bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Repeated Neonatal Sevoflurane Induced Neurocognitive Impairment Through NF-κB-Mediated Pyroptosis
Authors: Dai Jing , Li Xue , Wang Cai , Gu Shuxin , Dai Lei , Zhang Jingyun , Fan Yunxia , Wu Jing
Published: April 2021

Background: Exposure to general anesthesia (GA) during the postnatal period is associated with neuroinflammation and long-term neurocognitive impairment in preclinical and clinical settings. Pyroptosis, a novel type of programmed cell death that along with inflammation, plays an important role in the mechanism of diverse neurological diseases. Nevertheless, its role in GA-induced neuroinflammation and neurocognitive impairment in developing brain has not been investigated. Methods: Rats at postnatal day 6 or primary hippocampal neurons at 9 days in vitro, received 3% sevoflurane for 2 hours daily for three consecutive days. A pharmacological inhibitor of nuclear factor (NF)‑κB (BAY 11-7082) was administered to suppress NF-κB activation. Histological and biochemical analysis were performed to assess the pyroptosis and neuronal and synaptic damages both in vivo and in vitro. In addition, behavioral tests were performed to evaluate the neurocognitive ability in rats.Results: Repeated sevoflurane exposures activated NF-κB-mediated pyroptosis and neuroinflammation in the hippocampus of developing rats, caused damages in neuronal morphology and synaptic integrity, and induced neurocognitive impairment in rats. BAY 11-7082, the inhibitor of NF-κB, suppressed the activation of pyroptosis, attenuated the neuronal and synaptic damages, and ameliorated the neurocognitive impairment induced by repeated sevoflurane in the developing rats.Conclusions: These results demonstrated that repeated sevoflurane GA might induce neuroinflammation and cognitive impairment in developing rats via activation of NF-κB-mediated pyroptosis. Our findings characterize a novel role for pyroptosis as a potential therapeutic target in neuroinflammation to repeated neonatal GA.
Autopsy and premortem diagnostic discrepancy review in an Irish tertiary PICU.
Authors: O'Rahelly Mark , McDermott Michael , Healy Martina
Published: April 2021

Objective: 1) Review ante- and post-mortem diagnoses and assign a Goldman error classification. 2) Establish autopsy rates. Design: A retrospective analysis of autopsies performed on patients who died in Paediatric intensive care unit (PICU) between November 13th 2012 and October 31st 2018. We reviewed medical and autopsy data of all patients and Goldman classification of discrepancy between ante- and post-mortem diagnoses was assigned. Setting: Tertiary PICU. Patients: All patients that died in PICU within the designated timeframe. Interventions: Goldman error classification assignment. Measurements and main results: 396 deaths occurred in PICU from 8,329 (4.75%) admissions. 99 (25%) had an autopsy, 75 required by the coroner. All were included in the study. Fifty-three were male and 46 females. Fifty-three patients were transfers from external hospitals, 46 from our centre. Forty-one were neonates, 32 were <1 year of age, and 26 were >1 year of age. Median length of stay was 3 days. Eighteen were post cardiac surgery, and three post cardiac catheter procedure. Major diagnostic errors (Class I/II) were identified in 14 (14.1%), 2 (2%) Class I, and 12 (12.1%) were Class II errors. Class III and IV errors occurred in 28 (28.2%) patients. Complete concordance (Class V) occurred in 57 (57.5%) cases. Conclusion: The autopsy rate and the diagnostic discrepancy rate within our PICU is comparable to those previously reported. Our findings show the continuing value of autopsy in determining cause of death and providing greater diagnostic clarity. Given their value, post-mortem examinations, where indicated, should be considered part of a physician’s duty of care to families and future patients.
TTK Predicts Triple Positive Breast Cancer Prognosis and Regulates Tumor Proliferation and Invasion
Authors: Gao Yunhe , Qu Shanshan , Cao Lanqing , Yao Min
Published: April 2021

Background: This study was conducted to investigate the expression of the spindle assembly checkpoint kinase tyrosine/threonine kinase (TTK) in triple positive breast cancer (TPBC) and its effect on TPBC cells. Methods: We analyzed the status of TTK in 69 TPBC samples using immunohistochemistry. The correlation between TTK and clinicopathological parameters was analyzed using a chi-squared test. The prognostic value of TTK was evaluated using Kaplan–Meier survival curves. We analyzed the role of TTK in the invasion and proliferation of TPBC cells in vitro and in vivo. Results: The mean age of the 69 patients with TPBC enrolled in this study was 53 years (range: 29–86 years). TTK expression was positively correlated with tumor size (P = 0.034), p53 status (P = 0.023), TNM stage (P = 0.023), and Ki-67 index (P< 0.001). The Kaplan–Meier curves revealed that TTK expression was correlated with poor disease-free survival (P = 0.001) and overall survival (P = 0.050). Multivariate proportional hazard regression analyses showed that TTK and TNM staging were significant independent predictors of disease-free survival (P = 0.007 and P = 0.034, respectively). Additionally, TTK knockdown inhibited the invasion and proliferation of the BT474 TPBC cell line. Conclusions: The findings of the study indicate that TTK overexpression is associated with cancer progression and prognosis in patients with TPBC, whereas TTK knockdown inhibits the invasion and proliferation of TPBC cells. Thus, TTK may serve as a prognostic marker for TPBC.
Risk analysis and influencing factors of drought and flood disasters in China
Authors: Pei Wei , Tian Cuizhu , Fu Qiang , Ren Yongtai , Li Tianxiao
Published: April 2021

The risk analysis of flood and drought disasters and the study of their influencing factors enhance our understanding of the temporal and spatial variation law of disasters and help identify the main factors affecting disasters. This paper uses the provincial administrative region of China as the research area. The statistical distribution of flood and drought disasters was optimized from 10 alternative distributions by the KS test, and the disaster risk was analyzed. Thirty-five indicators were selected from nature, agriculture and the social economy as alternative factors. The main factors affecting flood and drought disasters were selected by Pearson, Spearman and Kendall correlation coefficient test. The results demonstrated that the distribution of floods and drought is right skewed, and the beta distribution is the best statistical distribution for fitting disasters. In terms of time, the risk of flood and drought disasters in all regions showed a downward trend. Economic development and the enhancement of the ability to resist disasters were the main reasons for the change in disasters. Spatially, the areas with high drought risk were mainly distributed in Northeast and North China, and the areas with high flood risk were mainly distributed in the south, especially in Hubei, Hunan, Jiangxi and Anhui. The distribution of floods and drought disasters was consistent with the distribution characteristics of precipitation and water resources in China. Among the natural factors, precipitation was the main factor causing changes in floods and drought disasters. Among the agricultural and socioeconomic factors, the indicators reflecting the disaster resistance ability and regional economic development level were closely related to flood and drought disasters. The research results have reference significance for disaster classification, disaster formation mechanisms and flood and drought resistance.
Social and Environmental Risk Factors for Unintentional Suffocation Among Infants in China
Authors: Yu Xue , Kang Leni , Miao Lei , Zhu Jun , Liang Juan , Dai Li , Xiaohong Li , Li Qi , Rao Rui , Wang Yanping , Yuan Chunhua , He Chunhua
Published: April 2021

Background: This retrospective study aims to determine the epidemiological features of deaths caused by unintentional suffocation among infants in China, with a focus on environmental and sociodemographic factors may contribute to these deaths.Methods: Data were obtained from China’s under 5 Child Mortality Surveillance System (U5CMSS) from October 1, 2015 to September 30, 2016. A total of 377 children under 1 year of age who died from unintentional suffocation were included in the survey. Primary caregivers were interviewed individually using the Unintentional Suffocation Mortality among Children under 5 Questionnaire. EpiData was used to establish the database, and the results were analysed using SPSS 22.0.Results: Most (85.9%) unintentional infant suffocations occurred in rural areas, and 67.5% occurred in infants 0 to 3 months old. Among the primary caregivers of the infants, most (82.7%) had a junior middle school education or below, and 83.1% of them lacked unintentional suffocation first aid skills. Of the 377 unintentional suffocated-infant deaths, the causes of death were unintentional suffocation and strangulation in bed (ASSB) (193, 51.2%), inhalation suffocation (154, 40.8%), other unintentional suffocation (6, 1.6%), and unknown (24, 6.4%). Among the infant deaths due to ASSB, overlaying (88.6%) was the frequently reported circumstance. A total of 93.8% of cases were reported to occur during co-sleeping/bed sharing with parents, and in 72.8% of the cases, the infants were covered with the same quilt as their parents. In our study, most inhalation suffocation deaths (88.3%) involved liquid food (such as breast milk and formula milk). A total of 80.5% of infant deaths were reported to occur after eating; in 28.2% of those cases, the infants were held upright and patted by their caregivers, and in 57.2% of them, were laid down to sleep immediately after eating.Conclusions: To reduce the occurrence of unintentional suffocation, local government should strengthen knowledge and awareness of unintentional suffocation prevention and safety among parents and caregivers, healthcare providers should educate parents and caregivers about safety issues of unintentional suffocation and relevant policies should be introduced to provide environments and activities that reduce the risk of suffocation such as promoting the Safe to Sleep Campaign. It is important to enhance the focus on infant unintentional suffocation as a health issue.
Needs, gaps and opportunities for standard and e-mental health care among at-risk populations in the Asia Pacific in the context of COVID-19: A rapid scoping review.
Authors: Murphy Jill K. , Khan Amna , Sun Qiumeng , Minas Harry , Hatcher Simon , Ng Chee H , Withers Mellissa , Greenshaw Andrew , Michalak Erin E , Chakraborty Promit Ananyo , Sandanasamy Karen Sharmini , Ibrahim Nurashikin , Ravindran Arun , Chen Jun , Nguyen Vu Cong , Lam Raymond W
Published: April 2021

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic is expected to have profound mental health impact, including in the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) region. Some populations might be at higher risk of experiencing negative mental health impacts and may encounter increased barriers to accessing mental health care. The pandemic and related restrictions have led to changes in care delivery, including a rapid shift to the use of e-mental health and digital technologies. It is therefore essential to consider needs and opportunities for equitable mental health care delivery to the most at-risk populations. This rapid scoping review: 1) identifies populations in the APEC region that are at higher risk of the negative mental health impacts of COVID-19, 2) identifies needs and gaps in access to standard and e-mental health care among these populations, and 3) explores the potential of e-mental health to address these needs.Methods: We conducted a rapid scoping review following the PRISMA Extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR). We searched Medline, Embase and PsychInfo databases and Google Scholar using a search strategy developed in consultation with a biomedical librarian. We included records related to mental health or psychosocial risk factors and COVID-19 among at-risk groups; that referred to one or more APEC member economies or had a global, thus generalizable, scope; English language papers, and papers with full text available.Results: A total of 132 records published between December 2019 and August 2020 were included in the final analysis. Several priority as-risk populations, risk factors, challenges and recommendations for standard and e-mental health care were identified. Results demonstrate that e-mental health care can be a viable option for care delivery but that specific accessibility and acceptability considerations must be considered. Options for in-person, hybrid or “low-tech” care must also remain available.Conclusions: The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the urgent need for equitable standard and e-mental health care. It has also highlighted the persistent social and structural inequities that contribute to poor mental health. The APEC region is vast and diverse; findings from the region can guide policy and practice in the delivery of equitable mental health care in the region and beyond.
A Transitional Fossil Mite (Astigmata: Levantoglyphidae fam. n.) from the Early Cretaceous Suggests Gradual Evolution of Phoresy-Related Metamorphosis
Authors: Klimov Pavel B. , Vorontsov Dmitry D. , Azar Dany , Sidorchuk Ekaterina A. , Braig Henk R. , Khaustov Alexander A. , Tolstikov Andrey V.
Published: April 2021

Metamorphosis is a key innovation allowing the same species to inhabit different environments and accomplish different functions, leading to evolutionary success in many animal groups. Astigmata is a megadiverse lineage of mites that expanded into a great number of habitats via associations with invertebrate and vertebrate hosts (human associates include stored food mites, house dust mites, and scabies). The evolutionary success of Astigmata is linked to phoresy-related metamorphosis, namely the origin of the heteromorphic deutonymph, which is highly specialized for phoresy (dispersal on hosts). However, the origin of this instar is enigmatic since it is morphologically divergent and no intermediate forms are known. Here we describe the heteromorphic deutonymph of Levantoglyphus sidorchukae n. gen. and sp. (Levantoglyphidae fam. n.) from early Cretaceous amber of Lebanon (129 Ma), which displays a transitional morphology ("missing link"). It is similar to extant phoretic deutonymphs in its modifications for phoresy but has the masticatory system and other parts of the gnathosoma well-developed. These aspects point to a gradual evolution of the astigmatid heteromorphic morphology and metamorphosis. The presence of well-developed presumably host-seeking sensory elements on the gnathosoma suggests that the deutonymph was not feeding either during phoretic or pre- or postphoretic periods.
A Comparison between W score and Ryan score in diagnosing of Laryngopharyngeal reflux disease
Authors: Wang Gang , Wang Lei , Sun Zhezhe , Guo Yuzhu , Liu Hongdan , Han Haolun , Zhong Changqing , Sui Xinke , Li Baowei , Zhou Ying , Qu Changmin , Li Lianyong , Sataloff Robert T. , Wu Jimin , Wang Qi , Fang Jugao , Lv Qiuping , Huang Yijiang , Wu Wei
Published: April 2021

ObjectiveTo assess the diagnostic value of W score which was supposed to identify laryngopharyngeal reflux disease (LPRD) patients from the normal population by Dx-pH monitoring, comparing with Ryan score.MethodsOne hundred and eight patients with suspected LPRD and complete follow-up results after more than 8 weeks of anti-reflux therapy were enrolled from the Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Gastroenterology and Respiratory Medicine of seven hospitals. Their Dx-pH monitoring data before treatment were reanalyzed to obtain the W score besides Ryan score and then the diagnostic sensitivity and specificity were compared according to the result of anti-reflux therapy.ResultsEighty-seven (80.6%) cases were anti-reflux therapy effective, and 21 patients (19.4%) were ineffective. Twenty-seven patients (25.0%) had a positive Ryan score. The W score was positive in 79 (73.1%) patients. There were 52 patients who had a negative Ryan score, but a positive W score. The diagnostic sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of the Ryan score were 28.7%, 90.5%, 92.6% and 23.5%, respectively (kappa = 0.092, p = 0.068), whereas those of the W score for LPRD were 83.9%, 71.4%, 92.4% and 51.7%, respectively (kappa = 0.484, p < 0.001).ConclusionsW score is much more sensitive for the diagnosis of LPRD. Prospective studies with larger patient populations are necessary to validate and improve the new diagnostic criteria.Trial RegistrationChinese Clinical Trial Registry: ChiCTR1800014931.
Development and Validation of a Between Primary PLA2R-Negative Membranous Nephropathy and Minimal Change Disease Confirmed by Renal Biopsy
Authors: Wu Feng , Zhang Yiding , Cui Wen , Dong Yijun , Geng Yingyang , Liu Changhao , Li Zemeng , Xie Yandong , Cai Xiaojing , Shang Jin , Xiao Jing , Zhao Zhanzheng
Published: April 2021

Background: Membranous nephropathy (MN) and minimal change disease (MCD) are two common causes leading to nephrotic syndrome (NS). They have similar clinical feature but different treatment strategy and prognosis. M-type phospholipase A2 receptor (PLA2R) is considered as a specific marker of membranous nephropathy. However, its sensitivity is only about 70%. Therefore, there is a lack of effective and noninvasive tools to distinguish PLA2R-negative MN and MCD patients without renal biopsy. We aim to develop a discrimination model using noninvasive parameters for distinguishing the two diseases and support immediate treatment before result of renal biopsy.Methods: A total 949 patients who were pathologically diagnosed as idiopathic MN or primary MCD in the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from January 2017 to August 2019 were enrolled in this study, including 805 idiopathic MN (605 PLAR2-positive MN and 200 PLA2R-negative MN) and 144 primary MCD. Based on the basic information and laboratory examination of 200 PLA2R-negative MN and 144 MCD, we used a univariate and multivariate logistic regression to select the relevant variables and develop the discrimination model. ROC curve and calibration curve were used to evaluate the diagnostic ability and calibration ability of the model. The decision curve was used to calculate the net benefit. We also test the effectiveness of our model in all 949 patients.Results: A novel model that included age, albumin, urea, high density lipoprotein, urea and red blood cell count was established for PLA2R-negative MN and MCD. The discrimination model has excellent differential capability (an AUC of 0.889 in training group and an AUC of 0.920 in test group) and calibration capability. When testing in all 949 patients, our model also showed good discrimination ability for all idiopathic MN and MCD.Conclusion: We constructed a discrimination model with high diagnostic effectiveness for PLA2R-negative MN and MCD. The model could also be used for all idiopathic MN and MCD patients.
In Vitro Antibacterial Activity of Different Honey Samples Against Clinical Isolates
Authors: Wadi Mahasin Ahmed
Published: April 2021

BackgroundThe emergence of multi–drug resistant organisms has created a lot of clinicalproblems. Hence there is a need to find natural alternative treatment to counter the multi–drug resistant organisms. Honey has a well-established usage as wound dressing in ancient and traditional medicine. The aim of this work is to establish a base-line of the antibacterial activity of 32 natural and commercial various honey samples against 8 clinical isolates.MethodsThirty two honey samples (raw and commercial honey) collected from different countries with different floral origin were tested in vitro for antibacterial activity against 8 clinical isolates collected from patients, at private Hospital from Sudan, using disk diffusion technique. The following 6 Epsilometer test (E Test), Amoxicillin, Augamentin, Ceftaxime, Chloramphenicol, Gentamicin and tetracycline were used against 8 clinical isolates for Minimum Inhibitory Concentration.ResultsThe following 8 clinical isolates were identified by conventional bacteriological methods; Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aerouginosa, Proteus.vulgaris, Salmonella typhi, Shigella sonnei and Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Honey has been shown to have antibacterial properties against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. The tested organisms showed low sensitivity to antibiotics E test.ConclusionMost of the bacterial species studied were uniformly receptive to all the tested honey. In contrast The tested organisms showed low sensitivity to antibiotics with low MIC.
Study of Dementia Severity Prognosis in Mr Images Using Grey Wolf Optimization Based Dual Deep Learning Technique
Authors: priynaka Ahana , Ganesan Kavitha
Published: April 2021

Prognosis of in a dementia disorder is a tedious task in preclinical stage. Ventricle pathology changes in dementia appear to be overlapped for neuro degeneration in brain. Identification of these overlaps among the groups severity helps to understand the pathogenesis of this disorder. In this work impact of changes in ventricle region on severity stages of dementia is observed using dual deep learning techniques (DDLT). Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI) database that contains 1169 MR images are used in this study. Segmentation of ventricle region is carried out using multilevel threshold based Grey Wolf Optimization (GWO) technique. The feature vectors obtained from combined AlexNet and ResNet are analysed. The fused feature vectors are given to support vector machine (SVM) to observe the severity changes. Consequently, symmetry analysis of ventricle is carried out to perceive the distinctive changes in progression. The obtained results show that ventricle region is accurately delineated from other region with optimized thresholds. The segmented ventricle shows better correlation for all considered classes (> 0.9). It is observed that DDLT with multiclass SVM provides an improved accuracy of about 79.87% compared to individual transfer learning such as AlexNet (74%) and ResNet (76.53%). Further, symmetry analysis shows that left side ventricle with DDLT features shows an improved performance than right side for onset stages. Further, clinical correlation of left ventricle seems to be statically significant (p<0.0001) which prominently differentiate dementia severity variations. This framework is more prominent and clinically useful to identify the distinct ventricle region variation in dementia.
Effect of Different Infill Types and Welding Separation on the Cyclic Behavior of Steel Shear Walls
Authors: Shallan Osman , Maaly Hassan M. , Elgiar Mohammed M. , Elsisi Alaa El-Din
Published: April 2021

Currently, the steel plate shear wall (SPSW) is commonly used in high-rise steel buildings as a lateral load resisting system. The SPSW consists of the boundary frame and infill plate. The objectives of this work are to study the effect of same weight different infill plate types, the effect of boundary frame characteristics, and the effect of infill plate weld separation on the seismic behavior of the SPSWs. A numerical method was proposed to have a comprehensive comparison of seismic behaviors of different types of SPSWs, having the same weight. The model was validated by using previously published numerical and experimental works. The study covers unstiffened (USPSW), stiffened (SSPSW), and corrugated steel plate shear wall (CSPSW). Similarly, the effect of boundary frame stiffness and welding separation characteristics between the plate and boundary frame will be studied, and key issues, such as load-carrying capacity, stiffness, and energy-dissipation capacity were discussed deeply. It was found that the SSPSW has better seismic behavior than USPSW and CSPSW. SSPSW has a higher load-carrying capacity than USPSW, and CSPSW by about 14, 24%, respectively. USPSW is more sensitive to the stiffness of the boundary frame than CSPSW. The plate welding separation has a greater impact on the initial stiffness than load-carrying capacity. When plate-column welding separation occurs, the initial stiffness, and the energy dissipation capacity reduces by about 21%, and 14%. Whereas, when the plate-beam separation occurs, the initial stiffness and energy dissipation capacity reduce by about 36%, and 20.5%.
Difference In The Topological Organization of White Matter Structural Connectome Between Methamphetamine and Heroin Use Disorder 
Authors: Li Wei , Wang Lei , Lyu Zhuomin , Chen Jiajie , Sun Yichen , Zhu Jia , Wang Wei , Wang Yarong , Li Qiang
Published: April 2021

Background: Both methamphetamine use disorder (MAUD) and heroin use disorder (HUD) were related to the activation of the dopamine transmission, while the psychological symptoms caused by HUD and MAUD were significantly different. The topological organization of structural connection that may underlie these differences remains unknown. Methods: Demographic matched 23 male MAUD patients, 20 HUD patients, and 21 healthy controls (HC) participated in the analysis. Diffusion tensor imaging and probabilistic tractography were used for white matter network construction. Psychological symptoms were evaluated by the Symptom Checklist-90. Differences of graph-level and nodal-level properties among groups were explored. The network Hubs distribution and the relationship between the network alteration and psychological status were identified. Results: MAUD patients demonstrated significantly increased scores in anxiety, hostility, and schizophrenia nuclear symptoms. HUD group showed significantly increased global efficiency and network strength than HC and increased network strength than MAUD. Compared with HUD, the MAUD group showed significantly decreased nodal strength and efficiency distributed mainly in the temporal, parietal and occipital regions. We also found the network Hubs were decreased in MAUD group but increased in HUD group. The nodal strength in right superior temporal gyrus was significantly correlated with the psychological scores in MAUD patients. Conclusion: These findings reflect the significant differences in topological structural connection between HUD and MAUD patients. These pieces of evidences help shed some light on the neurobiological mechanisms of the psychological difference between HUD and MAUD, and extend our understanding of the structural disruption underline the MAUD related psychological symptoms.
The Impact of New-onset Atrial Fibrillation on Short-term and Long-term Mortality of Critically ill Patients with Candidemia
Authors: xiao zengli , Wang Qi , Li Xuebin , An Youzhong
Published: April 2021

Background

Both new-onset atrial fibrillation (NOAF) and candidemia occurred frequently in critically ill patients, which are associated with poor outcomes. But, the association between NOAF and critically ill patients with candidemia is still uncertain. This study is try to identify the impact of NOAF on short-term and long-term mortality of critically ill patients with candidemia.
Methods

We retrospectively identified NOAF in all patients with candidemia admitted to a non-cardiac intensive care unit (ICU) from January 2011 to March 2018 in a teaching hospital. We categorized these patients into 3 groups (NOAF, Prior AF, No AF) and compared clinical information between groups. Risk factors for these patients’ short-term and long-term mortality were also analyzed.
Results

Ninety-two patients with candidemia were identified from 2011 to 2018. Among these patients, 26 (28.3%) developed NOAF during their hospital stay. The multivariable logistic regression analysis indicated that stroke, anemia, Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score and NOAF were independent risk factors for in-hospital mortality and NOAF was also the independent risk factor for 1 year mortality.
Conclusions

There was a high incidence of NOAF in critically ill patients with candidemia, which was associated with in-hospital mortality and 1 year mortality after hospital discharge. Further multicenter studies should be conducted to help confirm this relationship and to find effective interventions that reduce short-term and long-term mortality.
Experimental Investigation and modeling of hydrogen storage in graphene nanoplatelets incorporated silicon oxycarbide ceramics
Authors: Chauhan Pawan K , Vidhukiran Venkataraman , Parameshwaran Rajagopalan , Sujith Ravindran
Published: April 2021

The present work focuses on synthesizing graphene nanoplatelets (GNP) incorporated amorphous silicon oxycarbide ceramic (Si-O-C) for hydrogen adsorption. The changes in the structure of the ceramic upon addition of GNP has been studied using X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-Ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS), Raman Spectroscopy and Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy. A theoretical framework to quantify these changes is proposed in line with existing structural model. Hydrogen adsorption studies have been carried out at 100K and 2 bar using Sievert’s apparatus. Maximum gravimetric storage density (GD) of 0.16 wt.% was observed after adding 0.3 wt.% of GNP, in comparison to 0.35 wt.% for the non-GNP sample. Pores sized 2–5 nm were found to be critical for hydrogen adsorption. The study finds that GNP addition leads to an increase in the size of the silica nanodomains. This increase in nanodomain size results in increase in the pore sizes of the existing mesopores, thereby reducing the overall hydrogen uptake. Further, the addition of GNP beyond 3 wt.% is found to increase the coordination of mixed bonds (Si-O-C) in the interface which results in agglomeration and subsequent loss of porosity in the composite.
Various Thermal Coefficients İnvestigation of 3C-Sic Nanoparticles at the Different Heating Rates
Authors: Huseynov Elchin , Naghiyev Tural G.
Published: April 2021

Several thermal parameters were analyzed for nanocrystalline silicon carbide (3C-SiC) particles at the performed depending on the thermal processing rate. The hydroxyl groups on the surface of nanocrystalline 3C-SiC particles have been investigated as a function of temperature and heating rate. Specific heat capacity and Gibbs energy of silicon carbide nanoparticles have been determined in the temperature range of 300 ÷ 1270K at the various heating rates. The enthalpy and the entropy were calculated at different thermal processing rates (theoretical calculations are confirmed based on experimental results). Experminetal results obtained for all thermophysical parameters were comparatively studied at different thermal processing rates.PACS: 61.46.+w, 65.80.+n, 67.80.Gb
An In Vitro Nerve Agent Brain Poisoning Transwell Model for Convenient and Accurate Antidote and Nanomedicine Evaluation
Authors: Li Yao , Huang Jingyi , Xing Huanchun , Zhang Zinan , Sui Xin , Luo Yuan , Wang Yongan , Yang Jun
Published: April 2021

Background: Nerve agents (NAs) can irreversibly inhibit acetylcholinesterase (AChE). An effective NA antidote should permeate the blood–brain barrier (BBB) to reactivate the inhibited AChE in brain. There is an urgent requirement for the large-scale evaluation and screening of antidotes. Existing methods for evaluating reactivators in vitro can only examine the reactivation effect of drugs and not brain-target properties. The current Transwell BBB model can only evaluate the drug penetration performance for crossing the barrier, but not the pharmacodynamics. Methods: Highly purified rat brain microvascular endothelial cells (RBMECs) from 2-week-old Sprague Dawley rats were inoculated into the upper chamber of Transwell plates to establish a BBB model. Three key parameters of AChE reactivation were determined by the Ellman method: the minimum detection limit of AChE, the effective dosage of NAs (70% enzyme inhibition rate), and the optimal dosage of reactivators. AChE and NAs were added to the lower pool of Transwell plates to simulate central poisoning, and antidotes of reactivators were added to the upper pool to simulate drug administration. The AChE activity of samples, collected from the lower pool, was measured. A liposomal nanomedicine loaded with the reactivator asoxime chloride (HI-6) was prepared using the extraction method and tested by the model.Results: The obtained RBMECs exhibited a typical monolayer “paving stone” morphology, and tight junctions were expressed among the RBMECs. The concentrations of AChE, sarin, and the reactivator were 0.07 mg/mL, 10–6 v/v, and 0.03 mg/mL, respectively. The reaction rate of the reactivators obtained from the model was significantly lower than that obtained from the non-model group. Furthermore, a nanomedicine loaded with HI-6 was synthesized. The final results and rules obtained from the model were in accordance with those evaluated in vivo. Conclusion: The therapeutic effect of antidotes can be rapidly and accurately evaluated using this model. In addition to small-molecule drugs, nanomedicines can also be evaluated by this method. A liposomal nanomedicine with a high reactivation rate against the nerve agent sarin was discovered.
Chronic choriocapillaris ischemia secondary to choroidal congestion in pachychoroid neovasculopathy
Authors: Matsumoto Hidetaka , Hoshino Junki , Mukai Ryo , Nakamura Kosuke , Kishi Shoji , Akiyama Hideo
Published: April 2021

We evaluated choroidal congestion using multimodal imaging in pachychoroid neovasculopathy (PNV). In a retrospective case series of 100 eyes of 99 treatment-naïve PNV patients, their clinical records were reviewed and the corresponding multimodal imaging studies were analyzed. We assessed areas of choriocapillaris filling delay which overlapped with dilated outer choroidal vessels, choroidal neovascularization (CNV), and retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) atrophy. The study subjects were 78 men (78.8%) and 21 women (21.2%). The mean patient age was 67.5 ± 10.5 years. On indocyanine green angiography, all eyes showed choriocapillaris filling delay in the early phase. Dilated outer choroidal vessels were demonstrated in all eyes by en face optical coherence tomography. The areas of choriocapillaris filling delay overlapped extensively with that of dilated outer choroidal vessels. All eyes showed CNV localized within the sites of choriocapillaris filling delay. RPE atrophy was noted in 71 eyes (71.0%), and 68 of these (95.8%) had RPE atrophy within the areas showing choriocapillaris filling delay. These findings indicate chronic choriocapillaris ischemia secondary to vortex vein congestion may lead to CNV development as well as RPE atrophy in eyes with PNV.
Maternal age and maternal environment affect stress reactivity and measures of social behaviour in laying hens
Authors: Peixoto Mariana R. L. V. , Cooley Leanne , Widowski Tina M.
Published: April 2021

Maternal effects can shape the phenotypes of offspring, but the extent to which a layer breeder’s experience can affect commercial laying hens remains unclear. We aimed to investigate the effects of maternal age and maternal environment on laying hens' behaviour and stress response. In our first experiment (E1), commercial hybrid hens were reared either in aviary or barren brooding cages, then housed in aviary, conventional cages or furnished (enriched) cages, thus forming different maternal housing treatments. Hens from each treatment were inseminated at three ages, and measures of response to manual restraint and social stress were assessed in offspring. In experiment 2 (E2), maternal age effects on offspring's stress response were further investigated using fertile eggs from commercial breeder flocks at three ages. In E1, maternal age affected struggling and corticosterone during manual restraint, feather pecking and pulling and comb wounds. Additionally, maternal rearing and housing in aviary systems showed positive effects on measures of behaviour and stress response in offspring. Effects of maternal age were not replicated in E2, possibly due to methodological differences or higher tolerance to maternal effects in commercial breeders. Overall, we recommend researchers start reporting parent stock's age to increase our understanding of the subject.
What do deep saliency models learn about where we look in scenes?
Authors: Hayes Taylor R. , Henderson John M.
Published: April 2021

Deep saliency models represent the current state-of-the-art for predicting where humans look in real-world scenes. However, for deep saliency models to inform cognitive theories of attention, we need to know how deep saliency models predict where people look. Here we open the black box of deep saliency models using an approach that models the association between the output of 3 prominent deep saliency models (MSI-Net, DeepGaze II, and SAM-ResNet) and low-, mid-, and high-level scene features. Specifically, we measured the association between each deep saliency model and low-level image saliency, mid-level contour symmetry and junctions, and high-level meaning by applying a mixed effects modeling approach to a large eye movement dataset. We found that despite different architectures, training regimens, and loss functions, all three deep saliency models were most strongly associated with high-level meaning. These findings suggest that deep saliency models are primarily learning image features associated with scene meaning.
A bias-corrected CMIP6 global dataset for dynamical downscaling of future climate, 1979–2100
Authors: Xu Zhongfeng , Han Ying , Tam Chi-Yung , Yang Zong-Liang , Fu Congbin
Published: April 2021

Dynamical downscaling is an important approach to obtaining fine-scale weather and climate information. However, dynamical downscaling simulations are often degraded by biases in the large-scale forcing itself. Here, we construct a set of bias-corrected global dataset based on 18 models from the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 6 (CMIP6) and European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts Reanalysis 5 (ERA5). The bias-corrected data have an ERA5-based mean climate and interannual variance, but with a nonlinear trend from the mean of 18 CMIP6 models. The dataset spans the historical period of 1979–2014 and future scenarios (SSP245 and SSP585) of 2015–2100 with a horizontal resolution of 1.25° × 1.25° and 6-hourly intervals. Our evaluation suggests that the bias-corrected data shows clearly better quality than individual CMIP6 models evaluated in terms of climatological mean, interannual variance and extreme events. The presented dataset will be useful for the dynamical downscaling projections of future climate, atmospheric environment, hydrology, agriculture, wind power, etc.
Problems of the road industry (on the example of the Perm Region)
Authors:   JSC AKIB Pochtobank, Rozhkov Evgeniy V.
Published: April 2021

The article aims to identify problems in the road industry of the Perm Region in order to find optimal solutions. The methods of descriptive, inductive and institutional analysis were applied. Regulatory and legal acts, as well as the activities and responsibilities of state bodies in the field of road building and maintenance were studied. The share of citizens who noted an improvement in the state of roads in the Perm Region in 2019 was 21.2%. Nevertheless, more new roads should be built and the existing roads should be maintained according to regulatory requirements. To this end, the quality of asphalt concrete materials and placement operations should be monitored. It is hoped that future regulatory documents will forbid installation of heating pipelines under public roads in cities. In order to make informed decisions in the road industry in the region, the number of mobile laboratories, diagnostic and laser scanning complexes should be increased. Since the financing for the improvement and development of the road network in the Perm Region in 2019 was fulfilled only by 90.37%, it is necessary to strengthen control over the timely payment of completed contracts. The research findings can be used by authorities in the development of regional socio-economic strategies.
Validation of the load-bearing capacity of the frame assembly of metal structures on the standard 2.440 series using IDEA StatiCa
Authors:   Irkutsk National Research Technical University, Melnikov Denis A. , Dmitrieva Tatyana L. ,   Irkutsk National Research Technical University
Published: April 2021

The paper aims to study the actual operation of a rigid frame unit for coupling a crossbar with a column on high-strength bolts according to the standard 2.440-2 series using modern software systems of the component finite element method. Special attention was paid to the operation of nodal elements, as well as their stress-strain state. Based on the results of static calculations, the cross-sections of the elements under consideration, as well as the components of the node (plates, bolts, seams, etc.) were selected from the tables of the standard series. Subsequently, using the component finite element method serving as the basis of the IDEA StatiСa software, all the components of the node were mod-elled with respect to acting forces. The conducted calculations confirmed the suitability of the obtained node model for identifying inconsistencies in the series and modern standards. Using stresses on plates, bolt and welding forces, as well as several forms of vibration to assess the stability of compo-nents, the applicability of the node in question in the proposed configuration was evaluated. It turned out that the node failed to meet modern standards in terms of design conditions. Moreover, the serial bolts were overloaded by almost 38%, and some welds approached the limit state. When used in real conditions, this can lead to serious losses, including human lives. Recommendations are given for changing the specific configuration of the node in order to protect it from the destruction of any nature, including local buckling failure.
Analysis of the current state of multi-storey residential areas in the city of Dushanbe
Authors:   Bratsk State University, Peretolchina Lyudmila V. , Glebushkina Lyudmila V. ,   Tyumen Industrial University
Published: April 2021

The aim is to identify the parameters of inter-highway micro-district areas having a significant impact on the quality of the urban environment. A classification of the inter-highway areas of existing multi-storey building systems in Dushanbe was proposed according to the following urban development indicators: absolute (micro-district area, building area, total area of the housing stock, area of all floors of buildings and structures, population); relative (population density, housing stock density); specific (land-to-building ratio, building development density factor). The classification covering 36 micro-districts of the central area of the Dushanbe agglomeration was developed using the method of hierarchical clustering implemented in the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences software. A dendrogram constructed using the method of intra-group connections showed that the existing development of Dushanbe features both problematic and problem-free inter-highway areas. Prob-lematic inter-highway areas are those micro-districts where the density of population and housing stock are overestimated in comparison with their values specified by the regulatory framework 1958–89 adopted across the entire USSR. Problem-free inter-highway areas are those micro-districts where the urban development indicators meet the regulatory requirements of both previous and mod-ern periods. The proposed classification of inter-highway areas in Dushanbe can be used as a con-ceptual and methodological basis for planning new housing construction in the sites under recon-struction and vacant sites.
Radiological consequences and lessons of the Chernobyl NPP and «Fukushima-1» NPP radiation accidents
Authors: Onischenko G. G. , Popova A. Yu. , Romanovich I. K.
Published: April 2021

35 years have passed since the Chernobyl NPP accident, 10 years – since the «Fukushima-1» NPP accident. At the present time extensive activities on the remediation of the consequences of two major large-scale radiation disasters are performed in the Belorussia, Russian Federation, Ukraine, and Japan. Releases of radiologically significant radionuclides after the Chernobyl NPP accident correspond to 14 exaBecquerel – higher up to an order of magnitude compared to 3 emergence power units of the «Fukushima-1» NPP. The significantly lower release rate and deposition of 80% of the radionuclides released into the atmosphere on the surface of the Pacific Ocean lead to lower up to several orders of magnitude radioactive contamination of the Japanese territory compared to the territories of the former USSR and neighboring countries after the Chernobyl NPP accident. Collective dose to the public due to the Chernobyl NPP accident is higher up to several orders of magnitude compared to the dose to the Japanese population after the «Fukushima-1» accident. No statistically reliable long-term medical consequences are expected for all groups of the Japanese public, additionally exposed due to «Fukushima-1» accident. 134 emergency workers have developed acute radiation sickness due to the Chernobyl NPP accident. Emergency workers with doses higher than 150 mSv had increased radiation-induced morbidity with leukemia and solid cancers. Among the individuals, that were kids or adolescents in the exposure period after the Chernobyl NPP accident and residing on the territories of Belorussia, Ukraine and four most radioactively contaminated regions of the Russian Federation, morbidity with thyroid cancer is increase by a factor of 10 compared to the pre-accidental levels. The following lessons of the Chernobyl NPP and «Fukushima-1» NPP can be derived: faults in the NPP design and lack of response after the recognition of the faults; lack of timely full-scale prophylactic with iodine; unjustified resettlement of the residents of the radioactively contaminated territories several years after the accident.
The Visual ‘Masculinization’ of Moroccan EFL Textbooks: A Social Semiotic Analysis
Authors: Benattabou Driss
Published: April 2021

The aim of this paper is to examine and assess the portrayal of women and men in the visual contents of Moroccan English as Foreign Language (MEFL, henceforth) textbooks from a social semiotic perspective. Central to the analysis here is Goffman’s (1979) theoretical model of gender display recently heralded as a more powerful technique to unfold the semiotic positioning of women and men in visual images. The analysis of a corpus of photographic data has helped unveil an array of social and cultural misconceptions in discrimination of women. Female characters continue to be linked with submissiveness, absent-mindedness, and socio-psychological vulnerability. They are further presented associated with menial activities, low-status jobs, and oftentimes being positioned in the backstage behind men. The paper ends up presenting the conclusion along with some implications.