bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Tapia Syndrome after Cervical Laminoplasty: A Case Report and Literature Review
Authors: Hong Seungwoo , Kim Keung Nyun , Yi Seong
Published: October 2021

We present a case report of very rare and unfamiliar disease named Tapia syndrome characterized by concomitant unilateral paralysis of the 10th and 12th cranial nerves. Symptoms include dysphonia, dysphagia, tongue deviation toward affected side. The syndrome occurs after orotracheal intubation. A case report of the patient; A 48-year-old Asian man, presented with both arm numbness and gait disturbance for 1 year. We planned laminoplasty of cervical 4, 5, 6, and 7. After the operation, he complained of hoarseness and difficulty in swelling. On his physical examinations, uvula and tongue deviation to right is detected. At 8 months after the surgery, his clinical symptoms and chief compliant about surgery had disappeared. The mechanism of the disease is unclear. Though the progress of the disease is benign, further evaluation to rule out other desperate disease like cerebral infarction is evitable.
The role of shared water management to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals
Authors: Almulla Youssef , Nerini Francesco Fuso
Published: October 2021

The 2030 agenda sets the stage for global collaboration to accomplish prosperity, peace and partnership for all people and our planet. The complexity of interrelationships between the sustainable development goals is amplified in shared water basins where collaboration between different actors from different sectors and nations is needed. This study explores the synergies and trade-offs between the cooperation in shared water management and 10 out of 17 sustainable development goals. An expert-driven literature search was conducted to map the interlinkages between the shared water management and each target under the selected SDGs. A total of 62 targets were studied in this explorative mapping exercise. Results show that the cooperation in shared water management is critical not only for the sustainable management of the water resources but also has the potential to accelerate the achievement of about 50% of the SDGs. The impact is higher (71%) on the resource-related SDGs such as SDG2, 6 and 7 while it is lower (33%) in economic-related SDGs such as 10 and 12.
The situation of equity in maternal health in Bangladesh
Authors: Rahaman Mohammed Moshiur , Haque Md. Mazedul , Uddin Mohammead Muslim , Shihab Md. Erfan , Khan M. Sazzad Hossen
Published: October 2021

Background: To assess the equity in maternal health services in Bangladesh. Methods: The report was prepared primarily relying on secondary available data, in particular the BDHS report from 2007 to 2014. Based on key identified indicators, a survey was conducted with a short set of a questionnaire among sample size 200. Results: 50% of women did get antenatal care from any trained/untrained health worker, 35% of pregnant women did not get assistance from any qualified health worker and another 15% get assistance from untrained birth attendance, 80% of mother did not have enough education to know or concern about what should they during delivery or after delivery or what kind of complications can be risen, 25% of mother received antenatal care from the private sector after delivery, 70% of mother did not receive any post-natal checkup after delivery. Conclusion: Inequity in maternal health in Bangladesh is visible which is aligned with national delivery care, antenatal care, and postnatal care. Inequity problems mostly in poor families. Antenatal care from the private sector after delivery indicates that higher treatment costs in the private sector pushed them under the poverty line.
A 20 million-year Great Ediacaran Glaciation witnessed the rise of the earliest animals
Authors: Wang Ruimin , Shen Bing , Lang Xianguo , Wen Bin , Ma Haoran , Yin Zongjun , Peng Yongbo , LIU Yonggang , Zhou Chuanming
Published: October 2021

Occurrence of Ediacara biota soon after the Gaskiers glaciation at ~ 580 Ma (million years ago) implies a possible glacial fuse of animal evolution1,2. To test this hypothesis, it is essential to resolve the spatial-temporal distributions of these Ediacaran glacial deposits. Here, we report the presence of globally synchronous ~ 570 − 560 Ma Shuram excursion, the largest negative carbonate carbon isotope excursion in Earth history3,4, stratigraphically below the Ediacaran Hankalchough glacial deposits in the Tarim Block, confirming a post-560 Ma glaciation. Considering the wholesale rotation of the solid Earth (crust and mantle) via an inertial interchange true polar wander process from ca. 590 − 580 to 560 Ma5–8, we observe that mapped Ediacaran glacial deposits were distributed on nearly all continents but were restricted roughly to mid-to-high latitudes. Thus, we propose a unique mid-to-high-latitude-dominated ‘Great Ediacaran Glaciation’ (GEG), lasting for more than 20 million years. The GEG bracketed the evolutionary window of Ediacara biota, implying an icehouse background for the rise of animals.
Climate Change as a Precursor to the Food Security; Empirical Evidence Over Punjab Regions, Pakistan
Authors: Abbas Sohail , Kousar Shazia , Khan Mahr Sahibzad
Published: October 2021

Climate change is bringing drastic changes to the food availability, accesses ability, quality, and stability of the food system in the World. This study investigates the impacts of climate change as a precursor on food security over Punjab regions, Pakistan, from 1979–2020. The bound test cointegration approach is applied with auto-regressive distributed lag (ARDL) to investigate the linear impact of climate variables on food production. This study found that Wheat cultivated area, total irrigated area, total un-irrigated area, and total area sown has a positive and significant impact on food production in all regions of Punjab Pakistan. However, while average, the maximum and minimum temperature is negatively and significantly associated with food production in all regions of Punjab except northern Punjab, where maximum temperature affects positively food production Punjab. Rainfall positively affects food production in central and western Punjab while negatively affecting food production in northern and southern Punjab. Furthermore, wind speed negatively affects food production in all regions of Punjab except northern Punjab.
Design and Analysis of CNTFET based VLSI Interconnects by Using PVT Variation
Authors: Dadoria Ajay Kumar , Garg Narendra Kumar , Kushwah Vivek Singh , Pattanaik Manisha
Published: October 2021

With the quick progress in the area of digital electronics results in miniaturization of semiconductor Industries. In Deep Sub Micron regime, because of leakage current, power consumption is turn out to be a major issue; hence constant efforts are being made by the researchers for investigating the various ways to minimize this. There are various methods available for the same and out of several available methods use of Carbon Nano-tube technology is a promising way to design low power circuits efficiently. Here new techniques are introduced for the reduction of leakage power. Here in this work, comparison of the main performance parameters of Copper on chip nano-interconnect with CNTFET has been done. We have measured the impact of ION and IOFF current by applying Process variation in CU and CNT- Interconnects with the variation of Tubes at 32nm technology and analysed the performance of the digital circuits with scaling of technology. The different kind of simulation outcomes indicates that by applying 10% of deviation from normal value in different device characteristics parameters such as Length of Gate (LTube) of the Tube, Width (WTube) of the Tube, Threshold Voltage (Vth) of the Tube, Thickness (tot) of Tube and Source & Drain Doping concentration with Cu and CNTFET interconnects for NFET and PFET with the variation of tubes from 1 to 16. All the experimental outcomes are achieved by using HSPICE simulator using SPICE model of CU and CNT at27oC temperature by using 32nm Berkley Predictive Technology module.
Biofilm of Klebsiella Pneumoniae Minimize Phagocytosis and Cytokine Expression by Macrophage Cell Line
Authors: Rathore Sudarshan Singh , Cheepurupalli Lalitha , Gangwar Jaya , Raman Thiagarajan , Ramakrishnan jayapradha
Published: October 2021

Infectious bacteria in biofilm mode is involved in many persistent infections. Owing to its importance in clinical settings, many in vitro and in vivo studies are being conducted to study the structural and functional properties of biofilms, their drug resistant mechanism and survival mechanism of planktonic and biofilm cells. In this regard, there is not sufficient information on the interaction between Klebsiella biofilm and macrophages. In this study, we have made an attempt to unravel the interaction between Klebsiella biofilm and macrophages in terms of phagocytic response and cytokine expression. In vitro phagocytosis assays was performed for heat inactivated and live biofilms of K. pneumoniae, together with the expression analysis of TLR2, iNOS, inflammatory cytokines such as IL-β1, IFN-γ, IL-6, IL-12, IL-4, TNF-α and anti-inflammatory cytokines, IL-10. A phagocytic rate of an average of 15% was observed against both heat inactivated and live biofilms, when LPS+IFN-γ activated macrophages were used. This was significantly higher than non-activated macrophages when tested against heat inactivated and live biofilms (average 8%). Heat-inactivated and live biofilms induced similar phagocytic response and up-regulation of pro-inflammatory genes in macrophages, indirectly conveying that macrophage response is to some extent dependent on the biofilm matrix.
The Clinical Features and Prognosis Analysis of Pregnant Women with Tuberculosis After in Vitro Fertilization and Embryo Transfer and Natural Fertilization
Authors: Huang Wei , Li Tao , Yang yang , Liu Ping , Liu Jinghua , Dong Linyun , Xi Xiuhong , Liu Xuhui , Xia Lu , Lu Shuihua
Published: October 2021

Objective: To investigate the clinical characteristics and prognosis of women with tuberculosis after in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET) and natural pregnancy.Design/Methods: Ninety-five pregnant women with tuberculosis admitted to Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center between February 2013 and July 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. They were divided into 24 cases of IVF-ET with tuberculosis and 71 cases of natural pregnancy group with tuberculosis. Baseline demographic, medical history were collected. We used descriptive statistics to describe demographic, clinical features and prognosis of pregnant women with tuberculosis using Pearson chi-squared, Fisher’s exact tests, or Kruskal-Wallis.Results: The incidence of fever, hematogenous disseminated pulmonary, drug-induced liver injury and fetal adverse outcomes in IVF-ET group were higher than those in natural pregnancy group (p<0.05). The lymphocyte count, hemoglobin level, albumin level and the number of CD4+T lymphocyte、CD8+ T lymphocyte in IVF-ET group were significantly lower than that in natural pregnancy group (p<0.05).Conclusions: Pregnant women with tuberculosis after in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer have broader lung lesions, more prominent symptoms of systemic poisoning, larger proportion of severe tuberculosis, more prone to anti-tuberculosis drugs induced liver injury and higher proportion of spontaneous abortion and inevitable abortion, which calls for enough attentions.
Plasmon-Modulated Excitation-Dependent Fluorescence and Antimicrobial Activities of Silver and Gold Nanoparticles Prepared with Eugenia unifloraL. extracts
Authors: Franzolin Marcia Regina , Courrol Daniella dos Santos , Gonçalves Karina de oliveira , Courrol Lilia Coronato
Published: October 2021

Green synthesis using plant extract is a sustainable method to obtain silver and gold nanoparticles (Ag and AuNPs) and was employed in this work. The Eugenia uniflora L. fruits and leaves extracts were used in nanoparticles synthesis. The photoreduction process with a xenon lamp and pH control improved optical properties and nanoparticles stability. The UV-vis, TEM, FTIR, and Zeta potential of the prepared solutions were obtained. The fluorescence spectra of Ag and AuNPs were investigated at different excitation wavelengths, which showed two kinds of fluorescence peaks. The shorter wavelength peaks red-shift with the increasing excitation wavelength, which results from the electron interband transitions, and the longer fixed wavelength peaks due to the local field enhancement. Finally, the antimicrobial tests were performed with Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria and Candida albicans. The best results were obtained with EuAgNPs prepared with fruits extract, photoreduction, and pH 7.0 (with a mean of 95.12% ± 10.29% of inhibition).
Recognizing Online Digital Signatures Using Kernel Based Classification Techniques
Authors: Chakravarthi Ravi , C Anna Palagan , Dharamshi Ravindra Ratilal , Dhas Anand J , Taware Shrikant , Appathurai Ahilan
Published: October 2021

In recent education system, project submission is crucial for college students to complete their respective studies. The understudies needed to propose their undertaking before finishing the pre-last year. One of the critical assessment forms like course Project Registration System (PRS) helps the students and their education board to enhance the knowledge and skill level required for competitive world.PRS is the efficient methods to authenticate the proposal utilizing the online digital signature recognition criteria. During project submission, authentication is important to prevent the unauthorized submission of proposal and contrast the signature utilizing classification techniques such as Kernel Based Artificial Neural Network (K-ANN), Kernel Based K-Nearest Neighbor (K-KNN), Kernel Based Self Organizing Map (K-SOM) and Kernel based Support Vector Machine (K-SVM). The prime objectives of this research work was to recognize the genuine online digital signatures from the assortment of genuine, skilled, unskilled and random types of forged signatures by using the dynamic features like pen pressure, altitude, velocity, azimuth and duration taken by the legitimate person for signing using the proposed K-SVM classification techniques. The data collection based on online digital signature with various students and the proposed classification techniques gives better performance and accuracy compared with other techniques.
Impact of Bisphenol-A on the Spliceosome and Meiosis of Sperm in the Testis of Adolescent Mice
Authors: Wang Yongjie , Wu Yanyan , Zhang Shilei
Published: October 2021

BackgroundBisphenol-A (BPA) has estrogenic activity and adversely affects humans and animals' reproductive systems and functions. There has been a disagreement with the safety of BPA exposure at Tolerable daily intake (TDI) (0.05 mg/kg/d) value and non-observed adverse effect level (5 mg/kg/d). The current study investigated the effects of BPA exposure at various doses starting from Tolerable daily intake (0.05 mg/kg/d) to the lowest observed adverse effect level (50 mg/kg/d) on the testis development in male mice offspring. The BPA exposure lasted for 63 days from pregnancy day 0 of the dams to post-natal day (PND) 45 of the offspring. ResultsThe results showed that BPA exposure significantly increased testis (BPA ≥20mg/kg/d) and serum (BPA ≥10mg/kg/d) BPA contents of PND 45 mice. The spermatogenic cells became loose, and the lumen of seminiferous tubules enlarged when BPA exposure at 0.05 mg/kg/d TDI. BPA exposure at a low dose (0.05 mg/kg/d) significantly reduced the expression of Scp3 proteins and elevated sperm abnormality. The significant decrease in Scp3 suggested that BPA inhibits the transformation of spermatogonia into spermatozoa in the testis. The RNA-seq proved that the spliceosome was significantly inhibited in the testes of mice exposed to BPA. According to the RT-qPCR, BPA exposure significantly reduced the expression of Snrpc (BPA ≥20 mg/kg/d) and Hnrnpu (BPA ≥0.5 mg/kg/d). ConclusionsThis study indicated that long-term BPA exposure at Tolerable daily intake (0.05 mg/kg/d) is not safe because low-dose long-term exposure to BPA inhibits spermatogonial meiosis in mice testis impairs reproductive function in male offspring.
Quantifying Collective Identity Online From Self-defining Hashtags
Authors: Barron Alexander T. J. , Bollen Johan
Published: October 2021

Mass communication over social media can drive rapid changes in our sense of collective identity. Hashtags in particular have acted as powerful social coordinators[1], playing a key role in organizing social movements like the Gezi park protests, Occupy Wall Street, #metoo, and #blacklivesmatter[2, 3, 4]. Here we quantify collective identity from the use of hashtags as self-labels in over 85,000 actively-maintained Twitter user profiles spanning 2017-2019. Collective identities emerge from a graph model of individuals’ overlapping self-labels, producing a hierarchy of graph clusters. Each cluster is bound together and characterized semantically by specific hashtags key to its formation. We define and apply two information-theoretic measures to quantify the strength of identities in the hierarchy. First we measure collective identity coherence to determine how integrated any identity is from local to global scales. Second, we consider the conspicuousness of any identity given its vocabulary versus the global identity map. Our work reveals a rich landscape of online identity emerging from the hierarchical alignment of uncoordinated self-labeling actions.
Heterogeneity Impacts of Natural and Socioeconomic Factors and Their Interactions On PM2.5 in the Yangtze River Economic Belt
Authors: Xia Siyou , Liu Xiaojie , Liu Qing , Zhou Yannan , Yang Yu
Published: October 2021

Haze has reached epidemic levels in many cities of China in recent years. Only limited studies have explored the impacts of driving factors and their interactions on the spatiotemporal heterogeneity of PM2.5. This paper investigates the spatiotemporal characteristics of PM2.5 pollution through spatial analytical methods based on retrievals of satellite aerosol optical depth (AOD) data from the Yangtze River Economic Belt (YREB) between 2000 and 2017. Geographically weighted regression (GWR) and geodetector models were applied to assess the directions and strength of association between natural and socioeconomic conditions and PM2.5 pollution. The results indicate that the annual concentration range of PM2.5 in the YREB was 23.49–37.37 μg/m3 with an initial increasing and later declining trend. The PM2.5 pollution displays a diagonal spatial distribution pattern of high in northeast and low in southwest and a noticeable spatial convergence. The spatial variability of PM2.5 pollution was enlarged and its main fractal dimension was in the northeast–southwest direction. There were clear spatiotemporal variations in the impact of natural and anthropogenic factors on PM2.5 pollution. Interactive factors included bi-factor and nonlinear enhancements. Our findings contribute to a better understanding of the impact mechanisms of PM2.5 pollution and the geographical factors in forming persistent and highly polluted areas and imply that more specific coping strategies need to be targeted in various areas toward successful particulate pollution prevention and control.
Population Structure Analysis Revealed Water or Ancient Hub-induced Genetic Diversity of Cultivated-type Tea Plants in Guizhou Plateau
Authors: Zhao Zhifei , Song Qinfei , Bai Dingchen , Niu Suzhen , He Yingqin , Qiao Dahe , Chen Zhengwu , Li Caiyun , Luo Jing , Li Fang
Published: October 2021

Background

Tea plants originated from the southwest of China. Guizhou is one of the origin center of tea plants, which is rich in tea plant germplasm resources. However, the distribution characteristics and transmission model of tea plant were still unclear.
Results

We collected 253 cultivated-type tea plant accessions from Guizhou plateau and analyzed the genetic diversity, PCA, phylogenetic, population structure, LD, and development of core collection using the genotyping-by-sequencing (GBS) approach. A total of 112,072 high-quality SNPs were identified, which was further used to analyze the genetic diversity and population structure. In this study, we found that the genetic diversity in cultivated-type tea accessions of PR Basin were significantly higher than that in cultivated-type tea accessions of YR Basin. Moreover, four groups, including three pure groups (CG-1, CG-2 and CG-3) and one admixture group (CG-4), were identified based on population structure analysis, which was verified by PAC and phylogenetic analysis. Our results showed that the highest GD and Fst values were found in CG-2 vs CG-3, followed by CG-1 vs CG-2 and CG-1 vs CG-3. The lowest GD and Fst values were detected in CG-4 vs CG-1, CG-4 vs CG-2, and CG-4 vs CG-3.
Conclusions

This study provided the evidence to confirm the contribution of PR and YR Basins and ancient hub road section to the transmission of cultivated-type tea accessions in Guizhou plateau. The genetic diversity, population structure and core collection revealed by our study will benefit further genetic studies, germplasm protection, and breeding.
Lung Function, Allergic Sensitization and Asthma in School-Aged Children After Viral-Coinfection Bronchiolitis
Authors: Ruiz Sara , Calvo Cristina , Pozo Francisco , Casas Inmaculada , García-García María Luz
Published: October 2021

BACKGROUND. Our main objective was to compare the lung function, the rate of allergic sensitization and the prevalence of asthma at 7-9 years in children hospitalized for bronchiolitis with viral coinfection versus single viral infection.METHODS. Observational study in children with previous bronchiolitis and current age 7-9 years. Clinical data were collected. Fraction of exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) determination, spirometry and skin prick test for common aeroallergens were performed.RESULTS. A total of 181 children hospitalized for bronchiolitis (40 coinfections and 141 single infections), with median age of 8.3 years (IQR:7.5-9.1) were included. Single-HRV-infections showed lower basal FEV1(%) than coinfections (p=0.04) and lower z-score FEV1 than single-RSV-infections(p=0.04) or coinfections(p=0.02). Also, single-HRV-infections had lower post-bronchodilator FEV1(%) and z-score FEV1 values than coinfections (p=0.03 and p=0.03). Single-HRV-bronchiolitis was an independent risk factor for FEV1<80%(p=0.007). FeNO value >25 ppb was detected in 21(12.5%) cases, without differences between viral groups(p=0.768). The prevalence of allergic sensitization was similar in coinfections (31.4%) versus single infections (38.7%), (p=0.428). The highest frequency of allergic rhinitis was observed in single-HRV patients(p=0.004).The respiratory morbidity at 7-9 years of coinfected patients was similar to the single-HRV ones. In contrast, the likelihood of current asthma was up to 5 times higher in RSV/HRV coinfections than in the single-RSV-infections ones (p=0.012).CONCLUSIONS. The respiratory morbidity at 7-9 years of age after severe bronchiolitis is significantly higher in single-HRV or viral coinfection patients that in single-RSV ones. Single-HRV-bronchiolitis is independently associated with lower lung function at school-age.
Plant-Mediated Biological Synthesis of Ag-Ago-Ag2O Nanocomposites Using Leaf Extracts of Solanum Elaeagnifolium for Antioxidant, Anticancer, and DNA Cleavage Activities
Authors: Barwant Mukul , Ugale Yogesh , Ghotekar Suresh , Basnet Parita , Nguyen Van-Huy , Pansambal Shreyas , Murthy H C Ananda , Pham Thanh-Dong , Bilal Muhammad , Oza Rajeshwari , Karande Vanita
Published: October 2021

The biogenic nanocomposite synthesis using a plant extract is rapid, simple, efficient, cost-effective, and eco-friendly. This study investigated selective pharmacological activities such as anticancer, antioxidant, and DNA cleavage activities of Solanum elaeagnifolium-mediated green synthesizing Ag-AgO-Ag2O nanocomposite. To the best of our knowledge, Solanum elaeagnifolium has been the first time used to synthesize Ag-AgO-Ag2O nanocomposites. The synthesized nanocomposites were explored by using UV-Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and photoluminescence analyses. Anticancer activity of Ag-AgO-Ag2O nanocomposites was tested on lung cancer cell lines (A-549) and showed activity at the IC50 of 67.09 μg/mL. The maximum ABTS and DPPH scavenging activity were 25.78% and 20.86% at 100 µg/L, respectively. Moreover, Solanum elaeagnifolium-mediated green synthesized Ag-AgO-Ag2O nanocomposites also exhibited considerable DNA cleavage activity. These results assured that the synthesized Ag-AgO-Ag2O nanocomposites using Solanum elaeagnifolium leaves extract may have potential applications in biomedical engineering.
Identification of a Novel Lipid Metabolic-Related Gene Signature with the Tumor Immune Microenvironment for Breast Cancer
Authors: Chang Xu , Zhong Wen , Xing Peng
Published: October 2021

Background: Systemic factors can strongly affect how tumor cells behave, grow, and communicate with other cells as increasingly in breast cancer. Lipid metabolic reprogramming is one systemic way tumor cells undergo, however, the formation and dynamics of lipid associated with tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) still remain elusive. The sophisticated bidirectional crosstalk of tumor cells with cancer metabolism, gene expression, and TIME could have the potential to identify novel biomarkers for diagnosing, prognostic, and immunotherapy. This study aimed to construct a prognostic signature to detect the bi-crosstalk between lipid metabolic system and the TIME of breast cancer. Methods: R software was selected to detect the expression of LRGs and perform the GO/KEGG analysis. Considering the clinical information and pathological features, a predictive nomogram was constructed to predict the survival probability and LASSO Cox regression analysis was performed to construct a prognostic gene signature. The TMB, MSI as well as immune infiltration analysis were performed, in addition, consensus cluster analysis of LRGs were also performed. Results: These 16 lipid metabolic-related genes (LRGs) were mainly involved in the process of lipid metabolism and fatty acid binding in breast cancer by functional enrichment analysis. Prognosis analysis identified the prognostic value of FABP7 and NDUFAB1 in breast cancer patients. The prognostic gene signature constructed with FABP7 and NDUFAB1 was significantly related to immune infiltration and could predict the overall survival (OS) rate with above average correctness of breast cancer patients. The analysis of immune infiltration, tumor mutation burden (TMB), and microsatellite instability (MSI) were significantly correlated with FABP7 and NDUFAB1. Consensus clusters analysis identified the up mRNAs were mostly related to the oncogenesis process while the down were associated with immune-related signaling pathways. Conclusion: We performed a comprehensive analysis to evaluate the lipid metabolic system and identified a signature constructed by two prognostic genes for immunotherapies in breast cancer. Our results also revealed evidence of the vulnerabilities in the bidirectional interplay between the lipid metabolic system and the TIME which may contribute to deciphering the heterogeneity of the TIME in breast cancer.
Sublethal Effects of Essential Plant Oils on Biochemical and Ecological Parameters of the Predatory Mite Amblyseius Swirskii
Authors: Ghasemzadeh Somayyeh , Messelink Gerben J. , Avila Gonzalo A. , Zhang Yongjun
Published: October 2021

The predatory mite Amblyseius swirskii is widely used natural enemy of phytophagous pests. Due to negative effects of conventional pesticides on non-target organism, the development of selective natural and eco-friendly pesticides such as essential plant oils are a useful pest control tool to use in synergy with biological control agents. Essential oils of Nepeta crispa, Satureja hortensis and Anethum graveolens showed promising results to control Tetranychus urticae. Hence an experiment was carried out to evaluate the effects of these essential oils on biochemical and demographic parameters of A. swirskii. Significant reduction of carbohydrate, lipid and protein contents of oil-treated predatory mites was observed. However oils of S. hortensis and A. graveolens had no negative impact on lipid reserve. Glutathione-S-transferase activity of A. swirskii was influenced by A. graveolens. In addition, the enzyme activity of the α-esterases was elevated by all treatments. The essential oils showed no effect on β-esterases activity compared to the control treatment. None of the concentrations of the different tested oils affected the population growth parameters of A. swirskii. However, a significant reduction was observed in oviposition time and total fecundity of predatory mites. Our observations show that the tested essential plant oils need some caution when applied as alternatives to synthetic pesticides in combination with A. swirskii and may have critical implications for Integrated Pest Management (IPM) programs. However, semi-field and field studies are required to evaluate the effects of these products on T. urticae and A. swirskii for developing IPM strategies.
Characterization of High Quality, Large-Scale Growth of Monolayer WS2 Domains via Chemical Vapor Deposition Technique
Authors: Asgary Somayeh , Ramezani Amir Hoshang , Nejad Zhaleh Ebrahimi
Published: October 2021

WS2 flakes have been grown successfully on SiO2 substrate via chemical vapor (CVD) deposition method by reduction and sulfurization of WO3 using Ar/ H2 gas and sulfur evaporated from solid sulfur powder. The prepared samples were characterized by optical microscopy (OM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Raman spectra and photoluminescence (PL). Large domain WS2 monolayers are obtained by extending the growth time. The perfect triangular single-crystalline WS2 flakes with an average length of more than 35 µm were achieved. The sharp PL peak (∼1.98 eV) and two distinct Raman peaks (E2g and A1g) with a ∼ 71.5 cm-1 peak split indicating that relatively high quality WS2 crystals with a regular triangle shape can be synthesized. Higher growth time shows larger triangular-shaped of WS2.
Accuracy of a Community Mental Health Education and Detection (CMED) Tool for Common Mental Disorders in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.
Authors: Grant Merridy , Petersen Inge , Mthethwa Londiwe , Luvuno Zamasomi P.B. , Bhana Arvin
Published: October 2021

Background: Screening tools for mental health disorders improve detection at a primary health care (PHC) level. However, many people with mental health conditions do not seek care because of a lack of knowledge about mental health, stigma about mental illness and a lack of awareness of mental health services available at a PHC facility level. Interventions at a community level that raise awareness about mental health and improve detection of mental health conditions, are thus important in increasing demand and optimising the supply of available mental health services. This study sought to evaluate the accuracy of a Community Mental Health Education and Detection (CMED) Tool in identifying mental health conditions using pictorial vignettes. Methods: Community Health Workers (CHWs) administered the CMED tool to 198 participants on routine visits to households. Consenting family members provided basic biographical information prior to the administration of the tool. To determine the accuracy of the CMED in identifying individuals in households with possible mental health disorders, we compared the number of individuals identified using the CMED vignettes to the validated Brief Mental Health (BMH) screening tool. Results: The CMED performed at an acceptable level with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.73 (95% CI 0.67 -0.79), identifying 79% (sensitivity) of participants as having a possible mental health problem and 67% (specificity) of participants as not having a mental health problem. Overall, the CMED positively identified 55.2% of household members relative to 49.5% on the BMH.Conclusion: The CMED is acceptable as a mental health screening tool for use by CHWs at a household level.
The Combination of APACHE II Score, Neutrophil/lymphocyte Ratio And Expired Tidal Volume Could Better Predict Noninvasive Ventilation Failure In Pneumonia-Induced Mild To Moderate ARDS Patients
Authors: Sun Wei , Luo Zujin , Cao Zhixin , Wang Jing , Zhang Liming , Ma Yingmin
Published: October 2021

Background: To identify the variables easily obtained at the bedside for prediction of failure of noninvasive ventilation (NIV) among pneumonia-induced mild to moderate acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) patients.Methods: A total of 131 pneumonia-induced mild to moderate ARDS patients were enrolled in this retrospective observational study. Electronic medical records were reviewed to determine whether NIV succeeded or failed for each patients, and we compared the variables between NIV success and failure patients. Multivariate logistic regression analysis were made to identify the independent factors of NIV failure, and we developed an equation based the results of the analysis. Receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curves were built to assess the efficacy of variables to predict NIV failure. Kaplan-Meier curves for 28-day survival were built to compare the mortality between different groups. ﻿Results: 64 (48.9%) patients experienced NIV failure. APACHE II score, neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and expired tidal volume (Vte) were independent factors for predicting NIV failure. The combination value of APACHE II score, NLR and Vte had better efficacy of predicting NIV failure (AUC, 0.9; 95% CI 0.845-0.955) than APACHE II score (AUC, 0.818; 95% CI0.745-0.891), NLR (AUC, 0.839; 95% CI 0.765-0.913) and Vte (AUC, 0.805; 95% CI 0.729-0.881) respectively. The cumulative survival probability within 28 days was lower in patients with combination value>59.17 (P<0.001 by log-rank test), APACHE II score>16.5 (P<0.001 by log-rank test), NLR>7.22 (P<0.001 by log-rank test) and Vte>8.96ml/kg (P<0.001 by log-rank test).﻿Conclusions: The combination of APACHE II score>16.5, NLR>7.22 and Vte>8.96ml/kg may be a useful surrogate for predicting NIV failure among pneumonia-induced ARDS patients, and patients with combination value>59.17 should cautiously monitored during NIV. Further study with a larger sample size is warranted.
Species can base their impression of themselves on the number of sensory neurons they have and their IUCN level
Authors: goetz aaron
Published: October 2021

Humans have the most sensory neurons of any terrestrial species, 18.83B, with more than twice as many as the runner up western gorilla. There are three aquatic species with more than humans and seven more with more than the western gorilla. The killer whale with more than twice as many as humans, long-finned and short-finned pilot whale with a little less than twice humans. With that many sensory neurons it would be assumed that those would be the species with the most emotional disturbance from anthropogenic influence. There is no data on killer whale endangerment, and both long and short finned pilot whales are LC, ranking them 23rd and 24th most disturbed species. It is important for us to consider what the species means to them in evaluating what species we should care about, it would be beneficial to base that on what species care about themselves the most.
Al18F-AEEA-HER2-BCH Affibody Reveals Clearer PET Imaging Than 18F-FDG in Patients With Breast Cancer: A Pilot Clinical Translation Study
Authors: Guo Xiaoyi , Zhou Nina , Ding Jin , Wang Shuailiang , Liu Teli , Song Guohong , zhu Hua , Yang Zhi
Published: October 2021

Purpose To construct, validate and preclinically evaluate a novel HER2 target agent Al18F-AEEA-HER2-BCH affibody (Al18F-HER2-BCH), and perform a pilot clinical translational study in HER2-positive breast cancer patients. Methods In preclinical study, the HER2 target specificity were verified using HER2-positive and HER2-negative cells and mice models. In clinical study, we enrolled 14 HER2-positive breast cancer patients (7 newly diagnosed patients and 7 relapsing metastatic patients) and one HER2-negative breast cancer patients. The safety were observed and lesion detection ability was compared with 18F-FDG in 14 HER2-positive breast cancer patients (NCT04547309). All patients injected with 222±18.5 MBq Al18F-HER2-BCH and scanned at 2 h and 4 h, and received standard 18F-FDG PET/CT scan within 7 d. Results In preclinical study, the Kd value of Al18F-HER2-BCH was 25.5±2.53 nM. Micro-PET imaging of Al18F-HER2-BCH showed significantly higher tumor uptake in HER2-positive NCI-N87 models than in HER2-negative MDA-MB-231 models (12.2±1.08 ID%/g vs 1.25 ± 0.25 ID%/g, p < 0.0001). In clinical study, for the 7 newly diagnosed breast cancer patients, Al18F-HER2-BCH depicted more primary lesions than 18F-FDG (9 vs 6), with higher tumor/breast (T/B) ratio (17.9±13.2 vs 5.4±3.4, p<0.05). And Al18F-HER2-BCH detected more metastatic lymph nodes than 18F-FDG (20 vs 7) with higher uptake (SUVmax, 6.42±3.84 vs 5.1±1.06). For the 7 relapsed metastatic patients, Al18F-HER2-BCH presented better metastases detection ability than 18F-FDG (93 vs 45), especially lymph node (39 vs 23), bone (39 vs 21), and liver metastases (30 vs 3). Compared with 18F-FDG, Al18F-HER2-BCH upstaged 5/7 newly diagnosed breast cancer patients and detected more distant metastases in 4/7 relapsed patients.Conclusions The ﬁndings described here demonstrated that Al18F-HER2-BCH had high affinity and target specificity, and it was feasible to detect HER2-positive lesions in primary and metastatic breast cancer patients.
Local Knowledge of Utilisation and Threats Patterns of Termites around Pendjari Biosphere Reserve, West – Africa
Authors: Gbeffe Alain Kpèdékpo , Houehanou Thierry D. , Adesina Francis A. , Onilude Musiliudeen A. , Houinato Marcel B. R.
Published: October 2021

Background: Termites are social insects filling many ecological functions and ecosystem services in tropical ecosystems, and are also used differently for human well-being in several parts of the world. Documenting their use knowledge and associated threats are fundamental for their sustainability. Thus, this study aimed at analysing use knowledge patterns and threat factors of termites within the local communities around Pendjari biosphere reserve (PBR). Methods: Semi-structured questionnaire was administrated to 151 informants to collect socio-demographic data, use-types and use-categories of termites and their threat factor levels. Fidelity indexes, informant diversity and equitability indexes were computed and compared regarding socio-demographic traits by using a generalized linear models. A pairwise ranking of threat factors followed by series of ordinal logistic regression were performed to assess how informants’ socio – demographic traits do influence the perceived effect of threats on termite species. The statistical analyses were done by using R programming language in Rstudio. Results: Twenty five use-types of termites and termite mounds were recorded. Ethnicity and gender have significant (P-value < 0.05) influence on the use knowledge pattern of termites, with Gourmantche and Berba the most knowledgeable ethnics of termite and termite mound uses, while women are more knowledgeable than men. Ethnicity and age category have significant (P-value < 0.05) influence on perceived threats of agricultural activities and bush fire, while the reported global use values and age category have significant (P-value < 0.05) influence on the perceived threat of climate change on termites. Old informants are likely to perceive the influence of bushfire, agricultural activities and climate change threats than adult and young informants. Berbas are likely to perceive the influence of agricultural activities and bushfire threats than Gourmantche, Waama and other ethnics. Conclusion: The findings were therefore supported by gender, age and dynamic of knowledge hypothesis, with gender and ethnicity, the two factors that have significant influence on the uses’ diversity and use knowledge pattern of termite and termite mounds. Thus, the sustainable management of termites will be achieved by sensitizing indigenous communities to adopt sustainable agricultural practices associated with the creation of alternative activities to reduce pressure on termites.
Chronic heat stress promotes liver inflammation in broilers via enhancing NF-κB and NLRP3 signaling pathway
Authors: Liu Yi-Lei , Ding Kang-Ning , Shen Xing-Ling , Liu Han-Xiao , Zhang Yi-An , Liu Yu-Qing , He Yong-Ming , Tang Lu-Ping
Published: October 2021

Background The study was to investigate the effects of chronic heat stress on liver inflammatory injury and its potential mechanisms in broilers. Chickens were randomly assigned to 1-week control group (Control 1), 1-week heat stress group (HS1), 2-week control group (Control 2), and a 2-week heat stress group (HS2) with 15 replicates per group. Broilers in heat stress groups exposed to heat stress (35 ± 2°C) for 8 h/d with 7 or 14 consecutive days. Growth performance and liver inflammation injury were examined for the analysis of liver injury.ResultsThe results showed that heat stress decreased the growth performance, showed obvious blutpunkte, lowered liver weight and liver index, which resulted in significant liver damage of broilers. Both the gene and protein expressions of HSP70, TLR4 and NF-κB in the liver were significantly enhanced by heat stress. Furthermore, heat stress obviously enhanced IL-6, TNF-α, NF-κB P65, IκB and their phosphorylated proteins expressions in the liver of broilers. In addition, heat stress promoted the activation of NLRP3 with increased NLRP3, caspase-1 and IL-1β. ConclusionsThese results suggested that heat stress can cause the liver inflammation via activation of TLR4-NF-κB and NLRP3 signaling pathway in broilers.
Structural evaluation of a composite centrifugal rotor
Authors: Draghici Sorin
Published: October 2021

The steady increase in the use of composites has brought benefits in many areas. Polymer Matrix Composite (PMC) is a material consisting polymer (resin) matrix combined with a fibrous reinforcing dispersed phase. Polymer Matrix Composites are very popular due to their low cost and simple fabrication methods. This paper aims to validate thru finite element method the structural integrity of a composite gas turbine rotor and establish its benefits and disadvantages compared to a steel alternative. Composites provide the advantages of lower weight, greater strength and higher stiffness and the advantage of prepreg technology.
Strategic approaches to the formation of professional image of specialists in the conditions of implementation of the model of water transport companies development
Authors: DIMOGLOVA OLGA
Published: October 2021

Strategic approaches to the professional image formation of water transport professionals should be considered using a defined model of economic development for water transport companies, followed by a description of the recommended measures. The algorithm of transport company development model, as a rule, has its economic sectoral features where the company operates. However, in this approach, important elements of the participation of human resources in the implementation of the company development strategy, which, in particular, suggest possible variations of combinations of managerial decisions. Thus, the transport industry is no exception. The authors of the article propose the procedure and main stages in the strategy development for the professional image formation in terms of introduction of the model of water transport companies development, and introduce new definition of the concept "strategic role of professional image in the model of water transport companies development " and use it as a tool for internal analysis of transport company as a significant complement to the definition of the term "transport company development strategy". The existing experience of research on the problems of professional image influence on the final results of activity in the maritime industry companies taking into account differences of transport services are considered in the article. It is clarified that the analysis of the market in which the transport company operates is determined by the definition of the company's field of activity, research of competitors in this field, strategic assets and strategic competence. Considering that the strategy of transport company development is the mutualism of the main goals of the company and the system of management decisions, the authors of the research have identified the main stages of strategic analysis of the transport company activity, the main ways and requirements for the acquisition of strategic competence.
Diet Quality and Performance of Heifers in the Subtropics
Authors: Williams Mimi J. , Chase Chadwick C. , Hammond Andrew C.
Published: October 2021

The effects of continuous vs. rotational stocking of bahiagrass (Paspalum notatum Flugge), previous winter nutritional regimen {corn (Zea mays L.) + soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] meal (CS) vs. soybean meal (SBM)}, and breed [Angus, Hereford, and Senepol (Bos taurus) and Brahman (B. indicus)] were determined in 1990 to 1992. Forage mass [kg ha−1 dry matter (DM)], forage nutritive value [crude protein (CP) and in vitro organic matter digestibility (IVOMD)], average daily gain (ADG), body weight (BW), body condition score (BCS), and plasma urea N (PUN) and glucose (PGLU) were measured. There was a consistent carryover effect (P < 0.05) of winter supplementation for initial BW and BCS, with CS > SBM while for PUN, SBM > CS. Breed affected most animal variables, with the general ranking of Angus ≤ Hereford ≤ Brahman and Senepol. Forage mass varied from an average of 1000 kg ha−1 in 1990 to 2000 kg ha−1 in 1992 because of rainfall distribution. Grazing treatment did not affect forage DM, CP, or IVOMD, but heifers that were continuously grazed had higher (P = 0.0001) PUN levels than heifers that were rotationally grazed. Only during 1990, when dry weather restricted forage growth, did this translate into a trend for improved ADG and final BW. Because grazing management did not affect heifer performance in most years, the effects noted in this study resulted from: (i) the change in forage nutritive value during the grazing season; (ii) the carryover effect of previous winter supplementation; and (iii) breed differences, particularly temperate vs. tropical breeds.