bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Female aristocrats in the natural history world before the establishment of the Geological Society of London
Authors: Sendino Consuelo , Porter Julian
Published: October 2020

A fascination with natural history does not recognize class, as is shown through the activities of female aristocrats who, during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, contributed significantly by increasing the number of collections at natural history museums. These women were not members of the Geological Society of London because, at that time, women were not even allowed to be members, but they still left their impressive legacy in museums. This paper will focus on three women who made extensive collections that are now incorporated into British museums. The first of these, the Duchess of Portland, made one of the finest collections in England and, possibly, the best collection of shells and fossils in Europe of her time, which was later acquired by the Natural History Museum, London. She was followed by the Countess of Aylesford who made one of the most important mineral collections of her time, which is now at the Natural History Museum, London. Finally, Baroness Brassey collected geological samples during her trips that were used to establish the Brassey Institute in Hastings. These three women used their own income and influence to build collections.
Sustainable/responsible mining and ethical issues related to the Sustainable Development Goals
Authors: Mudd Gavin M.
Published: October 2020

The modern world needs an ever-increasing amount and variety of metals and minerals to meet demands for energy, telecommunications, infrastructure, transport vehicles and the like. Despite the basic perception of mining being unsustainable, there has been a radical shift in thinking about mining and sustainable development in recent decades, led by the introduction of numerous guidelines, schemes and protocols to address specific issues and improve reporting and accountability by mines and mining companies – in simple terms, using certification-type schemes to justify a sustainable or responsible approach to mining based on more ethical underpinnings. This chapter presents a unique and concise synthesis of these complex issues and outlines how mining can be described as responsible, sustainable or perhaps ethical even – or not as the case may be.
The importance of professional regulation of geoscientists and their role in a fast-changing world
Authors: Fernández-Fuentes Isabel , Correia Vitor , Neumann Michael
Published: October 2020

Population growth, political and social factors, technological advances, and climate change are driving forces that are shaping a world where access to natural resources is critical. Geoscientists’ contribution to the comprehensive management of natural resources is vital and this calls for the active involvement of skilled, experienced professionals. The authors describe how, in this framework, systems for professional regulation and certification of geoscientists facilitate mobility, interchanging of ideas and knowledge, best ethical practice and protection of the public and environment.
CBPCS
Authors: Cao Jian , Jia Tingjie , Qian Shiyou , Zhao Haiyan , Wang Jie
Published: October 2020

With the development of cloud computing and the advent of the Web 2.0 era, composing a set of Web services as a service process is becoming a common practice to provide more functional services. However, a service process involves multiple service invocations over the network, which incurs a huge time cost and could become a bottleneck to performance. To accelerate its execution, we propose an engine-side cache-block-based service process caching strategy (CBPCS). It is based on, and derives its advantages from, three key ideas. First, the invocation of Web services embodies semantics, which enables the application of semantic-based caching. Second, cache blocks are identified from a service process, and each block is equipped with a separate cache so that the time overhead of service invocation and caching can be minimized. Third, a replacement strategy is introduced taking into account time and space factors to manage the space allocation for a process with multiple caches. The algorithms and methods used in CBPCS are introduced in detail. Moreover, how CBPCS can be applied to multiple service process models is also investigated. Finally, CBPCS is validated via comparison experiments, which shows the considerable improvements of CBPCS over other strategies.
Online Xenophobic Behavior Amid the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Lee Roy Ka-Wei , Li Zhi
Published: October 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic has developed to be more than a bio-crisis as global news has reported a sharp rise in xenophobia and discrimination in online and offline communities. This commentary discusses the deterrence policies and automated content moderation technology to curb the spread of online xenophobic behaviors. We suggested some potential exploration areas where multiple stakeholders can come together to address the online xenophobic issues amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Bridging the Health Disparity of African Americans Through Conversational Agents
Authors: Kim Junhan , Park Sun Young , Robert Lionel P.
Published: October 2020

African Americans have faced health disparities in terms of access to health care and treatment of illnesses. The novel coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic exacerbates those disparities caused by limited access to medical care and healthy lifestyles, vulnerability to misleading information, and mistrust of the medical profession, all of which disproportionately affect the African American population in terms of infection and mortality. Conversational agents (CAs) are a technological intervention with the potential to narrow the disparities because they make health care more accessible, are effective in disseminating health information among a population with low health literacy, and can increase users’ trust in health information. However, designing CAs for this population presents challenges with regard to embodying the African American culture into CAs and addressing privacy and security concerns. This commentary discusses some advantages and challenges of using CAs to help African Americans protect themselves against coronavirus disease 2019, and calls for more research in this area.
Delivering Unemployment Assistance in Times of Crisis
Authors: Angell Mintaka , Gold Samantha , Howison Mark , Kidd Victoria , Molitor Daniel , Burns Casey , Johnson Chris , Kahn Matthew , Venzke Stuart , Deneault Sandra , Doweiko Donald , Dziembowski Stephen , Kumar Bijay , O'donnell Patrick , Patel Chirag , Reidl Andrew , Tardiff Brian , Hastings Justine S. , Jensen Scott , Pellegrino Angelika , Roberts Amelia , Sarathy Rahul
Published: October 2020

The COVID-19 public health emergency caused widespread economic shutdown and unemployment. The resulting surge in Unemployment Insurance claims threatened to overwhelm the legacy systems state workforce agencies rely on to collect, process, and pay claims. In Rhode Island, we developed a scalable cloud solution to collect Pandemic Unemployment Assistance claims as part of a new program created under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act to extend unemployment benefits to independent contractors and gig-economy workers not covered by traditional Unemployment Insurance. Our new system was developed, tested, and deployed within 10 days following the passage of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act, making Rhode Island the first state in the nation to collect, validate, and pay Pandemic Unemployment Assistance claims. A cloud-enhanced interactive voice response system was deployed a week later to handle the corresponding surge in weekly certifications for continuing unemployment benefits. Cloud solutions can augment legacy systems by offloading processes that are more efficiently handled in modern scalable systems, reserving the limited resources of legacy systems for what they were originally designed. This agile use of combined technologies allowed Rhode Island to deliver timely Pandemic Unemployment Assistance benefits with an estimated cost savings of $502,000 (representing a 411% return on investment).
Trust and COVID-19
Authors: Fell Lauren
Published: October 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic raises questions of trust in many domains, including interpersonal relationships, social behaviours, technology, and interactions with institutions and information. This prompts the need to consider trust holistically when attempting to understand it within any of these individual domains. An emerging theory of trust is applied to provide a perspective through which the interrelating effects of trust in multiple contexts can be understood in the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak. Understanding the collective erosion of trust in each of the domains addressed can contribute to understanding how citizens trust in important and reliable health advice provided by governments and institutions.
Ion Transport Mechanisms via Time-Dependent Local Structure and Dynamics in Highly Concentrated Electrolytes
Authors: Andersson Rasmus , Årén Fabian , Franco Alejandro A. , Johansson Patrik
Published: October 2020

Highly concentrated electrolytes (HCEs) are attracting interest as safer and more stable alternatives to current lithium-ion battery electrolytes, but their structure, solvation dynamics and ion transport mechanisms are arguably more complex. We here present a novel general method for analyzing both the structure and the dynamics, and ultimately the ion transport mechanism(s), of electrolytes including HCEs. This is based on automated detection of bonds, both covalent and coordination bonds, including how they dynamically change, in molecular dynamics (MD) simulation trajectories. We thereafter classify distinct local structures by their bond topology and characterize their physicochemical properties by statistical mechanics, giving both a qualitative and quantitative description of the structure, solvation and coordination dynamics, and ion transport mechanism(s). We demonstrate the method by in detail analyzing an ab initio MD simulation trajectory of an HCE consisting of the LiTFSI salt dissolved in acetonitrile at a 1:2 molar ratio. We find this electrolyte to form a flexible percolating network which limits vehicular ion transport but enables the Li+ ions to move between different TFSI coordination sites along with their first solvation shells. In contrast, the TFSI anions are immobilized in the network, but often free to rotate which further facilitates the Li+ hopping mechanism.
Epidemiology of Thalassemia in Gulf Cooperation Council Countries: A Systematic Review
Authors: Abu-Shaheen Amani , Heena Humariya , Nofal Abdullah , Abdelmoety Doaa A. , Almatary Abdulrahman , Alsheef Mohammed , AlFayyad Isamme
Published: October 2020

Background. Thalassemia has a burden on the healthcare systems of many countries. About 56000 conceptions result in thalassemia, globally. Objective. To assess the epidemiological profile of thalassemia in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. Methods. A systematic search was conducted in MEDLINE/PubMed (National Library of Medicine), CINAHL, and Embase. Relevant observational studies reporting the epidemiology of thalassemia among the GCC population were selected. Data on the prevalence, frequency, and complications of thalassemia were extracted. The quality of the retrieved studies was assessed according to the Newcastle–Ottawa Quality Assessment Scale. Results. Eighteen studies (14 cross‐sectional studies, two retrospective observational studies, and two retrospective analysis) with a total of 3343042 participants were included in this systematic review. Of the 18 studies, 11 studies were conducted in Saudi Arabia, two in the Kingdom of Bahrain, one in Kuwait, three in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and one in Qatar. The prevalence of thalassemia among children below five years of age ranged from 0.25% to 33%, while it was 0.9% in children above five years and from 0.035% to 43.3% among adult thalassemia patients. The most‐reported risk factors were consanguineous marriage and high‐risk marriage. There was a lack of data regarding mortality rates in thalassemia. Conclusions. Despite the premarital screening and genetic counseling (PMSGC) program for thalassemia, the incidence of high‐risk couple marriages in GCC countries cannot be effectively diminished. This study suggested that the PMSGC program should adopt more attention for the high‐risk areas, to enhance the level of consciousness about the hemoglobinopathy diseases and the consequences of consanguinity among the at‐risk couple.
Real-Time Prediction Model of Coal and Gas Outburst
Authors: Yandong Ru , Xingfeng Lv , Jikun Guo , Hongquan Zhang , Lijuan Chen
Published: October 2020

Coal and gas outburst has been one of the main threats to coal mine safety. Accurate coal and gas outburst prediction is the key to avoid accidents. The data is actual and complete by default in the existing prediction model. However, in fact, data missing and abnormal data value often occur, which results in poor prediction performance. Therefore, this paper proposes to use the correlation coefficient to complete the missing data filling in real time for the first time. The abnormal data identification is completed based on the Pauta criterion. Random forest model is used to realize the prediction model. The prediction performance of sensitivity 100%, accuracy 97.5%, and specificity 84.6% were obtained. Experiments show that the model can complete the prediction of coal and gas outburst in real time under the condition of missing data and abnormal data value, which can be used as a new prediction model of coal and gas outburst.
Effects of Acupuncture Treatment in Reducing Sleep Disorder and Gut Microbiota Alterations in PCPA‐Induced Insomnia Mice
Authors: Hong Jiajing , Chen Jian , Kan Junming , Liu Mingjun , Yang Dongyu
Published: October 2020

Chronic insomnia without intervention will do harm to people’s physical and psychological health as well as the quality of life. While ensuring efficacy, traditional Chinese medicine therapy, such as acupuncture, overcomes the side effects of drugs. However, the molecular mechanism of traditional medicine is unclear and it encounters many obstacles in repetitiveness and popularization. On the other side, the placebo effects also need to be eliminated during the intervention. In this study, a number of indicators such as duration of sleep latency, serum markers, pineal gland immunohistochemistry, and gut microbes were detected in the PCPA‐induced insomnia mice to compare the effects between acupuncture and hypnotic drug treatments. Although the food intake and weight were not changed, the results show that serum maker and gut microbiota alterations were mediated by concurrent changes in sleep disorder induced by PCPA in mice. Compared with the PCPA‐induced insomnia group, dopamine, 5‐hydroxytryptamine, and norepinephrine were reduced in serum, and the melatonin was increased in the pineal gland of the acupuncture group as well as zopiclone drug group. Moreover, the analysis results from 16S tag sequencing of the gut microbiome bacterial rRNA hypervariable region show the same improvement effects between the two medical intervention groups. A co‐occurrence network analysis showed that blank and acupuncture networks exhibited higher similarity than sham and zopiclone networks and the sham network possessed the highest complexity of microbial communities. Taken together, the gut microbiome will likely be a new target for improving sleep disorders, and taking into account the side effects of hypnotic drugs, nonpharmacological interventions such as acupuncture may be an effective means and have greater clinical benefits.
Potential Efficacy of Erythropoietin on Reducing the Risk of Mortality in Patients with Traumatic Brain Injury: A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis
Authors: Liu Chengli , Huang Changsheng , Xie Jie , Li Hui , Hong Michael , Chen Xuemei , Wang Junmin , Wang Jiarui , Li Zhanfei , Wang Jian , Wang Wei
Published: October 2020

Objective. The objective of this study is to assess the effectiveness of erythropoietin (EPO) on mortality, neurological outcomes, and adverse event in the treatment of traumatic brain injury (TBI). Methods. We searched databases including PubMed, OVID, and the Cochrane Library from inception until October 18, 2019 for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to compare EPO treatment group and placebo in patients with TBI. Two authors independently processed the data and evaluated the quality of inclusion studies. Statistical analysis was performed with heterogeneity test with I2 and chi‐square tests. We summarized the mortality, prognosis of neurological function, and deep vein thrombosis (DVT) outcomes and presented as risk ratio (RR) or risk difference (RD) with a 95% CI. Results. Seven RCTs accounting for 1180 patients were included after meeting the inclusion criteria. Compared with placebo, the overall mortality of EPO‐treated patients was significantly reduced (RR 0.68 [95% CI 0.50‐0.93]; p = 0.02). EPO therapy did not improve neurological prognosis (RR 1.21 [95% CI 0.93‐1.15]; p = 0.16) or increase the occurrence of DVT (RR 0.83 [95% CI 0.61–1.13]; p = 0.242), which showed no significant difference. Conclusions. The results showed that the administration of EPO may reduce the risk of mortality without enhancing the occurrence of DVT in TBI patients. However, the effect of EPO on neurological outcome remains indistinct. Through subgroup analysis, we demonstrated that the dose of EPO may be a potential factor affecting the heterogeneity in neurological function and that the follow‐up duration may influence the stability of the result.
Evaluation of Grewia ferruginea Hochst ex A. Rich Mucilage as Suspending Agent in Metronidazole Benzoate Suspension
Authors: Haile Tsadkan Gebremeskel , Sibhat Gereziher Gebremedhin , Tadese Ebisa , Tesfay Desta , Molla Fantahun
Published: October 2020

Various species of the genus Grewia have been investigated for different pharmaceutical applications as excipients, yet a study on the potential use of Grewia ferruginea mucilage (GFM) as a suspending agent is lacking. Thus, this study is aimed at evaluating the efficacy of Grewia ferruginea mucilage (GFM) as a suspending agent in metronidazole benzoate suspension. The suspensions were prepared using 0.5%, 1%, 1.5%, and 2% w/v of GFM and compared with suspensions prepared from xanthan gum (XGM) and sodium carboxyl methyl cellulose (SCMC) in similar concentrations. The prepared suspensions were evaluated for visual appearance, pH, rheology, sedimentation volume, redispersibility, degree of flocculation, and in vitro drug release profile. Stability study was done at different storage conditions for three months. The results indicated that all the prepared suspension formulations exhibited pseudoplastic flow characteristics with viscosity imparting ability of the suspending agents in the order of XGM > GFM > SCMC (p < 0.05). The flow rate and redispersibility of the formulations prepared with GFM were significantly lower than those with SCMC and higher than those prepared with XGM. At 0.5% w/v suspending agent concentrations, the sedimentation volume of the formulations was in the order of XGM > GFM > SCMC (p < 0.05). However, at all other concentrations, the sedimentation volume of the formulations prepared with GFM had similar results with XGM but exhibited significantly higher sedimentation volume than SCMC. The formulations with GFM showed a higher degree of flocculation at 0.5% w/v concentration but were comparable at 1.5% w/v with XGM containing formulations. The pH, assay, and in vitro release profile of all assessed formulations were within the pharmacopial limit. Thus, based on the finding of this study, it can be concluded that Grewia ferruginea bark mucilage has the potential to be utilized as a suspending agent in suspension formulations.
Numerical Simulation of Impact Loads of Main Fan Blades in Gas Explosion
Authors: Gao Jianliang , Ren Jingzhang , Zhang Xuebo , Liu Jiajia , Wang Chunxia
Published: October 2020

The shock wave generated by a severe gas explosion accident can damage the main fan, and the toxic and harmful gases in the well cannot be discharged in time, leading to the expansion of disaster accidents. Therefore, it is meaningful to study impact loads of main fan blades in gas explosion. In this paper, a full-scale three-dimensional numerical simulation model has been established based on No. 2 Yangchangwan Coal Mine in China. The propagation of shock wave in shaft and air tunnel and the dynamic process of main fan blade subjected to shock load when gas explosion of different volume occurs in heading face have been simulated. The overpressure on the blade at different times, the overpressure distribution on the blade, and the relationship between the overpressure and the explosion intensity have been obtained. The results showed that the time when the explosion shock wave reached, each blade of the wind turbine was basically the same, and the time when each blade reached, the maximum overpressure was basically the same. With the increase of gas explosion volume, occurrence time of overpressure and maximum overpressure time on the fan blade were shortened, and the time interval between them was also shortened. There is a little difference in the overpressure of each blade. Fan blade directly above the hub was subject to the highest overpressure, and fan blade directly below the hub was subject to the lowest overpressure. The overpressure of the maximum overpressure blade was 5.44% to 6.77% higher than that of the minimum overpressure blade. The distribution of overpressure on each fan blade was uneven, and the overpressures on blade edges were the lowest. The overpressure on the fan blades showed a corrugated distribution along the radial direction. There was 12.06% to 15.40% difference between the maximum and minimum overpressure section on the fan blade.
Factors Associated with Malaria Infection among Head Porters in Agbogbloshie Market in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana
Authors: Kwofie Patience , Tetteh John , Akakpo Reindorf Elijah , Sarfo Bismark
Published: October 2020

Background. Head porters constitute the mobile population who are at an increasing risk of being infected with malaria. They move around the city to carry out their duties with no accommodation. Therefore, they sleep wherever they find themselves in the evening and do not benefit from most of the malaria intervention programs such as the use of long-lasting insecticide net. The inability to identify them because they are mobile means that they can continue to drive malaria transmission even if malaria in the general population is controlled. Objectives. This study assessed the factors associated with malaria infection among head porters in the Agbogbloshie market in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana. Method. A total of 218 head porters were recruited from the Agbogbloshie market, and blood samples were collected from participants to test for malaria parasite infection using Rapid Diagnostic Test (RDT) and microscopy and were interviewed using a closed-ended questionnaire. The data were analyzed using Stata version 15. Simple descriptive statistics, Pearson chi-square, and Multiple Logistic Regression were performed with significance set at <0.05. Result. The study revealed 12% (

CI
 
95
%
=
8.2
‐
16.9

) and 9.6% (

CI
 
95
%
=
6.3
‐
14.4

) infection of malaria using RDT and microscopy, respectively. Plasmodium falciparum (21/218) was the main parasite detected in all positive blood samples. Age and marital status are significant factors associated with malaria infection among head porters. Age group 40 years and above had 89% (

AOR
 
0.11
 

CI
 
95
%
=
0.01
‐
0.98

) reduced odds of getting malaria compared to those below 20 years, while those who are single are 3.52 times more likely to be infected with malaria compared with those who are married (

AOR
 

95
%
CI

=
3.52
 

1.13
‐
10.92

). Conclusion. This study concludes that the increasing age of head porters significantly decreased the probability of malaria infection, while head porters who are single have greater odds of being infected with malaria. Age and marital status are important factors to be considered for malaria intervention programs in head porters.
Novel Antibiotic Combinations of Diverse Subclasses for Effective Suppression of Extensively Drug-Resistant Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)
Authors: Nasir Shumyila , Vohra Muhammad Sufyan , Gul Danish , Swaiba Umm E , Aleem Maira , Mehmood Khalid , Andleeb Saadia
Published: October 2020

The emergence of multidrug-resistant pathogens such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), the chief etiological agent for a range of refractory infections, has rendered all β-lactams ineffective against it. The treatment process is further complicated with the development of resistance to glycopeptides, primary antibiotics for treatment of MRSA. Antibiotic combination therapy with existing antimicrobial agents may provide an immediate treatment option. Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of 18 different commercially available antibiotics were determined along with their 90 possible pairwise combinations and 64 triple combinations to filter out 5 best combinations. Time-Kill kinetics of these combinations were then analyzed to find collateral bactericidal combinations which were then tested on other randomly selected MRSA isolates. Among the top 5 combinations including levofloxacin-ceftazidime; amoxicillin/clavulanic acid-tobramycin; amoxicillin/clavulanic acid-cephradine; amoxicillin/clavulanic acid-ofloxacin; and piperacillin/tazobactam-tobramycin, three combinations were found to be collaterally effective. Levofloxacin-ceftazidime acted synergistically in 80% of the tested clinical MRSA isolates. First-line β-lactams of lower generations can be used effectively against MRSA infection when used in combination. Antibiotics other than glycopeptides may still work in combination.
In Vitro Oxygen-Glucose Deprivation-Induced Stroke Models with Human Neuroblastoma Cell- and Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Neurons
Authors: Juntunen Miia , Hagman Sanna , Moisan Anaick , Narkilahti Susanna , Miettinen Susanna
Published: October 2020

Stroke is a devastating neurological disorder and one of the leading causes of mortality and disability. To understand the cellular and molecular mechanisms of stroke and to develop novel therapeutic approaches, two different in vitro human cell-based stroke models were established using oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD) conditions. In addition, the effect of adipose stem cells (ASCs) on OGD-induced injury was studied. In the present study, SH-SY5Y human neuroblastoma cells and human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) were differentiated into neurons, cultured under OGD conditions (1% O2) for 24 h, and subjected to a reperfusion period for 24 or 72 h. After OGD, ASCs were cocultured with neurons on inserts for 24 or 72 h to study the neuroprotective potential of ASCs. The effect of OGD and ASC coculture on the viability, apoptosis, and proliferation of and axonal damage to neuronal cells was studied. The results showed that OGD conditions induced cytotoxicity and apoptosis of SH-SY5Y- and hiPSC-derived neurons, although more severe damage was detected in SH-SY5Y-derived neurons than in hiPSC-derived neurons. Coculture with ASCs was protective for neurons, as the number of dead ASC-cocultured neurons was lower than that of control cells, and coculture increased the proliferation of both cell types. To conclude, we developed in vitro human cell-based stroke models in SH-SY5Y- and hiPSC-derived neurons. This was the first time hiPSCs were used to model stroke in vitro. Since OGD had different effects on the studied cell types, this study highlights the importance of using several cell types in in vitro studies to confirm the outcomes of the study. Here, ASCs exerted a neuroprotective effect by increasing the proliferation and decreasing the death of SH-SY5Y- and hiPSC-derived neurons after OGD.
Nutrient Stocks and Distribution in Ghanaian Cocoa Ecosystems
Authors: Mohammed A. M. , Robinson J. S. , Verhoef A. , Midmore D. J.
Published: October 2020

There is a paucity of information on nutrient stocks and distribution in the cocoa ecosystem for the management of production sites to improve its productivity. Apart, sites with long histories of cocoa production could differ in nutrient stocks and distribution relative to recent production regions. Therefore, some existing cocoa farms in Ghana were sampled on the basis of shade management (shaded and unshaded) and production site longevity (Eastern region > Western North region) to determine the nutrient stock and distributions in them. Over 93% of the total ecosystems’ elementary nutrients were stored in the soil. Higher nutrient stocks occurred under shaded cocoa ecosystem. Nutrient element concentrations in cocoa tree biomasses followed the order: N > Ca > K > Mg > P > S > Al = Fe > Zn = Mn, and mostly concentrated in leaf > root = husk > branch > stem. On average, region as a main factor affected nutrient distributions. There was a sharp distinction between macronutrient and micronutrient accumulations in favour of Eastern region and Western North region, respectively. Therefore, the regional distinction with respect to macro- and micronutrients could be used as a guide to fertilizer recommendation for cocoa systems in the two regions.
Prevalence of Fluoroquinolone-Resistant Campylobacter Species in Iran: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Khademi Farzad , Sahebkar Amirhossein
Published: October 2020

Background. Campylobacter species are one of the main causes of bacterial food poisoning worldwide. Recently, WHO reported that the emergence of fluoroquinolone-resistant Campylobacter species is becoming a public health issue around the world. The aim of the present systematic review and meta-analysis was to evaluate the prevalence of the antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of Campylobacter species, especially fluoroquinolone-resistant strains isolated from human and animal origins in Iran. Methods. Using related keywords and without date and language limitations, a comprehensive literature search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, ISI Web of Knowledge, Google Scholar, and SID to identify relevant studies on the prevalence of the antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of Campylobacter species in Iran. Results. A total of 34 reports (9 in Persian and 25 in English) were selected based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. Disk diffusion, E-test, and agar dilution were common methods used for antimicrobial susceptibility testing. The antibiotic resistance profiles of Campylobacter species against fluoroquinolones were as follows: 53.6%, 41.8%, and 0% to ciprofloxacin for C. jejuni, C. coli, and C. lari, respectively, 24.3% and 25.1% to enrofloxacin for C. jejuni and C. coli, respectively, 59.6% and 49.2% to nalidixic acid for C. jejuni and C. coli, respectively, and 87.3% and 64.7% to ofloxacin for C. jejuni and C. coli, respectively. Conclusion. Our findings revealed a high prevalence of fluoroquinolone-resistant Campylobacter species in Iran. This calls for the use of more effective antibiotics with low resistance rates including aminoglycosides, chloramphenicol, and imipenem.
Mechanical Model of the Initial Leg Pressure Increment of the Shield and Its Application to Monitor Roof Load in Longwall Panels
Authors: Wei Like
Published: October 2020

The shield pressure cannot always be used to represent the upper load of longwall panels, since its value is steady or even decreases by the yielding action. However, the leg pressure increment of the shield (LPIS) at the initial stage is not influenced by yielding and could therefore be an important factor to judge the state of overlying loads. In this study, a mechanical model is established to analyze the relationship between the overlying loads of the main roof and LPIS after cutting. There is a linear positive correlation between leg pressure increment and overlying loads and a second-order relationship between leg pressure increment and length of main roof cantilever in the proposed model. Therefore, it can be used to determine the magnitude of roof weighting strength in different periods as well as the length of the main roof cantilever in a period. Finally, the mine pressure difference between the period of fully mechanized mining and the period of fully mechanized caving mining in the MinDong-1 coal mine serves to verify the rationality of the proposed model.
Jian‐Pi‐Yi‐Shen Regulates EPO and Iron Recycling Protein Expressions in Anemic Rats with Chronic Kidney Disease: Accumulation of Hypoxia Inducible Factor‐2α via ERK Signaling
Authors: Wang Fochang , Yu Huimin , Huang Shiying , Zheng Lin , Zheng Ping , Zhang Shangbin , Li Shunmin , Chen Jianping
Published: October 2020

Jian‐Pi‐Yi‐Shen (JPYS), the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) decoction, has been commonly used to treat chronic kidney disease (CKD) and its complications such as anemia. JPYS has been previously found to induce erythropoietin (EPO) production in HEK293T cells and CKD rats. However, the mechanism of JPYS in treating anemia of CKD rats has remained largely unknown. Here, we further extend our effort to investigate the translational control of hypoxia inducible factor‐ (HIF‐) α protein via ERK signaling and the effect on iron recycling‐related protein expression by JPYS, thus revealing the mechanism of JPYS in correcting anemia in CKD. Experimental CKD rats with anemia were induced by 5/6 nephrectomy. Rats were administrated orally with high dose (6.0 g/kg/d) and low dose (1.5 g/kg/d) of JPYS for 90 days. Serum hepcidin level was determined to evaluate iron homeostasis. The protein expressions of HIF‐2α, erythropoietin (EPO), ferritin, and ferroportin (FPN) and the phosphorylation level of extracellular signal‐regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) were detected by Western blot. The results showed that JPYS treatment significantly ameliorated kidney function by reducing increased levels of blood urea nitrogen (BUN), serum creatinine (Scr), and urine protein (UPRO). Periodic acid‐Schiff (PAS) and Masson staining observation showed that the renal pathological damage was restored in JPYS‐treated CKD rats. In parallel, JPYS markedly improved CKD anemia through upregulation of red blood cell (RBC), hemoglobin (HGB), and hematocrit (HCT). JPYS stimulated EPO and HIF‐2α protein expressions in both the kidney and liver of CKD rats. Furthermore, JPYS induced the phosphorylation of ERK1/2 protein. In addition, JPYS regulated protein expression of ferritin and FPN in both the liver and spleen of CKD rats and the serum level of hepcidin. In conclusion, JPYS induces the expression of EPO through ERK‐mediated HIF‐2α protein accumulation and regulates systemic iron recycling, supporting its role in promoting erythropoiesis and improvement of anemia in CKD.
Using Diaper Waste to Prepare Magnetic Catalyst for the Synthesis of Glycerol Carbonate
Authors: Wang Jincan , Liang Yong , Wang Song , Okoye Patrick U. , Chen Hongxu , Zhou Yue , Xu Jiening , Meng Zhenhao , Wang Lei , Li Sanxi
Published: October 2020

Diaper waste was calcined above 400°C after impregnated in the solution of nickel nitrate. The as-prepared diaper waste-derived materials were used as magnetic catalysts for the synthesis of glycerol carbonate (GC). Structure and catalytic ability investigations on the catalysts calcined at different temperatures indicated that calcination temperature was an important factor affecting the property of catalysts. It was found that the catalyst obtained at the calcination temperature of 700°C (named DW-Ni-700) showed the best performance. When DW-Ni-700 was used in the synthesis of GC, GC yield reached 93.2%, and the magnetic property of DW-Ni-700 facilitated the catalyst separation process. Meanwhile, DW-Ni-700 showed high reusability in the reaction. After four times reuse of DW-Ni-700, GC yield decreased less than 4%.
miR-325-3p Protects Neurons from Oxygen-Glucose Deprivation and Reoxygenation Injury via Inhibition of RIP3
Authors: Yi Song , Zhang Chuqin , Li Na , Fu Yajing , Li Hongkun , Zhang Jun
Published: October 2020

Objective: Recent reports have corroborated that micro­RNAs (miRs) are related to the pathological changes of cerebral ischemia-reperfusion (CIR) induced injury. This work aimed to unearth the role and potential mechanism of miR-325-3p in regulating neuronal survival in CIR injury. Methods: To conduct this investigation, we established an in vitro model of CIR injury by subjecting neurons to oxygen-glucose deprivation and reoxygenation (OGD/R). Gain and loss of function of miR-325-3p and receptor-interacting serine-threonine kinase 3 (RIP3) in neurons were performed to observe its effect on cell apoptosis and the release of lactate dehydrogenase. The levels of miR-325-3p and RIP3 in neurons were detected by qRT-PCR. Western blot was employed to inspect the levels of caspase3, Bax, and Bcl-2, as well as p38 and JNK phosphorylation. The relationship between miR-325-3p and RIP3 was detected by TargetScan and validated by dual-luciferase reporter assay. Results: Firstly, miR-325-3p expression was obviously downregulated while RIP3 expression was upregulated in neurons following OGD/R treatment. Overexpressed miR-325-3p or downexpressed RIP3 ameliorated OGD/R-induced neuronal injury. Besides, RIP3 was a direct target mRNA of miR-325-3p. Additionally, Western blot revealed the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway was involved in the regulation of miR-325-3p on OGD/R-induced neuronal injury. Furthermore, miR-325-3p was verified to hinder OGD/R-induced neuronal injury through downregulating RIP3. Conclusion: This study demonstrated that miR-325-3p targets RIP3 to inactivate the MAPK pathway, thereby protecting neurons against OGD/R-induced injury.
Trichostasis Spinulosa: A Case Report with an Unusual Presentation
Authors: Kositkuljorn Chaninan , Suchonwanit Poonkiat
Published: October 2020

Trichostasis spinulosa (TS) is a follicular disorder characterized by the retention of multiple vellus hairs in a hyperkeratotic dilated hair follicle. TS is considered as a common disorder; however, it is often underdiagnosed due to its asymptomatic nature. Although the condition frequently affects the face or extremities, the widespread distribution of TS over the entire body has been once reported in a patient with chronic renal failure. To emphasize the infrequent presentation of TS, we herein report a 57-year-old male with an unusual location of TS.
Assessment of Patients with Intracerebral Hemorrhage or Hemorrhagic Transformation in the VENOST Study
Authors: Duman Taşkın , Yayla Vildan , Uludüz Derya , Özaydın Göksu Eylem , Yürekli Vedat Ali , Genç Hamit , Utku Uygar , Çınar Nilgün , Tekeli Hakan , Sungur Mehmet Ali , Tokuç Firdevs Ezgi , Uzuner Nevzat , Şenol Mehmet Güney , Yılmaz Arda , Gökçe Mustafa , Demirci Seden , Küsbeci Özge Yılmaz , Uzuner Gülnur Tekgöl , Şahin Şevki , Batur Çağlayan Hale Zeynep , Açıkgöz Mustafa , Özdağ Fatih , Baybaş Sevim , Ekmekçi Hakan , Çabalar Murat , Yaman Mehmet , Bektaş Hesna , Kaplan Yüksel , Göksel Başak Karakurum , Milanlıoğlu Aysel , Necioğlu Örken Dilek , Aluçlu Mehmet Ufuk , Çolakoğlu Sena , Tüfekçi Ahmet , Bakar Mustafa , Nazlıel Bijrn , Taşçılar Nida , Göksan Baki , Kozak Hasan Hüseyin , Mısırlı Handan , Küçükoğlu Hayriye , Midi İpek , Mengüllüoğlu Necdet , Aytaç Emrah , Yeşilot Nilüfer , İnce Birsen , Yalın Osman Özgür , Güneş Taşkın , Oruç Serdar , Mayda Domaç Füsun , Öztürk Şerefnur , Karahan Ali , Erdoğan Hacı Ali , Afşar Nazire
Published: October 2020

Introduction: Cerebral venous and sinus thrombosis (CVST) may lead to cerebral edema and increased intracranial pressure; besides, ischemic or hemorrhagic lesions may develop. Intracerebral hemorrhages occur in approximately one-third of CVST patients. We assessed and compared the findings of the cerebral hemorrhage (CH) group and the CVST group. Materials and Methods: In the VENOST study, medical records of 1,193 patients with CVST, aged over 18 years, were obtained from 35 national stroke centers. Demographic characteristics, clinical symptoms, signs at the admission, radiological findings, etiologic factors, acute and maintenance treatment, and outcome results were reported. The number of involved sinuses or veins, localizations of thrombus, and lesions on CT and MRI scans were recorded. Results: CH was detected in the brain imaging of 241 (21.1%) patients, as hemorrhagic infarction in 198 patients and intracerebral hemorrhage in 43 patients. Gynecologic causes comprised the largest percentage (41.7%) of etiology and risk factors in the CVST group. In the CH group, headache associated with other neurological symptoms was more frequent. These neurological symptoms were epileptic seizures (46.9%), nausea and/or vomiting (36.5%), altered consciousness (36.5%), and focal neurological deficits (33.6%). mRS was ≥3 in 23.1% of the patients in the CH group. Discussion and Conclusion: CVST, an important cause of stroke in the young, should be monitored closely if the patients have additional symptoms of headache, multiple sinus involvement, and CH. Older age and parenchymal lesion, either hemorrhagic infarction or intracerebral hemorrhage, imply poor outcome.
Cronkhite-Canada Syndrome Successfully Treated by Corticosteroids before Presenting Typical Ectodermal Symptoms
Authors: Murata Kazumoto , Sato Kiichi , Okada Shinya , Suto Daisuke , Otake Takaaki , Kohgo Yutaka
Published: October 2020

Cronkhite-Canada syndrome (CCS) is a rare disease characterized by diffuse gastrointestinal polyposis with chronic diarrhea and ectodermal change, but its etiology is unknown. We present a case at the age of 26 years complaining of epigastralgia and weight loss. Endoscopic examination revealed extensive diffuse polypoid lesions of the stomach and the terminal ileum, all of which showed hyperplastic polyps pathologically. There were no polypoid lesions in his colon. He has no family history of diffuse gastrointestinal polyposis. Diffuse gastrointestinal hyperplastic polyposis without any hereditary association led us to suspect this case as CCS although he did not show chronic diarrhea and any ectodermal symptoms such as onychodystrophy, alopecia, and hyperpigmentation. After initiation of a corticosteroid therapy, his epigastralgia disappeared and he gained appetite and weight, accompanied by normalization of serum albumin levels. Endoscopic examination 1 year after initiation of corticosteroid therapy revealed a decrease in the number of gastric polyposis and those inflammations. This rare young case may suggest that early therapeutic intervention with corticosteroids could improve the prognosis of CCS, preventing not only malnutrition but also appearance of several ectodermal symptoms.
Cortisol Circadian Rhythm and Insulin Resistance in Muscle: Effect of Dosing and Timing of Hydrocortisone Exposure on Insulin Sensitivity in Synchronized Muscle Cells
Authors: Negri Mariarosaria , Pivonello Claudia , Simeoli Chiara , Di Gennaro Gilda , Venneri Mary Anna , Sciarra Francesca , Ferrigno Rosario , de Angelis Cristina , Sbardella Emilia , De Martino Maria Cristina , Colao Annamaria , Isidori Andrea M. , Pivonello Rosario
Published: October 2020

Introduction/Aim: Circadian clock disruption is emerging as a risk factor for metabolic disorders, and particularly, alterations in clock genes circadian expression have been shown to influence insulin sensitivity. Recently, the reciprocal interplay between the circadian clock machinery and hypothal­amus-pituitary-adrenal axis has been largely demonstrated: the circadian clock may control the physiological circadian endogenous glucocorticoid (GC) secretion and action; GCs, in turn, are potent regulators of the circadian clock and their inappropriate replacement has been associated with metabolic impairment. The aim of the current study was to investigate in vitro the interaction between the timing-of-the-day exposure to different hydrocortisone (HC) concentrations and muscle insulin sensitivity. Methods: Serum-shock synchronized mouse skeletal muscle C2C12 cells were exposed to different HC concentrations resembling the circulating daily physiological cortisol profile (standard cortisol profile) and the circulating daily cortisol profile that reached in adrenal insufficient (AI) patients treated with once-daily modified-release HC (flat cortisol profile) and treated with thrice-daily conventional immediate-release HC (steep cortisol profile). The 24 h spontaneous oscillation of the clock genes in synchronized C2C12 cells was used to align the timing for in vitro HC exposure (Bmal1 acrophase, midphase, and bathyphase) with the reference times of cortisol peaks in AI patients treated with IR-HC (8 a.m., 1 p.m., and 6 p.m.). A panel of 84 insulin sensitivity-related genes and intracellular insulin signaling proteins were analyzed by RT-qPCR and Western blot, respectively. Results: The steep profile, characterized by a higher HC exposure during Bmal1bathyphase, produced significant downregulation in 21 insulin sensitivity-related genes including Insr, Irs1, Irs2, Pi3kca, and Adipor2, compared to the flat and standard profile. Reduced intracellular IRS1 Tyr608, AKT Ser473, AMPK Thr172, and ACC Ser79 phosphorylations were also observed. Conclusions: The current study demonstrated that late-in-the-day cortisol exposure modulates insulin sensitivity-related gene expression and intracellular insulin signaling in skeletal muscle cells.
Stroke Prevention in Older Adults
Authors: Spence J. David , Azarpazhooh M. Reza , Larsson Susanna C. , Bogiatzi Chrysi , Hankey Graeme J.
Published: October 2020

The risks of stroke and dementia increase steeply with age, and both are preventable. At present, the best way to preserve cognitive function is to prevent stroke. Therapeutic nihilism based on age is common and unwarranted. We address recent advances in stroke prevention that could contribute greatly to prevention of stroke and dementia at a time when the aging of the population threatens to markedly increase the incidence of both. Issues discussed: (1) old patients benefit even more from lipid-lowering therapy than do younger patients; (2) patients with stiff arteries are at risk from a target systolic blood pressure <120 mm Hg; (3) the interaction of the intestinal microbiome, age, and renal function has important dietary implications for older adults; (4) anticoagulation with direct-acting oral anticoagulants should be prescribed more to old patients with atrial fibrillation; (5) B vitamins to lower homocysteine prevent stroke; and (6) most old patients in whom intervention is warranted for carotid stenosis would benefit more from endarterectomy than from stenting. An 80-year-old person has much to lose from a stroke and should not have effective therapy withheld on account of age. Lipid-lowering therapy, a more plant-based diet, appropriate anticoagulation or antiplatelet therapy, appropriate blood pressure control, B vitamins to lower homocysteine, and judicious intervention for carotid stenosis could do much to reduce the growing burden of stroke and dementia.
Trade Flows and Fiscal Multipliers
Authors: Cacciatore Matteo , Traum Nora
Published: October 2020

We present novel insights on the role of international trade following unanticipated fiscal changes in a flexible exchange rate environment. We show analytically that fiscal multipliers can be larger in economies more open to trade, even when fiscal expansions imply trade deficits. Three factors determine how trade linkages matter: the relative import share of public and private goods, the financing of government debt, and the currency invoicing of exports. A Bayesian prior-predictive analysis shows that a quantitative model bears the same predictions. Conditioning on Canadian and U.S. data, we find support for larger multipliers relative to a counterfactually closed economy.