bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
DESIGN PHASE OF A CYLINDRICAL LONG-SPAN COAL SHED WITH STEEL ARCH SPACE-TRUSS STRUCTURE
Authors: Setiawan Angga Fajar , Aminullah Akhmad , Gherry K. T. N. Gherry , Adhitama Y. A. , Darmawan M. Fauzi
Published: April 2022

This paper discusses the structural design phase of a long-span coal shed structure in a 2x50 MW steam power plant. This study aims to share knowledge on how to design a long-span coal shed structure safely based on the design standards. The main structural system of the coal shed roof is a steel arch space-truss with 120 m of span and 31 m of height above supporting 12.5 m height of reinforced concrete columns. The superstructure contains a roof system and reinforced concrete system. The substructure system consists of a tie beam, pile cap, and bore pile. In the numerical model, all structural members were idealized as frame elements, except the pile cap that to be idealized as shell elements. Then, the soil springs were assigned to the bore pile element nodals with a 1 m interval to simulate the soil-structure interaction. The gravity loads due to dead loads, additional dead loads, live loads, rain loads, and lateral loads due to wind action and earthquakes to be considered. Furthermore, the structural analysis was conducted with non-linear geometric to simulate the large displacement effects and tension only element of the wind bracing. In addition, a simplified method to estimate the structural stability under lateral load was conducted. Based on the structural analysis and structural design, the coal shed structure could fulfill the safety criteria in terms of ultimate and serviceability limit based on the design code criteria. Furthermore, the non-linear geometry and stability issue should be considered with an appropriate structural analysis method.
estudo sobre a utilização de políticas públicas de incentivos econômicos para o fomento da ecoeficiência na construção civil
Authors: Rudio Cerqueira do Nascimento Antônio , Regina Reis da Costa Stella
Published: April 2022

O Brasil, na última década, vem sofrendo com variações econômicas, trazendo insegurança para o contexto macroeconômico que, por consequência, dificulta a saída definitiva da crise. As medidas políticas governamentais têm como foco, em grande parte, o crescimento econômico, ao invés do incentivo a um desenvolvimento sustentável visando aprimorar a economia, a sociedade e o meio ambiente. O setor de construção civil, responsável por uma grande parcela da economia brasileira, tem um papel fundamental nesse contexto, pois, apesar da sua importância econômica, esse é o setor que gera mais passivos ambientais e sociais no país. Nesse contexto, cria-se uma responsabilidade à Administração Pública de implementar políticas que visem o aumento dos aspectos positivos econômicos, sociais e ambientais desse setor e a redução dos negativos. Nesse cenário, o presente trabalho tem como principal objetivo: fornecer subsídios que possam auxiliar na tomada de decisão para o estabelecimento de políticas públicas que fomentem as práticas sustentáveis, a partir da percepção das empresas de construção civil. A pesquisa envolveu revisão de literatura relacionada aos temas Sustentabilidade, Ecoeficiência, Construção Civil, Construções Ecológicas e Incentivos Fiscais adotando como metodologia a utilização de entrevista sem empresas do setor de construção civil para validação das propostas de possíveis políticas públicas. É um estudo de abordagem bibliográfica, documental e de campo, com observação direta e aplicada. O trabalho resultou em propostas de melhorias para que a Administração Pública otimize suas políticas de fomento à ecoeficiência, como desburocratização de processos de obtenção de licença e transparência de informação de políticas públicas, incentivando as organizações do setor de construção civil a melhorar suas atividades no tocante à redução de produção de resíduos sólidos e emissões de gases poluentes, sem dificultar o desenvolvimento econômico dessas empresas.
Viabilidade técnica e financeira em processos de inovação: um estudo comparativo para instalação de sistemas de energia solar em residências
Authors: Finckler Bald Jaqueline Andressa , Cunico Eliana , Walter Silvana Anita
Published: April 2022

O Brasil se destaca pela incidência de radiação solar em todo o seu território, fator que tem estimulado a difusão da energia fotovoltaica. O objetivo deste estudo consiste em analisar a viabilidade técnica e financeira da substituição de energia elétrica pela energia fotovoltaica, diante das atuais condições da legislação e das mudanças previstas para residências urbanas. A abordagem teórica está baseada nos processos de inovação pela lente da hélice-tripla, além de discutir conceitos sobre análise de viabilidade para projetos de modernização. A metodologia classifica-se como qualitativa e descritiva, e utilizou para a coleta de dados a pesquisa documental e bibliográfica. Os principais resultados apresentam análises com base em técnicas de orçamento de capital, comprovando a viabilidade de utilização da energia fotovoltaica em todos os cenários. Como principal contribuição quanto à originalidade, o artigo oferece um conjunto de dados, ferramentas de análise e discussão com a teoria que permite ao leitor compreender como tais análises podem ser replicadas em outros cenários.
Similarities and differences in consumer value preferences for kinnows (Mandarin) in major cities of Pakistan
Authors: Badar Hammad
Published: April 2022

This study identified similarities and differences in value preferences of consumers for Kinnows (mandarin) in Lahore, Faisalabad, Rawalpindi and Islamabad. The study sample comprised 540 consumers of Kinnows who were approached for data collection at various retail outlets in the selected cities. Using a questionnaire, consumers were interviewed face-to-face and data were gathered on consumption and purchase preferences and importance consumers attached to various search, experience, safety and marketing-related quality attributes in their purchase considerations. Descriptive statistics were employed to explore basic patterns in the preferences across the four cities. Mean ANOVA and Post-hoc Bonferroni tests helped reveal similarities and dissimilarities in consumption and purchase preferences of consumers. Results indicated statistically significant differences as well as similarities in consumption and purchase preferences for Kinnows in the selected cities. Consumers in Islamabad attached importance to all Kinnow quality attributes and appeared to be value seekers. Except few marketing, search and experience attributes, their preferences were found similar to those living in Rawalpindi. While consumers in Lahore and Faisalabad mostly resembled in their preferences and considered comparatively fewer quality attributes important. The study urged the Kinnow value chain actors to consider these similarities and differences in preparing and delivering their supplies in these cities. They also need to upgrade their practices for improving search, experience, safety and marketing-related quality attributes of Kinnows. Collaborative relationship and information sharing among them is also needed for improvements in quality attributes. Related public-sector institutions can facilitate them by providing support services needed to upgrade their value chain practices
Polymer Transport in Low-Permeability Carbonate Rocks
Authors: Song Haofeng , Ghosh Pinaki , Mejia Miguel , Mohanty Kishore K.
Published: April 2022

The efficiency of a polymer flood depends on polymer transport and retention. Most studies on polymer transport in the literature have been focused on high-permeability sandstones. A limited number of investigations have been conducted in carbonates with permeability less than 100 md and very few in the presence of residual oil. In this work, transport of four polymers with different molecular weights (MW) and functional groups was studied in 1-ft-long Edwards Yellow outcrop cores (permeability < 50 md) with and without residual oil. The retention of polymers was estimated by both the material balance method and the double-bank method. The polymer concentration in coreflood effluents was measured by both the total organic carbon (TOC) analyzer and the capillary tube pressure drop. The results demonstrated that in tight carbonate rocks at 100% water saturation, partially hydrolyzed acrylamide (HPAM) polymers exhibited high retention (>160 µg/g), inaccessible pore volume (IPV) greater than 7%, and high residual resistance factor (RRF) (>9). The propagation of HPAM improved with the residual oil saturation and the retention was reduced by 50 µg/g because of thin oil films in pores that prevented the direct adsorption of the carboxyl group of polymers on the mineral surface. The sulfonated polyacrylamide, AN132, showed low retention (<15 µg/g) and negligible IPV in all experiments. The RRF of AN132 in the water-saturated rock was less than 2, indicating minimal blocking of pore throats in these tight rocks. The RRF of the AN132 polymer increased slightly in the presence of residual oil saturation because of partial blocking of the smaller pore throats available for polymer propagation in the oil-aged core.
The neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio is positively correlated with aggression in schizophrenia
Authors: Tong Zhu , Zhu Jing , Wang Jiajia , Yang Yujing , Hu Wei
Published: April 2022

To find biomarkers to assess the risk of aggression, we looked at the association between aggression and levels of body inflammation in patients with schizophrenia. The Modified Overt Aggression Scale (MOAS) score was used to divide the aggressive (n=72) and nonaggressive (n=141) groups. The Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS) is a tool for determining the severity of a patient's condition. After measuring the number of inflammatory cells in the peripheral blood, the platelet-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), and monocyte-lymphocyte ratio (MLR) were estimated. We investigated the relationship between aggressive behavior, bodily inflammation, and BPRS. Before therapy, the aggressive group's BPRS score, white blood cell (WBC) count, Neutrophils count, Monocyte count, NLR, and MLR were considerably more significant than the nonaggressive group's. After therapy, statistically significant variations in total BPRS score and neutrophils count between the two groups. According to correlation analysis before and after treatment, aggressive behavior was positively connected with neutrophils count, NLR, and BPRS score. The presence of aggressive behavior in schizophrenic patients indicates the severity of the disorder to some degree. NLR can be used as an objective biomarker to quickly assess the risk of aggression in schizophrenic patients.
Glutaraldehyde-assisted crosslinking in regenerated cellulose films toward high dielectric and mechanical properties
Authors: Gao Menghang , Xie Xu , Huang Ting , Zhang Nan , Wang Yong
Published: April 2022

Developing the green dielectric materials satisfies the requirement of the sustainable development of society and economics. In this work, glutaraldehyde (GA)-assisted crosslinking strategy was developed to prepare the crosslinked regenerated cellulose (CRC) films, and the effects of different crosslinking methods, including crosslinking steps, concentration of GA solution and crosslinking time, on dielectric and mechanical properties of the CRC films were systematically investigated. Microstructure and morphology characterizations show that compared with the common RC films, the CRC films show apparently reduced defects and enhanced intermolecular interaction. At GA concentration of 6 vol% and crosslinking time of 30 min, the CRC film shows the lowest dielectric loss (0.03 at 1000 Hz, 92.3% smaller than RC film) and the highest breakdown strength (336.55 MV m-1, 364.3% higher than RC film), and simultaneously, the film shows the high tensile strength of 76.8 MPa and excellent tensile modulus of 6.08 GPa, about 240.9% and 104% higher than those of RC film, respectively. This work provides new insight in tailoring the dielectric and mechanical properties of the cellulose films through constructing the crosslinking structure, which is of great significance for the fabrication of the high-performance cellulose-based dielectric materials.
Extraventricular Neurocytoma: a Case Report and Literature Review
Authors: Wang Liping , Dai Xiaoxiao , Ping Yifang , Chen Ping , Chen Yanming , Cheng Shan , Li Yongdong , Li Suwen , Li Haoran , Yuan Jiaqi , Hou Yanghao , Dong Jun
Published: April 2022

Extraventricular neurocytoma (EVN) is a rare intracranial tumor. The most common locations of EVN were frontal lobe and cerebellum, followed by temporal lobe. Heterogeneous contrast enhancement, cystic changes, perilesional edema and calcification were a few distinct imaging characteristics. EVN is a primary tumor with either glial or neuronal differentiation or potential for atypical changes. The lack of characteristic manifestations in histopathology makes EVN difficult to distinguish from other low-grade neuronal and mixed neuronal-glial tumors. Herein, we describe a case of frontal extraventricular neurocytoma in a 37-year-old male presenting with dizzy and review the literature on this rare tumor. Pathological examination reveals that the tumor mainly composed of oligodendroglia-like cells, with expression of synaptophysin (SYN) and Olig2 (oligodendrocyte transcription factor 2), and microcalcifications. Methylation profile and t-SNE analysis show our sample cluster with the other two reference EVNs. Next-generation sequencing (NGS) shows FGFR1-TACC1 fusion. We report a case of EVN with expression of Olig2, FGFR1-TACC1 fusion, methylation of MGMT promoter, and discuss our experience along with a review of the published literature.
Operational stability, low light performance, and long-lived transients in mixed-halide perovskite solar cells with a monolayer-based hole transport layer
Authors: Murdey Richard , Ishikura Yasuhisa , Matsushige Yuku , Hu Shuaifeng , Pascual Jorge , Truong Minh Anh , Nakamura Tomoya , Wakamiya Atsushi
Published: April 2022

Due to their tunable bandgap and low manufacturing cost, metal halide perovskite solar cells are attractive for ambient/indoor light harvesting applications such as powering Internet of Things devices. In this work, we examined the viability of p-i-n perovskite solar cells fabricated with MeO-2PACz, a molecular monolayer hole transport layer, for ambient light harvesting applications. Two triple-cation mixed halide lead perovskite absorbers were compared, one with high bromide content (Br/I ratio 1:2, bandgap 1.72 eV) and the other with low bromide content (Br/I ratio 1:11, bandgap 1.57 eV). Both materials demonstrated good stability during 100 h maximum power operation under simulated sunlight, a cumulative light dose comparable to over two years of ambient use. After the test completed, however, the measured device efficiency was found to fall temporarily due to a transient loss of output current. This effect was more apparent in the wide bandgap device and was likely caused by light-induced halide segregation. The initial performance was re-established after a recovery period where the device was left in the dark. After recovery, both devices retained good performance under low light conditions. The wide bandgap device achieved a stable power conversion efficiency of 30.4% under a simulated ambient light source (835 lx white LED).
Revealing energy transfer between deck and cables in cable-stayed bridges through resonancne analysis with coupling effect of adjacent cables considered
Authors: Kang Houjun , Cai yunpeng , Cong Yunyue , Su Xiaoyang , Yan Guirong
Published: April 2022

The nonlinear dynamic model of a shallow arch with multiple cables is developed to model a long-span cable-stayed bridge. Based on the veering phenomenon of cable-stayed bridges, the in-plane modal internal resonance between the first mode of the shallow arch and the first mode of the cable is investigated under both primary resonance and subharmonic resonance. Modulation equations of the dynamic system are obtained by Galerkin discretization and the multiple scales method, in which the equilibrium solution of modulation equations is obtained by the Newton-Raphson method. Meanwhile, the Runge-Kutta method is applied to directly solve the ordinary differential equations to verify the accuracy of the perturbation analysis. Numerical analysis shows that the coupling effects (nonlinearities) caused by increasing the number of cables can have a significant influence on dynamic properties of the system, especially for the hardening spring behavior of cables.
Based on variability parameters analysis of autonomic function in rats with Parkinson's disease induced by rotenone
Authors: Yu Yi , Gao Xudong , Wang Mengke , Lei Miaoqing , Liu Yilin , Chen Peiqi , Zhao Xuewei , Feng Yifan , Hu Heshun , Niu Yanxiang , Wang Chong , Shao Zhenpeng , Wu Yang , Zhu Yu , Mu Junlin , Zhao Zongya
Published: April 2022

Background: Parkinson's disease is a common neurodegenerative disease, and while early detection of cardiovascular symptoms may aid in early diagnosis, there are no definitive markers to assess cardiovascular autonomic damage in Parkinson's disease.Methods: Twenty Sprague Dawley rats were randomly assigned to the experimental (n=12) and control (n=8) groups, and a model of Parkinson's disease was created in the experimental group by stereotaxic injection of rotenone into the substantia nigra compacta and ventral tegmental area. Telemetry implantation was carried out after successful modeling. Equal dosages of saline were injected into control animals at the same places. In both groups of rats, ECG, blood pressure, core temperature, and activity were recorded using a Data Science International implantable physiological signal telemetry device. The time domain, frequency domain, and non-linear analysis were used to examine the blood pressure and heart rate variability of the two groups of rats. Results: The experimental group had higher Detrended Fluctuation Analysis (DFA) of blood pressure signals (systolic, diastolic, and mean arterial pressure), mean arterial pressure, normalized high frequency power (nHF) than the control rats (p<0.05). The experimental group had lower sample entropy (SampEn) of blood pressure signals (diastolic and mean arterial pressure), root mean squared successive differences (RMSSD), normalized lower frequency power (nLF) and total power than the control group (p<0.05). However, the standard deviation, coefficient of variation, and continuous variation in the linear analysis of continuous blood pressure signal between the two groups were not statistically significant (p>0.05). Conclusion: The rats in the rotenone model had significant autonomic dysfunction, and non-linear analysis approaches such as detrended fluctuation analysis and sample entropy were able to discern the diseased condition of the rats more sensitively while processing the continuous blood pressure data.
Vicia faba seed: A bioindicator of phytotoxicity, genotoxicity, and cytotoxicity of light crude oils
Authors: Alavi Elaheh , Tajadod Golnaz , Marandi Sayeh Jafari , Arbabian Sedigheh
Published: April 2022

Crude oil contamination is a serious threat to the environment and human health. The present study aimed at assessing the risk of contaminated soil with light crude oil using Vicia faba seed. To this end, the seeds were planted in 0 (control), 1, 2, and 4% (w/w) light crude oil-contaminated soils. The seed germination and then the root lengths were measured for phytotoxicity. The mitotic index, chromosome aberrations, and micronucleus formation in the root tip cells were examined for cytotoxicity and genotoxicity. The results of this study showed that light crude oil had toxic effects on Vicia faba growth characteristics, even at 1%. The phytotoxicity assay showed that crude oil reduced seed germination and root length, while cytological observations indicated an increase in mitotic index, chromosome aberrations, and micronucleus formation. The light crude oil at 4% induced the simultaneous occurrence of nuclear bud, polyploidy, and micronucleus that may be considered as severe clastogenic and aneugenic effects of light crude oil. Accordingly, V. faba can be considered a reliable living system for monitoring light crude oil pollution in soils, even at low concentrations.
Utilization of Nanosize Spent Oil Shale for Water Treatment: Application of Top-Down Nanonization Technology for Solid Residues
Authors: Abu-Surrah Adnan , Al-Degs Yahya
Published: April 2022

Since the dawn of nanoscience, producing nanomaterials in a simple, low-cost, and high-yield manner has been a major issue. For the commercial manufacturing of nanomaterials, various bottom-up and top-down methodologies have been established thus far. High energy dry ball milling has been widely used for the production of diverse nanomaterials, nanograins, nanoalloys, and nanocomposites. Physical grinding of inorganic solid wastes into nanosize (1-100 nm) seems to improve their industrial applications particularly as water adsorbent. Application of nanosize spent oil shale to sequestrate phenol is addressed in the current research. The collected spent oil shale (SiO2 and Al2O3 making 45% of the material) has microstructure with average particle size of 56.6 µm. The dry grinding was performed in a vibrating ball mill at various grinding time (5-150 min) while keeping the grinding parameters constant including number of balls, ball size, mass, vibration frequency and amplitude. Upon grinding, the mean particle diameter of the bulk material was reduced to 191.8 and 85.2 nm using 0.5 and 0.1 mm grinding balls, respectively. To assess the influence of physical grinding, textural parameters are measured in addition to other chemical tests including specific surface area, pore volume, particle size distribution, X-ray fluorescence, pHPZC, and phenol uptake. Although nanosize particles (85.2 nm) perform better than bulk material for phenol uptake, they underwent serious aggregation at pH > 2 and ionic strength > 1.0 mM. Hence, the 191.8 nm size is selected to assess the effect of mechanical grinding on sorption kinetics and equilibrium sorption capacity toward phenol as common pollutant.
Longitudinally and laterally trench supporting subsurface dam innovative design procedures
Authors: Şen Zekâi
Published: April 2022

According to the Paris climate change agreement, temperature increases of around 1.5oC or 2.0oC by 2050 are bound to increase the amounts of evaporation and evapotranspiration, which are among the losses from surface water bodies such as rivers, lakes, reservoirs and dams. In order to reduce these losses and support local water supply, subsurface dam construction projects are at the forefront in many countries, especially in arid and semi-arid regions, even in subtropical climate regions. In the literature, there are classical methodological explanations for underground dams with quite insufficient and restrictive interpretations. In this paper, two very similar but different new alternatives are proposed as longitudinally and laterally supportive underground dams with inspirations from historical qanat groundwater subsurface structures. Both types are supported by artificial trenches with higher hydraulic conductivity than the surrounding Quaternary alluvial deposits to increase external and meanwhile to support internal areal recharge possibilities between the trenches and the surrounding natural porous, weathered and fractured layers. It is noticed that trench supportive subsurface dams are more effective, affordable, sustainable and manageable that classical alternatives available in the literature. It is recommended that more refined subsurface groundwater movement mathematical formulation should be developed in future.
Pro-angiogenic activity of isofuran in rat brain endothelial cells
Authors: Zhu Tang , Zhang Jingxia , Wang Xiangjiang , Lin Zhiping
Published: April 2022

Background: Isofurans (IsoFs) are a series of novel discovered lipid peroxidation products, which are found in some oxidation-injured disorders. Oxidative damage is a major pathological feature of abnormal vascularization diseases. This study is focused on the investigation of angiogenic property of IsoF. The alteration on cellular proliferation, migration, and apoptosis by an IsoF were also detected by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, coverslip migration assay, and TUNEL assay. Furthermore, cellular calcium release and extracellular regulated protein kinases (ERK) 1/2 activation by IsoF were analyzed. RT-PCR was carried out to detect some angiogenesis-related gene expression induced by IsoF. Results: MTT stain assay indicated that 1mM IsoF had the most bioactivity in RBECs. IsoF significantly promoted cellular proliferation and migration and remarkably decreased staurosporine-induced apoptosis by TUNEL assay in the RBECs. Moreover, IsoF activated extracellular regulated protein kinases (ERK)1/2 and trigged calcium release. RT-PCR examination indicated that IsoF up-regulated tumor necrosis factor (TNF)a, angiopoietin-1 receptor (Tie2), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-A, but did not interfere with caspase 2 and VEGF-C in the RBECs.Conclusion: IsoF has pro-angiogenic activity via promotion of cellular proliferation/migration and prohibition of cellular apoptosis. Calcium release and ERK1/2 phosphorylation may be involved in the signaling of the IsoF-induced up-regulation of TNFa, Tie2, and VEGF-A, which could be the molecular mechanism of the pro-angiogenic activity of the IsoF.
Environmental regulation and high-quality economic growth——Quasi-natural experimental evidence from China
Authors: Zhang Yanbo , Li Xiang
Published: April 2022

The relationship between environmental regulation and economic growth is difficult to reconcile, resulting in the "involutional" dilemma of environmental governance by local governments. The panel data of Chinese A-share listed industrial companies during the period between 2010 and 2019, this paper manually collected data on environmental protection interview and central environmental protection inspection, and empirically investigated the impact of both on the high-quality economic growth of companies using the difference-in-difference method. The results indicate that first, both environmental protection interview and central environmental protection inspection significantly promote high-quality economic growth. Second, the two-pronged policy effect of environmental protection interview and central environmental protection inspection is more significant, and the promotion effect on high-quality economic growth is higher than that of the two policies alone. Third, the dual policy action significantly promotes high-quality economic growth of state-owned companies and non-state-owned companies, but the economic growth of non-state-owned enterprises are more sensitive to the central environmental protection inspection, and the policy effects show a heterogeneous pattern in the east, central, and west regions. Therefore, the effective integration of environmental protection interview and central environmental protection inspection should be accelerated so that environmental pollution control and economic growth can be carried out together.
Lavender Discrimination in Parkinson’s Disease
Authors: Bliwise Donald L. , Trotti Lynn Marie
Published: April 2022

The scent of lavender has been purported to promote sleep in patients with neurodegenerative disease, but an obvious paradox is how, given the widely recognized deficits in olfaction observed in such patients, such an effect could occur. In this study we examined the ability of Parkinson’s Disease patients to discriminate lavender from rose in a forced-choice discrimination task. Results indicated that most Parkinson’s patients could not discriminate lavender above chance, although about a third were able to do so. This preserved ability was unrelated to disease severity or years with diagnosis. It was unrelated to age- and sex-adjusted performance on a standardized test of olfaction (University of Pennsylvania Smell Identification Test). These results were compatible with lavender’s potential impact via trigeminal afferents and leave open the possibility that lavender could indeed impact sleep in some patients with neurodegenerative disease.
Water, hygiene and sanitation practices are associated with stunting among children of aged 24-59 months in Lemo district, South Ethiopia, in 2021
Authors: Woldesenbet Biruk , Tolcha Alemu , Tsegaye Berhan
Published: April 2022

Background
Stunting among children from 24 months to 59 months is a major public health challenge in developing countries like Ethiopia. It has been linked with poor water quality, lack of environmental sanitation, and personal hygiene (WASH) practices. However, complete understandings of risk factors (WASH) which contribute for stunting were not explored at the study area.
Objective
This stud aimed to assess the prevalence and factor associated with stunting among children aged 24–59 months in Lemo district, South Ethiopia, in 2021.
Methods
A community based cross-sectional study was conducted from January 1–30/2011. Data were collected from 415 randomly selected child and mother /caregiver pairs/. A structured and interviewer-administered questionnaire and direct observations of anthropometric status generated WHO Anthropometric were used as means of data collection. Logistic regression analysis was conducted. Variables with p-value < 0.25 in the binary logistic regression model were fitted into multivariable logistic regression analysis to identify factors associated with stunting. Variables with AOR and 95% CI and P-value < 0.05 was computed and reported as final risk factors of stunting in the study setting.
Results
From the total of 422 children, only 415 children were included in the final analysis of this study making a response rate of 98.3%. The prevalence of stunting in the study area is 33.5% (95%CI, 30.4% -36.6%) in this study. Children whose age was from 48–59 months (AOR = 2.8, 95%CI, 2.1, 12.1), children whose age 36–47 months age (AOR = 1.6, 95%CI, 1.1, 7.1), children of uneducated women (AOR = 1.8, 95%CI, 1.5, 4.2), children who live in unimproved toilets (AOR = 1.7, 95%CI, 1.2,2.6), children whose feces was disposed unsafely (AOR = 2.8, 95%CI, 1.57, 5.31), children whose mothers did not wash their during feeding their children (AOR = 6.2, 95%CI, 6.2 (2.0, 19.1) were factors associated with stunting among children of 24 month to 59 months.
Conclusion
Stunting is still high in the study area. Policy makers, program managers and community health works should enhance environmental sanitation, awareness creation about personal hygiene and improved toilet construction and utilization. Furthermore, the local government should work to improve socio-economic status of poor household through inter sectorial collaboration.
LIGHT mediates inflammation in psoriasis by up-regulating cellular proliferation and cytokines production of keratinocytes
Authors: Cao Ting , Ye Cheng-bin , Shi Yu , Zou Ying
Published: April 2022

Background
The pathogenesis of psoriasis is associated with perturbations of immune system. In our previous studies, HVEM served as a LIGHT (homologous to lymphotoxins, inducible, and competes with HSV glycol- protein D), which is also known as receptors for tumor necrosis factor superfamily member 14. HVEM and LTBR were increased in psoriasis compared with health control, revealing a potential correlation in the pathogenesis of psoriasis.
Methods
The objective of this study was to examine LIGHT’s effect on keratinocytes proliferation and its therapeutic potential for psoriasis. We added LIGHT protein, anti-HVEM, anti-LTβR, HVEM interference, LTβR interference, NF-κB inhibitor and JNK/AP-1 inhibitor separately or simultaneously in HaCat cells medium in vitro. The expression of NF-κB was stained by immunofluorescence and the expression of inflammatory products was measured with Western blot and ELISA. HaCat cells viability was examined by CCK-8 kit. Flow cytometry was used to detected the expression of HVEM and LTβR on cells and immunohistochemistry in tissues.
Results
We found that NF-κB transferred from cytoplasm into nuclear after HaCat cells stimulated by LIGHT protein. The expression of p-c-Jun, IL-6, IL-8, PGI2 and PTGS2 was increased when adding LIGHT protein, while decreased after blockading LIGHT’s receptors or inhibiting NF-κB and JNK/AP-1. HaCat cells viability was consistent with the expression of pro-inflammatory factors. The expression of LIGHT and HVEM was increased in lesions of patients with psoriasis.
Conclusions
These results suggest that JNK/AP-1-HVEM-LIGHT pathway improved the viability and the expression of IL-6, IL-8, PGI2 and PTGS2 in human keratinocytes, revealing the JNK/AP-1-HVEM-LIGHT pathway can be a potential target for the treatment of psoriasis.
Synchronous dynamics of spectral greening trends and regional climate variability across Europe
Authors: Kempf Michael
Published: April 2022

Europe witnessed a strong increase in climate variability and extremes over the past decades that caused degradation of ecological and societal resilience. Cascading feedbacks like the 2003 and 2010 heat waves were considered environmental response to anthropogenically reinforced climate anomalies. Land-use intensification, landcover change, and forest degradation further increased the pressure on the ecosystem’s functionalities. Conversely, recent satellite observations emphasized positive vegetation and landcover reflectance trends as a response to rising atmospheric CO₂ input and global warming, particularly in the northern latitudes. However, these global trends obfuscate the intensified regional divergence of climate variability and extremes and risk underestimating future climate induced feedbacks. Consequently, long-term climate trends and variability must be analysed together with annual and interannual anomalies to understand regional feedback mechanisms and surface cover changes. This article presents long-term NDVI (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index) monthly time series analyses compared to multicomponent environmental background variability to highlight European-scale greening trends over the period 2001–2020. Significant warming and persistent hot droughts affect regional vegetation trends in central Europe compared to prolonged phenological phases and reduced snow-cover in north-eastern Europe.
Wireless Theranostic Smart Contact Lens for Monitoring and Control of Intraocular Pressure in Glaucoma
Authors: Hahn Sei Kwang , Kim Taeyeon , Mok Jee Won , Hong Sang Hoon , Jeong Sang Hoon , Choi Hyeon Sik , Shin Sangbaie , Joo Choun-Ki
Published: April 2022

Glaucoma is one of the most menacing irreversible ocular diseases that can cause vision loss in some serious cases. Although Triggerfish has been commercialized for monitoring intraocular pressure (IOP) in glaucoma, there is no smart contact lens to monitor IOP and take appropriate drug treatment in response to the IOP levels. Here, we report a precisely integrated theranostic smart contact lens with a sensitive gold hollow nanowire (AuHNW) based IOP sensor, a flexible drug delivery system (DDS), wireless power and communication systems and an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) chip for both monitoring and control of IOP in glaucoma. The AuHNW based IOP sensor shows high ocular strain sensitivity, chemical stability and biocompatibility. Furthermore, the flexible DDS can be used for on-demand delivery of timolol for IOP control. Taken together, the IOP levels can be successfully monitored and controlled by the theranostic smart contact lens in glaucoma induced rabbits. This theranostic smart contact lens would be harnessed as a futuristic personal healthcare platform for glaucoma and other ocular diseases.
Characterization of the bacterial microbiome of Amblyomma scalpturatum and Amblyomma ovale collected from Tapirus terrestris “Tapir” and Amblyomma sabanerae collected from Chelonoidis denticulate “Motelo”, Madre de Dios- Peru
Authors: Rojas-Jaimes Jesús , Lindo-Seminario David , Correa-Núñez Germán , Diringer Benoit
Published: April 2022

Ticks are reservoirs and vectors of pathogens of importance in animal and human health. These microorganisms in ticks can play different roles such as endosymbiont, pathogenic, and even unknown. Here we report the bacterial microbiome of adult males Amblyomma scalpturatum and Amblyomma ovale ticks (GARS) collected from Tapirus terrestris, captured in the rural area of San Lorenzo Village and males Amblyomma sabanerae (GART) collected from Chelonoidis denticulate area of Gamitana Farm in Madre de Dios region, Perú. Greater diversity and bacterial richness was evidenced in males ticks (GART; 613.65–2.03) compared to males ticks (GARS; 102.17–0.40) through the Chao and Shanon-Weaver indices. 478 operational taxonomic units were registered corresponding to 220 bacterial genera in GART and 28 bacterial genera in GARS. Francisella was more prevalent in GART (73.2%) and Acinetobacter in GARS (96.8%) in GARS suggesting that they constitute the central microbiome of Amblyomma sabanerae and Amblyomma scalpturatum / Amblyomma ovale respectively.The genus Francisella was prevalent in males of A. sabanerae collected from C. denticulate, and the genus Acinetobacter was prevalent in males of A. scalpturatum / A. ovale collected from T. terrestris, the bacterial richness and diversity being greater in A. sabanerae males. These metagenomic findings are the first reported in A. scalpturatum / A. ovale and A. sabanerae collected from T. terrestris and C. denticulate in the Peruvian Amazon.
Effects of AMF on the growth and cadmium uptake of maize grown on polluted soils of three land-use types with different cadmium contents
Authors: chen jiaxin , Guo Jianfang , Li Zuran , Liang Xinran , You Yihong , He Yongmei , Li Mingrui , Zhan Fangdong
Published: April 2022

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) exist widely in soils polluted by heavy metals and have significant effects on plant growth and cadmium (Cd) uptake. There are three land-use types (wasteland, farmland and mountain) with different Cd pollution levels in a lead-zinc mining area in Huize County, Yunnan Province, Southwest China. The effects of AMF on the growth, root morphology and exudate content, rhizosphere Cd speciation and Cd uptake by maize were investigated via a root-bag experiment. The results showed that AMF increased the height and biomass of maize grown soils of the three land-use types, resulting in increases in root length, surface area, volume and branch number, and its effects were higher on maize grown on farmland soil than on wasteland and mountain soils. AMF increased the malic acid and succinic acid contents secreted by maize roots in farmland and mountain soils, enhanced the contents of iron and manganese oxidized Cd, and decreased the content of organic bound Cd in the maize rhizosphere. Moreover, AMF increased Cd uptake in shoots by 12.5 and 1.7 times, and improved Cd uptake in roots by 25.7% and 86.6%, in farmland and mountain soils, respectively. Correlation analysis showed that the Cd uptake in shoots was significantly or significantly positively correlated with the root surface area and root volume and with the contents of the tartaric acid, malic acid and succinic acid secreted by the roots. Thus, the increased maize Cd uptake promoted by AMF was closely related to its affecting root morphology and low molecular weight organic acid secretion, and its effects varied among soils of land-use types with different Cd pollution levels.
Lp-minimal solutions of BDSDEs with left continuous and stochastic linear growth coefficients and p in (1;2)
Authors: OWO Jean Marc
Published: April 2022

In this work, we investigate backward doubly stochastic differential equations. We derive via suitable approximation and comparison theorem, existence of minimal solution in L p sense, for any p in (1;2), when the coefficients are left continuous with stochastic linear growth.
Size and Cycle in Dusky Salamanders: a Female Perspective
Authors: Bruce Richard C.
Published: April 2022

The equal fitness paradigm (EFP) is a life-history model in which the currency of fitness is usable energy rather than individuals, and the principal tradeoff is between survival, evaluated as generation time, and productivity, evaluated as growth and reproductive rates. In the current study I examined variation in generation time, age at first reproduction, and productivity in salamanders of the genus Desmognathus within the framework of the EFP. Desmognathus salamanders are restricted to eastern North America, with a center of distribution in the southern Appalachian Mountains. The data sources of the present report are published studies of life histories and demographics of five species of Desmognathus that include the smallest and largest members of the genus. The analysis showed that Desmognathus salamanders have greater ages at first reproduction, lengthier generation times, and lower productivities than are predicted by the scaling functions of the EFP for vertebrates of equivalent sizes. The differences among species in these parameters are correlated with variation in adult body size and the association between body size and habitat utilization in the genus, wherein the largest species are aquatic in mountain streams, and the smallest are terrestrial in mesic forests. Streamside species of intermediate size exploit a broader range of habitats and are more widely distributed than the stream- and forest-dwelling forms. It is likely that the streamside mode of life in Desmognathus represents an adaptation promoting dispersal. Adaptive radiation in the genus is expressed in extreme life-history and body-size diversification mediated through variation in age at first reproduction and generation time.
Neuroevolution Multiclass Diabetic Retinopathy Classification of Eye Fundus Images
Authors: Pérez-Estigarribia Pastor E , Gómez Jordan Ayala , Gardel-Sotomayor Pedro E. , Benítez Veronica E. Castillo , Matto Ingrid Castro , Noguera José Luis Vázquez , García-Torres Miguel , Mello-Román Julio César , Pinto-Roa Diego Pedro , Aquino-Brítez Diego , Gomez Santiago , Facon Jacques
Published: April 2022

Diabetic retinopathy is a complication of a widespread eye disease named diabetes mellitus. Diabetes mellitus, due to the increased glucose levels, may damage the retina’s blood vessels and cause visual complications and eventually blindness. Therefore, early detection and adequate assessment of disease progression are crucial for adequate treatment. The most widely used method for diagnosing diabetic retinopathy is the analysis of retinal fundus images obtained by retinography. Deep Learning-based methods have shown promising results as a diagnostic tool for diabetic retinopathy, achieving, in some cases, performance close to the human inspection of images. However, the performance of these methods relies heavily on fine-tuning the algorithm hyperparameters and big data sets. In this work, we propose training a Deep Learning network with evolutionary algorithms to classify three stages of Diabetic Retinopathy: i) no sign of diabetic retinopathy, ii) Non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy, and iii) proliferative diabetic retinopathy. We propose a neuroevolution methodology for selecting the most efficient Deep Learning model. The results of the neuroevolution methodology were improved by including Simulated Annealing strategies, Population Reinitialization and ensembles. With high accuracy, sensitivity, specificity and kappa index rates, the experiments show that our neuroevolution methodology for selecting the Deep Learning model hyperparameters is a competitive alternative for training deep neural networks to classify three stages of diabetic retinopathy even with a small data set.
The Evolution of Snow Depth over the Southern Tibetan Plateau in Late Spring to Early Summer and Roles of the Air Temperature
Authors: Zhang Chengyang , Zheng Zhihai , Ou Yi , Zhang Tuantuan , Xiao Zhixiang , Lai Sheng , Chen Sirong , He Hui
Published: April 2022

The southern Tibetan Plateau (TP) is the snow cover area during cold season but exhibits faster snow melting in early summer. Using in-situ observations and improved satellite-derived data, the present study indicates that the snow depth (SD) over southern TP exhibits distinction characteristics between late spring (i.e., P1: April 16th–May 15th) and early summer (i.e., P2: May 16th–June 14th). In terms of climate states, the snow melting rate over southern TP in P2 is faster than that in P1. The acceleration of snow melting during P2 is mainly found over high elevation areas caused by the increase of local air temperature. Diagnoses of the thermodynamic equation further demonstrate that the warming over southern TP during the two periods is mainly attributed to the meridional temperature advection and diabatic heating in situ. On interannual time scale, the SD over southern TP is closely related to diabatic heating over the South Asia. During P1, the diabatic cooling from the southern Bay of Bengal eastward to the western South China Sea suppresses convection over Bay of Bengal and southern TP, resulted in an upper-level anomalous cyclone and cold temperature anomalies from the surface to 200hPa over southern TP, favoring the above-normal SD over southern TP. On the other hand, observational results show that SD over the southern TP in P2 is closely related to diabatic cooling over the northern Indochina Peninsula and diabatic heating over the southern China, but the modelling results could not provide further evident, which warrants a further investigation.
Experimental study on capillary performance of sintered powder porous wick for loop heat pipes
Authors: Wei Jinjia , Yang Xiaoping , LIU Jie , WANG Gaoxiang
Published: April 2022

The performance of loop heat pipes (LHP) is determined by porous wick. In this paper, the comprehensive properties of sintered nickel powder porous wicks were systematically studied. Three particle sizes (average diameter 2~20 μm), pore-forming agent content (0%~30%wt) and two preparation methods (loose sintering and cold press sintering) were utilized to prepare 42 samples. The results showed that with the increase of the particle size and pore-forming agent content and the decrease of the preparation pressure, the porosity and average pore size increased, and capillary performance was enhanced due to the improvement in the connectivity of internal pores. However, the mechanical strength of the wick decreased. To guarantee the working life of LHP, the pore-forming agent content was suggested to be < 10% for loose sintering and < 20% for cold press sintering. An improved model for the capillary performance and permeability of wicks was established. The predicted results agreed well with the experimental ones. Moreover, the Kozeny-Carman constants under various factors were obtained, which were much smaller than the recommended values in published literatures.