bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Value of Information analysis for pandemic response: intensive care unit preparedness at the onset of COVID-19
Authors: Eze Peter , Geard Nicholas , Baker Christopher M. , Campbell Patricia T. , Chades Iadine
Published: July 2022

Background: During the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, there was considerable uncertainty surrounding epidemiological and clinical aspects of SARS-CoV-2. Governments around the world, starting from varying levels of pandemic preparedness, needed to make decisions about how to respond to SARS-CoV-2 with only limited information about transmission rates, disease severity and the likely effectiveness of public health interventions. In the face of such uncertainties, formal approaches to quantifying the value of information can help decision makers to prioritise research efforts. Methods: In this study we use Value of Information (VoI) analysis to quantify the likely benefit associated with reducing three key uncertainties present in the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic: the basic reproduction number (R0), case severity (CS ), and the relative infectiousness of children (CI) compared to adults. The specific decision problem we consider is the optimal level of investment in intensive care unit (ICU) beds. Our analysis incorporates mathematical models of disease transmission and clinical pathways in order to estimate ICU demand and disease outcomes across a range of scenarios. Results: We found that VoI analysis enabled us to estimate the relative benefit of resolving different uncertainties about epidemiological and clinical aspects of SARS-CoV-2. Given the initial beliefs of an expert, obtaining more information about case severity had the highest parameter value of information, followed by the basic reproduction number R0. Resolving uncertainty about the relative infectiousness of children did not affect the decision about the number of ICU beds to be purchased for any COVID-19 outbreak scenarios defined by these three parameters. Conclusion: For the scenarios where the value of information was high enough to justify monitoring, if CS and R0 are known, management actions will not change when we learn about child infectiousness. VoI is an important tool for understanding the importance of each disease factor during outbreak preparedness and can help to prioritise the allocation of resources for relevant information.
Transcription regulation of human phospholipid scramblase 1 (hPLSCR1) by a Sry related high mobility group transcription factor, S-SOX5
Authors: Jaiwal Anjali , Gummadi Sathyanarayana Naidu
Published: July 2022

Objectives Human phospholipid scramblase 1 (hPLSCR1) is a multifunctional protein so it is vital to understand the regulation of its expression and transcription factors play critical role in regulating any gene.Results The transcription factor (TF) prediction tool ConSite identified one S-SOX5 binding site on the promoter region of hPLSCR1. Luciferase assays determined the increase in hPLSCR1 promoter activity with the increase in S-SOX5 concentration in a dose dependent manner. The deletion and the site-directed mutagenesis constructs exhibited a decrease in the hPLSCR1 promoter activity as compared to control. Also, transcriptional regulation of hPLSCR1 by S-SOX5 was checked by western blotting using S-SOX5 and hPLSCR1 specific antibodies. Further, Chromatin Immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assay confirmed the in-vivo interaction of S-SOX5 with hPLSCR1 promoter. Conclusions The expression of hPLSCR1 in HEK293T cells was shown to be upregulated by one S-SOX5 binding site present on the hPLSCR1 promoter suggesting that S-SOX5 as the potent regulator of hPLSCR1 expression.
Luks-PV induce HOXA9 degradation through autophagy in Acute myeloid leukemia with HOXA9 overexpression
Authors: Qiang Ping , Fang Chao , Song Kaidi , Shi Lan , Dai Yuanyuan , Chang Wenjiao , Xu Liangfei , Wang Xingbing , Liu Xin , Liu Huilan , Sun Zimin , Ma Xiaoling
Published: July 2022

Background: Our previous studies have demonstrated that Luks-PV have good anti-leukemia ability effects and could possibly be a promising therapy for adult acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Aberrant over-expression of HOXA9 is a prominent feature of AML driven by multiple oncogenes, and therapeutic degrading of HOXA9 may be an effective treatment strategy in AML. This paper focused on the Luks-PV-regulating autophagy pathway, aiming to investigate the role of Luks-PV in mixed-lineage leukemia (MLL)-rearranged AML. Methods: The data of leukemia patients were downloaded from the gene expression profiling of TCGA datasets. Taking primary AML and THP-1 cells as the model system in vitro, Luks-PV-inhibited cell proliferation was determined by CCK‐8 and flow cytometry assays. The role of Luks-PV in autophagy regulation was analyzed using immunoblotting, transfection and immunofluorescence.Results: HOXA9 was over-expressed and associated with a poor prognosis in AML patients bearing MLL rearrangement. After the application of pharmacologic inhibitors of autophagy, Luks-PV induced cytotoxic autophagy in AML cells, as suggested by biochemical and microscopy results. HOXA9 molecules were detectable within autophagosomes after Luks-PV treatment, indicating that autophagy induction accounted for the degradation of HOXA9. Moreover, Luks-PV-induced HOXA9 downregulation inhibited AML cell proliferation, suggesting that HOXA9 could be degraded through Luks-PV-induced autophagy.Conclusion: Luks-PV suppresses AML cell proliferation by inducing HOXA9 degradation.
A robust specialized integration scheme of the projectile motion with quadratic air resistance
Authors: Landon Marc
Published: July 2022

A robust and specialized time-integration scheme is proposed for the problem of the motion of a body under a resistive force,acting in the magnitude of the squared velocity of the body. Whereas standard time-integration schemes are well suitable with small time increments, they diverge with large time increments. The specialized time-integration scheme is keeping a good behavior with both small and large time increments.From the analysis of asymptotic behaviors, both near the initial state and far from the initial state, and by reducing the motion of motion into a scalar equation, we proposed an approximation of the solution, that keeps a good behavior both near the initial state and far from the initial state.Finally, we used the obtained approximation to implement a time-integration scheme, that won't diverge on large time increments.We compared the obtained time-integration schemes with other standard time-integration schemes.
Quantification of Total Phenolic, Anthocyanin, and Flavonoid Content in a Diverse Panel of Blueberry Cultivars and Ecotypes
Authors: Rossi Giovani , Woods Floyd M. , Leisner Courtney P.
Published: July 2022

Blueberries are an important fruit crop in the Ericaceae represented by multiple Vaccinium species and ecotypes. In addition to their economic value, blueberry fruit is known for an abundance of specialized metabolites with known human health benefits. Phenolic compounds, which include flavonoids and anthocyanins, are an important class of compounds found in blueberry that are known to contribute to fruit flavor and quality and for having health-promoting properties. Previous surveys of phenolic compounds in blueberry have demonstrated considerable variability in concentration of these metabolites, which is associated with differences in environmental factors and cultivars surveyed. This study expands this knowledge by surveying total phenolic, flavonoid, and anthocyanin content in ripe fruits of 71 blueberry cultivars from one growing season in Michigan. Included in this diversity panel are three ecotypes of blueberry (northern highbush, southern highbush, and half highbush). Rubel, Legacy, and Friendship were among the seven cultivars with the highest content of each compound. Total phenolic content showed a 5.03-fold difference among the lowest and highest cultivars, and total flavonoid content and total anthocyanin content demonstrated a 2.66-fold and 6.37-fold difference between the lowest and highest content across cultivars, respectively. There was no significant impact of ecotype on phytochemical composition of ripe fruits. This study also represents the first large-scale analysis of total phenolic content using the Fast Blue BB (FBBB) reagent. Data from this study have the potential to aid in future breeding efforts to enhance the human health benefits of this economically important fruit crop.
Classical and quantum harmonic mean-field models coupled intensively and extensively with external baths
Authors: Andreucci Francesco , Lepri Stefano , Ruffo Stefano , Trombettoni Andrea
Published: July 2022

We study the nonequilibrium steady-state of a fully-coupled network of N quantum harmonic oscillators, interacting with two thermal reservoirs. Given the long-range nature of the couplings,
we consider two setups: one in which the number of particles coupled to the
baths is fixed (intensive coupling) and one in which it is proportional
to the size N (extensive coupling).
In both cases, we compute analytically the heat fluxes and the kinetic temperature
distributions using the nonequilibrium Green's function approach, both in the classical and quantum regimes. In the large N limit, we derive the
asymptotic expressions of both quantities as a function of N and the temperature difference between the baths. We discuss a peculiar feature of the model, namely that the bulk
temperature vanishes in the thermodynamic limit, due to a decoupling of the dynamics of the inner part of the system from the baths. At variance with the usual
case, this implies that the steady-state depends on the initial state
of the bulk particles.
We also show that quantum effects are relevant only below a characteristic
temperature that vanishes as 1/N. In the quantum low-temperature regime
the energy flux is proportional to the universal quantum of thermal
conductance.
A complicated course of the membranous form of epidemic keratoconjunctivitis. A case report
Authors: Babushkin A. E. , Tulyakova A. M. , Rakhimova E. M. , Matyukhina E. N.
Published: July 2022

A case report is presented of a film y form o f adenoviral epidemic keratoconjunctivitis (EKC) in an adult patient. The case is interesting in that the onset of EKC did not predict a complicated, hyperergic course of the condition, which ultimately led to cicatricial changes in the conjunctiva in the form of a partial external symblepharon. The ophthalmologists need to be on the alert for this form of EKC, which requires differential diagnosis, first of all, with true toxic diphtheria lesion of the conjunctiva. Adequate combined antiviral treatment of EKC using corticosteroids, immunomodulatory and symptomatic therapy helps to stop the process.
Optimizing the technique of anterior capsulorhexis in anterior capsule fibrosis
Authors: Nikolashin S. I. , Pirogova E. S.
Published: July 2022

Purpose. To optimize the technique for femtolaser-assisted anterior capsulorhexis in patients with anterior capsular fibrosis.

   Material and methods.  All patients were divided into two groups: group I included 12 patients with central and peripheral anterior capsule fibrosis who underwent anterior circular capsulorhexis usingfemtolaser LensX (Alcon, USA) with laser energy 10 and 15 J . Group I I included 11 patients with central and peripheral anterior capsule fibrosis, who underwent manual capsulorhexis.

   Results.  In group II, surgical complications oc­curred in 3 cases (27.3 %), group I was uneventful. In group I, BCVA increased to 0.80 (0.70; 0.85) over the 6 months’follow-up, in group II, it increased to 0.70 (0.60; 0.70) In group I, IOP was 16.4 (15.0; 17.4) mm Hg, in group IIit was 16.2 (13.8; 18.7) mm Hg.

   Conclusion. Femtolaser-assisted anterior capsulorhexis in patients with anterior capsule fibrosis allowed reducing the number of operative complications by 27 % in comparison with manual capsulorhexis creation. Since even the maximum power values of the femtolaser system does not allow cutting the fibrotic capsule, we can make use of smaller power values, in particular 10 pJ, to create the anterior capsulorhexis in the area of unaffected or slightly fibrotic anterior capsule and cut the fibrotic part of the anterior capsule by collet scissors.
Pupillary reflex disorders in strabismic amblyopia with concomitant alternating squint
Authors: Berdibaeva A. I. , Usenko V. A.
Published: July 2022

Purpose. To study pupillary reflexes (pupillary cycle time and pupillary reaction — V) in patients with strabismic amblyopia and concomitant alternating strabismus.

   Material and methods. 58 children (116 eyes) with concomitant alternating strabismus and strabismic amblyopia and 10 healthy children (20 eyes) with emmetropia (the control group) were examined, along with general testing, for pupillary reflexes according to S. Miller and H. Thompson’s method before and after color pulse stimulation, Sidorenko’s vacuum spectacles, and Focus and Relax programs.

   Results. All children with hyperopic astigmatism and high hyperopia showed a significant (p < 0.001) decrease in pupillary cycle time after treatment, on average, from 1317,0 ± 0.6 to 900,00 ± 2.08 m/s and an increase in the pupillary reaction rate, on average, from 1.7 ± 0.17 to 2.8 ± 0.1 mm/s. Сhildren with severe amblyopia showed more pronounced pupillary reflex disorders: pupillary cycle time was 1450,0 ± 1.0 m/s and V = 1.3 ± 0.17mm/s before treatment, whilst after treatment, significant improvements were achieved:pupillary cycle time fell to 1000,0 ± 1.3 mm/s, while V grew to 2.20 ± 0.15 mm/s (p < 0.01).

   Conclusion. The revealed disorders of pupillary reflexes in children with strabismic amblyopia indicate the pathology of the muscle part of the pupil-accommodative system and require specific treatment.

   Material and methods. 58 children (116 eyes) with concomitant alternating strabismus and strabismic amblyopia and 10 healthy children (20 eyes) with emmetropia (the control group) were examined, along with general testing, for pupillary reflexes according to S. Miller and H. Thompson’s method before and after color pulse stimulation, Sidorenko’s vacuum spectacles, and Focus and Relax programs.

   Results. All children with hyperopic astigmatism and high hyperopia showed a significant (p < 0.001) decrease in pupillary cycle time after treatment, on average, from 1317,0 ± 0.6 to 900,00 ± 2.08 m/s and an increase in the pupillary reaction rate, on average, from 1.7 ± 0.17 to 2.8 ± 0.1 mm/s. Сhildren with severe aamblyopia showed more pronounced pupillary reflex disorders: pupillary cycle time was 1450,0 ± 1.0 m/s and V = 1.3 ± 0.17mm/s before treatment, whilst after treatment, significant improvements were achieved:pupillary cycle time fell to 1000,0 ± 1.3 mm/s, while V grew to 2.20 ± 0.15 mm/s (p < 0.01).

   Conclusion. The revealed disorders of pupillary reflexes in children with strabismic amblyopia indicate the pathology of the muscle part of the pupil-accommodative system and require specific treatment.
Ocular manifestations in acute COVID-19 patients with severe or extremely severe course of disease
Authors: Savranova T. N. , Rozukulov V. U. , Yusupov A. F. , Saidzhanov S. S.
Published: July 2022

Purpose:  to study ocular manifestations in acute COVID-19 patients with severe or extremely severe course.

   Materials and methods. 112 patients with severe and extremely severe course ofCOVID-19 treated in the 2nd Zangiota specialized clinic for Covid patients underwent an ophthalmic examination.

   Results. Hyperemia of palpebral edges was found in 20 patients (17.8 %), tarsal conjunctiva hyperemia was found in 54 patients (48.2 %), whereas 11 patients (9.8 %) had symptoms of eyeball conjunctiva hyperemia. 27 patients (24.1 %), complained of pain in the projection of external muscle tendons attachments during eyeball palpitation. Retinal angiopathy of varied genesis were found in 57 patients (50.9 %). Blurred edges of the optic nerve and smoothness of physiological excavation were observed in 11 patients (9.8 %). We were able to trace the medical history of 25patents over two months after the discharge. Ofthese, 17 patients (68 %) visited an ophthalmologist and were diagnosed with dry eye syndrome, and 1 patient was diagnosed with uveitis. 4 patients complained of blurred vision, disorientation and memory loss. 1 patient was found to have episcleritis. 3 patients (12%) complained of a dramatic decrease of vision in one eye, ptosis, swollen eyelid and exophthalmos. They were diagnosed with thrombosis of the cavernous sinus and superior orbital fissure syndrome.

   Conclusion. The main ophthalmic symptoms of the anterior segment of the eye in patients in the acute stage of COVID-19 with severe and extremely severe courses were manifestations of dry eye syndrome, short-term manifestation of tenonitis of oculomotor muscles. In 50 % cases, angiopathy of the anterior and the posterior segments of the eyeball were observed. Severe manifestations of general coagulopathy and angiopathy developing superior orbitalfissure syndrome were observed in 12 patients within weeks after the patient's dischargefrom the clinic.
Influence of Breastfeeding Time on Caloric Composition and IL-10 and TNF-α Cytokines, Fatty Acids, and Triacylglycerol in Human Milk Colostrum in Previous, Intermediate, and Posterior Milk
Authors: Castro Matheus , Oliveira Francieli , Alves Eloize , Zacarias Joana , Alencar Josiane , da Silva Jiuliane , Visentainer Jeane , Santos Oscar , Visentainer Jesui , Ichisato Sueli
Published: July 2022

The composition of human milk (HM) includes changes under the influence of factors such as genetics, stage of lactation, time of day, and even breastfeeding time. However, the authors are not aware of studies that evaluated the influence of breastfeeding time on fatty acid composition and cytokine. Thus, the objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of breastfeeding time (previous, intermediate, posterior milk) on kilocalorie concentration, fatty acid (FA) composition, and concentration of the cytokines interleukin-10 (IL-10), interferons factors for necrotic tumor (TNF-α) in HM colostrum. The results showed that the concentration of kilocalories was higher in posterior milk than in the previous, the composition of the main fatty acids found in the samples was influenced by the breastfeeding time, and the concentration of IL-10 and TNF-α was influenced in all samples with exception to mother 2. The principal component analysis explained 71% of the variances in the results. Thus, we concluded that the breastfeeding time is a factor that influences the concentration of kilocalories, and if it is necessary to use a more caloric milk, it is recommended to use the posterior milk; the FAs composition and the evaluated cytokines were also influenced by the breastfeeding time.
One-Class Classification Models for the Authentication of Analgesic Tablet Reference Medicine Using Differential Scanning Calorimetry and Visible-Near Infrared Spectroscopy
Authors: Fernandes David Douglas , Santana Cleildo , Fernandes Felipe Hugo , Ramos Hilthon , Medeiros Ana Cláudia , Veras Germano
Published: July 2022

The aim of this study was to develop a fast, simple and accurate analytical method for the classification of reference tablet analgesic drugs containing dipyrone, orphenadrine and caffeine using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and visible-near infrared spectroscopy (VNIRS) associated with one-class chemometric classification algorithm. The training set is based on reference medicine with 15 samples as target class. Three different brands with 10 samples each and five reference medicine samples, obtaining 35 samples, were used as the test set. Chemometric models based on principal component analysis (PCA) and data-driven soft independent modelling of class analogy (DD-SIMCA) were used to obtain the results. Two DD-SIMCA models obtained 100% sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy using DSC and VNIRS, both with a significance level of 0.01. This method using one-class classification as a chemometric tool proved to be a good alternative for quality control of pharmaceutical samples.
Monitoring of water resources and vegetation in the Helmand Basin using satellite image time-series and border hydro-political challenges
Authors: Afzali Rasoul , Kamran Dastjerdi Hassan , Zibasaz Khoshmanzareh Sajad , Zaki Yashar , Yazdanpanah Dero Qiuomars
Published: July 2022

Helmand is the most important river in Afghanistan and an indispensable water resource for southeastern Iran. Recent water depletions in the river, however, have caused environmental issues in the region with further repercussions on long-term hydro-political debates between the countries of Iran and Afghanistan. The primary reasons underlying depletions in the river's water levels remain, however, unclear, and are the main objective of this study.Therefore, this study proposes a hydro-political analysis of the Helmand Basin by analyzing precipitation through Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) data, Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) land data for groundwater analysis, and Landsat 5 and 8 Images from 1991 to 2020 to classify vegetation and waterbodies using a Support Vector Machine classifier and identify the prime cause of downstream water depletions. Despite severe droughts, the preliminary findings indicated increases in rainfall, groundwater sources, water bodies, and vegetation in the river upstream, which conveys the inconsequential share of droughts to the overall water shortage as opposed to human interventions and water usage which have also shown to increase in the river upstream. Further findings suggest that the severe downstream water depletions are primarily on account of upstream water consumptions that have triggered environmental degradations and are a threat to human habitations.
Permeability anisotropy in model porous media formed by periodic cubic structures
Authors: Kusayko George N. , Igoshin Dmitry E. , Gubkin Aleksey S.
Published: July 2022

One way to model porous media is to use periodic structures. The advantage of this approach is the need to describe the fluid flow in the volume of one pore (cell). The flows of a viscous fluid in periodic channel models of porous media formed by structures of three types — cubic simple (CS), cubic body-centered (BCC), and cubic face-centered (FCC) are considered. These structures make it possible to simulate porous media in a wide range of porosity values (1 ÷ 48%).

In the selected structures, three special flow directions are distinguished — along the edge of the cube, along the diagonal of the square (the base of the cube), along the diagonal of the cube. For the chosen directions, the fluid flow was calculated over the entire range of the dimensionless parameter α — the degree of intersection of the spheres, which is a model parameter that characterizes the microheterogeneities of the porous medium and makes it easy to reproduce the geometry of the pore space in the numerical solution of the Navier-Stokes equations in direct hydrodynamic modeling.

Based on the results of calculations based on the Darcy equation, the permeability coefficients for the three main flow directions were determined and an analysis was carried out on the permeability anisotropy in the selected structures. In a simple cubic structure, the greatest permeability is achieved in the 2nd direction (along the diagonal of the base of the cube), the smallest — along the main direction (along the edge of the cube). In a cubic body-centered structure, the highest permeability is achieved in the 3rd direction (along the diagonal of the cube), the lowest — along the 2nd direction (along the diagonal of the base of the cube). In a cubic face-centered structure, the highest permeability is achieved in the 2nd direction (along the diagonal of the base of the cube), the smallest — along the 3rd direction (along the diagonal of the cube).
Hydrodynamic model of a funnel from an explosion of a buried charge
Authors: Bubenchikov Alexey M. , Brazovskiy Evgeniy B.
Published: July 2022

The problems of the flow of an ideal fluid with an unknown (free) boundary is known from the theory of jets, which is well developed and widely used to solve problems in the field of hydrodynamics and filtration theory. The methods of this theory can also be successfully applied to calculate the shape of craters during explosions, using the well-developed mathematical apparatus of the theory of potential flows and the theory of analytical functions.

One of the main tasks that arise when using ejection explosions is the task of determining the size and shape of the ejection funnels depending on the geometry of the area, soil properties, energy characteristics of the charge, as well as its shape and location. Explosions are used in the development of minerals, in the excavation of trenches including for laying underground oil and gas pipelines in hard rocks, in the construction of dams, the construction of underground storage facilities, including gas. Camouflage explosions are used in the oil and gas industry for creating underground storage facilities and intensifying oil and gas production. The scope of the explosion in the national economy is constantly expanding.

The aim of the work is the analytical construction of an accurate mapping of the area of the complex potential on the plane of the hodograph, which implements the task of ejecting soil during the explosion of a corded (elongated) buried charge.

The paper uses a solid-liquid explosion model proposed by M. A. Lavrentiev in the middle of the 20th century. Within the framework of this mathematical model, a solution for the problem is obtained and analyzed in detail: the explosion of a point buried charge.

The choice of this problem is due to the fact that it has an exact analytical solution, and in a simple analytical form, in elementary functions. The solution of this problem was known from literary sources, but it was solved anew in a different way.
Mathematical modeling of forced oscillations of manometric tubular springs
Authors: Pirogov Sergey P. , Cherentsov Dmitry A.
Published: July 2022

Difficult working conditions, as well as vibrations of technological process units and unstable load intensity impose high demands on overpressure monitoring devices that ensure the required measurement accuracy and trouble-free operation of equipment.

The use of pressure gauges today is a mandatory requirement for monitoring overpressure. The main type of pressure gauges uses manometric tubular springs (MTP) as elastic sensing elements. Therefore, the issue of calculating the motion of the MTP under the influence of external variable loads, in particular variable internal pressure, is relevant. Issues related to the influence of internal pressure pulsations and external periodically changing external forces remain unexplored.

For successful operation, the strength and frequency characteristics of vibrations of tubular springs were previously investigated, the effects of cross-sectional shapes and basic geometric dimensions on their vibration characteristics were considered, and the process of vibration damping by liquid was analyzed.

The paper presents a mathematical model of forced oscillations of the MTP based on Lagrange equations of the second kind. The MTP is considered as a mechanical system with two degrees of freedom, that is, defined by two generalized coordinates. They are a relative change in the main angle of the tube and an increase in the small semi-axis of the cross section.

The model allows us to determine the nature of the movement of the MTP under the influence of periodically changing internal pressure. To implement it, a program has been developed in MATLAB, which makes it possible to determine the required characteristics of pressure monitoring devices that exclude the possibility of resonance. With the help of the developed program, the influence of geometric characteristics and internal pressure pulsations on the movements of the free end of the MTP is estimated.

The presented model can be successfully used for dynamic calculations of manometric tubes, since it is a classical approach to solving problems of vibrations of mechanical systems. In addition, it will allow you to calculate the parameters of tubular elastic elements used in various mechanisms as power elements.
Utilization of SUMO Tag and Freeze-thawing Method for a High-level
Expression and Solubilization of Recombinant Human Angiotensinconverting
Enzyme 2 (rhACE2) Protein in E. coli
Authors: Mohammadi Mozafar , Taheri Ramezan Ali , Bemani Peyman , Hashemzadeh Mohammad Sadegh , Farnoosh Gholamreza , Amini Razieh
Published: July 2022

Background:

SARS-CoV-2 uses angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) as a receptor
for entering the host cells. Production of the ACE2 molecule is important because of its potency to
use as a blocker and therapeutic agent against SARS-CoV-2 for the prophylaxis and treatment of
COVID-19.

Objective:

The recombinant human ACE2 (rhACE2) is prone to form an inclusion body when
expressed in the bacterial cells.

Method:

We used the SUMO tag fused to the rhACE2 molecule to increase the expression level
and solubility of the fusion protein. Afterward, the freeze-thawing method plus 2 M urea solubilized
aggregated proteins. Subsequently, the affinity of solubilized rhACE2 to the receptor binding
domain (RBD) of the SARS-CoV-2 spike was assayed by ELISA and SPR methods.

Results:

SUMO protein succeeded in increasing the expression level but not solubilization of the
fusion protein. The freeze-thawing method could solubilize and recover the aggregated fusion
proteins significantly. Also, ELISA and SPR assays confirmed the interaction between solubilized
rhACE2 and RBD with high affinity.

Conclusion:

The SUMO tag and freeze-thawing method would be utilized for high-level expression
and solubilization of recombinant rhACE2 protein.
Effect Of Nano-Bioactive Glass On Flexural Strength And Antimicrobial Activity Of Resin-Modified Glass Ionomer Cement Containing 58S Nano-Bioactive Glass
Authors: Taheri Zahra , Rezvani Mohammad Bagher , Bassir Mahshid Mohammadi , Bakhtiari Ronak , Norouzi Mehdi , Valizadeh Sara , Ghomsheh Elham Tabatabai
Published: July 2022

Introduction:

Bioactive glass (BAG) is increasingly used in dentistry, aiming to provide superior mechanical properties, optimal chemical stability, and favorable antimicrobial activity in the oral environment. This study aimed to measure the flexural strength (FS) and antimicrobial activity of resin-modified glass ionomer (RMGI) cement containing 58S nano-BAG.

Materials and Methods:

In this in vitro study, 0wt (Weight) %, 10wt%, 20wt%, and 30wt% 58S nano-BAG particles were added to RMGI powder in groups 1 to 4, respectively (n=10). Forty specimens were fabricated in metal molds (2 x 25 x 2 mm), and their FS was measured by using a three-point bending test at a crosshead speed of 0.5 mm/min. The antibacterial activity of the materials against Streptococcus mutants was assessed by the disc diffusion test. In addition to the abovementioned experimental groups, one control group (n=10) containing 100% BAG was also considered. Data were analyzed by one-way ANOVA and Tukey’s test.

Results:

The mean (± standard deviation) FS was 38.71±8.84, 43.61±17.34, 45.62±15.89, and 54.71±14.25 MPa in groups 1 to 4, respectively. No significant difference was noted in FS among the groups (P=0.06). A significant difference was found in the diameter of the growth inhibition zone among the groups (P<0.05), and group 4 containing 30wt% BAG showed minimal bacterial growth.

Conclusion:

The addition of 10wt%, 20wt% and 30wt% nano-BAG to RMGI powder did not significantly change the FS but the addition of 30wt% nano-BAG to RMGI significantly inhibited the bacterial growth.
Ethnobotanical Perspective in the Management of Obesity: An Updated Review
Authors: Choudhary Manjusha , Sharma Sakshi , Kalra Sunishtha , Sharma Divya , Rani Anjna , Budhwar Vikas
Published: July 2022

Background:

Obesity is increasing very rapidly from the past few decades in various developed countries that affects human health and produces various chronic disorders like diabetes (type 2), fat deposition in the liver, coronary heart disease, and atherosclerosis.

Objective:

Apart from the genetic and side effect of the drugs, nearly 80-90% of people become obese due to various behavioural factors, high caloric intake, and some physiological factors. Currently 15-20% male adults are overweight and 20-25% females come under the category of obese.

Methods:

Obesity is calculated by the body mass index and can be determined by the percentage of body fat and total body fat. Orlistat and sibutramine are two anti-obesogenic drugs which are available in the market and are approved by the Food and Drug Administration. However, these drugs possess various side effects and high in cost. Therefore, more attention goes towards the medicinal plants and their isolated compounds which are low in cost and with few or no side effects.

Results:

In this review, we give the information about the anti-obesogenic effect of various medicinal plant compounds isolated from them, extract dose, and the mechanism of action of in in vivo and invitro activity. During our literature work, we also found some of the plants with effective in vitro and in vivo activity against obesity.

Conclusion:

Therefore, the government and scientific community and other pharmaceutical companies help to find and work on a various medicinal plants not to determine their bioactive compounds but also for developing effective anti-obesity drugs.
The Passport to Regulate Foreign Jurisdiction: The Personal Data Protection Bill, 2019 on its Extraterritorial Application
Authors: P Vasishtan
Published: July 2022

The Indian Personal Data Protection Bill, 2019 (PDP Bill) was formulated from the Recommendations of the Justice Srikrishna Report. This Bill was the first portkey for India’s exclusive data protection regime. Notably, there is an urgent need to establish a strong legal framework for data protection in India as this would be the only safehouse for protecting every individual’s personal data, including sensitive and critical data. The EU’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) serves as a yardstick for global data protection regulation due to its architecture that places a great onus of compliance on foreign entities. This resolute extraterritorial nature that GDPR thatches on itself has inspired several upcoming worldwide data protection regimes. Consequently, the Joint Parliamentary Committee, which is tasked with reviewing India’s PDP Bill, has the responsibility to upgrade its stance to be tenacious and more obstinate, as well as ensure that the Bill has a strong extraterritorial foundation. This requirement comes with a plethora of challenges under international law as questions on cross-border jurisdictions are inevitable. This paper compares the PDP Bill with the GDPR and Brasil’s Lei Geral de Proteção de Dados (LGPD) and analyzes the key challenges emerging from the extraterritorial scope of these legislations through the lens of international law. Its main objective is to identify the possible and plausible solutions to these extraterritorial jurisdictional issues and highlight how the fundamental construction of India’s PDP Bill can be improved to effectively address the extraterritorial concerns.
Predicting Mortality in Intensive Care Unit Patients With Heart Failure Using an Interpretable Machine Learning Model: Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: Li Jili , Liu Siru , Hu Yundi , Zhu Lingfeng , Mao Yujia , Liu Jialin
Published: July 2022

Background

Heart failure (HF) is a common disease and a major public health problem. HF mortality prediction is critical for developing individualized prevention and treatment plans. However, due to their lack of interpretability, most HF mortality prediction models have not yet reached clinical practice.

Objective

We aimed to develop an interpretable model to predict the mortality risk for patients with HF in intensive care units (ICUs) and used the SHapley Additive exPlanation (SHAP) method to explain the extreme gradient boosting (XGBoost) model and explore prognostic factors for HF.

Methods

In this retrospective cohort study, we achieved model development and performance comparison on the eICU Collaborative Research Database (eICU-CRD). We extracted data during the first 24 hours of each ICU admission, and the data set was randomly divided, with 70% used for model training and 30% used for model validation. The prediction performance of the XGBoost model was compared with three other machine learning models by the area under the curve. We used the SHAP method to explain the XGBoost model.

Results

A total of 2798 eligible patients with HF were included in the final cohort for this study. The observed in-hospital mortality of patients with HF was 9.97%. Comparatively, the XGBoost model had the highest predictive performance among four models with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.824 (95% CI 0.7766-0.8708), whereas support vector machine had the poorest generalization ability (AUC=0.701, 95% CI 0.6433-0.7582). The decision curve showed that the net benefit of the XGBoost model surpassed those of other machine learning models at 10%~28% threshold probabilities. The SHAP method reveals the top 20 predictors of HF according to the importance ranking, and the average of the blood urea nitrogen was recognized as the most important predictor variable.

Conclusions

The interpretable predictive model helps physicians more accurately predict the mortality risk in ICU patients with HF, and therefore, provides better treatment plans and optimal resource allocation for their patients. In addition, the interpretable framework can increase the transparency of the model and facilitate understanding the reliability of the predictive model for the physicians.
Substantiation of informational system for coal seam outburst danger continuous prediction with high level of the result veracity
Authors: Shadrin A. , Diyuk Yuliya , Teleguz Alexander
Published: July 2022

The application feld, the construction principle, the content of data system for coal seam outburst danger continuous prediction and its integration with the subsystems of a coal mine multifunctional safety system are substantiated. Widely known models for initiating gas-dynamic phenomena in underground mines are analyzed. It is shown that to describe the process of sudden coal and gas outburst preparation the most suitable model is the one that consists of two stages: the creation of a coal block structure by means of developing the crack system (the frst stage) and squeezing the blocks out of the mouth of the future outburst cavity (the second stage). Basic factors important for reliable prediction of outburst danger are substantiated on their basis. The infuence of failing to take into account the basic factors of the outburst danger for some instrumental and geophysical methods of prediction is analyzed. It is demonstrated that the most reliable geophysical method, at present, is the spectral-acoustic one. The description of the procedure for experimental determination of the outburst danger limit value indicator for this method and for certain coal workings is introduces.
The Influence of Positive Self-affirmation towards Malaysian ESL Students at Tertiary Level of Education
Authors: Philip Evelyn , Philip Alicia
Published: July 2022

Positive self-affirmation when identified as value affirmation helps alleviate negative self threat among students’ when practiced in the right way which in turn boosts their self-esteem and thus motivation which eventually enables them to achieve an excellent result in their academic performance especially in the context of this study, the ESL reading classroom. Therefore, this study will be looking at the direct effect between positive self-affirmation, motivation and self-esteem towards ESL students’ academic performance in the ESL classroom and based on a review of several studies that was done previously on self-affirmation, motivation and self-esteem towards Malaysian ESL students’ academic performance, it was found out through a review on the results and discussion of previous studies that there is a positive significance between positive self-affirmation, self-esteem and motivation towards Malaysian ESL students’ academic performance in the ESL classroom.
Knowledge Informed Machine Learning using a Weibull-based Loss Function
Authors: Von Hahn Tim , Mechefske Chris
Published: July 2022

Machine learning can be enhanced through the integration of external knowledge. This method, called knowledge informed machine learning, is also applicable within the field of Prognostics and Health Management (PHM). In this paper, the various methods of knowledge informed machine learning, from a PHM context, are reviewed with the goal of helping the reader understand the domain. In addition, a knowledge informed machine learning technique is demonstrated, using the common IMS and PRONOSTIA bearing data sets, for remaining useful life (RUL) prediction. Specifically, knowledge is garnered from the field of reliability engineering which is represented through the Weibull distribution. The knowledge is then integrated into a neural network through a novel Weibull-based loss function. A thorough statistical analysis of the Weibull-based loss function is conducted, demonstrating the effectiveness of the method on the PRONOSTIA data set. However, the Weibull-based loss function is less effective on the IMS data set. The results, shortcomings, and benefits of the approach are discussed in length. Finally, all the code is publicly available for the benefit of other researchers.
Tradução, adaptação e avaliação das propriedades psicométricas da Arousal Predisposition Scale em crianças e adolescentes
Authors: Campos Ana Carolina Brunatto Falchetti , Silva Nanucha Teixeira da , Coren Stanley , Heldt Elizeth
Published: July 2022

A Arousal Predisposition Scale (APS) é um instrumento com 12 itens, elaborado para mensurar o nível de arousal de um indivíduo. O termo arousal, traduzido para o português falado no Brasil, significa excitação, isto é, a resposta do organismo frente a um estímulo externo ou estresse ambiental. A escala visa abordar o arousal como uma predisposição ou característica individual de excitação diante de um estressor ambiental. O objetivo deste estudo foi realizar tradução, adaptação e avaliação das propriedades psicométricas da APS para crianças e adolescentes. O estudo foi realizado com 189 alunos, de ambos os sexos, de escolas públicas, com idade entre 10 e 17 anos. A pesquisa foi dividida em duas etapas: a primeira foi a adaptação transcultural e a segunda etapa envolveu a avaliação das propriedades psicométricas da versão final. Os resultados apresentaram uma consistência interna dos itens aceitável para os grupos pré-adolescentes e adolescentes (alfa de Cronbach > 0,700). Não houve diferença significativa entre a escala total em médias de teste-reteste e uma correlação significativa de moderada a forte de validade de critério. A APS foi traduzida, adaptada e validada no Brasil para o grupo etário de 11 anos de idade. Destaca-se ainda a importância da utilização dessa escala por diferentes setores de saúde e da educação, em escolas de ensino fundamental e médio, contribuindo para identificar precocemente problemas de comportamento.
О возрастающей роли кальциево-магниевых карбонатных пород в развитии современных минеральных вяжущих
Authors: Рахимова Наиля
Published: July 2022

Рост использования современных минеральных вяжущих, отвечающих требованиям устойчивого развития, требует рас­ширения и адаптации минеральной сырьевой базы цемент­ной промышленности под производство низкоэмиссионных разновидностей вяжущих с постепенным снижением их ресурсо- и энергоёмкости. В последние десятилетия состав портландцементов претерпевает существенные изменения, заключающиеся в увеличении номенклатуры и содержания минеральных добавок в составе композиционных и мульти- композиционных цементов. При этом повышение сырьевого разнообразия минеральных добавок достигается за счёт поиска более распространённых и доступных минеральных ресурсов по сравнению с традиционными пуццолановыми добавками и минеральными наполнителями. В настоящей статье рассмотрены последние направления исследований и стандартизации, показана возрастающая роль клинкерных и бесклинкерных смешанных вяжущих с добавками кальциево­магниевых карбонатных пород.
Влияние системы расселения и социально-экономических условий на развитие малоэтажной застройки в России
Authors: Петрова Зоя , Долгова Виктория
Published: July 2022

Актуальность темы обусловлена наличием современных градостроительных вызовов и связанных с ними проблем обеспечения социально-экономического развития, экологи­ческой безопасности, комфортности среды жизнедеятель­ности и естественного роста численности населения России.

Стратегия пространственного развития Российской Федера­ции, направленная на развитие крупных городов-миллионников, губительна для страны. Для увеличения экономической безопас­ности и улучшения демографической структуры необходимо возрождать малые и средние города, сельские поселения.

Важнейший фактор Стратегии - минерально-сырьевая база. В восточных регионах страны наряду с добычей пере­работка и обогащение полезных ископаемых рядом с местом добычи будут способствовать увеличению рабочих мест и соответственно численности населения городов. Мощным импульсом развития Сибирского региона и устойчивого развития экономики России будет планируемое создание трёх-пяти научно-промышленных и экономических центров.

Формирование малоэтажной жилой застройки должно стать основным направлением в градостроительстве и ар­хитектуре страны, так как около 70% населения хотят жить в собственном доме с земельным участком. Правительством предложена новая стратегическая инициатива «Мой частный дом», направленная на развитие индивидуального жилищного строительства.

* Исследование выполнено за счёт средств государственной программы Российской Федерации «Научно-технологическое развитие Российской Федерации» на 2021–2030 годы в рамках Плана фундаментальных научных исследований РААСН и Минстроя России на 2022 год, тема НИР 2.1.3.1 «Теоретические основы планировочной организации региональной малоэтажной застройки» (2021–2023 гг.).
Экспертная система для практической диагностики строительных конструкций
Authors: Кашеварова Галина , Тонков Юрий
Published: July 2022

Внедрение интеллектуальных технологий в экспертную деятельность инженера-строителя мотивировано необходи­мостью передачи знаний опытных экспертов специалистам разной квалификации для расширения и укрепления их профессиональных возможностей. Экспертные системы (ЭС), имитирующие логику рассуждений опытного человека-эксперта, включающие знания, накопленные и описанные в на­учной, методической литературе и нормативных документах, расширяют профессиональные возможности специалистов и позволяют принимать эффективные решения о категории технического состояния строительных объектов. В данной статье представлены пользовательский интерфейс разра­ботанной ЭС для практической диагностики строительных конструкций и пример практической реализации на реальном промышленном предприятии. Реализована возможность выявлять и контролировать автоматизированным способом причинно-следственную связь между признаками и техни­ческим состоянием конструкций, обеспечивающая поддержу решения инженера-обследователя в вопросе определения категории технического состояния конструкций.