bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Exponential Negation of a Probability Distribution
Authors: Wu Qinyuan , Deng Yong , Xiong Neal
Published: August 2021

Negation operation is important in intelligent information processing. Different with existing arithmetic negation, an exponential negation is presented in this paper. The new negation can be seen as a kind of geometry negation. Some basic properties of the proposed negation are investigated, we find that the fix point is the uniform probability distribution. The proposed exponential negation is an entropy increase operation and all the probability distributions will converge to the uniform distribution after multiple negation iterations. The convergence speed of the proposed negation is also faster than the existed negation. The number of iterations of convergence is inversely proportional to the number of elements in the distribution. Some numerical examples are used to illustrate the efficiency of the proposed negation.
Meta-analysis using a Lehmann classifier of obligate seeding species germination in fire-prone Mediterranean Type environments
Authors: Troumbis Andreas Y
Published: August 2021

The generalization that specific seed traits such as dormancy, longevity, or heat-triggered germination of plant species expanding in pyrogenic environments where stochastically but recurrently fire disturbance occurs is a fitness increasing adaptation of obligate seeders dates from the early 20th century. During the last few decades, this hypothesis, qualified as a pyrophytic strategy, is re-evaluated under the lenses of conservation biology and climate change research. The validity of pyrophytism as an equilibrium response to fire vs. the interpretation that the obligate seeding strategy is instead an opportunistic or generalist response to the multitude of abiotic and biotic factors determining the variability and heterogeneity of fire-prone environments such as the Mediterranean Type Ecosystems is indirectly examined and narratively promoted in the renewed fire ecology literature. In this paper, I suggest a need for a typified meta-analysis of the abundant but disparate wealth of research protocols and data to achieve a quantitatively strict understanding of the limits of the contrasting hypotheses. I develop a meta-analytic classifier and test its feasibility and applicability across taxonomic, biologic, and ecological levels of organization, i.e., from the intra-population or inter-individual local level progressively to inter-genus and intra-family levels, across the Mediterranean Basin. Cistaceae species, emblems of the Mediterranean shrublands, are the model for this research. The results of this exercise support the feasibility and flexibility of the Lehmann-type classifier developed. Although Cistus species do respond positively to heat-shocks at the local level, significant variability is uncovered among higher taxa levels and furthermost as the environmental variability increases. The germination variability complicates generalizations when climatic variability and change come into play, questioning long-standing ‘certitudes’ and Mediterranean forest managers and conservation planners' practices.
Differential Expression of Calycosin-7-O-β-D-glucoside Biosynthesis Genes and Accumulation of Related Metabolites in Different Organs of Astragalus membranaceus Bge.var. mongholicus (Bge.) Hsiao Under Drought Stress
Authors: Chen Yinghui , Li Bingzhen , Jia Xin , Sun Shuying , Su Youla , Chen Guilin
Published: August 2021

Flavonoids are secondary metabolites that accumulate in most plants. Calycosin-7-O-β-D-glycoside (CG), as a flavonoid, plays an important role in the abiotic stress response of Astragalus membranaceus Bge. var. mongholicus (Bge.) Hsiao (A. mongholicus). CG is also an active ingredient in A. mongholicus with high medicinal value. However, the response mechanism of CG biosynthetic pathway to drought stress is not clear. In this research, drought stress was inflicted upon annual potted A. mongholicus for 15 days and the variations in flavonoid metabolites and the correlating gene expression in CG biosynthesis were studied in roots, stems and leaves of A. mongholicus by UHPLC-MRM-MS/MS and qRT-PCR. Drought stress reduced the dry weight and increased the content of MDA and Proline. Drought promoted the accumulation of most compounds in the CG synthetic pathway of A. mongholicus, which decreased after rewatering. AmI3’H is highly expressed in the roots under drought stress. Overexpression of AmIOMT was observed in the leaves, but the content of formononetin which is the product of IOMT catalysis was higher in stems than in leaves. This research aims to further understand the acclimation of plant to abiotic stress and the regulation mechanism of flavonoid accumulation in astragalus species.
Streptomyces Blattellae, A Novel Actinomycete Isolated From the in Vivo of an Blattella Germanica.
Authors: Liu Gui-Min , Yuan Lin-lin , Zhang Li-li , Zeng Hong
Published: August 2021

During a screening for novel and useful actinobacteria in desert animal, a new actinomycete was isolated and designated strain TRM63209T. The strain was isolated from in vivo of a Blattella germanica in Tarim University in Alar City, Xinjiang, north-west China. The strain was found to exhibit an inhibitory effect on biofilm formation by Candida albicans American type culture collection (ATCC) 18804. That it belongs to the genus Streptomyces. The strain was observed to form abundant aerial mycelium, occasionally twisted and which differentiated into spiral spore chains. Spores of TRM63209T were observed to be oval-shaped, with a smooth surface. Strain TRM63209T was found to grow optimally at 28℃, pH 8 and in the presence of 1% (w/v) NaCl. The whole-cell sugars of strain TRM63209T were rhamnose ribose, xylose, mannose, galactose and glucose, and the principal polarlipids were found to be diphosphatidylglycerol(DPG), Phos-phatidylethanolamine(PE), phosphatidylcholine(PC), phosphatidylinositol mannoside(PIM), phosphatidylinositol(PI) and an unknown phospholipid(L). The diagnostic cell wall amino acid was identified as LL-diaminopimelic acid. The predominant menaquinone was found to be MK-9(H6), MK-9(H2), MK-9(H8), MK-10(H2). The major cellular fatty acids were identified as iso-C16:0, 16:0, anteiso-C15:0, anteiso-C17:0, iso-C15:0 and Sum In Feature 3. Analysis of the 16S rRNA sequence showed that strain TRM63209T exhibits high sequence similarity to Streptomyces bungoensis strain DSM 41781T 98.20%. A multi-locus sequence analysis of five house-keeping genes (atpD, gyrB, rpoB, recA and trpB) also illustrated that strain TRM63209T should be assigned to the genus Streptomyces. The DNA G + C content of the strain was determined to be 70.2 mol%. The average nucleotide identity relatedness between strain TRM63209T and the phylogeny vertically related Streptomyces bungoensis DSM 41781T, Streptomyces phyllanthi PA1-07T, Streptomyces longwoodensis DSM 41677T and Streptomyces caeruleatus NRRL B-24802T was respectively found to be 82.76 %, 82.54%, 82.65%, 84.02%. And the in sico DNA-DNA hybridization value to respectively be 26.30%, 25.10%, 26.20%, 29.50%. Therefore, it is concluded that strain TRM63209T represents a novel species of the genus Streptomyces, for which the name Streptomyces blattellae is proposed. The type strain is TRM63209T (CCTCC AA 2018093T = LMG 31403= TRM63209T ).
The direct and indirect impact of COVID-19 pandemic on maternal and child health services in Africa: a scoping review
Authors: Adu Prince , Stallwood Lisa , Adebola Stephen O. , Abah Theresa , Okpani Arnold Ikedichi
Published: August 2021

IntroductionThe novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) continues to disrupt the availability and utilization of routine and emergency health care services, with differing impacts in jurisdictions across the world. In this scoping review, we set out to synthesize documentation of the direct and indirect effect of the pandemic, and national responses to it, on maternal and child health (MNCH) in Africa.MethodsA scoping review was conducted to provide an overview of the most significant impacts identified up to February 2021. Our search included peer reviewed literature, working papers and news articles with the intent to capture evolving and novel updates on the topic. Narrative descriptions were written about thematic areas for which the authors extracted the most evidence.ResultsOne hundred and fifty-five articles were identified through our literature search and 17 were deemed appropriate for analysis. We identified three overarching themes: delayed care, disruption in service provision and utilization and mitigation strategies or recommendation.DiscussionAvailable literature suggests widespread service cutbacks amid a mosaic of mitigation strategies. Our results show that minor consideration was given to preserving health service access for mothers and children, especially in historically underserved areas. Lack of emergency preparedness and infrastructural constraints prevented useful approaches such as telemedicine from being meaningfully utilized.ConclusionsOur scoping review shows that limited research has been published on this topic. Reviewed literature illuminates the continuing need and prioritization for maternity services, immunization, and reproductive health services, which have not been prioritized during the pandemic, yet are necessary to shield the continent’s most vulnerable population segments from the shocks of current and future global health emergencies.
Application of the response surface methodology for the evaluation of Staphylococcus aureus inhibition with Ag/TiO2 nanoparticles
Authors: Olivares-Ramírez M.A. , López-Zamora Leticia , Peña-Juárez M.J. , Gutiérrez-Castañeda E.J. , Gonzalez-Calderon J.A.
Published: August 2021

The present work shows the implementation of the Response Surface Methodology (RSM), fed by an experimental Central Composite Design (CCD) to find the conditions that allow maximizing the inhibition of the microorganism Staphylococcus aureus with nanoparticles of TiO2 silanized with 3-Aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES) and doped with Ag. In addition, Poly(lactic) acid composites were prepared with these Ag/TiO2 nanoparticles with the aim to confer their antimicrobial effect. The independent variables considered were pH, AgNO3/TiO2 ratio (% w/w), and TiO2 nanoparticles concentration (g/250 mL), and as the variable of response, the length of the diameter of the halo or zone of inhibition presented by the microorganism (mm). Statistical analysis found that maximization of S. aureus inhibition occurs at intermediate levels with a value of 10 for pH and 5 g of TiO2 solids, while for the concentration of AgNO3 high levels are required, greater than 10% w/w. Likewise, the statistical significance was determined using the Student's t-test and the p-value; it was found that the significant effect corresponds to the concentration of AgNO3, so a second experimental CCD design equirradial with two factors was considered, estimating AgNO3 concentration and TiO2 amount, the pH at constant 10 value. The second experimental design indicated that maximization in S. aureus inhibition occurs at an AgNO3 concentration between 20-25% w/w with high amounts of TiO2 solids (7-8 g), with a resulting zone of inhibition between 26-28 mm. The quadratic model obtained, which represents the relationship between the length of the zone of inhibition with the variables considered, shows an adjustment of experimental data with a coefficient of determination (R2) of 0.82.
Dopamine D3 Receptor Ligand Suppresses the Expression of Levodopa-Induced Dyskinesia in Nonhuman Primate Model of Parkinson's Disease
Authors: Oh Thomas , Daadi Elyas , Kim Jeffrey , Daadi Etienne , Chen Peng-Jen , Choudhury Gourav , Bohmann Jonathan , Blass Benjamin , Daadi Marcel
Published: August 2021

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a complex multisystem, chronic and so far incurable disease with significant unmet medical needs. The incidence of PD increases with aging and the expected burden will continue to escalate with our aging population. Since its discovery in the 1961 levodopa remains the gold standard pharmacotherapy for PD. However, the progressive nature of the neurodegenerative process in and beyond the nigrostriatal system causes a multitude of side effects, including levodopa-induced dyskinesia within 5 years of therapy. Attenuating dyskinesia has been a significant challenge in the clinical management of PD. We report on a small molecule that eliminates the expression of levodopa-induced dyskinesia and significantly improves PD-like symptoms. The lead compound PD13R we discovered is a dopamine D3 receptor partial agonist with high affinity and selectivity, orally active and with desirable drug-like properties. Future studies are aimed at developing this lead compound for treating PD patients with dyskinesia.
Spatiotemporal Trends of Temperature Extremes in Bangladesh Under Changing Climate Using Multi-statistical Techniques
Authors: Mallick Javed , I Abu Reza Md. Towfiqul , Ghose Bonosri , Islam H.M. Touhidul , Rana Yousuf , Hu Zhenghua , Bhat Shakeel Ahmed
Published: August 2021

The rise in the frequency and magnitude of extreme temperature phenomena across the globe has led to the recurrent incidence of global climate hazards, which have had severe effects on socioeconomic development. The daily maximum and minimum temperature datasets of 27 sites in Bangladesh were used to detect spatiotemporal trends of temperature extreme over Bangladesh during 1980-2017 based on ten temperature extreme indices using multi-statistical modeling namely linear regression, Pearson correlation coefficient and factor analyses. Besides, mutation analyses based on the Mann-Kendall test, Sen’s slope estimator and Pettit test were employed to show the changing trend in extreme temperature. Results show that except for warmest days, the warm indices showed an increasing trend, mainly since the 2000s, while the growth rate was faster, and the response to global climate warming was sensitive. The cold indices demonstrated a reverse trend since the 2010s. Diurnal temperature range (DTR) and summer days (SU) increased faster, implying that the rising speed of daily max temperature was higher than of daily min-temperature in Bangladesh. The detrended fluctuation analysis (DFA) revealed a continuous increase in temperature extreme in the future except for cold days. The probability distribution functions (PDF) analysis revealed an evident variation of the curves in recent decades compared to the past three decades. Besides the warm night, DTR and SU primarily control the general warming trend of temperature extremes over Bangladesh during the study period. The mutation of the warm indices occurred before the cold index, indicating that the warm indices were more sensitive to global climate warming. The temperature extremes recognized in our research suggest that elevated warm temperature extremes due to global climate warming may have huge implications on the sustainable development of Bangladesh in the forthcoming period.
WITHDRAWN: An Analysis of Extreme Machine Learning Models
Authors: Pande Shubhangi , Rathore Neeraj , Purohit Anuradha
Published: August 2021

Machine learning applications employ FFNN (Feed Forward Neural Network) in their discipline enormously. But, it has been observed that the FFNN requisite speed is not up the mark. The fundamental causes of this problem are: 1) for training neural networks, slow gradient descent methods are broadly used and 2) for such methods, there is a need for iteratively tuning hidden layer parameters including biases and weights. To resolve these problems, a new emanant machine learning algorithm, which is a substitution of the feed-forward neural network, entitled as Extreme Learning Machine (ELM) introduced in this paper. ELM also come up with a general learning scheme for the immense diversity of different networks (SLFNs and multilayer networks). According to ELM originators, the learning capacity of networks trained using backpropagation is a thousand times slower than the networks trained using ELM, along with this, ELM models exhibit good generalization performance. ELM is more efficient in contradiction of Least Square Support Vector Machine (LS-SVM), Support Vector Machine (SVM), and rest of the precocious approaches. ELM’s eccentric outline has three main targets: 1) high learning accuracy 2) less human intervention 3) fast learning speed. ELM consider as a greater capacity to achieve global optimum. The distribution of application of ELM incorporates: feature learning, clustering, regression, compression, and classification. With this paper, our goal is to familiarize various ELM variants, their applications, ELM strengths, ELM researches and comparison with other learning algorithms, and many more concepts related to ELM.
Primary Non-adherence to Pharmacotherapy Among Patients With Chronic Diseases: A Case Study of Slovakia
Authors: Szalay Tomáš , Ištokovičová Petra , Mužik Roman , Knapčoková Veronika , Benková Beáta
Published: August 2021

BackgroundePrescription enables to investigate primary non-adherence (PNA) to pharmacotherapy by studying the percentage of prescriptions which have been issued (a prescription record present) but not dispensed in a pharmacy (a dispensation record missing) out of a total number of registered prescriptions. Identification of non-adherence enables to analyze its causes and target them efficiently.MethodsThis paper investigates PNA rate for prescriptions issued to patients with chronic diseases such as hypertension, diabetes mellitus and hypercholesterolemia (N=108 735), and its dependence on the following variables: geographic location, age, sex, social status, physicians specialty and the level of patient‘s co-payment for medications. The presented dataset comprises a private health insurance company’s prescription data collected over a period of 12 months (January 2018 – December 2018).ResultsThe PNA rate for ePrescriptions issued to patients with the above-mentioned chronic diseases reached up to 4.0%. In general, the PNA rate showed decrease with increasing comorbidity as well as with age. Primary non-adherence rates were lowest for the prescriptions written by general practitioners (3.6%). Among health insurance premium defaulters who pay the full price of prescribed medications, the PNA rate showed decrease with their cost. Significantly higher PNA rate was observed among premium payers (40.4%) compared with premium defaulters (3.5%).ConclusionsInterestingly, the very high rate of adherence among patients with chronic diseases exceeds the numbers previously reported in the literature, where adherence rate ≥80% is described as ‘good’ adherence. This could be partially explained by the fact that the present study included only chronic-disease patients undergoing a medical treatment – non-diagnosed patients or patients without a medical treatment were not considered.
Ecological Risk Assessment of Pharmaceuticals and Personal Care Products in the Water Environment of 15 Cities in Japan
Authors: NISHINO TAKAHIRO , Kato Mika , Miyazawa Yoshitaka , Tojo Toshiki , Asakawa Daichi , Okata Masanori , Matsumura Chisato , Haga Yuki , Kakoi Takuya , Hasegawa Hitomi , Okamura Tetsuro , Sawai Atsushi
Published: August 2021

To assess the ecological risk of pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) to the water environment of several cities in Japan, major local environmental research institutes, a private company, and an academic institution launched a joint research project in 2019. Under this initiative, local environmental research institutes surveyed the concentrations of 46 types of PPCPs at 59 points distributed across 15 cities in Japan. IDEA Consultants, Inc. calculated the unknown values of predicted no-effect concentration (PNEC) of six chemicals (telmisartan, candesartan, fexofenadine, diphenhydramine, diphenyl sulfone, and ketotifen) through bioassay experiments on aquatic organisms. Among the researched chemicals, the concentrations of clarithromycin, 14-hydroxyclarithromycin, erythromycin, diclofenac, carbamazepine, and telmisartan exceeded the PNEC in at least one sampling point. However, ozone treatment removed most of these chemicals, except for certain phosphate ester flame retardants. The mass balance of chemicals in the Tamagawa River flowing through Tokyo Prefecture was calculated by multiplying the concentration of each chemical with the flow rate at each sampling point in the river. The measured load of most chemicals at each sampling point of the Tamagawa River coincided to a certain extent with the cumulative load accumulated from the tributaries and sewage treatment plants to the uppermost point (Nagata Bridge). However, the measured load of diclofenac was significantly smaller than the estimated values at each sampling point, suggesting that diclofenac photodegrades while flowing down the river.
Influence of diets supplemented with naturally protected or unprotected eucalyptus oil on methane production and lactating buffalo productivity
Authors: Abo-Donia Fawzy Mohamed , Elaref Mohamed Youssif , Mahgoub Abd El-Moniem Ali Sayed , Deraz Tarek Abd El Wahab Ahmed , Nayel Usama Aboelez
Published: August 2021

This study was designed to investigate the influence of naturally protected eucalyptus oil supplementation in a form of leaves (EUL) or mature seed capsules (EUS) compared to crude eucalyptus oil (EUO). The control group (G1) received a diet containing concentrate feed mixture, fresh berseem, rice straw, and corn silage. Whereas the G2, G3, and G4 animals have a diet supplemented with 200 g/head/day of EUL or EUS or 4 mL/head/day EUO, respectively. Supplementation of EUL or EUS increased NH3-N, SCFA’s, and concentrations of acetic acid in-vitro. Bacterial total count, protozoa, and cellulolytic bacteria increased (P < 0.05) with EUL and EUS supplementation. Methane production dropped (P < 0.05) with EUS, EUL, and EUO supplementation. Milk fat decreased (P < 0.05) with EUO supplementation, while an adverse trend was shown for lactose. No differences in feed conversion were found among EUS, EUL, and EUO. Blood total protein, albumin, and urea increased (P < 0.05) with supplementation of EUL or EUS compared to EUO. EUO supplementation yielded increased (P < 0.05) AST, ALT, glucose, and creatinine. Supplementation with EUL, EUS, or EUO decreased (P < 0.05) DM, OM, and CP digestibility. While digestibility of EE with supplementation by EUL, EUS, or EUO was higher (P < 0.05). The digestion coefficient of NDF and ADF decreased (P < 0.05) with supplemental EUL, EUS, or EUO compared to the G1 diet. Feeding EUS increased the values of TDN and DCP compared to EUL, which increased than EUO. Our results confirm that the naturally protected form of leaves or seeds mitigates the undesirable effects of directly supplementing crude eucalyptus oil.
Comparing Pair and Self Dynamics of Scaffolding by Written Languaging in English as a Foreign Language Learning
Authors: Pourdana Natasha , Khalili Gholamhassan Famil , Keshanchi Elnaz
Published: August 2021

This study investigated the extent to which dynamics of scaffolding (self vs. pair) would impact the language learners’ written languaging in terms of quantity, focus, conceptual processes of languaging, and language learning improvement. To this end, in a pretest-posttest research design, we assigned 60 English-as-a-Foreign-Language undergraduate students into two groups of pair languagers and self-languagers before they engaged in three-stage (translating, comparing to the model translation, revising) Persian-to-English translation tasks. Content analysis of written languaging episodes (WLs) indicated that while pair languagers produced more WLs than the self-languagers, both groups used WLs in a descending order from Stage 1 to 3 in translation tasks. Also, distribution of lexis-focused (L-WL) and grammar-focused (G-WL) episodes indicated despite the fact that both pair and self-languagers produced more L-WL than G-WL episodes, pair languagers produced a larger amount of L-WL episodes than self-languagers who had relatively a higher record in production of G-WL episodes. Moreover, the proportions of conceptual processes incorporated into WLs was found to be uneven and more in favor of self-assessment and hypothesis formation by both groups. Finally, statistical analysis of variance (ANOVA) reported the advantage of pair languagers in language learning improvement over self-languagers, despite their mutual progress. The paper was concluded with a number of pedagogical implications.
Attainment of Stable (FTO/ZnO/CdS/CH3NH3SnI3/GaAs/Au) Perovskite Solar Cell With Above 23% Photovoltaic Performance Using Solar Capacitance Simulator
Authors: Qasim Irfan , Ahmad Owais , Rashid Asim , Zehra Tashfeen , Malik Muhammad Imran , Rashid Muhammad , Ahmed M. Waqar , Nasir M. Farooq
Published: August 2021

Solar energy is found to be low cost and abundant of all available energy resources and needs exploration of highly efficient devices for global energy requirements. We have investigated methyl ammonium tin halide (CH3NH3SnI3)-based perovskite solar cells (PSCs) for optimized device performance using solar capacitance simulator SCAPS-1D software. This study is a step forward towards availability of stable and non-toxic solar cells. We explored all necessary parameters such as metal work functions, thickness of absorber and buffer layers, charge carrier’s mobility and defect density for improved device performance. Calculations revealed that for the best efficiency of device the maximum thickness of the perovskite absorber layer must be 4.2 μm. Furthermore, optimized thickness values of (ZnO=0.01 μm) as electron transport layer (ETL), GaAs as hole transport layer (HTL=3.02 μm) and (CdS=10 nm) and buffer layer have provided power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 23.53%. Variation of open circuit voltage (Voc), Short circuit current (Jsc), Fill Factor (FF%) and quantum efficiency against thickness of all layers in FTO/ZnO/CdS/CH3NH3SnI3/GaAs/Au compositions have been critically explored and reported. Interface defects and defect density in different inserted layers have also been reported in this study as they can play a crucial for the device performance. Insertion of ZnO layer and CdS buffer layers have shown improved device performance and PCE. Current investigations may prove to be useful for designing and fabrication of climate friendly, non-toxic and highly efficient solar cells.
HIV Self-Testing Implementation, Distribution and Use Among Female Sex Workers in Cotonou, Benin: A Qualitative Evaluation of Acceptability and Feasibility
Authors: Moreau Marianne Boisvert , Kintin Frédéric D. , Atchekpe Septime , Batona Georges , Béhanzin Luc , Guédou Fernand A. , Gagnon Marie-Pierre , Alary Michel
Published: August 2021

Background

In Benin, the burden of HIV is disproportionately high among female sex workers (FSWs). HIV testing and knowledge of status are starting points for HIV treatment and prevention interventions. Despite the importance given to testing services in HIV control, its uptake among FSWs remains suboptimal in Benin. HIV self-testing (HIVST) may be useful for increasing testing rates in FSWs.
Methods

We conducted a pilot study of the distribution of saliva-based HIVST among FSWs in Cotonou and its surroundings, Benin. The HIVST promotion and distribution model included three complementary strategies: community-based, facility-based and secondary distribution. In this qualitative study, we explored the elements influencing HIVST implementation, distribution and use among FSWs. We assessed HIVST acceptability and feasibility in this population. We conducted 29 semi-structured individual interviews with FSWs. Data were interpreted with a thematic analysis method, using the Theoretical Domains Framework.
Results

Only two FSWs (6.9%) were aware of HIVST before participating in the study. All participants were interested in using HIVST if available in Benin. Many advantages of HIVST were mentioned, including: autonomy, privacy, accessibility, time saving, and the fact that it is a painless test. Barriers to the use of HIVST included: the fear of unreliability, the lack of psychological support and medical follow-up and the possibility of result dissimulation. Participants thought HIVST was easy to use without assistance. HIVST enabled linkage to care for a few FSWs in denial of their HIV-positive status. No case of suicide or violence associated with HIVST was reported. HIVST secondary distribution within FSWs social network was well received. FSWs’ boyfriends and clients showed interest in using the device. Some FSWs reported using HIVST to practice serosorting or to guide their decisions regarding condom use.
Conclusions

Our study shows a very high level of acceptability for HIVST among FSWs in Cotonou and its surroundings. Results also demonstrate the feasibility of implementing HIVST distribution in Benin. HIVST should be implemented in Benin quickly and free of charge for all individuals at risk of HIV. HIVST offer should be integrated with comprehensive sexual health and prevention services.
In Vivo Magnetic Resonance Imaging Evidence of Olfactory Bulbs Changes in a Newborn With Congenital Citomegalovirus: A Case Report
Authors: Bianchi Andrea , Coviello Caterina , Leonardi Valentina , Luzzati Michele , Chiti Stefano , Ermini Daniele , Miele Vittorio , Fainardi Enrico , Dani Carlo , Scola Elisa
Published: August 2021

Background
Citomegalovirus (CMV) infects approximately 1% of live newborns. About 10% of the infants affected by congenital CMV infection are symptomatic at birth and up to 60% of these infants will develop permanent neurological disabilities. Depending on gestational age (GA) at the time of infection, the involvement of central nervous system (CNS) can lead to malformations of cortical development, calcifications, periventricular white matter lesions and cysts, ventriculomegaly and cerebellar hypoplasia.
Case Presentation:
We report the MRI findings in a Caucasian female born at 32 weeks of post-menstrual age with post-birth diagnosis of congenital CMV infection showing an unusual and peculiar marked T2 hyperintensity of the inner part of olfactory bulbs in addition to the CMV related diffuse brain involvement. Despite the known extensively described fetal and neonatal Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) findings in CMV infected fetuses and newborns, any in vivo MRI depiction of olfactory system damage have never been reported so far. Nevertheless, in murine studies CMV is known to infect the placenta during pregnancy showing particular tropism for neural stem cells of the olfactory system and previous neuropathologic study on CMV infected human fetal brains from 23 to 28 weeks of GA reported damage in the olfactory bulbs (OB) consisting in disseminated cytomegalic cells, inflammation, necrosis and neuronal and radial glial cell loss. Therefore, we assume an OB involvement and damage in congenital CMV infection.
Conclusion
To our knowledge this is the first in vivo MRI evidence of OB damage in a newborn with congenital CMV infection that may give new insights on CMV infection.
Rotational self-friction problem of elastic rods
Authors: Latrach Mohamed Ali , Chamekh Mourad
Published: August 2021

The aim of this paper is to extend the modeling of a hyperelastic rod undergoing large displacements with tangential self-friction to their modeling with rotational self-friction. As well as the discontinuity of contact force into a contact region not known in advance, taking into account the effects of friction in this problem type underlies more serious modeling, mathematical and numerical analysis difficulties. In this paper, we present an accurate modeling of rotational and tangential self-friction with Coulomb's law and also describe an augmented Lagrangian method to present a weak variational formulation approach of this problem. We then use the minimization method of the total energy to present an existence result of solution for the nonlinear penalized formulation. Finally, we give the linearization and the finite-element discretization of the weak variational formulation that can be useful for a numerical implementation.
Convolutional Neural Networks Inference Memory Optimization with Receptive Field-Based InputTiling
Authors: Zhuang Weihao , Hascoet Tristan , Chen Xunquan , Takashima Ryoichi , Takiguchi Tetsuya , Ariki Yasuo
Published: August 2021

Currently, deep learning plays an indispensable role in many fields, including computer vision, natural language processing, and speech recognition. Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs) have demonstrated excellent performance in computer vision tasks thanks to their powerful feature extraction capability. However, as the larger models have shown higher accuracy, recent developments have led to state-of-the-art CNN models with increasing resource consumption. This paper investigates a conceptual approach to reduce the memory consumption of CNN inference. Our method consists of processing the input image in a sequence of carefully designed tiles within the lower subnetwork of the CNN, so as to minimize its peak memory consumption, while keeping the end-to-end computation unchanged. This method introduces a trade-off between memory consumption and computations, which is particularly suitable for high-resolution inputs. Our experimental results show that MobileNetV2 memory consumption can be reduced by up to 5.3 times with our proposed method. For ResNet50, one of the most commonly used CNN models in computer vision tasks, memory can be optimized by up to 2.3 times.
An Authentication Based Approach for Prevention of Spectrum Sensing Data Falsification Attacks in Cognitive Radio Network
Authors: Marriwala Nikhil , Punj Himanshu , Panda Sunita , Kaur Inderjeet , Rathore Deepak
Published: August 2021

This is the era of Intelligent cognitive radio network technology that provides the available spectrum with efficient utilization. Cognitive Radio technology must promise to allow interference-free spectrum access by users. The paper discusses the several attacks and motives of attacks. The authentication mechanism role to prevent the attacks for hassle-free spectrum utilization is demonstrated. In this paper, resolving the cognitive network security issues by the authentication mechanism and the methods and need of authentication is discussed. This paper addresses the research challenges in the way of securing the cognitive radio network and countermeasures in CRN security strategies. Cognitive radio is an empowering innovation that guarantees to achieve spectrum utilization. In cognitive radio networks, several security threats affect the process of cognitive radio. Spectrum sensing data falsification (SSDF) attack is most disruptive in which the malicious users degrade the decision-making process by sending the false sensing reports to data fusion centres thus preventing honest users from utilizing the spectrum. Hence, security is a very important issue in cognitive radio networks that needs to be addressed for proper utilization of available spectrum by the users. Cognitive radio technology must promise secure spectrum dynamic access to users. In this paper, to counter the SSDF attack, the trust-based security mechanism is demonstrated to authenticate the honest users and it is observed that the proposed framework in the MATLAB environment is efficient and able to detect malicious users. Cognitive radio technology is the strategy applied to the spectrum to make it efficient for wireless communication. The strategy is an intelligent way to access the spectrum as it can learn its environment and make decisions by easy adaptation of operating parameters. The multiple nodes scenario is a good perspective. Software-defined radio is an essential component of cognitive radio Here, secondary users can access the spectrum to primary users whenever their vacant spectrum is available. The initial step is to sense the spectrum available further steps are spectrum decision making, spectrum management, and spectrum mobility. The network is vulnerable to various attacks on spectrum sensing and policy protocols which lead to disturbing functionality of cognitive radio technology. The defence mechanism based on public-key cryptography is proposed in which PU is authenticated by appending signature provided to PU signal. Authentication with a tag to the primary users is another perspective proposed. CRN technology should provide integrity, confidentiality and authenticity to the users.
18β-Glycyrrhetinic Acid Suppresses Allergic Airway Inflammation through NF-κB and Nrf2/HO-1 Signaling Pathways in Asthma Mice
Authors: liu jianming , Xu Yanqi , Yan Minyu , Yu Yingjie , Guo Yongmei
Published: August 2021

18β-Glycyrrhetinic acid (18β-GA), the main bioactive component of Glycyrrhizae Radix, is considered a promising anti-inflammatory and antioxidant agent. Here, we evaluated the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects of 18β-GA in an ovalbumin (OVA)-induced asthma mouse model, and examined the role of NF-κB and Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathways. The histopathological changes of lung tissue in mouse were assessed by histochemical staining and counting of inflammatory cells. The levels of IgE and inflammatory cytokines in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of mice were detected by ELISA. In OVA-induced asthmatic mice, 18β-GA treatment can significantly improve lung function and reduce lung inflammation including infiltration of inflammatory cells. In addition, 18β-GA reduced the OVA-induced NF-κB phosphorylation in lungs of mice while increasing the expression of Nrf2 and HO-1. These results indicate that 18β-GA protects OVA-induced allergic inflammation of airway by inhibiting phosphorylation of NF-κB and enhancing the Nrf2/HO-1 pathway, and serves as a potential treatment option for allergic inflammation of airway.
An ancestral Wnt-Brachyury feedback loop and recruitment of mesoderm-determining target genes revealed by comparative Brachyury target screens
Authors: Schwaiger Michaela , Andrikou Carmen , Dnyansagar Rohit , Murguia Patricio Ferrer , Paganos Periklis , Voronov Danila , Zimmermann Bob , Lebedeva Tatiana , Schmidt Heiko , Genikhovich Grigory , Benvenuto Giovanna , Arnone Maria , Technau Ulrich
Published: August 2021

Transcription factors are crucial drivers of cellular differentiation during animal development and often share ancient evolutionary origins. The T-box transcription factor Brachyury plays a pivotal role as an early mesoderm determinant and neural repressor in vertebrates; yet, the ancestral function and key evolutionary transitions of the role of this transcription factor remain obscure. Here, we present a genome-wide target gene screen using ChIP-seq in the sea anemone Nematostella vectensis, an early branching non-bilaterian, and the sea urchin Strongylocentrotus purpuratus, a representative of the sister lineage of chordates. Our analysis reveals an ancestral gene regulatory feedback loop connecting Brachyury, FoxA and canonical Wnt signaling involved in axial patterning that predates the cnidarian-bilaterian split about 700 million years ago. Surprisingly, we also found that part of the gene regulatory network controlling the fate of neuromesodermal progenitors in vertebrates was already present in the common ancestor of cnidarians and bilaterians. However, while several neuronal Brachyury target genes are ancestrally shared, hardly any of the key mesodermal downstream targets in vertebrates are found in the sea anemone or the sea urchin. Our study suggests that a limited number of target genes involved in mesoderm formation were newly acquired in the vertebrate lineage, leading to a dramatic shift in the function of this ancestral developmental regulator.
AFP and CA-125 as an accurate risk factor to predict eye metastasis in hypertension patients with liver Carcinoma： A STROBE-compliant article
Authors: Tang Jing , Zhang Li-Juan , Huang Yan-Cheng , Huang Rong , Shu Hui-Ye , Wu Jie-Li , Li Qiu-Yu , Su Ting , Pan Yi-Cong , Liang Rong-Bin , Shao Yi
Published: August 2021

Purpose
Primary liver carcinoma is a common malignant tumor. In this study, we analyzed the differences between hypertension patients with ocular metastasis of liver cancer and those with metastases to other sites, the correlation between history of HBV and liver cancer metastasis, and independent risk factors for ocular metastasis.
METHODS
We used treatment records from 488 patients with metastases of primary liver cancer from August 2001 to May 2015, divided into two groups based on metastatic sites: OM (ocular metastasis) and NOM (non-ocular, other sites of metastasis) groups. The Student’s t-test and Chi-square test were used to assess the significance of differences between the groups and define the relationship between history of HBV and ocular metastasis of liver cancer. Binary logistic regression analysis was used to identify indicators of ocular metastasis of liver cancer and receiver operating curve (ROC) analyses to estimate their diagnostic value.
RESULTS
No significant differences in sex, age, tumor stage, pathological type, or treatment were identified between the OM and NOM groups, while the prevalence of HBV was higher in the former than that in latter, confirming the association between history of HBV and ocular metastasis. Binary logistic regression demonstrated that AFP and CA-125 were independent indicators of liver metastasis (both P < 0.001). ROC curve analyses generated cut-off values for AFP and CA-125 of 957.2 ng/ml and 114.25 U/ml, respectively, with corresponding AUC values of 0.739 and 0.810. The specificity of the combination of AFP and CA-125 was higher than either factor separately.
Compatibilization and Toughening of Biodegradable Poly (Lactic Acid) / Cellulose Acetate Films by Polyamide Amine Dendrimers
Authors: Huang Yansong , Jin Yu juan , Wang Bo , Tian Huafeng , Weng Yunxuan , Men Shuang
Published: August 2021

Due to the poor compatibility caused by the large difference in hydrophilicity and interface between polylactic acid (PLA) and cellulose acetate (CA), the blending of the two materials is difficult and the application is limited. To solve this problem, a type of polyamide amine (PAMAM) dendrimer was introduced to modify PLA / CA blends in this work. The results showed that PAMAM could improve the compatibility of PLA / CA blends, promote the distribution of CA and crystallization of PLA. At the same time, adding PAMAM could enhance the mechanical properties of the blend material, and the toughness and tear strength were increased by 551% and 141%, respectively. In addition, the incorporation of PAMAM increased hydrophobicity and oxygen permeability of PLA/ CA blends, and the oxygen permeability could be increased by up to 3 orders of magnitude. Degradation test results showed that the blend exhibited good biodegradability. The overall performance of the PLA/ CA blend film was optimal when the content of PAMAM was 3 phr. The biodegradable blend films with excellent performance provided wide application prospect in the food green packaging fields.
Towards Big Industrial Data Mining Through Explainable Automated Machine Learning
Authors: Garouani Moncef , Ahmad Adeel , Bouneffa Mourad , Hamlich Mohamed , Bourguin Gregory , Lewandowski Arnaud
Published: August 2021

Industrial systems resources are capable of producing large amount of data. These data are often in heterogeneous formats and distributed, yet they provide means to mine the information which can allow the deployment of intelligent management tools for production activities. For this purpose, it is necessary to be able to implement knowledge extraction and prediction processes using Artificial Intelligence(AI) models but the selection and configuration of intended AI models tend to be increasingly complex for a non-expert user. In this paper, we present an approach and a software platform that may allow industrial actors, who are usually not familiar with AI, to select and configure algorithms optimally adapted to their needs. Hence, the approach is essentially based on automated machine learning. The resulting platform effectively enables a better choice among the combination of AI algorithms and hyper-parameter configurations. It also makes it possible to provide features of explainability of the resulting algorithms and models, thus increasing the acceptability of these models in practicing community of the users. The proposed approach has been applied in the field of predictive maintenance. Current tests are based on the analysis of more than 360 databases from the subjected field.
Nowcasting transmission and suppression of the Delta variant of SARS-CoV-2 in Australia
Authors: Chang Sheryl , Cliff Oliver , Zachreson Cameron , Prokopenko Mikhail
Published: August 2021

As of July 2021, there is a continuing outbreak of the B.1.617.2 (Delta) variant of SARS-CoV-2 in Sydney, Australia. The outbreak is of major concern as the Delta variant is estimated to have twice the reproductive number of previous variants that circulated in Australia in 2020, which is worsened by low levels of acquired immunity in the population. Using a re-calibrated agent-based model, we explored a feasible range of non-pharmaceutical interventions, in terms of both mitigation (case isolation, home quarantine) and suppression (school closures, social distancing). Our nowcasting modelling indicates that the level of social distancing currently attained in Sydney is inadequate for the outbreak control. A counter-factual analysis suggests that if 80% of agents comply with social distancing, then at least a month is needed for the new daily cases to reduce from their peak to below ten. A small reduction in social distancing compliance to 70% lengthens this period to 45 days.
Immunogenicity and efficacy of heterologous ChadOx1/BNT162b2 vaccination
Authors: pozzetto bruno , legros vincent , Djebali Sophia , barateau véronique , guibert nicolas , Villard Marine , Peyrot Loïc , allatif omran , fassier jean-baptise , Massardier-Pilonchéry Amélie , Brengel-Pesce Karen , Yaugel-Novoa Melyssa , Denolly Solène , boson bertrand , Bourlet Thomas , Valette Martine , Andrieu Thibault , Lina Bruno , group Lyon COVID study , Cosset François-Loïc , Paul Stéphane , Defrance Thierry , Marvel Jacqueline , Walzer Thierry , Trouillet-Assant Sophie
Published: August 2021

Following severe adverse reactions in patients vaccinated with the AstraZeneca ChadOx1 (Chad) vaccine, European health authorities have recommended that patients under the age of 55 who received one dose of Chad vaccine receive a second dose of Pfizer BNT162b2 (BNT) vaccine as a booster. However, the effectiveness and the immunogenicity of this vaccination regimen have not been formally tested. Here, we show that the heterologous Chad/BNT combination confers better protection against SARS-CoV-2 infection than the homologous BNT/BNT combination in a population of health care workers. To understand the underlying mechanism, we monitored in a longitudinal way the anti-spike immunity conferred by each vaccinal combination. Both combinations induced strong anti-spike antibody responses after boost in all vaccinated individuals. However, sera from heterologous vaccinated individuals displayed a stronger neutralizing activity, regardless of the SARS-CoV-2 variant analyzed, and this was associated with more switched memory RBD-specific B cells with an activated phenotype and less IgA. The Chad vaccine induced a stronger T cell response than the BNT vaccine after the priming dose, and the reciprocal was true for the IgG response, which could explain the complementarity of both vaccines when used in an heterologous setting. This strongly protective vaccination regimen could be therefore particularly suitable for immunocompromised individuals.