bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
STUDI ABU PUING UBIN KERAMIK SEBAGAI BAHAN PENGGANTI SEBAGIAN SEMEN TERHADAP MUTU BATA BETON UNTUK PASANGAN DINDING
Authors: Sutanto Hadi , Bachtiar Gina , Astuti SW
Published: March 2021

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui perbedaan kualitas batako untuk wall set yang menggunakan debu reruntuhan keramik lantai keramik sebagai bahan pengganti dengan tingkat persentase 15%, 20%, dan 25% dari berat semen mengenai kualitas batako IV untuk dinding ditetapkan berdasarkan Standar Nasional Indonesia (SNI 03-0349-1989).Penelitian ini dilakukan di Balai Bahan & Barang Teknik DinasLaboratorium Perindustrian DKI Jakarta di Jl. Membiarkan. Jen Suprapto Cempaka Putih, Jakarta.Penelitian ini menggunakan metode eksperimen. Jumlah sampel adalah 60 dari 4 perawatan, masing-masing kelompok perlakuan adalah 15, dengan rincian 10 untuk pengujian yang dapat ditekan dan 5 untuk pengujian penyerapan air.Hasilnya menunjukkan bahwa batako tanpa reruntuhan debu dari keramik lantaimemiliki tekanan 40, 12 kg / cm2 rata-rata dengan penyerapan air 12, 62% dalamrata-rata, batako dengan 15% debu reruntuhan ubin lantai keramik memiliki tekananRata-rata 30, 07 kg / cm2 dengan daya serap air rata-rata 13, 76%, betonbata dengan 20% debu reruntuhan ubin lantai keramik memiliki tekanan 28, 23 kg / cm2 dirata-rata dengan kemampuan menyerap air 13, 91% sedangkan untuk batako dengan25% debu reruntuhan ubin lantai keramik memiliki tekanan rata-rata 27, 02 kg / cm2dengan kemampuan menyerap air 14, 46% rata-rata.Teknik analisis data yang digunakan uji ANAVA, dari pressurabledata diperoleh Fcount = 20, 81 dan Ftable = 4,38. Sebagai hasilnya Fcount> Ftable, jadiHo ditolak. Sedangkan dari data penyerapan air diperoleh Fcount = 14, 23dan Ftable = 4, 38. Akibatnya Fcount> Ftable dan Ho ditolak. Hasilmenunjukkan adanya perbedaan kualitas batako untuk wall set dengan 0%,15%, 20%, dan 25% debu reruntuhan ubin lantai keramik.
PENGGUNAAN ABU SEKAM PADI DAN KAPUR SEBAGAI BAHAN PENGGANTI SEBAGIAN SEMEN KOMPOSIT PADA PEMBUATAN PAVING BLOCK
Authors: Setiawan Prama , ST Prihantono , Bachtiar Gina
Published: March 2021

Penelitian ini dilakukan untuk mengetahui fungsiAbu sekam padi dan kapur dalamlima melakukan seperti melakukan A (tanpa abu sekam padi dan kapur) dan melakukan B, C, D dan E denganvariasi 2,5%; 5%; 7,5% dan 10% berat semen untuk paving block.Penelitian ini menggunakan metode eksperimen mengikuti uji pasir SNI danuji kualitas dilakukan di pusat penelitian materi departemen industri DKIJakarta. Untuk membuat paving block di Harapan Jaya fabrique di M.Kahfi IICiganjur, Jagakarsa. Untuk komposisi, paving block adalah 1 semen: 6 pasir. Inipenelitian dilakukan pada bulan April - Juli 2009.Produk penelitian ada yang berbeda dengan point press test pavingblok dalam menggunakan substitusi RHA dan kapur dalam prosentase 0%; 2,5%; 5%;7,5% dan 10%.
The Natural History of Benign Bone Tumors of the Extremities in Asymptomatic Children
Authors: Collier Christopher D. , Nelson Grant B. , Conry Keegan T. , Kosmas Christos , Getty Patrick J. , Liu Raymond W.
Published: March 2021

Background:

Benign bone tumors are common incidental findings in the pediatric population during radiographic evaluation. Counseling these patients requires reassurance and raises questions about the natural history of these tumors over time. The purpose of this study was to estimate the prevalence and observe the behavior of benign childhood bone tumors in an asymptomatic population.

Methods:

A historical, longitudinal radiographic collection of healthy children was reviewed, which included comprehensive left-sided radiographs of the extremities at yearly intervals. In this study, 262 subjects with 25,555 radiographs were screened for benign bone tumors at a median age of 8 years (range, 0 to 18 years). All potential tumors were reviewed by a multidisciplinary panel, which confirmed the radiographic diagnosis of each lesion, the age at which the lesion first appeared, and the age at which it had resolved. Prevalence rates were calculated using the number of distinct subjects available for each radiographic location and age.

Results:

Thirty-five tumors were identified in 33 subjects, including 19 nonossifying fibromas, 8 enostoses, 6 osteochondromas, and 2 enchondromas. The prevalence rate for all tumors combined increased with age and was 18.9% overall. The overall prevalence rates for specific tumor types were 7.5% for nonossifying fibromas, 5.2% for enostoses, 4.5% for osteochondromas, and 1.8% for enchondromas. Nonossifying fibromas demonstrated a bimodal distribution of prevalence, with a peak at 5 years (10.8%) and another after skeletal maturity (13.3%). The median age at the first appearance for all tumors combined was 9 years (range, 2 to 15 years), but varied by tumor type. Nonossifying fibromas often resolved (7 [37%] of 19), with further resolution possible beyond the last available radiograph. Enostoses, osteochondromas, and enchondromas persisted until the last available radiographs in all subjects.

Conclusions:

The prevalence of benign childhood bone tumors of the extremities was 18.9% in a historical asymptomatic population. Longitudinal radiographs allowed observation of the timing of the first appearance and the potential for resolution for each tumor type. These findings provide unique evidence to answer many commonly encountered questions when counseling patients and their families on benign bone tumors.

Level of Evidence:

Prognostic Level IV. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
Contaminación del agua de la cuenca del río Magdalena, Colombia, y su relación con los peces
Authors: Gutiérrez-Moreno Luis C. , de la Parra-Guerra Ana C.
Published: March 2021

Caracterizar la contaminación del agua de un amplio territorio como el río Magdalena, tipificarla, describir fuentes, causas y posibles consecuencias, siempre será un ejercicio incompleto e imperfecto, sujeto a críticas y un mejoramiento continuo. La contaminación de este recurso es el resultado de procesos temporales y espaciales complejos, su origen y evolución es un evento multidimensional. Esta síntesis corresponde a una compilación de informes técnicos, documentos institucionales, artículos científicos, tesis y trabajos grados. La sistematización de datos, sitios, tiempo y la búsqueda de referencias sobre efectos en la biota y salud, fue la tarea central de esta compilación, pero encontró en las múltiples metodologías, asincrónica temporal y vacíos espaciales de investigación la mayor dificultad para comparar, contrastar o usar como complemento. Sin embargo, se diseñó una estructura que busca presentar de forma organizada los tipos y formas de contaminación y su comportamiento a lo largo de esta corriente fluvial. Información que pueden ayudar comprender la riqueza, abundancia, dinámicas y riesgos de los ensamblajes de peces de este sistema hídrico. Estos registros merecen una atención especial de los investigadores, comunidades y de las autoridades responsables de manejo y conservación de los recursos naturales, para buscar soluciones técnicas, jurídicas, políticas, económicas y sociales.
STRUCTURE OF TRILOBITE COMMUNITIES ALONG A DELTA-MARINE GRADIENT (LOWER ORDOVICIAN; NORTHWESTERN ARGENTINA)
Authors: SERRA FERNANDA , BALSEIRO DIEGO , VAUCHER ROMAIN , WAISFELD BEATRIZ G.
Published: March 2021

Throughout their long history, trilobites occupied various ecological niches, colonizing a wide variety of marine environments. However, the paleoecology of this group is mostly based on shelf–slope environments and less is known about their distribution in marginal environments. To understand how trilobite communities respond to a deltaic influence, we studied changes in the taxonomic composition and structure of a diverse and well-known Lower Ordovician olenid-dominated fauna from the Argentine Cordillera Oriental along a delta–marine gradient. Cluster analysis revealed two distinct associations, and ordination analysis revealed a clear biotic gradient within each. The ecological structure and diversity trends of both associations follow a predictable response to a depth-related gradient. Impoverished communities with a highly nested structure characterize the lower offshore, whereas rich and even communities occur in the upper offshore. The trend towards higher diversity and greater taxonomic turnover in shallower environments corresponds to greater habitat heterogeneity. Towards the other extreme, only the ubiquitous genus Jujuyaspis was a successful colonizer in deltaic settings. This marked contrast with the more diverse and abundant assemblages of fully marine deposits indicates stressful physiological conditions in marginal-marine environments, where alternating and contrasting normal-marine to brackish-water conditions and high input of siliciclastic material were among the key factors controlling the distribution of these early trilobite communities.
Evaluation of Hemolysis Activity of Zerumbone on RBCs and Brine Shrimp Toxicity
Authors: Albaayit Shaymaa Fadhel Abbas , Maharjan Rukesh , Khan Mariam
Published: March 2021

Zerumbone is a well-known compound having anti-cancer, anti-ulcer, anti-inflammatory and anti-hyperglycemic effects. During its use for the disease treatment, the membrane of erythrocyte can be affected by consumption of this bioactive compound. The current study was the first report of investigation of the hemolytic activities on human erythrocytes and cytotoxic profile of zerumbone. The toxicity of zerumbone on human erythrocytes was determined by in vitro hemolytic assay. Brine shrimp lethality assay was used to evaluate the cytotoxic effect of zerumbone at concentrations 10, 100 and 1000 μg/mL. The human erythrocyte test showed no significant toxicity at low concentrations, whereas hemolytic effect was amplified up to 17.5 % at the highest concentration. The half lethal concentration (LC50) value of zerumbone against brine shrimp was less than 1000 µg /mL (LC50=190 µg/ml) showing the significant toxic nature of this compound. These results provide a baseline in terms of the toxicity of therapeutic formulations from this compound to membrane erythrocytes with a great attention to the highest concentrations, which paves promise for drug development.
DFT Calculations and Experimental Study to Inhibit Carbon Steel Corrosion in Saline Solution by Quinoline-2-One Derivative
Authors: Majid Kubba Rehab , Mohammed Mustafa Alaa , Ahamed Luma S.
Published: March 2021

A theoretical and protection study was conducted of the corrosion behavior of carbon steel surface with different concentrations of the derivative (Quinolin-2-one), namly (1-Amino-4,7-dimethyl-6-nitro-1H-quinolin-2-one (ADNQ2O)). Theoretically, Density Functional Theory (DFT) of B3LYP/ 6-311++G (2d, 2p) level was used to calculate the optimized geometry, physical properties and chemical inhibition parameters, with the local reactivity to predict both the reactive centers and to locate the possible sites of nucleophilic and electrophilic attacks, in vacuum, and in two solvents (DMSO and H2O), all at the equilibrium geometry. Experimentally, the inhibition efficiencies (%IE) in the saline solution (of 3.5%) NaCl were studied using potentiometric polarization measurements. The results revealed that the (%IE) for carbon steel corrosion by ADNQ2O is (89.88%). The obtained thermodynamic parameters support the physical adsorption mechanism. The adsorption followed the Langmuir isotherm. The surface change on carbon steel was studied using SEM (Scanning Electron Microscopy).
Assessment of fundus autofluorescence and adaptive optics high-resolution images in macular disorders
Authors: Ochinciuc Radu , Ochinciuc Uliana , Balta George , Teodoru Adrian , Barri Leila Al , Pac Cristina , Balta Florian , Burcea Marian
Published: March 2021

Purpose

This study analyzed and compared the results of adaptive optics (AO) and fundus autofluorescence (FAF) in various maculopathies.
Methods

The study included four different types of maculopathy: central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC), retinitis pigmentosa (RP), Stargardt disease (STGD) and phototoxic retinopathy. In all four cases cone mosaic and cone density were obtained using AO fundus camera. Further the high resolution images were compared with the FAF and optical coherence tomography (OCT) results.
Results

In CSC, FAF and AO were able to show changes in the macula even two years after the subretinal fluid resorption, as opposed to a normal OCT. The improvement of FAF and cone mosaic appearance was concomitant with the visual acuity growth. Several cone mosaic phenotypes were observed in RP and STGD. In RP the cone density was 24.240cones/mm2 in the center, and decreased to 8.163cones/mm2 in the parafoveolar area. In STGD the cone density was lower in the center, 9.219cones/mm2, and higher at the periphery, 12.594cones/mm2. In the case of phototoxic retinopathy, AO and OCT were more effective than FAF in highlighting the photoreceptor and retinal pigment epithelium lesions.
Conclusions

FAF and AO are very useful tools in macular pathologies examination. FAF can give us a true picture about metabolic changes in the macula while AO allows us to view changes up to the cellular level.
The Evolving Role of Marked Lymph Node Biopsy (MLNB) and Targeted Axillary Dissection (TAD) after Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy (NACT) for Node Positive Breast Cancer: Systematic Review and Pooled Analysis
Authors: Swarnkar Parinita Keshav , Tayeh Salim , Michell Michael , Mokbel Kefah
Published: March 2021

Background: Targeted axillary dissection (TAD) is a new axillary staging technique that consists of the surgical removal of biopsy-proven positive axillary nodes marked (marked lymph node biopsy: MLNB) prior to neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) in addition to the sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB). In a meta-analysis of more than 3000 patients, we previously reported a false negative rate (FNR) of 13% using the SLNB alone in this setting. The aim of this systematic review and pooled analysis is to determine FNR of MLNB alone and TAD (MLNB plus SLNB) compared with the gold standard of complete axillary lymph node dissection (cALND).Methods: The PubMed, Cochrane and Google Scholar databases were searched using Mesh relevant terms and free words.Results: A total of 9 studies of 366 patients that met the inclusion criteria evaluating the FNR of MLNB alone were included in the pooled analysis yielding a pooled FNR of 6.28% (95% CI: 3.98-9.43). In 13 studies spanning 521 patients, the addition of SLNB to MLNB (TAD) was associated with a FNR of 5.18% (95% CI: 3.41-7.54) which was not significantly different from that of MLNB alone (p=0.48). Data regarding oncological safety of this approach were lacking. In a separate analysis of all published studies reporting successful identification and surgical retrieval of the MLN, we calculated a pooled success rate of 90.0% (95% CI = 85.1-95.1).Conclusion: The present pooled analysis demonstrates that the FNR associated with MLNB alone or combined with SLNB is acceptably low and both approaches are highly accurate in staging the axilla in patients with node-positive breast cancer after NACT. The SLNB adds minimal new information and therefore it can be safely omitted from TAD. Further research to confirm the oncological safety of this de-escalation approach of axillary surgery is required.Core Tip: MLNB alone and TAD are associated with acceptably low FNRs and represent valid alternatives to cALND in patients with node-positive breast cancer after excellent response to NACT.
Effect of an Information Leaflet on Breast Cancer Screening Participation. A Randomized Controlled Study
Authors: Montero-Moraga Jose Maria , Posso Margarita , Román Marta , Burón Andrea , Sala Maria , Castells Xavier , Macià Francesc
Published: March 2021

Objective: To evaluate the impact of an information leaflet about the risk-benefit balance of breast cancer screening on women’s participation.Methods: This randomized controlled study was conducted within a population-based breast cancer screening program and included women from the catchment areas of two hospitals in Barcelona, Spain. We evaluated women aged 50-69 years invited to screening between September 2019 and January 2020. One hospital attended a population with a lower socioeconomic status than the other. The intervention group received an information leaflet on the benefits and harms of mammography screening. The control group received the usual invitation letter. We compared the participation rate between groups, stratified by hospital and by per-protocol and intention-to-treat analyses. Results: We included 11,119 women in the study: 5,416 in the intervention group and 5,703 in the control group. A total of 36.4% (1,964/5,393) of the women in the intervention group and 37.5% (2,135/5,694) of those in the control group attended screening, respectively. Overall, we found no differences in participation among groups (difference in participation -1.1%; 95% CI; -2.9% to 0.7%, p-value=0.240). In the hospital attending a population with a low socioeconomic status, attendance was lower in the intervention group (-1.4%, 95% CI: -5.7% to -0.03%, p-value=0.029). In the per-protocol analysis, participation was lower in the intervention group (-2.6%, 95% CI: -4.6% to -0.5%, p-value=0.015). Conclusions: Overall participation in our program was unaffected by a new information leaflet on the risk-benefit balance of breast cancer screening. However, participation was lower in certain populations with lower socioeconomic status.
Performance of Quantitative Measures of Multimorbidity: A Population-Based Retrospective Analysis
Authors: Vela Emili , Clèries Montse , Monterde David , Carot-Sans Gerard , Coca Marc , Valero-Bover Damià , Piera-Jiménez Jordi , Eroles Luís García , Sust Pol Pérez
Published: March 2021

Background

Multimorbidity measures are useful for resource planning, patient selection and prioritization, and factor adjustment in clinical practice, research, and benchmarking. We aimed to compare the explanatory performance of the adjusted morbidity group (GMA) index in predicting relevant healthcare outcomes with that of other quantitative measures of multimorbidity.
Methods

The performance of multimorbidity measures was retrospectively assessed on anonymized records of the entire adult population of Catalonia (North-East Spain). Five quantitative measures of multimorbidity were added to a baseline model based on age, gender, and socioeconomic status: the Charlson index score, the count of chronic diseases according to three different proposals (i.e., the QOF, HCUP, and Karolinska institute), and the multimorbidity index score of the GMA tool. Outcomes included all-cause death, total and non-scheduled hospitalization, primary care and ER visits, medication use, admission to a skilled nursing facility for intermediate care, and high expenditure (time frame 2017). The analysis was performed on 10 subpopulations: all adults (i.e., aged > 17 years), people aged > 64 years, people aged > 64 years and institutionalized in a nursing home for long-term care, and people with specific diagnoses (e.g., ischemic heart disease, cirrhosis, dementia, diabetes mellitus, heart failure, chronic kidney disease, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease). The explanatory performance was assessed using the area under the receiving operating curves (AUC-ROC) (main analysis) and three additional statistics (secondary analysis).
Results

The adult population included 6 224 316 individuals. The addition of any of the multimorbidity measures to the baseline model increased the explanatory performance for all outcomes and subpopulations. All measurements performed better in the general adult population. The GMA index had higher performance and consistency across subpopulations than the rest of multimorbidity measures. The Charlson index stood out on explaining mortality, whereas measures based on exhaustive definitions of chronic diagnostic (e.g., HCUP and GMA) performed better than those using predefined lists of diagnostics (e.g., QOF or the Karolinska proposal).
Conclusions

The addition of multimorbidity measures to models for explaining healthcare outcomes increase the performance. The GMA index has high performance in explaining relevant healthcare outcomes and may be useful for clinical practice, resource planning, and public health research.
Physiological Measurements in Social Acceptance of Self Driving Technologies
Authors: Palatinus Zsolt , Volosin Márta , Csábi Eszter , Hallgató Emese , Hajnal Edina , Lukovics Miklós , Prónay Szabolcs , Ujházi Tamás , Osztobányi Lilla , Szabó Balázs , Králik Tamás , Majo-Petri Zoltan
Published: March 2021

The goal of the present study is to examine the cognitive/physiological correlates of passenger travel experience in autonomously driven transportation systems. We investigated the social acceptance and cognitive aspects of self-driving technology by measuring physiological responses in real-world experimental settings using eye-tracking and EEG measures simultaneously on 17 volunteers. A typical test run included human-driven and autonomous conditions in the same vehicle, in a safe environment. In the spectrum analysis of the eye-tracking data we found significant differences in the complex patterns of eye movements: the structure of movements of different magnitudes were less variable in the autonomous drive condition. EEG data revealed less positive affectivity and slightly higher arousal in the autonomous condition compared to the human-driven condition. Correlates with personality traits are also discussed. These preliminary findings reinforced our initial hypothesis that passenger experience in human and machine navigated conditions entail different physiological and psychological correlates, and those differences are accessible using state of the art in-world measurements. These useful dimensions of passenger experience may serve as a source of information both for the improvement and design of self-navigating technology and for market-related concerns.
Trait Phenotyping and Genic/Random SSR Markers Characterization for Breeding Early Maturing Wheat’s for Western-Himalayas
Authors: Shafi Safoora , Tahir Mohd , Khan Mohd Anwar , Bhat Mohd Ashraf , Kumar Uttam , Kumar Sanjay , Mir Reyazul Rouf
Published: March 2021

The study involves evaluation of 96 wheat genotypes for early maturity and related traits and molecular characterization of trait specific candidate genotypes using 26 (20 random and 6 genic) SSR markers. Trait characterization revealed significant variation for early maturity and related traits. The analysis of genotypic data of 26 markers led to the detection of 166 alleles ranging from 2 to 8 alleles with an average of 3.8 alleles per locus. Separate analysis of genotypic data of 20 random and 06 trait specefic markers led to the identification of 118 and 51 alleles, respectively. Sub-population-wise allelic diversity in early and late maturing populations could detect a total of 167 and 144 alleles, respectively. Higher gene diversity was detected in early maturing sub-population (0.135) when compared to late maturing sub-population (0.071). Single marker analysis (SMA) revealed significant association of 05 random and 02 trait specific markers already reported for early maturity. Therefore, two trait specific markers (Xwmc1 and Xgwm271) have been validated during the present study and contributed 21.36% and 10.94% phenotypic variation for early maturity, respectively. In order to breed for early maturity for Western-Himalayas, F2 segregating populations were also developed by making crosses among spring × spring and spring × winter wheat genotypes and several important recombinants/ segregants for early maturity and related traits were identified. Overall, the findings of the present study will prove useful in future wheat improvement programs leading to development of early maturing wheat varieties.
Realizing room-temperature strong coupling of single-exciton with plasmons by controlling quantum exceptional point
Authors: Li Wei , Liu Renming , Li Junyu , Zhong Jie , Chen Huanjun , Wang Xue-Hua
Published: March 2021

Single-exciton strong coupling with plasmons is highly desirable for exploiting room-temperature quantum devices and applications. However, the large plasmon decay makes the realization of such strong coupling extremely difficult. To overcome this challenge, here we propose an effective approach to easily achieve the single-exciton strong coupling at room temperature by controlling quantum exceptional point (QEP) of the coupling system via matching the decay between the localized plasmon mode (LPM) and exciton. The good match can be reached by suppressing the LPM’s decay with the use of a leaky Fabry-Perot cavity. Experimental results show that the LPM’s decay linewidth is greatly compressed from ~ 45 nm to ~ 15 nm, which is close to the excitonic linewidth (~ 10 nm), pushing their interaction from the Fano interference into the strong coupling. Our work opens a new way to flexibly control the QEP and more easily realize the single-exciton strong coupling in ambient conditions.
Micro-mechanical Insights Into the Dynamics of Crack Propagation in Snow Fracture Experiments
Authors: Bobillier Grégoire , Bergfeld Bastian , Dual Jürg , Gaume Johan , Herwijnen Alec , Schweizer Jürg
Published: March 2021

Dry-snow slab avalanches result from the propagation of compacting shear bands in highly porous weak layers buried within a stratified and metastable snowpack. While our understanding of slab avalanche mechanisms improved with recent experimental and numerical advances, fundamental micro-mechanical processes remain poorly understood due to a lack of non-invasive monitoring techniques. Using a novel discrete micro-mechanical model, we reproduced crack propagation dynamics observed in field experiments, which employ the propagation saw test. The detailed microscopic analysis of weak layer stresses and bond breaking allowed us to define the crack tip location of closing crack faces, analyze its spatio-temporal characteristics and monitor the evolution of stress concentrations and the fracture process zone both in transient and steady-state regimes. Results highlight the occurrence of a steady state in crack speed and stress conditions for sufficiently long distances of crack propagation (> 4 m). Crack propagation without external driving shear force is possible due to the local mixed-mode shear-compression stress nature at the crack tip induced by slab bending and weak layer volumetric collapse. Our result shed light into the microscopic origin of dynamic crack propagation in snow slab avalanche release that eventually will improve the evaluation of avalanche release sizes and thus hazard management and forecasting in mountainous regions.
Comparative Transcriptomics Reveals Osmotic and Ionic Stress Key Genes Contributing To Salinity Tolerance Differential in Two Pak Choi Cultivars
Authors: Du Xueling , Yu Rugang , Shi Changqian , Wang Ying , Meng Rui , Shi Wenwen , Jin Mengyao , Wei Xiuqi , Sun Tao
Published: March 2021

Background: Pak choi is an important leafy vegetable crop. Salinity is among the most harmful agents that negatively influence pak choi yield. However, the mechanism of salinity tolerance in pak choi has not been well understood. In this study, the root transcriptomics of two cultivars differing in salinity tolerant, Shanghaijimaocai (S, salinity tolerant) and Te’aiqing (T, salinity sensitive), were investigated under 0 and 100 mM NaCl treatments.Results: Using de novo assembly, 214,952 assembled unigenes were generated. Totals of 6765, 2454, 2451 and 5798 differentially expressed unigenes (DEUs) were identified in comparison of S100/S0, T100/T0, S0/T0 and S100/T100, respectively. Shanghaijimaocai is more sensitive to NaCl stress than Te’aiqing in terms of root transcriptomics. Based on GO and KEGG pathway analysis, several osmotic and ionic stress-related genes including MP3K18, PYL8, PP2C15/16/49, ARF2, bHLH112, bZIP43, COL5, CDF1/3, ERF25/60, HSFA6, MYBS3/59/92/CCA1/PHL5, POD21, GOLS7, CIPK4/7/12, NHX7, SLAH1 and ALMT13, showed higher expression in Shanghaijimaocai than in Te’aiqing. These genes, therefore, might be contributed to the difference in salinity tolerance. Moreover, the physiological shift of peroxidase activity was in accordance with dynamic transcript profile of the relevant unigenes. Conclusions: We determined digital expression profile and discovered a broad survey of unigenes associated with the difference of salinity tolerance between Shanghaijimaocai and Te’aiqing. These findings would be useful for further functional analysis as potential targets to improve resistance to salinity stress via genetic engineering.
Clinical implication of metabolic syndrome in nonobese patients with antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitis
Authors: Lee Soo Bin , Kwon Hyeok Chan , Pyo Jung Yoon , Kang Mi Il , Song Jason Jungsik , Park Yong-Beom , Park Jun Yong , Lee Sang-Won
Published: March 2021

Objective: We investigated the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) in all or nonobese patients with antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis (AAV) and compared it with age- and gender-matched controls. Also, we assessed the effect of variables at diagnosis on the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in all or nonobese AAV patients. Methods: In this study, 173 AAV patients and 344 controls were included and MetS was defined by the National Cholesterol Education Program Adults Treatment Panel III criteria. The obesity based on body mass index (BMI) was defined as BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2. The follow-up duration was defined as the period from diagnosis to the last visit or to each poor outcome occurrence.Results: The median age of AAV patients was 58.7 years and 57 patients were men. The prevalence of MetS was 50.9% in all AAV patients and 46.5% in nonobese AAV patients, which were significantly higher than 37.8% in all controls and 28.2% in nonobese controls. In the Kaplan-Meier survival analysis, Mets at diagnosis significantly reduced the cumulative CVD-free survival rate in both all and nonobese AAV patients. In the multivariable Cox hazards model analysis, CVD during follow-up was significantly associated with both BVAS (HR 1.159) and MetS at diagnosis (HR 9.036) in nonobese AAV patients.Conclusions: The prevalence of MetS at diagnosis in all or nonobese AAV patients was significantly higher than those in all or nonobese controls. Furthermore, both BVAS and MetS at diagnosis increased the risk of CVD in nonobese AAV patients.
Prognostic Factors to Predict ICU Mortality in Patients with ARDS Who Received Early and Prolonged Prone Positioning Therapy
Authors: Lee Po-Hsin , Fu Pin-Kuei
Published: March 2021

Background: Early and prolonged prone positioning (PP) could reduce the mortality in patients with moderate to severe ARDS, however, factors associated with mortality in the intensive care unit (ICU) remain unclear. The aim of this study is to identified factors associated with mortality and create the prognostic score in patients with ARDS who underwent early and prolonged PP. Methods: This retrospective study included patients with moderate to severe ARDS admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) from January 2015 to June 2018 in a tertiary referral center in Taiwan and who received early and prolonged PP. Demographic data, disease severity score, comorbidities, and clinical outcomes were recorded. Univariate and multivariate regression models were used to estimate the odds ratio (OR) of ICU mortality. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis were performed to identify the cutoff value of parameters. Results: A total of 116 patients were enrolled. In the multivariate analysis, three factors were significantly associated with mortality: renal replacement therapy (RRT; OR: 3.38, 1.55–7.36), malignant comorbidity (OR: 7.42, 2.06–26.70), and noninfluenza-related ARDS (OR: 3.78, 1.07–13.29). Age, RRT, noninfluenza-related ARDS, malignant comorbidity, and APACHE II score were included in a composite prone score, which demonstrated an area under the curve of 0.816 for predicting mortality risk. The mortality risk in ICU was 27.1% in the low-risk group (prone score: 0–2) and 84.2% in the high-risk group (prone score: 3–5). Conclusions: For patients with moderate to severe ARDS even receiving early and prolonged PP in ICU, poor prognostic factors were age, RRT, malignant comorbidity, noninfluenza-related ARDS, and higher APACHE II score. High mortality should be informed to the family of patient if their prone score was more than 3 points.
Characterizing Spatiotemporal Patterns of Drought among the Pastoralists of Southern Ethiopia, Eastern Africa
Authors: Guye Mekuria , Legesse Abiyot , Mohammed Yimer
Published: March 2021

This paper is an inquiry of investigating trends and spatiotemporal patterns of meteorological drought in semi-arid pastoral areas in southern Ethiopia. Monthly gridded rainfall and temperature data for thirty years between 1986 to 2016 were obtained d from Ethiopian Meteorological Agency. Nonparametric Mann Kendall’s test (MK) along with Sen’s slope estimator was employed to see trends of drought. In addition, Reconnaissance Drought Index (RDI) was used to characterize the drought patterns. The result indicates that under all time scale, drought events tend to show an increasing trend with varying magnitude and intensity. The highest drought severity category for major and small rainy months was identified during May 2000 with RDI= -2.28 and September 2000 with RDI= -2.55 . The drought magnitudes of the small rainy months range from -11.15 in November to -11.76 in September, while it ranges from -10.08 in April to -11.38 in March for the major rainy months. There are some variations of drought magnitude among the seasons while rainfall tend to show gradual decline as a manifestation of spatially varying drought severity, frequency and intensity in the watershed.
Synthesis and Evaluation of New Semi-Organic Non-Linear Optical L-Glutamic Acid Manganese Chloride (LGAMC) Crystal for Frequency Conversion Applications
Authors: Shanthi C. , M.  , Sagayaraj P. , Selvakumar S. , Venkatachalam V. , Devakirubai I. Epsy , Kubendiren T.
Published: March 2021

In this Work, L-Glutamic acid manganese chloride (LGAMC) semi-organic nonlinear optical crystal has been grown by slow evaporation technique. Crystal structure and essential functional groups of LGAMC crystal were confirmed by single crystal XRD and FTIR analyses. Thermal stability and surface trait were determined by using TG/DTand SEM analyses. Linear optical studies revealed the lower cut-off wavelength at 244 nm in transparency UV-Visible region. Mechanical behavior of the crystal was analyzed by microhardness test which indicates that the hard category material. From photoluminescence spectrum, a sharp emission peak was observed at 532 nm which demonstrates that the grown crystal has good nonlinear optical behavior. The SHG efficiency of LGAMC crystal was found to be 1.3 times superior than well-known reference KDP crystal.
Photon Phase Shift Imaging Research on Frequency Domain Diffuse Optic Tomography
Authors: kazanci huseyin ozgur
Published: March 2021

Diffuse optic imaging is an important biomedical optic research tool. Diffuse optic tomography (DOT) modality needs progressive philosophical approaches for scientific contribution. Technological developments and philosophical approaches should both go forward. Phase-shift based frequency domain (FD) diffuse optical tomography (FDDOT) method was well established in the literature. The instruments were tested for brain neurofunctional imaging. A mixture of AC laser intensity and phase data were used at these works. According to those works; deep volume resolution was improved by only using phase data. Because phase data is only related to the photon mean free path in imaging tissue media. Besides this advantage, laser intensity data is also affected by noisy background light and electrical artifacts. Another most important advantage of only using phase data can be explained as time-resolved temporal change can be directly related to phase shift of modulated frequency source. At this work, the frequency domain (FD) DOT imaging method which uses phase shift data were used for simulation phantom. Laser source-driven forward model problem weight matrix simulation data was given to the simple pseudo-inverse-based inverse problem solution algorithm for one inclusion example. The inclusion image was reconstructed and demonstrated successfully. Forward model problem weight functions inside the tissue simulation media were calculated and used based on the phase shifts at the same core modulation frequency. 100 MHz modulation frequency was selected due to its FDDOT standard. 13 sources and 13 detectors were placed on the back-reflected imaging surface. 40 x, y, z cartesian coordinate grid elements were used in the image reconstruction algorithm. Photon absorption coefficient: ma = 0.1 cm-1, and scattering coefficient: ms = 100 cm-1 values were set for background simulation phantom. One inclusion object was embedded inside the imaging tissue simulation phantom background. x, y, z cartesian coordinate grid sizes were selected for 100 mm for each direction. Photon phase shift fluencies were added to the forward model problem. The forward model problem was built according to the frequency domain photon migration diffusion approximation. Forward model problem photon fluencies were calculated according to the diffusion equation approximation. The simple pseudoinverse mathematical inverse problem solution algorithm was applied to test the results. The embedded inclusion object was reconstructed successfully with the high-resolution image quality. In general, DOT techniques suffer for the low image quality, but in this work, the high-quality image was reconstructed and demonstrated. The philosophical approach has future promising DOT imaging capability. The phase shift version of the FDDOT modality has an important advantage for future purpose.
Hsa_circ_0063526 promotes the development of endometriosis by sponging miRNA-141-5p
Authors: Wei Zhangming , Zhang Mengmeng , Zhang Xinyue , Fang Xiaoling , Li Liping
Published: March 2021

Background:Endometriosis can cause various social burdens. Abnormal circular RNAs level lead to changes of related gene expression, thereby mediating the occurrence and development of a series of diseases. The research of circRNA in endometriosis is still in its infancy. This study will explore the role of hsa_circ_0063526 with microRNA-141-5p in the development of endometriosis.Methods:The expression of genes was detected by RT-qPCR. Transwell, wound-healing, EdU assay were performed on endometriosis patient’s End1 / E6E7 cell. PCR and immunohistochemistry were used to detect the expression of candidate regulatory genes in ectopic lesions in endometriosis mice model.Results:The expression level of hsa_circ_0063526 in endometriosis patients’ ectopic tissue is higher than control(P <0.05), The expression levels of hsa_circ_0063526 and miRNA-141-5P in ectopic tissue of endometriosis were negatively correlated (P < 0.05).Knockdown hsa_circ_0063526 inhibited the invasion, metastasis, and proliferation ability of End1 / E6E7 cell. The inhibition of microRNA-141-5p can rescue this inhibitory effect (P <0.05). In-vivo experiments showed miR-141-5p and si-hsa_circ_0063526 treatment reduced the lesion size and regulated endometriosis genes.Conclusion:Hsa_circ_0063526 is probably involved in regulating the occurrence and development of endometriosis by sponging miR-141-5p. hsa_circ_0063526 and miR-141-5p are possible to become biomarkers and therapeutic targets for endometriosis.
Reconstruction of the transmission dynamics of the first COVID-19 epidemic wave in Thailand
Authors: Wilasang Chaiwat , Jitsuk Natcha , Sararat Chayanin , Modchang Charin
Published: March 2021

Thailand was the first country reporting the first Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infected individual outside mainland China. Here we delineated the course of the COVID-19 outbreak together with the timeline of the control measures and public health policies employed by the Thai government during the first wave of the COVID-19 outbreak in Thailand. Based on the comprehensive epidemiological data, we reconstructed the dynamics of COVID-19 transmission in Thailand using a stochastic modelling approach. Our stochastic model incorporated effects of individual heterogeneity in infectiousness on the disease transmission, which allows us to capture relevant features of superspreading events. We found that our model could accurately capture the transmission dynamics of the first COVID-19 epidemic wave in Thailand. The model predicted that at the end of the first wave, the number of cumulative confirmed cases was 3,091 (95%CI: 2,782 - 3,400). We also estimated the time-varying reproduction number (Rt) during the first epidemic wave. We found that after implementing the nationwide interventions, the Rt in Thailand decreased from the peak value of 5.67 to a value below one in less than one month, indicating that the control measures employed by the Thai government during the first COVID-19 epidemic wave were effective. Finally, effects of transmission heterogeneity and control measures on the likelihood of outbreak extinction were also investigated.
Low Preoperative Antithrombin III level is Associated with Postoperative Acute Kidney Injury after Liver Transplantation
Authors: Kim Kyoung-Sun , Moon Young-Jin , Kim Sung-Hoon , Jun In-Gu , Kwon Hye-Mee , Song Jun-Gol , Hwang Gyu-Sam
Published: March 2021

Background: The reno-protective effect of Antithrombin III (ATIII) has been well-studied in various animal studies; however, little is known about the effect of ATIII on kidney function in patients undergoing liver transplantation (LT). This study aimed to determine the association between preoperative ATIII level and postoperative acute kidney injury (AKI) after LT (post-LT AKI).Methods: We retrospectively evaluated 2,395 LT recipients between 2010 and 2018 whose data of perioperative ATIII levels were available. Patients were divided into two groups based on the preoperative level of ATIII (ATIII<50% vs. ATIII≥50%). Multivariable regression analysis was performed to assess the risk factors for post-LT AKI. In addition, subgroup analysis for the Model for End-stage liver disease (MELD) score (<20, ≥20) and donor types (deceased vs. living) were performed to identify the predictive value of ATIII.Results: The mean preoperative ATIII levels were 30.2±11.8% in the ATIII<50% group and 67.2±13.2% in the ATIII≥50% group. The incidence of post-LT AKI was significantly lower in ATIII≥50% group compared to that in the ATIII<50% group (54.7% vs. 75.5%, P<0.001; odds ratio [OR, per 10% increase of ATIII level] 0.86, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.81–0.92; P<0.001). The prognostic value of ATIII was found to be statistically significant in the low-MELD group (<20, OR 0.82, 95% CI 0.77–0.87, P<0.001) and living donor LT (OR 0.89, CI 0.85–0.94, P<0.001) group. After a backward stepwise regression model, female sex, high body mass index, low albumin, deceased donor LT, longer duration of surgery, and high red blood cell transfusion remained significantly associated with post-LT AKI.Conclusion: Low preoperative ATIII level is associated with post-LT AKI, suggesting that preoperative ATIII might be a prognostic factor for predicting post-LT AKI.
Role of Ecologic ACE I/D Polymorphism Data Towards Prediction of COVID-19 Epidemiology
Authors: Amar Ali , Khan Abdul Rafay , Shakoor Madiha , Abid Aiysha , Khaliq Shagufta
Published: March 2021

COVID-19 displays marked variability in the clinical course as well as regional epidemiology. Abnormalities in RAAS system especially stemming from genetic variability in ACE and ACE2 expression (including ACE I/D polymorphism) have been proposed to explain underlying pathogenesis and variability in SARS-CoV-2 infection. In a meta-regression data set of 30 countries, we found significant associations of ACE I/D ratio and COVID-19 prevalence, deaths and recovery rate but not when adjusted for possible confounders. This ecological study suggests potential of ACE I/D data as predictive biomarker COVID-19 risk and severity in a population specific manner, subject to validation in large genetic epidemiological and functional studies.
Nodes With the Highest Control Power Play an Important Role at the Final Level of Cooperation in Directed Networks
Authors: Ebrahimi Ali , Yousefi Marzieh , Shahbazi Farhad , Masoudi-Nejad Ali
Published: March 2021

Controllability of complex networks seeks the lowest number of nodes (driver nodes) that controlling all nodes by receiving input signals. The concept of control centrality is used to determine the power of each nodes in the control of the network. The more nodes a node controls through connections in the network, the more the power to control. In the public goods game, cooperative and free-rider strategies are considered and the final level of cooperation in a population is studied. However, it is yet to determine a solution for indicating the effectiveness of each member to change other member's strategies. In a network, the choice of nodes effective in changing other nodes strategy, as free-riders, will lead to lower cooperation and vice versa. This paper uses simulated and real networks to investigate the effectiveness of nodes with the highest control power in changing other nodes strategies and the final level of cooperation compared to the hubs, local, and random nodes. Results indicate that choosing the nodes with the highest control power as free-riders will lead to a lower level of cooperation and is, therefore, more effective in changing the strategies of other nodes, compared to other sets in consideration. This result can be considered in the treatment of cancer; with the explanation that, destroying tumoral cells with the highest control power should be a priority as these cells have a higher capability in changing the strategy of other cells from cooperators to free-riders (healthy to tumoral).