bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Antecedents of individual safety behavior during the pandemic times
Authors: Kayani Zakia Khurshid , Fatima Tayyba , Ramayah Thurasamy , Awan Tahir Mumtaz , Khan Ruqia
Published: September 2021

Background

This study aims to measure the safety behavior of individuals’ during the pandemic of COVID-19 by integrating Health Belief Model (HBM) and behavioral theories i.e. Theory of Reasoned Action (TRA), Social Cognitive Theory (SCT) and Information-Motivation Behavioral Skills (IMB).
Methods

The research was conducted in education sector; data was collected from students and staff (teaching and nonteaching) of universities. Mono method was used with deductive approach. Data was collected from 780 respondents and analyzed using Smart PLS3.
Results

A scenario-based survey conducted online, and data was collected from 780 respondents to test the model. Data analysis was conducted by using SPSS and Smart PLS3.The results highlighted the factors that leads towards behavioral change during the pandemic times. The results highlighted the factors that leads towards behavioral change during pandemic times.
Conclusions

This study not only contributes into the existing literature on social marketing but also will bring the betterment in the society by measuring the safety behavior of individuals. This research may also help the health policy makers and contributes as communication guideline for individuals to follow safety behaviors which will limit the spread of COVID-19.
Trial Registration:
Not applicable
Impact of Vegetation Cover Structure on Birds' Community at Tianfu National Wetland Park in Jiangsu Kunshan, China
Authors: Ajloon Fathielrahaman H , Xie Dong , Junxue Shao , RuiTing Zhang , Inayng Aniefiok Ini
Published: September 2021

Vegetation cover has an essential role in wetland habitats in controlling avian populations throughout the world. The vegetation cover structure in grassland systems varies dramatically among seasons on the same sites. Variation in vegetation cover-abundance richness and diversity has been studied through one hundred forty-seven quadrate samples during summer and autumn, 2019, winter, and spring 2020. Avian species richness and diversity were recorded during the same period. Meanwhile, correlation analysis results confirmed that: (1) there was no apparent seasonal difference in the abundance of vegetation cover while avian abundance was statistically different. (2) Plant abundance in summer was positively correlated with the number of avian, while in autumn it was negatively correlated. Plant and avian abundance at the genus level showed a positive correlation while maintaining a negative correlation at the species level (p < 0.05). However, during summer and autumn, a strong linear relationship exists between vegetation coverage and avian. The Shannon diversity index and Simpson diversity index have a positive linear relationship between vegetation coverage and avian families and genera. Therefore, we conclude that vegetation coverage and richness significantly impact avian communities. We suggest further research into the relationship between other biological communities and farming practices in the wetlands
Health Communication and Popularization in the Context of Epidemic Era: Preferences of the Chinese General Population
Authors: Gao Yaxin , Li Zhu , Mao Zijun
Published: September 2021

Background

In the current era of big data, it is critical to address people's demand for health science knowledge. At present, the traditional mode of communicating scientific health knowledge and information technology are interchangeable, resulting in the emergence of a new mode of communicating health science knowledge. To publicize health education and popular science knowledge in a targeted way, to meet the public's needs, and to understand how the public's demand for subjects, contents, and forms of health science service has changed in the epidemic era, the investigation of public's demand for health information and popular science knowledge was conducted.
Objective

This study aims to understand the differences in demand for health science popularization service providers, contents, channels, forms, and facilities among Chinese citizens with different genders, ages, education levels, economic conditions, and living environments, and to provide reasonable recommendations for developing health science popularization.
Methods

Questionnaire Star was used to conduct a large sample of random online surveys. In Wuhan, Hubei Province, 2184 questionnaires were issued, 8 invalid questionnaires were eliminated, and 2176 were recovered, with an effective rate of 99.6%. IBM SPSS Statistics 20 was utilized to analyze the survey data.
Results

(1) In health science popularization service providers selected by the public, the proportion of government departments or government collaboration with other institutions exceeded 73%, indicating that health science popularization services are public goods; (2) access to health science popularization services was lower in township areas than in urban areas (P < 0.001); (3) internet media and communicating with acquaintances, which have the highest popularity rate, were also the two channels that were least trusted by the public; and (4) the differences in contents and service channels of health science popularization among residents with different genders, ages, education levels, economic status, and living environments were statistically significant.
Conclusions

(1) It is recommended to establish an integrated health science popularization service model with multi-center supply. Government departments, medical institutions, and media should cooperate effectively to provide health science popularization services. (2) The government should pay attention to the fairness of health education and strengthen the supply of health science popularization services in township areas. (3) It is critical to strengthen the public's ability to discriminate network information and pay attention to scientific thinking cultivation. (4) Health science popularization service providers must focus on the differences between public demands and improve the connotation of health science services.
Molecular Dynamics Simulation of Coal Structure Damage Under the Action of Surfactant
Authors: Chen He , Wang Laigui , An Wenbo , Zhao Na
Published: September 2021

An anionic surfactant, sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) was used to modify the coal structure. This was done to improve the compactness of the coal structure, promote the damage of coal structure, improve the efficiency of gas drainage, and prevent shock pressure disasters. The mercury intrusion experiment and uniaxial compression experiments were used to determine the changes in the pore structure and mechanical properties of coal after modified by surfactant. This work established six groups of water / surfactant / coal simulation systems with different concentrations. Based on the energy behavior and dynamics characteristics ( interaction energy, relative concentration distribution, radial distribution function, mean square displacement) of each system, the effects of surfactants with different concentrations on the structural damage of coal were analyzed by molecular dynamics simulation, and the mechanism of coal structural damage was revealed. The results show that the SDS solution can significantly reduce the mechanical strength of the coal. When the solution concentration is 0.6%, the degree of damage to the coal structure is the maximum. SDS molecules can be detected at the water / coal interface. SDS molecules are adsorbed to the coal surface through intermolecular interactions, and -SO3 groups are preferentially adsorbed to the oxygen-containing functional groups on the coal surface. The difference in SDS adsorption on the coal surface is caused by the difference in the number and spatial distribution of alkyl chains in the SDS molecule. The main modification mechanisms of surfactants on coal are that when SDS is adsorbed on the coal surface, a large number of secondary pores and cracks are generated on the surface and inside of the coal, and cracks are formed under the action of tensile stress. The cracks continue to expand, extend, which ultimately promotes damage to the coal structure. The results are expected to provide a theoretical basis for the structure damage of coal modified by surfactant, and provide a new method for the prevention of rockburst disasters and gas outburst control.
Analysis On The Trends And Evolution of Aerobic Exercise Science Research In The United States Based on Knowledge Atlas
Authors: Li Jian , Zhang Chong , Li Meiyue
Published: September 2021

BackgroundAerobic exercise is an effective physical exercise to promote human health and prevent diseases. It has been the focus of attention from all walks of life. Only by effectively grasping the key documents can we enter the forefront of relevant research fields.MethodsUsing the Web of ScienceTM core collection, 1,833 documents from the American aerobic exercise studies, which conducted scientific measurement and visual analysis using the CiteSpace? analysis softwareResultsAmerican aerobic research development of polynomial function growth, the main research focus in the university research institutions, formed the sports science dominated multidisciplinary group, research mainly focus on the cognitive improvement and heart function of cardio, aerobic exercise training and health, exercise risk, body composition and body load in the evolution of body load. In recent years, aerobic exercise research has been introduced to enhance human health, in the process of developing cardiovascular disease, strength training, exercise intensity, weight control, human inflammation, insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome, randomized controlled experiments and resistance resistance training gradually evolved into a new trend of aerobic exercise research in the United States.ConclusionsAerobic exercise research has been introduced to enhance human health, in the process of developing cardiovascular disease, strength training, exercise intensity, weight control, human inflammation, insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome, randomized controlled experiments and resistance resistance training gradually evolved into a new trend of aerobic exercise research in the United States.
Atomically Dispersed CoN3C1-TeN1C3 Diatomic Sites Anchored in N-doped Carbon as Efficient Bifunctional Catalyst for Synergistic Electrocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution and Oxygen Reduction
Authors: Wang Minmin , Zheng Xiuhui , Li Min , Sun Kaian , Liu Chuhao , Cheong Weng-Chon , Liu Zhi , Chen Yanju , Liu Shoujie , Wang Bin , Li Yanpeng , Liu Yunqi , Liu Chenguang , Feng Xiang , Yang Chaohe , Pan Yuan , Chen Chen
Published: September 2021

The development of high atomic economic efficiency catalysts for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) are important for the large-scale application of renewable energy technologies but still challenging. Herein, we reported a novel encapsulation-adsorption-pyrolysis strategy for the construction of atomically dispersed Co-Te diatomic sites (DASs) that are anchored in N-doped carbon (N-C) as efficient bifunctional catalyst for synergistic electrocatalytic HER and ORR. The as-constructed catalyst has stable and special CoN3C1-TeN1C3 coordination structures, Coδ+ has adsorption-activation function and the neighbouring Teδ+ acts as an electron donor adjusting the electronic structure of Coδ+, promoting the dissociation of H2O molecules and the adsorption of H and oxygen-containing intermediates in HER and ORR. This work provides numerous new opportunities to rational design and artificial synthesis of DASs catalysts for energy conversion.
Investigation on Sensing and Stability of Nitrogen-doped ITO Thin-film Strain Gauges at High Temperatures
Authors: Liu Zhichun , Liang Junsheng , Li Jian , Zhou Hao , Yang Mingjie , Cao Sen , Lu Wenqi , Xu Jun
Published: September 2021

Nitrogen-doped indium tin oxide (ITO) has been applied in the thin-film strain gauges (TFSGs) due to their high stability, excellent piezoresistivity and antioxidation at elevated temperatures. However, the mechanism on the sensing and stability of the nitrogen-doped ITO TFSGs at high temperatures was not comprehensively clarified. In this work, various ITO TFSGs were fabricated by RF magnetron sputtering with different nitrogen partial pressures (NPPs) of 5%~40%. The elemental composition and band structures of the ITO TFSGs were examined by the energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), respectively. Results show that the Fermi energy level shifts closer to the valence band maximum energy (Ev) gradually with the growth of NPPs, causing a reduction in the number of electrons ionized to the conduction band. The smallest content change rates of nitrogen (3.8%) and oxygen (1.6%) after subjecting to the thermal strain test were observed in the 20%N2 ITO TFSG. In consequence, the 20%N2 ITO TFSG exhibits the lowest resistance drift rate (DR) at high temperatures due to its stable elemental composition. Moreover, we found that the band structures and elemental composition of the ITO TFSGs are the main factors affecting their piezoresistive response at different temperatures. The band structures play a major role in the gauge factors (GFs) of the ITO TFSGs at room temperature and 600 ℃. The element variation takes responsibility for the different GFs of the ITO TFSGs at 800℃, 900℃ and 1000℃. In addition, the piezoresistive stability is also dependent on the elemental composition affected by the dynamic equilibrium between the diffusion amount of oxygen and the escape number of the nitrogen in the ITO thin films at high temperatures.
Adoptive cell therapy targeting common p53 neoantigens in human solid cancers
Authors: Kim Sanghyun , Vale Nolan , Zacharakis Nikolaos , Krishna Sri , Yu Zhiya , Gasmi Billel , Gartner Jared , Sindiri Sivasish , Malekzadeh Parisa , Deniger Drew , Lowery Frank , Parkhurst Maria , Ngo Lien , Ray Satyajit , Li Yong , Hill Victoria , Florentin Maria , Paria Biman , Levin Noam , Hedges Elizabeth , Choi Agnes , Chatani Praveen , Levi Shoshana , Seitter Samantha , Lu Yong-Chen , Zheng Zhili , Prickett Todd , Jia Li , Hernandez Jonathan , Hoang Chuong , Robbins Paul , Goff Stephanie , Sherry Richard , Yang James , Rosenberg Steven
Published: September 2021

Adoptive cell therapy (ACT) targeting neoantigens can achieve durable clinical responses in patients with cancer. Most neoantigens arise from rare mutations, requiring highly individualized treatments. To broaden the applicability of ACT targeting neoantigens, we focused on TP53 mutations commonly shared across different cancer types. Here, we describe a library of T cell receptors (TCRs) that can target TP53 mutations shared among 7.3% of patients with solid cancers. These TCRs recognized tumor cells in a TP53 mutation- and human leucocyte antigen (HLA)-specific manner both in vitro and in vivo. Patients with chemorefractory epithelial cancers treated with ex vivo-expanded autologous tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) naturally reactive with mutant p53 experienced limited clinical responses (2 PRs/12 patients), and we detected low frequencies, exhausted phenotypes, and poor persistence of the infused mutant p53-reactive TILs. Alternatively, we treated one patient with a chemorefractory breast cancer with ACT by transducing autologous peripheral blood lymphocytes with an HLA-A*02-restricted anti-p53R175H TCR. The infused cells exhibited an improved immunophenotype and prolonged persistence compared to the TIL ACT and the patient experienced an objective tumor regression (-55%) that lasted 6 months. Collectively, these data demonstrate the feasibility of off-the-shelf TCR-engineered cell therapies targeting shared p53 neoantigens to treat human cancers.
Potential Risks for and Prognoses After Infections and Antimicrobial use Among Hemodialysis Outpatients: A Prospective Study
Authors: Zhang Jing-Jing , Wu Yi-le , Hu Xiao-Qian , Xu Wen-Ting , Li Huai , Fang Mei , Yuan Liang , Li Ruo-Jie , Wang Xue-Ping , Wang De-Guang , Yang Xi-Yao
Published: September 2021

Background: The aims of this study were to determine the prevalence and characteristics of infections as well as the use of antimicrobials among hemodialysis outpatients. Methods: We used the dialysis event surveillance protocol to conduct a prospective study in 2019. Results: Totally 180 outpatients who received maintenance hemodialysis were included in the cohort study. The total number of dialysis events was 53 in 38 patients. Among the collected events, 42 (79.25%) events used intravenous antimicrobial treatments; five (9.43%) had positive blood cultures; and six (11.32%) had pus, redness, or swelling at the access site. Type of vascular access was an influencing factor for infection among hemodialysis outpatients. Blood flow rate on dialysis was another factor influencing infection events, the risk of infection increased in patients who had lower blood flow rate. Additional analysis showed that lower blood flow rate was also observed as adverse impact in patients who used central lines, but not in those with fistulas. And Erythropoietin use was higher in the infection group. Conclusions: Patients who used central lines, and especially patients both with central lines and low blood flow rate, were more vulnerable to infection. Using Erythropoietin was another risk factor for infection in hemodialysis outpatients.
Seismological and Engineering Characteristics of Strong Motion Data from 24 and 26 September 2019 Marmara Sea Earthquakes
Authors: Malcıoğlu Fatma Sevil , Süleyman Hakan , Çaktı Eser
Published: September 2021

An MW 4.5 earthquake took place on September 24, 2019 in the Marmara Sea. Two days after, on September 26, 2019, Marmara region was rattled by an MW5.7 earthquake. With the intention of compiling an ample strong ground motion data set of recordings, we have utilized the stations of Istanbul Earthquake Rapid Response and Early Warning System operated by the Department of Earthquake Engineering of Boğaziçi University and of the National Strong Motion Network operated by AFAD. All together 438 individual records are used to calculate the source parameters of events; namely, corner frequency, radius, rupture area, average source dislocation, source duration and stress drop. Some of these parameters are compared with empirical relationships and discussed extensively. Duration characteristics are analyzed in two steps; first, by making use of the time difference between P-wave and S-wave onsets and then, by considering S-wave durations and significant durations. It is observed that they yield similar trends with global models. PGA, PGV and SA values are compared with three commonly used ground motion prediction models. At distances closer than about 60 km observed intensity measures mostly conform with the GMPE predictions. Beyond 60 km their attenuation is clearly faster than those of GMPEs. Frequency-dependent Q models are developed for both events. Their consistency with existing regional models are confirmed.
Proteomics to Metabolomics: A New Insight Into the Pathogenesis of Hypertensive Nephropathy
Authors: Eshraghi Yasin , Abedi Maryam , Gheisari Yousof
Published: September 2021

Background

Hypertensive nephropathy (HN) is a high burden disorder and a leading cause of end-stage renal disorder. In spite of huge investigations, the underlying mechanisms are yet largely unknown. Systems biology is a promising approach to provide a comprehensive insight towards this complex disorder.
Methods

Protein expression profiles of kidney tubule and cortex sub-compartments were retrieved from the PRIDE database and the quality of the datasets were assessed using principal component analysis (PCA) and hierarchical clustering. Differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) were detected and their attributed metabolites were enriched and their interactions were assessed in multi-layer networks. Moreover, considering the DEPs and the predicted metabolites, key biomedical phenomena with a leading role in HN pathogenesis were proposed.
Results

Amino acid and purine metabolisms are the most prominent alteration in kidney cortex whereas dysregulation of energy hemostasis is a key pathogenic mechanism in tubule. Besides, actin cytoskeleton disorganization is an enriched pathway in both anatomical areas.
Conclusion

The proteomics profiles of kidney sub-compartments were analyzed using a top-down approach to infer the main pathogenic processes. The constructed holistic map of HN can be exploited to propose novel therapeutic strategies.
miR-27b-3p Targeting BDNF Inhibits the TrkB/CREB Signaling Pathway and Improves IL-1 β-Induced Chondrocyte Inflammation
Authors: ruan cailian , CONG Rui jun , Wang Miao , WANG LI JUN , YU YONG , LI XIAO JI , JIANG XIAOFENG
Published: September 2021

Background: Explore the mechanism of "miR-27b-3p targeting BDNF inhibits the TrkB/CREB signaling pathway and improves IL-1 β-induced chondrocyte inflammation".Methods: The animal and cell models of arthritis were constructed, and various biochemical detection methods were used to detect the changes of apoptosis, inflammation and oxidative stress.Results: The results showed that the expression of miR-27b-3p was downregulated in IL-1β-treated chondrocytes and cartilage tissues isolated from a KOA rat model. miR-27b-3p overexpression notably reduced IL-1β-induced chondrocyte apoptosis and the expression levels of caspase-3 and caspase-9. In addition, cell transfection with miR-27b-3p mimics increased the mRNA and protein expression levels of inducible nitric oxide synthase and cyclooxygenase-2. The levels of nitric oxide, prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), TNF-α and IL-6 were also reduced following cell transfection with miR-27b-3p mimics. Furthermore, bioinformatics analysis predicted that miR-27b-3p could directly target brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). Additionally, the present study suggested that the tropomyosin receptor kinase B (TrkB)/cAMP response‑element binding protein (CREB) signaling axis could be a downstream pathway of the miR-27b-3p/BDNF axis. The percentage of apoptotic cells and the expression levels of nitric oxide, PGE2, TNF-α and IL-6 were enhanced in chondrocytes co-treated with BDNF + IL-1β. However, these effects were restored following transfection of chondrocytes with miR-27b-3p mimics. Staining of cartilage tissues with safranin O showed that miR-27b-3p overexpression Significantly attenuated KOA-induced cartilage degradation.Conclusions:miR-27b-3p targeting BDNF inhibits the TrkB/CREB signaling pathway and improves IL-1 β-induced chondrocyte inflammation.
Molecular Dynamics Simulations on the Thermal Effect of Interfacial Friction During Asperity Shearing
Authors: Yuan Zhaoxun , Zhao Junxian , Huang Shiping
Published: September 2021

To explore the thermal effect of interfacial friction at the nano/microscale, a solid-solid contact model of a rough surface with a single peak was established to research single-crystal Fe. The friction characteristics, stress distributions, temperature changes, and energy changes under different indentation depths and lattice orientations during the shearing process were analyzed. From the perspective of temperature and energy, the mechanism of the thermal effect was revealed. The relationship between the friction force, temperature, and energy at the atomic scale was clarified. The results showed that the temperature of the asperities gradually increased during the shearing process, and a stress concentration formed in the shearing zone. After contact, the asperities had undergone unrecoverable plastic deformation, and there was wear at the contact interface accompanied by the loss of atoms from the asperity. At each indentation depth, as the rotation angle of the crystal increased, the friction force, average temperature, and the sum of the changes in thermal kinetic and thermal potential energy all first increased and then decreased; the trends of the three parameters changing with the rotation angle of the crystal were consistent. The average decreases in the friction force, average temperature, and the sum of the changes in thermal kinetic and thermal potential energy were 52.47%, 30.91%, and 56.75%, respectively, for a crystal structure with a rotation angle of 45° compared to a crystal structure with a rotation angle of 0°. The methods used in this study provide a reference for the design of frictional pairs and the reduction of the thermal effect of interfacial friction.
H+/K+ Ion Pump Enhances Cytoskeletal Polarity to Drive Gastrulation in Sea Urchin Embryo
Authors: Watanabe Kaichi , Yasui Yuhei , Kurose Yuta , Fujii Masashi , Yamamoto Takashi , Sakamoto Naoaki , Awazu Akinori
Published: September 2021

Gastrulation is a universal process in the morphogenesis of many animal embryos. In sea urchin embryos, it involves the invagination of a single-layered vegetal plate into the blastocoel. Although morphological and molecular events in gastrulation have been well studied, the mechanical driving forces and the regulatory mechanism underlying gastrulation is not fully understood. In this study, structural features and cytoskeletal distributions were studied in sea urchin embryos using an “exogastrulation” model induced by inhibiting the H+/K+ ion pump with omeprazole. The vegetal poles of the exogastrulating embryos showed reduced roundness indices, intracellular pH polarization, and intracellular F-actin polarization at the pre-early gastrulation stage compared with normal embryos. Gastrulation stopped when F-actin polymerization or degradation was inhibited via RhoA or YAP1 knockout, although pH distributions were independent of such a knockout. A mathematical model of sea urchin embryos at the early gastrulation reproduced the shapes of both normal and exogastrulating embryos using cell-dependent cytoskeletal features based on F-actin and pH distributions. Thus, gastrulation required appropriate cell position-dependent intracellular F-actin distributions regulated by the H+/K+ ion pump through pH control.
Enhanced Photoluminescence Properties of BaAl2O4: Ce3+/Li+ Yellow Phosphors
Authors: K Ganesh Kumar , Bhargav Balaji , Aravinth K , C Balaji
Published: September 2021

Ce3+/ Li+ activated barium aluminate phosphor (BAO) was synthesized by conventional solid-state reaction method. The crystal structure of the synthesized phosphor was analyzed by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Raman spectroscopy analysis. FT-IR spectrum results revealed the characteristic vibration bands present in the synthesized phosphor. Surface composition analysis of the prepared samples was examined using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). PL emission band observed at 589 nm was assigned to 5D excited level corresponding to 2F5/2 transition in yellow region under the excitation wavelength of 320 nm. Yellow light emission was confirmed by the Commission Internationale de L’Eclairage (CIE) chromatic coordinate graph. The color purity of BAO: 0.5Ce3+, BAO: 0.5Ce3+, 0.1Li+ was found to be 78.4 %, 81.3 % whereas the measured lifetime was 4.333, 4.738 ns respectively.
Selection of Remote Sensing Images And Evapotranspiration Models On Complex Land Surfaces for a Humid Karst Catchment
Authors: Zhang Rongfei
Published: September 2021

Evapotranspiration (ET) is predominant variable for water management in various types of ecosystems, and ET processes in these ecosystems have been assessed through in-situ measuring and modelling methods. However, it is challenging to measure actual ET and upscale it to regional level. In addition, the accuracy of retrieved parameters from models is usually low for karst landscapes, where the underlying surface is more complex than non-karst landscapes. Due to various porosities and conduits, aquifers in karst landscapes typically show remarkable and rapid responses to precipitation events, leading to serious water stress. Therefore, there is an urgent need to quantify water fluxes to provide reliable evidence for the protection and sustainable management of karst water resources. In this study, five plots were built to observe actual ET based on Thermal Dissipation Probes (TDP), re-designed Ventilated-chamber and Micro-lysimeters in a karst catchment in southwest China. Then, three models (Penman-Monteith-Leurning, PML; Remote Sensing-Priestley and Taylor, RS-PT; and Hargreaves) were selected to upscale ET estimation to the regional level based on Landsant-8 and MODIS data. The results showed that: 1) The PML model performed better than other models (p < 0.01) with higher R2 values (0.72 for MODIS images and 0.87 for Landsat-8 images) and smaller RMSE values (1.4 mm·day-1 and 0.8 mm·day-1 for MODIS and Landsat-8 images, respectively); 2) Daily ET exhibited significant seasonal variability and different spatial distribution; 3) ET had a slightly positive correlation with DEM; however, ground temperature had a negative correlation with ET. By combining remote sensing data and upscaling it to the regional level, this study helps improve the accuracy of measured and estimated ET. It suggests that ET is strongly regulated by vegetation coverage and available energy in subtropical humid karst catchments.
Identifying and addressing conflicting results across multiple discordant systematic reviews on the same topic: A protocol for a replication study of the Jadad algorithm
Authors: Lunny Carole , Thirugnanasampanthar Sai Surabi , Kanji Salman , Ferri Nicola , Pieper Dawid , Whitelaw Sera , Thabet Pierre , Tasmin Sara , Nelson Harrison , Reid Emma , Zhang Jia He (Janet) , Kalkat Banveer , Chi Yuan , Thompson Jacqueline Y , Abdoulrezzak Reema , Zheng Di Wen (Wendy) , Pangka Lindy R.S. , Wang Dian (Xin Ran) , Safavi Parisa , Sooch Anmol , Kang Kevin T. , Tricco Andrea C
Published: September 2021

Introduction: An increasing growth of systematic reviews (SRs) presents notable challenges for decision-makers seeking to answer clinical questions. Overviews of systematic reviews aim to address these challenges by summarising results of SRs and making sense of potentially discrepant SR results and conclusions. In 1997, an algorithm was created by Jadad to assess discordance in results across SRs on the same topic. Since this tool pre-dates the advent of overviews, it has been inconsistently applied in this context. Our study aims to (a) replicate assessments done in a sample of overviews using the Jadad algorithm to determine if the same SR would have been chosen, (b) evaluate the Jadad algorithm in terms of utility, efficiency, and comprehensiveness, and (c) describe how overviews address discordance in results across multiple SRs. Methods and Analysis: We will use a database of 1218 overviews (2000-2020) created from a bibliometric study as the basis of our search for overviews assessing discordance. This bibliometric study searched MEDLINE (Ovid), Epistemonikos, and Cochrane Database for overviews. We will include any overviews using Jadad (1997) or another method to assess discordance. The first 30 overviews screened at the full-text stage by two independent reviewers will be included. We will replicate Jadad assessments in overviews. We will compare our outcomes qualitatively and evaluate the differences between our Jadad assessment of discordance and the overviews’ assessment. Ethics and Dissemination: No ethics approval was required as no human subjects were involved. In addition to publishing in an open-access journal, we will disseminate evidence summaries through formal and informal conferences, academic websites, and across social media platforms. This is the first study to comprehensively evaluate and replicate Jadad algorithm assessments of discordance in SRs.
The effect of small-scale irrigation on household food security of Kindo Didaye District, Wolaita Zone, Southern Ethiopia
Authors: Bakalo Israel Balta , Assele Desalegn Dawit , Mohamed Nejuma , Ayele Abayneh
Published: September 2021

This study aimed to assess the effect of small-scale irrigation on household food security in the Kindo Didaye district. Community-based comparative cross-sectional survey was conducted at Kindo Didaye district, Wolaita zone from September 1st to 30, 2020. Data were collected by using structured questionnaires from 160 irrigation users and 163 non-users. Binary logistic regression analyses were fitted to identify factors associated with household food security. The prevalence of household food security was (87.5% Vs 66.8%, p = < 0.001) for irrigation users and irrigation nonusers, respectively. Family labor, TLU, cultivated land size, training, access to irrigation, and participation in Off-farm activities were positively associated with household food security. While the age of household head and dependency ratio negatively affected household food security.
Remediation of pear iron chlorosis by nanocellulose-iron chelation and mechanisms
Authors: Wang Hezhong
Published: September 2021

Background: Nanocrystal cellulose has a strong ability to chelate iron and the nanocomposite possesses strong adsorptive property. Iron deficiency chlorosis (IDC) is a mineral disorder that weakens pear photosynthesis and cause a significant decline in plant yield and quality. Conventional methods to control IDC are generally due to low efficiency and overuse of chemicals. The purpose of this study was to explore the capability of nanocellulose (NC)-Fe chelate to remediate pear IDC. Acidic hydrolyzed NCs were chelated with Fe (NCFe) based on the net charge density of the components. Foliar application of NCFe was employed to pre-etiolated seedlings of Pyrus betulifolia as a plant material. The ability of NCFe to promote active iron content (CFe), photosynthesis rate, and relative gene expression was studied. Results: Nanocrystal cellulose prepared by acidic hydrolysis exhibit rod-like whiskers carrying on negative charges. When NCs were mixed with FeSO4, the NCFe particles maintained a small, whisker-like morphology with small dots (Fe) on the surface of the NC particles. The Z-average hydrodynamic diameter and zeta potential of the NC whiskers measured by DLS were 84.3 ± 0.2 nm and -47.3 ± 1.7 mV, respectively. The particle size and zeta potential of NCFe were 107.4±3.0 nm and -9.7±0.4 mV, respectively. The results showed that NCFe could significantly mitigate IDC in seedlings by increasing CFe, photosynthesis parameters, major physiological indicators, and regulating the expression of key enzymes. When NCFe was prepared at a NC-to-Fe charge density ratio of 1:3,000, CFe and chlorophyll contents were enhanced by approximately 9 times and 72.7%, respectively; the major physiological indicators were all significantly increased. Interestingly, NCFe treatment significantly downregulated the expression of the pectin methylesterase gene (PbPME) and upregulated the expression of the ferritin gene (PbFER) to increase CFe.Conclusion: NCs have strong potential to promote plant photosynthesis when chelated with Fe. The remediation capability of NCFe to IDC is attributed to the enhancement of photosynthesis parameters and indicators. NCFe treatment significantly downregulated the expression of the PME gene (PbPME) and upregulated the expression of the ferritin gene (PbFER) to increase the active iron content. This finding will provide a good alternative and a complementary strategy for Fe-chelate applications in plant iron chlorosis management.
Einfluss eines Erste-Hilfe-Kurses für Medizinstudierende auf notfallmedizinische Basiskompetenzen
Authors:   , Lorenz Julia
Published: September 2021

Medizinstudierende sind bereits in der Vorklinik häufig mit Situationen konfrontiert, in denen medizinische Notfälle passieren, die unter anderem wegen der Lage des Universitätscampus und den damit verbundenen Kontakt zu Patientinnen und Patienten oder in den Pflegepraktika. Tritt in diesen Situationen ein medizinischer Notfall ein, müssen sie Erste Hilfe leisten können. Das Ziel der vorliegenden Arbeit ist daher die Erfassung notfallmedizinischer Basiskompetenzen von Medizinstudierenden der Vorklinik und die Frage, ob diese ausreichend sind, um den Anforderungen ihres Umfeldes gerecht zu werden. Des Weiteren wurde ein Erste-Hilfe-Kurs speziell für Vorklinikstudierende basierend auf dem ABCDE-Schema konzipiert, implementiert und evaluiert, ob die erfassten Kompetenzdefizite behoben werden konnten. In einem Pre-Post-Design wurde die theoretische Kompetenz anhand eines 10 Items Multiple-Choice-Tests und die praktischen Kompetenzen anhand von 3 OSCE-/OSPE-Stationen (je 5 min) erfasst. Sowohl der MC-Test als auch die OSCE-/OSPE-Stationen wurden in Probeläufen getestet und überarbeitet. Soziodemographische Daten wurden mittels Fragebogen erhoben. Der entwickelte Kurs umfasst 9 UE (davon 6 UE praktische Übungen) in denen die zu erlernenden Erste-Hilfe-Maßnahmen strukturiert und in logischer Reihenfolge anhand des etablierten ABCDE-Schemas vermittelt werden. Jeweils 8 Teilnehmende werden von zwei geschulten Peer-Dozierenden unterrichtet. Im Anschluss an das Training erfolgte eine erneute Erhebung der theoretischen und praktischen Kompetenzen. Die Eingabe der Rohdaten erfolgte in Microsoft Excel (Microsoft Inc., Redmond, WA, USA). Die weitere Auswertung erfolgte mittels SPSS (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA). 160 Studierende aus den ersten beiden Studienjahren konnten in die Studie eingeschlossen werden. Im Basis-Assessment demonstrierten nur 25% der Studierenden zwei Minuten lang eine suffiziente Kompression mit richtiger Frequenz und Drucktiefe, nur 29% überstreckten am Ende der Seitenlage den Kopf des Patienten und öffneten den Mund. Im Anschluss an das Training erzielten die Studierenden an allen OSCE/OSPE-Stationen signifikant bessere Ergebnisse: Bei der stabilen Seitenlage steigerten sie sich durchschnittlich um 5,3 Punkte (max. 14), bei der Reanimation um 6,8 Punkte (max. 18). Während sich vor dem Kurs 33% der Studierenden in der Lage fühlten, Wiederbelebungsmaßnahmen durchzuführen, waren dies nach dem Kurs 98%. Die Kursevaluation war durchweg positiv. Die Erfassung notfallmedizinischer Basiskompetenzen von Medizinstudierenden der Vorklinik zeigte, dass diese nicht ausreichend geschult sind, um Notfallsituationen adäquat zu bewältigen. Vor diesem Hintergrund muss eine dem Anforderungsprofil entsprechende Ausbildung in Erster Hilfe bereits in der Vorklinik an der Universität gewährleistet werden. Die vorliegenden Ergebnisse zeigen, dass mithilfe eines speziell auf Medizinstudierende ausgerichteten Erste-Hilfe-Kurs eine deutliche Steigerung notfallmedizinischer Basiskompetenzen erfolgen kann.
Bone Augmentation in Extrusive Teeth Repositioned Using Bone Grafts
Authors: Hoediono Charissa Roderica , Hollanda Ghita Hadi
Published: September 2021

Extrusive luxation is a traumatic dental injury (TDI) due to the action of forces, especially in the oblique angle. Partial displacement of the tooth is one of its characteristics. Repositioning is the treatment of choice for this type of trauma. The mechanism of bone augmentation and splint in managing the post extrusive luxation teeth reposition was explored and reported. An 18-year-old male with a history of traffic accident which caused extrusive luxation of 11 and 21 with no alveolar bone fracture. The patient was managed by repositioning the teeth and applicating arch-bar on anterior maxillary teeth. After eight weeks of evaluation, periapical radiograph showed the distal bone of 21 had radiolucent appearance followed by Class 1 mobility. The arch-bar was removed, and the periosteal flap was made on the buccal side of 21 and the distal part was curetted then irrigated with 0.9% sodium chloride, then supplemented with bone graft material and pericardium membrane. Lastly, the flap was returned, the tooth was then stabilised using self-curing adhesive resin cement (Super-Bond). The tooth was kept under observation for two months. It was observed that the tooth was asymptomatic and still in function with no radiographic signs of pathosis. These results suggested that tooth reposition might be an alternative to prosthetic or implant dentistry. However, further human research is recommended with long standing follow-up periods and comparative studies to be carried out to identify whether dental implant replacement or reposition is the cost-effective treatment for extruded tooth.
Hepatocellular Liver Function of Immunosuppressed Rats with Oral Candidiasis
after Hyperbaric Oxygen Treatment: Alanine Transaminase and Aspartate Transaminase Levels
Authors: Pargaputri Agni Febrina , Andriani Dwi
Published: September 2021

Hepatocellular utility is observed by measuring the hepatocellular enzymes. Changes in its serum levels are related to liver dysfunction. Liver is one of the immunoprotective organs. Continuous use of immunosuppressive drugs can cause oral candidiasis and give effects to liver function. Hyperbaric oxygen treatment (HBOT), while reducing fungal infections, can also repair the liver function. The aim of this study was to investigate the alanine transaminase (ALT) and aspartate transaminase (AST) levels of immunosuppressed rats with oral candidiasis treated with hyperbaric oxygen. Twelve Wistar rats were divided into three groups: K− (normal/ healthy), K+ (oral candidiasis immunosuppressed rats), and P (oral candidiasis immunosuppressed rats treated hyperbaric oxygen). K+ and P groups were immunosuppressed by giving dexamethasone 0.5 mg/day/rat orally for 14 days, added with tetracycline 1 mg/day/rat. HBOT was given in five days successively. Blood serum of rats in all groups were taken to calculate the ALT and AST levels. ALT and AST levels in K+ showed higher value than K− and P groups. The data were analysed with one-way ANOVA test and showed significant difference in ALT levels (p < 0.05), while in AST levels there was no significant difference among the groups (p > 0.05). This study showed that HBOT affected the ALT and AST levels of immunosuppressed rats with oral candidiasis.
Improving Brain Tumor Segmentation with Data Augmentation Strategies
Authors: Malhotra Radhika , Saini Jasleen , Saini Barjinder Singh , Gupta Savita
Published: September 2021

In the past decade, there has been a remarkable evolution of convolutional neural networks (CNN) for biomedical image processing. These improvements are inculcated in the basic deep learning-based models for computer-aided detection and prognosis of various ailments. But implementation of these CNN based networks is highly dependent on large data in case of supervised learning processes. This is needed to tackle overfitting issues which is a major concern in supervised techniques. Overfitting refers to the phenomenon when a network starts learning specific patterns of the input such that it fits well on the training data but leads to poor generalization abilities on unseen data. The accessibility of enormous quantity of data limits the field of medical domain research. This paper focuses on utility of data augmentation (DA) techniques, which is a well-recognized solution to the problem of limited data. The experiments were performed on the Brain Tumor Segmentation (BraTS) dataset which is available online. The results signify that different DA approaches have upgraded the accuracies for segmenting brain tumor boundaries using CNN based model.
Variants of Local Binary Pattern: A Review
Authors: Singh Aditya , Sunkaria Ramesh K. , Bedi Anterpreet Kaur
Published: September 2021

In everyday life, image data, such as information, processing and computer vision, play a significant role in many applications; such as image classification, image segmentation and image retrieval. A preferred attributes that has been applied in a lots of picture applications is texture. This was forming an image using an array of pixels. Texture played a significant part in image segmentation and image detection and retrieval. In addition ranked the classifications of the texture then local binary pattern are coming. The LBP method seemed to work very effectively in real time. In the LBP method, comparing the values of the central pixels with the values of the neighbouring pixels and to attribute the binary values on these values. In this paper providing an overview for the local binary model and their benefits.
An Improved Method to Remove Salt and Pepper Noise in Noisy Images
Authors: Kaur Jinder , Kaur Gurwinder , Kumar Ashwani
Published: September 2021

In the field of image processing, removal of noise from Gray scale as well as RGB images is an ambitious task. The important function of noise removal algorithm is to eliminate noise from a noisy image. The salt and pepper noise (SPN) is frequently arising into Gray scale and RGB images while capturing, acquiring and transmitting over the insecure several communication mechanisms. In past, the numerous noise removal methods have been introduced to extract the noise from images adulterated with SPN. The proposed work introduces the SPN removal algorithm for Gray scale at low along with high density noise (10\% to 90\%). According to the different conditions of proposed algorithm, the noisy pixel is reconstructed by Winsorized mean or mean value of all pixels except the centre pixel which are present in the processing window. The noise from an image can be removed by using the proposed algorithm without degrading the quality of image. The performance evaluation of proposed and modified decision based unsymmetric median filter (MDBUTMF) is done on the basis of different performance parameters such as Peak Signal to Noise Ratio (PSNR), Mean Square Error (MSE), Image Enhancement Factor (IEF) and Structure Similarity Index Measurement (SSIM).
Temperature variations within a multi-layered skin tissue exposed to the 5G mobile communications frequency radiation
Authors: Kaur Jagbir , Khan Suyeb Ahmed
Published: September 2021

The 5G mobile communication systems are the “next generation” communication systems. They are capable of providing numerous benefits to the mobile phone users. But, whether they are safe to use is still a topic of concern. This study investigates the thermal safety of 5G mobile phone frequency. A three dimensional multi-layered skin tissue is exposed to 60 GHz frequency from a mobile patch antenna. The simulation software COMSOL Multiphysics is employed to map the electric field distribution and the temperature distribution within the exposed domain. The peak temperature (37.36°C) is estimated in the subcutaneous fat layer of the skin tissue. The temperature peak is very short lived and the steady state temperature is same as the core body temperature. The results suggest that the temperature rise caused by the 5G mobile phone radiation exposure is not capable of causing the thermal burns in the exposed tissue. Therefore, the 5G mobile communication frequency of 60 GHz can be considered “thermally” safe.
Comparative Analysis of Clipping-filtering, SLM and PTS for PAPR Reduction Technique in OFDM System
Authors: Singhal Sneha , Sharma Dheeraj Kumar
Published: September 2021

Modulation scheme, orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) uses multiple carriers to communicate and transmit data. It is used widely in wireless communication due to its numerous advantages. OFDM modulation is very advantageous as it reduces inter symbol interference, provides high data rate and it is not affected by narrow band effect. To operate OFDM effectively, its high value of peak to average power ratio should be reduced. In OFDM, power amplifier should be linear and accommodate amplitude variations to work efficiently. The high peak to average power ratio affects the performance of power amplifier.