bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Genotyping of Listeria monocytogenes isolates by high-resolution melting curve (HRM) analysis of tandem repeat locus
Authors: Narimisa Negar , Amraei Fatemeh , Sholeh Mohammad , Mirkalantari Shiva , Razavi Shabnam , Lotfollahi Lida , Kalani Behrooz Sadeghi , Jazi Faramarz Masjedian
Published: February 2021

Listeria monocytogenes is responsible for causing listeriosis, a type of food poisoning with high mortality. This bacterium is mainly transmitted to humans through the consumption of contaminated foods. Detection of L. monocytogenes through molecular methods is crucial for food safety and clinical diagnosis. Present techniques are characterized by low discrimination power and high cost, as well as being time-consuming and taking several days to give the final result. In our study, MLVA-HRM was investigated as an alternative method for a fast and precise method for the genotyping of L. monocytogenes isolates. Forty-eight isolates of L. monocytogenes obtained from the microbial bank of Department of Microbiology, Iran University of Medical Sciences, were typed by MLVA-HRM analysis using five VNTR loci. A total of 43 diﬀerent types were obtained. This research demonstrated the usefulness of the MLVA-HRMA method and its ability to discriminate L. monocytogenes isolates. Since this method is easier and more efficient than existing methods, it can be widely used in food processing plants and diagnostic laboratories as a fast and accurate method.
Serum Lipids are Novel Predictors for Thyroid Autoimmunity in the General Population with Normal TSH Levels From A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Li Jiarong , Wang Zixiao , Liu He , Fu Jinrong , Qin Fengye , Guan Haixia , Wang Wei
Published: February 2021

Objective

Serum lipids have been shown to regulate inflammatory and immune processes, but little is known about their association with thyroid autoimmunity. This study aimed to investigate the association of serum lipids with thyroid autoantibody positivity in the general population with normal thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels.
Methods

Data regarding the 7,688 subjects’ baseline characteristics were retrospectively collected. All subjects were categorized into four groups according to thyroid autoantibodies against thyroglobulin (TgAb) and thyroid peroxidase (TPOAb) positivity and serum lipid levels were compared. Binary logistic regression models were used to evaluate the risk of TgAb or TPOAb positivity with increasing serum lipid levels.
Results

In 6,456 included subjects, after adjusting for confounders, the risk of TgAb positivity was positively associated with increasing low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels (OR 1.10, 95%CI 1.02–1.19, P = 0.014) and negatively correlated with the increasing high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels (OR 0.80, 95%CI 0.67–0.96, P = 0.014). In female subjects, the association between increasing LDL-C (OR 1.15, 95%CI 1.05–1.26, P = 0.004) or HDL-C levels (OR 0.74, 95%CI 0.60–0.91, P = 0.005) and TgAb positivity become more pronounced. Moreover, there was a positive correlation between LDL-C levels and TPOAb positivity (OR 1.14, 95%CI 1.02–1.26, P = 0.016).
Conclusion

We have shown the associations of HDL-C and LDL-C with thyroid autoantibody positivity in the general population with normal TSH levels in a gender-dependent manner. This study highlights that serum lipids may be new predictors of thyroid autoimmunity even when TSH is within the reference range.
Virtual vs Traditional Seminar Course Satisfaction Among Two Groups of Pharmacy Students: Survey Observational Study
Authors: Harbi Shmeylan A. Al , Shawaqfeh Mohammad S. , Qotineh Amenah , Abdalla Mariam , Abujamal Mohammed , Alakeel Yousif , Katheri Abdulmalik A. Al , Bekairy Abdulkareem M. Al
Published: February 2021

Background:Distance learning in pharmacy schools has gained importance with the growth of technology. However, facing the COVID-19 pandemic governments worldwide have dramatically accelerated the pace of implementing virtual learning not only to prevent the spread of the virus but also to ensure continuity of education. Studies have provided emerging evidence assessing the distance learning environment, barriers, obstacles, perceptions, and attitudes of educators as well as learners since the outbreak. Objectives: To evaluate students’ satisfaction in seminar course conducted virtually due to distance learning model in comparison to previous conventional seminar presentation.Materials and Methods: A total of 102 students’ responses to 8-questions survey were collected and analyzed. The responders were 42 students from batch 5, the conventional in-class seminar model (41%) and 60 students from batch 6 students, the virtual seminar model 59%) were included. The survey score was compiled for all questions to reflect the students’ satisfaction. In this study, we have used the descriptive statistics like mean and standard deviation and to find the comparison between group-1 (Batch 5) and group-2 (batch-6) using independent sample t-test, p<0.05 was fixed as level of significant.Results: Virtual seminar model (batch 6) reported a conveniently high satisfaction like the conventional in-class seminar model (batch 5).Conclusion: The college of pharmacy at King Saud bin Abdul Aziz University for Health Science was successfully able to modify the seminar course due to the COVID-19 outbreak to ensure the safety of students and staff while maintaining the quality of the course, and further improving the students’ satisfaction.
Sacro-coxxygial hygiene, a Key Factor in the Outcome of Pilonidal Sinus surgical treatment ?
Authors: Dupuis Arnaud , Christou Niki , Teterycz Dorota , Balaphas Alexandre , Robert-Yap Joan , Zufferey Guillaume , Skala Karel , Alketbi Mariam , Liot Emilie , Buchs Nicolas C. , Roche Bruno , Ris Frederic
Published: February 2021

Background
Surgical wound infection contributes to prolonged recovery time after pilonidal sinus excision. As a standard procedure after surgery, we recommend our patients to perform water irrigations in the intergluteal cleft 4 to 6 times a day during the post-operative period. Our hypothesis is that this should reduce healing time and complication rates. The aim of this study was to measure the importance of sacro coccygeal hygiene in the management of pilonidal sinus disease.
Methods
We retrospectively collected data after surgical management of pilonidal sinus (sinusectomy procedures) in our division over a ten-year period. Patients were divided into three groups according to their local hygiene during postoperative follow-up and scored one (G1: good hygiene) to three (G3: poor hygiene). Primary outcome was complication rates. Secondary endpoints were, healing time, follow-up, time off work, and recurrence rate.
Results
In G1 (N = 112), complication rate was 3.6%. In G2 (N = 109), it was 5.5%, whereas in G3 (N = 71), it reached 7.03%. However, there were no statistically significant differences between hygiene groups regarding complication rates in both univariate and multivariable analysis. Regarding secondary outcomes, there were significant differences between hygiene groups concerning median follow-up (p = 0.0001) and median time off work (p = 0.0127).
Conclusion
Good hygiene of wound is essential for optimal, rapid healing without complications. The importance of this report is to show that thanks to our hygiene follow-up strategy with frequent perineal irrigations and regular follow-up checks, patients with at a first glance “unclean local conditions”, reached similar complications, median healing time and recurrences rates to patients with medium and good wound hygiene level
Hemiconvulsion-Hemiplegia-Epilepsy syndrome with 5q33.3q34 microdeletion: causal or chance association
Authors: Xue Jiao , Song Zhenfeng , Yi Zhi , Yang Chengqing , Li Fei , Liu Kaixuan , Zhang Ying
Published: February 2021

Background

Hemiconvulsion–hemiplegia–epilepsy (HHE) syndrome is a rare syndrome characterized by childhood onset partial motor convulsions, hemiplegia, and epilepsy in sequence. Exact pathogenesis is not clear.
Case presentation:

We present a girl with global developmental delay with history and brain MRI consistent with the diagnosis of HHE syndrome. The cytogenetic microarray (CMA) showed 9.1 Mb deletion in 5q33.3q34 region. Along with HHE syndrome, the patient also had global developmental delay. Clinical phenotype of this microdeletion region has not been described in association with HHE syndrome in the literature. We compared the patient’s phenotype with other patients in 5 previously published papers of a common region of deletion spanning 157501989–164166203. GABRA1, GABRB2, GABRG2, CYFIP2, THG1 are the important genes in the present deleted region, which may be responsible for the fever sensitivity and global developmental delay.
Conclusions

This is the first case of HHE syndrome in which CMA showed a microdeletion of 5q33.3q34 region. This case report links HHE syndrome and global developmental delay to microdeletions of 5q33.3q34, which has never been reported in literature. Cause of HHE syndrome remains unexplained in present case and HHE may be a causal or chance co-occurrence.
Preparation of functionalized mesoporous silica as a novel carrier and immobilization of laccase
Authors: Yang Bo , Tang Kun , Wei Shuwei , Zhai Xuejun , Nie Nanzhu
Published: February 2021

Amino modified mesoporous silica (SBA-15-NH2) was prepared by hydrothermal method, which is a kind of excellent carrier for enzyme immobilization. The structure of SBA-15 was characterized by SEM and FTIR, which proved that amino group was successfully attached to the surface of SBA-15. The carrier had good mesoporous structure by nitrogen adsorption and desorption test. Using SBA-15-NH2 as the carrier, the optimal conditions of laccase immobilization by two different cross-linking methods were explored. At the same time, the properties of immobilized enzyme and free enzyme were compared. The results showed that the activity of immobilized laccase by two-step method (2977.5 U/g) was much higher than that by one-step method (239.5 U/g). The optimal conditions were as follows: free laccase (35℃, pH = 4.5), two-step immobilized laccase (40℃, pH = 4.0), one-step immobilized laccase (35℃, pH = 4.0). The two-step method was more adaptable to temperature. The pH adaptation range of immobilized enzyme was wider, and the thermal stability was greatly enhanced. After five cycles of repeated reaction, the residual enzyme activity of two-step and one-step methods were 56% and 43% of the original. The treatment of simulated wastewater containing 2,4-dichlorophenol (2,4-DCP) by immobilized laccase was also studied. Under the optimum conditions (40℃, pH = 5.0, 20 mg/L), the removal of 2,4-DCP can reach 89.06%.
Identification of Differentially Expressed Proteins in the Serum for Systemic Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis Using Next-generation Proteomics
Authors: Sato Hironori , Inoue Yuzaburo , Kawashima Yusuke , Nakajima Daisuke , Nakamura Ren , Kato Daigo , Mitsunaga Kanako , Yamamoto Takeshi , Yamaide Akiko , Tomiita Minako , Hoshioka Akira , Ohara Osamu , Shimojo Naoki
Published: February 2021

Systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (sJIA) is an autoinflammatory disease caused by high production of inflammatory cytokines. Conventional biomarkers, such as IL-18 are reportedly not always associated with frequent relapses or complication with macrophage activation syndrome (MAS). As few specific biomarkers that can indicate and evaluate the sJIA disease activity have been identified, the discovery of biomarkers is very important. We performed a deep proteomic analysis of serum samples from nine patients with sJIA using highly sensitive mass spectrometry, and identified differentially expressed proteins in various disease phases. We selected 68 proteins (URPs) that were highly expressed in the active phase from total of 2,727 proteins. Pathway analysis revealed that the URPs included proteins related to many immune process and proteasome proteins, which might be associated with the pathogenesis of sJIA. Based on these results, four proteins (leucine aminopeptidase 3; LAP3, guanylate-binding protein 1; GBP1, Heme oxygenase 1; HMOX1, and bone morphogenetic protein 10; BMP10), which exhibit high fold changes during the active phase or which might be core proteins in the functional network were selected as candidate biomarkers. These proteins may be clinically useful for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes and might help determine the pathogenesis of the disease.
Effect of 6 MeV electron Irradiation on Nano-Cu 2 ZnSnS 4
Authors: Kandare Sneha Pravin , Bhoraskar V. N. , Phatangare A. B . , Rao Rekha , Rao Mala , Dhole Sanjay D , Dahiwale Shailendra Satish
Published: February 2021

Microwave synthesized nano sized Cu2ZnSnS4 (CZTS) powder was irradiated with 6 MeV electrons, to investigate stability under radiation. The structural, optical, vibrational and morphological properties were explored using X-ray diffraction, UV-Visible spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy and Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM).The irradiated sample shows significant change in properties when compared to the pristine sample. X ray peak broadening analysis has been used to estimate the crystallite size and lattice strain. Raman spectroscopy analysis confirms the transition of ordered kesterite to disordered kesterite phase after electron irradiation at electron fluence of 4 x1015 e-/cm2. CZTS nano-particles having hierarchical flower like morphology starts agglomerating after electron irradiation as observed from SEM images. The sample did not amorphize upto the highest fluence 4 x 1015 e-/cm2 employed in this study.
Natural Family-Free Genomic Distance
Authors: Rubert Diego P. , Martinez Fábio V. , Braga Marília
Published: February 2021

Background: A classical problem in comparative genomics is to compute the rearrangement distance, that is the minimum number of large-scale rearrangements required to transform a given genome into another given genome.The traditional approaches in this area are family-based, i.e., require the classification of DNA fragments of both genomes into families. Furthermore, the most elementary family-based models, which are able to compute distances in polynomial time, restrict the families to occur at most once in each genome. In contrast, the distance computation in models that allow multifamilies (i.e., families with multiple occurrences) is NP-hard. Very recently, Bohnenkamper etal. (J. Comput. Biol., 2020) proposed an ILP formulation for computing the genomic distance of genomes with multifamilies, allowing structural rearrangements, represented by the generic double cut and join (DCJ) operation, and content-modifying insertions and deletions of DNA segments. This ILP is very efficient, but must maximize a matching of the genes in each multifamily, in order to prevent the free lunch artifact that would otherwise let empty or almostempty matchings give smaller distances. Results: In this paper, we adopt the alternative family-free setting that, instead of family classification, simply uses the pairwise similarities between DNA fragments of both genomes to compute their rearrangement distance. We adapted the ILP mentioned above and developed a model in which pairwise similarities are used to assign weights to both matched and unmatched genes, so that an optimal solution does not necessarily maximize the matching. Our modelthen results in a natural family-free genomic distance, that takes into consideration all given genes, without prior classification into families, and has a search space composed of matchings of any size. In spite of its bigger searchspace, our ILP seems to be boosted by a reduction of the number of co-optimal solutions due to the weights. Indeed, it converged faster than the original one by Bohnenkamper et al. for instances with the same number of multipleconnections. We can handle not only bacterial genomes, but also fungi and insects, or sets of chromosomes of mammals and plants. In a comparison study of six fruit fly genomes, we obtained accurate results.
How do concerned significant others experience Community Reinforcement and Family Training (CRAFT) – a qualitative study.
Authors: Hellum Rikke , Bilberg Randi , Bischof Gallus , Nielsen Anette Søgaard
Published: February 2021

Introduction: In the last 20 years, there has been growing evidence that heavy drinking causes serious harm, not only to the person who drinks but also to the person’s relations and concerned significant others (CSOs). Several interventions have been developed to help CSOs of persons with substance abuse e.g., Community Reinforcement and Family Training (CRAFT). The aim of this study was to investigate what the CSOs who participated in a CRAFT intervention aimed for, when they sought help, what they found helpful from the intervention, and which elements of the interventions they utilized. Furthermore, we wanted to investigate how the CSOs managed to apply the components to their life.Method: This is a qualitative study is based on data from 11 interviews with help-seeking CSOs of individuals with alcohol problems. The participants were recruited from an RCT study of various formats for delivering CRAFT (by means of group sessions + written material, individual sessions + written material or self-delivered CRAFT with written material only). Semi-structured interviews were conducted, audio-recorded, and transcribed. The analysis was based on the Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis.Results: The results describe how the CSOs experienced the intervention and the format that CRAFT in which was delivered, what they felt they gained, and, lastly, how the CSO experienced that it affected their life after the intervention.Conclusion: CSOs who participated in CRAFT intervention, felt helped by the CRAFT components, regardless of the format through which the intervention was delivered. Written material on CRAFT was considered helpful alongside the interventions and may, even for some, function as a useful intervention, albeit probably not as effective. The “Communication-element” from CRAFT, positive reinforcement, and knowledge about the disorder seemed particularly helpful.
Title: Genome-Wide Survey and Expression Analysis of NIN-Like Protein (NLP) Genes Reveals Its Potential Roles in the Response to Nutrition Deficiency in Tomato
Authors: Liu Mengyuan , Zhi Xiaona , Wang Yi , Wang Yang
Published: February 2021

Background: Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) is one of the most important horticultural crops, with a marked preference of nitrate as inorganic nitrogen source. The molecular mechanisms of nitrate uptake and assimilation are poorly understood in tomato. NIN-Like Proteins (NLPs) are conserved, plant-specific transcription factors that play crucial roles in nitrate signaling. Results: In this study, genome-wide analysis revealed six NLP members in tomato genome. They were clustered into three clades in a phylogenic tree. Comparative genomic analysis showed that SlNLP genes had collinear relationships to NLPs in Arabidopsis, canola, maize and rice, and that the expansion of the SlNLP family mainly resulted from segmental duplications in tomato genome. Tissue-specific expression analysis showed that the close homologues of AtNLP6/7, SlNLP3, was strongly expressed in roots during both seedling and flowering stages; SlNLP4 and SlNLP6 exhibited preferential expression in stems and leaves; and SlNLP6 were expressed in high levels in fruits. Further, the nitrate uptake in tomato roots and expression patterns of SlNLP genes were measured under nitrogen/phosphate/potassium deficiency and nitrate resupply conditions. The transcript abundance of SlNLP3 decreased to 70% under phosphate/potassium deficiency. Most of SlNLPs were up-regulated after nitrogen starvation. SlNLP1 and SlNLP5 were induced rapidly and temporally by nitrate. Conclusions: These results provided significant insights into the potential diverse functions of SlNLPs to regulate nitrate uptake.
Different sterilization methods used for human tendons – A systematic review
Authors: Farago Denes , Kozma Blanka , Kiss Rita Maria
Published: February 2021

BackgroundIt is important to know the biomechanical properties of an allograft. This is because when looking to do a transplant of a tendon, the tendon must have very similar biomechanical properties to the original tendon. To use tendon allografts, it is critical to properly sterilize the tendon before implantation. In past decades, several sterilization procedures have been used. This study aimed to systematically evaluate the existing literature to compare the values of failure load/ultimate strength and Young’s modulus of elasticity of different sterilization methods on commonly used tendon allografts. Five major scientific literature databases (Web of Science, Science Direct, Scopus, PLOS ONE, Hindawi) and additional sources were used.ResultsStudies used had to show a particular sterilization method. Studies were identified to meet the following inclusion criteria: is a controlled laboratory study, gamma irradiation (dose reported), and other sterilization methods. Search for publications dated between 1991 and March 31st, 2020. A total of 54 articles have been included. Data collected from the full-text assessment included: a) author and date, b) type of tendon, c) type of sterilization, d) sterilization dose, and g) measured and calculated parameters. Different types of sterilization methods used before tendon durability testing have been identified and categorized.ConclusionsIdentified sterilization methods (gamma irradiation, dry ice, supercritical carbon dioxide (SCCO2), BioCleanse, Electron Beam) are offered as a catalog of potential methods.As a result of the broadness of the present research, it provides an overview of sterilization methods. It does not stand for the state-of-the-art of any single process.
Optimal ATN biomarkers and their role in predicting cognitive progress of mild cognitive impairment
Authors: Song Rao , Wu Xiaojia , Liu Huan , Guo Dajing , Tang Lin , Zhang Wei , Feng Junbang , Li Chuanming
Published: February 2021

Background

It is of great significance to investigate the optimal cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and magnetic resonance image biomarkers of ATN system and clarify their predictive value in cognitive progression of mild cognitive impairment individuals (MCI).
Methods

147 healthy control (HC), 197 patients with MCI, and 128 patients with Alzheimer’ Disease (AD) were included from the ADNI database. All MCI patients were followed up from 6 to 60 months. The amyloid (A) was assessed by CSF Aβ42 or Aβ42/Aβ40. The tau pathology (T) was assessed by CSF p-tau. The neurodegeneration (N) was assessed by radiomics of the whole brain MRI or by CSF t-tau. Biomarkers with larger area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) in the discrimination of AD and HC were considered to be the optimal biomarkers. The conversion rates of different ATN profiles in MCI subjects during follow-up were analyzed using Kaplan-Meier estimates and compared using the Log-rank test.
Results

The CSF Aβ 42 and the radiomics signature (AUC 0.822 and 0.998, respectively) were identified as the optimal A and N biomarkers, respectively. For MCI patients of the Alzheimer continuum, there was no significant difference in the progression rate of A + T − N− and A − T−N − profiles (p > 0.05). The A + T + N−, A + T − N + profiles had a significant higher progression rate than that of the A + T − N− patients (all p < 0.05). For MCI of the suspected non-AD pathophysiology (SNAP), patients with the A − T−N + profile (p < 0.05) showed significant higher progression rate than A − T−N − profile. There was no significant difference in the progression rate of A − T + N − and A − T−N − profiles (p > 0.05).
Discussion

We proposed a new radiomics method to assess N accurately and ascertained the optimal A/T/N biomarkers for the discrimination of HC and AD. For MCI patients of the Alzheimer continuum, isolated A + was indicator of cognitive stability, while the abnormality of T and N, respectively or simultaneously, indicated the high risk of progression. For MCI patients of SNAP, isolated T + indicated the cognitive stability, while the appearance of N + indicated the high risk of progression.
Transition mechanism of melt depth during Laser Powder Bed Fusion using in-situ X-ray and thermal imaging
Authors: Ogura Tomoya , Wakai Yuki , Nakano Shizuka , Sato Naoko , Kajino Satoshi , Suzuki Shinsuke
Published: February 2021

This research clarified the transition mechanism of melt depth in Ti powder bed during Laser Powder Bed Fusion process using in-situ X-ray and thermal imaging. A fiber laser beam of 150 W was irradiated on a powder bed at a scan speed of 15 mm/s for 3.5 s in a vacuum chamber. The obtained X-ray images showed a keyhole depth Ld increased immediately after laser irradiation, gradually decreased, and became constant. It also showed a keyhole width Lw increased immediately after laser irradiation and decreased afterward, after that, Lw increased again, and became constant. Furthermore, thermal images that measured the temperature on the powder bed showed the high temperature width Lh gradually increased and become constant. The model of the driving force which pushed the molten droplet was examined by analyzing the volume and scattering speed of the molten droplet. The model indicated the recoil pressure caused by the vaporization of powder metal was a driving force for the molten droplet scattering. The transition mechanism of keyhole depth was considered as follows. The increase of Ld at the beginning is due to the increase of the recoil pressure PT. This is because the decrease of Lw and large quantity of vaporization. Next, the decrease of Ld is due to the decrease in PT. This is because the increase of Lw and decrease of quantity of vaporization. At last, the transition to the constant Ld is caused by stabilization of Lw and Lh followed by stabilization of PT.
A Highly Efficient Identification of Mutants Generated by CRISPR/Cas9 Using the Non‑Functional DsRed Assisted Selection in Aspergillus Oryzae
Authors: Fan Junxia , Zhang Huanxin , Li Yuzhen , Chen Ziming , Chen Tianming , Zeng Bin , Zhang Zhe
Published: February 2021

The CRISPR/Cas9 system has become a great tool for target gene knock-out in filamentous fungi. It is laborious and time-consuming that identification mutants from a large number of transformants through PCR or enzyme-cut method. Here, we first developed a CRISPR/Cas9 system in Aspergillus oryzae using AMA1-based autonomously replicating plasmid and Cas9 under the control of the Aspergillus nidulans gpdA promoter. By the genome editing technique, we successfully obtained mutations within each target gene in Aspergillus oryzae. Then, we put the protospacer sequence of a target gene and its protospacer adjacent motif (PAM) behind the start codon “ATG” of DsRed, yielding the non‑functional DsRed (nDsRed) reporter gene, and the nDsRed reporter gene could be rescued after successful targeted editing. Moreover, this method was also applied by targeting the kojic acid synthesis gene kojA, and the transformants with DsRed activity were found to harbor targeted mutations in kojA. These results suggest that the nDsRed can be used as a powerful tool to facilitate the identification of mutants generated by CRISPR/Cas9 in Aspergillus oryzae.
Multi-technique characterization and conservation of an ancient Egyptian fabric from King Khufu first solar ship
Authors: Nabil Eman , Khattab Tawfik A. , kamel samir
Published: February 2021

Textiles are among the most fragile artefacts in the world. They have been difficult to preserve even in the best circumstances. Herein, we studied an artefact fabric of a special nature in terms of usage. Despite the multiple applications of textiles, the piece understudy is one of the unique pieces that the ancient Egyptian used as fenders for King Khufu first solar boat which is the second-largest discovery in Egypt history. The boat was discovered inside a limestone pit. It was disassembled and arranged in several layers. Four pillows of wrapped fabric were found in the first layer, which were used as boat fenders. This use is in itself a great discovery of the role played by textiles in the manufacture of ancient boats. Thus, we conducted tests and analytical studies of those fenders using a scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and an optical microscope to identify the type and nature of fibers, spinning method and aspects of damage. Both energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis and infrared analysis (FT-IR) were employed to explore the elemental content of the sample and to study the functional groups of the fabric. These analytical processes were useful in carrying out the restoration and preservation work necessary for the artefact under study.
In vivo efficacy of combination therapy with albendazole and atovaquone against primary hydatid cysts in mice
Authors: enkai shigehiro , Kouguchi Hirokazu , Inaoka Daniel Ken , Irie Takao , Yagi Kinpei , Kita Kiyoshi
Published: February 2021

Purpose
Alveolar echinococcosis (AE) is caused by the larval stage of Echinococcus multilocularis. Chemotherapy for AE involves albendazole (ABZ), which has shown insufficient efficacy. More effective chemotherapy for AE is needed. Previously, we have demonstrated that atovaquone (ATV), an anti-malarial, inhibits mitochondrial complex III of E. multilocularis and restricts the development of larval cysts in in vivo experiments. Therefore, in this study, we evaluated the efficacy of ABZ and ATV combination therapy on E. multilocularis in culture and in vivo experiments.
Methods
Protoscoleces were treated with 50 µM ABZ and/or ATV in the medium; the duration of parasite elimination was determined under aerobic and anaerobic culture. In the in vivo experiment, the effects of ABZ and ATV combination treatment in BALB/c mice infected orally with eggs from the feces of an adult-stage E. multilocularis-infected dog were compared with those of standard oral ABZ therapy.
Results
In the culture assay, the duration of elimination associated with ABZ and ATV combination treatment was 1 day shorter than that associated with ATV alone under aerobic conditions. Protoscolex viability progressively reduced owing to the combination treatment under anaerobic conditions; however, either drug used singly did not exhibit antiparasitic effects under hypoxia. Furthermore, compared with ABZ alone, the combination treatment significantly reduced the growth of the primary cyst in the liver of mice infected orally with parasite eggs.
Conclusion
ATV enhanced the effect of ABZ in the treatment of AE in mice.
3D Models Improve Understanding of Congenital Heart Disease
Authors: Awori Jonathan , Friedman Seth , Chan Titus , Howard Christopher , Seslar Stephen , Soriano Brian , Buddhe Sujatha
Published: February 2021

Introduction:Understanding congenital heart disease (CHD) is vital for medical personnel and parents of affected children. While traditional 2D schematics serve as the typical approach used, several studies have shown these models to be limiting in understanding complex structures. Recent world-emphasis has shifted to 3D printed models as a complement to 2D imaging to bridge knowledge and create new opportunities for experiential learning. We sought to systematically compare 3D digital and physical models for medical personnel and parent education compared to traditional methods.Methods:3D printed and digital models were made out of MRI and CT data for 20 common CHD. Fellows and nurse practitioners used these models to explore intra-cardiac pathologies following traditional teaching. The models were also used for parent education in outpatient settings after traditional education. The participants were then asked to fill out a Likert scale questionnaire to assess their understanding and satisfaction with different teaching techniques. These ratings were compared using paired t-tests and Pearson’s correlation. Results:Twenty-five medical personnel (18 fellows; 2 nurses; 4 nurse practitioners and one attending) and twenty parents participated in the study. The diagnosis varied from simple mitral valve pathology to complex single ventricle palliation. Parent and medical personnel understanding with digital models was significantly higher than traditional (p = 0.01). Subjects also felt that physical models were overall more useful than digital ones (p=0.001). Physicians using models for parent education also perceived the models to be useful, not significantly impacting their clinical workflow.Conclusions:3D models, both digital and printed, enhance medical personnel and parental understanding of CHD.
Using Fuzzy Control for Feedrate Scheduling of Computer Numerical Control Machine Tools
Authors: Lin Cheng-Jian , Lin Chun-Hui , Wang Shyh-Hau
Published: February 2021

In industrial processing, workpiece quality and processing time have become important issues lately. Fortunately, dynamic cutting feedrate scheduling has been proposed to improve machining accuracy and decrease cutting time. Studies have shown that the curvature and cutting feedrate significantly influence the machining accuracy. Therefore, the present study proposes a fuzzy control system for feedrate scheduling based on the curvature and curvature variation. The proposed system is implemented in actual cutting, and an optical three-dimensional scanner is performed as a verification to measure the cutting trajectory of the workpiece. Experimental results prove that the proposed fuzzy control system for dynamic cutting feedrate scheduling increases the cutting accuracy by 43% under the same cutting time; moreover, it decreases the cutting time by 49% under the same cutting accuracy.
Wheat (Triticum Aestivum L.) Response to Applied Potassium on Two Contrasting Soil Types (Vertisols and Cambisols) in The Central Highlands of Ethiopia
Authors: Shewangizaw Beza Woldearegay , Assefa Shawl , Kassie Kenzemed , Shegaw Getanh
Published: February 2021

Background: A field experiment was conducted at Basonawerana district, Amhara regional state on two major soil types for three consecutive years to determine the effect of application of potassium fertilizer on yield and yield components of wheat and to verify the soil fertility and fertilizer recommendation Atlas of the study site. Six levels potassium were applied (0, 15, 30, 45, 60 and 75 kg K ha-1). At each potassium levels, a balanced nutrient of 92 kg N, 30 kg P, 30 kg S, 2 kg Zn, 0.5 kg Cu and 0.5 kg B ha-1 were applied. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with tree replications. Result: The analysis of variance showed that all the measured parameters were Significant influenced by year, soil type and the interaction of year x soil type. The highest grain yield, which was observed from cambisols during the first year was increased grain yield by 176.7 % (3954 kg ha-1) compared with the lowest yield observed from vertisols during the third year. Similar trend was also observed in straw yield and harvest index. On the other hand, all the measured parameters was non-significant influenced by K rate, interaction of K rate x soil type and year x K rate x soil types. Numerically, the highest yield (3878.9 kg ha-1) was observed from the highest K rate. However, the trend was not consistent. Conclusion: application of different rates of potassium fertilizer brings any significant growth and yield response on two soil types of the study sites. So, application of this fertilizer is not recommended for the crop with such high K soil status.
Integrated Biocontrol of Tobacco Bacterial Wilt By Antagonistic Bacteria and Marigold
Authors: Hu Yun , Zhao Wan , Li Yanyan , Feng Ji , Li Chunli , Yang Xiaoqiong , Guo Qingqing , Wang Lin , Chen Shouwen , Li Xihong , Yang Yong
Published: February 2021

Tobacco bacterial wilt (TBW) is seriously damages the growth of tobacco. There is an urgent need to find a safer and more effective measure to control TBW. In this study, B. amyloliquefaciens ZM9 and marigold powder were applied to the tobacco roots alone or in combination, and the potential inhibition of TBW was assessed. On the other hand, the effects of these treatments on soil physicochemical properties, rhizosphere microbial community and soil metabolites were also evaluated. The results showed that the application of B. amyloliquefaciens ZM9 or marigold powder alone significantly reduced the abundance of R. solanacearum in rhizosphere soil, while the integrated treatment showed the strongest inhibitory effect. Moreover, the integrated treatment can inhibit the secretion of chemoattractants, and affect the change of rhizosphere soil microbial composition. In conclusion, the combination of antagonistic bacteria agent B. amyloliquefaciens ZM9 with marigold powder can enhance the suppression of TBW. Furthermore, B. amyloliquefaciens ZM9 and marigold have synergistic effects on suppressing TBW by regulation soil physicochemical properties, soil metabolites and microbial structure. This study provide a promising strategy for TBW control by integrated applying of B. amyloliquefaciens ZM9 and marigold powder.
Nest Size Matters: Common Cuckoos Prefer to Parasitize Larger Nests of Oriental Reed Warblers
Authors: Wang Longwu , He Gangbin , Yang Canchao , Møller Anders Pape , Liang Wei
Published: February 2021

BackgroundAvian brood parasites leave parental care of their offspring to foster parents. Theory predicts that parasites should select for large host nests when they have sufficient available host nests at a given time. We developed an empirical experimental design to address this hypothesis by studying nest choice of common cuckoos (Cuculus canorus) among nests of its Oriental reed warbler (Acrocephalus orientalis) hosts.ResultsWe presented two groups of experimental nests: 1) nest dyads comprise one large and one small artificial nest from reed leaves, and 2) nest triads tied together use the modified old own warbler nests including enlarged, reduced and medium sized nests to elicit parasitism by common cuckoos. We predicted that cuckoos prefer larger nests over medium sized ones, and over the smallest nest. Our experimental findings show that common cuckoo females generally prefer large nests over medium or small sized nests. Furthermore, experiments showed that cuckoo parasitism was significantly more common than in previous studies of the same warbler population.ConclusionsOur results implying that larger, taller and more exposed host nests effectively increased the probability of cuckoo parasitism.
A Lab-Scale Underwater Glider With Flexible Camber Trailing Edge Wings
Authors: Liu Yuhong , Xu Shixun , Tian Shan , Zhang Hongwei , Deng Shihan , Liu Shuhe
Published: February 2021

Wings are the main source of lift for the underwater gliders (UGs), and play a decisive role in the motion performance of UGs. A lab-scale UG with flexible camber trailing edge wings was proposed and developed to investigate influences of the trailing edge of the wings on the motion performance of UGs. The flexible deformation of the trailing edge was realized by the steer-by-wire actuator. Test results showed that the trailing edge of the wing can realize the maximum upward/downward sloping angles of +16°/-16°. Combining computational fluid dynamics simulations and tank experiments, the glide efficiency and stable margins of the lab-scale UG with variable camber trailing edge wings were obtained. Results showed that the angles of attack corresponding to the minimum lift-to-drag ratios were all negative in cases of downward sloping, and those were all positive in cases of upward sloping. Moreover, the suitable camber of the trailing edge, i.e., downward-sloping trailing edge on descending glides and upward-sloping trailing edge on ascending glides, can not only greatly improve glide efficiency, but also benefit the flight stability. The lift-to-drag ratios of the lab-scale UG with appropriate variable camber trailing edge wings (i.e., on descending glide with downward-sloping trailing edge, and on ascending glide with upward-sloping trialing edge) can increase by at least 10% compared with those with symmetric airfoil.
An Ocean Modeling Study To Quantify Wind Forcing and Oceanic Mixing Effects on The Tropical North Pacific Subsurface Warm Bias in CMIP and OMIP Simulations
Authors: Zhu Yuchao , Zhang Rong-Hua , Li Delei
Published: February 2021

Sea surface temperature (SST) bias in the climate models has been a focus in the past, but subsurface temperature biases have not been received much attention yet. In this study, subsurface temperature biases in the Tropical North Pacific (TNP) are investigated by analyzing the CMIP6, CMIP5 and OMIP products, and performing ocean model simulations. It is found that almost all the CMIP and OMIP simulations have a pronounced subsurface warm bias (SWB) in the northeastern tropical Pacific (NETP), and the model developments over the past decade do not indicate obvious improvements in bias pattern and magnitude from CMIP5 to the latest version CMIP6. This SWB is primarily caused by the model deficiencies in the simulated surface wind stress curl (WSC) in the NETP, which is too weak to produce a sufficient Ekman upwelling, a bias that also exists in OMIP simulations. The uncertainties in the parameterizations of the oceanic vertical mixing processes also make a great contribution, and it is demonstrated that the estimated oceanic vertical diffusivities are overestimated both in the upper boundary layer and the interior in the CMIP and OMIP simulations. The relationship between the SWB and the misrepresented oceanic vertical mixing processes are investigated by conducting several ocean-only experiments, in which the upper boundary layer mixing is modified by reducing the wind stirring eﬀect in the Kraus-Turner type bulk mixed-layer approach, and the interior mixing is constrained by using the Argo-derived diffusivity. By applying these modifications to oceanic vertical mixing schemes, the SWB is greatly reduced in the NETP. The consequences of this SWB are further analyzed. Because the thermal structure in the NETP can influence the simulations of oceanic circulations and equatorial upper-ocean thermal structure, the large SWB in the CMIP6 models tends to produce a weak equatorward water transport in the subsurface TNP, a weak equatorial upwelling and a warm equatorial upper ocean.
The Bourque Distances for Mutation Trees of Cancers
Authors: Jahn Katharina , Beerenwinkel Niko , Zhang Louxin
Published: February 2021

Background: Mutation trees are rooted trees in which nodes are of arbitrary degree are labeled with a mutation set. These trees, also referred to as clonal trees, are used in computational oncology to represent the mutational history of tumours. Classical tree metrics such as the popular Robinson-Foulds distance are of limited use for the comparison of mutation trees. One reason is that mutation trees inferred with different methods or for different patients often contain different sets of mutation labels. Results: We generalize the Robinson-Foulds distance into a set of distance metrics called Bourque distances for comparing mutation trees. We show the basic version of the Bourque distance for mutation trees can be computed in linear time. We also make a connection between the Robinson{Foulds distance and the nearest neighbor interchange distance.
Trends in Access to Antimalarial Treatment in The Private Sector in Uganda: An Assessment of Availability and Affordability of First Line Antimalarials and Diagnostics Between 2007 and 2018
Authors: Kibira Denis , Ssebagereka Anthony , Ham Hendrika A. van den , Opigo Jimmy , Katamba Henry , Seru Morries , Reed Tim , Leufkens Hubert G. , Mantel-Teeuwisse Aukje K.
Published: February 2021

Background Malaria is the single largest cause of illness in Uganda. Since the year 2008, the Global Fund has rolled out several funding streams for malaria control in Uganda. Among these are mechanism aimed to increase availability and affordability of artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs). This paper examines the availability and affordability of first line malaria treatment and diagnostics in the private sector in Uganda between 2007 and 2018. MethodsCross-sectional surveys were conducted between 2007 and 2018, based on a standardized World Health Organization/Health Action International (WHO/HAI) methodology adapted to assess availability, patient prices and affordability of ACTs in private retail outlets. A minimum of 30 outlets were surveyed per year. Availability, patient prices and affordability of malaria rapid diagnostic tests (mRDTs) was also tracked from 2012 following the rollout of the test and treat policy in 2010. The median patient prices for the ACTs and mRDTs were calculated in US dollars (USD). Affordability was assessed by computing number of days’ wages the lowest paid government worker (LPGW) had to pay to purchase a treatment course for acute malaria. ResultsAvailability of artemether/lumefantrine (A/L), the first line ACT, increased from 85% to 100% in the private sector facilities during the study period. However, there was low availability of diagnostic tests in private sector facilities ranging between 13% (2012) and 37% (2018). There was a large reduction in patient prices for an adult treatment course of A/L from USD 8.8 in 2007 to USD 1.1 in 2018, while the price of diagnostics remained mostly stagnant at USD 0.5. Affordability of ACTs and mRDTs was below one day’s wages for LPGW.Conclusion Availability of ACTs in the private sector medicines retail outlets increased to 100% while the availability of diagnostics remained low. Although malaria treatment was affordable, the price of diagnostics remained stagnant and increased the cumulative cost of malaria management. Malaria stakeholders should consolidate the gains made and consider inclusion of the diagnostic kits in the subsidy program.
Environmental Aspects and Economic Evaluation of New Green Hydrolysis Method For Waste Feather Processing
Authors: Solcova Olga , Knapek Jroslav , Wimmerova Lenka , Vavrova Kamila , Kralik Tomas , Rouskova Milena , Sabata Stanislav , Hanika Jiri
Published: February 2021

In recent years, an increase in the chicken meat process industry has been growing quickly, which brings a large amount of difficult to process waste, chicken feathers. These billions of kilograms create a serious waste problem over the world, furthermore, poultry feather processing is not only particularly difficult but also relatively expensive. In fact, there is no technology suitable for processing such huge quantities of feathers to guarantee sustainable development of the chicken meat industry together with processing of waste feathers. This article introduces a newly designed and original, highly efficient and environmentally friendly method of physicochemical hydrolysis of waste feathers. The hydrolysis is carried out in the presence of a weak organic carboxylic acid; thus, the resulting hydrolysate does not contain any salts or ashes. Therefore, a resulting hydrolysate, which includes a mixture of amino acids, peptides, proteins, glycoproteins and free fatty acids, is suitable for a variety of applications; e.g. as a chondroprotective agent in the treatment of joint diseases, nutrients for crop plants or targeted biostimulants for agriculture. This paper is focused not only on the process scale-up but also on environmental aspects and economic evaluations to bring general view of the process.