bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Determinants of Gender-based Violence Among Girls and Young Women Aged 11-24 Years Seeking Care at a Rural Hospital in Zimbabwe: A Case-Control Study
Authors: Chipanga Elizabeth , Mundagowa Paddington Tinashe , Chikanya Violet
Published: April 2021

Background: Physical and sexual violence against women and girls has become a widespread public health challenge associated with negative physical and psychological consequences not only to the victim but to society at large. Gender-based violence (GBV) can result in unwanted pregnancies, unsafe abortions, anxiety, stress, depression, and sexually transmitted infections. The problem is more prevalent in low-income settings like Zimbabwe and this study aimed to investigate the determinants of GBV among young women and girls aged between 11- 24 years, seeking healthcare services at a rural hospital in Zimbabwe.Methods: A 1:1 unmatched case-control study was conducted at a rural hospital in Buhera District, Zimbabwe. A total of 104 cases and 104 controls were recruited using purposive and systematic random sampling methods, respectively. The data was collected using a pretested interviewer-administered questionnaire and data were analyzed using Epi Info statistical package. Bivariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression at 95% confidence interval and statistical significance were set at p-value<0.05.Results: The pooled mean age of participants was 17.6±3.8 years and 89.4% of the cases had no familial relations with perpetrators. Bivariate analysis revealed that young age (<19 years), apostolic religion, having no formal education, not married, living in a polygamous family, and having >3 siblings were associated with GBV. Cases were more likely to report to a health center and were less likely to confide in someone. The most prevalent causes of GBV were religious and cultural beliefs, forced marriages, and alcohol abuse within a family. After multivariate analysis, young age [Adjusted odds ratio (AOR): 4.8; 95% Confidence interval (CI):1.3-17.2], polygamy [AOR: 13.8(3.6-53.1)], alcohol abuse in the family [AOR: 4.1(1.3-13.3)] were associated with GBV, while confiding in someone was protective [AOR: 0.05 (0.01-0.2)].Conclusion: Community religious and cultural beliefs and family structure are major areas to consider when intervening against violence against women. To eradicate GBV, there is a need for collaborative multi-sectoral interventions aimed at sensitizing the community on gender equality and the use of peaceful conflict resolution methods. Education on GBV should integrate children of school-going age, faith-based organizations, and community members in crafting sustainable interventions.
An optical flash on Venus detected by the AKATSUKI spacecraft
Authors: Takahashi Yukihiro , Imai Masataka , Sato Mitsuteru , Lorenz Ralph , Nakamura Masato , Satoh Takehiko , Yamazaki Atsushi , Sato Takao , Imamura Takeshi , Yair Yoav , Aplin Karen , Fischer Georg , Yoshida Jun
Published: April 2021

Detection of lightning discharges on Venus has been attempted using both radio waves and optical methods for over 40 years. For optical observations, claims of lightning detection were controversial due to the lack of time resolution of optical emissions that is needed to separate lightning from artificial or natural noise. Here we show the first high-time-resolution light curve of a transient optical phenomenon observed by the Lightning and Airglow Camera (LAC), a dedicated instrument on the Venus orbiter Akatsuki. The observed transient was 10 times brighter than a typical terrestrial lightning flash and had a duration of a few hundred milliseconds, whereas that of typical Earth lightning is only a millisecond. These characteristics are not typical, but are well within the variability of Earth lightning. An origin as a bolide flare cannot be excluded, but considering the expected occurrence frequency of meteoroids at Venus, is improbable. The low flash rate and long duration determined by the Akatsuki observation are not inconsistent with non-detection of lightning radio waves by the Cassini spacecraft.
Leaf Functional Traits Differentiation and Its Trade-off Strategies of Urban Plant are Related to Atmospheric Particulate Pollution
Authors: Zhu Jiyou , Xu Qing , Xu Chengyang , Zhang Xinna
Published: April 2021

Background: Functional trait-based ecological research has been instrumental in advancing our understanding of understanding of environmental changes. It is still, however, unclear how the functional traits of urban plants respond to atmospheric particulate pollution, and what trade-off strategies are shown. In order to explore the variation of plant functional traits with urban atmospheric particulate pollution gradient, we divided atmospheric particulate pollution into three levels according to road distance, and measured the variation of six key leaf functional traits and their trade-off strategies. Results: Here, we show that the functional traits of plants can be used as predictors or indicators of the response of plant to urban atmospheric particulate pollution. Within studies, there was a positive correlation between leaf thickness, leaf dry matter content, leaf tissue density, stomata density and leaf dust deposition. While chlorophyll content index and specific leaf area were negatively correlated with the leaf dust deposition. Plants improve the efficiency of gas exchange by optimizing the spatial distribution of stomata of leaves. Dust deposition promotes the regular distribution of stomata. Due to the pressure of atmospheric particles, urban plant shows a trade-off relationship of economics spectrum traits at the leaf level. Taken together, these results indicate that urban atmospheric particulate pollution is the main factor causing the variation of plant functional traits. Conclusion：Under the influence of urban atmospheric particulate matter, plant show a "slow investment-return" type in the global leaf economics spectrum, with lower specific leaf area, lower chlorophyll content, larger leaf thickness, higher leaf dry matter content, higher leaf tissue density and higher stomatal density. This finding provides a new perspective for understanding the resource trades-off strategy of plants adapting to air pollution environment.
Reference Plasmid pHXB2_D is an HIV-1 Molecular Clone that Exhibits Identical LTRs and a Single Integration Site Indicative of an HIV Provirus
Authors: Gener Alejandro R. , Zou Wei , Foley Brian T. , Hyink Deborah P. , Klotman Paul E.
Published: April 2021

Objective: To compare long-read nanopore DNA sequencing (DNA-seq) with short-read sequencing-by-synthesis for sequencing a full-length (e.g., non-deletion, nor reporter) HIV-1 model provirus in plasmid pHXB2_D. Design: We sequenced pHXB2_D and a control plasmid pNL4-3_gag-pol(Δ1443-4553)_EGFP with long- and short-read DNA-seq, evaluating sample variability with resequencing (sequencing and mapping to reference HXB2) and de novo viral genome assembly. Methods: We prepared pHXB2_D and pNL4-3_gag-pol(Δ1443-4553)_EGFP for long-read nanopore DNA-seq, varying DNA polymerases Taq (Sigma-Aldrich) and Long Amplicon (LA) Taq (Takara). Nanopore basecallers were compared. After aligning reads to the reference HXB2 to evaluate sample coverage, we looked for variants. We next assembled reads into contigs, followed by finishing and polishing. We hired an external core to sequence-verify pHXB2_D and pNL4-3_gag-pol(Δ1443-4553)_EGFP with single-end 150 base-long Illumina reads, after masking sample identity. Results: We achieved full-coverage (100%) of HXB2 HIV-1 from 5' to 3' long terminal repeats (LTRs), with median per-base coverage of over 9000x in one experiment on a single MinION flow cell. The longest HIV-spanning read to-date was generated, at a length of 11,487 bases, which included full-length HIV-1 and plasmid backbone with flanking host sequences supporting a single HXB2 integration event. We discovered 20 single nucleotide variants in pHXB2_D compared to reference, verified by short-read DNA sequencing. There were no variants detected in the HIV-1 segments of pNL4-3_gag-pol(Δ1443-4553)_EGFP. Conclusions: Nanopore sequencing performed as-expected, phasing LTRs, and even covering full-length HIV. The discovery of variants in a reference plasmid demonstrates the need for sequence verification moving forward, in line with calls from funding agencies for reagent verification. These results illustrate the utility of long-read DNA-seq to advance the study of HIV at single integration site resolution.
Pedagogical intervention to improve didactics through science and innovation
Authors: Sierra Antonio Jesús Pérez , Brown Julio Montes , Maldonado Denisse Danya Rodríguez , Sainz Héctor Manuel Sarabia , González Juan Francisco Viera
Published: April 2021

The main objective of the article is to analyze the pedagogical intervention to improve didactics through science and innovation in the teaching-learning process of Sport Sciences and Physical Activity. The research presented is qualitative, the study is descriptive, based on a non-experimental design. The participating subjects were selected intentionally, confirmed by the 31 eighth semester students of the Bachelor's Degree in Physical Culture and Sports of the University of Sonora, 16 of them are related to the female gender (51.62%), the other students are male 15 (48.38%). Of the eight teachers, five are female (62.5%), while three are male (37.5%). The methods applied were observation, questionnaire, review of documents, inclusion criteria and statistical analysis verifying the levels of reliability and validity of the data, which gave us a confidence interval of (90%), the SPSS program version 23 to determine the statistics presented in the materials and methods to deepen the importance of the art of teaching and integrating science and innovation as part of the structural categories that make up the didactics as: content, objectives, methods, means and evaluation for the welfare of the quality of education.
Structural, Dielectric and Electrical Properties of Sol-Gel Auto-Combustion Technic of CuFeCr0.5Ni0.5O4 Ferrite
Authors: Rejeiba Omar , Hcini Fakher , Nasri Maria , Alzahrani Bandar , Bouazizi Mohamed Lamjed , Hlil E. K. , Khelifi Jabeur , Khirouni Kamel , Dhahri Essebti
Published: April 2021

The CuFeCr0.5Ni0.5O4 (CFO) compound was synthesized using sol-gel reaction combustion technic. The structural analysis showed that the obtained composites have a polycrystalline nature and the cubic spinel structure ( space group). Microstructural analysis revealed the formation of spherical and elongated grains of our sample. The dielectric and electrical transport properties of CuFeCr0.5Ni0.5O4 were investigated in detail by Ac impedance spectroscopy in a wide range of temperature (200 K-400 K) and frequency (100Hz to100KHz). Our results show that the electrical modulus and impedance studies confirm the presence of a relaxation phenomenon with non-Debye type in the prepared sample. The activation energy Edc estimated from the slope of the linear fit plot is equal to 0.158 eV with frequency of 100Hz and 0.126 eV with frequency of 1MHz at temperature range 200K-400K. Close activation energies values were found from analyzes of relaxation time and dc-conductivity indicating that the relaxation and the conduction processes may be attributed to the presence of free carrier charges and impurities at the grain boundaries. The conduction process for samples is described by the NSPT model. The complex impedance analyses and modulus formalism confirm a grain and grain boundary mechanism contributing to the dielectric properties. The real and the imaginary parts of the impedance are well ﬁtted to equivalent electrical circuit (Rg+ Rgb//CPEgb) was used for modeling the Nyquist data.
Antibiotics in the Medical and Surgical Treatment of Necrotizing Enterocolitis. What Regimen is the Best? - A Systematic Review
Authors: Gill Ester Maria , Jung Kristine , Qvist Niels , Ellebæk Mark
Published: April 2021

Background: The aim of this review was to identify relevant randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and non-RCTs to evaluate the existing knowledge on antibiotic treatment effect for infants with Necrotizing Enterocolitis (NEC). Objective: Identifying 1) the best antibiotic regimen to avoid progression or surgery in infants with NEC 2) the best antibiotic regimen for infants operated for stage III NEC. Methods: Embase, MEDLINE and Cochrane were searched systematically for human studies using antibiotics for patients with NEC. Eligible studies had patients with NEC Bells stage II and III. Study selection, data extraction, and quality assessment were performed independently by two authors. RoB2 and ROBINS-I were used where appropriate. Results: 5 studies were included, 2 RCT and 3 n-RCT. Four regimens were investigated. Three used a combination of ampicillin + gentamycin (or similar) with an addition of 1) clindamycin 2) metronidazole or 3) enteral gentamycin. One studied investigated cefotaxime + vancomycin. None of the included studies had a specific regimen for stage III infants undergoing surgery. Conclusions: A GRADE evaluation was not possible because of large heterogeneity. For now, there is not sufficient evidence to make a general recommendation on which antibiotic regimen is the most effective for infants with NEC stage II and III.
Impact of Farmers Training Centers Based Training on Major Crops Productivity and Households Welfare: the case of Gurage Zone, Central Ethiopia
Authors: Sherka Tsegamariam Dula
Published: April 2021

The purpose of this paper is to identify the impact of Farmers Training Centers Based Training on Major Crops Productivity and Households Welfare in southern Ethiopia. To select the respondent households applied a multi-stage stratifying sampling method. First, 3 districts Were selected purposively. Then, 3 Rural Kebeles from Fully functional Farmers Training Centers and 2 Rural Kebeles from non-functional Farmers Training Centers Were randomly selected. In the third stage, a total of 360 sample household heads (151) modular training graduates and 209 non-graduates) were selected. The interview schedule, focus group discussions, and key informant interviews were data collection tools. The result indicates the frequency of extension contact and farmers Confidence in extension service significantly affects both trained and not trained farmer’s crop productivity. I find that trained farmers have 124.27% more net cereal crop income per cultivated land size as compared to the counterfactual scenario of non-trained. I find that it increases the consumption expenditure per adult equivalent of trained farmers by about 204.83% compared to the counterfactual scenario of non-trained. The constraint which is considered by the respondents as a first-rank and important constraint was the fence problem which accounts for 21.63% of the total respondents. Farmer training center-based modular training could be considered as a key pathway that contributes to the improvement of agricultural production and Welfare of the rural community. The output of this study will give concrete information on intervention strategies to enhance the role of FTC-based training intervention strategies to improve farmers’ livelihood in surrounding rural areas.
Combination of Nivolumab Plus Ipilimumab for Mucinous Tubular and Spindle Cell Carcinoma of the Kidney with Bone Metastases: The First Case Report
Authors: Furubayashi Nobuki , Negishi Takahito , Taguchi Kenichi , Miura Akihiro , Sato Yoshiaki , Nakamura Motonobu
Published: April 2021

Background: Mucinous tubular and spindle cell carcinoma (MTSCC) is a rare subtype of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and generally considered a low-grade renal epithelial neoplasm composed of tubules, spindle cells, and extracellular mucin. MTSCC with distant metastases has been reported, with some cases showing a poor prognosis. While only a few case reports regarding the treatment of metastatic MTSCC have been reported, targeted agents and monotherapy of immune checkpoint inhibitors have shown some efficacy. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of metastatic MTSCC of the kidney treated with combination therapy of nivolumab plus ipilimumab.Case presentation: A 26-year-old man consulted our hospital after a 72-mm tumor was detected at the upper pole of the left kidney with multiple osteolytic bone metastases by computed tomography (CT). A CT-guided biopsy of the renal tumor and bone metastases resulted in a diagnosis of MTSCC of the kidney with bone metastases (cT2aN0M1) and an ‘intermediate risk’ according to the International Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma Database Consortium criteria. He therefore received combination therapy of nivolumab plus ipilimumab therapy. After 4 cycles of combination nivolumab plus ipilimumab and 9 cycles of nivolumab monotherapy, he underwent cytoreductive nephrectomy because the tumor had shrunk, and sclerotic changes in the bone metastases were noted. In the excised specimen, the programmed cell death ligand 1 expression was higher in the spindle components than in the tubular components, but CD4- and CD8-positve T cells showed greater infiltration in the tubular components than in the spindle components. Furthermore, CD-4- and CD-8-positive T cells in both components of the resected specimen showed greater infiltration than they had at the pretreatment biopsy of the renal tumor and bone metastases.Conclusions: Combination immunotherapy of nivolumab and ipilimumab may be an effective treatment option for metastatic MTSCC of the kidney.
Post-Intensive Care Syndrome Associated With Coronavirus Disease: A Single Institutional Study In Tokyo
Authors: Banno Aya , Hifumi Toru , Takahashi Yuta , Soh Mitsuhito , Sakaguchi Ayako , Shimano Shodai , Miyahara Yoshie , Isokawa Shutaro , Ishii Kenji , Aoki Kazuhiro , Otani Norio , Ishimatsu Shinichi
Published: April 2021

Background: The occurrence of post-intensive care syndrome (PICS) in critically ill patients with coronavirus disease (COVID-19) remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the physical, mental, and cognitive components of PICS in intensive care unit (ICU)-treated COVID-19 survivors.Methods: This prospective cohort study enrolled patients with COVID-19 who were treated in the ICU of a single institution between March 19, 2020 and April 30, 2020. A survey was sent by postal mail at 4 and 6 months after ICU discharge. The questionnaire comprised the post-COVID-19 functional status (PCFS) scale and the modified medical research council dyspnea scale (mMRC) for assessing physical PICS; the impact of event scale-revised (IES-R) and the hospital anxiety and depression scale (HADS) for assessing mental PICS; and self-assessment questions for concentration, memory, and forgetfulness for assessing cognitive PICS. Physical PICS was defined by a PCFS or mMRC score ≥1. Mental PICS was defined by an IES-R score ≥25 or if the HADS score for anxiety or depression components was ≥8. Cognitive PICS was defined according to patient complaints of deterioration in concentration, memory, or forgetfulness. The primary outcome was PICS occurrence at 4 months. Moreover, we assessed the co-occurrence of the three PICS components.Results: Twenty patients consented to participate in the study and responded to the survey. The median age was 57.5 years, and 80% of the patients were male; moreover, 50%, 55%, and 80% lived alone, were married, and were employed/self-employed before hospitalization, respectively. During ICU stay, 80%, 75%, and 25% received invasive mechanical ventilation, systemic steroids, and continuous benzodiazepine, respectively. Delirium occurred in 40% of patients. The median days of ICU and hospital stay were 6 and 21, respectively. Physical, mental, and cognitive PICS occurred in 14 (78%), 9 (45%), and 11 (55%) patients, respectively. There were 16 (80%) and 8 (40%) patients with at least one and all PICS components, respectively.Conclusions: Our findings revealed a high rate of PICS in COVID-19 survivors. Long-term and comprehensive evaluation of all three PICS components is crucial for providing appropriate care to these patients.
Level of SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies after two doses CoronaVac vaccine: Primarily report
Authors: Binay Umut , Karakeçili Faruk , Barkay Orçun , Gül Özlem , Mertoğlu Cuma
Published: April 2021

Background: It is necessary to use an effective vaccine to end the COVID-19 pandemic. CoronaVac vaccine is used in our country and we aimed to examine the level of antibody development after the second dose.Methods: This is a retrospective, cross-sectional research. The data of the people, who applied to a university hospital between January and March 2021, were analyzed. Those who had SARS-CoV-2 IgG and IgM measurement in the previous two weeks before the CoronoVac vaccine, and those who were both found negative and who had SARS-CoV-2 IgG and IgM measurement after the second dose of CoronaVac vaccine were included in the research. SARS-CoV-2 IgG/IgM were measured by VIDAS® (BioMérieux, Marcy-l'Etoile, France) device for the detection of spike protein specific IgG/IgM of SARS-CoV-2 in human serum with ELFA (Enzyme Linked Fluorescent Assay) technique.Results: 75 people were included in this research. It was found that the individuals had SARS-CoV-2 IgG and IgM measurements between 14 and 21 days after the first dose of CoronaVac vaccine. It was observed that 12% (n = 9) of the cases had a history of COVID-19. The rate of positivity for SARS CoV-2 IgG level after vaccination was 100%.Conclusions: It can be said that two doses of CoronaVac vaccine create an effective humoral immunity.
Integrated Analysis of the Clinical and Molecular Characteristics of IDH Wild-Type Gliomas in the Chinese Glioma Genome Atlas
Authors: Wang Peng , Liu Yanwei , Zhi Lin , Qiu Xiaoguang
Published: April 2021

Purpose:

Current studies and guidelines suggest that the biobehavior of IDH-wild type (IDH-wt) lower-grade glioma (LGG, WHO II-III) is similar to IDH-wt glioblastoma (GBM). However, differences in their clinical and molecular characteristics have not been reported. This study aimed to analyze the clinical and genetic information of gliomas with IDH-wt.
Methods:

Four hundred patients with IDH-wt were enrolled in the study (LGG = 176, GBM = 224), and their clinical and genetic information was collected from the Chinese Glioma Genome Atlas (CGGA). We conducted an analysis of this information between the two groups of patients and drew conclusions thereof.
Results:

The median age of the LGG patients was 42 (40–47) years, while that of the GBM patients was 51 (47–53) years (P < 0.05). GBM patients were more likely to undergo total resection (P < 0.05) and had fewer epileptic seizure symptoms (P < 0.01). The median overall survival (OS) was 51.87 months for the LGG patients and only 14.5 months for the GBM patients (P < 0.01). The median progression-free survival (PFS) was 37.6 months for the LGG patients and only 9.3 months for the GBM patients (P < 0.01). LGG patients were more prone to PETN mutations (P < 0.05). Transcriptome analysis showed that the differentially expressed genes in LGG patients were mainly enriched in metabolic pathways and pathways in cancer and in the function of signal transduction and positive regulation of GTPase activity, while in GBM patients, they were mainly enriched in the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway and in the functions of apoptotic process and oxidation-reduction process.
Conclusions:

Our data indicate that these two groups of patients should be re-evaluated and treated differently, despite both having IDH wild type.
Numerical Simulation of Unstable Rock Failure Mechanisms Through Analysis of Energy Transformations
Authors: Kaunda Rennie , Wang Fei
Published: April 2021

For rock specimen in uniaxial compression, the energy transformations from elastic strain energy in both the rock and the loading system to plastic strain work in the rock can be identified with the changes in these energy components, whose rates are also useful indicators for distinguishing stable and unstable rock failure. In this study, the influences of the loading system stiffness (LSS), the rock stiffness and the rock brittleness on rock failure modes are examined. The observed energy transformations during rock failure in numerical models are interpreted from an energy perspective. The results show that unstable rock failure tends to occur in rock with large brittleness and small stiffness under a soft loading system. A low LSS and rock stiffness will increase the magnitude of stored elastic strain energy before rock failure, while a brittle rock requires less elastic strain energy to be converted plastic strain work than a ductile rock during its failure. This energy-based approach is useful for investigating potential unstable rock failures that could ultimately be applied to analyze complex mine-scale rockburst cases.
Failure Behavior of F Shape Non-Persistent Joint under Experimental and Numerical Uniaxial Compression Test
Authors: sarfarazi vahab , asgari kaveh , zarei meisam
Published: April 2021

Experimental and discrete element approaches were used to examine the effects of F shape non-persistent joints on the failure behaviour of concrete under uniaxial compressive test. concrete specimens with dimensions of 200 mm×200 mm×50 mm were provided. Within the specimen, F shape non-persistent joint consisting three joints were provided. The large joint length was 6 cm, and the length of two small joints were 2cm. Vertical distance betwenn two small joints change from 1.5 cm to 4.5 cm with increment of 1.5 cm. In constant joint lengths, the angle of large joint change from 0 to 90 with increments of 30. Totally 12 different models were tested under compression test. The axial load rate on the model was 0.05 mm/min. Cuncurrent with experimental tests, numerical simulation (Particle flow code in two dimension) were performed on the models containing F shape non-persistent joint. Distance between small joints and joint angles were similar to experimental one. the results indicated that the failure process was mostly governed by both of the Distance between small joints and joint angles. The compressive strengths of the samples were related to the fracture pattern and failure mechanism of the discontinuities. Furthermore it was shown that the compressive behaviour of discontinuities is related to the number of the induced tensile cracks which are increased by increasing the joint angle. In the first There were only a few AE hits in the initial stage of loading, then AE hits rapidly grow before the applied stress reached its peak. Furthermore, a large number of AE hits accompanied every stress drop. Finally, the failure pattern and failure strength are similar in both approaches i.e. the experimental testing and the numerical simulation approaches.
Hydrogenation of Polyaromatic Compounds Over NiCo/chrysotile Catalyst
Authors: Baikenov Murzabek , Aitbekova Darzhan , Kim Sergey , Ma Feng Yung , Balpanova Nazerke , Tusipkhan Almas , Baikenova Gulzhan , Aubakirov Yermek , Brodskiy Alexandr , Makenov Daulet
Published: April 2021

The activity and selectivity of the NiCo/chrysotile catalyst during the hydrogenation of model objects (anthracene and phenanthrene) for 1 hour at an initial hydrogen pressure of 3 MPa and a temperature of 400 °C were studied. The catalyst is characterized by a complex of methods of physical and chemical analysis. The chrysotile mineral used as a substrate consists of nanotubes with an inner diameter of about 10 nm and an outer diameter of about 60 nm. When a catalyst is prepared by wet mixing, chrysotile nanotubes can be filled with nickel and cobalt ions from solutions of the corresponding salts. The selectivity of the catalyst in hydrogenation was shown. The yields of the products of hydrogenation and degradation of anthracene are 62% and 15%, respectively. The yields of products of hydrogenation and destruction of phenanthrene are 26% and 2.5%, respectively. According to the results of gas chromatography-mass spectrometric analysis of hydrogenates, the schemes of the hydrogenation reaction of model objects were drawn up.
Low-intensity Pulsed Ultrasound Improves Muscle Atrophy in Hindlimb Unloading Rats and its Metabolic Mechanism
Authors: Sun Lijun , An Shasha , Zhang Zhihao , Zhou Yaling , Ma Zhanke , Fan Xiushan , Tang Liang , Guo Jianzhong
Published: April 2021

Low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) has been proved to promote the proliferation of myoblast C2C12. However, whether LIPUS can effectively prevent muscle atrophy has not been clarified, and if so, what is the possible mechanism. Myostatin (MSTN) is a negtive regulator of skeletal muscle, and inhibition of its expression has a positive effect on the growth and development of skeletal muscle.The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of LIPUS on muscle atrophyin hind limb unloading rats, and explored the mechanisms. The rats were randomly divided into four groups: normal control group (NC), hind limb unloading group (UL), hind limb unloading plus 30 mW/cm2 irradiation group (UL + 30 mW/cm2), hind limb suspension plus 80 mW/cm2 irradiation group (UL + 80 mW/cm2). The rats were suspended or/and treated with LIPUS for 20 min/d for 28 days. C2C12 cells were exposed to LIPUS at 30 or 80 mW/cm2 for 5 days. After 28 days, LIPUS significantly prevented the decrease of cross-sectional area of muscle fiber and promoted the quality of gastrocnemius muscle. In addition, LIPUS significantly inhibited the content of MSTN in the serum and gastrocnemius muscle of hind limb rats, and its receptor, and promoted myoblast C2C12 proliferation, promoted the stability of alanine, aspartate and glutamate metabolism pathway. These results suggest that the key mechanism of LIPUS in preventing muscle atrophy induced by hind limb unloading may be through inhibiting MSTN and stabilizing alanine, aspartate and glutamate metabolism.
Low trabecular bone score is associated with high C-reactive protein levels in systemic sclerosis
Authors: Lee Kyung-Ann , Kim JongSun , Choi Wonho , Kim Hyun-joo , Kim Hyun-Sook
Published: April 2021

Objectives

To evaluate trabecular bone score (TBS) in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) and to identify risk factors related to low TBS in SSc.
Methods

TBS and areal bone mineral density (aBMD) were assessed in patients with SSc (n = 57), rheumatoid arthritis (RA) (n = 47), and hand osteoarthritis (OA) (n = 37) using DXA. Osteoporosis risk factors, laboratory findings, SSc-specific organ involvement, and patterns of nailfold capillaroscopy (NFC) were also assessed. Multivariate linear regression analysis was performed to identify the risk factors associated with TBS in SSc patients.
Results

The median TBS (Q1, Q3) value was 1.378 (1.322, 1.425) in SSc patients, 1.336 (1.261, 1.396) for RA patients, and 1.430 (1.387, 1.438) for controls (p < 0.001). No significant differences were observed in the median lumbar spine TBS and aBMD at the lumbar spine, femoral neck, and total hip between the SSc and RA groups. The TBS was negatively correlated with the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (p = 0.042) and C-reactive protein (CRP) (p = 0.005) in the SSc group only and with cumulative glucocorticoid doses in the RA group only (p = 0.031). We found no association between TBS and SSc cutaneous subtype, internal organ involvement, autoantibody profile, NFC patterns, and use of immunosuppressive agents, such as cyclophosphamide. In the multivariate analyses, age, female sex, current, and average CRP were significantly associated with TBS.
Conclusions

TBS assessment revealed poor bone quality in patients with SSc, similar to those with RA. CRP levels were negatively correlated with TBS in patients with SSc, and higher CRP levels were independently associated with low TBS.
Correction of some thermodynamic surface properties of Sodium Alginate determined by Inverse Gas Chromatography
Authors: Hamieh Tayssir
Published: April 2021

In their paper published in the Journal of Chemical Engineering Data, Ugraskan et al. [1] made several inaccuracies in the determination of the surface properties of sodium alginate by using the inverse gas chromatography (IGC) technique. The proposed method to determine the dispersive component of the surface energy, I, cannot be correctly evaluated, because it depends on the surface area of n-alkanes or of methylene group. This surface area supposed by Ugraskan et al. [1] constant strongly depends on the temperature. Therefore, the specific free energy of adsorption, (-ΔGsp), and consequently the specific enthalpy of adsorption, (-ΔHsp), cannot be known with accuracy. The wrong values of (-ΔHsp), certainly lead to inaccurate determination of the acid KA and base KD constants of the solid.
Laboratory Testing Implications of Risk-Stratification and Management of COVID-19 Patients
Authors: Liu Caidong , Wang Ziyu , Wu Wei , Xiang Changgang , Wu Lingxiang , Li Jie , Hou Weiye , Sun Huiling , Wang Youli , Nie Zhenling , Gao Yingdong , Zhang Ruisheng , Tang Haixia , Wang Qianghu , Li Kening , Xia Xinyi , Li Pengping , Wang Shukui
Published: April 2021

Aims: To classify COVID-19 patients into low-risk and high-risk at admission by laboratory indicators.Design, Setting, and Patients: This is a case series of patients from a China healthcare system in Wuhan. In this retrospective cohort, 3563 patients confirmed COVID-19 pneumonia, including 548 patients in the training dataset, and 3015 patients in the testing dataset.Interventions: NoneMeasurements and Main Results: We first identified the significant laboratory indicators related to the severity of COVID-19 in the training dataset. Neutrophils percentage, lymphocytes percentage, creatinine, and blood urea nitrogen with AUC greater than 0.7 were included in the model. These indicators were further used to build a support vector machine model to classify patients into low-risk and high-risk at admission. Results showed that this model could stratify the patients in the testing dataset effectively (AUC=0.89). Moreover, laboratory indicators detected in the first week after admission were able to estimate the probability of death (AUC=0.95). Besides, we could diagnose COVID-19 and differentiated it from other kinds of viral pneumonia based on laboratory indicators (accuracy=0.97).Conclusions: Our risk-stratification model based on laboratory indicators could help to diagnose, monitor, and predict severity at an early stage of COVID-19.
Effects of nanoselenium as a nutrient medium component on the main cultivation parameters and antagonistic activity of Lactobacillus strains
Authors: Omelchenko A. A. , Rzhevskaya V. S. , Kryzhko A. V. , Panov D. A. , Bugara I. A.
Published: April 2021

The study aims to establish the effect of nanoselenium on the growth and antagonistic activity of the Lactobacillus casei IMB B-7343 and Lactobacillus plantarum IMB B-7344 strains against the phytopathogenic bacterium Xanthomonas campestris B-4102. Selenium nanoparticles were obtained by reducing a solution of sodium selenite with L-cysteine in the presence of sodium alginate. The cultivation of Lactobacilliwas carried out in a MRS nutrient medium with the addition of a colloidal solution of nanoselenium at the following concentrations: 0.05; 0.1; 0.15; 0.2 and 0.25 mg/l (for selenium). Bacteria were cultured in a 96-well plate in a Multiskan FC photometer at 36 ºС under constant shaking. The antagonistic activity of the strains was studied by the method of agar blocks. It was found that the addition of nanoselenium to the nutrient medium at a concentration of 0.2 to 0.25 mg/l contributed to a decrease in the duration of the exponential growth phase by an average of 3 hours, as well as to a decrease in the biomass accumulation of the L. casei IMB B-7343 strain by 15.0%. The optical density of this strain culture was observed to increase by 15.9% in the stationary growth phase under the addition of a nanoselenium solution to the nutrient medium at a concentration of 0.15 mg/l. During the cultivation of the L. plantarum IMB B-7344 strain in an MRS nutrient medium with the addition of a colloidal solution of nanoselenium at a concentration of 0.05–0.25 mg/l in the exponential development phase, an acceleration of the culture growth on average by 5 hours relative to the control was observed. It was noted that, upon the addition of nanoselenium to the nutrient medium, an increase in the antagonistic activity of lactobacillus strains against the phytopathogenic bacterium X. campestris B-4102 was observed, particularly in the L. plantarum IMB B-7344 strain (the zone of inhibition of the phytopathogen growth was 14.5–15 mm).
Synthesis of alkyl phosphates and investigation of their surface-active properties in an alkaline surfactant polymer system for enhanced oil recovery
Authors: Tret'yakov N. Yu. , Panicheva L. P. , Turnaeva E. A. , Volkova S. S. , Adakhovskii D. S. , Matveev M. R. , Koltsov I. N. , Groman A. A.
Published: April 2021

Chemical flooding is a technique of enhanced oil recovery (CEOR) using formulations containing alkaline components, surfactants and polymers (ASP technology). The development and synthesis of novel highly efficient industrial surfactants take this technology to a new level, allowing the chemical composition of reagents to be tailored to the reservoir conditions of fields in Western Siberia. Alkyl phosphates with various structures are one type of the surfactants that can be used in ASP technology. This work aimed to synthesize and examine the properties of commercial (semi-industrial) alkyl phosphates and alkoxylated alkyl phosphates of mixed composition that meet the requirements of an efficient surfactant component of an ASP-flooding formulation. The synthesis was carried out using industrial fatty alcohols by the phosphating reaction with phosphorus pentoxide. A mixture of monoand disubstituted phosphoric acid esters of a defined ratio can be obtained by target tailoring of the feedstock properties (structural changes, molecular weight distribution in alcohols) and the synthesis conditions. This mixture, requiring no addition of cosurfactants, is an effective multi-component surfactant for an ASP-system. In this work, three effective alkyl phosphates and alkoxylated alkyl phosphates blends were synthesized. The composition of the synthesized phosphoric esters was evaluated by high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS), infrared (IR) spectroscopy and potentiometric titration. At reservoir temperature, the obtained samples provided sufficient solubility in an oil-displacing aqueous solution in the technologically required salinity interval, compatibility with other components, low interfacial tension (IFT) values at the interface between ASP solution and oil from Western Siberia fields, and the formation of the sufficient volume of the emulsion phase in a phase experiment. The primary laboratory research data proved the efficiency of the synthesized surfactants in ASP technology in the fields of Western Siberia.
Synthesis of grafted polybutyl acrylate copolymer on fish collagen
Authors: Uromicheva M. A. , Kuznetsova Y. L. , Valetova N. B. , Mitin A. V. , Semenycheva L. L. , Smirnova O. N.
Published: April 2021

Increasingly, scientists are turning to the study of marine, or fish, collagen, which is increasingly replacing collagen of terrestrial animals, due to the fact that it is hypoallergenic, since it is 96% identical to human protein. Materials based on fish collagen have a number of advantages over their analogue of animal origin: it is not a carrier of infectious diseases of animals transmitted to humans, it has a greater structural similarity to human collagen, which provides a higher level of biocompatibility. Materials based on collagen copolymers with synthetic monomers are promising. The use of hybrid materials also helps to reduce the consumption of non-renewable natural resources. Synthesis of grafted collagen copolymers with polybutyl acrylate was carried out at azobisisobutyronitrile initiation and triethyl borane – oxygen system initiation under comparable conditions under intensive stirring of aqueous solution dispersion of collagen and butyl acrylate. After the synthesis, the aqueous and organic phases of the reaction mixture were analyzed by composition and molecular weight parameters using infrared spectroscopy and size-exclusion chromatography. Changes indicating the formation of a copolymer are observed in the copolymer isolated from the aqueous phase, more pronounced in the triethyl borane – oxygen system. It is assumed that the formation of copolymer macromolecules for azobisisobutyronitrile and organoelement initiator takes place according to different schemes. Schemes for the formation of copolymer macromolecules for AIBN and an organoelement initiator are proposed. Only polybutyl acrylate is present in the organic phase. Biological studies were carried out for fungal resistance and bactericidal activity of the obtained copolymers.
Mixed crystalline basement of Junggar basin revealed by wide-angle seismic evidence
Authors: Zhao Junmeng , Xiao Wenjiao , Chen Xinfa , Wang Xiaojun , Song Yong , Bian Baoli , Zhang Xiankang , Strelchenko I. P. , Xu Qiang , Zhang Heng , Zheng Yingcai , Liu Hongbing , Neupane Bhupati , Ma Zongjin
Published: April 2021

A wide-angle seismic reflection / refraction survey along a ~ 600 km long transect through the Junggar basin from Emin to Qitai allows to receive several images near N-S trending blind faults, which are located at the lower part of the upper crust, the middle crust and the lower crust within the basin and cut up the Moho. These faults, with high seismic velocity and without obvious dislocation, are considered as “extensional faults” formed by north-south compression and east-west extension. These deeply rooted faults provide channels via which basic to ultra-basic materials from upper mantle migrate into the crust and mix up with the crustal material causing thin thickness, high seismic velocity, high density and high magnetic intensity after cooling in the crust of the basin.
Carta de control bayesiana asociada a no conformidades en las historias clínicas
Authors: Hurtado Castaño Carlos Alberto , Villada-Gil Stiven , Correa Morales Juan Carlos
Published: April 2021

En el presente trabajo se exploró la utilización de una herramienta de común uso industrial, las cartas de control, en un ámbito netamente social, específicamente en la salud. Se pretendió exponer un método para introducir este concepto con base en herramientas de fácil uso e implementación; este concepto está constituido por la técnica propuesta por Ishikawa [1] como primera instancia del proceso, seguida de la implementación de la metodología Delphi en dos rondas y, finalmente, con una tercera ronda de Delphi, que usa el método de elicitación a mano alzada. Este proceso resultó ser novedoso debido a la estimación de los límites de control bayesianos y a la estimación de la distribución a priori a mano alzada; se acudió a expertos y se determinó la distribución predictiva a posteriori que permite la actualización permanente de los límites de control en un proceso social hasta donde sabemos no usado en la literatura. El resultado permitirá la generación de alertas tempranas de control del proceso, ya sea por el aumento no esperado de la cantidad de no conformidades o porque las innovaciones son sorprendentemente menores a lo esperado de acuerdo a la distribución de probabilidad a posteriori.
Formation of strategic management of hemp cultivation in a developing country: A case of Ukraine
Authors: Mykhailova Liubov , Mykhailov Andrii , Korenivska Liudmyla , Khromushyna Lyudmyla , Chuprina Marharyta
Published: April 2021

After a long period of decline and persecution, there is a revival and rapid development of the cannabis industry around the world: the use of this unique crop is expanding rapidly, and finally, it was transferred from a narcotic to an agricultural one (except for Ukraine). Nowadays, the Ukrainian hemp industry has practically gone unnoticed by the state, scientists, practitioners and society. At the same time, it has development prospects and can play a significant role for rural areas and the national economy. The paperis aimed at exploring the possibilities of growing hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) and justifying the need for strategic management of the development of the cannabis industry in Ukraine. Based on the analysis of hemp production, it is established that during the years of Ukraine’s independence, the area of hemp crops has decreased almost 8 times; the number of producers is limited; hemp processing plants do not function; the yield of technical hemp seeds has a slight tendency to increase andapproximates 6-7 kg/ha. The prospects for cannabis cultivation require building strategic management of the cannabis industry to address key issues and mitigate threats. The key elements of the production development strategy are identified as improving institutional and financial support at the state level. The main guidelines of strategic management of hemp cultivation are: simplification of regulation for producers; intensification of agribusiness entities; increasing production volumes; and improving the competitive environment in the hemp market. It is proved that the strategic development of the hemp industry requires developing hemp processing enterprises; disseminating knowledge among the population about the usefulness and benefits of this multi-purpose culture. To substantiate the effectiveness of strategic decisions, the algorithm was proposed for assessing the effectiveness of growing different types of hemp products by different technologies, which is carried out using economic and mathematical modeling.
A kriminálpedagógia bemutatkozása
Authors: Ruzsonyi Péter
Published: April 2021

A kriminálpedagógia elméletének és gyakorlatának kontinensünkön megközelítően 130 éves múltja van, azonban létezéséről a neveléstudomány a mai napig alig vesz tudomást. Jelen tanulmányban – elsősorban rendszerelméleti megközelítéssel – azt kívánom bizonyítani, hogy a kriminálpedagógia mint speciális neveléstudományi terület ma is létezik, valamint létezésének van gyakorlati létjogosultsága is: alapvető rendszerszervezési elvként működhet a büntetés-végrehajtási intézetek, és a fogvatartottak mindennapi életének megszervezésekor. Megállapításaim és következtetéseim 37 évnyi kriminálpedagógiai kutatómunka eredményeire épülnek, melyek során szakirodalom- és dokumentumelemzést, nevelési programok tervezését, 193 büntetés-végrehajtási intézetben terepkutatást és dokumentumfilm-készítést végeztem, valamint 21 éve oktatok kriminálpedagógiát. A kutatási eredmények alapján bizonyítottnak látom, hogy nem csak létezik a kriminálpedagógia, hanem szerepe napjainkban jelentősen felértékelődhet, mivel a szabadultak visszaesésének csökkentése érdekében számos országban keresik a büntetés-végrehajtás számára az új eljárásokat és megoldási módokat. Fontosnak tartom ugyanakkor hangsúlyozni, hogy a kriminálpedagógia soha nem volt, és ma sem csodaszer, azonban – mint alkalmazott tudományterület – képes és kész hozzájárulni a fogvatartottak eredményes reintegrációját elősegítő eljárásmódok kidolgozásához. A tanulmány elkészítését továbbá az a szándékom is inspirálta, hogy a neveléstudomány szakemberei, oktatói és kutatói, valamint a pedagógia szakos- és doktori hallgatók naprakész tájékoztatást kapjanak a kriminálpedagógia jelenlegi legmodernebb elméletéről, valamint a tudományterület felhasználásának elvi lehetőségeiről.