bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
3D melanoma spheroid model for the development of positronium biomarker
Authors: Karimi Hanieh , Moskal Pawel , Stepien Ewa
Published: July 2022

It was recently demonstrated that newly invented positronium imaging may be used for improving cancer diagnostics by providing additional information about tissue pathology with respect to the standardized uptake value currently available in positron emission tomography (PET). Positronium imaging utilizes the properties of positronium atoms, which are built from the electron and positron produced in the body during PET examinations. We hypothesized whether positronium imaging would be sensitive to in vitro discrimination of tumor-like three-dimensional structures (spheroids) built of melanoma cell lines with different cancer activity and biological properties. The lifetime of ortho-Positronium (o-Ps) was evaluated in melanoma spheroids from two cell lines (WM266-4 and WM115) differing in the stage of malignancy. Additionally, we considered such parameters: as cell size, proliferation rate and malignancy to evaluate their relationship with o-Ps lifetime. We demonstrate the pilot results for the o-Ps lifetime measurement in extracellular matrix free spheroids. With the statistical significance of two standard deviations, we demonstrated that the higher the degree of malignancy and the rate of proliferation of neoplastic cells the shorter the lifetime of ortho-positronium. In particular we observed following indications encouraging further research: (i) WM266-4 spheroids characterized by higher proliferation rate and malignancy showed shorter o-Ps lifetime compared to WM115 spheroids characterized by the lower growth rate, (ii) Both cell lines showed a decrease in the lifetime of o-Ps after spheroid generation in 8th day comparing to 4th day in culture and the mean o-Ps lifetime is longer for spheroids formed from WM115 cells than these from WM266-4 cells, regardless spheroid age. The results of this study revealed that positronium is a promising biomarker that may be applied in PET diagnostics for the assessment of the degree of cancer malignancy.
Evaluation of social-economic inequality in the high CVD risk population with or without diabetes in China
Authors: Zhou Ziai , Xu Haibao , Mai Xingsheng , Hou Zeyi , Wang Yongjuan , Liang Xuanyi , Gao Yanpei , Yang Chenyu , Yang Jinyu , Li Chao , Guo Sujuan
Published: July 2022

Background
Epidemiological data showed that the comorbidities of cardiovascular disease and diabetes in China are very serious, but the comprehensive management of such patients is seriously inadequate and lack of standardization. Our study aimed to estimate the inequalities of those high CVD risk patients with or without diabetes in China, and analyze the contributors of inequalities problems.
Method
Data were derived from China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) conducted in 2011. The criteria of American Systolic Blood Pressure Intervention Trial (SPRINT) were used to estimate the prevalence of high CVD risk patients with or without diabetes in China. Concentration index was calculated to describe the economic-related inequality degree in high CVD risk patients with or without diabetes. A decomposition method was employed to analyze the cause of inequalities problems.
Results
The prevalence of high CVD risk patients with or without diabetes in China were 3.46% and 22.03% respectively. The concentration index of high CVD risk patients with or without diabetes in China were 0.0639 [ 95% CI: (0.0630, 0.0648)] and − 0.0628 [95% CI: (-0.0629, -0.0627)] respectively, indicating a pro-rich inequality in high CVD risk patients with diabetes and a pro-poor inequality in high CVD risk patients without diabetes. Location(rural or urban), age and BMI were the key factors to influence the pro-rich inequality in high CVD risk patients with diabetes. Age, socioeconomic status and education were the key factors to influence the pro-poor inequality in high CVD risk patients without diabetes.
Conclusion
Our study determined pro-rich inequality in high CVD risk patients with diabetes, but pro-poor in high CVD-risk without diabetes patients in China. SES and BMI mainly associated with the social-economic inequality in high CVD risk patients with or without diabetes.
Losses from fluvial floods in Poland over the 21st century – estimation using the productivity costs method
Authors: Gaska Jan
Published: July 2022

This paper aims at estimation of the impact of climate change on future losses caused by fluvial floods in Poland over the XXI century at the local level with the productivity costs valuation method. using the daily data on river discharges published by Piniewski et al. (2017), map of flood risk and value added generated in each county to produce county-level estimates of the impact of climate change on the fluvial flood damage. Even though there is some research published by Alfieri et al. (2016) or Feyen et al. (2012), their papers value the costs of future floods using the reconstruction cost method. This study aims to supplement their findings with estimates of future flood losses in Poland using the productivity costs valuation that considers also the costs of disruptions of production chains and lost production in given areas. This method shows the overall increase in losses caused by fluvial floods in Poland due to climate change in comparison to the reference period of 1974–2000 by 47% in RCP4.5 and 83% in RCP8.5 scenario in 2024–2050 and by 32% in RCP4.5 and 51% in RCP8.5 in 2074–2100.
Fatalism and Wellbeing during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Conditional Effects of Loneliness
Authors: Ayala Rafael Miranda , Torrelles-Nadal Cristina , Lazo Giancarlo Magro , Guiu Gemma Filella
Published: July 2022

The COVID-19 global crisis has put in danger more than our physical health. With containment measures people became more isolated, reducing drastically their daily social interactions. Many studies have already documented the negative impacts of these measures, highlighting fatalism. However, studies that linked the effect of this negative impact to well-being indicators are still limited. In this sense, the aim of this study is to explore the relationship between fatalism associated with COVID-19 and well-being indicators, as well as the moderating role of loneliness in this relationship. Data were collected from 1,036 adults living in Peru through an online survey that includes the Quality-of-life index, the Fatalism facing COVID-19 scale, the Loneliness Scale and the Scale for Mood Assessment. Three models were tested using linear regression and ordinary least squares with bias-corrected bootstrapping. The results confirm that fatalism has a negative effect on quality of life and a positive effect on negative affect, and that loneliness mediates both relationships, supporting the increase of fatalism the effect over well-being indicators and negative affect.
Discovery of Amino Acid fingerprints transducing their amphoteric signatures by field-effect transistors
Authors: García César Pascual , Kumar Naveen , Dhar Rakshita , Georgiev Vihar
Published: July 2022

Protein sequencing is key to advance science and prospect medical applications but even advanced techniques such as mass spectrometry do not provide wide access to ex-Novo sequencing of low quantities of proteins. We are presenting a disruptive method based on Field Effect Transistor (FET) sensors for Amino Acid (AA)/polypeptide identification using calculations of the modification of surface potential and capacitance. We show fingerprints of every single AA and signatures of polypeptide mutations immobilized on the FET surface by solving the site-binding model self-consistently with the Gouy-Chapman-Stern model. These fingerprints are based on orthogonal properties of the AAs, which are the different proton affinities of each of the radicals, the dielectric constant and effective length, which is sensitive to the relative positions of the radicals to distinguish between isomers. The calculations of typical sensor conditions show that FETs can provide a measurable signal even for quantities approaching a single molecule.
Framework for Document Traceability in Chemical Supply Chain Using Blockchain and Smart Contracts
Authors: Manoharan Yokaraj , Priya S.Manju
Published: July 2022

In today’s world, 96% of all goods depend on chemicals. Chemical industry plays vital role in supply chain. Chemical supply chain consists of multiple stakeholders including raw material suppliers to end user customers. Based on regulations, several product documents are needed to be supplied with the chemicals till the end of the life cycle. Blockchain based document traceability offers a viable solution to create a decentralized distributed shared platform for a secure, immutable, transparent, permanent, trustworthy, and accountable system for all the stakeholders involved. In this paper, an overview of the document traceability, current challenges and envisage how Blockchain and smart contracts address those challenges are presented. Based on the analysis, it is proposed to use using Hyperledger Fabric, an open-source private blockchain to meet the document traceability requirements such as security, privacy, scalability, authentication, and authorization. The proposed Blockchain architecture provides a feasible solution to build and deploy an end-to-end decentralized application in the chemical supply chain industry for document traceability.
Cortical Change After a 2-week Novel Robotic Rehabilitation Program in Children with Prior Hemispherectomy: Pilot Imaging Study
Authors: Hazany Saman , Mann Daljit , Bagrodia Neelesh , Krafnick Anthony J. , Chu Remy , Shaw Susan , Klark Kristi
Published: July 2022

Introduction: Partial preservation of sensory and motor functions in the contralateral extremities after hemispherectomy is likely secondary to cortical reorganization of the remaining hemisphere and can be improved by rehabilitation. This study aims to investigate behavioral and structural cerebral cortical changes that may occur after a 2-week novel robotic rehabilitation program in children with prior anatomic hemispherectomy.Methods: Five patients with prior anatomic hemispherectomy (average age 10.8 years; all female) participated in a 2-week novel robotic rehabilitation program. Pre- and post-treatment (2 time points) high-resolution structural 3D FSPGR (fast spoiled gradient echo) magnetic resonance images were analyzed to measure cortical thickness and gray matter volume using a locally designed image processing pipeline.Results: Four of the five patients showed improvement in the Fugl-Meyer score (average increase 2.5 + 2.1 SD. Individual analyses identified small increases in gray matter volume near the hand knob area of the primary cortex in three of the five patients. Group analyses identified an increase in cortical thickness near the hand knob area of the primary motor cortex, in addition to other sensorimotor regions.Conclusion: This small pilot study demonstrates that potentially rehabilitation-associated cortical changes can be identified with MRI in hemispherectomy patients.
Extraction and characterization of cellulose nanofibers from yellow thatching grass (Hyparrhenia filipendula) straws via acid hydrolysis
Authors: NDWANDWA N , Ayaa F , Iwarere S , Daramola Michael , Kirabira JB
Published: July 2022

Purpose: A variety of lignocellulosic raw materials have been previously reported for the production of cellulose and cellulose derivatives, but little research effort has been dedicated to producing cellulose from Hyparrhenia filipendula . In this study, cellulose nanofibers (CNFs) were extracted from Hyparrhenia filipendula waste straws via sulphuric acid hydrolysis. Methods: The straws were pretreated with a combination of physiochemical processes and hydrolyzed using sulphuric acid at three different concentrations (1 M, 3 M and 5.6 M) for 2 hours at 80 °C. The properties of the CNFs was checked by Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) for surface chemistry, X-ray diffraction (XRD) for crystallinity, Scanning Electron microscopy and Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) for morphology. A high-performance liquid chromatograph (HPLC) was used to quantify the amount of biopolymers in the CNFs. Results: The results show that CNFs, denoted as CNF 1 , CNF 3 , and CNF 5.6 for 1 M, 3 M, and 5.6 M sulphuric acid, respectively, were successfully extracted at the various concentrations of sulphuric acid. The cellulose content of CNF1 , CNF3 , and CNF5.6 determined by HPLC analysis were 85%, 77 % and 78 % respectively. Also, the hemicellulose content in CNF 1 , CNF 3 , and CNF 5.6 was 10 %, 15 %, and 12 % respectively, showing a high carbohydrate content of the CNFs. The FTIR spectra confirm the absence of characteristic peaks for lignin in the CNFs. The XRD analysis reveals presence of characteristic cellulose I β peaks at 2θ of 18°, 26°, and 40° with the crystallinity of 78%, 74 % and 73% for CNF1, CNF3 and CNF5.6, respectively. Moreover, SEM analysis shows the deposition of lignin polycondensate on the surface of CNF 1 , CNF 3 , and CNF 5.6 while the bleached sample has a smooth and glossy appearance. The TEM analysis shows long unbranched nano-sized fibers for CNF 1 and shorter fibrous network of fibers for CNF 3 , and CNF 5.6. The average diameter of the fibers, measured with ImageJ software is 40 nm for CNF 1 , 57 nm for CNF 3 , and 92 nm for CNF 5.6. Conclusion: CNFs were successfully produced from Hyparrhenia filipendula and reported for the first time in open literature. In view of the structure and properties of the produced CNFs, they are a potential material for value-added applications such as polymer matrices, films, and membranes, thus enabling efficient utilization of agricultural waste.
An Efficient Delay Aware Emergency Message
Authors: Shabi M. Al
Published: July 2022

Over the recent decades, incorporating Vehicular Ad-hoc Network (VANET) into Cloud computing plays a vital role, since it provides a reliable safety journey to vehicular drivers, passengers, etc.However, attaining security and emergency message dissemination is still major bottleneck in VANET combined Cloud, due to the dynamic nature of vehicles and wireless communication. Our major intention is to provide high level security in VANETCloud environment. In addition to it, we also reduce delay in emergency dissemination. Our proposed Delay Aware Emergency Message Dissemination and Data Retrieval in Secure (DEMD 2 RS) VANET-Cloud is composed of four sequential processes: Authentication, Clustering, Data Retrieval and Data dissemination. In regard to maintainingsecurity for both Road Side Unit (RSU) and Vehicles, we propose Hash based Credential Authentication Scheme (HCAS) that affords authentication using Secure Hash Algorithm-3 (SHA-3) and Elliptic Curve Points (ECP). To sustain a stable cluster, Firm Aware Clustering Scheme (FACS) is pursued where Stud Krill Herd (SKH) algorithm is exploited. In the data retrieval process, cloud provides requested information to the RSU in encrypted form using the Twofish algorithm. RSU discover the path to deliver received data through executing Artificial Neural Network (ANN) algorithm. In order to diminish delay in emergency message dissemination, best disseminator is selected by cluster head using Fuzzy-Topsis (FT) algorithm. Our DEMD 2 RSVANET-Cloud network is implemented in Omnet 4.6 and SUMO 0.21.0 simulation tool. Finally, the evaluation of DEMD 2 RS work performance is achieved by computing consequent metrics that are Throughput, Packet Delivery Ratio, Transmission delay, Average delay, Key generation time, Encryption time and Decryption time.
Venous infarction mimicking a brain tumor caused by developmental venous anomaly with an arteriovenous shunt in a 15-year-old girl
Authors: Ohta Chizuru Gonmori , Hirotsu Tatsuya , Gomi Taku , Matsushima Satoshi , Nonaka Yuichiro , Akiyama Masaharu
Published: July 2022

Developmental venous anomaly (DVA) is a venous malformation that is usually asymptomatic and rarely requires treatment. We report a case of a rare subtype DVA with arteriovenous shunt, presenting with headache, nausea, aphasia, and seizure in a 15-year-old girl. Contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed a well-defined T2 prolongation area with heterogeneous swelling mainly in the cortex and white matter of the left inferior frontal gyrus; a brain tumor was suspected. However, MRI performed 10 days later showed a slightly smaller and less swollen lesion in the left inferior frontal gyrus, cortical laminar necrosis, gyrus enhancement, cortical and subcortical hemorrhage, and an elevated apparent diffusion coefficient in the acute phase; with these findings, venous infarction was diagnosed. Finally, with angiographic findings, DVA with an arteriovenous shunt was diagnosed. The present case shows the importance of being aware of the possibility of both malignancy and venous infarction for the differential diagnosis of a mass lesion in the cerebrum. Moreover, the anticardiolipin antibody level was continuously increased, suggesting thrombophilia as a possible cause of venous infarction, in addition to abnormal venous return caused by DVA with an arteriovenous shunt.
Causal relationship among elderly residents’ quality of life, recognition of aging, and lifestyle in Japan
Authors: Hoshi Tanji
Published: July 2022

OBJECTIVE:The purpose of this study is to make clear the causal relationship among three latent variables including QOL, lifestyle, social activity, and the recognition of aging.METHODS:The survey area was nationwide in Japan; we surveyed 9,508 elderly residents in 2013. The number of respondents to the basic survey was 4,343, with a recovery rate of 45.7%. A follow-up survey was conducted 6 years later, and responses were obtained from 3,345 people, with a recovery rate of 86.7%. In this study, 2,859 people aged 65 to 85 years were analyzed.A questionnaire about [QOL]([]indicate a latent variable) measured subjective health and life satisfaction. The causal relationship among the latent variables was analyzed by covariance structure analysis of the cross-lagged effect model and the synchronous effect model shown by Finkel.RESULTS:[Pain, illness, and lifestyle] was the most stable at 6 years.Based on the 6-year effect among the different latent variables, [QOL] was favorably influenced by [pain, illness, and lifestyle] rather than [recognition aging and disease preventability] six years prior.At the same time, desirable [QOL] and [pain, illness, and lifestyle] were shown to have a causal effect on [recognition aging and disease preventability] after 6 years. These associations showed a similar tendency by gender and in the younger and older age groups.
Interprofessional simulation of acute care for nursing and medical students: interprofessional competencies and transfer to the workplace
Authors: Krielen Pepijn , Meeuwsen Malon , Tan Edward C.T.H. , Schieving Jolanda H. , Ruijs Annelies J.E.M. , Scherpbier Nynke D.
Published: July 2022

BackgroundTeamwork and communication are essential tools for doctors, nurses and other team members in the management of critically ill patients. Early interprofessional education during study, using acute care simulation, may improve teamwork and communication between interprofessional team members on the long run.Methods A comparative sequential quantitative-qualitative mixed method study was used to understand interprofessional learning outcomes in nursing and medical students after simulation of acute care. Students were assigned to a uni- or interprofessional training. Validated questionnaires were used to measure short and long term differences in interprofessional collaboration and communication between the intervention and control group for nursing and medical students respectively. Semi-structured focus groups were conducted to gain a better understanding of IPE in acute simulation.ResultsOne hundred and ninety-one students participated in this study (131 medical, 60 nursing students). No differences were found between the intervention and control group in overall ICCAS scores for both medical and nursing students (p = 0.181 and p = 0.441). There were no differences in ICS scores between the intervention and control group. Focus groups revealed growing competence in interprofessional communication and collaboration for both medical and nursing students.ConclusionsInterprofessional simulation training did show measurable growth of interprofessional competencies, but so did uniprofessional training. Both medical and nursing students reported increased awareness of perspective and expertise of own and other profession. Furthermore, they reported growing competence in interprofessional communication and collaboration in transfer to their workplace.
Energy Transfer of Imbalanced Alfvénic Turbulence in the Heliosphere
Authors: Yang Liping , He Jiansen , Verscharen Daniel , Li Hui , Bowen Trevor A. , Bale Stuart D. , Wang Ying , Wu Honghong , Zhang Lei , Feng Xueshang
Published: July 2022

Imbalanced Alfvénic turbulence is a universal process playing a crucial role in energy transfer in space, astronomy, and laboratory plasmas. A fundamental and long-lasting question about imbalanced Alfvénic turbulence is how and through which mechanism the energy transfers between scales. To solve this problem, we successfully decompose and trace the dynamics of interacting fluctuations and find that along the energy cascade, the collisions between counter-propagating waves transform into the interactions between co-propagating waves and structures. We also reveal that the energy transfer of waves and structures is carried out mainly through local-scale and large-scale nonlinear interactions, respectively, responsible for their bifurcated power-law spectra. This work unveils the essential energy transfer physics of imbalanced Alfvénic turbulence, explains recent observations from the Parker Solar Probe in the inner heliosphere, and revises the traditional understanding of imbalanced Alfvénic turbulence that invokes counter-propagating waves.
Time to recovery and its predictors among children age of 2 up to 59 months admitted with severe community acquired pneumonia in Public Hospitals of Central and North Gondar Zones, Ethiopia 2021.
Authors: Tamirat Zemene Gitie , Gelagay Abebaw Addis , Boke Moges Muluneh
Published: July 2022

Background: Community acquired pneumonia is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in children worldwide. In Ethiopia considerable interventions have been taken to reduce morbidity and mortality of pneumonia in under five children, however little is known about the time to recovery and predictors among children admitted with Sever community acquired pneumonia Therefore this study aimed to identify the time to recovery and its predictors among children admitted with severe community-acquired pneumonia in public hospitals in central and north Gondar zone, Ethiopia, 2021. Method: An institutional based retrospective follow up study was conducted from January 01, 2018 to December 31, 2020. The collected data were entered in to EPI info version 7.2.1.0 then exported to STATA version 14 for analysis. Cox-ph assumption test and model fitness was checked. Variables had “p” value < 0.25 in the Bivariable analysis were entered in to multivariable Cox-regression analysis. Variables had p-value of < 0.05 were declared as statistically significant.Results: Out of the total 701 study participants about 98.15% were recovered during the follow up period and the median recovery time was 3 days with inter quartile range (IQR) of (2–5 days). Recovery rate from severe community acquired pneumonia was 26.71 ((95% CI: 24.79-28.78)) per 100 person days observation. Being rural residency (AHR=0.8; 95% CI (0.68-0.94)), admitted at primary hospital (AHR=1.43; 95% CI (1.16-1.76)), being stunted (AHR: 0.63, 95% CI (0.44–0.89)), mixed breast feeding (AHR=0.53; 95% CI (0.32-0.87)), late presenters for seeking care (AHR= 0.71: 95% CI (0.54-0.93)), presence of danger sign at admission (AHR: 0.81, 95% CI (0.68-0.97)), co-morbidity (AHR= 0.66; 95%CI (0.56-0.79)) and treatment by ampicillin and gentamicin (AHR, 0.61, (95% CI (0.40–0. 92)) were found to be significant predictors of time to recovery.Conclusions: The median recovery time was similar with other studies done in most developing countries and relatively shorter than other countries abroad. However, the recovery time varies based on the predictor variables like; co- morbidity, danger sign at admission, time of seeking care, stunting, and breast-feeding status.
Expression and prognosis of m6A methylation factor in HNSCC
Authors: Yan Jingren , Ding Shun , Mu Zhonglin , Zhang Qimeng , Xu Zhengyang , Li Lin , He Qing
Published: July 2022

In this study, We comprehensively analyzed 20 genes from The Cancer Genome Atlas(TCGA) HNSCC database (YTHDF1, FTO, YTHDF2, YTHDF3, HNRNPA2B1, METTL14, METTL3, IGF2BP1, HNRNPC, IGF2BP2, RBMX, IGF2BP3, YTHDC1, YTHDC2, RBM15, RBM15B, VIRMA, ZC3H13, WTAP, ALKBH5) to predict whether there is an impact on the prognosis of patients with HNSCC. The importance of 20 m6A regulators such as VIRMA in the pathogenesis of HNSCC was emphasized. These findings will provide a therapeutic approach and new research direction for the expression of m6A in patients with HNSCC and its prognosis.
Obstacle avoidance and path recognition of an autonomous vehicle: A real implementation using Arduino Uno
Authors: Nagar Mudita Dave , Scholor Nagar Research , Sharma B. K. , PhD Professor
Published: July 2022

This research project, consist of motion control and path recognition of an autonomous vehicle using Arduino uno connected with different sensors by avoiding obstacles. This project is better than the other because most of the working projects only detect the obstacles in the front and the then servo checks on the left or the right and decides where the vehicle should go, so no real time detection on all angles. In major cases most of the time path recognition and obstacle finding not only in 4 directions but within 360 degrees will become a problem. So, to get the output from the given input we may use drawing sheets in different two colors; Black and White, the vehicle is identifying the path as giving in program by white color. In this autonomous vehicle the servo rotates the ultrasonic frequently from the left side to the right side just like radar does it, and as soon as on any point obstacle is found the trigger may hit to change the direction of travel on the point of obstacle.
A Quantitative Clinical Evaluation of Simultaneous Reconstruction of Attenuation and Activity in Time-of-Flight PET
Authors: Zhang Haiqiong , Wang Jingnan , Li Nan , Zhang Yue , Cui Jie , Huo Li , Zhang Hui
Published: July 2022

Purpose:The maximum likelihood activity and attenuation (MLAA) reconstruction algorithm has been proposed to jointly estimate tracer activity and attenuation at the same time, and proven to be a promising solution to the CT attenuation correction (CT-AC) artifacts in PET images. This study aimed to perform a quantitative evaluation of the MLAA method.Methods: A uniform cylinder phantom filled with 18F-FDG solution was scanned to optimize the reconstruction parameters for the implemented MLAA algorithm. 67 patients underwent whole-body 18F-FDG PET/CT scan were retrospectively recruited. PET images were reconstructed using MLAA and clinical standard OSEM algorithm with CT-AC (CT-OSEM). The mean and maximum standardized uptake values (SUVmean and SUVmax) in regions of interest (ROIs) of organs, high uptake lesions and metal implants affected regions were quantitatively analyzed.Results: In quantitative analysis, SUVs in patient’s organ ROIs between two methods showed R2 ranging from 0.91 to 0.98 and k ranging from 0.90 to 1.06, and the average SUVmax and SUVmean differences between two methods were within 10%, except for the lung ROI, which was 10.5% and 16.73% respectively. The average SUVmax and SUVmean differences of a total of 117 high uptake lesions were 7.25% and 7.10% respectively. 20 patients were identified to have apparent respiration motion artifacts in the liver in CT-OSEM images, and the SUVs differences between two methods measured at dome of the liver were significantly larger than measured at middle part of the liver. 10 regions with metal AC mismatch artifacts were identified in CT-OSEM images and the average SUVmean and SUVmax differences in metal implants affected regions were reported to be 52.90% and 56.20% respectively. Conclusions: PET images reconstructed using MLAA are clinically acceptable in terms of image quality as well as quantification and it is a useful tool in clinical practice, especially when CT-AC may cause artifacts.
The maternal effects of dietary restriction on Dnmt expression and reproduction in two clones of Daphnia pulex
Authors: Agrelius Trenton , Altman Julia , Dudycha Jeffry
Published: July 2022

The inheritance of epigenetic marks induced by environmental variation in a previous generation is broadly accepted as a mediator of phenotypic plasticity. Transgenerational effects linking maternal experiences to changes in morphology, gene expression, and life history of successive generations are known across many taxa. While the number of studies linking epigenetic variation to ecological maternal effects is increasing rapidly, few if any attempts have been made to investigate molecular mechanisms governing epigenetic functions in the context of ecologically relevant maternal effects. Daphnia make an ideal model for investigating molecular epigenetic mechanisms and ecological maternal effects because they will reproduce asexually in the lab. Daphnia are also known to have strong maternal effects, involving a variety of traits and environmental variables. Using two clones of Daphnia pulex, we investigated the plasticity of life history and DNA methyltransferase (Dnmt) gene expression with respect to food limitation within- and across-generations. We found strong evidence of genotypic variation of responses of life history and Dnmt expression to low food diets, both within- and across-generations. In general, effects of offspring diet were larger than either the direct maternal effect or offspring-maternal environment interactions, but the direction of the maternal effect was usually in the opposite direction of the within-generation effect. For both life history and Dnmt expression, we also found that when offspring had low food, effects of the maternal environment were stronger than when offspring had high food.
Targeting the E3 ligase NEDD4 as A Novel Therapeutic Strategy for IGF1 Signal Pathway-driven Gastric Cancer
Authors: Zhang Rui , wang ke , yu yanping , Wang Wei , jiang yu , li yunlong , jiang xunliang , qiao yihuan , chen le , zhao xinhui , Liu Jun , Yang Angang , Li Jipeng
Published: July 2022

IGF1 signal pathway is highly activate in some subtype of gastric cancer(GC) that exhibits poor survival and chemotherapy resistance. Although the results clinical trials of anti-IGF1R monoclonal antibodies and IGF-IR inhibitors have been mostly disappointing in unselected cancer patients, there are patients who benefit from anti-IGF1R therapy in these failed studies. Thersefore, it is necessary to characterize the complex IGF signaling in GC and help refine the strategies targeting the IGF1 pathway. We found that GC cell lines exhibit differential responses to the specific IGF1R inhibitor OSI906. According to the phosphorylation status of Akt upon the OSI906 treatment, we divided the GC cell lines into IGF1R-dependent and IGF1R-independent cells. In both in vitro and in vivo experiments, Dox-induced knockdown of NEDD4 significantly suppresses tumor growth of IGF1R-dependent GC cells. Whereas proliferation of IGF1R-independent GC cells is not affected by NEDD4 silencing. The rescue experiment showed that a PTEN-IRS1 axis is required for NEDD4-mediated regulation of AKT activation and tumor growth in GC cells. Clinically, NEDD4 is higher expressed in IGF1-high GC tissues compared with IGF1-low GC tissues and normal tissues, and the co-high expression of NEDD4 and IGF1 predicts a worse prognosis in GC patients. Taken together, our study demonstrated that NEDD4 specifically promotes proliferation of GC cells dependent on IGF1/IGF1R signaling by antagonizing the protein phosphatase activity of PTEN to IRS1 and targeting NEDD4 may be a promising therapeutic strategy for IGF1 signal pathway-driven gastric cancer.
Temporal effects of three-dimensional clinostat treatment on bone and serum metabolome in C57BL/J mice: a new method of simulating microgravity effect
Authors: Song Chenchen , Kang Taisheng , Zhang Meng , Gao Kai , Shi Xudong , Guo Jianguo
Published: July 2022

Microgravity is an unavoidable aspect of space flight. A three-dimensional (3D) clinostat is a great method to simulate the effects of microgravity on Earth. The impact of microgravity on plants, cells, and Caenorhabditis elegans has been extensively studied. However, no study has used a 3D clinostat apparatus to simulate the effects of microgravity on mouse models. Therefore, we conducted a study to produce a space microgravity mouse models using 3D clinostat treatment and explored the time effect of 3D clinostat treatment on the skeleton and metabolome of C57BL/J mice. Thirty 8-week-old male C57BL/J mice were randomly assigned to three groups: mice in individually ventilated cages (MC group, n = 6), mice in survival boxes (SB group, n = 12), and mice in survival boxes receiving 3D clinostat treatment (CS group, n = 12). Bone loss was assessed using microcomputed tomography of the left femur, whereas the changes in serum metabolites were monitored using untargeted metabolomics. A marked reduction in the trabecular number (p < 0.05) and an increased trabecular spacing (p < 0.1) were observed to occur in a time-dependent manner in the CS group compared with the SB group. Compared with the metabolome of the SB group, the metabolome of the CS group showed significant differences at Ⅰ and Ⅳ stages. Furthermore, the common pathways involved in differential metabolites in the Ⅰ and Ⅳ stages were valine, leucine, isoleucine degradation, and 2-oxocarboxylic acid metabolism. The KEGG pathways in the Ⅳ stages were mainly related to the nervous system, which was a result of microgravity.
Enhanced OER Performance by Cu substituted Spinel Cobalt Oxide
Authors: Tao Leiming , Pang Kui , Huang Liming , Han Jiada , Zhang Mengdi , Yu Changlin
Published: July 2022

Cobaltite spinel oxides (CuCo2O4), which show electrocatalytic activity for oxygen evolution reaction (OER), are readily synthesized using a facile hydrothermal method, with a stationary ratio, uniform flower-like mesopores morphology, and high crystallinity. We have carried out first-principles calculations on the mechanism of the reaction pathway and the Gibbs free energy diagram of CuCo2O4 structures using density functional theory (DFT) and purely confirmed by experimental results. This catalyst performed an outstanding OER performance with an overpotential 230 mV at 10 mA∙cm− 2 in 1 M KOH, which was close to IrO2 with an overpotential 190 mV at 10 mA∙cm− 2. This work provides a facile method for electrocatalytic oxygen production with enhanced conductivity and enhanced OER by replacing cobalt with copper.
Social frailty and risk factors in Chinese elderly- a national cross-sectional study
Authors: Qi Xin , Li Yingying , Hu Jiabin , Meng Lingbing , Zeng Ping , Shi Jing , Jia Na , Zeng Xuezhai , Li Hui , Zhang Qiuxia , Li Juan , Liu Deping
Published: July 2022

Background: Social frailty has not yet been comprehensively studied in China. We aim to study the prevalence of social frailty in the Chinese elderly population, as well as identify related factors and urban-rural differences.Methods: Data were obtained from the database of the Fourth SSAPUR (Survey of the Aged Population in Urban and Rural China), a national cross-sectional study using a multistage, stratified, cluster-sampling method for which 224,142 adults aged 60 years or older were recruited between Aug. 1, 2015, and Aug. 31, 2015. Participants were interviewed to obtain demographic data and information regarding family, health and medical conditions, health care service status, living environment conditions, social participation, protected rights status, spiritual and cultural life, and health. Social frailty was assessed in five areas (HALFE Social Frailty Index) including inability to help others, limited social participation, loneliness, financial difficulty, and living alone, with scores of three and above being defined as social frailty.Results: A total of 222,179 cases were analyzed, of which 33,773 (15.2%) met the criteria for social frailty. By age, we found the highest prevalence of social frailty in participants 75-79 years old. By gender, we found a higher prevalence in men than women for ages 60-64, but a higher prevalence in women than men for ages 70-84. The prevalence in rural populations was higher than in urban populations for all ages. The prevalence was higher among women than men in urban areas (11.7% in women vs. 9.9% in men, P<0.0001), while it was higher among men than women in rural areas (19.2% in women vs. 20.6% in men, P<0.0001). Physical exercise had a significant effect on urban prevalence of social frailty (P<0.0001) but not on rural prevalence (P=0.446). Cataract glaucoma had a significant effect on rural prevalence of social frailty (P<0.0001) but not on urban prevalence (P=0.526).Conclusions: Based on the HALFE social frailty index, the prevalence of social frailty among the elderly in China is 15.2%, with the highest prevalence in those between 75 and 79 years old and more prevalent in rural than urban areas.
Risk management under climate change and its implication on technical efficiency: Evidence from Senegal
Authors: Collins-Sowah Peron Agbeti , Adjin Kougblenou C. , Henning Christian H.C.A , Kanu Edmond A.
Published: July 2022

In the absence of well-functioning markets to manage climatic-related risks, farm households in low-income countries mostly rely on informal traditional risk hedging mechanisms to avoid, reduce exposure to risks and increase the resilience of production systems. The use of such risk management tools or strategies has consequences for input use, levels of investments, and allocation of scarce resources, and thus have implications for production efficiency. Using empirical data from a nationally representative farm household survey in Senegal, this study evaluated the impact of different risk management strategies employed by farm households on technical efficiency. The study employed a sample selection stochastic production frontier approach and a meta-frontier model. The findings of the study suggest that the use of ex-post risk management strategies is associated with higher technical efficiencies with respect to the meta-frontier compared to other risk management strategies. Households, employing only ex-ante risk management strategies were observed to be the least technically efficient compared to households not managing risks or employing ex-post using other risk management strategies. The findings also suggest that managing production risks using multiple strategies does not necessarily result in the highest technical efficiency gain compared to the use of single or isolated strategies. The findings underscore the need to evaluate the trade-offs and likely consequences of risk management approaches used by farm households to provide context-specific policy recommendations.
Gene cloning, expression pattern, and response to dietary total lipids and phospholipids of hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL) in the Oriental river prawn Macrobrachium nipponens
Authors: Wang Qianqian , Cai Chunfang , Zhang Junbiao , Dianzhang Shui , Cui Guangtong , Wang Zhi , Ren Rengjie , Wu Ping , Ye Yuantu
Published: July 2022

Hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL) is an important regulator of cellular lipid homeostasis and catalyzes the hydrolysis of stored triacylglycerol. In this study, the full-length cDNA sequence of HSL of Macrobrachium nipponense (M. nipponense) was identified and cloned for the first time from a hepatopancreas cDNA library by using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and rapid amplification of cDNA ends. The complete HSL sequence was 3575 bp and encoded a 785 amino acid peptide with the catalytic core (GXSXG) containing a serine residue. The phylogenetic tree revealed that the gene of HSL of M. nipponense is closely related with that of Penaeus vanmamei. The tissue distribution showed that the mRNA expression level of HSL in the hepatopancreas were significantly higher than that in other tissues (P < 0.05). Furthermore, the quantitative real-time PCR results showed that HSL expression in the hepatopancreas was upregulated by an increase in dietary lipids and is partially inhibited when the ratio of phospholipids was increased in the lipid mixture. These results demonstrate that HSL is a novel gene involved in lipid metabolism of M. nipponensis and that HSL expression varies depending on the type of lipid.
Study on High-Speed Machining of 2219 Aluminum Utilizing Nanoparticle-Enhanced Minimum Quantity Lubrication (MQL) Technique
Authors: JAMES SAGIL , Mazaheri Mehrshad
Published: July 2022

The lubricant choice is a critical factor in the high-speed machining process, and it can impact the machining surface quality and also the ultimate material properties. This paper investigates the microstructural surface finishing and heat generated during the high-speed cutting process (machining speed 3800 RPM) of 2219 aluminum alloy. The study examines flood coolant and five different nanofluids made by synthesizing 0.2–2% concentration of Al2O3 nanoparticles into ultra-food-grade mineral oil utilizing nanoparticle-enhanced minimum quantity lubrication (MQL) technique. In the MQL method, unlike the current known cooling fluid systems, the nanofluid provides a thin lubricant film that leads the heat created by friction to be transmitted to the chips and exits the interface. Also, the small amount of lubricant used for MQL makes this technique more environmentally friendly. The study revealed the chemistry between the MQL of choice and the corresponding surface finishing. As a result, the nanofluid with a 0.5% concentration of nanoparticles has the most optimal machining result. Furthermore, increasing nanoparticle concentration does not indicate any further improvement in the result. The results of this study could be instrumental to developing environmental-friendly machining solutions for aluminum alloys at commercial scales.
Anti-Corrosion potential of the Ortho and Para-Substituted Schiff Bases of 2- Methoxybenzaldehyde on Fe (110) surface in acid medium: Synthesis, DFT and Molecular Dynamics Studies
Authors: Ibeji Collins U. , Akintayo Damilola C. , Oluwasola Henry O. , Akintemi Eric O.
Published: July 2022

Corrosion inhibition potential of two synthesised Schiff base ligands; (E)-2-((2-methoxybenzylidene)amino)phenol L1 and (E)-2-((4-methoxybenzylidene)amino)phenol L2 were carried out by Density Functional Theory (DFT) and Molecular dynamics (MD) methods and theoretically explain the inhibitors’ intrinsic properties and adsorption mechanism in the corrosion study. The adsorption mechanism of inhibitor on the surface of the Fe metal occurred via chemisorption inferred from the Gibbs free energy (ΔGads). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed a mild degradation on the surface of the mild steel immersed in the L1, and L2 inhibited acid solution, which could be because of surface coverage. DFT calculations revealed that the hybrid B3LYP functional performed better than M06-2X meta-functional in determining the energies of the synthesized Schiff bases for corrosion inhibition giving lower ΔE values 3.86 eV and 3.81 eV for L1 and L2. The MD simulation revealed that the orientation of inhibitors on the surface of the metal resulted in the coordination bond formation and that the interaction energy of L2 was -746.84 kJ/mol compared to -743.74 kJ/mol of L1. The DFT and MD results were in agreement.
Alarm communication predates eusociality in termites
Authors: Sillam-Dussès David , Jandák Vojtěch , Stiblik Petr , Delattre Olivier , Chouvenc Tom , Balvín Ondřej , Cvačka Josef , Soulet Delphine , Synek Jiří , Brothánek Marek , Jiříček Ondřej , Engel Michael , Bourguignon Thomas , Sobotnik Jan
Published: July 2022

Termites (Blattodea: Isoptera) have evolved specialized defensive strategies for colony protection. Alarm communication enables workers to escape threats while soldiers are recruited to the source of disturbance. Here, we studied the vibroacoustic and chemical alarm communication in the wood roach Cryptocercus and in 20 termite species including seven of the nine termite families, all life-types, and all feeding and nesting habits. Using a multidisciplinary approach, we found that vibratory alarm signals represent an ethological synapomorphy of termites and Cryptocercus, while chemical alarms evolved independently in several cockroach groups, and at least twice in termites. Vibroacoustic alarm signaling patterns were the most complex in Neoisoptera, in which they were often combined with chemical signals. The alarm characters correlated to phylogenetic position, food type and hardness, foraging area size, and nesting habits. Overall, species of Neoisoptera have developed the most sophisticated communication system amongst termites, potentially contributing to their ecological success.
A new method for the design and development of smart kit for early stage detection and prevention from covid 19 using IoT connected devices
Authors: Ramu Senthil Kumar , Paramasivam Suresh Kalichikadu , Ponnuswamy Leninpugalhanthi , Loganathan Ashok Kumar , Lamba Ravita , Panchal Hitesh , Thangaraj Kokilavani , Shanmugam Maheswaran , Muthusamy Suresh
Published: July 2022

As World Health Organization (WHO) recommends to prevent infection spread includes regular hand washing, wearing a mask in public places, covering mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing, avoid close contact with anyone showing symptoms of respiratory illness. According to a study, people touch their faces more than 20 times an hour on average, which involves contact with the eyes, nose, or mouth. In India people often wear the same mask repeatedly without disinfecting them and a majority of the population do not wear a mask or follow social distancing protocols, which leads to further spread of the virus. This paper discusses a cost effective and smart solution for citizen in the form of a smart kit which contains multiple Internet of Things (IoT) devices with shared connectivity, each addressing a particular problem, which makes following the pandemic protocols easier and effective for the average citizen and the frontline workers.
A New Diagonal Quasi-Newton Algorithm for Unconstrained Optimization Problems
Authors: Nosrati Mahsa , Amini Keyvan
Published: July 2022

This paper presents a new diagonal quasi-Newton method for solving unconstrained optimization problems based on the weak secant equation. The new method uses new criteria to generate the Hessian approximation to control the diagonal elements. We establish the global convergence of the proposed method with the Armijo line search. Numerical results on a collection of standard test problems show that the proposed method is superior to several certain diagonal methods.Mathematics subject classification 90C30 . 65K05