bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Durability, Functionality and Acceptability of Novel Screened Doors and Windows After Four Years of Use in A Gambian Village: A Cross-Sectional Survey
Authors: Shenton Fiona C. , Jawara Musa , Carrasco-Tenezaca Majo , Knudsen Jakob , D'Alessandro Umberto , Lindsay Steve W.
Published: December 2021

Background: The World Health Organization recommends house screening as a tool for malaria control, yet evidence of the long-term durability, functionality and acceptability of this intervention is lacking. Here we examined the sustainability and use of novel types of screened doors and windows four years after installation in a Gambian village. Methods: A survey of 31 houses, each with two screened doors and two screened windows, was conducted in the rainy season. There were four types of screened door and two types of screened window. Trained staff carried out the survey and interviews of room owners were conducted in the local language before translation into English.Results: Structurally, the manufactured doors and windows were highly durable and in excellent condition. Most doors shut smoothly 50/61 (82%), although only 25/61 (41%) shut fully automatically with the latch slotting into the hole on the frame and holding fast. Door locks were less robust, with only (24/61) 39% present and working. Blinds proved especially flimsy, with only 4/109 (4%) of door blinds and 10/56 (18%) of window blinds present and in working order. Householders hung curtains inside most doors 50/61 (82%) and in 26/61 (43%) of the windows. Front doors were commonly found propped open 21/31 (68%) and 23/27 (85%) of those with a front door curtain, put their curtains down at night. Doors and windows were well liked, 19/31 (61%) of respondents were happy with them because they kept mosquitoes out 14/31 (45%) and provided security 12/31 (39%). The main reason given for the use of curtains was to provide privacy 26/28 (93% of those with curtains), especially while the door was open or had ‘see-through’ panels.Conclusions: Overall, the screened doors and windows were in excellent condition after four years of use. Improvements to the lock design are needed before scale-up. Installation of screening in buildings should be accompanied with health messaging recommending that at night, doors and windows be closed and curtains lifted or drawn to one side - to improve ventilation and keep the house cool.
Controlled Kinetics of On-Surface Dehydrogenation using a Low-Energy Electron Beam
Authors: Makoveev Anton , Procházka Pavel , Shahsavar Azin , Kormoš Lukáš , Krajňák Tomáš , Stará Veronika , Čechal Jan
Published: December 2021

Self-assembly and on-surface synthesis are vital strategies used for fabricating surface-confined 1D or 2D supramolecular nanoarchitectures with atomic precision. In many systems, the resulting structure is determined by kinetics of processes involved, i.e., reaction rate, on-surface diffusion, nucleation, and growth, all of which are typically governed by temperature. However, other external factors have been only scarcely harnessed to control the on-surface chemical reaction kinetics and self-assembly. Here, we show that a low-energy electron beam can be used to steer chemical reaction kinetics and induce the growth of molecular phases unattainable by thermal annealing. The electron beam provides a well-controlled means of promoting the elementary reaction step, i.e., deprotonation of carboxyl groups. The reaction rate linearly increases with increasing electron beam energy beyond the threshold energy of 6 eV. Our results offer the novel prospect of controlling the self-assembly, enhancing the rate of reaction steps selectively, and thus altering the kinetic rate hierarchy.
Status of Trace Minerals And Colostral Immunoglobulin’s In Periparturient Goats And Its Significance On Morbidity And Mortality of Goat Kids In Semi-Arid Zone of Northern Plains of India
Authors: Tripathi Arvind Kumar , Kumar Ashok , Panigrahi Padma Nibash , Srivast Ashish
Published: December 2021

The present study was designed to evaluate the variations of trace minerals status in blood at different stages of periparturient periods and colostrum and milk, colostrum immunoglobulin’s and morbidity and mortality were also evaluated in various recognized breeds of goats maintained at organized farms of CIRG in comparison to the non-descript goats maintained at farmers field flock. The results reveal that blood, colostrum and milk levels of zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), iron (Fe) manganese (Mn) and cobalt (Co) were found to be significantly lower at different stages of periparturient period in the Non-descript breed of goats of maintained at farmers field flock. The colostrum immunoglobulin’s (IgG, IgM and IgA) were also found to be lowest in the non-descript breed of goats than recognized breeds of goats. The morbidity and mortality were found to be highest in goat kids born of non-descript breed of goats during pre weaning period in comparison to the recognized breeds. It can be concluded that the lower level of trace minerals during periparturient period in non-descript goats of farmers field flocks might results in lower level of colostral immunoglobulin’s hence poor transfer of passive immunity in goat kids. Therefore, high morbidity and mortality of goat kids during pre weaning period than recognized breed of goats of the organized farms.
Vitamin D Deficiency is Associated With Elevated Blood Concentrations of Ethylene Oxide
Authors: Chen Mengli , Kong Xiangying , Lu Xinyi , Liao Shengen , Tang Xiaosu , Zhang Haifeng , Li Xinli
Published: December 2021

Ethylene oxide has been associated with increased oxidative stress and related disorders in recent studies, while vitamin D is a widely recognized antioxidant. Whether vitamin D deficiency is related to elevated blood concentrations of ethylene oxide is still unknown. We aimed to explore the relationship between vitamin D deficiency and blood concentrations of ethylene oxide in the general population. A total of 4125 adults who participated in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2013–2016 were analyzed. Participants were divided into 3 groups: vitamin D sufficiency (≥75.0 nmol/L), insufficiency (50–74.9 nmol/L), and deficiency (<50.0 nmol/L). Adjusted linear and restricted cubic spline regression models were performed to evaluate the associations between vitamin D levels and blood concentrations of ethylene oxide. Compared with participants with vitamin D sufficiency, the adjusted mean ethylene oxide level was approximately 0.08 and 0.23 log2-units higher in the presence of vitamin D insufficiency and vitamin D deficiency (P for trend <0.001). The adjusted percent difference with a 95% confidence interval in ethylene oxide per interquartile range increase in vitamin D was -1.13 (-1.68, -0.57). A restricted cubic spline model demonstrated that vitamin D levels are nonlinearly and inversely associated with blood concentrations of ethylene oxide (P for nonlinearity =0.021). Further research is warranted to understand how vitamin D may have a role in reducing blood concentrations of ethylene oxide.
Green Heterogeneous Base Catalyst from Ripe-Unripe Plantain Peels for the Transesterification of Waste Cooking Oil
Authors: Falowo Olayomi Abiodun , Oladipo Babatunde , Taiwo Abiola Ezekiel , Olaiya Tomiwa Ayomiposi , Oyekola Oluwaseun , Betiku Eriola
Published: December 2021

Economical feedstocks such as agricultural wastes, food wastes, and waste cooking oil were used for biodiesel production to expand their application. Thus, a solid base catalyst was synthesized from a mixture of ripe and unripe plantain peels at a calcination temperature of 500 oC for 4 h. The catalyst was characterized using Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), X-ray Diffraction (XRD) analysis, Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, Energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis, and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) method. The waste cooking oil (WCO) used in this study was first pretreated with 3% (v/v) of H2SO4 via esterification reaction due to its high acid value. The esterified WCO was converted to biodiesel via transesterification reaction, and the process was then modeled and optimized using Taguchi L9 orthogonal array design method considering reaction temperature, reaction time, catalyst amount, and methanol/WCO molar ratio as the input variables. Based on the results, the synthesized catalyst predominantly contained potassium phases with 45.16 wt.%. The morphology of the catalyst revealed a crystalline mesoporous nanocomposite. At the end of WCO esterification, the acidity of the oil decreased from 5 to 1 mg KOH/g. The optimal conditions established for the transesterification process were catalyst amount of 0.5 wt.%, methanol/WCO molar ratio of 6:1, reaction temperature of 45 oC, and reaction time of 45 min with a corresponding biodiesel yield of 97.96 wt.%. The quality of the biodiesel produced satisfied the specifications (ASTM D6751 and EN 14241) recommended for biodiesel fuels. Hence, a blend of ripe and unripe plantain peels could serve as an efficient heterogeneous base catalyst in producing biodiesel from WCO.
Toxicity Effects of Microplastics and Nanoplastics with Cadmium on the Alga Microcystis Aeruginosa
Authors: Wang Qiongjie , Wang Jinxiaoxue , Chen Huijuan , Zhang Yangyang
Published: December 2021

The objective of this paper is to present a thorough analysis of the toxicity of microplastics (MPs) and nanoplastics (NPs) with the heavy metal cadmium (Cd). These components were studied separately and combined to determine how these environmental toxins affect Microcystis aeruginosa (M. aeruginosa) in fresh water. The combined toxicity of MPs or NPs and Cd to M. aeruginosa showed an aggressive and negative effect after 96 h of exposure. Due to the higher adsorption ability of NPs, the accumulation of Cd inside cells with NPs was lower than that found inside the cells with MPs. But the difference in toxicity between the MPs and NPs was not significant. Meanwhile, the more produce of the extracellular polymeric substance (EPS) in the presence of NPs, the more complex effect of EPS bonded to heavy metals, which reduce the toxic effect on the algal cells. Notably, the production of microcystin-LR (MC-LR) under different treatments has demonstrated that the presence of combined MPs/NPs with Cd can potentially raise some of the toxin risks harming the aquatic environment. Our findings highlight the great potential ecological risks of the combined Cd and MPs/NPs in the aquatic system.
MTUS1 is Correlated with Immune Infiltration and Acts as a Promising Diagnostic and Prognostic Biomarker for Colorectal Cancer.
Authors: linyao cheng , Ru Hai-Ming , Zhong Hua-Ge , Huang Mao-sen , Mo Si-Si , Wei Chun-Yin , Su Zi-Jie , Mo Xian-Wei , Yan Lin-Hai H. , Tang Wei-Zhong Z.
Published: December 2021

Background：Colorectal cancer morbidity and mortality remain high, posing a serious threat to human life and health. Early diagnosis and prognostic evaluation are two major challenges addressed in clinical practice. MTUS1, is considered a tumor suppressor, plays important roles in inhibiting cell proliferation, migration and tumor growth. MTUS1 expression is decreased in a wide variety of human cancers, including CRC. However, the biological functions and molecular mechanisms of MTUS1 in CRC remain still ambiguous.Methods: In this study, the data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database was analyzed using R statistical software (version 3.6.3.) to elucidate the diagnostic and prognostic value of MTUS1. In addition, we detected MTUS1 expression in colorectal tumor tissue and adjacent normal tissue using the GEO, TIMER and ONCOMINE and investigated the relationship between MTUS1 expression and clinicopathological characteristics. The correlation between MTUS1 expression and immune infiltrating level was identified via TIMER and GEPIA database. Furthermore, we constructed and analyzed PPI network and co-expression modules of MTUS1 to explore molecular functions and mechanisms. Results: The CRC tissues exhibited higher MTUS1 mRNA expression levels than the normal tissues. The logistic regression analysis suggested that MTUS1 mRNA expression was associated with N stage, TNM stage, and neoplasm type. Patients with CRC exhibiting low MTUS1 mRNA expression were correlated with poor overall survival (OS). The multivariate analysis revealed that down-regulate expression of MTUS1 was an independent prognostic factor and was correlated with poor OS in patients with CRC. MTUS1 expression had a good diagnostic value based on ROC analysis. A group of potential MTSU1 interacting proteins and co-expressed genes was identified. GO and KEGG analyses showed that MTUS1 was involved in multiple cancer-related signaling pathways. Most importantly, MTUS1 expression was significantly related to the degree of multiple immune-cell infiltration. Moreover, MTUS1 expression strongly correlated with a variety of immune marker sets.Conclusions: Our results suggested that MTUS1 may serves a promising biomarker for predicting diagnosis and prognosis of CRC patients and is expected to become a new molecular target for tumor immunotherapy.
Metformin Inhibits the Development and Metastasis of Colorectal Cancer
Authors: Sugiura Kiyoaki , Okabayashi Koji , Seishima Ryo , Ishida Takashi , Shigeta Kohei , Tsuruta Masashi , Hasegawa Hirotoshi , Kitagawa Yuko
Published: December 2021

BackgroundMetformin is a commonly used drug for the treatment of diabetes. Accumulating evidence suggests that it exerts anti-cancer effects in many cancers, including colorectal cancer. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms of colorectal cancer metastasis remain unclear.MethodsColorectal cancer cell lines were treated with metformin, and cell proliferation, invasion, and migration were analyzed in vitro. The relationship between metformin and the AMPK–mTOR axis was assessed by western blot analysis and transfection with small interfering RNA. A colorectal cancer xenograft mouse model was used to observe the effects of metformin on liver metastasis. Immunohistochemical analysis was performed on liver metastatic tumors.ResultsIn in vitro experiments, metformin significantly inhibited the proliferation, migration, and invasion only in HCT116 and SW837 cells, but not in HCT8 and Lovo cells. Only in HCT116 and SW837, a change in AMPK–mTOR expression was observed in a dose-dependent manner. In colorectal cancer xenograft mice, the liver metastatic rate (10% vs. 50%, p = 0.05) and the number of liver metastatic nodules (0.1/body vs. 1.2/body, p = 0.04) were significantly lower in the metformin group. Tumor proliferation and EMT were decreased and apoptosis was promoted only in metastatic liver tumors of mice treated with metformin.ConclusionThe molecular mechanism of the anti-cancer effects of metformin involves repression of mTOR pathways via AMPK activation. Moreover, the differences in metformin sensitivity depend on the response of the AMPK–mTOR pathway to metformin. Our study provides a theoretical basis for the anti-metastatic treatment of colorectal cancer using metformin.
Age dependent changes in circulating Tfh cells influence the development of functional antibodies to malaria in children.
Authors: Chan Jo-Anne , Loughland Jessica , Parte Lauren de la , Okano Satomi , Ssewanyana Isaac , Nalubega Mayimuna , Nankya Felistas , Musinguzi Kenneth , Rek John , Arinaitwe Emmanuel , Tipping Peta , Bourke Peter , Andrew Dean , Dooley Nicholas , SheelaNair Arya , Wines Bruce , Hogarth P. Mark , Beeson James , Greenhouse Bryan , Dorsey Grant , Kamya Moses , Hartel Gunter , Minigo Gabriela , Feeney Margaret , Jagannathan Prasanna , Boyle Michelle
Published: December 2021

T-follicular helper (Tfh) cells are key drivers of antibodies that protect from malaria. However, little is known regarding the host and parasite factors that influence Tfh and functional antibody development. Here, we use samples from a large cross-sectional study of children residing in an area of high malaria transmission in Uganda to characterize Tfh cells and functional antibodies to multiple parasites stages. We identify a dramatic re-distribution of the Tfh cell compartment with age that is independent of malaria exposure, with Th2-Tfh cells predominating in early childhood, while Th1-Tfh cell gradually increase to adult levels over the first decade of life. Functional antibody acquisition is age-dependent and hierarchical acquired based on parasite stage, with merozoite responses followed by sporozoite and gametocyte antibodies. Antibodies were boosted in children with current infection, and were higher in females. The children with the very highest antibody levels had increased Tfh cell activation and proliferation, consistent with a key role of Tfh cells in antibody development. Together, these data reveal a complex relationship between the circulating Tfh compartment, antibody development and protection from malaria.
Cross-ancestry meta-analysis of opioid use disorder uncovers novel loci with predominant effects on brain
Authors: Kember Rachel , Vickers-Smith Rachel , Xu Heng , Toikumo Sylvanus , Niarchou Maria , Zhou Hang , Hartwell Emily , Crist Rick , Rentsch Christopher , Davis Lea , Justice Amy , Sanchez-Roige Sandra , Kampman Kyle , Gelernter Joel , Kranzler Henry
Published: December 2021

Despite an estimated twin heritability of ~50%, genome-wide association studies (GWAS) of opioid use disorder (OUD) have revealed few genome-wide significant (GWS) loci, with replicated findings only in European-ancestry individuals. To identify novel loci, including those in non-European ancestries, and improve our understanding of the biology of OUD, we conducted a cross-ancestry meta-analysis using the Million Veteran Program (MVP). OUD cases in MVP had at least 1 International Classification of Diseases (ICD)-9 or ICD-10 code for opioid abuse or dependence (N=31,473). Opioid-exposed controls (N=394,471) had one or more outpatient opioid prescription fills. We conducted GWAS for each major ancestral group in MVP: African Americans (AAs; N=88,498), European Americans (EAs; N=302,585), and Hispanic Americans (HAs; N=34,861), followed by a cross-ancestry meta-analysis. Ten loci were GWS in the cross-ancestry meta-analysis, 8 of them novel. In addition to the known coding variant rs1799971 in OPRM1, which was the lead SNP genome-wide (p=6.78x10−10), and a recently reported exonic variant in FURIN, we identified intronic variants in RABEPK, FBXW4, NCAM1, and KCNN1. Ancestry-specific analyses identified an additional novel locus for each of the 3 ancestry groups. A supplementary meta-analysis within EAs that included MVP and other samples identified a locus in TSNARE1, which was also GWS in the cross-ancestry meta-analysis of all datasets. Gene-based association analyses identified 1 gene in AAs (CHRM2) and 3 in EAs (OPRM1, DRD2, and FTO). Significant genetic correlations (rg’s) were identified for 127 traits, including positive correlations with schizophrenia, problematic alcohol use, and major depressive disorder. The most significantly enriched cell type group was the central nervous system with gene-expression enrichment identified in brain regions previously associated with substance use disorders. With a case sample 50% larger than that of the previous largest GWAS, we identified 14 loci for OUD, including 12 novel loci, some of which were ancestry specific. These findings increase our understanding of the biological pathways involved in OUD, which can inform preventive, diagnostic, and therapeutic efforts and thereby help to address the opioid epidemic.
Functional Identification of 9-cis-epoxycarotenoid Dioxygenase Genes in Double Dormant Plant-herbaceous Peony
Authors: Fei Riwen , Duan Siyang , Ge Jiayuan , Sun Tianyi , Sun Xiaomei
Published: December 2021

Seed dormancy and germination is a complex process, which is affected by external environmental conditions and internal factors independently or mutually. Phytohormones play an important regulatory role in this process. ABA was the main phytohormone affecting herbaceous peony seed dormancy release. However, the mechanism of ABA in the dormancy release of herbaceous peony needs to be further explored. Here, transcriptome data was screened from the perspective of ABA metabolism, and significantly differentially expressed PlNCED1 and PlNCED2 were obtained. We found that their expression trends were positively correlated with ABA content. Among them, PlNCED2 had a stronger regulatory effect on ABA content and was more sensitive to exogenous ABA. Overexpression and silencing of PlNCEDs in callus could affect the expression of PlCYP707As and the content of endogenous ABA. Through the observation of seed germination of Arabidopsis thaliana (A. thaliana), we found PlNCED1 and PlNCED2 promoted seed dormancy, and the promotion effect of PlNCED2 was more obvious. In general, PlNCED1 and PlNCED2 participated in the dormancy release of herbaceous peony seeds by regulating the accumulation of endogenous ABA. Our work can reveal the molecular mechanism and related theories of ABA involved in herbaceous peony seed dormancy release.
NSP4 as Adjuvant for Immunogenicity and Design of Effective Therapeutic HPV16 E6/E7/L1 DNA Vaccine in Tumoric and Healthy C57BL/6 Mice
Authors: Sadr-Momtaz Sahar , Aftabi Maryam , Behboudi Emad , Naderi Malihe , Hashemzadeh-Omran Anahita , Moradi Abdolvahab
Published: December 2021

Introduction: In humans, approximately 5% of all cancers are attributable to HPV infection. Prophylactic vaccines can inhibit viral migration and persistence. However, requirement to develop therapeutic treatments prevails. To achieve this goal, we designed a therapeutic HPV DNA vaccine encoding a construct of E6/E7/L1 and used NSP4 antigen as adjuvant to assess efficiency of this construct in generating antigen-specific antitumor immune responses.Material and Methods: Sixty female C57BL/6 mice (6–8 weeks old) were purchased from Institute Pasteur of Iran. 30 of them became cancerous, but 30 of them were healthy control. To amplify E6/E7/L1-pcDNA3, NSP4-pcDNA3, expression vector of DH5α and TC-1 cell line were used to generate a tumor. Mice were immunized with HPV DNA vaccine. Cell proliferation was assessed by MTT assay. Finally, we assessed cytokine responses (IL-2, IL-4, INF- γ), in the serum of mice spleen cells.Result: Mice receiving the NSP4/E6-E7-L1 vaccine had the highest stimulatory index compared to other groups but it was not significant. Interleukin 4/12 and INF-γ production were significantly higher in E6-E7-L1 / NSP4 group and E6-E7-L1 group compared to other groups (P <0.05). Among different groups, E6/E7/L1 + NSP4 group was able to slow down the tumor growth process, but it was not significant (p>0.05). Among the cytokines mentioned, IFN-γ and IL-12 are among the cytokines that stimulate the Th1 pathway and IL-4 cytokine stimulates the Th2 pathway and B lymphocytes.Conclusion: Our data suggest that present vaccine can stimulate innate and acquired immunity response, and can be a therapeutic vaccine in the tumoric mice.
Changes in the Activities of Protective Enzymes Induced by Mepiquat Chloride (DPC) in Cotton to Defend Against Aphids
Authors: Zhang Quancheng , Deng Xiaoxia , Wang Jungang
Published: December 2021

Background: Mepiquat chloride (DPC) enhances the resistance of cotton plants, and it is widely used as a growth regulator. DPC can stimulate photosynthesis, stabilize the structure of cotton leaves, and affect population reproduction and energy substances in cotton aphids, but interactions between DPC and cotton aphids remain unclear. In this study, we analyzed the physiological responses of cotton to DPC, and the toxicity of DPC toward cotton aphids, before and after feeding, to explore the DPC-induced defense mechanism against cotton aphids.Results: Measurements of protective enzyme activity in cotton showed that the soluble protein contents, peroxidase (POD) activity, and catalase (CAT) activity in cotton treated with different concentrations of DPC were higher than in the control. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity was higher than that of controls when the concentration of DPC was <0.1 g/L. Under aphid stress, POD activity of cotton treated with a low insect population density was significantly lower than that of controls, but the reverse was true for cotton treated with a high insect population density, and SOD activity was positively correlated with population density. The activities of detoxification enzymes in field and laboratory experiments showed that DPC promoted the specific activity of glutathione S-transferase (GST) in cotton aphids, while the specific activities of carboxylesterase and acetylcholinesterase were decreased.Conclusions: DPC enhanced the resistance of cotton by increasing the activity of protective enzymes. It also had a toxic effect on cotton aphids by increasing GST activity (the main DPC target) and lowering carboxylesterase and acetylcholinesterase activities. DPC increased the soluble protein content and SOD activity in cotton under aphid stress, and thereby enhanced tolerance to cotton aphids.
Occurrence of Diarrheal diseases among under-five children and associated socio-demographic and household environmental factors: An Investigation Based on National Family Health Survey-4 in Rural India
Authors: Saha Jay , Mondal Sabbir , Chouhan Pradip
Published: December 2021

Background: Diarrheal disease is a major population health problem that is the leading reason for mortality and morbidity among children aged 0-59 months in rural India. Therefore, the rationale of this study was to identify the socio-demographic, environmental predictors associated with diarrhea among under-five children in rural India.
Methods: A total of 188,521 living children (0-59 months) were utilized from the National Family Health Survey-4, 2015–2016. Bivariate and binary logistic regression analysis was carried out from the available NFHS-4 data for selected socio-demographic and environmental predictors to identify the relationship of occurrence of diarrhea using STATA 13.1.
Results: In rural India, children aged 12-23 months [AOR: 0.897, 95% CI (0.876, 0.983)], 24-35 months [AOR: 0.579, 95% CI (0.543, 0.617)], 36-47 months [AOR: 0.394, 95% CI (0.367, 0.424)], 48-59 months [AOR: 0.313, 95% CI (0.289, 0.339)] were significantly less likely to suffer diarrheal disease. Female children [AOR: 0.897, 95% CI (0.859, 0.937)], children belonged to Scheduled Tribe [AOR: 0.811, 95% CI (0.755, 0.872)], Other Backward Classes [AOR: 0.902, 95% CI (0.851, 0.956)] were less likelihood to experience diarrhea significantly. Diarrhea disease was also significantly more likely to occur among Muslim children [AOR: 1.217, 95% CI (1.128, 1.313)], other religion [AOR: 1.163, 95% CI (1.062, 1.272)] children in central region [AOR: 1.510, 95% CI (1.410, 1.617)], east region [AOR: 1.077, 95% CI (1.002, 1.157)], and west region [AOR: 1.201, 95% CI (1.095, 1.317)], children with low birth weight [AOR: 1.135, 95% CI (1.074, 1.149)], undernourished [AOR: 1.097, 95% CI (1.038, 1.197)], improper stool disposal [AOR: 1.061, 95% CI (1.002, 1.124)], and rudimentary roof materials [AOR: 1.113, 95% CI (1.048, 1.182)].
Conclusions: In the rural part of India, diarrhea has occurred frequently now. The different socio-demographic and environmental factors are influencing this disease. For reducing the vulnerability of diarrhea the socio-demographic and environmental factors should be improved or monitoring by effective community education. The government and different NGOs should focus on improved drinking water sources, sanitation facility which may reduce the vulnerability of the disease.
Demand Allocation and Profit Sharing to Improve Salt Farmer’s Revenue: A Cooperative Game Approach
Authors: Maflahah Iffan , Wirjodirdjo Budi Santoso , Karningsih Putu Dana
Published: December 2021

The main problem of the salt supply chain system is the oligopoly market structure dominated by middlemen which reduces the bargaining power of farmers. It has, however, been discovered that vertical collaboration (farmers to cooperatives) and horizontal collaboration (farmers to farmers) models have the ability to increase farmers' revenue. Therefore, this research was conducted to determine the effect of both horizontal and vertical collaboration models on the salt supply chain system with the expectation to increase farmers' revenue. This involved the application of the cooperative game theory with Shapley's value used as the basis for decision making. The result showed that the collaboration of stakeholders in the salt supply chain system has the ability to increase farmers' revenue, especially when they sell a maximum of 20% of their products through cooperatives and the rest through middlemen. This means the existence of farmers as cooperative members has a positive impact as observed in the revenue increment. Therefore, it is recommended that cooperatives improve their functions and roles as providers of savings and loans and market seekers, determine the appropriate prices for salt, and improve the quality of the products produced by their members. Moreover, a collaboration between farmers is mutually beneficial and this means efforts should be made to ensure cooperation, especially for small farmers.
RNA-Seq Analysis of Activated PBMC Treated With LMWF5A Predicts an Anti-Inflammatory Mode of Action and Similar Drug Targets to Dexamethasone
Authors: Frederick Elizabeth D. , Hausburg Melissa A. , Thomas Gregory W. , Bar-Or David
Published: December 2021

Background: The low molecular weight fraction of human serum albumin (LMWF5A) has immunomodulatory activity via its effects on multiple inflammatory mediators and is currently being evaluated for the treatment of hyperactive or persistent inflammatory conditions. To gain further insight into the mechanism of action (MOA) of LMWF5A, an investigation of its effects on activated immune cells was performed. Methods and Results: Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were treated with vehicle control or LMWF5A and stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS), LPS/interferon γ, or interleukin (IL)-4/IL-13, and RNAseq was performed to determine differentially expressed genes (DEGs) within each condition. Unbiased Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA) of DEGs revealed anti-inflammatory and pro-resolving activities for LMWF5A. Moreover, comparison to all IPA upstream regulators predicted that the LMWF5A MOA is opposite to pro-inflammatory regulators and significantly matches the activity of several anti-inflammatory molecules. These analyses identified the glucocorticoid dexamethasone (DEX) as the most significantly similar regulator to LMWF5A. To further explore similarities to DEX, LMWF5A DEGs were compared to two publicly available datasets of activated, DEX-treated PBMC. These comparisons showed continuity between predicted upstream regulators, affording further support to the hypothesis that LMWF5A acts in a manner like DEX. Nevertheless, not all LMWF5A-targeted DEGs showed directional regulation identical to DEX. Conclusions: This study further defines the MOA of LMWF5A and provides hypotheses for future investigations. Because of its predicted similar biological effects and known safety profile, LMWF5A could potentially be used to treat conditions that are supported for DEX with fewer or less harmful side effects.
Expression of Ethylene Biosynthetic Genes in the Gynoecium and Receptacle Associated With Sepal Abscission During Senescence in Delphinium Grandiflorum
Authors: Okamoto Mitsutoshi , Niki Tomoko , Azuma Mirai , Shibuya Kenichi , Ichimura Kazuo
Published: December 2021

Delphinium flowers are highly sensitive to ethylene and its sepals abscise during senescence, which is associated with increases in 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC) synthase (ACS) and ACC oxidase (ACO) activities and ethylene production in gynoecium and receptacle. Three ACS genes (DgACS1, DgACS2, and DgACS3) and three ACO genes (DgACO1, DgACO2, and DgACO3) were cloned from Delphinium grandiflorum cv. Super Grand Blue. To investigate the contribution of these genes to ethylene production, their expression was analyzed in these genes in the gynoecium and receptacle during natural senescence and following ethylene exposure and pollination. Ethylene production in the gynoecium and receptacle increased during natural flower senescence. The transcript levels of the ACS and ACO genes in these organs, excluding DgACS2 in the receptacle, increased during senescence. Exposure to ethylene accelerated sepal abscission and more strongly increased ethylene production in the receptacle than in the gynoecium. DgACS1 transcript levels in the gynoecium and DgACS2 and DgACO3 transcript levels in the receptacle were increased by ethylene exposure. Pollination accelerated sepal abscission and increased ethylene production in the gynoecium and receptacle. Pollination slightly affected ACS and ACO transcript levels in the gynoecium, whereas DgACO3 transcript level in the receptacle were markedly increased. These results reveal that ACS and ACO gene expression is differently regulated in the gynoecium and receptacle, and some of these genes are more strongly upregulated by ethylene exposure and pollination in the receptacle than in the gynoecium, suggesting the significance of the receptacle to sepal abscission.
Key Gene Network Related to Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia in Hippocampus of Patients with Alzheimer’S Disease Revealed by Weighted Gene Co-Expression Network Analysis
Authors: Xia Pengcheng , Chen Jing , Bai Xiaohui , Li Ming , Wang Le , Lu Zhiming
Published: December 2021

Background. Alzheimer's disease (AD) is closely related to aging, showing an increasing incidence rate for years. As one of the main organs involved in AD, hippocampus has been extensively studied due to its association with many human diseases. However, little knowledge is known on its association with primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD). Material and Methods. The microarray data of hippocampus on AD were retrieved from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database to construct the co-expression network by weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA). The gene network modules associated with AD screened with the common genes were further annotated based on Gene Ontology (GO) database and enriched based on the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) database. The protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed based on STRING database to identify the hub genes in the network. Results. Genes involved in PCD were identified in the hippocampus of AD patients. Functional analysis revealed that these genes were mainly enriched in ciliary tissue, ciliary assembly, axoneme assembly, ciliary movement, microtubule based process, microtubule based movement, organelle assembly, axoneme dynamin complex, cell projection tissue, and microtubule cytoskeleton tissue. A total of 20 central genes, e.g., DYNLRB2, ZMYND10, DRC1, DNAH5, WDR16, TTC25, and ARMC4 were identified as hub genes related to PCD in hippocampus of AD patients. Conclusion. Our study demonstrated that AD and PCD have shared metabolic pathways. These common pathways provide novel evidence for further investigation of the pathophysiological mechanism and the hub genes suggest new therapeutic targets for the diagnosis and treatment of AD and PCD. Subjects Bioinformatics, Cell Biology, Molecular Biology, Neurology
Green Synthesis of Iron Oxide Nanoparticle Using Coffee Seed Extract and Its Antibacterial Activity
Authors:   Department of Petrochemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Green Technology, Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman, Jalan Universiti, Bandar Barat, 31900 Kampar, Perak, Malaysia, Teoh Yi Peng , Ooi Zhong Xian ,   Department of Chemical Science, Faculty of Science, Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman, Jalan Universiti, Bandar Barat, 31900 Kampar, Perak, Malaysia,   Centre for Photonics and Advanced Materials Research, Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman, Jalan Universiti, Bandar Barat, 31900 Kampar, Perak, Malaysia, Leong Sim Siong ,   Department of Petrochemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Green Technology, Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman, Jalan Universiti, Bandar Barat, 31900 Kampar, Perak, Malaysia, Ng Pao Tyon ,   Faculty of Engineering Technology, Universiti Malaysia Perlis (UniMAP), P.O. Box 77, D/A Pejabat Pos Besar, 01000 Kangar, Perlis, Malaysia, Liu Wei Wen ,   Institute of Nano Electronic Engineering, Universiti Malaysia Perlis (UniMAP), P.O. Box 77, D/A Pejabat Pos Besar, 01000 Kangar, Perlis, Malaysia
Published: December 2021

The discovery of reliable and green processes for metal oxide nanoparticles synthesis is particularly crucial and exhibits huge potential in various applications. Thus, in this paper, a fast, single step and environmental-friendly method to synthesize iron oxide nanoparticles (Fe2O3-NPs) by bio-reduction of iron salts Fe2+ and Fe3+ under the presence of coffee seeds (CS) aqueous extract was demonstrated. The characteristics of the synthesised Fe2O3-NPs were investigated by using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) spectrophotometry techniques. The XRD result revealed that the Fe2O3-NPs produced display highly crystalline property with a cubic structure and the average size of the resulted particle is ranging from 23.2 nm to 37.5 nm. Additionally, the energy band gap (Eg) calculated also showed that maghemite (γ-Fe2O3) nanoparticles was successfully synthesised by using CS extract. The resulted nanoparticles are highly feasible in the inhibition of the growth of pathogenic microorganism.
ÖZEL ESASLARA İLİŞKİN UYGULAMA VE YARGI KARARLARI PERSPEKTİFİNDEN VERGİ HUKUKUNDA HUKUKA AYKIRI BİR İŞLEMDEN HUKUKA UYGUN BİR TARHİYAT ÇIKIP ÇIKMAYACAĞI SORUNU
Authors: TAYLAR Yıldırım
Published: December 2021

Özel esaslar, katma değer vergisi iadesinde yapılması muhtemel hukuka aykırılıkların önüne geçmek için getirilmiş bir uygulama olarak tasarlanmış ve yürürlüğe girmiştir. Uygulanan yüksek ve hatta ölçülü denilemeyecek cezalara rağmen sahte belge düzenleme ve kullanma fiillerinde bir azalma görülmemesi, bu fiillerle mücadele konusunda yeni arayışları hep gündemde tutmuştur. Özel esaslar, kendi içinde oluşturmuş olduğu bir sınıflandırma ile bu mücadeleye katkı sunmak amacında olsa da yasal dayanağı bulunmadığından temel hak ve özgürlükler bakımından sorunlu bir müessese haline gelmiştir. Yasal bir dayanağı olmamasına rağmen uygulanmasına devam edilen özel esaslar kapsamında mükelleflere ihtar yazıları gönderilmekte, gerekli düzeltmenin yapılmaması durumunda özel esaslar kapsamına alınacakları ihtar edilmektedir. Özel esaslar kapsamına girmek istemeyen ve ihtirazi kayıtla beyanname veren mükelleflerin açmış oldukları davalarda; hak arama özgürlüğü ve ispat yükü bakımından önemli sorunlar yaşanmaktadır. Çalışma, hukuka aykırı bir işlem olan özel esaslar ihtarı ile başlayan tarh, tahakkuk ve ceza kesme işlemlerinin hukuka uygun olduğu yönünde bir karar ile sonuçlanmasının mümkün olup olmadığı sorusuna, hukuk devleti ilkesi çerçevesinde bir cevap aramaktadır.
Violence against the person - criminal offenses against human dignity
Authors: Savinova Nataliia Andriivna
Published: December 2021

The article proves the need to determine human dignity as a generic object of violence against a person. The article describes the state of the description of criminal offenses against human dignity under the Criminal Code of 2001 (as of 2021). According to the author, the author considers the presence of violence against a person to be an act of "crime against dignity" in the actions of the group "crime against dignity".

The article proves the need to determine human dignity as a generic object of violence against a person. The article describes the state of the description of criminal offenses against human dignity under the Criminal Code of 2001 (as of 2021). According to the author, the author considers the presence of violence against a person to be an act of "crime against dignity" in the actions of the group "crime against dignity".

In the content of the article, the author argues that crimes against human dignity include: all forms of domestic violence, discrimination, bullying and stalking. Under these conditions, the main unprecedented objects of these acts is the dignity of man in its psychological sense. It is this dignity that suffers in the case of abusive actions against the individual.

The author, however, does not combine the understanding of mental safety and human dignity, because he considers these phenomena not identical. This approach is due to the understanding of the understanding of human dignity as a unity of components: self-assessment of their own qualities, abilities, worldview, their behavior and social significance.

The text of the article provides proposals for the prospects of correct inclusion of such acts in the draft Criminal Code in the process of developing Section 4.5. "Crimes against personal freedom and human dignity."
PERSONAL INFORMATION SECURITY: THEORETICAL AND METHODOLOGICAL ANALYSIS
Authors: Kvitkin Petro , Diatlova Iryna , Petrova Lyudmyla
Published: December 2021

The problem of personal information security in modern society is considered. The analysis of the regulatory and legal support of information security of society and the individual, conceptual approaches to the study of the essence and content of information security of the individual. The understanding of information security of a person as an integral quality of a person has been substantiated. The essence and content of personal information security has been determined.
REFLECTIONS ON DEMOCRACY AND BIOETHICS: NEW DEMOCRATIC AND BIOETHICAL FUNDAMENTALISM
Authors: Sepúlveda Estay Juan Guillermo , Lagomarsino Montoya Mario , Cabezas Cáceres Cabezas Cáceres Carolina
Published: December 2021

It is indubitable and irrefutable that democracy is the best government system that exists in the occidental world and that thanks to it, freedom of expression allows to even question it and put it on the justice balance. Similarly, bioethics born in the world of biological and health sciences, has transcended to the humanities and society has become aware that we live in a nonrenewable planet. However, we cannot overlook that both democracy and bioethics are not born from populus, but from an elite who dreams of a better world according to their dreams and not those of the vast majority of ordinary people.
ELECTORAL POLITICAL SCIENCE: FROM APPEARANCE TO AUTONOMIZATION
Authors: Polishchuk Ihor
Published: December 2021

The article considers the development of electoral political science as a new direction of Ukrainian political science. It is noted that in connection with the democratization of post-Soviet political regimes, there is an objective need to conduct electoral research, which should explain the peculiarities of voter behavior and the prospects for the use of electoral technologies. The origins of electoral research in American political science (P. Lazarsfeld, B. Berelson, G. Goda, E. Katz) and their perspectives in the context of possible autonomy in Ukrainian political science are shown. The contribution of specific foreign and domestic scientists to the development of electoral political science is highlighted. It is concluded that in Ukraine electoral political science as a scientific discourse emerged in the last decade of the twentieth century almost "from scratch" and is now formed as an autonomous branch of domestic political science.
Pamuk Çiğidi Küspesi ve Kırmızı Biber İşleme Atıklarından Biyoyakıt Amaçlı Pelet Elde Edilmesi
Authors: BAŞIBÜYÜK Ülkü Fidan , AYBEK Ali , ÜÇOK Serdar
Published: December 2021

Bu çalışmada, tekstil fabrikalarından alınan pamuk çiğidi küspesi (PÇK) ile biber fabrikalarından alınan kırmızı biber işleme atıklarından (KB) enerji üretim amaçlı pelet elde edilmesi amaçlanmıştır. Elde edilen peletlerin fiziksel ve kimyasal özellikleri ile beraber peletlerin mekanik özellikleri, ısıl ve yanma özellikleri belirlenmiştir. Materyaller partikül boyutuna getirilip farklı oranlarda 5 farklı karışım (%100 PÇK, %75 PÇK+%25 KB, %50 PÇK+%50 KB, %25 PÇK+%75 KB ve %100 KB) oluşturulmuştur. Karışımlar 6 kW motor gücüne sahip olan ve işleme kapasitesi 70-90 kg/h olan, dairesel sıralı delikli düz kalıplı laboratuvar tipi bir peletleme makinesi kullanılarak peletlenmiştir. Peletlerin kalitesi ile ilgili olarak pelet parça yoğunluğu 994,06-1177,51 kg/m3, dikey basma gerilme direnci 165,01-319,82 N, nem alma oranı %20,06-23,25 ve kırılma direnci %99,04-99,71 değerleri arasında bulunmuştur. Peletlerin diğer özellikleri ise kül içeriği %14,38-%19,99, nem içeriği %6,58-%9,59, sabit karbon oranı %13,57-%21,27, uçucu madde içeriği ise %54,74-%61,86, toplam azot oranı %3.80-%5.56, toplam karbon oranı %38,15-%41,71, üst ısıl değeri 13,01-%15,18 MJ/kg aralığında belirlenmiştir. %100 PÇK’den üretilen peletler; termogravimetrik analizler, nem alma oranı hesaplamaları ve dikey sıkıştırma analizi hesaplamaları neticesinde en iyi biyoyakıt olarak belirlenmiştir. Sonuç olarak kırmızı biber işleme atıkları ve pamuk çiğidi küspesinden enerji amaçlı pelet üretimi yapılabileceğini göstermiştir.
Aerodynamic Analysis of Onshore Commercial Large Scale Wind Turbine
Authors: İLHAN Akın , BİLGİLİ Mehmet , SARI Melih , ŞAHİN Beşir
Published: December 2021

In this study, the variations of yearly aerodynamic characteristics of horizontal axis wind turbines operating in an installed wind power plant (WPP) in detail was revealed by means of the blade element momentum theory and angular momentum theory. For this aim, five identical wind turbines of the three-bladed type having rated power of 2 MW located in an installed wind farm in Hatay province of Turkey were selected. According to the results obtained from horizontal axis wind turbines having rated power of Pr=2 MW, annual average turbine mechanical power output (P), power coefficient (CP), free-stream wind speed (U∞), and turbine rotor rotational speed (Ω) were obtained as 672.68 kW, 30.80%, 8.49 m/s and 12.81 rpm, respectively. Moreover, annual average axial flow induction factor (a), thrust coefficient (CT), thrust force (T) and blade tip speed ratio (λ) were calculated as 0.10, 0.34, 75.18 kN and 6.57, respectively.
Conservación de especies forestales tropicales: Dalbergia spp.
Authors: Domínguez-Liévano Alexis
Published: December 2021

Los bosques tropicales, desde un contexto general, son comunidades que se encuentran distribuidas en regiones dominadas por árboles y arbustos, con temporadas de seca y lluvias definidas (Bullock et al., 1995), espacios con buenos atributos visuales y, además, no en todas, pero en su mayoría, conservan una condición decidua de al menos una parte de la vegetación leñosa (40 al 100 %). La región tropical es considerada mundialmente como una de las formaciones más importantes por la diversidad de especies de flora y fauna que albergan (Murphy y Lugo, 1995), principio básico de la gestión forestal sostenible, tanto para la conservación como para el aprovechamiento. Por lo tanto, la variabilidad genética presente en estas regiones, es producto de la constante adaptación de las especies frente a factores bióticos y abióticos, que, en la mayoría de los casos, son extremos (Alía, 2003).
Breve vistazo al impacto del cambio climático en el bosque amazónico
Authors: Lavado Esteban Erick j. , Marcelle São Pedro Marcelle
Published: December 2021

En la Amazonia, la productividad de los bosques maduros está disminuyendo de la mano con un aumento en la mortalidad de los árboles (Hubau et al., 2020; Sullivan et al., 2020). Estas alteraciones en la dinámica del bosque pueden ocasionar grandes transformaciones tanto en su estructura como en su composición (Laurance et al., 2004; Bennett et al., 2015; Sande et al., 2016). Como resultado, el efecto mitigador de estos ecosistemas sobre los impactos del cambio climático, a través de la absorción del carbono atmosférico, puede verse seriamente afectado, llevando a retroalimentaciones (feedbacks) negativas para el clima tanto en una escala local como global (Cox et al., 2000).