bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Global Innovation Ecosystem: Monitoring of State in 2020 – First Half of 2021
Authors: Kirichenko I. , Kravtsov A. , Mamedyarov Z. , Sheliubskaya N. , Nikitin A.
Published: May 2022

The article examines the main quantitative parameters of the global research and development (R&D) sector for 2020-2021 in the national, regional and sectoral dimensions; and also identifies the main directions of some world’s leading countries’ state policy in the field of science and innovation. The COVID-19 pandemic has had a negative impact on the entire global innovation ecosystem. A significant adjustment of innovation policy benchmarks in favor of R&D in health care and information and communication technologies has been required. There has been a significant increase in the number and volume of initial public offerings (IPOs) in the biopharmaceutical sector. Due to the uncertain outlook of the global economy, the total number of IPOs and mergers and acquisitions (M&As), including in high-tech industries, dropped. However, as soon as the situation has improved, activity in this area began to recover. Changes have emerged due to the decline in economic activity in many countries and industries because of the restrictions associated with the pandemic. In the United States, for example, six of the top ten companies in patenting in 2020 showed a decline in relevant indicators. The authors analyzed the amount of R&D funding in the world’s leading countries and in particular in the US; studied the dynamics of IPOs in the world as a whole, by macroregions, by leading countries and by leading companies in terms of the amount of funds raised, as well as by technological areas, which most of the IPO companies belonged to. The most active companies in the US and EU patent offices were identified, as well as technological areas in which the greatest inventive activity was noted. The key program documents of the scientific and technical policy of the UNCTAD, China, the USA, India, Japan, the EU and Great Britain are examined.
SEN2VENµS, a Dataset for the Training of Sentinel-2 Super-Resolution Algorithms
Authors: Michel Julien , Vinasco-Salinas Juan , Inglada Jordi , Hagolle Olivier
Published: May 2022

Boosted by the progress in deep learning, Single Image Super-Resolution (SISR) has gained a lot of interest in the Remote Sensing community, who sees it as an oportunity to compensate for satellite's ever-limited spatial resolution with respect to end users needs. While there has been a great amount of work on network architures in the latest years, deep learning based SISR in remote sensing is still limited by the availability of the large training sets it requires. The lack of publicly available large datasets with the required variability in terms of landscapes and seasons pushes researchers to simulate their own dataset by means of downsampling. This may impair the applicability of the trained model on real world data at the target input resolution. In this paper, we propose an open-data licenced dataset composed of 10m and 20m cloud-free surface reflectance patches from Sentinel-2, with their reference spatially-registered surface reflectance patches at 5 meter resolution acquired on the same day by the VENµS satellite. This dataset covers 29 locations on earth with a total of 132 955 patches of 256x256 pixels at 5 meters resolution, and can be used for the training of super-resolution algorithms to bring the spatial resolution of 8 of the Sentinel-2 bands down to 5 meters.
Review of Intelligence Required for Issuing Accurate Flood Early Warnings and Effective Disaster Response
Authors: Samansiri Srimal , Fernando Terrence , Ingirige Bingunath
Published: May 2022

Deaths and property damage from the flood have increased drastically in the past two decades due to various reasons such as increased population, unplanned development and climate change. Losses from floods can be reduced by having accurate intelligence of an emerging flood situation in order to make timely decisions for issuing early warnings and responding efficiently. This paper presents a thorough analysis of the types and sources of intelligence required for flood warning and response processes and technology solutions that can be used for capturing such intelligence. A structured review, covering a more comprehensive range of published literature on Flood Early Warning and Response Systems (FEWRS), was conducted to identify the necessary intelligence and the technology that can be used to capture intelligence required for various phases of a flood hazard as it develops. Twenty-seven different types of key intelligence required in the flood cycle were identified. A conceptual architecture was identified that illustrates how relevant technology solutions can be used to extract intelligence at various stages of a flood event for decision making for early warnings and response.
High-Resolution Triassic Biostratigraphy of the Kotelny Island (New Siberian Islands, Arctic Siberia)
Authors: Konstantinov A.G. , Sobolev E.S. , Yadrenkin A.V. , Nikitenko B.L. , Pestchevitskaya E.B. , Lebedeva N.K. , Goryacheva A.A. , Devyatov V.P.
Published: May 2022

The study of Triassic paleontology and stratigraphy of various regions of northeastern Russia and adjacent Arctic shelf is essential not only for improving and refining zonal biostratigraphic schemes, interregional and global correlation of Triassic deposits, and resolving problems of stratigraphic boundaries but also for developing and substantiating a new generation of Triassic stratigraphic schemes, which could serve as the stratigraphic basis for different regional and detailed geological investigations of the Arctic. The results of the study were used to improve existing zonal scales based on various groups of fauna and palynomorphs, develop a more detailed biostratigraphic subdivision of the Triassic, and characterize individual horizons using both terrestrial and marine palynomorphs. The zonal scales are calibrated to each other and to the regional zonal scale of the Triassic of Siberia and northeastern Russia, which provides the subsequent correlation with the International Chronostratigraphic Chart of the Triassic System. The set of coeval zonal scales for the Triassic of Kotelny Island sections based on ammonoids, nautiloids, coleoids, bivalves, brachiopods, and foraminifers and the analysis of microphytoplankton and terrestrial palynomorph assemblages are a useful tool for detailed subdivision and correlation of the eastern part of the Laptev Sea shelf and adjacent regions of northeastern Russia.
Epithermal Au–Ag–Se–Te Deposits of the Chukchi Peninsula (Arctic Zone of Russia): Metallogeny, Mineral Assemblages, and Fluid Regime
Authors: Bortnikov N.S. , Volkov A.V. , Savva N.E. , Prokofiev V.Yu. , Kolova E.E. , Dolomanova-Topol’ A.A. , Galyamov A.L. , Murashov K.Yu.
Published: May 2022

Numerous epithermal Au–Ag deposits and ore occurrences of the Chukchi Peninsula are localized in the Cretaceous Okhotsk–Chukotka (OCVB) continent-marginal and Late Jurassic–Early Cretaceous Oloi (OVB) island arc volcanic belts and in Early Cretaceous postcollisional volcanic troughs. Volcanotectonic depressions, calderas, and volcanic domes control the location of the deposits. The orebodies of the deposits are quartz–adularia veins, sometimes en-echelon ones forming extending vein zones, as well as isometric and linear stockworks. The auriferous veins of most deposits display complex breccia–crustification structures. The vein ores have rhythmically and colloform–banded structures, with a predominantly fine distribution of ore mineral grains, often with banded clusters of ore minerals (ginguro). Native gold is of low fineness; the dispersion of this index varies from low to high. Acanthite is widespread in the ores. Its highest contents are specific to deposits with the repeated redistribution of substance (Kupol, Corrida, and Valunistoe). Based on the results of mineralogical studies, most of the epithermal Au–Ag deposits of the Chukchi Peninsula can be assigned to the Se type. The ores of some deposits (Valunistoe, Dvoinoe, etc.) contain both Se and Te minerals. The telluride-richest sites of the Sentyabr’skoe and Televeem deposits are far from the main orebodies. Most of the Chukchi epithermal Au–Ag deposits have many common characteristics (low and moderate temperatures of fluids, low fluid salinity, domination of carbon dioxide over methane, etc.) typical of low-sulfidation deposits. The maximum temperatures and salinity are specific to fluids in the Central Chukchi sector of the OCVB and in the Baimka zone of the OVB, and the minimum ones are typical of fluids in the East Chukchi flank zone and inner zone of the OCVB. The average salinity of mineral-forming fluids in the inner zone of the OCVB is half as high as the salinity of fluids in the East Chukchi flank zone of this belt, although the sulfate content is higher. At the same time, the fluids in the inner zone of the OCVB are richer in carbon dioxide and bicarbonate ion than the fluids in the East Chukchi flank zone of this belt. The fluid inclusion data permit the Vesennee deposit (Baimka zone) to be regarded as an intermediate-sulfidation one and suggest the presence of epithermal high-sulfidation deposits in the inner zone of the OCVB.
Tectonothermal Model for the Late Paleozoic Syncollisional Formation Stage of the Kara Orogen (Northern Taimyr, Central Arctic)
Authors: Vernikovsky V.A. , Polyansky O.P. , Babichev A.B. , Vernikovskaya A.E. , Proskurnin V.F. , Matushkin N.Yu.
Published: May 2022

We present a tectonothermal model for the late Paleozoic syncollisional formation stage of the Kara orogen in northern Taimyr in the Central Arctic. The model is based on new and published structural, petrological, geochemical, and geochronological data, as well as thermophysical properties obtained for the Kara orogen. The latter hosts a significant volume of granites formed as a result of the collision between the Kara microcontinent and the Siberian craton. Based on geological, geochemical, and U–Th–Pb isotope data, the granites were differentiated into syncollisional and postcollisional intrusions that were emplaced in the intervals 315–282 and 264–248 Ma, respectively. The presented tectonothermal model covers only the syncollisional formation stage of the Kara orogen, during which anatectic granites formed. The 2D models help to reconstruct the main tectonothermal processes of the syncollisional stage of formation of this structure, taking into account the local peculiarities of the thermal state of the Earth’s crust in the region. The model shows the mechanisms of increase in the lower crust temperature necessary for the formation of syncollisional anatectic granites. The estimates obtained from the model constrain the time interval between collision/tectonic stacking and the granite formation. The modeling also showed the general regularities typical for orogens on syncollisional stages.
Dangerous Delay 2: The cost of inaction
Authors: Farr Emily , Finnigan Leah , Grace Joanne , Truscott Mathew
Published: May 2022

In 2011, Somalia experienced a devastating famine that killed over a quarter of a million people. Afterwards, leaders in the region made a commitment to end drought emergencies by 2022. The international community sought to ensure that there would be no repeat of the failures that led to famine. Next time, the world would heed the warnings and act early to avoid the crisis. But despite various warnings and alarms over the past two years, the commitment to anticipatory action has proven half-hearted. We are once again responding too late and with too little to avert the crisis. In this follow-up to their 2012 briefing A Dangerous Delay, Oxfam and Save the Children, supported by the Jameel Observatory, examine what has changed and what has not in the humanitarian system since 2011. They explain how it must evolve in order to enable and fully fund anticipatory action. With the climate crisis set to deepen, the current system must change quickly in order to meet the challenges we face in the years ahead.
A New Lithium Nickel Oxide Cathode Material with a Composite Structure for High-Performance Li-ion Batteries
Authors: Yao Junyi , Qi Jizhen , Dong Qingyu , Shen Yanbin , Chen Liwei , Liu Sizhan , Wang Yong , Li Linsen , Mao Qianlun , Yang Shiqi , Gao Lijun , Zhang Kun , Xu Kaihua , Wang Feng , Zhao Jianqing , Bai Jianming
Published: May 2022

Guided by in situ synchrotron X-ray diffraction (SXRD) measurements and quantitative analysis, we identified and synthesized a new type of lithium nickel oxide as a cathode material for Li-ion batteries. This compound is a composition of two crystallographic components: a major stoichiometric layer-structured phase, LiNiO2, and a minor Li-containing disordered rock-salt phase, LiδNi1-δO, both embedded in the same cubic close-packed oxygen lattice. The LiNiO2|LiδNi1-δO composite, when used as the active material in a cathode, delivers high energy density, superior rate capability, and long-term cycling stability owing to its unique structural configuration.
A kinome-wide CRISPR screen identifies CK1α as a novel target to overcome enzalutamide resistance of prostate cancer
Authors: LIU JINGHUI , Zhao Yue , He Daheng , Jones Katelyn , Tang Shan , Allison Derek , Zhang Yanquan , Chen Jing , Zhang Qiongsi , Wang Xinyi , Li Chaohao , Wang Chi , Li Lang , Liu Xiaoqi
Published: May 2022

Enzalutamide (ENZA), a second-generation androgen receptor antagonist, has significantly increased progression-free and overall survival of patients with metastatic prostate cancer (PCa). However, resistance remains a prominent obstacle in treatment, illustrating the urgent need to develop new approaches to increase ENZA efficacy. Utilizing a kinome-wide CRISPR-Cas9 knockout screen, we identified casein kinase 1 alpha (CK1α) as a novel therapeutic target to overcome ENZA resistance. Depletion or pharmacologic inhibition of CK1α significantly enhanced EZNA efficacy in ENZA-resistant cell lines and patient-derived xenografts. Mechanistically, CK1α phosphorylates the serine residue S1270 and modulates the protein abundance of ataxia-telangiectasia mutated (ATM), a primary initiator of DNA double-strand break (DSB)-response signaling, which is compromised in ENZA-resistant cells and patients. Inhibition of CK1α stabilizes ATM, resulting in the restoration of DSB-response signaling, and thus increases ENZA-induced cell death and growth arrest in an ATM-dependent manner. Our study details an innovative therapeutic approach for ENZA-resistant PCa and characterizes a novel perspective for the function of CK1α in the regulation of DNA damage response signaling.
The use of bacterial nanocellulose as wound healing dressing: a scoping review
Authors: Pittella Camila Quinetti Paes , Vitoria Edney Marcio , Mendes Micaela Faria , Coli Taciely Campana , Delage Mariana Domiciano , Junior Gesner Francisco Xavier , Santos Kelli Borges , Nascimento Thiago Cesar
Published: May 2022

Bacterial nanocellulose (BNC) is a nanofibrillar polymer produced by aerobic bacteria of the genus Gluconacetobacter. The use of BNC as a wound dressing is a novel biotechnology and unique strategy indicated for chronic and acute wound treatment as it has a set of features that will contribute to efficient skin recovery. Studies have reported that BNC can be more effective in healing capacity when compared to other wound dressings providing benefits for the patient and the health system. Our purpose was to summarize such clinical evidences bringing studies that could support the use of BNC as a dressing in many forms and its possibilities for the future. Methods: We conducted a scoping review following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews. Databases were searched for relevant articles without restriction about publication year or period. Inclusion criteria: Articles that report the use of BNC in the healing of acute or chronic wounds through clinical tests were included in the analysis. Articles that have performed preclinical tests (in vivo and in vitro) were excluded from the analysis. Results: We have found sixteen articles using the protocol criteria. The development of the present study made possible to evaluate the extent of clinical use of the BNC dressing, through available evidences on its use for the treatment of chronic and acute wounds. When analyzing the results, it became evident that BNC is a promising biotechnological resource for the effective healing of chronic and acute wounds.
WITHDRAWN: The Effect of Reduced Water Quality Variables on D issolved Oxygen Concentration Prediction Performance of Random Forest and Multilayer Perceptron Regressors
Authors: GARABAGHI FARID HASSANBAKI , Benzer Semra , Benzer Recep
Published: May 2022

That life highly depends on oxygen on the blue planet is an undeniable fact. Not only for preserving the ecosystem as well as aquatic organisms’ well-being, but sufficient amount of dissolved oxygen (DO) in water systems is also important from the sustainable drinking water resources point of view. Therefore, as important as monitoring DO concentrations in aquatic systems, accurate prediction of future levels of DO has become in the center of attention of many researchers as well as national and international agencies. One simple way to overcome this task is to get benefit from machine learning methods. This study was designed to evaluate the performance of random forest (RF) regressor against multilayer perceptron (MLP) as a popular model of artificial neural networks in predicting DO concentrations. More importantly, the effect of dimension reduction of the dataset by applying wrapper feature selection technique on the performance and accuracy of prediction of the regressors was also investigated. The results showed that RF regressor excelled MLP in performance with either of the datasets (the dataset of all parameters of interest and the dataset of reduced subset of features). Moreover, training the RF regressor with reduced subset of features positively affected the performance of the regressor, however, the accuracy of the MLP regressor declined considerably when it was trained with the dataset of reduced features. The results proved the positive impact of dimensionality reduction on the performance of RF regressor for predicting DO concentrations.
Effect of Electronic Cigarettes Smoking on Color Stability of CAD/CAM Acrylic Resin: in Vitro Study
Authors: Mahmoud Ahmed Zakaria Ahmed , EL-Attar Mohamed Sherine , Abosaied Mohamed Abdel Rahim , Soliman Ingy Said
Published: May 2022

Background: The most common electronic nicotine delivery system is electronic cigarettes. Most electronic cigarettes consist of a battery, and an electric heater used to aerosolize a liquid to produce vapor that the user inhales. Smokers who have used electronic cigarettes to quit smoking, raising questions about the benefits and hazardous effects of using it. Polymethyl methacrylate contacts with a variety of foods and beverages of different temperatures, as a result, it is prone to absorbing a variety of pollutants, altering its physical structure and appearance. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of electronic cigarette smoking on the color stability of acrylic resin.Material and methods: This study was in vitro study in which sixty specimens of CAD/CAM acrylic resin were exposed to aerosols that were flavored and non-flavored with nicotine content (0 mg, 6 mg, and 12 mg). A portable suction machine was modified to receive specimens and simulate smoking in vivo. Each specimen was exposed to 20 cycles of aerosol emitted by a single ECIG device using the smoking chamber. Each cycle consisted of 10 puffs with a puff duration of 4 seconds and an inter puff interval of 20 seconds totaling 3.6 minutes for each cycle. Color measurement was performed on the specimens before and after exposure to ECIG aerosol using a calibrated spectrophotometer.Results: Specimens exposed to flavorless 0 mg. nicotine aerosol showed the lowest delta E value 2.39 (±0.16) , while Specimens exposed to flavored 12 mg. nicotine showed the highest values 4.14 (±0.19). No significant difference in color change found between groups exposed to flavorless e-liquid, while a significant difference found between flavored 0 mg. nicotine and 12 mg. nicotine groups (P = 0.002).Also, a significant difference found between flavored 6 mg. nicotine and 12 mg. nicotine groups (P = 0.002). According to Two Way ANOVA, both flavor and nicotine contents have a significant effect on color change (P <0.0001).Conclusion: Exposure to flavored and non-flavored electronic cigarettes aerosol of different nicotine concentrations changed the color of acrylic resin. Both flavor and nicotine contents have a significant effect on color change.
Multi-Criteria Decision Making in Linguistic Values of Neutrosophic Trapezoidal Fuzzy Multi- numbers
Authors: Kannusamy Arun Prakash , M Suresh
Published: May 2022

Neutrosophic trapezoidal fuzzy multi-numbers (NTFMN) are a specific neutrosophic fuzzy multiset on a real number set that decision makers can use to represent their neutrosophic fuzzy multi-preference information. The occurrences in the NTFMN are several, with the potential of the same or memberships of truth, indeterminacy, and falsehood. Neutrosophic trapezoidal fuzzy multi-numbers(NTFMN) are a type of neutrosophic fuzzy numbers on a real number set that are used to anticipate the solution to multi-criteria decision-making situations. In this study, we begin by defining NTFMN and then develop a set of multiple-criteria decision-making issues with NTFMN alternatives. The expected value method is used to rank neutrosophic trapezoidal fuzzy multi-numbers and choose the best option. Finally, a numerical example is provided to demonstrate the method's practicality and efficiency.
Experiences and coping strategies of colostomy patients in Ghana: A Phenomenological study
Authors: Mensah Adwoa Bemah Boamah , Yeboah Vida , Amaniampong Er-Menan , Mensah Kofi Boamah , Kusi Grace , Apiribu Felix , Dzomeku Veronica Millicent , Attakorah Joseph
Published: May 2022

Background: Available empirical evidence shows increasing rates of stoma surgeries (i.e., colostomy) among persons in sub-Saharan Africa, particularly Ghana. Compared to developed countries, the management of colostomy is considered more stressful due to the absence of a homecare management model after discharge from the hospital. Yet, there exist a paucity of evidence on the experiences, challenges and coping strategies of persons living with colostomy after being discharged, within a resource constrained setting such as Ghana. Aims: The experiences and challenges as well as coping strategies of colostomy patients were explored and described in this study. Methods: Using a descriptive phenomenological design, semi-structured face-to-face interviews were conducted with a purposive sample of 15 patients with colostomy. Colaizzi’s analytical framework and a deductive process was employed to thematically analyse the data. Results: Themes that characterised participants’ experiences and challenges with colostomy comprised: social stigmatisation, social isolation/withdrawal, sex-related challenges, psychological experiences and challenges, suicidal ideation, physiological experiences and challenges, dietary/eating challenges, difficulties caring for colostomy, skin disorders, cost of colostomy accessories, and work restrictions. Amidst these experiences and challenges, participants were shown to promote their resilience in the face of adversity through assets and resources: social support, spirituality and religion, lifestyle modifications, nutritional and pharmacological strategies, and improvised stoma accessories.Conclusion: Persons living with colostomy experience numerous challenges that threatens their health and wellbeing. Yet, they rely on assets and resources to remain resilient in the face of these challenges. Findings have implications for policy interventions on public education, expansion of health insurance scheme, stoma nurse recruitment and training, and patients’ resilience healthcare strategies of colostomy in Ghana.
Mutation rates and adaptive variation among the clinically dominant clusters of Mycobacterium abscessus
Authors: Commins Nicoletta , Sullivan Mark , McGowen Kerry , Koch Evan , Rubin Eric , Farhat Maha
Published: May 2022

Mycobacterium abscessus (Mab) is a multi-drug resistant pathogen increasingly responsible for severe pulmonary infections. Analysis of whole genome sequences (WGS) of Mab demonstrates dense genetic clustering of clinical isolates collected from¬ disparate geographic locations. This has been interpreted as supporting patient-to-patient transmission, but epidemiological studies have contradicted this interpretation. Here we present evidence for a slowing of the Mab molecular clock rate coincident with the emergence of phylogenetic clusters. We find that clustered isolates are enriched in mutations affecting DNA repair machinery and have lower spontaneous mutation rates in vitro. We propose that Mab adaptation to the host environment through variation in DNA repair genes affects the organism’s mutation rate and that this manifests as phylogenetic clustering. These results inform our understanding of niche switching for facultative pathogens, and challenge the model of transmission as the major mode of dissemination of clinically dominant Mab clusters.
LINC01980 induced by TGF-beta promotes hepatocellular carcinoma metastasis via miR-376b-5p/E2F5 axis
Authors: Sheng Jiaqi , Lv Enjun , Liang Huifang , Tao Haisu , Yu Chengpeng , Rao Dean , Sun Mengyu , Xia Limin , Huang Wenjie
Published: May 2022

Hepatocellular carcinoma is one of the most aggressive human malignancies worldwide. However, the molecular mechanism of HCC metastasis is largely unknown. LncRNA has key roles in gene regulation, and dysregulation of lncRNA is critical to cancer metastasis. This study aims to explore the function and mechanism of LINC01980 in HCC metastasis and provides a new mechanism for transcription regulation of lncRNA. We first found that LINC01980 was upregulated and associated with poor prognosis in HCC. Besides, LINC01980 promoted HCC cells migration and invasion. Mechanistically, we proved that LINC01980 competitively bound miR-376b-5p to upregulate its target E2F5, thus inducing EMT in HCC cells. And, LINC01980-mediated HCC metastasis was dependent on E2F5 in vitro and vivo. In addition, our study showed that TGF-β activated LINC01980 transcription through the canonical TGF-β/SMAD signaling pathway in HCC. Overall, this study provided a new perspective to understand HCC metastasis and offered a new potential target for treating hepatocellular carcinoma.
Inborn Errors of Immunity in Children and Adolescents with Immune Thrombocytopenia
Authors: Beatrice Julia M. , Liphaus Bernadete L , Kamioka Priscila E. , Matsumoto Lucy C. , Correa-Silva Simone , Carneiro-Sampaio Magda M. S. , Carneiro Jorge D. A.
Published: May 2022

Immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) is a frequent autoimmune manifestation among Inborn Errors of Immunity (IEI). This study analyzed immunoglobulin and complement levels and lymphocyte subsets proportions in children and adolescents with primary ITP to reassess underlying IEI and establish relations with disease features and outcomes. Sixty ITP patients had IgA, IgM, IgG, IgE, C3, and C4 levels measured by standard methods used by the hospital. CD3+, CD4+, CD8 + and CD19 + lymphocyte proportions were determined by flow cytometry. Overall, 23.3% of the reassessed ITP patients could be considered to have underlying IEI namely, IgA deficiency (1/60), IgM deficiency (2/60), C4 deficiency (1/60), low B cells (3/60), low T cells (2/60) and unclassified IEI (4/60). In addition, as a whole, 86.7% of ITP patients had at least one altered immunoglobulin or complement level or lymphocyte subset proportion specifically, low IgG (23.3%), low IgM (8.3%), high IgG (1.7%), high IgM (11.7%), and high IgE (18.3%). Moreover, 6.7% of ITP patients had an additional autoimmune disease namely, type 1 diabetes and thyroiditis; 56.7% had an allergy diagnosis; 20.0% had a positive family history of autoimmune disease, and 70.0% had a family history of allergy. Patients with low IgM levels underwent significantly more splenectomy (87.5% vs. 25.0%, p = 0.04). In conclusion, underlying IEI could be diagnosed in children and adolescents previously presumed as primary ITP, reinforcing the idea that immunoglobulin and complement levels and lymphocyte subset proportions should periodically be reassessed during follow-up. Further genetic analyses will be a cornerstone for unveiling additional IEI related to ITP.
The antimicrobial effects of PLGA microspheres containing the antimicrobial peptide OP-145 on clinically isolated pathogens in bone infections
Authors: Cheng Ye , Qin Jianhua , Huang Yuliang , Wang Tianyu
Published: May 2022

Infection after fracture is a significant problem for the healing of fractures. Antimicrobial peptides combined with PLGA (poly-lactic-co-glycolic acid) microspheres can open new horizons for treating bone infections. Twenty rats in the control group were treated with physiologic saline solution after surgery, and 20 rats in the treatment group were treated with OP-145 PLGA microspheres and vancomycin after surgery. The biofilms from treatment and control groups were analyzed by fluorescence microscopy. Blood samples were collected at 12, 24, 36, 48, and 72 h. OP-145 PLGA microspheres showed significant inhibitory effects on clinically isolated strains (P < 0.05) and there were significant differences in serum CRP (P < 0.05) levels compared with control group. In conclusion, OP-145 PLGA microspheres could slowly release antimicrobial peptides and significantly reduce biofilm formation and levels of inflammatory factors.
Predicting fluid responsiveness using oesophagus Doppler monitoring and pulse oximetry; retrospective analysis of a prospective haemodynamic study
Authors: Hahn Robert G. , Nilsson Lena , Bahlmann Hans
Published: May 2022

Background.
Fluid therapy during major surgery can be managed by providing repeated bolus infusions until stroke volume no longer increases by ≥ 10%. However, the final bolus, also called an optimisation round, is not necessary, as it results in fluid overload. We studied how different cut-off values for the haemodynamic indications given by oesophagus Doppler monitoring, possibly augmented by pulse oximetry, are associated with a higher or smaller chance that stroke volume increases by ≥ 10% (fluid responsiveness) before the fluid is infused.
Methods.
An oesophagus Doppler and a pulse oximeter that displayed the Pleth Variability Index were used to monitor the effects of a bolus infusion in 110 patients undergoing goal-directed fluid therapy during major open abdominal surgery.
Results.
The overall incidence of fluid responsiveness was 44%, but this varied greatly depending on pre-infusion haemodynamics. The likelihood of being fluid-responsive was 30–38% in the presence of stroke volume > 80 mL, flow-corrected time > 360 ms, or Pleth Variability Index < 10%. The likelihood was 21% if stroke volume had decreased by < 8% since the previous optimisation, which decreased to 0% if combined with stroke volume > 100 mL. By contrast, the likelihood of fluid responsiveness increased to 50–55% when stroke volume ≤ 50 mL, flow-corrected time ≤ 360 ms, or Pleth Variability Index ≥ 10. A > 8% decrease in stroke volume since the previous optimisation was followed by a 58% likelihood of fluid responsiveness that, in combination any of the other mentioned haemodynamic variables, increased to 66–76%.
Conclusions.
Single or combined haemodynamic variables provided by oesophagus Doppler monitoring and pulse oximetry could help clinicians avoid unnecessary fluid bolus infusions.
Trial registration:
Clinical Trials (NCT01458678) registered on October 25, 2011, before any patient recruitment was initiated.
Transcriptomic profiling analysis of human endometrium treated with autologous platelet-rich plasma
Authors: Kuroda Keiji , Matsumoto Akemi , Horikawa Takashi , Takamizawa Satoru , Ochiai Asako , Kawamura Kazuhiro , Nakagawa Koji , Sugiyama Rikikazu
Published: May 2022

In in vitro fertilization treatment, the therapeutic effects of intrauterine platelet-rich plasma (PRP) infusion with increasing rate of successful pregnancy have been reported; however, the mechanisms that support embryo implantation remain unclear. To analyze transcriptomic profiles in endometria treated with PRP, blood and endometrial samples were collected from four infertile women. Human endometrial stromal cells (HESCs) were cultured and passaged equally into four cell culture dishes in each patient. Two were treated with PRP twice and the other two were not treated with PRP. Subsequently, two cultures with and without PRP were decidualized with 8-bromoadenosine 3',5'-cyclic AMP and progesterone for 5 days. The gene expression in undifferentiated or decidualized HESCs with and without PRP was compared. In the microarray analysis, 381 and 63 differentially expressed genes were detected in undifferentiated and decidualized HESCs, respectively. In the undifferentiated HESCs, PRP was found to strongly promote the gene expression associated with cell growth, tissue regeneration, proinflammatory response, and antibiotic effects. In decidualized HESCs, PRP was found to attenuate the gene expression involved in cell proliferation and inflammation by inhibiting the expression of PI3K signaling. PRP regulates the reprogramming of cell proliferation and inflammation depending on pre- and post-decidualization in an appropriate manner, suggesting that PRP has the potential to increase endometrial thickness in the proliferative phase and improve immune tolerance in the secretory phase.
Therapeutic approach with commercial supplements for pantothenate kinase-associated neurodegeneration with residual PANK2 expression levels.
Authors: Álvarez-Córdoba Mónica , Reche-López Diana , Cilleros-Holgado Paula , Talaverón-Rey Marta , Villalón-García Irene , Povea-Cabello Suleva , Suárez-Rivero Juan M , Suárez-Carrillo Alejandra , Munuera-Cabeza Manuel , Piñero-Pérez Rocío , Sánchez-Alcázar José A
Published: May 2022

Blackground: Neurodegeneration with brain iron accumulation (NBIA) is a group of rare neurogenetic disorders frequently associated with iron accumulation in the basal nuclei of the brain characterized by progressive spasticity, dystonia, muscle rigidity, neuropsychiatric symptoms, and retinal degeneration or optic nerve atrophy. Pantothenate kinase-associated neurodegeneration (PKAN) is one of the most widespread NBIA subtypes. It is caused by mutations in the gene of pantothenate kinase 2 (PANK2) that result in dysfunction in PANK2 enzyme activity, with consequent deficiency of coenzyme A (CoA) biosynthesis, as well as low levels of essential metabolic intermediates such as 4′-phosphopantetheine, a necessary cofactor for essential cytosolic and mitochondrial proteins. Methods: In this manuscript, we examined the therapeutic effectiveness of pantothenate, panthetine, antioxidants (vitamin E and omega 3) and mitochondrial function boosting supplements (L-carnitine and thiamine) in mutant PANK2 cells with residual expression levels. Results: Commercial supplements, pantothenate, pantethine, vitamin E, omega 3, carnitine and thiamine were able to eliminate iron accumulation, increase PANK2, mtACP, and NFS1 expression levels and improve pathological alterations in mutant cells with residual PANK2 expression levels.Conclusion: Our results suggest that several commercial compounds are indeed able to significantly correct the mutant phenotype in cellular models of PKAN. These compounds alone or in combinations are of common use in clinical practice and may be useful for the treatment of PKAN patients with residual enzyme expression levels.
Robust record high Tc elemental superconductivity in titanium
Authors: Zhang Changling , He Xin , Liu Chang , Li Zhiwen , Lu Ke , Zhang Sijia , Feng Shaomin , WANG Xiancheng , Peng Yi , Long Youwen , Yu Richeng , Wang Luhong , Prakapenka Vitali , Chariton Stella , Li Quan , Liu Haozhe , Chen Changfeng , Jin Changqing
Published: May 2022

Searching for superconductivity in single element with high Tc is of great interest both for fundamental science & potential applications due to the easy recipe. It is especially interesting to explore high Tc superconductivity in transition metal elements wherein the conventional BCS theories suggest that d electrons are not favorable to form high Tc superconducting state. Here we report discovery of surprisingly robust superconductivity up to 310 GPa with almost constant Tc above 20K in a wide pressure range from 108GPa to 240 GPa in titanium. The maximum Tconset above 26 K and zero-resistance Tczero of 21 K are record-high values hitherto achieved among elemental superconductors. This finding is in sharp contrast to the theoretical predications based on the pristine electron-phonon coupling scenario. Measured normal state conductivity reveals significant s-d scattering. Quantum calculations show strong s-d transfer and d-band dominance, indicating correlation driven contributions to the robust high-Tc superconductivity seen in dense titanium. Different from most high-Tc superconductors that are either complex ceramic or intermetallic compounds, titanium metal is much easier to process and hosts notably higher and more robust Tc and critical magnetic field Hc compared to the widely used superconducting NbTi alloy. This study opens a fresh promising avenue for rational design and discovery of high-Tc superconductors among simple materials via pressure tuned unconventional mechanism.
Effect of Co2 on Growth Parameters and Lipid Production in Dunaliella Sp. ABRIINW-I1 (Chlorophyceae) Isolated from Urmia Lake, NW Iran
Authors: Mirzahasanlou Jamileh Panahy , Hejazi Mohammad Amin
Published: May 2022

Today, using CO2 in microalgae cultures has been increasing for different purposes. In addition, there are many indigenous strains of algae with the advantage of adaptation to the regional climate condition. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the CO2 effect on growth pattern and biochemical composition of Dunaliella sp. ABRIINW-I1 native to Urmia Lake. Results showed that using CO2 in culture not only affects the biomass concentration (1.06 g.l− 1 AFDW vs 0.54 g.l− 1 in control experiment) and growth period (reaching to the stationary phase in 7 days rather than 14 days in control experiment), but also affect the chemical composition. It seems that during the cultivation time, the lipid content increased in cost of carbohydrates (33.1%DW). Fatty acid analysis revealed optimal combination of saturated and unsaturated acids with the dominance of C16 and C18 fatty acids. Our results confirmed the biodiesel potential and nutritional values of the studied strain especially in treatment with CO2. Results demonstrated that the cost and energy demand could be reduced via CO2 application in algal culture.
Using Google Earth Engine for the complete pipeline of temporal analysis of NDVI in Chitwan National Park of Nepal
Authors: PRASAI RITIKA
Published: May 2022

Advent of cloud computing and Google Earth Engine has completely changed the way we acquire, manage and process large satellite data. Here, we analyze temporal dynamics of vegetation productivity in Chitwan National Park, Nepal (CNP) for the period of 1988 to 2020 using Google Earth Engine (GEE) Python API, without using local computer for data storage or analysis. Specifically, we computed normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) from Landsat data and analyzed the time-series NDVI using a Thiel Sen estimator and by decomposing it to the trend and season components We completed remote sensing analyses including image retrieval, image analysis, classification and report generation in GEE Python API, which is a free resource. Our results showed that NDVI in CNP increased at the rate of 0.0006/year (p<0.05, R2= 0.66). We observed variation in NDVI during pre-monsoon (p<0.05, R2=0.79) and monsoon (p<0.05, R2=0.79) seasons which were 0.0005/ year and 0.0007/year, respectively. An annual increase in NDVI value in CNP indicates an increase in primary productivity that is assumed to support higher animal species richness. Using NDVI in GEE Python API proved to be an effective and efficient tool for monitoring the primary productivity of ecologically important sites such as protected areas.
A novel diagnostic model for insulinoma
Authors: Wang Feng , Yang Zhe , Chen XiuBing , Peng Yiling , Jiang HaiXing , Qin ShanYu
Published: May 2022

The aim is to describe a simple and feasible model for the diagnosis of insulinoma. This retrospective study enrolled 37 patients with insulinoma and 44 patients with hypoglycemia not due to insulinoma at the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University. General demographic and clinical characteristics; hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), insulin and C-peptide concentrations; and the results of 2-hour oral glucose tolerance tests (OGTT) were recorded, and a logistic regression model predictive of insulinoma was determined. Body mass index (BMI), HbA1c concentration, 0-hour C-peptide concentration, and 0-hour and 1-hour plasma glucose concentrations (P < 0.05 each) were independently associated with insulinoma. A regression prediction model was established through multivariate logistics regression analysis: Logit p = 7.399+(0.310×BMI) - (1.851×HbA1c) - (1.467×0-hour plasma glucose) + (1.963×0-hour C-peptide) - (0.612×1-hour plasma glucose). Using this index to draw a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, the area under the curve (AUC) was found to be 0.957. The optimal cut-off value was − 0.17, which had a sensitivity of 89.2% and a specificity of 86.4%. Logit P≥-0.17 can be used as a diagnostic marker for predicting insulinoma in patients with hypoglycemia.
Tunable plasmonic tweezers based on graphene nano-taper for neuroblastoma extracellular vesicles manipulation
Authors: Khorami Ali Asghar , Barahimi Behdad , Vatani Sare , Javanmard Athar Sadat
Published: May 2022

We take advantage of graphene nano-taper plasmons to design tunable plasmonic tweezers for neuroblastoma extracellular vesicles manipulation. It consists of Si/SiO2/Graphene stack topped by a microfluidic chamber. Using plasmons of isosceles-triangle-shaped graphene nano-taper with a resonance frequency of 6.25 THz, the proposed device can efficiently trap the nanoparticles. The plasmons of graphene nano-taper generate a large field intensity in the deep sub-wavelength area around the vertices of the triangle. We show that by engineering the dimensions of the graphene nano-taper and an appropriate choice of its Fermi energy, the desired near-field gradient force for trapping can be generated under relatively low-intensity illumination of the THz source when the nanoparticles are placed near the front vertex of the nano-taper. Our results show that the designed system with graphene nano-taper of L = 1200 nm length and W = 600 nm base size and THz source intensity of I = 2 mW/µm2, can trap polystyrene nanoparticles with diameters of D = 140, 73, and 54 nm, and with trap stiffnesses of ky = 9.9 fN/nm, ky = 23.77 fN/nm, and ky = 35.51 fN/nm at Fermi energies of Ef = 0.4, 0.5, and 0.6 eV, respectively. It is well known that the plasmonic tweezer as a high-precision and non-contact means of control has potential applications in biology. Our investigations demonstrate that the proposed tweezing device with L = 1200 nm, W = 600 nm, and Ef = 0.6 eV can be utilized to manipulate the nano-bio-specimens. So that, at the given source intensity, it can trap the neuroblastoma extracellular vesicles, which are released by neuroblastoma cells and play an important role in modulating the function of neuroblastoma cells and other cell populations, as small as 88 nm at the front tip of isosceles-triangle-shaped graphene nano-taper. The trap stiffness for the given neuroblastoma extracellular vesicle is obtained as ky = 17.92 fN/nm.
In silico analysis of regulatory elements of the bldD gene of antibiotic-producing Streptomyces species
Authors: Demisie Sisay , Tafess Ketema
Published: May 2022

Background: Streptomyces are known for their ability to produce a great variety of antibiotics and other bioactive compounds. The production of these molecules is temporally and genetically coordinated with the bacterial morphological changes. These changes are controlled by transcriptional regulators which coincide with antibiotics production. The bldD gene is identified as one of the key players in the complex morphogenesis and activator of antibiotic production in Streptomyces. Besides the laboratory-based experimental works, Genome mining and in silico analysis of transcription start sites, promoter regions, transcription factors, and their binding sites, CpG islands of the bldD gene of antibiotic-producing Streptomyces species are the fundamental steps to understanding the regulatory mechanisms and its impact on the antibiotic production. Results: Our study identified the most important promoters in the upstream coding regions of the bldD gene of the 13 antibiotic-producing Streptomyces species. All, 13/13 (100%) of bldD genes have a single transcription start site (TSS) flanking the coding regions. The MEME algorithm revealed five motifs (MtS1-5), of which Motif 1 (MtS1) has the lowest E value and the key regulatory motifs for bldD genes among the discovered motifs. Using the TOMTOM web program, we identified 13 transcription factors with a capacity to bind MtS1. The analysis of the CpG Island of the bldD gene of the antibiotic-producing Streptomyces species indicated the presence of lower CpG islands. Phylogenetic analysis identified that bldD genes of antibiotic-producing species considered in this study are very closely related to other groups of Streptomyces. Conclusions Our study showed that the regulatory elements of bldD genes in antibiotic-producing Streptomyces are located closely upstream of the genes. A detailed understanding of these regulatory elements of the gene that encodes the key activator of antibiotic biosynthesis in Streptomyces species will in enhance the laboratory-based experiments for the production of the antibiotic.
Study on Fish Species Diversity and Water Quality Analysis in Zhalong Wetland
Authors: Chai Yihan , Cao Zhao
Published: May 2022

Zhalong wetland is one of the most important wetland reserves in the world. Endangered wild animals and plants such as red crowned cranes and wild soybeans live here. In order to understand the structural characteristics of fish community in Zhalong wetland and its relationship with water environmental factors, 24 sampling points were set up in Zhalong wetland for three times in May, August and October 2021. A total of 22 species, 20 genera, 8 families and 4 orders were caught, which were divided into 7 functional groups, of which PI functional group was significantly dominant. In addition, the fish species diversity Shannon-Wiener index of Zhalong wetland is the highest in autumn, which is 1.95. The second highest in summer is 1.86. The lowest level is 1.65 in spring. Pielou evenness index reached its peak in autumn, 0.64, reached its lowest level in summer, 0.59 and 0.61 in spring. Through RDA analysis, five-day biochemical oxygen demand and nitrate nitrogen are the main positive correlation environmental factors, Cl−, conductivity, total phosphorus, dissolved oxygen and total nitrogen are the main negative correlation environmental factors, and other factors are also correlated, but relatively insignificant.