bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Differences In The Properties of Extracellular Polymeric Substances Responsible For PAH Degradation Isolated From Mycobacterium Gilvum SN12 Grown On Pyrene And Benzo[a]pyrenee
Authors: Jia Chunyun , Liu Changfeng , Gong Zongqiang , Li Xiaojun , Ni Zijun
Published: November 2021

To evaluate the differences in the characteristics of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) secreted by Mycobacterium gilvum SN12 (M.g. SN12) cultured on pyrene (Pyr) and benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) , heating method was used to extract EPS from M.g. SN12, and the composition, emulsifying activity and morphology of EPS extracts were investigated in this study. It was indicated that EPS extracts varied signiﬁcantly with the addition of Pyr or BaP to the bacterial cultures. Concentration of proteins and carbohydrates, the main components of the EPS extracts, first increased and then decreased, with an increase in the concentration of Pyr (0–120 mg L-1) and BaP (0–120 mg L-1). A similar trend was observed for the emulsifying activity of the EPS extracts. EPS extracted from all cultures exhibited a compact structure with smooth surface, except EPS extracted from BaP-grown M.g. SN12, which exhibited a more fragile and softer surface. These findings suggest that Pyr and BaP had different influence on the properties of isolated EPS, providing insights into the mechanism underlying PAH biodegradation by some bacteria secreting EPS. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on the texture profile of EPS samples extracted from M.g. SN12 grown on PAHs.
Numerical Method for Fractional Fuzzy Integral Equations
Authors: Bica Alexandru Mihai , Ziari Shokrollah , Satmari Zoltan
Published: November 2021

In the present work we construct an iterative method for the numerical solution of fuzzy fractional Volterra integral equations, by using the technique of fuzzy product integration. The existence and uniqueness of the solution and the uniform boundedness of the terms of the Picard iterations are proved. The convergence of the iterative algorithm is obtained and the apriori error estimate is given in terms of the Lipschitz constants. A numerical example illustrates the accuracy of the method.
Afadin couples RAS GTPases to the polarity rheostat Scribble
Authors: Goudreault Marilyn , Gagné Valérie , Jo Chang Hwa , Singh Swati , Killoran Ryan , Gingras Anne-Claude , Smith Matthew
Published: November 2021

AFDN/Afadin is required for establishment and maintenance of cell-cell contacts and is a unique effector of RAS GTPases. The biological consequences of RAS signalling to AFDN are unknown. Here, we use proximity-based proteomics to generate an interaction map for the long and short isoforms of AFDN, identifying the polarity protein SCRIB/Scribble as the top hit. We reveal that the first PDZ domain of SCRIB and the AFDN FHA domain mediate a direct but non-canonical interaction between these important adhesion and polarity proteins. Further, the dual RA domains of AFDN have broad specificity for RAS and RAP GTPases, and KRAS co-localizes with and promotes AFDN-SCRIB complex formation. Knockout of AFDN or SCRIB in MCF7 epithelial cells disrupts MAPK and PI3K activation and inhibits cell motility in a growth factor-dependent manner. These data have important implications for understanding why cells with activated RAS have reduced cell contacts and polarity defects, and finally begin to characterize AFDN as a RAS effector.
Comparing Output from Two Methods of Participatory Design for Developing Implementation Strategies: Traditional Contextual Inquiry vs. Rapid Crowd Sourcing
Authors: Becker-Haimes Emily , Ramesh Brinda , Buck Jacqueline , Nuske Heather J. , Zentgraf Kelly A. , Stewart Rebecca E. , Mandell David S.
Published: November 2021

BackgroundParticipatory design methods are a key component of designing tailored implementation strategies. These methods vary in the resources required to execute and analyze their outputs. No work to date has examined the extent to which the output obtained from different approaches to participatory design varies.MethodsWe concurrently used two separate participatory design methods: 1) field observations and qualitative interviews and 2) rapid crowd sourcing (an innovation tournament). Our goal was to generate information to tailor implementation strategies to increase the use of evidence-based data collection practices among one-to-one aides working with children with autism. Each method was executed and analyzed by study team members blinded to the output of the other method. We estimated the personnel time and monetary costs associated with each method to further facilitate comparison.ResultsObservations and interviews generated nearly double the number of implementation strategies (n = 26) than did the innovation tournament (n = 14). When strategies were classified into clusters from the Expert Recommendations for Implementing Change (ERIC) taxonomy, there was considerable overlap in the content of identified strategies. Strategies derived from observations and interviews were more specific than those from the innovation tournament. Nine strategies (23%) reflected content unique to observations and interviews and 4 (10%) strategies were unique to the innovation tournament. Only observations and interviews identified implementation strategies related to adapting and tailoring to context; only the innovation tournament identified implementation strategies that used incentives. Observations and interviews required more than three times the personnel hours than the innovation tournament, but the innovation tournament was more costly overall due to the technological platform used.ConclusionsThere was substantial overlap in content derived from observations and interviews and the innovation tournament. However, each yielded unique information. To select the best participatory design approach to inform implementation strategy design for a particular context, researchers should carefully consider what each method may elicit and weigh the resources available to invest in the process.Trial RegistrationN/A
Influence of Waste Clinical Mask Fiber on Interfacial Strength Parameters
Authors: Sharma Pankaj , Kango Gaurav
Published: November 2021

The authors have requested that this preprint be removed from Research Square.
Polyene Phosphatidylcholine Interacting with TLR-2 Prevents the Synovial Inflammation via Inactivation of MAPK and NF-κB Pathways
Authors: Xu Zixuan , Hao Wenting , Xu Daxiang , He Yan , Yan Ziyi , Sun Fenfen , Li Xiangyang , Yang Xiaoying , Yu Yinghua , Tang Renxian , Zheng Kuiyang , Pan Wei
Published: November 2021

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune joint disease that causes cartilage and bone damage or even disability, seriously endangering human health. Chronic synovial inflammation has been shown to play a vital role in the disease sustainability. Therefore, down-regulation of synovial inflammation is considered to be an effective discipline for RA therapy. Polyene phosphatidylcholine (PPC) is a hepatoprotective agent, which was observed to inhibit inflammation in macrophages and prevent collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) of rats in our previous study. However, the underlying mechanism remains unclear. The present study further reported that PPC can inhibit the synovial inflammation. In lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated primary synovial fibroblasts (SFs) of mice, PPC significantly decreased pro-inflammatory cytokines production while increasing anti-inflammatory cytokines level. In this process, PPC down-regulated the expression of TLR-2 and their downstream signaling molecules such as MyD88, p-ERK1/2, p-JNK1/2, p-P38 in the MAPK pathway and p-IκBα and NF-κB-p65 in NF-kB pathway. Moreover, the inhibitory effect of PPC on the above molecules and cytokines was weakened after the use of TLR-2 agonist Pam3CSK4. However, PPC lost its anti-inflammatory effect and showed an activation of MAPK and NF-kB pathways in the TLR-2-/- primary SFs after exposure to LPS. Furthermore, these results were confirmed in the SFs from the CIA mouse ex vivo. Collectively, this study demonstrated that PPC can alleviate synovial inflammation through TLR-2 mediated MAPK and NF-κB pathways, which can be proposed to be a potential drug candidate for RA therapy.
Min-Entropy Estimation for Semiconductor Superlattice True Random Number Generators
Authors: Liu Jing , Xie Jianguo , Chao Lu , Wu Han , Ding Peng , Chen Xiaoming , Feng Huamin
Published: November 2021

Semiconductor superlattice true random number generator (SSL-TRNG) has an outstanding practical property to serve as high-throughput and high-security cryptographic applications. Security in random number generators is closely related to the min-entropy of the raw output because feeding cryptographic applications with insufficient entropy leads to poor security and vulnerability to malicious attacks. However, no research has focused on the minimum entropy estimation based on the random model for SSL-TRNG, which is a highly recommended method for evaluating the security of a specific TRNG structure. This paper proposes a min-entropy estimation method for the SSL-TRNG by extending the Markov stochastic model derived from the memory effects. By calculating the boundary of the transition matrix, the min-entropy result is that the average value of each sample (1 bit) is 0.2487. Moreover, we demonstrate that the estimator is accurate enough to adjust compression rate dynamically in post-processing to reach the required security level, estimating entropy on the fly rather than off-line.
Integrating Bioinformatics To Identify Potential Cytokines ALPL /TNAP In Children With Spastic Cerebral Palsy
Authors: Wang Xiaokun , Gao Chao , Zhong Hequan , Kong Xiangyu , Qiao Rui , Zhang Huichun , Yang Dongmei , Gao Yang , Li Bing
Published: November 2021

Background: Several published studies have shown the significance of neuroinflammation in the pathophysiological development of cerebral palsy (CP). However, the underlying molecular mechanisms by which neuroinflammation is associated with brain injury in CP remain poorly understood. Spastic CP is the most common form of CP, comprising 80% of all cases. Therefore, identifying patterns of inflammatory and related biomarkers would serve to understand the etiology of spastic CP.Methods: Related clinical parameters were assessed in 18 children with spastic CP and 20 age-matched healthy individuals. Blood samples of children with spastic CP and controls were analyzed with integrated transcriptomics and proteomics profiling to detect common differentially expressed mRNAs and proteins. Hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy was induced in postnatal day 7 rat pups. Behavioral testing was performed postinjury, and then, the differentially expressed markers and inflammatory cytokines were verified in the peripheral blood and cerebral cortex of the CP model rats by ELISA and Western blot. Independent sample t-tests, one-way analysis of variance and the Pearson correlation were used for statistical analysis.Results: Through proteomic and transcriptome analysis, we identified common differentially expressed genes. Among them, ALPL, encoding tissue nonspecific alkaline phosphatase (TNAP), was downregulated in spastic CP. In addition, compared with those of the corresponding controls, significantly lower mRNA and protein levels of TNAP were found in children with CP and the CP model rats. In contrast, compared with the control rats, the model rats demonstrated a significant increase in osteopontin and proinflammatory biomarkers, such as interleukin (IL)-6, IL-17, and C-reactive protein (CRP), in both the plasma and cerebral cortex, while serum 25 hydroxyvitamin D and anti-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-10 were significantly decreased. Additionally, the level of serum TNAP was correlated with the content of serum CRP and IL-10 in model rats.Conclusion: These results suggest that TNAP, the gene expression product of ALPL, is closely related to the pathogenesis and development of spastic CP, particularly in the upregulation of proinflammatory cytokines and the downregulation of anti-inflammatory cytokines, which contribute to the occurrence of inflammation in the progression of spastic CP.
Discovering Novel Genes in Non-Model Fly Accessory Glands Using De Novo Nanopore Transcriptomics
Authors: Mrinalini Mrinalini , Puniamoorthy Nalini
Published: November 2021

BackgroundOxford Nanopore Technologies (ONT) long-read transcriptomes offer many advantages including long reads (>10kbp), end-to-end transcripts, structural variants, isoform-level resolution of genes and expression. However, uptake of ONT transcriptomics is still low, largely due to high error rates (2 to 13%) and reliance on reference databases that are unavailable for many non-model species. Additionally, bioinformatics tools and pipelines for de novo ONT transcriptomics are still in early stages of development. ResultsHere, we use de novo ONT GridION transcriptomics to discover novel genes from the male accessory glands (AG) of a widespread, non-model dung fly, Sepsis punctum. Insect AGs are of particular interest for this as they are hotspots for rapid evolution of novel reproductive genes, and they synthesize seminal fluid proteins that lack homology to any other known proteins. We implement a completely de novo ONT GridION transcriptome pipeline, incorporating quality-filtering and rigorous error-correction procedures, to characterize this novel gene set and to quantify their expression. Specifically, we compare these ONT genes and their expression against de novo lllumina HiSeq transcriptome data. We find 40 high-quality and high-confidence ONT genes that cross-verify against Illumina genes; twenty-six of which are novel and specific to S. punctum. Read count based expression quantification in ONT samples is highly congruent with Illumina’s Transcript per Million (TPM), both in overall pattern and within functional categories. Novel genes account for an average of 81% of total gene expression underscoring their functional importance in S. punctum AGs. Eighty percentage of these genes are secretory in nature, responsible for 74% total gene expression. Notably, median sequence similarities of ONT nucleotide and protein sequences match within-Illumina sequence similarities indicating that our de novo ONT transcriptome pipeline successfully mitigated sequencing errors. ConclusionsThis is the first study to adapt ONT transcriptomics for completely de novo characterization of novel genes in animals. Our study demonstrates that ONT long-reads, constituting a quarter of the number of bases sequenced at less than a third the cost of Illumina reads, can be a resource-friendly and cost-effective solution for end-to-end sequencing of unknown genes even in the absence of a reference database.
Knowledge and Oral Health Related Behaviour Among Visually Impared Subjects in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Authors: Fantaye Wondwossen , Nur Abdela , Kifle Getachew , Engida Fasikawit
Published: November 2021

Background: Oral health is a global issue. It has an enormous impact on the overall health and well-being of an individual. In addition, many studies indicate visual impairment as one of the constraints for proper maintenance of oral hygiene. However, little is known about visually impaired individuals' oral health knowledge and behavior in Ethiopia, Specifically in Addis Ababa. Therefore, this study is conducted to assess the oral health knowledge and related behaviors among participants with visual impairment in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Methods: The study was carried out at the Ethiopian National Association for the blind, located in Addis Ababa, the capital city of Ethiopia. Convenience sampling was used from the visually impaired library attendees' in the blind association. Sixty-five individuals, of which 46 males and 19 females, agreed to take part in the study. Of these, 30.8% had partial and 69.2% total visual impairment.Results: 61.3% with totally and 72% with partially visually impaired scored high in the knowledge of caries causes respectively. The use of tooth brushing was confirmed by 42.2% with totally and 25% with partially visually impaired. The use of Traditional chewing sticks was confirmed by 57.7% with totally and 30% with partially visually impaired individuals. Moreover, both (Toothbrush & Traditional chewing stick) was used by 35.5% totally and 55% partially visually impaired individuals, respectively.Conclusions: The study showed the awareness about the causes of Dental Caries among the visually impaired was high. However, the majority of them had a significant misconception about the causes of dental caries.
Implementing Implementation Science; A Bibliometric Study of Qualitative Research in Clinical Artificial Intelligence
Authors: Hogg Henry David Jeffry , Al-Zubaidy Mohaimen , Keane Pearse A , Beyer Fiona R , Maniatopoulos Gregory
Published: November 2021

Background

Implementation science is a pragmatic and multidisciplinary field, centred on the application of a wide range of theoretical approaches to close ‘know-do’ gaps in healthcare. The implementation science community is made of individuals on a continuum between academia and practice, but it is unclear to what extent the theoretical deliberations of implementation academics are translated into the work of implementation practitioners and on to patient benefit. This bibliometric study aims to use the field of clinical artificial intelligence(AI) implementation to sample the prevalence and character of theoretically informed implementation practices.
Methods

Qualitative research of key stakeholder perspectives on clinical AI published between 2014-2021 was systematically identified. Following title, abstract and full-text screening eligible articles were characterised in terms of their publication, AI tool and context studied, the theoretical approach if any and the research methods and quality. Descriptive, comparative and regression statistics were applied.
Results

One-hundred-and-eleven studies met the eligibility criteria, with monthly eligible publication rate increasing from 0.7-4.0 between 2014-2021. Eligible studies represented 23 different nations and 25 different clinical specialities. A theoretical approach was explicitly employed in 39(35.1%) studies though 6 of these described novel theoretical approaches(15.1%) and the most frequently used theoretical approach was only used 3 times. There was no statistically significant trend in the prevalence of theoretically informed research within the study period. Of the 25 theoretically informed studies conducted in Europe or North America 19(76%) used theories that originated in the same continent.
Conclusions

The theoretical approaches which characterise implementation science are not being put to use as often as they could, and the means by which they are selected also seems suboptimal. The field may facilitate a greater synergy between theory and practice if the focus shifts from unifying implementation theories on to unifying and expanding the implementation community. By making more theoretical approaches accessible to practitioners and supporting their selection and application, theory could be more effectively harnessed to close healthcare’s ‘know-do gaps’.
Protocol registration
PROSPERO ID 248025
Logics of Involutive Stone Algebras
Authors: Marcelino Sérgio , Rivieccio Umberto
Published: November 2021

An involutive Stone algebra (IS-algebra) is a structure that is simultaneously a De Morgan algebra and a Stone algebra (i.e. a pseudo-complemented distributive lattice satisfying the well-known Stone identity, ∼ x ∨ ∼ ∼ x ≈ 1). IS-algebras have been studied algebraically and topologically since the 1980’s, but a corresponding logic (here denoted IS ≤ ) has been introduced only very recently. The logic IS ≤ is the departing point for the present study, which we then extend to a wide family of previously unknown logics defined from IS-algebras. We show that IS ≤ is a conservative expansion of the Belnap-Dunn four-valued logic (i.e. the order-preserving logic of the variety of De Morgan algebras), and we give a finite Hilbert-style axiomatization for it. More generally, we introduce a method for expanding conservatively every super-Belnap logic so as to obtain an extension of IS ≤ . We show that every logic thus defined can be axiomatized by adding a fixed finite set of rule schemata to the corresponding super-Belnap base logic. We also consider a few sample extensions of IS ≤ that cannot be obtained in the above- described way, but can nevertheless be axiomatized finitely by other methods. Most of our axiomatization results are obtained in two steps: through a multiple-conclusion calculus first, which we then reduce to a traditional one. The multiple-conclusion axiomatizations introduced in this process, being analytic, are of independent interest from a proof-theoretic standpoint. Our results entail that the lattice of super-Belnap logics (which is known to be uncountable) embeds into the lattice of extensions of IS ≤ . Indeed, as in the super-Belnap case, we establish that the finitary extensions of IS ≤ are already uncountably many.
RPL34 regulates osteosarcoma cells proliferation through c-Myc/RPL34 signaling axis
Authors: Huang Piwei , Wei Minghui , Ji Shufan , Fowdur Mitra , he maolin
Published: November 2021

BackgroundRibosomal protein L34 (RPL34) is a member of the L34E ribosomal protein family containing zinc finger domains. This protein plays a key role in regulating the apoptosis, cell cycle progression and proliferation of various cancer including osteosarcoma (OS). The purpose of this study is to clarify the expression of RPL34 in osteosarcoma cells and its molecular mechanism of regulating osteosarcoma cells. MethodsThe expression levels of c-Myc and RPL34 were detected by qRT-PCR and Western blot. Luciferase reporter assays and chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) were used to analyse the binding site of c-Myc and RPL34. ResultsThe results showed that c-Myc binds to the E-box region in the RPL34 promoter to regulate RPL34 expression. The results indicated that RPL34 regulates osteosarcoma cells proliferation through c-Myc/RPL34 signaling axis. This research may provide new ideas for targeted therapy of OS. Conclusion RPL34 regulates osteosarcoma cells proliferation through c-Myc/RPL34 signaling axis.
Suspension array platform based on aptamer for high-throughput detection of five environmental hormones
Authors: Yao Ziyi , Yao Zi-yi , Jia Xue-xia , Ren Shu-yue , Yang Shi-ping , Gao Zhi-xian
Published: November 2021

Background

As a common small molecule substance, environmental hormones widely exist in nature, especially water sources, which have a profound effects in humans. Highly efficient and sensitive method for estrogens in the environment are essential.
Results

In this paper, a novel high-throughput platform was established based on five small hormones molecules specificity aptamer and magnetic beads (MBs). The results showed that the sensitivity of the proposed method are greatly improved. The limit of detection(LOD) of this method for atrazine(Atz), profenofos, bisphenolA(BPA), estradiol(E2), and polychlorinated biphenyls(PCBs) were 9.46, 20.75, 23.81, 8.97, 6.27 pg/mL, respectively. The Recovery rate of the diluted environmental hormones spiked in the samples of Haihe river were in the range of 87.5-111.02% with relative standard deviations (RSDs) lower than 28.44%.
Conclusion

This platform based on new complementary strand fragments can simultaneously rapid detection five environmental hormones. The whole procedure completed within 1.5h including sample treatment, incubation and detection, greatly improving the detection efficiency.
Impaired Diffusion Capacity and Pulmonary Fibrosis after Recovery from COVID-19: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Lee Jong Hyuk , Yim Jae-Joon , Park Jimyung
Published: November 2021

Background: The medium- to long-term pulmonary consequences of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) after recovery from acute infection remain unclear. Several studies have examined this issue and reported heterogeneous results. Methods: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis using a random-effects model to estimate the pooled prevalence of pulmonary sequelae after COVID-19, namely impaired diffusion capacity and pulmonary fibrosis, at least 1 month after the initial infection. PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library were searched from January 1, 2020, to February 15, 2021 to identify related studies. We also assessed whether the initial severity of infection was associated with impaired diffusion capacity in the recovery phase. Results: Of the 8159 studies identified, 29 met our eligibility criteria. Among these studies, 25 and 20 had data on follow-up pulmonary function testing and chest computed tomography (CT), respectively. Impaired diffusion capacity (<80% of predicted values or lower limit of normal) was the most common pulmonary abnormality (pooled prevalence 34%, 95% CI 27%–41%). When classified according to the severity of index infection, patients with severe COVID-19 were more likely to display impaired diffusion capacity than those with non-severe COVID-19 (pooled odds ratio 2.97, 95% CI 2.10–4.20). On follow-up chest CT, pulmonary fibrosis was found in 26% (95% CI 17%–36%) of the patients. Conclusions: A substantial number of patients recovering from COVID-19 displayed impaired diffusion capacity and pulmonary fibrosis. The severity of index COVID-19 was associated with impaired diffusion capacity, highlighting the importance of respiratory follow-up in patients recovering from severe COVID-19.Systematic review registration number: PROSPERO CRD42021234357
Characteristics of Oral Mucosal Lesions and Their Association with Socioeconomic Status and Systemic Health in A Remote Rural Area in China: A Cross-Sectional Study of 146 Cases
Authors: Yao Hui , Zhang Qiongyue , Song Qianqian , Liu Mingshan , Tang Guoyao
Published: November 2021

Background: Epidemiological data of oral mucosal lesions (OMLs) are required to develop practical oral care policies. However, limited data are available for rural areas in China. We aimed to estimate the spectrum and prevalence of OMLs and to identify their associated socioeconomic status (SES) and systemic health in a remote rural area in Yunnan, China. Methods: We screened patients for OMLs in an oral medicine clinic in rural Yuannan, China, from August 2020 to February 2021. OMLs were documented. SES, including the highest education level achieved and the previous month’s household income, as well as the patient’s systemic health, including a history of smoking, alcohol use, and chronic disease, were obtained from the Medical History/Health Questionnaire Form and patient medical records. Results: A total of 146 patients were found to have OMLs. The most frequent OML was aphthous ulcer (n = 41, 28.1%), followed by burning mouth syndrome (BMS) (n = 16, 11.0%), viral ulcer (n = 14, 9.6%), and oral lichen planus (OLP) (n = 9, 6.2%). In these patients, the most common chronic diseases were sleep apnea (n = 35, 24.0%), hypertension (n = 23, 15.8%), bronchitis (n = 16, 11.0%), reflux (including gastroesophageal reflux disease) (n = 12, 8.2%), and arthritis (n = 11, 7.5%). On adjusted regression, the patients without chronic diseases had a lower risk of BMS than those with chronic diseases (odds ratio [OR], 0.2; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.03–0.9). Age was an independent protective factor for viral ulcers (OR, 1.0; 95% CI, 0.9–1.0). Patients with low-income levels had a lower risk of OLP than those with high-income levels (OR, 0.2; 95% CI, 0.05–0.9). Conclusions: In rural Yunnan in China, the most frequent OML was aphthous ulcer, which was followed by BMS, viral ulcer, and OLP. Chronic diseases were associated with BMS. Age was an independent protective factor for oral viral ulcers. A high-income level was associated with the presence of OLP. Oral care policies should be prioritized among patients with aphthous ulcer. Preventive strategy of BMS should be targeted to people with chronic disease for health equalities.
Metagenomic Analysis of The Effects of Salinity On Microbial Diversity and Functional Gene Diversity in Kongsfjorden Estuary
Authors: Lin Lidong , Wang Nengfei , Han Wenbing , Zhang Botao , Zang Jiaye , Li Qinxin , Qin Yiling , Wang Long , Fang Long , Liu Jie
Published: November 2021

Due to the inflow of meltwater from the Midre Lovénbreen glacier upstream of Kongsfjorden, the salinity of Kongsfjorden increases from the estuary to the interior of the fjord. Our goal was to determine which bacterial taxa and metabolism-related gene abundance were affected by changes in salinity, and whether salinity is correlated with genes related to nitrogen and sulfur cycling in fjord ecosystem using metagenomic analysis. Our data indicate that changes in salinity may affect some bacterial taxa, such as the relative abundance of Alphaproteobacteria and Deltaproteobacteria is higher at high salinity sites, while the relative abundance of Gammaproteobacteria and Betaproteobacteria is more dominant at low salinity sites. In addition, the relative abundance of some bacteria at the high and low salinity sites was different at the family level. For example, Rhodobacteraceae, Pseudoalteromonadaceae, Flavobacteriaceae, Vibrionaceae at the high salinity site Colwelliaceae, Chromatiaceae and Alteromonadaceae at the low salinity site are affected by salinity. In terms of functional gene diversity, our study proved that salinity could affect the relative abundance of related genes by affecting the metabolic mechanism of microorganisms. In addition to salinity, functional attributes of microorganisms themselves were also important factors affecting the relative abundance of metabolism-related genes. In addition, salinity has a certain effect on the relative abundance of genes related to nitrogen and sulfur cycling.
Professors Want to Share: Preliminary Survey Results on Establishing Open Source Endowed Professorships
Authors: Pearce Joshua , Pascaris Alexis S. , Schelly Chelsea
Published: November 2021

This study proposes a novel policy to provide incentives for open science: to offer open source (OS) endowed professorships. To hold an open source endowed chair, in addition to demonstrated excellence in their field, professors would need to agree to: 1) ensuring all of their writing is distributed via open access in some way, and 2) releasing all of their intellectual property in the public domain or under appropriate open source licenses. The results of this survey study of university professors in the U.S. show that a super majority (86.7%) of faculty respondents indicated willingness to accept an OS endowed professorship, while only 13.3% of respondents would not be willing to accept the terms of an OS endowed professorship. The terms of accepting an OS endowed professorship that were the most popular among respondents were increased salary, annual discretionary budget, as a term of tenure and annual RA or TA lines. Although it should be pointed out that more than a quarter of respondents would require no additional compensation. The results demonstrate a clear willingness of academics to expand open access to science, which would hasten scientific progress while also making science more just and inclusive. It is clear that science funders have a large opportunity to move towards open science by offering open source endowed chairs.
Intravitreal Fasudil Monotherapy for Treatment of Refractory Diabetic Macular Edema: a Prospective, Interventional Case-series
Authors: Nourinia Ramin , Abtahi Seyed-Hossein , Nouri Hosein , Eslamipour Jamil , Gerami Ebrahim , Ahmadieh Hamid
Published: November 2021

Purpose: To evaluate the effect of three monthly intravitreal injections of a Rho-associated protein kinase (ROCK) inhibitor (Fasudil, Asahi Kasei Pharma Corporation, Tokyo, Japan) on refractory diabetic macular edema (DME).Study design: Prospective – clinical Methods: This interventional case series included 10 eyes of 10 patients with DME unresponsive to at least six previous intravitreal bevacizumab (IVB) injections. Eligible eyes underwent intravitreal injection of 0.025 mg/0.05 ml Fasudil. Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and central macular thickness (CMT) were evaluated as functional and anatomical response indicators, respectively. Results: Mean age was 60.1±5.1 (range, 53-68) years. Five cases responded to treatment; two with both anatomical and functional response (reduction of CMT from 521 to 395 and from 390 to 301microns and improvement of BCVA from 0.3 to 0.1 LogMAR and 0.6 to 0.4 LogMAR, respectively) and three with only functional improvement (0.7 to 0.4; 0.7 to 0.4; and 0.3 to 0.1 LogMAR). Of note, cases with no significant CMT change had morphologic improvement of retinal microstructure to some extent. No adverse event was observed during the study period.Conclusion: Monotherapy with intravitreal injection of ROCK inhibitors seems to have moderate visual benefits in eyes with DME refractory to IVB. Such effects may be functionally significant without obvious anatomical improvement.
Comparison of Shiraz Trauma Transfusion Score (STTS) Potency With Common Scoring Systems for Trauma in Predicting the Short and Long Term Mortality of Injured Patients
Authors: Rahbari Sepideh Vosooghi , Hosseinpour Hamidreza , Karoobi Mohamadreza , Abolghasemi Hojat , Shahabinezhad Ali , Khosravaniardakani Sheida , Paydar Shahram
Published: November 2021

Background and Objective: Trauma is the leading cause of death in people under 40 years of age worldwide. Various studies have been conducted focused on reducing the annual mortality rate due to trauma. One of the most important measures is reducing the time between the incident and the treatment set up, therefore the estimation of the severity of trauma and progressing to mortality before further evaluation is justified. In this study, we aim to compare different trauma scoring systems (such as GAP, MGAP, RTS, TRISS) with a relatively new model – Shiraz Trauma Transfusion Score (STTS) – and to describe the best qualities of these scoring systems for trauma patients in short (less than 24 hours) and long (more than 24 hours) term.Methods: In this cross-sectional study, data from hospitalized trauma patients in Rajaei hospital (center B) of Shiraz, Iran from May to November 2016 were collected and analyzed. Collected data consisted of age, sex, hospital admission duration, mechanism of trauma along with clinical data for calculating different trauma scoring systems, were recorded. Results: while RTS and STTS were the best predictors of mortality in trauma patients in the first 24 hours (sensitivity of 100.00%), GAP and MGAP were the best predictors of the patients’ survival (specificity of 93.83% and 92.59%). GAP and ISS were the best predictors of mortality in trauma patients for more than 24 hours (sensitivity of 82.02%). On the other hand, TRIS and RTS were the best predictors of patients' survival (specificity of 82.59% and 80.26%).Conclusions: Our study findings suggest that the utility and applicability of Shiraz Trauma Transfusion Score(STTS) in predicting mortality is not only comparable with other commonly used scoring methods but it may be of more value in shortterm mortality prediction.
Nature-Inspired Techniques For Dynamic Constraint Satisfaction Problems
Authors: Bidar Mehdi , Mouhoub Malek
Published: November 2021

Combinatorial applications such as configuration, transportation and resource allocation, often operate under highly dynamic and unpredictable environments. In this regard, one of the main challenges is to maintain a consistent solution anytime constraints are (dynamically) added. While many solvers have been developed to tackle these applications, they often work under idealized assumptions of environmental stability. In order to address limitation, we propose a methodology, relying on nature-inspired techniques, for solving constraint problems when constraints are added dynamically. The choice for nature-inspired techniques is motivated by the fact that these are iterative algorithms, capable of maintaining a set of promising solutions, at each iteration. Our methodology takes advantage of these two properties, as follows. We first solve the initial constraint problem and save the final state (and the related population) after obtaining a consistent solution. This saved context will then be used as a resume point for finding, in an incremental manner, new solutions to subsequent variants of the problem, anytime new constraints are added. More precisely, once a solution is found, we resume from the current state to search for a new one (if the old solution is no longer feasible), when new constraints are added. This can be seen as an optimization problem where we look for a new feasible solution satisfying old and new constraints, while minimizing the differences with the solution of the previous problem, in sequence. This latter objective ensures to find the least disruptive solution, as this is very important in many applications including scheduling, planning and timetabling. Following on our proposed methodology, we have developed the dynamic variant of several nature-inspired techniques to tackle dynamic constraint problems. Constraint problems are represented using the well-known Constraint Satisfaction Problem (CSP) paradigm. Dealing with constraint additions in a dynamic environment can then be expressed as a series of static CSPs, each resulting from a change in the previous one by adding new constraints. This sequence of CSPs is called the Dynamic CSP (DCSP). To assess the performance of our proposed methodology, we conducted several experiments on randomly generated DCSP instances, following the RB model. The results of the experiments are reported and discussed.
Xuesaitong Capsule For Patients After Percutaneous Coronary Intervention For Unstable Angina: Study Protocol For a Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Yu Yanqiao , Li Shengyao , Duan Wenhui , Luo Jinwen , Zhao Yihan , Song Lei , Miao Lina , Xue Mei , Du JianPeng , Shi Dazhuo
Published: November 2021

• Background: This study was designed to investigate the effect of Xuesaitong (XST) capsule added to conventional treatment in patients after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for unstable angina (UA).• Methods: This is a 12-week, randomized, multi-center, double-blinded, placebo-controlled clinical trial. A total of 120 patients with UA will be recruited and randomly allocated in a 1:1 ratio to receive XST or placebo (2 capsules twice per day) on the background of conventional treatment. The changed level of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein from baseline to week 12 is the primary outcome. Secondary outcomes include tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-6, platelet aggregation, blood lipid, angina symptoms and ST segment deviation in electrocardiogram. The safety of XST will be monitored during the trial.• Discussion: This study will provide an evidence regarding the efficacy and safety of XST on the background of conventional medical treatment in patients after PCI for UA.• Trial registration: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, ChiCTR2000032152. Registered on 14 January 2020.
Elastic wave dispersion equation considering material and geometric nonlinearities
Authors: li xiangyang , Li Na , Zheng Bin , Bao Jianqiang , Wang Yan , Tian Yanwei
Published: November 2021

In this letter, we describe the propagation of longitudinal waves in one-dimensional nonlinear elastic thin rods with material nonlinearity and geometric nonlinearity. Mathematical analysis is used to derive the analytical dispersion relationship of longitudinal waves; subsequently, the numerical Fourier spectrum method is used to solve the nonlinear wave equation directly and the results are used to verify the correctness of the derived nonlinear dispersion relation.
Prevalence and health correlates of workplace violence and discrimination – a cross-sectional study among hospital employees in Switzerland
Authors: Stahl-Gugger Alenka , Hämmig Oliver
Published: November 2021

BackgroundViolence and discrimination are common events at work, especially in the health care setting. Nevertheless, comprehensive data on their prevalence and health correlates among the entirety of hospital staff is missing. Thisstudy aimed to estimate the prevalence of different self-reported forms of workplace violence and discrimination among hospital employees in Switzerland and to investigate the association between such experiences at work and the general and mental health status. MethodsThis cross-sectional study was based on secondary data from a company survey among five public hospitals and rehabilitation clinics in German-speaking Switzerland conducted in 2015/16 (N = 1,567). Relative frequencies of different forms of violence and discrimination at work were calculated for the entire study population and for the occupational subgroups. These prevalence data were compared with a representative sample of the general Swiss working population as a reference group. Multiple logistic regression analyses were further computed to investigate the association between the number of different experienced forms of violence and/or discrimination at work and several poor general and mental health outcomes (poor self-rated health, sleep disorders, psychological stress, mental problem, burnout). Results23% of hospital employees experienced at least one form of discrimination or violence at work in the past year, compared to 18% of the general working population. Nurses and midwives were by far the most affected occupational group regarding all forms of violence. More and particularly most exposed hospital employees with regard to experiences of violence and/or discrimination at work showed almost consistently increased prevalence rates and odds ratios for the studied poor mental and general health outcomes. Prevalence rates and adjusted odds ratios for strong sleep disorders, strong stress feelings and increased burnout symptoms were between three and four times higher among the most exposed compared to those hospital employees who did not make any of these experiences at work at all. ConclusionsStudy findings underline the importance of an active combat against violent and discriminatory behaviors in health care. Prevention strategies should particularly focus on nurses and midwives, which turned out to be the most affected and exposed group of all health professions.
The impact of the pandemic on the formation of tax policy in Russia
Authors: Косенкова Ю.Ю. , Насырова Р.А.
Published: November 2021

В статье проанализированы основные налоговые меры, принятые в Российской Федерации для смягчения последствий новой коронавирусной инфекции, проведена классификация таких мер, дана оценка последствий их реализации. Статья содержит анализ изменения в результате пандемии налоговых поступлений в бюджетную систему, доначислений в результате контрольной работы налоговых органов, изменения количества налогоплательщиков. Также сделан вывод об эффективности преодоления российской экономикой последствий первого (самого сложного) года пандемии и дана оценка роли ФНС в осуществлении мер государственного регулирования.

The article analyzes the main tax measures taken in the Russian Federation to mitigate the consequences of the new coronavirus infection, classifies such measures, and evaluates the consequences of their implementation. The article contains an analysis of changes as a result of a pandemic in tax revenues to the budget system, additional charges as a result of the control work of tax authorities, changes in the number of taxpayers. It also made a conclusion about the effectiveness of overcoming the consequences of the first (most difficult) year of the pandemic by the Russian economy and assessed the role of the Federal Tax Service in the implementation of state regulation measures.
Application of crowdsourcing in higher education
Authors: Джамалдинова М.Д. , Курдюкова Н.О.
Published: November 2021

Данная научная работа посвящена исследованию современной практики применения краудсорсинга в различных видах деятельности высших учебных заведений, особенно тех, которые требуют времени, энергии и огромных ресурсов. Изучено введение четырех основных стратегий краудсорсинга, а также исследована каждая стратегия на примерах краудсорсинговых проектов в высших учебных заведениях мира.

This research paper is devoted to the study of the modern practice of using crowdsourcing in various types of activities of higher educational institutions, especially those that require time, energy and huge resources. The introduction of the four main crowdsourcing strategies is studied, and each strategy is examined using examples of crowdsourcing projects in higher education institutions around the world.
Small business in the general management system of the Sakhalin region: problems and solutions
Authors: Филобокова Л.Ю. , Анисимов И.В.
Published: November 2021

Россия сильна своими регионами, существенный вклад в состояние и возможности развития которых оказывает предпринимательство в малых организационно-экономических формах хозяйствования. Малое предпринимательство - подсистема региональной экономики, управление развитием которого подчинено целям и задачам, стоящим как непосредственно перед самой системой, так и перед системами вышестоящего уровня. Императивы обеспечения опережающего развития Сахалинской области предопределили идентификацию проблем низкой эффективности управления малым предпринимательством, обусловленных инфраструктурной средой. В данной статье представлены авторские подходы к решению проблемы коммуникационно-магистрального элемента и в целом инфраструктурного обеспечения малого предпринимательства и региональной экономики Сахалинской области.

Russia is strong in its regions, a significant contribution to the state and the possibility of the development of the entrepreneurship in small organizational and economic forms of management. Small business - a regional economy subsystem, whose development management is subject to the goals and objectives that are directly in front of the system itself and in front of the superior systems. Imperatives to ensure the leading development of the Sakhalin region predetermined the identification of the problems of low efficiency of small-state-based management, due to the infrastructure environment. This article presents author's approaches to solving the problem of the communication and main element and in general infrastructure support for small entrepreneurship and the regional economy of the Sakhalin region.
Analysis of the hop production and processing market in the Russian food security system
Authors: Чеха О.В.
Published: November 2021

В статье представлены результаты комплексного исследования на рынке производства и переработки хмеля. Проанализированы отчеты фирмы «Барт» и годовые отчеты International Hop Growers’ Convention в период 2007-2020 гг. Приведены и систематизированы данные Федеральной службы государственной статистики Российской Федерации, по Чувашской Республике и официального интернет-портала органов власти Чувашской Республики по формированию внутреннего рынка хмеля. Предложены меры регионального регулирования отрасли, которые согласованы с утверждённой Концепцией развития хмелеводства в Чувашской Республике на 2020-2025 гг. в рамках государственной программы.

The article presents the results of a comprehensive study on the market of hop production and processing. The reports of the company «Bart» and the annual reports of International Hop Growers'are analyzed Convention in the period 2007-2020. The data of the Federal State Statistics Service of the Russian Federation on the Chuvash Republic and the official Internet portal of the authorities of the Chuvash Republic on the formation of the domestic hop market are presented and systematized. The measures of regional regulation of the industry are proposed, which are coordinated with the approved Concept of hop growing development in the Chuvash Republic for 2020-2025 within the framework of the state program.