bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Uncovering the Phytochemicals of Root Exudates and Extracts of Lead (Pb) Hyperaccumulator Vetiveria Zizanioides (L.) in Response to Lead Contamination and their Effect on the Chemotactic Behaviour of Rhizospheric Bacteria
Authors: Kushwaha Anamika , Hans Nidhi , Giri Balendu Shekher , Rene Eldon R. , Rani Radha
Published: February 2021

Chemical composition of root exudates and root extracts from V. zizanioides cv KS-1 was determined, in the presence of lead [Pb(II)]. Hitherto, no information is available in the literature concerning the phytochemical components of root exudates of Vetiver zizanioides. Significantly higher concentrations of total carbohydrates (26.75 and 42.62% in root exudates and root extract, respectively), reducing sugars (21.46 and 56.11% in root exudates and root extract, respectively), total proteins (9.22 and 23.70% in root exudates and root extract, respectively), total phenolic acids (14.69 and 8.33% in root exudates and root extract, respectively), total flavonoids (14.30 and 12.28% in root exudates and root extract, respectively) and total alkaloids (12.48 and 7.96% in root exudates and root extract, respectively) were observed in samples from plants growing under Pb(II) stress in comparison to the respective controls. GC-MS profiling showed the presence of diverse group of compounds in root exudates and extracts including terpenes, alkaloids, flavonoids, carotenoids, plant hormones, carboxylic/organic acids and fatty acids. Among the detected compounds, many have important role in plant development, regulating rhizosphere microbiota, and allelopathy. Furthermore, the results indicated that V. zizanioides exudates possess a chemotactic response for rhizospheric bacterial strains Bacillus licheniformis, Bacillus subtilis and Acinetobacter junii Pb1.
Genotoxic and antigenotoxic potential of the Lagenandra toxicaria Dalz. rhizome methanol extract using Allium cepa assay.
Authors: B AKARSHA , GULIMANE KRISHNAKUMAR
Published: February 2021

This study is the first ever approach to evaluate the possible genotoxic effect of the Lagenandra toxicaria rhizome methanol extract and its antigenotoxic potency against 3% H2O2 induced genetic damage on Allium cepa root tip model. The assay revealed a significant decrease in mitotic index (MI) and an increase in the percentage of clastogenicity in a time and dose-dependent manner in the roots exposed to Lagenandra toxicaria extract at 0.2 mg/ml, 0.5 mg/ml, 1 mg/ml, 5 mg/ml and 10 mg/ml concentration for 1, 2 and 4hour. The ultra structures of cell surface and biochemical changes of the cells were assessed in four hour treated roots using Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The higher dose of 10 mg/ml treated roots showed an evident morphological as well as biochemical changes compared to the control. The agarose gel electrophoresis showed the loss of DNA integrity in the roots that were treated with 10 mg/ml extract for four hours, where as the control showed comparatively intact DNA bands. The in situ histochemical staining by Schiff’s reagent and nitroblueterasolium (NBT) confirmed the increased lipid peroxidation and free radical generation in four hour treated samples. Subsequently, the possible antigenotoxic potential of the plant extract was explored at its lower doses using H2O2 standard assays. The H2O2 treatment induced nuclear lesions in 93.45 ± 2.33% cells and it was seen to be reduced significantly (50.99 ±7.59 % and 37.13 ± 2.66 %) after the treatment with lower concentration of 0.01 mg/ml and 0.02 mg/ml extract respectively. This suggest that the Lagenandra toxicaria rhizome methanol extract acts as antigenotoxic agent at lower doses but at higher doses the extract induces clastogenic effects and thus acts like a janus-faced compound.
A Machine Learning Challenge for Prognostic Modelling in Head and Neck Cancer Using Multi-modal Data
Authors: Haibe-Kains Benjamin , Kazmierski Michal , Welch Mattea , Kim Sejin , McIntosh Chris , Rey-McIntyre Katrina , Huang Shao Hui , Patel Tirth , Tadic Tony , Milosevic Michael , Liu Fei-Fei , Hope Andrew , Bratman Scott
Published: February 2021

Accurate prognosis for an individual patient is a key component of precision oncology. Recent advances in machine learning have enabled the development of models using a wider range of data, including imaging. Radiomics aims to extract quantitative predictive and prognostic biomarkers from routine medical imaging, but evidence for computed tomography radiomics for prognosis remains inconclusive. We have conducted an institutional machine learning challenge to develop an accurate model for overall survival prediction in head and neck cancer using clinical data etxracted from electronic medical records and pre-treatment radiological images, as well as to evaluate the true added benefit of radiomics for head and neck cancer prognosis. Using a large, retrospective dataset of 2,552 patients and a rigorous evaluation framework, we compared 12 different submissions using imaging and clinical data, separately or in combination. The winning approach used non-linear, multitask learning on clinical data and tumour volume, achieving high prognostic accuracy for 2-year and lifetime survival prediction and outperforming models relying on clinical data only, engineered radiomics and deep learning. Combining all submissions in an ensemble model resulted in improved accuracy, with the highest gain from a image-based deep learning model. Our results show the potential of machine learning and simple, informative prognostic factors in combination with large datasets as a tool to guide personalized cancer care.
Complete genome sequence of a clinical isolate of Clostridioides difficile bacteriophage phiCDKH01 of the family Siphoviridae
Authors: Hinc Krzysztof , Kabała Monika , Iwanicki Adam , Martirosian Gajane , Negri Alessandro , Obuchowski Michał
Published: February 2021

A new temperate phiCDKH01 siphophage was obtained from clinical isolate of Clostridioides difficile. The phage genome is a 45,089 bp linear double-stranded DNA molecule with an average G + C content of 28.7%. It shows low similarity to known phage genomes except for phiCD24-1. Genomic and phylogenetic analysis revealed that phiCDKH01 is a novel phage. 66 putative ORFs were predicted in the genome, 37 of which code for proteins with predicted functions. The phiCDKH01 prophage has been localized in the host genome. Results of this study increases genetic diversity of known tailed phages.
Linguistic Feature of Anorexia Nervosa: A Prospective Case-Control Pilot Study
Authors: Cuteri Vittoria , Minori Giulia , Gagliardi Gloria , Tamburini Fabio , Malaspina Elisabetta , Gualandi Paola , Rossi Francesca , Moscano Milena , Francia Valentina , Parmeggiani Antonia
Published: February 2021

Purpose: attention has recently been paid to Clinical Linguistics for the detection and support of clinical conditions. Many works have been published on the “linguistic profile” of various clinical populations, but very few papers have been devoted to linguistic changes in patients with eating disorders. Patients with Anorexia Nervosa (AN) share similar psychological features such as disturbances in self-perceived body image, inflexible and obsessive thinking and anxious or depressive traits. We hypothesize that these characteristics can result in altered linguistic patterns and be detected using the Natural Language Processing tools. Methods: we enrolled 51 young participants from December 2019 to February 2020 (age range: 14-18): 17 girls with a clinical diagnosis of AN, and 34 normal weighted peers, matched by gender, age and educational level. Participants in each group were asked to produce three written texts (around 10-15 lines long). A rich set of linguistic features was extracted from the text samples and the statistical significance in pinpointing the pathological process was measured.Results: comparison between the two groups showed several linguistics indexes as statistically significant, with syntactic reduction as the most relevant trait of AN productions. Conclusion: these preliminary data showed the existence of linguistic parameters as probable linguistic markers of AN. However, the analysis of a bigger cohort, still ongoing, is needed to consolidate this assumption.Level of evidence III: evidence obtained from case-control analytic studies.
Expression levels of caspase-3 and gasdermin E and their involvement in the occurrence and prognosis of lung cancer
Authors: huang yuanli , Zhang GuangHui , Zhu Qing , Wu Xia , Wu LIGao
Published: February 2021

Background

Pyroptosis plays a dual role in the development of cancer and malignancy, and as such, may potentially be a new target for cancer treatment. However, the inflammatory response to pyroptosis may have adverse effects on the body. The roles of gasdermin E (GSDME), caspases, and related proteins associated with pyroptosis in cancer remain controversial. This study aimed to explore whether the expression levels of caspase-3 and GSDME affect the clinical stage, pathological grade, and survival prognosis of patients with lung cancer.
Methods

We examined the protein levels of GSDME, caspase-3, caspase-8, and caspase-9 in lung tissues from 100 patients with lung cancer by using immunohistochemistry.
Results

We found that GSDME, caspase-3, and caspase-8 were more highly expressed in the tumor tissues than in the adjacent normal tissues. Moreover, we found that GSDME could serve as a prognostic factor because there was a positive correlation between its expression level and the postoperative survival rate of patients with lung cancer.
Conclusions

GSDME may be an independent factor affecting the prognosis of patients with lung cancer. However, the role of GSDME and its related proteins in cancer requires further research.
Associations of Dietary Exposure to Organochlorine Pesticides from Plant-origin Foods with Lipid Metabolism and Inflammation in Childbearing-age Women: A Multiple Follow-up Study in North China
Authors: Wang Xuepeng , Gao Miaomiao , Tan Yixi , Li Qi , Chen Junxi , Lan Changxin , Jiangtulu Bahabieke , Wang Bin , Yu Yanxin , Li Zhiwen
Published: February 2021

Background

Potential links between population exposure to organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) and their impact on human health are under discussion. The current study explored the effects of population OCP intake from plant-origin food consumption on lipid metabolism and inflammation using a multiple follow-up study.
Methods

A total of 10 childbearing-age women (five in urban areas and five in rural areas) in northern China were recruited and visited for five times. During each visit, we conducted a questionnaire survey, blood collection, and food sampling. The levels of OCPs in cereals, fruits, and vegetables were measured, and nutrient content information was obtained from a national monitoring program. We calculated the women’s dietary intakes of OCPs and nutrients. Serum biomarkers of lipids [triglycerides, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL), and lipoprotein(a)], monocyte chemotactic protein-1, interleukin (IL)-6, and IL-8 were measured. Linear mixed-effect models were used to evaluate the associations of dietary OCP and nutrient intake with serum biomarkers.
Results

The dietary intake of p,p′-dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) [β = -10.11, 95% confidence interval (95%CI): -17.32, -2.905] and o,p′-dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (DDE) (β = -6.077, 95%CI: -9.954, -2.200) were overall negatively associated with serum HDL, whereas other OCPs were not. IL-8 was positively associated with intake of dieldrin (β = 0.390, 95% CI: 0.105, 0.674), endosulfan-β (β = 0.361, 95%CI: 0.198, 0.523), total endosulfan (β = 0.136, 95%CI: 0.037, 0.234), and total OCPs (β = 0.084, 95%CI: 0.016, 0.153), and negatively correlated with intake of p,p′-DDE (β = -2.692, 95%CI: -5.185, -0.198). No associations between dietary nutrient intake and serum biomarkers were observed.
Conclusions

We concluded that dietary intake of some individual DDT-, DDE- dieldrin-, and endosulfan-class chemicals from plant-origin foods may interfere with lipid metabolism and inflammation responses.
Ability of Non-Invasive Tear Break-Up Time to Determine Tear Instability in Contact Lens Wearers
Authors: Muhafiz Ersin , Demir Mehmet Siraç
Published: February 2021

Purpose To evaluate the performance of precorneal and prelens non-invasive tear break-up time (NIBUT) measurements to determine tear instability in contact lens (CL) wearers.Methods In this study 50 eyes of CL wearers were evaluated. Precorneal first and average NIBUTs and fluorescein tear break-up time (FBUT) were measured before wearing CLs in the morning. Those with FBUT less than 10 seconds were considered to have tear instability. After wearing CL, first and average prelens NIBUTs were measured at the 30th minute. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was analyzed to evaluate the performance of NIBUT measurements in the diagnosis of tear instability.Results The FBUT value had a significant correlation with first and average precorneal NIBUT values (p < 0.001, r = 0.653 and p < 0.001, r = 0.628,respectively). The FBUT value had no correlation with the prelens first and average NIBUT values (p = 0.542 and p = 0.263,respectively). To understand the relationship between the precorneal and prelens NIBUT values measured by the automated method, their correlation was evaluated. There was no significant correlation between the precorneal and prelens NIBUTs (for all;p > 0.05).The area under curve (AUC) in ROC curve for the first and average precorneal NIBUTs were 0.842 (p<0.001) and 0.810 (p<0.001), respectively. The AUC values for the first and average prelens NIBUTs at the 30th minute of CL wear were 0.586 and 0.619 respectively (p=0.317 and p=0.166, respectively). Conclusions: Precorneal NIBUT measurements may be useful in diagnosing tear instability in CL wearers. Prelens NIBUT values are not yet capable of adequately defining the tear film dynamics.
Optimization Model Based on Multivariable Grey Model and Its Application to Energy Consumption in China
Authors: Xu Kai , Luo Xilin , Pang Xinyu
Published: February 2021

Currently, the energy development in China is in a critical period of transformation and reform, facing unprecedented opportunities and challenges. Accurate energy consumption forecast is conducive to promoting the diversification of energy development and utilization, and ensuring the healthy and rapid development of China's economy. Based on the existing multivariable grey prediction model, a nonlinear multivariable grey prediction model with parameter optimization is established in this paper, which used the genetic algorithms to find the optimal parameters, and the modelling steps are obtained. Then, the novel model takes the oil natural gas, coal and clean energy in China as the research objects, and the results are compared with the other four grey prediction models. The novel model has higher simulation and prediction accuracy, which is better than the other four grey prediction models. Finally, the novel model is used to predict those four energy consumption forecasts in China from 2020 to 2024. The results show that various energy consumption will further increase, while the fastest growing is clean energy and natural gas, which provides effective information for the Chinese government to formulate energy economic policies.
Effects of domestic solid fuel combustion emissions on the biomarkers of homemakers in rural areas of the Fenwei Plain, China
Authors: Feng Rong , Xu Hongmei , He Kailai , Wang Zexuan , Han Bei , Lei Ronghui , Ho Kin Fai , Niu Xinyi , Sun Jian , Zhang Bin , Liu Pingping , Shen Zhenxing
Published: February 2021

Background

The health effects of heavy solid fuel use in winter in rural China are of concern. The effects of air pollution resulting from domestic solid fuel combustion in rural households on rural homemakers’ biomarkers were revealed in this study.
Methods

In total, 75 female homemakers from rural areas of Guanzhong Basin, the Fenwei Plain, People’s Republic of China, were randomly selected and divided into three groups (biomass users, coal users, and nonusers of solid fuel user [control group]). The differences in biological indicators, including 8-hydrox-2’-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), interlukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) in urine samples as well as blood pressure (BP, including systolic BP [SBP] and diastolic BP [DBP]) and heart rate (HR) among the groups in winter and summer were investigated using statistical analysis.
Results

IL-6, 8-OHdG, HR, SBP, and DBP were significantly higher in winter than in summer (P < 0.05) owing to the poor air quality resulted from the excessive use of solid fuels in winter. Significant seasonal differences in 8-OHdG, HR, and SBP were observed for both coal and biomass users. After the influence of confounders was removed, only IL-6 levels in the urine of solid fuel users were significantly higher than that of the control group.
Conclusions

IL-6 is a sensitive biomarker representing inflammatory responses to particulate matter emitted through household solid fuel combustion. Locally, excessive use of solid fuels in winter posed serious PM2.5 pollution in this area and adverse effects on inflammatory biomarkers in these rural homemakers and induced DNA damage related to oxidative stress.
Care for Caregivers- A Mission for Primary Care 
Authors: Biderman Aya , Carmel Sara , Amar Shimon , Bachner Yaacov G.
Published: February 2021

Background. The number of elderly people living in the community who are limited in daily activities is increasing worldwide. This generates prolonged care, which usually falls on one family member, the family caregiver. Caregivers sometimes develop psychosocial and physical symptoms. As a result, the World Health Organization (WHO) issued a clear directive to assess and support these caregivers. The present study focuses on providing preventive solutions by primary care physicians (PCP) to caregivers. Methods. Data were collected from a convenience sample of 201 PCP interviewed with specifically structured questionnaires. Results. The participants’ mean age was 48.5±11.2 years and 53.5% were female. Only 48.5% were Israel medical graduates and 72% were board-certified family physicians. Nearly 34% had formally been primary caregivers of family members. Most physicians (83.6%) were aware of the primary caregiver's high-risk for morbidity and mortality, and recommended preventive care. On a multivariate regression, awareness of the risk, country of medical school and board certification were considered to be of great significance in relation to providing preventive care. However, being a primary caregiver for a sick family member neither contributed significantly to the doctors’ awareness to caregiving risks nor to their preventive care.Conclusion. Although a high percentage of physicians were aware and concerned about caregivers’ welfare, their preventive care activities were relatively passive. PCPs should take a more active and preventive role.
A Comparison Study on Fluorescence Properties of Formononetin and Ononin
Authors: Cao Jinjin , Lv Fang , Liu Ting , Niu Luchen , Han Bocong , Zheng Yanhui , Li Wenhong , Wei Yongju
Published: February 2021

In this work, reasons for the spectral difference between two isoflavones, Formononetin (F) and ononin (FG), are explained in the viewpoint of molecular structure through a comparison study of the fluorescence features of the two. The fluorescence enhancement of FG in hot alkaline condition is reported for the first time. For F, there was almost no fluorescence under acidic conditions, but when pH>5, its fluorescence began to increase with increasing pH due to the proton ionization of 7-OH. In the range of pH 9.3-12.0, the anion form of F produced a fairly strong and stable fluorescence with maximum excitation wavelength (λex) of 334 nm and emission wavelength (λem) of 464 nm, its fluorescence quantum yield (Yf) was measured to be 0.042. And for FG, its aqueous solution fluoresced weakly in a wide pH range until it was placed under hot alkaline conditions, which was presumed to the cleavage reaction of the γ-pyrone ring in FG by observing a significant fluorescence at λex / λem =288 / 388nm, and Yf was determined to be 0.020. The fluorescence sensitization methods of F and FG both exhibit low limits of detection (2.60 ng·mL-1, 9.30 ng·mL-1) and wide linear ranges (0.0117-1.86 μg·mL-1, 0.0146-2.92μg·mL-1). Although the structural relationship between F and FG is glycoside and aglycone, FG cannot be translated to F by glucoside hydrolysis under hot alkaline condition, the fluorescence enhancement mechanisms of the two are essentially different. The fluorescence difference between the two under different experimental conditions lays the foundation for future fluorescence quantitative analysis.
Prognostic and Clinicopathological Value of Cyclin E Expression in Breast Cancer: A Meta-Analysis
Authors: Wang Yufei , Yang Qijuan , Ma Deshou , Ma Zhijun , Wang Xiaowu
Published: February 2021

Background: Multiple studies have analyzed the correlation between Cyclin E and breast cancer prognosis, but the results are controversial. In this study, a meta-analysis was used to summarize the published reports, clarify the predictive value of Cyclin E in breast cancer, and the relationship with clinicopathological characteristics.Methods: A systematic search was retrieved in PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Collaboration Library on the comprehensive search strategy up to 24 August 2020. recurrence-free survival (RFS), overall survival (OS), and breast cancer-specific survival (BCSS) was estimated using pooled hazard ratios (HRs) and risk ratios (RRs) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) by univariate and multivariate analysis.Results: Twenty-eight eligible studies met our inclusion criteria. The present meta-analysis indicates that high cyclin E expression is independently associated with poor OS, BCSS, and RFS in female breast cancer patients by univariate and multivariate analysis. Furthermore, higher histological grades, estrogen receptor (ER)-negativity, positive lymph node metastasis, younger patients, and premenopausal status were associated with Cyclin E overexpression. Conclusions: High expression of Cyclin E is associated with poor breast cancer outcomes and relevant to multiple clinical characteristics.
Quantifying Parent Engagement in Fuel for Fun Identified Design Considerations and BMI Relationships
Authors: Lohse Barbara , Cunningham-Sabo Leslie
Published: February 2021

BackgroundParent participation in children’s health interventions is insufficiently defined and measured. This project quantified and examined parent participation and its association with outcomes in an intervention focused on 4th graders and their families.MethodsIndices were developed to measure type (Parent Participation Profile; PPP) and intensity (Parent Engagement Intensity; PEI) of engagement in Fuel for Fun (FFF), an asymmetric school-and family-based intervention for 4th graders. Study arm-specific participation opportunities were catalogued and summed to calculate the PPP. An algorithm considered frequency, effort, convenience, and invasiveness of each activity to calculate PEI. Indices were standardized (0-100%) using study arm-specific divisors to address asymmetric engagement opportunities. Parents who completed \(\ge\)75% of the PPP were defined as Positive Deviants. Youth height and weight were measured. Youth BMI percentile change was compared with parent Positive Deviant status using general linear modeling with repeated measures that included the participation indices.ResultsOf 1435 youth, 777 (54%) had parent participation in at least one activity. Standardized means were 41.5 ± 25.4% for PPP and 27.6 ± 20.9% for PEI. Demographics, behaviors or baseline FFF outcomes did not differ between the Positive Deviant parent (n = 105) and non-Positive Deviant parents (n = 672); but more Positive Deviant parents followed an indulgent feeding style (p = 0.015). Standardized intensity was greater for Positive Deviant parents; 66.9 ± 20.6% vs 21.5 ± 12.7% (p < 0.001) and differences with non-Positive Deviant parents were related to activity type (p \(\le\)0.01 for six of eight activities). Standardized participation intensity was associated with engagement in a greater number of standardized activity types. Among participating parents, standardized intensity and breadth of activity were inversely related to the youth BMI percentile (n=739; PEI r= -0.39, p < 0.001; PPP r= -0.34, p < 0.001). Parent engagement was not associated with parent BMI changeConclusionsPositive deviance in parent engagement was not a function of personal, but rather activity characteristics. PPP and PEI increased with fewer requirements and convenient, novel, and personalized activities. Parent engagement indices affirmed lower engagement by parents of overweight/obese youth and concerns about target reach.Trial RegistrationClinicaltrials.gov NCT02491294. Registered 8 July, 2015.
Temporal and spatial evolution patterns and prediction of drought in China in recent 500 years
Authors: Guo Bing , Zhang Rui , Zang Wenqian , Lu Yuefeng , Meng Chao , Zhang Dafu , Zhen Xiaoyan
Published: February 2021

Drought is a prominent disaster in Chinese history. Analysing the spatial and temporal evolution laws of drought could provide decision supports for drought prevention and control. However, fewer studies were applied to investigate the long-term evolution rules of drought events on different spatial and temporal scales. In this paper, the spatio-temporal changes patterns of drought in China were analysed with geostatistical methods based on the 1470–2000a drought datasets in China, and then the possible future drought trend was predicted. Results showed that :(1) The drought risk in the northern region was the highest during the past 500 years. And, the drought intensity index showed an overall increasing trend with detail pattern of weakening->strengthening-> weakening-> strengthening; (2) The drought condition in the north was server than that in the south, but the drought trend in the south was significantly aggravated. (3) The drought gravity centres were mainly distributed in the north, but it showed a tendency to move southward. (4) From 1470 to 2000, the study area showed a significant drought enhancements, which was predicted to show an increasing trend of drought after 2000.
An Integrated Scheduling Algorithm for Multi-Device-Processes with the Strategy of Exchanging Adjacent Parallel Processes of The Same Device
Authors: Wang zhen , zhang xiaohuan , Cao yuxiao
Published: February 2021

The current integrated scheduling algorithm ignores the influence of the pre-process on the post-process when solving the multi-device-process integrated scheduling problem, which leads to the problem of poor tightness between serial processes and low parallelism between parallel processes. This paper points out that there is no restriction of scheduling sequence between adjacent parallel processes on the same processing device, and the scheduling sequence between parallel processes on the same device can be flexibly processed to optimize the scheduling results, on the basis of the current algorithm scheduling scheme, this paper proposes the application of multi-device adjacent parallel process interchange strategy and multi-device adjacent parallel process interchange adjustment strategy, which avoid the influence of the pre-process on the post-process, improves the compactness of the serial process and the parallelism of the parallel process, and optimizes the scheduling results.
Chemically/Electrically-assisted Regeneration of Polyacrylonitrile-based Hydrogel Adsorbed Heavy Metals 
Authors: Mansoub Amany A. El , El-Sayed Marwa , Nashar Rasha M. El , Fahmy Hussein M. , Abulnour Abdelghani M.G.
Published: February 2021

Adsorption is an important technology for the removal of heavy metals from industrial effluents. Efficient regeneration of exhausted adsorbents is essential for improving the applicability of different adsorbents. In this work an adsorptive polyacrylonitrile-based hydrogel was characterized and investigated in terms of adsorption/regeneration using both conventional chemical and electrical-assisted regeneration techniques. The hydrogel characterization includes FTIR, XRD, SEM, EDAX, porosity, and electrical conductivity. Hydrogel performance in adsorption and conventional chemical regeneration was tested. Further, electrically-assisted regeneration using a specially designed cell was also investigated.The maximum adsorption capacities for chromium and nickel were 8.082, and 17.437 mg/g, respectively. The isotherm data fitted Freundlich, while kinetic data fitted pseudo-second-order model.Conventional chemical desorption showed regeneration efficiency of 15.58, and 27.27 % for chromium and nickel, respectively. While, the electrically-assisted regeneration showed much higher values of 51.6, and 98.3 % for chromium and nickel, respectively indicating the merit of using electrically-assisted chemical regeneration for enhancing heavy metals adsorbing hydrogel applicability.
Lower Testosterone Levels Predict Increasing Severity and Worse Outcomes of Hepatitis B Virus-Related Acute-On-Chronic Liver Failure in Males
Authors: Huang Yandi , Yan Dong , Zhang Huafen , Lou Bin , Yan Ren , Yao Yifan , Dong Minya , Yang Donglei , Lv Feifei , Chen Yu
Published: February 2021

Background: Hepatitis B virus-related acute-on-chronic liver failure (HBV-ACLF) is a serious liver disease with pathogenesis remaining unclear. This study aims to investigate the association between testosterone levels, stage (early, middle, or late, categorized according to clinical manifestation), severity scores, and clinical outcomes of HBV-ACLF. Methods: This single-center observational study involved 160 male patients with HBV-ACLF, 151 chronic hepatitis B patients without liver failure (CHB) and 106 healthy controls (HC). Morning blood samples were collected and androgen levels analyzed by chemi-bioluminescent immunoassay. Time to death or liver transplantation within 90 days comprised the primary composite outcome. Results: Serum levels of total testosterone (TT), free testosterone index (FTI), dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate and cortisol were significantly lower among HBV-ACLF than CHB and HC, while androstenedione was higher. Low TT, SHBG and FTI were associated with increased stage (of HBV-ACLF, ascites, and hepatic encephalopathy) and severity scores (Model for End-stage Liver Disease and Chinese Group on the Study of Severe Hepatitis B-ACLF scores). Low TT (<142.39 ng/dL) was a risk factor for both the composite outcome and for death alone within 90 days. Multivariate analysis revealed TT to be a predictor for the composite outcome independent of age, BMI, SHBG, FTI, cortisol, and androstenedione. Conclusion: Low serum testosterone is common among male patients with HBV-ACLF and predictive of increased severity and worse outcome of the disease and may play an important role in the progression of HBV-ACLF.
Phylogeography of Prunus Armeniaca L. By Chloroplast DNA and Nuclear Ribosomal Sequences
Authors: Li Wen-Wen , Liu Li-Qiang , Zhang Qiu-Ping , Zhou Wei-Quan , Fan Guo-Quan , Liao Kang
Published: February 2021

To clarify the phytogeography of Prunus armeniaca L., two chloroplast DNA fragments (trnL-trnF and ycf1) and the nuclear ribosomal DNA internal transcribed spacer (ITS) were employed to assess the genetic variation across 12 P. armeniaca populations. The results of cpDNA and ITS sequence data analysis showed that the level of genetic diversity in P. armeniaca was high (cpDNA: HT=0.499; ITS: HT=0.876), and the level of genetic differentiation was low (cpDNA: FST=0.1628; ITS: FST=0.0297). An analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) revealed that most of the genetic variation in P. armeniaca occurred among individuals within populations. The value of interpopulation differentiation (NST) was significantly higher than the number of substitution types (GST), indicating a genealogical structure in P. armeniaca. P. armeniaca shared the same genotypes with related species and may be associated with them through continuous and extensive gene flow. The haplotypes/genotypes of cultivated apricot populations in Xinjiang, North China, and foreign apricot populations were mixed with large numbers of haplotypes/genotypes of wild apricot populations from the Ili River Valley. The wild apricot populations in the Ili River Valley contained the ancestral haplotypes/genotypes with the highest genetic diversity and were located in an area considered a potential glacial refugiume for P. armeniaca. Since population expansion occurred 16.53 kyr ago, the area has provided a suitable climate for the population and protected the genetic diversity of P. armeniaca.
Pre-Motor vs. Motor Cerebral Cortex Neuromodulation For Chronic Neuropathic Pain 
Authors: Lavrov Igor , Latypov Timur , Mukhametova Elvira , Lundstrom Brian , Sandroni Paola , Lee Kendall , Klassen Bryan , Stead Matt
Published: February 2021

Electrical stimulation of the cerebral cortex (ESCC) has been used to treat intractable neuropathic pain for nearly two decades, however, no standardized approach for this technique has been developed. In order to optimize targeting and validate the effect of ESCC before placing the permanent grid, we introduced initial assessment with trial stimulation, using a temporary grid of subdural electrodes. In this retrospective study we evaluate the role of electrode location on cerebral cortex in control of neuropathic pain and the role of trial stimulation in target-optimization for ESCC. Location of the temporary grid electrodes and location of permanent electrodes were evaluated in correlation with the long-term efficacy of ESCC. The results of this study demonstrate that the long-term effect of subdural pre-motor cortex stimulation is at least the same or higher compare to effect of subdural motor or combined pre-motor and motor cortex stimulation. These results also demonstrate that the initial trial stimulation helps to optimize permanent electrode positions in relation to the optimal functional target that is critical in cases when brain shift is expected. Proposed methodology and novel results open a new direction for development of neuromodulation techniques to control chronic neuropathic pain.
An Enhanced routing Technique to improve the Network Lifetime of Cognitive Sensor Network
Authors: Jyothi V , Subramanyam M.V.
Published: February 2021

In terms of using the technology of Cognitive Radio (CR), a Cognitive Sensor Network (CSN) is varied from the conventional Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs). According to the interaction with the surrounding environment, the transmitter parameters can be modified in the sensor nodes of CSN adaptively. In CSNs, routing is one of the important components. Based on the capability of spectrum-aware, the schemes of routing of CSNs are district from other networks. The changeable spectrum resource dynamically should be understood by the routing scheme to establish a path of reliable forwarding by the adjustment of routing policy adaptively. In CSNs, reliable routing is an essential thing but still not a well-explored problem in CSNs. Packet drops due to spectrum unavailability and buffer overflows seriously affects the connectivity of the nodes. The whole network’s lifetime and the data delivery rate are impacted by the prolonging packet drops. To increase the nodes’ lifetime, the addressing of this drawback in the phase of routing should be done. Before the making of routing decisions, a new routing technique is proposed named as Drop factor based energy efficient routing technique (DFBEER) with the use of packet drop ratio and power dissipation metric of the spectrum links. With the total number of users in the routing path, the drop factor is computed. Power dissipation is calculated based on the transmitted data packets versus the amount of total consumed energy. This method reduces the drop ratio by avoiding the high drop factor nodes from being participating in the routing process. It always ensures that the data would be handled by the low dropping ratio nodes, thus the network’s lifetime is improved.
The Impact of Cation Distribution on The Structural and Magnetic Properties of Nonstoichiometric Co0.5Ni0.5+xFe2-xO4 Nanoferrites
Authors: Wahba Adel Maher , Moharam Bahaa Eldeen M. , Mahmoud Aya Fayez
Published: February 2021

In this work, the impact of nonstoichiometric substitution of Fe3+ cations by Ni2+ ones on the structural and magnetic properties of Co0.5Ni0.5+xFe2-xO4 (0.0 ≤ x ≤ 0.4) nanoferrites synthesized by citric autocombustion method. The cubic phase purity for sintered samples were verified by XRD patterns and FTIR spectra. The crystallite size and microstrain were deduced using Williamson-Hall method. The estimated crystallite size ranges from 55 to 89 nm in agreement with TEM microimages. Hysteresis loops traced using VSM prevailed a regular reduction of saturation magnetization with Ni substitution. Relied on the experimental data of XRD, FTIR, and VSM, cation distribution has been suggested, according to which the nonstoichiometric substitution was compensated by the appearance of higher valance states of Fe, Ni, and Co cations. The suggested cation distribution successfully explained the recorded data of lattice parameter, crystallite size, IR frequencies, magnetization and coercivity.
Exploring the Effect of Renewable Energy on Low-Carbon Sustainable Development in the Belt and Road Initiative Countries: Evidence From the Spatial-Temporal Perspective
Authors: He Jianhan , Chen Jianhua , Peng Hengming , Duan Hailin
Published: February 2021

The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has promoted the deployment of renewable energy to achieve sustainability. It is essential to reveal the influence of renewable energy on low-carbon economic development. The share of renewable energy consumption (SREC) is taken as the core explanatory variable in this paper, and its impacts on carbon emission intensity (CEI) and economic growth are investigated from the spatial-temporal perspective. First, the panel Granger causality test is applied for revealing the causal links among SREC, CEI, and economic growth during 1999-2017. Then, this paper investigates the impacts of SREC on economic growth and CEI through rigorous econometric techniques. Based on the regression results, Shapley value decomposition is utilized to account for the cross-country inequalities of economic growth and CEI. The main findings are as follows: (1) There exist bidirectional Granger causalities between SREC, economic growth, and CEI, which shows there is a systematic link between the three variables. (2) All models demonstrate the inverted U-shaped nexus between SREC and economic growth, indicating renewable energy deployment costs are urgent to be decreased with SREG increasing. Besides, capital investment and openness positively affect economic growth, but energy intensity has an opposite impact. (3) From the spatial heterogeneity perspective, the cross-country inequality in economic growth is primarily due to the regional inequality of capital investment, followed by energy intensity and SREC. By contrast, the impacts of labor and openness are negligible. (4) SREC has a negative effect on CEI. In addition, an inverted U-shaped nexus between economic growth and CEI is observed. Energy intensity positively affects CEI, while the impacts of urbanization and openness are insignificant. (5) From the spatial heterogeneity perspective, the cross-country CEI inequality is mostly caused by the inequality of energy intensity, followed by SREC, urbanization and economic growth, while the contribution of the openness gap is little. This article provides important implications for low-carbon development in the BRI countries.
Genetic Diversity, Population Structure and Relationship of Ethiopian Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) Landraces as reveled by Simple Sequence Repeat (SSR) Markers
Authors: Dido Allo Aman , Singh B.J.K. , Assefa Ermias , Kr M.S.R. , Degefu Dawit , Tesfaye Kassahun
Published: February 2021

Characterization of genetic resources maintained at genebanks has important implications for future utilization and collection activities. A total of 49 simple sequence repeat (SSR) or microsatellite markers were used to study genetic diversity and relationships among 376 barley landraces collected from different barley producing parts of Ethiopia and eight cultivars. Overall, 478 alleles with an average of 9.755 alleles per locus were obtained of which 97.07% of the loci were observed to be polymorphic. Nei’s genetic diversity index (h) was 0.654, and the Shannon diversity index (I) was 0.647, indicating that the genetic diversity in barley genotypes studies was moderately high. At the population level, the percentage of polymorphic loci (PPL) averaged 98.37%, h = averaged 0.388, and I = averaged 0.568. The highest level of genetic diversity was observed in the AR population (PPL =100%, h = 0.439, I = 0.624); the lowest was observed in the JM population (PPL = 75.51%, h = 0.291, I =0.430). AMOVA revealed significant genetic differentiation within and between populations (P < 0.001), with 84.21% of the variation occurring within populations and 15.79% occurring among populations. Genetic variation analysis showed a coefficient of gene differentiation of 0.053 and a gene flow value of 4.467 among populations. The 384 barley genotypes were divided into seven genetic clusters according to STRUCTURE, Neighbour joining tree and principal coordinate analysis, correlating significantly with geographic distribution. These results will assist with the formulation of conservation strategies, such as genetic rescue and on-farm in situ and ex situ conservation.
Improved COVID-19 detection using data augmentation Deep Convolution GAN and classifier DenseNet.
Authors: Ghosh Debmitra
Published: February 2021

SARS-CoV-2 or severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 is considered to be the cause of Coronavirus (COVID-19) which is a viral disease. The rapid spread of COVID-19 is having a detrimental effect on the global economy and health. A chest X-ray of infected patients can be considered as a crucial step in the battle against COVID-19. On retrospections, it is found that abnormalities exist in chest X-rays of patients suggestive of COVID-19. This sparked the introduction of a variety of deep learning systems and studies which have shown that the accuracy of COVID-19 patient detection through the use of chest X-rays is strongly optimistic. Although there are certain shortcomings like deep learning networks like convolutional neural networks (CNNs) need a substantial amount of training data but the outbreak is recent, so it is large datasets of radiographic images of the COVID-19 infected patients are not available in such a short time. Here, in this research, we present a method to generate synthetic chest X-ray (CXR) images by developing a Deep Convolution Generative Adversarial Network-based model. In addition, we demonstrate that the synthetic images produced from DCGAN can be utilized to enhance the performance of CNN for COVID-19 detection. Classification using CNN alone yielded 85% accuracy. Although there are several models available, we chose MobileNet as it is a lightweight deep neural network, with fewer parameters and higher classification accuracy. Here we are using a deep neural network-based model to diagnose COVID-19 infected patients through radiological imaging of 5,859 Chest X-Ray images. We are using a Deep Convolutional Neural Network and a pre-trained model “DenseNet 121” for two new label classes (COVID-19 and Normal). To improve the classification accuracy, in our work we have further reduced the number of network parameters by introducing dense blocks that are proposed in DenseNets into MobileNet. By adding synthetic images produced by DCGAN, the accuracy increased to 97%. Our goal is to use this method to speed up COVID-19 detection and lead to more robust systems of radiology.
Evaluation of Risk Factors and Treatment of Peri-Partum Anemia
Authors: Ibrahim Safaa A. , Abdalla Mena M. , Elshafei Rofida M.
Published: February 2021

Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) in pregnancy, i.e., prepartum anemia, is associated with premature birth, low birth weight, and small for gestational age of the newborn and is furthermore closely associated with the occurrence of anemia after delivery of a child, i.e., in the postpartum period .Post partum anemia is a common problem throughout the world. Through this study, aim of the work (frequency of post partum anemia and risk factors for its development) & objectives was done. The study showed that percentage of antepartum anemia was about 64.3% this percentage postpartum increased to about 65.4% and 13.6% of those with antepartum normal hemoglobine level became anemic and there were 12.5% anemic improved postpartum and became normal. The major causes of postpartum anemia are prepartum iron deficiency/anemia in combination with excessive blood losses at delivery. Post partum anemia is not affected by demographic data, obstetric history, ante-partum u/s and partum history. Antepartum hemorrage was not significantly associated with postpartum anemia. The more the estimated blood loss during labor the more the postpartum anemia. Through follow up of post partum anemia cases and treated it according type of anemia (oral, intravenous, folate supplementation and blood transfusion) Outcome of treatment of anemia after 8 weeks 61.02 % is improved & 38.98% is not improved.Conclusion: The major causes of postpartum anemia are prepartum iron deficiency/anemia in combination with excessive blood losses at delivery. The study showed that percentage of antepartum anemia was about 64.3% this percentage postpartum increased to about 65.4% and 13.6% of those with normal antepartum hemoglobine level became anemic postpartum and there were 12.5% anemic improved postpartum and became normal.
What is the Size of the Hilbert Hotel's Computer?
Authors: BARBOSA ANDRÉ LUIZ
Published: February 2021

The Hilbert's Hotel is a hotel with countably infinitely many rooms. The size of its hypothetical computer was the pretext in order to think about whether it makes sense and what would be log_2(\aleph_0). Thus, at the road of this journey, this little paper demonstrates – surprisingly – that there exist countably infinite sets strictly smaller than \mathbb{N} (the natural numbers), with very elementary mathematics, so shockingly stating the inconsistency of the Zermelo-Fraenkel Set Theory with the Axiom of Choice (ZFC)
Behavioral absorption of Black Swans: simulation with an artificial neural network
Authors: Waśniewski Krzysztof
Published: February 2021

This article attempts to formalize the Black Swan theory as a phenomenon of collective Behavioral change. A mathematical model of collectively intelligent social structure, which absorbs random external disturbances, has been built, with a component borrowed from quantum physics, i.e. that of transitory, impossible states, represented by negative probabilities. The model served as basis for building an artificial neural network, to simulate the behaviour of a collectively intelligent social structure optimizing a real sequence of observations in selected variables of Penn Tables 9.1. The simulation led to defining three different paths of collective learning: cyclical adjustment of structural proportions, long-term optimization of size, and long-term destabilization in markets. Capital markets seem to be the most likely to develop adverse long-term volatility in response to Black Swan events, as compared to other socio-economic variables. JEL: E01, E17, J01, J11