bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Assessment of Financial Development on Environmental Degradation in KSA: How Technology Effect?
Authors: Aljadani Abdussalam
Published: May 2021

The main purpose of this research is to test the effect of financial development, real GDP, population, technology on dioxide carbon emissions as well the technology effect of financial development and environmental degradation in the Saudi Arabia (KSA) over the period 1970–2016 and the STIRPAT (Stochastic Impacts by Regression on Population, Affluence, and Technology) with an Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) model is used for the empirical inquest. These empirical findings by the Bounds cointegration tests show that the financial development and technology have a negative and significant impact on environmental degradation, firstly. Secondly, the technology effect of financial development (composite effect of technology and financial development) has an unfortunate effect on environmental mitigation. Finally, lower environmental mitigation is associated by a deepening in total population and affluence. Moreover, findings from the pairwise Granger causality test point that there is no causality running from both financial development and technology to the effect of technology among KSA. On the opposite, we looked at economic growth Granger, cause environmental quality. In addition, a unidirectional causality was seen running from environmental quality to financial development. The same, the relationship between affluence and financial development in KSA is unidirectional. Thus, various policy implications should be proposed to policymakers as enhancing the expansion of technology, especially in the industrial sector by incorporating renewable energy consumption to upgrade environmental quality.
Impulse Oscillometry May Be Useful in Evaluation of Bronchiectasis Severity and Prediction of Airway Reversibility.
Authors: Tan Cuiyan , Ma Donghai , Wang Kongqiu , Tu Changli , Chen Meizhu , Zheng Xiaobin , Liang Yingjian , Huang Yiying , Wang Zhenguo , Wu Jian , Huang Jin , Liu Jing
Published: May 2021

BackgroundImpulse oscillometry (IOS) can be used to evaluateairway impedance in patients with obstructive airway diseases. Previous studies have demonstrated that IOS parameters differ betweenbronchiectasis patients and healthy controls. This study aims to explore the usefulness of IOS in assessing disease severity and airway reversibility in bronchiectasis.MethodSeventy-four patients with non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis who visited our Respiratory Medicine outpatient clinic were consecutively recruited. Spirometry, plethysmography and IOS tests were performed. Patients were stratified into mild, moderate and severe disease according to Reiff, Bhalla, BSI, FACED, and BRICS scores. Airway reversibility was measured by bronchodilation test (BDT) and the result was classified as positive or negative.. ROC curves of IOS parameters was used to assess the usefulness of IOS parameters in predicting airway reversibility. Correlations between the IOS, spirometric lung function and bronchiectasis severity parameters were analysed.ResultsMany IOS parameters, such as airway resistance at 5Hz (R5), small airways resistance (R5–R20), total airway reactance (X5), resonance frequency (Fres), total airway impedance at 5Hz (Z5), and peripheral resistance (Rp) increased with increased bronchiectasis severity according to the FACED, BSI and Reiff scores. Large airway resistance (R20) and central resistance (Rc) were not significantly different among groups with differentbronchiectasis severity. The difference between R5 and R20 (R5-R20) showed 81.0% sensitivity, and 69.8%specificity in predicting the airway reversibility in bronchiectasis with AUC of 0.794 (95%CI, 0.672-0.915).ConclusionIOS measurements are useful indicators of bronchiectasis severity and may be useful for predicting the airway reversibility.
Ask the Way From Those Who Have Walked It Before – Grandmothers’ Roles in Health-related Decision Making and HIV Pre-exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) Use Among Pregnant and Breastfeeding Women in Africa
Authors: Reddy Krishnaveni , Kemigisha Doreen , Chitukuta Miria , Dadabhai Sufia , Mathebula Florence , Tenza Siyanda , Palanee-Phillips Thesla , Ryan Julia , Macagna Nicole , Musara Petina , Straten Ariane van der
Published: May 2021

Background: HIV acquisition among pregnant and breastfeeding women in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) and vertical transmission rates remain high despite established strategies for HIV prevention. Methods: We explored grandmothers’ (mothers/mothers-in-law) influence on pregnant and breastfeeding women’s health-related decisions and their potential to support use of HIV prevention products utilizing qualitative data collected from grandmothers, HIV-uninfected, currently/recently pregnant or breastfeeding women and male partners of currently/recently pregnant or breastfeeding women during the MTN-041/MAMMA study. Results: Grandmothers were described as important sources of information, playing both supportive and influencer roles, due to personal maternal experience and generational knowledge. Grandmothers expressed willingness to support pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) use and agreed with other groups that this decision should be made by women themselves and/or with partners. Conclusion: With the right framing and approach, grandmothers’ supportive roles can optimise uptake and adherence to biomedical HIV prevention and reduce HIV acquisition among pregnant and breastfeeding women in these communities.
An anionic ligand snap-locks a long-range interaction in a magnesium-folded riboswitch
Authors: Yadav Rajeev , Widom Julia , Chauvier Adrien , Walter Nils
Published: May 2021

The archetypical transcriptional crcB fluoride riboswitch from Bacillus cereus is an intricately structured non-coding RNA element enhancing gene expression in response to toxic levels of fluoride. Here, we used single molecule FRET to uncover three dynamically interconverting conformations appearing along the transcription process: two distinct undocked states and one pseudoknotted docked state. We find that the fluoride anion specifically snap-locks the magnesium-induced, dynamically docked state. The long-range, nesting, single base pair A40-U48 acts as the main linchpin, rather than the multiple base pairs comprising the pseudoknot. We observe that the proximally paused RNA polymerase further fine-tunes the free energy to promote riboswitch docking. Finally, we show that fluoride binding at short transcript lengths is an early step toward partitioning folding into the docked conformation. These results reveal how the anionic fluoride ion cooperates with the magnesium-associated RNA to govern regulation of downstream genes needed for fluoride detoxification of the cell.
Design and Analysis of the Effect of Zeonex Based Octagonal Photonic Crystal Fiber for Different Types of Communication Applications
Authors: Hossain Selim , Kamruzzaman M. M. , Sen Shuvo , Azad Mir Mohammad
Published: May 2021

In this present work, a novel structure of octagonal cladding with two elliptical air holes based on photonic crystal fiber (O-PCF) has been presented for the application of different types of communication areas within the terahertz (THz) wave propagation. There are five layers of octagonal design shape of circular air holes (CAH) in cladding region with elliptical design shape of two air holes in core area has been reported in this research work. This O-PCF fiber has been investigated by the perfectly matched layers (PML) with the finite element method (FEM). After the simulation process, our proposed O-PCF fiber shows a low effective material loss (EML) of 0.0162 cm −1 , the larger effective area of 5.88×10-8 m2, the core power fraction (PF) of 80%, the scattering loss of 1.22×10 -10 dB/km, and the confinement loss of 3.33×10 -14 dB/m at the controlling region of 1 terahertz (THz). Due to its excellent characteristics, this proposed O-PCF fiber gives proficient transmission of broadband terahertz waves of signals. Moreover, for different kinds of optical communication applications and biomedical signals, our suggested O-PCF fiber will be highly perfect in the terahertz (THz) regions.
Potts model solver based on hybrid physical and digital architecture
Authors: Inaba Kensuke , Inagaki Takahiro , Igarashi Koji , Utsunomiya Shoko , Honjo Toshimori , Ikuta Takuya , Enbutsu Koji , Umeki Takeshi , Kasahara Ryoichi , Inoue Kyo , Yamamoto Yoshihisa , Takesue Hiroki
Published: May 2021

The Potts model describes Ising-model-like interacting spin systems with multivalued spin component, and ground-state search problems of the Potts model can be efficiently mapped onto various integer optimization problems thanks to the rich expression of the multivalued spins. Here, we demonstrate a solver of this model based on hybrid computation using physical and digital architectures, wherein a digital computer updates the interaction matrices in the iterative calculations of the physical Ising-model solvers. This update of interactions corresponds to learning from the Ising solutions, which allows us to save resources when embedding a problem in a physical system. We experimentally solved integer optimization problems (graph coloring and graph clustering) with this hybrid architecture in which the physical solver consisted of coupled degenerate optical parametric oscillators.
TGF-β Suppressed Succinat Dehydrogenase to Promote Osteosarcoma Chemo-Resistance Through An HIF1α Dependent Manner
Authors: Xu Yangbo , Li Yafei , Xiang Feifan , Deng Yong , Li Zhong , Yang Yunkang , Wei Daiqing
Published: May 2021

Background：Despite the widespread adoption of chemotherapy, drug resistance has been the major obstacle in tumor elimination of cancer patients. Our aim was to explore the role of TGF-β in osteosarcoma chemo-resistance. Methods：We performed cytotoxicity analysis of methotrexate (MTX) and cisplatin (CIS) in TGF-β treated osteosarcoma cells. Then a metabolite profile of the core energetic routes was analyzed by 1H-NMR in Saos-2 and MG-63 cell extracts. We detected the expression of succinate dehydrogenase (SDH), STAT1, and Hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF1α) in TGF-β treated osteosarcoma cells, and further tested the effects of these molecules on the cytotoxicity of chemotherapeutic agents. In vivo, we examined the tumor growth and survival time of Saos-2 bearing mice given the combination therapy of chemotherapeutic agents and a HIF1α inhibitor. Results：Metabolic analysis revealed an enhanced succinate production of osteosarcoma cells after TGF-β treatment. We further found the decrease in SDH expression and the increase in HIF1α expression of TGF-β treated osteosarcoma cells. Consistently, blockade of SDH aggravated the resistance of Saos-2/MG-63 cells to MTX and CIS. Also, a HIF1α inhibitor significantly strengthened the anti-cancer efficacy of chemotherapeutic drugs in mice with osteosarcoma cancer.Conclusion：Our study demonstrated that TGF-β attenuated the expression of SDH through reducing the transcription factor STAT1. The reduction of SDH then caused the up-regulation of HIF1α, thereby rerouting the glucose metabolism and aggravating chemo-resistance in osteosarcoma cells. Linking tumor cell metabolism to the formation of chemotherapy resistance, our study may guide the development of more effective treatments of osteosarcoma.
Effect of Low-load resistance training with different degrees of blood flow restriction in patients with knee osteoarthritis: study protocol for a randomized trial
Authors: Wang Haonan , Cheng Lin , Chen Yan , Wang Shen-Tao , Hu De-Xin , Wang Li-Na , Ni Guo-Xin
Published: May 2021

Background: Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is a common degenerative disease that causes pain, functional impairment, and a reduced quality of life. Resistance training is considered an effective approach to reduce the risk factor of muscle weakness in patients with KOA. Blood flow restriction (BFR) with low-load resistance training have better clinical outcomes than low-load resistance training alone. However, the effective degree of BFR with low-load resistance training has not been determined. The purpose of this study will be to evaluate the effectiveness of different degrees of BFR with low-load resistance training in patients with KOA on pain, self-reported function, physical function performance, muscle strength, muscle mass, and quality of life.Methods: This is a study protocol for a single-blind, randomized, controlled trial. One hundred individuals will be indiscriminately assigned into the following groups: two training groups with a BFR at 40% and 80% limb occlusion pressure (LOP), a training group without BFR, and a health education group. The three intervention groups will perform strength training for the quadriceps muscles twice a week for 12 weeks. The health education group will attend sessions once a week for 12 weeks. The primary outcomes will include pain, self-reported function, and adverse events. The secondary outcomes will include physical function performance, muscle strength of the knee extensors, muscle mass of quadriceps, and quality of life. The intention-to-treat analysis will be conducted for individuals who withdraw during the trial.Discussion: Previous studies have shown that BFR with low-load resistance training is more effective than low-load resistance training alone; however, a high degree of BFR may cause discomfort during training. If a 40% LOP for BFR will produce similar clinical outcomes as an 80% LOP for BFR, resistance training with a low degree of BFR can be chosen for those patients with KOA who are intolerant to a high degree of BFR.Trial registration: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, ChinCTR2000037859. Registered on 2 September 2020.
Mental Well-Being During Covid-19 in Adults, Mothers, and Children: Behavioral Evidence and Neural Pre-Markers
Authors: Borbás Réka , Fehlbaum Lynn Valérie , Dimanova Plamina , Negri Alessia , Arudchelvam Janani , Schnider Cilly Bernardette , Raschle Nora Maria
Published: May 2021

Covid-19 and associated restrictions greatly impact our physical and mental well-being, with particular challenges for children and families. We describe data from adults and children (N = 69, 41♀, age range = 7-51y, including 26 children and mothers), including pre-pandemic brain function and ~ 2’500 tests acquired during the early pandemic. We investigated (1) variability in child and adult well-being, (2) mother-child associations of mental well-being during the first months of the pandemic, and (3) the association between pre-pandemic neural brain correlates during mentalizing and later fears or subjective burden. Significant variation in mental health was observed in both, adults (e.g., anxiety, depression, or caregiver burden) and children (mood and emotional and behavioral problems). Mothers’ subjective burden of care was associated with children’s emotional and behavioral problems, while depression levels in mothers impacted children’s mood. Furthermore, friends met was a significant predictor of children’s mood during restrictions. Pre-pandemic neural correlates of mentalizing in prefrontal regions preceded later development of fear of illnesses and viruses in all participants, while temporoparietal activation preceded higher subjective burden in mothers. This study demonstrates a significant effect on, and variations in, mental well-being in adults and children during the early phase of Covid-19, emphasizes dyadic effects and possible neural precursors.
Revealing of Socio-Economic Sustainable Livelihood importance of Rudrasagar lake of Tripura, India
Authors: Barman Prabir , Roy Prantik , GHOSH JAYANTA
Published: May 2021

Rudrasagar is a natural waterlogged wetland, also this wetland known as the Ramsar site since 2005. This wetland site is historically as well as ecologically important for the nearby inhabitants. There is an agency namely, Rudrasagar Udvastu Fisherman Samabai Samity Ltd. (RUFSS) manages this wetland activity who are directly dependent and sustains themselves. Pisciculture and agriculture are the main occupations in the local community. This is an integral part of inhabitants; it is not only important economically but socially as well as ecologically. Rudrasagar Lake has 240 hectors according to the Melaghar revenue office. The Rudrasagar lake depth is less in the dry season as well as high in the rainy season. Therefore, the inhabitants are mostly dependent on this lake for their sustainable livelihood. Because of these activities, there are presumption about the degrading of the lake's ecological quality. For the purpose of this study six villages namely, Chandanmura, Rajendranagar, Latamura, Kemtali, Baidermura, and Rangamur took as a sample. With the notion in mind of sustainable livelihood, this research will find the socio-economic importance of the Rudrasagar lake and its legal safeguards.
Physical Modeling of Floor Failure Above Confined Water: A Case Study in China
Authors: WANG Wenmiao , YUAN Yong , CHEN Zhongshun , ZHU Cheng
Published: May 2021

Coal mining in areas with deep confined water is very dangerous; to ensure safety, it is necessary to clarify the damage characteristics of the working face floor. To directly reflect the failure characteristics of the working face floor under the coupled effects of mining stress and confined water pressure, this study takes the II633 working face of the Hengyuan coal mine in the Huaibei mining area as the engineering background. With the use of a self-designed monitoring system for confined water diversion and a similar material simulation experimental method, the mining stress distribution patterns, the deformation and failure characteristics of the overburden, and the diversion characteristics of the confined water in the working face floor are studied. The combined use of a confined water loading system and a confined water lifting system can directly reproduce the floor confined water lifting characteristics affected by floor failure during coal mining. The results show that the floor undergoes three stages of deformation in the horizontal direction: premining stress concentration compression (10-15 m ahead of the working face), postmining floor pressure relief expansion, and roof collapse stress recovery (the distance of the lagging working face is 15-20 m). In the vertical direction, a soft rock layer blocks the continuous transfer of mining stress to deeper layers and produces an important cushioning effect. In the process of coal mining, shear cracks easily develop in the coal wall in front of and behind the working face. After the coal seam is excavated, the length of the fractures that develop in the model is 27 cm. The confined water loading system can visually reproduce the hydraulic characteristics of the confined water during the mining process; that is, the confined water easily bursts at the front and back ends of the coal wall in the goaf. The error, as determined by comparison between the field measurement and the theoretical calculation results, is only 0.617 m, verifying the reliability of the similar simulation method.
Dendrites of Neocortical Pyramidal Neurons: The Key to Understand Intellectual Disability
Authors: Granato Alberto , Merighi Adalberto
Published: May 2021

Pyramidal neurons (PNs) are the most abundant cells of the neocortex and display a vast dendritic tree, divided into basal and apical compartments. Morphological and functional anomalies of PN dendrites are at the basis of virtually all neurological and mental disorders, including intellectual disability. Here we provide evidence that the cognitive deficits observed in different types of intellectual disability might be sustained by different parts of the PN dendritic tree, or by a dysregulation of their interaction.
Milk Lymphocyte Profile and Macrophage Functions: New Insights Into the Immunity of the Mammary Gland in Quarters Infected With Corynebacterium Bovis
Authors: Silva Vitória M. , Souza Marina T. , Blagitz Maiara G. , Souza Fernando N. , Batista Camila F. , Alves Alexandre J. , Fernandes Artur C. C. , Sanchez Eduardo M. R. , Ordinola-Ramirez Carla M. , Costa Luciana , Libera Alice M. M. P. Della
Published: May 2021

BackgroundsThe present study explored the viability of milk macrophages, their intracellular production of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS), and their phagocytosis of S. aureus, as well as the profile of lymphocytes, from healthy udder quarters and udder quarters infected by Corynebacterium bovis. The study included 28 healthy udder quarters from 12 dairy cows and 20 udder quarters infected by C. bovis from 10 dairy cows. The percentages of macrophages and lymphocytes were identified by flow cytometry using monoclonal antibodies. Macrophage viability, RONS production, and S. aureus phagocytosis were evaluated by flow cytometry. ResultsMilk samples from quarters infected with C. bovis showed a lower percentage of macrophages but an increased number of milk macrophages per mL and a higher percentage of macrophages that produced intracellular RONS and phagocytosed S. aureus. No effect of C. bovis infection on macrophage viability was found. Udder quarters infected by C. bovis showed a higher percentage of T cells and CD4+ T lymphocytes, but no effect was found on the percentage of CD8+ CD4- T, CD8- CD4- T, or B lymphocytes. ConclusionsThus, our results corroborate, at least in part, the finding that intramammary infections by C. bovis may offer protection against intramammary infections by major pathogens.
Phytosterol Accumulation Results in Ventricular Arrhythmia, Impaired Cardiac Function and Death
Authors: Ge Hongfei , Liu Gongxin , Yamawaki Tracy M. , Tao Caroline , Alexander Shawn T. , Ly Kimberly , Fordstrom Preston , Shkumatov Artem A. , Li Chi-Ming , Rajamani Sridharan , Zhou Mingyue , Ason Brandon
Published: May 2021

Heart failure (HF) and cardiac arrhythmias share overlapping pathological mechanisms that act cooperatively to accelerate disease pathogenesis. Cardiac fibrosis is associated with both pathological conditions. Our previous work identified a link between phytosterol accumulation and cardiac injury in a mouse model of phytosterolemia, a rare disorder characterized by elevated circulating phytosterols and increased cardiovascular disease risk. Here, we uncover a previously unknown pathological link between phytosterols and cardiac arrhythmias in the same animal model. Phytosterolemia resulted in inflammatory pathway induction, premature ventricular contractions (PVC) and ventricular tachycardia (VT). Both pharmacological and genetic inhibition of phytosterol absorption prevented the induction of both pathways. Inhibition of phytosterol absorption reduced inflammation and cardiac fibrosis, improved cardiac function, reduced the incidence of arrhythmias and increased survival in a mouse model of phytosterolemia. Collectively, this work identified a pathological mechanism whereby elevated phytosterols result in inflammation and cardiac fibrosis leading to impaired cardiac function, arrhythmias and sudden death. These phytosterolemia-associated comorbidities provide novel insight into the underlying pathophysiological mechanism that predispose these patients to increased risk of sudden cardiac death.
On the Plasmonic Properties of Double-Deck Graphene Nanoribbon Structure in Mid-Infrared Regime
Authors: Zhang Yue , Dong Dandan , Xiong Tao , Wang Wei , Sun Cheng
Published: May 2021

In this work a double-deck structure consisting of graphene nanoribbons is proposed, and the plasmonic properties of the system is investigated at mid-infrared wavelengths. In the structure, two graphene nanoribbon arrays with different parameters are coated on both sides of a glass substrate. With respectively varying the Fermi energies, the layer numbers of the graphenes, and the widths of the ribbons, the light transmittance is studied in the wavelength region from 5 to 30μm, via the finite difference time domain method. Multiple plasmonic resonances are revealed in the double-deck graphenes. It is shown that the plasmonic resonance properties including the resonance wavelengths, the peak intensities, and the peak widths can be adjusted by changing the parameters of the graphenes. The results suggest that the double-deck graphene nanoribbon structure proposed in this work be implemented in designs of plasmonic devices in mid-infrared regime.
Innovative Design of 3D-Printed Nasopharyngeal Pediatric Swab for COVID-19 Detection
Authors: Alazemi Ameerah , AbdulHussain Ghadeer , Alawwam Abdullah , Al-Shatti Ali , alghounaim Mohammad , Almazeedi Sulaiman , Youha Sarah Al , alsabah Salman
Published: May 2021

3-dimensional (3D) printing technology provides a solution to meet the high demand for producing adult nasal swabs. A smaller, more flexible nasopharyngeal swab needs to be developed for children and infants suspected of having coronavirus. The information shared here presents a novel 3D-printed pediatric swab for the purpose of collecting upper respiratory clinical specimens.
Possible Relationship Between Korean Heat Wave and Western North Pacific Tropical Cyclone Genesis Frequency
Authors: Cha Yumi , Choi JaeWon , Ahn Joong-Bae
Published: May 2021

This study conducted a correlation analysis between tropical cyclone genesis frequency (TCGF) in the western North Pacific (WNP) and heat wave days (HWD) in Korea during July and August for 46 years (1973-2018) and we found showed a strong positive correlation between them. This implied that the higher the TCGF in the WNP during July and August, the higher the HWD in Korea becomes. To examine the cause of the statistically significant positive correlation between the TCGF during July and August in the WNP and the HWD in Korea, 15 years with the highest frequency and the lowest frequency out of the 46 years in the TCGF time series were selected and defined as high TCGF years and low TCGF years, respectively. An analysis of the difference in 2m air temperature (Air2m) between the two groups showed that in the mid-latitude region of Asia, the Air2m was higher during the high TCGF years. Thus, it could be seen from this analysis that the increase of HWD during the high TCGF years is likely to occur in the entire mid-latitude region of East Asia as well as in Korea. According to the difference in atmospheric circulations between the two groups, in all layers of the troposphere, anomalous anticyclonic and cycloninc circulations were strengthened in the mid-latitude region of East Asia and in the WNP, respectively, which was similar to the Pacific-Japan (PJ) teleconnection pattern. Furthermore, the anomalous anticyclone strengthened in the mid-latitude region of East Asia was associated with the weakening of the East Asian summer monsoon, and the anomalous cyclone strengthened in the WNP was associated with the WNP summer monsoon. The difference in the vertical meridional circulation averaged over the longitude range where Korea is located showed that anomalous upward and downward flows were strengthened in the WNP and in the latitude where Korea is located, respectively. This implied that the local Hadley circulation was strengthened during the high TCGF years. An analysis of the difference in the mean sea surface temperature during July and August showed that the eastern Pacific (EP) La Niña was strengthened during the high TCGF years. To determine the cause of the formations of anomalous anticyclones in the mid-latitude region of East Asia and in the WNP during the high TCGF years, the 500 hPa wave activity flux was analyzed. The wave activity flux originated from the North Atlantic, passed through the Scandinavian Peninsula, the North coast of Russia, and East Siberia before reaching Korea and the WNP. This spatial distribution was similar to the Scandinavia teleconnection pattern. Therefore, we conclude that the anomalous anticyclone formed in the mid-latitude region of East Asia and the anomalous cyclone formed in the WNP during the high TCGF years are associated with the Scandinavia teleconnection pattern.
Intracranial Pressure Directly Predicts Headache Morbidity in Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension
Authors: Mollan Susan , Wakerley Benjamin , Alimajstorovic Zerin , Mitchell James , Ottridge Ryan , Yiangou Andreas , Thaller Mark J , Grech Olivia , Lavery Gareth , Brock Kristian , Sinclair Alexandra
Published: May 2021

Objective: Headache is the predominant disabler in idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH). The aim was to characterise headache and investigate the association with intracranial pressure.Methods: IIH:WT was a randomised controlled parallel group multicentre trial in the United Kingdom investigating weight management methods in IIH. Participants with active IIH (evidenced by papilloedema) and a body mass index (BMI) ≥35kg/m2 were recruited. At baseline, 12 months and 24 months headache characteristics and quality of life outcome measures were collected and lumbar puncture measurements were performed.Results: Sixty-six women with active IIH were included with a mean age of 32.0 years (SD ± 7.8), and mean body mass index of 43.9 ± 7.0 kg/m2. The headache phenotype was migraine-like in 86%. Headache severity correlated with ICP at baseline (r=0.285; p=0.024); change in headache severity and monthly headache days correlated with change in ICP at 12 months (r=0.454, p=0.001 and r=0.419, p=0.002 respectively). Cutaneous allodynia was significantly correlated with ICP at 12 months. (r=0.479, p<0.001). Boot strap analysis noted a positive association between ICP at 12 and 24 months and enabled prediction of both change in headache severity and monthly headache days. ICP was associated with significant improvements in quality of life (SF-36).Conclusions: We demonstrate a positive relationship between ICP and headache and cutaneous allodynia, which has not been previously reported in IIH. Those with the greatest reduction in ICP over 12 months had the greatest reduction in headache frequency and severity; this was associated with improvement of quality of life measures.Classification of evidence: This work provides Class IIa evidence of the association of raised intracranial pressure and headache. ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT02124486.
Anthropometric measurements of patellar ridge using computed tomography-based three-dimensional computer models
Authors: Mei Xiao-liang , Ding Hao , Meng Jia , Zhao Jian-ning
Published: May 2021

Background: The objectives of this study were to investigate anatomic morphology of patellar ridge using computed tomography-based three-dimensional (3D) computer models and to assess the center of the patellar ridge after virtual resections.Methods: We selected 80 patients, 40 males (age, 33.2±6.8 years) and 40 female (age, 30.6±7.2 years), who were slight symptomatic with soft tissue injury of knee joint. The right or left knees were scanned by computed tomography (CT). The CT date of 160 knees was used to construct 3D computer models by image analysis software (Mimics). Variables such as the angle between the patellar ridge and patellar long axis, the distance between the center of patellar ridge and the center of patellar cut after virtual resections were measured. We detect differences between the sides and genders with the 3D computer models by Student’s t test. Simple linear regression and correlation test was used to correlate the patellar ridge centre to the centre of the patellar cut. Results: According to the available date, there were significant gender differences in the length and width of patellar cut after virtual resections even with strict control for the height and weight of the patients. The angle between the patellar ridge and the patellar long axis was 11.24°±3.62°. The angle in male patients was 10.17°± 4.82°and it was 12.28°± 3.78°in female patients. The morphological difference was statistically significant (P<0.05) .After using the subchondral method to virtually resect the patellae, with reference to centre of the patellar cut, the center of patellar ridge lies superiorly and medially in 88.75%, inferiorly and medially in 8.75%, laterally and superiorly in 2.5%, and in no case laterally and inferiorly. The intra-observer reliability regarding the dimensional measurements was excellent in this study. Conclusions: Advances in 3D computer models had resulted in the availability of preoperative measurement and virtual planning. The anthropometric dimensions of this study could provide general information for guiding surgical management of the patella in total knee arthroplasty (TKA) and were useful in designing patellar implants. Clinical relevance: The placement of the patellar component during TKA differs from one patella to another. The anatomic morphology information of the patellar ridge is helpful for surgeons to perform patellar resurfacing in TKA.
An Early CU Partition Mode Decision Algorithm in VVC Based on Variogram for Virtual Reality 360 Degree Videos
Authors: Zhang Mengmeng , Hou Yan , Liu Zhi
Published: May 2021

360-degree videos have become increasingly popular with the development of virtual reality (VR) technology. These videos are converted to a 2D image plane format before being encoded with standard encoders. To improve coding efficiency, a new generation video coding standard has been launched to be known as Versatile Video Coding (VVC). However, the computational complexity of VVC makes it time-consuming to compress 360-degree videos of high resolution. The diversity of CU partitioning modes of VVC greatly increases the computational complexity. Through statistical experiments on ERP videos, it is found that the probability of using horizontal partitioning for such videos is greater than that of vertical partitioning. The empirical variogram combined with Mahalanobis distance is proposed to measure texture orientation information. The experimental results show that the algorithm saves 32.13% of the coding time with only 0.66% BDBR increasing.
A Vasoactive Inotropic Score Predicts the Severity of Hypotensive Shock and Mortality in Preterm Infants
Authors: Amer Reem , Seshia Mary M , Elsayed Yasser N
Published: May 2021

Objective: To validate the prediction of the severity of hypotensive shock and mortality using the vasoactive inotropic score in preterm infants.Methods: In this retrospective study we calculated the vasoactive inotropic score (VIS) and cumulative exposure to cardiovascular medications over time (VISct) in a cohort of preterm infants with hypotensive shock who received a cardiovascular support. Receiver operator curve was constructed to predict the primary outcome which was death due to hypotensive shock. Results: VIS had an area under the curve of 0.73 (95% CI 0.85-0.98, p < 0.001). A VIS cut off of 25 has sensitivity and specificity of 66% and 92%, and positive and negative predictive values of 78.5% and 83%, respectively.Conclusion: High VIS predicts high mortality rate due to irreversible shock in preterm infants
Study on in-Situ Stress Distribution in the East and West of Sichuan Basin
Authors: Fang Xinxin , Feng Hong
Published: May 2021

This paper statistically analyzed 112 acoustic emission experimental data of cores from 38 wells in the Upper Permian Changxing Formation, Triassic Xujiahe Formation, Leikoupo Formation, Jialingjiang Formation, and Feixianguan Formation in the northeastern Sichuan Basin, and 106 acoustic emission test data of cores from 32 wells of the Jurassic Shaximiao Formation and Penglai Formation in western Sichuan, eliminated data with large errors, established scatter plots of in-situ stress changing with depth in northeastern and western Sichuan, and carried out corresponding regression analysis. Studies show that the in-situ stress distribution rules in northeastern Sichuan and western Sichuan are quite different, which are mainly related to the evolution and tectonic movement of basin. The vertical stress of two blocks is generally linear with the depth, and the vertical stress value is related to the rock. The difference between overburden weight and vertical stress is small. The maximum and minimum horizontal principal stresses gradually increase with buried depth, and the degree that horizontal principal stress increase with buried depth in northeastern Sichuan is generally greater than that in western Sichuan. The horizontal shear stress is also linear with buried depth. The corresponding linear relationship is stronger in the western part of Sichuan, while the dispersion in the eastern part of Sichuan has an increasing trend as the buried depth increases. The elastic modulus of rock directly affects stress value of rock. Generally, the higher the elastic modulus of rock, the better it is to maintain higher stress. The elastic modulus of rocks of different genesis is obviously different, and the relationship between the stress value of rock and the elastic modulus is quite different. Because strength of carbonate rock is greater than that of sandstone, the change of elastic modulus is the maximum level of carbonate rock. The influence of principal stress is greater than that of sandstone, and the influence of minimum principal stress of sandstone is greater than that of carbonate rock. In carbonate rock, the effect of elastic modulus on the minimum horizontal principal stress is greater than the maximum horizontal principal stress, while in sandstone it is the opposite.
Clinical Characteristics of Nodular Fasciitis of Ear in Children
Authors: Wang Xiaoxu , Liu Wei , He Lejian , Chen Min , Shao Jianbo , Zhang Xiao , Ma Ning , Li Yanhong , Zhang Jie
Published: May 2021

Purpose Summarized the clinical characteristics and diagnosis and treatment process of three cases of nodular fasciitis of ear, to provide a basis for clinical diagnosis and treatment. Methods Reviewed the clinical manifestations, images, pathology, treatment and postoperative follow up results of three cases of pediatric nodular fasciitis in the Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Beijing Children's Hospital, Capital Medical University from 2018 to 2020. Results The average age at diagnosis were 24 months, with two girls and a boy. Two lesions were found in the left ear and one in the right ear. All cases had a history of biopsy before surgery. Two of three cases showed a sign of rapid growth after biopsy and three of which were ineffective in anti-inflammatory treatment. FISH test for USP6 were performed in two of the three cases with positive results. Three lesions show a hypointensity or isointensity on T1-weighted MRI and a heterogeneous hyperintensity on T2-weighted MRI. ‘‘Fascial tail’’ sign was found on image of all three cases. All lesions underwent surgical resection. Follow-up showed no recurrence and had an intact ear appearance. Conclusion The early misdiagnosis rate of nodular fasciitis of the ear is high. Combine clinical features with imaging findings may improve the accuracy of preoperative diagnosis. Besides the appearance of pathology, USP6 gene test is also an important tool in the diagnosis. The final diagnosis should be based on comprehensive assessment. Complete surgical resection can prevent recurrence.
Determination of Start and End of Rainy Season in the South-western Region of Sri Lanka
Authors: sonnadara upul
Published: May 2021

Daily rainfall records for 50 years (1961 to 2010) were used to determine the start and end of rainy seasons in the south western region of Sri Lanka. The study was based on data records obtained from two weather stations in Colombo and Galle situated in the western and southern coastal belts of Sri Lanka respectively, that have two growing seasons Yala and Maha. The start and end dates were determined by using a method that is based on cumulative rainfall measured during a season. Substantial interannual variability is seen in start and end of rainy seasons in this study.For the Yala season, the mean start and end dates are in the standard weeks 12.0±2.3 and 24.1±2.0 (March 24th to June 20th) respectively. For the Maha season the mean start and end dates are in the standard weeks 35.4±2.0 and 49.6±2.0 (September 5th to December 15th) respectively. The mean duration of the rainy season for Yala and Maha are 12.1±2.6 weeks and 14.2±2.3 weeks respectively. The start date and the duration of the rainy season for both Yala and Maha are correlated, leading to early start dates resulting in longer rainy seasons. It can be concluded from this study that it is possible to use daily rainfall records to determine the mean start and end dates of rainy seasons in the south-western region of Sri Lanka.
Antisense RNA Enhanced Sensitivity of Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus Aureus to Hydrogen Peroxide
Authors: CHEN YU , FANG RONG , LEI LEI , WU ZHOU SHI , LIU JIE YUN , ZHANG HUI
Published: May 2021

Background: Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) is the leading cause of various infective diseases including topical soft tissue infections. Due to an increasing prevalence of the methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), S. aureus infection become more challenging to being treated over recent years. The goals of this study were to investigate the roles of antisense yycF/G RNAs in the regulation of the biofilm formation and pathogenicity. Methods: MRSA ASyycF/G overexpression mutants were constructed. The biofilm biomass was determined by crystal violet microtiter assay and scanning electron mi-ceroscopy (SEM). Quantitative RT-PCR and western blotting analysis were used to detect the transcripts and translations of biofilm-related genes. The effects of the antisense RNAs (ASyycF/G) strategy on the susceptibility of biofilm-producing S. aureus to hydrogen peroxide were also investigated. Result: The ASyycF/G transcript leaded to reduction in the biofilm formation. Overexpression of ASyycF/G inhibited the transcripts and translations of biofilm-related genes. The sensibility to vancomycin was improved in ASyycF/G overexpression MRSA. Conclusions: The biofilm biomass and the transcripts of the pathogenicity associated genes decreased in the ASyycF/G overexpression mutant. Thus, the current evidence may provide a supplementary strategy for managing MRSA infections.
A DFT Investigation of The Host-Guest Interactions Between Boron-Based Aromatic Systems and β-Cyclodextrin
Authors: Rahali Seyfeddine , Belhocine Youghourta , Allal Hamza , Bouhadiba Abdelaziz , Assaba Ibtissem Meriem , Seydou Mahamadou
Published: May 2021

Density-functional theory calculations including dispersion at BLYP-D3(BJ)/def2-SVP level of theory were performed for a series of systems based on cyclodextrin complexation with boron-based aromatic compounds. Elaborated investigations were carried out using different quantum chemical parameters such as computed complexation energies, theoretical association constants and natural bond orbital (NBO) analysis. Several configurations and inclusion modes were considered in this work. The calculated complexation energies were consistent with the experimental classification of these systems on the basis of occurring interactions. Reduced density gradient (RDG) and independent gradient model (IGM) approaches determined the nature and strength of non-covalent interactions which played a central role in the formation of the complexes. Thus, phenylboronic acid (PBA) and benzoxaborole (Bxb) act mainly as hydrogen-bonded complexes with β-cyclodextrin, while mainly Van der Waals (vdW) interactions stabilize both catechol (PhBcat) and pinacol esters of phenylboronic acid (PhBpin) complexes. The ferroceneboronic acid (FcBA) exhibits a mixture of H-bonds and vdW interactions with β-cyclodextrin.
Evaluation of Left Ventricular Myocardial Work Quantitatively by Pressure-strain Loop in Young Strength Athletes With Different Heart Rates
Authors: Li Pengge , Li Lijin , Sun Mengjiao , Li Zhen , Liu Mengmeng , Hua Shaohua
Published: May 2021

Objective: The present study aimed to investigate the difference in left ventricular (LV) global and regional myocardial (MW) of strength athletes with different heart rates (HR) through non-invasive LV pressure-strain loop (PSL) and further address the effect of athlete’s heart rate variability on the LV systolic function.Methods:Fifty young professional wrestlers were collected randomly and divided into two groups in accordance with their different HR: the low HR (45~60 bpm, n1=25) and the high HR (60~80 bpm, n2=25). Thirty individuals with gender- and age-matched healthy volunteers served as controls (n3=30). Global and regional MW parameters were evaluated using LV-PSL derived from speckle tracking echocardiography (STE) and brachial artery pressure, and then compared between the above three groups.Results:The indicators of global and regional MW did statistically significantly differ between the athlete and control groups. Peak strain dispersion (PSD) and global myocardial wasted work (GWW) increased while global myocardial work efficiency (GWE) reduced in LHR and HHR groups compared with the control group, and global myocardial work index (GWI), global myocardial constructive work (GCW), global longitudinal strain (GLS) decreased in LHR group (P＜0.05). In comparison to the LHR group, GWI, GCW, GWW, PSD increased in HHR group and GWE reduced (P＜0.05). According to the regional MW analysis, the mean regional myocardial work index (RMWI) increasing gradually from basal to apical levels were similar across the three groups and regional myocardial work efficiency (RMWE) did not. Multiple linear regression analysis indicated that the HR, posterior wall thickness (PWT), interventricular septal thickness (IVST), GLS, and PSD were correlated with GWE (b’= -0.247, -0.390, -0.370, 0.340, and -0.554, respectively, P＜0.05).Conclusions:The LV contractile performance was more impaired in young strength athletes with high heart rates and PSL can be used to assess LV GMW and RMW quantitatively and accurately in reflecting LV systolic function.
Solenoid-free current drive via ECRH in EXL-50 spherical torus plasmas
Authors: Shi Yuejiang , Liu Bing , Song Shaodong , Song Yunyang , Song Xianming , Tong Bowei , Cheng Shikui , Liu Wenjun , Wang Mingyuan , Sun Tiantian , Guo Dong , Li Songjian , Li Yingying , Chen Bin , Gu Xiang , Cai Jianqing , Luo Di , Banerjee Debabrata , Zhao Xin , Yang Yuanming , Luo Wenwu , Zhou Peihai , Wang Yu , Ishida Akio , Maekawa Takashi , Liu Minsheng , Yuan Baoshan , Peng Yueng-Kay
Published: May 2021

As a new spherical tokamak (ST) designed to simplify engineering requirements of a possible future fusion power source, the EXL-50 experiment features a low aspect ratio (A) vacuum vessel (VV), encircling a central post assembly containing the toroidal field coil conductors. Multiple electron cyclotron resonance heating (ECRH) resonances are located within the VV to possibly improve current drive effectiveness. The energetic electrons are observed via hard X-ray detectors, carry the bulk of the plasma current ranging from 50kA to 150kA, which is maintained for more than 1s duration. It is observed that over one Ampere current can be maintained per Watt of ECRH power issued from the 28-GHz gyrotrons. The plasma current with high line-density (approaching 1019m-2) has been achieved for plasma currents as high as 76kA. An analysis was carried out combining reconstructed multi-fluid equilibrium, guiding-center orbits, and resonant heating mechanisms. It is verified that in EXL-50 a broadly distributed current of energetic electrons creates smaller closed magnetic-flux surfaces of low aspect ratio that in turn confine the thermal plasma electrons and ions and participate in maintaining the equilibrium force-balance.