bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Genome-wide Identification and Characterization of G-type lectin in Fragaria Vesca
Authors: Ma Lijing , Negrini Francesca , Haile Zeraye Mehari , Baraldi Elena
Published: August 2021

Background: Lectins make up a large and diverse group of proteins in plants. G-type lectins are important type of lectins involved in plant development and defense process. However, studies about G-type lectins are limited to lectin receptor kinases.Results: In this study, genome-wide identification was carried out on G-type lectin gene family in Fragaria vesca. A total of 133 genes were found belonging to this family and they were classified into four groups: G-type lectin receptor kinases, G-type lectin kinases, G-type lectin receptor proteins and G-type lectin proteins, according to their domain organizations. Their chromosome localization, phylogenetic and evolutionary relationship were also analyzed. The results showed that tandem and dispersed duplication occurred frequently, which led to the expansion of G-type lectin gene family in F. vesca and may have increased the types of domain arrangement. The expression profile of G-type lectin genes at different developmental stages of F. vesca and under various biotic/abiotic stresses was inferred from the available databases. G-type lectin genes are actively expressed during F. vesca development and respond to multiple biotic/abiotic stresses. Additionally, to comprehend the functions of G-type lectins, we predicted strawberry genes that may co-express with these G-type lectin genes. Conclusions: G-type lectin gene family is a large gene family in F. vesca. Domain organization and expression analysis imply their functions under biotic/abiotic stresses.
Upregulation of CD271 Transcriptome in Breast Cancer Promotes Cell Survival via NFκB Pathway
Authors: Shahid Ramla , Bashir Nabiha , Ishfaq Mehreen , Mazhar Kehkashan , Khan Jahangir Sarwar
Published: August 2021

BackgroundBiological treatment of many cancers currently targets membrane bound receptors located on a cell surface. We are in a great to need identify novel membrane proteins associated with migration and metastasis of breast cancer cells. CD271, a single transmembrane protein belongs to tumor necrosis factor receptor acts and play its role in proliferation of cancer cell. The purpose of this study is to investigate the role of CD271 in breast cancer. Methods and ResultsIn this study we analyzed the expression of CD271 in breast tumor tissue, breast cancer cell line MCF7 and isolated cancer stem cells (MCF7-CSCs) by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). CD271 was upregulated among breast cancer patients in all age groups. Within the promoter region of CD271, there is a binding site for NF-κB1 which overlaps a putative quadraplex forming sequence. While CD271 also activates NF-κB pathway, down regulation of CD271 through quadraplex targeting resulted in inhibition of NF-κB and its downstream targets Nanog and Sox2ConclusionIn conclusion, CD271 and NF-κB are interrelated to each other. Upon CD271 inhibition, the NF-κB expression also reduces which then effected the cell proliferation and migration. These results suggest that NF-κB is regulated by CD271 is playing a crucial role in cancer development and could be a potential therapeutic target.
Patients with polyclonal hepatocellular carcinoma are at a high risk of early recurrence and have a poor recurrence-free survival period
Authors: Kaibori Masaki , Sakai Kazuko , Matsushima Hideyuki , Kosaka Hisashi , Matsui Kosuke , Sekimoto Mitsugu , Nishio Kazuto
Published: August 2021

Background/purpose of the study
Tumor heterogeneity based on copy number variations is associated with the evolution of cancer and its clinical grade. Clonal composition (CC) represents the number of clones based on the distribution of B-allele frequency (BAF) obtained from a genome-wide single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) array. A higher CC number represents a high degree of heterogeneity. We hypothesized and evaluated that the CC number in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) tissues might be associated with the clinical outcomes of patients.
Methods
Somatic mutation, whole transcriptome, and copy number variations of 36 frozen tissue samples of operably resected HCC tissues by targeted deepsequencing, RNAseq and SNP array.
Results
The samples were classified the heterogeneous tumors as poly-CC (n = 26) and the homogeneous tumors as mono-CC (n = 8). The patients with poly-CC had a higher rate of early recurrence and a significantly shorter recurrence-free survival period than the mono-CC patients (7.0 vs. not reached, p = 0.0084). No differences in pathogenic non-synonymous mutations, such as TP53, were observed between the two groups when targeted deep sequencing was applied. A transcriptome analysis showed that cell cycle-related pathways were enriched in the poly-CC tumors, compared with the mono-CC tumors. poly-CC HCC is highly proliferative and has a high risk of early recurrence.
Conclusion
CC is a candidate biomarker for predicting the risk of early postoperative recurrence and warrants further investigation.
Functional Transcriptome Analysis of Bladder Cancer Cell Lines Persistently Infected with Oncolytic Newcastle Disease Virus
Authors: Ahmad Umar , Thirumorthy Arcana , Abdullah Syahril , Chau De Ming , Chia Suet Lin , Yusoff Khatijah , Chan Soon Choy , Ong Teng Aik , Razack Azad Hassan , Veerakumarasivam Abhi
Published: August 2021

Background

Newcastle disease virus (NDV) has been identified as an attractive virotherapeutic agent that targets various type of human cancers while leaving normal cells unharmed. Wild-type NDV strain AF2240 has been found to persistently infect a subpopulation of cancer cells in vitro, making the cells less susceptible to NDV-mediated oncolysis. It is proposed that transcriptome profiling of NDV persistently infected bladder cancer cell lines will provide insights to understand such occurrence by identifying specific pathways associated with NDV persistent infection due to transcriptomic dysregulation.
Results

Transcriptome profiling revealed a total of 63 and 134 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) from NDV persistently infected TCCSUPPi and EJ28Pi bladder cancer cells relative to their uninfected controls, respectively. Of the 63 DEGs identified for TCCSUPPi cells, 25 DEGs were upregulated (log2 fold-change ≥ 0) and 38 DEGs were downregulated (log2 fold-change ≤ 0). These genes were significantly enriched in the molecular function of calcium binding (GO:0005509) and DNA-binding transcription repressor activity, RNA polymerase II-specific (GO:0001227) and the enriched important upregulated pathways were mainly heme metabolism, TGF-beta signaling and spermatogenesis. As for EJ28Pi, 55 DEGs were upregulated (log2 fold-change ≥ 0) and 79 DEGs were downregulated (log2 fold-change ≤ 0). These DEGs resulted in significantly enriched molecular function such as protein domain specific binding (GO:0019904) and RNA polymerase II regulatory region sequence-specific DNA binding (GO:0000977). The enriched important upregulated pathways were allograft rejection, KRAS signaling up and interferon gamma response. Other important pathways that were downregulated in both the NDV-persistently infected cell lines were angiogenesis, apoptosis, and xenobiotic metabolism.
Conclusion

The transcriptome profiles (RNA-Seq) of these cell lines suggest that evasion of apoptosis and increase in TGF-beta signaling and interferon gamma response activities are crucial for establishment of NDV persistent infection in bladder cancer cells. Findings from this study provide the molecular basis that warrant further study on how bladder cancer cells acquired NDV persistent infection. Resolving the mechanism of persistent infection will facilitate the application of NDV for more effective treatment of bladder cancer.
Evaluation of antibody response to BNT162b2 mRNA COVID-19 vaccine in patients affected by immune-mediated inflammatory diseases up to 5 months after vaccination
Authors: Firinu Davide , Perra Andrea , Campagna Marcello , Littera Roberto , Fenu Giuseppe , Meloni Federico , Cipri Selene , Sedda Francesca , Conti Maria , Miglianti Michela , Costanzo Giulia , Secci Marta , Usai Gianmario , Carta Mauro Giovanni , Cappai Riccardo , Orrù Germano , Giacco Stefano Del , Coghe Ferdinando , Chessa Luchino
Published: August 2021

SARS-CoV-2 vaccination with mRNA product BNT162b2 elicited high immunogenicity in healthy subjects in trials. This study aims to better understand the factors that influence the humoral immune response to vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 in patients with immune-mediated inflammatory diseases (IMIDs). We enrolled patients and healthy healthcare workers control group (HCW) that underwent mRNA BNT162b2 vaccination and measured the serum IgG anti-S-RBD response at booster dose (T1), one month after booster dose (T2) and up to 5 months (T3). Demographic, disease-specific and vaccination data were recorded. Vaccination response of 551 participants naïve to SARS-CoV-2 infection were included in HCW and 102 in the IMID group, analyzing separately those on anti-CD20. At T2 all naïve HCW developed anti-S-RBD-IgG, while 94% of IMID responded (p < 0.001). IMID patients had a significantly different level of IgG than HCW at both T1 (p = 0.031), T2 (p < 0.001), while there was no significant difference at T3. There were no statistically significant differences according to the IMID type or to ongoing treatment with immunosuppressants, corticosteroids or biological drugs other than anti-CD20. The proportion and magnitude of response was significantly lower in IMID treated with anti-CD20 drugs. There was a correlation with age at T1 and at T2 but not at T3, stronger in patients than in HCW. Immune response close after BNT162b2 vaccination is reduced in patients with IMID, but there is no difference at 5 months. The measured reduction is related to age and the disease itself rather than treatments, with the exception of anti-CD20 drugs
Extracting Potential New Targets for Treatment of Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma Using Bioinformatic Methods
Authors: Pordanjani Tayebeh Forooghi , Dabirmanesh Bahareh , Choopanian Peyman , Mirzaie Mehdi , Mohebbi Saleh , Khajeh Khosro
Published: August 2021

Adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) is a slow-growing malignancy that most often occurs in the salivary glands. Although reasonable local control is usually achieved by tumor surgery and subsequent radiation therapy, recurrence at the same or distant site is the cause of treatment failure. Currently, no FDA-approved therapeutic target or diagnostic biomarker has been identified for this cancer. To find the therapeutic and diagnostic targets for ACC, we extracted the gene expression information from two GEO datasets. Different expression genes (DEGs) between ACC and normal samples were extracted and used to explore the biochemical pathways involved in ACC and create a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network.After analyzing the PPI network, 20 hub genes were introduced that have potential as diagnostic and therapeutic target. Among them, PLCG1 and EZH2 were introduced as new biomarkers in ACC that might have a high value in the diagnosis and treatment of ACC. Furthermore, by studying the roles of the hub genes in the enriched biochemical pathways, we found that most likely, IGF-1R/IR and PPARG pathways play a critical role in tumorigenesis and drug resistance in the ACC and have a high potential for selection as a therapeutic target in future studies.
New Integrated Hydrologic Approach for the Assessment of Rivers Environmental Flows Into the Urmia Lake
Authors: Mobadersani Ali , Dalir Ali Hosseinzadeh , Yasi Mehdi , Arvanaghi Hadi , Kennard Mark
Published: August 2021

In the conducted researches recently the greatest focus has been on the environmental water supplement of rivers individually and independently. However, in closed basins leading to lakes and wetlands, a comprehensive and integrated view of all rivers in the basin is required simultaneously. This has affected Lake Urmia, which is the second largest saltwater lake in the world. This lake has been in danger of drying up in recent years as a result of not allocating the required environmental flow due to the increase in water resources consumption in the agricultural sector and climate change. In this study, a method derived from the flow duration curve (FDC) shifting method is presented in addition to the possibility of providing the environmental flow of rivers leading to the lake that can make the least amount of change in the hydrological characteristics of rivers to provide the volume of required water by the ecosystem of lakes or downstream wetlands. This method is based on daily data of hydrometric stations and, unlike the conventional method, which presents the results on a monthly basis, it can calculate the amount of environmental requirement of rivers in real-time according to the upstream inlet of the river. This method has been used in the Urmia Lake basin and according to the results, it can provide the environmental requirement of lake by allocating 70.5% of the annual flow of rivers and save the lake and the ecosystem of the region from the current critical conditions.
Malaria-VisAnalytics: A Tool for Visual Exploratory Analysis of Brazilian Public Malaria Data
Authors: Sironi Alberto Pietro , Bertoldo Juracy , Barreto Marcos Ennes , Simpaio Vanderson , Coimbra Danilo
Published: August 2021

Background: Data integration and visualization techniques have been widely used in scientific research to allow the exploitation of large volumes of data and support highly complex or long-lasting research questions. Integration allows data from different sources to be aggregated into a single database comprising variables of interest for different types of studies. Visualization allows large and complex data sets to be manipulated and interpreted in a more intuitive way.Methods: In this paper, we present how integration and visualization techniques were applied in a malaria surveillance ecosystem to build an integrated database comprising notifications, deaths, vector control andclimate data. This database is accessed through Malaria-VisAnalytics, a visual mining platform for descriptive and predictive analytics supporting decision and policy making by governmental and health agents.Results: Our experimental and validation results so far have proved that the visual exploration and interaction mechanisms allow effective surveillance for rapid action in suspected outbreaks, as well support a set of different research questions over integrated malaria electronic health records.Conclusion: At last, it can be easily extended with new functionalities and data sources to accommodate more complex scenarios.
Facilitators and Barriers to Clinical Pathway Uptake and Utilization among Primary Care Providers in Saskatchewan – A Qualitative Study
Authors: Groot Gary , Ollegasagrem Shaliny , Khakpour Mahasti , Panahi Adel , Goodridge Donna , Lloyd Joshua , Kinsman Leigh , Rotter Thomas , Tymchak Zane
Published: August 2021

Background: Clinical Pathways (CPWs) are multidisciplinary, evidence based, complex interventions designed to standardize patient care. In Saskatchewan, development, implementation, and evaluation of seven provincial CPWs (Hip & Knee, Spine, Pelvic Floor, Prostate Assessment, Fertility Care, Lower Extremity Wound Care, and Acute Stroke) present significant challenges, leading to lower uptake and utilization. This study aimed to identify facilitators and barriers to CPW uptake and utilization by Family Physicians in Saskatchewan. Methods: A qualitative interpretive approach was used consisting of eight one-on-one key informant (KI) interviews and five focus groups (FG) in identifying the facilitators and barriers to CPWs. KIs had been involved in the design and implementation of CPWs. FGs were held with 30 Family Physicians in two urban and two rural Saskatchewan cities. All interviews were audio recorded and transcribed. Inductive, thematic analysis of the interviews based on the Theoretical Domain Framework (TDF) for behavioral changes was used to identify facilitators and barriers to CPW uptake and utilization by Family Physicians.Results: KI interviews informed the FG interview guide. From 5 FG discussions, 51 themes emerged and were mapped under 14 TDF domains. Family Physicians notably emphasized the barriers for utilizing CPWs. Major barriers were: system-level (knowledge & communication, social/professional identity, Family Physician engagement and education); objective clarification (goals, belief about consequences of implementing CPW) and technical and resource related (administrative, access to local specialists, enforcement and incentives). The most prominent barrier was lack of systematic CPW promotion and inconsistencies in communication between: organization to practitioner; organization to organization; and practitioner to practitioner. Facilitators were recognized to mitigate barriers and ranged from need for optimized and integrated IT services (i.e. Electronic Medical Records), to optimism towards CPW usage and patient outcomes. Conclusions: Informed by data from KIs and FGs, this exploratory study identified specific improvements required to promote uptake of CPWs based on perceived facilitators and barriers. Recommendations are provided to enhance uptake among FPs. These initial findings will inform the creation of a theory-based, province -wide survey instrument to further evaluate CPWs.
Diagnostic Performance of Quantitative Coronary Artery Disease Assessment Using Computed Tomography in Patients with Aortic Stenosis Undergoing Transcatheter Aortic-Valve Implantation
Authors: Malebranche Daniel , Hoffner Maximilian K.M. , Huber Adrian T. , Cicovic Aleksandar , Spano Giancarlo , Bernhard Benedikt , Bartkowiak Joanna , Okuno Taishi , Lanz Jonas , Räber Lorenz , Praz Fabien , Stortecky Stefan , Windecker Stephan , Pilgrim Thomas , Gräni Christoph
Published: August 2021

Purpose: Computed tomography angiography (CTA) is a cornerstone in the pre- transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVI) assessment. We evaluated the diagnostic performance of CTA and coronary artery calcium score (CACS) for CAD evaluation compared to invasive coronary angiography in a cohort of TAVI patients. Methods: In consecutive TAVI patients, CAD was assessment by quantitative analysis in CTA. a) Patients with non-evaluable segments were classified as obstructive CAD. b) In patients with non-evaluable segments a CACS cut-off of 100 was applied for obstructive CAD. The reference standard was quantitative invasive coronary angiography (QCA,i.e.≥50% stenosis). Results: 100 consecutive patients were retrospectively included, age was 82.3±6.5years and 30% of patients had CAD. On a per-patient analysis CTA showed a sensitivity of 100% (95%CI: 88.4-100.0), specificity of 11.4% (95%CI: 5.1-21.3), PPV of 32.6% (95%CI: 30.8-34.5), NPV of 100% and diagnostic accuracy of 38% (95%CI: 28.5-48.3) for obstructive CAD. When applying a combined CTA/CACS approach, the sensitivity and NPV remained at 100% and obstructive CAD could be ruled out in 20% of the TAVI patients, versus 8% using CTA alone. Conclusion: Quantitative combined CTA/CACS assessment from routinely acquired pre-TAVI investigation showed good diagnostic performance to rule-out obstructive CAD and may constitute a valuable strategy to streamline diagnostic workup in selected patients undergoing TAVI.
Identification of Potential Carboxylic Acid-Containing Drug Candidate to Design Novel Competitive NDM Inhibitors: An In-Silico Approach Comprising Combined Virtual Screening and Molecular Dynamics Simulation
Authors: Vasudevan Karthick , Basu Soumya , Arumugam Amala , Naha Aniket , Ramaiah Sudha , Anbarasu Anand , Veeraraghavan Balaji
Published: August 2021

Metallo-β-lactamases (MBLs) producing bacteria especially the ones with New Delhi metallo-beta-lactamase-1 (NDM-1) and its variants can potentially hydrolyse all the major β-lactam antibiotics, ultimately escalating anti-microbial resistance world-wide. There is a dearth of approved inhibitors to combat NDM and other MBLs producing bacteria. Hence we focussed to find novel inhibitor(s) in-silico which can potentially suppress the activity of NDM/MBLs. A total of 2400 compounds were virtually screened to identify a promising carboxylic acid-containing compound (CID-53986787) analogous to NDM antagonist Captopril. Our lead compound can bind adjacent to the active site zinc ions (Zn1 and Zn2) in all highly resistant NDM variants. CID-53986787 possesses ~ 5–8% higher binding affinity than Captopril, exhibiting molecular interactions with crucial residues that can destabilize the hydrolytic activity of NDM. CID-53986787 was virtually evaluated to ascertain its safe pharmacological/toxicity profile. Molecular dynamics simulation studies further elucidated its stable interaction with the target protein (NDM-1).
Radiomics analysis improves 18FDG PET/CT-based risk stratification of cytologically indeterminate thyroid nodules
Authors: Giovanella Luca , Milan Lisa , Piccardo Arnoldo , Bottoni Gianluca , Cuzzocrea Marco , Paone Gaetano , Ceriani Luca
Published: August 2021

Purpose
As ~ 25% of cytologically indeterminate thyroid nodules harbour malignancy, diagnostic lobectomy is still performed in many cases. 18FDG PET/CT rules out malignancy in visually negative nodules; however, none of the currently available interpretation criteria differentiates malignant from benign 18FDG-avid nodules. We evaluated the ability of PET metrics and radiomics features (RFs) to predict final diagnosis of 18FDG-avid cytologically indeterminate thyroid nodules.
Methods
78 patients were retrospectively included. After volumetric segmentation of each thyroid lesion, 4 PET metrics and 107 RFs were extracted. A logistic regression was performed including thyroid stimulating hormone, PET metrics and RFs to assess their predictive performance. A linear combination of the resulting parameters generated a radiomics score (RS) that was matched with cytology classes (Bethesda III and IV) and compared with final diagnosis.
Results
Two RFs (shape_Sphericity and glcm_Autocorrelation) differentiated malignant from benign lesions. A predictive model integrating RS and cytology classes effectively stratified the risk of malignancy. The prevalence of thyroid cancer increased from 5–37% and 79% in accordance with the number (score 0, 1 or 2, respectively) of positive biomarkers.
Conclusion
Our multiparametric model may be useful for reducing the number of diagnostic lobectomies with advantages in terms of costs and quality of life for patients.
Effects of neoadjuvant chemotherapy in ovarian cancer patients with different germline BRCA1/2 mutational status: A retrospective study
Authors: Fu Mengdi , Jin Chengjuan , Chen Jingying , Feng Shuai , Nie Lekai , Zhang Yang , Peng Jin , Wang Xia , Bu Hualei , Kong Beihua
Published: August 2021

Background
Whether neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) followed by interval debulking surgery (IDS) against primary debulking surgery (PDS) has a differential effect on prognosis due to Breast Cancer Susceptibility Genes (BRCA)1/2 mutations has not been confirmed by current studies.
Methods
All patients included in this retrospective study were admitted to Qilu Hospital of Shandong University between January 2009 and June 2020, and germline BRCA1/2 mutation were tested. Patients in stage IIIB, IIIC, and IV, re-staged by International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) 2014, were selected for analysis. All patients with NAC received 1–3 cycles of platinum-containing (carboplatin, cisplatin, or nedaplatin) chemotherapy. Patients who received maintenance therapy after chemotherapy were not eligible for this study. All relevant medical records were collected.
Results
A total of 308 patients were enrolled in the study, including 108 patients with BRCA1/2 mutations (BRCAmut), and 200 patients with BRCA1/2 wild-type (BRCAwt). In the two groups, 36 BRCAmut patients (33.3%) and 59 BRCAwt patients (29.5%) received neoadjuvant chemotherapy. The progression-free survival (PFS) of BRCAmut patients was significantly reduced after NAC (median: 15.0 vs. 19.0 months, HR = 0.59; p = 0.03); however, there was no statistical difference in overall survival (OS) (median: 75.1 vs. 68.5 months, HR = 0.90; p = 0.72). Whether BRCAwt patients received NAC had no significant effect on PFS (median: 13.5 vs. 14.6 months, HR = 1.02; p = 0.90) or OS (median: 54.0 vs. 56.4 months, HR = 1.23; p = 0.34). Multivariate analyses showed that the independent predictors of prolonged survival were PDS (p = 0.003), the absence of residual tumor after surgery (p = 0.010), and FIGO III stage (p = 0.011).
Conclusions
For advanced-stage ovarian cancer patients treated with NAC followed by IDS, PFS and OS were not significantly affected in BRCAwt patients. In BRCAmut patients, NAC-IDS resulted in a shortened PFS, but had no further effect on overall survival.
Confrontment and Solution to Gonadotropin Resistance and Low Oocyte Retrieval in in Vitro Fertilization for Type I BPES: a Case Series With Review of Literature
Authors: Yu Yiqi , Ji Mengxia , Xu Weihai , Zhang Ling , Qi Ming , Shu Jing
Published: August 2021

Background: FOXL2 mutations in human cause Blepharophimosis, ptosis, and epicanthus inversus syndrome (BPES). While type II BPES solely features eyelid abnormality, type I BPES involves not only eyelid but also ovary, leading to premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) and female infertility. Current mainstream reproductive option for type I BPES is embryo or oocyte donation. Attempts on assisted reproductive technology (ART) aiming biological parenthood in this population were sparse and mostly unsuccessful.Case presentation: Two Chinese type I BPES patients with low anti-müllerian hormone (AMH) and elevated follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) presented with primary infertility in their early 30s. Genetic studies confirmed two heterozygous duplication mutations that were never reported previously in East Asian populations. They received in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment and both exhibited resistance to gonadotropin and difficulty in retrieving oocytes in repeated cycles. Doubled to quadrupled total gonadotropin doses were required to awaken follicular response. Patient 1 delivered a baby girl with the same eyelid phenotype and patient 2 had ongoing live intrauterine pregnancy at the time of manuscript submission.Conclusions: This is the second reported live birth of biological offspring in type I BPES patients, and first success using IVF techniques. It confirmed that ART is difficult but feasible in type I BPES. It further alerts clinicians and genetic counsellors to type female BPES patients with caution in view of the precious and potentially narrowed reproductive window.
Association Between Basal Platelet Count and All-cause Mortality in Critically Ill Patients With Acute Respiratory Failure: a Secondary Analysis From the eICU Collaborative Research Database
Authors: Xiao Chuan , Qin Zuoan , Xiao Jingjing , Cheng Yumei , Li Qing , Li Wei , He Tianhui , Li Shuwen , Gao Daixiu , Feng Shen
Published: August 2021

Background: There is limited evidence on the correlation between platelet counts and all-cause mortality in critically ill patients with acute respiratory failure (ARF). The aim was to evaluate whether platelet count was associated with all-cause mortality in critical patients with ARF by using the eICU Collaborative Research Database.Methods: Using a retrospective multicenter cohort dataset, data of 26961 patients with ARF in ICU between 2014 and 2015 were collected. The independent variable was log2 basal platelet count, and the dependent variables were all-cause mortality in hospital and in ICU. Covariates included demographic data, Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) IV score, supportive treatment, and comorbidities.Results: In fully adjusted model, log2 basal platelet count was negatively associated with all-cause mortality both in hospital [ RR:0.87, 95% CI: 0.84 - 0.91] or in ICU [RR: 0.87, 95% CI:0.83, 0.92]. By nonlinearity test, the relationship between log2 basal platelet count and all-cause mortality in hospital and in ICU were nonlinear. The inflection point we got was 6.83 and 6.86 (after inverse log2 logarithmic conversion, the platelet count are 114×109/L and 116×109/L). There was no a correlation between blood platelets and all-cause mortality in hospital on the right side of the inflection point, (RR:0.96, 95% CI: 0.88-1.03) and in ICU (RR:0.97, 95% CI: 0.91-1.04).Conclusions: For patients with ARF in ICU, platelet count was negatively associated with all-cause mortality in hospital and in ICU when platelet count is less than 114 ×109/L and 116 ×109/L respectively, but when the platelet count was higher, we failed to observe a correlation between them. The safe ranges of platelet count we detected were 78×109/L -145×109/L and 89×109/L -147×109/L respectively.
Dynamics in brain activation and behaviour in acute and repeated social defensive motivated behaviour
Authors: de Almeida Alisson Pinto , Baldo Marcus Vinícius Chrysóstomo , Motta Simone Cristina
Published: August 2021

In nature, confrontations between conspecifics are recurrent and related, in general, to the lack of resources such as food and territory. In this sense, adequate defence against a conspecific aggressor is essential for the individual’s survival and the group integrity. However, repeated social defeat is a significant stressor, promoting several behavioural changes, including on social defence per se. But what would be the neural basis of these behavioural changes? To explore some hypotheses about this, we investigated the effects of repeated social stress on neural circuits underlying the motivated behaviour social defence in male mice. The hypothalamus is an essential centre of these circuits. Different hypothalamic structures receive information about the conspecific from the medial amygdala and the bed nucleus of the terminal stria. Furthermore, the hypothalamus can receive environmental information via the septo-hippocampal-hypothalamic circuit. Both information is processed by the dorsal premammillary nucleus (PMD) and the ventrolateral portion of the ventromedial nucleus of the hypothalamus, which communicate with the periaqueductal grey, an important downstream site for behavioural emission. During our analysis, we observed that animals re-exposed three times to the aggressor spent more time in passive defence during their last exposure than in their first one. These animals also present a smaller mobilization of areas related to the processing of conspecific cues. In contrast, we did not observe changes in the PMD mobilization. Therefore, our data indicate that the balance between the activity of circuits related to conspecific processing and the PMD determines the pattern of social defence behaviour. Changes in this balance may be the basis of the adaptations in social defence after repeated social defeat.
Complex Scene Understanding and Recognition Based on the Explainable Machine Learning in AI Models
Authors: Wu Bin , Fan Yuhong , Chen Yeh-Cheng , Zhang Tao
Published: August 2021

Information fusion is an important part of numerous neural network systems and other machine learning models. However, there exist some problems about fusion in scene understanding and recognition of complex environment, such as difficulty in feature extraction, small sample size and interpretability of the model. Deep reinforcement learning can combine the perception ability of deep learning with the decision-making ability of reinforcement learning to learn control strategies directly from high-dimensional original data. However, It faces these challenges, such as low optimization efficiency, poor generality of network model, small labeled samples, explainable decisions for users without a strong background on Artificial Intelligence (AI). Therefore, at the level of application and theoretical research, this paper aims to solve the above problems,the main contributions include: (1)optimize the feature representation methods based on spatial-temporal feature of the behavior characteristics in the scene, deep metric learning between adjacent layers and cross-layer learning theory, and then propose a lightweight reinforcement learning network model to solve these problems of the complexity of the model to be explained, the difficulty of extracting feature and the difficulty of tuning parameter; (2)construct the self-paced learning strategy of the deep reinforcement learning model, introduce transfer learning mechanism in the optimization process, and solve the problem of low optimization efficiency and small labeled samples; (3)design the behavior recognition framework of the multi-perspective deep knowledge transfer learning model, construct a explainable behavior descriptor, and solve the problems of poor network generality and weak 1explanation of network. Our research is of great theoretical and practical significance in the fields of artificial intelligence and public security.
An Effective Nonlocal Means Image Denoising Framework Based On Nonsubsampled Shearlet Transform
Authors: Goyal Bhawna , Dogra Ayush , Sangaiah Arun Kumar
Published: August 2021

Image denoising is a fundamental task in computer vision and image processing system with an aim of estimating the original image by eliminating the noise and artifact from the noise-corrupted version of the image. In this study, a nonlocal means (NLM) algorithm with NSST (non-subsampled shearlet transform) has been designed to surface a computationally simple image denoising algorithm. There are three steps in our process; First, NSST is employed to decompose source image into coarser and finer layers. The number of decomposition level of NSST is set to two, resulting in one low frequency coefficient (coarser layer) and four high frequency coefficients (finer layers). The two levels of decomposition are used in order to preserve memory, reduce processing time, and reduce the influence of noise and misregistration errors. The finer layers are then processed using NLM algorithm, while the coarser layer is left as it is. The NL-Means algorithm reduces noise in finer layers while maintaining the sharpness of strong edges, such as the image silhouette. When compared to noisy images, this filter also smoothes textured regions, resulting in retaining more information. To obtain a final denoised image, inverse NSST is performed to the coarser layer and the NL-means filtered finer layers. The robustness of our method has been tested on the different multisensor and medical image dataset with diverse levels of noise. In the context of both subjective assessment and objective measurement, our method outperforms numerous other existing denoising algorithms notably in terms of retaining fine image structures. It is also clearly exhibited that the proposed method is computationally more effective as compared to other prevailing algorithms.
Topology Optimization and Lightweight Design of Stamping Dies for Forming Automobile Panels
Authors: Su Ting , He Tao , Yang Renqi , Li Maojun
Published: August 2021

The accurate prediction of deformation and stress distribution on the stamping die components is critical to guarantee structure reliability and lightweight design. This work aims to propose a new method based on numerical simulation for predicting die structural behaviors and reducing total weight. The sheet metal forming simulation was firstly conducted to obtain the accurate forming contact force during stamping process. The linear static structural analysis with different load cases was then performed to investigate the deformation and stress distribution on die structure. Topology optimization was employed to realize lightweight design while ensuring structural safety. Redesign process for die structures was conducted according to both manufacturing techniques and initial optimized results to guarantee the manufacturability of new structures. The proposed methodology has several advantages of decreasing model scale, precluding intricate contact condition settings as well as time-saving. A long beam stamping die used for forming automobile panels was selected to validate the proposed methodology, and around 18% weight reduction was achieved.
Semen Production and Semen Quality of Mehsana Buffalo Breed Under Semiarid Climatic Conditions of Organized Semen Station in India
Authors: Dangar Nikhil Shantilal , Brahmkshtri Balkrishna P , Deshmukh Niteen , Prajapati Kamlesh
Published: August 2021

Semen production data comprising of 55071 ejaculates of 144 bulls from Mehsana buffalo breed was analysed. The traits under study were semen volume, sperm concentration, initial sperm motility, post-thaw sperm motility and number of semen doses per ejaculate. The objective of the present study was to assess the effect of various factors affecting semen production traits and measure the semen production potential of Mehsana buffalo bulls. Data collected of semen production traits were analysed using linear mixed model, including a random effect of bull along with fixed effect of various non-genetic factors like farm, ejaculate number, season of birth, period of birth, season of semen collection and period of semen collection. First ejaculation had higher semen volume and sperm concentration resulted in to higher number of semen doses but semen quality was better in second ejaculation. Season of birth of the bull was affecting semen quality traits. As the period of birth advances semen volume increases whereas sperm concentration decreases which reflected in persistent production of number of semen doses per ejaculate. Monsoon and summer were favorable seasons for semen collection because of higher sperm concentration which resulted in to higher semen doses per ejaculate. Additionally, Monsoon collected semen had highest volume. Hence, monsoon followed by summer season would be the favorable season for semen collection. Period of semen collection affecting all the semen production traits under study but it did not have specific trend which means managemental and environmental changes over the period have sizable influence on the traits. Results of the study will help to plan future managemental practices and breeding strategies to improve semen production traits.
Students’ Learning Experience with a Flipped Introductory Organic Chemistry Course: A Course Designed for Non-Chemistry Majors
Authors: Luong Horace , Falkenberg Thomas , Rahimian Mahdi
Published: August 2021

The use of flipped classrooms has been gaining popularity across various disciplines as student-centered active learning pedagogy. In this study, an introductory organic chemistry course was delivered through flipped classroom methodologies, incorporating blended learning to deliver content and group work in the classroom.   The learning experiences of non-chemistry majors students enrolled in the course are discussed. The majority of the students adjusted to the pedagogy and felt autonomy in their learning. These students also believed that most of the flipped classroom design components were a good use of their time in learning organic chemistry.
Pedagogical Design: Bridging Learning Theory and Learning Analytics
Authors: Banihashem Kazem , Macfadyen Leah P.
Published: August 2021

Which learning analytics (LA) approach might be the best choice for your teaching and learning context? Learning analytics as a field of research and application seeks to collect, analyze, report, and interpret educational data with the goal of improving teaching and learning. But hasty adoption of learning analytics tools and methods that are simply convenient, promoted or available risks allowing learning analytics to ‘drive the pedagogical bus’. In this paper, we propose that careful reflection on pedagogical design choices and the learning theory that underpins them can and should inform selection of relevant learning analytics tools and approaches. We broadly review established learning theories and the implications of each for pedagogical design; for each design approach we offer examples of learning analytics most clearly aligned with the theoretical perspectives on learning and knowledge that have shaped it. Moreover, we argue that careful consideration of the learning theory underpinning the pragmatics of pedagogical design choices should guide LA implementation, and help educators and designers avoid the risk of gathering data on, and measuring outcomes for, activities that are not relevant to their pedagogical design or goals.
Séquences de changement de formatrices universitaires dans une formation intersectorielle sur la compétence numérique en éducation
Authors: Meyer Florian , Dyan-Charles Clara , Pelletier Caroline , Laporte Guillaume , Arguin Félix
Published: August 2021

La formation ACTION (Attestation des Compétences en Technopédagogie et en Intégration des Outils Numériques) a été vécue durant l’automne 2019. Elle était offerte à des formateurs universitaires et certains de leurs étudiants de baccalauréat en enseignement. Ce modèle unique visait le développement de la compétence numérique de ces personnes. Exploitant le cadre théorique de la croissance professionnelle de Clarke et Hollingsworth (2002), cette recherche visait à identifier les séquences de changement générées grâce à cette formation afin de comprendre son apport pour le développement de la compétence numérique (MEES, 2019) chez les différentes personnes impliquées. Elle a permis de comprendre que ce modèle innovant de formation présente un potentiel fort intéressant pour le développement professionnel des formateurs universitaires.
Non-Markovian noise that cannot be dynamically decoupled by periodic spin echo pulses
Authors: Burgarth Daniel , Facchi Paolo , Fraas Martin , Hillier Robin
Published: August 2021

Dynamical decoupling is the leading technique to remove unwanted interactions in a vast range of quantum systems through fast rotations. But what determines the time-scale of such rotations in order to achieve good decoupling? By providing an explicit counterexample of a qubit coupled to a charged particle and magnetic monopole, we show that such time-scales cannot be decided by the decay profile induced by the noise: even though the system shows a quadratic decay (a Zeno region revealing non-Markovian noise), it cannot be decoupled by periodic spin echo pulses, no matter how fast the rotations.
‪Impulse wave generation: a comparison of landslides of block and granular masses by coupled Lagrangian tracking using VOF over a set mesh
Authors: Mokhtarzadeh Ghasem , Basirat Shamsa , Bazargan Jalal , Delavari Ehsan
Published: August 2021

This paper presents the numerical results of impulsive waves generated by landslides of solid block, granular materials and heavy block sinking. An impulse product parameter P is developed and a wide range of effective parameters are studied. The volume-of-fluid (VOF) and overset mesh methods have been used to study landslide-generated tsunamis. Also, a Lagrangian tracking approach coupled with the VOF to simulate the granular movement was developed. The effect of the water reservoir depth, the landslide height, the landslide density and the geometrical parameters on the wave height (elevation) has been investigated using the open-source OpenFOAM software. The results have been presented for dimensionless distances and the normalized geometry of the landslide in the ranges 5–7, and 1–2, respectively. These numbers have been normalized to the height of the landslide (a). According to the results of simulations, the tsunami formation process is divided into three stages, which were analyzed in detail by considering the interactions between the solid and the water reservoir. The Scott Russell wave has the highest impulse product parameter among the impulse wave mechanisms which is 58.6% of the total impulse production. In addition, the duration of the wave propagation has been computed based on the wave height.
Soil bioindicators associated to different management regimes of Cedrela odorata plantations
Authors: Alarcón Gutiérrez Enrique , Hernández Christian , Gardner Terrence , García Pérez José Antonio , Caballero Mayra , Perroni Yareni , Farnet da Silva Anne Marie a , Gaime Perraud Isabelle , Barois Isabelle
Published: August 2021

A good bioindicator of soil health is one that perceives minor changes due to changes in soil management and leads to changes in the processes of the soil ecosystem. The aim was to evaluate the use of soil bioindicators in the determination of the utility of two different Cedrela odorata forestry management systems. The litter and soil samples were collected from the rhizosphere of a monoculture (with no fertilization nor irrigation), and a co-culture (with fertilization and irrigation) stand with Citrus latifolia. The soil and litter bioindicators measured were the activity of acetylesterase (FDA), acid phosphatase (AcPh), alkaline phosphatase (AlkPh), laccase, and the estimation of the potential net rate of carbon mineralization (PNRCM). The results indicated that soil enzyme activities (FDA and phosphatases) in the litter were sensitive to the different management system treatments. Enzymatic activity, per unit dry weight, was higher in litter of co-culture (FDA = 1.05 nkat g-1 AcPh = 1.33 nkat g-1; AlkPh = 03.0 nkat g-1) than in litter of monoculture (FDA = 0.617nkat g-1; AcPh = 0.40 nkat g-1; AlkPh = 0. 983 nkat g-1). Differences in soil total nitrogen content, organic matter (OM) content, and micronutrients were found. In general, the co-culture stand (with fertilization and irrigation) with C. latifolia showed the best results.
Tissue culture studies on Cymbidium ensifolium (L.) Swartz
Authors: Ramesh T. , Renganathan P. , Prabhakaran M.
Published: August 2021

An efficient protocol for seed germination and micropropagation of Cymbidium ensifolium (L.) Swartz. was established. Four nutrient media were used for seed germination and early protocorm development: Murashige and Skoog (MS), half –strength MS, Knudson ‘C’ (KC), and Vasin and Went (VW); combinations and alone of four plant growth regulators i.e. 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP), kinetin (KN), α-napthalene acetic acid (NAA), and indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) were studied. MS medium was found as most ideal for seed germination (98±0.48) and lowest in VW (71.12 ±0.42). 3 months old protocorm were sub cultured on fresh MS medium supplemented with different concentrations of BAP, KN, NAA, and IBA alone and in combination. After 30 days highest secondary protocorms (21.25±0.63) were observed in MS medium containing BAP (4.0μM). MS medium supplemented with 8μM IBA induced the maximum roots per shoot. After 16 days of transfer to green house the survival rate was 88%.
Strengthening agriculture-nutrition linkages to improve consumption of nutrient-dense perishable foods in India - existing evidence and way forward
Authors: Selvaraj Kiruthika , Mondal Ankita , Kulkarni Bharati
Published: August 2021

The triple burden of malnutrition in India is largely contributed by poor quality diets lacking adequate intake of nutrient dense perishable foods (NDPFs) - milk, eggs, fruits and vegetables. This is intriguing because India is one of the largest producers of NDPFs. This review examines possible reasons for this disparity. Poor post-harvest infrastructure, price volatility, unorganized supply chains, long-standing government policies favouring cereals and increasing consumer preference of convenience foods are identified as major reasons for the low intake of NDPFs. While nutrition-sensitive agriculture interventions appear promising to improve intakes of NDPF, stronger evidence is needed to scale up these interventions.