bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Extension of Vegetable Production to High Altitudes Increases the Environmental Cost and Decreases Economic Benefits in Subtropical Regions
Authors: Wang Xiaozhong , Liang Tao , Liao Dunxiu , Tao Weilin , Jiang Rui , Zheng Yang , Lu Jingwei , Zhang Tao , Chen Xinping
Published: January 2022

Global warming has driven the expansion of cultivated land to high-altitude areas. Intensive vegetable production, which is generally considered to be a high economic value and high environmental risk system, has expanded greatly in high-altitude mountainous areas of China. However, the environmental cost of vegetable production in these areas is poorly understood. In this study, we investigated pepper production at low (traditional pepper production area) and high (newly expanded area) altitudes in Shizhu, a typical pepper crop area. The output and environmental cost at the two altitudes were identified. We evaluated the influence of resource inputs, climate, and soil properties on pepper production. There were obvious differences in output and environmental cost between the two altitudes. High-altitude pepper production achieved a 16.2% lower yield, and had a higher fertilizer input, resulting in a 22.3% lower net ecosystem economic benefit (NEEB), 23.0% higher nitrogen (N) footprint and 24.0% higher carbon (C) footprint compared to low-altitude farming. There is potential for environmental mitigation with both high- and low-altitude pepper production; Compared to average farmers, high yield farmers groups reduced their N and C footprints by 16.9–24.8% and 18.3–25.2%, respectively, with 30.6–34.1% higher yield. A large increase in yield could also be achieved by increasing the top-dress fertilizer rate and decreasing the plant density. Importantly, high-altitude pepper production was achieved despite less advanced technology and inferior conditions (e.g., a poor road system and uneven fields). It provides a reference for the study on environmental cost of other high-altitude regions or other crop systems at high altitude area.
Flight Maneuver Intelligent Recognition Based on Deep Variational Autoencoder Network
Authors: Hong Zhang , Wei Tian , Li Hui , Yuan Xiong
Published: January 2022

The selection and training of aircraft pilots has high standards, long training cycles, high resource consumption, high risk, and high elimination rate. It is the particularly urgent and important requirement for the current talent training strategy of national and military to increase efficiency and speed up all aspects of pilot training, reduce the training cycle and reduce the elimination rate. To this end, this paper uses deep variational auto-encoder network and adaptive dynamic time warping algorithms as support to explore the establishment of an integrated evaluation system for flight maneuver recognition and quality evaluation, solve the industry difficulty faced by current flight training data mining applications, and achieve accurate recognition and reliable quality evaluation of flight regimes under the background of high mobility. It will fully explore the benefits of existing airborne flight data for military trainee pilots, support the personalized and accurate training of flight talents, and reduce the rate of talent elimination.
Evaluation of Log Odds of Positive Lymph Nodes in Predicting the Survival of Neoadjuvant Therapy Patients with Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer After Surgery: A SEER Cohort-Based Study
Authors: Wang Qing , Wang Suyu , Sun Zhiyong , Cao Min , Zhao Xiaojing
Published: January 2022

Background

log odds of positive lymph nodes (LODDS) is a novel lymph node (LN) descriptor, demonstrating promising prognostic value in many tumors. However, there was limited information on LODDS in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients, especially those receiving neoadjuvant therapy followed by lung surgery.
Methods

A total of 2,059 NSCLC patients who received neoadjuvant therapy and surgery were identified in the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database. We used the X-tile software to calculate the cut-off value of LODDS. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve were used to compare the predictive value of the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) N staging descriptor and LODDS. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression and inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) analyses were conducted to construct the model predicting the prognosis.
Results

LODDS showed better differentiating ability in survival analysis than N staging descriptor (Log-rank test, P<0.0001 vs. P=0.031). The ROC curve demonstrated that the AUC of LODDS was significantly higher than the N staging descriptor in 1-year, 3-year, and 5-year survival analyses (All P<0.05). Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that the LODDS was an independent risk factor for NSCLC patients receiving neoadjuvant therapy followed by surgery, both before and after IPTW (all P<0.001). A clinicopathological model with LODDS, age, gender, T, and radiotherapy could better predict the prognosis.
Conclusions

Compared with the AJCC N staging descriptor, LODDS exhibits better predictive ability for NSCLC patients receiving neoadjuvant therapy followed by surgery. A multivariate clinicopathological model with LODDS included demonstrates sound performance in predicting the prognosis.
Handheld echocardiographic screening for rheumatic heart disease in rural South Kordofan, Sudan by junior medicals: Supporting task shifting for control of a serious disease
Authors: Elazrag Amna M. , Altahir Anfal M. , Abbas Azza A. , Hasabo Elfatih A. , Ahmed Hayat A. , Ali Hiba A.A , Abdelrazig Ibrahim M.I , Ahmed Mohamed Y. , Almahal Mohamed A. , Siddig Musab M. , Asmally Rofida S. , Alrawa Salma S. , Mohamedelrasheed Salma M. , Ali Sulafa K.M , Elnaiem Walaa
Published: January 2022

Background
Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) is a major and preventable cause of cardiac mortality in Sudan, particularly in Kordofan. It can be detected early with a handheld echocardiography machine.
Methods
A cross-sectional study was conducted in South Kordofan State, Sudan (as part of a medical convoy organized by Khartoum Medical Students Association). A team of shortly trained medical students and newly graduated doctors conducted a handheld echocardiographic screening using a simplified protocol. All suspected cases were recorded and reviewed later by a senior pediatric cardiologist. Demographic and clinical features of screened subjects were studied. Data analysis was performed using the Statistical Package for Services and Solutions (SPSS 25). Descriptive statistics were presented as “number (%)” or “mean ± SD”. RHD prevalence was expressed as cases per 1000, and Chi-Square test/Fisher’s Exact test was used to compare RHD findings between different groups.
Results
The disease frequency was found to be 50 per 1000. Out of 452 screened subjects (age 10-25 years), 23 were found to have RHD with a male to female ratio of 1:1.5. Echocardiographic quality was acceptable in 93% of studies. The disease was mild in 70% and moderate or involving 2 valves in 30% of patients. Patients were contacted, advised to start penicillin prophylaxis and referred to cardiologists. Risk factors for the disease included father's occupation and village of residence.
Conclusion
Shortly trained junior medicals can assist in RHD echocardiographic surveillance in remote areas. South Kordofan state is highly endemic for RHD and a control program needs to be implemented. Handheld echocardiography is of value for early detection and management.
Effect of variety and cutting interval on yield and proximate composition of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) under irrigation in Central Gondar zone, Ethiopia
Authors: Tiruneh Alemu Tarekegn , Amsalu Dessalegn Gelaye , Adane Kifetew Kesete
Published: January 2022

Background

Understanding the relationship between dry matter yield production and forage quality throughout the growing season will help to optimize the cutting intervals between harvests in different Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) varieties. An experiment was conducted to assess the effects of harvest frequency on forage yield and quality of 2 improved cultivars (ILRI-6984 and var. DzF-552) of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) in Western Dembia district over 20 months during 2017 and 2018. Four harvest frequencies (every 30, 40, 50 and 60 days) were compared in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with 4 replications. The experiment was laid down in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) in factorial arrangement with four replications. To assess their production potential plant height (cm), number of branches per plant, fresh biomass yield (t ha−1) and dry matter yield (t ha−1) of the forge and its nutrient content were recorded. The data collected was subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) by using the general linear model (GLM) procedure in Statistical Analysis System (SAS) (2003) version 9.1.
Results

The results revealed that highest forage dry matter yield was recorded for variety ILRI-6984 harvested every 40 days (26.8 t DM ha−1) and for var. DzF-552 when harvested every 60 days (24.1 t DM ha−1) (P<0.001). While crude protein concentration tended to decline as age at harvest increased, there was little consistency in the pattern. Crude protein yields were also inconsistent across treatments but ILRI-6984 harvested every 40 days produced the highest yields (6.5 t ha−1) (P<0.001).
Conclusion

These preliminary findings need to be confirmed under field conditions on a large scale along with longer-term studies to examine the longevity of the stands at these harvest frequencies. Irregular harvesting based on stage of maturity should be compared with fixed inter-harvest intervals.
Evidences of Microplastic in Air and Street Dust: A Case Study of Varanasi City, India
Authors: Pandey Dipika , Banerjee Tirthankar , Badola Neha , Chauhan Jaspal Singh
Published: January 2022

Microplastics (MPs) are ubiquitous in our environment. Its presence in air, water and soil makes it a serious threat to living organisms. The present study aimed to assess the availability of MPs in air and street dust of a metropolitan city Varanasi, India. Suspended dust samples and street dust samples were collected from various sampling sites. The assessment of MPs was conducted by for physical identification binocular microscopy, fluorescence microscopy and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), while elemental analysis done by Energy Dispersive X-Ray Analysis (EDX). and finally, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) was used for functional group analysis. the presence of MPs in both suspended dust and street dust samples of all selected sampling sites was confirmed by results. MPs of different color with the shape of Fragments, Films, Spherules and Fibers were observed in the study. However, most of the MPs were less than 1mm in size. The MPs identified in our study were majorly polypropylene, polystyrene, polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, polyester, and polyvinyl chloride. EDX analysis showed presence of trace elements like aluminum, cadmium, magnesium, sodium, and silicon apart from carbon and oxygen, which indicates the presence of additives or adsorption capacity of MPs. Confirmation of MPs in the air of a locality of Varanasi explains the need of deep research in this concerned field to protect our future from negative impacts of breathing MPs.
The targeted SMAC mimetic SW IV-134 augments platinum-based chemotherapy in pre-clinical models of ovarian cancer
Authors: Binder Pratibha S. , Hashim Yassar M. , Cripe James , Buchanan Tommy , Zamorano Abigail , Vangveravong Suwanna , Mutch David G. , Hawkins William G. , Powell Matthew A. , Spitzer Dirk
Published: January 2022

Background: Ovarian cancer is initially responsive to frontline chemotherapy. Unfortunately, it often recurs and becomes resistant to available therapies and the survival rate for advanced and recurrent ovarian cancer is unacceptably low. We thus hypothesized that it would be possible to achieve more durable treatment responses by combining cisplatin chemotherapy with SW IV-134, a cancer-targeted peptide mimetic and inducer of cell death. SW IV-134 is a recently developed small molecule conjugate linking a sigma-2 ligand with a peptide analog (mimetic) of the intrinsic death pathway activator SMAC (second-mitochondria activator of caspases). The sigma-2 receptor is overexpressed in ovarian cancer and the sigma-2 ligand portion of the conjugate facilitates cancer selectivity. The effector portion of the conjugate is expected to synergize with cisplatin chemotherapy and the cancer selectivity is expected to reduce putative off-target toxicities. Methods: Ovarian cancer cell lines were treated with cisplatin alone, SW IV-134 alone and a combination of the two drugs. Treatment efficacy was determined using luminescent cell viability assays. Caspase-3/7,-8 and-9 activities were measured as complementary indicators of death pathway activation. Syngeneic mouse models and patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models of human ovarian cancer were studied for response to SW IV-134 and cisplatin monotherapy as well as combination therapy. Efficacy of the therapy was measured by tumor growth rate and survival as the primary readouts. Potential drug related toxicities were assessed at necropsy. Results: The combination treatment was consistently superior in multiple cell lines when compared to the single agents in vitro. The expected mechanism of tumor cell death, such as caspase activation, was confirmed using luminescent and flow cytometry-based assay systems. Combination therapy proved to be superior in both syngeneic and PDX-based murine models of ovarian cancer. Most notably, combination therapy resulted in a complete resolution of established tumors in all study animals in a patient-derived xenograft model of ovarian cancer. Conclusions: The addition of SW IV-134 in combination with cisplatin chemotherapy represents a promising treatment option that warrants further pre-clinical development and evaluation as a therapy for women with advanced ovarian cancer.
A convergent malignant phenotype in B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia involving the splicing factor SRRM1
Authors: Closa Adria , Reixachs-Solé Marina , Fuentes-Fayos Antonio , Hayer Katharina , Melero Juan , Adriaanse Fabienne , Bos Romy , Torres-Diz Manuel , Hunger Stephen , Roberts Kathryn , Mullighan Charles , Stam Ronald , Thomas-Tikhonenko Andrei , Castaño Justo , Luque Raul , Eyras Eduardo
Published: January 2022

A significant proportion of B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) patients remains with a dismal prognosis due to yet undetermined mechanisms. We performed a comprehensive multicohort analysis of gene fusions, gene expression, and RNA splicing alterations to uncover molecular signatures potentially linked to the observed poor outcome. We identified 84 fusions with significant allele frequency across patients. We identified an expression signature that predicts high risk independently of the gene fusion background. This signature includes the upregulation of the splicing factor SRRM1, which potentially impacts splicing events associated with poor outcomes through protein-protein interactions with other splicing factors. Experiments in B-ALL cell lines provided further evidence for the role of SRRM1 on cell survival, proliferation, and invasion. Our findings reveal a convergent mechanism of aberrant RNA processing that sustains a malignant phenotype independently of gene fusions and could complement current clinical strategies in B-ALL.
The Impact of Economic And National Identity Loss Messages, And The Moderating Effect of Political Orientation, On Climate Change Policy Support
Authors: Klas Anna , C Edward J.R. , Fielding Kelly , Mackay Matthew , Lohmann Susanne , Ling Mathew
Published: January 2022

As climate change continues to be politically divisive, developing communications that align with right-leaning beliefs may increase bipartisan support for climate policy. In two experimental studies (Study 1, Australia, N = 558; Study 2, United States, N = 859), we tested whether an economic loss or national identity loss message would elicit greater support for mitigation and adaptation policies when compared to one another and to a control message. We also tested whether the direct effects of these message types were conditional on political orientation (specifically, identifying as politically right-leaning). In both studies, preliminary analyses indicated that the message manipulations were effective and that there was a high level of support for both types of climate policy. When compared to left-wing adherents, those who were politically right-leaning were less likely to support mitigation and adaptation policies in either sample. Australian (Study 1) identification – although not American identity (Study 2) – also uniquely predicted adaptation support (but not mitigation support). Yet, there were no significant message frame or interaction effects in the Australian (Study 1) or U.S. sample (Study 2). This suggests that neither an economic loss nor national identity loss message frame may be effective in overcoming the political polarization of climate change in Australia or the United States. Nevertheless, national identity could still play a useful role in Australian climate communications given its positive relationship to adaptation policy support, and therefore warrants further investigation.
The Excitability of Ipsilateral Motor Evoked Potentials Is Not Task-specific and Spatially Distinct From the Contralateral Motor Hotspot
Authors: Seusing Nelly , Strauss Sebastian , Fleischmann Robert , Nafz Christina , Groppa Sergiu , Muthuraman Muthuraman , Byblow Winston D. , Lotze Martin , Grothe Matthias
Published: January 2022

ObjectiveThe role of ipsilateral descending motor pathways in voluntary movement of humans is still a matter of debate. Few studies have examined the task dependent modulation of ipsilateral motor evoked potentials (iMEPs). Here, we determined the location of upper limb biceps brachii (BB) representation within the ipsilateral primary motor cortex. MethodsMR-navigated transcranial magnetic stimulation mapping of the dominant hemisphere was undertaken with twenty healthy participants who made tonic unilateral, bilateral homologous or bilateral antagonistic elbow flexion-extension voluntary contractions. Map center of gravity (CoG) and area for each BB were obtained. ResultsThe map CoG of the ipsilateral BB was located more anterior-laterally than those of the contralateral BB within the primary motor cortex. However different tasks had no effect on either the iMEP CoG location or the size. ConclusionOur data suggests that ipsilateral and contralateral MEP might originate in distinct adjacent neural populations in the primary motor cortex, independent of task dependence.
Artificial Neural Network Potentials for Mechanics and Fracture Dynamics of Materials
Authors: Jung Gang Seob , Myung Hoon Joo , Irle Stephan
Published: January 2022

Atomistic understanding of mechanics and failure of materials is the key for engineering and applications. Modeling accurately brittle failure with crack propagation in covalent crystals requires a quantum mechanics-based description of individual bond-breaking events for large system sizes. Machine Learned (ML) potentials have emerged to overcome the traditional, physics-based modeling tradeoff between accuracy and accessible time and length scales. Previous studies have shown successful applications of ML potentials for describing the structure and dynamics of molecular systems and amorphous or liquid phases of materials. However, their application to deformation and failure processes in materials is yet uncommon. In this study, we discuss apparent limitations of ML potentials to describe deformation and fracture under loadings and propose a way to generate and select training data for their employment in simulations of deformation and fracture of crystals. We applied the proposed approach to 2D crystal graphene, utilizing the density-functional tight-binding (DFTB) method for more efficient and extensive data generation in place of density functional theory (DFT). Then, we explore how the data selection affects the accuracy of the developed artificial neural network potential (NNP), indicating that only the errors in total energies and atomic forces are insufficient to judge the NNP’s reliability. Therefore, we evaluate and select NNPs based on their performance in describing physical properties, e.g., stress-strain curves and geometric deformation. In sharp contrast to popular reactive bond order potentials, our optimized NNP predicts straight crack propagation in graphene along both armchair and zigzag lattice directions, as well as higher fracture toughness of zigzag edge direction. Our study provides significant insight into crack propagation mechanisms at atomic scales and highlights strategies for NNP developments of broader materials.
Drivers of Disparities in Stage at Diagnosis Among Women With Breast Cancer: South African Breast Cancers and HIV Outcomes Cohort
Authors: Mapanga Witness , Norris Shane A , Craig Ashleigh , Ayeni Oluwatosin A. , Chen Wenlong C. , Jacobson Judith S. , Neugut Alfred I. , Ruff Paul , Cubasch Herbert , O’Neil Daniel S. , Buccimazza Ines , Čačala Sharon , Stopforth Laura W. , Farrow Hayley A. , Nietz Sarah , Phakathi Boitumelo , Chirwa Tobias , McCormack Valerie A. , Joffe Maureen
Published: January 2022

Objective In low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), advanced stage diagnosis of breast cancer (BC) is common, and this contributes to poor survival. By understanding the determinants of the stage at diagnosis will aid in designing interventions to downstage disease and improve survival from BC in LMICs. MethodsWithin the South African Breast Cancers and HIV Outcomes (SABCHO) cohort, we examined factors affecting the stage at diagnosis of histologically confirmed invasive breast cancer at five tertiary hospitals in South Africa. The stage was assessed clinically. To examine the associations of the health system, socio-economic/household and individual factors, hierarchical multivariate logistic regression with odds of late-stage at diagnosis (stage III-IV), was used. Results The majority (59%) of the included 3497 women were diagnosed with late-stage BC disease (59%). The effect of health system-level factors on late-stage BC diagnosis was consistent and significant even when adjusted for both socio-economic- and individual-level factors. Women diagnosed in a tertiary hospital that predominantly serves a rural population were almost 3 times (OR=2.89 (95% CI: 1.40-5.97) likely to be associated with late-stage BC diagnosis when compared to those diagnosed at a hospital that predominantly serves an urban population. Taking more than 3 months from identifying the BC problem to first health system entry (OR=1.66 (95% CI: 1.38–2.00)), and receptor subtypes [luminal B (OR=1.49 (95% CI: 1.19–1.87)), HER2 enriched (OR=1.64 (95% CI: 1.16–2.32))] were associated with a late-stage diagnosis. Whilst having a higher socio-economic level (a wealth index of 5) reduced the probability of late-stage BC, OR=0.64 (95% CI: 0.47 – 0.85). ConclusionAdvanced stage diagnosis of BC among women in SA who access health services through the public health system was associated with both modifiable health system-level factors and non-modifiable individual-level factors. These may be considered as elements in interventions to reduce the time to diagnosis of breast cancer in women.
Barriers to and Facilitators of Accessing HIV Services for Street-Involved Youth in Canada and Kenya
Authors: Khan Momina , MacEntee Katie , Kiptui Reuben , Berkum Amy , Oudshoorn Abe , Ayuku David O , Lee Edward Ou Jin , Abramovich Alex , MacDonald Sue-Ann , Braitstein Paula , Apondi Edith
Published: January 2022

Introduction: UNICEF estimates that there are as many as 100 million street-involved youth (SIY) globally. Marginalized conditions put SIY at higher risk of HIV and adverse outcomes once HIV-positive. The objective of this analysis was to describe barriers and facilitators of accessing HIV prevention, testing, and treatment services as Phase I of an implementation study evaluating the use of Peer Navigators to increase access to HIV services.Methods: Semi-structured interviews, focus group discussions (FGD), and Theatre Testing were conducted with individuals who identify as SIY, health care providers, and community stakeholders living in Canada (Toronto, Montreal, London) and Kenya (Eldoret, Huruma, Kitale). Data were analyzed using a directed content approach, guided by the socio-ecological model (SEM).Results: Across the six sites were 195 participants: 64 SIY, 42 healthcare providers, and 97 community-based stakeholders. Barriers were identified at the societal (e.g. intersectional stigma and discrimination), public policy (e.g., inadequate access to basic needs, legal documentation, lack of health insurance, and limited community-based funding), institutional (e.g. lack of inclusive education and training, inadequate HIV educational outreach, and restrictive service provision), interpersonal (e.g., ineffective communication from healthcare providers), and intrapersonal levels (e.g. lack of trust and associated fear, low perception for healthcare, and lack of self-esteem). These contributed to limited HIV services utilization among SIY. Conversely, numerous facilitators were also identified at the public policy (e.g. affordable HIV services and treatment), institutional (e.g. available and accessible HIV prevention tools, HIV education and awareness programs, and holistic models of care), interpersonal level (e.g., systems navigation support, peer support, and personal relationships), and intrapersonal levels (e.g. self-efficacy) as positively supporting SIY access to HIV services.Conclusions: Intersectional stigma was a critical barrier in all sites, and policies and programs that foster welcoming environments for youth from diverse backgrounds and living circumstances may be better able to respond to the HIV service needs of this high risk population. Social support and navigation services were reported to facilitate access to HIV services in all sites.
HPLC and high-throughput sequencing revealed differences of tea-leaves quality components and soil microbial community structure between modern and ancient tea plantations in Lincang Region
Authors: Yang Guangrong , Zhou Dapeng , Wan Renyuan , Wang Conglian , Xie Jin , Ma Cunqiang , Li Yongmei
Published: January 2022

BackgroundAncient tea plantations with an age over 100 years still reserved at Mengku Town in Lincang Region of Yunan Province, China. However, the characteristic of soil chemicophysical properties and microbial ecosystem in the ancient tea plantations and their impact on tea-leaves chemical components remained unclear. Tea-leaves chemical components including amino acids, phenolic compounds and purine alkaloids, and soil chemicophysical properties including pH, cation exchange capacity (CEC), soil organic matter (SOM), soil organic carbon (SOC), total total nitrogen (TN), total phosphorus (TP), total potassium (TK), alkali-hydrolyzable nitrogen (AN), available phosphorous (AP) and available potassium (AK), and microbial community structure of modern and ancient tea plantations in five geographic sites (i.e. Bingdao, Baqishan, Banuo, Dongguo and Jiulong) were determined by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and high-throughput sequencing, respectively. ResultsTea-leaves chemical components, soil chemicophysical properties and microbial community structures including bacterial and fungal community abundance and diversity evaluated by Chao 1 and Shannon varied with geographic location and tea plantation type. The ancient tea plantations possessed significantly (P<0.05) higher free amino acids, gallic acid, caffeine and EGC in tea-leaves, as well as soil fertility. The bacterial community structure kept stable, while fungal community abundance and diversity significantly (P<0.05) increased in ancient tea plantation because of higher soil fertility and lower pH. The long-term plantation in natural cultivation way significantly (P<0.05) improved the abundances of Nitrospirota, Methylomirabilota, Ascomycota and Mortierellomycota phyla. ConclusionsDue to the natural cultivation way, the ancient tea plantations still maintained relatively higher soil fertility and complete soil microbial ecosystem, which contributed to the sustainable development with higher quality in tea-leaves.
Effects of an Internationalization at Home (IAH) Programme on Cultural Awareness among Medical and Nursing Students in Hong Kong and Indonesia During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Mixed-Methods Study
Authors: KOR Patrick Pui Kin , YU Clare , TRIASTUTI Ida ayu , SIGILIPOE Mitra Andini , KRISTIYANTO Haryo Dimasto , PRATIWI Johana Puspasari Dwi , PERDAMAIAN Teguh Kristian , LI Mengli Lisa , PANG Phyllis , WIDAGDO Maria Meiwati
Published: January 2022

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has severely impacted the learning experience of students by limiting their opportunities for face-to-face intercultural exchanges. Given the importance of cultural competence in medical education, there is a need to develop a programme that promotes cultural awareness, but that offers more flexibility in terms of outbound mobility. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of an internationalization at home programme and to explore the learning experiences of medical and nursing students from Hong Kong and Indonesia. Methods: Students were recruited from two universities in Hong Kong and Indonesia. They attended an online internationalization at home programme designed by members of the research team from both countries. A mixed-methods study was conducted. A pre-test post-test design was used to evaluate the effects of the programme on cultural awareness, and four focus group interviews were conducted to explore the students’ experiences in the programme. Quantitative and qualitative data were analysed by T-test and thematic analysis. Data were integrated via triangulation. Results: One hundred and forty-eight students from Hong Kong and Indonesia participated in the study. After the programme, there was a significant improvement in cultural awareness. Three themes were identified: (1) learning process: enjoyable, but a desire remains for face-to-face cross-cultural communication; (2) learning outcomes: gained cultural awareness, developed cultural sensitivity, had an opportunity to practice language and learn about new learning styles; (3) factors influencing learning outcomes: facilitators (micro-movie and active communication) and barriers (language barrier, inappropriate time arrangement, insufficient prior briefing). Conclusion: This programme achieved the learning outcomes by successfully enhancing the cultural awareness of students during a time of pandemic when outbound student exchanges were not possible. Further adaptations of the programme are required to further enhance learning outcomes.
The Correlation of Papanicolaou Smears and Clinical Features to Identify the Common Risk Factors for Cervical Cancer: a Retrospective and Descriptive Study From a Tertiary Care Hospital in Trinidad
Authors: Umakanthan Srikanth , Ghany Saudah , Gay La Donna , Gilkes Tia , Freeman Jamila , Francis Andre , Francis Kyle , Gajadhar Gabriel , Fraser Junea
Published: January 2022

Background: Cervical cancer, the fourth most frequent cancer in women, is associated with the human papilloma virus (HPV). This study focuses on identifying any risk factors and clinical findings for abnormal cervical cytology and histopathology in relation to the Trinidad and Tobago population. Some risk factors include early age of first coitus, high number of sexual partners, high parity, smoking, and use of certain medications such as oral contraception. This study is aimed to identify the significance of Papanicolaou (pap) smears and to identify the common risk factors that contribute to the development of premalignant and malignant cervical lesions. Method: A three-year retrospective, descriptive study of cervical cancer was conducted at the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex to assess the risk factors and clinical findings using cervical cytology and histopathology data of patients with premalignant lesions. The subject population included 215 female patients aged 18 years and older who had the following documented abnormal cervical cytology: (ASCUS), ASC-H, LSIL, HSIL, Atypical Glandular cells, HPV, Adenocarcinoma, Invasive Squamous Cell Carcinoma. Histopathology records were analysed for thirty-three of these patients. Patients’ information were recorded on data collection sheets adapted from the North Central Regional Health Authority’s cytology laboratory standardised reporting format request form (Appendix I). Results and findings: The data were analysed via Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software edition 23 using frequency tables and descriptive analysis. The sample mean age of the population was 36.7 years, first age of coitus was 18.1 years, number of sexual partners was 3.8 and number of live births was 2. LSIL was the most popular abnormal finding, 32.6 %, followed by HSIL, 28.8% and ASCUS, 27.4%. Most histopathological reports resulted in CIN I and II.Conclusion: The major risk factors observed for cytology abnormalities and premalignant lesions were early age of coitus, high number of sexual partners, and no use of contraception.Patients mostly presented as asymptomatic despite obtaining abnormal cytology results. Hence, regular pap smear screening should continue to be highly encouraged.
A Baseline Survey of The Geochemical Characteristics of the Arctic Soils of Alexandra Land Within the Franz Josef Land Archipelago (Russia)
Authors: Moskovchenko Dmitry Valerievich , Babkin Evgeny , Pogojeva Maria , Zhostkov Ruslan , Ovsyuchenko Aleksandr , Sysolyatin Robert
Published: January 2022

The composition of soils and their parent materials were studied within one of the most northern land areas of the world – the island of Alexandra Land of the Franz Josef Land archipelago. Contents of 65 trace and major elements were determined using atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES) и inductively coupled plasma spectrometry (ICP-MS). Other analyzed characteristics included soil pH, particle-size distribution and contents of carbon and nitrogen. The mineralogical composition of rocks was determined in thin sections. The studied soils were formed on basalts with high contents of MgO, Fe2O3, TiO2, Сu, Co, V, Ni, Cr, Zn, and low contents of Pb and Hg. The composition of soils was generally similar to that of the bedrock. The median concentrations (mg kg-1) of trace elements in the soils were as follows: Cu - 160, Zn - 101, Ni - 74, Pb - 2.9, Cd - 0.14, and Hg - 0.031. The bedrock had an alkaline pH, whereas the soil pH ranged from weakly acid to alkaline. The textural class of the soils predominantly corresponded to sandy loam. The contents of clay and silt increased with depth due to the migration of these fractions with groundwater. The concentrations of ecologically hazardous Hg and Pb were slightly increased in the upper layer of soils and correlated with carbon contents, which was indicative of bioconcentration processes.
SARS-CoV-2 Slows Brain Rhythms with more Severe Effects in Younger Individuals
Authors: Saab Carl , Valsamis Helen , Baki Samah , Leung Jason , Ghosn Samer , Lapin Brittany , Chari Geetha , Rasheed Izad-Yar , Park Jaehan , Punia Vineet , Nair Dileep , Kaniecki Ann Marie , Edhi Muhammad
Published: January 2022

Coronavirus disease secondary to infection by SARS-CoV-2 (COVID19 or C19) causes respiratory illness, as well as severe neurological symptoms that have not been fully characterized. In a previous study, we developed a computational pipeline for the automated, rapid, high-throughput and objective analysis of brain encephalography (EEG) rhythms. In this retrospective study, we used this pipeline to define the quantitative EEG changes in patients with a PCR-positive diagnosis of C19 (n=31) in the intensive care unit (ICU) of Cleveland Clinic, compared to a group of age-matched PCR-negative (n=38) control patients in the same ICU setting. Qualitative assessment of EEG by two independent teams of electroencephalographers confirmed prior reports with regards to the high prevalence of diffuse encephalopathy in C19 patients, although the diagnosis of encephalopathy was inconsistent between teams. Quantitative analysis of EEG showed distinct slowing of brain rhythms in C19 patients compared to control (enhanced delta power and attenuated alpha-beta power). Surprisingly, these C19-related changes in EEG power were more prominent in patients below age 70. Moreover, machine learning algorithms showed consistently higher accuracy in the binary classification of patients as C19 versus control using EEG power for subjects below age 70 compared to older ones, providing further evidence for the more severe impact of SARS-CoV-2 on brain rhythms in younger individuals irrespective of PCR diagnosis or symptomatology, and raising concerns over potential long-term effects of C19 on brain physiology in the adult population and the utility of EEG monitoring in C19 patients.
Microbial healing of nature-like rough sandstone fractures for rock weathering mitigation
Authors: Dong Zhi-Hao , Pan Xiaohua , Tang Chao-Sheng , Shi Bin
Published: January 2022

Rock weathering fractures in nature are complex and fracture healing is an effective strategy for rock weathering mitigation. This study is a first attempt to apply microbially induced calcium carbonate precipitation (MICP) technology in the healing of nature-weathering-like rough fractures (NWLRF). Sandstone was studied as an example due to it is a wide-spread construction, sculpture and monuments material all over the world. In order to achieve a high healing efficiency, a repeated mixture injection strategy was proposed. Based on a series of laboratory MICP injection experiments on four types of NWLRF, we systematically explored the fundamental micro-healing mechanism and the influence of factors including fracture aperture, characteristics of branch fractures, and cementation solution concentration. Experimental results demonstrated that MICP healing with the repeated mixture injection strategy had the ability to efficiently heal the penetrated NWLRF well with length in centimeter-scale and aperture in millimeter-scale, but cannot heal the non-penetrated branch fractures under low injection pressure. The repeated mixture injection strategy furtherly achieved a high apparent fracture healing ratio and a significant reduction of transmissivity. The apparent fracture healing ratios of all main fractures were higher than 80% and the maximum was 99.1%. Fracture transmissivity was reduced by at least three orders of magnitude from about 1×10-4 m2/s to less than 1×10-7 m2/s, and the highest reduction reached to four orders. For the aspect of the effects, larger cementation solution concentration, finer aperture and the existing of penetrated branch fracture were beneficial to improve the healing effect. Moreover, the MICP healing mechanism with high fracture healing ratio and significant reduction of transmissivity on sandstone NWLRF was also analyzed. The research results have important theoretical significance and technical guidance value for the disaster prevention and mitigation of rock weathering.
Study of the Relationships Between Optical and Physical Properties for Nanostructure TiO2 Thin Film
Authors: Haider Adawiya , Ali Ghalib , Haider Mohammed , Dheyab Amer , Thamir Amin
Published: January 2022

Pulsed Laser Deposition (PLD) technique was performed to deposit the pure Titanium oxide (TiO2) nanoparticles on the glass substrate of temp. (100 - 400°C), using the doubled frequency of Nd: YAG laser wavelength of 532nm at (10) Hz rate, 10 nanosecond duration pulses and a constant laser energy 800 mJ. The optical measurements obtained by UV-Vis transmittance on deposited TiO2 films indicate the highest transparency in the visible wavelength region with an average transmittance of 80%. Estimated the relationship between the refractive index of TiO2 thin films with substrate temperature was n = 2.49 at 400 oC. Moreover, the calculated empirical relation between the energy gap and refractive index have similar to the work results.
Association of a 20-lncRNA signature with mutation load of colon adenocarcinoma and immune microenvironment
Authors: Lin Yan , Li Qian , Liu Ziyu , Liang Rong , Ye Jiazhou , He Ziqin , Gao Xing , Zhang Jinyan , Luo Min , Li Yongqiang , Ge Lianying
Published: January 2022

Purpose
Tumor mutation burden (TMB) is an emerging biomarker for predicting immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI). However, the role of TMB associated with long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) expression was not clear for preexisting immunity in colon adenocarcinoma (COAD).
Methods
The mutation data for COAD was downloaded from the Cancer Genome atlas (TCGA) database. A set of differentially expressed lncRNAs (DE lncRNAs) were identified between high or low TMB colon adenocarcinoma samples through differential expression analysis. The absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) method was used to define a subset of the DE lncRNAs as a “signature” for predicting TMB levels in the training cohort. After validating the signature on a test cohort, its potential correlations with the indicators of the efficacy of anti-immune checkpoint therapy were explored. Gene set variation analysis (GSVA) was carried out to explore the biological functions between high and low signature DE lncRNAs sample groups.
Results
A signature comprising 20 DE lncRNAs predicted TMB levels was identified by lasso method. And the model was with high accuracy in the training cohort (AUC=0.92) and test cohort (AUC=0.93). Moreover, the signature was also associated with T-effector and interferon-γ gene signature, expression of PDCD1, CD274, CTLA4, as well as abundance of TILs. Tumors receiving a low score for the 20-lncRNA signature received a high GSVA score for multiple immune-related pathways.
Conclusions
The 20-lncRNA signature can accurately predict TMB in colon adenocarcinoma and is associated with known indicators of immune checkpoint inhibitor efficacy and preexisting immunity.
The Global Publication Trend and Research Development of Nerve Block: A Visualisation Analysis Between 1997 and 2021
Authors: Dong Xiang , Zhao Pengcheng , Zhao Hui , Liu Jinxing , Chen Jie , Jiang Hong
Published: January 2022

Background: Nerve block is used as a clinical technique for relieving pain during the surgical period as well as in postoperative analgesia and chronic pain. Although great progress has been recently made regarding nerve block techniques, there is still room for further medical and technical improvement. Here, we analysed the trends in nerve block research and compared contributions from different countries, institutions, journals, and authors. Methods: We extracted all studies concerning nerve block published between 1997 and 2021 from the Web of Science database. Microsoft Excel and VOSviewer were employed to collect publication data, analyse publication trends, and visualize relevant results. Results: A total of 6,437 publications with 111,612 citations were identified between 1997 and 2021. The United States contributed the greatest number of publications (2010), whereas China ranked second (518). The Regional Anesthesia & Pain Medicine journal had published the most papers concerning nerve block. Harvard University and Mariano ER were the most productive institution and author, respectively, in the field. Keywords were categorized into five clusters: the association between nerve block and anaesthesia or analgesia, local anaesthetic drugs for nerve block, nerve block techniques, nerve block for postoperative analgesia, and nerve block for oral local anaesthesia. Management-related research was a heavily researched topic in the field. Conclusions: We concluded that the United States contributed the most studies, and developing countries, led by China, are also encouraging study in this area. The exploration of new drugs in the fields of nerve block, multi-modal analgesia after surgery, treatment of chronic pain, analgesia for thoracic and abdominal surgeries, and analgesic interventions in oral therapy is considered as a potential focus for future research.
Identification of Some Dietary Flavonoids as Potential Inhibitors of TMPRSS2 Through Protein-ligand Interaction Studies and Binding Free Energy Calculations
Authors: Varughese Jibin K , J Kavitha , S Sindhu K , Francis Dhiya , L Joseph Libin K , G ABI T
Published: January 2022

The alarming increase in COVID-19 cases and deaths calls for an urgent cost-effective pharmacological approach. Here, we examine the inhibitory activity of a group of dietary bioactive flavonoids against the human protease TMPRSS2, which plays a major role in SARS CoV-2 viral entry. After the molecular docking studies of a large number of flavonoids, four compounds with high binding scores were selected and studied in detail. The binding affinities of these four ligands, Amentoflavone, Narirutin, Eriocitrin, and Naringin, at the active site of TMPRSS2 target were investigated using MD simulations followed by MM-PBSA binding energy calculations. From the studies, a number of significant hydrophobic and hydrogen bonding interactions between the ligands and binding site amino residues of TMPRSS2 are identified which showcase their excellent inhibitory activity against TMPRSS2. Among these ligands, Amentoflavone and Narirutin showed MM-PBSA binding energy values of -155.48 and -138.13 kJ/mol respectively. Our previous studies of the inhibitory activity of these compounds against main protease of SARS-COV2 and the present study on TMPRSS2 strongly highlighted that Amentoflavone and Naringin can exhibit promising multi-target activity against SARS-CoV-2. Moreover, due to their wide availability, no side effects and low cost, these compounds could be recommended as dietary supplements for COVID patients or for the development of SARS-CoV-2 treatments.
Effects of Resilience on Impulsivity, Cognition and Depression during Protracted Withdrawal among Chinese Male Methamphetamine Users
Authors: Zhou Siyao , Ran Wang , Peng Chenhui , Tong Siyu , Hong Lan , Cai Fangfang , Jin Wei , Jiang Yile , Li Mengjia , Wang Xuanping , Luo Mengdan , He He , Wang Wei , Zhao Ke
Published: January 2022

Background

Methamphetamine (METH) dependence is a complex and dynamic public health problem. Long-term abuse of METH can increase numerous risks of mental and physical problems. Currently, the methods to reduce METH dependence and improve the withdrawal symptoms are limited and ineffective. Resilience is regarded as an individuals’ protective moderator against stress and may play a role in the stress-related mental diseases.
Methods

One hundred and twelve males with METH dependence were consecutively recruited from Huanglong Compulsory Isolated Detoxification Center between 2019 and 2021. The Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC), Self-rating depression scale (SDS), Self-rating anxiety scale (SAS), Barratt Impulsiveness Scale-11(BIS-11), and the Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (Rbans) were used to evaluate resilience, depression, anxiety, impulsivity, and cognition respectively.
Results

The results showed that high and medium resilience groups showed lower SDS scores than the low resilience group (p<0.05), with high resilience groups showing lower scores using SAS (p<0.05). The high resilience group demonstrated lower cognitive impulsiveness, non-planning impulsiveness, and BIS-11 scores than the low resilience group (all p <0.05). Additionally, compared with the low resilience group, attention was better in the medium resilience group, while delayed memory was better in the high resilience group (both p<0.05). The total scores of Rbans were also higher in the medium and high resilience groups than low resilience group (both p<0.05).
Conclusions

This study confirmed a correlation between resilience and impulsivity, cognitive function, and depression. It may suggest a potential role of resilience for individuals during protracted METH withdrawal.