bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Preventing mood disorders associated with suicide-related behaviors among small- and medium-size enterprise workers in Japan
Authors: Fukushima Takaaki , Takashio Osamu , Kokaze Akatsuki , Sudo Hidetoshi , Yamada Mari , Kawai Hideaki , Uno Hiromitsu , Yoshida Tomohiro , Tosaka Yukari , Kawai Keita , Kamata Yukinori , Ono Yasuhiro , Oyama Yoshiko , Hirose Shunsuke , Iwanami Akira
Published: March 2021

Background: While the suicide rate in Japan has recently declined, it is still high from a global perspective. Recently, suicides related to unemployment caused by COVID-19 have increased. In addition, because of increases in karoshi and industrial accidents, mental health measures for workers have become an urgent issue. We previously conducted a study that tested whether screening for mood disorders, which were strongly associated with suicide-related behavior, helps prevent suicide in small and medium-size enterprise workers, where mental health support was insufficient. The current study builds on 2 the previous study’s findings that mental illness screening helps identify mood disorders and may provide a primary prevention method for suicide. Methods: A total of 1,411 consenting workers were surveyed using the Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI). A representative module of each disease item was extracted and analyzed. The Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression (CES-D), Bipolar Spectrum Diagnostic Scale (BSDS), Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale (LSAS-J), and the Sheehan Disability Scale (SDISS) were used as secondary assessments. We compared individuals with depression, bipolar disorder, dysthymia, and mood disorders with a control group. In addition, we conducted multivariate analyses to investigate items that identified individuals with depression, mood dysregulation, bipolar disorder, or all-inclusive mood disorders. Results The adjusted odds ratios in the anxiety disorders groups were 3.2 for panic disorder, 2.6 for social anxiety disorder, 2.1 for agoraphobia, and 1.8 for generalized anxiety disorder; 2.1 for obsessive compulsive disorders; and 2.8 for the bulimia nervosa group. These results show a significant correlation with mental illnesses that are referred to as neuroses in a conventional diagnosis. Conclusion: The study found that screening for anxiety disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorders and eating disorders contributes to preventing mood disorders among workers. We hope that our findings will indirectly contribute to preventing workers’ suicides.
Altered mRNA Expression Due to Rectum Perforation in a Porcine Model – A Pilot Study
Authors: Oikonomakis Ioannis , Brodin David , Hörer Tal M. , Skoog Per , Seilitz Jenny , Nilsson Kristofer F. , Meehan Adrian D. , Jansson Kjell
Published: March 2021

BackgroundAnastomotic leakage is the most serious and unwelcome complication in rectal surgery. It has a great impact on postoperative morbidity and mortality. In this pilot study changes of mRNA expression in blood were analyzed in an animal model designed to imitate anastomotic leakage.Materials and MethodsTwelve pigs were randomized into two groups. A control group and an experimental group, there an iatrogenic rectal perforation was performed. The changes in the mRNA expression were studied four hours after the perforation. Microarray analysis was performed using the Gene Chip whole porcine genome array.Results19 124 mRNA genes were investigated. Significantly increased levels of genes with a fold change (FC) over 2 were found, including 276 genes coding for an unknown protein and 48 mRNA coded for a known protein. Eleven of the genes which coded for a known protein were highly up-regulated with an FC >4.ConclusionEleven known genes were consistently up-regulated after the rectal perforation. These genes were mainly involved in inflammatory response, intracellular signaling and cell membrane regulation. Their corresponding proteins could potentially be clinical biomarkers of anastomotic leakage and should be evaluated in further clinical studies.
AtHDA15 Attenuates COP1 via Transcriptional Quiescence, Direct Binding, and Sub-Compartmentalization During Photomorphogenesis
Authors: Alinsug Malona Velasco , Deocaris Custer C.
Published: March 2021

Light is an essential environmental cue that determines the overall growth and development of plants. However, the molecular mechanisms underpinning the light signaling network are obscured by the epigenetic machinery where reversible acetylation and deacetylation play crucial roles in modulating light-regulated gene expression. In this paper, we demonstrate that HDA15 represses COP1, the master switch in the light signaling network, by deacetylation, protein interaction, and sub-compartmentalization. hda15 T-DNA mutant lines exhibited light hyposensitivity with significantly reduced HY5 and PIF3 transcript levels leading to long-hypocotyl phenotypes in the dark while its overexpression exhibited elevated HY5 transcripts and short hypocotyl phenotypes. In vivo and in vitro binding assays further show that HDA15 directly interacts with COP1 inside the nucleus modulating COP1’s repressive activities. Crossing hda15-t27 with cop1-4 mutants resulted in short-hypocotyl and dwarfed phenotypes, reminiscent of cop1-4 mutants suggesting COP1 is epistatic to HDA15. Although light signals the nucleocytoplasmic shuttling of HDA15, the presence of COP1 triggers its nuclear localization. A working model is presented elucidating the concerted interplay between HDA15 and COP1 under light and dark conditions.
Sustainable Chrome Tanning System Using Protein Based Product Developed from Leather Waste: Wealth from Waste
Authors: Kanagaraj James , Panda Rames Chandra , Prasanna Ramakrishnan
Published: March 2021

Chrome tanning is one of the popular tanning methods followed globally that generates considerable level of chromium pollution in the resulting effluent. The existing conventional chrome tanning system has to be modified to increase the exhaustion level of chromium in the tanning process. In the present investigation, a protein based product has been developed from raw trimming wastes and applied in chrome tanning process to enhance the exhaustion level of chromium. The experiment conducted using the product at the level of 6% exhibited chromium exhaustion at the level of 93% in the process. FT-IR analysis revealed the presence of peaks for various functional groups namely carboxylic acids, aldehyde, amide and hydroxyl groups for the high exhaust chrome tanning. The shrinkage temperature of the experimental leather was found to be more than 100 o C. Results of microscopic studies from SEM-EDX revealed that enhanced adsorption of chromium up to a level of 5.24 weight % containing chromium with atomic % 1.27 in the sample of 6% co-polymer. AFM images also show increase in adsorption of chromium with increased amount of co-polymer in the solution. Increased interactions between active sites of collagen-complex and chromium resulted into improved exhaustion of chromium as revealed from higher intensities of XRD images. CD spectra revealed that the addition of protein based product increased the ellipticity of the collagen in the experimental sample as compared to control sample. The crust leather showed improved colour, organoleptic and comparable strength properties of the experimental leather.
Measuring therapeutic engagement in acute mental health inpatient environments: the perspectives of service users and mental health nurses
Authors: Chambers Mary , McAndrew Sue , Nolan Fiona , Thomas Benjamin , Watts Paul , Kantaris Xenya
Published: March 2021

Background: A key component of caring for service users (SUs) in acute mental health inpatient environments is Therapeutic Engagement (TE). To that end, the Therapeutic Engagement Questionnaire (TEQ) was developed and validated. The TEQ measures TE between SUs and registered mental health nurses (RMHNs) from the perspective of both parties and can quantify and recognise how nurses engage with SUs and monitor this activity as well as its enhancement of SU care and recovery. The aim of this study was to explore the views of SUs and RMHNs in relation to the TEQ and how it could be adopted into clinical practice within an acute inpatient environment.Methods: As part of the validation stage of the development of the TEQ, the views of 628 SUs and 543 RMHNs were collected using a qualitative approach by way of free text at the end of the questionnaire. Two questions required free text response: – ‘what do you think of the TEQ?’, and ‘how can it be utilised?’Results: Following thematic analysis, it was found that both sets of participants stated that such a tool could be utilised to improve the service, could help nurses with reflective practice, be utilised as part of clinical supervision and to aid nurses’ professional development. The nurse participants also stated that such a tool would help track SU participation and enablement in their care. Furthermore, the nurses noted that the tool would help to reinforce the core ‘caring’ value of nursing and the overall goal of recovery. The SUs added that a TE tool would recognise the work of mental health nurses and provide them with a clear opportunity to express their views in relation to nursing staff.Conclusions: Therapeutic engagement (TE) has been identified as part of the repertoire of mental health nursing and both groups of participants identified how a tool to assess this construct may be utilised in day-to-day clinical practice to the benefit of each group.
Kinetic and Equilibrium Studies on the Zinc Adsorption-desorption Characteristics of Some Promising Biochars in Aqueous Solutions
Authors: Shahgoli Masoumeh Faryadi , Reyhanitabar Adel , Najafi Nosratollah , Oustan Shahin
Published: March 2021

The present research aimed at investigating zinc (Zn) sorption capacity of the biochars derived from apple wood (WB) and rice straw (RB) feedstocks at two 300 and 600°C pyrolysis temperatures (WB300, WB600, RB300 and RB600, respectively) in aqueous solutions. Kinetic and equilibrium sorption experiments were conducted via batch technique. In equilibrium adsorption experiments, the study used the concentration range of 5-200 mg Zn L− 1 and focused on the solution pH effect on Zn adsorption in biochars under the following conditions: unadjusted and adjusted pH (4 and 6) and three ionic strength levels (0.01, 0.03, 0.1 M KNO3). Zinc desorption experiments were conducted under all above mentioned conditions but without pH adjustment at five separate stages. Kinetic data analysis indicated that Zn adsorption in biochars reached the near steady state within 24 hours with the sorption rate order of WB300 < WB600 < RB300 < RB600. The best fitness was superior to both Elovich and exponential rate models. Also, Zn adsorption isotherms in the studied biochars were shown to fit quite well to Langmuir, Freundlich and Dubinin-Radushkevich models. Zn sorption maxima were found to be 4.3, 16.4, 17.9 and 33.3 mg g− 1, on average, for WB300, WB600, RB300, and RB600, respectively. The initial increased pH solution from 4 to 6 caused an increase in Zn adsorption in RB600, RB300 and WB600, however the sorption maxima in WB300 was detected at pH 4. The rise in solution ionic strength from 0.01 M to 0.1 M dropped the Zn adsorption capacity in all the studied biochars. Findings suggested that rice straw derived biochars showed a better performance than woody biochars in Zn sorption and retention from aqueous solutions. In addition, this ability increased with increasing pyrolysis temperature in both types of biochars. Finally, the study revealed that rice straw biochars, produced at high pyrolysis temperatures, can serve as economical and efficient absorbents for Zn removal from aqueous solutions.
Assessing the outcome of management of thyroid dysfunction in pregnancy with second affiliated hospital of Chongqing Medical University guideline.
Authors: Obiegbusi Samuel , Dong Xiao , Deng Mingyu , Obiegbusi Chidera , Yang Yin , Deng Xinru
Published: March 2021

Pregnancy comes with hormonal changes which, when not properly managed, could lead to complications. Thyroid hormone is one of the hormones that are affected during pregnancy, and it plays a significant role in pregnancy, from conception to delivery. In a bid to identify intended pregnant women and pregnant women with thyroid dysfunction, the Endocrinology Branch of Chinese Medical Association and Perinatal medicine branch of Chinese Medical Association set guidelines for diagnosis and treatment of thyroid diseases in pregnancy and postpartum women. The guideline recommends screening for all women who desire getting pregnant soon and pregnant women, which Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University is implementing. This study was carried out to Identify the common thyroid disease found among pregnant women in Chongqing, evaluate the effectiveness of the management guideline toward improving pregnancy outcome among women diagnosed with thyroid disease during their pregestational and gestational period, and ascertain the need for additional measures to be taken towards thyroid disease management during pregnancy in certain areas with unfavourable outcome. Our findings showed an association between maternal age and abortion among pregnant women diagnosed with subclinical hypothyroidism, P-0.018(OR 1.459, 95%CI 1.067–1.997) and significant difference in pregnant women who developed intrauterine growth restriction after being diagnosed with hypothyroidism in the second trimester, P-0.048(OR-0.152, 95%CI 0.024–0.981). There was also a significant difference in gravida, P-0.032(OR 1.368, 95%CI 1.028 1.821) and normal delivery mode, P-0.010(OR 2.521, 95%CI 1.246-5.100). The study shows a promising result as less complication is observed. However, more attention is needed toward managing subclinical hypothyroidism in pregnancy to curb abortion/miscarriage incidence. Hypothyroidism in second trimester could lead to intrauterine growth restriction. Multigravida increases the risk of complication among pregnant women with thyroid dysfunction.
Somatic genetics of CDR3 control TCR V-domain rotational probability and germline CDR2 scanning of polymorphic MHC
Authors: Murray Joseph
Published: March 2021

The mechanism which adapts the T-cell antigen receptor (TCR) within a given major histocompatibility complex (MHC/HLA) genotype is essential for protection against pathogens. Historically attributed to relative affinity, genetically vast TCRs are surprisingly focused towards a micromolar affinity for their respective peptide (p) plus MHC (pMHC) ligands. Thus, the somatic diversity of the TCR with respect to MHC-restriction, and (ultimately) to pathogens, remains enigmatic. Here, we derive a triple integral solution (from fixed geometry) for any given V domain in TCR bound to pMHC. Solved complexes involving HLA-DR and HLA-DQ, where genetic linkage to the TCR is most profound, were examined in detail. Certain V domains displayed rare geometry within this panel—specifying a restricted rotational probability/volumetric density (dV). Remarkably, hydrogen (H) bond charge-relays distinguished these structures from the others; suggesting that CDR3 binding chemistry dictates CDR2 contacts on the opposite MHC-II alpha helix. Together, these data suggest that TCR recapitulate dV and specialise target pMHC recognition, i.e., a dynamics alternative to a relative TCR-affinity based mechanism.
Optothermophoretic flipping method for biomolecule interaction enhancement in biosensing
Authors: Chen Jiajie , Zeng Youjun , Zhou Jie , Wang Xueliang , Miyan Ruibiao , Zhang Teliang , Sang Wei , Wang Ying , Qiu Haixia , Qu Junle , Ho Ho-Pui , Gao Bruce , Shao Yonghong , Gu Ying
Published: March 2021

The widely used surface-based biomolecule sensing scheme has greatly facilitated the investigation of protein-protein interactions in lab-on-a-chip microfluidic systems. However, in most biosensing schemes, the interactions are driven in a passive way: The overall sensing time and sensitivity are totally dependent on the Brownian diffusion process, which has greatly hindered their efficiency, especially at low concentration level or single-molecule analysis. To break this limitation, we developed an all-optical active method termed optothermophoretic flipping (OTF). The biomolecules were first enriched to aggregation and then pushed to their counterparts for effective contact via a flipped thermophoresis. As a proof-of-concept experiment, we tested its performance via antibody-antigen binding on a surface plasmon resonance imaging (SPRi) platform. We achieved 36.9-fold sensitivity enhancement in this first temporal modulated approach that manipulates biomolecules for interaction enhancement. This method promises to be widely adopted in various biosensing platforms that require ultrasensitivity in colloidal sciences and biochemical studies.
Effect of Inorganic Carbonate in Thermal Treatment of Mercury-contaminated Soil
Authors: cho kanghee , Kang Jinkyu , Kim Songbae , Purev Oyunbileg , Myung Eunji , Kim Hyunsoo , Choi Nagchoul
Published: March 2021

Thermal treatment of mercury (Hg)-contaminated soil was studied to investigate the desorption behavior of Hg at different temperatures. The soil samples were collected from two locations with different land uses around the mine and industrial site. The effect of soil properties such as inorganic carbonate minerals and organic matter content on Hg desorption was investigated to understand the thermal desorption process. The effect of soil composition on Hg desorption showed that behavior at 100 °C was similar, but different behavior could be found at 300 °C. The thermal desorption efficiency at 300 °C is affected by the thermal properties of soils and the Hg desorption capacity of the soils. The Hg from both soil types was removed above 300 °C, and Hg was effectively removed from mine soil due to the partial decomposition of carbonate in the soil composition, while industrial soil showed that desorption would be restrained by Hg organic matter complexes due to organic matter content. Despite a relatively higher concentration of Hg in the mine soil, Hg removal efficiency was greater than that in the industrial soil. Sequential extraction results showed that only the Hg fractions (residual fractions, F6) in mine soil changed, while the industrial soil was affected by changes in Hg fractions (F3 to F6) at 300 °C. Changes in soil pH during thermal desorption are also influenced by heating time and temperature. Therefore, the mechanisms of Hg desorption during thermal treatment were observed by soil properties. The volatilization of Hg in the soil is induced by organic carbon, while soil Hg release is controlled by organic matter complexes.
The Anatomical Correlates of Abstract and Concrete Words: A meta-analytical review of whole-brain imaging studies
Authors: Bucur Madalina , Papagno Costanza
Published: March 2021

Several studies have investigated how abstract and concrete concepts are processed in the brain, but data are controversial, in particular neuroimaging data contrast with clinical neuropsychological observations. A possible explanation could be that previous meta-analyses considered different types of stimuli (nouns, verbs, literal and figurative sentences). Using the ALE method, we meta-analyzed 32 brain-activation imaging studies that considered only words (nouns and verbs). Five clusters were associated with concrete words (the left superior occipital, middle temporal, parahippocampal and bilateral posterior cingulate, angular, and precuneus gyri); four clusters were associated with abstract words (left IFG, superior, and middle temporal gyri). When only nouns were considered three left activation clusters were associated with concrete stimuli and only one with abstract nouns (left IFG). These results confirm that concrete and abstract word processing involves at least partially segregated brain areas, the IFG being relevant for abstract nouns and verbs while more posterior temporo-parieto-occipital regions seem to be crucial for concrete words.
The Ribosomal Protein L28 Gene Is Involved in Sorafenib Resistance in Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Shi Yi , Wang Xiaojiang , Zhu Qiong , Chen Gang
Published: March 2021

Background: Sorafenib is the first molecular-targeted drug for the treatment of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, its treatment efficiency decreases after a short period of time because of the development of drug resistance. This study investigates the role of key genes in regulating sorafenib-resistance in hepatocellular carcinoma and elucidates the mechanism of drug resistance. Methods: The HCC HepG2 cells were used to generate a sorafenib-resistant cell model by culturing the cells in gradually increasing concentration of sorafenib. RNA microarray was applied to profile gene expression and screen key genes associated with sorafenib resistance. Specific targets were knockdown in sorafenib-resistant HepG2 cells for functional studies. The HCC model was established in ACI rats using Morris hepatoma3924A cells to validate selected genes associated with sorafenib resistance in vivo. Results: The HepG2 sorafenib-resistant cell model was successfully established. The IC50 of sorafenib was 9.988mM in HepG2 sorafenib-resistant cells. A total of 35 up-regulated genes were detected by expression profile chip. High-content screening technology was used and a potential drug-resistant gene RPL28 was filtered out. After knocking down of RPL28 in HepG2 sorafenib-resistant cells, the results of cell proliferation and apoptosis illustrated that RPL28 is the key drug-resistant gene in the cells. Furthermore, it was found that both RNA and protein expression of RPL28 increased in HepG2 sorafenib-resistant specimens of Morris Hepatoma rats. In addition, the expression of functional proteins Ki-67 increased in sorafenib-resistant cells. Conclusion: Our study suggested that RPL28 was a key gene for sorafenib resistance in HCC both in vitro and in vivo.
Pulmonary embolism and acute psychosis, a case report of an outpatient with a mild course of COVID-19
Authors: Makivic Nina , Stöllberger Claudia , Schauer Dominic , Bernhofer Laura , Pawelka Erich , Erfurth Andreas , Weidinger Franz
Published: March 2021

Introduction The increased risk for thromboembolism in hospitalized COVID-19 patients has been communicated extensively. The fact that home quarantined patients can develop pulmonary embolism, however, has so far not been reported. Furthermore, attention should be brought to psychotic developments in COVID-19 patients.Case Presentation We report a 46-year-old previously healthy patient with a mild course of COVID-19, who developed a massive pulmonary embolism with right heart strain while being home quarantined. He was hospitalized and anticoagulant therapy was started. Nine days after admission, the patient appeared increasingly psychotic and suffered from hallucinations as well as paranoid thoughts. After treatment with risperidone and valproate the patient’s condition improved. At a follow-up one month after discharge, he was completely recovered regarding the respiratory, cardiac and psychic situation.Conclusion SARS-CoV-2 infection cannot only increase the prevalence of thromboembolism in hospitalized patients, but also in outpatients. COVID-19 also increases the risk of developing psychiatric reactions.
Spatially restricted occurrence and low population abundance estimates as key tools for the conservation of the critically endangered large social antelope in West African savannah
Authors: Gueye Mallé , Brandlová Karolína , Rabeil Thomas , Diop Maniang Mamadou , Diop Babacar , Hejcmanová Pavla
Published: March 2021

The effective conservation of mammals on the brink of extinction requires an integrated socio-ecological approach, yet the updated ecological knowledge of species remains fundamental. This study brings spatiotemporal behaviour, population structure, age-specific survival rates, and population size estimate of the Western Derby eland (WDE) in the Niokolo Koba National Park (NKNP), Senegal, investigated during dry seasons 2017 and 2018. WDE was strongly localised in the core area of NKNP (< 5%), the most active during the hottest periods of the day, with a mean group size 7.6 ± SE 8.9. The adult sex ratio was female-biased and showed low annual adult male survival rates. The population consisted of high proportion of juveniles, whilst adults did not exceed 40%. The estimated population density was 0.138 WDE/km2 (± 0.0102) and estimated size 195 WDE in NKNP. Findings highlighted that the WDE population has potential to expand in the NKNP, due to an underutilized capacity. The age-specific vital rates indicate adult males as the most vulnerable; suggesting either an increase in the large predators’ population, livestock encroachment pressure, and/or poaching. Findings imply that targeted monitoring with science-based interpretation may bring forward strong conservation solutions to the protected area management decision-makers.
Optimized Intelligent Auto-Regressive Neural Network Model (ARNN) for Prediction of Non-Linear Exogenous Signals
Authors: Farhi Lubna , Yasir Agha
Published: March 2021

The paper presents a prediction of non-linear exogenous signal by
optimized intelligent auto-regressive neural network model (ARNN). A signal
comprises of two sets of data called deterministic and error. The former type
of data represents the degradation index of a signal, while the error is the
uncertainties associated with the signal. To understand and predict signals, a
intelligent approach is taken through the use of ARNN model. In this approach,
the rst step is to diagnose whether a time series signal is normally distributed
or not by utilizing the Jarque-Bera test. The high and low volatility data ele-
ments can be separated via kurtosis hypothesis. The deterministic component
of the signal is also predicted by developing a neural network based non-linear
autoregressive model (NN-NARX) and the error component by using a linear
model. The nal forecast is formed by combining the results determined from
each of the models and evaluated using the mean square error results. Vali-
dation of the prediction is obtained through a comparison of the results with
other models such as ARNN, traditional ARMX, and NARX models. The re-
sults show that the proposed model provides improved predictions, minimize
high dependence on design parameters with low computational cost.
A non-human primate model of familial Alzheimer’s disease for translational medicine
Authors: Sato Kenya , Sasaguri Hiiroki , Wakako Kumita , Kurotani Yoiko , Inoue Takeshi , Nagata Kennichi , Mihira Naomi , Sato Kaori , Sakuma Tetsushi , Yamamoto Takashi , Tagami Michihira , Ri-ichiroh Manabe , Ozaki Kokoro , Okazaki Yasushi , Saido Takaomi , Sasaki Erika
Published: March 2021

Aging is a primary risk factor of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), with the world-wide number of patients anticipated shortly to exceed 50 million. Despite extensive research efforts, no effective measures are available for its prevention or treatment due in part to a lack of human-like animal models. Here, we describe the generation of three mutant marmoset individuals in which exon 9 of the PSEN1 gene product is deleted (PSEN1-ΔE9); the ΔE9 mutations have been reported to cause early onset familial AD1-5. We used Transcription Activator-Like Effector Nuclease (TALEN) to delete the 3’ splice site of exon 9 in the marmoset PSEN1 gene; to this end, TALEN exhibits high genome-editing efficacy, generates few off-target effects, and produces minimal mosaicism. Indeed, whole genome sequencing and other analyses illustrated an inclusive absence of off-target effects and apparent absence of mosaicism. Fibroblasts obtained from newborns indicated occurrence of full-length presenilin 1 protein (PS1) caused by perturbation of PS1 endoproteolysis as well as an increased ratio of Aβ42/Aβ40 production, a signature of familial AD pathogenesis. To our knowledge, this is the first non-human primate model of familial AD. The model lines will be made available to the research community to facilitate the global fight against AD.
Tomato endophyte bacteria diversity under long-term organic agricultural manipulation systems
Authors: Zhang Zeyu , Zhan Yabin , Zhang Zengqiang , Liu Youzhou , Xu Ting , Wei Yuquan , Li Ji
Published: March 2021

Purpose: Differences were observed in both microbial structure and physicochemical properties were observed in the organic and conventional agricultural systems. However, very little is known about the diversity of endophytic bacterial communities in plants grown in separate manipulation systems. The goal of this work was to get a broader overview of the diversity and dynamics of the tomato endophytic bacteria in the different agricultural manipulation systems.Methods: The structure of endophyte bacterial communities under different growth periods (seeding stage, flowering stage, fruiting stage and harvesting stage), agricultural manipulation practices (organic and conventional systems) and organ-type (root or stem) were explored by using 16Sr RNA gene profiling in this study.Results: A total of 2,014,992 part 16 SRRNA gene sequences were obtained. These sequences revealed large-scale functional taxonomy units (OTUs). That is, there are 648 different OTUS in libraries, and 96 OTUs are common. Tomato endophytes consisted mainly of four phylloxera, of which Proteobacteria was the most represented, followed by Formigiotes, bacteriophages, Actinobacteria, Gamma proteobacteria, the most abundant class of proteobacteria, bacteriobacteria, and so on. Proteobacteria are low. General enterobacteriaceae, Vecella, Bacillus, Mesorizobium and Chrysobacterium were shared by all growth periods. Rich endophytic bacterial diversity was observed at the seedling stage (DI), and endophytic bacterial diversity at the flowering stage and fruiting stage was low. Significant difference in endophytic bacterial communities emerged from roots and different host biographical stages, and tomato exerts greater influence on endophyte bacteria compared to organ type (main) agricultural manipulation methods.Conclusions: Tomato endophyte microbiota have a distinct structure in different growth periods. Bacillus were enriched seeding stage and decreased in the fruiting stage while Mesorhizobium increased during in the fruiting stage. Tomato have distinct endosphere microbiota by comparing beta diversity of microbiota in different growth periods, compared with the manipulation resume and organ type. And a strong correlation was observed between the structure of the microbiota in the whole dataset and soil chemistry which indicated that the soil type and treatment affected the endosphere microbiota of tomato. Organ-type (niche) exert more influence on the tomato microbiota compared with manipulation treatments between organic-farming and conventional farming.
Design of Novel One Port SIW based Leaky Wave Antenna for Respiration Monitoring Applications
Authors: Sharma Manvinder , Singh Harjinder
Published: March 2021

Proper and real-time monitoring of the respiratory activity of a patient is very important because failure of respiratory activity is difficult to predict in advance and this can become life critical in just few minutes. The conventional body mounted sensors can also infect sensor as the virus can stay on surface which limits the reuse of sensors for many days. In this paper, different methods which are used for monitoring respiratory activity have been studied. Electromagnetic waves based method is accurate and feasible. In this paper, the work has been carried out taking SIW and Leaky Wave Antenna. Modeling of SIW Leaky wave Antenna is done by making C shaped Slots. A range of frequency is applied as input ranges from 7 GHz to 11 GHz to analyse parameters like 2D far field pattern, VSWR, s-parameters and radiation efficiency of the proposed antenna. The results shows antenna is directional which can be focused on bed of patient. Antenna has directional pattern of 9.52 dB and 3dB angular width 37.5° and radiation efficiency of 96%. Proposed Antenna is compared with Horn, Helical, Patch and Yagi Uda Antenna previously used for respiration monitoring in terms of size, gain and HPBW.
Microscopic peripheral malarial parasite detection and classification in blood smears using Gabor Filters and Machine learning algorithms
Authors: C Aravinda , Lin Meng , R Udaya Kumar Reddy K , G Amar Prabhu
Published: March 2021

Background: Malarial fever disease mainly caused by Plasmodium para-site that is infectious to red blood cells. Manual mode of blood cell counting is a tedious process, this leads to distressing method for diagnosis. This process’s mainly impacted on larger screening process.Introduction: The advanced stage of technology, computer aided detection and analysis of this malarial disease, based on Gabor Filters followed by the comparison of XG-Boost classiﬁer, Support Vector Machine and Neural Net-work Classiﬁer algorithms chosen as architecture of choice for recognition and classiﬁcation of these malarial blood cells.Objective: The goal of this paper is to slow down the complexity in model discrepancy’s, and bring it to more desirable robustness and generalization, through the model development which detects and classify the parasitized and uninfected blood cells in the given sample. Roughly 13750 parasitized and 13750 unparasitized samples was taken for experiments.Results: From the experiments the models such as S.V.M achieved 94% and XG-Boost achieved 90% neural network classiﬁer achieved 80% , out of these S.V.M performed good results in classifying and recognizing the parasitized and uninfected blood cells to increase the accuracy in decision making. Conclusion: The accomplishment of these M.L models, pretends these problems with less variance and obtained excellent results.
Pyridine based cross-linked chitosan: a biopolymer adsorbent for the green removal of toxic metals from water
Authors: Bisiriyu Ibraheem Olayiwola , Meijboom Reinout
Published: March 2021

Herein we report the green recovery of toxic metals [namely: Cd2+, Cr3+, Mn2+, Pb2+, and Ni2+] from water utilizing a biopolymer: 2,6-pyridine dicarboxylic acid cross-linked chitosan (PDC-CCS) as the adsorbent. Adsorption studies were performed at a previously determined optimum adsorption conditions for Cu(II) [i.e temperature = 30 ℃, pH of about 7.5, contact time = 60 mins and initial metal ion concentration of 2.5 mM]. At the RI-PB/def2-SVP level of theory, the Density Functional Theory (DFT) approach has been used to evaluate adsorption energy for metal ions. Selectivity studies were performed at pH 4.20, 5.56, 6.65 and 7.61. While Mn(II), Cd(II) and Ni(II) were strongly adsorbed at higher pH (7.5), Cr(III) and Pb(II) were seen to be strongly adsorbed at lower pH (around 4.0). Selectivity studies revealed that PDC-CCS can be utilized for simultaneous removal of the metals at pH 4.2; selective adsorption of Mn(II) at pH 5.56 as well as simultaneous-selective removal of Ni(II) and Mn(II) near neutral pH. The maximum adsorption limit of PDC-CCS for Mn(II), Cd(II) and Ni(II), were found to be 1258.79, 1118.70 and 829.62 mmol/g respectively. When compared with some relevant previously used adsorbent, PDC-CCS shows an exceptional adsorption capacity. Consequently, a successful biopolymer adsorbent for the treatment of water contaminated by hazardous metals.
LncRNA SNHG11 Promotes Temozolomide Resistance in Glioblastoma via Promoting MGMT Expression
Authors: Ji Tao , Lyu Xiao , You Yongping
Published: March 2021

Background

Acquired TMZ resistance is considered as the main reason for the poor prognosis of glioblastoma (GBM) patients. However, underlying mechanism remains unknown. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have emerged as important regulators in multiple biological processes.
Methods

SNHG11 expression in cells and GBM tissues was measured using qRT-PCR. In vitro studies, including CCK-8, colony formation assay, flow cytometry and western blot, were employed to measure the role of SNHG11. Interaction between miR-7-5p, SNHG11, and IRS2 was examined by dual luciferase reporter assay, as well as RNA binding protein immunoprecipitation (RIP) assay. CHIP assays were used to measure the role of SNHG11/miR-7-5p/IRS2 axis on modulating the H3K9 acetylation of MGMT.
Results

SNHG11 overexpression in GBM tissues contributes to TMZ resistance. In vitro and in vivo studies confirmed that SNHG11 promoted TMZ resistance in GBM cells. In addition, SNHG11 conferred TMZ resistance through increasing MGMT expression. Furthermore, SNHG11 could function as ceRNA by sponging miR-7-5p, which led to increased IRS2 expression. SNHG11/miR-7-5p/IRS2 axis increased MGMT expression by promoting the acetylation of H3K9 in MGMT promoter regions.
Conclusion

Taken together, our results revealed that targeting SNHG11 is a potential therapy to overcome TMZ resistance. And SNHG11 in GBM tissues is a potential biomarker for predicting response to TMZ.
A new opportunity for the emerging tellurium semiconductor: resistive switching device implementation
Authors: Yang Yifei , Xu Mingkun , Xu Lujie , Wang Xinxin , Liu Huan , Liu Yuanshuang , Pei Jing , Duan Wenrui , Liu Dameng , Li Huanglong
Published: March 2021

The electrochemical (EC) resistive switching (RS) cross-point arrays, composed of nonvolatile RS (NV-RS) memories and volatile RS (V-RS) selectors, hold promise for high-density data storage, in-memory computing and neuromorphic computing. However, the conventional EC-RS devices based on metallic filaments suffer from the notorious current-volatility dilemma that the low and high current requirements for NV-RS memories and V-RS selectors, respectively, cannot be satisfied simultaneously, due to the dominant EC nature of the RS. In this work, we demonstrate electrochemically active, low thermal-conductivity and low melting-temperature semiconducting tellurium filament-based RS devices that solve this dilemma, enabling NV-RS memories to operate under lower currents than do V-RS selectors. This novel phenomenon arises as the consequence of the adversarial EC and Joule heating (JH) effects. The devices also show unusual stimulus frequency dependent long-term plasticity (LTP)-to-short-term plasticity (STP) transition. Devices with this property can be generically utilized as spatial-temporal filters in spiking neural networks (SNNs) for high-performance event-based visual recognition tasks, as illustrated in our noise filtering simulations. By regulating the EC-JH relationship using dielectric materials with decreasing thermal conductivities, full functional-range tunable Te filament-based devices, from always-NV RS, to NV-to-V transitionable RS, and to always-V RS, are also demonstrated. The tellurium filament-based RS devices are promising enablers for functional cross-point arrays.
Clinical Peculiarities of Bacterial Keratitis in Type 1 Diabetic Patients 
Authors: Zavoloka Olesia
Published: March 2021

The purpose was to define the clinical peculiarities of bacterial keratitis in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM1) at visit 1. Methods. We retrospectively reviewed the results of 62 DM1 patients (62 eyes) with bacterial keratitis and 43 nondiabetic patients (43 eyes) with bacterial keratitis of the control group who were referred for visit 1 (before administering the treatment). Research methods were as follows: visual acuity, tonometry, slit-lamp biomicroscopy of anterior and posterior eye segments, bacteriological studies, fluorescein dye test, anterior eye OCT and non-contact corneal esthesiometry. Results. Compared to nondiabetic, DM1 patients with bacterial keratitis showed higher degree of inflammatory reaction in the anterior chamber of the eye at visit 1 (p<0.05) as well as 28.8% lower mean corneal sensitivity threshold (p<0.05). At visit 1, the degree of decreasing of corneal sensitivity in DM1 patients with bacterial keratitis was higher than in control group (p<0.05). Localization of bacterial keratitis, the degree of pericorneal injection, corneal ulcer defect size and depth, corneal infiltration as well as edema of the corneal tissue surrounding the ulcer did not depend on the presence of diabetes mellitus (р>0,05) at visit 1.Conclusions. There are clinical peculiarities of bacterial keratitis in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus at visit 1.
Establishment and Preclinical Application of Conditional Reprogramming Culture System for Laryngeal and Hypopharyngeal Carcinoma
Authors: DONG Yanbo , WANG Jian , JI Wei , ZHENG Mengzhu , WANG Peng , Liu Liangfa , LI Shanhu
Published: March 2021

Purpose Management of laryngeal and hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LHSCC) remains highly challenging due to their anatomic location and highly variable therapeutic responses. We aim to establish a new in vitro model for LHSCC based on conditional reprogramming (CR), a novel cell-culture technique, and investigate its potential value on personalized cancer therapies. Methods Primary LHSCC cells were isolated from tumor specimens and cultured under CR conditions. The characteristics and malignant potential of cells were evaluated by histological staining, whole-exome sequencing and heterotransplantation. The responses of CR tumor cells to anticancer drugs and radiotherapy were tested using cell proliferation assay. CR cells could form xenografts and organoids, which were used for drug testing respectively. Clinical responses for certain patients were also compared with in vitro responses. Results A panel of 28 human LHSCC CR cells were established from 50 tumor tissues. They retain tumorigenic potential upon xenotransplantation and recapitulate molecular characteristics of LHSCC. Differential responses to anticancer drugs and radiotherapy were detected in vitro. CR cells can be transformed to xenograft and organoid, shared comparable drug responses. The clinical drug responses were consistent with in vitro drug responses. Conclusions The patient-derived CR cell model could promisingly be utilized in clinical decision-making and assist in the selection of personalized therapies for LHSCC.
Convolutional Neural Networks That Identify Mosquito Species and Know When They Do Not Know
Authors: Goodwin Adam , Padmanabhan Sanket , Hira Sanchit , Glancey Margaret , Slinowsky Monet , Immidisetti Rakhil , Scavo Laura , Brey Jewell , Ford Tristan , Heier Collyn , Linton Yvonne-Marie , Pecor David , Caicedo-Quiroga Laura , Acharya Soumyadipta
Published: March 2021

With over 3,500 mosquito species described, accurate species identification of the few implicated in disease transmission is critical to mosquito borne disease mitigation. Yet this task is hindered by limited global taxonomic expertise and specimen damage consistent across common capture methods. Convolutional neural networks (CNNs) are promising with limited sets of species, but image database requirements restrict practical implementation. Using an image database of 2,696 specimens from 67 mosquito species, we address the practical open-set problem with a detection algorithm for novel-species. Closed-set classification of 16 known species achieved 97.04±0.87% accuracy independently, and 89.07±5.58% when cascaded with novelty detection. Closed-set classification of 39 species produces a macro F1-score of 86.07±1.81%. This demonstrates an accurate, scalable, and practical computer vision solution to identify wild-caught mosquitoes for implementation in biosurveillance and targeted vector control programs, without the need for extensive image database development for each new target region.
Effect of Si Content on the Morphology Evolution of the Si Primary Dendrites in Al-Si Alloy Solvent Refining Process
Authors: Gao Mangmang , Zhao Xu , Gao Ang , Li Rui , Chen Wenyu , Gao Min , Liang Sen , Li Haibo
Published: March 2021

Solvent refining with Al-Si alloy is a promising purification method for production of solar-grade silicon (SoG-Si) feedstock owing to the advantages of low production cost and high impurity removal efficiency. In this process, larger refined Si primary dendrites are easily collected after acid leaching, which is favorable to recovery, thereby to reduce the production cost. Hence, the growth behavior of the precipitated Si crystal must be investigated systematically. In present work, the morphology evolution of solidified Al-Si alloys with a wide range of Si content (30~70 wt.%) was analyzed. The typical plate-like Si primary dendrites grown following the twin plane re-entrance edge (TPRE) mechanism formed in all alloy compositions. As increasing the Si content from 30 wt.% to 50 wt.%, the Si primary dendrites underwent a coarsening process attributed to the preferred growth along <211> and <111> directions, leading to an increase in the experimental recovery rate. However, the preferred growth along <211> direction was inhibited when the Si content is higher than 55 wt.%. Moreover, the broken effect originating from grain collision and thermal stress on the Si primary dendrites was enhanced as further increasing the Si content, resulting in a decrease in the experimental recovery rate. Therefore, the optimum composition is determined as Al-50~55 wt.% Si for solvent refining solution, based on the cost reduction consideration.
Structural identification of neutralizing antibodies induced by
nucleic acid encoded native-like trimer
Authors: Xu Ziyang , Walker Susanne , Wise Megan , Chokkalingam Neethu , Purwar Mansi , Moore Alan , Tello-Ruiz Edgar , Wu Yuanhan , Majumdar Sonali , Zaidi Faraz , Reuschel Emma , Patel Ishaan , Obeirne April , Du Jianqiu , Schultheis Katherine , Gites Lauren , Smith Trevor , Mendoza Janess , Broderick Kate , Humeau Laurent , Pallesen Jesper , Weiner David , Kulp Daniel
Published: March 2021

Despite extensive efforts, an efficacious HIV vaccine remains elusive. HIV Envelope (Env) is the target of all known neutralizing antibodies. Stabilizing Env into native-like trimer (NLT) conformations is required for recombinant protein immunogens to induce autologous neutralizing antibodies(nAbs) against difficult to neutralize HIV strains (tier-2) in rabbits and non-human primates. However, mice are the most cost effective and widely used vaccine model and mouse immunizations with NLTs have generally failed to induce tier-2 nAbs. Here, we explored if DNA-encoded NLTs would fold properly in vivo and induce an informed humoral response. We observed DNA encoding a BG505 NLT induces autologous tier-2 nAbs in mice, identified murine monoclonal neutralizing antibodies, mapped the responses to a new murine neutralizing Env C3/V5 epitope and determined the structures of Env-nAbs complexes. Beyond potential functional immunity gains, DNA vaccines permit in vivo folding of structured antigens and provide significant cost and speed advantages for enabling rapid evaluation of new HIV vaccines.
Prediction Study of Structural, Elastic, Electronic, Optical and Thermodynamic Properties of Cubic Perovskite Bigao3
Authors: Ghebouli M. A. , Ghebouli B. , Fatmi M. , Chihi T. , Ahmed S. I.
Published: March 2021

We report computations of all properties cited in title within GGA and LDA for cubic perovskite BiGaO3. Lattice constants, bulk modulus, elastic moduli and band gaps were computed. BiGaO3 is elastically stable at room temperature and equilibrium pressure. We predicted the Debye temperature and longitudinal and transverse waves along [100], [110] ([100], [110], [111]) directions for BiGaO3. Our calculated band gap 1.92 eV predicts the semiconducting nature. The upper valence band is consisted principally of O-2p sites and a little contribution of Ga-4p and Bi-6p states. Hybridization between Ga-4p orbital with O-2p site in the upper valence band traduces that Ga–O bonds have a covalent bonding character. B/G ratio indicates that BiGaO3 is classified as ductile material. We derived mechanical parameters of BiGaO3 using Voigt, Reuss and Hill approximations. The higher absorption value provides a hint that this material is a potential candidate as a photo catalyst in the degradation of chemicals or pollutants.