bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Clinical, functional and inflammatory evaluation in asthmatic patients after a simple short-term educational program: a randomized trial
Authors: Felix Soraia Nogueira , Agondi Rosana Camara , Aun Marcelo Vivolo , Olivo Clarice Rosa , de Almeida Francine Maria , Amorim Thais Santos , Cezario Julia Caroline , Junior Pedro Giavina-Bianchi , Tiberio Iolanda de Fátima Lopes Calvo , Martins Milton de Arruda , Romanholo Beatriz Mangueira Saraiva
Published: April 2021

This study aimed to evaluate the clinical evolution, functional parameters and inflammatory activity of asthma in patients who submitted to an educational intervention. 58 adult patients over 18 years of age with partly controlled and uncontrolled asthma were randomized into an intervention group (IG) (N = 32) and a control group (CG) (N = 26) and evaluated for 12 weeks. The Asthma Control Test (ACT), Asthma Control Questionnaire (ACQ), Asthma Quality Life Questionnaire (AQLQ) and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) questionnaires were applied. Spirometry, exhaled nitric oxide (NO), exhaled breath condensate (EBC) and induced sputum (IS), measurement of the peak flow and symptoms were performed. The IG patients received an educational activity for 30 minutes applied by a nurse. Statistical analysis: analysis of variance with repeated intragroup measures. IG presented a decreased number of eosinophils in IS and IL-17A in EBC, an increase in the percentage of FEV1 after bronchodilatation and an improvement in quality of life compared to the CG. There was an improvement in depression levels and a decrease in IL-4 and IL-5 in the IS and in the EBC in the IG compared to the CG. Our results suggest that an educational intervention can bring benefits concerning the control of inflammation, lung function alterations, quality of life and levels of depression in asthmatic patients. Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov; NCT03655392.
Drivers of Wetland Utilisation Patterns and The Current Status of Provisioning and Cultural Services In Driefontein and Intunjambili Wetlands, Zimbabwe
Authors: Musasa Tatenda , Marambanyika Thomas
Published: April 2021

The study assesses drivers of wetland utilisation patterns and the current status of provisioning and cultural services in Driefontein and Intunjambili wetlands, Zimbabwe. A total of 280 questionnaires were administered together with semi-structured interviews conducted with key informants in the two wetlands. Qualitative data obtained through the questionnaire survey and key informant interviews were analyzed using the content analysis method. The majority of the households in Driefontein (86%) and Intunjambili (75%) indicated that there is no change in wetland utilisation patterns over the past decade as horticultural activities remain the predominant activity. Most households (90%) in Intunjambili indicated that the availability of water is the major factor influencing wetland use. This was different from Driefontein where market availability for horticultural products (66%) was the main reason for wetland use. Land use land cover (LULC) changes established through analysis of remotely sensed imagery for the years 1999, 2009 and 2019 indicate an increase in the spatial extent of the cultivated area, bare land and a decrease in the area covered by water. Results also show that the two wetlands are providing water for drinking and crop cultivation, pasture for livestock grazing and opportunities for academic incursions. Overall, the two wetlands provide essential provisioning and cultural services hence the need for wise use and proper management to prevent their degradation and possibly loss of human benefits.
Evaluating a New Verbal Working Memory-balance Program: a Double-blind, Randomized Controlled Trial Study on Iranian Children With Dyslexia
Authors: Ramezani Mehdi , Behzadipour Saeed , Pourghayoomi Ehsan , Joghataei Mohammad Taghi , Shirazi Elham , Fawcett Angela
Published: April 2021

Background: It is important to improve verbal Working Memory (WM) in reading disability, as it is a key factor in learning. There are commercial verbal WM training programs, which have some short-term effects only on the verbal WM capacity, not reading. However, because of some weaknesses in current verbal WM training programs, researchers suggested designing and developing newly structured programs that particularly target educational functions such as reading skills. In the current double-blind randomized clinical trial study, we have designed a new Verbal Working Memory-Balance (VWM-B) program, and a portable robotic device was adopted and developed to perform the program. The short-term effects of the VWM-B program on verbal WM capacity, reading skills, and postural control were investigated in Iranian children with Developmental Dyslexia (DD).Results: In the present study, 29 children with DD, 7 to 10 years old, were randomly assigned to control and intervention groups. Both groups received five weeks of training by the VWM- program (as a traditional verbal WM training) and VWM-B program, respectively. A separate 2×2 mixed ANOVA, with a between-subjects factor 'group' and within-subjects factor 'time', was used to verify the main effects of the training programs on the measured functions. The time×group interaction was significant for outcomes of the verbal WM, reading skills, and postural control.Conclusions: The VWM-B program was found to be more effective than the VWM-program in the improvement of functions. We proposed that the automatized postural control resulting from VWM-B training probably had a positive impact on improving measured cognitive functions. Based on the critical role of the cerebellum in automatizing skills, our findings support the cerebellar deficit theory in dyslexia.Trial registration: This trial was (retrospectively) registered on 8 February 2018 with the Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials (IRCT20171219037953N1).
Engineering Laboratory/Factory-Specific Phage-Resistant Strains Of Escherichia Coli By Mutagenesis And Selection
Authors: Xue Ya-Ping , Shen Qi , Zhou Xiao-Ting , Guo Qian , Zheng Yu-Guo
Published: April 2021

Objective: The phage contamination is always a serious problem during operation of Escherichia coli (E. coli). The present study aims to engineer laboratory/factory phage-resistant strains of E. coli based on mutagenesis and selection.Results: The laboratory or factory derived phage was added into a tube containing mutagenized E. coli, resulted in achieving respective phage-resistant E. coli strain. Interestingly, the resistance spectrum of generated phage-resistant strains was not limited to the phage they encountered, which may make these E. coli mutants more resistant to phage contamination. When operation of a resistant strain at the position where the corresponding phage derived from, the phage contamination was completely prevented. There was no significant difference in heterogeneous protein production between the parental strain and the phage-resistant strains. Importantly, the whole process of mutagenesis and selection only required one day.Conclusions: This practical method for engineering laboratory/factory-specific phage-resistant strains may have great potential in resuming E. coli operation in laboratory and factory when the phage contamination outbreaks.
UK Children’s Sleep and Anxiety During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Knowland Victoria CP , Rijn Elaine , Gaskell M. Gareth , Henderson Lisa
Published: April 2021

Background: Sleep and mental wellbeing are intimately linked. This relationship is particularly important to understand as it emerges over childhood. Here we take the opportunity that the COVID-19 pandemic, and resulting lockdown in the UK, presented to study sleep-related behaviour and anxiety in school-aged children.Method: Parents and children were asked to complete questionnaires towards the start of the UK lockdown in April-to-May of 2020, then again in August of that year (when many of the restrictions had been lifted). We explored children’s emotional responses to the pandemic, daytime behaviours and sleep patterns at both time points, with responses from both parents and children themselves.Results: Children’s bedtime anxiety increased at the start of the lockdown as compared to a typical week; however, by August, bedtime anxiety had decreased along with children’s COVID-19 related anxiety. Bedtime anxiety predicted how long it took children to fall asleep at night at both time points. Bedtime and wake-up time shifted at the onset of lockdown, but interestingly total sleep time was resilient (likely owing to an absence of early school start times) and was not predicted by child anxiety.Conclusions: These findings further support calls for sleep quality (e.g., time taken to fall asleep) to be taken as a key indicator of mental health in children, particularly under normal circumstances when schools are open and sleep duration may be less resilient.
Increasing Intrinsic Hyaluronic Acid and Down-regulation of Inflammation Markers in Synovial Fluid from Patients with Knee Osteoarthritis may be Associated with Symptom Relief after Intra-articular Injection of Hyaluronic Acid
Authors: Yeh Jih-Hsi , Ko Po-Yen , Shao Chung-Jung , Wu Kuo-Chen , Chern Tai-Chang , Yen Cheng-Yo , Jou I-Ming
Published: April 2021

Background: Hyaluronic acid (HA) is the most common intra-articular therapy used to treat mild to moderate osteoarthritis (OA). However, the mechanism involved in this treatment is still not fully understood. The aim of the present study was to examine the effect and the possible mechanism of intra-articular HA (IAHA) injection in patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA).Methods: Twenty-eight patients with Kellgren–Lawrence scale II to III were enrolled in this study. All patients underwent ultrasound-guided injection using three consecutive weekly IAHA. Functional ability and pain were determined by the Western Ontario and McMaster University Index (WOMAC) questionnaire and visual analog scale (VAS). Further, the levels of HA, metalloproteinase (MMP)-1, MMP-3, MMP-13, interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-6 in synovial fluid were determined weekly before HA injection. Results: Functional improvement and pain relief were observed 4 weeks after treatment. At week 4, a significant increase of HA concentration was found, and the concentration of inflammatory cytokines including IL-1β, and IL-6, as well as matrix MMP-3 and MMP-13 significantly decreased. However, no significant difference was observed in MMP-1 level. Conclusion: These results suggest that increasing HA accumulation in synovial fluid may be associated with disease relief after weekly IAHA injection in patients with knee OA.
GNRH1 and LTB4R Might Be Novel Immune-Related Prognostic Biomarkers in Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma (ccRCC)
Authors: Wu Hua-Hui , Yan Xin , Chen Zhao , Du Guo-Wei , Bai Xiao-Jie , Tuoheti Kurerban , Liu TongZu
Published: April 2021

Background: Clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) occupied most of renal cell carcinoma (RCC), which associated with poor prognosis. The purpose of this study is to screen novel and prognostic biomarkers for patients with ccRCC. Methods and Results: Firstly, Gene Expression Omnibus database was used to collect microarray data for weighted gene co-expression network construction. Gene modules related to prognosis which interest us most were picked out. 90 hub genes were further chosen in the key modules, two of which including GNRH1 and LTB4R were screened and validated as immune-related prognostic biomarkers. Several methods including survival analysis, spearman correlation analysis, HPA, One-way ANOVA and ROC analysis were used for the validation of immune-related prognostic biomarkers. We further explored the relationship between immune-related prognostic biomarker expressions and immunocytes. Finally, gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) demonstrated that the two immune-related prognostic biomarkers were significantly correlated with cell cycle. Conclusions: Generally speaking, the present study has identified two novel prognostic biomarkers for patients with ccRCC, which showed strong correlation with prognosis of patients with ccRCC, could further be used as potential prognostic biomarkers in ccRCC.
A Novel Lane Line Detection Based on Multi-feature Fusion and Windows Searching
Authors: Cai Chuangxin , Gao Shangbing , Pan Zhigeng , Zheng Hao , Huang Zihe
Published: April 2021

Lane detection embedded in intelligent vehicles can greatly improve the security of automatic driving. This work offers a new approach towards lane detection in the video in real-time combining multi-feature fusion and window searching. As the pre-procession, polygon filling is adopted to locate ROI (Region of Interest) in the video frames, which contain the lane-lines to be detected. To remove the backgrounds in the ROIs, we extract and fuse the features of color, histogram, and gradient of line lanes. Based on the density distribution of the pixels in the line lanes, the initial location is found by homography transformation. Then all candidate pixel points in the whole lane-line are extracted in the way of window searching. Finally, On the basis of the obtained lane-mark coordinates, a curve model is defined, and the model parameters are obtained by Least Square Estimation (LSE). Experimental results show the robustness and instantaneity of the proposed algorithm with the accuracy of 96% and the detecting time of only 20.7ms. In addition, lane-lines with misleading backdrops can also be detected such as yellow lane lines on the ground, shadow, bright light, lane-line defects and traffic light
Design and Performance Analysis of Low Pull – in Voltage RF MEMS Shunt Switch for Millimeterwave Therapy, IoT and 5G Applications
Authors: k Srinivasa rao , Kumar P. Ashok , Srav Girija , Guha Koushik
Published: April 2021

Recent Advancements in the wireless communication systems utilizes miniaturized devices based on Micro – Electro – Mechanical System technology for present and future 5G wireless applications. Now a days, RF devices are utilizing the frequencies upto 30 GHz and a huge traffic in signal propagation occurs which leads to the slow data rate. In other hand, there is a huge spectrum available in the millimetre wave frequency range of 30 – 300 GHz. The millimetre wave spectrum is attractive for development of smart systems based on 5G technology. In this paper, A low pull – in voltage capacitive type RF MEMS switch is proposed to operate at the frequencies above 30 GHz. The switch is proposed with new iterative meandering technique where span length of each section in meanders differs and dependable with first section. A low pull – in voltage of 1.8V is achieved with large capacitance ratio of 63. The switch exhibits low insertion loss of -0.24 dB at 41 GHz and possess high isolation of -46.7 dB at 38 GHz. The design is validated by comparing the theoretical and simulated results and the switch can be efficiently utilized for millimeterwave applications.
Physiological and Transcriptome Analysis Reveals the Differences in Nitrate Content Between Lamina and Midrib of Flue-Cured Tobacco
Authors: Feng Yuqing , Zhao Yuanyuan , Li Yafei , Zhou Jun , Li Yujing , Shi Hongzhi
Published: April 2021

Nitrate is an important precursor of tobacco-specific nitrosamines (TSNAs) and remarkable difference in nitrate accumulation between lamina and midrib of flue-cured tobacco has long been observed. However, the physiological and molecular mechanisms underpinning this difference remain poorly understood. In this study, physiological and genetic factors impacting nitrate accumulation were identified in pot experiments using flue-cured tobacco K326 with contrasting nitrate content between lamina and midrib. The results showed that three times higher of NO3-N content was observed in midrib than that in lamina, along with lower pigment, NH4-N content, NRA, SSA and GSA in midrib. Transcriptome analysis revealed that expression of genes involved in porphyrin and chlorophyll metabolism, carotenoid biosynthesis, photosynthesis-antenna proteins, photosynthesis, carbon fixation in photosynthetic organisms, starch and sucrose metabolism, nitrogen metabolism and biosynthesis of amino acids were significantly lower in midrib than in lamina. qRT-PCR results showed that the expression level of nitrate transporter genes LOC107782967, LOC107806749, LOC107775674, LOC107829632, LOC107799198, LOC107768465 decreased by 2.74, 1.81, 49.5, 3.5, 2.64 and 2.96 folds while LOC107789301 increased by 8.23 folds in midrib but not in lamina. Reduced chlorophyll content might result in low carbohydrate formation which is the source of energy and carbon skeleton supply, then the low capacity of nitrogen reduction, assimilation and transportation, and the poor ability of nitrate reallocation but high capacity of accumulation might lead to nitrate accumulation in midrib. The results laid the foundation for reducing nitrate content and TSNA formation in tobacco midribs and their products.
Acute Percheron Infarction: A Precision Learning
Authors: Zhang Bei , Wang Xiaoxun , Chen Gang , Wang Jiping
Published: April 2021

Background: So far, the diagnosis of acute AOP infarction is uncommon. The purpose of our study was to characterize the relationship between the imaging spectrum of acute AOP infarction and its clinical manifestations and prognosis on the basis of 23 cases.Methods: A total of 23 patients with acute AOP infarction in our institution from 2014 to 2019 were reviewed retrospectively. All cases were evaluated with computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), detailed clinical and evaluated prognosis used a modified Rankin scale (mRs), blood studies, electrocardiogram and transthoracic echocardiography. All standard risk factors were recorded in these patients. mRs scores 90 days after discharge. Results: We identified 4 various patterns of acute AOP infarction: (1) bilateral paramedian thalamic infarction (BPTI, 52%), (2) bilateral paramedian thalamic with rostral midbrain infarction (BPTRMI, 30%), (3) bilateral paramedian and anterior thalamic infarction (BPATI, 13%), and (4) bilateral paramedian thalamic with red nuclei infarction (BPTRNI, 4%). These patients had consciousness disorder, memory dysfunctions, vertical gaze paresis, mesencephalothalamic syndrome and so on. The 65% patients with BPTI and BPATI who experienced a good functional recovery and could carry out daily life activities (mRS score ≤ 2). However, patients with BPTRMI who have an unfavorable outcome.Conclusion: Although the clinical feature of patients with AOP infarction is variable, DWI or ADC map can improve the diagnosis of acute AOP infarction patterns. Acute AOP occlusion requires immediate diagnosis and treatment initiation for a more favorable outcome and additional unnecessary procedures.
A Comparative Study for Two Solid Waste Management Scenarios Based on Economic Cost and Sustainability Indicators
Authors: Vazquez Elaine , Souza Alice , Najjar Mohammad K , Hammad Ahmed W A , Haddad Assed N
Published: April 2021

The authors have requested that this preprint be removed from Research Square.
SLAM – DATMO Method for an Autonomous Vehicles
Authors: D Prem Raja , V Vasudevan
Published: April 2021

Automated automobiles navigate US highways and many different countries round the world. Current question is about AVs revolve round whether or not such applied sciences have to or need to be implemented; they are already with us. Rather, such questions are more and more established on how such utilized sciences will have an impact on evolving transportation systems. More importantly, how will mobility itself exchange as these impartial operational automobiles first share and then dominate our roadways? How will the public be saved apprised of their evolving capacities? We seem right here to tackle these problems and to furnish some recommendations for the issues that are presently emerging.
The Impact of Lymph Node Dissection on Survival in Intermediate- and High-Risk Prostate Cancer: A Population-Based Study
Authors: Zhou Zhen , Xin Shi-Yong , Zhai Ting-Shuai , Jin Liang , Liu Xiang , Zhang Jia-Xin , Sun Xian-Chao , Mei Wang-Li , Zhang Bi-Hui , Yao Xu-Dong , Ye Lin
Published: April 2021

Objective Aimed to evaluate the therapeutic effect of pelvic lymph node dissection (PLND) on survival and determine the predictors of lymph node involvement (LNI) in patients with intermediate- or high-risk prostate cancer (PCa) treated with Radical Prostatectomy (RP).Methods 75,583 patients undergoing RP with or without PLND between 2010 and 2016 were extracted from the Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results database. We performed 1:1 propensity score matching due to potential differences according to the 2 cohorts. Cox regression models (CRMs) were used to test the effect of PLND on overall mortality (OM) and cancer-specific mortality (CSM). Logistic regression analysis was used to investigate the predictors of LNI.Results The propensity-score-matched cohort includes 52,314 patients with or without PLND. Kaplan Meier analysis confirmed that patients receiving PLND had a poorer prognosis than those without PLND (P<0.05). But the multivariable CRMs after adjustment showed that PLND was not an independent predictor for OM and CSM (P>0.05). According to multivariable CRMs, patients with locally advanced PCa in whom PLND was performed had higher OM (HR 1.67, CI 1.36-2.06) and CSM (HR 2.26, CI 1.16-3.12) risks compared to patients without PLND (p < 0.001). Compared to patients with intermediate-risk PCa, there was a higher risk of LNI in patients with locally advanced PCa (OR 16.82, 95% CI 5.05-56.06, P<0.001).Conclusions In the intermediate- or high-risk localised PCa, there was no signiﬁcant difference in survival outcome in patients with or without PLND. Locally advanced PCa was significantly associated with LNI but can’t benefit from PLND.
Predictors of Histological Upgrading at Radical Prostatectomy in Patients With Localised Low-Grade Prostate Cancer and Pretreatment Biparametric MRI
Authors: Christiansen Ola , Bratt Ola , Kirkevold Øyvind , Benth Jūratė Šaltytė , Manoharan Pathmakulendran , Selnes Anders , Haug Erik Skaaheim , Slaaen Marit
Published: April 2021

Background

PSA density has previously been identified as a predictor of histological upgrading at radical prostatectomy in men eligible for active surveillance, but how information from pretreatment biparametric magnetic resonance imaging (bpMRI) contributes needs further clarification. The objective of this register-based study was to identify predictors of upgrading at prostatectomy in men with Gleason Grade (GG) group 1 and pretreatment bpMRI.
Methods

This study included all 130 men with GG 1 cancer who between March 2014 and September 2019 had a robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) at Innlandet Hospital Trust and a bpMRI before their diagnostic biopsy. The outcome measure was upgrading from GG 1 on biopsy to GG 2–5 in the radical prostatectomy specimen. Logistic regression models were used to explore predictors for upgrading. Odds ratios (ORs) and confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated. The association between PSA density and the probability of upgrading was assessed after stratifying by Prostate Imaging-Reporting and Data System and Reporting Datasystem (PI-RADS): PI-RADS 1–3 versus 4–5.
Results

Upgrading was present in 56% (73/130) of the cancers. PSA density was the only significant predictor for upgrading (OR = 1.7, 95% CI 1.2; 2.5). The probability of upgrading was higher for men with a PIRADS 1–3 than for men with PIRADS 4–5, but the difference was not statistically significant (adjusted OR 0.4, 95% CI 0.2; 1.1, p = 0.082). However, among men with PI-RADS 1–3, the probability gradually increased with increasing PSA density (p = 0.036). With PI-RADS 4–5 the probability of upgrading was high over the entire PSA density range.
Conclusion

PSA density is a clinically important factor to predict upgrading from GG 1 to GG 2–5 when bpMRI shows no suspicious lesion. In men with a suspicious tumour on bpMRI (PI-RADS 4–5), the probability of an undetected GG 2–5 cancer is high regardless of the PSA density.
A Case-Control Study of Factors Associated with SARS-CoV-2 Infection Among Healthcare Workers in Colombia.
Authors: Rodriguez-Lopez Merida , Parra Beatriz , Vergara Enrique , Rey Laura , Salcedo Mercedes , Arturo Gabriela , Alarcon Liliana , Holguin Jorge , Osorio Lyda
Published: April 2021

Background: Healthcare Workers (HCW) are repeatedly exposed to SARS-CoV-2 infection. The aim of this study was to identify factors associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection among HCW in one of the largest cities in Colombia. Methods: We conducted a case-control study, where cases had a positive reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and controls had a negative result. Participants were randomly selected and interviewed by phone. Analyses were performed using logistic regression models. Results: A total of 110 cases and 113 controls were included. Men (AdjOR 4.1 95%CI 1.7-10), Nurses (AdjOR 11.2 95%CI 1.1-119.6), not using a high-performance filtering mask (AdjOR 2.2 95%CI 1-5.1) and inadequate use of personal protective equipment (AdjOR 4.8 95%CI 1.1-19.6) were identified as risk factors. Conversely, graduate (AdjOR 0.1 95%CI 0.01-0.5) and postgraduate (AdjOR 0.05 95%CI 0.004-0.5) education, feeling scared or nervous (AdjOR 0.5 95%CI0.2-0.9), not wearing any of gloves, hat and googles/face shields (AdjOR 0.1 95%CI0.02-0.4), and the use of high-performance filtering or a combination of fabric plus surgical mask (AdjOR 0.2 95%CI 0.1-0.8) outside the workplace were protective factors. Conclusion: This study highlights the protection provided by high-performance filtering mask or double masking among HCW. Individual factors and the difficulties of wearing other protective equipment needs to be considered in designing, implementing and monitoring COVID-19 biosafety protocols for HCW.
Energy Optimization Approach in a Relay-assisted D2D Communication
Authors: ABDENNOUR Anouar BEN , Kabaou Mohamed Ouwais , Rhaimi Belgacem Chibani , Ali Amel Ben
Published: April 2021

In this paper, we are interested in the problem of radio resources management in order to optimize energy consumption in a D2D communication. This aims being able to meet the needs of all users and therefore the establishment a Quality of Services (QoS). We will propose an approach whose objective is to manage not only overcoming interference situations in order to guarantee QoS but also optimizing the energy consumption of various devices in the D2D communication.
Governance of Health Research in Four Eastern and Southern African Countries
Authors: Juma Pamela A , Jones Catherine M , Mijumbi-Dave Rhona , Wenham Clare , Masupe Tiny , Biemba Godfrey , Sobngwi Joelle , Mutombo Namuunda , Parkhurst Justin
Published: April 2021

Background: Health research governance is an essential function of national health research systems. Yet many African countries have not developed strong health research governance structures and processes. This paper presents a comparative analysis of national health research governance in Botswana, Kenya, Uganda, and Zambia where health sciences research production is well established relative to some others in the region, and continues to grow. It aims to examine progress made and challenges faced in strengthening health research governance in these countries.Methods: We collected data through document review and key informant interviews with a total of 80 participants including decision-makers, researchers, and funders across stakeholder institutions in the four countries. Data on health research governance were thematically coded for policies, legislation, regulation, and institutions and analyzed comparatively across the four national health research systems.Results: All countries were found to be moving from using a research governance framework set by national science, technology and innovation policies to one that is more anchored in health research structures and policies within the health sectors. Kenya and Zambia have adopted health research legislation and policies, while Botswana and Uganda are in the process of developing the same. National level health research coordination and regulation is still hampered by inadequate financial and human resource capacities, which present a challenge for building strong health research governance institutions.Conclusion: Building health research governance as a key pillar of national health research systems involve developing stronger governance institutions, strengthening health research legislation, increasing financing for governance processes, and improving human resource capacity in health research governance and management.
A Method for Evaluating the Formability of Tailor Rolled Blank (TRB) by Means of the Forming Limit Margin Field Graph in Forming Process
Authors: Cai Da , Ou Hang , Hu Ming , Li Guangyao , Cui Junjia
Published: April 2021

Tailor rolled blank (TRB) with graded thickness has shown great potential in the automobile field. Using traditional forming limit diagrams (FLDs) to evaluate TRB formability is challenging due to thickness variations. In this paper, a 3D forming limit surface (FLS) considering the influence of thickness was obtained. A numerical model was developed to predict final strains. Moreover, a forming margin was denoted and calculated to generate the forming limit margin field graph for quantitative evaluation of the TRB formability. Results showed that as the punch travel increased, the forming margin value decreased. As the travel changed from 35.2 mm to 37.4 mm, the corresponding forming margin value changed from 0.002 to -0.024. The formability declined, and the specimen eventually cracked on the thinner side. Besides, the deformation and strain paths predicted by simulation agreed well with those measured from formed part, which indicated that the final strains used in formability evaluation were reliable. The method was suitable for quantitative evaluation of the formability and predicting the cracking position in TRB forming.
Phonons and Quantum Criticality Revealed by Temperature Linear Resistivity in Twisted Double Bilayer Graphene
Authors: Chu Yanbang , Liu Le , Shen Cheng , Tian Jinpeng , Tang Jian , Zhao Yanchong , Liu Jieying , Yuan Yalong , Ji Yiru , Yang Rong , Watanabe Kenji , Taniguchi Takashi , Shi Dongxia , Wu Fengcheng , Yang Wei , Zhang Guangyu
Published: April 2021

Twisted double bilayer graphene (TDBG) is an electric-field-tunable moiré system, exhibiting electron correlated states and related temperature linear (T-linear) resistivity. The displacement field provides a new knob to in-situ tune the relative strength of electron interactions in TDBG, yielding not only a rich phase diagram but also the ability to investigate each phase individually. Here, we report a study of carrier density (n), displacement field (D) and twist angle (θ) dependence of T-linear resistivity in TDBG. For a large twist angle (θ > 1.5°) where correlated insulating states are absent, we observe a T-linear resistivity (order of 10Ω/K) over a wide range of carrier density and its slope decreases with increasing of n before reaching the van Hove singularity, in agreement with acoustic phonon scattering model. The slope of T-linear resistivity is non-monotonically dependent on displacement field, with a single peak structure closely connected to single-particle van Hove Singularity (vHS) in TDBG. For an optimal twist angle of ~ 1.23° in the presence of correlated states, the slope of T-linear resistivity is found maximum at the boundary of the correlated halo regime (order of 100Ω/K), resulting a ‘M’ shape displacement field dependence. The observation is beyond the phonon scattering model from single particle picture, and instead it suggests a strange metal behavior. We interpret the observation as a result of symmetry-breaking instability developed at quantum critical points where electron degeneracy changes. Our results demonstrate that TDBG is an ideal system to study the interplay between phonon and quantum criticality, and might help to map out the evolution of the order parameters for the ground states.
Active control of micrometer plasmon propagation in suspended graphene
Authors: Dai Qing , Hu Hai , Yu Renwen , Hu Debo , McLeod Alexander , Alonso-González Pablo , Guo Xiangdong , Teng Hanchao , Li Chan , Chen Na , Chen Xinzhong , Yao Ziheng , Qu Yunpeng , Li Zhongjun , Chen Jianing , Sun Zhipei , Liu Mengkun , de Abajo Javier Garcia , Yang Xiaoxia
Published: April 2021

Doped graphene supports ultrahigh-confined, low-loss, and tunable surface plasmons that hold great potential for developing infrared optoelectronic nanodevices with unprecedented capabilities. However, due to the two-dimensional character of this material, graphene plasmons have been invariably studied in supported samples so far. The substrate provides stability for graphene but often causes undesired interactions (such as dielectric loss, phonon hybridization, and impurity scattering) that compromise the quality of graphene plasmons, and limits intrinsic flexibility of the material. Here, we demonstrate the visualization of plasmons in suspended graphene at room temperature, exhibiting high-quality factor Q~33 and long propagation length >3 μm. Suspended graphene also provides an exceptional undisturbed plasmonic environment to exploit the behavior of the intrinsic flexibility under extrinsic modification. We introduce the graphene suspension height as a novel plasmonic tuning knob that enables in situ change of the dielectric environment and substantially modulates the plasmon wavelength, propagation length, and group velocity. Such active control of micrometer plasmon propagation facilitates near-unity-order modulation of nanoscale energy flow that serves a new plasmonic switch with an on-off ratio above 14. The suspended graphene plasmons possess long propagation length, high tunability, and controllable energy transmission simultaneously, opening up new horizons for their integration in practical photonic devices.
Variants Around miR-451 Can Affect the Risk of Large-artery Atherosclerosis Stroke in Chinese
Authors: Gu Jinyu , Tang Wuzhuang , Shen Chong , Li Zibao , Li Jie , Ren Zhanyun , Chen Feng , Zong Huihua , Wang Chao , Chen Wenchao , Li Yunzi , Li Yun , Zhang Zhizhong , Liu Xinfeng
Published: April 2021

Background: Ischemic stroke has high incidence rate, mortality rate and disability rate. Genetic factors have a significant impact on stroke risk. MicroRNAs are a class of small non-coding RNA. Intergenic variants can affect the regulation of microRNAs and modulate large-artery atherosclerosis stroke susceptibility. The low expression of miR-451 aggravated ischemic injury significantly.Methods: Functional intergenic variants near hsa-mir-451 were identified by bioinformatics analysis. We conducted a case-control study to explore the associations of selected variants with large-artery atherosclerosis stroke risk in Chinese.Results: The rs901975 (G>A) near hsa-mir-451 was identified as a functional SNP for stroke susceptibility. The protective effect of A allele was significant in codominant model (OR = 0.62, 95% CI = 0.44-0.89, P = 0.005), recessive model (OR = 0.65, 95% CI = 0.47-0.89, P = 0.006) and log-additive model (OR = 0.82, 95% CI = 0.71-0.96, P = 0.012). We also found the significant effect in participants over 65 years old, male, hypertensive and diabetic people. Moreover, hypertensive people genotyped as GG+GA had 2.84 - fold increased risk compared with those genotyped as AA without hypertension (P interaction = 0.036). In the MEGASTROKE Consortium, rs901975 A allele also had protective effect on LAA stroke in Europeans (OR = 0.937, 95% CI: 0.882-0.996, P = 0.036). Combined analysis of our study and MEGASTROKE showed consistent trend (OR = 0.920, 95% CI: 0.869-0.973, P = 0.004).Conclusions: Our study suggested that rs901975 near hsa-mir-451 might affect large-artery atherosclerosis stroke susceptibility in Chinese population.
Indigofera Tinctoria Leaf Powder As A Promising Additive To Improve Indigo Fermentation Prepared With Sukumo (Composted Polygonum Tinctorium Leaves)
Authors: Lopes Helena de Fátima Silva , Tu Zhihao , Sumi Hisako , Yumoto Isao
Published: April 2021

Being insoluble in the oxidize form, indigo dye must be solubilized by reduction for it to penetrate textile. One of the procedures is the reduction by natural bacterial fermentation. Sukumo, composted leaves of Polygonum tinctorium, is a natural source of indigo in Japan. Although sukumo has an intrinsic bacterial seed, the onset of indigo reduction with this material may vary greatly. Certain additives improve indigo fermentation. Here, we studied the effects of Indigofera tinctoria leaf powder (LP) on the initiation of indigo reduction, bacterial community, redox potential (ORP), and dyeing intensity in the initial stages and in aged fermentation fluids prepared with sukumo. I. tinctoria LP markedly decreased ORP at day 1 and stabilised it during early fermentation. These effects could be explained by the phytochemicals present in I. tinctoria LP that act as oxygen scavengers and electron mediators. Using next generation sequencing results, we observed differences in the bacterial community in sukumo fermentation treated with I. tinctoria LP, which was not influenced by the bacterial community in I. tinctoria LP per se. The concomitant decrease in Bacillaceae and increase in Proteinivoraceae at the onset of fermentation and the ratio of facultative to obligate anaerobes are vital to the for initiation and maintenance of indigo reduction. Hence, I. tinctoria LP improved early indigo reduction by decreasing the ORP and hasten the appropriate transitions in the bacterial community in sukumo fermentation.
Left Subclavian Artery Revascularization in Thoracic Endovascular Aortic Repair: Single Center’s Clinical Experiences From 171 Patients
Authors: Xie Wei , Xue Yunxing , Li Shuchun , Jin Min , Zhou Qing , Wang Dongjin
Published: April 2021

Background: Left subclavian artery revascularization (LSA) is frequently performed in the setting of thoracic endovascular repair (TEVAR). The purpose of this study was to compare different techniques for LSA revascularization during TEVAR.Methods: We performed a single center’s retrospective cohort study from 2016 to 2019. Patients were categorized by LSA revascularization methods, including direct coverage without revascularization (Unrevascularized), carotid-subclavian bypass (CSB), fenestrated TEVAR (F-TEVAR). Indications, demographics, operation details, and outcomes were analyzed using standard statistical analysis.Results: 171 patients underwent TEVAR with LSA coverage, 16.4% (n=28) were unrevascularized and the remaining patients underwent CSB (n=100 [58.5%]) or F-TEVAR (n=43 [25.1%]). Demographics were similar between the unrevascularized and revascularized groups, except for procedure urgent status (p = 0.005). The incidence of postoperative spinal cord ischemia was significantly higher between unrevascularized and revascularized group (10.7% vs 1.4%; p = 0.032). There was no difference in 30-day and mid-term rates of mortality, stroke, and left upper extremity ischemia. CSB was more likely time-consuming than F-TEVAR [3.25 (2.83 - 4) vs 2 (1.67 – 2.67) hours, p = 0], but there were no statistically significant differences in 30-day or midterm outcomes for CSB vs F-TEVAR. During a mean follow-up time of 24.8 months, estimates survival rates had no difference.Conclusions: LSA revascularization in zone 2 TEVAR is necessary which is associated with a low 30-day rate of spinal cord ischemia. When LSA revascularization is required during TEVAR, CSB and F-TEVAR are all safe and effective methods, and F-TEVAR appears to offer equivalent clinical outcomes as a less time-consuming and minimally invasive alternative.
Analysis of Parental Abnormal Chromosomal Karyotype and Subsequent Live Births in Chinese Couples With Recurrent Miscarriage
Authors: li shan , Chen Mei , Zheng Peng-Sheng
Published: April 2021

The frequency and distribution of chromosomal abnormalities and the impact of parental chromosomal aberration on the pregnancy outcomes of couples with recurrent miscarriage remains controversial. 3235 RM couples who experienced two or more miscarriages before 20 weeks were diagnosed in our tertiary referral hospital during 2008 to 2018 and included in the single-centre retrospective cohort study covering a 10-year period. Chromosome aberration was detected in 121 (3.74%) among 3235 RM couples which included 75 female and 46 male cases at an individual level. 101 cases were structural aberrations including balanced translocations in 46(38.0%) cases, Robertsonian translocations in 13(10.7%) cases, inversions in 42(34.7%) cases and 20(16.5%) cases were numerical aberrations. 121 carriers and 428 non-carriers were followed up for two years，55 carriers and 229 non-carriers were subsequent pregnant after diagnosis by natural conception or intrauterine insemination. The frequency of carriers to have a health newborn was not significantly different with non-carriers (72.7% vs. 71.2%, adjusted p=0.968). This study described the majority of carriers were balanced translocations and chromosome aberrations had a limited influence on live birth rate from the present data. The results of the study also remind us that natural conception may be also a good alternative rather than PGD (Pre-implantation Genetic Diagnosis) which is common in many other reproductive centers for such patients.
Local extinction of an isolated dugong population near Okinawa Island, Japan
Authors: Kayanne Hajime , Hara Takeshi , Arai Nobuaki , Yamano Hiroya , Matsuda Hiroyuki
Published: April 2021

A small animal population becomes extinct owing to demographic and environmental stochasticity after declining below the minimum viable population (MVP). However, the actual process of extinction derived by stochastic factors after crossing MVP has not been recorded for long-lived marine mammals. Here, we reconstructed the extinction history of a small, isolated population of dugongs in Okinawa over 125 years. The initial population size of 300 in the 19th century declined to 50 in 1916 (because of overfishing), 20 in 1979, 10 in 1999, 3 after 2006, and finally extinct in 2019. After 1979, a decline in the natural growth rate for only 20 individuals led to extinction. Long-lived animals fall below the MVP; thus, active conservation measures should have been taken much sooner than when the actual extinction happened.
Does Health Service Funding Go Where the Need Is? A Prototype Spatial Access Analysis for New Urban Contracts Data
Authors: Koschinsky Julia , Marwell Nicole , Mansour Raed
Published: April 2021

Background Much of spatial access research measures the proximity to health service locations. We advance this research by focusing on whether health service funding is within walkable reach of neighborhoods with high hardship. This is made possible by a new administrative data source: financial contracts data for those human services that are delivered by nonprofits under contract with the government. Methods In a prototypical spatial access study we apply a classic 2-step floating area catchment model for walkable network access to analyze 2018 data about contracted nonprofit health services funded by the Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH). CDPH collected the data for the purpose of this study. Results We find that the common container approach of aggregating contract amounts by provider headquarter locations in a given area (ignoring satellite service sites) underestimates the share of funding that goes to Chicago neighborhoods with higher hardship. Once service sites and spatial access are taken into account, a larger share of CDPH funds was found to be within walkable reach of Chicago’s high hardship areas. This was followed by low hardship areas (which could be driven by more headquarter locations there that do serve areas throughout the city). Medium hardship areas trail both, perhaps warranting closer attention. We explore these results by program type and neighborhood with a spatial decision support system developed for the health department. Conclusions The typical approach for analyzing human service contracts based on headquarters is misleading -- in fact, we find that results are reversed when service sites and walkable access are taken into account. This prototype provides an alternative framework for avoiding these misleading results
Research on PIV Algorithm for Matching of Particle Images Based on Affine Transformation
Authors: Li Jia , TAN Da-Long , Zhao Fei , Yue Xiang-Ji
Published: April 2021

For the problems of distortion and rotation in the matching of particle images of turbulent motion, according to the nature of affine transformation, using log-polar coordinate transformation, the matching is achieved by performing correlation calculations on the image line by line, and developed a matching algorithm (Turbulent Particle Image Matching, abbreviation: TPIM) for particle image pairs with affine transformation and rigid body transformation: by moving the interpretation window, the algorithm is no longer restricted by displacements of particles; by setting the affine lines according to the angle of the image in the log-polar coordinate system and using the affine line as the matching unit, the decoupling of different transformation factors is realized; according to the characteristic of non-uniform sampling in log-polar coordinate transformation, based on the principle of not losing image information, by reasonably setting the image mask and the rate of sampling, establishing the image pyramid and the relative coordinate system, the algorithm complexity is reduced to about 15% of the original. The experimental results of various types of particle images show that the matching accuracy of the TPIM algorithm can reach more than 99%.
The association between XRCC3 rs1799794 polymorphism and cancer risk: a meta-analysis of 34 case-control studies
Authors: Liu Weiqing , Ma Shumin , Liang Lei , Kou Zhiyong , Zhang Hongbin , Yang Jun
Published: April 2021

Background: Studies on the XRCC3 rs1799794 polymorphism show that this polymorphism is involved in a variety of cancers, but its specific relationships or effects are not consistent. The purpose of this meta-analysis was to investigate the association between rs1799794 polymorphism and susceptibility to cancer. Methods: PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and Scopus were searched for eligible studies through June 11, 2019. All analyses were performed with Stata 14.0. Subgroup analyses were performed by cancer type, ethnicity, source of control, and detection method. A total of 37 studies with 23,537 cases and 30,649 controls were included in this meta-analysis. Results: XRCC3 rs1799794 increased cancer risk in the dominant model and heterozygous model (GG+AG vs. AA: odds ratio [OR] = 1.04, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.00–1.08, P = 0.051; AG vs. AA: OR = 1.05, 95% CI = 1.00–1.01, P = 0.015). The existence of rs1799794 increased the risk of breast cancer and thyroid cancer, but reduced the risk of ovarian cancer. In addition, rs1799794 increased the risk of cancer in the Caucasian population. Conclusion: This meta-analysis confirms that XRCC3 rs1799794 is related to cancer risk, especially increased risk for breast cancer and thyroid cancer and reduced risk for ovarian cancer. However, well-designed large-scale studies are required to further evaluate the results.