bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of Natural Weathering on the Performance of High Solar Reflective Index Paint Surfaces Exposed in Harsh Climatic Conditions of United Arab Emirates
Authors: Nutakki Tirumala Uday Kumar , Kazim Waqar Ullah
Published: June 2021

Solar reflective index (SRI) is one of the important parameters in the analysis of a building’s energetic and thermal performance, especially for “cool” reflective paints or coatings. However, there exists less information on the typical performance of the cool materials exposed for long term in the Middle East and more specifically in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). In this study, we determined values of reflectance, emittance, solar reflective index (SRI), and color difference, for three different high SRI white paints exposed naturally on low and high sloped racks for three years. After 3 years, reflectance values of exposed paint panels significantly decreased with an increased color difference in comparison with original unexposed paint surfaces. Emissivity of the paint changed very little for all of the exposed samples, but SRI, determined from both the reflectance and emittance, was reduced from between 95 and 110 to between 60 and 90 after three years. This appeared to be related to exposure to high temperatures, UV radiation, and adhesion of airborne contaminants in conjunction with low precipitation. Macroscopically, panels exposed on a low slope were the most discolored with the greatest presence of dust infusion and reduction in increase in surface temperatures which was demonstrated through thermal imaging. Such natural weathering research study is necessary for the development of standard exposure tests and determination of various control elements to increase the durability of cool materials in hot and arid climatic conditions of UAE.
CEO OVERCONFIDENCE, ESG DISCLOSURE, AND FIRM RISK
Authors:   STIE Media Nusantara Citra, Sumunar Kurnia , Djakman Chaerul ,   Universitas Indonesia
Published: June 2021

Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) has increasingly attracted the attention of firms and stakeholders. The purpose of this study is to examine whether the mediating role of ESG disclosure has a negative effect on CEO overconfidence and firm risk, especially based on investors' perspectives. Many studies on ESG disclosure were conducted in Europe and America. Most ESG disclosures are measured using manual checklist based on annual reports or firm websites. By using panel dataset of 225 manufacturing firms in Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand from 2012-2016 obtained from Thomson Reuters’ ESG score, the research shows that CEO overconfidence has no negative direct effect on firm risk but the role of ESG disclosure as a mediating variable has a negative effect on CEO overconfidence and firm risk. CEO overconfidence has a positive effect on ESG disclo­sure and ESG disclosure has a negative effect on firm risk. CEO with overconfidence characteristics will make the best decisions to disclose ESG in order to increase firm value and reduce firm risk.
Detecting Periprosthetic Joint Infection by Using Mass Spectrometry
Authors: Li Rui , Song Lei , Quan Qi , Liu Ming-Wei , Chai Wei , Lu Qiang , Li Xiang , Qin Jun , Chen Ji-Ying
Published: June 2021

Background:

Novel methods for diagnosing periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) are currently being explored. Mass spectrometry (MS) is an approach that can detect whole-protein changes in synovial fluid and may represent a promising method.

Methods:

Between March 2017 and July 2018, we successively collected synovial fluid samples from patients who were undergoing diagnostic hip or knee aspiration because PJI was suspected. A PJI diagnosis was based on the modified Musculoskeletal Infection Society (MSIS) criteria. Cluster analysis and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to evaluate the results, which were quantitatively confirmed with parallel reaction monitoring in another patient group who underwent aspiration between August 2018 and January 2019.

Results:

A total of 117 synovial samples, including 51 PJI and 66 non-PJI samples, were analyzed with liquid chromatography-tandem MS (LC-MS/MS). The cluster analysis sensitivity and specificity based on differentially expressed proteins were 0.961 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.854 to 0.993) and 0.924 (95% CI, 0.825 to 0.972), respectively. Myeloid nuclear differentiation antigen (MNDA) and polymorphonuclear leukocyte serine protease 3 (PRTN3) were the 2 most important markers for detecting PJI. The areas under the curves (AUCs) of MNDA and PRTN3 were 0.969 (95% CI, 0.936 to 1.000) and 0.900 (95% CI, 0.844 to 0.956), respectively. When MNDA and PRTN3 were combined as variables of a predictive model to diagnose PJI, the AUC reached 0.975 (95% CI, 0.943 to 1.000). Our parallel reaction monitoring-based quantitative analysis of another 40 synovial samples confirmed this result.

Conclusions:

MS could be a powerful tool for diagnosing PJI using proteome information or 2 specific markers, MNDA and PRTN3. The parallel reaction monitoring strategy simplified the PJI detection process and provided quantitative results with similar conclusions.

Clinical Relevance:

The clinical application of MS adds a new powerful tool for the diagnosis of PJI, and the parallel reaction monitoring strategy lays a foundation for the clinical application of MS.

Level of Evidence:

Diagnostic Level II. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
Simulation of Photovoltaic Thermoelectric Battery Characteristics
Authors: Esman A. K. , Zykov G L. , Potachits V. A. , Kuleshov V. K.
Published: June 2021

Solar radiation is an environmentally friendly and affordable energy source with high release of energy. The use of a photovoltaic thermoelectric battery makes it possible to increase the efficiency of converting solar and thermal radiation into electrical energy, both on serene and cloudy days. An original battery structure with photovoltaic and thermoelectric converters is proposed. The 3D model of the proposed photovoltaic thermoelectric battery was realized in the COMSOL Multiphysics software environment with the use of a heat transfer module. The simulation was performed for the geographical coordinates of Minsk and taking into account the diurnal and seasonal variations of both the ambient temperature and the power density of the concentrated AM1.5 solar spectrum, the maximum value of which being varied from 1 to 500 kW/m2. The dependences of the maximum temperature values of the photovoltaic thermoelectric battery and the thermoelectric converters as well as temperature gradient patterns in the thermoelectric converters have been calculated. The dependences of the maximum temperature gradient values inside the thermoelectric converters on the solar power density are obtained. The graphs of the temperature gradients inside the thermoelectric converters of the photovoltaic thermoelectric battery by concentrated solar radiation versus the time of day in the middle of July and January are provided. It is shown that the output voltage increases up to the maximum values of 635 and 780 mV, respectively, in January and in July were achieved due to the temperature stabilization of the back side of the external electrodes of the proposed device
Efficacy of Instrument Assisted Soft-Tissue Mobilization in patients with heel pain: An Experimental study.
Authors: Bhurchandi Shivani , Sinha Rakesh K , Phansopkar Pratik
Published: June 2021

Background: ‘Heel pain’ is one of the commonest ailments of foot affecting 10% of population and having visible effects on lifestyle of these patients , affecting both younger and elder population. This study’s purpose is to determine the efficacy of Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization in people affected with heel pain and the resultant effect on their lifestyle.Method: Seventy participants(n=70) with heel pain (lasting from 6 weeks to 1 year) will be selected and divided in 2 groups . Each group receiving 8 treatment sessions. Group A will receive IASTM + Home exercise program and Group B will receive Therapeutic Ultrasound + Home exercise program . Outcome measures will be recorded i.e. Pre-test and Post-test , by using Numerical Pain Rating Scale and Foot & Ankle Ability Measure scale.The study’s purpose is to assess the impact (i.e. immediate and long term effects) of IASTM on heel pain. The Central Trial Registry of India (CTRI) registration number for this trial is CTRI/2021/06/044018.
Screening for Symptoms of Anxiety and Depression in Patients treated with renal replacement therapy Utility of the Edmonton Symptom Assessment System- Revised
Authors: Tang Evan , Dano Sumaya , Edwards Nathaniel , Macanovic Sara , Ford Heather , Bartlett Susan , Howell Doris , Li Madeline , Novak Marta , Mucsi Istvan
Published: June 2021

Purpose: The Edmonton Symptom Assessment System-revised (ESASr) is widely used in clinical oncology to screen for physical and emotional symptoms. The performance of the anxiety and depression items (ESASr-A and ESASr-D, respectively) as screening tools has not been evaluated in patients treated with renal replacement therapy. Methods: Kidney transplant recipients and patients on dialysis were recruited in Toronto. Patients were classified as having moderate/severe depression and anxiety symptoms using the established cut-off score of ≥10 on the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) and the General Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) questionnaires. Results: This study included 931 participants; 62% male, mean age (SD) 55(16), and 52% White. All participants completed ESASr, however only 748 participants completed PHQ-9 and 769 participants completed GAD-7. Correlation between ESASr item scores and legacy scores were moderately strong (ESASr-D/PHQ-9: 0.61; ESASr-A/GAD-7: 0.64). We found good discrimination for moderate/severe depression and anxiety (area under the receiver operating characteristics curve [95%CI]: ESASr-D 0.82 [0.78-0.86]; ESASr-A 0.87 [0.82, 0.92]). The cut-off ≥2 for ESASr-D (Sensitivity = 0.76; Specificity = 0.77; Likelihood Ratio(LR)+ = 3.29; LR- = 0.31) and ≥4 for ESASr-A (Sensitivity = 0.75; Specificity = 0.87; LR+ = 5.76; LR- = 0.29) had the best combination of measurement characteristics. Conclusion: The identified ESASr-D and ESASr-A cut-off scores may be used to rule out patients without emotional distress with few false negatives. However, the low sensitivity identified in our analysis suggests that neither ESASr-D or ESASr-A are acceptable as standalone screening tools.
Regularized Least Square Multi-hops Localization Algorithm for wireless sensor networks
Authors: Liouane Hend , Messous Sana , Cheikhrouhou Omar
Published: June 2021

Multi-hop localization is a an important technique for Wireless Sensor Networks. Location awareness is very crucial for almost existing sensor network applications. However, using Global Positioning System (GPS) receivers to every node is very expensive. Therefore, the Distance Vector-Hop algorithm (DV-Hop) is proposed and very famous for its simplicity and localization accuracy for Wireless Sensor Networks. The cited algorithm uses a small number of anchor nodes, which are equipped with GPS, thus their locations are known, while other nodes estimate their location from the network connectivity information. However, DV-Hop presents some deficiencies and drawbacks in terms of localization accuracy. Therefore, we propose in this paper an improvement of DV-Hop algorithm, called Regularized Least Square DV-Hop Localization Algorithm for multihop wireless sensors networks. The proposed solution improves the location accuracy of sensor nodes within their sensing field in both isotropic and anisotropic networks. Simulation results prove that the proposed algorithm outperforms the original DV-Hop algorithm with up to 60%, as well as other related works, in terms of localization accuracy.
Does Reading a Book in Bed Make a Difference to Sleep in Comparison to Not Reading a Book in Bed? The People's Trial- an Online, Pragmatic, Randomised Trial
Authors: Finucane Elaine , O’Brien Ann , Treweek Shaun , Newell John , Das Kishor , Chapman Sarah , Wicks Paul , Galvin Sandra , Healy Patricia , Biesty Linda , Gillies Katie , Noel-Storr Anna , Gardner Heidi , O’Reilly Mary Frances , Devane Declan
Published: June 2021

BackgroundThe best way of comparing healthcare treatments is through a randomised trial. In a randomised trial, we compare something (a treatment or intervention) to something else, often another treatment. Who gets what is decided at random, meaning everyone has an equal chance of getting any of the treatments. This means any differences found can be put down to the treatment received rather than other things, such as where people live, or health conditions they might have.The People’s Trial aimed to help the public better understand randomised trials by inviting them to design and carry out a trial. The question chosen by the public for The People’s Trial was:‘Does reading a book in bed make a difference to sleep, in comparison to not reading a book in bed?’ This paper describes that trial, called ‘The Reading Trial’.MethodsThe Reading Trial was an online, randomised trial. Members of the public were invited to take part through social media campaigns. People were asked to either read a book in bed before going to sleep (intervention group) or not read a book in bed before going to sleep (control group). We asked everyone to do this for seven days, after which they measured their sleep quality. Results During December 2019, a total of 991 people took part in The Reading Trial, half (496 (50%)) in the intervention group and half (495 (50%)) in the control group. Not everyone finished the trial: 127 (25.6%) people in the intervention group, and 90 (18.18%) people in the control group. Of those providing data, 156/369 (42%) people in the intervention group felt their sleep improved, compared to 112/405 (28%) of those in the control group, a difference of 14%. When we consider how certain we are of this finding, we estimate that, in The Reading Trial, sleep improved for between 8% and 22% more people in the intervention group compared to the control group.ConclusionsReading a book in bed before going to sleep improved sleep quality, compared to not reading a book in bed.Trial Registration Registered 4th December 2019, ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT04185818.
Evaluating General Combining Ability for Multiple Traits in Tetraploid Bahiagrass
Authors: Marcón Florencia , Brugnoli Elsa Andrea , Nunes José A. Rodrigues , Gutierrez Valeria A. , Martínez Eric J. , Acuña Carlos A.
Published: June 2021

Recurrent selection based on combining ability has been successfully used in tetraploid bahiagrass (Paspalum notatum Flüggé) to accumulate heterotic effects and exploit hybrid vigor. However, its efficiency depends on an accurate selection of the best genotypes to form a new recombinant population. The objective of this work was to assess the general combining ability of female parents of bahiagrass based on the performance of their progeny for agronomic and morphological traits using a mixed model approach, biplot analysis and selection index. There were evaluated 29 half-sib families generated by crossing 29 sexual tetraploid genotypes from a sexual synthetic tetraploid population and a group of apomictic tetraploid genotypes. Agronomic and morphological traits were analyzed using a mixed model approach (BLUP). The multi-trait analysis was based on a biplot analysis and a selection index using the family BLUPs. BLUP analysis showed significant differences among families for most of the evaluated traits. Sexual female parents of families 5, 9, 8, 28, 21 and 16 were identified as those with greater general combining ability. Biplot showed variability among families and allowed identifying six sexual parents with greater general combining ability. The same sexual parents that exhibited greater general combining ability by BLUP were identified with greater general combining ability by biplot. Selection index was variable and allowed identifying the same best sexual parents that BLUP and biplot. The three analysis methods were equally effective to estimate general combining ability of a group of sexual parents of tetraploid bahiagrass based on the performance of their progeny.
Influences of adjacent suburbia, fire regimes, vegetation and environment on the mammals of a peri-urban reserve
Authors: Kirkpatrick Jamie B. , Driessen Michael M , Jarman Peter J. , Jakob Lauren
Published: June 2021

Urban development is thought to negatively affect most, but not all, native mammals. Here we determine whether adjacent suburbia, fire regime, vegetation and environment affect the abundance of mammal species in a peri-urban reserve in Hobart, Tasmania, Australia. We used multiple regression to analyse the effects of distance from houses, variation in fire history, vegetation structure, vegetation floristics and topography on mammal photographic observations and signs. Animal diggings, long-nosed potoroos, southern brown bandicoots and cats were preferentially found close to houses, while macropods, brushtail possums and short-beaked echidnas appeared indifferent to the location of housing but responded to environmental variation. The structure of the vegetation, particularly related to shelter, was a strong influence in many species’ models, suggesting a need to maintain substantial areas free from fire for 15–25 years. Many models included floristic ordination axes that reflected drainage, fire regime and proximity to housing. Positive relationships between the introduced predatory cat and some of its potential native prey animals may reflect the influences of close proximity to suburbia: elevated domestic mesopredator populations; and, elevated resource availability in domestic gardens. Our results suggest that urban areas can have a valuable role in nature conservation, despite, or because of, their effects on remnant native ecosystems. Planning and management can help promote populations of many native mammals.
Seroprevalence of Contagious Bovine Pleuropneumoni and Assessments of Community Knowledge, Attitudes & Practices in Western Oromia, Ethiopia
Authors: Tola Eyob Hirpa , Mosisa Tekilu , Kebede Abraham
Published: June 2021

Contagious Bovine Pleuropneumonia (CBPP) is a threat to Cattle health and Production in Ethiopia. Therefore, objective of this study is to estimate prevalence of CBPP in Horo Guduru Wollega, Western Oromiya Region. This cross-sectional study was supported by questionnaire surveys which evaluate community awareness level toward CBPP disease from September 2019 to June 2020. Out of 768 sera tested for detection of Antibody against Mycoplama mycoides small colonies using a competitive enzyme linked Immunosorbent test 14.3% of them became positive. The districts level Prevalence was 16.4%, 13.6 % and 10.8 % in Abe, Dongoro, Hababo, Guduru, and Guduru district, respectively. There was not a significant association with district and PA’s (p > 0.05). However, Statistically Significant associations (P < 0.05) were seen in different group of Age, Sex and Body condition. Moreover, questionnaire survey was collected from 200 households of the respondents of three districts. The majority of the respondents were male (77%) and the rest were female (23%). This survey showed that there was limited awareness among the farmers toward CBPP disease, with only 4.5% and 7% of respondents aware of as disease able to cause reduced growth and fertility rate of cattle, respectively. Therefore, the finding shows that high CBPP prevalence Horo Guduru Wollega Zone. This shows that this area needs high attention from government and other stakeholder interventions to stop further spread of the disease.
Neuronavigated Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation as Novel Mapping Technique Provides Insights Into Language Function in Primary Progressive Aphasia
Authors: Mueller-Sarnowski Felix , Sollmann Nico , Schröder Axel , Houri Leen , Ille Sebastian , Grimmer Timo , Krieg Sandro M. , Diehl-Schmid Janine
Published: June 2021

Neuronavigated repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (nrTMS) is an innovative technique that provides insight into language function with high accuracy in time and space. So far, nrTMS has mainly been applied in presurgical language mapping of patients with cranial neoplasms. For the present study nrTMS was used for language mapping in primary progressive aphasia Seven patients (median age: 70 years, 4 males) with the non-fluent variant of primary progressive aphasia were included in this pilot study. Inhibitory nrTMS trains (5 Hz, 40 % resting motor threshold) caused virtual lesions at 46 standardized cortical stimulation targets per hemisphere. Patients’ errors in a naming task during stimulation were counted. The majority of errors induced occurred during frontal lobe stimulation (34.3 %). Timing errors and non-responses were most frequent. More errors were induced in the right hemisphere (58%) than in the left hemisphere (42%). Mapping was tolerated by all patients, however, discomfort or pain was reported for stimulation of frontal areas. The elevated right-hemispheric error rate in our study supports the hypothesis of a partial shift of language function to the right hemisphere in neurodegenerative aphasia during the course of disease and therefore points to the existence of significant neuronal plasticity in primary progressive aphasia. While this is an interesting finding for neurodegenerative disorders per se, its promotion might also harbor future therapeutic targets.
Digital Corporate Social Responsibility Reporting in The Water Industry
Authors: Almeida Rita , Pérez-López José-Ángel , Abreu Rute
Published: June 2021

Companies in the water industry present to their shareholders their digital corporate social responsibility agendas and their social and environmental commitments on their websites. The purpose of this research is to assess the digital corporate social responsibility of Portuguese companies in the water industry. This research makes theoretical and practical contributions to the existing literature by examining the corporate social responsibility disclosure in a specific type of industry that is rarely studied and is in one of the smallest Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development countries, thereby expanding previous research in this field. The research also examines factors that affect the digital status of the online disclosure. The authors empirically analyse the corporate social responsibility information published on the websites of the Portuguese companies operating in the bottled water industry. The data was collected based on the Global Reporting Initiative standards which detail the level of disclosure in this industry and highlight areas of underreporting. The results reveal the variables companies’ size, number of employees and turnover influence the level of disclosure of Portuguese companies in water industry.
Assessment of Concentration levels of contaminants in groundwater of Soutpansberg Region, Limpopo Province, South Africa
Authors: Lalumbe Lindelani , Kanyerere Thokozani
Published: June 2021

Groundwater contribution towards improved food security and human health depend on the level of contaminants in groundwater. In rural areas, many people use groundwater for drinking and irrigation purposes without treatment and have no knowledge of contaminants levels in such waters. The reason for such lack of treatment and knowledge is due to the parachute type of research which emphasizes on scientific knowledge and records only and not sharing research outputs with communities for improved human health and food security. This study argued that parachute research type exposes groundwater users to health hazards and threaten food security. Concentration levels of contaminants were measured to ascertain suitability of groundwater for drinking and irrigation use. 124 groundwater quality samples from 12 boreholes and 2 springs with physiochemical data from 1995 to 2017 were assessed. This study found high concentration levels of contaminants such F−, NO3−, Cl− and TDS in certain parts of the studied area when compared to water quality standards. In general, groundwater was deemed suitable for drinking purposes in most part of the studied area. Combined calculated values of SAR, Na%, MH, PI, RSC and TDS determined that groundwater is suitable for irrigation purposes. The discussion in this paper showed that scientific knowledge generated on groundwater quality should be shared with water users as it will improved human health and food security and also enhance the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals. This study recommended that skills and research outputs should be shared with groundwater users through various initiatives.
Tool Life Modelling In Continuous Variable Speed Turning
Authors: Albertelli Paolo , Mussi Valerio , Monno Michele
Published: June 2021

In this paper, a generalized tool life model that considers nonstationary cutting was developed. In particular, the model was conceived for predicting the life of the tool when Spindle Speed Variation SSV , one of the most effective techniques for suppressing regenerative chatter vibrations, is used. The proposed formulation takes into account the main cutting parameters and the parameters associated to the SSV . A dedicated experimental campaign of turning tests was carried out and the data were used to develop the model. A proper validation was even carried out performing additional tool life tests. It was found that the generalized formulation can be used for predicting the tool life both at constant spindle machining CSM and adopting SSV within the maximum estimating error of 6%.
Modeling anticipated changes in numbers of SARS-CoV-2 infections within communities due to immunization campaigns
Authors: Frey Kurt , Hagedorn Brittany , McCarthy Kevin A , Hutubessy Raymond , Wang Susan Annemarie
Published: June 2021

Background
As SARS-CoV-2 spread in early 2020, uncertainty about the scope, duration, and impact of the unfolding outbreaks caused numerous countries to interrupt many routine activities, including health services. Because immunization is an essential health service, modeling changes in SARS-CoV-2 infections among communities and health workers due to different vaccination activities was undertaken to understand the risks and to inform approaches to resume services.
Methods
Agent-based modeling examined the impact of Supplemental Immunization Activities (SIAs) delivery strategies on SARS-CoV-2 transmission in communities and health workers for six countries capturing various demographic profiles and health system performance: Angola, Ecuador, Lao PDR, Nepal, Pakistan, and Ukraine.
Results
Urban, fixed-post SIAs during periods of high SARS-CoV-2 prevalence increased infections within the community by around 28 [range:0–79] per 1000 vaccinations. House-to-house SIAs in mixed urban and rural contexts may import infections into previously naïve communities. Infections are elevated by around 60 [range:0-230] per 1000 vaccinations, but outcomes are sensitive to prevalence in health workers and SIA timing relative to peak.
Conclusions
Younger populations experience lower transmission intensity and fewer excess infections per childhood vaccine delivered. Large rural populations have lower transmission intensity but face a greater risk of introduction of SARS-CoV-2 during an SIA.
Applications Of Tunable Mid-Infrared Plasmonic Square-Nanoring Resonator Based On Graphene Nanoribbon
Authors: Janfaza Morteza , Mansouri-Birjandi Mohammad Ali , Tavousi Alireza
Published: June 2021

In this work, different structures are designed based on graphene square-nanoring resonator (GSNR) and simulated by the three-dimensional finite-difference time-domain (3D-FDTD) method. Depending on the location and number of graphene nanoribbons (GNR), the proposed structures can be utilized as a band-pass filter, wavelength demultiplexer, or power splitter in the mid-infrared (MIR) wavelengths. The tunability of the suggested assemblies is easily controlled by changing the dimensions and/or the chemical potential of the GSNRs. Benefiting from the nanoscale and ultra-compact GNRs, these structures can be proposed as basic blocks for optical computing and signal processing in the MIR region.
WITHDRAWN: The Study on Angiotensin II Induced-ferroptosis in Vascular Endothelial Cells
Authors: Fang Hong , Liu Chi , Cavdar Omer , Shen Yi
Published: June 2021

Background: To verify the effect of Angiotensin II on ferroptosis in vascular endothelial cells and clarify the related mechanism.Methods: HUVECs were evaluated for p53, P21, ALOX12, VEGF, MDA, GSH. Molecular marker impact upon AngII-induced ferroptosis was evaluated with students’ t-test，one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA).Results: As the concentration of Ang II increased，the level of ALOX12, P53, GSH and MDA increased in HUVECs. The expression of VEGFA in HUVECs is negatively correlated with dose of Ang II. Incubation of HUVECs in AngII and valsartan for 48hr reduces ALOX12, P21, GSH and MDA. Compared with the single AngII group, ALOX12, P21, GSH and MDA in valsartan group was decreased significantly（p=0.000）. In pifithrin-α hydrobromide-treated, ALOX12, P21, GSH and MDA was reduced significantly, as compared to valsartan group（p=0.000）. The most larger reduction in ALOX12, P21,GSH and MDA was pifithrin - α hydrobromide combined with valsartan group. In contrast, the expression of VEGFA increased significantly after HUVECs were treated with pifithrin - α hydrobromide and valsartan（p=0.000）.Conclusions: AngII can induce ferroptosis of vascular endothelial cells in a dose-dependent manner. The mechanism of AngII-induced ferroptosis may be regulated through the signal axis of ATR1,2-p53-ALOX12.
Cue-Based Feeding and Short-Term Health Outcomes of Premature Infants in Newborn Intensive Care Units(NICU) : A None-Randomized Trial
Authors: Sefatbaqa samane , Zahedpasha Yadollah , Hasanpour Marzieh , Tilaki Karimollah Hajian , Zarkesh Mohammad Reza , Arzani Afsaneh , Als Heidelise
Published: June 2021

Background: Feedings based on behavioral cues is a method relying on infants’ behavioral expressions of readiness to feed. The objective of this interventional study was to determine the effect of cue-based feeding on the short-term health outcomes of preterm infants.Methods: This quasi-experimental study utilized a historical or phase lag design. It involved 60 preterm infants admitted to an Iranian referral hospital’s Level III-Newborn Intensive Care Unit (NICU) from June 2018 until January 2019. The experimental group (n=30) received a three-step intervention of offering behavioral-cue-based oral (BCBO) feedings: Step 1 – One BCBO feeding every twelve hours for three days; Step 2 - Two BCBO feedings every 12 hours for three days; and Step 3 – All feedings as BCBO feedings for three days. The control group received standard care feedings. Group difference data were analyzed with SPSS version 16 using descriptive and inferential statistics.Results: The infants’ mean weight at time of discharge for the intervention and control groups were 1492.79 ± 21.65 gr and 1395.71 ± 17.61 gr (P = .003) respectively. The mean durations of achieving full oral feedings in the intervention and control groups were 17 ± 6 and 20 ± 11 days, respectively (P = .19). The mean frequencies of hypoxia were 1 ± 1.54 and 5 ± 9.31 respectively (P = .03) and of gavage feedings 725 ± 584 and 1846 ± 2097 respectively (P = .009). No apnea events were reported for the intervention group; the frequency of apnea in the control group was 1 ± 2.11 (P = .16).Conclusion: The findings indicate that cue-based feeding is beneficial for preterm infants. Therefore, it is recommended that nurses employ cue-based feeding in the NICU.Trial Registration: IRCT20170828035962N2. Registered, 27 /05/ 2018- Prospectively registered, https://www.irct.ir/trial/27024.
Microstructure And Mechanical Properties of Ultrasonically Processed Al-7Si Alloy / Y2O3 Nanocomposite
Authors: Kumar T. Satish , Nampoothiri Jayakrishnan , Shalini S.
Published: June 2021

The aim of the present study is to investigate the microstructure and mechanical properties of the A356 aluminum metal matrix composite reinforced with Y2O3 particles. The composite is synthesized by adding 1 and 2 vol.% of reinforcement via stir casting assisted by ultrasonic treatment (UT). Microstructural contemplates shows improvement in the dispersion of nano Y2O3 particles and decrease in the porosity level due to the ultrasound aided synthesis. The UT refines the size of the Y2O3 particles as well as helps to improve its dispersion. The secondary dendrite arm spacing of 2 vol.% Y2O3 reinforced samples with 5 min UT is found to be significantly reduced to 12 µm as compared to that of the as-cast A356 alloy. Addition of 2 vol.% of nano Y2O3 has significantly improved the hardness of the A356 alloy from 60 HV to 108 HV. A considerable increment in the YS and TS of the A356 alloy is observed with the of Y2O3 and found to further improve with UT. However, small reduction in ductility is observed with the addition of Y2O3 as well as ultrasonic treatment.
Monosodium Iodoacetate Induced Subchondral Bone Microstructure and Inflammatory changes in an Animal Model of Osteoarthritis
Authors: Bao Zheming , Chen Mengli , Li Chen , Shan Qing , Wang Yichen , Yang Wenshan
Published: June 2021

Objective: To verify the presence of histopathological injury and cartilage degeneration in MIA induced joints. To investigate the correlation between inflammatory reaction and subchondral bone remodeling in a rodent osteoarthritic model.Method: Intra-articular injection of MIA was performed in Wistar rats to induce OA. After 4 weeks intervention, the animals were sacrificed, changes in intrinsic structural properties of the subchondral bones were measured using micro-CT scanning. Moreover, the histological evaluation and biochemical analysis was conducted using histochemical staining, immunofluorescence, real-time polymerase chain reaction, and western blot analysis.Results: This study demonstrated that intra-articular injection of MIA increased chondrocyte apoptosis and promoted cartilage matrix degradation, such as cartilage surface defects and shallow or even disappeared staining. MIA also induced the inflammatory process, improved the expression of IL-1β, TNF-α, matrix metalloproteinase, and decreased the expression of cartilage specific proteins with the extension of modeling time. Meanwhile, the MIA also significantly accelerated the subchondral bone remodeling at both week two and week four, as shown by the decreased subchondral bone density, thinning of trabeculae, disordered cartilage structure and morphology.Conclusion: Intra-articular injection of MIA can lead to articular cartilage degeneration and subchondral bone remodeling in the rat model of OA. MIA induced rodent osteoarthritic model would cause decreased subchondral bone density, sparse trabecular bone, and other manifestations of osteoporosis accompanied by an inflammatory response, which would worsen with the progression of modelling time.
Genetic Diversity and Population Structure of Kerala Rice Landraces Using Genotyping-By-Sequencing
Authors: Peringottillam Maya , Vasumathy Smitha Kunhiraman , Kumar Hari Krishna , Alagu Manickavelu
Published: June 2021

Researchers stand at the vanguard of advancement and application of next-generation sequencing technology for creating opportunities to guide more realistic and applicable strategies for the sustainable management of genetically diverse rice resources. This study is a pioneering effort where GBS-SNP markers were employed to assess the tremendous genetic diversity and structure of rice landrace collections from northern Kerala. Kerala holds an immense diversity of rice landraces that encountered selection pressures of environmental heterogeneity, biotic and abiotic stresses, however competent rather provide good yields, whereby drawing the attention of the rice breeding sector. The population structure and diversity analyses separated the accessions into three distinct subpopulations with a huge amount of genetic variation within subpopulations. Nei’s genetic distance analysis confirmed the existence of strong genetic differentiation among rice landrace populations. The values of FST and Nm established the farmers’ effort to preserve the genetic purity of rice landraces despite the extensive seed exchange programs across the states of India. Moreover, this low level of gene flow among subpopulations could provide the opportunity for well-adapted combinations of genes to be established by natural selection. The clustering pattern based on SNP markers furnished sufficient knowledge in identifying rice genotypes that eliminates the likelihood of duplication among indigenous cultivars. Similar clustering patterns of genotypes revealed shared genetic characters among them. Collectively these analyses can be used to completely understand the population of rice landraces in Kerala while contributing insights toward the evolution and selective pressures underlying these unique landraces.
Concerns Among The HIV-Positive Asians: A Data-Mining Analysis In Gender Comparison
Authors: Chen Wei-Ti , Barbour Russell
Published: June 2021

The authors have requested that this preprint be removed from Research Square.
Left Uniportal VATS for Lung Decortication After Chemical Pleurodesis Under Spontaneous Breathing in Patient with Lymphangiomyomatosis – A Case Report.
Authors: MANTOVANI SARA , Vannucci Jacopo , Bassi Massimiliano , Mottola Emilia , Venuta Federico , Anile Marco
Published: June 2021

Background: Pneumothorax can be the first symptom of lymphangioleiomyomatosis. Patients with lymphangioleiomyomatosis have a higher risk of recurrence of pneumothorax. Chemical pleurodesis is a viable option to treat the recurrence, but in rare cases, it is not the solution. Case Presentation: We present the case of a patient with lymphangioleiomyomatosis undergoing a talc poudrage via video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery for pneumothorax that failed to re-expand the lung. We proposed to the patient a surgical approach to debride the lung parenchyma with the patient under deep sedation with spontaneous breathing. The patient was discharged on the 5th postoperative day. The chest computed tomography scan showed complete lung re-expansion. Conclusion: We advocate that video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery in patients who are awake is a feasible surgical option that permits the restoration of physiological lung expansion in selected patients who underwent chemical pleurodesis and minimizes the risk of one-lung ventilation.
Nexus between Indigenous Ecological Knowledge and Ecosystem Services: A Socio-Ecological Analysis for Sustainable Ecosystem Management
Authors: Das Manob , Das Arijit , Seikh Selim , Pandey Rajiv
Published: June 2021

The well-being of the human society cannot be ensured and sustainable unless the flow of Ecosystem Services (ESs) would be matching with their consistent demand. The consistent flow of ESs required sustainable management of ecological resources of the ecosystem. The management of ecosystem can be ensured with variety of approaches. Integration of indigenous ecological knowledge (IEK) in management prescription with the view that IEK based extraction of ESs ensures removal of resources from the ecosystem within the limit thereby ensuring the sustainability of ecosystem. Present study is an evaluation to understand the nexus between ESs and IEK for sustainable environmental management. The focus of the study was a tribal dominated socio-ecological patch of Barind Region of Malda district, Eastern India. The assessment of ESs and IEK was based on the data collected from the randomly selected tribal households following the pre-tested questionnaire containing questions on ESs as per millennium ecosystem assessment. The data were analyzed following social preference approach, and statistical tests (Krushkal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney). General linear model (GLM) has also been used to examine the impact of socio-demographic attributes on the perceived valuation of ESs. The results revealed that the provisioning ESs (such as water, fuel wood, medical plants) was most preferred followed by cultural and regulating ESs by tribal. Differential importance of ESs was observed among tribal and accounted by gender, education as well as age of the tribe. A gap between the actual accessibility and evaluation of ESs by the tribal communities was also apparent. The socio-demographic attributes have an immense impact on the valuation of ecosystem services and also governed based on the IEK. Various types of indigenous ecological belief systems were closely linked with conservation of ecosystem and sustainable supply of ESs. Present study can contribute to understand socio-ecological nexus with the lens of IEK in tribal dominated ecological landscapes for improved ecosystem and environmental management besides ensuring sustainability of flow of ecosystem services.
Assessment of Alluvial Aquifer Intrinsic Vulnerability by a Generic Drastic Model; A Discussion on Data Adequacy and Pragmatic Results
Authors: Taheri Kamal , Missimer Thomas M. , Maleki Amjad , Omidipour Reza , Bahrami Jamil
Published: June 2021

DRASTIC is a model that is commonly used to assess vulnerability to groundwater contamination at the landscape scale. When sparse data are available to populate the layers of the model, it can be difficult to ascertain the true usefulness of the model produced map. In this research an alluvial aquifer, the Sahneh aquifer in Kermanshah province of western Iran, was mapped using the generic DRASTIC model. The data available for populating the model layers were generally sparse. The model was validated using a nitrate concentration map constructed from well water measurements within the DRASTIC map area. A Receiver Operating Curve (ROC) analysis was conducted by placing 500 random points in the DRASTIC generated map compared to the nitrate concentration map. The area under the curve was compared and yielded a value of 0.72 or 72% concordance, which means it has good validity. This investigation demonstrates that a generic DRASTIC model can yield acceptable results without modification or increasing its complexity. If the ROC analysis had yielded a value <50%, then the DRASTIC would have been considered to not be useful. A common mistake in the use of DRASTIC is to modify the method to greatly increase its complexity, which may actually decrease, not increase the resultant model usefulness.
Treatment With Atrial Natriuretic Peptide Induces Adipose Tissue Browning and Exerts Thermogenic Actions in Vivo.
Authors: Kimura Haruka , Nagoshi Tomohisa , Oi Yuhei , Yoshii Akira , Tanaka Yoshiro , Takahashi Hirotake , Kashiwagi Yusuke , Tanaka Toshikazu D , Yoshimura Michihiro
Published: June 2021

Background: Although natriuretic peptides (NPs) classically act on the renal and cardiovascular systems, increasing evidence suggests that NPs also largely coordinate inter-organ metabolic crosstalk with adipose tissues and play a critical role in energy metabolism. We recently reported that A-type NP (ANP) raises the intracellular temperature in cultured adipocytes in a low-temperature-sensitive manner. We herein investigated whether or not exogenous ANP treatment exerts a significant impact on adipose tissues in vivo using diet-induced obese mice.Methods and Results: C57BL/6 mice fed a high-fat diet (HFD) or normal-fat diet (NFD) for 13 weeks were treated with or without ANP infusion subcutaneously via osmotic pump for another 3 weeks (0.5 μg/kg/min). The intraperitoneal glucose tolerance test and insulin tolerance test showed that ANP treatment significantly ameliorated HFD-induced insulin resistance. Histological analyses revealed that HFD increased the brown adipose tissue (BAT) cell size with the accumulation of lipid droplets (whitening), which was suppressed by ANP treatment (re-browning). Furthermore, HFD induced enlarged lipid droplets in inguinal white adipose tissue (iWAT), crown-like structures in epididymal WAT (eWAT), and hepatic steatosis, all of which were substantially attenuated by ANP treatment. Likewise, ANP treatment markedly increased the expression of uncoupling protein-1 (UCP1), a specific marker of BAT, in iWAT (browning). ANP also further increased the UCP1 expression in BAT with an NFD. Accordingly, the cold tolerance test (at 4 °C for 4 h) demonstrated that the ANP-treated mice were tolerant to cold exposure.Conclusions: Exogenous ANP administration ameliorates HFD-induced insulin resistance by attenuating hepatic steatosis as well as by inducing adipose tissue browning (activation of the adipose tissue thermogenic program), leading to in vivo thermogenesis during cold exposure.
CLADE: Cluster learning-assisted directed evolution
Authors: Qiu Yuchi , Hu Jian , Wei Guo-Wei
Published: June 2021

Directed evolution (DE), a strategy for protein engineering, optimizes protein properties (i.e. fitness) by expensive and time-consuming screen or selection of a large combinatorial sequence space. Machine learning-assisted directed evolution (MLDE) that screens variant properties in silico can reduce the experimental burden. However, the MLDE utilizing small experimentally labeled training data from random sampling renders low global maximal fitness hitting rates. This work introduces a cluster learning-assisted directed evolution (CLADE) framework, particularly designed for systems without high-throughput screening assays, that combines sampling through hierarchical unsupervised clustering and supervised learning to guide protein engineering. Based on general biological information, CLADE splits the genetic combinatorial space into various subspaces with heterogeneous evolutionary traits, which guides the selection of experimental sampling sets and the subsequent building up of supervised learning training sets. By virtually screening two four-site combinatorial fitness landscapes from protein G domain B1 (GB1) and PhoQ, our CLADE consistently showed near 3-fold improvement on global maximal fitness hitting rate than using randomly sampled training data. Our CLADE can be easily applied to various biological systems and customized for systems with different throughput levels to maximize its accuracy and efficiency. It promises a significant impact to protein engineering.
Different Sources Of Fat In Supplements For Beef Cattle At Pasture
Authors: Freiria Lucien Bissi da , Zervoudakis Joanis Tilemahos , de Paula Nelcino Francisco , Fonseca Mozart Alves , Silva Pedro Ivo José Lopes da Rosa e , Silva Yasmim Rodrigues Vilas Boas e , Possamai Adriano Jorge
Published: June 2021

The aim of this study was to investigate the consequences of the fat supplementation source (free oil and rumen-protected fat) on the nutrient intake and digestion of beef cattle at pasture. Five rumen-cannulated Nelore bulls, with an average 467.8±32.8 kg of body weight (BW) and age of 26 months, were distributed in a Latin square design (5 x 5). The treatments were as follows: WF: without fat, PS: rumen-protected fat soybean oil, PA: rumen-protected fat palm oil, SO: soybean free oil, and CO: corn free oil. Nutrient intake and digestibility, ruminal pH and ammonia (NH3-N), serum urea, and nitrogen balance were analyzed. The supplements with different fat sources did not alter (P>0.05) the intake and digestibility of dry matter (DM), forage, organic matter (OM), crude protein (CP), neutral digestibility fiber (NDF), neutral digestibility corrected ash and protein (NDFap), nonfiber carbohydrates (NFC) or total digestible nutrients (TDN), except ether extract (EE). An increase (P<0.05) in the intake and digestibility was observed with the inclusion of a fat supply, independent of the fat source. Differences were observed between the WF and other supplements with regard to ruminal parameters (pH and NH3-N) (P>0.05) and serum urea (P>0.05). The nitrogen balance was not affected by the fat source (P>0.05). Supplementation of grazing beef cattle with 2 g/kg BW low-level free oil (130 g/kg DM supplement) or rumen protection (160 g/kg DM supplement) did not interfere with the characteristic nutrient intake and digestibility.