bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparing Psychopathy Traits and Behavioral Inhibition Among Smoker and Non-Smoker Teenage Students
Authors: Marandizadehshirvan Navazesh , Rafieinia Parvin , Tabatabaee Seyed Mosa
Published: February 2021

Aims: Adolescence is a critical period because the brain is involved in the process of maturation that entails cognitive functions. On the way of maturation, an individual’s inhibitory control undergoes many changes and becomes vulnerable to different thrill-seeking like smoking, drinking, and so on. Smoking is highly prevalent among teenagers that are trying to take control of their behaviors in order to join society. They experience antisocial behavior too which is a trait that can lead adolescents to addiction. This trait is an inevitable part of psychopathy. Inhibitory deficits and psychopathy have been widely reported in addiction studies. The current study tried to investigate the relationship between psychopathic traits and behavioral inhibition between male smokers and non-smoker teenage students.Materials & Methods: Statistical sample of this research is 62 teenage students aged 17 years that are divided into smoker and non-smoker groups. The participants have been chosen through random sampling from the population of 10 high schools. The data have been gathered in Kordkoy and Gorgan in Golestan province. Behavioral bias has been measured by Go/NoGo task and psychopathic traits through youth psychopathic traits inventory. Also, the short form of Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale test has been executed and used as a control variable.Findings: A meaningful difference has been found between the performance of smoker and non-smoker groups in Go/No Go task and psychopathic traits that are smokers performed weaker in comparison with non-smokers and psychopathic traits of smokers were meaningfully higher than non-smokers. On the other hand, there was no significant difference between these two groups in their Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale scores.Conclusion: The results have shown that smokers have higher psychopathic traits and lower behavioral inhibition when compared with their non-smoker peers. According to the results of current research, smoking can decline the cognitive functions.
Effects of Manufacturing Variation in Electronic Cigarette Coil Resistance and E-liquid Characteristics on Coil Lifetime and Aerosol Generation
Authors: Saleh Qutaiba M. , Hensel Edward C. , Eddingsaas Nathan C. , Robinson Risa J.
Published: February 2021

This work investigated the effects of manufacturing variations including coil resistance, initial pod mass, and e-liquid color on coil lifetime and aerosol generation of Vuse ALTO pods. Random samples of pods were used until failure (where e-liquid was consumed, and coil resistance increased to high value indicating a coil break). Initial coil resistance, initial pod mass, and e-liquid net mass ranged between 0.89 to 1.14 [], 6.48 to 6.61 [g], and 1.88 to 2.00 [g] respectively. Coil lifetime with light color e-liquid was (mean) = 149, (standard deviation) = 10.7 puffs while pods with dark color e-liquid was = 185, = 22.7 puffs with a difference of ~36 puffs (p <0.001). Total mass of e-liquid consumed until coil failure was = 1.93, = 0.035 [g]. TPM yield per puff of all test pods for the first session (brand new pods) was = 0.0123, = 0.0003 [g]. During usage, TPM yield per puff of pods with light color e-liquid was relatively steady while it was continuously decreasing for pods with dark e-liquid. Coil lifetime and TPM yield per puff were not correlated with either variation in initial coil resistance or variation in initial pod mass. The absence of e-liquid in the pod is an important factor in causing coil failure. Small bits of the degraded coil could be potentially introduced to the aerosol. There is a potential correlation of e-liquid color with both coil lifetime and TPM yield per puff. Change of e-liquid color might have been a result of oxidation which changed some nicotine into nicotyrine.
Effect of Strains and Extraction Methods on β-Glucan Production, Antioxidant Properties, and Ftir Spectra From Mushroom Fruiting Bodies of Schizophyllum Commune FR. in Thailand
Authors: Mongkontanawat1 Naruemon , Thumrongchote Duangrutai
Published: February 2021

Schizophyllum commune Fr, a native mushroom of Thailand, has a high nutrition value and it classified as a mushroom with medicinal properties, which can neutralize the growth of many cancer cells. Thus, the aim of this research was studied effect of S. commune strain and the extraction method on the quantity and properties of β-glucan. The five S. commune Fr strains consisted of Chanthaburi, 85-022, 85-023, 85-031, and 85-043, which used in this research. The β-glucan extraction method compared two different extraction: hot water (M1) and hot alkali extraction (M2), with control (native-MR). It found that Chanthaburi strain has the highest in β-glucan content 49.20 + 0.35 % (w/w), and high potential antioxidant activity (79.14 +0.77 DPPH % and 50.92 + 0.48 ABTS %) (p < 0.05). The extraction methods had no effect on the yield of β-glucan, except antioxidant properties and chemical structure of extract substance. The extract substance from M2 has significant the highest potential antioxidant activity (80.22 + 0.51 drink mushroom juice in can by using 1-day-old MR and adjust pH more than 7 can increase antioxidant properties of product.
A Graph-Theoretic Approach to Understanding Emergent Behavior in Physical Systems
Authors: Adams Alyssa
Published: February 2021

The exact dynamics of emergence remains one of the most prominent outstanding questions for the field of complexity science. I first discuss various perspectives on emergence in various contexts, then offer a different perspective on understanding emergence in a graph-theoretic representation. From the discussion, an observer’s choice in state space seems to have an effect for that observer to detect emergent behavior. To test these ideas, I analyze the dynamics of all possible spatial state spaces near the critical temperature in an Ising model. As a result, state space topologies that appear more deterministic flip more bits than topologies that appear more random, which is contrary to our intuitions about randomness. In addition, the size of different state spaces constrain a system’s ability to explore various states within the same time frame. These results are important to understanding emergent phenomena in biological systems, which are layered with various state spaces and observational perspectives.
Ghost Beam Suppression in Deep Frequency Modulation Interferometry for Compact on-Axis Optical Heads
Authors: Gerberding Oliver , Isleif Katharina-Sophie
Published: February 2021

We present a compact optical head design for wide-range and low noise displacement sensing using deep frequency modulation interferometry. The on-axis beam topology is realised in a quasi-monolithic component and relies on cube beamsplitters and beam transmission through perpendicular surfaces to keep angular alignment constant when operating in air or vacuum, which leads to the generation of ghost beams that can limit the phase readout linearity. We investigate the coupling of these beams into the non-linear phase readout scheme of DFMI and demonstrate adjustments of the phase estimation algorithm to reduce this effect. This is done through a combination of balanced detection and the inherent orthogonality of beat signals with different relative time-delays in deep frequency modulation interferometry that is a unique feature not available for heterodyne, quadrature or homodyne interferometry.
Quarantine and COVID-19
Authors: Flores Michelle , Alasvand Zarasvand Sepideh
Published: February 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic which have affected every part of the world have been deemed a public health concern and classified as a pandemic. The government imposing travel bans and quarantine measures have been found to be effective in preventing and reducing the spread of COVID-19. A reduction in physical activity and increase in the consumption of unhealthy foods have been observed to be some of the major implications of quarantine. Adequate physical activity and increased access to healthy foods would help in improving the psychological wellbeing of individuals thereby preventing the development of cardiovascular diseases.
Fog Computing: Towards Dynamically Controlling the Offloading Threshold and Managing Fog Resources in Online Dynamic Systems
Authors: Alenizi Faten , Rana Omer
Published: February 2021

Fog computing is a potential solution to overcome the shortcomings of the cloud computing processing of IoT tasks. These drawbacks can be high latency, location awareness and security, and it is attributed to the distance between IoT devices and servers, network congestion and other variables. Although fog computing has evolved as a solution to these challenges, it is known for having limited resources that need to be consciously utilised, or any of its ad-vantages would be lost. Computational offloading and resource management are critical concerns to be considered to get maximum benefit of the available resource at fog computing systems and benefit from its advantages. Computational offloading and resource management are important issues to be considered to get maximum benefit of the available resource at fog computing systems and benefit from its advantages. In this article, in vehicular traffic applications, we introduce a dynamic online offloading scheme that involves the execution of delay-sensitive ac-tivities. This paper proposes an architecture of a fog node that enables a fog node to adjust its offloading threshold dynamically (i.e., the criteria by which a fog node decides whether tasks should be offloaded rather than executed locally) using two algorithms: dynamic task scheduling (DTS) and dynamic energy control (DEC). These algorithms seek to solve an optimisation problem aimed at minimising overall delay, improving throughput, and minimising energy consumption at the fog layer, while maximising the use of resource-constrained fog nodes. Compared with other benchmarks, our approach can reduce the delay by up to 95.38% and reduce energy consumption by up to 67.71% in fog nodes. Additionally, this approach enhances throughput by 71.08%.
Clinical Perspectives of Theranostics
Authors: Tamaki Nagara , Okamoto Shozo , Shiga Tohru
Published: February 2021

Theranostics covers combination of diagnostic and therapeutic techniques for various cancers throughout body using suitable drug combination. This review covers well-known treatment of thyroid cancer and pheochromocytoma with I-131 compounds and also new radiopharmaceuticals for prostatic cancer and pancreatic cancer. Of particular, new trends toward patient outcome has been focused. The theranostics will become an ever-increasing part of clinical nuclear medicine these days.
ABCC4 is a PGE2 Efflux Transporter in The Ovarian Follicle: A Mediator of Ovulation and A Potential Non-Hormonal Contraceptive Target
Authors: Yerushalmi Gil , Shuraki Bat-el , Yung Yuval , Maman Ettie , Baum Micha , Hennebold Jon , Adashi Eli , Hourvitz Ariel
Published: February 2021

The role of Prostaglandins (PGs) in the ovulatory process is known. However, the role of the ATP binding cassette subfamily C member 4 (ABCC4), transmembrane PG carrier protein, in ovulation remains unknown. We report herein that ABCC4 expression is significantly upregulated in preovulatory human granulosa cells (GCs). We found that PGE2 efflux in cultured human GCs is mediated by ABCC4 thus regulating its extracellular concentration. The ABCC4 inhibitor Probenecid demonstrated effective blocking of ovulation and affects key ovulatory genes in female mice in vivo. We postulate that the reduction of PGE2 efflux caused by the inhibition of ABCC4 activity in GCs decreases the extracellular concentration of PGE2 and its ovulatory effect. Treatment of female mice with low dose of Probenecid as well as with the PTGS inhibitor Indomethacin or Meloxicam synergistically blocks ovulation. These results support the hypothesis that ABCC4 has an important role in ovulation and might be a potential target for non-hormonal contraception, especially in combination with PGE2 synthesis inhibitors. These findings may fill the gap in understanding the role of ABCC4 in PGE2 signaling, enhance the understanding of ovulatory disorders, and facilitate the treatment and control of fertility.
Dihydroartemisinin attenuates inflammation and fibrosis in rats by suppressing JAK2/STAT3 signaling
Authors: You Xiaolan , jiang xingyu , zhang Chuanmeng , jiang kejia , zhao xiaojun , guo ting , zhu xiaowei , Bao jingjing
Published: February 2021

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by SARS-CoV-2, has induced a worldwide pandemic since early 2020. COVID-19 causes pulmonary inflammation secondary to pulmonary fibrosis (PF); however, there are still no effective treatments for PF. The present study aimed to explore the inhibitory effect of dihydroartemisinin (DHA) on pulmonary inflammation and PF, and its molecular mechanism. Morphological changes and collagen deposition were analyzed using hematoxylin‑eosin staining, Masson staining, and the hydroxyproline content. DHA attenuated early alveolar inflammation and later PF in a bleomycin-induced rat PF model, and inhibited the expression of interleukin (IL) ‑1β, IL -6, tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα), and chemokine (C-C Motif) Ligand 3 (CCL3) in model rat serum. Further molecular analysis revealed that both pulmonary inflammation and PF were associated with increased transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), Janus activated kinase 2 (JAK2), and signal transducer and activator 3(STAT3) expression in the lung tissues of model rats. DHA reduces the inflammatory response and PF in the lungs by suppressing TGF-β1, JAK2, phosphorylated (p)-JAK2, STAT3, and p-STAT3 degradation. Thus, DHA exerts therapeutic effects against bleomycin-induced pulmonary inflammation and PF by inhibiting JAK2-STAT3 activation. Thus, DHA inhibits alveolar inflammation, and attenuates lung injury and fibrosis, possibly representing a therapeutic candidate to treat COVID-19.
Development and Validation of a Program Logic Model (PLM) to Support "Near Miss Mother"(NMM): A Nominal Group Technique (NGT)
Authors: Abdollahpour Sedigheh , Heydari Abbas , Ebrahimipour Hosein , Faridhoseini Farhad , Khadivzadeh Talat
Published: February 2021

Background: Mothers who have experienced a near miss event, their normal life is affected by physical, psychological, emotional, social and economic adverse effects. The aim of this study is to develop a supportive program for near miss mothers (NMM), based on a program logical model (PLM) that has been validated using the nominal group technique (NGT).Methods: After conducting qualitative and systematic reviews studies to assess the needs, components of PLM were extracted that provided the framework for the utilization of activities, outputs, outcomes and impact. A Nominal Group Technique method done in a one-day workshop with the participation of 12 professionals was held in November 2020.Results: Eight strategies used in draft support programs based on the logical model, included the following: "psychological", "fertility / childbearing", "information", "care quality improvement", "socio-cultural", "financial", "breastfeeding" and "nutritional". The validation of the program was done based on the five steps of the NGT during the steps of creating ideas, silent generation of ideas, round robin, clarification of ideas, Prioritization. Finally, a final program was presented to support NMM.Conclusions: Simultaneous integration in the PLM and NGT method allowed the first program developed to support NMM to be comprehensive and complete. Using this evidence-based program can help reduce the burden of maternal morbidities in millions of women around the world and prevent long-term complications and shorten their rehabilitation phase.
Mutation and Microsatellite Burden Predict Response to PD-1 Inhibition in Children with Germline DNA Replication Repair Deficiency
Authors: Tabori Uri , Morgenstern Daniel , Sudhaman Sumedha , Das Anirban , Coblentz Ailish , Chung Jiil , Stone Simone , Alsafwani Noor , Cabric Vanja , Nobre Liana , Bianchi Vanessa , Edwards Melissa , Sambira Lauren , Constantini Shlomi , Dvir Rina , Yalon Michal , Campino Gadi , Caspi Shani , Larouche Valerie , Reddy Alyssa , Osborn Michael , Mason Gary , Lindhorst Scott , Bronsema Annika , Magimairajan Vanan , Opocher Enrico , De Mola Rebecca , Sabel Magnus , Frojd Charlotta , Sumerauer David , Samuel David , Cole Kristina , Chiaravalli Stefano , Massimino Maura , Tomboc Patrick , Ziegler David , George Ben , Damme An Van , Hijaya Nobuko , Gass David , McGee Rose , Mordechai Oz , Bowers Daniel , Laetsch Ted , Lossos Alexander , Blumenthal Deborah , Sarosiek Tomasz , Yen Lee , Knipstein Jeffrey , Bendel Anne , Hoffman Lindsey , Luna-Fineman Sandra , Zimmermann Stefanie , Scheers Isabelle , Nichols Kim , Zapotocky Michal , Hansford Jordan , Maris John , Dirks Peter , Taylor Michael , Kulkarni Abhaya , Shroff Manohar , Tsang Derek , Malkin David , Villani Anita , Aronson Melyssa , Durno Carol , Shlien Adam , Getz Gad , Maruvka Yosef , Ohashi Pamela , Hawkins Cynthia , Pugh Trevor , Bouffet Eric
Published: February 2021

Cancers arising from germline DNA mismatch-repair or polymerase-proofreading deficiencies (MMRD and PPD) in children harbour the highest mutational and microsatellite insertion/deletion (MS-indel) burden in humans and are lethal due to inherent resistance to chemo-irradiation. Although immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) have failed to benefit children in previous studies, we hypothesized that hypermutation caused by MMRD and PPD will improve outcomes following ICI in these patients. ICI treatment of 45 progressive/recurrent tumours from 38 patients revealed durable objective responses in the majority, culminating in 3-year survival of 41.4%. High mutation burden predicted response for ultra-hypermutant cancers (>100 mutations/Mb) enriched for combined MMRD+PPD, while MS-indels predicted response in MMRD tumours with lower mutation burden (10-100 mutations/Mb). Further, both mechanisms were associated with increased immune infiltration even in “immunologically-cold” tumours such as gliomas, contributing to the favorable response. Pseudo-progression (flare) was common and associated with immune activation in both the tumour microenvironment and systemically. Further, patients with flare continuing ICI treatment achieved durable responses. Our study demonstrates improved survival for patients with tumours not previously known to respond to ICI, including CNS and synchronous cancers, and identifies the dual roles of mutation burden and MS-indels in predicting sustained responses to immunotherapy.
Frequency of Tooth Brushing as a Predictive Factor for Future Kidney Function Decline
Authors: Hirano Keita , Shimbo Takuro , Komatsu Yasuhiro , Kobayashi Daiki
Published: February 2021

BackgroundTooth brushing is important for maintaining oral health and preventing periodontal diseases, which commonly arise in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). However, the association between tooth brushing frequency and kidney function decline remains unclear. MethodsWe conducted a retrospective longitudinal study at St Luke’s International Hospital, Japan, and participants who underwent health examinations at the Centre for Preventive Medicine from 2005 to 2011 were included. Participants’ tooth brushing frequencies were assessed; multivariate analyses were conducted using a generalized estimating equation to evaluate the association between tooth brushing frequency and a composite renal outcome – composed of a 25% eGFR reduction, an eGFR of <15 mL/min/1.73 m², and a requirement for regular dialysis – after adjusting for potential covariates. We also stratified participants by baseline CKD risk category to perform sub-analyses. ResultsOverall, 76,472 participants were included (mean age of 45.9 years) and 38,233 (50%) were male. During follow-up, 8,219 participants (10.8%) experienced composite renal outcomes. Brushing teeth at least once to twice a day was associated with significantly lower incidences of composite renal outcomes than brushing teeth less frequently (adjusted odds ratio [OR]: 0.26; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.24–0.28 for once to twice a day; adjusted OR: 0.65; 95% CI: 0.62–0.69 for after every meal). In our sub-analyses, brushing at least once to twice a day related to a decreased likelihood of composite renal outcomes; however, this effect was only observed within the low and moderate baseline risk groups. ConclusionFrequent tooth brushing benefits oral health and may prevent kidney function decline, which could have implications for other systemic diseases. However, a longitudinal cohort study is required to confirm whether tooth brushing can prevent poor renal outcomes.
Parental Health Risk Perceptions and Preventive Measures on Children’s Exposure to Secondhand Smoke (SHS) of Tobacco Cigarette in Malaysia: A Nationwide Study
Authors: JUNUS Suria , CHEW Chii-Chii , SUGUNAN Pravin , MEOR-AZIZ Nurul-Fazlin , ZAINAL Nurul Ain , HASSAN Husna Mat , ABU-MANSOR Mazetty-Aiza , ABU-ZAMRI Hazirah , HSS Amar-Singh
Published: February 2021

Background: Secondhand smoke (SHS) exposure can affect physical development in children. An understanding of parental risk perception of SHS aid in developing protectives measures to prevent children from SHS exposure. This study aimed to assess parental risk perceptions of SHS and action taken by parents in minimising their children from exposing to SHS.Methods: This cross-sectional nationwide study conducted in 2018 conveniently recruited 289 parents with children up to age 12 at the public areas. Parents were asked to rate the risk level from 1 (no risk) to 5 (extremely high risk) by looking at the photographs of an adult smoked in the presence of a child in 8 different situations. The implementation of smoking restriction rules was assessed. Mean score was calculated with higher scores represent higher risk of SHS to child’s health. Linear regression analysis was used to determine factors associated with the level of parental risk perception of SHS exposure to the children’s health.Results: A total of 246 parents responded. Their mean age was 35 years old (SD 6.4), majority were mothers (75.6%), Malays (72.0%), had tertiary education level (82.5%), and had a youngest child with mean age of 3 years (SD 3.1). The risk perception level was high [mean scores: 4.11 (SD: 0.82)]. Most parents implemented household (65.0%) and car (68.3%) smoking restriction rules. Negative risk perception level was observed among participants who were fathers with lower occupation class (p=0.005), lived with a smoker (p=0.023), allowed household smoking with open window (p=0.001), being a father and lived with a smoker (p=0.020), and mothers with managerial position while the fathers had a lower occupation class (p=0.038).Conclusion: Most parents perceived that risks of SHS exposure to their children was high but only two-thirds of them had set smoking prohibiting rules. Health policymaker should pay attention to tactors associated with negative risk perceptions among parents.Trial registration: This study is approved by Medical Research Ethics Committee, Ministry of Health Malaysia (Registration Number: NMRR-18-3299-44967).
IL-21 Rescues The Defect of IL-10-Producing Regulatory B Cells and Improves Allergic Asthma in DOCK8 Deficient Mice
Authors: Jiang Jinqiu , Qin Tao , Zhang Liang , Liu Qiao , Wu Jiabin , Dai Rongxin , Zhou Lina , Zhao Qin , Luo Xiaoyan , Wang Hua , Zhao Xiaodong
Published: February 2021

Purpose Mutations in human DOCK8 cause a combined immunodeficiency syndrome characterized by allergic diseases such as asthma and food allergy. However, the underlying mechanism is unclear. Regulatory B (Breg) cells that produce IL-10 exert potent immunosuppressive functions in patients with allergic and autoimmune disorders. DOCK8-deficient B cells have been revealed diminished responses to LPS stimulation, suggesting a possible defect in IL-10-producing Breg cells in those with DOCK8 deficiency, which may contribute to allergies.Methods we collected peripheral blood mononuclear cells from DOCK8-deficient patients and generated a DOCK8KO mouse model to study the effect of DOCK8 deficiency on the Regulatory B cells.Results We show that DOCK8-deficient patients and DOCK8KO mice harbor quantitative and qualitative defects in IL-10-producing Breg cells; these defects are caused by abnormal DOCK8-/- IL-21-producing CD4+ T cells. We found that recombinant murine (rm)IL-21 restores the function of Bregs both in vitro and in DOCK8KO mice, leading to reduced inflammatory cell infiltration of the lungs in a murine asthma model. Conclusion Overall, the results provide new insight into the potential design of Breg-based or IL-21-based therapeutic strategies for allergic diseases, including asthma with DOCK8 deficiency.
Thermal dynamics and electronic temperature waves in layered correlated materials
Authors: Mazza Giacomo , Gandolfi Marco , Capone Massimo , Banfi Francesco , Giannetti Claudio
Published: February 2021

We explore layered strongly correlated materials as a platform to identify and control
unconventional heat transfer phenomena.
We demonstrate that these systems can be tailored to sustain a wide spectrum of heat transport regimes, ranging from ballistic, to hydrodynamic all the way to diffusive. Within the hydrodynamic regime, wave-like temperature oscillations are predicted up to room temperature. Temperature waves have a purely electronic origin, stemming from the existence of two components in the electronic system, each one thermalized at different temperatures. The interaction strength can be exploited as a knob to control the dynamics of temperature waves as well as the onset of different thermal transport regimes.
The present results pave the way to transition-metal oxide heterostructures as building blocks for nanodevices exploiting the wave-like nature of heat transfer on the picosecond time scale.
Blockchain Based Smart Healthcare Systems in 5G Networks For Preventing Data Forgery
Authors: helen suji , Senthilsingh C.
Published: February 2021

The 5G networks are about to deploy it all over the world. This 5G technologies support by connecting the devices with rapid growth in network capacity, high QoS. Apart from this feature, 5G has more advantages in security, decentralization, transparency, data interoperability. The 5G network has millions of IoT devices are connected. With higher speeds these devices are enabled and worked with high speed. Blockchain is an important technology in the current trend. The Blockchain technology is used in more fields such as online payments, healthcare, smart contracts etc. Extending the technology of block chain to Internet of things (IoT) can have more features. The important issues in 5G technology is security because millions of IoT devices are connected and more confidential data is transferred. This data should be more secure using blockchain technology. This proposed system is to secure the data in smart healthcare systems using blockchain in 5G networks to prevent the data from forgery.
Research on the Physical Properties of Calcium Sulfate Whisker and the Effects of its Addition on Paper and its Printing Performance
Authors: Liu Haitang , Liu Jing , An Yongzhen , Li Jie , Li Xuexiu , Jin Xin , Chen Lin , Gao Yujie , Lu Zhenhua , Si Chuanling
Published: February 2021

In this investigation, softwood pulp and bleached wheat straw pulp were used as raw materials, and Calcium Sulfate Whiskers (CSW) were used as fillers. Based on the structural properties and characteristics of CSW, the printing properties of the paper with CSW, such as whiteness, opacity, pH value, uniformity, Z-direction tensile strength and surface strength, were analyzed. The results showed that CSW has low solubility, high retention rate and fiber-like appearance. The whiteness of the paper is the best when the filling amount of CSW is 20%. The paper opacity of softwood pulp increases significantly, and the opacity of bleached wheat straw pulp decreases significantly when CSW is more than 30%. The addition reduces pH and surface strength of the paper. The evenness of the paper does not change obviously. The Z-direction tensile strength of the paper decreases in the softwood paper, but increases obviously in the bleached wheat straw paper. Graphic abstract
Effectiveness of the Caregiver-Mediated Intervention: A Pilot Study for Children with Neurodevelopmental Disorders
Authors: Ge Dongmei , Wei Hua , Wang Yue , Li Yan , Luo Jinmei , Liu Xiao , Hu Yan , Chen Li , Cheng Qian , Dai Ying
Published: February 2021

Background: The Caregiver-Mediated Intervention(CMI), based on Parent Skills Training(PST), is one family-mediated intervention model for children with neurodevelopmental disorders(NDDs), especially for ASD. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of CMI. Methods: 33 children (aged 22-69 months from our department) and their caregivers were included in a two-week training of ten 90-minute lessons. Then caregivers were encouraged to try their best to apply intervention skills in both home routines and play routines, in order to prompt the ability of cognition, motion, social adaptability and behavior of children. The based demographic information, video-taking data and diagnostic sales were collected at two key time‐points at least: Baseline(BL); Post-training (PT; within six months). Results: The outcomes mainly involved three aspects - primary variables, secondary variables and correlation analyses. Compared with BL, those favored PT in (1) Adult/Child Interaction Fidelity Rating (P<0.01), (2) adaptability of Gesell Developmental Scale and stereotyped behaviors and limited interests of Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (P<0.05, P<0.01). Moreover, a negative correlation appeared between caregiver skill improvement and parent education(P<0.05), without correlation with other demographics. Conclusions: As an efficacious family intervention for both children and their caregivers, CMI, with little limitation, is worth being generalized widely. Trial registration: China Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR-IOC-17013638, 15/12/2017).
Dissecting Four Correlated Growth Period Traits Using a Genome-Wide Association Study Approach in Soybean
Authors: Li Yinghui , Yanfei Li , Huilong Hong , Yansong Ma , Yongzhe Gu , Zhangxiong Liu , Scott Jackson , Lijuan Qiu
Published: February 2021

Soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merri) is a short-day, photoperiod-sensitive crop. The vegetative growth period (V), reproductive growth period (R), whole growth period (V + R) and the ratio of growth period structure (R/V) are photoperiod traits critical to adaptability and yield in soybean. To thoroughly dissect the genetic basis of these growth period traits and their correlations, a panel of 277 soybean accessions were genotyped with a single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) chip and phenotyped at three field environments over three years. A genome-wide association study found 29 SNPs on fifteen chromosomes with 33 significant marker-trait associations, eleven, eight, four and ten for V, R, V + R and R/V, respectively. Two SNPs, Map-6077 and − 6502, showed pleiotropy in three and two traits, respectively. Map-6077, associated with V, R, and V + R, was a synonymous SNP of the GmMFT, a member of PEBP family that has been reported to inhibit seed germination and regulate oil content. These results provide candidate SNP markers and genes for further functional experiments to advance molecular marker-assisted breeding.
Effectiveness and Efficiency of Monosodium Glutamate as a Potential Mutagen Inducing Polyploidy in Urginea Indica Kunth
Authors: SINHA RICHA
Published: February 2021

Monosodium Glutamate is a food additive well-known as a flavor enhancer being used extensively in food industries. Also, it has long been used as a cheap source of fertilizer owing to the presence of high nitrogen contents in it. Furthermore, it also shows genotoxic effects on plants. Hence, in the present study the genotoxic properties of Monosodium Glutamate had been explored to assess its potential as a mutagen. The objective was specifically to find out its potential in inducing polyploidy in plants. For this, a medicinal plant, Urginea indica Kunth with immensely high therapeutic value was selected. The effectiveness and efficiency of Monosodium Glutamate on Urginea indica Kunth was assessed based on the records obtained after treatments in two generations, viz. M1 and M2 Generations. Its effectiveness and efficiency on Urginea indica Kunth pave a way for its use as a potential mutagen which can induce genetic variability among the selected wild species of the plants with great ease. Moreover, the higher degree of polyploidy obtained in the M2 generation established the objective of the experiment, that Monosodium Glutamate could be used with controlled, adequate dose and maintained experiment setup in inducing polyploidy in plants.
Rediscovery and Characterization of Citrus Indica Tanaka, A Wild Endangered and Progenitor Species in Dailong Forest, Manipur, and Recommendations for Its Conservation.
Authors: Devi Elangbam Julia , Labala Rajendra Kumar , Sanabam Rakesh , Singh Nandeibam Samarjit , Modak Rahul , Devi Huidrom Sunitibala
Published: February 2021

Citrus indica Tanaka is a wild endangered and one of the progenitor species of citrus endemic to North East (NE) India, which is reported in Nokrek Biosphere Reserve in the Garo hills of Meghalaya. A wild orange morphologically claimed to be C. indica was encountered in the Dailong forest of Tamenglong district, Manipur which is located in the Indo-Burma biodiversity hotspot region. Surveys were conducted to establish the exact identity of possible C. indica and study the natural habitat in Dailong forest area. The traditional morpho-taxonomic description for the identification of the plant is performed along with the molecular characterization using three chloroplast regions (trnL-F, psbK-I, matK-5′trnK spacer) and one nuclear (ITS) region. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the C. indica found in Dailong Forest is monophyletic with the earlier reported C. indica sequence from Garo hills, Meghalaya. Both morphological and molecular data support the identity of C. indica that has been collected from Manipur. However, lack of knowledge and clearing of forest cover has led to an urgent need for the implementation of conservation strategies to safeguard this endangered species. This study supports the evidence that NE India is one of the origin centres for citrus and this finding can guide the conservationists to initiate priority for adopting possible methods of proper conservation of C. indica in the region.
Inhibitory effects of aviptadil on the SARS-CoV-2 nsp10/ nsp16 protein complex
Authors: Alnomasy Sultan F. , Alotaibi Bader S. , Aldosari Ziyad M. , Mujamammi Ahmed H. , Anand Pragya , Akhter Yusuf Akhter , Hasan Mohammad R.
Published: February 2021

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), which emerged in late 2019, causes COVID-19, a disease that has been spreading rapidly worldwide. In human lung epithelial cells and monocytes, RLF-100 (aviptadil) has been found to inhibit the RNA replication machinery of SARS-CoV-2, which includes several non-structural proteins (nsp) that play essential roles in synthesizing and replicating viral RNA. This virus is unique in requiring nsp10 and nsp16 for methyltransferase (MTase) activity. This enzyme is essential for RNA stability, protein translation, and viral ability to escape the host's immune recognition. Therefore, we aimed to use bioinformatics tools to analyze aviptadil's inhibitory effect on the SARS-CoV-2 nsp10/nsp16 complex. We present a comprehensive, in silico-generated picture showing how aviptadil may interact with the nsp complex. Specifically, our model predicts how the initial binding of aviptadil to nsp10 and nsp16 may occur. This knowledge can assist drug development efforts against SARS-CoV-2 by providing more target information against nsp16.
sFLT01 Modulates Invasion and Metastasis in Prostate Cancer DU145 Cells By Inhibition of VEGF/GRP78/MMP2&9 Axis
Authors: Taghizadeh Sepideh , Soheili Zahra-Soheila , Sadeghi Mehdi , Samiei shahram , Zakeri Fahimeh , Pirmardan Ehsan Ranaei , kashanian Ali , Najafabadi Hoda Shams
Published: February 2021

BackgroundAbout 90% of cancer-related deaths are due to metastasis of cancer cells and angiogenesis is a critical step in this process. sFLT01 is a novel fusion protein and a dual targeting agent that neutralizes both VEGF and PlGF proangiogenic activities. GRP78 dual effect in tumor growth and angiogenesis could be activated under VEGF stimulation. The current study was designed to investigate the inhibitory impact of sFLT01 protein on VEGF/GRP78 axis. To this point, sFLT01 construct was synthesized, recombinant plasmid was expressed in eukaryotic host cells, sFLT01-HisTag protein was extracted and analyzed. The functional activity of sFLT01 on VEGF-enhanced tube formation and angiogenesis of HUVEC cells were examined. Eventually, the inhibitory impact of sFLT01 on growth and invasiveness and migration of human prostate cancer cell line, DU145, was assessed. Real-time PCR evaluated the level of GRP78 and its effect on the downstream factors; matrix metallopeptidase proteins 2&9 (MMP2&9) along with tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase proteins1&2 (TIMP1&2). Results According to the data, sFLT01 protein showed modulatory impact on proliferation, invasion, and migration of DU145 cells along with the potential of HUVECs angiogenesis. Real-Time PCR analysis depicted a significant downregulation in GRP78, MMP2 and MMP9 transcripts’ levels, and a subsequent elevation of TIMP1 and TIMP2 expression under sFLT01 stimulation was detected. Conclusion Overall, these data indicated that the inhibitory impact of sFLT01 on cancer cells growth and invasiveness could be mediated through the modulation of VEGF/GRP78/MMP2&9 axis and activation of TIMPs.
Exercise Intolerance in Volume Overload Heart Failure Is Associated With Low Carotid Body Chemosensitivity
Authors: Andrade David , Diaz Esteban , Toledo Camilo , Schwarz Karla , Pereyra Katherin , Diaz Hugo , Marcus Noah , Ortiz Fernando , Rios Angelica , Ortolani Domiziana , Rio Rodrigo Del
Published: February 2021

Mounting an appropriate ventilatory response to exercise is crucial to meeting metabolic demands during exercise and abnormal ventilatory responses may contribute to exercise-intolerance (EX-inT) in HF patients. We sought to determine if abnormal ventilatory chemoreflex control contributes to EX-inT in volume-overload HF rats. Cardiac function, hypercapnic (HCVR) and hypoxic (HVR) ventilatory responses and exercise tolerance were assessed at the end of a 6 weeks exercise training program. Exercise tolerant HF rats (HF+EX-T) completed all training sessions and benefit from exercise as evidenced by improvements in cardiac systolic function and reductions in HCVR, sympathetic tone and arrhythmias. Contrarily, HF rats that failed to complete training sessions (HF+EX-inT) showed no improvements in cardiac systolic function nor in HCVR, sympathetic tone, or arrhythmias but displayed a further compromise in cardiac diastolic function when compared to HF-sedentary rats. In addition, HF+EX-inT rats showed impaired HVR which was associated with increased arrhythmias susceptibility and mortality during hypoxic challenges (~60% survival). Finally, exercise tolerance was closely dependent on carotid body (CB) function since their selective ablation impaired exercise capacity in HF. Our results indicate that: i) exercise may have detrimental effects on cardiac function in HF-EX-inT, and ii) reduced CB chemoreflex contributes to EX-inT in HF.
Design of Novel Sensitive Terahertz Biosensors Based on Graphene-Plasmonic Nanostructures
Authors: Chahkoutahi Atefeh , Emami Farzin
Published: February 2021

In this paper, four different configurations of sensitive biosensors based on graphene-plasmonic combinations are designed and proposed. The nanostructures are made of graphene, SiO2, aluminum and gold layers on a silicon substrate. Graphene-ring shaped structures with diagonal strips in vertical and horizontal directions are considered in the structures which greatly affect the absorption characteristics (absorption peak value and wavelength). Aluminum layer is used in the structure to prevent the transmission of light throughout some layers and improving the absorption factor. To promote the functionality of the structures, effects of the structural parameters (R1 and R2) and chemical potentials (Ef1, Ef2, Ef3 and Ef4) on the absorption peak-wavelength and its value, are also studied. The four individual configurations with different layers and strip directions demonstrate distinct and different wavelength ranges; structure-1: 45-60 µm, structure-2: 50-70 µm, structure-3: 70-85 µm, and structure-4: 80-100 µm. Thus, they can be utilized for wide categories of applications. Sensitivities of 1500nm/RIU, 2250/RIU, 3750nm/RIU and 4850nm/RIU are obtained for four types, respectively. The proposed structures indicate more sensitivities and they can be used in acceptable sensing characteristics for different applications like hemoglobin and glucose concentrations in blood samples and can be utilized as refractive index bio-sensing sensors.
Improved Procedure for Electro-Spinning and Carbonisation of Neat Solvent-Fractionated Softwood Kraft Lignin
Authors: Khan Inam , Hararak Bongkot , Fernando Gerard Franklyn
Published: February 2021

In general, the electro-spinning of lignin requires it to be functionalised and/or blended with synthetic or natural polymers. This paper reports on the use of solvent fractionated lignin-lignin blend to electro-spin BioChoice® softwood Kraft lignin. The blend consisted of acetone-soluble and ethanol-soluble lignin in a binary solvent of acetone and DMSO. Solvent fractionation was used to purify lignin where the ash content was reduced in the soluble lignin fractions from 1.24% to ~0.1%. The corresponding value for conventional acid-washing in sulphuric acid was 0.34%. A custom-made electro-spinning apparatus was used to produce the nano-fibres. Heat treatment procedures were developed for drying the electro-spun fibres prior to oxidation and carbonisation; this was done to prevent fibre fusion. The lignin fibres were oxidised at 250⁰C, carbonised at 1000⁰C and 1500⁰C. The cross-section of the fibres was circular and they were observed to be void-free. The longitudinal sections showed that the fibres were not fused. Thus, this procedure demonstrated that solvent fractionated lignin can be electro-spun without using plasticisers or polymer blends using common laboratory solvents and subsequently carbonised to produce carbon fibres with a circular cross-section.
Nicotine Stimulates Peristalsis in N. Vectensis: From Behavior to Nicotinic Receptor Genes
Authors: Figueiredo Joanne , Rest Joshua , Adamo Sarah , Grella Rebecca , Dilger James
Published: February 2021

Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) play a pivotal role in the nervous system, and there is great interest in understanding their evolution. Cnidarians, an ancestral group of metazoans, display an early nervous system utilizing complex neural architecture that provides insight into the early evolution and function of nAChRs. Using the anthozoan Nematostella vectensis, we found that the rate of peristalsis, a radial constriction of the body column, is modulated by nicotinic agonists. Nicotine caused a robust, dose dependent increase in the rate of peristalsis. The peristalsis rate also increased in response to ACh in the presence of edrophonium, an acetylcholine esterase inhibitor. Thus, N. vectensis possesses functional nAChRs. We developed a phylogeny of nAChRs from 15 cnidarian and 16 bilaterian species. Our results indicate that the large number of cnidarian and bilaterian nAChR gene copies is convergent, resulting from gene expansions after the two lineages diverged. These independent expansions led to an average of 31 and 34 paralogous nAChR gene copies in sampled bilaterians and cnidarians, respectively. The N. vectensis proteome contains 49 paralogous nAChR copies. The independent expansions indicate that nAChRs receptors in cnidarians may have distinct pharmacological and biochemical characteristics in comparison to their bilaterian counterparts.
Disparities Between People with Diabetic Retinopathy and Community Health Service Centers’ Staff in Estimating Satisfaction with Telescreening for Diabetic Eye Diseases
Authors: Zhu Xiaofeng , Xu Yi , Lu Lina , Zou Haidong
Published: February 2021

Background

The success of the telescreening and management for diabetic retinopathy (DR) in the communities depends on the satisfaction of the people with diabetes, and the community health service centers (CHSCs)’ staff, referred to as providers. To investigate the satisfaction of people with DR and CHSCs’ staff, with the comprehensive management system for diabetic eye diseases (abbreviated as “the System” in the following text).
Methods

This cross-sectional survey for those receiving the service, included 3817 people with vision-threatening DR (VTDR), focused on the satisfaction with the System, including telescreening process, speed of feedback, interpretation of results, awareness of the related diseases, and eye care service. The survey for the providers, included 234 CHSCs’ staff focused on satisfaction and main barriers encountered during the implementation of the System. Sociodemographic characteristics and perceived barriers related to satisfaction were identified by conducting univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses.
Results

The overall satisfaction of those receiving the service was 96.0%, and 75.8% of them were willing to undergo telescreening for DR the following year. The convenience of telescreening, reasonable and orderly telescreening, and improvement in the related disease awareness significantly correlated with satisfaction. Only 48.3% of the providers were satisfied with the System. The three most mentioned barriers to the development of the System were insufficient technical staff, inadequate funds, and incomplete information transmission system.
Conclusions

Disparities between the high satisfaction of those receiving the service and the low satisfaction of the providers with the System were mainly related to the current weak ophthalmic medical level in the CHSCs and the low awareness of screening for diabetic eye diseases among not only people with DR but the CHSCs’ staff.
A New Locally Active Memristive Synapse Coupled Neuron Model
Authors: Li Ronghao , Wang Zenghui , Dong Enzeng
Published: February 2021

In this paper, a new type of non-volatile locally active memristor with bi-stability is proposed by injecting appropriate voltage pulses to realize a switching mechanism between two stable states. It is found that the memristive parameters of the new memristor can affect the local activity, which has been rarely reported, and this phenomenon is explained based on mathematical analyses and numerical simulations. Then, a locally active memristive coupled neuron model is constructed using the proposed memristor as a connecting synapse. The parameter-associated dynamical behaviors are revealed by bifurcation plots, phase plane portraits and dynamical evolution maps. Moreover, the bi-stability phenomenon of the new coupled neuron model is disclosed by local attraction basins, and the periodic burster and multi-scroll chaotic burster are found if a multi-level pulse current is used to imitate a periodical external stimulus on the neurons. The Hamiltonian energy function is calculated and analyzed with or without external excitation. Finally, the neuronal circuit is designed and implemented, which can mimic electrical activity of the neurons and is useful for physical applications. The experimental results captured from the analog circuit are consistent well with the numerical simulation results.