of the most widely used videoconferencing applications globally. To assess this claim in the current setting of this investigation, the study is focused on exploring the factors that affect students’ acceptance of Google Meet as an alternative learning tool in learning skill-based concepts in Physical Education adapting the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM). After obtaining data from 250 Bachelor of Physical Education students, and after using Partial Least Square-Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM), the results revealed that: (1) perceived ease of use positively predicts perceived usefulness, (2) perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness positively influences students’ behavioral intention to use, and (3) behavioral intention to use positively predicts the actual use of Google Meet. The findings posited that PEOU and PU are the external factors that affect students’ behavioral intention and actual use of the platform in learning skill-based concepts in Physical Education. Since the study setting is still in a full-online learning modality, the statistics will be used as a deciding factor by the Physical Education Department and college administration if the said platform can continuously be used in all courses in PE. Recommendations and future research directions are also presented.
Decreased circulating levels of angiopoietin – 1 (Ang-1) are associated with the presence of benign or malignant thyroid disease.
Authors: Nixon Alexander Michael , Provatopoulou Xenia , Kalogera Eleni , Zografos George Nikolaos , Bouklas Dimitrios , Philippou Anastasios , Koutsilieris Michael
Published: November 2022

Purpose
The aim of this study was to investigate whether the presence of benign or malignant nodular thyroid disease affects levels of circulating angiogenesis cytokines.
Methods
In this study we investigated levels of angiopoietin – 1 and − 2 (Ang-1 and Ang-2 respectively), vascular endothelial growth factor –A (VEGF-A), galectin-3 (Gal-3), urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR) and plasminogen activation inhibitor – 1 (PAI-1) in 40 patients with differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC), 45 with thyroid papillary microcarcinoma (mPTC), 53 patients with multinodular goiter (MNG) and 58 controls. Six months after surgery 28 patients resubmitted blood samples. Results: Statistically significant lower levels of Ang-1 were observed in DTC, mPTC and MNG patients compared to controls (p < .05, p < .05 and p < .001 respectively). No significant differences were observed in the levels of the other factors. A significant increase in Ang-1 levels (p < .05) was documented in the subset of patients that underwent thyroidectomy. Thyroidectomy did not influence levels of the other factors.
Conclusion
Our results suggest an association between low levels of Ang-1 and the presence of underlying benign or malignant nodular thyroid disease., while levels of the other studied cytokines are not associated.
A novel agonist-antagonist myoneural interface surgical approach on the proprioceptive reconstruction of rat lower extremity
Authors: Wang Ping , Huang Jianping , Wei Jingjing , Yu Qianhengyuan , Li Guanglin , Yang Lin , Liu Zhiyuan
Published: November 2022

Background
There is no consensus on the approach of agonist-antagonist myoneural interface (AMI) surgery for its effectiveness in repairing proprioception.
Objective
To investigate the effect of a novel AMI approach on proprioceptive reconstruction and motor repairion of rat lower extremity.
Methods
Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into AMI group and control group. AMI group rats were treated with the novel AMI surgical, which is characterized by the fixing of soleus muscle to the surface of biceps femoris muscle, following by anastomosing tibial nerve and common peroneal nerve to soleus muscles and suturing the two tendon terminals of soleus muscle. Control group rats were treated with the same process as AMI group except tendon terminal suture. Both electrophysiological, behavioral and immunohistochemical methods were applied to evaluate the difference.
Results
The functional index of sciatic nerve, tibial nerve and common peroneal nerve, as well as step angle and body angle in AMI group were significantly lower than control group after surgery (P < 0.05). The duration of walking swing, braking, propulsion and stance in AMI group were shorter than control group (P < 0.05). The mean pressure-touch intensity of the left paw in AMI group was less than control group. The nerve compound action potential (CNAP) of tibial nerve (common peroneal nerve) and muscle compound action potential (CMAP) of gastrocnemius muscle (tibialis anterior muscle) were stronger in AMI group.
Conclusion
These results suggested that the proposed surgical method can significantly improve the postoperative walking stability and muscle synergism in rats. In addition, due to the adoption of graft, donor selection avoids the limition of nerve dissection condition, which can be extended to the whole body.
Azimuthal C/O Variations in a Planet-Forming Disk
Authors: Keyte Luke , Kama Mihkel , Booth Alice , Bergin Edwin , Cleeves L. , Dishoeck Ewine van , Drozdovskaya Maria , Furuya Kenji , Rawlings Jonathan , Shorttle Oliver , Walsh Catherine
Published: November 2022

The elemental carbon-to-oxygen ratio (C/O) in the atmosphere of a giant planet is a promising diagnostic of that planet’s formation history in a protoplanetary disk. Alongside efforts in the exoplanet community to measure C/O in planetary atmospheres, observational and theoretical studies of disks are increasingly focused on understanding how the gas-phase C/O varies both with radial location and between disks. This is mostly tied to the icelines of major volatile carriers such as CO and H2O. Using ALMA observations of CS and SO, we have unearthed evidence for an entirely novel type of C/O variation in the protoplanetary disk around HD 100546: an azimuthal variation from a typical, oxygen-dominated ratio (C/O  0.5) to a carbon-dominated ratio (C/O&1.0). We show that the spatial distribution and peculiar line kinematics of both CS and SO molecules can be well explained by azimuthal variations in the C/O ratio. We propose a shadowing mechanism that could lead to such a chemical dichotomy. Our results imply that tracing the formation history of giant exoplanets using their atmospheric C/O ratios will need to take into account time-dependent azimuthal C/O variations in a planet’s accretion zone.
Enhanced Safety Implementation in 5S+1 via Object Detection Algorithms
Authors: Shahin Mohammad , Chen F. Frank , Hosseinzadeh Ali , Koodiani Hamid Khodadadi , Bouzary Hamed
Published: November 2022

Scholarly work points to 5S+1, a simple yet powerful method of initiating quality in manufacturing, as one of the foundations of Lean manufacturing and the Toyota Production Systems. The 6th S, safety, is often used to prevent future occupational hazards, therefore, reducing the loss of time, money, and human resources.
This paper aims to show how Industry 4.0 technologies such as computer-based vision and object detection algorithms can help implement the 6th S in 5S+1 through monitoring and detecting workers who fail to adhere to standard safety practices such as wearing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). The paper evaluated and analyzed three different detection approaches and compared their performance metrics. In total, seven models were proposed to perform such a task. All the proposed models utilized You-Only-Look-Once (YOLO v7) architecture to verify workers' PPE compliance. In approach I, three models were used to detect workers, safety helmets and safety vests. Then, a machine learning algorithm was used to verify if each detected worker is in PPE compliance. In approach II, the model simultaneously detects individual workers and verifies PPE compliance. In approach III, three different models were used to detect workers in the input feed. Then, a deep learning algorithm was used to verify the safety. All models were trained on Pictor-v3 dataset. It is found that the third approach, when utilizing VGG-16 algorithm, achieves the best performance, i.e., 80% F1 score, and can process 11.79 Frames per Second (FPS), making it suitable for real-time detection.
Effect of Tagetes minuta essential oil on the central nervous system (synganglion) of unfed Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato ticks
Authors: Cepeda David Fernando , Ascari Jociani , Oliveira Murilo Silva , Antonioli Gabriela , Barcellos Thiago , Anholeto Luis Adriano , Nunes Pablo Henrique
Published: November 2022

The Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato tick, (Acari Ixodidae) is considered as sanitary concern due to its role as a vector. Tick strain resistant to synthetic acaricides has caused difficulties in its control, besides synthetic acaricides are harmful to the environment and the health of other animals. The use of plants with acaricidal and repellent properties has shown promising results under laboratory conditions with characteristics that resemble an ideal acaricide/insecticide. The genus Tagetes spp. excels for its use as traditional pest control in households and plantations and also for its potential as acaricide/insecticide in laboratory conditions against R. sanguineus. The first aim of this research was to evaluate the effect of different doses of Tagetes minuta essential oil (TMEO) on the central nervous system (synganglio) in unfeed R. sanguineus adults. The synganglion histologic analysis showed a remarkable effect with signs of cell damage including volume increase, loss of shape, and vacuolization, in addition to chromatin alterations such as condensation, margination, and fragmentation. TMEO were analyzed by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry showing the presence of 21 compounds that according to its chemical structure are classified as terpenoids, of these compounds (Z)-β-ocimene, o-cimene, (Z)-tagetone, and verbenona were found in major quantities. The Gas chromatography analysis showed a composition variability related to the incidence of biotic and abiotic factors.
Diversity of the genus Ramaria in the Patagonian Andes Forests of Argentina
Authors: González Gabriela C. , Barroetaveña Carolina , Visnovsky Sandra B. , Rajchenberg Mario , Pildain María Belén
Published: November 2022

Within the wide diversity of fungal species of the Patagonian Andes forests, species of the genus Ramaria are some of the most attractive. Its macro and micro-morphological characters are so diverse that the species cannot be readily separated based on morphological characters alone. In Patagonia (Argentina and Chile) Ramaria has been reported associated with Nothofagaceae; however, their diversity and phylogenetic relationships are largely unknown. Currently, 18 species are reported for the region. In this study, a detailed account of Ramaria in Patagonia is presented based on an integrative analysis of phylogenetic, macro- and micro-morphological features. Internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and nuclear 28S rDNA (LSU) genes were analyzed to identify specimens from Argentina and to examine their phylogenetic relationships with other Ramaria species. The phylogenetic tree revealed that the sequences represent six Ramaria species found in Argentinian Patagonia: R. patagonica, R. botrytis, R. inedulis, R. stricta, and two new phylogenetic groups characterized as new species: R. flavinedulis and R. dendrophora. Ramaria flavinedulis produces brightly colored yellow or yellow-orange basidioma with a fused, twisted compound stipe, basidia not clamped, and basidiospores ellipsoid to cylindrical. Ramaria dendrophora exhibits pale yellow to pale rose basidioma, basidiospores ornamented with conspicuous and irregular warts. This study increased our knowledge of the phylogenetic diversity and taxonomy in Ramaria from the Patagonian Andes Forests compared with those found elsewhere.