bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Effect of Hydroxyl on the Super-Hydrophobicity of Dodecyl Methacrylate (LMA) Coated Fabrics Through Simple Dipping-Plasma Crosslinked Method
Authors: Xu Liyun , Zhang Yu , Guo Ying , Zhang Ruiyun , Shi Jianjun , Shen Yue , Yu Jianyong
Published: November 2020

In order to obtain stable super-hydrophobicity, suitable hydrophobic treatment agent should be selected according to different materials. In this paper, cotton and poly (-ethylene terephthalate) (PET) fabric was respectively coated by dodecyl methacrylate (LMA) via argon combined capacitively coupled plasma (CCP), and the surface hydrophobicity and durability of treated cotton and polyester fabrics were also discussed. An interesting phenomenon was happened that LMA coated cotton fabric (Cotton-g-LMA) had better water repellency and mechanical durability than LMA coated PET fabric (PET-g-LMA), and LMA coated hydroxyl grafted PET fabrics (PET fabrics were successively coated with polyethylene glycol (PEG) and LMA, PET-g-PEG&LMA) had similar performance to those of cotton fabrics. The water contact angle (WCA) of Cotton-g-LMA, PET-g-LMA and PET-g-PEG&LMA was 156 °, 153 ° and 155 °, respectively, and after 45 washing cycles or 1000 rubbing cycles, the corresponding WCA was decreased to 145 °, 88 °, 134 °and 146 °, 127 °, 143 °, respectively. Also, thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) and polyamides-6 (PA6) fabrics were all exhibited the same properties to PET fabric. Therefore, the grafting of hydroxyl can improve the hydrophobic effect of LMA coating and the binding property between LMA and fabrics effectively without changing the wearing comfort..
Towards Road Safety in LMICs: Vehicles that Guide Drivers on Self-Explaining Roads
Authors: Godthelp Hans
Published: November 2020

Abstract: Traffic collisions cause a huge problem of public health in low and middle income countries.. The safe system approach is generally considered as the leading concept on the way to road safety. Based on the fundamental premise that humans make mistakes, the overall traffic system should be ‘forgiving’. Sustainable safe road design is one of the key elements of the safe system approach. However, the road design principles behind the safe system approach are certainly not leading in today’s infrastructure developments in most LMICs. Cities are getting larger and road networks are expanding. In many cases, existing through-roads in local communities are up-graded, resulting in heavy traffic loads and high speeds on places, that are absolutely not suited for this kind of through-traffic. Furthermore a safe system would require that functional design properties of cars and roads would be conceptually integrated, which is not the case at all. Although advanced driver assistance systems are on their way of development for quite a long period, their potential role in the safe system concept is mostly unclear and at least strongly underexposed. The vision on future cars is dominated by the concept of automation. This paper argues that the way to self-driving cars, should take a route via the concept of guidance, i.e. vehicles that guide drivers, both on self-explaining roads and on more or less unsafe roads. Such an in-vehicle support system may help drivers to choose transport mode, route and speed, based on criteria related to safety and sustainability. It is suggested to develop a driver assistance system using relatively simple and cheap technologies, particularly for the purpose of use in LMICs. Such a GUIDE (Generic User Interface for Driving Evolution) may make roads self-explaining - not only by their physical design characteristics - but also by providing in-car guidance for drivers. In future the functional characteristics of both cars and roads should be conceptualized into one integrated safe system, in which the user plays the central role. As such GUIDE may serve as the conceptual bridge between vehicle and roadway characteristics. It is argued that GUIDE is necessary to bring a breakthrough in road safety developments in LMICs and also give an acceleration towards zero fatalities in HICs.
A descriptive perspective of intergenerational persistence in education and the influence of family lineage descent systems in the Democratic Republic of Congo
Authors: Loleka Bernard Yungu
Published: November 2020

This study investigates how family lineage descent groups influence the intergenerational transmission of education for the cohorts of 1940-1989 in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The study applies both transition matrix and intergenerational persistence (IGP) methods, using the father's years of schooling as a proxy for parental education. The findings suggest a pronounced steady persistence in education for the estimated mean regression coefficient over a period of 49 years. Moreover, results by gender indicate that intergenerational persistence in education has significantly decreased for males in recent cohorts but slightly increased for females. Furthermore, findings suggest that intergenerational persistence has been decreasing in matrilineal descent groups in recent cohorts, while increasing for the patrilineal descent groups. The study gives a good sense of the relationship between family lineage descent and intergenerational transmission of education in DRC. In addition, it indicates that there is both substantial upward and downward intergenerational education mobility in the country.
Факторы, влияющие на смертность от новой коронавирусной инфекции в разных субъектах Российской Федерации
Authors: Гольдштейн Эдвард
Published: November 2020

Актуальность: Влияние таких факторов, как плотность населения, практика тестирования на новую коронавирусную инфекцию (в совокупности с самоизоляцией/карантином для инфицированных и контактных лиц) и температура воздуха на распространение и смертность от новой коронавирусной инфекции в разных субъектах Российской Федерации недостаточно изучено.

Методы: Плотность населения в разных субъектах Российской Федерации оценивается как количество населения на квадратный километр земель населенных пунктов; температура оценивается как среднее между температурами в январе и июле; практика тестирования на новую коронавирусную инфекцию оценивается через коэффициент летальности, (процент летальных случаев среди всех выявленных случаев COVID-19 с известным исходом (выздоровевших + умерших)) -- при более активном тестировании, выявляются больше случаев заболевания COVID-19 в легкой и средней форме, и коэффициент летальности уменьшается, т.е. активность тестирования находится в обратной зависимости от коэффициента летальности.

Результаты: Корреляция между плотностью населения и уровнем смертности от новой коронавирусной инфекции на 100,000 человек в разных субъектах Российской Федерации на 22/11/2020 равна 0.53 (0.36,0.67); корреляция между коэффициентом летальности и уровнем смертности от новой коронавирусной инфекции на 22/11/2020 равна 0.62 (0.47,0.74). Результаты линейной регрессии говорят о том, что плотность населения и коэффициент летальности положительной связаны с уровнем смертности от новой коронавирусной инфекции на 100,000 человек, а температура воздуха отрицательно связана с уровнем смертности от новой коронавирусной инфекции в разных субъектах Российской Федерации.

Выводы: Более низкая плотность населения, более активное тестирование на новую коронавирусную инфекцию и более высокая температура воздуха способствуют понижению уровня смертности от новой коронавирусной инфекции в разных субъектах Российской Федерации. В частности, следует принимать дополнительные меры для повышения уровня тестирования на новую коронавирусную инфекцию среди разных категорий лиц, включая лиц, которые хотят тестироваться на новую коронавирусную инфекцию по собственной инициативе, лиц, обращающихся за медицинской помощью с симптомами ОРВИ, и контактных лиц для подтвержденных случаев COVID-19.
Ketahanan Beberapa Genotipe Kacang Tanah terhadap Penyakit Karat (Puccinia arachidis) dan Bercak Daun (Cercosporidium personatum)
Authors: Uge Emerensiana , Purnomo Joko , Yusnawan Eriyanto
Published: November 2020

Pertumbuhan tanaman kacang tanah seringkali menghadapi kendala  biotik antara lain infeksi karat dan bercak daun akhir yang disebabkan oleh jamur Puccinia arachidis dan Cercosporidium personatum. Penelitian ini bertujuan mengevaluasi ketahanan 24 genotipe kacang tanah terhadap penyakit karat dan bercak daun dengan cara inokulasi kedua patogen tersebut. Penelitian disusun berdasar rancangan acak kelompok, tiga ulangan. Pengamatan dilakukan terhadap pertumbuhan dan hasil tanaman, perkembangan penyakit, jumlah pustul, jumlah dan diameter uredospora. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa gejala penyakit karat ditemukan pada minggu pertama setelah inokulasi, sedangkan gejala bercak daun pada minggu ke enam setelah inokulasi. Satu genotipe bereaksi agak tahan dan genotipe lainnya agak rentan hingga rentan terhadap karat daun, sedangkan terhadap bercak daun, semua genotipe bereaksi agak tahan dan tahan pada 10 minggu setelah inokulasi (MSI). Jumlah pustul dan bercak tertinggi terdapat pada kelompok genotipe agak rentan hingga rentan dan jumlah daun berkurang sejalan dengan peningkatan intensitas penyakit. Genotipe LG5/BK10)-89-68 memiliki respons agak tahan terhadap infeksi karat dan bercak daun, sedangkan varietas Takar 1 dan Hypoma 3 memiliki respons agak rentan, dan agak tahan terhadap karat daun pada 10 MSI. Oleh karena itu, genotipe LG5/BK10)-89-68, varietas Takar 1 dan Hypoma 3 dapat digunakan menjadi tetua untuk perakitan varietas tahan karat dan bercak daun.
Obesidad en México, prevalencia y tendencias en adultos. Ensanut 2018-19
Authors: Barquera Simón , Hernández-Barrera Lucía , Trejo Belem , Shamah Teresa , Campos-Nonato Ismael , Rivera-Dommarco Juan
Published: November 2020

Objetivo. Describir la prevalencia de obesidad en adultosmexicanos estratificando por condiciones físicas y sociodemográficas,y analizar tendencias. Material y métodos.Análisis de 16 256 adultos de la Encuesta Nacional de Salud yNutrición (Ensanut) 2018-19. Se clasificó obesidad (OMS), adiposidadabdominal (IDF) y talla baja (NOM-008-SSA3-2017).Se realizaron modelos de regresión logística para asociarobesidad y factores de riesgo. Para evaluar tendencias seanalizaron Encuesta Nacional de Salud 2000 y Ensanut (2006,2012, 2018-19). Resultados. La prevalencia de sobrepesofue 39.1%, obesidad 36.1% y adiposidad abdominal 81.6%. Sepresentaron las prevalencias más altas en >40-50 años y enlas mujeres. No hubo diferencia por nivel socioeconómico.En el periodo 2000-2018 aumentó la prevalencia de obesidad42.2% y de obesidad mórbida 96.5%. Las mujeres con tallabaja tuvieron mayor riesgo (RM=1.84) de tener obesidad quelas mujeres sin esta condición, mientras que en hombres elriesgo fue menor (RM=0.79). Conclusiones. En México,la prevalencia de obesidad sigue aumentando sin importarnivel socioeconómico, región o localidad.
Características infantiles y contextuales asociadas con el desarrollo infantil temprano en la niñez mexicana
Authors: Vázquez-Salas Argelia , Hubert Celia , Villalobos Aremis , Sánchez-Ferrer José , Ortega-Olvera Carolina , Romero Martín , Barrientos-Gutiérrez Tonatiuh
Published: November 2020

Objetivo. Estimar el nivel de desarrollo infantil temprano(DIT) y sus factores asociados en población mexicana de 19a 59 meses. Material y métodos. La Encuesta Nacionalde Salud Pública y Nutrición 2018-19 evaluó el DIT medianteel Índice de Desarrollo Infantil Temprano (ECDI) y el nivel dedesarrollo de lenguaje. Se estimaron modelos multivariadosde acuerdo con la variable de resultado, usando modelos deregresión logística o lineal. Resultados. Los niños/as dehogares con mayor nivel socioeconómico y que cuentan conlibros infantiles en el hogar tienen mayores posibilidades deDIT adecuado, mientras que los/as niños/as educados conmétodos de disciplina violenta tienen menores posibilidades.Además, los niños/as residentes de áreas rurales, hijos/asde madres con mayor escolaridad, sin desnutrición y conoportunidades de aprendizaje tienen un mayor puntaje delenguaje. Conclusión. Las políticas públicas encaminadas amejorar el desarrollo en la primera infancia deben tomar encuenta los factores modificables asociados.
Calidad de la atención en diabetes tipo 2, avances y retos de 2012 a 2018-19 para el sistema de salud de México
Authors: Flores-Hernández Sergio , Acosta-Ruiz Omar , Hernández-Serrato María Isidra , Delgado-Rodríguez Sheila , Reyes-Morales Hortensia
Published: November 2020

Objetivo. Estimar cambios en la calidad del proceso deatención y su asociación con control glucémico en adultoscon diabetes tipo 2. Material y métodos. Análisis delcambio en el cumplimiento de 14 indicadores del proceso deatención en 9 038 adultos con diabetes tipo 2 y del controlglucémico en una submuestra. Se estimaron promedios, cambiosponderados y asociaciones crudas y ajustadas utilizandoponderaciones estadísticas para datos combinados (Ensanut2012 y Ensanut 2018-19). Resultados. De 2012 a 2018-19,el control glucémico se duplicó. Mejoró la detección tempranade complicaciones y aumentó el uso de insulina, perodisminuyó la identificación y tratamiento de factores de riesgocardiovascular. La calidad global de la atención se asoció conel control glucémico óptimo. Conclusiones. Existen áreasde oportunidad para la mejora de la calidad en la atenciónque ameritan estrategias integrales y monitorización continua.
Polifarmacia en México: un reto para la calidad en la prescripción
Authors: Poblano-Verástegui Ofelia , Bautista-Morales Arturo Cuauhtémoc , Acosta-Ruíz Omar , Gómez-Cortez Patricia María , Saturno-Hernández Pedro Jesús
Published: November 2020

Objetivo. Analizar la prevalencia de polifarmacia, asícomo los factores que identifican a los grupos con mayorriesgo, en un estudio poblacional en México. Material ymétodos. Análisis descriptivo de la Encuesta Nacional deSalud y Nutrición 2018-19 (Ensanut 2018-19), cuestionariosde Utilización de servicios (sección medicamentos) y delHogar, para obtener la prevalencia de polifarmacia (consumosimultáneo ≥5 medicamentos). Se utilizó un modelo deregresión logística para estimar la asociación de polifarmaciacon factores sociodemográficos y de atención a la salud.Resultados. Prevalencia de polifarmacia: ≥18 años, 15.5%, y≥65 años, 26.5%. Prevalencias superiores: nefropatías (61.5%),cardiopatías (42.2%), enfermedad pulmonar obstructivacrónica (38.5%), diabetes (29.3%) e hipertensión (26.4%).Mayor posibilidad en adultos ≥65 años (OR:1.95), con bajaescolaridad (OR:1.54), seguridad social (OR:1.64), atendidosen servicios públicos (OR:1.7) y enfermedad crónica(OR:1.84). Conclusiones. La polifarmacia se asocia contener enfermedad crónica y con factores sociodemográficos.Es una gran área de oportunidad para mejorar calidad de laatención, particularmente la prescripción farmacológica a lapoblación identificada con mayor riesgo.
Aproximación a la calidad de la atención durante el embarazo, parto y posparto en mujeres con factores de riesgo obstétrico en México
Authors: Brenes-Monge Alexander , Yáñez-Álvarez Iraís , Menese-León Joacim , Poblano Verástegui Ofelia , Vertiz-Ramírez José de Jesús , Saturno-Hernández Pedro Jesús
Published: November 2020

factores de riesgo obstétrico durante el embarazo, parto yposparto. Material y métodos. Con datos de la EncuestaNacional de Salud y Nutrición 2018-19, se clasificó a las mujeresde acuerdo con los factores de riesgo obstétrico (FRO)presentes en su último embarazo y se evaluó la calidad dela atención con indicadores de estructura y proceso en laatención prenatal (APN), y en la atención del parto y posparto(APP). Resultados. El cumplimiento de indicadores de procesoen APN y APP para mujeres con FRO fue de 56.9%. Antecomplicaciones durante el embarazo o el parto, disminuyóen la APN, y ante variables socioeconómicas desfavorables,disminuyó en la APN y en la APP. Conclusiones. Es necesariomejorar sistemáticamente la calidad de la atención enel embarazo, parto y posparto en mujeres con y sin riesgoobstétrico, principalmente en grupos vulnerables
La Encuesta Nacional de Salud y Nutrición 2018-19 en México, indicador de inequidad en salud y de incremento progresivo de exposiciones no saludables
Authors: Lazcano-Ponce Eduardo
Published: November 2020

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CO2 EOR Could Be Industry’s Key to a Sustainable Future or Its Biggest Missed Opportunity
Authors: Jacobs Trent
Published: November 2020

Rising levels of CO2 emissions and intensifying concerns over climate change have convinced many that the oil and gas industry is set to be quickly phased out from the global energy system.

There is another camp, though, that has reimagined CO2 emissions as the source of the industry’s salvation.

Realizing such a rosy picture hinges in large part on the industry’s ability to defy its own history by massively expanding the niche area of enhanced oil recovery (EOR) amid an oil-price depression.

But by investing more in EOR - specifically of the CO2 variety - the industry would be answering the world’s increasing demand for greater carbon sequestration, use, and storage (CCUS) capacity.

Nothing short of a grand-scale effort will cut it. In return for taking ownership, both the industry’s market share and its license to operate may be buoyed against the rising tide of alternative energy options and international policies aimed at limiting fossil-fuel usage.
Large-Scale Experiments Examine Slug-Length Evolution in Long Pipes
Authors: Carpenter Chris
Published: November 2020

This article, written by JPT Technology Editor Chris Carpenter, contains highlights of paper OTC 30864, “Large-Scale Experiments on Slug-Length Evolution in Long Pipes,” by Jørn Kjølaas, Tor Erling Unander, and Marita Wolden, SINTEF, et al., prepared for the 2020 Offshore Technology Conference, originally scheduled to be held in Houston, 4-7 May. The paper has not been peer reviewed. Copyright 2020 Offshore Technology Conference. Reproduced by permission.

The complete paper presents a set of two- and three-phase slug-flow experiments conducted in a 766-m-long, 8-in. pipe at 45-bara pressure. The results show that the mean slug length initially increases with the distance from the inlet but that this increase slows and the mean slug length typically reaches a value between 20 and 50 diameters at the outlet. At low flow rates, slug-length distributions tend to be extremely wide. At higher flow rates, slug-length distributions are generally narrower. The experiments demonstrated that slug flow often requires a long distance to develop.
A Multisolution Optimization Framework for Well Placement and Control
Authors: Salehian Mohammad , Sefat Morteza Haghighat , Muradov Khafiz
Published: November 2020

Field development and control optimization aim to maximize the economic profit of oil and gas production. Mathematically, this results in a complex optimization problem with a large number of correlated decision (also known as control) variables of various types at different levels (e.g., at the level of well location variables or at the level of well production/injection control also know as well control or control settings variables) and a computationally expensive objective function (i.e., a reservoir simulation model). Current multilevel optimization frameworks provide only a single optimal scenario for a field development and control problem. However, unexpected problems that commonly arise during field development and operations can impose extra constraints, resulting in operators having to eventually select an adjusted, and most-likely, nonoptimal scenario.

This work proposes a novel multisolution optimization framework, based on sequential optimization of control variables at multiple levels, providing the flexibility for operators to make optimal decisions while considering operational constraints. An ensemble of close-to-optimum solutions is selected from each level (e.g., from the well location optimization level) and transferred to the next level of optimization (e.g., to the control settings optimization), and this loop continues until no significant improvement is observed in the objective value. Fit-for-purpose clustering techniques are also developed to systematically select an ensemble of solutions, with maximum differences in well locations and control settings but small variation in the objective values, at each level of the optimization.

The developed framework has been tested on two benchmark case studies. The results demonstrate high economic and operational efficiency of the developed multisolution framework as compared to the traditional approaches that rely on single-solution optimization. It is shown that suboptimal solutions from an early optimization level could approach the optimal solution at the next level(s), highlighting the value of the developed multisolution framework to deliver operational flexibility by a more efficient exploration of the search space.
Colombian Women Empowerment Boost in the Oil and Gas Industry Through Programs Conducted by Volunteers
Authors: Jaramillo Sandra , Bedoya Claudia , Rada Angelica , Ovalle Oscar , Pastor Paola
Published: November 2020

SPE Colombian Section in the last three years has implemented different initiatives with the objective of promoting and empowering the skills of women throughout their life cycle that is directly or indirectly involved in the oil and gas industry. These initiatives were created to address the reality of the country that despite the majority of the population is female (51.2%), the country does not represent gender equity since most senior officials are occupied by males (66%).

The strategy to contribute to the empowerment of women was organized into three groups, thus managing to intervene in each stage of their life, which are:Childhood: Girls and adolescents who are located in areas of influence of our oil industry.Young professionals: New graduates of undergraduate programs related to the oil and gas industry.Professional women: Women who throughout their lives had contact with the hydrocarbon industry.

This document summarizes the efforts made by SPE COLOMBIA to promote gender equity in the Oil and gas sector, thus motivating women, adolescents and girls to move towards a higher standard, improve their conditions and position as a leaders from their own environment through STEM vocational exploration activities (Science, technology, engineering and mathematics), mentoring by senior industry professionals, professional coaching and networking workshops.

With these activities, it has been shown again that the empowerment of women and girls has a multiplier effect and helps to promote economic growth and development throughout the world. In recent years, there has been an increase in the participation of women in the activities of the SPE Colombian Section, the promotion of inclusion in their companies and an improvement in their confidence to face the world. Similarly, the importance of men in achieving gender equality was identified, they can contribute to the social and professional development of women.
The Accuracy of the Ishii Score Chart in Predicting Sarcopenia in the Elderly Community in Chengdu
Authors: Chen Xiaoyan , Hou Lisha , Zhang Ying , Luo Shuyue , Dong Birong
Published: November 2020

Background: Sarcopenia is an age-related disorder that results in loss of skeletal muscle mass, loss of muscle strength, and/or reduced physical performance . It leads to a high incidence of falls, fractures, hospitalizations, a loss of mobility, and subsequently reduced quality of life.Therefore, it is crucial to find effective screening tools for early screening in the elderly community. Many studies had shown the Ishii score chart predicts sarcopenia with high sensitivity and specificity. But, the Ishii score chart is mainly based on the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People (EWGSOP) consensus. Now, the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia (AWGS)2019 consensus has changed its previous diagnostic criteria, so whether the Ishii score chart is suitable for China needs to be verified. This study, intends to verify the accuracy of the Ishii score chart within the Chinese elderly community in an effort to find a suitable model of screening for sarcopenia.Methods: Using the AWGS2019 sarcopenia diagnostic criteria as a reference, the accuracy of the Ishii score chart among the elderly community was evaluated using indicators such as sensitivity, specificity, the ROC curve (receiver operating characteristic curve), and the area under the curve (AUC) .Results: 1.The prevalence rate of sarcopenia in the Chengdu elderly community was 18.38%, of which 19.87% were males and 16.91% were females. 2. The Ishii score chart predicted sarcopenia when the AUC was 0.84 with 95% confidence interval (CI) of 0.80-0.89 for females and 0.81 with 95% CI of 0.75-0.86 for males. According to original cut-off, which was set at 120 points for females, the corresponding sensitivity was 45.7% and the specificity was 93.2%. The 105 cut-off points set for males revealed a corresponding sensitivity of 53.3% and the specificity of 88.9%. 3. After adjusting the cut-off and maximizing the sum of sensitivity and specificity, sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values for sarcopenia were 75.3%, 80.2%, 43%, and 94% for females, and 70.7%, 81.6%, 49%, and 92% for males respectively. 4.The Ishii score chart predicted severe sarcopenia when the AUC was 0.96 with 95% CI of 0.94-0.98 for females and 0.93 with 95% CI of 0.89-0.98 for males. When the sum of sensitivity and specificity was maximized, sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values for severe sarcopenia were 100%, 88.6%, 33%, and 99% for females, and 91.7%, 87.0%, 21%, and 97% for males respectively. Conclusion: After adjusting the cut-off values, the Ishii score chart had high predictive value for both sarcopenia and severe sarcopenia among the elderly Chengdu community.
Cryptochrome Expression in Avian UV Cones: Revisiting the Role of Cry1 As Magnetoreceptor
Authors: Pinzon-Rodriguez Atticus , Muheim Rachel
Published: November 2020

Cryptochromes (Cry) have been proposed as putative magnetoreceptors in vertebrates. Localisation of Cry1 in the UV cones in the retinas of birds suggested that it could be the candidate magnetoreceptor. However, recent findings argue against this possibility. Cry1 is a type II cryptochrome, a subtype of cryptochromes that may not be inherently photosensitive, and it exhibits a clear circadian expression in the retinas of birds. Here, we reassessed the localization and distribution of Cry1 in the retina of the zebra finch. Zebra finches have a light-dependent magnetic compass based on a radical-pair mechanism, similar to migratory birds. We found that Cry1 colocalized with the UV/V opsin (SWS1) in the outer segments of UV cones, but restricted to the tip of the segments. Cry1 was expressed in all UV cones across the entire retina, with the highest densities near the fovea. Pre-exposure of birds to different wavelengths of light did not result in any difference in Cry1 expression, suggesting that Cry1 did not undergo any detectable functional changes as result of light activation. Considering that Cry1 is likely not involved in magnetoreception, our findings open the possibility for an involvement in different, yet undetermined functions in the avian UV/V cones.
Learning Deep Features for Stain-free Live-dead Human Breast Cancer Cell Classification
Authors: Pattarone Gisela , Acion Laura , Simian Marina , Iarussi Emmanuel
Published: November 2020

Automated cell classification in cancer biology is a challenging topic in computer vision and machine learning research. Breast cancer is the most common malignancy in women that usually involves phenotypically diverse populations of breast cancer cells and an heterogeneous stroma. In recent years, automated microscopy technologies are allowing the study of live cells over extended periods of time, simplifying the task of compiling large image databases. For instance, there have been several studies oriented towards building machine learning systems capable of automatically classifying images of different cell types (i.e. motor neurons, stem cells). In this work we were interested in classifying breast cancer cells as live or dead, based on a set of automatically retrieved morphological characteristics using image processing techniques. Our hypothesis is that live-dead classification can be performed without any staining and using only bright-field images as input. To our knowledge, there is no previous work attempting this task on in vitro studies of breast cancer cells, nor is there a dataset available to explore solutions related to this issue. We tackled this problem using the JIMT-1 breast cancer cell line that grows as an adherent monolayer. First, a vast image set composed by JIMT-1 human breast cancer cells that had been exposed to a chemotherapeutic drug treatment (doxorubicin and paclitaxel) or vehicle control was compiled. Next, several state-of-the-art classifiers were trained based on convolutional neural networks (CNN) to perform supervised classification using labels obtained from fluorescence microscopy images associated with each bright-field image. Model performances were evaluated and compared on a large number of bright-field images. The best model reached an AUC = 0.941 for classifying breast cancer cells without treatment. Furthermore, it reached AUC = 0.978 when classifying breast cancer cells under drug treatment. Our results highlight the potential of machine learning and computational image analysis to build new diagnosis tools that benefit the biomedical field by reducing cost, time, and stimulating work reproducibility. More importantly, we analyzed the way our classifiers clusterize bright-field images in the learned high-dimensional embedding and linked these groups to salient visual characteristics in live-dead cell biology observed by trained experts.
The Difference Between SP-A and KL-6 Levels Responses for Treatment of Interstitial Lung Disease 
Authors: Zheng Peiyan , Zheng Xiaomao , Takehiro Hasegawa , Wang Jingxian , Xue Mingshan , Lin Quanming , Huang Zhifeng , Huang Huimin , Liao Chenxi , Sun Baoqing
Published: November 2020

Background The highly variable clinical course of interstitial lung disease (ILD) makes it difficult to determine patients’ prognoses. Serum surfactant protein-A (SP-A) and Krebs von den Lungen-6 (KL-6) were known biomarkers as a monitor of the prognoses. However, the clinical or pathophysiological differences of those biomarkers are not well evaluated. Therefore, through the comparison of the changes of SP-A and KL-6 levels before and after treatment, we investigated the clinical or pathophysiological differences which are embodied by those markers. Methods This study included retrospective data for 71 patients treated for ILD at the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University between August 2015 and September 2019. Serum SP-A and KL-6 levels were measured before and after treatment. The patients were followed for at least 3 months. Results Changes in the serum biomarkers (Delta SP-A and Delta KL-6) were significantly correlated (rS = 0.482, P < 0.001); Delta SP-A and Delta KL-6 were inversely correlated with changes in pulmonary function (P < 0.05). In a cluster analysis of delta SP-A and KL-6 levels, patients were classified into three groups. In the cluster analysis, in the group in which only SP-A levels decreased after treatment, 50.0% of patients recovered respiratory function and had a significant reduction of serum LDH levels.Conclusions Reduced serum SP-A and/or KL-6 levels were associated with improved lung function in patients with ILD. However, there were patients who showed only a reduction of SP-A levels after treatment. Thus, for proper disease monitoring, measuring both markers are important.
A Clinical Control Study on the Retroperitoneal Laparoscopy for Unilateral Simple Renal Cyst Decortication in Day Surgery Mode
Authors: Zhu Xiao-Liang , Wu Song-Jiang , Bano Yasmeen , Liu Wen-Li , jiang Ming-Hui , Liu Jia-Hui , jiang Hai-Hong
Published: November 2020

Background: Under the constraints of the increasingly tight medical environment and cost, day surgery mode has become a favorable trend and attracts attention from clinicians. Currently, there are no standards or procedures on the retroperitoneal laparoscopy for unilateral simple renal cyst decortication in day surgery mode. We attempted to investigate the feasibility and safety criteria of unilateral simple renal cyst decortication by retroperitoneal laparoscopy in the day surgery ward and to compare the advantages and the disadvantages with conventional inpatient ward mode.Methods: A total of 41 patients with unilateral simple renal cysts meeting surgical indications were enrolled in this study. To see whether patients in the day group could successfully complete the procedure and be admitted and discharged within 24 hours and to summarize the advantages and the advantages. The indexes of the operation time, time of hospitalization, postoperative complication rate, total costs of hospitalization and other indicators were compared between the two groups.Results: 41 cases of unilateral simple renal cyst decortication were completed successfully. Patients were followed up 10-12 months after surgery. The results of time of hospitalization, total costs of hospitalization and time of postoperative removal of drainage tube were statistically significant between the two groups of the day ward group and the inpatient ward group (P <0.05). Conclusions: We concluded the retroperitoneal laparoscopy for unilateral simple renal cyst decortication in patients with unilateral renal cysts was safe and feasible in day surgery mode under certain indicative criteria. The criteria included patients’ age between 40 and 80 years, no previous history of abdominal surgery, CT showing a unilateral renal cyst (Bosniak I or II), preoperative ASA assessment was I or II, no contraindications to surgery or anesthesia, postoperative team management and discharge assessment. Advantage of reducing time of hospitalization and total medical cost may relieve the situation of the shortage of medical resources.
Modified Arthroscopic Double-Row Technique for Isolated Biceps Tenodesis
Authors: Li Renlong , Tao Kun
Published: November 2020

BackgroundDue to certain complications with single anchor fixation reported in the literature, we proposed a modified double-row technique for arthroscopic biceps tenodesis.MethodsFrom June 2014 to January 2018, 42 patients with isolated lesions of the long head of the biceps tendon were treated with an arthroscopic modified double-row technique. The Constant-Murley shoulder score, University of California Los Angeles shoulder score, and visual analogue scale score were evaluated preoperatively and postoperatively.ResultsAll patients were followed up for an average of 28.6 months. The mean Constant-Murley shoulder score, University of California Los Angeles shoulder score, and visual analogue scale score were significantly improved from 52.6, 12.8, and 6.4 preoperatively to 94.3, 33.1, and 0.6 at the last follow-up, respectively (P<0.001 for all). There was no postoperative incidence of persist bicipital groove pain or Popeye sign reported.Conclusion﻿Arthroscopic tenodesis with a modified double-row technique could achieve satisfactory efficacy in the treatment of lesions of the long head of the biceps tendon. This method could be an alternative and reliable option for the treatment of the long head of the biceps tendon lesion.
Novel Cytological Diagnostic Scoring System for Pancreatic Specimens Obtained by Endoscopic Ultrasound-Guided Fine Needle Aspiration
Authors: Kiso Yuri , Matsuda Yoko , Esaka Shikine , Hamashima Yuri , Shirahata Hiroto , Fujii Yuko , Matsukawa Miho , Kakizaki Mototsune , Ishizaki Tatsuro , Arai Tomio
Published: November 2020

Background: Cytological diagnosis of pancreatic specimens obtained by endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) is often challenging because of the small amount of sample or well-differentiated adenocarcinoma with weak cytological atypia. Therefore, the sensitivity and specificity of cytological diagnosis for pancreatic cancer should be improved. Hence, we aimed to evaluate the indices, which are used to distinguish malignant from benign lesions for the cytological diagnosis of pancreatic EUS-FNA specimens. Methods: Seven reviewers, including 3 cytotechnologists and 4 medical doctors, evaluated 20 morphological indices in pancreatic specimens obtained by EUS-FNA (malignant, n=111; benign, n=31). Statistical analyses were performed using Fisher’s exact test, logistic regression analysis, area under the receiver operating characteristic curve, and Youden Index.Results: Among the 20 indices, there was a high incidence rate (>40%) of the following 13 indices in malignant cases: structural atypia, hyperchromatic nucleus, irregular cell polarity, unclear cell boundary, nuclear membrane thickening, anisonucleosis, overlapping, irregular nuclei, high nuclear/cytoplasmic ratio, binding decline, simultaneous appearance of malignant and benign cells, enlarged nucleoli, and background necrosis. When we diagnosed pancreatic specimens using these 13 cytological indices, the cutoff value of 8/9 showed the highest Youden index (0.950) as well as high sensitivity and specificity in distinguishing malignant from benign specimens (98% and 97%, respectively). Conclusion: Thirteen cytological indices showed high sensitivity and specificity in differentiating malignant and benign lesions using pancreatic EUS-FNA samples. Further validation or prospective studies are necessary to establish criteria for the cytological diagnosis of pancreatic cancer.
Structural Design and Performance of the First Hepatic Portal Blood Flow Blocker
Authors: Shi GengQiang , Yin Shuai S.
Published: November 2020

Laparoscopic surgery has been gradually promoted by people because of its advantages of small trauma and quick recovery. However, the operation is difficult, the first hepatic portal should be completely fastened during the operation. In this paper, through the study of the existing structure of the blocker, a kind of blood flow blocker for the first hepatic hilum blocking under laparoscope is designed. All kinds of parameters were calibrated through equation calculation, and the pressure guiding the blood flow blocking of hepatic portal during operation was calculated. The dynamic analysis was carried out with ANSYS software, and it was found that the fluid movement state was most uniform when the airflow velocity reached 8m/s. The experimental apparatus was set up to simulate the process of hepatic portal vein being blocked in vitro, then the feasibility of blocking effect was evaluated. Finally, it is concluded that the designed blood flow blocking device can have good blocking effect on blood vessels.
Two Diffusion Kurtosis Imaging Post-processing Methods for Differentiating Glioma Grades, IDH Mutation Statuses, and Heterogeneity
Authors: Bai Jie , Gao Ankang , Hong Yuan , Zhao GuoHua , Zhang Yong , Kong Dexing , Cheng Jingliang
Published: November 2020

Background: To compare the application of two DKI post-processing methods that DKE software and DKI histogram analysis in glioma grading, IDH mutation typing, and evaluation of tumor heterogeneity.Methods: Patients who underwent surgery and were pathologically diagnosed with glioma after MR DKI scan. DKE software was used to calculate diffusion parameters, including fractional anisotropy, mean kurtosis (MK), radial kurtosis, and axial kurtosis. Histogram parameters were calculated, including minimum, maximum, mean, standard deviation, percentile values (25th, 50th, 75th, 95th), kurtosis, and skewness of Kapp and Dapp. The ROIs of the two post-processing methods were consistently and manually selected in continuous solid tumor regions. According to the result of Kolmogorov-Smirnov (K-S) test, Independent-samples T test or Mann - Whitney - Wilcoxon test was used to distinguish glioma grads. The parameters with the best percentile were identified by analysis of the area under the curve (AUC) of the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis.Results: Seventy-three patients with glioma were observed, including 21 with low-grade gliomas (WHO II) and 52 with high-grade gliomas (WHO III, n=13; WHO IV, n=39), 38 of whom had IDH mutation status. There were significant differences between the high- and low-grade glioma groups regarding the maximum, mean, standard deviation, C75, and C95 of the Kapp values and the minimum, mean, C25, C50, C75, C95, and skewness of the Dapp values. The MK values were significantly different among the WHO II, III, and IV grades. MK, mean Kapp, and C75 and C95 of the Kapp could be used to predict IDH mutations in patients with glioma. Conclusions: Several quantitative DKI parameters obtained from the DKE software and histogram analysis could be used for glioma grading and predicting IDH mutations. However, DKI histogram analysis was useful for glioma heterogeneity.
Unique Patterns of Mating Pheromone Presence and Absence could Result in the Ambiguous Sexual Behaviours of Colletotrichum Species
Authors: Wilson Andrea Melissa , Lelwala RV , Taylor PWJ , Wingfield MJ , WINGFIELD BD
Published: November 2020

Background: Colletotrichum species are known to engage in unique sexual behaviours that differ significantly from the mating strategies of other filamentous ascomycete species. Most ascomycete fungi require the expression of both the MAT1-1-1 and MAT1-2-1 genes to regulate mating type and induce sexual reproduction. In contrast, all isolates of Colletotrichum are known to harbour only the MAT1-2-1 gene and yet, are capable of recognizing suitable mating partners and producing sexual progeny. The molecular mechanisms contributing to mating types and behaviours in Colletotrichum are thus unknown. Results: A comparative genomics approach analysing genomes from 47 Colletotrichum isolates was used to elucidate a putative molecular mechanism underlying the unique sexual behaviours observed in Colletotrichum species. The existence of only the MAT1-2 idiomorph was confirmed across all species included in this study. Comparisons at the loci harbouring the two mating pheromones and their cognate receptors revealed interesting patterns of gene presence and absence as well as gene loss. The results also showed that these genes have been lost multiple times over the evolutionary history of this genus. Conclusion: The multiple losses of the pheromone genes in these species suggest strong selection against the typical mating strategies seen in other species. This further suggests that these pheromones no longer play a role in mating type determination and that the species of this genus have undiscovered mechanisms by which to control mating type and mating partner recognition. This research thus provides a base from which further interrogation of this topic can take place.
LCM and RNA-seq analyses revealed roles of cell cycle and translational regulation in early stages of cotton fiber cell development
Authors: Ando Atsumi , Kirkbride Ryan C. , Jones Don , Grimwood Jane , Chen Z. Jeffrey
Published: November 2020

BackgroundCotton fibers provide a powerful model for studying cell differentiation and elongation. Each cotton fiber is a singular and elongated cell derived from epidermal-layer cells of a cotton seed. Efforts to understand this dramatic developmental shift have been impeded by the difficulty of isolating fiber cells from epidermal cells.ResultsHere we employed laser-capture microdissection (LCM) to separate these cell types. RNA-seq analysis revealed transitional differences between the fiber and epidermal-layer cells at 0 or 2 days post anthesis. Specifically, down-regulation of putative cell cycle genes was coupled with upregulation of ribosome biosynthesis and translation-related genes, which may suggest their respective roles in fiber cell initiation and elongation. Indeed, the amount of fibers in cultured ovules was increased by cell cycle progression inhibitor, Roscovitine, and decreased by ribosome biosynthesis inhibitor, Rbin-1. Moreover, many phytohormone-related genes were upregulated in the ovules and down-regulated in the fibers, suggesting their spatial-temporal effects on fiber cell development. Key cell cycle regulators were predicted to be epialleles, and MYB-transcription factor related genes displayed expression divergence between fibers and ovules, implying their effects on fiber traits.ConclusionsWe revealed that fiber cell initiation is accompanied by cell cycle arrest coupled with active ribosome biosynthesis, spatial-temporal regulation of phytohormones and expression divergence between MYB transcription factor genes. These valuable genomic resources and molecular insights will help develop breeding and biotechnological tools to improve cotton fiber production.
New insights into the genetic mechanisms of body size evolution in Carnivora
Authors: Huang Xin , Sun Di , Wu Tianzhen , Liu Xing , Xu Shixia , Yang Guang
Published: November 2020

Background

The range of body sizes in Carnivora is unparalleled in any other mammalian order, with more than 130,000 times in body mass and 50 times in length. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the huge difference in body size of Carnivora have not been explored so far.
Results

Herein, we performed a comparative genomics analysis of 20 carnivores to explore the genetic basis of great body size variation in carnivores. Phylogenetic generalized least squares (PGLS) revealed that 337 genes were significantly related to both head body length and body mass, these genes were defined as body size associated genes (BSAGs). Fourteen positively related BSAGs were found to be associated with obesity and three of which were identified to be under rapid evolution in the extremely large body-sized carnivores, which suggested that these obesity-related BSAGs might have driven the body size expansion in carnivores. Interestingly, 100 BSAGs were examined to be associated with cancer control in carnivores, particularly 15 cancer-related genes were found to be under rapid evolution in extremely large carnivores. These results strongly suggested that large body-sized carnivores might have evolved effective mechanism to resist cancer, which could be regarded as molecular evidence to support for the Peto’s paradox. For small carnivores, we identified 15 rapidly evolving genes and found six genes with fixed amino acid changes that were reported to reduce body size.
Conclusion

This study brings new insights into the molecular mechanisms that drove the diversifying evolution of body size in carnivores, and provides new target genes for exploring the mysteries of body size evolution in mammals.