bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The SPL transcription factor genes are potential epialleles for crop improvement in chickpea (C. arietinum L.)
Authors: Yadav Sheel , Yadava Yashwant K. , Meena Shashi , Singh Lalbahadur , Kansal Rekha , Grover Monender , MS Nimmy , Bharadwaj C. , Paul Vijay , Gaikwad Kishor , Jain P. K.
Published: September 2022

Background : Crop improvement for tolerance to various biotic and abiotic stress factors necessitates understanding the key gene regulatory mechanisms. One such mechanism of gene regulation involves changes in cytosine methylation at the gene body and flanking regulatory sequences. The present study was undertaken to identify genes which might be potential targets of drought-induced DNA methylation in chickpea.
Methods and Results : Two chickpea genotypes, which contrast for drought tolerance, were subjected to drought stress conditions and their differential response was studied by analysing different morpho-physiological traits. Utilizing the in-house, high throughput sequencing data, the SPL TF genes were identified to be differentially methylated and expressed amongst the two genotypes, in response to drought stress. The methylation status of one of these genes was examined and validated through BS-PCR. The identified genes could be possible homologs to known epialleles and can therefore serve as potential epialleles which can be utilized for crop improvement in chickpea.
Conclusions : The SPL TF genes are potential targets of epigenetic regulation in response to drought stress in chickpea. Since these are TFs, they might play important roles in controlling the expression of other genes, thus contributing to differential drought response of the two genotypes.
New dating approach based on the petrographical, mineralogical and chemical characterization of ancient lime mortar, Case study of the archeological site of Hippo, Annaba city, Algeria
Authors: Abderrahim Gheris
Published: September 2022

This work presents the results of a multidisciplinary study on the characterization of the composition of certain joint mortars from the ancient city of Hippo (Algeria), one of the most important North African cities in antiquity. Twenty mortar samples were analysed by micro-chemical analysis, including powder X-ray diffraction (XRPD), optical microscopy (OM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Their main physical properties, like solid and dry density, porosity. have been measured by geotechnical procedures. The typological observation by OM showed the existence of four types of sand used as aggregates that ranged from fine to coarse and were mixed with a white to russet natural lime binder. This mortars consisted mainly of mixtures of calcite and rock fragments and sometimes pieces of red tile. It was recognized that the origins of the natural granules were sands produced by marine erosion of the Edough Mountains. The analysis by XRF, XRPD and TGA indicates that the mortars consisted of a mixture of lime/aggregates of low to medium hydraulicity. The analysis of the main chemical components by XRF allowed for the confirmation of the dating of certain monuments and suggested a new dating for other monuments.
Comparative Analysis of OCFHC/QCC and ZCC Based OCDMA System in Underwater Channel
Authors: Yadav Ajay , Kumar Ashok , Mukherjee Rahul , Katti Rohan , Deegwal Jitendra , Singh Ghanshyam
Published: September 2022

In this work, the performance of one coincidence frequency hopping code/quadratic congruence code (OCFHC /QCC) based optical code division multiple access (OCDMA) system is compared to zero cross-correlation (ZCC) based OCDMA system in the underwater channel. The influence of beam divergence, turbulence, and attenuation is considered while evaluation of the performance in underwater channel. The different water types which have been used for the analysis are pure sea, clear ocean, and coastal water. In the analysis, it has been evaluated and observed that the performance of OCFHC/QCC based OCDMA system is superior to ZCC based OCDMA system under certain conditions. It is also perceived that when multiple access interference (MAI) dominates in OCFHC/QCC based systems then ZCC performs comparatively better than OCFHC/QCC based OCDMA system. For OCFHC/QCC seven user system, P_E=10^{-9} is achieved with P_T=6 and 16 dBm in pure sea and clear ocean, respectively. Correspondingly, P_E=10^{-9} is possible with ZCC code when P_T=5 and 15 dBm in the same water types. In the coastal water, the performance of both codes is not good.
Clinicopathological features of corneal invasion by filtering bleb
Authors: Shi Minghua , Zhou Hezheng , Chen Simin , Wu Zuohong , Sun Zhong , Zhang Ying , Yang Wanju , Xing Yiqiao
Published: September 2022

Purpose: : To describe the clinicopathological characteristics and explore the possible etiology of cornea invasion by filtering bleb (CIFB) after filtering surgery.
Methods: We reviewed 22 patients treated for CIFB between March 2005 and March 2022. The patients were followed up for more than 1 year. Slit-lamp examination, optical coherence tomography (OCT), ultrasound biomicroscopy, and histopathological examination were performed to observe the morphology of the bleb and depth of corneal invasion. Depending on the severity of the lesion, treatments consisting of local massage, acupuncture separation, or surgical resection were administered.
Results: The mean age of the patients was 56.3 ± 8.8 years. All patients underwent filtering surgery in the moderate or advanced stage of glaucoma. The filtering bleb was closely connected with the cornea, and its posterior boundary was locally adhered. Forward displacement of the internal opening of the filtering bleb was found in 4 of 7 surgically treated patients. OCT and pathological examination showed that the filtering blebs invaded the corneal stroma. Removal of the adhesion of the posterior boundary of the filtering bleb by different treatment methods successfully improved the patients’ conditions.
Conclusion: Filtering blebs can invade the corneal stroma. Adhesion of the posterior boundary and forward displacement of the internal opening of the filtering bleb are the possible causes of CIFB. Removal of the adhesion of the posterior boundary of the filtering bleb can halt the progression of CIFB.
Cryopreservation of two species of the multicellular volvocine green algal genus Astrephomene
Authors: Nozaki Hisayoshi , Mori Fumi , Tanaka Yoko , Matsuzaki Ryo , Yamashita Shota , Yamaguchi Haruyo , Kawachi Masanobu
Published: September 2022

Background: Astrephomene is an interesting green algal genus that, together with Volvox, shows convergent evolution of spheroidal multicellular bodies with somatic cells of the colonial or multicellular volvocine lineage. A recent whole-genome analysis of A. gubernaculifera resolved the molecular-genetic basis of such convergent evolution, and two species of Astrephomene were described. However, maintenance of culture strains of Astrephomene requires rapid inoculation of living cultures, and cryopreserved culture strains have not been established in public culture collections.
Results: Here, conditions for cryopreservation of two species of Astrephomene were investigated using immature and mature vegetative colonies and two cryoprotectants: N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) and hydroxyacetone (HA). Rates of cell survival of the A. gubernaculifera or A. perforata strain after two-step cooling and freezing in liquid nitrogen were compared between different concentrations (3% and 6%) of DMF and HA and two types of colonies: immature colonies (small colonies newly released from the parent) and mature colonies (large colonies just before daughter colony formation).
The highest rate of survival [11 ± 13% (0.36–33%) by the most probable number (MPN) method] of A. gubernaculifera strain NIES-4017 (established in 2014) was obtained when culture samples of immature colonies were subjected to cryogenic treatment with 6% DMF. In contrast, culture samples of mature colonies subjected to 3% HA cryogenic treatment showed the highest “MPN survival” [5.5 ± 5.9% (0.12–12%)] in A. perforata. Using the optimized cryopreservation conditions for each species, survival after freezing in liquid nitrogen was examined for six other strains of A. gubernaculifera (established from 1962 to 1981) and an A. perforata strain maintained in the Microbial Culture Collection at the National Institute for Environmental Studies (MCC-NIES). We obtained ≥ 0.1% MPN survival of the A. perforata strain. However, only one of the six strains of A. gubernaculifera showed < 0.1% MPN survival. Five cryopreserved strains of two species of Astrephomene will be deposited in the MCC-NIES.
Conclusions: The optimal cryopreservation conditions differed between the two species of Astrephomene. Cryopreservation of long-term-maintained strains of A. gubernaculiferamay be difficult; further studies of cryopreservation of these strains are needed.
Dynamic prospect theory - two core decision theories coexist in the gambling behavior of monkeys and humans
Authors: Tymula Agnieszka , Wang Xueting , Imaizumi Yuri , Kawai Takashi , Kunimatsu Jun , Matsumoto Masayuki , Yamada Hiroshi
Published: September 2022

Research in the multidisciplinary field of neuroeconomics has been driven by two influential theories regarding human economic choice: prospect theory, which describes decision-making under risk, and reinforcement learning theory, which describes learning for decision-making. We hypothesized that these two distinct theories guide decision-making in a comprehensive manner. Here, we propose and test a new decision-making theory under uncertainty that combines these highly influential theories. Collecting many gambling decisions from laboratory monkeys allowed for reliable testing of our hybrid model and revealed a systematic violation of prospect theory’s assumption that probability weighting is static. Using the same experimental paradigm in humans, substantial similarities between monkey and human behavior were described by our hybrid model, which incorporates decision-by-decision learning dynamics of prediction errors into static prospect theory. Our new model provides a single unified theoretical framework for exploring the neurobiological model of economic choice in human and nonhuman primates.
Pharmacologic antagonism of CB1 receptors improves electrophysiological alterations in the 3-AP model of cerebellar ataxia
Authors: Ranjbar Hoda , Soti Monavareh , Kohlmeier Kristi A. , Janahmadi Mahyar , Sheibani Vahid , Shabani Mohammad
Published: September 2022

Although ataxia is associated with cerebellar dysfunction, little is known about the effects of ataxia on Purkinje cell electrophysiological properties. Here, we evaluated these parameters in cerebellar vermis brain slices. Purkinje cells were exposed to aCSF (control) or to 1 mM 3-acetyl pyridine (3-AP) in the recording chamber. Effects of a cannabinoid agonist (WIN; 7.5 nmol), and a cannabinoid antagonist (AM; 20 nmol) were evaluated under both conditions. Exposure to 3-AP induced dramatic changes in cellular excitability that likely would affect Purkinje cell output. In whole-cell current clamp recordings, 3-AP exposed Purkinje cells demonstrated a significantly higher frequency of action potentials, a larger afterhyperpolarization (AHP), and a larger rebound of action potentials. In addition, 3-AP caused a significant decrease in the interspike interval (ISI), half-width, and decreased the first spike latency. Remarkably, the action potential frequency, AHP amplitude, rebound, ISI, action potential halfwidth, and first spike latency were no longer different from controls in 3-AP cells treated with AM. Sag percentage, on the other hand, showed no significant difference under any treatment condition indicating that cannabinoids' actions on ataxia-mediated Purkinje cell changes may not include effects on neuronal excitability through changes of Ih. These data show that cannabinoid antagonists reduce the excitability of Purkinje cells in an ex vivo model of ataxia and suggest their potential as therapeutics in cerebellar dysfunctions.
Intestinal location- and age-specific variation of intraepithelial T lymphocytes and mucosal microbiota in pigs
Authors: Wiarda Jayne E. , Watkins Hannah R. , Gabler Nicholas K. , Anderson Christopher L. , Loving Crystal L.
Published: September 2022

Intraepithelial T lymphocytes (T-IELs) are T cells located within the epithelium that provide a critical line of immune defense in the intestinal tract. In pigs, T-IEL abundances and phenotypes are used to infer putative T-IEL functions and vary by intestinal location and age, though investigations regarding porcine T-IELs are relatively limited. In this study, we expand on analyses of porcine intestinal T-IELs to include additional phenotypic designations not previously recognized in pigs. We describe non-conventional CD8α+CD8β- αβ T-IELs that were most prevalent in the distal intestinal tract and primarily CD16+CD27-, a phenotype suggestive of innate-like activation and an activated cell state. Additional T-IEL populations included CD8α+CD8β+ αβ, CD2+CD8α+ γδ, and CD2+CD8α- γδ T-IELs, with increasing proportions of CD16+CD27- phenotype in the distal intestine. Thus, putative non-conventional, activated T-IELs were most abundant in the distal intestine within multiple γδ and αβ T-IEL populations. A comparison of T-IEL and respective mucosal microbial community structures across jejunum, ileum, and cecum of 5- and 7-week-old pigs revealed largest community differences were tissue-dependent for both T-IELs and the microbiota. Between 5 and 7 weeks of age, the largest shifts in microbial community compositions occurred in the large intestine, while the largest shifts in T-IEL communities were in the small intestine. Therefore, results indicate different rates of community maturation and stabilization for porcine T-IELs and the mucosal microbiota for proximal versus distal intestinal locations between 5 and 7 weeks of age. Collectively, data emphasize the intestinal tract as a site of location- and age-specific T-IEL and microbial communities that have important implications for understanding intestinal health in pigs.
Urdu translation and validation of Cerebral Palsy Quality of Life Children(CP QOL): Primary caregiver version
Authors: Arbab Khadija , Sanaullah Muhammad , Javed Muhammad Asif
Published: September 2022

Background:
Quality of life is a key feature to measure the progress in children with disability. Motor disability is major problem and it affect quality of life of cerebral palsy children.
Methods:
The objective of the study was to determine the psychometric properties of Urdu version of cerebral palsy quality of life children (CP QOL-Child) primary caregiver questionnaire.
Forward and backward translation for English version of CP QOL-child primary caregivers was performed following cross-cultural adaptation guidelines. Psychometric properties assessed include test-retest reliability, internal consistency, construct validity. The Urdu CP QOL-Child was completed by 100 caregivers.
Results: 100 primary caregivers of CP children were included. internal consistency ranged from 0.607 ­- 0.916, intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC)) ranged from 0.865to 0.974. there was negative correlation between all domains of CP-QOL primary caregivers version and GMFCS except feeling about function domain.
Conclusion: The result of this study indicates that the Urdu CP QOL-Child primary caregivers questionnaire appears to be valid for use in Urdu speaking primary caregivers of children with cerebral palsy.
Flood Vulnerability Assessment and Local Management Strategy: the case of Adama City
Authors: Wodnimu Mesfin Alemu , Erena Sitotaw Haile , Reddy R. Uttama
Published: September 2022

The economic losses and the number of people who have been vulnerable to natural disasters particularly flooding have increased dramatically over the past decades. The intensity of flood vulnerability is more severe in cities of developing countries. Adama City, which is located at the heart of Ethiopia is among the major cities regularly facing challenges of flood Vulnerability. This study was conducted with the objectives to assess the flood vulnerability and Management system of Adama city. To meet the intended objective, the study employed analytic hierarchy process using Geographic information system. To identify the flood hazard map later vulnerability, various factors such as slope, distance from the river, elevation, precipitation, NDVI, and population density were considered. As to hazard map is concerned, the results of the study showed that large areas of the city fall under moderate hazard zones followed by high hazard zones. The result further indicated that significant number of areas also fall under very high hazard zone. With regard to Vulnerability, large areas of the city (5941.44 hectare) fall under moderate flood vulnerability flowed by low (5217.66) and high (1661.58) hectares, respectively. Moreover, out of 18 villages, 8 of them (Badhatuu (07), Abba_Gadaa (12), Odaa (08), Gurmuu (06), Barreecha (11), Biqqa (10), Gaara Luugo (03), Caffee (13) partly experience very high levels of flood vulnerability. As to flood management is concerned, the result shows that the residents of Adama city are practicing peculiar flood management strategies such as flood septic tank in their garden, improve door size and gravel filling. To this end, it is highly recommended that these locations within high and very high hazard zone needs immediate intervention and decision making for future flood hazard management and planning of the city.
New failure mechanism for evaluating seismic and static undrained bearing capacity adjacent to slope
Authors: Fang Hongwei , Xu Yixiang
Published: September 2022

The seismic or static undrained slip line field theory and Cauchy, Riemann, mixed boundary value problems for undrained soil slopes are derived. A new failure mechanism is proposed to determine the undrained bearing capacity adjacent to slopes. The effects of geometric or strength parameters and seismic forces on static and seismic undrained bearing capacity are investigated. The convergence of the proposed method is proved. The static and seismic undrained bearing capacities predicted by the proposed method are close to the current methods. The proposed method does not need to assume or search the failure modes, and a new limit state evaluation index is given.
Inhibition of Notch pathway Alleviates nab-Paclitaxel-Induced Peripheral Neuropathic Pain in Rats via Suppressing HMGB1/TLR4 Signaling in Spinal Cord
Authors: Wei Xing , Zhou Yaqing , Ma Li , Li Weimiao , Shan Changyou , Zhang Shuqun , Zhao Yonglin
Published: September 2022

Paclitaxel is widely used in clinical treatment of cancer and peripheral neuropathy is a common adverse side effect of paclitaxel. Diverse mechanisms contribute to the development and maintenance of paclitaxel-induced peripheral neuropathy. However, the role of spinal notch pathway in paclitaxel-induced peripheral neuropathy is not completely understood. In this study, we established an animal model of paclitaxel-induced peripheral neuropathy using nab-paclitaxel. We found that the mechanical and thermal pain threshold of rats was decreased with treatment of nab-paclitaxel, accompanied by increased expression of Notch pathway related proteins, enhanced apoptosis, neuronal and axonal injury, and glial responses. Using DAPT, an inhibitor for notch pathway, could restore the mechanical and thermal threshold and decrease apoptosis, neuronal and axonal injury, and glial responses induced by nab-paclitaxel. DAPT relieved paclitaxel-induced peripheral neuropathy by inhibiting activation of Notch pathway related proteins, then inhibited HMGB1/TLR4 signaling pathway, reduced the expression of inflammatory factor tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-1β and accelerated nerve regeneration. Taking together, our study demonstrated that Notch pathway may serve as a potential target for paclitaxel-induced peripheral neuropathy intervention.
Dynamics of peripheral lymphocyte subsets in gastric cancer patients underwent laparoscopic D2 gastrectomy
Authors: Tong Yi Xin , Gao Chun , Zeng Ci Dian Dan , Zhu Li , Zhang Sheng
Published: September 2022

Background: Postoperative complications and poor short-term outcomes were common among patients with locally advanced gastric cancer. This study aimed to explore the postoperative peripheral lymphocyte subsets dynamics and potential factors associated with decreased postoperative lymphocyte subset counts in patients with gastric cancer after laparoscopic D2 gastrectomy. Methods: The clinicopathological characteristics of the included patients were retrospectively collected. We recorded the data of perioperative peripheral lymphocyte subset counts. We investigate the impact factors associated with decreased postoperative lymphocytes subset counts in univariate and multivariate analysis. Results: In total, 169 patients were included in the final analysis. On postoperative day 7, the median percentage of T cell, B cell, NK cell and memory T cell decrease was -26.1%, -30.8%, -44.8% and -2.3% respectively. The median percentage of naive T cell and regulatory T cell change was 6.0% and 15.0% respectively. Postoperative thymosin alpha 1 (Tα1) treatment was a protective factor for postoperative T cell and B cell decrease (p<0.05). In the multivariate analysis, the independent predictive factors for postoperative T cell decrease were Interleukin-1β level (HR=3.66, p=0.01), operation time (HR=2.98, p=0.02) and Tα1 therapy (HR=0.15, p<0.01) Conclusions: Our findings revealed the dynamics and impact factors for postoperative lymphocyte subsets change in patients with gastric cancer after laparoscopic D2 gastrectomy. We also found that Tα1 treatment was a protective factor for postoperative T and B lymphocyte decrease.
eIF2α mediated integrated stress response connects multiple intracellular signaling to reprogram vascular smooth muscle cell fate in carotid plaques
Authors: Luo Jichang , Zhang Xiao , Li Wenjing , Wang Tao , Wu Yujie , Li Tianhua , Wang Yilin , Xu Wenlong , Ma Yan , Yang Bin , Luo Yumin , Yang Ge , Xu Ran , Jiao Liqun
Published: September 2022

Background
As a well-recognized pathological basis of ischemic stroke, the molecular mechanisms of atherosclerotic carotid artery stenosis remain unclear. Vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) play a fundamental role in the initiation and progression of atherosclerosis. The involvement of organelle dynamics has been uncovered in the development of atherosclerosis in the past decade. However, systematic studies still are rare on the relationship between organelle dynamics and the pathogenetic significance of multiple cellular stresses during atherosclerotic progression.
Methods
Transcriptomics from stable and vulnerable carotid plaques and bioinformatics analysis were performed. Primary VSMCs were isolated from the carotid plaques, followed by histopathological staining to determine the expression profile. The dynamics of endoplasmic reticulum (ER), mitochondria, and lysosomes were observed in primary VSMCs and VSMC cell lines by live-cell imaging. The underlying mechanisms of disordered organelle dynamics were investigated by comprehensive biological approaches.
Results
ER whorls, a representative structural change of ER stress, was the prominent dynamic reconstruction of VSMCs between vulnerable and stable plaques, followed by the fragmented mitochondria and enlarged lysosomes, which implies mitochondrial stress, and lysosomal defects, respectively. Induction of mitochondrial stress alleviated ER stress levels and autophagy in a dependent manner on eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2α (eIF2α). Furthermore, eIF2α synchronized ER stress, mitochondrial stress and lysosomal defects were validated in clinical samples.
Conclusion
Morphological and functional changes of VSMCs’ organelles can provide reliable biomarkers to imply the progression of atherosclerosis, especially ER whorls. eIF2α is essential for integrating multiple stress signaling of VSMC’s behavior and fate.
Evaluating the Relationship between Patient Activation and Health-related Quality of Life (HRQOL) in Patients with Pancreatic Cancer (PwPC)
Authors: Vohra Yogesh , Brown Carolyn M. , Moczygemba Leticia R. , Wilfong Lalan
Published: September 2022

Purpose: Advanced pancreatic cancer is synonymous with a high mortality rate, debilitating symptom profile, and minimal prolongation in overall survival. Therefore, health-related quality of life (HRQOL) is important in patients with pancreatic cancer (PwPC). In chronic conditions patient activation is positively associated and higher HRQOL. However, no known study has evaluated patient activation, HRQOL, and their association in PwPC.
Methods: A 43-item cross-sectional survey assessed patient activation and HRQOL of patients with locally advanced and metastatic pancreatic cancer undergoing chemotherapy. Variables were analyzed descriptively, and relationships were assessed using bivariate statistics (sig p <0.05).
Results: 56 patients participating in the study had an average age of 69.5+11.1 years, and the majority were females (51.8%), Caucasians (61.8%), married/partnered (64.3%) and had at least a college degree (59%). Almost half were at stage 4 (48.2%), and most were newly diagnosed (66.1%). Mean patient activation score was 63.5+17.2 (scale range: 0-100), with most at higher activation levels of 3 or 4 (66.7%). Mean HRQOL score of 41.0+12.7 (scale range: 0-72) was low. Patient activation levels, age, education level, and gender explained 21% of variation in overall HRQOL scores. Patients at activation level 4 had significantly higher overall HRQOL versus those at lower activation (level 1 or 2). Higher patient activation was significantly associated with having either private insurance only or multiple insurances and being partnered.
Conclusion: Patient activation significantly predicted HRQOL in PwPC despite the low sample size. Initiatives to increase patient activation should focus on patients of low socioeconomic status and those without partner support.
Pre-Service Geography Teachers’ Pedagogical Competence in Their Minor Subjects: Implications for Teacher Education
Authors: Mensah Bismark
Published: September 2022

Assessment of pre-service teachers’ pedagogical preparedness to teach their minor subjects has received no attention in the teacher education literature. This study therefore assesses pre-service geography teachers’ pedagogical competence in their minor subjects, which included Political Science, Economics, History, and Economics. Pedagogical competence was conceptualised using three constructs adapted from the Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge (TPACK) framework: Pedagogical Knowledge, Pedagogical Content Knowledge, and Technological Pedagogical Knowledge. Through a survey, a total of 182 pre-service geography teachers participated in the study. The obtained empirical data was analyzed using descriptive statistics such as mean and standard deviation. A one-way MANOVA test was conducted to explore the differences in the pre-service teachers’ pedagogical competence based on minor subject classifications. The results showed that the pre-service geography teachers had relatively higher Pedagogical Knowledge in their minor subject compared with Pedagogical Content Knowledge and Technological Pedagogical Knowledge. There was a significant effect of minor subject classifications on the level of Pedagogical Knowledge, with higher scores reported among the Economics minor group. Implications of the findings for teacher education curriculum frameworks are discussed, among other recommendations.
Development of a MOF-based SPE method combined with GC-MS for simultaneous determination of alachlor, acetochlor and pretilachlor in field soil
Authors: Cai Yjuan , Li Liying , Zhang Jun , Li Zhenjie , Zhang Fengmei , Xu Yanqun , Tai Zhigang
Published: September 2022

In this work, a rapid, highly selective, reusable and effective method was developed for simultaneous determination of alachlor, acetochlor and pretilachlor in field soil by GC-MS coupled with MIL-101 based SPE. Main factors affecting the SPE by using MIL-101 were optimized. Moreover, by comparing with the other commercial materials such as C18, PSA and Florisil, the MIL-101(Cr) exhibited excellent adsorption performance, which aimed at amide herbicides. On the other hand, method validation displayed excellent method performance, achieving good linearities with r2 ≥ 0.9921, limits of detection between 0.25–0.45 µg kg− 1, enrichment factors ≥ 89, matrix effect in the range of ± 20%, recoveries between 86.3% and 102.4%, and RSD lower than 4.38%. The developed method was successfully applied to the determination of amide herbicides in soil taken from the wheat, corn and soybean field at different depths, where the concentration of alachlor, acetochlor and pretilachlor were in the range of 0.62–8.04 µg kg− 1. It was demonstrated that the more depth of soil, the lower of three amide herbicides. This finding could be proposed a novel method to detect the amide herbicides in the agriculture and food industry.
Slack resources and individual performance of clinicians: the mediating role of job satisfaction and empirical evidence from public hospitals in Beijing, China
Authors: Lu Wei , Song Xinrui , Zhu Junli , Zhang Yao , Hou Changmin
Published: September 2022

Background: The individual performance of clinicians is key to improving the output of the healthcare industry. Clinicians in Chinese public hospitals have an important functional position and face a complex and severe clinical practice environment. This study aims to explore the mechanism of slack resources in improving individual performance of clinicians and the effect of job satisfaction in this process.
Methods: Based on the study framework composed of slack resources, individual performance, and job satisfaction, hypotheses have been put forward, and questionnaires have been distributed to representative clinicians in tertiary public hospitals. Finally, 318 valid data collected from clinicians have been obtained. To verify the four conditions of the mediation hypothesis, multiple linear regression models have been established to explore the relationship between variables.
Results: Clinicians' job satisfaction has played a mediating role in the impact of slack resources and its three dimensions on individual performance. Among them, there has been a complete mediating effect for staff slack, while time and space dimensions have played a partial mediating role in the impact of slack resources on individual performance.
Conclusions: In public hospitals in environments where behavior is subject to significant government interference, it is necessary and feasible to retain appropriate slack resources to improve individual performance. From the perspective of resources management in hospitals, it is necessary for public hospitals to implement a strategy of reserving an appropriate portion of time, staff and space in order to have the conditions to improve clinicians' satisfaction. The existence of slack resources in public hospitals can improve the job satisfaction of clinicians, and then improve the individual performance through the process.
Atmiyata, a community led psychosocial intervention, for common mental disorders: A stepped wedge, cluster randomized controlled trial in rural Gujarat, India
Authors: Pathare Soumitra , Joag Kaustubh , Kalha Jasmine , Pandit Deepa , Krishnamoorthy Sadhvi , Chauhan Ajay , Shields-Zeeman Laura
Published: September 2022

This study evaluates the effectiveness of a volunteer community-led psychosocial intervention on depression and anxiety symptoms among people living in rural Gujarat, India. Stepped-wedge cluster randomized controlled trial design implemented in 645 villages in Mehsana district, Gujarat, India. Primary outcome was improvement in depression and/or anxiety symptoms using GHQ-12 at 3-month follow-up. Data was analyzed using generalized linear mixed effects models.Of the 1191 participants (608- intervention & 583-control) recruited, 1014 (85%) completed 3-month follow-up. After adjusting for baseline covariates, period, and cluster effects, participants in the intervention condition showed significant recovery from symptoms of depression or anxiety (OR 2.2; 95% CI 1.2 to 4.6; p < 0.05) at the end of 3-months, with effects sustained at 8-month follow-up (OR 3.0; 95% CI 1.6 to 5.9). The study findings have implications for the broader implementation and scale-up of community-based mental health delivery models in LMICs.Trial registration detailsThe trial was registered prospectively with the Clinical Trial Registry in India (registry number: CTRI/2017/03/008139).
Give women what they want: Contraceptive discontinuation and method preference in urban Ghana
Authors: Compton Sarah , Manu Adom , Maya Ernest , Morhe Emmanuel , Dalton Vanessa
Published: September 2022

Background
Unmet need for contraception remains high in Ghana. Reducing the number of women who discontinue their contraceptive use is one way to decrease the number of women with an unmet need. In this study, we investigated factors associated with discontinuation among a cohort of Ghanaian women.
Methods
Women who were beginning a new method of contraception at one of six urban clinics in Accra and Kumasi, Ghana were invited to participate in our study. Participants were interviewed before and after their counseling session, and at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months post-enrollment to determine continuation. During follow-up, participants who were no longer using their method were asked why, if they were using any method of contraception, and if so, which method. Logistic regression analysis was performed to identify factors associated with discontinuation for reason other than pregnancy or desired pregnancy.
Results
Of the 472 women who reported leaving their counseling session with a method, 440 (93.2%) had at least one follow-up contact. Of the 440 women, 110 (25%) discontinued their method at some point over the 12-month period, and 94 (85.5%) did so for reasons other than pregnancy or desired pregnancy. In the multivariate regression analysis, women who reported they were given their method of choice were 14.4% less likely to discontinue due to a non-pregnancy reason (p = 0.024); those who used a long-acting reversible contraceptive (LARC) method were 16.6% less likely (p < .001); and those who reported they would choose to use that method again, one measure of satisfaction, were 27% less likely (p < .001).
Conclusions
To our knowledge, the current study is the first to explore method preference and its relation to continuation. Women in our study who reported they were given the contraceptive method of their choice were less likely to discontinue using that method for non-pregnancy-related reasons. Further, those who adopted a LARC method and those who reported they would make the same method choice again were less likely to discontinue. Women should be supported in selecting a contraceptive method of their choice. Providers should work with their clients to find a method which meets their preferences.
The functional change of the P2X7R containing the Ala348 to Thr polymorphism is associated to the pathogenesis of gout
Authors: Li Xiang-Pei , Tao Jin-Hui , Ma Yan , Pan Xian-Yang , Dai Xiao-Juan , Li Xiao-Mei , Li Xiao-ling , Wang Yi-Ping , Li Man-Yun , Fang Xuan
Published: September 2022

Our previous study has shown that ATP action on P2X7R could be the second signal to induce the onset of gouty arthritis. However, the function changes of SNPs in the P2X7R, which affect the ATP-P2X7R-IL-1β signaling pathway with high uric acid, remained unknown. We aimed to explore the association between the functional change of the P2X7R containing the Ala348 to Thr polymorphism (rs1718119) and the pathogenesis of gout in the human P2X7 gene (P2RX7). First, 270 gout patients and 70 hyperuricemic patients without a history of gout attack within 5 years were recruited in this study. In addition, in functional studies, changes in ATP-induced pore formation were assessed in HEK-293T cells overexpressing different mutants in P2RX7, the effect on P2X7R-NLRP3-IL-1β pathway activation was explored in THP-1 cells overexpressing them. The gout-sensitivity allele at rs1718119 was A. The AA and AG genotypes exhibited a higher risk of gout. Furthermore, Ala348 to Thr increased P2X7-dependent ethidium+ bromide uptake. More importantly, Ala348 to Thr significantly upregulated the IL-1β and NLRP3 levels compared to the wild type. We suggest that genetic variability in the P2X7R containing the Ala348 to Thr polymorphism may be confers a gain-of-function effect with susceptibility to the development of gout.
The best Condorcet-compatible election method: Ranked Pairs
Authors: Munger Charles T.
Published: September 2022

Condorcet-compatible election methods are examined and compared.
The Ranked Pairs method proves significantly better than Beatpath; that both are clone-free, and have other desirable properties, makes them much better
than any alternative.
Beneficial Effects of Time and Calorie Restriction Diets on the Development of Experimental Acute Kidney Injury in Rat: Bax/Bcl-2 and Histopathological Evaluation
Authors: Raji-Amirhasani Alireza , Khaksari Mohammad , Soltani Zahra , Saberi Shadan , Iranpour Maryam , Mahani Fatemeh Darvishzadeh , Hajializadeh Zahra , Sabet Nazanin
Published: September 2022

People's lifestyles and, especially, their eating habits affect their health and the functioning of the organs in their bodies, including the kidneys. One's diet influences the cells' responses to stressful conditions such as acute kidney injury (AKI). This study aims to determine the preconditioning effects of four different diets: calorie restriction (CR) diet, time restriction (TR) eating, intermittent fasting (IF), and high-fat diet (HF) on histopathological indices of the kidney as well as the molecules involved in apoptosis during AKI. Adult male rats underwent CR, TR, IF, and HF diets for eight weeks. Then, AKI was induced, and renal function indices, histopathological indices, and molecules involved in apoptosis were measured. After AKI, urinary albumin excretion, serum urea, creatinine and, Bax/Bcl-2 ratio increased in the kidney, while renal GFR decreased. CR and TR diets improved renal parameters and prevented an increase in the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio. The IF diet improved renal parameters but had no effect on the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio. On the other hand, the HF diet worsened renal function and increased the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio. Histopathological examination also showed improved kidney conditions in the CR and TR groups and more damage in the HF group. This study demonstrated that CR and TR diets have renoprotective effects on AKI and possibly cause the resistance of kidney cells to damage by reducing the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio and improving apoptotic conditions.
DBCU-Net: Deep Learning Approach for Segmentation of Coronary Angiography Images
Authors: Shen Yuqiang , Chen Zhe , Tong Jijun , Jiang Nan , Ning Yun
Published: September 2022

Coronary angiography (CAG) is the “gold standard” for diagnosing coronary artery disease (CAD). However, due to the limitation of current imaging methods, the CAG image has low resolution and poor contrast with a lot of artifacts and noise, which makes it difficult for blood vessels segmentation. In this paper, we propose a DBCU-Net for automatic segmentation of CAG images, which is an extension of U-Net, DenseNet with bidirectional convLSTM. The main contribution of our network is that instead of convolution in the feature extraction of U-Net, we incorporate dense connectivity and the bidirectional convLSTM to highlight salient features. We conduct our experiment on our private dataset, and achieve average Accuracy, Precision, Recall and F1-score for coronary artery segmentation of 0.985, 0.913, 0.847 and 0.879 respectively.
Platelet factor 4 induces bone loss by inhibiting the integrin α5-FAK-ERK pathway
Authors: Liu Hao , Zhang Qiwei , Gu Ranli , Li Wei , Liu Yunsong , Zhou Yongsheng
Published: September 2022

Background
The effect of platelet factor 4 (PF4) on bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMMSCs) and osteoporosis remains poorly understood. Hence, this study aimed to evaluate the effects of PF4-triggered bone destruction of mice and determine the underlying mechanism.
Methods
Firstly, in vitro cell proliferation and cell cycle of BMMSCs were assessed by a CCK8 assay and flow cytometry, respectively. Osteogenic differentiation was confirmed using staining and quantification of alkaline phosphatase and alizarin red. Next, an osteoporotic mouse model was established by performing bilateral ovariectomy. Furthermore, the Pf4 concentrations were obtained using ELISA. The bone microarchitecture of the femur was evaluated by microCT and histological analyses. Finally, the key regulators on osteogenesis and pathways were investigated by qPCR and WB.
Results
Human PF4 widely and moderately lessened the cell proliferation and osteogenic differentiation ability of BMMSCs. Furthermore, the level of Pf4 in the serum and BM were generally increased, whereas the bone microarchitecture deteriorated due to OVX surgery. Moreover, in vivo mouse Pf4 supplementation triggered bone deterioration of the femur. Besides, several key regulators of osteogenesis were down-regulated and the integrin α5 (ITGA5)-FAK-ERK pathway was inhibited due to PF4 supplementation.
Conclusions
PF4 may be related to OVX-induced bone loss triggered by the suppression of bone formation in vivo and alleviated BMMSC osteogenic differentiation through inhibiting the ITGA5-FAK-ERK pathway.
A Systematic Review on Machine Learning and Deep Learning Techniques in the Effective Diagnosis of Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Arya Akhilesh Deep , Verma Sourabh Singh , Chakarabarti Prasun , Chakrabarti Tulika , Elngar Ahmed A. , Nami Mohammad , Kamali Ali-Mohammad
Published: September 2022

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a brain-related disease in which the condition of the patient gets worse with time. AD is not a curable disease by any medication, it is impossible to halt the death of brain cells, but with the help of medication, the effects of AD can be delayed. As not all MCI patients will suffer from AD it is required to accurately diagnose whether a Mild Cognitive Impaired (MCI) patient will convert to AD (namely MCI converter MCI-C) or not (namely MCI non-converter MCI-NC), during early diagnosis. There are two modalities positron emission tomography (PET) and magnetic resonance image (MRI) used by a physician for the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease. Machine learning and deep learning perform exceptionally well in the field of computer vision where there is a requirement to extract information from high-dimensional data. Researchers use deep learning models in the field of medicine for diagnosis, prognosis, and even to predict the future health of the patient under medication. This research study is a systematic review of publications using machine learning and deep learning methods for early classification of normal cognitive (NC) and Alzheimer’s disease (AD). This study is an effort to provide the details of the two most commonly used modalities PET and MRI for the identification of AD, and to evaluate the performance of both modalities while working with different classifiers.
Effect of xylazine sedation on testicular blood flow, testicular echotexture, and circulating hormones in Shiba goats
Authors: Samir Haney , Mandour Ahmed S. , Radwan Faten , Swelum Ayman A. , Nagaoka Kentaro , Sasaki Kazuaki , Watanabe Gen
Published: September 2022

Under field conditions, sedation may be required for a full assessment of the reproductive potential of farm animals. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of xylazine sedation on testicular hemodynamics (TBF), echotexture, testicular volume (TV), and circulating hormones in goats. Sixteen male Shiba goats were sedated using the recommended dose of xylazine (0.05 mg/Kg BW). Testicular hemodynamics were evaluated using color pulsed Doppler ultrasonography before and after sedation. Echotexture of the testicular parenchyma and TV were assessed using computerized image analysis. Concentrations of testosterone, estradiol (E2), inhibin, cortisol, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and ‎ luteinizing hormone (LH) were measured using radioimmunoassay. There were no effects of xylazine sedation in TBF, TV, testicular parenchyma parameters, testosterone, inhibin, FSH, and LH (P˃ 0.05). However, after sedation, there was significantly (P˂ 0.05) lower cortisol and E2 concentration (42.88 ± 6.79 ng/ml and 2.47 ± 0.58 pg/ml, respectively) than before sedation (94.89 ± 13.74 ng/ml and 8.65 ± 1.79 pg/ml, respectively). The required time to perform full scanning of the testis was significantly lower (8.50 ± 1.50 min) after xylazine sedation compared to the non-sedated goats (25.75 ± 4.57 min). In conclusion, xylazine sedation may be practically recommended for the evaluation of TBF in goats because it did not significantly alter velocities parameters and Doppler indices of blood flow within the testicular arteries. Most plasma hormones did not significantly change; however, E2 and cortisol were significantly reduced after xylazine administration.
Unidirectional Motion of C60-based Nanovehicles Using Hybrid Substrates with Temperature Gradient
Authors: Kianezhad Mohammad , Youzi Mehrdad , Vaezi Mehran , Pishkenari Hossein Nejat
Published: September 2022

The synthesis of nanocar structures proposes the idea of transporting payloads on the surface. To eliminate the concern of diffusive surface motion of nanocars, in this study, we evaluate the motion of C60 and C60-based nanovehicles on graphene, and hexagonal boron-nitride (BN) surfaces using molecular dynamics simulations and potential energy analysis. Utilizing the graphene-hBN hybrid substrate, it has been indicated that C60 is more stable on boron-nitride impurity regions in the graphene substrate and an energy barrier restricts the motion to the boron-nitride impurity. Increasing the temperature causes the molecule to overcome the energy barrier frequently. A nanoroad of boron-nitride with graphene sideways is designed to confine the surface motion of C60 and nanovehicles at 300 K. As expected, the motion of all surface molecules is limited to the boron-nitride nanoroads. Although the motion is restricted to the boron-nitride nanoroad, the diffusive motion is still noticeable in lateral directions. To obtain the unidirectional motion for C60 and nanocars on the surface, a temperature gradient is applied to the surface. The unidirectional transport to the regions with a lower temperature of the nanoroad occurs in a short period of time, due to the lower energies of molecules on the colder parts.
Development and Validation of a Dynamic Risk Prediction System for Constipation in Patients with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
Authors: Niu Tongyang , Zhou Xiaomeng , Li Xin , Liu Tingting , Liu Qi , Li Rui , Liu Yaling , Dong Hui
Published: September 2022

Although constipation is a common non-motor symptom in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), it is poorly valued. Moreover, there is a bidirectional effect between constipation and neuropsychiatric and sleep disturbances. Thus, these symptoms are better treated simultaneously. Therefore, this study aimed to develop and validate a model for predicting the risk of constipation in ALS patients, to help clinicians identify and treat constipation early. Data of 118 ALS admissions from an observational prospective cohort, were analyzed. Demographic data as well as related scale scores were obtained. The LASSO regression model was used to select factors. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed age, family history of constipation, total ALSFRS-R score, site of onset, total PSQI score, and depressed, were identified as significant predictors of the risk of constipation in ALS patients. The prediction model was validated to have good accuracy (Hosmer–Lemeshow test: χ2 = 11.11, P > 0.05) and discrimination (AUC = 0.856, 95% CI: 0.784–0.928). DCA and CIC showed that the nomogram model had excellent clinical performance. In brief, a web-based ALS constipation risk calculator with good predictive performance was constructed to identify patients at high risk of constipation and to allow early intervention in a clinical context.