bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Relationship Between Depressive Symptoms, Job Burnout And Career Choice Regret of Postgraduates In Stomatology
Authors: Yang Lu , Zhong Xiaogang , Long Huiqing , Chen Fangchun , Jin Xin
Published: September 2021

Background: In China, the shortage of doctors leads to an increase in workload. Especially after the new crown epidemic（COVID-19）, excessive workload may lead to both physical and mental fatigue of doctors. Students' choices and opinions about the doctoral （health care）industry are particularly important. However, we don't know much about the work and living conditions of postgraduates in Stomatology. The purpose of this research is to investigate the depressive symptoms, job burnout and job satisfaction of individual dental graduate students and their personal professional characteristics after the outbreak of coronavirus disease-2019. Methods: The study directed to the correlations between depressive symptoms, burnout and career choice regret and their factors. The questionnaire covers demographic information, Maslach Burnout Inventory, and added programs to evaluate career choice regret. Results: There are 580 dental graduate students who will return to complete the questionnaire in 2021. After excluding partial questionnaires, the data of 558 participants were analyzed. In total, 44.1% of the participants had symptoms of depression. 41.0% of the participants experienced symptoms of burnout and 41.6% of the participants had regrets about their career choices. Binary logistic regression analysis showed that the average daily sleep time was associated to depressive symptoms (P<0.05). At the same time, job burnout (OR = 5.38, 95% CI 3.67–7.88) and career choice regret (OR = 2.07, 95% CI 1.41–3.05) were risk factors for depressive symptoms. There was a relationship between job burnout, average study time per week and average daily sleep time(all P<0.05). Depressive symptoms were the biggest risk factor for burnout (OR = 5.28, 95% CI3.62-7.69). There was a relationship between career choice regret, postgraduate entrance examination score and average daily sleep time(all P<0.05). Job burnout (OR = 1.82, 95% CI1.24-2.66) and depressive symptoms (OR = 2.15, 95% CI1.48-3.14) were both risk factors for career choice regret. Conclusions: Depressive symptoms, job burnout, and career choice regrets are common in postgraduates majoring in Stomatology . An in-depth understanding of relevant factors is essential to determine the reduction and prevention of burnout and career choice regrets in this group.
The Experience of Online Learning During COVID-19 Among Physiotherapy Undergraduates in a Lower Middle Income Country: A Report From Sri Lanka
Authors: Pathmanathan Cinthuja , de Zoysa Piyanjali
Published: September 2021

Introduction/background: Online learning have existed for over a decade. However, lower middle income countries, such as Sri Lanka, have hardly utilized these services. Instead, they follow the traditional in-person teaching activities. Yet, with the onset of COVID-19, due to sheer necessity, an alternative method had to be utilized if university education was to proceed. Hence, this study’s main objective was to explore the experience of online learning among physiotherapy undergraduates during the pandemic.Method: An online cross-sectional survey was conducted among physiotherapy undergraduates from all three universities in Sri Lanka that offer a physiotherapy degree. The study questionnaire, consisting of 49 items, was formulated based on a literature review. Each item assessed an aspect of online learning. Results: Of the 147 responses obtained, 72% were females and 50% of the participants were from the 3rd year of study. The results indicated that during the pandemic period, 63% of the participants spent between 10-40 hours on online learning. Students’ perception about online learning was assessed. Higher average values were obtained for all students’ perceptions statements regarding online learning. However, the perceived effectiveness of online learning, as compared to in-person learning, had a relatively low mean score. Being able to stay at home and to learn at their own pace were commonly mentioned advantages of online learning. However, 36% of participants indicated that internet connectivity issues impacted their learning whilst 78% of the participants indicated that clinical teaching and practical classes could not be replaced by online teaching. Hence, it appears that about 77% of the participants prefer a hybrid learning method, even post-pandemic, which is opined to be made more effective if the classes are more interactive, stimulating and engaging.Conclusion: The study results indicate that there are both positive and negative aspects of online learning education. Problems such as internet connectivity issues, possibly more prominent in lower income countries, should be addressed to provide a satisfactory learning experience to students. In looking to the future, post-pandemic, a hybrid teaching method would be ideal for a study programme that requires practical classes and clinical exposure.
Factors Affecting Transfusion During Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy: A Retrospective Study of 665 Cases
Authors: Zhao Hong , Li Jun-Sheng , Li Li , Wang Hang , Miao Yi , Guo Jian-Ming
Published: September 2021

Purpose: To evaluate the aspects affecting transfusion following percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL).Background: From 2016 to 2019, 665 patients underwent PCNL for removal of renal calculi in our center. Complications, including hemorrhages, have been reported. Twenty-three patients (3.5%) have received a blood transfusion and twelve (1.9%) were treated by hyper-selective embolization. We focus on the influencing factors related to postoperative blood transfusion. The factors analyzed were (age, sex, hypertension, diabetes, serum creatinine level, preoperative hemoglobin, and use of anticoagulants or antiplatelet medications); renal and stone factors (previous surgery, abnormal anatomy, stone side, stone burden, stone type); and surgical features: (access number, the calyx of puncture and stone-free rate). These data were analyzed for the presence of bleeding.Results: Among individual factors, preoperative hemoglobin level (P<0.001), and urinary infection (P<0.001) were significantly correlated with blood transfusion. Among renal and stone factors, only previous history of open surgery was significantly correlated with blood transfusion (P<0.05). Stone type or stone burden does not correlate with transfusion. There was also no statistically significant correlation between surgical features and bleeding, and a lower stone-free rate reported for transfusion group.Conclusion: The obtained results demonstrated that PCNL is a safer surgery in a high volume center, but anemic conditions, infections and history of open surgery will significantly increase transfusion rate following PCNL.
Prevalence and Risk Factors of Microalbuminuric in Patients With Diabetes Mellitus and Hypertension in Zhengzhou City, China
Authors: Shen Ao , Wu Lina , Ma Xiaojun , Jing Na , Ding Xiaoxu , Pan Mengxing , Zhao Linlin , Qin Guijun , Zhao Yanyan
Published: September 2021

Background: The prevalence of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) is uprising in the paralleled with the increase of chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients. The objective of this study was to assess the value of macroalbuminuric of kidney disease in diabetic and/or hypertensive patients and the risk factors associated with microalbuminuric. Methods: A total of 3986 patients diagnosed with diabetes and/or hypertension aged 40 years and over was investigated by randomized cluster sampling in the Zhengzhou community and 1453 participants were analyzed in this study. The clinical data were investigated, including the urinary albumin–to-creatinine ratio (ACR), total cholesterol, triglyceride, high density lipoprotein, low density lipoprotein, glycated hemoglobin of HbAlc, fasting plasma glucose, 2-h postprandial plasma, and serum creatinine. The ACR was applied to designate albuminuric. The prevalence of macroalbuminuric was calculated and the risk factors associated with macroalbuminuric were evaluated by stepwise logistic regression. Results: These comprised 612 males and 841 females and the mean age of all patients was 60.6±9.3 years. The prevalence of microalbuminuric and macroalbuminuric was 12.0%, 1.6%, respectively. The prevalence of microalbuminuric in patients with diabetes, hypertension and both diabetes and hypertension were 8.4%, 9.7% and 17.6%, respectively. In subjects with both diabetes and hypertension, the prevalence of microalbuminuric, macroalbuminuric were significantly higher than those who had diabetes or hypertension only. Logistic regression analysis showed microalbuminuric to be significantly associated with systolic blood pressure (OR: 1.92; 95% CI: 1.36-2.72; P < 0.001), diastolic blood pressure (OR: 1.53; 95% CI: 1.02-2.28; P = 0.038), HbA1c (OR: 2.31; 95% CI: 1.64-3.26; P < 0.001). Fasting plasma glucose (OR: 1.79; 95% CI: 1.18-2.71; P = 0.006) and hypertension (OR: 2.45; 95% CI: 1.64-3.65; P < 0.001) were the main independent factors for microalbuminuric in diabetic patients with hypertension or not. Conclusion: The prevalence of microalbuminuric observed in patients diagnosed with diabetes and/or hypertension aged over 40 reached up to 12.0% in the Zhengzhou community. Microalbuminuric was strongly associated with systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure and HbA1c. Fasting plasma glucose and hypertension were the main independent factors for microalbuminuric in diabetic patients with hypertension or not.
Emergency Physicians’ Perceptions of Critical Appraisal Skills: A Qualitative Study
Authors: Wood Sumintra , Paulis Jacqueline , Chen Angela
Published: September 2021

BackgroundCritical appraisal of medical research is a valuable skill set that emergency physicians must learn in order to become competent clinicians. Despite the need for effective critical appraisal skills training, these skills have remained difficult to teach and assess. This study aimed to explore emergency physicians’ perceptions of the barriers and motivations for learning critical appraisal skills in order to develop more successful critical appraisal training methods for Emergency Medicine (EM) residents.MethodsThis qualitative study involved in-depth semi-structured interviews with emergency physicians interested in education and administration at an urban academic hospital. Transcribed interviews were descriptively coded by three main reviewers. A coding template was developed after coding an initial set of interviews and used to code the remaining transcripts. A thematic analysis of the codes was conducted to create a summary report which was given to the interviewees as part of a member checking process to further solidify themes.ResultsFourteen emergency physicians participated in the study. They described time limitations, perceived difficulty, and disinterest as major barriers to learning critical appraisal, and patient care as well as professional identity goals of being a good educator or researcher as motivations for developing critical appraisal skills.ConclusionThere remain significant challenges to learning critical appraisal skills as well as an increasing need to build these skills during residency. Educational theories and a greater emphasis on professional identity formation during residency can be incorporated to create a more effective approach to teaching critical appraisal skills despite these barriers.
Successions of Soil phoD And gcd Microbial Communities Along a Chronosequence of Sand-Fixation Forest
Authors: Wang Fei , Zhang Ying , Xia Yong , Cui Zhenbo , Cao Chengyou
Published: September 2021

Revegetation by planting shrubs on moving sand dunes is widely used to control desertification in arid/semi-arid areas. The soil microbial community can gradually recover along with plantation development. The purposes of this study were (1) to investigate the responses of microbial communities involved in the mineralization of soil organic phosphorus (OP) and dissolution of inorganic P (IOP) to the development of sand-fixation plantation and (2) to discuss the interactions between P turnover microbial communities and soil properties. We detected the diversities of soil phoD gene (one of the Pho regulons encoding alkaline phosphomonoesterases) and gcd gene (encoding glucose dehydrogenase) and the compositions of phoD and gcd communities by using the high-throughput Illumina MiSeq sequencing technique in a chronosequence of Caragana microphylla plantations (0-, 10-, 20-, and 37-year plantations and a native C. microphylla shrub forest) in Horqin Sandy Land, northeast China. Soil properties including soil nutrients, enzymatic activity, and P fractions were also determined. The abundance of phoD and gcd genes linearly increased with the plantation age. However, the diversity of soil phoD microbes was more abundant than that of gcd. The phoD gene abundance and the fractions of total OP and IOP were positively correlated with the activity of phosphomonoesterase. Actinobacteria and Streptomycetaceae were absolutely dominant phoD taxa, while Proteobacteria and Rhizobiaceae were absolutely dominant gcd taxa. Plantation development facilitated the progressive successions of soil phoD and gcd communities resulting from the asymmetric increase in the abundance of dominant taxa. Soil total N, NH4-N, and available K were the main factors affecting the structures of phoD and gcd communities, while pH was not the main influencing factor in such arid and nutrient-poor sandy soil. Many phoD or gcd operational taxonomic units were classified into Rhizobium and Bradyrhizobium, suggesting the coupling relationship between soil P turnover and N fixation.
Halophytes Increase Rhizosphere Microbial Diversity And Network Complexity In Inland Saline Ecosystem
Authors: Qiu Liping , Kong Weibo , Zhu Hansong , Zhang Qian , Banerjee Samiran , Ishii Satoshi , Sadowsky Michael J. , Gao Jianlun , Feng Changzeng , Wang Jingjing , Chen Chunliang , Lu Tianhui , Shao Mingan , Wei Xiaorong
Published: September 2021

Background: Salinization is an important global environmental problem influencing sustainable development of terrestrial ecosystems. Salt-tolerant halophytes are often used as a promising approach to remedy the saline soils. Yet, how halophytes affect rhizosphere microbial diversity, and microbes’ association and functions in saline ecosystems remains unclear, restricting our ability to assess plant fitness to salt stress and to remediate saline ecosystems. Herein, we examined bacterial and fungal diversities, compositions, and co-occurrence networks in the rhizospheres of six halophytes and bulk soils in a semiarid inland saline ecosystem. We also established the relationship of microbial structure and network complexity to microbial functions.Results: The microbial communities in rhizospheres were more diverse and complex than those the bulk soils. The connections of taxa in the rhizosphere microbial communities increased with fungi-fungi and bacteria-fungi connections and fungal diversity, but decreased with bacteria-bacteria connections and bacterial diversity. The proportion of the fungi-related central connections were larger in the rhizospheres (13-73%) than the bulk soils (3%). Additionally, fungi accounted for 27-63% of the keystone taxa identified in the microbial co-occurrence networks present in the rhizospheres, whereas the keystone taxa identified in the bulk soils were all bacteria/archaea. Moreover, microbial activity and residues were significantly higher in the halophyte rhizospheres than the bulk soils, and were significantly correlated with microbial composition and co-occurrence network complexity.Conclusions: These results indicated that halophytes shaped rhizosphere microbiomes and increased microbial diversity and network complexity in inland saline ecosystem, while fungi enhanced rhizosphere microbiota associations. The increased microbial network complexity contributed to the higher microbial functions in rhizosphere soils.
Polymer Grafting of Graphene Oxide Through Esterification of Terephthalic Acid and Allyl Alcohol for Metronidazole Drug Delivery: Central Composite Design Optimization Study
Authors: Fard Niloufar Torabi , Tadayon Fariba , Panahi Homayon Ahmad , Moniri Elham
Published: September 2021

The present study examined the direct esterification of terephthalic acid (TPA) with allyl alcohol (AA) on the graphene oxide (GO) surface in the presence of p-toluene sulfonic acid (PTSA) catalyst. Then, the surface of GO-TPAA was modified through polymerization reaction with 2,2’-azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN) as a reaction initiator. The developed polymer was tested successfully as a nanocarrier for the metronidazole (MNZ) drug delivery. The resulting polymer was characterized by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-Ray (EDX), Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The parameters were optimized by response surface methodology (RSM) based on the central composite design (CCD) experimental design. The maximum adsorption (93.31%) was obtained at pH = 5, contact time of 15 min, and MNZ concentration of 15 mg L− 1. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) study proposed that the obtained equation for the adsorption of the MNZ is quadratic and it is significant for the model. The drug release behavior indicated that the amount of MNZ release from nanocarrier was significantly pH dependent. The released data were fitted into different kinetic release model equations for determining the best-fit release model for the nanocarrier. The adsorption kinetic data best fitted the pseudo-second-order model with a coefficient of determination (R2) of 0.9999. The adsorption process was endothermic, following the Langmuir isotherm model (R2 = 0.9956). MNZ release was studied in vitro using stimulated gastric fluid and stimulated intestinal fluid. The proposed nanoadsorbent can be useful for the rapid and efficient adsorption of the drug.
Influence of Geometric Parameters On Mechanical Response of Concentric Cylinders With Centrosymmetric Lattice
Authors: Jia Dejun , Li Fanchun , Liu Zhijie , Zhang Yuan
Published: September 2021

A design method of centrosymmetric lattice structure is proposed. The centrosymmetric lattice is applied to the lightweight design of concentric cylindrical structures. Combining homogenization method and finite element method, the advantage of centrosymmetric lattice concentric cylinder in reducing the maximum stress is verified, and the stress distribution of centrosymmetric lattice concentric cylinder is more uniform along the circumference; two kinds of centrosymmetric lattice solids are selected, and the parametric method is used to study the influence of three parameters on the static response of a centrosymmetric lattice concentric cylinder under axisymmetric surface pressure.The results show that the maximum stress of the central symmetric concentric cylinder is less than that of the parallel array lattice cylinder under axisymmetric surface pressure;the stress distribution of the cylinder under axisymmetric load is periodic along the circumference, and the stress distribution of the concentric cylinder is more uniform than that of the parallel array lattice while the centrosymmetric lattice is applied to the lightweight design of concentric cylinder; the maximum stress increases with the increase of inside thickness and decreases with the increase of outside thickness; the increase of lattice section size will reduce the stress of outside and lattice of concentric cylinder, while the maximum stress of inside is less affected by the size of lattice section.
A Study On Effect of SiC And OFHC Cu-Fe29Ni17Co Reinforcement With AA7075 On Microstructure, Mechanical And Wear Rate of Hybrid Composites
Authors: Narasimmalu Ramasubbu , Sundaresan Ramabalan
Published: September 2021

The silicon carbide (SiC) reinforcement with aluminium alloy 7xxx series has been found to be limited value as per the mechanical properties and wear behaviour of previous studies. In order to improve limited mechanical properties of hybrid aluminium metal matrix composites, the SiC and OFHC Cu-Fe29Ni17Co reinforcement has been added with AA7075 alloy. Hence, the AA7075/SiC/Cu-Fe-Ni hybrid composites have been fabricated through a stir casting route under different weight percentages of SiC reinforcement. The mechanical properties such as hardness, compressive strength, tensile strength and wear rate have been investigated. The micro structure of hybrid composites found that the reinforcement particles in matrix alloy have been evenly spread. The silicon carbide and Cu-Fe-Ni alloy in aluminium solid solution has been found as well bonded interfacial reactions. The hardness, tensile strength, yield strength, compressive strength and wear rate were improved by 23.9 %, 48 %, 47 %, 15.3 % and 70 % for hybrid composite by adding 15 wt. %SiC and 15 wt. % Cu-Fe-Ni with AA7075 alloy, compared to matrix alloy.
Effect of Different Injection Rates and Doses of Contrast Medium on the Image Quality of Computed Tomographic Angiography in African Grey Parrots (Psittacus Erithacus)
Authors: Wang Wen-Lin , Chang Fang-Lun , Yu Pin-Huan
Published: September 2021

Background

Atherosclerosis is a common cardiovascular disease in parrots but the antemortem diagnosis is challenging. In human medicine, computed tomography angiography has been used widely for the diagnosis of atherosclerosis. By adjusting the injection conditions (injection rate and total dose of contrast medium [CM]), the image quality can be improved. To test the effects of different CM injection conditions on the image quality of major arteries, 10 African grey parrots (Psittacus erithacus) were used. Three injection rates (0.3, 0.4, 0.5 mL/s) and three CM doses (740, 370, 222 mg of iodine/bird) were tested while the other variables of the studies were fixed.
Results

We found no difference of the measured diameter, attenuation, image noise, signal-to-noise ratio, or contrast-to-noise ratio of the six major arteries (p > 0.05) among these three CM injection rates. However, these parameters showed significant differences among the three CM injection doses. Furthermore, with increasing CM injection rates, the prevalence of heterogeneity decreased.
Conclusion

We recommend a combination of 370 mg of iodine/bird with 0.4 mL/s for clinical use to achieve better image quality for CTA.
MS2 RNA aptamer greatly enhances prime editing in rice
Authors: Chai Yiping , Jiang Yuanyuan , Wang Junya , Qiao Dexin , Zhang Yu , Xin Cuiping , Zhou Yun , Wang Xue-Chen , Chen Qijun
Published: September 2021

Prime editing is a universal and very promising precise genome editing technology. However, optimization of prime editor (PE) from different aspects remains vital for its use as a routine tool in plant basic research and crop molecular breeding. In this report, we tested MS2-based prime editor (MS2PE). We fused the M-MLV reverse transcriptase (RT) gene variant to the MS2 RNA binding protein gene, MCP, and allowed the MCP-RT fusion gene to co-express with the SpCas9 nickase gene, SpCas9H840A, and various engineered pegRNAs harboring MS2 RNA (MS2pegR). Compared with control PEs, MS2PEs significantly enhanced editing efficiency at four of six targets in rice protoplasts, and achieved 1.2~10.1-fold increase in editing efficiency at five of six targets in transgenic rice lines. Furthermore, we tested total 22 different MS2pegR scaffolds, 3 RT variants or genes, 2 MCP variants, and various combinations of the Cas9 nickase, RT, and MCP modules. Our results demonstrated a new strategy for more efficient prime editing and provide a platform for further directed evolution of PEs.
The Associations Between Health-related Physical Fitness and Fasting Blood Glucose in War Veterans: a Population-based Study
Authors: Kasović Mario , Štefan Lovro , Kalčik Zvonimir
Published: September 2021

The main purpose of the study was to analyze the associations between health-related physical fitness and fasting blood glucose in war veterans. In this cross-sectional study, we recruited 764 men and women aged 45–75 years, who were part of the Homeland War between 1990 and 1995 (33.5% women). Health-related physical fitness included: 1) fat mass and fat-free mass (body composition), 2) push-ups in 30 sec (muscular dynamic endurance of upper extremities), 3) sit-ups in 30 sec (repetitive upper body strength), 4) chair-stands in 30 sec (lower body strength), 5) sit-and-reach test (flexibility) and 6) the 2-minute step test (cardiorespiratory function). Laboratory measurement of fasting blood glucose was performed according to standardized procedures in resting seated position after a 12-h overnight fast. Generalized estimating equations with multiple regression models were used to calculate the associations between health-related physical fitness and fasting blood glucose. In model adjusted for sex and age, fasting blood glucose was associated with fat mass (β = 0.12, p = 0.012), fat-free mass (β=-0.19, p < 0.001), push-ups in 30 sec (β=-0.19, p < 0.001), chair-stands in 30 sec (β=-0.15, p < 0.001), sit-ups in 30 sec (β=-0.21, p < 0.001), sit-and-reach test (β=-0.15, p < 0.001) and the 2-minute step test (β=-0.25, p < 0.001). The multiple regression model was strongly correlated with fasting blood glucose (R = 0.78, R2 = 0.61, standard error of the estimate = 0.88 mmol/L, p < 0.001). This study shows that fasting blood glucose may be predicted by health-related physical fitness test in war veterans.
The Accuracy And Influencing Factors of An Accelerometer-Based Portable Navigation System For Total Hip Arthroplasty In The Supine Position : A Prospective Multicenter Study Using 3D CT Measurement
Authors: Minoda Yukihide , Ito Masayuki , Iwakiri Kentaro , Uchiyama Katsufumi , Kawasaki Masashi , Kanda Akio , Jinno Tetsuya , Sugama Ryo , Chiba Daisuke , Hasegawa Masahiro , Fujishiro Takaaki
Published: September 2021

This multicenter prospective study aimed to evaluate the accuracy of a newly introduced accelerometer-based portable navigation system for total hip arthroplasty (THA) in the supine position. Three hundred twenty-four THAs using supine position in 9 hospitals were prospectively enrolled in the study. An accelerometer-based portable navigation system was used for cup fixation and the intraoperative navigation data (cup alignment, pelvic tilt, and pelvic rotation) were recorded. Postoperative cup alignment was measured on 3D-CT images. The accuracy (absolute difference in cup alignment between the intraoperative navigation record and postoperative 3D-CT measurements) was 3 ± 3° (mean ± standard deviation) for cup inclination and 3 ± 3° for cup anteversion. The pelvis tilted anteriorly in 148 hips (46%) and posteriorly in 162 hips (50%), and did not tilt in 14 hips (4%). The pelvis rotated toward the operating side in 179 hips (55%), toward the contralateral side in 112 hips (35%), and did not rotate in 33 hips (10%). Multiple regression analysis showed that the patients’ characteristics, pelvic tilt, and pelvic rotation did not affect the accuracy of the navigation system. The accuracy was 3 ± 3° and not affected by patient characteristics, surgical factors, or substantial pelvic movement during cup fixation.
Facile and Rapid Synthesis of Durable SSZ-13 Catalyst Using Choline Chloride Template for Methanol-to-Olefins
Authors: Lin xiongchao , Yang Sasha , Li Xiaojia , Wang Caihong , Wang Yonggang
Published: September 2021

In this study, a facile and rapid synthesis approach for SSZ-13 catalyst was proposed using choline chloride (CC) as template. The optimal synthesis condition was explored, and the catalytic performance for methanol-to-olefins (MTO) was examined. Results revealed that the appropriate ratio of soft template could meet the condition for rapid and ordered growth of catalyst crystals. Using environmentally friend and cheaper CC as template could greatly accelerate the formation of bi-hexagonal ring structure in SSZ-13 framework, and it could shorten the synthesis cycle to within 4 h. With a proper amount of CC addition (i.e., m(CC)/m(SiO2) = 0.14), uniform and homogeneously distributed cubic SSZ-13 crystals were obtained with relatively lower aggregation. The catalyst synthesized with m(CC)/m(SiO2)=0.14 demonstrated excellent porous features with a total specific surface area and mesopore volume of 641.706 m2.g-1 and 0.0377 cm3.g-1, respectively. The optimized strong and weak acid sites on the SSZ-13 were obtained by regulating the m(CC)/m(SiO2). As a typical acid catalytic reaction, the SSZ-13 catalyst with strong and weak acid sites exhibited bi-functional role. The lower amount of strong acid sites and larger amount of weak acid sites in the synthesized catalyst were conducive to the catalytic performance for MTO under relatively lower reaction temperature (450 oC). Consequently, the synthesized SSZ-13 showed a better conversion rate and lifetime than that of purchased one. The methanol conversion rate using synthesized catalyst was maintained over 95% within 120 min, and its lifetime was achieved to 172 min. The appropriate acidity and well-developed pore structure of synthesized SSZ-13 could slow down the carbon deposition rate and significantly increase the lifetime of the catalyst. Moreover, the initial selectivity of light olefin could maintain above 50% within 160 min. Eventually, the desirable features of synthesized SSZ-13 catalyst were thought be with good potential for industrial application.
A Study of Skin Thermal Responds of Tonification And Sedation In Moxibustion Using A Mathematical Method
Authors: Liu Miao , Kauh S.K. , Lim Sabina
Published: September 2021

Background: To research the thermomechanical behavior of skin tissue in tonification and sedation of direct moxibustion.Methods: A mathematical method was used to study the thermal responses by skin tissue to tonification and sedation of direct moxibustion. Using a standardized method to measure the temperature of a burning barley (Hordeum vulgare var.) moxa cone, the temperature, burn damage, and thermal stress distributions in the skin tissue were analyzed.Results: According to the ideal skin layers and properties of skin-tissue layers, as well as one measured data, the distribution values of temperature, damage, and stress in the skin tissue with respect to tonification and sedation of direct moxibustion was demonstrated. Conclusion: The thermal responds generated by sedation of direct moxibustion is much larger than those by tonification of direct moxibustion.
Proposing a New Route to Solve Marine Debris Pollution Issues: Low-Temperature Eco-friendly Pulverization System by Utilizing LNG Cold Energy
Authors: Lee Dong-Ha , Park Sungkyun , Kim Hee-Tae , Kim Jeong-Dae , Kim Jeong-Hyeon , Kim Seul-Kee , Seo Jung-Kwan , Song Pung-Keun , Oh Jeong-Eun , Youn BuHyun , Choi Gyung-Min , Lim Dong-Ha , Lee Jae-Myung
Published: September 2021

Developing an effective and efficient recycling process for marine debris (MD) is one of the most urgent issues to maintain Earth’s sustainability. However, the restricted circumstances for collecting and separating MD in the ocean limit proper MD recycling. Here, we proposed a complete eco-friendly low-temperature MD pulverizing system that utilizes excessive liquefied natural gas (LNG) cold energy (LCE) in an LNG propulsion ship to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of MD recycling. The prototype design of the low-temperature pulverization (LTP) system showed that consumable refrigerant (liquid nitrogen) up to 2831 kg per hour could be substituted. Furthermore, we estimated the additional refrigerant needed for desired MD disposal depending on the ship speed to determine the optimal energy requirement. In addition, LTP systems utilizing LCE can significantly improve the storage capacity by pulverizing bulky MD. To determine the feasibility of LTP for MD recycling, four types of plastics obtained from actual MD from a coastal area in Busan, Korea were classified and tested.
Effect of Soil Water on GPR Estimation of Bulked Roots, Methods, and Suggestions
Authors: Teare Brody L , Ruiz Henry , Agbona Afolabi , Wolfe Matthew , Dobreva Iliyanna , Adams Tyler , Selvaraj Michael , Hays Dirk B
Published: September 2021

Background: Root phenotyping methods are of increasing importance as researchers seek to understand belowground productivity and breeders work to select for root traits. Effective non-destructive root phenotyping methods do not exist for bulked-root and tuber crops such as potato and cassava. Cassava is a tropical crop widely grown by subsistence farmers throughout the tropics and is the fourth most important staple food crop in the world, yet lags in research. It has an extensive growth period sometimes exceeding 12 months. Early maturity is a major goal for breeders, but the ability to select for it is hampered by the lack of non-destructive yield estimation methods. GPR is a tool with potential to aid in bulked root selection, but standard methods have yet to be developed. In this study, we demonstrate good practice in GPR estimation of root mass, which was used as a proxy for cassava root mass, and investigate the effect of soil water content on measurement.Results: Significant correlation between GPR data and daikon root mass was found for three of the five irrigation treatments. Correlation strength improved with increased soil water content and decreased variation of soil water content between plots. Pearson correlation coefficient varied from 0.53 – 0.79.Conclusions: GPR can be used to estimate bulked root mass. Wet soil can improve the predictive quality of GPR data, but water content needs to be homogeneous throughout the study site and period. Determining the optimal soil water content will require further research.
Effect of Phenolic Acids on Temperature-sensitive Property of Self-assembly of Ionic Pair of Poly(ethylene imine)/(phenylthio)Acetic Acid
Authors: Zhao Fanyu , Kim Jin-Chul
Published: September 2021

The ionic pair self-assembly (IPSAM) composed of poly(ethyleneimine) (PEI) and (phenylthio)acetic acid (PTA) was prepared and the effect of phenolic acids (PAs) (e.g. cinnamic acid (CA), hydroxycinnamic acid (HCA), and dihydroxycinnamic acid (DHCA)) on the upper critical solution temperature (UCST) and the temperature-responsive releasing property of IPSAM were investigated. PEI/PTA ionic pair showed a UCST behavior and the PAs decreased the UCST effective in the order of DHCA > HCA > CA. The PAs were thought to attach to the PEI chain of PEI/PTA ionic pair as pendants. According to the interfacial tensiometry, PEI/PTA(3/7) ionic pair was found to be air/water interface-active due to their amphiphilic property. CA had little effect on the interfacial activity of the ionic pair. HCA and HDCA significantly decreased the interfacial activity possibly because they are more polar than CA thus the hydrophilic and lipophilic balance of PEI/PTA ionic pair could be broken by their attachment to PEI chains. IPSAM was found as nanoparticles whose diameter was tens of nanometer and PAs had little effect on the shape and the size of IPSAM, once the UCST of PEI/PTA/PA ionic pair was above room temperature where the TEM micrographs were taken. If the UCST of PEI/PTA/PA ionic pair was below room temperature, no particulate matters were found on the TEM micrographs. The release degree of cargo loaded in IPSAM increased slowly with time lapse below UCST. Whereas, the release degree increased rapidly with time lapse above UCST, possibly because of the thermally-induced disintegration of IPSAM.
Ambulatory Hernia Repair: A Study of 1294 Patients in a Single Institution
Authors: Hajri Mohamed , Haddad Dhafer , Cherif Mouna , Zouaghi Alia , Khedhiri Nizar , Mrabet Ali , Maamer Anis Ben
Published: September 2021

Background:

Ambulatory surgery is defined as surgery without an overnight hospital stay, which allows the patient to return home on the same day of admission after the surgical procedure. It is increasing countinuously in the world because of its several advantages. This study aimed to describe the experience of our department in outpatient hernia surgery, evaluate its feasibility and safety, and determine the predictive factors for failure of this surgery.
Results:

We collected 1294 patients. One thousand twenty patients underwent groin hernia repair (GHR). The failure rate of ambulatory management of GHR was 3.7%: 31 patients (3%) had an unplanned admission (UA) and 7 patients (0.7%) had an unplanned rehospitalisation (UR). Morbidity rate was 2.4% (24 patients) and mortality rate was zero. In multivariate analysis, we did not identify any variable predicting discharge failure in the GHR group. Two hundred and seventy-four patients underwent ventral hernia repair (VHR). The failure rate of ambulatory management of VHR was 5.5%: 11 patients (4%) had a UA and 4 patients (1.5%) had an UR. Morbidity rate was 3.6% (10 patients) and the mortality rate was zero. In multivariate analysis, we did not identify any variable predicting discharge failure in the VHR group.
Conclusions:

Our study data suggest that ambulatory hernia surgery is feasible and safe in well-selected patients. The development of this practice would allow for better management of eligible patients and would offer many economic and organisational advantages to healthcare structures.
Causal Relationship of Overweight/Obesity on Cardiovascular Events Through Risk Factors: Multiple Mediation Analysis
Authors: Limpijankit Thosaphol , Vathesatogkit Prin , Matchariyakul Dujrudee , Wiriyatanakorn Sirichai , Siriyotha Sukanya , Thakkinstian Ammarin , Srit Piyamitr
Published: September 2021

Background: Overweight/obesity is associated with cardiovascular events (CVEs) and premature death. This study aimed to find the causal pathways between overweight/obesity and CVEs through risk factors in a general adult population. Methods: A total of 7,921 employees of the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT) were enrolled during 2007-2009. Baseline characteristics and blood test results were collected. Body mass index (BMI) >23kg/m2 by WHO criteria for Asians was defined as overweight/obesity. A mediation analysis was applied to assess potential causal pathways. BMI >23kg/m2 was considered as an independent variable, whereas diabetes mellitus (DM), hypertension (HT), and chronic kidney disease (CKD) were considered as mediators, and CVEs (i.e., fatal and non-fatal CAD or stroke) were considered as the outcomes. Results: The prevalence of BMI >23kg/m2, DM and HT, and CKD were 62.7%, 7.8%, 28.1%, and 11.8% respectively. During an average of 17.2±5.5 years follow-up, BMI >23kg/m2 subjects compared with those with lower BMIs more frequently developed CVEs (9.4% vs 6.2%, p<0.001). The effects of BMI >23kg/m2 on CVEs was significantly mediated indirectly through DM and HT with significant ORs of 1.61 (1.34, 2.09) and 1.57 (1.39, 1.80), respectively. The indirect effect of CKD on CVEs was significantly increased if mediated through DM -->HT or HT [ORs of 1.17 (1.09, 1.32) and 1.20 (1.10, 1.32), respectively]. Conclusion: Subjects with overweight/obesity were prone to develop CVEs which was mediated indirectly through DM and HT. The effect of CKD on CVEs was small but enhanced if it occurred as a complication of DM or HT.
Chlorpromazine Induces Cytotoxic Autophagy in Glioblastoma Cells via Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress and Unfolded Protein Response
Authors: Matteoni Silvia , Matarrese Paola , Ascione Barbara , Ricci-Vitiani Lucia , Pallini Roberto , Villani Veronica , Pace Andrea , Paggi Marco G. , Abbruzzese Claudia
Published: September 2021

BackgroundGlioblastoma (GBM; grade IV glioma) is characterized by a very short overall survival time and extremely low 5-year survival rates. We intend to promote experimental and clinical research on rationale and scientifically driven drug repurposing. This may represent a safe and often inexpensive way to propose novel pharmacological approaches to GBM . Our precedent work describes the role of chlorpromazine (CPZ) in hindering malignant features of GBM. Here, we investigate in greater detail the molecular mechanisms at the basis of the effect of CPZ on GBM cells.MethodsWe employed proteomics platforms, i.e., activity-based protein profiling plus mass spectrometry, to identify potential cellular targets of the drug. Then, by means of established molecular and cellular biology techniques, we assessed the effects of this drug on GBM cell metabolic and survival pathways.ResultsThe experimental output indicated as putative targets of CPZ several of factors implicated in endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, with consequent unfolded protein response (UPR). Such a perturbation culminated in a noticeable reactive oxygen species generation and intense autophagic response that resulted cytotoxic and abortive for six GBM cell lines, three of which growing as neurospheres, while it appeared cytoprotective for the RPE-1 human non-cancer neuro-ectodermal cell line.ConclusionThis discrepancy could be central in explaining the lethal effects of the drug on GBM cells and the relatively scarce cytotoxicity toward normal tissues attributed to this compound. The data presented here offer support to the multicenter phase II clinical trial we have undertaken, which consists of the addition of CPZ to first-line treatment of GBM patients carrying a hypo- or un-methylated MGMT gene, i.e. those characterized by intrinsic resistance to temozolomide.
Genetic Trends Estimation in IRRIs Rice Drought Breeding Program and Identification of High Yielding Drought-Tolerant Lines
Authors: Khanna Apurva , Anumalla Mahender , Catolos Margaret , Bartholomé Jérôme , Fritsche-Neto Roberto , Platten John Damien , Pisano Daniel Joseph , Gulles Alaine , Cruz Ma Teresa Sta. , Ramos Joie , Faustino Gem , Bhosale Sankalp , Hussain Waseem
Published: September 2021

BackgroundEstimation of genetic trends using historical data is an important parameter to check the success of the breeding programs. The estimated genetic trends can act as a guideline to target the appropriate breeding strategies and optimize the breeding program for improved genetic gains. In this study, 17 years of historical data from IRRI’s rice drought breeding program was used to estimate the genetic trends and assess the success of the breeding program. We also identified top-performing lines based on grain yield breeding values as an elite panel for implementing future population improvement-based breeding schemes.ResultsA two-stage approach of pedigree-based mixed model analysis was used to analyze the data and extract the breeding values and estimate the genetic trends for grain yield under non-stress, drought, and in combined data of non-stress and drought. Lower grain yield values were observed in all the drought trials. Heritability for grain yield estimates ranged between 0.20-0.94 under the drought trials, and 0.43-0.83 under non-stress trials. Under non-stress conditions the genetic gain of 0.44% (21.20 kg/ha/year) for genotypes and 0.17 % (7.90 kg/ha/year) for checks was observed. The genetic trend under the drought conditions exhibited a positive trend with the genetic gain of 0.11% (1.98kg/ha/year) for genotypes and 0.55% (9.52kg/ha/year) for checks. For combined analysis showed a genetic gain of 0.39% (12.13 kg/ha/year) for genotypes and 0.60% (13.69 kg/ha/year) for checks was observed. For elite panel selection, 200 promising lines were selected based on higher breeding values for grain yield and prediction accuracy of >0.40. The breeding values of the 200 genotypes formulating the core panel ranged between 2366.17 and 4622.59 (kg/ha).ConclusionsA positive genetic rate was observed under all the three conditions; however, the rate of increase was lower than the required rate of 1.5% genetic gain. We propose a recurrent selection breeding strategy within the elite population with the integration of modern tools and technologies to boost the genetic gains in IRRI’s drought breeding program. The elite breeding panel identified in this study forms an easily available and highly enriched genetic resource for future recurrent selection programs to boost the genetic gains.
Thermal Conductivity of Si₃N₄ Ceramics Fabricated From Carbothermal-reduction-derived Powder
Authors: Wang Yuelong , Li Xingyu , Wu Haoyang , Jia Baorui , Zhang Deyin , Zhang Yiming , Zhang Zhirui , Tian Jianjun , Qin M.L. , Qu Xuanhui
Published: September 2021

Si3N4-based ceramic (Si3N4-5wt%Y2O3-3wt%MgO) was obtained from carbothermal-reduction-derived powder combined with gas pressure sintering. The phase, microstructure, thermal conductivity and mechanical properties of Si3N4 ceramics were comprehensively analyzed. Dense Si3N4 ceramic with uniform grain size was obtained after sintering at 1900°C for 7 h under a N2 pressure of 1.2 MPa. The secondary phase consisted of Y4Si2O7N2 and Y2Si3O3N4 was found to gather around triangular grain boundaries. The thermal conductivity, flexural strength, hardness and fracture toughness of the Si3N4 ceramics were 95.7 W·m-1·k-1, 715 MPa, 17.2 GPa and 7.2 MPa·m1/2, respectively. The results were compared with product derived from commercial powder, the improvement of thermal conductivity (~8.3%) and fracture toughness (~4.3%) demonstrating the superiority of Si3N4 ceramics prepared from carbothermal-reduction-derived powder.
Nerolidol, a Sesquiterpene Alcohol, Attenuates Acute Myocardial Infarction in Rats
Authors: Gonçalves Meire S. S. , Silva Eric Aian P , Santos Danillo M , Santana Izabel R , Souza Diego S , Araujo Andreza M , Heimfarth Luana , Vasconcelos Carla M. L. , Santos Marcio R. V. , Barreto Rosana de S. S. , Júnior Lucindo J. Quintans , Barreto André S.
Published: September 2021

Cardiovascular diseases have a high morbidity and mortality rate and their treatment is not effective in reducing the damage caused by tissue reperfusion during an acute myocardial infarction (MI). This study aimed to investigate whether nerolidol (NRD), a sesquiterpene alcohol, would attenuate the MI in isoproterenol-treated rat model. MI was induced by the administration of two doses of ISO (100 mg/kg, i.p.) in an interval of 24 h. The animals were divided into 4 groups: control (CTR) (vehicle – saline NaCl 0.9% + TWEEN 80 0.2%), ISO (ISO + vehicle), ISO + NRD (NRD 50 or 100 mg/kg). Electrocardiogram, contractile parameters, cardiac enzymes, infarction size and antioxidant parameters in the heart were measured. ISO group showed a significant rise in ST-segment, QTc and heart rate associated to a reduction of left ventricular developed pressure (LVDP), +dP/dt and –dP/dt. Increase in content of creatine kinase (CK), CK-MB, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), TBARS and infarction size as well as fall in activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) were observed. NRD significantly prevented almost all the parameters of ISO-induced MI mentioned above. Our results suggests that nerolidol has a significant effect on the protection of heart through maintaining endogenous antioxidant enzyme activities.
Pi-kaPika: A qualitative study for trainer-owned Pokémon
Authors: Yip Ka-Huen
Published: September 2021

Objective

To explore insights of young people’s experiences and motivations in Pokémon GO in Hong Kong. The perspectives of young people through qualitative focus group interviews.

Results

Eight focus group discussions with young people (n=45; age from 18-25 years old) recruited in Hong Kong. We analysed the discussions using a thematic approach. Five theme categories emerged from data analysis: missing out or self-regulation, childhood memories of Pokémon, extending virtual-reality exploration, spending more time outdoors for walking and exercise, gathering together and socially interacting with others. This study sets the way for a deeper analysis of motivation factors to young people that indicate the increasing playing location-based game (LBG) via smartphones worldwide among all cohorts of society. This relatively new phenomenon of LBG may impact players’ movement, social activity, and behaviour to gain a common goal into the preferences and effects of playing LBG for young people.