bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Major QTL is associated with berry grape texture characteristics
Authors: Crespan Manna , Migliaro Daniele , Vezzulli Silvia , Zenoni Sara , Tornielli Giovanni Battista , Giacosa Simone , Paissoni Maria Alessandra , Río Segade Susana , Rolle Luca
Published: February 2021

Berry texture and berry skin mechanical properties are traits with high agronomic relevance because they are related to quality parameters and marketing requirements of wine, table, and raisin grapes. Searching for QTLs linked to berry texture, an F1 population of 152 individuals and their parents were used in this study. These F1 plants were obtained crossing Raboso Veronese, a seeded black wine grape cultivar, and Sultanina, a seedless white grape variety, especially used for raisins. Density flotation was applied for berry sorting improving the management of many and highly variable genotypes, irrespective of the quantification of specific molecule classes. Berries were evaluated for technological ripeness parameters and mechanical properties. Texture parameters were taken as raw data and as data normalised on berry dimensions, i.e., berry diameter or surface or volume. SSR molecular markers were used to produce a genetic map and a major QTL for berry texture was found on chromosome 18 with traits related to berry firmness showing a phenotypical explained variance higher than 60 %, and traits related to berry resilience, springiness and cohesiveness showing a variance higher than 50 %. Surprisingly, this QTL showed to be associated with SSR markers linked to VviAGL11, the main gene linked to seedlessness. VviAGL11 expression and co-expression profiling during grape ripening was evaluated using available information; this data suggested a role for this gene on the texture of a ripe berry.List of Abbreviations:ABW, average berry weightBR, berry resilienceBR_diam, berry resilience normalised on berry diameterBR_sur, berry resilience normalised on berry surfaceBR_vol, berry resilience normalised on berry volumeBS_ratio, berry springinessBS_ratio_diam, berry springiness normalised on berry diameterBS_ratio_sur, berry springiness normalised on berry surfaceBS_ratio_vol, berry springiness normalised on berry volumeBCo, berry cohesivenessBCo_diam, berry cohesiveness normalised on berry diameterBCo_sur, berry cohesiveness normalised on berry surfaceBCo_vol, berry cohesiveness normalised on berry volumeBH, berry hardnessBH_diam, berry hardness normalised on berry diameterBH_sur, berry hardness normalised on berry surfaceBH_vol, berry hardness normalised on berry volumeBG, berry gumminessBG_diam, berry gumminess normalised on berry diameterBG_sur, berry gumminess normalised on berry surfaceBG_vol, berry gumminess normalised on berry volumeBCh_ratio, berry chewinessBCh_ratio_diam, berry chewiness normalised on berry diameterBCh_ratio_sur, berry chewiness normalised on berry surfaceBCh_ratio_vol, berry chewiness normalised on berry volumeFsk, berry skin break forceWsk, berry skin break energyEsk, berry skin resistance to the axial deformationSpsk, berry skin thickness
Basic Properties of the Polygonal Sequence
Authors: Adegoke Kunle
Published: February 2021

We study various properties of the polygonal numbers; such as their recurrence relations, fundamental identities, weighted binomial and ordinary sums and the partial sums and generating functions of their powers. A feature of our results is that they are presented naturally in terms of the polygonal numbers themselves and not in terms of arbitrary integers as is the case in most literature.
A Review of Damage, Void Evolution, and Fatigue Life Prediction Models
Authors: Lee Hsiao Wei , Basaran Cemal
Published: February 2021

This paper aims to provide an overall review of degradation, damage evolution and fatigue models in the literature of various engineering materials, mostly metals, and composites.
Divergent Selection on Height and Cognitive Ability: Evidence from Both Genetic Distance (Fst) and Polygenic Scores
Authors: Piffer Davide
Published: February 2021

Tests of selection based on population differentiation were performed on two highly polygenic traits important for success and quality of life: body height and educational attainment (EA). Polygenic scores (PGS) of EA and height, computed across three public genomic databases revealed differences between populations (1000 Genomes, HGDP, gnomAD) that matched the average IQ and height of ethnic groups (r ~0.9). A moderately strong correlation between latitude and EA PGS (r= 0.67) implies the effect of climate (seasonality or winter temperature) on selection for cognitive ability. The effect of latitude was reduced (β= 0.28) but remained significant after adding the sub-continental group variable to the regression model.The global Fst index revealed population differentiation at height and EA loci, significantly deviating from random SNPs. Substantial Linkage Equilibrium (LD) Decay between YRI and CEU was found (r= 0.6) but there was no correlation between LD decay and population differences in polygenic scores for EA (r= 0.015, p= 0.45), and slight inflation of height PGS difference due to LD decay (r= -0.04, p= 0.0315). Selecting the SNPs most robust to LD decay (r>0.8) resulted in larger PGS gaps for EA, but smaller for height. Finally, it is shown that PGS differences are more sensitive to the significance of GWAS loci than Fst, reflecting the major limitations of Fst as an index of selection.
Education, Consciousness and Negative Feedback: Towards the Renewal of Modern Philosophy of Education
Authors: Pikkarainen Eetu
Published: February 2021

Among the biggest challenges facing the contemporary human condition, and therefore also education, is responding to the climate crisis. The source of the crisis is assumed to be absent-mindedness, presented by Leslie Dewart as a distortion of the development of human consciousness. Dewart's poorly-known philosophical consciousness study is presented in this paper in broad outline. The problems in the study of consciousness, the most important of which are the qualitative representations – qualia – and the question of free will, are also briefly discussed. These problems are then examined transcendental analytically, with the question of what one must assume in order to allow the emergence of these phenomena. From the resulting conception of causal relationship, we proceed to the circular causality as a prerequisite for life, namely the homeostatic systems and negative feedback. An organization of action that is essential to animals and humans is presented, using William Powers’ perceptual control theory (PCT), and the role of consciousness in this organization is drafted according to the studies of Martin Taylor. Action is seen as continuous problem solving, in which negative feedback is used to bring perceptions into line with the goals. The fundamental function of consciousness is revealed as the direction and enhancement of learning. Based on PCT, it can be shown that the main practical problems in animal and, especially, human action, are related to adverse side effects of action and the resulting various conflicts. The climate crisis is a typical example of the problematic side effects of collective action. Dewart's concept of absent-mindedness can therefore be defined as an inability to responsibly account for the side effects of action. Thus, the main task of education is to forestall, through negative feedback and in cooperation with learner consciousness, absent-mindedness and the problems it causes.
Design of Experiments for Light Speed Invariance to Moving Observers
Authors: Chen Qian
Published: February 2021

The principle of the constancy of the velocity of light, which stated that the light velocity is invariant to the motion of the emitter, was well established and directly proven by experiments. Interestingly, the further assumption that the light velocity is independent of the motion of the observer was, arguably, never directly proven by any experiment for a century. This paper proposed the design of two experiments to directly test this assumption, which tried to address some perceived technical difficulty in such experiments. One is to directly measure the light speed as to moving sensors. The experiment setup is designed in such a way that the concerns of time synchronization and dilation can be avoided. Another experiment is to test the isotropy of the light speed to a moving particle in the electromagnetic accelerator by measuring the momentum to acceleration ratio. The experiment result, if positive, will provide direct and solid proof of the assumption. Otherwise, it may imply a need for further investigation. Since the light speed invariance to moving observers is a key assumption of some fundamental physical theory, either way, the experiments will have significant meanings.
Recycling and Management of Waste at Source (Home)
Authors: Nepal Tej Kumar
Published: February 2021

Solid waste management is a global issue that affects every individual living in the world directly or indirectly. Failing to manage the waste properly will cause harm on public health, our natural environment, and even our happiness and prosperity. When asked about the reason behind the failure of third time plastic ban in Bhutan, one of the Bhutanese said it’s because of the lack of cooperation from public to support the move of government. Clean Bhutan, a non-governmental organization (NGO) that aims Zero Waste Bhutan by 2030, has collected around 5,900 metric tons of waste from December 2014 to February 2018. This project will create some awareness regarding the management of waste at individual level when people come in contact with the family of the researcher. It also talks abot how waste management and biodiversity conservation can go side by side.
Continence Status and Presence of Pressure Skin Injury Among Special Elderly Nursing Home Residents in Japan: A Nationwide Cross-Sectional Survey
Authors: Suzuki Motofumi , Kodaira Megumi , Suyama Keiko , Murata Taro , Kume Haruki
Published: February 2021

Urinary and fecal incontinence as well as skin pressure injury are common healthcare problems in nursing home; however, these prevalence and related risk factors were not well understood in the Japanese special elderly nursing home settings. We surveyed the prevalence of urinary, fecal and double incontinence, and skin pressure injury among the elderly living in special elderly nursing home in Japan. A nationwide cross-sectional epidemiological survey was conducted with a total of 4,881 residents. The prevalence of urinary, fecal and double incontinence was 82.9%, 68.9% and 64.9%, respectively. Skin pressure injury was found in 283 residents (283/4881, 5.8%). Age, Care-Needs level, loss of voiding desire, and fecal incontinence were significant risk factors for urinary incontinence. Residential period, Care-Needs level, loss of voiding and defecation desires, and urinary incontinence were significant risk factors for fecal incontinence. Only male sex was a significant risk factor for skin pressure injury. Our study revealed continence status and the prevalence of pressure skin injury among older adult residents who receive an end-of-life care in special nursing homes in Japan. Further studies should be conducted to examine whether recovery of urinary and fecal sensations improves continence status.
The Essential Oil Composition of Trachymene Incisa Rudge Subsp. Incisa Rudge From Australia
Authors: Palá-Paúl Jesús , Copeland Lachlan M. , Brophy Joseph J.
Published: February 2021

Trachymene incisa subsp. incisa is an Australian endemic taxon that varies greatly in the abundance and length of the leaf trichomes. The essential oil composition of five populations of this subspecies, three corresponding to the typical glabrous form and two of the particularly hairy variant, has been analyzed in an attempt to determinate if that variability is also reflected in their composition. The oils have been extracted by hydrodistillation and analysed by Gas Chromatography (GC) and Gas Chromatography coupled to Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS). The essential oils of T. incisa subsp. incisa were characterized by the high amount of sesquiterpenes that were the major fraction. The sesquiterepene hydrocarbons were significantly higher in the hairy variant in comparison to the glabrous one. According to the main compound three different chemotypes were found: I.- -selinene + bicyclogermacrene and II.- -bisabolene + -pinene for the typical glabrous variant and III.- bicyclogermacrene + -caryophyllene for the hairy variant.
Assessing the Value to the Patient of New Technologies in Anatomic Total Shoulder Arthroplasty
Authors: Schiffman Corey J. , Prabhakar Pooja , Hsu Jason E. , Shaffer Michele L. , Miljacic Ljubomir , Matsen Frederick A.
Published: February 2021

Background:

Publications regarding anatomic total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA) have consistently reported that they provide significant improvement for patients with glenohumeral arthritis. New TSA technologies that have been introduced with the goal of further improving these outcomes include preoperative computed tomography (CT) scans, 3-dimensional preoperative planning, patient-specific instrumentation, stemless and short-stemmed humeral components, as well as metal-backed, hybrid, and augmented glenoid components. The benefit of these new technologies in terms of patient-reported outcomes is unknown.

Methods:

We reviewed 114 articles presenting preoperative and postoperative values for commonly used patient-reported metrics. The results were analyzed to determine whether patient outcomes have improved over the 20 years during which new technologies became available.

Results:

The analysis did not identify evidence that the results of TSA were statistically or clinically improved over the 2 decades of study or that any of the individual technologies were associated with significant improvement in patient outcomes.

Conclusions:

Additional research is required to document the clinical value of these new technologies to patients with glenohumeral arthritis.

Level of Evidence:

Therapeutic Level IV. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
Isolation, Screening and Antibiotic Sensitivity of Pseudomonas species from Kelana Jaya Lake Soil in Selangor Malaysia
Authors: Ahmed Idris A. , Aljondi Abdalati I , Alabed Alabed Ali A. , Al-Mahdi Abdullah Y. , Abdsalam Rasheed
Published: February 2021

Pathogenic microorganisms from hospitals, communities, and the environment remain great threats to human health. The increasing concern about antibiotic resistance has also necessitated the search for robust alternatives. Therefore, this study aims to isolate, screen and evaluate the antibiotic susceptibility of Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolated from a soil sample taken from northern, western and eastern parts of Kelana Jaya Lake against four antibiotics (gentamycin, tetracycline, ampicillin, and penicillin) on a Mueller-Hinton Agar media plate. Pseudomonas identification was done by using API 20 kit. Disc diffusion was employed as well as the oxidase test. From the positive oxidase result, the isolated bacteria were identified as Burkholderia cepacia (97.6% ID), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (99.5-99.9% ID), and Pseudomonas fluorescent (75.9% ID). Only Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates were further evaluated for antibiotic susceptibility tests. The result showed that P. aeruginosa was susceptible to only three antibiotics (gentamycin, tetracycline, and penicillin) showing a clear zone of inhibition while it was resistant to only ampicillin with no zone of inhibition. Soil isolates are potential sources for the development of effective antibiotics against resistant bacteria.
 Keywords: Antibiotics; Bacterial resistance; Sensitivity, Pseudomonas
Effect of Salt and Osmotic Stresses on the Activity of Some Antioxidant Enzymes and Biochemical Traits in Catharanthus roseus
Authors: Alaakel Solaf nayef , AL-Ouda Ayman Shehada , AL-Ammouri Youssef
Published: February 2021

Abstract
The experiment has been carried out in the Syrian National Commission of Biotechnology, during the growing season 2018/2019, to study the effect of abiotic stresses (salinity and osmotic stresses) on the activity of some antioxidant enzymes and biochemical traits in Catharanthus roseus. The experiment has been laid according to (CRD) with three replications. The seeds have been sterilized by NaOCl solution (0.5% v/v), then planted on MS medium. Plantlets have been moved to MS medium enriched with NAA (1 mg.L-1) and BA (2 mg.L-1). The callus has been initiated from leaves using MS medium containing NAA (1 mg L-1) and KIN (2 mg.L-1). After 60 days, callus has been transferred to MS medium supplemented with different concentrations of PEG 6000 (-0.2, -0.3, -0.4, -0.5 MPa), and NaCl (25, 50, 75, 100 mM) in succession as stimulating agents. The results show that the top value of solutes leakage has been in the salt and osmotic treatments (28.04 and 26.98% respectively) compared with the control (8.563%). MDA content has significantly been higher in salt stress (102.3 µmol.g-1 FW) followed by the osmotic stress treatment (79.41 µmol.g-1 FW), while it was significantly lower in the non-stressed treatment (37.76 µmol.g-1 FW). An increase in the proline content occurred in both the stress treatments (4.623, 4.243 mmol.g-1 FW, respectively) compared with the control (2.477 mmol.g-1 FW). The activity of antioxidant enzymes (CAT, APX, and SOD) have significantly been higher in salt stress treatment (506.9, 12270.02 mol.min-1.mg-1 protein, 191.4 U.mg-1 protein respectively), followed by osmotic stress (259.4, 7106.22 mol.min-1.mg-1 protein, 65.60 U.mg-1 protein, respectively), while it has been significantly lower in control (126.9, 1800.38 mol.min-1.mg-1 protein, 36.03 U.mg-1 protein, respectively).
A Posteriori L_∞ (L_2 )+L_2 (H^1 )–Error Bounds in Discontinuous Galerkin Methods For Semidiscrete Semilinear Parabolic Interface Problems
Authors: Sabawi Younis Abid
Published: February 2021

The aim of this paper is to derive a posteriori error estimates for semilinear parabolic interface problems. More specifically, optimal order a posteriori error analysis in the - norm for semidiscrete semilinear parabolic interface problems is derived by using elliptic reconstruction technique introduced by Makridakis and Nochetto in (2003). A key idea for this technique is the use of error estimators derived for elliptic interface problems to obtain parabolic estimators that are of optimal order in space and time.
Studying the Magnetohydrodynamics for Williamson Fluid with Varying Temperature and Concentration in an Inclined Channel with Variable Viscosity
Authors: Khudair Wissam Sadiq , Dwail Hasan Hadi
Published: February 2021

In this paper, the Magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) for Williamson fluid with varying temperature and concentration in an inclined channel with variable viscosity has been examined. The perturbation technique in terms of the Weissenberg number  to obtain explicit forms for the velocity field has been used. All the solutions of physical parameters of the Darcy parameter , Reynolds number , Peclet number  and Magnetic parameter  are discussed under the different values as shown in plots.
New Method for Estimation Mebeverine Hydrochloride Drugs Preparation by a New Analyser: Ayah 6S.X1(WSLEDs)-T.- Two Solar Cells Complied with C.F.I.A
Authors: Yassin Omar A. , Al Awadie Nagam S.Turkey
Published: February 2021

A sensitivity-turbidimetric method at (0-180o) was used for detn. of mebeverine in drugs by two solar cell and six source with C.F.I.A... The method was based on the formation of ion pair for the pinkish banana color precipitate by the reaction of Mebeverine hydrochloride with Phosphotungstic acid. Turbidity was measured via the reflection of incident light that collides on the surface particles of precipitated at 0-180o. All variables were optimized. The linearity ranged of Mebeverine hydrochloride was 0.05-12.5mmol.L-1, the L.D. (S/N= 3) (3SB) was 521.92 ng/sample depending on dilution for the minimum concentration, with correlation coefficient r = 0.9966while was R.S.D% < 1% of 2, 6 mmol.L-1 conc. of Mebeverine hydrochloride. The method is used successfully for three different of target drugs in three different pharmaceutical formulations. A comparison using t-test was studied. It was shown that there is no significant difference between two values.
Is food frequency questionnaire a valid tools to assess intake of folate and vitamin B12 in Azar cohort population?
Authors: Azimi Sona , Faramarzi Elnaz , Sarbakhsh Parvin , Ostadrahimi Alireza
Published: February 2021

Background: Repeated 24-hour recalls and diet diaries are the most dietary methods, which have been used as gold standards in food frequency questionnaire (FFQ ) validation studies. But associated random errors between the FFQ and these two dietary assessment methods can result in flawed estimates of validity. Therefore, evaluation biochemical indices have been considered as a reference method in validation studies.Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the validity of the FFQ by comparing the estimated intakes of folate and vitamin B12 with corresponding biochemical markers. Methods: Participants were 95 healthy adults from Azar Cohort Study. We compared folate and vitamin B12 intakes of food frequency questionnaire with their concentrations in blood specimens. Serum folate and vitamin B12, and of red blood cell folate concentrations, were determined using electrochemiluminescence immunoassay method respectively. Results: Spearman correlation coefficients between dietary folate and corresponding biomarkers (serum and RBC folate) concentrations were 0.04 (P-value = 0.65), 0.06 ( P-value = 0.52) respectively. There was no correlation between dietary vitamin B12 and serum concentrations of this vitamin, whether in crude or energy-adjusted model in the total population studied(r = - 0.134 , p = 0.19 in crude model and r = -0.137, p = 0.18 in energy-adjusted model ). According to the findings of this study, 64.51, 60.21 and 54.83 percent of studied population were in the same/adjacent quartiles of dietary folate-serum folate, dietary folate-red blood cell folate and dietary vitamin B12-serum vitamin B12 respectively.Conclusion: According to our results, it seems that this FFQ may not be a reliable tool to assess intakes of folate and vitamin B12. Therefore, further studies with large sample size are needed to achieve more clear results.
Solving the pan evaporation process complexity using the development of multiple mode of neurocomputing models
Authors: Ghorbani Mohammad Ali , Jabehdar Milad Alizadeh , Yaseen Zaher Mundher , Inyurt Samed
Published: February 2021

Finding an accurate computational method for predicting pan evaporation (EP), can be useful in the application of these methods for the development of sustainable agricultural systems and water resources management. In the present study, the proposed hybrid method called Multiple Model-Support Vector Machine (MM-SVM) with the aim of increasing the accuracy of EP prediction on a monthly scale (EPm) in two meteorological stations (Ardabil and Khalkhal) using the output of artificial intelligence (AI) models (i.e., artificial neural network (ANN) and support vector machine (SVM)) were evaluated. The results of intelligent models using several statistical indices (i.e., root mean square error (RMSE), mean absolute error value (MAE), Kling-Gupta (KGE) and coefficient of determination (R2)) and with the help of case visual indicators Were compared. According to the results of evaluation indicators in the test phase, two models MM-SVM-6 and ANN-5 with (RMSE, MAE, KGE and R2 equal to 1.088, 0.761, 0.79, 0.54 mm. month− 1, 0.819, 0.903 and 0.939, 0.962) and with three input variables, were introduced as the top models in Ardabil and Khalkhal stations, respectively. The proposed hybrid model (MM-SVM) was able to use its multi-model strategy with inputs predicted by independent models, its power to predict EPm in scenarios where there is a high correlation between its components with EPm, in a feasible state Accept to show. So that the incremental, constant and decreasing modes in EPm prediction accuracy by this hybrid model under the above conditions (especially in Ardabil station) were quite clear. Therefore, the results of the proposed and superior models in the present study can help local stakeholders in discussing water resources management.
Enhanced production of bioactive compound in the callus culture of Glycyrrhiza glabra L. with the improved biomass accumulation
Authors: Jaiswal Nancy , Verma Yashodhara , Misra Pragati
Published: February 2021

Licorice ( Glycyrrhiza glabra ) of Fabaceae family is known to have wide range of medicinal properties due to the metabolites found in the plant’s tissue. Callus cultures from Glycyrrhiza glabra were previously initiated in vitro using leaf as an explant. The current study was designed in a way to examine the possible role of different elicitors concentrations on the stimulation of biomass and their effects on different metabolite content such as total carbohydrates, protein, proline, phenol, alkaloid, flavonoid and glycyrrhizin. Elicitation with different concentration of elicitors increased the biomass and metabolite content in callus culture of G. glabra at different rates. The optimum concentration of adenine sulphate for maximum biomass accumulation (16.79 g/flask) was found to be at 50 mg/l on the incubation of 20 th days. Adenine sulphate as well as putrescine was also found to stimulate the different metabolite content to 3-4 folds in the callus cultures as compared to that of control. Results showed that the metabolite content and antioxidant enzyme of Glycyrrhiza glabra can be enhanced by appropriate forms of elicitation.
Methane Production Potential of Rumen Pretreated Lignocellulosic Wastes
Authors: KURT GOKCE , Doluk Rumeysa , Yoruklu Hulya Civelek , Demir Ahmet , Ozkaya Bestami
Published: February 2021

Bioenergy production from lignocellulosic biomass is challenging due to its structure and a pretreatment is required before methane production. In this study, biological pretreatment by using rumen microorganisms was applied for different types of lignocellulosic wastes: wheat straw, cotton stalk, reeds and sunflower stalk. The reactors were pretreated for 2, 5, 10, 15 and 20 days. After the pretreatment stages and gas measurements were done, reactors were separated into two phases as lower solid phase and upper liquid phase. The reactors were installed for the methanation stage, gas measurements were made at regular intervals and graphs were drawn using the cumulative results. Modified Gompertz equation was used to estimate potential biogas production. According to the results, the reactor containing 5 days pretreated wheat straw became prominent among the other reactors in terms of biogas and methane production with 163 ml and 102 ml, respectively. It was followed by 20 days pretreated reeds with 104 ml biogas and 80 ml methane, 2 days pretreated sunflower stalk with 88 ml biogas and 52 ml methane, and 2 days pretreated cotton stalk with 87 ml biogas and 50 ml methane.
Differential functional connectivity of insular subdivisions in de novo Parkinson’s Disease with mild cognitive impairment
Authors: Pan Chenxi , Ren Jingru , Li Lanting , Li Yuqian , Xu Jianxia , Xue Chen , Hu Guanjie , Yu Miao , Chen Yong , Zhang Li , Zhang Wenbing , Hu Xiao , Sun Yu , Chen Jiu , Liu Weiguo
Published: February 2021

The insula, consisting of functionally diverse subdivisions, plays a significant role in Parkinson’s disease (PD)-related cognitive disorders. However, the functional connectivity (FC) patterns of insular subdivisions in PD remain unclear. Our aim is to investigate the changes in FC patterns of insular subdivisions and their relationships with cognitive domains. Three groups of participants were recruited in this study, including PD patients with mild cognitive impairment (PD-MCI, n = 25), PD patients with normal cognition (PD-NC, n = 13), and healthy controls (HCs, n = 17). Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) was used to investigate the FC in insular subdivisions of the three groups. Moreover, all participants underwent a neuropsychological battery to assess cognition so that the relationship between altered FC and cognitive performance could be elucidated. Compared with the PD-NC group, the PD-MCI group exhibited increased FC between the left dorsal anterior insular (dAI) and the right superior parietal gyrus (SPG), and altered FC was negatively correlated with memory and executive function. Compared with the HC group, the PD-MCI group showed significantly increased FC between the right dAI and the right median cingulate and paracingulate gyri (DCG), and altered FC was positively related to attention/working memory, visuospatial function, and language. Our findings highlighted the different abnormal FC patterns of insular subdivisions in PD patients with different cognitive abilities. Furthermore, dysfunction of the dAI may partly contribute to the decline in executive function and memory in early drug-naïve PD patients.
Identification of minimal hepatic encephalopathy based on dynamic functional connectivity
Authors: Cheng Yue , Zhang Gaoyan , Zhang Xiaodong , Li Yuexuan , Li Jingli , Zhou Jiamin , Huang Lixiang , Xie Shuangshuang , Shen Wen
Published: February 2021

To investigate whether dynamic functional connectivity (DFC) metrics can better identify minimal hepatic encephalopathy (MHE) patients from cirrhotic patients without any hepatic encephalopathy (noHE) and healthy controls (HCs). Resting-state functional MRI data were acquired from 62 patients with cirrhosis (MHE, n=30; noHE, n=32) and 41 HCs. We used the sliding time window approach and functional connectivity analysis to extract the time-varying properties of brain connectivity. Three DFC characteristics (i.e., strength, stability, and variability) were calculated. For comparison, we also calculated the static functional connectivity (SFC). A linear support vector machine was used to differentiate MHE patients from noHE and HCs using DFC and SFC metrics as classification features. The leave-one-out cross-validation method was used to estimate the classification performance. The strength of DFC (DFC-Dstrength) achieved the best accuracy (MHE vs. noHE, 72.5%; MHE vs. HCs, 84%; and noHE vs. HCs, 88%) compared to the other dynamic features. Compared to static features, the classification accuracies of the DFC-Dstrength feature were improved by 10.5%, 8%, and 14% for MHE vs. noHE, MHE vs. HC, and noHE vs. HCs, respectively. Based on the DFC-Dstrength, seven nodes were identified as the most discriminant features to classify MHE from noHE, including left inferior parietal lobule, left supramarginal gyrus, left calcarine, left superior frontal gyrus, left cerebellum, right postcentral gyrus, and right insula. In summary , DFC characteristics have a higher classification accuracy in identifying MHE from cirrhosis patients. Our findings suggest the usefulness of DFC in capturing neural processes and identifying disease-related biomarkers important for MHE identification.
Optimal allocation of CO2 emission quotas at the city level in Bohai Rim Economic Circle based on multi-objective decision approach
Authors: Li Zhiyuan , Chen Huadun , Wang Juan , Zhao Tao
Published: February 2021

As the most developed city circle in northern China, allocating CO2 emission quotas at the Bohai Rim Economic Circle (BREC) city level is essential for developing specific abatement policies. Thus, with reflecting multi-principles (fairness, efficiency, sustainability, and feasibility), this paper formulates the CO2 emission quotas allocation among cities in BREC in 2030 based on the multi-objective decision approach. We first propose three allocation schemes based on the principles of fairness, efficiency, and sustainability, which are conducted by entropy method, zero-sum gains data envelopment (ZSG-DEA) model, and CO2 sequestration share method, respectively. Then, the CO2 allocation satisfaction is defined and used to measure the feasibility principle which is integrated as the objective function of the multi-objective decision model together with three allocation schemes to obtain the optimal allocation results. The results show that cities with large energy consumption and less CO2 sequestration capacity, such as Tianjin, Handan, and Tangshan, experience a decrease in the emission quota shares from 2017 to 2030, indicating that these cities would undertake large emissions reduction obligations. Conversely, there is an increase in the shares of CO2 emission quotas when it comes to Beijing, Chengde, and Dalian, whose GDP, population, and CO2 sequestration capacity are relatively large. Sensitivity analysis shows that Beijing, Zibo, and Jinan are more sensitive to minimum satisfaction changes, and the total satisfaction experiences an increase first and declines thereafter. Based on the results above, cities with large pressure to reduce CO2 emissions should not only promote the economic development, but also improve the capacity of CO2 sequestration by enhancing environmental protection to realize emission reduction targets.
Soil microbes and oxygen influence the changes in bacterial community composition during swine carcass decomposition
Authors: Miguel Michelle , Kim Seon Ho , Lee Sang Suk , Cho Yong Il
Published: February 2021

Background

Carcass decomposition is influenced by various factors such as temperature, humidity, microorganisms, invertebrates, and scavengers. Soil microbes play a significant role in the decomposition process. In this study, we investigated the changes in the bacterial community during carcass decomposition in soil with an intact microbial community and soil which was sterilized decomposed with and without oxygen access using 16s rRNA metagenomic sequencing.
Results

Based on the 16S rRNA metagenomic sequencing, a total of 988 operational taxonomic units (OTUs) representing 16 phyla and 533 genera were detected. The bacterial diversity varied across the based on the alpha diversity indices. The bacterial composition in the unsterilized soil – aerobic condition (U_A) and unsterilized soil – anaerobic condition (U_An) set-ups have higher alpha diversity than the other burial set-ups. Beta diversity analysis revealed a close association in the samples according to the burial type and decomposition day. Firmicutes was the dominant phylum across all samples regardless of the burial type and decomposition day. The bacterial community composition changed throughout the decomposition process in all burial set-up. Meanwhile, the genus Bacillus dominated the bacterial community towards the end of decomposition period.
Conclusions

Our results showed that bacterial community composition changed during carcass decomposition and was affected by the soil and oxygen access, with microorganisms belonging to phylum Firmicutes dominating the community.
Birth Companions, Health Workers Perspective: Mixed Method Study in St. Paul’s Hospital and Millennium Medical College and Its Catchment Centers in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Authors: Gizachew Kidist , Getinet Tewodros , Bekele Delayehu
Published: February 2021

Introduction: Birth companions have been shown to improve quality of care provided to laboring women. Various studies have shown the benefits of companion during child birth. The objective of this study was to assess the knowledge, attitude and practice of health care providers towards the involvement of birth companions during child birth in St Paul’s Hospital Millennium Medical College (SPHMMC) and its selected catchment health centers. Methodology: The study used a cross-sectional study which was supplemented by qualitative study design which employed phenomenological design was conducted using in depth interview of health care providers who were on practice during the study period in SPHMMC. Result: The study included a total 58 health care providers. The finding from the study showed that great proportion of health care providers involved in the study (90 %) have positive attitude towards involvement of birth companions but majority 82.4 % didn’t allow birth companions. The commonest reasons mentioned for not involving companions include fear of breach of privacy, interference with routine medical care and risk of litigation/complaints.Conclusion and Recommendation: The findings from this study showed that majority of the health care providers are against the practice of involving birth companions. Since involvement of birth companions is one way to ensure the quality of care provided there should be an effort to increase the knowledge of health professionals on benefits of birth companions. There is also a need for improvement of the work setup. Simple measures like providing screens, providing separate rooms for laboring and post-partum women will have a significant impact on the quality of care provided.
A computer-aided mass diagnosis system based on perceptive features learned from quantitative mammography radiology report: An observer-based study
Authors: He Zilong , Li Yue , Xu Weimin , Wen Chanjuan , Ma Xiangyuan , Wei Jun , Zeng Hui , Xu Zeyuan , Wang Sina , Wu Jiefang , Feng Chenya , Ma Mengwei , Qin Genggeng , Lu Yao , Chen Weiguo
Published: February 2021

Background: Computer-aided diagnosis (CAD) system can provide reference to radiologists in breast mass classification. This study was to verify if a CAD model, based on perceptive features learned from quantitative BI-RADS descriptions, can help radiologists improve diagnosis performance for breast masses in mammography.Methods: A retrospective multi-reader multi-case (MRMC) study was conducted to evaluate a CAD model established on perceptive features. Digital mammograms of 416 patients with breast masses were collected from 2014 to 2017, including 231 benign and 185 malignant masses. Altogether, 214 of them (109 benign, 105 malignant) were selected randomly to train the CAD model which consisted of perceptive feature extractor and classifier. The other 202 patients were used as the test set for evaluation from which 51 patients (29 benign and 22 malignant) were selected. Six radiologists were divided into three groups (junior, middle-senior, and senior).They evaluated 51 patients without and with support from the CAD model. BI-RADS category, benign or malignant diagnosis, probability of malignancy, and diagnosis time were recorded during two evaluation sessions. Results: In the MRMC evaluation, the average AUC of six radiologists with CAD support was significantly higher than that without support (0.896 vs. 0.850, p=0.02). Both of average sensitivity and average specificity increased (p = 0.0253). More cases were assessed as BI-RADS 4 than BI-RADS 2 or 3. Five radiologists showed comparable diagnosis time per case with and without CAD support, and one radiologist showed a significant decrease when the CAD model was involved. Conclusion: The CAD model could improve radiologists’ diagnostic performance for breast masses without improving the diagnosis time.
Identification and validation of miRNA reference genes in poplar under pathogen stress
Authors: Zhang Lichun , Yang Xiaoqian , Yin Yiyi , Wang Jinxing , Wang Yanwei
Published: February 2021

Quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) is a common method to analyze gene expression. Due to differences in RNA quantity, quality, and reverse transcription efficiency between qRT-PCR samples, reference genes are used as internal standards to normalize gene expression. However, few universal genes especially miRNAs have been identified as reference so far. Therefore, it is essential to identify reference genes that can be used across various experimental conditions, stress treatments, or tissues. In this study, 14 microRNAs (miRNAs) and 5.8S rRNA were assessed for expression stability in poplar trees infected with canker pathogen. Using three reference gene analysis programs, we found that miR156g and miR156a exhibited stable expression throughout the infection process. miR156g and miR156a were then tested as internal standards to measure the expression of miR1447 and miR171c, and the results were compared to small RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) data. We found that when miR156a was used as the reference gene, the expression of miR1447 and miR171c were consistent with the small RNA-seq expression profiles. Therefore, miR156a was the most stable miRNAs examined in this study, and could be used as a reference gene in poplar under canker pathogen stress, which should enable comprehensive comparisons of miRNAs expression and avoid the bias caused by different lenth between detected miRNAs and traditional referece genes. The present study has expanded the miRNA reference genes available for gene expression studies in trees under biotic stress.
DC-Bias Dependent Impedance and UV-Vis Diffuse Reflectance Spectroscopy of The Un-Doped and Nb-Doped Ba0.97La0.02TiO3 Ceramics
Authors: Jebli Marwa , Hamadoui Nejeh , rayssi chaker , Dhahri Jemai , Henda Mouna Ben , Zaidi Nadia
Published: February 2021

This report typically discusses the Voltage-Stability (V-S) of the electrical properties of a new perovskite oxide, Ba0.97La0.02Ti1-xNb4x/5O3 (noted BLT, BLT0.9Nb0.08) ceramics which have been meticulously studied. The ceramics typically exhibited a low rise in the real and imaginary parts of the complex impedance on the application of small field levels (up to 5 V). These accurate data, at a low voltage threshold, properly designate a hole-generation process which becomes active. These values considered using AC impedance spectroscopy, nonetheless, were relatively decreased with increasing Nb concentration, as well as increased by this application of a DC bias. For each sample, the complex impedance plot displayed a single impedance semicircle, identified over the high and low frequencies. The equivalent circuit configuration was typically fitted using the Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) spectra analyzer. Importantly, the electrical properties of our both compounds deduced from the complex electric modulus show a conduction process due to the short-range mobility of charge carriers. An excellent addition of Niobium to some considerable extent can inhibit the grain growth. Conspicuously, the substitution of Nb5+ ions for Ti4+ on B sites leads to the noticeable increase of a band gap. These findings supplied critical insights into the electric mechanisms in BT-based ceramics.
What is The Impact of Excessive Iodine and Semen Quality in Fertile Men of China: An Association Study
Authors: Wang Ning , Lv Fang , Yu Ge , Shi Cuige , Wang Shangming , Zhang Shucheng
Published: February 2021

Background: Iodine is an essential element for hormones synthesized by the human thyroid gland. Thyroid hormone deficiency affects all body tissues, including multiple endocrine changes that alter growth hormones, corticotrophin, glucocorticoids, and gonadal function. In many countries, subfertility is an important problem affecting about 10–15% of all couples trying to conceive. Male subfertile factors have accounted for 25–30% of all cases in their studies. The aim of this study was to study the correlation between urinary iodine concentration (UIC) and semen quality of fertile male in China.Methods: semen and urine samples were collected from males who attended a survey for the reproductive physiological constants of male and female in China. All participants were fertile and they should be free from diseases of male reproductive system and thyroid related diseases. We studied the correlation between UIC and semen quality parameters in fertile males and the effect of iodine concentration on male reproduction. Participants were divided into six groups based on UIC. We measured semen parameters and UIC. Semen parameters or time-to-pregnancy (TTP) were analyzed by Spearman correlation, linear regression and multivariable logistic regression. Results: 1089 men were recruited in the study. The mean and median age of participants were 27.46±0.12 and 27±3.88 years, respectively. UIC of 274 (25.16%) men was lower than the UIC of WHO recommended. UIC of 405 men located in the region of WHO recommended. 62.35% of them were not located in the optimal region. Semen concentration and total sperm count were found to decrease when UIC increases when the UIC≥100 ug/L. Conclusions: A male with deficient UIC or excessive UIC has more risk of lower semen quality such as sperm concentration and total sperm count. In addition, if a male with deficient UIC or excessive UIC, his wife has longer TTP than the males who had normal UIC. Deficient UIC associated with lower semen quality and TTP than excessive UIC.
Space-Time Cloaking Based on Reflection, Transmission and Goos-Hãnchen Shift
Authors: Ahmad Hussian , Rehman Amin Ur , Wahid Ume , bacha Bakht amin , Ramay Shahid M
Published: February 2021

The birefringence characteristics of reflection and transmission of light pulse are explored in chiral medium driving by two probe electric and magnetic fields, while four control fields. The proposed medium show significant birefringence behaviors in reflection/transmission and Goos-Hänchen (GH) shifted beams. The birefringent GH-reflected and GH-transmitted pulses show significant contribution in the space time gap creation for secure communication and invisibility. A space-time gap has been observed in the reflection, transmission and corresponding GH-shifted reflection and transmission birefringent beams. The theoretical results may be useful for noise free secure communication in invisible radar technology.
Identifying Urban Built Environment Factors in Pregnancy Care and Maternal Mental Health Outcomes
Authors: Zhang Yiye , Tayarani Mohammad , Wang Shuojia , Liu Yifan , Sharma Mohit , Joly Rochelle , RoyChoudhury Arindam , Hermann Alison , Gao Oliver , Pathak Jyotishman
Published: February 2021

Backgrounds: Environmental risk factors related to the built environment have been associated with women’s mental health and preventive care. This study sought to identify built environment factors that are associated with variations in prenatal care and subsequent pregnancy-related outcomes in an urban setting. Methods: In a retrospective observational study using machine learning, we characterized the types and frequency of events in prenatal care that are associated with the various built environment factors of the patients’ residing neighborhoods. We hypothesize that, in comparison to women living in high-quality built environments, women who reside in low-quality built environments experience a different pattern of clinical events that may increase the risk for adverse outcomes. Using machine learning, we performed pattern detection to characterize the variability in prenatal care with respect to encounter types, clinical problems, and medication prescriptions. Structural equation modeling was used to test the associations among built environment, prenatal care variation, and pregnancy outcome. The main outcome is postpartum depression (PPD) diagnosis within 1 year following childbirth. The exposures were the quality of the built environment in the patients’ residing neighborhoods. Electronic health records (EHR) data of pregnant women (n=8,949) who had live delivery at an urban academic medical center in 2015 to 2017 were included in the study. Results: We discovered prenatal care patterns that were summarized into three common types. Women who experienced the prenatal care pattern with the highest rates of PPD were more likely to reside in neighborhoods with homogeneous land use, lower walkability, lower air pollutant concentration, and lower accessibility to retail stores after adjusting for age, neighborhood average education level, marital status, and income inequality. Conclusions: In an urban setting, multi-purpose and walkable communities were found to be associated with a lower risk of PPD. Findings may inform urban design policies and provide awareness for care providers on the association of patients’ residing neighborhoods and healthy pregnancy.