bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An Intelligent System for Multi-Label Classification Based on Particle Size and Shape Features using a Cascade Approach
Authors: Izadi Hossein , Roostaei Morteza , Soroush Mohammad , Mohammadtabar Mohammad , Hosseini Seyed Abolhassan , Mahmoudi Mahdi , Leung Juliana , Fattahpour Vahidoddin
Published: July 2021

Intelligent systems are becoming more and more popular in the petroleum industry. Particle Size Distribution (PSD) based on sieve size is a key signature of the unconsolidated/weakly consolidated sandstone formations and is commonly the main parameter in the sand control design.

With available extensive PSD measurement techniques and a large number of measurements, especially for horizontal wells, it is necessary to classify the PSDs prior to further analysis for the sand control design. On the other hand, PSD analysis is not enough for sand control design, and particle shapes need to be taken into account as well. A successful clustering algorithm for the mentioned purposes needs to be a cascade, multi-label, unsupervised and self-adaptive approach since the particles can be assigned to more than one group and there is no prior idea on how many clusters should be formed after the clustering process. Besides, due to the differences between sieve size and shape features, they should be used separately for clustering the particles.

In the current study, a cascade approach is used for clustering the particles. In the first level of the cascade, an unsupervised and self-adaptive algorithm is introduced based on the sieve size features. The algorithm optimizes the number of clusters through a self-adaptive and incremental approach. The proposed clustering method uses a minimum similarity threshold (δ) as the only input parameter to start the clustering and tries to minimize the number of clusters during the clustering. In the second level of the cascade, the similarity between all particles in each cluster with their corresponding cluster-center is measured, and those particles that do not respect the δ in terms of the shape similarity, are moved out of the cluster.

The novelty of the proposed method is in three folds. The first one is to provide a particle clustering algorithm, which works based on the whole range of the sizes and shape descriptors rather than focusing on certain points in the size graph (D-values). The second one is the dynamic nature of the clustering, which tends to optimize the number of clusters during the clustering process. The third one is that we have used a cascade approach for involving both size and shape parameters for the clustering. Our proposed method can be applied in field application for downhole monitoring and sand screen design.
Identification and Characterization of Verticillium Nonalfalfae-responsive Micrornas in the Roots of Resistant and Susceptible Hop Cultivars
Authors: Kunej Urban , Jakše Jernej , Radišek Sebastjan , Štajner Nataša
Published: July 2021

Micro RNAs are 21- to 24-nucleotide-long, non-coding RNA molecules that regulate gene expression at the post-transcriptional level. They can modulate various biological processes, including plant response and resistance to fungal pathogens. Hops are grown for use in the brewing industry and recently also for pharmaceutical industry. Severe Verticillium wilt caused by the phytopathogenic fungus Verticillium nonalfalfae, is the main factor in yield loss in many crops, including hops (Humulus lupulus L.). In our study, we identified 56 known and 43 novel miRNAs and their expression patterns in the roots of susceptible and resistant hop cultivars after inoculation with V. nonalfalfae. In response to inoculation with V. nonalfalfae, we found five known and two novel miRNAs that are differentially expressed in the susceptible cultivar and six known miRNAs in the resistant cultivar. Differentially expressed miRNAs target 49 transcripts involved in protein localization and pigment synthesis in the susceptible cultivar, whereas they are involved in transcription factor regulation and hormone signalling in the resistant cultivar. The results of our study suggest that the susceptible and resistant hop cultivars respond differently to V. nonalfalfae inoculation at the miRNA level and that miRNAs may contribute to the successful defence of the resistant cultivar.
A Novel Hybrid Network Optimization Model for Printed Circuit Boards Recycling: A Circular Economy Perspective
Authors: YILDIZBASI ABDULLAH , ARIOZ Yağmur
Published: July 2021

Due to the rapid advances in technology, increasing consumption rates and continuously released new products lead to shorter product life cycles, putting the sustainability issue under the spotlight. This, in turn, creates an unmanageable amount of waste that needs immediate care. Electrical and electronic equipment is one of the major contributors to this waste given that millions of metric tons of electronic waste are generated across the world each year, and only an insignificant percentage of which is recycled. The recycling of printed circuit boards, which accounts for considerable monetary value in waste electrical and electronic equipment has long been ignored due to the serious challenges in collection, dismantling, and recycling processes. In this study, the open-loop and closed-loop supply chain involving circular economy objectives is designed in order to increase the recyclability of valuable metals including gold, silver, copper, and palladium. In this regard, a mixed-integer linear programming model is developed that aims at maximizing the profit from the flow in the supply chain network. The model was tested with actual data obtained from a printed circuit board firm in Turkey that aimed optimal distribution in its supply chain. The results reveal that the product/material flows, which have an impact on the revenues, were among the most important factors affecting profitability. Considering the circular economy objectives, the revenue obtained in the hybrid open-loop and closed-loop supply chain is predominantly provided by the reuse and repair activities. In addition, the boundaries of the proposed model are tested with sensitivity analyses and the results are discussed extensively with conclusions on managerial implications.
Pinpointing Genomic Regions Associated with Root System Architecture in Rice Through an Integrative Meta-Analysis Approach
Authors: Daryani Parisa , Ramandi Hadi Darzi , Dezhsetan Sara , Mansuri Raheleh Mirdar , Salekdeh Ghasem Hosseini , Shobbar Zahra-Sadat
Published: July 2021

Root system architecture (RSA) is an important factor for facilitating water and nutrient uptake from deep soils and adaptation to drought stress conditions. In the present research, an integrated meta-analysis approach was employed to find candidate genes and genomic regions involved in rice RSA traits. A whole-genome meta-analysis was performed for 425 initial QTLs reported in 34 independent experiments controlling RSA traits under control and drought stress conditions in the previous twenty years. Sixty-four consensus meta-QTLs (MQTLs) were detected, unevenly distributed on twelve rice chromosomes. The confidence interval (CI) of the identified MQTLs was obtained as 0.11-14.23 cM with an average of 3.79 cM, which was 3.88 times narrower than the mean CI of the original QTLs. Interestingly, 52 MQTLs were co-located with SNP peak positions reported in rice genome-wide association studies (GWAS) for root morphological traits. The genes located in these RSA related MQTLs were detected, and explored to find the drought-responsive genes in the rice root based on the RNA-seq and microarray data. Multiple RSA and drought tolerance associated genes were found in the MQTLs including the genes involved in auxin biosynthesis or signaling (e.g. YUCCA, WOX, AUX/IAA, ARF), root angle (DRO1-related genes), lateral root development (e.g. DSR, WRKY), root diameter (e.g. OsNAC5), plant cell wall (e.g. EXPA) and lignification (e.g. C4H, PAL, PRX and CAD). The genes located both in the SNP peak positions and in the high-overview-index MQTLs for root architecture traits are suggested as novel candidate genes for further functional analysis.. The promising candidate genes and MQTLs would be applicable to genetic engineering and MQTL-assisted breeding of root phenotypes aimed at improving yield potential, stability and performance in a water-stressed environment.
Investigation of Water Condensation from Humid Air and The Feasibility Analysis of its Potable Characteristics
Authors: Kumar Dinesh , Agarwal Vidhu , Tiwari Akhilesh
Published: July 2021

Freshwater scarcity will be one of the most challenging issues in the coming time. Atmospheric water harvesting could be a solution to such a problem in semi-arid and arid regions. This could help to fill the thirst as well as, improve irrigation. There are several methods available retrieve water vapour but research is needed for a cost-effective and efficient method with optimized parameters. This method utilizes the Peltier device for water condensation and in-depth experimental analysis has been done to investigate the optimal conditions for maximum water production from atmospheric moisture. The experimental setup was designed in such a way that during the condensation process, the online monitoring of water condensate was recorded for more than 10-12 hours each day using a digital electronic weighing balance with an accuracy of 0.01 gram. The produced water was tested for the physico-chemical parameters of condensed water, and the results were discussed with a comparison to the standard results. The rate of produced condensed water from humid air was achieved as 19 L/m2-day. This study will help us to develop applications in the field of alternative water resources near the coastal areas for potability.
A realist evaluation of the continuum of HIV services for men who have sex with men
Authors: Dunbar Willy , Pierre Marie Colette Alcide Jean , Pétion Jacky S , Labat Aline , Maulet Nathalie , Coppieters Yves
Published: July 2021

BackgroundMen who have Sex with Men (MSM) represent the risk group that are disproportionately most affected by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and continue to drop-off from the steps of the continuum of HIV services that have been adopted to overcome poor engagement and retention in care. This realist evaluation aimed at: 1) describing the evaluation carried out in Haiti aiming to ascertain why, how and under which circumstances MSM are linked and retained along the continuum, 2) assessing the outcomes of this approach and 3) exploring the motivators and facilitators for the HIV continuum of services through mechanisms and pathways. MethodsGuided by a realist approach, first, an initial program theory (IPT) was developed based on literature and frameworks review, participant observations and discussions with stakeholders. Then, the IPT was tested using a mixed method explanatory study: a quantitative phase to build the continuum from a cross-sectional analysis, and a qualitative phase to explore the motivators and facilitators related to proper linkages along the continuum. Finally, the IPT was refined by eliciting the mechanisms and pathways for outcomes improvement.ResultsThe results showed that the current service delivery model is suboptimal in identifying, engaging, linking and retaining MSM, resulting in loss to follow-up at every step of the continuum and failure to fully realize the health and prevention benefits of antiretroviral. However, the mechanisms through which linkages across the continuum can be improved are: self-acceptance, sense of community support and sense of comprehensive and tailored HIV services. These mechanisms are based on 10 different pathways: self-esteem, awareness and pride, perception of HIV risk, pcceptance and HIV status, addressing community stigma, strengthening of MSM organizations and community networks, societal acceptation and tolerance, stigma reduction training for healthcare providers, engagement of peers as educators and navigators and, adapted services delivery through drug dispensing points and mobile technology and financial assistance.ConclusionsThe study findings show that engagement, adherence and retention to the continuum of HIV service for MSM are affected by a multi-layer of factors, thus highlighting the importance of taking a comprehensive approach to improve the program.
Pre-implementation Assessment of Tobacco Cessation Interventions in Substance Use Disorder Residential Programs in California
Authors: Fokuo J. Konadu , McCuistian Caravella L. , Masson Carmen L. , Gruber Valerie A. , Straus Elana , Wong Jessie , Guydish Joseph R.
Published: July 2021

Background: Across the United States, substance use disorder (SUD) treatment programs vary in terms of their tobacco-related policies and cessation services offered to clients. Guided by the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR), the current study identified key factors that may influence the implementation of tobacco related cessation policies and services in residential SUD programs. Methods: We conducted semi-structured qualitative interviews with sixteen residential treatment program directors in California. The analysis was guided by a deductive approach using CFIR domains and constructs to develop codes and identify themes. ATLAS.ti software was used to facilitate thematic analysis of interview transcripts.Findings: Guided by the CFIR constructs, themes that arose as facilitators for implementation included the relative advantage of the intervention compared with current practice, external policies/incentives to support tobacco related policy, program directors strong commitment and high self-efficacy to incorporate cessation into SUD treatment, and recognizing the importance of planning and engaging opinion leaders. Potential barriers included the SUD recovery culture, low stakeholder engagement, organizational culture, lack of workforce expertise and, lack of reimbursement for smoking cessation services.Conclusion: The CFIR provided a valuable framework for evaluating factors that may influence implementation of tobacco policies and services in SUD treatment. In order to support successful implementation, residential SUD programs (staff and clients) require extensive education on the effectiveness of tobacco cessation efforts on health outcomes and publicly funded SUD treatment programs should receive support through expanded reimbursement for tobacco cessation services.
Examining Success Factors in Deprescribing Proposals from Community Pharmacists
Authors: Osada Shin
Published: July 2021

Background: Polypharmacy is a critical issue that affects elderly people in particular. In Japan, fees to support deprescription are calculated bycommunity pharmacists who propose deprescribing 2 or more medications for patients prescribed 6 or more. However, the fees are rarely calculated.The objective of this study is toexamine success factors in deprescribing proposals submitted bycommunity pharmacists to prescribing doctors.Methods: Tracing reports submitted from Aug 2017 to Mar 2020 were investigated retrospectively to uncover factors that influenced the success of deprescribing using statisticalanalyses.Results:One hundred and twenty-three unique tracing reports were submitted to the prescribing doctors. Of these, 67 reports were successful in deprescribing and 56 failed; the success rate was 54.5%. Deprescribing proposals with existingunused medications significantly increased the deprescribing success rate. Possible adverse events, potentially inappropriate medications, and overlapping medications with the same effecttended to increase the success rate, but not significantly. Whether the pharmacist experienced face-to-face communication with the prescribing doctors did not significantly influence the outcome.Conclusions:Tracing reports with deprescribing proposals submitted by community pharmacists may help resolve problems arising frompolypharmacy. Mentioning unused medications could increase the deprescribing success rate.Trial registration: This study did not registered due to purely observational study.
A Fiducial-Aided Reconfigurable Artefact for the Estimation of Volumetric Errors of Multi-axis Ultra-Precision Machine Tools
Authors: Wang Shixiang , Cheung Chi Fai , Kong Lingbao
Published: July 2021

In this paper, a fiducial-aided reconfigurable artefact is presented for estimating volumetric errors of a multi-axis machine tools. The artefact makes use of an adjustable number of standard balls as fiducials to build a 3D artefact which has been calibrated on a coordinate measuring machine (CMM). This 3D artefact shows its reconfigurability in its number of fiducials and their locations according to the characteristics of workpieces and machine tools. The developed kinematics of the machine tool was employed to identify the volumetric errors in the working space by comparing the information acquired by the on-machine metrology with that by the CMM. Experimental studies are conducted on a five-axis ultra-precision machine tools mounted with the 3D artefact composed of five standard spheres. Factors including the gravity effect and measurement repeatability are examined for the optimization of the geometry of the artefact. The results show that the developed 3D artefact is able to provide information of the volume occupied by the workpiece.
Preparation and Photocatalytic Characterization of Modified TiO2/Nd/rice Husk Ash Nanomaterial for Rifampicin Removal in Aqueous Solution
Authors: Ngoc Thuy Dang Thi , Thi Ha Nguyen , Van Anh Ngo , Thi Sen Nguyen , Duc Dung Nguyen , Hoang Nam Nguyen
Published: July 2021

The neodymium doping of titanium dioxide with content of Nd varying from 0.01 to 0.8% was conducted by the sol-gel hydrothermic method. TiO2/Nd is then coated on rice husk ash to produce modified TiO2/Nd/rice husk ash material using Nd content of 0.36% w/w. The materials’ structure characteristic and photocatalytic properties have been analyzed by the XRD, EDX, TEM, SEM, forbidden zone energy (Eg) and specific surface area (BET). TiO2/Nd material shows a higher photocatalytic decomposition capacity in comparison to TiO2 and depended on the Nd content. The Rifampicin removal efficiency of TiO2/Nd materials with Nd contents ranged from 0.36 to 0.80% had an increase of about 40% higher than that of TiO2/Nd containing Nd from 0.01 to 0.28%. This new photocatalytic TiO2/Nd/rice husk ash material is used to decompose Rifampicin. Within 90 minutes under sunlight, the Rifampicin decomposed efficiency of TiO2/Nd and TiO2/Nd/rice husk ash material reached about 86 and 75%, respectively. Even lower efficiency was obtained, the latter material was chosen for Rifampicin residue decomposition in the water under sunlight through photocatalytic process because it has some advantages such as smaller amount was needed and easily to be recovered. Rifampicin removal process, k values were found matching more to zero and first order kinetics. Especially, for powder TiO2/Nd and TiO2/Nd/Rice husk ash under solar irradiation the R2 reached about 0.98.
A Hybrid Optimization Algorithm for Enhanced Web Services with QoS Measures in Cloud Computing.
Authors: Thenmozhi L , Chandrakala N.
Published: July 2021

In the Environment of Big-Data analytics in world-wide, the cloud web-services were deployed in internet and Intranet domains. Moreover cloud computing possess the privileges and acquired rapid development, faces the trust complexities, privacy concepts and security issues which allows to implement the QoS measures in the optimization techniques in the web services selection. The study focusses on selection of component services and employing the efficient algorithm with end to end Quality of measures. The Data diversification and the service characteristics would decline the accuracy level of the measures. In this study a novel Qos measure web-services algorithm implemented the weight attributes and the subjective attributes. This study employs the novel hybrid-optimization algorithm in gaining the privileges of the search randomised-attributes and the implementation of IWO-invasive-weed algorithm. This study also focusses on the Calculation of Quality-of-service measures on the weights of the web-services attributes. Many researches have placed the Implementation of nature inspired concept for the optimization complexities in Big Data and thus employing Eagle-Perching Algorithm in the efficiency enhancement of cloud web-services. The evolution of BES- Bald Eagle-Search were utilized as the nature inspired approach would drive as the efficient technique for optimisation issues which imitates the bald-eagles behaviour. The results have been demonstrated the comparison of the performance metrics with the existing approaches to evaluate the proposed methodology.
New hydrogen atom model and radiation absorption mechanism
Authors: Wang Xiao En
Published: July 2021

Only Coulomb force is considered in Bohr model. It is found that electron in ground state hydrogen atom is also affected by Lorentz force of the same magnitude. Under the combined action of Coulomb force and Lorentz force, the radius of hydrogen atom is twice that of Bohr, and the rotation frequency of electron is half that of Bohr. The "half frequency" problem of Bohr's theory is solved, and the quantization result of the energy level of hydrogen atom is obtained by using the standing wave condition of quantum mechanics. The mechanism and details of photon absorption by hydrogen atom are analyzed and explained, and the physical meaning of Planck constant is explained.
A Novel Gene Expression Signature-Based on B-Cell Proportion to Predict Prognosis of Patients with Lung Adenocarcinoma
Authors: Yi Zhang , Xuewen Yin , Qi Wang , Xuming Song , Wenjie Xia , Qixing Mao , Bing Chen , Yingkuan Liang , Te Zhang , Lin Xu , Feng Jiang , Xinyu Xu , Gaochao Dong
Published: July 2021

Background: This study aimed to develop a reliable immune signature based on B-cell proportion to predict the prognosis and benefit of immunotherapy in LUAD.Methods: The proportion of immune cells in the TCGA-LUAD dataset was estimated using MCP-counter. The Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selector Operation was used to identify a prognostic signature and validated in an independent cohort. We used quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) data and formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) specimens immunohistochemistry to illustrate the correlation between prognostic signature and leukocyte migration. Results: We found that the relative abundance of B lineage positively correlated with overall survival. Then, we identified a 13-gene risk-score prognostic signature based on B lineage abundance in the testing cohort and validated it in a cohort from the GEO dataset. This model remained strongly predictive of prognoses across clinical subgroups. Further analysis revealed that patients with a low-risk score were characterized by B-cell activation and leukocyte migration, which was also confirmed in FFPE specimens by qRT-PCR and immunohistochemistry. Finally, this immune signature was an independent prognostic factor in the composite nomogram of clinical characteristics.Conclusions: In conclusion, the 13-gene immune signature based on B-cell proportion may serve as a powerful prognostic tool in LUAD.
Transcriptome Sequencing Reveals Gene Expression Differences in the Response of Malignant Melanomas Cells to Hypoxia
Authors: Xu Haiting , Liu Huazhen , Li Zi , Xu Qin , Lin Nan , Li Xiaoyang
Published: July 2021

BackgroundMalignant melanoma (MM) is the most deadly type of skin cancer, with 5-year survival rate of less than 16%. HIF-1α overexpression is associated with poor prognosis in many cancers including MM. Hence, we characterized differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the response of MM cells to normal and hypoxia. MethodsWe first successfully constructed cell hypoxia model and then performed RNA-seq to explore the changes of gene transcription in MM cells during hypoxia. The highest expression of the six genes was detected using qRT-PCR and western blot assays. We explored the binding sites between BIRC7 promoter and HIF-1α by dual-luciferase assay. Cellular function assays were used to observe the role of BIRC7 in the effect of hypoxia on tumor progression. ResultsWe found that compared with the transcriptome data of the control group, a total of 2601 DEGs were identified in the hypoxic group. There were 1517 genes with significantly higher expression and 1084 genes with lower expression in the hypoxic group. Among them, OSCAR, BIRC7, HBA1, SFN, GOLT1A, and BEX2 were significantly up-regulated in the hypoxic group. BIRC7 expression was most significantly up-regulated and a downstream factor of HIF-1α. We highlighted that knockdown of BIRC7 reversed the positive effects of HIF-1α on A875 and M14 cells. ConclusionsOur findings demonstrated that BIRC7 was a downstream factor of HIF-1α and reversed the effect of hypoxia on promoting tumor progression of MM cells.
Resistin Levels and Inflammatory and Endothelial Dysfunction Markers in Obese Postmenopausal Women With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.
Authors: GIANDALIA Annalisa , Alibrandi Angela , Giorgianni Letterio , Piano Federico Lo , Consolo Francesca , Longo Giorgio Elia , Asztalos Bela , Cucinotta Domenico , Squadrito Giovanni , Russo Giuseppina
Published: July 2021

Background: Obesity- associated coronary heart disease (CHD) risk is higher in women than in men with type 2 diabetes (T2DM). Resistin, an adipokine secreted by adispose tissue, may contribute to this higher risk.Aims: To explore the relationships among resistin levels and common inflammatory and endothelial dysfunction markers and CHD risk in obese post-menopausal T2DM women.Methods: Serum levels of resistin, hsCRP, IL-6, Soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule (sVCAM), homocysteine (tHcy), HOMA-IR and metabolic parameters were determined in a group of 132 T2DM women with and without documented CHD and in 55 non-diabetic women.Results: Resistin, sVCAM, IL-6 and tHcy levels were comparable in T2DM and controls. CHD women showed higher resistin, sVCAM and tHcy levels than those without CHD, and for resistin this difference remained significant after age-adjustment (P=0.013); conversely hsCRP were ~2X higher in T2DM women than in controls (P=0.0132) without any difference according to CHD history.At univariate analysis resistin levels were significantly associated with age, waist circumference, hypertension, tHcy, hsPCR, sVCAM, IL-6, HDL-cholesterol, triglycerides and creatinine levels, but only creatinine, triglycerides, hsCRP, IL-6 and sVCAM were independent predictors of resistin levels at stepwise regression analysis.Resistin levels were independent predictors of CHD, increasing the risk by 1.15 times (0.986-1.344 95% CI), together with age, tHcy, LDL-C and hypertension. Conclusions: Circulating resistin levels were comparable in obese/overweight T2DM and control women. In T2DM women, resistin levels correlated with markers of renal function, systemic inflammation and endothelial dysfunction and were independently associated with a higher CHD risk.
Effect of Iron Supplementation On The Biogas Production and Microbial Community Distribution During Anaerobic Digestion of Food Waste Process
Authors: Xu Yue , Zhang Rongtang , Liu Jiesheng , He Xinghua , Lu Haijun , Wei Na , Zhang Jing
Published: July 2021

Iron as micronutrients is of great significance for forming a stable and efficient anaerobic digestion of food waste. Aim of this study was to examine the effect of iron supplementation on the mesophilic anaerobic digestion of food waste. Firstly, batch experiments were conducted with different iron concentration at a constant kitchen waste/inoculum ratio (K/I = 1.0), which indicated that the effect of iron on anaerobic digestion of was strictly dosage-dependent. Then, anaerobic digestion of food waste was conducted for 50 days in semi-continuous rectors with optimal iron concentration (2.0mg /L) under the same conditions. And the semi-continuous rectors obtained a good operation performance with low volatile fatty acids concentration, higher biogas production, high coenzyme F420 and dehydrogenase concentrations. Furthermore, two samples taken on 7th day and 50th day were analyzed by high-throughput sequencing, which illustrated that the composition anaerobe community was stable. However, the growth and activity of several syntrophic microbial groups (Aminobacterium, Syntrophomonas, Anaerolineaceae, Methanosaeta, Methanosarcina, Methanobacterium and Methanospirillum), were stimulated by iron supplementation. The shift of microbial community suggested that a high-efficiency microbial community for methane production from food waste was formed by iron supplementation.
Application Value of Whole Exome Sequencing in Screening and Identifying Pathogenic Genes of Hypopharyngeal Carcinoma
Authors: Yao Jingwei , Ding Yubo , Liu Xiong , Huang Jialu , Zhang Minghui , Zhang Yu , Lv Yufan , Xie Zhuoyi , Zuo Jianhong
Published: July 2021

Background: Whole-exome sequencing has been used in many cancer research, but it is rarely used in Hypopharyngeal carcinoma. In our research, we performed whole-exome sequencing of DNA from 10 tumor tissue specimens from patients with hypopharyngeal cancer rather than targeted sequencing of specific genes.Methods: Whole-exome sequencing in 10 patients with hypopharyngeal carcinoma was performed to identify single nucleotide variations (SNVs) and insertions and deletions (INDELs). American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG) guidelines were used to evaluate the pathogenicity of the selected variants. Gene Ontology (GO) and pathway enrichment were used to analyze the function and effect of mutated genes. Protein protein interaction (PPI) was analyzed by string online software.Results: 8113 mutation sites in 5326 genes were identified after strict screening. MEGF8, ITPR1, DYSF, DNAH10, CUL7, MYH14, LRP1, ASTN1, TTN, ASH1L, MYH11, KMT2C were mutated in more than 6 patients. We identified 72 pathogenic or potentially pathogenic mutations in 53 genes according to the ACMG guidelines. GO annotation and KEGG enrichment analysis show the possible effect of these pathogenic genes on cancer. Conclusion: We identified novel mutations in patients with hypopharyngeal cancer, and provided a foundation for future research on the pathogenesis of hypopharyngeal carcinoma and targeted treatment of hypopharyngeal carcinoma.
A Novel Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis Technique Considering Various Essential Characteristics
Authors: Bandyopadhyay Susmita
Published: July 2021

This paper has proposed a novel Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) technique that considers relationships among the criteria, relationships among the alternatives, relationships among the criteria and the alternatives, the uncertainty or dilemma that the decision makers face in their decision making, the entropy among the criteria. The dilemma of the decision makers has been captured through the use of Hesitant Fuzzy Elements; the information content among the criteria has been captured by applying the concept of entropy through the application of a technique called IDOCRIW. A kind of sensitivity analysis has been performed to verify the effectiveness of the proposed technique. The proposed method has also been compared with four different types of already existing MCDA techniques, AHP, MAUT, MACBETH and MOORA. Both the sensitivity analysis and the comparison with other methods establish the effectiveness of the proposed technique.
The Human Health Risk Assessment and Countermeasures Study of Groundwater Quality
Authors: Lan Tianshan , Wang Fugang , Bao Shanshan , Miao Jinjie , Bai Yaonan , Jia Sida , Cao Yuqing
Published: July 2021

Background：Groundwater serves as the drinking water source, which chemical components directly affect human health. Different regions own their groundwater hydro-chemical characteristics based on various geological, hydro-geological conditions, human activities. From the perspective of human health, it is necessary to select groundwater quality health risk assessment （GQHR） factors combined with hydro-chemical characteristics of different regions.Methods：In this paper, taking Tongzhou of Beijing,China as the study area, according to the groundwater hydro-chemical characteristics, NO3-, NO2-, NH4+ and F- were extracted as assessment factors to evaluate the GQHR. Based on GQHR results, the formation and concentration characteristics of health risk factors and the prominent controlling role of influencing risk distribution were explored from natural and human factors. Furthermore, the targeted measures to prevent the increase of groundwater health risk were put forward.Results：Assessment factors: NO3-, NO2- and NH4+ are derived by human factors, such as sewage irrigation, fertilization, and F- stems from irrigation of geogenic high fluoride groundwater and fertilizer use. Still, their distribution is affected by natural factors (geology, geomorphology, and climate). The GQHR follows the order: children > adult females > adult males. The low and medium risk regions are located in upper groundwater, which are mainly controlled by natural factors (groundwater depth, aquifer medium, hydraulic conductivity coefficient, etc.) The measures to prevent the increase of groundwater health risk are to control the pollution sources and reduce the change of groundwater hydrodynamic conditions. The high-risk regions are located in eastern part of the study area, which are affected by both natural and human factors. The preventative measures are to reduce pollution caused by human factors and scientific groundwater resource exploitation and management. Conclusions：In this study, corresponding preventative and control measures were proposed for health risks caused by different dominant control effects. Meanwhile, the research results provide a scientific basis for the safety of groundwater supply and environmental exposure in this area. The research ideas and methods can be used as a reference for similar studies.
Pharmacological clearance of senescent cells reverses HFpEF hallmarks by decreasing inflammation, endothelial dysfunction and cardiac fibrosis
Authors: Silva Elsa , Tomé Inês , Vasques-Nóvoa Francisco , Conceição Glória , Silva Andreia , Barros António , Angélico-Gonçalves António , Caetano Carolina , Sousa Daniel , Miranda-Silva Daniela , Gonçalves Nádia , Sampaio-Pinto Vasco , Gonçalves Alexandre , Leite-Moreira Adelino , Falcão-Pires Inês , Pitrez Patrícia , Pinto-do-Ó Perpétua , Santos Susana , Ferreira Lino , Nascimento Diana
Published: July 2021

Aging and chronic inflammation are associated with the development of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). However, cellular senescence as a potential mechanistic link between both events and its pathophysiological and therapeutic role were yet unexplored. Here we show that ZSF1-obese rats, a model of cardiometabolic HFpEF, have exacerbated systemic inflammation and endothelial damage compared to ZSF1-lean littermates. In addition, ZSF1-obese rats accumulated immune and endothelial senescent cells in the peripheral blood and myocardium. Accordingly, the frequency of circulating senescent leukocytes associated with markers of disease severity in HFpEF patients. Notably, systemic treatment of ZSF1-obese rats with Navitoclax, a BCL-2 family inhibitor, reduced senescent cell burden, decreased circulating B-type natriuretic peptide levels, and attenuated inflammation, vascular remodeling and cardiac fibrosis. Our findings advance cellular senescence as a key mechanistic pathway leading to HFpEF and provide proof-of-concept evidence that senolytics are a promising treatment for this disease.
From prison induction into the sentence. Analysing prison officer support and assistance in a small island state.
Authors: Scalpello Michela
Published: July 2021

This paper sheds light on male Maltese prisoners and their perception of help and support when incarcerated at Corradino Correctional Facility (CCF), Malta’s only prison. Through thematic analysis, the viewpoints, thoughts, and feelings of 39 males were explored. This was done in relation to programmes aimed to help prisoners in their desistance journey. Thought-provokingly, many prisoners spoke to the lack of support they felt within this prison. Even though there was only one question in the interview schedule which focused on how the prisoners felt in terms of support, this talk of support systems, or lack thereof, featured in many instances, frequently enough to warrant an analysis of its own. Themes emerging from this paper suggest that relationships between prisoners and prison officers are not supportive to any rehabilitative ideal. Prisoners speak of the lack of induction, information, and support, and of being mocked when requesting information or assistance. They state that support is conditional on who they knew, not withholding direct references to corruption, and even though some officers do attempt to provide proper care, they are limited by the institution, and by the colonial mentality of such a small island state.
PSC Scientific Community Resource The PSC Scientific Community Resource: An Asset for Multi-Omics Interrogation of Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis
Authors: Ali Ahmad Hassan , Juran Brian D. , Schlicht Erik M. , Bianchi Jackie K. , McCauley Bryan M. , Atkinson Elizabeth J. , Lazaridis Konstantinos N.
Published: July 2021

Background: Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is a rare, chronic cholestatic liver disease that often progresses to end-stage liver disease and/or the development of hepatobiliary neoplasia. Lack of prognostic tools and treatment options for PSC is driven in part by our poor understanding of its pathogenesis, which is thought to be complex, the interaction of genetic variants, environmental influences and biological response throughout the course of disease. The PSC Scientific Community Resource (PSC-SCR) seeks to overcome previous shortcomings by facilitating novel research in PSC with the ultimate goals of individualizing patient care and improving patient outcomes.Methods: PSC patients who receive their health care at Mayo Clinic or a collaborating site are identified by chart review and invited in person or by mail to participate. Non-Mayo patients are offered enrollment if they provide sufficient access to their medical records to evaluate inclusion/exclusion criteria. Controls without liver disease are identified with assistance of the Mayo Clinic Biobank. Participant consent is obtained at the beginning of the recruitment process by mail-in, electronic or face-to-face protocols. Clinical data is extracted from the medical record by qualified physicians and entered in a custom designed database. Participants fill out a custom-designed, comprehensive questionnaire, which collects scientifically relevant demographic and clinical information. Biospecimens are collected using mail-in kitsthar are returned via overnight carrier service and processed by the biospecimen accessioning and processing facility at Mayo Clinic, which coordinates sample transfers and provides required sample preparation services.The resource is currently being utilized to perform omics-scale projects investigating the exposome, metabolome, methylome, immunome and microbiome in PSC. Datasets and residual biospecimens will be shared with researchers proposing scientifically sound PSC-focused research with approval of the appropriate review boards.Discussion:Patient-based studies leveraging the latest technologies for targeted and wide-scale interrogation of multiple omics layers offer promise to accelerate PSC research through discovery of unappreciated aspects of disease pathogenesis. However, the rarity of PSC severely limits such studies. Here we describe our effort to overcome this limitation, the PSC-SCR, a repository of patient biospecimens coupled with clinical and omics data for use by the broader PSC research community.
Engineering of 2D Materials To Trap And Kill SARS-CoV-2: A New Insight From Multi-Microsecond Atomistic Simulations
Authors: Khedri Mohammad , Maleki Reza , Dahri Mohammad , Sadeghi Mohammad Moein , Rezvantalab Sima , Santos Hélder A. , Shahbazi Mohammad-Ali
Published: July 2021

In late 2019, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Spike protein is one of the surface proteins of SARS-CoV-2 that is essential for its infectious function. Therefore, it received lots of attention for the preparation of antiviral drugs, vaccines, and diagnostic tools. Herein, we use computational methods of chemistry and biology to study the interaction between spike protein and its receptor in the body, angiotensin-I-converting enzyme-2 (ACE2). Additionally, the possible interaction of two-dimensional (2D) structures, including graphene, bismuthene, phosphorene, p-doped graphene, and functionalized p-doped graphene, with spike protein is investigated. The functionalized p-doped graphene nanosheets were found to interfere with spike protein better than the other tested nanomaterials. In addition, the interaction of the proposed nanosheets with the main protease (Mpro) of SARS-CoV-2 was studied. Functionalized p-doped graphene nanosheets showed more capacity to prevent the activity of Mpro. This 2D structure efficiently reduce the transmissibility and infectivity of SARS-CoV-2 by both the deformation of the spike protein and inhibiting the Mpro. The results suggest the potential use of 2D materials in a variety of prophylactic approaches, such as masks or surface coatings, and would deserve further studies in the coming years.
Red Sea tectonics unveil the largest known terrestrial ice stream: New constraints on Late Ordovician ice sheet dynamics
Authors: Elhebiry Mohamed , Sultan Mohamed , Abotalib Abotalib , Kehew Alan , Voice Peter , El-Leil Ibrahim Abu
Published: July 2021

Mega-streamlined landforms on Earth and Mars have been attributed to aeolian, glaciogenic, fluvial, and tectonic processes. Identifying the forces that shaped these landforms is paramount for understanding landscape evolution and constraining paleo-climate models and ice sheet reconstructions. In Arabia, east-northeast, kilometer-scale streamlined landforms were interpreted to have been formed by Quaternary aeolian erosion. We provide field and satellite-based evidence for a Late Ordovician glacial origin for these streamlined landforms, which were exhumed during the Red Sea–related uplift. Then we use Late Ordovician paleo-topographic data to reconstruct the Late Ordovician ice sheet using identified and previously reported glacial deposits and landforms. Our reconstruction suggests these glacial features are part of a major, topographically controlled, marine-terminating ice stream, twice the length of the largest known terrestrial ice streams. Our results support models that advocate for a single, major, and highly dynamic ice sheet and provide new morphological-based constraints for Late Ordovician climate models.
Automated Brain Volumetric Program Measuring Regional Brain Atrophy in Diagnosis of Mild Cognitive Impairment and Alzheimer’s Disease Dementia
Authors: Ryu Dong-Woo , Hong Yun Jeong , Cho Jung Hee , Kwak Kichang , Lee Jong-Min , Shim Yong S , Youn Young Chul , Yang Dong-Won
Published: July 2021

A quantitative analysis of brain volume can assist in diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) ususally accompannied by brain atrophy. With an automated analysis program Quick Brain Volumetry (QBraVo) developed for volumetric measurements, we measured regional volumes and ratios to evaluate their performance in discriminating AD dementia (ADD) and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) patients from normal controls (NC). Validation of QBraVo was based on intra-rater and inter-rater reliability with a manual measurement. The regional volumes and ratios to total intracranial volume (TIV) and to total brain volume (TBV) or total cerebrospinal fluid volume (TCV) were compared among subjects. The regional volume to total cerebellar volume ratio named Standardized Atrophy Volume Ratio (SAVR) was calculated to compare brain atrophy. Diagnostic performances to distinguish among NC, MCI, and ADD were compared between MMSE, SAVR, and the predictive model. In total, 56 NCs, 44 MCI, and 45 ADD patients were enrolled. The average run time of QBraVo was 5 minutes 36 seconds. Intra-rater reliability was 0.999. Inter-rater reliability were high for TBV, TCV, and TIV (R = 0.97, 0.89 and 0.93, respectively). The medial temporal SAVR showed the highest performance for discriminating ADD from NC (AUC = 0.808, diagnostic accuracy = 80.2%). The predictive model using both MMSE and medial temporal SAVR improved the diagnostic performance for MCI in NC (AUC = 0.844, diagnostic accuracy = 79%). Our results demonstrated QBraVo as a fast and accurate method to measure brain volume. The regional volume calculated as SAVR could help to diagnose ADD and MCI and increase diagnostic accuracy for MCI.
Exploring the Spatial Distribution and Regional Differences of Obstetric Complications Across India: Evidence-Based on NFHS- 4: 2015-16.
Authors: Bajaj Shriya , Jha Rahul
Published: July 2021

Background: In recent years, obstetric complications have increased among pregnant women, which leads to disease burden among them in the later stages of life and sometimes resulting in deaths after birth. The spatial research helps to know the pattern and trait at a regional level, and accordingly, the interventions can take place in terms of health care services.Method: The study is based on National Family Health Survey-4 (NFHS-4) conducted in India in the year 2015-16. This study focused on ever-married women aged 15-49 years who have delivered at least once during the five years preceding the survey. GeoDa was used to generate local indicators of spatial association (LISA) significance and cluster maps and Moran Index. It measured the correlation among neighbouring observations in a pattern and the levels of spatial clustering among neighbouring.Results: The regions identified under different pregnancy complications were different. The pregnancy complications during pregnancy and after pregnancy were high in India's Northern and Eastern provinces. While complication during delivery was high in Northern and Southern India. The local spatial autocorrelation showed that the high-high regions of the pregnancy complication were located in the low prevalence regions (high-low).Conclusion: Despite several programmes and policies for pregnant women the obstetric complications still exist in several pockets of India. The spatial analysis gives us insights to provide special attention to specific regions; the pregnancy complication is one of the main reasons for higher maternal mortality.
Path Planning For Robotic Polishing of Sheet Metal Parts
Authors: Liu Yuezhi (Sean) , Xi Fengfeng (Jeff) , Faieghi Reza
Published: July 2021

Unlike solid parts, the deformation caused by a contact force during robotic polishing of sheet metal parts has become an issue. In this paper, a path planning method is purposed to resolve this issue. This method includes three steps. The first step is to apply the Hertz theory to compute the contact areas between the tool head and the free-form surface of a sheet metal part. The second step is to apply the finite element method to compute the deformation under a contact force. The third step is to reconstruct the deformed free-form surface and modify the contact areas accordingly. The underlying problem is dynamic because the deformed surface shape changes as the tool head moves along a tool path. Based on the proposed method, an optimal path can be determined to achieve full coverage of the entire surface without over or under polishing.